My regular readers will know that I like to get the most from my craft budget, and that means being creative with materials. I love taking products that have a specific theme and finding ways to make something totally different. But when I got my hands on the free Penguin Playmates 12″ x 12″ Designer Series Paper (DSP) I didn’t have to think too hard.

The Penguin Playmates DSP features a selection of cute critters enjoying time in the snow. It coordinates with the Penguin Place Stamp Set and Penguin Builder Punch from the July to December Mini Catalogue. However when I looked at the reverse of each sheet I realised that these patterns were good for any time of year. One striped design in particular shouted ‘baby card’ and so that’s what I sat down to make.

STRIPES

With the gorgeous striped design on my desk I checked the back of the paper pack for the colours used. From these colours; Misty Moonlight, Fresh Freesia, Soft Sea Foam and Just Jade, I chose Soft Sea Foam for my card base. Using my Paper Trimmer I cut and scored the card, then folded it along the scored line and sharpened the crease with a Bone Folder.

Next I cut a 3-7/8″ x 5-1/8″ piece of Misty Moonlight Card and a 4″ x 5-1/4″ piece of Basic White Card.

Now I was ready to cut into the DSP starting with a 2-1/4″ x 6″ piece. Using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow) I fixed it to the flap of a Basic White Medium Envelope. Then with Paper Snips I trimmed off the excess DSP using the edge of the flap as a guide,

I cut my second piece of the striped DSP at 3/4″ x 5-1/4″ and glued that down the right-hand edge of my Basic White layer. Then along the left edge of the DSP I added a 1/8″ x 5-1/4″ strip of Fresh Freesia Card. Finally using more liquid glue I fixed the assembled piece inside the card base.

My last piece of DSP was cut 3-1/4″ x 5″ and mounted onto the Misty Moonlight Card. Then I added that to the front of the card base using Stampin’ Dimensionals.

Now I was ready to start work on my penguin focal point.

PENGUIN PIECE

Staying with the Penguin Playmates DSP I found a sweet penguin image without a hat or scarf. The image was quick and easy to cut out using Paper Snips and I set it to one side.

Because the background stripes were quite busy I decided that I’d need something to make the penguin stand out a little more. Looking through my Basic White Card scraps I came across a 2-1/2″ x 2-1/2″ piece with one corner missing. I remember messing up the stamping on this piece so I chopped off the corner and added it to my scraps. Now that odd shape gave me an idea.

Using liquid glue I fixed the Basic White piece onto the striped background to create a sort of snow hill. Then with Stampin’ Dimensionals I added the penguin to the left side.

For my sentiment I chose “You made a little human!” from the One Happy Family Stamp Set. Using Misty Moonlight ink I stamped it onto a 3/8″ x 2-3/8″ strip of Basic White Card. Then I mounted it onto a 1/2″ x 2-1/2″ strip of Fresh Freesia Card with liquid glue. Finally I tucked it under the penguin and fixed it into place with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

To finish I added some Mint Macaron embellishments from the Genial Gems pack and my baby card was complete.

This is such a fun card and you’d never guess there were polar bears and foxes playing with penguins on the back of the striped piece.

PRODUCT LIST

The Penguin Playmates DSP is part of the Sale-A-Bration promotion and so will only available until September 30th. This paper is not available to buy. To get it simply place an order for $60 and then choose the DSP as your free product when prompted.

You can buy the coordinating Penguin Place Stamp Set and Penguin Builder Punch separately. Or you can order the Penguin Place Bundle using a single item number and save 10%. I didn’t use either of these products for today’s project but if you like penguins, do check them out.