Playing With The First Bugs Of The Year

The sun is shining and the garden is full of birds. It might still be just above freezing but there’s something there that’s attracting them. I suspect that the bugs are starting to be more active in the lawn and I have no issues with the birds dealing with them for me. I love to see the garden coming back to life and little things like this are all part of the cycle. It reminded me of some things I haven’t used in ages and I thought I should remedy that. So out came the Wiggle Worm Stamp Set and coordinating Wiggly Bugs Dies.

Cute birthday gift card holder created using the Wiggle Worm Stamp Set and Wiggy Bugs Dies from Stampin' Up! #papercraftwithme

BACKGROUND FOR BUGS

To start this project I first thought about my colour scheme. Leafy greens seemed appropriate and I found the ideal background in the Garden Lane 12″ x 12″ Designer Series Paper (DSP) pack. Using the DSP as my inspiration I then chose Mossy Meadow and Mint Macaron Card for the gift card holder.

I knew the finished bug needed to stand out against the background but didn’t want to use Whisper White or Very Vanilla. Instead I chose Soft Seafoam Card for the bug and decided to use that for the sentiment too. For my stamping I would use Mossy Meadow and Mint Macaron ink.

Now with the key decisions made I could begin to create the giftcard holder.

Rather than explaining it, I created this video a while ago to show you how I make simple giftcard holders. If you’re not cutting up a notecard, just start with a 3″ x 7″ piece of card. With the long side at the top score it at 3-1/2″, then with the short side at the top score it at 1/4″ x 2-3/4″. Then assemble it as shown.

Once the Mossy Meadow card was cut, scored and assembled I was ready to start work on the front panel.

BIRTHDAY BUGS

First I cut a 2-3/8″ x 3-3/8″ piece of Mint Macaron Card then using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow) I attached a 2-1/4″ x 3-1/4″ piece of the DSP to it.

Next I used Mossy Meadow ink to stamp the bug image onto Soft Seafoam Card. Then I stamped the pattern on the bug using Mint Macaron ink. To cut out my completed image I turned to the Wiggly Bugs Dies. So far so good.

Create two colour toadstools using the Wiggly Bugs Dies from Stampin' Up! and this simple tip. #papercraftwithme

As I was deciding exactly where to place the bug on the giftcard holder I thought it needed a bright pop of colour. Included in the Wiggly Bugs Dies are a couple of toadstools that I thought would be perfect. Before I cut them out though I fixed a scrap of Sahara Sand Card and Poppy Parade Card together. Then on the back I added lines of Tear & Tape Adhesive. Now with careful placement I could die-cut the toadstools in two colours complete with the adhesive all in one go.

After cutting the toadstools I removed the backing paper from the adhesive and fixed them to the DSP layer. Then I added the bug with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

All I had left to stamp was the Happy Birthday sentiment in Mossy Meadow ink on Soft Seafoam Card. Instead of using a punch or die, I opted to cut it out using Paper Snips.

NATURE’S TWINE

As I was deciding exactly where to put the sentiment I thought that there was still something missing. So I cut some Mint Macaron twine from the Nature’s Twine Combo Pack. Unfortunately I didn’t like it laid across the DSP, and really didn’t want the hassle of tying a bow. So instead I thought I would pull the twine apart and create loops from the threads. Well what happened was I pulled one of the three sets of three threads from the twine. As I did this one of the other sets of three threads kind of gathered along the third set. At that moment all thoughts of thread loops went out of the window.

I put some Tear & Tape Adhesive on the back of the layered DSP then used it to secure the now loopy twine across the front. Then I added the sentiment over the twine with more Stampin’ Dimensionals before fixing the completed piece to the gift card holder with liquid glue. Finally my birthday gift card holder was done.

Well my finished project didn’t turn out exactly as I’d originally envisioned, I think it’s better. I have a feeling you may see that interesting twine effect on other projects in the future too.

Here’s some of my previous blog posts using the Wiggle Worm Stamp Set and Wiggly Bugs Dies:

PRODUCT LIST

BUNDLE BONUS – I bought the Wiggle Worm Stamp Set and coordinating Wiggly Bugs Dies using a single bundle item number. This meant I saved 10% off the cost of buying the two items separately. I’ve included both options below so you can explore these further if you wish.