Today’s card began after I received an e-mail from one of the design challenges I follow. CAS(E) this Sketch provided the layout and I immediately know whet I wanted to make. Instead of seeing the circle as a punched layer on top, I saw a hole. From there it all went swimmingly using the new Whale Done Stamp Set.

WHALE OF A TIME

For me the hardest part of this project was finding just the right background. I wanted it to complement my planned whale image and not distract from it. The problem was that until I’d chosen my paper I wasn’t sure what ink colour I’d want. In the end I found this stunning blue abstract design in the Whale of A Time 6″ x 6″ Designer Series Paper (DSP) pack.

First I cut a piece of the DSP to 2-1/4″ x 6″. Then using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow) I it to the flap of a Whisper White Medium Envelope. Finally I trimmed the DSP with Paper Snips, using the edge of the flap as a guide.

From the remaining piece of DSP I cut a piece 3-3/4″ x 5″ and set this aside for my card front. Then from the little piece that was left I cut a 1/4″ x 3-3/4″ strip. Finally, using liquid glue I fixed the strip in the centre, 1/8″ up from the bottom of a 4″ x 5-1/4″ layer of Whisper White Card.

Next I created my card base using my Paper Trimmer to cut and score some Thick Whisper White Card. Like most of my card bases I cut it 5-1/2″ x 8-1/4″, then with the long side at the top, scored at 4-1/4″. Then I folded along the scored line and sharpened the crease with a Bone Folder. With that done I used liquid glue to fix the Whisper White layer inside the card. Then I set the prepared card base aside while I worked on the front of the design.

WHALE DONE

My first task was to find a circle that would fit my Whale Done sentiment but not take too much out of my background. In the end I went with the #4 plain edged die from the Layering Circles Dies (counting from the smallest up).

It was at this point I thought I might need to reinforce the DSP so I glued a layer of Whisper White Card on the back. Then I put the DSP back into my die-cutting machine with the same die inserted into the hole. After running it through the machine I now had a more sturdy background.

It was only then that I began thinking about mounting the piece onto a layer of contrasting card. In the end I chose Balmy Blue Card and cut a piece 3-7/8″ x 5-1/8″. After gluing the two layers together I still had my hole, but it was filled with pale blue. No matter, I could use the circle I’d cut from the hole!

Suddenly everything made sense. Using Night of Navy ink I stamped the sentiment near the top of the white circle. Then with liquid glue I fixed the circle inside the hole in the DSP. As I did this I thought I could have skipped the step where I cut the white circle. But then I realised the separate piece meant I didn’t have to worry about it being straight. I could stamp and then just twist the circle until it was level.

Next, I used Tear & Tape Adhesive to fix two 3″ pieces of Seaside Spray 1/4″ Metallic Ribbon below the hole.

Finally I stamped the whale onto Thick Whisper White Card with Night of Navy ink. After punching him out with the coordinating Whale Punch I fixed him onto the card with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

SKETCH INSPIRATION

PRODUCT LIST

I bought the Whale Done Stamp Set and coordinating Whale Punch in a bundle using a single item number. This meant I saved 10% off the cost of buying the two items separately. I’ve included links to both option so you can explore this further if you wish.