One of the reasons I love stamping is because it makes me feel artistic, even though my drawing skills are childlike to say the least. It’s also why I love Stampin’ Up!’s pretty Designer Series Paper (DSP). So when I get to combine the two I’m in heaven. Another reason I love their DSP is it gives me ideas. Take the Zoo Crew paper. The minimal colouring of the various critters inspired me to try the same thing with images from the Zany Zoo Stamp Set, and this birthday card was the result.

ZOO CREW

My project began when I chose the ballerina cheetah from one of the designs in the Zoo Crew DSP pack. Six of the many animals featured within the designs coordinate with dies from the Zany Zoo Dies. So I cut roughly around the cheetah and then finished it off using the approptiate die. To make it a little less flimsy I also die cut a piece of Basic White Card. Then using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow) I fixed the cheetah onto the die-cut card.

Next I cut a 2-1/4″ x 3-1/2″ piece of Basic White Card and a 2-3/8″ x 3-5/8″ piece of Pool Party Card. Then using liquid glue I layered the two pieces together.

It was only as I prepared to add the cheetah to the layers that I decided I needed something for her to be dancing on. As I looked at my desk I noticed a small scrap of the DSP that had fallen out of the packet. The black and white pattern would work well so I trimmed it to 11/16″ x 2-1/8″. Then I angled two of the corners using the Very Best Trio Punch.

From there I glued the black and white piece to the bottom of my card layers. Then I added the ballerina using pieces of Stampin’ Dimensionals.

By this point I had decided to use Thick Basic White Card for the card base. After cutting and scoring the card I folded it along the scored line and sharpened the crease with a Bone Folder. Then I cut two 4″ x 5-1/4″ pieces of Basic White Card. I set one aside for later, and glued the other one onto the front of the card base. Finally I added the assembled ballerina layers to the card front with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

ZANY ZOO STAMPING

All I wanted now was a sentiment and for that I turned to the Zany Zoo Stamp Set. Using Tuxedo Black ink I stamped “happy birthday to you” onto a scrap of Thick Basic White Card. Then I cut out the individual words with my Paper Snips, before adding them to the card front with pieces of Stampin’ Dimensionals.

That just left the inside of the card and the envelope to decorate and initially I considered die-cutting more cheetahs from the DSP. Instead I decided to stamp them.

Using Tuxedo Black ink I stamped one cheetah in the bottom right corner of the Basic White Card layer I’d set aside. Then I stamped her on the front of a Basic White Medium Envelope.

As I reached for my Stampin’ Blends alcohol markers I decided to take my lead from the Stampin’ Up! designer who created the Zoo Crew paper. So rather than trying to copy and blend colours on the cheetahs I grabbed just the dark Pool Party Stampin’ Blends. Then I used it to colour just the petals of the flower decorating her tutu.

Once both flowers were coloured I glued the Basic White layer inside the card base and my project was complete.

If you like the Zany Zoo DSP you’ll be pleased to know that it’s just one of the packs that will be on sale at 15% off during June. For all the packs in this promotion see my DSP Sale Flyer. Please note that as I’m an Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator in Canada the prices on my flyer are in Canadian $.

PRODUCT LIST

BUNDLE BONUS – I bought the Zany Zoo Stamp Set and coordinating Dies in a bundle. Using the single bundle item number to get these two items meant I saved 10% off the cost of buying them separately. I’ve included a link to the bundle below in case you want to explore this option.