Have you ever bought a stamp set or dies and forgotten to use them? It’s not something that happens to me very often as I keep new things stacked on my desk. Then once they’ve been used I move them to their permanent spot with the rest of my current products. However I obviously got distracted when it came to the Zany Zoo Stamp Set and Dies. That’s why I was completely shocked to find that today’s project is the first time I’ve used the dies, and the stamps remain un-inked!

MERRY MELODY

This project actually began as I rediscovered the Merry Melody 3D Embossing Folder. I knew I had a few stamp sets that included musical images and decided the embossing folder would make a great background. So I cut a 2-7/8″ x 2-7/8″ piece of Lemon Lime Twist Card and embossed it. Then I cut a 3″ x 3″ piece of Basic Black Card and mounted the embossed layer on top using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow).

For my sentiment, “just a note” was partcularly appropriate and there are several current stamp sets I could have used. But I reached for Go To Greetings and chose the smallest of the three “Just A Note” sentiments in that set. After stamping it onto a 3/4″ x 2-7/8″ strip of Basic White Card with Tuxedo Black ink, I glued it across the embossed layer.

Now the background was complete I decided to find a 3″ x 3″ Post-It Notes® pad in neon green to cover. So next I cut a 3-1/8″ x 5-1/4″ piece of Shaded Spruce Card. Then with the long side at the top I scored it at 3-1/8″ and 3-1/2″. After folding the card along the scored lines I sharpened the creases with a Bone Folder. Finally I wrapped the card over the top of the pad and secured it to the back using liquid glue.

From there I cut a 3-1/4″ x 3-1/4″ piece of Basic Black Card and glued the covered pad on top, before gluing everything onto a 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ piece of Shaded Spruce Card.

ZANY ZOO CRITTERS

All I needed now was my musical performer and for that I turned to the Zany Zoo Stamp Set. However when I opened up the case I discovered a stack of images already die-cut. These 6 colourful critters all matched the stamps, but were in fact die-cut from the coordinating Zoo Crew 12″ x 12″ Designer Series Paper (DSP). Immediately all thoughts of using the stamps went out of my mind as I picked up the singing tortoise all ready to go.

From there the project came together really quickly. First I put some pieces of Stampin’ Dimensionals on the back of the die-cut tortoise and attached him to the embossed layer. Then with more Stampin’ Dimensionals I mounted the assembled piece onto the covered Post-It Notes pad. And just like that I was done.

I know I’ve used the Zoo Crew DSP quite a lot but there are so many cute critters doing fun things it’s hard not to. I wonder what my tortoise is singing… It’s not easy being green? Slow dance?

PRODUCT LIST

BUNDLE BONUS – I boughts the Zany Zoo Dies in a bundle with the coordinating Zany Zoo Stamp Set (not used today). Using the single bundle item number to get these two items meant I saved 10% off the cost of buying them separately. For this reason I’ve included a link to the bundle below in case you want to explore this option.