After a couple of Christmas cards I thought it was time for something different. So today I have another project from my 24 cards in 24 hours challenge. This one started out quite simply as a desire to make a birthday card using the Zany Zebras Stamp Set. In my search for some appropriate paper for the scenery, things definitely took a zany turn.

ZANY ZEBRAS

As I said this project all began with the Zany Zebras; the galloping zebra to be precise.

Using Tuxedo Black ink I first stamped the zebra onto some Thick Whisper White Card. Then I cut him out using Paper Snips and set him aside for later.

Next I stamped him in the bottom right corner on a layer of Whisper White Card. Then using my Paper Trimmer I cut and scored a piece of Thick Whisper White Card. After folding it along the scored line I sharpened the crease with a Bone Folder to create my card base. With that done I used Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow) to fix the stamped layer on the inside.

Finally I stamped my zebra in the bottom left corner on the front of a Whisper White Medium Envelope.

For my “happy birthday” sentiment I went back to the Zany Zebras Stamp Set and Tuxedo Black ink. I began by stamping the sentiment onto a 1/2″ strip of Thick Whisper White Card. Then I shaped one end using the Lovely Label Pick-A-Punch, and set it aside.

AMAZING SEA-NERY

Now I had to create a scene for my zebra and for that I turned to my selection of Designer Series Paper (DSP). I have quite a few different packs but nothing seemed quite right. It was a matter of scale as well as colour, and I began to think I’d have to sponge the background instead.

But then as a last resort I looked in the Whale Of A Time 6″ x 6″ DSP stack. I didn’t have a lot of hope, I mean you don’t normally see zebras associating with fish. But then I found two sheets that were almost perfect.

One of them was green with what I suppose is a seaweed design. The other was of water above a seabed. However with a little cutting and sponging I knew I had found my field scene.

First I cut a 3″ strip off the top of the water/seabed piece, then trimmed it to 5″ long. It was only at this point that I realised that there were lines of light coming down from one corner. These would be perfect for the top of the sky. Then from the green seaweed sheet I cut a 1-1/2″ x 3″ strip.

I could have used Paper Snips to cut the rolling hills but instead opted for a die-cut solution. To get the perfect alignment of the sky and ground pieces in the background I placed the green piece on top of the blue one. I lined up the bottom edges and sides and then placed the curved die from the Home Together Dies on top. Then when I ran it through my machine it cut through both sheets at the same time.

Taking another 1-1/2″ x 3″ strip of the green DSP I die-cut a curve in that too going in the opposite direction. Then using a Sponge Dauber I added a little Granny Apple Green ink to the curved edges of the green DSP pieces. With that I was finally ready to put everything together.

FINAL ASSEMBLY

I started by cutting a 3-1/8″ x 5-1/8″ piece of Pool Party Card onto which I could mount my DSP pieces.

Then using liquid glue I attached the ‘sky’ to the card layer. This was followed by the ground which fitted perfectly into the curve of the sky. After that I glued the second green piece directly on top of the other DSP pieces.

I finished the scene with the fussy-cut zebra and happy birthday sentiment, both attached with Stampin’ Dimensionals. Then I used more Stampin’ Dimensionals to mount the assembled piece onto the card base. With that my project was finished.

You’d never know that the sky and field background scene started out as paper with a sea theme. Sometimes you just have to take a step back and let your imagination take over.

For another project created using the Zany Zebras Stamp Set see my blog post Zany Zebras gallop in. Funny enough I used the Whale Of A Time DSP on that card too.

PRODUCT LIST

BUNDLE BONUS – I bought the Home Together Dies in a bundle with the Coming Home Stamp Set (not used today). Using the special ‘bundle’ item number meant I saved 10% off the cost of buying the same two items separately. I’ve included a link to both options so you can explore these further if you wish.

DSP SALE – The Whale Of A Time DSP used today is one of 15 packs currently on sale at 15% off. For more details see the Designer Series Paper Sale section of my online store.