Have A Hoot - Hopping Around The World

Hello and welcome to another Hopping Around The World Blog Hop.  If you have hopped over from Melanie in Germany or starting here with me, we have lots of inspiration to share with you this month.

Our theme for August is 'in the air'.  Obviously there are many ways of interpreting this challenge but I knew just straight away which stamp set that I wanted to use. 

Have A Hoot is a new stamp set (available as a bundle with coordinating dies), available until the end of the year.  It was a must have for me and I know that many of my crafty ladies like owls too.

Here is my project:

A cute little 10 cm x 10 cm card, made with a certain someone in mind!  Could this be the year I am going to be organised for Christmas I wonder?

The colours I used:

Balmy Blue

Granny Apple Green

Shaded Spruce

Soft Suede

You will need:

20 xm x 10 cm Soft Suede - scored at 10 cm

9 cm x 9 cm ww thick

7 cm x 7 cm ww thick (x 2)

6 cm x 6 cm ww thick

The embossing:

I used the Winter Snow Embossing Folder on the 9 cm piece of ww thick card. I have a bit of a thing for snowflakes and I can see myself using this folder a lot.  Just think of all the glitter you could add to these lovely snowflakes.

The die cutting:

I used thick ww card and my favourite Stitched Shape dies to cut out three squares.  Two of the largest ones and one of the next size down.  I love all dies that have stitched edges and use them all the time.

The stamping and colouring:

I used Staz On ink to stamp the owls on the branch onto the smallest die cut square.

I used the new Water Painters to colour the image.  If you don't have these yet you need them; prepare to be amazed!

I used thick ww card for this project and if you are careful not get the card too wet it is fine for watercolouring on.  I used Soft Suede for the owls - the first layer of colour was kept very light.  Once dry, I added a little more intense colour on the eyelids and around the wings.  I used an Early Espresso Stampin' Write Marker to colour the beaks and the claws.

I used Balmy Blue ink, pressed onto a stamping block for the background.  I added lots of water to make sure the colour was not too intense and just sort of smooshed it around the edge of the image.  I was not trying to be too precise with the watercolour; after all if it looks perfect no will believe I have made it will they!

If you prefer, you can colour with Stampin' Blends or watercolour pencils.  These little images are a lot of fun to colour and perhaps a good stamp set to use with children.

Finishing touches:

I added some glitter to the snowflakes and three of the rather lovely Blue Adhesive Backed Gems.  Although the name does not sound very pretty I love the colours and the sparkle they add to projects!

I have used these a lot and have just ordered several more packets to make sure I don't run out!

The inside:

I used the remaining die cut square to stamp a sentiment for the inside.  I do love a good pun don't you?  I added some tiny snowflakes, stamped in Balmy Blue and some tiny dots of glitter for a bit of sparkle.  Adhere to the inside of the card with Tombow.

To assemble:

Adhere the embossed piece to the front of the card with double sided tape.  I used dimensionals to adhere both of the die cut squares.

The finished project:

I also stamped the owls on the envelope.

I hope you enjoyed my project - I seem to making lots of smaller square cards at the moment.  Next up is Sheila Turner from the Canada - I can't wait to see how she has interpreted our challenge this month.

Thanks for hopping around with us.

Susan xx

If you have any questions, or need help with anything I’m always happy to help.  You can email me susan_merrey@yahoo.co.uk or telephone 07905 403 823 during normal working hours.

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