Hippo Thanks

Hippo Thanks

MFTs (MFTWSC378) Sketch Card Challenge #378 this week is as below:

My design for the sketch challenge is this:

For my design I used Pool Party (Stampin' Up) and Black (Memento) inks.  I also used the following Spectrum Noir Alcohol markers to colour the images (IB3, BT8, OR2, OR3, DR2, DR4, FS3, GG3, GG4 and GG5).  I also used a white and a black gel pen for parts of my design.

From my craft stash I found a ready-made White card base (5 1/2 x 5 1/2").  First I die cut a stitched square  (2 3/4") on my Big Shot through the front panel in the centre but (1/2") from the top.  I cut another square (3 1/4") in White card stock for the image.  I used the same (2 3/4") stitched square die and also another measuring (3") together to create the frame in Black card stock.  I cut two of these on the Big shot and adhered them together with wet glue and left them to dry.  Next I cut another (3") stitched square out of Acetate and two stitched rectangles one in Black card stock (2 1/2 x 1") and a White one measuring (2 x 3/4") for the sentiment.  

I then used my MFTs Stencil Cloud on the White card stock for the image.  I gave this a little while to dry completely before stamping the main images.  Then with my MFTs BB Happy Hippos, I stamped a hippo, some balloons and a little bird all in Black Memento ink using my Stamp Positioning Tool so that I could ink more than once to get a really crisp black line.  Then I added Versamark and stamped again.  Quickly I then added WOW Clear embossing powder and heat set this with my Heat Gun.  I repeated the process with a hippo and a bird on the bottom left-hand corner of the front of the card base too.  Whilst I had my ink out and the stamp positioning tool I stamped the sentiment 'Big HUGE Thanks' onto the White rectangle shaped card stock.  This was then adhered with wet glue straight to the Black larger rectangle shaped card stock.  I also stamped some balloons inside the card to continue the theme and the little bird onto the bottom left-hand corner of the envelope.  As normal, I stamped my 'Happy Mail' stamp and little duck with the envelope in his mouth on the envelope too so that my recipient knows that this is not a bill!  

Now the images could be coloured.  So using my Spectrum Noir Alcohol markers I started from the lightest to the darkest and then came back with the lightest at the end to ensure that the colours had blended.  I added highlights onto the balloons with a White gel pen and also dots to the cheeks of the hippo and bird.  The eyes were brightened with a Black gel pen too. I adhered this to the back of the front panel using double sided sticky tape.  I coloured the little bird on the front of the envelope and the balloons inside the card too.  

Next, I cleaned the piece of Acetate with an alcohol wipe to ensure all the dirt and grease was off it.  I then adhered this to the Black frame with wet glue and left this to dry.  I used my craft knife to cut thin strips of thick foam tape to match the size of the Black stitched frame.  I put these around the edge of opening of the square aperture leaving no gaps.  I then removed the top paper and added another layer on top of this.  I used my embossing buddy all around the inside edge of the sticky foam strips to try and stop the shaker pieces sticking to the edges.  I then added sequins and some seed beads to the middle of the square before removing the backing paper off the foam tape.  I used the embossing buddy on the back of the acetate square as well before I carefully adhered this onto the top of the sticky foam strips.  

Using my trimmer I cut a piece of Peach card stock (5 1/4 x 5 1/4") and adhered this with double sided sticky tape to the back of the front panel to disguise the back of the image and where the alcohol markers had bled through the card stock.  I then adhered the sentiment with foam pads underneath the shaker square.  

Finally, I adhered three sequins to the front panel of the card.  This completed my project.  I would love to know what you think about my projects, so please leave a comment.  Thank you.

Till next time, keep crafting!

Lorraine

:o)