BIRTHDAY ZEBRAS

Remember my recent Valentine I created with the Smackin' Bubble Wrap (my name for it) technique? I had been planning on doing a card using the Smackin' Acetate technique, but came across bubble wrap first? Remember? HERE is a reminder of the card I'm talking about.

I had also noted that I planned on using this technique again. So, I warned you . . .

Here is my new sample using the ever versatile Smackin' Bubble Wrap technique:

 

I think I kind of dreamed of using each of the splotches created by the technique with the little cuties from the Zany Zebras stamp set on page 104 in the Annual Catalog. Because I woke up the other day with this idea in my brain.

These little guys lent their heads perfectly to my wishes. 

Aren't they cooperative?

For my card, I used bubble wrap with fairly large bubbles. I didn't want just a few bubbles to fill up the 4" x 5 1/4" piece of white cardstock, which is the size I'd initially seized. I dug around for a more suitable bubble size and came up with one that was perfect for my desires.

In the previous card I mentioned, I had inked up the standard sized bubble wrap with the ink pad, then spritzed it with water for the more watercolored ephemeral look. 

This time, however, I wanted the circles to have a good amount of color. So, after inking up the bubbles well with Seaside Spray directly from the ink pad, I "stamped" it as evenly as I could onto the cardstock, pressing firmly on each of the bubbles to transfer the ink.

Shown in the photo below is the result:

I then alternated between the three zebra heads, turning the stamp a bit here and there so they seemed to be looking in varying directions without actually turning them upside down.

In order to make sure I didn't get any stamping where I didn't want it, I took a piece of orange scrap cardstock and, with a 1 1/4" circle punch, I punched a hole through which I could work. You can see the orange sheet I used in the following photo, as well as what all the little zebras look like after they'd been stamped.

While I wanted to just hug and admire this little zebra herd, I knew that wasn't practical. After all, I was making a card here.

So I decided to make it a happy Happy Birthday card. I dug out my oldie but goodie stamp set of sentiments called Sassy Salutations. I hope you still have that set -- it is just nearly perfect. And I find myself reaching for it -- not often enough -- when I need an especially quirky font. With all these zebras running rampant over my card, I thought it was a good choice.

After stamping the words, I die cut it with one of the Stitched So Sweetly dies (page 179 in the Annual Catalog). If you  haven't already, do be sure to check out that wonderful die set! It's a keeper!

I added a few flagged pieces under the die cut sentiment. 

The final touch was a trio of the Matte Black Dots, new in the Mini Catalog, found on page 11. I know already I will have to order another set of these dots. Love that they are MATTE! Very classy.

Just a closeup of the cuties in action:

I finished the card by adding it to a Seaside Spray card base. I am so glad I proceeded with my idea of actually making it into a card, rather than just having it hang around as some cute zebras . . .

So, tell me: are you planning on trying the terrific "new" technique of Smackin' Bubble Wrap? It's so much fun!

Smackin'

Smiles.