Dog Lover Masculine Birthday Card

One of my first thoughts was of Fall when I saw this super adorable image by Dreamerland Crafts. I paired it with some plaid Halloween paper by Tim Holtz and Idea-ology. I decided to watercolor the image (with M. Graham watercolors), mainly so I could mix colors that would closely match those in the plaid background. I also tried to keep it to a limited palette.

For the painting itself, I used a fairly dry brush technique and glazing to get smooth transitions, building up the layers in the dark areas for contrast. I am working on a watercolor series on my YouTube channel - eventually I hope to show this technique. If you are interested in watercolor, you may want to consider subscribing to my channel so you won't miss anything (hit the bell icon, then you will get notifications when I post).

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Making the Card

0. Note: I made my card with the retired Sizzix Framelits Die Set 14PK - Card, Kind Sentiments Step-Ups (660718). I found a set on the Sizzix site that I believe matches fairly closely, Sizzix Framelits Die Set 15PK - Card, Cute as a Bug Step-Ups (660717)

1. Use main Step-Ups die to cut card base from black cardstock; fold as indicated.

2. Use decorative panel dies to cut plaid sheet from 8x8 Mini Paper Stash Halloween. Adhere to card as shown. Die cut stars strip from antique silver Deco Sheets. Adhere on sides as shown. (If you don't have the die set I used, you could cut other shapes, or even punch a design for the sides.)

3. Stamp Dog Lover (Dreamerland Crafts) on watercolor paper in Nocturne ink using a Stamp Platform. I used half of a 5x7 sheet of hot press watercolor paper since I will be fussy cutting the image.

4. Watercolor image with M. Graham watercolors (or other brand). M. Graham watercolors are professional watercolors, wet easily, and are lightfast. I love using them. In case you missed the post intro, I am doing a watercolor series on my YouTube channel and hope, at some point, to feature the techniques I used to paint this image.

5. Fussy cut image with detail scissors. Hint: move the paper while cutting to make it easier to get into small places and turn corners. Use a black brush tip Copic Multiliner SP (the SP versions are refillable, a better value in the long run plus they don't just go in some landfill) to go around the image from the back side. This hides the white on the sides and gives it a polished look. Adhere to card as shown using dimensional/mounting tape.

6. Using a Stamp Platform, stamp Happy Birthday sentiment (Miscellaneous 02, Dreamerland Crafts) on black cardstock using VersaMark ink. Emboss with Adirondack Clay embossing powder (retired, try Ranger Brick). Trim to a strip and add tails on either end (I cut off the cardstock 1/2 inch from each side of the sentiment, then added tails). Adhere to card as shown using dimensional/mounting tape. Hint: use a black alcohol marker, such as a Sharpie, to go around edges of tape before sticking to image - this will hide any white that may show.

7. Optional: from white or ivory cardstock, die cut another panel from the Step-Ups set. Adhere to back of card for a place to write (you could also put one inside the card).

Supplies

• Dreamerland Crafts Stamp: Dog Lover (D18021), Miscellaneous 02 (DS18039)
• Cardstock: Black, Optional - White or Ivory
• Sizzix Framelits Die Set 15PK - Card, Cute as a Bug Step-Ups (660717)
• Tim Holtz/Idea-ology 8x8 Mini Paper Stash Halloween (TH93595) - 2017
• Tim Holtz/Idea-ology Deco Sheets (TH93219)
• Strathmore Watercolor Paper 5x7 Hot Press 500 Series
• Stamp Platform
• VersaFine Clair Nocturne Ink
• M. Graham Watercolors
• Detail Scissors
• Copic Multiliner Black Brush Tip
• VersaMark Ink
• Embossing Powder: Adirondack Clay (Possible Substitute Ranger Brick)
• Heat Tool
• Dimensional/Mounting Tape

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Let's Play Kaboodle Dog Card with Faber-Castell Polychromos Colored Pencils

The adorable doggie footprint border, stitching, and stitched tag dies are new from Frantic Stamper, as part of their March release. The Whipper Snapper Kaboodle dog is perfect for the tag (a little bit has been cropped but enough shows to be super cute). The background is also by Whipper Snapper; background Dog's Life was stamped in VersaMark ink to provide a subtle pattern. This ink is great for watermarking - it looks like you stamped in a darker toned ink that perfectly matches the paper.

I used Faber-Castell Polychromos colored pencils to color the image. These pencils are easily blended with a light hand.

Making the Card

1. Cut Desert Storm cardstock 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches; fold in half to form a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inch card base.

2. Cut Kraft cardstock to 4 x 5 1/4 inches. Die cut scallop border very close to the left side (Large Scalloped Edger Set); die cut paw prints (keep a couple of the footprints for an optional inside decoration). Die cut stitching down the right side (In Stitches #3). Stamp Dog's Life background using VersaMark ink in center (I recommend using a stamp positioner). Die cut a strip of black cardstock, about 1 x 5 1/4 inches, with scallop border. Adhere behind footprints; trim if necessary. Adhere to card front.

3. Stamp Kaboodle in black ink on Desert Storm cardstock (about 3 x 4 1/2 inches). Color with colored pencils. Die cut with largest Nested Tags #2. Tie jute through tag hole. Adhere to card as shown using dimensional tape.

4. Cut a 3/4 x 3 1/8 inch strip of Desert Storm Cardstock. Stamp "let's PLaY" and two paw prints as shown. Cut tails in one side. Adhere to card as shown using dimensional tape.

5. Optional: glue a couple footprints inside the card (I put two on the bottom right - adhered after some of the photos were taken).

Supplies

• Frantic Stamper Dies: Large Scalloped Edger Set (FRA-DIE-10129), Nested Tags #2 (FRA-DIE-10101), In Stitches #3 (FRA-DIE-10187)
• Whipper Snapper Stamps: Dog's Life B/G (AT622), Kaboodle (MY927)
• Paper Smooches Stamps: Chubby Chums
• Cardstock: Desert Storm (Neenah), Kraft (Recollections), Black
• VersaMark Ink
• Black Ink (e.g. Memento Tuxedo Black)
• Colored Pencils (e.g. Faber-Castell Polychromos)
• Jute
• Dimensional Tape

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