Simple Fun with Cute Hippo Stamps
The new release from Simon Says Stamp is HERE! Introducing the FAVORITE THINGS release! This release includes a lot of fun for Easter, for spring, and some really good basics also.
This simple Petal Builder die set was one of the first things that caught my eye from this release. I knew it would be fun for creating shapes and patterns, and over the next couple of weeks you’ll see more of those ideas here.
Approach:
I was trying to think of a fun way to use these cute stamps that didn’t require fussy cutting. (There are dies for these cute stamps, but I didn’t have them yet.) When I noticed that one of the hippos looked like it was swimming rather than standing, I decided to play on that. At our local zoo, we have hippos and one of them always loves to float and swim in the water, right in front of everyone watching at the glass. It has been fun to watch her (and now her little brother), so that was the effect I was trying to capture.
Techniques:
As it so happens, I was taking a class about Distress Embossing Glaze and learned some techniques there. (I highly recommend this virtual class - you can find it here.) I decided that was what I was going to do for this card and the water effect.
I first stamped my hippos in black ink, and I heat set them for good measure.
Next, I added the water effect on top of those. It is really just about layers of embossing glaze. I applied the embossing ink direct to paper with my ink pad. Swiping, making waves, and adding glaze and embossing after every layer. As you build up the layers it gets very glossy, though that may be hard to see in the photos.
Once that was cool, I used a wavy edge die to cut the top of that water area.
I used the same wavy edge die (but shifted slightly) on a piece of kraft cardstock, and then stamped it with black ink.
When assembling, I made sure to tuck that sandy layer right up just barely over the edge of the hippo on land, so it looked like it was sitting right there.
A couple of coordinating light blue hearts help visually connect the blue water area of the card with the white space at the top.
Colors:
cardstock: Concord & 9th Aqua Sky. Versafine Onyx Black. Versamark Embossing Ink.
Thank you for visiting!
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