If there's one thing that never fails to bring a smile to my face, it's a card featuring an adorable, mischievous pet. There's something so charming about capturing those little moments of canine curiosity on paper, especially when paired with a witty sentiment. That's exactly what inspired my latest card creation using the Ate the Candles 3 x 4 Stamp Set from Penny Black.
Don't Worry I Ate The Candles:
The Magic of Combining Stamp Sets
One of the things I love most about card making is the ability to mix and match stamp sets to create something truly unique. For this card, I combined three different products from Penny Black: the Ate the Candles 3 x 4 Stamp Set, the Nature's Rubies Stamp Set, and the Background Basics Stencils. By blending these elements together, I was able to craft a card that's playful yet polished—a perfect combination for any dog lover.
The Ate the Candles set is an absolute gem. The dog in this set is depicted in a hilariously guilty pose, making it ideal for those light-hearted cards that say, “Oops, but it was worth it!” I knew right away that I wanted to feature this little guy prominently on my card front, giving him the attention he deserves.
Creating the Perfect Background
While the dog was the star of the show, I wanted to create a background that complemented the image without overshadowing it. That’s where the Nature's Rubies Stamp Set and Background Basics Stencils came into play.
I started by stamping the dog in Memento Toffee Crunch Ink on Bristol Smooth Cardstock. The choice of Toffee Crunch might seem subtle, but it adds a warmth that pairs beautifully with the earthy tones I later used to color the image. After stamping, I grabbed my Tombow Dual Brush Pens and got to work coloring. The rich pigments in these pens allow for effortless blending, especially when paired with the Tombow Colorless Blender.
One of my favorite tricks is to add a little bit of green under the character to ground it—literally! By blending out the green to mimic grass, I was able to give the dog a soft landing spot, making the scene feel more complete.
For the background, I used the larger A2 rectangle stencil from the Background Basics Stencils to frame the scene. This stencil has just the right amount of openness, allowing me to layer on additional details without overwhelming the design. Using Memento Toffee Crunch Ink, I stamped the branch image from the Nature's Rubies set a few times, adding a touch of nature to the background. The light brown shade was perfect for keeping the background soft and airy, letting the dog image take center stage.
Ink Blending for Dimension
Ink blending is a technique I often turn to when I want to add depth and dimension to a card. It’s a simple yet effective way to make your elements pop. After stamping, I kept the stencil in place and used Cottontail Blending Brushes to softly blend both Tumbled Glass Distress Ink and Memento Toffee Crunch Ink around the edges of the stencil.
Here’s a little pro tip: when blending, start with the lighter ink (in this case, Tumbled Glass) and build up the color gradually. This helps prevent harsh lines and ensures a smooth transition between colors. The combination of the two inks added just enough contrast to make the dog and branch images stand out without clashing.
Once I was happy with the blending, I removed the stencil and adhered the card front to a top folding A2 size card base. The final touch? A few strategically placed white gel pen highlights. These little details can make a world of difference, adding a touch of brightness that draws the eye to the focal points of the card.
Why I Love This Design
This card is a great example of how you can combine different products to create a cohesive design that’s both fun and elegant. The Ate the Candles dog brings a playful vibe, while the delicate branches from Nature's Rubies add a subtle elegance. And by incorporating ink blending, the entire design comes together in a way that feels balanced and complete.
Whether you're an experienced card maker or just starting out, I encourage you to experiment with combining stamp sets and techniques like ink blending. The possibilities are endless, and you might just surprise yourself with the unique designs you create.
So the next time you're looking for a fun, light-hearted card idea, don’t hesitate to reach for those playful pet stamps in your stash. And remember, a little bit of ink blending can go a long way in adding depth and dimension to your projects. Happy crafting!
Wondering what I used in this project? Everything is linked to multiple sources in the thumbnails in the Materials Used section, or in the text below. Compensated affiliate links used when possible.
Materials Used:
Here you will find the list of supplies that I used to create today's card. All supplies are linked to supply sources below. Compensated affiliate links may be used at no cost to you.
Happy Stampin'
Rick Adkins
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