Hello, crafty friends! Today, I’m excited to share a card that will bring a smile to anyone’s face, especially when they’re going through a tough time. This card features a big, lovable pug made with the Big Pug Etched Dies from Spellbinders, along with some fun accessories from the Cats and Pugs Accessories Dies. I always love creating cards that not only look fun but also allow me to experiment with coloring techniques and layering dies.
If you’re a dog lover or know someone who could use a little pick-me-up, this card is perfect for sending some cheer!
Sorry You Are Having a Ruff Time Card:
Bringing the Pug to Life with Watercolors
One of my favorite parts of this card was creating the pug using Distress Ink Reinkers as watercolors. I love the organic feel that watercolor gives to die cuts—it adds a softness that really brings the die-cut pieces to life. For the pug, I used various shades of tans and browns to give him dimension. By cutting each section of the pug separately from the painted Watercolor Cardstock, I was able to layer them for a more realistic look.
Pro Tip: When watercoloring with reinkers, try diluting them with a bit of water for a lighter wash, then build up the color slowly. It’s easier to add more color than to take it away! I find this technique gives me better control when shading areas like the pug’s face and body.
For the collar, I decided to paint a strip of watercolor paper with a nice green shade to contrast with the neutral tones of the pug’s fur. That pop of color adds just the right touch to make the design playful without being too overwhelming.
Adding Character with Accessories
Now, what’s a cute pug without some stylish accessories? I couldn’t resist adding the glasses (cut from Onyx Cardstock) from the Cats and Pugs Accessories Dies—they fit perfectly on his face and gave him an even more charming expression. I love how these little details can really change the mood of a card. Don’t be afraid to get playful with your die cuts!
When I first started working with die sets that include tiny accessory pieces, I’d sometimes skip them, thinking they were too fussy. But over time, I’ve come to appreciate how these small elements can add so much personality to a card. Plus, they’re fun to mix and match, and you can create different looks just by swapping out a few pieces.
Pro Tip: When working with small die-cut pieces like these glasses, I recommend using a fine-tipped glue or even a glue pen. This makes it easier to adhere the delicate cuts without making a mess.
Building the Perfect Background
For the background, I wanted something that would help my pug stand out but not overpower the design. I started by cutting a piece of Island Blue Cardstock using the larger rectangle die from the Nested Postage Labels & Tags Etched Dies. To add some depth, I lightly ink blended Salvaged Patina and Faded Jeans Distress Oxide Inks around the edges of the panel. This created a soft, blended look that draws your eye toward the center where the pug sits.
I layered this blue panel on top of a larger postage stamp cut from Neenah Solar White 80 lbs Cardstock. I love the combination of crisp white with bold colors—it gives the card a clean, finished look without being too busy.
Pulling It All Together
Once the background was complete, I centered the die-cut pug on the card and started to see the whole design come together. For the card base, I used an A2-sized top-folding base, which I find works best for cards with larger focal points like this one.
I wanted the sentiment to be simple but meaningful, so I used the Cats and Pugs Sentiments Stamp Set to stamp "Sorry You Are Having a Ruff Time" in Versafine Clair Nocturne Ink. This black ink always gives me crisp, clean impressions, which is essential when your sentiment is the last piece of the puzzle. I trimmed the sentiment strip down to size and adhered it just below the pug, keeping the overall design balanced and clean.
To finish the card, I couldn’t resist adding a few highlights with a White Gel Pen. It’s such a small detail, but those little dots and lines can make a huge difference, especially on darker colors like the pug’s fur and glasses.
Pro Tip: Don’t forget about the power of small details! A few highlights can add dimension and make your die cuts pop off the page.
Wrapping It Up
This card was such a joy to create, and I hope it inspires you to make something that brings comfort and joy to someone going through a hard time. The Big Pug Etched Dies are versatile, and when paired with the right accessories and sentiment, they make for a fun, heartfelt card.
What I love most about this project is how you can change up the colors or accessories to give the pug a whole new look, whether you’re making a card for a dog lover or just want to brighten someone’s day.
As always, happy crafting!
Thanks for dropping by today I hope that you found a little spark of creative inspiration with my project today. 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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