Hey, crafty friends! Have you ever looked at a stack of adorable critters and wondered how to create that perfectly aligned, layered look without it turning into a stamping disaster? Trust me — I’ve been there. Today, I’m excited to share a fun project featuring the Caffeinated Critters Bundle from The Rabbit Hole Designs, and we’re tackling the stacking images technique. This is one of those techniques that looks tricky but is surprisingly easy once you get the hang of it — and the results are so cute, you’ll want to try it again and again.
I decided to stack a bee, a bunny, and a cat — because why not? They’re the perfect trio of cute chaos! I’ll walk you through how I used masking and creative ink blending to pull this design together. Plus, I’ve got a video tutorial linked below so you can see exactly how it all came together.
Stacking Images Technique:
Why Masking Makes a Difference
Masking is one of those techniques that takes a little extra effort upfront, but it makes a huge difference in the final result. It’s the key to making your images look layered and cohesive rather than like a jumbled mess of overlapping stamps.
I started by stamping the bee onto a piece of Neenah Solar White 80 lb Cardstock using Memento Tuxedo Black Ink. Then I stamped the bee, bunny, and cat onto a piece of masking paper and fussy cut each one out. I know — fussy cutting can feel like a chore — but for this kind of design, it’s worth it.
Here’s the trick: after stamping the bee, I placed the mask over it and stamped the bunny directly underneath. The mask protects the bee, so when you remove it, the bunny looks like it’s sitting right on top of the bee. I repeated the process for the cat, making sure to mask each critter as I went. When you peel off those masks at the end, it’s pure magic — you’re left with a perfectly layered stack of critters.
Pro Tip:
When fussy cutting your masks, cut slightly inside the stamped line. This helps prevent any white gaps between your layers and keeps the final image looking crisp and clean.
Building a Background That Doesn't Compete
Once the critters were all stacked and masked off, I focused on creating a subtle yet interesting background. I didn’t want it to overpower the critters, but I also didn’t want it to feel empty.
I used the Sentimentally Speaking Stamp Set to repeatedly stamp "Happy Birthday" in a light gray ink, creating a soft text-based background. This adds texture without drawing attention away from the main focal point.
To add even more interest, I pulled out the Sip, Sip Ahh! stencil and ink blended the coffee rings and splatters using Memento Toffee Crunch Ink. This gave the background a fun, playful vibe — and honestly, it just works with the caffeinated theme of these critters!
Coloring and Finishing Touches
Once I peeled off the masks (seriously, the best part!), I colored the critters with my Spectrum Noir TriBlend Markers. These markers make blending super easy since each one comes with three coordinating shades.
I kept the colors soft and warm to complement the coffee-inspired background — the bee got a little pop of yellow with some soft brown shading, the bunny stayed neutral with grays and browns, and the cat got a touch of soft orange.
After the coloring was done, I used the second rectangle die from the You’ve Been Framed Dies set to cut out the panel. Then I layered it onto a piece of Espresso Cardstock (cut with the largest rectangle die from the same set) and mounted it onto a top-folding A2 card base.
For the sentiment, I stamped "Happy Birthday" again in black ink onto a scrap of white cardstock, cut it out with the coordinating die, and popped it up with foam adhesive at the bottom of the critter stack. That extra bit of dimension helps anchor the design and balances out the height of the stacked critters.
Pro Tip:
When layering your die-cut pieces, use a strong adhesive to prevent any warping over time — especially if you’ve done a lot of ink blending.
To finish things off, I added some white gel pen highlights to the critters, a little Stardust Stickles to the bee's wings for sparkle, and sprinkled a few pieces of the Latte Sparkle Embellishment Mix around the card. These embellishments add just the right amount of shine without being distracting.
Why This Technique Works
Stacking images with masking is one of those techniques that instantly makes a card feel more polished and dimensional. It creates the illusion of depth without adding bulk — and it lets you build a whole scene with just a few stamps.
If you’ve struggled with masking before, don’t worry! The key is to take your time with fussy cutting and make sure you’re stamping in the right order — start with the image you want at the front and work your way back.
Final Thoughts
I love how this card turned out — the stacked critters give it so much personality! Masking and ink blending might take a little extra effort, but the results are so worth it. Plus, that Latte Sparkle Embellishment Mix is currently a freebie when you purchase the Caffeinated Critters Bundle from The Rabbit Hole Designs (while supplies last)— so now’s a perfect time to give this technique a try!
Check out the video tutorial below to see exactly how I put this together. I hope you give this technique a go — it’s one of those game-changers that will make you look at your stamps in a whole new way.
Stacking Images Technique Video Tutorial:
If you have problems watching the video here on my blog you can always watch it on my YouTube Channel by Clicking here!
(Wondering what I used in this video? Everything is linked to multiple sources in the thumbnails at the end of this post, or in the text below. Compensated affiliate links used when possible). As always I appreciate your support of my videos!
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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