Animal Theme Week: Day 5

**All items in the critter section are 15% off during theme week**

Hello Everyone! It is Zsofi here today on the Pretty Pink Posh Blog showcasing the adorable Elephant Friends stamp and coordinating die set. I love critter sets so much because of their versatility and I love colouring.

Today I want to show you how easy it is to get 4 different cards with one critter stamp set. I paired it with the Balloon Alphabet stamp set and coordinating die set, which is perfect for creating custom sentiments. And I used a bunch of other dies to make all the cards different. Let me guide you through the process.

First I stamped and coloured all the images from the Elephant Friends and the necessary letters from the Balloon Alphabet stamp set. I used Copic markers, but kept the colouring simple: 3 shades of each colour family. Then I cut everything out with the coordinating dies.

While I was die cutting, I prepared a couple of backgrounds with the Pierced Leafy Vines Plate, the Pierced Hearts and the Pierced Stars Plates. These dies are unique as they add a beautiful pierced pattern to the cardstock. They look beautiful on both white and coloured cardstock too. 

Then I started assembling the cards. For the STAR card I used the biggest Wonky Stitched Rectangle die to cut a pierced background down, matted it with dark blue cardstock and popped up one of the elephants with the “star” balloon letters using 3D foam squares. I added an extra sentiment on a thin strip of yellow cardstock from the Simple Sentiments stamp set. I embellished it with a few confett stars from the Stargazing Mix.

For the FRIEND card, I used the Stitched Torn Rectangles die set to cut a pierced background and stamped a sentiment on the top of it from the Thoughtful Greetings stamp set. I had to mask off the middle part but it was easy with washi tape. I popped up the elephants and balloons with 3D foam squares. I made sure that the strings I wrapped around the trunks of the critters, so it really looks like they are holding the balloons. Again a few clay stars embellish the card.

For the HUGS card I used a colorful pierced background and die cut it with a Wonky Stitched Rectangle die. I also added a vellum banner which I cut with the Stitched Banner Duo 1 set. After popping up the balloons and critters with 3D foam squares, I used the back of these elements to hide another layer of 3D adhesive to ensure extra dimension. I used twine and a few clay hearts from the Colorful Heart Confetti Mix to add some extra touch to the card.

And finally for my last card, I used an Eyelet Circle to be the focal point, stamped the sentiment from the Elephant Friends stamp set and adhered all the tulips following the stitching detail of the circle. I added a darker yellow mat to a Pierced Leafy Vines background and popped up the circle with 3D foam squares. I also added a small bow which I cut with the Beautiful Bows die set and adhered a Creamsicle Pearl in the middle.

As a finishing touch I used glossy accents on all of the balloon sentiments to make them shiny. I also used a black glaze pen on the eyes of the elephants, I love to add these little extra touches.

I wish you liked my cards today and got inspired to get the most use out of your critter stamps. These cards can be used for many occasions. 

Thanks for stopping by and hope to see you soon, Zsofi