Circus Elephant

I could not wait to show you this card. Ya know how you fall into a rut and everything starts to look like the last thing you did? Well that's how I was feeling. So I was cruising some blogs over the weekend and fell in love with Nicole Aspinall. She's one of the newest Krafty Kimmie designers and her work is amazing. She was the inspiration for my card today...actually she was the color artist and layout designer too. Check out Nicole's creation here. See the similarities?

I incorporated Amimals Ellie-phant designed by Cristy Croll for Stamping Bella as my image. I stamped onto Bella's Bestest paper using Memento tuxedo black ink and colored with copics. Not a surprise I'm sure is that I added grey prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol for extra shading and the ground cover. By leaving the image panel in the Spellbinders die I was able to add surround shading with a sponge and Versa Magic Chalk ink in wheat.

I have loved this My Mind's Eye 12x12 design paper from the Lost & Found line and was thrilled when I found it on an adventure last year with Paulabella. Nicole's card was the perfect catalyst to cut into it. I love when I can say - hey I have that! I used Papertrey Ink's Ocean Tide colored cardstock. The small strip of paper across the middle was actually the back side of the dp.

How could I resist adding glitter to the circles on Ellie's ears when it would mirror the circles on the dp? The answer, I couldn't. So I got out my Quickie Glue pen and Bella glitter. Then I remembered these glittery prima flowers I had and used Scrap Dots to adhere the pearl buttons. I had to let it dry overnight before I could attach them but it was worth the wait...I think they are perfect. Finishing touches are stitching, rhinestones, and a sheer grey ribbon bow.

This image comes with a sentiment - "I would never forget your birthday" actually it happens to me all the time. I don't forget per se but I always seem to be late in the execution of the card making. Does that happen to you?

I've got lots of new ideas I want to get to work on so I'll see ya later this week.

Thanks for stopping by.
Cath