Roly Poly Penguins – Mari Ko Creations Early December 2017 Release

Have you checked out the newest release from Mari Ko? They’re all 25% off until December 14th, so be sure to check them out! I used the adorable Roly Poly Penguin image to create this card. My plans changed a bit as I went along, but I’m happy with the result anyway!

I started by sizing and printing four of the penguins on some alcohol marker friendly paper. I then coloured them in with a combination of Spectrum Noir Illustrator Markers and Yosoo alcohol markers. I used dark cool greys for the black areas of the penguins, with lighter yellow greys to add depth and shading to the white areas. I bought in some oranges for the beaks and feet. I then coloured in each of the hats with different colours. Looking at the card now I realise I didn’t add any shading to the bobbles, but luckily it’s not too obvious!

After I had finished my colouring I fussy cut them all. The trickiest part was the strings to the bobbles. Originally I was not going to cut away the interior white, but I later decided to carefully use my craft knife to do so. It was very tricky, and on a couple of penguins I did “break” the strings. It is visible in the card, but I think it’s only noticeable if you look for it. Having finished fussy cutting I set the penguins aside.

Initially my plan was to create a simple scene background to go behind the penguins. I began by ink blending Cracked Pistachio Distress Oxide over the card base, using some die cut scrap paper to create some hill shapes. However I soon realised that once the penguins were in place most of the hill detail was hidden so it wasn’t really worth doing. After some thought I decided to use the Cracked Pistachio to add a variety of snowflakes across the background instead. I then stamped on my sentiment, which is from  STAMPlorations’ Dee’s Artsy Impressions’ Yuletide Deer stamp set. It seemed perfect to use with the group of penguins!

Finally I added double-sided tape to the back of my penguins and adhered them into place on my card base.

I’m really pleased with this card. The penguins are so cute, and I’m very happy with the colouring on them. In hindsight I think it would have been fun to do them a bit higgledy-piggledy rather than all standing straight, but that’s a minor quibble. It was fun to use non-traditional colours on this card too, and I loved having the freedom to pull those in on the hats. I hope you like this example of using the Roly Poly Penguin digi, and please do check out the other fun images in the release!

Love,

Lady Joyful

Challenges included:

{PIN}spirational Challenge – Inspiration Image

Addicted to Stamps and More – Anything Goes

City Crafter – Hats

Craftyhazelnut’s Christmas Challenge – Anything Christmas

Craftyhazelnut’s Christmas Challenge Extra – Anything Christmas

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends – Anything Goes

Muse: ChristmasVisions – Anything Christmas

Simon Says Stamp Monday – Icy Inspiration

Uniko – Christmas