Flying Hedgehog – IWD Things That Fly

We have a fun new challenge at Incy Wincy Designs starting today. Our sponsor for this challenge is Polkadoodles, and one lucky winner will win three digi stamps of their choice. As always our challenge is open to your interpretation – you could make a card with butterflies or birds, flying insects, planes, or – like I did – a hedgehog flying away with the help of a balloon!

My card uses the Earlie Hedgehog Balloon – Fuzzypuffs digi stamp from our sponsor, which can also be bought in a bundle with a bunch of other adorable images. I printed it out onto some alcohol marker friendly card to colour with my  Spectrum Noir Illustrator markers. I had originally been thinking of making a one layer card but my printer misbehaved and caused some large ink blobs beside the hedgehog. As the image itself was not affected I decided not to reprint the image, and instead changed my plan for the card.

I used pale browns to colour the inner area of the hedgehog as well as her limbs, then used some darker browns for her spikes, using flicking motions to give a properly spiky look to them. I then used some blues to colour the balloon and bow. Once I’d finished my colouring I fussy cut out the image.

Next I created my frame. I measured my Sizzix Circle dies against the fussy cut hedgehog to find one that would frame it nicely. I then took a Memory Box Square die (I believe the ones I have are retired) and picked out one that would be a good size to go with the circle. I then arranged the two dies onto a piece of white card and ran them through my die cutting machine together to create my frame. I set the circle aside to use on a future project. I then placed the frame into my MISTI and used Mermaid Lagoon Distress Oxide ink to stamp a sentiment from a Love From Lizi stamp set (from the May card kit) onto one corner.

With my frame ready I needed to work on my background banner. I measured another snippet of white card against my frame. I wanted it to be narrower than the frame, but wide enough that it would fill the circle window area. I then started ink blending my clouds. I don’t have a cloud stencil, so I used a mask I’d fussy cut from clouds stamped with the Simon Says Stamp Sea You Soon stamp set.

I started my ink blending at the top, and blended Mermaid Lagoon Distress Oxide across the panel. I moved my mask down each time, and moved it across or flipped it over sometimes too, to help give some variation in the looks of the clouds. I ink blended down the entire strip that I had cut, then trimmed it down and cut a fishtail banner end into the bottom of it.

With all my elements ready I started assembling my card. I first adhered the cloud banner flat to my card base. I then used foam tape for my other two elements. For the last week or so I’ve been saying that I’m practically out of foam tape. My replacement order arrived at the post office on Friday but I wasn’t able to collect it, so I’ll be getting it after work today. I wanted to pop up the elements on this card though, so I took the very final pieces of foam tape I had and carefully trimmed it in strips to be as efficient as possible on the back of my elements. I actually used the end pieces from two different rolls of foam tape – one for the frame and one for the hedgehog. I adhered the frame into place first, then added the hedgehog, with some flat adhesive behind the balloon where it would be overlapping the frame.

I’m really happy with this card. I think it turned out really sweet, and the cloud banner in the background works perfectly for helping to make the hedgehog look as though she is flying. I’m glad I decided to make the balloon and bow blue because the limited colour palette is really effective. As annoying as it was that my printer had that mishap I think it worked out for the best – I like this card much better than the idea I’d had for the one layer card.

Love,

Lady Joyful

*Affiliate links may have been used in this post. When you buy products from a company after following an affiliate link, I will get a kickback at no extra cost to you. This helps me to keep doing what I do! Thank you for your support.*

Challenges included:

Digi Choosday – Anything Goes

Incy Wincy Designs – Things That Fly

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends – Anything Goes

MFT Sketch Challenge – SketchPolkadoodles Crafting Challenge – Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday – Animal Magic

TCP Tuesday Challenge – Diecutting

…………………………………………………………

Check out what the rest of the DT made:

Carol

Charlotte (that’s me!)

Chris

Francesca

Helen

Heather

Karen

Maria Giselle

Marlene

Nikki

Suze