Create a smile: Festive Octopus!

Hello, hello! Welcome back! It's Laurie with you today to share with you my last Christmas card of 2020! This features a bit of an underwater theme with a very festive octopus :). And yes, I added a winter hat (see previous blog post, haha!)

I really felt the need to do some ink blending today. Also, I've had the Underwater Love Stamp Set forever, and have never used the octopus image.

I started by using one of the Scalloped Rectangle Dies to trim a piece of white cardstock. I could have just used my trimmer but I really wanted that pretty scalloped edge. I first cut the top section then moved the die to cut the bottom. BUT...it would have been easier to just cut the entire piece and trim off the edges. Live and learn!

Next, I masked off that small portion on the front of a white card base and used Broken China, Chipped Sapphire and Black Soot Distress Oxide Inks to create the "sea". I did add some white splatter but should have waited for the Oxides to dry. So my white splatters turned a wee bit blue.

I started by stamping the winter hat from the Made of Snow Stamp Set, created a mask for it, then stamped the octopus. I also added some of the ornaments from the same set around the tentacles, leaving a small space to draw a string.

I coloured and fussy cut all around this little guy. Yes, it took a bit of time but well worth it! Before putting the card together, I white heat embossed a sentiment from the Tiny Sentiments set directly onto the ink blended portion.

I used foam tape to adhere the two scalloped panels and a combination of foam and liquid glue for the octopus. And no card is complete without a bit of sparkle pen and Glossy Accents!!

I know fussy cutting can be well, fussy. The best tip I can give for this is...go slow. Take your time. And you don't have to cut all the inner bits like I have but if you do, use a nice, sharp craft knife!