2019 #19 Cute Critters: Snow Critter Shaker Cards with JoFY {by Autumn Clark }

2019 Topic 19: Cute Critters

These snazzy Christmas Cards with their shaking sparkles are fantastic! I urge you to read through the details of this post as Autumn shows how taking these to the next level is achieved by adding elements inside and on the acetate layer. Gorgeous! ~ Leandra

Hi everyone, it's Autumn Clark of SewPaperPaint with you today, and I'd like to share a collection of whimsical snowy shaker cards inspired by a simple, but beautiful palette of PaperArtsy Fresco Chalk Acrylic Paints (Taro Milk Tea), (Blue Oyster), (Aquamarine), (Smurf), (Guacamole) and (Jade).  

For our Cute Critters Topic, I wanted to pair my newfound love for coloring, inspired by Kathy of The Daily Marker, with my passion for painted backgrounds.  I think the result is quite fun and hope you'll grab a cuppa and scroll through for the details...

I started by making a set of printed Smoothy Card with which to work.  I used a brayer and gelli plate, then added some stenciling with PaperArtsy Stencil by Kay Carley (PS070) in Fresco Chalk Acrylic (Chalk).  

I used Distress Oxide pads in Tumbled Glass, Picket Fence and Spun Sugar to do some additional stamping with Eclectica³ Mini 48 by Seth Apter (EM48) and  ...

 ...Eclectica³ Tracy Scott Set 25 (ETS25) onto my papers.  

 
Now, I used a lot of stamps for these cards, but you could certainly pare down.  I sat in my studio for hours just having fun playing with colors and patterns, while listening to music...

Next I pulled together my cast of characters using PaperArtsy {JOFY} Collection Set 01 (JOFY01) ...

...and JoFY Mini 20 (JM20) 

 JoFy Mini 30 (JM30)

With Zinski Art Collection Set 35 (ZA35) ...

...and PaperArtsy Ink & the Dog Collection Noel Set 4 (N4).  

I arranged my beautiful bundle of red rubber onto my painted panels.  I die cut the centers of my panels with a large square die and switched the center pieces around until I was pleased with the contrast and placement.

With my leftover papers I did some layered stamping.  I used my Stamp Platform to stamp the star border in Ranger's Watering Can, then painted over the images with gesso.   Keeping the stamp and paper aligned, I stamped again on top of the dried paint.  

This allowed me to go in and color the images with a blank slate, so to speak.

I have very few Distress Markers, but this palette worked beautifully with my Fresco Chalk Acrylics: Cracked Pistachio, Twisted Citron, Peacock Feathers, Picked Raspberry, Ripe Persimmon and Stormy Sky.  I colored one side of my images, then pulled the color through with a water brush.  

Many of my images had details that would be lost when they were fussy cut, so I carefully arranged my panels together on my Stamp Platform and stamped the images so that the details would show through when I layered the fussy cut imagery.  

For shaker cards you always need to pour your shaker filling onto your background panel then carefully adhere your frame.  I used Stampendous Shaved Ice & a sequin mix here.  I secured my inner square to the background panel first, making sure that it was centered with the frame before applying a double layer of foam tape to the frame and attaching.  A good tip is to use an anti-static bag over your acetate before adhering so that your shaker material doesn't stick.  I always save packaging from die cuts to use for my acetate windows.  

Adding stamping inside and out of the windows gives these cards a sense of depth, though they are only 1/2" thick and could easily be mailed.  

I added some doodling around the frames to match Jo's designs.  I used a good wet glue on the acetate to line up the images with the initial stamping, so they could be wiggled into just the right place.   

I plan on attaching these cards to gift packages with a clear envelope and some string this Christmas.  

I truly hope you've been inspired by these cards today!  I hope you will make an attempt at creating your own version of a snow critter shaker and share with us on social media.  You could skip a few steps by using patterned paper or choosing one design and stamping it in multiples with your Stamp Platform.  Either way, I know the result will leave you smiling.  :)

Thank you so much and merry Christmas!  Love, Autumn

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