Welcome to the March NC Demos Bog Hop!  This month, we are all featuring our favorite cute critters.  If you just came from Jo Anne Hewins’ post, I’m sure you’ll agree with me that she is a very talented artist and that you loved her project.  Thanks for continuing the hop and stopping by to see my project.

Confession – The first few times I looked through the Occasions Catalog, the Fable Friends stamp set didn’t catch my interest.  I am so glad that I finally realized just how amazing this set is and how versatile it is for many occasions.  For our cute critter theme, I chose the absolutely adorable squirrel image from the Fable Friends stamp set.  Come on – who can resist the cute little face that you see inside the shadow box card below?!?!

Here are the steps that I followed to create this fun card:

• The card base is made from half a sheet of Balmy Blue card stock cut to 4 1/4″ x 11″.
• To make the card base into a shadow box card, score the 11″ side at the following measurements:  1/2″, 1″, 4 1/2″, 5″, 5 1/2″, 6″, 6 1/2″, 10″, and 10 1/2″.
• Pictures definitely help with the scoring measurements and the folds.  The pictures below are from another project but are the same measurements and folds that I used for this card.

• Cut two pieces of Basic Black card stock to 3 1/4″ x 4″.
• Cut one piece of the Balmy Blue color Gingham Gala Designer Series Paper (DSP) to 3″ x 3 3/4″.
• Adhere the DSP piece to the middle of one of the cut pieces of Basic Black card stock.  Use the second largest circle die from the Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies collection to cut a circle in the middle of your DSP/Basic Black piece.
• Use a few pieces of washi tape to lightly tack the DSP/Basic Black piece to the middle of the front of the shadow box card base.  Place the second largest circle die into the die cut circle on the DSP/Basic Black piece.  Then, run the entire stack – Balmy Blue shadow box card base, DSP/Basic Black piece – through your Big Shot.  This process will ensure you have a centered circle cut through all layers for the front of your card.
• Use your Stamparatus to stamp “glad we’re friends” onto the front bottom of the DSP, as pictured.  The stamp is from the Fable Friends stamp set.  Use Memento black ink to stamp the sentiment.
• Use a piece of scrap Whisper White card stock and Memento black ink to stamp the adorable squirrel image from the Fable Friends stamp set.
• Color the squirrel image with pencils from the Watercolor Pencil set.  My pencils are getting rather short since I use them so much!!  I will be sharing a post shortly that will give details on the colors and blending that I used for the squirrel.  Please check back for that within the next few days.  Use the second largest circle die to cut out your squirrel.

• Finish the middle of the card by adhering the second piece of Basic Black card stock to the middle of the inside of the card.
• Use the largest circle die from the Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies set to cut another piece of the Balmy Blue DSP.  Adhere the die cut squirrel image to the center of the DSP die cut circle.
• Adhere the two layered die cut circle onto the middle of the inside of the card allowing the squirrel to align with the circle on the front of the card.
• Finish your card by gluing the shadow box card middle section together as pictured below.

• Then, glue the end pieces together.  From the top, your card will look like the image below.

I hope you enjoy making this shadow box card.  The squirrel image will just make you smile.  He is too adorable with his sailor suit and the little grin on his face!

Please make sure to hop on over to see Frances Wagner’s project.  Just click on the image below.  If you’ve missed anyone in our blog hop this month, check out the list of all our blog hoppers and make sure you see everyone’s projects.

At the end of this post, you will see the main products that I used to make this card.  If you click on any picture, you’ll go directly to my on-line store.

Happy stamping!
Laurie

March Blog Hoppers

Jackie Claes

Tina Lesson

Trish Todd

Toni Campana

Sue Stapp

Tracie Evans Langley

Jo Anne Hewins

Laurie Meier <– YOU ARE HERE

Frances Wagner

Anita Trippi

Fable Friends Shadow Box Card – Main Products Used Pictured Below

Fable Friends Cling Stamp Set [148670] $22.00	Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies [145372] $30.00	Watercolor Pencils [141709] $16.00
Balmy Blue 8-1/2″ X 11″ Cardstock [146982] $8.50	Basic Black 8-1/2″ X 11″ Card Stock [121045] $8.50	Whisper White 8-1/2″ X 11″ Card Stock [100730] $9.75
Gingham Gala 6″ X 6″ (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [148554] $11.00	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $6.00	Big Shot [143263] $110.00

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