Bookworm Card and Bookmark

 Greetings, crafty friends!  Anyone that knows me knows that I am an avid reader.  I can often be found with my nose stuck in a book.  I have been having the most fun working on a gift for a really special friend!  She is an indie author and has written some of my favorite contemporary books.   I wanted to send her something to brighten her day and when I saw the Altenew Tall Tale stamp set, I knew that I had to use it to make something for her.  The card was inspired by Karen Brown's slimline card and the bookmark was inspired by Teri Kozler's. 

I started with a panel of white card stock and stamped the bookshelf three times, making sure to get different parts of the shelf.  I then colored in the images using my Altenew Artist Alcohol Markers.  I wanted the card to be bright and cheerful, so I used more colors than I can list!  (OK, truthfully, I didn't write them down.) 

I adhered my panel to a black card base and stamped the sentiment on a small white panel, layered on black card stock and attached it to my card.  For the inside of the card, I stamped my sentiment and the cute little glasses on a white panel and adhered it to the inside of the card base.  I haven't figured out how to take a good photo of the inside of a card, so I don't usually include that, but I had to share how cute it is with the glasses.

To make the bookmark, I laid out my stamps how I wanted them so that I could determine the size of my panel.  I created masks for the girl and the stack of books by stamping them on copy paper and fussy cutting them out, then set aside.  Using my stamping platform, I arranged my stamps, taking into consideration which image that I wanted in the forefront.  (This is a technique I learned in my last AECP course- Seasonal Scene Building!)  For the bookmark, the girl is in the front, so I placed her first and lined up the books on top to get the placement correct.  I removed the books and stamped the girl.  I then placed the mask over the girl and lined up the stack of books and stamped them "under" her. 

 I colored my images with my Artist Alcohol Markers, again, striving for bright, cheerful colors.  I didn't care for so much white space, so I decided to use the Altenew Whimsical Herringbone stamp set to add a background.  I placed my masks over the girl and the stack of books, inked up my background stamp in Limestone, and stamped it over my masked images.  I then added my sentiment to the bookmark panel.   I adhered the stamped panel to a slightly larger black panel and punched a hole at the top, so that I could attach some trim. 

To say that I am in love with these stamps and this project would be a huge understatement!  I was really excited to use some of the techniques that I have learned in my AECP journey, and I know that I will use these stamps time and time again. 

Products Used:

• Recollections 110# Card Stock: Black
• Spectrum Noir Premium Ultra Smooth Card Stock:  White
• Altenew Tall Tale Stamp Set
• Altenew Whimsical Herringbone Stamp Set
• Altenew Crisp Dye Ink:  Limestone
• Memento Ink:  Tuxedo Black
• Altenew Artist Alcohol Markers
• Stampin' Up Trim: Playful Pets (Black and White), Linen Thread (Coral)

I am so excited for Jody to receive her surprise.  I hope that it brings a bit of cheer to her day!  Thanks so much for popping by.   Happy stamping!