Rubber Stamping & Card Making with Yapha

Ever since my nephew Leo was born last June, I have been drawn to all things lion. When I saw this week’s Stampin’ Celebration Inspiration Challenge, I immediately focused on that adorable lion in the lower right.

But Barb had already made a super cute punch art version of the lion, and I wanted to combine it with a few other challenes, so I kept trying different things. I tried the elephants, I tried the variety of animals, but nothing looked right. I was very frustrated last night, but something clicked over night, and when I woke up this morning, I just knew I had to make the lion, and exactly how I wanted to do it. Here’s what I came up with.

Stamps: Look Who’s Turning
Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Early Espresso, Pretty in Pink
Paper: Old Olive, Bashful Blue, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Marina Mist, Very Vanilla, Whisper White
Other: 2 3/8″ Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/8″ Circle Punch, 3/4″ Circle Punch, 1/2″ Circle Punch, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, Daffodil Delight Satin Ribbon, Early Espresso 1/4″ Grosgrain Ribbon, Marina Mist 1/4″ Grosgrain Ribbon, Pumpkin Pie 1/4″ Grosgrain Ribbon, Whisper White 1/4″ Grosgrain Ribbon, Old Olive 1/4″ Grosgrain Ribbon, Top Note Bigz Die, Big Shot

It’s just perfect for my nephew’s first birthday. I’ll have to put it someplace safe until June.

This is the second card I made for the retiring colors swap. It was based on a Sesame Street card I made last November for Sesame Street’s 40th birthday. I love these muppets! The retiring colors from the Bold Brights family are just perfect for them.(Don’t worry though, I have plans to remake this card using the new colors sometime after July 1st.)

Stamps: Family Phrases
Ink: Basic Black
Paper: Only Orange, Basic Black, Glorious Green, Brilliant Blue, Real Red, YoYo Yellow, Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip
Other: Scallop Circle Punch, 1/2″ Circle Punch, 1″ Circle Punch, Small Oval Punch, Slot Punch, Crop-a-dile, Black Gingham Ribbon

Wow! Today is the 40th Anniversary of Sesame Street. It is amazing to me to think that it has been around for almost my entire life — I was 1 month old when it started! I grew up watching it, I watched it as a babysitter, and finally watched it with Eve as a toddler. One of my most vivid Sesame Street memories was when Snuffleupagus became visible to the grown-ups on the show. What’s yours?

In celebration of the 40th anniversary, I created this punch art card of Sesame characters. I don’t know who came up with it first, there are a lot of versions out there! I was inspired by Sarah Wills version. This card is a 5″ square.

Paper: Only Orange, Basic Black, Old Olive, Brilliant Blue, Real Red, YoYo Yellow, Whisper White, Pixie Pink
Other: Scallop Circle Punch, 1/2″ Circle Punch, 1″ Circle Punch, Small Oval Punch, Slot Punch, Crop-a-dile

Happy Birthday, Sesame Street. Here’s to 40 more great years!