Wednesday, January 6, 2021

Sneak Peek: Balloon Rides, Country Scenes & My Otter Half

Hello and welcome to day 3 of our Spring Peek Week!  All this week I am showcasing cards using our newest collection which will be available for purchase on Friday, January 8th.  

For today's sneak peeks I have two new 4x6 stamp sets including a new border scene set and a new 3x4 critter set. Let's dive it!  

Card No. 1: Up first is a card showcasing our new Balloon Rides Stamps. This set comes with a hot air balloon, a couple different banner options to personalize the balloon, a cute sunshine, two new cloud shapes (can never have too many cloud options), a house, two trees, six adorable critters, two party hats, a graduation cap and five coordinating greetings.

While the balloon can comfortably can fit on a standard card, it really lends itself well to the Slimline Card craze. I stamped and colored two balloons in a rainbow of colors and then cut one in "half" so that I could give the appearance that there were three balloons floating across my card (since odd numbers are often pleasing to the eye). To frame my scene, I used the Slimline Scalloped Frame die and popped up a couple clouds and one balloon with foam tape to give the appearance some were in the foreground and some were further away, even though they're all the same size. For my greeting, I die-cut a stitched strip using our Slimline Pennant Dies and backed them with a slightly wider strip of striped patterned paper to match from our Rainbow Bright Paper pack. 

Sunny Studio Hot Air Balloon Card (using Balloon Rides Stamps, Slimline Scalloped Frame Dies & Rainbow Bright Paper)

Card No. 2:  Up next is a graduation card using the cute little panda bear, together with the graduation cap. For my balloon, I thought it would be fun to customize it with polka-dots so after coloring it with my Copic markers, I added some quick dots with my Sharpie White Extra Fine Point Paint Pen. I wanted to keep my colors limited to hot pink, black and white so I found a neutral grey cardstock for my sky which I cut out using our Stitched Circle Small Dies. For my background I cut out a black scalloped panel using our Frilly Frames Stripes Dies which I backed with a piece of white cardstock to match my little panda. 

I stamped a banner using our Basic Banner Stamps into a piece of white cardstock using pink ink and then sponged on some Picked Raspberry Distress ink, adding a little detail for the folds with my Copic Markers for a no-line coloring look. Who says you can't combine dye ink with alcohol ink? I use this technique often and it saves me so much time trying to get my coloring to look nice and smooth with my markers. I love to fussy cut them out with my scissors afterwards so I don't have to worry about all the distress ink that I sponged on outside the lines. A couple hearts from our Basic Mini Shape II Dies inked up with more of the distress ink were the perfect accent to complete this fun and spunky card.

Sunny Studio Hot Air Balloon Panda Graduation Card (using Balloon Rides Stamps, Banner Basics, Stitched Circle Dies & Frilly Frames Stripes Dies)

Card No. 3: For my next project, I made another slimline card, but this time I wanted to showcase the world below with the cute little house image from the set. I paired three of them with the rolling hills and tree border from our new Country Scenes Stamps. For this card I incorporated a rainbow again, but this time I went solid for my balloon and added the rainbow with the two little banners I layered over the top. These banners are sized just right so you can criss-cross them like I did here or add them straight around the middle of your balloon.

The bottom of my card was feeling a little blah with all the fun stuff going on for the rest of the card so to create some visual weight and balance, I added another little hillside using our Slimline Nature Border dies which I stamped with a subtle, tone-on-tone polka-dot print using our Background Basics Stamps. For my greeting, I stamped another banner from our Banner Basics Stamps and once again combined distress inks with Copic accents, coloring it with a mix of Mustard Seed and a little Spiced Marmalade Distress Inks to mimic my Copic coloring for the balloon.

Sunny Studio Hot Air Balloon Slimline Card (using Balloon Rides Stamps, Banner Basics, Background Basics & Slimline Nature Border Dies)

Card No. 4:  Up next I couldn't resist an Americana inspired hot air balloon. While it may be too early for the fourth of July, President's Day is coming up and I thought the little buntings add-on option would be so cute colored red, white and blue. I paired them with the barn scene from our Farm Fresh Stamps. I mounted then both onto an A2 sized stitched panel using our Frilly Frames Quatrefoil Dies for my sky background and a thin strip of our Classic Gingham Paper for my grass.

When I nearly was done, I had this nagging feeling that there was an open, unbalanced space in the bottom, right corner so the little car from our City Streets Stamps came to my rescue. It created a visual triangle between the three groupings and allowed me to add some additional blue accents to my card. Yay! Win-win.
Sunny Studio Americana Hot Air Balloon Card (using Balloon Rides Stamps, Farm Fresh, City Streets Stamps & Classic Gingham Paper)

Card No. 5:  For this Balloon Rides card I framed the balloon with our Stitched Arch Dies which I was able to slightly elongate by hiding where they cut off behind the mountains. Makes me think of how the ceiling raises or floor sinks at Disney's Haunted Mansion (depending on the park). It gave me just the wee bit of extra space I was wanting to have the mountain scene below using our new Country Scenes Stamps. I mounted my finished vignette onto a piece of sunburst paper from our Subtle Grey Tones Paper pack.
Sunny Studio Rainbow Air Balloon Card (using Balloon Rides Stamps, Country Scenes Stamps, Stitched Arch Dies & Subtle Grey Tone Paper)

Card No. 6:  Last, but not least, I had it in my head while I was creating this stamp set that it would be really fun to recreate the opening sequence of The Muppet Show as seen HERE using the cute critters from this set. In fact it's one of the main reasons I decided to include party hats with this set. I knew these little guys might be a bit too short to fill the arches so I thought a couple party hats might give them height. Crazy how my mind works, right?  Anyway, I can't look at this card now without hearing the theme song in my head--takes me back. I can almost see them swaying back and forth. For those who didn't grow up with The Muppets, you can alternately pretend it's a Zoom birthday party.  ;)

To create my three stories of arches, I used the smallest die from our Stitched Arch dies and then lined it up along the edge of my three 1-3/8" wide white cardstock strips, cutting them out one by one. I then took a little masking material (a.k.a. post it notes) and took turns inking up behind each arch in square blocks using Picked Raspberry, Wilted Violet, Peacock Feathers & Salty Ocean Distress ink. I then layered the arches over each other, starting at the top and working my way down. I made sure to leave a small sliver of space to heat emboss a little greeting from the set onto a strip of black cardstock. Finally I added stitching to the edge to dress it up and compliment the stitching around each arch using our Slimline Basic Border Dies. I'm not going to lie. This one took a bit more time, but it was fun and I love the results!
Sunny Studio Critters Muppets Inspired Birthday Card (using Balloon Rides Stamps & Stitched Arch Dies)

Card No. 7:  Switching gears, I have a couple cards featuring a darling new 3x4 critter stamp set called My Otter Half. This set comes with two little critter pairs: An otter couple (or set of good friends) as seen here and an otter Mom with her baby. It also includes five mix and match punny sentiments. As a bonus I had some extra room to available on the My Otter Half Dies so I was able to include the word "otter" for some extra design options.

To create my card, I cut a heart window using the largest heart from out Stitched Heart Dies. These hearts are big enough to make a shaped card from so this card is bigger than your standard A2 card.  It ended up being 5.25" wide x 5" high.  I could have made it square, but I was digging the unique shape. To form my background, I layered alternating strips of cardstock cut into wave using our Stitched Scallop Dies. I kept my design really clean and simple with a no-line coloring banner (just as describe in card no. 2) using our Banner Basics Stamps and a handful of hearts from our Basic Mini Shape II Dies and Basic Mini Shape 3 Dies.
Sunny Studio Otter Love Themed Square Card (using My Otter Half Stamps, Banner Basics Stamps, Stitched Scalloped Dies & Stitched Heart Dies)

Card No. 8:  For my last card of the day, I combined two different borders from our Country Scenes stamps: the pond border together with the mountains border behind it. I should note that the dies to match these stamps have been designed to only cut out along the top of each border so you can layer them with a different colored sky while have a seamless scene below. For some of the scenes I will be sharing tomorrow I colored the water and grass with my Copic markers but for this card I wanted to use my distress inks so after coloring the details with my Copics, I stamped a couple masks and fussy cut them out to cover & protect my images when I inked up the grass and water with distress inks. I then safely saved the masks so I can use them over and over again on a number of different cards without having to cut out new ones each time. To add the little waves, I alternated the mini wave dies that come with the Country Scenes set, although the otter stamps also include a couple waves as well so you have plenty of options.
Sunny Studio Mother's Day Mom with Baby Otter Card (using My Otter Half & Country Scenes Stamps)

I have some Action Wobbles that are mini plastic springs for crafting with adhesive on both sides that I purchased a long time ago and I thought they would be so cute for this card. They scrunch down fairly flat to fit in an envelope, but then bounce out and wiggle back and forth when the card is removed. 

I just love this Mom and baby otter. I think this pair would be perfect for Mother's Day or even for baby cards.

Sunny Studio Mother's Day Mom with Baby Otter Card (using My Otter Half & Country Scenes Stamps)

Well, as much as I would have liked to have time to create a third otter card, that wraps up today's sneak peeks. I'm so happy you joined me today. I'd love to give a $50 gift code to one lucky winner. Leave me a comment and then enter using the rafflecopter below.  Make sure to keep checking back all this week for more peeks & prizes. The contests run through Saturday, January 9th at Midnight PST with winners announced here on Sunday, January 10th. :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Here's a closer look at the our new Balloon Rides Stamps & Dies, Country Scenes Stamps & Dies and My Otter Half Stamps & Dies used today (available for purchase on January 8th).

Sunny Studio: Balloon Rides 4x6 Hot Air Balloon with Critters Clear Photopolymer Stamps  Sunny Studio Balloon Rides Hot Air Balloon Metal Cutting Dies

Sunny Studio Country Scenes Borders 4x6 Clear Photopolymer Stamps  Sunny Studio Country Scenes Borders Metal Cutting Dies

Sunny Studio My Otter Half Punny Love Themed Critter 3x4 Clear Photopolymer Stamps  Sunny Studio Stamps My Otter Half Metal Cutting Dies 

Other Sunny Studio Supplies Used:

City Streets Dies
City Streets Dies
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City Streets Stamps
City Streets Stamps
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Stitched Heart Dies
Stitched Heart Dies
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Sunny Studio
Stitched Scallop Dies
Stitched Scallop Dies
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Sunny Studio

Versafine Onyx Black Ink
Versafine Onyx Black Ink
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Sunny Studio
Background Basics Stamps
Background Basics Stamps
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Sunny Studio
Mini Basic Shape Dies II
Mini Basic Shape Dies II
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Sunny Studio
Frilly Frames Stripes Die
Frilly Frames Stripes Die
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Sunny Studio
Banner Basics Stamps
Banner Basics Stamps
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Sunny Studio
Banner Basics Dies
Banner Basics Dies
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Sunny Studio
Stitched Arch Dies
Stitched Arch Dies
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Sunny Studio
Frilly Frames Quatrefoil
Frilly Frames Quatrefoil
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Sunny Studio
Slimline Nature Borders
Slimline Nature Borders
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Sunny Studio
Slimline Scalloped Frame
Slimline Scalloped Frame
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Sunny Studio
Farm Fresh Stamps
Farm Fresh Stamps
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Sunny Studio
Farm Fresh Dies
Farm Fresh Dies
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Sunny Studio

Tsukineko Jumbo Dauber
Tsukineko Jumbo Dauber
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Sunny Studio
Stitched Circle Small Dies
Stitched Circle Small Dies
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Sunny Studio
Hero Arts White Detail
Hero Arts White Detail
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Sunny Studio
VersaMark Watermark Ink
VersaMark Watermark Ink
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Sunny Studio

62 comments:

  1. Love that balloon with the super cute critters! This will be in my cart for sure!

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  2. Hey Mendi! These are fabulous girlie!! Love the hot air balloon set and the adorable otters!!!! Beautiful cards!!!
    Hugs,
    JO

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  3. Congratulations on another release! So adorable!

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  4. So many bright, cheerful cards shared today. The Country Scenes and the sweet critters in Balloon Rides are my fave. I'd love to see a border design of the ocean floor with rocks, coral, marine plants etc. to create an underwater scene!

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  5. Goodness, these are fantastic cards! Your creativity in making stamps and showcasing them is awesome!

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  6. Totally in love with the adorable otters!

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  7. OMG! The little balloon critters and otters are sooo cute! I would love to see a beach with a sunset scene border stamp!

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  8. Squeal!!! These are so joyful. Love the bright colors. Very versatile sets.

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  9. The otters are adorable and the balloons precious. I appreciate the sentiments that are timely and can be used with different sets. Summer border ideas: a boardwalk/ amusement area could be added to a shore scene, fishing pier type background.

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  10. Wow!!! Otters!!! So cute I have been searching for an otter stamp set! Thank you for all of your creative ideas!!!! I love it all!

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  11. Oh my...I am in love! Both the otter set & the country scene set are definitely going on my wishlist.

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  12. All those hot air balloon cards are just fantastic!!💕💕

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  13. Love the bright colors in your card examples today! Those otters are otterly adorable! Maybe a summer scene could include a playground/picnic area/park-type setting. Our even a county fair or carnival might be cute!

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  14. Hot air balloons and critters on a slimline card... what more could you ask for. Love it!

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  15. love the otters!!!
    I would love to see some floral border stamps

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  16. Three great sets today. I love your pink and black graduation card. I would like to see a summer border scene with a lighthouse.

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  17. Oh these slimline cards are too adorable. That really is my vibe these days. Great stuff, can't wait for tomorrow.

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  18. I would love to see spring flowers as the border scene. Tulips, Daffodils, etc just everywhere!

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  19. Love those adorable otters and I am crazy about the versality of the balloon set. I can't forget to mention how awesome the backgrounds are. I am loving this entire release so far and can't wait to see what's next.

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  20. Love love the cattails and otters, so sweet

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  21. So much cuteness on this post! Love the balloons and those adorable otters! As for scenes, maybe a winding path in the forest?

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  22. I love all of your border scene stamps and dies!

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  23. Love the cards today! Such cute critters!
    Border stamp summer ideas... beach scene, lemonade, sunflowers, picnic.

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  24. Great previews and I LOVE those balloons and cute little animals. So cute!

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  25. I would like to see a lighthouse scene and a lake with a dock.

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  26. A carnival scene would be cute!

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  27. I love all the cute critters in the windows!

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  28. Love the slimline cards! They are fun to make and yours are such adorable scenes. The last card with all those sweet critters is just adorbs!!

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  29. Those sweet otters are so cute! The country scene stamps & dies are so versatile. Love the way that you can use them with so many other Sunny Studio stamp sets.

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  30. Love the balloon and how all the critters can take a ride. The borders to decorate the balloons are really a cool idea. I would love to see some BBQ/Picnic type borders - maybe a border of ants and a border of BBQ condiments like ketchup, mustard, relish.

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  31. Those otters are totally adorable!!

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  32. Hot air balloons are my favorite

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  33. Would love to see some daisy borders

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  34. The air balloon is very sweet. I love the little cattails. I would love to see creepy graveyard scene borders, not cutsie..

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  35. Hmmm. Border scenes... I love old barns in a field (think of what you see when going on a country drive). I love kayaking on a river or just sitting by a river with rapids and rocks. Oh, I also love waterfalls! That could make a great scene for a card. Thanks again for more inspiration and chances to win. :D

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  36. Hi, Mendi! So super cute today! I love seeing sets I already own featured with new sets! For summer, it would be fun to see coastal scenes, amusement park, and party scenes!
    Rosalie B

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  37. What a magnificent day of showcasing products! Love everything as it’s so cheerful and those little otters are absolutely darling! I would like to see summer border scenes that are beach like, theme parks, sports related, and flowers.

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  38. Adorable card. Love the little critter in the balloon.💖

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  39. I would love to see either a river, park, sunset or beach/island slim line scene. Adorable day of releases.

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  40. Everything is so beautiful and wonderful! Love it all!

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  41. The country scenes and dies are just what I need for some versatility in my spring and summer card backgrounds. I have to say I love that balloon set too.

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  42. I'd like to see a beach background!

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  43. I am thinking a slimline sunset/sunrise background!

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  44. These cards are lovely, I especially love the otters. There are so many options for creativity!

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  45. The critters in the balloon and the otters are so very cute and adorable! What an amazing release! I am in seventh heaven.

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  46. This is such a cute, fun release!!! The otters are my fav!!!

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  47. Not sure I can think of a boarder scene at this moment. I really like lake type of scenes

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  48. The otters inside the heart are so super cute. I am loving this release!

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  49. Sorry, I don't have any suggestions for border scenes.

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  50. Love the balloons, take me a away.

    I love the beach in the summer or anywhere near water so some beach or lake scenes would be nice.

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  51. Fishing?? Maybe, or park scenes?? I love everything in this post today - I am always just in awe of what you create!! I want to come and learn to be an excellent colorist like you - you could teach me, right? So impressive - in love with it all!!

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  52. Love the Otters!!! They are adorable!! Thanks for the video of the muppets! It made me laugh! I needed that laugh!!

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  53. Absolutely love every single stamp and die in this release! Your team are super talented - I adore these cards! Those country scenes stamps are a must-have; how about ocean or beach borders for summer?

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  54. Love it all and always love a picnic scene for summer.

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  55. You have so many fun scenes. I would love to see maybe some river scenes, as I live near the Tennessee River. Maybe with some fun animals and boats. Love beach scenes, flower meadows, flower gardens. Maybe Victorian house scenes with beautiful gardens to name a few. Great new release!

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  56. Great look at the new products! I love the muppet inspired card so fun! New scenes maybe a fishing pier and lake.

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