Kitten card set + recycled card pouch

As I promised in my last post, I'm back to share a fun little note card set featuring the kittens in the Oh My Whiskers stamp set from Honey Bee Stamps.

Supplies (all Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted):
Stamps: Oh My Whiskers (Honey Bee Stamps)
Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White card stock; Neutrals Designer Series Paper (DSP) Stack
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Blends/Blendabilities markers - Soft Suede, Daffodil Delight, Smoky Slate; W1, W3, R81 markers (Copic Sketch)
Accessories:Large and Small Stitched Rectangle Stackables dies (Lawn Fawn), black enamel dots (Eyelet Outlet)

I needed to make a quick set of note cards for a cat-loving friend, and I knew the Oh My Whiskers stamp set would be perfect. But I didn't have a lot of time to color all of the images. Instead I used a black-and-white color scheme and added pops of color by just coloring the kittens.

I used a stitched rectangle die to cut panels of white card stock and stamped the images using Memento Tuxedo Black ink. With alcohol markers I colored the cats and added a shadow below each image. I also stamped a few butterflies on each panel to fill up some of the white space and add a little more to the scenes.

For the card bases I used black card stock folded so that the crease is at the top of the card. (I make almost all of my cards with this orientation. I don't know why, but I prefer it over a side-folding card.) I adhered a piece of black-and-white striped DSP along the left side of the card front and then added the focal panel, centered on the card. For a simple embellishment I added one black enamel dot to each card.

I used three different images for my cards, and I made two cards of each design for a total of six cards. For the inside of the cards I cut a larger stitched rectangle from white card stock and stamped a single kitten. (The card in the top right of this photo shows the inside of one of the cards.)

With the cards done, I needed some sort of packaging for them. When I received my order from Honey Bee Stamps, it arrived in the cutest brown paper bag (protected inside a padded envelope, of course). Rather than just recycling the bag, I decided to repurpose it into a little holder for the cards.

This is the front of (part of) the bag. It was printed with these adorable images, and I thought that sentiment was perfect! I trimmed off the top of the bag and then used a scissors with a mini pinking blade to add the decorative edge. There was some printing below the sentiment, so I covered it with a strip of washi tape (also from Honey Bee Stamps) that had a black-and-white floral pattern. I used my alcohol markers to add color to some of the flowers.

I honestly can't remember how I made the rest of the pouch. I do remember it didn't work exactly as I imagined, and I had to do some improvising. When all was said and done, the back of the pouch was shorter than the front, so you get a peek at the cards inside. It wasn't what I was intending, but I think it works. I added another strip of the washi tape along the back of the pouch.

To finish it off I wrapped a narrow yellow ribbon around the whole pouch and tied it off in a bow on the front.

Today is Independence Day in the U.S., so if you are celebrating, have a safe and happy holiday. But regardless of what day it is wherever you are, I wish you a wonderful day filled with awesome things!

Thanks for stopping by!