We have had a very unusual summer here in the Chicago area. The average rainfall is around 17 inches from Jan – Jun but we are at 25 inches. And August is traditionally our wettest month according to the National Weather Service. This could be interesting. I am not sure that I should be wishing “Rain, Rain Go Away” my grass is green and gardens are blooming (with weeds – but lush!). Nice part about these rains is that they are brief but frequent. 

I got a text from my husband today. He and his buddy went to a Vintage Motorcycle Meet in Ohio. So far, they have had 3 flat tires (I have no clue here on details), got the truck stuck in mud trying to get to their site and it was raining. Now I tried to be a supportive wife. I texted back “Oh dear”. But on this side I was laughing so hard there were tears in my eyes. He has been keeping me posted on his weekend adventure and one text is funnier than the next. I did send cookies & beer with him so he should be fine, right?

Here is my card, inspired by the day

HOW TO CREATE THE CARD

I used lots of different stamp sets to get this scene: This Little Piggy, Peaceful Reflections, Best Catch and High Tide. I used Perennial Essence Designer Series Paper (DSP), Soft Suede, Gray Granite, Daffodil Delight cardstock.  Soft Suede and Gray Granite ink pads and Stampin’ Blends (light Gray Granite and light Daffodil Delight). I very lightly colored in the nose and hooves with Flirty Flamingo and Basic Black Watercolor Pencils respectively. Pull out your Soft Suede marker too! I also used epoxy droplets. Now that you have a big pile of supplies….

Making the parts

I stamped the pig in Gray Granite and colored with Blends and Watercolor Pencils. Then fussy cut. I stamped the hat and shaded with Blends then die cut with coordinating die. I cut the DSP to 3 3/4″ x 5″ and stamped the puddles and splashes and flicked* some Soft Suede ink from marker I also used a sponge to wipe a little ‘mud’ using Soft Suede ink onto the DSP.  The sentiment was stamped and die cut using the Stitched Nested Labels (Love this die set). I also cut a frame for the DSP layer from the Soft Suede cardstock.

flicked* = take cap off brush end of marker, gently press brush on edge of cap toward the paper you wish to splatter. 

Time to layer the parts

I put the hat on the pig with a glue dot and added dimensionals to the back of the pig. Then arranged the pig on the puddles until they were pleasing to me. I then adhered the sentiment. I added epoxy raindrops (or you can experiment with the fine tip glue pen) to give the feel of rain and splash. Complete your card as desired on a Gray Granite card. Here is the finished card. 

Moral of my story, when you have rain, you get mud. Make the best of it. How about splashing over the my Stampin’ Up! Shop to purchase these and other wonderful Stampin’ Up! products to tell your story.

Placing an order today? The answer is a resounding YES! If you are placing an order for $150 or more, I want you to enjoy all of the Host Rewards you have earned.  If your order is less than $150, Please add this Host Code – PEWAVHPU – when prompted. I use the accumulated Stampin’ Rewards to purchase gifts for my customers and team. Thank you! If you do not currently have a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator, I would love to work with you. Contact me.

Do Something Creative Every Day,

Ann