Summer Water Play Greeting Card - Create It With Joy

Make a splash this summer by pairing your greeting cards with stamp sets designed by Create It With Joy! With this Critters at Play Water Fun Stamp Set, you'll be designing an adorable greeting card in no time! This cute design features critters that float in the pool and works perfectly for summer-themed greetings or just as a way to send some sunshine no matter what the season may be. So grab your bathing suites and invite your freinds to a awesome pool party!

• Critters at Play-Water Fun Clear Stamp Set
• Free Cricut File - Critters at Play
• Acrylic Stamp Block
• Archival Ink Pads
• Ink Blending Tools
• Markers
• White Cardstock
• Glue
• Scissors or Cricut
• Washi tape

• Prismacolor Alcohol-Based Markers
• Pastel Blicks Studio Markers
• Glue Tape Runner
• Gelly Roll White Gel Pen
• 3-D Styrofoam Dots
• Tweezers

To get started, gather all of your materials so you have them accessible.

If you have a Cricut machine, you can use the free Critters at Play files to cut out your stamp images before inking. If you don't have a cricut machine, place your white card stock onto a craft mat or paper to protect your surface.

Using clear stamps is easy, simply peel your stamp from it backing sheet and place it onto an acrylic stamp block. The photopolymer is slightly tacky, so your stamp can easily stick and be removed from your stamp block.

Second, ink your stamp with the ink pad of your choice. For this step we are using the color Jet black in archival ink pads.

Stamp all the designs you want to use on the sheet of white card stock. Be sure to space out the stamped impressions so that you can cut around them.

Tape down your card using paper masking tape to create a crisp and clean border. In this card-making project, we are using washi tape. Doing this also will help your card stay in place when decorating.

Tip: We recommend using paper masking tape for easy removal. Any other kind of tape may adhere to the card and create difficulty in removing off.

Using ink blending tools and ink pads, create a foreground, middleground, and background. We are using the colors Emerald Green, Vivid Chartreuse, and Mangaese Blue.

To ensure a seamless transition, lightly extend each color into the next section.

Color in your stamp designs using color markers. We are using the Blick Studio Brushes and Markers. Take it a step further by adding shading to add depth. This simple step will help elevate your designs.

Tip: When creating shadows, do light flicks to blend the colors.

Enhance your artwork with fine-line markers! Add extra details such as grass strokes and cloud lines for a touch of realism.

Secure the designs in place with glue. We recommended using a tape glue runner for a hassle-free process. You can enhance the visual look of the card by adding styrofoam dots for a 3-D effect.

Once satisfied, remove the washi tape to reveal a perfectly framed border, giving your card a clean and polished look.

Just like that you're all finished! We hope you have a blast creating your own summer critters card. Don't forget to show us your version of this card, or share a new creation with us! Tag us @Rubberstamps_com and use #StampWithUs to enter our monthly giveaway. Winners receive a $25 credit to use at our shop!