Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Forest Spirits Treehouse Card


Hi, Crafty Friends!! I'm here today with the Eileen Hull Inspiration Team. 
This month we partnered up with the awesome people at Stampotique to bring you some amazing projects featuring products from both Stampotique and Eileen Hull Designs!

And today I have this enchanting Treehouse card complete with tiny little "Forest Spirits".

If you follow me regularly on Facebook, you'll occasionally see my posts about Hayao Miyazaki and all things Studio Ghibli. And when I saw the Line Up stamp set from Stampotique it immediately reminded me of the movie My Neighbor Totoro

Totoro is a cat-like "Forest Spirit" or "Keeper of the forest". A beloved and iconic character of the Japanese animated movie that has become synonymous with Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli.

And is my main inspiration behind today's project.

Supplies Used
Big Shot (Sizzix)
Line Up (Stampotique)
Cardstock- Kraft, Brown, White (DCWV)
140 lb. Mixed Media Paper (Strathmore)
Tim Holtz Distress Markers (Ranger) 
Tim Holtz Distress Inks (Ranger)
Mega Runner (Xyron)
Versafine Onyx Black (Tsukineko/ Imagine Crafts)
Paper Flowers
Water Brush
3D Dots
Glossy Accents (Ranger)
Glue Pen 


First, I stamped my image ( cute line up of forest spirits) using VersaFine Onyx Black Ink onto 140lb mixed media paper.

Then colored them using Tim Holtz Distress Markers in (characters from left to right: Seedless-Preserves + Worn Lipstick, Hickory Smoke, Vintage Photo + Mowed Lawn, Stormy Sky +Worn Lipstick).

After my little cuties were colored, I cut each out by hand.


I wanted to do something a little different. So, I decided to stray away from the standard A2 sized greeting card. I chose to make my card a #10. Which is standard "Legal" size.  The great thing about making my card this size is that even though it is quite larger than the average crafter makes, it still only costs standard first class shipping price... one stamp!! How awesome is that, right?!!

So, I cut my card base to8"x 9" (4" x 9"- folded) and my card mat to 3-7/8" x 8-7/8".
I used Walnut Stain Distress ink to shade the edges of the mat, then used my Xyron Mega Runner to attach the mat to card base.

I used Eileen Hull Designs House/ Pocket Stitchlits to die cut paper from her Heartfelt 6"x12" Cardstock Pad and matching pieces in chipboard. Ran all the pieces through my 3" Sticker Maker and adhered them together. 

I shaded the edges of the rooftops using Tim Holtz Distress ink in Mowed Lawn, then lightly with Walnut Stain.

I added 2 sets of the rooftops to the front of my card, creating a 2-story looking treehouse.

All houses need windows and a front door, right... 
So, I die cut one square paneled window for the front of the door and one semi-circular window for above the door. I used the bright and cheery yellow patterned paper from Eileen's paper pad for the insides of all the windows. Look, it makes it look like someone turned on the lights inside!

Then for the second floor, I used 5 windows. I die cut and layered 2. 

And for the remaining three...

I cut out the panels of one to make a frame, adhered my little guy to the yellow background paper, attached the frame over him, then trimmed the excess. Then cut the other 2 windows so that they were just two stacked box panels. Then attached it to both sides of the previous window.

Now, the little forest spirit is at an open window with shutters!! Too cute!

I attached all my windows to the top level of the treehouse and added a chimney.


It's starting to really take shape now!

But what's a treehouse without tons of leaves?!!

This part may seem tedious but I found it quite relaxing... I made tons and tons of leaves... I think at least 25. And all die cut from plain kraft cardstock using Eileen Hull Designs - Leaves, Spring.

I shaded them first with Walnut Stain for the stems. Then blended on Mowed Lawn for the leaves. Don't worry about getting the colors shaded perfectly because they blend together perfectly and give a more "natural" look to the leaves.

Ok, I could have stopped there but wanted to add more detail to make them look even more realistic.

 I used my distress markers in Mowed Lawn. Forest Moss, and Vintage Photo for additional detail.

Then, I used an embossing stylus to add dimension to my leaves.
I used a Glossy Accents as a liquid glue to attach the leaves above the rooftops. I laid each stem down building up towards the peak. Wherever I had bald spots I filled with extra leaves I trimmed from any leftover stems.

I added foam adhesive to the backs of the remaining forest spirits and positioned them by the front door.

For a final touch, I added assorted paper flowers onto my covered rooftops.

And, here is my finished card...


I even added a couple more leaves (trimmed down) at the front door to look like little plants. 

Here are a close-ups...


You can really see all the details in the leaves. And look how adorable these little cuties are!!

I hope you enjoyed this adorable treehouse card!

For more crafty inspiration from our collaboration, please visit Eileen Hull Designs and Stampotique on Facebook and their other social medias!!

Until next time...
HAPPY CRAFTING!!
~Mitsy

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3 comments:

  1. Simply darling! So many details!

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  2. Since I love anything cat related this card is simply ADORABLE! Love all the details! <3

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  3. there is absolutely so very much I love about this project.. but I have to say the leaves.. oh my the leaves....brilliant

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