Hello, I hope your weekend is off to a good start! I have been wanting the MFT Otterly Love You stamp set for so very long and finally had the perfect excuse to buy it. I had a request for more cards using these cute little critters and I ran out of the ones my dear friend Barb had stamped, die-cut and sent to me. So I consulted the hubster and said, “Go for it!” Woohooo! I want to clarify he would never tell me no, he just helps me decide if he thinks it’s a good purchase and a stamp and or die I would use a lot. It also helps me diminish the guilt, as you know I need more stamps! LOL Who wants chocolate, perfume, or flowers for Mother’s Day anyway? Give this girl some stamping supplies and she is one happy momma! I may have thrown in a couple extra items in the shopping cart too, in order to get free shipping! Shhhhh!

Anyways, As soon as my box full of happy came on Thursday afternoon, I knew exactly what I was going to do with it. I have been wanting to join in the MFT Sketch and MFT Color Challenge this week. The colors were so vibrant and the sketch was going to work perfectly for what I had in mind. Plus, SSS is having an IG challenge to use your favorite technique this month. I think you all have probably figured out by know that I love making stenciled backgrounds. So that is where my card began.

Card Details: I first ripped some old construction paper to make my masking pattern. I like to use something a bit heavier than copy paper, as it doesn’t curl as much when I hit it with a blending brush. I then got out my MFT Perfect Pool Water stencil and my blue tone Oxide Inks and made the background, making sure to use the four stripes in the sketch. If you look closely at the seafloor it has a very light Antique Linen Oxide edging as well. I used an old speckled stamp to make the sand look more realistic. I colored my otters with Copics and Prismas since I am still not very good at Copics alone. Since coloring isn’t my strong suit, I decided to use some die cuts that are also MFT- from the Beach Scene Builder and Under the Sea Die sets to finish off the seafloor. In the end, I am pretty happy with the way it came together.

Here are a couple more shots!

In case you were wondering why bubbles are in my design. Otters Blow Bubbles under water: Sea otters spend a large part of their waking hours grooming and blowing air into their fur to keep it in tip-top condition. The tiny air bubbles they work into their dense fur keep their skin dry, provide insulation and help otters stay buoyant on the water’s surface.

Thanks for stopping in. I love your visits! If you are a mom out there, I hope you have a very Happy Mother’s Day! Mine is going to be rather quiet, I do believe.

Take care, Nanc’