Sometimes easy’s good. Sometimes….the hard way is just too much fun! In this project I’ll show you two ways to tackle one stamp – and why I chose the medium that I did.
Supplies for this project are linked at the end of this post. Compensated affiliate links may be used at no cost to you.
This little Penguin Tree stamp set from Mama Elephant is so darling – but boy does it have some tiny places to color! I tried painting the picture in watercolor and it was just. too. hard. Lots of little spots that kept spilling over into the white bellies of the penguins. It was a mess and had to be tossed in the recycle bin!
The easy way
There are many options for this, and some are even easier – how about just a blue piece of paper for the sky? Stamping on regular paper not watercolor paper? Skip the clear embossing? Diecut instead of fussy cut? I do like the special love that each of these four poured into the card, but if you’re in a hurry – by all means simplify it up!
I love the little bit of dimension – it makes it just fancy enough that the person who gets this card shouldn’t feel like they’re not loved for getting an uncolored image!
The hard way
I love the hard way sometimes too…..I was on a zoom call and just listening so I was able to spend time working on this one and getting other things done at the same time!
So now I’ve got two more cards added to my stash…at this rate I might get all 200 finished in time for Christmas!
SUPPLIES
Compensated affiliate links may be used – that means if you make a purchase using my links, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support of my work on this blog! Read more.
- Oh Penguin Tree, Mama Elephant Clear Stamps
- Oh Penguin Tree, Mama Elephant Creative Cuts
- Polychromos Pencil Tin, Faber-Castell:
- Pencil Sharpener
- Cold Press Watercolor Paper Pad 9×12, Arches
- Silver Brush Black Velvet Watercolor Brushes, Short Round 12
- DANIEL SMITH Extra Fine Watercolors
- VersaMark Ink Pad
- Embossing:
- Uniball signo white gel pen
I love them both, as well as the adorable story to go along with them. I think I would do it the hard way because that card is over the moon special!
Really enjoyed the penguin festive story, was great to see them all come together to bring skills that benefit the group. Now to the question, easy or hard ? Both are adorable & have there advantages, I would go for making the hard one. Not because I’m talented but that I super enjoy pencil colouring. I would make some of the easy ones & send them to friends small children with a pack of pencil crayons to colour for themselves. Stay safe, healthy and most importantly happy creating beautiful artwork x
Too cute!
Loved the darling story about the penguins. There is no question in my mind which I will go for … the coloring is just too adorable. Just ordered my very own crowd of penguins. Thanks for sharing.
Cute story to go with a cute care!
oh what a FUN video – really enjoyed the background stories of the penguins – just hilarious!!!!
I would make the first card, as this seems simple enough that even I cannot mess it up – lol!!
awesome coloring
Ah, learning the names and personalities of the penguins while coloring 🙂
Great video, I love watching you work with colored pencils
It’s always nice to know there’s an easy way, especially when it comes to last-minute (Christmas) card making, but I do have to admit that the coloured one is more festive. Whenever I do some extensive colouring on my cards, I make sure to send it to someone who will fully appreciate the card and the effort that went into making it.
Marianne x
I’d love to know the artist who designed this stamp set – he or she must be a nut case!!! It’s just a chuckle anyway that “Mama Elephant” loves tiny little images – and you’re a hero to color this one, altho it is pretty cute when it’s done… and they all have names! Thanks for the first chuckle of the day.