Introducing It's a Jungle Out There & Mehndi Medallion

Today marks the last day of countdown projects and I am just thrilled to be able to make these last two stamp introductions!  They are both FANTASTIC sets that hold lots of possibilities!

First up is a new set from Dawn McVey that I just know you'll be wild about!

It's a Jungle Out There takes a few of your favorite wild animals and gives them a modern twist.  Each animal has two images, one solid and one with just their stripes or spots.  The unique attribute is that you can totally use the stripes or spots along on the die-cut animal shapes for a more modern look, or you can layer the two images together for a more realistic look.  Lots of possibilities!

The details.

• It's a Jungle Out There will be available for purchase on June 15th.
• It will retail for $15.
• It's a Jungle Out There contains a total of 14 stamps (1 solid giraffe, 1 giraffe spots, 1 solid zebra, 1 zebra strips, 1 solid cheetah, 1 cheetah spots and 8 sentiments)
• The giraffe measures 2" x 1-1/8", zebra 1-3/8" x 1-1/2", cheetah 3/4" x 1-3/8".
• A coordinating  die will be available for sale separately for $5.  It will cut our shapes to coordinate with all three of the animals.

To coordinate with this trendy stamp set, Dawn also designed an Animal Print Impression Plate.  This impression plate features zebra stripes on one side and cheetah spots on the reverse.  Not only does this coordinate well with It's a Jungle Out There, but it works so well as a modern "neutral" to go along with other stamp sets with style.

The details.

• The Animal Print Impression Plate will be available for sale on June 15th.
• It will retail for $16.
• The Animal Print Impression Plate measures 4-1/2" x 5-3/4".  One side features a zebra stripe while the reverse side features a cheetah print.

I have one more stamp set to introduce today and that is Mehndi Medallion.  I've wanted a set featuring the style of Mehndi for some time and I'm so excited to have something like it now to stamp with!  This set features one large medallion that is just under 2-1/2" diameter, making it a perfect fit for our Limitless Layers 2-1/2" Circle Die Collection.  There are also a few smaller medallions as well that can be used to accent sentiments or assist you in building background patterns.  This little beauty will rapidly become a favorite!

The details.

• Mehndi Medallion will be available for sale on June 15th.
• It will retail for $5.
• Mehndi Medallion contains a total of 6 stamps: 1 (2-1/2") medallion, 2 (3/4") medallions, 1 (3/8") medallion and 2 (1/4") medallions.
• The largest medallion coordinates with our Limitless Layers 2-1/2" Die Collection.

Last weekend we visited my grandparent in North Carolina and had the opportunity to take the kids to a local award-winning zoo.  We only had time for the African portion of the expansive zoo, but it provided the perfect inspiration for today's post.  I thought I would share a few of my favorite photos from the day with you before getting into the projects...

There were several giraffes clustered around a tree in the shade on this 95-degree day.  I had forgotten how tall and majestic they are in person.

There were a few zebras there as well with their bold stripes shining in the intense sun.  Isn't it fascinating how zebras & giraffes have such interesting patterns in their coats?  I was telling my kids while we were there to try to imagine what we would look like if our hair grew in patterned patches like theirs!

 The fun thing about this zoo is that there is one large open space where most of the African animals roam together, just as they would in their natural habitat.

And I had to share at least one photo of the kids!  Ethan & Hannah enjoyed getting to climb on the various "kid-friendly" bronze statues throughout the park.  It was really neat to see the parts of the statues that had been rubbed repeatedly by little hands, just like the tops of this elephants ears where you can see the natural patina is gone.

Now that I have shared a bit of zoo inspiration with you, let's get onto some fun projects!

First, a duo that has the same humble beginnings, but showcases two very different looks!

The base for the focal points of both of these cards started with A square of white cardstock and a handful of Copic Markers.  I went from lightest to darkest and just colored across the cardstock in strips, bending in between each color slightly with a little overlap.  Super quick & fun!

On one of my finished blocks I stamped the images in VersaMark and embossed them with White Filigree Embossing Powder.

The images used were: the giraffe from It's a Jungle Out There, the tree from Through the Trees and a bit of Background Basics: Text Style.

The sentiment from Signature Greetings was stamped in Smokey Shadow.  I added a couple embossed lines across the bottom of the card with my Scor-buddy.

I love how placing this focal point on the Aqua Mist card base helps to soften everything...a dramatic difference from the next project...

Here I have used the same Copic colored block as my starting point, but this time I stamped all of the same images in True Black. 

 The sentiment is from Father Knows Best and really makes the overall card take on a different style than the first card, simply because of the sentiment change.

I added another sentiment from Father Knows Best to the interior of my card...it seemed fitting for something that featured a giraffe!  Speaking of giraffe, I added another one beside the interior sentiment using New Leaf ink!

Now for something pink and girly...you can't showcase one of Dawn McVey's stamp sets with out doing something pink and girly!!!!

For the focal point I started by stamping the solid zebra in Fresh Snow and layering the striped version on top of it with True Black.  The sentiment (from Communique Curves Sentiments) is also stamped in True Black.  Mehndi Medallion is stamped on top of all of that with VersaMark ink.  I trimmed the side with pinking shears and stitched it in place with my sewing machine.  A few pink rhinestones are sprinkled on for good measure.

Behind the focal point I added a strip of that luscious Raspberry Fizz/Pure Poppy Damask Designs patterned paper along with a card cover of Dark Chocolate cardstock.  If you look closely you can see how I used the Animal Prints Impression Plate to add zebra stripes.  Love that!

I have been in love with Simply Chartreuse, Vintage Cream and Smokey Shadow put together lately and thought I would do another project with that pairing.

For the focal point, I stamped the solid versions of the giraffe and cheetah with Simply Chartreuse ink.  I then added just the striped portion of the zebra.  I wanted the zebra to stand out from the crowd, showcasing it's natural *beauty*...which I think supports this sentiment from All About You Additions.  IT was added with True Black ink underneath the menagerie. 

I added a few leaves from Daydreamer around the edges of the focal block to help soften the hard edges.  You'll notice I used that fabulous zebra stripe side of the Animal Prints Impression Plate again for this project, this time with Simply Chartreuse cardstock.  Everything was affixed to a Smopkey Shadow card base.

Next up is a more whimsical project that embraces the "party" animal in this set!  The focal point block was first embellished with leaves from Turning a New Leaf using Aqua Mist ink.  The "Happy Happy Birthday" sentiment (from Birthday Bash Sentiments) was added the the lower corner with True Black, followed by the small "Party Animal" from It's a Jungle Out There..

I die-cut the giraffe from white cardstock and then stamped the solid image in Orange Zest and the spots in Terracotta Tile on top.  For the party hat, I snipped a bit of Raspberry Fizz Damask Designs paper into a teeny-tiny party hat and added a little Hawaiian Shore trim along with a rhinestone to top it off.

The entire focal point was adhered to a white card base matted with Hawaiian Shores Damask Designs patterned paper.

This is one of my absolute favorite cards from today...there is just something about black & kraft together that makes my heart go pitter patter!  *wink*

The kraft card front was stamped with the gorgeous Mehndi Medallion using True Black ink.  Notice how I mixed both the large and medium medallions together to make an all over pattern.  So intricate and so beautiful!

For the focal point, I started by cutting a small block of paper to use as a mask.  I used temporary adhesive to hold it in place and sponged Fresh Snow ink around it's edges.  I removed the mask and placed post-it notes on the bottom and right-side of the block, leaving the center *un-inked* center portion exposed but covering the sponged white ink in those areas.   The sentiment is from Father Knows Best and really makes the overall card take on a different style than the first card, simply because of the sentiment change.

 The sentiment is from Father Knows Best and really makes the overall card take on a different style than the first card, simply because of the sentiment change.  A few scattered rhinestones around the vines helped to create visual balance.

Now for something a bit more artsy...

I took a piece of Vintage Cream cardstock and used temporary adhesive to adhere the cheetah die-cut in place.  I then sponged a thick layer of Terracotta Tile ink over the mask.  Once I had it fairly dark, I started adding images around the outside from Grunge Me.  I love the artistic effect this created.

After removing the mask, I stamped the solid cheetah with Haystack Palette ink and the cheetah spots with Dark Chocolate with in the masked off area.  I layered bits and pieces from Postmarks and Big & Bold Wishes along the right-side of the card using True Black ink.  

The background is impressed with the cheetah print side of the Animal Prints Impression Plate,  I used a strip of vintage book print as a border.

When I get a new stamp set to work with, I always sit down with a sheet of scrap paper and try out all the images in different combinations and such.  On the *practice sheet* I created for this set, I had stamped the cheetah and then repeatedly stamped in several more times to remove the excess ink.  I was instantly reminded of a technique I learned at a convention years and years ago.  I can't for the life of me remember the official name of it...

but here it is.  Is tamped the cheetah in Summer Sunrise ink and then stamped it repeatedly behind it, moving backward a little more each impression, being sure not to re-ink between impressions either.  the effect is a cheetah/cougar that is on the move.  I thought it would pair up nicely with some sentiments from All Star Team Additions, stamped here in Pure Poppy.

The corrugated image from My Dad My Hero was added to the bottom of the card using Smokey Shadow ink.  I thought this would be a great type of card to give to someone before a sports tournament or big game.  I think it is a gender neutral project as well.

I have one more project for you today and this one focuses on Menhdi Medallion specifically.

I stamped it onto a decorative shape from the Limitless Layers 2-1/2" die collection that was cut from Plum Pudding cardstock.  I love how well the shapes go together on this!

I heat embossed the sentiment (from Think Big Favorites #2) with Filigree White Embossing Powder in the center of the medallion.  The medallion is flanked on either side with Plum Pudding buttons.

The background of the card was stamped with Background Basics: Chevron Stripes in VersaMark onto Royal Velvet.  All of this was mounted on a white card base.

For the interior, I  added one of the sentiments from  Inside & Out: Thank You, with one of the medium medallions from Mehndi Medallion stamped above it.  A simple elegant card that can easily be mass produced or have the colors changed up to fit the recipient better.

I hope you enjoyed all of the fun projects I had to share with you today!  These sets hold so many possibilities, I have just barely begun to showcase all of the options that a bit of creativity could bring!  What do you think of the products showcased today?  You could have a chance to win big just by sharing your thoughts with us!

• It's a Jungle Out There stamp set
• It's a Jungle Out There die
• Animal Prints impression plate
• Mehndi Medallion stamp set
• Limitless Layers 2.5" circle die collection

You have until 11:30pm EST, Tuesday, June 14th to leave a comment and be eligible to win.  Only one comment per person please.  One randomly selected winner will be announced no later than midnight that night on our June 2011 Release Winners page.  Thank you so much for stopping by today and best of luck with the contest!

Dawn McVey has some additional projects using It's a Jungle Out There & Mehndi Medallion.

Heather Nichols is showcasing Tag-its #5.

Melissa Bickford has a few more projects using her new baby sets & Flower Fusion #5.

Maile Belles is highlighting Gracious Vases again today.

Lizzie Jones has another sweet little project using Rhythm & Soul.

AQUA GIRAFFE THANK YOU CARD

• STAMPS: Its a Jungle Out There (available June 15th), Signature Greetings, Through the Trees, BB: Text Style
• INK: VersaMArk, Smokey Shadow
• PAPER: Stamper's Select White, Aqua Mist
• OTHER: Filigree White Embossing Powder, Copic Markers, Scor-buddy
• FINISHED SIZE: 4-1/4" x 5-1/2"

BLACK GIRAFFE FATHER'S DAY CARD

• STAMPS: Its a Jungle Out There (available June 15th), Through the Trees, Father Knows Best
• INK: True Black, New Leaf
• PAPER: Stamper's Select White
• OTHER: Copic Markers
• FINISHED SIZE: 4-1/4" x 5-1/2"

PINK ZEBRA BIRTHDAY CARD

• STAMPS: Its a Jungle Out There, Mehndi Medallion (available June 15th), Communique Curves Sentiments
• INK: True Black, Fresh Snow, VersaMark
• PAPER: Kraft,Dark Chocolate, Raspberry Fizz, Damask Designs paper pad
• OTHER: Animal Print Impression Plate, pinking shears, rhinestones (Kaiser Craft), sewing machine
• FINISHED SIZE: 4-1/4" x 5-1/2"

BEAUTIFUL THING MENAGERIE CARD

• STAMPS: Its a Jungle Out There, Daydreamer (available June 15th) All About You Addiitons
• INK: True Black, Simply Chartreuse
• PAPER: Vintage Cream imply Chartreuse, Smokey Shadow
• OTHER: Animal Print Impression Plate
• FINISHED SIZE: 4-1/4" x 5-1/2"

PARTY ANIMAL CARD

• STAMPS: Its a Jungle Out There (available June 15th), Turning a New Leaf, Birthday Bash Sentiments
• INK: True Black, Aqua Mist, Orange Zest, Terracotta Tile
• PAPER: Stamper's Select White, Damask Designs paper pad
• OTHER: It's a Jungle Out There die, rhinestone (KaiserCraft)
• FINISHED SIZE: 4-1/4" x 5-1/2"

BLACK & KRAFT ZEBRA CARD

• STAMPS: Its a Jungle Out There, Mehndi Medallion (available June 15th) Turning a New Leaf, Blooming Button Bits
• INK: True Black, Fresh Snow, Ripe Avocado
• PAPER: Kraft
• OTHER: black rhinestones (KaiserCraft)
• FINISHED SIZE: 4-1/4" x 5-1/2"

CHEETAH CELEBRATE CARD

• STAMPS: Its a Jungle Out There (available June 15th), Grunge Me, Postmarks, Big & Bold Wishes
• INK: True Black, Terracotta Tile, Haystack Palette, Dark Chocolate, Tea Dye Duo
• PAPER: Vintage Cream, vintage book print from old book
• OTHER: It's a Jungle Out There die, Animal Print Impression Plate, pinking shears, sewing machine
• FINISHED SIZE: 4-1/4" x 5-1/2"

GO THE DISTANCE CARD

• STAMPS: Its a Jungle Out There (available June 15th), All Star Team Additions, My Dad My Hero
• INK: Smokey Shadow, Pure Poppy, Summer Sunrise
• PAPER: Vintage Cream, Kraft, Beautiful Blooms paper pad
• OTHER: 1-1/8" circle punch, black pens (American Crafts)
• FINISHED SIZE: 3-3/4" x 5"

MEDALLION THANK YOU CARD

• STAMPS: Mehndi Medallion (available June 15th), BB: Chevron Stripes, Think Big Favorites #2
• INK: VersaMark, Elegant Eggplant SU!, True Black
• PAPER: Stamper's Select White, Royal Velvet, Plum Pudding
• OTHER: Limitless Layers 2.5" Circle die, Plum Pudding buttons, White Filigree Embossing Powder
• FINISHED SIZE: 4-1/4" x 5-1/2"