Self Care Neon Zoo

The current Stay Crafty with Hero Arts Challenge (#staycraftywithhero) is all about Self Care.

 

 

I made this card while I practiced mental and physical self care this afternoon on a video crafting call with friends ... even when we paused the conversation and were quiet because we were all focused on what we were making, being with my own self care community filled my heart ... I love seeing and hearing their pets, spouses and children ... and appreciating their creative processes ... and I am so grateful for this hobby and the friends I have made.

I also created a card for multiple card challenges, which makes my heart happy as well.  I started with the colors from the Color Throwdown ... bright vivid happy colors that you will see throughout my home.  I decided to use Rina K. Designs Electro-Pop Inks in these colors.

 

Next I decided to use Hero Arts Birthday Animals Silhouettes and Dies for the A Day at the Zoo! Challenge at The Paper Players.

 

After I finished stamping and die cutting my animals (with no real plan in mind), I remembered the Square within a Square Challenge at Just Us Girls, and my layout came together.

 

I positioned my various animals within the 2" black cardstock squares using foam tape ... and then made a cardstock sign with the perfect sentiment from Hero Arts Birthday Hugs and Kisses for the bear and kangaroo to hold in their paws.  I added a some tiny enamel hearts and some orange bling to finish the design.

 

 

And since both stamp sets i used are retro - Birthday Hugs & Kisses is from March 2018 and the Birthday Animal Silhouettes are at least March 2017 - I joined the Retro Rubber Challenge to Be There or Be Square!

 

 

I love how this turned out ... my self care afternoon left me feeling hopeful and peaceful ... and ready to mail more cards.

Comments

[Wanda Cullen]

This neon "zoo" is so much fun! How nice that you could network with other crafty friends while being creative! So glad you were able to join us at CTD!

[Jan Clothier]

WOW, that is bright and cheery! The neon on black is truly vibrant. The detail of the tiny hearts is just the perfect finishing touch. Thank you for joining us at Retro Rubber Challenge.

[Linda W. (ScrappinBari)]

Just love your colorful animals, Stef - really made me smile!

[Cécile Ribon]

Wow! What a fun card! I love those vivid colors against the black squares. Thanks so much for joining us at Just Us Girls this week.

[Claire Grantham]

OMG I love this! The neon animals are perfection and work so well against the black squares. Thanks for joining us again at Retro Rubber this time. Claire DT

[Neva Cole]

Yes, that is a neon zoo! The black squares really do set off your quirky animals! Thanks so much for playing along with our Be Square Challenge at Retro Rubber!