Happy Year of the Monkey!

Wow!  It's 2016 already!  My son was born in the Year of the Monkey, so I was excited when I saw the Dandelion Designs stamp set.  I knew I had to make a card for my son just in case he didn't realize it is his year.  The hardest part of making this card was finding the right printed card stock.  It's a good thing that I am a paper hoarder because I located (in my stash) just the right Hambly 12x12 sheet with green bamboo on a gold background. I was anxious to use the new Jen Long Sizzix folding card die set that I purchased at HM Ben Franklin Crafts.  I think the die cut card was supposed to be folded, sealed and mailed without an envelope.  However, I decided to put some Velcro tabs on the flap and use an envelope.

It was simple to stamp (with Momento ink) and color the images with Zig Kuretake brush markers. For added texture, I used a Martha Stewart glue pen to affix some brown Fun Flock to the monkeys. I really love the pop-out feature of the card.  I can imagine so many different cards using this clever Sizzix die set.  The stamp set also can be used for other non-new year projects....the monkey is so cute!

Here is an example of how just a little tag (made with the scraps) can add so much to the finished look of a hostess gift.  It's chocolate *wink*wink* ......dark chocolate is now considered healthy, so I wish all of you more chocolate than you can possibly eat in 2016! Happy New Year of the Monkey!