I admit, I’m posting this a little out of order because I made this for April’s Paper Funday Challenge. In my defense, though, the twist theme for the month was die cuts and I just so happened to have this gorgeous Hero Arts Fancy Mother Day’s Window Die that I really wanted to use. So, even though Mother’s Day was weeks away, I figured I would give the Funday Challengers some early inspo and call it a feature, not a bug.

The star of this card is absolutely that big window die. It cuts the full sentiment inside a floral oval frame, and it does so much of the design lifting that the rest of the card basically fell into place, which is honestly the move when you have design indecision (hi, it’s me). A really big focal die is *chef’s kiss* for the chronically overwhelmed crafter, because the visual hierarchy is settled before you even pick up your ink pads.

I blended Distress Oxide inks in soft pink, purples, and greens for the elephant and the window die, and added some glittery sequins I picked up at a Trinity Stamps class during the Stamp and Scrapbook Expo in Washington last year. The elephant and the balloon were both secondhand die-cut bargains from a local crafter. I have no idea what brands they are, but I love them and I love supporting sustainable crafting (and so does my wallet)! My mom and I both love elephants, so I couldn’t resist adding this little baby reaching for a heart balloon in the corners. Let’s not think too much about why the baby is reaching for the heart balloon…. it’s just cute, okay?!