The Queen's Inkling: Tribal Cats: Valentines, Friendship Cards, Anniversary Cards and an ATC by Judi Kauffman for The Queen’s Ink

My last tutorial in January was Tribal Cats Envelopes featuring the Laurel Burch stamp set by that name. As promised, I’ve created an equally big batch of Tribal Cats Cards. I made Valentines that could also serve as anniversary cards by tweaking the color palette, friendship cards for cat-loving friends, and a collage style Artist Trading Card, just for the heck of it (shown above).

Only one problem: The envelopes I stamped are A2 size while only one of my cards and the ATC will fit! Oh well. I’ve got a box of manila envelopes I can use for the rest. And this change of direction gives me an excuse to stamp and color more envelopes. And make more small size cards and ATCs!

With an upright tail for one cat, no tail for the other, and their bodies tucked close together, the card below is the one that is A2 size:

The remaining cards are much larger because there are more cats or because the tails take up so much more space or because I got carried away with the backgrounds, borders and sentiments…Squares measure 6.25” to 8”; rectangles measure 7” x 9.25” and 7.25” x 11”. The card with five cats (the second photo below) is much bigger than the one with three cats above it - this is a quirk of the blog software that sizes the images to the same width. And that's why the ATC looks as big as the A2 card.

Instead of step by step instructions, I’m going to let the photos do the talking and offer some DESIGN STRATEGIES:

Stamp the bodies and tails after they’re die-cut. This makes it easier to decide where the pattern should be. And it saves on the cardstock since shapes can be die cut close together.

No need to stamp the bodies or tails if you want to simply smudge on color to shade the shapes and add details like striped tails.

5mm “Cat’s Eye” stickers are a nice way to add dimension and some extra sparkle.

Mix in floral patterns from Laurel Burch’s Blossoming Woman stamp set for bodies and tails. That’s what I used for the earlier A2 card as well as the over-sized card shown below.

Stamped sentiments on squares, circles and rectangles add contrast. The circles give the effect of a moon, don’t you think?

Use colored pencils, markers, or a mix!

Add dimension by allowing some of the cats’ tails to curl upward and by using foam tape underneath their faces.

Have fun with patterned papers as well as solid colors when you create layers and borders on the finished cards.

To make the cats more expressive or affectionate, turn their heads at an angle.

Use the non-curled end of the tail instead of the curly end now and then. Trim the die cut shape as needed.

Flat, oversize cards can be displayed on a tabletop easel, framed, or add a top-fold card base so they stand alone.