Karen Burniston Designer Challenge 94: Animals and Characters
June 04, 2025
Welcome to our June Designer Challenge with a theme of "Animals and Characters". I challenged the team to use any of our Animal or Character dies for a card of any theme. For my card and video I wanted to explore a shaped card that would also hold a pop-up. I opted for a circular card and the Photo Fan Pop-up. I've always enjoyed the phrase "What's the word, bird?" to ask someone what's up, so I went with that theme for my animals, choosing birds from Feathered Animals and Spring Animals.
Learn this card technique by watching the full YouTube tutorial here:
My card measures just under 4.25" x 4.25" when closed and will mail in an A2 envelope. On the front of the card I used Word Set 14 - Hugs and the same birds as the inside of the card, the owl, ostrich and chick from Feathered Animals and Spring Animals, with some of the birds embellished with, pearls, glasses, hats and hearts from Tiny Accessories 2.
Open the card and the Photo Fan pops up, revealing six framed birds. The oval frame from the Memory Charms is a great choice for the circular card because the oval shapes are easily hidden inside a rounded card. The "Let's catch up!" greeting is from our Fishing Phrases Clear Stamps set. The "What's the word, bird?" greeting was computer-generated.
My favorite thing about these monthly Cardmaking with Dies video is seeing how others interpret the generic techniques. I chose to fill the frames with birds but they could easily be filled with anything - photos, stamped images, dies, shakers, greetings, etc. Be sure to post your creation in our Karen Burniston Pop-up Peeps Facebook group if you give this technique a try!
Ready to make your version? Here are the dies and supplies used in the video.
Now let's take a look at the wonderful Animal inspiration by our talented Design Team. In each case you can click the designer's name to go to their blog or social media post where you'll find additional photos, supply lists and, in some cases, videos!
Nicky Foden has made a jaw-droppingly awesome project that mere words are insufficient to praise. First, she was able to fashion all the Disney Princesses using pieces from various die sets. Then she cleverly created a magnetic board where they can be put into fun scenes, like you might do with colorform sets. Nicky has a full photo tutorial for the board and some great tips on the magnets or alternates. She also has a video of the board linked on her blog post. Amazing!
Sandy Diller has crafted the perfect birthday pun! The fence is animated using the Flip Frame mechanism and then decorated with several cows. If you click over to Sandy's blog you can watch a video of this card opening and closing. I love it!
Lois Bak loves Harry Potter and this month's theme was the perfect prompt for a nod to the new Epic Universe park additions. She re-created a scene where Harry rides a dragon. The Paper People can be a great base for any character, as Lois shows here. Be sure to click over to see the card front. Amazing!
Frances Byrne had a baby card in mind when she assembled the cute Safari Animals and Monkey but then changed to a birthday card, complete with full shaker front and doubled Lorna Label interior. I love all the little touches, like the balloon strings slipped over the arm of the giraffe. Click over to Frances's blog for more info on this happy card. Perfection!
Suzanne Smit created a custom birthday card for her niece, who plays field hockey. The Garden Bench is the perfect backdrop for this feathered creation. Click over to Suzanne's blog to see the card front. Love it!
Jen Webster has such a talent with Copic markers on die cuts. I love the texture she created on her safari-themed Landscape Rectangle Accordion. Take a guess at which of the three Safari Animals is Jen's favorite and then click over to her blog post to see if you're right! Stunning work!
Sue Small-Kreider wraps up the magic this month with this wonderful Wizard of Oz scene. She was able to combine die sets to create all the characters for the front of the card and styled the Tiny House as the perfect Kansas farmhouse. Be sure to click over to Sue's blog to watch the process video on this magnificent card! Also set your calendar's for Sue's debut on Craft Roulette this week, June 6, 2025. Set a reminder here: Sue Small-Kreider - Craft Roulette
What a wonderful challenge! I am blown away by the team's Animal and Character cards. Join us next month on Wednesday, July 2, 2025 for our next Designer Challenge with a theme of RAINBOW. The team and our special guest will be interpreting the word RAINBOW in sure-to-be clever ways!
Happy Crafting!