Holy Carp… This Card Is Cute!
Today’s card is making a splash with a brand-new, soon-to-be-released Pajama Crafter Stamps set called Don’t Be Koi! I paired this sweet floral koi with the crab and sea plants from the previously released What The Krill stamp set to create an underwater scene full of color, texture, sparkle, and personality.
This project was created as an Ardyth’s Square card, measuring 4.25 x 4.25 inches, and I turned that compact little canvas into a dimensional shaker card using white tulle, layered cardstock, foam tape, and a dreamy blue-green ink-blended background.
And yes… the sentiment says it all: “Holy carp, you’re cute!”
Creating the Watery Background
For the background, I blended three shades of blue-green Distress Ink Reinkers with Awesome Sauce from Pajama Crafter Stamps. This created that soft, watery glow behind the shaker window — the perfect backdrop for a koi fish who clearly knows she is the main character.
The circular frame gives the card a fishbowl feel, while the white tulle adds the required textile element for Craft Roulette. It also makes a fabulous shaker window because it keeps the confetti contained while still adding that soft, netted underwater texture.
Copic Coloring Details
The koi was colored with bold pinks, purples, and blue-greens to match the May Garden color parameter from Craft Roulette. I interpreted those colors as fresh garden-inspired shades: blue greens, purples, and pinks.
Copics used:
Purples: V01, V04, V05, V09
Pinks: RV13, RV14, RV17
Blue Greens: BG10, BG11, BG13, BG45, BG49
I love how the pink and purple fins contrast with the turquoise face and scales. The white gel pen highlights add movement and sparkle, making the koi feel playful, magical, and full of life.
Craft Roulette Parameters
I played along with Craft Roulette using these parameters:
Project: Ardyth’s Square — 4.25 x 4.25 inches
Colors: May Garden — blue greens, purples, and pinks
Element: Textile — white tulle shaker window
Random: 3 Layers — three ink layers, multiple paper layers, and multiple foam tape layers for dimension
This card may be small, but it has big personality. Between the layered circular shaker, popped-up stamped images, dimensional foam tape, and colorful Copic work, every inch has something fun to look at.
Watch the Full Process
The entire card-making process can be watched on my YouTube Live, where I share how the background came together, how I built the shaker window, and how I brought this adorable koi to life with Copic markers.
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Final Thoughts
This card is a perfect example of mixing new and previously released stamp sets to stretch your stash. The upcoming Don’t Be Koi set brings the charm, while What The Krill adds the perfect underwater companions and scene-building details.
Until next time, don’t be koi about your creativity — make something that makes you smile!
Holy carp… this one sure did.
Joy
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