Add a Penguin to a Stitched Burst Winter Card by Jean Okimoto

A very cool little penguin from the Snowglobe Backer die set joins the Stitched Burst on a contemporary slimline card for the holidays. Frosted Glitter Pad accents add a bit of sparkle. Hi, Jean Okimoto here with another holiday design - and more stitch therapy!

Prep the Stitched Burst die by rubbing it briskly with scrunched waxed paper to help release the tiny dot offcuts. Cut it from kraft cardstock.

Here's a tip - round the corners of the cardstock so the extra floss doesn't get stuck on the corners as you're stitching. (Yes, it would be smarter to precut the circle - but I wasn't sure if I wanted a circle, square or octagon when I began.) Stitch it with black floss - tape the ends of the floss on the backside with Scotch Transparent Tape (Magic Tape might tear).

Stitch it with white floss.

Stitch the final starburst with red floss. Cut it with the 3" Circle Basics die.

Cut the penguin from white and black cardstock. Define the eyes with a paper piercer or skewer. Cut the flippers from orange cardstock. Cut a scrap of orange cardstock, place it under the white diecut and mark eye positions. Color the eye markings with a black marker.

Stamp the greeting - from the Berry Wreath Clear Stamp and Die Set - on a strip of red cardstock with Onyx Black VersaFine.

Cut a ¾" x 3-⅛" strip of the black sheet from the Frosted Glitter Pad. Cut a ¾" x 3-¾" strip of green cardstock. Punch ¼" dots from the Green Frosted Glitter Pad sheet.

Attach everything to a white slimline card (3-½" x 8-½"). The red greeting strip is very wonky and the green strip extends above the top edge.

Don't be intimidated by Memory Box stitching dies - they're easy to use, versatile and will be great for cards throughout the year. Stitched Burst can also be a sun, medallion, fireworks - even a flower. Experiment with different threads, colors and patterns. It can be a great stress-reliever and create a feeling of accomplishment when you add that final stitch!

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