Posted by Yana Smakula
on August 14, 2026
Hi everyone! Ilina Crouse here, and I am happy to be back on the Spellbinders blog, this time sharing a few cards using the Josh Griffiths - Storybook Illustrations collection.
I had to use the hedgehog image from the Wild Friends stamp set from this collection, which just won my heart, so my project(s) today are focused around this set with additions from Into The Wild, Words of the Wild, and Custom Woodland stamp sets to build my entire scene.
I used a masking technique for my projects and a stamping positioning platform; therefore, I decided to make a few cards while I had everything set up. However, a stamping positioning platform is not required to make the project.
There are several products in this collection, and they work so well together.
Step 1: Since we are using masking and building a scene, start with a piece of A2 ( 5 ½” x 4 ¼”) scrap white cardstock or printer paper. The finished project will be A2, hence the use of an A2 piece of paper. This scrap of paper will not be used for the final project, but as a guide to create a scene and then recreate it for our project.
Step 2: Stamp all the elements you would like to use and the sentiment to determine the spacing, overlapping, and see which elements will go on front. The elements that will be in front or on top (like the hedgehog sitting on the tree stump will need to be masked for the final cards).
Step 3: Stamp the hedgehog, raccoon, and the tree stump on a masking sheet and fussy cut them.
Step4: Cut watercolor paper panel to A2 size ( 5 ½” x 4 ¼”). Since I was using a stamping platform, I cut 4, so I can make 4 cards.
Step 5: Use the guide scene we created in Step 1 to position and stamp using black waterproof ink the most up-front images (hedgehog, raccoon, and butterflies). If you are making multiples, stamp these on all of your panels. Once stamped, use the hedgehog mask created in Step 3 and mask off the hedgehog.
Step 6: Stamp the tree stump so it looks like the hedgehog is sitting on it
Step 7: Mask off the tree stump and the raccoon using the masks you created in Step 3, and stamp all of the surrounding elements. Stamp the rocks, grass line, and the additional set of mushrooms. I went a little astray from the guide I created and stamped only one set of rocks on the right side, moved the mushrooms more to the left, and omitted the rocks that were on the left. Remove the masks.
Step 8: Make sure that the ink is completely dry. Once dry, using watercolors of your choice, color the images. I used watercolor markers and a water brush.
Cut an A2 panel of your color choice to be your background. Since I made four (4) cards, I cut 4 from the following cardstock colors: Waterfall, Oceanside, Tutu, and Mulberry.
Step 9: Trim the panels to about 4 ¼” x 3 ½”. Set aside.
Step 10: Stamp sentiments from the Words of the Wild stamp set on the bottom of each panel using Clear Embossing ink and emboss them in white.
Step 11: Using foam tape, adhere each of the watercolored panels to the colored panels with sentiments, leaving a little bit of colored border on top of each panel.
Step 12: Create your card bases using 4 ¼” x 11” pieces of white cardstock that you have scored and folded at 5 ½”. Adhere the image panels on them to finish your project!
Thank you so much for stopping by, and I hope that these projects inspired you to try out this masking technique.
Spellbinders Supplies:
Other supplies
Versafine Clair Nocturne ink pad, Arches Cold Press Watercolor paper, Zig Real Brush Clean Color markers, StampWheel
