A Colorful Bay Window Card for Di’s Digital Challenge: All About Animals

Hello, fellow crafters!

I’m back with a fun and vibrant card for my entry into Di’s Digital Challenge Blog, where the theme this time is all about Animals! I love how versatile and creative this challenge is, and it gave me the perfect opportunity to make a birthday card for one of my students. For this card, I chose the adorable “Rainbow Friends” Precolored Image from Di’s Etsy Shop, and I just knew it would be perfect for her—it's playful, colorful, and absolutely full of joy!

Why I Chose the "Rainbow Friends" Image:

The "Rainbow Friends" precolored image features an adorable collection of animals (a cute cow, tiger, (which is our school mascot) and squirrel) all under a bright, colorful rainbow. It’s so cheerful and full of life, making it perfect for a birthday card. I wanted a design that would really pop and match the vibrant colors of the image, so I decided to go with a bold, bright color scheme that would complement the illustration perfectly.

The Bay Window Card Design:

I’ve made the Bay Window Card before, and have loved it especially after seeing a fabulous tutorial by Sam at Mixed Up Craft. The bay window design is unique and gives the card a dimensional, display-worthy quality. Once folded and tucked into place, the card stands up like a little window, which makes it not just a card, but a gift in itself!

To make this card, I took Sam’s tutorial and decided to create my own template using Adobe Illustrator. After designing the shape and layers, I uploaded the file into Cricut Design Space and used my Cricut machine to cut everything out. The result was a clean and precise card base with perfectly sized layers that fit together beautifully.

The Color Palette:

For the colors, I went with a mix of coral, yellow, and blue patterns and solid cardstock. These colors were perfect to coordinate with the "Rainbow Friends" image and helped bring the whole card to life. To add even more texture and depth, I ran the yellow solid cardstock through my embossing machine to give it a subtle pattern and extra dimension.

But as I was assembling the card, I felt like it needed a bit of pink to make the colors really pop and to tie everything together. I decided to add this through a handmade magenta daisy I had in my stash, along with a bit of magenta ribbon for some extra flair.

Adding the Finishing Touches:

I didn’t want the card to feel too busy, but I did want to add some fun embellishments to complete the design:

• Handmade Daisies: I used a combination of yellow, pink, and white handmade daisies (also from my stash) to add some texture and whimsy to the design.
• Gems: A few gems in matching colors helped to bring a bit of sparkle to the card and accent the design.
• Rainbow Clay Sprinkle: For a final touch, I added a rainbow clay sprinkle to really tie in the theme of the image and add a playful, fun element.

Why I Love This Card:

• Interactive Design: One of the things I love most about the Bay Window Card is how it stands up when tucked into place. It becomes a little display piece that your recipient can enjoy, which makes it feel like a gift and a card all in one. It’s a great way to present a birthday greeting in a way that feels extra special.

• Bright and Cheerful: The mix of coral, yellow, and blue patterns really complements the Rainbow Friends image, and the pop of magenta makes everything stand out beautifully. The colors are so vibrant and cheerful—just what you want for a birthday celebration!

• Personal Touches: Adding the handmade daisies, embellishments, and foil accents really allowed me to make the card unique and personal. It’s always fun to use up items from your craft stash, and it’s especially satisfying when the pieces come together so beautifully.

Who Would Love This Card?

This card would be perfect for any animal lover, especially kids or young adults who appreciate bright, fun, and cheerful designs. It would also be a hit for someone who loves rainbows or just enjoys a little touch of whimsy in their birthday cards. Since I’m sending this to one of my students, I know it will make her smile and add a special touch to her big day.

How to Join the Fun:

If you’re inspired by this card and want to participate in Di’s Digital Challenge, make sure to check out the challenge details on the Di’s Digital Challenge Blog. The theme is all about Animals, so get creative and show us how you bring your animal-themed creations to life! Don’t forget that Di’s Etsy Shop has a ton of adorable digital stamps and images you can use to bring your card to the next level.

Final Thoughts:

I’m so pleased with how this Bay Window card turned out. It was such a fun design to try, and I absolutely love the way the "Rainbow Friends" image looks in the finished card. I can’t wait for my student to see it—it’s colorful, interactive, and filled with love! If you haven’t tried a Bay Window card yet, I highly recommend giving it a go. It’s a fun and unique way to add a personal touch to your cards, and the end result is sure to impress.

Thanks for stopping by, and happy crafting!

Until next time,
Miss Mudge

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Supplies Used:

• "Rainbow Friends" Precolored Image from Di’s Etsy Shop
• Cricut
• Coral, Yellow, Blue Solid & Patterned Paper
• Embossing Folder
• Magenta Handmade Daisy
• Yellow and White Handmade Daisies
• Magenta Ribbon
• Gems
• Rainbow Clay Sprinkle