Just An-Otter Day in Paradise with The Rabbit Hole Designs

There’s just something about otters that makes me smile—they’re playful, adorable, and always seem like they’re up to something fun. So when I saw the Otter Play Stamp Set and coordinating Otter Play Outline Dies from The Rabbit Hole Designs, I knew I had to create a card that captured their little vacation vibe. And let’s be honest—after a busy week in the craft room and running my business, I needed a “mini escape” myself. This card became the perfect creative getaway: a trio of tiny vacation scenes all wrapped into one clean and layered design.

This project is a great example of how you can take one layout idea—like a simple set of nested circles—and stretch it into something extra playful without adding a ton of bulk or complication. So, if you’ve been looking for a way to add more movement or story to your cards (without turning them into 3D sculptures), this one’s for you.

Just An-Otter Day in Paradise with The Rabbit Hole Designs

Layered Windows: Building a Balanced Layout

I started by cutting a piece of Neenah Ultra Thick Cardstock to the standard A2 size and reached for my trusty Nested Circle Dies. I picked three—small, medium, and large—and played around with the placement until I found a layout that felt fun but still balanced. I wanted the circles to almost “float” down the card front, leading your eye from one little scene to the next.

Here's a little pro tip: when you’re designing with multiple windows or cut-outs, think about the visual triangle. Stagger your shapes in a way that naturally moves the eye around the card—it makes the overall design feel more cohesive, even if each section has its own theme.

Once the circles were cut, I placed the window panel on top of a piece of Bristol Smooth Cardstock and traced the inside of each opening with a pencil. That gave me the perfect guide for where to add ink later—no guessing, no over-blending. Just smooth, precise inking exactly where it needed to be.

Ink Blending for Mini Scenes

Each window needed its own background, so I grabbed my Distress Oxide Inks and blended Speckled Egg for the ocean or sky and Antique Linen for the sandy beaches. I kept the blending soft and natural—you don’t need to go heavy here. These mini scenes are more about suggestion than realism. Just a little color goes a long way in helping those otters feel like they’re lounging somewhere tropical.

One thing I’ve learned over the years is to embrace the simplicity of small spaces. Instead of trying to cram in details, let the colors do the heavy lifting. That way, your characters really get to shine.

Stamping the Stars of the Show

Now for the fun part: stamping out all the playful critters. I used Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and stamped the otters (two of them), the crab, palm leaves, and that adorable little vacation sign onto Hammermill Smooth Cardstock. Then I brought out my Copic markers and had a little coloring session. I always forget how relaxing it is to just sit and color. Sometimes I put on a podcast, sometimes it’s just quiet time, but either way, this part always brings me back to why I love cardmaking.

I used the Otter Play Outline Dies to cut out all my images once they were colored, and it made assembly a breeze. Crisp edges and perfect cuts every time—there’s something really satisfying about that, right?

Sentiments with Intentional Placement

I knew I wanted each circle window to have its own sentiment, almost like little postcard captions. So I stamped “Vacation Mode” in the top right corner, next to the smallest circle; “Bon Voyage” to the left of the middle circle; and “Just an-otter day in paradise” along the bottom circle. These sentiments come right from the Otter Play Stamp Set and perfectly complement the beachy, playful feel of the card.

This part of the design is such a great way to make each scene feel intentional—like its own tiny story, framed within the bigger card.

Assembling the Layers

To pull it all together, I added foam tape to the back of the circle window panel for dimension. I lined it up with the ink-blended Bristol panel so that each colored area peeked through the correct opening. Then came the characters, who I placed into each little scene using both foam tape and liquid glue—foam tape where they were nestled inside the window, and glue where they overlapped onto the top panel. That mix of adhesive creates depth without making the card bulky or uneven.

This trick is one I use often when working with die-cut frames or shaker-style windows. It gives your card that clean, polished finish, but still lets you build dimension and interest.

The Finishing Touches

To make everything pop, I added highlights with my White Milky Pop Gel Pen. It’s amazing how just a few little white dots or lines can bring your images to life. I also scattered a few AB Rhinestones across the card for that extra sparkle—because no beach scene is complete without a little shimmer.

Otterly Fun and Easy to Customize

This card turned out exactly how I imagined—clean, layered, and full of charm. It’s the kind of layout you can easily adapt to other stamps too. Imagine turning those circles into seasonal vignettes, birthday party scenes, or even mini shakers. The possibilities are wide open.

So next time you feel like your card layouts are getting a little “flat,” try creating pockets of movement like this. A little play with die cuts and scene building can go a long way in making your design feel interactive and thoughtful—without adding complicated steps.

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope this card inspires you to stretch your stamps and create something fun and unexpected. Until next time, happy crafting!

Wondering what I used in this project? Everything is linked to multiple sources in the thumbnails in the Materials Used section, or in the text below. Compensated affiliate links used when possible.

Materials Used:

Here you will find the list of supplies that I used to create today's card. All supplies are linked to supply sources below. Compensated affiliate links may be used at no cost to you.

Happy Stampin'

Rick Adkins

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