Lair of Leprechauns...?

So I have this group of leprechauns on my table, and I didn't know what to call them. I was thinking along the lines of "flock", or "gaggle", or "pod", or maybe even "tribe"...but then I figured these cunning little creatures must have a LAIR! Plus, the term 'lair' is quite alliterative, so I'm stickin' to it!

I made these last year--they're really easy. I'm just going to steal my directions from last year and make changes where needed, due to retired colors and supplies I used previously. Here's a close-up for you...just click on the picture below to make it larger:

Punch out a Scallop Circle from Ruby Red card stock. Then punch out a 1-3/8" Circle in Blush Blossom, and a 1/2" Circle in Blush Blossom. Sponge over the large circle lightly with Ruby Red ink--this circle will be the face, you are giving it a ruddy look. Sponge around the edges of the 1/2" circle with Ruby Red ink--this will be the nose, you are giving the outline some definition. Glue the 1-3/8" sponged circle onto the Ruby Red scalloped circle. (I like to use just a tiny bit of the Tombow Multipurpose Adhesive for glueing on this project.) Set the nose aside, you will attach it later.

Punch the Tag Punch from Garden Green card stock, and trim it to 1" high. For the hat band, cut a strip of Basic Black card stock to 1/2" wide, then cut the strip to 1-3/8" long, which is the width of the tag punch. Glue the hat band onto the bottom of the trimmed Tag Punch, flush with the bottom. Then cut a 1/4" strip of Summer Sun card stock, and trim off a 1/4" piece from it, so that you have a 1/4" square of Summer Sun card stock. Glue that square in the center of the black hat band, flush with the TOP of the hat band.

Glue the hat layers onto the top of the layered scallop circle. Imagine a line across the top 4 scallops of the circle, and line up the bottom of your hat layer just a little below that. Punch the hat brim from Garden Green card stock with the Large Oval punch. Take a bite out of the top and the bottom of the Large Oval with the Small Oval punch. You may wish to temporarily affix the Large Oval punched piece to a piece of scratch paper with Dotto, so you can more easily hold onto it while you line it up in your Small Oval punch. Affix one Mini Glue Dot to each side of the hat brim, on the back, and adhere it over the hat band. Make sure the black of the hat band does not show underneath the hat brim.

Stamp two of the little round orange images from the One Smart Cookie stamp set, in StazOn Jet Black (or waterproof Basic Black) on Whisper White card stock, and allow to dry. Color over the center of the stamped images with an Old Olive marker, to make the green eyes. Trim out each eye with Paper Snips, and then affix each to the face, with a Mini Glue Dot. Affix the sponged nose, overlapping the eyes, with a Mini Glue Dot.

For the mouth, you can punch out a 1" circle from scrap card stock (or vellum card stock if you'd like to be able to see through it), and use the piece with the hole punched in it for a guide. Trace around the inside of the punched hole with a Basic Black marker or journaler, to create the semi-circle smile. Mark lines across the smile at each end, and then use the marker to create a few freckles to each side of the nose.

You can affix a pin back, and give these out for St. Patrick's Day, or use the leprechaun as an embellishment on a card, 3D project, or scrapbooking page. You can place one of these pins in a small cello bag with a Top Note topper, stamped with the Pinch Proof stamp set, and give them as gifts. Or, string linen thread through each hat, and create a leprechaun garland for your mantle, or even for your computer monitor! Alternate leprechauns, and mugs of green beer (using the Cheers To You stamp set), and create your own festive party necklace. The uses are endless, and extremely entertaining :-)

There's still time to order your supplies, just hop on over to my ONLINE STORE, or email me with your wish list! And remember, the Sale-A-Bration, and the Special Easter Stamp Sets are available through the end of March. Order for St. Patrick's Day, and add on some Easter supplies, and get FREE stamps through the Sale-A-Bration promotion!