🚌 The Struggle is Real – Interactive Pull-Tab Card | Featuring Pajama Crafter Stamps

Jul 20
2 min read

Updated: Jul 20

Have you ever felt like you’ve been stuck on the struggle bus? Same. 🙃 Today I’m sharing this playful yet encouraging interactive card I created using the Struggle Bus Stamp Set from Pajama Crafter Stamps. It’s the perfect design for a friend (or yourself) who could use a little reminder that struggling doesn’t mean you’re failing.

This card combines ink blending, Copic coloring, and a pull-tab mechanism that slides the bus forward just enough to reveal a hidden sentiment—because even when the wheels are wobbly, you’re still moving.

Want to see this card come together step-by-step? You can watch the full video tutorial now on my YouTube channel!

VIDEO

✨ How I Made This Card

1️⃣ Ink Blended Background

I started by blending a mix of gray and black Distress Oxide inks across the top of my panel to create a cloudy, stormy sky that sets the mood. For the ground, I blended tan dye ink to mimic sand, and then added black pigment ink for the road.

2️⃣ Stamping and Coloring the Bus

The adorable (and exhausted) bus was stamped in black ink and colored with Copic markers in warm yellows and grays. I love the little frown and flat tire—he’s trying his best! After coloring, I cut him out using my Brother Scan N Cut.

3️⃣ Sentiments

I stamped the main sentiment, The Struggle is Real, right up in the clouds so it’s the first thing you see. Below that, I stamped the hidden sentiment, Struggling doesn’t mean you are failing, where it would be covered by the bus until the tab is pulled.

4️⃣ Interactive Mechanism

Using a pull-tab interactive die from my stash, I created the mechanism that lets the bus slide forward (but not too far—he’s got a flat tire, after all!). I die cut the entire panel with a wonky rectangle die to add a stitched detail around the edges.

5️⃣ Assembly

I attached the interactive piece behind the panel, lined up the bus over the pull tab, and secured everything to an A2 black card base. When you pull the tab, the bus inches forward, revealing the hidden message. It’s such a satisfying little moment of encouragement.

Card Details at a Glance:

Stamp Set: Struggle Bus by Pajama Crafter Stamps
Inks: Gray, black and tan Distress Oxide inks and black pigment ink
Coloring: Copic markers
Dies: Wonky stitched rectangle and pull-tab interactive die
Other: Brother Scan N Cut

👉 Have you felt like you’ve hitched a ride on the struggle bus lately? What do you tell yourself to keep moving along, even when the tires are flat? Share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear how you stay encouraged.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy crafting :)