Yikes! Nope, Not Today – Blowfish Card Tutorial | Featuring Pajama Crafter Stamps

Have you ever had one of those days where the best response is a dramatic side-eye and a solid "Nope, not today"? That’s exactly the vibe of today’s cheeky card—complete with a wide-eyed blowfish, a handmade fishing hook, and bold comic-style sentiments.

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

🐟 Card Overview:

This card combines playful humor with mixed media textures to create an under-the-sea scene that’s sure to make someone smile (or at least raise an eyebrow). It’s great as a lighthearted encouragement card, a humorous hello, or just to brighten someone’s day.

✂ Supplies Used:

• Mother Puffer Stamp Set: https://collabs.shop/x08tnt (puffer fish colored with Copic markers & "Nope Not Today stamp)

• Dang, Woah, Yikes! Word & Shadow Dies: https://collabs.shop/bl7tcyword ("Yikes" word and shadow dies)

• Distress Oxide Inks (Salty Ocean & Tumbled Glass)

• Blending tools

• Rotating pool water stencil

• Water sprayer + white acrylic paint

• Fan paint brush

• Silver embroidery floss + paper clip (for DIY hook)

• Googly eyes

• White gel pen

• Foam tape, cardstocks (white, orange, black)

  
  

🎨 Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Ink the Background:

   I started by creating the underwater look using a rotating pool stencil and Distress Oxide inks. After blending the background, I splattered it with water to reactivate and lift up some ink, then added white paint splatters for extra texture and movement.

   
   

2. Make the Hook:

   For a fun interactive detail, I created a fishing hook using silver embroidery floss and a small paper clip, which I trimmed and bent into a curved hook shape. I attached the floss to the hook with liquid adhesive, secured the string so it could dangle from the top of the card, and glued the hook in place on the panel.

   
   

   

   
   

3. Stamp + Color the Blowfish:

   Next, I stamped the blowfish image and colored it in with bright orange Copic markers. I used a white gel pen for highlights and added googly eyes for a comically shocked expression. Then I fussy cut the image with fine-detail scissors.

   
   

   

   
   

4. Add the Sentiments:

   The large “YIKES!” sentiment was die cut from bold orange cardstock and adhered to a slightly off-center black matte for a fun, shadowed effect. Behind that, I added a white shadow layer to make the entire word pop even more against the background. The offset black layer adds a bold, comic-style dimension while the white shadow helps the sentiment stand out from the stenciled water panel. The “NOPE, NOT TODAY” sentiment was stamped, fussy cut, and popped up with foam tape.

1. Assemble the Card:

   I adhered all the elements to the card front using foam tape for added dimension. The card panel itself was matted with a thin black border, then mounted onto a top-folding white card base for a crisp, clean finish that frames the scene beautifully.

   
   

   

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🧡 Final Thoughts:

This card cracks me up every time I look at it—the expression on the blowfish’s face says it all! It’s a simple concept, but the layered textures and handmade details make it extra special. You could easily recreate this card with different critters or switch up the sentiment to fit other occasions too.

Let me know in the comments:

What sentiment would YOU pair with this little blowfish?

Stay crafty,