A Sweet and Sleepy Dino Card with C.C. Designs

Hi friends! Rick here on the blog today, and I’ve got a fun card to share featuring one of my favorite stamp sets from C.C. Designs. If you love whimsical characters and easygoing designs with a punch of personality, this one might just steal your heart. I created a playful card using the Dinosaur Stamp Set, and it all started with one sleepy little dino.

Finding Inspiration in the Sweetest Details

Sometimes card ideas come to me when I least expect them—like when I was flipping through my paper stash and spotted a piece with bold tropical colors. That little moment of “ooh, this could work” led me straight to the Dinosaur Stamp Set, and the rest just fell into place. The two snoozing dinos in the set are full of charm, and I knew I wanted them to be the focus of this design.

Using Color to Bring a Scene to Life

I love creating cards that feel like they tell a tiny story. This one turned into a cozy, dino-sized nap in a sunny prehistoric paradise. To bring the image to life, I used alcohol markers to color the dinosaurs, pulling warm oranges and soft teals to give them contrast while keeping everything soft and inviting. One trick I always rely on is letting the colors in my background or patterned paper guide the coloring for my images. It’s an easy way to make sure everything feels coordinated—especially when you’re working with a playful, vibrant theme like this.

A Balanced Layout That Lets the Image Shine

Since the dinos were already so expressive, I kept the layout simple with layered shapes and soft ink blending to add just enough visual interest. When working with character stamps like these, I try not to overdo the background. White space (or soft blends) can be a powerful design tool to keep the eye focused where it matters most.

Thoughtful Finishing Touches

The sentiment I chose—also from the Dinosaur Stamp Set—felt like the perfect finishing touch: friendly, fun, and lighthearted. Just like the card itself. I popped up the focal panel with foam tape for dimension, added a few coordinating layers, and called it done.

This card came together quickly, but it packs a lot of personality—and it’s the kind of design that’s easy to recreate with different images from the same set.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re new to character stamps or have a whole bin full of them (no judgment here), this set is such a fun one to play with. I love how easy it is to build a complete scene with just a few elements—and how versatile it is for all kinds of recipients, from kids to grown-ups who are still kids at heart.

Thanks for joining me today! I hope this project inspires you to try matching your coloring to your paper or to let a simple layout elevate a playful stamp set.

Happy Crafting

Rick