As with many tips and trick that I use every time I create a project...I would say move point tool and using the space bar to change back-in- forth between replace by segment...I created the paw/claws to go over the N...which I outlined and then converted the outline to path so I could move the points to make my own shadow...
Here are just a few sample that I made up for my sons graduation...the bottom one is the same but shows the other fold of the card
I will have to try something similiar this for my 2 boys next year! EXCELLENT Idea & execution..... Wonder what it looks like standing? Is it all attached to create a card?
For the 2013 graduation invites no didn't make them to stand up...but that's an idea! I did post the final invites on here... I went with the claw/paw one....and I think they turned out fabulous... I have had a lot of people saying how much they love them and what a great idea...its like I'm graduating also since he is my last one...only had two