Experimenting with the New “In Colors”

In this Floral Streak card, I used my Melon Mambo and Rich Razzleberry reinkers in some shaving cream to create the background that shows through the 5 petal flower punch image. I am just loving having the markers to match and used them to create the 2-tone look on the verse, which I repeat stamped 3 times. The stamp set is Fresh Cuts. The colors are more vibrant in person.

In this second card, I showed how you can create your own patterned background by layering your stamps and inks. The Circle Circus set was used with Soft Suede, Rich Razzleberry and Sahara Sand to create an elegant Sympathy card. Add a clip, eyelet border, some taffeta ribbon and a verse (from a previous hostess set, Warmest Regards) to finish the card off.

Have fun mixing and matching the new Stampin’ Up!® In Colors to see what great combinations you can create! 

Sweet 16, oh, WOW!

When a momentous birthday rolls around, a special card is in order. For my DD's 16th birthday, it needed to be hip, fun with an added surprise. Some new In Colors from Stampin’ Up!® combined with fun diecuts, punches, and the cool new Circle Circus stamp set did the trick! Add in some pop-up floral elements on the inside, and I achieved the right mix to make Ashley feel special on her 16th birthday. I played off the dots in the ribbon to create the numeral 6 from the floral circle stamp, and I used the overlapping circles stamp to create the patterned background. This set rocks, especially when used with florals, but I will also post other ideas for using these great patterned circles. Order it now from the new SU 2009-2010 catalog. Go to my Stampin' Up website, click on the shop button to browse and order all your new favorites!

Christmas & Friendship

Here are two cards (“True Blue” and “Bold & Merry”) created using a similar design theme and stamp set, however, I changed out the colors to show how holiday cards don’t always have to be made using Christmas stamps! To recreate these cards, I used the new Stampin’ Up!® Eastern Blooms set along with the Punches Three Hostess set and two scallop punches - the square scallop and scallop border punch. For the embossing, I used Gold Glory embossing powder with Whisper White cardstock layered on “In color” Kiwi, Red Riding Hood and Pacific Point cardstocks. The ribbons used are Riding Hood Red Taffeta and 5/8" Old Olive Grosgrain. All of these products are available for purchase on my Stampin’ Up!® website; simply press the SHOP NOW button to shop for these and other items! You can type in these names to locate quickly using the search option.

These cards are examples using the Tip of the Month...making bold images “Pop” by using white gel pen accents. The stamping was done using ink pads that matched the cardstock and the white accents added by hand really take these cards to a new level of boldness. Try this technique on your next project.

Not So Clear Skies Ahead!

In light of the fact that a Tropical Storm (soon to be "Hurricane Fay") is looming in the Keys and is on its way here, I thought that it would be appropriate to post this card called Butterfly Skies. It features one of the recently discontinued Stampin' Up In Colors, Soft Sky, with Basic Black ink on Whisper White Cardstock. This spotlighting technique was done by stamping the entire background with bold silhouette flowers and butterflies. Next I used a square punch to remove a section of the background and matted the square in a rounded off black frame before layering on card front. To create the faux wide ribbon effect, glue a strip of b&w gingham ribbon around a strip of black cardstock . Tie white taffeta ribbon around strip, mount "thinking of you" verse on top of layers and adhere to card front. Mount all layers to soft sky card stock to finish.  This was created with one of my favorite new stamp sets, the Essence of Love set from Stampin' Up!

Here's to seeing clear skies again in Florida and for everyone to safely weather this oncoming storm. What a way to start off the new school year.