#CommonWealthofColour

Today myself and fellow #artisanalumni friends are paying special tribute to Queen Elizabeth II. We call it #CommonWealthofColour. All the projects you will see today have been inspired by the amazing colors that the Queen would wear. I chose pale blue for my focal color to base my projects.  

In honor of fellow Stampin' Up! Demonstrators from the United Kingdom I made these cards with their measurements. It was so refreshing to create in a slightly larger/taller format of 4 1/8" x 5 7/8. This first card is based with Pool Party and then I added a Balmy Blue Stitched Rectangle which I wrapped with a Vellum Cardstock die cut from the Organic Beauty Dies.

Next, I created a floral bouquet using the True Beauty Bundle and Pool Party, Balmy Blue, and Granny Apple Ink Pads and Stampin' Write Markers. Tucked into the stamped pieces are Silver Foil berries and ivory Glimmer 12" x 12" Specialty Paper sprays. For the two main flowers I added a large Iridescent Rhinestone and scattered all over I included Iridescent Pearl Basic Jewels.

I came across this photo of Queen Elizabeth II with her sweet doggies. I instantly thought of the Glad We're Friends Stamp Set and decided to make a second card to pay tribute to the Queen and our celebration of #CommonWealthofColour. 

This card is made on a Thick Basic White side fold base. The next layer is a piece of Basic White that was die cut with the Stitched Rectangles. I gently added some swirls of Pool Party in and then, just like the first card, I wrapped this one with a Vellum Cardstock die cut from the Organic Beauty Dies.

I stamped three of the dogs and one fan on Basic White with Tuxedo Black Memento Ink and colored them with Stampin' Blends. I fussy cut all the images and layered them to the card with Stampin' Dimensionals. I used one of the circles from Stylish Shapes for the greeting and colored the insides of the letters with a Pool Party Stampin' Blend.

I wasn't going to add any more to the card and then decided that since it was for the Queen I would add more of the Iridescent Pearl Basic Jewels. I went full out and added lots ;0)

Check out the explosion of colorful inspiration and join in the fun by using #commonwealthofcolour when you post your projects and share a few of your favourites to your stories on social media.

Happy Thoughts of You

We have officially entered the fall season. I have busted out the pumpkin spicy soaps and candles and I eagerly await the beautiful changing colors of the leaves, the crisp air, and yes the season of soups! Earlier in anticipation of this change, I busted out autumn themed stamps and papers. The Fond of Autumn Bundle, from the July-December Mini Catalog is truly an awesome set of stamps and dies.

This card started with a Basic Black base and then has a layer of the Rustic Harvest DSP. I also cut a large flag from another piece of the Rustic Harvest DSP for some great contrast. I stamped the large image from Fond of Autumn on Basic White with Early Espresso Ink. I used a variety of Stampin' Blends to color all the leaves, acorns, and flowers.

I tucked a few white sequins from the Adhesive Backed Seasonal Sequins here and there. And next, I added a single strand of jute from the Silver Threaded Twine to tied a bow and layer under the greeting. Very last I splattered Wink of Stella to add sparkle to the entire card.

Thanks for stopping to my blog for our latest Monday Montage Hop. Click on the "next" button to head over to Emily's or the "back" button to go to Dani's. Have a super awesome day and as always, happy stampin'.

#TGIF387 Cut it Out

Try this easy "cut it out" technique for your next hand stamped creation. This "cut it out" use of the negative portion of a die cut is our latest challenge at #TGIF387.

There is an opportunity for you to earn TWO FREE class kits. When you purchase $75 before tax and shipping and use September's host code you will get a FREE #useitup! class kit and a FREE Technique Time! class kit sent to you. Also, here is the really awesome part of this deal, you can be a part of my Seeinginkspots Backstage Pass, my private Facebook Group where my classes are posted. September's host code is 63S43FRA.

Wildlife Wonder for Sketch #398

This manly styled card was designed around Hand Stamped Sentiments latest sketch challenge. I say this a lot and that is this, following sketches makes card making go much quicker.

Here's what I used to put this card together: Wildlife Wonder Stamp Set, Boughs of Holly DSP, He's the Man DSP, Stitched Rectangles Dies, and Tree Rings Dies. Inks include Evening Evergreen, Early Espresso, and Soft Suede.

For the bear I stamped him on a piece of He's the Man DSP with a mix of Early Espresso and Soft Suede. Then I fussy cut it out, pounced it with Versamark Ink, and then heat embossed the entire image with Clear EP. The branches with leaves were die cut from Basic White and then all colored with Stampin' Blends. I used Crumb Cake, Soft Succulent, and Old Olive.

There is an opportunity for you to earn TWO FREE class kits. When you purchase $75 before tax and shipping and use September's host code you will get a FREE #useitup! class kit and a FREE Technique Time! class kit sent to you. Also, here is the really awesome part of this deal, you can be a part of my Seeinginkspots Backstage Pass, my private Facebook Group where my classes are posted. September's host code is 63S43FRA.

Bouquet of Thanks for Monday Montage

Come on in and look through today's Monday Montage post. For this hop I'm sharing projects from my latest #useitup! "Bouquets" Class. What's #useitup!? It's one of my classes that I offer monthly where I dive in and use up papers and ribbons and embellishments. You see I love SU! products, but I am not into hoarding them. I use them up.

This class featured the Bouquet of Thanks Stamp and the Vellum Layering Designs. I also included the Stitched Rectangle Dies and three varying techniques.

Technique #1 - Watercolor Pencils Double Stamp

• Stamp image using a Stamparatus with Jet Black Stazon Ink
• Leave stamped paper in place
• Color image with Watercolor Pencils Asst. 1
• Blend colored pencil with a Water Painter
• Once dry stamp again to crisp up the details of the image
• Now the piece can be removed from the Stamparatus

Technique #2 - Emboss Resist with Milk Paint, Stampin' Blends, and Watercolor

• Stamp and emboss image with White Embossing Powder
• Paint the image with Whisper White Ink and a Water Painter
• Once dry carefully color the stems and leaves with Old Olive Stampin' Blends
• Watercolor the banner and flowers with Melon Mambo Ink and a Water Painter

Technique #3 - Enhanced Clear Embossing

• Stamp image on Vellum Layering Design Paper with Cajun Craze Ink
• Heat emboss with Clear Embossing Powder
• Turn paper over and color the flowers and leaves with Pale Papaya and Old Olive Stampin' Blends
• Stamp image a second time with Petal Pink Ink on Basic White Cardstock
• Cut out the banner and flowers then align and glue to the back of the vellum: this step enhances the main images

Thanks for stopping by today. Be sure to check out all our Monday Montage posts by using the links below to Emily or back to Dani.

There is an opportunity for you to earn TWO FREE class kits. When you purchase $75 before tax and shipping and use September's host code you will get a FREE #useitup! class kit and a FREE Technique Time! class kit sent to you. Also, here is the really awesome part of this deal, you can be a part of my Seeinginkspots Backstage Pass, my private Facebook Group where my classes are posted. September's host code is 63S43FRA.

Stampin' Fancy Friday is Creating for Boys to Men

Today, September 9th, is my day to share at Stampin' Fancy Friday.  This month our theme is Boys to Men.  My masculine styled top fold card is sure to appeal to any of the guys in my life.

Stampin' Up! has included lots of products that have a masculine theme and I was drawn to this awesome bear in the Wildlife Wonder Stamp Set and to the Rugged Icon Dies.  Both products could be used for any themed card for guys or gals; I love how they look on this card for men, dudes, bros, guy friends... 

Let me give the details of this card:

• Top for card base is Early Espresso
• He's the Man DSP
• Pale Papaya, Balmy Blue, Early Espresso, and Old Olive Cardstocks
• Versamark, Soft Suede, and Early Espresso Inks
• Rugged Icon and Layering Circles Dies 
• Rustic Metallic Adhesive-Backed Dots

The torn edge lighter piece of DSP came that way as it was a laser cut piece from the He's the Man DSP.  I fussy cut the bear, ground, and foliage pieces.  For the greeting I embossed with White EP and cut it out with the Layering Circles Dies.  For the background I added three, you can barely see the third behind the bear, mountain scene cut out which are from the Rugged Icon Dies.  I love the tone on tone look as it lends to the overall feeling of the card yet is not too distracting.

There is an opportunity for you to earn TWO FREE class kits. When you purchase $75 before tax and shipping and use September's host code you will get a FREE #useitup! class kit and a FREE Technique Time! class kit sent to you. Also, here is the really awesome part of this deal, you can be a part of my Seeinginkspots Backstage Pass, my private Facebook Group where my classes are posted. September's host code is 63S43FRA.

#TGIF385 "Hello"

Join us this week at #TGIF385 for a sketch! Scroll down and take a look, it's a cool one.

I know I say this all the time, but this card came together quick thanks to the sketch.  I started with a Soft Seafoam card base and added some Splendid Day Specialty DSP.  Next I added a gorgeous White Glimmer Paper die cut and a stamped flower.  I used the Artistic Dies and the Artistically Inked Stamp Set.  My colors for stamping on Basic White are Fresh Freesia and Coastal Cabana. For the hello greeting I heat embossed that with white and punched it out with the Label Me Fancy punch.

I added a bit of whimsy with the silver threads I pulled out of some Silver Threaded Twine.  

There is an opportunity for you to earn TWO FREE class kits. When you purchase $75 before tax and shipping and use September's host code you will get a FREE #useitup! class kit and a FREE Technique Time! class kit sent to you. Also, here is the really awesome part of this deal, you can be a part of my Seeinginkspots Backstage Pass, my private Facebook Group where my classes are posted. September's host code is 63S43FRA.