Cards Using Coloring Techniques, Part I

Today, I'll start a little 4-part series giving you a closer look at 4 cards using coloring techniques.  We'll actually be making these at my Friday Night Cards class this week.  Each one features a unique coloring technique from my Coloring Techniques album which we're making Monday night.  Enjoy!

This card features a coloring technique using an acrylic block to 'stamp' on the color background.  I've added a little linen thread + a layer of black behind the front layer, to give it texture and dimension.  This would be a great card for male or female.  I love this set because I adore watching these little birds when I walk along the beach.

I'm featuring a unique way to make a coordinating envelope for each of these cards.  This envelope simply uses a coordinating stamp from the Wetlands stamp set.
Here are all 4 of the cards.  Come back soon to see close-ups of each of the other 3 cards shown here.

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or click on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.

Playing with DSP, Part 2

Today, we'll continue our little series on playing with DSP as I share another card with you.  This one, features a beautiful layer of vellum, as well as embossed vellum layered flowers.  Vellum is a wonderful CS to use when you want to use a certain color but want it to be an even softer shade.  If you saw my previous post with my Swallowtail framed project, remember that I used vellum over the DSP in the center of the frame, to give a softer look to the background.  I used this same kind of technique for the main layer of my card.  I've lined the envelope to help it coordinate with my card.
By the way...
Happy Spring!  As it is still a chilly 36 degrees here in the Land of Lincoln today, my husband told me:  "Merry Spring."  Not funny!  Maybe if I keep making Spring cards, it will finally warm up.

We'll be making this card, along with cards featured in this series, at my April 7 Monday Night Stampers class.  At the class, I'll share several ways to successfully attach vellum to your projects without having the adhesive show.

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or click on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.

Soft and Pretty Pool Party... and our February Winners

Today, let's go for a very soft, fresh look.  This card reminds me of early Spring... soft, subtle colors... crisp and fresh.  It includes soft layers, embossing (2 ways) and lots of embellishments.  Enjoy the card and then be sure to keep scrolling down to see the winners of our February drawing.  Yes, I said winners.

Embossing:
1.  a layer of dots with our Decorative Dots embossing folder
2.  added details of lines forming a frame around the layer of dots,
          created with our Simply Scored Tool

The coordinating envelope is lined with Sweet Sorbet DSP.

... and now... our February winners for our monthly drawing... Yes, I chose TWO this time, because I wasn't able to teach any classes or hold any events in January.  Drum roll, please... and the February winners are.........
     Julie D.
     Linda B.
Congrats, you two.  I will be sending an email confirmation.

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or click on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.

Baked Brown Sugar... Yummy!

Today, let's continue our series on meeting the new colors.  Meet a new In Color, Baked Brown Sugar.  This is a really yummy color and the Color Coach suggested some combinations that I would not have thought of trying.

The first color story is Baked Brown Sugar, Garden Green and Cherry Cobbler.  This combination makes for a very rich looking card.  With the red and green, I tried hard to NOT make it look like a Christmas card.  I just wanted something different, for more of a challenge.

The second color story is Baked Brown Sugar, Crisp Cantaloupe and Bermuda Bay.  Crisp Cantaloupe is also a new In Color.  Bermuda Bay is an old favorite, returning color.  I used my Aqua Painter to color in the sea star and the sea shells.

Both cards have images that are cut out and mounted on dimensionals, for added texture.
So, once again, I'll ask you --- which color story do you like the best?

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or click on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.

Let's Get to Know the New Guys ... A Series on Our New Colors ... Beginning with Smoky Slate

Today, I'm starting my series on getting to know some of the new colors.  We'll work with Smoky Slate and the brand new In Colors:  Coastal Cabana, Pistachio Pudding, Baked Brown Sugar, Strawberry Slush and Crisp Cantaloupe.  I really like how pretty they look together.  Here are all the In Colors:

These are swatches of our Card Stock (CS), our coordinating ribbons and buttons.  There are different designs in EACH of the 5 colors of buttons.  They are totally flat on the back, so it is easy to just attach them with Liquid Tombow.  The flower is punched and embossed and is sporting one of our clear, faceted buttons.  The ribbons are sewn together with a new button from our Neutrals.

Here are all the colors with labels, so you won't forget which is which.  So, what color should we start out with first?  Don't worry, they will all get a turn:)

Let's start with our gorgeous new Smoky Slate and pair it with one of our new In Colors --- Coastal Cabana!

 

I've added a touch of Basic Gray to mat the Smoky Slate.  You'll see a lot of new products on this card --- new button, new ribbon, new embossing folder.  Isn't the new Beautifully Baroque embossing folder gorgeous?  It looks pretty on the other side, too.  Both focal pieces, cut from framelits or punched, are mounted on dimensionals and a portion of a lace doily is tucked under the edge.  There's a lot of texture going on here!

Here are a couple more ideas for using Smoky Slate. 

On the left:  
     Smoky Slate, Pear Pizzazz and Rose Red
On the right:  
     Smoky Slate, Garden Green and Crushed Curry
Which color story do you like the best?

I came up with these color stories totally on my own, just using what looked good to my eye.  In my next posts, I will continue this series on the new colors but I will be using colors suggested in our new Color Coach.  It's fun to see what they suggest.  I love playing with color and don't ever have trouble coming up with fun color stories, but it's always exciting to try a combination that you may not have thought about putting together, by using the Color Coach.  Come back and see what I have in store for you!

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or click on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.

Oops!

I posted the wrong card for the bonus card for my Friday Night Cards class!  I posted the one we're all making in the class.  The bonus card is a different color story of that same card.  Here it is.

It's a new color story of this same design.

Changing the color story can really change the looks of a card.  Which color story do you like the best?
So, have a great day and thanks for letting me set the record straight.

Bonus Card Sneak Peek

Here is a peek at the bonus card for this Friday night.  How do you get to make a bonus card?  You and a friend pay to register by June 12 or 13 for the Friday night class and you EACH get to make the bonus card.  How cool is that?

My color story is Rose Red, Pear Pizzazz and Smoky Slate.  I find myself using this new stamp set quite a lot.  It's called Really Good Greetings and they really are just that.  Today's post is short and sweet as I'm on Nanna duty with all 3 kids today.  We have a busy day planned.

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or click on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.

Sneak Peek at June 14 Cards and A Happy Anniversary

Here's a sneak peek at the cards for our first Friday Night Cards class on June 14.  I want to introduce you to our new In Colors and to a brand new color called Smoky Slate.  We'll be making 6 cards - one with each of these new colors.  My color stories are based on the new Color Coach cards.  These 2 cards feature Baked Brown Sugar (with Crisp Cantaloupe and Bermuda Bay) and Smoky Slate (with Rose Red and Pear Pizzazz).  Don't you just love the color names of our colors?  Most of them make you hungry!

Here are the details on the class:

• Pay ($16.) to register by June 12.
• Get a friend to sign up and pay by June 12 and you AND your friend will get to make an EXTRA, bonus card!!!
• The class fee includes all materials to make the 6 cards, envelopes AND adhesive.
• While you're here, enjoy my displays featuring lots of brand new products.
• While you're here, get a close-up view of what we'll be making at Stamp Club for the next 3 months.
• At the class, you'll have the opportunity to try new colors, new products and a lot of fun!

I hope you'll join us!

And...before I go... a Happy Anniversary to my wonderful husband.  We're celebrating 41 years today.  Where does the time go???  He surprised me with flowers this year!!!

Have a great day and make it a creative one!  Make something beautiful.