Garden Green

Here is a good green for this time of year.  Everything is in bloom and the trees and grass are a gorgeous green.
Creative Combination:
Garden Green
More Mustard
Chocolate Chip
This color combo seemed to remind me of nature, so I used the cute little bird and branch from the 'Cheep Talk' stamp set.  I embossed the bird, branch and leaves.  To get some dimension to the leaves, I embossed them separately on a piece of Garden Green CS, cut them out and attached them in place on the branch.

Sweet Set:
Garden Green
Bashful Blue
Tangerine Tango
I was playing around with the new Tangerine Tango EP and came up with this truck embossed with it, to give a tone on tone effect.   I highlighted the truck and the "homegrown" images by sponging over the embossed images with Tangerine Tango.  The stamp sets are 'Countryside' and 'Homegrown.'  A flower brad adds the finishing touch.

Dynamic Duo:
Garden Green
Wild Wasabi
This seemed like a super nature-themed color combo, so I chose the 'Plant Hope' stamp set.  To add dimension to the bonsai tree, I embossed it with the new Wild Wasabi EP, sponged over it, added more touches of green with the VersaMarker, Garden Green Classic Ink and clear EP and repeated those touches a couple of times.  I finished off the card with some rhinestone bling.

Elegant Eggplant

Elegant Eggplant is the most elegant of purples.  It's a great color for adding a little drama to your projects.
Creative Combination:
Elegant Eggplant
More Mustard
Garden Green
Here is a color combo that I probably wouldn't have tried without the aid of the Color Coach.  It works super well for the trees from the 'Trendy Trees' stamp set.  I embossed everything and I cut out the tree tops and attached them with Stampin' Dimensionals.

Sweet Set:
Elegant Eggplant
Melon Mambo
River Rock
This really is a sweet color combo, thanks to the help of Melon Mambo.  I used 'Hello Again' to stamp all images and added a little bling by applying glitter to the center of the flower and to the butterfly wings.

Dynamic Duo:
Elegant Eggplant
Perfect Plum
I really like how this card turned out, using the 'Ornate Blossom' stamp set, Hodgepodge Hardware and 'Hodgepodge Happiness.'  The large image is embossed, so I had to turn the card at quite an angle to get a good photo and no glare.  I earned both sets free during Sale-A-Bration!  One of the great perks of being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator is all the free things you earn.  If you've ever thought of signing up to be a part of my team, now is a GREAT time to do so!  Contact me to see how to become a part of a whole lot of FUN!

Cherry Cobbler

It's no secret that I'm totally in love with this wonderful new color.  It's difficult to find a color that it would NOT compliment.  It is just gorgeous!
Creative Combination:
Cherry Cobbler
Daffodil Delight
Early Espresso
This is a color combo made in Heaven if I ever saw one!  For this card, I used the Big Shot and the large scallop circle die to create a scallop circle easel card.  The stamp set is 'On the Grow' and a frame from the 'Four Frames' set holds the card open (along with a flower brad) when you set it up on display.  Using watercolor paper, I used the Aqua Painter and reinkers to 'paint' the image.  I added a lot of dimension around the image by painting a shadow on one side.  This turned out to be one of my favorite cards because of the stamped image AND the color combo.  A bow with cherry cobbler seam binding adds the finishing touch.

Sweet Set:
Cherry Cobbler
Pumpkin Pie
Night of Navy
Here is another great color combo.  For this card I punched circles from stamped, embossed images from the 'Summer Splash' set.  I added a little texture to the background with the color spritzer tool and added a couple of flower brads to 2 of the circles.

Dynamic Duo:
Cherry Cobbler
Riding Hood Red
For this great color comob, I used the stamp sets 'Hello Again' and 'Greeting Card Kids.'  I 'painted' the stamped image with the Aqua Painter and ink pads.  The greeting is embossed.  Once again, I used the yummy cherry cobbler seam binding and a scallop circle to mat the focal piece.

Cajun Craze

Here is another one of my super favorite new colors since the color renovation.  It works with some amazing color combinations.
Creative Combination:
Cajun Craze
Old Olive
Baja Breeze
This card uses a faux linen technique behind the focal piece.  I also added a faux tearing technique, using sponging.  We did this card at my Faux Everything class and it was a big hit.  The stamp sets are 'Eastern Blooms' and 'Simple Friendship.'  I added little pearls to the centers of each flower.

Sweet Set:
Cajun Craze
Perfect Plum
Always Artichoke
Here I am with that Perfect Plum again.  It works with these colors.  The little squares are from the Hostess Set 'Cute by the Inch' and the background is done with a stamp from the 'Confetti set.

Dynamic Duo:
Cajun Craze
Tangerine Tango
I used the 'Manhattan Flower' embossing folder for the front layer of this card and then colored the rose, from 'Fifth Avenue Floral,' with reinkers.  Using Shimmery White CS and reinkers gives a very elegant look to your project.

Bravo Burgundy

Burgundy is a color I was used to using more for Christmas or Fall cards.  I wanted to create a new look with it, so I made summery cards for today's post.

Creative Combination:
Bravo Burgundy
River Rock
Baja Breeze
This card actually involves no stamp sets at all.  I used the square lattice embossing folder to create a tapestry (embedded embossing) effect and then used the 'hi' embosslit for a faux metal look.  The faux metal look is created by using brushed silver CS, cutting and embossing it with the embosslit, and then covering it with VersaMark and heat embossing with clear EP.  Repeat the heat embossing step 3 times.  The 'vine' effect is created using the 'Swirly' sizzlit decorative strip die.   I added pearls to all the flowers for an elegant look.

Sweet Set:
Bravo Burgundy
More Mustard
Crumb Cake
For this 4" square card, I created a little movable piece.  I had to add some Garden Green for a tree effect and to hide the brad.  The boy in the swing is attached with a brad and actually swings back and forth on the front of the card.  The stamp set is 'Recess.'  I added a little rhinestone for a bit of bling.

Always Artichoke

Always Artichoke is a wonderful shade of green and looks great with so many colors.  A combo not mentioned on the Color Coach, but one that I love, involves using it with Cherry Cobbler.  Try this one sometime, too.

Creative Combination:
Always Artichoke
Crumb Cake
Bashful Blue
This card makes me smile because it was inspired by my oldest grandson.  When he was 5 or 6, we were keeping him (along with his younger brother) for a week and every time we got into my car, he would pull out one of the maps from the seat pocket and 'navigate' us to our destination.  One day, we heard a lot of rustling around from the back seat and a feeble:  "I seem to be having trouble putting this back away."  The map was so crumpled (and in 2 pieces) that we all just cracked up.  I've kept it (sentimental me) and, when I got the new Sienna, I put it into the new seat pocket to remind me of fun times.  The stamp set I used is 'Travel Log' from the Summer Mini.

Sweet Set:
Always Artichoke
So Saffron
Cajun Craze
For this card, I just plain had fun with styles of stamp sets that I don't usually use that much.  I really enjoyed it and did some embossing and distressing (which I love to do) along the way.  The stamp sets I used are 'Extreme Elements' and 'Extreme Skateboard,' and 'Smarty Pants.'

Dynamic Duo:
Always Artichoke
River Rock
I really love these colors together.  I decided to make a 3x3" card and use the cute little Sweet Pea stamp from the set 'So Cute.'  The Always Artichoke seam binding makes a great look for it.  The stamped image is embossed with Always Artichoke Craft ink and Iridescent Ice EP.

Rich Regals

Here we go with the beautiful Rich Regals Collection:
Always Artichoke
Bravo Burgundy
Cajun Craze
Cherry Cobbler
Elegant Eggplant
Garden Green
More Mustard
Night of Navy
Not Quite Navy
Riding Hood Red

Layouts Using Subtles Collection

These are layouts using mostly colors from the Subtles Collection.  These are all for my Heritage Album.  I am fortunate to have lots of photos from both my mom's side and my dad's side of the family.  I am the only one left from my immediate family, so I want to preserve the memories and tell the story of my family through this album.  My dream is that my grandchildren will feel like they got to know my family, too.  Scrapbooking is a wonderful way to share family history with loved ones.  July 1st marks the start of a new round of scrapbook club for my customers.  If you would like to join us, contact me for details.  We make a layout at each crop and have a lot of fun sharing ideas and memories together.

Subtles Collection Project: A Squash Book

I love making these squash books.  I think they're addicting.  You can add text, quotes, photos --- anything you'd like --- to all the little sections.  This is a great gift for someone and can often be made using extra photos left over from making your album layout pages.

All of the Subtles

Wow!  No wonder I was feeling a little tired!  I'll show you a project and some layouts with the Subtles and then we'll move on to the Regals Collection next.  I'm off to do more stamping.

Wonderful Wild Wasabi -- Last of the Subtles Collection

I love Wild Wasabi and was so happy when Stampin' Up! brought it back with the color renovation last July.  It is a gorgeous shade of green and goes well with so many colors.
Creative Combination:
Wild Wasabi
So Saffron
Perfect Plum
I did more 'painting' with reinkers on this card, over the embossed flowers.  The stamp set is 'Happiness Shared.'  ...and yes, I liked using the Perfect Plum reinkers on the flowers.  It is a lot more vibrant against the So Saffron.  The Wild Wasabi makes the So Saffron look brighter, also.  So, another great color combination.  I used a generous application (background only) of my Shimmer Paint/alcohol mixture, to give the background some sparkle. 

Sweet Set:
Wild Wasabi
Marina Mist
Early Espresso
Here, once again, is another color combo I might not have thought of trying until I used the Color Coach and I love these colors together.  I used the stamp set 'Every Moment' and worked with a faux linen technique on the circle image.  I 'painted' the image with reinkers and added an embossed layer.  The finishing touches were Marina Mist ribbon and a spritzing with my Shimmer Paint/alcohol mixture for some added sparkle.

Dynamic Duo:
Wild Wasabi
Garden Green
What is the most amazing thing about this card?  It's the new embossing powders!  Using a great amount of patience and care, I added 2 colors of embossing powder -- Melon Mambo and Wild Wasabi -- to the stamped image.  It's from the stamp set 'Just Believe.'  I LOVE how the embossing turned out and it was well worth the extra time and effort.

So Saffron

So Saffron is a color I used to use a LOT.  Since the new color renovation last July, I've been using so many of the wonderful new colors that I didn't even realize how much less I was using it.  It's a very nice shade of yellow and goes nicely with lots and lots of colors.  I used my Shimmer Paint/alcohol spray mixture over the entire card front, but it doesn't show up well in the photo.  In real life, it's quite sparkly.  The stamp set is 'Awash with Flowers.'
Creative Combination:
So Saffron
Rose Red
Wild Wasabi

Sweet Set:
So Saffron
Riding Hood Red
Soft Suede
With the Soft Suede and Riding Hood Red, I thought I'd try a Father's Day card.  I used the stamp set 'Best Dad Ever' from the Summer Mini, a texture embossing folder (Soft Suede layer), sponging and the Color Spritzer Tool.  The ties are embossed with clear EP directly onto the Riding Hood Red.

Dynamic Duo:
So Saffron
More Mustard
I have a lot going on in this card.  I used 2 background stamps:  'Wonderfully Worn' and 'Sanded' for the background layer.  For the top layer, I sponged over the embossing to bring out the texture and pattern.  I sponged around the More Mustard circle and sentiment punched piece and added pearls.  I used 'Studio Sketches' for the embossed focal piece and 'painted' the image with an Aquapainter directly from the ink pads.

Rose Red

Creative Combination:
Rose Red
Not Quite Navy
River Rock
I must admit that until some of the new DSP colors came out, I realized that I hadn't been using River Rock very much.  I really like it with this combination.  To make this beautiful card, I embossed the flowers from our Hostess Set 'Love & Care' using White Craft Ink and clear EP, on watercolor paper.  After it cooled, I 'painted' over the images with River Rock and Not Quite Navy reinkers.

Sweet Set:
Rose Red
Elegant Eggplant
Baja Breeze
I used the 'I (Heart) Hearts' stamp set to make this card.  I embossed all the hearts and added a few little embellishments to finish it off.  The little embossed strip of Rose Red behind the hearts adds even more texture.  I like how it turned out.

Dynamic Duo:
Rose Red
Regal Rose
I used our Stampin' Pastels to add a soft look to the stamped image and then covered it with VersaMark and embossed with Iridescent Ice EP.  The stamp set is 'Thoughts and Prayers' -- one of my favorites.

Pretty in Pink

Yes, more pink!
Creative Combination:
Pretty in Pink
Certainly Celery
Bashful Blue
Here's a fun summer card that is all Subtles.  I used the stamp set 'Sunny Fun' for this card and, as you can see, added lots of Dazzling Diamonds.  That's why the first little guy had to grab his 'shades.'  This great stamp set is from the new Summer Mini.  Several sizes of little circle punches add a fun touch to the bottom portion of the card.

Getting Started Combination:
Pretty in Pink
Marina Mist
Daffodil Delight
This is a great color combination and I thought it would lend itself well to the peacock stamp.  The stamp set is 'Proud Peacock' and it's also from the new Summer Mini.  Don't you love the little birds walking along?  It's very difficult to see in the photo, but I stamped a little flower background on the edge above the little birds.

Dynamic Duo:
Pretty in Pink
Melon Mambo
This is a delightful duo of colors.  I used the stamp sets 'Touch of Kindness' and 'Pretty Postage' -- along with some sponging, the Color Spritzer Tool and, of course, Dazzling Diamonds.  Hey, I've been on a real glitter kick.  You should see the floor in my studio.  Did you notice the tiny knot/bow in the top corner of the card?  I cut a tiny sliver of Melon Mambo CS with the paper trimmer (You can get the thinnest slivers ever with this awesome cutter.) and actually tied it into a double knot.  I attached it with a dot of Liquid Tombow.  The flower and stem are embossed with our new Melon Mambo and Wild Wasabi EP.  Love them!

Pink Pirouette

I find that, when I want something pink, this is my go to shade of pink.  It is light and delicate and just plain yummy.
Creative Combination:
Pink Pirouette
Baja Breeze
Early Espresso
What a yummy combination these colors are together.  The stamp set is 'Strength & Hope.'  The nicest thing about this card is that, other than the card base, it was made entirely with scraps.  The embossed layer on top was left over from a previous project and all the other pieces were stamped or punched from scraps.  Everything is embossed except the text and the butterfly.  The butterfly was inked with Baja Breeze and then Early Espresso added around the edges with a sponge dauber.  After I cut out the butterfly, I added Dazzling Diamonds and pearl accents.  All in all, a very pretty look.

This will be one of my cards for my special class on June 3rd.  For all my customers who purchase the 'Strength & Hope' stamp set from me (on or before May 25), you will qualify to sign up for this special class.  The class is just $10. and we'll be making 5 projects.  I am really hoping everyone will support this important cause.  Stampin' Up! donates $2.00 from the sale of each stamp set for breast cancer research.  If you love the stamp set but cannot make the class on June 3, I will have kits available so you won't miss out on the fun.

Sweet Set:
Pink Pirouette
Sahara Sand
Always Artichoke
This is another one of those combinations that I might not have tried if I wasn't playing with the Color Coach.  I really like these colors together.  I used the stamp set 'Fabulous Florets' from the new Summer Mini.  I embossed the leaf/stem background with VersaMark and clear EP onto the Artichoke.  I stamped the flowers onto Shimmery White CS and 'painted' them with Pink Pirouette ink (centers are More Mustard) and an Aquapainter.  After I cut them out, I added some Dazzling Diamonds to the centers of two of the flowers.  I seem to be using that a lot lately -- and lovin' it!

Perfect Plum

I love Stampin' Up colors, but must admit that Perfect Plum is less than perfect for me.  I don't really like this color and admit that I don't use it very often.  I challenged myself to come up with 3 cards that I could like and I think I managed to do it.  It's good to push yourself outside your comfort zone once in a while.  Here's what I came up with for Perfect Plum.

Creative Combination:
Perfect Plum
Marina Mist
Rose Red
I admit that the Marina Mist helped me a lot to like this card, but I think it's a very nice color combo.
I used the "Notably Ornate' stamp set for the card, along with a bit of Marina Mist ribbon, the Oval Scallop punch, and a touch of bling with a little rhinestone.

Sweet Set:
Perfect Plum
Riding Hood Red
More Mustard
I don't think I would have ever thought to use this color combo on my own, but I tried it and really like it.  I love using circles to add a fun touch to a card.  I used 4 sizes of circle punches and added rhinestones to some of them -- more bling.  The stamp sets I used were 'Funky Four,' 'Curvy Verses,' and the little "hi" is from 'Fabulous Phrases.'

Dynamic Duo:
Perfect Plum
Elegant Eggplant
It's not as easy as it looks to create a monochromatic card.  I needed to add a touch of white to liven it up a bit.  I used the 'Bold Blossoms' stamp set and added brads, a rhinestone, and Dazzling Diamonds (on the butterfly wings) to give it more interest.  The flower blossoms were created with our new Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch.  This is a totally awesome punch!
Tip: 
It takes a little muscle to use the punch, so place it on a table, stand up, place one hand over the other and press down and it punches perfectly every time.  You do NOT use this punch upside down as you are used to doing with many of our other punches.

Marvelous Marina Mist

As you probably know by now, I am in love with Marina Mist.  It is a simply gorgeous color and goes with a surprisingly large number of other Stampin' Up! colors.

Creative Combination:
Marina Mist
Crumb Cake
Cajun Craze
I decided to go for a little Western flavor for these colors, using the 'Out West' stamp set.  I tried to make the layers look like leather, so some embossing and a lot of sponging was involved, after covering the CS layer with tiny, torn pieces of masking tape.  I like how my cowboy turned out for this card.

Getting Started Combination:
Marina Mist
Real Red
Old Olive
This is a fabulous color combination -- really vibrant!
Using the 'For You Flower' stamp and the hearts from the 'Confetti' stamp set, I created a happy little card and added a fun touch with little strawberries.  I embossed a small piece of Real Red CS with the polka dot embossing folder and then punched out little hearts with the Small Heart Punch.  I added the Old Olive stem by using one of the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack punches.  Wow!  That was a mouthful!
Tip:  The easiest way to attach such tiny pieces is by using a 2-Way Glue Pen.
To get all 3 colors on the flower stamp, I used the 'huff' method and Stampin' Write Markers.  These markers give a super vibrant look to any project and stamp perfectly every time.

Dynamic Duo:
Marina Mist
Bashful Blue
Let's sail away on calm seas beneath a soft blue sky!  I used the 'Sail Away' stamp (can't help but think of Enya when I say this stamp's name:) and 'The Open Sea' stamp set for this card.  Using watercolor paper (cut with a circle die), the sailboat is stamped with VersaMark and embossed with Chocolate Chip EP.  I then used reinkers to 'paint' the background.  A Jumbo Eyelet adds a nice embellishment and the ribbon is slipped through it and then tied with a piece of embroidery thread.  I added a tiny touch of bling by placing a small rhinestone in the center of the compass.  This would be a good masculine card or nice for anyone who likes sailing or water scenes.  I don't sail, but I love the card.

Certainly Celery

The Creative Combination for Certainly Celery:
Certainly Celery
Soft Suede
Pink Pirouette
With these soft colors, I decided to break out my Stampin' Pastels.
Too often, I have them put away neatly in a drawer and forget about them.
I love the soft look they create.  I stamped the image from our Hostess Set, 'Silhouette Sentiments,' with VersaMark and then added the pastels with sponge daubers.  It's such an easy way to create a beautiful, soft look.  I've moved my pastels to a more accessible place so they won't be forgotten again.

The Getting Started Combination for Certainly Celery:
Certainly Celery
Whisper White
Marina Mist
This is a simple card to create and looks beautiful with the use of Stampin' Pastels.  See, I didn't forget about them:)  I love the look of Marina Mist with most any color.  This color combination lends itself well to the hydrangea image from our Hostess Set, 'Because I Care.'  This set has been extremely popular with my customers.  You only have until the end of June to earn it, so be sure to get yours before it retires.

The Dynamic Duo for Certainly Celery:
Certainly Celery
Old Olive
These are 2 of my favorite colors.  Using the 'Three Leaves' stamp and the 'Medallion' stamp, this was a fun and easy card to create.

Bashful Blue

Creative Combination:  Bashful Blue, Rose Red and Wild Wasabi.

Close-up of some of the embellishments.

Sweet Set:  Bashful Blue, Chocolate Chip and Certainly Celery.  The Celery ribbon didn't show up very well in the photo, but that's what I used.

Dynamic Duo:  Bashful Blue and Marina Mist.

For all these cards, I designed them on My Digital Studio, printed out the fronts and then added embellishments.  Last, I attached them to the card bases.