New Catalog Party

I'm having a New Catalog Party, July 9, 2:00-5:00.  All my customers are invited!  We will have games, projects, prizes, demonstrations, refreshments and more!  I'm looking forward to another great party.  There will be some special ordering incentives and booking incentives going on that day, so you won't want to miss out on the fun.  Come join us!!!

Hostess Appreciation Party

Well, we had our party yesterday and we had a ball!  The highlight of the entire party was the auction.  The bidding wars were a hoot!  My son and daughter-in-law came and helped with all the refreshments.  They are my heroes!  I got to hold my sweet Olive Jane while they did the prep work and keep holding her as I greeted guests.  I didn't get a photo of all the food, darn it, but it was awesome.  I got a few shots of some of my guests working on our make and take projects.  The games were fun, too, and everyone enjoyed a little 'shopping' time in my boutique/mini sale.  After booking their workshops, they enjoyed time to look at the new catalog.  Everyone loves it as much as I do!  By the way, my shot of my cool new drink dispenser was taken before we got the decorative lemons cut and on display in the bottom.  It was really neat with them in place!

All Ready for my Auction

I'm all ready for the auction at my Hostess Appreciation Event.  They get to bid on items, using 'Stampin' Bucks' they earned for each workshop they hosted.  This should be fun!  I even used mini paint stir sticks and top notes (from the Big Shot) for their bidding paddles:)

Busy Weekend!

I won't be posting another Color Coach project today because I have a super busy weekend.  I have my Hostess Appreciation Party tomorrow and am finishing getting ready for that.  We're having games, prizes, an auction, a boutique/mini sale, refreshments and make and takes and more!  I want to pamper my hostesses from the past Stampin' Up! year.  If you book a workshop from July 1 on, you'll be invited to my NEXT Hostess Event and I know you'll have a good time.  Think about it and give me a call.  I hold them in my home so I do all the cleaning for you!  You bring a simple refreshment, gather together a group of friends and come enjoy a fun time of stamping.

In the meantime, until my next Color Coach project, here are some fun cards we made at my workshops this past week.  Everyone enjoyed making them.  The first one was embossed (Fabulous Florets) and then sponged over with Pear Pizzazz and Wild Wasabi inks.  The second one uses the 'Mother of Pearl' technique over embossed glossy CS.  The last one was made with the Big Shot and punches, along with the 'Bold Blossom' stamp set.

More About the New 2011-2012 In Colors

Here's a card using all the new In Colors.  I love how all the colors go so well together.  You'll also see a sneak peek at a new border punch we have coming out on July 1.  I LOVE it!!!  The stamp set is one of our new Hostess sets.

Meet the New 2011-2012 In Colors

Here are the brand new In Colors:
Calypso Coral
Lucky Limeade
Pool Party
Wisteria Wonder
Island Indigo

I can't tell you yet as to which one is my favorite because it's going to be one of my guessing games at my catalog party on July 9!
See how beautiful they look together:

Blushing Bride

If you're looking for a delicate shade of pink, this might be your favorite choice.  The stamp sets I used were 'Have a Seat' and 'Strength and Hope.'  The 3rd card does not use any stamping.  I added texture with an embossing folder and then layers of flowers, using the Big Shot.

Creative Combination:
Blushing Bride
Early Espresso
Pear Pizzazz

Sweet Set:
Blushing Bride
Perfect Plum
Sahara Sand

Dynamic Duo:
Blushing Bride
Regal Rose

This is the last of the 2010 In Colors.  In my next post, I'll introduce you to the brand new 2011 In Colors.  I know you're going to love them!

Concord Crush

Here is another vibrant color that is sure to please anyone looking for a perfect shade of purple.  The stamp sets I used were 'Plant Hope,' 'Printed Petals' and 'Timeless Treasures.'

Creative Combination:
Concord Crush
Pear Pizzazz
Peach Parfait

Sweet Set:
Concord Crush
Daffodil Delight
Tangerine Tango

Dynamic Duo:
Concord Crush
Perfect Plum

Pear Pizzazz

Yes, I LOVE this color!  It is just a gorgeous shade of green.  The stamp sets I used were 'Day of Gratitude,' 'Perfect Punches' and 'Herb Expressions.'  The embossing is all done with clear EP or gold EP.

Creative Combination:
Pear Pizzazz
Rich Razzleberry
Tempting Turquoise

Sweet Set:
Pear Pizzazz
More Mustard
Cajun Craze

Dynamic Duo:
Pear Pizzazz
Garden Green

Poppy Parade

If you want a vibrant color that is sure to brighten your day, you might want to give Poppy Parade a try.

Creative Combination:
Poppy Parade
Baja Breeze
So Saffron

Sweet Set:
Poppy Parade
Sahara Sand
Not Quite Navy

Dynamic Duo:
Poppy Parade
Tangerine Tango

For my 3 little cards, I used the stamp sets:
'Love & Care,' 'Nature Walk,' and 'Flower Fest.'

Peach Parfait

Peach Parfait is a gorgeous color!  I hope you love it as much as I do.
For my 3 little cards, I used these 3 stamp sets:
'Clearly for You,' 'Cottage Garden,' and 'French Foliage.' 

Creative Combination:
Peach Parfait
Pear Pizzazz
Not Quite Navy

Sweet Set:
Peach Parfait
Baja Breeze
Riding Hood Red

Dynamic Duo:
Peach Parfait
Cajun Craze

Island Indigo

Say hello to the last of the new In Colors --- Island Indigo.

Creative Combination:
Island Indigo
More Mustard
Lucky Limeade

Sweet Set:
Island Indigo
Baja Breeze
Rich Razzleberry

Dynamic Duo:
Island Indigo
Pool Party

Wisteria Wonder

Here is a new shade of lavender/purple that is sure to please all those who were begging for more purple.

Creative Combination:
Wisteria Wonder
Lucky Limeade
Elegant Eggplant

Sweet Set:
Wisteria Wonder
Pink Pirouette
Cherry Cobbler

Dynamic Duo:
Wisteria Wonder
Elegant Eggplant

Pool Party

Here's a fun color that goes well with lots of color combos.

Creative Combination:
Pool Party
So Saffron
Not Quite Navy

Sweet Set:
Pool Party
Wild Wasabi
Chocolate Chip

Dynamic Duo:
Pool Party
Island Indigo

Lucky Limeade

I love the name for this color!

Creative Combination:
Lucky Limeade
Riding Hood Red
Perfect Plum

Sweet Set:
Lucky Limeade
Island Indigo
Daffodil Delight

Dynamic Duo:
Lucky Limeade
Always Artichoke

Calypso Coral

Here is a pretty shade that's in between several of our favorites.

Creative Combination:
Calypso Coral
Baja Breeze
Daffodil Delight

Sweet Set:
Calypso Coral
Riding Hood Red
Basic Gray

Very Vanilla and Whisper White

The next 2 colors, Very Vanilla and Whisper White, are the basics for your stampin' stash.  These provide endless possibilities for color combinations as well as being the focal piece for your stamped images on your projects.  They are also the last 2 colors in the Neutrals Collection.
Very Vanilla Creative Combination:
Very Vanilla
Perfect Plum
Rose Red
For this card, I thought I'd play with the colors, using embossed butterflies, on a textured background.  I embossed a layer of Very Vanilla and added it to the top of the card base.  This adds an element of elegance and additional texture.  The stamp set is 'Butterfly Prints' and it works with our butterfly punch.  This would make a pretty card for a birthday, anniversary, or just because you cared enough to send a card.

Very Vanilla Sweet Set:
Very Vanilla
Regal Rose
Not Quite Navy
For this card, I used the stamp set 'Simply Soft' and then added my shimmer paint/alcohol spray mist over the entire card front.  I like these colors together.  This stamp set will be one of our new hostess sets in the catalog coming out July 1.

Whisper White Creative Combination:
Whisper White
Basic Black
More Mustard
For this card, I decided to go for a little drama.  I used the scallop oval Big Shot die and 'Upsy Daisy' stamp set.  I stamped the image in VersaMark onto the black CS and then embossed with clear EP.  Once finished, I added my shimmer paint/alcohol mist to the entire front of the card.  I like the silhouette effect it gives.

Whisper White Getting Started Combination:
Whisper White
Marina Mist
Night of Navy
I was going for a night time look for this card, as if you looked out your window late at night to see if your snowman was still there.  I used the stamp set 'Snow Much Fun' which will come out in the new catalog July 1.  I added a punched snowflake, a rhinestone brad and, once again, some shimmer paint/alcohol mist over the entire card front.  The snowman image is bleached and then colored with markers and 2 Smooch Pearlized Accent Inks -- Moonlight and Illuminate Top Coat.

Meet the In Colors

We'll start with the 5 In Colors that were introduced in July, 2010.

Poppy Parade
Peach Parfait
Pear Pizzazz
Concord Crush
Blushing Bride

The first time I laid eyes on them, I knew I was in love!!!  My favorite of them all is Pear Pizzazz, but I truly love each of them.  They look beautiful together, too.  See what I mean?
I decided to make all my cards for the In Colors be cute little 3" square cards.  I am also going to use the beautiful ribbons that coordinate with all of these colors.  So get ready for some fun as we look at all 5 of these gorgeous colors.

Soft Suede

Here we go, back to finishing up the Neutrals Collection.  Soft Suede is a beautiful neutral and goes with lots of color combos.

Creative Combination:
Soft Suede
So Saffron
Regal Rose
For this card, I used the stamp set 'Charming' along with the dotted embossing folder and the scallop border punch.  It's a simple card, but quite pretty with this color combo.

Sweet Set:
Soft Suede
Baja Breeze
Cherry Cobbler
For this card, I thought I'd get a head start (barely) on Father's Day.  I used the 'Best Dad Ever' stamp set and added color to the ties with markers before stamping.  The tiny brads give the effect of tie tacs.  I added an embossed layer for more texture.  I really like these colors together.

Dynamic Duo:
Soft Suede
Early Espresso
This is one of my favorite color combinations for the neutrals.  My card was inspired by a similar one done by my demo friend, Julie Davison.  I used the 'Travel Log' stamp set and added antique brads and baker's twine.  It reminds me of a luggage tag.

...a little side trip from my Color Coach project...

I did not post yesterday because I had my grandbaby here.  She is more beautiful than ever.  Her eyes were open a lot more, as she was awake more this visit and she has the most gorgeous eyes.  She has me wrapped around her little finger already!  My heart just ached when they pulled out of the driveway.  The visits always go so fast!

I had a workshop this morning and a class tonight, so I'll be back to my Color Coach project tomorrow and getting more projects ready to post.  In the meantime, the end of June is getting closer and closer.  If there's something you want that is on the retired list, you'd better get busy and order it soon --- before it's gone.  They'll keep making retiring stamp sets as supply demands, until the end of June, but when the accessories are gone --- that's it.  Some are actually gone already.  As of June 30, all retiring items will be gone, to make way for new products that are sure to excite everyone.

When they're gone, they're gone.

Sahara Sand

Sahara Sand --- endless possibilities for color combinations!
Creative Combination:
Sahara Sand
Bravo Burgundy
Pink Pirouette
This is a pretty color combo.  I used the stamp set 'Vintage Vogue' and embossed and layered lots of flowers.  I like the added touch of the brads.

Sweet Set:
Sahara Sand
Pacific Point
Cajun Craze
Here is another pretty color combo.  I used 'Happiness Shared' and embossed the main image directly onto the Pacific Point CS.  I added a few leaves (stamped in VersaMark) and some texture (with the Color Spritzer Tool) to the card base background layer.  I finished it off with a bit of our crochet trim, which really goes nicely with the Sahara Sand.

River Rock

After using the Color Coach as a guide, I have new-found appreciation for River Rock.  Also, I used it a lot with the Paisley Petals DSP and have grown to LOVE the Not Quite Navy/River Rock combo.  Here is an easel card I did with this combo.  You can see what I mean about how these colors compliment each other.

For today's post ---
Creative Combination:
River Rock
Cherry Cobbler
Marina Mist
How could you NOT like a card when it has Cherry Cobbler and Marina Mist involved with it?  I wouldn't have tried it with River Rock if I hadn't seen it on the Color Coach.  I used 'Friends Never Fade' for my card and added some of the gorgeous Cherry Cobbler seam binding.


Sweet Set:
River Rock
Not Quite Navy
Tangerine Tango
By adding the tangerine, it really brightens up the card.  I used the stamp set 'Charming' to create this cute little card.  The images on the Tangerine Tango are all embossed.


Dynamic Duo:
River Rock
Always Artichoke
These colors compliment each other as well as Early Espresso and Soft Suede.  This was a simple card to put together and really works because of the color combo.  I embossed the images on the Always Artichoke.  The stamp set is 'Fabulous Florets.'

Early Espresso

What a delightful color!  I didn't even know we needed it until the new color renovation came out with it.  Now, I don't know how I lived without it.
Creative Combination:
Early Espresso
Marina Mist
Tangerine Tango

I absolutely LOVE this color combo.  I got out my 'Aviary' stamp set again for a cute little bird in a cage (embossed the birdcage) and added "hello" from the 'Happy Greetings' stamp set.  A small antique brad just sets it off to perfection, along with a tiny knot of Marina Mist ribbon.

Getting Started Combination:
Early Espresso
Whisper White
Pretty in Pink
For this card (love the pink with the deep espresso!) I used the stamp set 'For All You Do' and added some pearls to the flower centers.  The flowers are embossed using VersaMark and clear EP on the Pretty in Pink CS.

Dynamic Duo:
Early Espresso
Soft Suede
For this card, I got to use my brand new stamp set again -- 'My Friend.'  I LOVE this new set.  I borrowed a flower from the 'For All You Do' stamp set and added an antique brad to the center.  The "hello" is embossed and then I used a little technique of mine to enhance the flower.  This technique works on SMALL pieces to be embossed.  I used Soft Suede Classic Ink along with VersaMark and embossed with clear EP.  Working quickly, as the image MUST stay hot, I layered on more clear EP and embossed again.  I repeated the process 3 times.  You can do this because when it is still hot, it is just sticky enough to hold another layer of EP.  It gives an enamel effect to the embossing.

Crumb Cake

I love the new name for this versatile color.  It would be difficult to imagine a color that would NOT work well with crumb cake.
Creative Combination:
Crumb Cake
Not Quite Navy
Riding Hood Red
I LOVE this color combo.  I used the stamp set 'Travel Log' from our summer mini and added some touches from the Big Shot - textured embossing folder and the Top Note.  I also added some sponging and distressing to a couple of the crumb cake pieces.


Sweet Set:
Crumb Cake
Cajun Craze
Garden Green
Sneak Peek Alert!!!  I used our new stamp set 'My Friend' that will be available July 1 in the wonderful new catalog.  I see a lot of uses for this stamp set in my future.  I really like how these colors work together.


Dynamic Duo:
Crumb Cake
Chocolate Chip
For the Dynamic Duo, I got out my cowboy again.  This time, I embossed him with chocolate chip Craft Ink onto a piece of cork that was cut on the Big Shot.  The horseshoes and cowboy hats (all from the 'Out West' stamp set) are also embossed.  It was a little difficult to photograph the embossing on the cork.  It looks even better in real life:)

Chocolate Chip

Chocolate chip!  What's to say about chocolate?  Everyone loves chocolate!
For today's post, I am going to show you a sneak peek at one of the new ribbons coming out in the new catalog in July:  Scallop Dots -- today's version:  chocolate chip!  Each card in today's post will feature a unique way to use a small amount of ribbon, so your stash will last longer:)
Creative Combination:
Chocolate Chip
Wild Wasabi
Pretty in PInk
For this card, I pulled out yet another favorite stamp set of mine -- 'Season of Friendship.'  I loved this tree the first time I laid eyes on it.  It lends itself well to this color combo.  The ribbon is wrapped around the card and the overlap is hidden behind the text.

Sweet Set:
Chocolate Chip
Tangerine Tango
Always Artichoke
The minute I saw that Tangerine Tango was one of the colors, I pulled out the new EP again.  I embossed the leaves with VersaMark and clear EP.  I embossed the little roses & the cat with the new Tangerine Tango EP (VersaMark ink).  The text is embossed with chocolate chip Craft Ink & clear EP.  The ribbon on this card is simply tied into a little knot.  If you twist and fiddle with it, you can get the polka dots to show on both sides.  I glued it onto the card with a small dot of Liquid Tombow.  I really like this glue for its strong hold.  I had to give the cat some bling on his collar and then added some more bling to the text piece, also.  The stamp sets are 'Flower Fest' and 'Touch of Kindness' and both are from the summer mini.

Dynamic Duo:
Chocolate Chip
Crumb Cake
What a yummy combo.  It makes you want a little snack:)  I decided to make a little card using the pinecone sprig from 'Autumn Days.'  I embossed all the images with chocolate chip Craft Ink and clear EP.  I added a jumbo eyelet (Get yours soon, because they're retiring.) and slipped a piece of ribbon through it.  I held the ends of the ribbon together with a little piece of embroidery thread.  Again, if you twist and fiddle with the ribbon, you can get the polka dots to show on both ends.

Basic Gray

I love this shade of gray and it's super easy to use it with most any color combo.
Creative Combination:
Basic Gray
Melon Mambo
Old Olive
For this cute little card, I used the 'Tiny Teacup' stamp, along with the new postage punch.  Love it!  A nice thing about having our stamps come unmounted is that you have the option of HOW to mount your stamp.  For the 'Tiny Teacup' I decided to mount the "hello" separately from the little teacup, so I could use the 2 stamps independently.


Sweet Set:
Basic Gray
Real Red
Pumpkin Pie
For this card, I pulled out another of my super favorite stamp sets -- 'Bugs & Kisses.'  This set will be retiring as of June 30, so if you like it, you should order it very soon.  I started with a 1" circle punch and then used the next 2 larger sized circle punches and mounted the bugs onto the circles.  I colored all the bugs with markers, to give a brighter & more intense color.  After cutting them all out, I used dimensionals to attach them to the circles.

Dynamic Duo:
Basic Gray
Basic Black
This color combo makes for an elegant card.  The stamp set is 'Artistic Etchings' and the embossing folder is Vintage Wallpaper.  I love the added touch of the little ribbons.

Meet the Neutrals Collection / Get Started with Basic Black

The Neutrals Collection makes up all the colors you need to work with the other combinations of colors.  Let's jump right in and get going.

Neutrals Collection:
Basic Black
Basic Gray
Chocolate Chip
Crumb Cake
Early Espresso
River Rock
Sahara Sand
Soft Suede
Very Vanilla
Whisper White

Let's go ahead and get started with our first color -- BASIC BLACK.
Creative Combination:
Basic Black
Cherry Cobbler
Baja Breeze
What a yummy color combo.  I love this one!
For this card, I used pearl accents, Cherry Cobbler seam binding (love it!) and the stamp set "Morning Cup.'  This is just a fun card you could send to a friend at any time -- especially if they were a coffee lover.

Getting Started Combination:
Basic Black
Daffodil Delight
Old Olive
This is another great color combo.  I decided to make a little 3X3" card for this one.  I used a couple of buttons from the Brights collection and some Daffodil Delight taffeta ribbon.  The stamp set is 'The Nicest Things.'

Dynamic Duo:
Basic Black
Basic Gray
With this color combo, I could have gone with a very formal card (which I kind of did) but decided to mix it up a bit by making it a small card, like you'd attach to a birthday gift bag.  I used Basic Black taffeta ribbon, a couple of rhinestones, and black EP on the Basic Gray layer.  The stamp set is a great one that comes with a second stamp (for a thank you).  The set is called 'Engraved Greetings.'