a fun color combination

While I was playing around with different color combos for my Spring Cards class at the bakery, I came up with this fabulous winner: Certainly Celery, Early Espresso, Lucky Limeade, and Calypso Coral. 

I really like how the Calypso Coral pops against the softness of the Certainly Celery. The Calypso Coral card stock layer needed... something. So, the Honeycomb Embossing Folder came to my rescue. And the layer of Tea for Two DSP at the bottom of the card was the perfect print. I tied Lucky Limeade Baker's Twine around the card twice, and then tied it into a bow before adhering my focal point.

Don't you hate it when a great stamp set goes unused for a while? Me too! I hadn't played with the Best of Everything stamp set in way too long, so I'm glad I was able to dust it off and ink it up! My Lucky Limeade and Early Espresso markers inked the "branch" image, which worked out great as a "little Spring tree" for this card. After stamping the flower image in Calypso Coral onto the same color card stock, I snipped it out and used it on my card instead of a button or brad. 
So what do you think? Is this a color combination you would like to try for a Spring card? I challenge you to try it! Maybe even start with a favorite card sketch and grab a stamp set that might just need a little stampin' action.   ;)   Have fun! 

Lovely As a Christmas Tree

I'll bet you have a few "oldies but goodies" in your stamp stash. You know, the ones that are just so perfect... too good to ever part with. For me, Lovely As A Tree is that stamp set. It's a classic! And that's why it works so well for a traditional Christmas card. 

Remember this template from the vintage Christmas card? It's such an easy card layout that we used it on two cards in my class at the bakery. 

For the background, I used a layer of Cherry Cobbler Core'dinations card stock. It adds just a hint of texture to my card. I chose not to add another layer in the background, allowing more of the Garden Green card base to show. 
The pine tree is stamped in Garden Green ink onto a 2"x4" layer of Whisper White card stock. My greeting (Petite Pairs) is also stamped in Garden Green. The 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon is the perfect compliment to this card. 

Don't you just love Garden Green and Cherry Cobbler together? I'm using this color combination in another class at the bakery on December 4th. I'd love for my local stamping friends to join me! 

 

There's a sign up sheet inside Wildflour Artisan Bakery & Cafe (256 West Main St, Decatur). If you're not too full after indulging in some sweets, be sure to check out the new renovations in the Root Cellar! 

Vintage Ornament Christmas Card

My most recent class that I taught at the bakery was a Christmas card class. I wanted the participants to see a variety of styles they could try when stamping their own Christmas cards. So I brought cute, traditional, modern, and vintage cards. I already showed you the cute card, and today I'm sharing my vintage style card. 

I created the background using both DSP and embossed card stock. The Cherry Cobbler DSP layer is from the Be of Good Cheer package, and I used the Fancy Fan Embossing Folder to create that great texture on the Baja Breeze card stock.  

After stamping the ornament in Baja Breeze ink, I used a template in the Festive Paper Piercing Pack to help me add the pierced details. The Very Vanilla layer is adhered with Dimensionals so that those details stand out.

After tying on some Baja Breeze Seam Binding and attaching the focal point layers (more Dimensionals), I spritzed on my shimmer mist, a mixture of Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint in rubbing alcohol.  
 
I even whipped up a simple sketch for my card, so you can add it to your template library. And stay tuned... I'll be posting another card using this same template very soon!!  :}