Bravo Burgundy

Well, if you were to ask me to choose 1 SU color I could live without... it would be Bravo Burgundy. It's nothing against SU... I've just never been a fan of burgundy. It might have something to do with an old '79 Malibu station wagon in that color... but that's another story for another day ;)
Anywho... I challenged myself to use this color on both a masculine and feminine card. I'm really pleased with my results :)

The "Sweet Set" colors are Bravo Burgundy, More Mustard, and Crumb Cake. Since this is a masculine card, I wanted a lot of texture. The layer of Bravo Burgundy is crumpled and distressed, then I applied ink directly from the ink pad to the card stock. The layer of Crumb Cake is dry embossed using the Square Lattice Embossing Folder and the Big Shot. Can you guess where the square background on the Very Vanilla card stock came from? I inked my clear block (size D) in Crumb Cake ink and 'stamped' it onto the card stock! No uni-taskers in my stamp room ;)
The images are all from the Autumn Days stamp set. Like how the hemp twine takes the place of ribbon? I even added texture to the hemp twine by tying knots along the length.
*Note: if you are going to try the knotted twine at home, it takes more than you think. I used a piece of twine that was double the width of the Crumb Cake card stock.


You might have noticed there was no post yesterday. That's because I will admit I was really struggling with the "Creative Combination" colors: Bravo Burgundy, River Rock, and Baja Breeze. I started playing with this color combo on Thursday, but it wasn't until Saturday night that I found my burgundy mojo. But once I found my stampin' groove, I was a happy girl. In the end, I actually love how this card turned out :)
I used the Clearly for You stamp set, which I got for FREE at Leadership :) The square with the birds was inspired by one of our Leadership Conference 'make & takes'.
Each section is a 1-1/8" square. I used a layer of Bravo Burgundy card stock (4" x 5-1/4") and squares of River Rock, Baja Breeze, and Very Vanilla card stock, as well as squares of First Edition DSP (121878 $11.95).
The birds are stamped in StazOn ink, traced with a River Rock marker, and painted with Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint (116806 $5.95) and an AquaPainter. The crown image was first stamped in River Rock ink. Then I 'inked' the crown stamp with the Shimmer Paint and a Sponge Dauber, and stamped on top of the previously stamped image. Baja Breeze Seam Binding and two sizes of the Basic Pearls (119247 $4.95) add the perfect feminine touch.

Cherry Cobbler

When I saw Cherry Cobbler the first time, it was love at first sight. It was the shade of red I'd been waiting for! It is the perfect shade of red for your projects with a 'vintage feel' - especially Christmas and Valentine projects.


The "Dynamic Duo" colors on this 3x3 card are Cherry Cobbler and Riding Hood Red. To get the varied color on the flower, I used the 'rock & roll' technique. First, I inked the stamp in Riding Hood Red. Then I stamped off onto scratch paper, and rolled the edges (with the stamp at a slight angle) in the Riding Hood Red ink. Finally, I rolled the edges (with the stamp at a steep angle) in Cherry Cobbler ink. When using the 'rock & roll' technique, it is important to remember to ink your stamp with the lightest color first. The flower image is from Petal Pizzazz, and the sentiment is from the Silhouette Sentiments Hostess stamp set.



The "Creative Combination" colors are Cherry Cobbler, Daffodil Delight, and Early Espresso - which are all new colors introduced in July. The images are from the Eastern Blooms stamp set... one of the sets I got in my Convention bag a few years ago. I used Cherry Cobbler and Early Espresso markers to ink the branch image. The sentiment is from the Thank You Kindly stamp set. I love the look of these three punches layered together: Decorative Label, Scallop Oval, and 1-3/4"x7/8" Oval.
Click here to see another card using these "Creative Combination" colors.


The "Sweet Set" colors are Cherry Cobbler, Pumpkin Pie, and Night of Navy. I used markers to ink the Ornate Blossom stamp. I like how the Pumpkin Pie card stock punched from the Dotted Scallop Ribbon border punch peeks out along the bottom of the focal point. The sentiment is from the Curly Cute stamp set.

Real Red

I use a lot of Real Red... not just at Christmas or Valentine's Day. It's kind of a "go to" color for me when I am scrapbooking my boys' pictures.


The "Creative Combination" colors are Real Red, Bashful Blue, and Crumb Cake - a great combination. This card made its 1st appearance on my blog back in July, so is it cheating to show you one of my favorites again??? (After yesterday's workout on this blog, I needed a little break.) I adore the Sock Monkey stamp set (and both of his accessory stamp sets, too)!


The "Getting Started Combination" colors are Real Red, Early Espresso, and Pumpkin Pie. I am probably going to wear out the Dotted Scallop Ribbon border punch - it just makes everything so cute! The image is from the Funky Four stamp set, which I inked using markers. The sentiment is from the Fabulous Phrases stamp set. I have both sets in 'clear-mount' which made it very handy for me to place both words on a block, then ink and stamp them together :)

Poppy Parade

Poppy Parade is an "In Color" that will be available until June 2012. When SU! launched the color renovation this July, it was announced that starting this year, "In Color" collections will be available for two years. In July 2011, we will be introduced to 5 more "In Color" choices, that will have their own 2-year term.


When you are playing with color choices in your own stamping room, try to image the color wheel (or find one on the internet or at your local craft store in the painting section). Sometimes I use the Color Coach and a color wheel together to choose pleasing combinations. For example, a classic color combination that always works is a triad using the primary colors: red, yellow, and blue. This Easter card - if you think of the colors on a very basic level - uses that primary triad combination. Of course (on a more sophisticated level) the "red" on this card is a red-orange with red added, the "yellow" on this card is a tint, and the "blue" on this card is a tint of blue-green. Sometimes thinking of all the hues available (and their tints, tones, and shades) can be overwhelming, but if you think of them in basic terms, you might find that choosing great colors to work with isn't so hard after all. Thank goodness Stampin' Up! has taken a lot of the guesswork out of choosing colors by creating the Color Coach. My point in all this rambling??? I just wanted you to know there is a "science" behind the combinations on the back of each card in your Color Coach.
We made this cute card in my Spring/ Easter card class (in March) using the "Creative Combination" colors: Poppy Parade, Baja Breeze, and So Saffron. The image and text are from A Good Egg stamp set.


I really enjoyed making this card. It is different from my usual style, and it felt good to 'step out of the box.' I used the "Sweet set" colors: Poppy Parade, Sahara Sand, and Not Quite Navy. I don't think I would have chosen this combo without the Color Coach suggesting it. I'm glad I tried it :) This layout comes from the March issue of Stampin' Success - a magazine for demonstrators from Stampin' Up!. Each month, there is a card template (or two) featured. At my team meetings, we all bring a 'show & tell' using the template as a guide. This was one of my 'show & tell' items from my April team meeting. I used the Oval All, Perfect Punches, and Tiny Tags stamp sets, along with the 1-3/4"x7/8" Oval, Scallop Oval, and Jewelry Tag punches.


I saved the best for last ;)
Yesterday, I was quite stressed about using the "Dynamic Duo" colors: Poppy Parade and Tangerine Tango. While I appreciate orange hues, they are more difficult for me to be creative with, and this is my third post using Tangerine Tango as 1 of the "Dynamic Duo" colors. So.... I walked away. I started working on my card again this morning, and went a whole new direction. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE how this card turned out!!!! I will absolutely be using this card in an upcoming class... or two ;) The Build a Blossom stamp set is perfect for the two-step stampin' technique. The petals are stamped using only Poppy Parade ink. This card is even prettier in person - it's difficult to capture the beauty of the Shimmery White card stock in a photo. The teeny little sentiment is stamped from the Tiny Tags stamp set and punched out with the Jewelry Tag punch. The Poppy Parade Glimmer Brad in the center of the flower is also more loved when seen in real life :)

Cajun Craze

Back in July, when SU announced the color renovation, I was worried that I might miss Really Rust as it was "replaced" by Cajun Craze. Once I saw Cajun Craze in real life... Rust who? Cajun Craze is such a beautiful color! It has a little less orange, and a bit more brown than Really Rust, and works well with so many colors.

The "Dynamic Duo" colors are Cajun Craze and Tangerine Tango. I'm not loving this card... I will admit I found this "Dynamic Duo" a challenge for me. I used the Just Believe stamp set and the Finial Press Embossing Folder on this card.


I made this pretty card back in the fall for a monthly SU contest. I didn't win... but I still love this card and feel happy that I made something "submission worthy." The "Creative Combination" colors are Cajun Craze, Old Olive, and Baja Breeze. I used the Very Vintage jumbo wheel for the background on both the Baja Breeze and Cajun Craze card stock. The sentiment is from the Occasional Quotes Hostess stamp set. The Chantilly Crochet Trim and Antique Brad are the perfect finishing touches.


This was one of the stamping projects I prepared for my Team meeting tonight :) I love coming up with new project ideas to share with my team!
This card features the "Sweet Set" colors: Cajun Craze, Perfect Plum, and Always Artickoke. The stamped flower petals are from the Build a Blossom stamp set, and punched out with the coordinating Blossom Petals punch. We used the Two-step Stampin' technique to create the petals with only Cajun Craze ink. (I will be teaching more on Two-step Stampin' at my Technique Tuesday class April 26th.) The punched petals are layered onto Cajun Craze card stock die cut from the Fun Flowers Bigz L Die. If you don't already have the Framed Tulips Embossing Folder, put it at the top of your wishlist! It's just so pretty :) The sentiment is stamped in Perfect Plum ink from the Afterthoughts Hostess stamp set.

Tangerine Tango

Tangerine Tango is another hue that was a previous "In Color". It made a return this July during the color renovation, and lives happily in the Brights Collection.

The Color Coach lists the "Dynamic Duo" as Tangerine Tango and Cajun Craze. I used the Circle Circus stamp set to create the background and the focal point. The sentiment is from the Family Phrases stamp set.


Wow! The "Creative Combination" colors are bright! - Tangerine Tango, Tempting Turquoise, and Old Olive. I had fun making this card :) The heart image is from the I {Heart} Hearts stamp set. After snipping the image, it layers nicely on a card stock heart punched using the Full Heart punch. The frame is made with a 3x3 square of card stock which has been punched in the center of each side using the Pinking Hearts Border punch. I LOVE how the background turned out. I made it by inking the Heart Pressed Letterpress Plate with Whisper White Craft ink, setting the Tempting Turquoise card stock on the plate, and then rolled it through my Big Shot. I know you're wondering where I got this fabulous ribbon, right? You can order the Tangerine Tango 5/8" Striped grosgrain ribbon (111371) from my online store in the Clearance Rack for only $3.49!!


The "Sweet Set" colors are Tangerine Tango, So Saffron, and Pacific Point. I used the Flight of the Butterfly stamp set for this card. And the pretty piece of So Saffron ribbon? Clearance Rack! You can get this as part of the ribbon bundle (114618) for only $3.49! Hmmm... time for some online shopping in your jammies?? ;)

Peach Parfait

When this color was introduced as 1 of the new "In Colors"... well, I was a little less than thrilled. I've never been a big fan of orange, and I already had Pumpkin Pie. Then I started using Peach Parfait in my projects... wow! How my feelings have changed. I kinda feel like asking SU if Peach Parfait could stay on down the road as a core color. Personally, I think it would play nicely with the other colors in the Subtles Collection. But, I'm not the boss, so I will enjoy using Peach Parfait until June 2012.


The Color Coach lists the "Dynamic Duo" as Peach Parfait and Cajun Craze. The Peach Parfait Designer Series Paper is from the Sale-a-Bration DSP and Accents package. Both sentiments are stamped in Cajun Craze ink from the Thank You Kindly stamp set. I used three Punches to create the flower layers: Fancy Flower, 5-Petal Flower, and the circle punch from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack. I used the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch on a strip of Cajun Craze card stock. Since I couldn't decide which card layout I liked better, I made both. Which orientation do you like better?


This is a card from my Spring/ Easter card class held in March. We used the Sale-a-Bration DSP and a stamp from the Sale-a-Bration set Punch Bunch. Peach Parfait, Pear Pizzazz, and Not Quite Navy - the "Creative Combination" - markers were used to ink the stamp.


The "Sweet Set" colors are Peach Parfait, Baja Breeze, and Riding Hood Red. I used those colors of markers to ink this image from the Cute by the Inch Hostess stamp set. The DSP on the bottom of this card is also a Hostess choice :)
Now, you are surely wondering where I got that super cute shape cut from Riding Hood Red card stock, that layers nicely behind the Scallop Square???... from my scrap drawer, of course ;)
This neat shape was leftover from a treat pouch I made using one of the Holiday Windows (116821 $29.95 - set of 4) and the Movers and Shapers Bigz XL Die (114506 $42.95). This shape is the "window" that was cut out. And you can't toss something that cute out... I knew that "someday" it would come in handy! :)

Pumpkin Pie

Pumpkin Pie has always been an easy color for me to use... then I met my match with the Color Coach. For some reason, I struggled with the combinations suggested on the Coach. It took me a while, but in the end, I created two cute cards that I was really happy with. Once again, the Color Coach is winking at me saying, "see, I told you those colors would go together!"


When I sat down to work on a card using the "Creative Combination" colors, I was really stumped. I pulled out a ton of products... stamps, ribbons, buttons, etc. Nothing was working for me. So I looked around my stamp room hoping for inspiration. My eyes settled on a card my 7yr-old made for me a few weeks ago:
So the card my son made, became my inspiration for this card:
I really like how it turned out :) The "Creative Combination" colors are Pumpkin Pie, Pacific Point, and Real Red. The images are from the Choo Choo stamp set and the Right on Track wheel; the sentiment is from the Family Phrases stamp set.



The "Getting Started Combination" colors (Pumpkin Pie, Early Espresso, and Daffodil Delight) were a little bit easier for me to work with. I am super happy with this card layout! I will definitely be using this layout in a class I am teaching in June for Carthage College's alumni event. If you don't already have the Create a Cupcake stamp set (wood 121915 $22.95 or clear 121982 $16.95) and the coordinating Build a Cupcake punch (121807 $16.95)... well, you need to get them! They are on p22 of the Occasions Mini Catalog, which ends April 30th.

More Mustard

I have a tendency to mainly use More Mustard in the Fall. So, it was good to challenge myself to use this color for other times of the year. My Woodgrain background stamp and Silhouette Sentiments Hostess stamp set have not seen enough ink, so I used them on today's cards.


The "Dynamic Duo" colors are More Mustard and So Saffron. The sentiment is punched from the 3/4"x15/16" Oval punch.


The "Creative Combination" colors are More Mustard, Night of Navy, and Cajun Craze. After stamping the background with More Mustard ink, I used the Color Spritzer Tool and the Cajun Craze marker to add another "layer" of ink. The frame embellishment is from the Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware.

A bonus project using the "Creative Combination" colors! I made this scrapbook page in the Fall. The title and leaves are stamped from the Harvest Home stamp set. I created the flower images using More Mustard & Cajun Craze ink, a stencil from Elegant Trio (118262 $9.95) and Sponge Daubers.


The "Sweet Set" colors are More Mustard, Old Olive, and Bravo Burgundy. The image is punched using the 2"x1-3/8" Oval punch (119859 $16.95), and matted onto an oval cut from the Ovals Originals Die (114525 $15.95). A scrap of 1-1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon adds the finishing touch.

Daffodil Delight

Today's card from the Color Coach is Daffodil Delight - a fabulous yellow that made its debut in July. The next time you are stamping on a gloomy day, make a project with Daffodil Delight... it will brighten the room :)

The "Creative Combination" colors are Daffodil Delight, Early Espresso, and Cherry Cobbler. These are all newbies in Stampin' Up!'s color palette. The image is stamped from the Fast & Fabulous Hostess stamp set. The sentiment is stamped from the Matchbox Messages stamp set.


The "Getting Started Combination" colors are Daffodil Delight, Night of Navy, and Old Olive.
You might think I am having an affair with the Fun Flowers Bigz Die. Well, ok, just don't tell the other Dies ;) I LOVE this Die and the many projects I can create with it! This bookmark was super fun to make. It turned out so cute... I think I will be keeping this gift for myself :) Each flower layer is stamped using the A to Z background stamp (115711 $9.95). A Springtime Vintage Big Designer Button and 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon finish off the front.
I kept the back a little more simple by die-cutting a piece of Night of Navy card stock and topping it off with an Old Olive brad.