Basic Gray

I hope everyone had a nice weekend and a wonderful Mother's Day! It was a beautiful day for me - I got to spend time with my in-laws AND my parents, which doesn't happen very often. The weather was gorgeous, the food was yummy, and the children were well behaved. It doesn't get much better than that!
Today's card from the Color Coach is Basic Gray, which is in the Neutrals Collection.

 

 The "Dynamic Duo" colors are Basic Gray and Basic Black. The Basic Gray layer of card stock is dry embossed with the Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, and then spritzed with the Silver Foil Smooch Spritz. The sentiment is from the Perfect Punches stamp set, and punched out with the Modern Label punch. I used my Big Shot and the Movers & Shapers Bigz XL die with one of the Punch Windows to die cut a scrap of Basic Black card stock, creating a mat for the sentiment. The Whisper White 5/8" Organza Ribbon adds an elegant touch.

 

The "Creative Combination" colors are Basic Gray, Melon Mambo, and Old Olive. For this 3x3 card I used the Awash with Flowers stamp set. If you like 'two-step stamping' then this is a great set to try. The sentiment from the Fabulous Phrases stamp set is punched out with the 3/4"x15/16" Oval punch. A Basic Rhinestone and Old Olive 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon are a great little addition to bring out the 'cute' factor.

I think this card using the "Sweet Set" colors (Basic Gray, Real Red, and Pumpkin Pie) turned out super cute. I used my Big Shot to die cut a piece of Real Red card stock with the Scallop Circle #2 Bigz die. Then I used the 1/16" Circle Handheld Punch to punch a tiny little hole into each scallop. After stamping the creatures from the Greetings, Earthling stamp set and punching them out with the 2-1/2" Circle punch, I colored them in using a few drops of ink and a Blender Pen.

Whisper White

I have to giggle that there is a card in the Color Coach for Whisper White. I mean... it's Whisper White... it goes with everything!

The "Creative Combination" colors are Whisper White, Basic Black, and More Mustard. For this combination I chose to create a card using 'My Digital Studio.' I love that you can choose a pre-designed project, and tweak it to make it your own. I chose this already completed Halloween card and changed out some color and paper designs. Woohoo - a cute card in minutes!

The "Getting Started" colors are Whisper White, Marina Mist, and Night of Navy. To create this cute little 3x3 card, place a folded piece of Whisper White card stock on the larger square of the Scallop Squares Duo Bigz die. Just make sure that the square on the die is not completely covered; slide the folded edge down so that it does not get cut. Then, just run it through your Big Shot. Easy peasy, lemon squeazy. ☺ I used the Aviary and Fabulous Phrases stamp sets, Marina Mist 1/8" Taffeta ribbon, and a Basic Rhinestone to complete the card. When I'm ready to give this little cutie to someone, it fits right into a Whisper White Mini Envelope (107309  $7.50 for 40 little envies).

Soft Suede

 Soft Suede was a recent 'In Color' that carried over into the Neutrals Collection during the Color Renovation - yay!

 The "Dynamic Duo" colors are Soft Suede and Early Espresso - gorgeous!! For this card I used the Hostess stamp set Love & Care from the new Summer Mini Catalog. I wanted a subtle texture on the background, so I used one of the Texturz Plates from Backgrounds 1 (114512 $11.95 set of 3 in 6 designs). The sentiment is stamped in Soft Suede ink onto Very Vanilla card stock. After snipping a 'V' into the end, I distressed the edges with my Craft & Rubber Scissors, sponged the edges in Soft Suede ink, and spritzed on some color with the Color Spritzer Tool and Soft Suede marker.

 

I used Early Espresso 5/8" Satin Ribbon (119753 $8.95) to make the ribbon flower. Want to make one yourself? You will need Sticky Pages (114300 $6.95) to make the 'base' of the flower. Die cut a piece of a Sticky Page (the 2nd to smallest circle) on the Circles #2 Originals Die with your Big Shot. Cut a length of Satin Ribbon to about 14". At 1" intervals, snip into the ribbon almost to the opposite edge. Peel the red backing from your sticky circle. Starting at the outside edge of the circle, attach your ribbon in a spiral motion. As you move along the sticky circle, you will need to pleat and gather the ribbon. When you get to the center, you might need to add a Mini Glue Dot to tack down the end. The next step is to 'melt' the edges with your Heat Tool. Now, keep in mind, you are about to use something with a lot of heat on something that is flammable... just pointing this out so you have time to think it through. The work area gets very hot for this project. To create a safe work area for 'melting' the ribbon, I use a foil cake pan which sits on a cork trivet. After pre-heating my Heat Tool, I hold down one edge of the flower with long tweezers and start heating up the opposite edge. I alternate holding the Heat Tool straight down and then at an angle to 'flutter' the ribbon petals. It does take a while to 'melt' and my kitchen smells like... well, burnt ribbon. But, it's really cute!☺ After the flower cools, peel off the paper backing from the sticky circle and cover it with a circle of card stock die-cut the same size. If you use the same color card stock and ribbon, it will hide any gaps in the curled ribbon flower petals.

 

The "Creative Combination" colors are Soft Suede, So Saffron, and Regal Rose. I really like the Love & Care Hostess stamp set, so I used it again for this card. The Soft Suede layer is die cut on my Big Shot with the Top Note Bigz die. I used that die again to cut a smaller layer from Regal Rose DSP (Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack: Brights). I chose a different pattern of Regal Rose DSP, and punched out three Scallop Circles. I crumpled and distressed each one, then layered them together with Dimensionals.

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!!! I made this card for my oldest son's teacher using the colors in the "Sweet Set": Soft Suede, Baja Breeze, and Cherry Cobbler. The adorable image is from Greeting Card Kids, and the sentiment is from Thank You Kindly. I used Watercolor Wonder Crayons and a Blender Pen to color the image. The layer of Cherry Cobbler card stock is dry embossed with the Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder on the Big Shot, and the raised images are lightly sponged with Soft Suede ink.

Sahara Sand

Sahara Sand reminds me of khaki pants - it doesn't get all the 'color glory' but it goes with everything. ☺It makes a great neutral, especially if you want something lighter than Crumb Cake.

 

The "Creative Combination" colors are Sahara Sand, Bravo Burgundy, and Pink Pirouette. I used the Medallion background stamp and the Oval All stamp set for this card. I stamped the Medallion a second time in Pink Pirouette ink onto Very Vanilla card stock, and punched the center out with the 1-3/4" Circle punch. The Scallop Oval and 1-3/4"x7/8" Oval punches got to come over and play, too. And to finish it off, the Basic Pearls are the perfect accessory.

 The "Sweet Set" colors are Sahara Sand, Pacific Point, and Cajun Craze. I grabbed the Bugs & Kisses stamp set for this card - L♥VE this stamp set! The pleated strip in Pacific Point is from the Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack: Brights. The three punches used on this card are: 1-3/4" Scallop Circle, 1-3/8" Circle, and 1-1/4" Circle.

Crumb Cake

 So you might be thinking that even though Crumb Cake is a "new" Stampin' Up! color, it sure looks a lot like the retired Kraft. You are correct! The name changed and it became a core color. As part of the Neutrals collection, it now has an ink pad as well - woohoo!!!

The "Dynamic Duo" colors are Crumb Cake and Chocolate Chip - love these! The Crumb Cake layer is dry embossed using the  Framed Tulips Embossing Folder, and sponged with Chocolate Chip ink. I stamped the Ornate Blossom in Whisper White Craft ink. The small ornate image stamped in Chocolate Chip ink and the images on the tag are from the Tiny Tags stamp set.

  

The "Creative Combination" colors are: Crumb Cake, Not Quite Navy, and Riding Hood Red. While this might look like a card, it's actually a stack of envelopes. I made a set of cards for 1 of the PTO's raffle baskets, and I wanted to bundle the envies together to look just as nice as the cards. My Big Shot got a nice workout on this project! I used the Scallop Rectangle Clearlit die, the Little Leaves Sizzlit, and 1 Sizzlit from the Birds and Blooms Sizzlit 4-Pack. The sentiment is from the Fabulous Phrases stamp set.

The "Sweet Set" colors are Crumb Cake, Cajun Craze, and Garden Green. For this card I used the Inspired By Nature stamp set and a technique called Poppin' Pastels. To create this soft look, stamp your image in VersaMark® ink. Then, use Sponge Daubers to pick up color from the Stampin' Pastels®, and 'pounce' the color onto the image. To learn more about using VersaMark® ink, sign up for my May 31st Technique Tuesday class.

Early Espresso

Early Espresso is a new color that debuted this July. I LOVE this brown hue, and it has gotten quite a workout in my stamp room.

The "Dynamic Duo" colors are Early Espresso and Soft Suede. Both 3x3 cards feature the large floral image from the Fabulous Florets stamp set, which is on p22 of the Summer Mini Catalog. The sentiment which reads 'the earth laughs in flowers' is also from that stamp set. I stamped the '{thanks}' sentiment (from the Pretty Postage stamp set) in Early Espresso ink onto Confetti White card stock and tore around the edges. The layer of Early Espresso card stock behind the sentiment is punched with the new Postage Stamp punch. ☺


I think my photography skills, which are minimal at best, went AWOL on this card. I promise it looks better in real life. The "Creative Combination" colors are Early Espresso, Marina Mist, and Tangerine Tango; I added Confetti White card stock to balance this bold combination. The Marina Mist layer is dry embossed using the Square Lattice embossing folder and the Big Shot. The Early Espresso layer is spritzed with my mixture of rubbing alcohol and Frost White Shimmer Paint. All of the punched pieces were punched using the AMAZING Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer punch. I used a Whisper White Jumbo Brad and some gorgeous Basic Rhinestones to top it all off. ☺


♥♥♥♥♥LOVE how this scrapbook page turned out!!! I used My Digital Studio to create this page in the "Getting Started Combination" colors: Early Espresso, Whisper White, and Pretty in Pink. I am so excited to be able to create some 'pink' scrapbook pages now!! I have two boys, so lots of 'blue' pages. Could my Mom (who is also my Upline ☺) look any happier??!!

Chocolate Chip

What's not to love about Chocolate Chip??? It's such a great color, and it has 'chocolate' in its name!

This simple 3x3 card uses the "Dynamic Duo" colors: Chocolate Chip and Crumb Cake... yum! ;)
I stamped 'thank you' (from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set) in VersaMark ink, and heat embossed using clear embossing powder. 'What's that awesome punched piece??!!' you ask??? Well, it's two punched pieces actually... from the Doily Triple Layer punch (122465 $23.95). This punch is in the Summer Mini Catalog, which starts May 1st. I have to tell you, that one of the best perks of being a demonstrator is not having to wait to order awesome goodies. :)


The "Creative Combination" colors are Chocolate Chip, Wild Wasabi, and Pretty in Pink. I used the Apple Blossoms Hostess stamp set on this card. The sentiment is punched out with the 2"x1-3/8" Oval punch. Then I punched a piece of Pretty in Pink card stock with the Modern Label punch and cut that piece in half to layer behind the oval.


I really like how this card turned out using the "Sweet Set" colors: Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango, and Always Artichoke. I used the Extreme Elements stamp set to create the background images. The Extreme Skateboard image is stamped in VersaMark ink and heat embossed with clear embossing powder. I used a Chocolate Chip marker to ink 'happy' (from Teeny Tiny Wishes), stamped, cleaned, and then used the marker to ink 'birthday'. The sentiment is then punched out with the 1" Circle punch, and tied on with Hemp Twine. To finish off the card, I gave it one more layer of color with a Chocolate Chip marker and the Color Spritzer Tool.

Pink Pirouette

Pink Pirouette was previously an 'In Color, ' and it made a return this July. It is now a Core Color in the Subtles Collection.

The "Creative Combination" colors are Pink Pirouette, Baja Breeze, and Early Espresso. The images on this card are from the Fast & Fabulous Hostess stamp set, which is a great set for the Two-Step Stampin'® technique. The sentiment is from the Thoughts & Prayers stamp set. I used two punches on this card: Eyelet Border and 2-1/2" Circle.


The "Sweet Set" colors are Pink Pirouette, Sahara Sand, and Always Artichoke... a perfect color combination to make this card for my brand new niece born this evening!!!! For some reason, this photo just doesn't do the card justice - my projects always look better in real life, especially this one. I stamped the image from the Four Frames stamp set and punched it out with the Decorative Label punch. Using my Blender Pen, I added a hint of color (Pink Pirouette) to the flower petals. I punched a piece of Pink Pirouette card stock using the Curly Label punch, and then cut it in half to layer behind the 'frame' image. Two Basic Pearls and a Seam Binding bow add the finishing touch. I can't wait to give it to her... well, to my sister-in-law... as I get to meet her for the 1st time tomorrow! Yay!! :)

Pretty in Pink

Today's card - Pretty in Pink - is from the Subtles Collection.


The "Dynamic Duo" colors are Pretty in Pink and Melon Mambo. Since it doesn't get any more 'girlie' than this, I thought... why not throw in some glitter? For this card I used the Birthday Bakery Hostess stamp set, and the Homemade stamp for a little detail on the card stock punched with the 2-3/8" Scallop Circle punch. All of the images are stamped in Melon Mambo ink, so I used Pretty in Pink and Melon Mambo markers to add a bit of color. The grosgrain ribbon and Dazzling Diamonds glitter just make it the perfect girlie birthday card :)


The "Creative Combination" colors are Pretty in Pink , Certainly Celery, and Bashful Blue. I guess I wanted to give the Homemade stamp a workout - it really does add a great little detail to card stock you want to punch with the 2-3/8" Scallop Circle punch. The cute little whale from Fox & Friends is stamped in Bashful Blue ink and punched out with the 1-3/4" Circle punch.


I love our collection of Build-A-Bear Workshop stamps and Big Shot dies. They are easy to use to make the cutest projects. I stamped the little bear three times - twice onto Whisper White card stock and once onto the DSP. I used my Snips to cut out the dress, which I attached after coloring the bear with markers and Watercolor Pencils. I used my Snips again to cut out only the dress collar from the remaining stamped image. Then, I added a tiny bit of Crystal Effects to her shoes and flower. While this will be a one-of-a-kind card, I will definitely use the "Getting Started Combination" colors again (Pretty in Pink, Marina Mist, and Daffodil Delight).

Blushing Bride

Today's card from the Color Coach is Blushing Bride, which is from the 'In Color' collection. Blushing Bride will be available until June 2012.


Sometimes, you need a simple and easy design - this card is exactly that. The "Dynamic Duo" colors are Blushing Bride and Regal Rose. I stamped the image (twice) from the Just Believe stamp set in Blushing Bride ink. The sentiment from the Something to Celebrate Hostess stamp set is stamped in Regal Rose ink. 1/2" Stitched-Poly ribbon in Blushing Bride is the perfect finishing touch.


The "Creative Combination" colors are Blushing Bride, Early Espresso, and Pear Pizzazz. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these colors together!! The image and sentiment are from the Easter Blossoms stamp set. I love SU's punches - the more the merrier! This card features the Decorative Label, Scallop Oval, and 1-3/4"x7/8" Oval punches. I have become very addicted to the Basic Pearls... don't you just love them, too??? They're so easy to use with the adhesive already on the back... my projects just beg for them ;) It's difficult to see in the photo, but there is a yummy layer of shimmer on the card. I mixed some rubbing alcohol and Frost White Shimmer Paint in a travel-sized spray bottle. It works beautifully!!


Do ever finish your project, and feel like you can't wait to share it with someone? I feel that way all the time. I really felt it after I was done with this card... I wasn't quite sure what I was going to do with the "Sweet Set" colors: Blushing Bride, Perfect Plum, and Sahara Sand. I never would have put these together on my own... which would be sad to miss such a pretty combination. Thank you Color Coach :) I used the Vintage Vogue stamp set, Blushing Bride and Perfect Plum ink, 1/2" Stitched-Poly ribbon, and a little clip from the Clips Assortment (112580 $6.95) to create this card. So pretty :)