A Touch From the Heart

Stamping 411 Color Inspiration Challenge #61

I am SO excited to be back with the latest Stamping 411 Color Inspiration Challenge.  You see, the Stamping 411 operators took a vacation for the month of July.   It felt so good to take a bit of a break.  Now, I am ready to share even more color inspiration with you!

Every July 1st, Stampin' Up! comes out with five new colors.  They are called In Colors.   Each set of In Colors are available for two years.  How are In Colors chosen?  Well, you'll find that these colors can be found in fashion and home decor among other places.  There's lots of research going on to determine the five In Colors.  

Since I am the color girl, I decided to play with three of the brand new In Colors.  So, this month's Stamping 411 Color Challenge is Island Indigo, Calypso Coral and Pool Party.

I just love these colors together!  It's been SO hot that I made a card to cool things off.  Would you like to see it?

My Big Shot did a lot of the work on this card.  I used the Northern Flurry embossing folder to make the snowflake background.  My letters were cut using the Simple Alphabet Bigz die.  

For the "o", I stamped my snowman using Black StazOn ink onto Whisper White cardstock.  I watercolored the image using my Stampin' Write markers.  The image was punched with the 1 3/4" circle punch to make the "o".  I sponged the edges with some Pool Party ink.  It just makes it blend better with the rest of card.  

Well, what do you think of my "cool" card?  I'll leave you with the card recipe in case you want to recreate it.

All of the items used to make this card are available for purchase from my ONLINE STORE.  Thank you for choosing me as your demonstrator!

Card Recipe

stamps:  Snow Much Fun
paper:  Island Indigo, Pool Party, Whisper White
ink:  Black StazOn, Pool Party
accessories:  Big Shot, Northern Flurry embossing folder, Stampin' Write Markers, Aquapainter, 1 3/4" circle punch, paper piercing tool, mat pack, Moonlight Smooch Pearlized Accent Ink 

 

Color Inspiration #159

If you're a frequent reader of my blog, you know that every two weeks I post the Stamping 411 Color Inspiration Challenge.  

Every once in a while, I throw in a color that isn't one of my faves.  This week that color would be Basic Gray.  It's not that it's ugly......it's just not bright and pretty like all of my favorite colors!

This week's color challenge is Basic Gray, Old Olive and Not Quite Navy.  

Now, it wouldn't be fair to give you a "doozie" of a challenge without making a card myself.  So, here's my card.........a guy card seemed to fit these colors.  

Now, I keep telling myself......."Patti, that wasn't so bad.....was it?".  Nope!  But, I am a much happier person in the land of Poppy Parade, Rich Razzleberry and Daffodil Delight.  

Card Recipe

stamps:  The Open Sea, Sincere Salutations
paper:  Basic Gray, Old Olive, Not Quite Navy, Newsprint dsp (retiring)
ink:  Old Olive, Basic Gray, Not Quite Navy, Versamark
accessories:  2 1/2" circle punch, Decorative Label punch, white embossing powder, paper piercing tool, sponge 

Have you fallen in love with today's project?  All of the items used to make it are available for purchase from my ONLINE STORE.  

Color Inspiration #158

Happy Thursday stampers!

When I was pondering this week's Stamping 411 color inspiration challenge, I found myself looking at my fruit bowl.

You see, I've been on Weight Watchers for the past four weeks, and I've been eating a lot of fruit lately. I was always a good veggie eater, but lots of fruits just weren't my thing.  My parents never understood this as they LOVE fruit!  

This week's color combination is a mix of apple, canteloupe, pineapple and honeydew. Yum!!!

In the Stampin' Up! world the colors are Real Red, Peach Parfait, So Saffron and Certainly Celery.

I even made a cute little square card using these four yummy and nutritious colors!!!!!



Card Recipe

stamps: Fabulous Florets
paper: Real Red, Peach Parfait, Certainly Celery, Subtles Patterns dsp stack
ink: Old Olive, Peach Parfait, So Saffron
accessories: Black embossing powder, heat tool, Flower Garden embossing folder, Big Shot, White Organza ribbon

If you've fallen in love with today's project, all of the supplies to make it can be ordered from my demonstrator website.  

Don't forget to check out all the retired items at my online store too!  Get them before they are gone for good!

Wonderful Windowpanes!

It feels SO good to be stamping again.  You see, we just returned from a wonderful family vacation on Maui.   We had the best time frolicking at the beach, relaxing by the pool, watching humpback whales, snorkeling with sea turtles and just spending time together as a family.  One thing I haven't done since today was stamp.  Oh, how I missed it. 

As it turns out, I had quite a bit of stamping work to do today.  I needed to make my Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch Challenge card, my Stamping 411 Color Challenge card and design for my "It's All About Accessorizing" class this Friday.

One of the cards worked for both my class and the Color Challenge.

This week's Stamping 411 colors are:  Crumb Cake, Rose Red, Chocolate Chip and Always Artichoke.  

Most of the snow is gone here in MN, but it's WAY too early to plant anything.  In the mean time, I am going to have to stamp in order to get my fill of flowers.  That's not so bad, is it?

I'm not going to go into details about this card as my ladies haven't made it yet!  They need to be a little surprised!  I will leave you with the recipe in case you want to make it for yourself.

Card Recipe

stamps:  Clearly for You
paper:  Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Rose Red, Springtime Vintage
ink:  Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip
accessories:  Windowpanes, Linen Thread, Seam Binding (Rose Red, Always Artichoke), Big Shot, Square Lattice die, Sanding Block, Scallop Rectangle Clearlit, Latte buttons (retired), markers (Rose Red, Always Artichoke)

All of the items used to make this card (with the exception of the buttons which were on the Clearance Rack), are available for purchase through my demonstrator website.  Just click on "Shop Now" to enter my online store. 

 

Color Inspiration #152

Here's a fact about me.......I love purple. When Stampin' Up! announced their newest set of In Colors this past summer, I jumped for joy when there was a brand new purple. It's called Concord Crush, and it's rich and gorgeous.....just like a concord grape!

For this week's color inspiration challenge, I thought I would work with Concord Crush, So Saffron and Pear Pizzazz. I love these colors together! The softness of the yellow tones down the intensity of the purple, and the green is just yummy!

For my sample card I pulled out a stamp set I haven't played with in forever. It's called Happy Together, and it's a Sale-a-bration freebie! The partridges just make me smile! They look like they are having a grand 'ol time together!

You too can have a grand 'ol time........it's the final few weeks of Sale-a-bration.  Have you placed your Sale-a-bration order yet?  For every $50 you spend, you get to choose one Sale-a-bration item (like Happy Together) for FREE!!!!

Place your order today through my ONLINE STORE

  

Card Recipe

stamps: Happy Together

paper: Whisper White, So Saffron, Concord Crush, Level 1 hostess set designer series paper pack

ink: Concord Crush

accessories: Certainly Celery 1/4" grosgrain, Subtles buttons, Stampin' Write Markers (So Saffron, Pretty in Pink, Tangerine Tango), Scallop Edge Border Punch

 

Bring on the Brights!!!!

I don't know what it is this week, but I've been having a blast exploring the Brights Color Collection.  Secretly, I think it's my desire for Spring to just get here already. I know many of you feel the same way......it's been a wild and crazy winter.

 

The Stamping 11 Color Challenge for this week is Tempting Turquoise, Rich Razzleberry, Daffodil Delight and Pumpkin Pie.

As I was blog hopping this morning, I came across a Jessica Luther's tutorial for a funky fold card. It was just what I needed as my Just Cards class is being held this week......and I needed a funky fold design.

  

Now that I knew what kind of card I wanted to make, I needed to design the theme of my card. Butterflies seemed the perfect choice. A butterfly makes a transformation from something not so pretty (at this point, how I feel about Winter) into something spectacular (my anticipation of Spring).  

  

This card just makes me happy!  It uses my favorite tool....the Big Shot.....for both the scallop square background and for the Inlaid Embossing technique.

The inside of this card is really fun.  You can tuck in a gift card, some cash or a little message.  

If you live in the Twin Cities area, you can make this card at my class on Friday night.  Just send me an email if you are interested in attending!

If you would like to make this card at home, all of the products used to make it are available for purchase from my demonstrator website.  

    

Card Recipe

stamps: Inspired by Nature, Flight of the Butterfly

paper: Tempting Turquoise, Daffodil Delight, Rich Razzleberry, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White

ink: Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry

accessories: Scallop Edge border punch, Scallop Square Clear Bigz die, silver brads, Rich Razzleberry Satin Ribbon, Square Lattice embossing folder, Small Oval punch, Basic Rhinestones

 

Old Favorites

When you first started stamping, what colors were you first attracted to?  I was definitely a Bold Brights girl.....followed by the Soft Subtles.

Now that I have aged (I like to think like fine wine), my color preferences have also changed.  I am now a Regals type of girl with a sampling of earthy tones brought in.

For this week's color challenge, I am actually going to pick some colors that could've easily be used on a Christmas card.......but they are so rich that they work with a plethora of other occasions too!

This week's colors are Riding Hood Red, More Mustard and Always Artichoke.  Definitely rich and regal!!!

I made some beautiful red roses.  My wedding bouquet was made with 2 dozen red roses.  Man, that sucker was heavy.  I thought my matron of honor was going to hit me with it.....her arms were quivering due to the weight.  Good thing we didn't have an hour long mass, huh? 

I really love this new Baby Blossom stamp set.  It reminds me of a retired set called Watercolor Minis.  I still have that stamp set, but I really like this one better.  The images are less Monet-like.....much more defined! 

It's a two step stamp set......but with the Clear Mount, I've found that I don't need the Stamp-a-ma-jig.  If you want exact placement, by all means use the SAMJ.  But, if you are the "close enough for government work" type......just eyeball it like I do.  It looks great either way!

My roses are made with just Riding Hood Red ink.  The bottom, bolder image is stamped off once to get the more subtle shade.  The top defined image is stamped with the same ink but full strength. 

My sentiment comes from my beloved Sincere Salutations stamp set.  It's stamped with Chocolate Chip ink onto More Mustard cardstock and punched with the Wide Oval punch.  I sponged the edges to warm it up a bit more!

Well, I am off to enjoy the start of Stampin' Up's Leadership Conference.  I do have my laptop with me....so if you have any questions about today's card or the products I used, just let me know!

Card Recipe

stamps: Baby Blossoms, Sincere Salutations
paper:  Riding Hood Red, More Mustard, Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, More Mustard from Regals Patterns dsp stack
ink:  Riding Hood Red, Always Artichoke, More Mustard, Chocolate Chip
accessories:  Photo Corner punch, Wide Oval punch, sponges

Click on flower to order your Stampin' Up! products 

Baby Blossoms

Hello stampers! It seems like forever since I've put together springy colors for the Stamping 411 color challenge. So, this week I am going to do just that!  This week's colors are Rose Red, Wild Wasabi and So Saffron.

Now that Christmas has passed, I've been having so much fun playing with my floral stamps again. They truly are my favorite!!!! This week's colors just scream floral to me!!!!

I also get to show you a sneak peek of a few products from the Occasions Mini Catalog. I love sneak peeks.....don't you?

This card all started with my Rose Red base card. I added a layer of Wild Wasabi striped patterned paper. It comes from the Brights Patterns dsp stack.

To cover the seam, I used my Scallop Edge border punch along the bottom edge of a strip of So Saffron cardstock.

Now onto my focal image...........it uses a brand new two step stamp set called Baby Blossoms.  I used only three colors of ink on this image: Rose Red, Wild Wasabi and So Saffron. To achieve the different layers of color, all you need to do is use the Stamping Off technique. For example, for the roses.......I inked the bolder rose image with Rose Red ink and stamped off once onto some scrap paper. Then stamp onto the Whisper White focal image. Then I added the more detailed part of the rose....this time stamped full strength with Rose Red ink. For some of the leaves, they are stamped off twice. This gives a real shadowy look!

Can you spot something else new? The two "buttons" in the lower right corner are made of paper. I cut them using the new Sweet Buttons embosslit and my Big Shot. Once they were cut, I sponged the edges with So Saffron ink and adhered them to my card. I then added some Crystal Effects to make them shiny.....just like real buttons! Love this.....the button look without the button bulk!! Woo hoo!

 Card Recipe

stamps: Baby Blossoms (available Jan 4th), Thank You Kindly

paper: Rose Red, So Saffron, Basic Black, Subtles Patterns dsp stack

ink: Rose Red, So Saffron, Wild Wasabi, Basic Black

accessories: Wide Oval punch, Scallop Edge border punch, Big Shot, Sweet Buttons embosslit (available Jan 4th), Crystal Effects

How to Make ALL Your Holiday Cards in Less Than One Hour

What if told you that you could make ALL your holiday cards in less than one hour?

No, I am NOT crazy.  You totally can if you design your card with My Digital Studio.....Stampin' Up's digital software program.  Then, all you need to do is have them printed off by Stampin' Up!s professional printing studio.  They will mail you your cards and envelopes......all you have to do is address them and put on the postage.  Easy peasy!

For this week's Stamping 411 Color Inspiration Challenge, I made a digital card. 

 

My Digital Studio (MDS, for short) allows me to use pre-made designs or make my own custom designs.  There's cards, scrapbook pages, calendars and so much more!

I can add photos, text, designer series paper, cardstock, ribbons, buttons, brads, stitching all by clicking and moving my mouse.

Wanna hear something even better?  There's a Digital Plus Starter Kit available for only $87.50.   The retail value of this kit is $320. 

Here are the contents of the kit (and most of it you can customize with items you like):

- 3 stamp sets (Party Hearty, I {Heart} Hearts (clear mount) and So Many Thanks, OR 3 sets of your choice at the same or lower price)

- Clear Block C (OR clear block at the same or lower price)

- Assorted Color Card Stock 8 1/2" x 11" (Getting Started Pack or assortment of your choice)

- Cardstock 8 1/2" x 11" (your choice of Whisper White or Very Vanilla)

- FOUR Classic Ink Pads (Basic Black, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie and Real Red, OR 4 of your choice)

- TWO Stampin' Write Markers (Daffodil Delight and Marina Mist, OR 2 colors of your choice)

- Real Red 1/4" Grosgrain ribbon (OR ribbon at the same price or lower)

- one pack of Brights Designer buttons

- one pack of Stampin' Dimensionals

- one SNAIL adhesive (or adhesive at the same or lower price)

- one roll of Glue Dots

- Small Chocolate Songbird Tile Decor Elemets (or Decor Elements item at the same or lower price)

- Decor Elemenets Applicator Tool

- Stampin' Scrub

- Stampin' Mist (or StazOn Cleaner)

 

You will also receive some business supplies (catalogs, business forms and other supplies to get your business off to a great start). 

Now, I can hear some of you now.  I don't want to be a demonstrator.  You don't HAVE to be!  You can just purchase the Digital Plus Starter Kit (or the traditional Starter Kit) and just walk away......no strings attached....no penalties!  But, if you've been thinking about starting your own business, an investment of only $87.50 may just be the push you need to get your career started.   I would love to be your upline! 

Signing up is easy......just go to my demonstrator website and click on "Start Your Own Business".  Click on Join Now  and fill out the application.

My recruiting password is pattilynn

You will need a credit card to do this......and the shipping on the starter kit is FREE. 

So what are you waiting for!!!!  Whether you purchase the traditional kit (valued at $310) or the Digital Plus kit, you can be stamping and scrapbooking in no time!

Goin' For a Wild Ride

As I was working on some thank you cards for my customers, I asked my husband Dennis to pick the colors for this week's Stamping 411 color challenge. I handed him the Color Coach and told him to have fun.

Do you know what he came up with? Pacific Point, Pumpkin Pie and Melon Mambo.



After asking him to repeat himself, I just looked at him dumbfounded. He asked if I wanted him to pick out something else, but I couldn't say no to a real challenge.

So, I grabbed a chair and parked it in front of my stamp set cabinet. There I pondered all the possibilities.

I only needed to get to the E's (my stamp sets are stored alphabetically) before my inspiration hit.

Extreme Elements and Extreme Guitar are just what I needed to pull this color combo off!



My base card is Pacific Point cardstock (4 1/4" x 11"), folded in half.

Layer #2 is Whisper White. It's been stamped with various stamps from Extreme Elements using Pumpkin Pie, Melon Mambo and Pacific Point ink. The edges are sponged with Pumpkin Pie ink. This layer is matted on some Basic Black cardstock.

Layer #3 is Pumpkin Pie cardstock that has been stamped with Extreme Guitar using Basic Black Craft ink. I sprinkled on some Black embossing powder and heated it 'til melted. I also sponged this layer with Pumpkin Pie ink. This layer is matted with some Basic Black cardstock. A few rhinestones in the upper left and lower right corners add some rockin' bling!

At the bottom of the card I added a strip of Melon Mambo cardstock. I stamped the sentiment (from All Holidays) using Basic Black ink.

All that's left is the 1/8" Basic Black Taffeta ribbon covering the top seam of the Melon Mambo layer.

When I finished my card, I handed it over to Dennis. He LOVED it!!! I'm not so sure he thought I could pull that color combo off! It is a doozie!!!!

Have you fallen in love with this project?  All the supplies to make it can be ordered from Stampin' Up! through my demonstrator website.  Thanks for choosing me as your demonstrator!

Card Recipe

stamps:  Extreme Elements, Extreme Guitar, All Holidays
paper:  Pacific Point, Pumpkin Pie, Melon Mambo, Basic Black, Whisper White
ink:  Pacific Point, Pumpkin Pie, Melon Mambo, Basic Black
accessories:  Black embossing powder, heat gun, Basic Rhinestone, Basic Black 1/8" Taffeta