2018-2020 Retiring In Color, Grapefruit Grove

Retirement Time For Grapefruit Grove

Stampin’ Up! offers trendy In Color collections that are only available for two years. After two short years of use, the In Colors, like Grapefruit Grove, are retired to make way for new colors. This gives us a fresh palette of popular hues to work with.

In April, the retired list comes out. This list includes all the products that will not be available in the new Annual Catalog, which is released in June. “Get them before they’re gone” and “while supplies last” is often heard during April and May.

And every year, we have to say goodbye to five In Colors. Whether we are ready to, or not. Some of the colors are so fabulous, we hope to see them in Stampin’ Up!’s color line-up in the future, if we are so lucky, during an infrequent color refresh.

2018-2020 In Colors
2018-2020 In Color Classic Stampin’ Pads, item #147153

This year, we are bidding a fond farewell to the following 2018-2020 In Colors: Lovely Lipstick, Grapefruit Grove, Pineapple Punch, Call Me Clover and Blueberry Bushel.

Grove of Grapefruits

Cslypso Coral, Grapefruit Grove, Pumpkin Pie
Calypso Coral (left), Grapefruit Grove(center), Pumpkin Pie (right)

Grapefruit Grove is the softest tone of the 2018-2020 retiring In Color collection. I find nothing sour about this grapefruit, only sweet. And, if I were to use other food type descriptions for this color, I would name it “Completely Cantaloupe” or “Circus Peanut Treat”.

There is a tendency for this color to be used as orange, and yet it does not blend well with orange itself. Grapefruit pairs nicely with peachy tone colors, even pinks and reds. It is wonderful with neutral browns and grays, lending light to those earthy hues.

Beauty Abounds

Beauty Abounds in Grapefruit Grove

My card is bursting with Grapefruit Grove. I used this color for the cardstock base, as well as the butterflies, which I die cut from the Butterfly Beauty Dies. Once I trimmed the butterfly ensemble apart, I used 3 of the 5 on my card front, leaving 2 for another project.

I love whimsical stripes and playful polka dots. The Designer Series Paper here is from a retired 2018-2020 In Color collection. All DSP is patterned differently on opposite sides, and in this case, I used the same paper, front and back, in creation.

I stamped the flourish in Memento Tuxedo Black Ink directly onto the DSP. Additionally, I stamped the opaque circles in Grapefruit Grove Ink onto the DSP in the same direct manner. I chose pearls to add a touch of elegance, as well as follow thru with the minimal colors of this endearing card.

Nature’s Beauty

Nature's Beauty Card in Grapefruit Grove

Basic Gray and Cajun Craze are both darker colors, and Grapefruit Grove is the perfect choice to perfectly compliment and soften this card.

I stamped the fox image with Memento Black Ink on Whisper White Cardstock. Next, I colored the fox with Cajun Craze Stampin’ Blends, using the Color Lifter to help provide shading. My foxy fox is matted on a piece of Grapefruit Grove Cardstock.

Texture on cards is nice, so I added it twice! First, I embossed in Hammered Metal on Basic Gray. Secondly, I embossed in Subtle 3D on Grapefruit Grove. The sentiment for this card is from the stamp set, Heartland. Happiness Blooms Enamel Dots in Calypso Coral and Grapefruit Grove Nature’s Twine complete the look.

Beautiful Promenade

Beautiful Promenade card in Grapefruit Grove

For my last card, I wanted to showcase a pleasing palette of colorful combinations that included Grapefruit Grove. Calypso Coral, Poppy Parade and Real Red round out the flowers on display.

I stamped each flower using the same ink color as my cardstock, for a tone on tone look. The Beautiful Promenade Stamp Set has an outline flower stamp as well as an inner striping stamp. I stamped each outline using direct ink to paper. The inner image was stamped off first, for lighter inking.

My choice of Basic Black and Whisper White as a stark background enabled the flowers to really pop. Soft Seafoam lends a gentle green tone to the leaves, helping to center the sentiment, which I die cut from the Stitched So Sweetly Dies.

Going, Gone, Grapefruit

I will admit that Grapefruit Grove was not one of my go-to colors over the past two years. But, now that it is retiring, I have come to the conclusion that I am not ready for it to leave, much like my adoration for another retiring In Color, Lovely Lipstick.

Stampin' Up! products in Grapefruit Grove

It is not too late to get some of the wonderful products still available in Grapefruit Grove, but time is running out fast. If you pick up an ink pad, please purchase the ink refill too. You will stamp far into the future without the ink pad going dry.

While you are in my online store, https://www.juliemakson.stampinup.net, make sure you consider the 2018-2020 In Color Stampin’ Write Markers, as well as cardstock and embellishments. You will find that Grapefruit Grove is an easy ingredient to mix into your next project.

2018-2020 Retiring In-Color, Lovely Lipstick

Retirement Time for Lovely Lipstick

Stampin’ Up! offers trendy In Color collections that are only available for two years. After two short years of use, the In Colors, like Lovely Lipstick, are retired to make way for new colors. This gives us a fresh palette of popular hues to work with.

In April, the retired list comes out. This list includes all the products that will not be available in the new Annual Catalog, which is released in June. “Get them before they’re gone” and “while supplies last” is often heard during April and May.

And every year, we have to say goodbye to five In Colors. Whether we are ready to, or not. Some of the colors are so fabulous, we hope to see them in Stampin’ Up!’s color line-up in the future, if we are so lucky, during an infrequent color refresh.

2018-2020 In Colors
2018-2020 In Color Classic Stampin’ Pads, item #147153

This year, we are bidding a fond farewell to the following 2018-2020 In Colors: Lovely Lipstick, Grapefruit Grove, Pineapple Punch, Call Me Clover and Blueberry Bushel.

A Lipstick So Lovely

Melon Mambo (left) Lovely Lipstick (center) Real Red (right)

When this particular shade of lipstick hit the ground, there was great debate over whether it was red or pink. The answer lies somewhere in between. And like a good lipstick, it can be slapped on and it will make any ensemble complete.

Lovely Lipstick is a bright and cheerful color. It does not have the sassy attitude that Melon Mambo has, nor is it sharp like Real Red. Lovely is more refined and regal, deeply intense and mature. And like a good lady, Lovely changes her mind from day to day, dithering between pink and red, per her mood.

Band Together

Card mad with Band Together Stamp Set in Lovely Lipstick

In the card above, I stamped the flower image twice, using Lovely Lipstick ink and cardstock. Then, I cut out the images with the coordinating dies, Detailed Bands.

I used an older version of the 2018-2020 In Color 6×6″ Designer Series Paper, which has two-toned stripes. The sentiment is stamped in Lovely Lipstick ink and die cut. Afterward, I placed it on a banner-punched piece of coordinating card stock.

The supporting colors for this card are Blushing Bride, seen in the floral accent pieces, and Granny Apple Green, used for the leaves. Lovely Lipstick works beautifully with these pinks and greens.

Under My Umbrella

Card made with Under My Umbrella Stamp Set using Lovely Lipstick

I stamped the umbrella image using Memento Tuxedo Black Ink three times: once each on Lovely Lipstick, So Saffron and Calypso Coral cardstock. Next, I punched each umbrella out using the coordinating Umbrella Builder Punch.

Using my Paper Snips, I fussy cut a third of the umbrella out of the two supporting colors. Afterward, I glued together my multi-color umbrella, keeping the Lovely Lipstick umbrella as a base.

Again, a retired version of the 2018-2020 In Color Designer Series Paper was used, this time in polka-dots. The rain boots in So Saffron and the flowers in Calypso Coral reiterate support of the featured color, making this rainy day card anything but dreary.

Nothing Sweeter

Lest we think Lovely is only used in pink variations, here it is in Christmas red formatting. I die cut a stitched square in Lovely Lipstick cardstock as a layering piece in this seasonal changeable magnet to my home decor frame.

Greens in Garden and Granny Apple were used on the Christmas tree, from the retired stamp set Nothing Sweeter. The garland was stamped in Lovely Lipstick. I used the retired Sweetly Stitched Framelits Dies to cut out the tree.

The ribbon has Real Red and Garden Green in it, and the star is red glimmer paper. Lovely Lipstick looks holiday festive when combined with traditional Christmas colors.

Lovely Long Gone

I am sad to see this lovely color leaving the Stampin’ Up! family. This mix of not-a-girly-pink to faded-antique-red has been a hit in my craft room. Here’s hoping it returns some day in a color refresh down the road.

Stampin' Up! products in Lovely Lipstick

It is not too late to get some of the wonderful products still available in Lovely Lipstick, but time is running out fast. If you pick up an ink pad, please purchase the ink refill too. You will stamp far into the future without the ink pad going dry.

While you are in my online store, https://www.juliemakson.stampinup.net, make sure you consider the Stampin’ Blends in Lovely Lipstick, as well as cardstock and embellishments. You will find it so easy to put this amazing color to use on your next project!

Welcome Easter Stamp Set

Cards Made With Welcome Easter Stamp Set

In springtime, and especially at Easter-tide, we all look to herald the season with sweet pastel colors. The Welcome Easter Stamp Set definitely provides the “sweet”, and I chose great pastel colors to create these adorable, welcoming cards.

You will find that the Welcome Easter Stamp Set does more than welcome Easter. There is also a sentiment to welcome a new baby, or greet a sweet friend. I picture myself pulling out these stamps all year to make birthday cards for the young, and the young at heart.

Welcome Easter Stamp Set item 151559
Welcome Easter Stamp Set, item 151559

Basic Card Recipe

All of the cards pictured above were made with the same card recipe. I made each card unique by changing the cardstock choices, designer series paper, embossing folder and stamped image.

Each card contains:

  • Cardstock base, 5 1/2 x 8 1/2″, scored and folded in half
  • Layer 1: 4 1/8 x 5 3/8″
  • Embossed Whisper White: 2 1/2 x 4″
  • Designer Series Paper (DSP): 2 1/2 x 4″
  • Cardstock Circle: 2 1/2″
  • Whisper White Circle: 2 1/4″
  • Sentiment, Whisper White: 3/4 x 2 3/4″
  • Inside Layer (if desired) Whisper White 4 x 5 1/4″

Creating Circles

First, I stamped the critter images from the Welcome Easter Stamp Set onto Whisper White Cardstock, using Memento Tuxedo Black Ink. After stamping, I punched these images out using my 2 1/4″ Circle Punch. I then used my 2 1/2″ Circle Punch with colorful cardstock, to layer behind my stamped image.

If you don’t have these particular circle punches, another option in your craft arsenal may be the Layering Circles Dies. It is easy to choose the correct size needed by “dry-fitting” the die to the stamped image. Then, choose a larger die to create the colorful layer.

Circle Punches and Layering Circles Dies

Designer Series Paper

Along with the Welcome Easter Stamp Set, the Designer Series Paper used in the making of these cards also came from Stampin’ Up!’s January-June 2020 Mini Catalog.

At first glance, the Best Dressed 6 x 6″ DSP looks like flowers and make-up. But, fortunately, all Designer Series Paper is two sided! I chose pastel colors from this paper stack for all but the Blue Bunny Card.

Best Dressed DSP item 151319
Best Dressed 6 x 6″ DSP, item #151319

The Blue Bunny Card uses DSP from another 6 x 6″ paper stack, titled Birthday Bonanza. Again, at first glance, this paper appears to be animals and birthday themed. However, there are two sides to this paper also!

Birthday Bonanza DSP item 151313

Pink Bunny Card

The cardstock base for the Pink Bunny Welcome Easter Card is in Flirty Flamingo, along with the 2 1/2″ circle. Layer 1 is in Blushing Bride.

I specifically chose the embossing folder, Basket Weave 3D, because it reminded me of an Easter basket when paired with the adorable bunny. The DSP is from the Best Dressed paper stack.

Pink Bunny Card

I used Stampin’ Blends to color my pink bunny. Dark Flirty Flamingo was used to accent the ears, nose and feet. (Retired) Light Pink Pirouette was used to shade in the rest of the bunny. I left the teeth and chest ruff uncolored.

Stampin' Blends

Blue Bunny Card

If your Welcome Easter Bunny Card is too pink, turn it blue! Blue happens to be my granddaughter’s favorite color, so I made her Easter card to order, as any awesome grandmother would do!

The cardstock base is Balmy Blue, as is the 2 1/2″ circle. Layer 1 is Mint Macaron. Again, I used the Basket Weave 3D Embossing Folder. And this is the only card in the group that uses DSP from the Birthday Bonanza paper stack.

Blue Bunny Card

When coloring the blue bunny, I turned to my Stampin’ Blends again. This time, Dark Balmy Blue and Light Balmy Blue did the job. I used the Color Lifter Blend to lighten the blue color on the bunny’s face and body. The teeth and chest ruff were left uncolored.

Stampin' Blends

Yellow Chick Card

The cardstock color, So Saffron, is the perfect option as a base for the Welcome Easter Yellow Chick card. Layer 1 is in Pumpkin Pie, and for this card, the 2 1/2″ circle is as well.

I chose the embossing folder, Beads & Baubles, because the drooping beads are oval, or egg shape, in nature. We will not get into the age old debate, “Which came first, the chicken or the egg?”. The DSP is from the Best Dressed paper stack.

Yellow Chick Card

It was so easy to color in this baby chick. I used Light So Saffron to color the body, followed by Dark Pumpkin Pie for the comb, beak, legs and feet.

Stampin' Blends

Blue Lamb Card

This Welcome Easter Card was also specially crafted, for my grandson’s very first Easter. The cardstock color base and 2 1/2″ circle are in Balmy Blue. Layer 1 is in Highland Heather.

Here, I chose the embossing folder, Eyelet Lace, as it reminded me of curly wool, especially when used with Whisper White Cardstock. The DSP is from the Best Dressed paper stack.

Blue Lamb Card

There was minimal coloring for the lamb, he is mostly white. I did use the Dark Balmy Blue Stampin’ Blend for the ears, nose, ribbon and feet. I also added some white swirls to the lamb’s body with the Chalk Marker.

Unlike the blends, do not use the Chalk Marker over top of the black stamped image lines, stay within the boundaries. The Chalk Marker will dull your lines, whereas the Stampin’ Blends do not.

Stampin Blend and Chalk Marker

Happy Easter

My Welcome Easter themed cards say it all: “Happy Easter”! I used Memento Tuxedo Black Ink for my sentiment on the 3/4 x 2 3/4″ Whisper White Cardstock. After stamping, I attached all of the card layers to the card base with adhesive.

Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

And Beyond

Like I mentioned above, the Welcome Easter Stamp Set doesn’t need to be limited to Easter cards. Neither does this card recipe! It is simple enough to use these measurements and design when making any card.

If you are looking for additional easy card recipes, please take a look at my Monday’s Are Hard, Stamping Shouldn’t Be Series. And if you enjoyed these cards or this tutorial, please feel free to pin or share!

Most of the products used in making the Welcome Easter cards can be found in my online store, https://www.juliemakson.stampinup.net. Shopping with me has its merits, Mainley Stamping Merits, where earning a free stamp set is just one of the ways I thank each of my customers.

For now, I thank you for spending your time on my blog today. Please visit again soon, I look forward to sharing more stamping projects and insights with you!

Sweetly Swirled In Balmy Blue

Monday’s Are Hard, Stamping Shouldn’t Be

Card made with Sweetly Swirled Stamp Set

Monday’s are hard, but in this cardmaking series, I will show you that stamping shouldn’t be. In fact, it’s quite easy. And with minimal supplies and minimal efforts, you can get fabulous results!

Today’s Monday card features the stamp set, Sweetly Swirled. This stamp set was released new, from the 2019-2020 Stampin’ Up! Annual Catalog. It includes 14 photopolymer stamps, 3 of which feature sweet swirls.

These swirls make great accent images for any of your cards or projects! And two of them coordinate with dies, in the form of Layering Circles or Layering Ovals.

Sweetly Swirled Stamp Set
Sweetly Swirled Stamp Set, item #149254

However, since we are using minimal supplies, this Monday Card only uses the stamp set.

That’s right, one stamp set, Sweetly Swirled, two ink pads, Balmy Blue and Memento Tuxedo Black, and two colors of cardstock, Balmy Blue and Whisper White. Please follow along!

A Monday Card

The Card Recipe

Balmy Blue CS: 5 1/2 x 8 1/2″, score at 4 1/4″ for card base.

Balmy Blue CS: (2 of) 1 x 3 3/4″, (2 of) 1/2 x 1″

Whisper White CS: 4 x 5 1/4″ (for inside, optional)

Whisper White CS: 4 x 4″, 3 3/4 x 3 3/4″, 1 1/4 x 4″, 3/4 x 3 1/2″, 1/2 x 1 1/4″

Stamp and Assemble

This Monday’s Are Hard, Stamping Shouldn’t Be Sweetly Swirled Card starts out with the typical “fold in half” and score with your bonefolder to get a great crisp card base. Let’s not break tradition.

However, my TIP to you is to score once, invert the fold and score again. Your inner crease is now as crisp as the outer one. This makes for a professional looking card base!

Balmy Blue CS and Bonefolder

Create Your Own Designer Series Paper

With the minimal supplies used in this card, we are not adding designer series paper to it. We are making our own! This great background pattern can be used with any stamp sets you own.

First, I stamped a fully inked flower onto my 3 3/4″ square of Whisper White CS using Balmy Blue Ink. Next, I immediately stamped the shadow flower beside it, offsetting slightly. This is known as second generation stamping.

Be sure to add some darker flowers to the outer edges. It’s okay to stamp off the edge of your paper to create your individualized pattern. I always have scrap paper behind my work in progress to catch excess ink.

Flower Stamp from Sweetly Swirled

The largest circle swirl stamp fits nicely into the flowered square. I stamped this swirl in Memento Tuxedo Black Ink in the middle of the square. Because there is no up, down or other orientation to this stamp, it is easily placed.

Large Circle Sweetly Swirled Stamp

For another random pattern, I used one of the Balmy Blue 1 x 3 3/4″ CS pieces and Balmy Blue Ink, and a different flower stamp from the first choice. This time I did not shadow stamp my image. Mixing things up creates variation interest.

Flower from Sweetly Swirled Stamp Set

Faux Sponging

A great way to add color to the edge of your cardstock is to sponge some on. Since this card requires minimal supplies, we are making this happen in another manner.

Hold your ink pad in one hand and swipe the edge of the ink pad onto the edge of the cardstock, going around the entire square. This will add needed contrast between the card layers.

You’re Really Missed

Are you a victim of crooked sayings? You can use your grid paper to line up those photopolymer stamp sentiments. Here’s how:

  1. Place the stamp (image side down and flat side up) along the grid line.
  2. Adjust stamp as needed, so that it is nice and even.
  3. Then, simply add your clear block by placing it over the stamp.
Sentiment from Sweetly Swirled Stamp Set
Once your sentiment is lined up nicely, it is up to you to stamp it straight!

I used Memento Tuxedo Black Ink to stamp my sentiment on the 3/4 x 3 3/4″ Whisper White CS. For me, using the smallest piece of cardstock for my sentiment helps keep the saying centered. Less paper=less room for error!

Sentiment from Sweetly Swirled Stamp Set

To emphasize the “really” in this sentiment, I added Balmy Blue Ink with the smallest swirl stamp around this word. So that it wasn’t too bold, I stamped off onto my scrap paper first.

Small Circle Sweetly Swirled Stamp

Finishing Touches

As cardmakers, we tend to have lots of little scraps of paper lying around at any given time. In this card, I put some of them to great use as accent pieces!

The half-inch wide strips flag easily. I use my Paper Snips to cut from the corner edge toward the middle. Repeat on the other side, until your triangle falls off.

Paper Snips

To dress my flags up, I added contrasting colors in tiny circles. If you have don’t have a small circle punch, check your office supplies. I used an ordinary hole punch for this minimal supplies required card. Tiny drops of glue, or small glue dots will hold them fast.

Tombow Glue Adhesive and Hole Punch

Assembly

This Sweetly Swirled card has quite a few layers, but they go together quickly. Here is a picture showing the “layout of layers”.

Sweetly Swirled Card Pieces

I like to put each layer “set” together before I adhere it to the card base. Typically, I start from the top and work toward the bottom.

The Insider Job

Your Sweetly Swirled card is beautiful on the outside, now lets make it pretty inside too! I like to mimic some of the outer stamping into a corner of the inside card. This way the card has continuity and there is still lots of room to add your own sentiment or written thoughts.

Sweetly Swirled Stamps
Here, I used the same technique from the stamping of the front of the card, to add that inside interest.

Now is a good time to add some stamping to your envelope too! You could choose from the swirl stamps, the flower stamps or the sentiment stamp.

Step It Up

Sweetly Swirled Card with Pearls, Stampin' Blends colored

If you have Pearl Basic Jewels, item #144219, you can use your Stampin’ Blends to color them. This will create some bling in the color you need for your project. I used the Dark Balmy Blue Stampin’ Blend, item #148542, to color some of my pearls.

Easy Monday Stamping

I hope you enjoyed making this easy card on a hard Monday with me. My video tutorial can be found on my FaceBook page, as well as my YouTube channel. To see another Easy Monday Card, featuring Beautifully Braided, click here.

If you need any supplies for this card, please feel free to visit my online store, https://www.juliemakson.stampinup.net, at any time. See you next Monday for another installment of:

Monday’s Are Hard, Stamping Shouldn’t Be!

Ornate Garden Suite Part III

Cards made from the Ornate Style Bundle

Ornate Style Bundle

In Part III of this series, I am continuing my review of the Ornate Garden Suite, turning my focus to the Ornate Style Bundle. This bundle is made up of the Ornate Style Stamp Set and Ornate Layers Dies.

Previously, in Part I, I covered the embellishments (Ornate Garden Specialty Designer Series Paper, Ornate Garden Ribbon Combo Pack and Gilded Gems) and Ornate Floral 3D Embossing Folder. And in Part II, I covered the Ornate Thanks Bundle (Ornate Thanks Stamp Set and Ornate Border Dies).

All of these fabulous new products are part of Stampin’ Up!’s exclusive early release from the upcoming 2020-2021 annual catalog. To add to the excitement, you can purchase these now, whether individually, as bundles, or as the entire suite.

Ornate Style Bundle item #154119
The Ornate Style Bundle, item # 154119. When you purchase the stamps and dies together, you automatically save 10%.

Ornate Layers Dies

I adore this very ornate collection of layers, totaling 8 dies. The largest die is 5 1/2 x 4″, which almost covers the entire front of an A4 card base.

As I use these dies, six out of eight have nesting capabilities with like size counterparts. The same six have solid inner surfaces. I find this is perfect for adding focal points to, or stamping directly on.

The remaining two dies in this collection provide stencil style cut-aways. I discovered that the paper used with these dies will continue to have a solid border after the die cutting process is completed.

After working so hard to die cut the Ornate Border Dies from the Ornate Thanks Bundle, I was pleased that die cutting the Ornate Layers Dies from the Ornate Style Bundle was a breeze! With one pass thru the die cutting machine, minimal effort was required on my part to remove excess cut-away paper.

Ornate Layers Dies

TIP: When running dies thru your die cutting machine, I recommend placing the die at an angle whenever possible. This will prevent wear and damage to both the die and your machine. You will notice less effort is needed for cutting, and less noise is emitted from the process as well.

You’re Amazing Card

Card mad with Orante Style Bundle

For this sweet card in soft pastel colors of Soft Seafoam, Whisper White and Highland Heather, I continue my use of the Ornate Floral 3D Embossing Folder. The focal point is a group of watercolored flowers, from a stamp in the Ornate Styles Stamp Set.

Here are some of the details of the making of this card:

Water Color Process

Adding water to your paper makes it wet and soggy…obviously! It is best to use watercolor paper or Stampin’ Up!’s Shimmery White Cardstock for this application.

However, I would like to disclose that I did not follow this sound advice. I used regular Whisper White Cardstock, and I am pleased with my results. My take-away is that you can and should always experiment. Have fun!

First, I “stamped off” the flower image using Sahara Sand ink. The term “stamp off” means that you ink your stamp, stamp “off” onto a scrap paper, using up some of the ink, then immediately stamp on to your desired paper. This results in a lighter stamped image.

Second, I began to color with the Stampin’ Up! Watercolor Pencils. These high quality, smooth pencils come in Stampin’ Up! colors, perfect to match the proper tone to Stampin’ Up! ink and paper.

I did not carefully apply the pencil color, as can be seen in my photo. In fact, I quickly scribbled the pencil colors over my stamped image. The third step in my process will correct what appears to be a mess. Plus, time saver!

Stampin' Up! Watercolor Pencils

Third and last step, I used the Aqua Painter to blend all the watercolor pencil scribbles into a consistent washed coverage. I started with the lightest colors and worked to darkest, applying water to each image separately. I wiped transferred color from the paintbrush end as needed.

The paper will need to dry well and be flattened before use. This process doesn’t take too long, fortunately.

This image shows watercoloring partially completed. Notice the difference between the scribbles and the blended areas.

Finishing Touches

The use of Ornate Layers Dies creates the perfect frame for my watercolor masterpiece. The Highland Heather Cardstock layered behind the white ornate frame adds a pleasing backdrop.

The sentiment “you’re amazing” comes from the stamp set, Ornate Thanks. I stamped this image in Gorgeous Grape, a darker complimentary purple. I love to put those tiny scraps of paper to good use.

The two side-tabs were created from single die cuts. After adhering the Soft Sea Foam to Whisper White, I cut the assembly in half and added both pieces to my card front.

Ornate Layers Dies

From The Bottom Of My Heart Card

Card made from the Ornate Style Bundle

Have I mentioned that I love the Ornate Floral 3D Embossing Folder yet? In this card, I embossed the entire front of the base. This required me to fold the back of the card around the edge of the closed embossing folder in order to run it thru my embossing machine.

Additionally, here are some more details regarding this card:

Stampin’ Blend Daisy

The focal point of this cheerful card is the single, zesty daisy. I quickly created it by stamping the image in Memento Tuxedo Black Ink onto Whisper White Cardstock. It fits perfectly into a Ornate Layers Die.

From there, I used Stampin’ Blends in Light Cajun Craze, Light Mango Melody and Dark Old Olive for a quick dash of color. These choices compliment the Terracotta Tile card base, Calypso Coral accent layer and Ornate Garden Specialty Designer Series Paper selection.

Stampin' Blends
Stampin’ Blends come in light and dark tones, and can create gorgeous highlights when used together. Here, I used single colors for quick results.

Finishing Touches

Lots of ornate layers, Terracotta Tile ribbon from the Ornate Garden Ribbon Combo Pack, a sentiment from the Ornate Thanks Stamp Set and Gilded Gems complete this card.

Card Corrections!

Did you notice the errors I made when stamping in, of all colors, black ink? Maybe not, since I covered them up to the best of my crafty ability. Here I disclose the mistakes made and corrective measures taken:

  • Problem: The daisy image on my card had a smudge of black to the left of the stem near the bottom.
  • Solution: Gilded Gems to the rescue! The center gem covers my inky smudge. Not just for decorative purpose only.
  • Problem: More black ink smudging above the word “of” along the top of my sentiment strip.
  • Solution: Careful placement of the lacey overlay from the Ornate Layers Die above. By lowering this piece slightly over my sentiment strip, the ink smudge is less noticeable.

Conclusion: There are no mistakes in papercrafting, just creativity in process.

Thanks For All You Do Card

Card made from Ornate Style Bundle

This last card in my review of the Ornate Style Bundle is inspired by the daisies in the DSP I used. Therefore, the color palette Whisper White, So Saffron and Crumb Cake are obvious choices.

Following is the assembly process:

Ornate Suite Options

One of my background layers on this card is So Saffron, embossed with the Ornate Floral 3D folder. I love the look of antiquing or grunging with brown inks, and I did so on some of the embossed image with Crumb Cake Ink. While my sponge was out, I added some ink to the Ornate Layer Die piece, cut in Crumb Cake Cardstock as well.

The white daisy border die cut, form the Ornate Border Dies, was a left-over piece from another crafting session. All that was needed was a trim, top and bottom to better fit my card front.

Finishing Touches

Layered in action are three of the dies from the Ornate Layers Dies, using the above mentioned colors. Adding these three pieces to any card in any hue is a no-brainer! I chose this selection as a decorative fill element, drawing the eye across the card front as layers merge into each other.

Again, the sentiments are from the stamp set, Ornate Thanks, and I inked them up with Early Espresso onto thin Whisper White Cardstock scraps. I flagged each end by hand, using my Paper Snips. Gilded Gems over the center of each flower add a touch of golden sparkle.

Ornate Garden Suite Conclusion

The Ornate Garden Suite has a lot to offer! I love that the components work so well together, yet can stand alone. It is budget friendly, whether you bundle and save, or as you pick and choose which individual items are must have’s for your crafting experience.

I spent quite some time getting to know this suite and creating samples with these brand new products. In my three part blog series, I highlighted different items. Now, I will share the best of the best, as I see it!

Best Embellishment

The Ornate Floral 3D Embossing Folder. This item may not be considered an embellishment, but it creates embellishments and was highlighted in Part I with similar items from this suite. This folder created raised flowers in all but one of the cards I featured with this suite. I really like it!

The embossing folder is easy to use. It is smaller in size (not the 6×6) so less stress of lining it up just right in your die cutting machine. There is no orientation or straight lines to try to emboss. And the pattern is small, blending into the background without being overbearing. All sweet things!

Best Stamp Set

The Ornate Thanks Stamp Set. I am always a fan of stamp sets that have great sentiments or sayings. This one in nothing but! This huge offering of things to say has incredible value. I showcased sayings from this stamp set in each of the cards from my three part series.

This is a photopolymer stamp set, which makes it really easy to see thru to line up for precise stamping. And no stickers required for assembly, like the red rubber style. The scripty font is, perhaps, my favorite part of this set. As well, the sayings can be masked to create additional options, per Part II of my review. I only hope we see more of this great font in upcoming stamp sets…

Best Dies

The Ornate Layers Dies. I love layers. If you have been looking at any of my card creations, by now you must realize this. I love layers. If layers are like accessories, my cards are well dressed!

This die set has “layers” in its name. We were meant to be together. I appreciate the ease of die cutting with this set, no fussy-ness involved. And layering is super easy, as well as fancy and fun. In fact, if I had to pick only 1 item form this suite, it would definitely be the Ornate Layers Dies.

Be As Ornate As You Can

I hope you have enjoyed following my three part exploration of the Ornate Garden Suite. If you need any of the supplies that I used to create my Ornate Garden cards, please stop by my online store, https://www.juliemakson.stampinup.net.

I would love to know your thoughts on the products I have featured, so be sure to drop your comments below! May your continued creativity be ornate!