The world turns green on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17th. I love green everyday, it is my favorite color. Green is often a supporting color in cardmaking, seen as frogs, summer leaves and pine trees. But today it takes over beautifully in ever so elegant green cards.
Green With Envy
Stampin’ Up! offers 53 different colors in their spectrum of coordinating collections. And they do green very well, as 11 of the 53 colors have green tendencies. That speaks loudly of the importance of green in cardmaking.
Light Green:
Soft Seafoam, Pear Pizzazz, Mint Macaron
Medium Green:
Granny Apple Green, Old Olive, Call Me Clover
Dark Green:
Garden Green, Shaded Spruce, Mossy Meadow
Blue-Green:
Coastal Cabana, Bermuda Bay
Beautifully Braided In Green
Soft Seafoam and Mossy Meadow marry in spectacular fashion for elegant green cards. Instead of the typical colorful flower petals, I chose to make the leafy version of this stamp from the set Beautifully Braided. The Scripty 3D embossing folder in one of my personal favorites, and mimics a print from the 6×6 Designer Series Paper color collection, quickly crafted from a circle punch.
Greening Positive Thoughts
Grays and greens have more in common than the letter “G”. They are earthy tones and transition well with other colors. This elegant green card, featuring the Positive Thoughts stamp set and coordinating product release, Nature’s Thoughts Dies, is supported by Gray Granite and Basic Gray. The fabulous DSP comes from the 12×12 Garden Lane, a green lovers must have!
Garden Lane DSP, item #149488
Spring Green Timeless Tulips
Flower cards are often very elegant, but green usually takes the back seat to lively colorful arrays. White tulips look natural with the abundance of green in this stunning card. Notice that the circle punched from this DSP was used in my card above! And the ribbon used here is from the retired green, Wild Wasabi.
As you can see, it is easy to make elegant green cards. Stop by my online store, https://www.juliemakson.stampinup.net, and add some green papers and inks to your order. Then make the world a greener place in your own crafty way!
Tulips symbolize perfect love. Stampin’ Up! has the perfect stamp set and coordinating punch to make beautiful tulips that you will love! I have been busy creating Timeless Tulips colorful combinations, and I will admit, it is hard to stop experimenting.
The Timeless Tulips Stamp Set and Tulip Builder Punch are available individually or as a bundle in the January-June 2020 Mini Catalog. When purchased together, the everyday savings of 10% applies. Even beginner crafters will find it easy to conjure up Timeless Tulips colorful combinations masterpieces.
Orange Timeless Tulips Card
Creating paper tulips (and this card) is simple. Just follow the basic guidelines and the fantastic tips I am sharing. You, too, will soon be on your way to making gorgeous blooms like the ones pictured!
Tulips: Stamp, Punch, Sponge
Tulip Builder Punch, item #151295
Start by making a punch template for your stamps. Use any scrap of cardstock on hand, and punch.
BonusTip: Use a marker to write “Punch Template” on your cardstock, then tuck it into your stamp set for future use. A bold label will help you avoid tossing the template as ‘accidental garbage’.
Next, line up the coordinating stamps in your punch template. Place the stamps with the image (raised edges) down and the back (flat side) facing up.
Super Important: Match the cardstock punch template to the image of the bottom of the punch. As seen above, the template and the punch bottom show the petal to the left of the large tulip. If you flip your paper over in error, the stamped images will no longer align with the punch.
After your stamps are lined up properly, place a clear block over them to position the stamps on it for proper punch alignment. Here, I used Clear Block D.
To make the orange tulips, I started by stamping the large tulip and petal in Pumpkin Pie Ink onto So Saffron Cardstock.
Helpful Advice: Depending on the amount of ink in your ink pad, you may need to stamp off first to create the desired image tone. Trial and error makes alluring deviations.
The correct positioning of the stamps from the punch template makes it easy to stamp and punch once, without having to line up both images and punch individually. Time saver!
For depth and additional color, I used Poppy Parade Ink and a section of a Stamping Sponge for application. Apply the ink, by sponging, to all outer edges of both the tulip and the petal.
I find sponging helpful in blending the stamped image into the punched outline rim. If your punched image is a little off-center, the sponging hides imperfections. Finally, be sure to sweep the inked sponge from the bottom of the tulip to the center.
Warning: Prepare for inky fingers and have a wipe handy!
Additional Card Assembly Tips
Embossing
Basket Weave 3D Embossing Folder, item # 151797
I chose the Basket Weave 3D Embossing Folder as a backdrop for my orange tulips. This folder provides extreme texture to the paper, which also makes the paper hard to attach without rippling or buckling.
After some experimenting, I found it helpful to run my bone folder along all outer edges of the embossed cardstock from the back. By pressing out, or flattening, a thin surrounding strip (@ 1/4 -1/2″), I was better able to get this piece glued down securely. No need to worry, it doesn’t ruin the embossed look!
Die Cutting
Delicate Lace Dies, item #147053
The look of lace, like the name of this particular stamp set, is timeless. Therefore I chose the Delicate Lace Dies to add to the beauty of this card. When attaching something that has a tiny working surface, I prefer Tombow Glue.
As you can see in the picture, I applied a thin line on the bottom edge of my “lace”, and some small dots of glue where paper allowed in the middle. I lined up the lace to the designer series paper, tucking some lace behind. The glue gives you a moment of wiggle room to slide your paper to perfection.
You will need to trim your lace after adhering it to the designer series paper. The above picture shows an example of one that is trimmed, and one that needs to be.
Designer Secret: The lace trim doesn’t need to be aligned perfectly symmetrical in this instance. The Very Vanilla lace rests on top of a piece of Very Vanilla embossed cardstock, and since the two are the exact same color, imperfections hide well. The contrast of shape and texture work in this regard also.
Lace Ribbon
My “hello” greeting assembly is purposely lined up with the brown edge of the designer series paper. In order to have the ribbon in alignment with the tulip stems, I positioned the assembly on the card and used a pencil to mark the desired location.
After wrapping the ribbon securely to the back, I adhered this piece to the card front, and added a nicely tied bow. The bow helps hide the pencil mark, so no need to erase it.
Show some love to the inside of your cards too! I used the smaller tulip stamps from this set to add a peak of flowers in the bottom corner. There is plenty of room for a sentiment and your warm regards.
Start Your Tulip Garden Today
This spring is a great time to get these products and start your own paper tulip garden. Be sure to stop by my online store, https://juliemakson.stampinup.net, and add the Timeless Tulips Bundle, item #153793, to your order.
And to inspire you further, I have compiled a chart with a baker’s dozen of my favorite Timeless Tulips Colorful Combinations. Print or pin it to assist in your creation of colorful tulip making. Just like real tulips, paper tulips have no scent, but are guaranteed to bring a smile to someone’s face.
This year, February has an extra day in it (Happy Leap Year 2020!). That means one more day of winter. Days, in my state, that are typically gray and brown and drab. So then, what’s a crafty person to do with this time on their hands? Color your world a pretty place, with Stampin’ Up!’s Stampin’ Blends.
Stampin’ Blends were introduced in 2018. When they first became available, there were 12 different colors, each with a light and dark shade. Ivory, Bronze and the Color Lifter round out the collection. Fast forward to the 2019-2020 Annual Catalog, and you can purchase blends in 36 exclusive Stampin’ Up! colors.
Pink Pirrouhette is a retired color, so the blends in that tone are no longer available.
Using Stampin’ Blends
Everyone can get professional looking results when coloring your world with Stampin’ Blends. These alcohol markers feature dual tips that don’t fray. The brush end is for larger images and the fine tip is for details. With minimal effort, you will glide ink on with ease, creating effortless shading and great coverage. Instant Artist!
Step 1
Stamp your image in Tuxedo Black Memento Ink onto Whisper White Cardstock. To get the darkest image possible, use the Stamparatus to apply multiple layers of black ink without fear of lining up the stamp properly each time. Choose an image that has plenty of coloring opportunity for the most fun.
The Stamparatus is a great tool with tons of features.
Tuxedo Black Memento Ink (water based) must be used when coloring with Stampin’ Blends (alcohol based). Just keep in mind the old adage, “opposites attract”. If you were to use StazOn Ink (alcohol based) in error, the blends color would bleed into the black ink outline and create…mud. Yuck.
Step 2
Next, place your image to be colored on a protective surface or use scrap paper underneath. The blends are designed to saturate the paper with intense color. As a result, the ink will bleed thru the back in some areas.
Start coloring, using both the light and dark shades of a Stampin’ Blend color. It doesn’t matter which tone is chosen first, the outcome is the same. No matter how much color you apply, the alcohol ink will not pill up and ruin your paper. And, you can color right over the inner black ink image lines with no ill effect.
This oversized flower image from the stamp set, Band Together, was colored with Stampin’ Blends in So Saffron, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie and Granny Apple Green.
I prefer to begin with the lighter blend and apply generous coverage, then add some shadowing with the dark blend, followed by another application of light to soften the lines. A circular or scribble motion will help blend your color edges together.
Step 3
Use the Color Lifter as desired to change the look of your Stampin’ Blends coloring. This step is optional but will give your design another color dimension.
The Color Lifter appears to be a white marker, due to the cap color. Actually, it’s more like an invisible ink. It can be used to soften colors, as the ink “lifts” some of the shading off the paper. The Color Lifter will clean up edges as well as create highlights on your image.
Additional Tips and Uses of Stampin’ Blends
The artistic results you receive when using the Stampin’ Blends are phenomenal, but they do more than color stamped images. You can also color ribbon, changing white or ivory into your chosen tone. Do the same with embellishments like rhinestones, pearls and buttons.
I colored the Whipser White Crinkled Seam Binding Ribbon on the Silicone Craft Sheet. I cleaned the excess ink off the craft sheet with a baby wipe.
Stampin’ Blends have a rectangular barrel, so they won’t roll off the table like traditional markers. You should store the blends horizontally, so ink is readily available at either end of the marker. Stampin’ Up! offers stackable storage units for your blends to make organization easy.
One set of trays will hold 30 Stampin’ Blends.
The Stampin’ Blends end caps let you know at a glance what color ink lies inside. Replace the tight fitting caps immediately after using your blend to prevent the alcohol ink from drying out too quickly. The blends are not refillable, but since they are sold individually, it is easy to replace one if you need to.
Stampin’ Blends make coloring quick, easy and fun with spectacular results. For a quick reference guide to Stampin’ Blends, print or pin a copy of my Do’s and Don’t’s Cheat Sheet.
Take your projects from drab to fab by adding some of these rainbow making tools to your crafty stash today. Visit my online store, https://juliemakson.stampinup.net and start with your favorite colors. Let your collection of Stampin’ Blends grow, and color your world.
My finished card also uses the Detailed Bands Dies and the Brick and Mortar 3D Embossing Folder.
In my previous blog post, The Purple Posy Collective, I spoke of the numerous crafty items that are available in the 2019-2021 In Color, Purple Posy. You can get paper, ribbon, embellishments, stampin’ write markers and stampin’ blends. However, there is no Purple Posy Ink Pad; I will show you how this is no problem.
So, you may be wondering, how you would use this beautiful color without an ink pad? After all, the ink pad is what you use to make color as you stamp. Now it seems like a big part of the puzzle is missing. Actually, you will find that it isn’t.
There are so many ways, when stamping, to replicate a specific color without actually using that specific color. And in this post, I am going to show you some methods. Read on, and prepare to experiment with Purple Posy.
Make Your Own Purple Posy Ink
It is easy to stamp on Purple Posy Cardstock using VersaMark Ink to create a tone on tone look. VersaMark gives a perfect watermark effect. No matter what color paper you use, VersaMark images pick up the same hue. Purple Posy is a very light color, so the VersaMark ink re-creates the subtle hue.
Be sure your VersaMark pad is well inked for best results. It is always best to have re-inkers on hand for every stamp pad you own. I apply the re-inker drops liberally and spread them into the foam pad using the back of a plastic spoon. You can also use your bone folder for this, keeping in mind darker ink will stain it.
Stamp an image on Purple Posy Cardstock using VersaMark, then add clear embossing powder and heat emboss. This technique creates the tone on tone look as well, but adds depth, volume and shine.
I really like the way the clear embossing powder darkened the overall look of the stamped image. Take care not to overheat your embossing powder. Also, use of the embossing buddy before stamping keeps unwanted powder off your paper.
Stampin’ Spritzers can be used to spray color saturation on your paper. Add 6-8 drops of Highland Heather Ink Refill (darker in color than Purple Posy, but a light purple tone as well) and dilute with rubbing alcohol. Rubbing Alcohol is preferred to water, since the alcohol base dries quicker.
Shake your spritzer well before each use to avoid settling or separation. Before using it on your project, you may need to flatten your color-spritzed paper. Watercolor Paper or Shimmery White Cardstock work nicely with these wet procedures. And don’t rule out Glimmer Paper for extra sparkle.
Sponging is one of my favorite coloring techniques. Again, use Highland Heather ink, then choose from the Sponge Brayer, Stamping Sponge or Aqua Painter. By applying ink in this manner, you create a softer look, making the darker Highland Heather look more like the lighter Purple Posy. Apply a little or a lot, you are the artist.
When using the aqua painter, I like to place a drop of ink refill directly onto my clear stamp block. I pick up the color with the dampened aqua painter brush, and add more water to my project by squeezing the barrel to release the contained water thru the bristle ends. Practice makes perfect.
Stampin’ Write Markers are great for coloring directly onto red rubber cling stamps. This method allows you to apply multiple colors of ink before stamping an image as well. After applying the marker ink(s) to the stamp, huff (exhale breath to moisten) the red rubber, then stamp. By holding the stamp to the paper longer, more ink is transferred for a darker saturation.
Lastly, use the Stampin Blends in light or dark to color stamped images. Stamp your image first using Tuxedo Black Memento Ink, then blend away with the high quality, dual tipped markers. The specialty alcohol ink in the blends creates a deep rich artistic color. Make sure to color on a protective surface as these markers bleed thru paper.
Putting Purple Posy Together
Creating with Purple Posy is such a delight. This soft color lends delicacy and impressive elegance to your projects. Following are 2 cards that I completed using the parts and pieces of my above examples.
There are so many ways to incorporate this sweet shade into your next work of art. Take advantage of all Purple Posy has to offer while it remains active in the color line-up.
If you need any of the Stampin’ Up! products used to create with Purple Posy, visit my online store, https://www.juliemakson.stampinup.net. I hope you try one or more of these resourceful methods with happy success.
Every year, Stampin’ Up! adds 5 new colors to their core color collection. Known as In Colors, they freshen the palette, mimicking current fashionable trends. After 2 years, In Colors are retired to make way for the next wave of color to come…in.
With the release of the 2019 Annual Catalog, we first met the In Color, Purple Posy. This pale, soft shadow of purple whispers beauty. Unfortunately, the angelic Purple Posy is also problematic.
Purple Posy Cardstock, the lightest purple hue Stampin’ up! has offered.
The Purple Posy That Wasn’t
From April thru November, Stampin’ Up! strived to meet standards when developing the Purple Posy Ink Pad. Manufacturing issues and testing proved grim. Color shifting was not acceptable. After a few failed attempts to get it distributed to anxiously awaiting customers, the ink pad was permanently pulled.
This was a strange anomaly for the 2019-2021 In Color Collection. No Purple Posy ink pad? The catalog went live, the product was showcased. But it was too late for this color to be removed from the line-up or be replaced with another.
Perfect Purple Posy’s
Although this particular ink pad will remain unavailable, Purple Posy is abundant in the Stampin’ Up! Annual Catalog. And it is here to stay until 2021. Consequently, that results in numerous possibilities for use of this fabulous purple.
Woven Threads Designer Series Paper has Purple Posy “woven” throughout.
You can purchase Purple Posy as cardstock in sizes 8.5 x 11 and 12 x 12. In Designer Series Paper, you will find it well represented in the 6 x 6 In Color stack, with gingham, argyle, script and mosaic designs. As a supporting color, Purple Posy is found in the 12 x 12 Woven Threads pack, featuring variations and irregularities for an authentic feel.
Choose embellishments like the Purple Posy Scalloped Linen Ribbon, thick and luxurious. The In Color Faceted Dots provide adhesive enamel fun, or sprinkle some of the Woven Threads Sequin Assortment throughout your creations. Ink in Purple Posy is available in the form of the Stampin’ Write Markers In Color Collection, or Stampin’ Blends in both light and dark.
Faceted sequins add sparkle and allure to any project.
Purple Posy Potential
Along with the vast product selection, there are multiple applications for this exceptional color. My next blog post will show you how easy it is to work Purple Posy into your project without the use of a stamp pad in that color, so be sure to follow up for directions.
This card blends Purple Posy into the color spectrum seamlessly.
Meanwhile, grab some of these great Purple Posy products from my online store http://www.juliemakson.stampinup.net and be prepared to purple the world.
