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Tidings & Trimmings In Soft Succulent

October 13, 2021

Finished Tidings & Trimmings Card using Soft Succulent, Rich Razzleberry and Mint Macaron

In Color: Soft Succulent Part I

Papercrafters everywhere are thinking thoughts of Christmas as October deepens. While I turn to another 2021-2023 In Color, Soft Succulent, I am thinking Christmas too.

This soft, calm green shade may remind you more of spring, but don’t let it fool you. I find that Soft Succulent can hold its own along with Real Red and Cherry Cobbler for festive makings.

In fact, for this card, my challenge is to use Rich Razzleberry, a tone that lends towards purple. Along with Rich Razzleberry, I am tasked to use Mint Macaron. Mint Mac and Soft Succulent are very similar shades, but I was able to work all three of these colors cohesively for my Tidings & Trimmings Card.

Snowy White

I adore the sweet stockings from the Tidings & Trimmings Stamp Set. You will discover two different designs to choose from. And the good news is, they both fit the same die from the Christmas Trimmings Dies.

With my stockings, I wanted to use some colorful cardstock as the base. Rather than just stamping ink on top of my Soft Succulent cardstock and Rich Razzlebery cardstock, I chose to heat emboss instead. First, I stamped the stocking image using Versamark Ink. Next, I sprinkled on white embossing powder and set the powder with my Heat Tool. Then I ran each stocking thru my Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine to die cut it out.

Stockings heat embossed with white embossing powder and die cut with the Christmas Trimmings Dies.

*TIP: While prepping your paper for embossing, attach the cardstock to a clothespin or clip first. Hold on to the clothespin rather than the paper to prevent the Heat Tool from burning your fingers.

To top off my stockings, I chose to use the tied ribbon bow stamp from the Tidings & Trimmings Stamp Set. Again, I used Versamark Ink and white embossing powder, then heat set my bows. I chose a Rich Razzleberry bow for my Soft Succulent Stocking, and a Mint Macaron bow for my Rich Razzleberry Stocking. The white embossing brings the look together and adds elegance too.

Bow ribbon from the Tidings & Trimmings Stamp Set, stamped in Versamark and embossed with white powder.

Paper Delight

Even though I looked high and low for some Christmas designer paper in Rich Razzleberry, I could not find any. Instead, I chose a neutral design from what could be considered a fall pack of paper, Blackberry Beauty Specialty DSP.

Blackberry Beauty Specialty Designer Series Paper.

Barely noticeable but significant just the same, is the tone on tone stamping on the Rich Razzleberry Designer Series Paper. I measured my paper to stamp the berry sprigs from the Tidings & Trimmings Stamp Set in Rich Razzleberry Ink. By stamping in just the right location, my design elements would be accented.

Stamping a sprig from the Tidings & Trimmings Stamp Set on the designer series paper using Rich Razzleberry Ink for tone on tone.

As a fan of adding a lot of layers to my card fronts, I started with a Thick White Cardstock base. The thicker cardstock really holds up to the task at hand! Next, I added a layer of Rich Razzleberry CS, followed by Soft Succulent CS. Then, came the pretty designer series paper.

My card layers in Basic White, Rich Razzleberry, Soft Succulent and the berry colored designer series paper from Blackberry Beauty Specialty DSP>

And to add even more texture to my card, along with the heat embossing, I chose to use the Snowy White Velvet Sheets. From the Christmas Trimmings Dies, I chose 3 different “sprig’ dies from the Christmas Trimmings Dies and die cut them from this fuzzy velvet paper using my Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine. These sprigs look adorable peeping out of the tops of my Christmas stockings. They also add a brightness to this card.

Die cutting holly sprigs from Snowy White Velvet Sheet using the Christmas Trimmings sprig dies.

Stamping Sentiments

I chose two sentiments to work with from the Tidings & Trimmings Stamp Set. The scripty “Noel” is a timeless classic. I wanted to keep it front and center, so I stamped it in Versamark Ink on Soft Succulent CS. After that, I heat embossed it using white embossing powder.

Heat embossing the sentiment "Noel" in white embossing powder with my Heat Tool.

Next, I used the sentiment “May your days be merry & bright”. Again, I stamped in Versamark Ink, but this time only used the ink as a watermark image. Against my Mint Macaron CS, it shows very lightly and subtly in the background. By using Versarmark Ink instead of Mint Macaron Ink (tone on tone), I was able to keep my sentiment light and simplistic.

Background stamping a sentiment image using Versamark Ink.

Tidings & Trimmings Together

I felt that my stockings needed a little holly. With the Christmas Tidings Dies, this was an easy fix. There are two holly dies, but you will end up with four individual holly leaves after die cutting. How awesome is that? I chose Evening Evergreen CS as a great complimentary green for this particular task.

Die cut hollly leaves in Evening Evergreen from the Christmas Trimmings Dies.

After adding my sentiment pieces to my card front, it was time to add my stockings and the trimmings. I glued the holly leaves and bows to each stocking first, using Multipurpose Liquid Glue. This made it easy for me to later place the decorated stockings on my card front.

Adding the holly and ribbons to the stockings using Liquid Glue Adhesive.

My next step was a dry fit for the Snowy White Velvet die cut sprigs and my stockings. A dry fit is when you put elements on your card front without adding any adhesive. You can move parts and pieces around as you decide where you want them to go.

When I was happy with the sprig placement, I removed the stockings and taped the base of my sprigs in place. I prefer to use Tear & Tape Adhesive for jobs like this.

Adhering the Snowy White Velvet die cut sprigs with Tar & Tape Adhesive.

Next, I simply glued down my stockings over the taped down sprigs. The stockings interlocked just slightly in a natural position. You can see that they are off-set in height nicely too.

Adhering the stockings to the card front.

To complete my card, I chose to add a few Pearl Basic Jewels. With all the white elements on this card, these pearls look very natural. I find it easiest to place adhesive backed embellishments on my projects using the Take Your Pick Tool.

Adding Pearl Basic Jewels using the Take Your Pick Tool.

Soft Succulent Success

If you enjoyed this Christmas card using Soft Succulent and the Tidings & Trimmings Bundle, please stop by my online store for the supplies you need to re-create it. Did you know that by purchasing the bundle instead of adding the stamp set and dies to your cart individually, you will automatically save 10%?

For another Christmas style card using the In Color, Evening Evergreen, click here. I have also explored Christmas cards in Polished Pink and Fresh Freesia.

My In Color exploration will continue with Soft Succulent, so be sure to come back and visit to see my next color combos and creations! It is with great joy that I experiment with color and delight you with my efforts.

Finished card using the Tidings & Trimmings Stamp Set.

Feels Like Home, In Evening Evergreen

September 30, 2021

In Color: Evening Evergreen Part III

Our time to explore Evening Evergreen has come to an end, and what better way to bring it home than to use the Feels Like Home Stamp Set. Evening Evergreen is such a rich, deep green color. It fits well with the comfortable home theme of this card.

With our last color tour of Evening Evergreen, we are pairing in Blackberry Bliss and Sahara Sand. These three colors work seamlessly together. As you can see, by adding a pop of white to the mix, each color used on this Feels Like Home Card becomes more beautifully vibrant.

Feels Like Home Stamp Set

The Feels Like Home Stamp Set, available for a limited time, is a Sale-A-Bration freebie during the August-September Sale-A-Bration promotion. With a qualifying purchase of $50, you may choose this stamp set for free. If you already have the Feels Like Home Stamp Set in your collection, here is a great way to use it!

Sahara Sand Beginnings

I started by stamping the door frame and yard stamp from the Feels Like Home Stamp Set using Memento Black Ink on Sahara Sand Cardstock. This great neutral color is easy to work into your project instead of the traditional white or vanilla.

Using the front door stamp from the Feels Like Home Stamp Set.

Of course, this image is wide open for lots of coloring. I typically choose my Stampin’ Blends for a job like this. I chose my color palette to reflect the tones in Evening Evergreen, Blackberry Bliss and Sahara Sand. When I added color to the tree to the left of the door, I pounced or “dotted” the color on using the fine tip of my Light Blackberry Bliss Stampin’ Blend.

Coloring the stamped image with Stampin' Blends.

Just Add Color

Next, I started to color with more purples and greens to fill in all the flowers and plants. I used browns for the basket and door, and colored in my terracotta pots. Because I wanted to keep the coloring light and fresh, I chose to use my Stampin’ Chalk Marker on the bricks of the home. The effect is quite subtle.

Adding color with the Stampin' Chalk Marker. — I love the look of shading or sponging. So, I turned to my Blender Brush and some Sahara Sand Ink to deepen the edges of my cardstock. I think it helps to draw the eye in toward the colored imagery.

Using the Blending Brush to sponge on ink color.

Ever Elegant Evening Evergreen

Since Evening Evergreen is our starring color, I wanted much of my card front dedicated to it. I began by stamping the hanging fronds stamp in Evening Evergreen Ink on my Evening Evergreen Cardstock layer along the top edge. I varied the length of each stamping by starting higher or lower on my cardstock.

Creating a stamped top border using the frond stamp from the Feels Like Home Stamp Set.

Next, I ran my stamped cardstock thru my Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine using the Timeworn Type 3D Embossing Folder. This is a 3D style embossing folder and needs the Specialty Plate to create the perfect sandwich in your die-cutting machine.

PRO TIP: There is a solid black line built into the embossing folder near the bottom, to help you line up your cardstock straight before you run it thru your die-cutting machine.

Embossing cardstock with the Timeworn Type Embossing Folder.

And lastly, I added some sponging to the edges of my Evening Evergreen Cardstock using another Blender Brush and Evening Evergreen Ink.

Accent Your Home

What home would be gorgeous without some cute tchotchkes? To start my home decor project, I stamped the flower pot image from the Feels Like Home Stamp Set with Memento Black Ink on a scrap of Sahara Sand Cardstock. Then, I colored it with Stampin’ Blends before fussy cutting with my Paper Snips.

Preparing to fussy cut the potted plant stamped and colored image from the Feels Like Home Stamp Set.

I stamped the sentiment “Your friendship feels like home to me” from the Feels Like Home Stamp Set in Blackberry Bliss Ink on Sahara Sand Cardstock. Using my Paper Snips, I flagged one end. Next, I applied some Sahara Sand Ink with my Blender Brush to soften the outer edges.

Flagging the stamped sentiment from the Feels Like Home Stamp Set.

Just Add Punch

I took advantage of my assorted collection of retired circle punches. I chose the 1-1/4″ circle punch for the Blackberry Bliss Cardstock and the 1″ circle punch for White Cardstock. These two circles layered together were perfect for a backdrop for my flower pot.

The Sprig Punch is my go-to punch when I need some decorative leaves poking from behind a card layer in an artistic fashion. Punching paper can be such a time saver from die cutting, and I love the quick results. For this card, I used the 2021-2023 In Color Shimmer Vellum in Evening Evergreen. Check out the lovely sheen of this vellum!

The Sprig Punch and Evening Evergreen Shimmer Velum along with a die from the Sunflowers Dies.

To mix things up, I also chose to die cut some White Cardstock using a floral die from the Sunflowers Dies. By combing punched and die cut pieces, my card has a great variety of fresh garden goodness.

Putting Your Home In Order

My Feels Like Home Card has lots of layers. I started by adding a layer of Blackberry Bliss Cardstock to my Sahara Sand Cardbase. Next, I adhered my Evening Evergreen embossed layer. I chose the Blackberry Bliss Designer Series Paper from the Regals Collection, using the plaid design. But before I attached it to my cardbase, I backed it with a piece of White Cardstock.

My next step was to dry-fit my punched sprigs and die cut flowers to make sure they would peek nicely from the additional layers for my card. Once I had them where I wanted them, I secured them with some Tear & Tape Adhesive. The tape will be covered up with the last bit of layering on my card front.

The beginning layer assembly of the card front.

From here it was time to add my stamped focal piece, the front door and more. I placed the sentiment below that, and lastly added my layered punched circles with the potted plant, using Stampin’ Dimensionals. My Feels Like Home Card is complete!

There’s No Place Like Home

Home evokes so many good thoughts and memories. It is where we are most happy. I hope you agree that this Feels Like Home Card has captured some happiness, using Evening Evergreen along with Blackberry Bliss and Sahara Sand. If you need any of the products that were used to create this card, shop my online store at your convenience.

Just because our Evening Evergreen color tour is at its end, doesn’t mean there isn’t more colorful fun to come! If you missed any of this great green color, click here to see another post with Evening Evergreen. And just ahead is our next In Color, Soft Succulent, so be sure to come back soon.

Card made with the Feels Like Home Stamp Set and Stampin' Blends.

Pretty Pumpkins In Evening Evergreen

September 24, 2021

Card featuring Evening Evergreen, Cajun Craze and Petal Pink.

In Color: Evening Evergreen Part II

When we think of pretty pumpkins, we usually don’t think of green. But, don’t let the title fool you. What we are doing is continuing our exploration of the In Color, Evening Evergreen. The featured stamp set for my card is called “Pretty Pumpkins“.

Now that we have that sorted out, let’s take into account the pumpkins on this card. For this color combination, I am pairing Evening Evergreen with Cajun Craze and Petal Pink. Again, these are not the typical orange pumpkins you may expect. Yet, I find that these colors work very well together to represent pretty pumpkins just the same.

Pretty Pumpkins Stamp Set

If you are looking for a fantastic stamp set to cover elegant pumpkins, look no further. The Pretty Pumpkin Stamp Set, and coordinating Detailed Pumpkins Dies, are classically beautiful. You can save 10% when you bundle and buy the stamp set and dies together, as the Pretty Pumpkins Bundle.

I started with the pumpkin trio stamp and Memento Black Ink on White Cardstock. After my outline was stamped, I colored in the image with an assortment of Stampin’ Blends.

I began coloring the pumpkins with a combination of my Dark Petal Pink Stampin’ Blend and my Dark Cajun Craze Stampin’ Blend. For the leaves, I used my Light Evening Evergreen Stampin’ Blend. My pumpkin stems are a combination of the Light and Dark Soft Suede Stampin’ Blends.

***TIP: Use a Stampin’ Write Marker to color in the vines. The vine images are very thin. The marker will give you detailed coverage without spilling ink over the intended coloring area.

Grapevine Dies

Did you notice the beautiful Petal Pink vine, with leaves in Petal Pink and Cajun Craze? They sure do look like they came out of a pretty pumpkin patch! And yet, they are from another bundle altogether. The Forever Grapevine Stamp Set and Grapevine Dies make up the Forever Grapevine Bundle, for a savings of 10%.

I took advantage of the vine (no need to stamp any grapes!) for my card. I used my Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine to die cut the large corner vine in Petal Pink. And to add in some contrasting leaves, I die cut additional leaves in Cajun Craze. One die yields 8 individual leaves!

Cajun Craze leaves die cut with the Grapevine Dies.

You’re So Sweet

Besides the grapevine dies, I took advantage of the sentiment die from the Grapevine Dies. After die-cutting this with White Cardstock, I stamped my sentiment in Evening Evergreen Ink, using “You’re so sweet” from the Forever Grapevine Stamp Set. Next, I sponged the edges in Petal Pink Ink, and dabbed some color on my Petal Pink grapevine too.

Pretty Bitty Pumpkin

Once I determined that my sentiment was going to cover up most of my small pumpkin, I decided I needed another one to layer on my card front. I stamped the pumpkin image again, and colored just the smallest pumpkin in with my Stampin’ Blends. Next, I fussy cut it out with my Paper Snips. This was an easy image to hand cut.

A fussy cut mini pumpkin from the Pretty Pumpkins Stamp Set using Paper Snips.

Pretty Pumpkin Layers

In order to keep my focus on Evening Evergreen, I used this color cardstock for my card base. I also used a piece of coordinating Evening Evergreen Designer Series Paper from the 2021-2023 In Color Collection. There are four designs to choose from, and I chose the vertical lines with dots.

My stamped and colorful pumpkins are not die cut, even though they could be. I chose to leave them on their white cardstock background to showcase them against the Petal Pink Designer Series Paper and Cajun Craze Cardstock mat.

Before I added my pretty pumpkins to the card front, I adhered the Petal Pink grapevine. In this way, I could layer my matted pumpkin assembly slightly over the grapevine design. Lastly, I added in the Cajun Craze leaves sporadically.

Finishing Touches

When I was ready to add on my sentiment piece, I reached for my Stampin’ Dimensionals. Two of the large ones provided perfect coverage for me. Next, I chose a Mini Stampin’ Dimensional for my little pumpkin, and placed that next to my raised sentiment piece, in the pumpkin patch.

Adding a sentiment with dimensionals to the card front.

The very last thing I added to my Pretty Pumpkin Card was some sweet bling. The Elegant Faceted Gems are adhesive backed and come in three colors…one of them is Petal Pink. So perfect for this card! I love how easy it is to use the Take Your Pick Tool to transfer adhesive backed items onto the card front.

Adding Elegant Faceted Dots to the card front with the Take Your Pick Tool.

Evening Evergreen and Pumpkins

Completed Evening Evergreen card using the Pretty Pumpkins Stamp Set.

This trio of colors featuring Evening Evergreen was a fun combination to use. Petal Pink and Cajun Craze compliment each other very nicely, and contrast well against this deep, dark green. My card went together effortlessly and with much less thought than my first color combo with Evening Evergreen did. To see my struggle with Evening Evergreen, Part I, click here.

We have one more color combo to explore with Evening Evergreen before we turn to the next 2021-2023 In Color on this journey. Please take advantage of my online store at any time to purchase the supplies featured here for your upcoming inspired project! As for the inspiration…come back soon to see what color combos and designs I will create next!