Hand Made Cards Archives - PageThe Maine Stamper

2018-2020 Retiring In Color, Grapefruit Grove

April 15, 2020

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.

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

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

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

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

April 14, 2020

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.

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

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

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

April 9, 2020

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!