Delicate Lace Dies

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!

Timeless Tulips Colorful Combinations

A Rainbow of Colorful Tulips

Timeless Tulip Color Combinations

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!

Timeless Tulip Stamp Set

Tulips: Stamp, Punch, Sponge

Tulip Builder Punch
Tulip Builder Punch, item #151295

Start by making a punch template for your stamps. Use any scrap of cardstock on hand, and punch.

Bonus Tip: 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.

Clear Block D

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.

Pumpkin Pie Ink Pad

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!

Poppy Parade Ink Pad and Sponge

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
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
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.