Hammered Metal Emboss Folder - The 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.

Hey Lady!

February 4, 2020 2 Comments

Little Ladybug

The Coordination Product Release from Stampin’ Up! has officially begun. There are 6 new exclusive items that coordinate with products from Sale-A-Bration and the January-June Mini Catalog.

The exciting news: awesome products that make your projects stand out! The scary news: available only while supplies last, and may sell out quickly.

Today, I am highlighting the Little Ladybug Stamp Set, free to hosts with a $300 party during Sale-A-Bration, and the coordination release, Ladybugs Dies. This special stamp set is super adorable, with 4 images of cartoonish and colorable ladybugs, as well as a large flower, a line of 4 mini bugs and 7 sayings.

Little Ladybug, #152384, 13 cling stamps

Sentiment Stamps

Sentiments are important. When you purchase a stamp set that has cute images, you will always have cute. If you buy one that has great greetings or sayings, you hit the jackpot. Sentiments can be used in a variety of ways, not limited to their particular set. Let’s break these sayings down:

Basic Sentiments

Thinking of you. This is a great basic. I am thinking of you because…you are sick and I want you to be well. Miss you a lot. Things are tough for you and I care. So proud of you.

Thank you. Another essential basic. There are so many things to be thankful for, and a card is a great way to express it. Thank you for…my gift, your thoughtfulness, lending me comfort in my time of need, your much needed help.

Happy Birthday. This is probably the most used sentiment on the most commonly given card. It says it all: it’s your birthday! No need to expand on that.

Supplemental Sentiments

Spread your wings and fly. Here we go outside the box a little. This could be used for… congrats graduate. Happy promotion. Good luck on that move. I believe in you, encouragement.

You’re so sweet. This one goes in conjunction with a thank you card. It also works great for Valentine’s Day, Sweetheart’s Day, or to say “I love you.” Imagine it next to an image of candy or baked goods….mmmm chocolate.

You’re cute as a bug. Without doubt, this works great with the ladybugs, or any bugs. Consider it to welcome a new baby to the world, or perhaps a child’s birthday card. It could be used on Valentine’s cards also.

Hey lady! An opening for hello. How are you doing? What is happening? Just thinking of you. And again, perfect for ladybug cards.

Ladybugs Dies

Newly released, Ladybugs Dies, are the must have go with for this stamp set. Dies (used with your die cutting machine) will allow you to cut out your stamped image quickly, without the use of scissors. The dies included in this set work for each individual ladybug, the large flower and additional parts as well.

Ladybug Cards

I combined the stamp set and dies to make 3 uniquely different cards. Here are pictures of each with a little detail in the design process.

Lady In Pink

I featured the colors Flirty Flamingo and Poppy Parade for this card. Texture was added with the embossing folder, Beads and Baubles, on Whisper White cardstock. The plaid designer series paper is from the 6 x 6 stack in the Brights collection.

I stamped the flower and ladybug in Memento ink and colored them with Stampin’ Blends markers. After I die cut the images, I added them to the card with dimensionals to help them pop.

Gorgeous Grape Posy

This card is done in Gorgeous Grape, Basic Black and Whisper White. In addition to the Ladybugs Dies for the flower, I used the Stitched So Sweetly Dies for the rectangular shape.

Once again, the designer series paper is from the 6 x 6 stack in the Brights collection. This paper performs as a layering piece and as the flower petal heat embossed in black before die cutting. I have been longing to use the Tricolor Ribbon in purple, and this card features it seamlessly.

3 x 3 Mini Card

Little ladybugs + tiny card = great big fun! They say good things come in small packages. Did you know Stampin’ Up! sells 3″ x 3″ envelopes? This card will fit right in and make a sweet note.

I stamped the ladybugs in Memento ink and colored with Stampin’ Blends markers. The flowers were made using the Ladybugs Dies with Daffodil Delight and Pumpkin Pie cardstock. The leaves and stem assembly from the dies are done in Garden Green.

This time I chose the embossing folder, Hammered Metal, for texture. This sentiment is from the stamp set Itty Bitty Greetings (so fitting!) and formed with the Classic Label Punch.

Don’t Miss Out

In conclusion, the Little Ladybug Stamp Set and coordinating product, Ladybug Dies, have lots to offer. Save these card images to Pinterest or share on Facebook. And don’t hesitate, make sure you purchase the necessary products to replicate my featured projects by shopping my online store https://www.juliemakson.stampinup.net, today.