updated with 26-28 in colors – stampin’ up!’s color evolution – a little history lesson repost

updated with 26-28 in colors – stampin’ up!’s color evolution – a little history lesson repost

Every year Stampin’ Up!’s announces their next set of In Colors – this year the 2026 through 2028 colors are: Barely Blush, Crisp Cantaloupe, Golden Glow, Hydrangea Hue, and Peaceful Pine. These new colors will work well paired with some of our favorite staple colors and this post will offer some color pairings, color comparisons and recommendations.

BARELY BLUSH is a soft Barely there cool toned pink. It will make a nice soft neutral as well a great accent color to some of our darker tones like Night of Navy and Secret Sea.

CRISP CANTALOUPE is a returning 2013 – 2015 In Color. It is warm color with coral undertones and looks great with our Petal Pink and Timid Tiger.

GOLDEN GLOW is a light gold brown yellow and is nothing like anything we have currently. It pairs well with our new Hydrangea Hue in my opinion!

PEACEFUL PINE is a dusty muted medium green.

And HYDRANGEA HUE is a medium blue violet color and looks very nice with Blueberry Bushel and Golden Glow.

Cannot wait to work with these colors!

This year I will show you a comparison to some current and past colors starting with Barely Blush.
Here is a Crisp Cantaloupe comparison with current colors in our line up!
Here is a Golden Glow comparison with current colors in our line up!
Here is a Peaceful Pine comparison with current colors in our line up!

I had a do two comparisons with light and darker greens – we have a lot of greens!!

Here is a Hydrangea Hue comparison with current colors in our line up!

This is my favorite of the new In Colors – it’s an awesome color!

It is a blue violet so i compared it to some of our purples and some of our blues!

Below I will recap all of our In Colors through out the years!

Last year’s In Colors for 2025 through 2027: Strawberry Slush, Timid Tiger, Darling Duckling, Cloud Cover and Secret Sea. At first glance it does not look like the usual coordinating set of five colors that work together but I think that these colors are all dusty hues and will work well paired with some of our favorite staple colors.
The following is the rest of the original color evolution blog post that I wrote with a few updates at the end for the retiring in colors and last year’s entry as well!

As we enter our 35th year in business and I enter my 23rd year with Stampin’ Up! In June I thought it would be fun to take a look at our fascination with color! I believe one of the reasons this company is strong and continues to be is definitely multi-faceted – great leadership and great products but our color coordination is second to none! It is one of the many things I love about this company, the colors are both classic and trendy, and the color coordination among our product lines is outstanding.

It is hard to fathom that 35 years ago, the company was founded with not one of their own ink colors in 1988! Stampin’ Up! didn’t release their own line of signature alitereral colors until their 1997-1998 catalog. In this catalog they introduced four color families Bold Brights, Rich Regals, Soft Subtles and Earth Elements – I am proud to say I remember those color families and still refer to myself as a BOLD BRIGHT GIRLS!!
They started from the very first release with their fascination with alliteration of color names with Old Olive, still around today as one of the original colors, Taken with Teal, Summer Sun, Yo Yo Yellow, Brilliant Blue and many others.
The original color families started with these colors:

Bold Brights: Glorious Green, Green Galore, Gable Green, YoYo Yellow, Only Orange, Rocket Red, Pink Passion, Positively Pink, Orchid Opulence, Lovely Lilac, Brilliant Blue and Tempting Turquoise.

Rich Regals: Not Quite Navy, Eggplant Envy, Forest Foliage, Baroque Burgundy, Night of Navy, Bordering Blue, Rose Red, Brocade Blue, Rose Romance, Ballet Blue, marvelous Magenta and Taken with Teal.

Soft Subtles: Perfect Plum, Pale Plum, Blush Blossom, Mellow Moss, Barely Banana, Sage Shadow, Lavender Lace, Mauve Mist, Almost Amethyst, Mint Melody, Bliss Blue, and Pretty in Pink.

Earth Elements: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Really Rust, Cameo Coral, Ruby Red, More Mustard, Summer Sun, Luscious Lime, Old Olive, Garden Green, Going Grey, and Basic Black.

We have gone through several color refreshes, in 2005, 2010, 2013, 2018 and 2023.

We introduced the idea of hot trendy colors collections that would be around originally for just a year in 2006 with the first In Color Collection of six colors. We later changed the program to 5 colors to remain for 2 years alternating with a second color collection in 2010.
Today I have put together charts of the In Color Program starting with the six 2006 In Color Collection featuring: Vintage Violet, Buckaroo Blue, Cool Caribbean, Marigold Morning, True Thyme and Cranberry Crisp.

In 2007 we released the second one year collection of 6 In Colors featuring: Blue Bayou, Soft Sky, Wild Wasabi, River Rock, Groovy Guava, and Purely Pomegranate.
In 2008 we released another one year collection of 6 In Colors featuring: Riding Hood Red, Tangerine Tango, Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Pacific Point and Pink Pirouette. Pacific Point would re-emerge as a Core Color in the 2010 Color reset and remain a staple until 2018 as would Pink Pirouette.
In 2009 we released our last one year collection of 6 In Colors featuring: Rich Razzleberry, Soft Suede, Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Melon Mambo and Dusty Durango. These colors were so popular that many became Core Colors in the 2010 Color Reset everyone but Dusty Durango!
In 2010, Stampin’ Up! introduced the current structure for In Color Collections remaining for two years and alternating the next year with another new collection!
2010-2012 set included: Poppy Parade, Concord Crush, Peach Parfait, Blushing Bride and Pear Pizzazz. Poppy, Blushing Bride and Pear pizzazz returning as Core Colors in the 2013 Color Reset!
The 2011- 2013 In Colors included: Calypso Coral, Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade, Pool Party and Wisteria Wonder. Calypso Coral, Pool Party and Blushing Bride joined the Core Color Collection in 2013.
The 2012-2014 In Colors featured: Raspberry Ripple, Summer Starfruit, Midnight Muse, Primrose Petals, and Gumball Green.

The 2010 Color Rest added new Core Colors Cajun Craze, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Daffodil Delight Marina Mist and Early Espresso

In 2013-2015 Stampin’ Up!’s In Color Collection included: Baked Brown Sugar, Coastal Cabana, Crisp Cantaloupe, Pistachio Pudding and Strawberry Slush. Adding Coastal Cabana to the Core Color Collection in 2018’s Color Reset.
2014-2016 In Colors added Blackberry Bliss, Hello Honey, Lost Lagoon, Mossy Meadow and Tangelo Twist to the In Color Collection.

Blackberry Bliss and Lost Lagoon eventually were added as Core Colors in 18 and 23, respectively.

2015 – 2017 brought Watermelon Wonder, Cucumber Crush, Delightful Dijon, Mint Macaron and Tip Top Taupe to the In Color mix. Stampin’ Up! added mint Macaron to the Core Color Collection in 2018.
2016-2018 In Color Collection featured: Dapper Denim, Emerald Envy, Flirty Flamingo, Peekaboo Peach, and Sweet Sugarplum adding Flirty Flamingo to the Core Colors in 2018.
in 2017, we added Berry Burst, Fresh Fig, Lemon Lime Twist, Powder Pink and Tranquil Tide to the In Color Collection keeping Berry Burst and Lemon Lime Twist eventually in Core Collection Resets last year.
2018-2020 broughtLovely Lipstick, Grapefruit Grove, Pineapple Punch, Blueberry Bushel and Call Me Clover to the In Color Collection and we called Blueberry Bushel back to the Color rest in 2023.

We added new colors to the Core Collection in 2018 including: Soft Sea Foam, Shaded Spruce, Petal Pink, Merry Merlot, Mango Melody, Highland Heather, Gray Granite, Granny Apple Green, Gorgeous Grape and Balmy Blue.

2019-2021 In Colors featured Purple Posy, Seaside Spray, Rococo Rose, Terracotta Tile and Pretty Peacock and brought Pretty Peacock to the Color Reset last year in 2023.
2020-2022 In Colors included: Bumblebee, Cinnamin Cider, Just Jade, Magenta Madness, and Misty Moonlight and added Misty Moonlight to the Color Reset in 2023.
2021-2023 In Colors brought: Polished Pink, Pale Papaya, Evening Evergreen, Soft Succulent and Fresh Freesia , keeping Fresh Freesia in 2023.
My personal favorite set of In Colors will be retiring in May! The 2022-2024 In Color Collection features Sweet Sorbet, Parakeet Party, Tahitian Tide, Starry Sky and Orchid Oasis. These colors will no longer be available after April 30th so if you need anything, I would recommend ordering some as they are getting low in some inventories and when they are depleted they are SOLD OUT! The current hostess code in EGCF9KYB.
2023-2025 In Colors contained great neutrals including: Copper Clay, Wild Wheat, Boho Blue, Moody Mauve and Pebbled Path and these are the colors that will be retiring with this current catalog – love any of these colors then DO NOT WAIT they always sell out when they are retiring!

Copper Clay
#161721 CS
#161647 ink pad
#161654 refill
#161662 Blends

Wild Wheat
#161725 CS
#161651 ink pad
#161655 refill
#161661 Blends

Boho Blue
#161724 CS
#161650 ink pad
#161656 refill
#161659 Blends

Moody Mauve
#161723 CS
#161649 ink pad
#161657 refill
#161660 Blends

Pebbled Path
#161722 CS
#161648 ink pad
#161653 refill
#161658 Blends

These were last year’s In Colors that debuted with the upcoming 2024-2025 Annual Catalog are Peach Pie, Petunia Pop, returning original color Pretty in Pink for an encore as this new batch of In Colors, Shy Shamrock and Summer Splash!

If you want to see this colors in person and are in the area, I will be hosting a New Catalog Open House in May! Come join the fun!
Keep watch for the details on my social media!

Hope you enjoyed this color evolution and stroll down memory lane.

This upcoming catalog features a very cool color theory section with an awesome color wheel that talks about monochromatic, complementary, analogous and triadic color combinations! I absolutely LOVE the upcoming catalog and the new way it is designed!

Don’t have a demonstrator and live in the US? Let me know if you would like to have your own copy of the new catalog once it is released and I will send you one!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

more color mondays – berry burst, lemon lime twist and gorgeous grape

more color mondays – berry burst, lemon lime twist and gorgeous grape

Today’s More Color Mondays continues a study in color theory using a complimentary, opposing colors of Berry Burst, Lemon Lime Twist and Gorgeous Grape.

Measurements:
BASE: Basic White CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored 4 1/4″
4″ x 5 1/4″, scraps for dies, (3) strips

Paint the 1/4″ strips with a blender pen and Berry Burst ink in a striped pattern.
Paint the remaining strips with the individual colors.
Emboss the 4″ x 5 1/4″ layer with the Mini Corrugated 3D embossing folder.

Splatter the embossed layer with Berry Burst ink.

Die cut a Basic White scrap with two consecutive Stylish Shapes dies to make an open circle.
Cut Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals in half around the back of the circle die.
Die cut the large banner die from the Stylish Shapes die set and stamp the Happy Birthday from the Beautiful Butterflies stamp set in Berry Burst ink.
Cut the three strips down to about 4″ to 4 1/4″ length and adhere them to the embossed layer in alternating pattern.
Pop up the open circle die over the three strips.
Pop up the Happy Birthday sentiment over the circle die.
Brush Berry Burst ink with a Blending Brush over the small butterfly die from the Beautiful Butterflies bundle.
Adhere to the circle die over the sentiment piece.
Adhere the embossed layer over the card front.
Place three Fine Shimmer Purple Gems around the card to finish off with a sparkle.

This is a great use of Strip scraps and using opposite colors works so well! Opposites attract right!

Try this color combination or another complementary one – now go create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

triadic color theory charming day fun fold card

triadic color theory charming day fun fold card

All this month we explored color theory in my posts and in my classes – this is a triadic color combination taking inspiration from our new Online Exclusive suite Floral Charm and our awesome Color Coach!

This easy Book Bind fun fold uses three colors that are positioned in a triangular pattern on the Color Wheel – Night of Navy, Timid Tiger and Mossy Meadow.

Measurements:
BASE: Night of Navy CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2 and 6 3/4″
scraps for leaf dies
Basic White CS: (2) 4″ squares (1) 3″ x 4″
Floral Charm DSP: 1″ x 4″

Place glue in between the two score lines and adhere the panels together to make a book bind fun fold.
Adhere the 1″ x 4″ DSP strip to the outside left-hand panel.
Stamp the “Hey” sentiment from the Charming Day stamp set in Night of Navy ink on the upper left-hand corner of one of the 4″ square layers add an ellipsis (those three dots after a word that is used to indicate a pause) with the Night of Navy Stampin’ Write marker.
Place this Basic White 4″ square in the Distressed Tile 3D embossing folder and emboss that layer.
Adhere to the right-hand panel of the card front.
I stamped the branch and the inside sentiment from the Charming Day stamp set in Night of Navy ink on the other 4″ square layer and adhere to the inside of the card.
Stamp the floral image from the stamp set in Tuxedo Black Memento ink on the 3″ x 4″ Basic White layer.

Using the Blender Pen, color the flower with Timid Tiger ink and the leaves with the Mossy Meadow ink. Die cut the flower, and pop it up on Stampin’ Dimensionals in the opposite corner as the “Hey” sentiment.

Cut the longer leaf die cut in half and tuck all three foliage pieces under the popped up floral image.

Adhere the Navy Opal Rounds Assortment embellishments for a perfectly coordinated finishing touch! I love triadic color combinations the colors are very balanced and pleasing.
Search the color coach page in our current catalog if you do not have one it is a worthwhile investment! Choose a triadic color combination and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp, one color at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

more color mondays – color coach analagous colors

more color mondays – color coach analagous colors

I’m in the process of designing a color theory class for this summer and I have been preparing by using our Color Coach tool to come up with different color combinations!
Today’s color combination is one of the four color theory combinations I will be teaching about: Analogous color combinations.
Analogous colors live adjacent to one another on the color wheel – they are similar in color and compliment each other – working well as a combination set of colors!

Today’s Analogous Color Combination for More Color Mondays color challenge features: Poppy Parade, Flirty Flamingo and Petal Pink.

Measurements:
BASE: Petal Pink CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″, 3″ x 4″ layer
Flirty Flamingo: 3 1/4″ x 4 1/4″ layer,
scrap for die
Poppy Parade CS: 2 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ strip and
scrap for die

Emboss the Poppy Parade strip with the Damask Designs embossing folder.
I wanted the design to pop a little so I took a Craft White ink pad and dragged it lightly over the embossed (raised) areas of the cardstock.
Adhere the embossed strips of cardstock to the left-hand side of the card base leaving about 1/8″ border on the left side.
Run the Petal Pink cardstock layer through the Stampin’ Cut and emboss with the partial cut die from the Beautiful Motifs die set. This embosses and partially die cuts the image so it remains attached to the cardstock and can be bent upwards to add depth and dimension to the card.
Adhere the Petal Pink layer to the 3 1/4″
x 4 1/4″ Flirty Flamingo layer.
Pop up the double layer onto the center of the card front on Stampin’ Dimensionals.

Die cut the Queen Anne’s Lace die from the Beautiful Motifs die set in both Flirty Flamingo and Poppy Parade card stock.

Adhere the Lace dies to the card front over the partial die cut with Multi-purpose Liquid glue.
Stamp the sentiment – normally I would have stamped this prior to adhering to the card – I thought I was going to stamp the sentiment onto a die cut but decided last minute to stamp it in the lower right-hand corner in Poppy Parade ink.
I adhered Pearl Basic Jewels to the card front to finish off the card. I love how this turned out! Try a new analogous color combination from your stash and go create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

more color mondays – daffodil delight, coastal cabana and melon mambo

more color mondays – daffodil delight, coastal cabana and melon mambo

Welcome to More Color Mondays – today’s color challenge uses a triadic color combination from our Color Coach tool. This color wheel is actually two interconnected spinning circles that contain all of Stampin’ Up!’s basic colors on the outer wheel and an inner white circle with cut out sections that reveal different color theory color combinations!
We have four different color theory combinations available on this Color Coach Wheel:
Monochromatic, Analogous, Complementary and Triadic.
Today’s combination of Daffodil Delight, Coastal Cabana and Melon mambo is a triadic color combination forming a triangular position on the wheel.

Measurements:
Basic White CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″, 4″ x 5 1/4″ layer
Daffodil Delight CS: strip scrap
Coastal Cabana CS: strip scrap
Melon Mambo CS: strip scrap

Place the large butterfly die from the Beautiful Butterflies bundle and die cut in the center of the 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White layer – saving both the negative and positive images.
Place the negative die cut layer and emboss it in the Dotted Circles 3D embossing folder.
On the front of the Basic White card base, brush with Blending Brushes a layer of Daffodil Delight ink on the top about an inch in from the top, then a layer of Coastal Cabana then a layer of Melon Mambo about an inch from the bottom. Place the negative space layer on top of the card base before you start to gauge the area that you will want to color and the areas you want to leave white. We only want to color the area that will be seen through the butterfly opening.
Adhere the embossed negative die layer on the card base leaving an even border around the edges of the card front.
Adhere the butterfly detail die that came from the center of the original layer and adhere with in the borders of the negative die space.
I used strip scraps of Melon mambo and Daffodil delight and adhered these strips below the die.
Stamp a sentiment onto a Coastal Cabana strip and pop up the strip on the card over the bottom of the dies and above the other colored strips.
Adhere some embellishments around the sentiment and this lovely triadic color card is complete!

Our Color Wheel is a MUST HAVE – making color combinations a snap! Try some color combinations from the color wheel on page 136 in the new catalog or better yet order your own color wheel today!

Now go and create some great color combinations for your own artwork – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie