more color mondays – pool party, calypso coral and basic beige – faux suede technique

more color mondays – pool party, calypso coral and basic beige – faux suede technique

Today’s More Color Monday features our new Basic color – Basic Beige! I am finding this a wonderful neutral base that goes well with every color I have paired it with! Today’s pairing is Pool Party and Calypso Coral these are complimentary colors paired with a neutral.
On page 132- 133 of the new annual catalog – we talk about color theory and four types of color pairings! Monochromatic uses colors that are shades or tints of the same or similar colors – like Petal Pink and Calypso Coral. Complimentary colors are the opposite – literally! You know what they say – opposites attract! Try pairing colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel and you can create fun, bold contrasting projects!
Look for Pool Party and Calypso Coral on the color wheel below!
Today’s card has a bunch of parts and pieces but I love the way it turned out! I am going to teach you and old technique that I do not see much anymore but in a recent swap my upline did this technique on her card and it reminded me what a fun one it is – called Faux Suede technique!

Measurements:
BASE: Calypso Coral: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
4″ x 5 1/4″ for stamping and die cutting
strip of 1/4″ x 4″
Basic Beige: (3) 4″ x 5 1/4″
strip of 1/4″ x 4″
Pool Party: 4″ x 5 1/4″ for embossing
strip of 1/4″ x 4″

I stamped the starfish in Calypso Coral ink on the same color cardstock for a great tone on tone effect! I die cut each out and set aside for the assembly!
I ran the Pool Party layer through the Seaside Wishes embossing folder and then distressed the edges with my fingers, tearing and bending the outer edges.
I adhered the Basic Beige layer to the Calypso Coral base and then adhered the distressed Pool Party layer at an angle for added visual interest! Sometimes just a little twist of the layer makes the card stand out from the rest!
Using a bone folder rub the 1/4″ strips of Basic Beige, Calypso Coral and pool Party through your finger and bone folder – similar to the way you curl ribbon. Curl the paper the entire length and on both sides until the paper is soft and starts to split. Gently peel the two sides of the paper apart. The paper in the middle looks like suede – hence the name faux suede and can be used as is or you can stamp on larger pieces prepared this way!
I adhered each piece of the suede paper – suede side up across the embossed layer with Stampin’ Seal+.
I die cut one of the Basic Beige layers with the open sand dollar design and a sentiment piece from the Unbounded Love die set. I stamped the sentiment in Calypso Coral ink and placed a line of Stampin’ Seal+ down the center of the die piece only so I could slip die cuts around the edges. I loosely arranged the die and stamped images until I liked the look and then adhered them in place!
I added Ombre Matte Dots to the card front to finish off the coordinated look!

I had a few extra dies so I adhered the last Basic Beige layer to the inside of the card and added a few embellishments to that layer as well. Now the inside of my card coordinates with the card front and adds more visual interest!

Try this color combination and Faux Suede technique the next time you create! Go and create some artwork of your very own soon and share it with everyone – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

creating water splattered colored backgrounds

creating water splattered colored backgrounds

I love creating fun backgrounds and papers to die cut from and today’s post is all about creating interest with color and water!

Measurements:
BASE: Pool Party: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
Basic White layer: 4′ x 5 1/4″

Using blending brushes and Coastal Cabana ink color the Basic White layer in various random spots.

Using a new blending brush color new spots with Lost Lagoon ink.
Fill in the remaining white space with Old Olive ink with a blending brush.
Take a medium water painter and squeeze the barrell until water is dropping from the paint brush. Drop and flick water droplets onto the colored Basic White layer until the desired amount is covered in water droplets.
The water will lift the color from the paper creating lighter and white spots of visual interest.
Place in the hybrid Changing Leaves folder with the die and cut and emboss at the same time!
Run a Pool Party card front through the embossing folder only.
Take the die cuts from the hybrid folder and start to adhere them onto the card base.
I fussy cut some of the embossed images from the water splattered paper and popped up some of the embossed images around the card base edges for some depth and dimension.
I cut the larger sentiment strip from the die set and making sure the paper was completely dry – stamped a sentiment in Memento Tuxedo Black ink. I popped up the sentiment die piece with Stampin’ Dimensionals and placed in the lower quadrant of the card front.
I added a few more cut leaves to add balance to the card.
I finished the card with the Ombre Matte Decorative Dots and the card is complete.

The water splattered background adds visual interest and color variation to the card!

Try this technique and see what art work you can come up with! Now go and create some art of your own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

more color mondays – azure afternoon, pool party and lemon lolly

more color mondays – azure afternoon, pool party and lemon lolly

Well can you believe it is already July! This year is speeding by and I got up early this morning to finish this post – normally I am days ahead at designing and posting but summer life got in the way this week! It was a fun week but busy we had a fourth of July party on the fifth and fireworks on the sixth and some of our children’s friends in for the holiday week so stamping took a back seat – I love these weeks but hate not getting to spend time stamping!
Today’s More Color Monday is an unexpected favorite! I love the way this simple card turned out! It features two very simple techniques that can elevate your cards in a very fun and super easy way.
The first is using DSP to color an image – in this case I die cut the surf/paddle boards directly out of Designer Series Paper – that was it and what a difference it makes!
The second technique is paper tearing – this is a simple technique that can by used in SO MANY ways. I always tell my customers that to control the tear you need to hold the paper with both hands using your thumb and forefinger. Keep your thumbs at the tear and move them along as the tear progresses. Tear the paper towards you to create that lovely torn edge on the correct side of the paper! It’s that easy!
I layered the torn Crumb Cake card stock to look like hills of sand!

Measurements:
BASE: Lemon Lolly: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
Basic White: 3″ x 4″
3 1/4″ x 4 1/4″
Crumb Cake 2 3/4″ x 3″
DSP scraps for die cutting

Using the 3″ x 4″ layer of Basic White, color the top edge with Lemon Lolly ink and a blending brush.
Color below the Lemon Lolly with Pool Party ink and a blending brush and blend into the Lemon Lolly layer. Color about half way down this Basic White layer.
Take the Crumb Cake piece and tear into four sections using the paper tearing technique detailed above making sure that you tear across the longer 3″ side so it fits the whole way across the blended layer.
Flip the top piece over so that the pretty torn edge is facing upwards and using glue or tape adhere only the edges together this way the middle of the paper will be open like a pocket to tuck your paddleboards into.
Adhere all four layers together.
Adhere the Crumb Cake torn layers to the Ink Blended Basic White layer.
I tucked the first two paddleboards into the “sand” layers and then popped up the bottom one onto Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals to give the boards some depth and dimension!
Adhere this decorated layer onto the 3 1/4″ x 4 1/4″ Basic White layer as a matte.
Tue some Baker’s Twine in Crumb Cake color from the Baker’s Twine Essential Pack around that layer and adhere to the base card on an angle for some visual interest!
I cut a scrap piece of Basic White cardstock from one of the smaller Deckled Circles dies and stamped in Azure Afternoon ink the sentiment from the Beach Day stamp set.
I blended the edges in Lemon Lolly with a small blending brush.
I popped up the sentiment piece over the paddleboard layer and this cute card is ready to send on it’s way to brighten someone’s day!

Try these fun and easy techniques and if you played along with this color challenge upload a picture of your creation to share with all of us in the comment section of today’s Facebook post for More Color Mondays!

Now it’s your turn to go and create something easy and fun – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

full of life flip flop fun fold

full of life flip flop fun fold

This is such a fun and interactive card! It’s called the FLipFLop FUn Fold and I made mine with the Full of Life suite – which I love because of all the fun bright colors!

The most difficult part about this card is the cutting and scoring and it isn’t really that difficult it just looks complex!

Measurements:
BASE: Lost Lagoon 5 1/2″ x 6 1/4″
DSP: 3″ x 3 1/4″
4″ x 3 1/4″

Position your base card into the Stampin’ Trimmer with the 6 1/4″ side along the top edge. Make a cut 1″ from each edge starting at 1″ from the top and go to 1″ from the bottom – so on your clear ruler cut from 1″ to 4 1/2″. Flip the paper over and do the same cut on the other edge.
At 2 5/8″ from the edge make a score line from the top edge to 1″ down only and from the bottom edge up to 4 1/2″ on the clear ruler which will be 1″ from the bottom.
Turn the paper so that you are able to make those same score lines on the opposite edge.
Now put the 5 1/2″ side at the top of the paper cutter and cut from the top of the horizontal cut line to 2 5/8″ and the pick up the cutting blade and cut from 3 5/8″ to 5 1/4″.
Turn the paper 180 degrees and do the same cuts on the opposite side of the paper. See the card template photo below.

Cut your desired pieces of Designer Series paper at 3″ x 3 1/4″ for the front piece and 4″ x 3 1/4″ for the back piece.
I knew that I wanted to use the heart die from the Full of Life die set but not sure which pieces I wanted so I die cut both hearts from the Pool Party, Lost Lagoon and Coastal Cabana scraps as well as the word Friend.
I stamped the double heart image on the outside frame of the card in Lost Lagoon ink.
Score at the 2 5/8″ mark and the 3 5/8″ mark and bring the edges of the card base in so that the swing piece moves towrds the right side of the card – this will show the smaller piece of the swing mechanism in the front of the card.
Adhere the 3″ x 3 /14″ piece of DSP to that swing piece as shown.
Adhere the larger 4″ x 3 1/4″ piece of DSP to the back side of the swing piece.
I decided that the DSP was so bright and colorful that I wanted the DSP to show through as much as possible so I used the large heart outline on the backside DSP.
I adhered the die cut word Friend towards the bottom of the heart die and stamped miss you in Lost Lagoon ink on a scrap of 1/2″ Basic White strip and angle cut the edges.
I adhered the cut out heart die to the DSP on the card front and added Iridescent pearls to the card front frame so that they could be seen from both the flip and the flop side of the card!
So much fun I know just who I am going to send this too!
Now it’s your turn try this interactive fun fold and caret some art work of your very own and send it off to a special someone – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Here is a short video of the flip flop mechanism in action!
pop out swing card – new thoughtful journey suite collection

pop out swing card – new thoughtful journey suite collection

I first saw this fun fold on another demonstrator’s website and thought it was very cool – I changed a few things up but thanks for the inspiration Tami W. This pop Out Swing card features an incredible new suite of products called Thoughtful Journey Suite Collection. A beautiful stamp bundle with coordinating dies and two sets of gorgeous Designer Series papers. One thoughtful Designs Specialty 12″ x 12″ DSP is described in the online store as paper with a soft gradation of colors! The Thoughtful Designs 12″ x 12″ (30.5 x 30.5 cm) Specialty Designer Series Paper will make a statement on your handmade cards! Easily die cut, punch, or fussy cut your favorite bundle of branches to add an elevated layer of detail to your crafts. Or turn your favorite page into a stunning card background or treat box. This lovely pearlized paper is a great way to add dimension to your creations as the colors shift when light bounces off each page!
The Thoughtful Journey 6″ x 6″ Designer Paper is what I used for this fun fold card and contains 48 sheets of gorgeous water-colored designs.
There are also Thoughtful Journey Memories and More cards for the easiest and beautiful cards on the planet!
Add a Memories and More Cards and envelopes pack and make the prettiest cards in a flash!
I will be hosting a future Stamp a Stack class with these products – what for the announcement soon!
This fun fold has a bunch of parts and pieces but it is not difficult!

Measurements:
BASE: Petunia Pop CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″, scrap for focal point matte
Insert: Petunia Pop 6″ x 4 1/2″ scored at 2″ , 4″
after attaching the DSP
Inside Layer: Petunia Pop 2 1/2″ x 5″
Pool Party: (2) 4″ x 5 1/4″
DSP: (1) 3 3/4″ x 5 “, 2 1/4″ x 4 3/4″
Basic White: scrap for focal point about 2 1/2″
square, 3″ x 3 1/2″ scored at 1 1/2” for back
of insert

Adhere 3 3/4″ x 5″ DSP to the Pool Party layer and run through the Stampin’ Cut and Emboss with the second largest square die from the Stylish Shapes die set. I used the Petunia Pop die cut as the matte for the swing through portion.
Adhere the layers to the card front and run through the Stampin’ Cut and Emboss withe the same die so the hole is in the same spot on all three layers.
Adhere the Pool Party layer to the inside of the card. I laid out the second Petunia pop and DSP layer and decided to place them on the inside of the Pool Party layer so the DSP would be more visible after the insert is attached.
Adhere the DSP to the Petunia Pop layer and adhere to the left-hand side of the Pool Party layer.
Adhere the 4 1/4″ x 5 3/4″ DSP Insert piece to the 4 1/2″ x 6″ Petunia Pop Insert layer.
Score at 2″ and 4″ and fold both layers at the same time.
Place a generous amount of Tear & Tape to the back side of the Insert and adhere to the center right-hand side of the Pool Party inside layer.
Score the Basic White layer in half and adhere to the back side of the insert piece to have a place to write.
Die cut a Basic White square using the middle square from the Stylish Shapes die set and with the Petunia Pop and Mossy Meadow Stampin’ Write Markers color in the petals and leaves of the thistle stamp image. Breathe on the stamp to moisten the ink and stamp on the square in the diagonal position if that is how you die cut the Stylish Shapes shape! (I had to redo mine OOPS I stamped it as a square not a diamond!)
Close the card and place Stampin’ Dimensionals on the Insert that is showing through the Diamond die cut opening.
Adhere the Sentiment diamond to the Petunia Pop diamond and adhere onto the Stampin’ Dimensionals. I added the In Color Dots and after thought I should have used the very pretty Adhesive-backed Pearl Trio – I guess i”ll save those for another card!

Here are some images of the card finished!

Try this fun fold for a special card!
Now go and create some art of your own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie