AWH Colour Creations Blog Hop #46 Smoky Slate

Smoky Slate with Magnolia Mood

Hello. Welcome to Valley Inspirations with Andrea and the Art with Heart Colour Creations Blog Hop. We are working though the Stampin' Up! colours in alphabetical order, focussing on one colour each week.

This week’s Blog Hop is focussing on a pale grey called Smoky Slate. Smoky Slate is part of the Neutrals Colour Family and is a wonderful light silvery grey that can coordinate with so so many colours. This colour can be used in many ways - consider a coloured flower with Smoky Slate leaves, or a Smoky Slate stamped image instead of using Black ink - it’s much softer; or it could be used as a neutral background - perhaps trees or mountains in the background.

Smoky Slate is produced in Stampin' Up!'s card-stock, both A4 & 12"x12"; Classic Stampin' inks (ink pads & re-inkers); Stampin' Write Marker; Stampin’ Blends Combo; Neutrals Designer Series Paper as well as Winter Meadows DSP; Faceted Gems Trio Pack; and the Celebrate Today Magnet Board Kit. 

Smoky Slate ink, card-stock and Stampin’ Write Marker plus the Smoky Slate design within the Winter Meadows Designer Series Paper have been used in the creation of these projects together with a range of non-Smoky Slate bits and pieces.

CARD 1

While so many colours can go with Smoky Slate I do especially love either yellow, pink or pool party with grey - so I chose pink this week, ie Bubble Bath and Berry Burst with a touch of Old Olive to go with the Magnolia Mood On-line Bundle. I adore this bundle.  I decided to have the magnolia flower stamped in Smoky Slate and either leave the flowers uncoloured with coloured background shapes or a coloured Magnolia with Smoky Slate background shapes. I couldn’t make my mind up as to which one so I created both. The two cards that are similar, but different. However, I do adore the coloured Magnolia.

As mentioned, the large magnolia stamp from the Magnolia Mood stamp set was stamped in Smoky Slate Classic Stampin ink. This produces a softer image with less contrast between the outline and the colouring, however, Smoky Slate ink is still strong enough to define the image well. This image was coloured with Stampin’ Blends, ie Bubble Bath, Berry Burst and Old Olive Blends Combos, plus the Colour Lifter to give soft highlights.

Some leaves and a flower were die cut from Basic White card-stock using the Magnolia Mood dies. Some colour was added with a Blending Brush, ie Bubble Bath ink on the flower and Old Olive ink on the leaves. Background shapes were also cut using the Thoughtful Expressions dies. The large label was cut from the Smoky Slate mottled design from the Winter Meadows DSP - this provided a subtle textured background with little effort. The smaller background shapes were die cut from Smoky Slate card-stock, with the small solid shape striped with a Light Smoky Slate Blend and a little Smoky Slate blending added with a Blending Brush.

A Basic White card background was embossed with the Leaf Fall 3D Embossing Folder - currently an On-line Exclusive. A thin strip of Berry Burst Glimmer Speciality Paper - another On-line Exclusive that comes with Old Olive and White Glimmer Speciality Papers, was laid across the centre of the embossed panel and the other elements were arranged.

A sentiment from the stamp set was stamped in Smoky Slate ink on the Winter Meadows DSP and fussy cut out. I had planned on adding the other two rows of the sentiment inside the card - but just remembered now - oops! Some of the beautiful Pastel Adhesive-backed Sequins were added near the sentiment and a little White Bakers Twine bow was tucked under the sentiment. It still needed a little something so some splattering was added with a Smoky Slate Stampin’ Write Marker.

The card inner was simply stamped with a Smoky Slate Magnolia and a strip of the Glimmer Paper adhered over. A C6 Basic White envelope was also stamped with a Smoky Slate Magnolia.

And now a card with a Smoky Slate Magnolia and coloured background shapes.

CARD 2

As mentioned, this card is similar but different. The background panel was embossed with the beautiful Layered Florals 3D Embossing Folder. The featured magnolia is simply stamped in Smoky Slate ink. The detail of this stamp is beautiful in just one colour. Some leaves were die cut from Smoky Slate card-stock. The flower and leaves sit on a Basic White label cut using a  Thoughtful Expressions die. The background shapes also used the Thoughtful Expressions dies, with the large shape cut from the Bubble Bath design from the Bright and Beautiful DSP. The smaller shapes and a thin strip were cut from a different speciality paper, the Soft Shimmer Speciality Paper - this gives a beautiful shimmer. It is retiring soon so don’t miss out.

A sentiment was stamped in Smoky Slate ink and fussy cut out. The final touch was a double Elegant Trim bow and some Bubble Bath sequins from the Subtle Adhesive Backed Sequins. Splattering was added with both a Smoky Slate Marker and the light Berry Burst Blend.

The card inner and Basic White C6 Envelope were decorated in the same way as the first card described above.

Thank you so much for dropping by on your way around the Colour Creations Blog Hop. I know there will be so much Smoky Slate inspiration throughout the Blog Hop.

To continue with the Smoky Slate blog hop just click the "next" graphic below to be taken to the blog of the lovely Christine Blain. I am looking forward to checking out Christine’s creation(s). I do love seeing everyone’s' projects - we use the same colour in so many ways.

I do hope to see you next week when we will be featuring Soft Sea Foam as we continue the weekly 2023-2024 Colour Creations Blog Hop series. 

Stay well, stay safe and be kind to yourself and others.

Andrea 💕🐾

If you find a broken link or would like to view the full list of participants go to Catherine Proctor’s blog @ What Cathy Made. Cathy is our brilliant Art With Heart Team Colour Creations Coordinator.  She is a wonderful lady. Check out her delightful creation while you are there.

If you live in Australia, don't already have a Stampin' Up! demonstrator and would like your own copy of the Stampin' Up 2023-2024 Annual Catalogue and or the new January-April 2024 Mini Catalogue, then let me know and I will be delighted to send them to you.  Please don't hesitate to make contact with any other queries about this project or Stampin' Up!. 

#colourcreationsbloghop  #stampinup #stampinupaustralia #stampinupsouthpacific #stampinupdemo  #handmadecards #makeacardsendacard #stampinupdemonstrator #papercrafting #artwithheartteam  #papercrafter  #valleyinspirations   #magnoliamood  #thoughtfulexpressions

AWH Colour Creations Blog Hop #45 Shaded Spruce

Shaded Spruce with Country Flowers

Hello. Welcome to Valley Inspirations with Andrea and the Art with Heart Colour Creations Blog Hop. We are working though the Stampin' Up! colours in alphabetical order, focussing on one colour each week. This series is drawing to a close, with just over a month to go. Where has the year gone!

This week’s Blog Hop is focussing on a deep green called Shaded Spruce. Shaded Spruce is part of the Regals Colour Family and is a wonderful green leaning a little towards the blue side. A friend has said this was one of her favourite colours. This colour is lovely for leaves, trees and is wonderful for Christmas, plus so much more. 

Shaded Spruce is produced in Stampin' Up!'s card-stock, both A4 & 12"x12"; Classic Stampin' inks (ink pads, ink spots & re-inkers); Stampin' Write Marker; Stampin’ Blends Combo; Regals Designer Series Paper as well as a number of other products. 

Shaded Spruce ink, card-stock and Stampin’ Write Marker have been used in the creation of this project plus a range of non-Shaded Spruce bits and pieces.

You may be saying, do I recognise that stamp set? Well, unless you are a demonstrator and attended Stampin’ Up!s conference, On Stage recently you wouldn’t know that the Country Flowers stamps and dies are part of the coming 2024-2025 Annual Catalogue. As a demonstrator who was attending On Stage I had the opportunity to purchase this bundle in readiness for a crafting session last Thursday evening. It is a fun country-style bundle.

A panel of Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper was water-coloured with Shaded Spruce Classic Stampin’ ink and the wide Water Painter from the Water Painter set. When dry the coloured panel was cut with the larger Deckled Rectangle die and mounted on a slightly larger panel of Basic White card-stock. This in turn was mounted to a Shaded Spruce card-stock base. Another panel of Basic White card-stock was cut with the larger Deckled Rectangle die and sliced in 2, with the top section popped up on Dimensionals.

The leaves stamp from the Country Flowers stamp set was silver heat embossed onto Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper together with the handled pot stamp. The leaves were then water-coloured with Shaded Spruce and Granny Apple Green inks and the pot with Melon Mambo ink and a fine tipped Water Painter. The coordinating dies cut out the coloured images - the pot die even cut out the little section between the handle and the pot - that would be hard to do fussy cutting! The set of Country Flowers dies also included little flowers and leaves. A number were die cut from Fluid 100 paper and lightly water-coloured. All the pieces were arranged onto a Basic White Deckled Circle die cut.

“Sending love” sentiment was stamped in Shaded Spruce ink 3 times. “Love” was fussy cut out and tucked around the focal point. The final touch included a splattering of Shaded Spruce Stampin’ Write Marker and a single bow created using a little silver Elegant Trim that has been tucked under some leaves.   The flowers were decorated with the oh so gorgeous Iridescent Pearls Basic Jewels.  I am so glad these beautiful Gems will be continuing into the coming Annual Catalogue.

The inner Basic White panel for writing a personal message was decorated with Silver heat embossed images using Versamark ink, Silver Emboss Powder, the Embossing Kit, and a Heat Tool. The sentiment was stamped in Shaded Spruce ink. To add a little colour, Shaded Spruce, Melon Mambo and Granny Apple  inks were added to the image using a Blender Pen. A Basic White C6 Envelope was stamped in Shaded Spruce ink.

Thank you so much for dropping by on your way around the Colour Creations Blog Hop.  

To continue with the Shaded Spruce blog hop just click the "next" graphic below to be taken to the blog of a lovely lady, Diane Furniss. I am looking forward to checking out Di’s creation(s). I do love seeing everyone’s' projects - there is always so much inspiration.

I do hope to see you next week when we will be featuring Smoky Slate as we continue the weekly 2023-2024 Colour Creations Blog Hop series. 

Stay well, stay safe and be kind to yourself and others.

Andrea 💕🐾

If you find a broken link or would like to view the full list of participants go to Catherine Proctor’s blog @ What Cathy Made. Cathy is our brilliant Art With Heart Team Colour Creations Coordinator.  She is a wonderful lady. Check out her delightful creation while you are there.

If you live in Australia, don't already have a Stampin' Up! demonstrator and would like your own copy of the Stampin' Up 2023-2024 Annual Catalogue and or the new January-April 2024 Mini Catalogue, then let me know and I will be delighted to send them to you.  Please don't hesitate to make contact with any other queries about this project or Stampin' Up!. 

#colourcreationsbloghop  #stampinup #stampinupaustralia #stampinupsouthpacific #stampinupdemo  #handmadecards #makeacardsendacard #stampinupdemonstrator #papercrafting #artwithheartteam  #papercrafter  #valleyinspirations   #countryflowers  

AWH Colour Creations Blog Hop #44 Real Red

Real Red with Flower Card Fancy Fold

Hello. Welcome to Valley Inspirations with Andrea and the Art with Heart Colour Creations Blog Hop. We are working though the Stampin' Up! colours in alphabetical order, focussing on one colour each week.

This week’s Blog Hop is focussing on a a strong red called Real Red. Real Red is part of the Regals Colour Family and is a great red. This colour is wonderful for flowers, hearts and for Christmas to name a few.

Real Red is produced in Stampin' Up!'s card-stock, both A4 & 12"x12"; Classic Stampin' inks (ink pads, ink spots & re-inkers); Stampin' Write Marker; Stampin’ Blends Combo; Regals Designer Series Paper as well as a number of other products. 

Real Red ink, card-stock, Stampin’ Blends and Stampin’ Write Marker have been used in the creation of this project plus a range of non-Real Red bits and pieces.

I decided to use the Flower Cart bundle as I could see the awnings on the flower cart in red & white stripes, but then as I was putting the card together the red & white awning didn’t make its way onto the card. To show off the little red flower card I chose another fancy fold - a variation of an easel card.

The flowers were stamped in Flirty Flamingo Classic Stampin’ ink, the leaves in 2nd generation Old Olive ink and the pots in Real Red ink.  To carry Old Olive through, it was used to stamp the cobbled stones - they must be moss covered. The coordinating dies made cutting out easy.

The cart was die cut from Real Red card-stock and the wheels from Basic Black card-stock.

To keep the card colour scheme as Real Red, Basic White & Basic Black with a touch of other colours for the flowers, a piece of the Rock & Roll Designer Series Paper was selected for a few of the card panels. A very light touch of blending was added to the DSP and behind the flower on the front panel.

A sentiment from the stamp set was Black heat embossed onto the DSP, fussy cut out and popped up on Mini Dimensionals. A little Real Red splattering was added. I tried using Real Red ribbons but they were too “heavy” so I coloured the Sweet Sorbet twine with a Light Real Red Blend. A few gold Adhesive-backed Dragonflies were added as the final touch - they are an online-only product.

Here is the card folded up and below is the card fully opened.

A panel for writing a personal message was decorated with a couple of pots of flowers.

Similarly, a Basic White C6 envelope was decorated with pots and flowers.

Thank you so much for dropping by on your way around the Colour Creations Blog Hop.

To continue with the Real Red blog hop just click the "next" graphic below to be taken to the blog of a special lady, Kate Morgan. I am looking forward to checking out Kate’s creation(s). I do love seeing everyone’s' projects - there is always so much inspiration.

I do hope to see you next week when we will be featuring Shaded Spruce as we continue the weekly 2023-2024 Colour Creations Blog Hop series. 

Stay well, stay safe and be kind to yourself and others.

Andrea 💕🐾

If you find a broken link or would like to view the full list of participants go to Catherine Proctor’s blog @ What Cathy Made. Cathy is our brilliant Art With Heart Team Colour Creations Coordinator.  She is a wonderful lady. Check out her delightful creation while you are there.

If you live in Australia, don't already have a Stampin' Up! demonstrator and would like your own copy of the Stampin' Up 2023-2024 Annual Catalogue and or the new January-April 2024 Mini Catalogue, then let me know and I will be delighted to send them to you.  Please don't hesitate to make contact with any other queries about this project or Stampin' Up!. 

#colourcreationsbloghop  #stampinup #stampinupaustralia #stampinupsouthpacific #stampinupdemo  #handmadecards #makeacardsendacard #stampinupdemonstrator #papercrafting #artwithheartteam  #papercrafter  #valleyinspirations   #flowercart   

Funky Folds Blog Hop #1

ANYTHING GOES WITH A FUNKY FOLD

Welcome to the first Funky Folds Blog Hop.

We are a group of like-minded paper crafters who love to make cards with funky folds. Funky actually means "modern and stylish in an unconventional or striking way"... so we are featuring cards that are not your usual rectangle/square portrait or landscape style. Think 'easel', 'pop-up', 'gatefold', 'z-fold', 'shaped' or 3D cards etc. The list is endless. All Blog Hops have an 'anything goes' theme using any type of 'funky' card fold.

I have created a card with a range of Stampin’ Up! products, starting with the Trusty Tools bundle.  But you say, isn’t this blog featuring funky folds??? Yes, it is. This card has the surprise inside when it is opened — there is an internal pop-up feature. 

A friend had a recent birthday but what was I to create for him? This friend had taken up painting when he retired. His studio is positioned in an open atrium that is surrounded by his home.  The area itself has no roof and there is a bricked floor with plants in pots and hanging baskets scattered around. My friend’s hobby and his studio area were the inspiration for this card. 

To give a woodgrain background a neutral design was selected from the Perennial Lavender Designer Series Paper and it was embossed with the Timber 3D Embossing Folder. Some Crumb Cake Classic Stampin’ ink was lightly added to allow the timber effect to be softly visible.  A Shaded Spruce design from the same DSP pack was laid beneath a peg board die cut from the Trusty Tools dies. The stamped paint brush and pencils were from the Trusty Tools stamps and coloured with Stampin’ Blends. The die cut foliage came from the Painted Lavender and Notes of Nature sets of dies. The foliage is reminiscent of the plants in the atrium.

The front sentiment comes from the stamp set that is part of the Timeless Greetings kit. Linen Twine and Brushed Brass Butterflies give a special touch.

The pop up scene inside the card used some extra products. To add a basket of smaller brushes and an artist easel the Crafting With You stamp set was brought out. A couple of paintings and a clock adorned the wall above the work bench in the atrium so a part of the Perennial Lavender DSP was cut down and mounted to give an abstract painting feel. When I thought of the clock on the wall, initially I was stumped, but then remembered the clock-face in the Timeless Greetings card kit. Vellum was added to the bench top, with it hanging further down on one end to give a sense of plastic sheeting over the actual bench. The Vellum was also splattered with White Craft ink and Shaded Spruce ink to replicate the plastic sheeting - it may be difficult to see this detail in the photos. The “painting” on the easel was cut down from some of the Meandering Meadows DSP.

Here is a side view. You may see the brickwork ground that was created with an Exposed Brick 3D Embossing Folder and some Crumb Cake ink. The neutral gingham floor rug was cut from another piece of Perennial Lavender DSP.  The sentiment came from the Trusty Tools stamps.

The back of the card was used for writing a personal message. Another painting and some foliage provided linkage to the theme of the card. And yes, the card does fit into a standard A6 Very Vanilla envelope - it’s fat, but it does fit. I was going to hand deliver the card so didn’t need to worry about the card’s thickness to comply with Australia Post processing.

Thank you so much for dropping by on your way around our first Funky Folds Blog Hop.

Up next is our Host and Blog Hop initiator, the wonderful Bronwyn Eastley from Addinktive Designs in eastern Australia. I am so looking forward to seeing Bronwyn’s funky fold and to checking out everyones’ creations in our very first Funky Folds Blog Hop. Just click on the graphic below to be taken to Bronwyn’s blog.

If you love to make cards with creative folds and would like to join in with our monthly Funky Folds Blog Hops, you are welcome to head on over to our community group on Facebook to be part of the fun.

facebook.com/groups/funkyfoldsbloghops

Stay well, stay safe and be kind to yourself and others.

Andrea 💕🐾

If you live in Australia, don't already have a Stampin' Up! demonstrator and would like your own copy of the Stampin' Up 2023-2024 Annual Catalogue and or the January-April 2024 Mini Catalogue, then let me know and I will be delighted to send them to you.  Please don't hesitate to make contact with any other queries about this project or Stampin' Up!. 

#stampinup #stampinupaustralia #stampinupsouthpacific #stampinupdemo  #handmadecards #makeacardsendacard #stampinupdemonstrator #papercrafting #papercrafter  #valleyinspirations   #trustytools  #craftingwithyou   #perenniallavender  #meanderingmeadows