AWH Colour Creations Blog Hop #32 Melon Mambo

Melon Mambo with Joy of NOEL

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 bright pink called Melon Mambo. Melon Mambo is one of the Brights Colour Family and is a strong mid pink. This colour is lovely for flowers, and anything with bright pinks.

Melon Mambo is produced in Stampin' Up!'s card-stock, both A4 & 12"x12"; Classic Stampin' inks (ink pads & re-inkers); Stampin' Write Marker; Stampin’ Blends; Watercolor Pencils - Assortment 1; Brights Designer Series Paper as well as Merry, Bright & Bold, Masterfully Made, Meandering Meadows DSP; Celebrate Today Magnet Board Kit as well as Glossy Dots Assortment & Iridescent Adhesive-backed Discs. 

Melon Mambo card-stock, ink, Stampin’ Write Marker, Stampin’ Blends and Melon Mambo & Granny Apple Foil Sheets have been used in the creation of this project plus a range of non-Melon Mambo bits and pieces.

The Joy of NOEL bundle has been combined with Melon Mambo to create a non-traditional Christmas card. (Sorry Christine, I know you aren’t into pink for Christmas cards - but I am still short from my target number of Christmas cards to send out to friends.) The card base and card front were cut from Bubble Bath card-stock, with the front being dry embossed with the Distressed Tile 3D Embossing Folder. A splattering of Melon Mambo Stampin’ Write Marker, Wink of Stella and White Craft ink were flicked over the embossed card front.

I watched Krista Frattin, a Canadian SU Demonstrator, member of the Crafty Carrot Co and past SU Artisan demonstrate embossing onto Foil Sheets as she created a card for November’s Crafty Carrot Co’s series. It was my first time heat embossing on Foil paper - I had wanted to try it and watching Krista gave me the courage and enthusiasm to give it a go. After wiping over the Melon Mambo Foil with an Embossing Buddy, it was stamped in White Craft Ink and then sprinkled with White Emboss Powder. It was melted with the Heat Tool from underneath so the foil wouldn’t be damaged. This was cut with a larger tag die from the Tailor Made Tags set.

The slightly curved spray of holly, berries and leaves were stamped in Gray Granite Classic Stampin’ ink on Basic White card-stock and then coloured with Stampin’ Blends Combos, ie Melon Mambo for the berries; Old Olive over the pine needles; Soft Sea Foam for the leaves and Granny Apple Green for the holly. They were fussy cut out as I wanted to trim closer to the stamped image than if using the coordinating die.

NOEL was white heat embossed, as referenced above, onto some of the Melon Mambo foil. The coordinating die was used to cut out the letters, together with Adhesive Foam Sheet that had been adhered beneath. It makes it so easy to add dimension to the letters. The letters were adhered to a Basic White tag, that had been dry embossed with the Melody 3D Embossing Folder.

A piece of White Iridescent Ribbon was cut lengthwise in half and then tied into a double bow. This was adhered to the top of the tag with Glue Dots. A number of gorgeous Iridescent Pearls were scattered around.

The card inner was simply stamped with the holly arrangement from the Joy of NOEL stamp set on Basic White card-stock in Gray Granite ink.  A strip of Melon Mambo foil was adhered to the card inner edge. A Basic White C6 envelope was stamped with the same image and ink. 

Thank you so much for dropping by on your way around the Colour Creations Blog Hop. I am heading off to check out everyone’s Melon Mambo creations.

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

I hope to see you next week when we will be featuring Misty Moonlight as we continue the weekly 2023-2024 Colour Creations Blog Hop series. Next week’s blog hop will be the last for  this year, but it is only a short break - we start again the first Wednesday in January.

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   #joyofnoel  

AWH Heart of Christmas #17

Christmas with Joy of Christmas & Tiny Christmas Trees

Hello. Welcome to Valley Inspirations with Andrea and the final Art with Heart Team Heart of Christmas Blog Hop for 2023.  Christmas is just around the corner. 

This week I am showcasing a range of products including elements of the Joy of Christmas suite on one Christmas card and the Tiny Christmas Tree die on another card. Here are my two cards.

CARD 1:

If you joined me last Wednesday evening for the Colour Creations Blog Hop, I mentioned I had been inspired by the Global Design Project colour challenge. For that project I coloured Basic White card-stock with Lemon Lime Twist and Pool Party Classic Stampin’ inks. I had enough of the coloured paper remaining to create this card.

The colour combo is Lemon Lime Twist, Pool Party and Poppy Parade inks on Basic White card-stock and touches of Silver (embossing and foil). This selection of colours would not be my go to but it is always good to challenge oneself. I found, I do love the combination. Poppy Parade Blends were used to colour Basic Rhinestone Jewels and “Joyous” was stamped in Poppy Parade ink.

The Basic White background was embossed with the Merry Melody 3D Embossing Folder.

The Lemon Lime Twist coloured paper was die cut with the Holly Leaf from the Christmas Classics dies, while the Pool Party coloured paper was cut with the pine needles twigs. They were alternated and positioned in a wreath. I used the Deckled Circles dies to cut a ring from silver foil to help me form a wreath. Some little sprigs were cut from Silver Foil with a die from the Joy of Noel dies.

NOEL was stamped using the Joy of NOEL stamps in Versamark ink and silver heat embossed. A die from the coordinating Joy of NOEL dies perfectly cut out the letters. I had added some Foam Adhesive Sheet under the heat embossed letters before die cutting the letters. As mentioned, the word “Joyous” was stamped on Basic White card-stock and fussy cut. “NOEL” was adhered in the centre of the wreath and “Joyous” was adhered on top.

A couple of split lengthwise sections of the Silver & White Sheer ribbon were tied into a double bow and tucked under the pine and holly leaves with Glue Dots.  The Basic Rhinestone Jewels that had been coloured with the Dark Poppy Parade Stampin’ Blends were sprinkled over the wreath, and NOEL.

The card inner was simply decorated with a strip of Silver Foil, a left over Lemon Lime Twist holly leaf and a little foil twig.

CARD 2:

The Tiny Christmas Trees die was used to cut a mask to colour the little trees through the mask. I used Balmy Blue, Fresh Freesia, Lemon Lolly, Bubble Bath and Soft Sea Foam Classic inks and randomly blended the little trees through the mask. 

As has been my story of late, I ran out of time to make two cards, so decided to use the blended mask that had been splattered with water to blend the colours a little and give gorgeous texture. A card with the tiny trees background will need to be finished later.

The background panel was trimmed and mounted onto a piece of Basic White card-stock. Some  Silver & White Sheer ribbon was wrapped around the mounted background before being adhered to a Basic White Thick card base. A double bow of the same lengthwise cut ribbon was positioned later with Glue Dots.

The newly released On-Line Only Mini Alphabet dies were used to die cut PEACE & JOY and the “to you” came from the Joy to You stamp set - silver embossed onto Basic White card-stock. Some little silver foil twigs left over from Card 1 were added to embellish the sentiment. Some Basic Rhinestone Jewels were added for the final touch of shimmer.

The card inner was simply decorated with a silver embossed sentiment also from the Joy to You stamp set and a couple of left over little foil twigs.

Thank you for joining us for our last Heart of Christmas Blog Hop for 2023

I so appreciate you spending time with me on my blog. I hope you found something of interest and to inspire.

There is more Christmas creativity so continue with the 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 everyones' projects - there is always so much inspiration.

Thank you so much for joining us over the last 4 months for the Heart of Christmas Blog Hop. I hope you have enjoyed the blog hops and been inspired for your papercrafting.

Also, many of us participate in the Colour Creations Blog Hop that goes live every Wednesday night where we showcase one of Stampin’ Up!s colours each week. This Blog Hop is continuing to the second Wednesday in December. It would be fantastic if you couple join us.

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 Sharon Davern’s blog @ Rhapsody in Craft. Sharon is our wonderful Art With Heart Team Heart of Christmas Coordinator.  She is a special 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, the September-December 2023 Mini Catalogue and or the coming 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 these projects or Stampin' Up!. 

#heartofchristmasbloghop  #stampinup #stampinupaustralia #stampinupsouthpacific #stampinupdemo  #handmadecards #makeacardsendacard #stampinupdemonstrator #papercrafting #artwithheartteam  #papercrafter  #valleyinspirations   #joyofnoel   #chritmasclassics  #joyofchristmas  #tinychristmastrees   #joytoyou

AWH Colour Creations Blog Hop #29 Highland Heather

Highland Heather with Joy of NOEL

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 clear purple called Highland Heather. Highland Heather is part of the Subtles Colour Family and is a mid purple that for me is leaning into the Brights category. This colour is lovely for flowers, and is wonderful to combine with blues when creating with snowflakes. As I am still building my Christmas card stash, I have gone a bit non-traditional and created 2 Christmas cards with Highland Heather blended backgrounds.

Highland Heather is produced in Stampin' Up!'s card-stock, both A4 & 12"x12"; Classic Stampin' inks (ink pads & re-inkers); Stampin' Write Marker; Stampin’ Blends; Subtles Designer Series Paper as well as Meandering Meadows DSP & Three Colour Glimmer Paper. 

Highland Heather card-stock, ink, Stampin’ Blends, Stampin’ Write Marker and the Three Colour Glimmer Paper have been used in the creation of these projects plus a range of non-HIghland Heather bits and pieces.

CARD 1

The first card was designed around 4 colours stipulated by the current Colour Inkspiration Challenge no155.

Here is what I created to submit to the Challenge.  As it includes Highland Heather it is also brilliant to share here as well.

The layout is one I saw Emma Goddard demonstrate at her Friday Card & a Cuppa. As it was fresh in my mind I decided to combine it with the Colour Inkspiration Challenge and the Joy of NOEL bundle. I started by creating a blended background on Basic White card-stock using a Blending Brush and Highland Heather with Fresh Freesia, Gorgeous Grape and Cherry Cobbler Classic Stampin’ Inks. The addition of Cherry Cobbler gave the blended background a special touch. A number of the smaller stamps from the Joy of Noel stamp set were white heat embossed using Versamark ink, White Emboss Powder, the Emboss Additions Tool Kit and a Heat Tool. Some water was splattered over the blending. I so love the effect of water splattering.

The background panel was cut with the largest Deckled Rectangle die and then mounted onto a slightly larger piece of Highland Heather card-stock; and then onto a Basic White Thick card base. The curved arrangement from the stamp set was stamped in 2nd generation Highland Heather ink on a seperate piece of Basic White card-stock. It was coloured with Stampin’ Blends, ie Highland Heather, Fresh Freesia and Cherry Cobbler combos, plus the Colour Lifter. it was fussy cut and divided into 3 sections.

A piece of Iridescent White Ribbon was cut in half lengthwise and a section was frayed and laid onto the card background. A thin strip of Highland Heather Three Colour Glimmer Paper was added slightly over the edge of the ribbon. NOEL was die cut from White Textured Shimmer Paper with some Adhesive Foam Sheet underneath, using the coordinating Joy of NOEL dies. A touch of Highland Heather ink was lightly blended over the top edges of the 4 letters.

The Blends coloured leaves/berries were tucked under “N” and “L”; with a bow of the cut Iridescent White ribbon tucked under the lower leaves/berries. Wink of Stella was splattered over the card to give extra Christmas shimmer. The final touch of special shine comes from some Tinsel Gems Three Pack (the Fresh Freesia ones).

The card inner was simply stamped with small holly in 2nd generation Highland Heather ink on Basic White card-stock. It was mounted on a slightly larger piece of Highland Heather card-stock before being added to a Basic White Thick Card base. A Basic White C6 Envelope was stamped in the same way as the inside of the card.

CARD 2

The second card also has a blended background and was white heat embossed. While I started with just HIghland Heather ink, I decided to give greater depth with Gorgeous Grape ink and then couldn’t resist adding some Cherry Cobbler ink - I now so love this combo.

The background panel was also splattered with water, before being mounted onto Highland Heather card-stock. I started by splattering the panel with Highland Heather Stampin’ Write Marker, but the marker must be drying out so then added some Dark Highland Heather Blend. The latter gives a bigger & more uneven sized splatter.

Letters that spell “Peace” were cut out of Highland Heather Three Colour Glimmer Paper, that had been backed with Adhesive-backed Foam Sheet, using the Alphabet A La Mode dies. The leathers were laid onto a rectangle of White Textured Shimmer Paper. The decorative Holly/Berry Label and extra pine needles were also cut from the Textured Shimmer Paper. The pine needles were coloured with a touch of Lost Lagoon ink.

Wink of Stella was splattered over the background. The sentiment was added with Dimensionals and the other die cut pieces were arranged around it. A double bow of trimmed in half and frayed Iridescent White Ribbon was held together with a bow of Silver Simply Elegant Trim. A few Fresh Freesia Tinsel Gems Three Pack were added as the final touch of shimmer.

The card inner was simply stamped with the larger Christmas arrangement stamp in Highland Heather ink on Basic White card-stock. Two trimmed off strips from the card front were adhered down the sides before it was added to a Basic White Thick card base. A Basic White C6 Envelope was stamped in the same way as the inside of the card.

Thank you so much for dropping by on you way around the Colour Creations Blog Hop. I know we are a smallish group again this week but I am sure there will still be so much Highland Heather inspiration on show.

To continue with the Highland Heather blog hop just click the "next" graphic below to be taken to the blog of a special person, Rachel Palmieri. I am looking forward to checking out Rachel’s creation(s). I do love seeing everyones' projects - there is always so much inspiration.

I do hope to see you next week when we will be featuring Lemon Lime Twist as we continue the weekly 2023-2024 Colour Creations Blog Hop series. We are also sharing Christmas inspiration through the Heart of Christmas Blog Hop every week, going live Monday nights until the end of November. We would love you to drop in then.

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 September-December 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 these projects or Stampin' Up!. 

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

AWH Colour Creations Blog Hop #28 Gray Granite

Gray Granite with Joy of NOEL & Framing Foliage

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 mid warm grey called Gray Granite. Gray Granite is one of the Neutrals Colour Family and is a grey with a touch of brown. This colour is lovely neutral that coordinates with so many colours. I do love pink and grey - as you can see in both of my cards for this blog hop.

Gray Granite 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 Earthen Elegance DSP, Colourful Kaleidoscope kit and Sentimental Rose All-inclusive Kit & Baker’s Twine Essentials Pack. 

Gray Granite card-stock, ink and Baker’s Twine Essentials pack have been used in the creation of these projects plus a range of non-Gray Granite bits and pieces.

My first card features Gray Granite with a little Petal Pink and touches of Soft Sea Foam. The card base and background use Gray Granite card-stock. The background was stamped with the larger Christmas arrangement from the Joy of Noel set with Versamark Ink and White Emboss Powder and a Heat Gun. A little White Watercolour Pencil lightly coloured the image. The background panel was cut down using the largest Deckled Rectangle die. A little White Craft ink was blended over the edges. This panel was directly mounted onto a slightly larger piece of Basic White card-stock.

Using the Joy of Noel stamps, the NOEL was stamped in Petal Pink Classic Stampin’ ink and “Joyous” in Gray Granite ink.  The curved Christmas arrangement was stamped in 2nd generation Gray Granite ink and then coloured with Gray Granite, Petal Pink, Calypso Coral and Soft Sea Foam Stampin’ Blends Combos. The NOEL was backed with Foam Adhesive sheet and cut out with a coordinating die from the Joy of Noel dies. The other part of the sentiment and the coloured arrangement were both fussy cut - the latter only because I was sitting with a dog on my lap so couldn’t get up to die cut with the coordinating die.

A thin strip of Petal Pink Glimmer paper from the Three Colour Glimmer Speciality Paper (a new online exclusive) was flagged at each end and laid across the card. A Basic White label, cut using the largest Stylish Shapes circle die was embossed with the Snowflake Sky 3D Embossing Folder and adhered with Dimensionals. Some Wink of Stella was splattered over the card front.

The remaining pieces were arranged and a double Linen Thread bow adhered in place with a Mini Glue Dot. The final touch of glimmer was the addition of Adhesive-backed Glitter Sequins.

The Basic White card inner was simply stamped in Gray Granite ink with the curved arrangement.  A Basic White C6 envelope was similarly stamped with the same stamp in Gray Granite ink.

CARD 2

The second card has a similar colour scheme, although a couple of different colours were used when colouring the main image.

I hadn’t inked the Framing Foliage stamp set so white heat embossed the Christmas frame onto a Basic White piece of card-stock. This panel was diagonally blended half with Gray Granite and Petal Pink inks, making it a little darker around the embossed image. The image was “bleached” with water and left to dry - that is, a wet fine tipped Water Brush was used to lift the ink within the image.

Once dry Stampin’ Blends Combos, ie Gray Granite, Petal Pink, Old Olive, Calypso Coral, Pecan Pie and the Colour Lifter were used to colour the image. A White Watercolor Pencil was used to add highlights. The letters from the Alphabet A La Mode dies that spell “Happy” cut Basic White card-stock backed with Foam Adhesive Sheet. “Christmas” from the More Wishes stamp set was stamped on Basic White card-stock and fussy cut.

The “Happy” letters were arranged in a higgledy piggledy fashion. (I liked the way the letters were originally arranged but they didn’t end up the same way when adhered. A little bit different makes a difference!) The card was finished with a double bow of Gray Granite Bakers Twine from the Essentials Pack, some gorgeous Adhesive-backed Speckled Dots and a splattering of Wink of Stella.

The card inner was simply stamped in Gray Granite ink on Basic White card-stock using the edge of the Christmas foliage frame stamp. A Basic White C6 envelope was similarly stamped with the same stamp edge, but on both shorter edges of the envelope.

Thank you so much for dropping by on you way around the Colour Creations Blog Hop. I know we are a smaller group this week but I am sure there will still be so much Gray Granite  inspiration shared.

To continue with the Gray Granite blog hop just click the "next" graphic below to be taken to the blog of my friend, the lovely Christine Blain. I am looking forward to checking out Christine’s creation(s). I do love seeing everyones' projects.

I do hope to see you next week when we will be featuring Highland Heather as we continue the weekly 2023-2024 Colour Creations Blog Hop series. We are also sharing Christmas inspiration through the Heart of Christmas Blog Hop every week, going live Monday nights until the end of November. We would love you to drop in then as well.

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 September-December 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 these projects or Stampin' Up!. 

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