AWHT Colour Creations #30 Mint Macaron

Mint Macaron with Carolling Mice

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, featuring one colour each week.

This week’s Blog Hop is focussing on a soft green called Mint Macaron. Mint Macaron is part of the Subtles Colour Family and is a pretty colour. I do love this colour and its versatility - I guess I am particularly partial to subtle colours. This colour is lovely when used for leaves, trees, macarons (as the name suggests) and so much more. 

Mint Macaron is produced in Stampin' Up!'s card-stock, both A4 & 12"x12"; Classic Stampin' inks (ink pads & re-inkers); Stampin' Write Markers; Stampin' Blends Combo, Subtles Designer Series Paper as well as Gingham Cottage, Santa Express, Design a Daydream DSPs, Christmas Gifting Kit, Celebrate Today Magnet Board Kit, Today is the Day and Santa Express Memories & More Card Packs, together with Santa Express Memories & More Cards & Envelopes. That is quite a list demonstrating this colour's versatility.

I am sharing one card as my day has been quite topsy turvy there by leaving my second card unfinished and unable to complete the blog in time. The card uses Mint Macaron card-stock, ink and Stampin' Blends Combo plus a range of non-Mint Macaron bits and pieces. Here it is:

The inspiration for creating this week was an Artisan's article on inking an embossing folder with White Craft ink before embossing a piece of Crumb Cake card-stock using the Whimsical Woodlands 3D embossing folder. I love the effect created and thought it would work brilliantly with Mint Macaron card-stock. I cautiously applied the White Craft ink on my first try - the results are seen on this card. On my second try, I applied the ink more thickly to gain a more dramatic effect. That card is unfinished but will try to get it finished and post it soon.

As mentioned, I started by inking the Whimsical Woodlands 3D embossing folder with White Craft ink before using it to emboss a piece of Mint Macaron card-stock. It was put aside to dry while 3 caroling mice were stamped in Black Momento ink on Basic White card-stock. The light pole and a tree from the same Caroling Mice stamp set were also stamped out. The 3 images were coloured with Stampin' Blends, ie Mint Macaron, Flirty Flamingo, Polished Pink, Balmy Blue, Night of Navy, So Saffron, Pale Papaya, Soft Succulent, Smoky Slate, Crumb Cake, Gray Granite and Basic Black combos with the Colour Lifter. All the images were fussy cut as the Caroling Mice is a stand alone Host stamp set without any sentiments. I am happy to fussy cut - this set is soooo cute. When I initially saw this set I thought it was more appropriate for the northern hemisphere, however, given the weather (low temperatures) we have been experiencing in Adelaide I believe the wooly scarves & caps are very relevant here.

A circular label cut with the largest stitched circle in the Stylish Shapes dies was on my desk and was prefect for grounding my focal elements. A little blending using Balmy Blue Stampin' Classic ink was added to part of the edge and an "indicative ground" stamp was added in Mint Macaron Classic ink. This label was added with Dimensionals. The mice were also added to the label with Dimensionals and the light pole was partially tucked underneath with Multi-purpose Liquid Glue. 

Some white Pearlized Enamel Effects was dropped on the pom poms on the caps and a little was added to an edge of the street light and bow. A triple bow was tied with some silver Elegant Trim and tucked under the lamp post and label. A sentiment from the Perched in a Tree stamp set was white heat embossed on Mint Macaron card-stock using Versamark ink, White Emboss Powder and a Heat Tool. Some White Craft ink was splattered over the card. The final touch was the addition of some tiny stars from the Sparkle and Shine sequins.

The card inner was created with Basic White card-stock that was stamped with a sentiment from the same stamp set in Mint Macaron ink.  The remaining little tree was adhered near the base. This panel was then mounted onto a slightly larger piece of Mint Macaron card-stock. A C6 Basic White envelope was stamped with the light pole in Momento ink.

Thank you for spending time with me on my blog. I so appreciate you.

There is more Mint Macaron creativity. To continue with the blog hop, click the  "onto the next" graphic below and be taken to the blog of the lovely and talented Rachel Woodard. I always look forward to checking out Rachel's creations. I do love seeing everyones' projects - there is always variety and so much inspiration.

I hope to see you next week when we will be featuring Mossy Meadows as we continue the weekly 2022-2023 Colour Creations Blog Hops.  Also, don't forget that we are joining our last Heart of Christmas Blog Hop for 2022 next Monday evening to share some Christmas projects to help with your crafting preparations. 

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

Andrea 💕🐾

If you find a broken link or have come to this blog hop from a different entry point, you can view the full list of participants on Catherine Proctor’s blog @ What Cathy Made. Cathy is our  Art With Heart Team Colour Creations Coordinator.  She is an amazing lady. Check out her wonderful 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 Stampin' Up's 2022-2023 Annual Catalogue and or the July - December 2022 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  #stamper  #valleyinspirations   #carolingmice #perchedinatree #whimsicalwoodlands

AWHT Colour Creations #28 Mint Macaron

Mint Macaron with Poinsettia Petals and Whimsy & Wonder

Hello. Welcome to Valley Inspirations with Andrea and the 28th Art with Heart 2021-2022 Colour Creations Blog Hop.

This week’s Blog Hop is focussing on a light green called Mint Macaron. Mint Macaron is part of the Subtles Colour Family and is a gorgeous colour for greenery, a pastel Christmas theme and anything needing a soft green. It is a subtle green that works brilliantly with various greens and other subtle colours. 

Mint Macaron is produced in Stampin' Up!'s card-stock, both A4 & 12"x12"; Classic Stampin' inks (ink pads & re-inkers); Stampin' Write Markers; Stampin' Blends and the Subtles Designer Series Papers as well as Expressions in Ink, Hand-Penned and Whimsy & Wonder Designer Series Papers (the latter is now sold out), plus the Hand Penned Memories & More cards, soft Velvet Ribbon and Genial Gems. The cards below have used Mint Macaron Card-stock, Classic Stampin' ink, Stampin' Write Marker, Stampin' Blends and Whimsy & Wonder SDSP plus a range of other non-MM bits and pieces.

Here are my cards showcasing Mint Macaron:

LOOSE WATER-COLOUR TECHNIQUE:

I recently watched a couple of Paula Dobson's (of New Zealand) Facebook Lives where she demonstrated a water-colour technique called "loose water-colour". I loved the relaxed effect and decided to give it a go. While I was happy with my first attempt I am unsure about the second try, ie the second card - what do you think? I must keep practicing to improve my application.

CARD 1:

Using Fluid 100 water-colour paper the poinsettia stamp from the Poinsettia Petals stamp set was stamped in Versamark ink and heat embossed with White Emboss Powder and a Heat Gun. Some water was applied with a medium Water Painter where the first colour is to be applied and then ink is applied over the area to be coloured but is applied loosely, ie going over the lines of the image. The loose water-colour technique applies colour roughly in the desired areas and doesn't colour an image exactly. Apart from Mint Macaron Classic Stampin' ink for the Holly leaves, Blushing Bride, Polished Pink, Daffodil Delight and Mossy Meadows Classic inks were also used to create this water-colour card front. Mint Macaron and Polished Pink Stampin' Write Markers were used for some splatter.

Once dry, the water-colour panel was adhered to a slightly larger Mint Macaron card-stock base. Some White Bakers Twine was wrapped around the card front and tied with a double bow. The card front was then added to a Thick Basic White card-stock base.

A sentiment from the Merriest Moments stamp set was stamped in Mint Macaron ink on Basic White card-stock and fussy cut. The sentiment was popped up with Mini Dimensionals and laid over the Bakers Twine. A few 2021-2023 In Colour Jewels give that touch of sparkle.

A Basic White card inner was stamped with holly leaves in Mint Macaron ink. A touch of a Polished Pink poinsettia was added in the corner and a different sentiment was stamped in Mossy Meadow ink. A couple of strips of Mint Macaron card-stock were adhered along the two long sides.  A C6 Basic White envelope was also stamped with the holly leaf in Mint Macaron.

CARD 2:

I continued with the loose water-colour technique on the second card. The triple bauble stamp from the Whimsical Trees stamp set was stamped in Versamark ink along the top of the Fluid 100 Water-color paper panel. It was sprinkled with Silver Emboss Powder and set with a Heat Gun. Using the same inks as the first card the baubles were loosely water-coloured using a fine Water Painter. 

I didn't really like the effect I had created so I added a little colour along the baubles' hangers and also allowed the ink to drip down the bottom half of the panel. It still wasn't right so I decided to stamp the baubles again and this time colour them with similar colour Stampin' Blends (to get a stronger colour) and cut them out with the coordinating die from the Christmas Trees die set. The die cut baubles were popped up on Mini Dimensionals.

In my effort to see if I could adapt the water-coloured panel, I forgot to add some splatter to the lower section of the panel. I think it would have worked well. The water-coloured panel was mounted on a slightly larger piece of Silver Foil and then onto a slightly larger piece of Mint Macaron card-stock. Before mounting it onto a Thick Basic White card base a piece of Mint Macaron "b" side of Whimsy & Wonder SDSP was added to the card base.

A piece of Silver Simply Elegant Trim was looped around and adhered to the card-front. My favourite sentiment from the Whimsy & Wonder stamp set was also silver heat embossed. The sentiment label was popped up on Dimensionals over the Simply Elegant Trim. 2021-2023 In Colour Jewels were also added to give a hint of sparkle. (I had intended to add some MM Genial Gems but totally forgot. As a brief word of explanation about my forgetfulness, while I was designing/working on this card yesterday I realised there was an internal flood, affecting 4 of my rooms and their contents. Yesterday then disappeared with plumbers, clearing the floors, drying, cleaning and the like; so I finished this card this morning. Hence initial ideas slipped my mind.)

The card inner was stamped with the baubles in Mint Macaron ink and a few extra coloured baubles were adhered over stamped baubles. A C6 Basic White envelope was also stamped with the baubles in Mint Macaron ink.

Thank you so much for dropping by. I do value the time you spent with me on my blog.

If you live in Australia, don't already have a Stampin' Up! demonstrator and would like your own copy of Stampin' Up's 2021-2022 Annual Catalogue and or the July - December 2021 Mini Catalogue then let me know and I will be delighted to send them to you. The Mini Catalogue finishes on the 2nd January and from the 1st December many discontinued products are discounted. If there is something you have had your eye on, act quickly as once discontinued products sell out they are gone. Please don't hesitate to make contact with any other queries about these projects or Stampin' Up!. 

There is more Mint Macaron creativity. To continue with the blog hop, click on the "next" graphic below to be taken to the blog of a wonderful lady, Rachel Palmieri. As always, I am looking forward to checking out Rachel's amazing creation and everyone else's. I do love seeing everyones' projects - so many ideas and such great creations

Hope to see you next week when we will be featuring delightful colour Misty Moonlight. There is only one more Colour Creations blog hop for 2021, but don't worry, we will commence again in the New Year.

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

Andrea 💕🐾

  

If you find a broken link or have come to this blog hop from a different entry point, you can view the full list of participants on Christine Blain’s blog, our lovely AWHT Colour Creations Coordinator for tonight's blog.  Check out her delightful creation while you are there.

#colourcreationsbloghop  #colourcreationsbloghop2021  #stampinup  #artwithheartteam #poinsettiapetals #whimsy&wonder #watercolour

AWH Heart of Christmas #17

Christmas with Whimsy & Wonder

Hello. Welcome to Valley Inspirations with Andrea and the 17th Art with Heart Team 2021 Heart of Christmas Blog Hop. 

So glad you are joining us for this Heart of Christmas Blog Hop. I have really enjoyed creating a few cards for this Christmas blog hop. I hope you like them:

I started by setting up to create a smooshed background or two, however, I ended up creating 6 backgrounds - all with the initial application of ink. I dabbed my Mint Macaron Classic Stampin' ink pad onto my Silicone Mat. As hardly any ink transferred, I pushed the ink pad back on the mat with a heavy hand - this time transferring a heavy layer of ink. I sprayed the mat with water from my Stampin' Mister and started dabbing a cellophane bag from one of my Stampin' Up! products into the ink and then onto a piece of Shimmery White card-stock. Each background is different - some with partial areas of smooshing and others with a more all over coverage. I've used 3 of the smooshed backgrounds for today's cards.

The 3 cards are similar, though different. Apart from the Mint Macaron smooshed background they all have a Mint Macaron card base and use Silver foil from the Silver Foil Speciality Pack for the mounting the card front.

The colour scheme was inspired by the Whimsy & Wonder Speciality Designer Series Paper, ie Blushing Bride, Polished Pink, Mint Macaron, Mossy Meadows and Misty Moonlight, plus - because I was relying on my memory and thought Evening Evergreen was also part of the colour scheme, it too was also used - oops. I only used the delightful speciality DSP by adding the fussy cut presents in the first card, pictured above.

The card inners were created with a piece of Basic White card-stock and a tree from the Whimsical Trees stamp set was stamped in Mint Macaron Classic ink. The tree above also has Polished Pink dots added with a Stampin' Write Marker.  A C6 Basic White envelope was stamped to coordinate with the card inner.

The card above cut one tree from the Silver Foil, all the other trees in their various shapes and sizes were cut from Shimmery White card-stock using the coordinating Christmas Trees dies. I really love this bundle and the whole Suite. It is sooo gorgeous.

Most of the Shimmery White card-stock trees were water-coloured using the ink colours listed above with a medium Water Painter. This card also used a thin strip of Mint Macaron DSP from the Subtles DSP pack. It was layered with a thin strip of Silver Foil.

This card used the Metallic Mesh Ribbon, tied in a double bow, where as the first card (above) also used the Metallic Mesh Ribbon together with a piece of Silver Simply Elegant Trim. The third card (below) used the bakers twine that is described as Misty Moonlight Silver Batkers Twine, however, I removed the Misty Moonlight threads leaving silver and white strands. This twine is park of the Flowers for Every Season Ribbon Combo.

This card inner had a thin strip of Mint macaron card-stock added near the bottom.

Each of the cards used the gorgeous 2021-2023 In Colour Jewels (either Polished Pink or Soft Succulent) to add that extra touch of shimmer. These jewels are so beautiful in real life. The colouring of the cards also shows so much better in real life - the camera hasn't quite captured the true colours well.

Each card used the same sentiment from the Whimsical Trees stamp set for each, as I preferred a long single line sentiment format. The sentiments were all heat embossed, either with Silver Emboss powder on Shimmery White card-stock or White Emboss powder on Mint Macaron card-stock. Shimmery White card-stock was used instead of Basic White as the backgrounds used Shimmery White as it copes with light water-colouring. As the Shimmery White is more off-white than Basic White card-stock it was better to keep consistency with the background.

As you would have picked up, some of the trees were adhered flat on the card background while others were popped up on Mini Dimensionals, as were the sentiments.

I love the relaxed unstructured feel of the smooshed backgrounds and as you may have picked up previously, I really enjoy water-colouring die cut pieces. As mentioned, the Whimsy & Wonder Suite is delightful - the design of stamps and dies and the colour combination. I am loving this non-traditional colour way this year. I had planned to add a Wonderful Snowflake or two, but forgot when I was creating. Hmm, I still have another 3 backgrounds so it's not too late. I wonder how the next 3 cards will evolve? I'm sure there will be more fun.

Thank you so much for spending time with me on my blog. I'm so glad you did.

If you are in Australia, don't already have a Stampin' Up! demonstrator and would like your own copy of Stampin' Up's 2021-2022 Annual Catalogue and or the July - December Mini Catalogue then let me know and I will be delighted to send them to you. Pease don't hesitate to make contact with any other queries about these projects or Stampin' Up!. 

To continue with the blog hop, click on the "onto the next" graphic below to be taken to the blog of the lovely Caroline Manwaring. I always look forward to checking out Caroline's clean & elegant creations together with everyone else's. 

Hope to see you next week for another AWHT Heart of Christmas Blog Hop. There is so much Christmas inspiration to share using Stampin' Up!'s products and Christmas is getting closer. It's time to commence Christmas card writing for friends and family overseas. 

Also, don't forget the weekly Colour Creations Blog Hop by the Art with Heart Team that launches every Wednesday at 8.00pm AEST.

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

Andrea XXX

  

As mentioned, it is always a delight to see everyone's creations and the way they each use the amazing Stampin' Up! products. I am sure there will be gorgeous Christmas projects on show so don't miss checking out each blog. 

If at any time you find a broken link and the next blog doesn’t come up or you started part way through, please head to the blog of this week’s host of the Heart of Christmas Blog Hop, very special Sharon Davern, and she will have the list of all Art With Heart Team members who are participating in this blog hop. Check out her beautiful creation while you are there.

#heartofchristmas #heartofchristmas2021 #awhtheartofchristmas #Stampin'Up! #Whimsy&Wonder

Art with Heart Colour Creations Showcase - #27 Mint Macaron

Mint Macaron with Stitched Leaves and Gilded Autumn

Hello. Welcome to Valley Inspirations with Andrea and the 27th 2020 Colour Creations Showcase by members of the Art with Heart Team.

This week we are focussing on a beautiful green called Mint Macaron. It is part of the Subtle colour family - a softer green, though not really pale. Mint Macaron was introduced as an In Colour many years ago and was really popular, then during a Stampin' Up! colour refresh, it returned as one of the Subtles. It can be found in Stampin' Up!s card-stock; Classic Stampin' inks (ink pads, re-inkers); Stampin' Write Markers; Stampin' Blends; numerous Designer Series Papers, packs and ribbon, incl Gilded Autumn Speciality Designer Series Paper which I have used in this card.

I saw a fancy fold again recently that I have been wanting to try for quite a while and then watched a Facebook Live by Emma Goddard, one of Stampin' Up!s current Artisans, where she created two Tri-Fold Shutter cards. Deciding to "strike while the iron was hot" this Colour Creation's project is a Tri-Fold Shutter card. Thanks Emma for the inspiration. The other early decision I made was to use one of the Mint Macaron designs in the oh so gorgeous Gilded Autumn Speciality DSP. They are delicious papers with metallic highlights.

Mint Macaron card-stock was used as the base. I used a half A4 sheet, cut to 15cm x 29.8cm. This base was scored on the short side at 5cm and 10cm, that is dividing it into three 5cm sections. Turning the rectangle of card-stock to the 29.8cm side, it was scored at 5cm, 10cm, 19.8cm and 24.8cm. Turning back to the short side the cutting blade was placed over the scored lines, but cutting started at the 5cm position, which is where the first scores on each side intersect, and finishing at the 24.8cm point. This cut was repeated on the other parallel score line. Burnishing with a bone folder was really important.

The Brass Metallic sheets and the metallic leaf SDSP were cut into pieces to decorate each panel, with the Brass pieces being used as the mount. The only exception was a Very Vanilla card-stock rectangle that was swapped for the central panel. The SDSP pieces and the Very Vanilla rectangle were adhered directly to the metallic card-stock; which in turn were adhered directly to the base panels. I had intended to dry emboss the Very Vanilla panel but had already glued it in place before remembering, so cut a piece of Vellum and dry embossed it with one of the Meadow Moments embossing folders.

Decorating the panels would have been such fun - but I couldn't make up my mind!?!? I started by punching and fussy cutting many leaves from other designs of the Gilded Autumn SDSP. You should see my crafting station - there are small metallic, DSP and coloured leaves everywhere!!! But then decided I wasn't keen on the concept I had in mind. Okay - what to do ... I remembered the Love of Leaves bundle that I had recently purchased. (I had really loved this bundle but already had leaf stamp sets - so resisted. Then I noticed that this bundle was carrying over to 2021 - my resistance evaporated. And I am so glad it did. I cut and embossed the leaves in both Brass Foil and Vellum card-stock. I also stamped and die cut numerous leaves. These leaves were amazing too!

Playing with the arrangement of leaves, I decided to just use the Brass Foil and Vellum leaves. Each leaf was shaped a little with my fingers and a Bone Folder to add some character and dimension. A mix of Multipurpose Liquid Glue and Mini Dimensionals was used to position the leaves in place. A sentiment from the Beautiful Autumn stamp set was stamped in Pretty Peacock Classic ink onto Very Vanilla card-stock. It was trimmed and popped up with Dimensionals.

I tried a range of ribbons, trims, embellishments etc and eventually decided to use the Gold Twine from the Forever Greenery Trim Combo pack and one of the delightful Acorn Trinkets. I haven't been well and my creative mojo seemed to have dissipated so I really appreciate being inspired by Emma and having such gorgeous Stampin' Up! products to work with. I hope you like the end result.

As the central panel was decorated including being covered with embossed Vellum, a few pieces of Very Vanilla card-stock were adhered to a few of the panels on the back of the card. Leaves that had been stamped in Soft Sea Foam were added. These stamped leaves are gorgeous as the stamp set is one of Stampin' Up!s distinctive stamps - I love the variegated painterly effect. A couple of the leaves were also stamped on the envelope (I had intended to use a C6 Very Vanilla envelope, but grabbed a Whisper White envelope instead. I didn't notice till I was photographing the project. Oops.)

Thank you for visiting my blog and sharing in some Mint Macaron creativity. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any queries, would like me to send you a Stampin' Up! catalogue or if I can help you with any products.

Catherine Proctor is our wonderful host of the Art with Heart Colour Creations Showcase. If you haven't finished visiting all of the team's colour creations, you can visit/revisit Catherine's page at What Cathy Made, where she hosts all the links to the other Showcase participants. I'm looking forward to checking out everyone's Mint Macaron creations. It is always inspiring to see the amazing projects created by my colleagues and their application of the colour.

I hope to see you again next week when members of the team will share projects that hero Misty Moonlight. This is another beautiful colour.

Do look after yourself and your loved ones. Stay well, stay safe and be kind to yourself and others in these strange times. 

Andrea 💕🐾

#colourcreationsshowcase