AWHT Colour Creations #44 Sahara Sand

Sahara Sand with Apple Blossom and Nested Friends

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 light fawn called Sahara Sand. Sahara Sand is part of the Neutrals Colour Family and is a lovely versatile colour. This colour is lovely when used for sand, trees/wood, etc etc and works with so many colours. 

Sahara Sand is produced in Stampin' Up!'s card-stock, both A4 & 12"x12"; Classic Stampin' inks (ink pads & re-inkers); Stampin' Write Markers; Neutrals Designer Series Paper as well as Happy Forrest Friends and He’s The Man DSPs + Like an Animal and By the Bay Speciality Designer Series Papers; plus Old Olive & Sahara Sand Twill Ribbon Combo Pack and Birthday Card Organiser Kit.

Sahara Sand card-stock and ink have been used in these projects plus Linen Twine and a range of non-Sahara Sand bits and pieces. Here are my cards:

I love the softness of Sahara Sand and combining it with Subtle colours - as I have done in these 2 cards. Linen Twine is brilliant with Sahara Sand as the natural colour of linen is a similar colour.

CARD 1:

I designed this card when part of a Design Team, responding to a Sketch Challenge. It wasn’t published at the time, so I thought I would share it on this blog as I used Sahara Sand card-stock and some ink to colour the die cut stem. Here is the sketch:

I also want to draw your attention to the beautiful Apple Blossom dies, that had been released for a time-limited special offer and are currently available on the Clearance Rack for an amazing price, ie $24.40. Don’t forget to check the Clearance Rack for some amazing deals.

Some Mint Macaron Classic Stampin’ ink was lightly water-coloured in ombré stripes across a panel of Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper. This panel was also embossed with the Stripes folder from the Stripes & Splatters 3D Embossing Folders set. The panel was bordered top and bottom with scalloped die cut pieces from the Apple Blossom dies and then adhered directly to a Sahara Sand card base.

The branch, blossoms and leaves were die cut from Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper. These die cut pieces were delicately water-coloured with Sahara Sand, Mint Macaron and Blushing Bride Classic Stampin’ inks. Two different size circles were cut from Vellum card-stock using the Layering Circles dies. Once dry, all the pieces were arranged and positioned with a mix of Multi-purpose liquid Glue, Glue Dots or Mini Dimensionals.

Bows were tied with White Crinkled Seam Binding and Linen Twine and adhered in place with Glue Dots.  A sentiment from the coordinating Apple Harvest stamp set (from the Annual Catalogue) was white heat embossed using Versamark ink, White Emboss Powder and a Heat Tool. This was fussy cut and added with Mini Dimensionals. Beautiful Basic Pearl Jewels were added to the blossom centres.

The card inner was created with a Basic White card-stock panel, an off-cut of the striped water-coloured panel and some water-coloured blossoms and leaves. A Basic White C6 Envelope was stamped with a branch of apples (from the Apple Harvest stamp set) in Sahara Sand ink.

CARD 2:

Easter is coming and so I also have created an Easter card with the beautiful Nested Friends bundle - it’s a bit non-traditional for Easter, but I think it works.

The Thick Basic White card-stock base was cut to form a very simple fun fold, where the card front has the top front removed. (It makes me think of a stable door.) The inside back of the card had a piece of the Hello, Irresistible DSP adhered directly to the base so it will be seen when the card is closed. 

I must apologise - there are a few “oops” moments on this card, but I ran out of time to re-create the card. Using Nested Friends stamps, some branches and splatters should have been stamped off and stamped in light Sahara Sand ink, however, some were stamped off but others were accidentally stamped full strength. There is also an unwanted line from the edge of a stamp. Does that happen to you? Ie, you find you aren’t as creatively sensitive when you aren’t operating at your best. So disappointing.

The bird nest and a branch from the Nested Friends stamp set was stamped in Sahara Sand ink on an extra piece of Basic White card-stock. Using a Blender Pen, the stamped nest and branch were lightly coloured - spreading the ink from the stamped image. Extra Sahara Sand ink was added to give extra depth where required. The leaves were coloured using Soft Succulent and Mint Macaron inks and the Blender Pen. The nest and branch were die cut with coordinating dies from the Nested Friends dies. Stampin’ Blends combos, ie Petal Pink, Soft Sea Foam and Mint Macaron, were scribbled on a small section of the card-stock then stamped with the splatters stamp in Sahara Sand ink. The mini egg die cut eggs from each of the coloured areas. Extra leaves were die cut from Mint Macaron card-stock, then touches of Soft Succulent ink were added to parts of the die cut leaves to give depth.

A gorgeous strip was die cut and embossed from some Basic White card-stock using one of the Desert Details dies. This was added to the top edge of the trimmed down card front. The branch and the bird nest were positioned a little to the left to allow room for the sentiment. A sentiment from a different set, ie Daffodil Daydream stamps, was white heat embossed onto Sahara Sand card-stock and fussy cut. The extra die cut leaves were positioned. A triple looped Linen Twine bow was tucked under the nest and some beautiful Adhesive-backed Milky Dots (the clear ones) were scattered.

The card inner was created with a Basic White card-stock panel, a piece of Hello Irresistible DSP (as mentioned earlier) and another die cut strip using a die from the Desert Details Die set. Part of the bird nest from the Nested Friends set was stamped in Sahara Sand ink. A Basic White C6 Envelope was similarly partially stamped with the bird nest in Sahara Sand ink.

Thank you for dropping by. I so appreciate you. I hope you found some interesting bits and pieces.

There is more Sahara Sand creativity. To continue with the blog hop, click the  "onto the next" graphic below and be taken to the blog of the lovely Di Furniss. I always look forward to checking out Di’s creations. I wonder if she has another amazing fancy fold?  I do love seeing everyones' projects - there is always inspiration.

I hope to see you next week when we will be featuring Shaded Spruce, one of the Regals Colour family, as we continue the weekly 2022-2023 Colour Creations Blog Hops.  

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 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 Stampin' Up's 2022-2023 Annual Catalogue and or the January - April 2023 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   #nestedfriends #appleharvest 

AWHT Colour Creations #41 Sahara Sand

Sahara Sand with Waves of Inspiration and Artfully Layered

Hello. Welcome to Valley Inspirations with Andrea and the Art with Heart Colour Creations Blog Hop. We are continuing to work though all the Stampin' Up! colours in alphabetical order. 

This week’s Blog Hop is focussing on a soft faun called Sahara Sand. Sahara Sand is part of the Neutrals Colour Family and is a lovely sandy colour. It is another versatile Stampin' Up! colour. As with most neutrals, this colour is delightful when used with so many colours. I have combined it with sea colours, White and Early Expresso and it also works well with Petal Pink, Calypso Coral and White.  

Sahara Sand is produced in Stampin' Up!'s card-stock, both A4 & 12"x12"; Classic Stampin' inks (ink pads & re-inkers); Stampin' Write Markers; Neutrals Designer Series Papers as well as the Tidings of Christmas DSP. The cards below have used Sahara Sand Classic Stampin' ink, Card-stock, a Stampin' Write Marker and Linen Twine (which is the same colour), plus a range of other non-PP bits and pieces.

I have created 2 cards to showcase Sahara Sand in different ways. Here they are:

As you can see, Sahara Sand is a great colour to use. 

CARD 1:

This card features part of the Waves of Inspiration bundle which is an exciting early release from the coming 2022-2023 Annual Catalogue. 

A half piece of Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper was water-coloured with a range of colours indicative of sand, sea and sky. The colours used included Sahara Sand, Crumb Cake, Pool Party, Coastal Cabana and Balmy Blue Classic Stampin' inks, as well as a touch of White Craft ink to represent sea foam. This was die cut with a mid-sized Stitched Rectangle die and mounted on a slightly larger piece of Sahara Sand card-stock.

The background was created with a piece of Basic White card-stock that was mounted on a slightly larger piece of Sahara Sand card-stock. A number of die cut waves cut out of Basic White card-stock with the coordinating Waves dies were adhered directly to the Basic White layer. Linen Twine was wrapped around this background layer and tied in a bow to the side.

The pelican sitting on a wooden pole was stamped twice on Basic White card-stock with Sahara Sand ink and fussy cut. Seagulls were stamped directly on the water-colour panel. The clouds and shading pieces were cut from Basic White card-stock.

The card front was finished with a sentiment from the same stamp set that was White heat embossed on Sahara Sand card-stock. Clear Polished Dots added a little shimmer, together with a little Wink of Stella. It is disappointing that the Wink of Stella shimmer isn't picked up by the camera.

The Basic White card inner also was mounted on a piece of Sahara Sand card-stock. The white panel had been stamped with the pelican sitting on a pole. Similarly, a Basic White C6 Envelope was stamped with the pelican on a pole image in Sahara Sand ink. 

CARD 2:

This second card features Sahara Sand with White and a touch of Early Expresso. I started with the aim of a clean and simple card but couldn't resist the addition of vellum and ribbon and twine. 

I had a Thick Basic White card base sitting on my desk - it's different dimensions than I normally use, but couldn't remember why I first prepared it so thought I would use it for this card. It will fit within a standard C6 envelope.

The focal panel was cut from a piece of Sahara Sand card-stock with a mid-sized Stitched Rectangle die (though a smaller one than used in the card above). It was embossed with the splatters design from the Stripes and Splatters 3D Embossing Folder. I love this set of EFs. Some White Craft ink splatters were added using a Water Painter.

One of the leaf dies from the Tropical Layers dies cut 3 images of the same design from Basic White card-stock. The 3 pieces were adhered together to give the leaves some dimension. After it was adhered across the centre of the panel a piece of Linen Twine was wrapped around twice and tied in a bow to the side.

A sentiment from the Artfully Layered stamp set was White heat embossed on Early Expresso  card-stock, fussy cut and "Hey" was added with Mini Dimensionals. The sentiment was stamped again in Early Expresso ink on Sahara Sand card-stock and "there" was fussy cut and added with Mini Dimensionals. A few Clear Round Dots were added for that touch of bling. 

Some Layering Designs Vellum was added to the card base (I felt it just needed something). A piece of White Frayed Ribbon was cut in half and frayed a little more before being added over the Vellum. The centre panel was popped in the centre with Dimensionals.

The Basic White card inner had some stamping in Sahara Sand and a thin strip of Layering Designs Vellum was added near the bottom.  Similarly, a Basic White C6 Envelope also had some Sahara Sand stamping added across the back flap.

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

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 or the coming 2022-2023 Annual Catalogue; and or the January - June 2022 Mini Catalogue 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!. 

There is more Sahara Sand creativity. To continue with the blog hop, click on the "next" graphic below to be taken to the blog of the lovely, Kate Morgan. I always look forward to checking out Kate’s creations (I wonder what she has in store this week). I do love seeing everyones' projects - so many ideas and such great inspiration.

Hope to see you next week when we will be featuring another colour starting with "S" - Shaded Spruce, as we continue the weekly 2021-2022 Colour Creations blog hops.

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, our wonderful Art With Heart Team Colour Creations Coordinator.  Cathy is amazing and does a wonderful job in coordinating this blog hop each week. She is a special lady. Check out her wonderful creation while you are there.

#colourcreationsbloghop  #colourcreationsbloghop2022  #stampinup #stampinupdemo  #stampinupdemonstrator  #artwithheartteam  #handmadecards  #makeacardsendacard #papercrafting #wavesofinspiration #artfullylayered

Art with Heart Colour Creations Showcase - #44 Sahara Sand

Sahara Sand with Wrapped Bouquet and Kangaroo & Company

Hi. Welcome to Valley Inspirations with Andrea and the 44th 2020/2021 Colour Creations Showcase by members of the Art with Heart Team.

This week we are showcasing a great colour, Sahara Sand. It is one of Stampin' Up!'s Neutrals family of colours. It is a light sandy colour and can be combined with so many colours. Sahara Sand has been produced in Stampin' Up!'s card-stock, both A4 & 12"x12"; Classic Stampin' inks (ink pads & re-inkers); Stampin' Write Markers; Designer Series Paper including the Sand & Sea DSP; and the Love You Always Foil Sheets. While the Linen Thread is just described as natural it is brilliant with Sahara Sand.

I love Sahara Sand but my creativity has not flowed easily this week - more to do with other factors than the choice of focal colour. Given time constraints I won't be providing as much detail as I usually do. If you have any queries, please don't hesitate to make contact.

I have created 2 quite different cards to share tonight. Both had an element of inspiration from Emma Goddard, an amazing UK Stampin' Up! Demonstrator and a beautiful person. Emma recently held a Facebook Live where she used watercolour pencils on Sahara Sand card-stock after having painted a layer of White Craft Ink over the stamped images. I haven't painted a layer of Craft Ink but did use Stampin' Up!'s Water-colour Pencils on Sahara Sand card-stock on one project. The other project is based on a layout Emma used but is different in numerous ways - colours, stamp set, colouring tools and embellishments. While my cards are different from Emma's, her inspiration was a solid basis at the start. Thanks So much Emma. 

CARD 1: While inspired by Emma Goddard, with this card I decided to colour the white embossed bouquets using Stampin' Blends. When colouring with Blends over a coloured card-stock the card-stock colour impacts on the final colour. When using neutrals like Sahara Sand or Crumb Cake, colouring with Blends results in a more muted effect. The Blends Combos used were Petal pink, Calypso Coral, Poppy Parade (on the open flower) and Balmy Blue for the tiny sprays of flowers. The leaves were fully embossed so no green was needed.

The card front had a light blending of White Craft ink using a Blending Brush. Blushing Bride twine from the Snail Mail Twine Combo Pack was wrapped around the card front and tied in a bow near the top. Three fussy cut floral sprays were arranged to the right of the card front and then adhered in place with a mix of Dimensionals and Multipurpose Liquid Glue. The right edge of the card front was fussy cut, aligning with the edges of the floral arrangement. The card was adhered directly to the Sahara Sand card base. Again the right edge was fussy cut to align with the floral arrangement.

A strip of Fine Art Floral DSP was mounted on Petal Pink card-stock and this was adhered directly to the right inner card edge leaving a thin border of Sahara Sand. A piece of Basic White card-stock was stamped top and bottom with the some of the same bouquet in Sahara Sand Classic Stampin' ink. This was adhered inside the card abutting the Petal Pink mount edge for writing a personal message.

The fussy cut edge sits over the mounted DSP inside the card and so when the card is closed the edge of the patterned DSP adds to the design of the front of the card. In thinking of a sentiment, one of the sentiments from the Many Messages bundle suited perfectly. While it was longer than I was initially thinking of I was wanting to wish my friend a special day. The full sentiment stamp was stamped in Versamark on to Petal Pink card-stock and then heat embossed using White Stampin' Emboss Powder. A thin strip of the DSP peaks out underneath the sentiment card-stock. Using the Petal Pink card-stock and DSP for the sentiment brought this colour card-stock/DSP up from just showing on the right edge of the card.

Something else was needed so the other bouquet was stamped in Versamark and heat embossed with white emboss powder on Sahara Sand card-stock in the same way as the original floral sprays. The 3 flowers were coloured with Petal Pink and Calypso Coral Stampin' Blends and then fussy cut out. These flowers were added with Dimensionals. The Petal Pink Elegant Facetted Gems were perfect for adding a little sparkle.

The Basic White C6 envelope was stamped with the floral spray using Sahara Sand ink to link it with the design of the card.

CARD 2:  Kangaroos come in various shades of pale brown, to rust red and grey. I decided to build the colour of my Kangaroos on a basic of Sahara Sand using Stampin' Up!'s Water-Colour Pencils. I have both sets. Ever since seeing the cute Kangaroo & Company stamp set, I had in mind having the cute Joeys' and Mother Roo's heads poking out from die cut holes. Now was the time to give it a go.

A card front of Shimmery White card-stock was lightly coloured with Balmy Blue, Pear Pizzaz and Sahara Sand Classic Stampin' inks using Blending Brushes. A little water was sprinkled over that add textural drops. The leaf Meadows Moments Embossing folder was used at the base to add some subtle interest. (In hind site I probably could have omitted this process.)

Four circular holes were die cut using the 3 smallest Layering Circles dies. A piece of Forever Greenery DSP was layered at an angle onto the Sahara Sand card base. It was a bit strong in colour when it was seen through the holes in the card front so some White Craft Ink was added using a Blending Brush where the DSP was to be seen through the holes.

The Kangaroo, little Joeys and the flowers were stamped in Sahara Sand ink onto Sahara Sand card-stock. They were coloured with Watercolour Pencils, ie the pencil colours used for the Kangaroos were Whisper White, Early Expresso with touches of Cajun Craze. The different shades of brown were gained through different degrees of shading and addition of white. The flowers & leaves were coloured with Flirty Flamingo, Calypso Coral, Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo and Old Olive. They were die cut using the Kangaroo dies.

The blended card front was popped up with Dimensionals and Mother Kangaroo and the Joeys were tucked in so they peaked out from the die cut holes. They are so cute and happy.

The floral sprays were added again using a mix of Dimensionals and some liquid glue. The sentiment also was stamped on some Shimmery White card-stock and it was die cut with the smallest circular die. So it blended more subtlety with the background a little ink was added to the edges. 

The Kangaroo and some little butterflies were stamped in Sahara sand ink on to Basic White card-stock to coordinate the card inner with the card design. A C6 Basic White envelope was similarly stamped. To add some extra character, I crumpled the lower left corner of the card front. We'll see if the recipient tries to straighten it out or recognises it as part of the design. Finally some self adhesive Artistry Blooms Sequins were added as the finishing touch.

I wasn't sure how my projects would go this week but after much faffing, I was pleased with the end results. I hope you like them.

Thank you for visiting. I really enjoyed creating these cards to share.

Catherine Proctor is the fantastic 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 the links to the participating blogs so you can find everyone's Sahara Sand creations. Checking out everyone's creations and their interpretation of the amazing Stampin' Up! colours is always a treat. 

I hope to see you again next week when members of the team share projects that hero Seaside Spray, a delightful light blue from the soon to retire In Colours for 2019-2021.

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

Andrea 💕🐾