AWH Heart of Christmas Blog Hop #14

Christmas with Iconic Imagery

Hello. Welcome to Valley Inspirations with Andrea and the fourteenth Art with Heart Team Heart of Christmas Blog Hop for 2024. We will be hopping every week until the end of November. It is hard to believe there are only a few blog hops remaining for this year. 

We all love sharing Christmas creativity with you and hope that you will be inspired in your preparations for Christmas. This week I am using an On-line Exclusive bundle that was launched months ago. When I first saw the Iconic Imagery bundle I envisaged using these smaller images to create wreaths with either stamping in the round or placing the die cut images in a circle. This week I have focussed on using the little tree images. There are two tree images, one being a line image and other a filled in stamp. They are used together as a 2 step process to create a little tree.

As you can see, the cards are similar and different. The techniques to create the wreaths are different. I will go into that below. 

This first card was also created in response to a challenge Emma Goddard gave to those in her Card and a Cuppa Group. We usually gather via Zoom every Friday night, however, Emma was away on a well earned holiday last Friday so she gave us a layout challenge with 4 potential variations. I CASEd this layout, though moved the wreath into the upper left quadrant.

The trees were individually stamped, firstly with the outline stamp and then with the in-fill stamp from the Iconic Imagery stamp set. I found it easier to line up the images by stamping in this order. The outline colours were Pretty Peacock, Shaded Spruce & Garden Green Classic Stampin’ inks, whereas the infill colours were lighter, ie Shaded Spruce, Garden Green and Granny Apple Green inks.

The little trees were individually die cut with the coordinating tree die from the Iconic Imagery dies. A circle was die cut from Soft Sea Foam card-stock using 2 of the Spotlight On Nature dies. They are a wonderful set of circular dies. A panel of Soft Sea Foam card-stock was embossed with the Birchwood 3D Embossing Folder. It was then layered over a Basic White card-base with a wide strip of white & gold Regal Distressed Patterns Speciality Paper.

Some splattering was added to the background using both Shaded Spruce and Granny Apple Green Stampin Write Markers. The tree wreath was built by alternating the 3 different colour trees and adhering them to the die cut ring. Dimensionals were added behind the wreath and it was positioned to the left-hand side over the SDSP strip.

The word “Celebrate” from the Iconic Imagery stamps was white heat embossed onto Shaded Spruce card-stock. The smaller words “The Season” was white heat embossed onto Gold Foil. The sentiment words were fussy cut and then added with Mini Dimensionals.  A bow was tied in the Iridescent Striped Trim and it was tucked under the sentiment pieces. Some Iridescent Foil Gems were scattered around the sentiment and wreath. 

A Basic White card inner was stamped with some other words from the same stamp set. An embossed strip of Soft Sea Foam card-stock and a thin strip of the white and gold SDSP were adhered down the RHS and 3 remaining die cut trees were adhered in a row and the bottom of the card. Some Shaded Spruce splattering was added with a Stampin Write Marker.

The last 3 remaining little die cut trees were added to a C6 Basic White envelope and a little Shaded Spruce splattering was added. 

CARD 2

I wanted to use the same stamps to create a tree wreath by stamping in the round. Many years ago I had created a template using a square die and die cutting it 4 times to create 16 distinct points. I used this and my retired Stamparatus to stamp the tree outline in Shaded Spruce ink. The infill stamp was inked with Granny Apple Green ink with touches of Garden Green ink applied with a Blending Brush. You could draw a circle and then manually stamp the trees in place, but knowing me, it would likely be a little uneven. A little Shaded Spruce splattering was added.

The stamped background was mounted to a slightly larger piece of Gold Foil. In turn, the background panel was adhered with Dimensionals, to a panel of white & gold Regal Distressed Patterns Speciality Paper that had been mounted on a Shaded Spruce card base.

I usually heat emboss at least 2 of the sentiments in case one goes array. Both sentiment sections were good and so I had a set ready for this 2nd card - just needed to fussy cut them.  This time the Gold Foil sentiment was adhered with Multipurpose Liquid Glue and “Celebration” was added with Mini Dimensionals with the bow tied using 2 half pieces of the gorgeous Iridescent Striped Trim tucked under the sentiment and adhered in place with a couple of Glue Dots. Some of the subtle Pearl embellishments from the Cherry Cobbler and Pearl Self Adhesive Berries were scattered around the sentiment and tree wreath.

A Basic White card inner was stamped with words from the same stamp set.  Trees were 2 stepped stamped in a row at the bottom of the card inner and a Granny Apple Green inked heart near the sentiment (to disguise the fact that “Love” is at a tad of an angle).

I had a 6x6 inch envelope at hand so stamped that with little 2-step stamped trees in the same colours as on the card. Another option would be to create an envelope using DSP. 

Thank you so much for dropping in on your way around the Heart of Christmas Blog Hop.

There is more Christmas creativity, so do continue with the blog hop. Just click on the "next" graphic below to be taken to the blog of a lovely lady, Christine Blain. I always look forward to checking out Christine’s creation(s). I do love seeing everyones' projects - there is so much inspiration. I know we are small in number this week, but I am sure there will be wonderful projects to see.

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. We would love you to also check in on us for more creative inspiration.

Stay well, stay safe and be kind to yourself.

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 amazing 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 and or the September-December 2024 Mini Catalogue, then let me know and I will be delighted to send them to you.  Please don't hesitate to make contact re any queries about these projects or Stampin' Up!. 

#heartofchristmas  #heartofchristmas2024 #stampinup #stampinupaustralia #stampinupsouthpacific #stampinupdemo  #handmadecards #stampinupdemonstrator #papercrafting #artwithheartteam  #papercrafter  #valleyinspirations   #iconicimagery

AWH Colour Creations Blog Hop #19 Copper Clay

Copper Clay with Changing Leaves

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 rich red brown called Copper Clay.  Copper Clay is part of the 2023-2025 In Colour Family and is a wonderful brown that can coordinate with a range of  colours, including pinks, reds, greens, other neutrals, etc and it would be wonderful for autumn leaves, clay pots, flowers, trees …  and anything needing a rich brown.

Copper Clay 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; In Color Designer Series Paper as well as Nests of Winter, Up to the Sky, Traditions of St Nick DSPs; Tartan Foil Speciality DSP; Earth Tone Shimmer Gems, Faux Glass Dots, In Color Opaque Sparkle Gems; the range of Ephemera Packs and a number of kits. 

These projects have incorporated Copper Clay as Classic Stampin' ink, card-stock, Stampin' Write Marker, Earth Tone Shimmer Gems and Tartan Foil.

CARD 1:

In thinking of Copper Clay, my mind went to Autumn Leaves and the Changing Leaves bundle. This was my first time using the bundle and I love it. The bundle includes stamps, dies and an hybridembossing folder. I do love leaves in nature and enjoy creating leaf themed cards. A couple of days ago, I heard Cindy Schuster talk about this bundle and she mentioned that this leaf was the leaf from an Australian Flame tree. I did some Googling and found pictures of the tree. If you don’t know, when the tree is in flower is has red flowers all over, including little stems with buds just like the die cut I have coloured red. While leaves aren’t on the tree when it is in flower, all this information inspired these cards.

The flame tree leaves were die cut from Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper, as was the detailed leaves and bud stems using the Changing Leaves dies. The flowers were cut with Country Birdhouse dies. The watercolour paper was made damp using the flat Water Painter and the leaves were coloured with Granny Apple Green, Real Red, Petal Pink and Copper Clay Re-inkers; the bud stems were coloured with real red ink; the detailed leaves with Granny Apple Green ink and the flowers with Real Red and Petal Pink inks. Water-colouring die cuts with ink is one of my favourite techniques.

The background was de-bossed with the Changing Leaves Embossing Folder. This panel was mounted on the Copper Clay Tartan Foil SDSP. A light splattering of Copper Clay was added with a Stampin’ Write Marker. Some gorgeous Earth Tone Shimmer Gems and Petal Pink Diagonal Trim added some bling and glamour.

A Basic White panel was stamped with the flame leaf and a few water-coloured flowers decorated the card inner. I will need to create an envelope for this card but haven’t made it yet as I decided to create a second card instead using the left over coloured die cuts.

CARD 2:

Here is my second card. The leaf panel was set on a Petal Pink card base. The card front was embossed with the gorgeous Leaf Fall 3D Embossing Folder and a little White Craft ink was lightly wiped over the embossed leaves to show the embossing a little more.

A hole was cut through the card front and embossed panel with one of the larger Spotlight on Nature dies. A smaller die was also cut from Basic White card-stock.  A strip of the Tartan Foil was flagged on one end and the other side was tucked under a panel of Basic White card-stock that was adhered inside the card.

As mentioned, leaves & flowers were remaining from Card 1. See above for the colours used to water-colour everything. The strip of tartan foil was adhered between the 2 different sized circles. The smaller circle was positioned on top with Dimensionals.

A piece of Petal Pink Diagonal Ribbon was adhered on top of the circular label. The leaves & flowers were arranged using either Mini Dimensionals, Glue Dots & Multi Purpose Liquid Glue. The white heat embossed sentiment was sitting on my crafting table and it was perfect for this card so I fussy cut it out and positioned it with Mini Dimensionals. A few Earth Tone Shimmer Gems were added to the flower centres.

To open the card, lift the double circular centre piece - to see another sentiment. This sentiment is from the Comforting Thoughts stamp set and has been stamped in Copper Clay ink.

Open the front panel to see the area for writing a personal message. A couple of flame tree leaves were stamped in Petal Pink ink and a left over strip of Tartan Foil was adhered down the right side.

Flame tree leaves were stamped on a C6 Basic White envelope in Copper Clay ink. I do love having the inside of the card and the envelope coordinating in some way.

Thank you so much for calling by to check out my Copper Clay Changing Leaves cards. I hope they provide some form of inspiration for your creative activities.

To continue with the Copper Clay blog hop just click the "next" graphic below to be taken to the blog of the lovely Di Furniss. I am looking forward to checking out Di’s creation(s). I wonder if she will have one of her amazing fun folds. 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 Crumb Cake as we continue the weekly 2024-2025 Colour Creations Blog Hop series. We would love you to also check in on Monday each week until the end of November for the 2024 Heart of Christmas Blog Hops.

Stay well, stay safe and be kind to yourself.

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.

Living in Australia, don't already have a Stampin' Up! demonstrator and would like your own copy of the Stampin' Up 2024-2025 Annual Catalogue and or the September-December 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! 

#colourcreationsbloghop  #stampinup #stampinupaustralia #stampinupsouthpacific #stampinupdemo  #handmadecards  #stampinupdemonstrator  #papercrafting #artwithheartteam  #papercrafter  #valleyinspirations   #changingleaves  #comfortingthoughts    

AWH Colour Creations Blog Hop #14 Bubble Bath

Bubble Bath with Spotlight on Nature

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 showcasing a pale pink colour called Bubble Bath. Bubble Bath is part of the Subtles Colour Family and is a soft colour that will coordinate with many other colours, such as other Subtles, Berry Burst, Moody Mauve or Blackberry Bliss. It would be wonderful for baby cards, flowers, …  and anything needing a pretty pale pink.

Bubble Bath 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; Subtles Designer Series Paper as well as a number of other products. 

This card has incorporated Bubble Bath as card-stock, Classic ink, Stampin’ Write Marker and Stampin’ Blends.

I love the Spotlight on Nature stamps and chose them for this week’s project. A couple of the large flowers stamp were stamped in Versamark ink on Basic White card-stock and gold heat embossed with gold Emboss Powder and a Heat Tool. They were lightly water-coloured using Bubble Bath and Lost Lagoon Classic inks and the fine Water Painter. The butterfly was also gold embossed and coloured with Bubble Bath and Moody Mauve inks.

The background panel was fully water-coloured with Bubble Bath, Moody Mauve and Blackberry Bliss inks on Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper. The effect of watercolouring never ceases to amaze me. Looking at the top right-hand corner, it looks a different pink than the Bubble Bath card-stock. The off-white colour of the water-colour paper certainly gives Bubble Bath a different tinge - though still very beautiful. When partially dry some Moody Mauve & Blackberry Bliss inks were splattered over the lighter sections. When fully dry, the panel was stamped and clear embossed using the leaf stamp from the Spotlight on Nature set.

A die from the Countryside Corners dies cut a couple of labels from Thick Basic White card-stock. Where popping a label up on Dimensionals, I love to use Thick card-stock to ensure it doesn’t sag. The card base is Bubble Bath card-stock. After the water-colour panel was cut into pieces and each piece was mounted on to a slightly larger piece of Bubble bath card-stock. This is a version of a Puzzle fun fold - not because of the difficulty of the fold, but because of trying to put all the card front pieces back in order! It is sort of like a jig saw puzzle. A little background stamping was added to the front label (using a stamp from the Spotlight on Nature set) before the arrangement of the floral/butterfly pieces. Here is a photo of the standing card taken from above:

To complete the card, a sentiment from the same stamp set was gold heat embossed on Bubble Bath card-stock and fussy cut. Gold Trim from the pack of Silver & Gold Trim - an Online Exclusive, was tied into a bow and tucked under the sentiment. A number of Iridescent Foil Gems were lightly coloured with a Bubble Bath Stampin’ Blend - Dark and then scattered around. 

To decorate the card inner a few remaining leaves, bud & butterfly were added to a Basic White panel. I missed photographing the envelope, but it was stamped with the floral stamp in Bubble Bath ink. 

Below is a photo of the card, fully open. As mentioned, two labels were used - one on the front (popped up on Dimensionals) with the floral arrangement and the second one behind the front label on the back side of the stepped panels so the stepped panel on the other side can slip in-between the labels to help hold the card almost closed.

Thank you so much for calling in to check out my Bubble Bath project. I hope you found something of interest.

To continue with the Bubble Bath 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 hope to see you next week when we will be featuring Cajun Craze as we continue the weekly 2024-2025 Colour Creations Blog Hop series. 

Stay well, stay safe and be kind to yourself.

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 2024-2025 Annual Catalogue, and the coming September — December 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   #spotlightonnature #countrysidecorners

AWH Colour Creations Blog Hop #9 Basic Gray

Basic Gray with Sketched Butterflies

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 showcasing a deep grey called Basic Gray. Basic Gray is part of the Neutrals Colour Family and like other neutrals, it coordinates with so many colours. For me, this colour is not one I would use as a focal colour as it can be quite so be, however, it is great to use instead of black if you want to stamp in a slightly softer colour, its also wonderful for shadows, to add to other colours to give greater depth of shading. I think it is a wonderful colour to support other colours. I love grey as a combo with either pink, blue or yellow. 

Basic Gray is produced in Stampin' Up!'s card-stock, both A4 & 12"x12"; Classic Stampin' inks (ink pads, Spots & re-inkers); Stampin' Write Marker; Watercolor Pencils - Assortment One; Neutrals Designer Series Paper as well as Country Woods DSP, Calming Creek Mix & Match Cards & Envelopes; Basic Gray & Smoky Slate Pearls and the TimelessGreetings Kits. 

The card below has used Basic Gray ink, card-stock, Stampin’ Write Marker, Country Woods DSP and some of the Basic Gray (& Smoky Slate) Pearls.

As I first mused about creating a card showcasing Basic Gray, I wanted to add a strong colour. The current weather is really cloudy, overcast, raining and “grey”. I wanted to move out of the “grey” feeling so chose Melon Mambo as the main accompanying colour. I also thought of butterflies as something that could be stamped in Basic Gray and then coloured - hence my selection of the wonderful Sketched Butterflies bundle.

I also thought of Stampin’ Up!s Challenge for this month - “do you prefer ‘this’ or ‘that’ “ layout. #CreativeChallengeSU  This card was inspired by the “this” layout, with some more lateral interpretation of the smaller circles.  The side panels were created with strips of one of the Country Woods DSP designs including Basic Gray. The strips were mounted onto slightly larger Basic Gray panels.

The process started with water-colouring the central panel of the design, intensifying the ink at the top and allowing the colour dilute and drip down the panel of Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper. Before adding Melon Mambo Classic Stampin’ ink a light wash of Bubble Bath ink covered the panel to dispel the cream colour of the paper. The water-coloured panel was left to almost dry before being embossed with the Cute Crochet 3D Embossing Folder. My first use of this gorgeous folder. When fully dry, some Basic Gray splattering was added with a Stampin’ Write Marker and it was mounted onto a slightly larger piece of Basic Gray card-stock.

All the butterflies from the Sketched Butterflies stamp set were stamped in Basic Gray Classic Stampin’ ink onto Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper. The butterflies were then over stamped with Versamark ink and heat embossed with Clear Emboss Powder and a Heat Tool. They were water-coloured with Bubble Bath & Melon Mambo inks and the fine Water-Painter. When dry they were die cut with coordinating dies. A round label was die cut with one of the smaller circular dies from the Spotlight on Nature set. 

The birthday sentiment was stamped in Basic Gray ink and fussy cut. Arranging all the bits and pieces still left me feeling that something else was needed and I spied a detailed die cut on my work area - it had been die cut using the Thoughtful Wishes dies and was already trimmed into 2. It was tucked under the Spotlight On Nature label, and … it worked. Thank you for extra left over bits and pieces from previous projects. Also a left over piece of Iridescent Striped Trim was cut lengthwise into 3 before bring tied into a bow. A few delightful Basic Gray Pearls were added near the sentiment.

The “this” Stampin’ Up! layout, reminded me of a simple fun fold, where just the centre panel of the card flipped up to reveal the area for writing one’s personal message. In this instance, the Basic White panel was stamped in Basic Gray ink with a different sentiment from the same stamp set. A left over thin strip of the water-coloured panel was added to one side and remaining coloured butterflies were added with two tiny butterflies also partially showing when the card is closed.

A Basic White C6 envelope was stamped with the tiny butterflies in Basic Gray ink.

Thank you so much for dropping in on your way around the Basic Gray Colour Creations Blog Hop. I hope you like my card. I doappreciate your time spent here at Valley Inspirations with me.

To continue with the Basic Gray blog hop just click the "next" graphic below to be taken to the blog of a lovely lady, Di Furniss. I am looking forward to checking out Di’s creation(s) - I wonder if she has created one of her amazing fun folds?. 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 Berry Burst as we continue the weekly 2024-2025 Colour Creations Blog Hop series. 

Stay well, stay safe and be kind to yourself.

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 amazing 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 2024-2025 Annual Catalogue, then let me know and I will be delighted to send it 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  #CreativeChallengeSU   #sketchedbutterflies #thoughtfulwishes #spotlightonnature