AWHT Colour Creations #49 Soft Succulent

Soft Succulent with Two-Tone Flora

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 blog hop is the penultimate blog hop for this 2021-2023 series.

This week’s Blog Hop is focussing on a muted green called Soft Succulent. Soft Succulent is part of the retiring 2021-2023 In Colour Family and is a delightful colour. This colour is lovely when used for leaves, plants, at Christmas time and works with so many colours. 

Soft Succulent 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; In Colour Designer Series Paper as well as Fancy Flora, Delicate Desert, Lovely Linen, Pretty Prints, He’s the Man, Flowering Fields and Harvest Meadows DSPs; plus Texture Chic Speciality; Dry Brushed Metallic Speciality; Fine Shimmer; Brushstroke Speciality papers; Birthday Card Organiser Kit; Love Treats Kit; Christmas Whimsy Card Kit; Slimline Envelopes; Texture Chic Memories & More Cards; Texture Chic Memories & More Cards & Envelopes; Satin Shimmer Ribbon and Festive Pearls. That’s a solid list demonstrating the colour's versatility.

Soft Succulent card-stock, ink, Stampin' Write Marker, Fancy Flora DSP and Festive Pearls have been used in creating this project plus a range of non-Soft Succulent bits and pieces.

I so so love the Fancy Flora DSP with its painterly designs and so I thought I would feature both sides of one of the sheets that uses Soft Succulent. This card design was featured by Rachel Tessman, a US Stampin’ Up! demonstrator, recently. It uses a full 6”x6” sheet of DSP and enables both sides to shine. I have used the DSP with the coordinating stamps and dies from the Fancy Flora Suite. There was no wastage of the DSP as the thin off-cut strip from trimming the sheet down to a standard card height of 14.9cm, was used on the inside of the card to partially decorate the panel for writing the personal message.

As mentioned above, a sheet of DSP was trimmed on one side to cut it to the height of a standard portrait card. The DSP was scored to enable it to fold behind a 1/4sheet of Soft Succulent card-stock. It was scored a second time to support the sheet being folded back to show the other side of the DSP on the front. I struggled a bit initially, as I wanted to show the more pattered design on the card front, but then thought the two-tone flowers would better contrast with the Soft Succulent/Evening Evergreen design. Thin strips of Brushed Gold Metallic paper and Soft Succulent card-stock were tucked under the folded back edge.

A mid-sized deckled rectangle was cut from Basic White card-stock using the Deckled Rectangles dies. The large detailed die from the Two-Tone Flora dies was cut out and used as a mask to very lightly blend some Soft Succulent Classic Stampin’ ink onto the deckled label. Taking the colour combo from the DSP, the flowers from the Two-Tone stamped flowers were stamped in Fresh Freesia, Highland Heather, Orchard Oasis, Petal Pink and Calypso Coral Classic inks. Soft Succulent and Evening Evergreen inks were used for the leaves.

The flowers and leaves were die cut with coordinating dies from the Two-Tone Flora dies. They were arranged and adhered with Multi-Purpose Liquid Glue, Dimensionals or Glue Dots. The Gold Satin Edged ribbon was a swish layered under the floral arrangement. A sentiment from the Something Fancy stamps was white heat embossed using Soft Succulent card-stock, Versamark ink, White Emboss powder and a Heat Tool. It was added with Mini Dimensionals. Some Soft Succulent Festive Pearls were the finishing touch.

I love the inside of the card as it showcases the “A” side of the DSP. Another sentiment from the Something Fancy stamp set was stamped directly onto the DSP with Evening Evergreen ink. A Two-Tone flower was stamped onto Basic White card-stock and the thin DSP off-cut was adhered down the side. A Basic White C6 Envelope was decorated with a left over flower and leaf.

Thank you so much for calling in and spending time with me. 

I looove Soft Succulent and Evening Evergreen and am sad to see them leave the Stampin’ Up! palette. The Fancy Flora DSP, Gold Satin Edged ribbon, Soft Succulent card-stock and ink, plus the Brushed Metallic Paper are all retiring and 1 May will be the last day to purchase them unless they are sold out earlier. Thankfully, the Two-Tone Flora and Something Fancy stamps and dies are carrying over into the new Stampin’ Up! Annual Catalogue.

There is more Soft Succulent 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 Woollard. I look forward to checking out Rachel’s creation. I do love seeing everyones' projects - there is always inspiration.

I hope to see you next week when we will be featuring Soft Suede, one of the retiring colours from the Neutrals Colour family, as we finalise the weekly 2022-2023 Colour Creations Blog Hop series.  Don’t worry - we will be continuing to Blog Hop the following week and will initially focus on the new 2023-2025 In Colours.

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 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 new Stampin' Up's 2023-2024 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  #stamper  #valleyinspirations   #twotoneflora #somethingfancy    #deckledrectangles

AWHT Colour Creations #42 Real Red

Real Red with Two-Tone Flora & Something Fancy

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

This week’s Blog Hop is focussing on a a strong red called Real Red. Real Red is part of the Regals Colour Family and is a strong primary colour. This colour is lovely when used for flowers or berries, fruit (eg strawberries), hearts, shoes or bright balloons and it is wonderful as a Christmas colour ... plus so much more.

Real Red 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; Watercolor Pencils; Regals Designer Series Paper as well as the Christmas Gifting Kit, Christmas Whimsy Card Kit, plus Real Red and Burlap Ribbon Combo, Real Red & Garden Green Ribbon Combo, Real Red Mini Ruffled Ribbon and Pearlized Enamel Effects. There is also a range of products using Real Red in the Clearance Rack - why not check them out.

Real Red card-stock, ink and Stampin' Write Marker have been used in these projects plus a range of non-Real Red bits and pieces. Here are my cards:

There is actually a third card as well. Here 'tis:

CARDS 1 & 2:

I started with a plan to create one card, but as I was crafting I decided to make a second as there would be quite a few bits and pieces left over. The cards are similar but with a number of  differences. The process for creating cards 1 and 2 was the same it will be discussed once.

The creation process started with cutting the large detailed die out from Basic White card-stock. This acted as a mask and was layered over Shimmery White card-stock. One drop of Real Red Classic Re-inker was added to a Stampin' Mister which was filled with water. A few pumps of mist was sprayed at a height over the die cut mask while it was lying on top of the Shimmery White panel. The trick was to spray enough to provide subtle coverage but not so much that it drenched the mask. I needed a second go to feel happy with the outcome - the first was too light.

A background piece of Sahara Sand card-stock was embossed with the Cane Weave 3D embossing folder. [NB The second card, pictured directly above, used the embossed side, while the first card used the de-bossed design. I love the way we can choose between the embossed and de-bossed sides.] The embossed Sahara Sand panel was lightly splattered using a Real Red Stampin' Write Marker and some White Craft ink (ie using the medium Water Painter) before being adhered directly to the card base; ie Thick Basic White card-stock for card 1 and Real Red card-stock for card 2. Once dry, the delicately misted panel was cut diagonally with Stampin' Up!s Paper Trimmer. The top piece was added to card 1 with Dimensionals and similarly, the bottom section to card 2.

The Two-Tone Flora stamps create beautiful 2 step flowers using a base stamp with a detailed layer. The stamp set includes a number of different flowers - all lovely. I prefer stamping the detailed stamp first in the darker colour and then align the lighter full flower stamp over the top, however, some stampers prefer stamping the layers in the opposite order. Which way do you prefer? The colour combos used for these flowers were a) Real Red stamped in full strength for the detailed layer and stamped off for the base layer, b) Real Red stamped in full strength for the detailed layer and Blushing Bride for the base layer, c) Blushing Bride stamped in full strength for the detailed layer and stamped off Blushing Bride for the base layer. The leaves were stamped in Sahara Sand Classic ink; some full strength and some stamped off. Each of the flowers and leaves have coordinating dies.

The flowers and leaves were arranged and adhered with either Dimensionals or Glue Dots. I felt it needed an extra bit of "lightness" so die cut some detailed leaves from the Fitted Florets dies. They were die cut from the discarded misted panel. A Linen Twine bow was tucked under the edge of a flower using a Glue Dot. A sentiment from the Something Fancy stamp set was stamped in Sahara Sand ink on Basic White card-stock (card 1) and white heat embossed on Real Red card-stock (card 2). Iridescent Pearl Basic Jewels were added as the finishing touch.

A strip of Real Red card-stock was added to a Basic White card inner, with some remaining flowers and leaves adhered directly in place.

C6 Basic White envelopes were stamped with leaves in Sahara Sand ink on both the envelope front and back flap.

CARD 3:

After creating the two cards above, the misted pale pink die cut mask was "staring at me". My first thought was "I must do something with that later." I don't know about you, but I have said that with so many bits and pieces - and they are still around ... somewhere. So I determined to create a third card for this blog hop.

The large detailed die from the Two-Tone Flora dies was used to cut the front of a Thick Basic White card base. The coloured die cut was adhered directly over the die cut front. I used tiny dabs of Multi Purpose Liquid Glue on the thicker bits and the edges. 

Stamped and die cut flowers and leaves were arranged over a Basic White card-stock label that had been cut with one of the Something Fancy dies. A sentiment from the Something Fancy stamp set was stamped in Sahara Sand ink. A Linen Twine bow and a few Iridescent Basic Rhinestone Jewels finished the card front design.

A panel of Shimmery White card-stock was water-coloured (wet on wet technique) with Real Red and Blushing Bride inks. As the panel was drying, it was embossed with the Pretty Flowers embossing folder. When dry, it was directly adhered inside the card on the back panel. Another die cut label was positioned inside the card directly beneath the label on the card front. A brief personal message could be written here. A smaller left over flower and some leaves were adhered to the side of the inner label. While not really seen in the photograph, an extra label was adhered directly behind the top label to give a better finish inside the card.

As mentioned above, a C6 Basic White envelope was stamped with leaves in Sahara Sand ink on both the envelope front and back flap.

I hope you like this set of cards featuring Real Red (combined with Blushing Bride and Sahara Sand) together with the Two-Tone Floral and Something Fancy bundles. I love the lacy look of the die cut card front of Card 3 - it is something different. Having said that, I think Card 1 is my fav. Do you have a favourite???

There is more Real Red creativity. To continue with the blog hop, click the  "onto the next" graphic below and be taken to the blog of the very special Kate Morgan. I always look forward to checking out Kate’s creations. I do love seeing everyones' projects - there is always inspiration.

I hope to see you next week when we will be featuring Rich Razzleberry, another 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   #twotoneflora #somethingfancy 

AWHT Colour Creations #36 Pear Pizzazz

Pear Pizzazz with Fancy Flora

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 somewhat muted green called Pear Pizzazz. Pear Pizzazz is part of the Subtles Colour Family and is a colour that is lovely when used for leaves, trees, fruit (pears & apples) etc and coordinates with so many colours. It makes me think of certain gum leaves.

Pear Pizzazz is produced in Stampin' Up!'s card-stock, both A4 & 12"x12"; Classic Stampin' inks (ink pads & re-inkers); Stampin' Write Markers; Subtles Designer Series Paper as well as Day at the Farm, Flowering Fields (Clearance Rack), Subtles (Clearance Rack) DSPs; plus For Everything Fancy Sequins.

Pear Pizzazz card-stock, ink and For Everything Fancy Sequins have been used in this project plus a range of non-Pear Pizzazz bits and pieces. Here is my card:

I love Pear Pizzazz. While muted, there is also a clarity about this colour. I initially thought of using So Saffron & Flirty Flamingo flowers but when I tried it I decided to stretch myself and try something different. I really love this combination of Pear Pizzazz with Fresh Freesia and Blackberry Bliss. What do you think?

I started by creating a background water-colour panel using Pear Pizzazz Classic Stampin' ink, Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper and the large flat Water Painter. I used the wet on wet water-colour technique creating a panel with stronger colour near the top and fading out further down the panel. I didn't want a perfectly blended ombre effect but rather some watercolour patchiness. The Two-Tone Flora panel die was used to cut a Basic White card-stock panel to layer over the water-coloured panel. I also cut a Pear Pizzazz card-stock base that would be a tad larger than the die cut panel.

When adhering the panels together with the card base, I thought I would run it through my Cut 'n Emboss Machine to ensure the watercolour panel was adhered flat. However, the die cut panel was really squished flat as well which took away some of the subtle dimension/ texture/shading. I was sooo disappointed and will need to re-think my process in the future.

A range of flowers were stamped onto Basic White card-stock using the Two-Tone Flora stamp set. This is two step stamping with a background stamp and a detailed stamp adding deeper floral details. The stamp set contains 5 different flowers although I have only used 3 different flowers on this card. I needed to practice a little to discover the best stamping formula for me. For me it seemed easier to stamp the background stamp first in a lighter colour and then aligned the central stamens and certain edges to ensure the detailed darker colour stamped correctly. There are 2 different types of leaves - while I stamped out both, I ended up only using the multi-leaf twigs.

The flowers & leaves were arranged. I tried adding a bow in all sorts of ways (see one of the rejected bows in a photo above) but eventually ended up not using a bow at all. I do like adding some ribbon or twine to my projects but there are times when it really doesn't add to the project. Hmm, it did take me a while to come to that conclusion. 😜

The card was finished with a sentiment from the Something Fancy stamp set that was white heat embossed on Pear Pizzazz card-stock. Some of the green For Everything Fancy Sequins were added for a subtle touch of sparkle. There is a gorgeous range of sequin shapes & colours with little pearls. They are so beautiful.

The card inner is very simple here. Pear Pizzazz leaves were added at the bottom of a Basic White card-stock panel. Two left over two-tone flowers were adhered to the right side of a C6 Basic White Envelope. Very simple additions have brought coordination.

Thank you so much for calling by.

There is more Pear Pizzazz creativity. Don't miss out - to continue with the blog hop, click the  "onto the next" graphic below and be taken to the blog of the lovely and talented Tina Gillespie. I always look forward to checking out Tina’s creations. I do love seeing everyones' projects - there is always inspiration.

I hope to see you next week, when we will be featuring Petal Pink, one of the Subtles 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 new January - April 2023 Mini Catalogue and Sale-abration Brochure 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   #fancyflora  #somethingfancy #twotoneflora