Sneak Peek: Tip Top Taupe

If you knew me well, you would know that neutral colors are in MY wheelhouse, so to speak.  With that said, one of the new Stampin' Up! In Colors is going to be one of my all time favorites. Tip Top Taupe. Say it with me...it kind of rolls off the tongue. TIP TOP TAUPE. This is just a little close up of a watercolor technique I did this  morning.

After I did a "swoosh" of color with water and ink, I dropped extra course sea salt on to the wet area and let it dry. The salt absorbs some of the ink/water mixture and leaves you with a lovely design. 

The leaves are from the Choose Happiness stamp set. The flower is the Pansy Punch. Finished it off with a Neutrals button and some Linen Thread, all Stampin' Up! products. 

It’s almost time to say goodbye to retiring products from the 2014–2015 annual catalog. Before we say goodbye to these amazing products, though, we’re giving everyone an opportunity to order retiring products (some of them at discounts prices up to 50 percent off retail) before they’re gone for good. Retiring products will only be available until June 2 (or while supplies last), so be sure to get your orders in early. Shop now!  

I hope you enjoyed the project. Please use hostess code TE6ZJN9X  when ordering online, unless your order will total $150 before shipping & tax. At that point, you become your own hostess and get all the rewards! Please keep in mind if you choose "no contact" from the demonstrator, I'm unable to even send you a thank you note for your order...That's right, I'm not even able to see your name. 

As always, let me know if you have any questions about the project or the products used. Thanks for visiting my blog. 

Artfully Yours,
Kim

Parting is such sweet sorrow...

This card was made using several of my favorite Stampin' Up! retiring products. 

The center layer was cut using the Labels Collection Framelits Dies and the texture on the Blushing Bride background panel was made using the Beautifully Baroque Textured Impressions embossing folder. These are a whopping 50% off right now and you need to get them quick!

Both of the stamp sets used are retiring also. Blooming with Kindness and the Dictionary background stamp. Both have been staples for all kinds of cards. The Dictionary stamp is a great way to add interest to backgrounds or over central images. 

Products used:

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

              LAST CHANCE FOR RETIRING PRODUCTS

It’s almost time to say goodbye to retiring products from the 2014–2015 annual catalog. Before we say goodbye to these amazing products, though, we’re giving everyone an opportunity to order retiring products (some of them at discounts prices up to 50 percent off retail) before they’re gone for good. Retiring products will only be available until June 2 (or while supplies last), so be sure to get your orders in early! Shop now! Please use hostess code Q4ZZGBGE when ordering. 

Check out the new Weekly Deals! Save up to 25% on the items below. There are also still some amazing items on the clearance rack. Please use hostess code Q4ZZGBGE when ordering. 

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Follow this link to see how you can receive your first 2 months worth of Paper Pumpkin at 50% off. Please choose me as your demonstrator...I would appreciate it!

I hope you enjoyed the project. Please use hostess code Q4ZZGBGE  when ordering online, unless your order will total $150 before shipping & tax. At that point, you become your own hostess and get all the rewards! Please keep in mind if you choose "no contact" from the demonstrator, I'm unable to even send you a thank you note for your order...That's right, I'm not even able to see your name. 

As always, let me know if you have any questions about the project or the products used. Thanks for visiting my blog. 

Artfully Yours,

Kim

A Million & One Reasons

Not to get all mushy, but there are so many reasons I love to create art with my stamps & paper crafting supplies from Stampin' Up! So, it was a natural that after over 15 years of being a customer, I finally signed up to be a demonstrator. My one year anniversary of being partnered with the company I love is next month. A little message to Shelli Gardner & Stampin' Up...Fabulous is What You Are! 

For this card, I chose to use one of my favorite retiring stamp sets, Million & One. Seriously, look at the wonderful "loopiness" of the font. Either of the sayings would be great on their own, with no other adornment or design. However,  I wanted an over the top collage look for this card.  All products are Stampin' Up!

See...this stamp set is crazy good. Grab it before it is gone. 

Don't let the collage look intimidate you. For this card, I started with a single layer of watercolor paper. I then applied various layers of ink & water using Pacific Point & Tempting Turquoise inks. I just gave the pad a little squeeze while the lid was still closed. After you do that, it gives you a little paint pallet in the lid of each ink pad. Feel free to dry the paper in between adding the colors if you want more definition between colors. After the background had been watercolored, I randomly stamped the flower & leaf images from the Choose Happiness stamp set using the same colors of ink. 

I used Staz On black ink to stamp a partial image of the Swallowtail, the words from Million & one and the flower from Choose Happiness on a section of Window Sheet cut to exactly match the size of the watercolored layer, then layered it on top of the background. I only used adhesive under the Jute & the flower embellishment. 

There are so many different ways to use the large Swallowtail stamp! It is completely large enough to cover an entire card front. 

I added the flower & the White Jute ribbon at the end. The flower is a combination of watercolor paper (for the texture) and Whisper White cardstock punched using the Fun Flower punch.  The inside part of the flower was made using watercolor paper and the Stampin' Up! Fringe Scissors. After I fringed a small piece of watercolor paper, I dipped the ends in water & ink. After the piece was dry, I glued it to the center of the flower and added tiny stones from the Rhinestone Basics. I punched the leaves out of scrap of watercolor paper using the Build a Bird punch. 

I know there are several stamp sets & punches represented here, but this look can be made using much less inventory. I was just having a hard time deciding which stamp set to use that day, so I used several.  Please let me know if you have any questions. 

Products used:

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

LAST CHANCE FOR RETIRING PRODUCTS

It’s almost time to say goodbye to retiring products from the 2014–2015 annual catalog. Before we say goodbye to these amazing products, though, we’re giving everyone an opportunity to order retiring products (some of them at discounts prices up to 50 percent off retail) before they’re gone for good. Retiring products will only be available until June 2 (or while supplies last), so be sure to get your orders in early! Shop now!

As always, I appreciate you taking the time to look at my blog and your comments. Follow me on Pinterest, Facebook & Twitter. (Links on right sidebar)

Artfully Yours,

Kim