Apologies in advance for a lengthy post. I suggest a cup of Chai Latte and at least 3 biscuits for this one...
Last week I was able to find some time to have a proper play with some of the fab new products I bought from the 2011-2012 Ideas Book & Catalogue (click on the link on the left to view it).
I am REALLY loving the new In Colours, especially Calypso Coral and Island Indigo. I used the latter, together with Lucky Limeade to make this cute card featuring the new stamp set, Everybunny. The bunny is coloured using a Pool Party marker.
I also used Island Indigo for this birthday card which uses the new a la carte stamp, Elebration.
The base card is Certainly Celery and I've layered up with Island Indigo and Chocolate Chip cardstock. That beautiful border is created with the new Lace Ribbon Border punch, which is definitely a new entry on my fave products list (up there with the Stampin' Scrub LOL!).The sentiment is from the 'Heard from the heart' stamp set.
Next up is a card that I'm very proud of because it was my first attempt at watercolouring.
I wanted a real impact so I chose Melon Mambo for the base card and the Lace Ribbon Border punch accent. I stamped the Lily image from the US set Fifth Avenue Floral in Versamark onto Whisper White cardstock and applied Melon Mambo embossing powder. Once I'd heated it with my heat gun I set to work watercolouring with my Stampin' Write markers and an Aquapen. I then cut out the flower and mounted it onto Basic Black cardstock. The sentiment is from the retired set Basic Phrases. For the finishing touch I threaded some black 1/8" Taffeta ribbon through the punched section.
Back to the new In Colours and a spotlight on Calypso Coral. I love this colour and wanted a design that would really show it off. I decided to use Basic Black to contrast and used my Square Lattice Embossing Folder to create texture on the background layer.The image is from the new Hostess set, Simply Soft; a 2-step stamp set that has such delicate, almost oriental images. Once again, the black 1/8" Taffeta ribbon provides an excellent finishing touch.
Last but not least is the anniversary card I made for my Husband for our 6th Wedding Anniversary. I was inspired by Caroline Skinner's
gorgeous card and wanted to make a version with Lovebirds on it instead. Calypso Coral came to the rescue as the perfect shade for their heads, together with Lucky Limeade for the bodies and Garden Green for the wings. The heart frame is made from branches cut from Real Red card using the 2-step Bird Punch. The whole thing is layered on Calypso Coral and Crumb Cake cardstock.
Phew! Well that's it for this post (finished your tea yet?) but I'll be back soon with an update on our 'Turn Up the Heat' class and a sneak peek at next week's 'Terrifying Treats' papercraft session.
Anyone who knows me will know that I just HAD to use the new Spice Cake papers and Spiced Paisley stamp set. These are so gorgeous and feature a lovely colour assortment that just makes me feel calm whenever I look at it. I knew I wanted to use it to create a distressed 'country chic' look and by chance I found a sketch that works perfectly. It's the featured sketch from week 40 at the Simply Stampin' challenge blog.
I've paired Soft Suede card with Pear Pizazz and used several designs from the Spice Cake papers. The Soft Suede panel is stamped with images from the Spiced Paisley set in Versamark and clear embossed.
