Strength and Hope

     While I was still working on Monday Mailers, I decided that there really weren't a lot of colors I didn't like or wouldn't use together.  Amazingly, with a bit of thought you can put almost any colors together if you don't use too much of at least one of them or tone them down with a third or fourth color.  Anyway my featured color not to use on this card was one of last year's In Colors -- Concord Crush.  It's a very deep purple, and I've never really cared for it.  I don't know WHY I don't like it since I usually like the pinks, roses and plums, but I don't.
     So I decided that if I used pinks that the Concord Crush might not over power those and at least blend a bit.  I got out some Pretty in Pink cardstock along with the Concord Crush and grabbed my new Lace Ribbon Border punch.  Used along with Rose Red ink and Dazzling Diamonds, here is the result.

     I really like the stamps in this set.  There are four which include the butterfly, the adornment I used on the envelope flap, the "H" for hope which I used inside and the words.  The butterfly is very pretty with fine detail that makes a gorgeous image.  Covered with some glue and Dazzling Diamonds glitter, you couldn't ask for a better butterfly stamp.  Don't miss out on this set -- It's only available until August 31.

On the Grow #2

     Sorry it took all week to post, but besides the day job, I've been helping with VBS at church in the evenings.  It's always fun and refreshing to be around young children especially when your own are grown.  So I've been having fun, but that hasn't left much free time to create or write posts.
     My Monday Mailer for this week used the other stamp in the "On the Grow" set.  I like to make myself use all of what is available in a set.  You never know what gem you might go undiscovered because it never saw ink.  I was using Green Galore, Perfect Plum and Very Vanilla for this card with More Mustard thrown into the mix.  I was NOT sure how the colors would work since I'd looked for a unusual combination in my Color Coach and then changed it up a bit.  Actually turned out pretty well I think.  Before I added the brads, the basic jewel headlight and spritzed on some green galore with the Color Spritzer Tool, it was a different story.  I'm always amazed at the difference a tiny touch like a brad or jewel can make it the over all look.  Again I used the blender pen to color in the scooter.  I think the blender pen makes a wonderful tool for watercoloring.
    So here's my card...What do you think?

Stampin' Supplies: Very Vanilla, Green Galore and Perfect Plum cardstock.  Stazon black ink, silver brads, piercing tool, basic jewel (headlight) blender pen and ink pads, Spritzer tool and Green Galore Stampin' Write Marker.

New In Colors

I promised a card with the new (2011-2013) In-colors about a week ago now.  As usual everything else got in front of my good intentions until I decided to sign up for Monday Mailers with my NC SU Demo group.  I pulled out pieces of the new cardstock colors and made a sort of awning to shade the "Sunny Fun" kids in the pool.  This is another stamp set from the SU Summer Mini catalog.  There are two more stamps...one with an interesting line-up of flip-flops and one with delicious, icy treats on sticks.  I'll try to get some other cards made so you can see how "summer appropriate" these stamps really are.  Anyway, the awning colors from top to bottom are: Calypso Coral, Pool Party, Island Indigo, Wisteria Wonder and Lucky Limeade.  The kids are on a background of Bashful Blue, and the card is more of the Island Indigo.  Coloring was done with various Stampin' Write Markers.  If you'd like a copy of the Summer Mini, please email me by clicking the link in the right column and I'll get one to you ASAP.