Color Inspiration from Sydney Joy

I was scrolling through Facebook yesterday and happened upon a photo that an awesome photographer posted. Here’s the link to her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/kariizmaphotography/

As soon as I saw it, I thought out loud, “What a gorgeous color combination! I’m going to make a floral card in those colors!” (Yes I have permission from her to post her photo…if you don’t know, she’s my talented daughter.) Here’s the color palette, if you’d like to Pin it for future reference:

I decided to use lots of new products I recently purchased. There is a large magnolia suite in the Annual Catalog, but many people may not be aware that there is a smaller, coordinating one in the Experience Creativity Beginner’s Brochure called Magnolia Blooms. It’s geared towards people that are new to stamping, but that doesn’t mean avid stampers can’t use the products, too. Click here to see the brochure.

This inspiration and color palette just sings “wedding” to me, so I wanted to work in some vellum. I ran a layer piece through the die cutting machine with the Scripty 3D Embossing Folder. I die cut the gorgeous frame with the Petal Labels Dies out of Mint Macaron and the magnolia is colored with Stampin’ Blends markers. It was missing something from the Mint Macaron layer, so I asked Hunter what she thought it needed. Why do I even bother asking? Her answer for almost everything is to sponge it! So, that’s what I did. I love the extra texture from it. I finished it off with Pearl Basic Jewels colored with the Bronze and Petal Pink Blends and I decided to use the gorgeous Petal Pink Variegated Ribbon that retired from the Occasions Catalog in the spring…but I’ll bet there are lots of you that have it because it was a best-seller.

Here’s the inside of the card:

And here it is with the matching envelope (no naked envelopes!):

Card Recipe
Stamp Sets:  Magnolia Blooms, Path of Petals (inside)
Cardstock:  Early Espresso, Mint Macaron, Whisper White
Specialty Cardstock:  Vellum
Ink:  Petal Pink, Memento Tuxedo Black
Stampin’ Blends: Bronze, Mint Macaron, Petal Pink, Soft Suede
Love:  Petal Pink Variegated Ribbon (retired), Pearl Basic Jewels
Tools:  Stampin’ Sponges, Petal Labels Dies, Layering Ovals Dies, Scripty 3D Embossing Folder, 3D Embossing Plate, Magnetic Platform, Precision Base Plate, Big Shot

Click on the catalog name to view the PDFs:
2019 Holiday Catalog
2019-2020 Annual Catalog

jenniferarentstamps@comcast.net

If you want more inspiration, be sure to visit my Pinterest boards! I have a ridiculous number of boards – arranged by type and themes for cards, scrapbooking and papercrafting!
https://www.pinterest.com/jenniferarent/

Natures Beauty Sneak Peek

This sweet doe is in a stamp set that may slip past you in the Holiday Catalog – it’s on the inside back cover and is called Nature’s Beauty. It’s part of the Stampin’ Up Making a Difference program and $3 of every sale goes toward mental health organizations.

I used Stampin’ sponges to sponge the background in Crumb Cake and Seaside Spray. I then stamped the doe in Early Espresso and colored her in with the Light & Dark Crumb Cake and Dark Petal Pink Stampin’ Blends. I finished the picture off with Mint Macaron grass and Crumb Cake bare bushes. I decided to forego any twine, ribbon or other embellishments and chose to die cut a couple leaves from the new Gathered Leaves Dies. The dies are awesome because they cut and emboss at the same time…and without any special shim! Look closely and you can see the Crumb Cake rectangle is cut out with the Stitched Rectangles Dies so there’s a little stitched border. I layered this onto a piece of Come To Gather Designer Series Paper and put it all onto a card base of Mint Macaron. Such a sweet card. I am so ready for fall!

Card Recipe
Stamp Set:  Natures Beauty
Cardstock:  Crumb Cake, Mint Macaron, Whisper White
Specialty Paper: Come To Gather DSP, Gold Foil Sheets
Ink: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Mint Macaron, Seaside Spray
Blends:  Crumb Cake, Petal Pink
Tools:  Stampin’ Sponges, Gathered Leaves Dies, Stitched Rectangles Dies

Click on the Stampin’ Up Catalogs tab above to view the 2019-2020 Annual Catalog PDF.

jenniferarentstamps@comcast.net

If you want more inspiration, be sure to visit my Pinterest boards! I have a ridiculous number of boards – arranged by type and themes for cards, scrapbooking and papercrafting!
https://www.pinterest.com/jenniferarent/

JOS Color Challenge

I have spoken previously about a fun Facebook group I belong to – The Joy of Sets. Fiona, the administrator, conducted polls for everyone to vote on their favorite colors in each Stampin’ Up color family. After the results, she challenged everyone to make a card using all 5 colors. Here were the top 5:

It’s super cold here in Southwest Michigan right now and I have basically been hibernating under my blankie on the couch, watching too much TV. Hunter said she wanted to take on the challenge, so she got me off the couch and into the stamping room. Once I started, I really enjoyed spending some stamping time with her. I decided to ink up two new sets from the 2019 Occasions catalog – Bloom by Bloom and Itty Bitty Birthdays. You can never have too many flower or Birthday stamps. I die cut an oval out of some scrap paper and used that as my mask. I had planned on using my new Shimmery Embossing Paste I received today, but it was frozen. Seriously. Sponging was the next best idea, which I did using Pool Party. Then I spritzed on some Lemon Lime Twist. The card came together pretty fast after that and I can’t believe how easy it was to put these 5 colors together. Fun!

Card Recipe
Stamp Sets:  Bloom by Bloom, Itty Bitty Birthdays
Cardstock:  Cherry Cobbler, Night of Navy, Whisper White
Ink:  Bermuda Bay, Cherry Cobbler, Lemon Lime Twist, Night of Navy, Pool Party
Lovelies:  Night of Navy Baker’s Twine
Tools:  Pattern Party Decorative Masks, Stampin’ Sponge, Stampin’ Spritzer, Layering Ovals Framelits, Big Shot

Click on the Stampin’ Up Catalogs tab above for the 2019 Occasions Catalog, 2019 Sale-a-Bration Brochure, and the Annual Catalog PDF. So much creativity and fun!

jenniferarentstamps@comcast.net

If you want more inspiration, be sure to visit my Pinterest boards! I have a ridiculous number of boards – arranged by type and themes for cards, scrapbooking and papercrafting!
https://www.pinterest.com/jenniferarent/

Best Birds Poignant Thank You

My sweet daughter wanted to make a thank you card for a special person in her life (no, not me this time). It didn’t take her very long to choose the Best Birds set and she knew she wanted to use the Stampin’ Blends. The sentiment is from a retired set, but it is such a poignant one that was perfect for the occasion. The inside reads, “Always kind, Always giving, Always there”. I know this brought tears to the recipient’s eyes. Just lovely. It is so beautiful, I told her I was sneaking a photo and was going to post it on my blog. If only you could see it in real life…

Card Recipe
Stamp Sets:  Best Birds, Me = Grateful*
Cardstock:  Cajun Craze, Crushed Curry, Old Olive, Whisper White
Ink: Cajun Craze, Crushed Curry, Memento Tuxedo Black
Stampin’ Blends:  Various
Tools:  Stampin’ Sponges, Birds & Blooms Thinlits Dies, Big Shot, Magnetic Platform

*Retired Product

Click on the Stampin’ Up Catalogs tab above for the new 2018 Holiday Catalog and the Annual Catalog PDF. So much creativity and fun!

jenniferarentstamps@comcast.net

If you want more inspiration, be sure to visit my Pinterest boards! I have a ridiculous number of boards – arranged by type and themes for cards, scrapbooking and papercrafting!

https://www.pinterest.com/jenniferarent/

It’s Hard to Say Goodbye Cat Sympathy

A friend asked me to make a card for her to give to one of her friends that recently had to put down their furry little guy. I decided to make two cards for her to choose from and used opposite colors. I sponged Dapper Denim and Memento Tuxedo Black on scrap Whisper White, then punched out a 2 ½” circle. The cat die is from Poppystamps and it is popped up with Dimensionals. I tried using the Dapper Demin Enamel heart on both, but it faded into the background against the banner of Dapper Denim, so I used the Dark Basic Black Stampin’ Blends marker to color it black. Not a typical color for a heart, but I felt it was ok on this. The Simple Stripes Embossing Folder gives the perfect subtle background. The inside of the cards read, “It’s hard to say Goodbye to such a Special Companion.”

Card Recipe
Stamp Set:  Cat Sympathy (Our Daily Bread Designs)
Cardstock:  Basic Black, Dapper Denim*, Whisper White
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Dapper Denim
Stampin’ Blends: Dark Basic Black
Lovelies: 2016-2018 In Color Enamel Shapes*
Tools:  2 ½” Circle Punch, Banner Punch*, Large Sitting Cat Die (Poppystamps), Simple Stripes Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Stampin’ Sponges

*Retired Product

Click on the Stampin’ Up Catalogs tab above for the 2018 Holiday Catalog and the Annual Catalog PDF. So much creativity and fun!

jenniferarentstamps@comcast.net

If you want more inspiration, be sure to visit my Pinterest boards! I have a ridiculous number of boards – arranged by type and themes for cards, scrapbooking and papercrafting!

https://www.pinterest.com/jenniferarent/

Delightfully Sponged Notecard

Sometimes a quick and easy card is what you need. This one packs just the right amount of “WOW” with the sponging behind the laser-cut specialty paper. I chose 3 new core colors from the Subtles Ink Collection:

A stamped sentiment die cut with elements of faux stitching gives it a fancier feel. It was great getting my fingers inky with the sponging and I really enjoyed making this card!

Stamp Set:  Special Celebrations
Cardstock:  Whisper White, Whisper White Notecards & Envelopes
Specialty Paper:  Delightfully Detailed
Ink:  Balmy Blue, Petal Pink, Soft Sea Foam
Tools:  Stampin’ Sponges, Stitched Labels Framelits, Big Shot, Magnetic Platform

Let me know if you want to order anything!        jenniferarentstamps@comcast.net

If you want more inspiration, be sure to visit my Pinterest page! I have a ridiculous number of boards – arranged by type and themes for cards, scrapbooking and papercrafting! https://www.pinterest.com/jenniferarent/

Simple Touch of Sympathy

Unfortunately, there are times in our lives that we need to make sympathy cards. I prefer floral cards with a small spot of color. I enjoy sponging color onto the wooden Touches of Nature Elements. Just make sure you protect your table. Use a scrap of paper and sponge onto the wooden piece while it’s laying on it. If you try to hold it while sponging, the ink will not cover it completely. This card also uses a couple retired products, but you can always substitute similar ribbon and Designer Series Paper.

Stamp Set:  Flourishing Phrases
Cardstock:  Old Olive, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White
Designer Series Paper: Painted Blooms*
Ink:  Crushed Curry, Old Olive, Wild Wasabi
Lovelies: Touches of Nature Elements, Whisper White Organza Ribbon*, Old Olive Bakers Twine, Pearl Basic Jewels
Tools:  Layering Ovals Framelits, Big Shot, Magnetic Platform, Stampin’ Sponges
*Retired Product

The Holiday Catalog is ready for you! Get to shopping!

jenniferarentstamps@comcast.net

If you want more inspiration, be sure to visit my Pinterest boards! I have a ridiculous number of boards – arranged by type and themes for cards, scrapbooking and papercrafting!
https://www.pinterest.com/jenniferarent/

Dapper Bethlehem

I am trusting I’m not the only person that had completely forgotten to get any Christmas Designer Series Paper yet, so here’s a fun alternative – I searched through all my DSP and knew as soon as I saw the black and white sheet in Whole Lot of Lovely, I would sponge it with Dapper Denim to make it match! Remember that any DSP that has white or light areas can be sponged to match your project!

Here’s a side angle to see that I glued the background die flat to the card and popped the front die cut up with Dimensionals to give it a little pop:

Now get busy making your Christmas cards – it’ll be here before you know it!

Stamp Set: Night in Bethlehem
Cardstock: Basic Black, Dapper Denim
Designer Series Paper: Whole Lot of Lovely
Ink: Dapper Denim, VersaMark
Lovelies: 1/8” Silver Ribbon, Silver Embossing Powder
Tools: Stampin’ Sponges, Embossing Buddy, Heat Tool, Banner Triple Punch, Bethlehem Edgelit Dies, Big Shot, Precision Base Plate, Big Shot Die Brush

Let me know if you want to order anything!        jenniferarentstamps@comcast.net

If you want more inspiration, be sure to visit my Pinterest page! I have a ridiculous number of boards – arranged by type and themes for cards, scrapbooking and papercrafting! https://www.pinterest.com/jenniferarent/

Tip Top Touches of Thanks

Tick Tock…Tick Tock…the countdown is on! We’ll be saying goodbye to the 2015-2017 In Colors in two short months, so to remind everyone of how beautiful this collection is, today’s cards feature 3 of them – Delightful Dijon, Mint Macaron and Tip Top Taupe.  I felt an organic card would work best with these colors and I’ve been holding onto this set called Touches of Texture for the perfect time. So happy I bought this set! I wonder if it will make it into the new catalog?  The font of the sentiments in Rose Wonder is perfect for this style. And always pay attention to the little details – I used a sponge dauber to add Mint Macaron ink to the Very Vanilla Lace Doilies. Love it!

Stamp Sets:  Touches of Texture, Rose Wonder
Cardstock:  Delightful Dijon, Mint Macaron, Tip Top Taupe, Very Vanilla
Ink:  Delightful Dijon, Mint Macaron, Tip Top Taupe
Lovelies:  Lace Doilies, Very Vanilla Thick Baker’s Twine
Tools:  Sponge Dauber

jenniferarentstamps@comcast.net

If you want more inspiration, be sure to visit my Pinterest boards! I have a ridiculous number of boards – arranged by type and themes for cards, scrapbooking and papercrafting!
https://www.pinterest.com/jenniferarent/

High Tide Compilation

I just love the High Tide set in the Occasions catalog. It’s perfect for masculine cards…and we all know masculine cards are the most difficult! I just love sponging and the background of the sand, water and sky are perfect for showcasing the sponging technique.  As you can see from the photo, I cut my round stamping sponges into fourths and staple a little handle on top using the coordinating color of cardstock. As a resident of Southwest Michigan, just a few miles from beautiful Lake Michigan, I can tell you right now that this is definitely going to be one of my go-to sets!

Stamp Set:  High Tide
Cardstock:  Crumb Cake, Island Indigo, Whisper White
Ink:  Crumb Cake, Island Indigo, Marina Mist, Soft Sky, Memento Tuxedo Black
Tools:  Stamping Sponges

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jenniferarentstamps@comcast.net

If you want more inspiration, be sure to visit my Pinterest boards! I have a ridiculous number of boards – arranged by type and themes for cards, scrapbooking and papercrafting!
https://www.pinterest.com/jenniferarent/