Sneak Peek!: Crushed Curry & Soft Suede

On July 1, 2009, the new 2009-2010 Stampin' Up! catalog goes into effect. There are so many wonderful new stamp sets and products in store for all of us. I know my wish list is bursting at the seams (and unfortunately, I'm sure I will buy it all...lol).

One of the exciting unveilings is the addition of six new colors to the In Colors line. The new colors are: Rich Razzleberry, Soft Suede, Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Melon Mambo, and Dusty Durango. These colors will be available in Stampin' Pads, ink refills, cardstock, ribbon, and other products. I've had these products for a while now and I have to say they are a beautiful palette of colors and they integrate wonderfully with the regular Stampin' Up! color spectrum.

However, from the outset, I have to admit that there are two colors that I have fallen ABSOLUTELY head-over-heels for. They are so made for one another and I think they are going to become Stampin' Up! classics: Crushed Curry and Soft Suede.

Today, I've decided to give you a slight sneak peak into the color duo with a card project. I'm also highlighting one of the new stamp set releases that will be in the new catalog entitled "Circle Circus". This project is quick and easy, but I think it illustrates the endless possibilities of two of my new favorite colors.

The card will be a standard A2 size. The mat is cut from Stampin' Up! Whisper White cardstock at 4" x 5". The cardstock base is Soft Suede cut at 5 1/2" x 8 1/2". This card utilizes two stamps from the upcoming "Circle Circus":,as well as inks in Crushed Curry and Soft Suede.


Circle Circus, (10) stamps


2009-2010 In Colors Crushed Curry and Soft Suede

To begin the card, I cut a mat of Stampin' Up! Whisper White cardstock at 4" x 5". Using one of the stamps from "Circle Circus" and the Crushed Curry Stampin' Pad, I randomly stamped the image on mat cardstock.



Using the same image, I used the Soft Suede Stampin' Pad for contrast and visual interest. Don't be too concerned with careful placement of the image. Many times overlapping the image or stamping off the cardstock creates really beautiful accents that draw the eye. Randomness in a good thing.



After looking at my mat for a few minutes, I decided I needed a little "more". So, I went back to "Circle Circus" and picked out one of the smallest images to fill in some of the blank space. Of course, the danger is always that you make your card too busy. So, you just have to practice and learn to train your eye. Sometimes, it doesn't work out so well...and it's back to the drawing board. In this instance, I think it was a good call.




When I was happy with my card mat, the question turned to which color to use for my card base. In truth, I think either new In Color Crushed Curry or Soft Suede would have worked. But, I was drawn to the Soft Suede.



I cut the 8 1/2" x 11" piece of cardstock in half, which creates two A2 card sizes at 5 1/2" x 8 1/2". Using my Scor-Pal (a MUST-HAVE tool in any crafter's arsenal), I scored the cardstock at 4 1/4".



Now that I was ready to assemble my card, I thought it needed one final touch: ribbon. While the new In Colors line comes in a matching polka dot ribbon, I thought that the dots would fight too much with the circle patterns of the stamping. I saw a piece of Stampin' Up 5/8" grosgrain ribbon in Chocolate Chip and thought it would be the perfect addition.



However, during assembly with my trusty ATG714 adhesive gun, I changed my mine (always a crafter's prerogative). I thought the 5/8" ribbon was a tad too wide and switched it to the 3/8" Stampin' Up! grosgrain ribbon (in Chocolate Chip) instead. Here's the final card and a close-up detail.




Remember, the new In Colors and stamp sets will be available on July 1st. You can order through my website (link on the sidebar) or your preferred Stampin' Up! Demonstrator. I, for one, am impatiently awaiting to place my order! Whatever you do today, take some time out to work on a project. It's good for your soul! Keep smiling...and Keep Crafting!

New Toys, New Cards

In the "I'm Sure This Is Not Breaking News" department, I must report that I've been a very, very bad boy on the spending front. (*gasps ring out from the stunned masses--or not*) I've recently become a big fan of Unity Stamp Company and their deeply-etched red rubber stamps. They've got some terifically quirky artwork. Many of their stamps are already mounted on cling mount foam and ready to use. The quality is superb. I recently joined their "Kit Of The Month" club, as well as purchased several sets that I just "had" to have.

I've also another terrible confession to make. As much as I love my Prismacolor Pencils and Gamsol, as well as my Stampin' Up! Stampin' Write Many Marverlous Marker Set, I've succumbed to that Japanese virus called Copics. I embarrassed to say that my first purchase was a set of twelve (12) of the Original Copics. I bought them without really knowing enough to make an informed purchase--or realizing that I much prefer the Sketch marker. That said, I now own seventy-two (72) and counting Sketch markers and I LOVE THEM! Now, I am no where near the talent level of many of my fellow crafters when it comes to Copic technique and blending accumen. But I am certainly enjoying self-teaching myself. I can definitely see progress, but I have of hours of practice ahead of me. The major problem with Copics is that they are truly, hideously ADDICTING! No matter how many you have in your collection, it is never enough.

Of course, I also have been through the new 2009-2010 Stampin' Up! catalog (several times) and have been honing my lists up and down. Needless to saying, I'm chomping at the bit for July 1st to arrive so that I can place the first of what I'm sure will be several orders. So far, I haven't had the intestinal fortitude to add up the total of my current list. But, I do love surprises, LOL!

Well, enough about my shopping habits. Here are a few cards I've worked on in recent days. I've tried to include all the product information, but if you have any specific questions (and/or comments), please feel free to drop an e-mail or leave a comment and I'll try to get the information you need to you.


Feel Better Card: (base cardstock: Stardream Fuse Mica in Citrine; mat cardstocks: Stardream Fuse Mica in Lapis, Stardream Fuse Mica in Fairway, Stampin' Up! Whisper White; punches: EK Success Corner Adorner--Fountain Fun, Martha Stewart Branch punch, EK Success Corner Rounder; stamps: Stampin' Up! Pretty Peony Set (retired), Papertrey Ink Mega Mixed Messages; inks: Palette Hybrid Ink in Water Lily Green and Prussian Blue, Tsukineko Brilliance in Starlight Silver;)



Friendship Card: (base cardstock: Bazzill Bling in Emerald City; decorative paper: Basic Grey Offbeat Collection; mat cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White; punch: Stampin' Up! Tag Corner Punch; stamps: Gel-é-tins Sheltering Tree Set; inks: Tsukineko Memento in Cottage Ivy, Tsukineko Brilliance in Pearlescent Thyme, Tsukineko Memento in Potter's Clay, Tsukineko Memento in Rich Cocoa; accent: Uniball Signo UM-153 in Gold;)




Missing You Pocket Card: (base cardstock: Bazzill Textured cardstock, Stampin' Up! Whisper White; decorative paper: Papertrey Ink Men Of Life Collection; punches: Stampin' Up! Scalloped Circle Punch and 1 3/8" Circle Punch; ribbon: Stampin' Up! Striped 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon in Pacific Point (retiring); stamps: Papertrey Ink Mega Mixed Messages set; ink: Tsukineko Memento in Tuxedo Black; tab: K & Co. Mira collection;)




Anniversary Card: (base cardstock: Stardream Fuse Mica in Citrine, Stampin' Up! Whisper White; mat cardstock: Stardream Fuse Mica in Rose Quartz; decorative paper: Papertrey Ink Hodge Podge Collection; punch: EK Success Corner Adorner--Fountain Fun; stamps: Stampin' Up! Fifth Avenue Floral (#113734), Papertrey Ink Mega Mixed Messages set; copic markers: RV21 (Light Pink), RV04 (Shock Pink), R24 (Prawn), R27 (Cadmium Red), R32 (Peach), and V12 (Pale Lilac); ink: Tsukineko Memento in Tuxedo Black;)