Color Inspiration Challenge

For all our readers in the United States, I hope you enjoyed your holiday.  It was VERY hot here, but a good time was had by all at Bafoon Lagoon (our nickname for our pool).  In fact, we need to add water to the pool because 1.  the water was way too warm and 2.  the kids sloshed so much out from doing their cannonballs off the diving board!

On the first Thursday of every month, I am honored to present you with a brand new color challenge.  Since the new catalog has been out for over a month now, I thought I would slowly introduce you to the new 2012-2014 In Colors.  Today, we are going to play with one of my favorite In Colors:  Midnight Muse!!!!  If Night of Navy and Not Quite Navy had a baby, they might call it Midnight Muse.  Oh, it's such a beautiful color!!!!!

This month's color combination is:  Midnight Muse, So Saffron, Cherry Cobbler and Old Olive.  Of course, you can add any neutrals (white, vanilla, crumb cake) to make this combo work for you!!!

Now, I had to make a sample card for you!!!!  In fact, this is my mother-in-law's birthday card.  You see, my MIL loves the color red and she adores roses.  I grabbed my new stamp set called Stippled Blossoms and got right to work.  I do suggest using a Stamp-a-ma-jig to line up the roses perfectly.

I used Crumb Cake (a neutral) as my base card.

For the next layer, I ran a 4" x 5 1/4" piece of Cherry Cobbler cardstock through my Big Shot using the new Fancy Fan embossing folder.

Next comes my Midnight Muse banner element.  I simply took a strip of cardstock and cut the banner edge using one of my square punches!

For my newsprint layer, I ran a piece of First Edition Specialty dsp through my Big Shot using one of the Labels Framelits.  I dragged my Crumb Cake ink pad over this layer using the Direct-to-Paper technique.

My roses are stamped onto Very Vanilla cardstock using Cherry Cobbler ink.  Stippled Blossoms is a two step stamp set.  That means that it takes more than one stamp to build the image.  First I stamp the more solid layer.  I ink up this image with Cherry Cobbler ink, stamp off once onto scrap paper and then stamp onto my Very Vanilla cardstock.  Using my Stamp-a-ma-jig, I ink up the more detailed image with Cherry Cobbler ink and stamp it full strength.  The result is a very beautiful rose.  Each of the roses are cut out.

The leaves are also two step.  They are stamped just like the roses but using Old Olive ink.

Lastly, is the sentiment.  I inked up the "Mom" stamp (from the Family Reunion stamp set) using Basic Black ink.  I punched it out with the Large Oval punch and inked the edges with Crumb Cake ink.

All that's left are some Basic Pearls on the left banner edge.

I hope she loves her card.  Her birthday is tomorrow!!!!!

Now, it's your turn to play with this month's color challenge!  If you choose to play, we hope that you'll  link your card's web address to the Linky Tool at the bottom of this post.  This way we can all oooooh and aaaaahh over it!!!!

Color Inspiration #170

It was a glorious day in MN today. It was sunny with temps in the low 80s and low humidity. In the words of Bruce Almighty it was a "B-E-A-utiful day".

As I was heading to the grocery store, the local nursery was setting up their flowers. I'm always hesitant to plant my flowers this early as I lost most of my flowers to a frost the first year we moved here. Seeing all those pretty flowers this morning had me tempted to try again.

I did resist temptation, but I decided to stamp with some of the colors I saw in those flowers. For this month's Color Inspiration Challenge, the colors are: Perfect Plum, Sahara Sand, Always Artichoke and Pink Pirouette.

  For my card, I chose to play with two stamp sets that have been neglected lately.  They're called Nature Walk and Delicate Doilies.  The doilies were used to create custom background paper, and Nature Walk was used for my focal image.

I used a variety of products to create texture on my card.  I used the Direct-to-Paper technique on the Sahara Sand cardstock strip, sponging on the Perfect Plum cardstock, and finally, I used the Square Lattice impressions folder on the Always Artichoke cardstock.   Each has a different effect that adds up to one beautiful card!

My Pink Pirouette scallops were created using the retiring Eyelet Ribbon Border punch.  I just let a little bit of it peek from the side of the Sahara Sand strip.

I'll leave you with the card recipe in case you want to re-create it!

Are you ready to make a project using these colors?  I'll put a Linky Tool at the bottom of this post so you can link your project to our blog.  Have fun creating!!!!


Card Recipe
stamps:  Delicate Doilies, Nature Walk
paper:  Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Perfect Plum, Always Artichoke, Pink Pirouette, Sahara Sand
ink:  Sahara Sand, Perfect Plum
accessories:  Stampin' Write Markers (Perfect Plum, Always Artichoke), Eyelet Ribbon Border punch, Square Lattice embossing folder, Color Spritzer Tool, Always Artichoke Seam Binding

Color Inspiration #169

Happy April everyone! It's the first Thursday of the month, and that means I get to share another Color Inspiration Challenge with you!

This month I was inspired by an Easter card that my mom made for the grandsons. It's so adorable!!! I'll ask her I can share it with everyone on my blog after Easter is over.

This month's colors are: Island Indigo, Pear Pizzazz, So Saffron and Calypso Coral.



This month I thought I would make a cute 3D project using the new Purse Bigz die from the Summer Smooches suite. I kept mine pretty simple as I wanted the colors to be the star of the project. But, as I've been blog hopping I've seen purses that have been made with dsp, embossed cardstock, faux alligator and so much more!!!! I love, love, love this die!!!

My base purse is made with Island Indigo cardstock. Two pieces of Sticky Strip is all that's needed to construct this baby!

I also just picked up the Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer punch. I just change the switch on this punch to punch out different portions of the flower. When you layer them together, it makes the perfect decoration to embellish my purse. The center of the flower is a circle cut using my Owl Punch and some of that fabulous Silver Glimmer Paper.

I also added some pen stitching with my Island Indigo marker to add a little whimsy to my project!

Are you ready to play with this new color combo? I hope so!!!!! If you make something, I hope you'll share it with us here at the Stamping 411. I've included a Linky Tool at the bottom of this post so you can do just that! Just copy your project's web address into the tool, and it will create thumbnail picture of your project. Easy peasy!!!

Project Recipe

paper: Island Indigo, Calypso Coral, Pear Pizzazz, So Saffron
accessories: Purse Bigz L die, Island Indigo Marker, Owl punch, Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer punch, Silver Glimmer Paper, dimensionals

Color Inspiration #168

It's the first Thursday of the month, and that means that I get to showcase another color combination. The operators at the Stamping 411 hope that you find inspiration from our weekly posts. Whether you like to play with our sketches, techniques, color combos, etc.....we are just SO glad that you visit us!!!

Now, let's get to that color combination! The colors are Wild Wasabi, Melon Mambo, Basic Black and Pink Pirouette.

This month I was inspired by watermelon. Oh, how I love this fruit! During the summer, it's a rare occasion to not have a watermelon at the Chesky house!

When I saw the Mouthwatering stamp set in the Occasions Mini, I knew it had to be mine! What a fun stamp set when paired with the scented embossing powders. Can I tell you how yummy this card smells? The watermelon smells just like my Maybelline lip gloss I used to wear in high school!!! Mmmmm!

Are you ready to play with this color combo? I sure hope so!!!!! I love to see all your creations!!!! There's even a linky at the bottom of this post so you can link your project's web address to this blog post so everyone can see what you made too!

Color Inspiration #167

Happy Groundhog Day!!! I wonder if Punxatawney Phil will see his shadow this year? With all the warm weather we've been having, it wouldn't surprise me at all if an early Spring is in order!

What's also in order is a brand new Color Inspiration Challenge. This month I thought I would go with a color combination that would be perfect for a guy. These colors would even work for a guy's valentine card!

This month's colors are Baja Breeze, Island Indigo, Real Red and Pear Pizzazz.

Rather than make a "guy" valentine, I chose to make a fun thank you card instead!

I just love how these colors play off of each other!! The "pop" of red just makes me happy!!!

Do you know what else makes me happy? It's when you play along with a color inspiration challenge!!! It's easy to play along. Just make a project using these four colors, copy the web address and paste it into the Linky Tool at the bottom of this post!!!

The operators here at the Stamping 411 can't wait to see what you come up with!!!

Color Inspiration #166

Happy New Year!!!!

On the first Thursday of the month I am honored to post the Stamping 411 Color Inspiration Challenge. This month I wanted to play with some of my favorite colors. The colors are Pool Party, Island Indigo, Calypso Coral and Lucky Limeade.

It's been a while since I've posted a four color challenge. So, with the new year, it just seemed like the right time.

Here's a card I've made with these colors.........

It felt good to play with the Delicate Doilies stamp stamp again. I hate to report that I've been neglecting it lately.

The images are stamped on a coffee filter. Once stamped, I crumpled it up into a ball, then smoothed it out and glued it onto a piece of Whisper White cardstock using a glue stick!! What a fun way to use up those extra coffee filters that's been laying around since we bought our Keurig.

Do you know what else is fun? Playing along with the Stamping 411 challenges, of course!!!!

It's easy to do! Just make a project using these colors, post it to your blog or online site and copy the web address of that project to the Linky Tool at the bottom of the post. That's it....easy peasy!

Color Inspiration Challenge #165

Happy December! It's hard to believe that we are in the final month of the year. Where does time go?

On the first Thursday of every month, it's my pleasure to present you with a new color challenge.

This month I am going to give you a Valentine's Day-inspired color combo. I know what you're thinking! Valentine's Day? The papercrafting world always works months ahead of the actual holiday. Strange but true!

For this month's combo I used a color that I am totally in love with. It's called Poppy Parade. It's such a fun color! When paired with Pink Pirouette and Basic Black, it just makes a project "pop".

I hope you'll give this color combination a try. If you do make a project, please use the Linky Tool below to link your project's web address to this blog post. This way we can ooohh and ahhhh over it too!

Color Inspiration Challenge #164

Hey stampers!!! Can you believe a month has passed since the last Stamping 411 Color Inspiration Challenge? Time sure does fly.....especially this time of year!!! Halloween has passed us, and now our thoughts are moving towards Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and the New Year.

Every year at this time, I tell myself to get a jump start on my own Christmas cards. I'm so busy designing cards for my classes, that I often wait to the last minute to get my own cards stamped and mailed. Will I do better this year? Probably not! Life seems even crazier this year!!! But, I'll get them done even if I need to burn the midnight oil.



I often come up with some wild color combinations, but holiday nostalgia makes me gravitate towards the traditional. This color combination screams Christmas to me, but it also works perfectly for non-holiday cards as well. Who doesn't love a gorgeous red flower bloom with it's shiny greenery? The dark chocolate offsets the brightness of the red and green perfectly.

This month's colors are Riding Hood Red, Lucky Limeade and Early Espresso.

There's a Linky Tool at the bottom of this post so you can link your project's web address to this post. We'd love to see what you've made with this color combination.

Color Inspiration Challenge #163

Happy October everyone! Here in MN, it sure doesn't feel like Fall. It was a balmy 88 degrees today. Unbelievable!

The warm weather was too much of an inspiration for this month's color challenge. I chose to go with a Caribbean feel this time. I know I probably should've chosen something for Halloween, but you have to go with what feels right.

This month's colors are Calypso Coral, So Saffron and Baja Breeze.

I sure hope you give these colors are try. If you make a project, please link them to this post using the Linky Tool below.

Color Inspiration #161

Happy September! It's hard to believe that the kids are back in school (or going to start within the next week). Summer sure does fly by, but I have to admit that I really love autumn. The crispness of the air, the changing of the leaves, apple picking, Fall decorating and some of my favorite holidays all give me a warm, fuzzy feeling!
















Today's color inspiration challenge is a fun twist on some autumnal colors. This month's colors are Chocolate Chip, Pool Party and More Mustard.

The Spice Cake suite of products was the inspiration for this month's color challenge. I love the splash of color from Pool Party!! It's amazing how a non-traditional color can totally make a project "pop".

What kind of project would you make with these colors? We would love to see what you make! There's a Linky Tool at the bottom of the post which will allow you to link your project's web address to this post. This way everyone who visits the Stamping 411 can check it out too!

Color Challenge #61

Hey everyone! It's great to be back with a new color challenge. The Stamping 411 operators thoroughly enjoyed their month vacation, and now we are refreshed and revitalized to bring you even more stamping inspiration.

Selene announced on Friday night that we have a few surprises for you. The color inspiration challenge is now only featured once a month. You will find a brand new color challenge on the first Thursday of every month.

What are on the other Thursdays? I guess you're just going have to stop by and see for yourself. I know...I am such a tease!!!!

Now, let's talk color. Every July 1st, Stampin' Up! announces five new In Colors. These five colors are available for two years. Since I love color, I just had to play with some of the new ones. They work so perfectly together!!!

The colors I've chosen are: Island Indigo, Calypso Coral and Pool Party.

Now, I realize you may not have these colors yet. Feel free to substitute colors that are close that you already own. For example, try Not Quite Navy instead of Island Indigo.

Since it's SO hot across most of the country, I felt it was my duty to create a card to cool everyone off. A cute little snowman card seemed to fit that bill.
As you can see, the card is predominantly Island Indigo and Pool Party, but the little touches of Calypso Coral just make the snowman "pop".

I just think this card is so cool.....ha ha!

Have I inspired you to play with some new colors? I hope so!!! If you'd like to play with this month's Color Inspiration Challenge, just link your project's web address to our blog using the Linky Tool below.

I can't wait to see what you come up with!!!

Card Recipe

stamps: Snow Much Fun

paper: Island Indigo, Pool Party, Whisper White

ink: Black StazOn, Pool Party

accessories: Aquapainter, Stampin' Write Markers, Northern Flurry embossing folder, Simple Letters Bigz die, Moonlight Smooch Pearlized Accent Ink, 1 3/4" circle punch

Color Inspiration #160

This is the 60th week of Stamping 411 Color Inspiration Challenges. Wow! Time sure flies when you're having fun!!!

This week we are finally seeing summer temperatures here in MN. It's about time!!! The pool has been calling my name. I make a deal with myself. I get my housework and stamping projects done in the morning so I can take some "me" time to float in the pool with a Nora Roberts' novel.

This week's Color Inspiration Challenge was inspired by the towel I used to dry off. Years ago, we bought all these fun towels at BJs Wholesale Club. I just love the fun color combinations!!!!

This week's colors are Pacific Point, Tempting Turquoise and Pear Pizzazz.

Are you ready to play with these fun colors? I hope so!!! If you make a project, please use the Linky at the bottom of this post to link your project's web address to the Stamping 411 blog.

Color Inspiration #159

Hey stampers! Every now and again, I force myself to use a color that really isn't my cup of tea. As much as I love all the bright and pretty colors, I know I can't play with them all the time.



So, today we play with Basic Gray. I know....I know.....there's lots of you who think I am crazy to not love this color. I know so many of you do! I am just not a gray lover.......and it's not because I have to religiously color my hair every 4 weeks to hide this color either! LOL!!!

This week's color challenge is Basic Gray, Old Olive and Not Quite Navy.

Strange, huh?

Here's the card I made to give you a starting point...........


I hope you play along with this week's color challenge. If you make a project, please link the project's web address to this post using the Linky Tool below.

Card Recipe

stamps: The Open Sea, Sincere Salutations

paper: Basic Gray, Old Olive, Not Quite Navy, Newsprint dsp

ink: Old Olive, Basic Gray, Not Quite Navy, Versamark

accessories: 2 1/2" circle punch, Decorative Label punch, Paper Piercing tool, white embossing powder, sponge

Color Inspiration #158

Happy Thursday stampers! When I was pondering this week's color inspiration challenge, I found myself looking at my fruit bowl.

You see, I've been on Weight Watchers for the past four weeks, and I've been eating a lot of fruit lately. I was always a good veggie eater, but lots of fruits just weren't my thing.

This week's color combination is a mix of apple, canteloupe, pineapple and honeydew. Yum!!!

In the Stampin' Up! world the colors are Real Red, Peach Parfait, So Saffron and Certainly Celery.

I even made a cute little square card using these four yummy and nutritious colors!!!!!



Are you ready to play this fruit-inspired color challenge? I sure hope so! Just link your project's web address to this post using the Linky Tool below.

Card Recipe

stamps: Fabulous Florets
paper: Real Red, Peach Parfait, Certainly Celery, Subtles Patterns dsp stack
ink: Old Olive, Peach Parfait, So Saffron
accessories: Black embossing powder, heat tool, Flower Garden embossing folder, Big Shot, White Organza ribbon

Color Inspiration #157

When pondering this week's color inspiration challenge, I decided to pick a color I often neglect. River Rock.

This color is a chameleon color. Have you noticed it changes hue based on what you pair it with? This makes it a very important neutral.

I decided to pair River Rock up with Rose Red and Always Artichoke. I can't wait to see what you come up with.

If you make a project, please link your project's web address to this post using the Linky Tool below.

Have fun stampers!

Color Inspiration #156

Has Spring finally arrived in your neck of the woods? Here in MN we've had snow flurries the first two days of May followed by 60 degree temps the following two days. So weird! As my neighbor would say, if you don't like the weather, check back in 10 minutes....it'll be different!




Speaking of different, are you ready to be inspired by a new color challenge? I hope that these color combinations (which can be unusual) spark your creative juices to create something "different".

This week I was inspired by this tropical dress from Dress Barn. I am a huge fan of turquoise......if you have blue eyes, this color sure makes them pop.

This color combo would be awesome for a teenager card too....especially for boys! I can just see using the Grunge Rock stamp set to make something fabulous!

Well, I am kinda curious to see how all of you would use this color combination. If you choose to take the challenge, please link your project's web address to our blog using the Linky Tool below.

Have fun!!!!

Color Inspiration #155

As the weather warms, there's lots of activity at the neighborhood playground. The colors from a little one's Spring jacket inspired me for this week's Stamping 411 Color Inspiration Challenge.

This week's colors are: Crumb Cake, Pacific Point, Tangerine Tango and Riding Hood Red.

If colors could talk, this group would be the ones the parents would be "sssshhhh"-ing. They would be having too much fun together.

I would love for you to have some fun with these colors. If you post a project using this color combination, please copy your project's web address into our Linky Tool at the bottom of this post. That way we can all "oooooh" and "aahhh" over it!!!

Color Inspiration Challenge #154

Wow! Even though it's only been 2 weeks since my last Color Inspiration Challenge, it seems like its been forever. We just returned from a wonderful Maui vacation, and I haven't stamped in almost 2 weeks.

For this week's color challenge, I am going to steal the colors from a card that will be featured in my stamping class I am holding this week.

The colors are Crumb Cake, Rose Red, Chocolate Chip and Always Artichoke.

Here's the card I made. It's a nice blend of colors and textures!!!

My class is all about accessories, and how they can turn an ordinary card into something extraordinary. This card uses the fabulous Windowpanes. I just love the elegance it adds to this card!

With Spring blooming over most parts of the country, these colors would work perfectly for florals. It's driving me nuts that I can't plant any flowers yet. In my neck of the woods, it isn't safe to plant anything until near Memorial Day. I guess I will just have to keep stamping pretty things until it warms up enough!!

I am putting a Linky Tool at the bottom of this post. If you decide to make a project using this week's Color Inspiration Challenge, make sure to link the web address of the your project to our blog.

Until next time.....Happy Stamping everyone!

Color Inspiration #153

Hey stampers!

I don't know about where you live, but the radio stations in my area are all buzzing with advertisements of wedding fairs. It's been over twenty years since the planning of my wedding, but I thought it would be fun to come up with a color combination that would be perfect for a wedding.

This week's color inspiration challenge is Old Olive, Pretty in Pink and Night of Navy.

I found this gorgeous color combination in the Color Coach.

What do I love about this combination? Well, I am glad you asked! I think a lot of grooms get a little worried when they hear the word "pink". I {heart} pink!!! But, I am also a big fan of compromise!!! So, the bride can have her pink when it's paired with the rich and "manly" Night of Navy. Of course, Old Olive bridges the gap between the masculine and the feminine.

How would you use this color combination? Pink flowers, olive leaves, navy accents? I can't wait to see what you do with it.

I'm putting a Linky Tool at the bottom of this post. When you make your project using this color combination, copy your project's web address to the Linky Tool. It's THAT easy!!!

Color Inspiration #152

Here's a fact about me.......I love purple. When Stampin' Up! announced their newest set of In Colors this past summer, I jumped for joy when there was a brand new purple. It's called Concord Crush, and it's rich and gorgeous.....just like a concord grape!

For this week's color inspiration challenge, I thought I would work with Concord Crush, So Saffron and Pear Pizzazz. I love these colors together! The softness of the yellow tones down the intensity of the purple, and the green is just yummy!

For my sample card I pulled out a stamp set I haven't played with in forever. It's called Happy Together, and it's a Sale-a-bration freebie! The partridges just make me smile! They look like they are having a grand 'ol time together!

We'd love for you to have a grand 'ol time playing with these colors. If you decide to play along, please link your project's web address to our blog using the Linky Tool at the bottom of this post.

Card Recipe

stamps: Happy Together

paper: Whisper White, So Saffron, Concord Crush, Level 1 hostess set designer series paper pack

ink: Concord Crush

accessories: Certainly Celery 1/4" grosgrain, Subtles buttons, Stampin' Write Markers (So Saffron, Pretty in Pink, Tangerine Tango), Scallop Edge Border Punch