CREATIVE CREW, In Colors Splash Down...

The newest batch of In Colors has splashed down right in the middle of summer!   Aren't these tropical colors gorgeous???  To me they just scream Caribbean Island/summertime, so I knew I needed to make a summer project to feature them. 

I chose to use the Scallop Edge Border Punch because it just looks like waves of color creeping up the card. I watercolored the water and the kids tubing.  Then I added some Crystal Effects to the water drops and  a bit of the Illuminate Smooch Pearlized Accent here and there for a bit of shine and shimmer.  Of course, the real glitz comes with the Octopus.  I embossed him with Iridescent Embossing Powder to give him his sparkling personality - he's a friendly Octopus after all! 

The beach ball is made using the same method as my Flight of the Ladybug card.  Just punch four circles, fold them all in half and secure the outside of one half of a circle to that of another.  Continue until all four are joined together, but do not attach the first to the fourth.  Instead adhere the other half of the first and the fourth circles to the project to form a semi circle.  Here are some close-ups, so that you can see the details.  Click to enlarge. 

I made this project for my July Creative Crew Color Focus Challenge on Splitcoaststampers.  Here are the details if you'd like to play along:

CCREW0711DF, CreativeCrew, SUO or SUM -- DSP/Color Focus:  Show us what you can do with the In Colors! You can use other colors, but In Colors should be the main focus of your project.

IN COLORS SPLASHDOWN SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – Sunny Fun (W#123040 $19.95, C#123042 $14.95), Summer Splash (W#123035 $22.95, C#123037 $16.95)
  
• Card Stock – Island Indigo, Pool Party, Lucky Limeade, Calypso Coral, Wisteria Wonder, Watercolor CS
• Ink – Daffodil Delight, More Mustard, Island Indigo, Pool Party, Lucky Limeade, Calypso Coral, Wisteria Wonder, Poppy Parade, Cajun Craze, Black Stazon, VersaMark
• Punches – 1/2" Circle (#119869, $5.95), Scallop Edge Border (#119882, $15.95), 3/16" Corner Rounder (#119871, $6.95)
• Accessories –  Iridescent Ice Stampin' Emboss Powder (#101930, $4.75), Illuminate Top Coat Smooch Pearlized Accent Ink (#121084, $5.50), Crystal Effects, Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430, $3.95), wiggle eyes
• Tools – Aquapainter, Blending Pen

HELLO SUMMER EMBOSS RESIST SWAP...

Tomorrow night is my upline's meeting.  We always have a swap and this is the card I designed for it.  I went with an simple design with an easy technique - Emboss Resist (instructions at the end of the post).  Since tomorrow is the first official day of summer, I had to use some bright, bold summery colors.  They make me feel happy! Enjoy!

Also, all pre-ordered catalogs went out today, so be on the lookout!  If you would like to get your very own new 2011 Idea Book & Catalog, CLICK HERE for the details.  It is FABULOUS!

HELLO SUMMER SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – Flower Fest (W#122278  $27.95, C#122280 $19.95), Swirls & Curls Verses (Hostess Level 1)
  
• Card Stock – Tangerine Tango, Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White
• Ink – Tangerine Tango, Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, Peach Parfait Classic, VersaMark, Tangerine Tango Marker
• Ribbon – Daffodil Delight 1/4" Grosgrain (#120928, $4.95)
• Punches – Wide Oval (#119859, $16.95), Scallop Oval (#119856, $16.95), Scallop Trim Border (#118402, $15.95)
• Accessories –  White Stampin' Emboss Powder (#109132, $4.75), Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430, $3.95)
• Tools – Big Shot, Square Lattice Embossing Folder (#119976, $7.95), Blending Pen, Sponge Daubers

For those who may be new to stamping and don't know the Emboss Resist Technique, here it is:

EMBOSS RESIST TECHNIQUE:
1.  Stamp your image with Versamark or Craft Ink onto card stock.  This technique works especially well on Glossy card stock.

2.  Emboss using White (with Versamark) or Clear (with Craft Inks) Embossing Powder and your Heat Tool. Allow to cool.

3.  Sponge or bray any color(s) classic ink around the embossed image.

4.  Buff off any remaining or excess ink from the embossed image with a paper towel or tissue.

GOODBYE SWEET SALE-A-BRATION!...

Today is the

LAST DAY

to get your FREE Sale-a-Bration gifts! 

Don't miss out on the best promotion all year!  Check out my post HERE for all the information on how to get your FREE products!

Today is also the LAST DAY to take advantage of my Big Shot Bonanza Special.  Check out the details HERE.

And last, but not least!  Today is also the LAST DAY to join my group at 15% off plus a $50 FREE Bonus Offer!  Click HERE for all the info on joining my team!

Now it's time to say a last good-bye to the Sweet Summer stamp set from Sale-a-Brations!  The frame for the focal image is made with a 3" square piece of card stock.  You just use the Dotted Scallop Ribbon punch once in the center of each side and you have a fun border frame for your card.  I have enjoyed this stamp set and I hope you enjoy my last Sweet Summer project!

SWEET & SOUR SUMMER SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets –Sweet Summer (W#121849, C#123214 - FREE w/$50 purchase TODAY is the LAST day!)
• Card Stock – Rose Red, Very Vanilla, Pumpkin Pie, Sweet & Sour Specialty DSP
• Ink – Pumpkin Pie, Rose Red, Old Olive, Basic Black
  
• Ribbon – Pumpkin Pie 1-1/4" Striped Grosgrain (#115616, $9.95), Rose Red 1/2" Seam Binding (#121884, $6.95)
• Punches – Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border (#119275, $15.95)
• Accessories –  Basic Pearl Jewels Accents (#119247, $4.95), Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430, $3.95)
• Tools – Aqua Painter

SALE-A-BRATION TIME:  Get amazing FREE gifts with EVERY $50 purchase!!!  Choose from exclusive products in the SALE-A-BRATION catalog or from dozens of FREE sets from the main catalog!  Click here or the picture to the right to see all the fabulous sets you can choose from!

How can you get these amazing FREE gifts? Simply add one gift to your order for every $50 you order during Sale a Bration - offer expires Thursday, March 31! Order Stampin' Up! Supplies online anytime!  CLICK HERE TO PLACE YOUR ORDER.

BRAYING #3, TROPICAL PARADISE...

This is the final card from my Beginner Braying Class last week.  As soon as I saw this stamp set, I knew it would be perfect for a Hawaiian themed brayed card and immediately pre-ordered it.  I had so much fun designing it and just love the way it came out.   

I did notice on Splitcoast that Michele Zindrof also came out with a card last week that is remarkably similar to mine.  I did not CASE hers at all as mine was designed a month ago and I had shown it to customers interested in the class, although I did learn how to do an island from her originally.  Just one of those coincidences.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

TROPICAL PARADISE SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets –  Tropical Party (W #118515 $17.95  C #120081 $13.95)
  
• Card stock – Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Dusty Durango, Night of Navy
  
• Ink –  Bashful Blue, Almost Amethyst, Night of Navy, Summer Sun, Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel Classic, Really Rust and Chocolate Chip Marker
• Punches – 3/4" Circle (#107217, $10.95)
  
• Tools – Brayer, Stampin' Sponges, Paper piercer & mat, Post-it Notes, Color Spritzer

ALOHA, TROPICAL OASIS...

My last couple of projects have been quick and easy ones, so I thought I would show you one that is a "step-up" card.  It is not difficult, but due to lots of hand-cutting, it will be more time-consuming.  I do think it's worth it though.  Can't you feel the summer breeze in the air when looking at this card?  It really puts me in the mood for summertime...  and Hawaii!  This card features one of the new stamp sets from the summer mini, Tropical Party, and our gorgeous new Island Oasis Designer Series Paper.  I love these both - they're just so festive and they work beautifully together!

I made 12 of these cards for a swap at a downline meeting I have tonight.  Why do you ask would I chose a card with so much hand-cutting when I had to make so many?  Well, my hand is asking me the same question!  And I didn't even have to cut it all.  Jenni came up with the cute idea for the lei, but I didn't want to cut out 60 more flowers on top of all the other cutting, so she did it for me.  Thanks, Jen!  It does really make the card!  But my hand is still tired.  :o)   Enjoy...

ALOHA, TROPICAL OASIS SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – Tropical Party (W #118515 $17.95  C #120081 $13.95), Jumble Alphabet Set (#115199, $43.95)
• Card stock – Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, So Saffron, Rose Red, Tempting Turquoise, Island Oasis DSP
• Ink –  Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, So Saffron, Rose Red, Tempting Turquoise Classic and Markers
• Ribbon – Pumpkin Pie 1/2" Striped Grosgrain (#113699, $7.95), Linen Thread (#104199, $4.50)
• Accessories – Fire Circle Brads, Stampin' Dimensionals
• Tools –Big Shot, Top Note Die, Paper piercer & mat