Herb Expressions....Don't You Love It?!!

The tour is now over, but be on the lookout for our next tour! (Dates TBA.) Hope you had fun visiting all the posts. Although the links are now down, you can still see my post below.

This post features the beautiful, new release, Herb Expressions. It's lovely, earthy, and detailed, with both word stamps AND gorgeous images.....and I had such a fabulous time working with this set! Oh, and before we begin, please note that ALL materials used to create these samples are currently available from the brand-new Stampin'Up! Idea Book and Catalog!

This first sample in Mellow Moss and Lavender Lace has a watercolored look, but in reality it was simply created with markers and stamped onto Natural Ivory CS. Such a simple card with a bit of a WOW added in....see the textured background, which was sponged with Mellow Moss to give it a more dimensional look? I think this is my very favorite of all the Texturz plates....at least for today!

Stamps: Herb Expressions

Inks: Mellow Moss, Lavender Lace

CS: Natural Ivory, Mellow Moss, Lavender Lace

Misc: Textuz Plate (Kit #4), Big Shot, Kraft Corduroy Button, Elegant Eggplant Grosgrain Ribbon, Lavender Lace & Mellow Moss Markers

For a totally different look my next sample is more delicate. The Whisper White background is also textured with the mini polka dot Texturz plate....can you see it? The scallop edge was created with the brand-new Scallop Square Die. How fun! This time I used my markers again to "ink" up my image, but "colored" in using a Blender Pen. And I know you can't tell, but the image on the scallop circle is popped up on Dimensionals. And don't you just LOVE that new luscious DSP, Cottage Wall?!! It's just so yummy!

Stamps: Herb Expressions

Inks: Old Olive

CS: Whisper White, Old Olive

Misc: Cottage Wall DSP, Blender Pen, Old Olive & Orchid Opulence Markers, Pennant Die (scallop circle), Texturz Plate (Mini Polka Dots from Backgrounds #1), Scallop Square Die, Big Shot, Satin Ribbon, Dimensionals

Every time I see samples made with this stamp set, it seems to be in shades of purple and green. So, I really wanted to try it in another color combo. One of my favorites of the new In Colors is Soft Suede. It is a brown shade just like it sounds, with an almost velvety look to it....you almost need to touch it to be sure it is really cardstock! It's definitely going to be my most used new color this coming stamp year! Keeping with the soft look, but this time, much more tailored, here it is paired with Certainly Celery and So Saffron. The image was stamped in Jet Black StazOn and simply colored in with markers, dotted in with a touch of Crushed Curry ink (I don't own the new In Color markers) and just a dab of Dazzling Diamonds Glitter. This is definitely my favorite of these samples.....so much so, that I made 30 of these for a swap!

Stamps: Herb Expressions, Short & Sweet

Inks: Jet Black StazOn, Soft Suede, So Saffron, Crushed Curry

CS: Whisper White, Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Soft Suede
Misc: Certainly Celery, Always Artichoke & So Saffron Markers; Paper Piercer & Template; 5/16" Neutral Jumbo Brads in Chocolate Chip; Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon in Soft Suede; Blender Pen (to add in a touch of the Crushed Curry Ink); Matchbox Die; Texturez Plate (Squares from Kit #4); Dimensionals; Sponge Dauber

Thanks again for stopping by....hope you enjoyed your visit. Please come back and visit again! If you missed the tour....or any portion of the tour, you can check the list of participants at http://www.royalblogtour.com/.

Quick, Easy, & Elegant....With New Stamps!

This card was just so simple to make.....and looks quite elegant in real life! The most difficult part was getting good coverage on the stamp. Sometimes these solid-type stamp images can be problematic until they are "conditioned." There are a few different methods to do this, but one of my favorites.....and what I find most effective....is to lightly rub my sanding block over the rubber image in a cross hatch fashion. Clean it off in your scrubbie and then ink it up! You may need to try a few times till you get the ink coverage that you are looking for.....it's just not a sign of good stamp art if you get partial coverage on your rubber! Here's a quick tutorial on Pat Stamps showing you how to condition your own stamps. Try it, I promise you'll be much happier with the finished results!

So, here's my very simple card.......created with the brand new Kind & Caring Thoughts, a set I pre-ordered just before the release of the new catalog. It's a Hostess Level 2 set.....but as a demo, we were able to pre-order some items before everyone else. AND I just LOVE this set! The images are pretty, but the word stamps really got me.....the greetings are in my very favorite font! The set has such lovely images, greetings, AND even wording for inside your cards!

So, this image was stamped just one time in Brocade Blue, the Bella Blue DSP was added, a touch of ribbon, and of course, the greeting. See?....simple, quick, easy.....and don't you agree, it's so pretty?

Don't forget, you can easily earn this set!

Stamps: Kind & Caring Thoughts

Inks: Brocade Blue Craft, Night of Navy Classic

CS: Very Vanilla, Kraft

Misc: Bella Blue DSP, Wide Very Vanilla Grosgrain Ribbon

Please note: ALL materials used to create this card are from SU!

Blog Challenge -- Case a Blogger & New In Colors

This was loads of fun! The most difficult part of the whole process was choosing just ONE card to CASE (Copy And Steal Everything), because there's so much amazing talent among all those that particpate in the weekly Bloggers' Challenges.....AND there were so many beautiful, wonderful, fabulous cards to choose from! To be honest, I printed out a number of them and now I'll have a lot of inspiration for weeks to come!!

But, for this week's Challenge, I did narrow it down to just one, and staying true to my nature, really just used it as inspiration and changed not only the stamps, but the colors....and, well, as you can see, a bit more, too! Rachel is one of our newer members in the Bloggers' Challenge group, and if you've never visited her blog, you're in for a treat. I love her style...sometimes it's dressed up and funky, and most often it is beautiful but duplicate-able. Here's the card I've chosen to CASE.* Rachel usually uses stamps other than SU, but if you really look at the layouts of her various creations, you'll see how easy it is to copy her ideas using your stamps, accessories, and choice of colors.

So, for this Challenge, I broke out some of my new In Color collection, but used a set that should look familiar to you all, Eastern Blooms along with Birthday Wish, which is not actually in the catalog but on the Dormant List and still available for purchase. This layout is really quite simple, but remember, it's the details that count! You know it always takes me a couple of months to feel comfortable with the new In Colors each year, so I'm really happy to say that I like these colors together and on this card!

Thanks for stopping by today.....and please take some time to visit the other bloggers. You know you won't be sorry!

Stamps: Eastern Blooms, Birthday Wish

Inks: Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry, Whisper White

CS: Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry

Misc: Corner Rounder (retired version), Wide Oval Punch, Lots of Tags Sizzlet, Big Shot, Silver Mini Brads, Paper Piercer, Dimensionals (used under greeting), 1/2" Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon in Crushed Curry, Mini Glue Dots (for bow)

Please note: ALL materials used to create this card are from SU!

*Did you know that if you click on the header at each blog, you can see then view all their posts?

MaryJo's Sketch #77

You know, I just can't seem to follow a sketch right-side-up.....I always turn it around, use it up-side-down, or just change it! And this week is no exception.....but, I really did try. Using the sketch the way it was presented, ended up with a bunch of "cards" I threw in the trash!! Then when I turned it, it came together for me really easily! Go figure!!

For Mary Jo's 77th sketch (WOW, MJ...way to go!!), I am using my brand-new, just delivered yesterday, Herb Expressions. This set kind of reminds me of an old favorite....Sweet Herbs, I think it was called......that was always on my wish list when it was around, but never seemed to make it into my collection. So, when I spotted this, I knew it needed to be at the top of my list!! This is also the set I'll be featuring in a few weeks on the upcoming Late Night Stamper's Royal Blog Tour (July 26, 27, 28). I can't wait to share more of this set with you!

So, for today's sample, it's really pretty simple.......the image was stamped in Basic Black Ink and colored in using various markers with just a bit of Dazzling Diamonds added; the edges were sponged in Almost Amethyst and then mounted on Dimensionals; a touch of DSP in Almost Amethyst was used (now retired), and a touch of Black Gingham Ribbon and some crystal brads were added in for good measure. See? Simple, right?!!

Thanks for stopping by!.....and don't forget to check out MJ's sketch and ideas. There's always lots to see there!!!

Stamps: Herb Expressions

Inks: Basic Black, Almost Amethyst

CS: Whisper White, Basic Black, Sage Shadow, Almost Amethyst

Markers: Sage Shadow, Always Artichoke, Almost Amethyst

Misc: Circle Lilac Crystal Brads (Ice Collection), Black Gingham Ribbon, Template, Hand-held 1/16" Punch, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, 2-Way Glue Pen, Almost Amethyst DSP*, Dimensionals, Sponge

Please note: ALL materials used to create this sample are from SU!

*Has retired from the SU collection.

It's a Red, White & Blue Day!

It's been such a busy week and time sure has gotten away from me. Lots of drama in my house....remember I have two 21-year old daughters! The entertainment value of having two such creatures living under my roof is priceless.....and stressful.....causes a LOT of gray hairs!! Fortunately there was not really trouble this week....just a lot going on. So, that along with the normal happenings of everyday life, left little time for stamping.

I did manage to get this card done....and it fits all THREE challenges for this past week. Bloggers' Challenge was Red-White-Blue, and so was the Late Night Stamper's Challenge. And Mary Jo put out a terrific sketch, which is what I used for this week's theme.....I always love MJ's sketches, although sometimes I find them a real "challenge!" This week, the sketch gave me an opportunity to use my brand new Frame & Oval Scallop Die with my Big Shot. Don't you think it's just perfect for this layout?!! Although I pulled out a number of sets trying to come up with a traditional 4th of July type card, I just kept going back to Upsy Daisy....it just seems to belong in that oval! Can you see the background has a paisley impression....created with one of the Texturz plates, of course! And new, of course, is that cute punch, Modern Label and the coordinating Mover & Shaker, again with the Big Shot. The greeting is raised on some Dimensionals.

Thank you for visiting.....and I wish you a wonderful, fun, and safe July 4th! Now, come join me as I visit the other bloggers to see all their fabulous creations!

Stamps: Upsy Daisy, Itty Bitty Backgrounds

Inks: Brocade Blue

CS: Whisper White, Real Red, Brocade Blue

Misc: Night of Navy Marker, Dimensionals, Modern Label Punch, Modern Label Mover & Shaker, Big Shot, White Gel Pen, Frame-Oval-Scallop Die, Paisley Texturz Plate (Kit #4), Wide Grosgrain Ribbon (non-SU)

Please note: ALL materials are from SU; except for the ribbon.