• Select three coordinating ink pads. (Tip: Although more than three might sound fun, there is a tendency for the colors to “muddy”.) In this example, I used Sage Shadow, Almost Amethyst and Pale Plum.
• Take the first ink pad and run it over the surface of the transparency. (Tip: My transparency had a rough surface, which was perfect for adding texture.) Spritz with water, and press Whisper White card stock onto the surface of the transparency. Wipe off the transparency, and repeat this procedure with the remaining colors. (Tip: I like the textured effect I achieved by using the Stampin‘ Pads. I experimented with the Ink Refills, and the result was slightly different. Try both, and decide which you like the best! In addition, I did not have to worry about maintaining the integrity of my ink pads because I completely wiped off the transparency before applying the next ink.)
• The paper will be slightly wet. Use the blow dryer to speed up the drying process. If the edges of the paper curl, use an iron set on low to press the paper flat.

There…wasn’t that easy! Here is a close-up of the finished paper!

• Prepare a standard card base from Sage Shadow and score at the top.
• Mat the “watercolor” paper onto Pale Plum and adhere to the card base.
• Ink the base stamp from Soft Summer with Pale Plum and stamp onto Whisper White card stock. Ink the overlay stamp with Lavender Lace and stamp over the base stamp. (Tip: Use the Stamp-a-ma-jig for perfect Two-Step Stampin‘!) Mat onto Pale Plum, followed by Sage Shadow.
• Using the Eyelet Border Punch, punch a Pale Plum eyelet strip and a Whisper White eyelet strip. Layer as illustrated and adhere to the card base.
• Add a narrow strip of Pale Plum at the top of the Whisper White eyelet border. (Tip: I used the strip of paper that was left after using the Eyelet Border Punch. It works perfectly!
• Thread a narrow strip of Whisper White card stock through three buttons. Use Mini Glue Dots to adhere to the right hand side of the eyelet border. (I actually placed the Mini Glue Dots under each button.)
• Ink the sentiment from the Dear Friend stamp set with Sage Shadow and stamp onto Whisper White. Punch out using the Word Window Punch. (The Dear Friend set is a Level 1 Hostess set which is available only through June 30th.)
• Cut a strip of Pale Plum and punch one side with the Eyelet Border Punch and round the opposite corners with the Corner Rounder. Adhere the “Dear Friend” sentiment, and layer over Sage Shadow. Position and attach to the top of the image block.
• Position and adhere the entire image block with sentiment to the card base as shown.
• For a more polished look, finish the bottom of the image with a snippet of Pale Plum Eyelet Border.

The finished result is soft and feminine! Think of the myriad of color combinations available to you with this technique….and the nice thing is that you never have to worry if everything will coordinate!

Click here to access the Occasions Mini Catalog!

Order Your Stampin‘ Up! Supplies Now!

Stamp Set: Dear Friend (113413 Hostess Level 1), Soft Summer (Occasions Mini 113802)
Inks: Sage Shadow (102532), Pale Plum (102732), Almost Amethyst (101723), Lavender Lace (101305)
Card Stock: Sage Shadow (101563), Pale Plum (101889), Whisper White (100730)
Tools: Eyelet Border Punch (113692), Word Window Punch (105090), Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049)
Embellishments: Button Bouquet (112092 Retired),
Adhesives: SNAIL Adhesive (104332), Mini Glue Dots (103683)
Other: Transparency, Spray Bottle (for spritzing), Blow Dryer

Please feel free to leave me a comment. I would love to hear from you! Until next time…

• Create a standard card base using Chocolate Chip and score at the top.
• Cut two strips of “Brown Baroque” Bella Birds Designer Series Paper and layer onto So Saffron. Adhere to the card base. (Bella Birds Designer Series Paper is on the Last Chance list. It is fabulous paper. If you wish to order this paper, please click here: Order Your Stampin’ Up! Supplies Now! )
• Ink the “Violin” image from the Music Expressions stamp set with Basic Brown and stamp onto Very Vanilla. Mat onto So Saffron, followed by Chocolate Chip. Adhere to the card base at an angle as shown. (Tip: If you wish, you can leave the image uncolored, or “express” yourself with Stampin’ Pastels and Blender Pens prior to matting. The choice is yours!)
• Attach 1/4″ Very Vanilla and Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbons as illustrated.
• Ink the sentiment from Music Expressions with Basic Brown and stamp onto Very Vanilla. Mat with So Saffron, followed by Chocolate Chip. Pop it onto the card base using Stampin’ Dimensionals.
• For a little bling, attach Circle Fire Brads in the corners of the image and sentiment blocks.

Click here to access the Occasions Mini Catalog!
Order Your Stampin’ Up! Supplies Now!
Stamp Set: Music Expressions (113718)
Inks, etc: Basic Brown (104315), Stampin’ Pastels (105542), Blender Pens (102845)
Designer Series Paper: Bella Birds (113981)
Card Stock: Very Vanilla (101650), So Saffron (105118), Chocolate Chip (102128)
Embellishments: Circle Fire Brads (109110), ¼” very Vanilla Grosgrain Ribbon (109026), ¼” Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon (111367), Filigree Brad (Non-Stampin’ Up!)
Adhesives: SNAIL Adhesive (104332), Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430)
Please feel free to leave me a comment. I would love to hear from you! Until next time…

• Make a standard card base from Very Vanilla card stock. Score at the top. Layer with So Saffron. (Tip: I selected the textured version of these card stocks for their beauty. Don’t you just love how the textured So Saffron looks?)
• Ink the “Leaf” stamp from God’s Beauty with Kiwi Kiss and stamp onto Very Vanilla. Use the Corner Rounder on the two right hand side corners. Mat onto “So Saffron Floral”, then “Kiwi Kiss Geometric” papers, both from the A Walk in the Park Designer Series Paper collection.
• Coat the leaves with Crystal Effects and set aside to dry. (Tip: Crystal Effects will add a shine when dry, as well as add texture. It is so easy to use. I just apply it by using the applicator tip. However, you can use a brush if you prefer. If you have not tried Crystal Effects before, it is a very cost effective way to add depth and dimension.)
• Cut a strip of “Kiwi Kiss Geometric” paper and layer with 1/4″ Very Vanilla Grosgrain Ribbon. Position and adhere to the card base as shown.
• Texturize a piece of Kiwi Kiss card stock using the “Swirls” plate from Stampin’ Up! Backgrounds I and the Big Shot. Using a Nestabilities scalloped circle die and the Big Shot, cut a circle from the texturized Kiwi Kiss card stock. Position and adhere to the card base. (Tip: It only takes a minute to use the Stampin’ Up! Texturz Plates, but what visual impact they give to any piece of card stock!)
• Position and adhere the image mat to the card base as illustrated.
• Ink the sentiment and the blossom from “God’s Beauty” with Really Rust and stamp onto Very Vanilla card stock. Mat the sentiment onto Really Rust card stock and round the two right hand corners, once again using the Corner Rounder Punch. Layer and adhere on top of the scalloped circle. (Tip: Rounding two of the corners mimic the scallops on the circle, while breaking up the angularity of the card.)
• Using Paper Snips, cut out the blossom and insert a mini-brad through the center. Pop it up with a Stampin’ Dimensional. (Tip: Stampin’ Up!s Paper Snips are perfect for making intricate cuts!)

Today’s card was designed with Card Positioning Systems Sketch 118 in mind. Sketches can serve as a catalyst to get the creative juices flowing. In addition, resources such as magazine ads can serve as inspirations for both layouts and colors!

Tip of the Day: So Saffron and Kiwi Kiss coordinate perfectly. However, Really Rust adds the perfect amount of contrast. Don’t be afraid to experiment when it comes to color combinations! An unexpected color can often make the difference between a card that “pops” and a card that “flops”!