InKollage

Lovebirds

Mixing and matching prints can create a soft, "patchwork quilt" blend of patterns. The dots are from the Poppystamps'  Snow and Cedar 6x6 Set - and the stripes and flowers are from our new Gossamer Set.  The dark chocolate brown of Soiree Truffle Cardstock is repeated on the five prints here, tying everything together.

Individually, the two sets are a pretty mixture of lights and darks. Together, they accent and highlight each other in soft bursts of color perfect for winter and spring.  Yes, there are design rules and theories about combining prints.  My rule?  Try it - and if you like it, go for it!

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Love You - Owlways

Here's another Valentine card idea from the 2010 Valentine Studio Collection...

The "Owl Love You" stamp (C1314) is a three-in-one  -  the branch, an owl-couple, and the greeting attached to the side of the stamp.  The papers are from the new Gossamer 6x6 Set - in mauvey pinks, soft greens and toasty browns.  The timeless prints are perfect for Valentine cards  - of course - and great for cards and projects throughout the year.  Pick up an extra pack (or two!) so you'll be ready to create along with us as we post Valentine ideas in the next few weeks.

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A Valentine Sampler

Here's a quick look at one of our new stamps - and prints in the just-released Gossamer 6x6 Set from the Valentine's Studio Collection.  I usually save this layout - with an assortment of punched prints - for the "end" of a new product release, when I'm trying to use up the bits and pieces of the 6x6 sheets.  Not this time - there are so many great prints that I just had to share them with you - right now!

We'll also be using them in the "Winter Bliss" (un-Christmas cards)  class at Stampin' in the Rain tomorrow.  The new 6x6 and three 12x12 prints are just too pretty to save for January's Valentine card classes - so we're featuring them on birthday, thank-you and just-a-note cards.  The new products began shipping this week - I'll be taking orders for them, and students will receive their class discounts on them when the stamps and papers arrive.

I've also used Clearsnap's new Glue Gloss - and Cotton Candy Glitter - to edge the stamped piece.  Glue Gloss is a clear liquid adhesive packaged like lip gloss - in a skinny bottle with a soft, flexible tip for precise applications and "painting" onto stamps, chipboard and paper where you want to add a touch of glitter, Sparkle Fibers, embossing powder, tiny beads or buttons.   

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Frosty and the Snowflakes

Zip past the traditional reds and greens for a cool guy attired and Smooched in some fun colors.  We've used three great colors here  - Grape Soda, Green Apple and Pool - and added a fringe of Grape Crush Sparkle Fibers.

Then, as if that wasn't enough, we sprinkled Ocean Spray Glitter over Snow Fun Design Adhesives for a sparkly background.  Design Adhesives are also perfect for adding shimmer and shine to ornaments, votive glasses, quick gift-tags and instant-gratification cards.  All you do is remove the opaque liner, place the adhesive pattern over your project and burnish it.  Then carefully remove the clear liner, sprinkle glitter over the pattern and tap off the excess - and you're done.   Clearsnap was certainly thinking of our busy schedules when they created Design Adhesives!

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Christmas Among Friends

I love circles!  Do you think there are enough of them on this card?  The red and green print is from our Rhubarb Tart 6x6 Set - and it was just waiting to be used here, with Deer Friends.

Yes, I'm working  my way through the remaining bits and pieces of my 2009 papers - because so many of them work for the holidays. And because the new Valentine's Studio Collection starts shipping soon - and I need to make room for the new Gossamer 6x6 Set.  It's filled with soft pinks, browns and greens, in stripes, flowers and delicate prints.  Be sure your favorite Retailer has ordered the new release - so you'll be ready to create along with us when we start posting our Valentine samples in  few days.

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A Winter Oak

An elegant white tree on a Mocha background...what could be easier?  I love the Bare Oak - a tree for all seasons.  It's great as is - or try it with hearts in February, flowers in the spring, bright green leaves in the summer and autumn leaves in the fall.

Dad was always taking pictures of trees - especially maples in Japan, and when he visited us in Bellevue. They were great photos - but I always thought   "...trees?"  My appreciation of trees - their elegant shapes, colors, leaves and the shadows they cast - finally kicked in about five years ago.  Now I love trees!

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A Flurry of Holiday Wishes

The Christmas Block and Flurry of Birds create a quick holiday card in contemporary Key Lime, Parsley and Red Pepper Memory Box papers.   Finish it off with Pistachio Green Jewel Stickers (or Moss Green from the Christmas Jewel Stickers).  

The printed papers are from the Fernbrae 6x6 Set. I love the colors - and I'm working through the last bits and pieces of the 2009 papers.  Hope you're doing the same thing, to make room for the 2010 designs.

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December to Remember

Try combining a distressed, vintage-y background with contemporary elements for a holiday version of something old, something new.  The stamps are from the Night Before Clear Set - and the background print comes from the Spiceberry 6x6 Set.

The Cherry Red Jewel Stickers are in a single column - rather than scattered like Christmas lights - to contrast with the detailed patterns, swirls and curls surrounding it.

Just another reminder...Dave will be demo-ing at the Tukwila Impress from 10:30 to 12:30 tomorrow, November 28th.  Stop by with canned food donations to support the local Food Bank - and receive a 10% discount on your purchases tomorrow.

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December Penguin Calendar

Happy Thanksgiving!

Here's another way to use one of the Glitterati 6x6 sheets you may have - stamp, clear-emboss and cut it into a bright little scarf for the Ornament Penguin.  Attaching it over the penguin stamped on the Impress Calendar adds a bit of dimension - and makes it look like it's wrapped around him.  Paint the holly with Siren and Green Apple Smooch Accent Inks and add some shimmery Starlite Silver Point Flakes. The Pine Border is just the right size to top it off.

If you're in the area - remember to stop by the Tukwila Impress on Saturday, November 28th.  Dave, Whitney and Lisa will be demo-ing  from 10:30-12:30.  Bring a canned food donation to help the Food Bank nourish those in need - and receive a 10% discount on your purchases that day.

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Side Trip

We're taking a little detour from Christmas cards over to the Everyday section of our Ideas Gallery today...

Here's the Modern Bird Branch stamped on a print from the Glitterati 6x6 Set, and colored with Memento and Copic Markers.  The markers make the image pop - and the background recede - so the Frost Blue bird really stands out. Add some Mint Pearl Stickers to complement the pearly luster of the Soiree Grass Cardstock...and you're done! 

 

It's OK to stamp and color over a print...really!  Once upon a time I hesitated to do that - afraid I'd be offending Dave - like altering his artwork.  But I got over it -  knowing that he, as a stamper - designed stamps and papers that look great together. There are so many layering "matches" and combinations - have fun experimenting!

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