Just in Time for a Colorful Hop!

Welcome! It's so nice to see you again!! It has been a long time since I've been able to hop along with the Let's Get Hopping ladies and oh how I've missed them! I haven't been doing much stamping lately, which is why I haven't blogged. It's a long story - one for another blog post. Just know I'll be back more often than I have been over the past eight months.

You've likely just arrived from the ever-talented Eva Potts. Don't you love what she did with this month's theme Favorite Coloring Technique? She is so inspiring!! If you're just starting the hop here, then follow the link at the end of my post and make your way around. You won't want to miss one blog!

Recently, hubby and I had a date night and spent some time walking around the Disneyland Resort, including the Disneyland Hotel. There I found the most beautiful Hibiscus and it reminded me of my favorite bundle from the Occasions catalog - Humming Along! My stamping supplies have been in storage (remember, I'm saving that story for another blog post) but I had to get some of them out after seeing this flower... and I had to start creating!

What I love most about this stamp set is that its images are large and line art. Stampin' Blends are the perfect coloring tool for this type of image since the ink flows seamlessly over the paper... no lines when overlapping what I've already colored. Alternating between light and dark Blends allows more depth of color.

If you don't recognize the striped background paper on this card, it's because it's actually a sneak peek of a new Designer Series Paper from the upcoming 2019-2020 Annual Catalog. Fun, isn't it?

I hope you like my card and it inspires you to try the Stampin' Blends - if you haven't already. And I hope you find inspiration while you're out and about, then go home and create something beautiful!

Now hop on over to the amazing Mikaela Titheridge to see which coloring technique is her favorite.

Want to re-create my card? Here's what you'll need:

Humming Along Cling Bundle [150621] $42.25	Calypso Coral 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [122925] $8.50	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730] $9.75	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [121045] $8.50	Pick A Pattern Washi Tape [144166] $8.00	Old Olive Linen Thread [148811] $5.00
Daffodil Delight Dark Stampin' Blends Marker [144585] $4.50	Daffodil Delight Light Stampin' Blends Marker [144586] $4.50	Calypso Coral Light Stampin' Blends Marker [144042] $4.50	Calypso Coral Dark Stampin' Blends Marker [144044] $4.50	Old Olive Dark Stampin' Blends Marker [144573] $4.50	Old Olive Light Stampin' Blends Marker [144574] $4.50
Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $6.00	Calypso Coral Classic Stampin' Pad [147101] $7.50	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430] $4.00	Glue Dots [103683] $5.25	SNAIL Permanent Adhesive [104332] $7.00	Big Shot [143263] $110.00

The Three Cs of Swapping

There's a group of sweet gals in Colorado and Canada who swap with me here in California (hence, the three Cs)... well, I'm in California... they don't come to California (but that would be super fun!). Some of us, however, will meet up in Salt Lake City next month for Stampin' Up!'s OnStage (convention) and I'm sure we'll swap in person there. Until then, since we are all in different areas of North America, we swap by mail. It's such fun to see how different our styles are, but that each of us creates such beautiful cards.

If you don't know me personally, then you may not know about my love for the beach. It takes me back to my childhood, when I grew up not far from the Pacific Ocean. When I saw Beachy Little Christmas in Stampin' Up!'s holiday catalog, I knew I HAD to have it and HAD to use it for my swap! But creating something for a swap was a bit of a challenge. Luckily, there are only eight of us, so putting more into the card was easy - especially for this group.

Yes, I fussy-cut the palm tree and beach hut... and yes, I had to add Wink of Stella to add a bit of sparkle to the water and the hut. If I close my eyes, I can almost feel the warmth of the sun and the spray of the ocean. Almost.

Be prepared for me to CASE (Copy And Share Everything) the others' cards and post them here over the coming weeks. I may even use their designs in my classes! I tell you... they are some awesome cards! I can't wait to show you.

Beachy Little Christmas Clear-Mount Stamp Set [144857] $20.00	Soft Suede 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [115318] $8.00	Marina Mist 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [119682] $8.00	Shimmery White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [101910] $8.00	Big Shot [143263] $110.00
Seaside Textured Impressions Embossing Folder [141481] $8.50	Crumb Cake Classic Stampin' Pad [126975] $6.50	Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad [126978] $6.50	Marina Mist Classic Stampin' Pad [126962] $6.50	Dapper Denim Classic Stampin' Pad [141394] $6.50
Pool Party Classic Stampin' Pad [126982] $6.50	Garden Green Classic Stampin' Pad [126973] $6.50	Calypso Coral Classic Stampin' Pad [126983] $6.50	Pear Pizzazz Classic Stampin' Pad [131180] $6.50	Aqua Painters [103954] $17.00
Brights Stampin' Write Markers [131259] $29.00	Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush [141897] $8.00	Paper Snips Scissors [103579] $10.00	Fast Fuse Adhesive [129026] $10.00	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430] $4.00
Glue Dots [103683] $5.25

You Thought You Were a Big Shot, Didn't Ya?

Okay, so now I'm singing Billy Joel in my head... but seriously, this Big Shot deal is HUGE!

Have you ever wanted to own a Big Shot but never took the plunge? Well there is no better time than now! Stampin' Up! is offering a FREE stamp set/Framelits bundle when you purchase the Big Shot between now and August 31! Just look at these bundles...

 

So when you buy a Big Shot for $99 (plus tax and shipping), then you choose one of the above bundles FREE (the Flowery Daydream bundle in wood would cost over $60 if purchased separately!). What's even sweeter is you can also purchase additional bundles for a 15% discount! I think I need to order one or two of these bundles for myself.

 

Please visit my online store to order your bundle, or to browse other great Stampin' Up! items.

 

Thank you for stopping by... I'm off to stamp!