Stampin’ Up! Kiwi Happiness

So where do you find inspiration?  The "inkspiration" for this card evolved from Poetic Artistry's Mojo Monday Sketch, while the colors and texture were inspired by a J. Crew catalog cover that arrived in the mail today.  Although I have long-since outgrown their youthful style, J. Crew catties perpetually offer fresh and unique color combinations.

Using the soon to be released (Aug. 11) Fall Flair stamp set (Hostess Level 2), I stamped the flower, Basic Gray ink on Kiwi Kiss card stock.  I snipped it out and adhered it with Stampin' Dimensionals to a circle of Going Gray, followed by Basic Gray and concluding with a scalloped circle of Whisper White (all created using Nestabilities Circles).  TIP:  Here's the Cuttlebug sandwich that I prefer with my Nestabilities. 

The horizontal banner is a combination of Basic Gray (dark) and Going Gray (light).  I stamped the "happiness" sentiment (new "Heard from the Heart") with Versamark and heat embossed with White Embossing Powder.  TIP:  White embossing powder really pops on darker card stock.  The Going Gray mat is shaped up using Stampin' Up!'s Scallop Edge Punch (release date Aug. 11). Check out my tutorial and details on this "must have" punch.


The card base is 5.5 x 4.25 in luscious Basic Gray Textured card stock. The Kiwi Kiss panel took on a Paisley "terrain" after zipping through a Cuttlebug.  The final touch was Stampin' Up's beautiful Basic Gray Taffeta Ribbon, easily locked into place using the Stay Put Bow method.  TIP:  For your convenience, I created "Links I Love" on my right side bar to keep some of my favorite tips and tutorials handy (including the Stay Put Bow and the Nestabilities Sandwich referred to in this post). 

SHHHHHH:  I saw more glimpses today of the Stampin' Up!'s Fall/Winter catalog.  The designer paper is the best ever and I'm hot to trot on purchasing the new punches (in addition to the the Scallop Edge I already own):  Scalloped Square Punch, Curly Label Punch and a 1 3/4" Circle Punch.  Yes, Hodgepodge Hardware will be back (like the kit in the Mini Occasions catalog last spring) in Styled Silver and a new Vanilla finish. You can expect new Flower Fusion colors, lots of rub-ons and an exciting variety of stamp sets.  Check out my Fall/Winter Sneak Peek samples 🙂

Hugs and Pretties . . . . M

Stamp Set:  Fall Flair (Hostess Level 2), Heard from the Heart
Paper:  Basic Gray Textured and Smooth, Going Gray, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White
Ink:  Basic Gray, Versamark
Cool Tools: Scallop Edge Punch, Heat Tool, Nestabilities Circles, Cuttlebug, Paisley Embossing Folder
The Perfect Touch:  Basic Gray Taffeta Ribbon, White Embossing Powder, Stampin' Dimensionals