"Blue very profoundly develops the element of calm" (Wassily Kandinsky, artist); perhaps that's why blue appeals to both men and women alike. Blue is a lovely colour to create with, so I was delighted to see that the 2016-2018 In Colors included a cool-understated denim-blue. Here's my musings on the new Dapper Denim...

Dapper Denim is a gorgeous enamel-blue with a hint of green; just a little, not as much as Island Indigo. It is richer and deeper than Pacific Point, but is not a midnight-purple-blue like Night of Navy. Dapper Denim is a timeless hue that works well with soft grey-brown tones for stunning masculine projects.

Stamps: Love & Affection (photopolymer: 141545). Ink: VersaMark (102283), Whisper White Craft (101731), Mint Macaron (138326). Card/Paper: Night of Navy (106577), Dapper Denim (141419), Island Indigo (124390), Pacific Point (116202), Mint Macaron (138344), White Vellum (106584), Whisper White (106549), Whisper White Thick (140490). Accessories: Copper Stampin' Emboss Powder (141636), Copper Metallic Thread (141696), Delicate White Doilies (141701). Tools: Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine (113439), Floral Affection Textured Impressions Embossing Folders (141713), Glue Dots (103683), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430).

This card's layout was inspired by BJ Peters and compares Dapper Denim with three other current Stampin' Up! colours...

The tropical-blue feel of this card was enhanced by the imagery from the Affectionately Yours product suite, punctuated with shiny metallic from the Copper Embossing Powder and Copper Metallic Thread...

Love & Affection photopolymer stamp set (141545) - $34.00

Floral Affection Textured Impressions Embossing Folders (141713) - $19.00
Two folders; 11.4 cm x 7.3 cm

Copper Stampin' Emboss Powder (141636) - $10.75

Copper Metallic Thread (141696) - $6.50
45.7 m

Speaking of tropical... on the Stampin' Up! Mediterranean Cruise we were treated to a morning of creating. We used the very pretty Touches of Texture stamp set, combining Dapper Denim with Delightful Dijon and Cajun Craze to create these three beautiful projects...

Stamps: Touches of Texture (wood: 141934, clear: 143251), One Big Meaning (wood: 138788, clear: 139420). Ink: Dapper Denim (141394), Delightful Dijon (138327), Cajun Craze (126965), Early Espresso (126974). Card/Paper: Dapper Denim (141419), Crumb Cake (121685), Very Vanilla (106550), Moroccan Designer Series Paper (141645). Accessories: Moroccan Designer Washi Tape (141647), Linen Thread (104199), Pearl Basic Jewels (119247). Tools: Stampin' Dimensionals (104430).

Stamps: Touches of Texture (wood: 141934, clear: 143251), One Big Meaning (wood: 138788, clear: 139420). Ink: Dapper Denim (141394), Delightful Dijon (138327), Emerald Envy (141396), Early Espresso (126974). Card/Paper: Delightful Dijon (138345), Very Vanilla (106550). Accessories: Moroccan Designer Washi Tape (141647), Very Vanilla Thick Baker's Twine (138411). Tools: Stampin' Dimensionals (104430).

Stamps: Touches of Texture (wood: 141934, clear: 143251), One Big Meaning (wood: 138788, clear: 139420). Ink: Dapper Denim (141394), Delightful Dijon (138327). Card/Paper: Very Vanilla (106550), Moroccan Designer Series Paper (141645). Accessories: Very Vanilla Thick Baker's Twine (138411), Gold Sequin Trim (132983). Tools: Scallop Tag Topper Punch (133324), 2" Circle Punch (133782), Glue Dots (103683), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430).

Touches of Texture wood-mount stamp set (141934) - $94.50
Touches of Texture clear-mount stamp set (143251) - $69.00

I love the warm earthy colour combination of these projects. Incidentally, these are the same collection of colours used in one of my favourite designer papers - the Moroccan Designer Series Paper. Here's a hint for choosing colours for your projects... take a look at the way that Stampin' Up! combines colours in their designer papers and springboard your colour combinations from there!

I look forward to sharing the three other new In Colors with you.

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