This Christmas, you won't want to go past the new In Color, Gumball Green...

Stamps: Betsy's Blossoms (wood: 126004, clear: 126006), Itty Bitty Banners (wood: 126255, clear: 126257). Card/Paper: Whisper White (106549), Gumball Green (127543), Garden Green (108605), Lucky Limeade (124388), Wild Wasabi (111850). Ink: Gumball Green (126861), Garden Green (126973), Lucky Limeade (126984), Wild Wasabi (126959), Early Espresso (126974). Accessories: Champagne Glimmer Paper (127885), Crumb Cake Designer Button (Neutrals: 119743), Early Espresso Baker's Twine (123124). Tools: Big Shot (113439), Bitty Banners Framelits (129267), 1-3/4" Circle Punch (119850), Merry Minis Punch Pack (126882), Glue Dots (103683), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430).

The colours on this card compares the new Gumball Green with three other current Stampin' Up! colours.  The colours, from top left going clockwise, are Garden Green, Lucky Limeade, Wild Wasabi and Gumball Green (bottom left).  Gumball Green is warmer (less blue) than Garden Green, but not as yellow as Lucky Limeade.  Being more saturated than Wild Wasabi, Gumball Green is a crisp, rich green - just in time for Christmas!

Have you seen the Champagne Glitter Paper on page 18 of the Holiday Catalogue?  Here it is punched out with the little star from the Merry Minis Punch Pack (page 6, Holiday Catalogue)...

Glimmer Paper is a stunning, no-mess way to add glitter.  Great for all your Christmas projects.

Over the weekend I attended the annual Stampin' Up! Heartfelt Stampin' Event in Auckland.  It was a lovely day with hands-on play, learning techniques, forging new friendships and sharing with others.  I was honoured to be asked to contribute to the day by demonstrating some of the new products and tools, and teaching stamping techniques.  Prior to the event, I was given some new stamps and products to play with and asked to produce some samples for display.  One of the stamp sets I was given was the Christmas Wishes hostess stamp set from the Holiday Catalogue.  Here it is on some of the Christmas projects I made using Gumball Green, Early Espresso and Whisper White...

The card at the back is a variation of the box card I taught at the recent September Worskhops...

Stamps: Christmas Wishes - Hostess (wood: 127982, clear: 127985). Ink: Early Espresso (126974), Gumball Green (126861), Early Espresso Stampin’ Write Marker (119680), Gumball Green and Summer Starfruit Stampin’ Write Markers (2012-2014 In Colors: 126856). Card/Paper:  Gumball Green (127543), Early Espresso (121686), Whisper White (106549), Gumball Green Core’dinations (127847), Early Espresso Core’dinations (127848). Accessories:  Early Espresso Baker’s Twine (123124), 3/16” Metallic Brads (119741). Tools:  Big Shot (113439), Petite Pocket Bigz XL Die (123131), Woodgrain Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (127821), 1/16” Circle Handheld Punch (101227), 1/2” Circle Punch (119869), Scallop Oval Punch (119856), Large Oval Punch (119855), Stampin’ Sanding Block (129367), Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430).

The two-toned effect on Santa in his balloon was achieved by using the Rock and Roll technique, where you ink up your stamp in the lightest colour then roll the edges of your stamp on a darker ink pad.  For this particular image, I inked the stamp it in Gumball Green first, then rolled the edges on Early Espresso before stamping it on Whisper White card stock...

Box cards are great for giving a card and gift in one.  Inside the card you can put vouchers, a small flat gift, or in this case, a little pocket of Christmas Tags.  Using the Petite Pocket Bigz XL die to hold hand-cut and stamped Christmas tags was inspired by Shelli Gardner...

Are you loving the texture? The I created the woodgrain by using two new products from the Holiday Catalogue...

• The gorgeous Woodgrain Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, found on page 33.
• And the Core'dinations Card Stock, found on page 6.  The Core'dinations card stock is textured and the outside layers are the exclusive Stampin' Up! colours.  But the inside core of the card stock is a surprise! When you distress, tear, or sand you reveal the inside layer.

The front of the box card and the Petite Pocket are the result of embossing Early Espresso Core'dinations card stock with the Woodgrain embossing folder, then sanding the high areas to produce this scrummy wood-effect.

And finally, here's the Christmas cracker I made using the same colours...

Stamp Sets:  Christmas Wishes - Hostess (wood: 127982, clear: 127985). Ink: Early Espresso (126974), Gumball Green and Summer Starfruit Stampin’ Write Markers (2012-2014 In Colors: 126856). Card/Paper:  Early Espresso (121686), Whisper White (106549), Gumball Green Core’dinations (127847), Early Espresso Core’dinations (127848), Snow Festival DSP (126908). Accessories:  Whisper White 5/8” Organza Ribbon (114319), Early Espresso Baker’s Twine (123124), 3/16” Metallic Brads (119741). Tools:  1-3/4” Scallop Circle Punch (119854), 1-3/8” Circle Punch (119860), 1/2” Circle Punch (119869), Stampin’ Sanding Block (129367), Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430). Cracker design by Delys Cram.

The Gumball Green Core'dinations card stock was used for the cracker's tag.  This time I didn't emboss, I just sanded back the texture of the card stock to reveal the inner core.

Love what you see?

• Click HERE to contact me to place your order for products from the Annual and Holiday Catalogues.  Gumball Green ink and card stock?

Mmmm, you are going to love this new In Color - Midnight Muse...

Stamps: Betsy's Blossoms (wood: 126004, clear: 126006), Itty Bitty Banners (wood: 126255, clear: 126257). Card/Paper: Whisper White (106549), Midnight Muse (127546), Night of Navy (106577), Island Indigo (124390), Not Quite Navy (108606). Ink: Midnight Muse (126860), Night of Navy (126970), Island Indigo (126986), Not Quite Navy (126971), Early Espresso (126974). Accessories: Round Designer Ribbon Slides (127834), 3/8" Denim Jean Ribbon (125053). Tools: Big Shot (113439), Bitty Banners Framelits (129267), 1-3/4" Circle Punch (119850), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430).

The colours on this card compares the new Midnight Muse with three other current Stampin' Up! colours.  The colours, from top left going clockwise, are Night of Navy, Island Indigo, Not Quite Navy and Midnight Muse (bottom left).  Midnight Muse is a deeper blue than Not Quite Navy, with a hint of green.  This rich blue may be called "Midnight", but it is not as dark or purple as Night of Navy.

And take a look at the denim ribbon and the new ribbon slides, which you can see on page 31 of the Holiday Catalogue...

And did you notice my new sentiment stamp set?  It is Itty Bitty Banners (page 134 of the Annual Catalogue), and it conveniently co-ordinates with the Bitty Banners framelits.  Easy!

My friend, Rayleen, created a gorgeous monochromatic card using the sumptuous Midnight Muse and another new stamp set called Papaya Collage (page 75 of the Annual Catalogue).  Here's my version of her card...

Stamps: Papaya Collage (wood: 126610, clear: 126612), Pennant Parade (wood: 125012, clear: 122742). Card/Paper: Midnight Muse (127546), Whisper White (106549). Ink: Midnight Muse (126860), Crumb Cake (126975). Accessories: Crumb Cake 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon (122332), Pearls Basic Jewels (119247). Tools: Big Big Shot (113439), Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (127819), Glue Dots (103683), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430).

With the lovely new Lacy Brocade embossing folder (page 6 of the Holiday Catalogue)...

Love what you see?

• Click HERE to contact me to place your order for products from the Annual and Holiday Catalogues.  Midnight Muse ink and card stock?

Here's another of our new lovely In Colors... Summer Starfruit.

Stamps: Betsy's Blossoms (wood: 126004, clear: 126006), Teeny Tiny Sentiments (wood:119185, clear: 120024). Card/Paper: Whisper White (106549), Summer Starfruit (127542), Lucky Limeade (124388), So Saffron (108611), Daffodil Delight (121680). Ink: Summer Starfruit (126991), Lucky Limeade (126984), So Saffron (126957), Daffodil Delight (126944), Early Espresso (126974). Accessories: Daffodil Delight 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon (126872). Tools: Big Shot (113439), Bitty Banners Framelits (129267), 1-3/4" Circle Punch (119850), Glue Dots (103683), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430).

The colours on this card compares the new Summer Starfruit with three other current Stampin' Up! colours.  The colours, from top left going clockwise, are Lucky Limeade, So Saffron, Daffodil Delight and Summer Starfruit (bottom left).  Summer Starfruit is more green than our current yellows, but definitely not a saturated green like Lucky Limeade.  Summer Starfruit is such a fresh, clean colour.  I have heard it compared to the retired Kiwi Kiss with a touch of lemon.

Check out the lovely new 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon (page 173).  This bow is in Daffodil Delight...

On Crafters Anonymous there is a challenge running, to create something in any medium using this colour inspiration...

Here's my entry into this challenge using the patterned pillows as inspiration, along with Summer Starfruit, Basic Gray and Whisper White...

Stamps: Betsy's Blossoms (wood: 126004, clear: 126006), Apothecary Art (wood: 127506, clear: 125527). Card/Paper: Summer Starfruit (127542), Basic Gray (121689), Whisper White (106549). Ink: Summer Starfruit (126991), Basic Gray (126981). Accessories: Basic Gray Button (Neutrals Designer Buttons: 119743), Whisper White Baker's Twine (124262), Rhinestone Basic Jewels (119246). Tools: Big Big Shot (113439), Bitty Banners Framelits (129267), Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch (119275), Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack (118309), 1-3/8" Square Punch (119877), Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack (126187) and Paper-Piercing Tool (126189), Glue Dots (103683), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430).

Love what you see?

• Click HERE to contact me to place your order for products from the Annual and Holiday Catalogues.  Summer Starfruit ink and card stock?
• Click HERE to contact me to find out more about Crafters Anonymous or to join us.

I want to introduce you to one of our new lovely In Colors... Primrose Petals.

Stamps: Betsy's Blossoms (wood: 126004, clear: 126006), Loving Thoughts (wood: 127514, clear: 125845). Card/Paper: Whisper White (106549), Primrose Petals (127544), Melon Mambo (119980), Rich Razzleberry (119981), Rose Red (108613), Pink Pirouette (116203). Ink: Primrose Petals (126858), Melon Mambo (126947), Rich Razzleberry (126950), Rose Red (126954), Early Espresso (126974). Accessories: Pearls Basic Jewels (119247). Tools: Big Shot (113439), Bitty Banners Framelits (129267), Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack (118309), 1-3/4" Circle Punch (119850), Glue Dots (103683), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430).

The colours on this card compares the new Primrose Petals with three other current Stampin' Up! colours.  The colours, from top left going clockwise, are Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry, Rose Red and Primrose Petals (bottom left).  Primrose Petals is warmer (less blue) than Rose Red and Rich Razzleberry, and is dustier and less saturated then Melon Mambo.

This card also has some new products from the Annual Catalogue...

• The very pretty Betsy's Blossoms stamp set (page 72).  This stamp set is part of a suite of co-ordinating products - a Stampin' Around Wheel called Betsy's Blooms (also on page 72), Floral District DSP (page 163) and designer fabric (page 171).
• Bitty Banners Framelits (page 191).  Three little wafer-thin dies for easily cutting cute banners for your projects.

I took inspiration from the front cover of the new Annual Catalogue and dressed up a gift box of soaps using Primrose Petals and the Blossom Petals Builder Punch...

Card/Paper: Primrose Petals (127544), Pink Pirouette (116203), Pink Pirouette DSP (Subtles Collection DSP Stack: 117152), Gumball Green (127543). Ink: Primrose Petals (126858). Accessories: Crystal Effects (101055), Tools: Blossom Petals Builder Punch (121808), 1/2" Circle Punch (119869), 1" Square Punch (124094), Tombow Multipurpose Liquid Glue (110755), Stamping Sponges (101610), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430).

I checked out the new In Color cards for the Color Coach (page 151) and discovered that the Dynamic Duo for Primrose Petals is Pink Pirouette. A Dynamic Duo is the light and dark shades of the same colour. So I use Pink Pirouette DSP for the ends of the bow and the centre of the flower.

Love what you see?

• Click HERE to contact me to place your order for products from the Annual and Holiday Catalogues.  Primrose Petals ink and card stock?

It's arrived, and it's gorgeous!  From the fantastic array of amazing new stamp sets and stamp accessories, to the elegant new In Color Collection with ink, card stock, paper and embellishments, the 2012-2013 Annual Catalogue is well worth the wait.

• Click HERE to contact me for your own 2012-2013 Annual Catalogue.
• Click HERE to view the 2012-2013 Annual Catalogue online.
• Click HERE to download the 2012-2013 Annual Catalogue (40.8 MB PDF).

And this year only, we not only have our new Annual Catalogue released today, but we also have a new Seasonal Catalogue (replacing the Mini Catalogues).  Introducing... the Holiday Seasonal Catalogue!

These Seasonal Catalogues are bigger, more attractive and last longer then their mini-counterparts.  The products in the Holiday Catalogue are available from now until the end of January, and it is jam-packed with stamps and accessories for Christmas, Halloween and Thanksgiving. 

• Click HERE to contact me for your own Holiday Catalogue.
• Click HERE to view the Holiday Catalogue online.
• Click HERE to download the Holiday Catalogue (24 MB PDF).

While we are talking about the Holiday Catalogue (before I move on and introduce you to the new In Colors), the Evergreen stamp set on page 18 is not correctly displayed...

• Click HERE to download the corrected Evergreen stamp set images (73 KB PDF).

And now to present you with the five beautiful new In Colors you will fall in love with...

These new set of In Colors capture the latest fashion and home décor trends, and includes (from left to right) Summer Starfruit, Primrose Petals, Gumball Green, Raspberry Ripple and Midnight Muse.

Here's a card I created with my new palette...

Stamps: Loving Thoughts (wood: 127514, clear: 125845). Card/Paper: Whisper White (106549), Glossy White (106555). Ink: Primrose Petals Classic Stampin' Pad (126858), Pink Pirouette Classic Stampin' Pad (126956), Summer Starfruit Ink Refill (126853), Primrose Petals Ink Refill (126851), Gumball Green Ink Refill (126855), Raspberry Ripple Ink Refill (126852), Midnight Muse Ink Refill (126854). Accessories: White Baker's Twine (124262), Pearls Basic Jewels (119247). Tools: Big Shot (113439), Bitty Banners Framelits (129267), Beautiful Wings Embosslits (118138), Boho Blossoms Punch (119858), Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack (118309), Heat Tool (129056), Stampin' Spritzer (126185), Sponge Daubers (102892), Mini Glue Dots (103683), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430).

The technique used to create this amazing canvas of In Colors, for my card front, is an experimental technique by Suzie Nelson called Flying Colours.  It's where you put 2-3 drops of ink onto your Glossy White card stock, lightly spritz with water, and blow the ink around with a straw.  Then you heat set with the Heat Tool.

So much fun to make and a fabulous splash of colour!  Over the next couple of website posts, I will show you more projects made with these five rich new colours.

With the introduction of our new Annual Catalogue, these In Colors (and all other colours in our collections) now come in a new Stampin' Pad.  The new stamp pads are still the same patented flip-top design that stores the inking surface upside down (so the pad surface stays moist), but now they have a Firm Foam pad, replacing the felt pad, giving you a better stamping experience.

Read more about this new innovation by clicking HERE.

Love what you see?

• Click HERE to contact me to place your order for products from the Annual and Holiday Catalogues.