Today I'm sharing a card for the current challenge over at TGIF Challenges where they have an interesting challenge this week:

 All on black - now this was a challenge! After much thought, I decided to use a new stamp set and the (now retired) 2018-20 In Color Embossing powders for a pop of bright colour and ended up creating not one but two cards! Here's my favourite - take a look:

 Here's the low-down on today's card:

A Modern Heart - This stamp set was one that I picked up because my daughter loves it, so it seemed only fair I made a card with her in mind. This card would work as an engagement card I guess, but I made it with congratulations in mind; she works so hard both at school and in her extra-curricular sports and music activities and I know it won't be long before we have another exam pass or success of some kind to celebrate and she will appreciate the sparkle and grown-up feel of this clean and graphic design.

Double Heat Embossing - In order to achieve my gold and Lovely Lipstick design, I stamped and heat embossed in two stages: first I stamped and heat embossed the gold heart, then I added the red hearts later. For the sentiment, I stamped in one go, the dipped the ends in gold first then carefully masked the ends off to add the coloured embossing powder to the word 'happy' before heat embossing both together.

Touches of Gold - To finish my card, I added some gold metallic pearls and gold sequins, along with a touch of gold glimmer paper and some (retired) gold thread for some texture and to add a little sparkle. I also added a few Lovely Lipstick enamel dots to complete my card.

Here is the visual summary of the key products used on today's project for you to pin for easy reference:

You can see all of my 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

I so liked the effect of the bright colours against the black, I also made a second card using the Accented Blooms stamp set and some Pineapple Punch embossing powder, ribbon and DSP for another super bright card:

When the James Juniors wandered into my craft room to see what I'd been making, they declared the heart much nicer and the one that I should share here, but I thought I'd share this one too as I rather like it and if you have some coloured embossing powders in the back of your craft drawer, you may like to try it too!

Having braved the sports shop for rugby boots and hockey shoes yesterday, today we ventured further afield and braved the shops for new school shoes, trousers and other items of uniform needed in readiness for the return to school in a couple of weeks time. Thankfully we didnt need much and our trip was successful. We are rewarding ourselves tomorrow with a trip to the cinema! Enjoy your evening and I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Modern Heart Cling Stamp Set (£21.00)	Basic Black A4 Cardstock (£8.25)	Lovely Lipstick A4 Cardstock (£8.25)	Embossing Buddy (£5.50)	Versamark Pad (£8.75)	Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder (£5.50)
Metallic Pearls (£6.50)	Happiness Blooms Enamel Dots (£6.50)	Gold Glimmer Paper (£4.75)

Today I'm sharing a collection of cards that have been designed for this month's timely #SimpleStamping challenge which is to feature the 2017-19 soon-to-be-retiring in-colours, on a project using nothing more than stamps, ink and paper. I decided to use the Accented Blooms stamp set that I used on this card yesterday, with a clean and simple card that really lets these in-colours shine. 

So first of all, let's take a look at the five in-colours that we've all loved for the last two years and will soon be leaving us:

Clockwise from the left: Fresh Fig, Powder Pink, Berry Burst, Lemon-Lime Twist and Tranquil Tide in the centre. 

Do you have a favourite? Whilst I find these colours a challenge to use together on a project, you will find some great examples of projects that feature these colours in a variety of combinations elsewhere on my blog. I think if pushed I would rate Berry Burst as my favourite, but it's a close call. Each of these colours has something to offer. Here's a close-up of my favourite one:

For today's #SimpleStamping project I simply stamped the main floral image from the 'Accented Blooms' stamp set in my chosen in-colour onto a square of Whisper White cardstock measuring 9cm x 9cm and adhered it to a card base in the same in-colour, then stamped the sentiment in the same colour on a separate piece of Whisper White and cut it out by hand; you could use the Tailored Tag Punch for this for speed, but the shape is great for #SimpleStamping projects as it can be easily fussy-cut by hand too. I then popped this onto a couple of foam dimensionals and added to my project. Voila! It's that easy - I created on in each of the in-colours. Here's a peek:

I haven't yet had time to put the a quick and easy #SimpleStamping videos that demonstrate how easy this card is to put together - when I do you will see all five of these cards. Onstage has got in the way of video production this week so I'll update this post at some point early next week with the necessary demonstration!

The Accented Blooms stamp set is another one that is great for colouring but also works well with a monochromatic design too. For these cards all you need is the stamp set, one or more of the in-colours and the corresponding colour of cardstock, along with a pair of scissors and adhesive, and you are good to go! The Stamparatus will enable you to get a good solid image of the sentiment in particular, but this is by no means an essential tool to create this card.

Here is the visual summary of the key products used on today's project for you to pin for easy reference:

You can see all of my 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

If you're new to these colours you only have a few more days to guarantee their availability; when the retiring list goes live on Monday 15th April (at 8pm) these will undoubtedly be one of the first things to sell-out - and once they're gone, they're gone! 

If you are a crafter who has been enjoying these colours and can't bare to see them go, make sure you stock up on re-inkers, cardstocks and accessories now to keep you going in the months to come! You can purchase everything you need from my online store via the links below:

Powder Pink Classic Stampin' Pad (£7.00)	Tranquil Tide Classic Stampin' Pad (£7.00)	Lemon Lime Twist Classic Stampin' Pad (£7.00)	Berry Burst Classic Stampin' Pad (£7.00)	Fresh Fig Classic Stampin' Pad (£7.00)
Powder Pink Classic Stampin' Ink Refill (£3.50)	Lemon Lime Twist Classic Stampin' Ink Refill (£3.50)	Tranquil Tide Classic Stampin' Ink Refill (£3.50)	Berry Burst Classic Stampin' Ink Refill (£3.50)	Fresh Fig Classic Stampin' Ink Refill (£3.50)
Powder Pink A4 Cardstock (£8.00)	Lemon Lime Twist A4 Cardstock (£8.00)	Tranquil Tide A4 Cardstock (£8.00)	Berry Burst A4 Cardstock (£8.00)	Fresh Fig A4 Cardstock (£8.00)
2017-2019 In Color A4 Cardstock (£8.00)	2017-2019 In Color 12" X 12" Cardstock (£11.25)	In Color 2017–2019 Classic Stampin' Pad Assortment (£31.50)	2017-2019 In Color Stampin' Write Markers (£13.75)	In Color 2017–2019 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper (£10.25)
Powder Pink 3/8" (1 Cm) Mini Ruffled Ribbon (£7.50)	Lemon Lime Twist 3/8" (1 Cm) Mini Ruffled Ribbon (£7.50)	Tranquil Tide 3/8" (1 Cm) Mini Ruffled Ribbon (£7.50)	Berry Burst 3/8" (1 Cm) Mini Ruffled Ribbon (£7.50)	Fresh Fig 3/8" (1 Cm) Mini Ruffled Ribbon (£7.50)
2017–2019 In Color Flower Buttons (£6.50)

Enjoy your day. I'm travelling to Onstage today with my teamies and looking forward to a CentreStage leadership reception this evening so if you want to see all things new be sure to follow my Facebook page where I will do my best to share the fun and excitement 'real time'. I am organised for once and I will be back here tomorrow with another project, so do pop back for more creative inspirationfacebook. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Accented Blooms Clear-Mount Stamp Set (£19.00)

Whisper White A4 Cardstock (£9.00)

2017-2019 In Color A4 Cardstock (£8.00)

In Color 2017–2019 Classic Stampin' Pad Assortment (£31.50)

Today I'm sharing a card for the current Inspire.Create colour challenge which is black and white:

Easier said than done, without the merest hint of colour, however the design team and gallery has lots of great inspiration. I wanted to create something that was not a sympathy card, which is often where these colours take me as a default - this is what I came up with:

 Here's the low-down on today's card:

I used the 'Accented Blooms' stamp set for today's card; would you believe this was one of the first sets I bought when the annual catalogue launched last year and this is the first time I've used it - oops! I thought the image would be great for colouring, so doubly ironic that the first time I use it it's in black and white! I think it works really well though, with the fine detail of the florals and the contrasting white-on-black sentiment. I used my Staparatus to get a good, solid image - it's a boon with this kind of stamp - and I used the Tailored Tag Punch to punch out the sentiment and popped it up for a little extra dimension. Some of my stash of retired Sale-A-Bration Butterfly Gala for my background and a retired clear faceted button and some black baker's twine for a little extra detail finished my card.

Here is the visual summary of the key products used on today's project for you to pin for easy reference:

You can see all of my 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

Enjoy your day; I am making some last minute plans for my trip to Onstage this weekend with some of my team and getting some household chores done before heading out for some family fun this afternoon. I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Accented Blooms Clear-Mount Stamp Set (£19.00)	Tailored Tag Punch (£17.00)	Basic Black A4 Cardstock (£8.00)	Whisper White A4 Thick Cardstock (£7.25)	Basic Black Solid Baker's Twine (£2.75)
Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad (£5.50)