This week’s Hand Stamped Sentiments Inspiration Challenge (#HSS468) is filled with summery fun, so I reached for my Celebratory Sips 12×12 DSP and created a trio of refreshing drink elements to fussy cut. For the backdrop, I watercoloured loose circles on Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper using Azure Afternoon and Blueberry Bushel reinkers.
🌟 Watercolour Tip: Start by painting your circle shape with just water, then load your brush with a watered-down drop of reinker. When you add this to your wet area, the colour blooms beautifully, and using two shades together creates stunning blends and movement!
I mounted everything on Blueberry Bushel and Azure Afternoon cardstock, and finished the look with Strawberry Slush and Pretty in Pink Adhesive-backed Gems. A perfect “Cheers—it’s your day!” kind of card!
I’m so excited to play along with this week’s Global Design Project Challenge #GDP504– a “CASE the Designer” featuring the incredibly talented Mikaela Titheridge. Her soft colour blending and layout were so inspiring, and I knew I wanted to echo that joyful background and layered look.
For my version, I went bold, bright, and fruity using the Cheers & Sips Bundle – the perfect pick for summer celebrations!
🖌 How I Created This Card:
1. The Background: I started with a piece of Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper and painted three horizontal washes using these vibrant Stampin’ Up! colours:
Timid Tiger (top)
Strawberry Slush (middle)
Lemon Lime Twist (bottom)
I kept the strokes loose and organic for that fresh, summery look. Once dry, I cut the panel using the stitched rectangle from the Textured Notes Dies.
2. Embossed Gate Fold Base: My card base is a gatefold design using Summer Splash cardstock. I embossed both front flaps using the gorgeous Glass & Gardens 3D Embossing Folder, which adds such an elegant texture to frame the bright centre panel.
3. Stamped & Coloured Elements: Using the Cheers & Sips Bundle, I stamped the citrus, strawberry, and lime images in Calypso Coral, Secret Sea and Old Olive Inks and coloured them in with Stampin’ Blends (matching the watercolour stripes – Peach Pie for the citrus, Strawberry Slush for the strawberry and Granny Apple Green for the lime).
4. Sentiment & Finishing Touches: The sentiment, “Cheers – Let’s Celebrate!”, is stamped in Secret Sea and die-cut with the banner from the Stylish Shapes Dies. For a final bit of sparkle, I added a few Holographic Resin Dots.
Want to create this at home? All the supplies I used are listed below – just click to shop!
It’s bright, playful, and perfect for summer birthdays, BBQ invites, or just saying “cheers” to a friend. I love how the fruit and colours play together and how the embossed gatefold makes it extra special.
July 2 – 9 – See details HERE (Tutorial only available beyond these dates)
See the details and register here! – The live videos have happened – but I still have a kit available and the replays are available to watch at your convenience!
Thanks for stopping by – and don’t forget to check out all the inspiring CASE entries over at the Global Design Project FB page!
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Festive Friday is here again, and I’m thrilled to share this cool-toned, elegant card featuring the brand-new Most Wonderful stamp set from Stampin’ Up!®
This project is all about layers, texture, and techniques. Here’s how it came together:
🔹 I started by heat embossing the wreath image from the stamp set in clear embossing powder onto Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper. 🔹 Once it cooled, I added a loose Pretty Peacock watercolour wash right over the top. The resist technique lets that wreath pop through beautifully! 🔹 After drying, I layered the panel onto a Pool Party card base.
For the sentiment, I used a Basic White banner cut by hand and stamped with the gorgeous large script from the Most Wonderful stamp set in Strawberry Slush Ink. It’s mounted with Stampin’ Dimensionals for that pop!
✨ Embellishing details:
Die-cut foliage in Pool Party (from the Year of Flowers dies)
A bow of Linen Thread for a rustic holiday touch
And the lightest gems from the Strawberry Slush & Pretty in Pink Gems pack to add a subtle sparkle.
💡 Tips for Your Craft Table:
Clear embossing + watercolour is a must-try combo! The resist effect gives amazing texture and depth without overpowering your focal image.
Use colour families like Pretty Peacock + Pool Party for soft elegance and contrast with a bold ink like Strawberry Slush to help your sentiment shine.
Precut die shapes in a neutral or coordinating colour to keep handy when layering up quick cards.
📬 I’d love to know: What colours are YOU using for Christmas cards this year? Tell me in the comments below!
Click here to shop my online store. Click here to access & view the current catalogs. Click here to subscribe to those fun Paper Pumpkin kits of creativity! Click here for more information about joining my Online Monthly Technique Club. Earn even more goodies by joining a club! Click here to learn more about joining my Ink Pad Pals Team. Get the MOST rewards including a discount on future products! Follow me on social media! I share regularly on Pinterest, YouTube, and Facebook! Please subscribe to my newsletter, too!Click here and enter your email. When you include your birthday you will even be added to my birthday card mailing list 🙂