I'm having so much fun with the Blending Brushes and trying out various techniques. Here are a few different ways I've used them lately.  

This first one was adding color to the Like an Animal paper. It reminds me of a Lisa Frank sticker from my childhood. I can't take credit for the idea, I've seen quite a few demonstrators create fun projects like this, but had to try it out. 

​I used Poppy Parade, Coastal Cabana, Gorgeous Grape, Granny Apple Green and Daffodil Delight. 

The next technique I used was adding three shades of color (Granny Apple Green, Daffodil Delight and Pumpkin Pie) to a 4 x 5.25 inch piece of Basic White.  After adding the colors, I stamped images from Sweet Citrus on it in Daffodil Delight and Pumpkin Pie. 

On this card I also colored the White Seam Binding ribbon with the Granny Apple Green Blends to have a coordinating piece of ribbon to use. 

I used the same technique here but layered it on Granny Apple Green and used some coordinating Designer Series Papers for accents. 

Do you have a favorite?  You can vote on my Facebook or Instagram posts! Be sure to follow me while you are there. 

This last card was inspired by one I saw from Jaimie Babarczy. I used my Blending Brushes to ink the edges of the smaller piece of cardstock so that it stood out even more against the base when I adhered it. I do think these geese are so cute! 

Want to get these supplies for yourself?  Shop here! Current Host code is WSMH7V9H.

I overlooked Apple Harvest at first but when Stampin' Up! issued dies to go with it I was intrigued. After playing with it I'm in love! It's a great set for coloring.  

I used the thin brush Water Painter to color this one in. I chose Poppy Parade for the skin and Petal Pink for the blossoms and inside.  I used Granny Apple Green for the stems and leaves.  

The Artistic Mix Decorative Masks paired with a Blending Brush created a fun background on the card base. I finished the card with Matte Black Dots and Gingham ribbon. 

This was my second take with the same coloring but I wanted to add in the blossom dies as well. 

For this card I used sponge daubers to add the color to the image. It gives it a much more subtle look. 

When you don't have coordinating ribbon remember you can create your own with the Whisper White Seam Binding Ribbon and Blends. The Gingham Cottage paper pack includes 40 sheets of amazing paper. 

Remember these dies are only here for the month of September or while supplies last.  Happy crafting! 

I always love the animal set that Stampin' Up! offers during Sale a Bration and the hippos are no exception.  They are so cute! I had a lot of fun playing around with just the stamps and with the coordinating dies you can also earn.

​Using a stamp to create a background tone on tone is a go to technique for me.  It's easy and cute! Plus any stamp that I can color with Blends is a fun one. 

I did a little paper piecing for the tutu on this one. And you know I  never miss a good pun! 

This card really shows off some of the fun dies that are included. 

Saturday was my Open House for the new July - December mini catalog and the new Sale a Bration items.  I have been playing with a lot of new product to create samples to share.

One of the stamp sets I was drawn to right away was the All Bundled Up set. These little critters are so cute! I love an image that is perfect for coloring with my Blends and this moose did not disappoint.  

The other new product I'm really enjoying is the Host only Designer Series Paper pack Celebrate Everything.  This pack of paper contains 48 sheets and is only available on orders over $150 which qualifies for Host rewards.  Let's talk if you'd like to earn this paper for FREE along with Sale a bration items! 

Be sure to hop along with us on our Monday Montage blog hop.  Click next to see what Wendy has in store and back to see Elizabeth's project!  We are always glad to have you join us. 
​

These little piggies are so cute! I had fun playing around creating cards with them.  

This first one even used up a scrap of Happy Forest Friends Designer Series Paper I had on my desk.  I love when that works out.  A little coloring with my Blends and this piggy is in her happy place! 

This one was an experiment.  With my Blends I added pink on top of the grey and at first I wasn't sure what I thought of it but it really looks like a dirty pig! 

I paper pieced the balloon for some added color. If you are a fan of animal sets this one needs to be in your collection.  

The new Stampin' Up! Abstract Beauty suite in the January to June Mini Catalog is wonderful. There are so many products included.  These projects highlight a number of them! 

The Designer Series Paper included in it is 4 x6 which is a different size than we usually carry. This particular design is black and white so I grabbed some Blends and added a little color. Check out the fun embossing on the die cut piece. I also used some of the ephemera pieces and paired them with the new Bough punch. This card measures 4 1/4 x 4 1/4. 

Cutting out shapes and arranging them in a pattern is an easy way to create an eye catching card. This card shows off many of the wonderful patterns in the Designer Series Paper pack. The navy twine was pulled apart and then tied in a bow to give it that messy look. 

This suite gives you more than just circles to work with. Layering hexagons is fun too! 

The "I miss your face" sentiment is one I use a lot. Who could you send this message to?

The other great offering in this suite is the preprinted cards and envelopes.  Talk about an easy way to make cards! Add the ephemera pieces and maybe some of the Designer Series Paper and you are done. 

I created a class featuring only three Blends sets to show off the versatility of these great coloring tools.  I wanted to provide a class where I could focus on techniques and ideas using Blends. 

There are so many options when coloring with Blends! 

One idea I love is to color the negative space instead of focusing on the main images. 

Highlighting and only coloring a small portion of a card is another great way to add an interesting feature to your card.  Here I die cut the portion I was going to color and then mounted it on a black scallop before adhering it to the card front. 

Don't forget that you can use the Blends to color your white ribbons as well.  This gives you the ability to have ribbon in any color you want! Simply use the brush tip to add color. 

There is not right or wrong way to color with Blends.  We all have our favorites.  For me, I usually start with the dark color and add it in the middle and along black outlines.  I then go over it all with my light to do my blending. 

The colors I used in all of these were Rich Razzleberry, Mossy Meadow and So Saffron. 

Another fun technique I've been using a lot is to create a striped piece of paper using blends on white cardstock.  I then stamp and image and cut it out creating the fun striped coloring on my image. 

It's always so hard to say goodbye to Stampin' Up! products but these are really hard!  Don't miss these great items and these great prices.  While supplies last! 

The Apple Builder punch is my go to for teacher cards and gifts.  It's also great for fall items! You can't beat the sale price either--it's on sale 60% off making it only $7.20! This is a staple to have in your collection. 

Bloom and Grow is another favorite.  It's such a fun set to color with Blends.  The dies are also on sale! They are only $8.25!  

Band Together is one that I love to color as well.  Plus the coordinating Detailed Bands Dies are fun to work.  They are also on sale for $15.20!

I love coloring with Blends but I am usually coloring a stamped image.  Here is another idea for how to use them to create a beautiful rainbow striped background! 

I grabbed a group of colors (both light and dark) that I thought would look good together.  These colors said spring to me!

I then used each marker to draw a couple of lines across a piece of Basic White card stock to create a striped rainbow. I didn't worry about perfectly straight lines or about coloring over the color before.  Both of those add to the look I was going for. 

After I was done I used the Pierced Blooms Dies to cut out flowers and leaves to create this Mother's Day Card. 

For this card I cut the striped piece down to fit the front of my card and created a basic, but eye catching, card! Adding a little bling with the Playing With Pattern Resin Dots was the perfect final touch. 

This was one of the first bundles I had to have from the 20-21 Annual Catalog.  I'm a huge sunflower fan anyway but these stamps and dies are too pretty to pass up! 

Fun folds are not my usual go to but I enjoyed making this card. Pairing the dies with the Flowers for Every Season Designer Series Paper is a perfect combination. 

Somewhere along the way I saw a color block card like this and had to create one! I love using the bright vibrant colors with the black ink. This was a great way to show off the 20-22 In Colors.  

This spotlight technique is another one I enjoy doing but often forget about.  It shows off the coloring on the flower so nicely.  I stamped the image on my white card stock first and used Blends to color it.  Then I used the Stitched So Sweetly Dies to cut out the middle of the image. Finally I adhered it to a black card stock Stitched So Sweetly die cut one size larger.