I'm excited for another Monday Montage Blog Hop. I love seeing all the fun projects each time we do this. Be sure to check out everyone.  What I can't believe is that it's already the middle of April. How is that possible?  So much is going on with both the Annual and the Jan-April Catalogs retiring this month, the color refresh, new Annual Catalog preorder for demonstrators...it's a lot! It's overwhelming but I am enjoying all the new product coming our way.  

One stamp set I was very glad was NOT going away was the Taco Fiesta set. I recently offered a "to go" class with this set.  Here are my projects! 

I loved pairing it with the bright and bold patterns and colors of the Flowers & More Host paper pack. 

Creating your own background with Stampin' Blends is a fun technique. 

The In Color Glimmer paper is awesome and on sale for only $4.80! Snatch it up before it's gone forever. 

The optional faces are too cute.  It's fun to play around with them and create adorable images. 

Which is your favorite?  

While the packets for the class are sold out you can still purchase the class PDFs for only $10. Go here to sign up.  You would also get a short video that walks you through my tips and suggestions. Be sure to sign up for my mailing list to you hear about future classes.  

Be sure to click next to go to see Julie or back to check out Elizabeth. Both have awesome projects to share this time. 

My most recent class was a technique class that focused on Blends, the Color Lifter and Blending Brushes. I love all the projects and really enjoyed working with my customers to try them all out.  

The first one was taught to me by Elisabeth, a DDM from the home office, at our recent event in Edwardsville. She showed us how to use our Blends on velum to create a cool striped look.  It pairs so well with the Online Exclusive Tropical Leaf bundle. I created a reel to show you how to make this one.  

One of the products I wanted to focus on in this class was the Stampin' Blends Color Lifter. I found that most of my customers had not tried using it even though they use Stampin' Blends a lot. There are a number of ways to use them besides simply lightening colors on an image you have colored.  

For this card we actually colored with Blends around the outline of the image, instead of the image itself, and used the Color Lifter to pull the color further away. It both lightened the color and made it bleed out and away from the image more. 

The pink one I created to use as part of my weekly "this or that" against the purple we created in class.  Interestingly the pink one won! 

This card uses a number of techniques. The first thing we did was use a mask to add a design to our card stock base with a small Blending Brush. 

The image is created by first inking the full stamp in Fresh Freesia and then applying some Gorgeous Grape with a small Blending Brush. I also added a little color to the edges of the punched sentiment piece with my Blending Brush. I created a Reel for this one as well. 

The final card was created by using the Stampin' Blends Color Lifter to blend the watercolor pencils on the flowers. I loved adding the Brass Butterflies for some extra bling.  

Make sure you are on my mailing list if you are interested in hearing about my classes.  See the sign up on the side! 

Most of these stamp sets and dies are retiring so be sure to purchase soon. Many are on sale at great prices as well.  Current Host code is DK33BFQP. Click here to shop.

​Be sure to go check out the current sale prices.  Those listed below are the catalog prices.  

It's time for a another Monday Montage. Be sure to click next to check out Julie's project and back to see Elizabeth's. Everyone has great stuff to share!

I love the Silly Goose stamp set and was excited to try this idea. Keep reading to see how I did it. 

I used Pear Pizazz for the base. I cut a 3 3/4 x 5 and used a Blending Brush to add Pear Pizzaz ink to the edge.  I love how it adds dimension to the piece and sets it apart from the base. 

I stamped the goose in Pear Pizazz ink all over the small piece and then adhered it to the base with dimensionals.  

I used my Blends to color the sweet goose on the focal point. I used light Smokey Slate around the edge and then used the Color Lifter to pull the color in a little.  Balmy Blue, Daffodil Delight and Flirty Flamingo were the other colors I used for goose. 

Enjoy the whole tour and go get crafty! 

It's finally the first day of spring and I am so ready! Bring back the lovely temperatures to go with the later sunsets and I'll be set. 

The adorable Playing in the Rain suite is a perfect spring set. I used the cute turtle to create these two cards which I shared as my "this or that" on social media in honor of St. Patrick's Day last week.  
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The first card was done in Granny Apple Green. The backgrounds were created by stamping the image in the same ink color as the card stock.  I added strips of Designer Series Paper for a little extra something behind the tag. 

This card was done in Parakeet Party and I chose to put circles behind the tag. I am so glad we are getting circle punches back! If you haven't checked out the new Online Exclusives offerings you need to do so. There are some great offerings. 

I love using the Tailor Made Tags on a card. They don't have to be used only on packaging but look great on a card as well. 

Which card do you pick? 

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. 
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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.