321 Stamp: Launching Creativity

2015-2017 In Color Sneak Peek & Pop-out Swing Card

Stampin' Up! is known for our color coordination -- and for freshening up our colors each year with a set of five new In Colors. We always have two sets of five going at a time, with one set rotating off each year. So here is a look at the new Fab Five that will be around through 2017 starting June 2.

The image has the color names right on each card (and that butterfly is another sneak peek from the new catalog that goes live along with the new colors on June 2). There's only one way to get these new colors before June 2 and that's as a demonstrator because we can preorder them to be ready for June. If you're interested in the Demonstrator opportunity, click here to learn more. And get in touch with me if you want information on how you can even include the new In Colors and a selection of other new catalog items in your demonstrator starter kit. To do that you need to get in touch via the email button or leave a comment.

Now on to a fun fold card idea.

I've seen this called the Pop-out Swing Card, Z-Fold Pop Out card and probably a couple of other names. I decided to make one (with my own added variation) after it was a weekly project idea through the wonderful Stamping School. And I had also seen the idea through fellow demonstrator Julie Davison and Dawn Griffith who both shared videos for the basics of the card. (If you watch their videos, just know that I used different measurements for my insides and will share those below).

It's a fairly simple concept: a z-fold insert inside the card has a small panel attached that sticks through the hole you die-cut in the front.

What I added was the red arrow on the left side of the focal point: it serves the important job of encouraging the panel with the tree to stay outside of the hole. Trust me, it made a huge difference to add that tab in the operation of the card. And the little Candy Dot embellishment on the arrow calls just the right attention to it's role: it almost says "pull here."

You can see how the inside parts can simply come out so the arrow tab helps it arrive -- and be opened -- properly with that panel sticking through the hole.

Here's the arrow doing its job.

I can see making this at Christmas with a punched or die cut small snowflake as my added tab. A circle would also work great -- any shape basically that you attach behind the front panel or even on top of it so that it overlaps the left side of the card front.

Here are my measurements:

- Crumb Cake card base: 8 1/2" by 5 1/2" folded in half. The die cut square hole uses the 6th square out from the middle of Stampin' Up's square framelits set. (It's a little bit over 3 1/4")

- Chocolate Chip panel: 3 1/4" square

- White Front panel: 3" square

- Inside folded card: 6" wide by 5 1/4" tall - scored at 2" and 4"

This is a fun card and I love the Sheltering Tree set that is the focal point. It comes with beautiful script style words, but for the sample in this post I used words from the set Guy Greetings. I love trees for masculine cards, but it's an easy card style to use with other focal point images on that front square and inside.

Sheltering Tree Photopolymer Stamp Set
$24.95

Squares Collection Framelits Die
$26.95

What's Up Punch
$8.48

Glue Dots
$4.95

Liquid Multipurpose Glue
$3.95

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock
$8.50

Chocolate Chip 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock
$6.95

Crumb Cake 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock
$6.95

Real Red 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock
$6.95

Neutrals Candy Dots
$5.95

Brights Candy Dots
$5.95

Generated by SUDSOL, Free Trial at www.sudsol.org

A Work of Art Rainbow

The new Work of Art stamp set from Stampin' Up! inspires such creativity. Here I teamed up the large "swoop" image with rainbow colors and the also-new Alphabet Rotary Stamp to make my custom "Find Your Pot of Gold" greeting.

Here's a close up of the greeting.

Tips for the rotary stamp: once you have twirled each letter into place, be sure they stay lined up by not holding the stamp in a way where you could acccidentally turn a wheel. (so hold it by the handle or sides). Each line of my greeting was done separately. When inking up the rotary stamps I like to tap the ink pad onto the stamp so that I carefully avoid the blank spots between words. When stamping on your paper, give it a slight rock backward and forward to be sure you fully ink each letter. You can also stamp with your card stock on top of our foam piercing pad and that extra cushion helps you get a nice, clean image since rotary stamps have no built in foam layer.

Check out the Clearance Rack today as new items have just been added.

Happy stamping and shopping.

Get Ready for a Stampin' Up! Color Refresh

There will be a color refresh with the next catalog. If you want to get some paper or a refill for a color before it's gone think about what you want -- and good news, there will be free shipping on any kind of order from April 6-8.

Here's the info on what colors are staying -- and what's changing. Some favorite In Colors from the past will be back.

Color is fundamental to who we are and what we offer. It's important for us to stay up-to-date with color trends so we are thrilled to share our updated line of colors, and hope you will be as excited as we are by the new possibilities!

Why now? In 2010 we did a big color renovation and shared our plans for smaller color refreshes every three to five years to keep our colors on trend. Well it has been three years and we are excited to announce that the upcoming 2013-2014 annual catalog will include 10 new colors (most of which are returning In Colors from previous years)! We are welcoming back some of your favorites, moving some colors around, and introducing one brand-new color, so take a look!

You can download the color change flyer by clicking here.

Beginning on April 4, 2013, all retiring/discontinued color products (i.e. ink, paper, ribbon, accessories, etc.) will be available only while supplies last. This means that some products will not be available through the retired list period. We did anticipate increased demand and based our forecasts for these retiring colors on historical sales information from previous color transitions. However, even with the most careful planning, the response to a transition of this nature can surprise everyone. Any of our retiring color products are only available while supplies last so get your favorites and look forward to the exciting colors coming in the 2013-2014 annual catalog.

And also announced today, free shipping is going on April 6-8, 2013. (Free shipping is for North America only.)

Many of the "new" colors are returning older "In Colors" from our special annual In Color line. So many people already have these -- but there will be a special "New Color Kit" with the new colors available May 31.

Here's a video about the color refresh.

 

Color Coach: A lesson in color theory

Now this sounds way too much like school -- but it's fun to learn about color! I love my Color Coach -- a nifty set of cards that help me match up my great Stampin' Up exclusive colors. There's a two-page pdf with some basic color theory to help us get more out of our coach so I wanted to share the download here.

Download Color_Coach_Online_en-US

And here is a picture of what the SU Color Coach looks like -- and some more info. Add it to your next online or in-person workshop order. It will be you new best paper-crafting friend!

Color Coach item # 121046
Price: $14.95
Let this coach help you put together custom color schemes to express your unique creativity. Whether you want a quick reference of all colors in a collection, a card for every color, or blank cards to record your own color combinations, this swatch book Is for you! ■ Text in English, Spanish, French, and German ■ Includes 55 double-sided cards with removable metal post fastener ■ Includes color theory cards and individual color swatch cards ■ On individual color cards, one side shows color, the other side lists coordinating colors ■ Card size: 2-3/4" x 4-1/2"