Pretty Flamingo CI#38

Colour INKspiration is a fortnightly blog initiated by Bronwyn Eastley in Tasmania. The design team is made up of Stampin' Up! demonstrators from all parts of Australia and New Zealand.You are at the blog of Rachel Palmieri, Independent Stampin' Up!® demonstrator. I run classes at my home studio in South Morang, Victoria, share Stampin' Up!® products and tools at parties for my customers, coach my lovely team and create cards and the occasional 3D project.

This time the challenge uses Powder Pink, Granite Grey, Berry Burst, Whisper White and Basic Black. 

Ever since the Stamparatus has arrived, I've been having a little love affair with Fabulous Flamingo. I used it initially when it was first released two years ago, but the results could be a bit 'hit & miss'! With a stamp positioning tool like the Stamparatus, it's always right. We used it at my Catalogue Launch to show the ladies how easy it is, and I will keep on sharing it, because it works so well.

While it was set up, I stamped two images. Berry Burst, second-generation, for the body and legs and Powder Pink full-strength for the top feathers.

I wasn't as happy with this card when it was finished, and I think it was the addition of black leaves, or maybe I should have had black leaves and not the Granite Gray. It probably isn't too bad really, we are often our own worst critics. The adhesive sequins in the new subtle shades really do set both these cards off a treat.

For the second card, there are no leaves. Granite Gray only appears in the water (or wet sand?) I only wish I'd managed to capture the gorgeous glint of Wink of Stella on the feathers. I've used a variety of dies from three different sets. Stitched Labels has this lovely irregular stitched plate. I was going to use the frilly label from that set too, but the sentiment from Various Vases was too long for it.

The label which did fit around the longer sentiment is from Petals & More dies. Lastly, is this lacy strip, which I cut in black. It is from the oh-so-adorable Bouncing Baby Framelit Dies.

Next up on this hop is Bronwyn Eastley, over in Tasmania.

GR9CWSP3

Weekend Catalogue Launch

Every year on June 1st, Stampin' Up!® releases a new Annual catalogue. That's around 250 pages full of colour and inspiration, exciting for crafting addicts. When one of my team was just a customer, she used to be forever asking me when there'd be a new one!!! I ended up recruiting her so that she'd be amongst the first to know, and buy. So even if it's not the most exciting thing this side of Christmas for you, there are many who just LOVE a catalogue launch.

If you follow my blog, you possibly already know that I had the honour of being one of the display artists at our last convention (and Annual Catalogue release for demonstrators) last April in Sydney. In February I received a lovely box of products to create with, and no Pinterest to go to for inspiration, because the products were all brand new. Most of the samples in the photo above had already previewed in Sydney.

The In Colors were sort of new to me though as I had received three colours of embossing powder, and those same colours in ribbon, but a pack of clips which showed the 5 colours. I made the jar card after I'd ordered the inks and a  pack of mixed card colours.The cycling card was made using Enjoy Life, the 5 In Colors and a technique with the Stamparatus.

 I was shopping for birthday gifts when I spotted a couple of these vases and asked the shop assistant to find me a 3rd, which she did.

They seem to complement the invitations I sent out to my event, don't you think?

I hung a couple of my scrapbooking layouts so my guests could see how you can incorporate stamping into scrapbook layouts. The one on the left was the piece I used in my submission to be selected for the gig, and the one with two boys is the one displayed in Sydney. The left hand one uses Labeler Alphabet, Crafting Forever and Playful Backgrounds. The other used Love What You Do, Lined Alphabet and Sitting Pretty. Sitting Pretty had two great sentiments - best friends & Anywhere with you is better than anywhere without you. Aren't they perfect for a pair of close brothers?

I forgot to let my guests know that ALL the Stampin' Blends are in the warehouse and ready to be shipped to you now. Check out pages 204-205 for a full list of colours. In August, you will also be able to increase your colour collection of Watercolour pencils with 10 NEW colours.. I've been hanging out for that for ages!!!

There is nothing better than getting to try something out before you buy it. I saw the Stamparatus demonstrated late last year and after seeing the step-stamping, I was prepared to order it without ever touching it. I gave my ladies the chance to see it demonstrated in several different ways on Saturday before showing them how to make their own project. If you weren't able to get here last Saturday, you could gather some friends for a party at your place and request that I demo the Stamparatus. Or perhaps you'd prefer to book in for a private class, one hour is $20 and 2 hours is $30. We can look at stamp sets you are interested in and/or tools you want to check out. 

 I think you can see where the inspiration for this two-step flamingo card came from. I've had Fabulous Flamingo for a couple of years and actually made the invitations for my catalogue launch in 2016 with this one. I have to say, it is so much easier to line the pieces up with the Stamparatus.

Some of the quicker ladies even moved on and made a second card using Various Vases. This card was designed by a demo friend of mine, Rachel Woollard, and shared at a team day we had in May. I'm sure some of you who follow Stampin' Up! demos will have heard of Mary Fish, a top-selling demo in the USA. She recently reached a million dollars in sales, and those who do are given the opportunity to meet with the company artists to design a stamp set. Mary suggested these vases for her stamp set and there is even a punch, which we used to punch the solid coloured vases. There are stamps to colour the flowers too, but I kept it simple as we had some absolute beginners on Saturday. Of course, it's easy enough to colour with a flick of the stampin' Blends, Stampin' Markers or Watercolour pencils. So many options, what's your favourite?

This is a wordy, picture-heavy post, well-done you if you've read to the end. I'll be back tomorrow night with an Art With Heart Blog Hop.

2BEUMMY3
until 4th July