Masculine Mosaic Madness

Since we're anxious for spring around here, it's been easy to make lots of cards with bright colors and flowers.  But I thought it was time to attempt some masculine cards. 

Tips & Tricks

• This card could just as easily be a more feminine card...it's all about the color scheme.  Choosing these dark, earthy colors makes this card seem like it's appropriate for any man.  But choosing softer colors would definitely make it work for a girl or woman.

• Did you know that you don't need to use an ink cartridge with a wheel when using it on a card?  Just run the wheel over any ink pad and push it across the card front.  This time I used VersaMark.

Supplies

Stamps:  Mosaic Madness, Friendly Phrases, Alhambra Wheel
Ink:  Always Artichoke, Cajun Craze, Night of Navy, and VersaMark
Paper:  Always Artichoke, Cajun Craze, Sahara Sand, and Whisper White card stock
Accessories:  Big Shot, Modern Mosaic Embossing Folder, Angled Tag Topper Punch, Mosaic Punch

Chalk Talk Tag Card

Today's card is another one that was inspired by projects in the Annual Catalog.  There is a card on page 77 that I've loved since I first saw the catalog.  I loved the three tags and how the images overlapped on them.  Since I don't own the stamp set showcased on that card, I needed to take this card in a different direction.  I kept with the three tags, but that was pretty much where the similarities end.

Tips & Tricks

• When I make a card, texture is a must.  I like having multiple textures, although one shouldn't over power the others.  I added subtle texture to the tags by first cutting them out with the Chalk Talk Framelits and my Big Shot, then running them through again using the Modern Mosaic Embossing Folder.

• One of the things I love most about Stampin' Up!'s products is that so many of them coordinate.  The Modern Mosaic Embossing Folder works perfectly with the Mosaic Madness Stamp Set, which of course pairs beautifully with the Mosaic Punch.  This makes throwing a card together so easy, as everything works together so well.

• Try dyeing...Baker's Twine, that is.  Simply run Whisper White Baker's Twine over any ink pad, and press down with a sponge dauber.  The twine takes on the ink, and is dyed to match your project.  I used Smokey Slate here.  This technique can also be used with any white or neutral ribbon.  

Supplies

Stamps:  Teeny Tiny Wishes, Mosaic Madness
Ink:  Coastal Cabana, Smokey Slate, and So Saffron Classic Ink
Paper: Naturals White, Coastal Cabana, Smokey Slate, and So Saffron card stock
Accessories:  Big Shot, Modern Mosaic Embossing Folder, Chalk Talk Framelits, Bitty Banners Framelits, Sponge Dauber, Mosaic Punch, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, Rhinestones Basic Jewels

Mad About Mosaic Madness

Can you tell I'm on a bit of a Mosaic Madness kick?  This was another failed attempt at a card for stamp club.  I was trying to figure out a good way to combine some of the new In Colors without needing a lot of In Color card stock, because I only had one assorted pack.  Certainly not enough of any one color to make 14 cards.  I was loving the combination of Crisp Cantaloupe, Pistachio Pudding, and Baked Brown Sugar together, but needed something else as the base.  Enter Calypso Coral.  It does blend well with the three newbies, but definitely brightened them up a bit more than I had planned.  But I still like it, even if it wasn't the subtle look I was going for.  (Note to self:  order a pack of Baked Brown Sugar card stock right away!)  The linen thread works perfectly with this card, though, probably because it pretty much matches the Baked Brown Sugar card stock.

Stamps:  Mosaic Madness, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink:  Crisp Cantaloupe, Pistachio Pudding, and Baked Brown Sugar 
Paper:  Naturals Cream, Calypso Coral, Crisp Cantaloupe, Pistachio Pudding, and Baked Brown Sugar card stock
Accessories:  Modern Mosaic Embossing Folder, Mosaic Punch, Bitty Punch Pack, pearls, Linen Thread, Bitty Banners Framelits, Big Shot

Mini Mosaic Madness

Warning:  I've been playing with the Mosaic Madness stamp set a LOT and will likely have a week's worth of Mosaic Madness posts.  If you don't love this set as much as I do, please be patient. :)

I am in love with this color combination.  I've had scraps of these colors on my desk for the past week, just waiting for the right project to use them.  I was struggling to come up with a card for stamp club, and just decided to use this combination with Mosaic Madness.  I think the richness of these colors goes perfectly with this set.  Although I'm hard pressed to find a color combination that doesn't work well this this set.  I may have mentioned once or a hundred times before that I love this set. 

I did use some retired ribbon on this card, but that's easily replaced with a strip of Rich Razzleberry card stock.  I'd probably add some paper-piercing or crumple it up, just to give it some texture.  I'm all about the layers of texture on my cards.  It's what takes a card from good to great.  I also used some rhinestones on this one.  Do you ever have certain color combinations that you just KNOW need a rhinestone and not a pearl?  Or am I the only one and this just confirms what a weirdo I am?  Don't answer that.  These rich colors screamed rhinestone to me, and I love the dazzle it adds to this card.  And speaking of rich colors, I think I've gotten over my resentment toward Crushed Curry for replacing my beloved More Mustard.  I still miss More Mustard, but I really, really do love the fresh look of Crushed Curry.  I guess there is room in my heart for both colors. 

Stamps:  Mosaic Madness, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink:  Island Indigo, Crushed Curry, Rich Razzleberry, and Garden Green Classic Ink, Whisper White Craft Ink
Paper:  Island Indigo, Crushed Curry, Rich Razzleberry, Garden Green, and Whisper White card stock
Accessories:  Big Shot, Modern Mosaic Embossing Folder, Mosaic Punch, Bitty Banners Framelits, Rhinestones

Mosaic Banners

Just a quick simple card today using my absolute favorite from the new catalog, Mosaic Madness.  You'll also notice that I've used the coordinating embossing folder and punch, and also threw in some of the Gingham Garden Designer Washi Tape!  That stuff is the best when you're in a hurry!

I decided to leave this card without a sentiment, because sometimes, it's just nice to have a blank card on hand.  They are great to send as a note card as is, but also nice to have so they can be customized for any occasion when the need arises.  I love the bright colors, but am realizing that I'm missing Lucky Limeade.  I think it would be better with this combo than Old Olive.  Maybe one day I'll get my wish and it will return. :)

Stamps:  Mosaic Madness
Ink:  Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, and Melon Mambo Classic Ink Pads
Paper:  Naturals White, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, and Melon Mambo card stock
Accessories:  Mosaic Punch, Big Shot, Modern Mosaic and Square Lattice embossing folders, Gingham Garden Designer Washi Tape, Rhinestones

More Mosaic Madness

Yikes!  I totally thought I had posted this card on Friday, but clearly I didn't!  I hope this card will make up for my stupidity. :)  I didn't intend for this to be a masculine card, but as soon as I showed it to my husband, that was his first thought.  I think it works well for anyone, and the more I look at this, the more I love it. 

I mentioned it before...Mosaic Madness is my favorite new set from the upcoming 2013-2014 Annual Catalog.  I am trying to resist the pull of the coordinating quatrefoil Designer Series Paper...it's called Quatrefancy and it comes with a printed window sheet.  It's very fun looking and making my no-DSP resolve harder to enforce.

So back to this card...can you see the embossing on the front?  I used my Stamp-a-ma-jig to stamp the images inside the embossed areas.  While it was a tad time consuming, it really wasn't hard.  It's definitely worth trying, because you will be so impressed with yourself after you're done!  Some VersaMark ink and clear embossing powder makes the image pop on the punched pieces.  I added some more texture by simply crumpling up some Soft Suede card stock, then adhering it to the front of the card.

Stamps:  Mosaic Madness (130246), Just Believe (116948)
Ink:  Crumb Cake (126975), Midnight Muse (126860), Soft Suede (126978), and VersaMark (102283)
Paper:  Crumb Cake (120953), Midnight Muse (126843), Soft Suede (115318), and Very Vanilla (101650) card stock
Accessories:  Big Shot (113439), Modern Mosaic Embossing Folder (129984),  Mosaic Punch (131267), Bitty Banners Framelits (129267), Neutrals Designer Buttons (119743), Midnight Muse 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon (126847)

{Sneak Peek} Mosaic Madness

Here's a little sneak peek of some new products from the upcoming 2013-2014 Annual Catalog.  This stamp set is called Mosaic Madness, and I think it's easily my favorite new set.  What I really love about it is the coordinating punch AND embossing folder.  It makes creating a card a breeze, because everything works so well together to make a great looking card. 

Stamps:  Mosaic Madness (130246), Itty Bitty Banners (132022)
Ink:  Whisper White Craft Ink (101780), Island Indigo (126986), Raspberry Ripple (126859) and Crushed Curry (131173) Classic Ink
Paper:  Crushed Curry (131199), Island Indigo (122923), Raspberry Ripple (126842), and Naturals White (102316) card stock
Accessories:  Big Shot (113439), Modern Mosaic Embossing Folder (129984),  Mosaic Punch (131267), Bitty Banners Framelits (129267)