TROPICAL CHIC

I am thrilled to pieces that the stamp set, Tropical Chic, found on page 93 of the NEW ANNUAL CATALOG, "CREATIVITY IS CALLING", which went live TODAY, is still with us. The matching dies, Tropical, can be found on page 197 of the very same catalog!

Elegant and trendy, these stamps and dies are so much fun to play with. And the cards you create will look completely different depending on the color palette you choose. The colors really do make a difference.

For my version of the card, I chose cheerful colors that are sure to make the recipient of it really happy: Highland Heather, Granny Apple Green and Flirty Flamingo. I love the way this combination of colors plays so well together.

Not only is the purple main element die cut, but I also added a diecut leaf and a hibiscus flower. A few sequins scattered around the square portion seem just what the doctor ordered to complete the card.

With only a bit of gentle dimension, in the shape of a few Stampin' Dimensionals and the sequins, it will fly through the mail without paying any extra postage.

Following you will find a tutorial on how to recreate this card. I will be referring to my die cutting machine as the Big Shot, however, since that is what I use now until Stampin' Up! releases their new machine.

SUPPLIES:

Whisper White cardstock

Granny Apple Green cardstock

Highland Heather cardstock

Tropical Chic (page 93 in the Annual Catalog)

Retired sentiment

Highland Heather ink

Flirty Flamingo ink

Granny Apple Green ink

Stampin' Write Marker in Crushed Curry

Big Shot

Tropical dies (page 197 of the Annual Catalog)

Stampin' Dimensionals

Small oval punch

Sequins

INSTRUCTIONS:

Fold a 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" piece of Granny Apple Green cardstock in half, creasing it well with a bone folder.

Stamp the leaves randomly in the inks listed according to the sample -- or as you wish -- onto a 4" x 5 1/4" piece of Whisper White cardstock. Adhere this to the green card base.

Cut the large leafy square piece from Highland Heather cardstock. Adhere this to a 3" x 3" base of Whisper White. Attach this piece to the stamped background with a few Stampin' Dimensionals.

Ink up the hibiscus flower with Flirty Flamingo ink. With a baby wipe, gently remove the ink from the stamens (? = the things that stick out) and replace the color with the side of the brush tip of a Crushed Curry Stampin' Write Marker. Huff on it, then stamp it onto a scrap of Whisper White cardstock. At the Big Shot, use the appropriate die to cut out the flower. At the same time, cut a leaf from Granny Apple Green cardstock.

Adhere the leaf flat onto the square piece, followed by the flower popped up with a Stampin' Dimensional.

If desired, add a handful of sequins to this piece. (In my opinion, I'm not sure the sequins actually add anything wonderful to it.)

On a scrap of Whisper White cardstock, stamp the "Thanks" sentiment in Granny Apple Green. Punch it out with the small oval punch. (Since both the sentiment and the punch are retired, you can substitute the sentiment for whatever you think looks good if you don't have these items.) Adhere it towards the bottom right with a Stampin' Dimensional.

Tropical

Smiles.