Color Me Happy

As part of the great unveil of the new Blendies alcohol markers, Stampin' Up released a special stamp set and card-making kit - the Color Me Happy bundle.  I purchased JUST the card-making kit, and used whatever stamps I had available.  The card-making kit alone is $25.00, and makes 16 cards.  There are four each, of four card designs.  It also comes with some very cool envelopes - color coordinated and lined.  Very pretty!
 
The Color Me Happy stamp set and bundle are available only while supplies last.

 The Color Me Happy stamp set is a cute set - just not my bag.

Probably the most important bit to remember about coloring with alcohol markers - no matter whether they are Stampin' Up Blendies or COPICs, or some other brand - for the best results, you should stamp your images in Memento ink.   I learned this in a coloring class at the Scrapbook Expo this summer.

Your ink and your coloring tools should be opposite, in order to avoid bleeding and smearing.

• Water-based ink pad (Memento Tuxedo Black) --> Alcohol markers

• Solvent-based ink pad (Staz-On, Stampin' Up Basic Black Archival) --> water-based coloring things (watercolor markers, Stampin' Up markers, aqua painters with reinkers, blender pens)

If you heat-emboss the image, you can use any color tool you desire.

Here are comparisons of the cards that I made, versus what the kit intended.  I stuck with the same colors, and trimmings provided in the kit.  Each picture below shows my card next to the kit instructions for that one. You can also see the envelopes on the instruction sheet.

For this one, the base card was pre-printed with the design.  Note that it comes with a ink and gold envelope.

 For this second one, I went completely opposite in terms of stamps.  Comes with a blue and gold envelope.

This one is probably my favorite!  Instead of birds, I stamped Christmas sweaters.  Comes with a square Berry Burst and gold envelope.

Finally, I made a birthday card using the Merry Patterns stamps.  Greeting is from Dragonfly Dreams.  Comes with a square white and blue envelope.

I really had fun making these cards, even though coloring is one of my least favorite activities.  :)  I have such a hard time staying in the lines, and blending the colors so they look right.  I need more practice!

Stampin' Up supplies you'll need to create these:

Stamps:  Birthday Blossoms, Count My Blessings, Basket of Wishes, Christmas Sweaters, Merry Patterns, Dragonfly Dreams
Ink:  Night of Navy, Basic Black Archival
Paper:  Color Me Happy kit
Other: Blendies (various colors)

Thanks for visiting, and Happy stamping!

Toni

Order your supplies from my on-line store here, 24/7.  Thank you!