Brights

Color is such a key part of any craft project - and when Stampin' Up! released its new 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog this month, one of the most exciting components was the fresh and new color collections.  There are four core color groups:  Brights, Subtles, Regals and Neutrals - and each set of colors is current and fun.

As a demonstrator, it's fun for me to learn more about color, and to play with new color combinations in our color families.  Yesterday I finally had some time to stamp, so I grabbed my Awash With Flowers stamp set and four of my favorite colors from the Brights collection (Rich Razzleberry, Tempting Turquoise, Old Olive and Melon Mambo) and created a set of eight cards:

I think I'm going to challenge myself to work with lots of different color combinations in our new color collections.  Most oftentimes when I'm stamping I have a specific color in mind, or I just gra a few colors as I'm going along.  I'm thinking I'm going to challenge myself by "assigning" myself color combinations ahead of time and seeing what happens!

How do you use color in your projects?  Do you start out with specifics in mind?  Or let the colorific ideas flow?

Here's a little video from Stampin' Up! introducing our color collections.  Which set of colors is YOUR favorite?

Happy Wednesday!

I didn't mean to leave you hanging!

I can't believe that I've been away from blogging for over a week!  I have no idea the last time that happened - and especially not unannounced!  For those of you that were worried, or those of you that just plain missed me (aw...!) I apologize!  Rest assured that all is well with me, and the family, and that there is nothing to worry about at all.

As you know, I hadn't planned on taking a blogging break, but life "happened" as it so often does, and time got away from me.  We celebrated a quiet fourth of July weekend at home - Travis had to work on and off all weekend - so we grilled and played board games and enjoyed some downtime together.  The crafting continued though when Heather and I made some Steelers cupcakes for a friend's 40th birthday, and I sewed a patriotic pillowcase dress for Lily, inspired by Anneliese's tutorial over at Aesthetic Nest (see hers HERE)

Lily's dress was pretty big on her (I'm still no good at determining sizes and sewing them!) but it was cute - and I was pleased with it.  She should be able to wear it next year, too!

This past week we headed over to South Haven for a little belated 4th of July celebration and some much-needed beach time.  We watched fireworks over the lake and spent time with family, and some dear friends from out of town.

And then the crafty fun continued when we got back into town and I hosted my 2010-2011 New Catalog Release Party for Stampin' Up!  We had a wonderful time, and everyone is just loving the new catalog!  I'll post the link to it in the sidebar this morning - please check it out!  I'll post about some of the party details later in the week, but here are some snapshots from the event...

And as if all that wasn't enough -- we're heading to the East side of the state this weekend, I have two stamping events this week, I finished one summer class and have already started another TWO (my last ones before my thesis!) and so much more.  Summer got busy - and fast!  But don't worry - I have lots and lots to share with you this week - so come back soon!

xoxo
Joanne

Week in Review: July 4th Edition

Each weekend in my Week in Review post I share with you some of my favorite crafty links I've come across during the week, from all over the blogosphere.  This week I'm featuring July 4th projects - most of which are simple enough for you to throw together if you need some last minute goodies for this weekend!  ENJOY!

4th of July shirts at Make It and Love It

Easy 4th of July Soaps at Soap Queen (via Craft Gossip)

Patriotic Pillowcase Dresses at Aesthetic Nest

Fireworks Pom Pops at Centsational Girl

4th of July Hairclip at Sugar Bee

And don't forget to check out my own July 4th projects over at Babble.com!

Quick Slip

The couches in our living room are old.  I mean - Travis had them in his (gulp!) college house of dudes and his parents had them in their home before that, old.  They've done their time!  On the plus side, they're super comfy.  But on the other side of things - they're not looking so hot.  Have definitely seen some better days!

When we bought our home I bought some cheapo silpcovers from Bed, Bath and Beyond.  Why I bought cream I have no idea.  Not only do they look a lot like paint sheets covering the chairs - but they also pick up an insane amount of dog hair (chocolate lab, remember?!)

Anyhoo - before my sewing days Mum made us some throw pillows, and they break up the "paint sheet" look a little, but I still need to get on making some more to fill out the couch.

Since the slipcovers were cheap, awhile ago the ties fell victim to overuse and many of them ripped off.  My couches sat naked and yucky looking for months until finally, in a moment of clarity, I remembered that now that I can sew... I could fix this problem!

Mum had given me the extra fabric from the two year old pillows some time ago, so I cut, sewed and pressed some new ties, and sewed them onto the slipcovers.  Not only are the covers now functional again, but they've got just a tad more color to them!

Now... how hard do you think it would be to sew slipcovers from scratch?  In a non-cream color?  :)

4th July Projects for Kids!

Check out my latest article for Babble.com and have some 4th of July fun with the kiddos in your life!

Click here to go to article!