Complementary Colors

I love purple so I decided when I was casing the featured stamper on SCS last Sunday that I would make a card using purple and yellow so I was ready for this post. I used watercolor pencils and my aquabrush to color the image and then went over the image with a Stardust Gel pen though it isn't very obvious in this photo. I used the faux stitching technique here as well. Supplies: Stamps - Rubbernecker; Ink - Versafine Black Onyx; Paper - PaperTrey, Bazzil; Misc - SU! Mat Pack, white gel pen, black marker, watercolor pencils, aquabrush, Stardust Gelly Roll pen

Tips:Complimentary Colours

Colours can really be a wonderful starting point when you're having a motivation slump. Complimentary colours are one of those nice combinations that you can rely on. If you choose 2 colours that lay across from each other in the colour wheel, it will generally be pleasing to the eye. One of my favorite complimentary colour combinations is orange and blue. I cannot get enough of it! When I saw this Scenic Route paper from last season I had to have it because of its lovely blue and orange tones. Something to keep in mind, be sure to keep things in the same tone. If you're going with a dark green (say hunter green), it will pair better with a dark red (like crimson). If you're going with an earthy orange or rust, they will look better with an earthier blue. It's important to keep those undertones and brightness in mind when going with that colour selection!

Fall-to Colours

In keeping with the glamorous style this week, the fall-to colours are all things metallic. Gold, silver, bronze, anything that has that extra sparkle or sheen is game! This is a card I made while on the Dirty Dozen. The frame was made from some copper cardstock, I embossed the leaves on that in copper EP. I stamped the leaves on the vellum layer with versamark, then brushed some Copper Pearls over top. The greeting was also embossed. I added in a bit of organdy for that extra bit of elegance. Stamps: Lizzie Anne Designs and Stampin' Up!

CAS Friendly Techniques

Polished Stone This is one of the first stamping techniques I ever learned. I thought the result was so stunning that I had to have the supplies immediately. For this technique, check out HERE for a step by step guide. The only thing I do differently, is I put ALL the reinkers on the soaked cotton ball. There are several reasons I consider this a CAS friendly technique.

• You can do a whole 8.5x11 sheet very quickly. Cut it up and place on several cards.
• The versatility of looks you can get make it great for virtually any kind of card.
• Minimal supplies needed, and if you don't have them, they are relatively inexpensive and they go a long way.
• The look that is achieved with polished stone is conducive to a CAS type card. You really don't want to cover up all that pretty patterned paper you just made!

Supplies: Stamps: Asian Flair (Verve Stamps), Ink: red, black, gold reinkers Paper: black, white, red, glossy white Accessories, etc.: rubbing alcohol, cotton balls, gold EP, ribbon, gold cord

Embrace Grosgrain!

One thing that's so great about grosgrain ribbon is the versatility of sizes, colours, and patterns it comes in! I have been a big fan of the 5/8 inch wide ribbon this past year. I use it all the time and can't get enough colourwise! Here's a really quick card featuring some of my favorite orange American Crafts grosgrain. I used it here as a boundary between the white and the patterned paper. Supplies: Stamps: Borders and Corners Monogram Ed. Ink: Tangelo Paper: White, Orange, Summer Picnic Accessories, etc.: Prima flowers, Making Memories brads, American Crafts ribbon