Cuckoo For You Friendship Card Color Inspiration

Hello and welcome to my blog; today I am kicking off a new bi-weekly series where I will be sharing with you how to find Color Inspiration for your projects.  I will be sharing with you different ways to find colors that inspire you and that look great together.  Some are probably ones that you would not think work well together and some you probably wouldn't have picked.  One thing I want to help you with is to think outside the norm when it comes to color combinations and putting them together.  Another reason I decided to do this new series was to share with you where you can find color inspiration for your projects.  I have an entire Pinterest board devoted to just this topic.  I love color and I know must of you that follow me do too, but you have a hard time finding just the right ones to use on your projects.  So I am hoping this little series will help you.  Here's a look at my card that I created today with the first Color Inspiration image.

I used the Cuckoo for You Bundle and created this no line Stampin' Bends Colored Card using my color inspiration picture that I will share with you shortly.  For the colors I used Real Red, Very Vanilla, Flirty Flamingo, Basic Gray, Smoky Slate, and Gray Granite.  Now where did I find the inspiration for this color combination.  I actually found it on Pinterest but the actual image came from Design Seeds, one of my favorite places for seasonal color combinations.  Here's the image that inspired today's card.

This image had nothing to do with the products I wanted to use but I loved the color combinations.  And they were ones I would have never put together.  I start the process by searching for color combinations and when something catches my eye I save it on my Color Inspiration board.  Once I decided I am going to use that color combination then I have to figure out what colors I have that will match those colors.  In this case it was Real Red, Very Vanilla, Flirty Flamingo, Basic Gray, Smoky Slate, Gray Granite, and Blushing Bride.

As you can see the Stampin' Up! colors that I picked match the inspiration photo pretty darn good.  Must are an exact match but some are very close.  One of the things I do once I pick the color inspiration photo and figure out what I think are the matches.  I then start to pull all the matching cardstock and ink colors to see how they will look together and to start figuring out which ones I want to use.

Once that was done I then figured out what set I wanted to use.  In this case I knew I wanted to use Real Red and I had a piece of the Toile Tidings Designer Series Paper (available September 4, 2019 for customers you can add it to your starter kit now) out from taking some pictures for tomorrows post; so I pulled the other colors and all the inks and the stamp set.  I knew I wanted to use the Real Red gingham piece from this set and thought it would compliment the Cuckoo Clock super well.  I don't know there's something very rustic and farmhouse feel about those two items together.  Well at least to me anyway.  At this point when I had picked out what I wanted to use it was time to start creating.

I stamped out the Cuckoo Clock images and stamped off using Smoky Slate ink to have a lighter color.  I knew I wanted to do a little no line coloring so with the inks I picked this was the best choice, I tired the other two grays that I picked but I wasn't in love with them.  Once that choice was made I colored everything in with my stampin' blends in my color choices.  I used the matching dies to cut it out.  I used Real Red as an accent color since I had the Real Red Gingham as the dominate background.  I added some matching ribbons and real red rhinestones to add a little bling.  I did heat emboss my sentiment on a little basic black and cut it apart.  The embossing powder is white but it looks more of a vanilla when embossed so that's why I used that.

I hope that this little bi-weekly series will help you as we walk through the process of finding color inspiration each time.  The above graphic is sized to be pinned on your own Pinterest board so please feel free to pin away.  If you need any of the supplies you can pick all the current items up in my online store now and the Holiday item will be available September 4th or you can add it to your $99 starter kit now along with another $143.50 in products until the end of the month when you join my team.

Happy Stampin' 

Rick 

Stampin' Up! Shopping List

Cuckoo For You Photopolymer Stamp Set [149349] $17.00	Cuckoo For You Bundle [151117] $41.25	Gray Granite 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146983] $8.75	Basic Gray 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121044] $8.75
Real Red 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [102482] $8.75	Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [101650] $9.75	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121045] $8.75	Smoky Slate Classic Stampin' Pad [147113] $7.50
Versamark Pad [102283] $9.50	Flirty Flamingo Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [147278] $9.00	Real Red Dark Stampin' Blends [147934] $4.50	Smoky Slate Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [145058] $9.00
Gray Granite Light Stampin’ Blends Marker [149535] $4.50	Cuckoo Clock Dies [149632] $29.00	Embossing Buddy [103083] $6.00	White Stampin' Emboss Powder [109132] $6.00
Heat Tool (Us And Canada) [129053] $30.00	Red Rhinestone Basic Jewels [146924] $7.00	Real Red 3/8" (1 Cm) Cotton Ribbon [146925] $7.00	Gray Granite 1/2" (1.3 Cm) Textured Weave Ribbon [147656] $7.50
Multipurpose Liquid Glue [110755] $4.00	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430] $4.00	Mini Stampin' Dimensionals [144108] $4.00

Host Code and Free Gift:

 AUGUST HOST CODE:  QM9NBQR9

1. Spend any amount (using this month’s host code) and get the August Creative Stampers Tutorial Bundle FREE (This month we are featuring products from the Come Sail Away Suite in the 2019-2020 Annual Catalog)
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Please remember that if you use the host code you can not use that order towards my KCRP’s (Kinmon Crafty Reward Points) that would be double dipping and is not allowed.  For more information on KCRP’s click here.  

You have to ways to get the August Creative Stampers Tutorial Bundle.  1.) Earn it FREE with a qualifying order (see above host code information).  2.) You can purchase it from my Tutorial Store for $20 US by clicking here as a Instant 

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With the Extra Extra Joining Special, you earn 2 times the Extras!  Join my family of Kinsmon Crafters now and earn an extra $30 in FREE items to add to your $99 Starter kit.  That means you can pick out $155 of wonderful Stampin' Up! Products for only $99.  And you get FREE shipping on your starter kit.  Extra #2 You will receive a $10 Coupon Code if you Sign up in July to use in August. If you sign up in August, your will get the Coupon Code to use in September.  Have questions visit my Join my Team Page and my FAQ page for more details.  

Three main reasons to Join!  

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I All Ready Know I Want to Join!  Sign Me UP!

Details:  

Get your name in the Coconut for some free Holiday Products to be given away in September!  Here's how you will earn tokens during June, July, & August!  

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Names will all be put into a hat and drawn live on Tuesday, September 17th at 4 pm CST during my Facebook Live!  

Fine Print: 

*Can not be combined with any other special offer   This is not a promotion ran or endorsed by Stampin' Up! This promotion is solely ran by Rick Adkins Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator This offer is only good for those that live in the United States and prizes can only be won by a US Resident 

3 Tips & Projects for a Fun Dinosaur Themed Birthday Party

Hello and welcome to my blog if this is your first time here welcome if your are a returning visitor welcome back.  There's nothing like having a fun themed birthday party.  Heck I am 40-something and I still love a good themed birthday party.  And, let's just say there are a ton of themes out there that you can pick from.  One of the best parties you can have is a dinosaur themed party!  Everyone loves Dinosaurs no matter their age or sex.  There's something about these creatures that fascinate us; I just watched a new documentary the other night on a new dinosaur that was discovered a few years ago.  This is a theme that's sure to please everyone in attendance even the Birthday Boy or Girl. 

Tip #1: Pick Your Theme and Go All Out! 

One way to have a party that people will talk about for months to come is to pick a theme and go all out with it.  You want your decorations, plates, napkins, party decor, favors, and the every important cake to match.  Today I am going to share with you three tips and projects for a fun Dinosaur themed birthday party that can be changed up for both a boy and a girl.  A great way to do this is Make your own decor it's hard to find things sometimes that match your theme, but when you make it yourself it's a blast for you and the family plus you can customize it to fit your needs.  That's just one of the great things about Stampin' Up! we have products to match all types of themes.  It's just a matter on how you create it.  I know you're probably thinking but I am not crafty that's okay I am here to help you with some project ideas that are super easy to make and want take a lot of your time.

image by Stampin' Up! 

One of the easiest things you can create is the banner.  And you will want to create a few of these and drape them everywhere you can.   You can place banners on the walls, tables just about anywhere you can think of.  Banners add color and ties a theme together. The Dinosaur banner above was created with products from the Dinoroar Suite in the 2019-2020 Stampin' Up! Annual Catalog, and can be found on pages 98-100 or on my website under Shop.  When you go to my online store you will want to click on Suites and look for the Dinoroar Suite it's grouped right there together. 

The Banner was created with a little Whisper White Baker's Twine and the Dinoroar Designer Series Paper and a little cardstock.  You will want to cut the designer series paper to 3" x 12"  strips and then fold in half.  Fold them over the twine and secure with a nice strong adhesive like Tear & Tape.  You can totally dress them up or down, if you are not super good at stamping that's fine just use the designer series paper pennants.  Take to the wall or table and BAM cute decor with no hassle.  If you want to dress it up a little add some solid color 12 x 12 card stock cut to the same dimensions in between each of the designer series paper pennants with a little stamping.  The dinosaur you see in on this banner was stamped and cut out with the matching stamp set and dies and added to the banner with Stampin' Dimensionals for a fun new look.  

Tips #2:  The Invitations Are a Must have and not just by text! 

Invitations are probably one of the most important things for a party.  You have to get people there right.  You can buy these or even better why not make some.  It's super easy to make your cards with some cardstock, ink, and designer series paper.  Here for example is a great little card you could use.  

image by Stampin' Up! 

This is a super easy card to recreate.  It's a piece of Flirty Flamingo Cardstock cut at 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 scored at 4 1/4 and folded in half.  The designer series paper (1" x 5 1/2") along the edge adds just a little texture and a little more color to the cards. The focal image was done with Whisper White cardstock (3" x 4") with the sentiment stamped in Pretty Peacock ink.  The dinosaur was stamped in Pool Party and Lovely Lipstick ink and cut out using the matching die.  He was popped up on Dimensionals and placed above the denim ribbon.   The whisper white layer was then added to a Lovely Lipstick piece of cardstock (3 1/4 x 4 1/4) and popped up on the card base.  To finish off the invite add a simple knot to the ribbon with a smaller piece.  Write your message on the inside and your ready to party.  

Tip #3:  Get Your Table Decor, the Cake & Party Favors all in a Row!

Shop early for the cake and don't wait to the last minute.  Some bakery's have a 48 hour or longer order time.  Ask me how I know!  So that is number one on your list after you pick the theme hunt down that cake!  After you have the cake under hand it's time to start thinking about table decor.  Simple plastic table cloths from the Dollar Store are perfect for a kids party, if you're doing a adult themed party think about more fancy table cloths or runners.  Add a few of the banners around the table with some fake palm leaves.  Bowls of different color candy that matches your the designer series paper make the perfect table scrape.  You can find candy in all types of styles and colors and a bonus is that helps add color to your tables as well.  Add in a few party decor decorations like palm trees and toy dinosaurs and your have the perfect table.   Throw around a few balloons in matching colors and your all set.  

image by Stampin' Up! 

Now for the favors!  These are super easy to create.  You need some mini pizza boxes some cardstock  a little designer series paper ribbon and ink.  You can fill these little boxes with whatever party favor you want.  They are food safe, and can hold a lot.  It was dressed up with a stamped image and a cardstock banner that was cut from some old olive cardstock.  Add a little more of that denim ribbon to tie everything in and you have the perfect little treat for a take home gift.  I have a image here that you can save with the instructions on it. 

I also have a PDF of this project sheet you can download also for free.  Just click here to download the file.  Thanks for dropping by today I hope that you have found this post helpful.  Remember you can purchase all these supplies currently in my online store.  Make sure you like and follow my blog for more content just like this.  I post daily here.

Happy Stampin' 

Rick 

Stampin' Up! Shopping List

Dinoroar Suite Bundle [152194] $75.75	Dino Days Photopolymer Stamp Set [149406] $21.00	Dino Days Bundle [151139] $50.25	Dino Dies [149636] $35.00
Dinoroar Enamel Shapes [149591] $7.00	Dinoroar Designer Series Paper [149589] $11.50	3/8" (1 Cm) Denim Ribbon [149590] $7.00	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100730] $9.75
In Color 2018–2020 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Cardstock [146974] $12.75	Lovely Lipstick 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146970] $8.75	Daffodil Delight 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [119683] $8.75	Flirty Flamingo 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [141416] $8.75
Old Olive 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100702] $8.75	Lovely Lipstick Classic Stampin' Pad [147140] $7.50	Pool Party Classic Stampin' Pad [147107] $7.50	Pretty Peacock Classic Stampin’ Pad [150083] $7.50
Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad [147090] $7.50	Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Pad [147094] $7.50	Whisper White Solid Baker's Twine [124262] $3.50	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430] $4.00
Tear & Tape Adhesive [138995] $7.00	Snail Adhesive [104332] $7.00	Snail Adhesive Refill [104331] $4.50	Whisper White Medium Envelopes [107301] $7.50
Mini Pizza Boxes [144645] $6.00