Having all 50 of Stampin’ Up!’s colours in inks and card is a big part of my crafting enjoyment. I’m often asked which colours someone should get and I generally respond with “my favourites may not be your favourites, so get what YOU like”. However what I do suggest is to start your colour journey by picking a few colours you like. Then as you’re making things you’ll find yourself wishing you had x colour, so then make a note to add that to your next order, and so on.

LAYERS OF COLOUR

Even though I have 50 colours I still have favourites, of all the blues in the range I’m constantly drawn to Starry Sky. It’s really rich and it was one of four colours I used to create the striking background for today’s project.

I began with a 2″ x 5-1/2″ piece of Thick Basic White Card and a Blending Brush. First I brushed a layer of Tahitian Tide ink over the whole piece. Then over the top I added a layer of Orchid Oasis ink, this is a purple with blue undertones which I thought would work well for a sky. Two down, two to go.

Now it was time for the main colour, Starry Sky. This time I really went to town adding several layers of this vivid blue over the whole piece, making it even darker away from the centre. Finally I went around the edges with Night of Navy ink. This dark border really made the brighter centre stand out in a way a piece of coloured card simply couldn’t.

With the inking complete I then flicked some clean water onto the surface. As the water dried it revealed tiny lighter spots like stars in a night sky.

Finally I punched a slot at one end of the strip using the Very Best Trio Punch, then set it aside to dry overnight.

GREATEST JOURNEY

The following morning once I was sure that all the layers of ink were completely dry I was able to add a sentiment. So from the Greatest Journey Stamp Set I chose “You belong among the stars” and stamped it using VersaMark ink. Then I sprinkled the sticky ink with white powder from the Basics Embossing Powders pack. After tapping off the excess, I removed a few stray specks then melted the rest using my Heat Tool set on 2 (high).

To finish I cut two 6″ pieces of white twine from the Baker’s Twine Essentials Pack, along with two 6″ pieces of Starry Sky 1/8″ Metallic Woven Ribbon. After threading the four pieces through the punched slot I tied them together in a simple knot and my project was finally complete.

I have to say I’m always amazed how simply layering ink onto card can create such a striking background. What’s more that white embossed sentiment really stands out without hiding too much. What do you think?

Even though I said to start with a few colours I bet many of you still have long wish-lists. So with our crafting budgets being squeezed I wanted to mention that you can save at least 20% on every order simply by joining Stampin’ Up! Right now you can choose from three amazing offers…

• Option 1: The exclusive Boho Blue Mini Cut & Emboss Machine ($86 CAD value) AND your choice of $225 CAD* of Stampin’ Up! products for only $175 CAD.
• Option 2: The original white Mini Cut & Emboss Machine ($86 CAD value) AND your choice of $225 CAD* of Stampin’ Up! products for only $175 CAD.
• Option 3: Your choice of $225 CAD* of Stampin’ Up! products for only $135 CAD.

*that’s $60 CAD more in Stampin’ Up! products than their normal joining offer! PLUS your kit will be shipped for FREE.

There really couldn’t be a better time for you to join my Crafty Canadians team. For more information contact me, or check out my Join Stampin’ Up! page. Just be aware this promotion expires on February 28th, 2023.

PRODUCT LIST

BUNDLE BONUS – I bought the Greatest Journey Stamp Set in a bundle with the coordinating Greatest Journey Dies (not used today). Ordering the two together using the single ‘bundle’ item number meant I saved 10% off the cost of buying them separately. I’ve included a link to the bundle so you can explore this option if you wish.