One of the things I like most about the introduction of new In Colors is the chance to play with colour combinations. One of my favourites is pink and grey, in both dark and light shades. So when I saw the new Polished Pink colour in the 2021-2023 InColors it was a combination I definitely wanted to try. It also gave me another opportunity to break out other new products from the Stampin’ Up! 2021/2022 Annual Catalogue.

PAPER PIECES

My project actually began with the Pansy Petals 12″ x 12″ Designer Series Paper (DSP) pack. I’d previously used some of the ‘background’ patterns but today I was after pansies. In the end I chose a sheet of individual floral sprays that were perfect for cutting out.

Using my Paper Snips I fussy-cut one spray with a pink pansy and tall yellow flower. Then I saw another of the same image close to the edge but the yellow flower was partly missing. So instead of wasting it I simply cut out just the pansy head.

For my background I pulled out the Neutrals 6″ x 6″ Designer Series Paper (DSP) Assortment. I chose Basic Gray as my colour and from the four designs in the pack I opted for the plaid.

I also chose Basic Gray as the colour for my card base and used my Paper Trimmer to cut and score some card. Then I folded it along the scored line and sharpened the crease with a Bone Folder.

Turning to the plaid DSP I cut my first piece 2-3/8″ x 6″. Next, using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow), I fixed it to the flap of a Basic White Medium Envelope. Then I trimmed off the excess paper with my Paper Snips, using the edge of the flap as a guide.

My next piece of plaid DSP was cut to 3-1/8″ x 5-1/2″. Then with more liquid glue I attached it to the front of the card base up against the crease.

So now from the original 6″ x 6″ sheet of DSP I had two pieces left, one 1/2″ x 3-1/8″ and 1/2″ x 6″. I set the longer piece aside for a future project and picked up the smaller one. Using liquid glue I fixed the strip near the top of a 4″ x -5-1/4″ piece of Basic White Card. Then I glued the fussy-cut pink pansy head over the top of the grey strip. Once that was done I fixed the completed layer inside the card base.

POLISHED PINK

I just needed a couple more pieces and then I’d be ready to finish putting the card together.

First I wanted to add a bright pop of pink to define the edge of the plaid layer on the front of the card. For this I cut a 1/2″ x 5-1/2″ strip of the new Polished Pink Card. Then I gave it a scalloped edge and stitched detail using the edge die from the Penned Flowers Dies. Once cut, I fixed the strip to the card front with liquid glue.

Then I chose “Happy birthday” from the Pansy Patch Stamp Set and stamped it onto Thick Basic White Card using Polished Pink ink.

Like the scalloped edge, I wanted to have some stitched detail on my sentiment, so I reached for the new Tailor Made Tags Dies. I chose the #2 rounded top tag die (counting from the smallest up) and cut it out with the rounded end on the left. This allowed me to glue the fussy-cut floral spray onto the sentiment piece while hiding the tag hole in the process.

Then to finish I simply used Stampin’ Dimensionals to attach the assembled sentiment to the card front.

Some people may find the new Polished Pink Card a little too bright. But as today’s project shows, it can add a cheerful pop of colour to a neutral background. What do you think?

PRODUCT LIST

BUNDLE BONUS – I bought the Pansy Patch Stamp Set in a bundle with the coordinating Pansy Dies (not used today). I also bought the Penned Flowers Dies in a bundle with the coordinating Hand-Penned Petals Stamp Set (not used today). Buying coordinating products using a single ‘bundle’ item number will save you 10% off the cost of buying the two items separately. For this reason I’ve included links to the bundles in case you want to explore this option further.