I went into the wonderful space of peace and calm as I was coloring today’s card this afternoon. I fell in love with the freshness of the garden swing when I first saw it in the catalog: Sitting Here Photopolymer stamp set.

I decided to use as much of the 2016-2018 In Colors as I could for the cushions and flowers so I wouldn’t have to ‘stress’ over accenting colors and it worked quite well.

There was also the cat, who, if I colored him using Pumpkin Pie Classic Ink, could be my Fred.

The non-2016-2018 In Colors are Cajun Craze, Crumb Cake, Tip Top Taupe, Old Olive, Pear Pizzazz and Pumpkin Pie. Ooops, and Soft Sky which I used with an Aqua Painter for creating some sky background.

I did have to fussy cut the cat, two pillows and pot for the plant. TIP: I stamped the pot right on the card front layer (Very Vanilla card stock) but then stamped it again on a piece of scrap paper so I could cut it out and layer the pot on the card. Then I trimmed off the bit that hung out over the edge of the layer. The flowers are colored using the 2016-2018 In Colors plus Watermelon Wonder. Leaves: Pear Pizzazz.
I used the leaves from the Love & Affection photopolymer Stamp Set for the overhanging foliage at the top of the card. TIP: I used Pear Pizzazz classic ink again, this time using it one time ‘full strength’ and a second time without reinking in order to get a lighter tone. (photo above!) I added bits of Clear Wink of Stella to the two pillows.

Another TIP: If you don’t feel that you want to invest in all five new Stampin’ Up! Classic stamp pads (individually at $6.50 each or as a set for $27.50 — saving $5.00), at least purchase the In Color Stampin’ Write Markers. You can color with them on your stamps as well as directly to the paper. Each link on this page will take you directly to my Stampin’ Up! store.