Kind & Cozy - 2 color combos to try!

I have fallen in love with the Kind & Cozy Stamp Set from Stampin' Up!  As someone who does quite a bit of canning, I know that this set is going to get a lot of love when the canning season really hits.  Afterall, I can't keep all of those yummy garden goodies just to myself!  Well, I COULD....but I need to share!  But, I also think this set is versatile enough that it does not HAVE to go with anything related to canning.....

Check out today's cards to see why!

This first card was pretty quick and easy.  I challenged myself NOT to use Gingham Garden with the Kind & Cozy set.  While they seem to be a perfect complement of each other...I've been using them too often together.  So I came up with this color combination - Real Red, Gumball Green and Daffodil Delight (so that it doesn't look too Christmas-y)  I used some Natural Composition DSP as a background, but first swiped my Whisper White ink pad over the edges - in a really messy fashion btw!  I used a tissue to remove some of the excess ink, which helped the embossing really show up.

The flower portion was inked up with markers.  Let me share a tip about that!  I find that I get a much better stamped image with markers when I ink it up with my markers, stamp it on scrap paper and then DON'T CLEAN YOUR STAMP.  Ink it up again with your markers, huff on it, like you do when you clean your glasses, then stamp on your cardstock. You may want to do it one more time for a really good, clear image.  I tell you this b/c I really don't like it when I color a stamp with markers and then it's all streaky.  I think this gets me the best results for multiple colors on a stamp.

For my second card, I stuck with the Gingham Garden DSP and color combos.  And the Gingham Garden Washi Tape too!

This one was pretty darn simple to put together.  A layer of Whisper White cardstock that's been embossed with the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder.  Then I stuck on a couple of strips of washi tape.  I used my bone folder to really push it into the cardstock and depress any of the polka dots underneath.  Then a strip of Island Indigo gingham.  Punched a couple of circles from Gingham Garden DSP.  And lastly stamped the circle and coffee cup and also the with love sentiment.  When I did the coffee cup, I inked using two ink pads - Island Indigo for the cup, and if you watch very carefully as you ink, you can avoid the steam lines.  Then I inked the steam lines with Smoky Slate.  Add a little flower punch with a candy dot!  Easy peasy!


Don't forget - I'm giving away hostess rewards for all of you that like to order directly from my website! 
Simply go to my webstore and place an order using this JULY HOSTESS CODE: UTBNM7TV
The hostess code goes at the bottom left corner in your shopping bag.  When you place your order, I'll be notified and will ship you a free goodie bag (July only!!)  But you must use the hostess code!  (unless the order is over $150 and you want to collect the hostess rewards)  Your order will be shipped directly to your door from Stampin' Up!

Here's the other great news:  All of those that order with the hostess code will have their name put into a hat for a drawing for the hostess rewards!  Not only are you getting a free goodie bag, you've got a chance at even more free merchandise!  Yay! FYI - items on the Clearance Rack do qualify as long as that hostess code is put in.  I'll draw our lucky winner on July 29th and will notify you via email.

On top of this - we've got a special to throw in the mix.  We all like specials right?