Scrapping Black & White Photos ~ Color Dare #684

 For our end of the year Color Dare Challenge we give you two challenges both starting today and running through until Jan. 2nd. Since it's such a busy time of year this gives us a bit of a break but still lets you escape to the craft room for some needed peace, quiet and crafting time!

Color Dare #684 is all about using Pastel colors. Don't let any Bold colors sneak into your project! The Bold colors belong on Color Dare #683! We do let you use some Free colors: black, white, neutrals and metallics. But that's it....Pastels and the Free colors!

Wednesday I started this post about scrapping black and white photos. I showed the left page then and promised the right page for the challenge going live today. The first photo shows you the full double layout with a total of 4 photos. The design I created keeps it fairly simple with the pink accenting the black, gray and white of the photos. 

Let's scroll down and take a closer look at the right page.

I had 3 photos to finish this layout. Two are vertical and one horizontal. I played them out in different ways and ultimately decided to go with a collage style look . I trimmed off the extra parts that detracted from the photos, put a bit of adhesive on the back to tack them in place then got busy adding the floral accents I had left over from the left page.

Since there are 3 photos on this page I kept the flowers in smaller clusters and only placed them in 3 spots. This kept the theme of three going and you can still see the triangle in the relationship of the photos and ht flower clusters. That creates a nice balance look your eyes love. 

I did a small journal strip for this page and blended the color around the outside edges like on the la=eft page.  Click here to read more about how I made the left page.

Right side page 

Left side page

Close-up of flower cluster

Direct link to Color Dare #684

Have fun with our Pastell Color Challenge! We can't wait to see how you're inspired by this palette!

Michelle Loncar

Independent Stampin' Up® Demonstrator 

Images© Stampin' Up

#showandtellwithmichelle #colordarechallenge #colordare #colorchallenge #scrapbooking

Simple Strips Card

Hello, how are you doing today? Feel like using up some of the many scraps that seem to accumulate overnight? There are many ways to use those paper strips left when trimming papers and this is just one of the ways. It's one I saw inspired by Dawn Griffith and couldn't wait to try it myself. I did put a bit of my own spin on it as I was crafting.

First, pick out 3 pieces of DSP for your card front. My strips are 3/4" x 4.1/4". The gold layer for each is 7/8" x 4-3/8". The sentiment layers are a bit larger: 3/4" x 3-3/4" and 1" x 4".

The background was embossed then lightly colored with a blending brush and ink. The sentiment layer is also colored with the blending brush.

A ribbon was added to the sentiment layer before popping it up on Stampin' Dimensionals.  Some gems were added to bring in a bit more sparkle. 

So now I have used at least 3 of the scraps I've kept for just such an occasion! Change out the sentiment and this can brr down for any occasion!

Go ahead and play with your scraps and see what you come up with! I bet you'll be surprised AND have fun at the same time.

Michelle Loncar

Independent Stampin' Up® Demonstrator 

Images©Stampin' Up

#showandtellwithmichelle #cardmaking #usingscraps #embossing

What's Up Wednesday ~ Scrapping Black & White Photos

Today I want to share with you how to use Black & White photos in scrapbooking. Since there are no additional colors to use for inspiration you can go in a lot of directions with color. For this layout I decided to use pink to accent the photo for two reasons: I like how pink looks with black and gray tones and I needed a project using pastel colors for a Color Dare Challenge going live on Friday. Some other colors to go with black and white could be red, blue, yellow or even just stay with a black and white theme!

Before I even sat down I envisioned this photo with a half circle of flowers on one side. the base is a piece of 12" x 12" Two Tone Pretty in Pink cardstock. I used the lighter side to create a contrast with the ink.

The stamped and die cut flowers are in two sizes from the Petals of Beauty Bundle using  the same Pretty in Pink but on the darker side of the cardstock. I also die cut some Vellum leaves to tuck around the flowers. I love how Vellum is such a great supporting actor in a design. Some of the flowers are popped up on Dimensionals and all the flowers have a pretty, sparkly Rhinestone in the center.

I used a Mini Alphabet die to cut a title which fit perfectly along the right edge of the 5" x 7" photo. My journalling was printed on Pretty in Pink cardstock.

After all of this the layout still looked plain and unfinished. There was so much pink space! I thought about stamping some flowers around the out area but I thought that would look to busy and take your eye away from the focal point...the photo. As you can see I ultimately decided to shade around the outside with a blending brush, this time using Flirty Flamingo ink as there wasn't enough contrast using the Pretty in Pink ink. By shading around the outside of the page it created a vignette effect where there is a shadowed perimeter going into a brighter center. It naturally draws your eye to the center!

The quality of the photo isn't the greatest since it's so old, but sometimes you have to work with what you have. The important part is getting the photo in a scrapbook so it can be enjoyed and passed on to future generations.

Right now I'm working on the right page for this double layout. Come back Friday to see the completed double layout and how I scrapped 3 black & white photos for page 2.

Close-up of a flower cluster

Thanks for dropping in for What's Up Wednesday!

Michelle Loncar

Independent Stmapin' Up® Demonstrator 

Images© Stampin' Up

#showandtellwithmichelle #whatsupwednesday #scrapbboking #blackandwhitephotos

Joy Card

How are you today? I'm in spending some time in my craft room so that makes it a good day! I'm sure you can relate. 

today I'm sharing a fun technique that is easy to do and looks great when finished. I stated by doing a wash of color on Watercolor paper. First I painted some water on the Watercolor Paper to make it wet. Kind of a soupy wet if you want the colors to flow. Next I put a drop of each color from a re-inker onto an acrylic block. Using the water brush again, I picked up a bit of the ink and painted it across the wet paper. I kept doing this until I had the blend I wanted then set it aside to dry. You can also dry it with a heat tool.

When dry, I die cut the letters saving the die cuts for another project. I just wanted the piece with the letters cut out for this card.  I stamped some small snowflakes around the word JOY and added some gems to make it sparkle. 

I trimmed the paper down to size (4" x 5.25") and backed the cut out section with some pretty shimmer paper. The card base is a side fold and a color that compliments the water wash. 

This is a design that will work for all kinds of occasions! The only restriction would be the length of the word you want to die cut. 

Thanks for stopping by! come back often for more ideas and inspiration. 

Michelle Loncar

Independent Stampin' Up® Demonstrator 

Images©Stampin' Up

#showandtellwithmichelle #watercolor #cardmaking 

January Card Retreat

Stampin' Up is hosting a two day Card Retreat January 22 - 23, 2026. During this retreat you'll make 15 cards while learning new techniques and ways to use products!  

Each day will have a session from 3:00pm - 10:00pm CT. OR you can watch a replay at your convenience!

You'll get 3 stamp sets (1 is exclusive to the retreat), die sets, pattern papers, die cut sheets, cardstock and envelopes. 

This is a NO FEE Retreat but you do need to buy the kit ($165) to participate and have access to the videos and replays. 

More info is available on my website. Kits are available while supplies last. Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity! I've already signed up!

Tiny Flower Card ~ Color Dare #682

 Welcome to Color Dare! Each Friday we give you a combo of colors to use for any paper craft you like. This week you need to use both colors shown in our graphic PLUS only ONE color of your choice. There are Free colors we also give you to use if you like. See the graphic for the Free colors. NOTE: your color of choice should not be one of the Free colors.

I went with a CAS look (clean and simple) for my card. Using some products coming in January I'm giving you a sneak peek. What a fun couple of sets to work with and show off to you.

The tiny flower comes from the Pop-Up Petals Bundle and has a feature that allows you to create a pop-up feature that creates a 3-D effect. I didn't use that here but will for sure very soon! But, don't forget about the smaller images in a set. They need a chance to be the star, too! To call attention to the tiny flower I painted it with some Wink of Stella. It's hard to see in the photo but trust me, it's there.

The frame and die cut flowers come from what is a very versatile bundle: Swirled Designs. Sine I was using the tiny flower I wanted to frame it with one of the funky frames. Fun, right?!! There ways you can use your products the more economical they become!

I die cut the frame twice using blue and white CS. I saved the center of white to stamp the flower so it would be raised up in the frame. The die cut flowers were glued around the frame and adorned with a rhinestone center. Quick, easy and cute!

Direct link to Color Dare #682

I hope you enjoyed this sneak peek at some new products coming our way. It's going to be a fun New Year for crafting!

Michelle Loncar

Independent Stampin' UP® Demonstrator 

Images©Stampin' Up

#showandtellwithmichelle #cardmaking #pop-uppetalsbundle #swirleddesignsbundle #colordare #colorchallenge

True Blue Florals ~ December Product of the Month

Have you seen these beautiful blue floral papers yet? The True Blue Florals pack is our December Product of the Month and can be yours for only $5 with a $75 min order. 

This is a new program we're starting this month. Each month there will be a new and exclusive product available with a min order. It will be a surprise each month and I know it will be something we ALL want to add to our stash!

Get out your Wish List. Get out your Christmas Gift List. Place an order for yourself and the crafters on your list. Then add this pretty True Blue Florals pack, too! There are NEW Online Exclusives and the Last Chance Sale has been updated. Be sure to check it all out!

Don't wait too long though. It's available while supplies last!

Michelle Loncar

Independent Stampin' Up® Demonstrator 

Images© Stampin' Up

#showandtellwithmichelle #productdofthemonth #specials