I’m always surprised how much I love monochrome cards. I love Stampin’ Up! colors and I always want to play with as many as possible, but sometimes it’s nice to pick a color and really give it a feature. That’s what I’m doing today with Calypso Coral.

As soon as I saw the Dry Brushed Metallic Specialty Paper, I LOVED the Soft Seafoam coloring. I had a million ideas for it. But I was less sure about the Coral. This is the project that made me love it! So I sat down one day to plan a project for an upcoming class and decided to feature this gorgeous paper.

I wanted to maximize the number of cards I could get out of a single sheet of the specialty paper, so I cut the pieces at 4″ wide x 5-1/4″ long for a full card front feature of the gold and coral paper. I cut a mat in black at 4-1/8″ x 5-3/8″. The card base is a standard half sheet at 8-1/2″ x 5-1/2″ scored in the middle at 4-1/4″, in Calypso Coral. I also cut 3 layering circles for the feature image, 1 in metallic gold foil at 3″ in diameter, 1 in calypso Coral at 2-1/2″ diameter, and 1 in white at 2-3/8″ diameter. You can alter these measurements to any circles you have available in die cuts or punches, as long as your image fits in the smallest circle. Today I’m using the Warm Welcome stamp set with the stack of presents for a birthday card. I also have a scrap of black card stock 3/8″ wide, a scrap of white 1/3″ wide, and a piece of Calypso Coral DSP 1-1/4″ x 3″.

To start out, stamp your feature image and front greeting in black ink on the white circle and scrap. I colored the wrapping paper using the Calypso Coral Stampin’ Blends, so I stamped with Momento Black ink. If you’re using a water-based marker instead of alchohol-based, then I recommend stamping with Staz-On Jet Black. I cut the banner ends of the greeting by hand, keeping the cuts parallel. And with that, we’re ready to assemble.

Layer the Dry Brush layer centered over the black. Hold off attaching these to the card base. Layer the three circles centered on each other.

Layer the calypso coral print and the black scrap to provide a nice platform for the white greeting strip. Then choose a location for the circles with one edge hanging off the edge. I like it off center like this, I just find it a little more interesting. Once you’re satisfied with your arrangement, go ahead and stick it all down.

Next we’ll trim the circles flush with the edge of the black mat. The easiest way to do this is to flip the card over and use the edge of the black mat as a guide for your scissors. Alternately, you could use a paper trimmer, to cut them, but I find it easier to just trim with scissors. Now we’re ready to attach this card front to the base of the card.

Finally, attach the greeting with dimensionals. If you want, you could add a small bow of twine at the top of the stack of presents, or a few embellishment gems, but I think the Dry Brushed paper can stand on its own.

So, what’s your favorite color to use on a monochrome card?