JOLLY WORDS AND RETRO LOOKS - A STAMP HAPPY HOLIDAYS POST

Hi Stampers!

Welcome to the first Stamp Happy Holidays post for 2023! Every Tuesday from now through 19 December I will post ideas for Christmas cards, gift tags, and packaging. As I am a Stampin’ Up!®️ Demonstrator, I will be using current Stampin’ Up products, however the projects can be created using similar items you have in your stash.

Today’s cards are made using  the JOLLY WORDS stamp set. This stamp set is featured in the STAMPIN’ UP!®️ SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2023 MINI CATALOG (formerly the Holiday Catalog).

When I saw the JOLLY WORDS stamp set the first thing that popped into my head was “retro.” The images reminded me of images found on greeting cards from the 1950’s. So, today’s cards reflect that retro look. What does that mean? It means I used color combinations similar to those found on cards of the era. Let’s take a look at the cards:

VIDEO CARDS

JOLLY WORDS STAMP SET

When I saw the images in this stamp set they just screamed 1950’s to me. Of course the ‘50’s, like all decades, carried over trends and styles from the previous decade that over time were tweaked, reimagined, and sometimes abandoned for newer ideas more in line with the experiences of the time. For example during the 40’s World War II touched every family in the United Stated (and the world) in one way or the other. Many card companies designed cards specifically meant to send to soldiers. By the 50’s the war was in the past, but the “space age” was on the horizon. Card designers began designing cards featuring Santa in a spaceship, rocket, or airplane.

Color schemes also change from one decade to the next, although the traditional combination of green and red has remained a staple. Taking a look at retro cards from the 50’s it is easy to see the progression of how color schemes from the 40’s carried over to the 50’s for a couple of years. The cards from the early 50’s featured traditional images drawn in a realistic or near realistic manner and traditional red and green color themes accompanied with deep rich colors. As time passed cards continued to feature traditional images, but they might more resemble a sketch than a realistic image. Pastel (similar to Pool Party) or muted colors (similar to Old Olive) were added to the Christmas color palette. Reds and greens still reigned supreme, but began to have competition. As the latter part of the 50’s approached the pastel and muted colors gave way to brighter versions. (Think Coastal Cabana and Lemon Lime Twist.) 

50’s RETRO COLOR COMBINATIONS RESOURCES

Where did I find this information? I read a lot of articles on line, and looked at hundreds of samples of retro Christmas cards. If you would like to peruse some retro cards here are a few places to begin your search:

*Pinterest - I simply searched “1950’s Christmas Cards”

* Google (or any search engine) - “1950’s Christmas Color Palette”

* spoonflower.com - search “1950’s Christmas” - lots of fabric and wallpaper samples with great ideas for color schemes

* retrochritmascardfactory.com - The Retro Christmas Card Factory is a great resource for color combos

VIDEO

JOLLY WORDS WITH A RETRO LOOK

JOY CARD VERSION I

During the 50’s turquoise and other blue / green hues became popular. I used Coastal Cabana for a card base, and used Pool Party for the letters J and Y. I stamped the image in Pool Party and fussy cut the letters. They are attached to the card with dimensionals. I added a pop of Real Red to mat the focal image, and colored in the image using various reds, greens, and a bit of Pool Party (dark). I added stripes and dots to the shirts for a little something extra. A sample card on page 33 of the Mini Catalog served as inspiration for my card.

SUPPLIES FOR THIS CARD

* Jolly Words & Berry Cute stamp sets

* Card base - Coastal Cabana cardstock cut at 8 1/2” x 5 1/2” scored and folded at 4 1/4

* Mat - Real Red cardstock

* Focal Panel - Basic White cardstock

* Scrap of Basic White cardstock to stamp image in Pool Party

* Inks - Memento Tuxedo Black and Pool Party; Stampin’ Blends - Real Red (light & dark), Pool Party (light & dark), Daffodil Delight (light & dark), Soft Sea Foam (light & dark), Old Olive (light & dark), Mossy Meadow (light), Natural Tones (Light 1000)

* Dies - Nested Essential Dies - Rounded Corner Rectangle - largest die 

* Corner rounder punch (optional - the one I used is retired)

* Adhesive Backed Glitter Sequins - White (5)

* Adhesive and dimentionals

JOY CARD VERSION II

For this version of the card I used a twist on the turquoise and pink color combo. I chose more muted colors (the card base is Lost Lagoon) and added the brighter Flirty Flamingo for contrast. I also changed the orientation of the card from portrait to landscape.

SUPPLIES FOR THIS CARD (measurement are the same as the card above as are the stamp sets, die and the punch)

* Card base - Lost Lagoon cardstock

* Mat - Flirty Flamingo cardstock

* Focal panel - Basic White cardstock 

* Scrap of Basic White cardstock to stamp image in Flirty Flamingo

* Inks - Memento Tuxedo Black and Flirty Flamingo; Stampin’ Blends - Lost Lagoon (light), Pool Party (light & dark), Lemon Lolly (light & dark), Flirty Flamingo (light), Old Olive (light & dark), Natural Tones (Light 1000)

* Adhesive and dimensionals

SANTA & SLEIGH CARD I

For this card I paired muted colors with pastels and a pop of red. I added the silver foil frame to symbolize the “modern / space age” feel of the mid-late 50’s.

SUPPLIES FOR THIS CARD

* Jolly Words & Berry Cute stamp sets

* Card base - Lost Lagoon cardstock cut at 5 1/2 x 4 1/4

* Focal panel - Basic White cardstock cut at 5 1/4” x 8” scored and folded at 4”

* Silver Foil for frame

* Window Sheet

* Inks - Memento Tuxedo Black, Lost Lagoon, Pool Party; Stampin’ Blends - Lost Lagoon (light & dark), Poppy Parade (light), Lemon Lolly (dark), Pecan Pie (light), Ivory

* Blending Brush

* Dies - Nested Essentials Dies 

* Festive Pearls - green (5)

* Adhesive

SANTA & SLEIGH CARD II

SUPPLIES FOR THIS CARD (measurements, dies, focal panel cardstock, and stamp sets are the same as the card above)

* Card base - Old Olive

* Inks - Memento Tuxedo Black, Old Olive, Pool Party; Stampin’ Blends - Old Olive (light & dark), Pecan Pie (light), Ivory, Shaded Spruce (light), Lost Lagoon (light), Real Read (light & dark)

* Blending Brushes 

* Adhesive Backed Speckled Dots - Mossy Meadow (5)

‘TIS THE SEASON CARD I

For this card I chose a traditional red and green color combination. The embossed background (hash marks) reminds me of patterns found on fabrics and kitchen table tops or counters from the 50’s.

SUPPLIES FOR THIS CARD

* Jolly Words stamp set

* Card base - Poppy Parade 8 1/2” x 5 1/2” scored and folded at 4 1/4”

* Mat - Basic White cardstock cut at 5 1/4” x 4” and embossed with embossing folder

* Mat for focal panel - Shaded Spruce cardstock - die cut 

* Focal Panel - Basic White cardstock - die cut

* Inks - Shaded Spruce; Stampin’ Blends- Poppy Parade (dark), Lemon Lime Twist (light), Smoky Slate (light)

* Deckled Circles Dies - 3 1/2” diameter and 2 3/4” diameter

* Iridescent Adhesive Backed Dots - Poppy Parade (3)

* Basics 3-D Embossing Folders - hash marks design

* Adhesive and dimensionals

‘TIS THE SEASON CARD II

For this version of the card I used a more pastel color scheme - Pool Party with just a touch of Bubble Bath. 

SUPPLIES FOR THIS CARD (all the measurements are the same as for the card above as are the dies and Basic White pieces)

* Card base - Pool Party

Inks - Memento Tuxedo Black; Stampin’ I Blends - Pool Party (dark), Bubble Bath (dark), Smoky Slate (light)

* Glossy Dots - Pool Party (3)

VIDEO CARDS

‘TIS THE SEASON CARD

* Card base and focal panel mat cardstock is  Lemon Lime Twist

* Inks - Memento Tuxedo Black; Stampin’ Blends - Lemon Lime Twist (dark), Flirty Flamingo (dark), Lemon Lolly (dark)

* 2022-2024 In Color Pearls - Parakeet Party (3)

JOY CARD

* Card base - Soft Sea Foam 

* Focal panel mat - Sweet Sorbet cardstock

* Inks - Memento Tuxedo Black, Sweet Sorbet; Stampin’ Blends - Soft Sea Foam (light & dark), Sweet Sorbet (light & dark), Pool Party (light), Lemon Lolly (dark), Old Olive (light) Natural Tones (Light 1000)

* Festive Pearls - Cherry Cobbler (3)

SANTA & SLEIGH CARD 

* Card base - Garden Green

* Frame - Smokey Slate

* Inks - Real Red, Memento Tuxedo Black, Pool Party; Stampin’ Blends - Ivory, Pecan Pie (light), Real Red (light & dark), Mossy Meadow (light & dark), Daffodil Delight (dark)

* Blooming Pearls - Garden Green (3)

That’s all for today. Thank you for stopping by. Until next time…

Stamp Happy!

Kim

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