Something Blue for the Monkey...

Last weekend I had some quality playtime with my new goodies from the upcoming Annual catalogue.  I have to say first off that the new ink pads are THE BOMB!!!  They provide perfect coverage with just a couple of light taps.  I kept finding myself wanting to use the new In-Colours on all my projects just so I could use the new pads!  When I went back to my old pads after using the new ones, it seemed like SO much work to get my stamps to ink!  I am most definitely going to be buying a new set of pads...what a difference!  Now to figure out what to do with my old ones!  The only caveat with the new pads is that they require a light touch...push too hard and you'll end up with nasty halos around all of your images.  My first few tries with it were a disaster, but once I got the feel for it I was in love!  Now for the first card I made with one of the new pads...

Thank you card for Monkey107 featuring the Day of Gratitude and Itty Bitty Banners stamp sets.

Inside detail with image from the new Forever With You stamp set.

Like that blue?  It is the new Midnight Muse, one of five new In-Colours for 2012-2014.  It is a deep, rich shade of blue that falls nicely between Night Navy and Not Quite Navy.  It also works rather well with the current In-Colous Pool Party and Island Indigo.  I've actually used both of those blues on this card...the top square is Pool Party and the middle one is Island Indigo.  The DSP is from the new Comfort Cafe pack...very warm and homespun patterns and colours.  This one will be very popular for fall.  The layout for this card is from this week's sketch challenge over at A La Card Monkey.  It has been ages since I've had time to play along, so it was fun to do so with my new goodies!