For the Newlyweds

It is SO hot and humid here in west central Minnesota that I've been stuck inside most of the weekend. With the heat index up in the 100's, nobody should be outside unless they absolutely have to. Even though I have a lot of yard work to do, I haven't minded being inside as it's given me a chance to play with some of my new stuff!

I mentioned in my last post that I had been the pianist at my nephew Dan's wedding last weekend to his beautiful Sami. The newlyweds have been on their honeymoon this last week in northern Minnesota, and once they get their stuff packed up Sami will be moving out to Montana, where Dan has been living and working as an electrician for the last year. I wanted to send them something in the mail to their place in Montana as a kind of "welcome home," especially for Sami, who will be moving far from where she grew up for the first time in her life.

The colors they chose for their wedding were gray and bright yellow. When I first heard that, I thought "What kind of a color combo is that?" I have to admit it looked very nice, with the girls in their dark gray dresses carrying yellow flowers, and the guys in their gray tuxes with yellow ties. I used those colors in my newlywed card which features a new stamp set, Occasions Alphabet, that I earned for free as part of Sale-A-Bration! I can see myself getting a lot of use out of this set, as the 26 letters of the alphabet are paired with such great little sayings. I also used the oval frame from the new Designer Frames embossing folder set - love those two new mini folders!! I tried to keep it clean and simple, as that is Sami’s style.

Recipe

Stamps: Occasions Alphabet

Paper: Basic Gray textured, Daffodil Delight & Whisper White cardstock

Ink: Basic Gray

Accessories: Big Shot, Designer Frames & Elegant Bouquet embossing folders, 2"x1-3/8" XL oval punch, Basic Rhinestones, Stampin' Dimensionals

I hope this gives Sami a little lift in case she's feeling a little lonely in her new home. Gosh, I have to find out when her birthday is so I can make sure to get her on my list. Come to think of it, I don't think I even have their mailing address yet! Better go and give my sister a call so I can get this in the mail tomorrow. Good night, sleep tight, and sweet dreams!

Watered Melon!

Gosh, it's been a long time since I've been here! The last few weeks have been busy, what with the Independence Day holiday and then my nephew's wedding the following weekend. I was honored to be the pianist at the wedding, so of course that meant a lot of practice time last week. It was a beautiful wedding, and although the temperature was in the 90's and the reception hall wasn't air conditioned, the beverages were cold and the memories priceless!

A lot of experiementation was involved in the making of this card, and it seemed like it took FOREVER to finish. I dyed the Stampin' Up! Organza ribbon by dipping it in a mix of water and Melon Mambo ink refill; that was a lot of trial and error before I was finally satisfied with the result. Then I experimented with using a long length of cardstock punched out with a border punch and clipping it in order to "bend" it around the outer edge of the oval centerpiece. It's not perfect, but I'm rather pleased with how it turned out. I also made myself open up and finally use the Vintage Trinkets that I've been hoarding for a while now!

Recipe

Stamps: Simply Soft (hostess), Petite Pairs

Paper: Basic Gray textured and Whisper White CS, Neutrals Patterns Designer Series paper stack
Ink: VersaMark, Melon Mambo ink refill, Old Olive & Daffodil Delight markers
Accessories: Big Shot, Originals Ovals die, Scallop Trim border punch, 1-1/4" & 1-3/8" circle punches, 1/16" circle handheld punch, Vintage Trinkets, Organza ribbon, Black embossing powder, Neutrals Watercolor Wonder crayons, Aquapainter

I stamped the flower image in VersaMark, sprinkled the embossing powder on and heat set it. I colored the flower petals with the Aquapainter using the dye that I used on the ribbon. I ended up coloring outside the lines, which is why I added the gray "shadows" around the flowers hoping to camoflauge my mistake! (Unfortunately, you can see it if you look close.) The stems and leaves were colored with marker, and there IS Daffodil Delight in the flower stamens (is that what they're called??) Anyway, hope you like my Watered Melon experiment!

It's HERE!!

The new Idea Book & Catalog 2011-2012 is now available! Click on the link on the right to view this beautiful catalog in all its' glory...I'm sure you'll soon be drooling over all the exciting new products and accessories!

 

JOIN THE FUN!!

Stampin' Up's Starter Kit is offered starting today at just $99!! (Valued at $180) If you have ever considered becoming a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, now is the time to begin and start saving! On your very first order of $150 or more (placed within 45 days of sign-up) you will receive a 30% discount. After that, your discount is always 20% and you get to order during premiere periods ahead of customer availability.

Here is what the Starter Kit Contains: (You MAY substitute a similar item of equal or lesser value)

1. Easy Events Clear-Mount Set - *NEW* (123225)
2. Pennant Parade Wood-Mount Set - *NEW* (122740)
3. Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad - (102277)
4. Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Pad - (105216)
5. Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad - (103133)
6. Basic Black Classic Stampin' Pad - (101179)
7. Brights 8-1/2 x 11" Assorted Card Stock (119706)
8. Whisper White Note Cards (Qty. 20) - (107311)
9. Just Add Cake Designer Series Paper - *NEW* (124339)
10. Chocolate Chip 1/2" Scallop Dots Ribbon - *NEW* (124142)
11. Blender Pen (Qty. 1) - (122129)
12. Clear-Mount Block C - (118486)
13. Snail Adhesive - (104332)

You also receive business supplies including: Getting Started DVD & Guide, Guest Invitation Postcards, 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog (Qty. 8), Stampin' Up! vinyl logo, Decor Elements applicator and MORE!

 

Plus, join in July and get a FREE Christmas Keepsake project kit--a $40 value! Imagine an afternoon spent chatting with friends while creating something beautiful--isn't that what Stampin' Up! is all about? But act now because this special kit is only available as part of this limited-time offer. As an added bonus, first-time demonstrators can get two free months of Demonstrator Business Web Services (DBWS) when they sign up during their first 21 days as a demonstrator. Subscribing to DBWS means having your own online store, blog, hostess portal, and much more!

Join Stampin' Up! in July and get brand-new products, including an exclusive project kit--all for just $99! Download the starter paperwork now!  Click here to go to my Stampin' Up! website and get started by clicking the "Join The Fun" tab at the top of the page!