New and Exciting!!

Sorry I don't have a picture for you--but I do have a few new links!  I just started my own demonstrator web site, where you can shop online whenever you want (go on, do it now, I won't mind!), and you can also see a schedule of my upcoming classes and events.  It's going to take me a few days to get everything up and running--especially since Kiran's wedding is this weekend--and I'd be happy to hear suggestions from you.

If you've been wondering about My Digital Studio, you can now order the program and the add-ons you'd like directly through my store.  Once you try it, trust me, you won't be able to go back.  Let me know what your favorites are.

Lots more to share soon!  In the meantime, bookmark mkstampaway.stampinup.net

Cheers!
~Melanie

Weekend Wrap-up

Thanks to everyone who came out to my open house yesterday--it was so much fun to stamp with you!  For those of you who couldn't make it, this is the card that everyone made and took home, a variation on last week's theme that uses a different stamp from Delicate Doilies, and the ever useful Thank You Kindly.

Everyone who came also got to take home a little present from one of these cute boxes, which I made with the Petal Cone die and my trusty Big Shot.  A little extra scoring and cutting, and you have a lovely take out box instead of a cone that is just the right size for a gift.  Directions and a video how-to for this box are on Dawn Olchefske's blog here.

Do you recognize any of these pieces?  I decorated a number of these boxes with left-overs from earlier projects.  Always save your scraps!  The buttons on the purple box are from this card, and that turtle on the third box is from my Fox and Friends faze of February 2010!  You never know when your bits and pieces will come in handy--since I had so many of these things already on hand, decorating the boxes was a snap, and there was a design for every style.

More excitement coming this week.  Stay tuned!
Cheers!
~Melanie

Card ingredients:
Stamps: Delicate Doilies, Thank You Kindly
Ink: Wisteria Wonder, Melon Mambo
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Whisper White, Wisteria Wonder, Melon Mambo
Extras: Lace Ribbon punch

Open House Tomorrow!

Just a final reminder that my Open House is tomorrow from 2 to 5 PM.  I'm very busy today, making cute little boxes for the party favors.  Everyone will get something free and fun to take home.  What will be in your box?

Cheers!
~Melanie

Friendly Flower

I just love this card made by Nancy Riley, and finally had time to make a version of my own.  Like Nancy, I used a background of Basic Gray, embossed with the Vintage Wallpaper folder in the Big Shot.  I kept Nancy's layout, but changed her Melon Mambo petals to the new In Color Calypso Coral.  My leaves are Pear Pizazz, and my finishing touch was an Antique Brad for the flower center.

Teeny Tiny Wishes provided my friendly greeting, and the banner is from the Petal Cone die.  I look forward to sharing this card--and petal cone projects--with you at my Open House this Sunday.  Stop by between 2 and 5 for some fun.

Cheers!
~Melanie

Stamps: Build a Blossom, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: Calypso Coral, Pear Pizazz
Paper: Basic Gray, Whisper White, Calypso Coral, Pear Pizazz
Extras: Blossom Builder punch, Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, Big Shot, Petal Cone die

Fabulous Doilies

As promised, here's my second card using FTL149.  So different from yesterday's card, but so much the same!  For this card, I switched to the Flirtatious Speciality DSP, so my colors became the cheery Wisteria Wonder, Pretty in Pink, and Melon Mambo.

My main image is from the Delicate Doilies stamp set, inked in Melon Mambo, with a sentiment I created myself using the stamps in Fabulous Phrases.  I used the brand new Lace Ribbon punch, though most of it is covered by the main piece.  I love this card, and can't wait to share it with you at my open house this coming Sunday, from 2 to 5 PM.  Be sure to stop by and make one of your own!

Cheers!
~Melanie

Stamps: Delicate Doilies, Fabulous Phrases
Ink: Melon Mambo, Basic Black
Paper: Wisteria Wonder, Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White
Extras: Lace Border punch

Plant Some Hope

Happy Monday everyone!  I hope you had a wonderful weekend.  I had a great time meeting so many new people at the yard sale, and look forward to seeing some of you again at my Open House this coming Sunday (2-5 PM).  Please stop by!  You'll get to see the projects I'm sharing this week in person, plus many more, and make some cards of your own to take home.  Plus I always have tasty treats to share, and what's not to love about that?

I am in love with FTL149 over at Clean and Simple Stamping.  This is the first of two cards I whipped up with this great layout yesterday--this one is great for a guy, and you'll see tomorrow that my other version is much more frilly and feminine.  Plant Hope is the star of this card, and I inked the bonsai tree in Old Olive.  My sentiment--a natural for Earth Day--is also from this great stamp set, and I used Not Quite Navy.

My color combination is from Paisley Petals DSP, which I used for the banner down the center of the card.  I added River Rock and Bravo Burgundy to round out my colors, and my finishing touch was a punched burgundy scallop trim border.

It's going to be a great week!  Stay tuned.
Cheers,
~Melanie

Stamps: Plant Hope
Ink: Old Olive, Not Quite Navy
Paper: Whisper White, Not Quite Navy, River Rock, Bravo Burgundy, Paisley Petals DSP
Extras: Scallop Trim Border punch

Yard Sale Tomorrow, Open House Next Sunday

Well, it's been a busy week, and I haven't done nearly as much as I had hoped.  I have been following all the exciting announcements from Convention though (it's happening now--wish I were there!), and I am more enthusiastic about Stampin' Up! than ever!  They've made a lot of big changes in the past year, and they're all great.

Look for more about that right here on Monday, when I start sharing my own changes and new goals with you.  In the meantime, I'd love to see you tomorrow if you're free--I'll be selling my retired stamp sets, paper, inks, etc. at a community yard sale.  The prices don't get any better than this, and it's a great way to get started on your own hobby--or pick up some new sets for cheap. 

Stampin' Up! Yard Sale

Time: 9:00 AM-1:00 PM

Location: Walk a Crooked Mile Books

Intersection of Gowen Ave. and Devon St. in Philadelphia, PA

Because of the yard sale, I've rescheduled my Open House for next Sunday, July 24th, from 2:00 to 5:00 PM.  This way I'll have time to bake, and I know you'll like that in addition to all the great stamps and projects I have to share.  Hope to see you at both.

Cheers!
~Melanie

Mojo Happiness

Have you seen the Flirtatious Speciality Paper?  I opened my pack last night, and I absolutely love it!  The patterns are beautiful, and the colors are just great together.  I had a difficult time choosing which patterns to use on this card...and I'm ready to make more with this paper!  I used the Mojo Monday Sketch #198 for my layout, and I'm really happy with how well it showcases this fantastic paper.  I'm pushing this to the top of the must-have list for the Idea Book and Catalog; don't you agree?

That strip of light purple is the new in-color Wisteria Wonder, which helps address our current lack of purples.  Of course, that might just be my impression, because I love purples!  The stamp is from the great summer mini set Happy Greetings, and I foresee using this set for just because cards as well as wedding or anniversary.  It's so versatile!  And my finishing touch was punched using the new Lace Border punch--another new fave--then snipped with my Paper Snips.  I used a small Filigree brad to hold it on to the card, and this is ready to go in the mail.

Cheers!
~Melanie

Stamps: Happy Greetings
Ink: Wisteria Wonder
Paper: Melon Mambo, Wisteria Wonder, Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Flirtatious Specialty
Extras: Lace Border punch, Filigree brad

Simple Fall Thank You

Both yesterday's card and today's are designs for the fall wedding I've been working on--this is my last project, which means I have room to take on new things.  Are you planning a special event that you'd like invitations, favors, or stationery for?  Contact me now; I'd be happy to design something just for you!

I suspected that the couple would choose this card, since it has the monograms and die cut leaves that also were on their invitations and will be on their favors...and I was right!  Though I must admit, I'm still partial to yesterday's Trendy Trees thank you.

Cheers!
~Melanie

Stamps: Monogram Sweet, Thank You Kindly
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Cajun Craze
Paper: Naturals Ivory, Chocolate Chip, Cajun Craze
Extras: Big Shot, Leaves #2 die, Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder

The Open House is Coming...Are You?

No matter how many times I've used it, I still love Trendy Trees.  I've paired it here with Curly Cute for a quick and easy thank you card...though really, those trees can say anything you want them to!

On to the exciting stuff--next Sunday, July 17th, I'll be hosting an open house from 2 to 5 PM.  Come on over to check out the new catalog, make some cards, enjoy tasty treats and win door prizes.  It will be lots of fun, and I'm looking forward to seeing you.

Cheers!
~Melanie

Stamps: Trendy Trees, Curly Cute
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Cajun Craze, Pumpkin Pie, Riding Hood Red
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Riding Hood Red, Naturals Ivory
Extras: Corner Rounder punch

New Look for July

I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend!  Kiran and I got together to do some special stamping for her upcoming wedding, but mum's the word on that.  She'll be sharing pictures of her great and unique touches AFTER everyone gets theirs in the mail.

In the meantime, I've updated our blog with our new look for July.  It's all thanks to MDS.  Did you see the new options for MDS in the 2011-12 IBC?  Some stamp sets and DSP are already available for purchase.  I can't wait to see what's at the top of your list.

Check back tomorrow for news on our open house in Philly, and my first project for the new IBC year.

Cheers!
~Melanie

Today's the Day!

The new Idea Book and Catalog is here!  I won't say much, but I can't wait to hear what you think.  So check it out, leave a comment with your must-have stamp set, and look for more news and excitement--including our new look for July--tomorrow.

Cheers!
~Melanie & Kiran