Give My Digital Studio a Spin!

Digital Scrapbooking Day is coming--who knew, right?  But I think it's a great idea to set some time aside for all those digital photos.  I know I'm ready to transfer a lot of them into gorgeous scrapbook pages, or maybe even holiday cards with My Digital Studio.  And this is where it gets exciting!!  In honor of Digital Scrapbooking Day, Stampin' Up! will be offering four free downloads for My Digital Studio--you can use these with Stampin' Up!'s exclusive and fabulous digital scrapbooking program OR download them as files that can be used with another program you might already own.  It's a great way to check out what My Digital Studio offers, especially if you've been wondering about the program.  As you know, Kiran and I LOVE it!!

We also love our Big Shots--and great news about the special offer to get a free Big Shot when signing up as a demonstrator--Stampin' Up! has extended this offer through November 11.  Don't miss out!  Just click the "shop now" link on the sidebar to go to my Demonstrator Business Website, and you sign up instantly.  For $175 you'll get a full kit of stamping supplies (over $300 worth) plus a free Big Shot.  There's no requirement to sell, so you can be a hobby demonstrator or just try it out for this great deal.  Email me if you have questions; I'd love to hear from you!

Happy Halloween!
~Melanie

Beach Wedding Thank Yous...

There's nothing better than a matching set of stationary...especially for a wedding.  And, there's nothing more challenging that keeping with the same color palette and style but coming up with something different.  These TY cards were a great way for Jennifer & Phil (now Mr.&Mrs.) to thank their guests.  They are simple, classic and understated...all things that were their beautiful beach-front wedding and all things that are the couple.  =)

Stamps:

A Beachy Invite...

What I love most about these invites is the unique use of "beachy" colors. Cameo Coral (retired), Old Olive, and Basic Grey (retired) all combine so beautifully in this card. Jennifer, the bride, did such a good (and very thorough) job researching unique color combinations that weren't "typical." Don't you think? The SU Color Coach certainly came in handy here! This palette remind me of seashells, seaweed and sand. Jennifer also opted for the square shape...though they cost a little more to ship...they certainly stand out! We added a subtle textural element with the clear heat embossed peony (after two-step stamping it) which shimmered ever so slightly in the light and also gave guests something smooth to touch. The multiple layers, the belly band and the 1/8" border all add the elegance of this invite. They were the perfect introduction to a perfect beach wedding...Enjoy!

Stamps: Pretty Peony, Baroque Motifs, Lovely Letters (retired)
Ink: Cameo Coral, Old Olive, Basic Black
Paper: Cameo Coral (retired), Old Olive, Basic Grey (retired), Very Vanilla
Extras: curly label punch, clear embossing powder, heat embossing tool, 

Welcome Baby with the Big Shot

For a friend's baby shower, I recently made my first pennant banner--and I see why everyone loves them so much!  This project was simple, really fun, and I was beyond pleased with the results.  I used my trusty Big Shot and the Perfect Pennants die to cut out the ten flags with coordinating medallions.  I then used the Timeless Type Sizzlets to cut out the letters for the "Hello Baby" message.  TIP: For easy glueing, adhere Adhesive Sheets to the back of your paper before running it through the big shot--then just peel your letters away from the backing, because they're instant stickers with some serious sticking power!

I wanted the banner to be something that could be useful after the shower too, so I decided to decorate the back side as well.  For this, I used the medallions I'd already cut out and my favorite animal stamps from Fox and Friends.  I stamped on Whisper White, then popped out the circles with my 2" circle punch and they fit perfectly on the medallions.  The parents-to-be really liked the banner, and plan to hang it in their nursery.

Stringing the pennants was also really easy--I used my Crop-o-dile to punch small holes in the top corners of each flag.  The Crop-o-dile was great for this, because I could set my depth and have even placement.  Then I strung the flags on a piece of retired ribbon from Masterpiece Originals and tied two knots to space out the middle.  Done, and super cute.

SPECIAL OFFER:  If you sign up to be a demonstrator before the end of October, you'll get a Big Shot for free!!!  I am a huge fan of my big shot, and of being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator--and I'd love to tell you more.  Feel free to email me, or follow the "shop now" link to my business website, where you can sign up directly.  Don't miss out on this great deal!! 

Cheers!
~Melanie

Stamps: Fox and Friends
Ink: Basic Gray, Not Quite Navy, Chocolate Chip, More Mustard, Cajun Craze
Paper: So Saffron, Pool Party, Blushing Bride, Green Galore (retired), Lovely Lilac (retired), Basic Gray
Extras: Big Shot, Perfect Pennants die, 2" Circle punch, Adhesive Sheets, Crop-o-Dile, Masterpiece Originals ribbon (retired)

Sharp and Soft: Doily Save the Dates

It sounds like a contradiction, doesn't it?  But that's exactly how I'd describe the look of these save the date cards for Arpita and Viral.  Kiran is making these beauties for the happy couple, and they couldn't be happier with the first impression these cards are going to give for their wedding.

The card is Whisper White mounted on a piece of Basic Black that has been edged with a non-SU punch that keeps the doily idea going.   The main feature is both simple and stunning: Hello, Doily stamped with VersaMark and embossed in Basic Black.  TIP: Don't forget to use your Embossing Buddy before embossing! Otherwise the white card stock might have black speckles.

Cheers!
~Melanie

Stamps: Hello, Doily,
Ink: VersaMark
Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White
Extras: Basic Black embossing powder, non-SU border punch

Welcome!

Hi to all you new readers who are popping over from Style Me Pretty.  Wasn't Jenn and Phil's wedding just fantastic?  Kiran and I were really excited to share in their happiness and help build the excitement for their big day.  

To quickly find further samples of our wedding designs, which we create specifically in consultation with happy couples, just click here or browse through the labels above.  We'd love to hear from you, so drop us a line!

Cheers!

~Melanie and Kiran