Graphic Birthday

Obviously I'm still having great fun with Engraved Greetings--what a great freebie stamp!  This time, I used my markers to create contrast colors on the stamp image, going with Poppy Parade and Basic Gray.    I used the striped paper from the Designer Series Pack (Hostess Level 1), and turned a piece to create the zig zag through the middle--such a simple way to create a new pattern.

To build my birthday card stock, I also made this card in peacock colors, Garden Green and Concord Crush...just perfect for Kiran, if I still have this card on hand when her birthday rolls around.  The colors aren't true in this photo, but the card definitely pops in person.  To make a double zig zag, I merely cut my contrasting piece of paper in half.

Cheers!
~Melanie

Card 1
Stamps: Engraved Greetings
Ink: Poppy Parade, Basic Gray
Paper: Basic Gray, Whisper White, Designer Series Patterns Pack (Poppy Parade)

Card 2
Stamps: Engraved Greetings
Ink: Garden Green, Concord Crush
Paper: Garden Green, Whisper White, Designer Series Patterns Pack (Concord Crush)

Birthday Revealed

I've been having a great time with the FREE stamp set Engraved Greetings, and today's card is another much needed birthday card for my stash.  It seems that, no matter how many cards I make, I never have birthday cards when I need them!  This is actually a very simple card to make, and I like the burst through look of the sentiment...makes me think of Superman.  Haha!

The colors here are Basic Gray and Poppy Parade, with Whisper White for the background of the sentiment.  I used the Designer Series In Color paper pack, a hostess freebie, for a sharp graphic look that would coordinate with the sentiment's color and style.  I cut the paper into for rectangles of 2" by 2-5/8"and placed them at even intervals on the 4-1/4" by 5-1/2" base.  For the burst of birthday cheer, I merely folded back the middle corners and adhered them with snail.  Easy and fun!

Cheers!
~Melanie

Stamps: Engraved Greetings
Ink: Poppy Parade
Paper: Basic Gray, Designer Series In Color Pack (Poppy Parade)

Inspired by...My Wardrobe

As Kiran knows, I find a new "perfect outfit" every spring, and this spring is no exception.  I have a lovely light orange blouse that I plan to pair with dark slate grey pants--and that's where I got my color inspiration for this lovely spring card.  Light orange is Peach Parfait (one of our fabulous in colors!) and dark slate is obviously Basic Gray.  I just added Pear Pizzazz for the leaves and stem, and I'm all set to spread some warm spring thoughts.

I realized that my Blossom Petals punch and Build a Blossom stamp set had been languishing, and I wanted to put an end to that.  I just love how easy it is to create a perfect perfect card when stamps and punches coordinate!  The card progressed simply from the stamps and punch, with a stem of Pear Pizzazz that I cut freehand with my Paper Snips--a great way to use up scraps!

My sentiment is from the Afterthoughts Level 1 Hostess set, and I used the Basic Gray Marker to ink up just the part of the sentiment that I needed ("so you don't have to share" doesn't work for the flower card--though it might for one with a cupcake!)  My final touch is an Antique Brad for the flower center.  I love these, but they do add a lot of weight and depth to the card, making it better for hand delivery than travel with the USPS.  

Cheers!

~Melanie

Stamps: Build a Blossom, Afterthoughts

Ink: Peach Parfait, Pear Pizzazz, Basic Gray

Paper: Basic Gray, Peach Parfait, Pear Pizzazz

Extras: Blossom Petals punch, Antique Brad, Paper Snips

Birds in a Bush

Every morning this week, I've woken up to the sounds of chirping birds.  That's a good sign that spring is on its way!  In honor of that, and to play along with this week's Stampin' Royalty Challenge #61, I combined Pendant Park and Aviary.

Even though Stampin' Up!'s stamp sets give a full range of options individually, they also are great for mixing and matching.  I hoped that the scale of the Aviary birds would work well with the bush from Pendant Park, and a little masking later, I found out that I was right!  I love how it looks like the birds are sitting in the bush--especially the bright blue one in the middle.  To achieve this look, you have to stamp the top image (in this case, the birds) first, then cover those with post-it notes.  Next, stamp the bottom image (the bush) and then remove the post-it notes to reveal your nicely branch-free birds.

Stampin' Royalty Challenge #61 is a color challenge, requiring Wild Wasabi, Sahara Sand, and Garden Green.  I love Wild Wasabi, and was reminded that Garden Green is a wonderful shade of green.  Sahara Sand, on the other hand, I always have difficulty using.  I like it, but it's not as plain as vanilla or white, and always looks a little gray to me on cards.  What do you think?  I do like this color combination and will definitely have to try it again in different ratios.  The base of this card is Garden Green, as is the bush, and the accents--the layered square and the Dotted Scallop Ribbon border punch--are Wild Wasabi.

The finishing touch is the sentiment, which I pulled from the level 1 hostess set Because I Care.  I stamped it once for each of the little birds, and this card is ready to spread some spring cheer.

Cheers!
~Melanie

Stamps: Pendant Park, Aviary, Because I Care
Ink: Garden Green, Poppy Parade, Pacific Point, Chocolate Chip, Early Espresso
Paper: Garden Green, Wild Wasabi, Sahara Sand
Extras: Dotted Scallop Ribbon border punch

Spring is on its way!

In case you didn't notice, we have a new look for March--click on over from your reader to check it out.  Kiran worked her MDS magic to create this lovely header, using the Summertime Splendor DSP.  The background is a different design from the same DSP, and our springtime mood is inspiring lots of fun projects.  Stay tuned!

Cheers,
~Melanie