Two Great Deals

In addition to the half-price starter kit announced last week, Stampin' Up! has another great sale starting today.  It's the Online Spectacular and, much like it's name, it is spectacular.

Check out the website for great deals, from 30% to 50% off, which are available until November 30th.  Our favorite?  My Digital Studio, which Kiran and I use to give our blog a facelift each month, is half off!  If you haven't tried MDS, now is the perfect time.  And if you already have MDS, check out the steals on the digital downloads, 20% to 40% off and just right for the holidays.

There are also decor elements, fantastic stamps, and fun embellishments.  Email us if you'd like to place an order.

Happy holiday shopping!
Melanie

Fall Wedding Invite #2

Here's the second fall wedding invitation sample I came up with.  I got my colors from the Autumn Spice Speciality Designer Series Paper, which currently graces our blog header and background--I love using Designer Series Paper (DSP) for new and different color combinations.  I'm doing a similar borrowing for my Christmas cards!

Other than the colors, this is very similar to yesterday's invitation--except for its size.  The invitation I shared yesterday was quite large, but this uses half sheets of paper for each side of the cross over pocket, so the finished product is the same size as my normal card, approximately 4.25 x 5.5 inches.  

I used the same With Gratitude (retired) stamp set for the leaf images, and stamped them in matching colors to the paper (so Old Olive on Old Olive and Early Espresso on Early Espresso) to have a sharp tone on tone look.  With darker colors of paper, I find that stamping tone on tone is more visible than using VersaMark ink.

I wasn't sure how I felt about More Mustard as the background for the invitation text, so I also made an insert with Naturals Ivory.  I think that small change tones down the entire palette, and gives this invitation a more refined look.  And this is very close (but not quite!) to the invitation that the couple choose.  Stay tuned for more!

Cheers!

~Melanie

Stamps: With Gratitude (retired)

Ink: Old Olive, Early Espresso

Paper: Old Olive, Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Naturals Ivory

Fall Wedding Invitation #1

Recently, I've been very busy with wedding invitations, so you can expect to see lots more of these in the coming weeks/months.  I have three samples for a wedding next fall that I'll be sharing first.  The couple is planning to take advantage of all the fall color, and wanted to carry that theme over to their invitations.  I can do that!!

You'll recognize this criss-cross pocket style from Hitty's and Steve's bold and bright summer wedding.  With just a quick change of the colors and stamps, this is ready for fall.  I used Chocolate Chip and Tangerine Tango (which has suddenly replaced Pumpkin Pie for my go-to fall shade of orange) for the folder, and stamped images from With Gratitude (retired) in Cajun Craze.  I'm so glad I got that stamp set!

For the cluster of falling leaves, I used my Big Shot and the Leaves #2 die to cut out Cajun Craze, So Saffron, and Old Olive, then embossed the couples' initials in gold using the Lovely Letters stamp set.  The amphersand is inked in Chocolate Chip, and all the leaves are popped with the dimmensionals for a little extra interest.

The insert card you see, which is where the invitation text will go, is Naturals Ivory mounted on Cajun Craze, and I rounded all the corners with the Corner Rounder Punch.

This is a large format invitation, 5.5 x 8.5 inches, which means that I need full sheets of each Chocolate Chip and Tangerine Tango to make the pocket.  The couple decided they want something smaller...so this invitation is up for grabs.  Are you planning a fall wedding?

Cheers!

~Melanie

Stamps: With Gratitude, Lovely Letters

Ink: Cajun Craze, VersaMark, Chocolate Chip

Paper: Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango, Cajun Craze, Naturals Ivory, So Saffron, Old Olive

Extras: Big Shot, Leaves #2 die, Gold Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, dimmensionals

Red, Green & White Makes Merry & Bright!

Sorry, I can't help myself with the catchy titles!

I didn't know what else to add to this card but the more I looked at it, the more I realized it is perfect exactly for its simplicity.  The statement the real red makes against the whisper white is really nice and the trees do all the talking here.  One thing I encourage you to try is ribbon.  I had some of it but never used it (unless Mel and I were filling someone's card order that requested it).  I think it's just the perfect touch and adds something really classy.  And best of all, it's still easy to mail in a regular envelope because it lays flat.

Hard to believe I still don't have my own top note die and had to borrow Mel's.  Crazy!  That's definitely on my next order.

Happy Stamping!
~Kiran

Ingredients
Stamps: Patterned Pines (retired)
Ink: Garden Green
Paper: Real Red, Whisper White
Extras: Big Shot, Top Note die, Double Slit punch (retired), white ribbon

Holiday Time, On My Mind...

Ok, I cheated that rhyme but you get the idea.  This card is a collaboration of 2 pretty awesome stamps: "the pointsetta wheel" and the 'Seasons Greetings' sentiment from the Many Merry Messages set.  I received these recently and couldn't wait to use them.  I'm sure you can see why!  Isn't this greeting simply beautiful???  The script had me from the first time I laid eyes on it.  Embossed in gold, it's simply elegant.  I tried something different by layering a few shapes from the decorative label punch.  I must say, punches do make card making easy-breezy.  Try layering some of your favorite shapes...even different sizes...and see what fabulous things you come up with.  =)

Happy Stamping!

~Kiran

Ingredients

Stamps: Many Merry Messages

Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Versamark

Paper: Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Confetti White 

Tools: gold embossing powder, heat tool, wheel guide, decorative label punch

Stop the Presses! This is AMAZING!!!

[Note: I've always wanted to say that.  If only I were in journalism!]

Starting today, and going until November 30, Stampin' Up! is offering its most amazing deal ever on the starter kit.  For 15 days, you can sign up at half off, so you'd get all this for only $87.50...

3 wood-mount stamp sets
1 clear-mount stamp set with clear block
1 Stampin' Around wheel with ink cartridge and handle
1 ink refill
2 card stock pack
1 Patterns Designer Series paper stack
4 Classic ink pads
1 VersaMark ink pad
2 Stampin' Write markers
Ribbon
Stampin' Dimmensionals
Stampin' Scrub
Stampin' Mist
Stamping sponge
SNAIL Adhesive
Blender pen
Decor Elements piece with applicator
8 catalogs
Business supplies, forms and tools

If you bought all of that on your own, it would cost you over $300.  And it keeps getting better--when you sign up, you can choose the stamps and inks that you want.  You also have the opportunity to become a demonstrator, but you don't have to sell a thing if you don't want to.  If you love to stamp, but have been worried about the idea of getting started because it would cost so much, this is the perfect deal for you!  It's also perfect if you've been thinking about becoming a demonstrator but were worried about the start up costs!

Either way, email if you'd like to join my team--Kiran and I would love to have more people to share the fun.  Join us!

Cheers,
~Melanie

Snowflakes Get Spoiled w/Aluminum Foil!

Gotta love a good rhyme, huh?  Happy Monday!

It's been one stressful weekend, jam-packed with things to do...namely, moving!  Ahh, the chaos, the stress and finally, the sense of completion when it's all done.  I'm almost there.

Good thing I made this card (and the next few) during our Spooky Saturday Stampin' Celebration over Halloween weekend.  I know it's hard to believe but Thanksgiving is almost here!!!  And that means, the holidays are right around the corner.  I like to get a head start on all things holidays by buying gifts early and getting my cards out early so my friends and family have more time to display them! =)  I hope this post gets you motivated to start your holiday cards.

You've already seen what I am sending out this year (if you missed it, search "Dasher") and though it's a beauty, I had fun playing with some other holiday stamp sets as well.  For this one, I tried to add shimmer with ordinary kitchen aluminum foil.  I think it's a quick & easy way to add some bling (without having to get out the embossing powder heat tool).  What do you think?

Hint: Use heavy duty aluminum foil.  I didn't have any on hand so I used the regular thin foil and it was hard to get the intricate cut-out of the die.  Plus, heavy duty foil is much easier to run the tape runner on (without tearing the snowflake) and much easier to handle when adhering to the card.

Happy Stamping!
~Kiran

Stamp Sets: Northern Hearts, Jolly Bingo Bits, Many Merry Messages
Ink: Pacific Point
Paper: Crumb Cake
Extras: Big Shot, Northern Frost Decorative Strip die, aluminum foil, white ribbon