Medallion Fun

Ah, with my new box of goodies from the 2012-13 Stampin' Up! catalog, the biggest question is what to play with next...because I want to play with everything, of course.  This card marries many new items, and I'm really happy both with how it turned out and all the ideas I have for my next projects.  But most of all, I love all that embossing--heat embossing with color, and textured embossing courtesy of the Big Shot.

I'm also a fan of the many shapes at my disposal--no scissors required.  The bird and branch popped out easily with a punch, and the large flower and banner were oh-so-easy with SU's ever growing collection of Framelits.  Who am I kidding, it's my ever-growing collection of Framelits now!

I'm about to put this card in the mail to Kiran, which brings me to the next part of our BIG NEWS--we're on the move!  Kiran has already relocated to the DC-Metro area, and I'll be packing up my creative corner very soon to head to the New River Valley of VA.  Will you be our new neighbors?  Leave a comment to let us know; we'd love to stamp with you.

Cheers!
~Melanie

Stamps: Language of Friendship, Daydream Medallions, Betsy's Blossoms, Itty Bitty Banners, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: Versamark, Basic Gray, Melon Mambo, Gumball Green
Paper: Pool Party, Basic Gray, Whisper White, Regal Rose, Gumball Green
Extras: Big Shot, Floral Framelits, Chevron embossing folder, Two-Step Bird punch, Bitty Banner Framelits, Circle Scissors Plus, Melon Mambo embossing powder, Many Marvelous Markers

A Friendly Bird

Oh, two-step bird punch, how I love thee!  I was really excited when the new Idea Book & Catalog came out, and it included a stamp set to coordinate with this great punch.  Language of Friendship is the perfect way to take this old favorite to a new level.  I stamped it in Basic Black on Not Quite Navy and again on Garden Green, then punched out my pieces.  TIP: You can do this with the new style punch and still have the punch on the table, which is the easiest way to make them work.  Just flip the punch over--both sides are flat, and it works like a charm.

Since I made this card at the Loft, I was able to take advantage of some supplies that I don't own (yet!) like the great frame my bird is perched in.  The rectangular frame is part of a two-pack of embossing folders (the other is a lovely oval frame) that are in the Idea Book & Catalog--Designer Frames.  I used it with the Big Shot, then sponged over the embossing to make the frame stand out more.

The sentiment is also from Language of Friendship, which makes things easy.  I'm also a fan of its meaning, so this card is ready for the mail.

Cheers!
~Melanie

Stamps: Language of Friendship
Ink: Basic Black, Not Quite Navy, Soft Suede (sponging)
Paper: Crumb Cake, Not Quite Navy, Garden Green
Extras: Big Shot, Designer Frames, Two-Step Bird Punch

Bird Punch Bridal Shower

Melanie helped me with this one.  I was at a stand-still trying to come up with something unique and pretty for another girl friend's bridal shower invites.  One quick call to Mel got my creative juices flowing!  She mentioned the bird punch and I was on my way; checking all my stamping drawers for the perfect edge punch and accents.  Of course, MDS helped me place all the text.

This piece is a what I call a "sandwich" card, a piece of colored card stock sandwiched between two printed pieces with text.  It's a great way to keep an invitation clean, neat and informal!  

Happy Stamping!

~Kiran

Paper: Only Orange (retired), Haiku DSP (retired), Very Vanilla

Extras: 2-Step Bird Punch, Scallop Trim Border Punch