Bazaar Birthday

Happy Friday!  I hope you're excited for the weekend, and that maybe you'll fit in a little stamping fun. I hope to!

The inspiration for this card came from a sample on Stampin' Connection, a site for demonstrators to share ideas, questions, tips and--of course--their creations.  This constant font of inspiration is one of many perks of being a demonstrator, even if you're only in it for a discount on your hobby--let me know if you're interested.  The original was made by Maree Streeter of Inky Moose using Betsy's Blossoms and the Floral District DSP.  Of course, since I'm on an International Bazaar kick, I altered the stamps, colors and paper to fit my project.

The medallion in the back is from Daydream Medallions, and I think I could even have used the larger medallion to give it that happy, sunshine feel.  My paper strips, which are the PERFECT way to use up scraps, are .75x1.5 inches, and I just played around with where to lay them.  I think this is a great, fun and cheery birthday card and I think I'll return to this layout often.

And finally, some BLOG CANDY to celebrate 10,000 visitors and thank you for sticking around, even through our long hiatus.  Leave a comment on this post with your favorite card from our blog, and we'll enter your name in a drawing for all 3 of this week's cards, plus a few extra fun things.  We'll accept entries through next Friday, June 29, and announce the winner on July 2. Good luck!

Happy, happy Friday!
~Melanie

Stamps: Daydream Medallions, Curly Cute
Ink: Daffodil Delight
Paper: Whisper White, Lucky Limeade, International Bazaar DSP

Variations on a Theme

Recognize this card?  You might; it's based on the same layout that I used for my celebrate any day card last week...but with all different colors, papers, and stamps.  I just loved this layout, and think I could use it for any number of cards to feature Stampin' Up!'s fantastic designer series paper...which I always love, even when the designs don't cater to my love of the geometric.

One of the great things about designer series paper (or DSP for short) is that each pack features a different selection of colors which you know will coordinate perfectly.  So you can look at any pack of DSP in the catalog (pages 183-186 of the Idea Book & Catalog), see what colors it features, and have new color combinations for your own creativity.  Normally, I wouldn't pair Bravo Burgundy, Not Quite Navy, and Tangerine Tango, but since Paisley Petals uses these colors, I knew I would have a winner.

Again, I used my Circle Scissors Plus to cut out the two circles, one of DSP and one of Bravo Burgundy cardstock.  My sentiment is from Curly Cute--I'm a huge fan of that font--and its inked in Basic Black.  The card base is Naturals White, so you can easily read what you write on the inside, and this is ready to go in the mail.  Yay!

Oh, were you checking in for today's bingo piece?  It's the snowman.  Good luck!

Happy Holidays,
~Melanie

Stamps: Curly Cute
Ink: Basic Black
Paper: Naturals White, Not Quite Navy, Tangerine Tango, Bravo Burgundy, Paisley Petals DSP
Extras: Circle Scissors Plus

Balancing Elephants

Yesterday was my sister's birthday (HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACKIE!) and she should have gotten this bright and cheery card in the mail.  Jackie is a big fan of elephants, so I just had to use the great Big Top Birthday DSP, which has this elephant balancing on a ball.  I wasn't a huge fan of the clown next to the elephant--I thought that might make the card a little too young--so I used my paper snips to cut out the elephant.  He's ready for a solo show.  :)

The patterned pieces are also from Big Top Birthday.  I really love the bright colors and fun patterns.  I lined them up on a Peach Parfait base, and my finishing touch is the Curly Cute sentiment.  I hope this makes you smile as much as it does me!

Cheers!
~Melanie

Stamps: Curly Cute
Ink: Basic Black
Paper: Peach Parfait, Big Top Birthday DSP
Extras: Paper Snips

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

More Birthday Mojo

Sometimes it's better to go simpler, and that was exactly what I did with this take on Mojo Monday 194. I actually started with the same layout that inspired yesterday's card, but when I got part way through, I realized that I didn't want to cover up the contrasting circles, so I saved myself lots of steps and paper.  I'm really happy with the result, which I think I could easily mass produce to address my current lack of birthday cards.

Each strip is 1" by 4" long, and I used the 1" circle punch.  The colors are Marina Mist and Perfect Plum, and my finishing touch is the sentiment from Curly Cute, inked in Marina Mist.  So quick and easy!

Cheers!
~Melanie

Stamps: Curly Cute
Ink: Marina Mist
Paper: Whisper White, Marina Mist, Perfect Plum
Extras: 1" Circle punch

Summer Mini Sneak Peek

Finally, I make good on my promises!  Here is my first sneak peek from the Summer Mini, which goes live this coming Sunday, May 1st.  May 1 is always a great day in my book, and this just makes it even better.

I received my sneak peek goodies two weeks ago, but hadn't had any time to play with them.  Then I saw a fantastic card on Angela McKay's blog that inspired me to get started.  Of course, hours passed between the time I saw her card (on my morning commute) and when I made my own version (late in the evening), so this isn't an exact replica, but I like it anyway.

The sneak peek is a new punch--and you know how I love punches!  This one is extra spectacular, since it is a 3-in-1 punch that cut all of the shapes you see on the card.  That's right, the flower outline, the solid flowers (2 sizes!) and the petaled flowers all came from a single punch.  All these shapes offer great options for layering, but also work wonderfully for the embedded technique seen here, that uses the Big Shot and Square Lattice embossing folder.

The other elements of this card are also new to me, though they've been available for quite a while.  The banner shape for my message is from the Petal Cone die in the Occasions Mini (did you catch that on page 15?) and the fantastic "happy birthday" comes from Curly Cute, a set I've wished for ever since the Idea Book and Catalog was released last summer.  So glad I finally ordered it--I'm going to get lots of use out of this great set!

So that's your first sneak peek, but there are plenty more great treats in store.  Stay tuned!

Cheers!
~Melanie

Stamps: Curly Cute
Ink: Basic Black
Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Tangerine Tango, Old Olive, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White
Extras: Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch, Big Shot, Petal Cone die, Square Lattice embossing folder