Don't Miss It!

It's been awfully quiet around here again--that's what too many weddings will do to you!  Last weekend was my best friend's wedding in Maine (road trip!), and then I got back and was working on top-secret projects for Kiran's bridal shower yesterday.  Hence the silence.  But I can report that both events were wonderful, and I'll be sharing some of the shower projects this coming week.

But first, a few updates on the retiring stamp set list.  Every year I hold my breath when the list is announced, worried about which favorite I'll need to remove from my active collection.  At first glance, I was a happy camper this year--I thought I was going to keep all of my favorites.  But no such luck.  Just this week, Stampin' Up! announced that For the Bride will no longer be available after June 30th.  I really like this stamp set, and Kiran loooooves it, as you might have guessed.  And I have borrowed it from her many time to make some fantastic cards and invitations like those pictured here.  

Kiran's shower invite was a success; all of the guests loved it.  It definitely set the tone for this fun event, and could not have been done without For the Bride.  So if you've been thinking about this set, my advice is ORDER IT TODAY!!!  I once didn't buy a set that I really liked before it retired, and it took me forever to find it elsewhere...I won't be making that mistake again, and I don't want you to either.

Check in tomorrow for my favorite set from the retiring list.  

Cheers!

~Melanie

Paisley Bridal Shower for Kiran

If you've learned one thing about Kiran by now, it's that she LOVES her paisleys!  Her decor radiates between paisleys and peacocks, and is quite a thing to behold--just beautiful.  So when it came time to make her shower invitations, there was only one place for me to go--For the Bride.  Kiran has been saving this stamp set and planning its deployment long before her lucky groom popped the question, and I was both excited and nervous to finally make her vision a reality.

The good news is that Kiran LOVES the invitations, so I did something right.  I went with a color combination of Cherry Cobbler and Very Vanilla because Hindu brides wear red on their wedding day.  I used my trusty Big Shot and the Framed Tulips Embossing Folder to create the textured edge.  I stamped the "paisley bride" (Kiran's name for the stamp set) on Very Vanilla with the matching Cherry Cobbler ink, and added the invitation sentiment in Early Espresso.

The back has all the details for the shower...and there is loads of fun in store for Kiran at the end of June.  I hope she's ready!

Cheers!
~Melanie

Stamps: For the Bride
Ink: Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler
Paper: Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler
Extras: Big Shot, Framed Tulips embossing folder

Wedding Cake Surprise

With all the weddings this year, it makes sense that I also need to make some cards to give to the happy couples!  First up is my cousin, who ties the knot today with her high school sweetheart.  Their wedding colors are a bright blue and a bright green, so I immediately went to Pacific Point and Wild Wasabi for this card.

I'm using some favorites here.  First up, this cake is from For The Bride which I embossed with Wild Wasabi embossing powder.  That's right, colored embossing powder!  That's your second sneak peek from the Summer Mini, and I love it.  Check out the extra shine and texture it gives to the card.

I can't wait to show it to you in person--book your parties now!

Cheers!
~Melanie

Stamps: For The Bride
Ink: Basic Black, VersaMark
Paper: Pacific Point, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White
Extras: Wild Wasabi embossing powder, Embossing Buddy, Heat Tool, Scallop Edge punch, Basic Rhinestones, Corner Rounder punch

Paisley Bride

I have been in love with this stamp set since the moment I laid eyes on it...and that was a while ago.  The thing is, once I received it (as a birthday gift; thanks Jennifer!) it took me forever to finally use it.  With a much needed & not-so-gentle budge by Mel, I sat down with the For The Bride set, my Big Shot, my heat embosser and got crackin'.  Good thing I also had some weddings coming up.  These cards not only look nice but they feel nice too!  Here's what I came up with.  Enjoy!

Happy Stamping!

~Kiran

Stamps: For The Bride, Pendant Park

Ink: Basic Black, VersaMark

Paper: Going Grey, Cameo Coral (retired), Whisper White, Brilliant Blue (retired), Cherry Cobbler, Basic Black

Extras: white embossing powder, corner rounder punch, heat tool, Big Shot, Elegant Wallpaper embossing folder

Thank You from the Bride

Ah, summer.  The season of sun, beaches, and WEDDINGS!  So far, I'm dodging the wedding bullet this summer, but next summer is a very different story.  Three of my best friends got engaged IN THE SAME WEEK (um, what were they drinking?) and so I know I've got quite a few celebrations in store for me.

I got to visit one of these brides-to-be a few weeks ago, and we found the dress.  You know the one--it's perfect in every way, makes all your friends gasp, and even inspires a woman walking into the room to spontaneous tears.  I kid you not; it is that one.  Too bad you only get to wear it once; a little everyday glamor of that sort could be nice.

On the other hand, the dress on this card can be used over and over again.  How perfect!  The bride asked me to make some cards for her to send to her bridesmaids, thanking them for joining her in all the planning and festivities, and this is what I came up with.  Her wedding colors are cornflower and sunflower, which I converted to Marina Mist and Daffodil Delight.  I'll wait until I hear back from her to know for sure, but I think these colors are PERFECT for what she has in mind. 

It's also a very simple card.  I borrowed For the Bride from Kiran, who keeps this set in her perfect paisley stash.  You can't find it in the current catalog, but it is still available!  Get in touch if you'd like to have one of your very own.  The sentiment, in my favorite script, is from Thank You Kindly, and I used the Stamp-a-majig for perfect placement.  The final touches came from the Scallop Edge punch and the Corner Rounder.  I hope these cards will bring a smile and some excitement both to the bride and her wedding party.

Cheers!
~Melanie

Stamps: For the Bride, Thank You Kindly
Ink: Marina Mist, Basic Black
Paper: Marina Mist, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White
Extras: Scallop Edge Punch, Corner Rounder Punch, Stamp-a-majig