Summer Fruit

Don't you just love a juicy orange in the summer? I saw this stamp from the Tart and Tangy stamp set and thought oranges! Then I saw other cards made with this set using the stamp to make lemons and limes and I thought - great idea! See sometimes I just don't think outside the box. So I made an orange, a lime and a pink grapefruit! I used the circle punch to cut out each image and then matted on yo yo yellow squares. The polka dot paper behind the stamps and then a quick happy joyful birthday stamp and all done! A quick cute card perfect for a summer birthday.
It does not have to be complicated or time involved to be handmade and from the heart.
happy stampin'
~melanie

Sneak Peek

Okay, here it is... the first card I made with my new stamp set.! The one that is not even available yet. This is your sneak peak to the new catalog ( coming August 11th!).

Okay, let me tell you a little about this card. I really wanted to use my new stamp set, the new in colors and only SU! stuff.
So.... I used very vanilla cardstock for the card base (standard card size - folded to 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inches). Then I wanted to use the paper from the new Bella Rose Designer Series paper pack, so I cut a piece 3 3/4 x 5 inches to center on the vanilla cardstock.
The ribbon is Regal Rose 5/8 inch grosgrain ribbon.
Then I cut a piece of the new Kiwi Kiss paper in a rectangle. I used my Old Olive pen to make foux stitching in 2 corners.
The stamp is from the Dreams Du Jour stamp set, stamped on vanilla cardstock in Kiwi Kiss ink, then colored with old olive on the leaves and for the flowers I used 2 markers and overlapped them to get the dark pink color I wanted - pink passion and cameo coral.
I matted the stamped image on Pink Pirouette paper and then placed it on the Kiwi Kiss rectangle using dimensionals.
I really had no plan for this card, other than wanting to use only new stuff. I fiddled with it for over a half an hour and then ended up with this. I really do like the end result though, and I hope you do too.
Keep posted for further sneak peeks!
~ melanie

Really cool!!!

I just got my new SU! stuff today! I am so excited, I can't wait to use my new stamp sets. The best part is THEY ARE DIE CUT! All of SU new stamp sets will now be die cut. I literally put 4 stamp sets together in 15 minutes! So cool. Keep posted for pics of new stamp sets! Sneak peeks coming soon....

Retired Accessories

Hi all.
The retired accessories list is now up on SU!'s website. The link is http://www.stampinup.com/us/enu/11276.asp
Get these while you can. They are no longer available after August 11th when the new catalog comes out. Same thing with the retired stamp sets.
I am so excited! My preorder is due to be delivered tomorrow. I had the chance to preorder some of the stamp sets and accessories, as well as paper in the new In Colors! I can't wait to get my hands on these! I am looking forward to getting some stamping done this weekend. Keep posted to see what I come up with!
Check out the link above (only one month left) and I look forward to hearing from you.
~melanie

Trees Three

I really need to get to do some more stamping. This card is an older one, I can't seem to find time to stamp lately! Bad me! We just got back from 4 days of camping, then it is home for 2 days filled with appointments and prior engagements, and then off to the family reunion for the weekend. Monday I start my new job. I am so excited and nervous. I will be not be working weekends so I need to get more stamping in!

The card above was made using a Trees Three set from SU. I used my cuttlebug to emboss the background paper. Even though the paper is green, it reminded me of wind. I wanted to use this cool pink ribbon I had got at Micheal's. I found some polka dotted DP in hot pink too. Originally I would not have thought to put these colors together, but in the end I like the results.

A Little Birdie Told Me

I love this stamp set. It is so cute. It comes with the saying "a little birdie told me..." with the large bird. There is also a smaller bird that faces to the left. Accessory stamps include a flower, umbrella and a birthday hat. Other stamps that are included say "about your good news", "you're under the weather", "it's your birthday" etc. It has so many uses.
For this card, I stamped the image, colored the bird yellow and then used my craft knife to cut the wing and the tail feathers so they are slightly raised up. I used a paper piecing technique for the umbrella. I stamped the image on my white card stock, then I stamped it on the designer paper and cut it out. I overlayed the cut image onto the original! Too cute.
I used my SU scallop punch to make the scalloped circle and then the regular circle punch to make the white center. I also used 3 eyelets in yo-yo yellow for added flair. They matched the circles on the DP.
Thanks for looking!
~melanie