Congratulations Kerri!

This past weekend, one of the PCT's I work with graduated from Nursing school. I made this card for her from all of us at work.

I had a lot of fun making this card because I used a technique that I had not really done much of before. I watercolored the image. Of course I water colored as a kid, but now am so much more concious of the lines of the image! And of course since this was made especially for someone, I had to get it perfect. (this painted image was #3, numbers 1 and 2 never made it to be mounted!)

I used Wild Wasabi cardstock as a base for this card. The patterned paper is from the Hostess level 1: Prints Pack Designer Series Paper, in Real Red. Using watercolor paper, I stamped the image with a stamp from my Merci set using Stazon Ink in black.

To color the image I used my SU markers in Real Red, Yo Yo Yellow and Garden Green to color in some areas of the image, then I blended using my Aqua painter pens. Once the water had dried, I covered the hearts and the flower using Crystal Effects to add dimension and shine.

I used the Horizontal Slot punch to take a nip out of the side of the card, then 1/4 inch Basic Black grosgrain ribbon and Real Red eyelets for extra bling. Then I mounted the stamped image using Dimensionals.

Of course the card was really completed once everyone had signed it!

I hope she enjoys it!

Babies!

A couple of our freinds just had baby girls. I made these adorable cards. I first saw them on splitcoast stampers, then a tutorial on Lauren Meader's blog: http://laurenm.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/2008/02/05/create-your-own-onesie-card-tutorial-and-important-note-please-read/
You really should check it out, these are so cute and not too difficult to make.
I used white cardstock for my onesie, but have seen in baby blue and pink and patterned paper too, all look adorable. I also used Stampin' Up! Pink Passion paper as well as Pink Passion and Green Galore markers. Images were stamped in basic black. One is a Stampin up image, the other a stamp from Michaels. I used my CM hole punch to punch the legs and neck and then my scallop punch to make the ruffles. The snaps are eyelets set with my cropadile. You can't see from the picture, but above the snaps and on the sleeves the paper is scored to look like a seam.
You really should try this, so adorable.
Drop me a line and let me know how it comes out if you do.
Happy Stampin'
~melanie

Bella Fantastic

Well, It seems to be a while since I have posted. Life just gets very busy some times.

I am a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, however, I do love the "bella" images. www.stampinbella.com These little gals are too adorable. This is a card I made for my friend when she moved to her new apartment. I love it. I used Real Red and Whisper White cardstock from Stampin' Up! Also the 1/4 inch grossgrain black ribbon. The circle paper is from a pack I got at Michaels. The image was stamped and colored with Stampin' Up markers. I just think the gal in the image is too adorable with her kicked up heel, and of course her wine. She just looks like she is celebrating!

~ melanie

Mother's Day!

Well, Mother's Day is almost here. Last weekend my sisters and I got together to make mothers day cards. This is my Mom's card.

I used my new stamp set again: SU! Blooming with Love. Paper in Earth Elements colors: Cameo coral, ruby red and old olive paper, as well as the whisper white. I colored with markers in colors cameo coral, ruby red, old olive and summer sun. The ribbon is 1/4 " white grosgrain.

We actually had our Mother's Day last weekend over at my mom's house. The weekend after Mother's day we will have dinner at my in-laws. This is the card I made for my DMIL.

Use the same stamp set! (LOVE IT) I also used my scallop punch... just got it... so much fun!

A neat trick: used my marker in Lovely lilac to color my white ribbon. You can now make any color ribbon! Paper is SU whisper white, lovely lilac and orchid opulence, as well as random DP. Also a purple random brad for my flower center. On this card, I used a black pencil to shade in my watering can. Experimented with a ripping technique for a little drama. I was not crazy about this card at first, but when it all came together I was really happy.

Have you all made your Mom's cards yet? A little homemade gift of love! :)

Blooming with Love

So, the other night I went to a really fun meeting with my Stampin Up! upline. We made some neat projects and had a good time. Well, I had decided to participate in the team meeting swap. This was my first ever swap. It was a birthday theme and using only Stampin' Up products. I really don't have many birthday stamps, but just got this new stamp set : Blooming with Love and was dying to use it. The color combo came about because I only had enough of real red to make the cards the same for all of the participants. I worked with what I had and came up with this. I thought it turned out well.
Card recipe:

Stamp sets - SU Blooming with love and A little bird told me

Stamp pad- Basic Black

Accessories - Stampin Pastels, Real Red brad, Circle Tab punch, 1/4 inch white grosgrain ribbon

Paper- real red, yoyo yellow, gable green, whisper white

The swap was great because I got these great cards by some really talented ladies. It really got my creative juices flowing and I cannot wait to get into my room and do some more stampin!

Thanks for looking!

PS. On the business side: Great news! Stampin' Up now accepts customer credit cards! Visa, Mastercard or Discover.

Contact me today to book a workshop or place an order: melanie_edwards@verizon.net

Welcome to my blog!

Hi, this is my first time ever blogging. So welcome to my spot. I was trying to be creative with coming up with my blog name, and was getting nowhere. I was thinking Melanie M - something. So I came up with Midnight creations, because that is when most of my work happens. Maybe not midnight, but usually after the kids are in bed!

So, if you do not know me, I am a new Stampin' Up! demonstrator. I love the stamps. I had my first workshop the other day and had so much fun. I was a little nervous and there definately was room for improvement, but I think everyone had a good time. Thank you to all who attended and to Jen for hosting!

I am not new to being crafty. I love to scrapbook, although I am further behind than I would like with it! I also like to sew, although have done little lately, and have made a few quilts. People think I am very creative, but I do get lots of ideas from others and I just enjoy making things and sharing with others.

On the personal side, I am married and have 5 kids - one stepdaughter and 4 biological - 3 girls and a boy. I love to make projects for them and with them. They are all wonderful kids. I am so lucky! I work full time as a registered nurse and love my job. It gets very busy and crazy some times, but I really love the work. I just wish I could work full time and be home with my family full time. Doesn't work that way though.

Well, I hope you enjoy reading my posts and seeing any projects I post. Thanks for reading.

~ melanie