Riot of Petals (redux)

Remember the Riot of Petals I showed you about a year ago? No?

Well, it's back!

Lookie!

Aren't they beautiful? Japanese Irises. And those flowers last a WHOLE DAY!

So, I take photos when I can, because I haven't figured out their schedule!



And a little while ago, I promised to show you the graduation cards I'd made for my niece-in-law (she graduated from U. of Illionois on 5/15) and HER daughter, who graduates from high school this coming weekend.

So, here they are. The first is the one I made for Maggie:

I know she's received it, because she called the other day to thank me for it.

I used the new Textured Impressions (119976 $7.95) embossing folder from the Summer mini as the background.

For the main image, I used the Watercolor Trio set, also from the Summer mini (117050 $ 22.95 - wood mount and 120084 $16.95 - clear mount).

I colored directly on the stamp with my markers to get this effect. I was actually able to spritz it with water and get several more images before having to re-ink it. Great technique!

And that wonderful scallop punch that was featured in the Occasions mini was used for the top and bottom features.

And guess what! IT'S STILL AVAILABLE! Woo hoo! Want it? CALL ME! I'd be happy to order it for you!

And here's the graduation card I made for Kaitlyn. I'm hoping she's already received it, but don't know that for sure.

I used the Elegant Bouquet embossing folder (115964 $7.95) for hers. I do SO love those embossing folders! They add a lot of class to a card and are SO easy to use!

I used my daubers and colored just the flowers, stems, and leaves.

And then I used the Happy Grad single stamp from the summer mini. Item 117006, $8.95

I like what the stamp says - think it's very appropriate for any graduate. "Happy Graduation Make a Difference - Live the Dream - Relish the Adventure - Conquer the Unknown - Make Your Mark - Stand Strong" Great thoughts for someone who is about to embark into the unknown...

Here's another graduation card I made, but don't have anyone in mind to give it to just yet.

Again, I used an embossing folder for the background and added another piece stamped with the Watercolor Trio set and edged it with the Scallop Punch.

For this one, I added a strip of the Melon Mambo polka dot ribbon, as well.

And the "Happy Graduation" is from the Teeny Tiny Wishes set from the big catalog.

I faked the brads on the greeting by coloring it with a black marker and then applying a little Crystal Effects.


The other night all the Kidz were in the kitchen waiting for me to give them their treats. I seldom get a photo where all three are together AND sitting somewhat still, so let me share!

That's Melie on the top step of the step stool, Velvet on the short step stool, and Mudge on the floor.

Melie usually isn't interested in the treats, unfortunately, but this evening he wanted to be front and center!





So, do you have graduations coming up? Why not call and order the single graduation stamp? It's a small investment and could be used many times. You saw one idea I used it for, but I could come up with lots more!

As a matter of fact, I just found out today that one of the barristas at my Starbucks will be graduating from UCSD this weekend, so I'll need to make a masculine version of a graduation card using it as well. I'll try to remember to post it once I've completed it.

And I'm thinking about putting a Starbucks gift card inside it - LOL

Call me for your stampin' needs!

Pinks & Reds

There was a time when it simply was NOT acceptable to put pinks and reds together.

I remember, because when I was in eighth grade I found a very feminine suit that was a hot pink and red paisley pattern, and I'd never seen those two colors together before.

I just fell in love with that suit. I know most of the reason was the color combo - guess I was a rebel even back then!

It was very expensive at the time - but this suit I HAD to have, and so I put it on lay-away, (remember that?) and bought it.

I wore it all through high school and even into college. And then hemlines went back down, the suit was no longer "fashionable", because I couldn't lengthen the hem!

Who knows what might have happened to it. I wish I had it now - I would never fit into it, but I do have such fond memories of that outfit.

I'm so glad that's no longer true that you shouldn't put pinks and reds together, because I love them together - assuming they are the right shades of each one.

Here's what I've been playing with the past couple of evenings...



Real Red, Regal Rose, and Pretty In Pink CSs.

I've used the new Pinking Hearts border punch to make the "ribbon" on the left side of the card, and the Heart and butterfly embosslits to add dimension.

I've also used some of the Sending Love Specialty paper.









I used the same colors of CS for this card, and added Chocolate Chip to the mix.

This time I used the new Extra Large Two Step Bird punch, as well as the Heart embosslit.

I also used the Scallop Border punch on the Choc. Chip CS, then glued another ribbon onto that one. Isn't the punch beatiful?

And did you know? It's available as a Sale-A-Bration gift this year! WOO HOO!









And for this one, I used a different pattern from the Sending Love Specialty paper. It has GLITTER on it!

I am SO not a glitter fan, but this paper is beautiful - and the glitter doesn't seem to come off on my hands and end up on my face or in my eye.

I used all but the largest butterfly from that embosslit, as well as the heart embosslit, and the Window and Modern Label punches. The words are from Teeny Tiny Wishes.




I'm considering these three cards as candidates for a shoebox swap I'll be in at Leadership early next month. Would love some feedback - which one do you like best?

Leave me a comment and tell me what you think!