Congrats Newlyweds x 2!

This was such a fun card to make, and to tell the truth, I made another totally different style using the same color scheme, but forgot to snap a pic before I sealed it in the envelope. D'oh! The two cards were for my cousin's two younger daughters who got married last month in a double wedding. (They are 2/3 of a set of triplets, the other third being their brother.)  Their colors were coral and navy, so I incorporated them into the cards.

Anyhoo, I know it was an amazing wedding. Their father is bravely battling cancer and I wish I could have made the trip to watch him walk down the aisle with a daughter on each arm, but it wasn't possible.  Well, I was there in spirit, anyway. I hope they like their congratulation cards!

In the first stamping step, the blossoms were inked with Calypso Coral and stamped off once on scratch paper before stamping on the Whisper White. The second (overlay) stamp was inked with C.C. without stamping off. Same technique for the Pear Pizzazz leaves. I used a mask on the flower and leaves when I stamped the En Français (after stamping off twice). One blossom was fussy-cut and popped up on dimensionals.

Stamps: Stippled Blossoms, Sweet Essentials, En Français
Cardstock: Night of Navy, Calypso Coral, Whisper White
Ink: Calypso Coral, Pear Pizzazz, Night of Navy
Accessories: Big Shot, Framed Tulips folder, Pearls Basic Jewels, Stampin' Dimensionals

Stampin' Up Retiring Colors Blog Hop

Never let it be said that we stampers don't work best under pressure!  Stampin' Up! announced their color update on Thursday, and by Thursday night the Stampin' Addicts were planning this hop to showcase the retiring colors. Everyone chose a different color as their main focus, but there will be some mixing and matching, and the last stop even uses all eleven!  You can see the twelve stops HERE. They are all linked to each other, so just click the links at the bottom of each post to make the full circuit. Everybody should be linked by noon Eastern (9:00 AM Pacific).  If you started at the beginning, then you've arrived from Adriana's blog, Escape2Stamp.  She made Certainly Celery sing, didn't she?

My color choice is Baja Breeze. I am so sorry to see this color is leaving the line up, because it coordinates so well with other colors, it's practically a neutral!

For my first card, I paired Baja Breeze with its dynamic duo on the Color Coach, Not Quite Navy (which happens to be Paula's color). There's even another retiring color in there - Certainly Celery, which you just saw on Adriana's blog! This is a "mailable" card, because the bling doesn't stick up too much, so no need for extra postage!

STAMPS: Stippled Blossoms, Feel Goods, Distressed Dots  CARDSTOCK: Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy, Whisper White  INK: Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy,Certainly Celery, Wild Wasabi  ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Ovals Framelits, Rhinestones Basic Jewels, Stampin' Dimensionals

For my second card, the Color Coach suggested another retiring color, More Mustard.  I wasn't too sure about that combination at first, but stamping, then stamping off twice really made a nice faded effect and toned down the More Mustard (which is Holly's color). Pairing it with some Basic Black really makes the card pop!  The ribbon is Whisper White Taffeta, sponged with More Mustard.

STAMPS: Secret Garden, Delightful Dozen, Everything Eleanor  CARDSTOCK: Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Basic Black, Twiptterpated DSP  INK: Baja Breeze, More Mustard, Basic Black  ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Secret Garden Framelits, Whisper White 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Stampin' Sponges, Pearls Basic Jewels, Stampin' Dimensionals, Glue Dots

Well, there you have it.......bye-bye Baja Breeze *sniff!*.  Since Stampin' Up! is offering free shipping through Monday, we wanted you to see the colors that are going away. If you can't live without them, you still have time to order and get free shipping! Note: the discountinued colors (including cardstock, ink pads, markers, etc. are available while supplies last. Once they're sold out, that's it!

Next stop on the hop is Jennifer Timko at Stampin' on the Fly. She's going to show you how much you really need Riding Hood Red!

This hop was brought to you by the fabulous folks at Stampin' Addicts, a friendly community of stampers addicted to all things Stampin' Up! The people are friendly, membership is free, and the inspiration in the gallery is amazing. Be sure to check it out soon!