I have the most wonderful friends.  Yesterday, my friend Janet sent me this card.  Janet moved to Florida a few years ago, and I really miss her.  She is always fun, and  adds just the right words of wisdom when I need them.  She’s one of those people who just naturally inspires you to try new things.  Janet decided that May is Friendship Month, and I’m adopting that idea.  I realized that I sometimes take my friends for granted, and they’re such precious gifts.  Every one of has taught me something new and adds something special to my life.  And I’m lucky to have friends in all age groups – from 17 to over 80.

Did I mention that Janet made the card she sent me?  It has so many textures and layers, and even sparkle – just enough to give it some magic without being overdone.  Some of the flowers are paper and some are satiny, and there are pearls and glimmery “candy dots.”  It’s just so much fun to look at and to touch.

I had to CASE (copy) Janet’s card, so here’s the one I made.  I kept the same basic color scheme, because it was a good reason to use new In Colors – and because it was such a wonderful combination.  I love Cantaloupe Crisp and Coastal Cabana together.  They make me feel like I’m in the Caribbean.

My flowers are mostly paper except for the clay one at the bottom.  I used the “Pop-Up Posies Designer Kit” from the Stampin’ Up! Spring catalog for the two top ones, and the Fancy Flower punch for the rounder one.

Besides the two new In Colors (the card is Coastal Cabana and the stamped layer and Mother’s Day tag are Crisp Cantaloupe), I also used a few other “sneak peek” items:  a new embossing folder (Modern Mosaic – on the flower pot) and the new Simply Pressed clay and clay molds for the little flower.

You’ll be able to purchase the new products from the 2013-2014 annual catalog beginning May 31.  They can also be part of your new starter kit now, if you decide to join my awesome team of Stampin’ Up! demonstrators.  If you want the Pop-Up Posies kit, though, you need to order now!  It will be retiring May 31 (or while supplies last), so order soon.  The kit has a ton of flowers.  Ok,  maybe not a ton.  The description says, “9 flowers” – but those are 6-layer flowers.  So that’s 54 die cuts in Calypso Coral and Pool Party, and 27 Very Vanilla “mini muffin cups” for even more flowers.  Just think of the bouquet you could make for your mom next weekend.

Happy friendship month!!  Have a wonderful day – and thanks for stopping by Stamping with Buffy!