Open House

Jun 1, 2015 | Cards, Catalogs, Events, Food, Kits, New Products, Open House, Paper Pumpkin | 6 comments

The new 2015-2016 Stampin’ Up! Annual Catalog goes live tomorrow! To celebrate, this weekend I hosted an Open House to feature some of the new products. Everyone in attendance said they had a really fun time. I know I sure did!

THE LAY OUT

The dining table was set up for the Make & Take.

Some of the new papers: Cherry on Top DSP Stack, Envelope Paper, Cotton Paper, and Bohemian DSP. (The double Thanks sign is from a Paper Pumpkin kit.)

This table had a display of Paper Pumpkin kits…

…and Project Life.

Big Shot station display.

The bottom drawer of the Big Shot station was full of kits for sale. There was a box of adhesives for sale as well.

And of course, there was an area where guests could sign up to join the Candy Hearts team.

The Ronald McDonald House Charity stamp set, Sprinkles of Life is a wonderfully versatile – and adorable – stamp set, and $3 from every sale goes to the RMHC. Did you know that Stampin’ Up! has donated over $1,000,000 to the RMHC in the last decade? The coordinating Tree Builder Punch makes it even more versatile.

Here are the 2015-2017 In Colors: Cucumber Crush, Delightful Dijon, Mint Macaron, Tip Top Taupe, and watermelon Wonder. I’m afraid I used all my Tip Top Taupe and Watermelon Wonder 1″ Dotted Lace Trim on the bookmarks (top right.) At the far right, you can just see the prize drawing area. Five prizes were awarded at the end of the Open House, including kits and stamp sets!

THE PEOPLE (Unfortunately I did’t get a photo of everyone who attended, but here are few snapshots.)

My team member (and dear sister) Judy guided the Make & Take. Guests made a cards using Whisper White Notecards & Envelopes, the new You’ve Got This stamp set, Mint Macaron ink pad, black Memento ink pad, and Pearls Basic Jewels.

Here’s Linda working on her order, with the assistance of the handsome Brian King. (I caught him unawares.)

Donica made two cards. She wasn’t happy with the stamping job on the one on the right, so she covered the offending area with a sentiment (from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set) stamped on Mint Macaron card stock, cut with the Modern Label punch, adorned with Pearls Basic Jewels, and attached to the card with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

This is a perfect example of the saying, “it isn’t a mistake; it’s an opportunity to embellish.” I think it looks awesome.

Here are a couple more examples of the Make & Take card, showing how you can use the same simple supplies to make different cards just by changing the placement of the components.

Margie stayed for the Open House and the Paper Pumpkin Party that evening. Here she is relaxing between events with little Winston.

Parker was also on hand to supervise and lobby for rubbies from guests.

THE REFRESHMENTS – the new In Colors were the inspiration.

Thanks to Brian King for photos of the food!

Delightful Dijon Bacon Banana Kabobs (recipe below) were by far the most popular dish of the day.

I didn’t find Mint Macarons, so I got Pistachio, which were a similar color. I also added in some Salted Caramel ones. The items on the left are Coconut Macaroons. (My attempt to show the difference between the two.)

I found a recipe online for Cucumber Mint Watermelon Salad, representing the colors Cucumber Crush, Mint Macaron, and Watermelon Wonder. It was dressed with Balsamic vinegar, sugar, and salt.

Taupe food didn’t sound very appetizing, so instead I made little top hats and filled them with candies. I used Tip Top Taupe and Mint Macaron card stocks, two sizes of Circle Punches, Early Espresso Cotton Ribbon, Mint Macaron ink, the Four Feathers stamp set, and the Feathers Framelits Dies. Multipurpose Liquid Glue holds it all together.

While Cherry Cobbler and Chocolate Chip aren’t new Stampin’ Up! colors, they do make a tasty combination. These are super simple: phyllo cups, cherry pie filling, and mini chocolate chips. Yum!

Assorted nuts and candies.

I printed these labels on 8-1/2″ x 11″ paper, cut them apart, and adhered them to the water bottles. Easy Peasy.

Brightly colored plates, napkins and flatware added to the festive atmosphere. These were the closest to Melon Mambo, Tempting Turquoise, and Daffodil Delight (my blog and logo colors) that I could find.

RECIPE

Delightful Dijon Bacon Banana Kabobs (I made 2-3 times this amount.)

2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice

1 Tbsp. Dijon style mustard

2 large firm-ripe bananas

8 slices lean bacon

In a bowl, whisk together the lemon juice and dijon mustard.

Slice each banana crosswise 1″ pieces.  Add them to the lemon mustard mixture and stir gently to coat.  Let them marinate for 15 minutes, turning them occasionally.

Cook the bacon until cooked but still limp. I prefer to bake it on a jelly roll pan, but you can cook it in a large skillet on the stove. Transfer it to paper towels to drain.  Halve each slice crosswise.

Wrap each piece of banana in a piece of bacon and stick a wooden toothpick through to hold it together.  Broil on the rack of a broiler pan about 4 inches from the heat, turning once, for 6 – 8 minutes, or until the bacon is crisp.

Serves 8 as an hors d’oeuvre.

Thanks for stopping by today, and Sweet Stamping!