Who Doesn't Love a Free Stamp Set?

I was lucky enough to make the trip to Orlando for the Stampin' Up! Leadership Conference (I can't believe it was a month - I'll show you more from that later).  One great thing about going to these events is that Stampin' Up! is always so generous with give-aways.  Among other things, we got some free stamp sets, and I have been waiting to start working with them.

Here's a photo of our "loot"

The biggest reason it's taken me a while to use the one I'm going to show you, is that it really is not one I would have selected myself.  Stampin' Up! does a wonderful job of offering a wide selection of stamp sets - enough to meet everyone's style.  Since this set is NOT my style though, I finally decided I needed to step outside of my little box and just use it.  

So here it is.......the set is called Balloon Bash, and it is in the Occasions Catalog (click on image to the right).

The colors I chose coordinated with those in the Specialty Designer Series Paper called Birthday Bash.  The colors are Whisper White, Night of Navy, Mossy Meadow, Bermuda Bay, and Tangelo Twist.  

There are two specialty single-sided papers in the Designer Series Paper pack that have gold embossed images.  Here's a closer look at this one so that you can see them on the balloons. 

These turned out OK - I think they are on the juvenile side, and would be good for kids.  So, while I was on a roll...so to speak, I used another one of the stamps in that set and came up with these.....

I did do a bit of "fussy cutting" with this one, which I usually don't do if I can help it.  This Designer Series Paper is from the same pack, but is double-sided, and has a different print on the opposite side.  I used some of the same colors: Whisper White, Night of Navy & Bermuda Bay.  I added Crushed Curry ink, and Calypso Coral card stock which I embossed with the Chevron Embossing Folder on the last card.  The Baker's Twine is also Calypso Coral, but is sadly retired. 

Now that I've experimented with this set, I can put it up.  I really doubt if I'll use it again, so will either give it away, or sell it when I am able to.  I just never "felt" this set.  Check out the Occasions Catalog, and see if this one grabs you......it could be your style.