Have you ever wondered where certain expressions, sayings and adages come from? Well, "we use them everyday, but how often do we stop to think about where they come from?". I came across an assortment of these little tidbits, actually a whole 52 weeks worth. I've decided to share one with you each week for the next year. All this is meant to be is 'fun reading' and I do hope you find these as interesting and informative as I have. Note: excerpts taken from UP INC. 2009 Calendar - About the publication: Designed and written by Up Inc. Printed by Flash Reproductions, an FSC-certified printer.
Expressions Exposed
WEEK #23 (Sun. May 31-Sat. June 6/09) - Honeymoon
"Why is the post-wedding voyage, or time period, called a honeymoon? A European tradition was for a new father-in-law to give mead--a beer-like drink made from fermented honey--to his new son-in-law. How much mead? Enough to fuel him (and her) for the entire first month of marriage. This, after all, was believed to make him virile and his wife fertile. If not tipsy. And because of the lunar-based calendar that ruled the day, this period was referred to as "honey month" or honey moon."
Until Next time,
The only orange one has 2009 on it with the number 30 to represent this years birthday. How I did it ... I thought, and I thought, and I thought ... then it came to me. I thought, could I print on tissue paper? So I tried and guess what ... it worked! After I printed everything out onto tissue paper I cut each one out and then used Modge Podge to stick the tissue paper on. Some of them are a little more noticeable than others but, I think you really have to take a very close look and also be a PERFECTIONIST to notice! LOL.
For the golf ball on the card, I printed out his name, year and number on white card stock and then stamped the golf ball image over it. I then used a VersaMarker and coloured over the whole golf ball, added clear emboss powder and then heat set and punched it out with a circle punch. I basically did the same thing for the golf tee. The grass is from another CDS set called 
Here's one final photo of everything together ...
All in all he LOVED this gift and was touched by the effort that went into this and that in itself is enough for me. Making gifts that friends and family truly appreciate is such a wonderful feeling! Hope you all enjoyed and thank you so much for stopping by!
So what do you think? I love this ... the colours work so well with the garden she created with Charlie ... and 
Okay so first off if you are wondering what the background is made of or what kind of paper it is, let me explain. I love going over to 
The stamp set that I used from 
I stamped the butterfly twice onto sturdy white card stock (from 
So when I finished with my shaving cream technique and took a closer look at the design I was stunned by the effect I got. Can you tell me what you think this looks like? If you don't know ... I'll tell you what I think it so closely resembles ... a stem with leaves! I was just amazed at how cool it looks so I made sure that I would not cover up this part! 
This last photo to share with you is a close up of the gem that I used for the center of the one of the little flowers on the butterfly. This green gem is actually made of glass as is so beautiful when it shines in the light ... it just sparkles all different colours ... it's so, so pretty!
I have to admit this turned out better than I had envisioned. I used Night of Navy and Bashful Blue reinkers from SU! for my colour choices. I have to admit that I am hooked on this technique now ... I wonder what other cool techniques I'm missing out on! hehehe
I apologize for the quality (poor lighting) for this photo ... not sure what is going on, but I'll have to check that out at another time! I coloured the image with Copics-as I've given them a little break lately. For the beam of light I simply placed two pieces of scrap paper over the image on angels and used a sponge to fill in the colour. For an added touch I wrapped some twine around the card in hopes of making it look a little more masculine. Overall I like the way it turned out, and I suggest if you're like me ... don't put off to tomorrow what you can do today! Look at what you could be missing out on ... hehehe, go and give this technique a try it really is FUN to do and Gina has an awesome 
and here's mine ...
I don't have very many 
I really like the dimension I got for these cute little flowers.
and lastly one other shot from another angle ...
The Happy Birthday tag was made using a stamp from Clear Dollar Stamps -but is not available for sale, it's a special edition for past design team members. I discovered that these little sentiments fit just perfectly in the oval punches from 
and here is my card ...
Well, once again I decided to use stuff that I don't usually use or have never used YET! All supplies are from Stampin' Up! for this card ... actually every single thing! hehehe I used Polka Dot Punches stamps, and Oval All which believe it or not were still not mounted or inked! I also used Iced Circle rhinestone brads that I have not used until today ... goes to show you how much 'stuff' one can have and never lay hands on! LOL
I was quite impressed with myself for being able to create a card with only SU! supplies. I know I'm a demonstrator, but actually only as a hobbiest and mostly for the discount ... shhhhh, our little secret! I really like the simple but cute look of the little 'flower' I made!
The little oval tag was coloured with Stampin' Write marker so I could add both colours and also because I don't have the new scalloped oval punch yet!
