Time for the Festive Friday Challenge. I have exciting news!  The Challenge team has grown and we now have 9 members on the team. Please be sure to go and check out the Festive Friday blog and meet all the new team members!  

Yes, I used the Wreath Builder dies again!  This time in two different kinds of vellum.  One is the Plush Poinsettia Specialty DSP and the other is Vellum cardstock.  The pattern on the vellum is flocked so not only is it pretty to look at, it is soft too.

The Festive Friday Challenge is super fun and easy to play along with. We have an Inspo List which features items that are inspired by the festivity.  All you need to do is pick 3 elements from the Inspo List to feature on your card and post it to the Festive Friday gallery.  Here is a little more information about the challenge and the Inspo List.

Can you see what elements I used for my card?  I sure hope you can.  I picked red, black, loyalty/love sentiment and embossing.  

Product List

Posted For You Cling Stamp Set [152621]	Versamark Pad [102283]	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121045]	Real Red 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [102482]	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100730]
Vellum 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [101856]	Plush Poinsettia Specialty Paper [153486]	Real Red 3/8" (1 Cm) Sheer Ribbon [153535]	Red Rhinestone Basic Jewels [146924]	Black Stampin' Emboss Powder [109133]

Thank you for stopping by!  I hope you will enter  Festive Friday Challenge #FF0065!

For more inspiration, be sure to visit the rest of the  Festive Friday Challenge  Design team:

Ann Schach   

Beth McCullough

Sharon Hashimoto Burkert- you are here

Melanie Hungerford

Helen Jennings

Stephanie Lanzalotto

Melva Peters

Judy Rozema

It is Thursday!  Time for the Create with Connie & Mary Challenge.  This week it is a color challenge.  Check out my card and guess what the 3 colors are for the challenge.

I hope you guessed Bumblebee, Cinnamon Cider, and Just Jade!  If you did, you are correct!

Are you thinking that I only have a couple of stamp sets and dies?  Seems like I use the Wreath Builder dies a lot.  Rest assured I have, ahem, a few more.  

I modified this fold a bit to accommodate the wreath.  Here are the measurements if you would like to make something similar.

• Cinnamon Cider CS card base: 4-1/4" x 11"  scored at 4-1/2", 9",10"
• Just Jade CS  4" x 4" for the wreath, used some of the scrap to cut the leaves for the sentiment flower
• Bumblebee CS 2" x 4" for 7 flowers
• Cinnamon Cider CS 2" x 2" for 7 small flowers
• Whisper White CS 4" x 4-1/4" for the inside,  5/8" x  3-1/2" banner
• Cinnamon Cider DSP (6" x 6" In Color DSP) 4" x 4-1/4",  3/4" x 4" (cut 2 one for the front and one for inside)

 Are you wondering where to find that adorable Just Jade gingham ribbon?  It is part of the Flowers for Every  Season Ribbon Combo pack.  I would love gingham ribbon in lots more colors.  Wouldn't you agree?  

Product List

A Little Lace Cling Stamp Set [149364]	Cinnamon Cider Classic Stampin' Pad [153114]	Cinnamon Cider 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [153078]	Bumblebee 8-1/2X11 Cardstock [153077]	Just Jade 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [153079]
Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100730]	2020–2022 In Color 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [153070]	Wreath Builder Dies [152722]	Flowers For Every Season Ribbon Combo Pack [153620]	2020–2022 In Color Enamel Dots [152480]

Hope you enjoyed today's fun fold card.  Thank you for stopping by and see you tomorrow!

The Dove of Hope bundle was one of the very first bundles I purchased from the 2020 August-December Mini Catalog.  When I saw the stamp set the words and images just spoke to me.  We all need some peace and hope in our hearts, I know I do.

I used the Detailed Dove dies to cut out the Whisper White dove.  If you can see a bit of shine on the dove it is because I painted the dove using the Frost White Shimmer paint.  I like how it adds shimmer but isn't too shiny.  The background design is from the Plush Poinsettia Specialty paper.  The flocked design is on white vellum.  The pack has six 12" x 12" sheets (2 each of 3 flocked designs).  The flocked pattern adds a lot of texture and feels great too.  

Are you wondering where the "peace" is from?  I don't do this very often but it is a retired die from the Christmas Greeting Thinlits and perfect for this card.  I love the font and have kept it in my permanent collection of dies.  I cut the peace from the Brushed Metallic 12" x 12" cardstock. 

Product List

Detailed Dove Dies [153526]	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [140272]	Old Olive 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100702]	Plush Poinsettia Specialty Paper [153486]
Brushed Metallic Cardstock [153524]	Red Rhinestone Basic Jewels [146924]	Frost White Shimmer Paint [147046]

This is a simple card that doesn't require a lot of supplies.  It will probably be one of the designs I use for my personal Christmas cards.  Hope you like it too!  If you do not have a copy of the 2020 August-December Mini Catalog, email me and I will get one out to you.  

Today is the first day of the 2020 August-December Mini catalog (seriously we need to come up with a nickname or abbreviation).  I love this new catalog and hope you do too!  

Today I want to show you a project using the Celebration Tidings bundle ( page 57) and the Plaid Tidings DSP.  

I made a bunch of these to send along with the mini catalogs to my customers.  I thought it was a fun way to show some of the new products in the catalog, as well as a way for me to show my gratitude.  The label was cut using the Celebration Labels dies.  These dies make cute and quick toppers as seen in the mini catalog as well as labels for cards, home decor, and layouts.  The sentiment and image is from the Celebration Tidings stamp set and colored in using Stampin' Blends. 

I found lots of these tablets in my stash and they measure 3-1/2" x 5".  The little pocket is super handy to put in receipts, coupons and even my business card!  The tablets can also be used to write down a shopping list of all the Stampin' Up! products you need to purchase!  

If you are interested in a tutorial please leave me a comment and I will put one together.  

Tomorrow is the start of the 2020 August -December Mini Catalog!  SO exciting!  When you shop online you will notice, we have a new Online Store.  The new store will work seamlessly with desktops, tablets and phones!  One thing you can do to prepare is to make sure you know what your password is and the email address you use to log in.  If you do not know your password you can always reset it.  

Today I am sharing another sample using the Life is Beautiful stamp set.  This set is on page 51 of the mini catalog and is LeeAnn Gref's Million Dollar stamp set (when a demonstrator reaches a million dollar in sales one of the perks is they get to help design a stamp set). 

First let's talk about the black and white stripes.  Stampin' Up!® doesn't currently have a patterned paper with black and white diagonal stripes, so I made my own.  I cut 1/2"  black strips and glued them on to a piece of Whisper White cardstock. This is a great way to use strips of Basic Black cardstock.  The tree was partially stamped in black ink and the whimsical sparkles were stamped in Real Red ink.  Using a Basic Black Stampin' Write marker I added the "string" and the heart was cut using the Stitched Be Mine dies.

The red and white flowers were punched using the Confetti Flowers Border punch and embellished with a red rhinestone.  The pretty Real Red sheer ribbon is also in the August-December mini catalog.  

This super fun and versatile stamp set can be used year round.  Congratulations to LeeAnn for reaching a Million Dollar in sales and for creating the fun and fabulous Life is Beautiful stamp set!

Just a couple more days until the 2020 August-December Mini Catalog goes live on August 4.  It is a fabulous catalog and I have been enjoying playing with the products!  I used a bunch of different stamp sets for today's card.  I focused on purchasing sets that can be used for more than 1 holiday or occasion.

The cute little pumpkins are from the Fireside Trimmings bundle.  This bundle has so many cute elements that I look forward to sharing with you in future projects.  The little bats are from the Festive Post set.  I have to tell on myself.  I ordered or at least I thought I ordered the Posted for You bundle but what I really did was only order the stamp set.  I hate when I do that!  Not only do I miss out on the 10% bundle savings but I don't have the Rectangle Postage Stamp punch!  It is currently on backorder but will be back in stock soon.  The spider web stamp is from the Celebration Tidings stamp set.  The spider die cut, and sentiment are from the Little Treats bundle.   The little scallop circle is also part of the Little Treat Box dies.

The front of the Pumpkin Pie card base was embossed using the Tasteful Textile 3-D folder.  This is another one of my go to embossing folders.  I think the subtle pattern adds a lot of interest without being too busy or distracting. 

Remember this cute little treat box?  I posted it HERE.  Aren't they a cute, I mean spooky little duo?  

Remember August 3 is the last day to earn Bonus Days coupons, that you can start to spend on August 4th when the mini catalog goes live! Yay!

It is Friday and I have a fun fold to share with you.  This is a quick and easy one, so let's get started!

Are you beginning to wonder...fun fold?  It is coming, sometimes it is the surprise that makes it fun! This big sunflower is just fabulous.  The main flower was stamped, embossed with white embossing powder, colored using Cinnamon Cider and Bumblebee ink, and cut using the Sunflowers dies.  The detailed/outline was cut using Bumblebee CS.  The center of the flower is Cinnamon Cider CS with a brushing of Wink of Stella over it.  The leaves were cut out in Old Olive CS using the Sunflowers dies.  

The background is the sunflower stamped in Bumblebee ink and the splatters from the Forever Fern stamp set in Cinnamon Cider ink.  The sentiment was embossed using white embossing powder and then fussy cut.  

Surprise!  Yes, the front panel is a flap that lifts up.  The sunflower was inked and stamped once on a piece of scrap paper before stamping on the cardstock.  I didn't want the stamping to interfere with the message, just enhance it.

Here are the measurements:

• Cinnamon Cider CS base- 4-1/4" x 5-1/2" 
• Bumblebee CS flap- 3-1/4" x  8-1/2" scored at 4-1/4"
• Whisper White CS front -  3" x  4-1/4"
• Whisper White inside- 3" x  4"

Just a few more sleeps until Bonus Days will be just a dream.  Don't miss out!  

Product List

Celebrate Sunflowers Bundle (English) [154065]	Forever Fern Cling Stamp Set (English) [152559]	Cinnamon Cider Classic Stampin' Pad [153114]	Bumblebee Classic Stampin' Pad [153116]
Versamark Pad [102283]	Cinnamon Cider 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [153078]	Bumblebee 8-1/2X11 Cardstock [153077]	Old Olive 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100702]
Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100730]	White Stampin' Emboss Powder [109132]	Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush [141897]

We made it to Thursday, which means it is time for the Create with Connie & Mary Challenge.  This is the last week we are casing the catalog.  The sample we are casing is on page 123 of the 2020-21 Annual Catalog.

We are just days away from the debut of the 2020 August-December Mini Catalog so I am showing a few products that are featured in that catalog as well as some of my favorites from the 2020 Annual Catalog.

Can you spot what products are in the upcoming 2020 August-December Mini Catalog?   Here's a hint there are 2.  

Still loving the beautiful Prized Peony bundle.  The flower  was colored using Cherry Cobbler, Real Red, Mossy Meadow, and Old Olive Stampin' Blends and then cut using the Peony dies. The sentiment is also from the Prized Peony stamp set and stamped on a Stitched Rectangle.  The Basic Black cs was embossed using the Scripty 3-D folder.  Just a little more texture to add to the card.  The pretty 3/8" Real Red satin ribbon is a returning favorite, it is soft and easy to tie.  

So, you have probably figured out that the 2 sneak peek items from the upcoming mini catalog are the black and white plaid paper and the pretty Real Red  gems.  The black & white plaid is from the Plaid Tidings 6" x 6" DSP.  I love all the plaids in the pack of paper but black and white is my very favorite.  The Real Red gems are part of the Wonderful Gems.  In this pack of embellishments you get 100 gems in 2 colors: clear and Real Red.  The gems come in 2 sizes and have a bit of gold glitter flecks in each gem.  Pretty and sparkly!

Just a quick reminder that Bonus Days are almost over!  Bonus Days end on August 3.  During Bonus Days you will earn a $5 coupon for every $50 (before shipping and tax), which you can redeem starting August 4th!  So don't miss out!

This weekend I spent some time playing with products I pre-ordered from the 2020 August-December Mini Catalog.  The first things I wanted to play with was the Little Treats bundle.  You can find this bundle on page 70 of the Mini Catalog (all the way towards the back!)

Isn't is cute?  First of all, you can cut this from a 6" x  6" piece of paper. The paper I used is the Plaid Tidings 6" x 6" DSP.  You do not need any adhesive to put this cutie together so this little treat box can be assembled in a matter of minutes.  The die does all the cutting, scoring & slit making.  If you make a lot of favors, little treats then this will be a BIG time saver.  

I used the Glittered Organdy Ribbon  to close up the box.  The cute little tag and the spooky spider were also cut using the Little Treats Box Dies.  The sentiment is from the Itty Bitty Greeting set and I used Pumpkin Pie and Basic Black Markers to color it in. 

What fits in this treat box?  I have 2 mini Tic Tac containers in this one.  They fit perfectly!  The mini Tic Tacs can be hard to find.  I bought mine at the Duty Free Shop when we were still able to travel.  I think 2 Nuggets will  fit. Looking at the sample in the Mini Catalog it looks like Ghirardelli Squares will also fit.  Next time I go to the store I will take a treat box with me so I can check out what else might fit.  I will keep you informed.

If you do not have a 2020 August-December Mini Catalog and are not working with a demonstrator, please let me know and I will send one out to you. 

I have a little sneak peek for you!  Yes, it is a sneak peek from the 2020 August-December Mini Catalog, the  Life is Beautiful stamp set.  This stamp set is extra special since it is Lee Ann Gref's Million Dollar Sales Achiever set and it was a great fit for the Festive Friday Challenge!

I knew I wanted to use pink and brown from the Inspo List but what would the third item be?  I found my answer in the Life is Beautiful stamp set.

The elements I used pink, brown, and circles!  Love the different sizes and shading of the circles.  The stamp set is a Distinktive set and I further emphasized the shading by stamping  the circles once and without inking stamped again.  Now I realize I also have circles in the In Color DSP!  

This is a 9 piece photopolymer stamp set.  I love that you can use this set all year round by changing the colors you use.  Here I used Magenta Madness and Early Espresso.  

I stamped part of the tree on a Stitched So Sweetly scalloped rectangle in Early Espresso ink and the dots in Magenta Madness.  The sentiment is also from the Life is Beautiful stamp set.  The tiny flowers were punched using the Confetti Flowers Border punch in Whisper White and Magenta Madness and finished with a rhinestone center.  I also used 2 designs from the 6" x 6" In Color DSP and finished it with Magenta Madness In Color Ribbon.

If you do not have a demonstrator you are working with and would like a catalog, please contact me.  Remember Bonus Days are ending soon!

Product List

Life Is Beautiful Photopolymer Stamp Set [154871]	Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad [147114]	Magenta Madness Classic Stampin' Pad [153117]	Early Espresso 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [119686]	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100730]
2020–2022 In Color 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [153070]	Confetti Flowers Border Punch [152723]	Stitched So Sweetly Dies [151690]	Magenta Madness 1/4" (6.4 Mm) 2020–2022 In Color Ribbon [153623]	Rhinestone Basic Jewels [144220]