Ahhh, it is Friday and time for the Festive Friday Challenge #FF0045.  The festivity that is inspiring the Inspo List is the Day of the Dead.  All I have to do is pick a minimum of 3 items from the Inspo list to use on my project. This change to the Festive Friday Challenge makes me SO happy and in my opinion so much easier to play along with the challenge.  Check out the Inspo list.

I loved the Inspo list for this challenge, I may have even gotten a little carried away.

From the Inspo list I used black, bright colors, sparkle, flowers, stencils & wreaths.  This card was so much fun to make.  It was great to mix products from the Holiday catalog and some from the 2019-20 Stampin' Up!® Annual catalog.  The fabulous products in the Annual catalog often get forgotten with the introduction of the Holiday catalog.  I am trying to mix it up a bit.  

The sparkly black wreath was cut from a little scrap of black glimmer paper that I had leftover and isn't currently available from Stampin' Up!.  If you like the glittery look and do not have any glimmer paper in the right color, you can heat emboss the card stock with a mix of clear embossing powder and Dazzling Diamonds Glitter.  I keep a little container of this mix so I can add glitter and shine to any color.  

Click here for a tutorial I made for this card.   

Thank you for stopping by my blog.  Listed below are all the products used to make this card.  If you are interested in any of the products just click on the picture and you will be whisked away to my online store.

Product List

Beautiful Bouquet Photopolymer Stamp Set [143666] $27.00	Melon Mambo Classic Stampin' Pad [147051] $7.50	Flirty Flamingo Classic Stampin' Pad [147052] $7.50	Pineapple Punch Classic Stampin' Pad [147141] $7.50
Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121045] $8.75	Melon Mambo 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [115320] $8.75	Call Me Clover 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146969] $8.50	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100730] $9.75
Black Glimmer Paper [139605] $5.00	All-Around Wreath Dies [150641] $34.00	Bouquet Bunch Dies [143659] $30.00	Well Written Dies [148534] $40.00
Basic Pattern Decorative Masks [150697] $6.00	Sponge Brayers [141714] $8.00	Rhinestone Basic Jewels [144220] $5.00

The Host Code for October is B6BEM3GW.  When you place a Stampin' Up!®  order using this code I will send you a project tutorial.  If your order is $50 or more I will also send you a package of Black Stampin' Dimensionals as a thank you gift.  This gift will be sent in November. 

Please do NOT use the host code if your order is over $150 (before tax and shipping). You will earn host rewards from Stampin’ Up! AND you'll also receive a project tutorial and a gift from me. 

Looking forward to seeing your creation in the Festive Friday gallery!

The Create with Connie & Mary Challenge #CCMC583 has a fun color combination for this week's challenge.

Isn't this a great color combination?  

These are such happy colors!  I used  Pretty Peacock as the card base and Bermuda Bay DSP (6" x 6" Brights DSP pack) for the patterned paper.  (I realize that the Bermuda Bay looks more like turquoise, I just couldn't get the lighting just right).  I stacked 2 of the Medium Daisy punches and slightly offset them to create the daisies.  The daisy centers are Old Olive foil which is part of the Noble Peacock Foil Sheets.  The Old Olive leaves were cut using the Nature's Roots dies.  I love this  leaf  because there is a die to cut the leaf and another to emboss the vein details, the leaf looks so realistic.  I arranged the daisies so that 2 are on the belly band and one is attached to the card.

Isn't this a great way to show off the Designer Series Paper (aka DSP)?  If you are interested I have a tutorial HERE on the basic fold to make this card.  The sentiment on the front of the card is from the On to Adventure stamp set and the happy birthday is from the Beautiful Bouquet stamp set.  

Be sure to check out what the other members of the Create with Connie & Mary design team created for this Color Challenge.  Thanks for stopping by!

Welcome to the What's New with SU!  Blog Hop.  This month the theme is Fall or Halloween!  If you follow my blog or Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/astheinkdries/) or Facebook group (http://bit.ly/AstheInkDriesFBGroup) you know I have been loving the Harvest Hellos bundle.  Well the love continues.

This time I paired it with the Birch background stamp.  Love this background stamp.  This is one I definitely would recommend.  Here I stamped it on Crumb Cake cs in Soft Suede ink. I also added a Mossy Meadow cs wreath I cut using the All-Around Wreath dies.   If you are still undecided about the All-Around Wreath dies here are a few samples of what I have made with them; here,  here,  here, here,  and here.  So, yes the All-Around Wreath Dies are useful and very versatile.

The punch that is in the Harvest Hellos bundle is called the Apple Builder punch and yet I have never used it to punch out an apple.  I will remedy that soon.  I must have pumpkins on my mind since it is all I have used this bundle for.  Here are some ways I have used this fabulous bundle; here, here, and here.  The leaf was stamped with Mossy Meadow ink on Mossy Meadow cs and was fussy cut.  Luckily it is an easy one to cut.  The stem is Early Espresso ink on Early Espresso card stock and punched out using the Apple Builder punch.  The curlicues are from the Detailed Deer dies.  I did a little pruning of the antlers to create the vines.  Finding this die in my collection, made me so happy!  I could customize the vines a little bit and make them longer.  The sentiment is from the Country Home stamp set.

Thank you for stopping by and now it is time to hop on over to see what Heather has created for you.

If you have just come from Heather's blog then hop on over to see what Pia has created.

Welcome to the Stamper's Dozen Blog Hop!  This month we are all sharing Fall projects.  I am excited to share with you my project.  

I was doing just a little bit of decorating around the house and realized I didn't have a fall sampler so I decided to make one.  After making this sampler I knew I wanted to share it with my club.   I hoped they would love it and enjoy trying some new products and techniques.   

The squares are the largest Stitched Shapes die squares.  The rectangles are 2-5/8" x  5-1/4".  The Pumpkin Pie background piece is 9" x 9" and the Early Espresso layer is 8-1/4" x 8-1/4".

The flower, in my mind it is a chrysanthemum was made using 2 Daisy punches and 3 Medium Daisy punches.  The leaf is from the Nature's Roots dies.  It may be hard to see but the leaf is has embossed veins, also from the Nature's Roots dies.  The sentiment is from the Country Home stamp set, such a good stamp set!  The DSP behind "autumn" is from the Come to Gather pack in the Holiday Catalog.  The word autumn was cut using the Hand-Lettered Prose dies.  Oh my, this alphabet is awesome!  I will admit that there were moments I wondered if the "u" was really a "n".  The little leaf is from the Leaves trinkets.  

We played with Pigment Sprinkles to make pretty leaves.  Specifically, Daffodil Delight and Mango Melody.  I also used some Brusho colors, Brilliant Red and Gamboge.  I purchased Brusho from last year's catalog and never really used them.  I really like that the Pigment Sprinkles now come in SU! colors and the container is much more friendly to use.  The leaves were cut using the Seasonal Layers dies.  On one leaf there is a Gold Foil outline which is also from the Seasonal Layers dies.  

The wreaths are my favorite All-Around Wreath dies from the Holiday catalog.  They are in Pumpkin Pie, Cajun Craze, and Crushed Curry.  There is another Leaves trinket tied with some Linen Thread.  

The center is an image from the Country Home stamp set colored with Stampin' Blends.  The sentiment is from the To a Wild Rose set.  

The cute pumpkin was created using the Harvest Hellos bundle from the Holiday Catalog.  There are 3 stamped and punched pumpkins folded in half and glued to create it.  The curlicue was created from the Detailed Deer  dies.  I die cut just the ornate antlers and trimmed them to make the curlicue.

Lots of die cuts, punches, and coloring but oh so fun!  Hope you enjoyed my fall sampler!  Now it is time for you to head on over to see what Carol Payne  has created for you.

Here is the complete list of all the stops on the Stamper's Dozen Blog Hop!

Stamper's Dozen October 2019 Blog Hop

1. Patty Chenail – Stamp-Patty’s - Stamping in My Flops
2. Judy Garza – Creativity Released
3. Sharon Hashimoto Burkert – As the Ink Dries
4. Carol Payne – Carol Payne Stamps
5. Joanne Cantrell – Keep It Simple, Stampers
6. Rachel Yurkanin – Stamping with Rachel
7. Debbie Naylor – Unfrogettable Stamping
8. Bonnie O'Neill – Bonnie Stamped
9. Laura Milligan – I’d Rather BEE Stampin’
10. BJ Peters – StampinBJ

This week on the Create with Connie & Mary Challenge we have a simple, pretty straightforward sketch.  

I just realized that I didn't follow the sketch as closely as I should have.  Ooops!  

I did try and move the wreath over to one side so it would more closely follow the sketch but it wouldn't be moved.  I did a really good job of gluing the  wreaths down. 

The patterned paper I used is from the Come to Gather DSP pack.  I confess that I have been "saving" the wood grain pattern.  The concept of saving and not using my DSP is one I am actively fighting.  It must be in a crafter's DNA to want to save things for just the right project which unfortunately can lead to an unmanageable craft stash.  SO, I got brave and cut into and as they say the first cut is the deepest.  I am over it now and look forward to using this pack of paper up and besides I know where to get more.

The sentiment is from the Painted Harvest set.  I use this sentiment a lot and it is so perfect for this time of year.  

Here's how I decorated the inside of the card.  I usually add a strip of whatever DSP I am using on the card and add a coordinating die cut.  These little sprigs are part of the All-Around Wreath dies.  There are 2 sprigs on the die so you can make a bunch in just a few turns of the handle.

Be sure to check out what the other members of the design team created for this challenge.  If you are interested in any of the products I used to make this card, please check the links below.

Product List

Painted Harvest Photopolymer Stamp Set [144783] $21.00	Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad [147114] $7.50	Early Espresso 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [119686] $8.75	Mossy Meadow 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [133676] $8.75
Cajun Craze 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [119684] $8.75	Pumpkin Pie 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [105117] $8.75	Crushed Curry 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [131199] $8.75	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100730] $9.75
Come To Gather Designer Series Paper [150454] $11.50	All-Around Wreath Dies [150641] $34.00	Stitched Rectangle Dies [148551] $35.00	Linen Thread [104199] $5.00

It is so fun stamping pumpkins from the Harvest Hellos bundle on Come to Gather DSP.   Who doesn't love a gingham pumpkin?

In addition to the Come to Gather DSP, I also stamped a Mint Macaron pumpkin using the 6" x 6" Subtles Designer Series Paper. I used  the Apple Builder punch and the Leaf punch from the Annual Catalog.

Do you see the curlicues on the pumpkins?  Do you know how I made them?  I used the antlers from the Detailed Deer dies  and trimmed them.  

I like to decorate the inside of my card.  Do you?  I think it is a fun way to finish up a card.  

Product List

Harvest Hellos Bundle (En) [153037] $35.00	Beauty & Joy Photopolymer Stamp Set [150518] $16.00	Pretty Peacock Classic Stampin’ Pad [150083] $7.50	Early Espresso 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [119686] $8.75
Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100730] $9.75	Come To Gather Designer Series Paper [150454] $11.50	Subtles 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [149615] $11.50	Leaf Punch [144667] $16.00
Classic Label Punch [141491] $18.00	Detailed Deer Dies [147915] $34.00	Noble Peacock Rhinestones [149494] $5.50

Are you ready for a new Festive Friday Challenge, #FF0044?  I love that the challenge now has an Inspo (aka Inspiration) List.  The list has 10 elements that pertain to the festivity and you choose at least 3 of the elements to use on your project  for the challenge.  Ready to see the Challenge?

I chose these 3 from the list, flowers, thank you, and metallics.  

I loved pairing the 2 designs from the Brights DSP 6" x 6" paper pack together with the Daisy Lane bundle.   The gingham frame was made using the Stitched Rectangle framelits.  The sentiment is from the Kindness and Compassion stamp set.  Love that font!

Would you like to make this card?  Here is the tutorial so you can recreate it.  

I hope you will join us and stamp along with the Festive Friday Challenge #FF0044!  I would love to see your creation in the gallery!

It is Thursday and time for the Create with Connie & Mary Challenge, #CCMC581.

I decided to use the Painted Harvest stamp set for this week's challenge.   

I am not sure if there are any flowers like this in nature but I think the color combination is pretty. The sentiment is also from the Painted Harvest set and is one of my favorites especially around this time of year.  

I used the Layered Leaves folder to add a little more interest and texture to the card.  This is a pretty quick card and once you figure out the way the flower stamps line up it is easy to make beautiful flowers.  

Product List

Painted Harvest Photopolymer Stamp Set [144783] $21.00	Night Of Navy Classic Stampin' Pad [147110] $7.50	Seaside Spray Classic Stampin’ Pad [150085] $7.50	Gray Granite Classic Stampin' Pad [147118] $7.50	Night Of Navy 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100867] $8.75
Seaside Spray 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [150883] $8.75	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100730] $9.75	Stitched Rectangle Dies [148551] $35.00	Layered Leaves 3D Embossing Folder [152321] $9.00	Linen Thread [104199] $5.00

Be sure to check out what the other members of the design team created for the challenge.

It is Monday.  Sometimes after the weekend, we need a little more motivation to get going on the new week.

I am so happy I got the Believe You Can host set.  I think we often overlook these sets.  They are a great buy and an exclusive perk for hosts or when you have an order of a certain size.

I love how clean this looks that I added a Whisper White panel on the back of the Black card base so I can write a message there leaving the front blank.  I call this a one flap easel card.  I did a tutorial on it HERE.  You will have to adapt it a bit to fit the Stitched Nested Labels dies but the general idea is the same.  

Product List

Believe You Can Photopolymer Stamp Set [149433] $13.00	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $6.00	Real Red Combo Pack Stampin' Blends [147935] $9.00	Pool Party Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [144605] $9.00
Daffodil Delight Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [144603] $9.00	Smoky Slate Light Stampin' Blends Marker [145054] $4.50	Old Olive Light Stampin' Blends Marker [144574] $4.50	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121045] $8.75
Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100730] $9.75	Subtles 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [149615] $11.50	Stitched Nested Labels Dies [149638] $35.00	Red Rhinestone Basic Jewels [146924] $7.00

Have a great Monday!

It is rare but occasionally  I make a card that has no stamping on it.  

These little snowpeople crack me up!  Their little faces are so expressive.  I punched them out of the Let it Snow Specialty DSP.  This pack of paper is so darn cute and sometimes I wish it wasn't double sided.  I know that is a terrible thing to say but I like both sides and it hurts me to have to choose!

The star dies are part of the Mini Curvy Keepsakes box dies.  In addition to the cutest little box there are 5 different little tag shapes, a snowflake, and greenery dies, 10 dies in all.  Very cute and useful.

The glittery sentiment is from the Jolly Seasons dies.  Don't you just love it?  

Product List

Pool Party 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [122924] $8.75	Real Red 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [102482] $8.75	Real Red Glimmer Paper [150427] $5.00	Let It Snow Specialty Designer Series Paper [150393] $14.50
Mini Curvy Keepsakes Box Dies [150644] $34.00	Jolly Season Dies (En) [150648] $33.00	Whisper White Solid Baker's Twine [124262] $3.50