It is Thursday which means it is time for the Create with Connie & Mary Challenge.  This week we have #CCMC652, which is a color challenge.

For this color challenge I embossed some strips of Just Jade and Highland Heather CS using the Tasteful Textile 3D folder and attached them to a Basic White panel.  I brought in Seaside Spray as the card base and the layer behind the image.  The  Corner Bouquet stamp was stamped using Versamark and white embossing powder. I really like the way the Corner Bouquet stamp set looks embossed in white, especially on vellum.  I don't know why I didn't pair these products together earlier.  A few flowers in Seaside Spray and Highland Heather were punched using the Confetti Flowers Border punch and attached to the vellum.  I purchased the Confetti Flowers Border punch kind of on a whim and I am glad I did.  I use this punch a lot and love that it punches out 3 sizes of flowers. 

Tip: Use the point of the bone folder in the center of the flowers to create a little dimension and definition.

I also like the way the Butterfly Gala butterfly looks embossed in white on vellum, so I added a couple.  These butterflies also help to hide the Mini Glue Dots I used to attach the vellum to the Seaside Spray layer.   The other glue dots are hidden by the Corner Bouquet image.  This is the best strategy I have for attaching vellum without the adhesive showing.  

I added the Seaside Spray Metallic Ribbon and the silver pearls (from the Metallic pearls) to the center of the flowers for a little extra shine.  I tried coloring some rhinestones using the Just Jade Stampin' Blends to use as the flower centers but decided the silver pearls looked better especially with the ribbon.  

Be sure to check out what the rest of the design team created for this challenge.  

Thanks for stopping by and remember Sale-A-Bration ends on Sunday, February 28th!

Product List

Corner Bouquet Cling Stamp Set [155273]	Butterfly Gala Photopolymer Stamp Set [148580]	Versamark Pad [102283]	Seaside Spray 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [150883]
Just Jade 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [153079]	Highland Heather 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146986]	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276]	Vellum 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [101856]
White Stampin' Emboss Powder [109132]	Butterfly Duet Punch [148523]	Tasteful Textile 3 D Embossing Folder [152718]	Seaside Spray 1/4" (6.4 Mm) Metallic Ribbon [150446]
Metallic Pearls [146282]

Today's card is one I have been thinking about for awhile and today it finally got made.  It isn't exactly what I had in mind but I do like how it turned out.

It may look like  I used Basic Gray CS but it is Vellum CS  and the Corner Bouquet stamp (Sale-A-Bration) heat embossed in white embossing powder and layered over Basic Black CS.  Originally I thought I would  layer the Vellum CS  over Basic White CS but the image didn't stand out enough.  The beautiful sentiment is from the Heal Your Heart  stamp set (Sale-A-Bration).   The butterflies were stamped using the Butterfly Gala stamp set on Vellum and heat embossed using white embossing powder.  Both the small and large butterflies were punched out using the Butterfly Duet punch.

One of the problems of working with vellum is how do you prevent the adhesive from showing.  On this card I used glue dots behind the white embossed images to secure the vellum to the Basic Black CS.  I also used glue dots behind the butterflies to secure the vellum to the Basic Black CS.  This is the best way  to hide the adhesive.  I have  yet to find an adhesive that is perfect.  

Just a few more days to snag your Sale-A-Bration choices.  If you have been wanting to order, it is a great time to do so especially if your order is $50 or more.  Free product is always a good thing.  

Thank you for stopping by!

Product List

Corner Bouquet Cling Stamp Set [155273]	Heal Your Heart Cling Stamp Set (English) [155291]	Butterfly Gala Photopolymer Stamp Set [148580]	Versamark Pad [102283]
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [159229]	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121045]	Vellum 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [101856]	White Stampin' Emboss Powder [109132]
Butterfly Duet Punch [148523]	Rhinestone Basic Jewels [144220]

The patterned papers aka Designer Series Paper (DSP) in the January-February Sale-A-Bration are all so good.  This quick and easy project uses the Paper Blooms DSP.  I am going to miss using this paper, good thing I have an extra pack.

It is so fun to mix and match the different patterns in the Paper Blooms DSP.  The large flower is also from the DSP.   There are 3 of these large flowers on one sheet of the DSP.  They are pretty easy to fussy cut.  I like using the Denim ribbon, it is soft and easy to tie.   The label is from the Pierced Blooms die and the sentiment is from the Best Year stamp set. 

Card Base: Thick Basic White 5-1/2" x 6" scored at 3", finished card base will be 3" x 6"

Paper Blooms DSP: Pattern 1.  2" x 5-1/4"    

                                     Pattern 2  1" x 5-1/4"

Basic White Stitched Circle: #3  (#1 is the smallest)

Attach the circle to the top of the card.  Make sure that the total measurements are 4-1/4" or less, so it can fit in an A-2 envelope.

This is a pretty easy, quick card and a fun way to show off the pretty designs in the Paper Blooms DSP.

Thank you for stopping by and remember Sale-A-Bration ends on the February 28th!

Product List

Best Year Cling Stamp Set (English) [152568]	Night Of Navy Classic Stampin' Pad [147110]	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [159229]	Paper Blooms 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [155222]
Stitched Shapes Dies [152323]	Pierced Blooms Dies [154312]	3/8" (1 Cm) Denim Ribbon [149590]

Just one week left of the 2021 Jan-Feb Sale-A-Bration.  For the next week I will be focusing on projects that use Sale-A-Bration products.  Today's card uses the Darling Donkeys and the Flower & Field DSP.  

I used the Curvy dies to cut the Basic Black card base and the Flower & Field DSP.   The 2 sections are then connected with the circles and the Darling Donkey.  This kicking cutie was colored using Stampin' Blends.   I cut a cute little bow using the Special Days dies, wanted to dress him up a little bit.

Inside the gap between the top and bottom, I stamped another sentiment from the Darling Donkeys set.  

The Flower &  Field DSP is another great Sale-A-Bration choice.  I've used this paper a lot and honestly it looks great just mixed and matched with a sentiment.  

Time for me to go and get ready for my team's Crafternoon!  We are meeting on Zoom and we will be crafting together.  We have 3 projects and I  know what one of them looks like cause I am presenting it but the other 2 are surprises.  It is going to be a fun time.  If you have ever thought about joining Stampin' Up! this is a great time to do it.  In addition to the already generous Starter Kit ($99 and you choose $125 in product), you will receive 5 packs of  6" x 6" Designer Series Paper that will be in the next catalog.  Pretty sweet deal!  Let me know if you have any questions, I would love to talk with you about becoming a demonstrator.

Thanks for stopping by!

Product List

Darling Donkeys Cling Stamp Set [155264]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]	Petal Pink Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154893]	Smoky Slate Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154904]
Basic Black Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154843]	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121045]	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276]	Flower & Field 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [155223]
Stitched Shapes Dies [152323]	Layering Circles Dies [151770]	Curvy Dies [154319]	Special Day Dies [153587]
Rhinestone Basic Jewels [144220]

The 2021 Stampin' Up!® January-June Mini catalog is full of so many beautiful stamp set, dies, Designer Series Paper (DSP) and embellishments.  For the Festive Friday challenge I pulled out the Hydrangea Haven bundle.   This was my first real play with the products and I am hooked.  Before I get started telling you about the Hydrangea Hill Suite let's talk about the Challenge.

The Festive Friday Challenge is a bi-weekly challenge and each challenge lasts 10 days.  The challenge is inspired by a festivity and based on that festivity an inspiration list is created aka Inspo List.  There are always 10 items on the list and to play in the challenge you need to use at least 3 items from the list on your project.  You post your project on the Festive Friday blog gallery.  There are just a few rules and you can find them here

This challenge #FF78 ends on March 1 at 4 pm CST.  I hope you will join in the fun.  I would love to see what you create.

As I mentioned I used the Hydrangea Haven bundle, Hydrangea Hill DSP, and the Gorgeous Grape Sheer Ribbon on my card.  The 3 items from the Inspo list on my card: fun fold, flowers, and female sentiment.

The beautiful flower was cut using a die from the DSP.  I wish i could claim that I colored it but it is the paper. The die is pretty special, it partially cuts out little flower petals which i pushed out so it looks dimensional.  I may have gone a little rhinestone crazy but sometimes you just gotta do it.  The rhinestones were colored using the Dark Highland Heather Stampin' Blends.  All the patterned paper is from the Hydrangea Hill DSP pack.    

The lovely sentiments are  from the Hydrangea Haven stamp set and they are powerful words.  I am sure we all know someone or many someone's we could send this card to.  The larger label was cut using the Stitched Nested dies  and the smaller stitched rounded rectangle is from the Hydrangea dies.  

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

Ann Schach

Beth McCullough

Sharon Hashimoto Burkert

Melanie Hungerford

Helen Jennings

Stephanie Lanzalotto

Melva Peters

Judy Rozema

Thursday means it is time for the Create with Connie & Mary Challenge!  This week the challenge is a sketch.  

I turned the sketch and came up with this using 3 Sale-A-Bration choices, Darling Donkeys, Flower & Field DSP, and Approaching Perfection.  

This is just a variation of a fold I have been doing.  Here is a link to a tutorial.    I turned  the card on its side, so the "card" pulls out either from the top or bottom of the DSP holder.  This is just a little change but I was proud of myself for doing it.   I don't often think beyond the template and miss out on trying something new and fresh.

I fussy cut the donkey and mounted him on a mini wobble so he can kick up his heels.  I found the mini wobble on Amazon.  It is still a little too big to completely fit behind the donkey so I did a little trimming and it is mostly  hidden.   Even with the wobble, the donkey lays flat enough to fit into an envelope and can be easily mailed.

I used 2 different die sets to create the label.  The So Saffron label is from the Stitched Nested Labels and the Pool Party label is from the All Dressed Up dies.   The little white flower was punched using the Confetti Flowers border punch.   The cute ribbon is the 1/4" Bumble Bee Gingham.

Hope you liked my take on the Create with Connie & Mary Challenge #CCMC651. Be sure to check out what the rest of the design team created for this challenge.  Remember, Sale-A-Bration ends February 28th!  

Welcome to the Creativity Abounds Blog Hop.   We are international group of Stampin' Up!® demonstrators who have come together to share our ideas with you.  We blog hop on the the 3rd Wednesday of the month and this month our theme is the Dandy Garden suite.  Thank you for joining us today and please enjoy the hop!

This is a fun fold called the Impossible card.  When I first saw this fold it did indeed look impossible but it actually s very easy once you understand how it works.

• Start with a 4-1/4' x 5-1/2" piece of cardstock
• Find the midpoint of the 4-1/4" side and score.  This is the red dotted line in the picture above.
• Starting at the fold find the middle (2-3/4") and cut a slit from the fold to the outer edge.
• Starting at the fold  measure 1-1/4" from the fold and cut a slit to the outer edge.  Repeat along the other edge

Note: The 1-1/4" measure is what I used so that I could use the dragonflies to connect the 2 panels.  You can change the dimension to fit your project.

This what your card will look like when all the scoring and cutting is done.

The easiest way to assemble is to hold the 3'' panel in one hand and with your other hand flip one of the 1-1/4" pieces to the other side.  If this is confusing don't worry I have a short video below that shows this step.

Check out the video below.  You will be amazed how easy and ingenious it is and that it isn't really impossible.

Isn't it amazing how simple it is?

I connected the panels with stamped and punched dragonflies using the Dragonfly Garden bundle.  You do not have to connect the panels.  I like to do this as it makes the card very stable.  The panels are decorated using the Dandy Garden 6" x 6" DSP.   Behind the center panel I attached a piece of Basic White CS so I can write a little note.

I hope you will make your own Impossible card, now that you know that it really isn't impossible.

One last big thing!  The Creativity Abounds Blog Hop team haas also put together a tutorial bundle of brand new projects.  There are 13 tutorials and they feature projects using products from the Dandy Garden Suite (pages 24-27 of the 2021 Jan-Jun Mini Catalog).

You can purchase this tutorial bundle for $15 US or receive it free with a minimum $50 order placed with me through my online store. Contact me if you have any questions or to order the tutorial (sharon@astheinkdries.com).

Thank you for stopping by and enjoy the Creativity Abounds Dandy Garden Blog Hop!

Product List

Dragonfly Garden Bundle (English) [156224]	Misty Moonlight Classic Stampin' Pad [153118]	Bumblebee Classic Stampin' Pad [153116]	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [159229]
Dandy Garden 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [154297]	Misty Moonlight 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [153081]

There is less than 2 weeks left of this period of Sale-A-Bration.  It is a little hard to get used to that Sale-A-Bration last only 2 months but the good thing is that there will be another Sale-A-Bration in July-August with new offerings.  

I should have shared these cards on a Sunday, since they are perfect for a Simple Sunday post.  

The beautiful Oh So Ombre DSP (SAB choice) meets the Garden Wishes stamp set.  Very clean and simple.  The dandelion image was stamped directly on the Blackberry Bliss Oh So Ombre DSP in VersaMark ink and heat embossed using Black embossing powder.  The sentiment was also heat embossed using Black embossing powder on Basic White CS and cut out using the Stitched Shapes dies.  A Matte Black dot was attached to accent the sentiment.   The Blackberry Bliss Striped ribbon  is  easy to tie and holds its shape beautifully.  

Here are the measurements for the card.

• Blackberry Bliss CS card base- 4-1/4" x 11"
• Basic White- 4" x  5-1/4" (cut 2,  one for the outside and one for the inside of the card), scrap piece for the sentiment
• Basic Black -3-3/4" x 5"
• Oh So Ombre DSP- 3-5/8" x 4-7/8"

Inside another dandelion image from the Garden Wishes stamp set stamped in Tuxedo Black Memento ink and a strip of Oh So Ombre DSP.  

I liked the way this card turned out  and decided to make the same card in all the colors of the Oh So Ombre DSP.

Here it is in Rococo Rose.  The only difference is the ribbon.  This is the 3/8" Glittered Black Organdy Ribbon.

Granny Apple Green

Bermuda Bay

Which is your favorite?  

Thank you for stopping by.  If you have any questions please let me know.

Product List

Garden Wishes Cling Stamp Set [154408]	Versamark Pad [102283]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]	Rococo Rose 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [150882]
Blackberry Bliss 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [133675]	Bermuda Bay 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [131197]	Granny Apple Green 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146990]	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276]
Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121045]	Stitched Shapes Dies [152323]	Blackberry Bliss Striped Ribbon [154569]	Black 5/8" (1.6 Cm) Glittered Organdy Ribbon [147897]
Black Stampin' Emboss Powder [146956]	Matte Black Dots [154284]

Welcome to the Stampers Dozen Blog Hop!  This month we are  hopping with excitement to share with you some fun fold cards.  The problem with our theme is trying to decide what fold to use, there are so many fun ones!

Snailed It!  This cute little snail was fussy cut from the Snail Mail DSP.  I kind of botched up cutting around his eyes so googly eyes to the rescue.   The googly  eyes  definitely added some personality.  The Blushing Bride speech bubble was cut using the Snail dies and the Real Red heart was cut using the Many Hearts dies.  

Inside you will see this is a tunnel card.  Lots of fun cutouts from the Snail Mail DSP.   The fun sentiment is from the Many Messages stamp set.  Many Messages is 1 big stamp.  There are 19 sentiments on it, 3 stars, and a heart for a total of 23 images and there is a coordinating Messages die that cuts out all of the images at one time!   Of course it is available as a bundle so you can save 10%.  

Here is the back of the card, where you can write a message.  The sentiment here is also from the Many Messages bundle.  This card stands up on its own but also folds flat and fits in an A-2 envelope.  Love a fun fold that can be easily mailed

Now it is time to see what Joanne has created for you!

Stamper's Dozen February 2021 Blog Hop

1. Judy Garza – Creativity Released
2. Sharon Hashimoto Burkert – As the Ink Dries
3. Joanne Cantrell – Keep It Simple, Stampers
4. Rachel Yurkanin – Rachel’s Stamping Place
5. Debbie Naylor – Unfrogettable Stamping!
6. Bonnie O'Neill – Bonnie Stamped
7. Kelly Acheson – A Stamp Above
8. Donna Burk Schneidtmiller – Donna Stamps
9. Patty Chenail – Stamp-Patty’s - Stamping in My Flops

Thank you for stopping by and enjoy the hop!

Product List

Snail Mail Suite Collection [155986]	Many Messages Bundle [156272]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]	Real Red 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [102482]
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276]	Blushing Bride 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [131198]	Many Hearts Dies [154308]	Stitched Shapes Dies [152323]
Layering Squares Dies [151772]

Welcome to the Stamping Inkspirations Blog Hop!  This month our theme is Love is in the Air.  There are a lot of stops on the hop...37!  Wow, that is a lot of inkspiration.  So let's get started.

You know i love a  striped background and if you didn't, you do now. To create the stripes I started with Basic Black CS and added the 1" white strips on top of it in 1/4" intervals.  All the hearts were cut using the Many Hearts Dies.  I love the layering of the hearts.  The sparkly white floral overlay is my fave and is so pretty.    I used a retired SU! Glimmer Paper to add a little sparkle to the card.   The Poppy Parade centers are the Opal Rounds colored using the Dark Poppy Parade Stampin' Blends.  The white with the narrow black stripes remind of a t-shirt I used to have.  I would love to have a T-shirt with this heart over the pocket.  Wouldn't that be cute?  

The sentiment is from the Lots of Hearts set.  The sentiments in this set are very versatile and can be used all year.  Inside i added another Poppy Parade strip cut using the  XOXO die from the Many Hearts dies.   I backed it with a strip of black CS.  

Now it is time for you to see what the talented Danielle Kassing has created for you!

Here is a list of all the stops on the hop!

FEBRUARY 2021

Angie McKenzie  ●  Alejandra Gomez  ●  Vicki Milyard

  Tricia Butts  ●  Rochelle Laird-Smith  ●  Annette Ball

Jo Blackman  ●  Leonie Stuart  ●  Jan Musselman

Terry Hamilton  ●  Lisa Mackey  ●  Deb Macdowell

Sue Allen  ●  Gez Carpenter  ●  Rebecca-Jo Unwin

Linda Moore  ●  Satomi Wellard  ●  Aurélie Fabre

Melissa Faust  ●  JoAnn Pollock  ●  Narelle Fasulo

Mo Rootes  ●  Karen Henderson  ●  Susan Webster

Susan Simpson  ●  Anne Marie Hile  ●  Ann Krucek

Shel Anderson  ●  Kimberley Morris  ●  Sharon Hashimoto Burkert

Danielle Kassing  ●  Chris Smith  ●  Mikaela Titheridge

Elaine de Montmorency  ●  Jill Chapman  ●  Teri West  ●  Libby Fens

Thank you for stopping by and enjoy the hop!

Product List

Lots Of Heart Bundle (English) [156202]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]	Poppy Parade Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154958]	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121045]
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276]	Poppy Parade 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [119793]	Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper [135315]	Opal Rounds [154289]