It is time for the Festive Friday Challenge!  What is the Festive Friday Challenge?  The Festive Friday Challenge is a bi-weekly challenge that has an Inspo List.  What is an Inspo List?  Every challenge has an Inspo list that has 10 items on it and those 10 items were inspired by a particular holiday, celebration or festivity.  You need to use 3 items from the Inspo list on your project.  You do not have to incorporate the festivity into your challenge but if you want to, you can.  Here is a link to more information about how to participate in the challenge.

The festivity that inspired this challenge is World Bee Day.  World Bee Day will be celebrated on May 20th.  What is World Bee Day all about?  World Bee Day wants to raise awareness of the importance of bees and beekeeping. 

Here is the Inspo List for the challenge.

I used flowers, yellow and embossing from the Inspo list on my card.

I think it is easy to see how I used flowers and yellow from the Inspo List but embossing maybe a little harder to see.  The sentiment from the Happiness Abounds stamp set was heat embossed.  The sentiment was first stamped using Versamark ink and then sprinkled with black embossing powder and heated.  

The yellow flowers were die cut from the Hues of Happiness DSP using the Blossoming Happiness dies.  The dies were also used to cut out the design on the Basic White CS.  The die  is meant to fully cut out some of the design and only partially cut out other parts.  I really like the Basic Black showing through in some of the areas, it helps to tie together the colors.

Inside I added a strip of Black CS and another flower cut from the Hues of Happiness DSP.  

FF #0109 World Bee Day

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

Jaydee

Diane Evans 

Joanne James

I hope you will join in the challenge.  We love seeing how you are inspired by the Inspo List.  

It is Thursday and time for a new Create with Connie & Mary Challenge.  This week it is a sketch challenge. 

When I saw the sketch I knew I wanted to use the Tea Boutique DSP.  I used 3 different designs from the pack and love how it easy it was to mix and match the different patterns.

The sentiment is from the Happiness Abounds stamp set.  I like the look of 2 fonts in one sentiment.  This set has 7 great sentiments and will definitely be a set I will reach for often.  There are 6 floral images and 2 different leaves and all of them can be cut out using the coordinated dies from the Blossoming Happiness Dies.

I stamped the flowers from the Happiness Abounds set in Sweet Sorbet ink directly on the Tea Boutique DSP.  I like how the design on the DSP adds interest and texture to the flowers.  I need to remember to do this more often.

I colored some rhinestones with the Sweet Sorbet Stampin' Blends and used them for the centers of the flowers.  There are In Color Matte Dots  available but I didn't have them at the time I made this card.  I do like  having the option of coloring embellishments like rhinestones and pearls with Stampin' Blends.  

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to check out what the rest of the design team created for the challenge,

Welcome to the Inspire Create Share Blog Hop!  On the 2nd Tuesday of the month we gather together to bring you this hop.  Each month there is a theme and this month the theme is...It's a Guy Thing.  This seems only fair since last month the theme was It's a Girl Thing.   Thank you for joining us and enjoy all the stops on the hop!

I chose to use the new He's the Man Product Suite.  This is a super fun new suite of products. 

I used all the products in the He's the Man Suite on this card, the He's All That bundle, He's the Man DSP, and the Rustic Metallic Dots.  I stamped the compass and words in Early Espresso ink and colored in the compass with a Soft Succulent Stampin' Blend.  In the center of the compass and on the die cut pieces on either side of the compass I added the Rustic Metallic Dots.  The All That dies are going to be used a lot.  There are 10 dies in the set and are shapes that can be used on lots of different projects.  I used the circle and the argyle designs on this cards belly band.  

This fold makes 2 cards from a sheet of Early Espresso cardstock.  To make this card, score the cardstock  in quarters and then cut on the diagonal.  

For the second card I used the same DSP but changed from a belly band to the Soft Succulent Satin Shimmer Ribbon.  The center image is from the He's the Man DSP.   This DSP is a little different and contains 2 each of 5 double-sided designs and 2 die cut sheets.  The center image is from the die cut sheets.  There are lots of different die cuts and designs.  I think you can find lots of ways to use the die cuts.  

Now it is time for you to check out what the Inspire Create Share Blog Hop leader, Deb Naylor has created for you.

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the hop!

Back with another Sweet Songbird card to wish you a Happy Mother's Day!

The daisy wreath was created using the Medium Daisy punch.  The centers for the flowers were punched from the 2022-24 In Color Glimmer Paper in Sweet Sorbet.  The chubby little bird was  cut from a Tahitian Tide piece of In Color Glimmer Paper.

To make the card extra special I made it an easel card.  The sentiment was stamped on a banner cut using the Stylish Shapes dies.  The Sweet Sorbet plaid is from the 2022-24 In Color DSP Pack.

Wishing you a most wonderful day!

Time for another fun Create with Connie & Mary Challenge!  This week it is a color challenge and you get to choose your own color adventure.

I chose to use Daffodil Delight for the yellow and Tahitian Tide as the blue. 

Daffodil Delight

Tahitian Tide

These colors are bright and happy which led me to using the Sweet Songbirds bundle, crazy about that chubby little bird!  

The Basic White Thick card base is 4-1/4" x 11".  The Daffodil Delight and Tahitian Tide stripes were pieced on a 4" x 5-1/4" piece of Basic White CS.  The large circle and the sentiment banner were cut using the new Stylish Shapes dies.  The flowers were cut using the Teacup dies.   

The chubby bird was punched using the 2022-24 In Color Glimmer paper.  When I ordered this pack of paper I didn't realize that it was ombre.  I was definitely pleasantly surprised.  I used different sections of the paper to punch out the Tahitian Tide flowers and centers.  You can also see a little of the differences in the color of the Glimmer paper  on the bird.

The Classic Matter Dots were used for the bird's eyes. I layered 3 of the beaks on top of each other.  I like the solid look it gives the beak.  Around the side of the striped layer I wrapped white Baker's Twine.

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to check out what the rest of the Create with Connie & Mary Design Team created for this color color challenge,

Happy New Stampin' Up!® Catalog day!  Yes, today is the day you can start ordering from the new catalog.  Yay!  Today my card is a mashup using the Sending Smiles bundle , Sweet Songbird bundle, Tea Boutique Suite and the 2022-24 In Colors.

All of the new 2022-24 In Colors are represented here.  The card base is one of the card bases in the Tea Boutique Cards and Envelopes.  There are card bases and coordinating envelopes in each of the new In Colors.   I cut the front of the card base using the Scalloped Contours die.   The sweet little bird was stamped in Tahitian Tide and Orchid Oasis with a Parakeet Party beak.  The leaves on the tree were also in Parakeet Party and fussy cut out.  The flowers were die cut using the Teacup dies.  I used the 2022-24 In Color Glimmer Paper in Sweet Sorbet for the flowers.  Are you wondering where is Starry Sky?  I used the Starry Sky Stampin' Blends to color the rhinestones that are in the center of the flowers.

The "sending" was cut using the Sending Smiles dies.  Love that there is a die for both the outline of the word and the actual word.  The stamp set also has 8 other sentiments that coordinate.  

In addition to the start of the new catalog there is also a In Color Starter kit available from May 3- May 31.  

In Color Starter Kit 

• New demonstrators can select any standard eligible Stampin’ Up! products up to the $125 USD for just $99 USD . 
• The Starter Kit includes business resources like catalogues, brochures, order forms, and postcards.
• The Starter Kit also includes $66.50 USD  of FREE 2022–2024 In Color products: In Color Grid Paper, In Color Ink Pad Collection, In Color Cardstock Collection, and In Color 6" x 6" (15.2 x 15.2 cm) Designer Series Paper Assortments. 
• New team members who join Stampin’ Up! get to be a part of our amazing community of crafters. Plus, they get to enjoy sharing simple and fun crafting experiences with others, early access to products, and exclusive access to training events.
• You’ll also get a free Paper Pumpkin kit! 

Please contact me if you have questions (sharon@astheinkdries.com) or go here to join.

Thanks for stopping by and let me know if you have any questions,

Just a few more sleeps and the new 2022-23 Stampin' Up! catalog will go live.  Exciting and also a little sad.  Why?  Well that also means that some of my favorite stamp sets from the 2021-22 Annual Catalog will be retiring.  One of the sets I wanted to play with one more time was the Measure of Love.  I decided it would be the perfect set to use for the Festive Friday Challenge #FF0108.

What is the Festive Friday Challenge?  The Festive Friday Challenge is a bi-weekly challenge that has an Inspo List.  What is an Inspo List?  Every challenge has an Inspo list that has 10 items on it and those 10 items were inspired by a particular holiday, celebration or festivity.  You need to use 3 items from the Inspo list on your project.  You do not have to incorporate the festivity into your challenge but if you want to, you can.  Here is a link to more information about how to participate in the challenge.

What a great festivity!  I chose to use food, kitchen, items, gingham, and red from the Inspo List.

I stamped the images from the Measure of Love set on label cut using the Scalloped Contours dies.  I used a Smoky Slate Stampin' Blend to color the scale and Evening Evergreen and Real Red pads to color the bowl of cherries.  The Real Red ribbon is from the 2022 Jan-June mini catalog.  The strip of Gingham DSP is from the Pansy Petals DSP. The lovely stitched background  was made using the Stitched Greenery die.

Inside I added another strip of gingham paper and another sweet bowl of cherries.  

FF #0108 National Eat What You Want Day

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

Jaydee

Diane Evans 

Joanne James

Thanks for stopping by!

It is Thursday and time for the Create with Connie & Mary challenge.  This week it is a sketch challenge.  

I once again reached for the beautiful Symbols of Fortune DSP.  

I  used the Good Fortune dies and cut out multiple flowers from the DSP.  The flowers were arranged on a piece of  Mother of Pearl Specialty Paper.  Around the flowers I also added a few Gold Metallic Pearls and added some Black Baker's Twine.

I finally used the side of the Symbols of Fortune DSP that has gold foil.  The gold and white gingko leaves are so pretty.  For the other panel I used a piece of Gold Foil paper.  Inside I added a strip of DSP and another Calypso Coral flower.

You can see other ideas using the Symbols of Fortune Suite  here, here,  and here.

Thank you for stopping by,

Did you know that in many cultures the crane symbolizes happiness, longevity, harmony and good luck?  The Crane of Fortune bundle certainly embraces all those things.  The crane stamp is beautiful and it is a Distinktive stamp.  All the different shading (except for the Calypso Coral cap) on the crane was made by the stamp.   One inking gave all the different opacities, pretty cool huh?

I used 2 different patterns  from the Symbols of Fortune DSP (Designer Series Paper).  Yes, that is gold foiling on the paper.  I used the Good Fortune dies to cut out the Calypso Coral leaves.  I believe they are gingko leaves.  Gingko leaves symbolize longevity so it definitely makes sense that they are part of the Good Fortune dies.

The crane panel is an easel.  I call this the One Armed Easel.  I am sure there is a better name for this fold.  The small Gold Metallic pearls adorn the gingko and dragonflies.  These pearls come in silver and gold and are retiring at the end of the month.  

Product List

Crane Of Fortune Bundle (English) [157663]	Basic Gray Classic Stampin' Pad [149165]	Calypso Coral Classic Stampin' Pad [147101]	Calypso Coral Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154881]
Basic Gray 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121044]	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276]	Calypso Coral 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [122925]	Symbols Of Fortune 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Designer Series Paper [157652]
Metallic Pearls [146282]

If you want even more ideas on ways to use the Symbols of Fortune Suite of products the Creativity Abounds Blog Hop Team has a tutorial with 13 projects.  The tutorial can be purchased for $15 US or it is FREE for my customers with a $50 order.  If you would like to purchase a tutorial please contact me, Sharon@astheinkdries.com.  

Thank you for stopping by!

It is Thursday and time for the Create with Connie & Mary Challenge.  This week it is a Color Challenge, #CCMC712.

When I saw this combination I wasn't sure what to do with it.  Right around the time I was thinking about what to make for the challenge I received the Uniquely Artistic stamp set from the upcoming 2022-23 Annual Catalog and just like that I knew what I was going to make.

I stamped the Uniquely Artistic outline leaf image in Just Jade and the background stamp in Pear Pizzazz .  To tie in the Calypso Coral, I colored in some Polished Dots using a Dark Calypso Coral Stampin' Blend. The Stitched Rectangles are mounted on a Calypso Coral cardstock layer that was run through the Stampin' Cut and Emboss machine using the Stitched Greenery die.  

The sentiment is from another new set, Happiness Abounds and cut out using the Stylish Shapes dies.  The Stylish Shapes Dies are standalone dies.  This means they are not associated/bundled with any one particular stamp set.  They include  6 circle, 5 square, and 5 banner dies.   I also added a Black Glittered Organdy bow.  This ribbon will be retiring soon and I will miss it.  

Thank you for stopping by and be sure to check out what the rest of the design team created for this challenge,