Are you ready for the Create with Connie and Mary Challenge #CCMC404?  This week it is a color challenge.

Isn't it a great combination? I just love Calypso Coral and Night of Navy together.

I used the Botanical Builder Framelits to create the flowers.  This set of dies are the best.  I love that you can mix and match the different pieces and create all kinds of flowers.

I am going to miss the Calypso Coral Seam Binding Ribbon. I think it is my favorite type of ribbon.  It is soft and easy to tie.  

Please check the Create with Connie and Mary blog and see all the great cards created by the design team.  I hope you will be inspired to create a project for #CCMC404!

Sorry it has been a little quiet around here.  I just got back from a  trip and even though I had planned to post while away there never seemed to be enough time.    The upside of this is that I now have a few cards ready to be shared!   This is a really good thing.  It always takes me a few days to get back into the flow of things after being gone.  

Product List

Perfect Pennants Clear Stamp Set [133230] $22.00	Birthday Blooms Clear-Mount Stamp Set [140658] $19.00	Melon Mambo Classic Stampin' Pad [126948] $6.50	Melon Mambo 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [115320] $7.00	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730] $8.50
It's My Party Designer Series Paper Stack [140552] $26.00	2" Circle Punch [133782] $18.00	Floral Frames Framelits Die [127012] $27.00	It's My Party Enamel Dots [140554] $4.00

Now I need to tackle my email inbox.   Be sure to order your favorite items from the Retiring list.  Many items(accessories) are already sold out.  Please shop my online store, I would really appreciate it!

Another set that is on the Stampin' Up! retiring list is Bordering Blooms.   If you are wondering, should I buy this set or not?  I thought I would do a round up of some of the cards I made using this set.  I think the answer is...YES, I need that set.  

Bordering Blooms is a photopolymer set.  Don't you love it that you can bend it a make a curvy border too?

Bordering Blooms is a perfect set for quick, easy cards.  Great for making note card sets for gifts.  If you want to snag a set for yourself  here is a link to it in my online store.   Happy Shopping!

Today the Create with Connie and Mary Challenge is a sketch challenge.  

My card for the challenge uses a mix of retiring products and products that will be in the upcoming catalog.

The flower is part of the All About Everything stamp set which was a special gift from My Paper Pumpkin to their subscribers.    So cute right?  I stamped it in Blackberry Bliss ink (I will miss you!) and topped it off with a button.  The leaves are from the Bird Builder punch and I am really going to miss that punch.  The frame is an embossing folder which is part of the Fun Frames set.  I embossed it and then cut it out.  I used Silver Foil sheets for the frame to tie in with the silver accents on the Shine On DSP.

I hope you will  stamp along with the Create with Connie and Mary Challenge #CCMC403.   Go the their blog and get all the details.  I look forward to seeing what you create using the sketch.

The Amazing Birthday set (R) is on the Stampin' Up! retirement list and so is the awesome, It's My Party Designer Series Paper stack (R).  I will miss both of these items.

This is a quick and easy card and one of my go to sketches.  I love the 3 images in a row.   I dressed  them up just a bit with the It's My Party Enamel Dots(R) and the Baker's Twine Combo Pack(R).  

Product List

Amazing Birthday Clear-Mount Stamp Set [134228] $21.00	Mint Macaron Classic Stampin' Pad [138326] $6.50	Crushed Curry Classic Stampin' Pad [131173] $6.50	Melon Mambo Classic Stampin' Pad [126948] $6.50	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [121045] $7.00
Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730] $8.50	It's My Party Designer Series Paper Stack [140552] $26.00	Baker's Twine Combo Pack [140555] $6.50	It's My Party Enamel Dots [140554] $4.00	1-1/4" Circle Punch [119861] $16.00

Since I cut the card stock and DSP I decided to make a slightly stepped up version of the card. 

Once I stamped the 3 images, I inked them again using VersaMark ink and then embossed it using Iridescent Ice embossing powder(R). I am very sad to see the Iridescent Ice embossing powder on the list of items retiring.  I love this  technique of embossing over stamped images.

I think this picture shows off the glittery goodness which is the Iridescent Ice(R) embossing powder.  

I added some Washi tape to the inside of  both cards and added the sentiment.   Accessories on the Retiring list are while supplies last so be sure to check the list and order those soon!  Stamp sets will be manufactured through May 22 but not after that so be sure to get your stamp order in before that.  Click HERE for the PDF of the items retiring.   I would appreciate  you shopping via my online store and when you do it will get you on the list to be sent a 2016-17 catalog when they become available.  Thank You!

The new Stampin' Up! catalog will soon be arriving which means that it is time to say goodbye to some stamp sets and accessories to make room for the new.   Here is the Retiring Products list.  Shop early to avoid disappointment.  Some things will sell out quickly!   To order online please go to my online store!

When the cherry blossoms bloom here in Washington state it is truly a glorious sight.   Cherry blossoms + sunny day makes living through a sometimes gloomy winter all worth it.

So today's card is inspired by those cherry blossoms.

Here's a diagram of how to cut your card stock to make this style of card.

Are you are wondering what that butterfly is doing on the pattern?  After I took the picture and edited it, I realized I had a stray dash so instead of re-doing it I am hiding it under the butterfly.

Here's a side  view that will give you an idea on how to fold the card.

Product List

Sheltering Tree Photopolymer Stamp Set [137163] $25.00	Flower Patch Photopolymer Stamp Set [134207] $26.00	Cottage Greetings Clear-Mount Stamp Set [139962] $16.00	Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad [126978] $6.50	Rose Red Classic Stampin' Pad [126954] $6.50
Pink Pirouette Classic Stampin' Pad [126956] $6.50	Garden Green Classic Stampin' Pad [126973] $6.50	Soft Sky 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [131203] $7.00	Rose Red 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [102544] $7.00	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730] $8.50
Petite Petals Punch [133322] $13.00	Tree Builder Punch [138295] $18.00	Pearl Basic Jewels Embellishments [119247] $5.00	Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush [141897] $8.00

Hope your day is wonderful and if shopping for paper crafting is on your list please shop with me!  

Welcome to another Stamper's Dozen Blog Hop!  The theme for the month is Friends.   One way to celebrate a wonderful friend is with a special birthday card.

I don't usually make square cards but this a special occasion for a special friend.   I used one of my very favorite stamp sets from the Stampin' Up! Occasions catalog, Birthday Blooms.  Used the large flower two ways:  made some background paper similar to the card I shared here and as the main focus of the card.   This image is probably the one I have used the most and never get tired of coloring.

This is a squarish card measuring when closed 5 1/4" x 5-3/8" and it fits into a 5-1/2" x 5-1/2"square envelope.  I happen to have a stash leftover from the days Stampin' Up! used to sell them but it would also be super easy to make one using the Envelope Punch Board.  

Product List

Birthday Blooms Clear-Mount Stamp Set [140658] $19.00	Sprinkles Of Life Photopolymer Stamp Set [139971] $21.00	Blushing Bride Classic Stampin' Pad [131172] $6.50	Rose Red Classic Stampin' Pad [126954] $6.50
Pear Pizzazz Classic Stampin' Pad [131180] $6.50	Versamark Pad [102283] $7.50	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730] $8.50	Rose Red 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [102544] $7.00
Blushing Bride 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [131198] $7.00	Shimmery White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [101910] $8.00	Large Oval Punch [119855] $16.00	Scallop Oval Punch [119856] $18.00
White Stampin' Emboss Powder [109132] $5.00	Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder [109129] $5.00	Aqua Painters [103954] $17.00	Gold Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush [141898] $8.00

Now it is time for you to hop on over to see what the talented France Martin has in store for you!

Be sure to also see what the creative BJ Peters has made!

Thank you for stopping by and hopping along with the Stamper's Dozen Blog Hop!

Today the Create with Connie and Mary Challenge is a color challenge!  Here's the palette for this week's challenge.

When I saw this color combination my mind went to a dusky, hazy place.   

I marked off a square with some Post It note tape (yes, this is a real thing and it is great).  I started sponging with Mint Macaron in the middle of the square.  I wanted to lay done quite a bit of Mint Macaron since it is the lightest color.  I then sponged the Lost Lagoon and then the Soft Suede.   I stamped the tree from the Sheltering Tree set and since it is spring I added some flowers.  The sentiment is from the Picture Perfect stamp set.

Be sure to go to the Create with Connie and Mary blog to see what the other members of the design team made for #CCMC402.  I hope you will  stamp along with me and the other designers at the Create with Connie and Mary Challenge!

Stampin' Up! recently announced that the Weekly Deals will be ending and this week is the last time you will see them.  

On the final week of deals there are some fabulous buys and some of my favorite dies!  Here are a few past projects.  

Mini Treat Bag thinlit 

Mini Treat Bag thinlit thank you

Baker Box thinlit

Baker's Box Hanging Note Card

Baker's Box Halloween

Acorn Builder Punch

Acorn Builder Punch and Baker's Box

Acorn Builder Punch card

Delicate Ornament Thinlits die

Delicate Ornament Thinlits die

Just a quick sampling of some projects made with the Acorn Builder punch, Baker's Box thinlit, Mini Treat Bag thinlit, and the Delicate Ornament thinlit dies.  If you decide you want to get in on these great deals, I would really appreciate it if you would shop with me on my online store.  Thank you!