This week it is a sketch challenge on the Create with Connie and Mary Challenge.  Let me tell you this was a tough one for me!  I struggled and hopefully you can see a little of the sketch in my card.

This doesn't look so hard, right?  

I hope you can see the "spirit" of the sketch in my card.  I stamped and colored the branch from the Best Birds set, 4 times and then pruned some of the branches and leaves so it would all fit and also to add some variety.    Does this count as yardwork?  I love that little bird which is a die in the Birds & Blooms thinlits set.  I cut her out of Perfect Plum cardstock and also again in Pink Pirouette for her wing.  I also put a little Gold Wink of Stella on her beak and feet.  

Be sure to check out what the other design team members created. I don't think they had any problem with the sketch.  Their cards are beautiful as always.   I look forward to seeing what you create for the challenge! 

It's time for the Try Stampin' On Tuesday Challenge.  The challenge runs for 2 weeks and you can enter on the blog or on the Try Stampin' on Tuesday Facebook page.  Here's the sketch #TSOT281.

I recently received the Weather Together set and the coordinating Umbrella Weather Framelit dies, so I wanted to use them for this challenge.

I used just the Weather Together stamp set to create this card.  I love a stamp set that has both sentiments and images.  Actually the only thing I used in addition to the Weather Together stamp set and coordinating Umbrella Weather framelits was the tiny flower die from the Flower Fair framelits.  

Product List

Weather Together Photopolymer Bundle [142319] $41.25	Pool Party Classic Stampin' Pad [126982] $6.50	So Saffron Classic Stampin' Pad [126957] $6.50	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $6.00	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [140272] $7.00
Pool Party 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [122924] $8.00	So Saffron 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [105118] $8.00	Silver Foil Sheets [132178] $4.00	Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper [135315] $5.00	Flower Fair Framelits Die [133731] $25.00

I hope you will join in the fun of the Try Stampin'on Tuesday Challenge!

It is Thursday which means it is time for  the Create with Connie and Mary Challenge.  This week it is a color challenge.  

I saw this color combination and knew it would be perfect to use with the Thoughtful Branches stamp set and Beautiful Branches dies.  I shared another sample using this beautiful stamp set and dies here.   This set and thinlits will be available for purchase on August 2.  

The only stamp set i used to make this card is the Thoughtful Branches set.  Not only does this set have beautiful images, it also has a lot of sentiments.   It really is the complete deal!  

Here are a couple of tips that I found helpful when I made this card.  I cut the tree top/leaf image out first and then stamped it with Mint Macaron ink. I used a stamp-a-ma-jig to do the stamping and it made it much easier to line up.  The set is photopolymer but there are a lot of leaves to position and for me using the stamp-a-ma-jig made sense.  I also line the leaves with an oval cut from the Layering Oval framelits.  I cut the oval using the #4 oval framelit( #1 being the smallest oval).  I attached the branches to the oval and the layered the leaves over the branches.  

I added a few Dazzling Diamond Glimmer paper hearts to the tree to add a little sparkle.   Did you notice the birds?  Yes, there are 2 stamps that have the birds facing different directions and yes there are dies that cut the birds out.  

I hope you will join in the challenge.  I would love to see what you create.  You also need to check out what the other members of the design team created.  I think you will be inspired and amazed.  

Spent a couple of  hours in my craft room just stamping for fun.  I didn't think about my to do list, whether the card I was making would work for a class or blog post,  I just played and it was just what I needed.   Sometimes I get too focused on what I need to accomplish vs enjoying the creative time and playing.   I'm going to try and remember to  focus more on the creative process vs just the end result.  

Product List

Bunch Of Blossoms Photopolymer Stamp Set [141573] $21.00	Papillon Potpourri Clear Stamp Set [123759] $15.00	Flirty Flamingo Classic Stampin' Pad [141397] $6.50	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $6.00	Whisper White Craft Stampin' Pad [101731] $8.00
Flirty Flamingo 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [141416] $8.00	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730] $9.00	Pear Pizzazz 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [131201] $8.00	Vellum 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [101856] $8.00	Blossom Builder Punch [141469] $18.00
Bitty Butterfly Punch [129406] $16.00	Rose Garden Thinlits Dies [140619] $31.00	Umbrella Weather Framelits Dies [141479] $25.00	Blushing Bride 3/8" (1 Cm) Stitched Satin Ribbon [141692] $9.00	Rhinestone Basic Jewels Embellishments [119246] $5.00

I have been playing with stamp set and punch a lot and I am amazed at the different looks that can be achieved with the set.  I like this bundle so much that I am having a Bunch of Blossom stamp camp!  If you live in the Spokane WA area you won't want to miss it!  The deadline to register is tomorrow so don't delay.  The camp is on July 30th at the Moran Prairie Library.  We will be making 8 projects using this stamp set and punch!  Contact me at [email protected]  and get all the details and get registered!

Welcome to the Stamper's Dozen Blog Hop...Two Step Stamping!  Today I am sharing with you a brand new stamp and framelit that will be available to purchase on August 2.  As a demonstrator, I was able to pre-order it and it is truly a beautiful set.  I know it isn't nice to share something you cannot order yet but I couldn't resist playing with the set.  

Isn't the flower so pretty?  I stamped over the die cut with Pink Pirouette ink and then decided I wanted to add some sparkle so I stamped again using VersaMark ink and then heat embossed it.  Thank goodness for the Stamp-a-ma-jig!   I used a mixture of Clear embossing powder and Dazzling Diamond glitter to emboss.  

I really love the font used for the sentiments in this set, it looks very modern and fresh.  I wish my handwriting looked like this!

Product List

Thoughtful Branches Photopolymer Bundle [144328] $52.00	Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad [126974] $6.50	Pink Pirouette Classic Stampin' Pad [126956] $6.50	Versamark Pad [102283] $8.50
Pink Pirouette 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [111351] $8.00	Shimmery White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [101910] $8.00	Pear Pizzazz 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [131201] $8.00	Flirty Flamingo 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [141416] $8.00
Layering Ovals Framelits Dies [141706] $35.00	Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter [133751] $5.00	Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder [109130] $5.00	Pearl Basic Jewels Embellishments [119247] $5.00

Be sure to check out the awesome card that France has made for you!

Also BJ has a beautiful card to share!

Thank you for stopping by and joining us on the Stamper's Dozen blog hop!

It is Thursday and time for the Create with Connie and Mary Challenge.  This week we have a fun sketch challenge.

Here's what I came up with.

This hive and bees are from the Shooting Star stamp set and the Sliding Star framelits.  I adore those little bees.   This is such a fun set with cute sentiments and fun images.  I have yet to make a slider using the framelits but I will.    In addition to the Sliding Star framelits i used the Layering Squares framelits to make the Real Red frame.

Be sure to check out what the other design team members created for this challenge.  I hope you will join in the fun and stamp along with the Create with Connie and Mary Challenge.

It is time for the Try Stampin' on Tuesday Challenge #TSOT279.  

Isn't this a great sketch?  I think it is just a terrific and yet I found it to be a difficult one.  I tried all kinds of things and what finally worked was changing the orientation of the card. 

Product List

Fresh Fruit Photopolymer Stamp Set [141770] $27.00	Thoughtful Banners Photopolymer Stamp Set [141614] $21.00	Watermelon Wonder Classic Stampin' Pad [138323] $6.50	Cucumber Crush Classic Stampin' Pad [138324] $6.50
Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $6.00	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [140272] $7.00	Watermelon Wonder 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [138334] $8.00	Fruit Stand Designer Series Paper [141660] $11.00
Layering Squares Framelits Dies [141708] $35.00	2" Circle Punch [133782] $18.00	Watermelon Wonder 5/8" (1.6 Cm) Mini Striped Ribbon [141433] $8.00

Please check out what the other Try Stampin' on Tuesday design team members created for this challenge.  They always have the best ideas!  I  hope you will join in the challenge.  

Just a quick post to share another variation of the card I posted here.  I used basically the same layout in a different color scheme.

Product List

Bunch Of Blossoms Photopolymer Stamp Set [141573] $21.00	Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad [126974] $6.50	Early Espresso 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [119686] $8.00	Blushing Bride 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [131198] $8.00
Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [101650] $9.00	Blushing Bride Glimmer Paper [140550] $5.00	Flourish Thinlits Dies [141478] $29.00	Blushing Bride 3/8" (1 Cm) Stitched Satin Ribbon [141692] $9.00

This is a quick and easy card.  The hardest part is figuring out what sentiment to use!

Remember that the Bonus Days promotion has started.   For every $50 US you spend in a single order(before shipping and tax) between July 7 and July 31, you’ll get a $5 US  Bonus Days coupon that you can use between August 2–31, 2016.  This is the first time Stampin' Up! has offered this amazing promotion.   It just made summer stamping shopping even better!

I was looking at the Stampin' Up! catalog, something I do a lot and saw the Live, Love, Grow stamp set.  I love  the idea of stamping a terrarium.  My mind wandered to all those terrariums that were started in jars and that led me to today's card.

It is a homemade mason jar terrarium! This was so fun to make and not nearly as messy as a real terrarium.  I also don't have to worry about watering it.  

Product List

Jar Of Love Photopolymer Stamp Set [141587] $27.00	Fresh Fruit Photopolymer Stamp Set [141770] $27.00	Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad [126953] $6.50	Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad [126949] $6.50
Smoky Slate Classic Stampin' Pad [131179] $6.50	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $6.00	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [140272] $7.00	Real Red 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [102482] $8.00
Smoky Slate 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [131202] $8.00	Brights Designer Series Paper Stack [138434] $22.00	Window Sheets Base Material [114323] $5.00	Everyday Jars Framelits Dies [141490] $33.00
Layering Circle Framelits Dies [141705] $35.00	Brights Enamel Shapes [141680] $9.00

The succulent in the jar is from a Paper Pumpkin kit.  Paper Pumpkin is a monthly subscription kit offered by Stampin' Up!.  I do not remember the month the kit came out or the name of the kit.

I am linking this to card to the Color Throwdown #400 challenge. 

I love the inspiration picture and would  love to own that comforter.

I am also linking it to the Freshly Made Sketches#244.

Remember that the Bonus Days promotion has started.   For every $50 US you spend in a single order(before shipping and tax) between July 7 and July 31, you’ll get a $5 US  Bonus Days coupon that you can use between August 2–31, 2016.  This is the first time Stampin' Up! has offered this amazing promotion.   It just made summer stamping shopping even better!

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

Isn't this a perfect summertime color combination?  

Every time I use the Flourish thinlits I marvel at how pretty and elegant they are.  I cut the stem out of Cucumber Crush card stock and then cut the flowers out using  Tangerine Tango card stock. I wanted to add some sparkle to the card and remembered an old trick of heat embossing with Iridescent Ice embossing powder on colored card stock.  Stampin' Up! no longer carries Iridescent Ice embossing powder,  so I made my own.  I mixed some Dazzling Diamonds glitter and Clear embossing powder and embossed it on to a strip of Peekaboo Peach card stock.  I don't have the exact proportions of embossing powder to glitter but I would start with 1 part embossing powder to 1/2 part glitter.  I used a die from the Mini Treat Bag thinlits and cut out small circles from the glittered Peekaboo Peach card stock and attached them to the stem.  

The sentiment is from the Bunch of Blossoms stamp set.  I first stamped it in Cucumber Crush ink.  Honestly, it looked a little blah, so I stamp it again using markers so I could have both Cucumber Crush and Tangerine Tango words.  Much better.  I also cut another border piece from the Flourish thinlits  and curved it around the oval.  I love how it frames the sentiment.   Definitely an idea I am going to use again.  

Be sure to check out what the other members of the Thursday design team made using the color challenge.  I always see what they make and wonder, how did they ever think of that?!  Lots of great ideas and inspiration.