This week I am working on quick and easy Christmas cards.  I need to get my cards made and sent.  

The only stamping on this card are the sentiments.  This sentiment on the front is  from the Hearts Come Home stamp set.  Don't you just love the font?  One day I hope to be able to letter this beautifully.  The greenery was cut using the Pretty Pines thinlits.  I used 2 different thinlits so the cutting went quickly.  The red glimmer berries were cut using the row of dots from the Mini Treat Bag thinlits.  I can cut 12 berries at one time so that was definitely fast and easy.  The background was embossed using the Quilt Top Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  

Product List

Hearts Come Home Clear-Mount Stamp Set [145416] $21.00	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	Old Olive 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100702] $8.00
Red Glimmer Paper [121790] $5.00	Pretty Pines Thinlits Dies [141851] $26.00	Mini Treat Bag Thinlits Dies [137547] $40.00	Quilt Top Textured Impressions Embossing Folder [144687] $8.50

Card Base:  Thick Whisper White 4-1/4" x 11 scored at 5-1/2"

Real Red: 4" x 5-1/4"

Thick Whisper White:  3-7/8" x  5-1/8"

Banner: 3/4" x 4" 

Hope you liked this quick and easy card.  I will be back tomorrow with another card idea for you.  Remember Free Shipping is only for 24 hours and ends Monday, December 11 at 11:59 pm(MT).  Please shop at my online store and remember to use the hostess code if your order is less than $150.

Are you like me and scrambling to get your Christmas cards and shopping done?  I am here to offer you a little help.  First off here's a little help with your Christmas cards.

These 2 cards are from the Watercolor Christmas project kit.  I added a few extra sequins and a layer of Emerald Envy card stock around the season of cheer layer but that is it.  These cards are quick to make and look fabulous.  Everything comes in the kit to make 20 cards except for the stamp set, black ink pad and adhesives.  The watercolored pieces are all pre-done and look great.  You also get envelopes with gold foil liners. 

Here are the other 2 designs that come in the kit.  I added some enamel dots and rhinestones but they are totally not necessary.  

Now for a little help with your shopping.   Ready?

Surprise!  Stampin' Up! is offering 24 hours of FREE SHIPPING on Monday, December 11!  I am excited and thinking about all the ways I can send  some crafting cheer!   For my crafty peeps who live close by I will have the goodies sent to me so I can wrap and deliver them.  For those crafty friends who live too far away, I can send them some them some SU! fun direct to them.  I will warn them not to open the box until Christmas.  This one move will also save me lots of time spent waiting at the Post Office.  

I have another extra little bonus for you. I was cleaning up my stamp room and  found a brand new Merry Patterns  Hostess stamp set.  When you place an order with me on December 11 and use the Hostess Code UZYE42HY, I will enter your name in a drawing to win this set.  On Tuesday, December 12 I will draw one lucky winner and I will send that person the stamp set.  Free Shipping and a chance to win the Merry Patterns stamp set, pretty sweet deal!

I am off to work on my Christmas Gift list and more cards.  I will be sharing my quick and easy cards here on the blog and also on my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/astheinkdries/).  

It is Thursday and that means it is time for the Create with Connie and Mary Challenge!  Every week the challenge alternates between a sketch or color challenge.  This week it is a color challenge.  Can you guess the colors?

If you guessed, Tranquil Tide, Calypso Coral and So Saffron, you are correct.

I wanted to use one of my favorite sets from the Holiday Catalog, Seasonal Lantern Bundle.   Why is this one of my favorites?   This is a very versatile bundle with lots of images that can be used for many different occasions.   The images are clean and simple in the best possible way.  I have used the bundle to create more handsome cards.  I hope that makes sense.   The set has 2 and 3 step images to stamp which makes it really easy to add color.  If you don't have this bundle in your craft room you might want to get it soon, it is on the Retiring list and won't be available after January  2. (The stamp set is guaranteed to be available until December 21.  The framelits are available while supplies last).

Product List

Seasonal Lantern Photopolymer Bundle [146073] $54.00	Tranquil Tide Classic Stampin' Pad [144085] $6.50	Calypso Coral Classic Stampin' Pad [126983] $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	Calypso Coral 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [122925] $8.00	Layering Ovals Framelits Dies [141706] $35.00	Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies [145372] $30.00	2017-2019 In Color Bitty Bows [144217] $8.50

I hope you will join in this fun color challenge!  I would love to see what you create.  You can post your creation to the Create with Connie and Mary Facebook page. 

It is time for the Try Stampin' on Tuesday Challenge.   What a great sketch we have this week to work with.

Optional theme is Winter Time.

I knew I wanted to use Designer Series Paper (DSP) for this sketch.  I chose the Quilted Christmas 6" x 6" DSP to use.  This pack of paper has 4 each of 12 double sided designs for a total of 48 sheets.   There are lots of fun designs to chose from and more times than not I like both sides!  Sometimes deciding which side of the paper to use is the hardest part.

I used the Festive Phrases stamp set.  This set is one I have been reaching for more and more.  I used another of the images in the stamp set for the Try Stampin' on Tuesday challenge #349.

Product List

Festive Phrases Clear-Mount Stamp Set [144960] $17.00	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $6.00	Brights Stampin' Write Markers [131259] $29.00	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [140272] $7.00	Real Red 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [102482] $8.00
Quilted Christmas 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [144617] $9.00	Layering Squares Framelits Dies [141708] $35.00	Whisper White 3/8" Classic Weave Ribbon [144159] $7.00	Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter [133751] $5.00	Fine-Tip Glue Pen [138309] $7.00

Here's a close up of the lights.

I colored the lights in with Stampin' Write markers,  covered them with Fine-Tip Glue, and then sprinkled them with Dazzling Diamonds glitter.  Love how sparkly they look.

For the past 5 weeks, I have been sending out to my email subscribers a weekly email featuring a project sheet for a card and a 3-D item.  There are 3 weeks left in my 8 Weeks of the Holidays series.  If you are interested sign up for my email list on the right hand side of the blog. 

I have a little sneak peek for you of a new stamp set in the upcoming Occasions Catalog called Flying Home.  I know it seems a little early to be sharing sneak peeks.  There is a reason I am and I think once you see the sample you will know why.

Isn't it sweet?  I love how this card turned out.  The image is so pretty and fun to color using the Stampin' Blends.  I really like the black and white plaid DSP.  Do you know what paper pack that is in?  It is in the Merry Little Christmas DSP which is on the retiring list.   Now you see why I am sharing this card now.  The Merry Little Christmas DSP is definitely not just for Christmas.  One side of each paper features a holiday design and the other a more neutral year round design.  The items on the retiring list are only available while supplies last so don't delay in placing your order.

 The following supply list doesn't include the Flying Home stamp set or the Stampin' Blends.  I used so many colors of Blends and I didn't keep track of each color used.

Product List

Sunshine Sayings Clear-Mount Stamp Set [141594] $23.00	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $6.00	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [121045] $8.00	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730] $9.00
Powder Pink 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [144244] $8.00	Merry Little Christmas Designer Series Paper [144621] $11.00	Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies [145372] $30.00	Layering Squares Framelits Dies [141708] $35.00
1" Circle Punch [119868] $13.00	Powder Pink 3/8" Shimmer Ribbon [144151] $7.00

If you have any questions about the products used or about the Year End Sale or retiring list please leave me a comment.