It is Thursday and time for the Create with Connie and Mary Challenge #493.  This week it is a Color Challenge.

The challenge colors are Old Olive, Marina Mist and Calypso Coral.  

The first thing I thought of was the paper from the Bubbles and Fizz DSP.  The Bubbles and Fizz DSP pack is really fun and bright.  This is one of the Sale-A-Bration choices which means you can get it for free with a $50 order.  I love the hearts and was reminded by one of my team members that this design works beautifully for Valentine's too.

I used images from the Picture Perfect Birthday stamp set in the challenge colors.  Once I completed the stamping I covered the circle in VersaMark ink and heat embossed it with a mix of Dazzling Diamonds glitter and Clear Embossing powder.  I think the glittery embossing livens up the card.  One of the things I really like about the Picture Perfect Birthday stamp set is the sentiments.  I always like when fonts are mixed in a sentiment and I especially like this hand lettered font.

I finished off the card tying a bow using the 3/8" Classic Weave ribbon.  This ribbon is super soft and easy to tie.  This is a quick card with a little bit of glittery appeal.  

I hope you will join in the challenge and be sure to check out what the other members of the design team created for the challenge.  I think you will be inspired.

Right about now you are beginning to wonder if I own any stamp sets other than Charming Cafe.  Rest assured, I do.  If you haven't guessed by now I am crazy about the Charming Cafe bundle and keep thinking of ways to use it.  I guess it is a good problem to have since it means this is a very useful and versatile bundle.

Don't ya just love the striped awning?  The yellow striped DSP (Designer Series Paper) is from the Tutti-frutti 6" x 6" pack.  I stamped the DSP in Tuxedo Black Memento ink, did some cutting, and glued the awning  back on to the stamped image.  It was pretty quick and I love how it turned out.  Wish there was a cute and charming cafe that looked like this near me.

CHeck out the cute little topiary.  Yes,  there is a die to cut it out.  In fact there are 3 dies to cut out the topiary image.   This means you can quickly cut out a bunch of topiaries for your cafe scene.  

Product List

Charming Café Clear-Mount Bundle [147508] $43.00	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $6.00	Daffodil Delight Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [144603] $9.00	Smoky Slate Light Stampin' Blends Marker [145054] $4.50	Calypso Coral Light Stampin' Blends Marker [144042] $4.50
Crumb Cake Light Stampin' Blends Marker [144582] $4.50	Old Olive Light Stampin' Blends Marker [144574] $4.50	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [121045] $8.00	Daffodil Delight 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [119683] $8.00	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730] $9.00
Tutti-Frutti 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [145606] $10.00	Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies [145372] $30.00	Layering Circle Framelits Dies [141705] $35.00	Basic Black Baker's Twine [134576] $3.00

If you want to see some of the other projects I have shared using this bundle go here  and  here.  There are also a few more samples on my Facebook page.

Welcome to the Stamper's Dozen Blog Hop!  This month we are Sale-A-Brating! As you hop along with us you will see lots of fun ideas on ways to use Sale-A-Bration products.  

I am using the super adorable Party Pandas set!  I think pandas are the perfect animals after all they are black and white and you know how much I love a black and white color scheme.

 This is a tri-fold card.  I started with a 4-1/4" x 11" card base and scored it at 4-1/4"  and 8-1/2".

The DSP is from the Petal Passion DSP pack and you know this is a favorite of mine.   

The sweet little sentiment is from the very useful Teeny Tiny Wishes.   This is a set that I know will have the sentiment I am looking for.   The Red Glimmer Paper heart was cut out using the Mini Treat Bag thinlits.

Are wondering how you can get your own Party Pandas stamp set?  You can get this stamp set FREE!  Yes, free.  You just need to place a $50 order  (before shipping and tax) and you qualify to get this set at no cost.  This is all part of the Stampin' Up! Sale-A-Bration promotion!  If you do not have a Stampin' Up! demonstrator you currently with, I would love to help you.  

Now it is time for you to hop along and see what the talented Laura Milligan has created.

If you just came from Laura's blog then please check out what the creative BJ Peters has made.

Here's another card I made using the Petal Passion Memories & More Card pack.  

This time I colored the image with Calypso Coral and Old Olive Stampin' Blends and fussy cut the image.  I used the shimmery Calypso Coral ribbon that is a Sale-A-Bration choice.  The Shimmer Ribbon Pack includes ribbons in Basic Gray (1/4" wide),  Bermuda Bay (1/8" wide) and Calypso Coral (3/8" wide).   Each roll has 5 yards and it is free with a $50 purchase.  Be sure to check out  page 9 of the Sale-A-Bration brochure to learn how to make the ribbon curly.

The sentiment is from the Petal Palette stamp set which is also part of the Petal Passion Suite.  I used the Petal Pair embossing folder to create texture and interest.  You can see the other card I made using the Petal Passions Memories & More Card Pack here.

If you need quick, easy and elegant cards or need a project that is great to take with you, think about the Petal Passion Memories & More Card Pack.  All you need is a few markers to color on the go or to write down and preserve your memories.  

Have you seen the Painted with Love Specialty DSP?  It is GORGEOUS!  Yes, I meant to shout.  If you like gold foil accents then this pack of paper is for you.

When I first saw the paper I wanted to frame each piece.  I still think I might do that.  The colors are beautiful and the designs are modern and sophisticated.  The sketch was a perfect one to show off the DSP.

The sentiment is from the Hanging Garden set and you can see a sample card here.  I also used the Sweet & Sassy framelits to cut out the hearts.

I hope you will join in the challenge.  You can get all the details on the Create with Connie and Mary blog.  Be sure to check out what the other designers created for this challenge, you will be inspired.

The Petal Passion Suite in the Occasions Catalog is one of my  favorite suite of products.  I think I purchased every single item in the suite.  

This card was made using one of the beautiful 3" x 4" cards in the Petal Passion Memories and More Card Pack.   One of my creative goals for 2018 is to become a better memory keeper and I thought these cards would be a great way to start.  These cards are gorgeous and perfect for memory keeping however, I couldn't resist making some cards from the pack.  You get 2 each of 26 designs in the 3" x 4" size and 2 each of 10 designs in the 4" x 6" size.   Lots of cards for memory keeping, planners, gift tags and greeting cards.    I colored the image using  Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive and Pink Pirouette Stampin' Blends.  The images are already shaded which makes it very easy to color.

I also used one of the Petal Pair Embossing folders.   The one I used is a beautiful border of flowers and leaves.   It is simply gorgeous.   The only stamping I did was to stamp the sentiment from the Ribbon of  Courage stamp set in Tuxedo Black Memento ink.

Product List

Ribbon Of Courage Clear-Mount Stamp Set [143855] $19.00	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $6.00	Cherry Cobbler Dark Stampin' Blends Marker [144575] $4.50	Cherry Cobbler Light Stampin' Blends Marker [144576] $4.50	Pink Pirouette Light Stampin' Blends Marker [144593] $4.50
Pink Pirouette Dark Stampin' Blends Marker [144592] $4.50	Old Olive Light Stampin' Blends Marker [144574] $4.50	Old Olive Dark Stampin' Blends Marker [144573] $4.50	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [121045] $8.00	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730] $9.00
Petal Pair Textured Impressions Embossing Folders [145656] $9.00	Basic Black Solid Baker's Twine [141682] $3.00	Rhinestone Basic Jewels [144220] $5.00

The Petal Passion Memories & More Card Pack is very versatile and great for lots of quick and easy crafting.  The cards give you a great starting point and what you make is up to you and your imagination.

Time for the first Try Stampin' on Tuesday weekly Challenge for 2018.   

This is one super quick and easy card.   The only stamping I did was to stamp the "celebrate".   The sentiment is from the Sale-A-Bration stamp set Amazing You.  The sentiment is a smaller version of the amazing Celebrate You thinlit dies which is also a Sale-A-Bration choice.  The lovely cake and flowers are from the Sweet Soiree Embellishment kit.  The kit is so fun and perfect for cards,  scrapbook pages, home decor, really anything that you want to embellish.  The kit comes with foil embossed images on both cardstock and vellum.  There are cardstock/silver foil die cut numbers and tassels too.  The kit also has an exclusive washi tape in silver foil,  white mini clothespins and a yummy scalloped Marina Mist velvet ribbon.  On page 10 and 11 of the Occasions catalog there are lots of beautiful samples using the kit.

I also used a strip from the Sweet Soiree DSP which is GORGEOUS!  This pack of DSP has silver foil accents on one side of each sheet.  Simply stunning.  

I hope you will join in the challenge.  You can get all the details on the blog and be sure to check out what the other members of the team created using this sketch.

When I saw the Hanging Garden stamp set I knew exactly the kind of card I wanted to make with it.

I don't know if there is an official name for this fold.  I call it the One Flap Easel card.  Super catchy name, huh?  I followed the tutorial I created here and am so happy with how it turned out. 

Product List

Hanging Garden Clear-Mount Stamp Set [146239] $19.00	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $6.00	Old Olive Dark Stampin' Blends Marker [144573] $4.50	Old Olive Light Stampin' Blends Marker [144574] $4.50	Calypso Coral Light Stampin' Blends Marker [144042] $4.50
Calypso Coral Dark Stampin' Blends Marker [144044] $4.50	Crumb Cake Light Stampin' Blends Marker [144582] $4.50	Bronze Stampin' Blends Marker [144607] $4.50	Pear Pizzazz 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [131201] $8.00	Calypso Coral 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [122925] $8.00
Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730] $9.00	Classic Label Punch [141491] $18.00	Basic Black Solid Baker's Twine [141682] $3.00

I love it when a stamp set not only has great images but great sentiments too!  Here's what the card looks like closed.

The Hanging Garden set is quick to color and using the Stampin' Blends is just so easy.  I have a few more samples I made using the Hanging Garden stamp set that I will be sharing this week.   Check back for more ideas on how to use this fabulous new set from the Occasions catalog.

Today is the first Create with Connie and Mary challenge of 2018 and it was a tough one.  This week it was a color challenge.

What do you think?  I played around with the colors for quite a while and finally came up with this card.

I sponged the challenge colors  onto a piece of Whisper White card stock and then stamped the Heartfelt Blooms in Basic Gray ink.  The "celebrate" is part of the Sale-A-Bration Celebrate You Thinlit dies.  These dies will also be available in the 2018-19 Annual Stampin' Up! catalog.  Isn't it wonderful that you can earn these thinlits and get them free with a $100 purchase?

I hope you will join in the challenge and try your hand at this color combination.  Be sure to check out what the other designers created for this challenge and get all the details on how you can play along with the Create with Connie and Mary Challenge.

Happy 2018!   I hope your holidays were great.  It is now time to celebrate the start of both the new Stampin' Up! Occasions catalog and Sale-A-Bration.  I cannot think of a better way to start off than with the Inspire, Create, & Share Blog Hop!  I am featuring one of my favorite bundles, Charming Cafe.  

Honestly, the Charming Cafe bundle was not even on my radar until I really looked at the samples in the Occasions catalog and was intrigued by the dies and started thinking about all the possibilities.  Once I started working with the bundle I was indeed charmed by it.

I paired the Charming Cafe bundle with the Sale-A-Bration choice Tutti-Frutti Cards & Envelopes on page 14 of the Sale-A-Bration catalog.  I think sometimes it is easy to overlook the non stamp Sale-A-Bration offerings.  The pack contains 16 pre-printed card bases (4 each of 4 designs) and coordinating envelopes.  I am featuring 3 of the designs on today's blog post.  

In case you are not familiar with Sale-A-Bration let me tell you about it.  During Sale-A-Bration for every $50 you spend (before shipping and tax) you get to choose a free product from the Sale-A-Bration brochure.  New this year there are even bigger rewards when you spend $100 (before tax and shipping).   The Tutti-Frutti Cards & Envelopes are one of the choices at the $50 level.

Did you notice that all the cards also feature a cute little bow?  These bows are from the 2017-19 In Color Bitty Bows.  

Are you wondering why I did this?  Well, if you order the Charming Cafe bundle and the In Color Bitty Bows you would qualify for a $50 Sale-A-Bration reward and could get the Tutti-Frutti Cards & Envelopes.  Pretty cool, huh?

I really like using the pre-printed Tutti-Frutti card bases.  It eliminates some of the decisions and cutting and gets me to the fun part of designing and coloring a lot quicker.  Hope you enjoyed this look at the Charming Cafe bundle and the Tutti-Frutti Card Bases.  

Now it is time for you to hop on over to see what the talented Jenilee Pauls has created for you!