I have been seeing beautiful cards colored using just black, white and gray and knew I wanted to try it.  While I had the Accented Blooms set out I pulled out the combo packs of Black and  Smoky Slate Stampin' Blends and the Color Lifter.  I thought this set might be a good choice for this coloring idea since the images are pretty open and it isn't too fussy or big.

I am pretty happy with how this turned out and will definitely try this technique  again.  One of the hardest things is during the coloring process  I was so tempted to add a splash of color like red or yellow but when it was all done I am glad I didn't.  

The sentiment was stamped using Versamark ink on Whisper White cardstock and embossed using Black embossing powder.  I also used the retired Black Baker's twine.   I still miss the Black Baker's twine and sometimes I just have to use it.  The Basic Gray cardstock was embossed using the Scripty 3D folder. 

Product List

Accented Blooms Clear-Mount Stamp Set [146681]	Versamark Pad [102283]	Basic Black Combo Pack Stampin' Blends [147942]	Smoky Slate Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [145058]
Stampin' Blends Color Lifter [144608]	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121045]	Basic Gray 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121044]	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100730]
Butterfly Beauty Dies [151819]	Scripty 3D Embossing Folder [149634]	Tailored Tag Punch [145667]	Black Stampin' Emboss Powder [146956]

If you have any paper crafting needs please check out my online store.  If you would like a 2020-21 Stampin'Up! catalog and do not have a Stampin'Up!® demonstrator please contact me.

It is Thursday and time for Create with Connie & Mary Challenge!  This week  #CCMC565 is a color challenge.

This is such a classic and pretty combination.

I used the Stitched Lace dies and To A Wild Rose bundle  for today's card.  The Stitched Lace die set has 2 dies, one that cuts out a sheet of "lace" measuring 5-7/8" x 4-5/16" and the second die, cuts out the outline, so you can have your lace be different lengths.  So pretty and versatile.

To A Wild Rose is one of my favorite new flower stamps.  It is easy to stamp with and the shading created by the Distinktive process and the 2 Step stamping is gorgeous.  Here I used the Daffodil Delight ink stamped off once for the overall color and then full strength for the shading stamp.

I used some Highland Heather sequins from the Gingham Gala Adhesive Backed Sequins pack with added rhinestones  for a sparkly center to the flowers.  Are you wondering where else I used Highland Heather?  I used it for the leaves and also stamped the "hello" in Highland Heather ink.

Be sure to check out what the other design team members created for this weeks challenge.  I know you will be inspired by their creations.

Product List

To A Wild Rose Bundle [151073] $54.00	Highland Heather Classic Stampin' Pad [147103] $7.50	Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Pad [147094] $7.50	Gorgeous Grape Classic Stampin' Pad [147099] $7.50
Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [140272] $7.75	Gorgeous Grape 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146987] $8.50	Stitched Lace Dies [149625] $35.00	Gingham Gala Adhesive-Backed Sequins [148561] $7.50
Rhinestone Basic Jewels [144220] $5.00

Does this happen to you?  I have a few, okay maybe more than a few new things from the 2019-2020 Stampin' Up!® catalog.   I am excited to get stamping but feel overwhelmed.  What should I use first?  What colors?   The questions go on and on. 

I find that sometimes limiting the possibilities really helps me get started.  I randomly picked a stamp set, A Little Lace and then picked a stamping challenge.  I wanted a color challenge and found the Paper Players Challenge PP445. 

Love this happy color combination!  I started playing and here's what I came up with.

I used just the one flower image and stamped it repeatedly using a Stamparatus. The flowers were colored in using Stampin' Blends in the challenge colors.   The "Hello" is from the Free As a Bird stamp set and the other sentiment is from the Daisy Lane stamp set.

Can you see the centers of the flowers?  I used the Fine-Tip Glue Pen to give it shine and a little dimension.  I also used  the Clear Wink of Stella on the flower petals.

This little jump start has really helped me feel more creative and productive.  I would love to know what helps you when you are feeling overwhelmed or in a rut. Leave me a comment and tell me what works for you.

Product List

A Little Lace Cling Stamp Set [149364] $21.00	Daisy Lane Cling Stamp Set [149325] $23.00	Free As A Bird Cling Stamp Set [149468] $22.00	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $6.00
Versamark Pad [102283] $9.00	Highland Heather Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [147276] $9.00	Granny Apple Green Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [147274] $9.00	Daffodil Delight Dark Stampin' Blends Marker [144585] $4.50
Highland Heather 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146986] $8.50	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730] $9.75	Daffodil Delight 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [119683] $8.50	Stamparatus [146276] $49.00
1" Circle Punch [119868] $13.00	Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush [141897] $8.00	Fine-Tip Glue Pen [138309] $7.00	White Stampin' Emboss Powder [109132] $5.00

Just a quick post to share one more sneak peek of the Floral Essence bundle.  

Isn't the Perennial Essence DSP just too dreamy?  I love it and have plans to frame it.  Did you notice the vellum leaves?  Yes it is in the 2019-20 catalog.  The Perennial Essence Vellum card stock comes in Old Olive Petal Pink and So Saffron.  So pretty!  

The fuzzy centers on the flowers are also a new fun accessory.  It is called Perennial Essence Flower Centers and they are sweet!

Today's card has a little bit of everything.  It has something new, a lot that is  retiring, and a few things sold out.  

On this card I used the Florentine Thinlits die (sold out) to cut out the Wood Textures DSP(retiring)  I love how it looks like a lattice.  The branches were stamped using the Best Birds stamp set(retiring)  and then cut out using the Birds & Blooms Thinlits (retiring).  The pretty pink flowers were punched using the Bitty Blooms Punch Pack, which is  sold out. 

What is new?  The 2 cute little birdies were cut out from the upcoming Bird Ballad DSP.  It is another gorgeous pack of paper and definitely one to put on your shopping list.

This is a tricky time of year.  The stamp sets on the Annual Catalog Retiring List and the Occasions Catalog Retiring List are guaranteed to be available until May 24th but the other items on the list are only available while supplies last.  I hate for you to miss out on something you really want so be sure to place your order soon.

Enjoy the rest of the hop!

Stamper's Dozen May 2019 Blog Hop

1. Patty Chenail – Stamp-Patty’s - Stamping In My Flops
2. Judy Garza – Creativity Released
3. Sharon Hashimoto Burkert – As the Ink Dries
4. Kelly Acheson – A Stamp Above
5. Carol Payne – Carol Payne Stamps
6. Joanne Cantrell – Keep It Simple, Stampers
7. Rachel Yurkanin – Rachel’s Stamping Place
8. Debbie Naylor – Unfrogettable Stamping
9. Bonnie O'Neill – Bonnie Stamped

A few days ago this post was published, well actually it was blank....ooops!  Definitely a case of operator error.  Sorry that happened.  Here is the card I made for the Create with Connie & Mary Challenge #CCMC560.

Here is the sketch the card is based on.

I used the soon to be retiring Bloom by Bloom stamp set and stamped that fun, whimsical bloom.  I inked the flower in Grapefruit Grove ink and stamped some Calypso Coral ink over it to create the ombre effect.  

I also used the coordinating Happiness Blooms DSP for the strips.  This pack of paper is full of bright and bold designs and colors.  It too along with the Night of Navy Baker's twine will be retiring soon.  The Grapefruit Grove card stock was embossed using the Subtle 3-D folder.   I think this is the embossing folder I reach for the most.  

Sorry about the fake post earlier this week.  Hope you will join in the Create with Connie & Mary Challenge #560 and be sure to check out what the other members of the design team created for this challenge!

Product List

Bloom By Bloom Photopolymer Stamp Set [148820] $17.00	Call Me Clover Stampin' Pad [147139] $7.50	Calypso Coral Classic Stampin' Pad [147101] $7.50	Grapefruit Grove Classic Stampin' Pad [147142] $7.50
Night Of Navy Classic Stampin' Pad [147110] $7.50	Night Of Navy 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100867] $8.50	Grapefruit Grove 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146972] $8.50	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730] $9.75
Happiness Blooms 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [148795] $11.00	Well Written Framelits Dies [148534] $40.00	Layering Ovals Framelits Dies [141706] $35.00	Night Of Navy Medium Baker's Twine [146336] $3.00

Can you believe that this was the first time I inked up the hummingbird stamp in the Humming Along stamp set?  It surprised me since I really like hummingbirds, in fact I have a feeder right outside my stamp room window.  I happily watch them coming and going from the feeder all day long.

I colored the hummingbird using Stampin' Blends.  It was a fun one to color even if it doesn't look like any hummingbird I have ever seen.  The hummingbird was cut out using the coordinating Hummingbird dies.  The label was also cut out using the Hummingbird dies and it is a great shape. 

Pretty fancy right?   

The vines are from the Delightfully Detailed Laser Cut Specialty paper in the Annual catalog.   I attached little flowers to the vines that were punched using the Bitty Blooms Punch Pack.  I used a bone folder and gently poked the center of the flowers to create some dimension.  Everything I used except for the pearls, Bermuda Bay and Mint Macaron card stock are on the retiring products list.   

Be sure to place your order for retiring products soon.  I would hate for you to miss out!

Product List

Humming Along Cling Bundle [150621] $42.25	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $6.00	Mint Macaron Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [147283] $9.00	Bermuda Bay Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [144600] $9.00
Bermuda Bay 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [131197] $8.50	Mint Macaron 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [138337] $8.50	Delightfully Detailed Laser-Cut Specialty Paper [146907] $14.00	Bitty Blooms Punch Pack [148532] $23.00
Pearl Basic Jewels [144219] $5.00	Whisper White 3/8" Classic Weave Ribbon [144159] $7.00	Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush [141897] $8.00

Ready for another fun  Create with Connie & Mary Challenge?   Today's challenge #CCMC556 is a sketch challenge.

Here's what I made for the challenge.

I used the Needlepoint Nook DSP which helped guide the choice of using the coordinating colors, Poppy Parade and Crushed Curry.  The sentiment and flower were stamped using the Needle and Thread stamp set.  The flower was cut using the Needlepoint Elements dies.  The rhinestone in the center of the flowers were created by using a Dark Poppy Parade Stampin' Blend to color the rhinestone jewel.  

I used the Subtle embossing folder to add a little texture and interest to the Poppy Parade card stock.  I know I have said it many times but the Subtle folder is one of the hardest working embossing folders in my collection.  

Did you know you can play along with the Create with Connie & Mary Challenge?  You can post your card to the Create with Connie & Mary Facebook page in the comments of the post announcing the challenge.  I hope to see you play along in the challenge.  If you need some inspiration be sure to check out what the other members of the design team created for this challenge.

Product List

Needle & Thread Photopolymer Bundle [150626] $45.75	Poppy Parade Classic Stampin' Pad [147050] $7.50	Crushed Curry Classic Stampin' Pad [147087] $7.50	Dark Poppy Parade Stampin' Blends Marker [146879] $4.50
Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [140272] $7.75	Crushed Curry 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [131199] $8.50	Poppy Parade 8-1/2" x 11"" Card Stock" [119793] $8.50	Needlepoint Nook 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [148807] $11.00
Regals 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [146965] $11.00	Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies [145372] $30.00	Layering Circle Framelits Dies [141705] $35.00	Rhinestone Basic Jewels [144220] $5.00

I was cleaning up my craft table and found these hibiscus images from the Humming Along stamp set.  They were colored, matted and ready to use.  

The Tropical Escape DSP was a perfect one to use and coordinated so well with the hibiscus.  The card base is a 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" piece of Blushing Bride card stock and scored at 2", 3", 5-1/4", and 6-1/4".  This card style fits in a standard A-2 (Medium Envelope).  I put a piece of Whisper White card stock measuring 2" x 5-1/4" on the back of the middle panel.  This is where I would write my note.   

Product List

Humming Along Cling Stamp Set [148758] $20.00	Versamark Pad [102283] $9.00	Shaded Spruce Classic Stampin' Pad [147088] $7.50	Granny Apple Green Classic Stampin' Ink Refill [147163] $3.75
Blushing Bride Classic Stampin' Ink Refill [131157] $3.75	Crushed Curry Classic Stampin' Ink Refill [131158] $3.75	Blushing Bride 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [131198] $8.50	Shimmery White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [101910] $9.00
Tropical Escape 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [146916] $11.00	Rectangle Stitched Framelits Dies [148551] $35.00	Layering Circle Framelits Dies [141705] $35.00	Blushing Bride Baker's Twine [134577] $2.95
Aqua Painters [103954] $17.00	White Stampin' Emboss Powder [109132] $5.00

This card is a gate fold card.  I thought it was a another fun way to use the hibiscus panel.  Don't you love how  Poppy Parade looks with Mossy Meadow?  This fold is simply a 5-1/2' x 8-1/2" piece of card stock scored at 2-1/8" and 6-3/8".

Product List

Humming Along Cling Stamp Set [148758] $20.00	Versamark Pad [102283] $9.00	Poppy Parade Classic Stampin' Pad [147050] $7.50	Mossy Meadow Classic Stampin' Ink Refill [133651] $3.75
Mossy Meadow 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [133676] $8.50	Poppy Parade 8-1/2" x 11"" Card Stock" [119793] $8.50	Shimmery White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [101910] $9.00	Neutrals 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [146967] $11.00
Layering Ovals Framelits Dies [141706] $35.00	Rectangle Stitched Framelits Dies [148551] $35.00	Aqua Painters [103954] $17.00	White Stampin' Emboss Powder [109132] $5.00
Poppy Parade 1/4" (6.4 Mm) Mini Striped Ribbon [146938] $8.00

As I continue to clean up my craft table I sure hope I find more almost completed cards so I can share them with you!

I am so happy it's April, a new month and it is going to be a great one, that's my plan anyway.  The last part of March was rough but I have high hopes for April!  

April is already off to a good start!  Today is the launch of the new Storage by Stampin' Up!®.   I will be spending some time figuring out how I want to use this new storage option and when i do I will share it with you!  I  love how flexible the storage is and look forward to many happy hours of organizing.  You can see and learn more about the new storage pieces HERE.

I also have a new card for you.  Did you get some of the Delightfully Detailed Laser-Cut Specialty paper during Sale-A-Bration?   If you didn't, you still can, it is part of the DSP offering in the Stampin' Up!® annual catalog.  This paper pack is beautiful and delicate.  It can be a bit fiddly to work with since it is so detailed but oh it is so worth it!

The Delightfully Detailed Laser Cut paper is sandwiched between a frame I cut using the Stitched Rectangle Framelits and the Sparkle Glimmer paper The frame is layered on a piece of Silver Foil and then on to a Thick Whisper White card base.  The silver foil butterflies were cut using the Butterfly Beauty Thinlit Dies.  

I added the friend  cut using the Well Written Framelits dies.  This card is simple and elegant and can be used for so many different occasions, wouldn't it make a beautiful wedding card?

Check out the new Storage by Stampin' Up! cause it is no April Fool's joke!

Product List

Butterfly Beauty Thinlits Dies [148536] $39.00	Well Written Framelits Dies [148534] $40.00	Rectangle Stitched Framelits Dies [148551] $35.00	Delightfully Detailed Laser-Cut Specialty Paper [146907] $14.00
Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [140272] $7.75	Silver Foil Sheets [132178] $4.00	Sparkle Glimmer Paper [146957] $5.00