Hello!  How are you?  Hope you are doing well.  It is Thursday and time for the Create with Connie & Mary Challenge.  This week it is a sketch challenge!

Isn't this a great sketch to show off Designer Series Paper?   I pulled out one of my favorites, Peaceful Poppies DSP (on the retiring list).  

I used the DSP for both the Poppy Parade layer and the 3 panels.  Here are all the details:

• Basic Black CS 4-1/4" x 11" scored at 5-1/2"
• Peaceful Poppies DSP- 4" x 5-1/4"
• Basic Black panel layer  3-1/4" x 4-3/8"
• Peaceful Poppies DSP- 3" x  4-1/4" cut into three 1" x 4-1/4" strips
• Whisper White 1/2" x  2-3/4" 
• Whisper White 4" x 5-1/4" (inside of card)

I also used the Peaceful Poppies Elements (retiring)  I cut one of the banners in half and placed them behind the panel piece.  I used part of one of the scallop piece below the sentiment.  Can you see on the sentiment a tiny flower?  It is from the Peaceful Poppies Sequins ( retiring) with a Red Rhinestone glued in the middle.  The sentiment is from the Varied Vases stamp set (retiring).

Inside of the card I added another scallop border and a flower from the Peaceful Poppies Elements.

I enjoyed making this card and decided to make another using the same pack of Peaceful Poppies DSP.

Be sure to check out what the other members of the design team created using the sketch,

Remember that items on the Retiring Products List and the January-June 2020 Mini catalog are available while supplies last.  

I received some inquiries regarding the DSP panel cards I have been posting.  These cards are quick and easy to make and perfect to show off your Designer Series Paper.

Here I used the Mosaic Mood Specialty DSP (retiring).  Aren't those hummingbirds so pretty?  They have shiny accented feathers.  I also used the sentiment from the Accented Blooms stamp set (retiring) punched out with the Tailored Tag.  The Flower Faceted Gem (retiring and just $5.60) adds a bit of sparkle to the sentiment.  The ribbon is the Mint Macaron 1/4" Textile Ribbon (retiring).  

Here are the details:

• Card base Mint Macaron 4-1/4" x 11" scored at 5-1/2"
• Soft Suede 3-3/4" x 4"
• Mosaic Mood DSP 3-3/8" x 3-3/4" cut into  three 1-1/8" x 3-3/4" strips I use the Stampin' Up!® Paper Trimmer to cut the strips 

This panel card uses the Tropical Oasis DSP (retiring). Don't you just love the Woodie cars in the print?  For the sentiment I used one of the stickers from the Tropical Oasis Memories & More Card Pack.  Instead of my usual bow, I tied a double knot with the Mint Macaron 1/4" Textile Ribbon, thinking it would make it a little more manly.

Hope this will help you make your own DSP panel cards.  

PS Many of you asked me to provide you with the directions for this card.  I am working on an online card class which will have a card using this fold.  I will do a post once the class is over.  Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Do you have a lot of strips of cardstock that you cannot bear to throw away?  I do, especially in Basic Black and Whisper White.  My scraps were getting out of control so I decided it was time to make some striped backgrounds.  

The strips of black and white cardstock are 3/4" x 4" and I glued them on to a piece of cardstock 4" x 5-1/4".  I love black and white stripes.  I knew my card needed a pop of color so I pulled out some Pineapple Punch cardstock (retiring In Color) and stamped the large daisy from the Daisy Delight stamp set (retiring set)  in Pineapple Punch ink.  I like a full daisy so I layered together 2 punches for each flower.  The leaves were punched using the Leaf punch (retiring punch)in Granny Apple Green.

The sentiment is also from the Daisy Delight stamp set and it is stamped on a label cut using a Stitched Rectangle die.  I added a few black sequins from the Peaceful Poppies Sequins (retiring from the 2020 January-June catalog).  The Peaceful Poppies sequins have Black, clear, gold, Poppy Parade and a light Poppy Parade sequins in round and flower shape.  They are so cute!

Product List

Daisy Delight Photopolymer Stamp Set [143669]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]	Pineapple Punch Classic Stampin' Pad [147141]	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121045]
Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100730]	Pineapple Punch 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146971]	Granny Apple Green 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146990]	Daisy Punch [143713]
Leaf Punch [144667]	Stitched Rectangle Dies [148551]	Peaceful Poppies Sequins [151325]

You can see the entire Retiring Products list for the 2019 Annual Catalog here. Please be aware that some items have sold out and products are available while supplies last.  You can see the retiring products list for the 2020 January-June catalog here.

I am always a little sad when the Stampin' Up!® Retiring Products list comes out.  Why? It means that some of my favorite packs of Designer Series Paper will soon no longer be available.  I have seen the new catalog (wow!) and it helps knowing that the new catalog has lots of beautiful papers.  

Bird Ballad is one of my favorite packs of paper from the 2019 Annual catalog and is on the Retiring List and available (for now) at a discounted price!  I think this is a pack many of us will miss.

This layout is one of my favorites because it shows off the beauty of the paper and fair warning you will be seeing it a lot!  

In addition to the Bird Ballad DSP, the Kindness and Compassion stamp set is on the retiring list.  I love the fonts used in this set.  I am keeping this set for my permanent collection.  No one likes to make sympathy cards but since we have to, the sentiments in this set are beautiful and perfect.

The edging was cut using the Delicate Lace Dies.  These dies are beautiful and also on the retiring list.  I just checked and they are still available and are discounted BIG, 60% so be sure to order them soon! 

Product List

Kindness & Compassion Clear-Mount Stamp Set [146729]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]	Petal Pink 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146985]	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121045]	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100730]
Bird Ballad Designer Series Paper [149592]	Delicate Lace Dies [147053]	Stitched Rectangle Dies [148551]	Petal Pink 5/8" (1.6 Cm) Organdy Striped Ribbon [149441]

Click on any of the products above and you will be taken to my online store.  Remember retiring products are available while supplies last so avoid disappointment and order soon!

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

The first thing that came to mind were daisies, so I pulled out the Medium Daisy punch and started to play.

I punched out  3 Daffodil Delight daisies using the 6" x 6" Brights DSP (which is no longer available/sold out).  The centers of the daisies were cut from the Sparkle Glimmer paper  (on the retiring list!).The Coastal Cabana gingham check is also from the 6" x 6" Brights DSP.   I added in some leaves in Coastal Cabana punched using the Leaf punch which is also on the retiring products list.  One more product I used, the 1/4" Mini Striped Ribbon in Bermuda is also on the list!  It is hard to believe how many products I used are on the Retiring Products List.

Here's the  link to the Retiring Products List for the Annual Catalog  and the link to the Retiring Products from the 2020 January-June Mini Catalog.  The products on the Retiring Lists are available while supplies last with the exception of stamps.  There are some fantastic deals so be sure to check out the lists!

It is a BIG day for Stampin' Up!® demonstrators!  We get a look at the 2020-21 Annual Stampin' Up!® catalog!!  I am patiently, ok not so patiently counting down to when it will be available!  If early access to products and catalogs , being part of a global community, shopping with a discount and being part of a team sound like something you would like in your life, please contact me for more information.  

One of the events I planned that didn't happen was a class using the Botanical Prints Product Medley.   This Botanical Prints Medley is a beautiful collection of stamps, paper, dies, embellishments, accessories and more.  I am a fan of black and white patterned paper aka Designer Series Paper and this Medley has it and it is beautiful.  I am hoping this Medley will be in the upcoming catalog with an option to purchase a refill kit, a girl can dream!

Isn't the paper gorgeous?  I love mixing and matching the different prints.  The only thing stamped on this card is the "friend".  The lemons and flower is a die cut, already made for you as a part of the Medley and all you have to do is punch it out.  Perfect for when you need a quick card!  The Old Olive ribbon is also included in the Medley.

Did you know that Stampin' Up!® offers 4 different kinds of kits?  In North America we have a monthly kit called Paper Pumpkin.  Here's more information about this subscription kit.  There are All-Inclusive kits like the Three Cheers for You or  the the Notes of Kindness kit.  These kits include everything you need to complete the cards, even an acrylic block.  There are Project kits like the Seriously the Best kit.  Project kits provide the key components to complete the project but require additional supplies.  Project kits are great to do as a group or class.  Product Medleys are the last kind of kit.  Medleys are a larger collection of coordinated exclusive products that often include dies, DSP, embellishments, like the Botanical Prints Medley.

A slower reveal to where you write your message.  I made this style of card previously and shared it here.

Thanks for stopping by!  Hope you are doing well and let me know if I can help you with your paper crafting needs.

How are you?  Hope you are doing well!  Big news before I talk about today's project.  Tomorrow the Retiring List will be released.  When the list releases there is usually a rush on the 2018-20 In Colors.  Avoid the rush and place an order soon for the 2018-20 In Color products like ink refills, card stock, ribbon, DSP etc.  I hate for you to be disappointed when those products sell out before you get a chance to order them.

I haven't made a pocket card in a long time.  This is a great style of card to make especially with all the pretty Designer Series Paper we have.  

I used the Parisian Blossoms Specialty DSP which has beautiful champagne foil accents.  The pocket is made from a 4" x 9" piece of  DSP, scored at 4-1/4" & 8-1/2".  Seal up the bottom and the sides.   I have a tutorial HERE if you would like to check it out.  Here are some other pocket card samples here & here, 

The large scallop was cut using the Seasonal Layers die.  The pretty flowers were stamped using the Forever Blossoms stamp set, cut with the Cherry Blossoms die and colored with Stampin' Blends.  

Product List

Forever Blossoms Bundle (English) [153781] $53.00	Varied Vases Photopolymer Stamp Set [146644] $26.00	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $6.00	Petal Pink Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [147272] $9.00
Smoky Slate Dark Stampin' Blends Marker [145055] $4.50	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121045] $8.75	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100730] $9.75	Pool Party 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [122924] $8.75
Parisian Blossoms Specialty Designer Series Paper [151192] $14.50	Seasonal Layers Dies [143751] $33.00	Rhinestone Basic Jewels [144220] $5.00	Black 1/2" (1.3 Cm) Satin Ribbon [146280] $7.00

Remember you can subscribe to the blog feed by checking the box under subscribe (side bar).  When you subscribe to the blog feed you will get an email  every time I post.  The email is sent out at 4 pm (PT).  This is an easy way to make sure you  don't miss a blog post.

Well, it happened I didn't post yesterday.  It was an unusually busy day and by the time I sat down at my computer it was pretty late.

I have 2 versions of my card to day.  I wonder which one you will like better?

Card 1- Stamp the cherry blossom from the Forever Blossoms stamp set in Tuxedo Black Memento ink and color it using Stampin' Blends. Stamp the sentiment from the Timeless Tropical stamp set.  Cut out a frame using the Stitched Shapes and the Layering Square dies.  Adhere the Whisper White layer on to the Petal Pink card base.  Line the frame with Foam Adhesive strips and adhere back on to the card, taking care to line up the design.  Apply adhesive to the square piece and carefully place in the middle of the frame, again taking care to line up the design.  Color the rhinestones using the Light Calypso Coral stampin' Blend.  Tie a Petal Pink bow and attach it to the stem using a glue dot.

Product List

Forever Blossoms Cling Stamp Set (English) [151457] $23.00	Timeless Tropical Cling Stamp Set (English) [151497] $23.00	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $6.00	Petal Pink 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146985] $8.75	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100730] $9.75
Calypso Coral Light Stampin' Blends Marker [144042] $4.50	Petal Pink Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [147272] $9.00	Old Olive Light Stampin' Blends Marker [144574] $4.50	Layering Squares Dies [141708] $35.00	Stitched Shapes Dies [152323] $30.00
Rhinestone Basic Jewels [144220] $5.00	Petal Pink 5/8" (1.6 Cm) Organdy Striped Ribbon [149441] $8.00	Foam Adhesive Strips [141825] $8.00

Card 2

The main differences on this card is  the larger Whisper White piece and the inner square  of the frame were embossed using the Subtle 3-D embossing folder.  It also has a Petal Pink layer, a Whisper White card base, and the ribbon is tied around both the Whisper White and Petal Pink layers.

Product List

Forever Blossoms Cling Stamp Set (English) [151457] $23.00	Timeless Tropical Cling Stamp Set (English) [151497] $23.00	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $6.00	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [140272] $8.25	Petal Pink 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146985] $8.75
Calypso Coral Light Stampin' Blends Marker [144042] $4.50	Petal Pink Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [147272] $9.00	Old Olive Light Stampin' Blends Marker [144574] $4.50	Subtle 3D Embossing Folder [151775] $10.00	Layering Squares Dies [141708] $35.00
Stitched Shapes Dies [152323] $30.00	Rhinestone Basic Jewels [144220] $5.00	Petal Pink 5/8" (1.6 Cm) Organdy Striped Ribbon [149441] $8.00	Foam Adhesive Strips [141825] $8.00

What do you think Card 1 or Card 2?  Let me know what you think?  

If you need any paper crafting supplies I would really appreciate you shopping with me on my online store.   Thank you!

I have been posting to my blog for 26 days straight.  Today I was tempted to not post but the thought of breaking my streak just didn't feel right so here I am posting late but I am doing it!

The Ornate Garden Specialty DSP is so pretty.  Love the colors and Mint Macaron and Early Espresso look so good together, kind of reminds me of Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream.  This is a simple template and is great to show off your pretty papers.  I added a little strip of Early Espresso that was cut using the Ornate Border Dies.  Isn't that little scallop so pretty?

I added one of the sayings from the Ornate Thanks set.  I like this sentiment since it will work for lots of different occasions.  The sentiment was cut out using one of the Stitched Rectangle dies.  Did you notice the pretty little Gilded Gem?  The gems come in 3 sizes  and you get 30 of each size.  The ribbon is Mint Macaron 1/4" Textile Ribbon from the Annual catalog.    

Product List

Ornate Thanks Bundle (English) [154115] $46.75	Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad [147114] $7.50	Early Espresso 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [119686] $8.75	Mint Macaron 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [138337] $8.75	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100730] $9.75
Ornate Garden Specialty Designer Series Paper [152488] $15.00	Stitched Rectangle Dies [148551] $35.00	Mint Macaron 1/4" (6.4 Mm) Textile Ribbon [149480] $7.00	Gilded Gems [152478] $7.00

Time for a new Festive Friday Challenge!  

What a perfect inspiration for the challenge!  I chose red, blue, appreciation sentiment, hearts, balloons, and green from the Inspo list to use on my card.

I used the heart balloons from the Special Someone stamp set in rainbow colors for my thank you card.  The sentiment is from the Tropical Chic stamp set.  Isn't it a perfect sentiment?  I used the Special Day dies that coordinate with this stamp set.  The dies were  available during the Coordination Product Release February 4-March 31.  

Want to make this card?  Here is a link to a tutorial for this project.

Two of the colors I used, Call Me Clover and Blueberry Bushel are part of the 2018-20 In Colors, which will be retiring when the current catalog retires on June 2.   Be sure you get your ink refill, cardstock and any other In Color accessories before they are gone.

I hope you will play along with the Festive Friday Challenge.  You have until April 27 at 8 pm CST to enter.  Just use 3 of the elements on the Inspo list and enter your project in the Festive Friday gallery.  Looking forward to seeing what you create!