Do you know what the significance of the Winter Solstice is?  Here it marks the day with the shortest amount of daylight.  I don't really celebrate the Winter Solstice but I probably should because what it also means is that the daylight hours will start getting longer!  I am all for that.  

The Winter Solstice is the inspiration behind the Festive Friday's Inspo List.  

To play along with the Festive Friday Challenge all  you need to do is pick 3 items from the list and use it on your project and then post it to the Festive Friday Gallery.   It is easy and fun and we would love to see how the Inspo list inspires you!

I was inspired to use the items blue, snowflakes, and trees on my shaker card. Inside the window created by the So Many Snowflakes die, I used the Feels Like Frost DSP .  I added Snowflake Sequins and some of those little silica gel beads (dehumidifier packets) for the shaker elements.   The outside of the frame is embossed using the Winter Snow Embossing folder.  In the center of the snowflakes I placed some sparkly Blue Adhesive Backed gems.

Making a shaker card is easy using Foam Adhesive Strips.  I use the strips to create a frame for my shaker elements and since they are double stick I also used it to adhere the Window sheet to close up the frame. 

Be sure to check out what the rest of the design team created using the Inspo List.

Ann Schach

Beth McCullough

Melanie Hungerford

Helen Jennings

Stephanie Lanzalotto

Melva Peters

Judy Rozema

Thank you for stopping by and I look forward to seeing your entry in the Festive Friday gallery!

For the next few weeks I will be in full Christmas card making mode. How about you?   I have a good start but this year more than ever I feel compelled to send lots of Christmas cheer through the mail.  Receiving a card in the mail always helps to brighten my day and they magically seem to arrive when I most need that little extra boost.  

I made this card for the Create with Connie & Mary Challenge #CCMC640.  The challenge is to use the color combination, Old Olive, Poppy Parade and Misty Moonlight.  Does this combination sound familiar?  They are the colors found in the Trimming the Town DSP.

The foliage is Old Olive CS cut using the Christmas Layers   The little flowers were punched using the Confetti Flowers Border punch in Poppy Parade.  Some of the flowers are quite small so using the Take Your Pick is very helpful.  I like to add a little dimension to the flowers by poking the middle of the flowers with the tip of the bone folder or you can use the ball tipped end of the Take Your Pick tool.  The Poppy Parade bow was cut using the Wreath Builder dies.  The sentiment is from the Itty Bitty Christmas set stamped in Misty Moonlight ink.

Want to see other ideas using this color combination?  Check out what the rest of the Create with Connie & Mary Challenge team created.

I am thankful for your visit and your kind comments.  Wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Product List

Itty Bitty Christmas Cling Stamp Set (En) [150513]	Misty Moonlight Classic Stampin' Pad [153118]	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [140272]	Old Olive 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100702]
Poppy Parade 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [119793]	Trimming The Town Designer Series Paper [153491]	Christmas Layers Dies [150654]	Wreath Builder Dies [152722]
Confetti Flowers Border Punch [152723]	Take Your Pick [144107]

Today I am mixing up two very fun bundles, Warm Hugs and Fireside Trimmings.  Both of these sets have great images that you can mix and match and create fun scenes.

Oh how I love a grid!  I used the Layering Square dies to create all the squares.  All the  images on the white squares are from the Fireside Trimmings set including the little gold foil star banner.  Love the little banner!  There are 4 different banners in the Fireside Dies, bats (so cute), stars, flags, and holly/greenery.  They are so cute.  The tree and reindeer were quickly colored using Stampin' Blends.  The circle and  heart image is from the Warm Hugs bundle.  

The Designer Series Paper is is the Heartwarming Hugs DSP.  The colors in the DSP are Mossy Meadow, Pear Pizzazz, Real Red and Whisper White.  This pack of paper is perfect year round with its classic patterns and also looks warm and cozy for the Christmas season.  

Inside there's a strip of Heartwarming Hugs DSP and a wreath from the Fireside Trimmings bundle.  

Thank you for stopping by!  Hope you liked this fun little Christmas grid!

Product List

Fireside Trimmings Bundle (English) [155205]	Warm Hugs Bundle (English) [155145]	Mossy Meadow Classic Stampin' Pad [147111]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]
Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad [147084]	Old Olive Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154892]	Soft Suede Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154906]	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [140272]
Real Red 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [102482]	Heartwarming Hugs Designer Series Paper [153492]	Gold Foil Sheets [132622]	Layering Squares Dies [151772]
Stitched Be Mine Dies [151814]	All The Trimmings Embellishments [153540]	Red Rhinestone Basic Jewels [146924]

Welcome to the Paper Pumpkin Possibilities Blog Hop! We are all fans of this monthly crafting kit and want to share with you our enthusiasm for this box of fun and creativity. The beauty of the Paper Pumpkin kit is that you can follow the directions provided in the kit to make the projects as they were designed, or use the supplies as a starting point and let your creativity run wild. On this hop we will be sharing lots of ideas with you on how to use the November Paper Pumpkin kit: Jolly Gingerbread.

The Jolly Gingerbread Paper Pumpkin kit includes everything you need to create 15 gift card holders and envelopes.  From the stamp set to the cutest little candy stickers, everything is there!  For my project I wanted to add a little sweet treat and yes, there is a stamp that says that too!  The 3-1/8" x 3-1/8" Acetate Card Boxes was the  perfect package to house a little bit of chocolate.  

I dismantled one of the envelopes and found the cute striped paper.  I cut the striped portion  into 1" strips and joined them together to form the band around the box.   I followed the directions and stamped the tag and sentiment rectangle. Instead of adhering  the house portion of the card, I cut the tab away to make it more of a card.

I stamped the inside of the card using Calypso Coral ink and attached the gift card to the inside of the card with a glue dot.  The little house is attached to the striped paper with some glue dots and further secured in place with some Calypso Coral ribbon from the Ornate Garden Ribbon pack.  The sentiment panel secured down with dimensionals also holds the ribbon in place.  

What do you think?  Wouldn't this be a fun little gift for the chocolate and coffee lover on your list.  I plan to make more of these so I am glad that there are 15 of these cute cards in the kit!

Thank you for joining us, now hop over to  Darla's blog to see her fun creation.

Interested in learning more about the monthly Paper Pumpkin kit?  Here's a link to more information or feel free to contact me.  Paper Pumpkin kits make  great gifts too!

Here's a little sneak peek of what is coming up in the December Paper Pumpkin kit, Beary Comforting.

It is a one day sale on Tuesday November 24th!  FOr one day only receive 10% off select items from the 2020-21 Stampin' Up! Annual Catalog.  Select items?  Yes, there are some items that are excluded from the sale and here is a list of them or you can also see them here.

Contact me and I can help you place your order ( I will check my email for the last time around 9 pm PT) or you can shop with me through my online store.  Remember to use the host code WYDFKNHR.  Do not use this code if your order is $150 or more (you will still qualify for the gift from me)  If you use the host code and your order is over $50 I will send you a package of Snowflake Adhesive Backed Embellishments.  

Have a lot of strips of cardstock that you cannot bear to throw away?  Even if you don't this is a quick, easy and fun card to make.  I used the colors Flirty Flamingo, Melon Mambo, and Real Red for my strips.  As much as I like traditional Christmas colors, once in a while it is fun to shake things up with a non traditional combination.  I cut all the strips the same length by using the Stitched Rectangle die.  This made it very easy to piece the strips together, since I knew they were the same length.  

I cut 3 snowflakes using the So Many Snowflakes dies and Whisper White CS.  The centers of the snowflakes are the Gold Glitter Enamel Dots.  The sentiment is from the Dove of Hope stamp set.  

I had an extra strip of Flirty Flamingo so I attached it to the inside with another snowflake.  I am looking forward to making more of these cards using different color combinations.

Thank you for stopping by and remember the 24 hour sale on November 24th!

Product List

Dove Of Hope Cling Stamp Set (English) [153406]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]	Real Red 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [102482]	Flirty Flamingo 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [141416]
Melon Mambo 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [115320]	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100730]	Stitched Rectangle Dies [148551]	So Many Snowflakes Dies [153560]
Gold Glitter Enamel Dots [152155]

Mixing up the Arrange a Wreath bundle from the 2020-21 Annual Catalog with the Heartwarming Hugs DSP from the 2020 August-Dec mini catalog for the Create with Connie & Mary Challenge #CCMC00639.

I am using the colors from the Heartwarming Hugs DSP for the color palette.

The sketch is Create with Connie & Mary Thursday Challenge #CCMC639.

In addition to the Wreath Builder Dies (part of the Arrange A Wreath bundle) I added 2 sizes of flowers from the Confetti Flowers Border punch.  Between you and me, when I first saw this punch I didn't think I needed it.  I mean I am sure I have a tiny flower die in one of my sets BUT I am so happy that I changed my mind about this punch.  I reach for it a lot and have used it much more than I thought I would.  Well worth it!

I almost always line the inside of my card with either a Whisper White or Very Vanilla panel and a strip of DSP or cardstock.  I will probably add a die cut or punch too, just to dress up the inside of the card.  

Be sure to check out what the rest of the design team created for this challenge.  Listed below you will find all the products I used on this card linked to my online store.  Thank you for stopping by and your support.

Product List

Arrange A Wreath Bundle (English) [154109]	Mossy Meadow Classic Stampin' Pad [147111]	Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad [147084]	Mossy Meadow 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [133676]
Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100730]	Pear Pizzazz 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [131201]	Heartwarming Hugs Designer Series Paper [153492]	Stitched So Sweetly Dies [151690]
Confetti Flowers Border Punch [152723]	Red Rhinestone Basic Jewels [146924]

Here's a quick and easy card using the Festive Post stamp set and the Everything Essential bundle.

The cute reindeer and tree images are from the Everything Essential stamp set and the cute car and tree is from the Festive Post set.  All the images were punched out using the Essential Tag punch.  These 2 stamp sets really compliment each other, since they both feature images that work for Halloween through Valentine's day.  The images are fun and a little whimsical, making them great for anyone.  

The card base is Real Red with a layer of Early Espresso CS and one of the Crumb Cake plaids in the Plaid Tidings DSP.  The tags also sit on a strip of Early Espresso CS that was embossed using the Tasteful Textile 3D embossing folder.

Inside of the card I stamped the reindeer from the Festive Post set and also added a strip of the Plaid Tidings DSP.  It is always nice to dress up the inside of your cards too.   Here are some additional cards made using the Festive Post and/or  Everything Essential sets,  HERE,  HERE,  and HERE.  

Thank you for stopping by and a list of all the products I used is posted below. 

Product List

Everything Essential Bundle (English) [155211]	Festive Post Photopolymer Stamp Set [153460]	Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad [147114]	Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad [147084]
Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad [147090]	Real Red 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [102482]	Early Espresso 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [119686]	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100730]
Plaid Tidings 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [153527]	Playful Pets Trim Combo Pack [152466]	Red Rhinestone Basic Jewels [146924]	Star Designer Elements [150430]
Tasteful Textile 3D Embossing Folder [152718]

Welcome to the Stampers Dozen Blog Hop!  This month our theme is Thankful, Grateful, and Blessed.  

Lately, I have been thinking a lot about winter.  It rains here during the winter and it can be a little gloomy, mix in the rising Covid cases and well, we are headed for lots of time indoors and at home.  I am grateful to have a home, heat, and food to eat.  I am also very thankful and grateful that I have a craft room and hobby that is challenging, interesting and satisfying.  2020 would have been a lot harder if I didn't have this paper crafting hobby.  I can stay in my room, listen to a good book, and get lost in the creative process.  Sometimes I forget to acknowledge how very fortunate I am.  

Do you recognize the candles from the Sweetest Time?  I stamped them in Early Espresso and colored them in using Cinnamon Cider, Pumpkin Pie Stampin' Blends and Early Espresso Stampin' Marker.  When I opened the Sweetest Time stamp case I found candles stamped and colored in Basic Gray, Black  and Pumpkin Pie.  Clearly, at one time I had a plan for some Halloween candles.

The leaves are from the Quite Curvy bundle which is currently available (until November 30) and then not again  until  the January - June 2021 Mini Catalog goes live on January 5th.  The leaves  were fun to color with Stampin' Blends (Mango Melody, Cajun Craze, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie).  The sentiment is from the Celebration Tidings stamp set and the Early Espresso label is one of the Celebration Labels.   These 2 items can be purchased as a bundle and when you bundle, you save 10%.   Doesn't it look like I splattered the background paper?  Well, I didn't.  It is one of the designs in the Gilded Autumn Specialty DSP.  As much as it pains me to hide the lovely gold foiling on the other side of the paper, these splatters were the right choice for this card.

Here is the same card except on this one I added the Forever Gold Laser-Cut Specialty paper.  It is actually one of the frames cut in half to add the accents on the corners. I couldn't decide which card I liked better.  

I like to decorate the inside of my cards.  The leaves were a little too long so I did a little pruning and added the extra to the inside along with a strip of DSP.

So, which card do you like better?  With the Forever Gold Laser-Cut leaves or without?  Right now I am leaning towards without but that will probably change the next time I look at the cards.  

Be sure to check out all the stops on the hop!

Stamper's Dozen November 2020 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. Carol Payne – Carol Payne Stamps
5. Joanne Cantrell – Keep It Simple, Stampers
6. Rachel Yurkanin – Rachel’s Stamping Place
7. Bonnie O'Neill – Bonnie Stamped
8. BJ Peters – StampinBJ

Thank you for stopping by and your visit is another thing I am grateful for!

You know I like a stamp set that can be used for lots of different occasions.  The Celebration Tidings set starts off with Halloween and will take you thru to Valentine's Day, at least.  I especially like the little pumpkin image in this set.  It is quick and easy to color and can be used with a sentiment or not.

I made this card for the Festive Friday Challenge #FF0072.  

The Festive Friday Challenge is a bi-weekly challenge that features an Inspo aka Inspiration list that is based on festivities and holidays.  The Inspo list features 10 items and you need to use 3 of the items on your project.  Once you create your project you need to post it in the Festive Friday gallery.  It is fun and easy to play along.

For this challenge I chose the elements thankful theme, leaves, wood and pumpkins.  

Instead of a regular card base I created a simple pocket.   The card portion slips in and out of the pocket.  

• Early Espresso CS  pocket 4-1/4" x 11" scored at 5-1/2",  9-3/4", 3" x 4" (Scalloped Oval)
• In Good Taste DSP 4-1/4" x 4"
• Old Olive CS- 4-1/8" x 5-3/8", 3" x 4" (leaves)
• Very Vanilla CS- 3-7/8" x 5-1/8",  3" x 4" (Stitched Shape Oval)

You can secure the sides of the pocket with a thin line of glue.  I used the Vanilla 1/2" Ribbon from the Forever Greenery Trim Combo pack to secure the pocket.  

I used the Detailed Trio punch to round all the corners.   The pumpkin image and the little greenery image were colored using Stampin' Blends.  The rhinestones were colored using Dark Pumpkin Pie Stampin' Blend.

I look forward to seeing what you create using the #FF0072 Inspo List for the Festive Friday Challenge.

For more inspiration, be sure to visit the rest of the  Festive Friday Challenge Design team.

Ann Schach

Beth McCullough

Melanie Hungerford

Helen Jennings

Stephanie Lanzalotto

Melva Peters

Judy Rozema

Thank you for stopping by and a detailed supply list has been created for you below.

Product List

Celebration Tidings Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [153456]	Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad [147114]	Pumpkin Pie Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154897]	Old Olive Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154892]
Cinnamon Cider Classic Stampin' Pad [153114]	Early Espresso 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [119686]	Old Olive 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100702]	Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [101650]
In Good Taste Designer Series Paper [152494]	Detailed Trio Punch [146320]	Layering Circles Dies [141705]	Stitched Shapes Dies [152323]
Christmas Layers Dies [150654]	Rhinestone Basic Jewels [144220]	Forever Greenery Trim Combo Pack [152475]

Taking a little break from holiday cards to make a birthday card.  I love this big birthday sentiment from the Happiest of Birthdays stamp set.  This was card was made for the Create with Connie & Mary Challenge.

This was a color challenge and the first idea that came to mind was to use panels of the colors behind the big sentiment.  It might be a little hard to see in the picture, each panel of color was embossed with a different embossing folder.  The Bumblebee panel was embossed using the Tasteful Textile 3D folder.  The Terracotta Tile panel was embossed using the Dainty Diamond 3D folder and the Rich Razzleberry panel was embossed using the Subtle 3D folder.  I liked the little extra texture and interest the embossing added.

A few heart balloons were added to the front of the card.  The balloons are from the Special Someone stamp set and cut out using the Special Day dies.  A little bow tied from the Bumblebee Gingham ribbon was added to tie the balloons together.   The three rhinestones were colored with a Rich Razzleberry Stampin Blend to add a little bling to the card.

A peek inside shows a few more balloons.  It is always nice to decorate the inside of the card as well as the envelopes.  Be sure to check out what the rest of the Create with Connie & Mary design team created for this challenge.  

You will see a full list of what products were used to make this card listed below.  Thanks again for stopping by!

Product List

Happiest Of Birthdays Cling Stamp Set (English) [152539]	Special Someone Photopolymer Stamp Set [151643]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]	Rich Razzleberry Classic Stampin' Pad [147091]
Terracotta Tile Classic Stampin’ Pad [150086]	Bumblebee Classic Stampin' Pad [153116]	Rich Razzleberry Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154898]	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121045]
Rich Razzleberry 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [115316]	Terracotta Tile 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [150884]	Bumblebee 8-1/2X11 Cardstock [153077]	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100730]
Special Day Dies [153587]	Dainty Diamonds 3D Embossing Folder [152702]	Tasteful Textile 3D Embossing Folder [152718]	Subtle 3D Embossing Folder [151775]
Rhinestone Basic Jewels [144220]	1/4" Bumblebee Gingham Trim [153658]