Welcome to the Creativity Abounds Blog Hop.  We are a group of international Stampin' Up! demonstrators who hop together monthly.  The Creativity Abounds Blog Hop goes live the third Wednesday of the month.  We  create monthly tutorial bundles-see below to see how you can receive then and also quarterly virtual stamp camps.  This month we are focusing on gift packaging on both the blog hop and the tutorial bundle.  Enjoy the hop and all the ways you can wrap it up!

Need a cute way to gift some chocolate?  This little box is an Acetate Card Box cut in half.  You can fit 9 Nuggets in it.  

• Real Red CS-5-1/4" x  4-3/8" scored at 2-7/8" and 3-1/2".  
• Gingerbread & Peppermint DSP 4-3/8" x 2-7/8" (this is for the back of the box)
• Gingerbread & Peppermint DSP 4-3/8" x 1-1/2" (decorate the front flap)  and additional strips to cover the Nuggets.
• Gingerbread & Peppermint DSP  snowflake or other design cut out using the Gingerbread Dies.
• Real Red Double Stitched Satin Ribbon 19"

1. Cut the Acetate Box in half.  Fold the tabs and close up on end of the box.
2. Adhere the 4-3/8" x 2-7/8" DSP to the outside of the box ( back/outside of the box).
3. Adhere the strip of DSP to the Real Red CS.  The strip will fit between the score lines.  
4. Apply Stampin' Seal + to the Real Red CS (below the 2nd score line on the same side as the strip of DSP.
5. Insert the Real Red CS into the box and secure.  This will cover up the adhesive showing from step 2).
6. Tie the ribbon around the flap and make a bow.
7. Attach the Snowflake to the flap using Stampin' Dimensionals.  Secure the ribbon down with a dimensional.
8. Wrap the Nuggets with 1" x 3-1/8" strips of DSP.

You can hide a gift card behind the nuggets.  Coffee and chocolates, what a great little gift!

You could also fill the little box up with tags.  

These tags were made using the Tailor Made Tags, Stitched Rectangle dies, Frosted Gingerbread stamp set, and the Gingerbread & Peppermint DSP.

I know there are many other little treats that would fit in this little package.  Be sure to let me know what you put in your box!

Now it is time to check out all the other stops in the hop!  

Thanks for stopping by!

I used a few items that are available on the Seasonal Sale (Nov. 16-18)  10% off Cardstock, 15% off Ink Pads (Stampin' Up! colors), 20% off Dies (Annual Catalog).

• Tailor Made Tags  (these are marked as low inventory so shop soon!)  
• Stitched Rectangles dies 
• Real Red Cardstock 

Place a $50 order through my online store and receive this bundle (14 tutorials!!)  as a thank you.  You can also purchase the tutorial bundle for $15.00.  Please contact me ([email protected]) if you would like to purchase the tutorial.

Today I am once again featuring a card using the Delicate Baubles die but in a non-traditional Christmas color combination.

Not your usual Christmas colors!  I used Crumb Cake for the card base, Early Espresso for the ornament /string and Polished Pink for the snowflakes and berries.  I used the solid die to cut out the ornament shape on the front of the card base.  I cut the Joy ornament and the string out of Early Espresso CS and attached  the string to the front of the card.   The ornament is attached to the Early Espresso bow using Multipurpose Liquid Glue.  When the card is opened you can see that the ornament is freestanding.

I added some Polished Pink snowflakes cut from the So Many Snowflakes dies and also some Polished Pink sparkle using the 2021-23 In Color Gems.  Inside I added a 4" x 5-1/4" piece of Basic White CS.  

So, what do you think, is it too different of a color combination for Christmas or do you like the more non traditional feel?  I would love to know what you think so leave me a note in the comments. 

Thanks for stopping by!

October Stamp of the Month Projects… To Go!

The October stamp of the month is Merriest Moments  (pg 43 of the Mini Catalog). The To Go projects use both the Merriest Moments stamp set and the Merriest Moments Hybrid Embossing Folder aka the bundle (156783).  Having the bundle will make it easier to complete the projects but is not necessary for the projects. What comes in your To Go kit?  All the cardstock,  DSP, embellishments and a link to the tutorials to make your projects (3 cards).  You will also need the Soft Succulent, Evening Evergreen, Bumblebee, and a Cherry Cobbler ink pads.  These items and adhesives are not included with the To Go projects. 

To register all you need to do is place an order for $40 using the Host Code D7SSYY6Y on my online store- sharonstamps.stampinup.net before the15th of the month.  Your project kit will be mailed  to you on or before the 22nd of the month.  The Host Code is how I will know you want the Stamp of the Month Projects to go. You will need the stamp set to complete the projects.  

It is time for a new Festive Friday Challenge.  What is the Festive Friday Challenge?  The Festive Friday Challenge is a bi-weekly challenge that has an Inspo List which is inspired by a festivity.  There are always 10 items on the Inspo List and to play along with the challenge you need to use 3 items from the list on your project.  

Here is the Inspo List.

Here's my card for the challenge.

I used a stencil from the Basic Pattern Decorative Masks.  I used  Blending Brushes and started with Daffodil Delight ink, then Coastal Cabana, and lastly Pear Pizzazz.  Once the blending was done I used a Water Painter and watered down some Tuxedo Black Memento ink and tapped the Water Painter  to get the splatters.  This seems to be my current favorite thing.  

I stamped the dahlia on Basic White CS in Tuxedo Black Memento ink and used  Blending Brushes to color in the flower.  I stamped 2 leaves and used a Blending Brush to color them.  I fussy cut the flowers and leaves which was a little tedious but not difficult.   The dahlia is mounted on a Basic White Stitched Rectangle and then layered on Basic Black CS.  The ribbon is the Black Glittered Organdy Ribbon.  In the center of the dahlia is a Matte Black Dot.

Let's see how I did.  I used a stencil for the background.  I have layers on my card.  I used ribbon. I am also claiming ink spots.  Ink splatters are spots, right?  

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

Ann Schach

Beth McCullough

Sharon Hashimoto Burkert

Melanie Hungerford

Helen Jennings

Stephanie Lanzalotto

Melva Peters

Thank you for stopping by and I look forward to seeing your project in the Festive Friday gallery for #FF0091.

Anything but Christmas Tutorial!  13 tutorials featuring products from the 2021 July-December Mini Catalog for just $15 or receive it FREE with a $50 (before shipping & tax)  order using my Host Code UPFXXX3H.  Shop with me online HERE.

Welcome to the Inspire Create Share blog hop!  The Inspire Create Share blog hop goes live is on the second Tuesday of the month.  This month the theme for the hop is Sale-A-Bration.  This year Stampin' Up! changed from one Sale-A-Bration period  that lasted 3 months to two Sale-A-Brations that lasts 2 months each.  The first Sale-A-Bration period was January-February and the second and current Sale-A-Bration is August-September.

What is so special about Sale-A-Bration?  During Sale-A-Bration when your order (before shipping and tax) reaches a certainly levels ($50 or $100 in the US) you can choose a free gift from the Sale-A-Bration brochure.  Hop along with us and see lots of ideas of ways to use the Sale-A-Bration offerings.

I chose to use the Delicate Dahlias stamp set.  This set is free with a $100 order.  The Delicate Dahlias set is a stunning 12 piece photopolymer stamp set.  It is a 2 step stamp and the bold image is also a Distinktive stamp.  You do not need to do much to create beautiful cards using this set.  I wanted to create  simple cards to show off beauty of the images.

This card uses Tuxedo Black Memento ink and Daffodil Delight ink.   It is amazing how much shading there is in the petals of the flowers.  This demonstrates the Distinktive type stamp.  

In the centers of the dahlias I added  Matte Black Dots.  The sentiment was stamped on a Stitched Rectangle and secured with the Black & White Gingham ribbon.

Here's another quick and easy card.  It uses Tuxedo Black Memento pad and a Basic Gray pad.

On the background I stamped the bold image using Basic Gray ink.  It reminds me of a photograph.  Isn't it interested seeing how different the dahlia looks when you  stamp the outline image and the bold image together and seperately.

I used the Black Twine from the Baker's Twine Essential Pack.  For the center of the dahlia, I colored a rhinestone using the Dark Basic Black Stampin' Blends.

This last card was a little more time consuming since I cut out part of the dahlia to add dimension to the flower.

Polished Pink and Basic Black makes a striking combination.  On this card I used the Black Glitter paper for the layers.  I  cut out the scalloped layer from the center of the big layer.  This saved a little paper and also reduced the bulk of the card.  

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

Thank you for stopping by and enjoy the hop!

Are you excited?  I hope you are, the new Mini Catalogue is now available and it is the first month of the 2nd Sale-A-Bration of 2021!  Wow!  So much fun. 

Today's card uses the super cute Penguin Place bundle and also the Penguin Playmate DSP, which coordinates  with the bundle and is one of the Sale-A-Bration choices.  

The Penguin Place bundle is a stamp set and punch bundle.  I stamped the penguin and punched him out using the punch and also punched out his cute feet.  The balloons and string are also in the stamp set.  The balloons were cut out using snips.  The clouds were die cut using the Basic Borders dies.   The sentiments are all from the Penguin Place bundle.

The diagonal stripe DSP is from the Penguin Playmates DSP.  This pack of paper is SO cute.  Lots of adorable animals like polar bears, foxes and of course penguins!  Some of the penguins on the DSP can be punched out using the Penguin Builder punch.

I am trying something new, Stamp of the Month Projects To Go!  The first stamp of the month is the Penguin Place set.

August 2021 Stamp of the Month Projects… To Go!

This month the stamp of the month is Penguin Place (pg 33 of the Mini Catalog). The To Go projects use both the Penguin Place stamp set and the Penguin Builder punch aka Penguin Place bundle (156789).  Having the Penguin Builder punch will make it easier to complete the projects. What comes in your To Go kit?  All the paper,  DSP, embellishments and a link to the tutorials to make your 4 projects (3 cards and a 3-D Treat Box). The Tuxedo Black Memento ink pad  (132708), Just Jade pad (153115), Calypso Coral pad (122925) are used on the projects. Inks and adhesive are not included with the To Go projects. 

To register all you need to do is place an order for $40 (before shipping and tax) and use  the Host Code QCHS4QTM on my online store   on or before the 15th of the month.  Your projects will be mailed  to you on or before the 22nd of the month.  The Host Code is how I will know you want the Stamp of the Month Projects to go. You will need the stamp set to complete the projects.  The punch is optional but be prepared to do some fussy cutting if you do not order the punch.  I would also recommend adding $10 more to your order so you will also qualify for a FREE Sale-A-Bration choice.  Penguin Playmates 12” x 12” DSP- FREE with a $50 order (158420) coordinates with the Penguin Place bundle and is simply adorable.  

Questions ? Please contact me: [email protected].                      .

Tutorial only option- If you do not want the To GO projects or live outside of the US, you can order just  the tutorials for $15 for the 4 projects. Contact      me at [email protected].     

If you have any questions please ask.  This is a new program for me and I would love to have you join in the fun.

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