It is Thursday and time for a new Create with Connie & Mary Challenge.  This week it is a color challenge.  Which do you like color or sketch challenges?  

I definitely noticed something about my approach to color challenges.  When I am a little stumped on what to do with a color challenge I reach for the Cottage Wreaths stamp set and coordinating Country Wreath Dies.   It seems like I can use almost any color combination on a wreath or at least that is what I tell myself .

What do you think?  Am I right?  

• Card base-Pumpkin Pie CS 4-1/4" x 11"
• Layer-Starry Sky from the Them Bones DSP 4" x 5-1/4"
• Layer-Very Vanilla CS  3-7/8" x 5-1/8" embossed using the Exposed Brick 3D folder.  Starry Sky ink lightly blended on to the background using a Blending Brush.
• Cottage Wreath stamped in Pumpkin Pie & Cajun Craze, die cut using the Country Wreaths die
• Starry Sky bow die cut using the Country Wreaths die (this bow is a favorite from this set of dies)
• Starry Sky berries-Classic Matte Dots colored using the Dark Starry Sky Stampin' Blends
• Sentiment from the Charming Sentiments stamp set inked in Starry Sky.  Sentiment die cut using the coordinating Sentiment Silhouettes dies.

Definitely has an Autumn vibe.  Do you agree that wreaths are perfect year round?

Inside, more of the Them Bones DSP and this time a Cajun Craze bow.  

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to check out what the rest of the Create with Connie & Mary design team created for the challenge,

Product List

Cottage Wreaths Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[159652]

$19.00

Charming Sentiments Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[159985]

$23.00

Cajun Craze Classic Stampin' Pad

[147085]

$9.00

Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Pad

[147086]

$9.00

Starry Sky Classic Stampin' Pad

[159212]

$9.00

Starry Sky Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

[159222]

$10.00

Pumpkin Pie 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[105117]

$10.00

Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[101650]

$10.50

Starry Sky 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[159263]

$10.00

Cajun Craze 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[119684]

$10.00

Them Bones 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper

[162215]

$12.50

Exposed Brick 3 D Embossing Folder

[161600]

$11.00

Country Wreaths Dies

[160238]

$39.00

Sentiment Silhouettes Dies

[158733]

$35.00

Classic Matte Dots

[158146]

$7.00

Blending Brushes

[153611]

$13.00

Welcome to the Stampers Dozen Blog Hop!  We are a group of Stampin' Up! demonstrators who hop together on the 14th of every month.  This month our theme is Going, Going, Gone!  Yes, we are featuring products that are on the retiring list, products that will no longer be available once the new catalog debuts.  You can see the list HERE.  There are many discounted items on the list but be aware that the items on the list are only available while supplies last.  There are many items that have already sold out.

I used the Blessings of Home bundle for my card.  The patterned paper used is the Perfectly Penciled DSP which is an example of a product that has already sold out.   Another item I used is the Matte Black Dots.  The dots are also on the last chance list and at a discounted price.  The Layering Circles dies are also on the retiring/last chance list.  I am sad that these dies are retiring.  I use them so much and will probably continue to do so. 

The sentiment is from the Blessings of Home set.  I inked only part of it so it would fit on the circle.  The circle is attached on only one side so that it acts as a latch and keeps the card closed.  

Thank you for stopping by and be sure to check out all the stops on the hop!

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

I love this color combination.  It is a little bittersweet since Mango Melody is a color that is retiring.  Like so many things I wonder why I didn't use it more?  

Every time I use the All That dies I think, I need to use that cool argyle die and well, I finally did!  I made a simple background using the argyle die in Flirty Flamingo and Mango Melody .  These colors look like spring so I also added the daisies made from the Medium Daisy punch.  The Medium Daisy punch will be retiring soon and is currently available and at a reduced price.  I like a full flower so I  used 2 daisies stacked for each flower.   The daisies needed a center and I usually use a small retired circle punch but I couldn't find it so instead I used the stitched hearts.  The hearts are from the Give It A Whirl dies and they are perfect!  The Give It A Whirl dies have a lot of different shapes in them and I look at the die set often for shapes like hearts, stars, clouds, circles, and rectangles.  The leaves are punched using the Country Bouquet punch (part of the Country Bouquet bundle).  The simple sentiment is from the Artistically Inked stamp set.

I had a few extra argyle cut outs so I added them to the inside of the card along with another daisy.  I am thinking I will be making more of these cards in this color combination to send some spring vibes. 

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to check out what the rest of the design team created for this challenge.

Want to make this card?  Here are the supplies I used and link to my online store.  Thank you!

Product List

Artistically Inked Cling Stamp Set [154542] $24.00	Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad [147090] $8.00	Old Olive 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100702] $9.25	Flirty Flamingo 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [141416] $9.25
Mango Melody 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146989] $9.25	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276] $10.25	Medium Daisy Punch [149517] $17.00	All That Dies [159078] $28.00
Give It A Whirl Dies [154336] $39.00	Country Bouquet Punch [160382] $19.00

It is Thursday and time for a new Create with Connie & Mary Challenge.  This week it is a sketch challenge and it is another sketch to remember, meaning it is pretty classic and lends itself to lots of different applications.

I am still a little sad that the Cottage Rose bundle will soon be retiring.  I reach for it a lot and also the lovely coordinating Abigail Rose DSP.  

You have probably noticed that I  like the color combination of Petal Pink and Early Espresso.  The card base is Early Espresso CS with a Petal Pink CS layer.  I colored the  Abigail Rose DSP pattern using Petal Pink Stampin' Blends and a Crumb Cake (Light) Stampin' Blend.  I thought coloring the DSP made the card look a little more cohesive.  The Petal Pink CS was embossed using an Online Exclusive -Basics 3D Embossing Folders.  The pretty Cottage Rose sits on a Basic White Stitched Rectangle.   The rose was colored using a Pale Papaya (Dark) and Petal Pink Stampin' Blends.  The leaves were colored using Old Olive Stampin' Blends.  The white outline around the image seemed a little stark so I colored it in using a Crumb Cake (light) Stampin' Blend.  The 2 gems on the Early Espresso strip are Elegant Faceted Gems.

Inside of the card I added a strip of the Abigail Rose DSP.  To keep things cohesive I also colored the flowers and leaves.  I haven't added a sentiment to this card.  I think it can be used for lots of different situations so I will add a sentiment once I am ready to send it. 

Many of the products I used today that are retiring and are available at discounted prices.  All retiring products are available while supplies last so do not delay.  

Thank you for stopping by and be sure to check out what the other members of the Create with Connie & Mary design team created with this lovely sketch,

Ready for another Festive Friday challenge?   What is the Festive Friday challenge?  The Festive Friday challenge is a bi-weekly challenge that is inspired by a holiday/festivity.  An Inspo list of 10 items is created using the festivity as its inspiration.  To play in the challenge you need to use 3 items from the Inspo list on your project and enter it in the Festive Friday gallery.  You do not have to use the holiday/festivity in your card but you can.  We love seeing what you choose from the Inspo list and what you create.

I chose from the Inspo List bird, birthday sentiment, and Embossing Folder.  

I used the chubby bird from the Sweet Songbirds bundle (the bundle price is retiring but the stamp set and punch will be available  separately in the new catalog).  The cute bird was punched out in Balmy Blue CS.  The Mint Macaron gingham is from the Country Gingham 6" x 6" DSP.  Are you wondering what is embossed?  You need to look closely at the Basic White circle the bird is on, it is embossed using the one of the  Basics 3D Embossing Folders (Online Exclusive).  Yes, I was struggling a bit to incorporate 3 items from the Inspo List.  The pretty ribbon is the Balmy Blue Variegated ribbon, still a favorite of mine.  The DSP that is on the card base and on the middle strip is from the Country Floral Lane 12" x 12" DSP.   The little leaves were stamped in Mint Macaron ink and fussy cut out.  The little Balmy Blue gems are from the Iridescent Pastel Gems.

Inside a Basic White Scalloped Contour die the same size is hidden behind the Balmy Blue Scalloped Contour die.  This is where you can write a little note.  The little heart was punched out of Mint Macaron Gingham using the Country Bouquet punch.

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to get more inspiration by checking out what the rest of the design team created.

It is Thursday and time for a new Create with Connie & Mary challenge.  This week it is a color challenge and it was another tough one for me.

One of the things I do when I am having a tough time figuring out a color combination is pull out embellishments, DSP, specialty papers etc in the colors.  This helped me find the Soft Succulent in the Fine Shimmer Paper Pack and the Gray Granite Shimmer Ribbon.  I also discovered that all the colors have coordinating Stampin' Blends.  

I chose one of my favorites from the 2022-23 Stampin' Up! Annual Catalog, the Cottage Rose bundle.   I am sad to see that it will be retiring.  Anyway, I used  Stampin' Blends to color the flower and heavily brushed on the Wink of Stella to make the flower sparkle.  I used the Stitched Greenery die (also retiring) on the Soft Succulent Fine Shimmer Paper.  If you like a shimmery paper be sure to check out the Fine Shimmer Paper, it is beautiful and comes in a pack with Soft Succulent,  Fresh Freesia, and gold.

Inside I added a strip of the Soft Succulent Shimmer paper and colored another flower using the Stampin' Blends.  

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to check out what the rest of the design team created for the challenge,

I have one more project based on a card base I found in my leftover file.  I used the Perfectly Penciled DSP (again) since it is one of my favorites and it is on the Low Inventory list.  

This is basically the same card base as the card I posted on Saturday.  The only difference is that one of the flaps/arms was removed and the remaining one was glued down to create a pocket.

This is a picture of another "leftover" so you will be seeing this one soon.   To create the pocket, apply a thin line of glue along the top left edge of  the triangle.

Here you can see the insert that fits in the diagonal pocket.  I used Thick Basic White CS for the insert.  The oval on the pocket is from the Framed Florets dies and the sentiment is from the Framed Florets stamp set (purchase as a bundle and save 10%).  The sentiment was stamped using Versamark ink and heat embossed in white embossing powder.  The patterned paper and the flowers are from the Perfectly Penciled DSP.  The flowers and leaves were colored using Real Red, Old Olive, and Daffodil Delight Stampin' Blends. 

Thanks for stopping by.  Tomorrow we will see the retirement list and information about the color changes coming in the new catalog!  Stay tuned as it is going to be an exciting time.  

Product List

Framed Florets Bundle (English) [162407] $54.00	Versamark Pad [102283] $9.50	Real Red Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154899] $9.00	Daffodil Delight Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154883] $9.00
Old Olive Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154892] $9.00	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121045] $9.25	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276] $10.25	Perfectly Penciled 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [159244] $12.00
Basics Embossing Powders [155554] $18.00	Red Rhinestone Basic Jewels [146924] $7.00

It is Thursday which can only mean it is time for the Create with Connie & Mary Challenge!  This week it is a sketch challenge and this sketch is a keeper.

I decided to use patterned paper/DSP for my card.  

This is from the Perfectly Penciled DSP.   The DSP is great to color but I decided to keep it very simple and leave it black and white.  I just looked and this paper is on the Low Inventory list so if you like it be sure to order it soon.  The sentiment is from the Irresistible Blooms set (Online Exclusive) and is heat embossed using white Embossing Powder.  The banner was cut using the Stylish Shapes dies.    The little pop of color is a Melon Mambo Glossy Dot.

Are you wondering where the black ribbon is from?  It is the actually the Balmy Blue & White 1/2" Variegated Ribbon in the 2023 January-April Mini Catalog.  I used the Dark Basic Black Stampin' Blends to color it.  I was happy with how well the Blends colored the ribbon.  One thing to note is that the ribbon seems a little bit stiffer once you color it.  This isn't a bad thing since it does make it easier to tie a nice bow.

Inside I added a strip of DSP layered with Basic Black CS.  It is an easy way to finish the inside of the card.

Thank you for stopping by and be sure to check out what the rest of the design team created with this sketch,

Product List

Irresistible Blooms Cling Stamp Set (English) [161140] $25.00	Versamark Pad [102283] $9.50	Basic Black Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154843] $9.00	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [159229] $8.75
Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121045] $9.25	Perfectly Penciled 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [159244] $12.00	Stylish Shapes Dies [159183] $30.00	Glossy Dots Assortment [158827] $8.00
Balmy Blue/White 1/2" (1.3 Cm) Variegated Ribbon [160448] $9.00	Basics Embossing Powders [155554] $18.00

Place a $50 order through my online store and receive this bundle (13 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.

This is the card I made for the tutorial bundle.

Just in case you aren't experiencing springtime where you are I thought I would share some here.  

This is a little different color combination than the one I posted on Monday.  This one uses Daffodil Delight instead of So Saffron along with Balmy Blue, and Parakeet Party, for a little brighter combination.  I am a fan of gingham and in Balmy Blue it just looks like Spring.  The Country Gingham DSP is perfect for this time of year and really anytime. The flowers and the Sending are from the Sending Smiles bundle.  The little dots of Daffodil Delight are from the Glossy Dots Asst.  The white Baker's Twine is from the Baker's Twine Essentials Pack.

Inside a flower and another sentiment from the Sending Smiles stamp set and a strip of Balmy Blue gingham DSP.  Love the combination of the die cut Sending and the different sentiments in the stamp set.  We have moved a lot and this set and the sentiments are ones I use a lot.

Product List

Sending Smiles Bundle (English) [158707] $49.50	Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Pad [147094] $8.00	Balmy Blue Classic Stampin' Pad [147105] $8.00	Parakeet Party Classic Stampin' Pad [159208] $8.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [159229] $8.75	Daffodil Delight 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [119683] $9.25	Country Gingham 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [160388] $12.00	Baker's Twine Essentials Pack [155475] $11.00
Glossy Dots Assortment [158827] $8.00

Thanks for stopping by and I hope this brought a little sunshine to your day,

Place a $50 order through my online store and receive this bundle (13 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.

This is the card I created for the Creativity Abounds Fancy Flora tutorial bundle.

Happy first day of Spring!   I am ready for it.   I look forward to seeing the flowers budding and blooming and the grass and leaves turning green.  This beautiful display is the allergy sufferers reward. 

Today's card started with a leftover, in fact a couple more cards that I will be sharing soon started as leftovers.  What are leftovers?  They are things I have stamped or die cut for a project but ended up not being used.  These pieces are housed with my scraps and I go through them periodically to see if they are ready to be used.  

The leftover piece was the Rays of Light background stamp inked in So Saffron.  I wondered what it would look like if I used an embossing folder over the rays.  Would it look good?  As an experiment I used one of the new Online Exclusives products, Basics 3D Embossing Folders (not currently available but expected back in stock around May 1) over the Rays of Light.    Can you see the texture?  I like the look and will experiment more.  

The rays reminded me of spring so I added  flowers from the Sending Smiles set stamped in Balmy Blue, So Saffron and Parakeet Party.  The images were cut using the Sending dies ( buy them together as a bundle and save 10%).  The sentiment is also from the Sending Smiles set and it is heat embossed in White embossing powder on Balmy Blue CS.  The label it is stamped on is also from the Sending dies.

If I had to guess, I think the Sending Smiles bundle is the bundle I use the most.  The sentiments cover so many situations.  The one on this card is probably my most used one.  

Did a little stamping and an embossed So Saffron strip to finish off the inside of the card.  

Product List

Sending Smiles Bundle (English) [158707] $49.50	Balmy Blue Classic Stampin' Pad [147105] $8.00	So Saffron Classic Stampin' Pad [147109] $8.00	Parakeet Party Classic Stampin' Pad [159208] $8.00
Balmy Blue 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146982] $9.25	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276] $10.25	So Saffron 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [105118] $9.25	Basics 3 D Embossing Folders [161598] $30.00
Stitched Rectangles Dies [151820] $35.00	Scalloped Contours Dies [155560] $35.00	Glossy Dots Assortment [158827] $8.00	Baker's Twine Essentials Pack [155475] $11.00
Basics Embossing Powders [155554] $18.00

Thanks for stopping by and remember to stamp and send some sunshine,

Place a $50 order through my online store and receive this bundle (13 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.

This is the card I created for the Creativity Abounds Fancy Flora Tutorial bundle.