We are heading towards the end of August which also means the end of Sale-A-Bration.  There were two releases during this SAB period you can see them HERE and HERE.  A few choices are no longer available (Tree Lot Dies, Pool Party and Soft Sea Foam Cards & Envelopes, Brushed Metallic 12" x 12" Cardstock).  Sale-A-Bration items are available while supplies last.

I used the Silver & Gold Designer Series Paper from Sale-A-Bration with the Sending Smiles bundle.   

Colors used on this project.

Polished Pink

Tahitian Tide

Daffodil Delight

Parakeet Party

This is a book fold card.  The card base measures 4-1/4" x 11", scored at 4-1/2" and 5-1/2".  The 1" section between the 2 score lines is adhered to the card base making a "binding".  I always try to put something inside of my cards to decorate them.

Product List

Sending Smiles Bundle (English) [158707]	Tahitian Tide Classic Stampin' Pad [159210]	Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Pad [147094]	Polished Pink Classic Stampin' Pad [155712]
Parakeet Party Classic Stampin' Pad [159208]	Versamark Pad [102283]	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121045]	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276]
Silver & Gold 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [159941]	Basics Embossing Powders [155554]	Baker's Twine Essentials Pack [155475]

Thank you for stopping by and be sure to check out all the Sale-A-Bration offerings and get your favorites before the end of August,

It is time for another Creativity Abounds stamp camp!  The Creativity Abounds Design Team is an international group of 13 Stampin' Up! demonstrators.  We do a monthly blog hop and tutorial bundle and every quarter we hold a stamp camp. 

The Boughs of Holly Stamp Camp will be the held October 28th and 29th.  To register all you need to do is purchase the Boughs of Holly Suite and use the Host Code DDK66A4W.  If you already own the suite, simply order $79.50 of products from my online store and use the Host Code DDK66A4W.  It is important to use the Host Code which will let me know you want to participate in the stamp camp.  

You will receive 13 kits which will include all the cardstock pieces necessary to make the projects.  You will  use your own DSP, stamps, dies and embellishments.   Both a written and video tutorial will be provided for you for each project. 

In addition to the 13 projects you will be invited to join a private Facebook group for the camp.  On October 28th and 29th each design team member will present another project using the Boughs of Holly Suite.  These lives will be spread out over the 2 days but they will be recorded so you can watch them when it is convenient for you.  

Please use this link to order.  I have attached the Host Code to the link.  Remember if you order before August 31 you will also be eligible to earn a Level 1 Sale-A-Bration item!  

If you have any questions please contact me at [email protected].  It is going to be a fun and creative time!

It is time for another Festive Friday Challenge!  Grandparents Day  is the festivity we are featuring on the Festive Friday Challenge. What is the Festive Friday Challenge?  The Festive Friday Challenge is a bi-weekly challenge that has an Inspo List.  What is an Inspo List?  Every challenge has an Inspo list  aka as an inspiration list, that has 10 items on it and those 10 items were inspired by a particular holiday, celebration or festivity.  You need to use 3 items from the Inspo list on your project.  You do not have to incorporate the festivity into your challenge but if you want to, you can.  Here is a link to more information about how to participate in the challenge.

I chose to use from the list Fancy Fold, Plaid, and Hearts. 

I used the 2022-24 In Color DSP  in Sweet Sorbet to fulfill the Plaid.  The hearts were cut using the 2022-24 In Color Glimmer Paper and the Hippo dies.  I did also use a pearl on  top of the umbrella.  You will see the Fancy Fold in the next couple of pictures.

The hippo is stamped with Tuxedo Black Memento ink  on Smoky Slate CS.  I did  a little coloring using Smoky Slate and Sweet Sorbet Stampin' Blends.  The umbrella was die cut using the Hippo dies. The opening was cut using a Stitched Rectangles die.  I tied a bow using the White Glittered Organdy Ribbon.   The sentiment is from the Very Best Occasions stamp set.

Now you are starting to see the Fancy Fold.  I guess it really isn't that fancy but it is a fun one.  The DSP is another pattern in the 2022-24 In. Color DSP.

This is a full sheet of CS scored into quarters.  The upper left quarter has been cut out.  It is a simple card to make.  I like how it unfolds.  The DSP on this panel is again from the 2022-24 In Color DSP and the sentiment is from the Very Best Occasions.  

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

Melva Peters

Jaydee

Diane Evans 

Joanne James- off this week

Thanks for stopping by and check out all that Sale-A-Bration has to offer here and here,

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.

I live in Washington state which is the nation's top apple producing state.  So what does that mean?  It means I had to get the Apple Harvest set.  It may not be the best reason to purchase a stamp set but it was enough of a reason for me!  I saw the CAS Colours & Sketches Challenge #482 and knew it would be a perfect time to ink up the Apple Harvest set.

Here's what I made using the sketch.

The CAS Challenge is all about clean and simple cards.  "Clean and Simple" is defined as "uncluttered, with white or open space, and minimal layers and embellishments".  

The apples were stamped on Basic White CS in Tuxedo Black Memento ink and colored using Granny Apple Green Crumb Cake, Real Red, and Cherry Cobbler Stampin' Blends. The Basic White piece the apples are on was embossed using the Timber 3D Embossing folder.  This folder is part of the 2nd release for Sale-A-Bration.   Remember to stamp the sentiment before you emboss the CS!  I forgot and was pleasantly surprised that it turned out as well as it did.  Around the apples I added a few Classic Matte Dots in black.

Inside I added another apple image from the Apple Harvest stamp set.  This apple was also colored using the same Stampin' Blends.

Thanks CAS Colour & Sketch Challenge team for a great sketch and motivating me to use this stamp set.  

Thank you for stopping by and be sure to check out the all the cards created for the challenge,

It is Thursday and do you know what that means?   It is time for the Create with Connie & Mary Challenge! This week it is a color challenge.

When I looked at this challenge the first thing I thought of was to use the Tea Boutique Cards & Envelopes.   The choice of using the Starry Sky card from the pack helped to narrow down the decisions I have to make.  

I stamped the pumpkin from the Hello Harvest bundle using Calypso Coral ink on Pale Papaya cardstock.   I used the blender pen along the stamped lines to add some shading.  This is a quick and easy way to color.  I stamped the flowers in Starry Sky ink and colored in the image using Calypso Coral and Pale Papaya Stampin' Blends.  The banner is from the Fond of Autumn bundle.  On the ends of the banner and in the centers of the flowers are rhinestones colored using a Calypso Coral Stampin' Blend.

Check out the secret message!   I have been thinking about this and decided it was time to do it.  I cut a slit along the top of the pumpkin long enough so the message can fit behind the pumpkin.  I cut a Pale Papaya  Tailor Made Tag and stamped grateful from the Cottage Wreaths stamp set on it in Starry Sky ink.   The pumpkin is attached to the Basic White Stylish Shapes square with Stampin' Dimensionals.  I made sure to leave a channel so the tag can slip up and down easily.  The sentiment tag is attached to the flowers using Stampin' Dimensionals.  

This is an easy way to add some surprise and fun to your cards.  

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

Welcome to the Inspire Create Share Blog Hop!  On the 2nd Tuesday of the month we gather together to bring you this hop.  Each month there is a theme and this month the theme is...It's Sale-A-Bration.   Thank you for joining us and enjoy all the stops on the hop!

There has been a second release of Sale-A-Bration choices!  These choices are all from the 2022-23 Stampin' Up! Annual catalog or the July-December 2022 Mini Catalog.  

I realize the numbers are difficult to see.  It is important to note that you will need to use different numbers when choosing one of the above as your Sale-A-Bration gift.

I decided to use the Dots & Spots Dies and the Daffodil Dies for my project.  I am a big fan of the Dots & Spots die.  I think it is so versatile and  creates an easy and pretty backdrop.

I haven't used my Daffodil dies in a bit.  I got stuck thinking that daffodils are just a spring flower but there really isn't any reason that they cannot be used other times of the year.  I chose a slightly unconventional color combination for a daffodil of Petal Pink and Calypso Coral.   I wanted to use Petal Pink because I just received a roll of Petal Pink 3/8" Soft Polyester Ribbon.   The ribbon feels like suede and is easy to tie.  

The sentiment is from the Biggest Wish stamp set and inked in Calypso Coral ink.  The banner the sentiment is stamped on was cut using the Stylish Shapes dies.

Inside I added a strip of Petal Pink cardstock and another daffodil using the same color combination.  

Sale-A-Bration will end on August 31 but remember that products are only available while supplies last.  The supply of Pool Party & Soft Sea Foam Cards & Envelopes and the Tree Lot Dies have already been depleted.  Avoid disappointment and get your order placed.

Now it is time for you to check out what the talented  Deb Naylor has made for you!

Thank you for stopping by and be sure to check out all that Sale-A-Bration has to offer!

Contact me for more information about this upcoming stamp camp on October 28th and 29th.

Did you hear?  There are even more Sale-A-Bration choices!  You can see all the new choices here.  So many possibilities.  Please remember that Sale-A-Bration products are limited so if there is something you want be sure to order soon.  The Tree Lot Dies are no longer available along with the Pool Party & Soft Sea Foam Cards & Envelopes.

I haven't shown any projects using the Silver & Gold 6" x 6" DSP (page  10 of the Sale-A-Bration brochure).  The paper can be colored in many ways including  Blending Brushes and Stampin' Blends.  They look great no matter if they are colored or not.

Here I used the DSP with the Fond of Autumn bundle.  I cut apart the large image from the Fond of Autumn using one of the coordinating dies.  You can see more detail about this HERE.  I did some simple coloring of the image using Real Red, Old Olive, Daffodil Delight, Smoky Slate & Starry Sky Stampin' Blends.   The label is from the All That dies.  The sentiment is from the Fond of Autumn set and embossed in Black embossing powder.  Scattered around the image are Classic Matte Dots. 

Inside I added another berry image and a strip of the DSP.  

Product List

Fond Of Autumn Bundle (English) [159838]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]	Versamark Pad [102283]	Real Red Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154899]
Daffodil Delight Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154883]	Old Olive Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154892]	Starry Sky Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [159222]	Smoky Slate Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154904]
Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121045]	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276]	Daffodil Delight 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [119683]	Silver & Gold 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [159941]
All That Dies [159078]	Basics Embossing Powders [155554]	Classic Matte Dots [158146]

Thank you for stopping by and be sure to check out all the new Sale-A-Bration choices!

I debated on whether or not I should post this card.  Why?  Sadly the card base I used is no longer available in the US.  It was part of the Sale-A-Bration offerings-Pool Party & Soft Sea Foam Cards & Envelopes.  Sale-A-Bration items are only available while supplies last so it is best to order sooner than later.  Anyway, I decided that you could use this idea using Pool Party CS for the card base so I would share it.

I used the Split Card Textures dies and added a layer of Highland Heather CS behind it.  I love the color contrast of the Highland Heather and the Pool Party.  The flowers are from the Fond of Autumn stamp set.  I think the name of this stamp set/bundle is misleading.  This is not just an Autumn set.  Did you know that one of the dies in the Fond of Autumn bundle cuts out all the elements separately?  

Isn't that great?  I made a quick video for my team when I first received this bundle. The video shows what all the dies correspond with.

The sentiment is from the Very Best Occasions set in the Mini Catalog.  The set has a nice mix of fonts and sentiments from thank you, birthdays, thinking of you on through the holidays.  The little bit of sparkle on the card front is from Iridescent Rhinestones and a little bit of Wink of Stella on the berries and flower centers. Thank you for stopping by!

It is time for another Festive Friday Challenge!  Did you know that there is a International Owl Awareness Day?  There is and it is the festivity we are featuring on the Festive Friday Challenge. What is the Festive Friday Challenge?  The Festive Friday Challenge is a bi-weekly challenge that has an Inspo List.  What is an Inspo List?  Every challenge has an Inspo list that has 10 items on it and those 10 items were inspired by a particular holiday, celebration or festivity.  You need to use 3 items from the Inspo list on your project.  You do not have to incorporate the festivity into your challenge but if you want to, you can.  Here is a link to more information about how to participate in the challenge.

Once again I found this to be a tough challenge.  I ended up using Inspirational Quote, Torn Paper , and Brown from the  Inspo list.

It is easy to see how I used brown on my card.  I started with a Soft Suede card base and also used Soft Suede ink for the quote.  Are you wondering where the quote is from?  I had to dig deep and found a retired stamp set called Sage Advice in my stash that has a great assortment of quotes.  This is a long retired stamp set, in fact it is wood mounted and the label shows the date of the stamp on it.  Can you guess what year it debuted?   I will post the answer at the end of the post.

I used the Rings of Love DSP (a level 1 July-August 2022 Sale-A-Bration choice) and tore it to reveal the quote.  The torn part was rolled and glued in place.   I added a few Poppy Parade hearts around the sentiment that I cut using the Hippo dies, another level 1 Sale-A-Bration choice.  A little bit of Linen Thread was added to finish the card.  

What did you guess the date was for the Sage Advice stamp set?  The correct answer....2005!  This set is one that I just cannot seem to part with.

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

Ann Schach

Beth McCullough

Sharon Hashimoto Burkert that's me!

Melanie Hungerford

Helen Jennings

Stephanie Lanzalotto

Melva Peters

Jaydee

Diane Evans 

Joanne James

Thanks for stopping by and I look forward to seeing your creations in the Festive Friday gallery.

Happy 4th of July!  I had this brain flash and immediately had to make this card. 

Isn't she cute?  I hope you like her cause she is just jumping and dancing with joy!

I stamped the hippo (Hippest Hippos & Hippo Dies July-Aug Sale-A-Bration) using Tuxedo Black Memento ink on Basic White CS.  I used Smoky Slate, Real Red, and Starry Sky Stampin' Blends to color her and her outfit.  The little star behind her ear was cut using a die from the Tree Lot Dies (Sale-A-Bration product).  The red, white and blue stars around her were cut using the Give It A Whirl dies (Annual Catalog).  The Real Red and White glimmer paper can be found in the Mini Catalog.  The blue star is actually white glimmer paper smooshed on a Starry Sky ink pad.  Be sure to let it dry before adding it to the card front.  

The large celebrate is a retired die that I believe was a Sale-A-Bration choice years ago.  I love the size and font of the sentiment.  I cut this using the Real Red Glimmer Paper and added a few White Glimmer Paper stars.  The rhinestones on the stars were colored using the Starry Sky Stampin'Blends.

Hope you have a safe and wonderful day!

Product List

Hippest Hippos Cling Stamp Set (English) [159921]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]	Smoky Slate Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154904]	Real Red Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154899]
Starry Sky Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [159222]	Night Of Navy 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100867]	Real Red 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [102482]	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276]
Real Red & White 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Glimmer Paper [159578]	Hippo Dies [159928]	Give It A Whirl Dies [154336]	Tree Lot Dies [159938]
Celebrate You Thinlit Dies [146840]

Happy July 1st!  It is a big day!  The 2022 July-December Mini Catalog is now live AND so is the 2022 July-August Sale-A-Bration.  If you do not have these catalogs and want them, please let me know.

One of the cutest Sale-A-Bration choices is the Hippest Hippos.  What that means is  during Sale-A-Bration (Juy-August )with a qualifying purchase ($50 in the US) you can choose to receive the Hippest Hippos stamp set.  Another Sale-A-Bration choice is the coordinating Hippo Dies.  Yes you can get the Hippo dies ( 19 dies!) free with a qualifying purchase ($50 in the US).  

Here I paired the sweet hippo with the Dots and Spots die.  This is a standalone die and I am currently obsessed with it. I used it HERE, on another sample using the Hippest Hippos stamp set and dies. I also used the Sending Smiles bundle for the sentiments.  I am so happy to have the large Sending sentiment and pairing it with lots of smaller sentiments.   The scattered Melon Mambo flowers were cut  using a die from the Sending dies.

Stamping Tip:  I like to stamp the hippos on Smoky Slate CS.  This way I do not have to color in her cheeks or chest.  I use the Smoky Slate Blends to color around her face and body.  I also used the light Flirty Flamingo Stampin' Blends to give her a manicure and pedicure.

The tiny flower behind the hippo's ear is a die in the Hippo Dies set.  It is just the perfect size!  I used lots of  the smallest sized Rhinestones for the centers of  the flowers.  

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to let me know if would like a copy of the 2022 July-Dec Mini catalog and/or 2022 July-August Sale-A-Bration catalog,

Need ideas for masculine cards? 

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.