Just a few more sleeps and the new 2022-23 Stampin' Up! catalog will go live.  Exciting and also a little sad.  Why?  Well that also means that some of my favorite stamp sets from the 2021-22 Annual Catalog will be retiring.  One of the sets I wanted to play with one more time was the Measure of Love.  I decided it would be the perfect set to use for the Festive Friday Challenge #FF0108.

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.

What a great festivity!  I chose to use food, kitchen, items, gingham, and red from the Inspo List.

I stamped the images from the Measure of Love set on label cut using the Scalloped Contours dies.  I used a Smoky Slate Stampin' Blend to color the scale and Evening Evergreen and Real Red pads to color the bowl of cherries.  The Real Red ribbon is from the 2022 Jan-June mini catalog.  The strip of Gingham DSP is from the Pansy Petals DSP. The lovely stitched background  was made using the Stitched Greenery die.

Inside I added another strip of gingham paper and another sweet bowl of cherries.  

FF #0108 National Eat What You Want Day

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

Ann Schach

Beth McCullough

Sharon Hashimoto Burkert you are here!

Melanie Hungerford

Helen Jennings

Stephanie Lanzalotto

Melva Peters

Jaydee

Diane Evans 

Joanne James

Thanks for stopping by!

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

I once again reached for the beautiful Symbols of Fortune DSP.  

I  used the Good Fortune dies and cut out multiple flowers from the DSP.  The flowers were arranged on a piece of  Mother of Pearl Specialty Paper.  Around the flowers I also added a few Gold Metallic Pearls and added some Black Baker's Twine.

I finally used the side of the Symbols of Fortune DSP that has gold foil.  The gold and white gingko leaves are so pretty.  For the other panel I used a piece of Gold Foil paper.  Inside I added a strip of DSP and another Calypso Coral flower.

You can see other ideas using the Symbols of Fortune Suite  here, here,  and here.

Thank you for stopping by,

Did you know that in many cultures the crane symbolizes happiness, longevity, harmony and good luck?  The Crane of Fortune bundle certainly embraces all those things.  The crane stamp is beautiful and it is a Distinktive stamp.  All the different shading (except for the Calypso Coral cap) on the crane was made by the stamp.   One inking gave all the different opacities, pretty cool huh?

I used 2 different patterns  from the Symbols of Fortune DSP (Designer Series Paper).  Yes, that is gold foiling on the paper.  I used the Good Fortune dies to cut out the Calypso Coral leaves.  I believe they are gingko leaves.  Gingko leaves symbolize longevity so it definitely makes sense that they are part of the Good Fortune dies.

The crane panel is an easel.  I call this the One Armed Easel.  I am sure there is a better name for this fold.  The small Gold Metallic pearls adorn the gingko and dragonflies.  These pearls come in silver and gold and are retiring at the end of the month.  

Product List

Crane Of Fortune Bundle (English) [157663]	Basic Gray Classic Stampin' Pad [149165]	Calypso Coral Classic Stampin' Pad [147101]	Calypso Coral Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154881]
Basic Gray 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121044]	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276]	Calypso Coral 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [122925]	Symbols Of Fortune 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Designer Series Paper [157652]
Metallic Pearls [146282]

If you want even more ideas on ways to use the Symbols of Fortune Suite of products the Creativity Abounds Blog Hop Team has a tutorial with 13 projects.  The tutorial can be purchased for $15 US or it is FREE for my customers with a $50 order.  If you would like to purchase a tutorial please contact me, [email protected].  

Thank you for stopping by!

It is Thursday and time for the Create with Connie & Mary Challenge.  This week it is a Color Challenge, #CCMC712.

When I saw this combination I wasn't sure what to do with it.  Right around the time I was thinking about what to make for the challenge I received the Uniquely Artistic stamp set from the upcoming 2022-23 Annual Catalog and just like that I knew what I was going to make.

I stamped the Uniquely Artistic outline leaf image in Just Jade and the background stamp in Pear Pizzazz .  To tie in the Calypso Coral, I colored in some Polished Dots using a Dark Calypso Coral Stampin' Blend. The Stitched Rectangles are mounted on a Calypso Coral cardstock layer that was run through the Stampin' Cut and Emboss machine using the Stitched Greenery die.  

The sentiment is from another new set, Happiness Abounds and cut out using the Stylish Shapes dies.  The Stylish Shapes Dies are standalone dies.  This means they are not associated/bundled with any one particular stamp set.  They include  6 circle, 5 square, and 5 banner dies.   I also added a Black Glittered Organdy bow.  This ribbon will be retiring soon and I will miss it.  

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

Welcome to the Creativity Abounds Blog Hop!  We are an international group of Stampin' Up demonstrators that come together monthly to do this blog hop and prepare a tutorial bundle.  We also host a quarterly virtual  stamp camp.   This month our theme is the Symbols of Fortune Suite.  The projects we are sharing are bonus projects that will be demonstrated during the stamp camp's Facebook Lives next weekend.  We won't be posting any instructions on how to make these projects since we will be demonstrating them during the stamp camp.  

The Symbols of Fortune DSP is so elegant.  Each sheet has a side that features gold foil accents.  The Calypso Coral flowers were cut out from the DSP using the Good Fortune Dies.    The other elements were also cut using the Good Fortune Dies.  The Polished Dots were colored using a Dark Calypso Coral Stampin' Blend.

Inside a few Calypso Coral stamped dragonflies.  The next stamp camp will be in July.  I hope you will join us!

Here's a list of all the stops on the hop!

Thanks for stopping by!

I wanted to share one last play with the Prized Peony stamp set, Peony dies, and the Simply Elegant DSP.  These products are all still available (last time I checked) but are on the retiring list and available only while supplies last.

This card is similar to one I shared here.   On today's sample I used a new die set (coming May 1) called Stylish Shapes to create the gold frame and to cut out the square.  The card base is a piece of Simply Elegant DSP cut at  5-1/4" x 12" and scored at 4", 8".  The card base is on a 4-1/4" x 5-1/2" piece of  Basic Black CS.  The peony was colored using Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Real Red, and Cherry Cobbler Stampin' Blends. The sentiment is from the Color and Contour stamp set.

Inside I added a piece of Basic White CS to make it easier to write a message.  You can also see the other side of the DSP behind the Basic White CS.

Product List

Prized Peony Cling Stamp Set (English) [152504]	Color & Contour Photopolymer Stamp Set [154994]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]	Daffodil Delight Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154883]
Old Olive Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154892]	Cherry Cobbler Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154880]	Real Red Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154899]	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121045]
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276]	Gold Foil Sheets [132622]	Simply Elegant 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Designer Series Paper [155761]

Thanks for stopping by,

It is time for 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.

I chose blue, pink, music, patterned paper, and rhinestones from the Inspo List for my card.

I used the soon to be released Sweet Songbirds bundle (2022-23 Annual Catalog debuting May 1). Since blue was one of the items on the Inspo List, I had to use the beautiful new In Color, Tahitian Tide.  It is a bright and happy blue.  I used the 2023-24 In Color DSP (6" x 6" paper)  for the wing and the panel.  This new DSP comes in all the color collections and I love the designs which include a plaid, polka dots, flowers, and a dashed stripe.  The pink is represented in the Polished Pink Loose Flower Flourish.  In the center of each flower I added a rhinestone.  The musical notes are part of the Sweet Songbirds stamp set and a perfect way to represent music from the Inspo List.

All the stamped images are from the Sweet Songbirds stamp set.  There are 24 photopolymer stamps in the set which includes 7 sentiments.  The Sweet Songbirds stamp set can also be purchased as a bundle which includes the Songbird Builder punch.  

FF #0107 International Dancer Day

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

Ann Schach

Beth McCullough

Sharon Hashimoto Burkert- you are here

Melanie Hungerford

Helen Jennings

Stephanie Lanzalotto

Melva Peters

Jaydee

Diane Evans

Joanne James

Thanks for stopping by and hope to see your project in the Festive Friday gallery!

Welcome to the Stampers Dozen Blog Hop!  We are a group of Stampin' Up! demonstrators and hop on the 14th of every month.  This month our theme is Anything Goes.  I chose to use the beautiful Waves of Inspiration stamp set (available now and also in the 2022-23 Annual catalog, the Timeless Tropical stamp set with the In the Tropics dies(retiring soon), and the Waves of the Ocean DSP (available while supplies last and/or May 2).  

The Waves of the Ocean DSP is a beautiful pack of paper and so unique.  This pack is only available until May 2 or while supplies last. I also used  Granny Apple Green and Pacific Point CS to coordinate with the DSP.  I used the Timeless Tropical stamp set to stamp the palm trees and unfortunately this stamp set has sold out and is no longer available.   There is another set, Paradise Palms which also has palm trees available in the 2022 Jan-June Mini Catalog.   The Paradise Palms is also currently available as a bundle with the Palm dies.   The sentiment is from the Waves of Inspiration set and stamped on a Stitched Rectangle.  The rhinestones I used were part of the Rhinestone Waves Basic Jewels and unfortunately has since sold out.  

This card is a fun fold, a matchbook style card.  I have made matchbook cards before but this one is a little different.  I saw this card style
on Flowerbug's Inkspot.  The measurements:

Granny Apple Green CS: 4-1/4" x 6-1/2" scored at 5-1/2"

Pacific Point CS: 4" x 5" and 3/4" x 4"

Basic White CS (inside of the card): 3-3/4" x 4-1/2"

Waves of the Ocean DSP: 3-3/4" x 5-3/4" scored at 4-5/8" and  1/2" x 3-3/4"

The DSP is the piece that tucks in and also lifts up to reveal the inside of the card.  I like that the sentiment is seen both when the card is closed and also open.  Super fun and easy card to make.  

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

Thank you for stopping by!

It is Thursday and time for a new Create with Connie & Mary Challenge.  This week we have a sketch challenge, #CCMC711.  When I saw this sketch I immediately knew I wanted to use the Sending Smiles stamp set which will debut May 1 in the upcoming 2022-23 Annual Stampin' Up! Catalog.

Before I go into more detail about the card I made, here is the sketch.

It is a great sketch and so versatile.

I also used all the new 2022-24 In Colors on this card.  These new colors are so good!  It doesn't happen often but I like every single one of the new In Colors.  Which one is your favorite?  Right now I am so happy to have a bright and happy turquoise back, yay for Tahitian Tide!

This stamp set not only has beautiful flower images but lots of great sentiments.  The "Sending" can be stamped or die cut and the connecting sentiment stamps are:

• smiles across the miles
• all the good luck your way
• sunshine to brighten your day
• love & big hugs
• a note of thanks
• a card to say hello
• comfort and strength

I used Basic White, Basic Black, and Daffodil Delight CS.  The rectangles were cut using the Stitched Rectangle dies.  The little black dots are Classic Matte Dots.  These dots come in 4 colors (Basic Black, Basic Gray, Very Vanilla, and white) and in 2 sizes.  The ribbon is the Black & White Gingham ribbon.

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

Welcome to the Inspire Create Share blog hop.  We are a group of Stampin' Up! demonstrators who come together on the second Tuesday of the month to do this blog hop.  This month the theme is, It's a Girl Thing.  

I chose to use the oh so pretty Pansy Petals DSP.  This pack of patterned paper coordinates with the Pansy Patch stamp set and the Pansy dies (aka the Pansy Patch bundle).  The Pansy Patch bundle will still be available in the upcoming 2022-23 Annual catalog  but sadly the Pansy Petals DSP is retiring.  All the flowers and leaves for the card were cut from the Pansy Petals DSP using the Pansy dies.  I used the 2021-23 In Color Jewels in Soft Succulent for the centers of each flower.  

The Fresh Freesia gingham check card measures 5-1/4" x 12" and scored at 4" and 8".  The front is a double layer of the DSP.  I adhered  them together to  give the front a little more weight and stability.  I used the Stylish Shapes dies to cut the circle in the front.  The Stylish Shapes dies will be debuting in the 2022-2023 Annual Catalog and features circles, squares, and banners with a pierced edge detail.  The sentiment from the Pansy Patch stamp set was stamped in Tuxedo Black Memento ink.  The sweet Fresh Freesia ribbon is the 3/8" Open Weave ribbon and adds a little bit more "girliness" to the card.

Inside I added a Basic White CS layer (3-3/4" x 5") over the DSP to make it easier to write a note.  The card is backed by a 4-1/4" x 5-1/2" piece of Fresh Freesia CS.  This card looks like a standard card but is a little different and lets you see both sides of the DSP.  

Now it is time for you to see what the talented Terri has created for you!

Thank you for stopping by and enjoy the hop!

Product List

Pansy Patch Bundle (English) [155674]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]	Fresh Freesia 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [155613]	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276]
Pansy Petals 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [155807]	Fresh Freesia 3/8" (1 Cm) Open Weave Ribbon [155615]	2021–2023 In Color Jewels [155571]

Contact me for all the information about the Symbols of Fortune Stamp Camp April 29-30.