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.

I recently went through my leftover file and found these card bases and decided to use them. 

To create this fold, score an 8-1/2" x 11" CS at 4-1/4", rotate and score 5-1/2", and then cut the sheet on the diagonal.  

Cut a piece of 4" x 5-1/4" piece of DSP (I used the Perfectly Penciled DSP) and cut it on the diagonal.  You will need to do this with another design if you want the DSP to be different on each triangle.  Fortunately you can use the DSP triangles on the other card base.  I heat embossed the sentiment from the Framed Florets stamp set in White Embossing Powder.  The oval was cut using the Framed Florets dies (buy the bundle and save 10%).  Around half of the oval I added flowers fussy cut from the DSP and colored using Real Red, Daffodil Delight, and Old Olive Stampin' Blends.  I added a few Red Rhinestones for a little sparkle.

Inside another strip of DSP and fussy cut flower.  This is a pretty quick and easy fun fold.  Isn't it amazing what can be done with a few score lines and a cut?

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

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to order any 2021-23 In Color items you might want,

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.

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.

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

This was a tough one for me.  I just couldn't figure it out until I found the Starry Sky sky in the Enjoy the Journey DSP.  I paired the DSP with the Easter Bunny bundle.  

The bunny's garland was colored using Melon Mambo & Starry Sky Stampin' Blends.  There isn't a Coastal Cabana Stampin' Blend so I used a blender pen and Coastal Cabana ink to color the leaves.  I also used the blender pen and Melon Mambo ink to color the bunny's ears, tail, belly and nose.  I used the 2022-24 In Color Matte Decorative Dots for the centers of the flowers.  The sentiment  is from the Love for You stamp set stamped on a circle from the Stylish Shapes dies.  I used the In Color Baker's Twine in Starry Sky to complete the card.

I added a strip of the DSP along with another garland to finish off the inside of the card.  

Before I made the  card above I made another and I am still unsure if I like it or not.  I had the idea to do a blended panel on  black and white DSP.

I used the Perfectly Penciled DSP and masked off the sides to create the center panel of blended color.  Over the panel I added the thanks cut using the Amazing Thanks die.  I still cannot decide if I like it or not.  

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

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.

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

Welcome to the Creativity Abounds Blog Hop!  We are an international group of Stampin' Up!® demonstrators.  We hop together on the third Wednesday of every month.  Our hops focus around a particular bundle, holiday, occasion or product suite.  Every month we create a tutorial bundle. The tutorial bundle is available as a gift with a qualifying purchase or can also be purchased. This month our focus is the Fancy Flora Suite.

The Fancy Flora Suite is a big one and consists of  the Two-Tone Flora bundle, Something Fancy bundle, the Shimmer Paper pack, Iridescent Pastel Gems, Pool Party Ribbon, and the Fancy Flora DSP.  For my project I used both bundles, the gems, and the beautiful DSP.  

Does this fold look familiar?  I posted a card using this fun fold on February 27th.   I don't know the name of this fold, I am calling it a modified Z-fold.

Here is what you will need to make this card.

• Soft Succulent CS 4-1/4" x 5-1/2", 2' x 2-3/4", scrap pieces to stamp leaves
• Evening Evergreen CS 4" x 9-3/4
• Basic White CS 2-1/8" x 2-3/8", 2-1/8" x 3-7/8", scrap pieces to stamp the flowers and die cut the hexagon
• Fancy Flora DSP 2-7/8" x 3-7/8", 2-1/8" x 2-3/8", 1-3/8" x 2-1/8"
• Evening Evergreen Pad
• Evening Evergreen Ribbon

Here is a template showing how to score and cut the Evening Evergreen CS.

The cutting and scoring is much easier to show you  vs writing it down, so here's a video.

Blog Hop Index

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.

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

Welcome to the Stampers Dozen Blog Hop!  We are a group of Stampin' Up! demonstrators that hop together on the 14th of the month.  This month the theme is Birthdays!   Hop along with us and check out some fun and fabulous birthday ideas.

I was looking through my patterned papers and came across the Tea Boutique DSP.    When I saw this pattern it reminded me that I needed to use the Sweet Citrus bundle.   My card is a little busy but I am okay with it.  I used 2 different patterns of Tea Boutique DSP for the front of the card.  I used Crushed Curry ink for the lemon peels and Daffodil Delight for the pulp.  The leaves seemed too dark stamped in Garden Green full strength so I stamped the leaves off once to get a less intense color.  I used Daffodil Delight Glossy Dots for the centers of the flowers.  The Garden Green ribbon is a carryover item from the last mini catalog.  It was paired with Real Red ribbon.  The Garden Green scalloped frame was cut using the Scalloped Contours dies and the Basic White rectangle was cut using the Stitched Rectangle dies. Isn't that sentiment so fun?   I usually like things straight but somehow this little banner only looked right at an angle.  

You know I  like to decorate the inside of my cards whenever possible.  Here I used an extra flower, leaves, and a layered piece of DSP.  Doesn't it looks finished and ready for me to write in and send?

Product List

Sweet Citrus Bundle (English) [160645] $49.50	Garden Green Classic Stampin' Pad [147089] $8.00	Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Pad [147094] $8.00	Crushed Curry Classic Stampin' Pad [147087] $8.00
Garden Green 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [102584] $9.25	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276] $10.25	Tea Boutique 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [158659] $12.00	Scalloped Contours Dies [155560] $35.00
Stitched Rectangles Dies [151820] $35.00	Glossy Dots Assortment [158827] $8.00	Real Red & Garden Green 3/8" (1 Cm) Ribbon Combo Pack [159577] $7.50

Thanks for stopping by be sure to check out the rest of the stops on the hop.

The Fancy Flora Suite is a big beautiful collection of products.  I was sold on the Two Tone Flora bundle as soon as I saw the dies.  The large die is so pretty and I knew that I wanted to use it on vellum.   I finally got around to making that card.

Isn't it pretty?   I cut a large opening using the Stitched Rectangle dies on the Basic White card front.  I also cut 2 smaller frames (one for the front and one for the inside front) also using the Stitched Rectangle dies.  I secured the vellum to the front of the card and then attached the smaller frame over the vellum.  I attached the other frame to the inside of the card to keep everything looking neat and clean.  I added the luscious Pool Party Grosgrain Ribbon to the frame and tied a bow.  This ribbon is lovely to work with.  The flowers were stamped using Fresh Freesia ink and the leaves were stamped in Pool Party.  The centers of the flowers are from the Glossy Dots Assortment.

I added another card inside of the card.  Why?  This card will give you a place to write a message that doesn't show through the lovely vellum.  I stamped a sentiment where the frame will cover it up.   This sentiment is from the Something Fancy stamp set.

This sentiment is a must have for me.  It is so cute and perfect for those cards that will arrive a little or maybe a lot late.  

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to check out the Fancy Flora Collection!

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.  We love seeing what you choose from the Inspo list and create.

I chose from the Inspo List-green, gold, and luck.  

The flowers and leaves are from the Irresistible Blooms bundle.  This bundle is part of the Online Exclusives that became available the first of March.  The flowers were stamped with Versamark ink, heat embossed with white embossing powder and die cut using the Irresistible Blooms dies.  The leaves were cut using the dies in Shaded Spruce CS and the Distressed Gold Specialty Paper.  The card base is Mint Macaron CS and the DSP is the Country Gingham DSP.  

The card base measures 4-1/4" x 11" scored at 5-1/2".  I cut along the fold line down 2" and then across.  

The sentiment is from the Framed Florets stamp set.  I used Versamark ink and then heat embossed with gold embossing powder.  Around the sentiment, flowers and in the centers of the flowers I added gold Festive Pearls.  The Festive Pearls were carryover items from the previous mini catalog.  

Thank you for stopping by and be sure to check out what the rest of the Festive Friday team created for this challenge.

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

At first this sketch stumped me.  I just had no idea what to do with it.  After thinking about it I decided that I would use patterned paper for the larger pieces.  Once this decision was made the rest of the card fell into place.  Sometimes making just one decision helps bring everything else in focus.

Yes, I used the Easter Bunny stamp set again.  I love the flower garland, must be my Hawaii roots.  I stamped her simply in Tuxedo Black Memento ink and did a little bit of Fresh Freesia for her tummy, ears, and feet.  The tag is from the Something Fancy dies.  Her flower garland was colored using Fresh Freesia, Blackberry Bliss, and Mossy Meadow Stampin' Blends.  The tag was finished with a little Fresh Freesia 3/8" Open Weave Ribbon bow.  The sentiment is from the Thanks a Bunch set (Sale-A-Bration) and stamped on another die cut from the Something Fancy dies.

The patterned paper are from two different Sale-A-Bration paper packs, Dandy Designs DSP and the Favored Flowers DSP.  Do you see the Fresh Freesia Shimmery paper behind the DSP?  That is from the Fine Shimmer Paper Pack.  The shimmer paper comes in Fresh Freesia, Soft Succulent, and gold.  It is so pretty and the colors are beautiful.

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

Like most stampers I love patterned paper aka Designer Series Paper (DSP).  I buy a lot of it and have been trying to use it more.  I am breaking up with the idea of saving it for just the right, special project.  It sounds easy but the tendency to hoard is real.  I am always on the look out for ways to use my DSP.  Last week on my team's bi-weekly stamp together session, Kivonne shared this template with us.  We all loved it and have been having fun creating cards using it.

Here's the first card I made using the ideas she shared.

• Card base-5-1/2" x 8-1/2" Basic Black CS
• Cut two 1" x 4-1/4" Favored Flowers DSP (flowers)
• Cut two 1" x 3" Favored Flowers DSP (the flip side of the flowers pattern shown above)
• Cut 1 Fresh Freesia CS 1-7/8" x 3-1/8" (used the new Basics 3D Embossing folder available March 1)
• Die cut thanks from the Amazing Thanks die in Basic Black.
• Cut out flowers, leaves and bud from the Favored Flowers DSP.
• Iridescent Rhinestones

Now all you need to do is layer the strips on the card front, attach the fussy cut flowers and leaves with Stampin' Dimensionals, and attach the thanks.  This is a quick and easy card to make.  For me the hardest part is figuring out which side of the DSP to use and where.

I enjoyed making this card so I decided to make more!

Used the Perfectly Penciled DSP for this card.  The card base is 4-1/4" x 11" scored at 5-1/2".  The butterfly and flowers were cut from the DSP and colored using Stampin' Blends.  Used the Basics 3D Embossing Folder to emboss the Basic White in the middle of the card.  Love these new folders and i think they will quickly be my go to textures.  The sentiment is from the Sending Smiles stamp set and cut out using the coordinating Sending Dies.  Buy it as a bundle and save 10%.  I used Versamark ink and White Embossing powder and heat embossed the sentiment.  On either side of the sentiment are Iridescent Pearls Basic Jewels.

Inside I added a strip of DSP and more fussy cut images from the DSP.  

Here is a very quick and easy masculine version.

For this one i used the He's the Man DSP Specialty DSP which has 2 sheets of dies cuts in the pack.  The car and the sentiment are from the die cut sheet.  Instead of using a card stock piece in the middle I used a piece of the He's the Man DSP. This card can be made very quickly.  Just cut some strips and add some die cuts and you have a handsome card.  The only extra thing was I added were some Rustic Metallic Adhesive Backed Dots on the banner and on the tires.  

Inside I added a strip of DSP and more die cuts from the DSP pack.  Seriously this card could be made in 15 minutes!

Thanks for stopping by and remember Sale-A-Bration is ending at the end of February!  Place your order soon as items are beginning to sell out (Dainty Flowers DSP).