Welcome to the Around the World on Wednesday blog hop!  We are a group of international Stampin' Up!® demonstrators who have gathered together for a monthly blog hop.  The blog hop goes live on the 2nd Wednesday of the month.  This month our theme is CAS(e) the Mini Duo.  Huh?  Are you wondering what that means?  Angie, our mighty leader always comes up with interesting themes.  We are to use the 2023 Sale-A-Bration catalog and/or the 2023 January-April Mini Catalog for inspiration.  Before I show you what my inspiration was let me show you who makes up the Around the World on Wednesday Blog Hop.

Now, let me tell you what was the inspiration for my card.  It is the sample on page 39 of the Mini Catalog that uses the die cut conversation bubble as a background.  I like the white on white background and thought it would be fun to incorporate that element on my card.

I punched out 6 bunnies using the Easter Bunny punch and positioned them on a 4" x 5-1/4" piece of Basic White CS.  The sentiment and the cute bunch of carrots are  from Thanks A Bunch (a Sale-A-Bration choice).  I wanted that one special bunny to stand out so I gave her a lei of Calypso Coral Fun Flowers .  I also added some Matte Black Dots thinking it might make the bunny background stand out more.  The bunny background is layered on a Basic Black layer, 4-1/8" x 5-3/8" and then on a Thick Basic White card base, 4-1/4" x 11".

Inside I added a strip of the Perfectly Penciled DSP and another bunch of carrots.  

Now it is time to checkout what Chris Smith was inspired by!

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

Jan Clothier - NZ

Leonie Stuart - AU

Rochelle Laird-Smith - AU

Cazz Boylan - AU

Cheryll Miller - AU

Melissa Gifford - AU

Danielle Kassing - NL

Ximena Morales - DE

Aurélie Fabre - FR

Mikaela Titheridge - UK

Tina Zinck-MacDonald - CA

Annette Ball - CA

Angie McKenzie - US

Wendy Lee - US

Sharon Burkert - US

Chris Smith - US

Tricia Butts - US

Teri West - US

Cheryl Hamilton - US

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the hop!

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.

From the Inspo List I chose, Red, Gold, Rabbit, Lantern, and Heat Embossing.  I had so much fun making this card.  

The lanterns were made by heat embossing using Gold embossing powder on Poppy Parade CS.  The designs on the lanterns are from the Decorative Borders stamp set.  After the embossing powder cooled down I scored the cardstock using the Simply Scored Tool.  I scored it in 1/4” increments then I used the smallest Stylish Shapes circle dies to cut the 3 lanterns.  The scored lines help give it some dimension and I think add to make it look more like lanterns. I used the Simply Elegant Trim for the loop on the lantern and also to string the lanterns on.  The tassels were made by unraveling the Gold 1/4’  Shimmer Ribbon. 

The sentiment is from the Heavenly Hollyhocks stamp set.  The sentiment actually says, It’s time to celebrate you.  I carefully inked up the stamp to eliminate the “you”.  The background seemed a little stark so I embossed it using the Painted Texture 3D folder.  

The rabbit from the Easter Bunny stamp set is holding its own lantern.  This year is the year of the Rabbit so the Easter Bunny stamp set will be doing double duty for New Years and Easter.  The rabbit was colored using Petal Pink Stampin’ Blends and popped up with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

Thanks for stopping by and I look forward to seeing your projects in the Festive Friday Gallery,

The 2023 Stampin’ Up! January-April Mini catalog and the 2023 Sale-A-Bration (January-February) has begun!  So exciting!  Today’s sample shows products from both catalogs and also the 2022-23 Annual Catalog.

This card was made for the Create with Connie & Mary Challenge.  This week the challenge is a color challenge.

I have been wanting to use the beautiful die from the Two-Tone Flora bundle.  It is so pretty and  thought it would be perfect paired with the Beautifully Happy Sale-A-Bration stamp set.

Here are the details of the card.

• Balmy Blue card base- 4-1/4” x 11” scored at 5-1/2”.
• Basic White CS- 4-1/4” x 5-1/2” cut using the large Two-Tone Flora die.
• Adhere the Basic White die cut to the front of the Balmy Blue card base.
• Die cut the #4 (#1 being the smallest rectangle die) Scalloped Contours rectangle die in Basic White CS.
• Stamp the Beautifully Happy bouquet in Tuxedo Black Memento, Balmy Blue, Mint Macaron, and Sweet Sorbet ink on the Basic White rectangle.  The shading on the leaves and flowers are all done for you by the stamp set. 
• Wrap the Balmy Blue & White Variegated Ribbon around the scalloped rectangle and tie a bow.  This is my favorite ribbon.  It is so pretty and so easy to tie a nice bow with.
• Attach the Scalloped Rectangle to the front of the card using Stampin’ Dimensionals.
• Adhere a 4” x 5-1/4” Basic White CS piece to the inside of the card.
• Stamp the small small flower in Tuxedo Black Memento, Sweet Sorbet, and Balmy Blue ink on the Basic White CS.  

I haven’t decided on a sentiment yet.  The Beautifully Happy stamp set has 6 different sentiments.  Love the versatility. I cannot decide who I will send this card to so for now I will leave it blank.

Thanks for stopping by and remember Sale-A-Bration lasts for just 2 months-January and February,

Happy New Year!  Hope your year is off to a wonderful start.  2023  is the Year of the Rabbit, so the Easter Bunny stamp set was the perfect choice for a new years card.  Just a few more days (January 5) until  Sale-A-Bration and the new 2023-January -April catalogs go live!

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.

Product List

Alphabest Bundle [158886] $32.25	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $6.00	Smoky Slate Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154904] $9.00	Petal Pink Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154893] $9.00
Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121045] $9.25	Glimmer 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Paper [159537] $10.00	Celebrate Everything 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [159913] $18.00	Adhesive Backed Seasonal Sequins [159964] $7.00
Tailor Made Tags Dies [155563] $22.00

Just a few more days left in 2023 which means we are also closer to the start of the new 2023 January-April Mini catalog and Sale-A-Bration.  Both of which start on January 5th.  Did you catch that?  The mini catalog will be available for 4 months instead of 6 months and Sale-A-Bration is in effect January 5th-February 28th and there will only be one Sale-A-Bration this year.  

Today's card was made for the Create with Connie & Mary Challenge #747.  The challenge alternates between a sketch and color challenge. 

I thought this sketch would be a great one to use some of the fun new papers coming in the Mini Catalog.  I used the Country Gingham 6" x 6" DSP and the Country Floral Lane 12" x 12" DSP.  Both of these are in the Country Floral Lane Suite Collection.   These coordinate so well together and share a common color palette of Balmy Blue, Mint Macaron, Petal Pink and Sweet Sorbet.

I used 1-1/4" x 4" strips of the DSP layered on Basic White CS (4-1/8" x 5-3/8") and then on a Sweet Sorbet card base (5-1/2" x  8-1/2").  The oval frame was cut using the Framed Florets dies.   The Adorable Owl (Sale-A-Bration stamp set) was colored using Petal Pink, So Saffron, Crumb Cake and Mint Macaron Stampin' Blends.  The Sweet Sorbet heart the owl is holding is from the Give It A Whirl dies.  I deviated a bit from the sketch and used the Sending Dies instead of a strip of cardstock.  I cut the Sending outline in Basic White and the word in Sweet Sorbet.  I felt like it was missing something so I added a Petal Pink outline as a shadow and like how that looks.  You know I like ribbon and used the White 3/8" Glittered Organdy to finish the front.

Inside I added a strip of the Country Floral Lane DSP and one of the sentiments from the Sending Smiles set (or bundled with the coordinating dies).   I plan to send a lot more just because cards in 2023 so this sentiment will be used a lot.  There's nothing like getting a tangible reminder that someone is thinking about you and thinks you are pretty special.

Thank you for stopping by and be sure to check out what the other members of the  design team created for the 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.

Taking a break from my Christmas cards to share a birthday card using the Framed Florets bundle and the Fitting Florets DSP.  

I am loving the Framed Florets bundle.  The oval frames were something we have needed and I love how they work together.  

• Fitting Florets DSP 4-1/4" x 12", scored at 3-1/4" and 8-3/4". (Normally I would cut the DSP 4" x 12" to maximize the DSP.  This does result in a slightly narrower card.  This time I used 4-1/4" x 12" since the DSP had already been cut.) Cut from the score line to the center of the edge (2-1/8") and repeat on the other side.  Repeat at the other end.  The points will overlap.  Secure them to form a sleeve.  
• Night of Navy CS- 4-1/4" x  5-3/8"
• Basic White CS- 4" x 5-1/4"
• Balmy Blue CS-3-1/" x 4"
• Basic White- 3" x 4" cut out an oval using the larger frame.

The insert slides into the DSP sleeve.  I used Soft Succulent, Balmy Blue and Night of Navy Stampin' Blends to color the flowers and leaves.  I also added the Solid Faceted Gems in  Night of Navy.

The Fitting Florets DSP will only be available for a few more days/January 4th 2023 or while supplies last.  It is a very pretty paper and coordinates so beautifully with the Framed Florets bundle.  

Time for me to get back to my Christmas cards! Thanks for stopping by and be sure to get the Fitting Florets DSP before it disappears!