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

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.

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.  

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 list Bright Colors, Splatters, Patterned Paper, and Square.

When we are on the road  I try, when possible to stop in and see local stamp/scrapbook stores.  They are not as plentiful as they once were so I definitely want to support the ones that are around.  I found one in Orange Park Florida called A Small Cleverness.  I saw these calendars and thought to myself, it is kind of late for me to make calendars for this year.  I then looked a little closer and realized it was actually calendars for 2024!  I decided I needed to buy some, so I did.  I predict one of 2 possible outcomes.  One possibility is that I will get them made and ready to send out for 2024.  Another and probably more likely is that I will put them somewhere safe to work on later and I won't remember where I put them.  I thought if I at least make one calendar ahead of time that would still put me ahead.

I made the Melon Mambo CS base 4-1/4" x 8-1/2" my square from the Inspo List.  I added a panel from the Enjoy the Journey DSP, the patterned paper item from the Inspo List.  I like the bright combination of Melon Mambo and Mango Melody so I added that layer to card too.  This is my Bright Colors from the Inspo List.   I am not sure you can see it but I flicked some Wink of Stella on the DSP to add some shine and also to use Splatters from the Inspo List.

I love the words from the Easter Bunny stamp set and thought they would be perfect ones for a calendar.  I stamped them in Tuxedo Black Memento ink on Basic White CS and then punched them out using the Double Oval punch.  I like layers so I added the Mango Melody layer also from the Double Oval punch.

To add a little more interest I made this an easel calendar.  The stopper is another strip of DSP from the Enjoy the Journey DSP and another sentiment from the Easter Bunny set.  Who knew that the Easter Bunny would be something you could use all year long?  

Be sure to check out what the rest of the design team created with this Inspo List.

Product List

Easter Bunny Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [160272] $19.00	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $6.00	Melon Mambo 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [115320] $9.25	Mango Melody 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146989] $9.25
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276] $10.25	Enjoy The Journey 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [160586] $12.00	Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush [141897] $8.00	Glossy Dots Assortment [158827] $8.00

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.

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