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

As I mentioned in yesterday's post I am a little obsessed with the Snail Mail Suite.  When I started to work on this week's card I thought it would again be a perfect one to use the Snail Mail Suite.  In fact, I used all 4 products in the suite.

Let's look at the different components of the card and how I used the suite.  I stamped the mushrooms and colored them using Stampin' Blends.  The snail was cut from the Snail Mail DSP.  I could have stamped it since the image is in the set but I took the easy way out and cut it out using the Snail dies.  The Blushing Bride twine is from the Snail Mail Twine Combo pack.  The DSP strips are of course the Snail Mail DSP.  Let me just say that this is one of the cutest packs of paper.  I have used every design.

The sentiment is from the Many Messages set.   It is one stamp that has 19 sentiments, 3 stars and a heart.  It is cut out using the Message die which is one die that cuts them all out.  It is a great bundle and includes so many different sentiments and the dies cuts out lots of different labels.  You will also see the last but not least part of the Snail Mail Suite...Resin Hearts.  The hearts come in Real Red and White.  The white ones can be colored using Stampin' Blends so you can have hearts in as many colors as you have Stampin' Blends.  

You will be seeing lots of sentiments using this bundle this month.  It is so handy and easy to use.  I stamp once and cut it out and store the other sentiments in the case for future use.  

Thank you for stopping by!  Be sure to check out what the rest of the design team created for this challenge.

Product List

Snailed It Bundle [156255]	Many Messages Bundle [156272]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]	Bermuda Bay Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154878]
Real Red Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154899]	Daffodil Delight Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154883]	Blushing Bride Stampin' Write Marker [131265]	Real Red 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [102482]
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276]	Snail Mail Designer Series Paper [154577]	Resin Hearts Embellishment [154578]	Snail Mail Twine Combo Pack [154579]

One of the hardest questions to answer is, What is your favorite stamp set/bundle?  Occasionally I will have a clear cut favorite but more often than not it is whatever stamp set/bundle I am working with at the time you ask me.   I love spending time just playing with one set  trying different folds, color combinations, coloring techniques and just getting lost in the process.  Unfortunately I do not do this often enough.  It seems like I am usually stamping for some specific purpose like a blog hop, design team or challenge. 

Recently I took some time and just played with the Snail Mail Suite.  This suite is a fun one to play with since it has an adorable stamp set, dies, twine, embellishments and Designer Series Paper (DSP).  I made a few samples that I have already shared here, here, here, here, and  here.  So. when Connie & Mary asked what my favorite bundle was I said Snailed It.  Is it my favorite?  Well, I can say it is among my favorites from the 2021 Jan-June Mini Catalog.

I have made this style of card many times.  Usually I have it oriented so it is a portrait style.  I have been trying to think a little differently so I turned it to make it landscape.  The sentiment is the only thing that is not in the Snail Mail Collection.  The birthday sentiment is from the In Bloom stamp set  and is the only thing stamped.  The snail and present are cut from the Snail Mail DSP.  The large square postage stamp is a die (Snail dies).  The Blushing Bride twine is from the Snail Mail Twine Combo Pack.

The "card" slips out and that is where you can write a message.  If you are interested in making this style of card you can find directions HERE.  The only difference is the orientation of the card.  

Thank you for stopping by and know that when I say something is my favorite I really am being honest it is just that I have a lot of them.

Product List

In Bloom Photopolymer Stamp Set [154380]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]	Bermuda Bay 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [131197]	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276]
Snail Mail Designer Series Paper [154577]	Snail Mail Twine Combo Pack [154579]	Resin Hearts Embellishment [154578]

The patterned papers aka Designer Series Paper (DSP) in the January-February Sale-A-Bration are all so good.  This quick and easy project uses the Paper Blooms DSP.  I am going to miss using this paper, good thing I have an extra pack.

It is so fun to mix and match the different patterns in the Paper Blooms DSP.  The large flower is also from the DSP.   There are 3 of these large flowers on one sheet of the DSP.  They are pretty easy to fussy cut.  I like using the Denim ribbon, it is soft and easy to tie.   The label is from the Pierced Blooms die and the sentiment is from the Best Year stamp set. 

Card Base: Thick Basic White 5-1/2" x 6" scored at 3", finished card base will be 3" x 6"

Paper Blooms DSP: Pattern 1.  2" x 5-1/4"    

                                     Pattern 2  1" x 5-1/4"

Basic White Stitched Circle: #3  (#1 is the smallest)

Attach the circle to the top of the card.  Make sure that the total measurements are 4-1/4" or less, so it can fit in an A-2 envelope.

This is a pretty easy, quick card and a fun way to show off the pretty designs in the Paper Blooms DSP.

Thank you for stopping by and remember Sale-A-Bration ends on the February 28th!

Product List

Best Year Cling Stamp Set (English) [152568]	Night Of Navy Classic Stampin' Pad [147110]	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [159229]	Paper Blooms 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [155222]
Stitched Shapes Dies [152323]	Pierced Blooms Dies [154312]	3/8" (1 Cm) Denim Ribbon [149590]

Just one week left of the 2021 Jan-Feb Sale-A-Bration.  For the next week I will be focusing on projects that use Sale-A-Bration products.  Today's card uses the Darling Donkeys and the Flower & Field DSP.  

I used the Curvy dies to cut the Basic Black card base and the Flower & Field DSP.   The 2 sections are then connected with the circles and the Darling Donkey.  This kicking cutie was colored using Stampin' Blends.   I cut a cute little bow using the Special Days dies, wanted to dress him up a little bit.

Inside the gap between the top and bottom, I stamped another sentiment from the Darling Donkeys set.  

The Flower &  Field DSP is another great Sale-A-Bration choice.  I've used this paper a lot and honestly it looks great just mixed and matched with a sentiment.  

Time for me to go and get ready for my team's Crafternoon!  We are meeting on Zoom and we will be crafting together.  We have 3 projects and I  know what one of them looks like cause I am presenting it but the other 2 are surprises.  It is going to be a fun time.  If you have ever thought about joining Stampin' Up! this is a great time to do it.  In addition to the already generous Starter Kit ($99 and you choose $125 in product), you will receive 5 packs of  6" x 6" Designer Series Paper that will be in the next catalog.  Pretty sweet deal!  Let me know if you have any questions, I would love to talk with you about becoming a demonstrator.

Thanks for stopping by!

Product List

Darling Donkeys Cling Stamp Set [155264]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]	Petal Pink Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154893]	Smoky Slate Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154904]
Basic Black Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154843]	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121045]	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276]	Flower & Field 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [155223]
Stitched Shapes Dies [152323]	Layering Circles Dies [151770]	Curvy Dies [154319]	Special Day Dies [153587]
Rhinestone Basic Jewels [144220]

Thursday means it is time for the Create with Connie & Mary Challenge!  This week the challenge is a sketch.  

I turned the sketch and came up with this using 3 Sale-A-Bration choices, Darling Donkeys, Flower & Field DSP, and Approaching Perfection.  

This is just a variation of a fold I have been doing.  Here is a link to a tutorial.    I turned  the card on its side, so the "card" pulls out either from the top or bottom of the DSP holder.  This is just a little change but I was proud of myself for doing it.   I don't often think beyond the template and miss out on trying something new and fresh.

I fussy cut the donkey and mounted him on a mini wobble so he can kick up his heels.  I found the mini wobble on Amazon.  It is still a little too big to completely fit behind the donkey so I did a little trimming and it is mostly  hidden.   Even with the wobble, the donkey lays flat enough to fit into an envelope and can be easily mailed.

I used 2 different die sets to create the label.  The So Saffron label is from the Stitched Nested Labels and the Pool Party label is from the All Dressed Up dies.   The little white flower was punched using the Confetti Flowers border punch.   The cute ribbon is the 1/4" Bumble Bee Gingham.

Hope you liked my take on the Create with Connie & Mary Challenge #CCMC651. Be sure to check out what the rest of the design team created for this challenge.  Remember, Sale-A-Bration ends February 28th!  

I have been playing around using the Oh So Ombre DSP, which is one of the  Sale-A-Bration choices.  Did you know Oh So Ombre is, so far the most redeemed Sale-A-Bration choice?  Are you surprised?  One of the things I like about the DSP is that it does the coloring work for me.  I played with the DSP using the Wild Roses stamp(you can see it here) which got me thinking about other ways to use the DSP. 

The Blossoms in Bloom bundle is a great one to use to play with color.  This combination of Basic Black, Basic White and Rococo Rose is bold and strong.  The Oh So Ombre DSP is such a pretty background for the flowers and leaves. 

Here I paired the Rococo Rose Oh So Ombre with Basic Gray, and Basic White  This combination of colors, Rococo Rose and Basic Gray is a little softer.  Which do you like better?  

Product List

Blossoms In Bloom Bundle (English) [154123]	Versamark Pad [102283]	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121045]	Basic Gray 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121044]
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276]	Oh So Ombre 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [155225]	Stitched Rectangles Dies [151820]	White Stampin' Emboss Powder [109132]

Thank you for stopping by!

The past few days have been windy and wet which has me longing for some sunshine.  I cannot travel to the sunshine so I am going to have to be content to make some.  This week's Create with Connie & Mary Challenge #CCMC646 is a color challenge and it was perfect combination to use for a bright and cheery card.

What do you think?  Does it look like spring to you?  The colors are Flirty Flamingo, Merry Merlot and Old Olive.  I used the super cute stamp set/bundle, Pretty Perennials, which is Dena Rekow's Million Dollar stamp set.  I love the pretty flowers and leaves.  They look like they are water colored  and there are so many ways to arrange them.  You know what I really like?  I really like "happy".  I wish there were a die to cut that out but  since there isn't I am glad it isn't too difficult to fussy cut out.  

I embossed the Basic White CS using the Tasteful Textile embossing folder and I am sure I do not have to tell you how much I like this particular folder.  

Hope you liked this little bit of sunshine from my stamp room!  Be sure to check out what the other members of the Create with Connie & Mary Design team created for the challenge.  

Product List

Pretty Perennials Bundle [156234]	Merry Merlot Classic Stampin' Pad [147112]	Flirty Flamingo Classic Stampin' Pad [147052]	Flirty Flamingo 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [141416]
Merry Merlot 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146979]	Old Olive 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100702]	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276]	Tasteful Textile 3 D Embossing Folder [152718]
Rhinestone Basic Jewels [144220]

The first Festive Friday Challenge of 2021 and it is a sweet one.  

Who knew there was an Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day?!  I have eaten lots of different things for breakfast but so far I don't think I have ever had ice cream,  maybe I need to try it.  Hmmm, it is dairy and if I put a cherry on top that is fruit, right?

How do you play along with the Festive Friday Challenge?  It really is easy.  Check out the Inspo list which was inspired by the festivity, Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day. Pick 3 of the items on the Inspo list and create a project using those items.  Post your creation to the Festive Friday gallery and you are entered.  There are some rules to the challenge and you can see them here.  

I chose from the Inspo list to use Pink, Brown and Dry Embossing.  Yes, it is totally okay not to use an  ice cream image on your project.  

I love the look of stripes and florals. I cut some 1/2" strips of Early Espresso CS to make my own striped paper.  The flowers were cut from Flirty Flamingo and Blushing Bride CS using the Pierced Blooms dies.  These dies are one of my favorites from the 2021 January-June Mini Catalog.  I love the look of the piercing on the flowers and leaves.  The sentiment is from the In Bloom stamp set.  You can buy the stamp set and the Pierced Blooms stamp set separately or together aka a bundle.   When you bundle you also receive a 10% discount.  

I used a new embossing folder called Painted Texture 3D Embossing folder.  Doesn't it look so realistic?  This folder will be used a lot in my crafting.  It adds texture and interest without taking over the other elements.  Check out the centers of the flowers.  They are the new Opal Rounds.   They have an opalescent shine and gleam .  

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

Judy Rozema

A list of all the supplies I used on today's project is listed below with links to where you can purchase them.  Thank you for stopping by!

Product List

In Bloom Bundle [156208]	Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad [147114]	Early Espresso 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [119686]	Flirty Flamingo 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [141416]
Blushing Bride 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [131198]	Old Olive 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100702]	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276]	Painted Texture 3 D Embossing Folder [154317]
Opal Rounds [154289]

Taking a little break from holiday cards to make a birthday card.  I love this big birthday sentiment from the Happiest of Birthdays stamp set.  This was card was made for the Create with Connie & Mary Challenge.

This was a color challenge and the first idea that came to mind was to use panels of the colors behind the big sentiment.  It might be a little hard to see in the picture, each panel of color was embossed with a different embossing folder.  The Bumblebee panel was embossed using the Tasteful Textile 3D folder.  The Terracotta Tile panel was embossed using the Dainty Diamond 3D folder and the Rich Razzleberry panel was embossed using the Subtle 3D folder.  I liked the little extra texture and interest the embossing added.

A few heart balloons were added to the front of the card.  The balloons are from the Special Someone stamp set and cut out using the Special Day dies.  A little bow tied from the Bumblebee Gingham ribbon was added to tie the balloons together.   The three rhinestones were colored with a Rich Razzleberry Stampin Blend to add a little bling to the card.

A peek inside shows a few more balloons.  It is always nice to decorate the inside of the card as well as the envelopes.  Be sure to check out what the rest of the Create with Connie & Mary design team created for this challenge.  

You will see a full list of what products were used to make this card listed below.  Thanks again for stopping by!

Product List

Happiest Of Birthdays Cling Stamp Set (English) [152539]	Special Someone Photopolymer Stamp Set [151643]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]	Rich Razzleberry Classic Stampin' Pad [147091]
Terracotta Tile Classic Stampin’ Pad [150086]	Bumblebee Classic Stampin' Pad [153116]	Rich Razzleberry Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154898]	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121045]
Rich Razzleberry 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [115316]	Terracotta Tile 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [150884]	Bumblebee 8-1/2X11 Cardstock [153077]	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100730]
Special Day Dies [153587]	Dainty Diamonds 3D Embossing Folder [152702]	Tasteful Textile 3D Embossing Folder [152718]	Subtle 3D Embossing Folder [151775]
Rhinestone Basic Jewels [144220]	1/4" Bumblebee Gingham Trim [153658]

Back with another sample using the Quite Curvy bundle and yes, they are available to purchase now!  Here's a link to the flyer for all the information about this bundle, the Curvy Christmas stamp set, and the Classic Christmas DSP.

I started with Soft Sea Foam card base-4-1/2" x 11" scored at 5-1/2".  I embossed the front panel using the Tasteful Textile Embossing folder.  Using the Curvy dies I cut along the front edge.  The leaf image from the Quite Curvy stamp set was stamped with Tuxedo Black Memento pad on Whisper White CS and colored using Soft Sea Foam, Mint Macaron, Just Jade, and Shaded Spruce Stampin' Blends.  The leaves were cut out using the Curvy Dies.   The leaves were a little too long for the front of the card so i did a little bit of pruning to make it fit and attached to the front using Stampin' Dimensionals.  Three little birds were stamped using the Tuxedo Black Memento pad and then colored with Daffodil Delight Stampin' Blends,  Each bird was cut out using the Curvy Dies and attached to the card using Mini Stampin' Dimensionals.

Three Whisper White flowers were added to the leaves.  The flowers were punched using the Confetti Flowers Builder punch.  In the center of each flower, a dot from the Playing with Patterns Resin Dots was attached.  The birthday sentiment was added from the Quite Curvy stamp set.  

The Quite Curvy bundle (Quite Curvy stamp set and the Curvy Dies) will  also be available in the upcoming January-June 2021 Mini Catalog but you can get them now.  The Curvy Christmas stamp set and the Classic Christmas 6" x 6" DSP will only be available during this promotion and while supplies last.  

Thank you for stopping by and I hope you liked today's project!