This week the Create with Connie & Mary Challenge is a Color Challenge.

Aren't these pretty spring colors?  Seaside Spray is one of the In Colors that are on the retiring list.  It is a color that I will miss.

I cut a  1-3/4" x 5-1/2" strip of True Love Designer Series Paper.  I colored the center squares using So Saffron, Flirty Flamingo, Seaside Spray Stampin' Blends.  I used the light marker of the combo pack.  I love how this looks.  This pack of paper has lots of designs that look great when colored.  How I love a black and white paper!  I inked up the Butterfly Brilliance stamp set in Versamark ink and stamped a sheet of Vellum Cardstock, sprinkled the images using White Embossing Powder, and heat embossed using the Heat Tool.  The vellum butterflies were cut using the Brilliant Wings die.  I do have a few extra butterflies to use on another project.  I also used the Brilliant Wings die to cut out the butterflies in the colors of the challenge.

To finish the butterflies I used the Stampin' Blends to color a rhinestone in each of the challenge colors.  The sentiment is from the Peaceful Moments stamp set and it was inked in Tuxedo Black Memento ink.

Thank you for stopping by and I will list below all the supplies used to make this card.

Product List

Butterfly Brilliance Bundle [155821]	Peaceful Moments Cling Stamp Set (English) [151595]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]	Seaside Spray Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154901]
So Saffron Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154905]	Flirty Flamingo Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154884]	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [159229]	Seaside Spray 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [150883]
So Saffron 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [105118]	Flirty Flamingo 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [141416]	True Love Designer Series Paper [154281]	Vellum 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [101856]
White Stampin' Emboss Powder [109132]	Rhinestone Basic Jewels [144220]

No fooling it is Thursday and April 1.  It kind of feels like a joke that it is already April.   This time of year is both exciting, confusing, and a little bit sad.  First the exciting part is that Stampin' Up! will be releasing the new annual catalog in a few weeks and it is a beauty.  There's 5 new In Colors, new stamp sets, paper and accessories, so much to look forward to.  It is always confusing trying to keep straight what products are  retiring, what is staying, and what is still available.  My room is a little crazy looking right now.  I have separated out the products that are retiring from what will  be in the new catalog, lots of different piles right now.  It is sad to see lots of favorites being retired, like To A Wild Rose and the Wild Rose dies.  Both of these are on sale.  The stamp set is 10% off and the Wild Rose dies are 75% off!  

I used the To A Wild Rose stamp set and the Wild Rose dies for this week's Create with Connie & Mary Challenge.  I used Real Red for the rose and Old Olive for the leaves.  The stamp does all the hard work of coloring the rose.  I used 3 stamps to create the rose.  The sentiment is from another retiring stamp set, Itty Bitty Birthdays,  another great sentiment set.  

This is the sketch for the week.  You can see what the other members of the design team created using the sketch HERE.

I used the True Love DSP from the 2020 Jan-June Mini Catalog.  I love the black and white designs.  The Real Red border was cut using the Wild Rose dies.  You can also see a peek of the inside of the card.  There is a strip of DSP and another pretty design cut using the Wild Rose dies.  

Thank you for stopping. by,

Product List

To A Wild Rose Photopolymer Stamp Set [149452]	Itty Bitty Birthdays Cling Stamp Set [148618]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]	Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad [147084]
Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad [147090]	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [159229]	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121045]	Real Red 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [102482]
True Love Designer Series Paper [154281]	Wild Rose Dies [149547]	Stitched Rectangles Dies [151820]	Layering Circles Dies [151770]
Red Rhinestone Basic Jewels [146924]

Welcome to the Stampers Dozen Blog Hop!  The theme this month is Birthdays.  There are 12 stops on the hop so let us get started!

These pretty butterflies were cut using the Brilliant Wings dies and the Butterfly Bijou DSP.  Aren't they beautiful?  The other patterned paper I used is also from the Butterfly Bijou DSP.  The Butterfly Bijou DSP is only available for a limited time so be sure to order it soon.  The pretty frame was cut using  the Ornate Layers dies  which is part of the Ornate Style bundle.  Love  all the swirls and how dramatic it looks.  

Surprise it's an easel card.  I like easel cards and enjoy making them.  I like to think that the recipient can enjoy the card a little longer since easel cards are also easy to display.   The sentiments are from the Many Messages bundle,  which is a great bundle to have.  Lots of sentiments all cut at once!  

Now it is time to check out what Carol Payne has created.

Here is a list of all the stops on the hop.

Stamper's Dozen March 2021 Blog Hop

1. Judy Garza – Creativity Released
2. Sharon Hashimoto Burkert – As the Ink Dries
3. Carol Payne – Carol Payne Stamps
4. Joanne Cantrell – Keep It Simple, Stampers
5. Rachel Yurkanin – Rachel’s Stamping Place
6. Debbie Naylor – Unfrogettable Stamping!
7. Bonnie O'Neill – Bonnie Stamped
8. Kelly Acheson – A Stamp Above
9. Rose Grunewald – Country Cards by Rose
10. Jodi Petersen – Jodi’s Card Designs
11. Patty Chenail – Stamp-Patty’s - Stamping in My Flops

Product List

Many Messages Bundle [156272]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121045]	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276]
Butterfly Bijou 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [156824]	Ornate Layers Dies [152726]	Brilliant Wings Dies [155523]	Matte Black Dots [154284]

Welcome to the Inspire, Create, Share blog hop.  This month we are hopping and sharing projects featuring our favorite bundle.  What is my favorite bundle?  Well, that is a really hard question for me to answer.  I guess my favorite bundle is the one I am currently playing with.  I know that seems like a cop out but it is true. 

I have been playing with the Butterfly Brilliance bundle so it is now my current favorite.  I spent time just playing with the collection and it is definitely a favorite.   The Butterfly Brilliance bundle (stamp set and coordinating dies) will be available in the upcoming 2021 Annual catalog.  The rest of the collection, the Butterfly Bijou DSP and the Natural Touch Specialty Paper are available only while supplies last.  

The beautiful detailed butterflies were made to be heat embossed and knew they would be so elegant embossed on vellum.  Vellum CS is thicker and yet still is translucent.

    Tip:  Heat the vellum from both the front and the back.  This will help reduce warping.  Vellum cardstock is thicker so it doesn't warp as much.

I also embossed the Vellum CS using the Scripty 3D embossing folder.  I love how it looks over the Gorgeous Grape CS.  The  Vellum CS also holds up well to dry embossing.  I didn't have any cracking or tearing of the vellum after using the embossing folder. 

The pretty Gorgeous Grape pearls are from the Pastel Pearls found in the Hydrangea Hill Suite of products. The sentiment is from the Many Messages bundle.   This is another favorite bundle.  I love stamping once and die cutting once to get lots of different sentiments in different shapes.  This bundle could have also qualified as a favorite but it is almost a stamping staple, kind of like a little black dress.   It works for lots of different occasions, is very versatile, you can dress it up or down and it is good to know that it is always there waiting for you to use.  In fact the Many Messages stamp is in my Stamparatus all set up and ready to ink.  I have a few extra plates for my Stamparatus and currently have the  Many Messages and the Butterfly Brilliance stamps on them ready to stamp.

Now it is time for you to hop on over to see what the talented June Olsen's favorite bundle is.

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the hop and seeing all the beautiful bundles.

Product List

Butterfly Brilliance Bundle [155821]	Many Messages Bundle [156272]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]	Versamark Pad [102283]
Gorgeous Grape 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146987]	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276]	Vellum 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [101856]	Scripty 3D Embossing Folder [149634]
White Stampin' Emboss Powder [109132]	Pastel Pearls [154571]	Stamparatus [146276]

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!