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

You know I love a Black, White, Gray with a pop of color palette.  I chose for my two colors Poppy Parade and Old Olive.

Are you wondering where that sentiment and images are from?  They are part of an early release that will be available for purchase in November.  It is the Framed Florets bundle.  This bundle will also be in the upcoming 2023 January-June Mini Catalog.  In November there will additional items available which make up the Fitting Florets Collection.  I will share more about the whole collection soon.

The flowers from the Framed Florets stamp set were colored using Poppy Parade and Old Olive Stampin' Blends and cut using the Framed Florets dies.   Did you notice?  The dies are named the same as the stamp set!  I am so happy about this change.  No more having to remember the name of the stamp set and also the name of the coordinating dies.   

The oval frame (cut using the Framed Florets dies) has embossed details around the edge.  So cool!  There also is another oval frame in the die set that is a little more ornate and I can see a lot of layering of ovals on my future cards.  

• Basic Black card base is 4-1/4" x 11" scored at 5-1/2".
• Basic White layer is 4-1/8" x 5-3/8".
• Metallic & Shimmer Specialty Paper is 4" x 5-1/4".

This is the first time I am using the Metallic & Shimmer Specialty Paper.  Isn't it beautiful?  I am looking forward to using the other colors in the pack, Evening Evergreen and Cajun Craze/Pumpkin Pie.  

Inside I added a strip of the Metallic & Shimmer Specialty Paper and another bloom from the Framed Florets set.  If you would like to learn how to get the Framed Florets bundle and the rest of the Fitting Florets suite early, please  contact me and we can chat about the different options available to you.

Thank you for stopping by and be sure to check out what colors the rest of the Create with Connie & Mary Design team chose for this week's challenge,

It  is Thursday and time for the Create with Connie and Mary Challenge.  The challenge generally  alternates every week between a sketch and a color challenge. This week it is a sketch challenge.

I will admit that my card isn't very faithful to the sketch.  It started out a lot closer to the sketch and then took a bit of a turn.  Let me show you and explain.

Can you see the sketch in my card?  Originally I intended to have the connector between the top and the bottom of the card to be the geranium.  When I tried to connect the two sections with just the geranium, it didn't feel sturdy enough which led me to use the Scalloped Contours die to connect the top piece to the bottom.  Unfortunately it covered a lot of the slanted opening that is the focal point of the sketch.

I used the Black & White Designs DSP.  This paper is definitely a favorite of mine.  The pot was stamped using Basic Gray  ink on Basic Gray CS and cut out with the Geranium Dies part of the Potted Geraniums bundle.  The leaves were stamped in Old Olive ink.  The lighter color was achieved by stamping the stamp off before stamping it on the Basic White CS.  The outline of the leaves were stamped full strength and then cut out using the Geranium dies.  The geraniums were die cut in Cherry Cobbler (detail) and Real Red CS and then layered.  The little red bow is part of the Real Red & Garden Green 3/8" Ribbon Combo Pack.  The sentiment is one of 9 in the Potted Geraniums stamp set.

Be sure to check out what the rest of the Create with Connie & Mary design team created with this sketch.

Thank you for stopping by,

It is Thursday which means it is time for a new Create with Connie & Mary Challenge.  This week it is a sketch challenge.  The challenges generally alternate between a sketch and color challenge.  

When I saw this sketch I thought it would be perfect one to use the Perfectly Penciled DSP from the 2022-23 Annual Catalog.  I just purchased this pack of paper and it is surprising to me that I have resisted this pack of paper for so long.  

I used both sides of this sheet of  paper for the card.  The rectangles were cut using the 3rd largest rectangle from the Stitched Rectangle Dies. The flowers were colored using Real Red and Old Olive Stampin' Blends. Lots of detail and shading on the paper making this an easy one to color.  I used the Double Oval punch for the birthday sentiment from the Very Best Occasions stamp set.  This is my current  favorite Real Red ribbon.  This ribbon is part of the Real Red & Garden Green 3/8" Ribbon Combo pack.  It ties beautifully and holds it shape.

I colored a strip of the Perfectly Penciled DSP and layered it with a strip of Basic Black CS to decorate 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

Very Best Occasions Cling Stamp Set (English) [159871] $25.00	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $6.00	Real Red Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154899] $9.00	Old Olive Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154892] $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	Stitched Rectangles Dies [151820] $35.00
Double Oval Punch [154242] $19.00	Real Red & Garden Green 3/8" (1 Cm) Ribbon Combo Pack [159577] $7.50	Red Rhinestone Basic Jewels [146924] $7.00

Have you ever wanted a stamp set but stopped yourself because it didn't have coordinating dies?  I debated about getting the This Birthday Piggy set.  It is so cute but I wished it had coordinating dies and then... Perfect Partners happened.  YAY!  What is Perfect Partners?  Stampin' Up! debuted on September 1st, six new dies sets that coordinate with stamp sets that previously did not have dies.  The stamp sets are Fresh Cut Flowers (AC page 65), This Birthday Piggy (AC page 55), Trimming the Tree (AC page 43), Waterfall Canyon (AC page 94), Apple Harvest (J-J Mini page 54), and the Yeti to Party (J-J Mini page 38).  These dies are only available until September 30 or while supplies last.  You can purchase just the dies or you can purchase the stamp set and the dies as a bundle and save 10%.

So, yes you guessed it I ordered the This Birthday Piggy stamp set and the coordinating Playful Piggy dies as a bundle.

I stamped the image using the Tuxedo Black Memento ink pad.  The pig was colored using the Natural Tone Stampin' Blends.  I used SU700 which is part of the Medium Light pair and SU 1000 part of the Light pair.  The ears, nose and hooves were colored using the Light Smoky Slate Stampin' Blends.  The balloons were colored in Tahitian Tide and Parakeet Party Blends.  The polka dotted one was done by first coloring in the balloon in Parakeet Party and then adding the Tahitian Tide dots.

The sentiment is from the Heavenly Hollyhocks set inked in Tuxedo Black Memento ink.  The Basic White circle was cut using the Stylish Shapes dies.  The dots are from the 2022-24 In Color Matte Decorative Dots and the twine is from the 2022-24 In Color Baker's Twine. The patterned paper is the 2022-24- In Color 6" x 6" DSP.  

Thank you for stopping by and be sure to check out the Perfect Partners promotion!

It is time for another Festive Friday Challenge!  Grandparents Day  is the festivity we are featuring on the Festive Friday Challenge. What is the Festive Friday Challenge?  The Festive Friday Challenge is a bi-weekly challenge that has an Inspo List.  What is an Inspo List?  Every challenge has an Inspo list  aka as an inspiration list, that has 10 items on it and those 10 items were inspired by a particular holiday, celebration or festivity.  You need to use 3 items from the Inspo list on your project.  You do not have to incorporate the festivity into your challenge but if you want to, you can.  Here is a link to more information about how to participate in the challenge.

I chose to use from the list Fancy Fold, Plaid, and Hearts. 

I used the 2022-24 In Color DSP  in Sweet Sorbet to fulfill the Plaid.  The hearts were cut using the 2022-24 In Color Glimmer Paper and the Hippo dies.  I did also use a pearl on  top of the umbrella.  You will see the Fancy Fold in the next couple of pictures.

The hippo is stamped with Tuxedo Black Memento ink  on Smoky Slate CS.  I did  a little coloring using Smoky Slate and Sweet Sorbet Stampin' Blends.  The umbrella was die cut using the Hippo dies. The opening was cut using a Stitched Rectangles die.  I tied a bow using the White Glittered Organdy Ribbon.   The sentiment is from the Very Best Occasions stamp set.

Now you are starting to see the Fancy Fold.  I guess it really isn't that fancy but it is a fun one.  The DSP is another pattern in the 2022-24 In. Color DSP.

This is a full sheet of CS scored into quarters.  The upper left quarter has been cut out.  It is a simple card to make.  I like how it unfolds.  The DSP on this panel is again from the 2022-24 In Color DSP and the sentiment is from the Very Best Occasions.  

For more inspiration, be sure to visit the rest of the  Festive Friday Challenge Design team.

Ann Schach

Beth McCullough

Sharon Hashimoto Burkert

Melanie Hungerford

Helen Jennings

Melva Peters

Jaydee

Diane Evans 

Joanne James- off this week

Thanks for stopping by and check out all that Sale-A-Bration has to offer here and here,

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.

It is Thursday and time for the Create with Connie & Mary Thursday Challenge.  This month all the challenges are Case the Catalog challenges.  What is that?  Each week a new sample is chosen from the 2022-23 Annual Catalog and you can choose to be inspired by the layout, stamp set, color combination or ?  

I was inspired by the layout.   

Instead of words I used different patterns of the Butterfly Kisses DSP.   I really like this pack of paper.  It just makes me smile!  I fussy cut 2 butterflies from the DSP and added them to a circle cut using the Stylish Shapes dies.  The little Starry Sky dots are from the  2022-24 In Color Matte Decorative Dots.  The 2 banners were also cut using the Stylish Shapes dies and the sentiment is from the Very Best Occasions set stamped in Starry Sky ink.  The Starry Sky and White Baker's Twine bow was made using  the 2022-24 In Color Baker's Twine Pack. 

I wanted to add some texture to the Calypso Coral CS background and used the Painted Texture 3D folder.  Inside I also added another fussy cut little butterfly.  

I have been enjoying the challenges this month.  It reminds me that the catalog is such a great resource.  Need ideas and inspiration?  Look at the catalog and you will find so many ideas whether it is a new layout or color combination.  Need a catalog?  Contact me and I can help you with that!

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

Happy July 1st!  It is a big day!  The 2022 July-December Mini Catalog is now live AND so is the 2022 July-August Sale-A-Bration.  If you do not have these catalogs and want them, please let me know.

One of the cutest Sale-A-Bration choices is the Hippest Hippos.  What that means is  during Sale-A-Bration (Juy-August )with a qualifying purchase ($50 in the US) you can choose to receive the Hippest Hippos stamp set.  Another Sale-A-Bration choice is the coordinating Hippo Dies.  Yes you can get the Hippo dies ( 19 dies!) free with a qualifying purchase ($50 in the US).  

Here I paired the sweet hippo with the Dots and Spots die.  This is a standalone die and I am currently obsessed with it. I used it HERE, on another sample using the Hippest Hippos stamp set and dies. I also used the Sending Smiles bundle for the sentiments.  I am so happy to have the large Sending sentiment and pairing it with lots of smaller sentiments.   The scattered Melon Mambo flowers were cut  using a die from the Sending dies.

Stamping Tip:  I like to stamp the hippos on Smoky Slate CS.  This way I do not have to color in her cheeks or chest.  I use the Smoky Slate Blends to color around her face and body.  I also used the light Flirty Flamingo Stampin' Blends to give her a manicure and pedicure.

The tiny flower behind the hippo's ear is a die in the Hippo Dies set.  It is just the perfect size!  I used lots of  the smallest sized Rhinestones for the centers of  the flowers.  

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to let me know if would like a copy of the 2022 July-Dec Mini catalog and/or 2022 July-August Sale-A-Bration catalog,

Need ideas for masculine cards? 

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.

I needed to make some birthday cards and wanted to play with the Cottage Rose bundle.  This is a fabulous bundle and you know I love a stamp set that has images and sentiments.  The large rose is a beautiful flower and it is a fun one to color.  

I heat embossed the flower using Versamark ink and Black embossing powder on Shimmery White cardstock.  Why Shimmery White?  Shimmery White CS has a beautiful, delicate shimmer and it can be used for techniques using water.  I brushed on some water on the petals and then picked up some Sweet Sorbet ink with a Water Painter and touched it to the water.  The ink flows and spreads  coloring the petals.   I sometimes help the colors along with the Water Painter.  I like how it creates the light and dark on the petals.  It is a fun coloring technique. Once the flower was colored I cut it out using the coordinating die.  

The flower is mounted on a square cut using the largest Stylish Shapes square die.  The sentiment was stamped on a banner die also from the Stylish Shapes dies.  The Very Vanilla layer was embossed using the Timeworn Type Embossing Folder and then mounted on a Basic Black card base.  The Timeworn Type Embossing Folder is now my go to folder when I need a little texture.

Inside of the card I stamped and colored the leaf image from the stamp set.  I also added another sentiment.  

Product List

Cottage Rose Bundle (English) [159048]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]	Versamark Pad [102283]	Sweet Sorbet Classic Stampin' Ink Refill [159217]
Pear Pizzazz Classic Stampin' Ink Refill [131160]	Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Ink Refill [119672]	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121045]	Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [101650]
Shimmery White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [101910]	Stylish Shapes Dies [159183]	Timeworn Type 3 D Embossing Folder [156505]	Water Painters [151298]
Classic Matte Dots [158146]	Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush [141897]

Thank you for stopping by and don't forget about the 2022 January-June Last Chance list and the Kit special,

Have you checked out the Rays of Light background stamp?  I think it is a gem and maybe a hidden one.  You can find it on page 116 of the 2022-23 Annual catalog.  I have used it just a couple of times and it is so fun!  

Here I paired the Rays of Light stamp with the Sweetest Cherries bundle.   The Rays of Light stamp really makes the cherries the focal point.   I covered up the circle on the Rays of Light image so the cherries would be the source of the light.  

The Sweetest Cherries bundle is a stamp set and punch bundle.  I love cherries especially Rainier cherries so I had to have this fun bundle.  

Do you recognize the cherries inside of the card?  They are from the December 2021 Paper Pumpkin kit, Lots of Puns.  The Sweetest Cherries bundle and the Lots of Puns stamp set are perfect together.  The Lots of Puns set also has some fun sentiments that will coordinate well with this bundle.

This is a quick and easy card to make.  I suggest that you use your Stamparatus with the Rays of Light stamp and ink up and stamp a bunch of backgrounds in lots of different colors.  I know you will find lots of ways to use the image.  You can see another way I use the set HERE.

Thanks for stopping by and remember to check out the Last Chance List and the Buy One & Get One 1/2 off Kit special,

Time for another fun Create with Connie & Mary Challenge!  This week it is a color challenge and you get to choose your own color adventure.

I chose to use Daffodil Delight for the yellow and Tahitian Tide as the blue. 

Daffodil Delight

Tahitian Tide

These colors are bright and happy which led me to using the Sweet Songbirds bundle, crazy about that chubby little bird!  

The Basic White Thick card base is 4-1/4" x 11".  The Daffodil Delight and Tahitian Tide stripes were pieced on a 4" x 5-1/4" piece of Basic White CS.  The large circle and the sentiment banner were cut using the new Stylish Shapes dies.  The flowers were cut using the Teacup dies.   

The chubby bird was punched using the 2022-24 In Color Glimmer paper.  When I ordered this pack of paper I didn't realize that it was ombre.  I was definitely pleasantly surprised.  I used different sections of the paper to punch out the Tahitian Tide flowers and centers.  You can also see a little of the differences in the color of the Glimmer paper  on the bird.

The Classic Matter Dots were used for the bird's eyes. I layered 3 of the beaks on top of each other.  I like the solid look it gives the beak.  Around the side of the striped layer I wrapped white Baker's Twine.

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