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 look forward to seeing what you create.

I chose from the Inspo list White, Brown, Red, and Christmas pudding.  Are you wondering what is Christmas pudding?  I had to look it up, isn't the internet wonderful?  Christmas pudding should have 13 ingredients representing Jesus and the 12 disciples.  Here in the US we would call it plum pudding or figgy pudding.  I am not sure I have ever eaten it so I had to also look up what it looks like.

I am not sure this is an accurate depiction of Christmas pudding.  

• Card base is a Basic White note card.
• DSP layer is from the Joy of Christmas DSP 3-1/4" x  4-3/4"
• The pudding base is Early Espresso CS cut using the Fluffiest Friends dies (the die that looks like a dome.
• The icing is Basic White CS also cut using the Fluffiest Friends die. The edge was hand cut to hopefully look like icing.
• The Shaded Spruce CS was cut using the holly die from the Magical Meadow dies.
• The glittery berries for he top of the pudding were cut in Red Glimmer paper using the Christmas Classics dies.
• Both sentiments from the Merriest Trees stamp set were inked in Real Red and stamped on Basic White CS cut using the Stylish Shapes dies.

The holly, berries, and sentiments were all popped up using Stampin' Dimensionals.

Be sure to check out what the rest of the design team created using the Inso list.

The Festive Friday Challenge will be back on January 5th 2024 with new challenges!  Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

It is Thursday and time for a new Create with Connie & Mary Challenge.  This week it is a color challenge.  Which do you like color or sketch challenges?  

I definitely noticed something about my approach to color challenges.  When I am a little stumped on what to do with a color challenge I reach for the Cottage Wreaths stamp set and coordinating Country Wreath Dies.   It seems like I can use almost any color combination on a wreath or at least that is what I tell myself .

What do you think?  Am I right?  

• Card base-Pumpkin Pie CS 4-1/4" x 11"
• Layer-Starry Sky from the Them Bones DSP 4" x 5-1/4"
• Layer-Very Vanilla CS  3-7/8" x 5-1/8" embossed using the Exposed Brick 3D folder.  Starry Sky ink lightly blended on to the background using a Blending Brush.
• Cottage Wreath stamped in Pumpkin Pie & Cajun Craze, die cut using the Country Wreaths die
• Starry Sky bow die cut using the Country Wreaths die (this bow is a favorite from this set of dies)
• Starry Sky berries-Classic Matte Dots colored using the Dark Starry Sky Stampin' Blends
• Sentiment from the Charming Sentiments stamp set inked in Starry Sky.  Sentiment die cut using the coordinating Sentiment Silhouettes dies.

Definitely has an Autumn vibe.  Do you agree that wreaths are perfect year round?

Inside, more of the Them Bones DSP and this time a Cajun Craze bow.  

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to check out what the rest of the Create with Connie & Mary design team created for the challenge,

Product List

Cottage Wreaths Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[159652]

$19.00

Charming Sentiments Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[159985]

$23.00

Cajun Craze Classic Stampin' Pad

[147085]

$9.00

Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Pad

[147086]

$9.00

Starry Sky Classic Stampin' Pad

[159212]

$9.00

Starry Sky Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

[159222]

$10.00

Pumpkin Pie 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[105117]

$10.00

Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[101650]

$10.50

Starry Sky 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[159263]

$10.00

Cajun Craze 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[119684]

$10.00

Them Bones 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper

[162215]

$12.50

Exposed Brick 3 D Embossing Folder

[161600]

$11.00

Country Wreaths Dies

[160238]

$39.00

Sentiment Silhouettes Dies

[158733]

$35.00

Classic Matte Dots

[158146]

$7.00

Blending Brushes

[153611]

$13.00

This past Friday and Saturday was the Creativity Abounds Fresh As A Daisy stamp camp.  It was an amazing event.  There were lots of projects shared , make and take kits, challenges and more!  You really need to join us at the next stamp camp.  The date has been tentatively set for October 20 & 21.  We will be announcing the Suite we will be focusing on later in the month, once we get a look at the next mini catalog.   If you are interested let me know and I will be sending out more information.

We have challenges and we share our projects in the camp's private Facebook group.  It is so fun to see how everyone interprets the challenge.  So many fun ideas.  This is a card I made for one of the challenges.

I used the Paper Florist Dies to cut out all the flowers and leaves.  The colors are Berry Burst, Pumpkin Pie, Poppy Parade, Daffodil Delight, and Parakeet Party.  I cut some rounded rectangles using the Nested Essentials.  The rectangles were embossed using one of the 3D Basic Essential Embossing folders.  I also added a few Iridescent Pearl Basic Jewels.  

The inside was decorated with another flower in Poppy Parade, Basic Black, and Parakeet Party.  

Be sure to sign up for the next camp, you won't want to miss it.

I am heading back for a quick visit to Spokane and while I am there I am going to have a couple of stamp classes.  Sign up before the 14th an receive $5 off your class fee!

It is time for another Festive Friday Challenge!  National Letter Writing 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 was lucky to be able to attend Stampin' Up!'s most recent event, On Stage.  Attendees were given the opportunity to pre-order select items.  One of the items I chose was an upcoming (Jan-Feb 2023) Sale-A-Bration choice,   Adorable Owls.  It is a super cute set featuring 3 different owls and 3 sentiments.  I usually do not like to post sneak peeks this far in advance but the little owl was the perfect size for my project so I couldn't resist using it.

From the Inspo List I used Hello Sentiment, Envelope, Ink, and Embossing Folder.

Isn't he adorable?  I love the bow tie!  Let's dissect the project.

• Basic Black card base- 4-1/4" x 11" scored at 5-1/2".
• Black & White polka dot DSP from Black & White Designs DSP 4" x 5-1/4".
• Black oval -Framed Florets dies.
• Basic White oval-Framed Florets die embossed using the Thanks & Hello folders. 
• Envelope stamp is from a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator Business set that is no longer available but I think it would be an easy one to draw freehand.
• Owl colored using Pool Party, Soft Suede, Real Red, Pumpkin Pie Stampin' Blends.
• Sentiment from the Sending Smiles set stamped on a Stitched Rectangle in Tuxedo Black Memento Ink.
• The itty bitty hearts were cut using the Framed Floret Dies.  I adhered a small strip of Foam Adhesive Sheets to a strip of Real Red Glimmer paper and then cut them out using the heart frame.  These little hearts all puffed up are so cute! 

Inside I added another strip of the polka dots and another, this time much larger Real Red Glimmer heart.  This heart was cut using the Give it a Whirl dies.

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

Melva Peters

Jaydee

Diane Evans 

Joanne James

Thanks for stopping by and I look forward to seeing your challenge card in the Festive Friday gallery!

I live in Washington state which is the nation's top apple producing state.  So what does that mean?  It means I had to get the Apple Harvest set.  It may not be the best reason to purchase a stamp set but it was enough of a reason for me!  I saw the CAS Colours & Sketches Challenge #482 and knew it would be a perfect time to ink up the Apple Harvest set.

Here's what I made using the sketch.

The CAS Challenge is all about clean and simple cards.  "Clean and Simple" is defined as "uncluttered, with white or open space, and minimal layers and embellishments".  

The apples were stamped on Basic White CS in Tuxedo Black Memento ink and colored using Granny Apple Green Crumb Cake, Real Red, and Cherry Cobbler Stampin' Blends. The Basic White piece the apples are on was embossed using the Timber 3D Embossing folder.  This folder is part of the 2nd release for Sale-A-Bration.   Remember to stamp the sentiment before you emboss the CS!  I forgot and was pleasantly surprised that it turned out as well as it did.  Around the apples I added a few Classic Matte Dots in black.

Inside I added another apple image from the Apple Harvest stamp set.  This apple was also colored using the same Stampin' Blends.

Thanks CAS Colour & Sketch Challenge team for a great sketch and motivating me to use this stamp set.  

Thank you for stopping by and be sure to check out the all the cards created for the challenge,

It is time for a new Create with Connie & Mary Challenge.  This week it is a sketch challenge.

Here's what I came up with for the challenge.  

Used a lot of Orchid Oasis!  The card base is Thick Basic White.  The DSP is the 2022-24 In Color DSP. The Orchid Oasis CS was cut using the Dots and Spots Die.  Did you see that you can get this die as one of your Sale-A-Bration choices with a qualifying order?  You need to be aware that the ordering number is different than the number in the catalog.   Go here for more information about the new additions to Sale-A-Bration.  The daisy  and tag was punched out of the 2022-24 In Color Glimmer Paper.  The sentiment from the Charming Sentiments bundle was stamped in Orchid Oasis ink and cut out using the coordinating Sentiment Silhouettes dies.

Inside another glimmery daisy and strip of DSP to finish up the card.

Here is the same card using the same product but in the In Color, Parakeet Party.  

This years In Colors are wonderful and I enjoy all the coordinating products!

Thank you for stopping by and be sure to check out what the design team created,

Just a few more sleeps and the new 2022-23 Stampin' Up! catalog will go live.  Exciting and also a little sad.  Why?  Well that also means that some of my favorite stamp sets from the 2021-22 Annual Catalog will be retiring.  One of the sets I wanted to play with one more time was the Measure of Love.  I decided it would be the perfect set to use for the Festive Friday Challenge #FF0108.

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 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.

What a great festivity!  I chose to use food, kitchen, items, gingham, and red from the Inspo List.

I stamped the images from the Measure of Love set on label cut using the Scalloped Contours dies.  I used a Smoky Slate Stampin' Blend to color the scale and Evening Evergreen and Real Red pads to color the bowl of cherries.  The Real Red ribbon is from the 2022 Jan-June mini catalog.  The strip of Gingham DSP is from the Pansy Petals DSP. The lovely stitched background  was made using the Stitched Greenery die.

Inside I added another strip of gingham paper and another sweet bowl of cherries.  

FF #0108 National Eat What You Want Day

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

Jaydee

Diane Evans 

Joanne James

Thanks for stopping by!

It is Thursday and time for the Create with Connie & Mary Challenge.  This week it is a Color Challenge, #CCMC712.

When I saw this combination I wasn't sure what to do with it.  Right around the time I was thinking about what to make for the challenge I received the Uniquely Artistic stamp set from the upcoming 2022-23 Annual Catalog and just like that I knew what I was going to make.

I stamped the Uniquely Artistic outline leaf image in Just Jade and the background stamp in Pear Pizzazz .  To tie in the Calypso Coral, I colored in some Polished Dots using a Dark Calypso Coral Stampin' Blend. The Stitched Rectangles are mounted on a Calypso Coral cardstock layer that was run through the Stampin' Cut and Emboss machine using the Stitched Greenery die.  

The sentiment is from another new set, Happiness Abounds and cut out using the Stylish Shapes dies.  The Stylish Shapes Dies are standalone dies.  This means they are not associated/bundled with any one particular stamp set.  They include  6 circle, 5 square, and 5 banner dies.   I also added a Black Glittered Organdy bow.  This ribbon will be retiring soon and I will miss it.  

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

The Create with Connie & Mary Challenge this week is a color challenge.  I used the colors with the  In Bloom stamp set (I am sorry to say the set is no longer available-sold out) and the Pierced Blooms dies and I love how it turned out.

Isn't this a gorgeous color combination?  They bring a smile to my face and hope it makes you smile too.

The Pierced Blooms dies make the prettiest flowers and leaves.  The stitched /pierced detail on the flowers and leaves add texture and  in my eyes make them so cute.  I am sad that they are retiring so go and snag them now before they are gone.  In the center of the flowers I added a small black Classic Matte dot. The black and white patterned paper is from the Pattern Party DSP.  This is a Stampin' Reward choice and one of my very favorite packs of paper.   I do love black and white designs and this pack has them and also fabulous colorful patterns too.  

I like to dress up the inside of the cards I make.  Here i added a 1/2" strip of the black and white DSP and another flower made with the Pierced Blooms.

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

It is Thursday and time for the Create with Connie & Mary challenge.  This week it is a sketch challenge.  

I used the Simply Elegant DSP, Elegantly Said stamp set ,  and the Peony dies.  All of these items are on the retiring list which means they are only available while supplies last.  

You can see that I followed the sketch quite closely.  

The Peony dies create very pretty peonies.  The dies are easy to put together and you can create stunning flowers in just a few minutes.  I will  probably keep the Prized Peony stamp set and the coordinating Peony Dies in my personal collection.  The images in the set are so pretty and the sentiments fill a void in my collection.

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to check out what the rest of the design team created for this sketch.