I just recently received the Sale-A-Bration set, Catching Butterflies.  The set reminded me of when my son was in elementary school and had a science segment on insects.  He was very into bugs and we spent many an afternoon looking for bugs and trying to catch them.  

I used Stampin' Blends to color the girl and used one of the colors from the new Natural Tones Stampin' Blends for her skin.  It is wonderful to have so many more options for coloring.  I also added a few flowers from the Peach dies in Pale Papaya, So Saffron, and Calypso Coral.  

Here's the Create with Connie and Mary sketch that was used for the card.  The Create with Connie and Mary challenge is a weekly challenge that alternates between sketches and color combinations.

I wanted to create the illusion that the butterfly was actually flying so I fussy cut the butterfly out, attached it to a strip of window sheet and attached the strip  to the back of the Layering Circles dies.  The sentiment is from the Sweet as a Peach stamp  set and cut out using the Peach dies.

The patterned paper is the Sweet Symmetry DSP. I love these happy colors and designs.  It is a great pack of paper to mix and match the patterns.  Inside of the card I added a little strip of the DSP and stamped and colored a few butterflies.  

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

Happy Friday!  It is time for another Festive Friday Challenge.  What is the Festive Friday Challenge?  The Festive Friday Challenge features an  Inspo List.  The Inspo List is a list of 10 items inspired by a festivity, holiday.  You must use at least 3 of the items on the Inspo List on your project.  There are a few more rules that you can read about here.

I chose from the Inspo List: bird, tree, florals, green, and brown.

I used the adorable new Happy Hedgehogs bundle.   I stamped the hedgehog in Early Espresso ink on Crumb Cake cardstock and punched him out using the Hedgehog Builder punch.  This hedgehog is super sweet!   

The little bird was stamped directly on the Stitched So Sweetly label.  I knew it wouldn't fit and some of the tail would be cut off.  I didn't want to fussy cut the entire bird out so instead I stamped another bird on a scrap piece of Basic White CS and colored it using Stampin' Blends. I fussy cut just the tail portion and used some Multipurpose Liquid Glue to attach it over the bird.   Pretty neat little fix.

The pretty Fresh Freesia gingham check paper is from the Pansy Petals DSP.   Inside I added another strip of the gingham paper  and stamped the cute mushroom image from the Happy Hedgehog stamp set.  

I look forward to seeing what you create in the Festive Friday gallery.

Thanks for stopping by and make sure you check out how the rest of the design team was inspired by the Inspo List.

FF #0101 International Wetland 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

Product List

Happy Hedgehogs Bundle [157985]	Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad [147114]	Daffodil Delight Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154883]	Crumb Cake Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154882]
Balmy Blue Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154830]	Old Olive Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154892]	Fresh Freesia Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [155518]	Fresh Freesia 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [155613]
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276]	Pansy Petals 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [155807]	Fresh Freesia 3/8" (1 Cm) Open Weave Ribbon [155615]	Brushed Brass Butterflies [158136]
Champagne Rhinestone Basic Jewels [151193]

It is Thursday and time for the Create with Connie and Mary Challenge.  This week it is a color challenge and it was tough one for me.  When I get stuck trying to figure out how to make a color combination work I often reach for the Blossoms in Bloom bundle.

The colors for the challenge are Soft Succulent, Petal Pink and Night of Navy.  These colors remind me of something I would see on a vintage Aloha shirt.   There's something very soothing about these colors.   OOPS!  I just realized that the REAL colors for the challenge are Just Jade, Petal Pink, and Night of Navy.  

So let's put on our imagination hats and imagine I used Just Jade instead of Soft Succulent.  We could also blame it on the lighting of the photo and pretend that's why it looks more like Soft Succulent than Just Jade.  

I was not able to make the change and create a new card so we are just going with this one. I think the Blossoms in Bloom bundle can make almost color combination work.  I added lots of Iridescent Rhinestones to the card.  It is one of my favorite embellishments.  

Inside I added a small flower cut using the Many Layered Blossoms die and a strip of the In Color 6" x 6" DSP.  Check out those rhinestones!  This picture also helps to show how the Iridescent Rhinestones shine.   

I know this is the wrong combination for this week's Create with Connie & Mary Challenge.  I made this graphic so we I am going to use it but just remember when you play along with the Create with Connie & Mary Challenge you want to use the correct Challenge colors-Just Jade, Night of Navy, and Petal Pink.

Thank you for stopping by!

Product List

Blossoms In Bloom Bundle (English) [154123]	Night Of Navy Classic Stampin' Pad [147110]	Night Of Navy 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100867]	Soft Succulent 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [155776]
Petal Pink 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146985]	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276]	2021–2023 In Color 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [155641]	Stitched Rectangles Dies [151820]
Iridescent Rhinestones Basic Jewels [158130]

Just a few more days till we welcome in 2022.   I am ready for it and wanted to wish you a Happy New Year too!

I made this card using the colors in the Create with Connie & Mary Challenge #CCMC696.

Unfortunately since I made this card a few of the products have sold out. 

• The Black Glitter Paper used as a layer, for the stars and for the numbers. 
• The silver and white paper background from the Whimsy & Wonder DSP.

The happy is from the Words of Cheer bundle and is still available.  I am a fan of word dies so this die set will be staying in my collection.

I used the Give it a Whirl dies to cut out the stars.  The die cuts out 3 sizes of stitched stars.  Whenever I am looking for shapes I check to see if is by chance is in the Give it a Whirl dies.  That die set in addition to making a super fun interactive card also contains so many great shapes like stars, hearts, rectangles, clouds, circles, & arrows.

Inside I added a leftover strip of stripes and a few more stars.  It is fun to dress up the insides of your cards too.  

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

Still playing with the Sparkle of the Season bundle.  On today's project I used 2 of the 3 wreath dies from the Seasonal Swirls dies.  

This project was made for the Festive Friday Challenge #FF0096.  The Festive Friday Challenge is the challenge with the Inspo List.  The challenge is to use 3 items from the Inspo List on your project.  The Inspo List is inspired by a festivity.  This challenge the festivity we are being inspired by is World Kindness Day.  I would like to believe that everyday is World Kindness Day.  Your project doesn't have to focus on the festivity but it can.  

I used 2 different wreath dies on this gift tag.  One to create the background and another for the actual wreath.  The Real Red flowers were cut using the Christmas Cheer Dies  and attached to the Old Olive and Mossy Meadow wreaths.  The sentiment is from the Classic Cloche stamp set and heat embossed in Silver embossing powder.  Can you guess what die I used to cut out the sentiment?  It looks like one of  the stitched rectangle dies but it isn't.  It is the handle die from the All Dressed Up dies.  

The handle die is 6" long.  It is easy to custom cut out the sentiment.  Stamp the sentiment, cut it with the die and then line it back up with the die and cut it to the correct size.   

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!

When I started playing with the Merriest Moments bundle I noticed the spray of leaves had a slight bend to them.  This made me think that they might make a nice wreath and so I started stamping and die cutting to try and create one.  Once the card was completed I realized it would work for the Festive Friday Challenge #FF0094.

What is the Festive Friday Challenge?  The Festive Friday Challenge has an Inspo List that is inspired by a festivity.  #FF0094 was inspired by Apple Day.  To play along with the challenge you need to use 3 items from the Inspo List on your project.  You do not have follow the  Apple Day theme  but you can if you would like to.  Here's a link to all the details on how to play along with the challenge.

I chose red, green, circles (this wreath is a circle, right?) and sequins.

I stamped 8 Soft Succulent leaves and die cut them using the coordinating dies.  I used the Layering Circles die #6 and #7 (1 being the smallest die) and created a wreath ring.  This helped me to arrange the leaves.  The leaves were attached to the ring using Stampin' Dimensionals.  I stamped some holly leaves in Evening Evergreen ink and some berries and a flower in Cherry Cobbler ink and  die cut them using the coordinating dies.  I added a few small sequins to add a little sparkle to the card.

The card base is Sahara Sand CS with a Cherry Cobbler CS layer.  The pretty, snowy  patterned paper is from the Tidings of Christmas DSP.  

Inside I stamped some leaves in Evening Evergreen ink and the lovely sentiment in Cherry Cobbler ink.  I do love a sentiment that pairs 2 fonts together.  

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

Thank you for stopping by!  I hope you will join in the challenge.  I would love to see what you create in the Festive Friday gallery.

October Stamp of the Month Projects… To Go!

The October stamp of the month is Merriest Moments  (pg 43 of the Mini Catalog). The To Go projects use both the Merriest Moments stamp set and the Merriest Moments Hybrid Embossing Folder aka the bundle (156783).  Having the bundle will make it easier to complete the projects but is not necessary for the projects. What comes in your To Go kit?  All the cardstock,  DSP, embellishments and a link to the tutorials to make your projects (3 cards).  You will also need the Soft Succulent, Evening Evergreen, Bumblebee, and a Cherry Cobbler ink pads.  These items and adhesives are not included with the To Go projects. 

To register all you need to do is place an order for $40 using the Host Code D7SSYY6Y on my online store- sharonstamps.stampinup.net before the15th of the month.  Your project kit will be mailed  to you on or before the 22nd of the month.  The Host Code is how I will know you want the Stamp of the Month Projects to go. You will need the stamp set to complete the projects.   

Product List

Merriest Moments Bundle (English) [156783]	Soft Succulent Classic Stampin' Pad [155778]	Evening Evergreen Classic Stampin' Pad [155576]	Cherry Cobbler Classic Stampin' Pad [147083]
Bumblebee Classic Stampin' Pad [153116]	Sahara Sand 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121043]	Cherry Cobbler 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [119685]	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276]
Tidings Of Christmas 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [155718]	Layering Circles Dies [151770]	Subtle Shimmer Sequins [156407]

It is Thursday which means it is time to show you what I made for the Create with Connie & Mary Challenge.  This week it is a sketch challenge and one I thought would be perfect to use the Peaceful Prints DSP.  The Peaceful Prints DSP is a  Sale-A-Bration choice which  means it is free with a qualifying order ( in the US that is a purchase of $50 before shipping & tax).  There are more choices that can be seen here.  The Peaceful Prints DSP is a lovely pack of paper and a great accompaniment  if you have the Peaceful Deer bundle (J-D catalog).  

Here's what I made using the sketch.

The diagonal stripe paper is  from the Peaceful Prints DSP.  Sahara Sand is one of the colors I do not use very much and I always wonder why I don't.  It is kind of a chameleon of a color and I need to use it more.  Do you use Sahara Sand and what are your favorite color combinations using it?

I used one of the Wintry 3D embossing folders to emboss the Basie White piece.  There are 2 folders, one a snowflake design and the other a pine branch both are lovely.  

The sentiment is from the Christmas to Remember set.  The sentiment was stamped in Versamark ink and then heat embossed using white embossing powder on Sahara Sand CS.  

To finish off the front of the card I added Red Rhinestones for a little shine and sparkle. If I use a patterned paper on the front of the card, I like to add a strip to the inside.  I also stamped another sentiment from the Christmas to Remember set. 

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

Whimsy and Wonder Tutorial!  13 tutorials featuring the products in the Whimsy & Wonder Suite for just $15 or receive it FREE with a $50 (before shipping & tax) online order using my Host Code A9GTDA44.  Shop with me online HERE.

It is time for a new Festive Friday Challenge.  What is the Festive Friday Challenge?  The Festive Friday Challenge is a bi-weekly challenge that has an Inspo List which is inspired by a festivity.  There are always 10 items on the Inspo List and to play along with the challenge you need to use 3 items from the list on your project.  

Here is the Inspo List.

Here's my card for the challenge.

I used a stencil from the Basic Pattern Decorative Masks.  I used  Blending Brushes and started with Daffodil Delight ink, then Coastal Cabana, and lastly Pear Pizzazz.  Once the blending was done I used a Water Painter and watered down some Tuxedo Black Memento ink and tapped the Water Painter  to get the splatters.  This seems to be my current favorite thing.  

I stamped the dahlia on Basic White CS in Tuxedo Black Memento ink and used  Blending Brushes to color in the flower.  I stamped 2 leaves and used a Blending Brush to color them.  I fussy cut the flowers and leaves which was a little tedious but not difficult.   The dahlia is mounted on a Basic White Stitched Rectangle and then layered on Basic Black CS.  The ribbon is the Black Glittered Organdy Ribbon.  In the center of the dahlia is a Matte Black Dot.

Let's see how I did.  I used a stencil for the background.  I have layers on my card.  I used ribbon. I am also claiming ink spots.  Ink splatters are spots, right?  

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

Stephanie Lanzalotto

Melva Peters

Thank you for stopping by and I look forward to seeing your project in the Festive Friday gallery for #FF0091.

Anything but Christmas Tutorial!  13 tutorials featuring products from the 2021 July-December Mini Catalog for just $15 or receive it FREE with a $50 (before shipping & tax)  order using my Host Code UPFXXX3H.  Shop with me online HERE.

This week has been zipping by and it is already Thursday, which means it is time for a new Create with Connie & Mary Challenge.  This week it is a color challenge.  This color combination is one of my favorites.  

Love the pop of pink that will brighten up the Basic Black and Smoky Slate.  

I am currently all heart eyes over the Nature's Harvest bundle.  Once I started playing with it I didn't want to stop.  I find myself reaching for it a lot.  It is kind of billed as an Autumn set but I think it is way more versatile than that.  In this color combination I do not see it as a fall set.

Before I stamped the flowers I used a Blending Brush and Smoky Slate ink to do a little coloring on the Basic White CS.  I colored the flowers and leaves using Polished Pink and Smoky Slate Stampin' Blends.  Very quick and easy coloring.  I also added some splatters using a Water Painter and watered down Tuxedo Black Memento ink refill.  

The Smoky Slate layer was embossed using the Timeworn Type 3D Embossing folder.  The tag and sentiment are part of the Nature's Harvest bundle.  The pop of Polished Pink ribbon just brightens the card up.  To finish the front of the card I colored some rhinestone using the Basic Black Stampin' Blends.  It is a great way to customize embellishments.

Inside of the card I stamped the small flowers from the stamp set and colored them with Stampin' Blends.  I also added a strip of Smoky Slate CS that was embossed using the Timeworn Type folder.

Thank you for stopping by.  Be sure to check out what the rest of the Create with Connie & Mary Design team created for the challenge.

Anything but Christmas Tutorial!  13 tutorials featuring products from the 2021 July-December Mini Catalog for just $15 or receive it FREE with a $50 (before shipping & tax)  order using my Host Code UPFXXX3H.  Shop with me online HERE.

Product List

Nature's Harvest Bundle (English) [156813]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]	Polished Pink Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [155520]	Smoky Slate Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154904]
Basic Black Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154843]	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121045]	Smoky Slate 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [131202]	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276]
Stitched Rectangles Dies [151820]	Timeworn Type 3 D Embossing Folder [156505]	Water Painters [151298]	Polished Pink 3/8" (1 Cm) Open Weave Ribbon [155714]
Rhinestone Basic Jewels [144220]

It is Thursday which means it is time for a new Create with Connie & Mary Challenge.  This week it is a sketch challenge and this card came together quickly which was a happy surprise.  

I just  received the Harvest Meadow Designer Series Paper.  I ordered it so I would have paper to go with the Nature's Harvest bundle and I am SO glad I did. I love it and this card came together so quickly and pretty effortlessly.  

Here's the sketch and it is a lovely one.  It was great to show off the Harvest Meadow DSP. 

The cute label is from the Harvest dies. and it is going to be a very useful one.   It is a good size and shape.  There is also a longer label which fits the other sentiments.   The ribbon is the Gold Fine Art Ribbon.  I like that it has a natural almost rustic look but has threads of gold to add some shine.  

The gold accents are from the Brushed Metallic Adhesive-Backed Dots.  These embellishments come in 2 different sizes and 3 different colors-bronze, copper, and gold.  Here I used gold but any of the finishes would have worked.

Thank you for stopping by and if you have any questions please contact me.

Product List

Nature's Harvest Bundle (English) [156813]	Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad [147114]	Watercolor Pencils [141709]	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [159229]
Harvest Meadow 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [156494]	Stitched Rectangles Dies [151820]	Brushed Metallic Adhesive Backed Dots [156506]	3/8" (1 Cm) Fine Art Ribbon [154561]