Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!  

It is Thursday and time for a new Create with Connie and Mary Challenge.  This week we have a color challenge.  

Beautiful colors for a Christmas card.

Here's what I used for my card.

• Thick Basic White card base 5-1/2” x 8-1/2”, scored at 4-1/4".
• Basic White layer 4” x 5-1/4” embossed using the Merry Melody 3D embossing folder.
• Basic White frame cut using the Framed Florets dies.
• 3 trees stamped in Shaded Spruce ink and “snow” stamped in Versamark ink and heat embossed with White embossing powder.
• 3 Real Red Glimmer paper bows.
• Sentiment from the Framed and Festive stamp set (only available until 1/4/23 or while supplies last) stamped with Versamark and heat embossed with Gold embossing powder.
• Red Rhinestones to add more sparkle.

Inside I added a strip of Real Red Glimmer paper and another Shaded Spruce tree.  

Generally the Create with Connie & Mary Challenge is weekly. This challenge will last for 2 weeks.  We will back with a new challenge on December 29th!

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

Remember today, December 15th Free Shipping on orders of $75 or more!  

It is time for another Festive Friday Challenge!  The 12 Days of Christmas 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.

From the Inspo List I used Christmas, gold, red, fancy fold, and heat embossing.  Yes, I used more than 3!  There are times I struggle to get 3 of the items from the Inspo List so when I can do more, I do!

I used the no longer available Stampin’ Up! DSP, Lights Aglow.  I chose it since it has both gold and red on it.  On the front I used 3 different patterns.  The pretty star circle around the sentiment is from the DSP.  There were square frames too but I decided to go with a circle.  The sentiment in the circle is from the Framed and Festive set.  Love it and am going to use it a lot.  It is only available while supplies last/January 4th.  The smaller sentiment is from the Cottage Wreaths set.  Both of these sentiments are embossed using gold embossing powder.

Surprise!  Hidden behind the circle is a wreath from the Cottage Wreaths bundle.  I also used some Evening Evergreen Glimmer paper (sorry, this too has sold out) to cut a sparkly bow.  The gold you see tucked under the bow are the Gold Holly Leaves. (these are on sale now for just $3!)

Here is where you can write a note and sign your card.  Again I added a strip of the Lights Aglow DSP and more Gold Holly leaves.

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

Thanks for stopping by,

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

This sketch was a perfect one to use patterned paper aka DSP (Designer Series Paper).  The paper pack I used is the Lights Aglow 6” x 6” Specialty Designer Series Paper, which unfortunately is no longer available for purchase.  It was so popular it has sold out.  

I used 3 different patterns from the Lights Aglow DSP pack and I love how they coordinate.  The color and pattern coordination is one of the things I really appreciate about Stampin’ Up!’s DSP. 

I also used the Cottage Wreaths bundle.  The wreath was stamped in Evening Evergreen ink on Basic White CS and die cut using the coordinating dies.  One of my favorite dies within the Country Wreaths Dies is the bow die.  Here I cut it in Real Red Glimmer paper.  Red Rhinestones were used for berry clusters and also to highlight the sentiment.  Inside I added a strip of DSP and also a sentiment from the Framed & Festive stamp set.  The Framed & Festive stamp set will only be available while supplies last.  It is a wonderful Christmas sentiment set.  

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

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It is Thursday and time for a new Create with Connie & Mary Challenge!   Every Thursday a new challenge is posted and generally the challenges alternate between a sketch and a color challenge. This week it is a sketch challenge.  I love the sketch this week.  I knew exactly what I wanted to make and how I wanted the card to look.  This doesn't happen very often so it was exciting for me.

When I saw the sketch I immediately thought of the lovely oval frames in the  Framed Floret dies.  I also remembered that I found some flowers I had fussy cut from the Boughs of Holly DSP.  The card was coming together quickly.

Let's dissect this card.  

• Cherry Cobbler card base- 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" scored at 4-1/4".
• Basic White layer- 4" x 5-1/4" embossed using the Merry Melody 3D folder.
• Basic White Oval Frame using the Framed Florets dies.
• Poinsettia from the Boughs of Holly 12" x 12" DSP
• Garden Green Ribbon 3/8" Combo Ribbon
• Framed and Festive stamp set  available until 1/4/23 or while supplies last
• Cherry Cobbler ink
• Gold Adhesive-Backed Swirls available until 1/4/23 or while supplies last.

On the inside I added a strip of Cherry Cobbler CS and another fussy cut poinsettia from the Boughs of Holly DSP.

Thank you for stopping by and be sure to check out what the rest of the design created.  Wishing you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving.

It is time for me to get serious about our Christmas cards.  I don't want to be an alarmist but there are only 36 days until Christmas!.  Yikes!  

This is the Leaves of Holly bundle along with the Merry Melody 3D Embossing folder.  

• Real Red CS -4-1/4" x 11" (card base scored at 5-1/2"), 2-3/4"  x 2-3/4" (Stylish Shapes square),  7/8" x  2-5/8" layer behind the sentiment,  3/4" x 4"(inside of the card)
• Basic White CS- cut two 4" x 5-1/4" (one for the inside of the card and one for the front),  2-5/8" x 2-5/8" square,  3-3/4" x 3-3/4" cut holly leaves (outline),  1" x 2-3/4" label, 1-1/2" x 3" (outline leaves on frame)
• Distressed Gold Specialty Paper- 3-3/4" x 3-3/4" solid holly leaves,  1-1/2" x 3" (solid holly leaves)

• Attach the 3/4" x 4" Real Red strip to the bottom of one of the 4" x 5-1/4" pieces of Basic White CS.
• Die cut the leaves from the label in Basic White and the solid leaves in Distressed Gold paper.
• Attach the Basic White leaves to the Distressed Gold paper.  You will need to do a little bit of freehand cutting to separate the leaves from the label.
• Adhere the leaves to the Real Red strip.
• Adhere  the Basic White layer to the inside of the card.
• Emboss the remaining Basic White 4" x 5-1/4" piece of CS with the Merry Melody 3D folder.
• Adhere it to the front of the card.
• Adhere the Basic White (2-5/8" x 2-5/8"  square) to the Real Red Stylish Shapes square.
• Adhere to the front of the card.
• Die cut 2 Basic White detailed holly leaves and 2 Distressed Gold solid leaves.  Adhere the Basic White outline leaves to the Distressed Gold leaves.  
• Attach the leaves to the Basic White Square with Stampin' Dimensionals.
• Tie a small bow using the Natural 1/2" Woven Ribbon and attach it to the leaves with a Mini Glue Dot.
• Stamp in Real Red ink the sentiment on the 1" x 2-3/4" Basic White CS and die cut using the small label die.
• Attach the sentiment to the Real Red 7/8" x  2-5/8" strip using Stampin' Dimensionals.
• Adhere the sentiment to the front of the card.
• Attach Red Rhinestones to the holly leaves and to the sentiment.

Thank you for stopping by,

The Creativity Abounds tutorial bundle-Gift Packaging is now available. 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 (sharon@astheinkdries.com) if you would like to purchase the tutorial.

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

Another great color combination that I would have never put together on m own.  I am working on getting more Christmas cards made so I turned to the Cottage Wreaths bundle.

The wreath is Mint Macaron ink on Mint Macaron cardstock.  The Country Wreaths dies cut out the Mint Macaron wreath and the fabulous Poppy Parade bow.  The little dots, I mean berries were cut using the Dots and Spots die.  I know I can punch them out with a hole punch but with one partial run through of the die I can have all the berries made. Both the berries and the bow were shimmerized (my new word for the look of Wink of Stella) with some Wink of Stella.  The wreath is attached to a label cut using the Scalloped Contours dies.  The sentiment is from the Leaves of Holly stamp set and inked in Poppy Parade ink.

The Poppy Parade CS layer was embossed using the Wintry 3D Embossing Folder.  This folder is 3-3/8" wide so I ran the Poppy Parade layer through twice.  Fortunately the design is such that you cannot really tell that the design doesn't "match" up.   Inside I added a strip of Mint Macaron CS and another Poppy Parade bow.  

Inside I used a sentiment from the Very Best Occasions stamp set.  This set has some of my very favorite Christmas sentiments and lots of other ones too!

Thank you for stopping by and be sure to sign up for my newsletter.  We are on week 8 of my 12 Weeks of the Holidays series.  On Sundays I send out an email with a tutorial for a card and a 3D project.  It is a short and sweet email sent as a thank you for supporting my stamping business.  The sign up form is on the right hand side of the blog. 

Welcome to the Stampers Dozen Blog Hop!  We are a group of Stampin' Up! demonstrators that hope together monthly on the 14th of the month. This month our theme is Christmas is in the Air!  I was in Indianapolis Indiana over the weekend for a Stampin' Up! event and it snowed!  It was so pretty and seeing the snow on the trees and houses made me think about getting cozy and ready for Christmas.  So yes...Christmas is definitely in the air!

For my card I used the Framed and Festive stamp set.  This set is only available while supplies last or January 4th 2023.  I  like a sentiment set especially when the fonts are mixed.  It looks so fresh and modern.  This particular sentiment will be used a lot on my cards this year, it is a wish I have for everyone.  

Here are the details for my card:

• Evening Evergreen CS Card base- 4-1/4" x 11" scored at 5-1/2" 
• Real Red CS layer- 4" x 5-1/4", 3-1/4" x  4" (frame using the Framed Florets dies)
• Basic White- 4" x 5-1/4" (inside of card),  3-1/4" x 4" (oval-I cut the whole frame so I have a white frame to use in the future, Framed Florets dies) 
• Fitting Florets DSP 3-3/8" x 4-7/8" cut into three 1-1/8" x  4-7/8" strips, 3/4" x 4" strip for the inside of the card
• Gold & Rose Gold 6" x 6" Metallic Specialty paper- 3-1/2" x 3-3/4" cut 2  branches with leaves Framed Florets dies.
• Red Rhinestones- decorate the branch on the front of the card
• Real Red 3/8" Mini Ruffled ribbon
• Pearlized Enamel Effects Basics- decorate the branch on the inside of the card

I try to remember to also decorate the inside of my cards.  Here I added a strip of Fitting Florets DSP and another pretty Gold Metallic branch and leaves. On the inside of the card instead of adding Red Rhinestones to the leaves I added dots of Real Red Pearlized Enamel Effects. The Pearlized Effects takes a bit to dry but it doesn't add  bulk to the card. Inside I also stamped Merry Christmas from the Framed & Festive stamp set.  

Thank you for stopping by and remember the Seasonal Sale starts Tuesday (15th) and ends Friday,November 18th!  It is. great time to shop for yourself and your crafty friends!

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 (sharon@astheinkdries.com) if you would like to purchase the tutorial.

Product List

Framed & Festive Cling Stamp Set (English) [160888] $23.00	Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad [147084] $8.00	Real Red Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154899] $9.00	Evening Evergreen 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [155574] $9.25
Real Red 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [102482] $9.25	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276] $10.25	Gold & Rose Gold 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Metallic Specialty Paper [156844] $5.00	Fitting Florets 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [161814] $12.00
Framed Florets Dies [160623] $37.00	Real Red 3/8" (1 Cm) Mini Ruffled Ribbon [156323] $8.00	Red Rhinestone Basic Jewels [146924] $7.00	Pearlized Enamel Effects Basics [156310] $15.00

Welcome to the Inspire Create Share Blog Hop!  We come together and hop on the 2nd Tuesday of the month.  Each month there is a theme and this month the theme is...Christmas is Coming!   Thank you for joining us and enjoy all the stops on the hop!

How many Christmas cards have you made?  I will admit that I haven't made very many, yet.  In fact the other day my spouse asked if we were going to be sending cards this year.  So, I need to get busy.  

I used the Split Card Texture die on the front of this card and behind the texture I added a piece of Real Red Glimmer paper.  Love how sparkly it looks. The poinsettias were cut from the Boughs of Holly DSP.  The sentiment is from the Leaves of Holly stamp set stamped in Evening Evergreen ink on a Tailor Made Tag.  The tiny little bow was made with the Evening Evergreen Open Weave ribbon.

To decorate the inside of the card I added another strip of the Boughs of Holly DSP and another fussy cut poinsettia.  This probably will not be the card that will get mass produced for our family Christmas cards but I will definitely make a few more of these because I love the sparkle from the Real Red Glimmer Paper.  

Now it is time for you to hop on over to see what Deb Naylor has made for you!

Thank you for stopping by and be sure to subscribe to my newsletter,

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 (sharon@astheinkdries.com) if you would like to purchase the tutorial.

Product List

Leaves Of Holly Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [159601] $22.00	Evening Evergreen Classic Stampin' Pad [155576] $8.00	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [159229] $8.75	Real Red & White 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Glimmer Paper [159578] $5.00
Boughs Of Holly 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [159600] $12.00	Split Card Textures Dies [159162] $28.00	Tailor Made Tags Dies [155563] $22.00	Evening Evergreen 3/8" (1 Cm) Open Weave Ribbon [155573] $7.00

From the first time I saw the Very Best Occasion stamp set I knew it was a must have.  I especially like the Christmas sentiments and the other sentiments are all very useful and pretty.

Here I paired the Very Best Occasions stamp set with the Celebrate Everything DSP.  I colored the foliage on the sentiment to coordinate with the DSP and I am loving the bright colors.  The Celebrate Everything DSP is a Stampin' Reward.  This means you can only purchase it with Stampin' Rewards.  You earn Stampin' Rewards by hosting an event that  qualifies and/or place your own qualifying order.  This pack of paper is very versatile and has both neutral patterns and bright and colorful holiday designs.  

The top piece of DSP measures 2" and the bottom 3-3/4".  I covered up the seam with the Black & White Gingham Ribbon.  I also colored a couple of rhinestones with Polished Pink Stampin' Blend to add a little sparkle.  The sentiment is stamped on different circles from the Layering Circles dies.

Inside I aded the other Christmas sentiment from the Very Best Occasions set and some additional strips of DSP.  The large scallop was cut using the Scalloped Contours die.

Product List

Very Best Occasions Cling Stamp Set (English) [159871] $25.00	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $6.00	Shaded Spruce Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154903] $9.00	Polished Pink Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [155520] $9.00
Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121045] $9.25	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276] $10.25	Celebrate Everything 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [159913] $18.00	Layering Circles Dies [151770] $35.00
Scalloped Contours Dies [155560] $35.00	Black & White 1/4" (6.4 Mm) Gingham Ribbon [156485] $7.00	Rhinestone Basic Jewels [144220] $6.00

Thank you for stopping by and let me know if I can help you with your holiday crafting,