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,

Welcome to the Creativity Abounds Blog Hop!  We are a group of international Stampin' Up!® demonstrators.  We hop together on the third Wednesday of every month.  Our hops focus around a particular bundle, holiday, occasion or product suite.  We also do a quarterly stamp camp and have one coming up October 28 & 29th, Boughs of Holly Suite Collection.  Every month we create a tutorial bundle.  This month the tutorial bundle features Christmas.  The projects featured in this blog hop are different than the projects in the tutorial bundle.  We want to share lots of ideas with you.

My project features the Merriest Moments stamp set, Merriest Frames Hybrid Embossing Folder, and the Snowflake Specialty Vellum.  The Merriest Moments stamp set and the Merriest Frames Hybrid Embossing Folder are returning favorites from the 2021 Holiday Mini Catalog.   These two products are easy to create with and make classic, beautiful cards.  

The card base is Thick Basic White CS.  The first layer is a piece of the Snowflake Specialty Vellum.  This piece has flocked white dots that resemble snow falling.  The beautiful Basic White frame was first die cut and then placed in the embossing folder to add all the other details.  It is quick and easy to do and the results look like you worked all day on them.  The poinsettias were stamped with Real Red and Crushed Curry ink and the die cut out.  The leaves were stamped in Shaded Spruce and die cut.  A few Red Rhinestones were added around the lovely sentiment to add a bit of sparkle.

I decided to make this an easel card.  I thought this would help show the vellum and also the beautiful frame.  This was easy to accomplish, all I did was add a score line to the front of the card at 2-1/4".  The trickiest part is to remember not to add adhesive to all of the vellum layer.  On the inside of the card I added a strip of the vellum and some leaves and berries.  The leaves and berries act as a stopper and creates the easel.

Now it is time for you to check out the rest of the hop!

Product List

Merriest Moments Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [156353] $22.00	Merriest Frames Hybrid Embossing Folder [156385] $39.00	Shaded Spruce Classic Stampin' Pad [147088] $8.00	Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad [147084] $8.00
Crushed Curry Classic Stampin' Pad [147087] $8.00	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [159229] $8.75	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276] $10.25	Snowflake 12 X 12 (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Vellum [159832] $10.00
Red Rhinestone Basic Jewels [146924] $7.00

For all the information about the upcoming (October 28-9) Boughs of Holly stamp camp go HERE or contact me at sharonstamps@comcast.net.

My 12 Weeks of the Holidays email series starts soon! Sign up for my mailing list and receive 12 weeks of Holiday projects and tutorials.  

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas to you and yours!

It is hard to believe that there are just 9 days left until Christmas!  This is about the time I start cutting down my to do list and accepting not everything I want to do will get done.  I wish I could say I was all done with my Christmas cards unfortunately that is not the case and now I am thinking about what kind of New Years cards I can make.  

One more card made and ready to send!  I made this for the Create with Connie & Mary Challenge #CCMC695.  I used the Be Jolly  Santa and colored him with Stampin' Blends.  The DSP patchwork in the background are pieces from the Heartwarming Hugs DSP.  Unfortunately the DSP is no longer available/sold out.  

This is the sketch for the challenge.  I love to mix and match the DSP patterns so this sketch was a fun one for me.  

Inside I added a sentiment from the Christmas to Remember stamp set.  This stamp set will be carried over but it will no longer be available as a bundle.  The tree is also part of the Be Jolly set and also colored with Stampin' Blends. 

Thank you for stopping by and may your to-do list be short!

Check out the Creativity Abounds Tutorial Bundle

Place a $50 order through my online store and receive this bundle (14 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.

What is your favorite Christmas color combination?  That is the focus of this week's Create with Connie & Mary Challenge.  I am a fan of lots of different color combinations for Christmas and in my mind most combination can work for Christmas.  That being said I am going old school and traditional for my card for the challenge.

I chose Real Red, Shaded Spruce, with a touch of Bumblebee.  I love the clean, richness of this combination.  I also used Sahara Sand and Basic White as my neutrals. 

This is the Merriest Moments bundle which includes the Merriest Moments stamp set and the Merriest Frames Hybrid Embossing folder and coordinating dies.  Love the embossing folder that coordinates with the dies and adds texture and elegance.  The stitched rectangle that nestles nicely into the frame adds even more texture and interest.  

The pretty Sahara Sand and Basic White patterned paper is from the Tidings of Christmas 6" x 6" DSP found in the 2021-22 Annual catalog.  The designs on one side of the paper skew Christmas but the flip sides have more all occasion designs, making this a versatile pack of paper in spite of the name of the paper pack. 

The sentiments in this stamp set are so lovely.  I like the words themselves which are made better by the font.  I also added berries and leaves to the inside of the card to dress things up a bit more.  

Thank you for stopping by and be sure to check out what color combinations the rest of the design team loves for Christmas,

Product List

Merriest Moments Bundle (English) [156783]	Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad [147084]	Shaded Spruce Classic Stampin' Pad [147088]	Bumblebee Classic Stampin' Pad [153116]
Real Red 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [102482]	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]