Is there such a thing as a perfect pack of paper? Probably not but  I will say that the Pattern Party DSP (Stampin' Reward choice)  comes pretty close.  On one side there are bright  patterns and on the flip side black & white designs.   If you are sad that the True Love DSP will not be available after the 2021 January-June Mini Catalog retires, this pack of paper will definitely help you get over it.  There are 12 double sided designs and you get 4 of each.  

The Pattern Party DSP is  unusual because it is exclusively a Stampin' Reward choice.  What are Stampin' Rewards?   Stampin' Rewards is what we used to call Host Benefits.  Hosts earn Stampin' Rewards based on their party's total.  Stampin' Rewards can also be earned on individual orders (separate from a party) when the total reaches $150.  In addition to the Pattern Party DSP, there are 3 stamps sets that are also exclusive to Stampin' Rewards.

When I saw this week's  Create with Connie & Mary Challenge #CCMC665, I knew the sketch would be a great one to use Pattern Party DSP.

The mix of stripes and florals just brings a smile to my face.  The flowers are so cheerful and bright.  The card base and layers are Poppy Parade.  The sentiment is from the Many Messages stamp set and cut out using the Messages die (until the end of June these are available as a bundle 156272, which will save  you 10%).   The Many Messages stamp set is one big stamp with lots of different sentiments and you can cut them all out at the same time using the Message die.   I stamped and cut out a bunch of these sentiments so they are ready to use.  

I didn't have any Poppy Parade embellishments so I colored some rhinestones using the Dark Poppy Parade Stampin' Blends.   This is a great trick to remember.  You can use Stampin' Blends on your embellishments to custom color them.  I also added my usual strip of DSP to the inside of the card.  I don't want to waste any of this beautiful paper.  

Thank you for stopping by!

How do you register for the event? 

Simply head to my store  and purchase the Hand-Penned Suite (Item 155503 $66.25)--or an equivalent amount of product if you already have the Hand-Penned Suite.  You must use the Host Code 3M9KUB3Y when you purchase the Suite or equivalent.  You will need the Hand-Penned Suite to complete the projects.  If you have any questions please email me: [email protected].  Registration ends June 7th.

It is Monday.  Sometimes after the weekend, we need a little more motivation to get going on the new week.

I am so happy I got the Believe You Can host set.  I think we often overlook these sets.  They are a great buy and an exclusive perk for hosts or when you have an order of a certain size.

I love how clean this looks that I added a Whisper White panel on the back of the Black card base so I can write a message there leaving the front blank.  I call this a one flap easel card.  I did a tutorial on it HERE.  You will have to adapt it a bit to fit the Stitched Nested Labels dies but the general idea is the same.  

Product List

Believe You Can Photopolymer Stamp Set [149433] $13.00	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $6.00	Real Red Combo Pack Stampin' Blends [147935] $9.00	Pool Party Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [144605] $9.00
Daffodil Delight Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [144603] $9.00	Smoky Slate Light Stampin' Blends Marker [145054] $4.50	Old Olive Light Stampin' Blends Marker [144574] $4.50	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121045] $8.75
Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100730] $9.75	Subtles 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [149615] $11.50	Stitched Nested Labels Dies [149638] $35.00	Red Rhinestone Basic Jewels [146924] $7.00

Have a great Monday!

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

I just recently got the Believe You Can Host set so I thought I better get it inky.

I stamped the image in  Memento Tuxedo Black ink on a Stitched Nested label.  I used mostly Stampin' Write Markers to color the image except for the bushes.  I used a Blender pen and Garden Green ink to color the bushes.  I stamped "you can" on a piece of Terracotta Tile card stock and cut out the flag.

I added a little bit of Dazzling Diamonds glitter on the sun and road to add a little sparkle to the image.  

The vines behind the label were cut using the Christmas Layers dies.  These dies will be debuting in the Holiday Catalog on September 4th.  I used the Subtle 3-D  Embossing folder to add a little texture to the card.  

Be sure to check out what the other members of the Create with Connie & Mary design team created for this challenge.

 I couldn't resist the Host stamp set, Believe you Can.  

I love this quote and simple design.  I know this will be a stamp I will use a lot. 

This card style I have used a lot and even wrote a tutorial that you can find here.   

This fold is a great one to show off our lovely Designer Series Paper.  This pack is called Garden Lane.  

Wouldn't this card be great one to encourage someone who is starting a new career, project, school, or adventure?  

I colored the image using Stampin' Blends and ink refills.  When I was done coloring I inked the entire image in VersaMark ink and covered it with a mix of Clear Embossing Powder and Dazzling Diamonds glitter.  I always have this mix on hand and call it Glittery Goodness.  I heat emboss the whole image and I love how it sparkles.  The clear embossing powder seals in the glitter so it stays on the card and not on your hands.  

Product List

Believe You Can Photopolymer Stamp Set [149433] $13.00	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $6.00	Mint Macaron Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [147283] $9.00	Smoky Slate Light Stampin' Blends Marker [145054] $4.50	Daffodil Delight Light Stampin' Blends Marker [144586] $4.50
Flirty Flamingo Light Stampin' Blends Marker [147031] $4.50	Garden Green Classic Stampin' Ink Refill [102059] $3.75	Mint Macaron 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [138337] $8.75	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100730] $9.75	Garden Green 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [102584] $8.75
Garden Lane Designer Series Paper [149488] $11.50	Stitched Rectangle Dies [148551] $35.00	Blender Pens [102845] $12.00	Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder [109130] $6.00	Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter [133751] $6.00

Are you ready for the Create with Connie & Mary Challenge?  It is a color challenge and a little bit wild!

What do you think?  I was a little intimidated by this at first but once I started playing with the combination I liked it so much I made 2 cards using the colors.

I haven't used the Hand Delivered host stamp set in a while and I thought it would be fun to color her skirt using the colors. I used a mix of Stampin' Blends (Mango Melody & Calypso Coral) and Melon Mambo Stampin' Write Markers. I love this image especially the stack of books.  This is so perfect to send to my book lover friends with a gift card to their favorite book store.  

Product List

Hand Delivered Photopolymer Stamp Set [146808] $13.00	Vertical Greetings Clear-Mount Stamp Set [141876] $19.00	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $6.00	Mango Melody Combo Pack Stampin' Blends [147945] $9.00
Calypso Coral Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [144045] $9.00	Melon Mambo Stampin' Write Marker [121074] $3.50	Mango Melody 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146989] $8.50	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730] $9.75
Brights 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [146964] $11.00	Subtles 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [146966] $11.00	Rectangle Stitched Framelits Dies [148551] $35.00	Calypso Coral 3/8" (1 Cm) Satin Ribbon [148804] $6.00

The second card I made is bright!  

Wouldn't you love having a Melon Mambo bicycle with Calypso Coral tires and Mango Melody tassels and basket?  It was just so fun putting together the components of this bike.  The Bike Ride stamp set also has an adorable stack of books.  

Product List

Bike Ride Photopolymer Stamp Set [143716] $21.00	Amazing Life Photopolymer Stamp Set [148750] $21.00	Melon Mambo Classic Stampin' Pad [147051] $7.50	Calypso Coral Classic Stampin' Pad [147101] $7.50
Mango Melody Classic Stampin' Pad [147093] $7.50	Melon Mambo 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [115320] $8.50	Mango Melody 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146989] $8.50	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730] $9.75
Build A Bike Framelits Dies [143729] $27.00

Be sure to check out what the other members of the design team created for this challenge.  

This week I am using the adorable hostess set, Hand Delivered  for the Create with Connie and Mary sketch challenge.  

I rotated the sketch to better fit the stamp I chose to use.  

Isn't the Petal Promenade Designer Series Paper so pretty?  I love all the beautiful flowers. 

Product List

Hand Delivered Photopolymer Stamp Set [146808] $13.00	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $6.00	Petal Pink Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [147272] $9.00	Mint Macaron Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [147283] $9.00	Ivory Stampin' Blends Marker [144606] $4.50
Petal Pink 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146985] $8.50	Petal Promenade Designer Series Paper [146913] $11.00	Stitched Labels Framelits Dies [146828] $33.00	Share What You Love Artisan Pearls [146927] $6.00

Be sure to check out what the other design team members created for this challenge.  I think you will be surprised at all the different ways the sketch can be interpreted.

The Hand Delivered stamp set is only available as a host reward.  Contact me if you are interested in hosting an event and earning this fabulous stamp set.

Welcome to the Stamper's Dozen Blog Hop!  This month's theme is Christmas in July.   Wait, I am not even ready to start thinking about Christmas.  I have a few Christmas stamp sets from prior years but somehow that didn't feel right, then an idea came to me.  

I just received the hostess reward set, Artfully Folded and thought it would be a  great set to use for Christmas.  Origami cranes are a symbol of hope and healing during challenging times.  It is believed that if you fold a 1000 origami cranes your wish will come true.  In fact when we got married (it will be 32 years this September) friends of mine folded 1000 gold cranes for us.  At our reception I had strings of gold cranes hanging from a white paper umbrella.  It was beautiful and full of so many wishes for a happy life.

All the images on the card are embossed in silver embossing powder.  If you look very closely you can see a few flecks of glitter in the swirl image (Star of Light stamp set).  I mixed in some Dazzling Diamonds glitter with the silver embossing powder.  I wanted to add just a little more shine to the star swirl.  Do you see the shimmer in the crane?  I first colored in the crane using Wink of Stella.  It was pretty but very subtle.  I had a Wink of Stella that was pretty much empty and one of my team members reminded me that I could add some alcohol to it and even some ink refill, so I did.  I filled the Wink of Stella pen with alcohol and added a drop of Smoky Slate ink refill.  The result is a silvery Wink of Stella shine.  Love it!

Be sure to check out all the projects on the hop.

Product List

Artfully Folded Photopolymer Stamp Set [146806] $10.00	Star Of Light Photopolymer Stamp Set [142110] $26.00	Versamark Pad [102283] $8.50	Smoky Slate Classic Stampin' Ink Refill [131159] $3.75	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [140272] $7.75
Silver Foil Sheets [132178] $4.00	Silver Stampin' Emboss Powder [109131] $5.00	Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter [133751] $5.00	Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush [141897] $8.00	Silver Baker’S Twine [145569] $4.00

This week the Create with Connie and Mary Challenge is using the sample on page 5 of the 2018-19 Stampin' Up! Annual Catalog for inspiration.  You can use the sketch, the color combination, and/or the stamp set as the inspiration for your card.  

I chose to use the layout for my card.

I just received the fun Hostess set, Hand Delivered and thought she would be so cute on the front of this card.  This set spoke to me.  It is a little different from what I usually get and it adds a little whimsy and fun to my stamp shelf.  I know it will be a perfect set to use for the teachers and readers in my life.  

I hope you will join in the challenge and create a card using the inspiration on page 5.  Be sure to go to the Create with Connie and Mary blog to get all the details on how to submit your card and also to see what the other members of the design team created.

In May I shared this card and have received questions about the measurements to make it.  

Card Base:

Berry Burst 4-1/4" x 5-1/2

Basic Black 4 x 5-1/4"

Whisper White 3-7/8" x 5-1/8"

Strip of Berry Burst DSP from the Color Theory DSP Stack 3/4" x  3-7/8"

Card Flap/Easel

Berry Burst 3" x 5" scored at 1/2", 2-3/4"

*Basic Black 2-3/4" x 4-1/4" (edited to show correct measurements, thanks Eileen!)

Whisper White 2-5/*" x 4-1/8"

The Berry Burst flap is adhered between the Basic Black and Whisper White card stock base.   Remember to only apply adhesive to the bottom half of the flap, otherwise your tulips will not stand up.

Product List

Tranquil Tulips Photopolymer Stamp Set [143767] $10.00	Eastern Beauty Photopolymer Stamp Set [143675] $21.00	Berry Burst Classic Stampin' Pad [144083] $6.50	Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad [126953] $6.50	Versamark Pad [102283] $8.50
Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $6.00	Berry Burst 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [144243] $8.00	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [121045] $8.00	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730] $9.00	Color Theory Designer Series Paper Stack [144193] $10.00
Berry Burst 1/2" Finely Woven Ribbon [144133] $7.00	Glitter Enamel Dots [144200] $7.00	Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter [133751] $5.00	Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder [109130] $5.00

I hope this helps you re-create this card.  If you need any supplies all you need to do is click on the product link and you will be taken to my online store. Thank you!

No, I haven't abandoned my blog.  I have been working on some big projects that needed to get done and thankfully they are almost complete.  Yay! Dropping by to share another card made with the Tranquil Tulips stamp set.  

Product List

Tranquil Tulips Photopolymer Stamp Set [143767] $10.00	Beautiful Bouquet Photopolymer Stamp Set [143666] $27.00	Berry Burst Classic Stampin' Pad [144083] $6.50	Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad [126953] $6.50	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $6.00
Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [140272] $7.00	Berry Burst 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [144243] $8.00	Layering Squares Framelits Dies [141708] $35.00	Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies [145372] $30.00	Berry Burst 1/2" Finely Woven Ribbon [144133] $7.00

I'm also working on a tutorial for this card, that I hope will be ready on Friday.