Have you ever wanted a stamp set but stopped yourself because it didn't have coordinating dies?  I debated about getting the This Birthday Piggy set.  It is so cute but I wished it had coordinating dies and then... Perfect Partners happened.  YAY!  What is Perfect Partners?  Stampin' Up! debuted on September 1st, six new dies sets that coordinate with stamp sets that previously did not have dies.  The stamp sets are Fresh Cut Flowers (AC page 65), This Birthday Piggy (AC page 55), Trimming the Tree (AC page 43), Waterfall Canyon (AC page 94), Apple Harvest (J-J Mini page 54), and the Yeti to Party (J-J Mini page 38).  These dies are only available until September 30 or while supplies last.  You can purchase just the dies or you can purchase the stamp set and the dies as a bundle and save 10%.

So, yes you guessed it I ordered the This Birthday Piggy stamp set and the coordinating Playful Piggy dies as a bundle.

I stamped the image using the Tuxedo Black Memento ink pad.  The pig was colored using the Natural Tone Stampin' Blends.  I used SU700 which is part of the Medium Light pair and SU 1000 part of the Light pair.  The ears, nose and hooves were colored using the Light Smoky Slate Stampin' Blends.  The balloons were colored in Tahitian Tide and Parakeet Party Blends.  The polka dotted one was done by first coloring in the balloon in Parakeet Party and then adding the Tahitian Tide dots.

The sentiment is from the Heavenly Hollyhocks set inked in Tuxedo Black Memento ink.  The Basic White circle was cut using the Stylish Shapes dies.  The dots are from the 2022-24 In Color Matte Decorative Dots and the twine is from the 2022-24 In Color Baker's Twine. The patterned paper is the 2022-24- In Color 6" x 6" DSP.  

Thank you for stopping by and be sure to check out the Perfect Partners promotion!

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,

Happy New Stampin' Up!® Catalog day!  Yes, today is the day you can start ordering from the new catalog.  Yay!  Today my card is a mashup using the Sending Smiles bundle , Sweet Songbird bundle, Tea Boutique Suite and the 2022-24 In Colors.

All of the new 2022-24 In Colors are represented here.  The card base is one of the card bases in the Tea Boutique Cards and Envelopes.  There are card bases and coordinating envelopes in each of the new In Colors.   I cut the front of the card base using the Scalloped Contours die.   The sweet little bird was stamped in Tahitian Tide and Orchid Oasis with a Parakeet Party beak.  The leaves on the tree were also in Parakeet Party and fussy cut out.  The flowers were die cut using the Teacup dies.  I used the 2022-24 In Color Glimmer Paper in Sweet Sorbet for the flowers.  Are you wondering where is Starry Sky?  I used the Starry Sky Stampin' Blends to color the rhinestones that are in the center of the flowers.

The "sending" was cut using the Sending Smiles dies.  Love that there is a die for both the outline of the word and the actual word.  The stamp set also has 8 other sentiments that coordinate.  

In addition to the start of the new catalog there is also a In Color Starter kit available from May 3- May 31.  

In Color Starter Kit 

• New demonstrators can select any standard eligible Stampin’ Up! products up to the $125 USD for just $99 USD . 
• The Starter Kit includes business resources like catalogues, brochures, order forms, and postcards.
• The Starter Kit also includes $66.50 USD  of FREE 2022–2024 In Color products: In Color Grid Paper, In Color Ink Pad Collection, In Color Cardstock Collection, and In Color 6" x 6" (15.2 x 15.2 cm) Designer Series Paper Assortments. 
• New team members who join Stampin’ Up! get to be a part of our amazing community of crafters. Plus, they get to enjoy sharing simple and fun crafting experiences with others, early access to products, and exclusive access to training events.
• You’ll also get a free Paper Pumpkin kit! 

Please contact me if you have questions (sharon@astheinkdries.com) or go here to join.

Thanks for stopping by and let me know if you have any questions,

It is time for 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 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 chose blue, pink, music, patterned paper, and rhinestones from the Inspo List for my card.

I used the soon to be released Sweet Songbirds bundle (2022-23 Annual Catalog debuting May 1). Since blue was one of the items on the Inspo List, I had to use the beautiful new In Color, Tahitian Tide.  It is a bright and happy blue.  I used the 2023-24 In Color DSP (6" x 6" paper)  for the wing and the panel.  This new DSP comes in all the color collections and I love the designs which include a plaid, polka dots, flowers, and a dashed stripe.  The pink is represented in the Polished Pink Loose Flower Flourish.  In the center of each flower I added a rhinestone.  The musical notes are part of the Sweet Songbirds stamp set and a perfect way to represent music from the Inspo List.

All the stamped images are from the Sweet Songbirds stamp set.  There are 24 photopolymer stamps in the set which includes 7 sentiments.  The Sweet Songbirds stamp set can also be purchased as a bundle which includes the Songbird Builder punch.  

FF #0107 International Dancer 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 and hope to see your project in the Festive Friday gallery!

It is Thursday and time for a new Create with Connie & Mary Challenge.  This week we have a sketch challenge, #CCMC711.  When I saw this sketch I immediately knew I wanted to use the Sending Smiles stamp set which will debut May 1 in the upcoming 2022-23 Annual Stampin' Up! Catalog.

Before I go into more detail about the card I made, here is the sketch.

It is a great sketch and so versatile.

I also used all the new 2022-24 In Colors on this card.  These new colors are so good!  It doesn't happen often but I like every single one of the new In Colors.  Which one is your favorite?  Right now I am so happy to have a bright and happy turquoise back, yay for Tahitian Tide!

This stamp set not only has beautiful flower images but lots of great sentiments.  The "Sending" can be stamped or die cut and the connecting sentiment stamps are:

• smiles across the miles
• all the good luck your way
• sunshine to brighten your day
• love & big hugs
• a note of thanks
• a card to say hello
• comfort and strength

I used Basic White, Basic Black, and Daffodil Delight CS.  The rectangles were cut using the Stitched Rectangle dies.  The little black dots are Classic Matte Dots.  These dots come in 4 colors (Basic Black, Basic Gray, Very Vanilla, and white) and in 2 sizes.  The ribbon is the Black & White Gingham ribbon.

Thank you for stopping by and be sure to check out what the other members of the Create with Connie & Mary design team created for this challenge,

Ready for another Create with Connie & Mary Challenge?  This week it is a super fun Color Challenge!  After looking at my card, can you guess what it is?

Have you figured it out?  Yup, the challenge is to use all the 2020-2022 In Colors.  

The main In Color I used was Magenta Madness.  I know it is not everyone's favorite since it is such a bright and vibrant color.  It's funny because I love it for those very reasons.  The patterned paper used for the background is one of  the designs from the In Color 2020-22 DSP pack.  The butterfly from the Butterfly Gala stamp set is stamped on another of the patterns in the In Color DSP pack.  The butterfly was punched out using the Butterfly Duet punch.  

The sentiment is from the A Little Lace set.  The Stamparatus was used to stamp the sentiment in each of the In Colors.  This method is called Hinge stamping, which means you move the plate down one step or hinge each time so you have perfectly spaced images.  The space between each hinge is about 1" .   I stamped the Magenta Madness sentiment and cleaned off the ink (Simply Shammy works great to do this).  Moved the plate to the next hinge and inked and stamped the sentiment in Just Jade ink, cleaned the stamp, moved to the next hinge,  inked the stamp in Cinnamon Cider, and stamped.  To stamp the Bumblebee sentiment I repositioned the stamp on the Stamparatus plate so it would stamp between the Magenta Madness and Just Jade sentiments,  inked the stamp in Bumblebee and stamped.  The process was repeated by moving the plate to the next hinge and inking the stamp in Misty Moonlight and stamping.  Each sentiment was highlighted by placing the corresponding In Color enamel dot next to it.  Inside I added a strip of Basic Black cardstock and 2 more butterflies stamped using  Butterfly Gala stamp set and punched using the Butterfly Duet punch.

Thanks for stopping by and below I have listed all of the products used to make this card.  Just click on the picture and it will take you to my online store.

Product List

Butterfly Gala Photopolymer Stamp Set [148580]	A Little Lace Cling Stamp Set [149364]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]	Bumblebee Classic Stampin' Pad [153116]
Cinnamon Cider Classic Stampin' Pad [153114]	Just Jade Classic Stampin' Pad [153115]	Magenta Madness Classic Stampin' Pad [153117]	Misty Moonlight Classic Stampin' Pad [153118]
Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [140272]	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121045]	Butterfly Duet Punch [155877]	Stitched So Sweetly Dies [151690]
2020–2022 In Color 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [153070]	2020–2022 In Color Enamel Dots [152480]

I have a little sneak peek for you!  Yes, it is a sneak peek from the 2020 August-December Mini Catalog, the  Life is Beautiful stamp set.  This stamp set is extra special since it is Lee Ann Gref's Million Dollar Sales Achiever set and it was a great fit for the Festive Friday Challenge!

I knew I wanted to use pink and brown from the Inspo List but what would the third item be?  I found my answer in the Life is Beautiful stamp set.

The elements I used pink, brown, and circles!  Love the different sizes and shading of the circles.  The stamp set is a Distinktive set and I further emphasized the shading by stamping  the circles once and without inking stamped again.  Now I realize I also have circles in the In Color DSP!  

This is a 9 piece photopolymer stamp set.  I love that you can use this set all year round by changing the colors you use.  Here I used Magenta Madness and Early Espresso.  

I stamped part of the tree on a Stitched So Sweetly scalloped rectangle in Early Espresso ink and the dots in Magenta Madness.  The sentiment is also from the Life is Beautiful stamp set.  The tiny flowers were punched using the Confetti Flowers Border punch in Whisper White and Magenta Madness and finished with a rhinestone center.  I also used 2 designs from the 6" x 6" In Color DSP and finished it with Magenta Madness In Color Ribbon.

If you do not have a demonstrator you are working with and would like a catalog, please contact me.  Remember Bonus Days are ending soon!

Product List

Life Is Beautiful Photopolymer Stamp Set [154871]	Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad [147114]	Magenta Madness Classic Stampin' Pad [153117]	Early Espresso 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [119686]	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100730]
2020–2022 In Color 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [153070]	Confetti Flowers Border Punch [152723]	Stitched So Sweetly Dies [151690]	Magenta Madness 1/4" (6.4 Mm) 2020–2022 In Color Ribbon [153623]	Rhinestone Basic Jewels [144220]

Welcome to our NEW AT SU! Blog hop! We are a group of Stampin’ Up! demonstrators from around the world who are Hoppin’ with creative paper crafting ideas to share with you. Today we are showcasing the new In Colors for 2020-22!

The In Colors I chose to focus on are Just Jade, Misty Moonlight, and a little bit of Magenta Madness.

Another project using the Whale Done bundle, Whale of a Time DSP, and the Seabed Embossing folder.  Super fun products!   Don't you love how the Seabed Embossing looks on the Just Jade cardstock?  This embossing folder is  very detailed but not fussy.  The "seaweed" was cut using the Smooth Sailing dies using Just Jade and Misty Moonlight from the  2020-22 In Color DSP.    The whale was inked halfway using Just Jade ink, the top half using Misty Moonlight ink and then punched with the Whale Builder punch.  The Magenta Madness hearts were cut using the Stitched Be Mine dies.  

The whale is attached to the Misty Moonlight layer using a strip of  Window Sheet.  I wanted to make him look like he was swimming by.  The hearts were also attached to the whale using window sheets.

The basic measurements to make this card:

    Just Jade CS 4-1/4" x 6-1/2" scored at both ends at 1"

    Misty Moonlight CS 4-1/4" x 5-1/2" scored at both ends at 1/2"

    Just Jade CS (back piece) 4-1/4" x 5-1/2" scored at both ends at 1/2"

    Whale of  Time DSP (back panel) 4-1/4' x  4-1/4"

Cut the largest circle (Layering Circles die)  in the middle of the 4-1/4" x 6-1/2" Just Jade piece.

Cut the second to the largest circle in the Misty Moonlight layer.  Try and center it with the circle cut in the Just Jade piece.

Now it is time to see what the talented Cynthia McQueen has made for you!

Thank you for stopping by!

Product List

Whale Done Bundle (English) [154053]	Just Jade Classic Stampin' Pad [153115]	Misty Moonlight Classic Stampin' Pad [153118]	Just Jade 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [153079]
Misty Moonlight 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [153081]	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100730]	Whale Of A Time 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [152460]	2020–2022 In Color 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [153070]
Window Sheets [142314]	Layering Circles Dies [151770]	Stitched Be Mine Dies [151814]	Smooth Sailing Dies [149576]

Welcome to the Around the World on Wednesday blog hop,  #aWOWbloghop.  We have 27  stops on this  hop representing 13 different time zones (Midnight in Hawaii through 10 PM in New Zealand) in all of Stampin' Up's markets!  Thank you so much for joining us as we hop Around the World on Wednesday!

This month we are CAS(e)ing a Team Member.  A random draw was done by our fearless leader, Angie and I get to CAS(e) one of our special guests, Bruno Bertucci!  Can I say I was both excited and nervous?!  I mean seriously?!?  I know what you are thinking.  Why don't I CAS(e) his scrappy strip technique, sunshine starburst technique, floating globe card or...there are so many fabulous possibilities!  Now do you understand the excited and nervous!?

Well, I did a deep dive and did you know that Bruno has a blog of his own?  Yup, and it was there I found the card I wanted to CAS(e).  It is ironic that the card I chose, is one he created for a blog hop and the theme was to CAS(e) their special guest!   I feel strange posting his picture ( I failed to ask him ahead of time) so instead here is the link to the post and you can see Bruno's card.

On Bruno's card he used Lemon Lime Twist, Tranquil Tide, Tempting Turquoise, Smoky Slate, and Basic Gray.  Gorgeous color combination inspired by his favorite bath towel.  Sadly the first 3 colors have been retired so I replaced them with some of the new 2020-22 In Colors,  Bumblebee, Just Jade, and Misty Moonlight. 

I sure wish I owned the Stitched Triangle dies.  Having those dies would have made making this card much faster.  Instead I cut out squares using the smallest Layering Squares die and cut the squares in half to make the triangles.  Not difficult, just a little more cutting.

For the sentiment I used the Ornate Thanks stamp set.  After I attached the sentiment panel I realized that it was a bit crooked.  Normally, I would just carefully peel it off and reposition it BUT I learned something else about Bruno's card making and I CAS(e)d that too!

Yes, Bruno is a person who believes in a lot of dimensionals!  Do you think he would approve?  I may have gone a little overboard or maybe not.  This was super fun and I hope Bruno thinks I did an okay job CAS(e)ing him.  

Not it is time to head on over to see who the talented Teri West  is CAS(e)ing.

Here is the full line up of all 27 stops on the hop.

Angela Meiritz-Reid  - NZ

Tatiana Tobin - AU

Rochelle Laird-Smith - AU

Cazz Boylan - AU

Bruno Bertucci, Special Guest  - AU

Kylie Bertucci, Special Guest - AU

Cheryll Miller - AU

Satomi Wellard - JA

Melissa Gifford - AU

Danielle Kassing - NL

Manuela Geiswinkler - AT

Ximena Morales - DE

Aurélie Fabre - FR

Mikaela Titheridge - UK

Tina Zinck - CA

Annette Ball - CA

Angie McKenzie - US

Mary Deatherage - US

Shel Anderson - CA

Chris Smith - US

Anne Marie Hile - US

Brenda Nelson - CA

Tricia Butts - US

Elaine de Montmorency - CA

Sharon Hashimoto Burkert - US

Teri West - US

Cheryl Hamilton - US

Thank you for stopping by and enjoy the hop!

Product List

Ornate Thanks Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [149471]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]	Misty Moonlight Classic Stampin' Pad [153118]	Misty Moonlight Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [153108]	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121045]
Basic Gray 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121044]	Bumblebee 8-1/2X11 Cardstock [153077]	Just Jade 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [153079]	Misty Moonlight 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [153081]	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100730]
Layering Squares Dies [151772]	Stitched Rectangles Dies [151820]	2020–2022 In Color Enamel Dots [152480]

Yes, I am back today using Magenta Madness.  This new In Color is such a happy color, it  lifts my spirits, and definitely brings a smile to my face.  Today I am using it with the Field of Flowers stamp set.  I really like the simple and clean images and sentiments in this stamp set.

Here are the basics:

• The card base is Magenta Madness cardstock 4-1/4" x 11", scored at 5-1/2", 1/2" x 4" strip for the inside of the card
• Vellum Cardstock 4-1/4" x 5-1/2", cut using the Many Medallions die
• Whisper White cardstock 2-3/4" x 4", cut using the Stitched So Sweetly die, 1/2" x 4" strip for the inside of the card, 4" x 5-1/4" inside of the card
• Whisper White cardstock 1" x  3" cut using the Stitched Rectangle die.  Use the edge of the rectangle die to custom cut the rectangle
• Marvelous Magenta twine sadly, not available for purchase.  This was in the May 2020 Paper Pumpkin kit.
• Bumblebee cardstock scrap piece to cut butterflies using the Butterfly Beauty dies 6 butterflies in total
• Magenta Madness and Just Jade ink pads
• Just Jade enamel dot from the 2020-22 In Color enamel dots

Product List

Field Of Flowers Photopolymer Stamp Set [152589]	Just Jade Classic Stampin' Pad [153115]	Magenta Madness Classic Stampin' Pad [153117]	Magenta Madness 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [153080]
Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100730]	Bumblebee 8-1/2X11 Cardstock [153077]	Vellum 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [101856]	Many Medallions Dies [153584]
Butterfly Beauty Dies [148536]	Stitched So Sweetly Dies [151690]	Stitched Rectangles Dies [151820]	2020–2022 In Color Enamel Dots [152480]

Have a large shopping list?  Join now and receive in addition to the already great Starter Kit, a free bundle of your choice. Contact me for more information. I would love to have you be a part of my stamp ladies team!