Prior to the start of the stamp camp we have a few stamping challenges.  One of them was a color challenge and it was a beautiful one.  You have to pick at least 3 of the colors and create a card. The colors-Lemon Lime Twist, Petal Pink, Old Olive, Daffodil Delight, and Calypso Coral.  I was in a Christmas  card making mode and the Merriest Trees stamp set was on my table.

I stamped the tree in the different colors on the corresponding cardstock and this is the result.  A bold and bright Christmas tree forest!  The result was super fun and whimsical.  Because the colors were so vivid and the image large I decided to keep it simple.  I used a long retired Stampin' Up! die (there are many things I re-discovered when I packed up my craft room) and cut it on the silver glimmer paper from the Silver & Gold Adhesive-Backed Glimmer Paper (Online Exclusive).   The Glimmer paper cuts pretty easily and the adhesive backing makes application fast and clean.  If you like glimmer be sure to check out this Online Exclusive offering.

Thanks for stopping by and get ready more Online Exclusives will be debuting on November 7th!

A couple of weekends ago I participated in the Creativity Abounds Winter Meadow stamp camp.  It was a fabulous 2 days with lots of inspiration, sharing, Lives, just so much.  We do these stamp camps 3 times a year and the next one will be in February.  Let me know if you would like more information.  

I was so inspired during the camp that I worked on some additional samples using the Winter Meadow Suite.  I know the suite has been been very popular and it is currently not orderable.  However the only item I can see that is not available is the gems.  It is more work to order things individually but most of the suite is available.

This is a simple card that shows off the Winter Meadow DSP.  The strips measure 1" x 3"(cut 2) and 1" x 4-1/4" ( cut 2).  The center piece was also cut out using the Winter Meadow DSP and measures 1-7/8" x 3-1/8".   I die cut some sprigs and berries using the Magical Meadow dies and the Snowflake Magic DSP.  The bow was tie with the Silver & White Sheer Ribbon and adhered with a Mini Glue Dot.

Inside a strip of DSP and another sprig cut out using the Snowflake Magic DSP.  This card would be easy to mass produce.

Thanks for stopping by and think about participating in the next Creativity Abounds stamp camp.

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

I will admit I took a little liberty with the sketch.  I think you can still see the bones of the sketch.

Once again the only stamping is the sentiment-love and joy from the Merriest Trees stamp set.   

• Card base-Balmy Blue CS 5-1/2" x 8-1/2"
• Night of Navy Layer 4" x 5-1/4"
• Beary Christmas DSP 3-7/8" x 5-1/8"
• Night of Navy Soft Shimmer (Soft Shimmer Paper Combo Pack)  1-1/2" x 4"
• Basic White CS 2" x 3" embossed with the Snowflake Sky 3D Embossing Folder
• Real Red CS 1/2" x 2-1/4" label cut using the Something Fancy dies embossed with White Embossing Power
• Assorted animals from the Beary Christmas DSP

Can you see the sketch?  I hope so.

Inside I added another strip of DSP and more adorable fussy cut images from the Beary Christmas DSP.   The sentiment is from the Beary Cute stamp set.  

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

Happy Halloween!  Hope your day is all treats and no tricks!

No stamps were inked for this card.  I used the Them Bones DSP for all the layers, the BOO! and the skeleton.  The ribbon is a retired black sating ribbon from my stash.  The skeleton is mounted on a piece of Silver Glimmer Paper.  The Silver Glimmer paper comes in a pack that also includes Gold Glimmer Paper.  Both the silver and gold papers are adhesive backed.  These papers are part of the Online Exclusives and not in any catalog.  You can see all the Online Exclusive products HERE.  I mounted the skeleton and the Silver Glimmer Paper circle on a wobble spring.  

Thanks for stopping by and hope you received lots of treats,

Today I have another sneak peek of the Fluffiest Friends bundle.  This bundle is part of the next Online Exclusive release on November 7th.  

Isn't this little guy just too cute?  I just couldn't resist getting this new bundle.  The name of the bundle reminded me of that saying, I am not fat, I am fluffy and the animals in the set are indeed fluffy.  There is a bird, beaver, bear, cat, hamster ?maybe gerbil, and a bunny.  I used the bunny HERE.  The dies include lots of other fun images like a branch, balloons, bee hive, grass, leaves, and cave opening. Believe me it is so cute.  

Here are some basic measurements-

Pebbled Path CS-4-1/4" x 5-1/2"

Real Red CS- 4-1/8" x 5-3/8" , 3-7/8" x 5-1/8"(inside of the card)

Basic White CS-3-3/4" x 5"

Tartan Foil DSP Pebbled Path- 4" x 12" scored at 4" and 8"  Fold the front panel in and  secure it to the 2nd panel.  Cut a square using the Stylish Shapes die.  I was able to cut both layers at once.  

Product List

Sending Smiles Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[158701]

$22.00

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad

[132708]

$6.50

Pebbled Path Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack

[161658]

$10.00

Pecan Pie Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack

[161674]

$10.00

Real Red Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

[154899]

$10.00

Pebbled Path 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[161722]

$10.00

Real Red 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[102482]

$10.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[159276]

$10.50

Tartan Foil 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Designer Series Paper

[162332]

$10.00

Stylish Shapes Dies

[159183]

$30.00

Real Red & Garden Green 3/8" (1 Cm) Ribbon Combo Pack

[159577]

$7.50

Thanks for stopping by and look for the next release of the Online Exclusives!

Ready for another Festive Friday challenge?   What is the Festive Friday challenge?  The Festive Friday challenge is a bi-weekly challenge that is inspired by a holiday/festivity.  An Inspo list of 10 items is created using the festivity as its inspiration.  To play in the challenge you need to use 3 items from the Inspo list on your project and enter it in the Festive Friday gallery.  We love seeing what you choose from the Inspo list and look forward to seeing what you create.

What a great list of Inspiration!  I used from the list Red, Black, Clean & Simple, and Gratitude.

 Let's talk about the little bag.  This is a long retired die, BIGZL Petite Purse.  Remember BIGZ dies? They were thicker and you could cut lots of different materials with them.  Anyone else remember cutting soda cans with them?  When I was packing up my Craft Cubbie to move I made the decision to keep a lot of my retired dies especially ones that could be used for little gifts, favors.  I also noted that I needed to use them more to make it worthwhile that I moved them halfway across the country.  This Petite Purse is so cute and I couldn't part with it.  

The bag was cut in Crushed Curry paper and simply decorated with a Poppy Parade flower made using the Paper Florist dies.  I hope they look a little like poppies.  I added a little banner with a sentiment from the Sending Smiles stamp set.   In the near future I will be co-hosting a luncheon and am thinking these would be cute table favors.  

The little card is 3" x 3" (3" x 6" CS).  It also is in Crushed Curry adorned with a poppy made using the Paper Florist dies.  I also added some Black & Very Vanilla Large Check ribbon to dress it up a little more.  These little cards also have envelopes but they are too small to be mailed.  They are a great size to leave a tip or note of thanks.  

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to check out all the lovely projects the Design Team created.  I am looking forward to seeing what you create for the challenge.

It is Thursday and time for a new Create with Connie & Mary Challenge.  This week it is a color challenge.  Which do you like color or sketch challenges?  

I definitely noticed something about my approach to color challenges.  When I am a little stumped on what to do with a color challenge I reach for the Cottage Wreaths stamp set and coordinating Country Wreath Dies.   It seems like I can use almost any color combination on a wreath or at least that is what I tell myself .

What do you think?  Am I right?  

• Card base-Pumpkin Pie CS 4-1/4" x 11"
• Layer-Starry Sky from the Them Bones DSP 4" x 5-1/4"
• Layer-Very Vanilla CS  3-7/8" x 5-1/8" embossed using the Exposed Brick 3D folder.  Starry Sky ink lightly blended on to the background using a Blending Brush.
• Cottage Wreath stamped in Pumpkin Pie & Cajun Craze, die cut using the Country Wreaths die
• Starry Sky bow die cut using the Country Wreaths die (this bow is a favorite from this set of dies)
• Starry Sky berries-Classic Matte Dots colored using the Dark Starry Sky Stampin' Blends
• Sentiment from the Charming Sentiments stamp set inked in Starry Sky.  Sentiment die cut using the coordinating Sentiment Silhouettes dies.

Definitely has an Autumn vibe.  Do you agree that wreaths are perfect year round?

Inside, more of the Them Bones DSP and this time a Cajun Craze bow.  

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

Product List

Cottage Wreaths Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[159652]

$19.00

Charming Sentiments Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[159985]

$23.00

Cajun Craze Classic Stampin' Pad

[147085]

$9.00

Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Pad

[147086]

$9.00

Starry Sky Classic Stampin' Pad

[159212]

$9.00

Starry Sky Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

[159222]

$10.00

Pumpkin Pie 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[105117]

$10.00

Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[101650]

$10.50

Starry Sky 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[159263]

$10.00

Cajun Craze 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[119684]

$10.00

Them Bones 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper

[162215]

$12.50

Exposed Brick 3 D Embossing Folder

[161600]

$11.00

Country Wreaths Dies

[160238]

$39.00

Sentiment Silhouettes Dies

[158733]

$35.00

Classic Matte Dots

[158146]

$7.00

Blending Brushes

[153611]

$13.00

Have you tried embossing on Designer Series Paper (DSP)?  I have been seeing lots of  samples popping up  and decided i needed to try it.

I thought using the Snowflake Sky 3D Embossing Folder would look good on the One Horse Sleigh DSP.  The One Horse Sleigh DSP is an Online Exclusive and part of a larger suite of products,  One Horse Open Sleigh Collection.  What do you think?  I like the texture of the snowflakes on the DSP it makes the background a little more interesting.  I thought about adding the embossing to the front panel but decide it might be too much.  The front panel is also part of the One Horse Open Sleigh DSP.  The only stamping is the sentiment from the Merriest Trees stamp set.  The sentiment is on the smallest Stylish Shapes banner.  The Real Red ribbon is part of the Real Red & Burlap Ribbon Combo Pack.  The only sparkle comes from a retired Red Rhinestone.  If you don't have any in your stash you can always use a Real Red Stampin' Blend and color one of the Rhinestone Basic Jewels.  Do you see the tiny red border around the DSP?  If you look closely you will see that it is actually a piece of DSP.  It is the same piece that the focal point comes from.  Is there a cutout on the back layer of DSP that is hidden?  I will never tell.

Inside a sentiment from the Merriest Trees inked in Real Red along with a few snowflakes from the Beary Cute stamp set.   Here you can also see the red DSP a little better.  

Thank you for stopping by and remember the fabulous Starter Kit promotion ends soon!  I would love to welcome you on to our team,

Product List

Merriest Trees Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[162043]

$25.00

Beary Cute Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[162016]

$25.00

Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad

[147084]

$9.00

Pool Party Classic Stampin' Pad

[147107]

$9.00

Early Espresso 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[119686]

$10.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[159276]

$10.50

One Horse Open Sleigh 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper

[162118]

$12.50

Snowflake Sky 3 D Embossing Folder

[162026]

$11.00

Stylish Shapes Dies

[159183]

$30.00

Real Red & Burlap Ribbon Combo Pack

[160386]

$9.00

Yes, I have finally inked up some of the other images from the Fruitful Blessings stamp set.   It is no secret that i really like the flowers from this set but there are some other images that are quite lovely too.

I should have inked up the leafy image in the stamp set instead of the die cut.  Why?  Then I would have used every image in the set.  They are all so good.  I inked up the acorn and leaf image in Early Espresso and randomly stamped it on the card base.  Did you notice that the pears and acorns were stamped in Early Espresso ink and then colored with Stampin' Blends?  Yes, it works.  I used Old Olive, Wild Wheat, Daffodil Delight, Crumb Cake, and Copper Clay Stampin' Blends to color the images.  The pears look like perfectly ripe Bosc pears.   The Very Vanilla layer was embossed with the Distressed Tile 3D Embossing folder.  The ribbon is from the Real Red & Burlap Ribbon Combo Pack.  On the die cut Old Olive leaves are Wild Wheat dots from the 2023-2035 In Color Dots.

Inside another sentiment from the Fruitful Blessings stamp set.  Doesn't it look a little bare?  I need to add something more.

Better?  Now I have officially inked up every image in the stamp set!  Yay me.  I believe that is a sign of a well used and loved stamp set.   If you would like to see other ways I have used this stamp set  go HERE,  HERE,  HERE,  HERE,  and HERE.

Thanks for stopping by!

Product List

Fruitful Blessings Bundle (English)

[162210]

$51.25

Early Espresso 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[119686]

$10.00

Old Olive Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

[154892]

$10.00

Wild Wheat Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack

[161661]

$10.00

Daffodil Delight Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

[154883]

$10.00

Crumb Cake Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

[154882]

$10.00

Copper Clay Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack

[161662]

$10.00

Early Espresso 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[119686]

$10.00

Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[101650]

$10.50

Old Olive 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[100702]

$10.00

Distressed Tile 3 D Embossing Folder

[162189]

$9.50

Real Red & Burlap Ribbon Combo Pack

[160386]

$9.00

2023–2025 In Color™ Dots

[161620]

$8.00

It is Thursday and time for a new Create with Connie & Mary Challenge.  This week it is a Sketch Challenge, #CCMC789.

I used the A Walk in the Forest DSP for my project.  This is a special pack of paper.  Stampin' Up! will donate $3 from each pack of paper sold to Toys for Tots (US).   You can help support a great cause and also have some fabulous paper to create with.  The paper also has some designs that can be used with the Merriest Trees dies and the Beary Cute punch.

Both the tree and the bear were cut from the DSP.  The tree was cut out using the Merriest Trees die and the bear punched out with the Beary Cute punch.  The only stamping is the sentiment which was inked in Pretty Peacock and is from the Merriest Trees stamp set and remember to bundle and save 10%.   I also added per the sketch the Adhesive-Backed Glitter Sequins.   These sequins come in blue, white and Old Olive and they are probably my favorite embellishment from the Mini Catalog.  They are relatively flat and add a lot of sparkle.

Inside i stamped the sentiment from the Beary Cute stamp set  and a few snowflakes.  The A Walk In The Forest DSP makes this a quick, easy and cute card.  

Thanks for stopping by and remember if your want list is long you need to think about taking advantage of the fantastic Starter Kit promotion!

Product List

Merriest Trees Bundle (English)

[162048]

$55.75

Beary Cute Bundle (English)

[162023]

$42.25

Pretty Peacock Classic Stampin’ Pad

[150083]

$9.00

Balmy Blue Classic Stampin' Pad

[147105]

$9.00

Pretty Peacock 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[150880]

$10.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[159276]

$10.50

A Walk In The Forest 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper

[162377]

$12.50

Adhesive Backed Glitter Sequins

[162029]

$8.00