This week has been zipping by and it is already Thursday, which means it is time for a new Create with Connie & Mary Challenge.  This week it is a color challenge.  This color combination is one of my favorites.  

Love the pop of pink that will brighten up the Basic Black and Smoky Slate.  

I am currently all heart eyes over the Nature's Harvest bundle.  Once I started playing with it I didn't want to stop.  I find myself reaching for it a lot.  It is kind of billed as an Autumn set but I think it is way more versatile than that.  In this color combination I do not see it as a fall set.

Before I stamped the flowers I used a Blending Brush and Smoky Slate ink to do a little coloring on the Basic White CS.  I colored the flowers and leaves using Polished Pink and Smoky Slate Stampin' Blends.  Very quick and easy coloring.  I also added some splatters using a Water Painter and watered down Tuxedo Black Memento ink refill.  

The Smoky Slate layer was embossed using the Timeworn Type 3D Embossing folder.  The tag and sentiment are part of the Nature's Harvest bundle.  The pop of Polished Pink ribbon just brightens the card up.  To finish the front of the card I colored some rhinestone using the Basic Black Stampin' Blends.  It is a great way to customize embellishments.

Inside of the card I stamped the small flowers from the stamp set and colored them with Stampin' Blends.  I also added a strip of Smoky Slate CS that was embossed using the Timeworn Type folder.

Thank you for stopping by.  Be sure to check out what the rest of the Create with Connie & Mary Design team created for the challenge.

Anything but Christmas Tutorial!  13 tutorials featuring products from the 2021 July-December Mini Catalog for just $15 or receive it FREE with a $50 (before shipping & tax)  order using my Host Code UPFXXX3H.  Shop with me online HERE.

Product List

Nature's Harvest Bundle (English) [156813]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]	Polished Pink Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [155520]	Smoky Slate Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154904]
Basic Black Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154843]	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121045]	Smoky Slate 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [131202]	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276]
Stitched Rectangles Dies [151820]	Timeworn Type 3 D Embossing Folder [156505]	Water Painters [151298]	Polished Pink 3/8" (1 Cm) Open Weave Ribbon [155714]
Rhinestone Basic Jewels [144220]

I planned to get up early and post to the blog.  After I got my cup of coffee brewed the power went out!  I am grateful that it waited at least until I had a cup of coffee made or it would have been worse.  It was a little too dark to read and my phone was only half charged so I decided that I would get my daily walk done.  I bundled up and headed out and yes, it was cold.  The one good thing I noticed about my cold morning walk is that I walked a little faster than usual.  Shortly after I got home the power came on, yay!  Not having the lights on or heat, puts things in perspective real quick.  

We started decorating the house.  The tree and stockings are up and some assorted other things and it is looking a little more festive in here.  I'm working on getting in the Christmas spirit.  

I used the Christmas Gleaming stamp set and stamped the holly multiple times and then colored in the image using Shaded Spruce and Real Red Stampin' Blends.  The sentiment is also from the Christmas Gleaming set.  The stamp actually reads "& be jolly this season".  I left off the & and inked the rest.  The twine is from the Playful Pets Trim Combo Pack.  The sparkly gems are part of the Flowers for Every Season Gems.  

Product List

Christmas Gleaming Cling Stamp Set (En) [150464]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]	Shaded Spruce Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154903]	Real Red Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154899]
Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [140272]	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121045]	Playful Pets Trim Combo Pack [152466]	Flowers For Every Season Gems [153645]

Thank you for stopping by and remember to be jolly!

Are you ready for s sneak peek?  This year the Annual Catalog pre-order list demonstrators were able to order from was amazing!  I don't think there was a set, bundle, accessory, paper, that I didn't want. The ability to pre-order products is just one of the many perks available to demonstrators, I love it.  Being a demonstrator is a topic for another day.  You know you can contact me anytime for information.

Back to the sneak peek.  One of the bundles I ordered was the Jar of Flowers bundle.  This bundle is a photopolymer stamp set and punch.  The punch is a Mason jar and there are also Mason Jar Shaker Elements that coordinate.  So cute!  The stamp set also has 4 flower arrangements for the jar.  I chose to focus on the beautiful flowers for my first card.

Aren't these sunflowers so happy and cheerful?  Instead of putting them in the jar I stamped the flowers down the side using Early Espresso ink on Very Vanilla cardstock.  I used a mix of Pumpkin Pie, Mango Melody, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive and Soft Suede Stampin' Blends to color the image.  This floral arrangement is fun and quick to color.  

I wanted to add a little something more to the card so I watered down some Early Espresso ink and created the splatters using an Aqua Painter.  I don't do that often but maybe I should.  I like the randomness of the splatters.  The sentiment is from the Butterfly Gala set stamped in Early Espresso ink.

I added some Linen thread and a few Gold Metallic pearls to finish off the card.  Here are the sizes of the cardstockI used.  

• Very Vanilla Thick Cardstock 4-1/4" x 11" scored at 5-1/2"
• Early Espresso Cardstock 4" x 5-1/4"
• Very Vanilla Cardstock 3-7/8" x 5-1/8"

Hope you enjoyed this sneak peek and look for more,as we countdown to June 3 and the official launch of the 2020-21 Stampin' Up!® Annual Catalog!

Need a 2020-21 Annual Catalog?  If you have made a purchase from me in the past 6 months you should have received a catalog from me.  If you are not a current customer and do not have a Stampin' Up!® demonstrator please contact me.

Thanks so much for stopping by today! All of the products I used on this card are listed below. You can click on any of the photos to go directly to my Stampin’ Up!® online store.  

The Host Code for May is 2PKGY6S7  When you place a Stampin' Up!®  order using this code I will send you a project tutorial.  If your order is $50 or more I will also send you 2 card kits with a tutorial and a completed sample as a thank you gift. 

Please do NOT use the host code if your order is over $150 (before tax and shipping). You will earn host rewards from Stampin’ Up! AND you'll also receive a project tutorial and a gift from me. 

Product List

Jar Of Flowers Photopolymer Stamp Set [152515]	Butterfly Gala Photopolymer Stamp Set [148580]	Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad [147114]	Pumpkin Pie Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [144599]	Mango Melody Combo Pack Stampin' Blends [147945]
Daffodil Delight Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [144603]	Old Olive Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [144597]	Soft Suede Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [147273]	Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [144237]	Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [101650]
Early Espresso 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [119686]	Aqua Painters [103954]	Linen Thread [104199]	Metallic Pearls [146282]

Yes, I am posting another sample using the Honey Bee bundle  (January-June 2020 Mini Catalog aka JJ20MC) and the Golden Honey Specialty DSP (Sale-A-Bration 2020 aka SAB 2020).  These products are a  joy to create with. 

Today's Festive Friday Challenge is #50, #FF50!!  The festivity that is inspiring the Inspo list for #FF50 is Inspire Your Heart with Art Day, which is celebrated on January 31.  

I love the Inspo list which makes it easy to participate in the challenge.  I chose rainbows, stitching, and die cuts.

Here's how I made this card.

• Basic Black cs- 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" scored at 4-1/4".  Whisper White cs 4" x 5-1/4" adhere to the inside of the card
• 2-1/2" x 5-1/2" Black & White Striped pattern from the Golden Honey Specialty DSP
• Color the white stripes in rainbow colors (ROYBGIV) I used Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Night of Navy, Shaded Spruce, Coastal Cabana, Highland Heather.  All are the light Stampin' Blends except for Coastal Cabana-Stampin' Write Marker)  I just realized my rainbow is not in ROYGBIV order!
• Cut the rainbow stripe at 1/2" and trim it to 5-1/4" and adhere it to the inside of the card.
• Adhere the 2" x 5-1/2" strip to the front of the card. 
• Cut 3 Whisper White scallop stitched rectangles using the #3 (#1 being the smallest) rectangle die from the Stitched So Sweetly dies
• Adhere them to the front of the card
• Stamp in Tuxedo Black Memento ink 1 each of the flowers. Cut out using the Detailed Bee Dies.
• Color the flowers using the Daffodil Delight & Shaded Spruce Light Stampin' Blends.
• Tie a black ribbon around the card and tie a bow.
• Adhere the flowers to the rectangles using Mini Stampin' Dimensional
• Cut a stitched circle using the Stitched Shapes #3 circle die (#1 being the smallest circle) in Whisper White. 
• Cut a large bee in Basic Black using the Detailed Bee dies.   Glue down the body, legs, head on the stitched circle, leaving the wings free.  Color in the body using the Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, and Real Red Light Stampin' Blends
• Stamp the sentiment from the Honey Bee stamp set in Tuxedo Black Memento ink
• Stamp the large bee in Tuxedo Black Memento ink and color in the body using a Daffodil Delight Light Stampin' Blend.  Attach the bee to the inside of the card.

I hope you will join in the fun of the Festive Friday Challenges.  We would love to see your card, 3-D, layout in the gallery!

Thanks so much for stopping by today! All of the products I used on this card are listed below. You can click on any of the photos to go directly to my Stampin’ Up!® online store. 

The Host Code for January is FTCKVA4N.  When you place a Stampin' Up!®  order using this code I will send you a project tutorial.  If your order is $60 or more I will also send you a package of Champagne Rhinestones as a thank you gift.  This gift will be sent in early February. 

Please do NOT use the host code if your order is over $150 (before tax and shipping). You will earn host rewards from Stampin’ Up! AND you'll also receive a project tutorial and a gift from me. 

Product List

Honey Bee Bundle [153792] $41.25	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $6.00	Real Red Light Stampin' Blends [147933] $4.50	Pumpkin Pie Light Stampin' Blends Marker [144578] $4.50	Daffodil Delight Light Stampin' Blends Marker [144586] $4.50
Shaded Spruce Light Stampin' Blends [147936] $4.50	Night Of Navy Light Stampin' Blends Marker [144036] $4.50	Highland Heather Light Stampin' Blends Marker [146881] $4.50	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121045] $8.75	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100730] $9.75
Stitched So Sweetly Dies [151690] $32.00	Stitched Shapes Dies [145372] $30.00	Basic Black 3/8" Shimmer Ribbon [144129] $7.00

The Hanging Garden stamp set was first seen in the 2018 Occasions catalog.  I was happy that it carried over into the 2018-19 Annual Stampin' Up! catalog.  

I used a variety of Stampin' Blends to color the baskets.  Coloring is quick and easy using the Blends. There is still no definite date as to when the new Stampin' Blend colors will be arriving.  I hope it will be soon!  .  

The paper I used is part of the Subtles 6" x 6" DSP, which you know I think is a must have in every Color Collection.  Yes, I used the Solid Basic Black Baker's Twine, again.  I think I am becoming very predictable!

I almost forgot to mention that cute little black jewel, which is part of the Faceted Dots embellishments.  The Faceted Dots come in 4 colors, Basic Black, Blackberry Bliss, Grapefruit Grove and Mint Macaron and in 3 sizes.  I used the smallest size Basic Black Faceted Dot.

If you still aren't sure you need this stamp set here are a couple of other cards I made HERE and HERE.

I found a box full of bits and pieces of projects that just needed to be finished.   The last time I cleaned up my craft table these pieces must have been gathered up and put in this box with the thought that they would all be in one place, which would make it easier for me to pull them out and complete.  Sounds reasonable but apparently it doesn't work for me since I totally forgot about the box and its contents.

This Hanging Garden card was totally done except for the sentiment.  I can remember thinking it needed something so I put it to the side which is how it ended up just hanging around.  I think it still may need something but right now I am considering it done and hope that the person who I send it to will like it.

The Hanging Garden set is a fun one.  The images are quick to color.  Love the look of the hanging baskets.   Recently  I went to an event and there were lots of hanging plants with macrame holders!  Talk about a flashback.  These basket images are right on trend.  The sentiments are great and they have used a lot.  Here's another sample using the Hanging Garden stamp set.  Need your own set?  I would love to have you shop with me!

In honor of the debut of the new Stampin' Blends (Stampin' Up!  alcohol markers)  I decided to use them for my Create with Connie and Mary design team card. 

Here is the sketch for this week.

Here s what I made inspired by the sketch

Are you wondering what stamp set these cute little lanterns are from?  This set is called Color Me Happy. The Color Me Happy stamp set can also be purchased as part of a kit.  I colored in the lanterns using the Pumpkin Pie and Pool Party Stampin'Blends.   The great thing about Stampin' Blends is that they are meant to blend, which means no more marker lines!  It is easy to make highlights and shadowing using these markers.  

Be sure to check out what the other members of the design team created for this challenge.  I know you will be amazed at all the different ways the sketch was used.  I hope you too will join in the challenge.