It is Thursday and do you know what that means?   It is time for the Create with Connie & Mary Challenge! This week it is a color challenge.

When I looked at this challenge the first thing I thought of was to use the Tea Boutique Cards & Envelopes.   The choice of using the Starry Sky card from the pack helped to narrow down the decisions I have to make.  

I stamped the pumpkin from the Hello Harvest bundle using Calypso Coral ink on Pale Papaya cardstock.   I used the blender pen along the stamped lines to add some shading.  This is a quick and easy way to color.  I stamped the flowers in Starry Sky ink and colored in the image using Calypso Coral and Pale Papaya Stampin' Blends.  The banner is from the Fond of Autumn bundle.  On the ends of the banner and in the centers of the flowers are rhinestones colored using a Calypso Coral Stampin' Blend.

Check out the secret message!   I have been thinking about this and decided it was time to do it.  I cut a slit along the top of the pumpkin long enough so the message can fit behind the pumpkin.  I cut a Pale Papaya  Tailor Made Tag and stamped grateful from the Cottage Wreaths stamp set on it in Starry Sky ink.   The pumpkin is attached to the Basic White Stylish Shapes square with Stampin' Dimensionals.  I made sure to leave a channel so the tag can slip up and down easily.  The sentiment tag is attached to the flowers using Stampin' Dimensionals.  

This is an easy way to add some surprise and fun to your cards.  

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

Did you know that there is a secret stamp in the Snailed It set?  Yup, there is.  This stamp set is already so darn cute and versatile that this little stamp is just the cherry on top of an already full and cute set.  Check out this card and see if you can spot the secret stamp.

Did you figure it out?  Yup it is the polka dot.  Are you wondering where it was hiding?  

Do you see it?  It is the center of the thought bubble.  When I was putting my set away I realized there was this almost perfect circle that could be used instead of thrown away.   

I am always on the lookout for these kinds of bonus secret stamps. Now I hope you will be too.  Be sure to tell me when you find one.

Here I used it again.  I like a polka dotted background.  This one I stamped and then added textured with the Tasteful Textile 3D folder.  This time I colored the images using the Black Magic technique or at least a variation of it.  

What is the technique?  First, I stamped and heat embossed the image.  I colored in the image using the Chalk Marker.   If you don't have a chalk marker you can use some White Craft ink.  I like the marker because it is fast and easy to use.  Next I used Watercolor Pencils to color  the image.   The chalk marker allows you to color on dark cardstock.  

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This is a fun and easy technique and who knew you could color on black cardstock?!

Thank you for stopping by and be on the lookout for more secret stamps!

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.

Click on the picture and it will take you to my Stampin' Up! website and more information about becoming a demonstrator.

Submit a qualifying order ($250 before shipping and tax) or party from 4 May–14 June 2021, and you’ll get our generous Stampin’ Rewards PLUS additional $25 you can redeem! Hosts can earn Stampin’ Rewards based on order totals for an entire party. Outside of the party setting, Stampin’ Rewards are available to those who place individual orders that meet qualifying thresholds.  Shop with me or/and contact me about hosting an event.

The Last Chance Product list aka the Retirement List is out and you can see it HERE.  One of the things that can be confusing is that the list shows bundles retiring which  doesn't necessarily mean that the stamp set, dies or punch associated with the bundle is retiring.  An example is the Best Year bundle is on the list.  The stamp set Best Year is bundled with the Best Plaid Builder dies.  The stamp set alone is not listed on the Last Chance list so it is not retiring and will be available in the next catalog.  When you look further on the list you will see that the Best Plaid Builder dies are listed as retiring and is 20% off.   I wanted to point this out since it can be confusing and I am a fan of the Best Plaid Builder dies.

I used  Bermuda Bay & Coastal Cabana for the plaid.  Love these colors for a springy, happy vibe.  The  Pretty Perennial flowers were stamped in So Saffron on Basic White CS.  The flower outlines were cut out using the Perennial Petals dies in So Saffron CS.  The flower centers are the Playing with Patterns Resin Dots.  The sentiment was stamped in Versamark ink and sprinkled with White Embossing powder and heat embossed.  The label was cut using the Stitched Rectangle dies.   

Tuesday Tip:  The "happy" was also heat embossed.  Here's how I did it.  I inked up the stamp first in Versamark and again using a Bermuda Bay ink pad.  The double inked stamp was then stamped on the Basic White CS.  I sprinkled Clear Embossing Powder over it and heat embossed it. This is how you can have embossed colored images using Clear Embossing Powder. 

Here are some other samples of  the Best Plaid Maker dies in action HERE, HERE, HERE,  HERE, and HERE.  

As a demonstrator I have had a look at the upcoming 2020-21 Stampin' Up!®  catalog (it is beautiful and the In Colors are so yummy!) and I do not see the Pretty Perennials stamp set, Perennial Petals dies or the bundle in the upcoming catalog.  Just a heads up!

Thank you for stopping by and if you have any questions leave me a comment or send me an email.

The Blended Season stamp set is just perfect for the Black Magic technique.

First I embossed the beautiful flowers using white embossing powder.  I used an Aqua Painter and White Craft ink and painted in the areas I wanted to color.  I let the White Craft ink dry and then colored over the white ink with Watercolor Pencils.  I used Gorgeous Grape and Granny Apple Green pencils from the new Watercolor Pencils Assortment 2.  We were originally told that these pencils might be available in the future but just recently were told that they will not be available.  This means if you want this new assortment you need  to get them this month.  I love having watercolor pencils in more Stampin' Up! colors.

Check out those rhinestones.  I used the Highland Heather Dark Stampin' Blend to custom color them.   I love having this option.  

Not to be Missed, these fabulous August promotions

*Color Your Season-Limited edition bundle

*Bonus Days-Earn in August, Spend in September

*As the Ink Dries online Hostess Code special gift- Share What You Love Artisan Pearls

Product List

Blended Seasons Clear-Mount Stamp Set [149016] $39.00	Versamark Pad [102283] $8.50	Whisper White Craft Stampin' Ink Refill [101780] $4.50	Watercolor Pencils Assortment 2 [149014] $12.50
Highland Heather 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146986] $8.50	Granny Apple Green 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146990] $8.50	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [121045] $8.50	Layering Ovals Framelits Dies [141706] $35.00
White Stampin' Emboss Powder [109132] $5.00	Dark Highland Heather Stampin' Blends Marker [146883] $4.50	Rhinestone Basic Jewels [144220] $5.00