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.

I chose from the Inspo List yellow, ribbon, flowers, thank you and embossing folder.  

I used the soon to be released Distressed Tile 3D Embossing Folder on the Lemon Lolly CS layer.  This new folder is beautiful.  Behind the Early Espresso typewriter (I know it looks black) is a Deckled Circle.  This is a new die set and there are 14 sizes of deckled circles in the set.  So useful and pretty too.  The little flowers and typewriter from the Just My Type stamp set were fussy cut.  The Lemon Lolly ribbon is from the 3/8" Sheer Ribbon Combo Pack.  In the pack there are 3 spools of ribbon-Azure Afternoon, Bubble Bath, and Lemon Lolly.

Originally I thought about scattering the flowers around the front of the card.  I decided against it and instead added some flowers to the inside of the card.

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to check out how the Inspo List inspired the Festive Friday design team members.

Today I am sharing with you an easy card to make and great for using strips of DSP.  I am using the Fresh As a Daisy DSP along with the Paper Florist dies. 

One of the features of the Fresh As a Daisy DSP is that it features all of the 2023-25 In Colors.  On one side of  the papers there are beautiful florals and the other a watercolor wash design in each of the In Colors.    Here I used the Wild Wheat wash and stamped a sentiment from the Artistically Inked stamp set.  Wild Wheat seems to be a color you either really like or don't.  I am still trying to figure it out and how to use it.  I do like Wild Wheat paired with the Early Espresso cardstock and ink.  For now a little bit of Wild Wheat goes a long way.  

The flower was made using the Paper Florist dies.  These dies are standalone dies, meaning they are not paired with any stamp set.  These are going to be so much fun to play with and I am looking forward to doing that soon.   On this card I simply stacked the four petals and did a little daubing of Lemon Lolly in the center of the top flower.   I added a the centers in Early Espresso and Lemon Lolly.  This flower reminds me of plumerias aka frangipani.  We had a tree in the yard of my childhood home and made many leis with the blooms.  

**Edited**Here are the measurements for the Early Espresso and DSP strips.

• Early Espresso CS-3-1/2" x 4-1/2"
• DSP strips 1" x 4-1/4"

Inside of the card I added another strip of DSP with a tiny layer of Early Espresso and another Paper Florist flower.  I forgot to mention that I added a lot of Wink of Stella to the Lemon Lolly flower centers and they are so very pretty.

Product List

Artistically Inked Cling Stamp Set

[154542]

$24.00

Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad

[147114]

$9.00

Lemon Lolly Classic Stampin' Pad

[161666]

$9.00

Garden Green 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[102584]

$10.00

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

[119686]

$10.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[159276]

$10.50

Fresh As A Daisy 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper

[161289]

$12.50

Paper Florist Dies

[161284]

$37.00

Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush

[141897]

$8.00

Sponge Daubers

[133773]

$5.50

Love the Fresh As a Daisy Collection?  Join me and 12 of my friends for the Fresh As a Daisy stamp camp!

The Creativity Abounds Design Team is an international group of 13 Stampin' Up! demonstrators.  We do a monthly blog hop, a monthly tutorial bundle and 3 times a year we hold a stamp camp. 

The Fresh As A Daisy Stamp Camp will be held on July 7th and 8th.  To register all you need to do is purchase the Fresh as a Daisy Suite (161301) and the 2023-25 In Color Jute Trim (161637) and use the Host Code 7W94CTHJ.  If you already own the Suite and the 2023-25 In Color Jute Trim simply order $81.50 worth of products from my online store and use the Host Code 7W94CTHJ. It is important to use the Host Code, it lets me know you want to participate in the stamp camp.  

You will receive 13 kits which will include all the cardstock pieces necessary to make the projects.  You will use your own DSP, stamps, dies and embellishments.   Both a written and video tutorial will be provided for you for each project. 

In addition to the 13 projects you will be invited to join a private Facebook group for the camp.  On July 7th & 8th each design team member will present another project using the Fresh As a Daisy Suite.  These lives will be spread out over the 2 days but they will be recorded so you can watch them when it is convenient for you.  

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

This was a tough one for me.  I just couldn't figure it out until I found the Starry Sky sky in the Enjoy the Journey DSP.  I paired the DSP with the Easter Bunny bundle.  

The bunny's garland was colored using Melon Mambo & Starry Sky Stampin' Blends.  There isn't a Coastal Cabana Stampin' Blend so I used a blender pen and Coastal Cabana ink to color the leaves.  I also used the blender pen and Melon Mambo ink to color the bunny's ears, tail, belly and nose.  I used the 2022-24 In Color Matte Decorative Dots for the centers of the flowers.  The sentiment  is from the Love for You stamp set stamped on a circle from the Stylish Shapes dies.  I used the In Color Baker's Twine in Starry Sky to complete the card.

I added a strip of the DSP along with another garland to finish off the inside of the card.  

Before I made the  card above I made another and I am still unsure if I like it or not.  I had the idea to do a blended panel on  black and white DSP.

I used the Perfectly Penciled DSP and masked off the sides to create the center panel of blended color.  Over the panel I added the thanks cut using the Amazing Thanks die.  I still cannot decide if I like it or not.  

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

Place a $50 order through my online store and receive this bundle (13 tutorials!!)  as a thank you.  You can also purchase the tutorial bundle for $15.00.  Please contact me (sharo[email protected]) if you would like to purchase the tutorial.

Here is the card I created for the Creativity Abounds Fancy Flora Suite Tutorial bundle.

It is Thursday which means it is time for a new Create with Connie & Mary Challenge.  This week we have a lovely sketch challenge.

Great sketch right?  Now the thing about sketch challenges is that it meant to inspire you.  I don't believe you need to follow it exactly but do need to stay true to the spirit of the sketch.

I used the beautiful Hello, Irresistible Designer Series Paper (DSP) for the strips that measure 7/8" x  5").  This pack of paper is part of the Online Exclusives release.  This release isn't in any catalog and items are available until they no longer are.  I know that sounds vague but some items will be re-ordered and others are available while the supply lasts.  The sentiment is from the Irresistible Blooms stamp set.  It was inked in Versamark and heat embossed using White Embossing Powder.  The 2 dots on the sentiment label are from the Loose Frosted Dots.  The Dots are currently unavailable (they went fast!) but are being re-ordered and should be back in stock in early May. The card base is Petal Pink and the layer is Soft Sea Foam.  The ribbon is the White Glittered Organdy Ribbon.  It definitely adds a little sparkle to the card.

I mimicked the layering of the CS and also added a strip of the Hello, Irresistible DSP.  I usually add a DSP strip along the bottom but this strip was left over from the front and I didn't want to waste it.

Thanks for stopping by.  Be sure to check out what the other members of the design team created with the sketch and also all the products in the Online Exclusives,

Did you know that Stampin' Up! has kits?  Yes, there is the Paper Pumpkin monthly kit but there are also lots of other kits.   Kits for cards, tags, holidays, and home decor.  Kits are great whether you are just starting out or are an experienced crafter. 

I recently ordered the Saying Thanks kit.  I knew we were going to be traveling and wanted to bring along with me something that required little additional supplies and of course was super cute.  

All you need to put together these cards is a scissor to cut the Baker's Twine.  All the other supplies including adhesives come with the kit.  The cards are fun and colorful.  You get all the supplies to make 9 cards and 9 coordinating envelopes.   

Love the water colored looking background with the heart overlay.  You will have lots of hearts to play with once you punch them out from the overlay.   I added the sweet owl from the Sale-A-Bration set, Adorable Owls.  I had colored it and cut it out previously and was looking for a way to use it.  The owl was colored using Smoky Slate, Daffodil Delight and Tahitian Tide Stampin' Blends.  Instead of using the white Baker's Twine included in the kit I used black Baker's Twine.  

Thanks for stopping by.  Sale-A-Bration is almost over, just a couple more sleeps.  Be sure to get your Sale-A-Bration products before they are gone!

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

At first this sketch stumped me.  I just had no idea what to do with it.  After thinking about it I decided that I would use patterned paper for the larger pieces.  Once this decision was made the rest of the card fell into place.  Sometimes making just one decision helps bring everything else in focus.

Yes, I used the Easter Bunny stamp set again.  I love the flower garland, must be my Hawaii roots.  I stamped her simply in Tuxedo Black Memento ink and did a little bit of Fresh Freesia for her tummy, ears, and feet.  The tag is from the Something Fancy dies.  Her flower garland was colored using Fresh Freesia, Blackberry Bliss, and Mossy Meadow Stampin' Blends.  The tag was finished with a little Fresh Freesia 3/8" Open Weave Ribbon bow.  The sentiment is from the Thanks a Bunch set (Sale-A-Bration) and stamped on another die cut from the Something Fancy dies.

The patterned paper are from two different Sale-A-Bration paper packs, Dandy Designs DSP and the Favored Flowers DSP.  Do you see the Fresh Freesia Shimmery paper behind the DSP?  That is from the Fine Shimmer Paper Pack.  The shimmer paper comes in Fresh Freesia, Soft Succulent, and gold.  It is so pretty and the colors are beautiful.

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

It is Thursday which means it is time for a new Create with Connie & Mary Challenge.  This week it is a color challenge and it is a good one!

Sometimes I am a little slow on the uptake but could it be that the color challenge colors are taken from Stampin’ Up!’s Designer Series Paper? Today’s colors look like they come from the Favored Flowers DSP, a beautiful pack of paper that you can earn for FREE during Sale-A-Bration.   The colors featured in this Sale-A-Bration paper, Basic Black, Blackberry Bliss, Calypso Coral, Evening Evergreen, Fresh Freesia, Petal Pink.

Whatever the inspiration I chose to use the Favored Flowers DSP for my challenge card.

This is a pocket card.  The DSP is cut 4” x 12” and scored at 5-1/2” and 9-3/4”.  I cut it at 4” instead of 4-1/4” so I can get 3 of these pockets from one sheet of DSP.   The Evening Evergreen insert measured (before cutting with the Basic Borders dies) 3-3/4” x 5-1/4” and the Basic White layer 3-1/2” x  5”.

I chose the pattern from the Favored Flowers DSP that features the flowers in Calypso Coral and the leaves in Evening Evergreen.  I loved the flip side of this paper in Calypso Coral.  To incorporate the Blackberry Bliss color, I fussy cut a few flowers and buds from another sheet in the paper pack.  In addition another flower and buds in Calypso Coral.  I did not glue or tape the sides of the pocket and instead use the ribbon (Metallic Edge Cotton Ribbon) to keep the pocket together.  The top and the flap edge were also cut using the Basic Borders die.  Normally I would have used a corner rounder to round the edges but I don’t seem to have one.  You could leave the corners or edges straight.

I stamped in Evening Evergreen the sentiment from the Sending Smiles stamp set.  I added a silver dot from the  Festive Pearls. The Festive Pearls are a carryover from the previous mini catalog.  In the embellishment pack there are gold, silver, mint and red pearls.  They are a small, sweet little embellishment.

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

I have been working on using my patterned paper (Designer Series Paper aka DSP) instead of hoarding it.  I want to enjoy creating with it instead of saving it for the perfect project.  Does this resonant with you?  

One thing that I do not do enough  is color my patterned paper.  The Abigail Rose DSP  is a  great one to color. I used Petal Pink and Old Olive Stampin' Blends to color these flowers. Early Espresso and Petal Pink is one of my favorite color combinations.

This DSP is so pretty that you really do not need to do very much to make a lovely card.  

I added a coordinating strip of DSP and used the Amazing Thanks dies for the layered thanks.  Along the side I added the ribbon from the Real Red and Burlap Ribbon combo pack.  I wanted to add a little bit of bling and used the Petal Pink Elegant Faceted Gems along the side of the striped DSP strip.

I added a strip of DSP along the side to decorate the inside of the card.  I usually add a strip of cardstock or DSP along the bottom of the inside of my cards but I had this perfectly sized strip that fit perfectly along the edge. 

Product List

Petal Pink Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154893] $9.00	Old Olive Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154892] $9.00	Daffodil Delight Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154883] $9.00	Abigail Rose 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [159037] $12.00
Early Espresso 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [119686] $9.25	Petal Pink 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146985] $9.25	Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [101650] $10.25	Amazing Thanks Dies (English) [157816] $27.00
Real Red & Burlap Ribbon Combo Pack [160386] $9.00	Elegant Faceted Gems [152464] $7.50

Another DSP that looks great colored is the Perfectly Penciled pack.  Go here to see a card I made using  the Perfectly Penciled  DSP and Stampin’ Blends.

Thank you for stopping by and I hope you will color and use some of your Designer Series Paper,

Welcome to the Stampers Dozen Blog Hop! We are a group of Stampin’ Up! Demonstrators that hop together on the 14th of the month.  Every month we pick a theme and this month it is Sale-A-Bration!  Sale-A-Bration runs from January through February and with a qualifying order you can chose a free gift.  You can see the Sale-A-Bration brochure HERE.

I chose to use the Beautifully Happy stamp set.  This is a 17 piece photopolymer stamp set.  This set has a mix of sentiments and images.  This set is a Two-Step stamping set, which in this set means there are outline images and bold images that can be used to color in the outline images.  The bold stamps that color in the images are also DistINKtive stamps which means they color in the images with shading.  You could also choose to color in the bold images using another coloring tool.  The Beautifully Happy stamp set is free with a qualifying order of $100 (US), before shipping and taxes.

I stamped the image 3 times and colored them using the coordinating bold stamps.  This is a quick and easy card. Once all the stamping was done I embossed the image using the Timber 3D folder. I like the subtle texture.  In the center of the flowers I added a Gorgeous Grape Glossy Dot.  The Pool Party ribbon is from the Jan-April Mini Catalog. The label the sentiment is stamped on is from the Fabulous Frames dies. I had to make the hole on the label a little larger to thread the ribbon through.  

Pool Party

Granny Apple Green

Highland Heather

 I used the color combination of Granny Apple Green, Pool Party and Highland Heather.  I liked these colors so much I decided to also make it using the same colors except I switched the flower colors to Highland Heather from Pool Party.  

What do you think?  Which do you like better?  I think I know which one I like better. 

Now it is time to check out the rest of the stops on the hop!  We have 2 new members hopping with us...Debbie Henderson and Kim Quade!  So exciting and welcome!

Thanks for stopping by and you can check out all the supplies I used to make this card below.

Product List

Beautifully Happy Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [160804] $27.00	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $6.00	Pool Party Classic Stampin' Pad [147107] $8.00	Highland Heather Classic Stampin' Pad [147103] $8.00
Granny Apple Green Stampin' Pad [147095] $8.00	Pool Party 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [122924] $9.25	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276] $10.25	Timber 3 D Embossing Folder [156406] $10.00
Fabulous Frames Dies [159163] $31.00	Pool Party 3/8" (1 Cm) Grosgrain Ribbon [160430] $8.00	Glossy Dots Assortment [158827] $8.00

Welcome to the Inspire Create Share Blog Hop!  We come together and hop on the 2nd Tuesday of the month.  Each month there is a theme and this month the theme is…Thank You!   If you are done with your Christmas cards then it just might be time to start on your Thank You cards. Thank you for joining us and enjoy all the stops on the hop

I used the beautiful Framed Florets bundle.  This bundle will be in the upcoming Mini Catalog but you can also get it now!  For a limited time (January 4th or while supplies last) you can also purchase some coordinating products.  One of those products is the Fitting Florets DSP.  I used one of the patterns on my card and also cut out the flowers from the DSP using the Framed Florets dies.  The Oval frame was also cut out using the Framed Florets dies.  

Here are all the details for my card.

• Night of Navy card base  4-1/4” x 11” scored at 2”, 7-1/2”, 3-1/4” x 4”  (oval frame)
• Positively Pink CS  1-3/4” x 4”, 3-1/4” x 4”, 4” x 5-1/4” (inside of card layer)
• Basic White  2-3/4” x 3-1/2” (inside of oval frame),  3-3/4” x 5” (inside of card)
• Fitting Florets DSP 1-1/2” x 3-3/4”, 3” x 3-3/4”, 3/4” x 3-3/4” (inside of card), 2 flower clusters and a single flower
• Positively Pink 3/8” Open Weave Ribbon 19”
• Positively Pink 2021-23 In Color Opal Rounds

Now it is time for you to hop on over to Deb Naylor’s blog and see what she has created for you.

Thank you for stopping by!