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

Isn't this a pretty combination?  

I used the Dots & Spots die for a white on white dotted look.  The Dots & Spots die is one of the level 2 Sale-A-Bration offerings.  Are you wondering where the flowers and leaves are from?  Starting September 1 there will be a new offering called Perfect Partners.  There will be a release of 6 new die sets that coordinate with stamp sets that are in the Annual Catalog or the July-December Mini Catalog.  The stamp sets are: Apple Harvest (Mini Catalog), Fresh Cut Flowers (Annual Catalog),  This Birthday Piggy (Annual Catalog),  Waterfall Canyon (Annual Catalog), Trimming the Tree (Annual Catalog), and Yeti To Party (Mini Catalog).  These dies will be available  for a limited time (Sept 1-Sept 30) and  while supplies last.  You can buy the dies as a bundle with the stamp set or individually.

The flowers I used are from the Apple Blossoms Dies.  This die set not only cuts out the images in the stamp set but also these pretty flowers in two sizes, leaves in two sizes and the scalloped edge.  There's a lot of detail in these flowers and leaves and they look great in the colors for the challenge.

The Parakeet Party paper is from the 2022-24 In Color DSP.   The sentiment is from the Apple Harvest stamp set inked in Tahitian Tide on a banner cut from the Stylish Shapes dies.

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

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,

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

I arrange my stamp sets alphabetically and keep my new sets in a separate area.  Why?  I want to easily access the new sets and be sure to use them.  This strategy works for me and helps me to not forget about sets.  The only drawback is that I forget to look at the sets that I have used and are part of the main section of stamps.  I am now making an effort to use those sets too.  Some of them have not been used in a while which makes them almost new to me.  

Starting with the letter A, the Artistically Inked bundle!  What a beautiful bundle of products.  This is a Distinktive stamp set.  This type of stamps created this almost watercolored looking image.  The large flower was stamped in Calypso Coral ink (full strength) and because it is a Distinktive stamp there are different opacities on the one image.  The two smaller flowers were also inked in Calypso Coral ink but stamped off once for a less intense color.  Stamping off is a good way to get more out of the ink colors you have. 

The beautiful large leaves was  cut using the Artistic Dies from Gold Metallic Specialty Paper.   There is texture to the Gold paper and also a shimmer that is hard for me to capture.  The thanks was heat embossed using Gold Embossing Powder and then fussy cut out.

The gold twine is from the Simply Elegant Trim pack.  When I use this twine I cut a slit on the sides of the card stock to prevent it from slipping.  I also add a tiny dot of glue behind the knot to keep it in place and also prevent it from coming untied.  I also added a few Gold Metallic Pearls around the images.  

I had a leftover strip of the Gold Metallic Paper so I added it to the inside along with a medium sized flower in Calypso Coral and a leaves in Soft Succulent.  

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

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas.  We did and now are looking forward to celebrating the start of a new year.  

I am sharing another sample using a new bundle that will be debuting on January 4th in the 2022 J-J (January-June) Mini Catalog.    This is the Flowering Tulips bundle.  This is a  Two-Step photopolymer stamp set.

I stamped the 2 step flowers in Real Red and Cherry Cobbler ink.  The centers were stamped in Tuxedo Black Memento ink.  The stems are Old Olive ink on Pear Pizzazz CS.   The flowers were mounted on Basic White CS that was cut using one of the Scalloped Contour dies.  The pretty Real Red Faux Linen ribbon is soft and easy to tie.  I am sure you recognize the black and white check from the Pattern Party DSP.  It is a Stampin' Reward choice and a fabulous pack of paper.  

Check out the lovely sentiment.  The Flowering Tulips set contains 6 sentiments covering a wide range of occasions.  This thank you sentiment is definitely a favorite.  I inked the stamp in Real Red ink and then colored over the thank you with a Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker.  

To finish off the inside of the card I cut this lovely border in Real Red CS.  Isn't it sweet?  

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to let me know if you haven't received your 2022 J-J Mini catalog and/or the Sale-A-Bration catalog.

Ready for another sneak peek?  I am dreaming of daffodils!  The new Daffodil Daydream bundle will be debuting soon.  This new stamp set and dies is definitely going to help me get through the winter until the real daffodils start blooming.

Aren't these daffodils pretty?  It does take a bit to assemble the flowers but the payoff is worth it!  I kept the colors simple, Daffodil Delight, Basic White with Pear Pizzazz leaves.  This is springtime on a card.   The bouquet is tied up with black twine and I love it, clean and simple.  

Where is that lovely sentiment from?  It is from the Flowering Tulips stamp set (coming January 4th!).  I love everything about this sentiment and would like a whole stamp set using this font and style.   This sentiment stamp will be used a lot by me.  On the sides of the sentiment I added some Matte Black Dots.  The lovely label the flowers are on is one from the Scalloped Contours dies.  

The black and white check DSP is from the Pattern Party Designer Series Paper Pack.   In the Pattern Party DSP you get 48 sheets of 12" x 12" paper.  There are 12 double sided designs and you get 4 each of every design. This pack of paper is part of the Stampin' Rewards program and can be "purchased" using the rewards.  Please contact me for more information and to schedule an event.

Looking for more ideas using the Daffodil Daydream bundle?  Check out these posts here,  here, and here.  Subscribe to my blog feed and never miss a post!  You can subscribe on the right hand side of the blog.

Thanks for stopping by and here's to some lovely Daffodil Daydreaming,

Creativity Abounds Tutorial bundle...All About Birthdays!

Place a $50 order through my online store and receive this bundle (14 tutorials!!)  as a thank you.  You can also purchase the tutorial bundle for $15.00.  Please contact me (sharon@astheinkdries.com) if you would like to purchase the tutorial.

It is Thursday and here in the US it is Thanksgiving.  Today it is also the Create with Connie & Mary Challenge day.  This week it is a color challenge.

Beautiful, rich colors perfect for this time of year.

I think the Nature's Harvest bundle is the Bundle I used the most from the July-Dec 2021 Mini Catalog.  The flowers were colored using Watercolor pencils and the cut using the coordinating Harvest dies. The Watercolor pencils Assortment 1 has both Rich Razzleberry and Early Espresso pencils,  there is no pencil for the Cinnamon Cider since it is an In Color (2020-22).  

The background was created using a Water Painter, ink refills (Rich Razzleberry, Early Espresso, Cinnamon Cider) on  watercolor paper.  I diluted the ink refill with water and then brushed it on the watercolor paper.  Once the paper was dry I did some splatters using Early Espresso ink diluted with water and the Water Painter.  

The sentiment is from the Color & Contour set.  It is a fun font and a perfect sentiment for today and well anytime.  

The Very Vanilla twine was added to the panel once it was dry.  Do you see those tiny butterflies?  This is a little sneak peek of something that is coming in the J-J (January-June) 2022 Mini Catalog.  They are the Brushed Brass Butterflies and you will be seeing them a lot.  The butterflies come in 2 sizes-tiny and teeny tiny.  I used both sizes on my card.  The butterflies are pretty thin and flat which makes them easily mailable.  Since they have a brushed finish they are not super shiny but add a subtle shine.  I am a big fan and look forward to ordering more of them.

Happy Thanksgiving and I am grateful you stopped by,

Place a $50 order through my online store and receive this bundle (14 tutorials!!)  as a thank you.  You can also purchase the tutorial bundle for $15.00.  Please contact me (sharon@astheinkdries.com) if you would like to purchase the tutorial.

Welcome to the Stampers Dozen Blog Hop.  This month our theme is Thankful.  It is a perfect theme for this month when we celebrate all the things we are thankful for.  

The lovely flowers are from the Nature's Harvest bundle colored using watercolor pencils.   The flowers are on a scalloped label (Scalloped Contour dies) embossed with the Stitched Greenery die.    The DSP strip is from the Harvest Meadow DSP.

The ribbon is the Bumblebee Gingham Ribbon and the pretty metallic accents are the Brushed Metallic Dots.   It is hard to see but the Early Espresso CS is  embossed using the Tasteful Textile 3D folder.  This is one of my favorite embossing folders, it  creates a subtle  lovely texture.

The sentiment on the outside and inside of the card is from the Ornate Thanks set.  This is a great set that I do not use often enough.  It is full of great words that can be combined to express your gratitude and thanks.

Time to check out what Carol Payne has created for you.

Stamper's Dozen November 2021 Blog Hop

1. Donna Burk Schneidtmiller – Donna Stamps
2. Jodi Petersen – Jodi’s Card Designs
3. Rose Grunewald – Country Cards by Rose
4. Patty Chenail – Stamp-Patty’s - Stamping in My Flops
5. Judy Garza – Creativity Released
6. Sharon Hashimoto Burkert – As the Ink Dries
7. Carol Payne – Carol Payne Stamps
8. Joanne Cantrell – Keep It Simple, Stampers
9. Rachel Yurkanin – Rachel’s Stamping Place
10. Debbie Naylor – Unfrogettable Stamping!
11. Bonnie O'Neill – Bonnie Stamped
12. Kelly Acheson – A Stamp Above

Thank you for stopping by,

Product List

Nature's Harvest Bundle (English) [156813]	Ornate Thanks Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [149471]	Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad [147114]	Watercolor Pencils [141709]
Pool Party Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154894]	Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [144237]	Early Espresso 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [119686]	Harvest Meadow 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [156494]
Stitched Greenery Die [155451]	Scalloped Contours Dies [155560]	Tasteful Textile 3 D Embossing Folder [152718]	1/4" Bumblebee Gingham Trim [153658]
Brushed Metallic Adhesive Backed Dots [156506]

This week I am focusing on the Sparkle of the Season bundle.   

I loved arranging all the different leaves , wreaths and pumpkins all cut using the Seasonal Swirls dies.  I cut 2 wreaths, one in Cajun Craze and the other in Bumblebee CS.  The leaves were stamped in Old Olive ink on Old Olive CS and also Mossy Meadow ink on Mossy Meadow CS.  Two of the cute pumpkins were cut from Pumpkin Pie CS and the other in Very Vanilla CS.  The stems of the pumpkins were colored using a Dark Soft Suede Stampin' Blend.  I wanted a little bit of shine so I added a few Gold Holly Leaves to the arrangement.

The sentiment was stamped in Cajun Craze ink on a label cut using the Seasonal Labels dies.  The Very Vanilla background was embossed using the Stitched Greenery Die.   The die adds lots of texture and interest but doesn't compete with the wreath.   This is one of the standalone dies in the Annual Catalog which means it does not have a coordinating stamp set.

Unfortunately the Seasonal Swirls dies are currently in Not Orderable status.  They are expected back in stock shortly and will hopefully be available for purchase soon.  

Thanks for stopping by and  if you want me to notify you when the dies become available, just leave me a comment or send me an email. 

 Product List

Sparkle Of The Season Bundle (English) [156765]	Cajun Craze Classic Stampin' Pad [147085]	Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad [147090]	Mossy Meadow Classic Stampin' Pad [147111]
Soft Suede Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154906]	Cajun Craze 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [119684]	Pumpkin Pie 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [105117]	Bumblebee 8-1/2X11 Cardstock [153077]
Old Olive 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100702]	Mossy Meadow 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [133676]	Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [101650]	Stitched Greenery Die [155451]
Seasonal Labels Dies [156299]	Brushed Metallic Adhesive Backed Dots [156506]	Gold Holly Leaves [156311]	Linen Thread [104199]

Would you like to receive 13 tutorials featuring  different Christmas bundles?   The tutorial is  FREE with a $50 (before shipping & tax) online order using my Host Code  D7SSYY6Y or can be purchased for $15.00. Shop with me online HERE.  If you would like to purchase the tutorial contact me- sharon@astheinkdries.com.

It is Thursday which means it is time for the Create with Connie & Mary Challenge.  This month the challenge is a little different, we are Casing the Catalog.  This week we are casing the card on page 52 of the 2021 Annual Catalog. 

We are using this card  as the inspiration for our projects.  What catches your eye?  Is it the colors, the layout, the stamp set, or ?  Can I just say, aren't those babies adorable!  I do not have this stamp set (yet) so I used the  layout for my inspiration.

Instead of using the Stitched Rectangles I used the Tailor Made Tags Dies for the base of the images.  The Tailor Made Dies are standalone dies meaning they do not have a coordinating stamp set since they can be used with lots of different stamp sets.   Both of the flower pots were stamped (Plentiful Plants)  and then cut out using the Perfect Plants die.   The hangers were cut out using the Perfect Plants die.  The plant on the left was cut from the Bloom Where You're Planted DSP.  This is one of the 9 packs of Designer Series Paper that is on sale through August 2.  The plant on the right was stamped and cut using the stamp and dies (Plentiful Plants bundle).

All the tags were tied using the Crumb Cake Baker's Twine from the Baker's Twine Essentials Pack.  I am quite pleased that we have a selection of Baker's Twine again.  The little Polished Pink flowers are from the Loose Flower Flourishes.  I attached them to the plant and the tag using Multipurpose Liquid Glue.  I wanted to add a little pop of color.

You can see that i decorated the inside of the card using a plant cut out from the Bloom Where You're Planted DSP.  This is another great pack of patterned paper with some images that can be cut using the Perfect Plants die and some great background designs like the bricks I used on this card.  

Check out the links below for all the supplies I used on this card and thank you for stopping by.

Product List

Plentiful Plants Bundle (English) [155688]	Evening Evergreen Classic Stampin' Pad [155576]	Cajun Craze Classic Stampin' Pad [147085]	Evening Evergreen 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [155574]
Cajun Craze 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [119684]	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276]	Bloom Where You're Planted 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [155696]	Tailor Made Tags Dies [155563]
Baker's Twine Essentials Pack [155475]	Loose Flower Flourishes [155808]

Be sure to check out the 9 packs of DSP that are 15% off!

It is time for a little sneak peek from the upcoming Stampin' Up! Annual catalog.  I used the Pansy Petals Suite Collection  which includes the Pansy Patch bundle, Pansy Petals DSP, and the Bumblebee trinkets.  I also used the 2021-23 In Color Shimmer Vellum in Fresh Freesia for the Create with Connie and Mary Challenge, #CCMC661.  This week it is a sketch challenge and you will see that I followed the sketch pretty closely.

The main difference is I used my Layering Circles dies for the focal point.

The card base is Evening Evergreen, one of the new In Colors.  It is a dark, rich green which coordinates beautifully with Soft Succulent, another new In Color.  The Pansy Petals DSP features all of the new In Colors and more.  Some of the images in the DSP can be cut out using the Pansy Dies.  The pansy on my card is one that was cut out from the DSP.  The flip side of the DSP features pretty ginghams, dots and stripes.  

My photo fails to catch the shimmer in the vellum.  The vellum looks like it was painted with Wink of Stella.  A pretty, soft shimmer and the vellum comes in all the new In Colors.  The stitched scallop edging is from the Penned Flowers Dies, another new die in the upcoming catalog.   Love the detailed gold bumblebees.  I have it secured on the label with a glue dot.  

Thank you for stopping by.  I hope you will check out what the rest of the design team created for the challenge.