Two days ago the air quality around here improved so much that i was able to resume my daily walks outside.  We do not have a huge house so getting my steps done inside took a long time and it is a pretty boring process.  It was such a treat to be outside and I was surprised to see some of the leaves are beginning to change colors.  This led me to start thinking about fall which led to pumpkins!

Weren't you surprised the first time you saw a white pumpkin?  I know I was.  Now you see them all over especially when it comes to home decor.  I wanted a little imperfection on my pumpkins so I used the Birch background stamp inked with Crumb Cake ink on Very Vanilla cardstock to create it.  I did stamp the Birch on a piece of scrap paper before stamping it on the Very Vanilla and Pumpkin Pie CS.  I wanted the design to be light but visible.  The Harvest Hello pumpkin outline was stamped in Early Espresso ink and then punched using the Apple Builder punch.  All the stems were stamped using Early Espresso ink on Soft Suede CS and punched out. The leaves were inked with Early Espresso on Old Olive CS and fussy cut.  The "vines" are from the World Map dies.

The sentiment from the Celebrate Sunflowers set was also stamped in Early Espresso ink.  You can also see the Birch texture on the sentiment banner.  The wood paper is from the In Good Taste DSP pack.   So many great textures in this pack of paper.  

I think it is so clever that you can use  the Apple Builder punch to punch out both apples and pumpkins from the Harvest Hellos stamp set.  You can see what the apples look like here.  

Thanks for stopping by!  I will post all the products I used below.

Product List

Harvest Hellos Cling Stamp Set (En) [150581]	Birch Cling Stamp [149256]	Celebrate Sunflowers Cling Stamp Set (English) [152517]	Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad [147114]
Crumb Cake Classic Stampin' Pad [147116]	Early Espresso 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [119686]	Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [101650]	Pumpkin Pie 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [105117]
Old Olive 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100702]	Soft Suede 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [115318]	In Good Taste Designer Series Paper [152494]	Apple Builder Punch [150663]
World Map Dies [152712]	Metallic Pearls [146282]

Hi!  Happy you stopped by.  It is Thursday which means it is time for the Create with Connie & Mary Challenge.  We are back to our rotation between sketch and color challenges.  This week it is a sketch challenge.

I had to pull out my Prized Peony bundle.  Can you believe I haven't used it in 2 weeks!  I know, it is kind of shocking.   Before I forget here is the sketch.

The card base is Basic Black and I used 2 patterns from the Peony Garden DSP.   Love that paper for both the beautiful peony images and the more subtle  designs.  I think I have done this before but I love the peony against the Basic Black circle.  I usually use Whisper White but the Basic Black is very dramatic and I think it really highlights the peony.  

To color the peony I used Petal Pink and Calypso Coral Stampin' Blends for the flower and Old Olive for the leaves.  Did you notice the 2 gems?  They are the Petal Pink gems from the Elegant Faceted Gems.  

The sentiment is from the Ornate Thanks stamp set.  Love the font in this set and it  has a lot of great sentiments.  Below the sentiment  I added a small strip of Black Glitter paper (Aug-Dec mini catalog).  Love the little bit of sparkle.

Thank you stopping by and hope to see you again tomorrow,

Product List

Prized Peony Bundle (English) [154056]	Ornate Thanks Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [149471]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]	Petal Pink Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154893]
Calypso Coral Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154881]	Old Olive Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154892]	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121045]	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100730]
Peony Garden Designer Series Paper [152483]	Layering Circles Dies [141705]	Elegant Faceted Gems [152464]	Petal Pink 5/8" (1.6 Cm) Organdy Striped Ribbon [149441]

I have a confession to make.  It is pretty hard to believe but when I made today's card it was the first time I opened the package of Forever Greenery DSP.  I know pretty shocking!  It is a gorgeous pack of paper and perfect for this week's sketch Create with Connie & Mary Challenge.

I used 2 different designs from the Forever Greenery pack.  The DSP definitely does all the work for me on this card.  The only stamping on the front of the card is the Grateful.  This sentiment is from the Ornate Thanks stamp set.  The full sentiment says So Grateful but I omitted the So.  I inked up the sentiment in Versamark, covered it with White Embossing powder, and heat embossed it using the Heat Tool.  There is still something magical about heat embossing.  I love how crisp the white embossing powder looks on Pretty Peacock cardstock.  I also added a couple of gold Metallic Pearls to the label.

Inside I stamped a couple of images from the Forever Fern set and also added a strip of the Forever Greenery DSP.  I cut out the Forever Fern images using the Forever Flourishing dies.  Do you decorate the inside of your cards?  I always try to, I want the inside to look as good as the outside of the card.

Now that I have opened the Forever Greenery DSP and stamped a few images from the Forever Fern, I will definitely be playing with this fun and beautiful Forever Greenery Suite of products.

Product List

Forever Fern Bundle (English) [154094]	Ornate Thanks Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [149471]	Versamark Pad [102283]	Pretty Peacock Classic Stampin’ Pad [150083]	Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad [147090]
Versamark Pad [102283]	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [140272]	Pretty Peacock 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [150880]	Old Olive 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100702]	Forever Greenery Designer Series Paper [152492]
Stitched Rectangles Dies [151820]	White Stampin' Emboss Powder [109132]	Metallic Pearls [146282]

This week is flying by!  It is already Thursday and time for the Create with Connie & Mary Challenge. This week we have a sketch to challenge and inspire us!

One of the stamp sets I will miss is Seriously the Best stamp set.   I like the combination of the fonts and cutting out the larger word.  Here I embossed the thanks using White embossing powder on Flirty Flamingo cardstock and fussy cut it.  The longer sentiment was also embossed using White embossing powder on Granny Apple Green cardstock.

I paired up the Granny Apple Green Gingham from the Brights 6" x 6" DSP with Flirty Flamingo.  It is a happy, springy color combination.  The umbrella was stamped on Flirty Flamingo DSP and punched out using the Umbrella Builder punch.    The cute little bunch of flowers were stamped using Crumb Cake ink and colored using Flirty Flamingo, So Saffron and Granny Apple Green Stampin' Blends.   Yes, it had to be fussy cut but fortunately it isn't very big or detailed.  

I created the stitched scallop edge using a die from the Stitched Be Mine dies.  Here are the sizes of the cardstock I used.

• Thick Whisper White CS 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" scored at 4-1/4"
• Flirty Flamingo CS 4" x 5-1/4", 1-1/4" x 3"
• Whisper White CS  3-7/8" x 5-1/4" 
• Granny Apple Green DSP 3-7/8" x 4-3/4", 3/8" x 3-1/8"
• Crumb Cake scrap for umbrella handle 

Product List

Under My Umbrella Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [151518]	Seriously The Best Cling Stamp Set [151712]	Crumb Cake Classic Stampin' Pad [147116]	Versamark Pad [102283]
Granny Apple Green 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146990]	Flirty Flamingo Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [147278]	So Saffron Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [149557]	Granny Apple Green Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [147274]
Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [140272]	Flirty Flamingo 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [141416]	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100730]	Brights 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [149613]
Stitched Be Mine Dies [151814]	Stitched Shapes Dies [152323]	White Stampin' Emboss Powder [109132]	Rhinestone Basic Jewels [144220]

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]

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

I am working through my stamp sets that will be retiring soon and one of the first sets is Abstract Impressions.  The stamp set is reduced in price to $20.80 and the coordinating die, Springtime Impressions is also reduced and just $11.60.

I used the die from Springtime Impressions and cut it out in Whisper White cardstock.  I sponged on Terracotta Tile, Old Olive and Crushed Curry ink using sponge daubers to color the die cut.  The colors overlap and blend a bit adding to the effect.  The sentiment from the Abstract Impressions set was stamped in Terracotta Tile ink.

I wanted to add a little sparkle so I added some rhinestones in the centers of some of the flowers.  I also added some Crushed Curry tiny butterflies cut using the Butterfly Beauty dies.  

Product List

Abstract Impressions Photopolymer Stamp Set [147513]	Terracotta Tile Classic Stampin’ Pad [150086]	Crushed Curry Classic Stampin' Pad [147087]	Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad [147090]	Old Olive 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100702]
Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100730]	Crushed Curry 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [131199]	Springtime Impressions Dies [146326]	Butterfly Beauty Dies [151819]	Rhinestone Basic Jewels [144220]

Thank you for stopping by.  Hope you are staying happy and healthy!

I received some inquiries regarding the DSP panel cards I have been posting.  These cards are quick and easy to make and perfect to show off your Designer Series Paper.

Here I used the Mosaic Mood Specialty DSP (retiring).  Aren't those hummingbirds so pretty?  They have shiny accented feathers.  I also used the sentiment from the Accented Blooms stamp set (retiring) punched out with the Tailored Tag.  The Flower Faceted Gem (retiring and just $5.60) adds a bit of sparkle to the sentiment.  The ribbon is the Mint Macaron 1/4" Textile Ribbon (retiring).  

Here are the details:

• Card base Mint Macaron 4-1/4" x 11" scored at 5-1/2"
• Soft Suede 3-3/4" x 4"
• Mosaic Mood DSP 3-3/8" x 3-3/4" cut into  three 1-1/8" x 3-3/4" strips I use the Stampin' Up!® Paper Trimmer to cut the strips 

This panel card uses the Tropical Oasis DSP (retiring). Don't you just love the Woodie cars in the print?  For the sentiment I used one of the stickers from the Tropical Oasis Memories & More Card Pack.  Instead of my usual bow, I tied a double knot with the Mint Macaron 1/4" Textile Ribbon, thinking it would make it a little more manly.

Hope this will help you make your own DSP panel cards.  

PS Many of you asked me to provide you with the directions for this card.  I am working on an online card class which will have a card using this fold.  I will do a post once the class is over.  Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Do you have a lot of strips of cardstock that you cannot bear to throw away?  I do, especially in Basic Black and Whisper White.  My scraps were getting out of control so I decided it was time to make some striped backgrounds.  

The strips of black and white cardstock are 3/4" x 4" and I glued them on to a piece of cardstock 4" x 5-1/4".  I love black and white stripes.  I knew my card needed a pop of color so I pulled out some Pineapple Punch cardstock (retiring In Color) and stamped the large daisy from the Daisy Delight stamp set (retiring set)  in Pineapple Punch ink.  I like a full daisy so I layered together 2 punches for each flower.  The leaves were punched using the Leaf punch (retiring punch)in Granny Apple Green.

The sentiment is also from the Daisy Delight stamp set and it is stamped on a label cut using a Stitched Rectangle die.  I added a few black sequins from the Peaceful Poppies Sequins (retiring from the 2020 January-June catalog).  The Peaceful Poppies sequins have Black, clear, gold, Poppy Parade and a light Poppy Parade sequins in round and flower shape.  They are so cute!

Product List

Daisy Delight Photopolymer Stamp Set [143669]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]	Pineapple Punch Classic Stampin' Pad [147141]	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121045]
Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100730]	Pineapple Punch 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146971]	Granny Apple Green 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146990]	Daisy Punch [143713]
Leaf Punch [144667]	Stitched Rectangle Dies [148551]	Peaceful Poppies Sequins [151325]

You can see the entire Retiring Products list for the 2019 Annual Catalog here. Please be aware that some items have sold out and products are available while supplies last.  You can see the retiring products list for the 2020 January-June catalog here.

I am always a little sad when the Stampin' Up!® Retiring Products list comes out.  Why? It means that some of my favorite packs of Designer Series Paper will soon no longer be available.  I have seen the new catalog (wow!) and it helps knowing that the new catalog has lots of beautiful papers.  

Bird Ballad is one of my favorite packs of paper from the 2019 Annual catalog and is on the Retiring List and available (for now) at a discounted price!  I think this is a pack many of us will miss.

This layout is one of my favorites because it shows off the beauty of the paper and fair warning you will be seeing it a lot!  

In addition to the Bird Ballad DSP, the Kindness and Compassion stamp set is on the retiring list.  I love the fonts used in this set.  I am keeping this set for my permanent collection.  No one likes to make sympathy cards but since we have to, the sentiments in this set are beautiful and perfect.

The edging was cut using the Delicate Lace Dies.  These dies are beautiful and also on the retiring list.  I just checked and they are still available and are discounted BIG, 60% so be sure to order them soon! 

Product List

Kindness & Compassion Clear-Mount Stamp Set [146729]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]	Petal Pink 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146985]	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121045]	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100730]
Bird Ballad Designer Series Paper [149592]	Delicate Lace Dies [147053]	Stitched Rectangle Dies [148551]	Petal Pink 5/8" (1.6 Cm) Organdy Striped Ribbon [149441]

Click on any of the products above and you will be taken to my online store.  Remember retiring products are available while supplies last so avoid disappointment and order soon!

Time for a new Festive Friday Challenge!  

What a perfect inspiration for the challenge!  I chose red, blue, appreciation sentiment, hearts, balloons, and green from the Inspo list to use on my card.

I used the heart balloons from the Special Someone stamp set in rainbow colors for my thank you card.  The sentiment is from the Tropical Chic stamp set.  Isn't it a perfect sentiment?  I used the Special Day dies that coordinate with this stamp set.  The dies were  available during the Coordination Product Release February 4-March 31.  

Want to make this card?  Here is a link to a tutorial for this project.

Two of the colors I used, Call Me Clover and Blueberry Bushel are part of the 2018-20 In Colors, which will be retiring when the current catalog retires on June 2.   Be sure you get your ink refill, cardstock and any other In Color accessories before they are gone.

I hope you will play along with the Festive Friday Challenge.  You have until April 27 at 8 pm CST to enter.  Just use 3 of the elements on the Inspo list and enter your project in the Festive Friday gallery.  Looking forward to seeing what you create!