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Bloggers Challenge – Color Challenge

When I first heard that Lisa picked Blue, Orange and Moss for our color challenge, I hesitated.  But, after playing with them, I really do like them!  Two out of the three colors I chose will be retiring after this catalog is over…Brocade Blue and Mellow Moss.

I just recently purchased Stampin' Up!'s Simply Adorned charm and coordinating Chaming Stamp Set (available as a write-in item…it is not in the catalogs yet).  I really love the small sized stamps in this set.  I have plans to make a lot of these charm inserts!  I think they are darling!

I knew I didn't have any coordinating designer paper that matched the colors we were suppsoed to use, so I created my own.  I used the small medallion stamp in Chaming and used Pumpkin Pie, Mellow Moss and Brocade Blue randomly over the Whisper White cardstock.  I layered it on a wide band of Pumpkin Pie and then a layer of Brocade Blue.  I tied the white Satin Stripe Ribbon around and tied a bow.  I used the word background stamp in Charming for the background of my circle element, then my Stampin' Write Markers to color in the floral vine.  I punched with the 1 3/8 circle punch, then layered on the Scallop Circle Punch.  I pierced the holes in each of the scallops with my piercing tool.  The background Mellow Moss I ran thru the Big Shot with the new Square Lattice Impressions Folder.  Then layered it on my base card of Brocade Blue.  I repeated the process for my 1 x 1 1/4 charm insert.  I like how these turned out!

Reminder that SUNDAY is the last day to take advantage of the Early Bird Subscription savings going on now!  Save $5 off the normal $24.95!  Check out the Early Bird projects on Create with Connie and Mary!  Demonstrators and customers are welcome to join!  You'll get lots of ideas using the upcoming Summer Mini Catalog stamps and accessories!

With All My Heart

I have TONS of this Sending Love Designer Paper left…I think two full packages!  I know I won one package at Leadership and I've used up at least a couple more.  It really is beautiful paper, and just not for Valentine's Day!  Here I've used it for my MIL's Mother's Day card.  lol!

The meets the Sketch Challenge over on SCS and also the Mother's Day card challenge over on LateNightStampers!  A two-fer!

I stamped the flower image from Stampin' Up!'s With All My Heart in Pretty in Pink on Very Vanilla and punched it with the Fancy Flower punch, then sponged around the edges with Pretty in Pink Classic Ink.  I stamped the small flower in that set in Real Red on Very Vanilla and punched with the 1/2 circle punch.  I used an Antique Gold Build-A-Brad in the center.  I haven't used those in quite a while!  I added it to a layer of Very Vanilla that I stamped Wonderful Mother from Well Scripted in Chocolate Chip.  I layered it on Chocolate Chip and did a piercing design in the upper right corner. 

I added the Sending Love Designer Paper glittery flower pattern to a layer of Chocolate Chip cardstock and placed it on the Pretty in Pink base card.  I used another strip of Sending Love small flowers pattern and wrapped the Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon around and tied.  The flower and the Mother panel are all popped up with Stampin' Dimensions.  This card is very sparkly in real life!  I think she'll like it!

SUNDAY is the last day to take advantage of the Early Bird Subscription savings going on now!  Save $5 off the normal $24.95!  Check out the Early Bird projects on Create with Connie and Mary!  Demonstrators and customers are welcome to join!  You'll get lots of ideas using the upcoming Summer Mini Catalog stamps and accessories!

April Tour de Freaks!

Wow…another month has gone by and it is time for the April Tour de Freaks!  You've probably just come from Lynn Put's Blog…weren't her projects fantastic?  You can continue around the tour to see everyone's projects, we have 14 stops this time!  The theme this month is FLOWERS!  I know you'll see great ideas to help you enjoy Spring a little more!

My first project uses different sizes of circles to make some punch art flowers!  I used the 1 3/4 circle punch and Regal Rose cardstock, 1 3/8 circle punch and Pretty in Pink cardstock and the 1" circle punch and So Saffron cardstock.  I cut slits around each of the circles, then sponged them all with Regal Rose Classic Ink.  I adhered them together and added a White Flower Button to the centers.  The leaves are the wing from the Bird Punch (do you have that punch yet?) out of Certainly Celery and sponged around the edges with Certainly Celery Classic Ink.  I used Tea Party Designer Paper in the background and cut it into strips (using the Bloggers' Challenge sketch from last week!)  I added Happy Birthday from Stampin' Up!'s Well Scripted stamp set.  LOVE how this turned out!  The base of the card is Pretty in Pink cardstock.

I first saw this project over on Becky Robert's blog, but I adapted it to fit 4×4 cards instead of the tags she had used.  I created the bottom of the box from So Saffron cardstock, then lined the inside with Chocolate Chip cardstock for the divider.  Over the front is a piece of Medium Window Sheet that slides off to open.  I wrapped the Belly Band of Chocolate Chip cardstock that I punched with the Scallop Edge Punch and Sweet Pea Designer Paper around the Window Sheet and then wrapped Very Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon and tied it in a bow.

Inside I made six 4×4 sized thank you cards from a base of So Saffron cardstock.  I added the Stripe Pattern from Sweet Pea Designer Paper on top.  In the center is Very Vanilla cardstock layered on Chocolate Chip.  I used the Extra Large Fancy Flower punch and more Sweet Pea Designer Paper to punch the large flowers for the front.  The inside is a punched 3/4 circle from Taken with Teal or So Saffron to coordinate.  I added leaves punched from Sahara Sand with the 5 Petal Punch.  I used Thank You Kindly stamp set with Taken with Teal Classic Ink in various thank you greetings.  Although I didn't do it yet, I'll also include some 4×4 envelopes that I'll make to fit the cards. 

Wouldn't it make a nice present for someone special?  Here is a close up of a couple of the cards inside. 

Next stop  on the Tour de Freaks is Mary Brown's blog.  I KNOW she has some marvelous projects to show you!  She was telling me about it this past Sunday at our meeting!  Thanks for stopping by and taking the tour!  Hope you enjoyed my projects! 

July Fourth – TSSC118

Good morning!  Another cool, but sunny day here in Ohio!  Hope you had a wonderful weekend.  I had an excellent day yesterday at a downline meeting.  We always have fun with the M&Ts and seeing friends.  Mary (from Create with Connie and Mary) and I got to brainstorm a little bit about some ideas we have coming up for the next session!  Lots of GOOD things you DON'T want to miss!

Today's Mary Jo Technostamper's sketch challenge was SO tempting, I just had to try it out!  I wanted to give you another sneak peek of a set in the Summer Mini, too!  It really came together very quickly!  It really took me longer to figure out the stamp set, than it did to put it together.   As you can tell, I changed the orientation so my stamp images would fit better.

I stamped three of the fireworks images in Stampin' Up!'s new July Fourth (available May 1) in Real Red Classic Ink.  I stamped two of the other fireworks images in Brilliant Blue and the July 4th greeting in Brilliant Blue, all on Whisper White.  I punched them with the 1 1/4 circle punch and lined them up on the Brilliant Blue layer in the lower right corner.  I added Brilliant Blue and Real Red Mini Brads to the centers of the fireworks and colored in the 4th with a Real Red Stampin' Write Marker. 

I wrapped some Real Red Polka Dot Ribbon around the Brilliant Blue and tied with a knot.  Everything was placed on the base card of Real Red cardstock.  Like I said, pretty simple, huh?

 GET READY!  Tomorrow is Control Freaks Blog Hop!  Our theme is FLOWERS this month, so you won't want to miss out on some fantastic ideas that I'm sure the girls will have!  Hmmm, better get mine finished, huh???  lol!

Early Bird Subscription savings going on now!  Save $5 off the normal $24.95 price only until SUNDAY!  Check out the preview projects on Create with Connie and Mary!  Demonstrators and customers are welcome to join!  You'll get lots of ideas using the upcoming Summer Mini Catalog stamps and accessories!

Stamping 411 – Elements of Style

This sketch was one of the more difficult ones I've tried with Stamping 411.  Of course, when I see what the other operators have done, I'll be hitting myself on the head…duh…why didn't I think of that?  But, you know how you get something in your mind and it won't let go.  This didn't turn out how I anticipated.  It's ok…just not my favorite!  I like all the elements, just not how they came together, I guess!  lol!

I did use one of the new sets in the Summer Mini, so you are getting a sneak peek!  Stampin' Up!'s Elements of Style is a old-fashioned vintage style set, I think.  I started with a base of Kraft Cardstock, then added Bella Bleu Designer Paper over top, I distressed the edges first with my Cutter Kit, then a sponge dauber and Brocade Blue Classic Ink.  I added the Kraft print in the Bella Bleu Designer Paper to Very Vanilla cardstock and ran it thru the Big Shot with the Top Note die.  I stamped over the Top Note with Brocade Blue Classic Ink and the Rose image.  It kind of gave it a split negative technique look.  I added Vanilla Satin Ribbon behind the points of the Top Note…then a Kraft Taffeta Ribbon bow in the corner.  I tied on the greeting, Love, from Stampin' Up!'s Tiny Tags stamp set on Brocade Blue and punched with the Medium Jewelry Tag punch.

I can't wait to see what the rest of the Design Team Operators came up with over on Stamping 411!  And, I hope you have a wonderful weekend.  I have a downline meeting on Sunday…should be fun!

Bloggers Challenge – Sketch

Today's Bloggers Challenge is a really neat sketch!  I decided to use a huge floral element for the center of the card, instead of the large rectangle.  My Shades of Spring Designer Paper has been sitting there…I've been hoarding the large floral paper in that package.  I decided to cut up a piece of it to use on my card.

I started with a base of Orchid Opulence.  I cut the Vanilla/Plum polka dot designer paper from that package into 1" x 4" strips.  Then I layered each of them on Certainly Celery cardstock and added it to my card.

I cut one of the large flowers out of the Designer Paper and slightly curled the edges inward.   I added a large Vanilla Brad to the center of the flower.  I first tried a variety of different punches in the center, but it just distracted from the pretty paper, so I left it with only the large brad.  I also cut out two of the leaves from the pattern and placed them behind the flower.  The flower is popped up with Stampin' Dimensionals. 

I added the Happy Birthday greeting from Stampin' Up!'s Teeny Tiny WIshes on Very Vanilla and punched with the Word Window punch, then layered it on a Modern Label punched from Orchid Opulence cardstock.

Pretty simple card, but fun!  I'm anxious to see what the rest of the Blogger Challenge gals did this week with this sketch!

Busy day for me…I need to get over to Macy's to pick up a wedding gift that is on SUPER sale today!  I want to be first in line!  lol!

Early Bird Subscription savings going on now!  Save $5 off the normal $24.95 price!  Check out the preview projects on Create with Connie and Mary! 

Cute & Cuddly – PPA38

My friend and co-designer for Create, Mary Brown, let me know about a sketch challenge this morning over on Pals Paper Arts.  I've played with their challenges before, but hadn't been over there for a while…it was a good reminder to check them out!  Sketch PPA38 was really fun.  I needed a baby card for a friend of mine who just had a new grand-daughter born a couple weeks ago.  I bet she is thrilled (and I hope she doesn't see this before I get it mailed to her!)  At least the inside will be a surprise…I'm not going to show it here!  lol!

I started with a base of Pretty in Pink cardstock and layered on one of the prints from Pawsitively Prints Designer Paper from Stampin' Up!  The one made for the Build A Bear dies!  I love the small prints in it.  I added a strip of Whisper White and added two Scallop Edge Punch pieces in Certainly Celery cardstock.  I wrapped the Pretty in Pink Striped Ribbon around and tied a knot.

For the focal element, I stamped the Sweet Little Baby scallop square image from Stampin' Up!'s Cute & Cuddly stamp set three times on Whisper White with Basic Black Classic Ink, then stamped it again three times on Pretty in Pink cardstock.  I punched out the Whisper White images with the Scallop Square Punch and then cut the centers 3/4" to fit inside the squares and capture the Sweet Little Baby words.  Those are popped up with Stampin' Dimensionals on a piece of Certainly Celery cardstock and I layered that on Whisper White.

I think this made a very sweet baby card and it was pretty easy to put together thanks to the fun sketch!

Early Bird Subscription savings going on now!  Save $5 off the normal $24.95 price!  Check out the preview projects on Create with Connie and Mary! 

A Rose is a Rose…

I love roses, and especially this color…Apricot Appeal with a touch of Cameo Coral on the edges.  I think they are called the Peace Rose?  I used to have a beautiful rose bush with these colors!  Gorgeous!  These are the two colors that I will definitely stock up on before they retire. 

This challenge is also for No Time To Stamp's 3D Flower challenge (ssnotime137)!  What a great idea!  I've seen some beautiful 3D flowers out there and I'm always anxious to learn more ways to craft them. 

I knew when I saw MOJO Monday's sketch #134 that I wanted to use one of the roses I made when teaching "everyone" how to do them at the stamping retreat in March!  They have just been sitting in my studio waiting to be used.  I use the XL Fancy Flower Punch to make mine.  Last session, I did a little tutorial on how to make them over on Create with Connie and Julie, too!  They are LOTS of fun and look so different when you use different colors!

I started with a base of Apricot Appeal cardstock and added a layer of Cameo Coral.  On top of that I used the Kaleidoscope Designer Paper in both the green bubble print and the apricot stripe pattern.  I added the Scallop Edge punches to the bottom of the stripe design pieces.

I made the Apricot Appeal Rose using the XL Fancy Flower punch in the Occasions Mini and layering it.  I inked up the edges with a sponge dauber and Cameo Coral.  The leaves are made with the 5 Petal Punch and Garden Green cardstock, then crimped with the Crimper Tool.  I  adhered the Rose to the card with Stampin' Dimensionals.

Finally, I stamped Happy Mother's Day stamp from Stampin' Up!'s All Holidays Stamp Set in Garden Green on Whisper White and layered it on Garden Green cardstock.  I used my Piercing Tool and Mat to make the piercing decorations in the two corners.  

I love how this turned out and think I'll give it to my mom for Mother's Day, since I can hand it to her with her gift.

Lots to do today.  I need to work on my Control Freaks swap for the Summer Mini!  I want to get that mailed out tomorrow.  Have a great day!

If you haven't checked out the Create with Connie and Mary site yet now is the time to do it!  There will be a new project using Summer Edition products posted every day and there will be a minimum of two fabulous tutorials each and every week. We like to have lots of fun so we have challenges and prizes for our subscribers. Our sites stay up long after the session is done so you will have access to the site and the tutorials. For more information and to see our Early Bird Preview projects, please visit at Create with Connie and Mary!

Awash with Flowers – TSSC117

I like to play along with Mary Jo's Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge…she always has fun sketches.  It just seems lately that I haven't had the time!  I made time this morning to whip up this quick card!  The length of the focal element just screamed FLOWERS to me!

I earned this set FREE this month with Stampin' Up!'s Awash with Flowers hostess promotion going on during the month of April!  For a $350 workshop, you can earn this set for free, too!  Because it is two-step, I decided to go with the clear mount.  I must say, the clear mount made it really easy to line up!

I started with a base of Rich Razzleberry (aren't you GLAD this is staying in the catalog?  Woohoo!)  The focal element I stamped the top of the flower in Rich Razzleberry on Whisper White and added a Basic Black outline around it.  I stamped the stem in Always Artichoke and watercolored the leaves.  I layered this on Rich Razzleberry cardstock, then added a strip of Always Artichoke that I punched with the Scallop Edge punch.  I tied a Crushed Curry Polka Dot bow and placed it on the stem with Mini Glue Dots.

I layered this on a piece of Crushed Curry that I ran thru the Big Shot with the new Square Lattice Impressions Folder (available May 1) and that was layered on Always Artichoke.  Finally, I added two tabs of the Crushed Curry Polka Dot Ribbon.  I stamped Happy Anniversary from Teeny Tiny Wishes in Basic Black, punched with the Word Window punch and added to a Modern Label punched from Always Artichoke.  I needed an Anniversary card for my Mom and Dad, so this will work perfectly (51 years!  Congratulations!)

Wow…yesterday we had a tremendous response for our first day of the Early Bird Special price for Create with Connie and Mary!  We hope you decide to join us.   If you haven't checked out the Create with Connie and Mary site yet now is the time to do it!  We will be featuring new Summer Mini product.  There is a new project posted every day and there will be a minimum of two fabulous tutorials each and every week. We like to have lots of fun so we have challenges and prizes for our subscribers. Our sites stay up long after the session is done so you will have access to the site and the tutorials. For more information and to see our Preview Week projects please visit at Create with Connie and Mary!

Create with Connie and Mary!

It's here! We are launching our third edition of Create with Connie & Mary, where we will be featuring products from the amazing Summer Mini Catalog.  Yes…there is a slight name change.  Mary Brown, Sr. Design Team member has joined Connie on the Create Team.  This Edition we will again have our wonderful guest designers Monika Davis and Kerin Sylvester returning.

To kick of the start of the Early Bird Registration, Mary and I have each designed a special project to share with you.  To view all the details of these projects you need to visit the Create with Connie and Mary site

The Summer Edition will run 4 weeks from May 2 - May 30. Each week we will focus on a different collection of products that can be found in the Summer Mini Catalog.  Our goal is to show you some new and unique ways to use Stampin' Up!'s fabulous products.  EVERY DAY there will be a new project posted and EACH WEEK there will be AT LEAST TWO TUTORIALS available for you to download.  Our exclusive projects will include cards, scrapbook pages and 3D items – the quick and easy ones and the more complex larger projects.

In addition, our EXTRA Preview Week begins April 25, we will be focusing on the Elements of Style stamp set, Presto Patterns Designer Paper, Mostly Vintage Stencil, and the Rough Type Alphabet Stamp Set.  During this time period, the site will be open to everyone, but starting on Sunday, May 2nd, only those who have subscribed will have access to the site. 

4 week subscription to Create with Connie & Mary – $24.95 US.