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Tropical Party and Blog Candy

I did find another sketch challenge to play along over on Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge, SSC67.  It looked like fun and I thought immediately of the new Island Floral Bigz Die that could be used for the flower focal element. 

My card ties in with the Tropical Party theme we have going on over on Create with Connie and Mary this week!  Subscribers are getting a chance to see some fun projects made with Stampin' Up!'s Tropical Party stamps, Island Floral Bigz Die and Island Oasis Designer paper. 

I started with a base card of Tempting Turquoise cardstock.  I added a layer of So Saffron that I ran thru the Big Shot with the Square Lattice Impressions Folder.  I made my "designer paper" in the background by stamping the large flower in Tropical Party randomly on Whisper White cardstock in the colors of Pumpkin Pie, Rose Red, Tempting Turquoise and So Saffron.  I layered that piece on Pumpkin Pie.  I did add some real designer paper with the Polka Dot Print in Island Oasis Designer Paper, then added a strip of So Saffron on top, with the Happy Birthday greeting from Teeny Tiny Wishes.  I also wrapped some Pumpkin Pie ribbon around and tied with a knot.

The flower I ran Rose Red and Pumpkin Pie cardstock thru the Big Shot with the Island Floral Bigz Die, then ran it thru again in the Square Lattice Impressions Folder.  I punched Boho Blossom from So Saffron for the center and added a Circle Ice Rhinestone Brad in the center.  This is popped up with dimensionals on the front.  I like it!  It is nice and bright!

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TROPICAL BLOG CANDY!

King of the Grill

When I saw this sketch challenge from Card Positioning Systems (CPS 165), I knew immediately what I wanted to do.  I loved Stampin' Up!'s King of the Grill stamp set the minute I saw it in the new Summer Mini.  What a great, whimsical set for men!  Lots of fun greetings in it, too!  I thought the little circle accents in the sketch looked like the knobs on a grill…don't you?  Ok…maybe it is just me…

I knew I wanted a RED grill, so I started with a base 5 1/4 x 5 1/4 square Real Red card.  Next, I found a red pattern in Jackpot Designer Paper and layered it on Basic Black for the background. 

For my focal piece, I ran the Whisper White cardstock thru my Big Shot along with an oval chipboard template and the new Square Lattice Impressions folder.  The oval template allows the center to remain smooth, but around the edges are textured.  A very cool technique to add some texture.

EDIT:  I had to play around a little to get this to work in my Big Shot.  I cut ovals out of two rectangle pieces of DSP chipboard and glued the reverse rectangle pieces together.  This template (with the ovals cut out), I placed on TOP of the Impressions Folder, with the cardstock inside.  I placed the Big Shot platform closed first, a piece of cardstock for the shim, then the Impressions Folder with cardstock, the chipboard on top of the Impressions Folder and finally one Acrylic Plate.  That gave me enough pressure to run thru the Big Shot.  It gave me the smooth oval in the front with the texture surrounding it.

I stamped my King of the Grill image in the center with Basic Black Classic Ink.  I used my AquaPainter and Stampin' Write Markers in the colors of Real Red, Going Gray, Basic Black, Sahara Sand, Chocolate Chip, Brocade Blue and Bashful Blue.  I used the Blush Blossom Stampin' Write Marker full strength for the face and hands.  I stamped the greeting (using my Stamp-a-ma-jig!!!) "It's a BTUtiful thing!" in Basic Black Classic Ink under the image.  I added the Whisper White cardstock to a layer of Basic Black, rounding the corners with my Corner Rounder Punch.

Finally, I cut a tab of Basic Black and placed it on the front of the card where I wanted it.  I used my Piercing Tool and Mat Pack template to determine where my holes would be and pierced them.  I added the three Star Designer Brads in a row.

I'm thrilled with how this turned out!  What do you think?  Hope you have a wonderful Sunday!  And remember to come back for BLOG CANDY this week!

Did you know we announced the winners of the FREE subscriptions to Create with Connie and Mary?  Maybe YOU were the winner if you left a comment on any of our blogs last week.  Don't forget to check!  And, it's not too late to subscribe to 4 weeks of great ideas and tutorials!  You don't want to miss out!  

Create with Connie and Mary Sketch Challenge

Today is the last day of the FREE Preview Week over on Create with Connie and Mary!  It has been a fun week using the Elements of Style stamp set, Presto Patterns Specialty Paper, Rough Type and Vintage Tags products.  I hope you enjoyed the projects!  Starting Sunday, we will be featuring the Tropical Party Stamp Set, Island Floral Bigz Die and Island Oasis Designer Paper, but you do need to be a subscriber to view them.  

The WINNERS of the FREE subscriptions have been announced!  Stop over to Create with Connie and Mary and see if it was YOU!  But…you only have until May 7th at 11:55 PM EST to claim your PRIZE!

I  also have some special Blog Candy to offer mext week!  You will want to come back and see what I have planned!  They are SO much fun!  (And yes…we have SEVERAL available!)

Today's CCMC1 is a Sketch Challenge that I created for our first challenge.  Check out what the other designers do with this sketch over on Create with Connie and Mary!  I'm always amazed at how different everyone's cards are.

I decided to flip the sketch on the side.  I started with a base of Soft Suede cardstock.  I layered on Melon Mambo that I roughed up around the edges with my Cutter Kit Distressing Tool.  I sponged some Soft Suede Classic Ink around the edges.  Then I stamped the large rose pattern from Stampin' Up!'s Elements of Style in Soft Suede randomly in the background on another Soft Suede cardstock layer.  I also distressed the edges and sponged around with Soft Suede Classic Ink.  I wrapped the Soft Suede Polka Dot Ribbon around to the back, then created a bow in the front with two more pieces of the Soft Suede Polka Dot Ribbon folded into loops, then secured on the front with a Fire Square Rhinestone Brad.  I stamped the rose image on Whisper White layer with Soft Suede Classic Ink, then stamped it again on scrap Whisper White, colored with the AquaPainter and Stampin' Write Markers in Melon Mambo and Soft Suede and cut it out.  I placed it in the center of the Whisper White.  I stamped For You with Soft Suede on Whisper White and punched with the 1 1/4 circle punch.  I punched Melon Mambo with 1 3/8 circle and layered it.  Then finally a Soft Suede Scallop Circle and pierced the holes in the scallops.  The Melon Mambo layer was run thru the Big Shot with the Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Folder and sponged around the edges with Soft Suede Classic Ink.  I love the vintage feel to this card and the colors!

Supplies:

Sets:  Elements of Style (w118611, c120045)

Inks:  Soft Suede Classic Ink (115637), Melon Mambo and Soft Suede Stampin' Write Markers (Asst 116329)

Cardstock:  Whisper White (100730), Melon Mambo (115320), Soft Suede (115318)

Accessories:  Soft Suede Polka Dot Ribbon (115612), Square Fire Rhinestone Brads (109112), 1 1/4 Circle Punch (104403), 1 3/8 Circle Punch (104401), Scallop Circle Punch (109043), Piercing Tool (105531), Mat Pack (105826), Cutter Kit (106958), Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Folder (117335), Sponge Daubers (102892)

Again, don't forget to check out the rest of the Create with Connie and Mary design team to see what they did this week!  If you are a subscriber, play along and link to Mr. Linky over on the site!  You will be entered into a drawing for one of two $75 merchandise gift certificates at the end of the Summer Edition!

Create with Connie and Mary Summer Edition….$24.95 US

Elements of Style

Wow, I combined two challenges today to create my card…the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #SSSC66 and Curtain Call Act #27 color combination of Pink Pirouette, Melon Mambo, Certainly Celery and Whisper White!  I LOVE that color combination and it was a FUN sketch!

Since I was using Pink Pirouette, I knew I wanted a soft look to my Elements of Style rose image and show that it doesn't have to be vintage!  I stamped the image in Versamark on Whisper White and used my sponge daubers and Stampin' Pastels to color in the roses and leaves!  I cut it out with my Circle Scissors to a 3 1/2" size and then cut a circle mat from Melon Mambo at 3 5/8" size.  The base card is 5 1/4 x 5 1/4 Pink Pirouette square card (I am SO glad that color will be coming back!) and layered with Certainly Celery cardstock.  I stamped the vine image from Elements of Style with Certainly Celery Classic Ink in the corners on the right side.  I used my Paper Piercing Tool and Mat Pack to make the designs in the corners of the left side.  I added strips of designer paper in the background from Sweet Pea Designer Paper and Razzleberry Lemonade.  FInally, I added a bow made from the Melon Mambo Polka Dot Ribbon and placed it on the base of the stamped rose image.  That stamp set is so pretty, and what a great way to spend a rainy Sunday afternoon stamping! 

 Don't forget!  Today is the LAST CHANCE to get the Early Bird Pricing for Create with Connie and Mary!  Save $5 off the regular $24.95 price!  It's PREVIEW week…check out Mary's awesome project for today!

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!

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! 

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.

SSSC64 Sketch Challenge

Here's a sneak peak at one of the sets in the Stampin' Up! Summer Mini called Tropical Party!  I love this fun Coconut Drink image!  I used the sketch from Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge, SSSC64, to line up my coconut drinks…we'll REALLY celebrate you after drinking these!  lol!

I started with a base card of Tempting Turquoise, cut into a 5 1/4 square card.  I added a layer of Pumpkin Pie cardstock and stamped the small flower from Stampin' Up!'s Tropical Party randomly across the top with Pumpkin Pie Classic Ink.  That piece is layered on Chocolate Chip cardstock.  I wrapped Chocolate Chip Satin Ribbon around and tied with a knot.  I added a band of Tempting Turquoise Polka Dot from Island Oasis Designer Paper pack and a punched Scallop Edge from Old Olive Textured cardstock across the front.  Behind those layers, I added the stripe pattern from Island Oasis on the base card.    (The stripe is my FAVORITE!) 

Finally, I stamped the coconut drinks three times on Whisper White with Chocolate Chip Classic Ink, colored them with my Stampin' Write markers and cut them out.  I popped them up on the front of the card with Stampin' Dimensionals.  I added Celebrate You from Stampin' Up!'s A Little Birthday Cheer, stamped in Chocolate Chip Classic Ink on the bottom of the Pumpkin Pie cardstock layer.

Isn't this a FUN card?  I love that sketch and will be using it again I can tell!

Remember…it is Early Bird Registration time for Create with Connie and Mary!