I decided to make my glass card on vacation at the beach!  I started with a base of Rose Red and layered on Baja Breeze cardstock.  I sponged the top of the Whisper White with Baja Breeze Classic Ink to resemble clouds.  I added a darker line of ink along the sand line for the ocean.  The ground I used Sahara Sand cardstock and the fish bubble stamp from Summer Splash with Sahara Sand ink and randomly stamped it many times to make sand.  I sponged the torn edge with more Sahara Sand ink.  The bucket and shovel from Summer Splash were stamped with Night of Navy on Whisper White and cut out.  I stamped Thinking of You from Curly Cute stamp set in Night of Navy along the side.

The Vellum cup I cut 3 1/4 x 3 1/4, trimmed the sides on a diagonal and added Sticky Strip.  I colored the cardstock vellum with Rose Red ink at the bottom and Daffodil Delight ink along the upper portion…make sure to leave some of the clear vellum at the top so it does look like liquid in the glass.  I used Sticky Strip across the lip of the glass and added Chunky White Glitter (also retiring!) for the sugared rim.  I stamped the lemon from Tart & Tangy in Daffodil Delight on Whisper White and cut it out, then added it to the lip of the glass with a Stampin' Dimensional.  Finally, I cut a straw in half and secured it to the card with Mini Glue Dots.

I love how it turned out and really makes me WISH I were at the beach and could send this to someone!  lol!

We've started our last week of the Summer Edition, but it's not too late to join the Create with Connie and Mary Summer Edition!  You will still have access to all the past FABULOUS projects that our designers have done along with Mary and I during this edition…and they are easy enough to convert to the new stamps and accessories coming out with the NEW catalog!  The tutorials are easy to understand…great for gifts or using for your classes and stamp camps!  Sign up TODAY!

Sharing creativity one stamped image at a time!

My Technique Class made this card earlier this month with the technique called Faux Paneling that I learned from Technique Junkies.  It is hard to capture with the camera, but the Old Olive is the faux paneling look.  Fun and easy way to use up some of those scraps!

Of course, I've used several products from the Occasions Mini, Stampin' Up!'s Fox and Friends turtle, the Way 2 Go from the Level 1 Hostess set, Picture This.  The Sweet Pea Designer Paper and one of the darling Kisses Sending Love Notes!  Those notes are so fun to quickly pull out and stamp on!  I added 5/8 Chocolate Chip Ribbon and a small punched star, along with the Scallop Border along the side.

Fun card to send to someone to celebrate their accomplishment!

Had a fun punch class last night with several new people attending!  Need to finish getting ready for another class tomorrow morning!  Remember the Tour de Freaks Blog Tour starts on Saturday…don't miss it!

ONGOING Satin Ribbon Share still available!  See HERE for more information!

More snow!  I can't believe we are getting more snow!  The last winter storm dumped 14 inches…now we could get anywhere between 4 to 8 inches.  Schools have already called off today.  I'm ready for SPRING!

My Technique's Class last week made this card using the technique, Newspaper Reveal, from Technique Junkies!  I'm showing you because it also fits my LateNightStampers Design Team Challenge for Who's the Boss…embossing techniques!  It is fun stamping and recycling at the same time…we always have tons of newspapers around the house.

The base of the card is Old Olive with a strip of designer paper from Tall Tales and I added a strip of Close to Cocoa punched with the Pinking Hearts Border punch along the left side.  Stampin' Up!'s Inspired by Nature image was used for the Newspaper Reveal technique.  I layered it on So Saffron and wrapped the Barely Banana striped Ribbon around it and tied.  I cut the tag from Lots of Tags Sizzlet Pack with the Big Shot and So Saffron cardstock, then stamped Happy Birthday from Stampin' Up!'s Well Scripted on the tag and added two small Clear Rhinestone Brads on top and bottom.

It's a fun technique and my stampers really liked it!

Since it is snowing today, I plan on staying home and stamping all day!  Woohoo!

The Dad image worked perfect with the Faux Metal technique we did at a Technique Class several months ago.  I used Sage Shadow and Chocolate Chip cardstock for the layers, then the To The Nines Designer Paper (lovely THICK designer paper!), for the background.  I wrapped some 5/8 Chocolate Chip Ribbon from the back of the Designer Paper layer to the front and cut off the tail.  I wrapped the Linen Thread around it and tied a Clear Button on the front.  I stamped, "You're One of the Good Ones" from Smarty Pants in Chocolate Chip in on the base Sahara Sand card.

I think this is a great technique to use for masculine cards!  To do Faux Metal, ink up your solid type stamp in Versamark and set aside.  Heat a puddle of Silver Embossing Powder (a little larger than the size of your image) on a piece of scrap cardstock until it melts.  Add Versamark over top of the melted EP and add more Silver Embossing Powder…repeat for several layers.  At the last layer, stamp your image in the hot melted embossing powder (place the stamp and just let it cool and harden around the stamp…it won't hurt it!), trim around the image and adhere to your card as desired.  Pretty easy!

I hope you have a wonderful day!

This is a card that has been on my mind for a while.  I just showed my Stamp Clubs how to do the Easel Card last week (I'll show that card on Friday).  This one was a little more labor intensive.

I started by punching a 1 1/4 circle from a post-it note and applying it over the White Glossy card stock.  I brayered Bashful Blue Classic Ink all over the White Glossy paper, then removed the post it note.  I stamped the Santa and reindeer with Basic Black on the colored background.  It is layered on Whisper White.  I had a piece of the Iridescent Ice glitter technique left over from another project, using the Petals A Plenty embossing folder.  I punched a Real Red snowflake from the Jumbo Snowflake and placed a silver mini brad in the center.

I rolled the Neighborhood Jumbo Wheel on Whisper White, then used my AquaPainters and Stampin' Write markers to color in the houses.  I used So Saffron in the windows, Sahara and, Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, Going Gray and Real Red.  I cut out each house individually, then placed them on the snow covered "lawn".  Two Silver Mini Brads on the top of the tallest house is what holds the base of the easel card in place.  i added Crystal Effects and Dazzling Diamonds glitter to the snow line and the top of the houses.  LOVE the sparkle!

These Easel cards are so much fun.  They are easy to mail because they fold up and fit in a standard sized envelope!

I hope you and you family have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!

Guest Designer Call

Don't forget!  Julie and I are getting ready for the next session of Create with Connie & Julie featuring the Occasions Mini and Sale-A-Bration brochures!  We're very excited that the Holiday Edition has been so successful and want to expand!  So, we are looking for 3 Guest Designers to help us with projects for 9 weeks starting in January!  Click Here for details.

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Click Here 24/7 to shop online!  Holiday Extravaganza Sale going on now with savings up to 50%!!!

How's that for a title!  lol!  First, Julie and I are getting ready for the next session of Create with Connie & Julie featuring the Occasions Mini and Sale-A-Bration brochures!  We're very excited that the Holiday Edition has been so successful and want to expand!  So, we are looking for 3 Guest Designers to help us with projects for 9 weeks starting in January!  Here are the details.

Are you enthusiastic, fun and talented? That’s what we’re looking for!

Contest is open Wednesday, November 18 – Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Winners will be notified no later than Saturday, December 5, 2009 via email.  We are looking to fill 3 positions.

Please put Guest Designer Submission in the Subject of your email to info@createwithconnieandjulie.com

Please also send a introductory paragraph of why you would like to be chosen for the Guest Designer.  Include your name, how long you have been a demo with Stampin' Up!, a link to your blog, and attach 3 of your favorite Stampin' Up! projects that you have created.

Requirements:

• Must be a US or CAN demonstrator so products are the same as we are using
  
• 9 week commitment – one challenge project per week, plus one additional project every 3 weeks (total of 3).  A list a challenges and product schedule will be provided at acceptance so you can work ahead, if desired.
  
• All projects must use Stampin' Up! only products – exception being altered items
  
• Compensation will be discussed upon selection
  
• DT members should use the Create with Connie & Julie Guest Designer blog badge and promote CCJ where ever and when ever possible!  Maintaining an active Blog is strongly desired.  We want each guest designer to be proud to be a Guest Designer!

Please note that this is not a creative contest, so we are not necessarily looking for the BEST projects. Rather, we are looking for the best designers who fit into our friendly and encouraging style and are interested in helping us GROW and add new members to the site!

We would love to have you apply!

To see more about our program, visit these preview pages for the Holiday Edition going on now:

        Connie's Preview

        Julie's Preview

OK…now here is my creative card for today!  My Technique Class did this technique called Bingo Blast a few months ago!  It is from Technique Junkies Newsletter and a very fun technique!  You use actual empty Bingo Daubers and ink refills to create it!  Isn't it fun?  I thought the bright colors of Crushed Curry, Melon Mambo and Rich Razzleberry complement the giraffe from Stampin' Up!'s Animal Stories really well and made a cute baby card in non-traditional colors!  The Hello Baby stamp is from Teeny Tiny Wishes (of course!).  I also like the Scallop Square Punch placed behind the corners for an added detail!

Don't forget…tomorrow is the Tour de Freaks!  Stop by and take the tour!

INKspired Treasures Blog

Click here to order online 24/7!

I chose my colors from the stripe in Thoroughly Modern Designer Paper.  I used Melon Mambo, Bermuda Bay and Soft Suede cardstock to complement it.

The base card is Bermuda Bay, then I laid down a 2" strip of Sticky Page and added my mosaic pieces.  The grout lines were filled with Gold Embossing Powder. 

The focal point I stamped the wreath in Soft Suede and the berries in Melon Mambo.  The bow was added with the Melon Mambo marker.  This piece was layered on Soft Suede and then Melon Mambo cardstock.  I cut the little bird from Merry Details Sizzlet Die in my Big Shot!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!  Should be a good football game on tomorrow with Ohio State playing Penn State!  Go Bucks!

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CLICK HERE to shop ONLINE 24/7

It's not too late!  We would love to have you join us over on Create with Connie & Julie. We have finished up our Halloween and Fall ideas and we now have 6 full weeks of Christmas projects. There are two ways to join us, you can place an online order for $75.00 or you can purchase a subscription for only $39.95 US. For more information on the site please click HERE!

Wow!  Thank you for your response to Create with Connie and Julie!  Julie has a wonderful joy fold card on the Preview today!  Check it out (scroll down past the intro to see the new posts) and then sign up…we have lots more exclusive projects coming your way over the next eight weeks…and the cost is less than a dollar a day for all those ideas!

I have been BUSY with preparing for my craft fair this weekend, too.  I don’t know why I wait to the last minute.  Probably because it always seems like a long way off…but now it is here!  I did get a lot done yesterday and have my "game plan" ready for today.

Today’s card is one I made for last week’s Late Night Stampers challenge to "Chalk it Up!"  I used one of my favorite "go to" stamp sets, For All You Do.  I love it paired with Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Paper…the colors are so bright and cheerful!

I started by stamping the flowers and stem with Versamark ink on Whisper White and then rubbed Stampin’ Pastels over top of the Versamark.  (Did you know that Stampin’ Pastels come in ALL 48 exclusive Stampin’ Up! colors PLUS neutrals?)  This technique is called Poppin’ Pastels.  I showed you the Falling Leaves card last Friday that used the same technique.  The centers are Crushed Curry dots punched from the large side of the Crop A Dile. The Whisper White was layered on Rich Razzleberry.  

I took a layer of Melon Mambo cardstock and added a 3 3/4 x 3 3/4 square of Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Paper on the bottom part.  I stamped the little flower from For All You Do in Melon Mambo ink across the top.  Then wrapped the Crushed Curry Polka Dot Ribbon from top to bottom and added a knot at the top (actually you are seeing the back of the knot…before I adhered the one end, I turned the knot backwards.) 

I stamped the words, For All You Do…, in Rich Razzleberry ink on Whisper White and punched it with my 1 3/8 circle punch.  That was layered on a Crushed Curry Scallop Circle Punch piece and I pierced the scallops with my Paper Piercing tool.  I popped it up with Stampin’ Dimensionals  The entire front element was then placed on the base card of Rich Razzleberry.

Enjoy!  I’m off to my studio for the rest of the day…thanks for stopping by! 

And a special hi to my wonderful hubby…today is our

30th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY! 

Love you!  (Guess I’d better go make his card, huh?)  lol!

Supplies:

Set:  For All You Do

Cardstock:  Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry, Whisper White

Inks:  Versamark, Melon Mambo

Accessories:  Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Paper (115675), Stampin’ Pastels (105542), Crushed Curry Polka Dot Ribbon (115614), Paper Piercing Tool (116631), 1 3/8 Circle Punch (104401), Scallop Circle Punch (109043), Crop A Dile (108362)

INKspired Treasures

Reminder that the last day to order my September Card Kit is Thursday, September 24th!  You can find more details HERE!

I hope you enjoyed the Tour de Freaks blog tour over the past couple days!  I know I saw a lot of great ideas…hope you did, too!  Come back for next month’s tour on October 20th!

This week’s challenge over on Late Night Stampers is to dust off those chalk pastels you have sitting in a drawer!  I know I hadn’t used mine in quite a while!  For this card, I used the technique of using chalks in the background.

I started by stamping the leaf from Autumn Splendor on Kraft cardstock with Basic Brown ink.  I used various colors of Stampin’ Up! Pastels and cotton balls to scrub the chalk into the cardstock in a circular motion.  I used a Sponge Dauber and Basic Brown ink around the edges of the cardstock.  I followed the same procedure with the Give Thanks image from Holiday Best, the Level 1 Hostess set and punched it with the Wide Oval punch.

The base card is Kraft cardstock with a layer of Really Rust.  I added a strip of Autumn Meadows Designer Paper along the bottom and wrapped some 1" Chocolate Chip ribbon to hide the seam and secured it in back.  Finally, I stamped the acorns from Autumn Splendor on Kraft cardstock with the Basic Brown ink and cut them out.  They were placed on the leaf image with dimensionals.  To make sure the chalk doesn’t rub off by touching it, I lightly spritzed the cardstock with a Matte Sealer spray.

Click here to place on order online or to join my team!

Great Friends stamp set is probably one of my favorite sets in the Occasions Mini Catalog and I didn’t even buy it the first order I placed from it!  The butterfly is so easy to cut out and the sets pieces just coordinate so well together.  I also seem to use the greeting "for you" a lot, and it is nice having one that fits the  Scallop Oval punch.

This Wet Stencil technique was done by my tech class members earlier this month and they loved it!  I found the directions in a recent Technique Junkies Newsletter and felt it was perfect to promote Stampin’ Up!’s Decor Stencils and Watercolor Crayons!  This stencil is called Kind Thoughts Flourish.  I used the small one (#116572, $9.95). 

I started with a base of Taken with Teal cardstock.  I next used a layer of Elegant Eggplant cardstock and used the Cutter Kit distressing tool to rough up the edges.  On the Whisper White stencil layer, I wrapped some 1/4 Eggplant ribbon around and secured to the back.  Then I stamped For You in Taken with Teal on Whisper White and punched with my Large Oval Punch and then a Taken with Teal Scallop Oval Punch.  Finally, I stamped the Great Friends butterfly with Elegant Eggplant ink on Taken with Teal cardstock and cut it out.  I added a couple silver mini brads to the center of his body.  I hope you like it, too!

Had a very nice dinner here last night to celebrate all the June birthdays, Father’s Day, Anniversaries, college graduations…whew!

I hope you enjoyed the Tour de Freaks Blog Tour over the weekend!  Lots of great ideas!  Come back next month on July 20th  for some new catalog set ideas!

Great Friend, #113792, $17.95