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Create with Connie and Mary Thursday Challenge

Time for another Create with Connie and Mary Thursday Challenge…this week it is a Sketch Challenge!  My favorite kind!  I was thinking of using my favorite Halloween set, Wicked Cool…but you'll see why I didn't when you check out the Create with Connie and Mary website with the other Challenge Designers' entries!  Too funny…great minds think alike!  AND…make sure you check out our website to see it all decked out for the holidays!  I love what Michelle Laycock did for us!

Mary certainly put a lot of doodads on this sketch when she made it…but here is my card:

This is one of the new sets, Days of Gratitude, available in the new Stampin' Up! Holiday mini!  I love the stylized leaves in this set…and then I read the greeting!  What a NICE saying!  I think I'm going to really use this set a lot!  I started with a base card of Cajun Craze…I haven't used this color a lot yet, but with fall around the corner, I think it will become one of my standbys.  I then layered on a piece of Early Espresso cardstock that I had laying in my "starts" bin…it was already textured with the Vintage Wallpaper Impressions Folder.  It is spritzed with Gold Glow Smooch Spritz…so it has a little shimmer to it!  That was layered onto Old Olive cardstock and placed on the front. 

I cut into my new package of Autumn Spice Specialty Designer Paper…oh…I'd forgotten that it was cardstock weight!  PERFECT for making boxes!  I can't wait to use it some more.  I layered that onto more Cajun Craze cardstock.  I cut the 4 strips of the Old Olive medallion from the Autumn Spice DSP for a "ribbon" look going horizontally and vertically.

For the centerpiece, I stamped the greeting in Early Espresso Classic Ink on Very Vanilla and punched with the new Decorative Label punch.  I sponged the edges with Early Espresso ink.  I stamped the leaves in Cajun Craze, then did the Rock n Roll technique around the edges in Early Espresso for a two-toned look.  I cut them out and placed them with Stampin' Dimensionals on the side of the greeting.  I used my Early Espresso and Cajun Craze markers to ink up the acorn and stamped on Very Vanilla and cut them out.  They are also popped up with Stampin' Dimensionals.  Finally, I added two Designer Buttons that were tied with Linen Thread along the bottom right side.

I LOVE how this turned out!  I hope you play along with the rest of the Create with Connie and Mary Thursday Challenge Team and upload your creation over on the Create website!  We love to see what you do with our challenges!  And…don't forget…check out our new look, too!

It's time for the EARLY BIRD SPECIAL for the Create with Connie and Mary Holiday Edition!  It's an 8 week subscription featuring stamps and products from the new Stampin' Up! Holiday Mini.   There is a new project posted every day and an average of two fabulous tutorials a week.  NEW this year is a Project Sheet for every post!  Our site stays up long after the session is done, so you will always have access to the site and the tutorials. Preview week starts September 12th!  For more information, please visit at Create with Connie and Mary!

Dark & Dreary

Good morning!  (I can still say that although I'm pushing the envelope on how close it is to noon and getting this posted!)  I hope you had a wonderful weekend.  They go by fast, don't they? 

On Sunday, I was joined by a great group of gals at our Convention Round Up Demo Meeting!  I always have fun at these and come away so inspired!  It is good to see everyone.  We also do a swap as part of our program and I came away with a lot of really awesome cards!  I'm glad I found the time to make some swaps!

Here is the card I made.  I went with a Halloween theme (of course!)  I used Dark & Dreary…one of the sets that is in the new Holiday Mini coming out on Wednesday!  I've been having a LOT of fun using it AND that new Spider Web Impressions Folder…what do you think about it?  OK, here are the deets!

The base card (cardfront since it was a swap), is Tangerine Tango.  I added a layer of Basic Black that I ran thru the Big Shot with the Spider Web Impressions Folder.  I then used my Sponge Dauber and highlighted parts of the web with Platinum Shimmer Paint to make it stand out.  On the right of the Tangerine Tango, I stamped Treat or Treat, Scary & Sweet from the Grateful Greetings Stamp set.  I love the variety of holiday greetings in this set!  Then I stamped the spider from Stampin' Up!'s Dark & Dreary set and filled in his body with Basic Black marker.  I also drew a line with the marker and a ruler from the top.  I stamped the crow from Dark & Dreary in Basic Black on Whisper White, cut him out and placed him with a Stampin' Dimensional.

For the focal piece, I stamped the candlelabra in Basic Gray on Whisper White and punched it with the new XL Decorative Label Punch (I'm going to ADORE that punch!), then layered it on Basic Black cardstock and then Basic Gray cardstock.   I colored the flames with Daffodil Delight Stampin' Write Marker.  Then I stamped the Crow from Dark & Dreary in Basic Black on Whisper White and cut him out.  I placed him in front with a Stampin' Dimensional.  LOVE how that looks!

I was really happy with how my swap card turned out…even doing them LAST MINUTE before the meeting!  As I said, I was glad I found the time because I really did get some awesome swaps back!

I promised several people the template for the Bat Cone I made for the Tour de Freaks this month.  OK…here is the PDF for the Bat Cone treat favor!

BAT CONE

Hope you have a wonderful day!

Stamping 411 – Greeting Card Kids

I think this set is adorable!  I'm not one that normally likes to "color" in my images, but this one is hard to resist!  I used the Stamping 411 sketch for my start.

And here is my card:

I started with Bashful Blue as my base card and ran the front thru the Big Shot with the Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Folder.  I used Stampin' Up!'s Celebrations Designer Paper for a banner across the front, and layered it on Pacific Point cardstock.  I punched the top and bottom edge of the Pacific Point with the Eyelet Border Punch.  For the focal piece, I used Greeting Card Kids stamp set and stamped the little boy and girl on Whisper White oval from Ovals #2 die with Black Stazon and layered it on the Old Olive cardstock Oval.  I used my Watercolor Pencils and a Blender Pen to color them in.   I added a wire clip from the Clips Assortment and Pear Pizzazz Ribbon on the left.

For the greeting, I stamped Thinking of You from Teeny Tiny Wishes in Basic Black on Whisper White, punched with the Word Window and layered it on the Modern Label punch in Real Red, then the Scallop Oval punch in Pacific Point.  That was popped up with Stampin' Dimensionals.  I added a clear Itty Bitty Button with the X punched from Old Olive along the right side of the greeting as a final touch.  I like how it turned out!

Make sure to check out the rest of the Stamping 411 Design Operators to see what they have done with this sketch!  Play along and upload your creation over there, too!

Create with Connie and Mary Inspiration Challenge

I always think these inspiration challenges are fun…THIS one was a little more challenging for me!  My stars didn't want to line up correctly (hmmm, wonder if that is an omen?)  LOL!  Anyway, here is my interpretation of the Create with Connie and Mary Thursday Challenge…an inspiration theme with a FUN cake!  Make sure to check out the rest of the ideas from the Challenge Team over on Create with Connie and Mary.  Then create your OWN fun card and post it to InLinkz over there!  We love to see what you do!

And my card:

My card started with a base of Poppy Parade card stock.  I layered on Whisper White that I ran thru the Big Shot with the Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Folder.  I added a Daffodil Delight piece in the center, then cut two lengths of Marina Mist card stock with my Dotted Ribbon Punch and lined them up across the bottom.  I placed a Red Designer Button, tied with Linen Thread thru the middle.

I used another Summer Mini stamp set, Stampin' Up!'s July Fourth, to show you that it is more than just a set for red/white/blue!  It makes a good birthday card, or Thank You card like I used it.  I stamped the large star three times, Poppy Parade, Daffodil Delight and Marina Mist, then punched them out with the Large Star Punch.  I miss the Small Star Punch, but substituted the Stars Die…the smallest star is just a little bigger than the punch used to be!  The greeting is from A Word For You, and stamped on Marina Mist.  I used the NEW Decorative Label Punch to punch it out…hiding the bottom part of the greeting.

I think I came pretty close to the inspiration cake…what do you think?  Again, check out the rest of the Create with Connie and Mary Challenge Team!  I'm sure their ideas are fabulous!

Watercolor Trio

Well, sorry, my posting has been really irregular the past few weeks!  It feels like I'm just now working on all the things that I put off while planning for the wedding reception.  Then, this week, I started suffering with a UTI…if you've had one, you know what I mean!  I called this morning and am headed to the doctor today, hopefully for some relief!

All I can say is that you'd better grab this stamp set, Watercolor Trio, while you can!  It is NOT in the new catalog…I don't know why!  It is the BEST set to make quick and easy cards!  You can't mess up!  It is only available in the Summer Mini thru the end of August!  Yes…only 7 more days!

This card came together in less than 10 minutes…it actually took me longer to fiddle with the bow than it did to stamp and put the card together.  I used Mary Jo's Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge TSSC136 to get me started.

Here's my card:

I knew I wanted to use Poppy Parade to give me a big POP of color on the flowers.  Of course, Pear Pizzazz and Daffodil Delight just complement it beautifully!  I inked up the flower stamp with Poppy Parade, Pear Pizzazz and Daffodil Delight Stampin' Write Markers and stamped three times.  I inked up the leaves with Pear Pizzazz and stamped a couple more images of it.  I ended up with a big vacant space in the upper right hand corner.  Woohoo!  Stampin' Up!'s new Word Play stamp set has BIG greetings…I love them!  I like this greeting…Imagine the Possibilities.  I layered the Whisper White cardstock on some Pear Pizzazz and pierced a row of holes across the top with my Piercing Tool and Mat.  Then I wrapped a big length of Daffodil Delight Satin Ribbon around and tied with a bow.  That ribbon is just the NICEST ribbon to work with…it handles SO well!  Like I said…quick and easy…but a really NICE card!

Big day…lots to do, so I'd better get going.  Hope you have a wonderful day, too!

Convention Flower Power

Oh…I went to see WICKED last night with my girlfriend, Barbara!  AWESOME show!  I loved it!  While we had a yummy dinner, we got to talking about Convention and the Flower Power Party!  It was SO much fun!  So…here is Barbara…all dressed up!  (Bet you didn't know I had that picture, Barbara!)

In the next picture is Candy our upline (my direct and Barbara two step up…or something…).  She was the one who WON the contest for BEST DRESSED Costume out of ALL the people there at Convention!  Oh my gosh…she was HILARIOUS!  I about wet my pants when I first saw her costume!  She is SUCH a riot!  I'd forgotten that I wanted to share this photo with all of you!  So…here is a blast from the past…my crazy flower child upline, Candy!

You can see that Convention is an awesome event!  I am SO glad that I decided to go at the last minute!  I've met so many wonderful friends thru my stamping business…I don't know what I'd do without them! 

So…I'm off to finish up my Control Freaks swaps for the Holiday Mini…hope to get a card done to show you tomorrow!  lol!

Stamping 411 – Growing Green

Time again for the Stamping 411 Sketch Challenge!  I decided to use a new set in the big catalog, Going Green.  I liked the open lines of this set.  Plus, it pairs up with the new designer paper, Woodland Walk with its very soft and soothing colors of Garden Green, Wild Wasabi, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla and Chocolate Chip.

Here's my card:

I pulled out the Garden Green color from the Woodland Walk Designer Paper and used it for my base card.  I added a layer of Early Espresso card stock on top of that, then the Designer Paper.  I cut a piece of Early Espresso with the Dotted Ribbon Punch and placed along the right hand side.  I cut a circle shape with my Circle Scissors Tool from Crumb Cake, then ran it thru the Big Shot with the Square Lattice Impressions Folder. 

For the focal piece, I stamped the open branch pattern on Very Vanilla with Garden Green, then layered it on Early Espresso card stock.  I used my piercing tool and mat for the design in the upper right corner.  I distressed and sponged all the layers with more Early Espresso and the Cutter Kit Distressing Tool.  Finally, I stamped Thank You in Early Espresso and punched it with the Curly Label Punch.

Now…can someone tell me what set this Thank You sentiment belongs to???  It got separated from the rest of its family!  lol!  I know it is not Teeny Tiny Wishes…although very similar.

Make sure to check out the rest of the Stamping 411 Design Operators to see what they have done this week.  And…take a moment and design your own card from this sketch to play along!  We love seeing your creations!

August Tour de Freaks is here!

Wow…this really snuck up on me this month!  I can't believe it is the 20th and time for the monthly Tour de Freaks, brought to you by the Control Freak Swappers!  You've probably just come from the talented, FABULOUS Patty Bennett's blog! 

Our theme this month was Sneak Peeks from the new Holiday Mini Catalog!  I know my customers are already commenting on how much they LOVE this mini…I do, too, as my pocketbook will attest to….ouch!  lol!  I just had to have it ALL!  I especially love a lot of the accessories in this mini…it is FULL of them.  You'll notice a lot of them on my projects this month!

To begin, I have a Suspension Bat card!  I had SO much fun making this one!  It kind of evolved!  I started with a base 5 1/4 x 5 1/4 card of Tangerine Tango.  I added a 5 1/4 x 5 1/4 piece of Nite Owl Designer Paper (from the new mini) on the front.  I used my Circle Scissors Plus to cut a 4" circle from the front thru both layers at the same time (if I were doing it again, I'd make it a little smaller…say 3 1/2).  I ran the back half of the Tangerine Tango card stock thru the Big Shot with the Spider Web Impressions Folder…cool!  Then I rubbed some White Craft Ink over the raised embossing with a sponge dauber.  This base card was layered onto a 5 3/8 x 5 3/8 piece of Basic Black card stock for extra support. 

Between the Tangerine Tango front and the Nite Owl Designer Paper, I added two strings of Linen Thread and pulled them tight between the layers, then adhered the layers together.  I sandwiched two layers of the Bat Punch together with the Linen Thread in between…this makes it look like they are flying!  I sponged White Craft around the edges of the bats and added a Rhinestone jewel to their heads.  I wrapped some of the new 1/2 Raven Lace Trim into a bow in the upper left corner…love that stuff, too!

I stamped the spider from Stampin' Up!'s Dark & Dreary on Whisper White, colored it with the Basic Gray Marker and cut it out.  I added two 1/2 backed pearls for the body…one smaller than the other. and placed it on the Spider Web with a Stampin' Dimensional.  I used the new Decorative Label Punch with Basic Black Card stock, sponged around the edges with White Craft Ink.  I cut EEK out of Tangerine Tango "glitter paper" with the Timeless Type Alphabet die and adhered to the front of the Label.  Then I placed the label on the front of the card.  (Note:  to make glitter paper, apply Versamark to the card stock direct to paper, pour on Iridescent Ice EP, shake off excess, then heat set…makes glitter paper in every color that Stampin' Up! carries!)  I LOVE my blinged out Suspension Bat card!

My second project was just as fun!  It's a Bat Cone Candy Holder.  It makes me LAUGH!  I traced a bat pattern onto Basic Black card stock, cut it out, then ran it thru the Big Shot with the Texture Plates Kit #4.  I had to run it thru a couple times to get the entire bat textured.  I used the sponge dauber and White Craft Ink to go around the edges.  I added Real Red Glimmer Brads for the eyes and drew the fangs with my White Gel Pen.  I pulled it into a cone shape and secured in the back with Sticky Strip.  I added a hanger with 1/2" Raven Lace Trim by piercing holes in the sides of the cone and tying knots inside the cone.

For the treat, I filled a small Cello Bag with Halloween colored M&Ms and tied it closed with a piece of the Raven Lace Trim.  I added a tag made with the Dark & Dreary stamp, inked in Basic Black and stamped on Whisper White, then punched with the Decorative Label Punch.  I added the 31 by stamping again on Real Red, then punching with the 1/2 circle punch and placing it on top with a Stampin' Dimensional.  I also used a sponge dauber with Basic Black ink and sponged all the edges.

EDIT:  As promised, here is the Bat Cone Candy Favor template to download!

DOWNLOAD BAT CONE

Next on the Blog Tour is the wonderful Mary Brown!  I KNOW her projects will be awesome as usual!  Make sure to stop by and see all 11 stops on the Tour this month!  Thanks for stopping by!

Because I Care

Edit:  Sorry…don't know why this didn't post early last night!

Time for another Create with Connie and Mary Thursday Challenge!  Our theme this week is a Color Challenge…Pacific Point, Bashful Blue, Daffodil Delight, Wild Wasabi and Basic Black!  Hope you play along and add your entry to InLinkz over on Create with Connie and Mary!  And, Friday is the last day to submit your samples for a chance to be a Create with Connie and Mary Design Team Member!  You can see details here!

These were fun colors and I couldn't help but think of flowers!  My hydrangeas are a gorgeous blue color, so the combination of Pacific Point and Bashful Blue works well to represent them!  Here is my card:

I started with a base of Daffodil Delight cardstock.  I layered on Bashful Blue that I ran thru the Big Shot with the Elegant Lines Impressions Folder.  I inked up the flower with my Bashful Blue and Pacific Point Stampin' Write Markers, then stamped on Watercolor paper.  I used my AquaPainter to blur the color and fill in the image.  Then…while it was still slightly damp, I reinked the head of the flower with the Pacific Point marker, and overstamped the image.  This gave the petals definition again.  I stamped Because I Case in Basic Black in the corner.

I layered the Watercolor paper on Pacific Point and then Basic Black cardstock.  I took some yummy Daffodil Delight Satin Ribbon, tied a bow, and wrapped it around and secured on the back of the Bashful Blue layer.  I added the half back Pearls to some of the areas in the Impressions Folder.  I thought it needed a little something, so added the small butterfly from the Beautiful Wings Embosslit in Daffodil Delight and some small Pearls to the body.  I popped up the butterfly with dimensionals on the front.

Make sure to check out what the rest of the Challenge Team did this week over on Create with Connie and Mary!  Their work is FABULOUS like usual!

Got Treats?

Stampin' Up!'s Got Treats? stamp set was on my very first order of the new catalog.  But…this card was the first time I used it.  It was originally made for a Create with Connie and Mary sketch challenge a few weeks ago, but when I made my Convention swap cards using the same sketch I REALLY liked it, so used that card for my Create Challenge!  (You can see it HERE!)

I picked my colors from the original Pawsitively Prints Designer Paper (still available in the Summer Mini until the end of the month!)  I used Daffodil Delight for the base of the card.  Next I layered on Pretty in Pink cardstock that I ran thru the Big Shot with the Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Folder.  I added three narrow strips of Pear Pizzazz cardstock along the left side, then a piece of the floral designer paper pattern from Pawsitively Prints I.   I rounded the corners first. 

For the focal piece, I inked up the Cupcake image from Got Treats? with my Stampin' Write Markers in Daffodil Delight, Pretty in Pink and Pear Pizzazz and stamped on Whisper White.  I punched it with the 1 3/8 Circle Punch, then layered it on Pear Pizzazz Scallop Circle.  I pierced each of the scallops.  I added a yellow Flower Brad next to the Cupcake image, then a shiny Rhinestone Jewel in the center of the brad!  Love that look!  Finally, I added a bow of Pear Pizzazz Ribbon to the front!

New Designer Paper and Ribbon Shares going on now!  Find more information HERE!

Friday is the last day to submit your application!  We are looking for FOUR Create with Connie and Mary Design Team Members for the next session of Create with Connie and Mary, featuring the Holiday Mini!  We'd love to have you apply!  If you applied last time, try again!  We had so many great applications last time it was very hard to choose!  You can find out more information over on Create with Connie and Mary!