It’s Thursday and time for another Create with Connie and Mary Challenge! For the month of July we are “Casing the Catalog” and this is our THIRD week! What does that mean? We have taken one of the Stampin’ Up! sample cards in the Annual Catalog and using the colors, layout, OR inspiration, we are challenged to make our own card! It will be fun to see what the Challenge Team does with them!

I love the Free As A Bird stamp set…the little birds are SO much fun to color! I followed the general layout of the catalog sample and used the Stamparatus step method to stamp the Hello greeting along the side! SO easy!

Stampin’ Details:
- The base is 4-1/4 x 11 Crumb Cake cardstock, scored at 5-1/2 and folded.
- On the 4 x 5-1/4 layer of Crumb Cake cardstock, the Stamparatus was used with the Hello greeting from Free As A Bird and Soft Suede Ink to line it up down the side.
- A 2-1/2 x 3-1/2 piece of the Bird Ballad striped DSP was added to the front.
- A 1-7/8 x 4-1/4 piece of Whisper White cardstock was stamped with the greeting in Memento Black Ink towards the bottom. It was added on top of the DSP.
- The bird was stamped with Memento Black Ink on scrap Whisper White and colored with the Crumb Cake, Mango Melody, Old Olive, and Calypso Coral Stampin’ Blends. It was cut out by hand and added to the front with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
- The Flowers and leaves were stamped with Memento Black Ink on scrap Whisper White and colored with the same Blends, then hand-cut and added to the front with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
- A trio of Pearls were colored with Blends and added to the background of the Whisper White layer.

I need to remember this layout because I LOVE it! Make sure to check out what the Challenge Team did with this week’s “Case the Catalog” challenge over on Create with Connie and Mary!


Take a trip to the shore for peace and tranquility when using Stampin' Up!'s new WATERSIDE RETREAT SUITE of products! The RELAXING WATERSIDE BUNDLE showcases a getaway at the lake with lounge chairs, coffee and books, birds and special greetings! We've combined the RELAXING WATERSIDE BUNDLE and the WATERSIDE RETREAT 12x12 DESIGNER PAPER with its sun-drenched faded colors and unique cut-out images or background scenes. You'll get step-by-step tutorials for SIX projects...four cards and two fun favors for a special little gift this summer! See more details HERE!

Build your own custom paper floral arrangements using Stampin' Up!'s new FLOWERING MEADOW BUNDLE* of products! This FLOWERING MEADOW BUNDLE has a variety of flowers, stems, leaves and accents to mix and match and take the guesswork out of creating! We've combined the FLOWERING MEADOW BUNDLE and the gorgeous VELVET MEADOW 12x12 DESIGNER PAPER with its bold colors and soft flocking elements to enhance your cards and projects. You'll get step-by-step tutorials for SIX projects...four cards and two special-fold cards that will make your friends and customers feel extra special. See more details HERE!

Be inspired by a trip to the coast when using Stampin' Up!'s new SUNSET COAST BUNDLE*. This Bundle features sailboats, a lighthouse, seashells and rock formations to build the perfect oceanfront adventure. We've combined the SUNSET COAST BUNDLE and the SCENIC COAST 6x6 DESIGNER PAPER with dramatic sunset colors and iridescent shimmer for your cards and projects. You'll get step-by-step tutorials for SIX projects...four cards and two favor projects that are perfect for classes and stamp camps! See more details HERE!

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