sketch challenge

CSF875 – Perfectly Pears

June 26, 2025 By Connie | Leave a Comment

It’s Thursday and time for our Create with Stamping Friends challenge! Another fun sketch for you to try this week!

PERFECTLY PEARS

Yep…I know…my third week that I’ve used this bundle. But it is SO much fun and easy to work with! I especially love this little pair of pears! lol!

Stampin’ Details:

The base is 5-1/2 x 8-1/2 Basic Beige cardstock, scored at 4-1/4 and folded.
A 4 x 5-1/4 layer of Old Olive is added on top.
The 2 x 4 pear Painterly Pears DSP is added down the center.
The coordinating leaf Painterly Pears DSP is added across the center towards the bottom.
A 3/8 x 5 strip of Timid Tiger cardstock was added over the leaf print towards the bottom.
The pears were stamped on Basic White cardstock with Memento Black Ink. The center of the pears were colored with Daffodil Delight Ink, then Cajun Craze Ink was added along one side with a small Blending Brush.
The leaves were colored with Old Olive Stampin’ Blends Combo.
It was cut with the Spotlight on Nature circle, then added to the front with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
Hello was stamped with Memento Black Ink on 3/8 x 1 piece of Timid Tiger cardstock and added next to the circle with a Mini Stampin’ Dimensional.
A trio of Pecan Pie & Clear Ribboned Dots were added to the background.

Cute and easy card to make just to say “hello”! Check out what the rest of the Challenge Team did with this challenge over on Create with Stamping Friends.

Supplies:
Stamps: Perfectly Pears
Ink: Memento Black, Cajun Craze, Daffodil Delight
Cardstock: Basic White, Basic Beige, Old Olive, Timid Tiger
Designer Paper: Painterly Pears 12×12
Accessories: Perfectly Pears Dies, Spotlight on Nature Dies, Pecan Pie & Clear Ribboned Dots (last chance), Adhesives

Stampin' Up!'s SWEET BUGS BUNDLE showcases a sweet selection of garden critters helping to capture the joy of relaxing in the garden! Stamp the caterpillars, ladybugs, bees and others, then add mushrooms, flowers and garden touches to finish your creation. We've combined the SWEET BUGS BUNDLE and the CUTE AS A BUG 12x12 DESIGNER PAPER featuring even more images to cut out and use! You'll get step-by-step tutorials for SIX projects...4 regular cards and, 2 ENHANCED fun fold cards...to get you creating! See more details HERE

Dress up these adorable sheep with Stampin' Up!'s WOOLLY FRIENDS BUNDLE that features two-step stamping and a coordinating punch. Enjoy them in a variety of colors and textures, plus use the flowers, grass, cowbell and bows to add accessories and a little nature scene surrounding them. The cheerful sentiments will help you spread a little cheer! We've combined the WOOLLY FRIENDS BUNDLE and the CUTE AS A BUG 12x12 DESIGNER PAPER for some extra fun! You'll get step-by-step tutorials for SIX projects...4 regular cards and 2 slimline cards with decorated envelopes! See more details HERE!

CCMC737 – Leaves of Holly

October 13, 2022 By Connie | 2 Comments

Hello! It’s Thursday and you know that means it is time for a Create with Connie and Mary Thursday Challenge. It’s a fun sketch again this week!

LEAVES OF HOLLY

I love the poinsettia prints in the Boughs of Holly Designer Paper and let them do all the work on my card this week! The depth of these prints is so realistic!

Stampin’ Details:

The base is 4-1/4 x 11 Thick Basic White cardstock, scored at 5-1/2 and folded.
The top portion is embossed with the Wintry Embossing Folder.
A 2-1/4 x 5-1/4 piece of Boughs of Holly was cut, then layered on a 2-1/2 x 5-1/4 piece of Mossy Meadow cardstock. It was adhered diagonally across the front of the base card, then trimmed off the sides.
The greeting from Leaves of Holly stamp set was stamped with Mossy Meadow Ink diagonally.
A trio of gold Festive Pearls were added to the background.

Quick and easy…but perfect to whip up a bunch for the holiday season! Go check out what the rest of the Challenge Team did with this challenge over on Create with Connie and Mary

Supplies:
Stamps: Leaves of Holly
Ink: Mossy Meadow
Cardstock: Thick Basic White, Mossy Meadow
Accessories: Boughs of Holly Designer Paper, Wintry Embossing Folder, Festive Pearls, Adhesives

Hello Life Part 2

February 12, 2016 By Connie | 2 Comments

OK, I promised another card with the Hello Life stamp set and sketch from Create with Connie and Mary. I had a HARD time deciding which one to use for the Thursday Challenge! Obviously, here is the one that I didn’t use. Tell me which you like better…the one from yesterday (see here) or today’s?

Here are the details:

The base is 4-1/4 x 11 Rose Red, folded in half.
The 4 x 5-1/4 layer of Whisper White is embossed with the Happy Hearts folder.
The 2-3/4 x 3-3/4 layer of Rose Red is wrapped with Melon Mambo/Basic Black Baker’s Twine and adhered in the back, then placed on the front of the Whisper White.
3/4″ circles were punched from the Love Blossoms Designer Paper (12 of them) and adhered on the Rose Red.
The striped heart from Hello Life was stamped with Rose Red Ink on Whisper White and cut.
Love from Hello Life was stamped with Tuxedo Black Ink on 1/2 strip of Whisper White and cut with a flag end.
Both were adhered on the front with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
A Rhinestone Jewel was added to the heart.

So…very similar, but different…what do you think? lol!

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We just launched our Create with Connie and Mary February Mini Session…and it’s not too late to sign up! Here is some information and a sneak peek for you! You can sign up over on Create with Connie and Mary…or on my blog sidebar!

Each session includes FIVE step-by-step tutorials for projects…THREE card sets (each with 4 cards) and TWO 3D items…perfect for your club or stamp camp!
All FIVE projects are available once the monthly mini collection opens so you immediately have all the projects and tutorials.
Mini Sessions open on the 11th of each month.
Sets we are using for the February session:
- What I Love
- Easter Lamb
- Balloon Celebrations
- Party Wishes
- Playful Pals

Did you purchase our 2-month VALENTINE BONUS SPECIAL in January?
Remember the February Mini Session was included, you already have the password in that Welcome Letter!

CCMC353 Painted Petals

April 30, 2015 By Connie | 7 Comments

It’s Thursday and time for another Create with Connie and Mary Sketch Challenge from our fabulous Challenge Team! Grab your stamps and play along! Just upload your photo over on Create with Connie and Mary!

And here is my card using the pretty flower set, Painted Petals.

Here are the details:

The base is 4-1/4 x 11 Daffodil Delight, folded in half.
There are three 1/2 x 5-1/2 strips of Blackberry Bliss Backgrounds Designer Paper (In Colors) placed on front.
On the 2-3/4 x 4 piece of Whisper White, the stems were stamped with Old Olive and the blossoms with Blackberry Bliss ink. It was layered on 3 x 4-1/4 piece of Old Olive.
Across the bottom, the lines image was stamped with Daffodil Delight and Thank You with Memento Black ink, both also from Painted Petals stamp set.
A bow of Daffodil Bakers twine was tied and added to the stems with a Mini Glue Dot.

SUPER simple to make, but I love the CAS design of this sketch! Make sure to check out the rest of the Challenge Team ideas over on Create with Connie and Mary!

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Supplies:

Set: Painted Petals

Inks: Blackberry Bliss, Old Olive, Daffodil Delight, Tuxedo Black

Cardstock: Daffodil Delight, Whisper White, Old Olive

Accessories: In Color Backgrounds DSP, Daffodil Delight Bakers Twine

CCMC327 Beauty of the Season

October 30, 2014 By Connie | 7 Comments

It’s time for another Thursday Challenge over on Create with Connie and Mary! This time it is a FUN sketch, I loved using it to create my card!

Here’s what I did. The cardinal in this Beauty of the Season is so large, I cut it down a little by using the Oval Framelit.

Here are the details:

The base is 4 1/4 x 11 Whisper White, folded in half.
On top is a 4 x 5 1/4 layer of Soft Sky.
A diagonal piece of Nordic Noel Designer Paper was layered on top.
Next a 1″ strip of the stripe from Nordic Noel DSP was placed horizontally across the front.
The Beauty of the Season cardinal image was stamped with Tuxedo Black and Cherry Cobbler, Daffodil Delight and Crumb Cake Blendabilities were used to color him in.
He was cut out with the Oval Framelit and the Oval edges were sponged with Soft Sky Ink. The oval was placed on the front with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
To finish it off, the greeting from Good Greetings Hostess Set was stamped with Real Red on a strip of Whisper White and cut on an angle.
The Real Red Woven Ribbon was tied with Linen Thread and placed on the front with Mini Glue Dots. Three pearls were colored with the Cherry Cobbler Blendabilities and placed above the angled cut DSP.

I love how this turned out! Make sure you check out the rest of the Challenge Team and their ideas for this sketch over on Create with Connie and Mary! Then grab your stamps and play along! We love to see what you do!

We are working in Week 3 of the Holiday Collections 2014 over on Create with Connie and Mary and it’s not too late to join! Don’t miss out on joining us for some FABULOUS ideas using Christmas and Winter stamp sets in the Holiday Catalog! For only $29.95 US, you’ll get over 24 project tutorials with full directions and photos!

CCMC323 White Christmas

October 2, 2014 By Connie | 10 Comments

“I’m dreaming…of a White Christmas”…well, no…definitely NOT me. But this Stampin’ Up! set would really put you in the mood, wouldn’t it? I must admit. I bought this set, then stared at it for a month. Just didn’t know what to do with it! But, I pulled it out to see if I could get some inspiration. Today’s Create with Connie and Mary Sketch Challenge seemed like a perfect time to use it!

And here is my card. Don’t you love the diagonal panel on the front? Gives it a touch of whimsey! I also let the All Is Calm Designer Paper do most of the work!

Here are the details:

The base is 4 1/4 x 11 Soft Sky, folded in half.
Ii cut a 3 3/4 x 5 piece of Smoky Slate Printed DSP in the All Is Calm package, then tilted it slightly on the front and cut off the excess at the sides and top.
I also cut banners of DSP at 1 1/2 x 4 3/4 and 1/2 x 4, cut a flag end and added them to the front.
I stamped a single tree and cardinal from White Christmas stamp set with Black Stazon on Whisper White, then used Sahara Sand, Soft Sky and Real Red Markers to color.
I stamped the snow flurries image and Soft Sky ink in the sky several times. I cut it with the Circle Framelit and then layered it on Smoky Slate cardstock. It is popped up on the front with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
For some bling, I used a trio of the Frosted Sequins.
I stamped the greeting from White Christmas with Black Stazon in the lower right corner.

Make sure to check out the rest of the Challenge Team over on Create with Connie and Mary to see what they did with the sketch!

Did you see? We’re getting ready to start a NEW Holiday Collection 2014 over on Create with Connie and Mary that is full of gift ideas, home decor and 3D project tutorials perfect for your stamp camps and classes! We’re using Christmas and Winter products from Stampin’ Up!’s Holiday Catalog. Don’t miss out on Early Bird Pricing…save $5 off the regular $29.95 price! Get over 24 projects for only $24.95 US! More details over on Create with Connie and Mary!

Raining Flowers

March 22, 2012 By Connie | 8 Comments

We have a wonderful sketch for you to try over on Create with Connie and Mary this week! Super easy, so grab your stamps and play along! We show it square, but you can convert it to rectangle shape like I did!

I've had this set, Raining Flowers, since Convention last year and hadn't used or even mounted it. I really don't know WHY…it is a pretty set and was very easy to use!

When coming up with a color scheme, I used one of my favorites…navy and pink…using two different shades of pink! The base of the card is Night of Navy. I layered on Whisper White. I used the Night of Navy Patterns polka dot Designer Paper and added the Dotted Scallop Border Trim in Regal Rose along both edges. I wrapped some Rose Red Seam Binding Ribbon around and tied a knot.

The larger flower image in Raining Flowers was stamped in Rose Red on Whisper White and cut out. I stamped the smaller center flower in Regal Rose and cut out. I added a Navy button with White Bakers Twine tied in the center. The leaves are Pear Pizzazz cut out, too. Everything was placed with Stampin' Dimensionals on a 2 1/2" Circle Punch of Night of Navy…and that was popped up with dimensionals, too. Finally, I added three pearls along the edge of the circle and the Happy Birthday Wishes greeting from Petite Pairs in Night of Navy and cut in a flag edge.

Make sure to check out what the rest of the Challenge Team did this week over on Create with Connie and Mary! Some wonderful ideas using this sketch. Then come play along…we love to see your creations!

CCMC182 – Tea Shoppe

December 29, 2011 By Connie | 8 Comments

Yeah! It is Thursday and time for another Create with Connie and Mary challenge! This time a FUN sketch for you to try! Remember, this is the last week to play along and be entered into the drawing for a FREE subscription to Create with Connie and Mary's Occasion Edition 2012. And…speaking of…did you see our NEW LOOK? Isn't that FUN!!! Thanks for Michelle Laycock for giving us our new window dressing! lol! It's also the start of our EARLY BIRD PRICING…so, don't delay and miss out on the $5 savings off our regular $34.95 US price!

I decided to use one of the new stamp sets in the Occasions Mini…Tea Shoppe! I love this trio of cups!

I chose my colors from the Domestic Goddess Designer Paper…I hadn't used that paper much. The base of the card is Pool Party cardstock. I cut a piece of the Pool Party checked pattern that had the Daffodil Delight Ric Rak along the edge and placed it along the left side. I added a piece of Daffodil Delight cardstock that I ran thru the Big Shot with the Houndstooth Impressions Folder across the top. I also added another piece of Pool Party cardstock, run thru the Big Shot with the Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Folder…I like the contrast of the two embossed portions. To hide the seam I added a strip pennant of Whisper White stamped with the trio of teacups that I inked with Pool Party and Daffodil Delight Stampin' Write Markers.

I added the little Flower Fushion flower of Pool Party with a Daffodil Delight Flower Brad inside (oh…I just noticed that my Rhinestone Jewel fell off the center! oh well!) I stamped the greeting in Tea Shoppe with Basic Black and punched with the Curly Label Punch, then tucked it above the Whisper White pennant.

Make sure to check out what the rest of the Thursday Challenge Team did this week with the sketch over on Create with Connie and Mary! While you are there, be sure to sign up for the Occasions Edition 2012 while we are offering the special savings of $5 off!

sketch challenge

Did you purchase our 2-month VALENTINE BONUS SPECIAL in January? Remember the February Mini Session was included, you already have the password in that Welcome Letter!

Did you purchase our 2-month VALENTINE BONUS SPECIAL in January?
Remember the February Mini Session was included, you already have the password in that Welcome Letter!