Stampin' Up!

Stamping 411 – Nature Walk

February 18, 2011 By Connie | 12 Comments

Over on Stamping 411 we have another easy sketch for you to try this week! Isn't it FUN looking? I can think of lots of stamp sets that this sketch would easily work.

And, I'm SO excited about my card! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the little Scallop Oval detail with the Vintage Brad! Now…someone may have done it before, but I've never seen it, so it was a completely new idea for me! I love it hanging off the wide 1 1/4 Stripe Ribbon, too!!!

This color combination is new for me, too. I picked it up off the new Color Coach. I started with a base of Pink Pirouette and added a layer of Bravo Burgundy. On top of that is the Crumb Cake print from Elegant Soiree Designer Paper. I used Old Olive and Bravo Burgundy Stampin' Write Markers to ink up the floral image from Stampin' Up!'s Nature Walk and stamped on Very Vanilla. It is layered on Bravo Burgundy and then Pink Pirouette.

I wrapped the Pretty in Pink 1 1/4 Stripe Ribbon around to the back and secured. I stamped "it's the little things" from Stampin' Up!'s You're a Gem stamp set in Bravo Burgundy on Pink Pirouette and punched with the Large Oval Punch. That was layered on the Scallop Oval punch. I added a Vintage Brad to the top and then wrapped it around the ribbon and secured. I love it!

Make sure to check out the rest of the Stamping 411 Operators to see what they have done this week! I'm sure they will have some FABULOUS ideas…we really have some talented designers!

Create with Connie and Mary Thursday Challenge

February 17, 2011 By Connie | 4 Comments

Yeah! On Create with Connie and Mary this week, we have a sketch challenge for you to try! Everyone can play! I think you'll find it is a FUN sketch! You can check out what the rest of the Design Team did with this sketch over on Create with Connie and Mary!

And here is my card:

I started this card by having in my head I wanted to use the bee pattern in Botanical Gazette Designer Paper…I don' t know why…I just love the black bees on the So Saffron Polka Dots! Then I went looking for a coordinating black designer paper print. I found some in Wicked Fun Designer Paper and I had a perfect scrap to use! I added the Dotted Ribbon Border punched from Basic Black cardstock along the left side of the Wicked Fun DSP. I also used the Tasteful Trim Die and cut two Ric Rac strips from So Saffron for the background.

The base of the card I used Basic Gray and then layered on the honeycomb patterned DSP. That had some Early Espresso distressing color on it, so I used a sponge dauber and Basic Black and went over it around the edges to darken it up. I added the 2 1/2 Circle of So Saffron and some Pearls. Then I stamped the Bird cage in Basic Black on Whisper White, layered it on Basic Black and decided to do one of Mary Brown's famous bows for the top with Basic Black Taffeta Ribbon and a So Saffron Glimmer Brad in the center. It is popped up with Stampin' Dimensionals. Finally, I stamped "Thanks" from Stampin' Up!'s So Happy For You Sale-A-Bration stamp set in Basic Black in the lower right corner.

It really was a FUN sketch! Check out the rest of the Design Team samples on Create with Connie and Mary! Then grab your stamps and play along! We love to see your creations!

Nature Walk

February 15, 2011 By Connie | 10 Comments

Over on Create with Connie and Mary's Occasions Edition, we are starting Week 4 and featuring products from the Botanical Gazette Suite of products! It's not too late to join…you'll still have access to all the projects we've done so far, and the future ones! The Design Team has outdone themselves again this week! More details on how to subscribe over on Create with Connie and Mary!

This was a card that I made for my Technique Class last month, then I added some bling and used it for my Stamping 411 swap card at Leadership! I used the Faux Silk technique in the background…it looks EXCELLENT with the Nature Walk stamp set!

I started with a base card of Cherry Cobbler cardstock. I used white tissue paper, inked up my flower stamp with Old Olive and Cherry Cobbler Stampin' Write Markers and stamped on it. I finished the Faux Silk technique and placed it over Very Vanilla cardstock. Then I ran that piece thru the Big Shot (both tabs open) with the Framed Tulips Impressions Folder. I added a strip of Botanical Gazette Designer Paper across the bottom, and then ran Sticky Strip across to adhere the ruffled ribbon. I pierced a hole for the Vintage Brad along one side. I stamped the bird with Early Espresso Classic Ink and added some Chocolate Chip Marker around the head and tail. I used my AquaPainter to blend out the colors of brown and added a little Pumpkin Pie to the beak. I cut him out and placed him in front of the flowers with Stampin' Dimensionals.

Finally, I stamped Birthday Wishes from Bring on the Cake in Early Espresso in the corner and added No 147 with Cherry Cobbler on the right. Hope you like it!

I wanted to give you a reminder that I have another round of Ribbon Shares almost full, INCLUDING the Seam Binding Ribbon available from the Occasions Mini! It has been VERY popular! Email me quickly to get a spot! You can find out more information about the Ribbon Shares I'm offering HERE!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

February 14, 2011 By Connie | Leave a Comment

I love Valentine's Day! What's not to love?…candy and flowers are the feature of the day! Even when my kids were little, I used to make up favors to go with their little Valentine cards. Remember decorating the shoeboxes? Do they still do that in school? I know I loved it when I was in school!

Here is my last Valentine share for the season. I made up a few special Valentine's for some special people! Really quick and easy…wrap a belly band around a Russell Stover Chocolate Heart Truffle…yummy!

The packaging was already red, so I cut a 1 1/4 x 8" strip of Love Impressions Designer Paper and wrapped it around, secured with Sticky Strip. I used the Scallop Heart of Hearts die in Pink Pirouette cardstock and then added the Red Glimmer Paper Full Heart punch on top. Sweet Valentine, from Stampin' Up!'s Something to Celebrate Hostess Level 2 stamp set, was stamped with Real Red and punched with the Modern Label Punch. I added a Pink Pirouette small heart from the Heart to Heart Punch and a ribbon tail of Pretty in Pink 1/8 Taffeta Ribbon! Oh…there is a Rhinestone jewel in the little pink heart! SO sparkly and pretty in person!

Fun, fun, FUN! I hope they liked them!

Have a wonderful Valentine's Day!

Create with Connie and Mary Color Challenge

February 12, 2011 By Connie | 4 Comments

Today is the Create with Connie and Mary Occasions Edition Saturday Challenge and we have a great color combination. We invite our subscribers to play along and be entered into a drawing for one of two $75 Stampin' Up! gift certificates OR one of two FREE subscriptions to the SUMMER Edition of Create with Connie and Mary! They get a chance for each time they submit their entry to our weekly challenges! It's not too late to join and check out all the fabulous projects that have been shared!

This week we have been showcasing the products from the Springtime Vintage Suite of products! The color challenge for today uses Rose Red, Pear Pizzazz, Baja Breeze and Very Vanilla…all colors that can be found in the Springtime Vintage Designer Paper and Fabric! I chose to use Baby Blossoms for my card…I love those little flowers!

I started with a base of Rose Red cardstock. I layered on Baja Breeze that I ran thru the Big Shot with the Elegant Lines Impressions Folder. I cut a strip of the Springtime Vintage Designer Paper and layered it onto a piece of Pear Pizzazz cardstock. It is hard to see, but the Pear Pizzazz is scored every 1/2 inch for another layer of texture! I wrapped the Victoria Crochet Trim Ribbon around and tied on the tag. The tag is a 2 1/2 circle of Rose Red. On top I punched Very Vanilla with the 2 3/8 Scallop Circle (AVAILABLE AGAIN!), on it I stamped the flowers in Baja Breeze around the Scallop Circle. I stamped some of the roses in Rose Red on scrap Very Vanilla, cut them out and placed them on the side of the Scallop Circle. I added some Pear Pizzazz leaves. The tag is secured to the card with a Stampin' Dimensional.

Finally, I added a trio of Pearls in different sizes along the curve of the punched circle. I added the greeting, A Gift for You, from Bring on the Cake in Rose Red…can you see the little pearl in the bow of the gift?

Make sure to check out what the rest of the Design Team did this week over on Create with Connie and Mary!

It's not too late! Over on Create with Connie and Mary, we are just finishing Week 3 of our subscription! This week we are featuring the Springtime Vintage Suite of products! We still have three weeks left of the subscription AND you will be able to access all the past projects we've done. We also leave the site up indefinitely for you to use the ideas in the future! With a price of $29.95 for over 30 projects, that is less than $1 per project! We know you won't be disappointed! Join today at Create with Connie and Mary!

CCMC137 – Baby Blossoms

February 10, 2011 By Connie | 5 Comments

Every Thursday, Create with Connie and Mary has a challenge for everyone to play along! This week we have a color challenge using Rose Red, Pink Pirouette, Baja Breeze and Pear Pizzazz! Beautiful colors together and they go along with the Springtime Vintage Suite of products we are featuring this week on Create with Connie and Mary Occasions Edition!

My card this week is a departure of my usual, don't you think? Can you see how I used the Baby Blossoms stamp set? I stamped the background with the small flower stamps tone-on-tone on the Rose Red cardstock with Rose Red Classic Ink, then punched with the 2 1/2 Circle Punch. I also stamped another stamp in this set on the Pear Pizzazz with Pear Pizzazz Classic Ink and punched with the 1" Circle punch. I also punched a 1 3/8" Pink Pirouette circle.

I started with a base of Rose Red and layered on Baja Breeze. Next I layered on Whisper White. I cut a square of Baja Breeze cardstock and ran it thru the Big Shot with the Square Lattice Impressions Folder. I ran a strip of Sticky Strip down the left side, then added Pear Pizzazz Seam Binding Ribbon scrunched and wrapped to the back. I added a bow of the Pear Pizzazz Seam Binding on top.

I used the Two-Step Bird punch with Baja Breeze cardstock, and used the Square Lattice on the wing and a little pearl for his eye! I placed on the card with Stampin' Dimensionals. I added two of the leaves with Pear Pizzazz. I stamped So Many Candles, so Little Cake from Bring on the Cake stamp set with Rose Red on the Very Vanilla. Finally, I added three Pearls to the Rose Red circle.

Make sure to check out what the rest of the Design Team did for the Create with Connie and Mary Challenge this week! Grab your stamps and play along! Upload your creation to Inlinkz over on Create with Connie and Mary!

Love Impressions Love Juice

February 9, 2011 By Connie | 4 Comments

Like that title? Catchy, huh? For today's Thrifty 3D Wednesday, I have a quick tutorial over on Stamping 411 on how easy it is to make some Love Juice of your own! Perfect and just in time for Valentine's Day Classes or parties!

A little Love Impressions Designer Paper, some punches…a package of powdered drink mix and water bottle…you are good to go! Check out Stamping 411 for more the supply list, more photos and a little tutorial on making some for yourself!

Enjoy!

Easter Blossoms

February 8, 2011 By Connie | 5 Comments

You know when you have a thought in your head that you think will work…but it doesn't come out how you imagined it? That's what happened with this card! Although it wasn't what I originally had in mind, I liked how it turned out.

On this card, I started by stamping the cherry blossom branch from Easter Blossoms with Early Espresso Classic Ink on Springtime Vintage Designer Paper. Then I used a White Gel Pen to color in the blossoms…it is a very cool look! I distressed the edges with the Distressing Tool, curled the corners and then layered it on Early Espresso cardstock. I distressed the edges of it, too!

I ran the Soft Suede thru the Big Shot with the Finial Press Impressions Folder and rubbed on Early Espresso Classic Ink on the raised areas. I placed it on a base card of Blushing Bride cardstock. I added a strip of Rose Red cardstock. I made a bow of Very Vanilla 3/8 Taffeta Ribbon and put a Vintage Brad in the center and added it to the front with Mini Glue Dots. Finally, I added You're A Gem from the You're A Gem stamp set, stamped with Early Espresso Classic Ink.

Over on Create with Connie and Mary, we are just beginning Week 3 of our subscription! This week we are featuring the Springtime Vintage Suite of products! It's not too late to join! We still have three weeks left of the subscription AND you will be able to access all the past projects we've done. We also leave the site up indefinitely for you to use the ideas in the future! With a price of $29.95 for over 30 projects, that is less than $1 per project! We know you won't be disappointed! Join today at Create with Connie and Mary!