Stampin' Up!

Because I Care

June 22, 2010 By Connie | 3 Comments

I'm BACK! Wow…what a wonderful wedding on the beaches of Riveria Maya, Mexico. My son and new daughter-in-law are SO happy! Here is a picture of them the night we got to Cancun on my birthday!

And here is a favorite of mine from the pictures after the wedding! The photographer had them jump…and I was able to capture the photo, too! Adam and Beth are blessed to have wonderful friends and family who joined them in Cancun for their very special day! I'm sure I'll be sharing more photos over the next few days…I took plenty!

I usually don't do a lot of sneak peeks on my Blog…but because my hydrangea bushes are in FULL bloom, I wanted to share a card I made with the Because I Care hydrangea stamp image…a new hostess set in the upcoming Idea Book & Catalog! I was a little concerned on what colors to use for the flowers since a lot of our blues and light lavenders are retiring at the end of June. But, I found a couple of the new colors worked great…Marina Mist and Crushed Concord!

I started with the sketch layout from Card Positioning Systems (CPS172) that I thought looked fun! I inked the hydrangea image from Because I Care with Marina Mist Classic Ink, then added highlights with my Crushed Concord Stampin' Write Marker and stamped it on Whisper White. I also stamped a couple of the leaves with Wild Wasabi and then cut the individual pieces out instead of leaving it as a stemmed flower. I colored them with my Pear Pizzazz Stampin' Write Marker. The flower pieces were placed on a 2 1/2 circle of Pear Pizzazz cardstock cut with the Circle Scissors Plus tool.

The base of the card is Marina Mist and I added a layer of Crushed Concord cardstock that I ran thru the Big Shot with the new Vintage Wallpaper Impressions Folder and rounded the corners. I added another layer of Greenhouse Gala Designer Paper with the Pear Pizzazz print on it and rounded those corners, too. I stamped Thank You from Because I Care inked with my Crushed Concord marker on Whisper White, then punched with the Modern Label Punch. I placed the flower element on top with Stampin' Dimensionals!

I'll leave you with one of my favorites of Beth before the wedding…what a beautiful bride!

Don't forget to play along with the Create with Connie and Mary Thursday Challenge!

Stamping 411 – Tropical Party

June 18, 2010 By Connie | 5 Comments

Stamping 411 has a cool sketch this week! I can't wait to see what the Design Operators over on Stamping 411 did with it (I know…I say that every week!) But, I'm always surprised at how each of us intrepret the sketches. I don't know how Selene keeps coming up with these neat sketches!

I wanted a tropical feel to my card, so I pulled out Tropical Party! I started by stamping a few leaves along the bottom of the center Whisper White diamond piece with Old Olive Classic Ink. I stamped the Coconut Drink on scrap White and cut it out, then placed it on the leaves. I layered the Whisper White on Pumpkin Pie.

I used a base card of Tempting Turquoise, then added the stripe pattern from Island Oasis, layered on Old Olive. After I placed the diamond element, I stamped So Saffron, Rose Red and Pumpkin Pie flowers on scrap Whisper White, cut them out and secured on the front. I added Mini Brads to the centers of the flowers. I also stamped one of the leaves and cut it out to place under the flowers. Finally, I stamped Cheers to You (from the set of that name) on Whisper White, punched with the Large Oval Punch, then layered on the Scallop Oval cut from Old Olive cardstock. I colored the unbrella and straw with various Stampin' Write Markers.

So…cheers to my son and new daughter-in-law who just got married!!!!

Make sure to check out the rest of the Operators on Stamping 411 to see their fabulous creations!

Bloggers Challenge – A Sketch

June 18, 2010 By Connie | 17 Comments

Another Friday and time for Bloggers' Challenge. Lisa made up a sketch for us to use this week. As you know, I LOVE sketches! This one came together pretty quickly!

I started by cutting the Oval from Whisper White with the Ovals Die and the Big Shot. I also cut the Sahara Sand piece at the bottom of the oval at the same time. I tore the top edge and added sand granules with the Itty Bitty Backgrounds speckle stamp in Sahara Sand. I used a sponge dauber to add some Tempting Turquoise water above it. Then I inked up the palm tree from Tropical Party with Chocolate Chip and Old Olive Stampin' Write Markers, stamped it twice. I punched a 1 1/4" hole in a scrap piece of cardstock, then used a sponge dauber and Summer Sun to make the sun in the background.

I layered the oval on polka dot pattern from Island Oasis Designer Paper and then Sahara Sand cardstock. I ran a piece of Old Olive thru the Big Shot with the Perfect Polka Dots Impressions folder. I wrapped the 1" Chocolate Chip Ribbon around to the back and secured. The entire piece was adhered to the base card of Tempting Turquoise. Finally, I added two Kraft Corduroy Buttons and cut small slivers of Chocolate Chip cardstock to make the "thread". I used Mini Glue Dots to secure to the front of the card! I stamped Happy Birthday from Teeny Tiny Wishes in Chocolate Chip on Sahara Sand, punched with the Word Window and then punched the Modern Label from Chocolate Chip cardstock.

I like how it turned out! Hope you have a WONDERFUL weekend!

Create with Connie and Mary Father’s Day Challenge

June 17, 2010 By Connie | 2 Comments

Create with Connie and Mary's Thursday Challenge is a Father's Day card challenge! Or masculine card challenge if you'd prefer! We've always had challenges for our subscribers, but now every Thursday we will offer a sketch, color or inspiration challenge for EVERYONE to try. Just check to see what the challenge is for the week, then submit your entry via INLINKZ over on the Create with Connie and Mary blog. Please state in your post that it is a Create with Connie and Mary Challenge and the corresponding challenge number (CCMC103 is today!) Come play with us!

Recently my Punch Classes made a card using the Punch Art wrench and they loved it. Here is another idea using the Punch Art Wrench! I combined with with the Happy Father's Day greeting from All Holidays. I started with a base of Kraft cardstock and layered on Soft Suede. I used a piece of stripe paper from Travel Journal Designer Paper and layered that on top. I stamped Happy Father's Day once in Soft Suede and once in Pumpkin Pie on Very Vanilla, then cut out the Pumpkin Pie center and layered it over the Soft Suede. I layered the Very Vanilla on Pumpkin Pie cardstock and placed on front.

For the punch art wrench, I used the Boho Blossoms punch and the 1" circle punch for the bottom, the 1 3/8 Circle punch and Word Window punch for the top. The middle is just a rectangle piece of cardstock. I sponged along all the edges with Soft Suede ink. Finally, I added two Circle Designer Brads (retiring!) in the upper right corner. I thought they looked a little like bolts! Clever, huh?

Make sure to check out Create with Connie and Mary to see Mary's delightful card this week!

Create with Connie and Mary is looking for three Design Team Members to play along with our Thursday Creative Challenges each week! You'll need to use Stampin' Up! only products, have a blog where you can post your Thursday Challenge card, and love to use sketch, color or inspiration challenges as a starting point in your creations! See more details over on Create with Connie and Mary! We'd love for you to join us each week!

Gardenia Punch Art

June 16, 2010 By Connie | 5 Comments

Here's another card my Punch Class did this month. I originally made one of the Gardenia Flowers when the Ornament Punch first came out! I made it in Pretty in Pink with some Regal Rose sponging. I decided I wanted to make a soft white and yellow card, so pulled out my Whisper White Cardstock to make the flower!

I punched 5 of the Ornament Punch from Whisper White cardstock and sponged the center and edges of the punches. I folded them in half for some texture. I adhered them all together, then added a 3/4 Certainly Celery Circle punch in the center. I added some adhesive and Clear Micro Beads to the center (hurry…these are on the retired list! I love using them for centers of flowers.) I also punched two Certainly Celery Ornament Punch leaves, folded them in half, and added Certainly Celery Classic Ink to the edges.

In the background, I used the Scallop Square with Whisper White cardstock and trimmed off two of the scallops on the left side. I ran it thru the Big Shot with the Square Lattice Impressions Folder. I wrapped So Saffron Striped Ribbon around and tied. I adhered it the the Barely Banana base card. I added a Barely Banana "hello" greeing from Tiny Tags and punched with the Medium Jewelry Tag punch. It is attached to the ribbon with Linen Thread.

Finally, I added two Xs from Itty Bitty Punches and Certainly Celery cardstock. I love how this Gardenia Flower turned out! I think my classes loved it, too!

Remember…my 50th Birthday Celebration is going on NOW! Check out the details HERE!

Watercolor Trio

June 15, 2010 By Connie | 3 Comments

This card was one of the projects my Stamp Clubs did last month. I always like to do one card with a special fold or something unique. This folded frame is fun to do and a great use of Designer Paper!

I used the Old Olive Patterns Designer Paper to make my frame. Inside, I stamped the Watercolor Trio images in Rich Razzleberry, More Mustard and Old Olive on Whisper White cardstock. I layered the frame on Rich Razzleberry cardstock, scalloped the top edge with the Scallop Edge Punch and stamped Thanks So Much from Watercolor Trio at the bottom in Basic Black. I wrapped some White Satin Ribbon around and tied a knot. I layered the Rich Razzleberry element on Old Olive that I ran thru the Big Shot with the Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Folder. That was layered on More Mustard for the base card.

I used the stamp All A Flutter butterfly and stamped it in Basic Black on Cardstock Vellum. I turned it over and used my Stampin' Write Markers in Rich Razzleberry, More Mustard, Old Olive and Close to Cocoa to color the butterfly. When you turn it back to the front, the markers give it a pretty stained-glass look! I cut it out and placed it on the front of the card with a Stampin' Dimensional. I think it turned out to be a pretty elegant card!

Don't forget about my 50th Birthday Celebration and my gift to YOU! Check out the details HERE!

It’s My Fifty & Fabulous Birthday!

June 13, 2010 By Connie | 8 Comments

This message will stay at the top this week…

scroll down to see the newest posts!

It's my 50th BIRTHDAY!

And, to celebrate, I'm giving YOU a Gift!

Take 50% off ANY stamp set!

Place a $50 or more Customer Order ONLINE thru my website between NOW and midnight on Saturday, June 19th and take 50% OFF any Stamp Set!

Again, you must first purchase $50 and THEN select your 50% off stamp set and place it on that same order. You'll pay the full price indicated and I'll write a check to you to refund the 50% price difference after the celebration week is over! U.S. residents only, please.

Retiring stamp sets, accessories and Decor Elements all count, along with anything in the 2009-2010 Idea Catalog or Summer Mini. Don't forget to check the CLEARANCE RACK, too! Lots of great stuff there!

And remember, when you order $150 or more, you also get the HOSTESS BENEFITS!

Make sure you are logged in correctly to my website (www.iluvstamping.stampinup.net) and click on Shop Now in the upper right corner. You'll see greater savings and save on shipping costs.

Only one 50% off stamp set per person. Full price tax and shipping apply to 50% off stamp set. Offer valid only thru Connie Babbert and thru my Online website. Sorry, not valid on previous orders, class or club orders. Unfortunately, I will be unavailable to answer questions during this week, but will thank you when I have access to my computer again!

Stamping 411 – Island Floral Bigz Die

June 11, 2010 By Connie | 4 Comments

Today is the Stamping 411 Sketch Challenge again! This sketch was pretty fun to play with. I like the large focal element.

Instead of the heart, I thought of the new bigz die, Island Oasis. It was one of the FIRST things I wanted to order when I saw the Summer Mini. I've used it a lot on projects! I think it is because the size is SO great for putting on a card or bag…it fills the space!

Of course, I had to pull out my Island Oasis Designer Paper, too. I just love the bright colors in it! I've already finished up one pack and starting on a second one! For my card, I started with a base of Rose Red cardstock. I layered on the polka dot pattern from Island Oasis across the top. Instead of using ribbon to hide the seam, I added strips of cardstock in Pumpkin Pie and Tempting Turquoise, then the Eyelet Border Punch strip from Old Olive cardstock.

The flower is cut using the Island Floral Bigz Die with So Saffron for the large flower and Tempting Turquoise for the small center flower. I used the large triangle petals for my "leaves' with Old Olive in the background. I ran all the cut pieces thru the Big Shot with the Square Lattice Impressions Die for some added texture. The center is a Pumpkin Pie Corduroy Button (on the retired list!) and I thought it finished it off perfectly! Finally, I stamped Celebrate from Fundamental Phrases in Rose Red and punched with the Word Window Punch, then layered it on an Old Olive Modern Label punched piece.

Make sure to check out what the rest of the Stamping 411 Design Operators did this week! I know they will have some fabulous cards, they always do! I hope you play along this week. Post your creation over on Stamping 411 with the InLinkz program! It's easy!

Thanks for stopping by!