Clean Playful Polka Dot's- CCMC-SUM05

This past week (the last week) over at the Create with Connie and Mary Summer Edition we have been creating all of our projects using the Playful Polka Dots Simply Scrappin' Kit in the Summer Mini. There were a ton of great ideas! If you want in on them you should head over there and subscribe....yes it is the last week, but you will have access to ALL (30 full tutorials).

So the Saturday challenge this week was to use left over pieces from your Simply Scrappin' Kit to make a card. And there are always a TON of pieces in the Simply Scrappin' Kit's, so that was not a problem!

Here is what I came up with, a bright, clean and crisp thinking of you card! I used the DSP from the kit to make the Daffodil Delight tiled background for the Old Olive flower (that was made using the leafs from the kit).
The sentiment is from the stamp set Curly Cute and was popped up using dimensionals.

I kept this card simple and clean because with the bright colors I didn't want it to be too "scream in your face-ish" :).

Thanks for looking!

Click here to order Stampin' Up! supplies 24/7! Make sure to check out the retiring products as well only available through the end of June....that's coming quick!!!!!

Hoola-Hooping Birthday! CCMC-SUM04

It's the end of week 4 over at the Create with Connie and Mary Summer Edition and that means we only have one more week left!

This week's Saturday challenge is a sketch challenge. Here is what I came up with. I decided to use the Recess stamp set and not go with the recess theme, but rather the girl birthday theme. I think it worked out okay.

The colors I used were Crumb Cake, Pink Pirouette and Very Vanilla. My card measures 4 1/4" x 4 1/4". I like making this size of card because it still fits into a normal envelope and doesn't take any extra postage.

Here is a close up of the main image and the ribbon. Nothing too crazy on this card, but just straight to the point!

I hope you have time to create with us this week at the Summer Edition!

If you haven't already signed up for the Summer Edition, it is not too late! You will still be able to see all the projects that we have already shared and the projects still to come! This is such a great resource for fun projects that include full tutorials for every single one!! Hope to see you over there soon!

Thanks for looking!

Click here to order Stampin' Up! supplies 24/7! Make sure to check out the retiring products as well only available through the end of June!

Clean and Crisp Hope- CCMC0SUM03

It's the end of week 3 over at the Create with Connie and Mary Summer Edition and we have been creating using the Strength & Hope and Love & Care stamp sets.

For this week's Saturday challenge we have a color challenge to use Pacific Point, Daffodil Delight and Wild Wasabi. Here is what I came up with. I also used a lot of Whisper White on my card because I left his card deserved a clean crisp feel.

I used the Cracked Glass technique on the three squares in the middle and stamped the butterfly onto Vellum card stock and then embossed it using clear embossing powder and sponged it to make it stand out a bit.

If you haven't already signed up for the Summer Edition, it is not too late! You will still be able to see all the projects that we have already shared and the projects still to come! This is such a great resource for fun projects that include full tutorials for every single one!! Hope to see you over there soon!

Thanks for looking!

Click here to order Stampin' Up! supplies 24/7! Make sure to check out the retiring products as well only available through the end of June!

Ur7!- CCMC-SUM02

It's Saturday and that means it is time for another Saturday Challenge from the Create with Connie and Mary Summer Edition! This week we have a sketch challenge.

Here is my fun bright card for a special 7 year old that had a birthday this past week! I used the Touch of Kindness stamp set, Melon Mambo, Tempting Turquoise, Daffodil Delight and Water Color (white) papers to make this card.

I also had fun adding embellishments to it like the Basic Rhinestone "diamonds", the 5/8" Daffodil Delight ribbon and the texture from the Big Shot Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder.

I even decorated the inside of this card, which I do not do very often, to make it match the bold bright-ness of the front of it. Here it is.

This card was fun to put together because of all the bright colors I used that I normally do not use all at the same time!

Here is the sketch for this week. What a fun one to work with!

Do you want to get in on the fun creative projects and tutorials we have been sharing for the past few weeks? Yes...then you need to head over to the Create with Connie and Mary site and subscribe to the Summer Mini Edition!

Don't worry, even though we already underway, you will still be able to see all of the projects from the past two weeks as well as all the projects from the coming 3 weeks no matter when you subscribe! Oh by the way...the Saturday challenges are the only projects that we share with everyone...become a subscriber to see all the other projects and tutorials and to get chances to win two FREE $75 gift certificates or one of two FREE subscriptions to the next Holiday Edition!

Thanks for looking!
and I hope to see you over at the CCM Summer Edition soon!

Click here to order Stampin' Up! supplies 24/7! and don't forget the Summer Mini is now available to order from too!

Sailing Adventure- CCMC-SUM01

WOW...has it been an amazing first week over at the Create with Connie and Mary Summer Edition site! We have had lots of fun and unique project's (all with full picture tutorials) shared and this is only the first week! If you want to get in on the fun you need to head over to the Create with Connie and Mary site and subscribe! Don't worry, you will still be able to see all of the projects from this week as well as all the projects from the coming 4 weeks no matter when you subscribe! Oh by the way...the Saturday challenges are the only projects that we share with everyone...become a subscriber to see all the other projects and tutorials!

So here is my card for the Saturday challenge. This week we have a color challenge of using Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler, Basic Grey and Not Quite Navy.

Our subscribers who participate in the Saturday challenges are entered to win one of two $75 gift certificates or one of two FREE subscriptions to Create with Connie and Mary Holiday Edition. Who wouldn't want either one of those?

More about my card...I used the Sail Away stamp set from in the Summer Mini and then of course the colors from this week. The stamp is so fun to watercolor! I also used the Travel Log stamp set for the "adventure" sentiment that I thought went well with the image.

I added a few Jumbo Eyelets to tie in the sailing/nautical theme. I also added a border of 1/4" Early Espresso Grosgrain ribbon around the Not Quite Navy card stock. If you look closely you can see it in this picture. I think that it helped with the sailing/nautical theme too.

Be sure to check out the other Design Team members projects using these colors this week too by stopping by the Create with Connie and Mary site!

Thanks for looking!
and I hope to see you over at the CCM Summer Edition soon!

Click here to order Stampin' Up! supplies 24/7! and don't forget the Summer Mini is now available to order from too!

Bunch of Bold Blossoms- SCIC50

It's Thursday and that means time for another Stampin' Celebration Inspiration Challenge! This week we celebrating bright fun colors!

We would love to have you join us! All you need to do it look at the inspiration picture, make something that the picture inspired you to make and then upload if to the Stampin' Celebration blog!

This week I also used the sketch from Create with Connie and Mary to get me started. Speaking of Create with Connie and Mary...you need to make sure you are stopping by their site frequently the next two weeks for some FREE tutorials and BLOG CANDY!!

Here is what I came up with. I used a stamp set from the Summer Mini called Bold Blossom and got the colors for the flowers from the inspiration pictures.

The colors I used for the flowers were Rich Razzleberry, Daffodil Delight, Cherry Cobbler and Marina Mist. The card base is Pear Pizzazz and the accent panel is Daffodil Delight.
Here is a close up of the flowers. You can see I popped them up using dimentionals. I also put the greeting on dimentionals too. I finished off the card by tying a piece of 5/8" Whisper White grosgrain ribbon around the accent panel.

I hope you can participate in either one of the challenges this week!

Thanks for looking!

Click here to order Stampin' Up! supplies 24/7! and don't forget the Summer Mini is now available to order from too!

Fringed Sewing Machine Cover (plus a tutorial)- ccmc-om5

We had a fantastic last week of projects and tutorials over at the Create with Connie and Mary Occasions Mini Edition! I can't believe it is over! It went by so quickly. This week we have been creating using all the products in the Oh Sew Suite from the Occasions Mini.

Ok, on to this week's Saturday challenge which was to Sew (real or faux)! Usually Saturday challenges are for our subscribers to join in and every time they do they are entered to win a $75 Stampin' Up! merchandise gift certificate and a FREE registration to Create with Connie and Mary Summer Mini Edition, but this week, since it is our last week it is only for the Design Team.

My sewing machine needed a new cover so bad I could hear it begging me to use the Sweet Stitches designer Series fabric to make a new cover for it this week, sew (so) that is what I did!


I used one pack of Sweet Stitches designer series fabric to make the entire cover. I added the "SEW..." to the front of the cover using the Fabric Adhesive Roll and some dark brown fabric that was die cut using the Serif Essentials bigz dies.

I am not going to go into a lot of details on how I made this here, because I have made a short two page pdf "how to" for you to download! Here it is: Fringed Sewing Machine Cover How To!

Be sure to head over to the Create with Connie and Mary site to check out the other Design Team Members sewing projects this week! While you are there make sure you check out their blogs as well!

Thanks for looking!

Click here to order Stampin' Up! supplies 24/7! remember for every $50 you spend you get to choose a FREE Sale-A-Bration product from the SAB catalog!

Natural Bird- ccmc-om4

We had another great week full of awesome projects and tutorials over at the Create with Connie and Mary Occasions Mini Edition! The end is nearing for this edition, but it is NEVER to late to join! If you join now you will have access to all of the fabulous projects and tutorials we have shared over the past 4 weeks (that's over 20 projects!! and still one whole week to come!!!) This week we have been creating using all the products in the Botanical Gazette Suite from the Occasions Mini. What are you waiting for? Join us over at the Create with Connie and Mary Occasions Mini Edition and trust me....you will not regret it! Click here to subscribe and get in on all the fun!

Ok, on to this week's Saturday challenge which is a sketch challenge. Saturday challenges are for our subscribers to join in and every time they do they are entered to win a $75 Stampin' Up! merchandise gift certificate and a FREE registration to Create with Connie and Mary Summer Mini Edition!

For this week's sketch I decided to flip it on its side. And here is what I came up with.

I used the Nature Walk stamp set and the Botanical Gazette DSP. I stamped the branch onto water color paper using Black StazOn and then perched the bird on top the branch. I colored them in useing my blender pens and classic inks (Marina Mist, Old Olive and Cherry Cobbler).

I mounted the main image on to a few pieces of the DSP and added a piece of Early Espresso Taffeta Ribbon. The card base is Early Espresso. The sentiment is from the Bring on the Cake stamp set.

Be sure to head over to the Create with Connie and Mary site to check out the other Design Team Members cards using the sketch this week. While you are there make sure you check out their blogs as well!

Thanks for looking!

Click here to order Stampin' Up! supplies 24/7! remember for every $50 you spend you get to choose a FREE Sale-A-Bration product from the SAB catalog!

Monogrammed Springtime Journal- ccmc-om3

We had another great week full of awesome projects and tutorials over at the Create with Connie and Mary Occasions Mini Edition! We have been creating using all the products in the Springtime Vintage Suite from the Occasions Mini this week! Do you want to see these projects? Do you want easy to follow tutorials to make these projects? I bet you do! It is never to late to join the Create with Connie and Mary Occasions Mini Edition and trust me....you will not regret it! Click here to find out how to subscribe and get in on all the fun!

Ok, on to this week's Saturday challenge which is a color challenge using Rose Red, Baja Breeze, Pear Pizazz and Very Vanilla. Saturday Challenges are for our subscribers to join in and every time they do they are entered to win a $75 Stampin' Up! merchandise gift certificate and a FREE registration to Create with Connie and Mary Summer Mini Edition!

Here is what I made, a monogrammed journal. This was fun and simple to make yet it makes a bold statement.

I used an Art Journal from Stampin' Up! as the journal. To create the background I used Very Vanilla card stock and the Dotted Scallop ribbon border, Scallop Trim border, Scallop Edge border and the Eyelet border punches and just layered them horizontally on the journal.

I made the flowers using scraps of the Springtime Vintage fabric glued to a circle of sticky sheet in a circular pattern starting in the center.

I added a few basic pearls to the center of the flowers as well as some Pear Pizazz card stock leaves made using the Build a Blossom punch.

The "R" was die cut from Rose Red card stock using the Big Shot and the Serif Essentials die. I used the Baby Blossoms stamp set to stamp a small leaf print onto the "R" using Rose Red ink and then mounted it to the journal using dimensionals.

Be sure to head over to the Create with Connie and Mary site to check out the other Design Team Members cards using these colors as inspiration. While you are there make sure you check out their blogs as well!

Thanks for looking!

Click here to order Stampin' Up! supplies 24/7! remember for every $50 you spend you get to choose a FREE Sale-A-Bration product from the SAB catalog!

Sweet Birthday Wishes-ccmc-om2

What a week over at the Create with Connie and Mary Occasions Mini Edition! We have been creating using all the products in the Sale-A-Bration catalog (even the So Much to Sale-A-Brate Digital CD used in My Digital Studio) this past week and all of the Design Team members had such FABULOUS and SUPER CREATIVE ideas! Do you want to see these projects? Do you want easy to follow tutorials to make these projects? I bet you do! It is never to late to join the Create with Connie and Mary Occasions Mini Edition. Click here to find out how to subscribe and get in on all the fun!

Ok, on to this week's Saturday challenge, it is a sketch challenge. This is a challenge for our subscribers to join in and every time they do they are entered to win a $75 Stampin' Up! merchandise gift certificate and a FREE registration to Create with Connie and Mary Summer Mini Edition!

Here is what I came up with. Have I told you that I LOVE My Digital Studio? It is so versatile. What do you do if you do not own the actual stamp set that you really want to use? I pull out the So Much to Sale-a-Brate Digital Content CD (that you can get FREE from the Sale-A-Bration catalog) and print out the images that I want to use!! That is what I did for this card.

I printed out the images on Naturals White card stock I wanted from the Sweet Summer and So Happy for You stamp sets, colored them in, punched them out and added them to my card! I guess you could call this a hybrid card! :)

If the image lines look like they are a little thicker than they should be that is because they are! After I printed them out I traced them using the little side of an Early Espresso marker to give it just a little bit of a different look, I kind of like it for this card.

I like the way this card came together with all the different elements and details!

Be sure to head over to the Create with Connie and Mary site to check out the other Design Team Members cards using this sketch this week. While you are there make sure you check out their blogs as well!

Thanks for looking!

Click here to order Stampin' Up! supplies 24/7! remember for every $50 you spend you get to choose a FREE Sale-A-Bration product from the SAB catalog!

Dressed-up Paper Bag Favor- CCMC-OM1

Wow has it been an AMAZING week one over at the Create with Connie and Mary Occasions Mini Edition! We have been creating using all the "Bring on the Cake Suite" things from the mini and let me tell you...there have been some SUPER cute and some one of a kind projects made using these products! Do I have you interested yet? Do you want to see what I am talking about? I bet you do! It is never to late to join the Create with Connie and Mary Occasions Mini Edition. Click here to find out how to subscribe and get in on all the fun!

It is time for the Create with Connie and Mary Occasions Mini Edition Saturday Challenge...week one we are making party favors using the "Bring on the Cake Suite" products! What perfect products to make a party favor!

Here is what I made, a dressed-up paper bag party favor! I started with a plain old paper bag (you can use any size you want) and stamped the number image from the Bring on the Cake stamp set. Then I measured the circumference around the bottom of the bag and then cut the Cherry Cobble card stock to that size and then cut slits in it to give it some interest. I then adhered it to the bag using sticky strip.

I used a few little strips of acetate to mount a few small paper stars to the bag so it looks like they are flying up behind the cupcake.

The cupcake was made using the new Create a Cupcake punch from the Occasions Mini Catalog using Daffodil Delight and Basic Black card stock and was mounted onto a 1 3/4" circle Naturals White card stock using dimensionals.

Change the color scheme and you would have a super cute party favor for a girl's birthday, or baby shower or wedding! So many options for this cute little favor!

The Saturday challenges are for our subscribers to play along with us! When they enter the challenges, they have their name put in the drawing for one of two $75 merchandise certificates and one of two FREE subscriptions to Create with Connie and Mary SUMMER Editon. The more they enter the challenges, the more times their name is entered into the drawing! You can subscribe here!

Be sure to head over to the Create with Connie and Mary site to check out the other Design Team Members party favors and their blogs as well!

Oh....I also heard there is a FREE tutorial for one of the projects over on their blog as well as a bonus this week!!

Thanks for looking!
and I hope to see you over on the Create with Connie and Mary site soon!

Love U Candy Bar Case & BLOG CANDY!

Wooohooo! If you don't know, I was invited back to be a guest designer for the Create with Connie and Mary Occasions Mini Edition! We are celebrating two preview weeks before the 5 week private subscription begins on January 23! We will be featuring the stamps and accessories from the Occasions Mini throughout the entire subscription period. For the preview weeks we are featuring the "valentines day-ish" products from the mini and all 5 design team members are creating projects that will be like the projects you will get if you subscribe to the Occasions Mini Edition! You will want to visit the Create with Connie and Mary blog to make sure you do not miss a thing in the next few weeks!

The Early Bird Special Price of $24.95 US is a savings of $5 and is good only until January 23 at 11:55pm...then the regular price price of $29.95 returns. You can see payment options here.

Ok, so on to my preview project!

As you can see I used Clear-Mount Stamp Case is a fun new way! This would be a great gift for Valentines Day which is approaching fast, because no matter who you give this gift to, you will get a gift for yourself too! :)

If you would like a FREE tutorial for this project including pictures click on over to the Create with Connie and Mary blog to get it!


Alright, on to the BLOG CANDY! We are giving away 6 FREE subscriptions to the Occasions Edition and a way of getting one of those is to leave a comment on my blog post today! Be sure to check out the Create with Connie and Mary blog to find out where else you can get a chance for a FREE subscription as well!

Winners will be announced on Sunday, January 23 at 12 noon (EST). To find out if you are a WINNER…you need to check the Create with Connie and Mary site no later than Saturday, February 5 at 12 noon (EST) and send us your email address at createwithconnieandmary@gmail.com.

Thanks for looking and Good Luck!

Pretty Packaging- CCMC-HM8

It's week 8 over at the Create with Connie and Mary Holiday Edition and that means that last week :( and that means this is the last Saturday Challenge for me too. I have really enjoyed my time as a Guest Designer for their Holiday Edition. Thanks to Connie and Mary for asking me to be apart of their Design Team. If you have not checked out their blog, do so now!

This week we have been creating using the Tags will Christmas, Calendar Kit, Jolly Jingles, Designer Fabric and the level 2 hostess Peaceful Seasons stamp set and the Saturday Challenge is for the Design Team only this week is Pretty Packaging.

Here is what I made, my own wrapping paper using the Tags till Christmas stamp set! I stamped my images on Kraft Paper (you know the stuff that comes in a roll like wrapping paper but is not pretty until you make it that way!) and then tied it up using some raffia and added a stamped tag to to package.

I used Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive and Early Espresso ink to stamp on the Kraft paper with. I also sponged a little bit using Soft Suede ink. Making the paper really did not take that long, I was surprised how quickly it was done! Here is a picture so you can see the paper better.

Here is a close up of the tag I made for the top of the package. You can also see that I sponged the edges of the package using the Soft Suede ink. I think it gave it a vintage-y look.

Making your own wrapping paper is a very easy way to make you gift unique and impress the person who is receiving it before they even open it! Give it a try this holiday season!

Be sure to check out the other design team members "pretty packages" this week too:

Connie Babbert- Inkspired Treasures
Cristena Bagne- Gettin' Crafty
Jenn Picard- A New Ink on Life
Mary Brown- StamperCamper's Corner

Thanks for looking!

Cute Gift's- CCMC-HM7

It's nearing the end of Week 7 over at the Create with Connie and Mary Holiday Edition and it is time for our Saturday Challenge! Do you want to be entered into a drawing for one of two $75 Stampin' Up! merchandise gift certificates or two FREE passes to the NEXT edition of Create with Connie and Mary? If so, then head over to the Create with Connie and Mary blog and subscribe to the Holiday Edition and play along with us in the Saturday Challenges! It is never too late to join...but you better hurry, because next week is the last week....you will have access to all the past projects and tutorials for a long time after we stop creating no matter when you join us!

Ok on with this week's Saturday Challenge! This week we have been creating using A Cute Christmas, Merry Crittermas, the Builder Wheels, Candy Cane Rub-Ons and the Decor Elements. The challenge for this week is a color challenge using Garden Green, Baja Breeze, Blushing Bride and Real Red. I decided to use the A Cute Christmas stamp set for my card.

Here is what I came up with! I had fun wrapping up all the presents on my card and even un-wrapping one of them! :) I used the Candy Cane Christmas Designer Series Fabric on my card as well as the stamp set, because I couldn't not resist using it, it matching the A Cute Christmas set perfectly!

I made my presents by cutting appropriate colors of card stock for the boxes and then wrapped them up using small strips of the Designer Series Fabric. I attatched "to: from:" tags (made using the "to: from:" stamp in the A Cute Christmas stamp set) to each gift. The last gift has already been ripped open to expose the greeting "have a cute Christmas!"

The Whisper White background on my card was sent through the Big Shot with the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder and then mounted onto a Blushing Bride card base.

Be sure to check out the other design team members cute creations this week too:

Connie Babbert- Inkspired Treasures
Cristena Bagne- Gettin' Crafty
Jenn Picard- A New Ink on Life
Mary Brown- StamperCamper's Corner

Thanks for looking!

Rudolph the Gift Card Holder- CCMC-HM6

It's nearing the end of Week 6 over at the Create with Connie and Mary Holiday Edition and it is time for our Saturday Challenge! Do you want to be entered into a drawing for one of two $75 Stampin' Up! merchandise gift certificates or two FREE passes to the NEXT edition of Create with Connie and Mary? If so, then head over to the Create with Connie and Mary blog and subscribe to the Holiday Edition and play along with us in the Saturday Challenges! It is never too late to join...you will have access to all the past projects and tutorials no matter when you join us!

This week we have been creating using the Jolly Bingo Bits, Bingo Card, Sweet Snowglobe and the Jolly Old Saint Nick stamp sets in the Holiday Mini Catalog. Our Saturday Challenge this week is a sketch challenge! As soon as I saw this sketch, I knew I was going to make a gift card holder!

My gift card holder measures 2 1/2" x 3 3/4". The colors I used were Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso and Wild Wasbai.

I used the reindeer stamp in the Jolly Bingo Bits stamp set as a template for my reindeer on my gift card holder. Here is how: I stamped him using Early Espresso ink onto Early Espresso card stock and then cut out his head. Then I used the Extra Large Snowflake punch to give him some bigger antlers that would tie into the sketch this week.

The sentiment is from the Fabulous Phrases stamp set and was simply stamped on to Whisper White card stock and then cut out and glued to the Crumb Cake card stock.

I finished off the gift card holder by tying a piece of the 1/2" Cherry Cobbler Seam binding around the whole thing to create a closure.

Be sure to check out the other design team members creations this week using this fun sketch too:

Connie Babbert- Inkspired Treasures
Cristena Bagne- Gettin' Crafty
Jenn Picard- A New Ink on Life
Mary Brown- StamperCamper's Corner

Thanks for looking!

Frosted- CCMC-HM5

This week over at the Create with Connie and Mary Holiday Edition we have been creating using the Angelic Joy, Rejoicing in Christmas, Fireside Christmas and Northern Hearts (hostess) stamp sets and for the Saturday Challenge this week the theme is All the Glitters!

I decided to use the Northern Hearts stamp sets and focus on the snowflakes in the set, because snowflakes are always glittlery! Here is what I came up with, Frosted. I do not use glitter very often, but had fun making my card fit the theme All that Glitters!

I started by stamping all three different snowflakes from the set onto Whisper White card stock using Versa Mark ink and then embossed them using a mixture of half Clear Embossing powder and half Dazzling diamonds. In real life this gives the snowflakes a real glittery look.

The bird and the leaves were punched out using the Two Step Extra Large Bird punch. Then I covered them in Multipurpose TomBow Adhesive and sprinkled the Silver Glass Glitter over them. (The TomBow Adhesive works GREAT to make the Glass Glitter stick to anything!)

The sentiment, from the Curly Cute stamp set, was stamped onto Whisper White card stock and then mounted onto Vellum card stock and given a little dimension using the bone folder.

I added a little White Satin Ribbon to finish the card off!

Do you want to play along this week with us? Head over to the Create with Connie and Mary blog and subscribe to the Holiday Edition and play along with us and when you do you will be entered into a drawing for one of two $75 Stampin' Up! merchandise gift certificates or two FREE passes to the NEXT edition of Create with Connie and Mary. It is never too late to join...you will have access to all the past projects and tutorials no matter when you join us!

Be sure to check out the other Design Team Members Glittery creations this week too:

Connie Babbert- Inkspired Treasures
Cristena Bagne- Gettin' Crafty
Jenn Picard- A New Ink on Life
Mary Brown- StamperCamper's Corner

Thanks for looking!

A Classy Christmas- CCMC-HM4

It's Week 4 over at the Create with Connie and Mary Holiday Edition and it is time for our Saturday Challenge! Do you want to be entered into a drawing for one of two $75 Stampin' Up! merchandise gift certificates or two FREE passes to the NEXT edition of Create with Connie and Mary? If so, then head over to the Create with Connie and Mary blog and subscribe to the Holiday Edition and play along with us in the Saturday Challenges! It is never too late to join...you will have access to all the past projects and tutorials no matter when you join us!

This week we have been creating using the "Vintage Christmas" suite in the Holiday Mini Catalog. Our Saturday Challenge this week is a double challenge! Part one is using the colors Cherry Cobbler, Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Always Artichoke and Crumb Cake and part two is to make a "one of a kind" (a card that you will probably only make one of!).

I decided to use the Bells and Bough's stamp set and the Deck the Halls Designer Series Paper for my card this week and here is what I came up with, A Classy Christmas! I had fun adding layers and embellishments this card!

I started with a Soft Suede card base and then added a piece of Soft Suede card stock that I sent through my Big Shot with the Vintage Wallpaper Embossing folder and then used a Sponge Dauber and Soft Suede ink on it to help the texture pop. Then I added a small piece of Designer Series Paper from the Deck the Halls pack, that I also sponged on, to make a base for main image on my card.

Next I stamped the Poinsettia stamp all over a small piece Water Color paper and colored it in using Cherry Cobbler and Always Artichoke ink and my Blender Pens. Then, after all of that coloring, I covered it up with a piece of Vellum to give it a softer look and mounted it onto a piece of Cherry Cobble card stock.

Next I wheeled the Music Notes Wheel over a piece of Very Vanilla card stock using Early Espresso ink and then sponged Soft Suede on it and crumpled it up to give it more texture. Then that piece was mounted onto the Poinsettia/Vellum piece.

Next I took the large scalloped circle from the Scallop Circles #2 die in Always Artichoke and crumpled it, sponged it and added paper piercings to the scallops. That was mounted on top of the music paper in the center of the card.

Then for the main image on the card, I stamped the Bells images onto Water Color paper using Black StazOn and then colored it in using my Blender pens and the Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler, Soft Suede and Early Espresso ink. Then I punched it out using the 2 1/2" Circle punch and added some Champagne Glass Glitter to the edges using Multi-Purpose Tombow glue. That piece was mounted to the scalloped circle and the sentiment was cut out and mounted to the image.

I finished off the card by adding a few Crumb Cake brads.

I absolutely LOVE the way this came out, but I do not think this will be our Christmas card this year....maybe a simpler version of it though! :)

Be sure to check out the other design team members "One of a Kind" card too:

Connie Babbert- Inkspired Treasures
Cristena Bagne- Gettin' Crafty
Jenn Picard- A New Ink on Life
Mary Brown- StamperCamper's Corner

Thanks for looking!

So Sweet Candle- CCMC-HM3

It's Week 3 over at the Create with Connie and Mary Holiday Edition! This week we have been been "building" the Design-a-House's from the Holiday Mini and they are SOO much fun to design, create and build! I wish I could show you mine, but I can't here, so if you want to see it then you will have to be a subscriber to the Create with Connie and Mary Holiday Edition.

Since we are "building" houses this week our Saturday Challenge was to make a small hostess gift. Here is what I came up with, a So Sweet Candle!

I took a cheap white candle (about 3 inches in diameter and height) and gave it a cute belly band decorated with gumdrops and peppermint candies that I made! The actual belly band are "Graham Crackers" that I made from paper. (hint hint...if you like this, you will LOVE my house...what are you waiting for...go subscribe!) The tag was made by punching out Crumb Cake card stock using the Decorative Label punch and then adhering the "So Sweet" sentiment that I die cut using the Timeless Type Junior Alphabet and my Big Shot.

Here is a closeup of the candies. I used the Large Oval punch to get the Gumdrop shapes which I punched out of the colored card stock that I embossed using a sparkly mix of clear embossing powder and Dazzling Diamonds. I put the candies on the Graham Cracker using dimensionals.

Be sue to check out the other Design Team members small hostess gift this week to:

Connie Babbert- Inkspired Treasures
Cristena Bagne- Gettin' Crafty
Jenn Picard- A New Ink on Life
Mary Brown- StamperCamper's Corner

Thanks for looking!

Do you want to be entered into a drawing for one of two $75 Stampin' Up! merchandise gift certificates or two FREE passes to the NEXT edition of Create with Connie and Mary? If so, then head over to the to the Holiday Edition and play along with us in the Saturday Challenges! (You must be a subscriber to play in the Saturday Challenges.)

Foliage Birthday- CCMC-HM2

It's Week 2 over at the Create with Connie and Mary Holiday Edition! Do you want to be entered into a drawing for one of two $75 Stampin' Up! merchandise gift certificates or two FREE passes to the NEXT edition of Create with Connie and Mary? If so, then head over to the Create with Connie and Mary blog and subscribe to the Holiday Edition and play along with us in the Saturday Challenges! It is never too late to join...you will have access to all the past projects and tutorials!

So this week we have a great color challenge to go with the stamp sets we have been focusing on, Day of Gratitude and French Foliage. The colors are Cajun Craze, Old Olive, More Mustard and Early Espresso. Perfect colors for fall!

Here is what I came up with! I used the French Foliage stamp set with a few other accessories to make this masculine-ish birthday card!

I Stamped the leafs onto the card stock colors for this week using the Early Espresso classic ink, then cut them out and crumpled them up to give them texture. Then I mounted them onto the punched out 2 1/2" Circle that was stamped and dirtied up with the Early Espresso classic ink. Then I wrapped the image in Hemp Twine.

I gave a piece of Early Espresso texture by sending it through the Big Shot with the Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, punched a dirtied piece of card stock using the Eyelet Border punch, stamped the sentiment from Sincere Salutations, added a few brads and mounted it all on the Early Espresso card base.

Be sure to check out the other design team members creations this week:

Connie Babbert- Inkspired Treasures
Cristena Bagne- Gettin' Crafty
Jenn Picard- A New Ink on Life
Mary Brown- StamperCamper's Corner

Thanks for looking!

And I hope you see you over on the Create with Connie and Mary Holiday Edition blog soon!