Fine Feathers Celebration CCMC283

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas Day yesterday and are ready for a new challenge today!  Thursday IS the day for the Create with Connie and Mary Challenge and this week it's a great sketch!

I have some new products from the Occasions Catalog which goes live on January 3rd!  A book full  of new products and accessories means lots of creative fun ahead!  For my card background I used the new Kaleidoscope Designer Series Paper which features some cool graphic prints as well as some polka dots that I love!  Layered over that is a square of Whisper White which has been dry embossed with the new Arrows embossing folder... isn't it great with that DSP?

This is my first time to use my Fine Feathers set!  I ordered it earlier but laid it aside to work on holiday projects; I was happy to see that it works so well with these designs and colors.

For the focal point I chose a stamp from the new Starburst Sayings set, diecut with the coordinating Starburst Framelits Dies, both also from the Occasions Catalog.  The starburst was heat embossed with Silver Embossing Powder before being diecut, then centered with a Bermuda Bay Candy Dot.

Stamps:  Fine Feathers, Starburst Sayings (medallion), Perfectly Penned
Ink:  VersaMark, Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Basic Grey
Paper:  Kaleidoscope Designer Paper; Crushed Curry, Basic Black, Whisper White, Smoky Slate
Accessories:  Candy Dot, Silver Embossing Powder, Arrow TIEF, Big Shot, Stampin' Sponge, Paper Snips


Here is the sketch from Create with Connie and Mary this week:

It's a square sketch but can also be adapted easily to a standard 4.25" x 5.5" card.  I made my card 5.25" square and now with the SU Envelope Punch Board, I can make a custom envelope to fit!  Oh happy day!  : )
 
Be sure to check out the other fabulous cards from the CWCM Challenge Team at Create with Connie and Mary Blog!  We'd love for you to join the challenge and upload a card to their site!!  Guidelines are on today's post!

Thanks for visiting today!  I hope you enjoyed my card and will join the challenge also!

Hugs,
Margaret

O Holy Night Card

When I saw this O Holy Night Holiday single stamp which Stampin' Up! brought out a couple of months ago I thought it would be great for Christmas cards!  I love it made in the various tones of aquas and indigo.

Stamps:  O Holy Night single stamp, Festive Flurry stamp set
Inks:  Island Indigo, Bermuda Bay
Paper:  Whisper White, Bermuda Bay, Silver Glimmer Paper; Pool Party Core-dinations sandable cardstock
Tools:  Big Shot, Diagonal lines Embossing Folder, Festive Flurry Framelits, Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Star Punch from Merry Minis Punch Pack, Sanding block.

I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas!

Margaret

Pennant Parade Christmas Trees CCMC282

It's time for our Thursday Challenge over at Create with Connie and Mary!  Today we have a lovely color scheme to work with:  Cherry Cobbler, Silver and Whisper White, and just perfect for the holidays!

I just love these stamps in the Pennant Parade set used as Christmas trees and haven't used them near enough that way!  I thought they would be great in the challenge colors!

After I stamped and/or punched the mid-section of the trees, I punched the scalloped trees from the Silver Glimmer Paper and wow, do they sparkle!!   I added stars punched from the same Silver Glimmer Paper and tree trunks from the Brushed Silver Paper.

Stamps:  Pennant Parade, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Inks:  Cherry Cobbler
Paper:  Regals Designer Series Paper Pack;  Silver Glimmer Paper, Brushed Silver Cardstock, Cherry Cobbler and Whisper White Cardstock
Tools:  Pennant Punch, Word Window Punch, Star Punch (from Merry Minis Punch Pack, Holiday Carryover), Polka Dot Embossing Folder, Big Shot.

Here again is the Color Challenge CCMC282 from Create with Connie and Mary:

I know it is a very busy time but I hope you can squeeze in a few minutes just for yourself to make a card with these colors!  Once you do, please upload it to Create with Connie and Mary's CCMC282 post so we can all see what you did with this festive color combination!  Whether or not you post a card, be sure and check all the wonderful cards made by the other Challenge Team Members... they are very talented!!

I hope you've enjoyed the card today and that you will have a very Merry Christmas this year!  Stay safe and warm!

Margaret

Wonderful Wreath CCMC281

We have a great sketch challenge today at Create with Connie and Mary!  I chose the pretty Wonderful Wreath stamp (Holiday Catalog) for my version of this sketch.

I've really been enjoying the color schemes from the Winter Frost Specialty DSP this year... all the aqua colors from Pool Party to Bermuda Bay in various combinations are so icy and luscious!  The two colors used here are Bermuda Bay and Coastal Cabana as well as two prints from the Winter Frost package:  a snowflake design and a shiny silver and Coastal Cabana print.

I diecut the Silver Foil paper with a Finishing Touches Edgelit to border the top and bottom of the snowflake dsp.  The Wonderful Wreath was stamped with Bermuda Bay then heat embossed with Clear Embossing Powder and "fussy cut" by hand.  The Holly Jolly banner (from the A Banner Christmas set) was stamped in Real Red and also hand cut.  A banner of the lattice print silver foil paper from the Winter Frost DSP, Real Red ribbon and Rhinestones finish the card.


Stamps:  Wonderful Wreath, A Banner Christmas
Inks:  Bermuda Bay, Real Red
Paper:  Winter Frost DSP; Silver Foil Paper, Bermuda Bay and Coastal Cabana cardstock
Accessories:  Real Red 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Big Shot, Magnetic Pad, Finishing Touches Edgelit, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Rhinestones

Here is the sketch from Create with Connie and Mary for this week, CCMC 281.   It's fun and can be used for any occasion, not just Christmas! 

I hope you have a little time to try this sketch during this busy season!  When you do, be sure to share it with us by uploading it to Create with Connie and Mary's website so we can see your creation!

Thanks for visiting today!  I hope you enjoyed my card!   Stay warm and safe!

Margaret

TWO WAYS TO STRETCH & SAVE your $$$ .... PLUS VALENTINES!

I.  Weekly Deals from Stampin' Up!

Check out this week’s wonderful Weekly Deals!
                   Sale Prices available through MONDAY, DEC. 16 only!

	Designer Rosette Bigz XL Die Item # 125594 Regular Price: $42.95 US/$52.95 CAN Discounted Price: $32.21 US/$39.71 CAN
	2013-2015 In Color Core'dinations Item # 129958 Regular Price: $11.95 US/$14.95 CAN Discounted Price: $8.96 US/$11.21 CAN
	Blushing Bride 3/4" Chevron Ribbon Item # 130013 Regular Price: $8.95 US/$12.50 CAN Discounted Price: $6.71 US/$9.38 CAN
	Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch Item # 119275 Regular Price: $15.95 US/$20.95 CAN Discounted Price: 11.96 US/$15.71 CAN
	Holly Berry Bouquet Kit MDS Download Item # 127773 Regular Price: $9.95 US/$10.95 CAN Discounted Price: $5.97 US/6.57 CAN
	Ready. Set. Send. Item # 133384 Regular Price: $19.95 US/$24.95 CAN Discounted Price: $14.96 US/$18.71 CAN
	Stampin' Write Markers Neutrals Item # 131261 Regular Price: $22.95 US/$29.95 CAN Discounted Price: $17.21 US/$22.46 CAN
	Card Base Pop' N Cut Item # 130099 Regular Price: $39.95 US/$48.95 CAN Discounted Price: $29.96 US/$36.71 CAN

II.  Clearance Rack Blitz

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

IN ADDITION...

Stampin' Up! has some FUN and NEW  Valentine Stamps & Products for us!!  

Available now until January 27, 2014 or as long as supplies last!

Shop online and your order will be shipped directly to you!

I have already taken advantage of these wonderful bargains and products because I like to make my stamping dollars s-t-r-e-t-c-h!   If you're like me and like to save money, you will too!

You may order through my Online Stampin' Up! Website here!  It's quick and easy to set up an account if you don't have one, then just enter your order numbers and whiz through checkout!  Your order will be delivered directly to you via UPS!  So quick and easy, you can even shop in your p.j.s!

Thanks, and have a warm, safe day!

Margaret

Navy and Gold Christmas CCMC280

Here's my card for today's Thursday Challenge at Create with Connie and Mary.  Today's challenge is to use Night of Navy, Gold and  Whisper White.  I thought these great colors would make for an elegant Christmas card!

I stamped two of the Festive Flurries snowflake stamps using VersaMark ink onto the background layer of Brushed Gold cardstock then did the same on the smaller Night of Navy background.

A strip of the Brushed Gold was dry embossed with a Delicate Impressions Embossing Folder and laid over the left side.  I stamped the Brushed Gold with VersaMark using a snowflake then embossed this with Gold Embossing Powder and the Heat Tool.  Next it was diecut with the matching Festive Flurry Framelit.

Lastly the snowflake was adhered with Dimensionals and the card was embellished with Rhinestones, using one of the Large Rhinestones for the snowflake center.

Here again is the CCMC280 color challenge for today. ( I wonder if my Rhinestones can qualify for the Whisper White!?)  Now you can do better than me, use all three colors on a project then share it with us on the Create with Connie and Mary website (you'll also find the guidelines there).  We'll all stop by and leave you a nice message too!

Did you recognize the layout I used for my card?  I used the CCMC Sketch Challenge from 11-9-13 and turned it to a vertical orientation.  You can see that challenge here: CCMCWINTER13-03 Sketch Challenge.   This is a very versatile sketch and so adaptable to any occasion... I'll be using it again myself!  : )  Don't miss  all the great cards posted here using this sketch!

Thanks for visiting!  Stay warm and safe... especially if you are experiencing some of this freezing weather that is sweeping across Canada and the middle of the U.S.!!  We're right in the middle of it here!  Br-r-r!  It's snowing here!

Margaret

Banner Christmas CCMC279

First let me wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving today!  I hope you have a wonderful day with family and friends!  Lots of fun, food and gratitude!

Today being Thursday means that it's another fun challenge from Create with Connie and Mary... this time a great sketch challenge.  I used one of my favorite holiday sets,  A Banner Christmas and some favorite colors for this season, Real Red, Old Olive and Crumb Cake.

I really like sketch challenges because they provide the layout for the card so some of the work is already done for you.   I used Designer Series Paper for the two background panels:  Season of Style and Polka Dot Parade.

The words on the smaller front panel are  from A Banner Christmas set... I love that little "JOY" banner, don't you?  I added three stars punched from Red Glimmer Paper.. love that stuff, so sparkly!

Paper piercing across the top and bottom edges of the front panel and a medium Rhinestone colored with a Sharpie marker are the finishing accents to the card.

Here's the sketch for Create with Connie and Mary Sketch Challenge CCMC279:

You'll want to go to Connie and Mary's website to see what all the other fabulous designers did with this sketch... they are SO creative!!

Now it's your turn!  Take this sketch and make your own creation with it then be sure and show us what you did by uploading it to Create with Connie and Mary's website!  Have fun with it!

Thanks for visiting!  Have a wonderful weekend... and be safe out there if you shop on "Black Friday"!  : )

Warm wishes,

Margaret

Thoughts and Prayers CCMC278

We have a great Color Challenge this week over at Create with Connie and Mary!  I haven't used Always Artichoke much lately but I was glad we used it for our challenge!  How fun is this challenge to use Always Artichoke with Tangerine Tango and Sahara Sand!

I recently purchased the Regals Collection Designer Paper Pack which has DSP in all ten colors of the color family so I had this wonderful Artichoke paper to work with!  The Sweater Weather Designer Series Paper provided me with both the subtle Tangerine Tango houndstooth check and the lovely Sahara Sand/Whisper White print, which reminds me of a lattice.

I colored the image with markers then punched out cardstock and DSP flowers with the tiny flower punch from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack and centered them with Pearls.   The sentiment is from the same set, stamped in Artichoke onto Sahara Sand Cardstock.  

Stamps:  Thoughts and Prayers
Ink:  Always Artichoke and Tangerine Tango Markers; Always Artichoke pad.
Paper:  Sweater Weather and Regals Collection Designer Series Paper; Tangerine Tango and Sahara Sand cardstock.
Accessories/Tools:  Pearls,  Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, Scallop Edge Punch, Dimensionals

Again, here's CCMC278 color challenge for this week:

I hope you will join us for this week's challenge by making a card and uploading it to the Create with Connie and Mary website!  Guidelines will be found on the challenge post!  I hope to see you there!

Thanks for visiting today!  Keep on stampin'!

Margaret 

HOLIDAY SALE! Nov. 20th - Dec. 2!

It's time for online holiday shopping!  During these 13 days only, you can get incredible discounts -up to 50 percent - on some of your favorite products! This is the perfect time for us to stock up on some of our favorite items or for a new stamper to give Stampin' Up! a try.

And make sure you don't miss out on our 24-hour-only doorbusters happening on the first day of the sale (today!  Wed., Nov. 20!): 30 percent off the Stampin' Trimmer, Simply Scored Diagonal Plate, and Many Marvelous Markers! The 24-hour sales period on these three products only ends at 11:50 PM (MT), November 20.

Click on the image below to see the flyer listing all the Sale items and the details!

To order 24/7, click HERE.  You can combine any Stampin' Up! items with your order of sale products too!  Go ahead, shop in your pajamas!

These special prices are good from November 19 until Monday, December 2nd at midnight MT.   My local customers may email me their orders if they don't wish to order online.  

Thanks, and SALE ON!

Margaret

NEW SPECIALS from Stampin' Up! begin TODAY!

EIGHT new products on sale!  Make sure you click over to my online store  to get these helpful creative tools and products at a great discount!  These special prices are good from November 19 until Monday, November 25th at midnight MT.   My local customers may email me their orders if they don't wish to order online.  Thanks, and enjoy the sale!

	Backyard Basics Item # 129380 Regular Price: $24.95 US/$30.95 CAN Discounted Price: $18.71 US/$23.21 CAN
	Pumpkin Pie Chevron 3/4" Ribbon Item # 130015 Regular Price: $8.95 US/$12.50 CAN Discounted Price: $6.71 US/$9.38 CAN
	Chocolate Chip Chevron 3/4" Ribbon Item # 130014 Regular Price: $8.95 US/$12.50 CAN Discounted Price: $6.71 US/$9.38 CAN
	Color Coach Item # 130118 Regular Price: $14.95 US/$18.95 CAN Discounted Price: $11.21 US/$14.21 CAN
	Little Labels Punch Pack Item # 126881 Regular Price: $16.95 US//$22.95 CAN Discounted Price: $12.71 US/17.21 CAN
	Stampin' Write Markers Subtles Item # 131263 Regular Price: $28.95 US/$37.95 CAN Discounted Price: $21.71 US/$28.46 CAN
	Talking Tags Item # 129723 Regular Price: $7.95 US/$9.95 CAN Discontinued Price: $5.96 US/$7.46 CAN
	Unknown Blessings Ensemble Item # 131311 Regular Price: $17.95 US/$19.95 CAN Discounted Price

Remember, if you order $150. or more on a single order (online or through me directly) , you are eligible for $25 or more in FREE Hostess merchandise rewards of your choosing!  

Happy Shopping!

Margaret

Happy Birthday, Etcetera

Today Connie and Mary have a very interesting sketch for our weekly Thursday Challenge CCMC277!  I chose to use the lovely Etcetera Designer Series Paper for the background panels as well as the focal flower image.

I love the distressed look of some of the papers in this Etcetera package, as well as the muted or worn colors of Old Olive, Night of Navy and Calypso Coral.  The lightest color DSP is a Crisp Cantaloupe print from the Birthday Basics Designer Paper Collection.

The flower was punched out with the Pansy Punch and the Blossom Punch, centered with a medium button tied with double Linen Thread.  The banner was stamped in Calypso Coral with a greeting from the Bring on the Cake set.

Here is sketch CCMC277 for this week.  Isn't this cool!  Now it's time for you to hit your creating corner and make your card using this fun sketch that offers so many possibilities!

Visit Create with Connie and Mary to see all the cards from the uber-talented CCMC Challenge Team!  Then hopefully you'll be inspired to create your own version of this sketch!  And when you do, please share it with us!

Stamps:  Bring on the Cake
Ink:  Calypso Coral
Paper:  Etcetera Designer Paper; Calypso Coral, Very Vanilla, Old Olive
Accessories:  Linen Thread, Candy Dots, Regals Button, Glue Dots, Snail Adhesive
Tools:  Bird Builder Punch, Pansy Punch, Blossom Punch, BoHo Blossom Punch, Paper Snips.

Don't forget the the Winter Collection 2013 is continuing this week at Create with Connie and Mary!  You can join now and still get all the creative tutorials from the fab designers!


Thanks for visiting!  Have a creative day!

Margaret

Announced Today: Festive Flurry Ornament Kit!

Available starting 11/12/2013 - while supplies last


Add a little festive flare to your holiday decorating with our new Festive Flurry Ornament Kit! Top presents, embellish cards, create a wintery garland, or trim the tree. How you use them is up to you!
The kit includes everything you need (minus adhesive) to create 10 snowflakes, including

• 10 feet of Soft Sky Ribbon
• Printed cardstock - die cut and scored, ready to be assembled (Soft Sky, Crumb Cake, Whisper White Cardstock and Silver Glimmer Paper)
• Large Rhinestone Basic Jewels (40)

Product name:	Item #:	Price:
Festive Flurry Ornament Kit	135813	$14.95

These  kits are only available while supplies last so take advantage of this offer!! (last year the ornament kits sold out quickly!)  It's just in time to create 10 heirloom ornaments! But you must get your order in early so you'll have plenty of time to make these for Christmas gifting-or for your family tree!

All you will need to make these beauties is a hot glue gun and glue stick!

Click  HERE to watch the video that shows the contents of the kit, how to assemble the snowflakes and order if you wish. 

Have a stampin' good day!

Margaret

NEW Weekly Deals

.. beginning today, Nov. 12, from the Stampin' Up! blog

(check the site every Tuesday for more deals!) 

A new round of weekly deals started today! Make sure you head on over to my online store get great product at a great discount!  These special prices are good from November 12 until Monday, November 18 at midnight MT.   My local customers may email me their orders if they don't wish to order online.  Thanks, and enjoy the sale!

	Gift Bow Bigz L Die Item # 129977 Regular Price: $32.95 US/$40.95 CAN Discounted Price: $24.71 US/$30.71 CAN
	1-1/4" Burlap Ribbon Item # 132140 Regular Price: $7.95 US/$9.95 CAN Discounted Price: $5.96 US/$7.46 CAN
	Extra Large Gift Box Item # 132147 Regular Price: $3.95 US/$4.95 CAN Discounted Price: $2.96 US/$3.71 CAN
	Mini Muslin Bags Item #132180 Regular Price: $9.95 US/$14.95 CAN Discounted Price: $7.46 US/$11.21 CAN
	Orchard Harvest Swatchbook Item #128137 Regular Price: $12.95 US/$13.95 CAN Discounted Price: $7.77 US/$8.37 CAN
	Real Red Simply Created Goodie Gear Simply Created Item # 132161 Regular Price: $4.95 US/$6.95 CAN Discounted Price: $3.71 US/$5.21 CAN
	Witches' Brew Designer Series Paper Item # 132185 Regular Price: $10.95 US/$13.50 CAN Discounted Price: $7.11 US/$8.77 CAN

 Remember, if you order $150. or more on a single order (online or through me directly) , you are eligible for $25 or more in FREE Hostess merchandise rewards of your choosing!  

Have a stampin' good day!

Margaret