Awesome Color Challenge CCMC-OCC2

The Everyday Enchantment DSP from the Sale-a-Bration brochure is the most beautiful and awesome palette of papers.  I love the colors and the mix of prints--they are A MA ZING!  The pack should be called Everything You Make Will Be Gorgeous DSP.  And guess what--the pack is FREE with a $50!

Today over at Create With Connie and Mary we have a color challenge taken directly from the DSP which is super duper easy to make look great.  If you are not a subscriber to the Occasions Edition of Create With Connie and Mary you can see all the Saturday Challenge cards.  If you want to have access to six weeks of daily tutorials it's not too late to join.  Click right here for the details.

All supplies from Stampin' Up!

• Stamps - Fresh Vintage
• Inks - Poppy Parade, Lucky Limeade, Pool Party, and Soft Suede (for sponging)
• Papers - Pool Party Card Stock, Everyday Enchantment DSP
• Accessories - Hounds Tooth Embossing Folder, Labels Framelits Collection, Heart Trinkets, Everyday Enchantment Ribbon and Brad Pack, Brights Brads, Chantilly Crochet Ribbon, Linen Thread

Fabric Friday Tutorial

Hello Fabric Friday Folks!

I have good news for anyone who would like a free tutorial.  I have written a set of instructions for my ruffled Demi-Apron.  If you would like to take a look just go ahead and download the file.  If you would like a muslin pattern sent to you by mail I will gladly send one to you for $5.  Just click on the buy it now button.  (US and Canada only)

See the original post here showcasing more photos and a description.

Free Demi-Apron Tutorial

For the Muslin Pattern

Happy Stitchin, Elizabeth

Box of Valentines

Hello and welcome to my post for Shirley's Valentine Blog Hop.  I am sharing with you a handmade box of four Valentines whipped up in less than an hour.  It all works thanks to the wonderful Quick Cuts found in the Occasions Mini Catalog by Stampin' Up!  These Quick Cut Cards are stunning and make whatever you dream up totally gorgeous, plus they come with envelopes.  You get four heart and four lace border laser cut Very Vanilla cards with eight Blushing Bride envelopes.

All Supplies from Stampin' Up!

• Stamps - Candy Conversations
• Inks - Blushing Bride
• Paper - Quick Cuts Cards and Envelopes, Blushing Bride Card Stock, First Edition DSP, Window Sheets
• Tools - Hearts Framelits Collection, Personal Cutter/Scorer
• Accessories - Champagne Glass Glitter, Blushing Bride Pleated Satin Ribbon, Sticky Pages, Jumbo Pearls, Linen Thread, Twill Tape

Box of four matching cards with Blushing Bride envelopes.

A view of the full card (gorgeous in person I must say).

A simple heart cut using the Hearts Framelits Collection perfectly aligns with the laser cut heart.

I layered a piece of First Edition inside the box bottom for a simple finishing touch  and for added strength/stability.

Join along and add you Valentine to Shirley's Blog Hop:

• Anything goes, Card, 3D project it just has to be Valentines. 
• Add the Hop to your Post, by using the code from Linky tools. 
• Add badge to post with a link to my blog. 
• Has to be a new post.

Create with Connie and Mary Sketch Challenge

Welcome everyone!  Happy Saturday and happy sketch challenge goers from Create with Connie and Mary!  This weekend's sketch is a really good, no make that a great one.  It definitely has a unique and fresh twist. 

My card features the Candy Conversations a la carte stamp from the Occasions Mini Catalog paired with the Sweet Shop DSP.  For the arched shape I used the Label Collections Framelits and then added a sweet scallop detail at the bottom of the framelit to follow the sketch. If my label collection framelit piece looks longer than normal it's because it is.  I cut it across the middle and stretched it open to the size I was looking for.  Then I just placed the heart stamped panel over the gap--walla.

All supplies are from Stampin' Up!

Stamps - Candy Conversations a la carte

Inks - Poppy Parade Classic Ink, Lucky Limeade & Early Espresso Stampin' Write Markers

Paper - Poppy Parade, Early Espresso, & Whisper White Card Stocks, Sweet Shop DSP

Accessories - Label Collections Framelits, Scallop Ribbon Punch, Boho Blossoms Punch, In Color Brads, Stripes Textured Embossing Folder, Stampin' Dimensionals

Happy craftin, 

At the Hop

Shirley, author of Look at My Cute Stuff, is having a Valentines Blog Hop for the next few weeks.  This week and each week until Valentines there will be lots to see from ANYONE who wants to add there project to the hop.

Here are the rules: 

1. Anything goes, Card, 3D project it just has to be Valentines. 

2. Add the Hop to your Post, by using the code from Linky tools. 

3. Add badge to post with a link to my blog. 

4. Has to be a new post.

If you can't make it this week that Shirley says that is ok.  She will be doing the Hop every Tuesday, January 17th, 24th, 31st, and February 7th.  She will pick a weekly winner on Mondays, then the big Four Week Winner on Tuesday February 14th Valentines Day!!

And now my Valentines card for the hop featuring the Hearts Framelits Collection with the Attic Boutique and First Edition DSPs.  The "amour" greeting comes from the stamp set called Artistic Etchings and the Framed Tulips embossing folder was used for the raised border.

Happy craftin, Elizabeth

Making Valentines

Now is the time to bring out your heart and Valentine stamps and accessories to create some cards for those your love.  For this card I used the Greeting Card Kids stamp set, an Aquapainter, watercolor paper, and a few ink pads.  My favorite method of water coloring is to squeeze an ink pad to collect ink in the lid and to pick it up with an Aquapainter.

For this card I mixed a few ribbons and layered them on a strip of Blushing Bride and First Edition DSP.  The card base is Soft Suede.  A few added touches finish the card...Smooch Spritz, Basic Pearls, Vintage Trinkets, and a bit of Dazzling Diamonds Glitter on the crinoline.

Happy Valentine craftin, Elizabeth

Last Day

TODAY is the LAST DAY of our Preview Week over on Create with Connie and Mary.  We have ONE more opportunity to give away Blog Candy…you have to visit the Create site to learn where you have to go!  It is also the LAST DAY to take advantage of Early Bird Savings for the Create with Connie and Mary Occasions 2012 Edition!  Save $5 off of the regular $34.95 US price for SIX WEEKS of daily step-by-step tutorials and challenges on Saturdays!  That is over 36 tutorials for only $29.95!  So hurry, you need to sign up now! Only our subscribers will get to see the fabulous tutorial projects.  You will not see any sneak peeks anywhere after today.

 Happy craftin, Elizabeth

Special Announcement

PREVIEW WEEK is almost finished over at Create with Connie and Mary.  Today it is Connie Babbert's turn to show off her fabulous Preview Project!  Go to Create with Connie and Mary and download the FREE step-by-step tutorial!  The Design Team wants to show you what our tutorials look like in our subscription service! 

We are also offering BLOG CANDY two more times this week…but you need to check out where to leave a comment by checking in at Create with Connie and Mary!  Don't miss out, our Early Bird Special Pricing ends on Saturday, January 14th!

I thought I would share a card I made for a swap.  As in my past few posts I have used lots of new products from the Occasions Mini Catalog.  I like making cards using the Twitterpated DSP to highlight the Apothecary Art stamp set.

For the the main image I stamped on Riding Hood Red cardstock which I don't normally do (stamp open line art images on dark paper).  I colored in the flowers with white pastel and a blender pen.  The leaves were dabbed with a bit of light green pastel.  It's so easy and looks great.

Happy craftin, Elizabeth

Creating Great Things and Blog Candy!

Today is my preview day for the Occasions Edition of Create with Connie and Mary.  My card today is super duper sweet.  But first I have to ask...


"Do you want a chance to win a FREE subscription to Create with Connie and Mary?"  If you do, just leave a comment on my blog today and be entered to win--it's that easy.


We have been working hard as a Design Team to bring you some special projects incorporating the new Occasions Mini Catalog stamps and accessories.  We welcome readers, customers, and fellow Stampin' Up! demonstrators to join our latest Edition for six weeks of fabulous tutorials!  Check out Create with Connie & Mary and sign up for the Early Bird Special before January 14th to save.

I have used a bunch of new accessories from the brand new Occasions Mini Catalog, they are just a few of which will be showcased in many of the exclusive tutorials at Create with Connie and Mary.

Stamps - Candy Conversations (A la Carte)
Inks - Blushing Bride, Cherry Cobbler, and Basic Gray
Papers - Blushing Bride, Cherry Cobbler, & Whisper White Card Stocks, Twitterpated DSP
Accessories - Hearts Collection Framelits Dies, 2 3/8" Scallop Circle Punch, Baja Breeze Pleated Satin Ribbon, Cherry Cobbler Bakers Twine, Basic Rhinestones, Dazzling Diamonds

A closer view of the stamping and pleated ribbon.

It was random that the dip of the larger hearts aligned with the "love you" heart

As a kid in elementary school I loved when we made art projects.  In fact I would go home and get out my scissors and construction paper and recreate what my teacher taught us to make.  When I saw the largest of the hearts in the Hearts Framelits Collection it brought me back to 3rd grade and making Valentine crafts and signing cards for each class mate.  I always picked the ugly ones for the boys!  But this year for my Valentine I made a pretty and pink and scalloped and pleated card complete with glitter and rhinestones--nothing too girly for my sweetheart ;0)

Don't forget to leave a comment and be entered to win a subscription to the Occasions Edition of Create with Connie and Mary.

Pretty and Pleated

From now until January 14th at 11:55 pm you can take advantage of the special pricing of $29.95 - that's $5 off the regular subscription price of $34.95!

The Occasion Edition of Create with Connie and Mary includes SIX full weeks of exclusive FABULOUS ideas with complete tutorials featuring the Occasions Mini Catalog products.  For six days a week for all six weeks members of the design team...

• Connie Babbert
• Mary Brown
• Elizabeth Price
• Debbie Henderson
• Robin Messenheimer

...will be sharing with you exclusive projects complete with instructions in downloadable tutorials!  Plus there are stampin' challenges on Saturdays.  Each and every day there is awesomeness going on.  There will be a total of 36 full projects with tutorials for $29.95 during Early Bird Savings ...that $.83 a project...there is no better deal going!  ALL of our projects are EXCLUSIVE to Create with Connie and Mary Occasions Edition 2012. 

To get an idea of what our projects are like visit the Create with Connie and Mary site TODAY to download a beautiful tutorial and enter to win some BLOG CANDY!

For now check out my gorgeous Apothecary Art card.  I have used my Simply Scored Tool to create a strip of box pleats which has be highlighted with a banding of Old Olive Satin Ribbon.  Instead of tying a knot to secure the ribbon I grabbed a piece of the new 1/8" Lucky Limeade Organdy Ribbon from the Everyday Enchantment collection.  I think it adds a nice touch of texture and panache.

If you look close you will see all kinds of new Occasions Mini Catalog merchandise and Sale-a-bration cool stuff too.  

Here is a close up of the ribbon detail

And a view of the box pleats

Don't forget to go to the Create with Connie and Mary site today, January 8th, and learn all about how to enter to win BLOG CANDY and get your FREE tutorial.

Happy craftin,

A La Card Monkey #90

I'm doin' a happy dance because I was selected as a "Monkey Princess" for this card over at A La Card Monkey.  I mentioned in an earlier post that one of the perks of winning a challenge is that you get to be a guest designer for a week.  Their challenge this week is a double one.  They have combined a great sketch along with a "new to you" theme.  What's "new to you?"  It is anything new that you have not used before.  

I used two things that were new to me on this card.  One, the Berry Blossoms Designer Series Paper and two, the Hearts Framelits.  Both are super cool.  With the help of the sketch this card came together in a quick jiffy.  Pop on over to A La Card Monkey and make a card using their dual challenge.  

And here is my card

A closer view of the heart

The card base is Lucky Limeade which was embossed with the Perfect Polka Dots folder.  My layer of Berry Blossoms DSP is backed with Ivory Naturals card stock.  If you look closely at the ribbon you'll notice a slight Wisteria Wonder tint.  I did dye the ribbon in Classic ink refill and water.  The heart was cut using the new set of Heart Framelits found in the Occasions Mini Catalog and then I punched two scallop circles to go behind each heat bump.  To give the heart a bit more interest I used the Elegant Lines Embossing Folder along with a little Illuminate Top Coat Smooch Paint in the leaves and circles.  You can see the Smooch Paint better in the top photo of the card.  The greeting comes from one of my all-time favorite stamp sets called Short and Sweet.

Happy card challenge craftin, Elizabeth

A Hand Stamped Sentiments Challenge

When I saw this challenge at Hand Stamped Sentiments I had to stamp along.  I am drawn to everything pale blue and when I saw the cupcakes I was doubly hooked, I mean who doesn't love a cupcake.  Me, I like a nice and dense moist cake with cream cheese frosting--YUM.

I used paper and brads from the new Sale-a-Bration accessories in the Everyday Enchantment Suite and the card base and striped ribbon are Soft Suede.  For the focal point I punched a quick cupcake using the Cupcake Builder Punch.  I used the smallest Framelit from the Labels Collection to showcase the cupcake.  The icing is just a simple coat of Dazzling Diamonds Glitter which I set with a Two-Way Glue Pen.