Super Saturday Challenge

Good Morning, Stampers!

Today's Create with Connie and Mary's Challenge is a fun sketch. We are winding down the 2nd week of the NEW Catalog Edition and the theme this past week has been "The Big Event".

I chose to use the Blue Ribbon stamp set and the International Bazaar DSP for my card. I LOVE the bright, bold, fun colors from this paper - PERFECT for any "Big Event"!

To recreate this card: Emboss the card front with the Fancy Fan embossing folder. Cut (2) strips of DSP for the ribbons. Cut a "v" in the end and adhere to the card front. For the Birthday Ribbon, Stamp the ribbon image onto Whisper White cardstock with Pacific Point ink. Cut. Cut (2) 1/2" strips of DSP and cut a "v" in the ends. Adhere to the tails of the ribbon image.Stamp another ribbon image onto Whisper White cardstock and punch with the scallop circle punch. Adhere to the top of the first ribbon image. Punch a 1 3/4" circle in Daffodil Delight and adhere to the ribbon image. Stamp the birthday sentiment in Rich Razzleberry ink and punch with a 1 1/4" circle punch. Adhere to the ribbon image. Adhere the entire ribbon image to the card front using dimensionals.

Head on over to Create with Connie and Mary to play along! While you are there, be sure to subscribe to the New Catalog Edition! It's not too late to get all of the FABULOUS tutorials created by the very talented designers!

Supplies:

Stamps: Blue Ribbon

Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Pacific Point

Paper: Pacific Point, Whisper White, , Daffodil Delight, International Bazaar DSP

Accessories: Scallop circle punch, Fancy Fan embossing folder. 1 3/8" circle punch.

Happy Stampin!

Fast & Fabulous Friday and BLOG CANDY!!

Good Morning, Stampers!

It's FRIDAY! The Fast & Fabulous project I have for you today is a card I created for my friend, Joan's workshop last night. It is so quick and easy that you will be making these over and over!

Directions:

1. Cut a piece of International Bazaar DSP (126920 $10.95) to 2 1/4" x 3 1/2".
2. Cut a "v" in the bottom to form the banner.
3. Cut a 4" piece of Raspberry Ripple Stitched Satin Ribbon (126845.
4. Fold it in half and staple to the top of the DSP. Adhere to the card.
5. Stamp a sentiment from Sassy Salutations (w126705 $23.95  - c126707 $17.95) in Chocolate Chip ink.

Now onto BLOG CANDY!!!!

I have a reason to CELEBRATE and it is thanks to ALL OF YOU! I reached 100,000 blog hits! Can I get a BIG WOO HOO!!! As a thank you, I am giving away not one, not two, but THREE stamp sets!

All you need to do is leave a comment here for a chance to win! It's that easy!

I will draw the winners on Sunday, July 1st for the following stamp sets: Fresh Vintage, Birthday Whimsy & Spring Solitude. Good Luck to everyone & THANK YOU!!

Happy Stampin'!

~Melissa





CCMC 208 Color Challenge

Good Morning, Stampers!

 There is a fun color challenge happening at Create with Connie and Mary today! I was excited to try these bold colors because they are definitely outside of my comfort zone. Do you recognize the floral stamp set used here? Well, you probably don't, but you will soon! It is called A Reason to Smile and it is part of a NEW Promotion beginning July 1st.!

                                                                                                                   Be sure to check out the Create with Connie and Mary                       theme BIG EVENT happening this week, It's not too late to                       sign up for the NEW Catalog Edition! You'll get 5 weeks filled     with fabulous ideas for ONLY $29.95 US! That's 30 tutorials for                 less than $1 each! These projects will not be shown anywhere else…          not even previews of them…they are exclusive to our subscribers             only! And, all our projects this edition are made using the New           Catalog 2012-13 products, so that means they will be good                     ALL YEAR LONG too!

Supplies:

Stamps: Reason to Smile , Sassy Salutations (w126705 $23.95 - c126707 $17.95)

Ink: Basic Gray, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Gray, Summer Smooches DSP (125409 $10.95)

Accessories: Basic Black Taffeta Ribbon (119962 $6.95), Fancy Fan embossing folder (117751 $7.95) and Sizzix Oval Accents (127005 $21.95) 

Happy Stampin'!

~Melissa

July Framed Art - A Field of Butterflies

Good Morning, Stampers!

A couple of month's ago, I received a beautiful framed art piece from my sister, Madonna for my birthday. I have had so many wonderful compliments on the piece and one question I was getting quite often from my Framed Art group of stampers was "When are we going to make one?"!

Well, I am happy to say that July is the month! Here is the inspiration piece from my sister. Isn't it pretty?

The only issue I was having was that the frame from the gift was quite a bit larger than the one we use from my monthly group. The butterflies were a lot larger, too. So, instead of purchasing all new frames,  I decided to change things up a bit. I really wanted to incorporate the new Papillion Potpourri stamp set (w123757 $18.95 - c$123759 $14.95) and the coordinating elegant Butterfly punch (127526 $15.95) to my project. Here is the my version for July's class:

Pretty similar, don't you think? The class is offered for $15 including the frame or $10 with out the frame. I also have a few kits (no frame) available for $10 as well (no stamping included). Contact me to reserve your space/kit.

Happy Stampin'!

~Melissa

WaCky WeDnEsDaY - Celebrate the Red, White & Blue

Good Morning, Stampers!

This week's WaCkY WeDnEsDaY class is all about celebrating the Red, White & Blue! July is Independence Day, fireworks, bbq's, birthdays & more, so why not celebrate in style!

We will meet at my house and create these three cards in under an hour for only $5!

Contact me if you would like to attend. I also have a few kits available as well.

Have a great day & Happy Stampin'!
~Melissa

Fun with Fabric

Good Morning, Stampers!

Have you seen all of the beautiful fabric Stampin' Up! carries in the catalog? So many times I get told "I'm not a sewer"... Well, let me tell you, I am not either! I can sew a straight line and that's about it - lol! There are so many things you can do with fabric  to incorporate it into your papercrafting projects. Did you know that fabric can be put thru the Sizzix Big Shot with any of their Original or Bigz dies? I can see some wheels are beginnng to turn!

This project I created for a contest. Tho it is not a winner, I still had so much fun creating it! The best part of all is that there is NO SEWING! It is all put together with a hot glue gun! Note to self: When creating projects for contests, I need to make one to keep for myself!

Here are a few details:

I started at the bottom and worked my way up. There is fabric & ribbon on the layers. The bodice is made with the Silver Glimmer Paper colored with Pretty in Pink reinkers and punched with the Itty Bitty Shapes flower punch. The base is paper mache and purchased at the local craft store.

What will you create with fabric today??

Happy Stampin'!
~Melissa

Thoughts of You

Good Morning, Stampers!

I have another card to share with you this morning using the Papaya Collage stamp set (w126610 $31.95 - c126612 $23.95). I had a few of the retired Simply Sent cards laying around and I felt like they were being neglected - lol! I love the detail of the pre-punched scallops along the bottom of the card..

Additional Supplies:

Stamps: Loving Thoughts (w125843 $29.95 - c125845 $23.95)
Ink: 2012-2013 InColors
Paper: Whisper White
Accessories: Basic Pearls, Artichoke Denim Jean Ribbon (retired)

Happy Stampin!
~Melissa

Saturday Challenge - CCMC-NC1

Good Morning, Stampers!

I have my card to share with you today from today's Saturday Color Challenge. Check out Connie and Mary today to get all of the details on how you can play along. Keep in mind - anyone can play along, but ONLY subscribers can win! It's not too late to join - head over to Create with Connie and Mary and be sure to get in on the fun!

Instructions:

1. Run a piece of 4" x 5 1/4" Soft Suede cardstock thru the Big Shot using the Framed Tulip embossing folder. (121809 $7.95)
2. Adhere to a Very Vanilla card front.
3. Cu a piece of Very Vanilla cardstock 3 1/4 x 4 1/2".
4. Stamp the frame from Papaya Collage (w126610 $31.95 - c126612 $23.95) in Summer Starfruit.
5. Stamp the leaves in Soft Suede by first stamping off.
6. Tie a piece of linen thread around a piece of Comfort Cafe DSP 1 1/2" x 3". Trim the bottom in a "v" to form a ribbon.
7. Adhere to the card front using dimensionals.
8. Cut a medium doily from the Delicate Doilies Sizzlit in Cajun Craze. Adhere to the card front with a dimensional.
9. Stamp the bird in Pool Party ink onto Very Vanilla cardstock. Cut.
10. Stamp the party hat in Cajun Craze onto Very Vanilla cardstock. Cut.
11. Adhere the hat to the bird.
12. Adhere the bird to the card front using dimensionals.
13. Stamp the sentiment from Itty Bitty Banners (w126255 $15.95 - c126257 $11.95) in Cajun Craze onto Very Vanilla cardstock.
14. Cut using the Bitty Banners framelits (129267 $14.95)
15. Adhere to the card front using dimensionals.
16. Add 3 large pearls (125577 $4.95) to the card front.

Happy Stampin'!
~Melissa

Fast & Fabulous Friday

Good Morning, Stampers!

It's FRIDAY!!!! I have a super-easy project to share with you today. I actually came across it while browsing Pinterest the other day.

It's a little paper tray! It can be used for so many different things - to hold loose change or keys, candy, office supplies...

Or in this case - Ghirardelli brownies!! Unfortunately, these didn't last very long on my table - hahaha! YUM!

Instructions:

1. Cut a piece of DSP to 8 1/2 x 11. I used Twitterpated (125406 $10.95)
2. Print the pattern (below) onto your DSP
3. Cut and assemble. *Note* I used Multi-purpose liquid glue (110755 $3.95)

** To give it a bit more stability for heavier items, you could adhere the DSP to chipboard.

Happy Stampin'!

~Melissa

CCMC 207

Good Morning, Stampers!

Today's challenge over at Create with Connie and Mary is a fun one! I never think to put things on a diagonal - usaually, I am all about elements being straight and lined up. So, when I saw this challenge, I knew I was creating out of my comfort zone. To my surprise, it came fairly easy and once I got started, I just kept going! Here is the challenge for this week:

 Here is my card:

I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the new polka dot designer paper! Just about every order I place, I add another package - lol! I just can't seem to get enough!

Be sure to head on over to Create with Connie and Mary to play along!

Supplies:

Stamps: Curly Cute (w117014 $19.95 - c120510 $14.95)

Paper: Polka Dot Parade DSP (126902 $10.95); Whisper White (100730 $6.95)

Ink: Basic Black (126980 $5.95)

Accessories: Sizzix Beautiful Butterflies Bigz (114507 $21.95), Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder (117335 $7.95), Basic Rhinestones (119246 $4.95)

Happy Stampin'!

~Melissa



WaCkY WeDnEsDaY - Simply Shaped

Good Morning, Stampers!

My weekly 3/$5 card classes move to my house on Wednesdays @ 10am for the summertime. We tend to get a little "wAcKy" (more so than usual) so these classes are appropriately titled "WaCkY WeDnEsDays"! They are still 3 cards offered for $5 that we will complete in under an hour - A QUICK stampin' fix to get your day started!

Today's class is titled "Simply Shaped". I came across these shapes on the Papercraft Magazine website. They are really very simple to reproduce. I will include a pattern in each packet so you can make lots more at home!

Aren't they fun??!!
Happy Stampin'!
~Melissa

Days to Remember Rolodex

Good Morning, Stampers!

**UPDATED: The tutorial is available for purchase via Paypal for $2.95. Contact me directly to purchase.
Take a peek at the fun class I am offering next week! I have been wanting to do an altered rolodex for quite awhile now - just finding the right time to do it was the hard part! Well the wait is over and I am excited to share with you my creation!

Here is the front:

Instead of adding addresses to this rolodex, you will add important dates: birthdays, anniversarys, special occasions, etc.

 Then you will organize the occasions by month. Here are the first two:

Whatcha think? I can't wait to share the rest of the months with you at my class next week. If you are interested in a kit, I will have a few available, too! The cost for the kit is $20 - shipping additional. The kit will contain all of the consumables (no stamping) as well as written instructions with photos. Contact me to reserve your space or kit.

Happy Stampin'!

~Melissa

*NEW* Stamp of the Month Club!

Good Morning, Stampers!

Something new I've started this month is what I call my Stamp of the Month Club. It is really simple to join and it gives you something to look forward to in the mail each month! (besides bills - lol!)

Here is how the club works:

I have pre-selected (4) NEW stamp sets from the Annual Catalog to start out with. Each month, I will provide you with (2) hand-stamped cards and mail them to your house along with the Stamp Set of the Month. I will charge your credit card or Paypal account $25.00 (clear mount) or $35.00 (wood mount). That's it! You have a stamp set and (2) samples to get your creative thinking started!

For June, the stamp set is called Blooming with Kindness from page 87. Here are the samples I have included with the orders for this month:

A few things to keep in mind:

*You can change your stamp set for any current stamp set of equal or lesser value. Please let me know by the 1st of each month if you would like to have an alternate stamp set.

* This is a 4 month commitment. After the 4 months, you can cancel at any time. (Tho you won't want to!)

* As a **BONUS**, you can choose a FREE Exclusive Hostess stamp set. This set will arrive during one of the four months - It'll be a SURPRISE!

For more information, select the Stamp of the Month Club tab above or email me directly with your questions.

So far, this has been a HUGE HIT! Several of you have joined and I thank you for that!

Happy Stampin'!
~Melissa

Hodgepodge of Cards Class

Good Morning, Stampers!

The NEW Annual Catalog brought so many new stamp sets that I had a hard time deciding what to focus this week's class on! So, I thought, why not just introduce 4 new stamp sets - an all-occasion/hodgepodge of cards!

Here are the cards they will be making:

(Inspired from Mary Brown)

There are lots of fun new products that I just can't wait for you to get your hands on them! This class is at capacity, however, if you would like to be added to the waitlist, please contact me!

Happy Stampin'!
~Melissa

Fancy Frills and a LAST CHANCE!

Good Morning, Stampers!


The card I have to share with you today is one I created exclusively for my stamp club members this past week. It features lots of fun new toys from the NEW Catalog!

I love how crisp black & white are together and the doily and lace add a bit of "frilly" to it! My kind of card!

This card fits perfectly into the #47 Fancy Frills Challenge over at SU Only Challenges for this week. Lots of great ideas featuring Stampin' Up!-only products!

Add caption

Today is the LAST DAY for Early Bird Pricing at Create with Connie and Mary, too! Be sure to head on over to see the FREE Tutorial Connie has to share. Her project is adorable - I know you will love it!


Happy Stampin'!
~Melissa

Another FREE Tutorial & Fast and Fabulous Friday

Good Morning, Stampers!

OMG! Have you seen the FREE Tutorial that Elizabeth Price created on Create with Connie and Mary this morning? It is absolutely beautiful! Time is running out to get the early bird pricing, so be sure to subscribe while you are there!

Today's Fast & Fabulous project features punches from the NEW catalog! These little punches from the Little Labels Punch Pack (126881 $16.95) paired with the Bitty Banner Framelits (129267 $14.95) make perfect little banners! The Simply Serif Mini Alphabet stamps (126360 $20.95) make it easy to personalize your banners, too!

Additional Supplies

Argyle embossing folder (127750 $7.95)

Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack (118309 $16.95)

Island Indigo Baker's Twine (125575 $2.95)

Happy Stampin'!
~Melissa

CCMC206

Good Morning, Stampers!

 Create with Connie and Mary have added a little "twist" to their weekly Thursday Challenge! They have a FUN Scavenger Hunt for you and ANYONE can play along! So…go to Create with Connie and Mary and see the clues…then go to each of the Design Team blogs and answer the questions from the clue. Email your 9 answers to them at CCMscavengerhunt@gmail.com All of the enteries with the CORRECT answers will be placed in a drawing for a FREE SUBSCRIPTION to Create with Connie and Mary New Catalog 2012. If you've already subscribed…don't worry! They will apply your win towards the Holiday 2012 Edition! So…head on over and get started!

Happy Stampin'!

More BLOG CANDY and a STAMP CLUB GIFT!

Good Morning, Stampers!

Oh my goodness! Have you checked out the FREE TUTORIAL available on Create with Connie and Mary this morning? Debbie has a clever use for a not-so-typical household item. Believe me, I see a trip to the store in your future! If you haven't had a chance to see, head on over to Debbie's Blog and take a peek! While you are there, be sure to leave her a comment for a chance to win a FREE Subscription to Create with Connie and Mary!

I had the pleasure of meeting with my Stamp Club Members this week. I look forward to this each month because we have so much fun stamping, mingling, and spending time with each other! Our June meeting was the last for "this round". I really try to do something special for the members at the end of each round to thank them for being a part of the club. Here is the little treat I made for each of them....

Aren't they fun?
I created the insert using the My Digital Studio software (118108 $79.95 full version) or (1124483 $39.95 downloaded). I covered a dry-erase marker using some Designer Series papers and secured them to the frame with a piece of velcro. A fun little way to reminder of your priorities - lol!! :o)

Happy Stampin'!
~Melissa

Exciting Announcement & BLOG CANDY!

Hello Stampers and welcome to my blog! I am Melissa Davies and I am beyond excited to be part of the Create with Connie and Mary Design Team!


For this Edition, I will be sharing duties and alternating weeks with Carrie, who you met yesterday. Wasn’t her organizer fantastic?! What a fun and creative way to stay organized! It makes a great gift for the holidays, don’t you think?

Speaking of the Holidays, doesn’t it seam that they sneak up on us a little sooner every year? It just so happens that my card for today features the same stamp set Carrie used for her project yesterday – Everything Eleanor. This stamp set is quickly becoming one of my top “fav’s”! When you pair it with Carrie’s project, not only do you get a bigger “bang for your buck”, but you can get a head-start on your Holiday gift-giving, too! YOU’RE WELCOME! :o)

Be sure to head on over to Create with Connie and Mary! Check out the FREE tutorials this week and take advantage of the Early Bird pricing of only $24.95! If you have seen the projects from past editions, you know what a great value this is! If you haven’t, what are you waiting for? You don’t want to miss out on all of the wonderful projects the designers have in store for you!

Now, it is time for the best part – BLOG CANDY! Simply leave me a comment below to be entered into a drawing for a FREE subscription to Create with Connie & Mary! Have a FABULOUS DAY!

Happy Stampin’!

Supplies:

Stamps: Everything Eleanor, Petite Pairs

Ink: Gumball Green, Cherry Cobbler, Basic Black

Paper: Very Vanilla Cardstock, Be of Good Cheer DSP

Accessories: Apothecary Accents Framelits, Basic Rhinestones, Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding, Dimensionals.

FREE TUTORIAL & BLOG CANDY

Good Morning, Stampers!

It's Day 2!  Create with Connie and Mary Preview Week is HERE! Our Design Team Member, Carrie Sampsel has a really useful FREE Tutorial for you today…you can see her project on her blog HERE AND…the rest of our Design Team will be celebrating with FREE Tutorials ALL THIS WEEK! If that isn't enough…you have a chance to win one of SEVEN BLOG CANDYS…a free subscription to Create with Connie and Mary! Don't you just LOVE Preview Week? Don't worry, if you've already subscribed, you can still win! We'll just apply your win to the Holiday 2012 Edition! Check out the details daily on Create with Connie and Mary!


I have some fun summer cards to share with you today! School is out in just a few more days! I can't wait!

Happy Stampin'!
~Melissa

June Card Kit of the Month & THE PREVIEW!

Good Morning, Stampers!

I am excited to share with you the cards I have created for my June card Kit of the Month! The Card Kit includes all of the consumables (no stamping) and instructions to create these 4 cards for $10. As a bonus, if you order the kit and stamp set - Betsy's Blossoms - together, you will save 10% off the stamp set!

Contact me to reserve your kit!

TODAY offically begins the PREVIEW WEEK for Create with Connie & Mary! Be sure to head on over and check out the FREE project & tutorial created by Mary!

A couple of things to remember...

First - each day you have the opportunity to win a free subscription to Create with Connie and Mary New Catalog Edition 2012. To do this check in to Create with Connie & Mary to see who the design team member is and where to go to leave a comment or to participate in a special event to enter your name into a drawing for a free subscription!

Second - it is the LAST WEEK of Early Bird Special so BEFORE YOU FORGET, sign up for this edition for only $24.95 - that's $5 off the regular $29.95 5 week subscription price. That's 30 incredible projects each with a full downloable tutorial. AND...since this is the new catalog edition...these projects will have all the supplies available ALL CATALOG YEAR LONG!  Join TODAY!!

Happy Stampin'!
~Melissa