BLOG-ONLY SPECIAL!

Congratulations to KATHY H. of Mt. Vernon, WA!
WINNER OF THE 

$100 SHOPPING SPREE!!

 A special THANK YOU to everyone who placed an order this weekend!

I couldn't do it without all of you!

June Stamp Set of the Month Club - Sketched Birthday

Good Morning, Stampers!

Today is the last day to get your June Stamp Set of the Month Club - Sketched Birthday - stamp set and card samples! Get a stamp set and samples delivered right to your door! See below for all the details!

Stamp Set of the Month Club

Get a stamp set and 2 finished card samples

delivered to your door each month!

I will pre-select a stamp set each month (you can exchange for equal or lesser value)

and provide you with 2 handmade cards and mail them to your house via the USPS.

I will charge your credit card or PayPal account 

$25.00 (clear mount) or $35.00 (wood mount)

by the 5th of each month for a 4 month club commitment.

After the 4 month commitment, you can cancel at anytime.

It is a great way to stamp with me no matter where you are!

Here are the stamp selections for the upcoming months:

The Club includes (2) cards and the stamp set

JUNE: Sketched Birthday (IB & C pg. 13)

JULY: Regarding Dahlias (IB & C pg. 91)

AUGUST: new Joyful Christmas (Holiday Mini)

SEPTEMBER: new Toil and Trouble (Holiday Mini)

OCTOBER: new Harvest of Thanks (Holiday Mini)

Please provide the following information when emailing me your club confirmation:

Name

Addresss

City, State, Zip

Daytime Phone

Email

Payment Confirmation

Stamp Set Preference: Wood or Clear Mount

Summer Edition Week #1

Good Morning, Stampers!
                                                          
Can you believe we are thru the first week of the Create with Connie and Mary Summer Edition?! There have been some pretty amazing projects full of creativity and inspiration! If you haven't had a chance to subscribe, there is still plenty of time to do so! Don't worry - you will still get all the fabulous projects!

On Saturdays during the Summer Edition, subscribers are encouraged to play along with the challenges! To start things off, Connie and Mary have a sketch challenge for you!

I like this sketch with this stamp set Wildflower Meadow. It allows for the sentiment without taking too much from the main image...I can't wait to see your creations!

SU!pplies:

Stamps: Wildflower Meadow, So Sorry

Ink: Strawberry Slush, Old Olive, Pool Party

Paper: Old Olive, Very Vanilla

Accessories: Oval framelits, Strawberry Slush ribbon, Basic Pearls, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder 

Happy Stampin'!
~Melissa

Patriotic Framed Art

Good Morning, Stampers!

 It's time for another Monthly Framed Art! For this month, I asked my fellow stampers what they would like to see. Linda responded with a very-scientific (lol!) drawing and I went right to work! I loved her idea!

Here is the Framed Art for July! A BIG THANK YOU to Linda for the inspiration!

Kits are available for $12 ( +shipping) and include:
* All of the paper and embellishments to complete the framed art.

* Full-colored step-by-step instructions

What the kit DOES NOT include:
* Adhesive
* Scissors
* Stamping/Stamps
* Ink

Options

Kit Only $12.00 USD w/ Black Frame $17.00 USD w/ Brown Frame $17.00 USD

Happy Stampin'!
~Melissa

CCMC Color Challenge #258

Good Morning, Stampers!

A bright and cheery color challenge awaits you at Create with Connie and Mary today! Check out all of the creations by the talented designers and play along!

I immediately thought of the Polka Dot Pieces stamp set when I saw these colors! A perfect fit!

1.  I started by inking the Butterfly Collection stamp-around wheel with markers from the challenge colors. It was really easy to do since I converted the wheel to a clear-mount (see how HERE)! Stamp the image onto a 3 3/4" x 5" piece of Whisper White cardstock.

2. Adhere that to a Night of Navy card base.

3. Adhere a piece of 4" x 5 1/4" Vellum cardstock to the top of the card with a glue dot on each corner. 

4. Adhere a Melon Mambo Candy Dot on top of the Vellum to hide the glue dots.

5. Stamp the butterfly in Melon Mambo on Whisper White cardstock. Punch/cut.

6. Stamp the butterfly again in Daffodil Delight ink. Stamp onto Whisper White cardstock and cut. Adhere together.

7. Stamp the sentiment in Night of Navy ink onto Whisper White cardstock. Cut.

8. Stamp the large flower in Night of Navy ink onto Whisper White cardstock. Punch with the 1 1/4" scallop circle punch.

9. Stamp the small flower in Daffodil Delight onto Whisper White cardstock. Cut and adhere to the large flower with Stampin' Dimensionals.

10. Ink the center of the large flower with Melon Mambo ink onto Whisper White cardstock. Punch with the Itty Bitty circle punch. Adhere to the flower with a Stampin' Dimensional.

11. Adhere all the pieces to the card front with Stampin' Dimensionals.

SU!pplies:

Stamps: Butterfly Collection, Polka Dot Pieces

Ink: Melon Mambo, Night of Navy, Daffodil Delight

Paper: Whisper White, Night of Navy, Vellum

Accessories: Elegant Butterfly punch, Bright Candy Dots, Itty Bitty Circle Punch, 1 1/4" scallop circle punch, 

Happy Stampin'!
~Melissa

WaCkY wEdNeSdAy!

Good Morning, Stampers!

It's a WaCkY WeDnEsDaY here today! Take a look at what I have to share with you! 3 quick and easy cards to complete in under an hour!

 Originally designed by Shelli at soshelli.com

We are well into our first week here at Create with Connie and Mary and the Summer Collection Edition! What’s the Summer Collection you ask?  Well its 24 fabulous EXCLUSIVE projects each with its own full-color step-by-step tutorial!  

The projects are designed exclusively for Create with Connie and Mary Summer Collection subscribers and will not be posted anywhere else…so you must be a member to get a look-see every day!.  Visit Create with Connie and Mary and subscribe. You will still get ALL projects tutorials for only $24.95!

Happy Stampin'!
~Melissa

A Bright Idea...

Good Morning, Stampers!

How many times have you strolled through stores thinking and wondering what you could do if you could just "put a stamp on it"?

Check out this fabulous idea from Melody - a Stampin' Up! Concept Artist.

A BRIGHT IDEA

Heat embossing is so much fun. I use it as often as I can. I love to watch someone run their fingers over something that’s embossed. The bit of texture and shine that it adds can really complete a project.

More often than not, I’m embossing something on a card, a gift, or a scrapbook page. Embossing can also be used for home décor! I found a lampshade at IKEAthat was just begging for a little extra detail to be added.

Here’s what you’ll need:

* Lampshade (from IKEA)
* Embossing Buddy* Smoky Slate Stampin’ Emboss Powder (or other color to match your home)* VersaMark Pad* Heat Tool (low setting)* Regarding Dahlias Stamp Set

This lampshade comes flat, so it was really easy to stamp on. The trick to making this work was my Embossing Buddy. The lampshade is made of plastic so it naturally has a lot of static. I thumped the Embossing Buddy all over the shade, then inked my dahlia stamp with VersaMark and randomly stamped onto the lampshade. I stamped a few, sprinkled on the embossing powder, then applied heat with the low setting of my Heat Tool. Even low heat can cause a little bit of warping, so be sure to go slow and be patient. 

Repeat the stamping, sprinkling, and heating until you have all of the dahlias stamped that you wanted. Snap the two ends of the lampshade together, then attach the other pieces that came with the lampshade.

I’m always on the lookout for new surfaces that I can add a bit of embossing to. What fun and unique uses have you found for embossing? ~ Melody

Isn't this absolutely adorable?! I think I am heading off to the store this afternoon!

Happy Stampin'!
~Melissa

WILD for WASHI!

Good Morning, Stampers!

Yes, it is TRUE! I am WILD for WASHI TAPE!

As you already know, I have the privledge of being a designer for the Create with Connie and Mary Summer Collection Edition. We had the FREE PREVIEW last week and this week begins the exclusive subscriber-only projects!

Well, my project for this week is being featured today and my focus is the wonderful Washi Tape! So, since I was on a roll (no pun intended - lol!), I thought I would share with you a card I made using Washi Tape along with a little embellishment idea  - another use for this wickedly wild and wonderful roll of fabulousness!

See the little Washi Tape clipped to the top of the sentiment? 

A fun way to coordinate your embellishments to your projects!

1. Slip the Washi Tape thru the paper clip

2.  Bring it together at the top.

3. Press the tape together and trim (or tear).

4. Repeat with more tape as desired. 

5. Twist the tape for added interest!

SU!pplies:
Stamps: Label Love, Off the Grid
Ink: Melon Mambo
Paper: Melon Mambo, Very Vanilla, Blush Blossom
Accessories: Epic This and That and gingham Garden Washi Tape, paper clip, Artisan Label punch

Happy Stampin'!
~Melissa

Patriotic Card and Treat Class

Good Morning, Stampers!

I am continuing on my Patriotic theme today and I have a few more projects to share with you! These are the projects I am featuring for my Patriotic Card and Treat Class on Monday, June, 24th at 6:30pm. Do you recognize these stamp sets?? NONE of them are Patriotic - until, of course, I got a hold of them! haha!

Too Kind = FIREWORKS!

Six-Sided Sampler = AMERICAN FLAG

Simply Stars = BUNDLE OF FIREWORKS

and of course, the project I showed you yesterday featured Mosaic Madness

This class is full, but I do have a few kits available!

Kits are available for $12 and include:
* All of the papers, embellishments and candies needed to create the projects above.
* Full-color instructions for each project


What the kit DOES NOT include:
* Adhesive
* Scissors
* Stamping/Stamps
* Ink

Happy Stampin'!
~Melissa

A Little Patriotic Creativity

Good Morning, Stampers!

I am on a patriotic kick the last few days! I have another fun project to share with you today!
It's amazing how well this Mosaic Madness stamp set works for the 4th of July theme by simply using patriotic colors! Sometimes, you just gotta use what you have!

SU!pplies:

Stamps: Memorable Moments, Mosaic Madness

Ink: Raspberry Ripple, Island Indigo, Slate Gray

Paper: Island Indigo, Whisper White, White copy paper

Accessories: Sizzix Top Note die, Island Indigo Baker's Twine, Heart Framelits, Basic Rhinestones

NON SU!: Hard candy rolls 

Speaking of amazing, have you see what Create with Connie and Mary have for you today? A FREE TUTORIAL and BLOG CANDY! You must head over there to see the project for today - it is one you can't miss! While you are there, subscribe to the Summer Edition TODAY as it is your last chance to get in on the Early Bird Special of only $19.95! 

Happy Stampin'!

~Melissa

FREE STAMP DAY!

Good Morning, Stampers!

It's another FABULOUS PREVIEW and BLOG CANDY today on Create with Connie and Mary! Be sure to check out who it is for a chance to win a FREE subscription! Time is running out to get the Early Bird price of only $19.95 - get it before it's too late!

I had the pleasure of hosting my monthly FREE STAMP DAY yesterday! We had a great time creating this 4th of July decorative altered block!

Print the FREE tutorial HERE

Mark your calendars for the next FREE STAMP DAY - August 15th at 10am!

Happy Stampin'!

~Melissa

Mystery Hostess - WINNERS ANNOUNCED!

THANK YOU for all who entered to win 

FREE HOSTESS EXCLUSIVE stamp sets! 

As promised, here are a list of the winners! 

Banner Greetings: Lindsay L. - Shreveport, LA.

Morning Meadow: Mille B. - South Lyon, MI.

Simply Sketched: Kathy K. - San Diego, CA.

**BONUS**

I drew 2 extra names for a FREE package of 

12x12 Silver Shimmer Paper!

Lisa J. - Milwaukee, WI.

Carol P. - South Lyon, MI.

AND 3 extra names for a FREE 

bottle of Dazzling Details!

Shirley K. - South Lyon, MI.

Joan S. - South Lyon, MI.

Mya H. - Lexington, KY.

CONGRATS to ALL! Thanks AGAIN!

FREE GIFT When You Join!

Join my rubberFUNatics team by June 27th 

and choose one of these gifts FREE!

*Join online HERE in 5 simple steps!

* This offer is ONLY available thru
Melissa Davies, Stampin' Up! Sr. Manager

As a member of the rubberFUNatics:
*Get 20% OFF all personal orders!
*Get access to Stampin' Connection - the Demonstrator-Only website!
* Get a subscription to Stampin' Success - the Demosntrator-Only magazine!
* and so much MORE!

CCMC Sketch Challenge #257

Good Morning, Stampers!

It's a fun and fast sketch challege for you this week at Create with Connie and Mary! I can see this layout being used for lots of different themes by simply changing up the main image.

I needed a last-minute birthday card and this sketch came in handy! This card came together in literally 7 minutes - a time-saver! I LOVE that!

SU!pplies:
Stamps: Four You, Papillion Potpourri, Beautifully Barouque
Ink: Pacific Point, Pool Party
Paper: Whisper White, Pool Party
Accessories: Pool Party Ruffle Ribbon, Apothecary Accents, Elegant Butterfly Punch, Rhinestones, Woodgrain embossing folder

Speaking of time-savers, Create with Connie and Mary's Summer Collection Edition gives you 24 fantastic project ideas perfect for gift-giving or as class ideas! They are ready go - complete with full-color step-by-step instructions! Best part is, it is available right now at the Early Bird price of ONLY $19.95! Visit Create with Connie and Mary for more details or to subscribe!

Happy Stampin'!
~Melissa

Enter to Win:

As of 6/12/2013

Banner Greetings (clear) #129714

Morning Meadow (clear) #129678

Simply Sketched (clear) #129272

The more orders placed, the more stamps are added! 

Details: 

* Simply place any minimum online order of $25 (before tax and shipping) to qualify.

Place your order HERE

* You MUST use the Hostess Code: VGQNXG7Z at check out. This code CAN NOT be added later - no exceptions.

* ALL online products qualify - even Clearance Rack items! Save up to 60%!

* Multiple orders will count once for every order.  There is no limit to how many times you can enter. 

* The number of winners depend upon the number of orders placed. The more online orders - the more chances you have to WIN! 

All winners will be announced here on my blog as well as my 

Facebook Page on Thursday, June 20th.

SHOP ONLINE HERE

(does not count towards Stamp Club orders)

Wacky Wednesday

Good Morning, Stampers!

It's Wednesday! Some call it hump-day, some call it the fourth day of the week, I call it WaCkY WedNesDaY! Three quick and easy cards with no particular theme that you can complete in under an hour!
Yes, it's WACKY and it's going on all summer long!

Here is this weeks set of cards:

Check back next week for more inspiration!

Speaking of inspiration, have you seen who's featured today over at Create with Connie and Mary? She is a bundle of creativity - a true inspiration!  Go take a look! 

Don't forget to subscribe to the Summer Collection! The Summer Collection runs June 23rd - July 20th - 24 projects with full-color tutorials. Get it now during the Early Bird Special - ONLY $19.95!

Happy Stampin'!
~Melissa

FREE PREVIEW WEEK and BLOG CANDY!!

Good Morning, Stampers!

I am SO HAPPY to be back as a designer for the Summer Collection at Create with Connie and Mary!

I got the idea for my project not too long ago while strolling thru the home improvement store with my husband. He thinks I am there because I am interested in the projects he is working on - secretly, tho, I am there scoping out things I can alter - lol! I saw the outlet covers and thought it looked a bit like a window. And so my project was born!

I have this sitting on a plate stand but it would be really easy to add a ribbon hook on the back, too! 

Now on to the FREE BLOG CANDY!!

Simply leave me a comment and you will automatically be entered to win a FREE SUBSCRIPTION to Create with Connie and Mary!

After you leave me a comment, head over to Create with Connie and Mary to download the FREE TUTORIAL! It is filled with full-color, step-by-step instructions!

While you are there, subscribe to take advantage of the Early Bird pricing for the Summer Collection Edition - 4 weeks of daily inspiration! You will also be eligible to participate in our Saturday Challenges, too!

Happy Stampin'!

Modern Melody Elegance

Good Morning, Stampers!

I love the elegant look of black and cream and this new Modern Medley designer series paper is just stunning! I had a hard time deciding which pattern to use - there are so many fabulous patterns to choose from! I combined the paper with the new Chalk Talk stamp set. This card is versatile and can be used for just about any occasion!

SU!pplies

Stamps: Chalk Talk

Ink: Basic Black

Paper: Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Modern Melody DSP

Accessories: Fancy Fan embossing folder, Chalk Talk framelits, 1 3/8" circle punch, 1/4" circle punch, Basic Black 1/8" ribbon, Very Vintage designer buttons, corner rounder 

Happy Stampin'!
~Melissa

Butterfly Thank You

Good Morning, Stampers!

I needed a couple of last-minute thank you cards a couple of days ago. Of course I have boxes full of ready-made cards, but just had to make them. Has that ever happened to you? lol!

This card came together fairly quickly. I stamped the butterfly from the Best of Butterfly 25th Anniversary set in Chocolate Chip ink on Whisper White cardstock. Then, with a blender pen, I colored with Soft Sky, Pool Pary and Coastal Cabana inks. I stamped the sentiment from the new Lots of Thanks stamp set in Chocolate Chip ink. The speckles are from the stamp in the April My Paper Pumpkin kit and stamped in Pool Party.

SU!pplies:

Stamps: Best of Butterflies, Hello Friend (My Paper Pumpkin), Lots of Thanks

Ink: Soft Sky, Pool Party, coastal Cabana

Paper: Whisper White

Happy Stampin'!

~Melissa

Too Kind Card Class and Kit

Good Morning, Stampers!

I am looking forward to my Too Kind card class this coming Monday, June 17th @ 6:30pm. The cards we will be making feature lots of new items from the 2013-2014 Idea Book and Catalog! Take a look:

Kits are available for $12 and include:
* Envelope full of pre-cut card supplies and embellishments for each card shown.
* Full-color instructions for each card


What the kit DOES NOT include:
* Adhesive
* Scissors
* Stamping/Stamps
* Ink

Stamps needed to complete the cards: 

Positively Chevron $17.95 #130496 (wood)    $13.95 #130499 (clear)

Dictionary $17.95 130348 (wood)  $13.95 #130351 (clear)

HOSTESS EXCLUSIVE set: #129711 (wood)  #129714 (clear)

Bring on the Cake $38.95 #128490 (wood)  $27.95 #121958 (clear)

Order additional supplies HERE

Happy Stampin'!
~Melissa