A Bold Color Challenge

Good Morning, Stampers!

I'm playing along with another challenge today! 

This time it's the Create with Connie and Mary Color Challenge #364.

I love how vibrant these colors are when all put together.

Although the colors are hiding behind the partially die cut butterfly....

they come out bright and bold when you lift up on the wings!

SU!pplies:

Stamps: Swallowtail, Tin of Cards

Ink: Jet Black Stazon, Watermelon Wonder, Crushed Curry

Paper: Whisper White, Watermelon Wonder, Crushed Curry

Accessories: Butterfly Framelits, Basic Rhinestones, Basic Black Marker, Crushed Curry Baker's Twine, Banner Punch, Washi Tape punch, In-Color Blossom Accents

Happie Stampin'!

~Melissa

So Sweet of You

Good Morning, Stampers!

Check out the beautiful colors for this week's color challenge at

Create with Connie and Mary! Soft and muted with a 

little punch of Spring green! Love this combo!

SU!pplies:
Stamps: Hello There
Ink: Wild Wasabi, Soft Sky, Basic Grey
Paper: Whisper White, Soft Sky, Wild Wasabi
Accessories: Perfect Polka Dot embossing folder, Word Bubble framelits, Basic Rhinestones

Check out all the designer projects and play along!

Also, this is the last week for the Card "Create"tions Collection!

Lots of card ideas exclusive to the collection - you won't find them anywhere else!

Visit Create with Connie and Mary to subscribe - it's not too late.

You will have access to ALL the fabulous collections!

Happie Stampin'!

~Melissa

CCMC Color Challenge #350 - Celebrate Today

Good Morning, Stampers!

Come play along in the Create with Connie and Mary Color Challenge this week!

Bright, bold and happy colors are on the menu for an explosion of color 

to celebrate any occasion!

SU!pplies:

Stamps: Celebrate Today

Ink: Versamark

Paper: Calypso Coral, Whisper White, Gold Foil, Birthday Bash DSP

Accessories: Gold Sequin Trim, Chevron Embossing Folder, Crushed Curry Baker's twine, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Balloon Framelits, Gold embossing powder, heat toolcrea

Happie Stampin'!
~Melissa

 Be sure to visit Create with Connie and Mary to see all of the 

Designer creations and to play along!

CCMC Color Challenge #348

Good Morning, Stampers!

I've missed playing along with the Create with Connie and Mary Thursday Challenge so

I thought I would create a card using the Challenge colors for this week. 

The images in the Painted Petals stamp set 

resemble watercolor - these soft colors and perfect for this set!

SU!pplies:

Stamps: Painted Petals

Ink: Rose Red, Soft Sky, Sahara Sand

Paper: Whisper White, Sahara Sand

Accessories: Soft Sky Candy Dots, Fun Frames embossing folders

Happie Stampin'!

~Melissa

I hope you will consider playing along!

These challenges really provide some fabulous inspiration!

Visit Create with Connie and Mary for all of the details!

While you are there, check out the 

NEWEST Collection - Coming Soon!

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Card Create-tions Celebrations
featuring stamp sets in the Annual, Occasions and Online Catalogs!
* Over 72 EXCLUSIVE cards featuring 18 stamp sets! 
* Edition runs April 5 - 25
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* Printable supply lists, directions & measurements
* 24/7 access for up to a YEAR!
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Watercolor Birthday

Good Morning, Stampers!

Welcome to another fabulous Color Challenge this week at Create with Connie and Mary!

I love this color combo! So vibrant with a touch of softness - great mix of color!

This card came together quickly.A little Blackberry Bliss and spritz of water on watercolor paper is all that was needed for the background and I look like a professional artist - lol!

A few added stamped images and embellishments and voila!

I really like making my cards a touch smaller to allow for things to 

hangoff the edge a bit. A little unexpected and fun!

SU!pplies:

Stamps: Butterfly Basics

Ink: Blackberry Bliss, Rose Red, Blushing Bride

Paper: Watercolor, Blushing Bride, Rose Red

Accessories: Basic Pearls, Butterfly Framelits, Artisan Embellishment Kit, Sweatheart punch, Beautifully Baroque embossing folder

Happie Stampin'!

~Melissa

Be sure to check out all the details on Create with Connie and Mary - 

we'd love to have you play along with us! 

CCM Sketch Challenge #343

Good Morning, Stampers!

We are back for another great Sketch Challenge this week at Create with Connie and Mary!  It's a simple layout and design that will make it a cinch for any occasion! Our design team has a fantastic variety of ideas to share with you so be sure to check them all out for a little inspiration!

I created this card with a bit of an Irish touch. 

Not only a little green, but a sending a kiss, too! 

You won't have to be Irish to enjoy giving or receiving this card!

SU!pplies:
Stamps: Something Lacy, Petite Pairs
Ink: Wild Wasabi, Garden Green
Paper: Whisper White, Pistachio Pudding, Garden Green, Gold Glimmer
Accessories: 3/4" circle punch, Itty Bitty Flower Punch, Wild Wasabi Blendabilites, Basic Rhinestones, Sizzix Perfect Print ABC

Happie Stampin'!
~Melissa

Mom 2 Bee

Good Morning, Stampers!

Welcome to this week's Color Challenge at Create with Connie and Mary!

What do you think of when you see these colors?

I immediately thought the Baby Bumblebee would be a perfect fit for this challenge.

Such a sweet little baby image, don't you think?!

I shaved a little off the edge of the card to allow the embellishments

to hang off a bit. The finished card size measures 3 3/4" x 5 1/2".

SU!pplies:

Stamps: Baby Bumblebee

Ink:Jet BlackStazon, Hello Honey

Paper: Hello Honey, Whisper White, Basic Black, Sahara Sand 

Accessories: Flower Medallion Punch, Sizzix Perfect Print Letters and Numbers,Sahara Sand Lace Trim, Stacked with Love Washi Tape, Blender, Honeycomb embossing folder, Basic Rhinestones

Be sure to visit Create with Connie and Mary to see all of the Designer

 creations and to play along with the challenge!

Happie Stampin'!

~Melissa

CCMC Sketch Challenge #341

Good Morning, Stampers!

 Welcome to the Create with Connie and Mary Thursday Sketch Challenge!  The sketch this week features banners - I hope you will play along and share your creations with us!!

My  Build - A - Bouquet stamp set hasn't seen much ink since I made my 

paper heart bouquet project kit, so I thought I would show it a little love!

It really is a great set and coordinates nicely with the Flower Fair framelits!

SU!pplies:

Stamps: Build-A-Bouquet

Ink: Calypso Coral, Whisper White, Old Olive, Soft Sky, Soft Suede

Paper: Very Vanilla, Soft Sky, Soft Suede, Best Year Ever DSP

Accessories: Woodgrain embossing folder, White embossing powder, heat tool, Flower Fair framelits, Vanilla Seam Binding, Basic Rhinestones, Calypso Coral Blendabilities

Get your creative juices going and submit your card to Create with Connie and Mary - I can't wait to see what you come up with!

Happie Stampin'!

~Melissa

CCMC Color Challenge #340

Good Morning, Stampers!

I'm lovin' the soft color palette for this week's Create with Connie and Mary Color Challenge!

It gives the card an overall calming and serene feel with the neutrals, don't you think?

My card features the Exclusive Hostess-Only stamp set - Because You Care.

There are (4) all-occasion sentiments and a few decorative images.

I went with a less-is-more for this card and added several basic rhinestones

for a little added "bling"!

SU!pplies:

Stamps: Because You Care, Gorgeous Grunge

Ink: Lost Lagoon, Basic Gray, Sahara Sand

Paper: Sahara Sand, Very Vanilla

Accessories: 1 3/4" circle punch, Deco Label framelits, Basic Rhinestones, Itty Bitty Flower Punch

Be sure to visit Create with Connie and Mary to see all of the designer creations. Also, check out the Create with Connie and Mary Spring Collection, too! We have seen some really unique projects that are great for all Springtime occasions - you won't want to miss! See ALL projects in full color complete with step-by-step tutorials - It doesn't get any easier than that! Over 24 projects in all!

Happie Stampin'!

~Melissa

CCMC Sketch Challenge - #339

Good Morning, Stampers!

Welcome to this week's Sketch Challenge at Create with Connie and Mary! I love 

the idea of utilizing extra paper scraps for this one! It's a sketch that is definitely easy 

to duplicate for any occasion! I hope you will play along!

I've had my Blendabilites for a long time but don't give them near the

 attention that they deserve! This sweet little birdie is the perfect

image for Blendabilites. Especially for someone like me who

needs a lot of practice! It's simple and quick!

I added Rhinestones to the card and colored them with the

Blendabilites as well. It gives a little color and sparkle all at once!

SU!pplies:

Stamps: A Happy Thing

Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black 

Paper: Whisper White, Soft Sky, Painted Blooms DSP

Accessories: labels Framelits, Bascic Rhinestones, Night of Navy Blendabilities,Wild Wasabi Blendabilities, Melon Mambo Blendabilities, Smoky Slate Blendabilities, Artisan Embellishment Kit

Be sure to visit Create with Connie and Mary to see all

of the Designer creations and to subscribe to the 

Spring Collections Edition! We are into week one and the

projects so far have been so much fun! 

Don't worry, you won't miss any projects -

they are all available and ready to download!

Happie Stampin'!
~Melissa

CCMC Color Challenge #338

Good Morning, Stampers!

I am really lovin' these colors - especially during these cold, dreary winter months! It sure has brightened my week! Create with Connie and Mary have done it again!

When I started out to create a card, I told myself "no flowers, the Bermuda Bay is not a true green and will not work for leaves"... Well, looking at the card, I didn't listen to myself - lol! I went floral and just went without leaves! I tried out a little watercoloring with the feature colors and just added a few more elements to bring it all together.

Be sure to check back tomorrow - I have a card using the leftover die cut out!

SU!pplies:

Stamps: Crazy About You, Painted Petals

Ink: Bermuda Bay, Calypso Coral, crushed Curry

Paper: Watercolor, Whisper White, Bermuda Bay

Accessories: Hello You Thin Lit die, Crushed Curry Baker's twine, Aqua Painter, Bitty Banners, Sizzix Party Pennants

Check out Create with Connie and Mary to see all of the designer creations

 and play along with us in the Color Challenge

Happie Stampin'!
~Melissa

CCMC #337 - Sketch Challenge

Good Morning, Stampers!

It's THURSDAY! That means it's time for another fabulous 

Sketch Challenge at Create with Connie and Mary! 

My card was created with the new Class of 2015 single stamp 

from the NEW Occasions Mini Catalog. 

It's never too early to be ready for a graduation celebration! 

SU!pplies:

Stamps: Class of 2015

Ink: Jet Black Stazon

Paper: Smoky Slate, Whisper White, Basic Black, Silver Glimmer, Stacked with Love DSP

Accessories: Deco Label framelit, Silver Button, Whisper White Baker's Twine, Lucky Stars embossing folder

Did you know we are getting ready to start our 
Create with Connie and Mary
Spring Collection 2015?? 

That's right! Next week is our FREE PREVIEW WEEK!

Check out the details on EXCLUSIVE Projects

created just for subscribers - you won't find them anywhere else!

Early Bird pricing is available for only $24.95

for (24) 3D projects, home decor and card sets.

Great for anyone who wants to create fantastic projects!

Visit Create with Connie and Mary for all of the details!

While you are there, check out all of the designer creations for

this weeks Sketch Challenge, too and play along with us!

Happie Stampin'!
~Melissa

Happy New Year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR, Stampers!

Since today's Create with Connie and Mary Color Challenge fell on New Year's Day, I thought it only appropriate to create a card for you to honor the occasion! The colors may not be the typical colors for the New Year's holiday, but I think it works!

SU!pplies:

Stamps: Alphabet Rotary

Ink: Jet Black stazon

Paper: Real Red, Calypso Coral. Basic Black, Red Glimmer

Accessories: Confetti Star Punch, Moustache framelit, Feather Framelits, Basic Black Baker's Twine, Fancy Fan embossing folder, Chalk Talk Framelits, Hello You thinlit, 2-way glue, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter

Be sure to check out Create with Connie and Mary and see all 

of the designer creations and play along with us! 

Have a Safe & Stampy New Year!

~Melissa

CCMC Sketch Challenge #335 - Christmas Wishes

Merry Christmas, Stampers!

Of course, with today being Christmas, I have a very special Christmas Wish to send to all of you Create with Connie and Mary fans! May you all be blessed with wonderful memories shared with family and friends on this special day! 

Thank you so much for playing along with us each week!

Be sure to visit Create with Connie and Mary to see all of the 

Designer creations for this Sketch Challenge!

SU!pplies:
Stamps: Ornamental Pine
Ink: Garden Green
Paper: Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Trim the Tree DSP, Garden Green, Red Glimmer
Accessories: Circle framelits, Snowflake Card thinlit, Basic Rhinestones, Cherry Cobbler Blendabilities, Project Life Cards and Labels, On Point embossing folder,

Happie Stampin'!
~Melissa

CCMC Color Challenge #334 Seasons Greetings

Good Morning, Stampers!

It's time for another Color Challenge at Create with Connie and Mary and they have selected a shimmery and festive seasonal color combination for us!

My card is featuring a little "sneakie peekie" at some NEW products coming soon! The Lotus Blossom set is absolutely gorgeous! I added a little "snow" to the flowers with Whisper White embossing powder and turned it into a Winter Holiday card. 

SU!pplies: 
Stamps: Lotus Blossom, Watercolor Winter, Too
Ink: Versamark, Encore Metallic Silver, Cherry Cobbler
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Silver Glimmer, Whisper White
Accessories: Basic Rhinestones, Silver embossing folder, Whisper White embossing powder

Visit Create with Connie and Mary to see the challenge details - 

we'd love for you to play along with us!

Happie Stampin'!

~Melissa

CCMC Sketch Challenge #333 - Winter Wonderland

Good Morning, Stampers!

Welcome back to another fantastic Challenge Week at Create with Connie and Mary! This week is a sketch challenge with a unique geometric-trapezoid shaped focal point:

Believe it or not, my card was completely put together with leftovers and scraps!

I started with the All is Calm Designer Paper. I had a large leftover piece that worked well for the center of the card and I just built on it from there. The color combination was taken right from the DSP and the little mosaics are were stamped in coordinating colors.

SU!pplies:

Stamps: Modern Mosaic, Project Life December Wonder

Ink: Versamark, Lost Lagoon, Basic Black

Paper: Kraft, Soft Sky, All Is Calm DSP, Silver Foil, Lost Lagoon, Whisper White

Accessories: Basic Rhinestones, Mosaic Punch, Whisper White embossing powder, Heat Tool

Be sure to visit Create with Connie and Mary for all of the designer creations for this week! 

Happie Stampin'!

~Melissa

Santa Hat Gift Card Holder

Good Morning, Stampers!

Create with Connie and Mary has a special treat for their challenge this week - GIFT CARD HOLDERS! Perfect timing for the upcoming holidays! Get lots of festive ideas for your gift card giving!

I have a fun Santa Hat gift card holder to share with you. As you scroll down, you will see that the card is tucked into a pocket and hidden be the top of the hat. A little interactive fun for the recipient!

Hat closed.

Gift Card tucked into the pocket of the brim.

Hat closed hides the gift card from the front.

Get the FREE TEMPLATE 

AND TUTORIAL HERE!!

SU!pplies:

Stamps: Project Life December Wonder

Ink: Whisper White, Jet Black Stazon, Garden Green

Paper: Real Red, Whisper White, Basic Black, Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer, Gold Glimmer, 

Accessories: Stylish Stripes embossing folder, 1/16" hand punch, brads, Chalk Talk framelits, Bitty Banner Framelits, Confetti Star punch

Be sure to check out Create with Connie and Mary for all the designer creations! 

Happie Stampin'!

~Melissa

CCMC 328 - Color Challenge - High Five

Good Morning, Stampers!

It's the LAST Thursday Challenge of the Create with 

Connie and Mary Holiday Collection! I hope you plan to play along with us!

When I first saw this color combination, I thought of snowy/holiday.

So I challenged myself to NOT do that and this is what I came up with:

A super fun, super easy party card!

SU!pplies:

Stamps: High Five

Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Lost Lagoon, Whisper White, Smoky Slate

Paper: Smoky Slate, Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler Glimmer

Accessories: Star framelits, Itty Bitty Banner framelits

Be sure to visit Create with Connie and Mary to see what

the entire Design Team has created as well as details on

the Create with Connie and Mary Holiday Collection. 

It's the last week, but you will have access to the

projects for a year - lots of time to create!

Happie Stampin'!

~Melissa

CCMC Sketch Challenge #327 - Celebrate Stars!

Good Morning, Stampers!

Connie and Mary have given us a great sketch challenge this week. Lots of possibilities for pattern, texture and shapes. It's a fun one, I hope you you'll play along with us!

I finally got an opportunity to play with the NEW Many Merry Stars 

stamp set from the Holiday Supplement and it is gonna get a lot of use from me!

I LOVE STARS! Since it's a holiday-themed set, you know I 

had to come up with something that can justify me keeping it around long after 

Christmas is over! Celebrate STARS - for any occasion!

SU!pplies:
Stamps: Many Merry Stars, And Many More
Ink: Blackberry Bliss, Hello Honey
Paper: Hello Honey, Whisper White, Moonlight DSP
Accessories: Stars Framelits, Itty Bitty Banner Framelits, Confetti Stars punch, Itty Bitty Accents Stars punch

I hope you've had a chance to subscribe to the Holiday Edition!

There are so many fantastic ideas for holiday gifts, treats, decor and more!

The best thing is there is MORE TO COME!

Visit Create with Connie and Mary for all the details!

Happie Stampin'!
~Melissa

A Gentle Peace

Good Morning, Stampers!

This week's Create with Connie and Mary Challenge is a fabulous trio of color!

I couldn't resist inking up the NEW October Photopolymer stamp set Gentle Peace.

Isn't the image just beautiful?!

I tried to keep it simple by just adding color to the main focus of the stained 

glass image. I inked the image in versamark and embossed using Silver 

embossing powder and coloring with the challenge colors and a blender pen. 

What you can't see from the picture is that I covered the entire 

image using Dazzling Diamonds glitter - SO SPARKLY!

I will definitely be using this set a lot more in the near future!

It's just so beautiful and the sentiments are lovely!

SU!pplies:

Stamps: Gentle Peace

Ink: Versamark, Lost Lagoon, Mossy Meadow

Paper: Whisper White, Silver Glimmer

Accessories: Lucky Stars embossing folder, Silver 1/8" ribbon, Lost Lagoon Ribbon, Silver embossing powder, heat tool, Silver Dazzling Details, Dazzling Diamonds glitter

It's not too late to join in on the FUN!

Visit Create with Connie and Mary 

to see all the details on the Holiday Collection!

Four weeks of EXCLUSIVE projects

created just for subscribers!

Happie Stampin'!

~Melissa