Crafter's Gonna Craft

 Good Morning, Stampers!

Today's post is an extra special post that I am so excited to share with you! I have been a member of the Create with Connie and Mary team for OVER 10 years! WOW! Can you believe it??!! They are featuring their designers so that you have a chance to get to know them all a little better and TODAY IS MY DAY!

I began as a guest designer before becoming a full-time designer for their Mini Sessions. Then, I moved on to the Thursday Challenge group and finally settled into the Saturday Challenge group. Create with Connie and Mary has evolved a lot over the years and I am truly blessed to be a part of such an amazing group of talented stampers. Connie and Mary are the best!

My favorite stamp set as of today (it changes daily!) is Handmade for You. I love creating personal cards and gifts expecially for crafters and any set that features handmade/crafty images and sentiments are at the top of my list!

To recreate this card:

1. Cut a 5 1/2" x 8 1/2"" Very Vanilla card base and fold in half.

2. Emboss the card front using the Little Details embossing folder.

3. Tie the Very Vanilla ribbon around the top and tie in a knot.

4. Cut a 2 1/4" x 4 1/4" piece of Blushing Bride cardstock.

5. Stamp the handmade sentiment all over using Whisper White ink and adhere to the card front.

6. Stamp the sentiment onto Very Vanilla cardstock using Early Espresso Ink. 

7. Cut with the heart die cut.

8. Cut a 3" piece of lace trim and adhere to the card front.

9. Adhere the heart to the card front using Stampin' Dimensionals.

10. Cut the flowers and leaves and adhere to the card front.

11. Cut the buttons and adhere to he card front.

12. Stamp the maniquin onto Very Vanilla cardsotck using Early Epsresso ink. Cut.

13. Stamp the maniquin onto Very Vanilla cardstock using So Saffron ink. 

14. Cut the body and adhere the maniquins together.

15. Adhere the maniquin to the card front using Stampin' Dimensionals.

16. Tie knots in gold thread and adhere to the buttons using glue dots.

17. Adhere gold pearls randonly to the card front.

SU!pplies:

Stamps: Handmade for You

Ink: Whisper White, Early Espresso, So Saffron

Paper: Very Vanilla, Blusing Bride, So Saffron, Soft Seafoam

Accessories: Metallic Gold Pearls, Very Vanilla Scallop Lace Trim, All Dressed Up dies, Pierced Blooms dies, Be Mine Stitched dies, Little Details embossing folders, Very Vanilla ribbon

Thanks so much for stopping by! Be sure to check out a little more about me by visiting the Create with Connie and Mary page HERE

Happie Stampin'!
~Melissa

Pick Your Potion

Good Morning, Stampers!

I'm excited to share this little sneak peek with you today! This card features the Festive Phrases stamp set and it just happens to be the set I am featuring in the September Mini Session at Create with Connie and Mary starting Monday, September 11th! The cards I have created for the session have some fun ink techniques that are sure to "wow"! The ONLY way for you to see these cards is to subscribe to the September Mini Session!

In addition to the Festive Phrases, the session also will feature:

Pick A Pumpkin Bundle

Tags and Trimming Bundle

Spooky Cat stamp set

and the Colorful Seasons Bundle

Get (14) step-by-step project tutorials that are easy

to follow and recreate! All the projects are great

inspiration for your holiday cards and gift-giving, too!

**BONUS**

Purchse BOTH the September and October sessions

and get a bonus project created with the Carols of

Christmas by Mary Brown! 

Visit Create with Connie and Mary

for all of the details or to subscribe!

Happie Stampin'!
~Melissa

Great NEW Ideas!

The August Create with Connie and Mary Mini Session

begins TODAY!

Take a sneek peek at the projects we have created exclusively

for subscribers! They feature some of your favorite products from

the 2017 Idea Book and Catalog:

* Coffee Cafe Bundle

* Ribbon of Courage Bundle

* Feathery Friends Stamp Set

* You Move Me Bundle

* Pieces and Patterns Stamp Set

BONUS 3D PROJECT

Purchase BOTH the August and September

Mini Sessions and get the Carols of Christmas

bonus project immediately upon purchase!

Visit Create with Connie and Mary

for all of the details!

August MIni Session is NOW OPEN!

Good Morning, Stampers!

The August Create with Connie and Mary Mini Session

begins TODAY!

Take a sneek peek at the projects we have created exclusively

for subscribers! They feature some of your favorite products from

the 2017 Idea Book and Catalog:

* Coffee Cafe Bundle

* Ribbon of Courage Bundle

* Feathery Friends Stamp Set

* You Move Me Bundle

* Pieces and Patterns Stamp Set

BONUS 3D PROJECT

Purchase BOTH the August and September

Mini Sessions and get the Carols of Christmas

bonus project immediately upon purchase!

Visit Create with Connie and Mary

for all of the details!

 

JULY MINI SESSION
starts JULY 11th! 
We are using stamp sets from the Annual 

catalog on our July projects!

* Each session includes 14 EXCLUSIVE step-by-step tutorials...

12 unique cards featuring three stamp sets and TWO 3D items...

perfect for your club, class or stamp camp!

* All 14 projects are available once the monthly mini collection 

opens so you have them immediately and will not 

be shown anywhere else online

*Mini Sessions open on the 11th of each month
* Just $8.95 USD

Visit Create with Connie and Mary 

for all of the details!

Wood Textures Suite

Good Morning, Stampers!

Have you seen the Wood Textures Suite in the NEW Catalog yet? From the copper trim, to the rustic images in the stamp set, to the adorable wooden crate framelits, there are so many fun products to give your projects a natural look and feel.

Check out the video for some helpful tips and ideas 

for using the Wood Texture Suite.

Happie Stampin'!
~Melissa

The Create with Connie and Mary

 June Session is OPEN!

The designers are back for an all-new session
featuring the following new sets:

Delightful Daisy Bundle
Colorful Seasons Bundle
Tranquil Tulips
Wood Words Bundle
Label Me Pretty Bundle

The session features (14) projects that are exclusive to the 

session and will not be seen anywhere else.

Subscribe now and get creating right away!

Take advantage of the Pre-Order Bonus Project, too!

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

It's HERE!

Good Morning, Stampers!

The JUNE Mini Session is LIVE!

We have created ALL NEW projects

featuring products from the 2017-2018 Idea Book and Catalog

that we are so excited to share with you!

Use these projects for your personal projects

or for your stampin' business. There are (12) cards and

(2) 3D projects that include step-by-step instructions.

Best of all, they are all available to you as soon as

you subscribe - get creating right away!

*BONUS*

Purchase BOTH the June and July Sessions

and get a FREE BONUS tutorial!

Visit Create with Connie and Mary

for all of the details and to subscribe!

Happie Stampin'!
~Melissa

CCMC Saturday Blog Hop - Cards with Frames

Good Morning, Stampers!

Welcome to the Create with Connie and Mary

Saturday Blog Hop! This week, we are creating Cards with Frames.

For my card, I chose to highlight the sentiment with a medallion frame 

from the new Eastern Palace Suite. I LOVE THESE MEDALLIONS!

There are so many different ways these medallions

can be configured. The Layering Circle framelits are a must with 

these beauties - especially when creating frames!

SU!pplies:
Stamps: Eastern Beauty
Ink: Lemon Lime Twist, Crumb Cake, Archival Basic Black, Whisper White
Paper: Basic Black, Crumb Cake,Whisper White
Accessories: Eastern Medallion thinlits, Basic Black Baker's Twine

Happie Stampin'!
~Melissa

It's Not Too Late!

The April Mni Session is live,

but it is not too late to get in on all the fun!

Get access to all of the exclusive projects

and get creating immediately!

SPRING BONUS PROJECT:  

Purchase BOTH March and April 2017 Mini Sessions

 and get a SPRING 3D BONUS TUTORIAL designed

 by Mary Brown!  A perfect project for your spring classes!

   

Visit Create with Connie and Mary

 for all of the details!

Continue along on the hop!

Go forward to see Connie's project

or back to see Debbie's project!

Twinkle Little Star

Good Morning, Stampers!

TODAY IS THE DAY!

 The Create with Connie and Mary 

April Mini Session is LIVE! 

We have created (14) exclusive projects just for 

this session and we are so excited to share them with you!

Each project features full-color step-by-step

instructions - we've made it really easy for you to create!

AND because they are all available now, you

can get creating right away!

Visit Create with Connie and Mary for all the details!

The set I am featuring for the April Mini Session is called Moon Baby.

My project would make a great gift and can be easily adapted

to any theme with a switch of your favorite images!

The card below I created to compliment the Mini Session project.

Once completed, you have a great card and gift ensemble 

for that special little baby's arrival!

To create the card:

1. Stamp the moon baby image using Archival Basic Black ink on a Very Vanilla card front.

2. Stamp the star trio using Archival Basic Black ink.

3. Color the moon andstars using Delightful Dijon ink and a blender pen.

4. Color the baby image using Pink Pirouette (cheeks), Soft Sky (clothes), Delightful Dijon (hair) and a blender pen.

5. On a separate piece of Very Vanilla cardstock, stamp the baby/umbrella using Archival Basic Black ink.

6. Color using Calypso Coral (clothes), Crumb Cake (hair), Smoky Slate (umbrella) and a blender Pen. Cut.

7. On a piece of Very Vanilla cardstock, stamp the sentiment using Archival Basic Black ink.

8. Cut using the Lots of Labels framelits.

9. Adhere the sentiment to the card frontusing Stampin' Dimensionals.

10. Adhere the baby/umbrella using Stampin' Dimensionals.

11. On a piece of Very Vanilla cardstock, stamp the toys/stars image using Archival Basic Black ink.

12. Color the stars using Delightful Dijon and a blender pen.

13. Color the teddy bear using Crumb Cake ink and a blender pen.

14. Cut the stars and teddy bear and adhere to the card front using Stampin' Dimensionals.

Happie Stampin'!
~Melissa

March Mini Session

Good Morning, Stampers!

Just a few more days until the Create with Connie and Mary March Mini Session goes LIVE! This month, the designers are focusing on the Succulent Framelits, Happy Celebrations, That's A Tag bundle, Special Reason Bundle and the Basket Bunch Bundle. If you are looking for some creative, never-before-seen projects featuring these products, the March Mini Session is for you!

I chose to work with the Special Reason bundle. I really think the flower images and die cuts are beautiful! The stamped images have a watercolor look to them and the dies offer both thin, intricate cuts as well as solid image cuts. There are a lot of possibilities with this bundle. My card below is another sample of this set. Since the projects we created are exclusive to subscribers, I thought I would give you a little taste of whats to come! Join today and get some fabulous inspiration!

SU!pplies:
Stamps: Special Reason
Ink: Basic Gray, Old Olive, Peek-A-Boo Peach
Paper: Whisper White, Carried Away DSP
Accessories: Stylish Stems framelits

The March Mini Session includes

 (14) EXCLUSIVE step-by-step project tutorials

making it really easy to recreate! 

Visit Create with Connie and Mary for 

more information or to subscribe!

Happie Stampin'!
~Melissa

Celebrate Tie-Dyed

Good Morning, Stampers!

The February Mini Session is going live TOMORROW!

Get (14) tutorials for exclusive projects 

created by the design team complete with full-color

step-by-step instructions for only $8.95!

The stamp sets we are featuring this month are:

Window Box Thinlets

Balloon Adventures Bundle

High Tide

Any Occasions (SAB)

Basket Bunch Bundle

I am featuring the Any Occasion stamp set from the 

Sale-A-Bration brochure for my projects.

Although, I can't show you the projects as they are 

only available to subscribers, I can share with you a new card

I created featuring this set. One more idea to create using this

fun and FREE stamp set!

The Any Occasion stamp set is full of banners for all

occasions. For this card, I combined it with the Tye Dyed

stamp set to give a little 80's feel. A fun card for teenagers! 

GREAT NEWS!!

Get the 

VALENTINE BONUS PROJECT:  

when you purchase BOTH January and February 2017 Mini Sessions 

The project is a home decor piece designed by Connie Babbert! 

 A perfect project for your Valentine-inspired classes!

Get all the details at Create with Connie and Mary!

SU!pplies:
Stamps: Tie-Dyed, Any Occasions
Ink: Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry
Paper: Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry
Accessories: Whisper White Baker's Twine, Sunburst thinlits, Sweet and Sassy framelits, Falling Petals embossing folder

Happie Stampin'!
~Melissa

Window of Wishes

Good Morning, Stampers!

I am so enjoying all of the great product selections from Sale-A-Bration! Sometimes, the excitement of the new products causes me to neglect some of the yearly catalog products. So, with this sample, I combined a little of both!

SU!pplies:
Stamps: Avant Garden
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Jet Black Stazon
Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Smoky Slate
Accessories: Hearth and Home thinlits, Dragonfly Detailed Dragonfly thinlits, Aqua Painter, Silver glitter

Happie Stampin'!
~Melissa

Our January Mini Session is OPEN! 

Each session include the instructions for 14 projects with full step-by-step tutorials:

      * Each mini session includes TWELVE unique cards featuring

          three stamp sets.

      * Each mini session includes TWO 3D items perfect for your clubs, classes,

         stamp camps or gifts.

      * All 14 project tutorials are available once the mini session opens so you

         immediately have all projects at your fingertips.

      * All designs and tutorials are EXCLUSIVELY for subscribers and will not be 

         posted anywhere else online.

*** Don't forget the Valentine Bonus, too! ***

Visit Create with Connie and Mary for more details or to subscribe.

NOW OPEN!

The Create with Connie and Mary January

Mini Session is NOW OPEN!

Together, the designers have created 14 EXCLUSIVE step-by-step tutorials...

12 unique cards featuring three stamp 

sets and TWO 3D items...perfect for your club, class or stamp camp!

Once you subscribe, you will have access to all of the projects

so you can get creating right away!

VALENTINE BONUS PROJECT:  

Purchase BOTH January and February 2017 Mini Sessions and get 

a HOME DECOR BONUS TUTORIAL designed by Connie Babbert!  

A perfect project for your Valentine-inspired classes!

   

Visit Create with Connie and Mary to subscribe!

Love You Lots

Good Morning, Stampers!

Just 2 more days until the Create with Connie and Mary January Mini Session goes LIVE! I am so excited! Although I can't show you the project because it is exclusive to subscribers only, I can tell you that it features the Sealed with Love stamp set. Valentine's Day is my favorite day of the year - ever since I was born! (wink, wink).

Of course I had to create something with that set for you today! This is a card I created for a recent swap. The background was lightly spritzed with a mixture of Flirty Flamingo reinker and rubbing alcohol and masked with the Bloomin' Heart thinlit. Once dried, it can be stamped directly on top.

SU!pplies:

Stamps: Sealed with Love

Ink: Flirty Flamingo

Paper: Whisper White, Flirty Flamingo

Accessories: Whisper White Baker's Twine, Bloomin' Hearts thinlit, Love Notes framelits, Basic Rhinestones, Lace Doilies, Stampin' Spritzer, Flirty Flamingo reinker, rubbing alcohol

Create with Connie and Mary Mini Session Details:

Our mini sessions include the instructions for 14 projects with full step-by-step tutorials:

      * Each mini session includes TWELVE unique cards featuring

          three stamp sets.

      * Each mini session includes TWO 3D items perfect for your clubs, classes,

         stamp camps or gifts.

      * All 14 project tutorials are available once the mini session opens so you

         immediately have all projects at your fingertips.

      * All designs and tutorials are EXCLUSIVELY for subscribers and will not be 

         posted anywhere else online.

Visit Create with Connie and Mary for more details or to subscribe.

Happie Stampin'!
~Melissa

January Session Coming Soon!

Good Morning, Stampers!

TODAY IS THE DAY! The NEW Occasions Mini Catalog is LIVE and it is filled with so many new and exciting products and ideas! Don't be overwhelmed! Subscribe to the Create with Connie and Mary January Mini Session and get all-new exclusive projects featuring the new products! It's a great way to see the new stamp sets, framelits and embellishements in action!

* Each session featured (5) step-by-step exclusive tutorials.

* There are (3) card sets and (2) 3D items.

* Get all the projects at once so you can start

creating immediately!

* Mini Sessions begins January 11th!

PLUS, sign up for both the January and February sessions

and get a FREE Valentine Bonus Project!

All the details can be found at 

Create with Connie and Mary

Today's project features the new Dragonfly Dreams stamp set and coordinating framelits. Aren't they
gorgeous??!!  The set is filled with feel-good sentiments along with 2-step dragonflies and bees. I can see this set being used all the way through the summertime!

SU!pplies:

Stamps: Dragonfly Dreams

Ink: Dapper Denim, Cajun Craze, Peek-A-Boo Peach, Soft Sky

Paper: Whisper White, Soft Sky, Watercolor Paper

Accessories: In-Color Enamel Shapes, Aua Painters, Detailed Dragonfly thinlits

Happie Stampin'!
~Melissa

The Create with Connie and Mary December Mini 

Session is officially OPEN!

The designers have create (5) exclusive projects

featuring ALL NEW products from the upcoming

Occasions and Sale-A-Bration brochures.

You won't see these projects anywhere else,

so don't miss out and subscribe today! 

Also, there is a **BONUS** project for those who

subscribe to both the November and December sessions!

Get all the details at Create With Connie and Mary!

Avant Garden

Good Morning, Stampers!

TODAY COULD BE YOUR LUCKY DAY! I am so excited to share with you a little sneak peek of an upcoming Sale-A-Bration "freebie" - Avant Garden! This is the set I am featuring in the December Mini Session over at Create with Connie and Mary. Want to hear something FABULOUS? If you leave me a comment today (Wednesday, 12/7), you will be entered into a drawing to receive a FREE subscription for the December Mini Session! Tell me what you think of this set! Will you be adding it to your wishlist? I wanna know!

1. Cut a piece of Crumb Cake cardstock to 5 1/2" x 8 1/2". Fold in half.
2. Stamp the flower across the center of the card using Crumb Cake ink.
3. Stamp the sentiment onto Very Vanilla cardstock and die cut using the Tags and Labels framelits.
4. Adhere the Very Vanilla Lace Trim along the left side of the card using Tear and Tape.
5. Adhere the sentiment using Stampin' Dimensionals.
6. Die cut the butterfly from Blusing Bride cardstock using the Bold Butterfly framelits.
7. Adhere to the card front using a Stampin' Dimensional.
8. Pull a few threads from Very Vanilla Thick Bakers Twine and tie in a bow.
9. Adhere the bow to the butterfly using a glue dot.

SU!pplies:
Stamps: Avant Garden
Ink: Crumb Cake
Paper: Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla
Accessories: Very Vanilla Lace Trim, Bold Butterfly Framelits, Tags and Labels framlits. Very Vanilla Thick Baker's Twine.

Our DECEMBER 2016 MINI SESSION is COMING SOON with projects using stamp sets from the OCCASIONS and Sale-a-Bration CATALOGS!     PLUS…sign up for both the November and December Mini Sessions together and get a free HOLIDAY BONUS tutorial!  We know you’ll be excited about that!

• Each session includes FIVE step-by-step tutorials for projects…
• THREE card sets, each with 4 cards and TWO 3D items…perfect for your club or stamp camp!
• All designs and tutorials are EXCLUSIVELY for subscribers and will not be posted anywhere else online.
• All FIVE projects are available once the monthly mini collection opens so you immediately have all projects (and tutorials).
• Mini Sessions open on the 11th of each month

Stamp sets we are featuring in December: 

• Succulent Garden Suite
• Sealed with Love Suite
• Yummy in my Tummy
• Avant Garden
• Cool Treats

*Please be aware that every attempt will be made to use what we’ve listed, however availability from Stampin’ Up! and suitability may change as we are making projects based on our ideas from viewing paper catalogs and not having the items personally in hand to see them.

Visit  Create with Connie and Mary for more details and to subscribe!

Happie Stampin'!
~Melissa

NOEL

Good Morning, Stampers!

TODAY IS THE DAY! The Create with Connie and Mary November Session is LIVE!
There are all new projects the design team has created exclusively for subscribers!

My project this month is featuring the Christmas Pines stamp set and coordinating Pretty Pines
thinlits. I LOVE THIS BUNDLE! I just can't seem to get enough of it this season! The card below features some of the same products. Since I can't show you the project itself, the card gives you a little idea of what to expect. Plus, it makes a great coordinating card if you give the project as a gift!

SU!pplies:
Stamps: Christmas Pines
Ink: Early Espresso
Paper: Whisper White, Garden Green, Red Glimmer, Warmth and Cheer DSP
Accessories: Pretty Pines thinlits, NEW Stitched Shapes framelits, Real Red marker, Garden Green marker

Visit Create with Connie and Mary to subscribe!

Happie Stampin'!
~Melissa

November Mini Session

Good Morning, Stampers!

We are just days away from the November Mini Session at Create with Connie and Mary! We have new and exclusive projects featuring products from the Holiday Mini Catalog that we are excited to share with you! Today's card highlights some of the products from the Holiday Mini Catalog. The Cable Knit embossing folder adds so much warmth to this card! Definitely a winner!

 Each session will include (5) step-by-step tutorials for projects…THREE card sets, each with 4 cards and TWO 3D items…perfect for your stamp clubs, classes or stamp camp!

All designs and tutorials are EXCLUSIVELY for subscribers and will not be posted anywhere else online.

All FIVE projects are available once the monthly mini collection opens so you immediately have all projects (and tutorials).

Mini Sessions open on the 11th of each month.

Sign up for BOTH the November and December session and get a bonus project of fun gift card holders!  Head over to Create with Connie and Mary to subscribe now!

Happie Stampin!

~Melissa

Pretty Pines

Good Morning, Stampers!

The Create with Connie and Mary November Mini Session is coming soon! The designers have created all new EXCLUSIVE projects featuring the festive products from the Holiday Mini Catalog.

These are projects that are great for last-minute gifts or for card class inspiration. Each session includes FIVE step-by-step tutorials for projects...THREE card sets, each with (4) cards and TWO 3D items. All of the designs and tutorials are EXCLUSIVELY for subscribers and will not be posted anywhere else online The best part is all five projects are available at once so that you can get started on your projects right away! No wait - I LOVE THAT! 

Be sure to subscribe to BOTH the November AND December sessions to get the FREE Bonus Holiday tutorial, too! Oh, and one more little piece of exciting news - we will feature the Occasions Mini and Sale-A-Bration catalogs in December - WOO HOO!

My project this month features the Pretty Pines thinlits. These thinlits create realistic greenery and pinecones that make projects come to life! The Presents and Pinecones designer paper is the perfect backdrop to showcase these beautiful thinlits. Be sure to subscribe so you can see the project I created!

Subscribe HERE

Happie Stampin'!
~Melissa