January is flying by and it's time for another Monday Montage Blog Hop so thanks for stopping by.

Today I'm showing a series of cards I  made with the Favored Flowers Designer Series Paper (DSP) Sale a Bration offering.  You can earn this gorgeous paper pack for FREE with a $50 order in January and February. 

The number one thing I want to say is to take the time to fussy cut this paper! I know many of you do not like fussy cutting but it is SO worth it. And do not forget about the pieces on the edges.  You can see how I used them for a floating frame type card below.  You don't have to waste any of it. 

Stamping on your DSP is another technique I tend to forget about. It looks really good and it's so simple to do! The pieces for this card are some of my basic go to's: a 3 3/4 x 5 layered on a 4 x 5 1/4. 

This card was created with pieces on my desk.  I love when I can use up my scraps! I'm really liking the Petal Pink and Calypso Coral match up too. 

This is a card we made in my January monthly card class.  I originally created it with the scrap pieces sitting on my desk as well. Thankfully they were easy measurements so I could quickly cut pieces for my class. 

This was a fun fold card I created for a swap I participated in. This design let me show off more of the pretty papers on the bottom. 

Layering vellum over a patterned paper helps to soften the look. 

Pairing a white embossed on black sentiment really stands out. Don't miss the Something Fancy word set.  There are some really good sayings in an awesome font. 

If you want to get your own pack of Favored Flowers be sure to shop here. Current host code is WYQUGPZZ. 

Be sure to hop along to check out what Julie has in store or back to see Elizabeth's project. 

It's time for our first Monday Montage Blog Hop of the new year and the timing is perfect. The new Jan-April Mini Catalog and Sale a Bration Catalogs are here! I love this time of the Stampin' Up! year. For every $50 you spend you can choose a free item from the Sale a Bration (SAB) offerings. Today I'm highlighting one of those options.  The Thanks a Bunch stamp set (item $160816) offers so many card making options. 

These first two are a little different.  I can't take credit for having thought of this myself as I've seen a number of other demonstrators sharing cute cards they made by using the carrot as a tree! 

On both cards I used Mint Macron, Shaded Spruce and Pear Pizazz. I did a lot of stamping off to get the various shades. I used lots of new products on these cards and you can find a full list at the bottom of the post. 

I have a few tips to share thanks to these next few cards. Our Blends markers are so versatile! Did you know you can use them to color embelishmnets to get any color you need? 

Or that you can use them to color the White Crinkled Seam Binding Ribbon? This is one trick I really love. 

When you create with this set don't be afraid to experiment with different colored carrots.  Remember they aren't just orange! There are lots of yellows, reds and purples.  

Be sure to check out the rest of the great projects in our hop.  You can click forward to see what Julie has in store or back for Elizabeth's.  Thanks for joining us! 

Don't forget you can shop here to get your own Thanks a Bunch set! Next weekend is my Open House weekend so all orders over $50 placed with Host Code CZCEDAVS by end of day Monday, January 16th will get an extra gift from me.  
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A week to Christmas! Are you ready? I am getting there...shopping done but no cards sent yet! I'll get there. In the meantime it's time for a Monday Montage Blog Hop.

I have started to play with my pre-order for the new mini catalog and Sale a Bration. Get ready for January 5th! Here's a sneak peek of one of the items you can earn for FREE.  The Dainty Flowers Designer Series Paper is so pretty.  Check out a few ways to use it. 

This first card did require a little fussy cutting but I think it was worth it. 

This is a favorite way of mine to use Designer Series Paper. Cut it to 4 x 5.25 and then layer a piece of velum over it. This vellum will be in the new mini catalog as well.  If you look closely you can see the pattern on it. 

This is the easiest of cards! It's just stamps and inks. I love a card that comes together this easily. 

Be sure to hop along to Wendy or back to Elizabeth.  They have wonderful projects to share with you. 

Happy Holidays! I hope you have a chance to relax and enjoy the next few weeks. 

It's December and time for another Monday Montage Blog Hop.  This month has already got me overwhelmed! It's that time of year I guess. Anyone else? I keep telling myself I only need to get through this week and then things will be a little slower. I'm probably fooling myself...

I was so excited to get new product when I attended OnStage at the end of November but then I didn't have time to use any of it! I finally pulled out this fun Sale a Bration set that we all got for attending.  It's called Beautifully Happy and it's a great two step stamping set. It will be available in January. 

I created three samples with this set.  The first is what my friend Kristy named a "SIPs" card--stamps, ink and paper only. Incredibly easy but it makes a pretty card. 

For the next one I added a piece of Designer Series Paper to border it, popped up my sentiment on a die cut and added some bling.  The Distinctive stamp process gives it such a great watercolor look. 

For my final stepped up card I layered two die cuts, fussy cut the image and added some twine.  The flowers definitely stand out. 

If you are local I only have two more classes this year! I still have room in Saturday's "Giftables" class and the final class is my monthly four card class on the 15th.  I offer it at 10 am and 7 pm.  

Thanks for stopping by and have fun hopping along today.  Be sure to click next to check out Julie's great work or back to see what Elizabeth ha for us this time. Happy December! 

It's been a crazy busy few weeks! How did October become the busiest month? I finally had a little time to craft yesterday and tried out this fun technique that I had been seeing all over. I've done "one sheet wonders" before but this one is different. You stamp in a cross or plus size on the sheet (scroll down to see a messy photo). 

I chose the Christmas Season set along with the Framed & Festive (that you can order next month...or add to a Starter Kit now!) to use on this batch. Grab a bunch of colors and you are set. Here's a photo showing the pieces after I cut down my card stock sheet. 

I decided to try to layering them in different ways. 

Here's a look at the colors I chose.  I added the Coastal Cabana to give it a little brightness. 

If you wanted a visual of what this looks like before it's cut here you go! It's a messy photo but shows the fun. I really enjoyed this process and think it will work with so many stamp sets. 

I did decide that trimming my white base to 8 x 10.5 before I stamped made it easier to complete the cards quickly.  It meant that I could simply cut in 1/2 both directions and not need to do additional trimming. 

After making all the holiday cards I decided I needed to try it with a different set so here is my alternative. I love the bright colors. 

Have you tried this before?  What stamp sets did you use? 

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you'll continue on with our blog hop. Click next for Julie's amazing fun and back for Elizabeth's great work! 

The weather is finally changing and it's starting to feel like fall! I'm ready to think about Halloween and I've having fun creating with this new set called Scary Cute.  

This card was a take on a sample in the catalog on page 56. I changed up the colors and size but I loved the idea of using the line of Trick or Treaters as the background. Paired with the Black & White Designs paper pack which is a a perfect compliment to Halloween cards. Don't forget those Matte Black Dots which happen to be on sale this week. 

More of the Black & White paper pack plus I added in the glitter washi tape and some metallic ribbon and I think I have a fun card! I love to combine green, purple, orange and black for Halloween cards. 

One of my favorite things in the current mini is the Glitter Washi tape. If you know me well, you know I love a good sparkle but I HATE loose glitter.  Ask me about my kids and glitter...it hasn't been good.  So anytime there is a glitter product that doesn't make a mess I'm in! I created this card on a Facebook Live in my VIP group and tried it with both Parakeet Party and Granny Apple Green.  I'm still not sure which I like best. 

I wanted to show a way to use this set in a non Halloween way.  I think the little princess is perfect for a little girl birthday card. 

I love the Gingham Cottage paper pack.  Both of these designs  I used on this card are from that pack. 

Be sure to hop along with us today! Next for Wendy or back for Elizabeth.  They are both sure to delight. 

These projects are all part of the Water Color Technique class I taught this week. I wanted to share multiple ways to create water color projects. 

Projects utilized Water Painters, Fluid 100 paper, Shimmery White paper and various techniques with ink on blocks. 

This first card was a technique adding ink with a clear block to Fluid 100 paper that had been spritzed with water. I love the bright bold color is creates.  

For this card we used the largest Water Painter brush to add three shades of purple (Rich Razzleberry, Highland Heather and Fresh Freesia) to Fluid 100 paper to create an ombre look.  After letting it dry completely we added the stamped images with Memento Black Ink. Layering it with an embossed panel creates a fun look! 

This card was created by adding ink to a block, spritzing with water and then inking up the stamp. We stamped the images on Shimmery White card stock.

​Shimmery White is great for water coloring.  It doesn't absorb the water the same way that Fluid 100 does but it doesn't warp like regular Basic White does when water is applied. 

This photo gives you a look at the supplies used. 

The last card we created used the smallest Water Painter to color in the apple from the Apple Harvest stamp set. When I water color, or use my Blends, I like to start with the dark color along any solid lines and work my way in with lighter colors.  

Are you a fan of water coloring?  Which of these have you tried before?

Be sure to check out the rest of the stops on our hop this week! We have a full line up.  Click next to go to Julie or back to go to Elizabeth. 

Welcome to another Monday Montage Blog Hop.  Glad to have you stop by! 

I decided to play around with the new Apple Harvest stamp set.  The images are perfect for coloring so I thought I'd try a few different ways. 

First up I used my Blends. I stamped the image on Basic White with Memento Black and used Poppy Parade, Granny Apple Green and Light Soft Suede to color the image.  I did have to add some Wink of Stella on the apples because who doesn't love sparkle? For the papers I paired it with the Host Paper Pack Celebrate Everything. A piece of vellum helped to soften the whole look. I think this would be an easy layout to CASE.

Did you happen to catch the sneak peek in the corner?  Coming September 1 you can order dies to go with this set! 

Here's a closer look.  I think you can almost see the sparkle from the Wink of Stella. When I color with Blends I like to start with the darker color which I tend to use around edges or lines.  I then use the lighter color to do the blending and soften the colors. Personally, I don't think there is a right or wrong way to use them.  I encourage people to simply play and not worry about being perfect. 

For this card I stamped the apple on water color paper and then used ink and my Water Painters to water color the image. I love having dies to go with a set! As much as I don't mind fussy cutting it's so much easier with a die. 

If you haven't checked out the Gingham Cottage paper pack you need to do so. It is a huge paper pack with great patterns and colors.  You get 48 sheets in this pack! It was a perfect choice to pair with this apple along with vellum again. 

I used Old Olive and Real Red on this card. 

Which do you think you prefer?  Blends or water color?  Interested in recreating these projects?  Use the links below and be sure to use Host Code 7SWG62TK.  Sale a Bration is still going so don't miss out on your FREE items. 

Click next to hop along to Wendy or back for Elizabeth. 

Thanks for joining us for another Monday Montage.  Be sure to get to the bottom and click through to see all the fantastic projects.  

I'm sharing projects from my class Friday night.  I did a Best of Bundles class to show off some of the new bundles in the July-Aug Mini Catalog. 

​The gnomes are one of my favorite items in the catalog! I wanted to be sure to show them in a non holiday way.  I love the full suite in the catalog but the coordinating paper is very winter themed so I wanted to share a way to use the dies that could work year round or for any holiday.  I paired the dies with the awesome Gingham Cottage 12 x 12 paper from the mini.  This pack is HUGE! It has 48 sheets per pack. the result was a cute tag that can be used on a gift or attached to a card. 

The Ringed With Nature bundle offers many creative options.  I paired it with the Rings of Love paper you can earn as a FREE Sale a Bration item to show off how well it coordinates. 

This is a fun fold card design.  The base is 8 x 4 1/4 and I scored it at the 5 1/2 mark for a traditional sized card.  However, I used a piece of the Designer Series Paper to create the rest of the flap.  The hybrid embossing folder is my favorite part though.  You can run the die through the folder with your paper and it will cut out the tree cookies!  

By the way, what do you call these tree slices?  I worked for the Girl Scouts for a few years and the term was "tree cookie"! 

This shows you the card opened up.  

Be sure to click next to see Wendy's project or back for Elizabeth's. 

Saturday was my Open House for the new July - December mini catalog and the new Sale a Bration items.  I have been playing with a lot of new product to create samples to share.

One of the stamp sets I was drawn to right away was the All Bundled Up set. These little critters are so cute! I love an image that is perfect for coloring with my Blends and this moose did not disappoint.  

The other new product I'm really enjoying is the Host only Designer Series Paper pack Celebrate Everything.  This pack of paper contains 48 sheets and is only available on orders over $150 which qualifies for Host rewards.  Let's talk if you'd like to earn this paper for FREE along with Sale a bration items! 

Be sure to hop along with us on our Monday Montage blog hop.  Click next to see what Wendy has in store and back to see Elizabeth's project!  We are always glad to have you join us. 
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