Fab Friday #179

It's Fab Friday ... YAY!! And why is it that SOOOOO many people I know already have all of their Christmas decor up and ready to go??? I mean, SERIOUSLY??? It's not even Thanksgiving yet!!! And I even am starting to feel myself wanting to CAVE and put up my Christmas tree this weekend ... something I have NEVER done EVER!! What do you think?? What do YOU guys do??? Poor Thanksgiving ... it gets lots between Halloween and Christmas!!

I had fun making this card. I haven't used much embossing powder for a very long time ... and the holly image in the Christmas Gleaming stamp set was just CRYING out to me for some, so I just did it! I used to "dangle" images off of twine/ribbon/sequin trim and the like a LOT way back in the day. It was fun to do that with this one ... the cute ornament just looked like it needed to be dangling from something!

Stamps: Sheet Music
Paper: Meadow Moss, Old Olive, Very Vanilla Brightly Gleaming DSP, Copper Foil
Ink: Gold Delicata
Accessories: Merry Christmas Dies, Stitched Rectangle Dies, Stitched Stars Dies, Old Olive/Pretty Peacock 3/8" Reversible Ribbon

Super simple and easy ... LOTS of free space to add whatever you want!









Here's a link to the Fab Friday Challenge Blog so that you can play along:

Fab Friday Challenge Blog

Mindy Backes
Heather Heroldt
Brian King
Amy Koenders
Amanda Mertz
Brenda Myers

So I MAY actually try to put a tree up this weekend. At the very least, I will put my mama's Christmas tree up for her. I guess I am okay with it this year since Thanksgiving is SOOOO late in the month and we won't have much time left to have our "halls decked" to enjoy them!! Have a great weekend, y'all!

Freaking OUT!

WHY oh WHY does every stinkin' week before Christmas turn out this way??? I have been running around like a chicken with my head cut off!! It has NOT been helpful that I was sick with the flu AND a sinus infection for a week and a half (from which I am STILL recovering!) ... and I also went to Disneyland with my sister in law for her birthday on Monday and Tuesday of this week, so there's that. YIKES!! Well, it is what it is! Did ya SEE the ADORABLE mug card made by the ever-amazing Melissa Stout!! SOOOO happy and cheerful!!

So ... we were SUPPOSED to incorporate a "technique" into our creations this month ... yeah ... ok ... so my technique the month is called GETTING MY CARDS DONE!!! Hahaha!! I guess you could say this is how ya incorporate some shiny things ... or whatever!! GEEEEEZZZ!!! I am SOOOOOO messed up right now with my crazy deadlines!!! But I absolutely LUUUUUURVE EVERYTHING in this adorable Honey Bee suite of products ... that y'all will be able to order starting in JANUARY!!! SQUEEEEEEE!!

Stamps: Honey Bee
Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White, Gold Glimmer DSP, Golden Honey Specialty DSP
Ink: Gold Delicata
Accessories: Stitched So Sweetly Dies, Detailed Bee Dies, 5/16" Braided Burlap Trim (YUMMY!), Champagne Rhinestone Basic Jewels

Yup ... it's a bird ... it's a toucan ... it's ADORBS!!! I LOOOOOVE how this can be dressed up or down. I'm calling this technique "using ALL the layers you POSSIBLY can!" What do you think???

Stamps: Bonanza Buddies
Paper: Whisper White, Bermuda Bay, Daffodil Delight, Coastal Cabana, Terracotta Tile, Birthday Bonanza DSP
Ink: Basic Black, Daffodil Delight, Mango Melody
Accessories: Stitched So Sweetly Dies, Bonanza Dies, Stitched Rectangle Dies, 5/16" Braided Burlap Trim (SO YUMMY!), Champagne Rhinestone Basic Jewels

I have SO many projects and things on my plate for the next few days ... and I am going to go see The Rise of Skywalker in just a couple of hours because it's STAR WARS ... and I have absolutely NOTHING else to do ... sorta ...

Next up??? The timeless  ... Tami Hewlett!! Your jaw is gonna DROP to the FLOOR when you see her mountain scene card ... NOT kidding!

Monday Montage #154

FA-LA-LA-LA-LA .... LA-LA-LA-LA!!! I've been decking my halls and doing a crazy amount of shopping. Yeah ... It's DECEMBER!! It has NOT been to my advantage that I have had both the FLU and a sinus infection (one followed by the other). It has put me SOOOO far behind! YIKES!! But I have been soldiering on. Thankfully, Monday Montage made me get myself together!

Brightly Gleaming DSP ... yep ... I'm a HUGE fan!!! I wanted to create a lovely, Christmas-y card before December whisks by too quickly! This card came together quite quickly and easily ... I used a blue Sharpie pen to add some color to my basic rhinestones. Oooooooh ... SHINY!

Stamps: So Many Stars
Paper: Night of Navy, Whisper White, Copper Foil, Brightly Gleaming DSP
Ink: Night of Navy
Accessories: Stitched Stars Dies, Stitched So Sweetly Dies, Basic Rhinestones (colored with a blue Sharpie)




Here's a blog roll just in case you get "stuck" trying to hop around ...

Monday Montage Hoppers
Amy O'Neill - Amy's Paper Crafts - SITTING OUT THIS WEEK
Breelin Renwick - Craft-somnia Momma
Cathy Casey - Sugar Shack Designs
Charlet Mallet - Painted Orange
Cheryl Curtis - Pomp and Sustenance
Dani Dziama - Dani's Thoughtful Corner
Elizabeth Price - Seeinginkspots
Julie Warnick - Julie Warnick Stampin' Up! Blog
Melissa Stout - The Stamp Doc
Wendy Weixler - Wickedly Wonderful Creations - YOU'RE ALREADY HERE!!

Sooooo .... Monday and Tuesday this week will be spent at the Happiest Place on Earth! I know I really don't have the time, but I am also quite certain that the happiness and Christmas spirit there will cure any bits of lingering illness and make me feel all ready for the 25th, right???

Click "Next" to see what Bree Renwick has created ... and "Back" to check out Melissa Stout's ... ENJOY!

Monday Montage #153

As I am propped up on some pillows in my bed and typing this blog post, I am extremely wiped out ... and grateful! Thanksgiving has come and gone (and if you are in my family, we had Thanksgiving on Thursday at my aunt's and then again on Sunday at my house), I have put up my mom's Christmas tree and decorations and have done the same at my house. The weekend went by in a blur, but I am blessed with a beautiful family and a lovely home and more blessings than I can count! I had to stay up late to get the card for this blog hop done. I wasn't sure I was even going to have the energy to make anything, but luckily I was able to put this card together for this week's Monday Montage hop. Sigh ... I need a weekend to get over my weekend!!

It's December ... and it's full-blown Christmas mode! Thanks to my bestie, Cheryl, for letting me borrow her "Beauty & Joy" stamp set. The little topiary images are so fun to "build" ... and even though holly isn't "Perfect Peacock" in color, I was happy to be able to play with it and pair the images with the BEAUTIFUL Brightly Gleaming DSP.

Stamps: Beauty & Joy
Paper: Pretty Peacock, Very Vanilla, Copper Foil, Brightly Gleaming DSP
Ink: Copper Delicata, Pretty Peacock, Cherry Cobbler, Wink of Stella
Accessories: Glitter Crystal Effects, Stitched Shapes Dies, Rectangle Stitched Dies, Pretty Peacock Scalloped Trim Ribbon, Stapler




Here's a blog roll just in case you get "stuck" trying to hop around ...

Monday Montage Hoppers
Amy O'Neill - Amy's Paper Crafts
Breelin Renwick - Craft-somnia Momma
Cathy Casey - Sugar Shack Designs
Charlet Mallet - Painted Orange
Cheryl Curtis - Pomp and Sustenance - SITTING OUT THIS WEEK
Dani Dziama - Dani's Thoughtful Corner - SITTING OUT THIS WEEK
Elizabeth Price - Seeinginkspots
Julie Warnick - Julie Warnick Stampin' Up! Blog
Melissa Stout - The Stamp Doc
Wendy Weixler - Wickedly Wonderful Creations - YOU'RE ALREADY HERE!!

I was able to get a bunch of Christmas shopping done on Black Friday (I did NOT get up early ... lots of online shopping and shopping later in the day). I still have a bunch more to do, but at least I made a dent in it ... YAY ME!

Click "Next" to see what Amy O'Neill has created ... and "Back" to check out Melissa Stout's ... BEAUTIFUL!!

Fab Friday #177

It's Fab Friday ... YAY!! And why is it that SOOOOO many people I know already have all of their Christmas decor up and ready to go??? I mean, SERIOUSLY??? It's not even Thanksgiving yet!!! And I even am starting to feel myself wanting to CAVE and put up my Christmas tree this weekend ... something I have NEVER done EVER!! What do you think?? What do YOU guys do??? Poor Thanksgiving ... it gets lots between Halloween and Christmas!!

I had fun making this card. I haven't used much embossing powder for a very long time ... and the holly image in the Christmas Gleaming stamp set was just CRYING out to me for some, so I just did it! I used to "dangle" images off of twine/ribbon/sequin trim and the like a LOT way back in the day. It was fun to do that with this one ... the cute ornament just looked like it needed to be dangling from something!

Stamps: Christmas Gleaming
Paper: Whisper White, Shaded Spruce, Cherry Cobbler, Wrapped in Plaid Specialty DSP
Ink: Gold Delicata, Shaded Spruce
Accessories: Subtle Embossing Folder, Gold Embossing Powder, Metallic Pearls, 3/16" Braided Linen Trim

Super simple and easy ... LOTS of free space to add whatever you want!









Here's a link to the Fab Friday Challenge Blog so that you can play along:

Fab Friday Challenge Blog

Mindy Backes
Heather Heroldt
Brian King
Amy Koenders
Amanda Mertz
Brenda Myers

So I MAY actually try to put a tree up this weekend. At the very least, I will put my mama's Christmas tree up for her. I guess I am okay with it this year since Thanksgiving is SOOOO late in the month and we won't have much time left to have our "halls decked" to enjoy them!! Have a great weekend, y'all!

Walkin' in a Freakin' Wonderland!

Welcome to this month's edition of the Control Freaks Blog Tour! This week we are stamping "Winter Wonderland" creations. We are also welcoming two new Freaky friends ... Bree Renwick and Tami Hewlitt! They are both SO creative and talented! You should just have come from the blog of our new Freak Tami Hewlitt!! It's obvious why we asked her to join us, isn't it??? Keep hopping around so that you can see ALL of what the Freaks have created!

I am LOVING these "make your own scene" types of stamps ... this set is called "Snow Front". After stamping the images, I used my Aquapainter to "paint" over the images to give them a watercolor effect. It's SO much fun!! Makes me feel oh-so-fancy! I used my White Chalk pen and added some Shimmery Crystal Effects with a little Wink of Stella below each "dot" to make some stars in the sky. I wish you could see all the sparkly goodness ... it's VERY festive!

Stamps: Snow Front, So Many Stars (sentiment)
Paper: Whisper White, Pretty Peacock
Ink: Pretty Peacock, Mossy Meadow, Early Espresso, Smoky Slate, White Chalk Pen
Accessories: Rectangle Stitched Dies, Old Olive/Pretty Peacock 3/8" Reversible Ribbon, Glitter Crystal Effects, Wink of Stella

Oh MAN!! Nothing says "Winter Wonderland" like the "Feels Like Frost" Specialty Designer Series Paper. It - Is - STUNNING!! I love each and every pattern!! This card was crying out for a frosty Christmas tree, so I used the "Into the Woods" dies to build a little snowy tree ... I am really feeling the need for a little snow!

Stamps: Frosted Foliage
Paper: Night of Navy, Feels Like Frost Specialty DSP, Sparkle Glimmer Paper, Whisper White, Vellum
Ink: Night of Navy
Accessories: Frosted Frames Dies, Into the Woods Dies, Clear Epoxy Droplets

Next up??? The lovely  ... super LeeAnn Greff!!

Monday Montage #152

Ok ... it happened ... and much sooner than I had expected. I wanna put up a Christmas tree!!! I wanna shop and wrap!! I wanna decorate and make Christmas cookies ... I wanna watch ALL THE CHRISTMAS MOVIES and listen to ALL THE CHRISTMAS MUSIC!!! And this has all happened in the past three days ... and it's not even THANKSGIVING yet!! I think it is because Thanksgiving is a week late this year, being on the 28th of November! I just need to run to Vegas or Wendover and win the jackpot!!!

It has taken me all the way until TODAY to crack open my Copper Delicata Ink ... and I am IN LOVE with it!! It is sooooooo pretty in person. As in GORGEOUS!! As in "why didn't I use this before?" beautiful!!! A few diecuts and some ribbon and it's done ... SUPER easy!

Stamps: Frosted Foliage
Paper: Very Vanilla, Pretty Peacock, Rose Gold Foil
Ink: Copper Delicata, Pretty Peacock
Accessories: Frosted Frames Dies, Old Olive/Pretty Peacock 3/8" Reversible Ribbon



Here's a blog roll just in case you get "stuck" trying to hop around ...

Monday Montage Hoppers
Amy O'Neill - Amy's Paper Crafts
Breelin Renwick - Craft-somnia Momma
Cathy Casey - Sugar Shack Designs
Charlet Mallet - Painted Orange
Cheryl Curtis - Pomp and Sustenance
Dani Dziama - Dani's Thoughtful Corner - SITTING OUT THIS WEEK
Elizabeth Price - Seeinginkspots
Julie Warnick - Julie Warnick Stampin' Up! Blog - SITTING OUT THIS WEEK
Melissa Stout - The Stamp Doc
Wendy Weixler - Wickedly Wonderful Creations - YOU'RE ALREADY HERE!!

So now my dilemma is ... do I start setting up for Christmas BEFORE Thanksgiving happens (something I haven't EVER done!), or do I wait until after Thanksgiving??? Christmas is only three weeks after Thanksgiving, so decorating a week earlier would allow the decorations to be up for a month (which would make it more worth it because I decorate a LOT!1 What do YOU guys do???

Click "Next" to see what Amy O'Neill has created ... and "Back" to check out Melissa Stout's ... BEAUTIFUL!!

Monday Montage #151

Isn't the "fall back" into Daylight Saving Time supposed to give us an EXTRA HOUR of sleep so that we feel more rested?? HONESTLY!! Sheesh!! After this last week I feel like I could sleep for a week ... I am WIPED OUT!  Perhaps the HUGE swings in temperature here this past week are messing me up ... we got down into single digits for a few days and now we are back up into the 50's ... I'm SO confused!!  Welcome to Monday Montage ... this is at least ONE great way to start the week!

What could be more comforting that a toasty cup of cocoa topped off with whipped cream?? Not much, if you ask me!! I used some of the Whisper White Puff Paint to create the luscious creamy topping on this mug of cocoa.  Makes you want to go make one for yourself, right??? DO IT!!

Stamps: Cup of Christmas
Paper: Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Neutrals DSP, Wrapped in Plaid DSP
Ink: Crumb Cake
Accessories: Subtle Embossing Folder, Trio Corner Punch, Cup of Cheer Dies, Cable Knit Embossing Folder, Whisper White Puff Paint





Here's a blog roll just in case you get "stuck" trying to hop around ...

Monday Montage Hoppers
Amy O'Neill - Amy's Paper Crafts
Breelin Renwick - Craft-somnia Momma
Cathy Casey - Sugar Shack Designs
Charlet Mallet - Painted Orange
Cheryl Curtis - Pomp and Sustenance
Dani Dziama - Dani's Thoughtful Corner - SITTING OUT THIS WEEK
Elizabeth Price - Seeinginkspots
Julie Warnick - Julie Warnick Stampin' Up! Blog
Melissa Stout - The Stamp Doc
Wendy Weixler - Wickedly Wonderful Creations - YOU'RE ALREADY HERE!!

We are having company from out of town later this week ... hopefully I will get rested up enough this week to be able to keep up!

Click "Next" to see what Amy O'Neill has created ... and "Back" to check out Melissa Stout's ... they are KILLIN' it!!

Fab Friday #175

Ohmygosh! Is it Halloween yet??? Sheesh!! I got the COOLEST costume this year, and I've been working on a cool setup for our neighborhood Trunk or Treat! I can't WAIT111 I took a little time out to make this card for this week's Fab Friday Challenge. And I went WAY away from fall and Halloween on this one!

Gingham looks good with everything, doesn't it??

Stamps: Silhouette Scenes
Paper: Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Neutrals DSP
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: Ovals Dies, Stitched Rectangles Dies, Burlap Ribbon, Frosted Epoxy Droplets, Country Floral Embossing Folder

Lots of possibilities with this one!








Here's a link to the Fab Friday Challenge Blog so that you can play along:

Fab Friday Challenge Blog

Mindy Backes
Heather Heroldt
Brian King
Amy Koenders
Amanda Mertz
Brenda Myers

Tonight is our local elementary school's Halloween Carnival. I have been helping with this for MANY years (since my oldest was in 1st grade!). Halloween is my favorite!

Monday Montage #150

Can we talk?? Really??? I am SOOOO SORE! I did the "Haunted Half" marathon on Saturday. It's been a really long while since I have been sore after a race (even a marathon and a 6-hour stairclimb!)! I haven't been doing as much running the last couple of months since I joined a gym and have been doing some cross training. I've been feeling pretty good, so I wasn't too worried about doing a half. HOLY COW!! While I was feeling great and did AMAZINGLY well (for me!) for the first six miles, I started feeling it HARD around mile 9. YIKES!!! Stairs, sitting, standing, walking ... I'm feeling it ALL!! So glad I got some time to play with paper and stamps for the Monday Montage hop!

This stamp set!! You guys!!! It's called New Year Celebrations ... I LOVE this one!! I couldn't stop myself from using the black tassel under the japanese medallion on this because I KNEW it would be perfect!! I know many of you have some of these tassels in your stash somewhere, right???

Stamps: New Year Celebrations
Paper: Basic Black, Real Red, Gold Glimmer DSP
Ink: Gold, Black Memento, Whisper White
Accessories: Layering Circles Dies, Gold Embossing Powder, Black Tassel (retired)






Here's a blog roll just in case you get "stuck" trying to hop around ...

Monday Montage Hoppers
Amy O'Neill - Amy's Paper Crafts
Breelin Renwick - Craft-somnia Momma
Cathy Casey - Sugar Shack Designs
Charlet Mallet - Painted Orange
Cheryl Curtis - Pomp and Sustenance
Dani Dziama - Dani's Thoughtful Corner - SITTING OUT THIS WEEK
Elizabeth Price - Seeinginkspots
Julie Warnick - Julie Warnick Stampin' Up! Blog - SITTING OUT THIS WEEK
Melissa Stout - The Stamp Doc
Wendy Weixler - Wickedly Wonderful Creations - YOU'RE ALREADY HERE!!

Halloween is coming, y'all! I got the most EPICALLY INCREDIBLE costume for this year ... and have had a BLAST making a whole setup for Trunk or Treat that goes with my costume! I will post some pictures once it all goes down!!

Click "Next" to see what Amy O'Neill has created ... and "Back" to check out Melissa Stout's ... so gorgeous!!!

Fab Friday #174

BRRRRRRRRRR!!!! Are you KIDDING me??!!? It was absolutely FREEZING yesterday!! It was about 36 degrees when I got up in the morning! Like, SERIOUSLY?!!?? October 10??? I am NOT ready for it to be THIS cold yet!! I have a feeling that this is the start of a very long winter!!! Sigh ... at least I had some Fab Friday fun to distract me from the cold! This week's color combo made me think SPOOKY thoughts!

This came together pretty easily ... just cut out some rectangular and square shapes and started to piece them together. Added some embossing and a few embellishments and VOILA!!

Stamps: Spooktacular Bash
Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White, Basic Gray, Pumpkin Pie, Melon Mambo, Monster Bash DP, Black Glimmer DSP
Ink: Black
Accessories: Ornate Frames Dies, Hammered Metal 3D Embossing Folder, Subtle Embossing Folder, Black 5/8" Glittered Organdy Ribbon

Fun colors, don't you think??!??











Here's a link to the Fab Friday Challenge Blog so that you can play along:

Fab Friday Challenge Blog

Mindy Backes
Heather Heroldt
Brian King
Amy Koenders
Amanda Mertz
Brenda Myers

I feel like crawling under the covers and binge-watch me some Netflix while it's being so cold outside ... maybe I will do just that for a while today or tomorrow!! BRING IT!

Monday Montage #149

Hand stitches are OUT ... Halloween decor is UP ... fall is definitely in the air!! I'm still struggling with my right hand ... my ring finger and thumb are still kinda stiff and swollen. But they are improving, slowly but surely. Stamping is still a little tricky with only one really good hand, but I was exited to have an excuse to get crafty! YAY for Monday Montage!!

I am REALLY loving the Basic Pattern Decorative Masks. This baroque style one is sooooo good! I used some gold and Blackberry Bliss ink to create the background here. Ooooooooooh .... Ahhhhhhhhh ... FUN! I used some baker's twine and frayed it to fan it out. I like how it looks behind the copper foil snowflakes.

Stamps: Frosted Foliage
Paper: Blackberry Bliss, Very Vanilla, Copper Foil
Ink: Gold, Blackberry Bliss
Accessories: Frosted Frames Dies, Stitched Rectangle Dies, Basic Pattern Decorative Masks, Blackberry Bliss Nature's Twine





Here's a blog roll just in case you get "stuck" trying to hop around ...

Monday Montage Hoppers
Amy O'Neill - Amy's Paper Crafts
Breelin Renwick - Craft-somnia Momma
Cathy Casey - Sugar Shack Designs
Charlet Mallet - Painted Orange
Cheryl Curtis - Pomp and Sustenance - SITTING OUT THIS WEEK
Dani Dziama - Dani's Thoughtful Corner
Elizabeth Price - Seeinginkspots
Julie Warnick - Julie Warnick Stampin' Up! Blog
Melissa Stout - The Stamp Doc
Wendy Weixler - Wickedly Wonderful Creations - YOU'RE ALREADY HERE!!

I just signed up last week to do the "Haunted Half" marathon on October 19. I guess I'm going to have to figure out what sorta "costume" I am going to wear. I will probably just end up fixing a t-shirt up to look like a Disney character or something. At least the outside temperatures will be lovely!

Click "Next" to see what Amy O'Neill has created ... and "Back" to check out Melissa Stout's ... I'm afraid to look because I KNOW they are going to create AWESOME things with something that I don't have ... and will absolutely NEED once I see what they have done!