Freaky & Grateful

'Tis the Season of Gratitude and the Control Freaks are ready to roll!! I feel even more grateful than usual this year ... which is odd because in August I was "freaking" out about how close the holiday were ... and I was NOT on board for it!! Bring it on, now! Did you see what my BFF Bree Renwick posted? We got to hang out last weekend and it was FANTASTIC! She really is one of my favorite people on the planet! 

I borrowed the Gorgeous Leaves Stamps and Dies from my friend Cheryl.  And when I cleaned up my craft space today with EVERY intention of using the stamps and dies I came to the painful realization that I could only find ONE die (which I used recently) and the clear plastic envelope it comes in ... and I have looked EVERYwhere! Dang it!! Hope it shows up soon!

I stamped the leaf images in Versamark and then embossed with some Whisper White embossing powder.  THEN I pulled out my lovely Stampin' Blends and commenced to coloring ...

I started in the center with Daffodil Delight, then added some Pumpkin Pie, Cajun Craze and then a hint of Soft Suede at the tips.  I love how easily I was able to "swirl" the colors around until I got just the look I wanted! I love fall the most!

Stamps: Gorgeous Leaves, Many Messages
Paper: Whisper White, Bloom Where You're Planted DSP, Vellum

Ink: Versamark, Early Espresso; Stampin' Blends - Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Cajun Craze, Soft Suede

Accessories: Messages Dies, Fine Art Ribbon, Linen Thread, Whisper White Embossing Powder, Metallic Pearls

This one I did really quick ... I saw what I wanted to do in my head, then I just did it (which almost NEVER happens!

I cut a 1" strip of Expressions in Ink DSP and scored it every 1/2" inch.  I then made an accordion fold with it and stuck it to my card under some more Fine Art Ribbon.

You GUYS!! The Stitched Greenery Die is EVERYTHING!! It makes the purdiest background EVER! LoveLoveLove!

Stamps: Biggest Wish
Paper: Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, Expressions in Ink DSP

Ink: Cajun Craze, Bumblebee, Cinnamon Cider

Accessories: Scalloped Contours Dies, Stitched Greenery Die, Fine Art Ribbon, Metallic Pearls (I freakin' love these things, too!

I'm still wearing one shoe with the back cut out of it ... my dang body is still rejecting the internal stitches on one part of the incision the doc created when I had my surgery (at least that is the theory now). And of course, because I am a "special snowflake" my doc says he's never seen anyone with only PART of their incision being reactive ... sigh ... but I'm trying!! I'm doing some more Prednisone ... which I do NOT love ... but hoping it continues to improve things!

Next up? Melissa Stout! The Stampin' Doc is IN!!