Stamp Review Crew - Endless Thanks Edition

What a crazy weekend I had!!! SOOOO much busy!!! SUPER glad I got to regroup and take a little time to stamp for this week's Stamp Review Crew Blog Hop. We are all playing with Endless Thanks (LOVELOVELOVE this set ... am SO sad that I recently "lost" the "best" script-y stamp ... it HAS to be in my stamp cave SOMEwhere!)!

This set is SO much fun!!! You can mix and match so many of the images in it to make such purdy things!!! I think the Peekaboo Peach is one of my most favoritist new In Colors. I really enjoyed matching it with and "older" In Color (Watermelon Wonder) and a couple of Stampin' Up "staple" colors (Pear Pizzazz And Daffodil Delight).

Stamps: Endless Thanks
Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Pear Pizzazz, 2016-2018 In Color DSP Stack
Ink: Peekaboo Peach, Pear Pizzazz, Watermelon Wonder, Daffodil Delight, Basic Black
Accessories: Pearl Basics, Basic Black Baker's Twine

SEE WHAT I MEAN??? I LOVE the images!!! I LOVE the script-y sentiments that you can pair with the typed sentiments. I think it was the first set I bought when it came out a couple years ago.






So ... how CUTE is THIS??? My nephew is marrying my daughter's BFF (she introduced them over a year ago). And, as of last weekend, my daughter is engaged to marry my nephew's BFF (he introduced my daughter to his friend a year ago last March). They are going to make YEARS and YEARS of memories together. And now my daughter's BFF will be her "cousin-in-law" ... Hehehehe!

The "previous" button will take you to the wonderfully-amazing Rochelle Blok, and the "next" button to oh-so-incredible Holly Krautkremer!!

Old and New Freaks!

Greetings and welcome to this month's Control Freaks Blog Tour!! This month we are all trying to share something old and/or something new, which basically means we can use stuff on it's way out from the 2015-2016 Stampin' Up Catalog, or something NEW from the 2016-2017 Stampin' Up Catalog. I'm lucky enough to have my good friend, Melissa Stout right before me on this tour (as happens when we do the Monday Montage blog hop as well). Her creations always have something fun and surprising, don't they??

This is the best stamp set. Wetlands. I am SO glad it isn't going to retire. But, alas ... my most favorite embellishment of ALL FREAKING TIME - the burlap ribbon - is bidding us a fond farewell ... SNIFF-SNIFF-SNIFF!!! Oh how I have LOVED this stuff (as you can tell, because I have been using it on practically EVERYthing since I got it!)!

Stamps: Wetlands, Vintage Leaves
Paper: Peekaboo Peach, Whisper White, Crumb Cake, 2016-2016 InColor DSP Stack
Ink: Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Peekaboo Peach
Accessories: Hearth & Home Thinlits, Project Life Cards & Labels Framelits, Leaflets Framelits, Project Life Corner Rounder Punch, Burlap Ribbon, Woodgrain Textured Impression Embossing Folder, Mini Stapler

I super-duper LOVE the sentiments in this Love & Affection stamp set (coming to a catalog near you VERY soon!)!! The script is just so sweet and the sayings are also ... well ... sweet. LOVE it!

Stamps: Love & Affection
Paper: Whisper White, Early Espresso (yeah ... it looks BLACK ... I'm still using photos I took at the airport!), 2016-2016 InColor DSP Stack
Ink: Peekaboo Peach, Early Espresso
Accessories: Project Life Cards & Labels Framelits, Tags & Labels Framelits, Chevron Natural Ribbon, Gold Sequin Trim, Woodgrain Textured Impression Embossing Folder

If all has gone well with the Bucket List Gods, I will be in China when you all are reading this (and I will be about 24 hours away from the Great Wall Marathon!!)!!! There has been SO MUCH leading up to this moment ... I honestly have butterflies as I type this ... NEVER thought a year ago this was going to happen!!! Actually, I really just want to finish (which I know is not the reason I started this whole journey, but it SURE would be AWESOME!)!!

Next up??? The amazing and talented Deb Henderson!!! So excited about what she has made!!

Fab Friday #84

As our seasons continue to transition from one to the other we are left in its wake to try to figure out how to dress every morning ... I have everything from capri pants and skirts on with sandals to full-length jeans with boots, socks and sweaters (not to mention the scarves to keep our necks warm!)!  I actually love spring rain (and snow!) ... the temps stay nice and low and are ideal for running/walking/hiking outside!!!

This card just makes me happy beCAUSE it looks like spring to me ... such a happy time of year with so much hope.  The flowers peeking their heads out in my yard and the yards of my neighbors sure do brighten our neighborhood!

Stamps: Hello Love
Paper: Calypso Coral, Pool Party, So Saffron, Whisper White (some retired Pool Party and So Saffron DSP)
Ink: Calypso Coral, Pool Party, So Saffron, Basic Black
Accessories: Tree Builder Punch, Circles Framelits Dies, Word Window Punch, Pool Party 1/4" Cotton Ribbon, Mini Stapler, Large Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Project Life Corner Rounder Punch, Chevron Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

I have ALWAYS loved this color combo together ... and I have used it many times!  It's fresh and clean and bright and fun!








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

Fab Friday Challenge Blog

Check out the Fab blogs of my fellow Fab Friends:

Mindy Backes
Cindy Beach
Heather Heroldt
Brian King
Amy Koenders
Justin Krieger
Amanda Mertz
Brenda Myers
Jan Tinklenberg

As I am getting closer and closer to going to China to, a-hem, "run" a marathon on the Great Wall of China, I am not only getting more and more excited ... but more and more NERVOUS.  Today I ran three miles up to the University of Utah to their Behavioral Sciences Building ... it has 14 flights of stairs in there, people!! I have been struggling to find a place with a tall building where I would be allowed to run the stairs ... but as so many "skyscraper"-types of office buildings now have security in the lobbies and locks on their stairwells, I haven't been having much luck!!! Today I SCORED!!! So ... it was 14 flights UP to the top of the building (that's 250 steps for all y'all that want to know), which also means it is 14 flights DOWN those same 250 steps.  I did that go-round TEN times (yeah ... that basically means I went up and down 5,000 total steps!!)  Then I ran the three miles back to my house.  I guess the reason I'm telling you this (and it's NOT to brag!) is that I actually DID it (without falling, I might add) ... AND I felt pretty dang good afterwards ... not even sore as the day is closing and I'm sitting here typing my blog post.  I guess my friend who has also been my fantabulous running coach knows what in the heck she is doing!!! Thanks, Heather (and Norlando and Allie ... my cheering squad)!!! You are ze BEST!!! I'm starting to think maybe I WON'T die on the Great Wall of China ... I just hope I FINISH!!!!

Monday Montage #58

'Tis the season to be JOLLY!!! I am NOT kidding!!! Welcome to Monday Montage! I have had a GREAT week!! I'll tell you about it in a minute ... first off, let's talk about what I made to share with you ...

It wasn't until AFTER I completed this card that I realized that the Project Life Holiday Cheer stamp set is actually RETIRED!! (Drat!!) I must confess that the reason I haven't made many holiday cards this season is that I didn't actually BUY much from the Holiday Catalog this year (GASP!!!)!!! Time was just getting away from me and I couldn't convince myself to buy something that wouldn't be in the "current" column for long (like, that's ever stopped me BEFORE???)! Anyway ... that's how I ended up with a retired set, I guess (but I really DID think it was still current!)!

Stamps:  Project Life Holiday Cheer (Retired)
Paper:  Soft Suede, Cherry Cobbler, Real Red, Very Vanilla
Ink:  Soft Suede, Cherry Cobbler
Accessories:  Brick Wall Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Petite Petals Punch, Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack, Gold 1/8" Ribbon, Project Life Corner Rounder Punch, Linen Thread, Burlap Ribbon, Pearl Basics, Gold Sequin Trim, Tags & Labels Framelits Dies, Mini Stapler

Now ... about my week ... aside from the craziness of shopping and making an ATTEMPT to get my Christmas cards underway, I had an AWESOME Christmas party with my book group friends! I have been in this very same book group for 25 years (and I'm only 27 ... go figure!)! We had breakfast for dinner and showed up in our jammies (well, SOME of us did, anyway!)! We also do a book exchange ... which, I have to admit, turned into a freakin' LAUGH FESTIVAL!! I haven't laughed that hard in a VERY long time!! Some of us (and I won't name names) may actually have SNORTED a time or two ... aren't best friends just the BEST!!! It's SO fabulous to have friends that still love you when you snort whilst laughing!

I'm hoping to have my Christmas cards in the mail by midweek, so I will share a photo once they have been successfully been delivered to their recipients!

Click "Back" for Melissa Stout and "Next" for Amy O'Neill ... two ladies who are not only WICKEDLY talented ... but two ladies that I ALSO feel I could laugh until I snort with!!

Monday Montage #57

Deck the Halls with Boughs of Hol-ly ... FA-LA-LA-LA-LA LA-LA-LA-LAAAAAA!! What comes after Thanksgiving, Black Friday and putting up ALL the Christmas decorations???? A WEEK-LONG NAP!!! Hahaha!! Don't I WISH??!!??? BUT ... Monday Montage DOES come after all those things!!

I now need to clean my CraftCave so that I can make all my Christmas cards (the rest of my house is not too bad at the moment, actually!)!!! But this card came together much more quickly than I had anticipated!! I LOVE looking in my Google images search or on Pinterest for inspiration, don't you??? Sometimes it's just a color scheme or a layout that just gets my gears rolling ... and the fact that I FINALLY got a new package of Blackberry Bliss cardstock (LOVE this color!)!

I was feeling SO in the mood for a Christmas tree (since I have decorated TWO of them already since Friday!)!! These little trees were MUCH quicker and easier, though. I feel a little like Bob Ross ... aren't these just "happy trees"???? I think so!


Stamps: Festival of Trees
Paper: Blackberry Bliss, Crumb Cake, Gold Foil DSP, Vellum
Ink: Blackberry Bliss, Mossy Meadow
Accessories: Softly Falling Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Banner Punch, Itty Bitty Punch Pack (Star), Tree Builder Punch, Gold 1/8" Ribbon

If I can actually get some time to make my family Christmas cards I will be excited!! I have one designed ... just need to see how feasible it is to "mass produce" ... I always seem to go overboard when it comes to making them!!

Click "Back" for Melissa Stout and "Next" for Amy O'Neill ... their creations are just BEAUTIFUL!!

Fab Friday #77

Here we are back to another Fab Friday ... and I am ALMOST back to a "normal" schedule. My sister-in-law took over for me at work while I was doing a TON of globetrotting last month (okay ... I guess I was only actually "countrytrotting") ... and then she went out of town for a bit to celebrate her birthday with her daughter in NYC ... which means that I have been working a LOT of extra time ever since I got back from all my crazy running around!!

I was THRILLED when I headed down to the Craft Cave yesterday to create for this challenge ... and GUESS WHAT??!!??? It was actually CLEAN!!! The table was all cleared off and ready for me PLAY!!! That almost NEVER happens!!!

Stamps: Vintage Leaves, Gorgeous Grunge
Paper: Cajun Craze, Hello Honey, Very Vanilla, Typeset DSP
Ink: Cajun Craze, Blackberry Bliss, Hello Honey
Accessories: Greetings Thinlits, Leaflets Framelits, Burlap Ribbon, Woodlands Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, White Perfect Accents, Happy Haunting Designer Washi Tape

Lookie at all the purdy fall colors!!!









Excited to see what all of our challenge players come up with!!

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

Fab Friday Challenge Blog

Check out the Fab blogs of my fellow Fab Friends:

Mindy Backes
Cindy Beach
Heather Heroldt
Brian King
Justin Krieger
Amanda Mertz
Brenda Myers
Pam Steckman
Jan Tinklenberg

Tomorrow is the Annual Weixler Family Apple Pressing Day!!! Food, laughter, hugs, work ... and close to 500 GALLONS of apple juice are gonna happen!!! Best.Family.Tradition.EVER!!

I've Fallen in a Rut and I Can't Get UP!!!

In a rut, in a rut, in a rut-rut-rut! For the first time in MONTHS my craft room has been clean for more than a day or two ... which makes it INFINITELY much more fun to go and spend some time creating! However, each time I go to make something, it seems I end up crafting down the same path ... and everything I make ends up looking like everything else I make!!!! I really need to get out more ...

I made this card as my sample for today's Free for All Challenge over on Splitcoaststampers (aka SCS). I called the challenge "50 Shades of ... Purple!" I love purple ... a LOT!! And I especially love how it can be adapted to create for ANY season during the year ... purple ALWAYS looks good!!

Stamps: Vintage Leaves, Writing Notes, Happy Scenes, Gorgeous Grunge
Paper: Very Vanilla Rich Razzleberry, Elegant Eggplant, Wisteria Wonder
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Elegant Eggplant, Wisteria Wonder
Accessories: Leaflets Framelits Dies, Mini Treat Bag Framelits, Washi Punch, Gold Sequin Trim, Linen Thread, White Perfect Accents (colored with gold Sharpie)

Believe it or not, I am leavin' on a jet plane later today ... I'm headed to ... wait for it ... FLORIDA!!! By MYSELF!!! I'm actually going to be little-one sitting for my cousins ... and they just so happen to live just a few short miles from ... wait for it ... DISNEYWORLD!! I am leaving a little early so that I can spend a couple of days running around in circles like a crazy person ... but I am SO excited!!! Pictures to follow for SURE!!

Have a splendid weekend!!! (Isn't splendid such a GOOD word???)

Monday Montage #53

October ... fall ... the sights, the smells, the decorations!!! Happy to report that my Halloween decor is FINALLY all up!! I spent the better part of last Saturday making some fun things with my daughter to hang in HER college abode it makes my heart happy to know that she is as excited about Halloween as I am (and that I have trained her properly!)! The Monday Montage girls are at it again ... and I'm excited to share with you what I made!

For some reason I have had the HARDEST time shifting seasons with my body and brain this year ... I'm still clinging onto Summer with the tips of my fingernails! However, after my run on Saturday through the canyon (which smelled AMAZING, by the way), I think I am starting to let the change happen. So I actually stamped a very "fall"-looking card ...

Stamps: Kinda Eclectic, Six-Sided Sampler (sentiment)
Paper: Mossy Meadow, Tangelo Twist, Very Vanilla
Ink: Mossy Meadow, Tangelo Twist, Hello Honey
Accessories: White Jute Ribbon (sponged with Hello Honey), Chalk Talk Framelits, Washi Punch, Into the Woods Elements, Linen Thread

Before I know it the month of October will be OVER ... I have MANY adventures planned, so I know that it's going to be QUICK!!

Click "Back" for Melissa Stout and "Next" for Amy O'Neill ... so much creativity and inspiration from BOTH of them!!

Monday Montage #51

Happy Labor Day!!! Monday Montage is upon us again ... and the girls have been cookin' up some GREAT stuff!! I'm so happy that I actually have Monday AND Tuesday off of work ... NICE long weekend for me!!! Except for the fact that I have done about 20,000 loads of laundry this weekend (thanks to the bedbugs in my daughter's "new" apartment!)!! Good news is that I FINALLY got it all done!!!

I made this kinda for MYSELF for my "birthday card" ... hehehe! I was trying to decide what I LIKE for myself ... and this is what I came up with! I am REALLY stuck on Crumb Cake and Whisper White ...

Stamps: Awesomely Artistic
Paper: Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Mint Macaroon
Ink: Smoky Slate, Mint Macaroon, Crumb Cake, Soft Sky, Vellum
Accessories: Ovals Framelits, Washi Tape Punch, Mini Stapler, Neutrals Candy Dots, Burlap Ribbon, Venetian Crochet Trim


Click "Back" for Melissa Stout and "Next" for Amy O'Neill ... enjoy their creations and enjoy your day!!

Monday Montage #50

It is possible??? Can it BE??? Or is it JUST a COINCIDENCE??? Monday Montage is turning 50, amazingly enough, on the SAME week in which I will turn 50, er, um ... 27 (again!)! I have had so much fun participating in this blog hop with these amazing ladies ... and consider each and every one of them a true-blue friend!!

This week I'm playing with a set called "Pretty Thankful". I think it is kind of an easy one to overlook in the catalog because it's not really "over the top" ... but I think it's freakin' ADORABLE!!

I made this one for a recent swap I did with my Control Freak friends (yeah ... we do organized swaps SEVERAL times a year ... and their work is ALWAYS awesome!)!!

Stamps:  Pretty Thankful
Paper: Melon Mambo, Bermuda Bay, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White, Vellum
Ink:  Bermuda Bay, Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry
Accessories:  Washi Tape Punch, Note Tag Punch, Bitty Butterly Punch, Bermuda Bay Sequin Trim, Large Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Bermuda Bay Baker's Twine, Ovals Framelits Dies, Mini Stapler

And here's another one I did with my stamp club a couple of weeks ago ... I LOVE the idea of making a "pocket" card with the Mini Treat Bag thinlits. SOOOO cute!!

Stamps: Pretty Thankful
Paper: Pool Party, Blushing Bride, Whisper White
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Pool Party, Blushing Bride
Accessories: Ovals Framelits Dies, Decorative Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Mini Treat Bag Thinlits Die, Blushing Bride Sequin Trim

I had the privilege of being invited to a "Princess Tea Party" for one of the sweetest little girls EVER (Happy Birthday again, Caroline!)!! Since the girls were ALL dressed up as princesses, I decided that I HAD to join in the fun!! As I walked to the door of the party a GAGGLE or darling little girl princesses came flooding out to greet me!!!

Little Princess #1: "Are you the for REAL Tinkerbell???:
Tinkerbell ME: "Why, yes I am!"
Little Princess #2: "I saw you on tv!"
Little Princess #3: "Can you fly?"
Tinkerbell ME: "Yes, yes I can!"
Little Princess #3: "Will you SHOW us how you fly??"
Tinkerbell ME: "I would, except I left my Pixie Dust at home!"

It was GREAT!!! I'm STILL smiling!!! Thanks, Elisabeth, for allowing me to share such a special day with those princesses!!

And guess what else???? I'm headed "home" ... since I AM Tinkerbell ... and it IS my birthday this week!!! Happiest Place on EARTH, baby!!

Click "Back" for Melissa Stout and "Next" for Amy O'Neill ... genius stamping from BOTH of them!!

Stamp Review Crew - Awesomely Artistic Edition

The Stamp Review Crew is at it again!!! This week we are "reviewing" Stampin' Up's Awesomely Artistic set.  I have already used this thing SO much!!! The images are ALL just GORGEOUS!

I did the background bricks with a technique I learned long ago and far away ... I inked up the embossing folder with some Whisper White ink (actually on the "negative" side so that the bricks would turn white and not the "grout" between the bricks ... hope that makes sense!).  I ran a piece of Cherry Cobbler cardstock through my Big Shot with the inked up embossing folder. Then, I sprinkled some Whisper White embossing powder on the ink and heat set it.  Ta-DAAAA!!

(This is similar to what I did with the Woodland embossing folder a couple of posts ago ... everyone keeps asking how I did it ... I just tapped the ink pad on the embossing folder and added a little bit of accent color with a sponge dauber.)

Stamps: Awesomely Artistic
Paper: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler, Marina Mist, Whisper White
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Daffodil Delight, Crumb Cake, Marina Mist, Whisper White
Accessories: Brick Wall Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Hearth and Home Thinlits Dies, Project Life Card & Labels Framelits Dies, Project Life Moments Like These Accessories (small paper clip), Burlap Ribbon, Linen Thread, Whisper White Embossing Powder, White Perfect Accents (colored with gold sharpie), Small Oval Punch (retired)

Yeah ... this is the SAME card ... I decided after I took the photo of my first version that the flowers might benefit from a little bit more color ... so I added a little splash of Soft Sky to the flower petals.  I still can't decide which version I like better ... what do you think??

Stamps: Awesomely Artistic
Paper: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler, Marina Mist, Whisper White
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Daffodil Delight, Crumb Cake, Marina Mist, Whisper White, Soft Sky
Accessories: Brick Wall Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Hearth and Home Thinlits Dies, Project Life Card & Labels Framelits Dies, Project Life Moments Like These Accessories (small paper clip), Burlap Ribbon, Linen Thread, Whisper White Embossing Powder, White Perfect Accents (colored with gold sharpie), Small Oval Punch (retired)

You KNOW you want one of these sets, don't you???!!??









The "previous" button with take you to Stampin' Seasons with Linda Callahan ... and the "next" button with show you what Jen Timko created on her Stampin' on the Fly blog!!!