Monday Montage #92

Marvelous Monday Montage!!! And I'm just about 12 days away from my daughter's wedding day!!! AAAAAaaaack!!! I will be SO happy to to the actual wedding day ... that way I will have done everything that can or WILL get done and I can just sit back and enjoy!! (Wait ... the sit back part is probably not until a couple of days AFTER the wedding is over ...)

I have been feeling in a SUPER creative black hole lately. I sit and stare at my craft supplies and WILL them to make themselves into something ... and they don't ... sigh. So I've been perusing the interwebz looking for something new. Or something old that LOOKS new. Which is where I came up with this nifty accordion fold card. I guess I have never seen this before! So it was very fun to make!

Stamps: Little Cuties
Paper: Whisper White, Calypso Coral, Tasty Treats  DSP
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: Botanical Buildings Thinlits, Stitched Shapes Framelits, Project Life Corner Rounder Punch, 5/8" Burlap Ribbon, Pearl Basics, Mini Stapler

Just an observation ... WHY is it that the parents (ok, the MOM) of the bride does MOST of the work for the wedding ... and pays for most of the stuff for the wedding ... and the BRIDE gets to go on a VACATION when it's all said and done???? Seems kinda unfair, don't it???

In the mean time, click "Back" for Melissa Stout and "Next" for Amy O'Neill ... LOVELOVELOVE!!!

Fab Friday #111

Happy Fab Friday, my friends!!! I have spent SO much time in my car the past several days! My daughter lives almost an hour away. And trying to do weddings stuffs with someone who is an hour away is not always the easiest of things. So I drive ... and drive and drive and drive. Now I need a NAP!!!

Here's my card for this week's sketch challenge. I didn't even end up putting ANY stamped images on it ... not ONE!!! Truth be told, I had to pick my daughter up at the train station VERY early this morning ... and this card was something I did on the fly (code for "in a hurry"). I didn't feel like it needed an actual sentiment, anyway!

Stamps: NONE!
Paper: Whisper White, Pool Party, Tasty Treats DSP
Ink: NONE!
Accessories: Swirly Scribbles Thinlits Dies, Detailed Dragonfly Thinlits Dies, White Jute Ribbon, Blushing Bride Sequin Trim

Pretty straight forward ...











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

I shall now go and THINK about taking a nap whilst I am juggling cats and trying to clean my house, do laundry and work on wedding stuffs!

Paper Craft Crew - PCC #241

Happy Paper Craft Crew Day!!! I cannot even BEGIN to tell you how much I "miss" doing my "several-times-a-week" paper crafting!! I am ever-so-thankful for my blog hop teams, like the Paper Craft Crew, who are keeping me with at least my little TOE in it!!! Wedding is less than three weeks away ... AAAAAAACK!!! THEN I can clean my house ... clean my crafty space ... and get back on some sorta "normal" schedule ... whatever the heck THAT means!!

I LUUUURRRRVE this little bumble bee!!! I mean, seriously??? Could he "bee" any cuter???? I think not!!! And then, of course, I also had to add the hexagon textured background ... because ... HONEYCOMB!!!! Spring is really happening!!! This was the longest freakin' winter of ALL TIME!!! I didn't think it was EVER going to give up!!! SHEESH!

Stamps: Lift Me Up
Paper: Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Basic Black, Neutrals DSP Stack, Silver Foil
Ink: Basic Gray
Accessories: Stitched Shapes Framelits (I think these are my most FAVE framelits right now!), Detailed Dragonfly Thinlits, Gold Sequin Trim, Hexagons Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

Great layout!!!










Here's a link to the Paper Craft Crew Challenge so you can play along:

Paper Craft Crew #241

Next step for the wedding??? Finishing up the cookies/boxes for wedding favors! I WILL get this DONE!!! And then I will take the longest nap of ALL TIME!!!

Fab Friday #109

Wait a minute ... what day is it??? What MONTH is it?? How is it even POSSIBLE that I sneezed a couple of times and we are nearly into APRIL? And speaking of APRIL ... who ELSE is obsessed with watching that dang giraffe and her partner, Oliver, pace around their enclosures whilst waiting for her to pop out that baby giraffe???? She's gonna have it TOMORROW ... APRIL FOOL'S DAY ... just because her name is April ... and perhaps only FOOLS spent so much of their time watching live video of giraffes pooping ... but I digress

This card was so simple and fun! I LOVE this DSP!! Tasty Treats Specialty DSP! The photo isn't showing it well, but those cute little strawberries are EMBOSSED ... and SHINY! So cute!

Stamps: Designer Tee (SAB)
Paper: Whisper White, Tasty Treats DSP, 6x6 Glimmer Paper Assortment Pack, Whisper White
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: Sealed With Love Embellishments, Pear Pizzazz Ribbon (long ago retired!)

I did this card in 15 minutes (which is something I NEVER do!)! This sketch was easy 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

Taxes, inventory, spring cleaning, wedding planning ... this shall be another busy weekend. I'm just hoping that it is productive as well. I already need a nap ... which is NOT a good sign!

Monday Montage #90

Hey, my friends!! Welcome to Monday Montage!!! This is the BEST fun I've had doing a blog hop in a LONG time!! Because GUESS WHAT??? I'm literally blog-hopping with my fellow Monday Montage-r, Bree Renwick!!! We arrived SUPER early yesterday morning!! Good times are HAPPENING!! Tomorrow we move on to shopping and pedicures!!!

I love lighthouse stamps! I have SEVERAL stamp sets with lighthouses in them (or HAVE had!)!! I couldn't get myself to buy this one ... and now that I've borrowed Bree's I'm thinking I MUST HAVE IT!!! I LURVE IT!!

Stamps: High Tide
Paper: Dapper Denim, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Marina Mist
Ink: Whisper White Craft, Crumb Cake, Marina Mist
Accessories: Stitched Shapes Framelits, Layered Ovals Framelits, Banners Framelits, 3/8" Burlap Ribbon, Dapper Denim Ruched Ribbon, Whisper White Embossing Powder

I can't believe our time in Washington is already half over!! Have enjoyed EVERY minute of it (my lovely daughter came with me, so it's a girls' trip for SURE!)!!

Click "Back" for Melissa Stout and "Next" for Amy O'Neill ... ALWAYS lovely things to see from both of them!

Monday Montage #89

Since I went to a baby shower on Saturday and had NO baby cards in my "stash", I decided it was time to make a baby card. AND I finally broke out my brand new Stampin' Up Watercolor Pencils. And I have also decided that I need MORE colors!! Hoping that they come out with some ... #allthecolors

I wasn't sure whether to make a baby boy card or a baby girl card ... so I decided to make one that could be used for either. I guess this probably leans more toward a "boy" ... or maybe not ...

Stamps: Moon Baby
Paper: Watercolor, Night of Navy, Carried Away DSP
Ink: Basic Black, Night of Navy, Watercolor Pencils
Accessories: Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies, Sending Love Ribbon Combo Pack

The wind here in Salt Lake City has been blowing like CRAZY since yesterday!!! I have half expected seeing the Wicked Witch of the West flying by every time I go outside. Actually, I have also been thinking about Mary Poppins and the flying nannies ... THAT'S how windy it has been. At least the sky was blue, and I'll take that ANY day!!

Click "Back" for Melissa Stout and "Next" for Amy O'Neill ... I wouldn't mind being either ONE of them when I grow up!!

Fab Friday #107

The sun is shining ... and I can actually see BLUE sky!!! This is what I would REALLY call a FAB FRIDAY!!! And I haven't had a chance to make any cards for a little while, so it was fun playing with paper and such!!

We are in FULL WEDDING MODE at my house!!! Wedding dress, reception venue, invitations, bridesmaid dresses, suits, flowers, photographer ... we have something in the works for pretty much EVERY aspect of my daughter's upcoming wedding in May ... I just hope it all comes together smoothly.

I am loving the little "window cutouts" from the Window Box Thinlits dies. They are SO super cute!! And SO super FUN to use!!! I deviated slightly from the actual sketch ... but since these are put out there for our "inspiration", I just rolled with it!!

Stamps: Designer Tee (SAB)
Paper: Crumb Cake, Tangerine Tango, Whisper White, Party Animal DSP
Ink: Pacific Point
Accessories: Window Box Thinlits Dies, Project Life Cards & Labels Framelits Dies, Designer Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Stitched Shapes Framelits, 3/8" Metallic Ribbon Combo Pack (SAB), Project Life Corner Rounder Punch

See? I more or less stuck to it ... kinda ... more or less ...







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

I really need to clean my house and do laundry! Is that a thing??? I guess so!!! Too much running around happens too much of the time. I'm going to use wedding prep as my excuse for pretty much EVERYthing that is falling behind in my universe right now ... hahaha! Because I CAN!!

Monday Montage #88

Eighty-eight!!! 88 is GREAT!!! My son was BORN in '88 ... which makes no sense since that would make him 28, and I'm only 27!!! Welcome to Monday Montage!!! We have a LOT of fun things to share this week! And I'm using a bunch of NEW things!! How HAPPY is THAT???

I am a sucker for anything that looks like a baking image ... or a kitchen appliance image ... I think I have bought EVERY single stamp set I've ever seen from Stampin' Up in this genre!! What can I say??? They just make me HAPPY!!! And I've been baking the last few days, so it fits RIGHT in with my current mood!

Stamps: Perfect Mix
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Watermelon Wonder, Whisper White, Tasty Treats Specialty DSP
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies, Sealed With Love Embellishments, 3/8" Burlap Ribbon, Mini Stapler

I'm gearing up to climb HUNDREDS and HUNDREDS of flights of stairs next Saturday as part of a fundraiser to aid cancer research (Outclimb Cancer Challenge!)!! I did a 15.29-mile run yesterday ... I'm getting there!!! Bring on the stairs!!

Click "Back" for Melissa Stout and "Next" for Amy O'Neill ... you will be SO inspired by what you see!!

Let's Freakin' CELEBRATE!!

Well ... it's time to Tour with the Control Freaks once again!! I always look forward to these ... my fellow Freaks are FANTABULOUS!!! I'm always getting a TON of ideas from them myself!!! And this month we are "celebrating" ... making projects that celebrate someone or something!! It looks like Connie Babbert and I were on the same wavelength (and I'm gonna be honest when I say I ALMOST made a purse out of the cute little Window Box Thinlits Dies myself!!)!!

My daughter is getting married (YAY!) in May ... and I'm started to crank my brain up into FULL GEAR!! I'm going to make the invites myself (NO BRAINER) ... and I am also making paper crane curtains and little wedding favor boxes with MACARONS in them (yes ... I AM crazy!! Made my very first batch of macarons yesterday ... they weren't perfect, but I was pretty happy with them!)! And since I have had wedding-on-the-brain ... I made a wedding card!!! And I STILL have to finish reassembling my messy craft room from the Great Flood of December 2017 (it's VERY overwhelming!). So I seem to be "stuck" with the things I can actually find!!

Stamps: Lift Me Up
Paper: Whisper White, Blushing Bride, Tasty Treats Specialty DSP
Ink: Crumb Cake
Accessories: Window Box Thinlits Dies, Sending Love Embellishments, Blushing Bride Sequin Trim, Linen Thread, 3/8" Burlap Ribbon, , Mini Stapler

Moving on ... I LOVE this Window Box Thinlits Dies SO much!!! (Ask me in a few months after I've made about 300 of them!)!! I was just playing around with this mostly ... wanted to see how two macarons would fit inside here ... the answer??? PERFECTLY!!! (Sadly, I already ate all the macarons I made ...) This is gonna take some time (and I will be changing up colors and accessories for the actual ones I do for the wedding) ... but won't this be the cutest wedding favor EVER????

Stamps: Sealed with Love
Paper: Whisper White, Blushing Bride
Ink: Crumb Cake
Accessories: 3/8" Burlap Ribbon, Window Box Thinlits Dies, Sealed With Love Embellishments, Linen Thread

And aren't they so caYOOT side by side???? CUTECUTECUTE I tell ya!!!







Moving onward ... click on the "next" link to go to see the wonderful "flight-inspired" celebration-style projects by the ever-creative LeeAnn Greff!!

Fab Friday #105

It's once again time for Fab Friday. This is one of the few RARE occasions where not only do I have a day off from work, but I ALSO don't have 60,000 different errands to run and places to be! How COOL is that!!! Guess now I have NO excuse to leave the laundry ... or the other messes in my house!

I STILL need help getting my craft room reorganized (I have been putting it off and putting it off ... I can't FUNCTION with proper craftiness and I feel stunted ... GOTTA get it done!)! If it weren't for the handful of blog hops and challenges in which I participate, I would have disappeared into the Craft Black Hole!

Stamps: Any Occasion (SAB)
Paper: Whisper White, Mint Macaron, Night of Navy, Peekaboo Peach, Carried Away DSP
Ink: Night of Navy
Accessories: Up & Away Thinlits Dies, Gently Falling Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Stitched Shapes Framelits, 3/8" Metallic Ribbon Combo Pack (SAB), Mini Stapler

I was going to stick with just the balloon as my circle element, but it just seemed to need that added layer of the circle behind it!










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

I DO need to go for a run today ... or climb some stairs training ... I'm participating in the OutClimb Cancer Challenge at the end of next month to raise money for cancer research (if you are interested in donating, click on THIS LINK ... I'm only a little over $100 shy of my fundraising goal for this event!!)!!! I have committed to climbing 25 flights of stairs 25 times!!! Have a wonderful weekend!!

Fab Friday #104

Welcome to Fab Friday! True confessions time ... Now my basement is even MORE of a mess than it has been!!! I've been digging through the piles of plastic-covered supplies and dragging this, that and the other over to the coffee table on the other end of my basement. So NOW I have stamps, paper, ribbon, paper cutters, dies and my Big Shot littering ALL of the semi-flat surfaces that I could find. I'm gonna need a steam shovel to clean all of this up once the painting gets done!!

Eeeeep!!! The Succulent Framelits Dies that are now available in the 2017 Occasions catalog ... EEEEeeep! I am seriously LOVING them!!! And the coordinating stamp set??? Yeah ... you're gonna need one of those, too!

Stamps: Oh So Succulent
Paper: Soft Sky, Sweet Sugarplum, Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake
Ink: Sweet Sugarplum
Accessories: Succulent Framelits Dies, Large Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Pearl Basics, Stitched Shapes Framelits, 3/8" Metallic Ribbon Combo Pack (SAB), Linen Thread

I love the softness and simplicity of this color combo, don't you??









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

I'm "officially" ramped up to full-blown runner's training. It kind of snuck up on me!! I'm supposed to be doing a 12-mile training run tomorrow morning. Not sure I'm ready, but I'm willing and able ... so LET'S DO THIS!!

More Freakin' Occasions and Sale-a-Brations!

Yep ... that's me ... still kinda M.I.A. It's been just about a month since it rained in my basement ... where my craft room is!! FINALLY got all the holes sealed up and the drywall and mudding done!!! Now we just have to PAINT!! Which is why I haven't been around much ... I can't find hardly ANYthing ANYwhere!!! But welcome to this month's edition of Tour de Freaks!!! We are sharing some of the new goodness that is the Occasions and Sale-a-Bration 2017 catalogs!! How FUN is THAT??? Did you SEE what Mary Brown did??? I am CONSTANTLY pinning her creations on Pinterest for inspiration!!!!

Birthday cake!!! Candles!! Ribbon!!! What at GREAT way to celebrate a birthday!!! I had SO much fun stamping this wonky cake!!! It kinda makes me happy ...

Stamps: Cake Crazy
Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, Whisper White
Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, Crushed Curry
Accessories: Confetti Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Silver Sequin Trim, Sending Love Ribbon Combo Pack

Still going with the "birthday" theme here ... I am IN LOVE with the new Candle Border Punch (Occasions Catalog - page 7)!!! SO STINKIN' CUTE!!

Stamps: Designer Tee (SAB 2017)
Paper: Whisper White, Pacific Point, Party Animal DSP
Ink: Pacific Point
Accessories: Tags & Labels Framelits Dies, Candle Border Punch, Simply Scored, Silver Sequin Trim

I am REALLY hoping (praying???) that the construction in my craft space is done THIS WEEKEND!!! And putting it back together is gonna be a NIGHTMARE ... but at least it will be CLEAN!!! AND USABLE!!

Next up??? The delightful Dawn Olchefske!!! She is A-MAZ-ING!!

Monday Montage #85

Gonna be honest with you-all ... I made this card standing up ... mostly. My craft room is STILL under sheets of plastic. AND a disaster!!! And I MISS my lovely cleared-off tables!!! I'm hoping sometime this next week I will be able to start putting it back together!!!

I really have NO idea where pretty much ANYthing in my craft room is right now!!! I felt VERY fortunate to be able to find the supplies to make this fun Valentine's card. When I found the stamp set, and THEN found the framelits, I was kinda giddy!!! TWO current things ... that actually GO together!!!! And I even got it finished before the sun went down and was able to take a photo!!! YAY for ME!!!

Stamps: Sealed With Love
Paper: Whisper White, Neutrals DSP Stack, Red Glimmer Paper, Blushing Bride Glimmer Paper, Silver Glimmer Paper
Ink: Cherry Cobbler
Accessories: Stitched Shapes Framelits, Love Notes Framelits, Falling Petals Textured Impressions Embossing Powder, Silver 1/8" Ribbon

Next project??? I seriously gotta take down my Christmas stuff!! I got my mama's all taken care of last Saturday, so mine is going to be coming down ... SOON I hope!!!

Click "Back" for Melissa Stout and "Next" for Amy O'Neill ... they're starting the year off with some BRILLIANT things!!