Monday Montage #180

And just like THAT, Christmas has come and gone once again. And it was weird. And it was wonderful. And I can't wait until we have a more traditional and (dare I say) NORMAL-ish holiday season NEXT year!! I looooveed being able to be with those I love the most ... even if we did a lot of things virtually. It was different, but it was still great! As much as we SWORE we were taking time "off" for the holiday season, the Monday Montage girls were all ITCHING to play with some of their new toys, so we decided to give you guys a peek!

The ocean is my happy place (or at least one of them!). I was born and raised in California. Though I didn't live right next to the beach, we were close enough that it wasn't a huge deal to drive and spend a day. The sights, the smells, the sounds ... it is all just a peaceful slice of heaven for me. This "Friends are Like Seashells" suite of goodies is the BESTBESTBEST!!! I love the detail you can get from the lovely 3D Embossing Folder. I kept this rather simple, but I love how it turned out!

Stamps: Friends are Like Seashells

Paper: Very Vanilla, Balmy Blue, Petal Pink

Ink: Balmy Blue, Petal Pink
Accessories: Seaside Seashells Dies, Seashells 3D Embossing Folder, Stitched So Sweetly Dies, 3/8" Fine Arts Ribbon, Linen Thread, Clear Epoxy Droplets

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 - NOT PARTICIPATING THIS WEEK

Breelin Renwick - Craft-somnia Momma
Cathy Casey - Sugar Shack Designs
Charlet Mallet - Painted Orange - NOT PARTICIPATING THIS WEEK
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!!

Although I know that when the clock strikes twelve on New Year's Eve that we won't be magically transported into the Land of No Covid or Politics, I have hope and faith in humanity. I beleive in science. I believe that most people are good and kind and hardworking. I beleive that things WILL be better this next year. But I also know that it will still take some time. We've made it this far, my friends ... I see the light at the end of the tunnel (even if it seems a little far off at the moment!! HANG IN THERE, BABY!

Click "Next" to see what Bree Renwick ... and "Back" to check out Melissa Stout ... could they BE any MORE fabulous??? I think NOT!

Monday Montage #161

Happy Quarantine, Dear World!! Things are getting real around here. We are "officially" staying home ... a dear family friend lost his fight against coronavirus on Sunday ... and my father in law actually got tested Sunday afternoon (he has been sick for over a week ... has a nasty fever and such going on). While I do believe that we will all be ok, we are hunkering down because we have all been exposed to my father in law and won't know his test results for 5-7 days (the labs are SWAMPED!)! He will turn 88 next month, and he has quite honestly run circles around ALL of us (I have known him for 35 years and have never seen a more hard-working, dedicated soul). We own a family business, and he works just as hard, if not harder, than everyone else. He has just enough stubborn in him that he won't let this take him down (although we are hopeful that "this" is just your regular old "run of the mill" kinda flu bug.

I got to spend some time this weekend Zoom-Stamping with a fun group of friends, FaceTime Stamping and visiting with a few other friends and spending some time cleaning my stamp room (which was really needing it!)! I actually had this card done a whole dang day EARLY (for a change!)! I plan on spending my quarantined days doing some much-needed spring cleaning!

Stamps: Bonanza Buddies
Paper: Whisper White, Soft Suede, Daffodil Delight, Subtles DSP
Ink: Calypso Coral, Daffodil Delight, Soft Suede
Accessories: Stitched So Sweetly Dies, Stitched Rectangles Dies, Basket Weave Embossing Folder, Square Punch, Detailed Trio Punch, Champagne Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Very Vanilla Scalloped Lace Trim, 5/16" Braided Burlap Trim, Linen Thread



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
Elizabeth Price - Seeinginkspots
Julie Warnick - Julie Warnick Stampin' Up! Blog
Melissa Stout - The Stamp Doc
Wendy Weixler - Wickedly Wonderful Creations - YOU'RE ALREADY HERE!!

What are YOU guys doing to pass the time and feel productive??? I have committed myself to actually getting GOOD at doing push ups ... I have NEVER liked them, so I have never spent very much time trying to get proficient at them. This is my goal ... I AM going to conquer this!

Click "Next" to see what Amy O'Neill ... and "Back" to check out Melissa Stout ... you won't want to miss EITHER of their creations!

Fab Friday #186

Social Distancing ... Self-Quarantining ... this is what "normal" looks like right now for ALL of us!! First ... HUGE shout out and MOUNTAINS of thanks to all of those of you are working in "essential" jobs (or have loved ones who do)! You guys are the reason we WILL get through all of this!! You are HEROES!!!

Weirdly enough, I have not had all that much time to be crafty! I have been running back and forth to my mom's condo to take care of her and get her what she needs (she doesn't drive and has very frail health, so we are keeping her TOTALLY inside!)! I have also been going on runs/walks with my doggie ... and I have been working out at home (which, quite honestly, has been kickin' my booty!)! Thank goodness that Fab Friday made me get my act together (and luckily my craft room isn't a TOTAL disaster!!)! I used the four colors in this color challenge to create an ombre effect in the background using the Basic Pattern Decorative Masks. Easy. Peasy. FUN!

Stamps: Lovely Lily Pad, Peaceful Moments
Paper: Whisper White
Ink: Daffodil Delight, Mango Melody, Pumpkin Pie, Terracotta Tile
Accessories: Basic Pattern Decorative Masks, Stitched So Sweetly Dies, Stitched Rectangle Dies, Lily Pad Dies, Terracotta Tile 1/2" Linen Scalloped Ribbon

Bright and Cheerful!









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

What are YOU doing during these crazy times??? Stamping via FaceTime or Skype is a good way to be productive and pass some time!! I'm also going to try to bake some things for the next few days ... wish me luck ... think I'm going to try some sourdough bread!! Stay safe, my friends!

Monday Montage #159

What's better than creating a card for the Monday Montage Blog Hop??? Creating a card for the monday Montage Blog Hop in the very same room with one of my BFFs and fellow Monday Montager, Bree Renwick!! I drove up to Walla Walla to hang with her boys (and some of their friends) at a TobyMac concert. We had SO MUCH FUN!! Long walks, singing, dancing, stamping, eating and overall having a very nice, long and relaxing weekend!! Came back home to Salt Lake City to find the ground covered with snow ... uggggghhh! My body and brain are SO confused!!

Something else FUN about stamping with a friend??? SHARING stamps/dies that you don't have and SHE does ... and vice versa! I have been eyeing the "Happy Birthday to You" stamps/dies. Since Bree had them in her stash I was able to play with them. Oh how I LOVE them!! This card was inspired by the oh-so-talented Stesha Bloodheart. I love the combination of a really strong color (in this case Lovely Lipstick) with a nice shade of gray (as in Gray Granite). It just looks so rich and lovely. I used some Versamark ink to stamp the image, then I added some Whisper White embossing powder and heat embossed the image. A blender pen and a little bit of Gray Granite reinker help define the lines and make the cake look like it has some dimension. I did the same thing with the flowers and some Lovely Lipstick ink. I think I am going to be submitting an order for this whole suite for myself!!

Stamps: Happy Birthday to You
Paper: Lovely Lipstick, Granite Gray, Watercolor, Vellum
Ink: Lovely Lipstick, Granite Gray, Versamark
Accessories: Stitched Rectangle Dies, Birthday Dies, Leaf Punch, Sprig Punch, Metallic Pearls, Stone Embossing Folder, Whisper White Embossing Powder, Whisper White 1/4" Crinkled Seam Binding 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 - SITTING OUT THIS WEEK
Breelin Renwick - Craft-somnia Momma
Cathy Casey - Sugar Shack Designs - SITTING OUT THIS WEEK
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 - SITTING OUT THIS WEEK
Melissa Stout - The Stamp Doc
Wendy Weixler - Wickedly Wonderful Creations - YOU'RE ALREADY HERE!!

Why is it that just DRIVING makes you SOOOOO tired??!!?? Honestly, I have never been able to figure that out!! Drove 8 1/2 hours today and am WIPED OUT! I think I need another weekend ...

Speaking of my BFF Bree, click "Next" to see what Bree Renwick made while we were playing stamps together ... and "Back" to check out Melissa Stout ... you'll be glad you checked out ALL the posts for this hop ... everyone hit a HOMERUN!

Freakin' Out of the Box!

Guess what???? The stinking FLU (or one of its many-many cousins) has come to visit our house this week. YUCK!!! My husband was sick all last weekend and is just starting to feel better ... and now it is MY turn!!! DOUBLE YUCK!! At least I have actually HAD a flu shot, so I am hoping that it comes and goes in a very timely manner. I HATE wasting time being sick!! UGH ... at least I got to play a little with stamps for this month's Control Freaks Blog Tour. This month we are "Out of the Box" ... trying to do something a little "different". I have the privilege of being in the middle of a "Melissa" sandwich. Did you just come for the blog of Melissa Stout ... MAGNIFICENT, right???

My first "out of the box" creation is actually made from ... a BOX!!! I used one of the box flaps from a recent Stampin' Up order! I pulled bits and pieces of the top layers off of it to give it a really "distressed" look. Pretty cool, eh??? I need to find me some more boxes ... I LOVE the look of this!

Stamps: Timeless Tropical
Paper: Whisper White, Mango Melody, Night of Navy, Garden Green
Ink: Lovely Lipstick, Mango Melody and Daffodil Delight Blends, Wink of Stella
Accessories: In the Tropics Dies, Whisper White Baker's Twine, Linen Thread, Metallic Pearls, Cardboard Box

This creation was actually pretty quick and easy. I made the little flowers using the "raindrop" edge die from the Lily Pads Dies. I cut the center pieces out to make some petals. A little 1/2" circle punch and VOILA!!! I think I have said it before, but the Stone Embossing folder is my new VERY FAVE!! I think it is just SOOOOO beautiful and versatile, don't you???

Stamps: So Sentimental
Paper: Whisper White, Blushing Bride, Flirty Flamingo, Lovely Lipstick, Real Red
Ink: Lovely Lipstick
Accessories: Stitched Rectangle Dies, Stitched So Sweetly Dies, Lily Pad Dies, 5/16" Braided Burlap Trim, Stone Embossing Folder, Stapler, 1/2" Circle Punch

I am so happy for Disney+ and podcasts! I have been watching/listening/sleeping all day today whilst trying to get over this nasty sickness! My latest favorite show??? The Incredible Dr. Pol!! I LOVE animals ... and he and the other people on the show are such a great combo with some fun chemistry.

Next up??? Marvelous ... Melissa Davies!!

Fab Friday #183

Wishing you all the HAPPIEST of VALENTINE'S DAYS! I think that if you do nothing more than let the people you love in your life know just how much you DO love them in your life on this day, then you are WINNING at life!! It doesn't have to be a grand or expensive enterprise, either. Just TELL THEM that you LOVE THEM!! PERIOD! Doesn't have to be a "significant other" ... just tell the people you love that you DO love them! Life is short ... and most things that make us mad or frustrate us about others are really aren't that important in the long run ... SO TELL 'EM, my friends ... that is your Valentine's Day assignment this Fab Friday!!

I had a vision in my mind on how I wanted the card I made for this week's sketch challenge to turn out. Starting working on it, and all was progressing nicely. I went to cut out the little bees I had stamped with the cute little bee die ... cut one of them and the die flipped up and disappeared. I mean REALLY disappeared!! I was like freakin' MAGIC, people!! I searched for over an hour ... yes! OVER AN HOUR! My craft room is pleasantly clean at the moment, so there weren't to many places for it to hide. Since I was running out of "craft time", I just ended up fussy cutting the dang bees out. I had to leave for the evening, but when I returned, I mentioned to my hubby about the missing die and he joined in to help me look. We spent about 15 minutes doing so when I discovered that darn bee die stuck to the bottom side edge of my little magnetic dish on the craft table (that had been behind me when I was using my BigShot to cut the bees in the first place)! I had even picked this particular piece up and was looking for it originally by using the very magnetic bottom of the dish as a "die finder" as I rubbed it back and forth over my carpet. Never heard the telltale "clink" of anything having been picked up. I'm thinking it had just flipped over onto that goofy dish and was sticking there the whole time and I somehow didn't see it!! Bee Die = 1; Wendy = 0! I do like how the finished product came out, though. And I AM very happy that I found the die before I went to bed and had crazy and annoying dreams about spending hours looking for it ... oh wait ... I already DID that ... it WASN'T a dream!!! Hahahaha!

Stamps: Honey Bee
Paper: Bermuda Bay, Whisper White, Basic Black, Mango Melody
Ink: Basic Black, Mango Melody, Wink of Stella
Accessories: Detailed Bee Dies, 3/8" Glittered Organdy Ribbon, Corrugated Embossing Folder, Champagne Rhinestones

I quite enjoyed this sketch and think you will, too!











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 am going to be playing "Great British Bake Off" today as I make sweet treats for my husband and kids ... this is my version of fun Valentine's gifts to give to those I love ... what do YOU do??

Fab Friday #182

Considering I felt dirty and stinky and GROSS ... I'm pretty happy with how my creation for this week's Fab Friday Stampin' Challenge turned out. I spent most of the day over at my sweet mama's house doing some cleaning for her (and this was AFTER I had gone and stinked myself all up at the gym). Having spent several HOURS doing cleaning chores from bathrooms to closets to laundry, I was feeling DESPERATELY in need of a shower!! ICK! But I knew that I had cards to create and some other things that needed my attention before I could even THINK about showering (did I mention anywhere that my daughter's very cute doggie who was visiting for the day ate something that didn't agree with him and left me some, uhhhmmm, presents as a result??? NO???? Well suffice it to say that this incident also added to my overall feeling of disgustingness)!!

How HAPPY I was to be able to make this sweet and simple little card using this week's Fab Friday Color Challenge AND the Thoughtful Blooms Stamp Set and Small Bloom Punch (not to mention the very versatile and lovely Stone Embossing Folder). Making it at least made me feel a little bit better about my sad stinky self!!


Stamps: Thoughtful Blooms
Paper: Bermuda Bay, Coastal Cabana, Melon Mambo, Whisper White
Ink: Merry Merlot, Melon Mambo, Bermuda Bay, Coastal Cabana
Accessories: Stitched So Sweetly Dies, Small Bloom Punch, Subtle Embossing Folder, Stone Embossing Folder, Trio Corner Punch, Metallic Pearl Basics

Valentines, Spring ... what will YOU celebrate with the color combo??









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

Wish me luck, my dears!! The next few days are going to be DOOZIES!! In addition to a 6-mile training run and a stair-climb workout, I will be starting prep for a colonoscopy I have scheduled for EARLY next Tuesday morning (nothing wrong, just preventative). Which means I can't eat any of the things my family is making in preparation for our Super Bowl Party (aka EatFreeFrestival). White bread, cheese, pizza, meat, rice ... these things I can eat ... fruits, veggies, GOOD bread, nuts ... these things I canNOT eat!! Pretty sure I'm gonna grab a bag of really horribly bad for me Doritos and drown my sorrows in them whilst drinking a diet coke ... delicious but will probably make e sick ... but I WILL be watching Groundhog Day during the Super Bowl (so shoot me!) ... besides, being a Bay Area born-and-raised girl ... I KNOW the 49's got this one, baby! I don't need a 6-hour game to tell me something I already know! HA!! So pass the Dulcolax and leave me a spot on the sofa!

Stampin' Fancy Friday - Shake It Up Challenge!

I'm SUPER EXCITED, y'all!!! I was recently asked to participate with the AMAZINGLY-TALENTED ladies on the Stampin' Fancy Friday Blog Hop!! WOOT! WOOT!!! Every single one of these gorgeous gals was a member of Stampin' Up's Artisan Design Team at one point or another. And let me tall ya ... they are SOOOOOO super talented and AWESOME!!! Soooo ... a little info you need to know ... we're shaking things up this year on the Fancy Friday Design Team! This will be our last official 'blog hop' because we're moving in a new direction! We'll be posting a challenge on the first Friday of every month over on Instagram and Facebook. And then we'll show you our team projects as the month progresses. We can't wait to have you around so any time you're inspired by our challenge, tag us in or use hashtag #stampinfancyfriday. Ok, it's time! Go follow us on Instagram and Facebook - @stampinfancyfriday. Stay inspired. See you there!

Hearts anyone???? This card is going to have to go to someone that I LOVE TO DEATH!!! Our challenge was to SHAKE IT UP (make some sorta shaker card or something with dangly tassels, etc.). I haven't made a shaker card in, like, FOREVER!!! NOT kidding!!! I was SUPER happy that I even remembered HOW to do it!! I used my sponges to create an ombre effect as my backdrop, then just layered the new and GORGEOUS Detailed Hearts Die on the top ... and couldn't resist the Well Written "love you" ... which I used not that long ago, but since it's nearly Valentine's Day I figured it was ok to give these particular words a little mileage, know what I mean???? But, alas, this took longer than I had anticipated ... so I'm gonna have to give it to my hubby or one of my kids because it took me a while!
Stamps: NONE
Paper: Whisper White, Flirty Flamingo, Mango Melody, Rich Razzleberry, Sparkle Glimmer, Window Sheet
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo, Flirty Flamingo, Mango Melody
Accessories: Stitched So Sweetly Dies, Well Written Dies, Stitched Rectangle Dies, Detailed Hearts Die, 5/16" Braided Burlap Trim

Here's what it looks like with all the little "bits" shook up! I used the hearts that were cut OUT of the Detailed Hearts Die as my shaker pieces ... this one is making me happy!

And seeing as it is 7:00pm on a Thursday night an I have yet to get into the shower, I figure I had better remedy that BEFORE I go to bed! I HATE going to bed all gross ... and I'm pretty sure my hubby won't love it if I do that either!

Next up??? Terrifically Talented  ... Tanya Rees!! WOW!

Freakin' Sharin' the LOVE!

We interrupt this last-ditch effort of making New Year cards to be sent out in place of the Christmas cards that were never created to bring you a couple of LOVEly cards I created this afternoon for the Control Freaks Blog Tour! Melissa Davies ... isn't she AWESOME??? Her wooden heart door hangers are ADORABLE!!!

I haven't gotten around to ordering either of the new DARLING Valentine sets/bundles from the latest mini catalog. I still PLAN to, but I didn't get to it in time to create for this particular blog hop. SOOOOOooooo ... I pulled out some other new goodies that I have recently acquired to play with. I am OBSESSED with the "See a Silhouette" DSP ... lately it seems like it goes perfectly with EVERYthing I make!!! I used it to fill in the water lilies and cut out the stem/leaves. Paired with the Stylish Scroll embossing folder and VOILA!!! Instant Valentine for ANYone!

Stamps: So Sentimental
Paper: Whisper White, See a Silhouette DSP
Ink: Real Red
Accessories: Stitched So Sweetly Dies, Lily Pad Dies, Whisper White Bakers Twine, Stylish Scroll Embossing Folder

And ... because I got carried away when I was cutting out this lovely water droplet edge die from the Lily Pad Dies, I just made another card to share the love. I made the little tiny heart on the sentiment label from a couple of extra droplets ... cute, right??

Stamps: NONE
Paper: Whisper White, Blushing Bride, Flirty Flamingo, Lovely Lipstick, Real Red
Ink: NONE
Accessories: Stitched So Sweetly Dies, Lily Pad Dies, Well Written Dies, 5/8" Whisper White Polka Dot Tulle Ribbon, 5/8" Whisper White Flax Ribbon

We got a Traeger grill for Christmas. Ok ... well ... my mom and I purchased one for my hubby for Christmas. We have been having a GREAT time making #allthethings in it. Tonight we had pork ribs with a homemade rub and sauce. OHMYGOSH!! I could eat about a GAJILLION of them!!! I may need to invest in a "diet" smoker/griller cookbook. SHEESH!

Next up??? Superb  ... Cindy Elam!! LOVEly creations!

Fab Friday #181

I'm feeling the vibes from this card SO HARD that it makes me wanna get on a plane and go somewhere TROPICAL!! How about YOU??? Who's with me????

This week's Fab Friday Stampin' Challenge is a very interesting and unique sketch challenge ... and in spite of it being kinda out of mj comfort zone, this card came together rather quickly!! YA FOR ME!


Stamps: Well Said
Paper: Poppy Parade, Close to Clover, Pineapple Punch, Whisper White, See a Silhouette DSP
Ink: Poppy Parade
Accessories: In the Tropics Dies, Coastal Weave Embossing Folder, 5/16" Braided Burlap Trim

I'm SUPER excited to see what y'all do 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

So this morning I am participating in a one-mile challenge run ... to basically see how fast I can run a mile! I'm SUPER nervous about it (we are only competing against ourselves in an effort to better our time before the challenge is run in another six months).  I am really wanting to push myself, but really hoping I can at least do a time CLOSE to what I am hoping for!! Wish me luck!