Monday Montage #232

 

I'm still holding out hope that spring is going to start showing its pretty little head. Mother Nature seems to have other ideas, as snow storm after snow storm keep feeling one another into the Salt Lake Valley. DEFINTELY what we need for our current state of drought .... but I am really starting to craaaaave me some flowers and sunshine!

The Detailed Desert Dies bring to mind to me the many lovely handmade Southwest rugs we have acquired through our business for our customers. These Native-American creations often contain dark reds, deep blues and blacks, accented with tans and creams.  So, I couldn't help myself as a made a more masculine and a more feminine card in this color scheme.

Up close on the masculine card you can see the crosshatch pattern from the Basic 3D Embossing Folder on the Tahitian Tide and Vanilla Layers ... I sponged the Vanilla layer with a little bit of Cajun Craze ink. 

Stamps: Delicate Desert

Paper: Crumb Cake, Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Tahitian Tide Cajun Craze

Ink: Cajun Craze

Accessories:  Desert Details Dies, Basic 3D Embossing Folder, Linen Thread, Natural Finish 7/8" Ribbon, Blue Rhinestones, Brushed Metallic Adhesive Backed Dots

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

Bree 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

Emily Kimmey - EMK Creations

Julie Warnick - Creating on the Run - NOT PARTICIPATING THIS WEEK

Wendy Weixler - Wickedly Wonderful Creations - YOU ARE HERE

Enjoy your week!

Click "Next" to see Bree Renwick... and "Back" to see Emily Kimmey - fantastically fabulous from them both!

MonM

Monday Montage #230

 

This is going to be short and sweet! I am visiting family in The Middle of Nowhere, Nevada … the internet is VERY sketchy, and I’m trying to post from my iPad (my computer is DEAD and I left my charger at home!)! Laborious, for sure, so let’s get to it!

Let’s just sit and bask in the loveliness that is Dainty Flowers DSP, shall we???? It is soooooooo veeeeerrrrry glllloooooorrrrious!!!! With a little bit of fussy cutting and some help from the Split Card Texture Die (which is also almost too good to be true!), it is pretty easy to make something that looks like you spent FOREVER on!!

Some ribbon, a little baker’s twine and a few sequins and we are done!!! C’mon Spring!!!

Stamps: Framed Florets

Paper: Whisper White, Dainty Flowers DSP

Ink: Rich Razzleberry

Accessories:  Split Card Textured Dies, Framed Florets Dies, 1/4” Gold Shimmer Ribbon, Pastel Sequins, White Baker's Twine

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

Bree 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

Emily Kimmey - EMK Creations

Julie Warnick - Creating on the Run

Wendy Weixler - Wickedly Wonderful Creations - YOU ARE HERE

I’m now going to disconnect from tech and play some more with my sweet little two-year-old grand nephew and visit with my niece … families are forever!!

Click "Next" to see Bree Renwick... and "Back" to see Julie Warnick - just wonderful, as usual!!

MonM

TGIF #405 - What Would You Do Without Stamps?

Snow, cold, rain, snow, cold ... this seems to be where we are going to be for a while! We have really been enjoying the gas log inserts we had put in our two fireplaces the first week of December ... I'm cold from about September to May, so they are my FAVE things!  This week's TGIF Challenge is one of my favorites - making a card withOUT stamps! Let's get star

I love being able to get two cards for the price of one, don't you??? By using the Alphabet A La Modes Dies to make a card, I had the letters leftover from cutting them for the card on the left, so I just glued them to the card on the right! I did the run little Stampin' Blends "tip flick" lid trick to add some speckle to the front of the white card so that it would match more the DSP on the Old Olive card! I also used my Stampin' Blends to color the ribbons on both cards ... the White Ribbon was dyed Old Olive (using a Stampin' Blend), and the White Baker's Twine was dyed Rich Razzleberry by dragging it across the RR ink pads LOVE how they both turned out! I trimmed the Old Olive dyed ribbon prior to tying it and adding it to the card front; and frayed the White Ribbon once I had tied the dyed Rich Razzleeberry Baker's Twine 

Aren't these looooooveely??? They were quick and easy to pull together ,,,, and they both turned out really fun!

Stamps: NONE

Paper: Whisper White, Dandy Flowers DSP

Ink: Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry

Accessories:  Alphabet A La Mode Dies, White 3/4" Frayed Ribbon, Solid Faceted Gems, 2021-2023 In Color Gems (retired), Pastel Pearls

 

I need to learn not to prep my actual blog posts AFTER I take my ambien for the night! I ramble and don't make sense and have to type and retype everything with fog for brains!! A I'm done!

TGIF #404 - Birthday Cards Theme Challenge

Sooooo ... most of the cards I create end up with a birthday sentiment or a generic sentiment that can be used as a birthday sentiment. I do this on purpose since I send birthday cards throughout the year to more than 100 family members (I have a BIG extended family!)!  This week's TGIF Challenge is perfect for me since it's all about birthday cards!! 

I set out to make some cards that could be used for ANYone ... and I ended up struggling with color combos ... so I just used a bunch!! There's also a LOT of layering going on with these ... if less is more, then MORE is MORE, right??!??

MANY dies were employed to get to the final product on these ... that's not a BAD thing, is it??

Stamps: Celebrate with Tags, Hand Drawn Dots

Paper: Whisper White, Fresh Freesia, Balmy Blue, Mango Melody, Calypso Coral, Granny Apple Green, Dandy Designs DSP

Ink: Versamark, Fresh Freesia, Balmy Blue, Calypso Coral, Granny Apple Green 

Accessories:  White Embossing Powder, Beautiful Shapes Dies, Stylish Shapes Dies, Alphabet A La Mode Dies, 2022-24 In Color Bakers Twine Pack, Whisper White Satin Edged Ribbon (retired), Pastel Adhesive-Backed Sequins, Pastel Pearls

 

I've made more cards in the last two weeks than I have in the past SEVERAL months (other than my Christmas cards ... which I STILL need to share here!)! Cleaning one's craft space does WONDERS for one's creativity!

Freaky Fun and Fancy Folds

We are Freakin' Foldin', my friends! Digging into our years of stamping knowledge, the Freaks are sharing their "Fun & Fancy Folds" this month! Bree Renwick's bright and cheerful card is not only beautiful, but "funly-folded"! I used to make unique folded cards all the time ... it has been FOREVER since I have made one, so this was a terrific challenge for me!

I am very super happy about the release of these super darling Conversation Bubbles!! It seems like they have so many possibilities ... MUCH potential going on here!

The base is made from a piece of cardstock cut to 5.5" by 10". You will then need to make score lines at 3.75" and 8".

I created the curved edge on the front flap by using one of the Basic Borders Dies, and then made an additional layer on top of the base layer of Pacific point by cutting a piece of cardstock from Balmy Blue and making it about 1/2" narrower than the front flap.

The little red "tab" was made by cutting a piece of Real Red cardstock to 6" x 1" and securing it across the base piece from the first score mark around to the front of the card, scoring the flap as you bring it to the front.

I placed the Whisper White circle on the Real Red tab using a Dimensional. I then securing a piece of Baker's Twine between the white circle and the Dimensional.  To close the card, wrap the Baker's Twine from left to right around the back of the card and then wrap the twine once more. Upon coming to the little circle the second time, wrap the remaining twine around the Dimensional to secure the card closed.

 

 

Here is what it looks like with the Twine attached but unwrapped ...

And here is the card all opened up! Pretty Fun and Fancy, right???

Stamps: Conversation Bubbles
Paper: Pacific Point, Balmy Blue, Real Red, Whisper White

Ink: Real Red, Pacific Point, Versamark

Accessories: Conversation Bubbles Dies, Basic Borders Dies, Stripes & Splatters 3D Embossing Folders, 2022-24 In Colors Baker's Twine Pack, Glossy Dots Assortment, White Embossing Powder

 

I'm back to half marathon training. Had an AWESOME 3-mile run outside today!! It was 31 degrees F ... my fave temp to run in ... once you get going it really is great not to get too hot!

Next up? Deb Henderson! Her "Adorable Owls" are so much fun!

 

TGIF #403 - Sketch Challenge

What a WHIRLWIND of a week! We left eaaaarly Tuesday morning for a super fun family trip to Disneyland (something we haven't done all together since 2007!)! Sooooo much fun!!! We didn't get home until just before 11:00pm tonight and I am TIRED! I am happy to report that I completed a card and had this post started with the photos place before leaving for California!  This week's TGIF Challenge is a Sketch Challenge... and it's a good one because there are sooo many ways to dress it up or down! 

The oh-so-fun images from Thanks a Bunch are a new personal fave for me... and will be used on many a creation!

Bermuda Bay is sooooo yummy with Mango Melody and Basic Black (not to mention the vellum cardstock!) Love the sharp and classy way they pop when put together, don't you!!???!

 

 

 

I love using my Stampin' Blends tips to create splatter ... carefully flick the brush tip against the inside of the pen cap and aim it at the paper ... so very fun!

Stamps: Thanks a Bunch 

Paper: Whisper White, Bermuda Bay, Mango Melody, Basic Black, Vellum Cardstock

Ink: Versamark, Mango Melody, Pumpkin Pie, Garden Green

Accessories:  White Embossing Powder, Raindrop Embossing Folder, Rustic Dots, 1/4" Black & White Gingham Ribbon, Deckled Rectangle Dies

 

 

 

Three non-stop days in Disneyland with those I love the most were PRICELESS and we made some new fun memories together! But I am sooooo tired and could sleep for 4-5 days! Until next tine ...

TGIF #396 - Inspiration Challenge

Happy Post-North American Thanksgiving (aka Black Friday!!)!!! Hoping that those of you who,celebrated had a wonderful day full of food, family and friends! This week we are doing a TGIF Inspiration Challenge!

Wreaths have always brought me a sense of peace. Looking at the greenery in the inspiration pic and seeing the word “peace” made me think about how I really wanted to make a wreath. Having just received my preorder for the 2023 January-June Catalog, I knew that the Citrus Fun Bundle could help me make a lovely wintry wreath!

I had a good time creating the splatter all around my card with a Pumpkin Pie Stampin’ Blend by flicking the brush tip of the pen against the edge of the cap on the pen and sim it at the card … pretty fun, eh?

Stamps: Citrus Fun

Paper: Whisper White, Soft Succulent, Evening Evergreen

Ink: Versamark, Soft Succulent, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Polished Pink

Accessories:  Citrus Dies, Natural Finish 7/8" Ribbon, Citrus Embossing Folder, Pastel Sequins (coming soon), White Embossing Powder, Gold 1/4” Shimmer Ribbon

Grateful to have been invited to be on the Challenge Team with these fine ladies, and VERY grateful for the friendships I have made because of my participation as a demonstrator for Stampin’ Up! Counting my blessings!

Freakin' Divine DSP

Here we are again! It's time to play with stamps, paper and ink with the Control Freaks! Bree Renwick made the most ADORABLE Christmas card with her take on this month's theme "Divine DSP".  I absolutely loooooove me some pretty DSP, don't you??? Lucky for me, my new box of goodies for the January-June and Sale-a-Bration order came TODAY ... just in time to play with!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eeeeep and EGADS!!! Not only am I totally enamored with the new Dandy Designs DSP (which you can also earn for FREE during Sale-a-Bration starting in January!), but the Adorable Owls (which you can ALSO earn for free!) stamps are sooooo very cute!! They are making me smile all over the place!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The colorful hexagons behind the owls are done by tearing strips of cardstock, taping them together and then cutting them with the die of your choice (learned this fun trick from the ever-talented Cindy Schuester!). Such a fun background, don't you think???

Stamps: Adorable Owls
Paper: Granny Apple Green, Balmy Blue, Coastal Cabana, Fresh Freesia, Whisper White, Watercolor, Dandy Designs DSP

Ink: Black Memento, Granny Apple Green, Coastal Cabana, Balmy Blue, Fresh Freesia, Mango Melody

Accessories: Tailor-Made Tags Dies, Beautiful Shapes Dies, White 3/4" Frayed Ribbon, Wink of Stella, Pastel Sequins

 

Gearing up for a lovely Thanksgiving feast with my family and some friends. I am so grateful for the blessings in my life ... this will be the first holiday season without my beautiful mama and I'm trying to carry on so many of the lovely traditions she established for our family. I'm so lucky to have had her to raise me and be my friend!

Next up? Cindy Elam! She made SEVERAL cards that you are going to LOVE!