Planting a Freaky Garden!

The Control Freaks are planting a virtual garden this month, and you are invited to join us!  Debbie Henderson's was absolutely beautiful, don't you think?? This challenge was EASY PEASY (because, be honest, who doesn't own about a GAZILLION floral/nature stamps???!!??)

Although I am still mourning the loss of so many good core colors (Mango Melody and Sahara Sand!), I have to admit that I am utterly BEWITCHED by one of the new 2023-2025 In Colors - Pebbled Path! It's the PERFECT combo of almost-gray-almost-brown-but-not-quite-either! It's soooo much prettier in person ... and goes with so dang much! 

And I had to have this set mostly because of the spiral/stitched die that is in it ... be still my heart!

 

I "stole" this color combo from the ever-impressive Stampin' Up Artisan, Tammy Wilson. That girl is a stampin' WIZARD! I don't think she has EVER made an ugly card! I added a little Bubble Bath to mine, but I am loving this combo! I can't remember the last time I used FIVE different colors on one card!

Stamps: Gorgeously Made

Paper: Pebbled Path, Mellow Moss, Boho Blue, Bubble Bath, Moody Mauve, Whisper White

Ink: Mellow Moss, Pebbled Path, Boho Blue

Accessories: Gorgeously Made Dies, Twisted Rope Embossing Folder, Lined Thread

I shall have to "carb up" and go to bed early since I have to get up at Zero Dark Thirty (aka 3:30am!) tomorrow morning for the Ogden Half Marathon! I have to keep reminding myself that I MYSELF sign up for these things and pay the entrant fee ... so NO COMPLAINING!

Next up? Melissa Davies! Another exquisite garden!

 

Colorful Freaks!

I have been participating in the Control Freaks Blog Tour since 2009 (NOT kidding!) and I can’t remember the last time we did an old fashioned color challenge … so here we go! Cindy Elam NAILED it with two GORGEOUS floral creations!! If you haven’t seen them, make sure to check 'em out!

Aren’t these colors just yummy together??? They are just SCREAMING spring to me!!

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I am RIDICULOUSLY enamored with the Ready Rhino Stamp Set/Dies … AND the Basic 3D Embossing Folders … BOTH of which are Online Exclusives right now! I have always had a “thing” for all things hippo and rhino. What’s NOT to love, right??

CuteCuteCUTE, right??!!??

Stamps: Ready Rhino

Paper: Balmy Blue, Granny Apple Greem, Highland Heather, Whisper White, Early Espresso

Ink: Black Memento, Versamark; Stampin’ Blends - Balmy Blue

Accessories: Rhinon Dies, Stylish Shapes Dies, Metallic Pearls, Basic 3D Embossing Folder, White Embossing Powder

If we didn’t actually need 2-3 more winters with the INSANE amount of rain/snow that we have had this year I would be kinda whiny about the forecast facing us here in Utah this week … rain, rain and MORE rain! First day of spring is almost here, and we seem to be on winter overdrive! I hope our house doesn’t end up underwater once all the snow in the mountains starts melting its way down!

Next up? Bree Renwick! She created a LOVELY “Ode” to spring AND Easter!

 

Control Freaks Spread Love

This month the Control Freaks are spreading the love with their creations! Connie Babbert made a DARLING "love"ly card with the "Lighting the Way" bundle ... so cute!

I have finally given in to DSP. I have always loved it, but have often been reluctant to rely on it as my primary focus. Not any more! With all the die/DSP combos that Stampin’ Up has been coming out with the last several years I am HOOKED! These flowers??? HOLY COW! They are beautiful!! I made this card for someone I love (a dear cousin), so it counts, right???

See what I mean??? Beautiful and oh-so easy!

Stamps: Framed Florets
Paper: Pacific Point, Balmy Blue, Real Red, Whisper White

Ink: Real Red, Pacific Point, Versamark

Accessories: Framed Florets Dies, Split Card Dies, Sweet Sorbet 1/8” Metallic Ribbon, Glossy Dots Assortment, White Embossing Powder

I completed an 8-mile training run on Saturday and felt SO great afterwards … so happy to have finally healed up from my Achilles surgery AND a nasty bout of tendinitis. It’s AMAZING how our bodies (with the help from some well-trained medical professionals) can get you back to a ngood place!

Next up? Deb Henderson! Her card is the lovely AND lucky!

 

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!

 

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!

Happy Holidays from the Freaks!

I seem to have skipped right past fall and gone to Christmas (as far as card making goes!)!! But the Control Freaks are ramping it up for the holidays already!! If you just came from the super-creative Bree Renwick you would have seen some happily haunting Halloween cards! I LOVE them!! Because I am STILL reorganizing/cleaning my craft space, I decided to use some of the things that were left out from the card I posted last Sunday night ... and they worked GREAT!! 

I have always loved the combination of gold with Very Vanilla ... it is just so elegant!! This card actually came together quite quickly and easily ... I am really loving how the Whimsical Woodland 3D Embossing Folder provides such a great contrast in the background!

It was really hard to capture the gold sentiment ... I used some gold embossing powder over Versamark ... hard to tell, but in person in looks SO shiny and fun!

Steppin' Up With the Freaks!

Ohmygosh! What a WEEK (and it's only MONDAY!)! This month the Control Freaks are Steppin' It Up! Cindy Elam made a GORGEOUS Autumn creation ... did ya see it???? It was BEAUTIFUL!I needed to make a couple of birthday cards for my nieces (one 5 and the other 7)! The ladybugs were the very FIRST thing that came to my 

This is my "quick-and-easy" version.  I punched the daisies and the ladybugs directly from cardstock ... the only stamping, other than the sentiment, was for the ladybugs' spots and the Daffodil Delight center on the daisy. Using the Gingham Cottage DSP made this come together SO easily.  I added a couple of Rustic Metallic Dots and called it good.

And here is my "stepped up" version! I added an extra ladybug AND an additional daisy. Also, I used some Shimmery Crystal Effects to make the ladybug spots and daisy center more 3D ... and I also added a splash of gingham ribbon as well as an additional Rustic Metallic Dot.

You can see the extra texture in this closeup ... 

Stamps: Charming Sentiments
Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Real Red, Gingham Cottage DSP

Ink: Basic Black, Versamark

Accessories: Ladybug Builder Punch, Medium Daisy Punch, Sentiment Silhouettes Dies, Black & White 1/4" Gingham Ribbon, Shimmery Crystal Effects, Rustic Metallic Dots, White Embossing Powder

Next up? Deb Henderson! She has created some beautiful pheasant-y options!

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Seeing Spots with the Freaks!

We are seeing SPOTS and CIRCLES this month with the Control Freaks! You should just have come from the the wonderfully creative Bree Renwick's blog ... and she NAILED the challenge with a GREAT masculine card! I know I have mentioned before that I struggle with "dude" cards. One thing for sure is that Bree does NOT!!

Since we are still in the heat of summer, I am STILL thinking all things fruity! I stole the little citrus wedge image from the Cup of Tea stamp set and stamped it in Polished Pink, Parakeet Party and Pale Papaya (soooo many "P" colors!)! Lots of diecutting, but I love the way it turned out!

Stamps: Cup of Tea
Paper: Whisper White, Parakeet Party, Basic Black

Ink: Polished Pink, Parakeet Party, Pale Papaya, Black Memento

Accessories: Teacup Dies, Black & White 1/4" Gingham Ribbon

I used the little tea bag tag dies to add a little dangling sentiment to this. I used to LOVE making dangling sentiments! I haven't done it for a while and it makes me happy!

Next up? Deb Henderson! Her butterfly creation is SPOT ON!!

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Clean & Simple Control Freaks

Welcome to another Blog Tour with the Control Freaks! This month we are going "Clean & Simple" (something I always struggle with!! Did you see what Bree Renwick did?? SUCH a gorggeous set of cards! 

Black, white and red ... I have ALWAYS loved any creations I have seen with this clean and simple color combo! I stuck with one stamp set/punch bundle ... the "Sweetest Cherries" is darling! I have always been a sucker for ANY stamp set that features a piece of fruit!! Every. Dang. Time! The Split Card Textures Dies are FABULOUS! Run the diecut one time and you have this DREAMY background!

Stamps: Sweet Cherries
Paper: Whisper White, Real Red, Basic Black, Pear Pizzazz, Garden Green

Ink: Garden Green, Real Red, Versamark, Wink of Stella

Accessories: Split Card Textures Die, Cherry Builder Punch, Black & White 1/4" Gingham Ribbon, Whisper White Embossing Powder

See what I mean??? A little bit of gingham ribbon and a splash of Wink of Stella and VOILA!! This really was easy and I think it came out pretty cute!

I'm headed off Saturday morning to run the Ogden Half Marathon ... my first half since my achilles/bone spur/bursae surgery last August!  SOOOO happy to be back in the game, even if it is slowly!

Next up? LeeAnn Greff! GORGEOUS and ELEGANT!!

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Control Freaks - Can't Live Without

One of these days ... hopefully sooner than later ... life will get back to some sort of "normal" around my house! The last month has been UBER crazy! I haven't really had much time to do the things I like, but I did take some time out to play with the Control Freaks this month where we are highlighting things that we "Can't Live Without"! You MUST check out the beautiful creations of LeeAnn Greff ... her use of color is AMAZING! 

Right now my favorites include anything new and FUN! Of course, it goes practically without saying that I could NOT create a card without doing some sort of die cutting or embossing. So the Stampin' Cut and Emboss would probably be at the top of my list of things I CAN'T live/create without! And polka dots ... I have ALWAYS been a sucker for anything with polka dots (stamps, embossing folders, ribbon, dies). So when I saw the NEW Spots & Dots background die I KNEW it was going to come and live with me ASAP! I used some washi tape to hold my colored sections of cardstock together before I ran them through the Cut and Emboss machine with the Spots & Dots die. The "leftover" dots that were cut out ended up on this card as well ... kind of by accident.  I had a couple of them that stuck to the front of my card and I decided I LOVED them and wanted to add a bunch more! I also used the "Sit Stay Relax" hostess stamp set, which is also new!

Stamps: Sit Stay Relax
Paper: Whisper White, Flirty Flamingo, Fresh Freesia, Daffodil Delight, Soft Seafood, Granny Apple Green

Ink: Granny Apple Green, Fresh Freesia, Daffodil Delight (Stampin' Blends)

Accessories: Spots & Dots Die, Beautiful Shapes Dies, Faux Linen Ribbon

I colored the cute little sleepy kitty with some Daffodil Delight Stampin' Blends ... which I ALSO lovelovelove! And Dimensionals ... I can honestly say that I NEVER make a card without THOSE little babies!

Next up? Deb Henderson! Her creation is STUNNING!!

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