{Cup}Cakes are ALWAYS a Good Idea!

If I haven't mentioned it before, I have a VERY large extended family. YEARS ago I started writing all the birthdays/anniversaries for all of our Weixler family members and giving them to everyone for Christmas. THEN, kids were growing up, getting married, and having babies of their own. It got to be a HUGE amount of work AND a HUGE amount of expense to make these calendars (which I was now adding family photos to AND printing out in color for each and every family member who was living in their own home). I finally gave in some years back and just settled on creating family lists with birthdays, anniversaries, addresses, phone numbers and the like. They get fixed up pretty and emailed to all the family peeps. SOOOO, because it's fun and I don't have enough things to do, I send birthday cards to all of the extended Weixler family members (I gave up on the anniversaries and decided a text to the anniversary couple will have to be good!). You may have noticed that a LOT of my cards are of the birthday variety, and now you know WHY!

CUPPYCAKES!!! Oh man ... oh MAN!! I LOVE ME SOME ADORABLE LITTLE CUPPYCAKES! Hoping that my cute little cousin will like them, too!!

Stamps: Birthday Cheer
Paper: Blushing Bride, Basic Black, Whisper White, Melon Mambo, Bermuda Bay, Butterfly Gala DSP (recently retired)
Ink: Melon Mambo, Blushing Bride (applied with an aqua painter to background)
Accessories: Stitched Shapes Framelits, Detailed Birthday Edgelets, Dot to Dot Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Stitched Rectangles Dies

Next week OnStage will be happening here in good ol' Salt Lake City! Getting VERY excited for my BFF, Bree Renwick, to come stay with me! AND to be able to hang with my very best besties and crafty SU friends!!! Such a good time is ALWAYS had!! Squeeeeee!!!

Gorgeous GRAPE!

Here it is ... the middle of the week and everything ... and I am STAMPING and BLOGGING!! No blog hop or anything ... just stamping because my craft room was cleaned up and I COULD!! So THERE!!

I'm not sure why purples/greens remind me so much of my childhood when they are put together, but they DO!! (I guess growing up in the 70's will do that to a gal!)!! Had such a good time layering all the images over each other to create this crazy motif! (Not gonna lie, either ... it took me several attempts to get something that didn't look like a mud pie!)!

Stamps: All Adorned
Paper: Gorgeous Grape, Highland Heather, Granny Apple Green, Whisper White
Ink: Gorgeous Grape, Highland Heather, Granny Apple Green
Accessories: Stitched Shapes Framelits, Pretty Label Punch, Trio Corner Punch, Granny Apple Green 1/2" Textured Weave Ribbon, Stapler

If only I could find the BRAND NEW spatula-like tool I finally broke down and bought because I loaned my old one out and it magically disappeared. I have used the new one ONE TIME ... and it seems to have magic qualities as well ... Sigh ... Happy Hump Day!

Freakin' for the LITTLES!

Is there anything that is happier than a kid on their birthday??? I think NOT!!! Remember when you were little and it seemed like your birthday (and Christmas and summer vacation!) took FOR-EV-ER to come around??? This month the Control Freaks are making cards/creations for kids! Wasn't Melissa Davies' stuff SUPER SPOT ON??? I had so much fun making the two cards I did ... pretty sure they will add to some smiles on a couple of birthdays!

Not gonna lie ... this is one of the VERY FIRST sets I ordered with the preview of SU's catalog last year. AAAAAAND ... it has been sitting and gathering dust since it came!! I felt a bit intimidated by all the cute little images and dies. It did take a little while to get all the bits stamped and cut, but it was VERY fun!!

And TAAA-DAAAAA!!! Here is the pop-up on the inside!!! It's a freakin' ROLLER COASTER!!! I can't stop smiling when I think of the face of one of my little cousins when this gets opened! I mean, seriously ... what's NOT to be happy about with this???

Stamps: Let the Good Times Roll
Paper: Blueberry Bushel, Grapefruit Grove, Berry Burst, Call Me Clover, Whisper White, Wood Textures DSP
Ink: Blueberry Bushel, Grapefruit Grove, Berry Burst, Call Me Clover, Wink of Stella
Accessories: Thrill Ride Framelits Dies, Dot to Dot Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

I have had a similar experience with this froggy set. It has been sitting and sitting and waiting and waiting for me to pick it up!! Coloring and incorporating DSP from THREE different stacks was very fun!!

Stamps: So Hoppy Together
Paper: Crumb Cake, Basic Black, Whisper White, Gingham Gala DSP, Garden Impressions DSP, Classic Garage DSP
Ink: Memento Black; Stampin' Blends - Granny Apple Green, Daffodil Delight, Petal Pink
Accessories: Stitched Labels Thinlits, Flourish Thinlits Dies, 1" Circle Punch, Granny Apple Green 1/2" Textured Weave Ribbon, Whisper White Baker's Twine, Metallic Pearls

Next up???  ... Creative Kelly Acheson!! Be ready for MORE smiles, because her projects are just SO VERY HAPPY!

Monday Montage #133

Happy President's Day!!! As we are already floating through the middle of February, it's that time of year again. Funny, but I should've made some sort of patriotic card for this week's Monday Montage blog hop. I didn't even THINK of it!!! A friend of mine and I went to the Tabernacle on Temple Square in Salt Lake City to listen to Music and the Spoken Word (featuring the Tabernacle Choir). My friend seemed a bit bewildered by the lineup of patriotic songs ... until I issued a reminder that we were having President's Day this week! The music was GREAT!!!

I am all over the butterflies again. The Butterfly Gala DSP (that was available as a SAB free item) is soooo good. All of the butterflies can be easily punched out with the Butterfly Duet punch. Very little stamping involved in making this card ... but y'all know how I am about butterflies ... they just make me HAPPY!

Stamps: Picture Perfect Birthday
Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White, Grapefruit Grove, Butterfly Gala DSP 
Ink: Black Memento
Accessories: Stitched Shapes Framelits, Rectangle Stitched Framelits, Stitched Labels Framelits, Subtle Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Butterfly Duet Punch, Faceted Dots, 1/4" Metallic Striped 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
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!!

If you are looking for a good binge-worthy show to watch on your day off (if you are lucky enough to get President's Day off ... which I am NOT!) ... Netflix just released a new 10-episode series called "The Umbrella Academy". It's about a family of misfits that all have some sorta crazy super power. They are pretty dysfunctional, but it was highly entertaining!

Click "Back" for Melissa Stout and "Next" for Amy O'Neill ... much to love about BOTH of them!

I LOVE Succulents!

We are STILL up to our eyeballs in snow (well ... maybe just our knees!)!! I am SO grateful I don't "have" to go anywhere today (although I am planning on meeting a friend for lunch, so there's that!). My puppy absolutely LOVES the snow ... and she has to come SLAMMING in through the doggie door to let us know just how MUCH she loves it every time she goes outside!

I made another card using the Painted Seasons stamp set (I got it on preorder). It will be available starting on February 15 as an offering for round 2 of Sale-a-Bration. Ohmygosh! You guys NEEEEEED this set!! It is just SOOOO good. The images are beautiful, and the depth you get with them is just AMAZING!!

Stamps: Painted Seasons, Beauty Abounds
Paper: Crumb Cake, Highland Heather, Pear Pizzazz, Soft Sea Foam, Whisper White
Ink: Highland Heather, Pear Pizzazz
Accessories: Rectangle Stitched Framelits, Corrugated Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Linen Thread, True Gentlemen Buttons

My puppy and my other non-puppy (she is almost 14, so I guess she qualifies as an old doggie!) and currently crashed out on top of my bed ... my poor bedspread is getting dirty with puppy-snow love ... oh well. They sure are CUTE!!

It's a SNOW DAY!!

I have lived in my neighborhood for 34 years ... and I can count on LESS than ONE HAND how many times a "snow day" has been called in order to keep people off the roads (schools, government office, etc. all CLOSED). Not that there haven't been PLENTY of days that SHOULD have been called off for snow ... but people in Utah are DIEHARDS ... and a little crazy!! So today being a "snow day" was a big surprise.

Not that it helps ME all that much. Being self employed and having your office a few blocks down the street means that you just put on your Sorrels and hike down the street! Even in such a short distance I saw a LOT of cars stuck and struggling ... Ol' Man Winter isn't even CLOSE to being done with us yet!

I got a happy package from Stampin' Up yesterday (so glad I got it before the weather went overboard!)! Oh MY!!! This embossing folder ... this stamp set ... BOTH of which will be a Sale-a-Bration option starting March 15 ... they are just SOOOOOO good!

Stamps: Painted Seasons, Flourishing Phrases
Paper: Petal Pink, Whisper White
Ink: Petal Pink, Granite Gray
Accessories: Layering Circles Framelits Dies, Country Floral Embossing Folder, Whisper White Bakers Twine, Metallic Pearls

So I will sit in my office and work today and listen to the quiet ... not much traffic outside and the phones are pretty silent because all of the SMART people stayed at HOME today!! Stay warm and safe, my friends!

Monday Montage #132

Here we are again ... time to play with the Monday Montage team!!! And guess WHAT??!!?? We have added two new friends to the lineup ... soooo happy to have Charlet Mallet and Cheryl Curtis as part of our crew. Y'all are gonna LOVE them as much as I do!!

This card just makes me think of a picnic ... and springtime ... and warmer temperatures.  How about you??? I will be sad when Sale-a-Bration is over and the lovely gingham paper is all gone.

Stamps: Butterfly Gala
Paper: Balmy Blue, Whisper White, Gingham Gala DSP
Ink: Balmy Blue
Accessories: Stitched Shapes Framelits, Butterfly Elements, Metallic Pearls, 5/8" Burlap Ribbon, 1/8" Whisper White Grosgrain 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
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 - NOT PARTICIPATING THIS WEEK
Elizabeth Price - Seeinginkspots
Julie Warnick - Julie Warnick Stampin' Up! Blog
Melissa Stout - The Stamp Doc
Wendy Weixler - Wickedly Wonderful Creations - YOU'RE ALREADY HERE!!

Just watched the most BORING Superbowl of ALL time (not that I am a huge fan of football anyway) ... the commercials were the best part ... aside from the halftime show with Adam Levine and Maroon 5 ... SWOOOOON!

Click "Back" for Melissa Stout and "Next" for Amy O'Neill ... much to love about BOTH of them!

Let's Eat CAKE!

Cold, clear and beautiful ... that's what it's like outside here today!!! I think I'm going to have to go for a run at some point. I actually LOVE running in the cold. With the right gear, it's absolutely PERFECT. Brrrrr!!

I made this little card the other night ... just haven't had a chance to post it, yet! I am sooooooooo loving the Gingham Gala DSP (which YOU can earn for FREE by placing a $50 order!)!! It's just sooooo good!!

I used my Rich Razzleberry Stampin' Blends on the little flower, the edging on the cake, and to make the ombre effect on the CAKE letters. The outline is in Blackberry Bless ... I choose to believe this is a DELICIOUS purple cake!!! I love cake ... sigh ... perhaps I need to make one for myself today!

Stamps: Amazing Life
Paper: Blackberry Bliss, Grapefruit Grove, Whisper White, Gingham Gala DSP
Ink: Blackberry Bliss; Stampin' Blends - Rich Razzleberry, Wink of Stella
Accessories: Stitched Labels Framelits, Grapefruit Grove Nature's Twine, Happiness Blooms Enamel Dots

I am feeling pretty proud of myself! I had a BUNCH of new stamp sets (thanks to the Occasions/SAB preorder ... and again thanks to the Occasions/SAB catalogs going LIVE)! I mean ... I had a STACK!! I have used almost every last one ... I am down to about three sets, so stay tuned for some posts sharing those VERY soon!!! I feel validated in having ordered them all, because they will ALL get used!!!

Sale-a-Brate EVERY Occasion ... with the Freaks!

Is there any BETTER excuse to stay inside on a cold, wintry day than to get crafty??? I don't think that there is!!After a short training run this morning, I came home, cleaned up and then sat down with my iPad (for HULU binging!) and some crafty supplies so I could finish creating for this month's Control Freaks Blog Tour. If you just got here from Melissa Stout's Blog ... isn't she FREAKIN' AMAZING???

I have loved coloring since I was a little girl. I have been known to pull out a coloring book and crayons ... or colored pencils ... and just go to town ... STILL. My Stampin' Blends are also SUPER FUN to play with. This Lovely Lattice image (which you can earn with any purchase of $50 RIGHT NOW ... for FREE!) is the BEST for coloring. LOVELOVELOVELOVELOVE.

Stamps: Lovely Lattice (SAB), Piece of Cake (Occasions)
Paper: Whisper White, Flirty Flamingo, Watercolor
Ink: Flirty Flamingo, Black Memento; Stampin' Blends - Flirty Flamingo, Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Daffodil Delight, Wink of Stella
Accessories: Trio Corner Punch, Tufted Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Old Olive Linen Thread

Saw this puppy stamp set/punch bundle and nearly lost my MIND!!! The doggie looks like my sweet Juniper ... who is getting ready to celebrate her 7 mo. birthday next week. Oh the puppies!!! This image is happy, along with the little footprints, doggie house and bowl, right??? The PUNCH. I don't think you will be able to get me to give it up unless you pry it from my cold, dead little fingers!!!

Stamps: Happy Tails
Paper: Crumb Cake, Basic Black, Real Red, Whisper White, Red Glimmer
Ink: Memento Black, Whisper White, Real Red
Accessories: Dog Builder Punch, Dot to Dot Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Classic Label Punch, Stitched Labels Thinlits, 1/4" Metallic Striped Ribbon


Next up???  ... Super Cindy Elam!! One of these days I'm going to go and visit her on her lovely property with all her lovely creativity! It will be the best time EVER!!

A Challenging Day!!

I spent ALL DAY yesterday getting ready for my Book Group to come over (cleaning up the remainders of Christmas, cleaning up my house, making THREE different kinds of soup!)!! I've been in the same book group for over 27 years!! Seriously??? Is that even POSSIBLE??? I mean, I am ONLY 27 YEARS OLD!! Sheesh!! Luckily for me, I had this little card all ready to post! Which is GREAT since I was also the challenge hostess for today over on Splitcoaststampers!

I know I have mentioned here before that I STRUGGLE with "easy" or "clean and simple" cards. I mean, really ... I have just about every kinda fun tool and paper known on the planet, so it is hard to limit myself when I get to creating. This card is representative of what I call simple ... not a lot of crazy-weird techniques or fancy stuff. Although there ARE a lot of elements on here if you kind of count them ... but I'm not always so good at counting, so there's that!!

Stamps: Hello Cupcake
Paper: Lovely Lipstick, Early Espresso, Grapefruit Grove, Whisper White
Ink: Lovely Lipstick, Early Espresso Grapefruit Grove
Accessories: Stitched Labels Framelits, Grapefruit Grove Nature's Twine, Happiness Blooms Enamel Dots, Corrugated Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Trio Corner Punch

My son is taking his girlfriend to a Yule Ball tomorrow (you know what a Yule Ball is, don't you??? (If you are one of the 12 people on the planet who HAVEN'T read any Harry Potter ... a Yule Ball is a fancy dance/party hosted around the holidays.) Anyhow ... I am hemming a ball gown for his girlfriend's ROOMMATE to wear to the ball. And I haven't even started ... and it is TOMORROW (I said that, right??). And I have to work TODAY ... and she is supposed to come and pick the dress up TONIGHT!! Sigh ... why do I always do this kind of thing to myself??? Oh well!! At least she has promised to send me photos (which I know my son will forget to do!)! YAY!

Happy Weekending!!

Baby It's COOOOOOOLD Outside!!

Jeez LOUUUUUIIIIISE, you guys!!! I'm sitting here SHIVERING whilst typing this. It is SOOOOO dang cold outside ... it has gone up to a balmy 22 degrees (that's in Fahrenheit). I am FREEZIN'!!! I really should do something to get my blood moving. Stamping isn't really an active "sport" ... per se ... Brrrrr!!!

I spent a good chunk of New Year's Day in my craft room. Watched (listened to) some movies ... ate some food ... walked the doggie (and yeah ... it was 12 degrees outside when I did that!). I am LOOOOOOVING having some crafty time just for "fun"!! This rooster was crowing in my direction, so I had to do something about it!


Stamps:  Home to Roost, Buffalo Check
Paper: Early Espresso, So Saffron, Crumb Cake, Bermuda Bay, Wood Texture DSP, Watercolor
Ink: Cajun Craze, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake; Stampin' Blends - Bermuda Bay, Daffodil Delight, Crumb Cake, Cajun Craze, Poppy Parade
Accessories: Stitched Shapes Framelits, Crumb Cake Classic Weave Ribbon

I have started a new Stepbet Challenge with some friends of mine ... JUST the thing I needed to get some motivation to move in this frigid weather!!! At least we aren't having a temperature inversion (which is usually where we end up for much of January and into February)! The sky is blue and BEAUTIFULLY clear!!