TGIF Challenge #563 - Color Challenge

How come modern science can reattach limbs, give us artificial limbs and split an atom but CAN’T seem to find a cure for the common cold???!!?? I have been WIPED OUT by a cruddy cold since Monday … sigh … it seems to be slowly improving, at least enough for me to join in on this week’s TGIF color challenge!

Check out the blog challenge here - TGIF Challenge Blog if you’d like to play along.

Basic Black, Melon Mambo and Bubble Bath … PERFECT for Valentine’s Day, right???

I used a few of my new toys to make this one. The background is made using the new Hearts of Love 3D Embossing Folder. The little filmstrip die and heart die are from the soon-to-be-released Capturing Smiles Dies. And the “I” and “U” are from the Playful Alphabet Dies. I didn’t used ANY stamps on this one!

I cut hearts from Basic Black, Melon Mambo and Bubble Bath. I then cut the hearts in half and matched up the sides with different colors.

The filmstrip actually has some vellum cardstock in the little squares … I really felt like it needed that something “extra” behind the hearts and vellum seemed to fill the bill.

Once again, I flicked some Stampin’ Blends onto the letters to make them pop a bit more.

I accidentally pulled out a Pretty Peacock Blend that I THOUGHT was Basic Black … so there’s a little of that on the letters as well. I like how they turned out!

I braided 6 strands of Black and Gold Baker’s Twine together for the trim.

Stamps: NONE

Paper: Basic Black, Melon Mambo, Bubble Bath, Basic White, Vellum

Ink: Stampin’ Blends - Basic Black, Melon Mambo, Pretty Peacock

Accessories: Hearts of Love 3D Embossing Folder, Capturing Smiles Dies, Playful Alphabet Dies, Black and Gold Baker’s Twine.

We’d love to have you play along!! You can check us out our blog HERE and Instagram … lots of great inspiration from the rest of the TGIF Crew!

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TGIF Challenge #561 - Product Challenge - Embossing Powder

Ahhh … the magic of embossing powder. Who DOESN’T remember the first time they heated up an image they stamped and sprinkled with embossing powder??!!?? I did it over a burner on my stove (since heat embossing tools weren’t yet a “thing”). Still LOVE watching it happen!

Check out the blog challenge here - TGIF Challenge Blog if you’d like to play along.

For this challenge I started with a piece of Berry Burst cardstock; then, I stamped it using Versamark and the Lasting Linen Background Stamp. I sprinkled it with White Embossing Powder and heat set it.

I then cut a panel for use in the background, for the dangling hearts and a backsplash for the “I Love You” sentiment.

Since the little Bubble Bath rainbow diecut already had holes in it (from the Sunshine Vibes Dies), I couldn’t resist sewing the edge using a needle and some White Baker’s Twine. 

I already had the Bubble Bath panel embossing using the Dotted Circles 3D Embossing Folder and cut using one of the Perennial Postage Dies sitting on my craft table from another project … same with the little vellum panel. I LOVE it when I use “leftovers”!

Stamps: Lasting Linen, Words of Beauty

Paper: Berry Burst, Bubble Bath, Basic White, Vellum

Ink: Berry Burst, Versamark

Accessories: 3D Dotted Circles Embossing Folder, Sunshine Vibes Dies, Perennial Postage Dies, Words of Beauty Dies, White Baker’s Twine, Pretty in Pink Gems

Anyone else struggling to get over Christmas??? I FINALLY undecorated the tree in our basement last night … sigh … I think because we have had virtually NO SNOW it seems very off to me this year!

We’d love to have you play along!! You can check us out our blog HERE and Instagram … lots of great inspiration from the rest of the TGIF Crew!

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We Create Blog Hop - Lovely & Sweet

Welp! Here I am again!! And this time around I am playing with the girls on the We Create Blog Hop!! We are small but MIGHTY!! Our theme this month is "Lovely & Sweet" ... so of course I chose to make a card with a robot on it!! Hahahaha! The little heart he is holding and the sweet sentiment made me think he was PERFECT for this challenge ... what do you think??

I did a BUNCH of fussy cutting on this little guy from the Nuts & Bolts stamp set. I stamped him on Smoky Slate, Basic Gray and Real Red, then got my scissors and glue out!! I used some Shimmery Crystal Effects on his eyes and knobs ... with a layer of Wink of Stella on top of each, as well as on his sweeet little heart!!

See the sparkle?? Isn't it PURDY?? I also used the Hive Embossing Folder (which kinda looks like crumpled metal if you think about it)! He makes me happy!! 

Stamps: Nuts & Bolts

Paper: Basic Black, Real Red, Basic Gray, Smoky Slate, Whisper White

Ink: Basic Gray, Versamark

Accessories: Scalloped Contours Dies, Hive Embossing Folder, Silver Metallic Pearls, Wink of Stella, Shimmery Crystal Effects, Real Red Double Stitched Satin Ribbon, Staples, Whisper White Embossing Powder, Trio Corner Punch

Annnnnnddd ... I am back into my running game again!! YAY ME!! It's SOOOO nice to be able to run without pain. It's been a VERY long time and I have missed it soooo much! I am planning on doing at least 3 half marathons and a Ragnar Trail Relay (as well as another Trail Run Series).  What doesn't kill ya makes you stronger, right??

We Create Blog Hop Blog Roll - February 2022

Wendy Weixler - YOU ARE HERE

Kimberley Morris

Cheryl Curtis

Tricia Butts

There are only FOUR of us playing around this time, so don't miss anything!! Next up is Tricia Butts ... and you're gonna LOVE what she created!!

Sharing the Love with the Freaks

I hope this month's Control Freaks Blog Tour find you all safe, warm, with power and water (or very close to it!)! The weather ... who would've thought that having access to roads, heat and clean drinking water would EVER have been on our radar?? 2020 is just the gift that keeps on giving, isn't it?? You should have just come from the blog of my fellow-original-Freak, Connie Babbert! She and I are the only two Freaks that are still hanging in there ... we started this Blog Tour in 2009 ... can you even believe it???

I have a dear friend named Jeremy.  He has been my running buddy for the last three years with the Huntsman Heroes. We have missed being able to run together.  He DID message me prior to Valentine's Day and ask me if I could make an extra special card for his sweet wife, Karley.  I would more than happy to oblige.  Her favorite color is green, so I did my best to incorporate some (via Soft Sea Foam). Once again, the Lots of Hearts stamps and dies came through for me! I added a little bit of extra with the Well Written Dies to add a sentiment. There are MANY layers in this card, but I am quite happy with the outcome!

Stamps: Lots of Heart
Paper: Soft Sea Foam, Whisper White, Blushing Bride
Ink: Blushing Bride
Accessories: Lots of Heart Dies, Well Written Dies, Pastel Pearls, Clear Epoxy Droplets, Subtle Embossing Folder, Trio Corner Punch, Flowers for Every Season Ribbon Combo Pack (Whisper White)

Sorry I only have one card this month ... my dear mama (who has been on hospice since September) has needed my help this week and I have been sleeping at her place every night ... not much time to do any extra crafting!

Next up??? Deb Henderson! She is Sharing the Love with the Lots of Heart Bundle as well ... beautiful!!

Freakin' NEW STUFFS!

It is only January 19-20 and I am just NOW getting my Christmas decor taken down and put away.  To be fair, my tree is getting a facelift (all new LED lights) before next Christmas, and I was just waiting for the tree guy to come and pick it up!  So that is my excuse and I'm sticking with it!! Still have a little more to do, but I took a time out and played with some new goodies from the January-June catalog for the Control Freaks Blog Tour! Hopping around you should just have come from the marvelous blog of Melissa Stout! She always ends up costing ME money by convincing me that I NEED something that I didn't even know that I did! (I'm sure you guys can relate!)

I have purchased LOTS of heart stamps and dies over the years ... but I am going to be quite honest here.  The Lots of Heart Bundle is FANFREAKINTASTIC!! The images are beautiful and the dies are DIVINE!! I had so much fun playing with them (and the Curvy Dies and Many Messages Dies!)! New toys are FUN, aren't they??? 

Stamps: Lots of Heart
Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Real Red
Ink: Real Red, Whisper White Craft
Accessories: Curvy Dies, Lots of Heart Dies, Many Messages Dies, Pastel Pearls, Whisper White Embossing Powder

One more card using basically the same goodies (with the exception of the sentiment, which is from Oval Occasions stamp set ... also new!)! I almost feel like you can NEVER go wrong with black/white/red! Such a classic color combo.  I think I could probably make about 20 different cards using the buffalo plaid heart from the Lots of Heart set ... it's just too-too good!

Stamps: Lots of Heart, Oval Occasions
Paper: Whisper White, Real Red, Basic Black
Ink: Real Red, Whisper White Craft
Accessories: Lots of Heart Dies, Many Messages Dies, Whisper White Baker's Twine (from Snail Mail Twine Combo Pack, Whisper White Embossing Powder

Next up??? Tami Hewlett! There is a reason she is on the current Stampin' Up Artisan Design Team ... she is terrific!!

Fab Friday #205

Well THIS card was EASY!! I took one look at the sketch and knew exactly what I was going to do with it, and I just did it!!

Stamps: NONE
Paper: Whisper White, Poppy Parade, Berry Delightful DSP
Ink: Stampin' Chalk Marker
Accessories: Play Alphabet Dies, Trio of Tags Dies, Old World Paper Embossing Folder, Clear Rhinestones, Whisper  White Baker's Twine from Snail Mail Twine, 

 

Clean, Simple and FUN to create with!

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

Weekend can't come quickly enough!! I'd really, really, REALLY love to go out on a nice winter run ... but due to my ding-dang-ridiculous Achilles' tendon on my left foot, I am STILL out of commission!! ONE DAY ... MAYBE SOON ... maybe the dumb thing will actually HEEL!! More stretching, heat, massaging, CBD cream, lotion, booted at night ... all of these things MUST bring it back to normal at some point, right?? Wish me luck!!

Monday Montage #181

YAY and HOORAY!! It's a NEW YEAR! And I am actually STAMPING something!! It took me a while to decompress from Christmas (and, to be fair, I'm still working on cleaning up various messes here and there in my house!). But i STAMPED ... for FUN ... and I LIKED IT!!

If y'all haven't already checked out the new January - June Stampin' Up Catalog, DO IT!!! It's SOOOOO good!! I know I saw that all the time with new catalogs, but this one seriously IS chock full of beautiful and amazing things!! I have a wishlist longer than my arm with my leg attached! Good thing I have a SU BFF that lives 5 minutes from me and will coordinate sets that we buy so we can get the biggest BANG for our BUCK (thanks, Cheryl!)!

I've always been a sucker for a GOOD ice cream set ... and this really IS a GOOD ice cream set!! I also fell IN-LOVE with the pastel pearls ... I think I want to use them on freakin' EVERYTHING! So I put the two together and VOILA!! I cut the color strips, taped them down to the Crumb Cake layer and then ran the entire thing through my embossing machine using the Tasteful Textile Embossing Folder! LOVE-LOVE-LOVE! It reminded me of the texture of an actual sugared ice cream cone. YUMMY!! Now I want ice cream ... and the freezer is empty of ice cream ... and it's 10:00pm on Sunday night ... sigh! I think I just saved myself about 1,000 calories!! HA!

Stamps: Sweet Ice Cream

Paper: Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Blushing Bride, Rococo Rose, Seaside Spray, Highland Heather, Purple Posy

Ink: Highland Heather, Gorgeous Grape, Seaside Spray, Blushing Bride, Rococo Rose, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Wink of Stella
Accessories: Ice Cream Cone Builder Punch, Tasteful Textile Embossing Folder, Pastel Pearls, Tag Trios Dies (for the little heart), Layering Circles Dies, 3/16" Braided Linen Trim

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!!

Do I *dare* say that I *think* my Achilles Tendon may *perhaps* be starting to heal??!?? I mean, it's only been bugging me since LAST STINKIN' FEBRUARY!! I have been SOOOO diligent for the past several months, especially since the end of October. I am hoping that all my efforts may actually be STARTING to pay off!! Sheesh!! I hate it when things you didn't even realize that you HAD start hurting and refuse to cooperate! Crossing my fingers ....

Click "Next" to see what Amy O'Neill ... and "Back" to check out Melissa Stout ... they both used the SAME set with fantastically different results!! SO CUTE!

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 #129

How is it possible that it is already MID-January??? And where has the SNOW been??? This has been one of the most SNOWless winters I can remember ... it seems like it is snowing in all the places that it NEVER snows (except, of course, the east coast!) ... and it has snowed here a total of maybe three times (only one of which seems like it really counts). It's hard to believe it's January, as the temperatures have been unseasonably warm for this time of year. WEIRD!

I ordered ALL of the pretty new Stampin' Blends pens in November. I FINALLY had a chance to use them in making this fun little "Valentine-y" card for today's Fab Friday Challenge (the sketch had a heart on it, so how could I NOT??!??).

Stamps: Always and Forever
Paper: Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Watercolor, Wood Texture DSP
Ink: Stampin' Blends Markers, Early Espresso, Basic Black
Accessories: 5/8" Burlap Ribbon, Gold Library Clip, Layered Leaves Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

Is This was so much fun ... clean, simple ...










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 am in full marathon training mode ... AND I am also doing a lot of stair training, as the Outclimb Cancer Challenge is coming up SOON (in March!). All participants climb the 24 flights in the Wells Fargo Building (downtown Salt Lake City) as many times as they can in 6 hours (yeah, you read that RIGHT!). It's a wonderful fundraiser ... all proceeds go to help in finding a CURE for cancer. It was one of my most FAVE events last year, so I'm getting excited ... and getting up VERY early to meet some friends to climb some stairs!

All the Sneaky Freaky Things!

The Control Freaks are taking this opportunity to take control of your holidays and show you a little bit of what is coming your way from Stampin' Up in the upcoming Occasions and Sale-a-Bration catalogs!! Aren't you EXCITED??!?? Can you even STAND it??? I know when I got a view of some of the lovely things coming that I could barely contain my excitement!!! Did you SEE the AMAZING things that my good friend, Dawn Olchefske made for you to see??? That woman!!! ALWAYS creative and fresh!

Soda pop ... soda pop ... soda pop!! I KNEW that these adorable little soda pop bottles would HAVE to be MINE!!! I was SOOOOOO excited when we were able to PREORDER them!!! Aaaaack!!! How can one possibly RESIST these???? Obviously, I have NO idea!!

Stamps: Bubble Over
Paper: Whisper White, Bubbles & Fizz DSP, Silver Glimmer Paper
Ink: Basic Black, Lemon Lime Twist
Accessories: Layering Ovals Framelits Dies, Bottles & Bubbles Framelits Dies, Silver Ribbon, Glitter & Clear Epoxy Shapes

I won this adorable little stamp set as part of the "Prize Patrol" at our most recent OnStage event in November. Oh. My. Goodness!!! Can you just say caaaaaYOOOOT??!?? I didn't even have to stamp a sentiment!! There are so many cute images in this set that I had to limit myself to FOUR of them!!

Stamps: Heart Happiness
Paper: Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Bubbles & Fizz DSP
Ink: Crumb Cake, Calypso Coral
Accessories: 3/8" Burlap Ribbon, Rhinestone Basic Jewels

Next up???  ... lovely LeeAnn Greff!! Can't even COUNT how many of her creations have inspired me over the years!!

Monday Montage #87

Where did the weekend go??? AGAIN???? WHOOSH!!! Seriously??? I need another TWO DAYS in my weekend!!! If only it worked that way!!! But at least I got to do some STAMPING to end the weekend off on a happy note (not that my weekend was UNhappy ... just BUSY ... as usual!) Welcome to Monday Montage #87!!

True Confessions ... I spent over an HOUR looking for my "current" stack of "Valentine" paper ... only to realize that I didn't actually ORDER any!!! What the WHAT???? My craft room (STILL a disaster) ... can't find ANYthing ... well, that's not exactly true. I can now find SOME things ... just need to get SERIOUS about putting it all back together ... sigh ...

Stamps: Sealed with Love
Whisper White, Neutrals DSP Stack, Red Glimmer Paper, Blushing Bride Glimmer Paper
Ink: Real Red
Accessories: Sweetheart Punch, Tags & Labels Framelits, Mini Treat Bag Thinlits Dies (small heart), 3/8" Burlap Ribbon, 3/8" Metallic Ribbon Combo Pack (Silver), Mini Stapler

Our temperature today got up into the MID-50's!!! How on earth did THAT happen???? We were at -3 just a couple of weeks ago. I have a feeling that we are NOT finished with SUB-FREEZING temps yet!!! But my run on Saturday was GORGEOUS!!! We finally had a storm that blew out the icky air and the temperature inversion. Thank HEAVENS for THAT!!!

Click "Back" for Melissa Stout and "Next" for Amy O'Neill ... I {{{heart}}} them AND their creations!