Purples, Greens & Punches

Okay ... to be fair I guess this is actually just one purple and one green ... but I DID use more than one punch!! I {{heart}} this Triple Layer Blossom Bouquet punch!! What fun!!



I am running around like a chicken with my head cut off!! I head out Monday for our church girl's camp ... I'm in charge of the food and some of the crafty stuff (go figure!!), and I have sooooo much to do!! I am also in charge of the "Secret Sister" line ... something I have done for more years than I can count. Basically, we hang up a clothes line in camp with a large ziploc baggie for each girl with their name on it. They all draw names who will become their "secret sister" for the week. They make little crafty things, write notes and leave treats in the baggies for each other. I always start the week off with something for each of them. This year I kinda got carried away and made them a few things ... I will be sharing those next week while I am gone (gotta pre-schedule those blog posts!!).

Enjoy your weekend!!

Stamps: Fundamental Phrases
Paper: Pear Pizzazz, Concord Crush, Whisper White, 2011 In Color Patterned Paper
Ink: Concord Crush
Accessories: Triple Layer Blossom Bouquet Punch, Decorator Label Punch, 1/2" and 1/4" Circle Punches, Build a Brad, Whisper White Satin Ribbon, Pearl Stickers, Pop-Up Glue Dots

Dare to Get Dirty - Origami Diamond Fold

YAY!!! I am finally official enough to be a hostess for the "Dare to Get Dirty" Challenge over on SCS!! What fun!!

I chose to do a "funky fold" ... I LOVES me a good ol' funky fold!! I saw the cutest little card at Stampin' Up Convention with this same fun fold ... and I dissected it and made one of my own!!! LOVE-LOVE-LOVE-HEART-HEART-HEART this!! I wanted to share it with all y'all ... so I did my own little video tutorial for it (don't worry ... it's easy, quick AND fun!!). Check it out!!








Cool, right??? You really SHOULD try this!! Here is what it looks like with one flap open ...








And here it is TOTALLY open!!! I am DEFINITELY gonna be makin' me some more of these!!! Soooooooo fun! And it feels kinda "new" to me, so it will take me a while to get bored with it!

Stamps: Button Buddies, Precious Butterflies
Paper: Rich Regals Patterned Paper, Calypso Coral, Night of Navy, Whisper White
Ink: Not Quite Navy, Calypso Coral
Accessories: Scallop Trim Border and Corner Punches, Oval Punch, Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die, Scallop Circle Punch, Calypso Coral Ruffled Ribbon, Rich Regals Button, Whisper White Baker's Twine

Double-Up Background Technique

This is the part of summer that I have hit "Crazy Overdrive" ... I will be swimming through it for two more weeks ... and then, HOPEFULLY, life will start returning to some sorta "normal" ... whatever in the heck THAT is!!

This is "Dare to Get Dirty" week over on SCS. FUNFUNFUN!!! Girls from the Dirty Dozen (past and present) are hostessing challenges every day. COOL!!! I am hostessing a challenge on Wednesday, but I volunteered to make a sample for this cool technique shared with us by my dear friend, Jan (as in JanTink ... I'm such a name-dropper, right???). It is MUI-awesome!! Check out her quick little tutorial here:

Jan's Double-Up Background Tutorial

Stamps: Fruit and Flowers, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Aida Cloth Background
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Lucky Limeade, Whisper White
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Lucky Limeade, Pink Pirouette
Accessories: Large Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, 1 5/8" Circle Punch, Houndstooth Textured Impressions Folder, Paper Piercing Tool/Mat, Cherry Cobbler Polka Dot Grosgrain, Whisper White Baker's Twine, Rich Regals Button, Decorator Label Punch, Scallop Square Bigz Die



Had a WONDERFUL weekend with our church youth group up at Mill Hollow (just above Kamas, Utah). It was beautiful!! The kids were FUN, and the scenery was gorgeous!!

Here is a photo of me and my best friend ... we have been married for over 26 years, and it just gets better and better.





We went on a sunrise hike Saturday morning. Lots of the kids opted to stay in bed and sleep ... but here are the ones that braved the early hour and hiked to watch the sun rise ...



Sooooo worth the effort!!

Happy Monday!!

Butterfly Flutterby ...

This STILL has to be one of my most favoritest butterfly dies ... EVER!! In fact, I have used it sooo much that I actually wore it out and had to get another one!! (I know, right??? Didn't even know that was possible!!)

White-on-white is also one of my favorite things to do on a card ... it always looks so clean and elegant.

Got a fun weekend planned. We are doing a lot of fun things and a service project with the youth from our church. I love hanging out with teenagers (but why is it that OTHER peoples' teenagers always seem to like me more than my own???)! Teheheehee!

Stamps: Short and Sweet
Paper: Whisper White, Basic Gray, Bride DSP, Vellum
Ink: Basic Gray
Accessories: Quickutz Monarch Butterfly Die, Elegant Lines Textured Impressions Folder, Marvy Double Scallop Corner Punch, Small Oval Punch, Basic Gray Taffeta Ribbon

CHOCOLATE-Y Framed Art

Can you stand yet ANOTHER framed art "quilty square" thing?? I am still waiting for a friend of mine to take a picture of the"Family Frame" we made during our showbox swap at Convention using the Mocha Morning paper. But, while I have been waiting, I decided to make this gift for some friends of mine ...

They moved into our neighborhood about 8 years ago to open a little chocolate shop a couple of blocks from my house. We live int the oldest residential neighborhood in Salt Lake, which is why we are one one of the ONLY ones that still has zoning for business establishments amongst the houses (which I LOVE!). Their little chocolate shop has been such a wonderful little community gathering spot. Such a great place!!

They long-ago outgrew their space. Finally, they were able to secure a building that had housed the most wonderful little grocery/meat market that had been there for over 80 years. Sadly, the owner (who was in his 80's) died a few years ago. The building has sat depressingly empty since then.

UNTL NOW!! As of last Friday, the store reopened as the new location for our neighborhood's little chocolate shop!! HOORAY!! (and it is also fun to note that my son #2 happens to work there ... as do many of the kids from the neighborhood). I decided to make this little frame as a sort of "new store" warming gift. My kids thought I was kinda weird for doing it (what do THEY know??!!??), but I don't think so ...

And the BEST part is that the little shop is now even CLOSER to my house!! (Instead of being 2 1/2 block away, it is now only 1 1/2 blocks). And it is UPHILL ... which means I have to EXERCISE to get there ... which means I am justified in buying pretty much ANYthing I want since I have earned it with the "hike" up the hill ... and did I mention that they make the most DELICIOUS milkshakes, sundaes AND FROZEN HOT CHOCOLATE??? See????

Have a great day!!

Stamps: Fabulous Phrases
Paper: Early Espresso, Whisper White, Wisteria Wonder, Lucky Limeade, Calypso Coral, Crumb Cake
Ink: Early Espresso, Crumb Cake
Accessories: Lacy Ribbon Border Punch, Small Oval Punch, Create a Cupcake Punch, Scallop Square Punch, Heart to Heart Punch, Slit Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, Fluerettes, In Color Polka Dot Brads, Rhinestone Stickers, Old Olive and Chocolate Chip Scallop Polka Dot Ribbon, Wisteria Wonder and Calypso Coral Ruffled Ribbon, Perfect Polka Dots and Elegant Lines Textured Impressions Folders, Embosslits Scalloped Heart of Hearts Die, Old Olive Button, Whisper White Baker's Twine, Plantin Schoolbook Cricut Cartridge (you could use the Serif Essentials Bigz Die ... I don't own that ... and Jan took hers back to Michigan!!)

Mojo On Vacation ...

I have tried NUMEROUS times over the past week to sit down and create something ... and most of the time I just end up sitting there and staring into the abyss. This could also be known as Convention Lag, perhaps?? It seems I just CAN'T seem to get the creative juices flowing!! My brain is just on spin cycle ...

Talked to Jan(Tink) yesterday. I do believe she went back home with all of HER Mojo ... and I do believe she must've taken MINE with her!! She has been CRANKIN' out cards!! I am hoping to get something going today ...

This is a birthday card I made for my cousin a little while back (when I HAD some creativity still going!!). I love to make my own patterned paper. I made the black and white background on this using the "Style Beautiful" set. I {{heart}} the lovely swirly images in that set!! It took a Stamp-a-Ma-Jig and a little patience, but I like how it turned out!

Hopefully I will be able to get jump started today ... anyone wanna come over and play??

OH!! Before I totally forget ... Happy Pioneer Day to all my friends here in Utah!!! Tomorrow we will be celebrating with a HUGE neighborhood/community breakfast and a parade (best of ALL?? It's a HOLIDAY so I can stay home from work!!)!!

Stamps: Style Beautiful, Create a Cupcake
Paper: Basic Black, Blushing Bride, Pear Pizzazz, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Black Stazon, Blushing Bride, Pear Pizzazz
Accessories: Nestabilities Labels Four, Pear Pizzazz Seam Binding, Marvy Double Scallop Corner Punch, Pearl Stickers, Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch

A New Favorite ...

I think that "Field Flowers" is fast-becoming one of my new favorite sets. I've always been a little bit of a softie for two-step stamps, anyway. But this one is a keeper!!

This fun fold is called a Center Step Card. I've been seeing them around a lot lately (saw MANYMANYMANY at Convention!), but I hadn't tried one 'til I made this. Here is a link to a tutorial on SCS if you wanna check it out:

Center Step Instructions

I need to rob a bank ... or inherit some money from a long-lost relative ... or win the lottery OR Publisher's Clearing House (I guess it would help if I enter EITHER!) ... there are SERIOUSLY a lot of fun goodies I want/need in the new SU catalog! And the Holiday Mini that is coming out soon?? Fuhgeddaboudit!! I thought about trying to sell one of my kids ... but then dismissed the idea 'cause I think that might be a hard sell ... think I am just gonna hafta go through my stash of stamps and find some more to add to my "for sale" list ... that might cover what I have ALREADY bought!! Sheesh!

Stamps: Field Flowers, Petite Pairs
Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Lucky Limeade, Calypso Coral, Whisper White, In Color Patterned DSP
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Lucky Limeade, Calypso Coral
Accessories: 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder, Lucky Limeade Ruffled Ribbon, Rich Razzleberry Buttons, Dimensionals

Have a fantastic weekend!!

Sweet Little Blossom Box ...

... at least that's how it would APPEAR!! This is made using the new Blossom Box Die. It is kind of a fussy little die ... okay ... it's REALLY fussy!! Actually, once you figure out if you need to add a little shim to the die sandwich or not, it isn't so bad. There IS, after all, a little tutorial video that SU did to show you how to do it. You really DO need to make sure that all the creases are done completely ... and that you are patient ... and that you practice with scraps of stuff that you don't care about ... hehehehe!

Actually, now that I have successfully completed making one, it wouldn't be too bad to make another one. I think this is stinkin' ca-YOOT!!! Jan left this morning ... sigh ... as did all the stamps and toys she brought with her!! (Hahahaha!! Don't worry, Jan ... I don't just love your for your stampin' stuff!!) I decided that this needed one of my paper-punch roses as an embellishment, too. I think I likey ... but I am pretty sure I'm not gonna make 100 of these any time soon!!

I think I need a nap ... or two ... or three!! Convention is the BEST (wouldn't miss it) ... but after prepping my house for company for a week, playing at Convention, and then trying to get back into a regular schedule, I'm pretty whooped. Soooo worth it, though!! Can't wait for next summer already!!

Stamps: Petite Pairs
Paper: Elegant Eggplant Rich Regals Patterned DSP, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White, Old Olive
Ink: Elegant Eggplant
Accessories: Blossom Box Die, Decorative Label Punch, Fancy Flower Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch (to mount flower on), Blossom Builders Punch (for leaves), Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon, Rhinestone Jewel, Linen Thread

Touring Through Summer With the Freaks!

Welcome to the Control Freaks Mid-Summer Tour!! We were originally gonna just have this Tour be all about Christmas in July ... and then those of us who got together during SU Convention last week and swapped thought it would be a PITY and a CRYING SHAME if we didn't share at least SOME of the gorgamalicious swaps we had created. Hence, this is a Summer MishMash ... but it's ALL good!! You should just come from the blog of our Freak Mama, Lisa Martz!! She is the BESTEST, don'tcha think??

Can I say I {{heart}} this set??? For some reason it just speaks to me ... those little bitty shoe prints just make my heart happy. So, I knew as soon as I saw it that it was GOING to be MINE!!! (And during Convention I discovered numerous other sets that will also have to join the Stamp Collective at my house!)

Stamps: Daring Adventure
Paper: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Night of Navy, Very Vanilla
Ink: Early Espresso, Crumb Cake
Accessories: Night of Navy Denim Ribbon, Vintage Brad, Pinking Hearts Border Punch, Houndstooth Textured Impressions Folder, Corner Rounder, Dimensionals

I also HAD to have this adorably darling baby/nursery set called "Little Additions" ... such fun!! And mui-many thanks to Jason Casper for loaning me his Scallop Circle #2 die during Convention ... I was madly rushing to complete these swaps and realized I NEEDED the ding-dang scallop circle that I didn't have!!! He was kind enough to bring his for me the next day ... and as badly as I wanted to keep it for myself, I DID return it to its rightful owner. You rock, Dude!!

Stamps: Little Additions
Paper: Marina Mist, Blushing Bride, Certainly Celery, Whisper White, Nursery Nest DSP
Ink: Marina Mist, Blushing Bride, Certainly Celery
Accessories: Scallop Circle #2 Die, Small Oval Punch, Word Window Punch, Scallop Border Punch, Heart to Heart Punch, Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder, Rhinestone Basics Jewel Sticker, Dimesionals

One of the most ca-YOOT-est and basically adorable things we saw demo'd at Convention was this little treat box (shown by Brian PIlling ...). It was so fun that I decided to put my own twist on it (thanks to Jan and her stash of Letters to Santa DSP!) It is used making the ... wait for it ... Mini Milk Carton Die!!! OHMYGOSHAMAZING!! All you hafta do is cut out two of 'em, then cut off one panel from the end of each of 'em (the panel on the end withOUT the tab). Then just tape 'em together, string some Baker's Twine through the top and embellish to your heart's content. VOILA!!! (Insert choir of angels singing here!!)

Stamps: Tiny Tags
Paper: Letters to Santa DSP, Whisper White, Old Olive, Real Red
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: Mini MIlk Carton Die, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Northern Frost Sizzlet Strip Die, Jewelry Tag Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch, Chocolate Chip Scallop Polka Dot Ribbon, Whisper White Baker's Twine (and a little silver sewing thread)

I have been SOOO happy to have my BFF, Jan, staying with me this past week with her chocolate and stamp sets and DSP (bwahahaha!! JK, girlfriend!). I really have enjoyed having her here (we have stamped, eaten chocolate and laughed ourselves to the silly point of tears) ... and having her here for a bonus/extra two days has been FAB!! Loves ya, girl!! Come again ANY time!

And now? On to the Freakishly Fabulous Blog of Lorri Heiling ... here swaps were INCREDIBLY CLEVER!! Check 'em out ...

SU Convention - Days 3 & 4

HolySMOKES!!! I can't even believe I am still awake (it is just about midnight as I type this). I should be snoozin' ... which I will be shortly, but not before I share the a bit of what I've been doing the past two days.

First off, I never showed you one of the mui-FANTABULOUS projects we did in our Make & Takes ... it is a lovely card box. Lots of steps ... but the end result was sooo great!!! The M&T projects were TOP NOTCH this year!!! Amazingamazingamazing!!!

Yesterday at Convention was great!! Learned a lot of new stuff, saw a lot of new stuff, and hooked up with some great friends. This is a pic of me and my dear-sweet-wonderful BFF, Lydia Fiedler!! She is our Dirty Dozen Mama over on SCS. I cannot believe how much this woman makes me smile. I swear, I feel like I have known her forEVER!! A bunch of us went to dinner after meetings yesterday, then headed back to the Salt Palace for a class (which was fun, but I was honestly too tired to create, so I did a lot of visiting ... I know, I know ... so many of you would be SHOCKED to see that I talk as much as I actually do, right???) But, I digress ... I do LOVE this chick, though!





And these CUPCAKES!! Shut UP!!!! There were a few tables LOADED DOWN with 'em when we showed up to our class last night. YUMYUMYUMYUMYUMMMO!!! Cupcakes just make me happy!!

Today was wonderful and bittersweet at the same time. First, let me say that Jan and I stayed up 'til 2:00 a.m. (Note ... does "punch drunk" mean anything to any of you?? We were laughing until we were crying at THE dumbest stuff!!) and then woke again just after 6:00 a.m. so that we could finish our Control Freak swaps. (Note ... there is NOTHIN' that is too good for our Freaky friends!). I was even an hour late getting to the Convention Center this morning as I was finishing my swaps. Found a great parking place right on the street in front of the Convention Center, where parking is free for two hours on Saturday. Got so wrapped up in what I was doing that I forgot to go out and move the car ... which means I got a ticket!! Crap!!! But, I digress ... again ...

Our Freak Swap/Lunch Date was amazing. I can honestly say that I was near tears when I saw all the beautiful creations that everyone had brought to share. And not just because the swaps were so lovely, but that the women who created them are so lovely ... their inner beauty just shines in everything they do. I feel so blessed to be a part of such an amazingly awesome group of women. Love ya, girls!!




And what could be mo' bettah than Spencer Willis singin' "The Candy Man" with his four adorable children??? What a treat that was for everyone!! And the kids didn't seem a BIT nervous OR phased by their newly-found celebrity! Awesome!!







The theme this year was "Grow" ... I swear, I love this company. They are so people-oriented. I always learn so many things I can not only apply to my SU business, but just to my life in general. Lots of inspiration and just genuine good ol' warm fuzzy feelings. I have made some of THE most amazing friendships due to my involvement with SU. Lifetime friends ... people I can turn to when I need help ... with virtually ANYthing. What's not to love about a company that does this for so many people?? Okay ... enough gushing ...

And last, but certainly NOT least ... remember that FAMILY frame I posted a while back HERE?? My BFF Cheryl and I decided to do it as our shoebox swap project that we did with some of our bestest friendies. This is the one I designed using the new luscious Berry Blossom dsp. Isn't it just deLISH??? (The "blank" square is gonna have a family photo in it.) I also did one with the Mocha Morning dsp ... will get a photo of that one and share it with ya soon.

Had a wonderfullygreatterrificfantasticexhaustingexhileratinglyGREAT time this past few days. Now I think I am gonna gets me some SLEEP!!

Stamps: Baroque Motifs (sentiment), Field Flowers (sentiment)
Paper: Berry Blossom DSP, Early Espresso, Wisteria Wonder, Blushing Bride, Whisper White
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: Sans Serif Alphabet Dies, Scribbles & Swirls Embosslits Die, Decorator Label Punch, Lace Ribbon Border Punch, Petal Card Punch, Triple Heart Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch, Early Espresso Baker's Twine, Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch, Boho Blossom Punch, Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder, Whisper White Satin/Organza Ribbon, Wisteria Wonder Ruffled Ribbon, Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions Folder