Monday Montage #186

First day of spring at it snowed ... also the second day of spring saw snow ... as well as the third day of spring! Honestly, we have had SUCH a low snow year that I know we need eeveery bit of snow we get. It is just SOOO ironic that we had to wait for a change of seasons to SPRING in order to get more snow! Glad I had some time to play this weekend so I could make a card for Monday Montage! YAY!

Now ... about this card. I thought I had it all figured out in my head before I started. Um ... DUH ... I didn't!! I knew I wanted to make a background "sunset sky", but I couldn't quite get what I was going for. I ended up using (from top to bottom) Soft Seaside, Balmy Blue, So Saffron, Mango Melody and Crumb Cake. I masked off a circle to make the moon, and I ripped a scrap of cardstock to make the mask the ground layers to give it some depth when I sponged the Crumb Cake. THEN the work began!! I could NOT figure out what I wanted to do with my images ... or how I wanted to layer them. LOTS of trial and error before I came up with this "framed photo" sort of look. I used some linen thread and created some barbed wire/rope for the frame border accent. Many accents and layers later, I finally decided to quit with what I had. It is what it is, but I guess that's how the creative process goes sometimes!

Stamps: Ride the Range

Paper: Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Whisper White

Ink: Balmy Blue, Soft Seaside, So Saffron, Mango Melody, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Whisper White

Accessories: Stitched Rectangles Dies, Open Range Dies, Pinewood Planks Embossing Folder, Denim Ribbon, Linen Thread, Clear Epoxy Dots, Whisper White Embossing Powder, Stapler

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 - NOT PARTICIPATING THIS

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

Elizabeth Price - Seeinginkspots
Julie Warnick - Julie Warnick Stampin' Up! Blog
Melissa Stout - The Stamp Doc
Wendy Weixler - Wickedly Wonderful Creations - YOU'RE ALREADY HERE!!

The good news??? I think, perhaps, that my Achilles tendon is FINALLY responding to all the things I've been having done to it in physical therapy!! I was actually able to walk some this weekend withOUT limping!! YAY ME!! Crossing my fingers for continued improvement in the days to come!

Click "Next" to see the "Amazing Things" Bree Renwick created ... and "Back" to see the beatuiful "Brushed Blooms" created by Melissa Stout!!

Celebrating - Freak Style!

Here we are again, playing with the Control Freaks! And this month, we are celebrating with our creations. Hopping around, you will just have come from the blog of birthday girl, Melissa Stout! So today I am celebrating HER!! YAY MELISSA!!

I created this card with inspiration from the Stampin' Fancy Friday Blog Hop ... who were using "Everything Ombre" as their inspiration. So, between celebrating my fellow freaky friend, Melissa, and doing a little color fade, this is the card I came up with. I keep telling you guys, if you DON'T have the Basic Patterns Masks, you MUST add them to your collection ... they are SOOOO fun to create with!

Stamps: Vine Design
Paper: Soft Sea Foam, Whisper White, Granny Apple Green, Pacific Point
Ink: Pacific Point, Pool Party, Balmy Blue, Soft Sea Foam, Granny Apple Green, Garden Green, Whisper White
Accessories: Flowering Vine Dies, Stitched Shapes Dies, Whisper White Embossing Powder, Old Olive/Pretty Peacock 3/8" Reversible Ribbon, Basic Patterns Masks

Last week my hubby and I were able to get our first COVID shots ... and tomorrow I take my mama to get her second one! Crossing my fingers and hope she doesn't have too much of a reaction.

Next up??? Cindy Elam! Always fun to celebrate when you see what she has created!!

Fab Friday #209

Part of the interesting "fun" that has developed during this past year with the whole "Zoom" culture is that I can do a Zoom meeting at the same time I am creating something for the blog here. Being busy with my hands actually helps me better focus on what is being said. I'm sure I am ADD on some level, and the ability to quiet my brain while I do something with my hands! So here you have my creation for this week's Fab Friday Stampin' Challenge - sketch. It also ticks a box as a masculine card ... something I have needed to add to my aresenal of cards on hand. 

The Well Suited DSP is SO much fun to play with! The colors and patterns are muh-WAH!!! I had to do a little origami fold shirt to go with this darling little DSP

Stamps: Handsomely Suited
Paper: Cajun Craze, Well Suited DSP
Ink: Whisper White
Accessories: Suits & Ties Dies, 3/16" Braided Linen Trim

Simple, fun and FULL of possibilities!

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

Thursday was spent at physical therapy and running across town to go get our first dose of the Pfizer vaccine for COVID. We are VERY excited to be on our way to fully vaccinated. Sore arm, but nothing much else seems to be affeecting us, yet, so we are feeling very blessed!

Monday Montage #185

Don't ya just HATE looking for things??? I know that I DO!! Especially when it is something you know that you JUST HAD ... and it CAN'T be far!! I've been looking for my AirPods since Saturday night! I use those dang things every dang day all the dang time! And the "find my" app shows that the last time they were used I was at MY house ... at 3:38pm on Saturday. Where is the HECK did I put them down??? DAAAANG!! The "find my" app isn't very helpful when it comes to AirPods ... they have to be charged and NOT in the closed case. Seriously??? If I knew where the charged and closed case was in the first place I wouldn't have to be using the ding-dang app to find where they are, now would I??!!?? SHEESH!! At least I got a bunch of cleaning done whilst looking And I took a break from looking, cleaning and cooking to make a card for this week's Monday Montage, so at least THAT was fun!

I am most definitely feeling me some spring vibes!! It's still cold outside, but I am starting to see the signs of spring. LOVED playing with the Basic Patterns Masks again to create a little ombre effect for my background. A little Detailed Bands Dies and some vellum and I was done!

Stamps: Vine Design (sentiment)

Paper: Whisper White, Melon Mambo, Vellum

Ink: Melon Mambo, Flirty Flamingo, Mango Melody, So Saffron, Whisper White Craft

Accessories: Detailed Bands Dies, Basic Patterns Mask, Trio Corner Rounder, Flowers for Every Season Gems, Whisper White Embossing Powder

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 - NOT PARTICIPATING THIS
Melissa Stout - The Stamp Doc
Wendy Weixler - Wickedly Wonderful Creations - YOU'RE ALREADY HERE!!

I have had three appointments with a physical therapist for my cranky Achilles tendon. Not feeling much of a difference yet, but I AM feeling hopeful that we are going to get things squared away. I sure hope so!! I miss running ... or even walking my dog!! Hopefully SOON

Click "Next" to see what Amy O'Neill ... and "Back" to check out Melissa Stout... beautiful creations, as always!!

Fab Friday #208

I sat and stared at this blog post ... uncompleted ... for at least two hours.  I couldn't think of a single thing to say that I haven't already said about 10 dozen times! I guess that means I have been blogging a very long time ... and my life sometimes just doesn't have anything interesting for me to share with you!

I created the card for this week's Fab Friday Challenge whilst I was participating in a Zoom meeting ... so glad I could multitask! The color combo this go-round looks like a LOT of spring!! I ended up adding a couple of extra colors to help make the flowers pop off the page. I truly wish that Purple Posy had worked out better for SU.  Too many quality control issues with the ink pad to keep it moving forward.  I have liked it since the first day I got it ... and my ink pad has always worked just fine!! We will be getting some new In Colors in the next couple of months (to be released in June), so I am excited to see what is coming!!

Stamps: Pretty Perennials, Buffalo Check
Paper: Whisper White, Mossy Meadow, Mint Macaron, Calypso Coral, Highland Heather, Purple Posy, Soft Sea Foam
Ink: Mossy Meadow, Mint Macaron, Calypso Coral, Highland Heather, Purple Posy
Accessories: Perennial Petals Dies, Frosted Epoxy Dots, Flowers for Every Season Ribbon Combo Pack (Whisper White)

This looks like a bouquet of flowers to me! What do you think??

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

Started some physical therapy for my dumb Achilles tendonitis. The PT is AWESOME and has a LOT of good ideas to help me out.  He thinks two times a week for the next four weeks could straighten me out! Crossing my fingers that things get back to normal SOON!

Monday Montage #184

This has been a VERY looooong week! (And I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels this way.) I have so many lovely and wonderful friends who have lived through the most ridiculous of weeks down in Texas. I won't bore you with all the crazy I had going on, as it was NOTHING in comparison to what others had faced. I am so grateful for a warm house, running water, power ... and an infratrusture that exists in my state (Utah) that can keep the roads driveable in the coldest of weather. Gratitude ... something I have gained a keen focus on this past year ... I really do have a blessed life. And the fact that I have a lovely space in my home, full of tools and supplies, that allows me to create and unwind ... that is an extravagance I so often have taken for granted as well. Of course, I am also grateful for my fellow Monday Montage friends. Their creativity, kindness, and friendship have been more than I can truly ask for. I love that, through this blog hop, we have stayed connected with one another and feel like family.

I thought about this card all day. I had in my mind what I wanted to do, and when I had a chance to sit down and do it, I did it! The donkeys in this set really ARE darling! I had fun coloring this little guy! I even convinced myself to "stop" adding things, even though I felt like I needed to add more (a problem I face every time I make a card!)!

Stamps: Darling Donkeys

Paper: Whisper White, Night of Navy, Basic Gray, Smoky Slate, Balmy Blue

Accessories: Stitched Shapes Dies, Demin Ribbon, Flowers for Every Season Gems, Stapler

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 - NOT PARTICIPATING THIS
Melissa Stout - The Stamp Doc
Wendy Weixler - Wickedly Wonderful Creations - YOU'RE ALREADY HERE!!

Still struggling with my dang Achilles/bursitis thing on my left foot. Back to the doc again on Tuesday to start work on Plan C ... I really hope we figure out something that will make the dumb aches and pains go away!!

Click "Next" to see what Amy O'Neill ... and "Back" to check out Melissa Stout... AMAZING and MARVELOUS!

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!!

Fab Friday #207

When was the last time YOU made a 15-minute card?? EVER???? Bueller ... Bueller??!?? I swear I haven't done it in YEARS (and that is NO exaggeration!)!  Luckily, the layout for this week's Fab Friday Stampin' Challenge was one of those VERY rare moments when I actually DID that!!

To be fair, the strawberry and little flowers were already stamped, cut, punched and sitting on my craft table (leftovers from the last card I posted).  So this just kinda fell into my lap ... and I LOVE it!! Why can't I do this ALL THE TIME???

Stamps: Sweet Strawberry, Buffalo Check
Paper: So Saffron, Whisper White, Basic Black, Flower & Field DSP
Ink: Basic Black, Real Red, Garden Green, Mango Melody, So Saffron
Accessories: Messages Dies, Stitched Shapes Dies, Strawberry Builder Punch, Flowers for Every Season Ribbon Combo Pack (Whisper White), Stapler

I added a few more "layers" to accentuate my focal point ... this has SO many possibilities!

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

And the saga of the "Achilles Tendonitis/Bursitis" continues on. The newest treatment is a brace and some steroids ... sigh ... will this EVER end???

Monday Montage #183

Why is it that weekends seem to just WHOOSH by in the blink of an eye??? If only weekends could be five days long and the work week could be just two days long ... who is with me??? Hahaha ... as if!! I didn't get my craft room cleaned up, though. And I even stamped and sewed and cooked some stuff!1 YAY ME!!! Thanks to Monday Montage I came up with a card that made me really happy!

This took a bit of time ... LOTS of colors, LOTS of stamping, LOTS of die cutting and LOTS of punching. I was kind of thinking about making a "quilt" of a card, and this is what I came up with. I still say that I need gingham ribbon in every single stinking color available! I think gingham makes EVERYthing look better, don't you?

Stamps: Sweet Strawberry, Berry Blessings

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Misty Moonlight

Ink: Magenta Madness, Rich Razzleberry, Misty Moonlight, Pacific Point, Real Red, Mango Melody, Basic Black, Pear Pizzazz, Garden Green
Accessories: Stitched Shapes Dies, Layering Squares Dies, Strawberry Builder Punch, Bumblebee Gingham 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 - NOT PARTICIPATING THIS
Melissa Stout - The Stamp Doc
Wendy Weixler - Wickedly Wonderful Creations - YOU'RE ALREADY HERE!!

I have been doing a LOT of "down time" since I went to the podiatrist almost two weeks ago ... and I can't WAIT to get back to him this week to see what other suggestions he has for me! I have been doing a whole lot of NOTHING and taking a bunch of anti-inflammatory stuff to try to get it calmed down. I definitely have seen an improvement, but I still have a ways to go!

Click "Next" to see what Amy O'Neill ... and "Back" to check out Melissa Stout their projects will make you smile!!

Fab Friday #206

I am feeling some spring vibes coming on! Which happens to be VERY crazy since we are still living in January (my friend has flower bulbs starting to peek through the dirt ... WHAT??)!! This week for Fab Friday we are playing with the pretty and soft color combo of Blushing Bride, Bumblebee and Just Jade. I snuck in a little bit of Basic Black to help make the colors POP!!

Stamps: Pretty Perennials
Paper: Whisper White, Bumblebee, Just Jade, Blushing Bride, Basic Black
Ink:Bumblebee, Just Jade, Blushing Bride, Black Memento
Accessories: Perennial Petals Dies, Stitched So Sweetly Dies, Old World Paper Embossing Folder, Pastel Pearls

Fresh and pretty ... I feel some spring in this color combo!

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

FINALLY went to the podiatrist and had my Achilles tendon looked at.  Doc says it's definitely Achilles tendonitis and some inflammation in the bursa surrouding my tendons ... which means I can't walk, run, massage, or stretch this thing for two weeks (while taking some Aleve two times a day). Also, icing after any sort of walk or anything that might aggravate the situation.  Happy to have a plan ... and crossing my fingers that in two weeks I will be SOOOO much better!!