Monday Montage #208

The struggle is real. I haven't really done an adequate "clean" in my craft room since before Christmas. Which makes each time I go in there a "can't-find-what-I'm-looking-for" experience! Uggghhh! That's it! I'm making a public declaration that a thorough cleaning WILL happen THIS WEEK! There ... I said it ... now I HAVE to do it!!

I have had a love affair with VW Bugs since I was about twelve years old! I have wanted one since then (especially of the vintage convertible type!)! What's NOT to love about them?? They are cute! They are cool! They have engines in the BACK! And they make an adorable little chirpy purring noise when you accelerate in them!! EEEEEP! Some friends of mine just finished totally restoring a 1967 VW ... and I'm hoping they let me take her for a spin around the block a couple of times sometime soon!

I used some Wink of Stella to give the hubcaps and bumpers a little bit of shine and sparkle. Pairing the Bugs with Timeless Tropical gives them the super-cool beachy vibe they deserve, don't you think??

Stamps: Driving By, Timeless Tropical

Paper: Whisper White, Pool Party, Crumb Cake

Ink: Wink of Stella, Versamark, Staz-On Black, Crumb Cake, Pool Party; Stampin' Blends - Pool Party (light and dark), Pumpkin Pie (light and dark), Poppy Parade (light and dark), Daffodil Delight (light and dark), Night of Navy (light and dark), Smoky Slate (light), Basic Black (light)

Accessories: Linen Thread, Champagne Rhinestones

Here's a blog roll just in case you get "stuck" trying to hop around ...

Bree Renwick - Craft-somnia Momma

Cathy Casey - Sugar Shack Designs
Charlet Mallet - Painted Orange  - NOT PARTICIPATING THIS WEEK

Cheryl Curtis - Pomp and Sustenance

Dani Dziama - Dani's Thoughtful Corner

Elizabeth Price - Seeinginkspots

Emily Kimmey - EMK Creations

Julie Warnick - Creating on the Run
Melissa Stout - The Stamp Doc 

Wendy Weixler - Wickedly Wonderful Creations - YOU ARE HERE

 Click "Next" to see Bree Renwick... and "Back" to visit Melissa Stout! I feel so privileged to be "sandwiched" between two such talented and amazing women!

Control Freaks and F*R*I*E*N*D*S

It's easy to be inspired to make something for F*R*I*E*N*D*S along with my fellow Control Freaks, as I consider myself very fortunate to have them as my personal friends!  Deb Henderson made a LOVELY "friend"ly creation (I particularly like her color scheme!)! Awesome!

<

This little girl "Catching Butterflies" makes me think of all things light and wonderful about friendship. Whimsical, happy ... I just love her! And I also have a thing for monarch butterflies, as I grew up in California and they were almost exclusively the butterflies we saw the most.  Used my Stampin' Blends to color her because I really want her to jump off the page ... what do you think??

Stamps: Catching Butterflies, Birch
Paper: Whisper White, Highland Heather, Gorgeous Grape, Early Espresso

Ink: Early Espresso, Versamark, Black StazOn; Stampin' Blends - Soft Suede (dark), Daffodil Delight (light), Petal Pink (dark and light), Highland Heather (dark and light), Pool Party (light), Balmy Blue (light)

Accessories: Scalloped Contours Dies, Basic Borders Dies, White Embossing Powder, Crumb Cake Baker's Twine

I always use a little Pool Party and/or Balmy Blue to add some "shadows" to my colored images.  Just a little bit outside the lines on one side of the image add a LOT of dimension!

Next up? Melissa Davies! She has a LOVELY monochromatic "friendly" card that will knock your socks off!

Monday Montage #207

Busy-busy-BUSY! I did get to take a little time from my weekend and stamp with the Monday Montage girls. This is my SECOND "Nuts & Bolts" card in a row ... I LOOOOVE this set!

I used all three robot images included in the set. Could NOT be happier with the completed card as it is very special for me ... I will be delivering it to my very sweet and amazing little grandnephew, Lincoln. He is turning ONE this week!

The heart and the "1" on the front of the card are slathered with a very glittery layer of Wink of Stella ... Stitched withWhimsy Dies, Checked Embossing Folder, and Basic Borders Dies all also found their way into the mix. Lots of fun adding so many little details on this one!

Stamps: Nuts & Bolts

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

Ink: Basic Gray, Versamark

Accessories: Basic Borders Dies, 

Stitched With Whimsy Dies, Checks Embossing Folder, Whisper White Embossing Powder, Wink of Stella, Metallic Pearls

Here's a blog roll just in case you get "stuck" trying to hop around ...

Bree 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

Emily Kimmey - EMK Creations

Julie Warnick - Creating on the Run
Melissa Stout - The Stamp Doc 

Wendy Weixler - Wickedly Wonderful Creations - YOU ARE HERE

 Click "Next" to see Bree Renwick... and "Back" to visit Melissa Stout! Bree's tulip garden and Melissa's oh-so-cute take on the Nuts & Bolts Stamp Set are stellar!

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!!

Monday Montage #206

I really should have learned by now that I MUST type up my blog posts BEFORE I take my Ambien for the night.  I struggle with drowsiness and restless legs if I try to sit and type ... focus is tricky as is sitting still!! Aaaaack!!

Had my brother come to visit over the weekend from out of town ... love having family around! It was crazy-busy and I'm pretty wiped out ... and happy!

Little ladybugs in springtime gardens are just about the most beautiful sweet things. I took the images from Hello Ladybug and perched them and the Rectangular Stamp Punch pieces,  With the Gingham Embossing Folder as a background, I loved the layout's ability to showcase each of these fun images!

I used some Shimmery Crystal Effects on the ladybug's spots to give them a little dimension.  I also added a clear epoxy teardrop on the green leaf to simulate dew ... this card is fresh and fun@

Stamps: Hello Ladybugs

Paper: Whisper White

Ink: Real Red, Black Stazon, Daffodil Delight, Garden Green

Accessories: Ladybug Builder Punch, Satin Red Double-Stitched Ribbon, Gingham Embossing Folder, Clear Epoxy Droplets, Rectangle Stamp Punch, Medium Daisy Punch

Here's a blog roll just in case you get "stuck" trying to hop around ...

Bree Renwick - Craft-somnia Momma

Cathy Casey - Sugar Shack Designs
Charlet Mallet - Painted Orange - NOT PARTICIPATING THIS WEEK

Cheryl Curtis - Pomp and Sustenance

Dani Dziama - Dani's Thoughtful Corner - NOT PARTICIPATING THIS WEEK

Elizabeth Price - Seeinginkspots

Emily Kimmey - EMK Creations

Julie Warnick - Creating on the Run - NOT PARTICIPATING THIS WEEK
Melissa Stout - The Stamp Doc 

Wendy Weixler - Wickedly Wonderful Creations - YOU ARE HERE

 Click "Next" to see Bree Renwick... and "Back" to visit Melissa Stout!! I am feeling vibes of a beautiful spring on its way from BOTH go them!! Check them out!

What's Your Favorite Color, Freaks?

The Control Freaks are going monochromatic this month while showcasing some of their favorite SU colors.  What's your favorite?? Looks like Deb Henderson is a fan of Polished Pink (me too!). We both used the Rainbow of Happiness stamp set, but it totally different ways ... I LOVE the inspiration I get from other stampers!

I have been a fan of Pool Party since the day I saw if for the first time! It's the perfect blend of light blue with a hint of some green ... I KNEW I had to make my card using it.

I used several sheets of Sunshine & Rainbows DSP to cut out a variety of stars using the Stitched Stars dies. I snuck in a few stars that were Bermuda Bay because it looks SOOOO great with Pool Party.

Stamps: Rainbow of Happiness (sentiment)
Paper: Whisper White, Sunshine & Rainbows DSP

Ink: Bermuda Bay

Accessories: Stitched Stars Dies, Ornate Frames Dies, Blue Adhesive Backed Gems, White 3/4" Frayed Ribbon, Whisper White Baker's Twine

I wanted to share a closeup of what I did with the Frayed Ribbon ... I used a yard needle and did a running stitch down the middle of the piece of ribbon I used. I then pulled the ribbon right and tied some knots at both ends to give it a ruched look.  It adds some fun dimension for sure!

Next up? LeeAnn Greff! Misty Moonlight paired with Night of Navy look DIVINE together!!

Monday Montage #205

2022 ... here we are! I finally finished all 85 of my Christmas cards and got them mailed out last week (I figure as long as they are mailed out by 01/31 they still count, right??). So I am just NOW getting back to my craft room (don't even talk about the fact that my Christmas tree is STILL up!). These new goodies have been waiting to get some love for WEEKS!! I am soooo thrilled to finally be able to play with them.

When you can't decide WHICH bundle of things you want to play with you use more than one, right??? I combined the Rainbow of Happiness dies with the Amazing Thanks dies (and managed, somehow, not to use the coordinating stamps for either bundle!)!

The little bow I attached to the rainbow was made with piece of ribbon (about 3" long). I cut a notch out of each end and then used a piece of baker's twine to tie it through the middle and give it the appearance of a little bow ... it kind of looks like a butterfly too, don't ya think??

I used the polka dot mask from the Basic Pattern Decorative Masks pack to create my background using the same four colors in ink that I used for each stripe of my rainbow - Cherry Cobbler, Calypso Coral, Flirty Flamingo and Petal Pink. Once everything was assembled I used some Wink of Stella to accent one edge of each color of the rainbow, as well as the bottom edges of each of the little floating clouds. This was super fun!

Stamps: None

Paper: Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Calypso Coral, Flirty Flamingo, Petal Pink

Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Calypso Coral, Flirty Flamingo, Petal Pink

Accessories: Rainbow of Happiness Dies, Amazing Thanks Dies, Basic Pattern Decorative Masks, White 3/4" Frayed Ribbon, Whisper White Baker's Twine, Brushed Brass Butterflies, Wink of Stella

Here's a blog roll just in case you get "stuck" trying to hop around ...

Bree 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

Emily Kimmey - EMK Creations

Julie Warnick - Creating on the Run 
Melissa Stout - The Stamp Doc 

Wendy Weixler - Wickedly Wonderful Creations - YOU ARE HERE

 Click "Next" to see Bree Renwick... and "Back" to visit Melissa Stout!! Both of them created the CUTEST cards (which is not surprising at all!)!!

Shine On with the Freaks!

And just like THAT, Christmas is only SIX days away!! I have had hardly ANY time to create lately, and now it seems I am in overdrive trying to do all the Christmas stuff (cards, neighbor gifts/tags, shopping, wrapping, baking, decorating ... the list goes on and on, doesn't it??)! Did ya check out the sparkly Christmas tree made by Bree Renwick? It's so fun ... and I LOVE the color combo! 

I've been wanting to play with the Frosted Gingerbread stamps and Gingerbread dies since the minute I laid eyes on them ... aren't they ADORABLE??!??

With this card I made a z-fold ... which I have not done in FOREVER!! Start with a piece of cardstock that is 8.5" x 5.5".  Use your Simply Scored and score lines at 2 1/8" and 4.25".  You will then be able to fold the base into a "z" so that you can made this fun card!

Stamps: Frosted Gingerbread
Paper: Whisper White, Soft Suede, Real Red, Gingerbread & Peppermint DSP

Ink: Versamark, Real Red

Accessories: Gingerbread Dies, Ornate Frames Dies, Shimmery Crystal Effects, Wink of Stella, Champagne Rhinestone, Whisper White Embossing Powder, White Frayed Ribbon

If you look closely you can seee that I made the icing kinda "sparkly" on this snowflake-shaped Christmas cookies.  I used some Shimmery Crystal Effects ... and THEN when they were dry I brushed them with some Wink of Stella ... I love how shiny AND glittery they turned out!!

To add even a little more "shine" I accented the center of the cookies and the sentiment tag with some Champagne rhinestones.  Also, the soon-to-be-available White Frayed Ribbon has just a little bit of glimmer to it ... ooooooooo! Sooooo pretty!

Here's a little peek at the inside (what you see behind the front panel when you open up the "z").  Something about fun and funky folding just makes me happy!

I'm headed into week #3 of wearing a silicone patch on my surgical incision from my achilles/bone spur surgery ... and it really seems to be working! I am SOOOOO happy! I am actually wearing MATCHING shoes ... with NO backs cut out! I have even started to run again ... it's a CHRISTMAS MIRACLE!!

Next up? Cindy Elam! She has not one, not two but THREE beautiful and shiny creations to be inspired by!

Monday Montage #203

Huzzah and HURRRAH!! You GUYS!!! I've been (im)patiently waiting to be able to order the Penguin Place 

Bundle ... which has been on back order (dumb supply chain!)!! But it is HERE!! It has ARRIVED! And I could NOT be happier!! I mean, punched out penguins?? Seriously???? I am going to be using them for my "official" family Christmas card this year, so I couldn't wait to take it out and at least PLAY with it a little bit! Sqqqquuuuueeeeeee!!! 

Stamps: Penguin Place

Paper: Whisper White, Smoky Slate, Real Red, Basic Black, Mango Melody

Ink: Black Memento, Real Red, Smoky Slate, Mango Melody

Accessories: Ornate Frames Dies, Ornate Layers Dies, Frosted Epoxy Dots, Double Stitched Real Red Satin Ribbon, Flowers for Every Season Ribbon Combo Pack (Faux Linen Ribbon), Whisper White Embossing Powder, Gingham Embossing Folder, Shimmery Crystal Effects

I just had to share a close up of my embossed panel so you could see how PURDY it is!! This is a sneaky peek at the soon-to-be-available gingham embossing folder. Isn't it caaaaaYOOOT??? I want to use it with everything!

Here's a blog roll just in case you get "stuck" trying to hop around ...

Bree Renwick - Craft-somnia Momma

Cathy Casey - Sugar Shack Designs
Charlet Mallet - Painted Orange
- NOT PARTICIPATING THIS WEEK

Cheryl Curtis - Pomp and Sustenance
- NOT PARTICIPATING THIS WEEK

Dani Dziama - Dani's Thoughtful Corner 

Elizabeth Price - Seeinginkspots

Emily Kimmey - EMK Creations

Julie Warnick - Creating on the Run 
Melissa Stout - The Stamp Doc 

Wendy Weixler - Wickedly Wonderful Creations - YOU ARE HERE

 Click "Next" to see Bree Renwick... and "Back" to visit Melissa Stout!! Their creations are joyful and triumphant!!