Monday Montage #210

Hey friends ... we are back with the Monday Montage Girls. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to create and share something I love. Crafting has always been therapeutic for me (since I was a little girl). And Heaven knows I have really needed it this weekend ...

Spring is on its way, and nothing feels more like spring to me than ladybugs and flowers. We had more snow today, but the weather on Friday was absolutely gorgeous ... hopefully we will be getting more of THAT kind of weather before too long.

I added a little hand-drawn stitching using my chalk marker. With a little help from the vellum doilies, Whisper White craft ink and a sponge I was able to create a little bit of a "lacy" background effect here, too! Some polka dots with the aid of the Polka Dot embossing folder and I had it.

Stamps: Hello Ladybug

Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White, Real Red, Daffodil Delight

Ink: Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Garden Green, Versamark, Chalk Marker

Accessories: Stitched So Sweetly Dies, Ladybug Punch, Vellum Doilies, Checks & Dots Embossing Folder, Stapler, Faux Linen Ribbon (from the Flowers for Every Season Combo Pack)

This post is very brief. The past week has been a rollercoaster and a whirlwind all wrapped into one. My dear, sweet mama went to meet my daddy in Heaven last Wednesday. It has been a long road for us ... years and years of struggles are finally over for my mama ... and as sad as I am for us, I am very happy for her as she is no longer trapped in a body with so many infirmities and a mind that was foggy. I will probably talk a little more about this in future posts, but as of now I am both physically and emotionally wiped out. I really am ok (and thanks to so many of you who have reached out with your love and support). Grief is a process for sure!

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
Wendy Weixler - Wickedly Wonderful Creations - YOU ARE HERE

Click "Next" to see Bree Renwick... and "Back" to visit Julie Warnick! Love these women and their amazing talent!

Monday Montage #209

I have typed this ding-dang blog post four different times already!! URRRRRGGGHHH! Blogger is being an absolute JERK to me today!! And I'm tired and wanna go to bed because it's freakin' COLD due to the crazy winter storm we had from Saturday night to Sunday morning! Stupid groundhog ... I was just starting to get used to the temps in the 60's ... dang it!

Made this slimline birthday card for my super adorable grandnephew Jordan's 2nd birthday. When I say adorable, I am not exaggerating. That boy is cute, funny, happy, charming, sweet, lovable and wonderful! I didn't want to make hin just "any ol' card". I had fun making the watercolor background on this using my Aquapainter and lifting the ink out of the lids of my ink pads. I also used the Rectangle Postage Stamp Punch to make the little blocks to put behind the letters of his name ... I slid thee punched images back into the punch after punching them once so that I cut alter them to make them square ... I punched off the extra length (if that makes sense). Love how they turned out!

The photos don't do this cute little card justice. The Wink of Stella I added to the little penguins balloon and the letters in Jordan's name aren't really showing up in the pix ... but that little bit of sparkle is JUST what they needed!

Stamps: Count On Me, Sweet as a Peach (sentiment)

Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White, Midnight Muse, Pacific Point, Balmy Blue, Real Red, Poppy Parade, Watercolor

Ink: Midnight Muse, Pacific Point, Balmy Blue, Wink of Stella, Versamark, Memeto Black; Stampin' Blends - Mango Melody (light and dark), Basic Black (light and dark)

Accessories: Rectangle Postage Stamp Punch, Playful Alphabet Dies, Blue Adhesive Backed Gems, White Embossing Powder

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- NOT PARTICIPATING THIS WEEK
Wendy Weixler - Wickedly Wonderful Creations - YOU ARE HERE

Click "Next" to see Bree Renwick... and "Back" to visit Emily Kimmey! WOW oh WOW!

We Create Blog Hop - Sporting Green

Green is my favorite color. It took me years to actually realize that this was the truth, but SOOOO much of my wardrobe is green ... in every possible shade (but olive green seems to be the front runner). I have dresses, shirts, sweaters, pants, tees, socks and shoes that are green. So this month's WCBH theme "Sporting Green" is right up my alley!

I took the two-heart stamp image from the Nuts & Bolts stamp set and created a bunch of shamrocks. To be fair, there is a bunch of fussy cutting going on here, but I find that therapeutic!

Stamps: Nuts & Bolts, Hello Ladybugs (sentiment)

Paper: Whisper White, Garden Green, Granny Apple Green

Ink: Garden Green, Versamark

Accessories: Ornate Frames Dies, Stitched Greenery Dies, Metallic Pearls, Blue Adhesive-Backed Gems

I used some gold metallic pearls and some Blue Adhesive-Backed gems to set off the centers of these little shamrocks.  I hand cut the stems for the clovers since I couldn't find an image that would work, and they were super easy to snip out!

We Create Blog Hop Blog Roll -

MARCH 2022

Wendy Weixler - YOU ARE HERE

Cheryl Curtis

Kimberley Morris

Tricia Butts

Tanya Harvey

Go check out the rest of the lovely green creations of these wonderfully crafty ladies! Next up? Kimberley Morris!

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!

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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!!