Steppin' Up With the Freaks!

Ohmygosh! What a WEEK (and it's only MONDAY!)! This month the Control Freaks are Steppin' It Up! Cindy Elam made a GORGEOUS Autumn creation ... did ya see it???? It was BEAUTIFUL!I needed to make a couple of birthday cards for my nieces (one 5 and the other 7)! The ladybugs were the very FIRST thing that came to my 

This is my "quick-and-easy" version.  I punched the daisies and the ladybugs directly from cardstock ... the only stamping, other than the sentiment, was for the ladybugs' spots and the Daffodil Delight center on the daisy. Using the Gingham Cottage DSP made this come together SO easily.  I added a couple of Rustic Metallic Dots and called it good.

And here is my "stepped up" version! I added an extra ladybug AND an additional daisy. Also, I used some Shimmery Crystal Effects to make the ladybug spots and daisy center more 3D ... and I also added a splash of gingham ribbon as well as an additional Rustic Metallic Dot.

You can see the extra texture in this closeup ... 

Stamps: Charming Sentiments
Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Real Red, Gingham Cottage DSP

Ink: Basic Black, Versamark

Accessories: Ladybug Builder Punch, Medium Daisy Punch, Sentiment Silhouettes Dies, Black & White 1/4" Gingham Ribbon, Shimmery Crystal Effects, Rustic Metallic Dots, White Embossing Powder

Next up? Deb Henderson! She has created some beautiful pheasant-y options!

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Monday Montage #222

 

 

HOOOOT! Holy COW!! Salt Lake City has had the HOTTEST summer on record! We hit 107 degrees during a stretch of 10 days over 100 degrees! I am DONE! Sheesh!! THEN ... the jet stream MOVED and cooler air came in (YAY!) ... BUT it brought sooo much smoke from the California fires with it! Since I have had a cold for two weeks, the smoke has NOT been my friend!! Wah-wah-wah!! Oh well ... at least I got to stamp!

 

 

Oink! Oink! Oink!! I have resisted buying ANY of the piggy stamp sets for long enough ... this Birthday Piggy set finally pushed me over the edge! DANG! A piggy on a scooter! Accented with GINGHAM!! I think I am having cuteness overload! Scallops and polka dots as well ... I think my brain is gonna explode!

I've had so much fun lately coloring! I made three of these cards (which I NEVER do!) for family kiddos ... and the little piggy just makes me happy! And the Gingham Cottage DSP is just soooo yummy!

Stamps: Birthday Piggy

Paper: Whisper White, Balmy Blue, Gingham Cottage DSP

Ink: Black; Stampin' Blends - Petal Pink, Balmy Blue, Basic Black, Daffodil Delight, Real Red, Smoky Slate

Accessories: Playful Piggy Dies, Glossy Enamel Dots, Dots & Spots Die, Scalloped Contours Dies, Black and White 1/4" Gingham Ribbon

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  

Wendy Weixler - Wickedly Wonderful Creations - YOU ARE HERE

I need to get this cold thing to GO AWAY! My sinuses are kinda shot and I need them to get over themselves!

Click "Next" to see Bree Renwick... and "Back" to see Julie Warnick - FABULOUS FUN from both of them!

Monday Montage #221

 

 

YAY and HOORAY! Today is my birthday (27 again!)! Had the fam and friends over for a delicious meal prepared entirely by my husband! Had a lovely visit and was FLOODED with love and well wishes via text, phone calls, video messages and Facebook! Boy do I feel LOVED!!

 

 

 

 

Was inspired to make this card after having seen this one created by Tina Wardell. How CUTE is this little dancing hippo anyway?? I just can’t even with this set! Love everything about it!

My little grand niece is going to love the ballerina aspects flanked by two washtubs full of flowers . . .  Can’t say I blame her!

Stamps: Hippest Hippos, Celebrate with Tags

Paper: Whisper White, Balmy Blue, Gorgeous Grape, Highland Heather, Polished Pink, Versamark

Ink: Black, Gray Granite, Blushing Bride Highland Heather, Soft Succulent, Evening Evergreen, Versamark, Wink of Stella

Accessories: Hippo Dies, Cloud Punch, In Color Baker’s Twine, Glossy Enamel Dots, Whisper 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 - NOT PARTICIPATING THIS WEEK

Julie Warnick - Creating on the Run 

Wendy Weixler - Wickedly Wonderful Creations - YOU ARE HERE

Finished a half marathon Saturday ..l feel pretty good and had my best time in a long time! Heading out early tomorrow morning to spend a couple days at Disneyland! Feeling pretty dang spoiled!

Click "Next" to see Bree Renwick... and "Back" to see Julie Warnick - couldn’t be sandwiched between two more talented women!

Seeing Spots with the Freaks!

We are seeing SPOTS and CIRCLES this month with the Control Freaks! You should just have come from the the wonderfully creative Bree Renwick's blog ... and she NAILED the challenge with a GREAT masculine card! I know I have mentioned before that I struggle with "dude" cards. One thing for sure is that Bree does NOT!!

Since we are still in the heat of summer, I am STILL thinking all things fruity! I stole the little citrus wedge image from the Cup of Tea stamp set and stamped it in Polished Pink, Parakeet Party and Pale Papaya (soooo many "P" colors!)! Lots of diecutting, but I love the way it turned out!

Stamps: Cup of Tea
Paper: Whisper White, Parakeet Party, Basic Black

Ink: Polished Pink, Parakeet Party, Pale Papaya, Black Memento

Accessories: Teacup Dies, Black & White 1/4" Gingham Ribbon

I used the little tea bag tag dies to add a little dangling sentiment to this. I used to LOVE making dangling sentiments! I haven't done it for a while and it makes me happy!

Next up? Deb Henderson! Her butterfly creation is SPOT ON!!

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Monday Montage #220

 

 

Whooooooosh! That's the sound the weekend made as it went speeding right by my head! I need another day or two for catching up! Uggghhhhh ... I need a looooong nap! It was my hubby's birthday on Friday and we had the fam over for Sunday dinner and board games ... best part of my week by far!

 

 

 

 

I've been wanting to play with the Tulips dies since I got them a couple of months ago ... I'm about halfway through cleaning my craft space, so it's getting a little easier to create! I just need to find a little more TIME! 

Into the Clouds is quickly becoming my favorite embossing folder ... it's just sooooo good!

Stamps: Charming Sentiments

Paper: Petal Pink, Balmy Blue, Fresh Freesia, Whisper White

Ink: Versamark

Accessories: Tulips Dies, Into the Clouds Embossing Folder, Scalloped Shapes Dies, White Embossing Powder, Pastel Pearls, Basic Black Gingham Ribbon

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 - NOT PARTICIPATING THIS WEEK

Wendy Weixler - Wickedly Wonderful Creations - YOU ARE HERE

This post is a bit of a flyby ... I've been having technical difficulties trying to get this post up and it's 11:32pm ... my brain and body are wiped out!

Click "Next" to see Bree Renwick... and "Back" to see Emily Kimmey ... A-MAZ-ING!!!

Monday Montage #219

I seem to have had very little crafty time this summer! We've been doing quite a few home improvements ... and even thought they are little it seems they take up SOOO much time and make SUCH a mess!! I should really take an entire week of vacation ... and just stay home and clean, organize and finish some projects! HA! Like THAT is ever gonna happen! I'd have to tell everyone I was out of cell phone range and just turn my phone OFF!

I got a manicure yesterday and chose these colors (my ring finger nail has stripes of these colors!!)! Decided it was a fun combo for a card! I really like the new Into the Clouds Embossing folder! I also used the dotted border die from the Sentiment Silhouettes dies to create a sort of binder paper edge. I also couldn't resist using some retired Smoky Slate Gingham ribbon ... it just matched so well!

May the Medium Daisy Punch NEVER retire! It's a perfect staple ... it seems to go with everything!

Stamps: Charming Sentiments

Paper: Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Pool Party, Basic Gray, Smoky Slate

Ink: Versamark

Accessories: Beautiful Shapes Dies, Sentiment Silhouettes Dies, Medium Daisy Punch, Into the Clouds Embossing Folder, White Embossing Powder, Glossy Dots, Smoky Slate Gingham Ribbon (retired)

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 - NOT PARTICIPATING THIS WEEK

Wendy Weixler - Wickedly Wonderful Creations - YOU ARE HERE

Flying over eight hours in a little airplane is an adventure, to be sure!! It's the longest trip we've ever taken in our little homebuilt RV-9A! Coming home seemed to take longer than getting there, but we had such a great time with some good friends and saw an AMAZING bunch of airplanes (on the ground and in the air) at AirVenture 2022 in Oshkosh! It was a very relaxing and much-needed break! Now ... back to the grind!

Click "Next" to see Bree Renwick... and "Back" to see Emily Kimmey ... LoveLoveLove both of them!

Monday Montage #218

It's hot, it's sunny, it's SUMMER!! Holy cow!! We had a loooong and cool spring, but summer seems to have gone into overdrive! I honestly haven't had much time to be crafty lately, so it was GREAT to have an excuse to get out some stamps, dies and paper to play!! I really need to do a massive clean up and destash in my craft room ... maybe next month?? Hahaha!

The Hippest Hippo might quite possibly my most favorite-ist new stamp set/dies combo that I have gotten for a long time! The images are ADORABLE and the dies are DARLING!! So many fun and varied possibilities! They most definitely make me happy!

I added highlights of Wink of Stella to the splashes of water and the little washtub. There's also a little bit of it on the lower edge of the cloud (which I colored with some light Gray Granite). A hippo with a snorkel??? What's NOT to love about THAT???

Stamps: Hippest Hippos, Penguin Place (sentiment)

Paper: Whisper White, Bermuda Bay, Coastal Cabana, Pool Party, Real Red, Flirty Flamingo, Daffodil Delight

Ink: Black Memento, Bermuda Bay; Stampin' Blends - Gray Granite (light and Dark), Petal Pink (light and dark), Balmy Blue (light)

Accessories: White 3/4" Frayed Ribbon, Wink of Stella, Split Card Textures Dies, Hippo Dies, Beautiful Shapes Dies, Cloud Punch, Glossy Dots

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

Bree Renwick - Craft-somnia Momma - NOT PARTICIPATING THIS WEEK

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 - NOT PARTICIPATING THIS WEEK

Wendy Weixler - Wickedly Wonderful Creations - YOU ARE HERE

We have some fun travel plans coming up ... we are flying to Oshkosh for an awesome airshow.  There will be airplanes, hot air balloons, presentations, friends, good food and LOTS to do! I love a good vacation!

Click "Next" to see Cheryl Curtis ... and "Back" to see Emily Kimmey! They are ALWAYS making fun things!

Monday Montage #217

It's another long weekend for me (which I am SOOO happy about!)! We've been working on some projects around the house which pretty much means that the whole place is kinda an exercise in chaos!!  New floors, tile and paint on our back porch, and new shelving for the food storage room in our basement. It's going to look SO great once we get all the things in all the right places!

Being that we are celebrating Independence Day this weekend, I decided to make a card that was a dual purpose one! This is going to be a birthday card for a family cousin, but it also has the appropriate red, white and blue color scheme for this weekend!

I spend a lot of time coloring the central image on this card with my Stampin' Markers. It's a bit of a fussy process, but I love to color so it doesn't bother me one bit!

I also added a few random Champagne Rhinestones to give this card a little sparkle (fireworks, maybe??).

Stamps: Reason to Smile

Paper: Whisper White, Regals DSP, Neutrals DSP

Ink: Real Red, Crumb Cake, Night of Navy, Garden Green

Accessories: White 3/4" Frayed Ribbon, Champagne Rhinestones, Stapler

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

Wendy Weixler - Wickedly Wonderful Creations - YOU ARE HERE

Happy to have two more days off for my long weekend ... Monday for the 4th of July and Tuesday because that is my usual day off ... wahooooooo!

Click "Next" to see Bree Renwick ... and "Back" to see Julie Warnick! Both creations are beautiful!

Monday Montage #216

It's Sunday evening, Father's Day and Monday Montage ... not to mention the weekend is over already! But my fellow Monday Montagers and I still home some fun and pretty things to share with y'all ... so c'mon along!

Customizable newspaper front pages ... how cool is this??? I cut some 1" strips from the Regals DSP to use as the backdrop to this birthday front page ... so much fun! I added a couple of pieces of 3/4" Frayed White Ribbon and a handful of Champagne Rhinestones and VOILA! This one came together pretty quickly, even with a bit of fussy cutting.

The rhinestones add just enough bling to the birthday candles and the headline ... perfect for a happy birthday celebration!

Stamps: Breaking News

Paper: Whisper White,Regals DSP

Ink: Black Memento, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Blackberry Bliss, Real Red

Accessories: White 3/4" Frayed Ribbon, 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- NOT PARTICIPATING THIS WEEK

Julie Warnick - Creating on the Run

Wendy Weixler - Wickedly Wonderful Creations - YOU ARE HERE

Ahhhh Monday ... it's back to work and the daily routine again! I really hope I get to do some fun crafting squeezed into it somewhere!

Click "Next" to see Bree Renwick ... and "Back" to see Julie Warnick! Once again, they nailed it!