TGIF #427 - Bonus Inspiration Challenge - Beach Party!

It's Friday again, so that means it's time for TGIF Challenge!  This week we are having a beach party, so grab your towel, swimsuit and snacks

I was up in Walla Walla last weekend visiting my BFF Bree Renwick (who also happens to be a fellow TGIF friend!). One of the fun things about visiting other stampers is that you get to play with their stash of goodies! I had so much fun playing with the So Refreshing stamp set and dies! I feel like the beach is the PERFECT place to enjoy a pitcher of fresh lemonade, don't you?? All that was missing was a an umbrella! This set is seriously adorable and pairs perfectly with the Sweet Citrus Embossing folder!

I used the edge of one of the blades on my paper snips to rough up the edges of the Whisper White and Bubble Bath layers ... I love the distressed look!

Stamps: So Refreshing

Paper: Whisper White, Bubble Bath, Lemon Lolly

Ink: Memento Black, Bubble Bath, Lemon Lolly, Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo

Accessories: So Refreshing Dies, Sweet Citrus Dies, Gingham Ribbon, White Baker's Twine, Classic Matte Dots

Thanks for stopping by! Hope y'all have a lovely weekend enjoying something you love with people who make you smile!

Monday Montage #238

 

Happy Monday Montage! So glad you have stopped by! The girls have created some terrifically fun cards this week, so let's get started!!

I used the "tackle box" die from "Gone Fishing". I see sooo many different ways to use this fun die! My father in law is NOT a fisherman ... in any way, shape or form! I could see a "collage" every time I looked at the tackle box die, and the accompanying DSP is just soooo dang great!!

I then decided I wanted to add the great little bicycle die from the "Fun On Wheels" bundle.

If you look closely you can see that I used my Misty Moonlight Stampin' Blend to flick some speckles onto the sentiment panel. I got a little overzealous and ended up with a kinda chunky blob next to the "H" in Happy! On second look, I decided I actually liked it, so it stayed! I roughed up the edges of that same panel with my paper snips.

Stamps: Gone Fishing

Paper: Misty Moonlight, Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Gone Fishing DSP

Ink: Pecan Pie, Misty Moonlight

Accessories: Gone Fishing Dies, Fun On Wheels Dies, Adhesive-Backed Solid Gems, Pecan Pie 1/2" Bordered Ribbon, Linen Thread

We had a wonderful weekend with family ... a reunion on Saturday and a lovely dinner on Sunday! It was fun to give this card to my father in law. He had NO idea it was made with "fishing" dies!!

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

Click "Next" to see Bree Renwick... and "Back" to see Julie Warnick - they are sure to make you smile!

MonM

TGIF #425 - Life is Better in Flip Flops - Technique Challenge

I'm back!! I spent some time with Lux Choral Society in the Pacific Northwest last week (a choir my son is in - sooo much fun!)! It has taken me several days to get back to "normal" ... why do we always need a vacation after we come home from a vacation??? Check out the TGIF Challenge challenge blog to see what the Team creatively produced this week!

I really have been wanting to dig into this Share a Milkshake bundle since the day I saw it in the new catalog! This was the absolutely PERFECT set to use to create a card with a "flipflop" element.  It has been FOREVER since I made a card of this ilk ... I had forgotten how satisfying it feels!

Here's a closeup! This is a basic A2 size card ... to create the "flipflop" element all you need to do is for the front panel back halfway (at the 2 1/8" mark). It then creates a "Z-fold". Super easy and super fun!

Stamps: Share a Milkshake

Paper: Whisper White, Melon Mambo, Tahitian Tide, Real Red

Ink: Melon Mambo, Tahitian Tide, Real Red

Accessories: Share a Milkshake Dies, 2022-2024 In Color Pearls, 2022-2024 In Color Baker's Twine, Basic Embossing Folder

Here it is all opened up. I used the dies to make the hearts on the right side and the stamps to add the little ones on the left side. This one makes me happy!

Thanks for stopping by! Looking forward to the weekend ... it's Anderson Family Reunion Time and I am soooo excited to see many lovely aunts, uncles and cousins!!

TGIF Challenge #423 - Color Challenge

I think I have the right challenge on the correct Friday this time! YAY ME!! Hop one over to the TGIF Challenge challenge blog to see what the Team has created with this fun color combo challenge!

Songbirds and eyelet lace frames ... a most PERFECT combination, if you ask me! I created the frame by using the Darling Details Dies, and then filled the frame with images I cut, stasmped and punched from the Sweet Songbird Bundle. With a little bit of Linen Thread and a few In Color Pearls this little birdie looks quite comfy on that branch!

This really is a sweet little songbird. I loved punching out the wing and belly on this cute little body to add some extra dimension to him.

Stamps: Sweet Songbirds

Paper: Whisper White

Ink: Calypso Coral, Lemon Lime Twist, Smoky Slate

Accessories:  Darling Details Dies, 2022-2024 In Color Pearls, Songbird Builder Punch, Linen Thread

Crazy season has begun! I'm headed up to the PNW with my son's choir ... and to visit my daughter, and to visit some cousin who were just visiting us in SLC. I LOOOVE seeing my family!

Monday Montage #236

 

Here we are again ... it's time for the Monday Montage girls to share some fun new creations with you! These girls are ON FIRE!!!

Tappity-tap-tap-tap! And just like that I made a fun card from the new Just My Type stamp set (along with some help from the Countryside Contours Dies). And let's not forget the fun spiral die that is included in the Gorgeously Made Dies! This one came together pretty easily ... sometimes I get lucky!! 

I added a couple of the images from the Just My Type set to the Coastal Cabana cardstock behind the main images ... it's pretty cute, right??

Stamps: Just My Type

Paper: Whisper White, Coastal Cabana, Real Red, Basic Black

Ink: Black Memento, Real Red, Coastal Cabana

Accessories:  Gorgeously Made Dies, Countryside Corners Dies, 3/4" Circle Punch, 1/4" 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 

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

Wendy Weixler - Wickedly Wonderful Creations - YOU ARE HERE

Click "Next" to see Bree Renwick... and "Back" to see Emily Kimmey - SOOOOOO GOOOOOD!

MonM

Planting a Freaky Garden!

The Control Freaks are planting a virtual garden this month, and you are invited to join us!  Debbie Henderson's was absolutely beautiful, don't you think?? This challenge was EASY PEASY (because, be honest, who doesn't own about a GAZILLION floral/nature stamps???!!??)

Although I am still mourning the loss of so many good core colors (Mango Melody and Sahara Sand!), I have to admit that I am utterly BEWITCHED by one of the new 2023-2025 In Colors - Pebbled Path! It's the PERFECT combo of almost-gray-almost-brown-but-not-quite-either! It's soooo much prettier in person ... and goes with so dang much! 

And I had to have this set mostly because of the spiral/stitched die that is in it ... be still my heart!

 

I "stole" this color combo from the ever-impressive Stampin' Up Artisan, Tammy Wilson. That girl is a stampin' WIZARD! I don't think she has EVER made an ugly card! I added a little Bubble Bath to mine, but I am loving this combo! I can't remember the last time I used FIVE different colors on one card!

Stamps: Gorgeously Made

Paper: Pebbled Path, Mellow Moss, Boho Blue, Bubble Bath, Moody Mauve, Whisper White

Ink: Mellow Moss, Pebbled Path, Boho Blue

Accessories: Gorgeously Made Dies, Twisted Rope Embossing Folder, Lined Thread

I shall have to "carb up" and go to bed early since I have to get up at Zero Dark Thirty (aka 3:30am!) tomorrow morning for the Ogden Half Marathon! I have to keep reminding myself that I MYSELF sign up for these things and pay the entrant fee ... so NO COMPLAINING!

Next up? Melissa Davies! Another exquisite garden!

 

TGIF Challenge #420 - Sketch Challenge

I seem to be operating in a vacuum or something Things go into my brain and then they just bounce around and around and around, often getting lost in in the process!!! I made a card for this week's TGIF Challenge ... then realized when I went to post it that it was LAST week's challenge!! SHEESH!! If you'd like to check it out, here's a link to the TGIF Challenge challenge blog!

SQUUUUUEEEEE!!! The new Earthen Textures Bundle/Suite is THE BOMB!!! The colors, the DSP, the images, the TRIM ... I can't EVEN!!! I think it may be one of my favorite suites EVER EVER EVER!!! You NEEEEED this in your life!

Seeeee????? I roughed up the edges of each layer of DSP with the edge of my paper snips ... I love the "earthy" texture that is added by doing that!

Stamps: Earthen Textures

Paper: Misty Moonlight, Very Vanilla, Earthen Elegance DSP

Ink: Copper Clay, Boho Blue, Pebbled Path

Accessories:  Earthen Textures Dies, Natural 1/4" Wavy Trim, 2023-2025 In Color Dots, Linen Thread

Tomorrow I am running my second half marathon with the Huntsman Heroes (we raise money for cancer research) ... the Ogden Half! It's one of my faves as it is downhill and BEAUTIFUL!!

Monday Montage #235

 

I reaaaallly need to reorganize, purge, clean and sort my craft room ... I have waaaayyy too much stuff ... and I have a TON of stuff that has just ended up there even though it has no business being in a craft room! It's hard to get motivated to do something that you don't really want to do, isn't it??

A few more new toys were used to make this week's Monday Montage Creation.  The Elegant Borders Dies ... YES!  The Stamped With Love Stamp Set ... YES! The Countryside Corner Dies ... YES-YES!! I also used the Tropical Leaf Punch and Stamps again (online exclusives). I like them a LOT!

I have always been a fan of Pool Party ... it is just such a lovely color! It works for so many different types of images. 

Stamps: Stamped With Love, Tropical Leaf

Paper: Whisper White

Ink: Black Memento, Pool Party; Stamping Blends - Smoky Slate, Pool Party

Accessories: Tropical Leaf Punch, Whisper White Baker's Twine, Elegant Borders Dies, Countryside Corners Dies

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

Wish me luck ... I'm going to start to make a DEEP DIVE into my craft room and try to put it back into shape. I think if I set a timer for an hour and just go do it a little at a time, I will get there before I know it!

Click "Next" to see Bree Renwick... and "Back" to see Julie Warnick - LOVE being sandwiched between two such talented ladies!

MonM

Control Freak Sketchin'!

We are getting sketchy with the Control Freaks this month!  Cindy Elam did an AMAZING job, as usual!! I pulled out some new stamps, paper, ribbon AND gems to play with ... so let's get started!

LOTS of pieces going on here ... I love a good sketch challenge!!

So. Much. Pink! I am so totally SMITTEN with the new Bubble Bath (core color) and Moody Mauve (2023-2025 In Color) shades of pink!! They are both sooooo good! The cupcake and flowers (along with the sentiment) are from a new set (available next month) called "Circle Sayings" ... such a good combo with the Online Exclusive 3D Embossing Folders, right???

Up close and personal ...

Stamps: Circle Sayings

Paper: Bubble Bath, Moody Mauve, Basic Gray, Smoky Slate, Whisper White

Ink: Moody Mauve

Accessories: 2 3/8" Circle Punch, 2023-2025 In Color Gems, Basics 3D Embossing Folders, Moody Mauve Ribbon, Stapler

I saw some forsythia bushes that had actually turned YELLOW!! We have been sooooo sloooow to get to spring, but it looks like it is finally coming (although it was only 37 degrees this morning!!)!

Next up? Bree Renwick! LOVE the color combo she chose!

 

Monday Montage #234

 

Hallelujah!! We haven’t had any new snow of substance for the past two weeks!! We had one day when we got upon to 82 degrees!! (And then it dropped to 35 degrees about two days later!) Looks like we are on our way to more sunny days … and I couldn’t be happier about it!

My 2023-2024 Catalog Preorder arrived a few days ago … so much pretty paper! LOTS of new colors and some returning favorites! I used some of the returning Lemon Lime Twist to make a background for this adorable “Little Monkey”. I knew he was going to have to come and stay at my house! My grandnephew LOVES the “5 Little Monkeys” song I taught him back in February.  His mom and dad say he walks around the house shouting “Snap that Monkey” all the time! I think he is going to get this card in the mail!

See what I mean??? This little monkey is totally ADORBS!! I will be getting a LOT of use out of him!

Stamps: Little Monkey

Paper: Whisper White, Lemon Lime Twist, Lemon Lolly, Very Vanilla

Ink: Black Memento; Stamping Blends - Crumb Cake, Granny Apple Green

Accessories: Raindrops Embossing Folder, 2 3/8” Circle Punch, 2023-2025 In Color Dots, 3/8” 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

My first half marathon of the season is coming up on Saturday … the Salt Lake Half! It’s been a long road this season, but I think I’m ready!

Click "Next" to see Bree Renwick... and "Back" to see Julie Warnick - BEAUTIFUL work by both!

MonM