Challenge Cards Again!

I really like doing "challenges" . . . challenges over on SCS, blog hop challenges . . . pretty much anything that helps me to get my creative juices flowing in a direction I may not otherwise have gone. These two cards are both from challenges over on SCS . . . one was last Friday, and the other was yesterday's Featured Stamper challenge.

I have been having way too much fun with my Cricut the last few weeks. I figure it is about time to start using my investment (and NO, I'm not EVEN gonna tell ya how many Cricut cartridges I own!!). I gathered dust for a little too long, but I am trying to get back into the swing of things with it! This card was for last Friday's LSC - LSC233, which I combined with last week's sketch challenge - SC241 (and we KNOW that I LOVE the LSC, since I get to hostess it every fourth or fifth week!). I made a card with this little crabby dude wearing shades waaayyy back in the day. The theme was to do a card that was a "goodbye to summer" sort of a deal. My fam spends several weekends every summer up at the family condo by Bear Lake (Utah/Idaho border). We have not known a summer in 25 years without the lake. We love it there. And while I have NEVER seen a crabby dude with shades (okay, well, maybe that guy who was sleeping on the beach and awakened when we shook off our sandy towels . . . HE was a crabby dude!! Can't remember if he was wearin' shades, though), we do spend many-an-hour building sand monsters, castles, creatures AND the Bear Lake Monster himself!! Good times!

Stamps: Crab and Company, Shore Thing, Summer Fun
Paper: Kraft (PTI ad Provo Craft), True Thyme, Soft Suede, Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango, Bermuda Bay, Ruby Red, Very Vanilla
Ink: Basic Black, Soft Suede, Dusty Durango
Accessories: Cricut Life is a Beach Cartridge, modern label punch, word window punch, 1" circle punch, soft suede polka dot ribbon, paper distressing tool, clear embossing powder, versamark pen, pop-up glue dots

I was stopped DEAD in my TRACKS by Emily's (aka Stamp Muse - FS132) butterfly card that inspired my recreation here:

Butterfly Medallion by Emily

I used one of my fave butterfly dies on this one, too! I love how BIG and GORGEOUS it is!! And I would know about butterfly dies . . . and stamps . . . and doo-dahs, right???

Stamps: Medallion, Small Script
Paper: Basic Black, Summer Sun, glittery black, vellum, whisper white
Ink: Basic Black, Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie
Accessories: Quickutz Monarch Butterfly Die, Interlaced Corner Adorner punch by EK Success, shimmery white organza ribbon, white polka dot Organza ribbon by May Arts, large oval punch, white embossing powder, brayer, dimensionals

STAY TUNED LATER THIS WEEK. THE FREAKS BLOG HOP IS COMING ON THURSDAY AND YOU WON'T WANNA MISS IT!! (Okay, sorry for shouting . . . I'm just excited, can't you tell???)

A Couple of Challenge Cards . . .

For some reason (hmmmm . . . let me think . . . maybe girls camp AND SU Convention during the same week??) I seem to be struggling to catch up around here on cards I have made but haven't yet shared. These two are examples of that . . .

This first one was done for WT231 - to use something variegated in your project. I made this card for my DH's 47th birthday this week. Sheesh!! We ARE getting up there in years, aren't we??? (Wish I could say he robbed the cradle, but it really ain't true!!) The only variegated thing I own is this rickrack, so I was glad I was able to incorporate it . . .

Stamps: Big Bold Birthday
Paper: Barely Banana, Chocolate Chip, Certainly Celery, Pumpkin Pie, Summer Sun, Whisper White, Sarah dsp
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Cricut Wild Card cartridge, Cuttlebug Happy Birthday, Tiny Bubbles and D'Vine Swirl embossing folders, word window punch, chocolate chip ribbon, variegated rickrack

This one has been done for several weeks! I did it for CC229 waaaayyyy back at the end of July!! Sheesh (again!)!!! I just haven't been able to squeeze it in here 'til now. I'm still not sure what I think about this color combo, but it is always good to try something new and step "outside the box" or comfort zone, eh??

Stamps: Medallion, Polka Dots, Short & Sweet
Paper: Basic Black, Pixie Pink, Whisper White, Apricot Appeal
Ink: Basic Black, Certainly Celery, Pixie Pink
Accessories: Spellbinders Large Standard Circle and Large Classic Circle (S4-114), 1 1/4" circle punch, large polka dot brad, modern label punch, word window punch, black and white gingham ribbon

Have a super-duper weekend!!

Bleach On the Go!

It has been eons and EONS of time since I have used bleach on cardstock (in fact, my bleach was "dead" . . . I tried it on three different colors of cardstock - NADA - which made me realize it had lost its potency! Didn't really realize that bleach could DO that!).

As soon as I saw the color challenge on SCS Tuesday, this overall idea popped into my head. I just wasn't sure whether I wanted to use Soft Suede or Rich Razzleberry . . . so I made one of each! I find it MUI-COOL when then cardstock changes color under the bleached image . . . and I am often surprised as to what color shows up. I had NO idea that Apricot Appeal would come out of Soft Suede (seriously, I almost NEVER-EVER use that color . . . I kinda forgot I had it!). Coolio!!

Stamps: Baroque Motifs
Paper: Very Vanilla, Apricot Appeal, Soft Suede
Ink: Soft Suede
Accessories: Dark chocolate ribbon by PTI, pearl sticker

And this is the one I did with the Rich Razzleberry (which I was pretty sure would turn Pretty in Pink - which it did). I am totally LOVING my new In Colors. And I have recently "rediscovered" Baroque Motifs . . . a truly awesome stamp set!!

Stamps: Baroque Motifs
Paper: Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, Rich Razzleberry, Pretty in Pink
Ink: Rich Razzleberry
Accessories: Large and small oval punches, scalloped oval punch, dark chocolate satin ribbon (Papertrey), pearl sticker, dimensionals, paper piercing tool/mat, bleach

One More to Go . . .

Well, well, well, my friends! This card makes #103 in my "Follow the Butterflies" challenge. I totally cannot believe that I am only one card away from completing the journey . . . two years' worth of butterfly cards. Unbelievable!! Even more unbelievable is that we will be leaving in just three short weeks for Germany/Austria to go and pick up the "Butterfly Boy" himself!! The time really has gone by much more quickly than I could ever have guessed. Incredible! (If you are new to my blog and have no clue what I am talking about, check out the link AND slideshows on the sidebar to the right!)

This was one of the most FUN cards I have had the chance to create in a loooonnnnggg time. This fold was for TLC233 . . . here is a link to Lynn's very wonderful step-by-step instructions:

Lynn's Tri-Fold Pocket Card






Here is a view of the pockets on the inside . . .







And finally, the panels behind the pockets . . .

I definitely know that I will be trying this funky and fun fold again. It was totally fun to create!

I just need to decide NOW what to do for the final butterfly card . . . can't wimp out for the finale, now can I???


Stamps: For All You Do
Paper: Certainly Celery, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White
Ink: Certainly Celery, Rich Razzleberry
Accessories: Rich Razzleberry polka dot ribbon, black brads, wide oval punch, 1/16" circle punch, sponge

Fancy New Digs and Freaky New Swaps!

How do you like my new digs??? Pretty dang ol' spiffy, eh?  I REALLY like what Michelle Baird did for me this time around . . . I think it looks MUI-MUI fabulous!!

And . . . as promised . . . here are the Control Freak Swaps that I got at Convention!! Hooray!! I hope y'all enjoy them as much as I do!!

This first one is mine . . . I feel kinda dumb that it is sitting all by itself when all of the other ones on this blog post will be with a friend!!

Stamps:  Wedding Sweet

Paper:  Basic Black, Whisper White, Bermuda Bay, Taken with Teal, Groom dsp

Ink:  Basic Black craft

Accessories:  Large oval and scalloped oval punches, eyelet border punch, designer label punch, clear rhinestone brad, white taffeta ribbon, clear embossing powder

Here are the rest of the FREAKS!!

Annette Jensen

and

Gretchen Barron

Cindee Wilkinson

and

Jan Tinklenberg

Cindy Major

and

Steph Leider

Dawn Olchefske

and

Robin Spinner

Kimberley Morris

and

Patty Bennett

Connie Babbert

and

Brandi Wiggins

Aren't these just AWESOME???!!  Sometimes it is just so COOOL to be a FREAK!!!

A Couple of Cards . . . and a Promise!

It has been soooo much fun having Jan here this week. It has also given me an excuse to STAMP every free moment, because, OF COURSE, I don't want her to be bored here since Convention is OVER and she doesn't have to leave until this afternoon!! (Insert BIG smiley face here!!)

I got up early yesterday morning (couldn't sleep, even though I was DOG tired!). When I saw that Joanne (aka SleepyinSeattle) was the Featured Stamper over on SCS I was THRILLED! Her stuff is AMAZING, and she has a freakin' HUGE galery, so I actually made TWO cards, not just one!!

This first one I had SOOO much fun making (and learned a thing or two in the process!). First, I love how Joanne used a zigzag border punch to create the top edge of a fence, so that was the first thing I learned to do. Here is the card box she made that was my inspiration. I just turned it into an actual card:

Joanne's Kraft Picket Fence Box

AND I learned the "faux woodgrain" technique from Joanne as well. How cool is THAT??? And here I thought I already knew everything! Sheesh! I guess that pops THAT bubble in my mind!! HELP! I need CHOCOLATE!! (I have been hanging around that JanTink a little too much this week!)

Stamps: Happy Birthday by Our Daily Bread
Paper: Kraft, Old Olive, Certainly Celery, Pumpkin Pie, Summer Sun, Whisper White
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Going Gray, Old Olive, Basic Black
Accessories: Leaf punch (unknown), small daisy punch (unknown), 1/4" circle punch, horizontal slot punch, EK Success zigzag border punch, brown polka dot organza (May Arts), white gel pen, sponge, glue dots

And here is my second sample. There were two inspirations for this card. First, here is Joanne's:

Joanne's Circles All Around

Which brings me to my second inspiration and my PROMISE . . . I got the idea for the very cool heart cutout from my fellow Control Freak, Cindee Wilkinson. She made the cutest card for our CF swap at Convention. I haven't had a chance to photograph those darn CF Swaps, so you will have to wait . . . 'til TOMORROW . . . to see it (and the rest of the CF Swaps). That is my PROMISE!! Too darn much fun happening here!

Stamps: Jesus by Our Daily Bread
Paper: Whisper White, Soft Suede
Ink: Whisper White
Accessories: Spellbinders Classic Heart (S4-138), trio flower punch, Scor-Pal, gold shimmery organza ribbon, glue dots

I really gotta get some sleep . . . and eat less chocolate (WAIT!! Did I REALLY say that???)!! My backside is gonna get too big if Jan stays here much longer!! I though that I was bad about chocolate, baby!! She has a ready supply on hand which is good . . . or is it bad???

Convention Highlights

WOWZA!! What a whirlwind of a week THIS has been!! Between running back and forth from girls camp (which I have done TWICE this week between Tuesday and Thursday!) and running to and from the Salt Palace Convention Center for SU Convention, I think I am SO tired that my HAIR hurts!! Honestly, though, it has been a LOAD of fun!!

Here I am with my new BFF Jan (yes, THAT Jan . . . as in the Queen Herself . . . JanTink!!)! We have cracked each other up all week (because we are both UPROARIOUSLY funny!!). Honestly, we have had fun talking, laughing, stamping, eating and not sleeping since Monday!! (She had a different funny shirt to wear every day, too! She even made me a transfer, which I DID put on my shirt, that said, "Yes, my stamp room is real, and it's Marvelous!!" She had the picture of me from the Stampin' Success article on it smack dab in the middle. It was AWESOME!!) It's been so fun having her as a houseguest!! Thanks for the chuckles . . . and the chocolate, my dear friend!





Here I am with Rhonda (rhondag) and Bev (BevMom). LOVE these girls!! It was so great to see them again (can't believe it has been a whole year ALREADY!!)





Can anyone say FREAKY???? I had organized a swap and lunchtime get-together with my freaky girls . . . aka Control Freaks!! What a riot!!! As I was standing on a chair holding up a sign so that they could all find us, Thurl Bailey (yes, the SAME Thurl Bailey of NBA fame who just happens to be on SU's Board of Directors) came strolling by. He took one look at my sign and said, "Is my wife over there???" We all got a good laugh out of that!! AND did y'all notice that, even though I am standing on a chair, Thurl is STILL taller than me!!! GOOD GRIEF!!!



Here are ALL the Freaks that were at Convention and able to join us for lunch. (I am not sure what we are laughing at, but someone made a funny SOMEwhere!!)!

Front row: Patty Bennett, Connie Babbert, ME, Robin Spinner, Cindy Major
Back row: Steph Leider, Cindee Wilkenson, Annette Jensen, Kimberley Morris, Jan Tinklenberg, Brandi Wiggins, Dawn Olchefske, Gretchen Barron



More and more friends . . . here I am with another fun friend from SCS - Jackie - hpyscrpr2 - and her downline, Theresa. It was fun spending a little time visiting with them again as well (they were amongst the many at the party at my house last last year, too!). I feel so fortunate to have made sooo many friends through stamping and paper crafting!







Here's another one of me and Jan. Her shirt says, "I have visited Wendy Weixler's stamp room and all I got was this lousy shirt!" SNORT!!! TOTALLY not true!! I let her use my heat embossing tool and some embossing powder, too! ;)




And here are my homegirls . . . Shellee and Cheryl . . . without whom I would know absolutely NOTHING about stamping AT ALL!! They taught me everything I know (and not just about stamps, either!). I am truly blessed to have such wonderful friends . . . :)


And looking at all of these pictures reminds me that I NEED A HAIRCUT!! So happy that I have an appointment Monday morning!! It was a great, whirlwind of a week, that's for sure!! Stay tuned tomorrow and perhaps I can share the Freaky swap I made . . . and maybe share with you the ones I received in return!! :)

Convention is Upon Us!

I am soooo stoked that Stampin' Up Convention is this week!!! Did I also forget to mention that our church girl's camp is this week? Which means I have TWO places I am supposed to be at the SAME TIME!!! YIKES!! I will be taking some of the youth camp leaders up to camp tonight and coming back in the morning. We check in to Convention tomorrow, then spend Thursday, Friday and Saturday stamping, visiting, eating (chocolate is a MUST!), learning and getting charged up for the next year. I will be going BACK to camp on Thursday evening (the last night of camp) for dinner and hanging out with the girls. It's going to be a busy week, for sure!!

Here is one of the little "Secret Sister" treat boxes I made for the girls (we do a Secret Sister exchange every year, and I am the one usually in charge of the initial "treat"). I am filling the box with a necklace that is a bell on some leather cord (think the jingle bells from "Polar Express") AND some chocolate kisses. The girls have chosen "Hear It's Gentle Sound" as the theme this year (hence, the jingle bells on the box and IN the box!). This is just your basic explosion box. Pretty quick and simple to make. Here is a link for the tutorial on SCS:

Explosion Box Tutorial

I adapted it to make a bigger box. The base piece is an 8 1/2" square, scored at 2 1/2" down each side. The lid is a 7 5/8" x 5 1/2" piece, scored at 1" down the 7 5/8" sides, and at 15/16" and 1 15/16" on the 5 1/2" sides between the 1" score marks. Does that make sense? It should when you look at the link for the tutorial above . . .

Not sure how much updating I will get to do this week, but I promise to share SOME pictures from Convention. And guess what??? JanTink is in da house!! That's right! Jan is staying with me this week for Convention, and we have been cracking each other up since she got here yesterday (at least WE think we are funny!)!! She and I are going to be going on the Quest-for-the=Kicked-to-the Curb-Projects . . . aka the projects we BOTH submitted for the Stampin' Up Artisan Award . . . that DIDN'T win . . . sigh . . . that SHOULDA won . . . sigh . . . we have both had one of our cards from that submission show up on Stamper's Showcase, so we are thinking that there are NINE other projects for each of us that MUST be on the display boards somewhere at Convention! We WILL keep you posted on that!!

Paper: Black Linen (generic) and La Creme by DCWV
Accessories: Large and small oval punches, label maker, Spellbinders Ribbon & Bells (S3-138), black organza ribbon

Our Daily Bread August Release!

I am a day late and a dollar short on this post, as the new release actually started YESTERDAY (YIKES!!) Nonetheless, y'all are gonna LOVE the two new sets released for August by Our Daily Bread!

Jesus

Happy Birthday

I used one of the wonderful sentiments from the "Happy Birthday" set to create this sample for you (and you all GOTTA know that I LOVE this set in particular because it has BUTTERFLIES in it!! )

I found inspiration to create this from today's Featured Stamper over on SCS - Teresa Kline (aka VA.sunshine!). Here is a link to HER card (before you say, "What??" I loved the fact that she used "No Pictures," as she titled the card, and the blues in this got me to thinking about the Bella Bleu dsp!)

No Pictures by Teresa

Check out what some of the other girls in the "Bread Basket" have created for you (and I'm warning you, look at your own risk . . . it's gonna make you NEED these sets!!):

Angella Crockett
Betty Wright
Connie McCotter
Chris Olsen
Deb Saaranen
Jane Wetzel
Judy Rozema
Loretta Lock
Sandee Shanabrough
Silke Ledlow

Stamps: Happy Birthday by Our Daily Bread
Paper: Kraft, Very Vanilla, Not Quite Navy, Bella Bleu dsp
Ink: Not Quite Navy
Accessories: Spellbinders In Spades pendant die (S4-208) and Large Mega Deckled Rectangles (S5-015), Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder, kraft taffeta ribbon, pearl sticker

A Challenge to DIE for!

It was once again my turn to be LSC hostess over on SCS. I had sooo much fun making these cards. I have had my Cricut for a few years, but don't drag it out and use it NEARLY as often as I should. Every time I use it I wonder why I don't use it more often!!

The challenge was for players to create a card or project where a diecut was the focal point. They could use a diecut machine, like the Cricut or Cuttlebug (or Big Shot or Wizard, etc.), or punches, which are essentially mini diecuts. Chipboard was also used by several people. I hadn't really even thought of that 'til after I saw some samples . . .

I have to admit I absolutely LOVE my Storybook Cricut cartridge! It has OODLES of lovely and amazing things on it. Both of these cards were created using it . . . I was thrilled to discover that Rich Razzleberry matches wonderfully with my good old Purely Pomegranate satin ribbon (it looks even better in real life!)!

Stamps: Short & Sweet
Paper: Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, River Rock, Rich Razzleberry
Ink: Soft Suede
Accessories: Cricut Storybook Cartridge, Cuttlebug Mesh Texture embossing folder, Purely Pomegranate satin ribbon, small oval punch

The inspiration for this second card came because my good friend, Melissa (toknighton on SCS) had a new baby girl on Thursday morning . . . Welcome, Marah!! Isn't this swirly design just AWESOME??? It kinda looks like a butterfly, I think (although I DO have butterflies on the brain, so maybe my imagination in this area is more tweaked than normal).

Stamps: Short & Sweet
Paper: Always Artichoke, Pretty in Pink, Pink Pirouette, Mellow Moss, Very Vanilla
Ink: Always Artichoke
Accessories: Storybook Cricut cartridge, Swiss Dots Cuttlebug embossing folder, scallop oval, large oval, modern label and word window punches, EK Success diamond scallop edge punch, white polka dot organza ribbon, glue dots

And finally, Amelia, my darling daughter, created this FUN Spongebob card as a sample for the challenge. Isn't it adorable??? She hand-drew and cut out the letters herself! (Apparently there is an episode of Spongebob where he sings a "FUN" song and these are the letters that show up whie he is singing it!)

Stamps: Do the Hula
Paper: Coo Caribbean, Summer Sun, Bermuda Bay, Ballet Blue, YoYo Yellow, Basic Black, Whisper White, Close to Cocoa
Ink: Cool Caribbean, black marker
Accessories: Cricut Spongebob Squarepants cartridge