More Freakin' Occasions and Sale-a-Brations!

Yep ... that's me ... still kinda M.I.A. It's been just about a month since it rained in my basement ... where my craft room is!! FINALLY got all the holes sealed up and the drywall and mudding done!!! Now we just have to PAINT!! Which is why I haven't been around much ... I can't find hardly ANYthing ANYwhere!!! But welcome to this month's edition of Tour de Freaks!!! We are sharing some of the new goodness that is the Occasions and Sale-a-Bration 2017 catalogs!! How FUN is THAT??? Did you SEE what Mary Brown did??? I am CONSTANTLY pinning her creations on Pinterest for inspiration!!!!

Birthday cake!!! Candles!! Ribbon!!! What at GREAT way to celebrate a birthday!!! I had SO much fun stamping this wonky cake!!! It kinda makes me happy ...

Stamps: Cake Crazy
Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, Whisper White
Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, Crushed Curry
Accessories: Confetti Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Silver Sequin Trim, Sending Love Ribbon Combo Pack

Still going with the "birthday" theme here ... I am IN LOVE with the new Candle Border Punch (Occasions Catalog - page 7)!!! SO STINKIN' CUTE!!

Stamps: Designer Tee (SAB 2017)
Paper: Whisper White, Pacific Point, Party Animal DSP
Ink: Pacific Point
Accessories: Tags & Labels Framelits Dies, Candle Border Punch, Simply Scored, Silver Sequin Trim

I am REALLY hoping (praying???) that the construction in my craft space is done THIS WEEKEND!!! And putting it back together is gonna be a NIGHTMARE ... but at least it will be CLEAN!!! AND USABLE!!

Next up??? The delightful Dawn Olchefske!!! She is A-MAZ-ING!!

Monday Montage #85

Gonna be honest with you-all ... I made this card standing up ... mostly. My craft room is STILL under sheets of plastic. AND a disaster!!! And I MISS my lovely cleared-off tables!!! I'm hoping sometime this next week I will be able to start putting it back together!!!

I really have NO idea where pretty much ANYthing in my craft room is right now!!! I felt VERY fortunate to be able to find the supplies to make this fun Valentine's card. When I found the stamp set, and THEN found the framelits, I was kinda giddy!!! TWO current things ... that actually GO together!!!! And I even got it finished before the sun went down and was able to take a photo!!! YAY for ME!!!

Stamps: Sealed With Love
Paper: Whisper White, Neutrals DSP Stack, Red Glimmer Paper, Blushing Bride Glimmer Paper, Silver Glimmer Paper
Ink: Cherry Cobbler
Accessories: Stitched Shapes Framelits, Love Notes Framelits, Falling Petals Textured Impressions Embossing Powder, Silver 1/8" Ribbon

Next project??? I seriously gotta take down my Christmas stuff!! I got my mama's all taken care of last Saturday, so mine is going to be coming down ... SOON I hope!!!

Click "Back" for Melissa Stout and "Next" for Amy O'Neill ... they're starting the year off with some BRILLIANT things!!

Fab Friday #103

It's been a TOPSY-TURVY few weeks at my house, I'll tell ya!!! I don't think I have EVER had this long of a "break" from blogging since I started in 2007 ... like, EVER!!! It all started with rain in my basement ... but I digress ... I'll get back to that in a minute!

Lookie what I made!!!! I got a brand new Cricut for Christmas ... and, truth be told, it was one of the only crafty tools I actually have had access to since the rain!!! So, that's where this card came from!! The stamp set?? Yeah ... Sunburst Sayings ... it was SERIOUSLY the only stamp set that I could find that I knew was current ... because my stamp room ... sigh ...

Stamps: Sunburst Sayings
Paper: Crumb Cake, Blushing Bride, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Gold Foil
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: Cricut, Burlap 5/8" Ribbon, Mini Stapler

Nice Sketch!!!









Here's a link to the Fab Friday Challenge Blog so you can play along:

Fab Friday Challenge Blog

Check out the Fab blogs of my fellow Fab Friends:

Mindy Backes
Cindy Beach
Heather Heroldt
Brian King
Amy Koenders
Justin Krieger
Amanda Mertz
Brenda Myers
Jan Tinklenberg

So ... I'll keep this story as short as possible. This is what my craft room looks like RIGHT NOW ... it actually looks kinda "tidy" with all the plastic and the floor cleaned up. Don't let that fool ya!!! Underneath that plastic are PILES and PILES of stamps, paper, ink pads and EVERYthing else ... that were hastily put there when the pipes in the ceiling decided to favor us with rain (see the blue spot on the ceiling in the upper-right-hand corner??? Yeah ... that was about a 4'x4' hole at one point. The carpet has been dried out and laid back down. Now we just need to sand a little more and paint. Also, we had an electrical problem where HALF my house was not "charged". Took a while to find THAT problem as well. AND I had strep throat last weekend. So, I feel like my blogger-cation was justified. Holy COW!!! Things really could have been worse. Very blessed that nothing besides the pipes and the drywall had to be replaced. So I choose to look at the bright side!!!

Paper Craft Crew #223!!! Wahoo!!

Am I lucky or WHAT???? I was asked about a month ago if I would like to join along with the amazingly creative peeps at the Paper Craft Crew Challenge ... are you KIDDING??? It took me a while to get my brain wrapped around the schedule (I shall blame the holidays for that!) ... but I actually got 'er done this week!!! And I was trying VERY hard to NOT make a Christmas card (not that there is anything WRONG with making a Christmas card ... in fact, I have yet to START my "official" Christmas cards, but I digress). I pulled out some of my new goodies from the upcoming Occasions Catalog ...

When your house is festooned (good word, eh??) with red, green, white, silver, gold and the like for the holidays, it is VERY VERY VERY difficult to use a color combo that isn't in THAT scheme. Trust me ... I struggled ... a LOT!!! And now I have yet another stack of "tools" which need to be put away. Maybe when I'm done with this blog post I shall go into the CAVE with a rake and shovel ... wish me luck!!

Stamps: That's the Tag
Paper: Night of Navy, Rich Razzleberry, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White, Pool Party
Ink: Night of Navy, Rich Razzleberry, Pink Pirouette
Accessories: Layering Circles Framelits, Lace Doilies, Falling Petals Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, 3/8" Metallic Ribbon Combo Pack (SAB)

Great sketch!!!









Here's a link to the Paper Craft Crew Challenge so you can play along:

Paper Craft Crew #223

If you guys don't hear from me in the next few days, just assume that the Glitter Monster nabbed me and dragged me into the Great Crafty Black Hole. I really should "clean as I go" ... what a NOVEL idea!! (and, by the way ... thanks for letting me be a part of the Paper Craft Crew, Pam Staples!!!)

Monday Montage #84

Well ... yeah ... this post is pretty much indicative of how this whole dang year has gone!!! I mean, SERIOUSLY??? How are we HONESTLY in DECEMBER already???? I feel as thought I have been running (literally and figuratively) ALL DANG YEAR!!! Which leads me to this post ... this card??? Yeah ... it's LAST YEAR'S Christmas card. And I NEVER posted it ... because I was LATE getting it together and didn't get around to posting it at the time! And welcome to Monday Montage!!!

So ... I am not even sure what the name of the stamp set I used for the sentiment is (I WILL find it and add it to my supply list as soon as I find it!)!! And I kinda went out of the SU Universe last year as well. I used my Silhouette to cut out the sparkly vinyl I used for the backdrop.  I also cut the little snowman out from a Silhouette image.  I can't hardly remember what I did YESTERDAY, which is why I'm having a hard time remembering everything I used on this card!!

Stamps:Happy Scenes (I found it!! It is also retired ...)
Paper: Whisper White, Night of Navy, Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Cherry Cobbler, Pool Party, Early Espresso
Ink: Night of Navy
Accessories: Gently Falling Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Rhinestone Basics, Silver Ribbon

Here's the inside.  We took this photo last November while the family was all together pressing apples for apple juice.  The background was SO amazing with the beautiful blue sky and the mountains!!! And we all look pretty happy (even though we are wearing our grubbies!!!)!  At least I can now officially say that I HAVE posted this card.  And now I need to start on THIS year's Christmas card!!



Click "Back" for Kaitlyn Zumbach and "Next" for Amy O'Neill ... SO much creativity!!

Fab Friday #102

I know I have lamented time and time again about TIME ... about how QUICKLY it passes by. And about how we are already nearly in the MIDDLE OF DECEMBER, and I think I just took my tree down (at least it FEELS that way!)!! Back again to play with the Fab Friday Folks. I still need to start on my family Christmas cards ... but at least I'm starting to feel in the mood for it (and I bought the supplies I need ... and they were delivered YESTERDAY!)!

So here is a little Christmas cheer ... and I cheated just a little ... I used Cherry Cobbler for today's challenge instead of the Real Red I was supposed to use (I am SUCH a rebel!)

Stamps: Merriest Wishes
Paper: Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper, Whisper White
Ink: Cherry Cobbler
Accessories: Northern Decorative Strip Die (retired), Gently Falling Textured Impression Embossing Folder, Project Life Corner Rounder Punch, Stitched Shapes Framelits, 5/8" Burlap Ribbon, Baker's Twine Trio Pack, Emerald Envy Ruched Ribbon

Ooooooo ... Christmas-y ....











Here's a link to the Fab Friday Challenge Blog so you can play along:

Fab Friday Challenge Blog

Check out the Fab blogs of my fellow Fab Friends:

Mindy Backes
Cindy Beach
Heather Heroldt
Brian King
Amy Koenders
Justin Krieger
Amanda Mertz
Brenda Myers
Jan Tinklenberg

Off to shop ... again ... need to take my mama to get some wrapping supplies! And I have the second Christmas party in as many days toNIGHT (so, of course, I'm making more FOOD!)!!! I am starting to really feel the joy of the season ... and in just over two weeks it'll be all over!! Sheesh!!

Stamp Review Crew - Christmas Pines Edition

Merry-merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!! Been working all week trying to get my Christmas decorations up ... lights are on the house and porch is decorated ... tree is up and decorations are currently going on. YAY!! Finally!!! So it's only appropriate that we are playing with "Christmas Pines" with The Stamp Review Crew. It has taken a while for me to wrap my brain around Christmas being here ALREADY again this year ... but I think I'm getting there!

I really like how this one came out. I seemed to have a hard time NOT adding and adding stuff to this card. I thought I was done about THREE different times ... and then decided to add something else!

Stamps: Christmas Pines
Paper: Crumb Cake, Garden Green, Whisper White, Warm & Cheer DSP Stack
Ink: Garden Green, Real Red, Versamark
Accessories: Pretty Pines Thinlits, Stitched Shapes Framelits, Real Red 3/4" Stitched Edge Ribbon, Kraft Rope Twine, Gold Sequin Trim, Baker's TwineTrio Pack, Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder

BEST thing about this stamp set is that it has a MATCHING set of THINLITS dies that match!!! YAY!!







I plan to have ALL my decorating done and the boxes put away BEFORE I got to bed tonight!! Wish me luck!!

The "previous" button will take you to the amazing Charlet Mallett, and the "next" button to spectacular Valerie Moody!

 

Monday Montage #83

Grateful, grateful, grateful!!! That's how I'm feeling today. I am SO very grateful for SO many things. Grateful to have had some days to reflect on those very things this week as we have celebrated Thanksgiving here in the US of A. I have actually had TWO Thanksgivings this week (the traditional one with extended family on Thursday, and one with my immediate family and a very good friend today ... now WE have turkey leftovers!! YAY!!). Also, I am VERY grateful to be part of this creative, talented, remarkable, kind, lovely and wonderful group of friends on this blog hop ... grateful for my connection to them through Stampin' Up ... do NOT know what my life would be like without them all in it!

Jingle Bells and Ho! Ho! Ho!! After spending nearly 24 hours cooking, cleaning and getting ready to feed the troops, I FINALLY got to sit down and play (and I am embarrassed to say that the last few cards I have made look so much alike!!! I need to break out of the mold!)

Stamps: Holly Berry Happiness, Merriest Wishes
Paper: Whisper White, Neutrals DSP Stack, Warmth & Cheer DSP Stack
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green
Accessories: Merry Tags Framelits, Stitched Shapes Framelits, Cableknit Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Baker's Twine Trio Pack, Warmth & Cheer Designer Washi Tape

It's snowing. And I have put up my mama's Christmas tree and decorations, done most of my Christmas shopping (SO grateful for online shopping and Black Friday Deals), plan to put up my own tree tomorrow, and bought myself some SNOWSHOES so I can do some AMAZING hiking with my good friend, Beck!!! I was introduced to snowshoeing last year with Beck's help ... and now I am ADDICTED!!

Click "Back" for Melissa Stout and "Next" for Amy O'Neill ... super duper FANTASTIC!!!

Fab Friday #101

Happy Black Fab Friday!!! Bwahahaha!!! For all my friends in the US ... who is STILL FULL from yesterday??? I went to bed SO stuffed (and we ate dinner at 3:00!!). I'm still feeling the effects of eating ALLTHETHINGS!! But I need to get moving so I can speed my metabolism up for ONLINE SHOPPING!!

Happy that Fab Friday MADE me play with some of my lovely Christmas-y crafty supplies. I LOVE that this card is BLACK ... and today is BLACK Friday ... and it's a CHRISTMAS card!! YAY ME!!

Stamps: Merriest Wishes
Paper: Crumb Cake, Basic Black, Garden Green, Delightful Dijon, Early Espresso, Warmth & Cheer DSP,
Accessories: Merry Tags Framelits Dies, Gold Sequin Trim, Gold Baker's Twine, Mini Stapler, Real Red 3/4" Stitched Edge Ribbon
Ink: Cherry Cobbler

Basic, simple, easy, fun!!











Here's a link to the Fab Friday Challenge Blog so you can play along:

Fab Friday Challenge Blog

Check out the Fab blogs of my fellow Fab Friends:

Mindy Backes
Cindy Beach
Heather Heroldt
Brian King
Amy Koenders
Justin Krieger
Amanda Mertz
Brenda Myers
Jan Tinklenberg

Since it's Black Friday, I plan to sit in front of my computer and SHOP ... in my SWEATS ... with NO makeup on!! HOORAY!!

Happy Holidays from the Freaks!

Ok ... I hafta admit, I have actually started listening to Christmas music (and will probably do so until some time during the first week of January). I EVEN did some CHRISTMAS SHOPPING today!!! I guess it really IS the most wonderful time of the year ALREADY!!! Welcome to a little holiday tribute by some of my fellow Control Freaks!

Oh my goodness!!! Did you see what was on Mindy Backes' blog????? SO wonderful!!! And so very proud of her, by the way, for making this next year's Artisan Design Team for Stampin' Up! GO MINDY!!

I went simple this month ... which is VERY hard for me, actually. I think it is much harder to do a "clean and simple" design than it is to do one with ALL the layers and bling (sometimes I SERIOUSLY have NO idea when to STOP!)!

Stamps: Holly Berry Happiness
Paper: Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Dazzling Diamonds DSP
Ink: Cherry Cobbler
Accessories: Merry Tags Framelits Dies, Gold Bakers Twine, Project Life Cards & Labels Framelits, Woodland Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

And here's a little Crumb-Cake-colored number ... I think I have decided that Crumb Cake goes with EVERY-EVERY-EVERYthing!!! I used it ALL year round. It's probably my fave ... I think ...

Stamps: Merry Medley, Festive Season
Paper: Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Warmth & Cheer DSP Stack
Ink: Whisper White
Accessories: 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Gold Ribbon, Gold Sequin Trim, Project Life Corner Rounder Punch

It's AMAZING how your life can come to a STAND STILL when your internet becomes NONFUNCTIONAL!!! Our modem died last night, and you would think that the WORLD had ended or something!!! Had NO idea how much I relied on having WORKING access to the Interwebz ... how CRAZY!!! Maybe I need to take a vacation on some remote island and do WITHOUT it for a while ... just like the good ol' days!!

Next up??? My dear and talented friend, Cindy Elam!!! WONDERFUL in EVERY way!!