We Be Swappin' FREAKS!

Well, we ARE the Control Freaks Stampers, after all, and 3-4 times per year we have swaps. This month the Tour de Freaks theme is the swaps we made each other for convention. Swapping is a big FUN part of any Stampin' Up! gathering, and swapping with the Control Freaks is extra fun! I'm the first stop on the tour this time, but you may have landed here from Connie Babbert's blog. Either way, just click on the link at the bottom of each blog, and you'll make the rounds of all (lucky) 13 of us.

To me, the very best part of being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator is the friends I've made, that I never would have known otherwise. With that in mind, my swap cards are gratitude and friendship-themed. Up first is the Thank You card. It's hard to see in this photo, but the colors look kind of peacockish. (Is that a word? LOL) The Coastal Cabana and Blackberry Bliss just work wonderfully together! The image was colored with Stampin' Blendabilities Markers. It's so easy to blend the colors! And the shadow added with the Smoky Slate marker makes it look like the image was fussy-cut and popped up on dimensionals, but it wasn't!

STAMPS: I Like You (hostess), Itty Bitty Banners   CARDSTOCK: Whisper White, Coastal Cabana, Blackberry Bliss, Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper   INK: Blackberry Bliss, plus Coastal Cabana, Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Smoky Slate, and Daffodil Delight Stampin' Blendabilities Markers   ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Deco Labels Framelits, Circles Collection Framelits, Bitty Banners Framelits, Perfect Polka-Dots TIEF, Delicate Designs TIEF, 2-1/2" Circle Punch, 1/8" Circle Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

The second card is my friendship card. My friends all have a sparkle to them, so I wanted to make a card that encourages their "shine"! I just love this scribbled sentiment (from Good Greetings, a 19 pc. hostess set coming in the Holiday catalog, woohoo!).

STAMPS: Beautiful Bunch, Good Greetings (avail. later this year)   CARDSTOCK: Mossy Meadow, Crushed Curry, Whisper White, Park Lane DSP, Gold Glimmer Paper   INK: Crushed Curry, Mossy Meadow, Early Espresso   ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Flower Fair Framelits, Fun Flower Punch, Tangelo Twist 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon, Gold 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals

Just so you know, some of the people on this month's tour weren't able to attend convention this year, so their theme was "free for all".....that should make things interesting!  Up next is the ever fabulous Wendy Weixler's blog. Since she lives practically next door to the convention center, she WILL be attending! Be sure to stop by ALL the blogs; you don't want to miss any of it!