Fun & Fancy Free(ks)!

It's that time again; time for the monthly Control Freaks Tour de Freaks! This month's theme is Fun & Fancy Free, which means anything goes! Should be an interesting tour this month (not that they aren't always, but you know what I mean).

If you started at the beginning, you just landed here from Wickedly Wonderful Creations. Wendy always has something special to share! I'm number two on the tour, and there are fourteen of us this month, so be sure you click the "next" button at the bottom of each page so you don't miss anything!

Hoo boy, my mind went in about a million different directions since we didn't have a theme, but I finally settled on using the gorgeous Serene Scenery DSP stack, and seeing where it would take me. First up is a cute little Bluebird sitting on a twine "wire." We have tons of birds flitting in the trees and shrubs here, so the leaves on this sheet inspired me. I used the Fine-Tip Glue Pen to add some shine to the bird's eyes. (Those leaves look a lot like my poor sapling cherry tree's leaves since the darn Japanese beetles have been at them. Grrr!)

STAMPS: Best Birds  CARDSTOCK: Whisper White, Old Olive, Sahara Sand, Serene Scenery DSP  INK: Basic Black Archival, Pacific Point, Flirty Flamingo  ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Birds & Blooms Framelits, Black Baker's Twine, Fine-Tip Glue Pen

Next I wanted to use the sheet that had the rustic painted paneling, and immediately thought "country chic" which led me to the cowboy boots in Country Livin'. This card is going to a friend tomorrow, as part of the #imbringingbackhappymail challenge!

STAMPS: Country Livin', Love & Affection  CARDSTOCK: Whisper White, Kraft, Soft Suede, Serene Scenery DSP  INK: Basic Black Archival, Soft Suede, Smoky Slate, So Saffron  ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Layering Circles Framelits, Blender Pen, 5/8" Burlap Ribbon, 3/8" Very Vanilla Stitched Satin Ribbon

Lastly, I went in a whole 'nother direction with the paper stack. As soon as I saw the dotted Crumb Cake (on the back of what I call the Amber Waves of Grain, lol), I knew it had to be snow! And yes, it is July and hotter'n Hades, but I'm dreaming about cooler seasons just ahead! This card uses the AWESOME limited-release Thoughtful Branches bundle that will be available to customers from August 2nd-31st. The tree was die-cut in Soft Suede and Whisper White. The WW was glued to the back a little offset, so it looks like snow on the branches. Cool, huh? (See what I did there? Heh heh)

STAMPS: Thoughtful Branches, Snow Place  CARDSTOCK: Whisper White, Soft Suede, Serene Scenery DSP  INK: Real Red, VersaMark  ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Seaside T.I.E.F., Heat Tool, Black Stampin' Emboss Powder, Clear Wink of Stella Glitter Brush, Metallics Sequin Assortment, Fine-Tip Glue Pen

A bit of clear Wink of Stella was added to the ridges of the Seaside T.I.E.F.-embossed cardstock. It looks like snowdrifts, to me!

That's all I have to share this month, so hop on over to Debbie Henderson's blog, Debbie's Designs for more Fun & Fancy inspiration!