Occasion-ally Freaky

Ha, bet that got your attention, didn't it? It's time for the Tour de Freaks blog tour and the theme this month is the new, soon-to-be-released Occasions Catalog. It's a short tour this month....only eight of us were insane dedicated motivated enough to sit down and be creative less than a week before Christmas! (What was I thinking?!) If you joined the hop at the beginning, you just landed here from the uber-talented Julie Davison's blog.  But if you started here on my blog, you can take the whole tour by clicking on the "next stop" button at the bottom of each blog.

I have three projects for you today, using the Peaceful Petals and Perfect Pennants stamp sets. They all use the Watercolor Wonder Designer Series Paper, yet they all look completely different. Variety is the spice of life, right? And Stampin' Up! makes it so easy with these great products!

My first project is very, um, timely. (Haha, I crack myself up sometimes!) The end of the year is hurtling toward us at break-neck speed, and a new calendar will soon be starting. I thought it would be nice to keep a mini calendar and sticky notes beside the phone, so I made this cute easel stand to hold them both.  And hidden behind the calendar panel is a pencil for jotting down phone numbers or appointment times!

STAMP: Peaceful Petals  CARDSTOCK: Whisper White, Island Indigo, Wild Wasabi, Watercolor Wonder DSP  INK: StazOn Jet Black, Island Indigo, Wild Wasabi, Crushed Curry  ACCESSORIES: Stampin' Trimmer, Blender Pens, Sticky Strip

My next two projects are cards. The first one was made for my honey, who has been having to work a ton of overtime. He had to go in to work two hours early yesterday (we got up at 2:45 am, ugh) so I tucked this in his lunch to give him a hug at work. Without co-workers to witness it and razz him, because I'm thoughtful like that.

STAMPS: Perfect Pennants  CARDSTOCK: Whisper White, Smoky Slate, Tangerine Tango, Watercolor Wonder DSP  INK: VersaMark, Tangerine Tango, Smoky Slate  ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Banners Framelits, Heat Tool, Heat & Stick Powder, Gold Stampin' Glitter, Gold Baker's Twine, Gold Sequin Trim, Stampin' Dimensionals, Multipurpose Glue

And here is the second card.  As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, I'm soooo happy to be playing with Spring colors.  I was just about ready for something new, and the colors in the Watercolor Wonder DSP are just the ticket!

STAMPS: Peaceful Petals  CARDSTOCK: Whisper White, Tangerine Tango, Watercolor Paper, Watercolor Wonder DSP  INK: StazOn Jet Black, Tangerine Tango, Old Olive, Crushed Curry  ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Starburst Framelits, 2-1/2" Circle punch, Blender Pens, Gold Baker's Twine, Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots

That's it for me today. Thanks so much for stopping by! Now head on over to LeeAnn Greff's blog and check out her projects - I'm sure she's going to wow you!!!

Tour de Freaks Gratitude Tour

Tour de Freaks Gratitude Tour sounds a little like a rock band, doesn't it? (Well, my fellow Freaks are rock stars, in my book!)

Welcome to the October edition of the Tour de Freaks! Our theme this month is gratitude, and I'm grateful to be a member of this group, for sure! If you joined the hop at the beginning, you just landed here from Julie Davison's blog.  But if you happened to start here on my blog, you can take the whole tour by clicking on the "next stop" button at the bottom of each blog. There are only ten stops this month, so it won't take too long to make the loop and come back here!

I have a couple of cards for you today.  Would have had more but a mojo-sapping headache is interfering. (I'd be grateful if I could get rid of this darn headache!)

My favorite component in the Thankful Tablescape Simply Created kit is the fabulous birch bark-looking paper. It's meant for wrapping pillar candles, but I can't stop using it on cards! Besides the pretty design, it has a lovely texture that adds so much to the card!

 STAMP: Gently Falling  CARDSTOCK: Naturals White, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Gold Foil, Birch Bark Paper  INK: Pumpkin Pie, Cajun Craze  ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Circles Collection Framelits, Expressions Thinlits, Designer Naturals Buttons, Linen Thread, Brights Candy Dots, Glue Dots

Do you like using your stamping supplies in different ways than they were intended? I do, and besides the birch bark paper, I had fun turning the Halloween Happiness stamp into an Autumn gratitude card. The stamp was colored with markers, leaving out the jack-o-lantern and the Halloween greeting. The small oval punch was the perfect size to build a pumpkin, which was popped up on dimensionals for a 3D effect.

STAMPS: Halloween Happiness, Truly Grateful  CARDSTOCK: Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Pumpkin Pie, Natural Composition Specialty DSP  INK: Tangerine Tango, Pumpkin Pie, So Saffron, Soft Suede, Old Olive  ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Square Lattice folder, Small Oval Punch, 7/8" Cotton Ribbon, Linen Thread, Stampin' Dimensionals

That's all for me now, so hop on over to LeeAnn Greff's blog to continue the tour!

Freaky Convention Swaps!

Thank you for joining us on the Tour de Freaks this month! You may have arrived from Judy DiScipio's blog, or just jumped in here. Either way, you can take the whole tour by clicking the links at the bottom of each post.

I've had lots of excitement this week - besides the Stampin' Up! Convention, the Control Freaks got together during the convention lunch break last Friday to get our swapping done. It was so nice to meet some of the people whose blogs I've been stalking in real life!

STAMPS: Remembering Christmas  CARDSTOCK: Whisper White, Basic Black, Brushed Silver, Smoky Slate Textured  INK: VersaMark, Basic Black  ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Stylish Stripes embossing folder, Bitty Banners Framelits, Heat Tool, Black Stampin' Emboss Powder, Silver 1/8" Ribbon

Our theme was anything from the Holiday catalog, and I had a hard time narrowing it down to just these items.  One of the first things that popped out at me from the catalog was the BLING! Trust me when I say that the catalog doesn't do it justice!  That Silver 1/8" Ribbon is sooooo shiny, it reminds me of tinsel on a Christmas tree.

STAMPS: Harvest of Thanks  CARDSTOCK: Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Baked Brown Sugar  INK: Early Espresso, Pumpking Pie, Soft Suede  ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Deco Labels Framelits, Bitty Banners Framelits, Pretty Print embossing folder, Brights Candy Dots, Candy Dots Brads Bases, 1-1/4" Burlap Ribbon

Another thing that popped out was the two new embossing folders.  The Stylish Stripes and Pretty Print folders are just what Mr. Big needed to keep him (and me) happy!

Thanks for stopping by....now, off to your next stop on the tour, LeeAnn Greff's blog!

NEW Catalog Freaks Tour!

Welcome to the Tour de Freaks blog tour for June. This time I get to start the tour! If you hopped in from somewhere else, you may have just landed here from Patty Bennett's blog. You can follow the links at the bottom of each blog to complete the circle and end up here, again. There are only nine stops this month, so it will go quickly!

This month's theme is anything from the NEW catalog. Boy howdy, did I ever have a hard time narrowing that down to just a few items!  There is MUCH to love (and covet) in the new catalog!

STAMPS: Simply Stars, Chalk Talk  CARDSTOCK: Whisper White, Real Red, Night of Navy  INK: Real Red, Night of Navy  ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Square Lattice folder, Merry Minis Punch Pack, Whisper White, Real Red, and Night of Navy 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon

My first card uses the Simply Stars and Chalk Talk stamp sets. When I saw the stars, I immediately thought "patriotic" and "hero", and what better way to celebrate the upcoming Independence Day holiday than by thanking the men and women who are serving our country, keeping us free? This card will be sent to Operation Write Home to thank a military member for their service. Didja notice I borrowed Patty's fab idea for using the Hexagon Punch on the end of the pennant?!

My next card features my favorite new Designer Series Paper, Gingham Garden. I've loved gingham fabric since I was a little girl, so this paper was at the top of my "must have" list. Kind & Cozy has a stamp the reminds me of fancy canning jar lids, and the many jars of jam, green beans and tomatoes I've put up over the years! The new Circle Framelits were used here, and the Mosaic Punch made the fancy ends on the greeting. Candy Dots accent the banner - sweet!

STAMPS: Kind & Cozy  CARDSTOCK: Whisper White, Island Indigo, Daffodil Delight  INK: Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo, Island Indigo  ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Circles Framelits, 2-1/2" Circle Punch, Mosaic Punch, Tea Lace Paper Doilies, Stampin' Sponges, Brights Candy Dots

My last card is actually going to be one of my convention swaps, so if you're a Stampin' Addict and signed up for the "Over the Top" swap, stop right here! This card features the new Deco Label Framelits, and the awesome Flower Shop stamp set with the matching Pansy Punch. The DSP used is my second fave in the catty, Modern Medley. Notice how the Circle Framelits fit perfectly behind the greeting? The possibilities for layering these two Framelits sets are nearly endless! Another item from the new catalog is the fun Simply Pressed Clay and Buttons & Blossoms mold. I made a bunch of the smallest flower, let them dry overnight and then colored them with a Stampin' Write Marker. Easy way to get an embellishment to match any color scheme!

STAMPS: Flower Shop, Lots of Thanks  CARDSTOCK: Strawberry Slush, Wild Wasabi, Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Modern Medley DSP, Silver Glimmer  INK: Melon Mambo, Strawberry Slush Marker  ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Circles Framelits, Deco Label Framelits, Pansy Punch, Bird Builder Punch, Simply Pressed Clay, Buttons & Blossoms Mold, Strawberry Slush 3/8" Ruffle Stretch Trim

Well, that's all for me. Your next stop is the ever-amazing JanTink at Stamps, Paper, Scissors. I can't wait to see what her jeenyus has dreamed up!

Freaky Spring!

Welcome to the Control Freaks blog tour for March. We're so happy that you "hopped" by! This month's theme is Spring (or Easter), and we certainly have been having a freaky Spring, haven't we? I think Punxsutawney Phil was totally wrong when he predicted an early spring last month. He couldn't have been more wrong!

If you began at the beginning (Patty Bennett's blog), and have been following the "next" buttons at the bottom of each stop, then you just arrived here from Justin Krieger's blog. Weren't his projects awesome? To complete the tour, just click the links at the bottom of each post and you'll make the rounds of all ten blogs.

My two projects are cards, and when I think Spring, I think flowers and butterflies and birds, so this stamp from For the Birds was perfect!

 Stamp: For the Birds - Cardstock: Shimmery White, Lucky Limeade, So Saffron, Whisper White, Tea for Two DSP - Ink: Black StazOn, Soft Suede, Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, Daffodil Delight, Lucky Limeade, Cajun Craze, Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo - Accessories: Big Shot, Cloudy Day folder, Bitty Banners Framelits, Lucky Limeade Ruffled Ribbon, Pearls Basic Jewels

I love to color, and when I'm not using Watercolor Paper, I like to use Shimmery White cardstock. That's what was used here, matted on Lucky Limeade. The popped-up clouds add a nice dimension.

My other "Spring-y" thought was bunnies, what with Easter and all, so the Ears to You single stamp was my choice. This is a bling-y, Spring-y card, for sure.  It cracked me up when I was finished, because I thought it looked like the two outer bunnies were looking at the middle bunny's behind and saying, "Dude! What is that on your butt?!"

Stamps: Designer Typeset, Ears to You, Bring on the Cake - Cardstock: Shimmery White, Basic Black, Daffodil Delight, Tea for Two DSP, Pink Pirouette DSP, Certainly Celery DSP - Ink: Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery, Daffodil Delight, Baja Breeze, Perfect Plum, Black StazOn - Accessories: Big Shot, Perfect Polka-Dots folder, Rhinestones Basic Jewels

Well, that's all for now. Thanks for stopping by! Up next is the always creative JanTink, so click the button below to go see her creative genius!

Stampin' Addicts' Spring Catalog Blog Hop

Hello, and welcome to another fabulous Stampin' Addicts blog hop, where we will be showing off the new goodies coming in the Stampin' Up! Spring Catalog. There are fourteen blogs linked together, each featuring a different item. If you started at the beginning, and are following in order, you just arrived from Holly's blog, Rubber Redneck, using the adorable Hearts a Flutter set.

Today I'm showcasing the Ciao, Baby stamp set. It's so versatile, it's a must-have item! Especially since it coordinates with the new 7/8" Scallop Circle punch (and a new one coming in Sale-A-Bration). But today it's all about the Spring Catalog. Stampin' Up! is launching it's year-long celebration of 25 years in business with this catalog, and it is something special!

We're starting with a birthday card for a son, using just the center portion of the Ciao, Baby "#1" stamp. I was going to make it #1 Dad, but the circle fit better in an O, so the son won!

Up next is a sweetheart of a card that uses several different items from the new catalog. I adore the vintage feel, don't you? For this one, I just inked up the "Love" because I didn't want to use the Petite Curly frame around it. The heart doily is from the More Amore Specialty Designer Series Paper, and the lace can be found in the Artisan Embellishments Kit. See the brad? (Yes that IS a brad!) There's a bit of More Amore DSP under the epoxy bubble. Just a hint of what's in that pack!

For the final project, there's a treat box, filled with love notes and a sweet surprise under the lid! Took me a little while to figure out how to do it, but it finally worked on the third try.

Each little note has a matching envelope, and they all peek out of the oval window in the box. Did I mention the oval? No? There are Oval Framelits in the new catalog, too!!!

So, there you have it, a little taste of good things to come! Your next stop on the hop is Rhonda Griffin, The Stamping Bunny. She's going to wow you with the Secret Garden Bundle (stamps and matching Framelits).









Thanks so much for stopping by today. This hop is put on by The Stampin' Addicts, a wonderful group of folks who love all things Stampin' Up! When you have a chance, drop in and say Hi. We'd love to meet you! And be sure to check out the gallery for lots of stamping inspiration.

WELCOME TO THE TOUR!

Welcome, and thank you so much for stopping by on the Stampin' Addicts Occasions Mini Catalog Blog Tour!  The new catalog is just out, and orders can begin on January 5th, so we wanted to show you some of the fabulous new goodies in the catalog.  And BONUS, the new catty coincides with Sale-A-Bration, so you can get free stuff as well!  This Stampin' Addicts blog tour runs from 9 a.m. (PST) Friday Jan. 1st until midnight (PST) Sunday Jan. 3rd., so please be sure to tell your stamping buddies to check it out.

Today I am showcasing the very adorable LOVE BANDITS stamp set, along with the Scallop Trim Corner punch and the Perfect Polka-Dots Textured Impressions embossing folder. I used the embossing folder on the first card with the little Love Bandit raccoon.  Isn't he just too stinkin' cute?!  And the heart-shaped tree, too.  You could stamp it in pink or red, and just cut out the upper part of the tree for a cute scalloped heart!

On the second card pictured above, I used the Scallop Trim Corner punch on the mat behind the squirrel, and to make the lacy looking border, as well. Cool, huh?

For the third project, I went with a Bitty Box, embossing the dots on the heart (Full Heart punch), and then stamping a pink squirrel.  (Hey, isn't that an adult beverage? LOL) This would be so cute filled with M&M's or candy conversation hearts.

If you're following the tour in order, you just left Krystal's blog, where she probably knocked your socks off with the adorable Scallop Heart Embosslit.  Isn't she amazing?  More talent in her pinky finger than I have in my whole self!  


Next stop on the tour is Kim's blog, where she is going to wow you with the Folk Flower Stencil!  So hop on over and see what Kim did with a Tee shirt!


Thanks again for stopping by.  Here is a picture of the items used from the Stampin' Up! 2010 Occasions Mini Catalog (everything else is listed below):

You Stole My Heart Card:
Stamp set: Love Bandit
Cardstock: Whisper White, Always Artichoke, Certainly Celery
DP: Tea Party Designer Series Paper
Ink (Stampin' Write Markers): Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip, Real Red, Sahara Sand, Going Gray, Basic Gray, Basic Black, Pretty in Pink
Accessories: Perfect Polka-Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Blender Pen, Stampin Dimensionals, Certainly Celery buttons (Fresh Favorites I), Linen Thread

I Fancy You Card:
Stamp set: Love Bandit
Cardstock: Whisper White, Pretty In Pink, Melon Mambo, Watercolor Paper
Ink (Stampin' Write Markers): Chocolate Chip, Regal Rose, Old Olive, Basic Black
Accessories: Scallop Trim Corner Punch, Ticket Corner Punch, Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon, Stampin Dimensionals, Big Shot, "Friend" Texturz Plate (Kit #4), Blender Pen

I Fancy You Bitty Box:
Stamp set: Love Bandit
Cardstock: Real Red Textured, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White
Ink: Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad
Accessories: Perfect Polka-Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Bitty Box & Envelope Die, Big Shot, Full Heart Punch, Word Window Punch, Stampin Dimensionals, Sticky Strip, Whisper White Grosgrain Ribbon