GRATITUDE, from the Control Freaks

This month the Tour de Freaks are focusing on gratitude! Despite this crazy year, there is still much to be thankful for, and I count my blessings every single day. I'm first on the blog roll this month, but you may have landed here from Connie's blog, Stamp and Art Squared. Either way, welcome! There are seven of us this time, so be sure to follow the links at the bottom of each stop to visit all the Freaks.

I chose the oldie but goodie Country Home set, because I really liked the greeting. I am thankful for ALL the good things. (And sometimes even for the bad, because it makes me appreciate the good all the more.) Instead of using the milk can or pitcher image to place the bouquet in, I opted to use the bouquet as a background for the sentiment.

Some Cinnamon Cider was sponged around the edge of the image panel to give it a bit of an aged look after coloring and embossing.

On this next card, I did use the pitcher for the cotton boll bouquet. At first I was going to just use the DSP (In Good Taste) as the background, but then I had the idea to pop the frame up for dimension, and make it look like a still life painting. 

I think it turned out kind of neat! It needed a smaller sentiment, so I used Itty Bitty Greetings for the expression of gratitude.

That's all I have to share today. I wanted to do more, but Mom is here for a two week visit, so I haven't had a lot of time to create.

Up next is Tami at Swimming in Stamps, so hop on over to see her project!

I Love Autumn!

We got a little taste of Fall this past weekend when the temperatures were in the 70s during the day, and the 50s at night. Come on, sweater weather! 🍂🍁

But, of course, the heat and humidity are back and will be for a little while longer. That's okay, I know it's right around the corner. And because it is, the urge for an autumn-inspired card hit me. I haven't played much with the Celebration Tidings stamp set (though I have used the Celebration Labels Dies a bit) so that is the focus today.

The Cajun Craze and gold colors in the Gilded Autumn Specialty DSP were my inspiration. The image and greeting were stamped in Early Espresso, and then colored with Stampin' Blends. Very quick and easy, since it's a small image!

I'm happy that the Gold Glitter Enamel Dots are still available. They made the perfect "balance" to the gold foil sprigs.

Product List

Celebration Tidings Bundle (English)

Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Cajun Craze 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Gilded Autumn Specialty Designer Series Paper

Gold Foil Sheets

Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad

Cajun Craze Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

Pumpkin Pie Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

Mango Melody Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

Old Olive Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

Tasteful Textile 3D Embossing Folder

Gold Glitter Enamel Dots

Stampin' Dimensionals

Eternally Grateful

There is so much I want say about Memorial Day, the day that we remember the men and women who gave their lives for our freedom, but words fail me.

As the child of a career military father, who was fortunate enough to come safely after all of his deployments, I cannot even fathom the anguish of the families whose loved ones didn't come home safely.

For those who made the ultimate sacrifice, and for the families left behind to mourn, I want to offer my deepest gratitude. I am thankful every day for my freedom, and honor your courage.

Measurements
 Image: Whisper White 3-3/8" x 4-5/8"
 Mat: Night of Navy 3-5/8" x 4-7/8"
 Star: Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper 1-1/4" x 1-1/4"
 Card base: Whisper White Thick 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" scored & folded at 4-1/4"

Note: Star and image/mat were both popped up on Stampin' Dimensionals. The Stars Framelits are retiring, and available at a discount until May 31st, while supplies last.

Product List

Work Of Art Clear-Mount Stamp Set

Work Of Art Wood-Mount Stamp Set

For All Things RETIRED
Stamp Set

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock

Night Of Navy 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper

Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad

Night Of Navy Classic Stampin' Pad

Big Shot

Stars Framelits Dies

Stampin' Dimensionals

Control Freaks Gratitude Tour

Welcome to the Tour de Freaks, where the theme this month is GRATITUDE, and we all have much for which we are grateful! You may have just landed here from Debbie's blog, Debbie's Designs, or you might be starting here. There are nine stops on the tour, so be sure to click on the link at the bottom of each blog post so you can see all nine!

Gratitude is a subject near and dear to my heart; there is SO MUCH to be thankful for, if we just look around! It may be something as simple as having access to clean water (and indoor plumbing!), or a pet's love, or the ability to see and appreciate the beauty around us. I try to live each day with an attitude of gratitude....which leads me to my first card.

STAMPS: Suite Seasons, Vintage Leaves  CARDSTOCK: Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, Delightful Dijon, Petals & Paisleys Specialty DSP, Copper Foil Sheets  INK: Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Delightful Dijon, Gold Wink of Stella Glitter Brush  ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Leaflets Framelits, Layering Ovals Framelits, Copper Metallic Thread, Stampin' Dimensionals

I am grateful for that copper foil; it is just so lovely and I can't get enough of it!!! It adds such a shiny, rich touch to everything.

For the next card, I thought the Basket of Wishes stamp set was just so appropriate. My mom is visiting and loves succulents, so when I showed her this card it made her smile! (I am grateful for my mom's smile!)

I was aware that succulents came in a variety of shapes and colors, but when I searched for images as color inspiration, I was in complete awe of all the variations! (Another thing to be thankful for!)

STAMPS: Basket of Wishes, Thankful Thoughts  CARDSTOCK: Shimmery White, Soft Suede, Copper Foil Sheets, Blooms & Bliss DSP  INK: Basic Black Archival, Mint Macaron, Sweet Sugarplum, Wild Wasabi, Soft Suede, Blender Pens  ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Lots of Labels Framelits, Layering Circles Framelits, Woodgrain TIEF, 2" Circle Punch, Classic Label Punch, 2015-2017 In Color Doilies, Mint Macaron 3/8" Sheer Linen Ribbon

That's all I have today. I am filled with gratitude that you stopped by! Now on to the next stop on the hop to see what the fabulous Mindy Backes' has for you at Bada-Bing! Paper-Crafting!

I Like You

Really, I do! That also happens to be the name of the stamp set I used on this CAS (clean and simple) card, but really......I like you! It still baffles amazes me that people actually look at my blog, so thank you for stopping by, and I hope you find/have found crafty inspiration here.

Sometimes, simple speaks volumes more than elaborate, and I think this is a good example. I wanted to play with my new Blendabilities markers some more (can't get enough of them!), and had already played with Blended Bloom. The I Like You stamp set is a hostess set that you can get using hostess dollars earned with a qualifying party. There are four images, perfect for coloring, and two greetings.

This looks like a framed art print in real life, because the image is framed by the Blackberry Bliss mat, rather than being adhered to the top of a mat. And then the Whisper White frame is popped up on Stampin' Dimensionals. The Squares Collection Framelits made cutting the frames super easy!

Thanks for stopping by today!

STAMPS: I Like You
CARDSTOCK: Whisper White, Blackberry Bliss
INK: Memento Tuxedo Black, plus Rich Razzleberry, Daffodil Delight, Coastal Cabana, and Old Olive Blendabilities sets
ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Squares Collection Framelits, Stampin' Dimensionals, Rhinestones Basic Jewels

Make It Mailable 13-11

Hello, peeps! It's Monday, and that means it's another mailable card today. But first I want to thank all our Veterans for serving our country and protecting our freedom. The depth of my gratitude can never be adequately expressed, so all I can offer is a humble THANK YOU!

Today's card is a variation of one we did in the Second Saturday Stampers club a couple days ago. That one had a rather large, bulky button which may have presented a problem in the postal sorting machinery. Today's card has a smaller (thinner) button, but it didn't have enough "oomph" for the card, so I added some feathers to make it more appealing. What do you think?

I just loved this image when it was current a few years ago because, honestly, I LOVE to color! Never outgrew that from when I was little. The Blender Pens are so much fun to use with the Classic Stampin' Pads. Every color is available to use, and you can make an infinite variety of shades, depending on how much color you pick up with the pen. The Watercolor Paper doesn't pill up when you color on it, either, so it's easy to lay down layers of color and deepen it where you need shadow.

Stamps: Best of Autumn, Gorgeous Grunge
Cardstock: Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Watercolor Paper, Venetian Romance DSP
Ink: StazOn Jet Black, Pumpkin Pie, Cajun Craze, Old Olive, Soft Suede, Real Red, Early Espresso
Accessories: Designer Naturals Buttons, Linen Thread, Mini Glue Dots, Stampin' Sponges

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!