Encre, papier, ciseaux

June Tour de Freaks - And it's gone, going, gone!

 

Psst... If you are reading this post on the 19th, please note that we are getting the tour ready and testing the links to make sure everything is working. The official tour begins on the 20th, so if you cannot make the whole round tonight, hang in there with us!

   

Welcome to our June Tour de Freaks! This tour is brought to you by the Control Freaks Stampers members and if you have been following the tour, you should have gotten to my blog by clicking on the link provided by Gretchen Barron on her blog. If you are just starting out, make sure to visit all twelve blogs that are part of the tour today by following the links provided at the bottom of each post. Our theme this month is the retirement list! With the end of the catalogue fast approaching, it's a great opportunity to showcase the wonderful items that will be taking their final bow in the upcoming weeks.

So without further ado, here are the fun projects I would like to share with you this month!

 

 

My first project: Trendy Trees Trifold

Retiring items: Trendy Trees set, You're a Gem set, Peach Passion, Pear Pizzazz, Blushing Bride, satin ribbon, Pinking Hearts border punch

Technique: The card is a Cami Trifold (you can find a tutorial for it on Splitcoast Stampers, in the Resources section). The tree image was covered with Dazzling Diamonds glitter. To do so, I stamped and punched the image, then I punched the same form out of a Big Shot adhesive sheet, glued it over the image, peeled the backing off and added the glitter.

 

 

 

Color Combo: Pear Pizzazz + Pool Party + Peach Passion +
So Saffron + Blushing Bride

 

Supplies
Stamps: Trendy Trees, Mon trésor (You're a Gem)
Cardstock: Peach Passion, So Saffron, Whisper White
Designer paper: Blushing Bride, Pool Party
Inks: Pool Party, Pear Pizzazz, Peach Passion
Punches: Modern Label, Circles, Scallop Circle, PInking Hearts border
Accessories: Dazzling Diamonds glitter, Big Shot adhesive sheets, Rhnestones,
Certainly Celery satin ribbon

 

 

 

My second project: Live Passionately

Retiring items: Notably Ornate set, Ornate Blossom stamp, Inspired by Nature set, Berry Blossoms DSP, Satin ribbon, Rhinestone brads, Stampin' Pastels, Eyelet Border punch

Technique: Poppin' Pastels, baker's twine lolly flower

Tip: The leaves of the flower were made with the center part of the Lattice die.

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Inspired by Nature, Ornate Blossom, Notably Ornate
Cardstock: Whisper White, Calypso Coral, Lucky Limade, Early Espresso
Designer paper: Berry Blossoms
Inks: Early Espresso, Wisteria Wonder, Concord Crush
Accessories: 3 in. and 3-1/2 in. Circle dies, Clear rhinestone brads, Stampin' Pastels,
Certainly Celery satin ribbon, In Color polka dot brads, Wisteria Wonder baker's twine,
Circle punch, Big Shot adhesive sheet, Lattice die, Eyelet Border punch, Stampin' Dimensionals,
Designer Frames embossing folder, Ovals die, Wide Oval punch, Marker, Large pearls

 

 

My third project: Five Things I {Heart}

Retiring items: Just Eat Cake DSP, Adhesive sheets, Fine glitter, Varsity Numbers, Calendar Alphabet & Numbers set, Timeless Type alphabet dies, Empire Alphabet (Upper and Lower) sets, Simple Numbers die, Poppy Parade, Blushing Bride

Technique: I used a die to cut the adhesive sheet and then covered the sticky die-cut I created with fine glitter.

Tip: Use the peekaboo frames die on a scrapbook page to hide pictures or journaling.

 

  

 

Supplies
Stamps: Varsity Numbers, Number It, Calendar Alphabet & Numbers, Circle Circus,
Empire Alphabet Upper and Lower
Cardstock: So Saffron, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White, Blushing Bride, Basic Black, Peach Passion
Designer paper: Just Eat Cake
Inks: Wild Wasabi, So Saffron, Poppy Parade, Baja Breeze, Peach Parfait
Big Shot: Peekaboo Frames die, Tasteful Trims die, Timeless Type Alphabet dies,
Scallop Squares die, 3-1/2 in. Circle die, Simple Numbers die
Accessories: Adhesive sheet, fine gold glitter, Poppy Parade ribbon, Circle punch, Markers,
Stamp-a-Ma-Jig, Corner Rounder punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, Blossom punch, Chipboard

 

 

 

My fourth project: Hope Your Birthday Rocks!

Retiring items: Grunge Rock set, On Your Birthday set, Confetti White cardstock

 

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Grunge Rock, Pour ton anniversaire (On Your Birthday)
Cardstock: Confetti White
Inks: Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Lucky Limeade, Pacific Point, Tempting Turquoise
Accessories: Lucky Limeade baker's twine, Rhinestones

 

 

And now onto your next step on the tour, with Patty Bennett's wonderful creations!

 

November Tour de Freaks - Keep it Simple, Stamper!



 
 
 
 

Psst... If you are reading this post on October19th, please note that we are getting the tour ready and testing the links to make sure everything is working. The official tour begins on the 20th, so if you cannot make the whole round tonight, hang in there with us!

   

Welcome to our November Tour de Freaks! This tour is brought to you by the Control Freaks Stampers members and if you have been following the tour, you should have gotten to my blog by clicking on the link provided by the lovely Deb Currier on her blog. If you are just starting out, make sure to visit all twelve blogs that are part of the tour today by following the links provided at the bottom of each post. Our theme this month is K.I.S.S. - Keep It Simple, Stamper! With the Holidays fast approaching, keeping it simple is a great play to make sure everything on your crafting list gets done! I hope we can provide you with some inspiration for your Christmas cards and Holiday gifts! So without further ado, here are the fun projects I would like to share with you this month!

 

 

My first project: Christmas Cage

Project info: To me, simple rhymes with Simply Scrappin' kits. Everything you need is in there: cardstock, papers, assorted embellishments. The adhesive die-cuts include some cute holly leaves and berries, and I thought they would look awfully cute added to one of the cages from the Aviary set. To Keep It Simple even more, I pulled out my Page Maps card sketches to help design my card even more quickly. Looking at the sticky die-cuts sheet, I spotted some really small circle images that I thought I could line up to "hang" the cage from.

I then added a sentiment from the Four the Holidays set and I was done!

   

 

   



 

Supplies
Stamps: Aviary, Quatuor des Fêtes (Four the Holidays)
Simply Scrappin' Kit: Christmas Lane
Inks: Versamark, Soft Suede
Accessories: Corner Rounder punch, Pewter embossing powder

  

 

 

My second project: Movember Birthday 

Project info:  Isn't this birthday card just perfect for Movember? It was inspired by a card I saw in a recent Paper Crafts magazine, that I wanted to recreate using Stampin' Up! supplies. It is super simple, but it makes me smile every time I look at it. It uses the Many Mustaches set, which I embossed in black and handcut. If you wanted to save on time, you could do a set of four cards at once, using the different mustaches from the stamp. You would only have to stamp and emboss once to make your four cards.

The party hat was done with the Pennant Parade set and punched with the matching punch. The sentiment was pulled from the Happiest Birthday Wishes hostess set.

 

 

 

  

Color Combo: Poppy Parade + Tempting Turquoise + Daffodil Delight

 

Supplies
Stamps: Voeux multiples (Happiest Birthday Wishes), Many Mustaches, Pennant Parade
Cardstock: Poppy Parade, Tempting Turquoise
Designer papers: Big Top Birthday
Inks: Versamark, Basic Black, Tempting Turquoise
Accessories: Black and White embossing powders, Pennant punch,
Circle punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

  

 

My third project: Christmas Tag

Project info: This is one of the tags I created for my Christmas Tags class. I like that it's simple but classy. Tags can really jazz up a gift or gift bag and get the person excited about receiving the gift even before he or she has unwrapped it. This one was made with the Contempo Christmas set and the tree was embossed with the pewter embossing powder (sold in the Holidays mini), which fits very nicely with the River Rock cardstock. The color combo came from the Color Coach.

 

   

 

   



 

Supplies
Stamps: Noël contemporain (Contempo Christmas), Confetti
Cardstock: Rose Red, Not Quite Navy, River Rock
Inks: Versamark, Not Quite Navy
Accessories: Circle punch, Scallop Ribbon punch, Pewter embossing powder,
Not Quite Navy taffeta ribbon, Crop-a-Dile, Bone folder

 

 

And now onto your next step on the tour, with Lisa Martz's wonderful creations!

 
  

October Tour de Freaks - Wrap It Up!



 
 
 
 

Psst... If you are reading this post on October19th, please note that we are getting the tour ready and testing the links to make sure everything is working. The official tour begins on the 20th, so if you cannot make the whole round tonight, hang in there with us!

   

Welcome to our October Tour de Freaks! This tour is brought to you by the Control Freaks Stampers members and if you have been following the tour, you should have gotten to my blog by clicking on the link provided by the wickedly wonderful Wendy Weixler on her blog. If you are just starting out, make sure to visit all twelve blogs that are part of the tour today by following the links provided at the bottom of each post. Our theme this month is Bows, Boxes and Bags for the Holidays! So without further ado, here are the fun projects I would like to share with you this month!

 

 

My first project: Holiday Boxes

Project info: I am totally loving those new kraft boxes sold in the minicatalogue. They are inexpensive, easy and fast to put together and decorate and they are a nice size, too. I started with the Christmas one, which was inspired by the Christmas box SU! sent all new recruits last July, and then I got inspired to do a Halloween version, quickly followed by the Easter and Valentine's Day versions.

   

 

   

 

Supplies
Stamps: Gift Givers, Mes lapins (Everybunny), Étoile de Noël (Pines & Poinsettias), Fine Flourish
Cardstock: Real Red, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla
Designer papers: Holly Berry, First Edition, Just Add Cake, Frightful Sight
Inks: Basic Black, Pear Pizzazz, Blushing Bride, Poppy Parade
Big Shot: Houndstooth embossing folder, Tasteful Trims die
Punches: Decorative Label, Full Heart, Circle Tab, Scallop Ribbon, Circle Tab, Circle
Accessories: Buttons, On Board chipboard accents, Black glitter, Heat 'n Stick, ribbons,
Pearl Basic Jewels, Markers, Cherry Cobbler embossing powder, Kraft boxes (Holidays mini), baker's twine,
Silver glimmer paper, pinking shears, glimmer brads, Pewter embossing powder, Vintage trinkets, blending pen

  

 

 

My second project: Rosette Box 

Project info:  The rosette was first intended to go on the Christmas kraft box and I couldn't make it work like I wanted, so I put it aside. Then, I used the last piece of a brad container and noticed that my punched circle was just the right size to cover the lid, so this cute little container was decorated in minutes. The rosette was created using two punched scallop circles that were scored between each scallop and glued together and the center was decorated with a vintage brad inserted in the center of a Berry Bouquet wasabi button. 

  

 

  

 

Supplies
Cardstock: Early Espresso
Designer papers: Holly Berry
Accessories: Vintage brad, Holly Berry button, Scallop Circle punch, Simply Scored tool,
Chocolate Chip Polka Dot Scallop ribbon, Stampin' Stack container

  

 

And now, don't walk, but run to see the wonderful creations Robin Spinner is sharing with us next this month!

 
  

Tour de Freaks - Mini Mania!

 
 
 

Psst... If you are reading this post on the 19th, please note that we are getting the tour ready and testing the links to make sure everything is working. The official tour begins on the 20th, so if you cannot make the whole round tonight, hang in there with us!

   

Welcome to our August Tour de Freaks! This tour is brought to you by the Control Freaks Stampers members and if you have been following the tour, you should have gotten to my blog by clicking on the link provided by LeeAnn Greff on her blog. If you are just starting out, make sure to visit all thirteen blogs that are part of the tour today by following the links provided at the bottom of each post. Our theme this month is Holidays Mini Preview! So without further ado, here are the fun projects I would like to share with you this month!

 

 

My first project: Spice Cake Suite

Project info: This project was made with the Spice Cake bundle that SU! put together from the 2011 Holidays mini. I really love that collection - the colors are just gorgeous! One of the accessories is that collection is big jumbo buttons. And I mean big - they are 1-1/2 in. in diameter. Demos were having a conversation and wondering what to do with those and I suggested using them to make a little shaker, since we are also getting circle dimensional adhesive in the mini, meant to quickly put together shakers. I decided to put my own idea onto paper, so if you look closely, the button is covered with a shaker filled with glass glitter.

Here's a tip: I used our window sheet both on top and at the bottom of the shaker, to contain the glitter and avoid having it fall into the button holes, while still seeing the button through the shaker.

The Spice Cake collection includes Designer fabric, which I used to create the big rickrack border (which was die-cut with the Tasteful Trims die) and to tie a knot on two of the buttons. I used the acorn from the Gently Falling set to decorate my shaker, along with a little bit of linen thread.

   

 

   

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Gently Falling
Cardstock: More Mustard, Pear Pizzazz
Designer Papers: Spice Cake
Inks: Soft Suede
Big Shot: Tasteful Trims die
Accessories: Spice Cake fabric, Spice Cake buttons, Circle shaker dimensional adhesive,
Window sheet, Linen thread, Champagne glass glitter

  

 

 

My second project:  Halloween Stocking

Project info:  I was so excited when I saw the stocking die! You even get the cuff and patches as well. Making a cute stocking has never been easier! This is the first chance I've had to play with it and I thought it'd be cool to make an Halloween stocking on which I could slip treats. I used the Frightful Sight papers (currently on promotion) and I handdrew some points to come down the cuff. The hanging spider was handcut directly from one of the papers from that same pack.

Another exciting addition in the minicatalogue is the Silver glimmer paper! I know you all loved the red version and now we have silver as well, which is exciting. I used it to add trimming cut with the Tasteful Trims die. Notice how I also used the negative part of the rickrack die-cut around the toe and heel patches.

The "bouh" (which is in French, in case you are thinking I can't spell properly...) was added with the Timeless Type alphabet dies.

  

 

 

Supplies
Cardstock: Old Olive
Designer papers: Frightful Sight
Big Shot: Stocking die, Timeless Type alphabet dies, Tasteful Trims
Accessories: Circle punch, glimmer brad, Old Olive satin ribbon, Silver glimmer paper,
Big Shot adhesiveg sheets

  

 

 

 

And your link back to the next stop: Lisa Martz's blog! Enjoy the rest of the tour!

 
  



Tour de Freaks - Christmas in July

 
 
 
 

Psst... If you are reading this post on July 19th, please note that we are getting the tour ready and testing the links to make sure everything is working. The official tour begins on the 20th, so if you cannot make the whole round tonight, hang in there with us!

   

Welcome to our July Tour de Freaks! This tour is brought to you by the Control Freaks Stampers members and if you have been following the tour, you should have gotten to my blog by clicking on the link provided by Barb Mullikin on her blog. If you are just starting out, make sure to visit all twelve blogs that are part of the tour today by following the links provided at the bottom of each post. Our theme this month is Christmas in July and Convention swaps! So without further ado, here are the fun projects I would like to share with you this month!

 

 

My first project: Santa Claus is coming to town

Project info: When I started thinking about ideas for the tour, I had this image of a sparkly red cone used as a Santa Hat that popped into my head. I thought with the Petal Cone die and glimmer paper, this would be a piece of cake. The idea then evolved as I was putting the project together and to make the box more substantial and play up the rounded flaps at the bottom (which look like the bottom of Santa's coat), I decided to use the cone as a topper for a box and add a simple, square box underneath. I used the Houndstooth embossing folder on the white cardstock to give it texture.

Here are some tips tp reproduce the project: To make the black belt, use the die a second time to die-cut two more cone sides. Then, draw a line in pencil an inch above the scoring line (the one above the petal flaps) and cut following the line you draw and along the scoring lines. You will then have black stripe that will follow the outline of your box perfectly. Use Sticky strip to secure the band in place on the glimmer paper.

To make the bottom box, use a 6-1/4 x 6-1/4 cardstock square, score at 1-3/4 in. all the way around, cut the corner flaps on two sides following the score lines and assemble.

I added a sentiment (from the Delightful Dozen set) at the bottom of the box. It was stamped in Black Craft ink and embossed with Iridescent Ice powder.

   

 

   

 

Supplies
Stamps: Douze doucaine (Delightful Dozen)
Cardstock: Whisper White, Basic Black, Brushed Silver, Red Glimmer paper
Inks: Basic Black
Big Shot: Petal Cone die, Houndstooth embossing folder
Punches: Scallop Square, Scallop Circle
Accessories: Buttons, Iridescent Ice powder 

  

 

 

My second project: Delicate Flake 

Project info:  The Hello, Doily stamp went straight on my first order and I thought it would make a great snowflake. I love how lifelike it looks embossed in white powder on a dark background, so I embossed it on Concord Crush and spritzed the cardstock with Silver Foil Smooch Spray . I then added a die-cut snowflake in the center held in place with a matching polka dot brad and added rhinestones on each "petal." The grey panel was embossed with a polka dot Texturz plate and the sentiment was created with one of the new Designer Frames embossing folders. I embossed a piece of Brushed Silver cardstock, cut it out and added a sentiment stamped on a piece of patterned paper in the center, along with a row of rhinestones on the side.

  

 

 
Color Combo: Concord Crush + Wisteria Wonder + Basic Grey + White

 

Supplies
Stamps: Hello Doilie, Saison festive
Cardstock: Basic Grey, Wisteria Wonder, Concord Crush
Designer papers: Berry Blossoms
Inks: Concord Crush, Versamark
Big Shot: Designer Frames embossing folder, Northern Frost die, Texturz plate
Accessories: White embossing powder, Rhiestones, Wisteria ribbon, Silver Foil Smooch Spray,
Stampin' Dimensionals, In Colors polka dot brad

  

 

 

 My third project: Trimming the Tree 

Project info: When reading the comments about the new catalogue, some demos shared that their customers thought the In Colors were very "summer-y" and would not work for Holidays projects. I thought surely there'd be a way to make those colours work for Christmas, so I set out to find a color combo that would incorporate some of those colors. You have already seen Wisteria Wonder on my previous project, and this one incorporate Lucky Limeade and Calipso Coral, paired with Always Artichoke.

I will admit that when I saw we'd be doing a Christmas-themed tour in July, I was a little bummed it came before the Holidays mini supplies were released, but in retrospect, it was a good thing because it was a good excuse to dust off a set from the regular catalogue which I hadn't used in a while.

The sentiment was inked with markers and handcut, then embellished with In Colors polka dot brads. The silhouette was stamped in Versamark and embossed with Iridescent Ice, then I trimmed the tree with small pearls, and added some at the top of the cardstock as well. The background was embossed with the Stripes embossing folder and I used my brayer to add ink to the stripes. The Artichoke stripe was also embossed with the Houndstooth folder and I layered two ribbons (Victoria lacet rim and Lucky Limeade ribbon) on it. The scallops were created by stamping the wreath in Artichoke Craft ink, embossing it in Iridescent Ice powder and punching it out with the 2-1/2 Circle punch.

 

 

 

   

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Vive Noël (Welcome Christmas)
Cardstock: Calipso Coral, Always Artichoke, Lucky Limeade, Very Vanilla
Inks: Calipso Coral, Lucky Limeade, Always Artichoke, Versamark
Big Shot die: Stripes embossing folder, Houndstooth embossing folder
Punches: 2-1/2 Circle
Accessories: In Colors polka dot brads, Pearl Basic Jewels, Victoria lace trim, Lucky Limeade ribbon,
Iridescent Ice embossing folder, Stampin' Dimensionals, markers, Brayer

 

 

 

And your link back to the next stop on the tour: Patty Bennett's blog!

 
  

Tour de Freaks - Summer's Time to Play!

 
 
 
 

Psst... If you are reading this post on June 19th, please note that we are getting the tour ready and testing the links to make sure everything is working. The official tour begins on the 20th, so if you cannot make the whole round tonight, hang in there with us!

   

Welcome to our June Tour de Freaks! This tour is brought to you by the Control Freaks Stampers members and if you have been following the tour, you should have gotten to my blog by clicking on the link provided by LeeAnn Greff on her blog. If you are just starting out, make sure to visit all eleven blogs that are part of the tour today by following the links provided at the bottom of each post. Our theme this month is Summer minicatalogue and 2011-2012 catalogue preview! So without further ado, here are the fun projects I would like to share with you this month!

 

My first project: All Aboard!

 Project info: This card features the nautical suite from the Summer minicatalogue, which, I am happy to report, has been a really popular line from the new mini. I'm not surprised, considering how cute and versatile it is! This card right here was created for my boss, who just got offered a promotion and is leaving for our Montreal office, therefore moving his whole family there as well. I wanted to send him off with words of encouragement and let him know how much I appreciated working with him and I figured what better way to do that than to use the Open Sea set, as he sails away towards new horizons... I wanted to find an appropriate sentiment and thought about "Good luck", but finally decided on "À l'aventure" (which loosely translates to "All Aboard!"), which I created with the Billboard die.

The background behind the boat was created by inking one of my acrylic block with Crumb Cake ink and stamping it directly on the cardstock. The sides of the cardstock were distressed with my scissors blade and I rolled the bottom of the cardstock around a paintbrush to make it look like a scroll.

  

 

  
Inspiration : Sketch The Sweetest Thing SSSC121
 
 

 

Supplies
Stamps: The Open Sea
Cardstock: Whisper White, Basic Grey
Designer papers: Nautical Adventures
Inks: Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Sahara Sand, Night of Navy, Not Quite Navy
Big Shot die: Billboard die, Curves Ahead die
Punches: Stamp, 2-1/2 Circle
Accessories: Daubers, Brads, Stampin' DImensionals, Silver embossing powder,
Adhesive sheets, Vintage brads, Acrylic block, Mini library clip

 

 

  

 

My second project: On Your Birthday 

Project info: This is a sneak peek of two new hostess sets that will be debuted in the 2011-2012 catalogue next month. My main images were stamped with the Faith in Nature set and the sentiment was created with the combination of two stamps from the Happiest Birthday Wishes set. You'll also notice the new dotted scallop ribbon - isn't it the prettiest thing ever? Another item showcased on the card is the chipboard tag, which is part of a brand new kit of chipboard shapes that are super cute and versatile. I covered mine with More Mustard Craft ink and added two Tempting Turquoise shimmer brads before punching my gold-embossed sentiment and popping it up on Dimensionals. You'll also notice two of the new In Colors in there: Lucky Limeade and Pool Party. Instant favorites!
 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Voeux multiples (Happiest Birthday Wishes), Vive la nature (Faith in Nature)
Cardstock: Lucky Limeade, Tempting Turquoise, More Mustard, Pool Party, watercolor paper
Designer papers: Brights Collection
Inks: Lucky Limeade, Tempting Turquoise, More Mustard, Pool Party, Versamark
Punches: 1-1/4 Circle, 1-3/8 Circle, 1-in. Circle, Corner Rounder, 3/4 Square
Accessories: Mini library clip, Gold embossing powder, Stampin' Dimensionals,
On Board chipboard, Chocolate Chip dotted scallop ribbon, Brights buttons,
White baker's twine, Brights shimmer brads

  

 

 

 My third project: Wonderings...

Project info: Gotta have my signature scrapbook page for the Tour, don't I? My inspiration for this page was the beautiful new In Colors family. It was love at first sight with all five colors for me this year. A first, I believe, as I usually love most colors and learn to love the others after using time. Not this year. I love them all and I love how they all work together, which is what I did here, combine all five on one project. I usually include patterned paper on my pages and was a little puzzled here since I don't have any DSP that matches the new colors, so I remembered about the Presto Patterns pack and made my own with the use of a brayer.

Aside from the In Colors, you'll also spot the new Pennant Parade set and matching punch I used to create me title. One of my favorite new items from the catalogue! I also used the dotted scallop ribbon and some pieces from the new On Board chipboard set (clouds, house and flag). The flag is also supposed to be a pennant, but see how well it works? The journaling block was created by tracing a piece of chipboard from the same kit and handcutting it. I didn't want the bulk since I was slipping it under my picture and I also wanted to be able to reuse this piece again, hence the handcutting. I masked the center and sponged the outside, creating a darker frame. I also used the Varsity Alphabet, which is not new, but it was the first time it saw inked since I received it. I found it was fitting with the golf theme, and I used the Sweet Shoppe Alphabets and Just Perfect Alphabet to write the rest of the title.

 

 

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Fanions en fête (Penannt Parade), Sweet Shoppe Alpphabet Upper and Lower,
Varsity Alphabet, Just Perfect Alphabet, Woodgrain, Solid Stripes, Dot Dot Dot
Cardstock: Pool Party, Calipso Coral, Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade, Wisteria Wonder, Whisper White
Designer papers: Presto Patterns
Inks: Pool Party, Calipso Coral, Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade, Wisteria Wonder, Baja Breeze (Craft), Whisper White
Big Shot die: Go Go Boots Alphabet, Timeless Type Alphabet, Beautiful Wings Embosslits,
Tasteful Trims die, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Curves Ahead die
Punches: Pennant, Circle
Accessories: Stampin' Pastels, On Board chipboard, brads, rhinestones, Espresso taffeta ribbon,
Chocolate Chip dotted scallop ribbon, sponge, markers, pearls, white embossing powder,
Espresso Baker's twine, buttons, Stampin' Dimensionals

 

  

And your link back to the next stop on the tour: Liz Shultz's blog! 

   

 
 

November Tour de Freaks

Psst... If you are reading this post on November 19th, please note that we are getting the tour ready and testing the links to make sure everything is working. The official tour begins on the 20th, so if you cannot make the whole round tonight, hang in there with us!

  

 

  

Welcome to our November Tour de Freaks! This tour is brought to you by the Control Freaks Stampers members and if you have been following the tour, you should have gotten to my blog by clicking on the link provided by Janine Tinklenberg on her blog. If you are just starting out, make sure to visit all thirteen blogs that are part of the tour today by following the links provided at the bottom of each post. Our theme this month is Christmas Gifts and Snow! So without further ado, here are the fun projects I would like to share with you this month!

 

 

My first project: Framed with Love

Project info: The idea behind this gift came from a coworker who asked me for advice on how to package a bunch of gift certificates for a friend's baby shower. I suggested making a frame with a bunch of small envelopes and from there, the idea evolved into this project I am showing you here.

I used our Designer paper from the Brights collection to make the envelope. (My tip to you: gently unglue a small envelope to use as a template or use the Scallop envelope die with the Big Shot for faster results.) Since the paper is double-sided, you can just fold the top flap over and you get a beautiful envelope in no time. I decorated each envelope differently, with ribbon and accessories (I basically just flipped through my Caddy to see which embellishments I had that could work).

The frame is simply a canvas I got at the local art store and painted with our White Frost shimmer paint, before adding a bit of red satin ribbon, a Big Designer button from the Holidays mini and glueing the envelope in place with sticky strip. The nice thing about canvas is that they are inexpensive and come in a variety of sizes.

This idea can be adapted in so many ways: Use 24 envelopes to turn the frame into an Advent calendar. Slip love notes in each envelope for a Valentine's gift. Slip comforting notes and offer as a gift to someone who's sick. Write advice to an expecting mom. The possibilities are endless!

  

 

 
  
 

Stamps: Courrier d'hiver (Winter Post)
Designer papers: Brights Designer paper
Inks: Old Olive
Accessories: Red satin ribbon, Big Designer buttons (mini), canvas,White Frost shimmer paint,
mini envelope, brads, buttons, markers, jumbo eyelets

   

 

  

My second project: Card Holder

Project info: This is a card holder, with a page for each month of the year, where you can write the birthdates of your loved ones and insert the cards you want to send them on their birthdays in each pocket for sakefeeping.

You are going to love the dimensions of this, because they are so easy: use a 8½ x 11 page, score at 3 inches at the bottom and fold up. For the back pocket, cut a 8½ x 3½ piece of matching cardstock, score at ½ inch from the bottom, fold and glue to the back of the page using sticky strip. Then, to decorate with patterned paper, use a 8 x 4 piece of paper. Gotta love this measurement - perfect for 12 x 12 paper!

I used the Favorite Things set to stamp the birthday block and month tag. I used a marker to handwrite the month, but if you are stamping in English, you might want to check out the Full Calendar set, which is going to make your job that much easier.

 

  

 

 

 

 

Stamps: Favorite Things, Dot Dot Dot
Cardstock: Daffodil Delight, Pear Pizzazz, Marina Mist>
Designer Paper: Greenhouse Gala
Early Espresso, Versamark
Big Shot: Tasteful Trims die, Simple Letters Alphabet
Accessories: Satin ribbon, Floewrs, Vintage brads, Stampin' Pastels, Daubers,
Boho Blossoms punch, Border punches (Scallop, Eyelet, Scallop Trim), markers, sticky strip
 
 

 

 

My third project: Traveling Kit

Project info: Doesn't everything look better in a miniature format? This is a traveling kit, but the idea could easily be adapted to any kind of bottle or container you want to offer as a Christmas gift. Packaged nicely, everything just looks like a more expensive gift than it really is, wouldn't you agree?

For this kit, I chose an elegant black and vanilla scheme, which also matched the bottles and accessories I wanted to include in the kit, and selected the map from the Newsprint papers kit to fit the traveling theme.

I want to point out one of the details on the holder. I used my 1-in Circle punch to add the bottles in place and the holes are a little wider than the actual bottle, so the bottles kept toppling over to the sides. To avoid that problem, I punched a Scallop circle out of matching patterned paper, traced the bottom of the bottle in the middle, then cut between each scallop all the way to my pencil line. I folded the "petals" up, and used glue dots to roll a strip of paper all the way around the petals. To glue the holder at the bottom of the kit, I placed it on the bottle, added two glue dots at the bottom of it and slid it in place in the kit, therefore glueing it in place at the bottom. Neat, huh? This stabilizes the bottles in place and makes for a nice finish as well.

    
 

  

 

 

 

 

 

Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Basic Black
Designer papers: Newspring
Punches: Scallop Oval, 1-in. Circle, Scallop Trim border, Scallop Circle
Accessories: Black lace (mini), stricky strip, mini glue dots

 

And your link back to the next stop on the tour: Lisa Martz!

 

  

September Tour de Freaks - Fall / Halloween

Psst... If you are reading this post on September 19th, please note that we are getting the tour ready and testing the links to make sure everything is working. The official tour begins on the 20th, so if you cannot make the whole round tonight, hang in there with us!

  

 

  

Welcome to our September Tour de Freaks! This tour is brought to you by the Control Freaks Stampers members and if you have been following the tour, you should have gotten to my blog by clicking on the link provided by Lisa Martz on her blog. If you are just starting out, make sure to visit all eleven blogs that are part of the tour today by following the links provided at the bottom of each post. Our theme this month is Fall and Halloween! So without further ado, here are the fun projects I would like to share with you this month!

 

 

My first project: Little Witch

Project info: One of the new items introduced in the Holidays mnini are the letterpress plates, which got me thinking that this might be a look we could reproduce with the embossing folders. To do so, I inked the raised part of the spiderweb design on the folder with Versamark and after running it through the Big Shot, I pourred some silver embossing powder on my design. Pretty cool result!

The zigzag border is the leftover cardstock you get when you cut a rickrack border with the new Tasteful Trims die.

  

 

  
 
  

Stamps: Greeting Card Kids, Voeux mignons (Teeny Tiny Wishes)
Cardstock: Peach Parfait, Pear Pizzazz, Basic Black, Rich Razzleberry, watercolor paper
Designer papers: Newsprint
Inks: Versamark, Black StazOn, Pear Pizzazz, Basic Grey, Blushing Bride, Pumpkin Piem, Rich ERazzleberry
Big Shot: Spider Web embossing folder, Tasteful Trims die
Accessories: Blending pen, silver embossing powder, lace trim (minicatalogue) ,
brads, Silver Foil Smooch Spray, Stampin' Dimensionals

 

 

My second project: Pumpkin Crest

Project info: The chipboard circle was created with the Simple Alphabet die, and I used the 1-3/4 in. Circle punch to create the cardstock circle inside. To create the shading on the pumpkin, I used the good ol' Rock 'n Roll technique (Pumpkin Pie then rolled in Tango Tangerine ink). The "thank you" sentiment comes from the All Holidays set and the leaf (background) and pumpkin are from the Paisley Print set currently sold in the Holidays mini.

 

   
 

  

Stamps: Paisley Prints, Fêtes diverses (All Holidays)
Cardstock: Whisper White, Marina Mist, Tango Tangerine, Early Espresso
Designer papers: Greenhouse Gala
Inks: Pumpkin Pie, Tango Tangerine, Early Espresso, Versamark
Big Shot: Simple Alphabet die (circle)
Accessories: Gold embossing powder, brads, Stampin' Dimensionals,
chpboard, 1-3/4 Circle punch, paper piercer

 

 

 

My third project: All Hallow's Eve Basket

 

Project info: To decorate the basket, I used a glittered rickrack band that I created by die-cutting a piece of sticky sheet with the new Tasteful Trims die. If you haven't purchased this one already, you really must! This is my favorite die ever! It is perfect for everything from cards to scrapbooking to 3D projects, to cut paper, sticky sheet, fabric, cork or even chipboard!

But I disgress... I stuck the die-cut sticky sheet on the basket (before putting it together) and covered it with orange glitter. I used the From the Crypt stamp set to stamp and cut out the bat and the spider. I wanted my spider to be hanging from her Web, so I tangled some linen thread around the basket. I wanted to line the basket with something, so I used some Rich Razzleberry cardstock and I ran it through the crimper a few times to soften it.

I used a cello bag stamped with StazOn ink to hold the candy and tied it with some Olive satin ribbon.

 

 

  
 
 

Stamps: Sanded, From the Crypt
Cardstock: Basic Grey
Inks: Basic Grey, Black StazOn
Big Shot: Basket and Blooms die, Tasteful Trims die
Accessories: Buttons, linen thread, Olive satin ribbon, cello bag, crimper, sticky sheet, orange glitter

 

 

And your link back to the next stop on the tour: Connie Babbert!

 

July Tour de Freaks - Summer's Time to Play!

Psst... If you are reading this post on April 19th, please note that we are getting the tour ready and testing the links to make sure everything is working. The official tour begins on the 20th, so if you cannot make the whole round tonight, hang in there with us!

 

 

 

Welcome to our July Tour de Freaks! This tour is brought to you by the Control Freaks Stampers members and if you have been following the tour, you should have gotten to my blog by clicking on the link provided by Wendy Janson on her blog. If you are just starting out, make sure to visit all twelve blogs that are part of the tour today by following the links provided at the bottom of each post. Our theme this month is Summer! So without further ado, here are the fun projects I would like to share with you this month!

 

 

My first project: Ô! Canada mini-album

Summer means... Canada Day!

Project info: I made this mini-album with the use of our clear envelopes, which are just the right size to slip pictures in! On the back of the red cardstock, I glued red Designer paper and I added journaling blocks stamped with the Favorite Things set. The cover was made with a long strip of cardstock and I used the crimper on one end to fold the cardstock over to the front of the album. I added brads to secure the envelopes in place. The album and cover were decorated using the Glorious & Free set, which is such a nice patriotic set. I especially like the fact that the stamps on it are bilingual!! Such a nice touch...

Speaking of which, I used on the bilingual stamp that reads, "Handmade in Canada / Fait au Canada" to create a faux sceal with Silver embossing powder. The technique is very simple: dump a little mount of embossing powder on your cardstock, melt the powder with your heat gun making sure you heat underneath the cardstock (or else the powder will fly everywhere!) and once the powder is completely melt, you press your stamp in it, let it cool down and ta-da - you have your faux wax sceal. Then, I stamped the same image again in red, handcut the maple leaf and placed it in the sceal, then covered the leaf with Crystal Effects.

This mini-album is a gift for my friend Makeesha who's visiting from Australia with her family this summer.

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Glorious & Free
Cardstock: Real Red, Basic Black, Whisper White, Silver
Inks: Versamark, Real Red
Punches: Scallop Trim, CIrcle
Accessories: Simple Letters die, Crystal Effects, white and silver embossing powder,
Polka Dot embossing folder, rhinestones, red satin ribbon, white brads, clear envelope

 

 

 

My second project: Finally back!

Summer means... traveling!

Project info: Summer equals vacation and Convention (although I will not get to attend this year - boo-hoo!). This page recalls the troubles I had last year with my luggage and connections and how it took me two days and four flights to make it back home.

I used the fabulous Travel Journal papers, which are perfect for any vacation pages, and I handcut some of the patterns like the plane and the compass to add to my page. I spritzed the papers with some Smooch Spray for a distressed look, and I added a couple of elements from the new cattie to my page, like the lace, the antique brad and the rhinestones. The title was created with the Go Go Boots alphabet, and since those dies include the capital and small letters, I was able to created letters in two sizes on my page.

 

 

 

  
Inspiration : Page Maps sketch (July)

 

Supplies

Cardstock: Pumpkin Pie
Designer papers: Travel Journal
Big Shot: Go Go Boots Alphabet
Punches: Corner Rounder, Curly Label, Spiral, Circle
Accessories: Pumpkin Striped ribbon, lace, button, linen thread, Smooch Spray (Silver Foil, Gold Glow),
Antique Brads, white gel pen, Night of Navy marker,  rhinestones, distressing tool (Cutting Kit)

 

 

 

 

July Tour de Freaks Blog Roll

 

1) Wendy Weixler

2) Lisa Martz

3) Dawn Olchefske

4) Debbie Currier

5) Connie Babbert

6) Mary Brown
7) Janine Tinklenberg

8) Ilina Crouse

9) Wendy Janson

10) Cindy Major
11) Jen Smith

12) Melanie Schulenberg

 

 

 

 

 

And your link back to the next stop on the tour: Jen Smith!

  

March Tour de Freaks - Spring's Here!

Psst... If you are reading this post on March 19th, please note that we are getting the tour ready and testing the links to make sure everything is working. The official tour begins on the 20th, so if you cannot make the whole round tonight, hang in there with us!

 

 

 

Welcome to our March Tour de Freaks! This tour is brought to you by the Control Freaks Stampers members and if you have been following the tour, you should have gotten to my blog by clicking on the link provided by Patty Bennett on her blog. If you are just starting out, make sure to visit all sixteen blogs that are part of the tour today by following the links provided at the bottom of each post. Our theme this month is Spring! So without further ado, here are the fun projects I would like to share with you this month!

 

 

My first project: Easter Basket

Project info: The little basket was created with the Basket & Blooms die and decorated with the flowers and flourishes from the Eggcellent Eggs kit. I used my bone folder and a ruler to create a weave pattern on the basket (which refused to show on the pictures I took) and I created some "grass" to go inside with thin Certainly Celery cardstock strip that were run in the crimper. Then, I added my friend, Mr. Bunny inside...

 

 

 
Inspiration : Sketch Mojo Monday #128 + SCS color combo #214
 
 

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Chocolate Bunny
Cardstock: Whisper White, Close to Cocoa, Certainly Celery
Inks: Chocolate Chip
Big Shot die: Basket & Blooms
Accessories: Pretty in Pink taffeta ribbon, Bashful Blue grosgrain ribbon, Eggcellent Eggs kit, crimper

 

 

 

My second project: Spring Blooms

Project info: The main image is a piece of pattern paper from the Sweet Pea DSP pack that I accented with some stitching on the stems and in the flower centres (with needlepoint floss). The sentiment comes from the hostess set Picture It. I also used another sheet from the same paper pack to create a matching envelope. The inside of the card was decorated with flowers and rub-ons, also from the Eggcellent Eggs kit.

Sentiment reads, "You're a star." To make the star sparkly, I dipped an old blending pen in my Champagne Mist shimmer paint and colored over the stamped star. Great way to give new life to your dry blending pens!

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 

Supplies

Stamps: Message illustrés (Picture It)
Cardstock: So Saffron
Designer papers: Sweet Pea
Inks: So Saffron. Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Eggcellent Eggs kit, Flower brads, needlepoint floss, paper piercer, mat pack, markers,
Champagne Mist shimmer paint, blending pen

 

 

 

My third project: Virtual Friends

Project info: Flowers, flowers, flowers! Those are the first sign of Spring and I've combined flowered papers from the Sending Love DSP pack to 3D flowers on this 12 x 12 page. To create my flowers, I've used the Boho Blossoms and the Extra Large Fancy Flower punches, the Party Blossoms die, the Sweet sticky die-cuts and some flower buttons. I've created my chipboard title with the Simple Alphabet dies, which are sturdy enough to cut through chipboard, and covered the letters with Pretty in Pink Craft ink and then Champagne Mist shimmer paint. The rhinestones are from the Eggcellent Eggs kit.

I've created some name tags at the left of the two pictures with the tags from the Vintage Labels stamp set. The pictures were taken last year at Convention with some online friends I had the chance to meet face to face (Angie Tieman, Brandi Wiggins and Connie Collins).

 

 

 
 Inspiration : Page Map sketch
 
 

Supplies
Stamps: Calendar Alphabet & Numbers, Vintage Labels, Favorite Things
Cardstock: Real Red, Very Vanilla, Pretty in Pink
Papers: Sending Love DSP
Inks: Chocolate Chip, Real Red, Pretty in Pink
Big Shot die: Pârty Blossoms, Simple Letters
Punches: My Way, Scallop Circle, Corner Rounder, Extra Large Fancy Flower, Boho Blossoms
Accessories: Pretty in Pink satin ribbon, Pretty in Pink corduroy button and brad,
twine, markers, epoxy brads, buttons, half-pearls (Pretties kit), Stampin' Dimensionals,
chipboard, Eggcellent Eggs kit (rhinestones), Champagne Mist shimmer paint,
Sweet sticky cuts, red and brown glitter

 

 

March Tour de Freaks Blog Roll

 

1) Cindy Major

2) Wendy Janson

3) Connie Babbert

4) Mary Brown

5) Janine Tinklenberg

6) Brandi Wiggins

7) Robin Spinner

8) Dawn Olchefske

9) Lisa Martz

10) Melanie Schulenberg

11) LeeAnn Greff

12) Wendy Weixler

13) Julie Buhler

14) Erin Blair

15) Katy Clark

16) Dannie Graves

17) Patty Bennett

 

 

And your link back to the next stop on the tour: Wendy Janson's blog!

  

February Tour de Freaks - Mini Mania!

Psst... If you are reading this post on January19th, please note that we are getting the tour ready and testing the links to make sure everything is working. The official tour begins on the 20th, so if you cannot make the whole round tonight, hang in there with us!

 

 

 

Welcome to our February January Tour de Freaks! This tour is brought to you by the Control Freaks Stampers members and if you have been following the tour, you should have gotten to my blog by clicking on the link provided by Patty Bennett on her blog. If you are just starting out, make sure to visit all sixteen blogs that are part of the tour today by following the links provided at the bottom of each post. Our theme this month is the Occasions minicatalogue. So without further ado, here are the fun projects I would like to share with you this month!

 

 

My first project: Easter Bunny

Featuring: Picnic Parade stamp set (level 2 hostess set), Extra Large Fancy Flower, Perfect Polka Dots Impressions folder, Chocolate Chip satin ribbon, Sending Love DSP. Pinking Hearts border and corner punches

Project info: Here's a different Easter color combo for you: Pretty in Pink, Bordering Blue, So Saffron and Chocolate Chip. The bunny from the Picnic Parade is perfect for a cute Easter card. Since the Sending Love papers have Very Vanilla as their base neutral (instead of Whisper White), I cracked out the Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware to frame my sentiment, which comes from the oh-so-versatile All Holidays set.

 

 

 
Inspiration : Sketch Mojo Monday #128 + SCS color combo #214
 
 

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Picnic Parade, Fêtes diverses (All Holidays)
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Bordering Blue, Very Vanilla, Pretty in Pink, watercolor paper
Designer Papers: Sending Love
Inks: Bordering Blue, So Saffron, Going Grey, Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip
Punches: Pinking Hearts border and corner, Extra Large Fancy Flower, 1-3/4 in. Circle, Small Oval
Accessories: Blending pen, Circle Scissors Plus, Perfect Polka Dots Impressions folder,
Very Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware, clear embossing powder, Chocolate Chip satin ribbon,
Rich Regaks brads, Stampin' Dimensionals

 

 

 

My second project: My Leadership Posse

Featuring: Satin ribbons, Vintage Vogue stamp set, Eggcellent Eggs Kit, Scallop Trim border and corner punches, Sweet Pea Stitched Felt, Sweet Pea Designer papers 

Project info: The egg decorating kit has to be my best "bang for your bucks" purchase of the Occasions mini! You get so many fun things in it, I urge you to take a second look at it if you haven't bought it yet. I used the rub-ons on the picture corners and on the satin ribbon. Perfect way to dress it up and super easy to transfer on the ribbon! You will also notice that I used the rhinestones to create a circle frame around my title. The small rhinestones are already on top of a glue line, which is pliable, so it is very easy to apply a whole row of rhinestones anywhere you want and create any shape you want! You can also use your paper snips to cut them apart and use them individually. Tip: Use the end of your paper piercer to transfer the rhinestone to your project.

The upper corners of the pink paper were punched with the Scallop Trim corner punch and I threaded taffeta ribbon through the scallop holes to add ribbon knots in the corners.

 

 

 

 
Inspiration : Sketch Page Maps Jan. 2010

 
 

Supplies

Stamps: Vague vintage (Vintage Vogue)
Cardstock: So Saffron
Designer papers: Sweet Pea
Inks: So Saffron. Old Olive
Big Shot: Billboard die
Punches: Scallop Trim border and corner, 3/4 Square  
Accessories: Pretty in Pink and Chocolat Chip satin ribbons, Vanilla taffeta ribbon,
Sweet Pea Stitched Felt, Circle Scissors Plus, Eggcellent Eggs Kit, Stampin' Dimensionals,
Chocolate Chip marker, paper piercer and mat pack

 

 

 

 

February Tour de Freaks Blog Roll

 

1) Cindy Major

2) Wendy Janson

3) Connie Babbert

4) Mary Brown

5) Janine Tinklenberg

6) Robin Spinner

7) Dawn Olchefske

8) Lisa Martz

9) Gretchen Barron

10) Melanie Schulenberg

11) LeeAnn Greff

12) Julie Buhler

13) Erin Blair

14) Wendy Weixler

15) Dannie Graves

16) Patty Bennett

 

 

And your link back to the next stop on the tour: Wendy Janson's blog!

  

January Tour de Freaks - Love!

Psst... If you are reading this post on January19th, please note that we are getting the tour ready and testing the links to make sure everything is working. The official tour begins on the 20th, so if you cannot make the whole round tonight, hang in there with us!

 

 

 

Welcome to our January Tour de Freaks! This tour is brought to you by the Control Freaks Stampers members and if you have been following the tour, you should have gotten to my blog by clicking on the link provided by Katy Clark on her blog. If you are just starting out, make sure to visit all sixteen blogs that are part of the tour today by following the links provided at the bottom of each post. Our theme this month is Love and Valentines. So without further ado, here are the fun projects I would like to share with you this month!

 

 

My first project: I Love You More Than Stamps

Now, talk about love! That is the biggest compliment a stamper could probably give anyone.

Project info: To create the sentiment, I combined the sentiment from Love Bandit ("I love you more than ________") with the one from the Tote-ally Tess set ("I heart stamps"). With the help of markers and my Stamp-a-Ma-Jig, I was able to stamp the little heart between the first two words and to add the word Stamps at the end of the sentence. The polka dot heart is from the I [heart] hearts set and to create the pierced border all around the heart, I used the heart punch on scrap paper to create a mask, and I then I pierced holes all around it using the papier piercer. Tess was stamped on watercolor paper and colored with inks (and I had to give her red hair and a green shirt, of course!). For a bit of sparkle, I covered a piece of sticky strip with Clear chunky glitter.

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Tote-ally Tess, Love Bandit, I (heart) hearts
Cardstock: Dusty Durango, Bermuda Bay, Whisper White, watercolor paper
Designer Papers: Tall Tales
Inks: Bermuda Bay, Dusty Durango, So Saffron, Blush Blossom, Melon Mambo, Black StazOn
Punches: Scallop Edge, Big Heart, Heart to Heart, Corner Rounder 3/16
Accessories: Clear chunky glitter, Rich Regals brads, Dusty Durango ribbon, sticky strip, markers, Stamp-a-Ma-Jig, Aquapainter brush, Watercolor Wonder crayons (neutrals)

 

 

 

My second project: Lattice Valentine

I love pulling out the Heat & Stick powder for Valentine's Day cards!

Project info: The red heart was created with Heat & Stick and red glitter. Just stamp the heart on Very Vanilla cardstock with Versamark, pour the Heat & Stick powder on the image, melt with heat tool (just heat until the powder melts and becomes tacky), pour glitter on the image and heat again to set the glitter in place.

The red background piece was created with the Big Shot and the lattice die. The sentiment reads "Happy Valentine's Day" and is from the Teeny Tiny Wishes set. The polka dot background was created with the Dot, Dot, Dot stamp from the Occasions minicatalogue.

Did you know that the two sides of the stamps are created so that the polka dots will line up when you stamp more than once on a piece of cardstock? Look at the sticker closely and make sure you mount your stamp accordingly!

The card size is 4-1/4 x 4-1/4 in. It will fit into a standard-size envelope, which will save you on postage (because square envelopes are more expensive to mail).

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies

Stamps: I (heart) hearts, Dot Dot Dot, Voeux mignons
Cardstock: Real Red, Old Olive, Bermuda Bay, Very Vanilla
Inks: Old Olive, Bermuda Bay, Versamark
Accessories: Soft Suede ribbon, linen thread, Lattice die, Heat & Stick,
red fine glitter, Stampin' Dimensionals

 

 

 

My third project: King of [her] Heart

Who said shaker boxes only belonged on cards...

Project info: To create the shaker boxes at the bottom of the page, I used the Heart punch three times, glued a piece of window sheet underneath, added Stampin' Dimensionals all around the shape, filled them with red beads and chunky glitter and then glued the background patterned paper in place. After I was done, I matted my page with a piece of Basic Black cardstock. The page will go in my 8½ x 8½ album, but to accomodate room for the shaker boxes, I cut the page 1/8 in. smaller so that I would have room to slide the page in the protector.

Title reads, King of [my] heart, and the picture shows my sister with her boyfriend of over four years. To match the title, I pulled out the Jackpot papers and on the word paper, I made sure to keep the word "pair" visible. I also used the Card Games set and used the King image to keep with the title. I also added the crown from Extreme Elements, embossed on gold, on one of my letters.

The brackets were created by using the Round Tab punch : punch tab and then place the punch upside down over your hole and move it sideways a bit and punch again. The side of the tab will create the bracket. Repeat on other side of tab for second bracket. Speaking of punches, remember that you can use your border punches on your pictures!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Taffy Alphabet, Just Perfect Alphabet, Extreme Elements,
Card Games, A to Z, Jumbo Outline Alphabet
Cardstock: Basic Black, Basic Grey, Very Vanilla, So Saffron, Real Red
Inks: Real Red, Basic Black, Basic Grey, Versamark
Papers: Jackpot
Die: Top Note
Punches: Heart to Heart, Full Heart, Scallop Border,
1/8-in handheld punch, Corner Rounder 3/16, Round Tab
Accessories: Basic Black marker, red chunky glitter, red beads, window sheet,
embossing powders (gold, clear, black), Basic Grey corduroy brad, Stampin' Dimensionals,
Real red grosgrain ribbon, mat pack, paper piercer

 

January Tour de Freaks Blog Roll

 

1) Patty Bennett

2) Wendy Janson

3) Lisa Martz

4) Gretchen Barron

5) Melanie Schulenberg

6) Connie Babbert

7) Mary Brown

8) Julie Buhler

9) Brandi Wiggins

10) Dawn Olchefske

11) Erin Blair

12) Janine Tinklenberg

13) Wendy Weixler

14 ) Katy Clark

15) Cindy Major

16) LeeAnn Greff

 

 

And your link back to the next stop on the tour: LeeAnn Greff's blog!

November Tour de Freaks

Psst... If you are reading this post on November 19th, please note that we are getting the tour ready and testing the links to make sure everything is working. The official tour begins on the 20th, so if you cannot make the whole round tonight, hang in there with us!

 

 

 

Welcome to our November Tour de Freaks! This tour is brought to you by the Control Freaks Stampers members and if you have been following the tour, you should have gotten to my blog by clicking on the link provided by Wendy Weixler on her blog. If you are just starting out, make sure to visit all twelve blogs that are part of the tour today by following the links provided at the bottom of each post. Our theme this month is Christmas Gifts: small items, altered items, stocking stuffers, gift collections, and ornaments. So without further ado, here are the fun projects I would like to share with you this month!

 

 

My first project: 2010 Calendar

Use your stamps to personalize the 2010 calendar sold in the current minicatalogue.

Project info: All of the calendar pages were matted with 4 x 4 in. pieces of colored cardstock. I used the Holiday Blitz stamp set to add image on the left margin of each monthly page in the following In Colors: Soft Suede, Bermuda Bay and Rich Razzleberry. To paint the chipboard easel, I added a few drops of Rich Razzleberry reinker in White Frost shimmer paint and applied it to the chipboard with a paintbrush.

 

 

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Holiday Blitz
Cardstock: Soft Suede, Rich Razzleberry, Bermuda Bay, Whisper White
Inks: Soft Suede, Rich Razzleberry, Bermuda Bay
Punches: Scallop Square, Scallop Circle, circles, 3/4 Square
Accessories: In Colors markers, Vintage brads, two-way glue, Dazzling Diamonds glitter

 

 

 

My second project: Tin Frame

I had one of those "Why didn't I think of this before?!" moments when I figured the silver tins sold by SU! would make great frames. And they do!

Project info: The inside and outside of the tin was decorated with the Patterned Pines hostess set. On the front, the snowflake was stamped in Versamark and embossed with clear powder directly on the tin and I used the Eyelet Border punch to tie in with the inside. To make the detailing on the trees stand out more, I used the emboss-resist technique: I stamped the trees in Versamark, embossed them with clear powder and added White Frost shimmer paint with a sponge, then wiped the paint off of the embossing with a tissue. It creates a very nice shimmer effect!

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies

Stamps: Patterned Pines
Cardstock: Real Red, Old Olive, Bermuda Bay, Whisper White
Inks: Real Red, Old Olive, Bermuda Bay, Versamark
Punches: Eyelet Border
Accessories: Silver tin, wide striped Olive grosgrain ribbon, clear embossing powder,
White Frost shimmer paint, mat pack and paper piercer

 

 

 

My third project: Little Sleigh

Turn the Pillow Box into a cute little winter sleigh.

Project info: I didn't have a pattern for the skates on the sleigh, so I just eyeballed it and cut two skates out of Silver cardstock. The pillow box was cut out of red polka dot patterned paper (from the Christmas Jingle kit), on which I overstamped the Woodgrain background in Chocolate Chip and drew lines with a marker. Can you guess what I used to make the front of the sleigh? If you look more closely, you'll recognize the chipboard shape taken out of the calendar easel! I embossed it in silver powder, added a red grosgrain ribbon underneath and a bow of holly taken from the Christmas Jingle sticker sheets.

Oh, and what's inside? In my case, candy, but it would be a perfect gift box for a gift card or a nice piece of jewelry.

 

 

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Woodgrain
Cardstock: Silver
Inks: Chocolate Chip, Versamark
Simply Scrappin' Kit: Christmas Jingle
Die: Pillow Box
Accessories: Red grosgrain ribbon, Silver embossing powder, Chocolate Chip marker, ruler,
chipboard piece from Calendar easel

 

 

 

My fourth project: Ribbon Wreath

Last but not least, a nice recycling idea!

Project info: I guess I could have thrown the plastic ring after I had used all of my Sticky Strip, but somehow it ended up in the "For later creative use" bin. Which came in handy today when I looked for something to make a wreath with! This is quite easy: simply tie knots of Olive wide grosgrain ribbon all around the plastic ring until it is completely covered. It needed berries, so I tried the newly-discovered rosette technique with red grosgrain ribbon. Add accents (buttons, brads, pearls) and finish off with a ribbon loop to hang wreath from.

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies
Accessories: Red grosgrain ribbon, Olive grosgrain ribbon, Recreation buttons, linen thread, Pretties kit (pearls), Rhinestone brad, Sticky Sheets, Red polka-dot grosgrain ribbon, mini glue dots

 

And your link back to the first stop on the tour: Patty Bennett's blog!

 

October Tour de Freaks

 

 

Welcome to our October Tour de Freaks! This tour is brought to you by the Control Freaks Stampers members and if you have been following the tour, you should have gotten to my blog by clicking on the link provided by Robin Spinner on her blog. If you are just starting out, make sure to visit all fifteen blogs that are part of the tour today by following the links provided at the bottom of each post. Our theme this month is Christmas Cards, so without further ado, here are the fun projects I would like to share with you this month!

 

 

My first project: Joyful Wishes

How fun are those colours together, right? I have paired our new Melon Mambo with Old Olive and Always Artichoke for an unconventional Christmas combo.

Project info: The card base was embossed with the Finial Press embossing folder, and I added some Old Olive ink by swiping a dauber on the raised surface of the design to make the details stand out more. The ornament was stamped twice: with Always Artichoke on Whisper White and in Versamark on Melon Mambo and then embossed in silver. I cut only the word out of the silver ornament and glued it on top of the punched Artichoke one. I added a Melon punched snowflake, a piece of matching polka dot ribbon and a sentiment from the Teeny Tiny Wishes set. The plaid patterned paper is from the Razzleberry Lemonade DSP pack.

 

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Jolis ornements (Delightful Decorations), Voeux mignons (Tenny Tiny Wishes)
Cardstock: Melon Mambo, Old Olive, Always Artichoke, Whisper White
Papers: Razzleberry Lemonade DSP
Inks: Always Artichoke, Versamark
Punches: Ornament, Small Oval, Snowflake, Scallop Edge
Accessories: Silver embossing powder, Finial Press embossing folder,
Melon Mambo polka dot ribbon, dauber, 5/16-in. brad

 

 

 

My second project: Ornament Triptych

I loved my newly discovered color combo so much that I used it on a second project! This just goes to show that you can create various designs using the same supplies

Project info: The background was embossed with a Texturz plate and the Melon Mambo band, with the Finial Press embossing folder. Once the cardstock was embossed, I used a sponge to add Champagne Mist shimmer paint all over those two pieces of cardstock to add a golden glow to them. The rest was easy-peasy stamping and punching and knotting, but look at the little surprise waiting inside...

 

 

 

 

Supplies

Stamps: Jolis ornements (Delightful Decorations)
Cardstock: Melon Mambo, Old Olive, Always Artichoke, Whisper White
Inks: Melon Mambo, Old Olive, Always Artichoke, Versamark
Punches: Ornament
Accessories: Silver embossing powder, gold cord, Champagne Mist shimmer paint,
Finial Press embossing folder, Texturz plate, Stampin' Dimensionals,
Melon Mambo polka dot ribbon, sponge

 

 

 

My third project: Peaceful Winter

This a softer color combo that provides an alternative to blue snowflakes: Soft Suede + Almost Amethyst + Very Vanilla.

Project info: Don't forget that even though Branch Out is not currently featured in the catalogue, it is still available for purchase on the Dormant List! It is one of my favorite set - both fun, elegant and versatile. Here, I have cropped part of the tree for a smaller, circular image, and I have used the snowflakes provided in the set to add falling snow in the background. The Amethyst background was stamped with the beautiful Serene Snowflakes background and then run through the Big Shot with the polka dots Texturz plate. Don't forget if you are going to add embossing to stamp your images first, while the cardstock is still flat!

All of the cardstock edges were sponged with a dauber for a vintage, softer look, and the sentiment, that comes from the All Holidays set, reads "Peace, Love, Joy."

TIP: Don't forget to create matching envelopes for your cards for a nice finishing touch. And switch the fold of the card around for a different look. This card base was created with a 4-1/4 x 11 in. piece of cardstock, folded in half. Make sure to score the cardstock at 5-1/2 in. before folding to avoid a cracked fold (since you will be folding against the grain of the cardstock).

 

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Branch Out, Fêtes diverses (All Holidays), Serene Snowflakes
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, Almost Amethyst
Inks: Soft Suede, Almost Amethyst, Bashful Blue
Punches: Wide Oval, 1-in. Circle, Eyelet Border, 3/4 Square, 1/2 Circle, Boho Blossoms
Accessories: Circle Scissors Plus, Texturz plate and Big Shot, daubers,
purple rhinestone brad, Soft Suede polka dot ribbon, Crop-a-Dile

 

 

And your link back to the first stop on the tour: Patty Bennett's blog!

 

Tour de Freaks - Fall, Halloween & Thanksgiving

Welcome to our September Tour de Freaks! This tour is brought to you by the Control Freaks Stampers members and if you have been following the tour, you should have gotten to my blog by clicking on the link provided by my fab downline Brandi Wiggins on her blog. If you are just starting out, make sure to visit all fifteen blogs that are part of the tour today by following the links provided at the bottom of each post. Our theme this month is Fall, Halloween and Thanksgiving, so without further ado, here are the fun projects I would like to share with you this month!

 

 

My first project: Grateful For...

I know some people like to reflect on what they are grateful for at Thanksgiving. I decided to share what I am grateful for at this time of my life on a scrapbook page.

Journaling reads, "Devoted parents - a cool little sis - my independence - my own place - my freedom - my long-time friends - my health - the opportunities and friendships found through SU! - my lucky star"

Project info: The title was created with the Jumbo Outline Alphabet. I stamped the letters in Versamark, slightly overlapping each letters to link them together, then embossed them in gold powder. I repeated the gold embossing on cardstock leaves cut with the Big Shot Leaves die.

Did you know... that we sell Sticky Pages? That item is well-hidden at the bottom of page 180 of the IB&C. Those pages can be run through the Big Shot to create stickers of any shapes, than can then be covered with glitter or beads. Here, I created sticky leaves on which I pourred some glitter.

I didn't stop there with the shimmer: I created a Lattice die-cut out of Soft Suede cardstock and covered it with our new shimmer paint (Champagne Mist). The paint is just sheer enough to let the cardstock color show through while still creating a delightfully sparkly piece. And do you notice the plaid design underneath, on the Dusty Durango scallop circle? This pattern was created with the Dotted Lines wheel! Wheel vertically in Soft Suede, then horizontally in Versamark embossed in gold powder. Ta-da! Instant plaid!

Before mounting the Wandering Words set, I took the words out with my rubber scissors to make the images more versatile.

(On a side note, the orange picture came from a boo-boo - my printer is running low on ink and instead of a colored picture, I ended up with an orangey one! I decided to run with it and use it as a sort-of sepia picture... The picture was printed on watercolor paper to give it texture and a canvas feel.)

 

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Wandering Words, Plus on est de fous plus on rit [The More The Merrier - Hostess Level 3], Jumbo Outline Alphabet, Best Wishes & More, Baroque Motifs, Holiday Best [Hostess Level 1], Dotted Lines wheel
Inks: Versamark, Dusty Durango, Soft Suede
Cardstock: Soft Suede, Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango, watercolor paper
Papers: Razzleberry Lemonade DSP
Big Shot dies: Scallop Circle, Leaves, Lattice, Top Note
Punches: Scallop Circle, Scallop Edge, handheld punch 1/8 in., 1-3/8-in. Circle, 1-in. Circle
Accessories: Sticky Pages, Glitter, Shimmer Paint (Champagne Mist), gold embossing powder, Crushed Curry ribbon, Kraft corduroy button, twine, markers, Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware, clear embossing powder

 

 

My second project: Halloween Bling

I played with the Sticky Pages some more and created a sparkly background using the Lattice die and glitter.

I have created a tutorial to show how to achieve this look and will share it on my blog tomorrow, so stop by again to see how to reproduce this look yourself.

Tried as I may, I could not get the twine bow to stay on the metal frame with glue dots, so I finally decided to fill the whole Hodgepodge Hardware piece with Crystal Effects for a glassy look and stuck the bow in the corner. It is now held securely in place.

 

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Extreme Elements, Expressions festives [Holiday Best - Hostess Level 1]
Inks: Bermuda Bay, Versamark, Old Olive
Cardstock: Old Olive, Bermuda Bay, Basic Black, Dusty Durango
Papers: Cast-a-Spell 
Accessories: Sticky Pages, Glitter, Rhinestone brads, Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware,
Designer Label punch, Crystal Effects, twine bow, black marker, black embossing powder,
brads, paper piercer and mat pack, Lattice die 

 

 

Your next stop on the tour: Jenn Diericks' blog!!! Enjoy!

Tour de Freaks - En couleur!

Welcome to our August Tour de Freaks! This tour is brought to you by the Control Freaks Stampers members and if you have been following the tour, you should have gotten to my blog by clicking on the link provided by Patty Bennett on her blog. If you are just starting out, make sure to visit all thirteen blogs that are part of the tour today by following the links provided at the bottom of each post. Our theme this month is 2009-2010 In Colours, so without further ado, here are the fun projects I would like to share with you this month!

 

My first project: Things I Like

This project features the new stamp set Things I like, which happens to feature things I DO like - chocolate, shopping and shoes (Nine West shoes, to be more precise!).

You will notice that my card features three of the In Colours - Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry and Bermuda Bay. They have been paired with the gorgeous black and white papers from the Night & Day DSP pack that will be available September 1st in the upcoming minicatalogue. The polka dot pattern is actually an acetate available in that pack, which allows the In Colours cardstock placed behind to show through. Pretty cool, right?

 

 

 

 

My second project: Christmas Under the Sun

This 12 x 12 page features the beautiful Soft Suede, a great addition to the brown palette. This colour makes a great neutral and with its green undertones, it looks beautiful paired with other greens such as Old Olive or Always Artichoke. Here, it has been paired with Real Red and Whisper White for a new, unexpected spin on Christmas colours.

Again, those beautiful papers, from the Christmas Cocoa DSP pack, are part of the upcoming minicatalogue. Those papers offer something special: some are shimmery and others are flocked (like the snowflakes on this page)!

Project info: To create the sun under my title, I used the Circle Scissors Plus and the paper scraps you get when you punch a border with the Scallop Edge punch. I glued them around the circle with the two-way glue pen.

Since the Bigz dies will cut through thicker fabrics, I used the Snowflake die to cut through white felt. Last time I did this, the felt was coming apart in certain spots, so this time, I glued the felt on white cardstock before running it through the Big Shot. It made a huge difference and made it easier to glue the snowflake on the page as well.

To make the title, I combined the Many Merry Messages stamp set and the Billboard alphabet die (on gold cardstock). The Christmas Ornament was stamped with Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint (another upcoming accessory from the mini) on Soft Suede cardstock.

 

 

 

My third project: Convention Notebook

Featuring the Razzleberry Lemonade papers, which incorporate Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry and Crushed Curry.

I made this notebook with the On Board chipboard. I covered both sides with patterned paper using a glue stick and made some pages for the album using copy paper. I created a pocket that I sandwiched between the cover and first page, to slip notes and keepsakes in. The top was decorated with the Top Note, Butterflies and Go Go Boots dies. I used the Calendar Alphabet & Numbers to spell Convention at the top.

TIP: Although we don't have any Crushed Curry buttons, the More Mustard ones are a good match.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your next stop on the tour: Jenn Diericks' blog!!! Enjoy!