Woohoo!  It's time!  Time for the monthly Tour de Freaks…brought to you by the Control Freak Swappers!  This month we are featuring the retiring products!  Better grab them now before they are GOING, GOING, GONE!!!  You've probably just come from Wendy Weixler's blog.  Weren't her projects fun? 

My projects don't have much stamping, but do have several accessories that will be retiring at the end of the month!  Most obvious is the Poppy Parade and Pear Pizzazz In Colors!  I'm REALLY going to miss them!  Also obvious is the Designer Paper, Pocketful of Posies, that is retiring.  I love the subtle red pattern in this package and thought it would be great for my watermelons and then the Pear Pizzazz stripe made a great looking rind!

Here is a closeup of the Watermelon Slice box:

Can you tell what I used to make the watermelon slice box?  Yes!  I used the Petal Cone Die and overlapped two of the panels to make it 3 sides instead of 4 (after I cut two sets out with the Pocketful of Posies Designer Paper).  I cut off one of the overlapping flaps of the petal cone die and used it for the Watermelon on the card below!  The black seeds are from the Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch that is retiring.  I used a White Gel Pen to outline stitches along the edges of the box.  I punched holes with the Crop A Dile (what will I do without that tool???) and thread the Black Scallop Dot Ribbon thru to the inside and tied a knot to hold it secure for the handle.  The bottom flaps overlap to keep the treat inside.

For the card, I used a base card of Poppy Parade cardstock.  I layered on Basic Black that I punched with the retiring Eyelet Border Punch (sob!).  I ran the Pear Pizzazz cardstock thru the Big Shot with the Square Lattice Impressions Folder.  I wrapped the Basic Black Scallop Dot Ribbon around and tied a knot.  To hide the "seam", I added a tiny sliver of the Pocketful of Posies Designer Paper.

The Watermelon was made by one of the flaps on the Petal Cone Die as I said above.  Then I used my Circle Scissors Tool (retiring!) to cut a 2 3/4" Circle from the green "rind" Designer Paper.  I used a White Gel Pen to add some stitching around the inside of the watermelon.  I punched out the "bite" of watermelon with the Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch and made more of the black seeds!  It is popped up on the front with Stampin' Dimensionals.  I stamped the Happy Birthday from Happiest Birthday Wishes, a hostess set that is retiring, with Basic Black in the bottom corner.

Hope you enjoy my post of retiring products!  Now on to the next stop my great friend, Mary Brown at StamperCamper's Corner, who has wonderful projects, as usual!  Enjoy the Tour!

Wow…it is time for the monthly Tour de Freaks, brought to you by the Control Freak Swappers!  We have a short, but sweet tour for you this time with 10 stops!  We are featuring the Summer Smooches line of products which is Stampin' Up's sneak peek special for April!  You've probably just come from Lisa Martz wonderful blog, weren't her projects awesome?  Love them!  If you have arrived here prior to April 20th, please note that not all our links may be working yet.

My first card is kind of a nod at the weather around here lately…it has been WINDY!  Perfect kite flying weather!  I was inspired by a card I saw on Pinterest and knew I could recreate it using Stampin' Up! products!  I used the wonderful, colorful Summer Smooches Designer Paper along with the Send Me Soaring stamp set.  The base of the card is Daffodil Delight and I layered on Whisper White.  I cut three narrow strips of patterns from Summer Smooches DSP and cut the ends off at different lengths and angles.  I stamped the clouds on a scrap piece of Whisper White with Pacific Point, then cut out around most of it…leaving the center piece to keep them joined together.  I stamped the kite with Basic Black on Daffodil Delight and cut it out, then popped it over the center connecting piece of the clouds.  I added a Rhinestone Jewel in the center.  I stamped the tail of the kite on scrap Whisper White with Real Red and cut it out, then adhered it to the base of the kite.  Finally I stamped, "hope everything looks up soon!" from Send Me Soaring stamp set in Real Red.

My second card, I used the same basic idea of paper ribbons, but flipped the orientation and used the flower stamp from Bright Blossoms Stamp Set available as a sneak peek this month.  Isn't it amazing how different it looks?  The base of the card is Real Red.  The flower is stamped in Real Red and Lucky Limeade, then cut with the smallest Label Framelit and layered on the next largest size Label of Daffodil Delight.  I added some pearls on each size to dress up the card.  The paper ribbons were cut 3/4" wide.  Finally, the greeting is from Happiest Birthday Wishes, a hostess only stamp set that I will GREATLY miss when it leaves at the end of May!

I finally cracked open my Purse Die to use.  I literally woke up at 4:00 AM the other night with this idea!  I almost got out of bed to make them because I couldn't go back to sleep!  I thought I could turn the purse die into little boxes for Him and Her!  I used the Summer Smooches Designer Paper again for both of them!  I hand cut the little Peter Pan collar on the girls' red polka dot box and adhered it on top of the lid and secured it with the tab the same way as the purse.  I added a black strip of cardstock down the center front, then added Rhinestone Jewels down the front and a 1/8" Basic Black bow for the collar!  The man's box I hand cut a collar, cut away the center and hand-cut a brown tie to hang down the front of the box.  The collar/tie is just adhered at the top of the lid.  I did have to cut away part of the curve of the purse lid so that it didn't show below the collar, but the tab fits in the same way to close it.  I added two clear round Bitty buttons to look like the button down collar!  It was TOO fun to make!  lol!

So, I hope you liked my projects…leave me a comment and let me know!  I love hearing from you.  And, next stop on the tour is Yvette Ashe…see her amazing projects and continue around on the tour!  Thanks for stopping by!

It's time for the monthly Tour de Freaks!  Our theme this month is SPRING into SPRING!  With the temperatures around here in the mid 70s, our trees and flowers are BLOOMING their heads off!  I love this time of year!  You've probably arrived from the awesome Wendy Weixler's blog…didn't you LOVE her projects? 

My first project an Easter Bunny Punch Art card.  I think she's a little different than what you've seen before!  I loved how she turned out paired with the Nursery Nest Designer Paper in soft colors!

The base of the card is Pale Plum.  I layered on Whisper White cardstock, and a piece of Nursery Nest stripes along the bottom.  I cut a 1/2" strip of Blushing Bride cardstock to hide the seam area.  Then I cut some Pear Pizzazz cardstock and ran it thru the Big Shot with the Perfect Polka Dots folder for the background of my bunny.  The bunny's body is the 2 1/2" Circle Punch, her head the Extra Large Oval, the ears the Large Oval and her tail is the cupcake punch!  I used 1/4" circles in the Owl Punch for the eyes and mouth area.  The small heart for the nose is the smallest heart in the Heart to Heart punch.  I added White Gel pen to the eyes and nose for highlights and drew the whiskers with the Stampin' Write marker.  I tied a bow from 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon for her head.  Finally, I made a pennant with Happy Easter from Delightful Dozen stamp set and added two PINK Rhinestone jewels from the Blossoms Builder Kit that I had left over!

Don't recognize the Designer Paper?  That's because it is in the NEW Summer Smooches Designer Paper that will be available to customers as the April special!  Don't you LOVE the bright colors?  I cut a strip to cover around the Kraft Box and added a trim of Daffodil Delight Pinking Hearts Border around the bottom.  I also covered the top of the Kraft Box with the same DSP.  I cut the label from the Label Framelits and stamped Happy Birthday using my Stampin' Write markers…it's from the hostess only set, Happiest Birthday Wishes. 

I made up a bow with the NEW Daffodil Delight Seam Binding Ribbon and added an In Color Lucky Limeade brad in the center.  Then I made two daffodils with the Blossom Punch and the 5 Petal Punch to decorate the top.  Here's a closeup look:

The main part of the daffodil is Daffodil Delight cardstock and the centers are Tangerine Tango cardstock.  I used the 5 petal punch and Lucky Limeade for the leaves.  I think this will be a very pretty box to hold a birthday surprise!  Not sure who I'll give it to yet…lol!

Make sure to continue on to the rest of the Tour de Freaks…there are 10 stops this time!  Your next stop is the FABULOUS Barb Mullikin…go check out her projects!

It's time!  TIme for the monthly Tour de Freaks!  You are in for a treat..our theme this month is The Cutting Edge….using Dies in the Big Shot…all the Control Freak Swappers are using the Big Shot to bring you some FABULOUS projects on this tour!   I'm sure you will enjoy them all!   You've probably just come from Yvette Ashe's blog…weren't her projects wonderful?  If you are arriving here prior to February 20th, please note that not all links may be working yet.

My first Big Shot card is an adaption of one that I took to Leadership with me for swap cards.  It uses the Fashionable Hearts Embosslit (one of my FAV items from the Occasions Mini!).  But instead of only ONE flower, I made THREE going across the card!

To make the flowers, the largest Old Olive heart is cut in half and reversed for the leaves.  Then I stacked up the Poppy Parade, Calypso Coral and Daffodil Delight hearts on top.  There is a rhinestone jewel on one of the hearts for some added bling.  I cut some "grass" from Old Olive with my Paper Snips.  Then added a banner from Take It to Heart  stamp set and the Wonderful You greeting from Loving Thoughts.  Calypso Coral is embossed with the Vintage Wallpaper Folder and Everyday Enchantment DSP layered on top.

My second card is an Anniversary card for my mother and father-in-law.  I used the layout from a card that Cassy, my roommate at Leadership, gave me.  I used four different patterns from the Attic Boutique Designer Paper.  Four Frames stamp set has a beautiful filigree image that goes SO well with this DSP.

The base is Daffodil Delight, sponged with Soft Suede ink.  Then a layer of Soft Suede that I used the Piercing Tool in the corners.  Along the sides of the Label Framelit are two Decorative Label Punches.  The Soft Suede Taffeta Ribbon hides the seam of the designer papers when I cut them in half.   A bow and some pearls completes the vintage feel of the card!

My next project I've been wanting to do for a while!  It really is more impressive in real life than the photo shows.  Remember when you look at this that the flower is over 17" wide!  I put the ruler up on the wall to prove it!   I've seen the trend of hanging several of these flowers against the wall behind a reception table.  I didn't have time to make more than one, but I think a wall of them staggered across would be awesome!

Can you tell what I made it from?  If you guessed the Dresden Designs Bigz Die…you are right.  The center portion I used the large die petal from Everyday Enchantment Designer Paper, folded the end a little bit to make it shorter.  The center is a styrofoam ball cut in half and wrapped with more designer paper.  I had to use straight pins to hold the designer paper in place on the back side.  I soft folded the petals to give them a little dimension.  The smaller inside flower is adhered to the back Pool Party flower with Stampin' Dimensionals.  To get the fullness in the back flower, I scored the piece of cardstock in half before I ran it thru the die, then opened it up and adhered them side by side.  It took 8 sheets of cardstock to make it this full.  In the back I added a 2 1/2" Circle to cover the back of the styrofoam ball and flower, then pinned a length of Pool Party Seam Binding Ribbon for the hanger.  I added another 2 1/2" Circle to hide the pin and ribbon ends.

Next stop on the Tour de Freaks is Mary Brown at StamperCamper's Corner…her projects are DARLING.  Continue on around all 13 stops for some fantastic ideas!

It's time!!! It's the 20th of the month and the Freaks have their tour on!  I know I love to see what the fabulous Control Freaks have come up with.  This month we are giving you a sneak peek of items in the Occasions Mini and Sale-A-Bration brochures!  We're excited…and hope you are, too!  You've probably just come from Lisa Martz's blog...aren't her projects fabulous!  You can continue on around all 10 stops on the tour this month to get some wonderful ideas! 

My projects combine something in the Occasions Mini, Fashionable Hearts Embosslit Die and something from the Sale-A-Bration brochure, Everyday Enchantment Designer Paper.  I thought the two combined very nicely!  This would be a wonderful gift for Valentine's Day or a Wedding!  The idea could be used to coordinate with the bride and groom's colors.  I don't know if you can appreciate the depth and textures of the hearts…but it really is impressive, if I must say so myself!  lol!  The frame is an odd size…7 x 9…and I've had it forever, but you could easily adapt it larger or smaller as needed.  It was painted black, but I added some Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint with a sponge dauber over top of the black for a little "antique" look.  It shimmers in real life!

I used all the the different designs in the Everyday Enchantment Designer Paper package.  In addition to the Fashionable Hearts Embosslit Die, I used the Full Heart Punch for the bigger hearts.  Some hearts are adhered directly on the Very Vanilla cardstock background, while others are popped up with Stampin' Dimensionals.  I also used the flower from the Itty Bitty Punches to add in a little texture and the wonderful Pearls.  I used the Billboard Decorative Strip Die to cut out LOVE from Riding Hood Red, then adhered them on the Mini Vintage Tags.  There are also a couple bows made with the Everyday Enchantment Ribbon…a narrow sheer ribbon that is gorgeous!

With the extra hearts I had left over from the Fashionable Hearts diecuts and Full Heart punch, I created a matching card.  This time I used an upcoming Sale-A-Bration set, Outlined Occasions Stamp Set, for the greeting.  It was stamped in Riding Hood Red and colored with the Pool Party Marker.  I also ran the Very Vanilla background thru the Big Shot with the Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Folder (wish it was large enough to do the background in on the frame, too!)  The Very Vanilla is layered on Pool Party and then a base of Riding Hood Red cardstock.  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that it turned out how I pictured it in my head!

NOTE:  Imagine my surprise to receive my Stampin' Success today and see the cover!  Although not the same as my frame picture of diagonal hearts, the concept is the same.  Great minds, I guess!  lol!

OK…on to the next stop…my wonderful friend, Mary Brown at Stampercamper's Corner!  You are in for a treat with her projects!  Then continue on to all 10 stops this month!  Enjoy!  MERRY Christmas!

It's time for the November Tour de Freaks…brought to you by the Control Freak Swappers!  We have quite a few members who have joined recently…a couple are on the tour today!  We have a total of 13 stops for you.  You can start here and go around the entire tour until you end back here!  You've probably just come from the FABULOUS Wendy Weixler's blog!  Didn't you love her projects?  Our theme this month is Keep it Simple Stampers!  The cards and projects that have minimal layers and are easily to duplicate!

Now…I don't think I normally make "hard" projects…but, I also don't think the majority of my projects are "simple", either!  Either way, this Tour was a little bit of a stretch for me!  I hope you enjoy my "Keep it Simple Stampers" projects!  I have a snowman theme going on with Stampin' Up!'s Jolly Bingo Bits stamp set!

First up is a card that has been in my head for a while!  It really was pretty simple and came together quickly.  The hardest part was figuring out the layout of the circles…now I've done that for you!

I started with a base of Pool Party cardstock.  I stamped the little Snowman from Jolly Bingo Bits with Basic Black on Whisper White and punched them with the 1" Circle.  I colored their scarves with Real Red and Pool Party and the nose added with Pumpkin Pie markers.  I also punched 8 plain Whisper White 1" Circles, four of them I used the Naturally Serif Strip Die and cut out the letters of SNOW with Pool Party cardstock, they are popped up on the card with Stampin' Dimensionals.  Then I used the Northern Frost Strip Die and cut out five of the smallest snowflakes with the Silver Glimmer Paper and adhered them!  Finally, I punched out 3 of the Itty Bitty 3/8" Circles from the Silver Glimmer Paper.

OK…this one is even simpler, but the Red Glimmer Paper packs a lot of WOW into it!  I used Whisper White for my base card.  I ran the front thru the Big Shot with the Snow Burst Impressions Folder.  I added a strip of Red Glimmer Paper across the front.  Then I stamped the snowman from Jolly Bingo Bits in Basic Black and colored the scarf and face again with Real Red and Pool Party Markers…and nose with Pumpkin Pie.  I punched with the 1" Circle, layered it on the 1 1/4" circle of Real Red and a 1 3/8" Circle of Pool Party, then placed it with Stampin' Dimensionals on the Red Glimmer strip.  I stamped Merry Christmas from Petite Pairs in Basic Black on Pool Party and punched with the Curly Label Punch, then cut it in half and tucked it in the top of the Red Glimmer Paper!  That's it!  Pretty simple, huh?

But wait…I had to have a matching box, right?  So, I pulled out my faithful Box #2 Die.  I cut it using Pool Party cardstock, then stamped all over it with the snowflake from Jolly Bingo Bits.  I punched out the center with the Decorative Label Punch, then used that as a base for my tag!  I used the Northern Frost Strip Die again and cut out one of the larger snowflakes with the Silver Glimmer Paper.  I added another one of the snowmen punched with the 1" Circle punch and layered on 1 1/4" Real Red, then placed over the Silver Glimmer Snowflake with Stampin' Dimensionals.  I added the snowflake to the front of the Decorative Label tag, punched a hole at the top with the Crop a Dile and attached it to the Real Red Satin Ribbon Bow with Cherry Cobbler Bakers Twine!

So, all three of my projects would be easily duplicated for Stamp Clubs, Workshops or Classes!  Hope you enjoyed seeing them!  Next stop is the AWESOME Mary Brown's blog!!  She is the queen of Clean & Simple style, so I'm sure you will love her cards!  Have fun taking the Tour de Freaks!

It's time!!!  It is the monthly Tour de Freaks brought to you by the Control Freak Swappers!  As usual, we have a wonderful lineup of blogs for you to tour…only 11 stops this month, so it won't take you long at all!  This month's theme is Wrap it Up!  Boxes, bags & bows for your holiday gift giving.  You've probably arrived from Lisa Martz's blog…weren't her projects FUN…love that elegant stocking! 

I have two boxes for you to see…both are complete different!  First the more "elegant" one!

This one reminds me of a wine box, but…of course…much smaller.  It might fit a small personal sized bottle of wine or Bailey's, though!  lol!  It is quick and easy to put together, too.  I took a regular 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of cardstock, score it at 2 1/2, 5, 7 1/2 & 10 on the long side and 2 1/2 on the short side.  Cut slits up on the score lines to the cross line and remove the small tab.  Add Sticky Strip Adhesive to the long tab and put it together.  Fold up the bottom and adhere.  Oh, before you put it together, I added the Holly Berry Designer Paper on each of the sides.

The lid is the Scallop Square, scored at 7/8" all around.  I embossed it with the Snow Burst Impressions Folder.  Again, cut up the score lines on opposite sides, fold in the tabs to form the lid.  I punched holes in the sides of the box with the Crop A Dile, then fed the ribbon thru the sides and up around the top of the lid to tie a knot.  You'd have to untie and pull out the ribbon to get to the goodies inside, but that just makes it a little more special…takes more time to savor the anticipation of what is inside!  lol!  The tag I made with the Oval Frame Folder out of Wild Wasabi and cut it out.  I inked up the stamp from Pines & Poinsettias with my Stampin' Write Markers, stamped on Very Vanilla, then punched with the Extra Large Oval and adhered it inside the frame.  I stamped Christmas with Early Espresso on Real Red and cut out the banner, the placed it at the bottom of the oval.  I used the Crop a Dile to punch a hole at the top, then tied it on the bow with Bakers Twine.

My next one is whimsical…I hope you can tell that it is a ELF hat…and not a Jester Hat.  I added the Jingle Bells because they just seemed like SO much fun on this little box made from the Petal Cone and Perfect Pennants Dies!  It was REALLY easy to put together, too.  I had the idea in my head for a while…I'm amazed that it worked out like I thought it would!  lol!

I used the Petal Cone Die, one in Poppy Parade and one in Lucky Limeade and put them together, folding the bottom flaps together to hold anything inside (see photo below.)  Then I cut six of the medium size pennants from Perfect Pennants Die, three in Poppy Parade and three in Lucky Limeade.  I adhered them with Sticky Strip to the base of the Petal Cone, curling the tops outward.  I added the Jingle Bells with Mini Glue Dots.  Here is the bottom of the Petal Cone Elf Hat box.

I think they would be FUN party favors sitting at everyone's place setting for the holidays!

Hope you enjoyed my two box projects today!  Continue on the Blog Tour with the FABULOUS Mary Brown at StamperCamper's Corner!  I know you will LOVE her projects using the Winter Wishes Stitched Felt!

It's TIME again!  The September 2011 Tour de Freaks, brought to you by the Control Freak Swappers!  We have a few less people this month, but still have the same awesome projects from the ones that were able to fit into their busy schedules!  Our theme is "Fall into Step" this month…projects for Autumn, Halloween and Thanksgiving!  You've just come from Wendy Weixler's blog...great projects!  

My first project is a cardstock and Spice Cake Fabric Purse Clutch that was originally intended for another project, but I decided that I'd use it for the September Tour de Freaks instead.  I know you will love this idea!  The inside is quite spacious…enough for a nice sized package of homemade goodies or a small gift!  Now…I KNOW you will want the tutorial…and I PROMISE I have one for you on Friday of this week (Sept 23) in a CHRISTMAS version!  So make sure you stop back on Friday to get it!  I loved using the Spice Cake Fabric to make ruffles on this little clutch purse!  And…the designer button…SO much fun!

And here is the inside…like I said…big enough for a nice sized treat or gift and it looks like a little clutch purse!  Hmmm, it really would hold a travel tissue, cellphone, lipstick, mints…

There is NO sewing on this.  The base is More Mustard cardstock.  I used strips of the Spice Cake fabric on the front.  I added Early Espresso trim across the top.  I punched two Decorative Label Punches from More Mustard for the clasps, embossed with the Square Lattice Impressions Folder.  The 1/2 velcro dots hold the clasps closed.  I added a BIG designer button on the front with glue dots…added Linen Thread in the center.  Again, I'll have a FREE TUTORIAL for you on Friday with the Christmas version, so stop back!

The second item is a Top Note Nugget Holder that I made for participants of my Class the other night.

I cut the Top Note from Soft Suede and Spice Cake Designer Paper, then cut off the edge of the designer paper one and adhered it over the Soft Suede.  I scored 1/4" from the center point on each side for the spine.  I wrapped it with a Belly Band of Pool Party, embossed with the Herringbone Folder, then added a Big Designer Button tied with Spice Cake Fabric in the holes.  I added the Large Oval with Grateful stamped from the Always Thankful stamp set.  The belly band slides off to show off the nuggets inside:

I wrapped the nuggets with more Spice Cake Designer Paper and adhered them to the bottom of the Top Note.  It makes a FUN project and little gift for a friend or co-worker!  I think I'll make these for the place settings at Thanksgiving this year!

Even though neither project involved stamping, I think I showed how versatile the Designer Fabric and Designer Papers can be!

Next stop is the FABULOUS Mary Brown!  I know you will love her projects…take a look! 

Yes!  It is time for the monthly Tour de Freaks, brought to you by your Control Freak Swappers!  Is it your favorite day of the month?  It is mine!  I love to see what the other Control Freaks share with us!  They always have such wonderful ideas.  You've probably just come from the awesome Patty Bennett's blog…love her projects!  Or, if you are starting here, we have 13 stops and you go around the tour and end back here!  Remember, the tour doesn't officially start until the morning of August 20th, so not all links may be working yet if you get here earlier!

The theme this month is a sneak peek of the upcoming Holiday Mini!  I know most of my customers have received their copy in the mail within the past couple days!  I'm hearing LONG wishlists!  lol!  I featured the stamp sets Gently Falling and Hand Penned Holidays in my projects this month, along with the WONDERFUL Spice Cake Designer Paper.  I'm already ordering a couple more packages of it…LOVE it!  Quite frankly, though, I had trouble getting started!  Maybe it is a letdown after the wedding, or maybe just wishful thinking that summer isn't going to end!  I decided to do sunflowers to go along with my Gently Falling leaves for my ensemble. 

My first project uses one of the new Kraft Gift Boxes in the Holiday Mini!  They are a great size for small gifts!  I filled mine with a cello bag of candy corn!  They are nice and sturdy and at a price of $2.95 for 4 of them, a pretty good deal!  I covered each of the sides and top with Spice Cake Designer Paper, then wrapped the 1 1/4" Soft Suede Stripe Ribbon around and tied a knot on the front.  I went looking for a sunflower and thought that Blossom Party Originals Die looked the most like one.  I cut it with More Mustard cardstock, spritzed it with water and crumpled it, then added More Mustard Ink around the edges.  For the center, I punched a 1 3/8" Circle of Early Espresso, then ran it thru the Big Shot with the Square Lattice Impressions Folder.  I added Very Vanilla neutral flower button to the center and tied with the Early Espresso Bakers Twine so I don't have a "naked" button!  I stamped the smallest leaf from Stampin' Up!'s Gently Falling stamp set with Old Olive and then the outline with Early Espresso and cut them out.  The flower and leaves are popped up on the top with Stampin' Dimensionals.  I added the greeting from Stampin' Up!'s Hand Penned Holidays in Early Espresso Ink on Pool Party cardstock.  It really gives it a POP of color with the other all earthly tones.

I followed the same color scheme and design as the box on this card.  I did make a double bow from the Pool Party Ruffled Ribbon for this one!  I also used the Square Lattice Impressions Folder on 3/4 of the background Pool Party cardstock, leaving the bottom un-embossed so I could stamp Give Thanks on it.

The sketch this week from Stamping 411 inspired the design for this card.  Again, I used the same elements as the box and previous card.  Love how the Spice Cake Designer Paper patterns all coordinate together!  Stampin' Up! sure makes it EASY to create!

I hope you enjoyed my Sunflower projects this month!  Make sure you continue on the tour with the fabulous MARY BROWN!  She always has such fantastic ideas!

Yes!  It's time for the July Tour de Freaks!  You probably just came from Jan Tinklenberg's blog…or…if you came here first, you can just click on the links to go around to all 12 stops on the tour…eventually stopping back here!  But…if you arrive here prior to July 20th, please note that not all links may be working yet!

Our theme this month was Christmas in July OR showing off the awesome swaps that our Control Freaks members did for the Convention Swap at lunchtime!  They were so fabulous that we just had to show them off to everyone! 

Here is my first card.  My punch class is doing this tonight, too!

When I first saw the Perfect Pennants Die, I thought it looked like a slice of pizza.  I originally thought I'd use the smaller size, but the large one just reached out and grabbed me!  The base of the card is Riding Hood Red and I layered on Very Vanilla that I ran thru the Big Shot with the new Houndstooth Impressions Folder (LOVE it!).  At the bottom I stamped You're Invited from Sincere Salutations in Riding Hood Red ink.  I wrapped around Crumb Cake Taffeta Ribbon and tied a knot.  I think it really is a very realistic looking pizza, don't you?

My second card fits both the themes.  I love Snow Much Fun from the new catalog!  I'm SO happy to get a new snowman stamp set! 

This one uses lots of punches, too.  In fact, I may use this for my Christmas Card this year!  I started with the base of Pear Pizzazz and layered on Poppy Parade.  I added a strip of Poppy Parade striped Patterns Designer Paper on the right side.  I cut the Top Note Die from Whisper White and ran thru the Big Shot again with Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Folder.  I punched the 2 1/2 Circle from Poppy Parade.  I stamped the Snowman on Whisper White and punched with the 2 3/8 Scallop Circle…it is colored with Stampin' Write Markers.  I added a Pear Pizzazz 1 3/8" Circle and off set the snowflake from the Northern Frost Strip Die with a Silver Mini Brad.  Finally, I stamped the greeting with Black Stazon on Baja Breeze and punched with the Modern Label Punch.

And, finally, I made a 3D Snowman Hot Chocolate Cocoa Holder to swap at Convention.  I was inspired by one that I received in a candy swap last year…but I changed several things around on it.

EDIT:  Dimensions are 4 1/4 x 11, score at 3 1/2 and 8.  Top flap is embossed, lower flap folds up to hold the cocoa (no adhesive…the ribbon holds the whole thing closed).  Round all corners with the Corner Rounder punch.

I used the Circles Die to make the three circles for the telescope snowman and sponged the edges with Pool Party Ink.  They are layered together with Stampin' Dimensionals.  I used the Crop A Dile for the Black Eyes and a White Gel Pen for the highlights.  I cut a small triangle of Pumpkin Pie cardstock for the nose.  I added a piece of Blushing Bride Ribbon for his scarf, held with Mini Glue Dots.  The arms are punched with the Snowflake Punch from Chocolate Chip cardstock.  I used the Northern Flurry Impressions Folder on Pool Party cardstock.  The Chocolate Chip Scallop Dotted Ribbon holds the packed closed.  Inside is a package of Hot Chocolate Cocoa Mix.  Finally, I stamped "to my friend" from Friendly Phrases in Chocolate Chip Ink on the bottom flap of the package.

Thanks for stopping by…next stop on the tour is LeeAnn Greff's blog!  You will love her cards!  Make sure to check out everyone's creations this month!