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!

We're getting ready for this month's Tour de Freaks on July 20th!  Make sure to stop by and visit me and take the tour!  I'll be showing off the Control Freaks swaps I made for our Convention lunch get together!  Want to put the faces with the names/blogs on the tour?  Here is a photo of our awesome Control Freaks group at the Stampin' Up! Convention lunch this year!

Bottom Row:  List Mom Lisa Martz, Becky Roberts, LeeAnn Greff, Wendy Weixler, Dannie Graves, Joey Hartman

Top Row:  Patty Bennett, Liz Schulz, Mary Brown, Connie Babbert, Lorri Heiling, Kelly Powell, Dawn Olchefske, Jan Tinklenberg

Missing is Mary Polcin…she stopped by a little later to say hi!

I have tons more pictures of Convention…I loved the GROW theme they carried out in so many magical ways this year!  See the large flowers in the background?  Those were all over the convention space.  They had Decor Elements on the doors leading into Convention in those shapes…just a great theme!

It's TIME!!!  A couple reasons to celebrate today!  One is the START of Preview Week for the Summer Edition of Create with Connie and Mary!  You are going to want to check out Mary's AWESOME Wonky Acrylic Mini Album…with a FREE tutorial…and win a chance for Blog Candy over there! 

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AND…it is ALSO the start of the Summer Mini Catalog!  I know I have customers who have been trying to order from it for the past couple weeks…now you CAN!!!  May is going to be a SHORT month for me because of the Alaska Cruise…so make sure to get with my EARLY this month with your orders!

Now…my card!  I know!  You probably think the only set I purchased from the Summer Mini is the On the Grow stamp set!  Really….I did buy LOTS more!  I did make this card several weeks ago for my Control Freak Swaps.  When I saw this set, the jar of flowers REALLY reminds my of my hydrangeas that bloom all summer.  Yes…ALL summer!  We have neighbors and cars stopping all the time when we are outside asking what we do to make our hydrangeas so blue.  And by "we", I mean my hubby!  lol!  He feeds them all the time!

I started with the base of Marina Mist cardstock.  I layered on Very Vanilla cardstock that I ran thru the Big Shot with the Vintage Wallpaper Impressinos Folder.  I added the 1 1/4 Marina Mist Striped Ribbon (I do have SHARES for this ribbon going on!) AND added some of the Cherry Cobbler with White Bakers Twine tied in a bow.

I used the Scallop Duo Die to cut the larger scallop square from Poppy Parade cardstock.  I love the pop of color it gives to this card.  I stamped on Very Vanilla with Black Stazon Ink, then used Marina Mist, Old Olive and Poppy Parade Stampin' Write Markers with the AquaPainter to watercolor the jar of flowers.  Oh…I used a little Sahara Sand for the ground.  I stamped Thinking of You with Black Stazon.  That greeting stamp is in the set, too.  I love it when Stampin' Up! includes greetings we can use for every day!

I was really happy with this card.  I hope my fellow Control Freak Swappers liked it, too!

Now, don't forget to pop over and see what we are doing on Create with Connie and Mary today!  It will be an exciting TWO weeks as each of the designers show off one project with FREE tutorials for you!

Sharing creativity one stamped image at a time!

I started with a base of Rich Razzleberry and layered on Pear Pizzazz that I ran thru the Big Shot with the Perfect Polka Dots folder.  I added the stripe paper from Springtime Vintage Designer Paper in the Occasions Mini.  I wrapped some 1/4 Rich Razzleberry Grosgrain Ribbon around, tied a knot and secured it in the back. 

I stamped a Whisper White panel randomly with the leafy swirl image from Sweet Summer in both Rich Razzleberry and Pear Pizzazz to make my own "designer paper".  The focal flower, I stamped the stem in Pear Pizzazz and the top flower in Rich Razzleberry, added a Rhinestone Jewel to the center.  It is punched with the 1 3/4 circle punch and layered on the 2 3/8 Scallop Circle.  Finally, I stamped "Thanks" from Fabulous Phrases in Rich Razzleberry on the striped Designer Paper.

I liked how it turned out!

Over on Create with Connie and Mary, we are just beginning Week 2 of our subscription!  This week we are featuring the Sale-A-Bration brochure products!  It's not too late to join!  We still have four weeks left of the subscription AND you will be able to access all the past projects we've done.  We also leave the site up indefinitely for you to use the ideas in the future!  With a price of $29.95 for over 30 projects, that is less than $1 per project!  We know you won't be disappionted!  Join today at Create with Connie and Mary!

This is my Control Freaks Swap card for the Holiday Mini!  

I started by using Always Artichoke for the base.  I layered on Cherry Cobbler cardstock that I ran thru the Big Shot with the Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Folder.  I cut a piece of Deck the Halls Designer Paper (my FAVORITE design in that package!) and angled the bottom edge.  I adhered it to Very Vanilla, then ran it thru the Big Shot with the Top Note die.  I used the Scallop Edge punch on a piece of Early Espresso cardstock and adhered that to the bottom of the Designer Paper.  I stamped A Merry Christmas from Stampin' Up!'s Bells & Boughs stamp set in Cherry Cobbler.  I added a strip of Sticky Strip, then the WONDERFUL Champagne Glass Glitter!  Wow…I seriously LOVE this stuff!  So easy to work with, doesn't make a mess, but adds a lot of sparkle to your project!

Finally, I stamped the bells from Bells & Boughs on Watercolor Paper with Black Stazon and used my AquaPainter along with Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake Stampin' Write Markers to watercolor it.  Then it was cut out and popped up with Stampin' Dimensionals (30 of them in total!!!)  I was happy with how they turned out!

New Designer Paper and Ribbon Shares going on now!  Find more information HERE!

Wow…this really snuck up on me this month!  I can't believe it is the 20th and time for the monthly Tour de Freaks, brought to you by the Control Freak Swappers!  You've probably just come from the talented, FABULOUS Patty Bennett's blog! 

Our theme this month was Sneak Peeks from the new Holiday Mini Catalog!  I know my customers are already commenting on how much they LOVE this mini…I do, too, as my pocketbook will attest to….ouch!  lol!  I just had to have it ALL!  I especially love a lot of the accessories in this mini…it is FULL of them.  You'll notice a lot of them on my projects this month!

To begin, I have a Suspension Bat card!  I had SO much fun making this one!  It kind of evolved!  I started with a base 5 1/4 x 5 1/4 card of Tangerine Tango.  I added a 5 1/4 x 5 1/4 piece of Nite Owl Designer Paper (from the new mini) on the front.  I used my Circle Scissors Plus to cut a 4" circle from the front thru both layers at the same time (if I were doing it again, I'd make it a little smaller…say 3 1/2).  I ran the back half of the Tangerine Tango card stock thru the Big Shot with the Spider Web Impressions Folder…cool!  Then I rubbed some White Craft Ink over the raised embossing with a sponge dauber.  This base card was layered onto a 5 3/8 x 5 3/8 piece of Basic Black card stock for extra support. 

Between the Tangerine Tango front and the Nite Owl Designer Paper, I added two strings of Linen Thread and pulled them tight between the layers, then adhered the layers together.  I sandwiched two layers of the Bat Punch together with the Linen Thread in between…this makes it look like they are flying!  I sponged White Craft around the edges of the bats and added a Rhinestone jewel to their heads.  I wrapped some of the new 1/2 Raven Lace Trim into a bow in the upper left corner…love that stuff, too!

I stamped the spider from Stampin' Up!'s Dark & Dreary on Whisper White, colored it with the Basic Gray Marker and cut it out.  I added two 1/2 backed pearls for the body…one smaller than the other. and placed it on the Spider Web with a Stampin' Dimensional.  I used the new Decorative Label Punch with Basic Black Card stock, sponged around the edges with White Craft Ink.  I cut EEK out of Tangerine Tango "glitter paper" with the Timeless Type Alphabet die and adhered to the front of the Label.  Then I placed the label on the front of the card.  (Note:  to make glitter paper, apply Versamark to the card stock direct to paper, pour on Iridescent Ice EP, shake off excess, then heat set…makes glitter paper in every color that Stampin' Up! carries!)  I LOVE my blinged out Suspension Bat card!

My second project was just as fun!  It's a Bat Cone Candy Holder.  It makes me LAUGH!  I traced a bat pattern onto Basic Black card stock, cut it out, then ran it thru the Big Shot with the Texture Plates Kit #4.  I had to run it thru a couple times to get the entire bat textured.  I used the sponge dauber and White Craft Ink to go around the edges.  I added Real Red Glimmer Brads for the eyes and drew the fangs with my White Gel Pen.  I pulled it into a cone shape and secured in the back with Sticky Strip.  I added a hanger with 1/2" Raven Lace Trim by piercing holes in the sides of the cone and tying knots inside the cone.

For the treat, I filled a small Cello Bag with Halloween colored M&Ms and tied it closed with a piece of the Raven Lace Trim.  I added a tag made with the Dark & Dreary stamp, inked in Basic Black and stamped on Whisper White, then punched with the Decorative Label Punch.  I added the 31 by stamping again on Real Red, then punching with the 1/2 circle punch and placing it on top with a Stampin' Dimensional.  I also used a sponge dauber with Basic Black ink and sponged all the edges.

EDIT:  As promised, here is the Bat Cone Candy Favor template to download!

DOWNLOAD BAT CONE

Next on the Blog Tour is the wonderful Mary Brown!  I KNOW her projects will be awesome as usual!  Make sure to stop by and see all 11 stops on the Tour this month!  Thanks for stopping by!

The base of my card is Early Espresso.  I added a layer of Daffodil Delight cardstock on top.  Over that is a strip of Greenhouse Gala Designer Paper (I thought it looked sort of like a lattice in the background!)  That was layered onto Pear Pizzazz cardstock.  I used the new Dotted Ribbon punch with Early Espresso Cardstock and adhered it to the back of the Pear Pizzazz so only the one scallop edge showed.  I used Daffodil Delight Textured cardstock for the Stampin' Up! Blossom Party Die daisies across the front with the centers of Early Espresso cardstock.  Then I tied a 1/8 Taffeta Ribbon in Daffodil Delight into a bow under the flower that is popped up with Stampin' Dimensionals.  Finally, the greeting "Thanks Big Time" is from the new set, A Word For You and stamped with Early Espresso Classic Ink.

I love how this turned out.  That Blossom Party die is so versatile…I can't believe I didn't notice it sooner!

Have a wonderful day!

I don't think I ever shared my Control Freaks Swap card for the Spring Mini!  Since I had 35 to make, I knew I didn't want to color in the flowers…but I liked how the Soft Suede Classic Ink looked stamped on Sahara Sand!

I started with a base of Soft Suede Cardstock, then layered on Rich Razzleberry that I ran thru the Big Shot with the Square Lattice Impressions Folder.  I reversed the Polka Dot Ribbon to the solid side and wrapped around it.  I cut the Top Note with Sahara Sand cardstock, then stamped on the large rose from Stampin' Up!'s Elements of Style in Soft Suede Ink.  I added some speckles on each side with the Color Spritzer Tool.  I punched a Scallop Oval from Soft Suede, then stamped For You from the same stamp set in Rich Razzleberry on Whisper White, punched with the 1 1/4 Circle, and layered on the 1 3/8 Rich Razzleberry Circle.  I added two Gold Mini Brads on each side.

Hope you have a wonderful week.  It's Tuesday already so a short week for most!

INKspired Treasures Blog

Yes!  It's the Tour de Freaks Blog Tour, brought to you by members of the Control Freak Swappers.  You've probably just come from Melanie's Blog and you'll go to Mary's after mine…her link is at the bottom of my post.  The theme this month is Christmas!  I can't wait to see what everyone has done…I know it will be fabulous!

My first project is a step card.  Those that are in the Control Freaks swap will remember the Snowman Gift Card I did for the swap.  I used the same colors and design for my Simple Seasonal Thanks Snowman.  I love the Bermuda Bay, Real Red and White combo this year!  If you haven't made one of these, come back later this week for the template! EDIT:  You can find the template in THIS POST!

I started by stamping the snowman with Basic Black Classic Ink and coloring him with my AquaPainter and Bermuda Bay Stampin' Write Marker.  Then I added the Real Red for the polka dots and hat band, then Pretty in Pink for his cheeks and Pumpkin Pie for his nose.  I added 3 Black Mini Brads for his buttons.  I cut him out and applied Crystal Effects and Dazzling Diamonds Glitter to the sides of his body and face.  At the bottom of each "step", I tore some Whisper White cardstock for a line of snow.  The second tier has snowballs, punched with the 1/2 circle punch and sponged with Bashful Blue ink on the edges.  They are all stacked up ready for playing.  The top tier has a sign post cut from Close to Cocoa cardstock.  The sign I stamped Merry Christmas from Teeny Tiny Wishes and punched with the Modern Label punch.  I applied the Crystal Effects and Dazzling Diamonds glitter to the snowline, snowballs and the top of the sign.  It was FUN making this!

My second project is an altered metal sign.  It stands out from the wall, so it has a really neat 3D look to it.  Originally it had the word LIKE on it with rustic tones (don't know why anyone would want a sign that said LIKE on it!)  I immediately thought of altering it with SNOW!  I like that MUCH better!  I can't wait to hang this up with my holiday decorations (although I can wait for actual snow to arrive!)

I started by cutting the Bashful Blue cardstock with the measurements for each panel.  Then I stamped Serene Snowflakes randomly with Bashful Blue Classic Ink all over the cardstock.  I went back with the trio snowflake stamp from that set and used the Frost Shimmer Paint.  This REALLY adds a lot of shimmer to the background, but it is SO hard to capture with the camera! 

I cut out each of the SNOW letters with my Big Shot and the Serif Essentials Alphabet Bigz Dies from White Sparkle Foam…so pretty!  They are adhered to the Bashful Blue cardstock with mini glue dots.  I tore some Whisper White cardstock for the snow line.  Then I stamped the small and large Hostess Only Level 2 Snow Buddies snowmen in Basic Black on Whisper White and colored them with my Bashful Blue, Ballet Blue and Pumpkin Pie Stampin' Write markers.  I added more Frost Shimmer Paint to their bodies. 

I stamped the Simple Snowflake from the back of the Idea book in Bashful Blue on Whisper White cardstock and punched it with the new Snowflake punch that matches!  Quick & Easy!  Each snowflake has a Light Blue Rhinestone circle brad in the center of it.  I wrapped some White Stripe Organza Ribbon around the top of the left panel and the right side of the right one.  The O has some Bashful Blue ribbon wrapped around one side.  Finally, I stamped Let It Snow from Punch Pals and punched it with the Modern Label Punch, then layered it on the Scallop Oval cut from Ballet Blue.  I think it is a great decoration and wished they had more of them!

Supplies:

Sets:  Serene Snowflakes, Snow Buddies, Punch Pals, Simple Snowflake

Inks:  Basic Black, Bashful Blue (Bashful Blue, Ballet Blue, Pumpkin Pie Stampin' Write Markers)

Cardstock:  Bashful Blue, Whisper White

Accessories:  Frost Shimmer Paint, Modern Label Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, White Stripe Organza Ribbon, Bashful Blue Taffeta Ribbon, Serif Essentials Alphabet Bigz Die, Snowflake Punch, Ice Circle Rhinestone Brads,

Head on over to the next stop on the Tour…Mary Brown!  I'm sure Mary will have some FABULOUS surprises for you, too!