February Tour de Freaks

The 20th of the month has arrived and that means it's time for another Tour de Freaks blog hop.  The theme for this month is Birthday's, and who doesn't need fresh ideas for that?!

If you've already been touring then you've probably just come from Debbie Currier's blog and checked out her amazing projects!

For my projects, I decided to put my Fox and Friends stamp set to use and for some fun animal party favors.  The boxes were made with the new Petal Cone die.  To make your own, measure 2 1/2" down from the top of the cone and toss out the remaining half of the cardstock. 

Next for my card, I used another image from the Fox and Friend and some extra images from the Extreme Elements set.

Curious about the pennant?  Cut various colors of cardstocks in strips of 3/8" wide and then use the bottom half of the large star punch to remove the base.  I've taken some 'how-to' photos and will share them in a few days so you can continue with the tour.

Now, you've got to hop on over to Lisa's Martz's blog to see what she's created to put some Yummy treats in and the coordinating card to go with it.  The colors are fabulous!

Thanks for taking the time to tour with me this month!

Tour de Freaks ~ Summertime!

Ready for another  Tour de Freaks blog hop?  The theme this month is "In The Good Ole Summertime'.   If you've been touring already then you've probably just come from viewing Jen Smiths beautiful creations.

I snapped this photo a week ago at my 6 year olds baseball game. Sometimes the images of all the gear and garb are just as memorable as snapping your kiddo running to first base. 

Ms. Wendy Weixler 's beautiful digital layouts inspired me to get more use from my own copy of My Digital Studio.  The real perk to it all was doing it in less than 30 minutes.

In case you're wondering, my kiddo is sporting the cleats on the far left.

What else is so prominent during summer than BUGS!   I've spent quite a few summer nights catching junebugs with my boys to feed our chickens.  I TRIED to pick them up and put them in the bug box, but as soon as their legs moved they were hurled across the yard.  I think the only thing worse was shaking the neighbors iris reeds to make the junebugs fly out, only to realize that the soft branch I was squeezing was actually a lizard!

Bugs are beneficial, but just the same I'd rathe keep them at a distance (from myself).  So, here I've created a faux bug jar with paper butterflies.  I've made it real GIRLY by adding chunky glitter to the real twig and base of the jar.  Hopefully this will keep the real bugs at bay, LOL!

Here's a view from the backside.  Love that glitter on the twig.  The pink and white butterfly has wired wrapped around it's throax, allowing it to poke through the tissue and foam and stand up a bit more erect.

Speaking of Ms. Wendy Weixlers, she's next on the tour.  I can't wait to see what she's drummed up this month.  Thanks for checking out my art this month!

Tour de Freaks ~ June 2010

Yep, it's the 20th of the month which means another Tour de Freaks blog hop.

I'm setting up now but the hop doesn't officially start until the 20th.  So, if you're here early be sure to come back Sunday morning when all the links are working, allowing you to view full-circle.

If you're already been touring this month, then you've probably just come from  Debbie Currier  and her beautiful art work.

The projects for bloggers this month was to focus on the products offered in the upcoming 2010-2011 SU! catalog.  It was hard narrowing down what to use.  Here were my final decision.

First up, a french style card using the yummy new Early Espresso and Cherry Cobbler.  Those two colors sing out to me, especially with the new Artistic Etchings stamp set.  Extra texture was created with a new embossing folder and some super think espresso ribbon. 

These colors are so rich, like those dark chocolate covered cherries during the holidays.

Here's a fun 3D project.  It's a magnet friend coaster.  I've been smitten with sewing on my cards and knew it would jazz up those plain strips.

With the "FRIENDS" text displayed so prominently, you'd had to give it to someone.  Wouldn't this brighten up her/his dull file cabinets at the office?

Once again I used the new embossing folder.  The new "Friends Never Fade" stamp set was used to add the stamped Espresso and Marina Mist (blue) on the strips.  In addition, I stamped the flower from the set 3 times, cut out selective pieces and then reassembled to create a 3D flower.

Isn't that thin ribbon super cute?  So dainty.

A little close-up of my stitching handy work.  I figured out the other day how to make a stitch backwards, LOL, (and I don't mean by turning around the paper/fabric).  My sewing skills are very limited, but THIS I can do!

I hope you've enjoyed my projects.  It's time to head on over to Jen Smith's beautiful blog by selecting the button below.  Thanks for joining me.  Enjoy the rest of your tour. 

Tour de Freaks ~ May 2010

It's time for another Tour de Freaks.  The tour doesn't officially start till May 20th, so if you're here to view my post, make sure you check back so you can view the tour in all its glory.

If you've already started the tour, then you've probably come from viewing  Dawn Olchefske blog and her fabulous creations.

This month, I've created some very patriotic projects.  Here's something that can be used as a table decoration, or better yet, to brighten up those gray office cubicles.  All text that you see is from the "Red, White & Blue" jumbo wheel.  SO much versatility if you just ink up the text you want and wheel it out.  It's like 15 extra stamp sets for free!

The basket uses the new Lattice embossing folder.  Having this container textured REALLY made a difference. 

Are you curious about the basket?  It's the egg template basket from Stampin' Up!  I'll post the pattern on the 21st for those interested.

The next project uses the new jumbo wheel in the traditional way, simply wheeled and mounted.

The stars are from the Seeing Stars stamp set.  What would fit more than this patriotic wheel?

Below I tied a little mini vintage tag, also from the Summer mini and embellished it with cardstock layers.

I hope you've enjoyed my projects.  Now, hop on over to Janine Tinklenberg's blog by selecting the button below to view her VERY creative projects!

Tour de Freaks ~ April

Welcome to another wonderful Tour de Freaks blog hop.

If you're already been hopping, then you've probably come from the fabulous Gretchen Barron's site.  We missed Gretchen last month and are so happy to have her back!

The theme for April consist of anything "Floral, Wedding or Mother's Day".  I pretty much covered all three categories at one time.  I've been on a roll creating these hand-made flowers.  This would be such a beautiful accent topper for a wedding or gift for mom.

Here, take a look:

Aren't those colors yummy?   Here's a different angle.  The flowers are placed diagonal on the box to give it a bit more interest.

....and a close-up: 

The flowers were made with the Birds and Blooms sizzlit.  I can't get enough use from that die!  The center bead is from the Pretties kit.  The flowers were held to a piece of floral wire.

I hope you've enjoyed my little project.  Now, hop on over to LeeAnn Greff's blog and see her fabulous designs.  Selecting the link below will transport you there.

Tour de Freaks ~ Spring.......

It's time for another Tour de Freaks blog hop.  Our theme this month is Spring!  If you've already been touring, then you've probably just left Lisa Martz's page.

I have really been in the mood for crafting, as I'm sure many have been now that the warm weather is arriving.  What better way to kick it all off with some great gardening projects.  Take a look at what I've created this month for you.

THIS is my favorite.  What a delightful way to present a gift of Spring bulbs to a friend.  I used some scrim to bundle up some bulbs.  Scrim is a lightweight fabric, very similar to cheesecloth.  During Fall I spotted the bolt at the fabric store.  The delicate, almost fragile threads were beckoning so I HAD to buy a few yards.  This is the first I used it but I have many more crafting ideas for incorporating it in my crafts. 

What makes this appealing (to me) is being able to see through the fabric catching a glimpse of what's inside. 

This project is SO easy.  I would love getting this as a gift.  The satin ribbon and the simple daffodil tag is the only thing needed to dress it up.

I'm not quite finished with my gardening ideas.  Take a look at this bulb box, yet another great way to deliver some spring cheer to a gardening friend.  The box was made with the Bag with Scallop Bigz die.  Yep!  Just turn it on the side and put the base in.  Walla!

Here's a close-up.  Look at the veining on that bulb.  Isn't it beautiful?

I hope you enjoyed my projects this month.  Now it's time to move on to the next featured stamper, Ms. LeeAnn Greff.  Select the image below and you'll be transported to her blog.  Thanks again for checking out my projects. 

Serene Spring

Sharing another card created during my 'resting' time this past weekend.  As a big fan of nature sets, this was one of my favorites.  It was offered as a hostess set one year from Stampin' Up!

Iv'e been playing around with colors again.  Being that it's spring, using darker colors can be iffy, but there's enough bright colors on this card that the Soft Suede worked. 

Prisma and watercolor pencils were used for the main images.  The background paper is from the Sweet Pea designer series pack.  The flourish is from Wings of Friendship stamp set, inked with a Curry dye pad.  

Here's a close-up. 

Luckily for you guys, I need to spend the rest of the week in bed (ugh).  How is that lucky?  Well, it means more time for color and sharing. 

Thought I'd also mention that Tour de Freaks is coming this Saturday morning.  The theme this month is EASTER.  Put a reminder on your outlook calendar so you can be sure to catch it.  Everyone always has such lovely ideas to share.  Truly inspiring.  Here's a link in case you missed last month's tour.

Tomorrow I'm going to share a technique on how to jazz up your simple silhouette stamped images.  It includes a short video.  Here's a sneak peek:

See you tomorrow.

Tour de Freaks ~ February

It's time for another fabulous Tour de Freaks blog hop.  All projects this month are created with products from the Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini catalog.

I'm posting my creations early as I'm heading out for a workshop.  Remember, the blog will officially begin the 20th of the month, so make sure you come back Saturday in the morning to see the entire hop.

More than likely you have just come from the oh very talented Gretchen Barron's blog.  She does a fantastic job with all her projects.

This month, I've created something to focus on the awesome designer papers in the mini catalog.  My first project is an Easter dress using the Shades of Spring paper.  The large flowers in this paper series are so beautiful, to cover them up is not an option so I try to use them in a way that will best showcase their beauty.

Start by cutting a dress template from the paper, focusing on where you want your flowers on the dress.  Additional flowers were cut, jazzed up with glitter and applied to the dress with a dimensional.  

THANKS to everyone who enjoyed my Easter dress.  I've had multiple request for the pattern.  You can download your Free copy at Craftside.typepad.com. 

Here's the back of the dress.  I ran it through a texturz plate for a little added detail and sponged Saffron ink around the edges along with some Sahara Sand.

What do you think of my satin ribbon flower?  I took an interest in ribbon flowers during the holidays.  With a quick trip to the library, I checked out as many books as I could on the subject "Ribbon Art".  This rose worked perfect for the back of the dress as you can not see it when looking at the front of the dress.   

For the ruffle, (on the base), I used the new Scallop trim punch from the SAB catty and crimped it.  Then there's a layer of pink tissue under that I just HAD to add.  Maybe it's a Southern thing, LOL!  It made it so much more girlie!

Hard to see here, but all those white circle surronding the yellow flower have crystal effects added to them.

Next up I have an Easter card.  Again, the paper here is from the new Occasions Mini catalog (Sweet Pea Designer Paper).  The top of the card uses the new Perfect Polka dot embossing folder.   The ribbon is one of the several new Satin ribbons available in the catalog also. 

If you're wondering about the ivory and grey swirls on my images, they were created with My Digital Studio.  Just having some fun with the cool software.

I hope you've enjoyed my samples this month.  Next on the hop is LeeAnn Greff.  She's got some beautiful creations waiting for you.  Hop on over to LeeAnn's blog by selecting the button just below.

Tour de Freaks ~ Sweet Valentine

It's time for another Tour de Freaks. It seems like forever since we've had a hop being that we took a little break during December. We're refreshed and back at it.

This month we're celebrating Valentine's Day and have some fabulous projects to help you get your creative juices flowing.   If you've been following the "next stop" links you've probably just come from the amazing Gretchen Barron's blog.  Her projects are always so creative.

This month, I've created two projects for you.  First up, my EXTRA LARGE "hugs" card.  I say extra large because it was created from a full sheet of cardstock (shaving a 1/4" off both the top and side).  You'll need this extra large card to fit the jumbo sticky cuts letters.

For those not familiar with sticky cuts letters, the back peels off so you can stick the letters directly to paper.  Once down, simply peel the top layer off, revealing the sticky ahdesive underneath.  These sticky alphabet are great for adhering the chunky Essentials Glitter, seed beads or microbeads.

You'll see two new products offered by Stampin' Up! in my sample.  The Scallop Trim border punch (from the Sale-a-braiton catalog) and the small heart punch in the new Occasions Mini catalg.

To recreate the layers for the hanging heart, start with the Three Hearts punch, next the small heart punch, finishing with the smallest heart from the Three Hearts punch.  The white line was created with a signa-gel pen.



The hearts shown in the sample below were created with the small heart punch.  The Multi-purpose adhesive works well to hold the glitter on these small hearts.

A closer look at that tri-layer heart.

Next we have pretty floral Valentine card.  What do you think of that beautiful pink satin ribbon?  Another newbie item from the Occasions Mini.  There's something about silk ribbons used on cards that give them such an elegant feel.

The Valentine stamp is the "Hostess Best" set.  There are flowers on this stamp, but I simply colored the rubber image that I wanted to include (this technique is called omitting).  I went a step further by stamping the "V" in red, cutting it out and mounted it with dimensionals on the card.  Used my Three Hearts punch to create a little pink heart to tuck inside the "V".  The paper is the scrumptious Sending Love designer series paper.

Here's a closer look at that tiny little heart.

I hope you enjoyed my Valentine creations this month.  Next up is the oh so talented Connie Babbert.  She's got some spectacular projects to share.