July Tour de Freaks is here!

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!