Just Give Me Stamps...

Friendship Frame...

Hi!  I know I'm posting a little later than usual.  We are getting ready for a lot of company this weekend.  I don't know how much I'll be able to post this weekend...but I will do my best!  :-)

I had picked up a wooden square frame at Micheal's a while ago...and I finally got around to altering it!  I started by painting (using acrylic paint) the whole frame a soft shade of Ivory.  Then, I used some of my new Basic Grey paper (from the Periphery collection) to cover the front.  The flowers are layered with a little bit of Grey velvet ribbon (from the Beachfront Ribbon Originals) underneath them.  Everything (including the main image with the sentiment and the flowers) is covered with Glossy Mod-Podge.  I just like the "professional" look it gives paper!

Even though I might not get to do much stamping this weekend (GASP!!!), I do plan on answering some of the questions that I have been receiving lately!

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful evening!  ~Laurie

Recipe   Stamps: Baroque Motifs, Friendship Flowers, Linen   Paper: W.W., Very Vanilla, Soft Sky, Basic Grey Periphery DP   Ink: Basic Gray, Soft Sky, Buckaroo Blue, Always Artichoke, Sahara Sand   Other: Decorative brad from Making Memories, Wooden Frame, Acrylic paint, Crafter's Tool Kit, Glossy Mod-Podge, Word Window punch, Grey velvet ribbon

Almost Monochromatic...

It's Wednesday again...which means a new Sketch Challenge over at Splitcoast!  I tried to use anything but a flower stamp (it seems like that's all I've been stamping with lately) but I am having so much fun playing with my new stamps and papers that I got the other day!  :-)

Here I am...taking my pictures at night again.  :-)  I just can't get the true color of River Rock to show up.  I wanted to get this posted tonight as I have a full day of errands and appointments in town tomorrow.  My kids don't start school until next Tuesday, so we have all of the "last minute" school items to get.

I used the True Friend stamp set with the new Apple Cider DP.  I love all of the Fall tones in this set of Designer Papers...but these two in particular caught my eye.  I stamped the flower stamp in River Rock and then sponged on some Cranberry Crisp (I did the same with the circle flower).

The other day, I noticed my counter has really grown lately!  :-)  I just wanted you to know that I'm working on some really fun Blog Candy for when it hits 100,000!  Thank you SO much for visiting here and all of your kind and supportive comments!  Also, I had no idea I'd get the response I did from my request for your blog links!  I will be working on them...a little at a time!  Have a wonderful Wednesday!  ~Laurie

Recipe   Stamps: True Friend, Linen   Paper: Apple Cider DP, River Rock, Whisper White   Ink: River Rock, Cranberry Crisp   Other: Clear round button, Linen Thread, Corner rounder, dbl. stitched River Rock ribbon, 1 1/4 & 1 3/8" circle punches

Tres Chic Bloom...

I was sooo excited when I read that today's Color Challenge colors are Old Olive, Purely Pomegranate, & Pretty in Pink!  I was just thinking that it's been a while since I've used any pinks...and I love pink!  As I started thinking about the card I wanted to make, I remembered this beautiful patterned paper by K & Co that I've had for a while.  The first stamp set I thought of when I got this paper out, was Fabulous Flowers (I know...BIG shock, right :-)! 

I embossed the Tres Chic background stamp onto Purely Pomegranate c.s with Clear embossing powder.  I first inked it up with my Pretty in Pink craft pad, then very lightly sponged some Old Olive craft ink over random spots to give it a more vintage/shabby look.  I then used an old CD to create the curved edge (I traced around part of the cd onto my paper and cut it out).

For the flower, I did my usual layering of three cut out portions for a more dimensional look.  I inked it up with my  Pretty in Pink craft pad, then sponged Purely Pomegranate over most of the flower.  I then embossed it with Iridescent Ice e.p.  It's hard to see it in the picture, but the sparkle really brings out the different shades of pink.

I added a decorative brad by K & Co (maybe I should buy stock in that company..LOL), some ribbon, and of course...some jewels.  It is a fairly busy card, but the colors appeal to me so much!

Have a blessed day!!  ~Laurie

Recipe   Stamps: Tres Chic, Fabulous Flowers   Paper: Pretty in Pink, Purely Pomegranate, Old Olive, DP by K & Co.   Ink: Pretty in Pink and Old Olive craft pads, Purely Pomegranate   Other: Old Olive 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, Pink organdy ribbon, Jewels, Crafter's Took Kit, Decorative brad by K & Co., Clear e.p., Iridescent Ice e.p.

Hope...

I made this card for a lady named Maddy Mason.  She has been diagnosed with Stage 4 Breast Cancer.  She is a fellow stamper and Splitcoast member.  My heart aches for her and her family.  Aside from daily lifting her up in prayer, I am going to be sending her cards.  I will send this one now, and send some more every couple of weeks.  I'm sharing this with all of you just in case you would have some extra time (and a postage stamp :-) and would also like to send her a card.  I don't know her personally, and can only imagine what she is going through...but I hope that this card will brighten her day a little.  Cindy (Mothermark) from Splitcoast has started a thread with updates and how to get her address. For more information click HERE.

Thanks for stopping by today!  Tomorrow is the Color Challenge, and I hope to have a new card for you to see in the morning!  Have a great night!  ~Laurie

Recipe   Stamps: Illuminations, Linen   Paper: Brocade Backgrounds DP, River Rock, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip   Ink: Chocolate Chip craft pad   Other: Clear e.p., Decorative brad, Chocolate Chip satin ribbon

True Friend...

Happy Monday!  One thing you might not know about me (or want to know...teeheehee!) is that I'm a hopeless perfectionist!  Even as I'm posting this, I'm resisting the urge to go and fix something on my card!  Ugh!  I embossed the sentiment on vellum and it is a little crooked.  I used my Stamp-a-ma-jig and everything!  (By the way...aside from my Crafter's Tool Kit, my Stamp-a-ma-jig is my favorite tool).  Because I've got several more cards to make today, I need to try and let this one go!  :-)

   

Today's Technique Challenge is to do a "Double Resist" technique (click on the link above for instructions).  I started by embossing the circle image with Clear e.p. on glossy cardstcok.  I then stamped my new (just got it :-) Tres Chic background stamp in Versamark over the top it.  Finally, I used my brayer and rolled over all of it with Eggplant Envy. I waited a minute of two (glossy cardstock takes a little longer to dry than regular cardstock) and then wiped the ink off my embossed images with a paper towel.

Eggplant Envy is kind of a "seasonal" color for me.  I'm not sure why, but I tend to only use it in the Fall and Winter.  It is a lovely color, and I probably should use it more (hmmm...I'm thinking it would look great with some of the new IN colors...I'll have to try that).

I'll be back later today...I have a special card I want to share with you.  Have a wonderful afternoon!  ~Laurie

Recipe   Stamps: True Friend, Tres Chic   Paper: Glossy white c.s., Whisper White, Vellum c.s., Eggplant Envy   Ink: Versamark, Eggplant Envy   Other: Crafter's Tool Kit (of course :-), Eggplant Envy grosgrain ribbon, Rhinestone brad, Jewels, Clear e.p.

Abundant Thanks...

Well, my littlest munchkin and I didn't get to go camping with the rest of the family.  It seems I've had bad luck when it comes to camping...something always comes up at the last minute!  Anyway, he's got a cold  (isn't it early to be starting the colds and stuff???) and is is soooo cranky!  It was my husband's idea, actually, that maybe "he would want to stay home with Mommy"...LOL!  It's a good thing we stayed...he's been up coughing and just now went to sleep.  The bright side is that I got some stampin in tonight!  :-)

I was so excited to see that this week's Featured Stamper is Cammie (SCS name).  She really has an amazing gallery!  I chose this card to CASE (and if my little one lets me, I plan on doing another one tomorrow!).

As I was taking this picture, it occurred to me that I've been using a lot of flower stamps lately.  Hmmm...I will have to try and mix it up a little...LOL!  I stamped the flower stamp on watercolor paper with Black Brilliance ink.  I again, colored it in using my ink pads and a watercolor brush.  I stamped the Soft Sky strip with my Canvas stamp inked in Blue Bayou.  I then stamped the En Francais background stamp inked in Wild Wasabi over that.  I'm really liking the Porcelain Prints Designer Paper!  I'm not sure what took me so long to order it! It's hard to tell in this picture but there is another flower layered for added dimension.  And, last but not least, I added some gorgeous ribbon that a friend sent to me recently!   

Have a blessed Sunday!  ~Laurie

Recipe   Stamps: Abundant Joy, Canvas, Fancy Flexible Phrases, En Francais   Paper: Watercolor paper, Soft Sky, Blue Bayou, Basic Black, Porcelain Prints DP   Ink: Black Brilliance, Soft Sky, Blue Bayou, Sage Shadow, Wild Wasabi, Sakura Stardust pen   Other: Pewter Hodgepodge hardware, Ribbon

Poppies For You...

Just a quick post today...  This is for today's Inspiration Challenge.  They post an Inspiration piece (this week it's this artwork) to...well, inspire.  There aren't any rules...it's however you choose to interpret the piece.

I stamped the poppies in Black Brilliance on watercolor paper.  I colored them in with a paintbrush and ink pads.  I really wanted to "antique" the paper, so I stamped the Canvas stamp (inked in Creamy Caramel) over it and then sponged, sponged, sponged!  :-)

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!  ~Laurie

Recipe   Stamps: Oh, So Lovely, Canvas, All Holidays   Paper: Patterned paper by K & Co., Watercolor paper, Cranberry Crisp  Ink: Black Brilliance, Really Rust, Cranberry Crisp, Poppy Red Brillinace, Creamy Caramel, Mellow Moss  Other: Vintage brads, Ribbon, Sm & Lg Oval punches, Crafter's Tool Kit

Fall Whimsy...

Happy Friday!  I hope you all had a good week!  We are going to try and go camping this weekend (we want to go one more time before it's just too cold :-).  Anyway, on to the stamping...

This is for today's Limited Supplies Challenge.  The rules are:  to use a set/s that haven't seen ink in a while, to use a sketch from one of the old sketch challenges, to us a color combo from one of the old color challenges, to use 2 or less embellishments, & use any tools we want.  Quite a challenge!  I chose to use sketch challenge # 103 and color challenge # 86 (Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie, & Old Olive).  As for the sets that haven't seen ink in a while...well, I just got Seasonal Whimsy (but it technically hasn't seen ink in a while...LOL!), and I haven't used my Canvas background stamp in quite a while.  I've been using the Linen, but definitely neglecting the Canvas stamp.  My two embellishments...ribbon (some NEW Chocolate Satin ribbon from the Holiday Mini - available September 1st) and brads.  I wanted to use a button down by the sentiment, but I had already used my two embellishments, so I used my sewing machine (a tool) instead.  I also wanted to add something the the ribbon, but again...I couldn't use any more embellishments.  I finally decided to dig out my Shrink Plastic and stamp my own charm.  Wow!  It's been a long time since I've used that stuff!  LOL!

I embossed the main image on watercolor paper with Chocolate Chip craft ink and Clear embossing powder.  As much as I tried, I couldn't get a solid image because the watercolor paper is so textured.  After getting over the fact that it wasn't perfect (LOL), I decided I actually liked it that way.  I then used my ink pads and watercolor brush to add some color to it.

I will post some more cards that I've been working on either tonight or in the morning.  I hope you all enjoy your weekend!  ~ Laurie

Recipe   Stamps: Garden Whimsy, Canvas   Paper: Confetti White, Watercolor paper, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip   Ink: Chocolate Chip (Craft & Classic), Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie   Other: Shrink Plastic, Clear e.p., brads, Sewing Machine, Chocolate Chip Satin ribbon

Boo!...

I'm posting late today because I had a friend come out and visit me today!  We live pretty far out int he country (for most people's standards), about an hour drive one way, so we don't usually get a lot of visitors.  I really enjoyed my time with her (even though we both have small children and they tend to take up most of our time :-).  Because I only had a short amount of time before I need to start cooking (why, oh why can't leftovers last forever??? :-), I needed to make my card a quick one!

This is for today's Ways To Use It Challenge - anything Halloween or Fall.  When I saw this cute little spider in the new Holiday Mini catalog, I knew I would have to buy the whole set!  Good thing the whole set is cute...LOL!  I just love this little guy!  I embossed him using Black detail embossing powder (I wanted to make sure that his sweet smile stayed in tact).  I used the Polka Dot background stamp (it's no secret how much I love polka dots...hehehee) and then added some fun Black polka dot ribbon!  The rest is pretty self-explanatory.

   

Isn't he just the cutest thing??  I will be back tomorrow morning with some more new stuff (I got my order of NEW stamps and I've been trimming them like a mad woman..LOL)!

Have a wonderful evening!  ~Laurie

Recipe   Stamps: Autumn Apparitions, Polka Dot   Paper: Whisper White, Lovely Lilac, Basic Black   Ink: Basic Black, Versamark   Other: Black detail e.p., Black polka dot ribbon, {1 1/4", 1 3/8", Scallop} circle punches, Corner rounder, Black Hemp

Carte Postale...

Happy Wednesday!  I am not one of those stampers that can create new and wonderful sketches.  I try...I just end up using the same "layouts".  When I discovered the weekly challenges over at Splitcoast, I was thrilled!  The Sketch Challenge, especially, has really caused me to grow and stretch as a stamper.

Today's sketch is an interesting one...not one that would work with just any stamp set.  It took me a while to figure out what look I wanted (elegant, whimsical, classic) but finally decided to go with the stamp set Carte Postale.

Once I had my set picked out, I then decided to use the Brocade Background Designer Paper.  The only problem was that I couldn't choose which patterns I wanted to use!  They are all so pretty!  I'm not sure why, but lately I'm leaning toward the more monochromatic look.  So, after coming back to these simple yet elegant patterns, I figured why fight it?  (I was trying to resist the urge of making yet another monochromatic looking card).

I have an order of some more new stamps arriving today, so I will have new and different stuff to show you tomorrow!  And...I will try to mix up my color choices a bit.

Have a great day!  ~Laurie

Recipe   Stamps: Carte Postale, En Francais   Paper: Brocade Background DP, River Rock, Chocolate Chip   Ink: River Rock, Chocolate Chip (classic and craft)   Other: Clear e.p., 5/8" Chocolate grosgrain, Mocha Pearls