Just Give Me Stamps...

A Cupcake For My Valentine...

Hi!  I'm back!  I just had to show you this "sweet" Valentine's Day card that I'm going to be giving my daughter (who happens to like cupcakes as much as I do)!

 

 

I started by stamping this super sweet cupcake (from the Hero Arts clear Cupcakes set) using Adirondack Pitch Black ink onto Papertrey Stamper's Select c.s.  I paper pieced the cupcake "liner" with some Sassafras Lass patterned paper (it's the same paper as I used on the background of the card).  I colored the frosting with Copic markers and then added Frosted Lace Stickles.

I put my card together using Beate's tutorial for a Cami Trifold card.  The scallop circle "frame" was made with my Nestabilities.

The "happy valentine's day!" sentiment is from the Just So Hippy stamp set.  The large red heart is a heart brad that I've had in my "stash" fro ages..hehehee!  You can find all of these stamps at Stamper's Dream store (and you should check out the rest of the cupcakes in this set....I hardly know which one to use first because I love them ALL)!  OH...did I mention that Michelle (owner of Stamper's Dream) is having a sale!!??!!  Yup...there is 25% off quite a bit of stuff!  I plan on heading over there right now...I am definitely in need of some "retail therapy"!

I hope you all have a very blessed evening!  ~Laurie

Recipe   Stamps: Cupcakes (Hero Arts), Just So Hippy (Gina K Designs)   Paper: Papertrey white c.s., Regal Rose, Sassafras Lass patterned paper   Ink: Adirondack Pitch Black, Rose Red   Other: Copic markers, Nestabilities, Coluzzle, White gel pen, Rhinestones, Heart brad, Slit punch, Fibers, Ribbon (form Micheal's Dollar bin)

A Great Opportunity...

Good morning!  We got home later than I had planned on yesterday....so I wasn't able to post (or respond to your emails).  I was able, however, to spend some time with my mom (Hi Mom!).  I have some time set aside this morning to update the For Sale list, and respond to all the emails.  Thanks again everyone, for the amazing response (over half of them are gone)!!

I made this card using Julee's sketch for the very first Honored Guest Sketch Challenge!  If you've ever wanted to be a designer for Verve Visual, here's your chance! 

All you need to do, is create a card using the sketch below (so everyone can play, Verve stamps are not a requirement...although we'd love to see them if you have them!!).  Then, leave a comment on the Sketch Challenge Post on the Verve Blog with a link to your card.  You can enter as many times as you want, however, all entries need to be received by Feb. 15th (the winner will be announced on Feb. 18th). 

What does the winner get, you ask?  The winner will be Verve's Honored Guest for the month of March, and will receive one of the same DT Kit that all Verve Design Team members receive (including the brand new stamps that will be released in March).  There will also be random prize drawings throughout the contest!!!! How cool is that?!!?  I can't wait to see what you all come up with!! 

Recipe   Stamps: Heart to Heart (Verve Visual)   Paper: Soft Sky, Whisper White, Basic Black, Hey Sugar patterned paper (Cosmo Cricket)   Ink: Soft Sky, Ruby Red, Rose Red, Versamark   Other: Black detail e.p., Word Window punch, Rhinestones, Black grosgrain ribbon, Paper piercer

Just a Quick Update...

Good Morning!  First, I want to thank you all for the amazing response to the Retired Stamps that I have for sale!  Wow!!  All items that have been paid for (as of Wed. morning) will be shipped today!  I will be taking them to town with me today (also..I won't be available to answer emails until later this afternoon).

I have something really fun to show you...but it will have to wait until this afternoon, so make sure to check back later!  :-)

Have a great day!  ~Laurie

A Pocket Full of Love...

Happy Monday!  First, I have to tell you all how shocked (and excited) I am about the response to my retired sets for sale!  I will be working on returning emails and updating the list this morning (in between my normal Monday stuff:  tons of laundry, cleaning, getting the kids lined out in their classes...oh, and did I mention the Mount Everest of laundry??? LOL!)!

Remember me mentioning how excited I was to show you the card I made for my DH for Valentine's Day?  Well, I picked up what I needed for the card and am now ready to share!  Like I mentioned earlier, my DH loves the cowboy life (and is very good at it)!  When I show him the cards I make, he is always drawn to the more simple designs.  So, I made this card in honor of him...slightly rugged, definitely not frilly, & full of surprises!  :-)

Doesn't this Jeans Pants stamp look just like the real thing?!!??!  I started by inking up the stamp in Adirondack Denim ink (it seriously is THE perfect denim color!!) and stamping it on some Naturals Ivory c.s.  I then sponged on some Antique Linen Distress Ink to "dirty" up the jeans a little (because a day in the saddle definitely lends itself to dirtied up jeans...hehehee) and then some Close to Cocoa ink just around the edges (for definition).

For the pocket, I stamped the whole Jeans Pants stamp again, but trimmed out the pocket, sponged, & adhered it to my card.  I actually only applied glue to the sides, so it would remain a functional pocket.  I added some Aged Copper brads to the sides of the pockets.  I have funny story about brads and my DH!!!  For the longest time, when I would show him a card I made...he would just halfway smile and say, "That's nice".  Men need to realized that this is like saying, "Umm...it's not too ugly.....".  He finally told me that it was all the brads I was using (this was during my "put a brad or ten on everything" phase).  He didn't see the purpose of them (does everything really need a purpose?  LOL).  Well, I think he'll agree, that these brads definitely serve a purpose!  Hehehee!  While I was cutting out the pocket, I also cut out the belt loops from the second image I stamped.  I then popped them up a little, to give the appearance of real belt loops. 

For the handkerchief, I knew that I needed some very thin paper that I could crumple up and stick in the pocket without creating a lot of bulk.  So...I took a piece of computer paper, embossed the Paisley background stamp in Chocolate Chip and then sponged some Close to Cocoa ink over it.  I then wadded it up to give it all those wrinkles.  Just in case you are wondering....that is an iTunes gift card sticking out of the pocket.  Even a cowboy needs his "tunes", right?  :-)  The "love you" stamp is from the Just So Hippy! set.  (You can get all of these stamps - including the Denim ink pad - at Stamper's Dream store).  The font is just perfect...could be used for both feminine and masculine cards!!!  I love versatility!

I hope you all had a good weekend...and are enjoying your Monday!  ~Laurie

Recipe   Stamps: Jeans Pants (by Judikins), Just So Hippy!, Paisley   Ink: Adirondack Denim, Chocolate Chip Craft, Close to Cocoa, Antique Linen Distress Ink   Other: Clear e.p., Aged Copper brads

Retired Sets For Sale!

I have finally finished typing up ALL of the stamp sets that I have for sale!  It was NOT an easy task, let me tell you!  LOL!!!!  I can't even remember the last time I cleared out my retired stuff....  Before you go and take a peek...let me just tell you that I've been a Stampin' Up! demo for 11 1/2 years now...so I have naturally acquired a LOT of stamps!! O.k...that might be an understatement....

If you look to the left (just under where you sign up for email updates), you will see a new link added.  It's called For Sale! and will take you to another page where everything is listed.  Or you can access it HERE.  If you are interested in some of the stamps, please email me rather than just leaving a comment. 

Thanks!!  ~Laurie

Gift Filled Birthday...

Good morning!  Before going to bed last night, I just had to check out who this week's Featured Stamper was!  I wasn't familiar with StampingPam's work, but I had a wonderful time checking out her gallery!  I just had to play!

The card I chose to case is this CARD.  I changed the card orientation, some of the colors, added a sentiment "tag", & omitted the flower.

The fun little set (Bitty Birthday) was one of the first sets I ordered from the new catalog!  I just love this fun "shopping bag"!  Plus, it gave me the perfect opportunity to use my new Fine Cosmo Glitter!  YAY for sparkle!  LOL!

I stamped the bags using Adirondack Pitch Black ink and then colored them with my Copic markers.  I used my Sakura Quickie Glue Pen to cover the stripes on the bags (and then poured on the Celery glitter), then I added the glue to the rest of the bags (and then added Turquoise glitter). 

Well, we are getting ready to leave...so I will wrap this up.  I hope you all have a wonderful day!  ~Laurie

Recipe   Stamps: Bitty Birthday   Paper: Flowers For You DP, Papertrey White, Certainly Celery, Basic Black   Ink: Adirondack Pitch Black   Other: Copic markers, Word Window Punch, Photo Corner punch, Fine Cosmo Glitter, 5/8" Celery grosgrain ribbon, Turquoise brad, Paper piercer

Splitcoast Needs Your Help!

You all probably know this about me already...but I LOVE Splitcoast Stampers!  It has provided me with SO much inspiration, the opportunity to grow as a stamper, & I've met some of the most caring and generous people along the way!

As if the site isn't already THE BOMB...they are looking for YOUR input on how to improve!  There is a short survey that they are asking members to take.  I finished the survey last night, so I can tell you first hand that it is indeed short and will only take a couple of minutes.  This is your chance to tell them how you feel!

Click HERE to take the survey!

Soft & Pink...

Happy Saturday!  I hope you all are enjoying your weekend!  It actually warmed up quite a bit here.  Not only did it actually get above zero...but it made it to 25 degrees (Fahrenheit)!  If I wasn't convinced my children had "cabin fever" before...well now I'm sure!  All the chores were done in a flash...and out they went!  I'm happy they are getting a chance to enjoy the snow a little bit.

My stamping room window overlooks the back yard...so while they were playing, I got some quality stamping time in!  LOL!  I don't know about you, but I am always needing "Thank You" cards...so I'm trying to build up my stash by stamping a couple every week.

As soon as I saw this Flourish Bloom stamp (by Hero Arts), I immediately knew that I wanted to color it with soft colors.  Actually one of my favorite things to do, is to emboss an image with white embossing powder on white cardstock and then color it in.  I just love the soft look it gives.

After my flower was embossed and colored, I then stamped the "so kind" sentiment (from the So Many Messages set by Hero Arts) in certainly celery using my Stamp-a-ma-jig for perfect placement.  I then cut out/embossed the flower using my oval Nestabilities.  Finally, I rounded the corners of the background panels, added some Mini Rhinestones and ribbons.

You can find all of these stamps (and more :-) at Stamper's Dream!

I will be back tomorrow to share a fun birthday card with you (that I was able to finish up today as well)!  Also...I am *almost* finished with my DH's Valentine's card...and I can't wait to share it with you!!!  I just need one more thing to complete it (which I'm going to pick up tomorrow in town).  I really think it "fits" him and the ranching lifestyle that is so much a part of him!

I really hope your weekend is a blessed one!  ~Laurie

Recipe   Stamps: Flourished Bloom, So Many Messages (both by Hero Arts)   Paper: Watercolor paper, Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery, Chatterbox patterned paper   Ink: Versamark, Certainly Celery   Other: White e.p., Oval Nestabilities, 5/8" Celery grosgrain ribbon, Pink taffeta ribbon, Pink gingham ribbon, Mini Rhinestones, Corner rounder

Evening Sky...

This is a 'non-stamping' post...but I will try not to bore you too much!  :-)  While I was making dinner yesterday evening, I got to enjoy this beautiful view from my kitchen window!!

I just loved how the clouds were so low...but you could see the sky peeking through!  In this picture, the sun was just about to go behind the mountain!

Mr. Brown is coming today (hurray for UPS!!!) and is bringing some fun new stamps!  How fortunate...because today I have quite a bit of stamping time set aside!!  Woohoo!  So make sure you check back tomorrow...I'll having something new for you to see!  :-)  ~Laurie

Enjoy The Little Things...

Happy Friday!!  I hope you all had a good week!  I know I've been pretty quiet the last couple of days...but my kiddos were really needing some extra attention from me....AND, I had a good friend of mine come to visit me yesterday!  Woohoo!  It may seem silly that I'm so excited about that...LOL...but because of how far from town we live, we rarely get any visitors.

Well...you know what Friday means!  It's time for Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge!  You can see the sketch HERE...as well as instructions for playing along.

 

This card was very easy to make!  :-)  I embossed the enjoy onto the patterned paper (because the e.p. gives it a bolder black color).  I stamped the little flower on the layer underneath "enjoy".

I added some felt flowers and brads for embellishments.  For the bottom right panel...I used an oval instead of a rectangle.  Can  you believe it????  There is not one rhinestone, pearl, or any Stickles or glitter!!!!  LOL!

To see some more samples for Beate's sketch, check out what Beate, Cambria,  Charmaine, Jenn, Lori, Mary Jo, & Sharon have made!  I know I can't wait to see what gorgeous creations they came up with!

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend!!  ~Laurie

Recipe   Stamps: Enjoy Every Moment   Paper: Old Olive, Basic Black, Rose Red, Bali Breeze DP   Ink: Basic Black, Versamark, Old Olive   Other: Black e.p., Lg. oval punch, corner rounder, Black grosgrain ribbon, Black specialty ribbon, 1/2" circle punch, Black brads, Felt Flowers (from Felt Fusion)