Just Give Me Stamps...

A Weekend Sketch BBQ Celebration!

Happy Friday!!  Not only is today the start of the weekend (woohoo!), but it's also time for the Weekend Sketch Challenge!  This week, the hostess is none other than BEATE!!  Yay!!!  You can see her sketch here.  

Tomorrow (August 1st) is Switzerland Day.  It's kind of like our July 4th...but you know, for Switzerland!  LOL!  We never do too much on that day, even though we're always talking about it.  This year, my DH (who is from Switzerland) decided that we need to actually follow through and plan a little something.  He wants to share some of his Swiss heritage with our kids.  Because of our late start in planning, we aren't going to do anything too time consuming (like cooking a bunch of Swiss cuisine), but instead will just have a BBQ.  Definitely the American version of Swiss Day!  LOL!!! 

For my card (which will serve as an invitation), I used Taylor's Boys Will Be Boys set.  For the rectangle background piece, I embossed (with my Cuttlebug) a piece of Aluminum. 

You won't want to miss seeing what Beate, Cambria, Charmaine, Jenn, Lori, & Sharon have created!

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!  ~Laurie

Divine Details...

Good morning!  Every month Verve hosts a "Project Parade" challenge over at the Verve Stamps blog.  This month the theme is "Divine Details". 

This is the card I created for the challenge (I used the Kindred Spirits set)... 

You can read about my design "process" (if you can call it that...LOL!) HERE as well as learning about how you can play along (yeah, there are prizes involved!).

Thanks so much for stopping by!  ~Laurie

Recipe
Stamps: Kindred Spirits
Paper: Dark Chocolate (PTI), Scenic Route patterned paper (Sonoma Collection)
Ink: Versamark, Close to Cocoa (Stampin' Up!)
Accessories: Clear Detail e.p., Tim Holtz metal corner, Crochet trim (May Arts), Dark Chocolate satin ribbon (PTI), Red Rhinestones, Quick Kutz Nesting Label die, Sewing Machine, Paper piercer

A Good Thing...

Happy Monday!  I hope you all had a great weekend!  We stayed close to home, finishing up some much needed chores and cleaning.  Nothing too exciting...  However, TODAY will be lots of fun!  I am SO excited!  Julee and her husband are coming up to see us!  Yep!!  I know!!!  I'm so excited I can hardly stand it!  I have to tell you, though...I'm secretly hoping that while she's here some of her creativity will rub off on me!  Kind of like "mojo osmosis" maybe? 

I promise I'm not going to babble on all morning...heheheee!  I do have a card to share with you...  

It's been WAY too long since I've sent a card to my mom...so I made this for her.  I chose this Hydrangea stamp (from the Penny Black Allegro set) because it reminds me of her (she loves Hydrangeas).  Also, I think she will get a kick out of the sentiment (also from the Allegro set)!

I used my Versamagic Dew Drops to ink up the Hydrangea and sentiment and then embossed them with Clear Detail embossing powder.  I used my Oval Nestabilities to emboss and cut out the oval and the Labels One Nestabilities for the sentiment.  Fore embellishments, I added some Dew Drops, Crochet trim, & just a bit of Diamond Stickles on the flower.  Of course, I had to antique the different cardstock layers just a bit (I used Antique Linen ink).

Well, I am off to town to pick up some groceries (I thought that Julee and her DH might want to eat while they're here...LOL!)!  I hope you all have a wonderful day! 
~Laurie

Supplies   Stamps: Allegro (Penny Black)   Paper: 29th Street Market paper (My Mind's Eye), Blue Bayou c.s., Neenah Natural White   Ink: Versamagic Dew Drops, Antique Linen Distress Ink   Other: Clear detail e.p., Nestabilities, Dew Drops, Button, Twine, Crochet trim Corner rounder punch, Sewing Machine, Diamond Stickles

 

Tie One On!

This is my second post for today, so please scroll down to see my Weekend Sketch Challenge post!

I am so excited to be hostessing a challenge for this year's Dare to Get Dirty Challenges!  I chose to use a Previous Fan Club Gallery theme..."Tie One On"!  (Hint...it has to do with ribbon..  :-)  You can read all about my challenge HERE (you need to be a Fan Club member to see these challenges)!  Oh...and the fabulous Susan Roberts (aka Rainy) was kind enough to create a sample for this challenge!  You can see her sample in the "DTGD09Lauraly ~ Tie One On!" thread over at Splitcoast!

   

This is the sample I made.  I used the ribbon to create a lattice "background" over the K & Co. patterned paper.  I started by making light pencil lines where I wanted my ribbon to go (using a ruler of course :-), then I used a double stick adhesive to adhere the ribbon over the pencil marks.  To secure the edges and prevent the ribbon from fraying, I stitched around the edges.

The frilly, scrolly things are die cuts I added (from some Cuttlebug dies I have) behind my Label One Nestabilities layer.  I used the Hostess set Wings of Friendship for my focal image and the En Francais background stamp for the subtle scripted background.

Well, I'm headed back over the Splitcoast to check out all of the other Dare to Get Dirty challenges going on...  See you there!  ~Laurie

Supplies   Stamps: Wings of Friendship, En Francais (Stampin' Up!)   Paper: Vintage Cream (PTI), K & Co Blue Awning patterned paper   Ink: Versamagic Dew Drops, Creamy Caramel, Antique Linen Distress ink   Other: Labels One Nestabilities, Cuttlebug Dies, Vanilla taffeta ribbon, Pearls, Rhinestones, Charm, Sewing Machine

Weekend Sketch Challenge #90 - Something Bright & Fun...

Happy, happy Friday!  The days are just flying by, aren't they?  We are now having "typical" July weather (in the 90's some days) and even though the sun doesn't set until 10:00 ish, the days still seem short!  There is so much I want to try and fit in before school starts!  I guess I better get on that, because summer is going to be over before I know it!  

You know what Friday means, don't you?  Another Weekend Sketch Challenge!  I am your hostess this week!  :-)  

I have an oval shape as the focal layer on the sketch, but feel free to use any shape you'd like!  That's exactly what I did for my sample...

 

I've had the Vintage Picnic set (from Papertrey) for a little while now and really wanted to get it out and use it!  After stamping the main image onto Vintage Cream c.s., I colored it in with my Copics.  I airbrushed the soft blue color behind the basket.  For embellishments, I added some Lemon Tart buttons (PTI), grosgrain ribbon, and some stitching.

If you'd like to play along, just link up your creation using Mr. Linky below!  When uploading to Splitcoast, use keyword WSC90.

For more Weekend Sketch Inspiration, please visit:  Beate, Cambria, Charmaine, Jenn, Lori, & Sharon!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you all enjoy your Weekend!  ~Laurie

Dare to Get Dirty 2009!

Good Morning!  Dare to Get Dirty 2009 is officially here!    There will be three days (July 23-25) of fun packed challenges!  You can read all about it HERE (you need to be a Fan Club Member to participate).

Kicking off the first day of challenges, Jen del Muro (aka genie1314) issued a challenge using one of the Fan Club Gallery's previous themes (the first one, actually!!) - to create a project using tags.  I was so honored that she asked me to make a sample card for her challenge!  Here's what I came up with...

I chose to create a card with a tag as the focal point using my new For All You Do set (from Stampin' Up!).  I'm not quite sure what to call the style of this card (modern shabby chic?), but I really enjoyed making it!  I used some of my favorite embellishments and techniques...tone on tone layering, antiquing, distressing, sewing, and of course adding buttons!  :-)

You can check out Jen's challenge HERE!  I hope you get some time to participate...it is going to be a BLAST! 

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a fabulous day!  ~Laurie

Recipe   Stamps: For All You Do, Woodgrain Background (Stampin' Up)   Paper: Naturals Cream, Basic Black   Ink: Sahara Sand, Basic Grey, Bermuda Bay, Versamark   Other: Black Detail e.p., Basic Black griped grosgrain ribbon, Linen Thread, Mini Library Clips, Buttons (PTI), Sewing Machine, Scallop border punch, Stickles, Cutter Bee

Having a Bad Day?

Hi!  We've been SO busy around here lately!  Aside from taking a small trip (first one that wasn't Dr. related in a looooong time :-), we've been doing some major cleaning and re-organizing.  I can't believe how long I've let things like that go.  I think I'm like TWO Springs behind on my Spring cleaning!!  LOL!  Anyway, it feels so good to get things back into order.

I wanted to share with you a little gift set I put together.  While grocery shopping, I saw a little bag of gummy sharks on a candy rack near the check-out.  I normally do not buy anything "extra" after I check off that last item on my list, but I nearly flipped when I saw these!!!  I immediately thought of my favorite image from the Beach Bum set...the cuppie in the water surrounded by shark fins!  They were in my basket faster than I could say cupcake!  Teehehehee!   

Isn't this the funniest image?  It puts things in perspective, I think!  :-)  After putting the gummy sharks into a cello bag, I made a little box to hold them.  The paper (Snorkel line from Cosmo Cricket) is from the Beach Bum Key Ingredients Kit.   Click on the above picture for a larger view.

  

I stamped the image onto Choice Buttercream c.s. using Tuxedo Black Memento ink, and then colored it in with my Copic markers.  To add some sparkle, I dabbed on just a little bit of Stardust Stickles onto the waves.  The orange dot embellishments are also included in theBeach Bum Key Ingredients. 

 

I was looking through my embellishments and came across this charm (form the Beach Bum Charm Collection) and thought it would give the recipient a  snicker or two (one lone flipper paired with the shark image LOL!)!

Well, I need to go finish up dinner.  It's haying season here, so that means that DH rushes in the house, eats, and rushes back out to the fields.  I better make sure it's ready when he finally makes it in for a few minutes...  :-)

Thanks for stopping by!!  Hugs, Laurie

It Takes a Long Time...

Happy Thursday!  I'm back today with one more Just Rite project to share with you! 

For today's card, I used the new JustRite Friendship set.  While I was making my card, I thought that I would take some pictures to share some JustRite "tips" with you (I'll share those later on in this post).  OH, and I actually remembered to take a picture of the Copic markers I used!  I am on a roll, I tell ya!  LOL!  The truth is, I normally put my markers away immediately after using them to keep my desk clean...but I was so engrossed with making this card I didn't do that this time!  Woohoo!  :-)    

 

This image was SO fun to color!  I normally don't say that about any  image because...well, I'm just not that adept at coloring.  I had a blast with this one, though!  I started by stamping the center image onto Pearlized White c.s. using Tuxedo Black Memento ink. and then coloring in with Copics (see picture of colors used at the bottom of this post).  For the border, I used Rich Cocoa Memento Ink and then colored in the small flowers.  I chose some K & Co. papers (LOVE the vintage feel of them!) and wanted to make my image blend in with them better, so I stamped my Canvas background stamp inked with Creamy Caramel over both circles.  I couldn't stop there though...I just HAD to sponge the edges a bit (they were asking for it!)!  I added quite a bit of details to this...I just couldn't seem to stop!  Heehehehe!  One of my favorite embellishments on this is the copper Metal Corner (from Tim Holtz).

  

 When I saw this stamp (part of one of the centers in the Friendship set), I thought it would be perfect for the inside of this card!  The floral border around the sentiment didn't match the flowers I used on the front, so I set out to make a "mask" of sorts.  (NOTE:  click on any of the photos below and a larger version will pop up.)

 

OOPS!  I can't believe I took a picture of this upside down!!  Good thing I am a better stamper than photographer!  LOL! 

Here is a picture os the "Thanks for Being Mine" center (and the floral border around it).  I tried using my Memento Dew Drop ink pad to just ink up the words, but I still got ink on the border.

I created a "mask" out of some scrap paper using one of my Circle Nestabilities.

I just held it in place to ink it up, but you could also adhere it to the stamp for added security.  I used my Memento Dew Drop to ink this up (mostly because I was also holding the paper in place :-), but you could use a full sized pad just as well.

Anyone that has borrowed stamps from me or stamped with me here at my house knows what an absolute trimming freak I am!  I LOVE to trim my stamps.  I like the freedom to add extra pressure when stamping (to achieve a nice and crisp image), so I trim my stamps closely to avoid any inked edges.  My JustRite stamps are no exception.  This picture shows you what they look like after I've trimmed them.

I know...not the *prettiest* sight...but trust me, they stamp beautiful images!  :-)

O.k....now for the Copic colors I used (again, click to see the photo larger)...

 

Want to see even more JustRite projects? Amy, Cammie, Denise, & Michelle all have some gorgeous projects to share with you!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  ~Laurie

Cookies in a Jar...

Are you enjoying all of the JustRite projects the Stamper's Dream DT have been sharing?  It is always so fun to see all the different styles and projects achieved from the same stamp set!  :-) 

I used the Preserves Borders & Centers set for my project.  I don't actually do a lot of canning (o.k....who am I kidding...I don't do ANY canning Bwahahahaa!), but I saw so many possibilities for this set that would work for things I actually do!  LOL! 

  

I thought the mason jar image would work perfectly for a "Cookies in a Jar" gift ensemble! 

   

I stamped the main image (and the matching decorative border) onto Kraft c.s. and colored it in with my copics. 

    

I was going to hand write the work cookies on the jar label, but then remembered the Recipe Borders and Centers set and thought there might be a cookie word in it.  Yep!!  I was right!!  The stamp actually says Cookies & Cakes...and I only wanted the cookies part, so here is how I made it work for me.  I put the Cookies & Cakes stamp on my Rectangle Stamper block, inked up only the cookies word (I used the tip of a Memento Dew Drop ink pad), and then used my Stamp-a-ma-jig to line up the word correctly.  It worked like a charm...and looks a TON better than my handwriting!  :-)

  

For the inside, I decorated the baking instructions (which I printed on my computer).  The recipe is called "Cranberry Hootycreeks"...and it is a cookie recipe I chose solely for the name!!  It cracks me up every time I see it!!!  In addition to having the BEST name...the cookies are absolutely delicious!  I found this particular recipe on a site called Recipe Goldmine.  HERE is the link to a whole collection of different Gifts in a Jar (soups, cookies, & much more).

There's even more JustRite inspiration to see!  Check out what Michelle and Tosh have created!

Thanks for stopping by today!  ~Laurie

Recipe   Stamps: Preserves Borders & Centers, Recipe Borders & Centers (JustRite Stampers)   Paper: Kraft, Ocean Tides (PTI), Fancy Pants patterned paper   Ink: Rich Cocoa Memento Ink, Antique Linen Distress Ink, Baja Breeze (Stampin' Up!)   Other: Nestabilities, Copics, Sewing Machine, Cutter Bee (to score with), Stickles, Scarlet Jewel ribbon and buttons (PTI)

It's What Sunflowers Do...

I'm back with my second post for today!   You can see my other post (a JustRite gift set) HERE.

Today I've posted a fun little card over at the Stamp a Sweet Impression Blog!  Here's just a little peek at my project.

You can see the whole card HERE.

Hope you're having a wonderful day!  ~Laurie