Just Give Me Stamps...

Earth Angel...

Whew!!  I'm finally making it back to post my Waltzingmouse Stamps card!  After the kids finished up school yesterday, I noticed that my 5 year old son wasn't feeling so well.  He went from "not feeling very well" to having a 103 degree fever!  Yikes!  A sleepless night, ibuprofen, & many cold washcloths later his fever finally broke.  But before that happened, my youngest son's temperature started climbing also!  Lets just say that not a whole lot has gotten done around here...  LOL!  I'm happy to report that their fevers are both under control and things are a bit more settled.  :-)

I thought that while they were both engrossed in watching the Cars movie (for the hundredth time LOL!), I would share my card with you! 

 

I used the A*DORABLE Earth Angel set to create this soft and feminine birthday card!  I started with a 5 1/4" white card base, layered on some patterned paper (Basic Grey's Urban Prairie), vellum, ribbon, and a chipboard heart (covered in some coordinating patterned paper).  I wanted to add a little "sumpin' sumpin'" and thought maybe some Dew Drops would do the trick.  I then thought that maybe they would look good in a circle...sort of mimicking the garland the sweet Earth Angel is holding.  I'm not good at eyeballing these things, so I grabbed my largest circle Nestie and used it as a template for my Dew Drops.  I paper pieced the dress (from some paper from the same Urban Prairie pack) then added some "stitching" using my white gel pen.  Last but not least, I glitterfied the garland by adding some Stickles!  Oh, I almost forgot to mention that I used my Color Spritzer to spray on a little pink around the main image!  So fun!

Ok...my boys are getting C-R-A-N-K-Y!  Who knew that you could fight over how big a pumpkin is or isn't!!  Sheesh!  :-)  You can see more Waltzingmouse creations by visiting the other DT ladies' blogs: 

Anya Schrier
Belinda Chang Langner
Bonnie Sharp
Julia Aston

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I'll be back in the morning with something new for you to see!  :-)  ~Laurie

Stamps:  Earth Angel (Waltzingmouse Stamps)
Paper:  Choice Snow White c.s., Urban Prairie (Basic Grey), Vellum c.s.
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories:  Nestabilities, Heart chipboard, Dew Drops, Sewing Machine, Ribbon, Button and string, Stickles, Color Spritzer with pink marker, White gel pen

 

Merry Little Christmas Tree...

I'm back with a quick little Christmas card to share with you!  This is my second post for today, so make sure to scroll down to see my first post (I share some fun news & as well as a giveaway!!)!

I paired this embossed Christmas tree image from the Holiday Sentimentsset (Inkadinkado) with some patterned paper from the Merry Days of Christmas collection (My Mind's Eye).  The fun snowflake swirl that I wrapped around the Christmas tree layer is a die cut that was included in the Merry Days of Christmas kit.  The "be merry" sentiment is from the Penny Black Crystalline clear stamp set.  For embellishments I added a button, some ribbon, rhinestones, & a wee bit of stitching!  :-)

Thanks for stopping by!!  Don't forget to check back in later as I will be back with another project to share with you!  :-)  Hugs, Laurie

Stamps:  Crystalline (Penny Black), Holiday Sentiments (Inkadinkado)
Paper:  Choice White (Taylored Expressions), Merry Days of Christmas (My Mind's Eye)
Ink:  Versamagic Dew Drops, Antique Linen Distress Ink
Accessories:  Clear detail e.p., Ribbon, Button, String, Rhinestones, Copic marker, Sewing machine

Some News & a Giveaway!!

Good morning!!  We've been out of town for a bit, and I'm trying my best to catch up on stuff.  It's AMAZING to me just how much laundry can accumulate in such a short amount of time!  I mean, it's just short of a total phenomenon!!  In fact, I'm pretty sure it reproduces while I'm away!!  Hmmm, maybe that's something to send in to the Myth Busters crew...

First, I want to share some news with you!  I am honored to be able to serve on the Watzlingmouse Stamps design team!  Claire revealed her new store today...along with SIX brand new stamp sets!  I will be back later this evening with a project I made, but if you'd like some creative inspiration right now you can check out what the other Design Team members have made: 

Anya Schrier
Belinda Chang Langner
Bonnie Sharp
Julia Aston

You can see some gorgeous projects using the brand new sets at Claire's blog!  I love them all!

 

Ok...how about a little giveaway?  Typepad has graciously offered to give away a FREE BLOG!  I have used Typepad since starting my blog over two years ago and have LOVED it!  To be entered in the drawing, just leave a comment on this post before Sunday October 4th!  The randomly chosen winner will receive a code good from one free year of a Typepad Plus level blog!

 

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I'll be back in a bit to share a Christmas card I made...and then later today my Waltzingmouse Stamps card!  Woohooo!!  Three posts in ONE day!!  I'm on a roll!  LOL!

Gratitude...

Wow!  How did it get to be Thursday already?!?!  I am in awe of how fast the days are going by...  We have been so busy with school, Doctor appointments, and...well, too many things to even list!  LOL!  From what I've heard from others, this year has been an especially busy one for many!  I won't bore you withe all of the details, but just wanted to let you know that I'm still around...just swamped!  :-)

A quick note about the calendar book from my last post (scroll down to see it, or click HERE).  I've received LOTS of emails asking either where I purchased the book or how I made it.  Just to clarify, I made it...it's not chipboard but cardstock.  I did write some basic instructions in my post.  I am getting ready to head out of town for a few days, but I will do my best to write up a little "how-to" (with some pictures) when I get back.  :-)

Speaking of going out of town...  We will be staying with a friend for a few days while we're gone.  I wanted to make a quick thank you card to go with a small gift I purchased.  I actually had this paper still out on my desk and thought it would be perfect to use with the Gratitude stamp from Inkadinkado! 

This little card (4 x 4 square) was so easy to make!  I just embossed the Gratitude stamp directly onto the patterned paper!  I used the flip side of the orange dotted patterned paper for the background and stitched around the edges.  I added a little ribbon, a button, and a decorative punched border for embellishments.  That's it!  Easy peasy!  :-) 

Well, I need to go pack!  Yikes!!  I hope you all have a great day!  ~Laurie

Calendars & Generosity...

...go hand in hand over at A Muse!!!  Last year, they raised over $5,000 for the Lukemia & Lymphoma Society with their 2009 Calendar Project!!  Now THAT is awesome!!!

Well, they are at it again!!  On September 15th, A Muse launched their 2010 Calendar Project!  There are the same wonderful sizes as last year with the addition of a Full Size calendar (with lots of room to write on each day - perfect for busy schedules)!  The proceeds from this year's calendars will be going to Water 1st. 

Water 1st's mission is to serve families in the poorest communities in the world as they implement community-managed projects that integrate water supply, sanitation, and health education.  Safe water saves lives. I encourage you to visit the Water1st website {www.waterfirst.org} to learn more about how this wonderful organization is saving and changing lives! 

I got a head start on my Christmas gifts this year and created a calendar pocket book!  I thought the A-1 (4-BAR) version would be perfect to hang on the fridge, use as a bookmark, or display on a desk.  So that the individual pages would be easy to remove (and return), I created pockets to store them in.  :-)

The book cover is decorated using stamps from the Waltzingmouse set Very Vintage Christmas (the decorative border stamped across each calendar is also from the Very Vintage Christmas set).  The patterned paper is from the Cosmo Cricket Jolly By Golly mini deck.  Even though the book is decorated for Christmas, each individual calendar page is non-Holiday specific.

The pocket book was easy to make!  I used six 3 5/8" x 11" pieces of cream cardstock that were folded in half and adhered together (this size fits the A-1 (4-BAR) version perfectly)!  I stitched patterned paper pieces on as the pockets.

The four sizes of calendars available from download are:

*   A 1 (4-BAR) Version ~ (3 1/2" h x 5" w)
*   A 2 Version ~ (4 1/4" w x 5 1/2" h)
*   Square Version ~ (4 1/2")
*   And the NEW Full Size Version ~ (8 1/2" h x 11" w)

So for only $4 you will not only have an awesome calendar that you can print and use over and over again, but you will be helping to change the lives of many people at the same time!!  Gotta LOVE that!!

Here is a picture of the first calendar page inside the book.  Since I will be giving this as a Christmas gift, I wanted to include the December 2009 calendar page as well as all of 2010.  If you are using these calendars for personal use (I am currently making a Full Size Version for myself), you will love that A Muse included September, October, November, & December of 2009 along with all of 2010!!

Because this post is already long and full of photos, I decided to break the post into two parts.  To see the rest of the photos and the Supplies information, click below...

September Verve Release...

Last night, Verve released six brand new sets and one Plain Jane stamp!  Today, I've got a project to share with you that I made with the new Swan Song set!

Isn't that swan gorgeous!?!  Julee has done it again...created amazing images with the most inspiring sentiments!  This quote in particular spoke to me so much that I wanted to display it in my home!  I decided to little decorative frame would be perfect to showcase it!

I embossed the quote on to vellum c.s. and then layered it over some Bo Bunny patterned paper.  (I first added a lattice die cut from Choice Buttercream c.s. to tone down the turquoise a bit).  I embossed the swanonto Choice Buttercream c.s., popped up some of the wings, and added just a hint of Stardust Stickles.  Aside from adding a couple of pearls, that is all there is to it!  A pretty simple project, but the elegant images really make it special I think!

Well, that's all from me today, but I will be back later with a fun giveaway!!  :-)  Thanks for stopping by!  ~Laurie

Happiness Found...

Happy Friday!!  :-)   Friday means not only is the weekend almost here...but Beate has got another awesome Weekend Sketch Challenge for you!!  And this week's sketch is definitely one of my favorites!!

Not only did I have Beate's fun sketch...but brand new stamps from Verve to play with as well!!  This is the card I made for the Harvest Blessings/Happiness Found Sneak Peeks that is being shared on the Verve blog.  (Pssst -- Julee is giving away the brand new sets being shown!!!  All the details are over at the Verve blog!!) 

I have a love affair with all things Autumn, so these new sets are definitely "Happiness Found" for me!!  Heeheheee!  The elegant Fall images paired with Julee's amazing sentiments (the fonts she uses are always gorgeous)...well, I still swoon when I see them!  For my card, I used the "Happiness Found" quote as my main image.  I created the background by stamping the leaves (also from the new Happiness Found set) onto some natural muslin using Veramagic Dew Drops.  I just love the coverage I got with these inks...especially on such a textured fabric!  I'm pretty sure any chalk ink would give the same result (just make sure they are well inked). 

The Verve release party is tonight at 6 PM Eastern time, and there will be tons of prizes given away!!  I'll be there and hope to get to chat with you!!

Want some more Weekend Sketch inspiration?  Check out what Beate, Charmaine, Lori, Mary Jo, & Sharon have created!

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

Stamps:  Happiness Found (Verve)
Paper: Kraft c.s., Patterned paper (Grandmas's Kitchen Collection)
Ink: Versamagic Dew Drops (Eggplant, Spanish Olive, & Thatched Wheat), Vintage Inking syestem (PTI)
Accessories:  Natural muslin, Buttons, Twill ribbon, String, Sewing machine, Clear detail e.p., Border punch

Center of Attention Product Spotlight - Smooch

Today, half of the Taylored Expressions DT is sharing projects made with Smooch!  First off, I have to just say how hilarious the name is...I chuckle every time I see it!!  I love it!!  Second of all, it's sparkly....need I say more?  :-)

I created a little Halloween gift set and used my Molasses Smooch as an accent...

So...what is Smooch?  Smooch is a pearlized archival paint that has a foam tip for easy application.  It also comes in the **cutest** bottle, don't you think?  :-)  My daughter actually argued with me over it...she thought it was nail polish and thought it should "live" in her room!!  Teehehee!  Even though the bottle looks like nail polish, the applicator is not a brush.  The foam tip I mentioned earlier is wonderful...firm enough that it won't lose it's point after after just a few uses, but soft enough to be flexible.

For my card I used the owl and "Eat, drink, and be scary!" sentiment from the newly released Spooky Expressions.  I colored the owl with Copics and then added some Molasses Smooch to the owl's belly.

In this close-up shot, you can see the Smooch a little better!  It really couldn't have been easier to use...I just shook the bottle, opened it, and brushed some on!  Even though I used it only as an accent here, I'm SO wanting to play around more with it!  Because it's a "paint" it can be applied to non-paper items  as well...like buttons (OMGosh..how cute would that be??) and other accessories!! 

One last picture...this time a close-up of the gift!  The "Eat, Drink, and be Scary" sentiment inspired the contents of this bucket!  I made some Friendship Tea mix and packaged it up in a little cello bag for the "drink" part, and then added some candy corn for the "eat" part!  SO fun!!

Want to see more ideas using Smooch?!!?  Check out what these talented ladies have created:  Dawn, Denise, Jackie, Karen, Sankari, & Taylor!

Before I go, I wanted to let you know that for a short time (September 16th & 17th) the NEW "I Want it All" Smooch Collection is 15% off!!!  woohoo!!!   I have several colors, and they looks SO pretty all lined up together!  {{sigh}}  :-)  One word of caution though, if you have a teen-aged daughter...HIDE it!!!  LOL!!

Hope your day is a fantastic one!!  ~Laurie

Stamps:  Spooky Expressions (Taylored Expressions)
Paper:  Kraft c.s., Black c.s., My Mind's Eye Patterned paper (Boo to You Collection)
Ink:  Tuxedo Black Memento Ink, Versamark
Accessories:  Molasses Smooch, Black Detail e.p., Buttons,Black & Cream Double Edged Polka Dot Ribbon, Sewing Machine, String

Joyous Season...

Yes, I'm back with another Christmas card!!  These country style of cards are some of my all time favorite kind of cards to stamp!  I just love the down home feel of the Kraft c.s. and when it's paired with some gingham ribbon...perfection!  :-)

I used this beautiful pine cone image from the Joyous set from Penny Black and inked it up with some fo my Versamagic Dew Drops.  A little stitching, a punched border, some delicious gingham May Arts ribbon, and a button!

It's still hard to see from this photo, but I added just a *hint* of sparkle using my Sakura Stardust glitter pen!  {{{sigh}}}  I just adore sparkle!

Here's a peek at the inside!  I used the same K & Co. Christmas paper as I did on the outside.  The sentiment and image are stamped on Vanilla c.s. and cut out using my Labels 1 Nestabilities.

Well, that's all from me today!  We've been OH SO busy here with school, but I think we might be getting back into our groove....hopefully....!  LOL!  ~Laurie

Stamps:  Joyous (Penny Black)
Paper:  Vanilla c.s., Kraft c.s., K & Co. Patterned paper
Ink: Versamagic Dew Drops, Antique Linen and Tea Dye Distress Inks
Accessories:  Quick Kutz nesting label, Label 1 Nestabilities, Sewing Machine, Sakura Clear Stardust glitter pen, Fiskars border punch, May Arts gingham ribbon, Wood button (PTI), String

Be Merry...

Happy Thursday!  All week, the Stamper's Dream girls are sharing projects they've created using Impression Obsession stamps, and today is my day to share mine!  :-)

I used this charming Ornament Chickadee stamp (from Impression Obsession)!  First, I stamped the image onto White c.s. using Memento Tuxedo Black ink, then I colored it in using my copics.  For the "sky", I used my copic air art gun and lightly sprayed some blue ink over my image (which I masked first).  The yummy patterned paper is from the My Mind's Eye Merry Days of Christmas collection and the Burgundy Velvet ribbon is from May Arts.  I used the "be merry" sentiment from Penny Black's Crystalline set.

 

Here's a close-up picture of the ornament.  I added a tiny bit of sparkle with my clear Spica Glitter pen then covered it in Diamond Glaze.  I just LOVE the shine combined with the sparkle!!

Another close-up picture...but this time I'm showing you the sparkle (Frosted Lace Stickles) I added to the clear snowflake embellishment!

There is PLENTY more Impression Obsession inspiration for you to see!!  Check out what Becca, Denise, Michelle, & Tosh have created!

Oh...and did you see the blog candy Michelle is offering??!!?!  I SO want that punch!!  Do you think she'd notice if I left a gazillion comments??  LOL!  Seriously though, it's some great looking candy!

Well, school is in full swing for us and my days have suddenly gotten shorter!!  LOL!  I love it though...it's so rewarding to be such an integral part of my children's lives and I count myself extremely blessed for it!  So...if you see some gaps in my posting here, you know why!  :-)

I hope you all have an amazing day!!  ~Laurie

Stamps: Ornament Chickadee (Impression Obsession)
Paper:  Choice White c.s., My Mind's Eye the Merry Days of Christmas Collection
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Old Paper Distress ink, Moulin Rouge Palette ink
Accessories:  Quick Kutz Nesting Label die, Burgundy Velvet ribbon, Heidi Swapp Snowflake ghost shape, Button, Tiny Twinkles, Corner Rounder punch