Just Give Me Stamps...

Christmas Wreath...

Good morning!  Are you all staying healthy?  Our family has been hit pretty hard with Influenza...actually the only one that escaped getting it is my DH (lucky duck!!)!  I think we are all finally starting on the mend though, and I can't tell you how glad I will be to get our normal routine back! 

Last night, Flourishes released six brand new Christmas sets and they are all available at Stamper's Dream!  I've mentioned it before, but I have a MAJOR thing for wreaths!!  Love, love, love them!   So when Michelle sent me this Christmas Wreath set I squealed with delight!  If there ever was a gorgeous, elegant, & completely beautiful wreath stamp, then this is it!!

One thing I have to tell you...when I first sat down to stamp with this I was intimidated!  You see, I'm not a color-er by nature.  I have to really work at it.  I was pleasantly surprised to find that this is one of the easiest images to color!  Really!!  All the shading is done for you (they are already drawn in)!  I showed this card to my DH (who is not easily impressed - I think he would make an excellent card critic LOL!!), and the first thing he said was, "Wow!  Your coloring is wonderful!".  So...a stamp that can make anyone look like an artist, well count me in!!  LOL!  :-)

There is more Flourishes inspiration to be seen over at Amy & Tosh's blogs!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you have a lovely weekend!  ~Laurie

Stamps:  Christmas Wreath (Flourishes)
Paper:  Scarlet Jewel (PTI), Lily Bee (Audrey) patterned paper, Choice Buttercream (TE)
Ink:  Rich Cocoa Memento Ink, Versamark
Accessories:  Copic markers, Kaiser Pearls, Burgundy embossing powder, Sewing Machine, Stickles, Diamond Glaze, Cuttlebug dies, Ticket corner punch (SU!), White gel pen
 
 

WSC101 Thanks...

Happy Friday!!  This is my second post for today, so please scroll down or click HERE to see my first post (you won't want to miss the AWESOME blog candy opportunity!!)!

Have you ever had one of those days (or weeks LOL!) that you completely lose track of time?  That's me today...I had NO idea it was Friday!  I honestly thought it was Thursday!  Aack!  Somewhere along the way I lost a day! 

So, here's my {late} sample for Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge...

I used Papertrey Ink's Autumn Abundance set to create this thank you card.  After stamping the main image on Stamper's Select White c.s. I colored it in with my Copics and then framed it with one of the border stamps from Vintage Labels.  The Lemon Tart panel has embossed polka dots (from Polka Dot Basics II).  I stamped the "Thanks" stamp from Mega Mixed Messages onto a little tag (created from a punch).  I embossed diagonal lines using my Scor-Pal to create a textured background.  I then added some Enchanted Evening Luxe Satin ribbon, Buttons, a Dew Drop, and a punched border for embellishments.

You can see Beate's sketch HERE.  For some creative sketch inspiration, check out what Cami, Charmaine, Jenn, Lori, & Sharon  have made!  :-)

I hope you enjoy your day!  ~Laurie

Stamps:  Autumn Abundance, Polka Dot Basics II, Mega Mixed Messages, Vintage Labels (PTI)
Paper:  Stamper's Select White, Lemon Tart, Kraft c.s. (PTI)
Ink:  Tuxedo Black Memento ink, Enchanted Evening, Versamark
Accessories:  Copic markers, Enchanted Evening Luxe Satin ribbon (PTI), Enchanted Evening buttons (PTI), Martha Stewart Tag punch, Apron Lace border punch (Fiskars), Scor-Pal, Clear detail e.p.
 

Some AMAZING Blog Candy!!

Have you seen THIS post over at Sealed with a Stamp blog??  Nicki is having some UNBELIEVABLE blog candy!!  WOW!!!  She has written why she is offering such wonderful gifts, and let me just warn you...you'll need a tissue!  Nicki, what an amazing friend you are!

We have not ever dealt with any illness of the same magnitude as her friend is, but we have gone through (and still going through to a point) a major illness (our daughter had a brain tumor).  The stress from the illness alone is HUGE but couple that with financial stress....well, you can imagine!  We have been the recipients of extreme generosity and there just are not words to express what that meant to us!  Well, what Nicki has organized to help her friend (as well as the amazing sponsors) is nothing short of amazing!!  I hope you get a chance to click over to her blog and check it out!!

Hugs!  ~Laurie

Sing...

Good morning!  It's my turn to share the project I created for this month's Verve Project Parade!  The theme this month is "Encouraging Words".  If you are a follower of Verve Stamps at all, then you know that almost every set Julee makes is brimming with encouragment!  :-)

I chose to create a little wall hanging featuring the quote from Swan Song.  It's a such a lovely quote, and a beautiful reminder - one that is deserving to be seen daily!  :-)

For all the details on how I created this and to learn about how you can win a $35 Gift Certificate to the Verve Stamps store, check out my post over at the Verve Blog!

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you enjoy your day!  ~Laurie

 
Stamps:  Swan Song (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  Vellum c.s. (PTI), Bo Bunny patterned paper (Kitchen Spice Cinnamon)
Ink:  Anna Griffin Brown pigment ink, Antique Linen Distress ink, Vintage Photo Distress ink
Accessories:  Rectangle Scallop chipboard(Maya Road), Bird and Branch chipboard (Maya Road), Sewing Machine, Prima flower, Dew Drops, Aqua Mist button (PTI), Aqua Mist satin ribbon (PTI), Ric-Rac ribbon 

Almost Clean & Simple...

I'm back with another Christmas card to share with you!  So...as a little disclaimer of sorts...I'm not the "clean and simple" kind of girl.  I mean, I LOVE the look but I just can't seem to make it happen.  I always add a little of this and a little of that and before I know it, it's not clean and simple any more!  LOL!  So, with that in mind...here's my version of clean and simple!  :-)

To my credit, I did keep my layers to a minimum, right?!? 

I stamped the swirly string (from the new Wings of Joy set by Taylored Expressions) onto Choice Snow White cardstock.  I then stamped the ornament five times so that it looked like they were all hanging from the string!    After coloring the ornaments with my Copics, I added some Crystal Effects to make them appear shiny!  I also added a bit of Silver Smooch to the ornament tops. 

The embossed background is done with a new Quickutz embossing folder I recently received (Diamond & Dots).  To finish it off, I added some red & white polka dot ribbon and a button.  Oh, I wanted the illusion of the focal layer being matted, but was trying my darndest to stay with the clean and simple theme, so I rubbed the edges with some silver ink. 

Well, that's all from me today, but I'll be back tomorrow with something new for you to see!  :-)   ~Laurie

 
Stamps:  Wings of Joy (Taylored Expressions)
Paper:  Choice Snow White cardstock
Ink:  Tuxedo Black Memento Ink, Silver Brilliance ink
Accessories:  Copics, Nestabilities, Red & white polka dot ribbon, Silver Fox smooch, Button, String, Quickutz Diamonds & Dots embossing folder, Copic air gun, Crystal Effects, Stickles, Scor-Pal

A Joyful Christmas Planner...

It's my turn to share a project on the Stamp a Sweet Impression blog today!  I've posted a fun and easy little Christmas Planner book - perfect for keeping all of your Holiday lists in one place!

   

If you get a chance, let me know what you think!  :-)   ~Laurie

What's Brewing?

Hi!  It's going to be a super short post today as I have now gotten what my boys had...YUCK!!  I thought while I was waiting for my ibuprofen to kick in, I would come on here and share a card I made a couple days ago.  :-)

I have to tell you how excited I was to stamp this card!  I just LOVE gingham patterns, and when I saw the Gingham Cover-a-Card stamp I was over the moon happy!!  Finding gingham patterned papers (especially in the colors I like) is really hard...but now I can have gingham whenever my heart desires!!  Woohooo!!  So, yeah...expect to see a lot more gingham!  LOL!  These cover a card stamps are big ( 5 3/4" x 5 3/4"), so they will fit just about ANY size of card you'd like to make!  They are cling stamps (deeply etched red rubber with a cling backing) that are designed to be used with clear acrylic blocks.  I used the new Mega Mount 6" x 6" Rocker Acrylic Mount (expect to see more info on that from me...because it's AWESOME!!).

For my main image, I stamped one of the coffee cups from Impression Obsession's What's Brewing? set (also a cling mount stamp :-) using Rich Cocoa Memento ink.  Before coloring it in with my Copics, I lightly stamped the coffee beans for a subtle background (also included in the What's Brewing?set).  I tied it up using some luscious 2" Mauve Crushed Wired ribbon (by May Arts) and some Ivory Prima flowers.

Here's a close-up of the cup so you can see the Diamond Glaze I added to the coffee!  See those cute little polka dots on the cup?  I got the idea from Nichole Heady (you can click HERE to see the latest post she did this technique on)...I just LOVE the look!  

I didn't have any room on the outside for the sentiment, so I decorated the inside (very similar to the front of the card) and added the "What's Brewing" sentiment (also from the What's Brewing? set).  Oh, I almost forgot to mention the new Nesabilities I got (Nestabilities Labels Six)!  I loooooove this shape!  I used them on both the front and the inside....so fun!  :-)

Okay...so this post wasn't as short as I thought it would be {{grin}}.  I am headed for bed now, though.  Hope you all have a peaceful night!  ~Laurie

 
Stamps:  What's Brewing? (Impression Obsession)
Paper:  Kraft paper (PTI), Choice Buttercream c.s. (Taylored Expressions)
Ink:  Pink Grapefruit Versamagic Dew Drop, Vintage Cream (PTI), Creamy Caramel (Stampin' Up!)
Accessories:  Clear detail e.p. (Judikins), Diamond Glaze (Judikins), Nestabilities Labels 6, Sewing Machine, Martha Stewart border punch, Buttons (PTI), May Arts ribbon, Flowers
  
 

Give Thanks...

Hi!  I hope you all are having a wonderful weekend! 

Today I have a fun but simple card to share wtith you!  You see, I was on the phone talking with Tosh the other day.  Nothing out of the ordinary...as we talk quite regularly!  (She's the one that does most of the talking...I just listen!  LOL!!  Okay, okay...I'm probably the one that does 3/4 of the talking....)  Anyway, I was stamping the card below while I was talking to her and I started to describe what I was doing.  Well, half way through she says, "NO WAY...are you embossing the leaves (I was telling her that I was using the Happiness Found set from Verve) using clear embossing powder on the patterned paper??"!  I was a bit weirded out at that point...you know, looking for the hidden camera an all!  I mean, how could she know what I was doing before I even finished telling her about it?  Well, it's because she JUST did the same thing!  I know...how cool is that?  :-)  So, we decided we would both post our (clear embossed leaves on patterned paper) cards today! 

Here's what I came up with:

 

  Pretty simple really...but I just loved the color combo!  I just pulled the colors from the patterned paper (the new Cosmo Cricket Nutmeg line...YUM-O!!).  The verse is from Verve Stamps as well (1 Chronicles 16:34), and is embossed using Chocolate Chip craft ink and Clear Detail embossing powder.  Oh, and just pretend the bow and buttons are brown and not almost black looking, okay?  :-)  They actually are a nice dark brown in real life...my camera just likes to think it's black.  Sigh...

Ok...you HAVE to go check out what Tosh made!  I can tell you right now, her's will have a ton of gorgeous details!!  She's amazing!

Hope you enjoy your Saturday!  Hugs, Laurie

 
Stamps:  Happiness Found, 1 Chronicles 16:34 (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  Dark Chocolate, Rustic White, Melon Berry (PTI), Cosmo Cricket Nutmeg patterned paper
Ink:  Chocolate Chip craft ink (SU!), Versamark
Other:  Clear Detail e.p., Dark Chocolate Buttons, Dark Chocolate satin ribbon (PTI), Border punch, Sewing Machine, Cuttlebug embossing folder, Cutter Bee, Corner punch

With Gratitude...

Hooray for Friday!  :-)  Sorry I'm a bit late sharing my sample for this week's Weekend Sketch Challenge.  My boys have been very sick.  Remember that fever I mentioned?  Yeah, well they STILL have it!  Ugh! 

If you've read my blog for a while, then you already know what a fan I am of layering!  And Beate's sketch is the perfect one to add layers!  :-)   {{insert sigh of contentment}}   

 

I used my brand new Peace and Plenty and Very Vintage Labels sets (from Waltzingmouse Stamps) to create this thank you card.  It looks like Claire has sold out of the Very Vintage Labels (a seriously awesome set that coordinates with the Spellbinder's Nestabilities Labels Four!!), but is working on getting more!  :-)

Sorry for such a short post...but my little one is in need of some "mommy time"!  Before I go, I should tell you that Beate, Cambria, Charmaine, Jenn, Mary Jo, & Sharon have some more Weekend Sketch eye candy up for you to see!  :-)  ~Laurie

 
Stamps:  Peace & Plenty, Very Vintage Labels (Waltzingmouse Stamps)
Paper:  Rustic White c.s. (PTI), Patterned paper (sorry, I can't remember who made it and there isn't a label on it)
Ink:  Bermuda Bay, Chocolate Chip craft ink (Stampin' Up!), Memento Rich Cocoa ink
Accessories:  Copic markers, Nestabilities Labels, Ribbon, Prima flower, Cuttlebug Script embossing folder, Sewing Machine, Orange Zest button, Wire

It's All About the Texture...

Well, happy Thursday!  I hope that your week is going well! 

The card I have to share with you today is one that I made for a friend's daughter.  She just turned 16 and I wanted to send her what I hope is an age appropriate card!  :-)  AND, hopefully she will like it soooo much that she will forget about it being late!!  (I know, my bad!) 

 
I have a "thing" for texture!  I just love adding it to my projects...weather it be with embellishments, embossing, dry embossing, sewing, ink distressing, or roughing up the edges...I love it all!  You know, I think I actually added all of those things on this card!  LOL! 

After embossing the background pieces using my Scor-Pal, I rubbed some Chocolate Chip ink over the edges, as well as stitching in random places.  The "You Rock" sentiment and star (both from Verve Stamp's You Rock set) are both embossed using Chocolate Chip craft ink and Clear Detail embossing powder.  To accentuate the swirls and little star, I added some turquoise colored mini rhinestones.

Well, that's all from me today! I hope you have a blessed day!  ~Laurie

 
Stamps:  You Rock (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  Choice Buttercream (Taylored Expressions), Kraft c.s. (PTI), Dark Chocolate (PTI), Bermuda Bay (Stampin' Up!)
Ink:  Chocolate Chip craft pad (Stampin' Up!), Chocolate Chip classic pad (Stampin' Up!), Antique Linen Distress Ink
Accessories:  Clear Detail e.p., Star punch (Stampin' Up!), Cuttlebug embossing folder, Scor-Pal, Polka Dot ribbon, Rhinestone brad, Mini Rhinestones, Sewing Machine