Just Give Me Stamps...

A Totally Creepy (and a Bit Scrappy) Halloween Card...

Do you ever have those days where everything comes together so nicely...and quickly?  I LOVE it when that happens!!  Too bad it doesn't happen more often!  LOL!  Well, it was like that when I made this card!  Literally, it just came together in minutes!  

 
Admittedly, I did get carried away with the sewing.  I'm not sure how that happened...I just started stitching and before I knew it the whole card was covered with it!  LOL!! 

I used the spider web, bat, & sentiment (totally creepy) from the Spooky Expressions set (Taylored Expressions).  The paper is some leftover scrap I had in my stash (sorry, I don't remember who made it).  All of the images are embossed using Versamark and Black detail embossing powder.

Well, that's all from me today!  I hope your day is a wonderful one!  ~Laurie

 
Stamps:  Spooky Expressions(Taylored Expressions)
Paper:  Choice Buttercream c.s.(Taylored Expressions), True Black (PTI), Polka Dot patterned paper
Ink:  Versamark, Orange Zest (PTI), Basic Gray (SU!)
Accessories:  Black Detail e.p., Circle Nestabilities, Moder Label punch (SU!), Orange grosgrain ribbon, Star pin (Making Memories), True Black buttons (PTI), Sewing Machine, Rhinestones(Kaiser Kraft), Halloween Bingo Cards (Jenni Bowlin)

Harvest Blessings...

Good morning!  I have a card to share with you that I made using one of Verve Stamps's latest release sets called Harvest Blessings!

 
I was SO excited when I opened up my stamp set and saw this wreath image!  Wreaths, to me, just speak of the Holidays!  I have one for almost every season and Holiday, but my favorites are my Autumn and Christmas wreaths!  So, naturally this was the first image I chose to ink up!  :-)

After stamping the wreath image onto Choice Buttercream c.s., I used two Circle Nestabilities (one larger and one smaller) to cut/emboss my wreath.  While the dies were still in place, I used my Copic air gun to spray on a little "warmth" using my Putty colored Copic marker.  The background is embossed using the argyle Cuttlebug embossing folder then rubbed with gold ink.

Well, I'm off to clean up the house a bit and get ready for another day of school!  Hope you all have a wonderful day!  ~Laurie

 
Stamps: Harvest Blessings (Verve Stamps), Canvas Background (SU!)
Paper: Choice Buttercream (Taylored Expressions), Soft Suede (Stampin' Up!), Patterned paper (Making Memories)
Ink: Anna Griffin Brown Pigment ink, Soft Suede (Stampin' Up!), Antique Linen Distress ink, Brilliance Gold ink
Accessories: Copic markers, Copic air gun, Top Note Sizzix die, Cuttlebug embossing folder, Ribbon, Buttons (PTI), String

Winner of the Free Typepad Blog!

Sorry I'm late posting this!!  Thanks to everyone who entered (left a comment) to win the free typepad blog for a year!  According the Random.org, the winner is #23! 

23. Hi Laurie,

I think this is fabulous news as your work is stunning! I can't wait to see what you do with Claire's stamps. Thank you for the opportunity to win a free blog!

Sincerely,
Heather J.

Posted by: Heather J. | September 29, 2009 at 06:01 PM

Congratulations, Heather!  I just sent you an email!

 

I'll be back tomorrow with something new to share!  :-)  ~Laurie

Quick Halloween Treats...

Today, I've got some super quick Halloween gifts to share with you!  Having four kids means that there are a LOT of Halloween goodies to hand out!  I wanted to make something that did not take a lot of time to create as well as being easy to mass produce. 

 I decided that tags tied to treat filled cellophane bags were going to fit my criteria (quick and easily mass produced) perfectly!  I reached for my Witch Way to the Treats set (JustRite Stampers) and stamped some tags.  I added just a splash of color using my copic markers, then mounted them on some black cardstock that I punched out with a scallop circle punch.  To finish them off, I tied on some May Arts ribbon and fibers (some I had from my stash), and then topped them off with some buttons!  I really considered adding some rhinestones or something, but then I remembered that 5 & 8 year olds rarely notice things like that when there is candy right in front of them!  LOL!

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

 
Stamps:  Witch Way to the Treats(JustRite Stampers)
Paper:  Neenah White c.s., True Black c.s. (PTI)
Ink:  Versamark
Accessories:  Black Detail e.p.(Judikins), 1 3/8" circle punch (Stampin' Up!), Scallop circle punch (Stampin' Up!), May Arts ribbon, Fibers, Orange Zest button (PTI), Lavender Moon button (PTI), Copics

Kraft-y Holiday Wishes...

Have you all recovered from yesterday yet?  I was able to spend a good part of the day yesterday in my stamp room!!  Our boys have been pretty sick, so DH took over for a while and let me have some one-on-one time with my crafting supplies!  Teehehee!  Have I mentioned what a wonderful husband I have? 

Since we are in the middle of our first snow storm of the season, I had winter and Christmas cards on my mind!  :-)  Here is one of the cards I made yesterday...

Ok...so it seems that I might have a *small* addiction to Kraft cardstock!  I've tried to adopt the "equal opportunity" way of thinking toward my crafting supplies but I think I might be too late!  This addiction seems to have completely taken over!  On the upside, I only have a few pieces left (GASP!!!) so while I wait for more to be shipped to me (oh yeah, I ordered more!!) then I will do my best to show some love to the other colors!  :-)

For my card, I embossed the gorgeous snowflake from the Very Vintage Christmas set (Waltzingmouse Stamps) in white on Kraft c.s.  I paired it with some Enchanted Evening c.s (PTI) and loved the looks so much that I wanted more of it showing.  I decided a large rounded edge would be fun, so I used a paper plate angled over the corner to trace and cut around it.  I thought the corner needed a little "sumpin' sumpin'" so I stamped the solid line border stamp and one of the flourish stamps (also from the Very Vintage Christmas set) around the curve.  The wonderful thing about clear stamps is that you can bend them (like I did with the border stamp) so what was once a straight line can be angled to fit any project!  I LOVE it!  To finish it off, I added a few mini rhinestones, some matching Enchanted Evening satin ribbon, a button, and a tag.

Well, that's all from me today!  I'll be back tomorrow with more to share (I had a very productive day yesterday)!  I hope you have a wonderful and relaxing day!  ~Laurie

 
Stamps:  Ver Vintage Christmas (Waltzingmouse Stamps)
Paper:  Kraft c.s.(PTI), Enchanted Evening c.s. (PTI), Stamper's Select White c.s. (PTI)
Ink:  Versamark, Enchanted Evening (PTI)
Accessories:  Enchanted Evening satin ribbon (PTI), Mini Rhinestones (Taylor's Tiny Twinkles), Button (Foof-a-La), Spellbinder's Tag Trio (medium size) die, White detail embossing powder (PTI), Sewing Machine
 

   

The Magic of Christmas...

Not only is today World Card Making Day, but it is also release day for Taylored Expressions!  Three brand new sets, a new Key Ingredients Kit, and a coordinating bundle!

You've seen peeks for Christmas Blessings and Wings of Joy...and today the Baker's Dozen DT is sharing projects made with the new Holiday Wonder set (the latest in the Stamp a Sweet Impression line)!

There are so many fun images in this set (including a super cute mini cuppie), but I had envisioned this card from the moment I saw this set!  I paper pieced the tree (using some Cosmo Cricket Jolly By Golly patterned paper from the Christmas Key Ingredients kit).  I created some "snowy" hills by stitching on some strips of Choice Buttercream cardstock to a Kraft c.s. base (with snowflakes stamped in Versamark).  I stamped the sentiment in Tuxedo Black Memento ink and then added some piercing around the edge of my main layer.  The simplicity of this card was just so appealing to me, so I didn't want to add to many embellishments (GASP!!!  Can you believe it??!!)!  LOL!  I decided on a couple of coordinating buttons (included in the Christmas Bundle) and a bit of Ivory Flower Soft on the trees.

To celebrate the World Card Making Day holiday Taylor is offering:
 

• a FREE download of a digi stamp for the back of your cards!!  You can read all about it (and download them) over at Taylor's blog!
• for today only, a FREE card kit (to create this card) will be included with all purchases at the Taylored Expressions store!
• WCMD challenge (and PRIZE :-) over at the Stamp a Sweet Impression Blog (hurry, because the deadline is Sunday night)!

If that wasn't enough fun...Taylor is also having a sale on the two original Holiday release stamp sets (from October of 2008)!  Both Home Sweet Home & Season's Sweetings are 25% off now through October 5th!  Here are a couple of cards that I created last year with these sets...

 
  

 To see more projects featuring the new Holiday Wonder set, check out what Charmaine, Dawn, Denise, Donna, Jackie , Jami, Jodi, Karen G., Karen M., Laura, Sankari, Sharon, & Taylor have created!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope to be back later with some more creations that I've created for some of the fantastic World Card Making Day challenges going on!!  :-)  ~Laurie

 
Stamps:  Holiday Wonder (Taylored Expressions)
Paper:  Kraft c.s. (PTI), Choice Buttercream (Taylored Expressions), Jolly By Golly patterned paper (Cosmo Cricket)
Ink:  Tuxedo Black Memento Ink, Versamark
Accessories:  Buttons, String, Sewing Machine, Ivory Flower Soft

On Wings of Joy...

I'm back with my card for Taylored Expressions's second day of sneak peeks!  This is my second post for today, so make sure to scroll down (or click HERE) to see my first post!  Today, we're peeking the new set (available Saturday October 3rd at 9 am PST) called Wings of Joy! 

 

How cute are these birds!?!?!  I love them!  Just to mix things up a bit, I made my card 4" wide by 5" tall (still fits in a regular envie for mailing).  All of the materials I used for this card (except for the Kraft c.s. - which is from my own stash and the buttons - which are from the Christmas Bundle) are from the Christmas Key Ingredients kit!   It is SUCH a fun kit this month (oh wait, I say that every month...LOL!)!  The patterned paper (Cosmo Cricket's Jolly By Golly), Choice Buttercream c.s., ribbon, chipboard snowflakes, & the Rocket Red Sparkly Fluff (I used it on the heart)...they are all from the Christmas Key Ingredients kit!  Fun, fun, fun!

I created the decorative top and bottom of the main focal layer by inserting just a portion of my piece of cardstock into one of my Nestie Label 4 dies.

To see more On Wings of Joy creations (trust me, you will want to see them...this set is SO cute), check out what Charmaine, Dawn, Denise, Donna, Jackie , Jami, Jodi, Karen G., Karen M., Laura, Sankari, Sharon, & Taylor have come up with!

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

 
Stamps:  Wings of Joy (Taylored Expressions)
Paper:  Choice Buttercream c.s., Kraft c.s., Cosmo Cricket patterned paper (Jolly By Golly)
Ink:  Tuxedo Black Memento Ink
Accessories:  Labels 4 Nesties (to create the top and bottom decorative images on my focal image layer), Fiskars border punch, Sewing Machine, Chipboard snowflake, Buttons, Ribbon, Rocket Red Sparkly Fluff, Diamond Glaze, Copics
 
 

100th Weekend Sketch Challenge!!

Happy Friday!!  :-)  Today is the 100th Weekend Sketch Challenge!  Thanks so much Beate, for providing us 100 weeks of sketch inspiration!!  This past month I haven't been able to participate very much, burt I've been looking forward to getting back to a regular schedule (read - more stamping time :-) and participating again!   

 
  

I thought that the circle element in Beate's sketch (you can see her sketch HERE) would be a perfect excuse to use one of these gorgeous Prima flowers!  Not only does it fit the sketch, but how perfect is it paired with this "To Risk" Plain Jane stamp (from Verve Stamps)!?!?!!  I chose this beautiful Graphic 45 paper for the background of my card, stitched around it, and then added some ribbon and pearls for embellishments.  That's it!  So easy!!  But you know...I'm starting to love these easy cards more and more!!  LOL!

You definitely won't want to miss playing along this week!  All of the details (and the sketch) are over at Beate's blog.  To see more samples using this sketch, check out what Beate, Cambria, Charmaine, Jenn, Lori, Mary Jo, & Sharon have created!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I'll be back in a little bit with my card for today's Taylored Expressions sneak peek!  :-)  ~Laurie

 
Stamps:  To Risk Plain Jane (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  Graphic 45 Patterned paper, Choice Buttercream c.s., Black c.s. (PTI)
Ink:  Versamark, Antique Linen Distress Ink, Vintage Photo Distress Ink
Accessories:  Black detail e.p. (Judikins), Black Pearls (Kaiser Kraft), Prima flower, Black satin ribbon (PTI), Sewing machine

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek Day One...

Today is the first day of the Taylored Expressions sneak peeks!  The set the Baker's Dozen is showing you today is the newest addition to the Lasting Impressions line called Christmas Blessings! 

With lots of wonderful Faith filled sentiments and coordinating images, this set will definitely be a favorite!

I chose to use this silhouette image of the Three Wise Men.  I embossed it using Chocolate Chip craft ink and Clear Detail e.p. directly onto some patterned paper (SEI Christmas Mint).  The sentiment is embossed (also using Choc. Chip craft ink and Clear detail e.p.) onto Choice Buttercream cardstock and I added one little red rhinestone (Taylor's Tiny Twinkles) to the star.  The gorgeous partial foiled patterned paper is from the SEI Christmas Mint collection and let me tell you..it is STUNNING!!  I didn't even want to use it...I thought it should be framed!!  :-)  Good thing I can get more, because it (along with all of the new stamp sets) will be available this Saturday (October 3rd) at 9 am at the Taylored Expressions store!  For those finishing touches, I added some Brown/Cream polka dot ribbon, a rounded corner, a decorative brad, two small copper brads,  and some stitching along the bottom edge.

There is more Christmas Blessings inspiration to be seen!  Check out what Charmaine, Denise, Donna, Jackie , Jami, Jodi, Karen G., Karen M., Sankari, Sharon, & Taylor have created!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I'll be back tomorrow with another Taylored Expressions sneak peek!  ~Laurie

Stamps:  Christmas Blessings (Taylored Expressions)
Paper:  Choice Buttercream c.s, Dark Chocolate (PTI), SEI Christmas Mint patterned paper
Ink:  Chocolate Chip craft ink (SU!)
Accessories:  Clear detail e.p. (Judikins), Labels 4 Nestabilities, Sewing Machine, Taylored Tiny Twinkles, Corner rounder punch, Brown/Cream polka dot ribbon, Decorative brad, Aged copper brads