Just Give Me Stamps...

Just as I Promised...

It didn't take me long to break into Valentine's mode!  After I wrote up my post last night, I couldn't stop thinking about it...and the idea for this card hit me!  :-) 

  

I had my new Valentine's set from Waltzingmouse Stamps sitting on my desk (it will be released January 4th) and I was anxious to get it inky!  :-)  I am seriously in love with that polka dot heart!  Mmmm, mmmm!

Well, I need to go and start my bread!  We're getting together with some family friends tonight to celebrate the new year, and I'm cooking!

I hope you all have a safe and FUN New Year's Day!  Hugs, Laurie

Stamps:  Valentine's Day set (Waltzingmouse Stamps)
Paper:  Aqua Mist, Raspberry Fizz, True Black (PTI)
Ink:  Aqua Mist Hybrid (PTI), Versamark
Other:  Black Detail e.p., Button Twine, Black Button (PTI), Cutter Bee/Scor-Pal

Celebrate...

Wow!  It's been a whole week since I've posted...  You can almost hear the crickets!  LOL!  We've been busy here...just being together!  Before Christmas my little guys got sick, then like the good kids I've taught them to be, they shared it with the rest of us!  :-)  We took this much needed down time and read books together, played games, took naps, and then read some more!  :-)

One of my goals this year, is to not only make birthday cards...but send them ON TIME!!  I know, quite an undertaking, but I'm determined to give it my best effort!  :-)  Because I have several early January birthday cards to send, I went to my stamp room and got busy!

 

I wanted the color theme to be a fun one...and as far away from Christmas colors as I could manage...heheheee!  I thought this fun October Afternoon patterned paper (Report Card Collection) would do the trick nicely!  After stamping the main image (from JustRite's Just a Note set), I added just a bit of color using my Copic markers.  The star image was created using my Star Nestabilities (LOVE this shape, and I really should play more with them!). 

OH, and here is some wonderfully fun and enabling news!  If you've been wanting some of the new JustRite stamps, NOW is your chance to get them on sale!  They are all 10% off right now!  You can always check out the Sales and Specials section to what deals Michelle has cooked up! 

I don't know about you, but I am SO excited about Valentine's Day!  All the pretty colors (pinks, reds, and purples) are just calling my name...  So, fair warning here...there will be LOTS of Valentine's cards and projects coming!  :-)

Thanks for stopping by!  ~Laurie

Baked With Love...

Happy Wednesday!!  Can you believe it's only TWO days until Christmas?  We are almost ready, just a few more gifts to wrap.  Our little guys haven't been feeling so well, so some of the "last minute prep" stuff just went by the wayside...but you know, I think that's o.k. because there is more time to spend with each instead of running around trying to get things done!  :-) 

Here's some home baked gifts that I whipped up the other day...

After baking these Soft Ginger Cookies (see below for the recipe) with my daughter, I packaged them up in these Glassine bags.  I prettied up the bags with some labels I created using the Baked With Love set.  I was so excited when Michelle started carrying these stamps (the new Cookbookin' Line) because I LOVE to bake and can already see the fun recipe cards, mini cookbooks, and of course tags that I will make to go with those baked goodies!  :-)

Here are some close-up pictures of the tags... 

The striped bands were created by stamping the Thin Stripes background stamp (Impression Obsession) onto white cardstock.  I then added a punched Kraft border, some White Crochet Lace, and some red ribbon and buttons.

I also added some Diamond Glaze to the bowl...just a little something that I think makes it more special.  :-)

On this one, I added some White Liquid Applique and Glitter to the spatula.

For this tag, I added some White Sparkly Fluff to the flour jar, and some Frosted Lace Stickles to the sugar!  

My love affair with Ginger Cookies started in Seattle!  LOL!  When my daughter was in the Seattle Children's Hospital, my sweet friend Tosh came to visit us.  They had a Tully's Coffee shop in the hospital (OHHHHH how I was grateful for that!  LOL!) and Tosh and I both fell in love with their Soft Ginger Cookies!!!  Mmmmm!  Ali ended up staying longer in the hospital than expected...and I happened to celebrate my birthday while we were still there.  Well, being the amazing friend that she is, Tosh called and had Tully's deliver one of those amazing cookies to Ali's room for me!!  

Anyway, I've been on a mission to try as many soft ginger cookie recipes since then, and here is one of my favorites so far:

Soft Ginger Cookies

1/2 c softened butter
2 oz. softened cream cheese
1 c. white sugar
1/4 c molasses
1 egg
1 Tbsp water
2 1/4 c all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
1 Tbsp ground ginger
pinch of nutmeg (optional)  I add this sometimes...and other times I don't.
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp salt
Extra sugar for rolling
Clear Decorator Sprinkles

Preheat oven to 350.  Cream the butter, cream cheese, and sugar until well blended and fluffy.  Add the egg and molasses, and water.  Mix well.  Add the remaining ingredients till blended.  Shape into balls, rollin extra sugar.  Flatten just a little bit, then sprinkle on Clear Decorator Sprinkles.  Bake in a 350 oven for 10-12 minutes (edges should be just slightly browned and center still soft).

O.k...that's all from me!  If I don't get back here before Christmas, I want to wish you all a VERY Merry Christmas!!  Huge hugs!!  ~Laurie

 
Stamps:  Baked With Love (Cookbookin'), Thin Stripes background stamp (Impression Obsession), Snowflake Splendor(Verve Stamps)
Ink:  White Stazon, Rich Cocoa Memento, Antique Linen Distress Ink
Paper:  Snow White Choice c.s., White textured c.s., Kraft c.s.
Accessories:  White Liquid Applique, Glitter, Nestabilities, Ribbon, Crochet lace, Diamond Glaze, White Sparkly Fluff, Frosted Lace Stickles, Copics

An Apple Notebook For the Teacher...

Over the next few days, I thought I'd share with you some of the gifts that I've made!  I've made more gifts this year than I have in a long time, and I LOVE it!  There are so many people that I want to give a small gift to...especially those that invest in my children (Piano Teacher, Dance Instructor, Sunday School Teachers, Youth Group Leaders, and School Teachers).  While we will mostly be giving away baked goodies (Pumpkin Bread, Praztli's, Soft Ginger Cookies, & Spitzbuben), I do have some papercrafted presents to give away as well!  

Aren't these colors fun together?  I just love the fun, brightness of Aqua Mist, Spring Moss, & Pure Poppy together!  The Dark Chocolate and hint of Kraft add a slight homespun feel that I think will be perfect for the Teachers out here in our little rural school!

We've always homeschooled our kids, but recently they have been attending school "part-time" (most of their school is still done here at home, but they have been able to participate in art and other special activities at the school).  So, these cute little notebooks (along with some homemade goodies) will be J & B's gifts to give to their teachers! 

 

I used the Polka Dot Basics set to create a fun background on the Spring Moss layer.  The sentiment is from the Teacher's Apple set.  Of course I had to add some buttons (I chose Srping Moss)!  :-)  I can't even tell you how happy it makes me to have matching buttons!!

 I chose the type font from the Text Styles Background Basics set to create the background on the Aqua Mist layer.  I stamped three different patterns of apples (also from the Teacher's Apple set) onto Stamper's Select White cardstock, cut them out, popped them up using foam dots, and added a stems, leaves, & rhinestones.

 

Here's a little peek at the inside.  In addition to the White Notepad, I added a little flap that could serve as a pocket...just a little something extra.  :-)  

Thanks so much for stopping by!  ~Laurie

Taylored Expressions KI Challenge...

Happy Sunday morning!  Today, part of the Taylored Expressions DT is taking part in this month's Key Ingredients Subscription Challenge - "Last Minute Gift Packaging".  I'm sure I can't be the only one still working on a few gifts...can I?  LOL!  I am happy to say that I am almost finished though...just a few more presents to wrap! 

For my quick packaging, I turned to one of my favorite purse templates (you can find Mel's template HERE)!  I just love how quickly it came together...perfect for those last minute gifts!  :-)  

 

All supplies (except for the Celebrate Life set I used to stamp on the tag) are from this month's Key Ingredient Subscription Kit!  If you're not familiar with Taylor's KI Subscription Kits, you can read more about it here on her blog!  It's a fun way to receive new paper crafting supplies (that all coordinate) each month!  Also, there's the new pay by the month feature where instead of paying upfront for the 3 or 6 month subscriptions, you will only pay one month at a time! 

Here's a close-up of the front of the purse.  I used one of the Spellbinder's Fancy Tags die to create the label, and then stamped the Blessings sentiment (from Celebrate Life) on it.

I used some of the coordinating ribbon (included in the kit) for the handle.  I scored some diagonal lines and then added some Candy Dots to them.  (The Candy Dots and Prima flowers are also from this month's KI Subscription Kit!)

You won't want to miss seeing what Dawn, Karen M., Jackie, Sankari, & Taylor have created...lots of gift packaging inspiration!!

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

A Little Birdie Told Me...

Happy Wednesday evening!  :-)  I took another little "crafty" break today...it was heavenly!  :-)  I really had fun with this one...lots of layering, embellishments, cutting...MAJOR stamping therapy! 

Want to see what I made?   

I saw my new Sewing Box Hugs set (from Waltzingmouse Stamps) just sitting there on my stamp desk...all lonely and un-inked and the idea for this card just came to me!  I LOVE it when that happens!  (I wish it would happen more often...LOL!) 

I embossed the images directly onto patterned paper. Isn't this paper DELICIOUS??  It's the new Cottage Collection line from Crate Paper...yummy!  I wanted the flowers to have some dimension...so there is a little paper tole action going on (layered elements on foam tape)!  Oh, and I have to tell you about the tag I created!  I started by stamping the graph paper background stamp (from the Off Beat Backgrounds set) very lightly using Sahara Sand ink.  I then embossed the scalloped tag "topper" (from the Very Vintage Labels No. 1 set) using Chocolate Chip craft ink and Clear detail e.p....I just LOVE these Nestie Friendly sets!

 

I added a little tag at the bottom (sentiment is from the Sewing Box Hugs set), and some rhinestones on the little hearts (also from the Sewing Box Hugs set :-).

This is almost UNHEARD of for me...but I think I am going to be early...very early!  I'm just wiped out!  LOL!  Our middle son had his birthday today...he's SIX years old!  They grow up so fast, don't they?  :-)  Ok, now I'm chattering...hehehee!  I hope you have a wonderful evening!  ~Laurie

 
Stamps:  Sewing Box Hugs, Off Beat Backgrounds, Very Vintage Labels No. 1 (all from Waltzingmouse Stamps)
Paper:  Crate Paper (Cottage Collection), Dark Chocolate (PTI)
Ink:  Chocolate Chip craft ink, Vintage Photo Distress Ink
Accessories:  Clear Detail e.p., Nestabilities, Sewing Machine, Mini rhinestones, Buttons, Buttons string, Polka dot ribbon, Fiskars Apron Lace punch, Stickles

You & Me...

Hi!  Long time no post...  LOL!  Busy doesn't even begin to describe my life right now!  I'm sure that I'm not alone in that, though.  I've come to the conclusion that I can only do what I can do!  LOL!  I've also decided that in the midst of all my "doing", that it's important to take little breaks!  Little moments to stop and really enjoy my family!  Something else I've noticed is that if I take just a few minutes here and there to do something that I really enjoy, it really does re-energize me!

Ok, enough blah, blah, blah...  LOL!  I'm here to show you what I made today during one of my breaks!  :-) 

 

I've had this new Be Loved paper kit (by My Mind's Eye) for a while now and couldn't wait to break into it!  I just adore the trendy color combo...and the slightly vintage look is just right up alley!  :-)  Now, this may be hard to believe...but I DID NOT STAMP anything on this card!!!  I know, crazy right?  :-)  I couldn't help it though, these C*U*T*E bird chipboard pieces  just needed to be "center stage"!  Trust me when I say this card came together SOOO quickly!!  I used some coordinating paper (from the Be Loved kit) on the birds, but decided to use the bird cage "as is".  :-) 

These birds looked like they needed a little something "extra" so I reached for some Ultra-fine Crystal glitter...I do love me some sparkle!  :-)  The sweet little "You & Me" is a rub-on I've had in my stash for...well, a LONG time!  LOL!  To finish the card, I stuck a Heart Trinket pin and a Crystal Trinket pin (both by Maya Road) into the lace bow.

Well, I am off to play Chinese Checkers with the kiddos!  I hope you have a wonderful and peaceful evening!  :-)  Hugs, Laurie

 
Paper:  Be Loved patterned paper (My Mind's Eye), Kraft c.s. (PTI)
Ink:  Antique Linen Distress Ink
Accessories:  Birds Chipboard (Maya Road), Heart & Crystal Trinket pink (Maya Road), Rustic Button String (PTI), Buttons, Lace Trim, Glitter, Sewing Machine, Rub-on (SU!)
 
 
 

"Be My Valentine" Sneak Peek...

Tonight I have a peek of one of the brand new Click Simple templates from Papertrey Ink!  Just WAIT until you see these templates...SOOOO fun!!  It was such an honor to work with the "Window to My Heart" shape (designed by the very talented Kim Huges), which is one of four templates included in the "Be My Valentine" download!

Oh how I {heart} this template!  With so many different options, not only does it allow me to make a variety of different projects, but the value is incredible!  The card base template is perfect for creating quick cards that look like they took a lot of time!  Both the Outline and Stitching templates are great add-ons to cards, journals, scrapbook pages, or even framed art!  I just love the ability to resize the images to fit whatever project I have in mind!  I plan on using this template year round for Wedding cards, Friendship cards, Just Because cards, and of course Valentine’s cards!

The details on my project (complete with supply list, instructions, and detail photos) are included in the template download.  These new templates will debut on December 15th!

You can follow all of the Sneak Peek goodness over at Nichole's blog, as well as see more template peeks over at Kim, Charmaine, Geny, & Jennifer's blogs!

Thanks so much for stopping by!!  ~Laurie

Come Let Us Adore Him...

Good morning!  It's been COOOOLD here...like 25 degrees BELOW zero in the mornings!  Yikes!  I think we may have gotten up to 10 BELOW zero for a high yesterday...that's without the wind chill!  I was talking with my friend Tosh, well...complaining to her actually (heheheee), and she reminded me that I start my complaining about this time every year!  LOL!!!  It just takes me a while to acclimate to these temps, I guess!  :-)

I've got another Christmas card to share with you today!  In between what I didn't send out last year (things were pretty crazy for us then) and what I've made this year I think I'm ready to get them all sent!  YAY!!  Now, just to find some spare time to sit down and write them!  :-)

I was in the mood to color, so I grabbed this cute little image (Nativity 1 from Stampavie), embossed it on watercolor paper....and then just stared at it!  LOL!!  You see, I started with the intention of watercoloring with my Tombow markers, but felt incredibly intimidated when it came right down to it.  What was I thinking?  LOL!  I then remembered a tutorial that the very sweet Jerri Jiminez put up on her blog that shows step by step how to watercolor with Tombows!  Wooohooo!

Well, my image did NOT turn out like anything Jerri would have done, but I did learn a lot!  I had no idea you were supposed to wet the paper a little before first!  Anyway, I still have a lot to learn but I will enjoy practicing!  These markers are so easy to work with and the whole process from start to finish is surprisingly quick!  When my image was dry, I used one of my Labels 8 Nestabilities dies to make the pretty shape of the focal layer!

For the sentiment, I chose to use one of the stamps from the Holiday Demi Phrases set (by JustRite Stampers).  These stamps are designed to be used with the 2" round stamper, but I had a a bit of a "wild hair" idea and thought I would see if I could use it with the smaller oval stamper!  Guess what?  It worked!  :-)

After stamping the sentiment onto watercolor paper, I used my little craft scissors and trimmed around it.  I adhered it behind my main image and then added some ribbon and a bow!  I thought my card still needed something, so I added some Dew Drops to the bottom of the card, as well as some Frosted Lace Stickles to various places on the image.

Well, I better go and get busy!  My "To-Do" list is a mile long!  :-)  I hope you have a wonderful day!  ~Laurie

 
Stamps:  Nativity 1 (Stampavie), Holiday Demi Phrases (JustRite Stampers)
Paper:  Watercolor paper, Rustic Cream c.s. (PTI), K & Co. patterned paper
Ink:  Versafine Onyx, Aqua Mist (PTI), Antique Linen Distress ink
Accessories:  Clear detail e.p., Labels 8 Nestabilities, Sewing Machine, Dew Drops, Frosted Lace Stickles, Tombow markers, Aqua Mist Twill (PTI), Aqua Mist button (PTI)
 
 

Quick Little Cider Holder...

Happy Monday to you!  So, do you have all of your Christmas shopping/preparations finished?  I think I am probably 3/4 done.  I always tell myself that I want to be completely finished by December 1st so that I have lots of time to just enjoy the time with my family...but I have yet to make it happen!  LOL!  I've decided that if I get half of everything else done then I will be happy.  I always have to remind myself that it doesn't have to be perfect to be memorable!  :-)

 

I received an envelope from Claire (owner of Waltzingmouse Stamps) the other day and when I opened it, I literally squealed with delight!  Inside was the brand new Little Box Labels set!!  It's designed to create boxes and various holders.  Well, you know how much I LOVE making boxes!!  I have several projects planned out in my head already!  LOL!

First things first though...I need to finish up making my Christmas gifts!  LOL!  For this little holder, I combined some of my most favoritest (if that isn't a word, it should be LOL!) things ever:  Kraft cardstock and Vellum!!  I embossed the snowflake (all images are from the Little Box Labels set) in white on the Vellum cardstock.

I almost forgot to tell you what inside of my little holder!  LOL!  I picked up some of these gourmet cider packets at a local store, thinking that they would be perfect for teachers, Sunday School teachers, and neighbors!  I have several of the tags finished already (it's SOOO wonderful that Claire makes these labels Nestie friendly...not only are they decorative, but QUICK to assemble!!  :-) so I should be able to finish up the other 7 or so in no time!

Well that's all from me this morning...but I will be back later today with something else to share!  :-)  OH, and we had the YUMMIEST chicken dinner last night (definitely not a fat free kind of meal though)...I will share the recipe later today as well!   Hugs, Laurie

 
Stamps:  Little Box Labels (Waltzingmouse Stamps)
Paper:  Vellum c.s. (PTI), Kraft c.s. (PTI)
Ink:  White caft (SU!), Moulin Rouge (Palette), Versamark
Accessories:  White e.p., Button, Riding Hood Red ribbon (SU!), White crochet lace (May Arts), Fiskars border punch, String, Nestabilities Labels 5