Just Give Me Stamps...

Free Spirit - Boy Sneak Peek...

Have you been following all the Waltzingmouse sneak peeks so far?  Well, let me just say that you are in for a major treat!!  The new sets Claire is releasing on Thursday are FABULOUS!! 

I'm sure I've mentioned here before that three out of the four kids DH and I have are boys.  I find myself always struggling to make them cards, for many reasons.  One reason is I just don't have that many masculine images...and another reason is, well...I like to "pretty" my cards up and they end up not being masculine at all!  LOL!  Well, I actually squealed out loud when I saw the "Free Spirit - Boy" and "Free Spirit - Sentiments" sets!  They couldn't be more perfect!!   

 

This first card was actually designed in my head well before I even had the stamps in hand!  You see, my oldest son LOVES paper airplanes!  I find them EVERYWHERE!!  Behind bookshelves, on his bed, in the closets...these things are literally all over our house!  We got him a book that gives instructions on how to make over 50 different planes and when he mastered those he started creating his own designs!  So, naturally my first card with the Free Spirit - Boy set would use the paper airplane!!  :-) 

Against every card making instinct in me, I kept it very, very simple!  I chose a sentiment from the Free Spirit - Sentiments set that would work for just about any occasion.

While I had the orange, green, & blue cardstock out I decided to make another card similar to the first one.  I chose different images and a different sentiment but kept the layout somewhat similar.
 

To spruce it up a bit, I added some twill and a couple of large metal eyelets.
 
Both of these sets will be released tomorrow!!  AND, to celebrate the new release there will be a blog "waltz" (the Waltzingmouse Stamps version of a blog hop)!  So, I will see you back here tomorrow for that!  :-)

In the mean time, check out what Anya, Belinda, Bonnie, Claire, & Julia have created!

I hope you have a fantastic day!  ~Laurie

Memory Lane...

Well, a great big happy Monday to you!  Time is absolutely flying by for me...I mean, wasn't it just Monday last week?  Sigh...

Just in case you weren't ready for it to be Monday, I have some wonderful news!  All week, the Stamper's Dream DT is bringing you samples made withImpression Obsession stamps!   :-)

When I saw the latest Impression Obsession stamps, this set caught my eye immediately!  I LOVE it!  I actually had a bicycle similar to this one when I was a girl - complete with basket on the front and everything!  :-)

After stamping the bicycle image (from the Riding Pretty set), I lightly stamped the Music background stamp (also from Impression Obsession) on top.  I paired my colored image with some patterned papers from the Gypsy Sisters Collection (by Kaiser Kraft).  In keeping with the vintage theme, I roughed up some of the edges, did a little "messy sewing", and added some lace, ribbon, & buttons!

There is more Impression Obsession eye candy for you to see!  Check out what Becca, Leslie (she's new to the Stamper's Dream DT...a HUGE welcome to you, Leslie!!), & Michelle have created!

On a personal note...I am heading out of town tomorrow and will be gone for a little over a week.  I don't know if I will have internet access...or even time to check my email, so please be patient with me.  :-)   I do, however, have a whole week of posts ready to share with you while I'm gone!  Yay me!  LOL!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Have a blessed day!  ~Laurie

JustRite Mega march Blog Hop - Day 1...

Welcome to the JustRite Mega March Blog Hop!  I am so honored to be participating in today's hop!  We're showcasing stamps from the last release...which happens to be my favorite release yet!  I chose to work with the Plant a Little Love set.  I definitely had flowers on my mind (even though we won't see any traces of them here in Montana for quite some time), and couldn't wait to make something Spring-y and cheerful!

After stamping my image (from the Plant a Little Love set) using Rich Cocoa Memento ink and coloring it in with Copics, I used one of my Nestabilities Label 9 dies to create my embossed focal image.  I added some muslin, a decorative corner, lace and ribbon, a pin, and a button tied up with some string.  After all, beautiful stamps deserve beautiful embellishments, right?  {{{grin}}}

Okay...confession time.  I know absolutely nothing about flowers!!  I actually have no idea what kind of flowers these are!!  I decided that I don't really need to know...that I can make them any color  I want to!  I also figured that I would be pretty safe staying with the pink/coral family.  :-)

I added some micro beads to the flower centers, as well as just a touch of Stardust Stickles.  I do love sparkle!  :-)

24 designers, FIVE shopping sprees each day.  No one knows where the prizes will be!  Each day of the hop JustRite will have five Mystery Blog Candy Prizes hidden along the hop with a total retail value of  $600.  JustRite will randomly select five mystery blogs each day of the hop and randomly allocate each of the shopping sprees.  For your chance to win, simply leave a little love (a comment) on each designer’s blog including the JustRite blog.  The more designers you leave comments with, the better your chances of winning.  Each day’s comments will remain open for three days.  A winner from each of the mystery blogs’ comments will be randomly chosen using Random.org.  Consult the listing of designers at the JustRite blog each day (each day’s designers will be different) and start out on your way!  Beginning Friday, March 26, summaries of all the winners will be posted on the JustRite blog.  Good luck to everyone and enjoy all the JustRite eye candy along the hop! 

Today during the JustRite Mega March Blog Hop (Day One) JustRite and its sponsors will be giving away the following five prizes:

· $200 JustRite Shopping Spree

· $100 Spellbinders Shopping Spree

· $100 Stampers Dream Shopping Spree,

· and Two additional $100 JustRite Shopping Sprees! 

Blog comments for Day One will be open until Thursday at 6pm EST.  On Friday, JustRite will announce on their blog which five blogs have the mystery candy for Day One.  You will need to go to the JustRite blog to determine where you need to go to find out if you are one of the five lucky winners.

Here is the list of stops for today's hop...

JustRite Inspiration Blog
Becca Feeken
Tosha Leyendekker
Kazan Clark
Laurie Schmidlin (that's me :-)
Kellie Fortin
Amy Sheffer
Denise Marzec
Michelle Rodgers
Stephanie Kraft
Sally Lynn MacDonald
Cindy Lawrence
Jenyfur Pohl
Silke Ledlow
Carolyn King
Dawn Easton
Holly Simoni
Julie Overby
Karen Maldonado
Colleen Schaan
Kimberly Crawford
Karen Taylor
Maren Benedict
Eli Harlan
Linda Beeson

Thanks so much for stopping by!  ~Laurie

From the Heart...

Hi there!  How's your Monday going so far?  This is probably one of the busiest Mondays I've had for a while.  I've got a lot to accomplish this week and somehow it always seems like not enough time.  I'm sure I'm not alone in this...  :-)  The good news is I managed to do some stamping this past weekend and so I have several new things to show you this week! 

 

I used one of the images from the very cute In the Garden Set.  Normally, I'm not a big fan of mice...but this little guy is just too cute not to love!!  After embossing the image onto watercolor paper using Versafine Onyx Black ink andClear Detail embossing powder, I quickly "watercolored" the image using my Tombow markers.  Please don't look toooo closely, as this is a new medium for me.  :-)  I have to say that I LOVE how quick and easy the Tombows are!!  I added a tag (stamped from the General Sayings set by Whiff of Joy) underneath the butterfly that I popped up.

For embellishments, I added some May Arts looped trim, pink ric-rac, buttons, Dew Drops, and a Prima Cameo Rose.

Well, I'm off to grab a bit of lunch and then it's back to work for me!  I hope you have a fabulous day!  ~Laurie

 

Stamps:  In the Garden (Penny Black), General Sayings (Whiff of Joy)
Paper:  Watercolor paper, Vellum c.s., Shimmery White c.s. K & Co. patterned paper, My Mind's Eye patterned paper
Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black, Antique Linen Distress Ink, Hibiscus (PTI)
Accessories:  Clear detail e.p., Spellbinder's Labels 8, Stickles, Tombow markers, Buttons, May Arts Ribbon/Ric-Rac, Prima flower, Sewing machine, Dew Drops

A Couple of Altered Notebooks...

If you are here looking for the winner of the "Just Give Me Goodies", scroll down or click HERE!

A great big happy Saturday to you!  Our weekend is going to be a "work" weekend.  Not fun really, but it will be wonderful after wards!  :-)  Because we live in Montana (and it gets cold here...really cold) and our winters are extremely long, we almost exclusively heat our house with our fireplace.  Truly, nothing can compare to the warmth a fireplace puts off...but it is messy.  So today...washing walls, dusting vaulted ceilings, extreme vacuuming (that's what my kids call it LOL!), and probably more stuff that I will see as I go along.  I can't really call it "Spring Cleaning" because for us, Spring is a loooong way off.  Still, it will be nice to have a fresh and clean house!  Before I get started with that I have a couple of notebooks to share with you!  

I ADORE little notebooks!  Love, love, love 'em!  So when I saw my friend Michelle (and fellow Verve Diva) use this adorable Where You Should Beset, I was smitten!  Then when I saw that she SOLD these cutie pie Ippity Stamps, I quick snatched it up!! 

My first notebook is hands down my favorite!  The quote really spoke to me...and seems like it almost could be my "Life Quote"!  So naturally I wanted to use it on a notebook!  :-)  I started with a mini composition notebook (these notebooks are C*U*T*E!!), painted the spine with brown acrylic paint, and then covered the front and back with cardstock/patterned paper (patterned paper is from K & Co.'s Greenhouse Mat Pad).  The cool turquoise flower and charm are from my stash (YAY ME for using some of my "stash"!!)!  I embossed the leaves (included in the Where You Should Be set) directly onto the patterned paper and lightly sponged the edges.  Quick and easy!
   
  

My second notebook has a completely different feel.  I was going for the more "young and hip" look.  I started with an inexpensive notebook from Target, and added some patterned paper (also from the Greenhouse Mat Pad).  After stamping the sentiment in Tuxedo Black Memento Ink, I used my Copic markers to add some color to it.  I then used one of my Labels 12 Nestabilies to cut/emboss around my quote. 

Here's a close-up of the quote so you can see the light shading I did around the sentiment and the Diamond Glaze mixed with glitter I that I added to the hearts (technique a la Julee Tilman!).

Well, I guess I should go and start my cleaning projects!  I hope you have a fantastic weekend!  ~Laurie

And We Have a Winner!!

I didn't forget about choosing the winner for the "Just Give Me Goodies", really I didn't!  I spent the evening with my two little guys (DH took our two older kids to town).  They were so excited to get some alone time with me I couldn't bring myself to have them wait while I was on the computer!  :-)

Anyway, without further ado...here is the randomly picked number:

Donelle Underwood (commenter #187)!!  Donelle, I will email you today!

I'll be back in just a few minutes with a couple of notebooks to share with you!  ~Laurie

St. Patrick's Day Hop - Waltzingmouse Style!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!  I must confess to knowing very little about "St. Patrick".  I thought it would be a great family research project, so that is what we will be doing later today!  From the little that I have found out, Patrick was an amazing man - a missionary to Ireland and most believe him to be the first true abolitionist!   

Enough blah, blah, blah and on to the real reason you're here - The Waltzingmouse Stamps Blog Hop!  Claire (who lives in Ireland) has designed several sets that are great for St. Patrick's Day (she even designed a beautiful free Digi image to use in case you don't have any of these sets yet)!  :-) 

Also, in case you missed all the details of this hop (which is open to anyone :-), check out Claire's blog or the new Forum!

Maker sure you check out the beginning of the hop HERE!

 

 

For my card, I used the Irish Blessings set (for the sentiment, shamrock, & the bottom edge border) and the Off Beat Backgrounds set (to create the graph-like background on the focal image).  I don't know what it is...but I am completely smitten with that graph paper stamp!!  :-)  I could use it on every card, I think!  LOL! 

The wee shamrock (I had to say wee...you know, in honor of St. Patrick's Day and all...teehehee) has a bit of Stickles on it!  (Remember my new motto:  When in a pickle, Stickle!!) 

Oooh, you just HAVE to see the close-up of the paper I used (it's from Little Yellow Bicycle)!  It has this gorgeous light blue foil motif down the left side....soooo pretty in real life!  I also added some flourishes (from the Quickutz Flourish die) under the bow.  This wonderful die was given to me by Julee...along with some heavenly Dove chocolate/peanut butter eggs!  Oh my WORD but those are good chocolates!!  Happy sigh...

One more thing...Claire has given the DT some digital Leprechauns to "hide" in our card photos!!  Once you find all of the Leprechauns, go to THIS thread on the WMS Forum and let us know how many!  Hint...there are some delicious new stamps up for a prize!  :-)

Man, I am chatty today!  LOL!  Sorry about that!  :-) 

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you enjoy the rest of your day!  ~Laurie

P.S.  If you are looking for the blog candy (which is open until Friday) scroll down or click HERE!

 

Stamps:  Irish Blessings, Off Beat Backgrounds (Waltzingmouse Stamps)
Paper:  Choice Snow White c.s. (TE), Patterned paper (Little Yellow Bicycle)
Ink:  Versamagic Dew Drops
Accessories:  Clear Detail e.p., Mega Oval Lg Nestabilities, Stickles, Quickutz Flourish die, Rhinestone, Button, Damask embossing folder (Sizzix), Ribbon, Copic marker & air gun, EK Success Ivy border punch

It's "Just Give Me Goodies" Time!!

It's been a while since I've shared any goodies with you, so I thought today would be the perfect day for some "Just Give Me Goodies"!  I also happen to have some extra paper crafting goodies on my hands so, I thought I would share!  AND, they are among some of my favorites...almost all vintage style!  Mmm, mmmm!   
  

Here's what is up for grabs:  (click on the links to see the product up close)

• Graphic 45 On the Boardwalk 8 x 8 paper pad
• Graphic 45 A Proper Gentleman 8 x 8 paper pad
• Jenni Bowlin Homegrown 4 x 4 paper pack
• Jenni Bowlin Cream Vintage Sew On Buttons
• Quickutz A-2 Polka Dots embossing folder (see photo below for close-up detail)

I am also including some surprise goodies (valued at over $15)!!!  So the total value of all these goodies is over $50!!  

Just leave a comment here on this post (one per person, please) and I will pick the winner using Random.org on Friday night!

~Laurie
  

The Joy of the Lord...

 A very happy Monday to you!  Did you enjoy your weekend?  We didn't do anything really...just a bit of cleaning and stuff like that.  I have to say though, this Daylight Savings time stuff is NOT fun!  I don't get enough sleep as it is, so when I have to set my clock forward...well, let's just say I was a bit grumpy yesterday!  LOL!  

 

When I sat down to stamp this card, I had pictured a calming/soothing color scheme.  I recently have just acquired this K & Co. patterned paper (Tim Coffey Designer Mat Pad) and couldn't wait to pair it with the new Nehemiah 8:10 Plain Jane (from Verve Stamps)! 

The sentiments was framed using the new Labels Ten Nestabilities.  For embellishments, I added some lace trim, buttons, stitching, piercing (using my Piercabilities), and felt flower.  Ooh...speaking of the felt flower, I used some of the new felt my friend Tosh sent me and cut it out using a couple of thePeony Nestabilities!

Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope your Monday is a good one!  ~Laurie

 

Stamps:  Nehemiah 8:10 Plain Jane (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  Choice Buttercream (TE), K & Co. patterned paper (Tim Coffey Collection)
Ink:  Rich Cocoa Memento Ink, Antique Linen & Vintage Photo Distress Inks
Accessories:  Copic markers, Sewing Machine, Lace trim, Ribbon, Nestabilities Labels 10 & Peony dies, Piercabilities, Quickutz flourish die, Buttons, Rustic Button Twine, Sizzix Damask embossing folder

A Quick Little Gift Set...

Hi again!  :-)  I'm back today with a quick little gift set I whipped up the other day!  I don't know about you, but I get these ideas for fun projects, then quickly get sidetracked!  That's how it was with these sweet little magnets...just a thought in my head that has been there for way to long.  LOL!  I finally decided it was time to follow through on my idea and make this little gift set a reality!

 
Ever since I saw this Small Rose Circle stamp (by Impression Obsession) I have been wanting to make these magnets!  I remember seeing these clear circular "pebbles" in craft stores before and I finally snagged some last week.  Not only was this little set fun to make...but it came together incredibly fast!  I love it when that happens!  :-)

 
Of course no gift is complete without a card to go with it!  for my little 4 1/4" card, I used one of the sentiments and borders from the JustRite Seeds of Kindness set along with some of the pretty papers from the Mary Mary set (from My Mind's Eye). 

 
After embossing the Small Rose Circle stamp onto various Prism cardstock colors and carefully cutting them out, I used some Diamond Glaze to adhere them to the bottom of the clear pebbles.  I then placed a small magnet on the back.  Because they are magnetic, they "stick" to the bottom of the tin perfectly!  Oh, just to pretty the tin up a bit, I added some more coordinating patterned paper to the bottom (also from the Mary Mary collection)

 

Here's a close-up of one of the magnets. I'm afraid the clear pebble didn't photograph very well, but in real life it's not so "blotchy" looking. 

Well, that's all from me!  I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend!  :-)

~Laurie

 
Stamps:  Small Rose Circle Stamps (Impression Obsession), Seeds of Kindness (JustRite Stampers)
Paper:  Stamper's Select White c.s. (PTI), Prism Cardstock, Mary Mary Collection (My Mind's Eye)
Ink:  Versamark, Versamagic Dew Drops, White Craft Ink
Accessories:  Nestabilities, Ivy Border Punch (EK Success), Sewing Machine, Button, Ribbon, Rhinestones, Clear Pebbles, White Detail e.p., Magnets, Tin