Just Give Me Stamps...

The Joy of Christmas...

Good morning!  I decided to add another Christmas card to my stash (in the hopes of actually being finished with them before December).

I used the Vintage Christmas Borders & Centers set (from JustRite) paired with some older Stampin' Up! patterned paper.  To color the ornaments, I used my Tombow markers and a water pen.  I then added just a touch of Stardust Stickles for a bit of sparkle.  :-)

 

For the inside, I embossed one of the sentiments from the Christmas Nested Semtiments & Verse (also from JustRite) using Black Onyx Versafine ink and Clear Detail embossing powder.

I cut/embossed the sentiment using the Curved Mega Rectangles Nestabilities.

Oh, and before I go...here is a little ENABLING for you!!  Stamper's Dream is having a ONE DAY SALE!  You can save an extra 10% off all sale merchandise!!  Just enter the code 10OffToday during checkout!!

Well, back to housework for me!  I'm trying to get ahead on my laundry while the boys are at school.  Hope your day is wonderful one!!  ~Laurie 

All Sorts of New Things...

Hi again!  It's the start of a new week (and check me out, all posting and stuff :-)!  Actually, there lots of new things going on around here!  After homeschooling all of our kids (well, youngest DS hasn't started school yet) since they've started school (a total of 9 years), we've made the decision to put our boys in public school.  There are many reasons why we've chosen to do this, but the main one is I don't think I can give them the time they need and continue our DD's therapy.  Living an hour away from town (one way) and having to go there 3-5 times a week really puts a strain on me and the kids.  Soooo, tomorrow (the first day of school) will be the beginning of a new adventure for all of us!   We will still be homeschooling our daughter (as her therapy schedule is not conducive to public school :-), but things will still be very different around here.

I've had many people mention to me that "they don't know how I do it" (homeschooling), but I have to tell you that I'm going to miss it.  A lot.  Nothing quite compares with the light and sparkle in my kids' eyes when they finally "get" a new concept...or the joy of watching them read their first words!!  Sniff... 

Speaking of new things, our weather is starting to turn cooler as well!  In fact, there is a chance of snow in the mountains (which is where I live) tonight!  Yep, Fall is headed our way!   

 
And, here is a "new" card inspired by our cooler weather!  I loved this week's Mojo Monday sketch (sketch #153), and thought it would be perfect for my card.

Oh, and here is something else new for me - NO patterned paper was used on this card!!!  I created my own "background paper" by stamping the plaid images from the Waltzingmouse Pic-Nic Patterns set.  I then stamped the small leaf from Blessed by You (also from Waltzingmouse Stamps) on top of my plaid pattern using Vintage Cream ink.

For the four focal images, I used the leaf/acorn image (also from the Blessed by You set) and added some punched hearts to the bottom one.

I guess that's enough "new" things for one post!  ((grin))  I'll be back tomorrow with another project for you to see!  ~Laurie

 
Stamps:  Blessed by You, Pic-Nic Patterns (Waltzingmouse Stamps)
Paper:  Kraft, Spring Moss, Ocean Tides, Vintage Cream (PTI)
Ink:  Versamark, Vintage Cream (PTI), Crumb Cake (SU!)
Accessories:  Clear detail e.p., Heart punch, Sewing machine, Seam binding, Nestabilities, Button, Burlap string

You Make Good Times Great...

Hi again!  I hope you are having a wonderful weekend!  It's pretty lonely around here with DH and DD off to Switzerland.  Even my oldest DS is gone (over at a friends house for the weekend)!  It's just me and my two youngest DS's!!

Speaking of my sweet kiddos, I have a couple of photos to share with you!! 

 

Our friend Heiko (the AMAZING photographer that I told you about in THIS post) was here visiting again!  During his visit, he took some photos of our kids for DH to bring to his parents. 

 

This photo cracks me up so much!!  THIS truly is a good representation of my boys!!  Heiko mentioned that it was pretty tough to get good photos of these guys...because they were always doing stuff like this!!  LOL!!!  Ah well, it keeps life interesting around here!!  ((giggle))

So...how would you like to see a card?  You know...since this is a stamping blog and all!  LOL!  Seriously though, thanks for indulging me while I share about my family!

 

With half of my family gone right now, I have now found an abundance of time on my hands!!  This card is one of the products of that extra time...  LOL!

I used Verve's new Great Friend set along with some misc. goodies I had sitting on my desk.  It's hard to see in the picture, but I embossed the larger of the leaves images using clear embossing powder directly onto the plaid background paper.

In this close-up picture, you can see the Cinnamon Stickles I added to the center of the flower (along with the pearl). 

Well, my boys are occupied with coloring right now...so I'm going to high tail it to my stamp room!!  I'll be back tomorrow with something new to share!

Hugs, Laurie

You are the Sunshine of My Soul...

Good morning!  By the time you read this, I am on my way to drop my sweet daughter and DH at the airport.  Oh, how I will miss both of them while they are gone...but I am so glad they get to go and see DH's parents!  I am one of those rare people that ADORE my in-laws!!  They are such kind hearted and just all around amazing people!! 

I'm also hoping by slipping some cards in their suitcases...it will remind both DH and DD to bring me home some Swiss chocolate!!  Teehehehee!

This is one of the cards that I made for the latest Verve Release.  I plan on slipping this card into my DD's suitcase (I have a different one for DH) for her to find on her trip!

I used Verve's new Happy Hello to stamp the center of the paper sun I created...as well as the circles along the bottom of the notebook page.  I also added three coordinating rhinestones on the left (I just had to sneak in some bling somewhere)!

Thanks for stopping by!!  ~Laurie

Stamps: Happy Hello
Paper: Out & About patterned paper and c.s. (We R Memory Keepers), Basic White (Basic Grey), Vellum c.s.
Ink: Basic Gray (Stampin' up!), Versamark, Chamomile Vintage Ink (PTI), Tuxedo Black Memento Ink
Accessories: Black Detail e.p., Notebook punch (Stampin' Up!), Script Cuttlebug embossing folder, Rope (Stampin' Up!), Sewing machine, Copic markers, Rhinestones

Get Well Soon...

Today, I've got a sweet little card using one of the sweet little Pure Innocence girls!

 
Recently a friend of mine had surgery, so I was in need of a little pick-me-up card for her.  That's when I remembered this super sweet little girl from the Better Get Better set (from My Favorite Things)!  After coloring her in with Copic markers, I paired up the image with some Fly a Kite patterned paper (from October Afternoon).

Oh...and I used a fun new toy on this card as well!!  Do you see that pretty felt flower??  I made that!!  How uber fun is that!!??!!  I used the new Sizzix 3-D Flowers die!!  I think I might be addicted!!  It was so fun!  Oh...I also used my new Tim Holtz Alterations Die - Brackets on the Edge to create that cool design on the bottom of the brown polka dot paper!! 

Well, that's all from me today!  I'll be back tomorrow with more to share!  :-)

~Laurie

Celebrate...

Happy Sunday!!  I know, the day is almost over, but time seems to have gotten away from me!  My DH and DD are getting ready to to go to Switzerland (to visit the family) in a few days and I seem to be the one stuck with most of the prep work!  They get to go on the trip...but I do the work?  How is that fair??  (((grin)))  Seriously though, it's been 6 years since DH has seen his parents and he is SO excited!!  Our whole family will get to go this Christmas, but this trip is strictly to help out his ailing mother.  Okay..enough chit-chat and on to my card!  :-)

 

While I was making this card, I was totally reminded of Punky Brewster!!!   Remember that show?  I loved that show as a girl!!  Just in case you need a little walk down memory lane...HERE is the You Tube link to the starting song!  Fun, fun, fun...

Anyway, back to the card!  I used the new Birthday Bash set from Verve's latest release!!  From the moment I got my inky fingers on this set, I wanted to create a rainbow of balloons!

Speaking of NEW VERVE, did you all see the FREE set that Julee's giving away with a $35 purchase!!???!!

Well, I'm off to do a bit of reading!  Thanks for checkin' in!  ~Laurie

Party Time!!!!!!!!!!!

It's release time for Verve Stamps!!  That's right, all NINE new stamp sets (and one Plain Jane stamp) are going to be available for purchase in just a few short hours (10 pm Eastern Time)!! 

Right now, we're partying it up over in the Verve Forum!!  If you get a chance, pop on in and say "hi"!!

 

Before I go, I thought I'd share another card I made with the new stamps!!  I used the flowers from the Kind Words set and one of the sentiments from the Happy Hello set! 

Okay...off to chat with everyone over at the release party!! 

~Laurie

Verve Sneak Preview - Great Friend!

Welcome back to the final Verve "Sneak Preview"! 

 

We are "peeking" the soon to be released set, Great Friend!  As much as I love ALL of the new sets (trust me...this release is fabulous!!), this set is probably my favorite!  I love the big bold flowers and leaves!  With the option of open lined images (great for those who love to color) or gorgeous bold images, this set has something for everyone!! 

I was really in the mood to color, so I grabbed the open lined flowers.  After I embossed them (I used all three sizes here) onto watercolor paper, I used my tombow markers to add some color.  To finish it off, I mixed some glitter into Crystal Effects and painted it on my flower.  For the background, I embossed the leaves (I used the large one) using black detail embossing powder onto the smokey shadow layer.

After embossing one of the included sentiments, I pierced around it, and then hand cut a large wavy top which I then accented with rhinestones.  Finally, I tied it up with some 1/8" taffeta ribbon and added a decorative button!

Ready for some more fun?  Check out what the other Divas have created...

1. Laurie  (that's me :-)
2. Amy
3. Michelle
4. Mercy
5. Susan
6. Maureen
7. Sankari
8. Teresa
9. Jen T.
10. Tosh
11. Julee
12. Jackie
13. Lynda
14. Amber

Before you go, make sure to leave some love (comments) along the way to be entered for a chance to win some PRIZES!!!  

Thanks so much for stopping by!  ~Laurie

Winter Wonderland...

A great BIG happy Wednesday to you!!  Today is Day 3 of the Stamper's Dream JustRite week, and I'm back with another Christmas card to share with you!

Ok, how **CUTE** is that snowman!!!?!!  He totally makes me smile!

I combined  this snowman image (from the new JustRite stamp set Whimsical Christmas) with some new K & Co. Christmas paper I picked up.  After coloring it in with Copics, I added a little bit of Stardust Stickles to add a bit of sparkle.  The fun striped paper was made by stamping the Thin Stripes Cover a Card cling mount background stamp (by Impression Obsession).  Hint:  The Mega Mount Rocker Block is VERY helpful for getting a good impression with large background stamps!!

For embellishments, I added some paper flourishes, rhinestones, lace, ribbon, some miniature white pom-poms (I thought they looked like little snowballs :-), and a beautiful sparkler (the cool embellishment in the middle of my bow).

Well, that's all from me today!  Before I go though, here are some links to the other SD girls that have some fabulous JustRite eye candy for you to see:  Leslie , Karen , Christina and Tosh!

Hope you have a fun and creative day!  ~Laurie 

Verve Sneak Preview - Dream Big!

Look at me!!  Posting FOUR days in a row!!  Woohoo!  :-)  Lots of NEW stamp goodness going on!!

Welcome to Day 4 of the Verve new stamp previews!  Today, I am delighted to be able to share with you a project I made with the soon to be released Dream Big set!!  This set contains 18 YUMMY images/sentiments!!  Three words for you....LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!!  Okay, that was actually four words...but you get the picture!  {{{giggle}}}

 

 Isn't that font amazing??  Have I mentioned yet that I love this set?  :-)  I kept my card more on the clean and simple side.  Don't laugh.  This IS clean and simple for me!!  Teehehee!  Anyway, I used three of the included sentiments as the focal point of my card, and added the smallest flower (stamped in three different colors) as accents.  For the background, I stamped the largest of the leaves images in Versamark directly onto the Kraft c.s.

Now for some more FABULOUS Dream Big eye candy from the other Divas...

Sankari
Shannan
Lynda
Mercy
Charmaine
Jen T.
Sony
Laurie (that me :-)
Teresa
Amber
Maureen
Julee
Michelle

For a chance to win some FAB-O prizes, leave a little love (comments) along the way!

Also, don't forget about the BIG release party this Friday night at 8 PM Eastern over at the Verve Forum!!  Thanks for dropping by!  Hugs, Laurie