Just Give Me Stamps...

Birthdays are Awesome...

Hi there!  Sorry to go MIA on you!  Things have been crazy busy around here lately, and I'm having a hard time keeping up!  LOL! 

Along with Thanksgiving, we celebrated our oldest son's birthday!  Yeah...all three of our boys have birthdays within 30 days of each other!  Yikes!  LOL!  Anyway, our oldest son is now 12!!

This is the birthday card I made for him - a little bit funky...but definitely masculine!  I used some patterned paper from The District 409 collection from Scrap within Reach.  The stamps and rub-on are all from Stampin' Up!. 

My oldest DS is a complete polar opposite of my youngest DS.  Where D (my youngest) is outgoing, bubbly, and always looking for some kind of mischief to get into, J (my oldest DS) is quiet (almost an introvert), thoughtful, and has a strong sense of justice (what is right and wrong). He's also AMAZINGLY good at fixing things (as well as figuring out how they work)!  (I've always thought he would make an excellent engineer!)  And, not only is he smart, but he's good at sports as well!  Can you tell we think the world of him?  :-)

I took this photo lat summer.  He was helping out at one of the brandings.

Okay...this is a rare photo!!  To get J to smile...really, really smile is like pulling teeth!  Don't get me wrong, he's not an unhappy guy...but he is just not that demonstrative.  So really, the only smiling photos I have of him are when he doesn't know I'm taking pictures of him!  Teeheheee!

This is his "normal" smile!  By the way...have I mentioned how MUCH I love this guy?  :-)

Here he is in the saddle again...almost as "at home" in it as my DH!  And when did he start looking so grown up, anyway?  Sigh....

One thing is for certain, I am SOOOO blessed!!  :-)

Thanks for stopping by...and thanks for indulging me a little!  :-)

Hugs, Laurie

Good Will Toward Men...

Hi again!  Is your week as busy as mine is?  LOL!  Today is the last day our kiddos will go to school this week and I am SO looking forward to being able to spend some time with them!!  I think the thing that has been the hardest part of adjusting to my kids being in public school (for me anyway), is all the time they are gone!  I really miss them!  :-)

I have a  Christmas card to share with you today!  I am happy to report that I only have a few more cards to make and I am finished for this year!  Go me!!  LOL!  (Normally, I'm not finished this early.)

  
^{Click on Photo to for a Larger View}

For my card, I used one of the sentiments from Verve's newly released Richly Blessed set.  Isn't that font so pretty?  I loved it so much that I thought it should be the focal image of my card!  :-)  The paper is from Fancy Pants (Traditions Collection).  For embellishments, I added buttons (big surprise, right?), felt snowflakes, a sparkler, and some string. 

Well, that's all from me today!  I'll be back tomorrow with another card to share with you!  (Check me out...all posting every day!  LOL!)

Hugs, Laurie

Stamps:  Richly Blessed (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  White, Kraft (PIT), Traditions patterned paper collection (Fancy Pants), Velum c.s.
Ink:  Versamark, Crumb Cake
Accessories:  Black detail e.p., Ribbon, String, Felt Snowflakes (SU!), Border punch (EK Success), Snowflake embossing folder (Cuttlebug), Nestabilities, Sewing machine, Sparkler

Happiness Along the Way...

Happy Monday!  Our family is so excited for Thanksgiving this week!!  Even though we are staying home this year (and not able to spend the day with extended family), it is still fun to take a day to celebrate and give thanks for all of the blessings in our lives! 

   
^{Click on Photo for a Closer View}

The Happiness Found set (from Verve Stamps) is one of my favorites and I just had to ink it up again this year!  For a $9 set, it sure packs a punch!  I just love the large sentiment with the smaller leaf images!

I used some patterned paper (from the Paper Loft) to compliment the images as well as adding a bit of color to my otherwise monochromatic palette.  A couple of rounded corners, ribbon, a mini rhinestone, & stitching is all I added for embellishments.

Well, thanks so much for stopping by!  Have a wonderful day!  ~Laurie

Stamps:  Happiness Found (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  Kraft c.s., Patterend paper (The Paper Loft)
Ink:  Vintage Cream (PTI), Crumb Cake & Chocolate Chip Craft ink (SU!)
Accessories:  Clear Detail e.p. (Judikins), Corner rounder, Sewing Machine, Vintage Cream grosgrain ribbon (PTI), Sm Classic Circle Nestabilities, Long Oval Nestabilities, Mini rhinestone

Spellbinders Holiday Hoppin' Day 1...

 

Welcome to the first day of the Spellbinders™ Paper Arts Holiday Hoppin’ Blog Hop!  Spellbinders, along with Waltzingmouse Stamps are showcasing their newest products just in time for your Holiday crafting and gift giving.  Lots of creative ideas are in store, as well as prizes galore!  Each participating company has generously donated towards the prize package listed on the Spellbinders Blog.  A total of two identical prize packages, one for each day, November 18 and 19 will be given away!  To enter, just leave a comment on a participating blog!  Comments in the first 48 hours of the post are eligible.  One commenter each day will be randomly selected as the winner.  Winners will be announced on November 22, on the Spellbinders Blog!

Be sure to see all of tomorrow’s Holiday Hoppin’ blogs for inspiring projects and another chance to win!

Visit all of today’s Holiday Hoppin’ blogs:

Latisha Yoast
Judy Hayes
Kazan Clark
Ashley Cannon Newell
Holly Simoni
Debbie Olson
Heidi Blankenship
Sherry Cheever
Linda Duke
Laurie Schmidlin
Cheryl Marie Walker
Jill Jacobsen
Jennifer Priest
Christina Klauer
Jodi Sanford
Leslie Miller
Mimi Leinbach
Robyn O'Crowley
Sharon Harnist
Liz Hicks
Sarah Hamer
Christie Bryant
Wendy Sue Anderson
Anary Baumgarth
Jenifer Dove
Gina Krupsky

 

Today, I am using Spellbinders S4-301 Labels Sixteen.

 
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I knew I wanted to make some kind of frame using the Labels Sixteen dies!  I started by securing the largest die onto a 4" square piece of cardstock.  I didn't want this die to cut, so I ran it through my machine using the tan embossing mat.  (See the picture below for a close-up view of the embossed image this made.)  I then secured the second to largest die onto the same piece of cardstock.  This time I wanted it to cut my cardstock.  After I ran it through my machine I had my "frame" as well as a decorative piece that I could layer my images on to.

To decorate the inner layer of my frame, I stamped one of the flourish images from the Very Vintage Labels no. 5 set (from Waltzingmouse Stamps) on all four sides.  I then layered the focal image (made with the circle image from the Very Vintage Christmas stamp set and the S4-114 Classic Circles Large dies).  Waltzingmouse Stamps has a large selection of stamps that are designed to fit a variety of Spellbinders dies!  You can see the whole collection HERE!

 

^{Click on Photo for a Larger View}

In this close-up photo, you can see the embossed frame a little better, as well as the depth I have it by adding some foam dimensional tape.  You can also see the sparkle I added to the frame (I used Stardust Stickles).  For embellishments, I added some Prima flowers, rhinestones, & ribbon.

Here's how you can enter...

Simply leave a comment on my blog to be eligible to win the Spellbinders Holiday Hoppin’ Prize Package!  One winner will be chosen from all the comments on all the blogs participating today.  Comments made in the first 48 hours of this post will be eligible to win.  Winner’s names will be published on the Spellbinders Blog on November 22, and they will have 48 hours to reply to Spellbinders to claim the prizes.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  ~Laurie

Stamps:  Very Vintage Christmas, Very Vintage Labels no. 5 (Waltzingmouse Stamps)
Paper:  Vintage Cream & Vellum c.s. (PTI), Home For the Holidays - Mistletoe Kisses (Webster's Pages)
Ink:  Pure Poppy (PTI), Turqoise Gem Versamagic Dew Drop, Tumbled Glass & Antique Linen Distress Inks
Accessories:  Clear Detail e.p. (Judikins), Labels Sixteen Nestabilities & Classic Circles Large Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Stardust Stickles, Prima flowers, Sewing machine, Polka Dot ribbon (SU!), Mini rhinestones (A Muse Tiny Twinkles), Corner rounder punch (SU!)

Miss You...

 Woohoo for Friday!!  :-)  Do you have any fun plans for the weekend?  We'll be going to our oldest son's basketball tournament and then celebrating my Little Man's birthday!  Thank you for all the sweet comments on my post about him! 

Today I have a simple card to share with you...

Click on Photo for a Larger View

When I say simple, I mean it!  LOL!  The only stamping I did on this card was to stamp the "Miss You" sentiment (from Verve's new Friendly Phrases set) along the bottom!  The focal image is actually a pre-printed canvas image from Crafty Secrets.  I just added some Stardust Stickles to the flowers to give it a little something extra.  :-)

The piercing is from an Ornare template I have had for a while.  This whole "use what I have" kick I've been on is really kind of fun!  LOL!

Well, that's all from me today!  I hope your day (and weekend) is a fabulous one!  ~Laurie

Stamps: Friendly Phrases (Verve)
Paper: Cream, Sage Shadow (SU!)
Ink: Sage Shadow (SU!)
Accessories: Printed canvas (Crafty Secrets), Stardust Stickles, Very Vanilla Satin ribbon (SU!), Rhinestones, Ornare piercing template, Scor-Pal, Sewing machine

My Little Man...

Hi there!  My youngest DS is about to turn 5!  I can hardly believe he's that old!  Wow!!  He brings SO much joy to our family!  He has this smile...and twinkle in his eye...that captures and melts your heart in seconds!!  He's so full of life and personality and I absolutely adore him!  :-)

First, I'll share the card I made him.  And for the record...I had his card made over a week EARLY!!!  Yay me!!  LOL!

Click on Photo for a Larger View

I don't know about you, but I really struggle making masculine cards.  You'd think I would be better at...seeing as I have four males in my household (DH and 3 sons)!  LOL! 

I used the balloons from the Birthday Bash set (Verve Stamps) and one of the sentiments from the new Munchkin Phrases set (also by Verve)!  The cute little airplane is from a stash of stickers I have had for quite a while now.  Funny story about that...  DS was in my stamp room with me one day and started looking through my sticker stash.  When he saw the airplane one he went bananas!  I knew right then it was going on his birthday card!  :-)

Before I go, I thought I'd share some photos of my soon to be 5 year old!  I took these pictures a couple of months ago during one of our family horseback rides.

Such a gentleman, isn't he?  Lifting his hat in greeting...  Yes, that is dirt on his face!  A lot of dirt, actually!  LOL!  This one is ALL boy!  If there is dirt around (and believe me, on a ranch there is PLENTY of dirt LOL!), he will find it!

I really love this photo!  He's watching dad saddle up his horse (DH makes him stay a safe distance away until he's ready to get on).  He is SO attentive!  Really, he rarely misses anything...always studying what's going on and how it's being done!

(((Swoon)))  I love my little cowboy!!  DH has been giving him riding lessons, and he's picking it up so quickly!  He has a natural feel for the horse, and as you can see is quite comfortable in a saddle!  :-)

Well, thanks for indulging me today!  Hugs, Laurie

Stamps: Birthday Bash, Munchkin Phrases
Paper: White, Black, Brilliant Blue & Real Red (SU!), Harvest Gold & New Leaf (PTI)
Ink: Versamark, Tuxedo Black Memento Ink
Accessories: Black Detail e.p., Airplane Sticker, Black Brads, Twine, Sunshine Impression Plate (PTI)

Waltzingmouse Release Blog Waltz - Believe in the Magic...

Welcome to the Waltzingmouse November Release Waltz!  (For those of you new to to Waltzingmouse, a blog waltz is the same as a blog hop.)  All four new stamp sets (Vintage Ornaments, Festive Foliage, Around Christmastime, & Twas the Night Before) are now available at the Waltzingmouse Stamps store!

If you've arrived here from Claire's blog, then you are on the right Waltzing track!  :-)  If not, head back on over there she'll get you started off right! 

For my card today, I used the new Twas the Night Before set!  I can't wait for you to see this set...it's so unique and holds SO many different possibilities! 

I really loved this Santa & Reindeer silhouette image and couldn't wait to use!  I framed it using the Nestie-friendly frame Claire included in the Twas the Night Before set).  The sentiment is embossed onto vellum cardstock and then layered on top of the Santa image.

For the background I used the Twas the Night Before poem (yes, Claire made the WHOLE poem into a stamp!!!) and stamped it onto vellum cardstock.  I then layered it over some patterned paper (from the Everybody Love Christmas collection by Echo Park). 

I added some rhinestones, ribbon, Stickles, & piercings for embellishments.

 

Here's a close-up shot so you can see the sparkle I added around the inside of the frame!  I mean, what's a Christmas card without sparkle, right?  :-)

Okay...it's time for the next stop on the waltz!  Hop on over to Lynn's blog, because I KNOW you will want to see her gorgeous project!

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

Waltzingmouse Previews Day 3 - Around Christmastime...

A great big happy Saturday to you!  It's day three of the Waltzingmouse Previews!  For three days before the release, the design team showcases projects made with the soon to be released stamps!  There is only one more day to wait before all four of the new stamp sets will be available!

 

 

Click any of the photos for a larger view.

Today, I am showcasing the new Around Christmastime set!  I chose three of the circular images and created a trio of 4" x 4" note cards.

I kept the layout and embellishments all fairly similar.  I used some coordinating Bo Bunny patterned paper that I thought accented the focal image.

All three note cards have a smaller kraft layer that I stamped with one of the images from the Musical Backgrounds set.

To complete each of my note cards, I added some stitching, ribbon, rhinestones, a clear heart button, & a punched border.

Want to see more Waltzingmouse Previews?  Check out what Anya, Belinda, Bonnie, Claire, Jennifer, Joan, Julia, Lisa, Lynn, Mona, & Sandie have created!

Check back tomorrow at 1:00 pm Mountain Time for the Watlzingmouse New Release Blog Waltz!

Thanks for stopping by today!  Hugs, Laurie

 

Waltzingmouse Preview Day 2 - Festive Foliage...

I'm back for the second day of Waltzingmouse Sneak Previews!  These new stamps are SOO pretty!!  I cannot wait for you to see them all!  Well, you don't actually have to wait that long as all four new sets will be released this Sunday (November 7th)!

I used the new Festive Foliage set (combined with the previously released Compliments of the Season and Very Vintage Labels no. 10 sets).  To start, I stamped the large pine needle/pinecone image (from the new Festive Foliage set) onto cream cardstock.  I then created a frame using one of the Labels eight Nestabilities (from Spellbinder's) and Jillibean Soup patterned paper.  I was worried that my focal image (the Very Vintage Labels no. 10 stamped with some pine needles from Festive Foliage and a sentiment from Compliments of the Season) wouldn't show up as well as I would like, so I added a vellum layer.  You all know how I feel about vellum...it's definitely a good thing!  :-)

Here's a picture of the inside.  I used the leftover patterned paper piece (I just wanted the frame for the front of my card) as well as a few extra pine cones.  I embossed the "be merry" sentiment (also from the Festive Foliage set). 

There is so much more Waltzingmouse eye candy awaiting you!

Check out what Anya, Belinda, Bonnie, Claire, Jennifer, Joan, Julia, Lisa, Lynn, Mona, & Sandie have created!

Thanks for dropping by today!  I hope your day is a wonderfully creative one!  ~Laurie

Waltzingmouse Stamps Preview - Vintage Ornaments...

   
Welcome to the first day of Waltzingmouse Sneak Previews!  For the next three days, the design team will be sharing projects made with soon to be released stamps!  That's right, the November release is just days away (Sunday November 7th to be exact)!

For my project, I made a little tag card using Claire's new Vintage Ornament set!  You want to know something amazing?  These stamps coordinate perfectly with the new Spellbinders Heirloom Ornament dies! 

I attached the tag card to a little box that I whipped up.  I left the box somewhat "plain" because I really wanted the tag card to take center stage!  :-)

In this photo, you can see the inside of the tag card.  I embossed the Vintage Ornament stamp directly onto the brushed gold cardstock (as opposed to red cardstock like the front of the card).  I put the oval I cut out from the front (so the white could show through) to good use here on the inside! 

Here's a peek at what's inside my little box!  My absolute FAVORITE chocolate of all time!!  Yuuum!!!  As you can see, the colors for my tag card and box were completely inspired from these little pieces of chocolate nirvana!

There are more new set previews for you to see!!  Check out what Anya, Belinda, Bonnie, Carly, Claire, Jennifer, Joan, Julia, Lisa, Lynn, Mona, & Sandie have created!

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a great day!  Laurie