Just Give Me Stamps...

Treat Yourself...

Hi there!  It's been a while since I've posted...  What have I been up to?  Well, Thanksgiving was pretty busy around our house, I've been battling a nasty sinus infection, I've been working on lots of Christmas projects (not to mention some online shopping), and our oldest son celebrated his thirteenth birthday!  Whew!  I need a nap just thinking about it all!  LOL!

First, I want to share with you a card that I made a while ago but never got around to photographing (a reoccuring flaw of mine).

For my card, I used Verve's Sip & Savor set (which happens to be on SALE right now!!) along with some fun, rainbow colors!  I do love me some rainbow colors!  :-)

Next, I have some family photos to share with you.  As I mentioned earlier, my son just turned thirteen!  Now I officially have 2 teenagers!!  Yikes!  (Just kidding...I actually really enjoy this age!)

Here is a photo of one of the cupcakes I made for him.  These are kind of like homemade Ding Dongs!  You start with a basic chocolate cake recipe (I like the ones that use sour cream) then insert some cream filling (sour cream, cool whip, & powdered sugar), and then top with a basic chocolate pan frosting!  Easy and SO yummy!

This is the photo I took of Jared the morning of his birthday (at school).  Jared is so smart (4.0 at school), extremely athletic (you can see all the photos below), and has amazing character!  DH and I truly don't know why we were SO blessed with the amazing children we have, but we are so grateful!

This photo is of J running (he's the one with the football), just before he scored a touchdown! 

This photo (one of our good friends Heiko Rhodde took this one) was taken at one of his school's basketball game.  All of the rural schools compete against each other.

This photo was one that I took last Spring during J's track meet.  All of the rural schools compete against each other in track as well.  This is truly where Jared shines.  He is fast...really fast, and won all the events he competed in (all 7 of them)!

Finally, this photo is one I took of him and Ali (also taken last Spring) after he won one of his track events.  In fact, this is one of my favorite photos of him!

Well, that's all from me!  Thanks for indulging me a bit today!  I hope you have an amazing day!  ~Laurie

Paper Smooches winners announced!

Good morning! 

I'm popping in here to announce the winner from the Paper Smooches November Blog Hop!
And the winner is.................................

 

Kerry P said...

Super cute cake-pops! Those are very popular in my house, just now :)

Reply November 24, 2011 at 10:08 AM

 

Congratulations Kerry P!  You are the winner of a shiny new Word Salad set compliments of Kim from Paper Smooches!!  I will be in contact via email soon!

Have a GREAT day everyone!  Hugs, Laurie

November Paper Smooches DT blog hop!

It's Pep Rally week and we are here today to share a sampling of the Paper Smooches December stamp release with you! The three NEW clear stamp sets will be available to purchase on December 1st. You will find them HERE. Follow the Paper Smooches blog for more sneak peeks.

To add extra fun to our blog hop...we are offering up a prize! Just leave a comment on any of the five design team blogs listed below for your chance to win one of the three new December stamp sets! (you do not need to comment on all blogs to qualify) You have until midnight MT on Friday, November 25th to leave a comment. Please check all five blogs on Saturday, November 26th to see if you are one of the five lucky winners.

• Heidi Van Laar
• Heather Pulvirenti
• Kryssi Ng
• Laurie Schmidlin
• Teri Anderson

To increase your chances of winning:

1. Leave a comment on this blog post

2. Tell us that you Facebooked about our blog hop

3. Tell us that you Tweeted about our hop

4. Tell us that you posted on your blog about our blog hop

 

(which means that you have up to four chances to win on each blog)

For my card, I used the new Word Salad set (sentiment and little heart) combined with the cake pop image from the Sugar Rush set!  I just adore Kim's sentiments and I love how they go so well with all of her other stamp sets! 

I want to wish all of my American friends a VERY happy Thanksgiving!  I know that I am so thankful to have met so many caring and wonderful people through this shared passion...stamping!  Big hugs to all of you!  ~Laurie

You're an All Star...

Good morning!  I'm popping in here to share some photos from my youngest son's birthday party, as well as his birthday card that I made for him!  :-)

Since he adores football (just like his two older brothers), I just had to make him a football birthday card!  ((grin))  Actually, when I saw this football image from Paper Smooch's My Guy set, I knew what I would be doing! I've had this background paper (I think it's from S.E.I.) for a while, and thought it would fit this card nicely.  It sort of reminds me of a referee uniform!  :-)

Here's a photo of my little guy at his birthday party...

Having a birthday party so late in the year (when it's SO cold outside), not to mention after school...well, it's tough!  Since my guy loves pizza, we decided to have his party at our local Pizza Hut.  The only downside was that it was so dark in there and I had to use my flash...  :-(

This photo is my guy posing with his gift that Grossi and Papi gave to him (my husband's parents from Switzerland).  I love how he's rocking the missing tooth look!  I ADORE this age!!  :-)

Finally, here is a photo of the cupcakes I made for him to share at school on his birthday.  Yep, my guy is ALL boy and these kind of cupcakes are right up his alley!  LOL!

Well, I will be back tomorrow with a fun post!  For all of my US friends, please travel safely this Thanksgiving weekend!

Hugs, Laurie

Handmade Felt Ornaments...

Good morning!  Okay, morning is almost over.  Sigh...  Is it just me, or are all of you really busy also?  Between school functions and fund raisers, birthdays, remodeling, and the everyday kind of stuff (like my mountain of folded laundry that needs to be put away), I feel like I am always on the go.  I am so determined to not let that happen next month!  I know what a busy time the Holidays are, but I really am going to try to make it special and fun...not just a whirlwind of to-do lists!

I mentioned here before that I have been working on making Christmas gifts whenever I get a spare minute.  Several of you agreed that you are also working on the same thing!  :-)  Well, today I get to show you one of the projects...

Today, I am kicking off the Verve Holiday Diva Dare (hosted over at the Verve Blog)!  This month's theme is A Handmade Christmas!  Perfect theme for me to not only get a kick-start making my gifts and cards, but to gather ideas as each of the Divas post their creations!  YAY!!

I created these little felt ornaments using just felt, dies, a sewing machine, and minimal embellishments!  Not only are these guys quick and easy to make, but also inexpensive!

The only thing these little 2 1/2" in diameter ornaments need are some cute packaging...

To create the packaging, I started with some mini notebook printed paper bags. I then stamped three different sentiments as well as the star image from the Bright Spirits set. The label was created by using the Curved Bookplate die to cut around the stamped sentiments.

To make the little stars, I stamped them, colored them in with Copics, then used the Winter Fun Die Set to cut them out!

Not only were the ornaments quick and easy to make, but I kept the packaging simple as well! Perfect for mass production!

Before I go, I want to tell you that there are two ways you could win some brand new Verve!  If you play along with our Dare, you will be entered to win a $30 gift certificate to the Verve Store!  You could also win by leaving some comment love on each Holiday Diva Dare post (over at the Verve Blog)!

Have a great day!  Laurie

All Pink and Glitzy...

Hello again!  It's my turn to share some Glitzy projects that I've been working on with you!

For my first card, I loaded it up with lots of fabulous Beautiful Dreamer goodies!  I started by layering several Beautiful Dreamer patterned papers, then added a couple of Whatnots, , a stamped doily layer, Cardstock Sticker, and finished it off with an Epoxy Word.

I used the same Beautiful Dreamer collection for my second card (I just can't get enough of this soft and gorgeous line!!).  I chose three different patterned papers, then added a Peek-A-Boo, Glitzer, and a Cardstock Sticker.  For the finishing touches, I added some string and a flower.

I'm so glad you joined me here today!  ~Laurie

 

I Love You Card
Glitz Design Beautiful Dreamer Papers: Damask, Stripe
Glitz Design Beautiful Dreamer  Clear Stamps
Glitz Design Beautiful Dreamer Cardstock Stickers - Journaling
Glitz Design Beautiful Dreamer Epoxy Words

Believe Card
Glitz Design Beautiful Dreamer Papers: Stripe, Polka, Floral
Glitz Design Beautiful Dreamer Peek-A-Boo
Glitz Design Beautiful Dreamer Glitzer
Glitz Design Beautiful Dreamer Cardstock Stickers - Titles

From Tiny Acorns...

Good morning!  First, I want to thank you all SO much for the heartfelt comments you left for me yesterday!  I am in agreement with all of you...we truly do have an amazing daughter and a faithful God!  I am so deeply grateful for both in my life!

While I was going through my photos, I came across this card that had not yet made in onto my blog...

I used Verve's Tall Oaks set to create this card.  There is that sweet little acorn again!  LOVE it!  :-)  You know, I don't even remember what patterned paper I used on this card.  Sigh....  I really need to start writing it down and putting it on a sticky note right on the card.  I will definitely start being better about that!

Well, today is my little guy's 6th birthday!  I cannot even believe he is that old already!  He's so big and grown up, but some things have remained the same:  the mischievous twinkle in his eye, his ability to fall and hit his head almost every time, his need to climb everything in sight, and his infectious grin!  I'll share some pictures of his party this weekend, but right now I will leave you with this photo of David and Ali that I took last Spring...

I SO love this photo!  Not only can you see David's famous grin, but it also captures the bond between brother and sister!  Priceless!

Have a GREAT day!  ~Laurie

Hope to See You Again...

Good morning!  Because my kids didn't have school yesterday (the younger ones, anyway), today totally feels like Monday!  Yikes!  The week just started and I already feel behind a day!  LOL!  Our family has so much going on this week.  Along with the boys' bedroom remodel, we are planning two birthday parties.  Our youngest turns six tomorrow, and our oldest son turns 13 in a week and a half!  Time really does fly by!

I  know you probably came here for something crafty (and I will get to that, I promise) but I just feel the need to brag on my kiddos for a minute.  I hope you don't mind indulging me.  Some of you that have been long-time subscribers already know the journey my daughter has been on.  In 2009 she had a brain tumor removed and has worked relentlessly on therapy ever since (both physical and cognitive).  We home schooled her during the whole process, and while it wasn't easy by any stretch of the imagination, she was determined to not only gain back what she lost but to even excel.  Fast forward to this year.  She entered public school for the first time in her life as a sophomore in high school.  At parent teacher conferences last night, we were told by ALL of her teachers what an amazing and exceptionally bright student she is.  Her art teacher said that she is inspired by her, her english teacher said that she is a bright spot in his day, and her history teacher told us that she is one of the hardest working students he knows.  In fact, her history teacher wants her to bypass his class next year and go straight into AP History.  It was all DH and I could do to keep the tears at bay last night.  To top it all off, we received her report card.  She earned all A's and one B.  That B was in math, and that is where the majority of her cognitive loss was (so that B is actually higher than an A in our eyes).  We know first hand how hard Ali has worked for this, how many tears she has shed, how much pain she has endured (and still does), and how many prayers she has prayed.  We are so incredibly proud of her.

Thank you so much for sticking with me today!  Sometimes, my heart gets too full and I just have to let it out.  :-)

And now for something crafty...

This is something I whipped up using Kim's new Promenade set!  Speaking of Paper Smooches, did you see Kim's announcement HERE?  I am SO excited!  Her CHF images are what made me fall in love with her designs, so I cannot wait to see which ones she brings back!  Her first "Kismet Collection" set called Forest Whimsy has officially been released today!  I just received mine, and I have some me timed scheduled this afternoon where I plan to ink this CAUUUUTE set up!  :-)

Well, I have certainly been chatty today!  Thanks for listening!  Hugs, Laurie

Peace...

Happy, happy Monday to you!  All of our boys have the day off from school (our high school aged daughter is not so lucky) so I plan on spending the day hanging out with them!  We remodeled their bedroom this weekend (painted and put in new flooring and light fixtures) so a little break will be good for all of us!  :-)  They are so excited about their room, though.  DH is in the process of building them a lodge pole triple bunk bed (a regular bunk bed with a loft bed attached in a L shape).  After our trip to ikea next weekend to pick up new dressers, a shelving unit, and some storage bins their room will be finished!

Enough of my rambling...you probably came here to see something stamped, right?  Well, you're in luck!  Teeheee!

Over at the Verve Blog, the Divas are sharing their favorite card made with the newly released stamps today!  I thought I'd share mine here as well...

My card was created using the Bright Spirits stamps set and the Winter Tree Plain Jane.  I made the little winter scene using the Season's Greetings collection by Echo Park.  I just love, love, love the colors in this paper collection!  LOVE them!  And I thought they would be perfect for Julee's fun and whimsical Winter Tree PJ!

Is anyone else excited for Christmas?  I just cannot wait to start decorating our home this year!  I've been busy in my stamp room making all sorts of gifts (some of which I will share with you soon) and it has just made me even more anxious for the Holidays!  :-)

Well, that's all from me today!  Make sure to pop on over to the Verve Blog to see all of the other Diva favorites!

Hugs, Laurie

 

Verve Holiday New Release Hop...

Welcome to our final Holiday Spotlight Hop! Last night we released 2 new stamp sets, 5 plain janes and 6 dies to coordinate with new and old Verve holiday sets! All of the new products we've been showcasing this week are available now in the Verve store! Be sure to leave a little comment love as you take one last stroll through the Diva and Guest Diva blogs. One lucky commenter from today's hop will win the ENTIRE Release! Check out the Verve Blog today for all the prize details and deadlines.

I used two new Plain Janes on my card today!  I started by stamping the Curvy Cross image, and then embossed Jeremiah 33:3 Plain Jane on top.  I used the Curvy Bookplate die to frame the focal image.  I took the colors scheme directly from the patterned paper (Picadilly from Basic Grey) and then added a few fun embellishments. 

You defnitely won't want to miss all of the new Verve goodness being shared on the Design Team's blogs today...

 

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Have a GREAT day!

1. Julee 8. Sankari 2. Andrea 9. Teresa 3. Vickie {Guest} 10. Charmaine 4. Amy 11. Tosha 5. Maureen 12. Wanda {Guest} 6. Laurie 13. Jackie 7. Gretchen {Guest}