Just Give Me Stamps...

Gourmet Coffee Drink...

Hi!  Are you enjoying your weekend?  My youngest son is turning four on Monday, but we are having his party tomorrow.  Sooo...we are doing all the "oh my gosh people are coming over so we better clean this place up" stuff!  LOL!  (How is it that even when you're gone the house gets even dirtier??) 

I wanted to quickly come and share a peek of a little project that I have posted over on the Verve Stamps blog for this month's Project Parade Challenge.  The theme is "Home for the Holidays", which can include cards, gifts, or decor.  Since I'm still trying to work my way to the end of my "gifts to make" list, I chose to make a gift.

I re-purposed a tin to hold some homemade gourmet coffee drink mix.  I decorated the top using Verve's O Christmas Tree set.  The blue part of the topper opens up to reveal decorated instructions so the recipient knows just how much mix to add.  

For even more pictures (including pictures of the topper open) and the recipe for the Spanish Mocha gourmet coffee mix, head on over to the Verve Stamps blog!  :-)

Before I go, I want to share a picture I took off of our front porch!  Even though it's not our first snow of the season, it is the first snow that is accompanied with the normal cold Montana winters (the temperature outside when I took this photo was only 2 degrees Fahrenheit!!).

Doesn't it just LOOK cold?  Brrrrr!  :-)

Okay...back to cleaning for me!  I hope you have a wonderful weekend!  ~Laurie
 
 
 

Having a Bad Day?

Hi!  We've been SO busy around here lately!  Aside from taking a small trip (first one that wasn't Dr. related in a looooong time :-), we've been doing some major cleaning and re-organizing.  I can't believe how long I've let things like that go.  I think I'm like TWO Springs behind on my Spring cleaning!!  LOL!  Anyway, it feels so good to get things back into order.

I wanted to share with you a little gift set I put together.  While grocery shopping, I saw a little bag of gummy sharks on a candy rack near the check-out.  I normally do not buy anything "extra" after I check off that last item on my list, but I nearly flipped when I saw these!!!  I immediately thought of my favorite image from the Beach Bum set...the cuppie in the water surrounded by shark fins!  They were in my basket faster than I could say cupcake!  Teehehehee!   

Isn't this the funniest image?  It puts things in perspective, I think!  :-)  After putting the gummy sharks into a cello bag, I made a little box to hold them.  The paper (Snorkel line from Cosmo Cricket) is from the Beach Bum Key Ingredients Kit.   Click on the above picture for a larger view.

  

I stamped the image onto Choice Buttercream c.s. using Tuxedo Black Memento ink, and then colored it in with my Copic markers.  To add some sparkle, I dabbed on just a little bit of Stardust Stickles onto the waves.  The orange dot embellishments are also included in theBeach Bum Key Ingredients. 

 

I was looking through my embellishments and came across this charm (form the Beach Bum Charm Collection) and thought it would give the recipient a  snicker or two (one lone flipper paired with the shark image LOL!)!

Well, I need to go finish up dinner.  It's haying season here, so that means that DH rushes in the house, eats, and rushes back out to the fields.  I better make sure it's ready when he finally makes it in for a few minutes...  :-)

Thanks for stopping by!!  Hugs, Laurie

Cookies in a Jar...

Are you enjoying all of the JustRite projects the Stamper's Dream DT have been sharing?  It is always so fun to see all the different styles and projects achieved from the same stamp set!  :-) 

I used the Preserves Borders & Centers set for my project.  I don't actually do a lot of canning (o.k....who am I kidding...I don't do ANY canning Bwahahahaa!), but I saw so many possibilities for this set that would work for things I actually do!  LOL! 

  

I thought the mason jar image would work perfectly for a "Cookies in a Jar" gift ensemble! 

   

I stamped the main image (and the matching decorative border) onto Kraft c.s. and colored it in with my copics. 

    

I was going to hand write the work cookies on the jar label, but then remembered the Recipe Borders and Centers set and thought there might be a cookie word in it.  Yep!!  I was right!!  The stamp actually says Cookies & Cakes...and I only wanted the cookies part, so here is how I made it work for me.  I put the Cookies & Cakes stamp on my Rectangle Stamper block, inked up only the cookies word (I used the tip of a Memento Dew Drop ink pad), and then used my Stamp-a-ma-jig to line up the word correctly.  It worked like a charm...and looks a TON better than my handwriting!  :-)

  

For the inside, I decorated the baking instructions (which I printed on my computer).  The recipe is called "Cranberry Hootycreeks"...and it is a cookie recipe I chose solely for the name!!  It cracks me up every time I see it!!!  In addition to having the BEST name...the cookies are absolutely delicious!  I found this particular recipe on a site called Recipe Goldmine.  HERE is the link to a whole collection of different Gifts in a Jar (soups, cookies, & much more).

There's even more JustRite inspiration to see!  Check out what Michelle and Tosh have created!

Thanks for stopping by today!  ~Laurie

Recipe   Stamps: Preserves Borders & Centers, Recipe Borders & Centers (JustRite Stampers)   Paper: Kraft, Ocean Tides (PTI), Fancy Pants patterned paper   Ink: Rich Cocoa Memento Ink, Antique Linen Distress Ink, Baja Breeze (Stampin' Up!)   Other: Nestabilities, Copics, Sewing Machine, Cutter Bee (to score with), Stickles, Scarlet Jewel ribbon and buttons (PTI)

A JustRite Gift Set...

Happy Tuesday!  This week the Stamper's Dream team is having a JustRite week (where we show projects that we've made with JustRite products), and today is one of my days to share with you what I've made!  :-)

You all probably know how much I love the Love Notes sized cards (they measure 3" x 3")...they are the perfect size to give away as gifts!  We know someone in our church who has volunteered to help out in the nursery, and has continued to do so for many years.  Having four kids, we have gotten to know her pretty well.  :-)  As you can imagine, it is not always the funnest place to be...but she always wore a smile and seemed genuinely happy to see our children.  Well, I wanted to make her a little "something" to say thank you, so I created a "love note" gift set using the new JustRite 1 3/16" Damask set.

 

I used Lauren Meader's Rounded Wrap-Up Template to create the box.  I filled the decorated box with  six matching love notes (and envelopes) and as many little Hershey Bliss Creamy Milk Chocolates as I could fit in there.  :-)

 

This is one of the two love note designs.  I created the scored diamond background using my Scor-Pal.

 

For more JustRite inspiration, head on over to Cammie, Charmaine, Michelle, & Tosh's blogs!

I'll be back tomorrow with another JustRite project to share with you!  ~Laurie

Mother's Day Enesemble...

Happy Friday!  Wooohooo!!  Today, is Cambria's turn to host the Weekend Sketch Challenge!  I combined her sketch with my project for the Verve Project Parade (It's a Girl Thing).  I just loved the flower shaped focal piece on her sketch, and knew that this was going to my my Mom's Mother's Day card! 

 

To create my card, I used Verve's Because of You set, my Blossom Nestabilities, Ivory Silk ribbon (ooooohhhh my gosh, is this stuff ever WONDERFUL!!!  I can't believe how beautifully it ties!!), K & Co. patterned paper, and some Jute trim.  

I had to show you a close-up of the butterfly charm!  When I first decided I wanted to add a charm (my Mom happens to love butterflies), I wasn't happy with it at all.  The bright silver color just seemed to stick out like a sore thumb on my soft pastel card.  I then realized that if I can color my pearls and rhinestones to match my cards...why can't I color my charms??!!?  Total light bulb moment!!!  So, here you see my finished charm colored ever so slightly with my Willow Copic marker...a perfect match!  :-) 

I also created a matching Card Organizer using Beate's Splitcoast tutorial...for the Verve Stamps Project Parade!  You can see the finished organizer HERE!

Want to see more samples using Cami's Weekend Sketch #80?  Check out what Cami, Charmine, Jenn, Lori, & Sharon have created!

Thanks for stopping by!  Enjoy your Friday!  :-)  ~Laurie

Got the Sniffles?

Today is the big day - the two new sets (Doctor's Orders & Boys Will Be Boys) from Taylored Expressions are now available!  :-)

When I received my Doctor's Orders set, there were two projects that immediately came to mind.  One was the tea bag holder card...and the other was a personal tissue holder!  

I used the Tissue stamp from Doctor's Orders (along with two of the sentiments from the same set) to create this ensemble.  The paper is some My Mind's Eye paper that I've had in my "stash" for what seems like ages now...but the bright cheery colors seemed perfect for someone under the weather! 

 

I used my Square Nestabilities, Labels 4 Nestabilities, ribbon, Taylor's Tiny Twinkles, & buttons to dress up my card.  Oh...and I added just the tiniest bit of Stickles to the polka dots on the tissue box!  :-)

 

The box is embellished almost the same as the card - same papers, colors, & ribbons...with the addition of a couple of added flowers (I made them with the flower die from the Scalloped Edge Frame Set).

 

The inside part of the box just slides out...kind of like a match box...to reveal a package of tissues!  Getting sick is no fun...but making gifts for those we care about when they do get sick IS fun!  :-)

There's more inspiration waiting for you on the Design Team's blogs:   Ana, Charmaine, Dawn, Denise, Donna, Jen, Jodi, Karen G., Karen M., Laura, Sankari, & Taylor!

Have a wonderful day!  ~Laurie

Coffee & JustRite...

Coffee and JustRite stamps...now that is a wonderful combo!!  :-)  I really, really like coffee!  I always have...in fact I used to "sneak" it when I was a little girl!  My mom wouldn't let me drink it (imagine not letting a young child drink coffee...LOL), so when she wasn't looking I would drink it from her cup!  I know, I'm not proud of the "sneaking" part...and have since owned up to it...but the love for the rich, bold taste of java has never left me.  So...when I spied the new "A Little Caffeine" JustRite set at CHA, I knew I had to get my hands on it as soon as it was available!

Not only do I love to drink coffee...but I also love to give it away!  I took some of my favorite beans, packaged them in a cello bag, and created a box and matching card.     

 

I used two different centers and borders (all are from the A Little Caffeine set), some burlap, buttons, & some ribbon to create my ensemble.  A note about the ribbon...in real life, this is the MOST gorgeous dark brown and cream ribbon (not the black you see in the photo)!  I have no idea why, but I could not get the ribbon to be true to color...no matter how hard I tried (and how many different pictures I took :-)  

And here's a little peek at the inside!  :-) 

Today is actually the start of a week long JustRite celebration over at Stamper's Dream!  Michelle has all the new sets (including this coffee one) in stock and the design team is creating samples all week for you to enjoy!  :-)  Kim & Michelle also have some JustRite goodness to share with you! today  :-)

Thanks for stopping by!  ~Laurie

Recipe   Stamps: A Little Caffeine (JustRite Stampers)   Paper: Neenah Natural White, Dark Chocolate (PTI)   Ink: Rich Cocoa Memento Ink, Chocolate Chip craft ink, Antique Linen Distress Ink   Other: Copics, Nestabilities, Clear e.p., Brown & Ivory gingham ribbon, Dark Chocolate buttons (PTI), Burlap

A Tea Bag Holder...Cuppie Style!

Can you believe it's May already??!!?!  The time has seriously flown by for me, and if my calendar didn't say it really was May there is no way I would believe it!  :-)

Today is the first day of sneak peeks for the May Taylored Expressions release, and the Baker's Dozen DT is all showing peeks of a new set called Doctor's Orders!  This set couldn't have come at a better time for me, because there are a LOT of people I know who are not feeling well (I'm sure it has a lot to do with our CRAZY weather)!

 

I used this cute Cuppie Nurse and some Girl Friday paper to create a card/tea bag holder.  I stamped the main image onto Buttercream Choice c.s. using Tuxedo Black Memento Ink and then colored it in using my Copic markers.

 

So that my card/holder would stay closed, I added a Basic Grey Magnetic Closure to the flap (I hid the bottom part of the magnet under one of my cardstock layers).

 

To hold the tea bags (there are two in my holder above), I created a pocket and decorated it with coordinating paper.

I'm working on a short tutorial...just in case you are interested in making one of these!  :-)  I will post it on Tuesday (along with another bonus template)!

You won't want to miss what the other Baker's Dozen girls have "cooked" up for you:  Ana, Charmaine, Dawn, Denise, Donna, Jen, Jodi, Karen G., Karen M., Laura, Sankari, & Taylor!

Thanks so much for visiting!  ~Laurie

Recipe   Stamps: Doctor's Orders (Taylored Expressions)   Paper: Choice Buttercream c.s., Ocean Tides (PTI), Girl Friday (Cosmo Cricket)   Ink: Tuxedo Black Memento Ink, Hibiscus, Antique Linen Distress Ink   Other: Nestabilities, Copics, Dew Drops, Ribbon, Basic Grey Magnetic closure, Paper piercer

Cupcake Gift Set...

Remember a while ago when I posted THIS photo holder that I altered?  Well, during that same "Dollar Bin" shopping spree at JoAnn's I scored THE most adorable cupcake towel gift!!  It's been sitting on my desk...all pink and SUPER cute...just waiting to be dressed up!  When I ran into a friend the other day that happens to love pink (and cupcakes :-) as much as I do, I knew I had found a home for this sweet cupcake gift!

Of course, no gift is complete without a matching card, right?!!?!  :-)  I pulled out my Downtown Diva cupcake set from Taylored Expressions and got to work!

  

Doesn't it make you CRAVE a cupcake??  :-)  I colored the cuppies with my Copics (forgot to take a picture of them before I put them away....I'm sooo sorry!!), then used my Nestabilities to frame the image.

I used some Brown Polka Dot ribbon to dress up the towel cupcake a little.  The tag was made by first stamping the "thinking of you" sentiment (from A Year of Sweet Sentiments) in Rich Cocoa Memento ink then cutting/embossing with the medium tag die from the Spellbinder's Tag Trio set.

For the card, I chose this wonderfully pink patterned paper from K & Co (yes, I use their paper A LOT...because, well...I'm a complete K & Co. junkie...I can't get enough!!!)!  Just because I wanted to, I added some Diamond Glaze to the heart and some Stardust Stickles to the cuppies' cherries!  :-)

Thanks so much for stopping by!  ~Laurie

Recipe   Stamps: Downtown Diva, A Year of Sweet Sentiments (Taylored Expressions)   Paper: Choice Buttercream c.s., Dark Chocolate, Pretty in Pink, K & Co. patterned paper   Ink: Rich Cocoa Memento Ink   Other: Copics, Nestabilities, Brown Polka Dot ribbon, Buttons, Sewing Machine, Tag Trio dies, Diamond Glaze, Stardust Stickles

A Fun Flowery Gift...

   Happy Monday!  Today it was my turn to post on the Stamp a Sweet Impression blog...and I created a flower filled gift basket! 

I hope you go and check it out!  :-)  Hugs, Laurie