Just Give Me Stamps...

Hello Friend...

Happy Monday friends!  I'm the Mix It Up Monday hostess this week over at Stamp TV!  The challenge this week is to use at least 3 buttons on your card or project!  You all know that I love me some buttons!  :-)

For my card, I used Melanie's beautiful Stately Flowers 1 set (Gina K Designs) along with three buttons from the new Color Companions Singing the Blues Buttons!

I wanted a subtle sentiment, so I stamped one of the sentiments (included in the Stately Flowers 1 set) using Versamark ink three times along the bottom.  And, just because I love glitter, I added some around the edge of the top layer as well as a little to the tips of the flower petals! 

If you have some time, I would love it if you played along with the challenge!  You can read all of the details HERE!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope your day included a little time to get inky!  :-)  ~Laurie

 

CASE Study 2nd Anniversary Blog Hop - Week 2...

 

Hi there!  The CASE Study Blog is celebrating its 2nd Anniversary and I am so honored to be a part of the big celebration!  This week, the blog hop theme is "Think Out of the Box" - and you're asked to tackle something you have never done before, whether it's a style, technique, type of project, etc. 

If you are hopping along in order, you should have arrived here from Jen Rzasa's blog.  If you just stopped by to see what I've been up to, make sure to head on over to the CASE Study blog...you will be so glad you did! 

In this card, I tackled three things that I never do - clean and simple, a tall and skinny card, and NO embellishments!  GASP!!!!  I wasn't sure I was going to make it there for a little while...  LOL!  Just kidding!  Seriously though, I really admire those who can create such amazing clean and simple cards...it is a lot harder than it looks!! 

For my card, I cut the scalloped rectangle layers, mustache, & lips all with my Silhouette.  I then embossed the best wishes sentiment (from the Simply Said set from Paper Smooches) along the bottom.

Funny story...  When I first showed this card to my DH he just stared and stared at it.  After a while, I asked him if he "got it".  Being the ever so tactful guy that he is, he said "no, but it's a really great card".  LOL!!!   That made me nervous though, because I thought it was pretty clear it was a fun style wedding card.  Oh well, at least he said he liked it!  Teeheee!

I couldn't help myself.  I had to make two projects!  The very first thing that I thought of when I saw the theme "think out of the box", I thought of a literal box.  LOL!  So, I created a box that I have never made before...a cupcake box!  :-)

Again, I used my Silhouette to cut out the box.  I then decorated it with some liquid pearls along the scalloped edge.  For the "cherry on top", I added some ribbon and red roses.  To finish it off, I used a tag image and two sentiments (from the Tag Time set from Verve Stamps). 

This little box was SO much fun to make!  I think I might make up several of these to keep on hand for when I need them.  :-)

Next up on the hop, is the super talented Amy Sheffer!! 

 

Thanks for stopping by!  Hugs, Laurie

Love at First Sip...

Good morning!  Not only is today Friday (Woohooo!), but it is also the day a new Viva La Verve sketch is posted over at the Verve Forum!  I am so excited to be this week's hostess!  I so hope you can play along!  There is a SERIOUS prize up for grabs ($100 Verve gift certificate!!!) for one lucky participant (you must complete all four February sketches to be qualified)!!  Check out the Verve Forum for all the details!

Here's the sketch I came up with...

If you know me at all, then you know I am a patterned paper fanatic (to put it mildly)!  LOL!  So naturally, the sketch I came up with allows you to use as much patterned paper as your heart desires!  Happy sigh...

For my card, I cut into my brand new Miss Caroline Howdy Doody paper pad (from My Mind's Eye).  I used Verve's Better with You set to create the focal images.

Well, that's all from me today!  I sure hope you get a chance to play along with the sketch this week!

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

Give Thanks...

Good morning!  I am so excited to share my post with you today!  A little while ago, Kirsty Vittetoe contacted me about being a guest on the City Crafter Challenge Blog...which I happily accepted!  The theme for this week is "*Thanks* Giving - create either a Thank you card or a handmade gift".  Next to Christmas, Thanksgiving is definitely one of my favorite holidays!  A whole day set aside to celebrate being thankful...yes, count me in on that!  :-)

For my card, I used one of my favorite Verve sets - Tall Oaks.  I mean, AAAACK!  That acorn is the absolute cutest!!  :-)  I think acorns should be used all year long...not just during the Fall!  I mean, we stamp with flowers all year long, right?  Let's end the acorn discrimination!!!  :-)

Okay, I will get off my "equal rights for foliage" kick!  LOL!  Thanks so much for joining me here today...and a great big thanks to Kirsty for the fun invitation!

Hugs, Laurie

The Night Before Christmas - WMS SOAP Day 2...

It's day 2 of the Waltzingmouse SOAP (Stamp of Approval Parade)!  The Design Team is sharing projects made with previously released Waltzingmouse Christmas sets!

For my card today, I used the 'Twas the Night Before Christmas set.  I wanted the poem to look like a notebook page, so I punched some notches out on the top and curled up the bottom edge.  I stamped Santa and his sleigh directly over the poem, then layered my sentiment on top.  In keeping with the homespun feel of the patterned paper, I added some buttons for embellishments.

There is still plenty of inspiration ahead!  Check out what the other ladies have created...

Anya Schrier
Becca Feeken
Julia Aston
Jennifer Holmes
Kelly Schirmer
Lynn Mercurio
Mona Pendleton
Sandie Dunne
Tosha Leyendekker
Claire Brennan (Owner)

Thanks so much for stopping by!  ~Laurie