Just Give Me Stamps...

Thoughts & Prayers...

Hi!  I'm back with another card to share with you.  :-)

We have some friends that are going through a major crisis right now.  It used to be hard for me to write cards to those going through major struggles.  I mean, I wanted to show them how much I care about them...but finding the right words proved difficult.  After our own major struggle, I realized that it's not so much the words...it's just the knowing that someone cares!  So, this card is going out tomorrow to hopefully do just that...let them know we care!

At first glance, there doesn't appear to be any stamping here...but hold on, I'll show you the stamping in a second!  LOL!  The main reason there isn't any stamping visible is because I fell head over heels in LOVE with this new My Mind's Eye paper (from the new Life Stories Collection) and I couldn't bring myself to cover even an inche of it up!  This is truly my "dream" paper!!  Mmmmm, mmmmm!!  I kept the embellishments simple:  a butterfly punch with a flower attached, some ribbon tied with a button, some crochet lace trim, and a tag.

 See...I DID stamp!  :-)  I tucked a little tag (stamped with one of the sentiments and flowers from the Thinking of You set (from Flourishes)

Here's a close-up of the tag.  :-)

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you have a blessed day!  ~Laurie

 
Stamps:  Thinking of You (Flourishes)
Paper:  Kraft c.s. (PTI), My Mind's Eye (Life Stories Collection)
Ink:  Chocolate Chip craft ink (SU!), Aqua Mist Pigment (PTI), Antique Linen Distress ink
Accessories:  Clear detail e.p., Burlap string, button, Vintage Cream grosgrain ribbon (PTI), Flower, Butterfly punch (PTI), Sewing Machine, Crochet lace
 

Christmas Wreath...

Good morning!  Are you all staying healthy?  Our family has been hit pretty hard with Influenza...actually the only one that escaped getting it is my DH (lucky duck!!)!  I think we are all finally starting on the mend though, and I can't tell you how glad I will be to get our normal routine back! 

Last night, Flourishes released six brand new Christmas sets and they are all available at Stamper's Dream!  I've mentioned it before, but I have a MAJOR thing for wreaths!!  Love, love, love them!   So when Michelle sent me this Christmas Wreath set I squealed with delight!  If there ever was a gorgeous, elegant, & completely beautiful wreath stamp, then this is it!!

One thing I have to tell you...when I first sat down to stamp with this I was intimidated!  You see, I'm not a color-er by nature.  I have to really work at it.  I was pleasantly surprised to find that this is one of the easiest images to color!  Really!!  All the shading is done for you (they are already drawn in)!  I showed this card to my DH (who is not easily impressed - I think he would make an excellent card critic LOL!!), and the first thing he said was, "Wow!  Your coloring is wonderful!".  So...a stamp that can make anyone look like an artist, well count me in!!  LOL!  :-)

There is more Flourishes inspiration to be seen over at Amy & Tosh's blogs!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you have a lovely weekend!  ~Laurie

Stamps:  Christmas Wreath (Flourishes)
Paper:  Scarlet Jewel (PTI), Lily Bee (Audrey) patterned paper, Choice Buttercream (TE)
Ink:  Rich Cocoa Memento Ink, Versamark
Accessories:  Copic markers, Kaiser Pearls, Burgundy embossing powder, Sewing Machine, Stickles, Diamond Glaze, Cuttlebug dies, Ticket corner punch (SU!), White gel pen
 
 

Faith Card Set...

Happy Friday!!  And happy Weekend Sketch day!  :-)  Our hostess this week is Sharon, and you can see the sketch she created over at her blog. 

I decided to turn the sketch (mostly so that it would fit my focal image better).  I loved the way that it turned out...so much so that I decided to make three more!  LOL!

This is the first one that I created.  Black and white is always a favorite of mine...I think it's so elegant!  I've had this sentiment (from the Timeless Quotes Flourishes set) for a while and really wanted to use it.  Because I wanted the sentiment to be the focal point, I kept the design a bit understated.  I embossed the Damask Background stamp using clear embossing powder for the background to create a subtle yet elegant tone-on-tone look.  To dress it up a bit more, I added some Crochet White trim, Black Organdy ribbon, and a Heart Ribbon slide.

I kept the whole design exactly the same, but changed the color.  Red has got to be my all time favorite color, so I couldn't resist using it here...  :-)  One tip I have is that when embossing sentiments (or other detailed images) I like to use detailed embossing powder.  It makes a whole WORLD of difference!!  In fact, it is the only embossing powder I use anymore! 

After I made the red one, I reached for one of my other go-to colors...Chocolate Brown!  Mmmmm,mmmmm!  

And then I made a Spring Moss colored card...to brighten up all these dark colors!  Heheheee!

There is more Weekend Sketch Inspiration waiting for you at Beate, Cambria, Charmaine, Jenn, Lori, & Sharon's blogs!

Thanks for stopping by!  ~Laurie

Birthday Wishes for Michelle...

Happy Friday!!  Today is Michelle's birthday (owner of Stamper's Dream), so I decided to use this week's Weekend Sketch Challenge (Cami is the hostess this week) to make her a birthday card!  :-)  Michelle, I hope you have a FABULOUS day...you deserve it!!!

 

I stamped and colored with Copics the lemon tree (from the new Life, Love, & Lemons set by Flourishes) for my main image.  Then, for the horizontal strip across the bottom, I pleated some White Crochet trim and added some Ivory Taffeta ribbon (that I dyed to match my card using a Copic marker), a button, and a tag.  I couldn't help myself...I just had to add some sparkle to those lemons (I used Stardust Stickles)!  The background paper is from the Basic Grey Porcelain pad and the yellow card stock is from the Sunflowers Prism pack.

Make sure to check out what the other Weekend Sketch Girls have made:  Charmaine, Cami, Lori, & Sharon!

Have a wonderful day!  ~Laurie

Patriotism on Parade...

 Woohoo for Friday!!  :-)  Ok, so I have something I need to confess...  On a ranch, Friday is the same as Monday (which is the same as every other day)!  LOL!!  As much as we'd like them to, the animals don't take the weekend off!  :-)  I still get excited for Friday though.  It's the one day we all stay up late...and of course sleep later on Saturday!  Well, except for DH (who thinks 9 pm is staying up late)!  Teehehee!

Well, there is a LOT of exciting stamping stuff going on today!  First up is a brand new set from Flourishes called Patriotic on Parade.  This set (along with two others) will be available tonight at Stamper's Dream!       

This first card I kept very simple and gender neutral.  I started with a 4" square Kraft card stock base.  For the background, I chose some My Mind's Eye patterned paper (I do love me some My Mind's Eye!  :-)!  The embellishments are some WAY cool paper fasteners (by 7 Gypsies) to which I tied some Burlap string.

 

This next card is the total opposite of the first!  Instead of simple and "minimal" I jumped off the embellishment "deep end"!  LOL!  Isn't this silhouette image fun?  I think it's my favorite stamp in the set!  I chose the colors completely around this Blue Plaid May Arts ribbon.  I added rhinestones in the corners and a Heart Ribbon Slide to the center of the bow.

I'll be back in a few hours with something else to share!  :-)  ~Laurie

Hello Friend...

First, I want to wish everyone a Happy Mother's Day!!  I realize that not every one reading this is a mother...but I'm sure you have been blessed by someone who is!  :-)  I know that I have!  My mother is such an amazing person...someone who has been through difficult and sometimes devastating circumstances...but has not only come through them but many times flourished because of them!  That is amazing strength personified!  I love her so much, and am eternally grateful for the unconditional love she showered upon me as well as the sacrifices she made so many times along the way!

O.k...enough chattering on my part and on to the card!           

 

Here's a quick card I made recently but haven't had a chance to share before now.  :-)  I was so intrigued by the colors in the new Basic Grey Wisteria collection...they are definitely not my "go-to" colors, but I'm really anxious to try and get out of my stamping "box" so to speak!  :-) 

I stamped the stack of pretty mugs (from the Coffee With Friends set from Flourishes) on to Simply Smooth White c.s.and colored them in with my Copics.    I used my Mega Rectangle Nestabilities to frame the focal image as well as the smallest die (in the Tag Trio set).

Again...I hope you all enjoy your Mother's Day!  It's the hardest and most rewarding job out there!  :-)

Hugs, Laurie

All Wrapped Up...

Happy Thursday!  Today, I have the honor to share with you a "sneak peek" of a brand new Flourishes set called All Wrapped Up!  Michelle at Stamper's Dream, is now carrying Flourishes stamps!  I really love this set in particular, because it fills such a specific need for birthday cards.  I have stamps that are great for younger recipients...but I've been wanting a set that I could use to make cards for adults...and this one is perfect!!

   

I decided to go the paper piecing route...verses coloring the package in. I used two different patterned papers (from K & Co) and accented them with Black cardstock.  The gift is layered several times for a 3-D effect (see close-up photo below).  For embellishments, I added some Black Pearls, a heart charm, some Doodlebug ribbon, and an embossed lace border (made from my Martha Stewart border punch).

This set will be available Friday from Stamper's Dream!  To see more sneak peeks of the All Wrapped Up set, check out what Cindy, Kim, & Tosha have made! 

Thanks for stopping by!  ~Laurie

Recipe   Stamps: All Wrapped Up (Flourishes)   Paper: Ocean Tides, Black c.s. (PTI), K & Co. Patterned Paper   Ink: Versafine Onyx   Other: Clear detail e.p., Labels1 Nestabilities, Black Pearls, Martha Stewart border punch, Corner rounder punch, Heart charm, Doodlebug ribbon