Just Give Me Stamps...

Pencil Gift Boxes...

Happy Wednesday to you!  First, I want to apologize for not sharing the photos of all of Alison's birthday cards yet.  She has taken some of them to school to put in her locker, and I wanted to make sure and capture all of them.  She gets out early this week so I will make sure and do that this weekend!  You all were SO generous both with your cards and your encouraging words!  She really was overwhelmed (in a good way)!  I will also update you all on how she's doing.  I'm on a bit of a time limit today, so I will share that when I post the birthday cards.  Please know that your kindness has truly blessed us!!!!

I like to keep little gifts on hand for when the need arises (friend birthdays, hostess gifts, and little thank yous).  A long time ago, I created a pencil box gift (you can find the tutorial HERE) and thought it would be fun to revisit that and make some more.  If you are interested in the measurements I used on this box, I just increased the two 1 1/4" sides to 2".  There is just a bit of wiggle room left in the box but I was feeling lazy and 2" was easier to do.  :-)

I scored some gorgeous pencils on my last Michael's shopping trip for exactly this purpose.  I LOVE the gray polka dots..so chic!  I did alter my original pencil box to fit 6 pencils instead of 4.  To decorate it, I added some die cut felt flowers and an embossed sentiment (from Verve's Words of Wisom set).

My second box, I purposely did not add any sentiments (so I can give it for any occasion).  I decorated it with a paper rosette, some felt flowers, ribbon, and a crystal button. 

Thanks so much for joining me here today!  I hope your day is filled to the brim with happiness!  ~Laurie

Smarty Pants...

Happy Tuesday friends!  Today I have a quick and easy teacher gift to share with you!

I used Kim's Smarty Pants set (don't you just LOVE her stamp set names?) to create this post it note holder.  I was not thinking clearly as I didn't even get a photo of the actual post it note pad.  I realize it looks just like a mini card...but trust me, there is a post it note pad in there!  :-)

The cardstock is from the Ed Collection (available from Paper Smooches).  Each of the colors have a different texture to them...I LOVE it!

This photo is of the post it note holder and some pencils all wrapped up and ready to give away!  I used the same pencil image and colors here to give it all that "matchy-matchy" look that I so love!  :-)

That's all from me today.  I hope your day is filled with happiness!  :-)
~Laurie

 

Cardstock Ed Collection

Paper Smooches Smarty Pants

PTI Orange Zest Buttons

Notebook Glassine Bag

Stardust Stickles

InLinkz.com

Cards Make Great Gifts!

 Hi there!  Today I have a bold and graphic card set to share with you using some newly released Waltzingmouse Stamps!  I used the Heirloom Patterns set (that our very own Anya designed!! YAY!!!) along with Compact Sentiments set.

Here's a photo of all the cards and envelopes packaged up and ready to give away!  Cards make such a nice gift, don't you think?  :-)

I created the tag by embossing the Just for You sentiment onto some red cardstock and punching it out with a heart punch.  So easy!  :-)

Here's a photo of all of the cards lined up.  I kept the embellishments to a minimum so that they could be easily mailed.

 

I was so taken with Anya's diamond pattern (from the Heirloom Patterns set) and thought it would look perfect stamped in black on white paper!  I just adore the bold look it gives!

I used a different sentiment and color of cardstock for each of the four cards.

The black background layer is scored at 1/4" intervals to give added texture to the card.

 

To finish the card, I rounded all of the corners, and ran my background black layer across my white ink pad before I layered on the card,  I think this helps it stand out a little without the added bulk of another layer.

Well, that's all from me today!  Thanks so much for joining me here!  Hugs, Laurie

Valentine's Day Treats...

Hi there!  I wanted to pop in here and share the goodies I made for my boys to give away at their school Valentine's Day party tomorrow!

I used the uber cute Love Monsters set from Taylored Expressions for two of the three different types of treats.  The top left treat is the one my youngest son will be giving away to his classmates.  He LOVED this stamp and insisted that we put a punched out red heart between them! 

The little monster treat on the right is what I fondly call the "Nerd Sandwich"!  (See last photo for a picture of the back).  I placed a mini box of Nerds candy between to red scalloped circles.

For the little dynamite sticks, I wrapped red cardstock around three packages of Smarties.  Then, I tucked a "wick" (a piece of rope) into one end.  To complete them, I tied a tag (printed on my computer) that says "You're the Bomb!" onto it with some twine.

This photo shows you the back of the Nerd Sandwich.  The bottom half is where my middle son will write the to and from stuff.  :-)

Well, that's all from me!  Hope you enjoy the rest of your day!  ~Laurie

Glitz CHA Project - Tag & Card Book...

 Happy Tuesday friends!  Today I'm sharing with you the final project I created for the Glitz CHA booth.  THis is a photo heavy post, so go ahead and grab a cuppa while it all loads up!  :-)

I mostly used products from the new Pretty in Pink collection, but also used some goodies from the new French Kiss collection as well.  :-)

I started with the Pretty in Pink Chipboard Album and added layers and embellishments.

The Teeny Alpha Stickers are perfect for layering on top of the burlap!  I didn't add any extra adhesive...they are that sticky! 

The bird (from Glitz's Clear Stamps) is covered in Crackle Glaze for some fun texture.

This first page holds a card and matching envelope.  All of the pockets look like they are sewn on to the chipboard album, but in reality I stitched the paper first then used a strong adhesive to attach them to the album. 

This card was embellished using Glitz's Clear Stamps and several of the Pretty in Pink papers.

I really love the Whatnots!  They are ready to go pieces that are perfect for cards or scrapbooks! 

This page is covered with one of the Pretty in Pink Peek-A-Boos.

THis next pocket holds a couple of coordinating tags.

The first tag is decorated using only patterned paper, one of the Clear Stamps, and a rhinestone.  The second tag also has patterned paper and the focal image is one of the Pretty in Pink Glitzers.

This next pocket definitely has a more masculine look.  I used a clear stamp from the French Kiss collection.

The card was made from all Pretty in Pink goodies!  I just chose the more neutral items to assemble this card.

More Whatnots!  I love them!

This page was embellished with a Peek-A-Boo, several stamped images, and a Glitzer.

Here's a peek at the next pocket (filled with a card and matching envelope)!  It's amazing how one Glitzer can add so much elegance!

This card was created using four patterns from Glitz's 6" Pretty in Pink Paper Pack, a Giant Rhinestone, a Whatnot, a doily, and a button.  So easy!

The next pocket is also decorated with a Glitzer (sorry for the glare in the photo...it's not that opaque looking in real life) and holds two coordinating tags.

More Whatnots!  I tell ya, these things are not only gorgeous but they make assembling projects so quick and easy!

In this photo, you can see just how pretty the pre-printed Chipboard Album pages are!  I adore that vintage french script on the background page!

My final photo shows two tags that fit nicely into the pocket behind them!  You can also see the Peek-A-Boo that I used on the left page!  I just love how all of the products work together so wonderfully!

Thanks SO much for stopping by today!  Hugs, Laurie

 

Happy Travels...

Hello again!  I'm back today to share a project I made with the new Happy Travels collection from Glitz Design! 

This project was initially intended to be a hot air balloon, but all of the flowers kind of made it difficult to attach the strings where they should go...so I guess it's more of a decorative topiary!  :-) 

I had a TON of fun making this project!  I cut out over 150 flowers, rolled them up, inked all the edges, and secured them on a foam ball using quilting pins.

Here's a close up photo of the Giant Rhinestone and epoxy word tag (all from the Happy Travels collection).

In this photo, you can better see the Layered Sticker I used.  Don't you just love the glitter??  Happy sigh...

For more projects using the Happy Travels collection, make sure to check out the Glitz Blog!

 

Well, that's all from me today.  I will be back tomorrow to share the last of my Glitz CHA projects.

I will also be back tomorrow to share some photos form my first CHA day!  :-)

 

Hugs, Laurie

Pretty in Pink...

I'm back today to share a project I made using the brand new Glitz Collection Pretty in Pink!

I altered this frame using lots of different Pretty in Pink papers, Glitzers, Cardstock Stickers, Peek-A-Boo and one of the new Giant Rhinestones!

I framed this photo of my daughter using one of the uber pretty Peek-A-Boo frames!  And those Glitzers...just LOOK at those gorgeous blingy, vintage stickers!  LOVE them!

You can see more Pretty in Pink projects over at the Glitz blog!

Thanks for stopping by!  ~Laurie

French Kiss...

Hi there!  I'm writing this from sunny foggy California!  I arrived yesterday, and am having a BLAST with Tosh!  Before heading out again, I wanted to pop in here and share one of the projects I made for Glitz's CHA booth using the brand new French Kiss collection!  I ADORE this line with all of it's burlap, vintage, creamy goodness!  Happy sigh....

I chose several of the more creamy patterned papers for my stacking boxes. 

I adorened them with some of the new Layered Stickers (do you SEE the gorgeous glitter that come on them??), trims, & buttons.

From this top view, you can better see one of the Layered Stickers and Giant Rhinestone I added to the top box. 

I really cannot wait to see Glitz Design's booth!  I will make sure to take lots of pictures and share them here with you all!  :-)

You can see more projects featuring the new French Kiss Collection over at the Glitz Blog! 

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

Hugs,
Laurie

 

Non Traditional Colors, but Festive as Ever...

Good morning!  It's my turn again to share some Holiday projects featuring Glitz's beautiful papers and embellishments!

For both of my projects today, I used papers and embellishments from the Dance in Sunshine collection!  I thought the soft purple and teals in this collection would look so pretty all dressed up for the Holidays!  :-)

For my first project, I created a soft and festive bag...perfect for tucking a small gift or card set inside!  Along with the papers (all from the Dance in Sunshine collection), I used a heart garland Whatnot to further embellish my bag.

For my next project, I created a matching card using many of the same papers and embellishments!  The focal image on this card is the Peek-a-Boo frame with the stamped sentiment.  I just love how all of the elements in this collection works so well together!

Thanks so much for joining me here today!  Hugs, Laurie

Merry Christmas Bag
Glitz Design Dance in Sunshine Papers: Stripe, Floral, Polka, Damask
Glitz Design Beautiful Dreamer Paper - Polka
Glitz Design Dance in Sunshine Whatnot
Glitz Design Dance in Sunshine Trim
Other: Bright Spirits stamp set (Verve Stamps), Ribbon, Flower, Rhinestones, Buttons, Sewing machine, Glitter

Jingle Bells Card
Glitz Design Dance in Sunshine Papers: Stripe, Floral, Polka, Damask
Glitz Design Beautiful Dreamer Paper - Damask
Glitz Design Dance in Sunshine Peek-A-Boo
Other:  Bright Spirits stamp set (Verve Stamps), Ribbon, Buttons, Rhinestone, Glitter, Jingle bells, String

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