Just Give Me Stamps...

July Friends of WaltzingMouse Stamps Blog Waltz...

Hi there!  Today is the Friends of Waltzingmouse Stamps Blog Waltz and the theme is colors of summer - blue, green, & neutral! 

I had my heart set on using the new Rescue Remedies set, and I needed a little gift for a friend, so I ended up whipping up this little treat box... 

 
I started by creating a quick 2, 5, 7, 10 Box using Early Espresso cardstock.  For the focal image (isn't that label from Rescue Remedies THE cutest label EVER!!?!), I embossed it directly onto patterned paper and then used my Labels 4 Nestabilities to cut it out. 

I created a handle out of cardstock and adhered it securely to the inside of the box.  I really wanted to use ribbon, and tried several different ways unsuccessfully before adding the little ties to the side.  After the box was finished I filled with some mini Hershey bars!  Mmmmm!

Like all the WMS Blog Waltzes, there are prizes to be had!!  :-)  The Design Team members having hidden some little serpent watermarks in their photos.  Some will be well hidden (like mine...hint, hint) and some won't have any at all...it's just part of the fun!  Count up all of the serpent watermarks you see in all of the DT photos (including Claire) and post them in the Blog Waltz forum for a chance to win some shiny new Waltzingmouse Stamps!!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  ~Laurie

New Stampin' Up! Colors...

So, I was talking to Julee the other day and she mentioned that she just got her new box of Stampin' Up! colors!  Then, she thought it would be fun to do a new color throw down!  I couldn't exactly say no because I'm usually the one issuing these "throw downs" (and then not doing them {{teehehee}})!  Oh wait...I guess I kind of issued this one as well because I chose the colors.  Man, I guess I need to not be so bossy!  :-)

Anyway, the top two colors on my new cardstock pile were Early Espresso (definitely a FAVE) and Daffodil Delight.  So that's what the throw down is...Early Espresso and Daffodil Delight (with a color of our choice thrown in for good measure)!   

 
As you can see...the color I chose to "add in" was Cherry Cobbler!  Mmmm, mmmm!  I do love me a good red!  :-)

I had envisioned some big, bold flowers...so I used my Spellbinder's blossom dies to create them!  After they were cut out, I stamped them with the polka dot background image (from the Bountiful Backgrounds set by Verve) using Versamark ink.  Using my 1" and 3/4" circle punches I created some "centers" for my flowers using the Early Espresso cardstock.  For the center flower, I first embossed the smile sentiment (from the Circular Sayings set by Verve) using White Detail e.p. and then punched it out.  A few buttons, some stitching, and several rhinestones later and my card was finished!

Make sure to head on over to Julee's blog and check out the AWESOME card she made!!!

Thanks for stopping by!!  ~Laurie

 
Stamps:  Bountiful Backgrounds (Verve Stamps), Circular Sayings (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  White c.s. (PTI), Daffodil Delight (SU!), Early Espresso (SU!), Cherry Cobbler (SU!)
Ink:  Versamark
Accessories:  White detail e.p., Buttons, Sewing Machine, Spellbinder's Blossom dies, Heart punch, Rhinestones (A Muse), String, Paper piercer

Weekend Sketch Friend...

TGIF!!  :-)   For this week's Weekend Sketch Challenge I kept it sweet and simple!   

I finally inked up my Simple Friendship set (Stampin' Up!)!!  I also finally dug into my Thoroughly Modern DP pack (what was I waiting for???)!  I knew I wanted to use Basic Black as an accent color, but I also wanted to lighten the combo up a bit, so I started going through my cardstock in search for the perfect "lighter" color!  I finally decided on Blush Blossom...and I have to say that I really, really love this combo!!

You can see Beate's Weekend Sketch #93 HERE, and also make sure to check out what Beate, Cambria, Charmaine, Jenn, Lori, Mary Jo (Woohoo Mary Jo's back!!  :-), & Sharon have created!

Sorry for the short post, we've got so much going on this weekend and I need to get busy!  Hope you have a great day!  ~Laurie

Supplies
Stamps:  Simple Friendship (Stampin' Up!)
Paper:  Blush Blossom, Basic Black, US White, Thoroughly Modern DP
Ink:  Versamark, Rose Red
Accessories:  Nestabilities, Dew Drops, Regal Rose grosgrain ribbon, Blush Blossom & Rose Red Stampin' Write Markers, Scallop border punch, White gel pen, Paper piercer

Tie One On!

This is my second post for today, so please scroll down to see my Weekend Sketch Challenge post!

I am so excited to be hostessing a challenge for this year's Dare to Get Dirty Challenges!  I chose to use a Previous Fan Club Gallery theme..."Tie One On"!  (Hint...it has to do with ribbon..  :-)  You can read all about my challenge HERE (you need to be a Fan Club member to see these challenges)!  Oh...and the fabulous Susan Roberts (aka Rainy) was kind enough to create a sample for this challenge!  You can see her sample in the "DTGD09Lauraly ~ Tie One On!" thread over at Splitcoast!

   

This is the sample I made.  I used the ribbon to create a lattice "background" over the K & Co. patterned paper.  I started by making light pencil lines where I wanted my ribbon to go (using a ruler of course :-), then I used a double stick adhesive to adhere the ribbon over the pencil marks.  To secure the edges and prevent the ribbon from fraying, I stitched around the edges.

The frilly, scrolly things are die cuts I added (from some Cuttlebug dies I have) behind my Label One Nestabilities layer.  I used the Hostess set Wings of Friendship for my focal image and the En Francais background stamp for the subtle scripted background.

Well, I'm headed back over the Splitcoast to check out all of the other Dare to Get Dirty challenges going on...  See you there!  ~Laurie

Supplies   Stamps: Wings of Friendship, En Francais (Stampin' Up!)   Paper: Vintage Cream (PTI), K & Co Blue Awning patterned paper   Ink: Versamagic Dew Drops, Creamy Caramel, Antique Linen Distress ink   Other: Labels One Nestabilities, Cuttlebug Dies, Vanilla taffeta ribbon, Pearls, Rhinestones, Charm, Sewing Machine

Dare to Get Dirty 2009!

Good Morning!  Dare to Get Dirty 2009 is officially here!    There will be three days (July 23-25) of fun packed challenges!  You can read all about it HERE (you need to be a Fan Club Member to participate).

Kicking off the first day of challenges, Jen del Muro (aka genie1314) issued a challenge using one of the Fan Club Gallery's previous themes (the first one, actually!!) - to create a project using tags.  I was so honored that she asked me to make a sample card for her challenge!  Here's what I came up with...

I chose to create a card with a tag as the focal point using my new For All You Do set (from Stampin' Up!).  I'm not quite sure what to call the style of this card (modern shabby chic?), but I really enjoyed making it!  I used some of my favorite embellishments and techniques...tone on tone layering, antiquing, distressing, sewing, and of course adding buttons!  :-)

You can check out Jen's challenge HERE!  I hope you get some time to participate...it is going to be a BLAST! 

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a fabulous day!  ~Laurie

Recipe   Stamps: For All You Do, Woodgrain Background (Stampin' Up)   Paper: Naturals Cream, Basic Black   Ink: Sahara Sand, Basic Grey, Bermuda Bay, Versamark   Other: Black Detail e.p., Basic Black griped grosgrain ribbon, Linen Thread, Mini Library Clips, Buttons (PTI), Sewing Machine, Scallop border punch, Stickles, Cutter Bee

Admittedly...

...this card is pretty busy!  I do like to mix patterns, but I went a little crazy...even for me!  :-)  But, that is what my daughter loves...bright fun patterns that are mixed and matched.  Ali is going on a week long summer camp adventure. I made this card to slip into her suitcase (for her to find later).  She is SUCH an amazing person...and I'm going to miss her terribly!!  (I know, it's only a week...but I miss her already!!)  :-)

 

I used the Under the Stars set (Stampin' Up!) and some October Afternoon patterned paper (I think OA is quickly becoming my favorite paper).  The buttons are actually Papertrey Ink Dark Chocolate buttons.  I don't know why, but all my brown buttons (and sometimes the ribbons) look black in my pictures. 

I hope you all are enjoying your Monday!  ~Laurie

June Kit of the Month...

Today, the June Key Ingredients from Taylored Expressions is available and I have a couple of samples that I made with it to share with you!  Taylor issued us a challenge to go along with our KI kit - to create a project for a June event that includes some dimension (I LOVE adding dimension to my projects!!) but we couldn't use any Copics (GASP!!)!    

 

For this little 4 x 4 card, I used images from theFor the Love of Cupcakes set.  I decided to put a stack of hearts on the platter (which is embossed with the Swiss Dots Cuttlebug Folder) instead of a cupcake.  This isn't for a specific June event, but I needed a thank you card...and well, it is June!  LOL!  All of the supplies are from the KI except the Taylor's Tiny Twinkles that I added to the hearts.  

For this card I used the Enjoy Every Moment set from Stampin' Up!.  I distressed all of the edges and stitched around a couple of the layers.  For embellishments, I added a large Prima flower, two white Candy Dots, and some Ric-Rac (all from the June KI kit).

Both cards have one or more layers popped up using Taylor's 1/16" Foam Tape.

Taylor has lots of info about the June KI on her blog...including all the "extras" that are included when you subscirbe to her KI kits!  Oh, HUGE enabler alert:  Taylor is having a MOVING SALE (20% - 50% off)!!  You can read more about it HERE. 

Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope you're enjoying your weekend!  ~Laurie

It's Good to Dream...

I'm back with another project using the new Stampin' Up! In Colors!  Today I chose to work with Rich Razzleberry...a beautiful color (and I'm not usually not drawn to purples)!  I think that this color holds the potential of making some unique and wonderful color combos!                

 

Another quick card from me...not sure what's up, but that seems to be what appeals to me lately!  Anyway, I started with a Rich Razzleberry 4" square card base.  The background (can you believe that there is NO patterned paper on my card!  GASP!) was made by lining up the piece of Natural c.s. on my grid paper and drawing lines using my Rich Razzleberry marker every 1/4".  I then lightly stamped the small flower in a random pattern on top of my "homemade lined" paper.   (What I mean by "lightly" is that I first stamped the flower on scratch paper and then stamped on my c.s. without re-inking).  I then stamped the large floral image (all stamps are from the new Razzle Dazzle set) using Rich Razzleberry ink.  It's hard to see, but I added some Dazzling Diamonds glitter to it as well.  Then...a little paper distressing, some embellishments, and stitching and my card is finished!  :-)  Oh, I forgot...I added some "spritzes" using the Color Spritzer Tool and my Rich Razzleberry marker!  That thing is a lot of fun...I can see where it would be easy for me to get carried away!  LOL!

Well, that's all from me today.  I hope you are enjoying your week so far!  ~Laurie

Recipe   Stamps: Razzle Dazzle (Stampin' Up!)   Paper: Naturals Ivory, Rich Razzleberry   Ink: Rich Razzleberry   Other: Modern Label punch, Vanilla taffeta ribbon, Antique brads, Sewing Machine, Dazzling Diamonds glitter

Super Simple Soft Suede...

Happy Saturday!  We don't have anything major planned today, but I actually kind of like those days!  :-)  The older kids are helping DH move some cows so I will have some one on one with my two little ones (or should I say one on two...LOL!)!  It's been too long since I've "played" with them for the good majority of a day, and I'm really looking forward to it!  Bryan (who is 5) is just as smart and sweet as they come...and never ceases to amaze me with the ideas he can come up with!  And David (who is 3)...wow, how do I describe our David in just one sentence?  LOL!  He's a bundle of energy (and according to Bryan runs like he has fire on his pants ROFLOL!!) and he always seems to have a bit of a mischievous twinkle in his eyes!  Anyway, I LOVE spending time with them...they are amazing little guys!  :-)

Remember a few days ago I mentioned that I had made a card using the new In Color Soft Suede?  Well, it is hands down my favorite of the new In Colors and I can't wait to have more time to play and pair it with more colors!  :-)                    

For today's card, I went very, very simple (check me out...stepping out of my "box" and all :-).  I used the bold damask image from the Friends 24-7 set (Stampin' Up!).  For a pop of color, I added some flowers that I made using the Birds & Blooms Sizzlits die and the new Bermuda Bay card stock.  Note:  please don't look too closely at my stitching...my sewing machine is a little "sick" right now (in fact, I had to take it to the sewing machine doctor).

O.k...that's it from me today!  I hope you all have a wonderful and relaxing weekend!  ~Laurie

Recipe   Stamps: Friends 24-7 (Stampin' Up!)   Paper: Soft Suede textured c.s., Bermuda Bay textured c.s., Ultrasmooth White   Ink: Soft Suede   Other: Corner Rounder punch, Paper Piercer, Bermuda Bay polka dot ribbon, Button (from Button Latte Collection)

The Music of Life...

Woohoo!  It's Thursday, the sun is shining (finally!!)  the kids are playing outside!  Life is good!  :-)  Although the temperatures are still on the cool side here, the wonderful sunshine not only brightens things up, but is a mood lifter as well! 

It seems the sunshine has also effected my color choices, because I find myself reaching for brighter colors than usual!  Today's card is no exception...       

I used  this week's Viva La Verve sketch.  The twist is to use something "new".  Well, that is just plain FUN I tell ya!  AND, to top it all off, I happened to have *just* received my brand NEW In Colors from Stampin' Up (I used Melon Mambo for my card)!  I really didn't think I was going to like them.  From the pictures I saw, they all looked almost neon.  They are bright, but they have just enough of a "smokey hue" added to them that makes them fresh, fun, and NOT neon!  LOL!

I used the flowers from Miracles Blossom and the sentiment from Floral Symphony (both from Verve Stamps).  I created two different backgrounds on the card base by using my Cutter Bee (and Scor-Pal) on the left part and stamping the flower (same one as I used on the focal image) using Vintage Cream ink on the other part.  The Pink/Ivory check ribbon is actually sewn to the card (on the left side), but then I went and covered it up with a large button!  LOL!  I added some Vintage Scalloped Trim to the bottom, as well as a Vanilla Taffeta bow (I sponged both with Antique Linen Distress Ink to age them a bit).  Just for fun, I added some mini pink rhinestones (from Taylor's Tiny Twinkles).

So, out of all the new In Colors I think my favorites are Soft Suede (I have a simple card I made with this color to share later this week), Rich Razzleberry, & Bermuda Bay.  I do think that Dusty Durango and Crushed Curry will be fun to play with this Fall as well.

O.k...enough babbling on my part!  I hope you all have a fantastic day!  ~Laurie

Recipe   Stamps: Miracles Blossom, Floral Symphony (Verve Stamps)   Paper: Choice Buttercream c.s., Melon Mambo, K & Co. patterned paper   Ink: Melon Mambo, Pink Pirouette, Antique Linen Distress Ink, Vintage Cream   Other: Cutter Bee, Scor-Pal, Nestabilities, Pink/Ivory Check ribbon, Vanilla Taffeta ribbon, Vintage Scalloped Trim, Buttons, Mini Rhinestones, Copic markers