Just Give Me Stamps...

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

A Soft Spring Hello...

Happy Friday!!  I know I'm so late in posting my Weekend Sketch Challenge card, but it was such a great sketch that I really wanted to play!  We've been super busy with Doctor appointments...and then life stuff (you know, like kids wanting to eat and stuff LOL!!!)!  I'm happy to report that we are starting to thaw out a little here...and believe me, it's not a minute to soon either!  My boys have a BAD case of cabin fever!!  :-)  Even though it's not officially Spring weather yet (we had a high of 43 degrees today), the sun is out and the snow is melting!  Woohoo!!

This is Jenn's week to host the Weekend Sketch Challenge, and as with all of Jenn's work the sketch is absolutely fabulous!!  You can see her sketch HERE.

In honor of the sun finally making an appearance here, I pulled out my Stampin' Up! Branch Out set and paired it with some Manchester DP (also from Stampin' Up!), which is in my opinion lovely Spring paper!       

 

Kraft, Baja Breeze, and Very Vanilla....isn't that just a gorgeous color combo?!?  I love this paper!   

I added just a hint of Dazzling Diamonds glitter onto the leaves.  I do love glitter...it just makes me happy!

Want to see more samples using Jenn's sketch?  Make sure you check out what Cami, Charmaine, Lori, Mary Jo, &Sharon have created!! 

Remember what I mentioned about kids wanting to eat and stuff???  Well, here they are saying they are ready for dinner!  LOL!  :-)   I hope you enjoy your weekend!  ~Laurie

Recipe   Stamps: Branch Out, Fundamental Phrases   Paper: Very Vanilla, Kraft, Baja Breeze, Manchester DP   Ink: Sahara Sand, Baja Breeze   Other: Scallop border punch, Vintage Cream grosgrain ribbon (PTI), Vintage Cream buttons (PTI), Paper piercer, Sewing machine, Linen Thread, Dazzling Diamonds glitter

Praying For You...

Happy Wednesday!    I recently found out that a very sweet friend of mine has got a long health battle ahead of her.  I can't even tell you how heavy my heart is for her.  I thought that I would make her a card to let her know that our whole family will be constantly lifting her up in prayer!  Our family knows first hand what the power of prayer can do...

I normally don't participate in the Splitcoast Sketch Challenges.  I don't know why I don't though, because they're a lot of fun!!  I am really going to try to participate in more of them...  I thought today was a good time to start!  :-)  I used the SCS Sketch Challenge #225, some K & Co. papers, & the Stampin' Up! sets Thoughts & Prayers and God's Beauty (a Hostess set) to create this card.   

I really wanted to keep the colors soft...yet "happy" at the same time.  I think I might have gone a little "embellishment crazy"...but I had fun making it!  :-)

This is going to have to be a short post today as we are supposed to be leaving right now!  LOL!  I hope you have a wonderful afternoon!  ~Laurie

Recipe   Stamps: God's Beauty, Thoughts & Prayers (Stampin' Up!)   Paper: Pearlized Cream, Vellum c.s., Aqua Mist, K & Co. patterned paper   Ink: Versamark   Other: Antique Ivory e.p., Rhinestones, Dew Drops, Copic marker, Buttons, Labels 4 Nestabilities, Aqua Mist ribbon, Sewing Machine

Bella Friend...

When I created this week's Weekend sketch, I actually had a flower in mind for the circle shape (see the post below for the sketch).  When looking through my stamp sets....my very neglected Stampin' Up! sets...I saw my Bella Blossoms set and knew exactly what I wanted to do! 

  

I paired the Kraft gingham paper (from the Sweet Slumber Specialty Collection) with som Kraft Print DP (both from Stampin' Up!).  I popped various layers of the flower up for some added dimension, as well as added some mini rhinestones (gotta have some bling somewhere :-)!

Don't forget to check out the creative eye candy that Cambria, Charmaine, Jenn, Lori, & Sharon have made!

Have a wonderful weekend!  ~Laurie

Recipe   Stamps: Bella Blossoms (Stampin' Up!)   Paper: White, Kraft, Pink Pirouette, Sweet Slumber Specialty DP, Kraft Prints DP   Ink: Rose Red, Versamark   Other: Clear e.p., White e,p., Nestabilities, Pretty in Pink taffeta ribbon, Rhinestones, Kraft Corduroy button, Latte buttons, Sewing Machine, Paper piercer, Linen Thread

A Comforting Card...

Wow!  Can you believe that 2009 is almost here?  I remember when I was a kid, hearing my mom (and other adults) say "time goes by faster and faster....each year".  I thought they were crazy!  Time couldn't have gone any slower for me...(this from the perspective of a kid...LOL!).  Now that I'm older and have kids of my own, I find myself saying the very same thing!!  LOL!

Here's a little encouragement card that I made last night.  I was determined to use this paper (from Basic Grey's Urban Prairie collection).  There is something so comforting about it...it actually reminds me of an old but loved quilt! 

   

I stamped the small flower from Stampin' Up!'s Bella Blossoms set (I inked it in Certainly Celery and sponged some Taken with Teal around the edges) on to some Pearlized White c.s..  I then embossed the Proverbs 3:5 Plain Jane stamp (from Verve Stamps) over the flower.  I stitched around the edges of the patterned paper (in keeping with the loved quilt feel), and added a button for embellishment.  Over all, a pretty quick and easy card!

We are headed out of town for the night, but I have some really fun stuff to share when we get back!  **wink**  I hope your day is a blessed one!  ~Laurie

Recipe   Stamps: Proverbs 3:5 (Verve Stamps), Bella Blossoms (Stampin' Up!)   Paper: Pearlized White c.s., Certainly Celery c.s., Prism c.s., Patterned Paper (Urban Prairie collection from Basic Grey)   Ink: Certainly Celery, Taken With Teal, Versamark   Other: Clear detail e.p., Nestabilities, Certainly Celery 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, Sewing Machine, Sco-Pal, Button

I'm Late, I'm Late...

...for Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge!!  Today is the first day that I'm able to be at home in quite a while!  I'm not sure exactly what it is about the cooler weather...but it usually means things get busier for us!  :-)  The sketch this week was just too good not to use it...so as soon as I had a minute, I ran to my stamp room!

   

I pulled out my Autumn Harvest set and paired it with some patterned paper from Autumn Vine to create a super simple Fall thank you card!  I am in love with the double stitched brown felt ribbon from the New Ribbon Originals Alpine Collection...and if truth be told, created this card just so I could use it!  LOL!

As always, Beate,Cambria,Charmaine, Jenn, Lori, & Sharon have created some amazing cards using this sketch!!

Thanks for stopping by today!  ~Laurie

Recipe   Stamps: Autumn Harvest,Thank You Kindly (Stampin' Up!)   Paper: White, Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, Autumn Vine DP   Ink: Chocolate Chip craft   Other: Clear detail e.p., Flower Fusion Too, Paper piercer, Dew Drops, Sewing Machine, Wire, Ribbon Originals Alpine Collection

Season of Joy...

TGIF!!  :-)  I'm so glad it's almost weekend!  We've been traveling so much lately and I'm looking forward to just staying home and catching up on everything.  (I can't believe I just said out loud that I'm looking forward to catching up on laundry!!!  LOL!)  Since I'm so behind in everything...I thought that I would use today's Weekend Sketch Challenge to actually get ahead a little...with my Christmas cards that is!  LOL!

I kept my card very simple...and let the patterned paper do all the work for me!  LOL!  I embossed the tree (from Stampin' Up!'s Season of Joy set) in Sage Shadow ink, cut it out, and popped it up on some dry embossed (using my Cuttlebug) white linen vellum.  (Phew, that was a long sentence!)  For embellishments, I added a Heidi Swapp ghost snowflake, rhinestones, ribbon and a tag!

For more Weekend Sketch Challenge inspiration, check out what Beate, Cambria, Charmaine, Jenn, Lori, Mary Jo, & Sharon have created!

I hope you enjoy your Friday!!  ~Laurie    (P.S.  I will be back with several things to share this weekend!  :-)

Recipe   Stamps: Season of Joy   Paper: Whisper White, White linen vellum, Almost Amethyst, Sage Shadow, Patterned paper (Provo Crafts)   Ink: Sage Shadow craft ink   Other: Clear detail e.p., Tag punch (Martha Stewart), Rhinestones, Sage Shadow grosgrain ribbon, Fibers, Paper piercer, Heidi Swapp snowflake ghost shape

SCS Flood Relief NON-Raffle...

The folks at Splitcoast have put together a "non" raffle to benefit the families effected by the Midwest floods.  Living in Montana...seemingly far from any kind of flooding...it's so hard for me to imagine the devastation that they are living through.  Seeing the pictures on the news and reading about it in the papers has revealed enough for me to know that it truly is horrific.  My heart goes out to those that know first hand just how devastating these floods have been.  I am so proud to belong to a community that cares for each other like the amazing people at Splitcoast do!  When I was asked if I wanted to donate something for the non-raffle, I couldn't say yes fast enough!  You can read all about how this works HERE! 

 

This is the ensemble that I put together for the raffle.  It includes 8 gift cards, a gift box, and a brand new Elegant Notes stamp set (from Stampin' Up!).  For the cards and box, I paired some of my all time favorite paper (Blue Awning by K & Co.) with one of my favorite Stampin' Up! sets.

 

There are SO many FANTASTIC prizes that have been donated...many of them handstamped!!  You can check them all out in THIS gallery set up especially for this benefit.

Thanks for stopping by!  ~Laurie

For A Bronc Bustin' Dad...

Happy Friday!  Friday means it'sBeate's Weekend Sketch ChallengeTime!  Woohoo!  This Friday will also be (hopefully) the start of *actual* summer weather for us!  It's snowed almost every day this week...and has rarely gotten above the 40's...but today, we are supposed to get up to almost 70!  Party time!!  LOL!

I still needed to make another Father's Day car for my DH...and what could be more appropriate than this Bronc Buster set?  LOL!  I turned Beate's sketch to the side, and also changed it to a square (5 1/4") card so that it would work better with my larger focal image.

I embossed all the images in black...and also distressed most of the edges (with the Cutter Kit and lots of sponging).  I added a knotted rope (today's Limited Supplies Challenge) and a couple of brads as embellishments.  I have no idea why (grin), but my DH doesn't like a lot of embellishments....  LOL!

Make sure to check out what the other talented ladies have come up with for this sketch:  Cambria, Charmaine, Jenn, Lori, Mary Jo, & Sharon.

Thanks for stopping by!

Recipe   Stamps: Bronc Buster, Wanted, Sanded   Paper: Kraft, Chocolate Chip, Basic Black   Ink:Versamark, Chocolate Chip, Basic Gray   Other: Black embossing powder, Hemp, Brads, Photo Corner punch, Cutter Kit, Paper piercer

Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge # 50!

Happy Friday!!  Can you believe that there have now been 50 Weekend Sketch Challenges??  Wooohoo!!  Something that just occurred to me the other day...is that I should be keeping these sketches in a binder so I can refer back to them.  (I know...I'm slow!  LOL!)  They really are a great resource!!

For this card, I was going for a fresh and clean style.  I normally don't leave so much empty white space on a card (maybe I think of it like "dead air" on a radio??)...but it really did fit the fresh and clean style so I broke out of my stamping "box" and went for it!!  LOL!  I decided to use my Priceless set (it's been waaay to long since it's seen any ink).  The flowers are embossed with Clear e.p. (I really think this helps the color pop a little more) and cut out.  I scored the bottom Chocolate Chip panel to create a striped pattern (I looooove stripes and polka dots together).

You should also check out what Beate, Cambria, Charmaine, Lori, Mary Jo, &Sharon have made!  It's so fun to see all of the different cards they come up with using the same sketch!!  If you want to play along...make sure to check out Beate's sketch HERE.

The sun is shining here...and it promises to be a gorgeous Spring day!!  Woohoo!  I hope you all have a fantastic day!

Recipe   Stamps: Priceless, Short & Sweet   Paper: Shimmery White c.s., Closet to Cocoa, Certainly Celery, Chocolate Chip   Ink:Certainly Celery, Versamark   Other: Clear e.p., Corner rounder punch, Scor-Pal, Swiss Dots Cuttlebug embossing folder, Brads, Ribbon, White e.p., Paper piercer