Just Give Me Stamps...

Gourmet Coffee Drink...

Hi!  Are you enjoying your weekend?  My youngest son is turning four on Monday, but we are having his party tomorrow.  Sooo...we are doing all the "oh my gosh people are coming over so we better clean this place up" stuff!  LOL!  (How is it that even when you're gone the house gets even dirtier??) 

I wanted to quickly come and share a peek of a little project that I have posted over on the Verve Stamps blog for this month's Project Parade Challenge.  The theme is "Home for the Holidays", which can include cards, gifts, or decor.  Since I'm still trying to work my way to the end of my "gifts to make" list, I chose to make a gift.

I re-purposed a tin to hold some homemade gourmet coffee drink mix.  I decorated the top using Verve's O Christmas Tree set.  The blue part of the topper opens up to reveal decorated instructions so the recipient knows just how much mix to add.  

For even more pictures (including pictures of the topper open) and the recipe for the Spanish Mocha gourmet coffee mix, head on over to the Verve Stamps blog!  :-)

Before I go, I want to share a picture I took off of our front porch!  Even though it's not our first snow of the season, it is the first snow that is accompanied with the normal cold Montana winters (the temperature outside when I took this photo was only 2 degrees Fahrenheit!!).

Doesn't it just LOOK cold?  Brrrrr!  :-)

Okay...back to cleaning for me!  I hope you have a wonderful weekend!  ~Laurie
 
 
 

Holly Jolly Christmas...

Note:  Typepad seems to be having technical difficulties...  If you see a red X where the photo of my card should be, try right clicking and then select "show picture".  If that doesn't work, you can try clicking on it...and it should show up in a new window.  Hopefully this will be resolved soon...

Good morning!  Today, I have a quick and easy Christmas card to share with you!  You know what...I just realized something!  My card today uses Kraft cardstock!!  OMGosh...I really need to mix it up a little!  LOL!!  Ok, I promise, the next project I share will not have any Kraft!  Yep, I'm living on the wild side... (teeheheee)

 

I stamped the holly leaves image (from Verve's new Holly Jolly set) onto the kraft c.s. then colored them in with my Copics.  I do love the look of copics on kraft, and I really wanted to draw some more attention to it.  So, I highlighted the leaves using my white gel pen.  I then added a few strips of patterned paper (from My Mind's Eye The Merry Days of Christmas collection), some rhinestones, and an bow.  The ornament (also from Verve's Holly Jolly set) is stamped, colored, cut out, and popped up using foam tape.  I added a little holly to the ornament (there is red Stickles on the holly berries) for a little sumpin' extra.  :-)

If you haven't checked out the Verve store lately, you might want to!  :-)  Julee is having a huge sale:  All Fall and Winter sets are 20% off!! 

Ok, that's all from me today!  I'll be back tomorrow to share what I created for Beate's weekend sketch challenge!  Hugs, Laurie

Stamps:  Holly Jolly Christmas (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  Kraft c.s. (PTI), Patterned paper (My Mind's Eye)
Ink:  Rich Cocoa Memento Ink
Accessories:  Copic markers, White gel pen, Rhinestones, Old Olive grosgrain (SU!), Diamond Glaze, Red Stickles, Corner rounder

"Believe" Blog Hope with Verve...

Welcome to the Verve Believe Blog Hop. If you’ve just happened across my blog, you’ll want to start back at the beginning (Julee's Blog) and hop your way along. Today we’re hopping for the Cure, sharing projects from a new set Verve just released called Believe. This set was designed in honor of breast cancer awareness and Verve is donating $10 from the sale of every Believe set to the Susan G Komen For the Cure foundation. We believe that we can make a difference. We believe that each day should be celebrated, each moment cherished and that every little thing we can do in the fight to find a cure matters.

For my card, I strayed just a bit from the traditional pink colors usually used for Breast Cancer awareness.  I didn't stray totally...just enough to be able to be able to use this card for every day occasions!  I just love the message of hope that Julee has created in this set, one that is so needed! 

I used K & Co patterned paper for the background framed with Dark Chocolate c.s.  The paper is paper pieced from some coordinating patterned paper.  For embellishments, I added a punched border and corner, some rhinestones, a decorative brad, & a satin bow.

Here's a close-up of the flower.  I used three different sizes of the flower (all included in the Believe set) and popped them up for added dimension.
 
Thanks for hopping by! Next up on the hop is Amber's blog! Oh, and we’ve got a special gift hidden along our hop for one lucky commenter, so if you see something you really love, give a little shout out and you just might win a $30 gift certificate to Verve!

 

Stamps: Believe
Paper: Dark Chocolate (PTI), Patterned paper (K & Co Madeline Collection)
Ink: Chocolate Chip craft and classic inks (SU!)
Accessories: Sewing Machine, Rhinestones, Dark Chocolate satin ribbon (PTI), Decorative brad (Making Memories), Border and corner punches (EK Success), Clear detail e.p.

Weekend Sketch Challenge - Verve Style!

TGIF!!  Or should I say TGIFIM!!  (Translation - thank goodness it's Friday in Missoula)  Yep, that's right!  As this post goes live, I will be in Missoula, Montana visiting my very sweet friend Tosh!  No, Tosh didn't move to Montana (I wish!!), but is here visiting her son so I couldn't possibly not drive a few hours to see her!! 

When I saw Beate's sketch for this week (Weekend Sketch Challenge 103), I thought this gorgeous sentiment from Verve's new Blessed Christmas set would be perfect in the center! 

I used some K & Co. Christmas patterned paper, added a couple flourishes, embellishments, and of course some stitching!  The sentiment (from the Blessed Christmas set) is embossed on Choice Buttercream c.s., and then I used my Copics to add some color.  The Blessed Christmas set will be released tonight (along with 6 other brand new sets)!  Verve is having a release party (complete with lots of giveaways) in the Verve Forum over at Splitcoast at 9 p.m. Eastern Time!

There is always amazing Weekend Sketch inspiration to be seen over at Beate, Cambria, Charmaine, Jenn, Lori, Mary Jo, & Sharon's blogs!

Thanks for stopping by!  ~Laurie

Stamps:  Blessed Christmas (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  Choice Buttercream c.s. (TE), Old Olive (Stampin' Up!), Patterned paper (K & Co)
Ink:  Ocean Depths Versamagic Dew Drop, Old Paper Distress Ink,
Accessories:  Copic markers, Nestabilities, Flourish die (Quickutz), Ribbon, Decorative button (Making Memories), Brads, Sewing Machine, Border punch (Martha Stewart)
 

Peace on Earth...

Happy Wednesday to you!  Sneak Peeks started yesterday over at the Verve Stamps Blog!  Yep, it's release time again, and Julee has cooked up 7 Vervealicious new stamps for you!  :-)  Today, the highlight is on the new Blessed Christmas and Star of Wonder sets.

Here is the card I created using the new Star of Wonder set (I looooove this set!!)...

The thing that struck me the most about this set (aside from the gorgeous images and beautifully scripted sentiments) was the simplicity of the the gorgeous stars!  Isn't it amazing that one image can speak so much?  And honestly, the simpler I kept my card, the more impact the star image had.  So that's what I did...kept it simple!  Elegant simplicity that has enough impact to stand alone, and still speaks of the true meaning of Christmas.  Well, I LOVE it!

I embossed the star using Copper e.p. directly onto patterned paper from the Winter's Wings collection by Webster's Pages), and then added a rhinestone in the center.  I roughed up the edges a bit, did some stitching, added a tag, some ribbon, a charm, and a punched border.  That's it!  Very simple and limited layers - perfect for the busy Christmas season!  :-)

Julee is giving away one of the Blessed Christmas and Star of Wonder sets!  For all the details, check out the Verve Blog!

I hope you enjoy your day!  ~Laurie

Stamps:  Star of Wonder (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  Choice Buttercream c.s. (Taylored Expressions), Winter's Wings patterned paper (Webster's Pages)
Ink:  Versamark, Antique Linen Distress ink
Accessories:  Copper e.p., Border punch, Sewing machine, Ivory Silk Ribbon, Copper heart charm, Copper cord, Rhinestone 
 

Sing...

Good morning!  It's my turn to share the project I created for this month's Verve Project Parade!  The theme this month is "Encouraging Words".  If you are a follower of Verve Stamps at all, then you know that almost every set Julee makes is brimming with encouragment!  :-)

I chose to create a little wall hanging featuring the quote from Swan Song.  It's a such a lovely quote, and a beautiful reminder - one that is deserving to be seen daily!  :-)

For all the details on how I created this and to learn about how you can win a $35 Gift Certificate to the Verve Stamps store, check out my post over at the Verve Blog!

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you enjoy your day!  ~Laurie

 
Stamps:  Swan Song (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  Vellum c.s. (PTI), Bo Bunny patterned paper (Kitchen Spice Cinnamon)
Ink:  Anna Griffin Brown pigment ink, Antique Linen Distress ink, Vintage Photo Distress ink
Accessories:  Rectangle Scallop chipboard(Maya Road), Bird and Branch chipboard (Maya Road), Sewing Machine, Prima flower, Dew Drops, Aqua Mist button (PTI), Aqua Mist satin ribbon (PTI), Ric-Rac ribbon 

Give Thanks...

Hi!  I hope you all are having a wonderful weekend! 

Today I have a fun but simple card to share wtith you!  You see, I was on the phone talking with Tosh the other day.  Nothing out of the ordinary...as we talk quite regularly!  (She's the one that does most of the talking...I just listen!  LOL!!  Okay, okay...I'm probably the one that does 3/4 of the talking....)  Anyway, I was stamping the card below while I was talking to her and I started to describe what I was doing.  Well, half way through she says, "NO WAY...are you embossing the leaves (I was telling her that I was using the Happiness Found set from Verve) using clear embossing powder on the patterned paper??"!  I was a bit weirded out at that point...you know, looking for the hidden camera an all!  I mean, how could she know what I was doing before I even finished telling her about it?  Well, it's because she JUST did the same thing!  I know...how cool is that?  :-)  So, we decided we would both post our (clear embossed leaves on patterned paper) cards today! 

Here's what I came up with:

 

  Pretty simple really...but I just loved the color combo!  I just pulled the colors from the patterned paper (the new Cosmo Cricket Nutmeg line...YUM-O!!).  The verse is from Verve Stamps as well (1 Chronicles 16:34), and is embossed using Chocolate Chip craft ink and Clear Detail embossing powder.  Oh, and just pretend the bow and buttons are brown and not almost black looking, okay?  :-)  They actually are a nice dark brown in real life...my camera just likes to think it's black.  Sigh...

Ok...you HAVE to go check out what Tosh made!  I can tell you right now, her's will have a ton of gorgeous details!!  She's amazing!

Hope you enjoy your Saturday!  Hugs, Laurie

 
Stamps:  Happiness Found, 1 Chronicles 16:34 (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  Dark Chocolate, Rustic White, Melon Berry (PTI), Cosmo Cricket Nutmeg patterned paper
Ink:  Chocolate Chip craft ink (SU!), Versamark
Other:  Clear Detail e.p., Dark Chocolate Buttons, Dark Chocolate satin ribbon (PTI), Border punch, Sewing Machine, Cuttlebug embossing folder, Cutter Bee, Corner punch

It's All About the Texture...

Well, happy Thursday!  I hope that your week is going well! 

The card I have to share with you today is one that I made for a friend's daughter.  She just turned 16 and I wanted to send her what I hope is an age appropriate card!  :-)  AND, hopefully she will like it soooo much that she will forget about it being late!!  (I know, my bad!) 

 
I have a "thing" for texture!  I just love adding it to my projects...weather it be with embellishments, embossing, dry embossing, sewing, ink distressing, or roughing up the edges...I love it all!  You know, I think I actually added all of those things on this card!  LOL! 

After embossing the background pieces using my Scor-Pal, I rubbed some Chocolate Chip ink over the edges, as well as stitching in random places.  The "You Rock" sentiment and star (both from Verve Stamp's You Rock set) are both embossed using Chocolate Chip craft ink and Clear Detail embossing powder.  To accentuate the swirls and little star, I added some turquoise colored mini rhinestones.

Well, that's all from me today! I hope you have a blessed day!  ~Laurie

 
Stamps:  You Rock (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  Choice Buttercream (Taylored Expressions), Kraft c.s. (PTI), Dark Chocolate (PTI), Bermuda Bay (Stampin' Up!)
Ink:  Chocolate Chip craft pad (Stampin' Up!), Chocolate Chip classic pad (Stampin' Up!), Antique Linen Distress Ink
Accessories:  Clear Detail e.p., Star punch (Stampin' Up!), Cuttlebug embossing folder, Scor-Pal, Polka Dot ribbon, Rhinestone brad, Mini Rhinestones, Sewing Machine

Harvest Blessings...

Good morning!  I have a card to share with you that I made using one of Verve Stamps's latest release sets called Harvest Blessings!

 
I was SO excited when I opened up my stamp set and saw this wreath image!  Wreaths, to me, just speak of the Holidays!  I have one for almost every season and Holiday, but my favorites are my Autumn and Christmas wreaths!  So, naturally this was the first image I chose to ink up!  :-)

After stamping the wreath image onto Choice Buttercream c.s., I used two Circle Nestabilities (one larger and one smaller) to cut/emboss my wreath.  While the dies were still in place, I used my Copic air gun to spray on a little "warmth" using my Putty colored Copic marker.  The background is embossed using the argyle Cuttlebug embossing folder then rubbed with gold ink.

Well, I'm off to clean up the house a bit and get ready for another day of school!  Hope you all have a wonderful day!  ~Laurie

 
Stamps: Harvest Blessings (Verve Stamps), Canvas Background (SU!)
Paper: Choice Buttercream (Taylored Expressions), Soft Suede (Stampin' Up!), Patterned paper (Making Memories)
Ink: Anna Griffin Brown Pigment ink, Soft Suede (Stampin' Up!), Antique Linen Distress ink, Brilliance Gold ink
Accessories: Copic markers, Copic air gun, Top Note Sizzix die, Cuttlebug embossing folder, Ribbon, Buttons (PTI), String

100th Weekend Sketch Challenge!!

Happy Friday!!  :-)  Today is the 100th Weekend Sketch Challenge!  Thanks so much Beate, for providing us 100 weeks of sketch inspiration!!  This past month I haven't been able to participate very much, burt I've been looking forward to getting back to a regular schedule (read - more stamping time :-) and participating again!   

 
  

I thought that the circle element in Beate's sketch (you can see her sketch HERE) would be a perfect excuse to use one of these gorgeous Prima flowers!  Not only does it fit the sketch, but how perfect is it paired with this "To Risk" Plain Jane stamp (from Verve Stamps)!?!?!!  I chose this beautiful Graphic 45 paper for the background of my card, stitched around it, and then added some ribbon and pearls for embellishments.  That's it!  So easy!!  But you know...I'm starting to love these easy cards more and more!!  LOL!

You definitely won't want to miss playing along this week!  All of the details (and the sketch) are over at Beate's blog.  To see more samples using this sketch, check out what Beate, Cambria, Charmaine, Jenn, Lori, Mary Jo, & Sharon have created!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I'll be back in a little bit with my card for today's Taylored Expressions sneak peek!  :-)  ~Laurie

 
Stamps:  To Risk Plain Jane (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  Graphic 45 Patterned paper, Choice Buttercream c.s., Black c.s. (PTI)
Ink:  Versamark, Antique Linen Distress Ink, Vintage Photo Distress Ink
Accessories:  Black detail e.p. (Judikins), Black Pearls (Kaiser Kraft), Prima flower, Black satin ribbon (PTI), Sewing machine