Just Give Me Stamps...

Sketch Time!

Happy Saturday!!  I have a quick post for you today... 

Today is my last week to host the Our Creative Corner challenges, and I thought a sketch would be a fun way to end the month!  You can see the sketch HERE.

I used the new You Are the Potter set from Our Daily Bread Designs combined with some pretty papers from S.E.I. (you can't see from the photo, but the papers have a subtle sheen to them).

 

If you think there is something different about the vellum I used, you're right!  I really wish you could all see this in real life, because then you could see the gorgeous pattern this vellum has! 

You can see all the cards the OCC DT came up with, the sketch, as well as a little surprise Jennifer has for those that play along this week over at the OCC blog.

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you all have a fantastic weekend!!  ~Laurie

OCC Tag Challenge...

 Happy Saturday!  Today, I have a special card to share with you.  This week's Our Creative Corner challenge, is to create a card with a tag somewhere on the front of it.  I decided to make mine for my daughter, Alison.

We are leaving early tomorrow morning to head back to Seattle, where the doctors will operate on Ali.  She is a little nervous (after all, it is brain surgery...), but mostly she is so glad to possibly put this behind her soon!  Through this whole trial, two things has remained constant...her faith and her joy!  She is one of those people that almost always has a smile on her face...and it's genuine!  I cannot even tell you what a treasure she is to us, and how blessed we are to even know her!  So, this card is a "just because" kind of card.  "Just Because" she is so: brave, strong, kind, full of life, beautiful, faithful, tenacious, and fun-loving!

I often ask Ali her opinion on my cards...which papers I should use, which ribbon she thinks looks better, should I add some Dew Drops (she almost always says "yes" to that LOL!), and so I thought I could get her opinion on some "fun and hip" papers without her knowing why!  Teehehehe!  So, that's exactly what I did!  She chose this slightly funky paper from Basic Grey (Phoebe Collection), and paired it with some subtle patterned paper from Crate Paper.  As soon as she left, I got to work!

I felt like this quote (from Verve Stamp's Hundred Hearts set) said exactly how we feel, so I wanted to showcase it as the focal point of the card.  I used my Long Rectangle Nestabilities to create my "tag", and layered it over some vellum c.s., Pink ric-rac, and a large heart.  I added some whimsical stitching, ribbon, flowers, Dew Drops, and a swanky little crown charm!

Be sure to check out wha the other OCC girlies created:  Amy, Cindy Haffner, Dawn Easton, Jackie Pedro, Jennifer Meyer, Julee Tilman, Kim Teasdale, Laurie Schmidlin, Lori Boyd, Lynda Benden, and Silke Ledlow.  Also, a big thanks to this week's guest designer - Rose Ann Reynolds!!

Even though I'll be gone, I've got some WAY fun things to share with you!  :-)  I hope you all have a fantastic weekend!  ~Laurie

Recipe   Stamps: Hundred Hearts (Verve Stamps)   Paper: Vellum c.s., White, Suede Brown Dark Prism c.s., Basic Grey Phoebe Collection, Crate Paper   Ink: Burnt Umber (Palette)   Other: Nestabilities, Heart Nestabilities, Ribbon, Dew Drops, Prima flower, Crown charm, Sewing Machine, Fibers

A Sketch on Caffeine...

Happy Saturday!  For today's Our Creative Corner challenge, I created a sketch.  Can you believe it!!??!!  Thanks to Jennifer (she helped me figure Photoshop out), I am now a "sketch maker"!  LOL!! 

I've had this What's Brewing (by Impression Obsession) set for a while, and have been eager to ink it up.  I really like the Vintage look this set has...it's SO me (as my daughter Alison pointed out)! 

I'm not sure what it is with Black cardstock, but I sure have been using a lot of it lately!  :-)  I will do my best to move on after this...  Teehehee!  The card is really straight forward, except for the coffee mug.  I embossed the mug onto Antique White c.s., colored it in with my Copics, and then stamped my Antique Cracking background stamp over it (in Versafine Onyx).  For embellishments, I added some Dew Drops, stitching, ribbon, and a punched bottom border.

This week's OCC challenge has a bonus challenge as well!  I thought it would be fun to send the finished challenge card to someone special to you (especially someone that you don't tell often enough how much they mean to  you).  It could be anyone...a co-worker, a neighbor, and extended family member, a close family member for that matter :-), a friend, or how about someone who is serving in the Armed Forces?  To play along, check out the OCC blog for details!

A HUGE thanks to Tosha Leyendekker...this week's Guest Designer!  You can see her card, as well as all of the OCC girls' cards HERE.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!  ~Laurie

P.S.  Don't' forget to sign up for the Our Craft Lounge blog candy (click HERE to sign up)!  I will be drawing the winner on Sunday!

Recipe   Stamps: What's Brewing (Impression Obsession), Antique Cracking (SU!)   Paper: Natural Kraft, Black c.s., Patterned Paper (Graphic 45)   Ink: Versafine Onyx, Antique Linen Distress Ink   Other: Clear e.p., Nestabilities, Ribbon, Dew Drops, Martha Stewart punch border, Sewing machine

Inspired Butterfly...

Happy Saturday!  It's my turn to hostess the challenges on the Our Creative Corner blog this month, and this first one is especially dear to my heart!  You see, I often don't have a "plan" when I sit down to stamp...and end up turning to my embellishments for inspiration!  Sometimes it's ribbon that sparks my creativity...or other times it's a charm, button, or other embellishment.  So, my challenge this week was to choose an embellishment (of any kind) and design your whole card around it!

This won't come as too much of a surprise to you...but I chose to create my card around this GORGEOUS ribbon and white lace trim (both by Melissa Frances) that I've had in my stash for a little while now!

   

The butterfly (which is embossed on Vellum with Clear e.p. and colored on the opposite side with Copics) and the swirls are from the Basic Grey Wild Flowers set.  I made the frame by embossing one of the frame stamps (from Pink Paislee's Fancy Frames set) using White e.p. on Sweet Blush (PTI) cardstock.  I added a little bow (made from some White taffeta ribbon that I dyed with my Pale Cherry Pink Copic marker) and a button (also one of my favorite embellishments :-).  The piercing in the top right corner is from an Ornare corner template.  Ooooh, and I *might* have thrown in some pearls and rhinestones!!  LOL!

For more inspiration, check out what the other OCC girls created:  Amy, Cindy, Dawn, Jackie, Jennifer, Julee, Kim,Lori, Lynda, Silke.  Also, a BIG thanks to Gabriela Divine - this week's OCC Guest Designer!!  

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

Recipe   Stamps: Wild Flowers (Bsic Grey), Fancy Frames (Pink Paislee)   Paper: Sweet Blush, Spring Moss, Pink Pattern (PTI), Vellum c.s.   Ink:  Versamark, Cameo Coral   Other:  White e.p., Clear e.p., Sewing machine, Ribbon, Button, Rhinestones, Ornare piercing template, Pearls

 

Buttons and Pearls...

...these are a few of my favorite things!  (I couldn't resist, sorry!)  Seriously though, I find that I'm reaching for these embellishments almost every time.  I think I need to start mixing it up a little...  LOL!

I made this card for the Viva La Verve 03 sketch and the OCC's Emboss Resist challenge.  I have to say...I had the hardest time trying to get a decent picture of this! 

 

The Viva La Verve "twist" this week is to use some pink somewhere on your card.  Well, I did that...and then some!  LOL!!  I started by embossing this heart from the Hearts on Fire set (from Verve Stamps) in Ivory onto watercolor paper.  I then did a quick "wash" over them using a wet paint brush and re-inkers (Blush Blossom and Cameo Coral).  The rest is pretty self-explanatory...lots of sewing, scallops, and don't forget the button and pearls!  LOL! 

Be sure to check out the new weekly challenge (Viva La Verve!) in the Verve Stamps forum over at Splitcoast!  As always, there are some Vervalicious prizes!!  :-)

You can check out what the other OCC ladies created by visiting their blogs:   Amy, Cindy, Dawn, Denise, Jackie, Jennifer, Julee, Kim, Lynda, Silke or see them all together on the OCC Blog.

Well, I will be back a little bit later today with a fun little project to share (and a template!  :-), so be sure to stop back by!  (OH, and I promise my pictures will be better!!)  LOL!  Hugs, Laurie

Recipe   Stamps: Hearts on Fire (Verve Stamps)   Paper: Blush Blossom, Blush medium Prism c.s. Vellum c.s., Watercolor paper, My Mind's Eye patterned paper (Tres Jolie)   Ink: Versamark, Cameo Coral, Sahara Sand   Other: Ivory e.p., Nestabilities, Sewing Machine, Vanilla taffeta ribbon, Button, Spellbinder's Tag Trio die, Sewing Machine, Pearls

Warmest Thanks...

Happy Saturday!!  I've enjoyed our Christmas/New Year break so much...and it's hard to believe that in a couple of days we will be back to our regular busy schedule!!  We've had new snow fall almost every day lately, and the kids have spent their days playing outside and sledding down the hill in front of our house.  They are not going to like staying inside all day again!  LOL!

Today'sOur Creative Corner challenge is a sketch designed by Jennifer Meyer (this month's hostess).  Even though I followed the sketch overall, I did change the size of some of the panels to fit the stamps I wanted to use better.  :-)

While I was digging through my patterned paper stash, I came across this particular paper from My Mind's Eye (Tres Jolie Collection) and just HAD to use it!! 

   

I paired the patterned paper with one of my all-time favorite Verve Stamps set, Artful Elegance.  Yes, you do see lots of Vellum here...I couldn't help it, I just adore Vellum!!  :-)  I also have found a new favorite embellishment!!  See the paper swirly thing I tucked into the ribbon?  That's made with a Spellbinder's die called Doodle Parts, and you will probably see them on lots of my cards!  :-)  The butterfly punch is a made with a Martha Stewart punch (I finally caved and picked one up :-)  The charm is one that I found in my stash (I'm determined to start using the stuff I've collected...LOL!).  Last but not least, I added some flowers and some Blush pearls.

To play along in the challenge (there's some free stamps for a lucky participant!!), just link your card in the comments section on the OCC blog.  For inspiration, make sure to check out what Amy, Cindy, Dawn, Denise, Jennifer, Julee, Lynda, & the three NEW DT members Jackie, Kim, & Silke have created!!

I'll be back later with some more creations to share (like I mentioned yesterday, I have LOTS of stuff to share this coming week)!  I hope you all enjoy your day!  Hugs, Laurie

Recipe   Stamps: Artful Elegance (Verve Stamps)   Paper: Vellum c.s., Blush Blossom, Dark Chocolate, Vanilla, My Mind's Eye Tres Jolie paper   Ink: Versamark, Creamy Caramel   Other: Vanilla e.p., Nestabilities, Spellbinder's Doodle Parts dies, Butterfly punch (Martha Stewart), Blush Pearls (Kaiser Craft), Ivory Taffeta ribbon (dyed with my Pale Cherry Pink Copic marker), Sewing machine, Martha Stewart border punch, Flowers, Heart charm

Sweet Cakes...

Happy Saturday!  I hope you all had a blessed Christmas!  Ours was so wonderful...quiet and peaceful (well, as quiet and peaceful as it gets with four kiddos...LOL)!  I can't remember ever enjoying just being together more than I did this year.  With everything that has happened these past few months I have come to realize just how precious our time together is...and we certainly are grateful to be home together right now!

While the kids were out sledding yesterday, I headed to my stamp room...and man, was it great to stamp again!  I received some new My Mind's Eye paper (oooh, I am in LOVE) for Valentine's Day and I just had to use it on today's Our Creative Corner Challenge!  Julee (this month's hostess with the mostest) challenged us to add something clear to our projects...acetate, clear button or other embellishment, clear e.p., shaker card etc.  I chose to make a Nugget Tin (with a clear acetate top) and matching card (with clear e.p. on the card :-)

 

When Michelle (owner of Stamper's Dream) got this Sweet Cakes stamp set in (by Pink Paislee), I HAD to have it!!  I love the mixture of bold/whimsical/elegant that this set has!  I love all the images so much that it took me forever just to decide which image I wanted to use first!  LOL!!  The cute cupcakes won....but only by a little!  The ice cream cone and the adorable cherry were just begging me to use them, but they will have to wait till next time!  LOL!!

 

 

Make sure to check out what the other ladies (Amy, Cindy, Dawn, Denise, Jennifer, & Julee) have created for today's challenge!  Check out the OCC blog for challenge details and info on how you can play along!

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you have a fabulous weekend!  ~Laurie

Recipe   Stamps: Sweet Cakes (Pink Paislee)   Paper: Kraft, My Mind's Eye Irresistible Collection, Dark Chocolate (PTI)   Ink: Close to Cocoa Craft ink, Sahara Sand   Other: Clear Detail e.p., Kraft taffeta ribbon, Rhinestones, Button, Linen Thread, Border punch, Paper piercer

A Slightly Vintage Gift Card Holder...

Happy Saturday!  We've been hit with a major winter storm (below zero temps, snow, and lots of wind) and I'm just now getting to post my card today!  This was the kind of day that should be spent inside by a warm fire (either that or in my cozy stamp room LOL!)!

I was so excited to see this weeks's Our Creative Corner challenge!  Julee (this month's hostess) challenged us to make a gift card holder...which is wonderful for me, because that is what we are mostly giving as gifts this year!  :-) 

I picked up a gift card that has a Thomas Kinkade painting on it...and wanted to duplicate the soft vintage feel.  I knew my Worship the Lord set (from Our Daily Bread Designs) would be perfect! 

 

Because I am making several of these, I kept the coloring to a minimum (I don't know why, but I color extremely slooooowly).  Also, I think I was just looking for an excuse to create another monochromatic card!  LOL!  I added some subtle sparkle by highlighting the image with my Sakura Stardust pen.  For the final touch, I added some Crystal Effects to the trees and roof of the church.

I cut a strip of Herbal Green Medium Prism c.s. (measuring 4 3/4" x 11") and scored it at 4 1/2" and 9".  Instead of having a two inch flap that goes the whole width of the card, I cut off part of it (using a large place as a template for my curve) leaving only a rounded flap.

    

 So that it would close, I added a Basic Grey magnetic snap closure underneath the flap (and hid the other part under one of the many, many layers I added...hehehee!

To hold the gift card, I stitched around a piece of vellum c.s. (that I had embossed the Merry Christmas sentiment on - also from the Worship the Lord set) and created a little pocket.  So that it is easier to slide the card in and out, I punched out a half oval (using the lg. Stampin' Up! oval punch sliding it in only half way).

 

After I embossed the Psalm 100:2 verse, I used my corner Ornare template to trace (and pierce) a corner swirl.  Of course I couldn't make a project without adding some bling, so I used some mini rhinestones to accent the swirls.

 

Make sure to check out all the "gifty cards" the fabulous OCC ladies have created!

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you all have a wonderful (and warm!!) weekend!  :-)   ~Laurie

Recipe   Stamps: Worship the Lord (Our Daily Bread Designs), En Francais (Stampin' Up!)   Paper: Pearlized Cream c.s., Prism Herbal Green Medium c.s., Vellum c.s., My Mind's Eye DP   Ink: Always Artichoke craft ink, Mellow Moss craft ink, Antique Linen Distress ink   Other: Nestabilities, Clear e.p., Copic markers, Ribbon, Buttons, Crystal Effects, Sakura Stardust pen, Basic Grey magnetic closure, Martha Stewart lace edge punch, Ornare corner template, Rhinestones, Sewing Machine

I've Learned a Few Things...

Thank you all so much for the wonderful comments and emails you have left for me!  It really does feel good to stamp again!!  Speaking of stamping again...I could hardly believe that I went 5 weeks without touching a stamp!  Gasp!  LOL!!  Seriously though...my family does come first, and they really needed me...but now that we are home, it does feel good to get inky again!!  :-)  I have learned a few things though...like apparently my ability to sew a straight line atrophies if I don't use it regularly (and if you can't sew a straight line the first time...then don't use your LAST piece of matching c.s. to experiment on)!!  LOL!!!  Oh, and don't glue your layers together until you have already stitched, sponged, punched, or anything else you might want to do that is nearly impossible to accomplish if assembled!!  And last but not least DON'T add the Stickles, Diamond Glaze, or any other wet liquid until the layers are assembled (well, at least don't wear your favorite long sleeved shirt if you do decide to live on the wild side...don't ask me how I know...sigh...).  Yeah.  I can't make this stuff up!  LOL!  You would think that after stamping for as many years as I have, this stuff would be second nature, right?  Sadly, no.  :-)

So...before I show you the card I made for today's Our Creative Corner Challenge, would you all step back from your screen....like 5 or so feet?  Please?  :-)

 

As many flaws as this card has, I absolutely adore it!  First off, this snowman cupcake (from Taylor's Home Sweet Home set) is just the cutest thing...ever!!!  I could just eat him up!  Teehehee!  Second, I love this sketch that Julee came up with (for today's OCC Challenge)!  Third, the little ivory snowflake charm is a gift from my daughter, Ali!  :-)

I won't go into all of the creative details...mostly because it's all pretty self explanatory.  But, if you do have a question about something, let me know!  The link to my email address is located under my picture on my left sidebar.

I hope you all have an amazing weekend...and don't forget to hug your loved ones!!  :-)  My kids are getting sick of me hugging them so much...LOL!  I can't help it though...I am so grateful for them!  ~Laurie

Recipe   Stamps: Home Sweet Home (Stamp a Sweet Impression)   Paper: Shimmery White c.s., Sage Prism c.s., My Mind's Eye Laundry Line DP   Ink: Tuxedo Black, Creamy Caramel   Other: Copic markers, Nestabilities Label1, Sewing machine, Felt snowflake, Ivory taffeta ribbon, Hemp, Martha Stewart lace edge punch, Spellbinder's Tag die,Rhinestones, Stickles, Snowflake Charm, Cuttlebug Snowflake embossing folder

Family Traditions Recipe Book...

Happy Saturday!  I have to tell you how glad I was to see that today's Our Creative Corner challenge was to make a homemade Holiday gift!  You see, I've been "meaning" to make this little Recipe Book ever since I first saw these fantastic Recipe File Folders!  This was the perfect "push" I needed!

  

I started by covering the front and back of each of the six recipe file folders with Prism c.s..  I then added some Basic Grey's Wassail paper to the cover and decorated it with some stamped images from the Pink Paislee Tinsel Town set (and of course I added a bit of "bling"...I couldn't help myself!).  (I have only recently "discovered" Pink Paislee stamps...and I have to say I looooove them!!)  I embossed sentiments (from the Stampendous set "From the Kitchen") on the first three dividers, and hand wrote cookies, drinks, & breads on the last three.

   

Instead of adding a bunch of recipe cards before I bound my book (I used my Bind-it-all and 3/4" Brown O-Wire Bindings), I created pockets to hold 3 x 5 index cards.  This way, I can add  (or take away) from my recipe collection when ever I want to!

    

I included one of my family's favorite Holiday cookie recipes, "Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies".  (I actually baked these cookies, and filled a decorated jar with them for my first month on the Dirty Dozen - you can see them HERE if you are a Fan Club member). 

 

 

I haven't yet decided if this is a gift I will actually give away or keep for myself!!  As easy as this was, I may just keep this one and make more to give away!  LOL!

You can see more gorgeous handmade gifts over at the OCC blog...the OCC designers really out-did themselves this week!!  :-)

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!  ~Laurie

Recipe   Stamps: Tinsel Town (Pink Paislee), From the Kitchen (Stampendous)   Paper: Prism c.s., Shimmery White c.s., Basic Grey Wassail paper   Ink: Riding Hood Red, Always Artichoke, Sahara Sand, Versamark   Other: Clear detail e.p., Nestabilities, Recipe File Folders, Designer Buttons, Sewing Machine, Stampin' Up! ribbon, Bind-it-all