Just Give Me Stamps...

Extreme Blog Makeover!!

Wooohooo!!  Check out my new "digs"!!  I am over the moon excited...I just love it!  I still have a little rearranging to do...and I plan on "finally" updating my blog roll, but I couldn't be happier with how this all turned out! 

A HUGE thank you to Veronica (from VK Deisign Company) for all her hard work!  She is extremely talented, so fun to work with, and I think she might be part mind reader!!  LOL!  Seriously, I wasn't able to articulate very well what I wanted but had vague ideas.  Not only did she give me exactly what I wanted, but did it in record time!  Thank you SO much, Veronica!!

I emailed her the below photo of a coffee cup (one I picked up in Seattle - LOVE that place :-) and told her that I didn't necessarily want the image on the cup (even though it IS gorgeous), but I wanted more the "feel" the cup has!  I know, I know...could I be any more specific?!!?  LOL!! 

Anyway, I just wanted to share how excited I am!!  :-)  ~Laurie

Spring in Montana...

Happy Wednesday!  I don't usually post non-stamping related posts...but I just had to share the following pictures!  I have a soft Spring card to share with you in a post right after this, so make sure you refresh your page!

 

Our boys got up early this morning...just so they could run around in the snow before school!  It's not unusual for us to get snow in the Spring...but not this much (not to mention it sticking around for as long as it has)!

 

Going "potty"...a necessary event made much more difficult by the deep snow!  It's tough to be a small dog in Montana!  LOL!  (This is Cody...my daughter's Puggle (Beagle/Pug cross).

 

Maggie was playing it smart...hanging out with me on the porch!  LOL!

I hope you all have better weather!!  Hugs, Laurie

Back Home...

Hi!  I just wanted to post a quick note here thanking everyone for the supportive emails!  We are now home from Seattle!  Ali did SO well through the surgery and recovery, and is glad to have that part behind her!  From the second day post-op her head pain was considerably less than it has been for the last couple of months!!  We are definitely celebrating with her on that!!! 

Unfortunately, on our way out of the hospital the surgeon came in to Ali's room and told us that the pathology report is not normal.  Not only did that bit of news extend our stay in Seattle, but it has reopened a door we thought was now closed.  We still don't have any answers...except that it's not cancer (and we are SO thankful for that!).  So, we will continue to have follow up tests and doctor visits.  Up until now, Ali has had an amazing attitude...so strong and brave...but this latest news has been tough for her (and us).  We are trying just to focus on what we have to be thankful for...and it seems that list grows all the time!  One thing in particular that has blessed us is the support and friendship that seems to be poured out on us!  You see, my DH couldn't come with us to Seattle this time (for many reasons...but one of the main reasons was that our oldest son Jared (who's 10) got a kidney infection and was pretty sick).  When my friend Tosh heard that Ali and I would be by ourselves, she hopped on a plane and met us in Seattle...so I wouldn't be alone while Ali was in surgery!  Just typing this brings tears to my eyes...  My DH called me many times as well...just to tell me about all the support (meals, and help with the boys) that our community was pouring out us!  As you can see, in the midst of one of the toughest trials we have been through...we are being richly blessed!

Here's a picture of Alison and Jared together...taken at their last piano recital.

I really want to thank you for your prayers and emails/cards of encouragement!  I show them all to Ali and they have meant so much to all of us!  Thank you all so much!!

Oh...speaking of Tosh, she is giving aways some INCREDIBLE blog candy on her blog Stamp Talk With Tosh!!  You will not want to miss out on it!!    ~Hugs, Laurie

Lots of New Retired Stamps Listed For Sale!!

I have just spent the last several hours (yes, I have THAT many stamps...LOL!!!) updating and listing new Stampin' Up! retired stamps that I have for sale!  Almost ALL of the sets are at least 50% off the original price...and many even more than that!!  I will be responding to emails on a first come, first serve basis.  Also, I will do my best to keep the list updated as much as possible!  If you have any questions, please let me know!! 

OH...the link to the page where the stamps are listed is in the sidebar to the left under "For Sale".  Also..HERE is the direct link.

Thanks!  ~Laurie

So Grateful...

First, I want to thank you all so much for your caring emails!  And those of you that have sent/are sending cards...THANK YOU sooo much!!!  I am so deeply touched by the love and concern you have shown us!!  We have just recently returned from Seattle and are so grateful to be home!  I apologize for not returning all of your emails yet...I am working on it though!  Many of you have asked if I am o.k. as it is not "like me" to not post for so long.  Again, I can't tell you how amazing you all are...thank you so much for your concern!  I have to tell you...my DH is absolutely AMAZED that people we haven't even met have shown so much support and care...I just keep telling him that stampers really are just wonderful people!!!

A couple of weeks ago, Alison's (our 12 year old daughter) pediatrician found a mass in her brain that they first believed to be a tumor.  We were sent to Seattle Children's hospital where a team of Neurosurgeons  (they call them the Pediatric Tumor Team) ran more tests and determined that the mass they saw was blood.  After even more tests (what they call "brain mapping"), they were able to rule out some of the really dangerous stuff...but weren't able to see what was behind/caused the blood.  They believe that there is either a small, slow-growing tumor or a cluster of abnormal blood vessels that is cause of all of this, but cannot be sure until the swelling/blood goes down.  We were able to come home for a while...and will go back in January for more tests.  There is still a chance that she could hemorrhage again...but the risks of immediate surgery were greater than the risk of her bleeding again.  Although it is a bit nerve wracking being so far away from the doctors, we are grateful to be able to spend the Holidays at home!

We believe so strongly in the power of prayer, and have experienced God's loving hand upon us.  Thank you all SO much for your prayers, love, and concern!

I will be taking pictures of the beautiful cards we have received, and posting some each day (and I will even probably have something that I made to share with you as well...because there isn't any better therapy than stampin!!). 

Hugs,                                                                                                                                       Laurie

Enabler Alert, Enabler Alert!!

Michelle (owner of Stamper's Dream Store) is giving away a FREE JustRite C-45 Monogram Stamper Kit!!  Check out her blogfor all the details!  Also, the Stamper's Dream Design Team will each be sharing a JustRite project this week (see below for the schedule).

Monday 9/8 - Amy Westerman

Tuesday 9/9 - Carolyn King

Wednesday 9/10 - Charmaine Ikach

Thursday 9/11 - Kurtis Admundson

Friday 9/12 - Me :-)

Saturday 9-13 - Tosha Leyendekker

I, for one, cannot wait to see what everyone comes up with!!  I'm always on the lookout for some awesome Christmas projects/presents...and I think the JustRite Monogram stamps will be great for those!!  ~Laurie

Fishers of Men...

 Happy Sunday!!  We don't have any big plans today...as DH is still healing up...but we will try and sneak out for a picnic or something (somewhere close).  Our weather has finally started to warm up, so we are all anxious to get out and enjoy it!  :-)  I've shared so many pictures of snow...that I thought I would share a picture that we took this afternoon (see the bottom of this post).

Today is the release date of two brand new sets form Our Daily Bread Designs(Sing to the Lord & Fishers of Men)!  For my card, I also used some of the cardstock that Kelley (owner of Our Daily Bread) sent the Design Team for June's Color Challenge.

I had such a hard time getting a decent picture of this card!  I apologize for the poor quality, but after retaking the picture a half dozen times I decided that this would have to do.  :-)

Have a blessed day!

Recipe   Stamps: Fishers of Men (Our Daily Bread), Sanded   Paper:Papertrey White, Suede Light Brown, Suede Dark Brown, Mystic Dark (Prism Papers)   Ink: Adirondack Pitch Black, Chocolate Chip craft ink, Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa   Other:Clear e.p., Photo Corner punch, Copic markers, May Arts net ribbon, Linen Thread, Decorative brad, Paper piercer

Oh, the Irony of It!

Good Morning!  The past few days, we have been enjoying some warm (at least for us :-) days...and finally seeing the results of Spring (green grass coming, leaf buds starting on all the trees, & all the birds starting to return)...it's been wonderful!!  Yesterday, I sat down to stamp my card for Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge...and I had my window open by my stamp desk, enjoying a warm Spring breeze.  I was so inspired by it, that I decided to cut out and mount my "Life's a Breeze" set and make a fun, Summer-themed type of card!

Weeeeelllll, THIS is what I woke up to this morning!!!  We have definitely had the strangest weather this year!!  I'm just glad that while I was in town yesterday, I resisted the temptation to buy these GORGEOUS potted flowers!  We are a good 1000 feet higher out here, and usually we wait until after Memorial Day to plant anything anyway...but MAN, these flowers were pretty!  Hopefully the snow won't last...

So, this is the card that was inspired by our warm (although short) weather yesterday!  When I saw the sketch (see below), I kept thinking that the bottom strip would be perfect for water!  :-)

I kept my layers to a minimum (for me, anyway :-) , and sponged some of the edges with Cool Caribbean to help "pop" them out a bit.  For my sailboat, I first embossed it onto White c.s. using Pumpkin Pie ink and Clear e.p.  I stamped it again onto some coordinating patterned paper (all the patterned paper is from the We R Memory Keepers "White Out" Collection)...once onto the the red patterned paper (for the bottom of the boat), and once onto the dotted paper (for the sail).  After I cut out and glued the different pieces onto the boat, I used one of my Oval Nestabilities to cut out and emboss the oval.

Like I've mentioned is a previous post, I'm not normally a huge fan of bright colors....but I was just so taken by this fun paper!!  I LOVE stripes...and thought it went perfectly with my card, but I didn't want to cover it all up with the rectangle layer...so, I used some vellum c.s. for the main layer and added a strip of turquoise patterned paper for the water.  I cut out a "frame" from Pumpkin Pie c.s. and then sponged it a little with some White craft ink.

This is Beate's sketch for this week!  I hope you get a chance to play!

To see more gorgeous cards made with this sketch, check out what Beate, Cambria, Charmaine, Jenn, Lori, & Mary Jo have made!

I hope you all have a wonderful Friday! 

Recipe   Stamps: Life's a Breeze   Paper: White c.s., Pumpkin Pie, Vellum c.s., We R Memory Keepers (White Out Collection)   Ink: Versamark, Cool Caribbean, Pumpkin Pie, White craft ink  Other: Clear e.p., White e.p., Oval Nestabilities, White grosgrain ribbon, Large decorative eyelet, Craft knife

Evening Sky...

This is a 'non-stamping' post...but I will try not to bore you too much!  :-)  While I was making dinner yesterday evening, I got to enjoy this beautiful view from my kitchen window!!

I just loved how the clouds were so low...but you could see the sky peeking through!  In this picture, the sun was just about to go behind the mountain!

Mr. Brown is coming today (hurray for UPS!!!) and is bringing some fun new stamps!  How fortunate...because today I have quite a bit of stamping time set aside!!  Woohoo!  So make sure you check back tomorrow...I'll having something new for you to see!  :-)  ~Laurie

A Stamper's Dream...

I have some exciting news!!!  I am so honored to now be a part of the Stamper's Dream Design Team!  Stamper's Dream carries such a huge variety of stamps...from the fun and whimsical to the detailed and elegant!  Michelle (owner of Stamper's Dream), also carries every color of Stickles known to man (and you all probably know by now how I feel about Stickles!!!)! 

As if this wasn't exciting enough.....you should check out who I get to be on the team with!!!!  Carolyn King (aka Cammie on SCS), Kurtis Amundson (aka Stampin' Kub on SCS), & Tosha Leyendekker (aka Stamps4funinCA on SCS) are all amazing stampers....and I get to "work" with them!!!!  How lucky can a girl get?  I should be receiving my stamps soon...(I have to tell you...the ones that I know are coming...make my heart go *Pitter Patter*)....so I'll have some fun new samples to share with you soon!

Thanks so much for sharing in my excitement with me!!!!  Have a blessed weekend!  ~Laurie