Just Give Me Stamps...

Quick & Easy Christmas Card...

Happy Monday!  I have a quick and easy Christmas card to share with you!  It's wonderful that it's the 1st part of November and I've already got quite a Christmas card stash!  Woohooo!! 

I'm going to keep this short, because...well, the card is pretty self explanatory!  I used Penny Black's Banner of Joy set combined with some Little Yellow Bicycle patterned paper.  A little bit of silver cording, a punched border, and some red rhinestones and Voila!  :-)

I hope you all have a wonderful Monday!  ~Laurie

 
Stamps:  Banner of Joy(Penny Black)
Paper:  Pure Poppy (PTI), Stamper's Select White (PTI), Patterned paper (Little Yellow Bicycle)
Ink:  Versamark, Red Versamagic Dew Drop
Other:  Clear Detail e.p., Silver e.p., Silver cord, Rhinestones, Scallop border punch
 

Caffeine & Friends...

...are two of my favorite things!  :-)  How was your weekend?  Nothing earth shattering here...just trying to catch up from being gone (and being sick before that!)! 

I have a fun and quick card to share with you... 

I wanted to make a card that would be perfect for any occasion (birthday, thinking of you, just because, thank you, etc.), so I reached for my Justrite A Little Caffeine set.  I paired it with some of Cosmo Cricket's Early Bird patterned paper.  I just L-O-V-E these new Cosmo Cricket Mini Decks!!  They are the same patterns as the beloved 12 x 12...but in a mini size (they even shrunk the pattern so it would fit better on cards)!  The label shape is from the new Spellbinder's Labels eight Nestabilities.

For embellishments, I added a chipboard heart (which I first covered with Diamond Glaze then sprinkled on some Teal Gala Glitz Glitter Shards, a button, and some Pure Poppy Grosgrain ribbon.

Well, I'm off to make some dinner for the munchkins!  I hope you enjoy your evening!  ~Laurie

 
Stamps:  A Little Caffeine (JustRite Stampers)
Paper:  Kraft c.s., Choice Buttercream c.s., Early Bird Mini Deck (Cosmo Cricket)
Ink:  Versamagic Dew Drops, Antique Linen Distress Ink, Vintage Cream (PTI)
Accessories:  Chipboard Heart (Maya Road), Teal Gala Glitz Glimmer Shards (Art Institute Glitter), Button, Pure Poppy grosgrain ribbon (PTI), Quick Kutz polka dots embossing folder, Sewing Machine, Circle Nestabilities, Labels 8 Nestabilities, Clear detail e.p.
 
 

A Western Christmas...

Happy Monday!!  I can officially say that we're {{50 %}} better now!  LOL!  I'll take it though!!  :-)  This flu has been rough, so it feels SO good to be heading back to normal!  Besides a lingering cough, both of my little ones are back to their fun loving, mischief seeking, VERY rambunctious and cute selves!!  My older two will get there soon as they are headed in the right direction!  :-) 

I have a Christmas card to share with you today!  Actually, it's one that I made several weeks ago but am just now getting a chance to share it!

As soon as I saw this Santa Horses stamp (by Impression Obsession) I fell in love!  These horses remind me SOOO much of some of our own, right down to the markings!!  In fact, I have a picture of our blue roan and red roan snuggling up together...except for the Santa hats *giggle*...it looks exactly the same as this stamp!  That picture (of our blue roan and red roan horses) was the inspiration for how I colored this image.  I stamped the image directly onto Kraft cardstock then used my Copics to add some color. 

After I tore and inked up the edges, I layered it on some distressed patterned paper strips.  I then machine stitched the top and bottom as well as hand stitched a little using some Burlap String.  I used that same Burlap String to create a rope tied up with a bow (doesn't every cowboy's rope need a bow??  LOL!) and a charm for embellishment!  The sentiment is from Penny Black's Cyrstalline set.  Lastly, I added some Frosted Lace Stickles to the Santa hats...I just love how it makes them pop!

Well, that's all from me today!  I'm off to bake some cookies!  It's pouring down rain here (I LOVE it), and I think some freshly baked Snickerdoodles would help everyone feel better!  :-)  Hugs, Laurie

 
Stamps:  Santa Horses cling stamp (Impression Obsession), Crystalline (Penny Black)
Paper:  Kraft cardstock, Patterned paper (The Merry Days of Christmas by My Mind's Eye)
Ink:  Rich Cocoa Memento Ink, Chamomile and Chai Tea Vintage Ink (PTI)
Accessories:  Copics, Sewing Machine, Burlap String (May Arts), Paper piercer, Snowflake charm, Frosted Lace Stickles
 

Christmas Wreath...

Good morning!  Are you all staying healthy?  Our family has been hit pretty hard with Influenza...actually the only one that escaped getting it is my DH (lucky duck!!)!  I think we are all finally starting on the mend though, and I can't tell you how glad I will be to get our normal routine back! 

Last night, Flourishes released six brand new Christmas sets and they are all available at Stamper's Dream!  I've mentioned it before, but I have a MAJOR thing for wreaths!!  Love, love, love them!   So when Michelle sent me this Christmas Wreath set I squealed with delight!  If there ever was a gorgeous, elegant, & completely beautiful wreath stamp, then this is it!!

One thing I have to tell you...when I first sat down to stamp with this I was intimidated!  You see, I'm not a color-er by nature.  I have to really work at it.  I was pleasantly surprised to find that this is one of the easiest images to color!  Really!!  All the shading is done for you (they are already drawn in)!  I showed this card to my DH (who is not easily impressed - I think he would make an excellent card critic LOL!!), and the first thing he said was, "Wow!  Your coloring is wonderful!".  So...a stamp that can make anyone look like an artist, well count me in!!  LOL!  :-)

There is more Flourishes inspiration to be seen over at Amy & Tosh's blogs!

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

Stamps:  Christmas Wreath (Flourishes)
Paper:  Scarlet Jewel (PTI), Lily Bee (Audrey) patterned paper, Choice Buttercream (TE)
Ink:  Rich Cocoa Memento Ink, Versamark
Accessories:  Copic markers, Kaiser Pearls, Burgundy embossing powder, Sewing Machine, Stickles, Diamond Glaze, Cuttlebug dies, Ticket corner punch (SU!), White gel pen
 
 

What's Brewing?

Hi!  It's going to be a super short post today as I have now gotten what my boys had...YUCK!!  I thought while I was waiting for my ibuprofen to kick in, I would come on here and share a card I made a couple days ago.  :-)

I have to tell you how excited I was to stamp this card!  I just LOVE gingham patterns, and when I saw the Gingham Cover-a-Card stamp I was over the moon happy!!  Finding gingham patterned papers (especially in the colors I like) is really hard...but now I can have gingham whenever my heart desires!!  Woohooo!!  So, yeah...expect to see a lot more gingham!  LOL!  These cover a card stamps are big ( 5 3/4" x 5 3/4"), so they will fit just about ANY size of card you'd like to make!  They are cling stamps (deeply etched red rubber with a cling backing) that are designed to be used with clear acrylic blocks.  I used the new Mega Mount 6" x 6" Rocker Acrylic Mount (expect to see more info on that from me...because it's AWESOME!!).

For my main image, I stamped one of the coffee cups from Impression Obsession's What's Brewing? set (also a cling mount stamp :-) using Rich Cocoa Memento ink.  Before coloring it in with my Copics, I lightly stamped the coffee beans for a subtle background (also included in the What's Brewing?set).  I tied it up using some luscious 2" Mauve Crushed Wired ribbon (by May Arts) and some Ivory Prima flowers.

Here's a close-up of the cup so you can see the Diamond Glaze I added to the coffee!  See those cute little polka dots on the cup?  I got the idea from Nichole Heady (you can click HERE to see the latest post she did this technique on)...I just LOVE the look!  

I didn't have any room on the outside for the sentiment, so I decorated the inside (very similar to the front of the card) and added the "What's Brewing" sentiment (also from the What's Brewing? set).  Oh, I almost forgot to mention the new Nesabilities I got (Nestabilities Labels Six)!  I loooooove this shape!  I used them on both the front and the inside....so fun!  :-)

Okay...so this post wasn't as short as I thought it would be {{grin}}.  I am headed for bed now, though.  Hope you all have a peaceful night!  ~Laurie

 
Stamps:  What's Brewing? (Impression Obsession)
Paper:  Kraft paper (PTI), Choice Buttercream c.s. (Taylored Expressions)
Ink:  Pink Grapefruit Versamagic Dew Drop, Vintage Cream (PTI), Creamy Caramel (Stampin' Up!)
Accessories:  Clear detail e.p. (Judikins), Diamond Glaze (Judikins), Nestabilities Labels 6, Sewing Machine, Martha Stewart border punch, Buttons (PTI), May Arts ribbon, Flowers
  
 

Quick Halloween Treats...

Today, I've got some super quick Halloween gifts to share with you!  Having four kids means that there are a LOT of Halloween goodies to hand out!  I wanted to make something that did not take a lot of time to create as well as being easy to mass produce. 

 I decided that tags tied to treat filled cellophane bags were going to fit my criteria (quick and easily mass produced) perfectly!  I reached for my Witch Way to the Treats set (JustRite Stampers) and stamped some tags.  I added just a splash of color using my copic markers, then mounted them on some black cardstock that I punched out with a scallop circle punch.  To finish them off, I tied on some May Arts ribbon and fibers (some I had from my stash), and then topped them off with some buttons!  I really considered adding some rhinestones or something, but then I remembered that 5 & 8 year olds rarely notice things like that when there is candy right in front of them!  LOL!

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you have a wonderful evening!  ~Laurie

 
Stamps:  Witch Way to the Treats(JustRite Stampers)
Paper:  Neenah White c.s., True Black c.s. (PTI)
Ink:  Versamark
Accessories:  Black Detail e.p.(Judikins), 1 3/8" circle punch (Stampin' Up!), Scallop circle punch (Stampin' Up!), May Arts ribbon, Fibers, Orange Zest button (PTI), Lavender Moon button (PTI), Copics

Merry Little Christmas Tree...

I'm back with a quick little Christmas card to share with you!  This is my second post for today, so make sure to scroll down to see my first post (I share some fun news & as well as a giveaway!!)!

I paired this embossed Christmas tree image from the Holiday Sentimentsset (Inkadinkado) with some patterned paper from the Merry Days of Christmas collection (My Mind's Eye).  The fun snowflake swirl that I wrapped around the Christmas tree layer is a die cut that was included in the Merry Days of Christmas kit.  The "be merry" sentiment is from the Penny Black Crystalline clear stamp set.  For embellishments I added a button, some ribbon, rhinestones, & a wee bit of stitching!  :-)

Thanks for stopping by!!  Don't forget to check back in later as I will be back with another project to share with you!  :-)  Hugs, Laurie

Stamps:  Crystalline (Penny Black), Holiday Sentiments (Inkadinkado)
Paper:  Choice White (Taylored Expressions), Merry Days of Christmas (My Mind's Eye)
Ink:  Versamagic Dew Drops, Antique Linen Distress Ink
Accessories:  Clear detail e.p., Ribbon, Button, String, Rhinestones, Copic marker, Sewing machine

Gratitude...

Wow!  How did it get to be Thursday already?!?!  I am in awe of how fast the days are going by...  We have been so busy with school, Doctor appointments, and...well, too many things to even list!  LOL!  From what I've heard from others, this year has been an especially busy one for many!  I won't bore you withe all of the details, but just wanted to let you know that I'm still around...just swamped!  :-)

A quick note about the calendar book from my last post (scroll down to see it, or click HERE).  I've received LOTS of emails asking either where I purchased the book or how I made it.  Just to clarify, I made it...it's not chipboard but cardstock.  I did write some basic instructions in my post.  I am getting ready to head out of town for a few days, but I will do my best to write up a little "how-to" (with some pictures) when I get back.  :-)

Speaking of going out of town...  We will be staying with a friend for a few days while we're gone.  I wanted to make a quick thank you card to go with a small gift I purchased.  I actually had this paper still out on my desk and thought it would be perfect to use with the Gratitude stamp from Inkadinkado! 

This little card (4 x 4 square) was so easy to make!  I just embossed the Gratitude stamp directly onto the patterned paper!  I used the flip side of the orange dotted patterned paper for the background and stitched around the edges.  I added a little ribbon, a button, and a decorative punched border for embellishments.  That's it!  Easy peasy!  :-) 

Well, I need to go pack!  Yikes!!  I hope you all have a great day!  ~Laurie

Joyous Season...

Yes, I'm back with another Christmas card!!  These country style of cards are some of my all time favorite kind of cards to stamp!  I just love the down home feel of the Kraft c.s. and when it's paired with some gingham ribbon...perfection!  :-)

I used this beautiful pine cone image from the Joyous set from Penny Black and inked it up with some fo my Versamagic Dew Drops.  A little stitching, a punched border, some delicious gingham May Arts ribbon, and a button!

It's still hard to see from this photo, but I added just a *hint* of sparkle using my Sakura Stardust glitter pen!  {{{sigh}}}  I just adore sparkle!

Here's a peek at the inside!  I used the same K & Co. Christmas paper as I did on the outside.  The sentiment and image are stamped on Vanilla c.s. and cut out using my Labels 1 Nestabilities.

Well, that's all from me today!  We've been OH SO busy here with school, but I think we might be getting back into our groove....hopefully....!  LOL!  ~Laurie

Stamps:  Joyous (Penny Black)
Paper:  Vanilla c.s., Kraft c.s., K & Co. Patterned paper
Ink: Versamagic Dew Drops, Antique Linen and Tea Dye Distress Inks
Accessories:  Quick Kutz nesting label, Label 1 Nestabilities, Sewing Machine, Sakura Clear Stardust glitter pen, Fiskars border punch, May Arts gingham ribbon, Wood button (PTI), String

Be Merry...

Happy Thursday!  All week, the Stamper's Dream girls are sharing projects they've created using Impression Obsession stamps, and today is my day to share mine!  :-)

I used this charming Ornament Chickadee stamp (from Impression Obsession)!  First, I stamped the image onto White c.s. using Memento Tuxedo Black ink, then I colored it in using my copics.  For the "sky", I used my copic air art gun and lightly sprayed some blue ink over my image (which I masked first).  The yummy patterned paper is from the My Mind's Eye Merry Days of Christmas collection and the Burgundy Velvet ribbon is from May Arts.  I used the "be merry" sentiment from Penny Black's Crystalline set.

 

Here's a close-up picture of the ornament.  I added a tiny bit of sparkle with my clear Spica Glitter pen then covered it in Diamond Glaze.  I just LOVE the shine combined with the sparkle!!

Another close-up picture...but this time I'm showing you the sparkle (Frosted Lace Stickles) I added to the clear snowflake embellishment!

There is PLENTY more Impression Obsession inspiration for you to see!!  Check out what Becca, Denise, Michelle, & Tosh have created!

Oh...and did you see the blog candy Michelle is offering??!!?!  I SO want that punch!!  Do you think she'd notice if I left a gazillion comments??  LOL!  Seriously though, it's some great looking candy!

Well, school is in full swing for us and my days have suddenly gotten shorter!!  LOL!  I love it though...it's so rewarding to be such an integral part of my children's lives and I count myself extremely blessed for it!  So...if you see some gaps in my posting here, you know why!  :-)

I hope you all have an amazing day!!  ~Laurie

Stamps: Ornament Chickadee (Impression Obsession)
Paper:  Choice White c.s., My Mind's Eye the Merry Days of Christmas Collection
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Old Paper Distress ink, Moulin Rouge Palette ink
Accessories:  Quick Kutz Nesting Label die, Burgundy Velvet ribbon, Heidi Swapp Snowflake ghost shape, Button, Tiny Twinkles, Corner Rounder punch