Just Give Me Stamps...

Three Cards, a Review, and a Giveaway!!

Good morning!  Today, I have three cards to share with you...and a fun giveaway!!  :-)

Several weeks ago I was contacted by Bazzill.  They have just released a new line of cardstock specifically geared towards cardmakers!  They were wondering if I would like to try it out, share my thoughts with all of you, and give a pack of their new cardstock away to one of you!  Well, I am always in the market for some quality cardstock so I told them I would love to!

What I look for in cardstock is the weight (I don't like flimsy cardstock...it just doesn't hold up), solid color and core (I don't like "grainy" color), and cardstock that creases and folds smoothly without tearing or fraying.

I created three cards with the new carestock and I thought I would share my thoughts about it as I share the projects with you (very similar to how I thought them as I was playing stamping).  :-)

For my first card, I used the new Sour Lemon, Licorice Twist, & Butter Mints Bazzill colors paired with the Ovals Classic Frames and Compact Sentiments sets from Waltzingmouse Stamps.  I love how the cardstock is smooth and stamps so nicely (I stamped a subtle leafy pattern on the scalloped yellow layers).  The focal images are embossed and I sponged around each layer with my Pumice Stone Distress Ink for some added depth.

On my second card, I used Whirlypop, Easter Grass, Peanut Cluster, & Licorice Twist Bazzill cardstock combined with the Bloom & Grow set, Great Friend set, & Elegant Leaves die (all from Verve Stamps).  I really like the bright yet trendy cardstock colors!  It was fun sorting through the pack and trying out new (to me, anyway) color combinations!  That is exactly how I came up with this card!  :-)

The flowers are all embossed using black embossing powder.  I added some white dots (using my Picket Fence Distress Marker) on the background to brighten things up a bit.

For my third card, I started with a Marshmallow base (a smooth white cardstock) and then added punched out hearts in the following  Bazzill colors:  Sour Lemon, Cotton Candy, Robin's Egg, & Gumball.  I kept the design clean and simple only adding some matching rhinestones and a stamped sentiment (from Half Pint Heroines set from Waltzingmouse Stamps).  Oh, and I added a tiny bit of white stitching to ground the hearts a bit.

I really, really liked how the cardstock folded smoothly.  One of my stamping pet peeves is to have my cardstock tear or fray when I fold it in half.  I do use my Scor-Pal to score the cardstock before folding it but this does not always solve the problem.  I was VERY impressed with how clean each of the folds on Bazzill's new cardstock were!  Yay!! 

With its 100 lb heavy weight, solid color and core, and crisp folding...I will definitely be using this cardstock more and more!  Yep, I'm a fan!  :-)

Sooooo, do you want a chance to win a package of this new cardstock?  One lucky commenter will receive a package of 56 sheets of cardstock (2 each of the colors below). 

Just leave a comment here on this post telling me what you look for in cardstock!  That's it!  Make sure to leave your comment by Sunday (5/27) at 9 pm Mountain Time.  I will post the winner here Monday morning!  :-)

Thanks for stopping by!  ~Laurie

Waltzingmouse May New Release Waltz!

Hi friends!  It's here!  It's release day over at Waltzingmouse Stamps!  With three brand new sets and some other goodies (did you see Claire's post about the fun new twine??), there's a little something for everyone!  :-)

If you are waltzing with us today, you should have arrived here from Julia's blog.  (If not, why not go and start at the beginning?  Claire is kicking things off for us today!  :-)  Not only do you get to see some inspiring creations, but there is a prize involved (more details below)!!  Just sayin'...

For my card, I used the SUPER cute new Half Pint Heroines set!  I absolutely adore this set!!  What's great about it is it works for so many occasions...not just for girls (which is wonderful as well!)!  :-)

I have been on quite a patterned paper kick lately!  I think it's because the manufacturers keep on making amazing papers, and I keep buying them!  Teehehee!  At least I'm using them, right?  :-)  Everything except the elephant and bird are paper pieced.  I colored the elephant and bird using my copic markers, cut them out, and then adhered them to my paper pieced scene.

As you are waltzing today, make sure you leave a little comment love along the way!  A random commenter will be drawn from one of the DT blogs and will receive a stamp set of choice!  Woohooo!!!  You have until May 11th at 6:59 AM Eastern to leave your comments.  The winner will be announced on Claire's blog on May 12th!

Next up on the Waltz is the super talented Anya!  I'm sure she has something very fun and clever to share!

Thanks so much for joining me here today!  Hugs, Laurie

 

Waltzingmouse May Release Previews Day 3...

Good morning!  Welcome to Day 3 of the Waltzingmouse May Release Previews!  Today is the last day of Previews...and tomorrow is the day that all three sets will be available!!

Today the Design Team is sharing projects made with the Compact Sentiments Part 2 set!  I really loved the first Compact Sentiments...and I can tell you this one is just as fabulous!! 

For my first card, I paired the miss you stamp (from the Compact Sentiments Part 2 set) with the Paris Nouveau set.  Both the Eiffel Tower and the sentiment are embossed with a silvery pearl embossing powder.  I wanted a soft and pastel card, but still keep a modern look to it. 

I went with a completely different look for my second card!  I got my Distress Inks out and dirtied up every edge I could find!  LOL!  I let the sentiment take center stage and complimented it using patterned paper and embellishments.

In this close up photo, you can see the chunky glitter I added around the edge of the label.  So fun!  :-)

Ready for more inspiration?  Here's a list of the other ladies sharing projects today...

Anya Schrier
Beeca Feeken
Belinda Chang Langner
Clare Buswel
l Julia Aston
Jennifer Holmes
Kelly Schirmer
Laurie Schmidlin
Lynn Mercurio
Mona Pendleton
Sandie Dunne
Claire Brennan - Owner
Tosha Leyendekker

I'm so glad you joined me here today!  See you back here tomorrow for the New Release Waltz (hop)!!  ~Laurie

 

Waltzingmouse May Release Previews Day 2...

Hi there!  It's Day 2 of the Waltzingmouse May Release Previews!  Today the Design Team is sharing projects made with the soon to be released Compact Family set!  With so many different stamps included that you can mix and match, you will never be without the perfect sentiment!!

I chose three difference sentiments to create cards for my three sons!  I LOVE this saying...in fact, it's one that I say to them all the time!!  I can't wait to slip these into their lunch bags next week!

The two little shaped cards are ones that I made with my Silhouette (the left side is a dinosaur shaped card and the one on the right is a baseball cap shaped card).  All three use the new Compact Family set by Waltzingmouse!

Here's a close-up of the regular sized card...

Using the sentiment as the focal image, I embellished with elements included in the Simple Stories paper pack I was using along with some punched stars, a button, and a mini paper clip.  My boys hate "frilly" things but it goes against my nature not to add embellishments!  LOL!

Make sure to check out what the other DT ladies have created!  These ladies are wildly talented and you won't want to miss anything!!!

Anya Schrier
Beeca Feeken
Belinda Chang Langner
Clare Buswell
Julia Aston
Jennifer Holmes
Kelly Schirmer
Laurie Schmidlin
Lynn Mercurio
Mona Pendleton
Sandie Dunne
Claire Brennan - Owner Tosha Leyendekker

Thanks so much for stopping by!  ~Laurie

Waltzingmouse May Release Previews Day 1...

It's Day 1 of the Waltzingmouse May Release Previews!  You are in for SUCH a treat!!  All three of the new sets are fabulous!  I can't wait for you to see them!  :-)

The set that is being previewed today is called Half Pint Heroines!  Like it's counterpart Half Pint Heroes, this new set is packed with interchangeable images and sentiments that make for a fun to play with and versatile set!

Isn't that girl so sweet?  :-)  For my card, I used several of the new images (hot air balloon, girl, and sentiment) along with some fun ribbon and embellishments.

There is so much more inspiration ahead!  Check out what the other ladies have created using this fabby new set:

Anya Schrier
Beeca Feeken
Belinda Chang Langner
Clare Buswell
Julia Aston
Jennifer Holmes
Kelly Schirmer
Laurie Schmidlin
Lynn Mercurio
Mona Pendleton
Sandie Dunne
Claire Brennan - Owner
Tosha Leyendekker

Thanks so much for stopping by!  ~Laurie

Inspiration Motivation...

NOTE:  Thank you for the heads up about the problem with my links!  I think I have fixed it now and you should be able to get right over to Tosh's blog without a problem!  I noticed that Tosh's card isn't up yet, but I know Blogger has been having some glitches with post dating posts not actually posting...so make sure to check back later and see her awesome creation!!

Happy Friday!  Today I have a fun post to share with you!  The other day, my sweet friend Tosh and I were talking on the phone and somehow got on the subject of inspiration.  See, we used to talk quite regularly and often challenged each other to try new or forgotten techniques.  While we were talking, she was telling me about some of the things she was seeing on Pintrest...a lot of black on black patterns to be particular.  That's when we decided to restart our challenges...and we are calling them Inspiration Motivation!  It's just something we are doing for fun...a definite no pressure thing!  :-)  So this time Tosh decided on the challenge...to use black on black (or gray).

I absolutely LOVE the look of black on black...and black on gray!  It's so elegant and stunning...yet understated at the same time!  :-) 

I used my Silhouette to create the black damask in the background and then added some yellow accents (including the sentiment made with the French Country set from Waltzingmouse).

Now head on over to Tosh's blog to see what she created!  I know I am SO looking forward to seeing what she comes up with!!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Have a great weekend!!  ~Laurie

It's Your Big Day (CASE Study Challenge # 85)...

 Happy Thursday everyone!  I'm so excited to share some fun news with you!  A while ago, I received an email from the super sweet Iwona asking if I would like to be April's Muse over at the CASE Study Blog!!  Ummmm, that would be a big YES!  Teeheee!  I'm SO honored (and a little intimidated) to be playing along with the CASE Study talented designers this month!

This is the first card that we are CASEing this month...

I chose to case the overall layout and colors of the card (I've been loving the teal and yellow combo lately).

Here's what I came up with...

I wanted a more graphic style of card this time, so I didn't add any ink distressing whatsoever (shocking as it may be :-).  I used the chevron image from Waltzingmouse's Off Beat Backgrounds set for the background (I stamped it in two different colors of teal) and a sentiment from Waltzingmouse's Back in the Saddle set for the focal image.  I also added a wee bit of burlap to offset all the teal.

I'm SO excited to see what the other ladies have come up with!  You can see them all over at the CASE Study Blog (as well as play along!)!

Thanks so much for joining me here today!  Hugs, Laurie

 

Waltzingmouse Off Beat Backgounds Stamp Set	Waltzingmouse Back in the Saddle Stamp Set	Sizzix Primitive Hearts Die	Papertrey Harvest Gold Felt	Tumbled Glass Distress Ink
Broken China Distress Ink	Papertrey Hawaiian Shores Buttons	Tuxedo Black	Stampin' Up! Clip Assortment	EK Success Lg Corner Rounder Punch

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Mother's Day Rose...

Good morning!  Our winter this year has been very, very mild.  Living in Montana, we are not used to mild winters!  LOL!  Not only have we had a mild winter, but our spring was starting to come early!  Normally, things don't green up around here until late May but the way our weather has been, I was expecting to see some green in a few weeks!  Although the mild weather has been nice for us (there hasn't been the normal 20 below zero temps), the lack of snow was starting to become a concern for DH.  The snow pack in the mountains is vital to the summer irrigation.  So when we got a snowstorm this past weekend, instead of the usual grumblings...everyone was very happy!  Snow to DH means water for the fields, but snow to our boys means hours and hours of FUN!  :-)

I took this photo not long after the storm started.  You can even see D's latest missing tooth!  :-)

I can't believe I'm going to say this,but.....HOOORAY for snow!!!  :-)

And now, how about something stampy?

When I sat down to stamp this card, I was definitely in the mood for softer, spring like colors.  I started by stamping the background (I used the new Heirloom Patterns set).

To create the rose, I stamped the largest rose (from Waltzingmouse's Roses in Bloom set) three times, colored them with Copic markers, and then cut them out (choosing various parts to create a three dimensional flower).  To finish the card, I stamped the sentiment (also from the Roses in Bloom set), added rhinestones, and tied on some pink string.

 

Thanks for dropping by!  ~Laurie

 

Waltzingmouse Heirloom Patterns Stamp Set	Waltzingmouse Roses in Bloom Stamp Set	EK Success Lg Corner Rounder Punch	Spun Sugar Distress Ink	Tuxedo Black
Copic Sketch Markers	Kaisercraft Soft Pink Rhinestones	Stardust Stickles

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Thankful...

Good morning!  Is it just me, or is anyone else "missing" half of a month?  I glanced at the calendar this morning, and then did a double take.  March 15th!!  What???  How did that happen?  Sigh...

Lately I have been spending quite a bit of time in my stamp room.  It has been such a blessing for me!  I am so thankful for this "hobby"!  When the kids are gone at school, the house is quiet, and I start thinking...and worrying...then I head for my stamp room!  Like therapy!  :-)  There is just something about being surrounded by beautiful colors, textures, and patterns that is so....well, therapeutic!

I fell in love the moment I saw the new Fabrications paper pads (by Teresa Collins) in the Emma's Paperie store, but let me tell you...they are even prettier in person!  There is not one pattern that I don't love!  So there I was, matching different patterns together and admiring the beauty of each one when I thought of the Florentine Frippery set (from Waltzingmouse)!  I think this paper line and this stamp set were definitely meant for each other!  :-)  A bit of embossing powder, ribbon, and embellishments later I had my finished card! 

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  Hugs, Laurie

 

 

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Sweet Birthday Wishes...

Hi there!  This last weekend I spent quite a bit of time in my stamp room!  Yay!!  I have lots of stuff to share with you this week!  :-)

This first card is one that I made for my Sister in Law's birthday.  I started with some Teresa Collins Canvas Fabrications patterned paper.  For the focal image, I embossed one of the Very Vintage Labels No. 25 (from Waltzingmouse Stamps) onto some coordinating patterned paper using clear embossing powder.  I then layered an oval stamped with a sentiment from the Comapct Sentiments set (also from Waltzingmouse Stamps).

For the finishing touches, I added some chunky glitter around the edge of the top layer, tied a big bow with some coordinating ribbon, adhered two rhinestones to the focal image, and added a new fabric Prima flower!  Lots of sparkle!  :-)

Well, I better run.  I still have some cleaning to finish (as well as a million loads of laundry) and some cookies to bake!  Thanks so much for stopping by!  ~Laurie

 

 

Waltzingmouse Compact Sentiments	Waltzingmouse VV Labels No. 25	Teresa Collins Canvas Collection	PTI Orange Zest Grosgrain	American Crafts White Chunky Glitter
Prima Teal Tasha Flower	Versamark Pad	American Crafts Clear Embossing Powder

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