Just Give Me Stamps...

Super Busy...

I just wanted to post a quick note here and let you know that I might not have anything new to show you for a couple of days.  We are soooo busy and as hard as I tried to "juggle" things around, I just don't see any stamping time for me.  Sigh....  It's hard when you have new stamps sitting...waiting for you....and NO TIME to use them!  Oh well, they will be there when I do have time!  LOL!  We have some company coming tomorrow (not to mention that tomorrow we are gone all day  with appointments in town), a VERY busy time in school right now, things I need to help my DH with on the ranch, and countless other "little things" that needs to be done all at the same time!!  And of course...my DH is gone in hunting camp right now..AND two of my kids are sick!  UGH!  When it rains...it definitely pours!  O.K....I'll quit complaining now!  I do hope you guys all have a great day...and hopefully I'll be able to get everything done soon and get back to stamping!  ~Laurie                                    

"Cracked" Santa Ornament...

Happy Monday!!  Finding time to stamp on Monday is really a hit or miss thing for me...so being able to participate in today's Technique challenge was a treat!

I guess you know by now, that I adore this fun Santa!  I used my Coluzzle to cut out a Real Red circle and embossed the little snowflake (from Perfect Presentation) with white e.p. randomly all over it.  I stamped the Santa on Whisper White c.s., colored his face, beard, boots, & mittens in (using a watercolor brush and my ink pads), then paper pieced his hat and suit on.  I cut the Santa out and adhered him to the red circle.  I then covered the whole thing with Versamark ink,  poured Glassy Glaze (UTEE) over it, tapped off the excess and embossed it.  While it was still hot, I poured on more Glassy Glaze, tapped off the excess, and embossed it again.  I repeated this several times.  Once I was satisfied with the thickness, I put my shiny Santa circle in the freezer to quickly cool it down (this also helps it "crack" easier). After it was cool, I gently "bent" it in several directions so that it would crack.  I Finally, I rubbed some Sahara Sand ink over the cracks to help them show up better.

That's it!  Definitely a fun technique that I will be doing more of this winter!  Have a great day!  ~Laurie

Recipe   Stamps: Naughty or Nice, Perfect Presentation   Paper: Whisper White, Real Red, Wild Wasabi, DP from Rob & Bob Studios   Ink: Versamark, Ink pads for coloring, Palette Noir   Other: Coluzzle, Rhinestones, Glassy Glaze, White e.p., Corner Rounder, Red grosgrain, Frosted Lace Stickles

Wish Big...

O.K....I'm back!  Remember the "new stamps"  I was telling you about in my last post?  Well, if you've been on Splitcoast the last couple weeks, chances are you have probably seen a banner for these adorable Elzybell stamps!  As soon as I saw them, I couldn't resist getting some!  They are just precious!

This is my second card for today's Featured Stamper Challenge.  Here is Chat's card that I chose to case this time.  I stamped this little angel on Shimmery cardstock (it's so hard to capture that in a picture!!) and colored her in with my ink pads and a blender pen.  I (of course) had to add some sparkle!! 

I hope you all enjoy your evening!  ~Laurie

Recipe   Stamps: Short & Sweet, Elzybell stamps   Paper: Misc. DP, Shimmery c.s., Vellum c.s., Wild Wasabi, Ballet Blue   Ink: Palette Noir, Ballet Blue, Wild Wasabi, Barely Banana   Other: Crafter's Tool Kit, Rhinestones, Rhinestone brads, 5/8" Brocade Blue grosgrain, Stickles, Ticket corner punch, Marvy Oval punches

Soft & Fabulous Flower...

Happy Sunday!  I hope you all had a good weekend!  I finally feel like I've caught up on everything (isn't it amazing how even just a few days gone can create so much work???)! 

The Featured Stamper (for the Featured Stamper Challenge over at SCS) is Nitestamper!  It was such a treat to choose a card of hers to case!  I love her use of fun embellishments..ribbon...and of course my all-time FAVORITE flower!!!  LOL!  Click HERE to see her card.

I received this gorgeous Twill like ribbon and fun mini brads from a friend recently.  I couldn't wait to use them!

I have something new for  you later this evening (using some brand-new stamps)!!  First, I have to clean up my disaster area (other wise known as my stamp room).  I'm telling ya...it's BAD!  I have never let it get like this before...sigh...  Anyway, my space is very small...so the good news is that it won't take me long to clean!  LOL!  (Shhh..don't tell my DH I just said that....I've been dropping hints for a bigger space and I don't want to negate all of my work )!

Have a wonderful day!  ~Laurie

Recipe   Stamps: Fabulous Flowers, Baroque Motifs   Paper: Whisper White, Soft Sky, Gable Green   Ink: Chocolate Chip craft, Soft Sky, Gable Green, Versamark   Other: Ribbon, Mini brads, Iridescent Ice e.p., Clear e.p., Stickles

Last Pictures From Yellowstone (I Promise!!)...

Here are the last pictures that I have to share with you (I actually have a TON more...but I promise not to bore you with them)!

This is what is called "Roaring Mountain" (just North of Norris in Yellowstone).  The diversity of the sights in Yellowstone is just AMAZING!!!  Our older two children each chose three things that they want to research further when we got home...and this "steaming" mountain is one that my 8 yr old son, Jared chose! 

   

These are "my boys" :-) (actually DH with our three boys).  This is the start of the walkway that led to the "Upper Terrace".  My daughter Ali and I didn't think it was anything too special...but they just couldn't get over how the mineral had coated all of the grass and weeds to make these hard strands!  Boys!  

Oh, if you're wondering where my daughter is...she was absolutely mortified at the thought of me posting her picture!  I guess she's like her mom in that sense....

 

Speaking of boys being boys...LOL!  Out of everything there was to see, it was the insects that captured my 3 (almost 4) year old son Bryan's heart!

I love this picture of David (our almost 2 year old son)!  He was pretty sick for most of the trip, but really came "alive" when we visited the Upper Terrace at Yellowstone!  I'm not sure if it was the waterfalls, interesting mineral deposits, insects, or maybe just the fact that there was a looooong walkway in which he could RUN!  LOL!  Here he's showing DH some waterfalls!  This kid loves water!

Thanks so much for "putting up" with all of my pictures!  I will have something stamped to show you tomorrow!  :-)  ~Laurie