Just Give Me Stamps...

A Weekend Sketch BBQ Celebration!

Happy Friday!!  Not only is today the start of the weekend (woohoo!), but it's also time for the Weekend Sketch Challenge!  This week, the hostess is none other than BEATE!!  Yay!!!  You can see her sketch here.  

Tomorrow (August 1st) is Switzerland Day.  It's kind of like our July 4th...but you know, for Switzerland!  LOL!  We never do too much on that day, even though we're always talking about it.  This year, my DH (who is from Switzerland) decided that we need to actually follow through and plan a little something.  He wants to share some of his Swiss heritage with our kids.  Because of our late start in planning, we aren't going to do anything too time consuming (like cooking a bunch of Swiss cuisine), but instead will just have a BBQ.  Definitely the American version of Swiss Day!  LOL!!! 

For my card (which will serve as an invitation), I used Taylor's Boys Will Be Boys set.  For the rectangle background piece, I embossed (with my Cuttlebug) a piece of Aluminum. 

You won't want to miss seeing what Beate, Cambria, Charmaine, Jenn, Lori, & Sharon have created!

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

Divine Details...

Good morning!  Every month Verve hosts a "Project Parade" challenge over at the Verve Stamps blog.  This month the theme is "Divine Details". 

This is the card I created for the challenge (I used the Kindred Spirits set)... 

You can read about my design "process" (if you can call it that...LOL!) HERE as well as learning about how you can play along (yeah, there are prizes involved!).

Thanks so much for stopping by!  ~Laurie

Recipe
Stamps: Kindred Spirits
Paper: Dark Chocolate (PTI), Scenic Route patterned paper (Sonoma Collection)
Ink: Versamark, Close to Cocoa (Stampin' Up!)
Accessories: Clear Detail e.p., Tim Holtz metal corner, Crochet trim (May Arts), Dark Chocolate satin ribbon (PTI), Red Rhinestones, Quick Kutz Nesting Label die, Sewing Machine, Paper piercer

A Good Thing...

Happy Monday!  I hope you all had a great weekend!  We stayed close to home, finishing up some much needed chores and cleaning.  Nothing too exciting...  However, TODAY will be lots of fun!  I am SO excited!  Julee and her husband are coming up to see us!  Yep!!  I know!!!  I'm so excited I can hardly stand it!  I have to tell you, though...I'm secretly hoping that while she's here some of her creativity will rub off on me!  Kind of like "mojo osmosis" maybe? 

I promise I'm not going to babble on all morning...heheheee!  I do have a card to share with you...  

It's been WAY too long since I've sent a card to my mom...so I made this for her.  I chose this Hydrangea stamp (from the Penny Black Allegro set) because it reminds me of her (she loves Hydrangeas).  Also, I think she will get a kick out of the sentiment (also from the Allegro set)!

I used my Versamagic Dew Drops to ink up the Hydrangea and sentiment and then embossed them with Clear Detail embossing powder.  I used my Oval Nestabilities to emboss and cut out the oval and the Labels One Nestabilities for the sentiment.  Fore embellishments, I added some Dew Drops, Crochet trim, & just a bit of Diamond Stickles on the flower.  Of course, I had to antique the different cardstock layers just a bit (I used Antique Linen ink).

Well, I am off to town to pick up some groceries (I thought that Julee and her DH might want to eat while they're here...LOL!)!  I hope you all have a wonderful day! 
~Laurie

Supplies   Stamps: Allegro (Penny Black)   Paper: 29th Street Market paper (My Mind's Eye), Blue Bayou c.s., Neenah Natural White   Ink: Versamagic Dew Drops, Antique Linen Distress Ink   Other: Clear detail e.p., Nestabilities, Dew Drops, Button, Twine, Crochet trim Corner rounder punch, Sewing Machine, Diamond Stickles

 

Tie One On!

This is my second post for today, so please scroll down to see my Weekend Sketch Challenge post!

I am so excited to be hostessing a challenge for this year's Dare to Get Dirty Challenges!  I chose to use a Previous Fan Club Gallery theme..."Tie One On"!  (Hint...it has to do with ribbon..  :-)  You can read all about my challenge HERE (you need to be a Fan Club member to see these challenges)!  Oh...and the fabulous Susan Roberts (aka Rainy) was kind enough to create a sample for this challenge!  You can see her sample in the "DTGD09Lauraly ~ Tie One On!" thread over at Splitcoast!

   

This is the sample I made.  I used the ribbon to create a lattice "background" over the K & Co. patterned paper.  I started by making light pencil lines where I wanted my ribbon to go (using a ruler of course :-), then I used a double stick adhesive to adhere the ribbon over the pencil marks.  To secure the edges and prevent the ribbon from fraying, I stitched around the edges.

The frilly, scrolly things are die cuts I added (from some Cuttlebug dies I have) behind my Label One Nestabilities layer.  I used the Hostess set Wings of Friendship for my focal image and the En Francais background stamp for the subtle scripted background.

Well, I'm headed back over the Splitcoast to check out all of the other Dare to Get Dirty challenges going on...  See you there!  ~Laurie

Supplies   Stamps: Wings of Friendship, En Francais (Stampin' Up!)   Paper: Vintage Cream (PTI), K & Co Blue Awning patterned paper   Ink: Versamagic Dew Drops, Creamy Caramel, Antique Linen Distress ink   Other: Labels One Nestabilities, Cuttlebug Dies, Vanilla taffeta ribbon, Pearls, Rhinestones, Charm, Sewing Machine

Weekend Sketch Challenge #90 - Something Bright & Fun...

Happy, happy Friday!  The days are just flying by, aren't they?  We are now having "typical" July weather (in the 90's some days) and even though the sun doesn't set until 10:00 ish, the days still seem short!  There is so much I want to try and fit in before school starts!  I guess I better get on that, because summer is going to be over before I know it!  

You know what Friday means, don't you?  Another Weekend Sketch Challenge!  I am your hostess this week!  :-)  

I have an oval shape as the focal layer on the sketch, but feel free to use any shape you'd like!  That's exactly what I did for my sample...

 

I've had the Vintage Picnic set (from Papertrey) for a little while now and really wanted to get it out and use it!  After stamping the main image onto Vintage Cream c.s., I colored it in with my Copics.  I airbrushed the soft blue color behind the basket.  For embellishments, I added some Lemon Tart buttons (PTI), grosgrain ribbon, and some stitching.

If you'd like to play along, just link up your creation using Mr. Linky below!  When uploading to Splitcoast, use keyword WSC90.

For more Weekend Sketch Inspiration, please visit:  Beate, Cambria, Charmaine, Jenn, Lori, & Sharon!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you all enjoy your Weekend!  ~Laurie