Just Give Me Stamps...

Just as I Promised...

It didn't take me long to break into Valentine's mode!  After I wrote up my post last night, I couldn't stop thinking about it...and the idea for this card hit me!  :-) 

  

I had my new Valentine's set from Waltzingmouse Stamps sitting on my desk (it will be released January 4th) and I was anxious to get it inky!  :-)  I am seriously in love with that polka dot heart!  Mmmm, mmmm!

Well, I need to go and start my bread!  We're getting together with some family friends tonight to celebrate the new year, and I'm cooking!

I hope you all have a safe and FUN New Year's Day!  Hugs, Laurie

Stamps:  Valentine's Day set (Waltzingmouse Stamps)
Paper:  Aqua Mist, Raspberry Fizz, True Black (PTI)
Ink:  Aqua Mist Hybrid (PTI), Versamark
Other:  Black Detail e.p., Button Twine, Black Button (PTI), Cutter Bee/Scor-Pal

Celebrate...

Wow!  It's been a whole week since I've posted...  You can almost hear the crickets!  LOL!  We've been busy here...just being together!  Before Christmas my little guys got sick, then like the good kids I've taught them to be, they shared it with the rest of us!  :-)  We took this much needed down time and read books together, played games, took naps, and then read some more!  :-)

One of my goals this year, is to not only make birthday cards...but send them ON TIME!!  I know, quite an undertaking, but I'm determined to give it my best effort!  :-)  Because I have several early January birthday cards to send, I went to my stamp room and got busy!

 

I wanted the color theme to be a fun one...and as far away from Christmas colors as I could manage...heheheee!  I thought this fun October Afternoon patterned paper (Report Card Collection) would do the trick nicely!  After stamping the main image (from JustRite's Just a Note set), I added just a bit of color using my Copic markers.  The star image was created using my Star Nestabilities (LOVE this shape, and I really should play more with them!). 

OH, and here is some wonderfully fun and enabling news!  If you've been wanting some of the new JustRite stamps, NOW is your chance to get them on sale!  They are all 10% off right now!  You can always check out the Sales and Specials section to what deals Michelle has cooked up! 

I don't know about you, but I am SO excited about Valentine's Day!  All the pretty colors (pinks, reds, and purples) are just calling my name...  So, fair warning here...there will be LOTS of Valentine's cards and projects coming!  :-)

Thanks for stopping by!  ~Laurie

Baked With Love...

Happy Wednesday!!  Can you believe it's only TWO days until Christmas?  We are almost ready, just a few more gifts to wrap.  Our little guys haven't been feeling so well, so some of the "last minute prep" stuff just went by the wayside...but you know, I think that's o.k. because there is more time to spend with each instead of running around trying to get things done!  :-) 

Here's some home baked gifts that I whipped up the other day...

After baking these Soft Ginger Cookies (see below for the recipe) with my daughter, I packaged them up in these Glassine bags.  I prettied up the bags with some labels I created using the Baked With Love set.  I was so excited when Michelle started carrying these stamps (the new Cookbookin' Line) because I LOVE to bake and can already see the fun recipe cards, mini cookbooks, and of course tags that I will make to go with those baked goodies!  :-)

Here are some close-up pictures of the tags... 

The striped bands were created by stamping the Thin Stripes background stamp (Impression Obsession) onto white cardstock.  I then added a punched Kraft border, some White Crochet Lace, and some red ribbon and buttons.

I also added some Diamond Glaze to the bowl...just a little something that I think makes it more special.  :-)

On this one, I added some White Liquid Applique and Glitter to the spatula.

For this tag, I added some White Sparkly Fluff to the flour jar, and some Frosted Lace Stickles to the sugar!  

My love affair with Ginger Cookies started in Seattle!  LOL!  When my daughter was in the Seattle Children's Hospital, my sweet friend Tosh came to visit us.  They had a Tully's Coffee shop in the hospital (OHHHHH how I was grateful for that!  LOL!) and Tosh and I both fell in love with their Soft Ginger Cookies!!!  Mmmmm!  Ali ended up staying longer in the hospital than expected...and I happened to celebrate my birthday while we were still there.  Well, being the amazing friend that she is, Tosh called and had Tully's deliver one of those amazing cookies to Ali's room for me!!  

Anyway, I've been on a mission to try as many soft ginger cookie recipes since then, and here is one of my favorites so far:

Soft Ginger Cookies

1/2 c softened butter
2 oz. softened cream cheese
1 c. white sugar
1/4 c molasses
1 egg
1 Tbsp water
2 1/4 c all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
1 Tbsp ground ginger
pinch of nutmeg (optional)  I add this sometimes...and other times I don't.
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp salt
Extra sugar for rolling
Clear Decorator Sprinkles

Preheat oven to 350.  Cream the butter, cream cheese, and sugar until well blended and fluffy.  Add the egg and molasses, and water.  Mix well.  Add the remaining ingredients till blended.  Shape into balls, rollin extra sugar.  Flatten just a little bit, then sprinkle on Clear Decorator Sprinkles.  Bake in a 350 oven for 10-12 minutes (edges should be just slightly browned and center still soft).

O.k...that's all from me!  If I don't get back here before Christmas, I want to wish you all a VERY Merry Christmas!!  Huge hugs!!  ~Laurie

 
Stamps:  Baked With Love (Cookbookin'), Thin Stripes background stamp (Impression Obsession), Snowflake Splendor(Verve Stamps)
Ink:  White Stazon, Rich Cocoa Memento, Antique Linen Distress Ink
Paper:  Snow White Choice c.s., White textured c.s., Kraft c.s.
Accessories:  White Liquid Applique, Glitter, Nestabilities, Ribbon, Crochet lace, Diamond Glaze, White Sparkly Fluff, Frosted Lace Stickles, Copics

An Apple Notebook For the Teacher...

Over the next few days, I thought I'd share with you some of the gifts that I've made!  I've made more gifts this year than I have in a long time, and I LOVE it!  There are so many people that I want to give a small gift to...especially those that invest in my children (Piano Teacher, Dance Instructor, Sunday School Teachers, Youth Group Leaders, and School Teachers).  While we will mostly be giving away baked goodies (Pumpkin Bread, Praztli's, Soft Ginger Cookies, & Spitzbuben), I do have some papercrafted presents to give away as well!  

Aren't these colors fun together?  I just love the fun, brightness of Aqua Mist, Spring Moss, & Pure Poppy together!  The Dark Chocolate and hint of Kraft add a slight homespun feel that I think will be perfect for the Teachers out here in our little rural school!

We've always homeschooled our kids, but recently they have been attending school "part-time" (most of their school is still done here at home, but they have been able to participate in art and other special activities at the school).  So, these cute little notebooks (along with some homemade goodies) will be J & B's gifts to give to their teachers! 

 

I used the Polka Dot Basics set to create a fun background on the Spring Moss layer.  The sentiment is from the Teacher's Apple set.  Of course I had to add some buttons (I chose Srping Moss)!  :-)  I can't even tell you how happy it makes me to have matching buttons!!

 I chose the type font from the Text Styles Background Basics set to create the background on the Aqua Mist layer.  I stamped three different patterns of apples (also from the Teacher's Apple set) onto Stamper's Select White cardstock, cut them out, popped them up using foam dots, and added a stems, leaves, & rhinestones.

 

Here's a little peek at the inside.  In addition to the White Notepad, I added a little flap that could serve as a pocket...just a little something extra.  :-)  

Thanks so much for stopping by!  ~Laurie

Taylored Expressions KI Challenge...

Happy Sunday morning!  Today, part of the Taylored Expressions DT is taking part in this month's Key Ingredients Subscription Challenge - "Last Minute Gift Packaging".  I'm sure I can't be the only one still working on a few gifts...can I?  LOL!  I am happy to say that I am almost finished though...just a few more presents to wrap! 

For my quick packaging, I turned to one of my favorite purse templates (you can find Mel's template HERE)!  I just love how quickly it came together...perfect for those last minute gifts!  :-)  

 

All supplies (except for the Celebrate Life set I used to stamp on the tag) are from this month's Key Ingredient Subscription Kit!  If you're not familiar with Taylor's KI Subscription Kits, you can read more about it here on her blog!  It's a fun way to receive new paper crafting supplies (that all coordinate) each month!  Also, there's the new pay by the month feature where instead of paying upfront for the 3 or 6 month subscriptions, you will only pay one month at a time! 

Here's a close-up of the front of the purse.  I used one of the Spellbinder's Fancy Tags die to create the label, and then stamped the Blessings sentiment (from Celebrate Life) on it.

I used some of the coordinating ribbon (included in the kit) for the handle.  I scored some diagonal lines and then added some Candy Dots to them.  (The Candy Dots and Prima flowers are also from this month's KI Subscription Kit!)

You won't want to miss seeing what Dawn, Karen M., Jackie, Sankari, & Taylor have created...lots of gift packaging inspiration!!

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