Just Give Me Stamps...

Dare to Get Dirty 2009!

Good Morning!  Dare to Get Dirty 2009 is officially here!    There will be three days (July 23-25) of fun packed challenges!  You can read all about it HERE (you need to be a Fan Club Member to participate).

Kicking off the first day of challenges, Jen del Muro (aka genie1314) issued a challenge using one of the Fan Club Gallery's previous themes (the first one, actually!!) - to create a project using tags.  I was so honored that she asked me to make a sample card for her challenge!  Here's what I came up with...

I chose to create a card with a tag as the focal point using my new For All You Do set (from Stampin' Up!).  I'm not quite sure what to call the style of this card (modern shabby chic?), but I really enjoyed making it!  I used some of my favorite embellishments and techniques...tone on tone layering, antiquing, distressing, sewing, and of course adding buttons!  :-)

You can check out Jen's challenge HERE!  I hope you get some time to participate...it is going to be a BLAST! 

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a fabulous day!  ~Laurie

Recipe   Stamps: For All You Do, Woodgrain Background (Stampin' Up)   Paper: Naturals Cream, Basic Black   Ink: Sahara Sand, Basic Grey, Bermuda Bay, Versamark   Other: Black Detail e.p., Basic Black griped grosgrain ribbon, Linen Thread, Mini Library Clips, Buttons (PTI), Sewing Machine, Scallop border punch, Stickles, Cutter Bee

Admittedly...

...this card is pretty busy!  I do like to mix patterns, but I went a little crazy...even for me!  :-)  But, that is what my daughter loves...bright fun patterns that are mixed and matched.  Ali is going on a week long summer camp adventure. I made this card to slip into her suitcase (for her to find later).  She is SUCH an amazing person...and I'm going to miss her terribly!!  (I know, it's only a week...but I miss her already!!)  :-)

 

I used the Under the Stars set (Stampin' Up!) and some October Afternoon patterned paper (I think OA is quickly becoming my favorite paper).  The buttons are actually Papertrey Ink Dark Chocolate buttons.  I don't know why, but all my brown buttons (and sometimes the ribbons) look black in my pictures. 

I hope you all are enjoying your Monday!  ~Laurie

June Kit of the Month...

Today, the June Key Ingredients from Taylored Expressions is available and I have a couple of samples that I made with it to share with you!  Taylor issued us a challenge to go along with our KI kit - to create a project for a June event that includes some dimension (I LOVE adding dimension to my projects!!) but we couldn't use any Copics (GASP!!)!    

 

For this little 4 x 4 card, I used images from theFor the Love of Cupcakes set.  I decided to put a stack of hearts on the platter (which is embossed with the Swiss Dots Cuttlebug Folder) instead of a cupcake.  This isn't for a specific June event, but I needed a thank you card...and well, it is June!  LOL!  All of the supplies are from the KI except the Taylor's Tiny Twinkles that I added to the hearts.  

For this card I used the Enjoy Every Moment set from Stampin' Up!.  I distressed all of the edges and stitched around a couple of the layers.  For embellishments, I added a large Prima flower, two white Candy Dots, and some Ric-Rac (all from the June KI kit).

Both cards have one or more layers popped up using Taylor's 1/16" Foam Tape.

Taylor has lots of info about the June KI on her blog...including all the "extras" that are included when you subscirbe to her KI kits!  Oh, HUGE enabler alert:  Taylor is having a MOVING SALE (20% - 50% off)!!  You can read more about it HERE. 

Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope you're enjoying your weekend!  ~Laurie

It's Good to Dream...

I'm back with another project using the new Stampin' Up! In Colors!  Today I chose to work with Rich Razzleberry...a beautiful color (and I'm not usually not drawn to purples)!  I think that this color holds the potential of making some unique and wonderful color combos!                

 

Another quick card from me...not sure what's up, but that seems to be what appeals to me lately!  Anyway, I started with a Rich Razzleberry 4" square card base.  The background (can you believe that there is NO patterned paper on my card!  GASP!) was made by lining up the piece of Natural c.s. on my grid paper and drawing lines using my Rich Razzleberry marker every 1/4".  I then lightly stamped the small flower in a random pattern on top of my "homemade lined" paper.   (What I mean by "lightly" is that I first stamped the flower on scratch paper and then stamped on my c.s. without re-inking).  I then stamped the large floral image (all stamps are from the new Razzle Dazzle set) using Rich Razzleberry ink.  It's hard to see, but I added some Dazzling Diamonds glitter to it as well.  Then...a little paper distressing, some embellishments, and stitching and my card is finished!  :-)  Oh, I forgot...I added some "spritzes" using the Color Spritzer Tool and my Rich Razzleberry marker!  That thing is a lot of fun...I can see where it would be easy for me to get carried away!  LOL!

Well, that's all from me today.  I hope you are enjoying your week so far!  ~Laurie

Recipe   Stamps: Razzle Dazzle (Stampin' Up!)   Paper: Naturals Ivory, Rich Razzleberry   Ink: Rich Razzleberry   Other: Modern Label punch, Vanilla taffeta ribbon, Antique brads, Sewing Machine, Dazzling Diamonds glitter

Super Simple Soft Suede...

Happy Saturday!  We don't have anything major planned today, but I actually kind of like those days!  :-)  The older kids are helping DH move some cows so I will have some one on one with my two little ones (or should I say one on two...LOL!)!  It's been too long since I've "played" with them for the good majority of a day, and I'm really looking forward to it!  Bryan (who is 5) is just as smart and sweet as they come...and never ceases to amaze me with the ideas he can come up with!  And David (who is 3)...wow, how do I describe our David in just one sentence?  LOL!  He's a bundle of energy (and according to Bryan runs like he has fire on his pants ROFLOL!!) and he always seems to have a bit of a mischievous twinkle in his eyes!  Anyway, I LOVE spending time with them...they are amazing little guys!  :-)

Remember a few days ago I mentioned that I had made a card using the new In Color Soft Suede?  Well, it is hands down my favorite of the new In Colors and I can't wait to have more time to play and pair it with more colors!  :-)                    

For today's card, I went very, very simple (check me out...stepping out of my "box" and all :-).  I used the bold damask image from the Friends 24-7 set (Stampin' Up!).  For a pop of color, I added some flowers that I made using the Birds & Blooms Sizzlits die and the new Bermuda Bay card stock.  Note:  please don't look too closely at my stitching...my sewing machine is a little "sick" right now (in fact, I had to take it to the sewing machine doctor).

O.k...that's it from me today!  I hope you all have a wonderful and relaxing weekend!  ~Laurie

Recipe   Stamps: Friends 24-7 (Stampin' Up!)   Paper: Soft Suede textured c.s., Bermuda Bay textured c.s., Ultrasmooth White   Ink: Soft Suede   Other: Corner Rounder punch, Paper Piercer, Bermuda Bay polka dot ribbon, Button (from Button Latte Collection)