Just Give Me Stamps...

Stamper's Anonymous...

Hi there!  Are you all ready for Thanksgiving?  I've still got QUITE a bit of cooking/baking to do today, but I'm looking forward to it!  Every year for Thanksgiving I make a cheesecake (along with an apple pie).  Well, actually I make a cheesecake for any Holiday that I can get away with it!  LOL!  I LOOOOOOVE New York style cheesecake, and have "forced" that love on my family as well!  Teehehee! 

Before I go and start my baking, I wanted to share this card with you...   

I fell head over heels the moment I saw this Floral Tatoo set (by Tim Holtz's Stamper's Anonymous line)!  I also knew that I wanted to do some tone-on-tone embossing as soon as I got my hands on it!   

Here's a close-up so you can see some of the details a little bit better.  The cream c.s. layer inside of the card is embossed with horizontal lines.  The flowers are embossed with Ivory embossing powder onto Buttercream c.s..  To get a slightly pink shade, I sponged on some Pretty in Pink ink to the center of each flower.  For the tone-on-tone embossing, I stamped one of the leafy flourishes stamps onto the black cardstock using Black Onyx Versafine ink and embossed using Clear detail embossing powder.  To finish it off, I added pink buttons, Ivory Crochet trim, Cream satin ribbon, and an embossed bird (also from the Floral Tatoo set) mounted on a black tag made from one of the Fancy Tags Shapeabilities.

I get a lot of questions on how I make my half circle curves on my cards.  Well, it's not very sophisticated...LOL!!  I just grab a plate or bowl from my kitchen that matches the size of curve I want and then trace around it!  SO not high tech...but it works!  LOL!

Yesterday while stamping this card, I was talking on the phone to my friend Tosh.  Of course I was telling her what I was doing...and what stamps I was using.  Well, she had JUST made a card using another set from the Stamper's Anonymous line (she used Urban Tapestry) and we thought it would be fun to post them together!  So make sure to click on over to her blog, Stamp Talk With Tosh, to check out her beautiful card!!

Well, I'm off to start all of my cooking/baking!  I want to wish all of my American friends a VERY Happy Thanksgiving!!! 
 

  
 And for all of you outside of the U.S.A., I hope your day is a blessed one!  Hugs, Laurie

A Rustic Merry Christmas...

Hi!  Can you believe it's only THREE days until Thanksgiving??  Well, technically two and a half...  Still, that's crazy!!  I mean, where did the whole month of November go?  I shouldn't be surprised...this happens every year!  Thanksgiving seems far off, then it sneaks up on me and before I can say "what happened" it's Christmas!!  LOL!  Okay, I might be a "bit" over dramatic here...but time sure does seem to go faster now that I'm older!  :-) 

One thing I am grateful for though...is my Christmas card stash is really growing!  Yay!!  :-)  For this one, I kept it simple.  Aside from the little bow on the button...it could almost be masculine.  Almost...  :-)

I noticed that Michelle has sold out of this Inkadinkado Snowy Cabin stamp, but the technique I used would work well with any of the "sketch" style of stamps (such as the Sleigh or Evergreen Branch stamps).  To achieve this soft look, I first stamped my image using just Versamark ink.  I then used some Pearlescent Chalks (both Pastel & Jewel Tones) to color my image in.  I believe the technique is called Poppin' Pastels...and that is exactly what happens!  The Versamark ink just 'grabs" the chalk and makes it "pop"...it's really quite fun!  What you can't see in this picture is the gorgeous sparkle the Pebbles Pearlescent chalks have...Mmmm, mmmmm! 

After the image was colored in, I embossed snowflakes (from Penny Black's Crystalline set) in white as well as making little white dots using my White Gel Pen.  The sentiment (also from Penny Black's Crystalline set) is stamped using Memento Rich Cocoa ink.  I created an embossed background by running a piece of Herbal Garden Dark Prism c.s. through my Cuttlebug (I used the new Holly Ribbons folder).

Well, that's all from me today!  Thanks so much for stopping by!  ~Laurie

 
Stamps:  Snowy Cabin (Inkadinkado), Crystalline (Penny Black)
Paper:  Rustic White (PTI), Herbal Garden Dark (Prism)
Ink:  Versamark, Rich Cocoa Memento Ink, White craft ink
Accessories:  Pebbles Pearlescent Chalks, Corner rounder punch, Oval Nestabilities, Holly Ribbons Cuttlebug folder, Rustic White string, Wood button (PTI), White detail e.p., White gel pen
 
 
 

Quick & Elegant Note Card Set...

What?  It's Friday already??  How in the world did that happen??  LOL!  Anyone else feeling very unprepared for the upcoming Holiday season?  I need almost hyperventilate just thinking about it...  I guess there goes my big plan of being completely finished by the end of November!  Teeheheee!

I've got a very quick little note card set to share with you tonight.  When I say quick...boy, I really mean quick!  And at the rate I'm going on completing my Christmas gifts...this is right up my alley!  LOL!

I used some brushed gold cardstock to create a custom package for my note cards.

A little peek of what's inside!  :-)

Here's an inside view of my card box.  Very simple...yet it does it's job well!  :-) 

Now...don't fall out of your chair or anything...but I made a ONE LAYER card!!!!!  I KNOW!!!!!!  :-)  When I was in Missoula with Tosh, I picked up some notecards and matching envelopes at a little paper shop we stopped at.  I knew I wanted to keep my design simple (and easily mailable), so I thought a little embossing would be perfect.  I chose this beautiful swirly leaf image from the Celebrate Life set (Taylored Expressions) and embossed it using Gold Detail embossing powder and pierced a partial circle around it using the Dots All Around template.  The "Blessings" sentiment (from the Celebrate Life set) is also embossed in gold.  

To coordinate with the card, I embossed the same swirly leaf image on the bottom left corner of the matching envelope.

I didn't do a very good job capturing the the shine of the gold embossing powder...but in real life it is very regal looking!  :-)

One more Christmas gift finished....woohoooo!  :-)  So how about you?  Are you all finished making/buying your gifts?  If so, what's your secret?!!?  LOL!

Thanks for stopping by!  ~Laurie

 
Stamps:  Celebrate Life(Taylored Expressions)
Paper:  Notecard set (picked it up in Missoula), Brushed Gold c.s. (SU!)
Ink:  Versamark
Accessories:  Gold Detail e.p., Corner Chomper, Dots All Around stencil, Melon Berry satin ribbon

Thoughts & Prayers...

Hi!  I'm back with another card to share with you.  :-)

We have some friends that are going through a major crisis right now.  It used to be hard for me to write cards to those going through major struggles.  I mean, I wanted to show them how much I care about them...but finding the right words proved difficult.  After our own major struggle, I realized that it's not so much the words...it's just the knowing that someone cares!  So, this card is going out tomorrow to hopefully do just that...let them know we care!

At first glance, there doesn't appear to be any stamping here...but hold on, I'll show you the stamping in a second!  LOL!  The main reason there isn't any stamping visible is because I fell head over heels in LOVE with this new My Mind's Eye paper (from the new Life Stories Collection) and I couldn't bring myself to cover even an inch of it up!  This is truly my "dream" paper!!  Mmmmm, mmmmm!!  I kept the embellishments simple:  a butterfly punch with a flower attached, some ribbon tied with a button, some crochet lace trim, and a tag.

 See...I DID stamp!  :-)  I tucked a little tag (stamped with one of the sentiments and flowers from the Thinking of You set (from Flourishes)

Here's a close-up of the tag.  :-)

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you have a blessed day!  ~Laurie

 
Stamps:  Thinking of You (Flourishes)
Paper:  Kraft c.s. (PTI), My Mind's Eye (Life Stories Collection)
Ink:  Chocolate Chip craft ink (SU!), Aqua Mist Pigment (PTI), Antique Linen Distress ink
Accessories:  Clear detail e.p., Burlap string, button, Vintage Cream grosgrain ribbon (PTI), Flower, Butterfly punch (PTI), Sewing Machine, Crochet lace
 

Center of Attention Spotlight - Mini Binder Box...

Happy Monday!  Today part of the Baker's Dozen DT is sharing projects created with the Mini Binder Boxes from Taylored Expressions!  Not only are they perfect for storing your Taylored Expressions stamps, but they can be used for SO much more!! 

Because I love to cook & bake, I decided to create a recipe card holder! 

I chose some October Afternoon Paper to slide inside the clear protective cover and used the pie image (from Berries & Cherries), some Prima letters, a painted chipboard frame, and some rhinestones
to decorate my box. 

Of course I had to add ribbon!  :-)  I used some of my long unused eyelet setting tools (the anywhere hole punch) to punch through the plastic.

 

To make the pie look a little more realistic, I added some Glossy Accents glaze, then sprinkled on some clear chunky glitter.

For the inside, I decorated three 3 x 5 pieces of c.s. (the sentiments were printed on my computer).

I included 25 blank index cards for each section (Side Dishes, Main Dishes, & Desserts).

I have to say, that this project (sewing and embellishing included) too under an hour to create!  I LOVE that!!  I definitely plan on purchasing more of these Binder Boxes to create more Christmas gifts!

If you would like to purchase some of these Binder Boxes...make sure you check out the SALE that Taylor has going on!  For today and tomorrow only (11/16-11/17) the Binder Boxes are 15% off!

In the past, the Mini Binder Boxes have come with a customized Taylored Expressions Cuppie insert.  Now, Taylor is offering three different insert downloads...perfect for all three lines in the Taylored Expressions store (Sweet Impressions, Lasting Impressions, Whimsical Wishes)!  You can see them all here!

Make sure to check out what the other Baker's Dozen girls have created with their Binder Boxes:  Dawn, Denise, Jackie, Jami, Karen M., Sankari, & Taylor! 

Thanks for stopping by!  ~Laurie
 

Gourmet Coffee Drink...

Hi!  Are you enjoying your weekend?  My youngest son is turning four on Monday, but we are having his party tomorrow.  Sooo...we are doing all the "oh my gosh people are coming over so we better clean this place up" stuff!  LOL!  (How is it that even when you're gone the house gets even dirtier??) 

I wanted to quickly come and share a peek of a little project that I have posted over on the Verve Stamps blog for this month's Project Parade Challenge.  The theme is "Home for the Holidays", which can include cards, gifts, or decor.  Since I'm still trying to work my way to the end of my "gifts to make" list, I chose to make a gift.

I re-purposed a tin to hold some homemade gourmet coffee drink mix.  I decorated the top using Verve's O Christmas Tree set.  The blue part of the topper opens up to reveal decorated instructions so the recipient knows just how much mix to add.  

For even more pictures (including pictures of the topper open) and the recipe for the Spanish Mocha gourmet coffee mix, head on over to the Verve Stamps blog!  :-)

Before I go, I want to share a picture I took off of our front porch!  Even though it's not our first snow of the season, it is the first snow that is accompanied with the normal cold Montana winters (the temperature outside when I took this photo was only 2 degrees Fahrenheit!!).

Doesn't it just LOOK cold?  Brrrrr!  :-)

Okay...back to cleaning for me!  I hope you have a wonderful weekend!  ~Laurie
 
 
 

Weekend Sketch Challenge - Blessed by You...

Wooohoooo for Friday!!  Do you have any big plans for the weekend?  I doubt that we will do anything major.  Sometimes not doing anything is a blessing, know what I mean?  :-)

For this week's Weekend Sketch Challenge card (can you believe it's week 106 already? :-), I decided to break out some of my much loved Kraft paper!  Especially this time of year, there is just something so fitting about it's warmth and rustic-ness! 

 
 
 
I started by stamping the graph paper background stamp (from Waltzingmouse Stamp's Off Beat Backgrounds set) in Vintage Cream ink onto Kraft cardstock.  After that was completely dry (o.k., I might have "helped" it dry with my heat tool LOL!), I embossed the large tree and one of the included sentiments from the Blessed by You set (Waltzingmouse Stamps) using Chocolate Chip craft ink and Clear Detail embossing powder.

For embellishments, I added a brown felt flower (with a button tied with string), rhinestones, and a rounded corner.  In keeping with this week's sketch, I added buttons along the bottom (instead of squares).  I was surprised at how quickly this card came together...I love it when that happens!  :-)

There is more Weekend Sketch Challenge Inspiration for you!  Check out what Beate, Cambria, Charmaine, Jenn, Lori, Mary Jo, & Sharon have created!

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

 
Stamps:  Blessed by You, Off Beat Backgrounds (Waltzingmouse Stamps)
Paper:  Kraft c.s., Vintage Cream c.s., Dark Chocolate c.s. (PTI)
Ink:  Vintage Cream (PTI), Chocolate Chip craft ink (SU!)
Accessories:  Clear Detail e.p., Corner rounder punch, Ribbon, Buttons, Brown felt flower, Mini rhinestones
 
  
 
 

Joyous Poinsettias...

Happy Thursday!  I'm back with another Christmas card I created for the Penny Black week over at Stamper's Dream!

I departed from the rustic/vintage look and tried my hand at soft and elegant... 

 
  
I pulled out my Banner of Joy clear stamp set by Penny Black.  I just had an itch to make a poinsettia card!  :-)  My mom loves poinsettias, so I plan to give this card to her.  (Mom, if you're reading this, pretend that you didn't just see that....LOL!)  I started by embossing the poinsettia stamp (from the Banner of Joy set) six times onto watercolor paper.  Yep, you read that right...SIX times!  Heehehee!  Okay, it was actually seven, but the "messed up" one doesn't count, right?  :-)  After they were embossed, I quickly used my Tombow markers to watercolor them a bit.  One of the great things about the Tombows is how quickly you can color with them!  So, coloring six of these flowers took very little time (remember, we're not counting the seventh one...Teehehee)!

After they were dry, I cut out three full poinsettias (flower and leaves) and then three flowers (without the leaves) to give them a little "pop".  I mounted them onto some Webster's pages Christmas patterned paper and then embossed the sentiment in the lower right corner.  The embossed white strip on the left was created with one of the Cuttlebug scroll borders.  I think Michelle is out of stock on this particular one, but she does have several other styles...not to mention the brand new Christmas embossing folders (which are one their way to me)!   I added some pearls, ribbon, and a button tied with Copper cording for embellishments.

You can see more Penny Black goodness over at Michelle & Silke's blogs today!  Tomorrow, Amy, Michelle, & Tosh will be sharing even more PB projects!

Thanks for stopping by!  ~Laurie

 
Stamps:  Banner of Joy (Penny Black)
Paper:  Pearlized White c.s., Desert Coral Medium Prism c.s., Webster's Pages Christmas patterned paper
Ink:  Versamark
Accessories:  Gold/Copper mixed detail e.p., Cuttlebug embossing strip, Ribbon, Copper cording, button, Pearls, Corner rounder, Tombow markers 
 

Penny Black's Antique Santa...

Good morning!  It's Penny Black week at Stamper's Dream and today is my turn to play!  :-)  Penny Black has always had wonderful wood mounted stamps (and clear ones), and now they also have CLING mounted stamps!  Woohooo!!  You get the same "feel" of a regular wood mount, but take up much less room to store!  (Not to mention they cost less!  :-)

My card today uses one of the new cling mount stamps - Penny Black's Antique Santa.  I fell in love with this stamp from the moment I saw it!  There is something slightly Scandinavian about this santa, which I just adore!  He also reminds me of those gorgeous wood carved santas...you know what I'm talking about?  A friend gave me one for Christmas several years ago and it is one of my most treasured Christmas decorations!  Ok...enough babble, on to the card!  Hee! 

I started by embossing the Antique Santa image onto watercolor paper using Onyx Black Versafine ink and Clear Detail embossing powder.  I then watercolored it in using my Tombow markers.  After the image was completely dry, I used one of my Label Eight Nestabilities dies to cut out/emboss the main image.  I mounted it on some Webster's Pages Christmas paper.  For embellishments, I added some Stickles, ribbon with decorative pin, buttons, stitching, & a punched border.

You can see more Penny Black inspiration over at Denise & Michelle's blogs today!  Thursday Michelle, Slike, & I will have more projects to see and on Friday Amy, Michelle, & Tosh will be posting.

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

 
Stamps:  Antique Santa (Penny Black)
Paper:  Watercolor paper, Scarlet Jewel (PTI), Webster's Pages Christmas patterned paper
Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black, Antique Linen Distress Ink
Accessories:  Tombow markers, Stickles, Buttons (PTI), Twine, Scarlet Jewel grosgrain ribbon (PTI), Fiskars border punch, Sewing Machine  
 

Time For Takeout Sneak Peek!!

I am SOOOO excited about today's post!!  I have the incredible honor of sharing a sneak peek of one of My Timeless Template's soon to be released template, Time For Takeout!  (Insert major squeal here!!)  I am a huge fan of Papertrey Ink as well as Lauren's A*Mazing templates, so this is a complete dream for me! :-)  

 
  
When I first laid eyes on this box, I immediately thought of hostess gifts!  What a perfect container to hold chocolates, homemade candied almonds, or even non-food items such as jewelry or gift cards!  I decided to fill my box with small, individually wrapped gourmet cheeses - perfect for the cheese loving friend I will be giving this to!  I actually took inspiration from the red and white cheese packaging and created my box around it!  There is nothing better than a personalized handmade gift that is both easy and fun to create!

The complete instructions and supply list for this project are provided in the companion idea download that is a part of the Time For Takeout template download, and will be available  for purchase on November 15th!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you enjoyed the peek!  :-)  ~Laurie