Just Give Me Stamps...

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

Celebrate Life...

Well, it's here!  The Fifth of the month has arrived...and that means that there are new sets available at the Taylored Expressions store!  :-) 

This morning I have a card to share with you that I made with the new Celebrate Life set.  I have to tell you, that this is one GORGEOUS set!!  Sooo pretty, and so full of possibilities!

The first image to catch my eye was this swirly leaf stamp!  It immediately reminded me of some patterned paper that I used to have...and adored!  I knew right away that I wanted to use it to create my own "patterned paper".

I decided that a pocket card would be the best way to show off my new "patterned paper"!  LOL!  After embossing the swirly leaf image onto some solid patterned paper, I stitched it onto a card so that it made a pocket.  I added some pom-pom trim and then inserted a stamped bookmark.

The flower image is stamped onto Choice Buttercream c.s. using Bamboo Leaves Memento ink.  The sentiment (also from the Celebrate Life set) is embossed at an angle..to mimic the slanted pocket angle.

To finish the card off, I added just a bit of Diamond Stickles to the ends of the flower, a decorative brad and some ribbon, and a punched border.

You will definitely want to see what the other Baker's Dozen girls have created!  You can check them out here:  Charmaine, Dawn, Denise, Donna, Jackie, Jami, Jodi, Karen G., Karen M., Laura, Sankari, Sharon, & of course Taylor!

I hope you have a wonderful day!!  ~Laurie
 

 
 

Sweet Indulgence Sneak Peek...

Hi!  I'm back with another peek (or two) of a brand new Taylored Expressions set called Sweet Indulgence!

How cute is that cuppie!!?!  I can't help but smile every time I see this image...I just love it!  I thought a cute little circle card would be fun with this relaxed little cuppie!  I used the patterned paper (My Mind's Eye) and flowers from the Spa Key Ingredients.

Here's a little close-up so you can see the Crackle Glaze (Ranger) I put on the tub, the Silver Smooch I used on the tub's feet, and the little bit of Stickles I added to the bubbles!  

Here's another card I made...same set (Sweet Indulgence) and same Spa Key Ingredients (My Mind's Eye patterned paper, Ribbon, Flowers, & Prism cardstock), but a completely different feel!  :-)  This set, along with the Spa Key Ingredients kit will be available tomorrow morning (Thursday September 5th) at 9 a.m Pacific Time!

Make sure to check out what the other Baker's Dozen ladies have created:  Charmaine, Dawn, Denise, Donna, Jackie, Jodi, Karen G., Karen M., Laura, Sankari, Sharon, & of course Taylor!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  ~Laurie

 
 
  

Lookie What I Found!!

Did you see all the exciting news over at the Waltzingmouse Stamps blog?  Claire released some fabulous new sets...including a TOP SECRET set!!  Ooooh, you have to go and check it out!  :-)

Speaking of top secret...just LOOK at what I found...

Yep!  Those are tags that none other than the Chief Elf himself attaches to special gifts left under the tree on Christmas morning!  I KNOW!  How fun is that!!?!  You can read all about this wonderful secret set HERE...as well as see what some of the other Waltzingmouse Design Team girls have "happened upon"!  :-)

Ok...I'm off to get the kiddos in bed!  I hope you have a wonderful evening!  ~Laurie

 

Luxurious Labels Sneak Peek...

Today is the first day of the Taylored Expressions Sneak Peeks!  The set that is being "peeked" today is called Luxurious Labels - a truly unique set designed specifically to create beautifully handmade gifts!!  I don't know about you, but the majority of the gifts that our family is giving this Christmas will be homemade, so I was especially excited to see this set!

I went with the original use for the bottles this month...bath soaps!  I found some soft blush colored bubble bath and body wash and created a soft and very feminine ensemble.

Blush Blossom and Ivory were used to create this pastel monochromatic look. 

I just LOVE these silhouette flowers!!  After I stamped them in Blush Blossom, I embossed the soap name using Ivory e.p. 

I wanted to create a "seal" of sorts.  To do this, I used the Faux Metal Technique and one of the coordinating flower images from the Luxurious Labels set.  So that the flower would pop just a bit more (and to add a little more color), I rubbed some pink Liquid Pearls into the flower image.

 

These adorable bottles and the Luxurious Labels set will be available  Thursday, November 5th at 9 a.m. Pacific Time! 

Taylor has put together a wonderful bundle with everything you will need to make beautiful handmade gifts and cards!  You can read more about the bundle (and see pictures) over at Taylor's blog!

As always, there is more Sneak Peek goodness to be seen!  Check out what these awesome ladies made:  Charmaine, Dawn, Denise, Donna, Jackie, Jodi, Karen G., Karen M., Laura, Sankari, Sharon, & of course Taylor!

Thanks for stopping by!  I'll be back tomorrow with another peek!  :-)  ~Laurie

 
 
 

Quick & Easy Christmas Card...

Happy Monday!  I have a quick and easy Christmas card to share with you!  It's wonderful that it's the 1st part of November and I've already got quite a Christmas card stash!  Woohooo!! 

I'm going to keep this short, because...well, the card is pretty self explanatory!  I used Penny Black's Banner of Joy set combined with some Little Yellow Bicycle patterned paper.  A little bit of silver cording, a punched border, and some red rhinestones and Voila!  :-)

I hope you all have a wonderful Monday!  ~Laurie

 
Stamps:  Banner of Joy(Penny Black)
Paper:  Pure Poppy (PTI), Stamper's Select White (PTI), Patterned paper (Little Yellow Bicycle)
Ink:  Versamark, Red Versamagic Dew Drop
Other:  Clear Detail e.p., Silver e.p., Silver cord, Rhinestones, Scallop border punch