Back in the Groove!

OK, I think the creativtiy juices are back! I feel more confident about this one!

I used the Flourished Christmas set, I love this set!

The card base is blue bayou, with a layer of creamy caramel. The top of the card has the new baja blue for sky, and the bottom is torn strips of white.I Hello, I made this for Faith's (aka markie's Mom) Tuesday Chat Challenge on the Flourishes forum. We were to create a scene!

I stamped the reindeer onto creamy caramel and coloured with SU pencil crayons and an aqua painter (I definitely need work in this area!) I also stamped the reindeer onto the blue background, cause there was no way I’d attempt cutting out his antlers!! I cut out his body and attached in place. His antlers have lots of tiny gems, I think he’s a Prince!

The falling snow is just tiny glue spots & dazzling diamonds (I swear that stuff can make anything look good!) I also covered the edges of the snow with diamond stickles

The sentiment is stamped with creamy caramel on white, layered with blue bayou. There’s tiny gems in the top corners, and stickles along the bottom. It’s popped up.

I love the way this turned out! What do you think?

I would love to hear from you, any comments suggestions etc. are welcome.

Laurie

Creative Slump!

I don't know what the heck was goin' on, but my creative juices were a mess over the weekend! I was trying to make a card for our Nephew who just bought his first house. This may not be a huge deal to some, but I think he's doing exceptionally well for being deaf! Yep, he got a good job a couple years ago, his appearance changed, to show the tall handsome guy he is, and now he's bought a house! Awesome accomplishments!

So because my creativity was bungled up, maybe because I had an unexplained fever...who knows, but I just could not make something I was happy with! The first card was the brighter one, and now I wish I hadn't put the white house panels on the sides, it looked better with just the yellow...too late now!

Then I saw a picture of his house, and decided to use colours that more closely matched the house. I like the bright cheeriness of the 1st one and the layout of the 2nd!

I think I just shouldn't make anything when I feel like that, because I'm still not happy with it!

Beach Scene Challenge

Hello, I made this for the August Luau challenge on the Hanna Forum. We were to make a beach scene using the Luau set.

The card base is Taken with Teal, and then a layer of watercolour paper. I stamped the girl with stone gray stazon and coloured with SU markers. The background is coloured with various inks aqua painter & sponge.

The pig was stamped 2 times on white, coloured & cut out. The same for the firepit, but I only stamped one!

The spit is made with wood toothpicks & thread.I masked everything out to do the sun.The top (which is supposed to look like a cabana!) is raphia. I also used a bit of dp from the DCWV summer stack for the sand on the bottom.

I put stickles on the flower in her hair, and a ribbon across the top.As usual the photo colouring is off!

You Gotta Love a Sock Monkey!

This is my first card made with the new ‘Sock Monkey’ set from Stampin’ Up! I thought I’d be different and use blue bayou! I think he’s gorgeous! Lol and who doesn’t love a bouquet of flowers!

OK, I am a self-proclaimed SU designer paper Hoarder! I know shocking!!! But I broke it out for this one! And I’m glad I did, I love it!

The card base is blue bayou, with a layer of white and then another layer of blue bayou dp.

To make the monkey, I covered the canvas stamp with blue bayou and stamped on the blue bayou and white cs, reinking each time. Then I stamped the monkey a couple times on each, and once on solid white.

The circles/scallops were made with the nestabilities. The bouquet holder is vellum made with the circle scallop punch. The flowers were made with the fiskars punch, and the leaves are a Martha Stewart punch. The flowers have stick-on gems in the centers.The sentiment is the large & small oval punches, popped up and embellished with more flowers.

Have a great Evening Everyone!
Laurie

Ps don’t be afraid to leave a comment, I would love to hear from you!

Purple & Green Flourishes

Hello, this is a card I made for Faith’s Tuesday Chat Challenge (this is last weeks) on the Flourishes forum.

We were to use purple and greens as the main colours.I decided to use lavendar lace as my card base, with a layer of mellow moss run through the CB with the textile EF. I also sponged around all the edges, except the white!

The flower from the Thank You set, was stamped with black stazon onto white. I coloured the flower with SU ink/markers and an aqua painter. I stamped the flower head 3 extra times, cut them out and popped them up.

My card was randomly chosen, (for the second week in a row) to be featured on Faith’s blog!!! How lucky is that? I can’t believe it, I’m so Happy!

I’ll post my entry for this weeks challenge a little later!

Hope you all have a good day!Laurie

U-niversity Prepared (Girls)

Hello, this is the University Survival kit I made for my step daughter Donna. She’s always liked the colour orange, so I thought this designer paper, Basic Grey’s Gypsy, would be perfect! All of the pattern & solid paper are from the Gypsy line. I think it’s an older pattern, but GinaK is now selling the new Basic Grey paper, embellishments and fibers. I love their stuff!\

The stamp set is also from GinaK, it’s the Little Tee’s set designed by Melanie Muenchinger, and it’s so fun to play with, and can be used for pretty much any occasion! Take a peek at some of the other ideas Melanie has come up with for this set in July and she also has a fabulous tip sheet! Another great place to see the versatility of this set, is the GinaK gallery at splitcoaststampers.! WARNING! I cannot be responsible for your urge to shop after using these links!

Ok, lets see, this kit contains the same things as below, but I added more to them!!! 2 binder clips, a small mechanical pencil and some chocolates!!! Who doesn’t NEED chocolate!

I also added some stickles to the U on the Tee, and some of the flower centers on the top. These tins are so handy and easy to decorate! I think I’ll make one for my other daughter Rachel, to put in her locker at school!

I hope you have a great day!
Laurie

U-niversity Prepared!

Hello, my step Daughter and Nephew are both starting University in September. I’m making them each a little survival tin, this is the one I made for my Nephew.

I used the ‘Little Tee’s stamp set designed by Melanie Muenchinger sold at GinaK, this set has unlimited possiblities! I stamped the shirt with black ink onto white and cut out. The U is also part of the set & I stamped it in red and coloured in with a yellow marker. I trimmed the sleeves to ¾ length and shortened the bottom to fit in the window.

The sentiment is computer generated and layered on real red cs. The paper I used to cover the tin and for the background of the lid is handmade paper. I wanted the tin to look more masculine, and this paper reminded me of leather.

I used the SU round tab punch to make the thread holders.

I also made a little book type holder for needles & pins. The belly band velro’s closed, I put a piece of felt inside to hold the needles & pins.

The tins were purchased at a local store called Prima Wrap.

The tin is filled with all kinds of goodies they’re probably used to having at home, and may need while away.

Here’s a list of things I included, I can’t believe it all fit!

Needles
Thread
Safety pins
Bandaids
Ear plugs
Nail clippers
Emery boards
Tape measure
Gum
Cough drops
Post it notes
Folding scissors
Candle
Elastic bands
Buttons
Quarters
Pen
Dental floss
Matches
Paperclips
Tylenol

I’m also going to include a gift card for the coffee shop! Cause I’m sure they’ll be needing that!

Hope you have a great day
Laurie

Measurements for Lip Gloss boxes

Hello, this is a picture of my Youngest Olivia (8) showing off her glossy lips and the cherry lip gloss she just made!

As promised here are the measurements for the lip gloss boxes. I'm so glad I thought to write them down!

For the box you will need:

1 piece of cardstock 9 1/4" x 6 1/4"

score this piece at 1 1/8" and 2 1/4" on all four sides. All the corners have to be cut, and I can't figure out how to explain that duh! so here's a link to the nugget box templates http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=190469 just have a look at one of these, and you'll see what I mean.

For the insert you will need:

1 piece of cardstock 5 1/2" x 2 1/4"

score 3/8" on all four sides, cut one 3/8" line at all four corners

punch 3 holes with 1 3/8" punch

For the lid you will need:

1 piece of cardstock 6" x 4 7/8"

score at 1/4", 1 1/8", 1 3/4", and 1 1/8" fold & put tape or glue along edge that is scored at 1/4"

I didn't even have to glue or tape the box and insert together, you only have to glue the lid together. These measurements are for three jars, purchased from http://www.cdstamps.com/the sizes may vary with other jars.

Love Those Glossy Lips!

Hello, Everyone! This is a project I did with the kids yesterday. They made lip gloss with Vaseline & Kool-aid. I purchased the stamps we used as well as the little jars, from http://www.cdstamps.com/ They had a lot of fun, and there was a lot of chatter and laughing going on, perfect fun for all ages!

I had precut and scored the holders from cardstock. Then they were ready to be decorated. The labels on top of the bottle were stamped on white and punched out with a 1 ¼” punch. The insert inside the box has 3 holes punched out with the 1 3/8” punch, the jars fit in perfectly! I will come back later & post the box measurements later.

Lip Gloss Recipe

Melt 1 tsp vaseline, (I did it in the microwave), add 1/4 tsp sugar free Kool-aid, Stir until disolved & mix together completely. Pour into lip gloss container. Let cool & apply.

This recipe is enough for one jar. I tripled the recipe because I had 3 girls making 1 of each flavor. I should also mention that the colour isn't as vibrant as a jug of Kool-aid, I'm guessing it has something to do with the vaseline not being clear!

Have a great day, and I'll be back to post the measurements!

Laurie

A Thanks you Bookmark card

Hello, I made this bookmark card for my SIL. She came across some stamps, including this cat, while out at yard sales, and bought a whole bag of stamps for me!

This was my first bookmark card, and it was very easy, so if you haven't made one yet, you should give it a try. It's nice to make & give something that has a purpose, then they can keep and use it!

You need: one piece of cardstock 8.5" x 11", cut this piece at 5.5" length wise. Then score this piece at 4.25" and perforate at 8.5", this makes a 5.5" x 4.25" card. Now all you need is stamps & dp to finish however you like!

The card base is blue bayou, with a layer of old olive & a layer of dp modern milan (me & my big ideas). I don't know where the stamp is from, but I stamped it with black on white. Lots of punches where used for this one, small ovals for the sides, circles for the sentiment, and circle and scallops for the cats on the bookmark. Eyelets were used on the sides to thread the ribbon through, and on the bookmark.The sentiment is popped up and a tiny bead was glued in the center of the flower.I used the perforator tool from SU, it works beautifully!

I hope everyone has a great day!
Laurie

My card is going to be on Faith's blog!

Well it’s been another busy day here! I haven’t had a chance to make anything today, but I do have a card from yesterday. First a little background, I am a huge fan of Faith Hofrichter aka Markie’s Mom. She has recently started having a chat on Tueday evenings on the Flourishes Forum at SCS Here . I as a fan have been wanting to drop in, but something always came up! Plus I didn’t have any Flourishes stamps yet!

So my very first order from Flourishes arrived yesterday (there shipping was fast to Canada) Each Tuesday Faith has been posting a challenge, which you post on the forum by the the following Tuesday Chat. Well I had to take advantage of the challenge since my stamps came, so I whipped up a card as fast as I could & posted it just before the deadline…nothing makes me move that fast usually! LOL Then there is a random draw from all the entries, and the winner gets there card posted on Faiths blog! What a fantastic opportunity! And guess what mine was chosen!!!!! I have been so incredibly lucky lately, I just can’t believe it!

Well that’s about all I have to report right now, I’m still excited from the news…so check out Faith’s blog she has lots of great info & tutorials & fantastic creations!

p.s. My Husband helped me figure out the links...I hope it works!

Have a great Evening (or day depending where you live!)
Laurie

#2 Summer Challenge

This is the 2nd card I made for Joanne B's summer challenge on the GinaK forum at SCS http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=370873 I made this for a friend, it's her Birthday today!

The daisy stamp is from "Flowers for Daisy" designed by Asela Hopkins, it can be purchased here http://www.shop.ginakdesigns.com/category.sc;jsessionid=9A2B8A61602D5C2F1E012C49C6F34D24.qscstrfrnt01?categoryId=16 as an added bonus, a percentage of the sales goes to the Amercian Cancer Society. I used the single daisy from the set to make this card. If you try this, you can learn from my mistakes, here are some tips:

-make at least 3 masks, (2 is not enough),

-the watercolour paper has to be bigger than the finished size you want,

-use light pencil marks to show the finished size you want, then you know how far to stamp over the edge (does that make sense?),

-don't put ink on the stem, otherwise you have stems going in every direction!

I used markers and an aqua painter to colour the flowers. They reminded me of black eyed susans, that's why I chose these colours. The centers are covered in cinnamon stickles (I love that colour).

Hope you all have a great day!

Recipe: GinaK stamps, SU chocolate chip & Summer Sun cs, watercolourpaper, Swiss dot EF, SU markers, SU polytwill ribbon, stickles

Finally something new to add!

Hello again, I've spent a great deal of time trying to figure out the set up here...it's a work in progress!

I came across Joanne B's (Basilefamily) sunny celebration challenge on the GinaK Forum

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=370873 last night, so I had to create something today!

Melanie's Little Tee's set arrived this week, so I was dying to ink it up! here's what I came up with. The lighting isn't the best, that's another thing I need to work on! Anyway, I stamped the solid Tee in the new riding hood red ink onto white. Then I cut off the sleeves and trimmed the bottom and neck line. It's supposed to look like the tanks the lifeguards often wear over their swimsuits. Sometimes they have them tied in a knot a the side, I used a marker to make the wrinkles. All other details can be found on my gallery at splitcoaststampers, there's a link below.

All the designer paper is from the DCWV summer stack, lots of great paper in that one!

I don't know if there are 'Winners' stores in the US, but if you're Canadian and don't already know, I just discovered that Winners & Home Sense both have designer paper! Great deals too!

I can't figure out how to make a link with a word rather than the whole URL, if you know, could you please help me? I know it's probably simple, but I'm wasting time trying to figure it out! You can leave a comment here, or email me at virgocat5@cogeco.ca or pm me at splitcoast, I'm virgo5.

OK that's it for now, I'm off to make dinner and more cards, and see if this post turns out LOL!

The beginning!

Well what a year it's been! Hard to believe last July...yep 2007, I had my first Stampin' Up party! At that point I think I had attended a couple workshops. My Friends Sue & Sandee are Stampin' Up demonstrators so it's their fault that I'm hooked! Then they told me about http://splitcoaststampers.com/ so of course like many others I am totally addicted!

Unfortunately I'm one of those people who over thinks things...specially what I want to say online, so I will either bore you with unimportant overly thought out stuff til it sounds like blah blah blah...or it will be short to the point stuff...either way, and even if it's actually ok, I will probably rethink most or half of how and what I did or didn't say !!!! So please accept my apology now, but keep coming back cause I might get this right eventually!

Since starting stamping, and finding SCS, I used my Club Z points and got myself a digital camera! Then I learned how to put the pics on the computer & online! I know you all learned ages ago, but I hadn't taken the time before, so I'm happy I can do it now...and all because of stampin'. Now I just have to figure out how to put them on this blog!!!!

The first card I'm posting, is actually a card I made quite a while ago, but it includes lots of things I love, & how I got to this point! I first saw this stamp set used by Faith (markie'smom) http://stampinwithmarkiesmom.blogspot.com/ on SCS (the link above) so she's also to blame for my addiction! This led me to GinaK Designs, http://www.shop.ginakdesigns.com/category.sc?categoryId=11 , which led me to Melanie, . http://melaniemuenchinger.blogspot.com/ Melanie is the creator of these wonderful animal stamps and most recently, a T-shirt stamp set! So they are also to blame for my addiction!

Melanie often has contests/challenges! I've never been a competative person, but this kind of competition I seem to love! No one gets hurt and you could win something!

Oh yeah...I forgot I was talking about the card!!! OK so I like funny stuff, I like to laugh, & I believe laughter is the best medicine, and there just isn't enough of it! So I made this card for my Husband, he loved it! I I think it's cute & funny!

Now I have to figure out how to make my links smaller!