Rachel's Gr. 12 Grad!

This is my Daughter Rachel (in the middle) with her friends Samantha & Jenna. They met the first day of kindergarten, and this was taken last night at their Grade 12 Graduation! It seems like yesterday we were lined up waiting for the Kindergarten door to open...time sure flies!

This is the card I made for Rachel. I thought about making a serious looking card, but in the end, this seemed right! Her school colours are black, red and gold, so I used those colours.

I also used the sketch from a Sketch For You To Try SFYTT, it was perfect for this!

First I stamped the monkey and coloured him with copics. Then I used a technique I learned at my copic certification class and added texture to the monkey. I cut him out, and added him to a circle made with nesties. The Graduation hat is from the Monkey Accessories kit and coloured with copics. For the diploma, I just took some regular copy paper, sponged the edge lightly with TH antique linen and then rolled it up.

The Happy Graduation sentiment is from the SU Teeny Tiny Wishes set.

I made the glittery red stars by covering real red cardstock with versamark and embossing it with red glittery EP. Then I finished it off with black taffeta ribbon!

Have a Great Day!
Laurie

MMTPT152, I've Got Your Number!

Hello, this is my card for this weeks Teapot Tuesday Challenge MMTPT152! This weeks challenge is to include numbers!

It's tickle a Teapotter week, which means this weeks Destination is to a fellow Teapotter, and it's a secret who, but I know these numbers apply to almost every stamp addict! lol

This is the lovely Stampalicious Scarlette, isn't she just perfect for this challenge! I coloured Scarlette with copics, and I tried to stick with the colours of the inspiration teapot.

The card base is poppy parade, with a layer of certainly celery. The background on the celery is a stamp...actually many stamps. It's called Get Organized from cdstamps.com (it may not be available any more). It's meant to organize your stamping stuff, but I keep all the stamps on the acetate as they came, inked it up and stamped in onto the background piece. The edges are sponged and I used a white poster paint sharpie to dot around the edges.

Scarlette is popped up, and so is the sentiment which is also in the Scarlette set from Totally Stampalicious. The leaves were made with the sizzix little leaves die, and the flowers with the boho blossom punch. I finished it off with some little black gems for the flower centers!

Have a Great Day!
Laurie

RILEY1311, Dies & Punches!

Hello, it's time for another Riley and Company Challenge! This weeks challenge RILEY1311 is Hosted by Joy, and she's challenging us to use dies & punches!

For my card today, I used the recently released Horse Dancer Sophie, she's part of the Riley Circus Release. I coloured the image with copics and added some copic atyou spicas in several spots to give it some shimmer.

This is a tent topper card design, the perfect plum base is 4.25" x 8.5" scored in half. Then I added a white layer and then dp from K&Co. spring blossom.

The image was cut with circle nesties and backed with a scallop circle.

The flower was made using 5 of the smallest scallop circle nesties. I sponged it, sprayed it with water and scrunched it. then after it was put together, I spritzed it with gold smooch. The leaves were made with the blossom petals punch. They were sponged and I drew some faint lines for the vanes with a marker.

The sentiment it from the Circus Words set.

Please join us in our challenge and make something using dies and/or punches on your project and upload it to the Riley and Company Blog! If you upload to any forums please use the keyword RILEY1311.

Have a Great Day!
Laurie

TSMONDAY, Red & White In Honor of Canada Day!

Happy Monday! This weeks Totally Stampalicious Monday Challenge is to use red & white in honor of Canada Day!

I used Daisy Scarlette from Totally Stampalicious to create my card today! I coloured Daisy Scarlette with copics.

The card itself was fairy simple, but the sizzix flower vine embossing folder really added some elegance! I added tiny red gems to the centers of all the flowers on the image and the embossing.

The sentiments which are also in the Daisy Scarlette set were punched out and I popped them and the main image up. Then I finished it off with some real red taffeta ribbon.

Please join in the fun, just make something using red & white and upload your creation to the Totally Stampalicious Blog. You never know, there me be a prize and all Guest Designers are chosen from those who participate in the challenges!

Have a Great Day!
Laurie

Embossing Folder Storage!

Hello, I just wanted to share my new organized embossing folder system! This is what it looked like before I started, I know, it's a strange, but all my embossing folders are still in their original packages. Weird I know, but they are in aphabetical order! I got the container at Michael's quite a while ago, and now it's full...too full!
These are the embossing folders that won't fit in the box!!! I'm finally ready to recycle all that packaging and organize them properly! The Office Depot around the corner was closing and I picked up some Avery label #5125, and labeled each folder with it's name. Sorry I forgot to take a photo of that, but I totally impressed myself, because I figured out how to print the labels with only a bit of help from Hubby! They're all in alphabetical order, and I made dividers using the cardboard from the original packaging. At first I thought I was going to have to cover them with cardstock, but I managed to find enough that were all one colour (light blue) and cut them down to 6".

The letters were computer generated and printed onto white cardstock. I used a 7/8" circle for the white, 1" for the blue and then the tab punch with black, I think that's what it's called!
I managed to fit all the embossing folders in, and look at all the room I have to spare...now I can buy lots more!!!

This will be so easy to use, no more returning them to their pkgs. and now that they are labeled and divided it will be fast and easy to pop them back into place!

Have a Great Day!
Laurie

Gus and Three Challenges!

Hello, I made this card for the Bugaboo Catch the Bug challenge...make a Guy card or project!

I also used this weeks MOJO sketch challenge MOJO196 and this weeks colour challenge at SCS CC328!

This is Mr Fixit Gus, he's a Bugaboo image also available in stamp form at Totally Stampalicious!

I stamped Gus and coloured him with copics, adding crystal effects to his glasses.

The card base is night of navy with a layer of cherry cobbler and then a layer of crumb cake. I stamped that layer with the linen BG stamp in crumb cake ink and then embossed it with the tool EF from Crafts-Too.

I added in a scrap of faux denim, and some gears made with the SU punch, and finished it with a screw brad!

Have a Great Day!
Laurie

MMTPT151, Designer Dodge Balls!

Hello I made this for this weeks Teapot Tuesday Challenge MMTPT151! This weeks challenge is to bring round cards, I'm so glad I bought this die last week, it's perfect for round cards.

This weeks Destination Station is to Sandy, a friend of fellow Teapotter Charlene (Cookiebaker) who is currently undergoing chemo for her second bout with breast cancer. Because of this, I decided to use Breast Cancer Stella, from Totally Stampalicious, but I didn't use the traditional pink!

The colours I used are this weeks colour challenge colours CC328, cherry night cakes!

Stella was coloured with copics, I paper pieced her dress and added pearls for earrings.

The card base was made with a Marianne Designs Die LR0112. The card stock was folded in half and then I placed the die off the fold a bit for the front & back would stay attached.

The faux denim was made earlier, please follow this link for the Faux Denim Tutorial!

The branches were made with the 2 step bird punch. The button is chipboard, I covered it with cardstock to match and tied on some linen thread.

Stamps: Breast Cancer Stella
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Bashful Blue, Vanilla Neenah solar crest, SU dp
Ink: memento tuxedo black, night of navy, crumb cake
Accessories: copics, petite oval/scallop nesties, circle nesties, Marianne Designs LR0112, distressing tool, 2 step bird punch, linen thread, dimensionals, chipboard button


Have a Great Day!
Laurie

Faux Denim Tutorial!

Hello, as promised here is a picture Tutorial on the fauz denim technique! I can't take credit for this, I saw it somewhere online, I'm sorry I can't remember where! So here is my version

You need a piece of bashful blue cardstock and a night of navy ink pad. Open the ink pad and while holding it on an angle, rub in down the width of the cardstock.
Then do the same thing rubbing it done the cardstock lengthwise. Keep repeating these steps un til you have the desired denim look!
I thought of this yesterday, cover the canvas background stamp with night of navy ink, off stamp then stamp the back of your faux denim. This really makes the back look like the back of denim.
To give it a more worn look, you a distressing tool or scissors to rough up the edges.
Here you can see the corner curled up corner with the back finished!

This would work well for black denim too. Try adding piercing, faux or real stitching, you can even add some bling like you see on designer jeans!

In case you missed it, here's a link to my finished card from yesterday!

Have a Great Day,
Laurie

TSMONDAY, Here Comes The Bride!

Hello, I made this card for this weeks Totally Stampalicious Monday Challenge...this weeks challenge...Here comes the bride! Include something old & something new on your card or project!

I used the new Cowgirl Dottie, she's coloured with copics and I added crystal effects to her lips.

The card base is riding hood red, with a layer of white and then a layer of cardstock made to look like denim...isn't it cool! Now I mean't to take pictures to show you how to make it, but of course I forgot! I'm going out of town today, so I'll try to get them posted for Tuesday...it's so easy, you'll love it!

Please join in the challenge, just make your card or project and upload it to the Totally Stampalicious Blog! And remember all Guest Designers are chosen from those who play in the challenges!

Have a Great Day!
Laurie

Meghan's 15th & a Rebel!

Hello, I made this card for my Niece Meghan, she will be 15 and we're celebrating her Birthday today!

Meghan is a bit of a rebel and recently dyed her hair yellow/blonde, so I used Goth Sophie to make her card!

I stamped the image first in black, and then again in daffodil delight. I coloured the first image with copics and cut the yellow hair out of the second & put them together. To make the hair fit in, it's best to outline it in black, that way it looks like part of the stamp.

The card base is rich razzleberry with pear pizzazz embossed and the dp is from the Teen Angst pad.

I added lots of embossing, distressing and tearing to grunge it up!

It's finished off with some twine and a safety pin! I hope she likes it!

stamps: Goth Riley
Paper: rich razzleberry, pear pizzazz, dp teen angst, white
Ink: black, daffodil delight, pear pizzazz
Accessories: copics, copics atyou spicas, Tim Holtz rays & retro circles embossing folders, circle nesties, circle punches, sponges, twine, safety pin, dimensionals, distressing tool

Have a Great Day!
Laurie

Catch the Big Pearls & Lace!

Hello, I made this for this weeks Bugaboo Challenge on the Catch the Bug Blog! This weeks challenge was to use pearls & lace, and I'm hoping a lacey die cut counts!

I used Stella Nurse, a Bugaboo image available in stamp form at Totally Stampalicious. I can;t take credit for this card design, I was totally inspired by this card I spotted it on SCS yesterday then found this Marianne die at my local stamp store so of course I had to get it!!!

I stamped Stella twice onto white. One I coloured with copics and cut out, the other was cut out with an oval nestie.

The large lacey circle was cut from white and scored in half. Then I added a pink pirouette scallop circle, a barely banana circle and dp from the DCWV Nana's Nursery pad. I cut the circles in half so it was easier to fold & open the card base.

For the flower, I started with the 5 star petal punch, some pieces that came in the Marianne Designs die (LR0112). The leaves were made with the cricut for another project, these were left over.

The sentiment is from the Stella Nurse set. I finished it off by adding pearls to the flower, Stella's earrings and the sentiment tag.

Have a Great Day!
Laurie

RILEY1211, Buttons & Bows!

Hello, it's time for another challenge from the Riley and Company Design Team! This weeks challenge is Hosted by Frances, and she's challenging us to use buttons & bows!

I used the new Trapeze Riley & Sophie just released in the new Circus Line! I found this cool new card design called a 5x7 Double Twist Easel. Follow the link and scroll down to see Kim's instructions.

I thought this was a perfect design for this stamp. I coloured both images with copics. Then sponged around the image with soft sky. I also used the pennant banner stamp from the Circus Accessories set. First I stamped it on the main image panel, and then onto dp from K&Co.'s sweet nectar. I also used a fine tip marker to drawn the ropes longer.


The sentiment is from the new Circus Words set. I finished it off with some ribbon, button and twine!

I was really impressed with this card design, I hope you are too!

Please join in the fun, and make a card or project with buttons & bows and upload it to the Riley and Company Blog! If you upload to any forums, please use the keyword RILEY1211.

Stamps: Trapeze Riley & Sophie, Circus Accessories set, Circus Words set
Paper: baja breeze, barely banana, white, K&Co. sweet nectar
Ink: black, soft sky, barely banana
Accessories: copics, ribbon, button, twine, dimensionals, CDS-Designer Label Dies

Have a Great Day!
Laurie

MMTPT150, Get Well Wishes From Charlie!

Hello, I made this for this weeks Teapot Tuesday Challenge MMTPT150! This weeks Destination Station is to Jessica, the daughter of fellow teapotter Cathy (Mutnik) who was seriously injured in a fall while riding her horse this week. You can find all the info here!

I used Charlie Horse from Cleardollarstamps.com, this is 2 different stamps, Charlie Daisy and Charlie Gets Giddy! Isn't he perfect to cheer up a horse lover!

I coloured both images with copics, masked the horses and sponged in some clouds with soft sky and a scallop circle for the cloud mask. The flowers Charlie is holding were cut out and I added some really thin strips for stems and hand cut a couple leaves. All the flowers have tiny pink gems in the centers.

I loved the 5x7 double twisted easel, so I decided to try & make another size. So here's a tip you can learn by my mistakes, you MUST start with a square piece of cardstock! If it's not square, it won't work.
So for this card I started with a 5.5" square piece of cardstock.
Score in half at 2.75"
Then cut the unscored side at 2.75" down to the score line
I found this cool design on Kim's blog here, just scroll down a bit, you can follow her pictures and these measurements!

The finished card when folded is 2.75" x 5.1/2"
For some reason the light makes the panels look slightly different in colour, but they aren't IRL.

I used a label punch from SU for the sentiment which is from Mark's Finest Papers set Ladybugs & Carnation. It's popped up to work as the stopper, and I dressed it up with some flowers with gemstone centers, and some sheer ribbon!

Stamps: CDS Charlie Daisy, Charlie Gets Giddy, MFP Ladybugs & Carnation
Paper: pretty in pink, white, certainly celery, dp Echo Park-a walk in the park
Ink: black, soft sky, certainly celery, daffodil delight
Accessories: copics, scallop circle mask, gems, ribbon, SU label punch, marvy flower punches, dimensionals

Have a Great Day!
Laurie

TSMONDAY, Anything Goes!

Hello and Happy Monday, it's time for another challenge from Totally Stampalicious! This week is an easy one, 'Anything Goes'!

I used the WTF Gus, and decided he needed a nice faux wood frame! Gus was stamped onto vanilla and then again onto white. I coloured the white image with copics, cut it out. It was attached to the vanilla piece after I sponged the edges with Tim Holtz antique linen. I also added crystal effects to Gus's glasses.

For the frame, I started with a piece of creamy caramel, embossed with the distressed stripes EF. Then I wiped the following ink pads directly onto the cardstock, creamy caramel, more mustard. After I cut the strips to make the frame, I sponged around all the edges with creamy caramel and close to cocoa!

I finished it off with some micro brads, and popped the whole thing up on dimensionals!

I hope you can join the challenge this week, if we get 100 entries there with be a nprize for one lucky participant! Plus all Guest Designers are chosen from those who play in the challenges! Just make sure to upload your creation to the Totally Stampalicious Blog!

Have a Great Day!
Laurie

First Christmas Card for 2011!

Hello, I made this for this weeks sketch challenge SC336! And this is my first Christmas card for 2011!

The card base is marina mist, with a layer or white embossed with the SU snowflake embossing folder (not sure of the proper name)! I added some glitter to some parts of the snowflakes, not sure if you can see it!

The sentiment if from a Totally Stampalicious set called Let it Snow Stella. I cut slits to weave the ribbon through, and made the bow with the bow easy!

The snowflake charm is a mini ornament, great thing to stock up on after Christmas!

Have a Great Day!
Laurie

C4C90, Birds On A Wire!

I made this for the Crazy 4 Challenges Blog C4C90, it's an inspiration challenge! This is the inspiration piece below!

Okay I have to tell ya, I love the way this turned out, and it was fast & easy!

I started with a piece of glossy white cardstock and sponged the colours across starting from the bottom and going up,
pacific point
tempting turquoise
old olive (wasn't thrilled with that)
certainly celery (too light)
gable green (much better)
pumpkin pie

daffodil delightThe branch is from the SU Stem Silhouette set, stamped in basic black.

The sentiment is also from this set.

The birds were made with the Martha Stewart Bird on Wire punch.

I somehow managed to get a couple finger prints on the glossy white that the ink wouldn't cover and a couple smudges of darker in on the yellow part! The individual birds are covering the finger print, and the tab at the top is covering the smudge!

I think it worked out perfectly and balances the card out! Gotta love that!

I finished it off with a couple micro brads, and some white dots made with a Sharpie poster paint marker (a must have tool)!

Have a Great Day!
Laurie

MMTPT149, CAS Flowers!

Hello, this is my card for this weeks Teapot Tuesday Challenge MMTPT149! It's a clean & Simple challenge with flowers! I used the teapot for inspiration! This weeks Destination Station is to Lindsay! She's has been battling cancer, even during her pregnancy, I can't imagine how scary that must have been! She is now having to undergo a heavy dose of chemo and will be confined to the hospital for a month.

Since Lindsay loves to buy and give homemade cards, along with the cards we are sending her, we are sending the pieces for her to put together & make her own cards!

My card to Lindsay is a get well card, but for the card I'm sending for her to put together, it says Happy Birthday, you can never have enough of those!

It's definitely a CAS card! The card base is tempting turquoise with 2 pieces of white embossed with the swiss dot EF. The sentiments are from Mark's Finest Papers - Ladybugs & Carnation. The flowers were made with the sizzix Birds & Blooms die and the leaf with the sizzix little leaves die.

Have a Great Day!
Laurie

Happy Birthday Rachel!

Hello, I made this card for my Daughter's 18th Birthday! I'm also entering it into the Bugaboo Catch the Bug Challenge-anything goes!

To make the card, I used the Center Step design, you can find a great Tutorial here! I changed the card size to 4.25" wide and the side panels are 1".

This cute little elephant is a Bugaboo image called Critter Balloons - Elephant!

I copied 2 elephants, and coloured them with copics. I cut the head out of one and popped it up. The balloon was covered in crystal effects.

The sentiment is from a Totally Stampalicious set called Sweet Birthday Kids, it's a Bugaboo image that they have available in stamp form.

The stars were made with the MS star punch and a fiskars star punch. I used various cardstock to match the designer paper from K&Co. AB Lotus.

Have a Great Day!
Laurie

TSMONDAY, Ribbons, Ribbons & More Ribbons!

Hello, this is my card for this weeks Totally Stampalicious Monday challenge! This weeks challenge is to use 3 ribbons!

I used Violet Scarlette today! She's coloured with copics, and I added tiny gems to the flower centers. Then I cut the whole image out!

The card base is bashful blue, with a layer of white and then a layer of bashful blue dp. The die is from Marianne Designs. I cut one in white and one in blue. Then I cut the center of the blue one out and stamped the Violet Scarlette onto it! That way you can still see the little swirly bits!

I finished it off with the ribbon & bows!

Please join the challenge and upload your card or project to the Totally Stampalicious Blog! All Guest Designers will be chosen from those who participate in the weekly challenges!

This card fits for this weeks Bugaboo Catch the Bug Challenge - Anything Goes, so I'm going to enter it there too!

Have a Great Day!
Laurie