Got Milk?

I know it has been a few days since I posted, but I have been quite busy. Saturday I went to a Sale-a-Bration kickoff hosted by Ronda Wade. There were some great demonstrations and we made some super cute make-and-takes. I was going to post them today but I am so excited about what I created, that they are just going to have to wait until tomorrow :)

Have you seen the new Mini Milk Carton die in the Occasions Mini Catalog? It makes the cutest little containers! As soon as I saw them, I knew I had to have the die and immediately started working on a "milk crate". I have seen one on Becky Roberts' blog but hers was much larger. We have had a template for a milk carton for quite some time but it is about twice as big as the one made with the die.

So, now that I have built your anticipation - I must say the "I have milk and this is what it looks like....."

This was soooooo fun to make. The cartons are so cool - you cut and score them all in one swipe through the Big Shot (one more reason this is my favorite toy)!!! Sure beats cutting and scoring each line one by one like I used to do! I was hoping to be able to use the Box #2 die to make the crate but it just wasn't deep enough to sit the cartons in. So, I started measuring and adding and came up with this:

I used the Naturals White cardstock, cut out two boxes and stuck them together - back to back - with Sticky Strip (you definitely want to use this on the cartons as well). Then I added the decorations to the sides using the Eggcoutrements stamp set from the Occasions Mini. It is so cute - has a scalloped border stamp and the tags too. On two sides, I added the Easter basket tag and on the other two I added the Happy Easter tag with dimensionals. And I love this color combination of Regal Rose and Gable Green!!!! I cut the "handle" with the Scallop Oval Punch and then tied Pretty In Pink Satin Ribbon through the top. Then all you have to do is add your cartons. The neat thing about the cartons is that when you close the top, you just sticky strip one half and leave the other half to open just like a real milk carton does. It looks like this:

Very easy to pour candy out of !!! :)

The flowery pattern on the top portion of the carton is the Spring Floral Wheel from the Occasions Mini. It worked perfect for adding just a touch of texture. Then I punch a hole in the closed half of the top with my Crop-a-Dile and tied the small tags on with Whisper White 1/4" grosgrain ribbon. I just love the way it turned out!!! But, I know some of you are thinking - "That's great if all you have are girls. What do I do if I want to give one to a little boy?"

Well, do not fear. Since my only child is a boy, I thought of them as well......

I simply swapped the Regal Rose for Bashful Blue and left off all of the flowery trim. I used Brocade Blue 5/8" grosgrain ribbon on the handle and I used saran wrap to add a little of the coordinating colors to the strip of Naturals White on each side before adding the tags. Yes, I did say saran wrap. You would be surprised how many stamping tools you actually have in your kitchen :) But, that could be a post for another day ---- stay tuned.

Well, back to the design table - thanks for stopping by. Til tomorrow....

Happy Stamping,

Laurie

"Remember to get your mammorgram."

I {Heart} Scrapbooking

As promised, today I am sharing some scrapbook pages with you. The first one is the one I just did for a friend. Her little girl was born in November and she is just the absolute cutest little thing!!!



I used Pretty in Pink Textured Cardstock for the page and cut the mats with my Big Shot (awesome for scrapbooking - buy one here). I cut the daisy flowers using the Daisies #2 die and made the heart shaped petals for the flower in the lower left corner using the Full Heart Punch. The words and the other hearts are from the Love Sparkles Simply Scrappin Kit.

Here is the complete list of supplies:

Stamp Set: Little Angel (from the Occasions Mini)

Cardstock: Pretty in Pink Textured, Regal Rose, Gable Green, Naturals White, Patterned paper from Love Sparkles Simply Scrappin Kit

Ink: Regal Rose

Accessories: Big Shot, Daisies #2 die, Scallop Circle die, Scallop Square die, Love Sparkles Simply Scrappin Kit, Pretty in Pink Corduroy Buttons, Pretty In Pink Epoxy Brads, Whisper White 5/8" Satin Ribbon

Once I got the page assembled I added it to a shadowbox frame that I purchased from Target. It makes a wonderful accessory to hang on the wall or stand on a shelf.

What a fun way to scrapbook just a few favorite pictures and have them always on display. Here is another frame I did for my nephew and his new wife:

I printed the words in My Digital Studio, Stampin' Up's digital scrapbooking program. It is amazing!! The patterned paper I used in this frame is the gorgeous Night and Day Designer Series Paper that was in our Holiday Mini. Although you can no longer purchase the paper, it is available as a digital download in my Online Store as is My Digital Studio. These downloads will also work with other digital scrapbooking program but with ours, you also have the availability of using our printing service which guarantees your colors will print to match Stampin' Up products. That way you can easily create hybrid pages by adding your own embellishments for a 3-D affect. So cool!!!! And you are not limited to scrapbooking. You can create cards, calendars and flyers.

What a terrific gift idea for an anniversary, birthday, Christmas, you name it!! And they are so fun to do!

Well, I have some new products to play with so I will sign off until tomorrow.

Happy Stamping,

Laurie

Remember to get your mammogram!

Garden From the Heart

Sorry, I am posting so late today, but my internet server seems to have a problem with my blog host about once a week. I couldn't even log on earlier today to make a post - very frustrating!!! If it continues, I may have to switch to something else. But, I will keep you posted on that.


Anyway, onto more important things. Friday is my mom's birthday and I knew she would love this card we made at card class last week. She knows she is getting one for her birthday so now I can post it.

I just LOVE the new Garden From My Heart stamp set!!! My mom sent me pictures of her rose bushes in full bloom in January - can't even imagine that here in Mid-Michigan. But since she lives just outside of San Diego, she can enjoy that all year 'round. Lucky her!!! So, what better stamp set to use for her birthday on January 29th :) I love you, Mom!

So, let's move on to the supply list before I get too melancholy - I used the following Stampin' Up supplies:

Stamp Set: Garden From The Heart, Well Scripted (both from the Occasions Mini)

Cardstock: Barely Banana, Bashful Blue, Bashful Blue Designer Series Paper, Whisper White

Ink: Basic Gray

Accessories: Pinking Hearts Border Punch, Bashful Blue 1/2" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Certainly Celery Marker, Barely Banana Marker, Bashful Blue Marker

This card was so easy to put together using the new Clear Mount Stamp Sets. You can put both stamps onto Block E and stamp them in one motion!!! So cool!! I love our blocks and from now on will be using the clear mount stamps whenever possible. They are truly amazing and so easy to use. I honestly think we have the best style of acrylic blocks on the market and our bundle price is the best deal available !!! Visit my website at http://www.lauriesrubberroom.stampinup.net/ to purchase yours today on the Online Catalog. You will save the cost of the bundle in no time once you start purchasing clear mount stamp sets. And you will definitely NOT be disappointed.

Well, it is late and I need to sign off for now. Check back tomorrow to see an adorable scrapbook page that fits perfectly into a 12x12 shadowbox frame!! Let me know if you are interested in starting a scrapbook club - I would love to work with you !!

Till then, Happy Stamping,

Laurie

Remember to get your mammogram!!

Get Well Wishes

Well, I'm back :) It was a busy weekend and I just didn't have time to post. I'll have to make sure that doesn't happen again.

Today I am posting a card that my card class did a couple of months ago. When you don't feel well, it's always nice to know someone is thinking of you so I designed this:



I love making lattice cards. I learned to do this a couple of years ago and it is so easy yet elegant. You just make some slits along the folded edge of the card and fold the points up. Too cute!!! The supplies I used for this are:

Stamp Set: Fun & Fast Notes

Cardstock: Barely Banana, Perfect Plum, Certainly Celery, and Whisper White

Ink: Basic Gray

Accessories: So Saffron 1/2" striped grosgrain, Watercolor Pencils, Signo Gel Pen, Paper Piercing Tool and Mat Set

I like to add accents like the faux stitching to my cards because I think it adds a little character. It takes them away from the "ordinary" status just a touch and yet keeps it simple. This technique is one of the easiest to do and now that Stampin' Up sells the tool as a single item (used to be part of the toolkit) it is affordable as well. I'll be doing some more cards with this technique in the near future so be sure to come back and visit often.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!!

Happy Stamping,

Laurie

Remember to get your mammogram!

Simple and Sweet

Good morning! Card class was sooo much fun last night! We stamped, talked, laughed, and ate chocolate - what a way to spend the evening with friends :)

I wanted to do something simple and sweet so I let my mind wander back to when I first got started with Stampin' Up. I remembered a little project I had done at a meeting with Ronda Wade. This is what we made:

The little pouch is made from one of our Medium Envelopes - whooda thunk it??? It is so simple to make and it is sweet because it holds the small individual packs of M&Ms or conversation hearts. I couldn't find the hearts individually packaged - so I made my own. I love to improvise! All you do to make this is seal the envelope, cut in about 1/3 of the way down the edge and gently turn your scissors as you cut. Stamp the larger piece with any background stamp you choose and then run it through your crimper. Decorate the smaller piece with die cuts. You will end up with this:

The supplies I used were:

Stamp Set: Sprinkles (you can earn this free right now)

Ink: Regal Rose

Cardstock: Chocolate Chip (just a scrap to cover the back of the die cut that hangs over the edge of the pouch.

Accessories: Whisper White Medium Envelopes, Crimper, Die Cuts from Love Sparkles Simply Scrappin' Kit, candy

So, so easy!! And they make a great little gift for friends, kids, your downline, etc, etc. There are so many things you could put inside these little beauties - packets of flower seeds, tea bags, and even gift cards. They are very versatile and super quick to do up.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful day!

Happy Stamping,

Laurie

Remember to get your mammogram!

Very Thankful

Well, I finally have all of my cards designed for class tonight and here is another one we will be making. I love the peacock in this set and have seen it used so many cool ways. It is very reasonably priced at only $14.95 but you can earn it FREE during Sale-a-Bration. The best part is that Very Thankful is the Ronald McDonald set this year. That means that Stampin' Up donates $2 to the Ronald McDonald House charity for every one of this set that sells - even if you earn it free. So, you can make awesome cards and be helping someone in need at the same time - can life be better than that?

The Stampin' Up supplies I used for this card are:

Stamp Set: Very Thankful

Card stock: So Saffron, Taken With Teal, Rose Red, Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper, and the Sending Love Hugs Note (DSP and Love Notes are in the Occasions Mini)

Ink: Taken With Teal and the Taken With Teal marker

Accessories: Pretty In Pink 5/8 inch Satin Ribbon, Small Heart Punch (both from the Occasions Mini)

I know right now you are thinking - where on earth did she use the Small Heart Punch? Well, you can't tell, but I used it to accent the corners of the Taken With Teal card stock. I inserted the paper part way into the punch to give it a scalloped effect. Then I layered the designer series paper over top. It doesn't work as well using a circle punch because it doesn't scallop each side of the corner as well. Below the peacock on the Hugs Note, I used the Taken With Teal marker to color just the flowery part of the peacock stamp, huffed it and stamped it twice. At first, I just had this huge white space down there and it just looked as though it lacked character. That's the beauty of handmade - you can add whatever you want to make it your own!! Yes, I love my job :)

If you look close, you can see the small heart opening in the center of the back of the punch. I lined up the card stock corner to the point of the open heart. It adds a different touch and a bit of uniqueness (is that a word?) to the layers. And don't you love the new punch design? They are so much easier to store!! They lock closed and you can stand them on end - AWESOME!!!!

Well, I need to get my mom's cards off to her - she does the class long distance from San Diego - and she is eagerly anticipating their arrival :) I stamp them and furnish the supplies and she puts them together at home. If you would like to "attend" long distance as well, just e-mail me at gibby@cmsinter.net and sign up for class.

Until tomorrow - Happy Stamping,

Laurie

Remember to get your mammogram!

Sweethearts & Chocolate - can it get any better?

How do I love chocolate? - Let me count the ways :)

I think it is sooo fun to add what you love to a homemade card. These heart-shaped sweet treat cups make it easy to do just that. The stamp set, called Sweetheart, coordinates perfectly to add a special treat for a special person. We will be making this card at my card class tomorrow night:

The Stampin' Up supplies I used are:

Stamp set: Sweetheart, I {Heart} Hearts, and Holiday Best (Hostess Set)

Ink: Real Red

Cardstock: Real Red, Pretty In Pink, Very Vanilla, and Sending Love Specialty Paper (from the Occasions Mini Catalog)

Accessories: Big Shot (still my favorite toy), Movers & Shapers with the Punch Windows die set, SU Exclusive Two Tags Die, Full Heart Punch, Scallop Border Punch, Crop-a-Dile, Real Red 1/4 inch Grosgrain Ribbon, Mini Glue Dots, Heart Treat Cups (available for a limited time - contact me now for details), and of course M & M's Cupid Mix (yum-o)

While browsing the Stampin' Up forums awhile back, I came across a link to alter these sweet treat cups a bit so you don't have to totally destroy the card to remove the candy. I am so sorry to say that I do not remember that link but, fortunately, I do remember how to alter the card. The trick is to punch the Pretty in Pink cardstock with the Full Heart Punch and then do the same with an identical piece of Very Vanilla cardstock. Insert the heart cup into the hole on the Pretty in Pink cs and then peel the backing strip from the treat cup edge and cover with the Very Vanilla. Punch the card with the Large Heart Punch Window die using the Movers & Shapers in your Big Shot machine. Mount the treat cup over the opening on your card base using a Mini Glue Dot in each corner. Cut two of the small tags on the Two Tag die - one Very Vanilla and the other from the Sending Love Specialty paper. Adhere the two tags together to use between the treat cup and the opening in the card. The inside of the card will look like this:

To dispense the candy, simply pull the tag to the right but make sure you hold your other hand behind the treat cup :)

I know it sounds a bit complicated, but trust me - once you have made one, it is a breeze. And it so nice to be able to save the card after your have enjoyed the treat! You can also purchase round treat cups as well and have a choice of another coordinating stamp set. All of the details are in the Occasions Mini Catalog on my Stampin' Up Website. Click here to visit me. You can see all of Stampin' Up's products and special offers on my page.

Well, I am still in design mode so I will post again tomorrow.

Thanks for stopping by and as always - Happy Stamping,

Laurie

Remember to get your mammogram!

Sale-a-Bration Fun

I just love it when Sale-a-Bration time is here. This year it even lasts longer!! From now through the end of March, you can earn FREE stamp sets from Stampin' Up. You can choose one each time you place $50 in orders, or if you host a workshop and have sales totaling $300, and if you sign up to be demonstrator during Sale-a-Bration you can choose ANY stamp set from the current catalogs for free - that's a $47.95 value! Plus you can even get started for 15% less. This is the best time of the year to start your own business. Visit my website at http://www.lauriesrubberroom.stampinup.net/ for all of the details.

Well, enough of the sales pitch - let's get down to the real business which is stamping! I am diligently trying to get my designs finished for my class this week and here is my latest creation:

To make this card, you will need:

Stamp Set: Whimsical Words (a Sale-a-Bration set you can get FREE)

Card Stock: Sage Shadow, Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Noveau Chic Designer Series Paper (I love this!), So Saffron Designer Series Paper

Ink: Basic Black

Accessories: Big Shot (my favorite toy), Polka Dot Embossing Folder, Wonderful Wings Embosslit, Mini Glue Dots, Scallop Border Punch

To make the medallion for this card, cut a 2 3/4 inch square of Very Vanilla. Center each side on the Scallop Border Punch and punch just once per side. Then you can "thread" the DSP through the sides. I wish this were totally my creation - but I cannot take the credit. I got the idea on Splitcoast Stampers. It is difficult to see the detail, but the black is embossed with polka dots and the butterflies have embossed details as well - so much cooler in person!! Someday when I can afford a Nikon camera, I will be able to post awesome pictures :)

Well, time to get back to the design table - so come back again and until then...

Happy Stamping,

Laurie

Remember to get your mammogram!

My First Entry - Woohoo!!

Hi everyone and welcome to "Laurie's Rubber Room". Most people who know me would no doubt agree that I need one but honestly, only when I need to do some rubber stamping to stop the world from making me crazy :)

Blogging is quite new to me so I hope you will be patient and come back often as I will be adding alot of stuff (once I figure out how to) that is part of my Stampin' Up business. I have been a demonstrator for about three years and I absolutely LOVE it !!! The company is wonderful and I have made many new friends through classes and events.

Speaking of classes, I have one that meets monthly at my home here in rural Central Michigan. I so enjoy my group of friends who come and stamp with me each month. We have a terrific evening of creativity and laughter.

This is one of the cards we recently made:

I used the following Stampin' Up products:

Stamp Set: Heard from the Heart, For All You Do

Cardstock: Bordering Blue, Kraft, Very Vanilla, Bella Bleu Designer Series Paper

Ink: Bordering Blue and Bordering Blue Marker

Accessories: Scallop Square Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

You would not believe what I had to go through to get this photo posted. Since I live in RURAL America, I have a dial-up network on my home computer. Thankfully, I recently purchased a laptop computer with wireless capability. After waiting patiently (at least part of the time) for over an hour at home waiting for the photo to upload, I gave up and drove 20 miles to town so I could hack into a wireless connection to do this. AMAZING difference in the amount of time to upload. I think it was actually finished in less than 1 minute!

But, it was worth it to be able to finally start posting on my blog. I anticipate this being alot of fun! So, I guess I should scoot back home and start making samples for my card class this Thursday. If you are in the Central Michigan area and are interested in attending, please contact me by noon on Thursday. Or, if you are from out of the area and would like to receive the stamped cards ready for you to put together, I would be happy to do that also.

The cost to attend is $10 or you can stamp for FREE with a minimum $15 order. If you just want the pre-stamped cards mailed to you, the cost is $15 which includes priority mailing. Each month we make 8 cards/projects. I will post some samples from this month's class over the next couple of days and remember this month a $50 order will also earn a FREE item from the Sale-a-Bration mini catalog.

Since I have not figured out how to add all of my buttons yet, you can visit my business website at http://www.crazy4stamps.stampinup.net/

Hope to see you again - check back often.

Happy Stamping,

Laurie