UStamp Year-End Blowout Project

My project is featured on the newest UStamp With Dawn and Friends event today so I can finally share it with all of you :) This one was a little involved but once everything was cut it went together rather quickly.

This event is an "anything goes" for the projects and we are using some of the wonderful new products coming out with the Occassions Mini Catalog on Tuesday. I used one of the darling new stamp sets and this wonderful Springtime Vintage Designer Series Paper. I just LOVE this!!! All of the prints in this pack are amazing! And there is so much in the mini that coodinates with it - I can't wait to share it all!!!! But, according to SU rules I have to wait :( But be prepared for the weeks to come - you will see lots :)

For my project, I made a little springtime basket that holds 2 "cupcakes" made from cardstock and the wonderful new fabric. I also made a matching card with envelope:





The basket was so fun to make. I used a wooden basket I had given my mom as inspiration.

I used the "Easter Blossoms" stamp set to make the card and envelope:

Everyone is making these sweet little cupcakes so I thought I would give them a try:

I "hinged" the lid and added something extra sweet to the inside:

I can't tell you exactly how I made these but if you would like the tutorial for them along with 39 other AMAZING projects, head on over to UStamp With Dawn and Friends and purchase the Year-End Blowout. It is just getting started and there are some very cool projects yet to come :)

Thanks for stopping by today and have a safe and happy New Year!!! 'Til next time......................

Happy Stamping,

Laurie

Remember to get your mammogram!

Happy Birthday - Stampin' Up Style

I held my very first Stampin' Up Birthday Party today and it was the most fun ever!!! It was attended by 4 young ladies and 2 of the moms. We had so much fun. First, we decorated lunch box tins and then we made four cards.

The girls all worked very diligently and were quite particular when it came to stamping straight and putting things together just so :)





They really like the fact that Stampin' Up has a full line of Build-a-Bear products. They are all Girl Scouts and have a real-life BAB so they had fun making a friendship card with our little girl bear.




When we were all finished, the girls posed with their lunch box tins (each with a monogram) filled with their completed cards:






Here is a closer look at Jessica, the birthday girl, and her tin of cards:





And like any group of teenage girls, they also had some crazy fun :) One of Jessica's gifts was a Silicone Cupcake Cake Pan. All of the pieces made adorable hats - even the box :)





This was so much fun!!! I hope I have the opportunity to do another party like this. It was so great to havesee some young people loving stamping. And they were such a great bunch of kids to work and have fun with :)

I will post the cards we made over the next few days as I am designing for my January card class. They were all quick and easy and the girls just loved them :)

Thanks for stopping by today and have a wonderful New Year!! I am really looking forward to 2011 and all that it will bring. 'Til next time.................

Happy Stamping,

Laurie

Remember to get your mammogram!

Countryside

This month for my card class, I wanted to do something masculine. With all of the flowery, frilly stamp sets that Stampin' Up sells, I tend to forget about those guys out there who also appreciate an occasional hand-made card.

I just got the Countryside stamp set because I knew my hubby and my dad would both love the old truck image. So, I decided to do an all-occasion card using it for my class. This is how it turned out:

The complete list of supplies:

Stamp Set: Countryside

Cardstock: Night of Navy, Very Vanilla

Ink: Night of Navy

Accessories: Big Shot with Square Lattice Impressions Folder, Night of Navy 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals

This card was very CAS (cute and simple) to make and yet it would be great for that "special man" in your life for any occasion. I didn't use a sentiment for this so it could be used for anything :) Of course, it you wanted to, you could watercolor the truck or color it with markers, or even use the pastels to add color. That is what I love about this set. It looks great just simply stamped or detailed. Love it!

I know many of you are busy with your families this time of the year. I am away from my hubby and son but am able to spend Christmas with my parents and younger brother and his family. It is very different for us this year but hopefully, we will be back together soon. I hope all of you have a wonderful Christmas season!! Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by here and sharing with me. 'Til next time.....................

Happy Stamping,

Laurie

Remember to get your mammogram!

Good Cheer

I have been a crafter for many years. I used to sell wood and cloths projects to stores and other crafters who traveled around doing craft shows. One of my favorite projects was always "Father Christmas." I love Santa and have always required my household to believe in him and the spirit of giving - but when it comes to crafting, I always preferred the "vintage" look of the old world Santa.

So, needless to say, the Good Cheer stamp set was definitely added to my wish list :) And now, I finally have it. I had to make a card with it so I decided to do this with my downline at our meeting this month:





The complete list of supplies:

Stamp Set: Good Cheer

Cardstock: Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso, Naturals Ivory

Ink: Jet Black Stazon, Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler, Soft Suede

Accessories: Blender Pens, Antique Brads, Victoria Lace Trim, Stampin' Dimensionals, Ticket Corner Punch, Paper Piercing Tool and Mat

The vintage accessories Stampin' Up carries are perfect to use with this stamp set. We squeezed the ink pads to put ink on the lid and then used blender pens to add the color to the image. I wanted to have a softer look than I would have gotten with markers. The brad was the best finishing touch!! This card was actually pretty quick and easy to do - definitely one that could be done in a stamp-a-stack. Hopefully this set will still be around next year :)

Thanks for stopping by today and allowing me to share with you again :) 'Til next time..............

Happy Stamping,

Laurie

Remember to get your mammogram!

Sock Monkey Birthday

When I was little, I remember my mom making a doll for me out my dad's work socks. Well, actually it was a monkey. All of the directions for making these cute little guys were printed on the paper band wrapped around the pair of socks. I think every child had one of these - at least all of my friends did :) And we would play for hours with our monkeys!

So, when the Sock Monkey stamp set was released by Stampin' Up, I knew eventually it would end up in my craft room. And, that time has arrived (thanks to Sherrill Graff). I chose the Sock Monkey and all of his accessories in my contest order from Sherrill. I have been "dying" to use him. So, for card class this month, I created this:

The complete list of supplies:

Stamp Set: Sock Monkey, Heard From The Heart

Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Real Red, Very Vanilla

Ink: Jet Black Stazon, Early Espresso

Accessories: Real Red 1/8-inch Taffeta Ribbon, Mini Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals, Markers - Chocolate Chip, Daffodil Delight, Real Red, 3/16-inch Corner Rounder Punch

I stamped the cupcake and his party hat on scraps of Very Vanilla cardstock and then colored them before cutting them out. I attached the hat and his bow with a glue dot and the cupcake with a dimensional.

I absolutely love this little monkey. He is perfect for a child's birthday or for anyone who grew up playing with a sock monkey doll. And he is just plain fun!! I can't wait to put him in his little wagon and give him a bunch of bananas,.......LOL! What a fun way to be a kid again :) He will look so cute dressed up for Christmas - be sure to watch for him soon.

Thanks for stopping by today. If you grew up with a sock monkey doll, I hope this card brought back some cherished childhood memories for you, too. 'Til next time.....................

Happy Stamping,

Laurie

Remember to get your mammogram!

Kimono Kids and Another Sneak Peek

When I first saw the Kimono Kids stamp set in the Idea Book & Catalog, I was thought it was cute but wasn't sure I would use it enough to warrant the purchase. But, when I saw some projects done with it in one of the UStamp events, I was hooked! So, needless to say, I had to get it :)

This month in my card class, I decided to start my customers looking toward Spring. I know, it isn't even Christmas yet, but the Occasions Mini goes live the first week in January so I thought I would get an early start. And I was dying to use this new stamp set!! (Thanks, Dawn :) )

I knew these little kimonos would have to be bright so I dug out my color coach and picked out my color combo - a new favorite, I might add - and ended up with this:




The complete list of supplies:

Stamp Set: Kimono Kids

Cardstock: Certainly Celery, Melon Mambo, Pacific Point, Whisper White

Ink: Pacific Point, Jet Black Stazon

Accessories: Big Shot with Framed Tulips Embossing Folder, Movers & Shapers Bigz XL and Punch Windows die set, Stampin' Dimensionals, Modern Label Punch, Markers - Certainly Celery, Melon Mambo, Pacific Point and Basic Black

I used the Movers & Shapers die with the Modern Label Punch Window die to cut the layer for the label with the Big Shot (don't know how I ever made cards without this!). The Framed Tulips Embossing Folder is another one of the great products coming your way in the new Occasions Mini Catalog next month :) It is just too cool!! Gonna be another fave!! LOL! Like I don't have enough of those already :)

Aren't these two little girls too sweet? I found that when stamping them, their hair comes a bit light in spots so I used the Basic Black Marker to make it darker. I wanted that part of the image to have good solid color. I love this sentiment - so true sometimes :) I love my relatives but nothing beats a good friend!! And you know who you are......

Thanks so much for stopping by today and sharing another sneak peek with me :) 'Til next time...................

Happy Stamping,

Laurie

Remember to get your mammogram!

A Word for You - Sneak Peek

I love preorder months!!! And December is one of those months. This is only one of the perks of being a Stampin' Up demonstrator. The new Occasions Mini Catalog period starts January 4th so many of us are trying some new products this month so we can help you choose them once that mini catalog goes live :) Trust me, you are going to love this one!!! From Valentine's Day to Father's Day and every "day" in between, it has a product you will want - at least, I want them all !! To those of you who know me, this is no great surprise - LOL!!

Seriously, though, there are some AMAZING new products headed your way. I wish I could show you everything, but the most I can do right now is give a little peek at some projects done with those products. So, I tried out the new Fun Flowers die for the Big Shot and a couple of other new products for this:




These flowers truly are FUN!! There is actually one more style of flower on the die but I just used the largest and smallest ones for this card. And do you LOVE that DSP????? Oh my gosh, in person it is to die for!!!! I honestly cannot find one sheet of this that I will not use over and over - absolutely stunning! I will most likely have to purchase at least one package per month just so I have plenty on hand :) It is called Springtime Vintage and can be used for Easter, Mother's Day, birthdays, anniversaries, and the list goes on.........can't get enough of this one. To give the flower that little vintage flair, I sponged the edges with Not Quite Navy ink before I assembled it:




The complete list of supplies:

Stamp Set: A Word for You

Cardstock: Not Quite Navy, Pear Pizzazz, Confetti Cream

Ink: Not Quite Navy

Accessories: Pear Pizzazz 1/2-inch Seam Binding, Neutrals 5/8-inch Brads, Stampin' Sponges, Stampin' Dimensionals, Paper Piercing Tool and Mat, Bone Folder, Scallop Trim Corner Punch

I used the paper piercing tool and mat to punch a hole in the center of the two flower layers and attached them together with a brad. Then I curled the petals of the flowers up using the bone folder (just like you use a scissor blade to curl ribbon) and then attached the flower to the card with a dimensional. It adds a little more dimension to your flower. I stamped the sentiment with Not Quite Navy ink and then attached it also with dimensionals. I used the Scallop Trim Corner Punch because this paper has a bit of a Victorian Vintage feel so I wanted to "fancy up my card" a bit to match the theme :)

I cannot wait until you can all see this in person!! The picture just does not do this paper justice - it is gorgeous!! And did you notice the "leaves" on the flower? They are actually made by attaching the new Pear Pizzazz Seam Binding on the back of the flower. I just pushed it right onto the prongs of the brad while they were still closed, looped it twice pushing it over the prongs each time. So simple and a very different way to add your "leaves". I love that Seam Binding - it is super easy to work with!! If you would like an Occasion Mini Catalog of your own, please contact me and I will get one to you. I would love to be your demonstrator. Or you will be able to view it in my Online Store beginning January 4th.

Thanks so much for stopping by today and sharing my little sneak peek at the Occasions Mini. As always, I welcome your comments :) 'Til next time...................

Happy Stamping,

Laurie

Remember to get your mammogram!

Simple Thank You Card

Wow!! Life just seems to have a taken a turn for crazy lately :) After Thanksgiving, I spent some much needed time with a friend I have known "forever" and thoroughly enjoy her company!! She and I spent a day with our moms having lunch and shopping at a little place a bit north of here called Canterbury Gardens. Such a cool little shop that right now is like a miniature version of Bronner's Christmas Store back home in Michigan. Wonderful way to spend a day :)

Then I caught my dad's cold (thank goodness I am over that now) and just when I thought I could finally start designing for my December card class, I started getting calls for substitute teaching!!! I guess it is true - when it rains, it pours :) Don't get me wrong - I am so grateful for the opportunity to finally get some work. And I love working with kids so this has been a double blessing!! Right now I am working mornings at a school as a "working interview" for a Teacher's Assistant position. Hopefully, something good will happen with that. In the meantime, I have applied for a couple of other part-time positions so I could do the school and something else. One of them is absolutely my dream job - working with the Leukemia & Lyphoma Society. So, keep your fingers crossed for me and if you pray, please say an extra one for me :)

So, back to stamping :) Not that this part of my life has been any calmer lately. During the recent Starter Kit offer I picked up 2 more members of my team - welcome Kathy and Lauren. They joined Elena, June, and I for the downline meeting this month along with June's new recruit, Joni (who just happens to be that friend I told you about). My team is really growing and I am so excited!!!! I am really looking forward to a wonderful year in 2011!!! Then, it was like Christmas here this week when my huge order from Sherrill Graff came on Monday and my Occasions Mini preorder arrived yesterday :) I could hardly contain myself this week!!!! But, I finally got all calmed down and back to work - good thing since my card class is Saturday :)

I have decided to try to use some colors that have been hidden away for awhile. So, I used one of my new stamps and a couple of my favorite "springy" colors to come up with this:





The complete list of supplies:

Stamp Set: Elizabeth, Just Believe

Cardstock: Pink Pirouette, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White

Ink: Tempting Turquoise

Accessories: Big Shot with Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Large Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Whisper White Organza Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals

This is one of those quick and easy cards that we all just love!! I have never used this color combination before but I will definitely use it again. Coming up with a color combo for the UStamp events has inspired me to try to change things up now and then and step out of my comfort zone. I am glad for that inspiration. We all have our favorite colors and tend to pretty much focus our projects with just those colors. I love this new combo :) Pink Pirouette is such a soft pastel pink and Tempting Turquoise just makes it POP!! LOVE IT !! :) This will be great for spring and I was thinking it would be wonderful for a baby girl card - don't you?? And this stamp set - Elizabeth. I have wanted this for so long - thank you Sherrill - it is one of the single stamps and is just gorgeous!!! I added the sentiment from Just Believe with dimensionals to set them off!

Well, I still have 6 cards to design for Saturday, a tutorial to finish, my project for the next UStamp to complete, plus I am sure there is something I am forgetting - LOL!! So, I guess it is time to stop talking and start working!!!

Thanks so much for coming by today and not giving up on me totally - I know it's been awhile since my last post :) 'Til next time...............................

Happy Stamping,

Laurie

Remember to get your mammogram!!