Best Friend Shadowbox Frame

My son has the most awesome best friend, second of course to his girlfriend...lol! His name is Bear and he will pretty much let Dan do whatever with him. He dresses him up with bandanas, hats, glasses, and whatever else he can find. And the pictures he takes are so cool. Everytime a new one gets posted on the facebook page, I save it so I can use it for future projects.

And that is what I did for my son's birthday present this year. They had spent a day in the park and Leah took the neatest pictures of them. I couldn't resist putting together a shadowbox frame of them. I love the way the scrapbook page turned out:






I know the focus is not the best on this....took the picture at night :( The colors are actually black, gray, and white. Everytime I see the two of them together, I can't help but think of the theme song from the TV show, The Courtship of Eddie's Father. Yeah, I know, I am giving you clues about my age...lol!! But, they are just so cute when they "high-five" each other and sit looking in the same direction :) The caption for the picture of Bear wearing his reading glasses was "Studious Bear." There is an entire collection of Bear pictures that will most likely become another project in my future......

The complete supply list:

Stamp Set: Morning Post Alphabet

Card Stock: Basic Black, Basic Gray, Whisper White, Neutrals Designer Series Paper

Ink: Basic Gray, Jet Black Stazon

Accessories: Big Shot, Apothecary Accents Framelits, My Digital Studio, Paper Piercing Tool and Mat, Essentials Paper Piercing Pack, Stampin' Dimensionals


I love using My Digital Studio for my journaling when I scrapbook. I have always had pretty neat penmanship, but...let's face it. If you make a mistake when you are writing, you have wasted the card stock. When I use My Digital Studio, it is so easy to choose a font, change the size to fit the shape I want, make corrections, and I just print it on Whisper White cardstock (or Very Vanilla) and have an awesome addition to my scrapbook page. Love it!!!!!

You can try it for 30 days FREE here. Download it and play with it.....I think you will love it, too. You can also purchase it on the site anytime during or after the trial period. The prices for the printed products have been changed to be more affordable for you and printing them through the program guarantees the colors will match the Stampin' Up family!!! I just printed a book with my Convention memories and it is amazing!! What a great way to create gifts, calendars, greeting cards, and so much more!

Well, it is good to be back :) Life has been so busy for me lately. I have enrolled in school full-time in the hopes of making a career change, so my spare time is severely limited right now! And I am enjoying some time with my parents who are visiting from California. We have had a great time and they will be going back home in a week :(  I miss them so much and am trying to spend as much time as I possibly can with them while they are here. Hopefully, I will be able to post a least once a week while I am in school and then get back to a regular schedule.

I hope you enjoyed the scrapbook page (which I did put into a shadowbox frame before I gave it to Dan....I know you were wondering about that :) ) and that it has inspired you to create a memory of your own. And, feel free to try out My Digital Studio...you won't be disappointed. 'Til next time..........

Happy Stamping,

Laurie

Remember to get your mammogram!

Spooktacular Project Kit

Well, Convention was all I hoped for and even more! I had so much fun and learned so much.

One thing we learned about was the Spooktacular offer this month for new demonstrators. Join my team during the month of August and you will receive an adorable printer's box project kit valued at $60. It includes the box, the stamp set, designers series papers and everything you need to complete the project. It would be a great way to display Halloween pictures to create a lasting memory and a terrific gift!

We got to see it up close and personal at Convention. here is the project:

I thought I took another one once they hung on the display board but I guess I didn't :(  But, you can also find a good picture of it here. It is just so doggone cute!!!

The best part is.....you even get to choose your own products in your starter kit, up to $125, for only $99!! What could be any better than that???  Why, being part of  "Laurie's INKredible Downline", of course..lol!! Yep, that's the new name of my team..and I would love to have you on it!

Well, I am working on some projects for upcoming classes. I am going full-swing beginning in September. I will post my calendar soon and will also offer all of my classes through the mail :)

So, check back soon. I will have my calendar ready next week :) 'Til next time.........,

Happy Stamping,

Laurie

Remember to get your mammogram!

Convention Swaps are done!!!

Wow!! I have been working diligently over the past few weeks to finish all of the cards I needed to make for convention! I signed up for 4 organized swaps. For 3 of them, I had to make 25 full cards and cut for 24 more. For the 4th swap, I had to make 81 card fronts. Needless to say, after making a total of 75 full cards, cutting for 72 more and then the 81 fronts, I don't think I will swapping any other than these :) I'm done....lol!

I might have done more if I would have had more time. But, I wanted to use new products on them to showcase some of the new accessories and stamp sets. After all, there are so many fun new things this year!! But, by doing that I limited myself to only about 5 weeks to work on them :) It's hard for me to start designing a card without everything in front of me. So, here they are:

For the first one, I used Blooming with Kindness, the Large Scallop Edgelit, and the Delicate Designs Embossing Folder. I LOVE all of the fantastic new things we have for the Big Shot (and there are even more in the Holiday Mini Catalog!).

The second one also has some Big Shot work :) On this one, I used the Fancy Fan embossing folder, but put the debossed side up and then made a flower-kind-of-thingy using the new Delicate Doilies Sizzlit. This is sooooo cool!! I am going to have a blast with it :)

On the third card, I used one of my favorite new sets, Everything Eleanor.  I fell in love with this set before I could ever preorder it when someone brought to Ronda Wade's Creative Escape in the spring. I guess they got it at Leadership in January. It is such an awesome stamp set! And I got it free for having recruits during Sale-a-Bration....even better!! I also used another new edgelit for the Big Shot called Finishing Touches. There are two of them in a set. The color doesn't come through quite as bright as it is in person...I used Calypso Coral, Basic Black, and Whisper White. I added a little bling by putting a rhinestone in the center of each flower.

For my 80+1 swap, I decided to do a Christmas card (mainly because that was the only Designer Series Paper I had enough of) since everyone is talking about "Christmas in July." And I knew demonstrators would be planning stamp-a-stacks (me included) in the upcoming months. And I just couldn't resist using the fabulous Open Sleigh stamp set. I love this! It just reminds me of an old-fashioned Christmas. And since this swap is not meant to be a "demonstrator WOW card", I could go with a simpler design that would work well for those Christmas events. 

Well, I am leaving on Tuesday for Convention and I am so excited!!! This is the first time for me and I don't really know when I will have another chance to go. I am traveling with a group of friends and we are all sharing a room :) We are really looking forward to learning lots and lots, getting free stamps, and hopefully even possibly getting a visit from the "Prize Patrol"......that would be awesome!!!

I am taking my camera and will try to post daily while I am in SLC. I can't wait to share this fun event with all of you :) And hopefully, some of you may even be there to enjoy it with me. 'Til next time............................

Happy Stamping,

Laurie

Remember to get your mammogram!

Free Flower Tutorial

As promised, I made another flower today and took some step-by-step photos. And since I honestly have no idea how to link this post to a pdf file, I am just going to add some photos and walk you through one :) Feel free to copy this post to a word document so you will have it for future use.

Step 1: Choose your cardstock and punch two images using the Blossom Punch. I chose Primrose Petals which in one of the gorgeous new In Colors for 2012-2014. You will be able to purchase these beginning June 1st. You will love them all, trust me!

Step 2: Using Paper Snips, or any pair of sharp scissors, cut a slit between two petals into the center of one of the blossoms. From the other, cut two of the petals completely off by snipping in towards the center of the flower:

Step 3: Use your bone folder to "curl" the cardstock the same way you would curl that narrow ribbon for gift packages. This will separate the fibers of the cardstock and make it soft and pliable:

Step 4: Add some Tombo All-Purpose Glue to one of the petals next to slit in the large blossom and overlap the petal next to it. Cut between each of the other petals in towards the center of the flower just to separate them a bit more so they will shape easier. Then add glue to the smaller flower and overlap the petals to form a 3-petal insert. Use your bone folder to shape an indention in the center of each flower:

Step 5: Using your bone folder, "curl" the petals toward the back of the flower on both pieces:

Step 6: Put a dab of Tombo glue in the center of the large flower and add the smaller flower to the center. Let it set to dry - about 5 to 10 minutes:

Step 7: Cut a small piece of Whisper White (I cut mine 1/2" x 3/4" but actually ended up cutting it down to 1/2" xd 5/8") and cut lots of narrow slits to make it look like grass: 

Step 8: Curl this piece around and "mash" the strips out and about. Glue it to the center of the flower and.......voila!!! :

I hope you like the flower. Feel free to copy and share with your friends :) It really is so easy and fun to make! And the possibilities for using it are endless! I actually have a small gazebo-style wooden birdhouse type thing that I am going to play around with and I will let you know how that turns out....

Well, I am off to work on my swap cards and planning for Convention. I can't wait to go and share everything I learn with you :) I know there is lots to come that you will thoroughly enjoy!!! The new catalog goes live on Friday, June 1st and it is AWESOME!!!! Lots of cool new stuff to play with....I love this time of year :)

So, enjoy the weather and keep smiling. 'Til next time.......................

Happy Stamping,

Laurie

Remember to get your mammogram!!

Mother's Day Shadow Box

Well, I did it. I registered for my very first Stampin' Up Convention. It may be my only chance to go so I took it :) I am so excited for the opportunity to learn and share with so many other stampers!!! I am signed up for 4 swaps and have to make a total of 245 cards and card fronts by the time I leave in July, but that just adds to the excitement :)

In the meantime, I thought I would share the project I did for my friend, Jackie. Her sister is a photographer and they did some photos of themselves and their daughters for a Mother's Day gift for Jackie and Jen's mom. They gave me an 8x10 photo and asked me to do a shadow box frame for them. The minute I saw the background, I knew exactly what colors I would use......Peach Parfait, Concord Crush (so sorry to see each of these leaving next week) and Basic Gray. I pulled out my punches and my Big Shot and after a week of planning and trial-and-error flowering making, this was the finished product that we added to a white shadow box frame:

I really wanted to make a Day Lily-type flower with the Peach Parfait, but no matter how I tried, I just couldn't get them to come out the way I had them pictured in my mind....very frustrating! So, I finally gave up trying and used that color for the roses. Then I started playing around with the Concord Crush and came up with a flower completely on my own (first time ever...woohoo!) I actually LOVE the way they turned out:

I used the Little Leaves Sizzlit to cut the leaves from Whisper White cardstock with my Big Shot (wait until you see all of the new accessories for this coming out in the new catalog next week!) and attached them with Mini Glue Dots. I used the Scallop Trim Border Punch on a wide strip of Whisper White layered with a strip of the Concord Crush Patterned Paper. I found the perfect little sentiment in God's Blessings (breaks my heart that this set is leaving) and stamped it on Whisper White with Concord Crush ink. I layered it with Concord Crush and then made a mat with Peach Parfait ran through the Big Shot with the Square Lattice Embossing Folder. I added the whole layered piece to the page using Stampin' Dimensionals:

Here is a closer view of the flower I created using the new Blossom Punch:

I am going to make another flower this weekend and I will post a step-by-step tutorial so you can make some of your own :) If anyone knows a flower that it resembles, please let me know so I can give it a name!!

The complete list of supplies:

Stamp Set: God's Blessings

Cardstock: Basic Gray, Concord Crush, Peach Parfait, Whisper White

Ink: Concord Crush

Accessories: Big Shot, Little Leaves Sizzlit, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Blossom Punch, Fancy Flower Punch, Tombo All-Purpose Glue, Mini Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals

I had so much fun creating this and Jackie's mom just loved it....making it all the more worthwhile. I have done several of these frames now and each time, I am inspired to create another. I just need to learn some different flowers and embellishments :) I know there are many talented people out there that are creating everyday so I am going to do some exploring for some fresh ideas this weekend.

I hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend and remember the reason we celebrate it. I pray daily for the men and women who serve in our military and for the families that are separated from while they serve overseas. God bless each and every one of you. 'Til next time....................

Happy Stamping,

Laurie

Remember to get your mammogram!



Back to Stamping

It has been a busy couple of months! Lots of things to take care of and now I am off for a much needed visit with my parents and family in San Diego. My niece is getting married on Saturday at the Disneyland Hotel :) How fun to get married at the "happiest place on earth"..lol!

I have my new camera charged and ready so you can bet I will be having some fun with scrapbooking :) Maybe I can conjur something up while I am playing in my mom's craft room next week to share with you.

I know it has been awhile since I have shared anything with you and I so appreciate your continued support. I have been making alot of adjustments in my life over the past couple months.

Jim and I would have been married 30 years this May and life is quite different with him gone. But, I am determined to make the most of my life and choose to face each day with a smile. And all of you are my inspiration to do just that!

So, look for some new projects coming soon :) I am anxious to get back to my stamp room and doing what I love best....creating and sharing with my friends!

Have a wonderful day and I will see you soon. 'Til next time............

Happy Stamping,

Laurie

Remember to get your mammogram!

Update on My Husband

I would like to thank all of you for your prayers and support through the past few months. It is with a heavy heart that I tell you Jim lost his battle with cancer this afternoon. He had such a difficult time over the past 6 months and his body just gave up. But, I have comfort in knowing that he is in a much better place and no longer having to endure the pain and diarrhea and the constant frustration of not feeling well.

We had so many things that we still wanted to do together and I miss him so much already. But, I am taking some much needed time with our son and will be back to stamping in the near future. Jim always enjoyed the cards and projects I make and I know he would want that to continue.

Thanks again for all of your prayers. I know they were answered because now he is at peace.

God Bless you all and thank you for being part of my life. 'Til next time..........................

Laurie

Simply Sent - Create and Keep

When I saw the new Simply Sent Kit in the Occasions Mini Catalog, I knew I had to get one just to see what it was like. Well, needless to say, I want more of them! This is the coolest little kit ever!! Inside the package, you will find everything you need to make 10 greeting cards, the envelopes to mail them in, as well as a box (complete with dividers) to store them in until you need them!! You don't even have to stamp anything - the die cuts that are included allow you to decorate your cards for all sorts of occasions. All that and they are cute, too :)

In the kit, you get the pre-cut and scored pieces to assemble this box:



I used Sticky Strip to put mine together - that or Tombo multi-pupose glue is recommended. I hate "drying time" so I chose the quicker method :) I was too anxious to see how cute it was! You also receive four divider cards and on the die cut sheet, there are little stickers to put on the tabs. You can choose the ones with titles printed (like I did) or you can use the blank ones for you own occasions:



The color combination is awesome - Pear Pizzazz, Daffodil Delight, Calypso Coral, Pool Party and Early Espresso. The envelopes are Pear Pizzazz and have a cute little label to add a name or address to on the back and an adorable tab closure:



I know, I know - where are the cards?????? Well, here are the first five. You get 2 each of the five different colors and all of the die cuts coordinate. The fun is in putting them together - no two sets ever have to be the same :) I love these peel-and-stick little beauties:



There is such a diverse collection of sentiments - "Thinking of You", "Thanks", "Happy Birthday", "Hi", "Congrats", and "For You". I love that you have such great choices - something for all occasions:



The complete list of supplies:

Accessories: Simply Sent Kit - Create and Keep, Sticky Strip

How simple is that supply list!? I love it!!! The best part is that you can get all 10 cards with envelopes and the box with dividers for under $15 (plus shipping and tax). Yes, you heard correctly - it is only $14.95!! How great is that???

This would make a great gift for someone who enjoys sending cards to friends and family. And I think it would make a fantastic class (for all you demonstrators out there)! I know I certainly intend to have one. This goes together so quickly and is super easy!! I have friends who suffer with arthritis and sometimes it is just too painful to stamp. With this kit, they could still make beautiful hand-made cards with ease. And, it is great for kids, too, because you don't have to worry about "inky fingers" touching everything..lol!!

The possibilities are endless with this little kit. I can't wait to get some more of them. I think it would be fun to "step up" the cards by adding some ribbon, buttons, and brads. Hopefully this will not be the only kit we see like this - I intend to ask for more :)

Thanks so much for stopping by today. I am so happy to be back. I don't get to stamp everyday, but I do it every chance I get and hope to share again very soon. I am loving all of the new things and can't wait to show you more. 'Til next time..............................

Happy Stamping,

Laurie

Remember to get your mammogram!

Non-Traditional Valentine Love

I absolutely love the color combination in the Twitterpated Designer Series Paper in the new Occasions Mini Catalog! And even though, I love it, it's still fun to change it up a bit :) So, that's what I decided to do for my first Valentine's Day card. I chose the page that has all of the pretty little flowers all over it and then laid out the other colors. But, I just happened to have a scrap of Pink Pirouette on my stamping table and laid it against the Island Indigo....you guessed it - LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT!!! I will be putting these two together alot from now on :)

Anyway, I had just gotten Valentine Love in the order my hubby got me for Christmas so I decided to try a little "non-traditional" Valentine's Day Card. This is how it turned out:

I colored the inside portion of the heart image (it has a vine around it on the stamp) with my Blushing Bride Marker and stamped it. Then I used the sentiment and stamped over the heart with Riding Hood Red ink. I punched it out with the Full Heart Punch and then layered it onto a piece of Island Indigo cut with the Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslit. I attached it with a dimensional to make it "pop." And, I love how it just gives a very small scalloped border around the punched heart:

The complete list of supplies:

Stamp Set: Valentine Love

Cardstock: Island Indigo, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White, Twitterpated Designer Series Paper

Ink: Riding Hood Red

Accessories: Big Shot, Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslit, Blushing Bride Marker, Stampin' Dimensionals, Blushing Bride Pleated Ribbon

I also used the marker to color the row of hearts along the bottom of the piece of Pink Pirouette cardstock. It gave the hearts more "texture" than just using the ink pad. And, don't you just adore that pleated ribbon!!? It is available in 4 colors - all coordinate with this Designer Series Paper. It is so soft and actually very easy to work with. But, it does work best if you just add it as a flat layer and don't wrap it around behind. Gets a bit bulky if you do.

Thank you so much for stopping by today and for your continued support through my absence. I appreciate you all so much and love the opportunity to share my ideas with you :) 'Til next time.........................

Happy Stamping,

Laurie

Remember to get your mammogram!

Apothecary Art and new Framelits

Wow! My life has been so crazy lately! But, I finally got some time to stamp this weekend and play with all of my new "toys" from the Occasions Mini Catalog and my Sale-a-Bration preorder. Can you say, "OH MY GOODNESS!!!"? I am having sooooo much fun! I knew I had to do my very first card using the awesome new Framelits....LOVE these!!! I have been waiting a long time for Stampin' Up to come out with something like this - they are amazing!

And the best part is the coordinating stamp set.....Apothecary Art. The images in this set fit perfectly with the Labels Collection Framelits. It was difficult to choose which image to use first, but I finally chose this one:



I love the way the floral image is mirrored on opposite sides of the banner. I colored the image with markers. I stamped an extra image and cut the banner from the second one, then stamped the words and colored the edge before attaching it with dimensionals. Then I added a special touch with some pearls and attached the entire label with dimensionals:



The final touch was one of the fabulous new hat pins. I think they are very cool on a project that looks vintage. I attached the seam binding and lace trim as flat pieces to the card first and then tied separate bows of each. I stuck the hat pin through the knots to join them and then threaded the body of the pin behind the large portion of the label. It just laid there so nice. I didn't even have to use glue dots or anything to attach the bows. But, I did decide to put one on the back of the lace bow just for added support.



The complete list of supplies:

Stamp Set: Apothecary Art

Cardstock: Lucky Limeade, Pool Party, Very Vanilla, Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper

Ink: Basic Gray, Lucky Limeade

Accessories: Big Shot, Labels Collection Framelits, Basic Pearls, Pool Party 1/2-inch Seam Binding, Victoria Lace Trim, Hat Pin, Pool Party and Lucky Limeade Markers, Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots

I just love the way this turned out! The framelits are my absolute favorite new accessory for my Big Shot! I can't wait to try the Hearts Collection, too. They are just tooo fun!! I sure hope you don't get sick and tired of seeing them over the next few months..lol :) And, I promise that you will see them alot. I must say that I will be quite disappointed if this stamp set doesn't make it into the new catalog in July. The images are gorgeous! And they are wonderful for the vintage style that I have grown to love so much.

Update on the homefront....Things are progressing rather slowly with Jim's treatment. They have stopped all chemotherapy because he has had some pretty severe side effects for several months now. His in the hospital right now and they are working hard to get things under control. But, it just seems like he takes one step forward and two steps back. I thank God every day for my friends and family and all of your support and prayers. And having time to stamp gives me a much needed break from the craziness and frustration. So, I hope you will all hang in there with me this year. I know it will get better! "Til next time..............................,

Happy Stamping,

Laurie

Remember to get your mammogram!