Swell News

Hello! This is for My Favorite Things Wednesday Sketch Challenge. I used the set She's Having a Baby. While I was going through my piles of stuff over the weekend I found this little stash from Making Memories Chloe's Closet...so sweet. The dress is paper pieced from a little piece of Basic Grey paper I had. I wonder how long it would take me to use up all the little pieces of paper I have?
Last year, I designed this notebook because I was using an old regular address book to keep track of online passwords and websites. Surely I could make something better than this, I thought. I used a Print Shop program to make the inside pages.

The outside pages (5 1/2 x 8 1/2) are made from 12 x 12 sheets of whatever scrapbook paper I have laying around. I have the outside pages laminated for durability and then use a Bind it All to hold it all together.

The sticky note holder is made from left over paper and cut to 3 1/2 x 3 1/4 in. and then also laminated. I have given so many of these as gifts... really fun.

If you are absolutely head over heals excited to try one of these, I can send you the file for the inside pages. They just won't have the alphabet index on top. I'm not sure if you could add that to the pdf that I am sharing, but you could certainly hand write it or stamp it! Just send an email and I will get the file sent right off! (tlckc1@msn.com)

If you don't want to bother to make one, you can always take a look at the collection I have on Etsy :)

Thanks so much for stamping by today!

Laura~

Trick or Treat

Today my kids went back to school. My boy, Chris, started his sophomore year and my daughter, Katelyn, is now in 7th grade. Whew! Back to school for me is the official start of fall. Over the weekend I did a clean sweep (have you seen that show?) in my studio. I still have a few things to put away, but I'll take a picture when it's done:) FYI, if anyone is interested I have listed an almost brand new Spellbinder Die Cutting Machine in my Etsy shop for just $15 plus $10 shipping :)
I put all my Halloween stuff together and was really anxious to play with it. I used the new sketch from Mojo Monday. This stamp image is from American Art Stamps. I colored the adorable witch with watercolor pencils and a blender pen.

Thanks so much for stamping by today!

Laura~

We Grow Great by Dreams

Hello! This is for the SCS Sketch Challenge today. The stamps are SU! Dreams du Jour and the paper is from K&Co. the ancestry.com stack. I stamped the image 2 times so that I could cut an extra flower for dimension.

The vellum die cut is from My Favorite Things and the hardware is SU! hodgepodge.
Thanks so much for stamping by today!
Laura~

Get Your Freak On!

I love this sentiment for Halloween from My Favorite Things Fright Night set. I am playing along with the MFT Sketch Challenge for this card and the SCS challenge to use VersaMark. I used it on the spiderweb and spider to emboss it with clear embossing powder. I don't have black ep so I stamped the image first with VersaMark and then stamped it with Memento Tuxedo Black. Don't do it the other way around or you will mess up your VersaMark pad. I colored the witch with Copic markers.
I have had this stamp from The Cat's Pajamas for yeeaarrrs, I am embarrassed to say. Anyway, I was just aching to use it so here you go.

I used Crystal Effects on the floaty to give it some dimension. This card makes me smile and want to go hang out at the pool with a cocktail. Anyone want to join me :)

Have an amazing day. Thanks for stamping by.

Laura

Love Potion #9

I got new stamps in the mail yesterday so I refrained from using the Tim Holtz stuff I still have out on my desk :) This is for the SCS sketch challenge346 . The stamps are from Artistic Outpost. I love the vintage Halloween look. The papers are all from my stash that I am slowly going through. I embossed the Love Potion and the Witch's Potion labels for a little dimension and pretty heavily distressed the rest. I stamped the bottle onto cream cs and colored it with Copic markers.

Thanks so much for stamping by today!

Laura

Shabby Angel

Hi! I used Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge for this card featuring an Angel from American Art Stamps and the new line of paper from Basic Grey called Porcelain, yummmm.

I stamped the image on white PTI Cardstock and colored it with watercolor pencils and a blender pen. Not much more to tell about this card so I hope you have a wonderful day!

Thanks for stamping by!

Hi there!

Did you miss me? I have been in a self imposed exile. I have had some family in town and got a cold on top of that, but I am back and have some fun things to share.

This is for today's sketch challenge on SCS. I am using the brand new line from Imaginisce called Summer Cool, and it is in stock at PaperAddiction.com, woohooo!!! This was a really easy card to put together. I stamped the flower 3 times and colored it with watercolor pencils and a blender pen and then stamped over the top with the SU! sanded background with Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink.

I had an absolute blast at CHA and will post a few pics in the next few days:)

Thanks for stamping by!

Birthday Monsters

Hi! First, I want to thank you all for your comments the last few days, I really appreciate them:)
This card is for 2 challenges, SCS sketch and the Way to Use It (incorporate stars into the design).

I remembered that this too stinkin' cute set from October Afternoon called Night Light has a little star stamp, ohhh. My nephew's birthday is in a few week's and I thought the monsters would be perfect for him. For the background dp and the monster on the right I used paper we just got in stock from October Afternoon's Daydream collection. To make the cutout circles on the image panels I just used the bigger hole on my Crop-a-Dile and added the teal background paper behind it and then added some inking with Cat's Eye colorbox chalk. The clip is one I pulled out from my stash and the ribbon is from the store. Are you ever in need of the PERFECT word bubble? Check out this set called Comic Bubbles from October Afternoon. I consider this set a sort of staple item.

If you *heart* the monster set like I do, go grab it. There are only 4 left in stock and we are not ordering more, be sure to check out the Night Light Paper pack while you're at it. The Bittersweet line from Basic Grey went fast!!! We do have 4 6x6 pads left in stock. We are going to order more, but if you don't want to wait, snatch up what's left:)

Thanks for stamping by today~

Hello

Hi! Today you will see the extent of my fickleness. It is officially cold in Las Vegas (lightly snowing as I write this) and I am longing for spring. As I mentioned yesterday Michelle (flaxychick) came up with this fun 4x4 folded card sketch. I used a Karen Stopler image I just got.

I used a 12x12 piece of Bazzil paper and added this fresh green print from October Afternoon Night Light Collection.

I stamp the image with Rich Cocoa Memento ink and colored with watercolor pencils and a blender pen. The sentiment and additional flower images are Studio G stamps I am absolutely addicted to collecting at Michaels. Do you have the same problem? I added Crystal Ice Stickles to the waterdroplets and flower for a pretty shimmer. The keyword for Michelle's sketch is TCCSK.

One more thing, my friend Carrie of My Little Stamp Shack is having an amazing sale, lots of stamps 40% off.

Thanks so much for stamping by today~

Warm Wishes

Hi! Isn't this the cutest image from The Cat's Pajamas!?. I played along with this week's TCP challenge which was to use Red, Green and Lt. Blue and Jen Del Muro's SFYTT.

I colored the image with Copic Markers and added lots of stickles to this card for added shimmer.

So how are you coming along with your Christamas preparations? I am not doing very well:( I have crossed a few things off my list, but have not gone shopping at all. I am getting some Christmas cards done...one at time, lol!!

Thanks so much for stamping by today!~

Chillin'

Hi! As promised, here is my card for this week's My Favorite Things Who's That Girl Challenge. The featured stamp set this week is Baby It's Cold Outside. I used some paper from My Mind's Eye for the color inspirations and went from there. The image is stamped with Rich Cocoa Memento ink colored with watercolor pencils and a blender pen. It was very cloudy here today so I couldn't capture the pretty look of the Stickles (20% off this week at PaperAddiction.com) I used on the ground.
The ribbon doesn't look like it matches in this photo, but I assure you it does in real life:) Thanks so much for stamping by!

Peace and Christmas Decorations

Hi! I don't know where the time is going, but it's going. I worked a little at my LSS last week in the store and I had a class. I need to throw a shout out to Marko. His mom has taken a couple of my classes and he likes to check out my blog. Thanks you guys, that makes me happy:)


I am going to share a little known secret...I am married to Clark Griswold. Yes, this is my house which was decorated yesterday. He has been decorating our house like this (some years even more) since we moved in 9 years ago. He has won the neighborhood lighting contest at least 6 times (there are 2000 homes in our community:) I can't vacuum the house when all the lights are on 'cause I blow the breaker box.
That's my daughter with a new acquisition.

I have to make sure our insurance policy is up to date around this time every year.

Well, on to a card. I did this for the PaperCraftPlanet.com sketch challenge from 12/6/08. I got brand new stamps from the Cat's Pajamas this week and had to ink them up. I love the elegance of this card. The Cuttlebugged panel was done with heavy vellum. I used clear ep for the reindeer, poinsettias and the sentiment.

I will be back in just a little bit with another post for My Favorite Things Who's That Girl Challenge. Thanks so much for stamping by!

Baby It's Cold Outside

Hi! Let me just start off my saying that I have not stepped foot in a single store except for Michaels to get something essential for finishing a super secret project. It's not that secret, but I do have to wait until Monday to show it to you...think new stamps from My Favorite Things. I can't wait to hear what you think of this project. If you are wondering why I don't shop on this weekend it's because I have a hard time with crowded places. I wouldn't call it a phobia, more of a very short temper:) KWIM. Do you feel like that, or do you thrive on the thrill of the hunt?


I haven't had a chance to play in the challenges going on at PaperCraftPlanet, but today was the day! I played their sketch challenge and day 2 of the 12 Days of Christmas challenge, use a bird or reptile(?) hey, I don't make up the challenges, I just play 'em. I hope a penguin counts as a bird (I need to get out of my studio a little more:). I used this super cute penguin from The Cat's Pajamas. I stamped him in brown and Pomegranate embossed the brown one and added a little color to the hat and trimmed it. The same with the sign. I added Liquid Pearls for the snow. The paper is of course from PaperAddiction.com, from The Basic Grey Line, Wassail. FYI, those adorable mini suitcases are back in stock, just in time for unique gift giving.

Thanks so much for stamping by!

Chillin'

Happy Thanksgiving if you are stopping by today! I made this card yesterday, but couldn't get a good picture. This is for the sketch challenge and the What's up Wednesday for My Favorite Things. The challenge was to use some kind of water element. I am hoping that snow counts, but if it doesn't I went with my favorite coloring medium, watercolor pencils and a blender pen.



I used paper and buttons from the Basic Grey, Wassail line. We are having a sale starting tomorrow so be sure to check back.



I am not usually so together this early for Thanksgiving so I thought I would share before my guests arrive. This is my fabulous dining room table with my lovely dishes. Isn't it fun getting the table all dressed up. These are my everyday dishes. I don't believe in only pulling out your good stuff for a special occasion, everyday is a special occasion in my opinion:) That being said I don't pull out the chargers everyday because they don't fit in my dishwasher and I don't like doing dishes:(

This is the view of my dining room from my studio. Pretty cool, huh! That painting is one we got about 5 years ago, it was a Christmas present for me from my wonderful husband. I just love this artist. His name is Thomas Arvid. After we bought the painting we had the pleasure of meeting him. He turned out to be an absolutely cool, down to earth guy.

So what do you think, am I sharing too much today? I do want to wish all of you a happy Thanksgiving. I am grateful you stamped by today:)

Warm Wishes

Hi! I am sending Warm Wishes to all of you who are getting snow and cold weather:) Aren't these snowmen from My Favorite Things just adorable. They are out of stock right now, but are expected back in shortly.

The paper from the Scenic Route Garland line is available today at PaperAddiction for 10% off. You know you want it:). I stamped the image with Brown Memento ink on watercolor paper and added the brown shading with a brown watercolor pencil and a blender pen. I then did the cracked glass technique. You emboss the entire image 3 times with clear embossing powder and then put it in the freezer for a few minutes and then bend it to crack. So what do you think?

Happy Halloween, thanks for stamping by!

Cool Yule

Hi! I am being like retail stores today and not even waiting until Halloween is over to bring out the Christmas stuff:) The first card is for this week's The Cat's Pajamas Challenge, a really fun sketch from Leigh. I wanted to use this fabulous paper from Scenic Route available this week at a 10% discount at Paper Addiction.

I love this Poochie image because there isn't much to do once he is stamped. I added some Fruit Punch stickles to his scarf and some Liquid Pearls to the chimney for snow.

This card is for today's SCS Sketch Challenge. I used the same paper line (since it was on my desk:) and used the stamps also from Scenic Route. I colored the ornaments with watercoloring pencils and a blender pen and covered them with Crystal Effects.

I did get some baking done yesterday and am going downstairs to put some fun Trick or Treat baskets together for some of my friends. I am so excited for Halloween, boo!

Thanks for stamping by!

So many challenges..so little time:(

Hi! I can't believe I haven't posted since Sunday, arrrggghhh. Rest assured dear blog readers that I have been VERY busy. Since last Thursday I have taught 3 classes and cut countless amounts of paper and have been busy checking in brand new product at Paper Addiction. It has been fun, fun, fun, but I miss blogging and making new stuff.

I combined the color and sketch challenge from SCS this week for this adorable card. The image is from Pink Cat Studio and my fabulous blogging friend and Little Stamp Shack owner, Carrie, has this adorable stamp and everything else in her store on sale right now for 25-35% off. This stamp is currently out of stock, but she has a waiting list:)

I stamped the image on PTI white CS with Memento Rich Cocoa ink and colored her with my Copic markers. To mimic the dots from the decorative paper I used the Copics to make little circles and then traced around them with the fine tip of the brown SU! marker. I added Fruit Punch Stickles to her collar and Liquid Pearls to her hat. What do you think?

As I mentioned, there is lots of new inventory at Paper Addicition, whoohoo. The DP is from the Garland line from Scenic Route, go check it out!

Thanks so much for stamping by!
Laura

Eek!

Hi! I had such a hard time trying to decide which image to use, the owl or the spider that I just went with one of each. These are from the October Afternoon set called Beware the Spooks, I only have one left in stock (it's sold now) so you might want to grab it while you can. Check out Michelle's new box template while you're there. It's free with any purchase!

These cards were so easy, I just stamped the image with black Memento ink and sponged the edge of the circle and distressed the edges of the other paper...done! The DP is from Cosmo Cricket.

Thanks for stamping by!

Laura~

Hope Your Holidays are a Hoot!

Hi! This is for the My Favorite Things Sketch Challenge. You don't have to have MFT stamps to play along and if you upload to SCS you could win a $5 gift certificate to spend at the MFT store. I used one of the newly released Stephanie Fizer images called Christmas Owls. Aren't they adorable?

Today, I colored them with a blender pen and ink pads. Does the paper look a little familiar? I cannot even begin to tell you how much I heart this October Afternoon DP. This is from the Weathervane line and is called Chilly Mornings, isn't that touch of green fabulous! The dot pattern is the reverse of the starburst blue pattern. You can get 8 sheets from the collection for just $5.15 at Paper Addiction, WOW!

Just a little weather update...it is still hot and now VERY windy:(

Thanks so much for stamping by!

Laura~

Good friends are always in style

Hello! I made this for the SCS sketch challenge with another peek at a stamp set being released tonight at My Favorite Things called Window Shopping. I stamped the boot onto brown dp and trimmed. The other decorative paper is from BasicGrey Eva 6x6 pad available at Paper Addiction. To celebrate the opening of the store these paper pads which retail for $6 are just $4.20. The flat rate for shipping is just $5, my LSS is 10 miles from my house one way so with the 30% off it makes the paper packs VERY affordable. Just use the code NOWOPEN at checkout. The sale ends on Friday and I am going to a crop this weekend as a vendor with all the stock from the store, so if you are interested in any of our products get them while you can:) We will have new stock coming in the next two weeks, but we won't be re-ordering Imaginisce Hallowhimsy.

I have to spend some time getting things ready for this weekend and I am volunteering at school today. I hope I see you at the release tonight (see previous post for all the details).

Thanks for stamping by!
Laura~