Another July Fourth sample...

Here is another card I made using the July Fourth stamp set from the Summer Mini catalog. But this one also has something different. The white background is made with the Scallop Trim Corner.

I saw a video on how to do this on another blog and had to try it myself. It isn't easy to do, but it's even harder to describe. The entire white scalloped background was cut using the corner punch. Then I punched red and blue squares to put behind it. It gives a different, neat effect. I like using this set and for some reason, LOVE making July 4th cards! I guess for the same reason I named my son two very early American names for Nathan Hale and Patrick Henry. I'm just patriotric that way! So one of my favorite holidays is coming!! Yeah!!

Thanks for visiting my blog!! Smiles, Laura

Under the Stars....

My grandchildren are at the beach this week with their dad. I wanted to send them each a card, something they would enjoy when they opened it. Here is the card I made for Dillon;I saw this on someone's blog but do not have their name. (It flashed across my "review" of scrolling pictures from blogs, which I have set to do automatically.) Anyway, I'm sorry I cannot give credit to the person who dreamed u pthis bear on the "beach towel". But isn't he cute. I changed the colors and patterns, of course. I stamped "Let the relaxation begin" from a retired stamp set, but it seemed perfect for this card. Inside I stamped "GREAT!" Of course the bear is from the Under the Stars stampset. I punched the "umbrella" using the Modern Label punch. I think a 12 year old boy will like this card.

For Jessica, I made this card:I think this design of these two ladies were originalyl by Ellen Kemper, the punch art queen. Alot of us have copied these girls!! You can see her blog here. I used various punches to make the two girls and their sun bonnets. The girl on the left is Jessica and the other on the right is my daughter-in-law. Of course Jessica is having a "virgin" strawberry daiquiri. The drinks are from the Cheers to You stamp set. I just love how this card turned out. Love those girls, Ellen!!

The inside looks like this. "Enjoy" is from the Enjoy Every moment set which retires this week. Hate to loose that one!

Well, I hope the kids like getting these two cards. I love to have them get mail when they are away from home!

Come by again. I'll have more samples later in the week. Smiles, Laura

Let's Hear It For the Boys....

Seems we are always looking for samples of cards to send to our boys/sons/grandson, etc.  Well, here is one we made in class this month that is perfect for a boy--of any age.

This sample uses the Extreme Skateboard and Extreme Elements stamp sets and the GOOD TIMES from the Celebrate Everything set that is retiring on June 30.  I hate to see that one go!  I stamped the skateboarders with Pacific Point, Crushed Curry and Dusty Durango.  The background images are stamped with Sahara Sand.   Pacific Point is one of our formerly retired In Colors that will be a new Core Color coming July 1.

Thanks for visiting today!!  Happy stamping!!  Smiles, Laura

Sunny days....

Isn't this sample below sunny? It's perfect for a hot summer day like today.   This is a "sneak peak" for you of a set from the new SU catalog from which we can begin ordering on July 1.  I can't wait!! So many new sets, new paper colors, new designer paper, etc.  But I digress.  This card is made using the Friends Never Fade stamp set and the new DSP, Greenhouse Gala.  I used the new In Color Pear Pizazz for the basic card and the new core color Daffodil Delight for the background.

The stamp with the quote on it stamps the background with ink and leaves the flower and words plain, or in this case white.  So I colored the flower with my Daffodil and Pumpkin markers.  I like the look.

Thanks for visiting my blog today!!  Smiles, Laura

This little light of mine....

I love that song, "This little light of mine...."  Here is a tea light I made using one of those battery-powered tea lights.  Isn't it wonderful they make these now, so we don't have to use the wax ones.  Well, these battery-powered ones are great to decorate.

I used the Ornament Punch to punch the petals and leaves for this rose.  The green "leaves" I folded in half and ran through the crimper to make them look like leaves.

For the top of the rose, I punched a 1-1/2" circle and then cut some slits in the center so it would slip down over the "flame".  I applied sticky tape under the circle (on the candle itself) to hold it down.  Then I used the two-way glue pen to attach Dazzling Diamonds glitter to the top of the candle.

On the edges of the leaves, I also used my two-way glue pen to add adhesive and then dipped the petals in the Dazzling Diamonds glitter.  I love how that makes the edges look.

This shot is alittle out of focus, but you can see the glitter on the edges here.

To attach the petals to the candle, I ran sticky tape around the candle and put the first layer of petals on (3 of them, I think).  Then on the rest of the petals, I put a piece of sticky tape at the "top" of the ornament (which is the bottom of the petal) and used that to stick them onto the candle.  I have either 15 or 16 petals and 3 leaves. 

These would be BEAUTIFUL for centerpieces for a special party or bridesmaid luncheon.  We all love the candle look!! Go make some!! Enjoy!  Smiles, Laura

Busy week...

I have company today and probably won't be posting alot the rest of the week.  But I do want to share one card with you that I think you'll like.

This stamp of the fellow on the dirt bike is probably upside down.  I think the fellow is supposed to be upside down, but I like him this way.  In order to make him look like he's "in motion", I stamped him at the darkest place first, then several times back down the left side of the paper.  The stamp is called Extreme Dirt Bike.  The quote is from the Hope Happens stamp set, and the background stamping is from the Extreme Elements set. 

To get the Pacific Point background for the wide oval, I punches two of the Curly Label punches and overlapped them. Neat, huh?

Thanks for visiting today.  More later.....  Smiles, Laura

Happy Birthday, Cynthia!!

Today is my sister Cynthia's birthday.   Friday I took her this birthday card I made for her and she loved it.  Cynthia is a real "cat person".  She has two cats now, but has always had one or more cats in her "family".  I bought this cat patch about 4 years ago--right after her birthday.  I was determined to make a card using it for the next birthday.  Well, the next year, I forgot I had it.  The following year, I thought of the patch, but could not find it.  This year when I moved my stamp room around, I ran across this patch and decided to keep it on my stamp table until I made Cynthia's card.

I tried to design a sort of "shelf" for the cat to be laying on.  I searched and searched for designer paper that would match his colors.  I think I did pretty well. Doesn't the cat look like he's just about ready to pounce off the shelf!

The beautiful "cut work" below the cat is made using my Martha Steward punch.  Below I have a picture of the inside and again, used the MS punches to make that layout. 

I'm really glad that Cynthia liked the card.  She's trying to figure out a way to use the patch on a purse or garment.  I don't blame her! I'm SO GLAD I finally used this patch this year.  Happy Birthday today, Cynthia!!    Smiles, Laura

Day lilies....

You know I love to photograph flowers and share those pictures.  Well, I've added a new picture to my Blog head---but like last time, I cannot for the life of me figure out how to make it smaller.  So again you get a CLOSE-UP of my flowers!  What I know about flowers you could put in a thimble, so don't blame me if I'm wrong.  This one is a day lily (I think).  We have some Asian lilies and they are blooming and beautiful now, too, but I thought I'd share a picture of the day lilies this time.  I just love the colors in this one!!  Now, let me go find some card stock this color and get busy.  Thanks for stopping in today.   Smiles, Laura

Crossword puzzles...

Do you like to work crossword puzzles?  They can be fun, can't they.  Well, I saw in an OLD stamping magazine (like from 2005 or so) that you could log onto a website and write your own crossword puzzle.  I thought it would be so fun to makeeach of my grandchildren one to fill in  as they complete the school year.  They had so much ice and snow this year that they are going to school longer than almost anyone to make up for days they missed.  They went Memorial Day, have gone several Saturdays and still won't get out until June 16!  Gee, that will make for a short summer.  So I decided to make them each a card and write a crossword puzzle inside that they could answer.  You supply the word for the puzzle and the answers and the online program gives you the puzzle and clues printed out.  Both kids  enjoyed it so much! Here are their cards.

As you can tell, I didn't use any stamping on the cards, just shapes cut with my Big Shot.  But I had fun designing the cards, too.

Thanks for visiting today.  More later.   Smiles, Laura

Tucked Ribbon...

Today I thought I'd share with you another card we are making in my June classes.  This one has a little tucked ribbon on it.  I have mentioned before how many times the local post office has me add postage to cards I'm mailing because of the "thickness" of the card--my ribbon on cards!!  Well, the satin ribbon SU sells isn't as bulky as the grosgrain ribbon.  And in this case, tucking it is a neat, different way to add ribbon to a sample.  It takes abotu 12" of ribbon to make this tuck.

This quote is from the new Summer Mini in the Favorite Thought stamp set.  The cup is from the Pun Fun set.  And the background paper is from the Tea Party DSP which will be retiring June 30.  I love this beautiful paper.  I decided to leave the ends of the ribbon sticking out, rather than gluing it under the DSP.

This next sample uses the paper that is in the Sweet Pea Paper pack that was in the Occasions mini.  It's beautiful paper!  The birthday stamp is from Bitty Birthday set.

 

Well, thanks for visiting my blog today.  More later.....  Smiles, Laura

VW "Bug-eye"

Which of us doesn't remember with fondness the little VW "bug-eye". In my former life, a red VW bug was our first car.  We carried our son, his highchair, porta crib, and other supplies in that little car all over the place.  When he grew up, my son wanted a VW bug for his first car and had a blue one!  He loved that car and you'd see it all over town.  Well, when I saw where someone made a VW bug with punches, I just had to make one for my son.  (So sorry I don't have her name to credit her--the picture I saved didn't have her name!)  Here is his card:

The samples uses mostly the wide and large oval punches.  Yes, I have the "tires" too long and corrected that on the next sample.  But I still think my son will like it when it arrives by mail.  I used the Lovely as a Tree stamp set for the background.  Isn't this a fun card!! We are making this one in my class this month.

Enjoy!!   Smiles, Laura

Chalkboard technique....

Have you heard of the chalkboard technique?  I've been hearing quite a bit about it and the Black Magic technique, so I've looked it up (the how-to's) and decided to make a chalkboard sample to show you today.  Maybe I'll make a Black Magic one later. 

Anyway, for this sample, you stamp your image on black or very dark CS using white craft ink.  Before it dries, you color it with a sponge applicator (like an eye makeup applicator or a Q-tip) using your SU chalks.  You do not RUB it into the black paper but rather dab it on lightly.  Try not to get it all over your black CS.  Blow off any stray chalk that gets scattered around.  After you are finished and it dries, you can take a tissue and LIGHTLY rub over it to remove any stray chalk. No need to set this chalk as the white craft ink holds it on.   I used the butterfly  (All a Flutter) stamp from the Summer Mini.  It's very delicate.  For the card itself, I used Pumpkin Pie and Summer Sun cardstock.  My card is not complicated, but at least you will know how to do the Chalkboard technique! 

Come visit again soon!! Smiles, Laura

New Punch and Paper!!

Woohoo!  We have new designer paper in the Summer Mini and also a new punch to play with.  I love new toys!  This Fathers Day card uses the Travel Journal DSP.  It is great for mascline cards.  We always need paper and stamps for cards to our men!!

I used the Happy Father's Day stamp from the All Holidays stampset.  The card itself is Garden Green and uses Pumpkin Pie ink.  I punched the cogs from the Extra Large Cogs Double punch for the front--using the large and small ones on it.  I am going to play with that punch more because I think there are lots of ways to use it.  I've just begun!! You'll be seeing more uses on a future post!!

Thanks for visiting today.  Come back often!!   Smiles, Laura

One more patriotic card for now....

Are you bored with my July Fourth SS samples yet?  I hope not!!  I love this set!.  (Can you tell?  Did I say that already?)  Honestly I just love patriotic stamps and samples!  This one I made thinking we'd do it in my June class but then came up with another one we'll do.

This one has silver stamped in the fireworks and also on the navy background.  I like how  it turned out. 

Thanks for visiting today.  Next time we'll use some different stamps!!  Have a great day!  Smiles, Laura