I can't help myself....

No, I can't help but use that Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer punch!!  I wasn't sure before I purchased it that I'd use it that much, but gee, I'm using it alot. 

This card uses the same colors as my last entry share--Not Quite Navy and Kiwi Kiss. 

 For this card, I hung the flower from the little ribbon tied around that cneter panel, so it has some "motion".  I used linen thread for hanging it through one of the flower openings.  Can you see the tiny "lace" look peeping out of the dark designer paper?  That was cut with the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Boarder punch.

 Here is the sentiment.  That label the "Hello" is on was punched using the END of the Decorative Label punch.  There are three ways that I've found to use that punch for sentiment and I sure like versatility.

Thanks for coming by today!!   See you next time!                               Smiles, Laura

Play it again, sport....

Here is the same layout I shared with you yesterday, only this one doesn't have a "picture" on the panel but flowers punched using the Blossom Bouquet Triple Punch.

The sample does not use Stampin' Up! designer paper, but the card stock is Stampin' Up!.  I used the retired Kiwi Kiss with the Not Quite Navy and Going Grey card stock.  For the two gray printed pieces that go across the card, I backed them with Kiwi because I think it makes them pop more.  (See yesterday's card without that backing.)

 For the sentiment, I again used the Happy Greetings stamp set and the same punches.  But I put two flowers in Kiwi from the Triple Punch on each end of the Decorative Label punch (Not Quite Navy).

 Here is a close-up of the flowers.  Can you see the 3/4" circle layer behind the flowers?  I've shown you that trick before. It gives them more depth.

As you can tell from my blog, I like using a layout a couple of times in different colors and different images.   Thanks for stopping in today!!                       Smiles, Laura

Peace Within....

That's the name of this set--Peace Within--and isn't it a calming set! Yes, lots of coloring, but peaceful. I used Poppy Parade for this card, layered with Build-a-Bear Workshop Pawsitively Prints II designer paper. I know I'm using it alot lately but it is lovely and fun.

                                               
 For the sentiment, I used the Happy Greetings set from the Summer mini, stamped in Poppy.  The sentiment label is made using the Decorative Label, Curly Label and Wide Oval punches.

Here is a close-up of the little cat.  I colored him yellow like my sister's cat, Bo.  He's such a neat little fellow and I spent some time with him this weekend.

This layout for this card is one I saw on one of the layout blogs.  I'm going to share another card using the same layout.  So come back soon!

Thanks for stopping in today.
Smiles, Laura

Happy Father's Day....

Today I'm sharing another Sail Away card for Father's Day.  I love the colors on this one.  The card is Sahara Sand and I used Pumpkin Pie, Tempting Turquoise and Pacific point for the three front panels.  I used the Scallop Edge Border punch to make it look like there are waves behind the boat.

I love that wide striped grosgrain ribbon in Pumpkin Pie.  I tied it off with some of the linen thread.

                                   

 Here is a close-up of the sentiment.  I used the Decorative Label, 1-3/8" Circle, and Modern Label punches and a die from the Lots of Tags set for it.  .  Can you tell I just LOVE layers and layers for my sentiments?  ha!  Yes, of course there are dimensionals in there, too.

 I colored the sails with the Pumpkin and Turquoise markers and sponged alittle Baja Breeze ink for the "water" under the boat/

Well, that's my sample for today.  I won't promise that you will not see more of this stamp set because I love it for masculine cards!  Have a great day!!  Smiles, Laura

Bold Blossoms....

Here is a card I made recently using the Bold Blossoms and Perfect Punches stamp sets.  I tried another way to make flowers using the Blossom Bouquet Triple Punch, too, on this one. 

This card is Tempting Turquoise with a Daffodil Delight striped designer paper from the Patterns Designer Paper Stack in Brights.  I used Real Red on this card, too. 

 Here is a close-up of the sentiment on the card.  I stamped it with Tempting Turquoise and colored in "Friend" with Real Red.

It's hard to see it, but I have Red and Yellow ribbons sticking out from under the flower panel.  I wish I had done them all in Real Red, but oh, well.....  They show up good in real life.

Thanks for stopping by today!!  See you again soon.

Smiles, Laura

Two Triple Layer Punch Flower Shares....

Today I have two different, but similar, cards made using the Blossoms Bouquet Triple Layer Punch and the Lattice die!  I made this first one using Peach Parfait cardstock for the card, layered with Pear Pizzazz.  The lattice die is also punched from the Peach Parfait cardstock.  The flowers on this one are Poppy Parade, with a little center of Pear Pizzazz on top. 

 I hope you can tell in this close-up shot that I ran the Pear centers through the Lattice Embossing Folder, too, for added dimension.  And they are put on with dimensionals.  The little sentiments are from the Tiny Tags stamp set, punched out with the Jewelry Tag punch.  They are attached with linen thread run through the lattice.

 I decided to step the card up a bit by adding a layer BEHIND the punched flowers.  Here is that card.  This card is Poppy Parade, Pear Pizzazz, and Daffodil Delight, but the lattice itself is Soft Suede. 

 For these flowers, I punched with from Daffodil and then punched a 3/4" circle to go behind the flowers.  I think this makes them pop out so much more.  What do you think?

Isn't it fun to make a card and then try to improve on it!  I do that alot--seeing if I can come up with just one more thing to move the card from a "good" card to a "great" card! 

Have a wonderful day!! Come back often!! Smiles, Laura

Happy Greetings, Fifth Avenue Floral!

Today I'm sharing another sample I made using a layout I saw from another stamper.  This was probably the challenge of the day on some group, but I just saw the one sample and decided I wanted to try it.  The stamper also used the Happy Greetings sentiment, which I decided I'd also use.  But went for my own colors and designer paper and flowers. 

My card is Peach Parfair and White, and I used papers from the Sunny Garden series and the Build-a-Bear Workhop Pawsitively Prints II series.  Who knew this So Saffron dotted paper was in that pack!!

I ran the white through my Square Lattice embossing folwer for added interest.  I love that look.

 

Here is a close-up of the sentiment.  I colored the middle HELLO with my Peach Parfait marker.  I think it makes it show up better--sort of emphasizes that word!

I stamped the flowers from Fifth Avenue Floral and colored them with my aqua painter and cut them out.   They are raised with dimensionals and I've decided that alittle Dazzling Diamonds glitter will help them so I plan to put that in the centers.  Funny how we forget those little touches until we look twice and decide we need alittle glitter to help!

I like this layout and will be making more of these in the coming days.

Smiles, Laura

Happy Birthday to my blog!!

It is hard to believe that I've had this blog for two years today!!  I wasn't sure anyone would be interested in seeing my samples and my photography.  I had no idea so many of you would visit as often as you do and I most humbly appreciate your visits.  Thank you for your sweet and supportive comments you leave. 

So since this is my blog's birthday, I'm going to share one more sample using this layout and this one is a BIRTHDAY card.  Happy Birthday to my blog!

For this card I used Rose Red and Certainly Celery cardstock for the card.  The designer paper is by another compnay, but I do love it.  The cupcake is punched using the Build A Cupcake punch.  I ran the bottom of the cupcake through my crimper to make it look like a paper that holds cupcakes.

 Here is the sentiment on the card.  The sentiment is from the On Your Birthday set.  I punched the white cardstock using the Decorative Label punch.  That is backed with a Rose Red large oval.

 Here is the inside of the card.  The sentiment is again from the On Your Birthday stamp set.  I put some of the designer paper inside, too, to go with the front.

Thank you SO MUCH for being a part of my blog!!  I hope to be sharing with you for years to come!! 

(EDITORIAL NOTE:  I was asked in the comment for the directions for cutting the triangles.  I have this explained in my May 15 entry, the one with the scooter.  The square for the triangle starts off as a 4x4" square.  Cut that in half, diagonally, and then cut each of those two in half, from the center to one point.  This gives you 4 triangles, enough to make two cards.  Hope this helps!)

Smiles, Laura

Sailing Away on the same layout....

I shared this layout with you the other day--even in the same colors and paper, but formatted in landscape with the On the Grow scooter on it.  This is what I made with the left-over triangles of the checked paper.  (See my earlier entry for colors and papers used.)  I decided I wanted to try the layout in a portrait format and put the sail boat from Sail Away on it.  Here is what I came up with:

 I love this boat.  It is punched with our 3" Circle Die carried over from the Occasions mini.  I layered it with another circle I cut with a die.

 The sentiment on this one is from Teeny Tiny Wishes.  (Don't I use that set OFTEN!!  Love it!!)  But the shape of this one is a new one for me.  I punched out white cardstock using the Decorative Label punch.  Then I  put it back in to the long side of the punch and punched it again, so that I got a "skinny" Decorative Label punch.  I love how it layers onto the Large Oval!

This is just one more way to use our neat punches.  The hardest thing about this one is getting it straight, so that you have even, same-sized curves on both sides.

OK, I'm loving this one!!  I hope you do, too.  How about trying a sample yourself using this layout and show me what you've made!!  I'll feature you as my guest artist, if you send me what you've made!

Have a wonderful day!!
Smiles, Laura

Happy "I DO" Day....

My cousin's son is getting married this month and here is a card I designed for them--and for my May classes.  It has alot of details on it but is a really pretty one when you get finished.  The card itself is Basic Gray.  I ran a layer of White through the Framed Tulips embossing folder for the front of the card.

The "bride" and "groom" hearts are layered on gray hearts cut using the Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslit die.  I punched the "bride" white heart using the Full Heart punch and then ran it through the Elegant Lines embossing folder.  I positioned it so that two small  circles would be in the center so that I could add Pearl Jewels in the circles. 

For the groom, I punched both a white and black heart and then cut the center out of the black one, so that it looks like two sides of a jacket.  I used the Two-Step Owl punch to punch the two little black hearts for the "bow tie".  Then I added three black brads for the shirt's buttons.

The striped paper is Basic Gray from the Patterns Designer Series Stack in Neutrals.  I layered that on Basic Gray for a border.  I tied a black 1/8" ribbon around that for interest and dimension.

 
I used this sentiment--Happy I DO Day-- from the Word Play set and stamped it in Basic Gray on white.  I punched this with the Curly Label punch and layered that on another Curly Label in Basic Gray.  I cut the gray one in half, to back the white one.
 
I wanted that little ring to really pop out, so I used a Rhinestone Jewel for the stone on the ring. 

My cousin loves homemade cards, so I think they are going to like this one!!

Thanks for stopping by today.  Come back soon! Smiles, Laura

On the Grow Scooter...

I saw this layout used by several stampers and while I could not find the sketch itself online, I could figure it out and wanted to make my own card.  I decided to use the On the Grow scooter stamp for my card.

My card is Poppy Parade, layered with  Tempting Turquoise cardstock.  The inside layer is designer paper from the Build-a-Bear Workshop Pawsitively Prints II series, also layered on Poppy Parade. 

For the two outside triangles with checked paper, I cut the checked paper (also from the same series) into 4"x 4" squares.  I cut those in half and then each of those halves in half.  So you get 2 cards from one 4"x4" square of designer series paper.  You'll see the card I made with my other two pieces in a later entry.  I layered those triangles onto Poppy Parade also. 

 Here is a close-up of my sentiment.  The sentiment is from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stampset.  I punched a circle from Poppy Parade, a Designer Label tag from Turquoise, and used the Decorative Label punch (one end) to punch the white cardstock.

 Here is a close-up of the scooter!

This is a fun set to use--although some coloring is required.

So I hope this layout has inspired you.  I will certainly be using it again myself!

Thanks for visiting my blog today!!
Smiles, Laura

Flowers and Happy Greetings...

I am still having fun using the Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer punch to make flowers.  This card is full of them!!  I tried to make several different flowers using Pumpkin Pie, Cherry Cobbler and Daffodil Delight colors.

                          

 Here are some close-ups of the flowers.  I punched all three "choices" on the punch in all three colors, so I could build the flowers any way I wanted.  Talk about fun!!  I had a pile of pieces punched and just played with them to find good combinations.  I figure there are dozens of combinations you can make with the layers.

 Here are two more of the flowers. 

 The sentiment is a bunch of layers, too. I used the Decorative Label punch in Daffodil and Cherry for the back of it.  I them punched a layer in Pumpkin Pie using the Curly Label.  The top layer is the Wide Oval in White.  I used the new set, Happy Greetings, from the Summer Mimi for the sentiment.  Love that one!!  I sponged the edges with Cherry Cobbler, too. 

Yes, I think this is a happy card and a fun one to put together. 

If you don't have the Triple Layer punch and love flowers, you need to order it!! It's just fun to see what you can make using it!!

Thanks for visiting my blog again today!!
Smiles, Laura

Another Friday Mashup Sketch--Sail Away....

Here is the sketch I shared with you in my last entry and the first sample I made for Mothers Day using it.  Well, today I'm going to share a card I made for Fathers Day using the same layout/sketch and the Sail Away stamp.  This stamp is from the new Summer Mimi and I just LOVE it.  You'll be seeing more of it on my blog, for sure.

 I used Not Quite navy and Sahara Sand for the card and matting.  I LOVE Sahara Sand as a "neutral" color.  The striped designer series paper is from the Patterns DSP Stack in the Brights. 

 I stamped the image (boat) in Night of Navy ink.  I also stamped the sails on paper from the Blueberry Crisp series and cut it out.  I used dimensionals to add it to the original stamped boat.  I colored that little mast flag with the Real Red marker.  I used Metallic brads on the circles.  I gave you the size of those circles in my last entry.

 Here is the sentiment--again from the Teeny Tiny Wishes set, punched with the Word Window and layered on the Modern Label.

For this card, I used the 1/8" Real Red ribbon behind the image for added interest. 

OK, now it's your turn!!  Go create something using this sketch.  I've gotten you started!!
Smiles, Laura

Friday Mashup Sketch--Sweet Summer....

 I saw this beautiful card by Anne Marie Hite on her blog and knew I had to try this sketch.  (You can visit Anne Marie's blog here.)  She had used a Friday Mashup Sketch which called for certain colors to be used.  I didn't care about the colors, but I loved the layout.  So I have designed two cards using this sketch (right).  

My first one is a Mothers Day card.  I sent this to my grandchildren's mom and to my sister-in-law for their Mothers Day card.  I hope they like it. (I'll share the other card I made in my next entry.)

Here is my card (below).

I used Elegant Eggplant for my card and matter the striped paper from the Lap of Luxury DSP series on Pretty in Pink cardstock.  Yes, you are right--that's t Sweet Summer  stamp set that was available during Sale-a-bration.  I know, I know, I miss it too! 

The stems, leaves and floers are stamped in eggplant on Very Vanilla cardstock.  The leaves are colored with the Always Artichoke marker. 

I used the Pretty in Pink 3/8" taffeta ribbon on this card---behind the image and sentiment, rather than in front of it as the sketch shows. 

Here is a close-up of the sentiment.  The Happy Mother's Day is from the Teeny Tiny Wishes.  I stamped it on Very Vanilla cardstock and punched it out using the Word Window punch, and layered that on Pretty in Pink, punched with the Moderl Label pupnch.  I raised it up with dimensionals, but it's hard to tell.  I have the pink label on more Lap of Luxury DSP (the purple piece).  Below the label is an eggplant border punched with the Scallop Trim Border punch.  I love how that looks on it. 

                                  

 Here is a close-up of the circle behind the image piece.  I punched a pink 1-3/8" circle and layered an eggplant 1-1/4" circle on that.  I added a Circle Fire Rhinestone Brad in pink to the circle. 

Those flowers on the image are stamped with eggplant and colored with the eggplant and pink markers.  They are also popped up using dimensionals.  I use a TON of those because I love raised things on mhy cards.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today.  See you again, I hope!!  Smiles, Laura