Bold Snowflake...

Stampin' Up! recently offered the opportunity to purchase single stamps.  This Bold Snowflake was one of the stamps offered and that I bought.  I have had fun playing with it.  I made this card for a challenge.  I stamped the image using Versamark ink on Baja Breeze cardstock, embossed it using white embossing powder and punched it out using the Blossom punch.  

For the background, I stamped the snowflakes from Snow Swirled in white onto Baja Breeze cardstock.  After I added the punched snowflakes using dimensionals, I used Dazzling Details to dot the center of the snowflakes on the background,  and to add some random dots of the Detail.  I also  used the Detail on the center of the popped-up flakes and spread some on the tips of each flake.  The pictures doesn't do it justice, as they say.

Here is a close-up of the card.

 I made the same card, but without punching out the snowflakes.  I just embossed them directly onto the Baja Breeze cardstock.  I think I like this one equally well.  What do you think?  Either one is a nice winter card!

Thanks for visiting my blog today.  Smiles, Laura

Miscellaneous Christmas cards....

Today I am sharing 3 Christmas cards with you.  Two are CASE'd from other demonstrators and one I designed.

This first one is my design.  I  used the Greetings of the Season for the sentiment, punched it out using the Windows Collection die.  I also punched out the printed background using a larger Windows die.  The tree is stamped from the Scentsational Season stamp set and punched using the Holiday Collection die.

  I like how this one turned out.

 

This next one is the same layout, you'll notice but the colors are different and it gives it a different look.  Again, I used the Windows die collection to punch out the image for Noel and its background.  This one gets a cup of chocolate, rather than a tree, but I used the same stamp sets and die sets on both these cards.  (I wish I had stamped the "NOEL" lower, but oh, well....)

 This card I saw on Pinterest (without the sentiment) and decided to make one.  I know some of you may have seen it, too, but many of my customers who frequent my blog may not have seen it, so it is for them I post it.  I used the sentiment from the Joyous Celebrations set on the front.  I think I changed the background embossing folder, too.  But I loved the wreath made from stars and wanted to make one myself.

Have a great day today!!  Merry Christmas!  Smiles, Laura

Santa's Cap...

Here is a delightful card.  The card is Soft Suede, with a layer of Cherry Cobbler, and topped with Crumb Cake.  I embossed a line through the Crumb Cake piece using the Delicate Designs folder.  I used the 1-1/4" circle punch for the red in Santa's cap.  I embossed it with the Argyle folder.  The white  pom-pom is cut using the 1/2" circle punch and I used the ovals punch for the white trim.  The sentiment is from a retired set from last year.

 Here is the same card using different designer paper for the bow.  The bow is a trip!  My friend Carol Morton sent me a card with this "bow" on it and that prompted me to make this card.  I used the Large Oval punch to cut two shapes.  I folded them in half and put a dimensional to hold them up a bit.  I topped that with a 1/2" circle of the same paper.  And I free-hand cut the "ribbon" part behind the bow. So it's all paper!

 Here is the inside.  I used stripes of the same designer paper to decorate the inside.

Come back soon!!  Smiles, Laura

Snowflake Card....

I designed this card last year and loved it so I thought I'd make more of them to send this year.  It's simple, but elegant.

 I'm not sure you can tell in the pictures but I embossed the snowflake in silver and the sentiment.  Well, imagine my disappointment when Stampin' Up! retired this stamp!!  I was dismayed.

 This year I realized I could use the snowflake from the Snow Swirled stamp set to make the same card.  Again, I embossed the snowflake with silver embossing powder.  I stamped the Peace on Earth in Cherry Cobbler.  It is from the Greetings of the Season set.

 I put a rhinestone "jewel" in the middle of each snowflake.

This one is quick, but I think makes a nice card to send.

Thanks for stopping by today!  Smiles, Laura

Santa card....

I saw this card and this Santa on Pinterest and just loved him.  (I've had him made for weeks, waiting to send  to my sisters and then post him here.  Since I made him, I have seen him all over the place on blogs, Pinterest, everywhere.  Sorry I don't know who to credit with the original creation.  The copy I saved did not have a watermark, nor name.) The original one I saw was made on a red card/background and I think the creator used a little different punches for the mustache, but basically I copied this idea.  But he was SO CUTE that I had to make one each for my 3 sisters!  I know they will love him, too!

Here is the card closed--the front.

 Here is the card opened up:

I have given instructions before for making this card layout, just with different images on front.  But here they are again.  You start with a 5-1/2" x 12" piece of designer paper.  Score it at 2", 4", 8" and 10" on the long edge.  Mark the right and left sides at 2-3/4" from the bottom.  Cut from the 4" score line to that mark on the left and from the 8" score line to that mark on the right.  Glue the two pieces cut of to the bottoms of the opposite sides.  Fold.

Here is a close-up of Santa's face.  I cut the pink face using the Labels Collection Die.  I also cut a red and a white piece using the same die.  I cut off part of the red one for the hat and part of the white one for the beard.  I used one of the petals from the Blossom Petal Builder punch for the mustache.  I ran those pieces and the white part of the beard through the Big Shot using the Manhattan Flower embossing folder first, THEN glued them on.

I hope my sisters like this one!! I just love the card and face.  Hope you like him, too.

Smiles, Laura

Still more quilting designs....

Yes, I guess you'd say I'm on a roll with quilting patterns.  I recently donated a ton of my quilting magazines and I guess they gave me the idea of combining my former hobby of quilting with my present one of paper crafting.

For this card, I punched circles using the 1-3/8" circle punch.  I also punched squares in different colors of card stock using the 1" square punch.  I put the square in the middle of the circle and folded the edges around it.  

Here is a close-up of the circles folded into squares.

I love the colors in this one.  Like other quilting patterns, you could use any color for the circles and squares, and could use the card for any occasion. 

Thanks for stopping in!

Smiles, Laura

Watercolor Winter

This card was made as a part of a challenge to use the white gel pen on the card.  I decided I wanted to use the Watercolor Winter stamp set and make the pine needles look like they had snow on them. 

This card is Soft Suede, layered with Cherry Cobbler and topped with Crumb Cake.  So many of my cards lately use this color scheme.

I stamped the pine needles using Always Artichoke and tipped the ends of the branches using Early Espresso.  I just stamped them all around the edges of the card.  I stamped "Merry Christmas" from the More Merry Messages set in the center.

After the ink was good and dry, I used the white gel pen to make lines along some of the "pine needles."    

When the white had dried, I used the Dazzling Details to put "shine" around on the "snow". I'm not sure you can see it even in this close-up but it did add alot to put the Dazzling Detail on it.

I was pleased with this one!  I hope my challenge partner was too!

Smiles, Laura

Blessing of the Animals and more quilting cards....

Yesterday afternoon was our church's Blessing of the Animals at the Manger service. I shared with you information about this in earlier posts and showed you the Top Note die animals I made for the bulletin board announcing the event.  Well, it was Gabby's turn to go to church yesterday and be blessed.  Here are some pictures from the event:

Here are two of the girls from our church who were an angel and Mary.  They have beautiful voices and did a great job singing carols during the event.

 Here is Gabby and I before the service started.  She behaved well; her mama was proud of her!

 Here is our pastor, Karen Easter, blessing Gabby and me.

 This is a friend's granddaughter Julia holding Gabby.  Gabs loves children and misses my own grandchildren!

OK, for your being so nice to view those pictures, I'll share more quilting cards.  I have had fun making these cards and find them very versatile.

This one uses the 1-1/4" punch and you punch two each of three patterns.  I glued down the squares to vanilla cardstock and ran the whole thing through my Square Lattice embossing folder.

The sentiment is stamped on one of the Lots of Tags Sizzlit set and backed with a label punched with the Decorative Label punch.

 Here is a close-up of the squares after they were run through the embossing folder.

This (above) is a card for any occasion.  I decided it would be a nice card for a masculine birthday, so I made this one.  Same layout but using more masculine-colored papers.  I sent it to my BIL Billy for his birthday.  I hope he liked it!

Then, I made this one for a Christmas card--in fact, I made several of these.  

I've decided I LOVE this layout and know I'll be making many more cards using it. 

Thanks for stopping by today---and for being so patient in my absence.  It's a busy time of year and I was away longer than anticipated!

Come back soon!

Smiles, Laura

Little Snowmen lights....

I wanted to share with you the little snowmen lights I made for the Birthday Girls' Christmas lunch.  I'll sit one at each place.  Aren't they the cutest!! They are so easy to make.  You do have to have some of the little electric tea lights for them. 

To make one, punch a face from white cardstock using the 1-3/8" circle punch.  Punch the toboggan from Cherry Cobbler using the 1-1/4" punch.  Run that through the Big Shot using the Argyle embossing folder.  Then punch a Large Oval from Lucky Limeade and snip off a portion of it also using the large oval punch.  Run that through the Big Shot using the Stripes embossing folder.  The pompom is made using the 1/2" circle punch.   For the hands/arms, I used the retired Snowflake Punch and sut two of the pieces off.  They make great arms. 

I added the eyes and mouth by drawing them with a black pen, and smudged a bit of pink for the cheeks.  The I cut a little "X" slits in the middle and slid it all over the light on one of the electric tea lights.  Cute!!!

Oh, and don't forget to turn them on---look how much cuter they look turned on!!  Just happiness all the way around.  Friend Judy and I are making more of these to put at each place for our stamp club Christmas party.  I know the girls will all love them!

Stop by often; I love having you visit!!  Smiles, Laura

PS: I'm posting this after both the above parties.  Shhhh... don't want to spoil the surprise at the tables.

Another Quilting pattern....

Today I'm sharing another quilted card with you.  This one uses Tangerine Tango and Lucky Limeade for the card and layers, along with Whisper White.

For this one, I punched 4 squares using the 1-1/4" square punch from the Summer Smooches and 4 squares from International Bazaar designer series paper.  It is important that both sides of both designer papers coordinate, since both sides of each paper shows.  Sponge the edges on both sides of the designer paper to give it dimension and a better finished look.

Here is a close-up of the folded squares.  To make the folds, fold the squares in half diagonally. Lay out flat and fold the two opposite, non-creased corners to the center crease line.  Look closely and I think you can follow what I mean.
 When you get all 8 squared folded, on a small scrap of cardstock, glue them together at the point, alternating the two different patterns.  I put a pearl in the center to finish off the look.

You can also see in this close-up that I embossed the white cardstock using the Fancy Fan embossing folder.

I used the Modern Label, the Large and Extra Large Oval punches for the sentiment, which is from the Teeny Tiny Wishes set.

Hope you like this one!! Come back soon!

Smiles, Laura

Male birthdays......

I had two important birthdays this month--my husband Frank's and my brother-in-law Monte's.  I wanted to make a card quickly,  but you know how hard it is to come up with masculine cards!!  Well, I decided these squares would be perfect for these two men. 

I used Soft Suede, Certainly Celery, and Tempting Turquoise for the squares.  I cut 3 of each color in each of 3 sizes--1-3/8", 1-1/4" and 1".  To layer them, I used dimensionals on the 4 corners and center for the bottom layer and on the top, bottom and 2 sides on the top layer.  I like the looks of different heights on the different layers.

 Here is another card I made, this one using Tempting Turquoise, Tangerine Tango, and Daffodil Delight.  I like it, too, but it isn't quite as masculine. 

I think the two fellows like the card.  At least they both had good birthdays!!  Happy Birthday, guys!!

Thanks for stopping by!  Smiles, Laura

Neat Inside fold.....

Here is a card I mde recently that uses the Gently Falling stamp set.  I started with a 4-1/4" x 8-1/2" piece of white cardstock.  I cut a River Rock piece to 4" x 4", used the Labels Collection Framelit to cut out the center, then embossed the River Rock using the Chevron embossing folder.  I rounded the corners for effect.

I stamped the leaves using the Gently Falling stamp set and colored them with Perfect Plum, Certainly Celery, and Marina Mist inks using my aqua painter, then cut them out.  They are popped up with dimensionals.

For the inside of this card, I cut a white piece of cardstock 6" x 6".  I folded it in half both ways, so it made a 3" square.  Then I unfolded it and folded it diagonally only one way.  These because mountain folds so it would fold up to go inside the card.  I stamped more leaves all around the outside of this piece and colored them. 

I stamped the sentiment from the One In A Million stamp set. 

This makes a neat Thank You card, but this layout could be used for so many occasions and the recipient would get a neat surprise when they open it.  Go try this one out!!

Thanks for stopping in!  Smiles, Laura

Quilting layouts and swaps....

Recently I participated in a swap that required us to make a Fall sample. I decided to combine that theme with a quilting pattern I'd been wanting to try.  Here is the card I made for the swap:  I used Cajun Craze and More Mustard for the card and matting.  The front is Whisper white that's been run throug the embossing folder.

Here is a close-up of the "quilt" part:

I used the 1-1/4" square punch to punch these out of the Orchard Harvest designer paper.  This I folded them in half each way to crease them, then folded each of the 4 corners to the center, and then glued them on.

I also stamped the apples from the Perfectly Preserved stamp set and die-cut them using the Cannery set dies.  I stamped the sentiment from the Perfect Punches stamp set and punched it out using the extra-large oval punch.

Here are the other two samples from the swap.  We only had three of us to participate. 

This one is by Selene Kempton.

This one was made by Jeanne Nielsen.

Aren't they great!!

Thanks for stopping by today!!

Smiles, Laura

Happy Thanksgiving, a couple of days late...

I missed getting this posted before Thanksgiving, but I did want to share it and wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving weekend.

This is the altar display that I arranged at our church last Sunday.  It was in gratitude for the bountiful harvest we have had this year.   I do a display like this every other year, but many of our congregation wish I did it each year.  In this shot, you can see the table and also the basket of pumpkins and gourds on the floor under it.

 Here is a close-up of the table.  Friend Marion Smith helped me with it this year.  Yes, we had a big "spread" but then there are so many things I just feel I have to add.

The Bible in this one was my mother's---she died in 1981.  She carried this Bible every Sunday and made notes all through it of the sermons being preached. The shawl under the display was also my mother's.  My husband Frank turned the blue pot that holds the rye and millet stems and he turned the two candle sticks.  The wooden bowl on the right was turned for us by a now deceased friend.  I included lots of canned goods Frank and I put up.  So the table is very touching for me, with the memories of my blessings that it hold for me.

I hope you all had a wonderful family time on Thanksgiving and that you survived the Black Friday shopping!  I'll share stamping samples later.....
Smiles, Laura

Fold-back card....

Today I want to share a couple of cards I made recently.  On Pinterest I've seen alot of these cards "folded back" but from the left side toward the right.    I thought it was a neat look, but wanted mind folded back from the right side to the left.  So I made this Christmas one, using the Cherry Cobbler cardstock for the card with vanilla on the front of it.  I used designer paper from the Festival of Prints DSP stack.  But any double-sided designer paper would do.  You simply tear the designer paper in the middle and fold it back.  It's so easy!   I stamped the tree from the Scentsational Season stamp set, and cut it with the Holiday Collection die.  I then applied red sparkle to the tree using the Dazzling Detail in Cherry Cobbler.

 I made alot of cards like this one for our church shut-ins.  I used retired designer paper.  I think this was called Apple Cider but am not sure.  The leaves are punched using non-Stampin' Up! dies.

The uses of this layout are endless.  You could make a birthday card and have a cupcake on the part folded back.  Or for Easter, you could put a bunny or egg.  Need I go on?? 

I guess I'm hooked on finding layouts and trying them with lots of themes.  Thanks for stopping in today!! Come back soon!!
Smiles, Laura

For Dad....

I saw a similar card to this on the front of Paper Crafts magazine recently and decided I wanted to make one for my dad for Veterans Day!  

Dad is 92 and a wonderfully patriotic veteran!   He was awarded a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for his service during WWII.  He was wounded trying to pull one of his men in his platoon to safety.  His nose was shot off (yes, he came that close to dying himself) and because they could not airlift him out because of heavy fire, Dad tied a bandanna around his face and kept fighting all night until he could be airlifted the next day.  What a hero he is and yet he never talks about it or brags.  To him, he was just doing what had to be done.  I had the honor of visiting the World War II memorial in Washington DC with him in September and am so very glad I got to experience that.  Here he is there:

 Here is day with another WWII "hero" who was on the tour with us.

 And here is me and Dad together at the memorial.

 I always try to send Dad a card for Memorial Day and Veterans Day.  So I have had this one ready ahead of time. 

I used Soft Suede and Always Artichoke for the card and layer.  I have Very Vanilla on the front, with the star and sentiment stamped on it.  

I stamped the words, Freedom, Service, and Brave, from the Words of Courage stamp set in black on silver cardstock.

The "Thanks a Million" sentiment is from the Word Play set.

I added the chain so it would look like dog tags.    I hope Dad likes this one!!

Be sure to call and say "Thank You" to all the veterans you know on Sunday.  So many have given so much for us to enjoy the freedoms we enjoy today.  I am so proud of my dad!!

Come back soon!! Smiles, Laura