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

Summer Mini Sneak Peek....

Here is a card I made for a Summer Mini swap using a set from the upcoming Summer Mini catalog which begins on May 1.  The card is Pumpkin Pie layers with Baja Breeze which has been embossed with the Finial Press embossing folder.  The designer paper used is from the Greenhouse Gala series.  This flower and sentiment are from a new set called On the Grow which will be available on May 1.  The flowers and jar are so much fun to paint. 

 Here is a closeup of those flowers.  I cut the oval using the Ovals 2 die and the Big Shot.  Because we have no oval to layer behind it, I punched a Scallop Circle and cut it in half and put it behind the top and bottom of the oval.

 Here is the "thinking of you" sentiment.  You can hardly tell it, but the Baja Breeze cardstock is embossed with the Finial Press embossing folder.

 OK, an even closer shot of the flowers.  These can be any color flowers, so they will go so well with all our designer paper!!

Thanks for visiting me today!! Smiles, Laura

Happy Birthday, Becky....

My sister Becky is an avid golfer and her birthday is coming up, so I made her this card for her birthday this year.  The colors are Garden Green and Pumpkin Pie.  The designer paper is from the Brights Pattern Paper stack.  I punched out the F O R E  U using the Naturally Serif die and my Big Shot.  Love how that die cuts letters.  Then I stamped the On the Green stamp on whitecardstock  and layered it on Garden Green cut with the Scallop Squares Duo Die.

For the golf ball, I punched it using a circle punch, then embossed it with the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder and sponged the edges with Sahara Sand.  I popped it up with dimensionals.  The tee was also freehand cut from Sahara Sand cardstock.

 Here is a close-up of the sentiment. 

Here's the inside---with another golf ball, of course.

Becky has already gotten her birthday card and gift from me.  She liked it and I KNEW she would!!
Thanks for stopping in today!!  Smiles, Laura

Easter is coming....

I always think of butterflies when I think of Easter, because we are reborn then into a new being---like the caterpillar when she becomes a butterfly.  This one is very similar to the butterfly easel card I shared earlier (same colors) but I wanted this one to be an Easter one.  I used the Top Note Die on this one, too, but cut alot of butterflies using the Beautiful Wings Embosslit.  The colors are White and Pink Pirouette.  For this one, I used the word CELEBRATE from the Something to Celebrate hostess set.  (And don't we have something to celebrate at Easter!!).

I did some sponging on this one, too, to highlight the buterflies.  Here is a close-up of them and my sentiment label.

I'll be away at the beach the next few days---taking the grandchildren for their spring break.  I might share some "blast from the past" cards---cards that I made before I had my blog--but if you don't find me here, please come back around April 17 to see more of my work.  I am always so grateful you stopped by to visit with me!!

Smiles, Laura

One more Easel Butterfly....

OK, one more butterfly easel today--this one more suitable for a man.  I just love making these and can't seem to stop myself.  I hope you are not bored yet!

This card is Marina Mist with a mat of Pear Pizzazz and a layer of stripe designer paper from the Sale-a-bration Ice Cream Parlor pack.  I just love the stripes on this one.

Not too much to tell you on this one, if you've visited my blog recently.  This butterfly is made just like the last two I shared.    Here is another shot of it opened up ("fluffed out").

As you can see, the layers are Marina Mist, Pear Pizzazz, and Bashful Blue and all are run through a couple of embossing folders to give that butterfly texture.  And of course I sponged color around the edges to add interest.  One more close up of the butterfly, sitting up.  I sent this one to my stamping friend Holly so she could enjoy it sitting on her desk.

I did add some photo corners to two edges of this one, because I was not putting the strip or ribbon across it.  I guess you might say it's a bit drab, but I love the green and blue on this butterfly.

Thanks for stopping in today!! Smiles, Laura

More Butterflies...

Here is another buterfly card I made recently.  It's so light in the picture because I used Pink Pirquoette and Whisper White for it.  I hope you can see it!

The card and Top Note die cut-out are in the pink and I matted that with white that had been run through the Square Lattice embossing folder. 

Again, I cut out four butterflies with the Beautiful Butterflies die, one of them on the fold.  Two are white and the one on the fold and the center one are pink.  Here is a close-up of the butterflies standing up. If you are familiar with easel cards, this is an easel butterfly on the front of a card--something alittle different.

Here is the butterfly standing up and you'd sit the card when you receive it.

I put some smaller buttterflies on this one, using the Beautiful Wings Embosslit Die.  This one is very feminine and would make a great birthday card for a sweet lady! 

Thanks for stopping in---let me know how you like these modified easel cards!  Smiles, Laura

Triple Butterfly....

Today I want to share a card I made recently using the Beautiful Butterflies die.  Here is the card laying flat on a table---like you'd mail it.

Here is how it looks when you "fluff" it up.    I love how this butterfly turned out.  The card itself is Tangerine Tango cardstock, with a mat of Pumpkin Pie and striped Daffodil Delight from the Patterns Paper Stack on top of that. 

From the side, you can see the butterfly layers.  It, too, is Tangerine Tango, Pumpkin Pie and Daffodil Delight.  I ran all three through Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder.  I added dimensionals in between each of the layers, and then added 3 brads to the center.  You can see the brads in the first picture.  I smudged Tangerine onto each layer to add some color.

Here is a shot of  how the butterfly stands.  I folded some Tangerine cardstock  in half and ran it through the same butterfly die, to give me one on the fold.  Then I folded the front in half and glued my butterfly to the bottom half of that one.  The bottom part of the butterfly I put behind the long piece that goes across my card.  (Is that clear as mud?  It's hard to explain, but I hope the pictures explain it better than I am.)  If you are familiar witih an easel card, this is an easel butterfly on the front of a card.

I love how this card can lay flat for mailing, but when you lay it on the table, you can stand up the butterfly and fluff it and have a great butterfly to view.  My dad got out of the hospital recently---I'm going to make one to send to him!!  He'll like it.

Here is the Hello sentiment on the card.

Again, I sponged around the scalloped oval and run the Pumpkin oval through the embossing folder to give it some texture.  "Hello" is from the Tiny Teacup stampset.

I hope you like this one!!  Go try one yourself!! Thanks so much for visiting my blog.  Leave me comments as I love seeing what you think about my work---be kind and gentle.  ha!  You guys always are!!

Editorial note:  I first saw an easel butterfly card on Bronwyn Eastley's blog (here).  Hers was a small sized card, like a gift enclosure, just the size of the butterfly.  I added mine to a regular sized card and also made all three layers of the butterfly the same size.  So while mine is not identical to Bronwyn's design, I do want to credit her with the idea.  Thanks Bronwyn , for inspiring me.  Check out her blog for her other great work!

 

Smiles, Laura

Sweet Summer---were will you go?

This card uses the Sale-a-bration (SAB) set, Sweet Summer, and I am sure going to miss it when it's gone!!  Stampin' Up! has told us that SAB sets will never make it into the big catalog, so I know we are loosing this one at the end of March.  I just LOVE it and have enjoyed using it on my cards!! I'll keep using it, but hate that I cannot interest others in buying it.

For this card, I used Concord Crush, one of the In Colors this year.  I have a strip of Lap of Luxury designer paper on the front, and since it uses Pretty In Pink in the designer paper, I used it as another color on the card.

Can you tell the card is not as wide as a normal card?  Well, I cut 3/4" off the right side of the card, so allow the Top Note to hang over.  If you do this, be sure to measure and don't let it extend beyond 4-1/4" so it will still fit into your envelope.

I stamped the branch and flowers in Concord.  I colored the flowers with the Pretty in Pink marker and the leaves with the Always Artichoke marker.

 I wanted to highlight the oval.  That oval is from our Ovals #2 die.  You KNOW we don't have a scalloped oval to layer under it, right?  Well, I punched two Concord scalloped circles using the 2-3/8" Scallop Circle Extra-large Punch.  One of those I cut in half and mounted at the top and bottom in the back of the oval.  The other scallop circle, I cut in half and the took 3 scallops from each half and mounted that between the top and bottom scallop circle.  It fits perfectly and LOOKS like a layered solid scallop oval!  Love it!!

Those little flowers on the side of the Top Note are the Bitty Buttons, with Pretty in Pink layered behind them.  And the sentiment, "You make life sweeter!" is a stamp I had SU make for me.  I love how you can have personalized stamps made with the sentiment of your choice.  I've had several made recently.

Thanks for visiting today!! Hope to see you again soon!!  Smiles, Laura

More Petal Pizzazz.....

Today I wanted to show you a card we made in my class this week which uses the Petal Pizzazz.  Did I say I LOVE this set??  I do!

The card is Pear Pizzazz and I used designer paper from Sunny Garden on it.  What happy paper that is!

I stamped one of the flowers from the Petal Pizzazz set in Peach Parfait, Daffodil Delight, and Poppy Parade. I punched them out with the Scallop Circle punch.   The leaves are from the same set and are stamped in Pear Pizzazz.

                      

For the center, I used the Scallop Circles #2 to cut the Whisper White cardstock.  I stamped "Hello, You" from the Hello You set in Poppy Parade.

Here is a close up of the flowers and sentiment.  I put a Rhinestone Jewel in the center of each flower.  I think this makes a happy card, suitable for almost any occasion.

Last August I made this card (below) using designer paper that has now retired.

I love the colors in it, too---Tempting Turquoises, Pumpkin Pie and Rose Red.  I didn't get to demo this card before the designer paper retired.  I show it to you because it demonstrates that you can use almost any colors for this card!

Thanks for stopping by today.  Smiles, Laura

Fun Flowers really are fun...

I've had a great time lately playing with the new Fun Flowers die that is in the Occasions Mini.  My friend Judy came over to stamp with me last week and here is one of the cards we made.  I love the colors on this one.  The card itself is Pear Pizzazz and I topped it with Poppy Parade and used Sunny Garden designer paper on top of that.  The flower layers are punched from Poppy Parade, Peach Parfait, and So Saffron.  I embossed each layer with a different embossing folder to give them texture and sponged it to show details. 

I glued all the flower layers together and then glued them to the Sunny Garden DSP.  Then I cut around the petals and glued that to the Poppy Parade layer.  I cut around that and then glued it to the Pear and cut around that. 

I put a different pattern of the DSP inside the card, so where I trimmed around the flower would really show up.  The leaves on this card are punched with the Blossom Petal Punch.  I used the largest petal for the leaf.  I used my stylus to make the lines, sponged it and put it under the edge of the flower.

 I'm sure you are wondering where I got the sentiment, GLADNESS.  I bought two of the Delight in Gladness builder wheels.  I pulled the rubber of one off the wheel and made stamps with it.  Gladness is one of those stamps.  That's one of the delightful glimmer brads in the middle of the flower.

Here is another card, same layout, that  I made.  This one uses some designer paper purchased locally, along with Certainly Celery, Bravo Burgundy and Baja Breeze cardstock.  I like how it turned out, too.
                
Thanks for visiting me today!!  Smiles, Laura

Birthday wishes....

I have several birthdays to acknowledge this month and here is a card I made for two of them. I used three In Colors for this card--the card itself is Peach Parfait, the next layer is Poppy Parade and the top layer is Pear Pizzazz.  I love this color combination.  The designer paper is from the Sunny Garden collection--both the striped piece and the floral piece.   I punched the circle using the new 3-1/2" die from the Occasions Mini.

 I punched two flowers using the new Fun Flowers Bigz L Die from the Occasions Mini. I embossed them with embossing folders--the bottom one with the Perfect Polka Dots folder and the top one with the Vintage Wallpaper one.  I sponged Poppy on both of them to add depth.  Love that pear glimmer grad in the middle of the flower, too.

The Birthday Wishes sentiment is from the Occasional Quotes Level 3 Hostess set.  That will be one I'll use a lot. 

I hope my friends who get this card like it!! I think it will be a hit!  Smiles, Laura

Welcome,Johnny....

Windy and Mimi, friend of ours, recently had a new grandson!  It's always exciting to have a new baby!!  This little fellow was named Johnny for Mimi's dad, the baby's great grandfather.  That's really special to her!  I wanted to make a cute card to send them to congratulate them on the news.  Here is the card I came up with.

I had seen a cute stamp with a baby hanging from a tree, but couldn't find where to purchase the stamp.  So I decided just make my own card using punch art,

The baby's "blanket swing" is made from the largest oval in the Ovals die.  I ran it in both directions through my crimper, to give it some texture and folded it in half.  I trimmed each corner to give it the curved shape.    The baby's head is made using the 1-1/4" circle punch and the legs are punched from the Word Window punch.  I free-hand cut the tree branch  and clouds.  The leaves on the tree are punched with  Two-step Bird punch.

The sentiment, "Welcome Baby" was stamped with the Something to Celebrate SS, a level 2 hostess in the Occasions mini.

I think Mimi and Windy will like this card! I hope so.  What do you think?
Smiles, Laura

Envelope full of hearts.....

How do you like this envelope full of hearts?  The card itselt is Rose Red cardstock.   I punched strips of Pink Pirouette cardstock with the Dotted Scallop Ribbon punch and tucked one edge of it under some Patterns Paper Stack designer paper, so it looks like lace on the edge of it.  I lilke that look.

.

I punched the envelope using the Bitty Box and Envelope die and my Big Shot.  The sentiment tag on it is made using the large oval punch and the scallop oval punch.  I tied a Pretty in Pink taffeta aroun d it. 

I punched the hearts from the Patterns Paper Stack designer paper and punched a FEW from Red Glimmer cardstock.  This card looks really good in real life. 

Just a few more days until Valentines.  I have a few more samples to show you, so come back to see more.

Smiles, Laura

My Banner Picture...

Do you like my new blog picture?  We've taken down Christmas decorations so my Christmas wreath came down.  I needed needed something to take us through January, so I made this wreath this week for our door.  It's very timely because the weather folks are predicting snow again tonight for us.  So the wreath is ideal.

 

 I share it with you because I cut the words and snowflakes using Stampin' Up! dies!  The snowflake and words are cut from white fun foam, so they stand the weather very well.  (My door in under a cover so it doesn't get blowing rain, but it does get dampness and cardstock would not hold up very well.  Fun foam is ideal!)  I cut the snowflakes with my Big Shot using the Snowflakes #2 die.  The words "Peace, Joy, Love and Cheer" I cut from the Join in the Cheer Strip die.   And that is what we wish for our guests in the new year---peace, joy, love and cheer.  (Of course the evergreen wreath and ribbon were  purchased locally.)

I added purple ribbon because I use purple in my house a lot and it's a "cold" weather color.  But Stampin' Up! has some great ribbons that would be nice on the wreath, too. 

While this "share" isn't stamping related, it is another way to use your stamping supplies/equipment.

Thanks for visiting today!!  Smiles, Laura

Christmas Day Santa

Merry Christmas!! I hope you are knee deep in wrapping paper and joyful family togetherness!  I've saved this Santa to share today.  I just love him!  I know you've seen alot of cards with Santa's face, but again, I had to do something just a tad different.  You KNOW I've been on a cardinal kick this year.  So I had to put a cardinal, rather than holly or mistletoe on Santa's cap!

The card itself is Wild Wasabi with a Basic Black mat and a Pink Pirouette front.

                                   

I used the Manhattan Flower for his beard and mustache and doesn't it look like curling hair!  I used the Perfect Polka Dots die for the edge of the hat. The mustache was cut using the Top Note die.

Here is a close up of that little cardinal fellow.  I see them outside at my feeder every day and never tire of these colorful birds!

I hope you are having a wonderful day!! I'll be absent the next few days--we are going to visit our son for Christmas.  I'll be back for New Years!  Have a wonderful holiday season. 

Thanks for coming by!  Smiles, Laura

Folded Tree....

Here is a card I sent to some of our friends.  (I make several card designs each year because I get bored making 140 ro 150 cards just alike.)  Anyway, I decided early on that I was going to make alot of this one, so I started them in August.

The card itself is Wild Wasabi (yes, I do use that green alot) and it is layered with the Patterns DSP Stack in the dots.  he tree is cut using the Scalloped Circle die from the Patterns DSP Stack stripe sheet.  I cut the circle in half and then folded it 4 times to form the tree. 

The sentiment is from the Teeny Tiny Wishes set.

I put Pearls Jewels on the tree. They really dress the tree up.  These stand out a lot so I tried not to mail many of these, but to use them on cards I can hand-deliver. 

I hope the receipents liked this one!   Smiles, Laura

Folded Christmas tree...

My husband asked me to make a special Christmas card a couple he contracts with and since I'd been meaning to try this tree by Karen Ewert, I thought I'd try it for this couple  You can see Karen's cards and instructions for folding the card here.  Karen's health prevents her posting to her blog now, but she has left if up so we all can benefit from her instructions and videos she previously posted.

 I used the Wild Wasabi DSP from the Pattern DSP Stack for the tree.  The card itself is Wild Wasabi matted in white.  I had stamped snowflakes all over the white using the snowflakes from the Serene Snowflakes set.  I find I use that set so often!

The Peace on Earth is from the Four the Holidays stamp set.

Here is a close-up of the tree.  I put the Pearl "Jewels" on it for "ornaments."  The tree is on an oval cut with the Scalloped Oval die from Bashful Blue CS.  I topped the tree with a Circle Ice Rhinestone Brad.

Hubby was pleased with the card to send to his friends.  Hope they like it.  Smiles, Laura

Triple snowmen....

Recently my friend the very talented Holly Craft posted this picture of her new grandson Jackson and a stocking she bought him on her blog (here).  Holly was adding his name to the top of the stocking.  I was just taken with this picture.  Not only is Jackson a DOLL and Holly's photo taking skills the best, but the snowmen on the stocking were just darling.  I just had to try making a card with these three fellows.  (Remember, you get your inspiration wherever you find it.)

 I snapped a picture of Jackson's picture with my card.

 So here is my card.  The card is Bashful Blue, layered with Marina Mist, and topped with Cherry Cobbler.  The original stocking is more Real Red, but I wanted to use the Cherry Cobbler.  I used the 1-3/8" circle punch for their heads.  I also used the second to the largest circle on the Circles #2 die for the bodies. 

Here is a closeup of the faces.  I drew in the eyes and the "x" buttons.  And I used the markers for the lines on the cap and scarves. 

Hope this inspires you to look around at purchased Christmas cards, napkins, stocking, all sorts of things for your inspiration. 

Come back for more Christmas cards later in the week.  Thanks for visiting.  Smiles Laura

Another Candy Wrapper treat....

One day last week, I showed you the candy wrappers we were making in class this month.  Well, here are some I made for my friends who are joining me for a Christmas lunch.  I wanted to have something to put at each place at the table.

 These little red boxes are made using the Candy Wrapper die from the Holiday Mini.  I just love this little box and keep thinking of things to put into it.

These are made from Real Red cardstock with a strip of designer paper wrapped around them.

I punched the snowflake using the Snowflake punch from white cardstock.  I ran the clear Tinsel Trim (Holiday mini) through a red button, around the snowflake and back through the button and then tied it off.  I love how that looks on the box!  I attached it to the box using a piece of Sticky Strip tape.

Inside I put two Almond Joy fun-size candies because my friends bring me such joy.  

Thanks for visiting my blog today.  Smiles, Laura