Monday, October 15, 2012

Shiny web....

Here is a card I made for my three sisters.  In fact, I've made them several Halloween cards this year, so I'll start sending them one a week during October.  I am scheduling these entries to post AFTER my sisters get their cards.  

This card is made using Tangerine Tango cardstock, layered with Lucky Limeade.  For the front, I rolled white ink onto my Spider Web embossing folder using the brayer, and then embossed my black cardstock in it.  Then I sprinkled  Iridescent Ice embossing powder over the white ink, which was still wet and heated it to emboss.  I wish you can see this card in person, it is so neat!
The spider and "eek!" are from the Spooky Bingo Bits stamp set. There are so many neat little stamps in that set to use!  

I hope my sisters like this one!!
Smiles, Laura

My Stamping Space.....

I know I've been gone awhile again.  I spent all of last week cleaning out in my stamp room, preparing for two friends to work with me on Friday (of last week).  I still have MUCH quilting supplies--cloth, magazines and books, patterns, threads, etc.  I pulled out MOST of the quilting magazines and crafting magazines and am donating them to friends.  Then I moved my stamping magazines (finally) to the bookshelves I had just vacated.  I put away alot of the baskets that were taking up floor space, making it difficult to walk around.  Like usual, I forgot to take a before pictures (not that I'd show that to ANYONE!!) but I did take some "after" pictures.  My stampers are always asking for pictures of my stamp room, so I thought I'd share a few of them.

Here is my work around for guests.  I can seat 4 at this table.
To the right of that table (and seen in the picture above) are some of my containers that hold mostly retired things--designer paper, 12x12 cardstock, punches, etc.  I keep wanting to replace these containers and the arrangement, but haven't so far.

Continuing around to the right is a counter area that was originally built for flower arranging and making wreaths.  I have moved old "pattern" boxes here (left from my sewing days) to hold packs of retired cardstock.  I use those for church projects so I keep them handy. Yes, I have some candy and snacks available to us sitting there, too.  A girl has to have alittle sugar!  On the little table in the foreground is my Zutter cutter that I use for cutting card for class.  It's SO quick!!

 To the right of that area are 3 cabinets.  The first holds mostly retired stamp sets, but also my acrylic paints, etc.  The other two still hold quilting cloth--yes, they are both full.  That will be good stamping storage when I can convince myself to clean them out and donate the cloth.  The two bookcases on the right now hold my stamping books and magazines.
This is a straight on shot of the bookcase/magazines, mostly in magazine holders.  I have samples and ideas in the looseleaf notebooks.
 To the right of the bookcases are double closet doors.  I have a wonderfully large closet in this room, but that's for another day.  Right now, it needs its own cleaning!  Beside the closet doors is an old metal sink I refinished about 15 years ago.  Believe me, this project made me realize that while I enjoy refinishing wood, I do not like refinishing metal.  I have a picture somewhere of how it looked before. You would not believe all the rust.  It was terrible.  I sanded it down to the shiny metal and my husband and I sprayed it white again.  I just LOVE this sink with its two washboards on each side.  Wish I had one like it in my kitchen!  It's wonderful in the craft room for washing out paint brushes, etc.
Beside the sink is an area where I have ribbon and my current Stampin' Up! cardstock stored.  Since my stamping area in in the middle of the room, this is to my back, making it very easy to grab CS as I need it.
The Big Shot sits on this counter, too, along with my current SU stamp sets.  All very handy to me when I need them.
                                      
That takes us back to the table where guests can stamp.
OK, now the middle of the room.  Here is my stamping desk.  No, I didn't get it cleaned off last week.  It became sort of a catch-all for things I needed to put "somewhere."  But at least you can see my stamp pads to the left of my desk.  My current ones are below and the retired ones are above.  I still use those occasionally.
Finally here are some Art Bin containers which are in the middle of the room behind my stamp desk.  I love these Art Bin containers.  These hold current designer paper and projects for my classes as I am designing for them.
Well, there it is--my stamp area, my craft room!  It's not the cleanest, most orderly, but hey, it is a large room and my own space and I do enjoy crafting here!  Thanks for looking at it today.  I have more samples to show later.

Smiles, Laura



Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Double Twisted Easel.....

Today I'm sharing a card I made for my friend Marge's birthday.  I had it made many weeks early, but didn't want to show you until she had received it. This one is called a double twisted easel.  The first card I'm showing here was one I made for my classes to construct.  The one below is Marge's card. 

So, here is the card closed, as you open the envelope and pull it out.
When you "open" the card and stand up the sides, it looks like this. I used the Kindness Matters stamp set on it and punched a bunch of butterflies to include.
This is Marge's card.  Notice the 39 on the front and the question marks?
So opened it looks like this:
We all know Marge is older than 39, but I'll never tell her real age. 

To make this card, you cut your cardstock 5.5 x 8.5”.   On the long edge of the CS, (starting left to right), score at 4.25” and 5.75”.  On SHORT side, cut in at 2.75” until you get to the 5.75” score line.  Then score from the inside end of that cut to the outside corners of the front (see sample).  Fold and glue down the section closest to the card fold line---that part will not open when the card is "opened."  Decorate the card as desired.   It probablly sounds complicated with these instructions, but just look at the card and I think you can figure it out.  Have fun!

Come to visit again soon!
Smiles, Laura 

Monday, October 8, 2012

Cup of Chocolate

I haven't shared with you in over a week.  I've had my sister-in-law Mary Ann visiting and we have been stamping and coloring our 2013 calendars which we always give as Christmas gifts.  She was here from Tuesday - Saturday last week and we got 20 sets each finished---including all the coloring!  Ah, I love to know I have SOMETHING done already for Christmas, because I sure haven't gotten my usual start on Christmas cards!  I need to hustle and get busy on those. I usually make around 160.

I have so much to share with you, but just haven't taken time to photograph any of my cards I've made, and not done the write ups.  So I'll share this card I made a few weeks ago.

This card is Baja Breeze layered with Riding Hood Red (I think).  I embossed the red with the new Argyle embossing folder and love the look.  I used Snow Festival designer paper on this one.

The cup of chocolate is from the Scentsational Season stamp set and cut with the Holiday Collection dies.  I just love this bundle--stamps and dies.
I used the new Window Frames Collection Dies I used for the white the cup is mounted on.  I use these dies ALOT!!

Well, I hope I won't be gone so long, but October is shaping up to be one busy month!  I will try to show you more cards I've made in a couple of days.

Thanks for stopping by today!  Smiles, Laura

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Snowflake extraordinaire....

We made this card recently in my class.  The card is Marina Mist cardstock, layered with Night of Navy and Whisper White.  I ran the white through the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder.

I used the new die, Snow Flurry, to cut both snowflakes.  The large one is cut from  Bashful Blue cardstock and the smaller is from the Silver Glimmer paper.
I just LOVE those glimmers!!
The sentiment is from the More Merry Messages stamp set.

I made several of these.  I think they will be a hit!  Thanks for stopping in!
Smiles, Laura

Friday, September 28, 2012

Last of the samples from Regional....

OK, today I will show you the last of samples and display boards I plan to share from Regional in Chattanooga, TN, on 9/22. Why?  Because I want to share some of my creations soon.  But for today, here are more display boards from SU's regional convention in Chattanooga last Saturday.







 I hope I haven't shared some of these on previous days.  I took SO MANY pictures and have shared a lot.  If they are posted twice, you get to enjoy them twice.  (hee, hee).

OK, here are more of the swaps I and my table mates received.  Enjoy!!  Again, I did not record the names of the creators, so I apologize for not giving credit.  And some were not signed--girls, when you share swaps, be sure to sign them on the back!



I hope you have enjoyed these shares by other card creators.  Next entry will have some of my own cards.  Come back to visit soon!
Smiles, Laura

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

More from Chattanooga Regional....

I promised to share more samples and displays from Stampin' Up!'s Regional convention in Chattanooga, TN, this past Saturday.  Here are some display boards:





Aren't they great!  Here are some individual samples pictures that either I or my table mates received as swaps:







OK, enough eye candy for today!  More next time!  Stampin' Up! was so good to us at Regional.  Each attendee received  the Merry Moments Simply Scrappin' kit and also the Seasonal Sayings stamp set from the mini catalog!  Wasn't that nice! And they gave out a BUNCH of  prizes after each break, lunch, etc.  Woohoo, we love free stuff!!

Come back soon!
Smiles, Laura