Oh my word-its ONLY Tuesday? Seriously! This time change is really killing me. Im in the mode where I say-I know the clock says 6 am, but its really only 5am. This whole spring ahead is for the birds!
Oh the week has already been so long :C It’s practically in REWIND.
My body hurt SO BAD from all that work yesterday that my limbs were throbbing! It woke me up from a sound sleep. WOW! I think I REALLY need to get into a serious workout regimen. Oh yeah, and some Motrin.
For all who have asked, my finger has been OK! When I painted I just kept it straight on the roller. I really didn’t have to use it. It doesn’t hurt anymore at all. Unless you were to squeeze it-then we may have a problem.
Anyways, I want to share a few cards with you today that I actually MAILED!!!!! WOW!! THAT is a miracle. I did of course MAKE them specifically for each recipient.
Now since this behavior, of actually “mailing cards”, is out of the norm for me (LOL! :D) I figured I’d create some cards with an “out of the box” theme!
I HOPE you will try one this week too. It makes a simple card a real WOW! Send me a link if you do.
Now I don’t mean OH WOW! Super cool, revolutionary idea, but one I LOVE and don’t use often enough! Also the images I purchased really made this work. I really went on a SPENDER BENDER at this stamp store in Concord NH, called Arts Plus.
This card was done using 2 new Hero Arts images! I fell in LOVE with them!!! LOVE!!!!! Now I am going to post about these stamps for this card, as well as some past one’s! I know I got loaded with emails about certain images, that I failed to LINK! Sorry!!! I know I HATE when I need to know WHO makes WHAT and I can’t find it.
This card uses the Ornate Bird—–>HERE, and Flower Flourish—–>HERE
This was for the woman Ilysa who made Alexa the Prayer Bottle from Polymer Clay. She makes them, then sends them to Cancer patients! What a wonderful thing to do.
I have been wanting a “peacock” sort of image for FOREVER-no idea WHY I just did! This one was just gorgeous.
I had to use one of my favorite colors-purple, and teal with olive. Its a stunning combo. Oneof my cards like 2 years ago was picked for the SCS Color challenge! It was a color combo inspired by a tampon commercial!!! SERIOUSLY!!! I went there! AND Im happy I did, because I truly love the combo.
Anyway-I colored my image with markers first, then stamped my bird onto my card base. This card is 4 1/2 squared. Then I re-stamped it onto some white Eclipse tape (this works WAY better than sticky notes), and yes is a must have! I did the same with the flower flourish. Masked over the images. I then stamped my square from the Borders & Corners set. I chose to use the sentiment from a SU! SAB set. Colored in the border, and added some dazzling diamonds to the bird. The flower center, and bird wing has a rhinestone added-then DONE!!! Ribbon is from Michaels-paper is Martha Stewart!
Now I got alot of emails about the little owl I used ——> HERE. This is it—–>HERE
Here is the birdcage, I used —>HERE
OK WARNING! ENABLER ALERT!!
Now upon linking the next set for the card I did you HAVE to check—–>THIS<—–out!!! CUTE or what?! I need them all! LOL!
Anyway I got this Flourishes set, and had to make like a hundred cards!
Anyway-I love it, and came up with this-
Yes, I was into purple that day! The flower center’s all have rhinestone’s.
This card didn’t need masking due to the image style.
I stamped the circle from the Border’s and Corner’s set, using GRAY!!! Now this is a great tip if you are stamping OVER the image! Its a subtle difference, and you wont see the LINES from it in the MAIN image! This allowed my sentiment to be seen, even if the letter of a word crossed over the circle border!! Clear as mud? The sentiment is from the Everyday Blessing’s set. Even if you aren’t a big “Cross” fan, the sentiments alone are worth every penny!
This was a tall card-6 X 4 1/4. I loved the simplicity of it.
TOMORROW I will share 2 more cards-one is out of the box style, and the other is general. They both have the same combo of colors-Pomegranate and olive! VERY pretty!!
So I hope you will check in with me again then.
On another note: If you are STILL reading…………………………….
I was tagged by Tracy, so here are 7 RANDOM Facts about me-
1) I collect Wheaton Glass bottles! You can view some on EBay—–>HERE, if you want to see them. I have a huge collection 😀 I started collecting them about 4 years ago and have over 100! They can really be worth a pretty penny for some, and I do have a few that are worth quite a bit! My favorite piece is a ruby red glassdecanter, with a heart and birds on the front. I also have a few blue glass pieces that I cherish. Each one is different! It has to have the Wheaton signature on the bottom to be a REAL Wheaton. There are many places that reproduced them. We live 20 minutes from “Antique Alley” and I have scored quite a few from there. Onve I went to a yard sale, and got a big box of miniature Wheaton bottles-for a $1!!! They obviously had NO CLUE that they were sitting on a gold mine!
2) I always wanted to take a photography class! I use to want to be a photographer and thought it would be so fun to get a REALLY nice camera, and take photos. BUT since getting into stamping-and HATING to photograph my stuff, that most likely will not happen. I may take a graphic desing class-SOMEDAY!! We will see.
3) I am really bad about remembering to post tags and awards!!! SORRY!! My brain works like a million miles a minute, and I always just forget :C I am also bad about tagging! I sometimes feel like I could hurt someone’s feelings by NOT including them in the “game”, plus I get really busy and don’t honestly get to blog hop that much :C
4) I cut my own hair! When I do-because its naturally curly, I just part it in the middle, then take about 2 fingers from the bottom a chop!!!! Since its curly you can’t tell if iuts choppy or uneven! LOL! I do like to get it done every now and again but rarely have time.
5) I HATE most store brand food. I don’t care what people say, some of it DOES have a different taste! Such as peanut butter, store brand chocolate and cereal. There are some other items too, that I am failing to remember right now. I won’t eat them, and it drives Jason CRAZY!!!!! Even some CHIPS are nasty!
6) I am a shop-aholic. OK so this isn’t shocking. When Im sad, upset, happy-whenever! I got this inherited from my grandmother. She taught me young. When I was like 5 we would go spend the day shopping at Sears, and other stores. She would buy me like $500 (yes 20 years ago-$500 I’ll never forget those totals cause I would say “Grandpa is going to KILL you!!!”) worth of clothing. Sears would see her come in, and they knew her by FIRST NAME!! “Well Hello Ann, how are you today?”
CRAZY!! I think it began from there. It felt SO good to do that! Of course “I” dont spend that kind of money but that feeling is the same. I LOVE the $1 spots! I can spend $50 at the dollar store. Jason will say $50!! Im like yeah, but I got 50 things!! How cool is that! I also am known many places by first name because I shop there frequently :C YIKES!
7) My girls middle names are from their Grandmother’s. Alexa s after my mother’s mom, and Amber is Jason’s mother’s mom. I think its a nice form of respect.
When it came to Noah on the other hand-I just said you know what I like the name Riley-so that is what Im going with! Jason’s family has a tradition that the son takes the father’s FIRST name, as his middle name. I was NOT naming Noah -Noah Jason Meader! NOPE! Sorry!
WHEW! Super long post. Sorry about that.
Anyway if you haven’t (and I know you probably have) check out the Papertrey sneak peeks! Oh yeah, and feel free to list 7 facts about yourself here if you like!
Till Tomorrow!!!
28 Responses for "Out of the box-long winded but worth it! ENABLER ALERT!"
[…] Jeff Herrold: This card was done using 2 new Hero Arts images! I fell in LOVE with them!!! LOVE!!!!! Now I am going to post about these stamps for this card, as well as some past one’s! I know I got loaded with emails about certain images, … […]
WOW, these cards are fantastic, glad to hear that your finder is doing well.
These are too cool! I love the swirly modern feel of both. SO love the use of that circle in the second one.
That peacock is to die for! I need to go dig my peacock stamp out and try that color combo with it. I always use teal and tempting turquoise with it, but not purples. I like your color combo better.
You crack me up! Your cards are so beautiful Lauren! You are so inspiring! Thank you for sharing…. BTW, Papertrey is SO lucky to have you!
~Lynda
Your cards are so gorgeous, Lauren!! I love reading your tag as well!! Good to “know” you better!!
Catching up now. 😉
simply gorgeous cards Lauren. The flower on that first card reminds me of Papertrey’s spiral bouquet. I’m really happy to hear you’re mailing some now! That doubles the pleasure; well actually triples it. First it’s a pleasure to you when you’re creating and playing. Second it’s a pleasure to all of your blog readers because we gain inspiration from it, and third it’s a pleasure to those who receive them because it brightens their day so much! probably it goes even further because getting fun mail puts them in such a good mood that they are kinder to everyone else they are around the rest of the day! LOL! Now I’ll bet you mail them more often!
Very pretty cards, I am really liking that peacock stamp!
And I’m really curious about the new PTI color, the berry blush. She didn’t show it close to groovy guava and it looks like it might be most similar to that, is it?
Have fun playing and shopping! Glad your finger didn’t get hurt painting!
Both cards are beautiful!!!! Love the purple you used…
Wow, I haven’t read that much since… well one of your last blog posts!!!! Just kidding. I love the way you do your posts, kind of feels like you could be sitting in my kitchen with a cup of coffee just talking away and telling stories. I saw a bunch of those larger Inka… stamp sets at Jo-anns today. I actually thought of you when I saw the ones with all of the birds and butterflies. That little dog one is so stinkin cute. Hope my LSS gets those in soon. Have a nice day. The sunshine feels so good doesn’t it? -Molly B
Beautiful card Lauren!! I love the dollar spot at Target too! WOW you were one lucky girl with your grandma. My parents do the same for my kids. I agree on the name brands..especially peanut butter, vegetables, and soda!! That’s my 2 cents
again lauren beautiful,
the colour combo reminds me of pansies and easter as a little girl at my grans. thanx for the trip down memory lane.
chriss x
Gaw-jus! Jaw-dropping amazing! Absolutely love love love the peacock one. But then again, you know I love all your purple creations.
Another jaw dropper Lauren! Love them both, they are outstanding! Love the purple and green…beautiful, original and so springy! The recipients are lucky people, and I know they will treasure these masterpieces! I have to share that my favorite time of day is “My Time”, when your email post arrives in my in-box! You are so inspiring!
Of course, I love these cards as well as all of the cards you make. You have a way of putting the “WOW” in every card you make. I hope your finger stays on the mend…had to laugh on that one. Hey, you “dripped” in asking for that one 🙂
Beautifully done.
Love the fresh, clean, feel of these cards, pretty colors too!
Lauren,
I absolutely love your blog and the card you made today with the bird and the flourish is absolutely gorgeous! I especially love the color combo.
I have taken the liberty to CASE your Candy Carrots in a box project but I gave you full credit and have linked your blog from mine. I hope you don’t mind.
Keep producing those beautiful things you do!
CeeCee
I like long posts. Gives me something to read!! I love these cards. the white with the dark is soo pretty. Your work is always great, but these are just fab!!
Have a great day!!
These are totally gorgeous, Lauren–so classy!
Love both cards….so whimsical and fun and so Lauren. I love your style!
Neat to learn those fun things too—I am soooo agreeing with the store brand items….blucky!
More Beautiful Cards….
Marvelous colors..adorable peacock.
Images are so sweet…
The circle with flowers and birds is
beautiful…and the ribbons too!!
Dee
Lauren, you made my day!!!
Came home way after dark, and could feel happy mail in my mailbox — you know the tell-tale bulge of an embellishment and the card-sized envie …. but I had to get in the house first before I could see the return addy label.
Woweeee! A Lauren Meader original. I’m thrilled.
Thank you!!!!!! I love it and the note inside. The owl is a mascot from days when I was in a college sorority too.
Lauren,
Beautiful cards once again!! I especially love the second one. I was just wondering if maybe you could create a card for a husband’s birthday? My hubby’s b-day is coming up and I need some ideas. He loves sports especially football. He also is very musical. He plays guitar and sings. Maybe something along the lines of the music stuff. Thanks for your inspiration.
Okay…showing me that site with the stamps, was Cruel.;-) I think if I had the money, I would have ordered all of them. There was sooooo many I liked.
I agree with the store brand food idea! But even my hubby agrees to that one. There are some things that cannot be made the same.
I like the idea of your children’s middle names and the extended family. That is cool. I sort of did that. And my hubby’s family (and hubby) is Greek. Greeks believe in naming first child with father’s name. No matter if it is a girl or boy. My dear friend’s middle name was George. 🙁 I always felt sorry for her. We skipped that tradition-and my mil has never let me/hubby alone about it. (our oldest is 17!)
Thanks for the daily inspiration and thoughts>
Jules
Love the cards and thanks for the tip about the grey around the border so the sentiment shows through I hadn’t thought of that one. That’s what I love about the web and generous people sharing great ideas, you can learn so much. You’re a bit naughty though linking all those gorgeous stamps, my credit card is gonna hate me, so many pretty stamps so little money.
[…] The flower flourish is the same from yesterday-HERE […]
You’ve opened my eyes to a whole new world, I just ordered the butterfly set and the everyday blessings set from paperinktray….thank you, thank you…I just couldn’t stop thinking about the beautiful butterflies….I just love love love them..!!!!em
Leave a reply