OK let’s be honest-I am HONESTLY so not a “fall” person. Not that I don’t like fall, I LOVE the gorgeous colors. I do after-all, live in New England 😀 New Hampshire is one of the most beautiful places in the world to visit in the fall. I don’t however, EVER make fall cards, or own many fall themed sets. The one’s I have bought I don’t really ever use (OK so I have a lot of sets like that, but thats a whole other story! LOL!).

SOOOOOOOOOO that brings me to Happy Harvest.

  Silly Scarecrow

This image takes me back to watching the Wizard of OZ over and over as a kid. He is just too adorable. I LOVE this card.

The Mellow paper by Basic Grey is just scrumdidilyumscious! I got the little maple leaf punches at the Target $1 spot LAST year. See it pays to impulse shop. You never know WHEN you will NEED something 😀

I realized I own NO images like in this set. Now that is something to be excited over.

Why?

Cause you never know if you like it, till you try it. I hope you get inspired to try a new style or get a set that is a little “different“than what you may already own, or are accustomed to purchasing.

 I can honestly say I absolutely enjoyed the set, way more than I thought I would! I quickly got 5 projects done, I was so inspired. Now you won’t see them all today…………….gotta save some stuff for later! Plus this is just suppose to be a peek!

With that being said, I must run.

Alexa has her appointment today, so that should be nice and exhausting. I am always emotionally drained after that and my MOJO does NOT like the Oncology Clinic AT ALL!!!

So thanks for checkin in here today. Be sure to check the site HERE for info on peeks of the other set releases 😀

Later.

WOW! I am LATE! Sorry !! Alexa had a dentist appointment and life has been well…….life! LOL! I’m utterly exhausted.

Today is my first peek at the new Lizzie Anne Designs Release. These sets will become available on the 19th! Lots of fun to come. I have been buried in my stamp room, in pure heaven.

I decided to use Garden Isle for my very first peek.

 Aloha Girl

I love this set. Every year I need a Hawaiian themed set, since my husband and I got married IN Hawaii!!! It was the best place in the world!!!

You can view the sneak peek sets HERE Isn’t it so cute?

I just kept it simple, and used the flower cluster as a corner accent of sorts. Looking at the card posted, I should add some “sand”. That’s do-able. This is relatively simple. I didn’t feel it need a whole lot to be cute. The colors and image speak for themselves 😀

Now for the surfer boy in your life…………..

 Mahalo (thank you in Hawaiian)

A SUPER simple card, using that same flower cluster (half stamped in the surf board), and the surf board as the focus. I love simple, and that is just what this is. Its also a great way to use a smaller image as the focus.

My scor-pal added a simple, and clean accent of a trio of score lines. PERFECT-O!

Hope you likey. Before I go take a nap (GOD willing), it is time to announce the random winner of the Lizzie Anne Birthday Bash Candy! All my winners are chosen by www.random.org

Thank you to all of your for entering and sharing your favorite b-day thoughts, memories and traditions 😀 I read every single one!

And the Winner is

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

307

Timestamp: 2008-07-15 20:20:31 UTC

307. Bonnie aka raduse |

Yikes! You sure are popular today. LOL Awesome card, as usual Lauren. I just love your coloring. What do I love about birthdays? Presents! Always have, always will. Especially when they’re stamps.

————————————————————————————————-

YEAH BONNIE!! Congratulations!! Ill need to send your address to Tricia for you to get your surprise set. Happy dance.

———————————————————————————————–

OK Im off and sleepin.

Enjoy the day!

Don’t you all LOVE the 15th of every month now?!

Grab your coffee cause I am long winded today.

I cannot tell you how exciting it is for all of us up to the reveal. It is so hard to wait to share stuff. I feel like I am always WAITING! LOL! I do so much at once and no one can know or see it. Let alone my daily samples. Your feedback really keeps me going and the wheels in my head just turning 😀 So THANK YOU!! You all inspire me to do better.

Today I am sharing my samples for the PTI release here with you. Believe it or not there are MANY more! LOL! I just could not stop this month. I will spread the rest out though through the month.

As always I LOVE to hear what your favorite was. Im always amazed at what “I” like, and what “YOU” like is so different! LOL! I have a couple favorites and will share my thoughts on the projects as I go along.

NOTE: All stamps are by Papertrey Ink.

Wise Owl and Wise Owl Bellies

OK I have to say how GENIUS is the fact that this is a BUILD an OWL set?! OMG! I almost DIED from cuteness overload when I saw this set. BIG HUG to Alli for this set. I can’t even gush enough over it. I am so in love with it-LOVE! The possibilities are endless with the various eye’s and bellies. Then you can add wings, or not! Just way too adorable. I am in owl heaven let me tell you. Like finger prints…..no two owls will be the same! LOL!

My favorite from this release is this card.

Patched Owl

OK I know this is VERY simple but I can’t help but LOVE it. I used the new patterned paper to piece the owl. Since the set is CLEAR, I could easily align it to where I wanted the pattern from the paper to be-like the flower for the belly! I also love the touch of paper at the top. CUTE!

The eyes punch perfectly from the 1/2 circle punch! YEAH!! I also LOVE Out on a Limb, so that adds to my LOVE for this card. this is another great one for mass production, if that is your thing.

Stamps: Wise Owl, Out on a Limb
Inks: Burnt Umber, CTMH craft white
Cardstock: PTI Basic Kraft, Vintage Cream
Patterned Paper: PTI Chocolate Remix 12 X 12 in Green Thumb print
Accessories SU! circle punch

Hootin Hi

How cute are the mini owls in this set? She sits perfectly in this tree from Father Knows Best!

 This card was so fun to do! I just combined images from several PTI sets to create my “scene”. I used the little owl from the set, stamped, colored and cut, then put her in the tree. She fits PERFECTLY up there. So retro and so cute. Then the flower border from mailbox greetings was the perfect ground cover!!
I love it!

I have to say I LOVE this layout! I am big on cool layouts, if you haven’t noticed. It was another sketch created from the swimming lessons. It came out better than I envisioned it to. Who wouldn’t smile if this ended up their mailbox?

Stamps: Wise Owl, Father Knows Best, Mailbox Greetings
Inks: Burnt Umber, SU! Markers Copic markers
Cardstock: Sweet blush, spring moss, chocolate, pumpkin pie

One flower One moment

Don’t miss out on the CUTENESS of the little flower images in the set. They make their own fabulous cards! I could not help myself from using just the little flower as the main focus.

The bud to this little flower fits perfect in a punch. I love having it in 3 D. This set has great images and sentiments to go with the owls or are perfect alone! I am lovin the color combo too.

Stamps: Wise Owl
Inks: white stazon, olive, pomegranate, copic markers
Cardstock: sweet blush, spring moss, pumpkin, pomegranate, acetate
Patterned Paper: ? Scenic route
Accessories: Fabric tag, circle punch

Thanks a bunch of blooms

Some of the images in this set create the funnest patterned paper !

The little images in this set created some of the cutest flowers. I used one of the eyes for this one. You’d never know! With the bellies to mix it up there are so many patterned paper possibilities. I was just loving the new Kraft cardstock with my projects this month.

Thanks a Bunch of Blooms

Stamps:Wise Owl, Floral Frenzy (sentiment)
Inks: CTMH craft white, olive
Cardstock: PTI select white, Kraft, olive
Patterned Paper: MADE MY OWN!

Quilter’s Sampler & Quilter’s Sampler sentiments

Don’t miss my sample & tutorial Lauren’s Lovely Lid Frame

I bet you didn’t know I use to quilt? I think I had more fun SHOPPING for the fabric, and mixing the pattern’s than the actual making of the quilt. I always wanted to hurry up and just get it DONE! I made MANY quilts in my day, but now haven’t sewn a stitch since finding my true love-STAMPING!!!! I knew that my sewing would pay off someday. I really need to get photos of some of the quilts I made.

My first one was for Noah. I cross-stitched a giraffe to put in the center, then wanted to put it in the center of a quilt. It came out really cute.  I bet you didn’t know I use to cross stitch either. My grandmother taught me one summer when I was about 9. I think I made like 4 pillow cases that summer. One I think my mom still uses! LOL!)

Anyway, this set brought me back to my quilting days……………….

Quilters Tube Gift Set

This is a great way to present some pretty fabric’s as a gift, to the quilter in your life!

This acetate tube is a perfect presentation of your gift. It allows your receiver to see a sample of each fabric quarter in the bundle! It also protects them from getting dirty before given, and from wrinkling 😀

With a card to match you cannot go wrong.

Now upon my trip the the fabric store, I read through some books and magazines. I loved the way many of them featured their fabric.

If you are not familiar with fabric and they way it is sold, well here is a little info. You can pick your fabric and have it cut for you. Many quilter’s don’t need more that a quarter yard to make their blocks. A nice gift would be several fabric quarter’s that go together.

You can also buy pre-gathered bundles. Often a bit more pricey, but those for those who may be pattern challenged, or overwhelmed by the selection, a great way to go for a gift!

So upon looking I saw that they folded fabric quarter’s, and stack them up, layering them a bit. Then they ROLLED them up, so you could get a view of what is in the stack, then tied them up with ribbon. SO PRETTY!

Much better than the way they normally come-each quarter stacked and tied with ribbon, so you can only get a good view of the top & bottom fabric if you were to buy the pre-bundled quarters that way.

I felt I wanted to step it up a bit, but keep the appeal of the rolled quarter’s,  seeing every fabric quarter. So I simply make a TUBE!

I just stamped the flowers/centers/leaves on the acetate with white StazOn. I then quickly brushed on Pebble pearlescent chalks for color.

I put my rolled fabric in the center, then wrapped the acetate around it. I adhered the tube ends using redline tape.
I then die cut a scallop circles using my nestabilties. Adhered to top & bottom of fabric roll with dimensional glue dots. Tied on a satin ribbon to complete the top.
I made the band around the fabric tube to match the card.
Done in just a few minutes!!

Now you can still see each quater, but have a much more fun (and stamp friendly) way to present it!

When you take the scallop topper off, you can see all the fabric rolled up.

Quilt of Friendship Supplies

Stamps: Quilters Sampler & Quilter’s Sampler sentiments, Floral Frenzy,  Guide Lines, and Borders & Corners Square set
Inks: Burnt Umber, Spring Moss, white Stazon, Copic Markers
Cardstock: Vintage Cream, Ruby Red, Spring Moss and acetate
Accessories: Fabric Quater’s,  Stitched Spring Moss ribbon, Spring Moss stain ribbon, paper piecer/template, Pearlescent pastels by Pebbles Inc. Circle nestabilties, Making Memories stick pin, twine, and redline tape.

Kindred Quilt

Just a simple assembly of some stamped quilt blocks and some masking and you have a quick and easy quilt like card!

I just stamped my 4 blocks, rotating the block pattern, then colored. I die cut the blocks using my nestabilites, and used the die border as a mask to sponge on some blue ink! Added a flower to my center, and the quilt was done!

Stamps: Quilters Sampler & Quilters Sampler Sentiments
Inks: Pallette black, Copic Markers, bashful blue, night of navy
Cardstock: PTI select white, bashful blue
Patterned Paper: Chatterbox
Accessories scallop square nestabilities, bridal confetti, paper piercer, sponge dauber, Bella Dots, white singlo gel pen

Qulited Bugz Buzzin

I had fun making these fun “bugz” from the quilted pattern blocks! I had 2 leftover scraps that were shaped like C> that. They were from punching my 1/2 circles from the corners of a onesie card I did. I simply stamped the quit square onto the scrap, colored, then cut down the middle! Layered it onto a chocolate circle, attached with brad, then separated the ends. Now it looks almost like a funky lady bug!! Piercing the circles, added fun touch.

I LOVE versatility and finding a new fun way to use an image. Mission accomplished. This is another favorite from the release for me.

The sentiment set was a perfect match!

Stamps: Honey Bee Sentiments, Quilters Sampler
Inks: Burnt Umber by Pallette, Copic Markers
Cardstock: Sweet Blush, Berry Sorbet, Chocolate by Prism
Accessories: plastic circle template, paper piercer, CTMH brads, circle punches, Michaels bridal confetti, adhesive rhinestones

Floral Frenzy

Well it is NO surprise that I LOVE flower sets. What’s not to love? I truly believe you can never have enough of them. Each time I see a new set my heart leaps with excitement. I too love Daisy’s (I even named my dog Daisy!). I think Melissa’s take on this set is just awesome. This will definitely be another that I take out, over and over again.

The key to this set was pops of color this month.

This is my other FAVORITE card for the release:

 Colorful thoughts

I LOVE the use of colors against the black. Oh and who can forget my vellum Martha Stewart butterfly? I think I find a use for that with every release! Its like my little signature thing almost! LOL! Lauren + Butterflies = MYTIME style 😀 Just a subtle butterfly is all you need.

I just colored the petal with my SU! Markers in a dark version iof a color, then a light version. Can you say FUN! I love the look.

I have been using my color spritzer (from SU!) a lot lately. Lovin it again.

  Simple Summer flowers set

This is a quickie card with a matching gift tote!
It is perfect for that little something special, and great for mass producing! I love the summer color combo. I saw an ad on TV that made me think of these colors together.

Simple Summer Flowers

Stamps: Floral Frenzy, Out on a limb
Inks: night of navy, celery, pumpkin, lemon tart
Cardstock: PTI select white. celery, navy
Accessories: Lemon tart grosgrain ribbon

Quick, clean and simple.

Color-blocking takes this simple card to a quick WOW! I just love the simplicity of it. Nothin fancy. You don’t always need to go over the top to present a nice thoughtful card.

Daisy Note

Stamps: Floral Frenzy
Inks: Ruby Red, Lemon tart, Spring Moss
Cardstock: Ruby Red, Lemon tart, Spring Moss
Accessories: Lemon tart satin ribbon, circle punches

Daisy Framed Friend

OK this one I was just playing around. It is actually my LEAST favorite from this release and ALMOST got scrapped! People think I show everything I make, well this one I almost didn’t. Since I liked the CONCEPT of the card, and it wasn’t entirely hideous, I shared it.

On a positive note-I love the layout. The open frame highlighting the tilted image. I will definitely try this again.

Stamps: Floral Frenzy
Inks: pallette black, CTMH craft white, olive
Cardstock: white, kraft, lemon tart, black
Accessories: black brads, nestabilities

So that is it.  I hope you get inspired in some way today.

I am at a play place with the kids today. Should be fun.

Alexa has her post-cancer check up tomorrow. I always hold my breath. I don’t think that will ever change. She is really doing so amazing. A whole new energy level  too. I am so thankful God saw us through that storm. She is also becoming more personable and talkative to others. That is great.

Thursday Jay and I are off for our time 😀 Don’t worry! I do have post’s pre set to go! You won’t miss any eye candy 😀 However, I won’t be around to answer emails till Monday.

Whatever you are up to enjoy the day! Thanks for visiting 😀

Oh I have to say that I am so excited to share my samples with the new stamps from Lizzie Anne Designs  new release! But those have to wait a few more days.

They are also celebrating their BIG Birthday Bash!

You can see their big bash events HERE, as well as the release schedule for those of you anxious to see some peeks!!

In honor of their bash YOU get a chance to enter to win a SURPRISE set!! Just leave me a comment here, telling me your favorite thing about birthdays! Tricia will surprise “you” (aka random drawn winner-but you can’t win if you don’t enter and you have NOTHING to lose by doing so) with a set in your mailbox!!

SO leave a comment about birthdays and what you love:

Is it a certain cake, what kind of traditions or things do you look forward to? A favorite b-day memory or gift……………whatever you want! I will randomly pick a winner and announce them here tomorrow at noon EST!

Also Tricia has a giveaway today too!

(I have been BUSY BUSY!! You have NO idea! LOL! More to come.)

Now for some eye candy 😀

 Summer Fun Flowers

I just LOVE these colors together! I had so much fun making this card. Sometimes you need to know WHEN to stop. I wanted to add MORE but think that would have been overboard.

 Le Jardin is another one of my favorite flower sets. You cannot see by the photo, but I used a glitter pen along all the blue areas of the flowers. SO PRETTY and shimmery in person. LOVE IT!

I know I have said this before, but sometimes you NEED a layer. You don’t want it to be to heavy or overbearing, so that is when vellum cardstock comes in handy!!

 See my pumpkin layer? It needed another layer, but nothing over the top, or too contrasting in color that it would draw your eye away from the focus of the card, so I used vellum cardstock. I get mine from Stampin Up, and and HAPPY to say that Papertrey Ink is going to be carrying it as well.

I hope you like my card as much as I do! LOL! I just can’t get over this color combo-sky, olive, pumpkin-just YUM!

LAD is one of the only companies who releases every quarter, rather than monthly. I do post samples monthly, so just keep your eyes open if you want to see more of LAD, and check my sidebar for the other design team member’s blogs, who also feature samples through the month as well.

There is of course a gallery (aka Sketchbook) of inspiration-don’t miss that too.

Well that is all for today. Thanks for reading.

Lauren

Hope you are all enjoying summer.

It is just absolutely GORGEOUS out today. Jay has been on call this weekend and working from home. That mean NO computer access for me :C I am having with-drawls! He gave me 15 minutes to write this so I better get crackin.

NOTE: before I forget……………..

I also want to say that I have gotten a ZILLION emails about my little oven box (and a few other projects I have done). I do have a template in the works but just found out that I can’t share it for a while as I have some fun things to come……..one including that particular project, since it seemed so popular 😀 No worries there will be a great way for YOU to make  your own once I can share (wink).

More on that at another time.

Also I have blog candy to post tomorrow courtesy of Lizzie Anne!! So don’t miss that.

 Friends Word Search

I always love to take out other things to work on when I should be doing something else! I don;t know WHY I do this. Maybe I then feel more in control of my time and what I do with it. Anyway, this is one of those, not suppose to be “playing” projects 😀

This card is 6 X 4 1/4. The stamps are good size, just to give you an idea.

I love fresh, fun & funky colors. Ribbon is a great source of inspiration for me. As you can see I pulled from the colors of my American Crafts ribbons.

I have FOREVER been on the hunt for a super cool Word Search for my cardmaking ventures. I finally found a mini set with the perfect one called Friends Word Search. SO CUTE!!!!!!

On this is I decided to create like a “sentiment” within the search, rather than let the receiver find words. I think someone finding the words would be super fun too!! I do have a few ideas for that, that I will have to attempt another time.

This card came together in like 10 minutes! LOL! Now that is cool.

I used my super awesome Giga flower punch 😀 (Love that thing) for a quick accent. Speaking of flower punches, did you know that there is a new Susan Tierny Cockburn flower making book out called the Paper Bouquet! OMG! I got mine, and let me tell you I think it covers EVERY flower imaginable! I am in LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you wanted of liked the other book you will LOVE this one-its an actual BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!! I honestly think she could have charged more for it.

Anyway……………..Im getting the evil stare so I better run!

Thanks for reading 😀

Have a great day.

YEAH! Its Friday. I’m sure I am not the only one who is crazy busy with summer being here. Jay and I have a little get away next week!!!!!!!!! Nothing fancy, just some time by the beach. We can’t afford anything over the top right now. We just had to dump some money into a special stove as another means of heating our home since oil is OUTRAGEOUS.  So its going to be just the 2 of us. You know what? We feel GUILTY for going without the kids!

This is the first time that feeling has ever crept in. We are normally, are literally doing a happy dance in the kitchen when we get a minute of alone time, let alone 3 nights-KID FREE! That is countless date time! Much needed, but still we feel bad.

I think since they are older, we know they would enjoy going. Oh well. We plan on doing some other fun stuff like going to a weekend at Story Land, and Santa’s Village. I am just so surprised I feel so bad going without them. I am sure we will get over it once we hear them fighting! LOL!

Anyway…………….I am filled with joy! Hence, the card 😀 I have so much to be grateful for. My family, friends, God and believe it or not-health!! Things are going super 😀 I just feel like I should acknowledge that. We are all quick to complain, so why not be quick to say “Hey you know what? My life is really good right now” So that is me-Life is good. Be happy, thankful and joyful. I would love to hear what is going GOOD for YOU! No complaining-just good stuff.

Speaking of good stuff……………..

 Filled with Joy

It is sketch time here (a little early for those of you who stamp on Friday’s :D)

 Hope you like this weeks sketch! I know I do. I think I may make another!

I have to say I am just totally in LOVE with this card! So much so that this is the Sat. Sketch! Yes, a day early 😀 I have a lot going on so I am sure many of you do too.

 I made this about 2 weeks ago, and have just been nuts since this is a busy week preparing for reveals and whatnot, so it sat, patiently waiting to be photographed and shared with the world 😀

The colors are so rich and pretty together-black, olive, ruby red, and coral.

I LOVE that the middle panel is in the window up on dimensionals-so like a floating layer. You see the bottom layer peeking through. Its a really fun look. I have done similar cards, with the floating layer, before but think this is my favorite.

I have been looking around and doing some shopping since I LOVE happy mail! Haven’t had a delivery in a while, so I was due!

Seems like everyone is using some new stuff from The Purple Turtle Shop. OK I guess I should say that I noticed Debbie is using their stuff! LOL! Well after looking around, and getting curious, I put several sets in my cart! I have been having some fun with all that, let me tell you. I love ALL stamps 😀

I have to say my first inked set was Bold Carnations. I just fell in love with it. As I was browsing the store it really popped out at me. It was very different than some of the silhouettes I had. I like the larger scale this set has, as well as the mix of smaller images. Plus the price was insanely awesome. These sets are like unmounted rubber. They come with a black pad, for you to stamp on. A wood mounted set like that would be TRIPLE the price for the size of the images you get. I was really happy with what I purchased, since I was unfamiliar with their store and products.

I colored the solid flower with my SU! markers, then stamped it. The solid blocks, stamped in black, were colored in with my Copic markers, then punched out.

Anyway-this card quickly came together! I needed an everyday card, and felt this sentiment was PERFECT!! It is from the Sentiments set. I LOVE sentiments, and believe you can never have too many. That set just has a nice mix! I am also shocked at the price-$11.99! That is really awesome.

Now here is another-for another view of what the stamps are like:

 Love & prayers

(OK this is like a PERFECT sentiment for so many difficult times! Don’t you think?)

I know these are so not my usual colors, but that is what I really love about this one. I saw a skirt in the store, and the bold flowers were layered in yellow, red, and black. It was SO striking to me so I went with it. You can see the much larger bold flower stamped in yellow.

Again I used the Bold Carnations set, and Sentiments set. The bird is from another must have set for me (hehehe) Silhouette’s.

I think we all should step out of our comfort zone and try new things. Be it a technique. layout (hint hint) or color scheme. Heck maybe even a new type of stamp! If you haven’t tried UM stamps or acrylic and you really like an image, why not try it out?

I hope this inspired you to do just that. Try something new.

Well I have dinner to make, so Im off and running. If you try the sketch send us all a link here, so we can see your take on it.

Also thank you all so very much for your lovely comments on my PTI project yesterday! Meant so much. I am working on compiling questions to answer in one post 😀

Later!!

Lauren’s Lovely Lid frame

Well today I am very excited to be able to share with you a peek at a new set called Quilter’s Sampler, a cool technique, and a super fun use I found for Papertrey Ink’s exclusive Just Hatched Egg Boxes. I like to call it Lauren’s Lovely Lid Frame. I know, not too original.

Christmas is JUST around the corner, and these would make great gifts for the grandparents, or other people in your life that you have the PERFECT photo’s to showcase for them!! I recommend getting your Holiday photos done EARLY. Then you beat the rush. Oh, and get gifts done sooner 😀 These are great to mail to far away family members instead of that traditional Christmas card, that they are most likely going to trash :C These are photos of my children last year at Christmas. Make the photos black & white and it doesn’t matter what color they wore, or what color you are doing for your frames. They will match everything!

So grab your coffee because you all know how long winded I can get, especially when I am excited to share something new and fun 😀

This idea came about because I have SEVERAL of these boxes in my craft room. The “issue” is that I have been using them to store my craft items, because they are the PERFECT size for a lot of my storage needs. I know! They are suppose to be decorated! But I can’t help it, I love them for everything.  Now since I am using the box BOTTOM, I have many TOPS & Egg holder pieces left over.

I don’t know about you, but I can’t throw a good thing away, so I had to find a USE for it.

That is how Lauren’s Lovely Lid Frame came to be.

This project is recycling at its best 😀

So let’s get started!

Step 1

Cover the sides of your Just Hatched lid with cardstock. Tie around ribbon.

Step 2

Make your template for you photos. Simply measure, and cut your cardstock the same size as your Just Hatched egg insert. Turn over, and trace 4 of the 6 holes. Punch out holes from cardstock. The SU! 1 3/8 circle punch is perfect for this step.

Step 3

Stamp cover as desired. I LOVE this sentiment in the set. So perfect, so true.

 For this I used Sweet Blush Cardstock, Sweet Blush Saddle Stitch ribbon, the NEW! Quilter’s Sampler and Borders & Corners Circle set, Sweet blush ink, CTMH craft white, and SU! Regal Rose. Then adhere to Just Hatched insert. I used red-line tape for this.

Step 4

Then place desired photos behind the insert, careful to center them, and adhere them into place.

I use red-line tape, along the sides to hold insert in the lid.

I also finished my design with some Foo Fa La buttons.

Now we come to the Faux Quilted Heart “pin cushion” detail.

Here is what you need to do to achieve that FAUX flannel/suede/brushed cotton/fabric look.

A paper crimper,and for this Vintage Cream cardstock

Step 1

Cut your paper a bit larger than you need for the project. Then run it through your paper crimper. Do this numerous times.

Step 2

Run your paper through your crimper in another direction, numerous times. This is breaking down the fibers in the cardstock, and it eventually allows the layers to be separated.

Step 3

You will see the edges separate a bit, or have a bit or curl to them. Get in between the layers, and GENTLY pull apart. You will have 2 pieces to use.

Now you are ready!

I like to take my bone folder, and rub back and forth over the finished piece. to remove any obvious crimper lines.

Now we stamp!!!

For this project I used the ever popular Guide Lines to help me create my “quilted” look for my project.

I found it best to stamp your guide lines in a lighter color, but one that is visible enough for you to see while you attempt to align your images. Once the grid is filled in you will not notice the guide lines.

I stamped my guide in Sahara Sand, on the TEXTURED side of my cardstock. I then took my desired image from Quilter’s Sampler, and stamped it in black, in every other square. I colored the pattern using my Copic Marker’s. I colored to corners (in pink) to look like hearts 😀 I used somewhat of a traditional country color scheme for this “quilt”.

 See you BARELY notice the guide lines 😀

I then stamped an image from Guide Line’s (since the two come together like MAGIC via Nichole Heady’s brilliant mind), in sweet blush ink, to break it up. It also appears to be like a patterned fabric square.

NOTE: Due to the broken and soft fibers/texture this has, don’t fully color in each block as some of the ink may over-run a little. They will fill in by themselves a bit.

Now for the die cutting-

I put my die cut heart where I thought I would have the best finished design.  Then die cut the image.

I used a size larger, scallop die cut for the back layer.

I then used a smaller heart die, to cut my quilter’s batting. Then layered it onto the scallop heart layer. I applied adhesive around the entire back, outside edge of my stamped heart image. Then adhered it all together!

This gives the LOOK of a quilted heart 😀 See the close-up.

Now because of the batting layer, you can also use a stick pin in the heart as well, which again reinforces the LOOK of a quilted fabric heart, with not a stitch of sewing! It’s all ink and cardstock. Pretty fun huh?

Now to complete this frame-I just cut some cardstock 2 1/2 X 6. I scored at about 1 1/2 inches, to create a “stand”. A very simple solution so it stands up at my desk.

That is IT! It really is a QUICK gift idea. Using Guide Lines makes it really go fast!

This is a perfect gift especially if you have some of these tops/inserts going un-used! These boxes are just PERFECT for all year, not just EASTER!! It’s literally thinking outside the “box” here.

Well let me know what you think! I hope you enjoyed my long winded tutorial! I had fun trying to come up with something you would like and find useful-especially for the holidays.

I’m sure you have already checked Nichole’s blog for her peek!!  Don’t miss the countdown there, and each day a different Senior Design team member will have a peek as well.

Thank you all for reading and the love & support each of you offer’s.

Till tomorrow.

I am just in LOVE (like the rest of the world) with my Just Rite Mongram stampers. There are SO many possibilities. I really want and NEED to play more, but wanted to share my recent note card set. I was OVER THE MOON, when I found out Christine was carrying them!

You can view her selection—>HERE! I am almost embarrassed to say what I already own from this collection 😀 Seriously a MUST have.

I was excited to try this particular project that I am sharing today.

WHY?

BECAUSE-As a little girl “Lauren” was a very uncommon name. I was the kid who couldn’t find the license plate for my bike with my name on it. Or stickers, and fun pencils and pens. No dorr plaque for me either. Now I hear little girls named Lauren,  being called by their mom in the store endlessly! LOL! It’s funny to think it wasn’t that popular back then, but now mainly 7-8-9 year old girls everywhere have my name. My friend even named her baby Lauren (not after me but cute all the same). I was always the only one in the class, amongst the dozen Jennifer’s, Michelle’s, Jessica’s, Amy’s, and Kristen’s. At least those were the top names where I lived.

So, as a kid anytime anything was found with MY name I just got so excited.

Now I can take that excitement and make my own stuff! LOL! Who knew.

PS-I now have 3 kids with “unpopular” names, Alexa being the most difficult to find. Noah is definitely more popular, and Amber is not uncommon but still not as popular so harder to find. But Alexa-well she is the Lauren of her generation.  As I type this I am thinking of all the great things I can make for her now too. YEAH!

I am having too much fun with them. I decided I would create a SIMPLE set for MYSELF!

Of course using my FIRST name 😀 What a great gift idea for the college bound person or teen/tween!! They are the most difficult to make gifts for I think.

This is the set I used the Large 1 5/8 set—>HERE and I also used the small letter set, to spell Lauren. I fell in LOVE with that the flower from Unity’s Fanciful Dots, and thought it was perfect for the center of my monogram set. I stamped the flower in Pearlescent Beige ink by Brilliance.

CLOSE UP’s!

And another

I just wanted very SIMPLE note cards. I used the Avenue collection by Crate Paper for this project. Its so pretty and elegant.

Granted these could be made more “gussied” up but I like SIMPLE most times.

Now to present this I would make my Simple Card Wrap found HERE. I am tooting my own horn here, but I have to say its a really simple but AWESOME gift wrap! LOL! Endless possibilities.

So that is it for today. I had a SUPER productive day yesterday. My mojo was in HEAVEN!!!!!!! Off to swimming lessons, then taking the kids to some play place.

I got some new goodies I will share very soon 😀 and so many other fun things to share.

Till then……………

Well today the kids begin another day of their summer swimming lessons. Yesterday Noah did awesome. Amber wouldn’t go in past her knee’s. She did practice in the tub though! LOL! She was a little scared, so I didn’t push it.

I have to bury my head and NOT watch since they teach them to go under water. That freaks me out. So I will be sketching some layouts, while the lessons go on. Looks like Amber will be sitting with me. Let’s hope she gets more comfortable. Alexa doesn’t start her lessons till next week. Now I am really nervous she will freak, since Amber did. Alexa can surprise you though, so we shall see.

One of my sketches from my kids being at the lake the other day, was this one using Hit the Beach. I did a couple sketches that I was excited about executing. More to come.

This is an older set, but one of my very favorites.

 Soak up the Sun

I made 10 of these for Kim @ MFT for her store samples. They look cool all together though.

I’m really not into mass producing, but ya gotta do it sometimes.

 All the paper is by Memory Box. I colored with my Copic Markers (of course). Rather than layer her on cardstock, I just colored my border. So I cheated a little 😀 I was restricted to what I could use, but think these are cute all the same.

Now I have another new release sample

 Pullin for you

This set is so super cute. I flocked my bunny 😀 I just HAD to. I have had MANY people email me about how I do this. I just take a 2 way glue pen, and evenly color over what I want flocked, then apply the flock. Tap of excess, done!

This paper is the Hansel collection from Piggy Tales. I loved the fresh summer colors for this. That sentiment is so great for MANY scenario’s. New job, life bumps in the road, someone making a change or tough decision……………just so cute. Oh and lets not forget they can make super cute BOY Easter gifts 😀

Well I must run. We are going out the door in a few and I still have friends b-day cards to do, some get well cards, and I am first up for the Papertrey Ink reveal! YIKES!

Then I got some Lizzie Anne SCREAMING to be inked (wait till you see the new stuff!!). Oh and I so want to use more Magnolia, and Bella’s and Unity………………………do you think I can find a way to extend the hours in my day? Summer is just SO hard to get anything done here. I like to be with the kids and out of the house while the weather is good.

Seems like everyone is gone as well. Cyber world is awfully quiet these days.

Well enjoy your day!!! Whatever you are up to.

Later

Well MFT’s owner Kim, just turned 40! Happy Birthday Kim!

 She has to know I love her because I scrapped just for her.

Her dear husband secretly contacted each of us on her design team and asked if we would be able to mail him an 8 1/2 X 11 scrap book page, that he would present to her, in an album at her party. AWE! Isn’t that SOOOOOO sweet. It was all a big surprise 😀

Well of course I FREAKED out! I don’t scrap! So I just make it a super large card of sorts! LOL!

I titled this “card/page” My Favorite Thing about Kim from A to Z.  My husband later notified me I only listed to “W”. UGH!! Oh well, the beauty of handmade right?! LOL! Given my panic I’m OK with how this turned out.

So I listed all the qualities Kim has and printed them on my Simply Spring digi paper that I printed using the kit. I had to use her signature pink & black theme for the inspiration of this page.

I also took images from Behind the Scenes (dots on the letter of her name), Meet me at the Cafe, Say Charge, Icing on the cake, Hearts Galore, Princess Birthday and Think Pink. The velvet flowers were a nice touch that also added some texture to the page.

I hope she liked the page. I can’t tell you how I stressed over it. Now looking at it I would have changed a few things-but so is life.

Well I am off to swim lesson’s with the kids.

Later!