Isn't she WONDERFUL?!

Okay, gang - I've been so busy getting ready for a couple upcoming workshops and classes and events that I haven't posted a project in a week or so. But, today I have something almost better than a hand-stamped card to share:

I need to RAVE about this amazing web ad done for me by someone I didn't even know. Aimee, aka hoosiermama from Splitcoaststampers, helped me by creating this eye-catching ad for me. Isn't it fantastic?! It will be posted on the Leprechan Lily's Website through the summer. Little did I know, that Aimee used do this for a living - developing ads for some big-name companies. I am so humbled and grateful that she put her time and talents to use on me - if you're in the market for an ad or banner, look up Aimee!!! Click here to check out her blog!

Retro February

Hey, everyone!!! I just want to share our Stamp Club projects from last night. I was motivated to use my brand new Cheep Talk, So Tweet Chipboard, and the Retro Fresh Style. The paperclip bookmark is so easy and cute - and the card was a hidden message slider.
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STAMP SET: CHEEP TALK; CARDSTOCK: SUMMER SUN, PUMPKIN PIE, CHOCOLATE CHIP, PACIFIC POINT, VERY VANILLA; INK: SUMMER SUN, PUMPKIN PIE, CHOCOLATE CHIP, PACIFIC POINT; ACCESSORIES: CHIPBOARD, JUMBO EYELETS, 1 1/4", 1 3/8" & SCALLOPED CIRCLE PUNCHES, CROP-O-DILE, RIBBON

Top Note Quilts

Okay, I just have to share what I worked on this weekend. Check out these Top Note Quilts!!! SO cute! We made the top left (or bottom right) versions at my SAS this weekend, and the other 3 are the variations I came up with for some of by bestest stampers. These are the EASIEST cards! Super FAST! And, better yet - they're GREAT at using up your scraps or extra strips of Double-Sided Designer Papers. Simply gather your scraps, punch out 12 squares with your 1 1/4" Punch, place on another scrap paper (approx. 3 3/4" x 5"), then run through your Big Shot using the Stampin' Up! exclusive Top Note Die. If you like, give it a little faux stitching using the Gel Pen - the die leaves you with the perfect perforations for this technique. Then, stamp once, punch a couple times, tie a ribbon and ... BAM! Sorry, I don't know who to credit with the original Top Note Quilt idea - they're all over the 'net now, but if you were the inventor of this technique, let me know. I want to thank you!

PB-Inspired Baroque

Well, I don't normally get a catalog inspiration, but this morning I was flipping through the newest Pottery Barn catty and was struck by a new organic bedroom set. I loved its plays on whites & neutrals, the texture, the classic simplicity. So, I translated it into this card. The scanner doesn't pick up the textured white c/s, but it's there. I paper pierced down the left side, next to Kraft ribbon. The designer tag sentiment is from the new Taste of Textiles by SU; the sentiment is embossed white (again - more texture). I really like this card - and will be teaching it at my Stamp-A-Stack this Saturday. Hope you can make it!
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STAMP SET: BAROQUE MOTIFS, ELEGANT CHEER; CARDSTOCK: KRAFT, TEXTURED WHISPER WHITE; TASTE OF TEXTILES; INK: SAHARA SAND, VERSAMARK; ACCESSORIES: KRAFT TAFFETA, WHISPER WHITE EMBOSSING, MAT PACK, STYLED VANILLA HARDWARE, DESIGNER TAG PUNCH

Love You Much

Valentines has always been one of my favorite stamping seasons ... my first ever stamping event was a Valentine's Stamp-A-Stack way back in 2004 (wow - can it really be 5 years ago?!). Anyhow, here's one of the projects from my last SAS. It's a CASE of a project on page 27 of the Spring/Summer '09 Catty. Don't have a catty yet? Download it HERE or - better yet - take advantage of SU!'s current special - get a FREE copy of our full-color, project-packed catalog with every online purchase. And, during Sale-A-Bration, there's no better time to shop online through my website: stampinwithlaurel.stampinup.net

It's a perfect little project - fast, fun, interesting, and oh-so-cute.
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STAMP SETS: LOVE YOU MUCH; CARDSTOCK: REAL RED, PINK PIROUETTE, WHISPER WHITE & BASIC BLACK TEXTURED; INK: BASIC BLACK CLASSIC, OLD OLIVE, PRETTY IN PINK & REAL RED STAMPIN' WRITE MARKERS; ACCESSORIES: SCALLOP BORDER PUNCH, FLOWER FUSION TOO, TEXTURED FLOWERS DIECUTS

My DH and our DE!

Last Friday night, my DH helped me put up my first piece of Stampin' Up!'s vinyl wall embellishments, called Decor Elements. Once we got the piece centered and leveled, it was SO easy to apply. We "redecorated" in just a matter of minutes. And, you know, I totally love it! Why, oh why, did I take so long to give these a try?! P.S. - This was FREE as a hostess benefit of a recent club order. Check out the entire Decor Elements line HERE!!!

My little sign is so cute ... and so is my wonderful family, if I do say so myself. Love you guys!

Buzzin' through swaps

I've been stamping my stinger off this week - I had a super swap to get done - for GTWT Junkie's Convention Quality Swap. Everybody does crazy good work for these swaps ... I just try to keep up. Anyway, this is a sneek peek at a card SIMILAR to one of my CQ Swaps. (The actual one had a interactive element.) These bees are SO adorable. Here, they're just stamped in Basic Black on Whisper White textured cardstock, colored in with a Summer Sun SW Marker, with a little Crystal Effects and Dazzling Diamond glitter on their wings. You can't see from this picture, but the dripping honey is also glazed with CE - giving it a very sticky look. Hope the gals like it! It's beeee-tter IRL.
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STAMP SET: JUST BUZZIN BY; CARDSTOCK, BASIC BLACK, SUMMER SUN, WHISPER WHITE; INK: BASIC BLACK, SUMMER SUN, WHITE GEL PEN; ACCESSORIES: CE, DAZZ DIAMONDS, WHITE GEL PEN, ROUND TAB PUNCH Stamp happy, Laurel Matthew

Where a CASE can go ...

We made the top left "honey" card at my last Stamp-A-Stack. I totally needed inspiration that day, so I completely CASED this card by what's_her_name on scs. And, I loved it! But I had a bunch of leftovers from the event, and this weekend I stamped through them. That original card led to the next three, then I changed the card orientation, and came up with the next two ... all out of the same buch of pre-cut supplies.

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STAMP SET: JUST BUZZIN BY; CARDSTOCK: REGAL ROSE, WHISPER WHITE (PLAIN & TEXTURED), KRAFT, CAMEO CORAL, RASPBERRY TART DSDP; INK: BASIC BLACK, OLD OLIVE, REGAL ROSE, CAMEO CORAL, CREAMY CARAMEL & CLOSE TO COCOA SW MARKERS; ACCESSORIES: CRYSTAL EFFECTS, DAZZLING DIAMOND GLITTER, KIWI KISS SATIN RIBBON, KRAFT TAFFETA, ROSE GINGHAM.

January's Stack

Here are the cards from my monthly Stamp-A-Stack last week. Aren't they adorable? I would like to credit what's_her_name for the pink Buzzin' By layout and bkeenan256 for the Love You Much layout on the top left. The top right card is my version of the Love You Much card on page 27 of the SS09 Catty. The Bugs and Kisses card is using the color scheme Retro Fresh Style Watch. Of note, the Inspired by Nature set, used in the bottom center card, is one of the many sets on the Dormant List. Thanks, gals, for coming & working with the last minute schedule change. I had a blast!

If YOU would like to join our next Stamp-A-Stack (or other stampin' event), join my new MeetUp group! where you can RSVP, prepay & track future events.

Inspired by Stamp Club

I've said it before, but I love getting inspired for my Stamp Club gals. They're so sweet & fun & give me something to stamp for every month. Miss you Terri - feel better soon Rhoda! I'm just in love with these colors & the Inspired by Nature stamp set. Shame it took me so long to start using it. And, YES - it's another shaker card! LOL. I can't seem to stop. But putting real thistle seeds in there just made me giddy. Such a bright beautiful sight in the middle of this super cold winter week. ************************************************* STAMP SET: INSPIRED BY NATURE, AIDA CLOTH BG; CARDSTOCK: PINK PIROUETTE, ROSE RED, CHOCOLATE CHIP, VERY VANILLA; INK: ON CARD, PRETTY IN PINK, ROSE RED, ALWAYS ARTICHOKE, CHOCOLATE CHIP SW MARKER; ON TILE, ROSE RED, ALWAYS ARTICHOKE, CLOSE TO COCOA, CERTAINLY CELERY & BASIC BLACK CRAFT

Pretty Monkey Swap

For all the sock monkey doubters - you have to admit ... this is one pretty monkey. Subtle colors, flirty eyelashes, pearl earrings, and a flower behind her ear. This is actually my contribution to my Stamp Club Swap - the assignment was to CASE the "thank you" card on page 127 of the Fall/Winter '08 Catty.
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STAMP SET: SOCK MONKEY; CARDSTOCK: CHOCOLATE CHIP, KIWI KISS, VERY VANILLA PLAIN & TEXTURED, & HAWAII PAPAYA DSDP; KRAFT: INK: CHOCOLATE CHIP AND CLOSE TO COCOA & CREAMY CARAMEL SW MARKERS; ACCESSORIES: DOUBLE STITCHED CHOCOLATE RIBBON; PUNCHES; FLOWER FUSION; STYLED VANILLA HODGEPODGE BRADS; WHITE GEL PEN

Dream Big, Baby

This is my masterpiece for today. I made if for my DH, while he was off taking his oral and practical exams for a Commercial Pilot Rating. It's been a long time coming - he's studied and flown for almost as many hours and I've spent stamping!!! I'm so proud of my man.

The plane is a retired set, By Air. I hand drew the outlines, cut out & embossed the prop, put glassy glaze on the little windows to make them pop out. Inside it says "live big."
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STAMP SETS: LOADS OF LOVE ACCESSORIES; BY AIR; THINK BIG; CARDSTOCK: SAHARA SAND, OLD OLIVE, BAHA BREEZE, WHISPER WHITE; INK: SAHARA SAND, BAJA BREEZE, SW MARKERS; ACCESSORIES: SCALLOP EDGE PUNCH, RED BRAD, SU RIBBON.

Princess Monkey

I am on such a shaker card kick!!! Made this gussied-up Sock Monkey for a friends DD's birthday. Pretty eyelashes, earrings, smiling cheeks, and bling on the crown - this monkey is kind of purty, don't you think?
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Shake-it Bear

I wasn't going to post this ... because autumn colors and leaves are "out of season" and all ... but I couldn't help myself. It's my very latest & greatest. I'm on a shaker card kick after the Sock Monkey below. For the longest time, I avoided even trying shaker cards - they looked soooo complicated, but guess what?! They're not that tough after all! The hardest part of this one was creating the little leaves - they're stamped on shrinkey dink, colored, cut out, and baked. But, they're perfect, don't you think?

The inspiration here is my dad (Ted - aka T-Bear) who spent his weekend raking leaves with his kids and grandkids. I live too far away to have been there, so I suppose this is my way to participate vicariously.
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STAMP SET: UNDER THE STARS, AUTUMN HARVEST, CANVAS BG; CARDSTOCK: MORE MUSTARD, CLOSE TO COCOA, WHISPER WHITE; INK: MORE MUSTARD, CHOCOLATE CHIP; ACCESSORIES: WATERCOLOR PENCILS, RET. HARDWARE, DOUBLE STITCHED CHOCOLATE CHIP RIBBON, SHRINKEY DINK, AND THE WINDOW IS FROM A RECYCLED CLAMSHELL BOX!

HAPPY NEW YEAR ... of stampin!

Well - one of the most wonderful holiday seasons ever is over. I didn't mail as many hand-made cards (complete with adorable current family pictures) out as I wanted. But, I stamped my tush off and made some adorable gifts for family & friends. Even better, I was blessed with the wonderful, warm chaos of tons & tons of family - mom, dad, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, friends, dogs ... the works! I am so grateful for every minute of it!!!

But, it's over, and the New Year is here! Yippee!!! I've gotten a great start on a couple of my resolutions already! I worked out, called some friends I've mean to call, spent 1-on-1 time with my son, spent a morning stamping, and blogged a post! 2009 is lookin' good already!
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STAMP SET: SOCK MONKEY, CHEERS TO YOU, HOLIDAYS & WISHES: CARDSTOCK: BASIC BLACK, GOING GRAY, WHISPER WHITE; INK: STAZ ON BLACK AND PINK PASSION, PRETTY IN PINK, & SO SAFFRON SW MARKERS; ACCESSORIES: CHUNKY GLITTER, WHITE GEL PEN, RIBBON ORIGINALS (RET)