Cherry On Top by Laurie Schmidlin

Good morning! It's Laurie, and I'm so excited to share something creative with you here! :-)

Ok...it's confession time for me! I "may" have a slight issue (read: major problem) with hoarding! I know, I know...it's such an unheard of problem in the stamping community right? LOL! Come on, I KNOW I can't be alone!!

Well, I decided that my wonderful and much loved supplies aren't doing me any good sitting in drawers! So, today I decided that not only am I going to actually USE them (GASP! :-), but I was going to use my most favorite ones first!

October Afternoon patterned paper (Cherry Hill), Cupcake chipboard, sparkle, rhinestones...these are all very high on my most treasured list! :-) I even used my favorite Taylored Expressions stamp set - Sprinkled With Love!

Here's a close-up of the chipboard cupcake and tag! I have to to tell you...when I first "discovered" chipboard I was so excited about it! I bought lots of it...then it sat in my craft room collecting dust because I wasn't sure what to do with it! LOL! Now that I know how EASY it is to use, I can't get enough of it! :-) You can paint it with acrylic paint (like I did with the cupcake top), cover it with solid or patterned paper (like I did on the cherry, heart, and cupcake bottom), or you can even leave it plain! Anyway you decide to use it, chipboard is fun way to add that "special something" to your projects!

I hope I have inspired you to not just "hoard" your favorite papercrafting goodies...but to use them, and have fun doing it! :-) ~Laurie

Stamps: Sprinkled With Love (Taylored Expressions)
Paper: Choice Buttercream c.s., October Afternoon patterned paper (Cherry Hill), Kraft c.s., Berry Sorbet c.s.
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Antique Linen Distress Ink
Other: Velvet Heart Trim, Berry Sorbet satin ribbon, Dew Drops, Cupcake Chipboard (Maya Road), Taylor's Tiny Twinkles, Sewing Machine, Acrylic paint, Paper piercer

Joy Christmas Planner - by Laurie Schmidlin

I don't know about you, but I need all the help I can get when it comes to staying organized...especially around the Holidays!! I kid you not, last year I had over 15 different lists in my purse...which I couldn't always find when I needed them! LOL! I decided that this year I would do things differently! So, when I saw these CUUUUUTE stamps in the new Wings of Joy set, I knew I wanted to make some kind of book/planner especially for all my Holiday "lists"!

I wanted to use some lined 3 x 5 index cards as my filler pages, so I created a cover and back slightly larger than those cards ( 3 1/4" x 5 1/4").

Here's a close up shot of the focal image on my book. I stamped the "Joy" image (from the Wings of Joy set) onto Choice Snow White cardstock using Tuxedo Black Memento Ink and then colored the images in with my Copics. For some extra sparkle, I added some Stickles to the bird's hat (Frosted Lace) and some to the Holly berries (Christmas Red). The chipboard snowflakes (included in the Christmas Key Ingredients kit) are painted with white acrylic paint and then covered in glitter. If there ever was time to add tons of bling to your projects, then Christmas is the time!! :-)

I added three "dividers" to the inside of my book (just read pieces of Prism c.s. that I cut to the same size as the index cards (3 x 5) and added oval "tabs" to.

I labeled my dividers family, friends, & home. That way, not only are my lists all contained in one place but they are even organized by section! Woohoo!!

Another way to get some wonderful ideas (both for gift giving and organization) is to sign up for the Taylored Expressions Newsletter! It's completely free and full of inspiring ideas!! Just enter your email address in the sign up box on the Taylored Expressions home page!

Stamps: Wings of Joy (Taylored Expressions)
Paper: Choice Snow White c.s., Patterned paper (S.E.I.), Prims c.s.
Ink: Tuxedo Black Memento Ink
Accessories: Copic marker, Nestabilities, Fiskars punch, Sewing Machine, Stickles, Chipboard snowflakes, Oval punch, Ribbon

Potion Bottle Gift Box & Tutorial

Hi there! It's Laurie here, & I'm back to share with you a project complete with tutorial! I created a potion box holder for this past release (you can see the photo below) and I've received several requests for the template. Well, instead of a template I thought I would share with you a mini-tutorial! :-)



This was the gift set that I shared last Saturday for the release. I used the goodies included in the Punchy Potion Bundle.

I'm going to share directions on how to make the potion bottle box.



You'll need a piece of card stock measuring 5" x 11", two pieces of patterned paper measuring 3 1/4" x 3", two pieces of patterned paper measuring 1 1/2" x 3", a piece of c.s. cut out with a shaped die, a piece of patterned paper cut out using that same die (or a smaller version of the die), a decorative brad, & some 1/4" Sticky Tape. *Note: I used a Sizzix die for this box and just trimmed the patterned paper piece a bit smaller than the black one, but any of the Nestabilities Label dies would work wonderfully (with no need for trimming :-)!



With your card stock placed horizontally (as pictured above), score at 1 3/4", 5 1/4", 7", & 10 1/2". Turn card stock 90 degrees and score at 1 3/4". I made my score lines white only so they would show up in the photo. :-)



Using a bone folder (or something similar) crease each score line well. Then, holding your card stock horizontally (as pictured above) make vertical cuts along each score line on the bottom section (see photo above). The 1/2" little flap on the right side is not needed and I just cut mine off. Next, apply sticky tape to the 1/2" flap on the right side and one of the bottom flaps as pictured above.



After assembling your box, add the patterned paper pieces, die cuts to the top, and decorative brad. I used items from the Halloween Key Ingredients kit (Basic Grey Eerie patterned paper and Halloween brad)!

For added "spookiness", I ink distressed all of my patterned paper pieces using some dark gray ink.

Don't forget to check out all of the FANTASTIC Birthday Bash Challenges still going on (scroll down to see them all)!! Each of the Baker's Dozen DT girls have hostessed a challenge and there are FAB*U*LOUS prizes being give away!!

Thanks for stopping by today! ~Laurie

Celebrating...with Root Beer Floats!

Happy Tuesday!! It's Laurie here, and I've got a fun party/gift idea to share with you! Every year before school starts up again, we have a family "Back to School" party! It started as something to divert the kids from being upset about summer ending to having something to look forward to. It now has become a tradition for us and our whole family looks forward to it!

Each family member is responsible for one part of the party (drinks, food, decorations, games, etc.) and we usually choose something that our family has enjoyed throughout the summer. One thing in particular that our kids have loved this summer is root beer floats! So, when it came time to choose what I would be bringing it was a no-brainer...root beer floats! Woohooo!

Then, when I saw the overflowing mug from Taylor's new Chillax set I was beyond excited!! I got right to work altering this six pack root beer set!


(Click on the picture for a larger view)

I measured the front of the root beer carrying case and cut some Choice Buttercream c.s. and patterned paper accordingly. I added a chipboard frame (that is painted with Ivory acrylic paint), some coordinating papers, ribbon, a button, and a tag (the Celebrate stamp is from the A Year of Sweet Sentiments set).



I then created matching tags for all six bottles. I made the tag by stamping the mug image onto Choice Buttercream c.s. and coloring in with Copic markers. I used my Circle Nestabilities to cut out the circles and then added some ribbon and string on top. One last thing...they were just begging for some sparkle...so I added some Stickles to the top of the image and one red rhinestone for a little pop of color.

Taylor is always adding fun new stuff to her store and subscribing to the Taylored Expressions Newsletter is a great way to stay up to date on all of those new additions! Just add your email address under the "mailing list" section on the home page of the Taylored Expressions store!

Thanks so much for stopping by!! ~Laurie

Recipe
Stamps: Chillax, A Year of Sweet Sentiments
Paper: Choice Buttercream c.s., Little Yellow Bicycle patterned paper
Ink: Rich Cocoa Memento Ink, Chamomile Vintage ink
Accessories: Copic markers, Nestabilities, Maya Road chipboard frame, Ribbon, Red Ri-Rac, String, Stardust Stickles, Red Rhinestones

Tri-fold Love Note...

Good morning! I'm not sure what it is about the love not sized card (3" x 3"), but I just LOVE them! They are large enough to be a "card", but small enough to hidden in a loved one's bag, briefcase, or purse (for them to find later)!


Instead of the regular card, I decided to make a Tri-Fold card...but trimmed it down to the love note size.


I stamped this wonderful quote from Hellen Keller (from the Lasting Impressions set Faith & Hope) in Rich Cocoa Memento ink onto Choice Buttercream card stock. I just love the flourishes that Taylor included in the Faith & Hope set...and had to add one to my card (I embossed it so it would show up better on the patterned paper)! :-)

Did you all read Taylor's post yesterday? The Taylored Expressions store is now back to their regular shipping schedule!

Thanks for stopping by today! I hope you all have a wonderful and creative day! ~Laurie

Tissue Holder and Tutorial...

Hi everyone! Laurie here, and I've got a fun little project to share...with a tutorial! During the May's release Sneak Peeks, I shared THIS tissue holder that I made with the new Doctor's Orders set. I received many requests to share a tutorial, so here it is! :-)


To start, you will need a piece of cardstock that measures 4 5/8" x 8" and another piece that measures 4 1/2" x 6 1/2".



First, you will need to score both pieces of cardstock. The 4 5/8" x 8" piece needs to be scored at 1 1/2", 2 5/8", 5 1/4", & 6 3/8" (make sure that the c.s. is horizontal).




Score the smaller piece of c.s. at 1" on all four sides as shown in the picture below.




Using a bone folder, crease each fold well (this makes for a neater box).




Next, make four vertical slits to create little "flaps" in each corner as shown in the picture below.



This next step is optional, but one that I think makes for a nicer end product. Cut part of each flap off (making diagonal cuts) as shown in the picture below.



Finally, assemble boxes using strong adhesive (like Taylor's Sticky Tape) and place a small folded ribbon on one end of the bottom box (this will be the ribbon pull that is used to open the box).



For my finished box, I placed a piece of layered and decorated c.s. measuring 4 12" x 2 1/2" on the top. The adorable tissue box (from Doctor's Orders) is stamped on Choice Buttercream c.s. and colored in with Copics. The decorative layer underneath the tissue box was created using my Labels Four Nestabilities. For embellishments, I added some Stickles and buttons!




That's it! I hope you find these instructions helpful! ~Laurie

Fresh Flowers Gift Basket

The last time I was cruising Target, there was some really fun "gardening" themed items that caught my eye in the Dollar Spot and I just had to stop and check them out! Within a matter of seconds, I had everything I needed to put together a sweet little gardening gift basket (galvanized bucket, set of three plant markers, wildflower seed mix, pink gardening gloves, & three flower seed packets)...all for under $5! Sadly, I don't garden (not even a hint of a green thumb)...but I SO envy those that do :-). I may not grow flowers, but I love to stamp them - and I knew I could dress these garden gift items up in no time with the Fresh Flowers set!

I customized the contents of the gift basket by adding some stamped flowers to the Plant markers, a floral bouquet tag to the wildflower mix, & some matching flower ribbon (from April's Key Ingredient Subscription Kit) around the cute little galvanized bucket.

Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you all have a very "Sweet" day! :-) ~Laurie

Knock, Knock...

When I first saw the "Knock, knock..." sentiment in the new Branching Out Coordinates set, I just KNEW I had to make a card with it! You see, my five year old son has just "gotten" the concept of jokes...and "Knock, knock" jokes are his absolute favorite (and what I've been hearing constantly for the last month LOL!)



When I sat down to make this card, I kept looking at the cuuuuuute owl (I just love his sweet face!), and the idea for this card (beyond the knock, knock part) hit me! I embossed the tree trunk and paper pieced the swirly top (from the Branching Out set) with the My Mind's Eye paper that is included in the Easter Key Ingredients Kit. I then cut around part of the tree top so that it would open....yes, you guessed it...to reveal that sweet owl (from the Branching Out Coordinates)!



I used the little flower from the Branching Out Coordinates set to decorate the outside as well as the inside, complete with rhinestone centers (I used the mini rhinestones from Taylor's Tiny Twinkles).
I hope I was able to bring a smile to your face today!
Thanks for stopping by,
Laurie

Supplies -
Stamps: Branching Out , Branching Out Coordinates Paper: Suede Brown Medium c.s., My Mind's Eye Tiny Dancer (from Easter Key Ingredients Kit) Ink: Close to Cocoa craft ink Accessories: Clear detail e.p., Nestabilities, Sewing Machine, Ribbon, Taylor's Tiny Twinkles