the creative closet by cindy lawrence

Cardinal Blessings

 
Happy weekend, friends!

Today I have another oldie-but-goodie from my days on the Splitcoaststampers Dirty Dozen.  This one's made with one of my favorite holiday sets from SU, A Cardinal Christmas.  In fact, all of the supplies for this card are from Stampin' Up!

All of that stitching you see around every layer is "faux"...done with a Chocolate Chip marker and piercing tool.   The brads in the lower right corner are also "faux"...done with a 1/4" circle punch, some Chocolate Chip cardstock, and Crystal Effects.  I love making my own brads when I don't have the color I want on hand. 

Here's the full card recipe:

Stamps: A Cardinal Christmas

Paper: Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Watercolor Paper, Holiday Treasures Designer Series Paper

Ink: Riding Hood Red, Ruby Red, Kiwi Kiss, Old Olive, More Mustard, Chocolate Chip, Brown Staz-On

Accessories: Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribbon, Piercing Tools, Crystal Effects, Coluzzle, 1/4" Circle Punch, Aqua Painter, Blender Pens, Dimensionals

Have a fantastic weekend!  I am taking the kiddos out to breakfast this morning and then to see A Christmas Carol in 3D in the afternoon.  We've been working hard on cleaning their bedrooms until they're squeaky clean; so they have definitely earned this treat (me too!). :)

Thanks for stopping by to see me today!

Hugs~
Cindy

Flourishes Friday Focus!

Hey everyone~

It's Friday...yahoo!  That means only 8 more days until I see my hubby again!

I made today's sample for this week's Flourishes Friday Focus, which is Favorite Things.  We were to be inspired by words from the My Favorite Things song from The Sound of Music.  I chose the line "Silver white winters that melt into spring", although my card took a bit of a left turn along the way.  However, my favorite-favorite thing in the whole wide world is HOME (which also equals my FAMILY)! :)  So, I chose the Cottage Home stamp set for my card. 

All of the sparkle on my card really makes it look some kind of funky in the photo I think.  I also think I went waaaay overboard on the snow; but, hey, I live in New England, and we get a LOT of snow here!

Anyway...here's the card recipe:

Stamps:  Cottage Home

Papers:  Classic White, Baroque Burgundy, Eskimo Kisses Designer Papers (can't get enough of those!)

Inks:  VersaMark, Copic Markers (Check out the new collections from Flourishes!)

Accessories:  Liquid Applique, Spica Glitter Pens, Silver Detail Embossing Powder (with glitter in it), Martha Stewart Border Punch, Burgundy Satin Ribbon, Burgundy Button, Silver Cording, Basic Grey Burgundy Brads

If you'd like to play along with us this week, all you have to do is to be inspired, in some way, by the words of this decades old Christmas favorite from the Sound of Music! Be sure to tell us which line of the music inspired your card!

Here are the lyrics:

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple streudels
Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
These are a few of my favorite things

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver white winters that melt into springs
These are a few of my favorite things

The challenge begins today and ends on Monday, the 16th at 4PM CST.  Please use the keyword FFLCNOV when posting your sample on Splitcoaststampers.

Check out what the rest of the design team has created for this challenge:

• Christine Okken
• Julie Koerber
• Latisha Yoast
• Laura Fredrickson
• Leslie Miller
• Stacy Morgan
• Flourishes Newsletter

Have a very happy Friday, friends!

Thanks a million for stopping by today! :)

Hugs~
Cindy

Stamp TV Center Stage Blog Hop!

Hello Stampers~

Thank you so much for all of your well-wishes and prayers over the last couple of days!  I feel so loved! :)

Welcome to our first Center Stage Spotlight Design Team Blog Hop! Jessica Fick, the Design Team Coordinator for GinaK Designs, has issued a challenge to all of the past and present team CSS team members to make a Christmas card with one of these sketches:

 

My sample is made with Rupa's Winter Friends set.  Aren't those penguins adorable?  The kids and I just watched Happy Feet again, and it inspired me to use this sweet set.

Here's the full card recipe:

Stamps:  Winter Friends

Papers:  Pure Luxury White, Fresh Asparagus, Eskimo Kisses Designer Papers (Basic Grey)

Inks:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers

Accessories:  Circle Nestabilites, Martha Stewart Snowflake Border Punch, White Grosgrain Ribbon (Stamp TV Kit), Sparkly Foam Snowflakes, Quickie Glue Pen, Crystal Glitter

I know you're going to LOVE what everyone has designed for us tonight!

First, here are the links for GinaK's Current CSS Team Members:

Deb Felts
Diana S. Queen
Karen Knegten
Melissa Cash
Sharri Seffens
Sue VanDeVusse

and the links for all of the past CSS Design Team members participating:

Brenda Turner,
Carla Suto,
Carolina Buchting,
Charlene Merrick,
Dawn Lusk,
DeeMarie Kelemen,
Geri Utterback ,
Giovanna Smith,
Janice Melton,
JenMarie Taylor,
Jennie Harper,
Joy Hadden,
Kay Simmons,
Linda Payne,
Lori McAree,
Melisa Waldorf,
Pam Imholz,
Selma Stevenson,
Shannon Bracken,
Shelly Wilson,
Sue Walsh,
Tina Gilliland

Some of GinaK's Senior Design Team Members and Illustrators wanted to get in on the fun tonight too:

Asela Hopkins
Carolyn King
Cindy Lawrence
Gina Krupsky
Lee Murphy
Lynn Mercurio
Nina Brackett
Melanie Muenchinger

along with Nina Brackett's Guest Designer: Lisa Hjulberg

All of these gorgeous cards from the entire team will be added to the StampTV gallery throughout the next few days with the tag cssjf1 (which stands for center stage spotlight jessica fick 1).  These sketches are also our sketch challenge for this week, so be sure to check out all the information in the discussion in our Challenge group over on StampTV Thursday morning. We'd love to see your cards with the sketch too!

Have a fantastic day, my friends!  I am home from work for the next couple of days, since my daughter has no school.  ...not so great for the paycheck, but I will most certainly enjoy the time with Abbi! :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs~
Cindy

A Day Off

Hello Stampers~

I don't have a sample for you today.  My hubby left for a short-term missions trip to Haiti at midnight, and I chose to spend the evening with him, rather than preparing a blog post. ;)  I'm sure you understand!

I would sooo appreciate your prayers over the next two weeks...especially for Jim and the team in Haiti.  It's a dangerous place, and the conditions are very rough.  We won't have any contact with them either; so pray that I don't worry every single minute of every single day! :)

I'll be back tomorrow with a special post for Gina K Designs.

Have a terrific Tuesday, my friends!

Hugs~
Cindy

Angels and Attitude

Happy Monday, friends!

Here we are on the 2nd day of November already.  Can you believe it?!  I hope your weekend was lots of fun!  We enjoyed ours immensely. :)

Today's sample was made for the October '08 Fan Club Gallery on SCS.  The theme that month was "For a Song", and my card was inspired by the beautifully haunting song Angel by Sarah Mclachlan.

Here's the recipe:

Stamps: Holy Triptych, Merry & Bright, All Holidays (all from SU)

Paper: Shimmery White, Baja Breeze, Soft Sky, Watercolor

Ink: Black Staz-On, Soft Sky, Baja Breeze, Blush Blossom, Barely Banana, Creamy Caramel, More Mustard, VersaMark

Accessories: Satin-Edged Organdy from Pink Hedgehog, Star Punch, Sponge Daubers, H2O Water Brush, Iridescent Ice EP, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Quickie Glue Pen, , Glitter Dots, Clear Gems from MAMBI, Lg Oval Punch, Dimensionals

I hope your Monday is especially wonderful.  Sometimes when I just don't want to get out of bed & go to work, I will make up my mind right then and there that I am going to have a great day...and so I do!  As Charles Swindoll once wisely said, "I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it."  ...and I couldn't agree more! :)

Thanks for stopping by today!

Hugs~
Cindy

First Christmas

Happy weekend, stampers! :)

Today I have a sample made with a sweet new stamp set from Gina K Designs.  It's called First Christmas.  I love this adorable bear image!

The sketch I used is one I created for this month's Gina K release party challenges.  If you'd like to play along for your choice of Gina K stamp set valued at $24.95 or less, simply create a card using this sketch, post it on Splitcoaststampers, and reply to the challenge thread.  Remember to use the keyword GKDOCTCL and post your sample no later than Monday, Nov 2nd at 7pm CST.  If you use Gina K stamps on your project, you'll be entered into the drawing twice!  The winner will be posted in the challenge thread on Tuesday.

Here's the sketch:

Easy, right?  Now let's see your take on it! :)

Here's my card recipe:

Stamps:  First Christmas

Papers:  Pure Luxury White, Pink Pirouette, Eskimo Kisses Designer Papers (Basic Grey)

Inks:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers

Accessories:  Sewing Machine, Circle Nestabilities, Pure Luxury White Organdy Ribbon, Aqua Mist Buttons (PTI), Dimensionals

That's all, folks!  Have a fabulous day...and happy trick-or-treating to all the munchkins! :)

Hugs~
Cindy

Flourishes Friday Focus

Happy Friday, friends!

This week's Flourishes Friday Focus is on coloring with Copics!  Latisha has a fabulous tutorial on the Flourishes Newsletter.  My sample has limited coloring on it; but all you have to do is look at just about every single other sample on my blog, and you'll see coloring! :)  I used several of the Copic marker Collections from Flourishes on the main image.

Here is the full card recipe:

Stamps:  Drummer Boy

Papers:  Old Olive, Classic Ivory, Spiceberry Designer Paper from Memory Box

Inks:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers, Old Olive

Accessories:  Floral Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Olive Green Silk Ribbon, Large Oval Punch, Scalloped Oval Punch, Sponge Dauber, Sewing Machine, Martha Stewart Border Punch, Dimensionals

Check out the gorgeous samples made by the rest of the design team:

• Julie Koerber
  
• Latisha Yoast
• Laura Fredrickson
• Leslie Miller
• Stacy Morgan
• Flourishes Newsletter

Have a fantastic Friday, folks! 

Hugs~
Cindy

Gina K Preview Day Three

Hello Stampers~

It's day three of this month's Gina K sneak peeks, and do you know what that means???  Why, that means the release party is NEXT!  I'll bet you can't wait to get your hands on these awesome new sets!

The first one I'm showcasing is called Winter Friends, and was illustrated by Rupa Shevde.  It is definitely one of my favorite sets from this release!  I created a little snow scene on my card, colored the images with Copic markers, and added some sparkle to the snow.  The sentiment comes from the other set we're sneak peeking today, called Signed With Love.

Here's the full card recipe:

Stamps:  Winter Friends, Signed With Love

Papers:  Pure Luxury White, Cranberry Tart, Fresh Asparagus, Eskimo Kisses Designer Papers

Inks:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers

Accessories:  Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Quickie Glue Pen, Sewing Machine, Cranberry Satin Ribbon (Stamp TV Kit), Label Punch, 1" Circle Punch, Small Oval Punch, White Gel Pen, Dimensionals, Nail Heads

My second project is a quick and easy bucket of yummy caramel popcorn.  I simply wrapped some of Emily's gorgeous Vintage Holly Digital Paper around the middle, and added a decorate punched border and satin ribbon.  The tag was stamped with a sentiment from the new Signed With Love set.  I added some cardstock circles to the lid, along with some fabric flowers, foam glitter snowflakes and sparkly rhinestones.  I stamped one of the circle images from the Signed With Love set to add to the flower center on the lid.

Check it out up close here...

Not the best photo; but you get the idea.  The colored metal on the paint can was done with a Copic marker.  I LOVE the way you can make anything match with your Copics...so awesome! :)

Here's the recipe for my bucket of goodies:

Stamps:  Signed With Love

Papers:  Vintage Holly Digi Papers, Soft Sky, Pure Luxury White, Not Quite Navy

Inks:  Not Quite Navy

Accessories:  Foam Glitter Snowflakes, Turquoise Rhinestones, Fabric Flowers, Circle Nestabilities, Washer, White Grosgrain Ribbon, White Satin Ribbon, Clear Paint Can, Copic Marker, 1-1/4" Circle Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch, Small & Large Tag Punches, Martha Stewart Border Punch, Dimensionals

We have a couple of our Center Stage Spotlight Designers joining in the previews tonight.  Here are their blog links:

Karen Knegten

Sue VanDeDusse

Then,  stop by these GinaK Designers' blog for even more projects with tonight's stamp sets:

Gina Krupksy Asela Hopkins Carolyn King Cathy Tidwell Cindy Lawrence Donna Baker Erika MartinEmily Giovanni Jessica Fick Kurtis Amundson Lee Murphy Lynn Mercurio Nina Brackett Melanie Muenchinger Theresa Momber

Our Release party will be held tomorrow night over on SCS in GinaK's Forum from 7-10 pm CST.  We'd love to have you join in the fun!  There will be contest questions, challenges, chatter, and lots more samples from our designers throughout the party!  See you then!

Have a lovely Thursday, everyone!

Thanks for visiting with me today! :)

Hugs~
Cindy

Gina K Preview Day Two!

Hello Stampers~

Today the Gina K design team is sneak peeking two fabulous sets for you! The first set is called First Christmas, and was designed by Asela Hopkins. 

For my card, I wanted to show the versatility of this set; so I stayed away from the "first Christmas" theme implied by the set name.  In fact, this card doesn't even have to be a Christmas card.  I could use it for just about anything! :)

I snapped a shot of the inside if this one as well:

I stamped the cardinal in VersaMark on the inside, and added the sentiment in black.  Here's the full card recipe:

Stamps:  First Christmas

Papers:  Soft Sand, Pure Luxury White, Rocket Red, Deck the Halls Digi Paper

Inks:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers, VersaMark

Accessories:  Sewing Machine, Circle & Lattice Pendant Nestabilities, Striped Red Grosgrain & Red Button (Stamp TV Kit), Linen Thread, Dimensionals

Here's my second card:

I know...can you believe I used a bright purple?!  That would so not be my first choice of color; but since it is one of the newer colors from Gina K, I thought I'd give it a try.  ...and you know what?  I LIKE it...oh yes I do! :)  I thought it worked very well with the "regal-ness" of this card.  The stamp set I'm sneak peeking on this card is called Vintage Borders, a very elegant stamp set designed by Nina Bracket.  The possibilities are endless with this set!

I embossed my images in gold and colored them in using ink pads & blender pens.

Here's the recipe:

Stamps:  Vintage Borders

Papers:  Pure Luxury White, Good As Gold, Vibrant Violet

Inks:  VersaMark, Regal Rose, So Saffron, Rich Razzleberry, Purely Pomegranate, Lovely Lilac

Accessories:  Gold Rhinestones, Gold Embossing Powder, Gold-Edged White Satin Ribbon, Label Nestabilities, Dimensionals

For even more inspiration, please visit the Illustrators of the stamp sets featured tonight:

Asela Hopkins: First Christmas Nina Brackett: Vintage Borders

Tonight, we have several of our Center Stage Spotlight Designers joining in the previews. Here are their blog links:

Deb Felts Sharri Seffens Melissa Cash

Finally, stop by these GinaK Designers' blog for even more projects with tonight's stamp sets:

Gina Krupksy Carolyn King Cathy Tidwell Cindy Lawrence Donna Baker Erika Martin Emily Giovanni Jessica Fick Kurtis Amundson Lee Murphy Lynn Mercurio Melanie Muenchinger Tami Mayberry Theresa Momber

Our Release party will be held Thursday night over on SCS in GinaK's Forum from 7-10 pm CST. We'd love to have you join in the fun! There will be contest questions, challenges, chatter, and lots more samples from our designers throughout the party! See you then!

Have a wonderful day, friends!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Hugs~
Cindy

Gina K Preview Day One!

Hey everyone~

It's time for another fabulous release from Gina K Designs!  Today, the design team is previewing Melanie's newest set, Festive Frame, which will be available for purchase on Thursday evening right after the release party.  Melanie really knocked it out of the park with this gorgeous poinsettia frame and beautiful sentiments!  I embossed mine in gold on watercolor paper, and colored with re-inkers and a water brush.

Here's the recipe:

Stamps:  Festive Frame

Papers:  Rocket Red, Pure Luxury White, Good As Gold, Watercolor

Inks:  Vivid Vintage Green, Brick Red, Real Red (SU), Straw, VersaMark

Accessories:  Gold Embossing Powder, Gold Bling, Gold Cording, Red Organdy Ribbon, Niji Waterbrush, Gold Paint Pen, Dimensionals, Retractable Knife

For even more inspiration tonight, please visit the Illustrator of the Festive Frame stamp set Melanie Muenchinger's blog. Then, check in on our Center Stage Spotlight Designer, Diana Queen who has prepared a project for us tonight too. After that, check out these GinaK Designer's joining in on the Preview blog hop tonight: Gina Krupsky Cathy Tidwell Cindy Lawrence Erika Martin Emily Giovanni Jessica Fick Kurtis Amundson Lee Murphy Lynn Mercurio Nina Brackett Theresa Momber

Have a fabulous Tuesday, my friends!

See you tomorrow for preview day two! :)

Hugs~
Cindy

Tweet Winter Wishes

Hello Stampers!

I hope you've enjoyed your weekend.  Today was a truly gorgeous day here in NH, practically perfect in every way! :)

My sample today was made with Tweet Winter Wishes from Our Craft Lounge.  I colored my image with Copic markers and added some Cosmo Crystals Crafty Sparkles to the snow.  That is such pretty glitter, with a lovely pink undertone.  The designer papers are from the Colorful Christmas pack from My Mind's Eye.

Here's the full recipe:

Stamps:  Tweet Winter Wishes

Papers:  Pure Luxury White, Purely Pomegranate, Soft Sky, Colorful Christmas Designer Papers

Inks:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers

Accessories:  Sewing Machine, Petite Oval & Labels Nestabilities, Pomegranate Polka Dot Ribbon (retired SU), Buttons (Basic Grey), Cosmo Crystals Crafty Sparkles Glitter, Small Scalloped Border Punch (EK Success), Dimensionals

Have a fabulous Monday, my friends!

Thanks for stopping by today and always! :)

Hugs~
Cindy

A New Discovery!

Happy weekend, friends!

Today's post is short and sweet. :)  I made this card for last week's Sketch Challenge on SCS.  I have finally discovered the gorgeous textured papers from Prism, and I am hooked!  I also used a brand-new stamp from Stampavie called Bear and Robin...sweet, sweet, SAWEET!

Here's the recipe for my card:

Stamps: Bear and Robin

Paper: Pure Luxury White, Pink Pirouette, Eskimo Kisses Designer Paper (Basic Grey), Seaside Trio Textured Papers (Prism), Watercolor Paper

Ink: Palette Hybrid Noir Black, Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette, Bashful Blue, Kiwi Kiss, Old Olive, Sahara Sand, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip

Accessories: White Gel Pen, White Brads (Basic Grey), Niji Water Brush, Light Blue Polka Dotted Ribbon, Dimensionals

I am feeling 100% better today, and am off to MA to teach a stamping class to some of my favorite peeps!

Hope your weekend is ROCKIN'!

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs~
Cindy

Flourishes Friday Focus

Happy Friday, friends!

It's time for another Flourishes Friday Focus, and we're putting the spotlight on "fancy folds".  Christine has a wonderful tutorial and gorgeous samples to share over on the Flourishes Newsletter today.

I chose to make an easel card, which was a recent Technique Lovers Challenge over on SCS.  They're super-easy to make, and a lot of fun!  For complete instructions, check out the challenge thread HERE.  The view above shows how the card stands...like an easel. :)

Here's another view of the card, which shows the front a bit better:

I embossed the gorgeous Christmas Wreath image in silver embossing powder, and used pale colors to watercolor it on European Watercolor Paper.

Here's the full supply list:

Stamps:  Christmas Wreath

Papers:  Classic White, Baja Breeze, European Watercolor, Dewfrost Designer Paper from Memory Box

Inks:  VersaMark, Soft Sky, Baja Breeze, Apricot Appeal, Regal Rose, Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Close to Cocoa

Accessories:  Ticket Corner Punch, Silver Brads, Silver Finishing Touches, Blue Silk Ribbon, Silver Cording, Silver Embossing Powder, Water Brush, Dimensionals, Clear Rhinestone (colored with B72 Copic Marker)

Now, check out the fun folds that the rest of the design team created:

• Christine Okken
• Julie Koerber
• Latisha Yoast
• Laura Fredrickson
• Leslie Miller
• Stacy Morgan
• Flourishes Newsletter

Have a fabulous Friday, everyone! 

Thanks for stopping by today! :)

Hugs~
Cindy

Warm Winter Wishes

Hello Stampers!

As you may or may not have noticed, I missed a day in my usual daily blog posts.  Well, I've been down with a stomach bug for the past couple of days...yuckO!  There has been so much stuff going around at work, and I seem to catch it all.  I think I'll start wearing a mask around the office...maybe like this one:

That should do the trick, don't ya think?!

I am feeling better this evening, however, and I do have a sample to share with you. :)

That sweet snowman is from Gina K's Warm Winter Wishes set, designed by Caroline King.  I colored the image with Copic Markers and added Clear Chunky Glitter to the snowman to jazz him up a bit.  I am saving this card to give to one of my kiddos one day this winter...just because.  Those are my favorite kind of cards to give. :)

Here's the supply list for my card:

Stamps:  Warm Winter Wishes

Papers:  Pure Luxury White, Soft Sky, Deck the Halls Digi Paper

Inks:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers

Accessories:  Red Double-Stitched Grosgrain (Stamp TV Holiday Cheer Kit), Snowflake Border Punch (Martha Stewart), Label & Petite Oval Nestabilities, Heart Rain Dots, Dimensionals, Chunky Clear Glitter

For even more inspiration visit Carolyn King - the Illustrator of Warm Winter Wishes and the Idea Center gallery HERE.

Then, check in with Carolyn's special guest designers:

Charlene Merrick

Tina Gilliland

Deb Anton

And, finally stop by these GinaK Designer's blog participating in the hop tonight:

Cathy Tidwell
Emily Giovanni
Erika Martin
Jessica Fick
Kurtis Amundson
Lee Murphy
Nina Brackett
Melanie Muenchinger
Tami Mayberry
Theresa Momber

and our CenterStage Spotlight Team:

Joy Hadden
Kay Simmons
Linda Payne
Lori McAree

GinaK will be giving away a copy of Warm Winter Wishes on her blog tonight - so pop over there to leave your comment on her blog for your chance to win the set for free! (If you've already purchased the stamp set, we can swap it out for another GinaK stamp set valued at $19.95 or less.)

Have a fabulous day, my friends!

See y'all tomorrow! :)

Hugs~
Cindy

A Killer Wardrobe...

Hello Stampers~

Today I have a fun sample from Our Craft Lounge.  I just had to make another card with the Witch to Wear set and the awesome Boo To You designer paper from My Mind's Eye.

This witch is all about color and bling, baby!  Her only problem is deciding what to wear every morning.  She even special-ordered a shiny black broom to coordinate with her outfits.  All of the other witches are postively green with envy!

Here's the card recipe:

Stamps:  Witch to Wear

Papers:  Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White, Basic Black, Watercolor, Boo To You Designer Paper

Inks:  Palette Hybrid Noir Black, Rich Razzleberry, Pumpkin Pie, Certainly Celery, Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip

Accessories:  Rhinestone Bling, Petite Oval Nestabilities, Ninji Waterbrush, Spider Web Border Punch (Martha Stewart), Razzleberry Grosgrain Ribbon, Black Star Bling (Mark Richards), Dimensionals, Sakura Black Glaze Pen

Have a wonderful Tuesday, my friends!

Thanks a MILLION for stopping by and visiting with me today!

Hugs~
Cindy