Hand Stamped By Lacey

Wags 'n Whiskers: Anything Goes

Hello stamping friends!!

How is your week going? Mine seemed to blur by! Where does the time go? We have a very busy weekend coming up. Tonight I have Bunco with some of my friends - it's always a fun night. On Saturday we will be at the ball fields all day long. Ansley's team has pictures at 8:00am (need to be there at 7:45) then a game from 9am-10:30. Ryan has pictures at 2:00 (need to be there at 1:45) then a game from 3pm-4:30pm. I'm going to be one tired and stinky mom!! LOL Then on Sunday we have church and life group/bible study. One weekend we need to have off so we can get some yard work done! Maybe one day soon. 

We interrupt this program...I am writing this post during American Idol and all I can say is WOW!!! That was shocking and ridiculous! Not that Jessica was almost voted off, but the reaction of the judges. My husband was fuming that they were so unprofessional!! Jessica is NOT my favorite and I wouldn't have voted for her...and obviously I'm not the only one since she didn't get the votes this week. But this is "AMERICAN IDOL", NOT JLo, Randy and Steven Idol! America voted...and didn't vote for Jessica!! Sorry, but if it was Colton, Phillip, or Skyler, I doubt they would have saved them! Personally Jessica and Joshua need to go. 

Well at least the "save" is gone and now America's votes will count!

Ok, so today it's time for a new Wags 'n Whiskers challenge. I finally had a little time to play along. 

The challenge is: Anything Goes!! How easy is that?!

I needed to bring a gift to Bunco tonight that begins with the letter "P" for the Bunco Basket (the person with the last "Bunco" of the night wins the basket). 

So for my gift, I'm bringing a "Pink Box of cards"...

I figure I have some cards on hand so it would make an easy gift! However, it took 4 tries before I got the measurements for the box correct!! UG!!

I used some White Silk ribbon, The Bow Easy, pearl swirls, and pom pom ribbon.

Now it's your turn!! The challenge runs through April 26th.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy stamping!

~Lacey

High Hopes Sneak Peek Day 1 - Candy Wrapper Tutorial

Hello stamping friends!

It's Day 2 of the High Hopes Release Sneak Peeks.

Tonight at 12:01am EST/5:01am GMT, the Blog Hop will begin. As soon as the stamps start going up on the High Hopes Website, I will be adding them to my store Stamp and Create as well.

Today we are supposed to be showing one of the awesome new Dustin Pike Dragons that are being released this week. Unfortunately, due to my recent move, I was unable to find the time to finish my card.

But I do have the tutorial I created for the Candy Wrapper I showed yesterday.

Here we go...

Supplies:

~ 5.5" x 5.5" piece of Card Stock or thick Patterned Paper

~ Scor-Tape or other strong adhesive

~ Stamped image to decorate

~ Standard Hershey Candy Bar (not shown in picture below).

To create my own patterned paper, I used the new "Gears Border" being released this week and stamped the image onto the card stock... 

Then I scored the Card Stock at:

1.5", 1.75", 3.75", and 4.0"...

Decorate the front of the wrapper. I used the new "Programed to Party Candy Wrapper" being released this week...

Add Scor-Tape or strong adhesive along one side... 

And wrap the candy bar... 

This image also makes a great Bookmark as well! Plus, you can use it on tall cards as well.

This stamp along with the rest will be released tomorrow!!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy stamping!

~Lacey

Wags 'n Whiskers Sneak Peek for ABC Christmas Challenge

Today is the start of the Sneak Peeks for the Wags 'n Whiskers Fairy 2 Release!!

The peeks will continue tomorrow.

Then at 12:01 EST/5:01 GMT on Friday morning, there will be a blog hop!

At 7:00am EST Friday, the stamps will be able for purchase. 

For my peek today, I combined it with the ABC Christmas Challenge to show the versatility of these stamps.

The challenge over at the ABC Christmas Blog is: U is for "Under the Tree" (make a gift, box, or bag).

I made a box using my tutorial here (although I altered it a little so it can hold my 5 1/4" square cards).  

It hold a massive amount of chocolates!!  

This sweetie is "Rosalie". She's so sweet! And I think she makes a great Christmas fairy!! But as you hop along the other WnW DT blogs, you will see her as a non-Christmas fairy as well.

I have a huge growing number of Christmas cards piling up...just waiting for the Holidays to roll around! So I will most likely use the box to hold some of the cards until it's time to mail them (and time to use the box as a gift)! There are 13 cards in the  box in the photo above!!

The card on the top of the pile is Ride 'em Ryan also from Wags 'n Whiskers and he makes a great Christmas card as well!!

Rosaline was embossed in black and watercolored with Twinkling H20s...

Check out this pile of cards...

These are only about half of the cards I had made while on the ABC Christmas Challenge DT!! (The front card is Ansley's Surprise from WnW).

It has really been a blessing to be on the ABC Christmas challenge DT. It has been great to work on my Christmas cards all year long. And the Design Team is a sweet bunch of ladies. 

So, guess what?! The ABC Christmas Challenge is currently having a Design Team call!! 

We are looking for a few designers who have a passion for making Christmas cards year round! Check out the Challenge Post for more information about the DT call.

And make sure to check out the the rest of the Wags 'n Whiskers DT to see their sneak peek projects!

This is also for the following challenges:

Stamp Something: Celebrate Something

Stamptacular Challenge: At least 5 layers

Papertake Weekly Challenge: Pick any challenge (Cutie Patootie from July)

Paper Sundaes: Something from your stash (the MME DP is from last year)

Thanks for stopping by! Happy stamping!!

~Lacey

High Hopes Release and Blog Hop!!

Hello Stamping Friends!! Today is the long awaited High Hopes Blog Hop and Release!!

You should have arrived from Karen. If not, then you may want to head on over to the top of the Hop at the High Hopes Blog. Why? Because along the hop there are 4 blogs that have been chosen to give away 2 free new release stamps!! You won't know which blogs they are, so you should leave a comment on each one just in case!

So...today is the release day for the latest High Hopes stamps illustrated by the awesome Sir Dustin aka Dustin Pike! I think there are 33 images and 5 sentiments that are being released today!!

And guess what?...they are already up on my store :-) Tina...the fabulous owner of High Hopes Rubber Stamps allowed us to upload the stamps a little early!!

Today I have a fun Father's Day project to share using the super cute Handy Dragon and Four Tool Set...

I just LOVE Dustin's dragons!! And this one is no exception. When I first saw this image, I knew I wanted to make this little tool caddy (template from My Time Made Easy). I plan to add some of my hubby's favorite things...like a gift certificate to block buster, and his favorite restaurant, some chocolates, and a note from the kids.

The image and tools were embossed in black and watercolored with Twinkling H2Os...

I'm going to have to grab this back from Ryan, though!! He saw it and decided it was a good place to put his "silly-bands" (do your kids have those?).

The blog hop will remain open until Wednesday 12pm GMT/7am EST. 

Your next stop is the fabulous Sarah!

Don't forget about the Stamp and Create Challenge this month...charms!!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey  

Wags 'n Whiskers "Fun in the Sun" Blog Hop and Release day!!

Today is the big day!! Wags 'n Whiskers Fun in the Sun is being released today at 7:00am EST. For the whole weekend we are having a blog hop!! The awesome Design Team along with many talented guests have samples to show you. You should have arrived from Debbie's blog. If you didn't, you may want to start at the top! There are prizes, so make sure you leave comments on all of the blogs along the hop!

After 7am EST, check the Wags 'n Whiskers blog for links to the where you can purchase these fun stamps.

For my sample today, I have a set I created for Ansley's teacher for Teacher Appreciation...

This adorable stamp is called Magical Friends! I created a card and matching lunch box that I filled with LOTS of chocolate (a whole bag of Dove miniatures)!

The image was designed after my daughter Ansley and illustrated by Cris de Lara. Ansley love horses (including unicorns and pegasus), so we gave my Angel Ansley a magical friend!

The card is 5 1/4" square. I used MME DP, Prima flowers, lace, nestability, cuttlebug folder, and pearls.

This sketch is from Sketch Saturday.

The lunch box was created using one of the Templates I purchased from Papertrey Ink.

 
I am also entering this into the following challenges:

~ ABC Challenge: T is for Thank you (I didn't add a sentiment on the front, but Ansley wrote a note of thanks to her teacher on the inside).

~ Flutterby Wednesday - Open Challenge, but must use a fairy, angel, or butterfly

The next stop on the hop is Renata!

Don't forget to leave a comment!! You never know if I am one of the blogs with candy!!

I will be back later to post once the stamps available in the store.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey  

Wags 'n Whiskers Blog Hop and Release Day!!

I can not believe this day is finally here! Although it was actually only a few months ago that my partner Nikki and I even talked about going into business together...but at the same time it feels like FOREVER!!

Today is the day! Wags 'n Whiskers Rubber Stamps is having our very first Blop Hop and release!!!

You should have come here from Mina's blog. If you didn't, you may want to start at the VERY begining! There is blog candy on each blog, so you don't want to miss anyone!!

First my project...Snowman Soup!

I made this box using my tutorial here. The adorable image is called Zoe and Gemma's Snow Fun. Zoe is Nikki's oldest daughter with her "fat cat" Gemma. Last year it snowed in England and Zoe, her sister Danni, and their cat Gemma had fun playing in the snow! Since I am from Florida, we have to travel to see snow :-( Here's an interesting fact...it snowed in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida when I was in Kindergarten!! I actually still remember it!! Of course it melted before it even hit the ground! So, technically, the first time I ever saw "real" snow, was when I was 19 years old and I went skiing in W. Virginia.

Back to my project...Here's a few different angles...

Here's a close up of the front which uses this week's SCS sketch SC249...

 
And a close up of the image...

 
I used Liquid Applique on the pompoms on their hats, and some Martha Stewart chunky glitter for snow...look...it's snowing still!!

I used one of my snowflake charms and spacers on the snowflake. The DP is some Basic Grey Figgy Pudding that will be available as another card kit soon at Stamp and Create.

So what's on the inside of the bag?...

Why Snowman Soup of course (Hot Chocolate, Marshmellows, and pepermint candies). I created the bag topper for the candies using some Basic Grey paper die cut with the SU Top Note Die. I added a snowflake and another brad....easy peasy!

Ok. Now onto the prize!! I am giving away "Zoe and Gemma's Snow Fun"!! Pease leave a comment on this post in order to be entered into the drawing. The blog candy ends tonight at midnight EST/5:00amGMT.

The entire release will be available for pre-order today at 7:00amEST/noonGMT. Links to where you can purchase the stamps are on the Wags 'n Whiskers Blog. I will link it here after they go live.

Don't forget that I actually have more blog candy here.

Now it is time to go see Kristine!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Let it begin!!! Wags 'n Whiskers Sneak Peek Day 1...

Oh I can hardly contain myself! For the past two months I have been waiting (not so) patiently...trying to be quiet about it all...but now I get to scream my excitement!! As "Rhino" from Disney's movie Bolt says...."let it begin...let it begin"!!!

Today is Day 1 of the Wags 'n Whiskers Rubber Stamps Sneak Peeks. The design divas have some wonderful creations for you today! If you haven't already been to their blogs yet, I will have links at the bottom of the post.

In the mean time, here is a project I made using one of the images featuring my VERY active 4 (almost 5...in less than 2 weeks) son Ryan!

 
This image is called "Super Ryan" designed by Crissy Armstrong for Wags 'n Whiskers Rubber Stamps!! The image features Ryan's trusty dog blanket "BoBo" (pronounced Bow-bow like a hair "bow" with a "long o", not boo boo). Ryan sleeps with BoBo every night...but he's not allowed to take him out of the house...ok, the car...sometimes he makes it into the car! Here's a picture of Ryan (in PJs with BoBo).

 
I know that stamping for girls is something easy to do...but boys?!...they are not so easy, huh?!

When determining the ideas for the Ryan images, we tried to think about what the images will be used for. Scrapbooking is high on my priority for these images...but so is party invitations and gifts. So, as soon as I saw Lauren Meader's backpack she created for her son, I knew I wanted to case her idea (using her template of course) to create a birthday gift set.

 
I am actually thinking of using these to hold the party favors for Ryan's birthday party...but it is less than 2 weeks away, so I don't know if I will get that many done.

Anyway, I used Lauren's backpack as a guide, but just added Super Ryan to the front.

Here's a few different angles...

 And the back...isn't that adorable?!

I needed a card to match....

I used the same Designer Paper (My Mind's Eye "Completely Boy"), a punched star, a PTI button, and a computer generated sentiment punched out with the SU oval punch.

Here's a closer view of Super Ryan!!

 
I remember my brother running around the house playing Superman...he's 30 now so it's funny how my brother and my son both can play the same character 25 years apart!!

We initially designed Ryan to be wearing PJs...because typically that is what Ryan would prefer to wear!! There are days where he gets out of one set of PJs just to put another set on!!

But I think Crissy Armstrong did a fantastic job with the design so that it can either look like PJs or just a short and top set!

Funny story...when we first started talking about "turning the kids into stamp images", Ryan didn't want to have anything to do with it! I thought he was just being shy. But the day we received the first draft of this image, Ryan had a huge smile on his face! I said "I thought you didn't want to be in a stamp" and he responded..."I thought you would actually TURN me into a stamp!! LOL Oh I do forget sometimes how LITERALLY a 4 year old thinks!!! He's fine with it now I think ;-)

All of the images in the sneak peeks on the Design Diva's blogs will be available for pre-sale on Friday.

We will have another sneak peek tomorrow.

Then on friday, we will have a blog hop with lots of prizes along the way, and you will be able to pre-order the images!! I can't wait!!

Oh, don't forget about my blog candy here!

But now, make sure to check out the other diva's projects...

Inge Groot

Kristine Moldenhauer Biseth

Danielle Kennedy

Karen Goguen

Jacqui Dennis

Tina

Jeanette Comerford

Niki Estes

Nikki Fairbairn - Co-Owner of Wags 'n Whiskers Rubber Stamps

Denise Sanchez - Guest Diva

Mina Hartley- Special Guest

Debbie Eastman- Special Guest

~Lacey

World Card Making Day...For the Dogs!

 
I hope you are enjoying World Card Making Day Blog Hop today!! Wow! There are so many bloggers on the hop!

This is my 2nd post today. So make sure to scroll down to see my other post regarding the Wags 'n Whiskers Design Team.

I have a tutorial to share with you. But if you don't have time to check out the tutorial, just subscribe for email feeds or become a follower of my blog and come back later when you have more time.

In the mean time, here is my gift set...

 
I needed a thank you gift to give my sister-in-law for watching my dog while we were out of town. I wanted to give her a cute box to hold some dog treats for her own dogs. I think this is much nicer than having a store bought box sitting on your counter, right?!

The image on the box is actually the logo for my new stamp company Wags 'n Whiskers Rubber Stamps. This image will be released along with 8 other images on Friday, October 9th. We have a blog hop scheduled on the 9th with lots of prizes along the way. The stamps will be available in the US and Canada at my store Stamp and Create and they will be available in Europe and "the rest of the world" at my partner's store Bunny Zoe's Crafts.

 
 
Oh, the box is one that I created for this post, but haven't had a chance to create the tutorial I promised until now.

Onto the Tutorial...

Supplies needed:

~ 10 3/4" x 5 1/4" cardstock (for the bottom and 2 sides)

~ TWO 7 1/4" x 3 3/4" pieces of cardstock (for 2 sides)

~ 8 1/2" x 8 1/2" Cardstock (for the lid)

~ FOUR 2 1/2" x 5" Designer Paper (optional - to decorate the outside of the box - you can stamp on the box as well or leave it plain)

~ 5 1/4" x 5 1/4" Desiger Paper (optional - or background cardstock to decorate the top of the box)

~ Ribbon or other embellishments

 
1. Take the 10 3/4" x 5 1/4" cardstock and score the two long ends 2 3/4" from the sides...

2. Take the 7 1/4" x 3 3/4" pieces and score along 3 sides 1" from the sides...

3. Cut along the solid lines (see template)...

 
4 Fold along all of the scored lines.

5. Attach strong adhesive (I used Score Tape), on the outside of the sides and along the bottom of the 7 1/4" x 3 3/4" pieces...

6. Line up the bottom of the side pieces with the open side of the larger piece to create the box...

 
7. If you would like a more finished look to the inside of the box, take a piece of 5 1/4" x 5 1/4" cardstock and tape to the bottom of the box (optional).

8. Take your 8 1/2" x 8 1/2" piece and score along all 4 sides at 1 1/2" in...

9. If you would like a decorative edge on the lid, go ahead and cut that now. Then cut along the solid lines (see template) and attach strong adhesive on the flaps...

10. Assemble the lid...

11. Decorate the box!

Make sure to stop by later this week as there will be more information shared about the Wags 'n Whiskers Design Team! And I hope you will come back on the 9th for our Release!!

But don't forget about the blog candy!!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Stamps: Wags 'n Whiskers Furry Friends, Thank you sentiment (retired SU)

Paper: SU Chocolate Chip CS, DCWV Pets DP, Watercolor paper

Ink: Twinkling H2Os using a Blender Pen

Other: Dark Brown Ruffle Ribbon, PTI Button, EK Success Border Punch, Nestability Circle and Scalloped Circle, Rhinestones (on the card-can't remember where I got these), Brads, Spacers.

TGIF!!! And Damask Scripture Balls

Let me tell you how glad I am that it's friday!! As I posted earlier in the week, Ansley and I weren't feeling well. Ansley still has a cough, but no fever, no more throwing up, so she only missed one day of school. I have been going to bed early every night, so I am starting to feel a little revived!

However...yesterday happened!! Oh my goodness...I was just having one of those days when everything could go wrong. I received some bad news, which took over my whole mood. All day nothing went my way. Then finally, it was time to prepare dinner. I had partially defrosted chicken in the refrigerator, but it still was pretty hard in the afternoon so I left it on the counter to finish defrosting. Well, apparently it's just too hot, or too humid and the chicken was spoiled by the time I was ready to make it (it was only out for a few hours). So, in my bad mood, I just shoved it down the garbage disposal...and it clogged up the sink! I got the punger out which ened up making it worse. Poored draino down it which make it worse. At one point I turned the disposal back on to see if it would help clear it out...and it spewed rotten chicken water all over the kitchen!!

$250 for a plumber later...it's fixed!!

So, I was hoping for a better day today. While packing Ansley's backpack, we found some homework that was due today. So Scott helped her do it and we drove to the bus stop...just to get in while they were ready to leave. The other parents held the bus for us (and 2 other girls that were walking) and off they go. I get home to find her homework ON THE COUNTER!!! Are you kidding me?! Now I get to make a trip to the school this morning!!

Therefore, I am glad this week is almost over...I am ready to put it behind me. Do you ever have any of those days?!

On to today's post. I am glad I have something to share (since I haven't been feeling well this week, I haven't created anything new). These are the scripture balls I made for Ansley's 1st grade teacher for her daughter's wedding...

I am so happy with how these turned out. I made a total of 17 of these, but not all of them fit on the table.

I used SU Basic Black for the card bases.The white is just plain CS I got at Walmart. The scriptures where printed on the computer. The Damask stamp was in the $1 section of Michaels awhile ago. The organza ribbons are from JoAnns.

I also printed their name and wedding date on the computer and punched it out with the new SU tag punch.

Anyway, I am really hoping today gets better, my headache goes away, and that I meet some wonderful new friends at MOPS (Mother's of Preschoolers) today!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

My first Divine Design (late): Job 5:9-10

He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted. He bestows rain on the earth; he sends water upon the countryside. Job 5:9-10

I have been watching on the sidelines for a least a year now seeing beautiful posts by Taylor and Angel for their monthly Devine Design challenges! Well, this month, I decided it was time to play along!!

After making this project for my daughter's birthday countdown, I enjoyed see this project on the refigerator. So, I decided to hand make a calender each month for our fridge! And what a perfect place to include a bible verse as well!

I have to be honest, the bible verse and stamped image I chose was inspired by the DAILY thunderstorms we have been having for the past 2 weeks here in "sunny" South Florida!! LOL I moved away from this area over 7 years ago...and how quickly I forgot about the DAILY summer thunder storms...yes, while the rest of the world gets to enjoy Autumn...it is still considered "Summer" here!! Hot and muggy...add in daily rain storms...and you get HIGH humidity (aka Bad Hair days)!!

So, I pulled out this adorable image from High Hopes Rubber Stamps called Mary Angel. I have been wanting this image since I first saw it and I finally got it last week when my wholesale order arrived in my store! Yes, it is available in my store Stamp and Create!

I printed the calender and bible verse on the computer (yes, I am aware I made an error on September 2nd, but I didn't notice it until I was completely done with the project GRRRR)!!

I love this verse....Job went through some "stuff", yet he was still able to stand in his beliefs. This verse is a wonderful reminder (especially to me), that God does wonderful things...more than can be counted...yet He still remembers simple things...things that WE take for granted...and, yes, even get mad about (guilty)...like rain for the earth!

The image was embossed in black onto watercolor paper and watercolored with Twinkling H2Os...

I added an awesome umbrella charm, used the SU eyelet border punch, SU Bermuda Bay Dotted ribbon and CS, MME DP, some primas, pearl brads, and stickles for lost of glitter. I also added some crystal effects on the puddle...

I hope you can see it in the photo.

Anyway, Niki Estes has a great Christmas idea that she does every year. She creates a calender with matching scrapbook pages for the following year, scans them, prints multiple copies, and binds them as Christmas gifts for the Grandparents! I really want to be able to do this. However, I will have to start with another calender page...my scanner can only handle 8 1/2" x 11" and since the image is popping off the page, it won't scan completely. I plan on starting it next month!

Anyway, I had a really great time playing along with this challenge. It feels great that I finally did it!!

Ansley received some wonderful cards for her birthday (some from my blog candy challenge and some just from friends). I am trying to get photos of all of them, then I will announce the winners of my blog candy tomorrow.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

High Hopes Challenge 44 - Wrap it up!

It's time for another High Hopes Challenge! This week our wonderful Hostess is Inge!! Gosh, I just love all of the layers she adds to her cards!

Anyway, Inge's challenge is called Wrap it up! Create anything that can hold something...candy holder, pencil holder, box, gift bag...anything! Just make sure to use a High Hopes Rubber Stamp for your image!

I wanted to create a new box template. Something that I can hold more stuff or a box that holds my larger 5 1/2" square cards. So, I got out some paper and pencil and worked out the dimensions...

I am so thrilled with how this turned out (especially since it worked on the first try)! The box measures 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" x 2 3/4" tall. I will try to create a tutorial for you soon. I will have to make another box since I didn't take photos of this one as I was making it.

I used the awesome Weekend Sketch over at Beate John's blog Fresh & Fun. I thought it would really work nice for the top of the box...

I used SU Ridinghood Red for the box base (Retired - I stocked up on a few packs before they retired). The DP is SU Christmas Cocoa Specialty Paper from the Holiday Mini. The white Damask design is actually flocked!! I used the Circle and Scalloped Circle Nestabilities for the layers and some Making Memories ribbon (I LOVE this ribbon and I only have about 6" left).

The image is Sitting Santa available through my store Stamp and Create. I embossed Santa in black onto Watercolor paper and watercolored him using Twinkling H2Os. I added some Liquid Applique to his coat and hat.

For the last detail, I added some awesome pom-pom ribbon I got from Joann's awhile ago.

Now it's your turn to play along. Here are a few tutorials on boxes, bags, and wrappers that I have created in the past if you want to get some ideas....

A2 Box

The Perfect Gift Bag/Gift Box

Card Folder Holder

Candy wrapper

Just make sure to add a High Hopes image (it can even be a tag) in order to play along. Don't forget to link your project to the High Hopes Challenge to be entered into the drawing for the FREE stamps!! And if you upload your project to SCS, make sure to use keyword HHC44!

Edited to say...We now have Mr. Linky! Make sure to link your card through Mr. Linky NOT in the comment section on the Challenge Post.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Rockin' Purse

So how was your weekend? We had a great time. We went back to North Florida for the labor day weekend and to have a surprise birthday party for Ansley! Oh, was she surprised!!! I don’t think it hit her until after a few minutes and I swear she was about to cry when everyone yelled “Surprise”!! But within seconds, she was scooped away into the dressing room to start her transformation into a Pop Star!!

I will share pictures from the party soon (I still need to download the pictures). But in the mean time, I wanted to share the party favors that I made…

Aren’t they awesome?! I am just tickled pink with how they turned out. Of course, the idea wasn’t totally my own. I knew I wanted to make some girly-like purse so I went looking at Lauren Meader’s Timeless Templates available through Papertrey Ink. I am a huge fan of Lauren’s work. Before I purchased a template, I searched Lauren’s blog for all of the template samples. I fell in love with this purse she created, so I used that for my inspiration. In fact, I found the exact same jewelry pieces she used at Michael’s. But since I had to make so many, I didn’t want the cost to be too much, I didn’t use the purse closure like Lauren did. But I still like how they turned out.

I also went a little overboard with the pictures at different angles.

Anyway, I used SU Basic Black for the base and Melon Mambo for the front and back pieces. I embossed SU Bella Toile in white onto the front and back pieces. I diecut the monogrammed letters using the Sizzix Serif essentials onto SU On board Long Board chip board pieces. I embossed the black pieces using PTI Polka Dot Basics, then I die cut them as well and glued them to the chipboard pieces. I added some hot pink Prima flowers, added some SU Crystal Brads, and a Star Charm. The ribbon on the handles are from PTI.

The party favors included lip gloss, mini nail polish, candy necklace, ring op candy, and a personalized bracelet that I made.

The girls were thrilled to receive their little purses andgifts.

If you haven’t  tried Lauren’s Templates, you really should give them a try! They are so easy to make and very well designed. Each template is only $5.00 each and many of the designs come with a mini version as well (I used the large Pretty Petal Pocket template for the party favors). And if you want to try them before you purchase one, PTI offers 2 free templates!! Go check it out!

Don’t forget that I am offering blog candy for the opening of my new online store!! Remember, I am only just getting started. I will be adding more products in the future!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Pop-up Scripture Ball

I've been very busy this week working on party favors for my daughter's surprise birthday party next weekend! I have been trying to sneak making them while she is at school.

But with the start of school this week, it's been hectic!

I do have a few projects that I have to share, but I need to take photos. I also received a wonderful RAK, but the pictures I took ended up blurry so I have to retake them. Since I have family coming over for dinner tonight, I am going to share something I made awhile ago, but never posted...

I actaully made these for the Ryan's teachers and preschool administrators at the end of the last school year...

I used the Pop-Up Ball die from Sizzix (which is available through Stampin' Up). I used SU Ridinghood Red for the base and Bella Rose DP (both retired now).

I printed up some of my favorite bible verses, printed them on the computer, then cut them up and attached them to the ball.

I added some ribbon and a large flower to the top. And added some butterflies using the another Sizzix die which is exclusive to Stampin' Up.

Here are some other angles...

 
This particular ball was created for one of the teachers who is fighting bone cancer. So these verses are about healing and not being afraid. The other teacher's received different verses.

I actually am making 20 of these (with the other verses) in a different design for Ansley's teacher from last year. She is using it for table decorations and party favors for her daughter's wedding. As soon as I have the chance, I need to take pictures of those, too!

Well, I am glad this week is over! It was hard readjusting to a busy school schedule. But I think we are getting there! The kids have a little homework to do over the weekend. Ryan starts Karate next week! He is very excited.

Speaking of Ryan, I have posted many times about how much of a handful he can be. He's not a bad child who hits or fights or anything like that. He's just VERY active, and has selective hearing (meaning...he doesn't always listen)!! I have NOT gotten him tested for ADHD yet...mainly because he CAN sit still IF he wants to and if he is interested in something. But I swear sometimes he gets a little "crazy"...like litterally bouncing off the walls!

So, at the suggestion of his preschool teacher and some friends, I am going to try to test out a diet that is recommended for ADHD and even Autistic children. We are going to start with Dairy! Crazy, I know! But apparently, some kids can not break down the casein protein in dairy well and it causes a reaction. The diet also suggests Glutten Free as well...but that is so hard to deal with...I think I will just see how dairy free works first.

It's only been 1 day, so of course there is no change yet.

Well, that's it for now. I need to finish getting ready for company.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Other teacher gift

Here is the gift I made for Ryan's preschool teacher. I didn't have any other composition notebooks to alter, so I decided to make her a set of cards instead. I know teachers can never have enough thank you cards!

I left them blank with no sentiment so she can use them just for notes and birthday cards as well.

I used scrap strips of DP (retired SU) and randomly placed them...yes, some of them are supposed to be crooked. I added some ric rac ribbon and a scalloped border (SU punch) and called it a day!

I placed the set in one of the PTI clear boxes and added some ribbon (from Taylored Expressions).

Here's another view...

I made her a similar card like Ansley's teacher but with a red base...

She was very happy to receive them!

So far they are doing well in school. Although we are having bus issues with Ansley!! This is her first time riding the bus. So everything is new to her...new school...new neighborhood...new friends....new procedure to get picked up from school, etc!! Therefore, she forgot her bus number today so she missed the afterschool bus!!!

Imagine how freaked out I was when she didn't get off the bus!!!

I walked to the bus stop with Ryan and our dog Princess. So when she wasn't there, I knew I had to get to the school asap. A neighbor drove us home so we didn't have to walk. We hopped right in our car and headed to school. On the way, I managed to get in touch with the school to confirm that she was still there. We get to school, hop out (with the dog...who is freaking out by now because I was freaking out) when...someone yelled at me for having the dog!!! Are you kidding?! It's 100 degrees....I am NOT leaving my dog in the car....AND "YOU" (the school) failed to send my daughter home!!! Who cares about the freakin' dog!!!

Anyway, I picked her up...I mean she's only 5 pounds (smaller than your normal sized cat)!!

We got Ansley safely home...but I was still a wreck! THEN she accidentally broke a glass vase!! So I started cleaning it up and ended up sweeping the whole house! Afterward, my back was killing me!!! I must have pulled my back from fantically running around trying to get Ansley (I remember twisting a little when I tried to get Ryan out of the car...with the adrenaline rushing...I may not have noticed it until later).

Needless to say, a few advils, a glass of wine (or two)...I was pooped and glad when the day was over!!!

I did manage to make a card in the morning before the bus incident! I will post that later!

In the mean time....thanks for stoping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Teacher gifts

I wanted to do something special for each of the kids' teachers.

For Ansley's teacher, I decided to alter a composition notebook...

I used Stamping Bella's Teachabella. I embossed the image in black and quickly colored her with a mixture of Twinkling H2Os and SU markers. The DP is retired SU from last year...thought it fit the theme perfectly. I used the SU scalloped edge punch and Spiral Punch.

I die cut the initial of her last name with the Sizzix Serif Essentials alphabet dies along with 2 EKsuccess flower punches....

I covered the inside as well...

Here's a view of the back of the notebook...

For her card, I used the SCS SC242 sketch this week using the same materials.

 I added some stickles and an apple charm.

I will post Ryan's teacher's gift later.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

High Hopes Challenge #40 - Christmas in July!!!

It's time for another High Hopes Challenge today!! This week's challenge is brought to us by Miss Diva Divine...Kimmie!!! Her challenge is called Christmas in July! So pull out any winter'y-Christmas'y High Hopes Stamps and come play along!!

Before I get to my project, I also wanted to say that today is Tina's birthday - the wonderful and kind owner of High Hopes Rubber Stamps! Happy Birthday, Tina!! I hope it is filled with all of the things you love!!!

Instead of doing a card, I chose to make a gift bag....

I used one of the Santas from the newest release. This is called Santa in Chimney. I used my tutorial for the "Perfect Gift Bag" here. But instead of the regular handles, I used 1 handle and added it to the sides (this time they are adhered so they don't move under the lace ribbon).

I embossed Santa in Black and watercolored him using Twinkling H2Os basically using a mono-chromatic color pallet...

I added Liquid Applique to the "furry" parts of his hat and coat for added texture. And I added some Martha Stewart Mica Flake Glitter for "snow".

The DP is Graphic 45 Playtime Past Collection (Life's a Ball) that I got from a local stamp store. It looked like old-time Christmas to me.

Here is another view of the bag....

Now it's your turn. Create a Christmas/Winter card using a High Hopes image and link it to the High Hopes Challenge for a chance to win the stamps used on Kimmie's card! And if you upload it to SCS, make sure to use keyword HHC40.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

The Perfect Gift Bag/Box tutorial

I finally redid the tutorial. Here are the projects I have created so far...here, here, and here.

To start, you need:

~ 2 pieces of Card Stock measuring 8 1/2" x 11"

~ Piece of Card Stock measuring 3" x 5" for the bottom

~ For Box option: Card Stock measuring 7 1/8" x 5 1/8"

~ Strong Adhesive

Designer Paper (Optional):

~ 2 pieces 4 3/4" x 6"

~ 2 Pieces 2 3/4" x 6"

~ For Box Option: 1 piece 2 3/4" x 4 3/4"

~ For Bag Option: 2 pieces 3/4" x 8 1/4"

Let's begin...

1. On the 11" side of the 8 1/2' x 11" card stocks, score the CS at 1"...

Click on the pictures for larger views.

 

2. Move the CS to the 8" mark and score again...

 

3. Move to the 9 3/4" mark and CUT...

 

This will give you a 1 1/4" x 8 1/2" strip that is cut off...if you plan on making the "Gift Bag" Option, keep this strip to use for the handles (the strip is not shown in this picture).

This will give you a 1 3/4" top that will fold over to create the decorative border, a 7" height, and 1" to create the bottom.

4. Turn the card stock to the left (the 1" scored area will be on the bottom with the 1 3/4" scored area on the top).

Move the left edge to the 3" mark and score...

 

5. Move to the 8" mark and score....

 

This will give you 3" area for the sides, 5" width for the front and back, and 1/2" to tape the box together.

6. Score and cut the 2nd card stock using the same dimensions.

For those of you who need a template...the dotted lines are score lines, the solid lines are cut lines....

7. Using a border punch, punch along the "top" of the box/bag...this will be the 1 3/4" piece...

 

In picture above, the CS is actually upside down of how will end up when completed.

8. Cut the verticle lines on the 1" piece...

 

9. Fold the scored lines. The 1 3/4" top will fold "out", while the bottom and sides will fold "in"...

10. Next, add the Designer Paper if you are using it. Attach the DP to the sides of the box/bag leaving a 1/8" border on the sides and bottom (the top will have more of the box/bag showing since the flap covers it, you don't need to go all the way to the top)...

In the picture above, you will see how the decorative edge will fold out, while the botto will fold in.

11. Add some Score Tape or Sticky Strip/Red-Line Tape (or really strong adhesive) to the inside of the decorative edge, fold over and attach to the front and sides of the card stock...

12. Next you will put the box together. Add more strong adhesive (regular "snail" tape will NOT hold a box or 3-D project for long) to the 1" pieces on the bottom of the box and along the 1/2" sides of the box...

13. Remove the backing of one of the 1/2" sides of the box, carefully line it up with the opposite side of the other piece of CS. This will make it a continuous line of 3" side, 5" side , 3" side , 5" side , 1/2" piece with tape...

14. Next remove the backing of the other 1/2" side of the box and carefully line it up with the other CS making it turn into a box....

15. Next remove the tape backing from the 1" strips on the bottom and form a "bottom"...

16. adhere a 3" x 5" piece to create a bottom for the box/bag...

Your box/bag base assembly is complete. You can leave it as it is or choose to add handles or a lid.

For the "Box" option, you will need to create the lid.

1. Using the 5 1/8" x 7 1/8" piece of card stock, score a 1" border around all 4 sides...

2. cut according to the template...

3. Form into a box using adhesive on the corners.

4. Add the 2 3/4" x 4 3/4" Designer Paper to the top and your box is done!

To add handles for the "Bag" option...

1. Take the 1 1/4" x 8 1/2" strip that you cut off in the begining and cut them down to 1" x 8 1/2" strips.

2. You can add DP (3/4" wide), ribbon, stamp, or leave plain. I used ribbon in this sample. I also like to round the corners for a more finished look.

3. Then punch holes around 1/2" from each end...

4. Using a Crop-a-dile or 1/2" hole punch, punch a hole at least 1/2" from the edge and 1" in from the sides...

5. Attach the handles using brads and you are done!

There it is!! I hope my instructions are clear. I would love to know what you think about this box/bag or the tutorial. If you make one, please send me a link or email me a picture and I would love to showcase it on my blog!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey 

Tille - a gift for a friend

I was finally able to re-do my tutorial for "The Perfect Gift Bag/Box". I will post that in a few minutes.

Before I get to the Tutorial post, I have a new project to share using my Perfect box/Bag.

As I have posted before, we are in the process of moving. That means the house is on the market...and needs to be kept "mostly" clean so that I can show the house to a potential buyer on short notice. Now I say "mostly" clean because...come on..I have 2 young children!! AND I am a messy crafter!! LOL

I have asthma and allergies which makes it hard to me to clean my house without ending up sick! Therefore, we have a "cleaning lady". Shannon has been cleaning my house for over a year...every 2 weeks. Since we put the house on the market, she comes every week. We only have a few more weeks left in the house so I wanted to give her something special to say "Thank you" for all of her hard work.

I made her an altered notebook so she can keep track of her customers! Tidy up Tillie from High Hopes Rubber Stamps is the PERFECT image for my gift!!! Isn't she the cutest!!

I used the layout on the notebook and the bag front from Friday Sketchers this week. The DP is MME Everyday Tango collection. I used a Martha Stewart doily lace punch on the side. The DP was put through the spiral coil using the SU Spiral punch. The ribbon is also SU Bashful Blue stripped ribbon. And the image was cut using a Nestability die.

Tillie was embossed in Black and watercolored using Twinkling H2Os....

To hold her notebook, I created the Perfect Gift Bag...

I used the same materials to create the bag...adding PTI Stampers Select White for the bag base. I had to use a different border punch on the decorative top for the bag since the Martha Stewart punch wouldn't punch through the PTI white...it's too thick!! So I used a SU punch instead. The brads for the handles are also SU as are the flower buttons (the large button on the notebook is PTI, but it matches so well with the SU flower buttons).

Here's another view...

  

Edited to add... This is one of the Projects of the Month (POTM) at High Hopes. This image along with Danni Dress-up and Singing Catrina are on sale this moth for 25% off when you buy them and their sentiments together. However, they are not on the website yet. So if you want them, email Tina or Bethany directly at [email protected]

Ok. Now on to the tutorial here...

~Lacey

The Perfect Gift Box

I was hoping to share the tutorial on the Gift Bag that I created here...which I have named "The Perfect Gift Bag/Box" since I think it's perfect for holding a ton of cards and many other gift options. I have taken the step by step pictures, but I don't have to time to edit and write the post...we are leaving for Daytona Beach to celebrate the 4th of July weekend! Scott has to work some events surrounding the Coke Zero 400 race so the kids and I get to spend a few days on the beach :-)

Anyway, here is a "box" version of "The Perfect Gift Box"....

Click on the pictures for a larger view.

A friend of mine asked me to make her a set of cards to give to a friend. I originally posted the pink version of the card here (the set includes 5 pink cards and 5 green cards).

This box easily holds 10 cards (with "puffy" embellishments...the monogram and flower come out at least 1/4" on the card) and 11 matching envelopes (I always include an extra envelope in my card sets...just in case).

You can see in the picture above that there is plenty of room in the box still. The box actually measures 7" tall, 5" wide, and 3" deep. It requires 2 pieces of 8 1/2" x 11" card stock for the box base and a little less than 12"x12" of Designer Paper to cover (you can also stamp on the box instead of adding DP).

We will be gone until Sunday night. So I will have to finish writing the post when we get home and upload it to my blog on Monday. In the mean time, I have a few projects scheduled to post while I am gone including the next High Hopes Challenge on Sunday.

Edited to add...here is the tutorial.

Thanks for Stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Whiff of Joy July Project of the Month

The first of the Month means that it's time for another Whiff of Joy Project of the month! This month's project is "Teacher's Gift"....create a gift for a teacher using the wonderful Whiff of Joy Stamps!

I hate to say that I didn't have much time to make my project. I was supposed to go down to Coral Springs to close on our new house on Friday. But after some errors on the bank's part, we had to move the closing to monday AND we almost didn't get it done on Monday!! I am just so glad that we finally got it done...we now have 2 houses!! Yikes....technically my husband's company owns our "old" home and we plan to move into the new house in the next few weeks.

Anyway, that was just to explain that I didn't get home from our trip until 3pm today...which only left me a few hours to get my project done! Good thing I had 5 hours to plan it out in my head on the drive home! :-)

So here it is...

Click on the pictures for a larger view.

One of the popular things that our teachers like are Bath and Body Works lotions and shower gels. For my gift, I included one of the new White Citrus (very light lemon scent...I LOVE it) lotion and shower gel set in this handmade gift bag.

The bag measures 7" tall, 5" wide, and 3" deep.

Would you like to learn how to make it? I will try to make up a tutorial to share really soon!

In the mean time, I used a fiscars punch for the top border, heart charm, pearl brads and spacer from Hobby House in the UK. The image is Willow in the Summer Breeze from the recently released Summer Kit. I embossed Willow in black, then watercolored her with Twinkling H2Os. The sentiment is also from the Summer Kit.

Here's a close up of the front...

I will make up a tutorial with both a lid (to make it a box) or use the handles (as shown in this project).

Have you seen the wonderful news on Katharina's blog? She is hosting a Call for 15 Guest Designers to participate with their 1st Anniversary Blog Hop which will take place on July 25th. In order to enter the GDT call, you need to create a card using the sketch on her post and upload it by Wednesday, July 8th (her time). Check her blog for more information.

I hope you will participate with the GDT call!! If not, make sure to mark your calenders for the July 25th Anniversary Blog Hop which will end with a release party over at Paper Craft Planet!!

Well, I have a ton of things to do to unpack from our trip this weekend and REPACK for our trip to Daytona Beach this weekend?! Hopefully, I will be able to post some pictures of my new home :-)

Edited to add...Here is the Tutorial.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Damask Gift Set

My girlfriend called me with a request to make a gift set for her friend. She wanted a monogram set and she really liked the black and white set that I made her awhile ago. So, I set to work...actually re-working a design I made a few weeks ago....

I wanted a pop of color to the Black and White design. So I went through my stash of primas and found enough large flowers in 2 colors that work well together in a set! Therefore, I can enter this card in the Creatively Cute Blogger Challenge #8...Pink which is hosted by the wonderful Anjou!

The mat on this card is the new SU in-color Melon Mambo...this is fast becoming my favorite color...even though it hasn't even been released yet!! It will be available on July 1st...so get your wallets ready!!

The card base was cut with the sizzix scalloped card die out of SU Basic Black CS. I inked up the edges with PTI Fresh Snow ink. The damask stamp is actually from the $1 section at Michaels!! The black ribbon is from PTI.

The monogram is SU Lovely Letters which is punched out with the 1" circle punch.

I will be making a box for it, so I will have to post the finished project later.

Now, if you would like to participate with the Creatively Cute Blogger Challenge...it is open to all!! So grab something pink, make a card, and upload it to SCS using keyword CCB08. Anjou has been collecting a ton of stuff for the winner...and the more who join, the more will be added to the prize!! So, hurry up and get those cards done!! The deadline is Monday, June 29th. The winner will be chosen on June 30th.

Make sure to come back here on Sunday for the High Hopes Challenge. This week it was MY turn to host!!! Such fun!

Thanks for stopping by today! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Whassup?

I am scheduling the next few posts because we are heading down to South Florida on Thursday to close on our new house!! My husband is a little busy at work right now, so he can't actually take time off from work to move! So, we have a little time before we have to leave our North Florida home. Plus we also want to install wood floors in the new home since the carpets need to be replaced upstairs...the tile downstairs is in good condition so we are only doing upstairs. Therefore, we are going down to close on the house, but we won't be moving in for a few more weeks.

Anyway, I made this set of cards for my neighborhood Bunco group (it's a dice game that we play each month...lots of fun). Each month we bring an item to put in the themed basket. The last person who gets "Bunco" wins the basket. This past month, the theme was "Beach"...actually "Jimmy Buffet", but any beach item would work.

I took this picture right before leaving for Bunco so I didn't have time to take them out and get a better photo. There were 8 cards in the set...all with the same design.

I stamped the surf board from SU Just Surfing stamp set 1 time in Bermuda Bay, then I masked it off, and stamped it a second time in Melon Mambo (both new in-colors from SU available July 1st). I tore some Creamy Caramel CS to create sand dunes, inked up the edges wtih Chocolate Chip, and layered them onto the cards. I sewed around the edges, inked up the background with Baja Breeze to create a "sky", then attached everything to a Crushed Curry card base (another new in-color).

I was so glad to be able to use this stamp set! I bought it back in May to use for Scott's surprise "Luau 40th Birthday party", but I got so busy I ended up just sending an email invite!! Gasp!! How embarrasing for a "card maker" to send an email invitation!! Oh well. However, I believe these would make awesome beach party or pool party invitations.

The sentiment is from Stamping Bella but I though it fit this design perfectly. I wanted these cards to be used for any occassion.

Here's a side view of the box...

The box is from  PTI and it easily holds 8 cards and envelopes (without many embellishments). I love these boxes, they are great for an easy gift. After I took the picture, I wrapped it in some Bermuda Bay polka dot ribbon with a bow on the front. I think they were a huge hit.

This set only took me about an hour to make all of them...including the sewing.

By the time this posts, I should be on my way to South Florida. However, I have the start of a headcold with a sore throat and a runny nose. My breaks are squeeking, so I had to get those checked out in the morning. So I may end up having to rent a car since I don't have time to wait around all day for my car to be worked on! I am so excited (*insert sarcasm*) that I get to pack, get my car looked at, and drive to South Florida with 2 kids by MYSELF!! Scott is already down there! Oh well...ya gotta do what ya gotta do, right?!

I do have a favor to ask, though. Scott's brother is in the hospital in South Carolina with Multiple Pulmonary Embolisms (blood clots in the lungs) and he has a deep vein blood clot in his leg that they are worried about. He is on blood thinners and is being closly monitored, but they expect him to be in the hospital for at least a week. Please keep him and is family in your prayers. They are in the process of moving from Texas and have been separated as a family (because of the move) since Christmas! This is a very stressful time for him and his family.

Thank you so much for your prayers!! And thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Picnic Time!!!

I am sooo excited about my project today!! I've had this image from the last High Hopes Release that I haven't inked up yet. I wasn't sure what I was going to use it for, honestly. I thought I would have to have a picnic with my family so I could use it on a picnic scrapbook page! Of course, that would be fun, but it's been too hot for a picnic lately! It would also work for a cookout invitation.  But when I saw the latest My Timeless Template that Lauren created for PTI, I knew exactly what I wanted to make!!!

Click on the pictures for a larger view.

Isn't this just the cutest thing in the world? Lauren hosts a challenge on her blog each month using her templates. This month's "My Time to Create Template Challenge" theme is "Create your own designer paper". I was a little torn because I REALLY wanted to use this picnic blanket looking DP (from DCWV). So I decided to alter the DP by stamping some strawberries (Whiff of Joy), and pieces of pie and hot dogs (SU Voila to go)randomly on the DP. I'm not sure if this still qualifies for the challenge, but it's not about winning the challenge for me....I just HAD to pair these two together!!!

Here's a side view that you can see the images on the DP a little better (maybe).

For the image, I used Ant's Picnic from High Hopes. Aren't those ants so adorable?! I embossed the image in black and watercolored it using Twinkling H2Os. Here is a closer view...

So cute!!!

Anyway, I decided to fill the basket with cookies! What a neat way to bring something to a cookout or BBQ?!

Can you see my chocolate finger print at the top of the basket?! Ugg...the cookies were still a little warm when I put them in the basket. I got a little chocolate on my finger and accidentally hit the basket!! Oh well!

Anyway, I was able to fit a dozen cookies in the basket. I am sure I could have fit some more in there as well...it's much larger than it looks in the pictures.

Ansley fell in love with this basket, so I gave it to her. She says I don't give her enough cards...whatever! It is now on her dresser holding some of her Petshop pets!

School is already out for the summer for us. But this little basket would make a really cute gift for a teacher. Although my friend Brandi says the worst thing you can give a teacher is cookies made by kids! I guess she has visions of kids licking their fingers, then "helping" make cookies!! LOL So, I obviously wouldn't make this for her!! I still love you Brandi...but I won't make you any cookies :-)

Thanks for stopping by today!! Happy Stamping!

Whiff of Joy June Project of the Month

June brings along a few things...Summer Break, Hot Days and Begining of Hurricane Season here in Florida...and Father's Day! So this month's Whiff of Joy Project of the Month is to create a Father's Day gift. Since I'm currently a guest designer, I get to play along, too!! :-)

I knew exactly what I wanted to do...actually, I did have to think about it a little. I mean, what do you get a "guy"? My hubby is actually one of the hardest men to buy for. If he wants something, he gets it for himself. Which leaves little for me to "surprise" him for holidays.

But after thinking about this new Whiff of Joy stamp, this idea came into my head...

I altered a PTI "Egg Box" with some MME Bella Bella DP, sponging around the edges to turn the white box brown. I embossed Oakley with Wooden Sign plus Sentiment (I used a rub on for the sentiment on this image) in black and watercolored him using Twinkling H2Os. It's he so adorable?

On the inside, I have a little surprise...

Instead of filling the egg box with eggs, I used it to hold golf balls!! I lined the insert with green felt and cut wholes to hold the golf balls...

Let's clarify that...the holes are already in the PTI box insert, I just cut the holes in the felt using the insert as a template.

I think this gift will brighten any golfer's day...not just for Father's Day.

I had a really fun time making this gift. Make sure you check out all of the awesome projects the other designers made this month!

On a Blog Candy note...I am getting together some awesome stuff for my blog candy. Tuesday is Ansley's last day of school, so I have Wednesday planned to get everything together to photograph and post...if I don't get it finished tomorrow! So, maybe a little earlier! Sorry it's taking me so long....I'm already past 80,000 hits...I am so behind!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Recipe Book Cover

As an end of year gift for Ansley's teachers, one of the mom's wanted to create a recipe book. She sent me the large index cards (8"x5") and I stamped assorted dessert images on top left corner of each card. Then she sent these home with each student so they can fill out their favorite recipe. I didn't take a picture of the cards...oops.

She also asked me to create a cover for the recipe books. She is going to laminate each recipe card and the cover and bind them for a cute little book!

Since the recipe book is supposed to be our favorite dessert recipies, I thought Willow with Cookies would be a fitting image for one of the covers! I just think she is so adorable (as is all of the other images, but this one reminds me so much of my daughter Ansley).

I embossed the image...did I say I embossed the image?! Yes, I did...I always emboss the image for my cards...but guess what?...the embossing melts in a laminator!! I realized this as midnight last night when I finished them...are you kidding me? I sent them in anyway with another embossed image so she can "test" it in the lamintor before running these through. Maybe it won't be so bad. But I also have to go back to school at 11:30 for a field trip. So I left a note saying if she could wait until then, I would redo them with "stamped" images instead. So, I did redo them so hopefully she can wait until I get there!

The red gingham paper is from DCWV and the other papers are a retired SU set which is perfect for the Summer Stamp Kit images. Speaking of which...

I used Willow with Strawberry Basket for the other cover. I just love this release. Each of the images have the fun fruit-themed clothes which is just perfect for summer images!!

The swirls in the corners are actually from a SU Sale-A-Bration set called Yummy that I cut up. It was attached to a sentiment that said "a little something for you". I knew I would get more use of the swirl if it was separated. So, instead, I mounted the sentiment on the backside of another wood block so I can still use it in the future.

The sentiment in the upper right hand corner is also from the Yummy SU set...

I had to keep everything kind of "flat" with no additional embellishments so it would run through the laminator.

I am hoping that I can catch her before she laminates the embossed images to swap them with the stamped ones I made this morning. I think I can salvage these to be turned into cards.

Anyway, I have to go back to school this morning for a "surprise" field trip. Tomorrow is their last day of school so the 1st grade class is going to an icecream shop to "make your own sundae"!! Ryan's teacher (my friend Paula) has offered to watch Ryan for me since siblings can't come on field trips.

I will leave you with close ups of the Willow images...

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Upsy Daisy and Candy

This is my 2nd post today, so make sure to scroll down to see my Bethany Angel card...

I have quite a few Stampin' Up cards that I have made and haven't posted yeat. I really enjoy participating in challenges and watercoloring, so my High Hopes and Whiff of Joy stamps get a lot of love...but my awesome, easy to use Stampin' Up stamps don't get as much attention. I use them often, but I guess since they are more simple cards, I don't think you all would come here for that inspiration.

However, I am being told I am wrong!! I know a lot of you actually enjoy seeing my SU cards. So I will try to post them more often. Hmmmm...maybe I can make some of the challenges with both a watercolored image and a different card for the same challenge with a SU image? We'll see...sounds like a lot more work. But I promise that I will be posting SU cards more often.

Staring with today...

This card is a super-simple one (and the photo of it should have been taken with a black background since it's a white card base)!

I made this card when trying to figure out what we were going to make for my last Make n Take a few weeks ago. I simply stamped the image from Upsy Daisy in More Mustard onto Whisper White CS. Inked up the edges with Chocolate Chip and matted it onto some distressed Chocolate Chip CS. The Yellow plaid DP is from retired Parisian Breeze (I really loved this pack and still have a ton of it left). The border is the Eyelet Border Punch.

Easy Peasy!! You could easily blow out a whole set of these cards in a very short time.

Before I go, I have some info on some blog candy...not from me though...I am still getting that together... from another High Hopes Diva...

Nikki aka Bunny-Zoe's Blog is celebrating 100,000 hits and the opening of her Esty account. She is giving away some awesome stuff including some High Hopes Stamps!!

I have a scapbook page scheduled to post in the morning, so make sure to check it out! I had a really awesome time making it. Oh, and it uses a lot of SU products!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Jewelry Box

The staff at my preschool had their end-of-school year dinner tonight. It was a lot of fun. It is going to be so hard for me on the last day of school next week! I have been at the school for 5 years. This is the first year that I worked there....but Ansley went there 4 years and this is Ryan's 2nd year. I fully expected to be there for another 2 more years with Ryan. Unfortunately, our move won't make that possible. However, I know that God has a plan for us in South Florida and through prayer, He will guide us to the schools He wants us to be at next year.

Anyway, after dinner, we had a bracelet exchange. Everyone brought a bracelet wrapped up, we picked numbers, and chose either a wrapped bracelet or "steal" one from someone else.

To hold my bracelet, I decided to make a box...

I made a mini Pizza box. The box measures 3" x 3" x 3/4". I added some Bella Rose DP and a few primas, a pearl brad, and a jewelry spacer.

Here is the bracelet I brought. The dinner was a lot of fun. I ended up with a beautiful silver bracelet.

I have to make this short...it's late and when I tried to upload this earlier it froze...so I am not adding any links since that seems to cause the freezing!

Thanks for stopping by!

~Lacey

Wonderful Watercolors Yellow and Brown

While designing the set for my May Make n Take, I had a few cards that "didn't make the cut". Why? Only because I decided on having less options for the Make n Take...don't have to worry about cleaning stamps to change colors, and less is more when you have a party with half the guests being "non-stampers".

This card didn't make the kit for two reasons....1. I ended up using the gingham background on the pink card and I didn't want to worry about guests having to clean the stamp after each use to switch colors 2. This is a 2-step stamp that requires a little more work...getting the stems green while the flowers are yellow. SU Markers fix that problem, but it means you have to make sure to only ink up the stemps green without hitting the flowers. That's not complicated...but for a non-stamper, it is...and I wanted the card kit to be "fun" and not "work".

But I'll be honest, out of all of the designs I made, this one was my favorite. I will be making a whole bunch of these soon...just for me!! I really love this color combo.

So, for the details of the card...

Stamp: SU Wonderful Watercolors, CHF Gingham background

Ink: So Saffron, More Mustard (marker), Old Olive (Marker) and Kiwi Kiss

Paper: SU Chocolate Chip, Whisper White

Other: SU Eyelet Border Punch

I love this stamp set!! 

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Stampin' Up Pop-Up Photo Ball

 It's time for another Stamp Club tonight! When I first saw this on the Stampin' Up Demonstrator website, I was sooo exctied! I bought it right away...

Click on the pictures for a larger view

This is the new 3-D BAll Pop-Up BIGZ XL Die available through Stampin' Up! This ball is also designed to be inserted into a card for a surprise pop! I will have to try one of those later. In the mean time, I wanted to create a photo ball. I am not sure if this is going to my Husband for his birthday next week (I will go into that later), or for one of the Grandfathers for Father's Day.

I used SU Kraft 12x12 CS for the ball base (I used 1 1/2 sheets). The Designer Paper is Manchester which is perfect for the guys.

I followed the instructions provided with the die (you need 3 size 16 rubber bands)....here are some other angles...

 

SU provided a template for the photo mat on the website. I traced the mat onto the photos and DP and cut out each piece. In order to get small enough pictures, I downloaded some pictures my husband took on Easter through Snapfish.com. Then I ordered some "wallet" size pictures to be printed through Walgreens which does 1 hour printing near my house. Now, I could have gone directly through Walgreens' website to download and order prints. However, I have most of my pictures downloaded through Snapfish. This is a great tool to share photos with friends through email. All you need is a free account with Snapfish in order to view the photo albums that you share. Then I can either have them printed and shipped to me or send them to Walgreens to be printed in 1 hour.

Anyway, we will be making this tonight (minus the photos...my SU gals will need to add those later). I am also working on another design that doesn't use photos.

Now, on to my husband's birthday...

Scott's birthday is actually on Sunday May 17th. He will be the big 40!! He seems to be handling turning 40 well...it's just another year older to him. However, I don't think his mother will handle it so well since he is the "baby"!

I originally wanted to do something really special for him...like take him to Fenway Park in Boston for a Red Sox game (his favorite baseball team). Since we are moving soon, he is doing a lot of travel lately. He has already started his new job in South Florida. So he is usually gone half of the week. Therefore he can't take any time off for a vacation (any time off we are looking for houses).

So instead of a vacation, I threw him a surprise birthday party. It required a LOT of help from some friends to pull it off! A few of the ladies in my Life Group/Bible Study helped out. Christie held the party are her house. She also served as the "bartender" and bought half of the food. Jessica spent some time looking into getting a "belly dancer" (since Scott said that was all he wanted for his birthday...however, that didn't end up working out for multiple reasons) and helped decorate the house. Mindy hosted childcare at her house. And Desiree came early to help with last minute set up.

It was a great night and Scott was totally suprised! That alone was a feat in itself...I'm not very good at lying!! So trying to plan everything behind Scott's back was REALLY hard for me!!

Here is Scott blowing out his candles...

The cake had to serve as Scott's "belly dancer"...Belle (his favorite Disney Princess) as a hula dancer!

So that explains why I wasn't able to participate with many challenges last week!! I was a "little" busy :-) Hopefully this week will be a little better...although we are going out of town this weekend to look for houses.

Thanks for stopping by!! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Three-in-one

I have to combine a few things in my post today...

1. High Hopes Blog Challenge #30 is..."One for the Boys" brought to us by the VERY talented Anna!! Make a card or project for the boys (big or small) in your life. So that brings me to #2....

2. I had to design the party favor for the baby shower I am co-hosting at the end of the month. She's having a boy :-) That leads me to #3...

3. Happy Mother's Day!! If you qualify as a "mother", then you most likely had one of these in your life....

I'm not talking about the Stork, but the baby :-) This is Baby Sittin'...an older image from High Hopes. I think it works well with the Baby Shower invitation that I posted last week.

I used some Nestability circles and Label One dies. The designer paper was actually stamped. The Gingham is from Cornish Heritage Farms. The polks dots are Polka Dot Basics from PTI. Both stamped in SU Bashful Blue onto Whisper White. I embossed the image in Black and watercolored with Twinkling H2Os.

I'll be honest, I only had four chocolates on hand...I will need to check with the other shower hosts to see how many will actually be in the party favor.

Anyway, I hope this adorable images brings back some happy memories for all of you wonderful Moms out there today! Did you have a baby shower? What is your favorite memory of your baby shower?

For Ansley's shower, we had a co-ed shower (moms and dads came). The guys had to play a game where they held a phone while holding the baby (a babydoll) and pin clothes to a closeline!! I can't remember who actually won because I was laughing so hard, I am pretty sure I pee'd myself :-0!! I remember my brother-in-law (who had a 5 year old) was smart enough to turn the speaker phone on the phone so he didn't have to hold it :-) And I remember Scott (my husband) was jipped because the person holding the end of the "closeline" kept moving so he couldn't actually pin anything on. Very funny.

Anyway, back to the challenge. If you would like to play along, make sure to link your card/project to the High Hopes Challenge post to be entered into the drawing for some free stamps! And if you upload your card to SCS, make sure to use keyword HHC30.

Don't forget to check out the other Diva projects!!

I'll leave you with a close up of the image....

I hope you have a wonderful weekend and Happy Mother's Day!!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey