the creative closet by cindy lawrence

You Scream, I Scream...

We all scream for ICE CREAM!!! :)

Hey everyone~

All of this warm weather we've had here has me thinking about summery things, like yummy ice cream cones. :)  This image is from Sweet 'n Sassy's Summer Fun stamp set.  I stamped the image three times and cut out two extra scoops of delicious ice cream.  I mean, c'mon...who has just one scoop anyway???

Here's a shot of the inside of the card, which has one of the many fun sentiments from the Summer Sentiments set:

Here's the card recipe:

Stamps:  Summer Fun, Summer Sentiments

Papers:  Pure Luxury White (Gina K), Co'ordinations Textured, Mimosa Designer Paper (SEI)

Inks:  Memento Tuxedo Black & Rich Cocoa, So Saffron, Copic Markers

Accessories:  Sanding Block, Swiss Dots Cuttlebug Folder, Circle Nestabilities, Sponge Dauber, Chocolate Brads (SU), Scallop Edge Punch (SU), Chocolate Satin Ribbon (PTI), Dazzling Diamonds Glitter (SU), Dimensionals

The Co'ordinations cardstock is the coolest stuff!  It has a white core.  After I Cuttlebugged the background, I sanded it lightly with a sanding block, which allowed the core to show through.

Here are the Copic markers I used:

Aren't those just the yummiest colors?!  Good thing I wasn't hungry when I was using 'em!

Now, on to the blog hop!  Your next stop on the hop is Jeanette's blog.  If you didn't see the amazing samples the girls created yesterday, stop on over to the Sweet 'n Sassy blog and start from the very beginning.  You'll be glad you did!

Did you know that Sweet 'n Sassy stamps has a new challenge blog?  It's called The Sweet Stop.  Stop by and join in on the very first challenge, which is a sketch challenge.  In fact, it's the sketch I used for today's card...easy and FUN!  I hope you'll play along with us! :)

Have a fabulous Thursday, friends!

Hugs~
C

Garden Thoughts

Happy Wednesday, friends!

Today I have another sneak peek from Our Craft Lounge for you.  This set is called Garden Thoughts, and is oh-so sweet! :)

I used some Flower Soft on the flowers and grass for some added texture.  I combined two different shades of purple Flower Soft to get the variegated look on the flowers.  The rest of the image is colored in with Copic markers.

Here's the recipe:

Stamps:  Garden Thoughts

Papers:  Pure Luxury White (Gina K), Lavender Lace Textured, Floral Designer Paper from Flower Soft

Inks:  Lavender Lace, Copic Markers (C1, C4, W1, R37, R59, YG63, YG95, E44, E59)

Accessories:  Lavender Moon Satin Ribbon (PTI), Large Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Eyelet Border Punch, Rhinestone Bling from MAMBI, Sponge Dauber, Horizontal Slot Punch, Mega Curved Rectangle Nestabilities, Flower Soft, Flower Soft Glue, Dimensionals

That's all from me today, folks!

Check out some more wonderful sneak peeks on the following blogs:

Cami
Joy
Debbie
Denise
Heather
HB
Lila
Pam
Kendra
Val

See y'all tomorrow!

Hugs~
C

Our Craft Lounge Sneak Peek!

Hey everyone~

Today I have a sneaky peek from Our Craft Lounge for you!  These images are from the most adorable new set called Bubbles.  I can't show you the whole thing yet; but stop back on Friday because there's a whopping blog hop to celebrate the new summer release!  You won't want to miss it!!!

Here's the recipe:

Stamps:  Bubbles

Papers:  Pure Luxury White (Gina K), Tangerine Tango, Soft Sky

Inks:  Copic Markers (see photo below)

Accessories:  EK Success Wave Border Punch, 2-Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Tangerine Tango Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Small Oval Punch, Mark Richards Black Star Gem, Dimensionals

Here are the Copic markers that I used:

I am also SUPER excited that my sweet friend, Debbie, is Our Craft Lounge's newest illustrator!  Debbie is incredibly talented, as you will see when you check out the new release images this weekend.  I am soooo very proud of her! 

Stop by these other fabulous blogs for some more sneak peeks:

Cami
Joy
Heather
HB
Pam
Kisa
Kendra
Holly
Val

Have a wonderful Tuesday, my friends!

Thanks for visiting today!

Hugs~
C

A Color Challenge

Happy Monday, friends!

I hope you had as great a weekend as I did!  Today's sample is made with Gina K's Friendship's Garden stamp set, as well as one of her new digital paper packs, Softly Spring.  This paper pack was designed by the amazing Emily Giovanni and is gorgeous!  It is pink and vintage and shabby and YUMM-O! :)

It is my turn once again to host the color challenge over on StampTV, and I chose a fun combo for you this week... black & white & any one other color.  Easy, right?!  Come on over to StampTV and play along!  There are awesome prizes for the winners of the challenges!!!

Obviously, on my card, the "one other color" is pink.  I watercolored my image with re-inker and a water brush on good-quality watercolor paper.  I stamped the flower three times, and popped up each layer on Dimensionals.  The striped black paper is from SU, seriously one of the most unusual combos for designer paper I've ever seen in my life...  This paper has cherries and polka dots and elegant stripes ...and skulls...yup, skulls.  I am not a huge fan of skull paper; but I do have friends who really love it (hi Kylah!).  I {heart} the rest of the patterns in this pack, though. :)

Here's the full recipe for my card:

Stamps:  Friendship's Garden

Papers:  Black Onyx Pure Luxury, Pure Luxury White, Softly Spring Digital DP, Rockabilly DP (SU), Watercolor Paper

Inks:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Regal Rose

Accessories:  Piercing Tools, Black Satin Ribbon, Circle Nestabilities, H2O Brush, Martha Stewart Leaf Punch, Dimensionals

That's all for me today, folks!  Have a lovely Monday!

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs~
C

Bee Happy!

Happy weekend, everyone!

Sigh...this gorgeous, sunshiny weather we've been having has me thinking SUMMMMER!  I made this card with Sweet 'n Sassy's Bee Happy stamp set.  I just love these sweet sunflowers! 

I watercolored my images with re-inkers on high-quality watercolor paper.  I popped the bee on on a Dimensional and added the fun sentiment with some polka dotted ribbon and a corduroy brad for added interest.  That card stock is the oh-so-fabulous Core'dinations textured card stock...love that stuff!

Here's the full recipe:

Stamps:  Bee Happy

Papers:  Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Elements Core'dinations, Watercolor

Inks:  Palette Hybrid Burnt Umber, Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss, Old Olive, More Mustard, Soft Sky, Creamy Caramel

Accessories:  H2O Brush, 1 1/4" & 1 3/8" Circle Punches, Polka Dotted Ribbon (SU), Summer Sun Corduroy Brad, White Gel Pen, 1/4" Circle Punch, Dimensionals

Have a fabulous weekend, friends!  I am going to breathe in LOTS of sunshine!!!

Hugs~
C

Flourishes Friday Focus

WooHoo...it's FRIDAY!!!

We're in for a gorgeous weekend here in NH...mid 80's and bright, sunshiny days!  Just thinking about that makes me {grinnnnn}. :)

It's my turn to host Flourishes' Friday Focus, and the spotlight is on Flower Soft.  Check out my complete tutorial over on the Flourishes Newsletter.

Here's the recipe for my card:

Stamps:  Forest of Trees, Sweet Violets (sentiment), Swing Set

Papers:  Whisper White, Wild Wasabi, Basic Grey Porcelain DP

Inks:  Palette Hybrid Burnt Umber, Cameo Coral, Blush Blossom, Chocolate Chip, So Saffron

Accessories:  Piercing Tools, H2O Brush, Circle Nestabilities, White Satin Ribbon, Pale Green Flower Soft, Summer Flower Soft, Flower Soft Glue, Dimensionals

Check out the rest of the dt's gorgeous samples:

• Christine Okken
• Julie Koerber
• Latisha Yoast
• Laura Fredrickson
• Leslie Miller

I hope you have a wonderful Friday, my friends!  We are gonna do something outside today FOR SURE!  We spent yesterday (which was windy and rainy) in a pottery studio painting and laughing and just having a wonderful time.  Of course, we had to drive quite a ways to get there; but we even enjoyed the drive.  We used to have a local pottery studio; but, alas, it is no more.  I used to go to ceramics "class" as a young teen, and I realized today that it was a catalyst for my love for stamping.  I never really thought about it before; but I sure am glad for the "artsy" opportunities I had when I was young. :)

Thanks for stopping by today!

Hugs~
C

Not Forgotten

Hello friends~

I've got another Gina K sneak peek for you today!  So, are you just dying over all of the design team's awesome sneak peeks all week?  Tonight, the wait is over!  The release party is from 7-10 pm CST HERE.  Don't miss it!

I used Gina's new Not Forgotten set, along with Rupa's Guiding Light set.  There's something so soothing & peaceful about the seaside, which makes these sets a perfect match.  The Not Forgotten set is like no other sentiment set I've ever seen.  It speaks to the heart so beautifully when a loved one is working through the loss of someone they love.  It is also versatile enough that you could use several of the words for other types of cards as well.

Here's the recipe:

Stamps:  Not Forgotten, Guiding Light

Papers:  Pure Luxury White, Sahara Sand, Pure Luxury Chocolate Kiss, Watercolor

Inks:  Memento Rich Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Sahara Sand, Soft Sky, Bordering Blue, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Always Artichoke, Craft White

Accessories:  Brown Brads, Rope (yup, I did the sailor knot again!), Corner Rounder, Sponge Dauber, H2O Brush, EK Success Border Punch, Brown Library Clip, Dimensionals

Check out what the rest of the team did today:

• Carolyn King
• Donna Baker
• Emily Giovanni
• Erika Martin
• Gina Krupsky
• Jessica Fick
  
• Melanie Muenchinger
• Theresa Momber
• Beverly Cole - In the Spotlight Designer

That's all folks!  Hope to see you tonight at the release party! :)

Have a super Thursday!

Hugs~
C

Gina K Preview Day 3

Hello my friends!

How are you on this fine Wednesday?  Today I have another lovely sneak peek from Gina K.  This time I'm showcasing the new Notes to Mom set, which has some really beautiful sentiments in it.  I chose to use a simple "thanks Mom"; but that doesn't even scratch the surface of what's included in this set.  I also used Asela's Friendship's Garden again.  What can I say?  I {heart} flowers.

I chose to make an odd-sized card this time.  The dimensions are 3 1/2" x 5 1/4".  I sometimes get tired of making the same-sized cards all the time...don't you?  This one's "fun-sized". :)

Here's the recipe:

Stamps:  Notes to Mom, Friendship's Garden

Papers:  Pure Luxury White, Basic Grey Porcelain, Watercolor

Inks:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Pink Pirouette, Regal Rose, Barely Banana, Certainly Celery, Always Artichoke

Accessories:  H2O Brush, Sheer White Ribbon (Gina K), Labels 4 & Mega Curved Rectangle Nestabilities, Piercing Tools, Dimensionals

Check out today's awesome samples from the rest of the design team:

• Joanne Basile
• Jessica Fick
• Carolyn King
• Donna Baker
• Emily Giovanni
• Erika Martin
• Gina Krupsky
• Kurtis Amundson
• Melanie Muenchinger
• Theresa Momber
• Beverly Cole - In the Spotlight Designer

Carolyn has a new set this month as well that you just don't want to miss! 

Make sure you check out Gina's blog to see her awesome samples, as well as whatever goodies she just might be giving away. ;)

Have a lovely day, friends!

See you all back here tomorrow!

Hugs~
C

Gina K Preview Day 2

Happy Tuesday, friends!

Today I have a couple more Gina K sneak peeks for you!  This first one is from Asela's Friendship's Garden set.  If you like Botanical Dreams, then you're gonna love this one!

I was in a clean and simple mood when I made this one.  In case you haven't figured it out yet, I loooove white, and use it on nearly every card I make.  It is actually a challenge for me to make a card without white on it these days.  As my mother used to say, it's just a phase, dear...she'll grow out of it. ;)

Here's the recipe:

Stamps:  Friendship's Garden

Papers:  Pure Luxury White, So Saffron

Inks:  Memento London Fog, Basic Gray, Copic Markers

Accessories:  Label Nestabilities, Saffron Buttons, Linen Thread, Sakura Gold Gel Pen (over sentiment and flower centers), Saffron Designer Ribbon (SU), Dimensionals

This next sample was made with the new Out West set, illustrated by a brand-new designer...our very own design team member, Theresa Momber!  This is a beautifully-drawn set that is perfect for anyone who loves horses, the wild wild west, or is just a little bit country. ;)  I know just the friend I'll be sending this card off to.

The sketch for this card is this week's sketch challenge over at i{heart}2stamp.

The designer papers are brand-new from Gina K as well.  This pack is called Rough & Rugged, and is a perfect match for the Out West stamp set.  The cool mesh you see on my card is also brand-new,  and will be available to order on Thursday night after the release partaaay.  Remember to stop by the party from 7 to 10 pm CST.  It is always lots of fun, and you have several chances to win yummy new Gina K goodies!!!

Here's a shot of the inside of my card:

Here's the recipe:

Stamps:  Out West

Papers:  Pure Luxury Ivory, Sahara Sand, Watercolor, Rough & Rugged Digi Paper

Inks:  Memento Rich Cocoa, Soft Sky, Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Sahara Sand

Accessories:  Oval Nestabilities, H2O Brush, 1 3/8" & 1 1/4" Circle Punches, Large Star Punch, Nautical Netting, Mini Brown Brads, Piercing Tool, Brown Embroidery Floss, White Gel Pen, Dimensionals

Alrighty, folks... Check out the sneak peeks from the rest of the designers:

• Joanne Basile
• Jessica Fick
• Asela Hopkins
• Carolyn King
• Donna Baker
• Emily Giovanni
• Erika Martin
• Gina Krupsky
• Kurtis Amundson
• Melanie Muenchinger
• Theresa Momber
• Beverly Cole - In the Spotlight Designer
• Cathy Tidwell - Theresa's Guest Designer

You'll also want to swing by Jen del Muro's blog, and check out her preview of Wee Tee's today!

Have a wonderful day, everyone!

Thanks so much for visiting with me today!

See ya tomorrow! :)

Hugs~
C

Gina K Preview!

Hey hey everyone!

Yippeeee....it's a brand-new release from Gina K Designs!  Okay, well, the release isn't actually until Thursday night....BUT all week long the design team is going to have sneak peeks for you!  Just wait until you see all of these sets...seriously AWESOME! :)

This first card is made with Guiding Light by Rupa Shevde...and, let me tell ya, I LOVE it!!!  It is all nautical and beachy and yummy!  That awesome crackled background is new digital paper from Gina as well, called Jersey Shore.  You'll have to stop by Gina's blog to read the stories behind both the set and the paper.

Did you see that knot up there???  How cool is THAT?!  Did you know that stamping is not only great therapy and FUN; but it is also educational.  Mmm hmmm...it's true.  I learned a new life skill this week...how to tie a sailor knot.  Shut. Up.  No, you shut up!  Oh, no you didn't...Oh, yes I did!  Aren't you impressed?  I looked it up on the 'net, and it was actually quite easy...and, yes, I am impressed that I figured it out! ;)  I may be the last person on earth to know how to do that...and I may forget tomorrow; but I did it all by myself on that very card up there.

Here's the full recipe:

Stamps:  Guiding Light

Papers:  Pure Luxury White, Soft Sky, Watercolor, Jersey Shore Digital Paper

Inks:  Memento London Fog (how appropriate, huh?), Soft Sky, Going Gray, Sahara Sand, Wild Wasabi, Always Artichoke, So Saffron, Ruby Red, Bravo Burgundy, Creamy Caramel

Accessories:  Rope, H2O Brush, Crystal Effects, Sponge Dauber, Border Punch (EK Success), Dimensionals

Check out what the other designers have done with this awesome set:

* Asela Hopkins
* Donna Baker
* Erika Martin
* Gina Krupsky
* Jessica Fick
* Kurtis Amundson
* Melanie Muenchinger

And check out this month's "In the Spotlight" designer- 
* Beverly Cole

This next set is an absolutely adorable baby set by Melanie Muenchinger, called Wee Tee's.  I chose to use Gina's Springtime in Paris digital paper, which you can get free with Jessica's Fun With Flowers class.

The color is a bit off in this photo; but I was too tired to re-take it.  The possibilities with this stamp set are endless!

Here's my card recipe:

Stamps:  Wee Tee's

Papers:  Pure Luxury White, Springtime in Paris Digital Papers, Watercolor Paper

Inks:  Memento London Fog, Lavendar Lace, Brocade Blue

Accessories:  Fabric Flowers (Gina K), White Button (SU), White Mini Button Brads, EK Success Border Punch, Sheer White Ribbon (Gina K), Labels 4 Nestabilities, H2O Brush, White Gel Pen, Dimensionals

Now, stop over and check out what the other design team members did with this set:

* Carolyn King
* Donna Baker
* Emily Giovanni
* Erika Martin (A little later today)
* Gina Krupsky
* Jessica Fick
* Joanne Basile
* Kurtis Amundson
* Melanie Muenchinger
* Theresa Momber
* Libby Hickson (Melanie's Guest Designer)
* Laura Jean Nygaard (Melanie's Guest Designer)

That's all, folks!  Have a lovely Monday!  My two younger kiddos are on school vacation this week; so we are in for a fun, low-key week. :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs~
C