the creative closet by cindy lawrence

Sweet Crumpled Flower

Happy weekend, friends!

Today's sample is one I made for a card class I'm teaching this morning.  See that pretty crumpled flower up there?  Isn't it just so purty?!

I got the idea for the flower from Dawn McVey, who's been doing these for a while now.  She has a fabulous tutorial for making these flowers HERE.  For my flower, I used an old hymnal rather than an old book.  These flowers would also be pretty made from designer papers or even card stock.  I am going to make some more with the hymnal pages and sponge them with some Tim Holtz Distress Ink...mmm, gonna be pretty!

Here's the recipe:

Stamps:  Teeny Tiny Wishes (SU)

Papers:  Confetti Tan (waaaay retired from SU), Vanilla, My Mind's Eye Designer Paper, Old Hymnal

Inks:  Tim Holtz Black Soot

Accessories:  Piercing Tools, White Gel Pen, Lavender Moon Satin Ribbon & Button (PTI), Natural String, Scallop Circle Punch, Brad (holding flower layers together), Lace Border Punch (Martha Stewart, Dimensionals

Before I go, I thought I'd share a photo of what was waiting for me on my studio door when I returned home from CHA:

How sweet is that?!  Made me blubber like a baby! :)

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

Hugs~
Cindy

Letters from Home

Happy Friday, Stampers!

Short and sweet today...serious jet lag is taking place since getting in at 1 am.

I made this sample using a gorgeous image from Northwoods Stamps.  It's such a large, detailed image that I don't need to do much else with my card.  So, while there's a lot of coloring, there is very little else.  I did make some soft clouds in the background using an old cloud stencil and a sponge dauber.  I love the effect!

Here's the recipe:

Stamps: Northwoods Stamps

Paper: Real Red, Bordering Blue, Whisper White, Watercolor Paper

Ink: Black Staz-On, Soft Sky, Bordering Blue, Real Red, Riding Hood Red, Certainly Celery, Always Artichoke, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Really Rust, Pumpkin Pie, Tangerine Tango

Accessories: Real Red Brads, H2O Water Brush, White Gel Pen, Wide Red Satin Ribbon (dollar spot in Michael's), Cloud Stencil, Sponge

Okay, friends, I hope your day is spectacular.  I will be enjoying a quiet day at home, preparing for a card class tomorrow morning.  Can't wait to see those wonderful ladies! :)

Big happy hugs~

Cindy

Song of Celebration

Hello Stampers~

I am flying home from CHA today...had a wonderful time and will share some pics after I get back home.  I have shared quite a few on Facebook already, since it's an easy, one-step upload.  So...if you're on FB, look me up! :)

Today's sample uses several different stamp sets.  The butterfly and soft green leaves are from Flourishes. The worn musical score stamp is from Unity Stamp Co.  Sometimes it's nice to make a sample that doesn't involve a lot of coloring....as much as we all know I LOVE to color!  I don't mind a quicker card every now and then. ;)

Here's the full recipe:

Stamps: Worn Music (Unity Stamp Co), Butterfly Happiness (Flourishes), Fantasy Floral Garden (Flourishes), A Little Birthday Cheer (SU)

Paper: Whisper White, More Mustard, Basic Black, Patterns Pack Designer Series Paper (SU Hostess)

Ink: Basic Black, More Mustard, Mellow Moss

Accessories: Sponges, Scallop Edge Punch, Black Square Brads, Gold Organdy Ribbon, Clear Rhinestone (MAMBI), Piercing Tools, Dimensionals

Have a fantastic day, my friends!  I'm sure yours will be more exciting than mine.  Think of me crammed into an airplane seat for 5 hours and then again for 3 more...yippppeee!  Oh well, it'll give me a chance to finish my book and maybe get in a nap if I'm lucky.

See y'all tomorrow!

Hugs~
Cindy

Love this tree!

Hello lovely stamping friends!

Today's sample was made with Flourishes Forest of Trees stamp set, one of my all-time faves!

I used some wonderful masculine papers from Basic Grey's Granola paper pack.  I stamped the tree in Basic Gray Classic ink, colored it in with sponge daubers and ink pads, and then stamped it again in the same spot with Basic Gray ink.  I love how simple, yet how stunning this technique is.

Here's the recipe:

Stamps: Forest of Trees, Summer Blossoms (words)

Paper: Naturals White, Basic Gray, Bordering Blue, Watercolor Paper, Granola Basic Grey Designer Papers

Ink: Basic Gray, Always Artichoke, Creamy Caramel, Bordering Blue

Accessories: Granola Basic Grey Glazed Brads, Piercing Tools, Sponges, Basic Gray Taffeta Ribbon, Nestabilities Tag Die, Curly Label Punch, Dimensionals

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Thanks so much for stopping by to see me today!

Hugs~
Cindy

 

California Penguins

Hello Stampers~

Haha...this card brings back fond memories.   I made this one for the November '08 Dirty Dozen gallery.  For some reason, I had it in my head that these were CHICKENS...although I can clearly see that they are penguins now!  Since I am in California right now, we'll just call them sunburned.  How about that?!  My family has teased me mercilessly ever since.  We cannot see a chicken or a penguin ANYWHERE without a "Gee mom, is that a penguin or a chicken???".  Funny ha ha.  I'm always happy to provide a little entertainment...;)

So...these sweet little chickens (hah...gotcha!), *penguins* are from the Cozy Critters set by Whipper Snapper Designs.

Here's the card recipe:

Stamps: Cozy Critters

Paper: Always Artichoke, Sahara Sand, Watercolor Paper, Wassail Basic Grey Designer Paper

Ink: Black Staz-On, More Mustard, Bravo Burgundy, Always Artichoke, Sahara Sand

Accessories: Piercing Tools, Sahara Brads, Aged Gingham Ribbon, Oval Nestabilities, Sponge, H2O Brush, CB Embossing Folder, Tag Corner Punch, Corner Rounder, Dimensionals

Have a super-fabulous Tuesday, friends!

Hugs~
Cindy

Echoes of Kindness

Hello Stampers~

Today's sample is made with a retired SU hostess set, called Echoes of Kindness.  It is such a beautiful stamp set! 

I watercolored the flowers on watercolor paper using my ink re-fills and a water brush. I then added some glitter to the flowers to give them a little more life. My favorite thing on this card is the white taffeta ribbon, which I dyed with my BV02 Copic marker...love, love, LOVE that little trick!

Here's the recipe for today's sample:

Stamps: Echoes of Kindness

Paper: Whisper White, Almost Amethyst, Watercolor

Ink: Black Staz-On, Almost Amethyst, Mellow Moss, Apricot Appeal, BV02 Copic Sketch Marker

Accessories: Argyle Cuttlebug Folder, Scor-Pal, 1/4" Circle Punch, White Brads, H2O Brush, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Apricot Appeal Grosgrain Ribbon, White Taffeta Ribbon, Apricot Button, White Embroidery Floss, Martha Stewart Lace Border Punch, Dimensionals

Have a fabulous Monday, friends!

Hugs~
Cindy

Trust in HIM

Hello from California!

Today's sample is made with Gina K's Flowers for Daisy set.  It is actually an odd size. It's a bit narrower than most cards...5-1/2 x 3-3/4. So, you ask, when you make an odd-sized card, what do you do about the envelope ? Well, I could just stick it into a regular envie and call it a day....OR I could cut my envelope down just a bit and make a new flap out of designer paper!  Can you guess which option I took?  I used SU's retired Cutie Pie designer paper to make the flap. I cut a 5-3/4" x 3" piece of dp, scored it at 1", and attached the 1" section to the envelope. I then rounded the corners with SU's corner rounder...looks so professional with very little effort.

Here's the recipe:

Stamps: Flowers for Daisy by Gina K Designs

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, and Purely Pommegranate cardstock, Soft Sky Textured cardstock, Watercolor Paper, Cutie Pie Designer Series Paper, White Medium Envelope

Ink: Black Staz-On, River Rock, Blue Bayou, Soft Sky, Wild Wasabi, Purely Pommegranate, Groovy Guava

Accessories: Aqua Painter, Scallop Edge Punch, Pommegranate Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Black Gingham Ribbon, Prima Flower, Sultry Brad from Basic Grey, White Gel Pen, Crystal Effects, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Black Brads

Have a fantastic weekend, friends!

I'll catch you back here again on Monday!

Hugs~
Cindy

Flourishes Friday Focus!

Hello Stampers!

Happy Friday to you from Anaheim, CA!  I made it safe and sound, and am ready for a fun-filled week of yummy stamping goodness. :)

It's time for another Flourishes Friday Focus, and it's my turn to hostess.  So...I won't go into a lot of detail about today's sample, since you can just hop on over to the Flourishes Newsletter for all the juicy details.  I will tell you that it was made with the new Tag Lines & Angelic Love stamp sets.

I left this card on my sweet hubby's pillow before I headed to the airport yesterday afternoon.  I am soooo thankful for that wonderful, wonderful man that God brought into my life nearly 19 years ago.  Could I be any more blessed?!  I think not!

Have a FABULOUS Friday, everyone!  Don't forget to stop by the Flourishes Newsletter to learn all about this week's focus.

See you back here on Monday morning!

Hugs~
Cindy

Hello Butterfly

Hello Stampers!

Well, today's the day!  I fly off to Anaheim, CA this afternoon.  I did get almost everything done on my "to do" list, for which I am very grateful!

I made this sample for the July 2008 Dirty Dozen gallery.  I can't believe I haven't shared it with you before now, as it was one of my favorites!  I used my Essential Glue Pad on the Baroque background stamp, and then applied some sparkly Art Institute glitter. Next I cut it out with my Coluzzle and stamped "Hello" in Navy ink.

The beautiful butterfly is from Flourishes, and is stamped in Night of Navy Classic ink. I then used my glitter glue and precision applicator tip to apply glitter to the body of the butterfly.  I love the sparkle on this!

Here's the full card recipe:

Stamps: Butterfly Moments (Flourishes), Fundamental Phrases (SU), Baroque (SU)

Paper: Confetti Cream, Night of Navy, Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Addison DP (K & Co)

Ink: Night of Navy

Accessories: Glue Pad, Lettuce & Blue Water Ultrafine Glitter (Art Institute), Night of Navy Grosgrain, Cricut (to make scallop circle), Textured Textile CB Folder, Dimensionals, Dew Drops, Coluzzle Cutting System

Have a wonderful Thursday, my friends!  Thanks so much for stopping by to visit with me every day!

I'll be back tomorrow with a special Flourishes Friday post!

Hugs~
Cindy

Sweet Congrats!

Hello Stampers~

One more day until I leave for CHA....Woooohooooo!!!  Gee, can you tell I'm excited?! :)

I made today's sample for last week's SCS Sketch Challenge.  Sketch challenges have long been my favorite kind of challenge.  I turned the sketch on it's side for my card.  The sweet little church image is from Our Craft Lounge's Bird and Groom set.  I went with a pink/black/white theme, and added black dots to the oval and designer paper strip.  Have you noticed that I can hardly make a card without using Nestabilitites on it?  Oh...and PEARLS!  That seems to be my latest obsession.  Ever since I learned that I can color them to match anything with my Copic markers, I just can't get enough of them. 

Here's the recipe for my card:

Stamps: Bird and Groom

Paper: Classic White, Basic Black, K&Co. Madeline DP

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers, Copic Black Multi-Liner Pen, Sakura Black Glaze Pen (cross), Sakura Clear Glitter Pen (windows)

Accessories: Petite Oval Nestabilities, Fancy Tag Nestabilities, White Pearls (colored with Copic markers), Copic Air Brush System, Black Stitched Ribbon (PTI), Scor-Pal, Dimensionals

Have a wonderful Wednesday, friends! 

Thanks so much for stopping by! :)

Hugs~

Cindy