the creative closet by cindy lawrence

Guess Whoo Loves You!

Hello Stampers~

Welcome back to Monday! :)  I hope you had a fantastic weekend!  Ours was busy, but super-fabulous!  We got an incredible deal on a new-to-me elliptical machine, which I tried out last night...and let me tell you, if I can't lose weight on THAT thing, nothing's gonna work! lol  It is one heck of a workout; but I am a very determined woman! :)

Saturday evening we went to our local drive-in theater and saw Toy Story 3 and Price of Persia, both great movies!  I think this is the first time we've ever stayed all the way until the second movie ended at 1 o'clock in the morning.  Needless to say, we didn't make it to church on Sunday morning.  After a leisurely morning, and Jim opening his Daddy's Day gifts, we headed out to pick up our oldest son, who joined us for a yummy late breakfast and an afternoon of game-play and relaxation.  It was truly a perfect weekend!

Today's sample is one of my SU Artisan Award submissions from last year.  Since I didn't do a whole lot of stamping this weekend, I thought this was the perfect time to share it with you.  I used a sweet little stamp set called Forest Friends, a chipboard tag covered in shimmery brown paper, some rub-ons, ribbons, and fun embellishments.  The card size is 6" x 3-1/4".  It looks like a simple little card; but there are a bazillion little details on here.  The details are my favorite part of any card! :)

I hope your Monday proves to be absolutely TERRIFIC!  I am so thankful for each of you who visit with me here in blog-land.  I hope it blesses you as much as it does me!

Hugs,

~Cindy

Get Whale Soon!

Hello Stampers~

Today's sample is from my SCS Dirty Dozen days.  The theme that month was literature, and my card is based on the classic story of Moby Dick. :)

Everything I used to make this card is from SU, except for the Nestabilities and the Dew Drops. I got the Dew Drops from Jacksonbelle Embellishments, which is sadly, going out of business.  We will miss you, Lindsey!

I hope you have a fabulous day, friends!  Mine is going to be absolutely jammed, since we leave bright and early tomorrow morning for our trip to Virginia Beach.

Thanks for visiting with me today!  I am so very grateful that you do!

Hugs,

~Cindy

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Stamps:  Pun Fun (SU)
Paper: Very Vanilla, Sahara Sand, Baja Breeze, Watercolor, Manchester Designer Series Paper
Ink:  Black Staz-On, Sahara Sand, Baja Breeze, Blue Bayou
Accessories: Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware, Circle Nestabilities, Clear Dew Drops, H2O Brush, Crystal Effects, Piercing Tools, White Gel Pen, 1/4" Circle Punch, Cutter Kit (cutting blade to make wavy line), Wide Baja Breeze Double-Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Sponges

Get Out the Shades or You Might Go Blind!

Hello Stampers~

I have been super-busy getting ready for a card class that I'm teaching this evening (with 21 guests...wowzers!).  So, I don't have a "new" card to share; but it is a "new to my blog" card.  I made it for the "Colors of the Rainbow" Dirty Dozen Fan Club Gallery over on Splitcoaststampers.  This one really presented a challenge for me, since I am not really a fan of primary colors.  It's quite a bright one, eh? ;)

I could never-ever-ever mail this card (well, maybe in a BOX), 'cuz it has seven-hundred-gajillion layers of cardstock on it...craziness!

I'll be back tomorrow to share some of the projects I had the ladies make in class tonight.  I am really excited about them!

Hope you have a wonderful Wednesday, friends!  Thanks, as always, for visiting with me!

Hugs,

~Cindy

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Stamps: Crazy for Cupcakes (SU)
Paper: Whisper White, Real Red, Only Orange, Yo Yo Yellow, Glorious Green, Brilliant Blue, Lovely Lilac
Ink: Black Staz-On, Brilliant Blue, Only Orange, Glorious Green, Yo Yo Yellow
Accessories: Crystal Effects, White Gel Pen, Real Red Buttons, Bright Blue Embriodery Floss, Aqua Painter, White Liquid Applique, Clear Chunky Glitter, Lg Oval Punch, Beads: Red, Blue, Green, Orange, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Brilliant Blue Grosgrain, Dimensionals

Men, Men, Manly Men...

Hello Stampers~

Today I thought I'd share a couple of the cards I did in my recent masculine cards class.  This first one was inspired by a card made by the fabulous Jodi Collins.  I used mirrored silver cardstock for the saw blade, and made the "teeth" with one of my Spellbinders Borderabilities.  You could also use pinking sheers.  The card size is 6" x 3".

Here's a better view of the shiny blade:

My second card is a super-easy tuxedo card, inspired by the ever-talented Mary Fish.  This card size is 4" square and can be made in all of 10 minutes flat! :)

If you enjoyed these masculine card samples, and are hungry for more...you'll definitely want to check back tomorrow for Flourishes Friday Focus.  Just sayin'! ;)

Have a terrific Thursday, friends!  Thanks so much for visiting with me today!

Hugs,

~Cindy

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Saw Card

Stamps:  Teeny Tiny Wishes (SU)
Papers:  Dark Chocolate (PTI), Close to Cocoa (SU), Lush Brown Patterned Paper (My Mind's Eye), Silver Mirror Cardstock (Flourishes), Vanilla (SU)
Inks:  Tim Holtz Walnut Stain Distress Ink
Accessories:  Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch, Large Oval Punch (all SU), Pinking Border Nestabilities, Silver Brads (SU), Burlap String (May Arts), Wood Grain Cuttlebug Folder, Sponge Daubers, Dimensionals

Tuxedo Card

Stamps:   Cheers (Our Craft Lounge)
Papers:  Whisper White (SU), Textured Black (SU, Basic Gray (SU), Red Prismatics
Inks:  Tim Holtz Black Soot
Accessories:  Large Oval Punch (SU), Scalloped Oval Punch (SU), 1/2" Circle Punch (SU), Scalloped Border Punch (SU), Red Satin Ribbon (PTI), Red Rhinestones, Dimensionals

Le Jardin Gift Card Holder

***NOTE:  This post was supposed to go live on Saturday morning...but I goofed on the date.  Soooo...I'm posting it now. :)  Enjoy the rest of your weekend friends!

Hello Stampers~ 

Today I'm sharing an easy gift card holder that I made for a class.  You can find a great tutorial for how to make this type of gift card holder right HERE.

Here's the inside view:

Pretty neat-o, huh?

All of the supplies I used are from Stampin' Up.  The stamp set is Le Jardin Botanique.

I am having a fantastic time with my girlfriends at Stamping Around.  My class is the last one of the afternoon; so say a little prayer that it goes well.  I will show you my project on Monday...don't wanna spoil the surprise for anyone, ya know! ;)

Tomorrow morning my family and I are heading out on a road trip to Virginia to visit my parents for the week.  Actually, we are only going as far as Pennsylvania tomorrow...gotta make a stop at Hershey's Chocolate World first.  Yum!  I will be posting all week (or at least most of it).

Enjoy your weekend, friends!  Thanks for stopping by today!

Hugs,

~Cindy

Happily Ever After

Hello Stampers~

What fun I had making these sweet little beaded boxes!  They were really simple to make, and so much fun to decorate.  They were part of the All That Glitters Fan Club gallery on SCS.

I used textured cardstock on both the boxes and the lids, and went all out PINK!

The beads were added to the box lids by wrapping the lid in Scor-Tape before rolling them in the beads.  Then I just pressed them firmly with my fingers to ensure that they stay put. 

I adhered tiny Prima flowers around the boxes and gave them clear Dew Drop centers.  The label is a metal frame from SU's Hodgepodge Hardware with a very simple "Mr. & Mrs." taking center stage.

The grand finale is the wrapping of pretty pink and white ribbons and a big, yummy flower at the top.

I hope your Monday goes beautifully!  Over the weekend, my 12-year old son and I made a pact to get out and ride our bikes together as much as possible.  We began yesterday, and discovered just how out of shape mom is...oh my.  If we had stuck to fairly level ground, I'd have been okay...but he wanted to do HILLS on our first day!  I honestly could not feel my legs afterwards; but we did it. :)  I hope and pray that this is not going to be another thing that I start and give up on.  Thankfully, he can be quite a persistent young man. ;)

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Hugs,

~Cindy

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Stamps: All Holidays (SU)
Paper: Whisper White and Pink Pirouette Textured Cardstock
Ink: Basic Gray Classic Pad
Accessories: Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware, Primas, Dew Drops, Pretties Kit, White & Pink Taffeta Ribbon, Pink Polka Dot Ribbon, Pink Beads, Scor-Tape

Flores Suaves

Hello Stampers~

Today's sample is an oldie- but-goodie from my days on the Splitcoaststampers Dirty Dozen design team.  I have several images colored and ready to be made into cards; but I just ran out of steam last night.  I guess we all have those days, huh? :)

I used the Flores Suaves stamp set from the Spanish version of the SU catalog.  I don't even know if it's a current set anymore; but it sure is a pretty one.

I made this sample using an assortment of papers and embellishments sent to me as part of a challenge issued to the DD that month.  We all got identical packs of goodies, and were asked to create something....without adding any extras.  It was a lot of fun!

Thanks, as always, for stopping by today.  See ya back here tomorrow for Flourishes Friday! 

Hugs,

~Cindy

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Stamps:  Flores Suaves, Fundamental Phrases
Paper: Very Vanilla, Blue Bayou, Happy Stripes and Floral Jubilee Designer Papers from My Mind's Eye
Ink: Staz-On Black, Blue Bayou, Not Quite Navy, Rose Red, Tangerine Tango, Really Rust, Always Artichoke, Old Olive
Accessories: White Satin Ribbon, Blue Wide Organdy, Orange Narrow Organdy, White Prima Flower, Large Silver Brad, Small Vintage Brads, Silver Circle Clip, H2O Brush, Diamonds Stickles, Word Window Punch, Boho Blossoms Punch, Sponge, Dimensionals

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

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

Hearts Come Home

Hello Stampers!

First, I want to thank you for the many supportive e-mails and blog posts regarding yesterday's post!  I honestly did NOT mean to stir the pot again; but that's what happens when you type up a quick blog post at midnight...not a lot of thought gets put into what you're writing.  I do want to clarify something since a couple of you seemed confused by my babblings.  ;)

It is true that I am on my way out the door with SU.  So sorry if what I said confused you!  What you don't know is that I have hung onto my demo status to help my upline (since I am a high level demo in her downline) AND because I was really looking forward to seeing that article in print, which is why it hit me so hard when I was left out of it.  Silly?  Perhaps; but those were my reasons for hanging on.  As for the article, it really comes down to the common courtesy of a phone call.  That would be the professional way to handle it, whatever their decision.   ...and THAT, my friends, is all I'm going to say about that!  What I REALLY wanted to share with you yesterday, was my PROJECT...which I was (and still am) really excited about!

I do have an SU sample to share with you today.  It's one I made during my stint on the SCS Dirty Dozen.  I love coloring in this door!  It just makes me happy! :)

Here's the recipe:

Stamps: Home for Christmas

Paper: Whisper White, Bravo Burgundy, Whisper Designer Paper by Corina Nielsen for Prima, Watercolor Paper

Ink: Staz-On Black, Handsome Hunter, Wild Wasabi, Going Gray, Basic Gray, Really Rust, Chocolate Chip, Riding Hood Red, Bravo Burgundy, Summer Sun, Baja Breeze

Accessories: Vintage Cuttlebug Corner Die, Crystal Effects, White Liquid Applique, White Gel Pen, ribbons, primas, hardware, Dimensionals, Blender Pen, Piercing Tools

I hope you are able to find some joy and peace in all the busy-ness of this holiday season!  Sometimes we get so caught up in the hustle and bustle, that we forget what it's all about. 

Here's a special song by one of my favorite groups to lift your spirits and give you inspiration today:

God bless!

See y'all tomorrow! :)

Hugs~
Cindy