the creative closet by cindy lawrence

CAS Class

Hello Stampers~

Today I thought I'd share the cards I made for a CAS class I recently taught.  In case you don't already know, "CAS" stands for Clean & Simple.  

This first one came from a cool idea I saw on Andrea Walford's blog...love that patterned paper bloom!  The only stamping on my card is from JustRite Stampers.

This next one has a bit of a shabby chic feel to it, but is still very simple.  I used Our Craft Lounge's Fabulous Florals & the Say It With Florals sentiment set.

You've seen the next one before (in my last post), with a little more "stuff" on it, and in a larger size.  I simply toned it down a bit for the class.  I used the Sweet Days of Summer stamp set for this one.

The final card is a 4-1/4" square card using Flourishes Country Charm Labels set, and a combination of papers from Penny Lane & Basic Grey.

That's all, friends!  We are off to the North Carolina Zoo to donate a kid or two. LOL

Have a fabulous, sunshiny day!

Hugs,
~Cindy 

Do You Believe In Magic?

Hello Stampers~

Well, here we are just three days away from Christmas.  I hope you are finding time to enjoy the little things in these last few days leading up to the big day.  It's so easy to become frantic and frazzled with our "to-do" lists, isn't it?  I am often the worst offender in the "over-achiever" club...also known as the "doesn't-know-her-limits" club.  I do have to keep reminding myself of what is truly important.  I am so very thankful for all that I have been blessed with.  God is GOOD!  

I've been getting quite a kick out of the many frazzled men out there shopping this week...very entertaining indeed! ("Oh, she's about your size...")  Then there are the amazing questions like, "I need to buy something for a 7 year old boy.  What color do they like?"  ...and the line I hear over and over..."Do you work here?" as I'm taking down a sign.  The other day I couldn't help myself, and I said, "No, I just like messing with the signs."  HAH!  Here's my favorite encounter this week, as I over-heard an elderly couple talking about how they couldn't find what they were looking for and were just going to have to go somewhere else.  So I walked over, and said, "Hi there! Is there something I can help you find?"  Their response?... "No, thank you...just browsing." Hahahaha...some days it's hard to keep a straight face out there!   People are FUNNY, I tell ya! :)

Today, I have a sweet little snowman sample to share with you.  I used JustRite's Whimsical Christmas Borders & Centers to make the snowflake background.   The snowman is made from punches...don't you just love the ear-muffs?!  (Not my original idea...lifted from Splitcoaststampers!)  I used some pretty sparkly papers and a Sakura Glaze Pen to get lots of shimmer and shine.  My Nestability dies, some sponging, and pearls finish things off nicely.

Here's a close-up:

The card size is 6" x 3-1/4", and I rounded the top two corners for interest.

Have yourselves a fabulous Wednesday, friends!  My daughter is home with the stomach bug, which my son, Nick, had over the weekend.  Good times!  At least they are getting it out of the way before Christmas, right?  Gotta look at the bright side. :)

Thanks for stopping by today!

Hugs,

~Cindy 

Under the Mistletoad

Hello Stampers~

Today I have a fun bookmark card to share with you.  I found the idea on Splitcoaststampers, and thought it was such a neat way to add a bookmark to a card.  The stamp set I used is from Our Craft Lounge, and is called Under the Mistletoad.  How flippin' CUTE is that?!

Check out the inside of the card, which shows how the bookmark is attached to the card.

All you really need to do is cut your cardstock so there is an extra flap for the bookmark.  Mine is about 2-1/2" wide.  Then you'll want to cut a half circle in the top of the card, so the bookmark can peek through.  I marked the inside of my card with a pencil before I cut my circle, so that it would line up perfectly with the center of the bookmark.  I used a 1-1/4" circle punch to make the hole.  The card front itself is a regular 5-1/2" x 4-1/4", opening from the top of course. 

I colored the images in with the following Copic markers: YG01, YG03, YG17, R01, R24, R27, R29, Y32, Y35, E33, E37, B34, B39.

That's all for today, friends!  Hope you are having a fantastic week so far! :)

Hugs,

~Cindy
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Stamps:  Under the Mistletoad (Our Craft Lounge) 
Papers:  Confetti Tan (retired SU), Neenah Solar White, Merry Days of Christmas Patterned Papers (My Mind's Eye)
Inks:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Memento Lady Bug Red, Copic Markers (see above)
Accessories:  Green Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon (PTI), 1-1/4" Circle Punch, 1-3/8" Circle Punch, Crop-a-Dile, Linen Thread, Paper Cutter w/Scoring Blade, Dimensionals

Candy Monster

Hello Stampers~

Welcome to another fine Monday! :)  Today I've got a fun Halloween sample to share with you.  I used the Little Boogas set from Our Craft Lounge...too stinkin' ADORABLE!

The sketch is this week's OCL sketch challenge, which you can play along with until Friday.  It was a fun and easy sketch to work with!

I added some eyes to the three eyeballs with black rhinestones.  Martha Stewart's Spider Web Border Punch and distressed edges complete the theme.

Here's a close up view for you:

The monster costume was ridiculously fun to color!  I colored him in using my tried-and-true Copic markers.  Here are the colors I chose:

I do hope today will be the start to a fantastic week for you, my friends!

Thanks so very much for stopping by to visit!

Hugs,

~Cindy

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Stamps:  Little Boogas
Papers:  Basic Black (SU), Classic Ivory (Flourishes), Boo to You Patterned Papers (My Mind's Eye)
Inks:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers (see photo)
Accessories:  Martha Stewart Spider Web Border Punch, Orange Rhinestones, Black Rhinestones, Bone Folder (to distress edges), Orange Satin Ribbon, Black Crocheted Trim, Dimensionals

Bountiful Apples

Hello Stampers~

Today I have a little something yummy from Our Craft Lounge.  I used the Bountiful Harvest set to create this apple card.  I love using a small, less noticed stamp from a set as the focal point of my card.  I stamped the bushel of apples three times, coloring the apples different shades each time with my Copic markers.  It is apple-picking season here in NH...can't wait to pick a few bushels of our own!

Here's a close-up for you:

Check out The Lounge today to see another card I made using the same stamp set...totally different feel!

Here are the Copic colors I used: 

I hope you have a fantastic day today, friends!  I am determined to make the most of it!

Thanks, as always, for visiting with me!

Hugs,
~Cindy

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Stamps:  Bountiful Harvest
Inks:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers (see photo)
Papers:  Kraft (Prismatics), Neenah Solar Classic White, My Mind's Eye Quite Contrary Patterned Papers
Accessories:  Green Satin Ribbon (PTI), Red Button (PTI), Natural Burlap String, 1-1/4" & 1-3/8" Circle Punches, Martha Stewart Border Punch, Dimensionals

 

A Bountiful Crop

Hello Stampers~

Today's sample was made for this week's Card Positioning Systems Sketch Challenge, which is sponsored by Our Craft Lounge.  I used the Bountiful Harvest set, which I knew I just had to have the moment I saw it.  Not only is it a great set for autumn, but it has a TRACTOR in it, which means it is the perfect set to make cards for my hubby and 13-year-old son.

I chose to color the tractor orange to make the rich Max & Whiskers papers from Basic Grey.  I kept the details simple, with just a bit of twine, a row of piercing, and a few corduroy buttons.  

The sentiment is such a good reminder for all of us, isn't it?  I tend to go-go-go all the time, and forget about the importance of a bit of quiet rest.  It is good for the soul. :)

I used Copic markers to color the image, and sponged some inks on to represent sky and ground.  Here are the Copic colors I used: 

Thanks so much for visiting with me today, friends!

Have a fabulous day!

Hugs,

~Cindy

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Stamps:  Bountiful Harvest
Papers:  Prismatics Kraft, Basic Grey Max & Whiskers, Neenah Solar White
Inks:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Soft Sky, Tim Holtz Antique Linen, Copic Markers (see photo)
Accessories:  Corduroy Brads (SU), Linen Twine, Piercing Tools, 1-1/4" & 1-3/8" Circle Punches, Classic Rectangle Nestabilities, Dimensionals

OCL Blog Candy WINNER!

Hello stampers~

The winner of the gorgeous Trim the Tree stamp set from Our Craft Lounge is...

MaryAnn Thompson

Here is MaryAnn's comment:

Wow, how is this for inspiration! Love the layout or sketch and love the fact that this could be a make a bunch in a hurry type card. Of course I wouldn't do it the justice you do, but love to try. Thanks Cindy and thanks for a chance to win too.

Posted by: MaryAnn Thompson | August 20, 2010 at 07:24 AM

CONGRATULATIONS, MaryAnn!  Please contact me at [email protected] with your complete mailing address.  Thanks so much!

Hugs,

~Cindy

Our Craft Lounge Blog Hop & Give-Away!

Hello Stampers~

How are you on this fine Friday?  I am soooo happy to be at the end of this week!  I've been getting up at 4am all week to go into work early...good times.  Today, however, I'll be out by 11am and off to spend a little quality time with a dear friend that I don't see nearly enough.  Now, that IS *good times*! :)

Today's card uses the gorgeous new Trim the Tree stamp set from Our Craft Lounge.  No coloring required with this set, great for easy-peasy cards.  I used some Glossy Accents and Cosmo Crystal Crafty Sparkles on the ornaments to make them *pop*!  I do have a confession to make, however...  I did not wait for the Glossy Accents to dry before I took my photos....and you can tell (esp in the close-up photo).  BUT, hey, you get the idea, right?  You know it will look fabulous when it's dry! {grin}

See what I mean?  It looks kinda milky before it dries completely.

The layout for my card is this week's OCL Sketch Challenge.  Isn't that a cool sketch?!  I love how unique it is.

Sooo.... Do you wanna WIN this stamp set???  Just leave a comment here on this post (or either of the last two days' posts).  At 3pm est on Sunday, I'll draw a name randomly from all the comments, and that person will WIN their very own Trim the Tree stamp set!  Lucky duck!  Actually, there are LOTS of sets to be won!  Check out The Lounge for all the details. ;)

Here's the full view of the set:

Check out the fabulous samples that the rest of the design team and friends have to share with you today:

Amber Hillman
Beate Johns
Beth Silaika
Bev Gerard
Broni Holcombe
Cambria Turnbow
Charmaine Ikach
Cindy Lawrence
Deb Felts
Debbie Corbari
Deborah Anton
Denise Marzec
Heather McNally
Holly McMillen
Jeanne Streiff
Joy Kennedy
Julie Okada
Kendra Wietstock
Kisa Peters
Lori McAree
Maree Truelove
Michelle Fowler
Pam Hooten
Tammy Hershberger
Terri Thill
Vicki Garrett

Have a FABULOUS Friday, my friends!  I know I will! :)

Hugs,

~Cindy

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Stamps:  Trim the Tree, Jolly Ornaments (sentiment)
Papers:  Pure Luxury Ivory, Red Textured (Couture Cardstock), Polar Expressions Glitter Patterned Papers (Imaginesce)
Inks:  Memento Rhubarb Tart, Memento Bamboo Leaves, Soft Sky (SU), Memento Rich Cocoa
Accessories:  Red Pearls, Olive Pearls, Labels Four Nestabilities, Sponge Dauber, Narrow Ivory Satin Ribbon, Glossy Accents, Cosmo Crystal Crafty Sparkles, Dimensionals

Our Craft Lounge Sneak Peek Day Two!

Hello Stampers~

How CUTE is this sweet little penguin?!  It's from the new Penguin Fun set from Our Craft Lounge.  My daughter is in L-O-V-E with it! :)  

I went with a palette of soft pinks and blues for my card.  I have been so drawn to those colors lately...probably in part due to Basic Grey's Olivia patterned paper pack, which has been sitting out on my work station for a week now.

I used this week's Sketch For You To Try for my layout...such an easy one to work with.  The pretty pink satin ribbon is some antique ribbon that I've had in my stash for years.  

I added some Chunky Crystal Crafty Sparkles to make snow, and glittered up the earmuffs with some Cosmo Crystal Crafty Sparkles.

My image was colored in with Copic markers.  Here are the colors I chose:

Stop by The Lounge to see sneak peeks of several of OCL's newest sets!

After you've done that you'll want to hop on over to following blogs to check out what they've done with the new sets...fabulous stuff, folks!  Enjoy! :)

Amber Hillman
Beth Silaika
Bev Gerard
Cambria Turnbow
Charmaine Ikach
Deb Felts
Debbie Corbari
Deborah Anton
Denise Marzec
Heather McNally
Holly McMillen
Jeanne Streiff
Joy Kennedy
Kendra Wietstock
Kisa Peters
Lori McAree
Michelle Fowler
Pam Hooten
Tammy Hershberger
Terri Thill

Have a WONDERFUL Thursday, friends!  Thanks a million for visiting me today!

Hugs,

~Cindy

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Stamps:  Penguin Fun (OCL)|
Papers:  Light Baby Pink Prismatics, Basic Gray (SU), Olivia Patterned Papers (Basic Grey), Neenah Solar White
Inks:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers (see photo)
Accessories:  Light Blue Pearls, Cosmo Crystal Crafty Sparkles, Chunky Crystal Crafty Sparkles, Quickie Glue Pen, Antique Pink Satin Ribbon, Classic Rectangle Nestabilities, Dimensionals, Opaque White Pen

Our Craft Lounge Sneak Peek Day One!

Hello Stampers~

Today I have a fun sneak peek of a delicious new stamp set from Our Craft Lounge.  I have to say that this OCL release is one of my favorites EVAH, and this stamp set sits right up at the tippy top.  It's called Be Jolly, and it makes me smile from ear to ear! :)

For my sample, I colored the images with Copic markers, and added some Sugar Sparkly Fluff to give the snow a little bit of fabulous sparkly texture.  I added a sweet sign to the tree by  cutting the sentiment out with ovals and *tacking* it to the tree with a silver brad.  It sends a sweet message to all who pass by. :)

The final touch on my card is some pretty sheer white ribbon with a thin silver thread...yummy stuff!

Here's a close-up for you:

Here are the Copic colors I used:

Now you'll want to get to hopping over to the rest of the design team blogs to check out what else is new from Our Craft Lounge!  They are giving away some SERIOUS goodies this week as well!  All yo need to do is leave a comment to be eligible.  Stop by The Lounge for all the details.

Amber Hillman
Beth Silaika
Bev Gerard
Broni Holcombe
Cambria Turnbow
Charmaine Ikach
Deb Felts
Debbie Corbari
Deborah Anton
Denise Marzec
Heather McNally
Holly McMillen
Jeanne Streiff
Joy Kennedy
Kendra Wietstock
Kisa Peters
Lori McAree
Michelle Fowler
Pam Hooten
Terri Thill

Thanks for visiting!  Have a fabulous day, friends!

Hugs,

~Cindy

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Stamps:  Be Jolly (OCL)
Papers:  Neenah Classic White, Soft Sky (SU), Prismatics Dark Razzleberry
Inks:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Soft Sky, Copic Markers (see photo)
Accessories:  Sugar Sparkly Fluff, Quickie Glue Pen, Silver Brad, Small & Large Oval Punches, Dimensionals, Ticket Corner Punch, White/Silver Sheer Ribbon, Sponge Dauber