the creative closet by cindy lawrence

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 

Sweet Santa Mouse

Hello Stampers~

Here we are on the very last day of November...just one month left of 2010.  What are your plans for this last month of the year?  Let me take a wild guess...shopping, decorating, wrapping, baking, eating, visiting, partying, eating, working, sleeping, and oh yeah, eating.  Was I close?  haha  Seriously, though, this time of year goes sooo quickly, doesn't it?  I hope you will spend some time reflecting on the things that are truly important in this life, and take time out of your busy schedule to just "be".  I am determined to do that this year. :)

Today's sample is a fun card showcasing an adorable Christmas mouse.  I found this idea on Kim Score's amazing blog.  You can find complete instructions for making the mouse out of punches right HERE.  I had SUCH fun making this! :)

Here's a close-up of my mouse:

Isn't he a cutie-patootie?!  Thanks for the awesome idea, Kim!

Have a fantastic Tuesday, my friends!

Hugs,

~Cindy

 

Polar Bear Blessings

Hello Stampers~

I hope this day finds you happy and well! :)

Today's sample is a fun card with sweet polar bears made entirely with punches.  I found the idea on Splitcoaststampers (LOVE that place!).

To make the mama bear, I punched two 1-3/4" white circles for her head and body, one large white oval (cut in half) for her snout, a 1/4" black circle for her nose, and two 3/4" white circles for her ears.  For the baby bear, I punched two white 1" circles for the body and head, one small white oval for the snout (cut in half), a 1/8" black circle for the nose, and two 1/2" white circles for the ears.

I sponged around the layers just a bit with some Tim Holtz Antique Linen, and added eyes with a Copic Multi-liner pen.  I also added some sparkle with a bit of Crystal Ultrafine Transparent Glitter by the Art Institute.

The sentiment comes from JustRite Stampers.  The set is called Nature's Nested Sentiments, complete with gorgeous fonts and gorgeous sayings that are perfectly versatile year-round.  I picked mine up at Stampers Dream, which has an incredible selection of JustRite stamps!

That's all for today, friends!  Hope your day is spectacular!

Hugs,

~Cindy
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Stamps:  Nature's Nested Sentiments (JustRite)
Papers:  Black, Neenah Solar White, Baja Breeze
Inks:  Antique Linen Distress Ink (Tim Holtz), Baha Breeze, Craft White, Memento Tuxedo Black, Black Multi-Liner Pen 
Accessories:  Quickie Glue Pen, Crystal Untrafine Transparent Glitter (Art Institute), Sponge Daubers, Snowflake Cuttlebug Folder, Lots of Punches (see above), Dimensionals

Santa Card WITH Instructions!

Hello Stampers~

As promised, here are the instructions for the Santa punch card that I shared in THIS post.

I began with a 4-1/4" x 5-1/2" piece of red card stock folded in half to form the card base.  Next I centered a 2-1/4" x 4-1/4" piece of flesh-toned card stock on the front of the card base.  I used textured cardstock to give Santa a bit more character.

To make the beard, mustache, and hat brim, I began with a 4-1/4" x 5-1/2" piece of white card stock.  I ran it through my Big Shot die-cutting machine with the Swirls Cuttlebug embossing folder.  In my opinion, the swirls are what really make this card. :)  Next, you'll need a large circle cutter or simply use a large circular item, such as a dinner plate or frisbee and a pencil to mark the curve.  I marked the first curve (for the beard) about 3" up from the bottom.  (Make your markings on the back side of the embossed card stock.)  I then marked another curve about 1" higher than the first.  Cut along both curved lines to form the beard and hat brim.  To make the mustache, use the remaining piece of white card stock, and cut along the curved line (which forms the top of the mustache), making two curvy cuts for each side of the mustache.

Before you attach your pieces to the card, you'll want to punch out two black eyes with a 1/2" circle punch, one flesh-toned lip with a 1/2" circle punch, and one flesh-toned nose with a large oval punch.  Sponge pale pink ink on Santa's "cheeks", as well as around the edges of his nose and lip.  I also added some highlight markings to the eyes and nose with a white opaque pen.

Now you can assemble your layers.  I attached the nose/mustache ensemble with Dimensionals (also known as Pop Dots) to make them stand out.

The final touch is three punched "branches" and a red button decorating Santa's hat.  If you have a holly punch, that would also be fantastic here!

Here's a close up of Santa's face:

Okay, folks, that's all!  I hope my instructions are clear enough.  Have fun making your own Santa cards. :)

Have a fantastic Tuesday, friends!

Hugs,

~Cindy
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Stamps:  None  (I did use the "Ho Ho Ho" stamp from Flourishes on the inside!)
Papers:  Classic White, Blush Blossom Textured, Red (PTI), Glorious Green (SU), Basic Black (SU)
Inks:  Pink Pirouette (for sponging)
Accessories:  Swirls Cuttlebug Folder, large circle cutter, 1/2" Circle Punch, Large Oval Punch, Martha Stewart Branch Punch, Red Button (PTI), Natural Burlap String, White Opaque Pen, Dimensionals

 

Ho Ho Ho!

Hello Stampers~

I did a fun card class last week using lots of punches.  This Santa is one of the cards I had them make.  Isn't it cool?!  I confess that it wasn't my original idea; but rather one that I found somewhere out there in blog land a while back.  When I stumble across ideas like this, I save them in a file on my computer for future use. :)

I promise to share the rest of the cards from the class in the very near future!

Here's a close-up of Santa's sweet face:

I sponged on some pink around his nose, lip, and on his cheeks.  Then I added some White Opaque Pen to make his eyes come alive.  I think the Swirls Cuttlebug Folder is what really makes the card...so cool!

I hope your Thursday is full of love and happiness, my friends!

See you tomorrow for Flourishes Friday!

Hugs,

~Cindy
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Stamps:  None  (I did use the "Ho Ho Ho" stamp from Flourishes on the inside!)
Papers:  Classic White, Blush Blossom Textured, Red (PTI), Glorious Green (SU), Basic Black (SU)
Inks:  Pink Pirouette (for sponging)
Accessories:  Swirls Cuttlebug Folder, large circle cutter, 1/2" Circle Punch, Large Oval Punch, Martha Stewart Branch Punch, Red Button (PTI), Natural Burlap String, White Opaque Pen, Dimensionals