the creative closet by cindy lawrence

A Day in the Country

Hello Stampers~

 I have a quick post for you today.  I made this card for a class last month; so the coloring on it is quite minimal for me. :-) I used Spellbinders Curved Rectangle Nestabilities Die for the card base.  

The beautiful country scene is from the A Day in the Country stamp set from JustRite Stampers.  That set is so right up my alley! 

To make the background, I swiped on three different dye ink pads... black, white, and rust.  I thought it added a neat, aged effect...almost like wood grain.

That's all from me today, folks!  I know...I have tons of pictures to share with you, and I will.  I promise!  Just give me a little more time.   I've been involved in a huge kitchen redecorating project for the last three days...so exhausting, but so worth it!  

Have a very blessed day, friends!

Hugs,
~Cindy 

Fat Cat Birthday

Hello Stampers~

Today's card is a very simple birthday card made using Penny Black's It's Your Day stamp set.  I return to this set again and again for birthday cards...especially for kids!  In fact, my daughter saw this card and decided she wants me to give it to her for her birthday...silly girl!  I will, of course, be making her a card that she has NOT seen.  I better get crackin' on that too, cuz her birthday's August 22nd!

This card is only 4-1/4" square, and as you can see, I've made a little envelope to match. :) 

It is difficult to see in the photo; but I used some Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist on the pink cardstock to make it sparkle...very pretty in person.

The image was colored in very sparingly with Copic markers (C00, C1, RV00 & RV02).  The black and white patterned paper is from SEI's Black Orchid paper pack.  I colored all the circle centers on the paper to match the "pink" theme using my RV00 Copic marker...such an easy way to add a coordinating element!

That's all from me today, friends!

Have yourselves a fantastic Wednesday!

Hugs,
~Cindy 

A Sweet Treat Just for You!

Hello Stampers~

Today I have a sweet sample made with MFT's Make Mine a Double stamp set from their Pure Innocence line.  It's been a while since I've inked up one of these adorable stamps, and I have really missed them!  Stampers Dream has a FABULOUS selection of them!

Actually, I just picked up several of MFT's newest sets while I was at CHA...can't wait to get them inky!

I copied my own card design on this one, modeled after THIS card that I made for Flourishes.  I just love using the Spellbinders Labels Twenty One die as the card base!

The pretty patterned papers are from an old SU collection, including her dress, which I paper-pieced.  I colored the little girl in with Copic markers.  For her skin, I used E000, E00, & E02.  For her hair and shoes, I used E33, E35, E37, & E39.  All the little touches of pink are done with R81, R83, & R85.

The faux stitching around the edges was done with an Inksentials Opaque Pen...love that thing!  A few white pearls, some white braided trim, and a pink satin bow finish things off.

I hope you have a FANTASTIC first day of August, friends!  

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs,
~Cindy 

Stampers Dream & Friends Blog Hop

Hello Stampers~

How are you on this fine Monday?  I am doing terrific!  It is my daughter's first "official" day of summer vacation; so we are going to have a girls day together.  My son has one more week of school, and then we'll be in full summer mode in our house.  I just love summer, don't you? :)

Today, the Stampers Dream Team and friends have gotten together for another fun blog hop.   I can't wait to see everyone's fabulous creations!

For my card, I chose one of JustRite's newest Christmas sets, Merry and Bright.  This one's a cling set that coordinates perfectly with Spellbinders 2010 Ornaments Dies.  The card layout is one I turn to time and time again...just love it!  The card size is 5-1/2" x 3-1/4".  I also happen to really love the clean and simple look of white-on-white.  The only other color paper I added is a strip of pretty plaid from Crate Paper's Toy Box Pad.  I colored the ornament in using Copic markers, and added some pretty sparkle with Sakura's Clear Stardust Gelly Roll Glitter Pen.

Here's a close-up view:

The picture really doesn't do the sparkle justice!  I added some pretty Gold Metallic String, Red Rhinestones, and a Martha Stewart punched border to finish things off.  The background was done with a Cuttlebug embossing folder.

Here are the marker colors that I used:

Next up you'll want to check out the rest of the fantastic blogs on this hop!

Debbie Olsen
Becca Feeken 
Michelle Rodgers 
Laurie Schmidlin 
Amy Sheffer 
Denise Marzec 
Tosh Leyendekker 
Mona Pendleton
Cindy Lawrence <---you are here
Silke Ledlow 
Arlene Cuevas
Charmaine Ikatch
Mariana Grigsby
Lea Lawson
Joan Ervin 
Teresa Kline 
Jeanne Streiff 
Kellie Fortin 
Christina Fischer 
Jo Thompson

It might just interest you to know that one of the blogs on this hop has hidden blog candy!  That means if you leave a comment on each blog, you'll have lots of chances to win some fabulous free products!  Stop back by the Stampers Dream Blog on Thursday, the 16th, to see who the lucky winner is.

Here's what you could win:

 Pretty sweet, huh?!  I guess you had better get hoppin'! :)  

Have a fabulous day, friends!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Hugs,
~Cindy

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Stamps:  JustRite Stampers Merry and Bright Cling Mount Set
Papers:  Neenah Classic Solar White, Crate Paper's Toybox Patterned Paper
Inks:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Memento Rhubarb Stalk, Copic Markers (see photo)
Accessories:  Spellbinders 2010 Ornaments Die, Spellbinders Circle Nestabilities Dies, Martha Stewart Border Punch, Red Rhinestones, Gold Metallic String, Poinsettia Embossing Folder (SU), Sakura Clear Stardust Gelly Roll Glitter Pen, Dimensionals 

Sending You Sunshine

Hello Stampers~

One of my very favorite flowers is the daisy...sweet, simple, and oh-so-pretty.  I just can't help but smile when I see them.  They really are a happy flower, don't you think? 

When I saw the daisy image in the darling Sending You Sunshine stamp set from JustRite Stampers, I knew it would be the first stamp to get inky.  I colored it with Copic markers, and paired it up with some Springtime patterned papers from Echo Park.  I framed the image with Spellbinders awesome Fancy Tags Three die, and added lots of pretty pearls and ribbons.

Here's a close-up of the image:

Soft and sweet...and ready to send off to someone in need of a little cheer.

That's all from me today, friends!  Thanks, as always, for visiting with me today! :)

I do hope you have a fantastic Tuesday!

Hugs,
~Cindy 

Beautiful Dragonflies

Hello Stampers~

I hope you've enjoyed the long weekend if you live in America. :)  I am so very thankful for the men and women who serve our country while we sit home enjoying our freedoms!  May God bless each and everyone of them! :)

My oldest son turned 22 today....yikes!  Where on earth does the time go?!

My card is made with the Dragonfly Vine cling stamp from Stampendous.  This is such a beautiful image that it needs very little hooplah to introduce it.  I chose to emboss the image in white (could have also used clear) on white cardstock.  I then sponged on some Tim Holtz Tumbled Glass & Shabby Shutters Distress Inks.  It's such an easy technique, but really gives a wow effect, don't you think?

The sentiment on the card is from JustRite's Just Because Mini Sentiments stamp set.  I love it when I find a set that has lots of small sentiments, and this one has some really great ones! 

I added some touches of black to really make it pop.  My favorite part is the sweet little dragonfly charm hanging from the bow.  That came from the Butterfly Garden Metal Charms pack from Pink Paislee, and was actually a brass metal color until I got ahold of it with my C9 Copic marker. {grin}  I do so love to color things with those markers!  Here's a close-up for you:

 That's all from me today, friends!  Thanks so very much for stopping by today!

Hugs,
~Cindy 

Friendship Blooms Card Set

Hello Stampers~

I have a sweet little set of notecards to share with you today.  I seem to have a bit of a thing for notecards lately. :)  I had every intention of sharing it with you this morning; but I just plum ran out of time. 

These cards are all 4-1/4" square, and are made with Just Rite's fabulous Friendship Blooms cling mount stamp set.  The pretty patterned papers are from the Picket Fence collection from Lilybee Designs.

I just love how the images in this set coordinate with several Spellbinders dies!  I used the Labels Eighteen & Classic Circle dies for my cards.  I was tempted to add some sponging, colored cardstock, a big bow....but in the end I decided that I really liked the freshness and vibrancy of all that white.  When I do give this set away, I will include a set of my hand-made square envies to match, like the ones I did in my last post.  I will do a tutorial for you guys...promise!

Here's a close up of the back card, since you can't see it very well in the photo above:

Hope you are all doing absolutely fabulous today, my friends!

Thanks for visiting with me!

Hugs,
~Cindy

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Stamps:  Friendship Blooms (JustRite Stampers)
Papers:  Neenah Classic Solar White, Picket Fence Collection (Lilybee Designs)
Inks:  Memento Rhubarb Stalk, Memento Grape Jelly, SU Cool Caribbean, SU Bermuda Bay
Accessories:  SU floral embossing folder (can't remember the name of it), Clear Stardust Spica Glitter Pen, Martha Stewart Border Punch, White Pleated Satin Ribbon, Spellbinders Labels Eighteen Die, Spellbinders Classic Circles Die, White Pearls, Dimensionals 

Out On A Limb

Hello Stampers~

Today I have a simple card to share with you.  I made this one using the Out On a Limb stamp set from Stampendous.  I picked this cute set up at the Stampers Dream store.

The card size is 3-1/2" x 5-1/2", so a little bit narrower than usual.  I used some pretty Jillibean Soup Dutch Mustard patterned papers, and complimented them with Copic markers in coordinating colors.

Here's a close-up of the image:

It looks a bit like this tree suffers from a bit of rosacea, doesn't it?!  I guess I could have been a bit more careful with the rosy cheeks. :)

Here are the Copic colors I used:

The inside of the card, which I forgot to take a picture of, says "I'd go out on a limb for you."  Isn't that sweeeeet?

I do hope you all have a FANTASTIC day today!  I am working and then off to teach a card class in the evening...can't wait! :)

Thanks for visiting today!

Hugs,
~Cindy

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Stamps:  On a Limb (Stampendous)
Papers:  Solar White (Neenah), Dutch Mustard Patterned Papers (Jillibean Soup)
Inks:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers (see photo)
Accessories:  Chocolate Twill Ribbon (PTI), Chocolate Pearls, Dimensionals, White Opaque Pen (eyes), White Button Thread, White Flower Button (SU) 

Sweet Snuggles

Hello Stampers~

Today I have a sweet sample to share with you using the adorable Snuggles image from Stampavie.  This one reminds me of my daughter, Abbi.  Although she's not so little any more (ten and a half already....gulp!), she is still a big snuggler..especially with our kitties. :)

I used this week's Mojo Monday Sketch for the layout.  The main card panel was made with mySpellbinders Grand Labels One Nestabilities Die.  I colored the image in using Copic markers, and sponged on a bit of Tim Holtz Distress Inks for the sky and grass.  The pretty patterned papers are from the Blossom Soup collection from Jillibean Soup. 

Here's a close up of the image:

Doesn't she just give you the warm fuzzies?!  You can pick this image up for yourself at Stampers Dream...but hurry, because they're going fast!

Here are the Copic markers I used:

Have yourselves a fabulous day, friends!  I hope to have some vacation pics to share with you all tomorrow.  I have about 300 to sort through! LOL

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs,
~Cindy

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Stamps:  Snuggles (Stampavie)
Papers:  Neenah Classic Solar White,  Blossom Soup Patterned Papers (Jillibean Soup)
Inks:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Tim Holtz Tumbled Glass Distress Ink, Tim Holtz Shabby Shutters Distress Ink, Copic Markers (see photo)
Accessories:  Circle Nestabilities, Big Scallop Circle Nestabilities, Grand Labels One Nestabilities, Green Satin Ribbon (PTI), Yellow Button (PTI), White Button Thread, Sponge Daubers, White Pearls, Dimensionals 

Chics Rule

Hello Stampers~

Today's sample is made with My Favorite Things' adorable new One Sweet Chick stamp set from the Pure Innocence line.  I stamped and colored her with Copic markers, and paper pieced her dress using  some Hometown Summer patterned paper from Pink Paislee.  I combined that with some pretty blue patterned paper from Basic Grey's Hello Luscious pack.

The card itself is  5-1/4" square.  I added Cream Satin Pleat Edging and Small Ivory Organza Roses Ribbon to the bottom edge of my card.  The ivory flower is from Prima.  I also did a bit of sewing on a couple of the layers.

Here are the Copic markers I used:

That's all folks!  I hope your day brings you lots of joy! :)

Hugs,
~Cindy