More Floating Re-Inker technique...

When I first started playing with this technique, I stamped and embossed a BUNCH of these lilies and colored them in with all sorts of combinations of reinkers. Some reinker had dried in little painter trays on my desk and who knew what color they were?!? Anyway, I used them and got some lovely lilies colored. I had to use two of them on this card. The card is Orchid Opulence with Lavender Lace on it.

I am including a close-up shot of the lilies. Oh, look at that Helen Keller quote stamp. That is also a SU stamp--but one I had made myself, like you have an address stamp made. I love that quote! Thanks for stopping in today! Smiles, Laura

Everything's coming up roses....

A friend at church asked me to make a wedding card for her to send to a friend. Since this lady is in her 80's, I assumed (hopefully, not wrongly) that her friend is, too, so I wanted something in Vanilla or Barely Banana. Here is the card I made her. I used the floating reinker technique (my new favorite technique) and colored this rose from Fifth Avenue Floral (did I say this is my favorite set??) with Barely Banana, Apricot Appeal, and a tiny bit of Summer Sun. I used a Martha Steward edging punch and her butterfly punch (see the vellum butterfly?). I finished it off with SU White Organza ribbon. I am really pleased with this card. But in case my friend doesn't like it, I made a couple more for her to choose from. (I may share those later.) Thanks for looking today! Smiles, Laura

Another paper cone...

I promised to share another paper cone. Well, here it is. This one is made using Tango Tangerine CS and has a beautiful rose from the Fifth Avenue Floral stamp set. I used the shimmery white CS and embossed the rose on it with white embossing powder. Then I misted it with water and used my aqua painter to drops dabs of reinker in Tango Tangerine, Pink Pirouette, and Riding Hood Red into the water. This technique is called Floating Re-inker. After it dried about 30 minutes, I cut it out and mounted it on the cone. The Pink Pirouette edging is a Martha Stewart edge punch. Smiles, Laura

My first sample to share...

Here is a card I made recently using the new Flower Burst Embosslit from Stampin' Up! I love this flower! I sponged the center and edges of the flower to make them "pop". The birthday " tag" was cut using the Sizzix Ovals die and the SU Wide oval Punch. The wording, of course, is from SU's Hugs and Wishes stamp set. Thanks for stopping in!

Smiles, Laura

WELCOME!! I'm new here....

Hi! Welcome to my new blog. I've been wanting to create one for some time. I HOPE I know enough to share samples of my work here--pictures I've taken, my stamping samples, and more. As long as I've been using computers, I've signed my messages "Smiles, Laura". This has become my trademark to the point that friends have said, "you must use 'Smiles, Laura' on your blog!" So I have decided that will be my blog name and banner! (Special thanks to sisters Connie, Becky and Cynthia and friend Regina for agonizing over the blog name with me!!) I hope you will find something here that you like. And I hope you will visit often! Smiles, Laura