Thursday, March 31, 2011

Only Hours Left…

…to place your order in the 2011 Event of the Year - Sale-A-Bration

     With a purchase of only $50, you get to choose one Sale-A-Bration item!  You could choose  the awesome Designer Series Paper & Quick Accents Pack and create this fun card!

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     OR, you could choose the awesome Ice Cream Parlor Ribbon & Button Pack.  Yep…that’s the ribbon on the card!

     OR, you could choose the awesome So Happy for You stamp set.  That’s the set I used for the sentiment and the randomly stamped flower.  Yes, it too can be yours with a $50 purchase!

     $150 dollar purchase will get you all three Sale-A-Bration items AND one Level 1 Hostess item AND an additional $15 of  FREE product!  Now THAT’s Awesome!!  See the Hostess Benefits page for more details.

     This card isn’t typically my style…but I tell you, I had so much fun playing with the Quick Accents in the pack!  Self-adhesives, fun designs, color coordination with the fun (and gorgeous) DSP’s.  You can see the lovely Melon Mambo colored paper there behind my card.  Love that scallop edge printed along the edge of the paper!  I really love that it all coordinates with the Ice Cream Parlor ribbon.  Now, how fun is that?! 

     Time is running out!  Place your order now!  Click here for Online Ordering.

Hugs,

Leslee

All supplies are Stampin’ Up! and can be purchased here!

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Spring Tree

     Inspiration can be found all around us.  We only need to open our eyes, our hearts, our minds to see it.

     In the middle of creating for my niece’s baby shower, I was designing for a workshop as well.  I always ask my hostess if there is anything in particular she would like to see demonstrated.  She was a great hostess and said that anything I come up with would be fine but how about something spring or Easter?  Well, I was itching to put some of my newly learned brayer techniques to work but was at a loss as how to make it a ‘spring’ card.  One morning while on my walk, I noticed that the Bradford pear trees were in bloom.  Beautiful!  Right there was my inspiration!

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     Now, I know that this particular stamp from the Thoughts & Prayers set isn’t a pear tree, however, it works well to create a spring blooming tree.  For this card, I started with a piece of Whisper White card stock.  I tore a piece of sticky paper to mask off my ground.  I brayered on Daffodil Delight in an angle from the top right.  Then I brayered Peach Parfait on over that only covering over about half of the Daffodil Delight.  I removed the mask and then masked off the sky portion using the other half of the sticky paper that I tore the bottom from.  I then sponged on Old Olive to cover the ground area.  On the bottom portion of the ground, I sponged on Basic Black.  Right along the mask line, I sponged on Always Artichoke.  This adds depth to your ground.  I stamped on the tree using Early Espresso marker on the trunk and branches and Regal Rose marker on the leaves.  I added lots of highlights and little patches of spring blooming flowers with a White Gel Pen.  TIP:  While adding your highlights, keep in mind your light source.  I layered the image panel on Early Espresso and then a Pear Pizzazz card base that I had run through the Big Shot with the Framed Tulips Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (that’s a mouthful).  I LOVE how this folder creates the perfect frame to show off your beautiful artwork!  I gently rubbed on some Whisper White Craft Ink over the raised frame using the flat rubber stamp in the Distressing Essentials Kit.  There is plenty of room on this card for a sentiment but I haven’t decided what I want it for just yet. 

     I ended up not demonstrating this card at the workshop.  The inspiration of this card did prompt me to create several more brayered cards…one of which I did demonstrate.  I’ll post those up later.  In the meantime, keep your eyes, your heart and your mind open to the inspiration that is around you. :)

Hugs,

Leslee

Supplies are all Stampin’ Up! and can be purchased HERE!

Monday, March 28, 2011

A Quick Baby Card

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     After putting in so many hours of putting together my niece’s baby shower, do you think I even thought about making her a card?  Ah…nope!  Once again, I was making a card as the family is heading out the door.  LOL…so typical of me!  Luckily, I had a few elements leftover.  The image panel was the first one I stamped when I began the shower invitations.  I quickly realized that it was way to much masking to have to mass produce 30 invitations.  I set it aside for use on some later project…this one!  hehe  I quickly ran a Whisper White card base through the Big Shot with the Framed Tulips Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  Then I ink distressed the raised frame with Pink Pirouette and the flat stamp from the Distressing Essentials Kit.  I layered the image panel on a piece of Pink Pirouette card stock and placed them on the card base.  The sentiment and the image is from the Baby Bundle stamp set.  I colored the image in using a Blender Pen, classic inks and, on some images, markers.  I threw a few words of wisdom inside the card, signed it, snapped a quick photo (sorry for the lousy lighting), stuffed it in the envelope and was out the door!  Seriously…I should get it all together some day :) 

     Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you’ve been inspired to make a few baby cards…just to have on hand :)  Have a great day!

Hugs,

Leslee

Stampin’ Up! supplies can be purchased HERE!

Friday, March 25, 2011

Definitely A Royal Treatment

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     I’ve been meaning to give Stampin’ Up!’s  Definitely Decorative line a go for quite some time now.  A friend of my husband was getting rid of this toy box bench.  It is in lovely condition and would make a nice addition to any room.  I took one look at it and knew immediately what I wanted it for!  I poured over the Definitely Decorative Catalog and came up with a princess theme.  I’m sure my niece’s little girl will be spoiled like one! :)  That’s what aunties are for…right?!

     For those who are unfamiliar with Definitely Decorative, it is Stampin’ Up!’s line of vinyl art and stencils used in home decor.  The decals, known as Decor Elements, come in several sizes, colors and there’s a style for every taste.

     I chose two Her Majesty decals in Rose Red and one Little Princess in White and Rose Red.  Each decal comes with very clear directions to follow. 

Here’s a brief overview of how it’s done…

100_2772     Lay the decal on a flat surface with the grid side up.  Gently rub over the decal with the Decor Elements Applicator to transfer it onto the sticky transfer sheet. 

100_2772aPeel away the grid backing sheet and carefully press the transfer sheet onto your project.  It’s sticky so be careful to place your decal where its wanted the first time.  You don’t want to have to peel it back up…it may not want to come up. 

100_2773Again, rub over top the decal with the applicator to adhere it to your project. 

100_2774Gently peel away the transfer sheet. 

100_2780     That’s all there is to it!  Super easy!  What a great way to transform something old into something new again.      

     And here is the finished project…  100_2781

     We gave this to my niece for her baby shower.  It was filled with cute little outfits that are fit for a princess.  I had such fun shopping for them :)  I couldn’t stop myself!     Thanks for stopping in today.  I hope you’ve been inspired to give Decor Elements a try.  I’m sure you’ll be pleased with the outcome!

Hugs,

Leslee

Stampin’ Up! supplies can be purchased HERE!  

 

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Diaper Cake Shower Decoration

100_2758     Oh my goodness!  I had soooo much fun doing this Diaper Cake Decoration!  This is the second one I have made.  I am so pleased with the way this one turned out!  Don’t you just love it?!  Adorable!  I received lots of compliments from those who attended the shower.  My niece said that it’s too pretty to tear apart and use.  I would feel the same way, however, I would get tired of looking at it day after day and it is designed to be usable.  

     In the center, supporting the tiers, is a 15 oz. bottle of baby powder (on the bottom) and a cheap baby bottle on top of that.  I sat at Adam’s baseball practice and rolled the diapers.  Coach asked what I was doing.  I proceeded to tell him all about Stampin’ Up! …okay, not really…but if it were anyone else…you know I would have booked a workshop :)  The diapers are rolled and secured with a rubber band.  To roll, open the diaper and lay flat.  I rolled the front in first so that the cutesy image panel would be hidden.  I wanted my cake to be all white.  Jesse tried to help me roll but he kept on making them sloppy and making potty-type comments and was quickly fired from the job (which is what he wanted any way).  Gotta love him!100_2762

     To build the cake, stand several diapers on end in a ring around the powder bottle.  Secure with a rubber band.  Repeat this process to add another two rows of diapers, thus creating your bottom tier.  The second tier is done in the same manner with two rows only.  You guessed it, the top tier has only one row of diapers.  This top row is surrounding the baby bottle.  Top the cake off with a topper of choice.  My niece likes monkeys so that’s what I used.  I found this sweetie in the baby department.  It originally came with a blue ribbon that was well secured to the monkey.  I simply tucked it up and hid it behind a some Pretty in Pink 1/4” grosgrain.  After all, she is having a girl! :) 

100_2747     To hide the rubber bands, I made a band by piecing together some cardstock.  I punched the sides of the Pretty in Pink cs with the Eyelet Border punch.  I then wrapped some old retired pink ribbon around that.  The center band is Certainly Celery with a layer of Whisper White that I had randomly stamped with images from the Baby Bundle stamp set.  You know that thin little strip of cardstock leftover when you use a border punch?  You guessed it…I used that on the center band as well!  Might as well use up all the leftovers :) 

     The remainder of the embellishments on the cake are usable as well.  The flowers and bows are actually little headbands that I tucked in around the cake.  The little animals are baby wrist rattles.  Even the curly ribbon could be used on another pretty package! :) 

     It was a beautiful center piece on the gift table.  We even used it as a shower game.  Guess how many diapers in the Diaper Cake?  The closest guess gets the prize!  Most people guessed low.  Only one came close…and I bet she’s made one before ;)  It is time consuming but was so worth it! 

     Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you’ve been inspired to create something beautiful today! 

     By the way, I used 71 newborn sized diapers.  You are safe purchasing a bag of 72 – 75.  Did you guess correctly?  Let me know in the comments :)

Hugs,

Leslee

Stampin’ Up! supplies can be purchased HERE!

Monday, March 21, 2011

It’s A Baby Shower!

100_2644        I’m so very excited!  My niece is going to have a girl!  As a mom of two boys, I so look forward to spoiling a little girl.  Of course, this little girl I get to spoil and then hand back!  Anyway…I immersed myself in the making of baby shower invites, shower favors and thank you cards.  These, of course, were mass produced and I totally got lost in a sea of pink!  What a joy it was!  My husband came home one day and commented, “Boy!  That’s a lot of pink!”  We just aren’t used to seeing quite so much in this household.  I loved every minute of it! 

     Today, I’ll show you the invites, shower favors and thank you notes.  Everything tied in together.  I used the Baby Bundle stamp set on all.  Colors are Pink Pirouette, Certainly Celery and Whisper White

100_2633     The main image on the invite was stamped using the masking technique…adding the teddy and rattle ‘inside’ the buggy.  The onesie was cutout and popped up on a Dimensional to make it look like it is hanging off the side of the buggy.  The images were colored in using a Blender Pen and Classic Inks.  The sentiment was stamped and punched out using the Wide Oval punch and then layered onto a Scallop Circle punched in Certainly Celery.  The pink panel was run through the Big Shot with the Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  I lightly ink distressed the panel with Pink Pirouette and the flat rubber stamp in the Distressing Essentials Kit.  I’ve been reaching for that kit quite a lot lately. 

100_2640     For the Thank You notes, I used Stampin’ Up!’s ® Note Cards.  These come pre-cut and scored and with envelopes…so I didn’t have to do any of the prep work.  Love it!  I carried the pink embossed panel 100_2605over onto the thank you’s.  I love that we can mount the clear stamps onto the same block.  I used Block H for this project.  This allowed me to ink up and stamp the three images at one time along the sides of the note cards.  Such a time saver!

     Another time saver is the Big Shot and the Mini Milk Carton die.  I cranked out these mini milk cartons for shower favors in very little time.  I had stamped and colored my panel images and adhered them to the carton before I assembled them.  It was a bit easier that way vs. assembling the carton first and then adhering the panels.  The tops are held closed with Sticky Strip.  The ribbon alone would not hold them closed.  Each mini milk carton holds plenty M&M’s® candies.  These would hold small mints, jelly beans, or any small candies.  So cute!

100_2634     The shower was held Sunday.  I received lots of compliments on the invites and all the other goodies I did for the shower.  Just wait until you see the diaper cake!  I’ll post it up next.  I hope you stop back to take a look-see at it.  Thanks for stopping in today.  I hope you’ve been inspired to coordinate a project or two.  It doesn’t have to be over-the-top.  The simple fact that it was handmade and from the heart makes it that much more beautiful! 

Pretty Pink Hugs,

Leslee

All supplies used are Stampin’ Up! and can be purchased HERE!

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Pulling Double Duty

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      I am always looking to make the most of my stamping and crafting items.  As much as I’d like to, I don’t own everything and can’t afford to.  Though if you ask my husband, he’ll tell you that I have it all and way to much of it.  What does he 100_2693know!  He should just be thankful that I can get more than one use out of most of my goodies.  In today’s difficult economic times, finding multiple uses for stamps and tools is just what the creative wallet needs.  On this card, I used my Clear Acrylic Block C to stamp a simple background for my flower.  The ‘flower pot’ is punched out using the Build A Cupcake punch.  That’s right, the cupcake paper is working double duty!  The stamp set I used is the new Thanks For Caring that can be found in the Occasions Mini CatalogWhisper White, Pear Pizzazz, Rich Razzleberry and Sahara Sand are the colors I used. 

     I always tell my customers to ‘think outside the box’ when making their selections.  Ask yourself “How else can I use this set?” or “After this event, can I use it for the next in some new fashion?”  Look at images, punches and tools in a different angle.  Turn the Idea Book & Catalog upside down or horizontal and see if that image can pull double duty.  Omit portions of the image on a stamp to get additional uses.  Sometimes, having more than one use will justify the purchase…(smile)…and sometimes, it makes the explaining to hubby that much more effective.  Don’t ask me how I know this ;-)

     Thanks for stopping by today.  Sorry I haven’t posted for a spell.  Things have just been busy about the Holston residence.  I hope you’ve been inspired to think outside the box and take a look at how you can make your stamps and tools pull double duty!

Hugs,

Leslee

All supplies are Stampin’ Up! and can be purchased here!

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Presto! Leftovers Gone!

     I still haven’t found much time to do much else but work on the up and coming baby shower.  If I hadn’t mentioned it before, my niece is expecting.  It’s a girl!  I, for one, am so very excited.  I’m so looking forward to a little girl in the family to spoil.  As of right now, there are only my two boys and my niece, who is well past the spoiling stage (but she still gets spoiled…that’s what aunties are for).  Needless to say, my desk is covered in Pink Pirouette colored projects.  The shower is the weekend after next, so I will show you all the shower projects beginning next week. 

100_2612     Anyway, I did have a few scraps leftover from a previous card laying about my desk.  I literally got tired of moving it out of my way, from one side to the other and back again, so I finally just threw this card together to get it off my desk and out of my sight.  What do you think?  The Melon Mambo paired with the Pacific Point makes for a very bright and vibrant card.  It’s not quite my style but I love how this card turned out.  The more I look at it, the more I like the bold look of it.

     The Presto Patterns Specialty Paper was sponged with Melon Mambo classic ink.  The Whisper White Eyelet Border punched strip and the Pacific Point layer with the Scallop Trim Border were both leftovers on the desk too.  I really love when I can use up bits and pieces that I just couldn’t toss out.  The sentiment is found in the Sale-A-Bration set, So Happy For You.  Those gorgeous flower 100_2618buttons are from the Sale-A-Bration Ice Cream Parlor Ribbon & Buttons Bundle.  The Whisper White Satin Ribbon was scrunched and adhered to the layer and then all was attached to the Melon Mambo card base.  You can read about the ribbon scrunch technique in this post, Pink Rosettes 6x6 Page.  It’s a pretty easy technique to do but let me just say, this wide satin ribbon is not the easiest ribbon to work with.  Perhaps because it is so slick a ribbon.  If you aren’t careful, the thread you pull will pull all the way out of the ribbon leaving you with a ruined piece of ribbon.  Don’t ask me how I know this…just trust me…scrunch with care!  That said, if you manage it carefully, it is stunning!

     I’d best get back to more pink shower favors.  I’ve never worked with so much pink in all my creative years.  I’m having a blast!  I can’t wait to show you!  Until next time, I hope you’ve been inspired to create with leftovers.  We’ll have to have leftovers more often :)  Thanks for stopping by today.

Hugs,

Leslee

All supplies are Stampin’ Up! and can be purchased HERE

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Birthday Sale-A-Bration!

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‘Me time’ has been almost null and void as of late.  I did manage to come up with this super simple birthday card using the Build A Cupcake punch and Ice Cream Parlor DSP (a Sale-A-Bration freebie).  The sentiment is from Bring On The Cake found in the Occasions Mini Catalog.  I used the Red Glimmer Paper for the cherry on the cupcake.  I love that the DSP has so many colors to coordinate with it.  Such a fun and easy birthday card to build.

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you’ve been inspired to build a fun card today.

Hugs,

Leslee

All supplies are Stampin’ Up! and can be purchased here

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

It’s A Sale-A-Bration! Part 2

100_2575     Welcome to Part 2 of “It’s A Sale-A-Bration!”  If you missed part 1, you can take a look at it here.  Today, we will continue to add another $50 to our stamping supplies.  Keep in mind, I started under the assumption that you are brand new to stamping and are beginning with nothing.  The point is to show just how one can create beautiful cards with limited supplies.  $50 is plenty to get you started and Sale-A-Bration is the perfect time to make that $50 go even further.  Another $50 will get you so much more! 

     So, with this next $50, I purchased the following:  SNAIL, Mini Glue Dots, 2-Way Glue Pen, Linen Thread, 2 more Stampin’ Write Markers (today its Daffodil Delight and Old Olive, again coordinating with SAB items), a Brights Assortment of 8.5 x 11 card stock and the 100_2580Build A Cupcake Punch (I just had to have that yummy punch)!  My free Sale-A-Bration item is the Ice Cream Parlor Button & Ribbon bundle (so cute).  Now, we are off to a great start!  Embellishments and color for our cards. 

     I won’t go into the details of each card.  They are very straightforward.  Clean and simple.  No outside-of-the-box thinking to them.  I will say that this Build A Cupcake Punch is so much fun!  Now, with that punch, you can certainly do some outside-of-the-box projects.  I’ll save that for another day :)   Of course, these are just some ideas to help get one started with paper crafting.  Themes and colors could be changed.  Just keep in mind the 5 basics…it takes stamps, ink, paper, a cutting tool and an adhesive to hold it all together.  Oh…and have fun!!!   

     Thanks for stopping by today.  I think $100 will get you started off on a great start!  You can see the break down sheet by clicking on the “Getting Started with Sale-A-Bration” tab at the top of the page.  Until next time, keep your fingers inky!

Hugs,

Leslee

All supplies are Stampin’ Up! and can be purchased HERE!