Monday, August 29, 2011

Gingham with the Big Shot

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     I just HAD to try this awesome technique using the Stripes Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  I love this look of gingham and in Whisper White and Baja Breeze, it’s simply gorgeous! 

     Here’s how I accomplished this look:

  1. Using the brayer, ink up one side of the Stripes embossing folder. 
  2. Sandwich in your card stock and run it through the Big Shot like normal.
  3. Again, ink up the same side of the Stripes embossing folder.
  4. This time, turn your card stock 90 degrees and run it through the Big Shot again.

See?  So simple…I bet you’ll have to give it a try (if you haven’t already). 

100_3610     The bow is another cheater.  I took a looped piece of the lovely Baja Breeze Seam Binding Ribbon (that I swore I didn’t like) and pinched it in the center with this lovely Antique Brad (really loving these brads).  Fuss a bit with the tails and it’s a perfect bow!  Notice once again the Eyelet Border edge that I ran through the Crimper?  I told you that you’d see it again!  You’ll see it once again…soon!

     I ended up putting a birthday sentiment on this card and gave it to my sister-in-law for her birthday.  Wouldn’t it make a lovely baby card?  Hmmm…

     Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you’ve been inspired to give this gingham look a try. 

Hugs,

Leslee

Supplies are Stampin’ Up! and can be purchased here.

Friday, August 26, 2011

Hello Texture

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     This is the second card that my Stamp Club ladies did last week.  Again, the meeting was all about texture and the various ways you can add it to cards and projects.  It’s difficult to see in the photos but this card has lots of texture to it.  The beautiful DSP is Mocha Morning Specialty DSP.  The black flourish is actually flocking on the Crumb Cake paper.  You can’t help but run your finger across its raised texture.  I’ve added texture to the main panel by distressing the edge of the Naturals 100_3636White with the distressing tool in the Cutter Kit and the Linen Thread adds a texture of it’s own to the panel.  The inside of the card has been spritzed with a Crumb Cake Marker and the Color Spritzer Tool (a fun little device that was a recent addition to my ‘tool box’).  The corners have been pierced with the Paper Piercing Tool.  There is even some added texture with the fun bronze Glimmer Brad on the inside corner.  Wow!  All that texture on one Z-fold card!  If that isn’t enough texture for you…I don’t know what would be??  By the way, the “hello” is from the new My Friend set.  This was a fun quick card, showed lots of textures and the techniques and tools to achieve the look.  The ladies seemed to like the project.  Always fun to squeeze that Color Spritzer Tool :) haha!

     On a personal note…we experienced an earthquake here on Tuesday.  The center was north of us by about 100 miles but we felt it.  It rocked the dining room light and made wake in the pool.  Very strange experience.  The boys were a bit freaked to say the least but we are just fine. 

     Now, we are preparing for Hurricane Irene.  It is scheduled to make our weekend very miserable.  I stocked up on necessities (water & batteries), gassed up the car, purchased plenty of groceries (and junk food for two growing boys).  We live on a river just off the lower Chesapeake Bay.  I always worry about storm surge and tidal flooding and cleaning up the waterline debris/mess is just awful!  Besides, that takes up stampin’ time :(   I’ve pre-posted a couple of posts but may not be able to post again for some time.  All depends on the power or lack thereof.  I do have some projects to keep me busy through the hurricane :)  Say a prayer for safety of our family and home if you would please.  :)  Thanks!

     Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you’ve been inspired to add a little texture to your life :)

Hugs,

Leslee

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

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

My Ribbon Rosette

** Disclaimer – The following is a rant.  You may skip down to the next paragraph if you so choose to do so.  It won’t offend me in the slightest :) 

     Anyone who follows my blog should know, I try really hard to use up the scraps that are left on my desk.  However, now I know why I tend to accumulate so many scraps!  I get tired when everything starts to look the same.  I know many of you can agree…if you don’t move on to a different color, technique and/or design, you’ll get stuck in that ‘everything’s-looking-the-same' rut.  I feel like I’m in that rut now.  So, I promise, I will move on to something different.  I’ve been working on a bunch of baby shower invites and will show you that in a couple of days.  But first, you will also see how my mind travels from one card to the next.  Take a look back at my posts over the last month.  You’ll understand what I mean.  Start with a nice color combo then change the layout, then the technique, then the color, then back to the original color with the new technique because you just have to see what it will look like in that color, then back to the other color with a new technique…sigh…and it’s a continuous, vicious circle that sticks you to that rut.  All because you are trying to use up the bits and pieces of leftovers laying about your desk!!

100_3618     So!  I’ll skip the whole ‘how I did that’ because you’ve already seen that technique…it’s nothing new.  I’ll jump straight to the awesome Ribbon Rosette that I made.  Now, you may have seen this out there in cyberland…but this is the first I’ve made and I’m pretty darn pleased with it.  I used the Baja Breeze Seam Binding Ribbon (that I swore I didn’t like) and pulled just one thread near the edge.  Actually, I held one thread while I worked the ribbon into a ruffle.  Thus, naturally curling to form a rosette.  I taped it down to a Scallop Circle punch out and inserted a large Antique Brad in the center.  I just had to punch the strip of Baja Breeze with the Eyelet Border punch and then run it through the Crimper.  Cool look!  Get used to it…you’ll see it again real soon!  See what I mean??  Stuck in the rut!  Haha! 

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     Funny thing is, I think it’s a beautiful rut to be in :)  Thanks for stopping by today. 

Hang in there with me.  I will find my way out :)  I hope you’ve been inspired to use up those leftovers on your desk :)

Hugs,

Leslee

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

 

Monday, August 22, 2011

Project Texture – Big Shot, Brayer & Butterflies

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     My Stamp Club ladies made this super set at our last meeting.  It’s a technique that I learned on a recent UStamp with Dawn & Friends.  My dear friend Paula, Stampinantics, showed this technique and it was so much fun to do at the club meeting.  The meeting was all about adding texture to cards and projects and the many 100_3630ways you can add texture.  There is dry embossing (using the Big Shot) and crimping (using the Paper Crimper) on this project.  I love that we used every butterfly found on the Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die.  Therefore, there are no ‘leftovers’ for me to worry about using up :)  Love It!! 

     This is a fun technique to do.  If you’d like to learn, let’s get together and I can show you how it’s done.  Hosting a workshop is a fun way to see techniques you’d love to see up close AND get some of the goodies on your wish list for FREE!  I love to share what I do!

     Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you’ll give a new technique a try.  Stop by Paula’s blog, Stampinantics.  She does some really beautiful work and is full of inspiration.  :)

Hugs,

Leslee

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

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

I Do…

100_3576  …love a wedding!  Hubby and I attended a wedding for a couple of friends of ours over the weekend.  It was really a beautiful wedding!  After listening to the bride talk of all the wedding planning for the past year, it was so nice to see it all come together so beautifully.  Of course, the bride was simply beautiful as well.  The dress was gorgeous.

     Naturally, I made a special card for the happy couple.  I’ve been trying to make a tone-on-tone card for quite some time now.  Each and every time I’d sit down to try, I’d blow it and have to add a splash of color.  Therefore, the card would take on a whole new direction.  Well, finally, I made the card that I set out to make!  I’m so pleased with the outcome.

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     In my opinion, to achieve the tone-on-tone look, you have to have lots of texture to set the layers apart from one another (that’s just my opinion).  I began with a sheet of Very Vanilla card stock.  I started by running a layer through the Big Shot using the Framed Tulips Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  I cut the next layer out with the Top Note Bigz Die and textured it with the Perfect Details Texturz Plate.  I used the flat rubber and the Tea Stained ink from the Distressing Essentials Kit to highlight the embossed images.  It gives it a defined and antiqued look, just enough to set the layers apart without compromising the tone-on-tone look.   The sentiment is from the Word Play set, punched with the Decorative Label punch.  A Jewel Basic Rhinestone adds just a bit of bling to the card.  Some Victoria Crochet Trim and Very Vanilla 3/8” Taffeta Ribbon wraps around the Top Note layer.  Of course, I cheated on the bow…holding it together with the beautiful Antique Brad.

    Such a gorgeous card and quite simple to make.  I did have to restrain from adding a bit of color.  I tossed around a layer of Baja Breeze behind the Top Note layer.  It looked nice and hubby liked it but my want for tone-on-tone finally won out!  I’m glad it did!  What do you think?  Your comments are welcome :)

     Thanks for stopping in today.  I hope you’ve been inspired to stick with the original plan and don’t let outside forces sway you…not today anyway ;)

Hugs,

Leslee

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

 

Monday, August 15, 2011

Imagine More Possibilities

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     I’ve still been using up the leftover bits and pieces of scraps that are on my desk.  As you can see, there is no way that I would even consider throwing these bits and pieces away.  Actually, these card bases were made while designing my swap cards.  I didn’t dislike them.  They just weren’t the look I was going for in my swap.  However, I really like them and had to share them with you. 

100_3538     In this first card, I adhered the DSP to the Whisper White card base and then inlay embossed using the Big Shot and the Square Lattice Textures Embossing Folder.  The is actually the first time I’ve given this technique a try.  I like it.  I just don’t care for how ‘flimsy’ the embossing makes the Whisper White card front.  In case you don’t know, it does that only because, when you emboss, it breaks down the fibers of the card stock.  Next time, I will layer it onto a card base instead of it being the card base.  The image stamp is from Just Believe and the sentiment is from Word Play.  I love both these sets!  100_3542

     The second card adds the Concord Crush element.  It is layered together in a way that is pleasing to the eye.  It’s a clean and simple look and that makes me happy :)

     Sorry for the picture quality.  I just can’t seem to photograph greens and blues very well at all.  I’m sure it’s my natural lighting that’s not so natural.  Hubby gave me the lamp so I must use it!  It does great for designing purposes just not photographing.  I digress…sigh.

     Thanks for stopping by today.  I can finally see my desk…for a moment.  On to the next!!  I hope you can get through the scraps on your desk :)

Hugs,

Leslee

Supplies are Stampin’ Up! and can be purchased here.

Friday, August 12, 2011

Kindness Matters

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     I love to add a “little something” to my customer’s orders.  Whether it’s a handmade card, pretty wrapped chocolates or these cute little tags, everyone LOVES to be shown a little kindness.  Kindness DOES matter!

100_3555     These cute little tags were created with the lots of little “leftovers” I had strewn about my desk after I mass produced the recent swap cards.  You can see those in this previous post, Imagine the Possibilities.  It’s a 3” x 3” card in Crumb Cake.  I had Adam crank the Wisteria Wonder strips through the Paper Crimper.  It’s the one tool he really loves to do for me :)  I used the new Kindness Matters set that I received from my upline as a recruiting congratulations.  It’s such a cute little set.  I’ll be using it again…soon! :)  The inside of the card simply says “Thanks”.  Of course, I don’t sign the tag so that my customer can pass it along to someone else ;) 

     It is so nice to sit and use up the little leftovers and mass produce such cuties!  It’s something we all will need at some point.  Might as well do a bunch while the bits and pieces are out and about.  It’s the little something extra that makes all the difference.

     Thanks for stopping in today.  I hope you’ve been inspired to create some little cuties out of the little leftovers on your desk today.  You aren’t going to throw those scraps away anyhow.  Might as well use them up now and quit moving them from one side of the desk to the other…only to move them back again :)  That’s right!  I do it too ;)

Hugs,

Leslee

Supplies are Stampin’ Up! and can be purchased here.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Imagine the Possibilities

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     My upline held a group meeting last weekend.  I created this card for our group swap contest and, guess what….my swap card was voted as ‘best card’!  Woohoo!  It really did mean a lot to me because the mojo just hasn’t been present all that much lately.  It’s a super simple card that is easily mass produced.  The textured panel is DSP from the Paisley Petals package, adhered to scrap card stock and then run through the Big Shot using the Square Lattice Textured Embossing Folder.  Embossing the two together gives the DSP a lot more strength.  The image stamp is from Just Believe.  I stamped it in Certainly Celery and then colored the flowers in with Concord Crush and added some detail with my White Gel Pen.  The sentiment is from Word Play…again.  I’m really loving this sentiment!  The die cut butterflies were all left over bits from my Open House.  I love when I can use up the little bits and pieces.  The image panel is layered onto the beautiful new Wisteria Wonder and then all are mounted onto the card base using Dimensionals.  Yes, I stamped a little sweetness on the inside corner of the card and glued in a tiny butterfly.  :) 

     Thanks for stopping in today.  Mojo has a way creeping up on us.  Just go with the flow.  (Be ready Andrea…I’m wishing some your way)  :D

Hugs,

Leslee

Supplies are Stampin’ Up! and can be purchased here.

Monday, August 8, 2011

Inspiration is Everywhere!

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     You all know that mojo comes and goes as it pleases.  Sometimes, we just need a little inspiration.  Something to spark the creativity inside us.  I’ve always said that inspiration is everywhere.  We only need to open our eyes and look around.  Well, sometimes, it can be found in the unlikeliest of places.  I was going through the store advertisements and happened across this lovely photo of a black and white bed ensemble.  I knew immediately what I wanted to create with the inspiration.

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100_3505     What do you think?  I’m pretty proud of them myself.  I made these cards specifically for my two new recruits!  Yay!  I thought this sentiment from the Word Play set was just perfect.  As a new demonstrator with Stampin’ Up!, the possibilities are endless!  Basic Black and Whisper White card stock, Basic Black Classic Ink, Elements of Style stamp 100_3508set, a brad and some ribbon for embellishments.  Easy peasy!!  And to think it was all inspired by a sale ad.  I will point out that the flourished layer needed a little bit of definition so I flicked the edges with a sponge and Basic Black ink.

     Congratulations to Kim and Jenny on their new venture.  This is a new venture in my life as well and I’m so excited!  Not just for myself but for my new recruits as well.  I hope that I can be a good upline to my new 100_3512creative crew.  Inspiration IS all around and the possibilities are endless.

     Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you find the inspiration that you are looking for.  It is everywhere!!

Hugs,

Leslee

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

Friday, August 5, 2011

Open House Thank You Favors

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100_3396     Once I laid eyes on the new It’s A Wrap Occasions set in the new catalog, I knew that I just had to have it!  This crafty set is right up my alley.  I see lots of yummy chocolate nuggets I mean, little favor goodies in my future :)  For these adorable little favor boxes (which I cased right off of page 59 of the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog), I used nothing but the In-colors…both 2010-12 and 2011-13.  The boxes are cranked out using the Big Shot and the Matchbox Die.  The lid is simply a modified version of the Matchbox cover sleeve that had been textured using several of the Textured Impressions Embossing Folders and Texturz Plates.  I stacked the punched Boho Blossoms for embellishing the boxes.  All boxes are tied shut with some White Baker’s Twine.  Such a quick and easy favor box…which everyone loved!  Okay…maybe it was the yummy chocolate nuggets on the inside???

     Thanks for stopping in today.  I hope you’ve been inspired…chocolates have a way of doing just that :)

Hugs,

Leslee

Supplies are Stampin’ Up! and can be purchased here.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Sail Away Easel Card

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     This is the Easel Card we made at my monthly stamp club.  It features the beautiful line art image, Sail Away.  Using the Blender Pen, Calypso Coral, Soft Suede and Pool Party Classic inks, we colored the image in.  That’s the gorgeous Pool Party Ruffled Ribbon that I just couldn’t wait to get my hands on.  The tag is from the Four Frames set and punched using the Decorative Label punch.  The card base is Sahara Sand and I used the Easel Card tutorial found on the Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator Website.  If you’d like to learn how to make one, contact me to schedule your workshop today.

     Thanks for stopping in today.  I hope you’ve been inspired to color a project in your favorite coloring medium. 

Hugs,

Leslee

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

Monday, August 1, 2011

Snow Much Fun

      I have finally been able to start a monthly stamp club.  I’m so very excited about it!  Until now, I haven’t been able to get enough people together on the same evening to start a club.  Persistence pays off…finally!  Yay me!

      I wasn’t quite sure just where to begin with this group.  It’s a very diverse group of ladies and I think that’s going to make it so much fun and, yet, a bit more of a challenge.  Everyone is on a different level of stamping.  Well, I decided to start easy and explore the Blender Pen.  Along with the pen, we explored the use of different color mediums.

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     For this cute snowman card, we used Watercolor Pencils.  I love how you can use the pencil to outline the image and then use your Blender Pen to move the pencil around.  I don’t know why I don’t use these pencils more often?  We, also, made the cute little altered envelope to fit a 4.25” square card.  Check out this previous post for more details.  BTW, I checked with out post office and these envelopes ARE mailable (is that a word?), however, there will be an additional 20 cent fee because it will have to be hand-cancelled.  They can’t send the square sizes through the machine (something about not feeding through the machine 100_3481correctly).  Anyway, good to know!  I can make as many of these as I want now!  And they are so much fun to make!!

     Here is the card that didn’t make the stamp club cut.  Same layout…I just didn’t like the colors of this guy’s hat along with the Nautical Expedition DSP.  Both are such cute cards. 

     I did one more card for our meeting.  We made an easel card.  I’ll show you that next time.  The ladies seemed to like the projects.  My first stamp club meeting was a success!  Now…what to do next month???

     Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you’ve been inspired to break out the Watercolor Pencils or simply use a medium that you haven’t used in awhile.  You’ll be glad you did.

Hugs,

Leslee

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