Leslee's Creative Inspiration

In My Heart

2012-02-14T09:39:00.001-05:00

Happy Valentine’s Day to all my friends and blog followers! :)

I have seen so many wonderful cards across the internet using the new Hearts Collection – Framelits dies. This card by Julie Marshall over at Stamping Impressions really caught my eye. I naturally had to CASE it for myself. I love the simple layers and the way the Twitterpated DSP plays “peek-a-boo” through the cut-outs :) Just a fun, quick & easy, simple card. The sentiment is from Word Play. The large size of the sentiment doesn’t get “lost” in amongst the random heart cut-outs.

Fun card! Can’t wait for Stampin’ Up! to come out with a collection of flower framelits…hmm. Thanks for stopping by today! I hope you’ve been inspired.

Hugs,

Leslee

Supply List (all supplies are Stampin’ Up! and can be purchased here)

Whisper White, Real Red card stock; Twitterpated DSP; Basic Black Classic ink; Real Red 1/4” Grosgrain ribbon; Big Shot, Hearts Collection – Framelits Dies; Small Heart punch

Classroom Valentine’s Day Treats

2012-02-13T09:00:00.000-05:00

Valentine’s Day is the sweetest excuse to create cute little treats! Like we need excuses…right? Of course, I don’t just stop with the classroom, I also have to do a little something for the ladies I work with in the PTA. Therefore, I’m always on the lookout for something that can be mass produced…quick and easy!

I’ve seen these adorable lollipop treat holders around for years. I never even looked for a tutorial but came up with my measurements simply by measuring the height and width of my lollipop. The Simply Scored tool made really quick work of the task of scoring. I could score the entire length of a sheet of card stock and then cut it down to the individual widths I needed. It worked out real nice!

As with any mass produced project, I like to cut, prep and punch all the pieces and parts I will need to complete my project. It may seem a bit of a mess but it is an organized mess and can be easily thrown into a baggie or basket to set aside for later assembly.

I had to make a little something special for the classroom teacher as well. She will receive the altered yogurt cup. Yes, you read that right! This was a yogurt cup with the lid that contains granola crunchies. Wish I could just come out and tell you which one but I know you’ll know the ones I’m talking about :) (If you really want to know, you can call me.) It makes a lovely altered container and holds some yummy chocolates just for teacher or any other special person in your life :) The lid is decorated to match with the classroom treats.

Adam addressed and signed the back of each treat holder. They are all ready to be delivered to his classroom friends. I’m sure they will love them! My PTA friends loved theirs :) Who wouldn’t love a little something sweet?

Thanks for stopping in today. I love to hear what you think. Comments are always welcome. It helps me to grow and know what you may be looking for by way of inspiration. I hope you always leave my blog with a little inspiration to get you creating :) Happy Valentine’s Day to you and yours!

Hugs,

Leslee

Supply List (All supplies are Stampin’ Up! and can be purchased here.)

Whisper White, Real Red, Island Indigo and Twitterpated DSP; Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set; Simply Scored; Heart to Heart punch, 1 3/8” Circle punch, Scallop Circle punch, Word Window punch; White Baker’s Twine; Dimensionals & Snail

Valentine Project

2012-02-12T00:00:00.000-05:00

I was recently invited to do a craft project at a sweet young lady’s 13th birthday party. She had a few friends over to stay the night and thought that a crafty project would be fun to do. She was right! It was a lot of fun! We shared quite a few laughs. This was the project that we did. A sweet little Valentine card with coordinating altered envelope and pillow box (of course, with chocolates) :) It was lots of fun designing for 13 year old girls. I don’t get to do that often. All I could think of was glitter…and glitter and glue everywhere! Ah, but that wasn’t the case at all. I pulled out the Red Glimmer Paper. Love this stuff! No mess, no fuss, no clean up! Perfect! This paper holds a nice curl too! Simply twirl it around a wooden skewer or piercing tool. Don’t try to curl it like you would curling ribbon. You know, pull it along a pair of scissors. Nope…glitter will fly everywhere. I know because I tried it. I won’t go into detail on the how-to but I will give you the supply list. If you have questions, just drop me an email.

The girls seemed to enjoy the projects. We did have a nice time. I was so honored to be asked to share with these young ladies (many whom I’ve known since they were in 1st grade). Thanks for having me, Karen (and Tricia). I’ll be happy to do it again anytime :)

And thank you for stopping by today. I hope you’ve been inspired to give your Glimmer Paper a twirl :)

Hugs,

Leslee

Supply list (all supplies are Stampin’ Up! and can be purchased here):

Whisper White, Real Red card stock, Twitterpated DSP, Red Glimmer Paper, Basic Black Classic Ink, Word Play stamp, Big Shot, Pillow Box die, Adorning Accents Textured Impressions Embossing folder, Adorning Accents Edgelits die, Hearts Collection – Framelits die, Scallop Circle punch, Small Heart punch, Heart T0 Heart punch, Real Red 1/4” grosgrain ribbon, Whisper White Medium envelope, Clear Window sheet

Bordering Romance Thanks

2012-02-10T09:00:00.000-05:00

Are you tired of seeing the Everyday Enchantment DSP yet? Good! Because I can’t get away from using it. Every now and again, a paper will come along that is just like that. I really love, love, love this paper!

I demonstrated the super quick card at my workshop. The sweet little nugget holder was a Make-N-Take for the guests. These can be easily mass produced with the Simply Scored tool :) They loved it! I love coordinating projects. This versatile paper allows you to do that effortlessly :) I won’t bore you with card details. They are pretty straight forward. I do want to point out that the card base with the DSP and ribbon treatment could very easily be turned on the horizontal. I deliberated over the base direction for quite some time before finally settling on this. Either direction was really nice looking :)

I’m so glad you stopped by today. Thanks! And I hope you have been inspired to coordinate today’s project. :)

Hugs,

Leslee

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

Stamps: Bordering On Romance, Kindness Matters, Teeny Tiny Wishes; Paper: Pool Party, Lucky Limeade & Very Vanilla cs, Everyday Enchantment DSP (FREE through Sale-A-Bration); Ink: Lucky Limeade & Pools Party markers; Accessories: Pool Party ruffled ribbon, Lucky Limeade 1/8” Organdy ribbon (SAB), Large Tag punch, Tag punch, 1/8” circle punch, Word Window punch

Simple Kindness Matters

2012-02-08T09:00:00.000-05:00

I demonstrated this super simple card at a recent workshop. I wanted to show my guests that, with limited supplies, you can achieve beautiful, elegant cards…with very little effort. The beauty of it all is…this stamp set, Kindness Matters, can be yours for FREE with a $50 purchase during Sale-A-Bration! That’s right…FREE. And this is only one example of how this set could be used. The possibilities are limitless.

Thanks for stopping in today. I hope you have been inspired to create a simple yet elegant card…with very few supplies. The less you pull out…the less you’ll have to put away :)

Hugs,

Leslee

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

Outlined Love

2012-02-06T09:00:00.000-05:00

This was one of the Make-N-Take projects that we did at my Sale-A-Bration workshop last weekend. I really love the fresh colors! I chose the strip of Everyday Enchantment DSP first and then pulled out some of the coordinating colors…Poppy Parade, Pool Party, Crumb Cake and Very Vanilla. I love when the color combo is already “put together” for you :) Guess I’m just lazy like that :) These colors really do work together…so vibrant and fresh! I ran the Crumb Cake layer through the Big Shot with the Texturz Backgrounds 1 flourish plate. The strip of Pool Party was run through using the new Adorning Accents Textured Impressions Embossing Folder. The sentiment is from Outlined Occasions, a FREE Sale-A-Bration set :)

A quick, clean and simple, lovely card! I’m gonna try this one again only using flowers in place of hearts. Thanks for stopping by. I hope you’ve been inspired to show a little love :) Leave me a comment and let me know what your favorite Sale-A-Bration item is?? I think I’m loving this Everyday Enchantment paper :)

Hugs,

Leslee

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

Bordering Accents

2012-02-03T09:00:00.000-05:00

I am really loving these fresh In-colors…Pool Party & Calypso Coral. Throw in the lovely Everyday Enchantment DSP from the Sale-A-Bration brochure and these colors have taken on new life. I really hadn’t touched these In-colors until now.

The Adorning Accents Edgelits die coordinates so perfectly with the dotted border from Bordering On Romance. Can you tell what the vase is? That’s right…I used the Ornament punch with the point cut off! Great way to get more use out of a seemingly seasonal item! The sentiment is stamped in Early Espresso on Very Vanilla with a sentiment from Bring On The Cake. The entire card (sentiment panel and inside layer too) were sponged with Soft Suede to give it a softer look.

This card was made with a very special lady in mind…my aunt! :) She had recently celebrated her 76th birthday. It’s been a difficult year for her. Here’s wishing this year will be so much better! I love you, Althea!

Thanks for stopping in today. I hope you’ve been inspired to give your punches some new purpose :)

Hugs,

Leslee

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

Inspiring Notes

2012-02-01T09:00:00.000-05:00

I always enjoy putting a little something into my customers’ order. Just a little something to make them smile and know just how much I appreciate their friendship and support of my business. This month, I broke out the Big Shot and my Scalloped Envelope die and cranked out these little inspiring notes.

The envelope is in Island Indigo with a strip of DSP from Twitterpated. The flower is punched out in Whisper White and Daffodil Delight using the Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer punch. An In-color Designer Printed Brad holds it and the Calypso Coral Everyday Enchantment 1/8” Organdy ribbon (only in the Sale-A-Bration brochure) secure to the envelope. The card is stamped with a sentiment from the Hostess set, Perfect Words, and the Loving Thoughts set found in the Occasions Mini Catalog.

Simple and quick to mass produce, these inspiring little notes were the perfect addition to each customer order. Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you’ve been inspired as well :)

Hugs,

Leslee

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

Just for Me!!

2012-01-30T09:00:00.000-05:00

Stampin’ Up! recently held a Book-a-thon. Demonstrators were challenged to book workshops on a certain day in hopes of meeting a world-wide booking goal (which we did!). On top of the incentive that Stampin’ Up! gave us demonstrators (free stamps!), my upline, the uber talented Susan Elise Morton, said that she would give all in her downline, who book a workshop, a special project just from her. Naturally, I participated and this is the project she sent to me. Of course, it was in pieces and I needed only to watercolor the floral image (from Bordering on Romance) and adhere the card together. It’s a lovely design and I wanted to share it with you :) I watercolored the image with my Aqua Painter and the Classic inks – Island Indigo, Pear Pizzazz and So Saffron. The center flower is cut out and popped up on a Dimensional.

Workshops are so much fun! If you’d like to host one of your own, let me know and I’ll help you get it scheduled. Sale-A-Bration is a great time to host your own workshop! With all the FREE goodies to choose from, how can you go wrong?

Thanks for stopping in. I hope you’ve been inspired :)

Hugs,

Leslee

FTL#165 Season’s Kindness

2012-01-27T09:00:00.000-05:00

I am always in need of thank you cards or a simple thinking of you. This clean and simple card is perfect for any occasion. The layout is from the Clean & Simple Stamping Fall-To Layout #165. The stamped snowflakes are from the Snow Swirled set and the sentiment is from the lovely Kindness Matters (which you can choose for FREE during Sale-A-Bration with a $50 purchase). The Jewel Basic Rhinestone has been colored with a blue Sharpie ® marker. Lovely card! Clean and simple and a great card to mass produce.

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you’ve been inspired to give this layout a try :)

Hugs,

Leslee

Extreme-ly Quick

2012-01-25T09:00:00.000-05:00

With all the many cards I have in my stash, do you think I had one for a young man’s birthday? Ha! Once again, I grabbed for my go-to Extreme Elements set. You can’t go wrong with this set for a young man’s birthday. All the super cool elements…just throw them on in whatever colors you choose. I have found that spending lots of time on a young man’s card just isn’t worth the effort. The mom appreciates it but, let’s face it, the young man doesn’t really care :) I know this because I have two young men of my own. However, you CAN get an awesome card in a very short amount of time. (My guys would be cringing if they read this…me using words like “cool” and “awesome”! I can hear them now, “So not cool, mom!” lol I digress…sigh.)

For this card, my base is Crumb Cake, a layer of Soft Suede and Whisper White. Lots of sponge distressing and the Cutter Kit distressing tool along the Whisper White edges. Inks are Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Cherry Cobbler and Basic Black. The die cut star is on a Dimensional. I made the inside just as “cool” with more stamped elements. The die cut stars hold a gift card securely in place. How “cool” is that?! You can find the inside sentiment in Word Play and the outside in Bring On The Cake.

Thanks for stopping in. I hope you’ve been inspired to add elements to your next project. I hope they are “cool”, “awesome” and “pretty” too :)

Hugs,

Leslee

It’s SALE-A-BRATION time!

2012-01-24T10:29:00.001-05:00

The time is NOW to Sale-A-Brate!

Customers: Choose a FREE item from the exclusive Sale-A-Bration brochure with every $50 purchase (before Shipping and Sales Tax).

Hostesses: Host during Sale-A-Bration to earn even more FREE products! Plus, have fun with your friends and family while learning new techniques and the hottest trends in paper crafting.

Join my Team: During Sale-A-Bration, you can purchase your Starter Kit for only $125! That’s a $50 savings! Plus, as a bonus, you can choose either a FREE Designer Series Paper package or FREE Digital Downloads each month for the rest of the year.

Check out the Promotions for more details. Click here to see the Sale-A-Bration brochure!

Smooching Technique to Die For

2012-01-23T09:00:00.000-05:00

No, it has nothing to do with kissing :)

This is a really super simple card. Using the new Hearts Collection Framelits Dies, I cranked out several heart shapes with the Big Shot. I placed the die cuts on top my Naturals White card base and placed it in my Color Catcher. If you aren’t familiar with the Color Catcher, it’s a simple three sided cardboard box designed to contain Smooch Spritz or other sprayed mediums. I thought I could just spray with a piece of paper behind my project to catch over-spray. Well, my keyboard is now permanently spritzed with Silver Foil Smooch :) Just sayin’… Anyway, I sprayed the gorgeous new Blushing Bride Smooch Spritz on top the card, let it dry a few seconds and then removed the die cuts…exposing the white base beneath. I then adhered my die cuts with Dimensionals to the base…off set from the exposed hearts. It’s basically a masking technique. Really cool effect. And the shimmer is so pretty! The ladies at my Stamp Clubs seemed to enjoy this quick project and it has that big WOW factor to it! :) I left the sentiment for the inside but if you wanted to add one, I suggest using Jet Black StazOn or stamping it before spritzing. The shimmery Smooch Spritz doesn’t let the other inks dry correctly. How do I know? Hmmm…

I hope you’ve been inspired to “smooch” a little this Valentine season. Thanks for stopping by today.

Hugs,

Leslee

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

Bordering On Romance

2012-01-20T09:00:00.000-05:00

This is such an elegant one layer card that we did at this month’s Stamp Clubs. The floral image is from the new Bordering On Romance set. I stamped it in Jet Black StazOn ink and used my Aqua Painter to color it in with Classic Marina Mist, Baja Breeze, Pear Pizzazz and Craft Whisper White. The sentiment is from Bring On The Cake, stamped in Soft Suede. I wished I used Early Espresso instead…it would have showed up better, in my opinion. The butterflies simply are a folded piece of Blushing Bride that I punched with the Small Heart punch. I love being able to think outside of the box and get double the use with my supplies :) The card base is Baja Breeze. I used the new Adorning Accents Edgelits Die and the new coordinating Adorning Accents Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (now that’s a mouthful). I, also, ran the inside edge through the Big Shot with the hearts folder in the Adorning Accents TIEF set. I then sponged the edges of all with Soft Suede to give it an aged look. Love it!!

Quick tip -- When using the Edgelits Dies, secure the wafer-thin die to the card stock using a sticky note. Stampin’ Up! suggests using Dotto but, since I don’t have any, I had to come up with something else to temporarily hold the die in place. Without it, the dies would have a tendency to slip when I ran it through the Big Shot. :( I tried SNAIL, Tombow Multipurpose glue and the 2-Way Glue pen…all to no avail. The sticky notes work great, are thin enough to not effect the cut in anyway and will lift off without messing up the card stock.

Thanks for popping in today. I hope you’ve been inspired to give these new dies and folders a try.

Hugs,

Leslee

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

Extreme Smooched Baroque

2012-01-18T09:00:00.000-05:00

Perfect for an anniversary, wedding or the upcoming Valentine’s Day, this quick card couldn’t be easier. The background flourish stamped in Crumb Cake and the sentiment in Early Espresso is from the Baroque Motifs set…an all-time favorite :) A few elements from Extreme Elements are stamped in VersaMark ink. I spritzed the Crumb Cake layer with the new Blushing Bride Smooch Spritz found in the Occasions Mini catalog. I sprayed some Vanilla Shimmer Smooch on there too. The Naturals White card base was sprayed with the Silver Foil Smooch. The hearts are die cuts from the new Hearts Collection Framelits Dies. They have been sponge distressed and smooched too. You can say that I was in the mood for smoochin’! :) You may not see it well in the photo but the Smooch Spritz really makes the card shimmer and sparkle.

Thanks for stopping in today. Consider yourself “smooched” :)

Hugs,

Leslee

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

Everyday Enchantment Yummies!

2012-01-17T09:00:00.000-05:00

I cannot wait for January 24th! That’s the start of Sale-A-Bration!!! Yay!

For these yummy treat bags, I used the beautiful new Everyday Enchantment Designer Series paper (which you can choose FREE with a $50 purchase)! I love this paper. It coordinates with five of the In-Color papers…Lucky Limeade, Pool Party, Peach Parfait, Calypso Coral and Poppy Parade. I haven’t gotten into using the In-Colors but I certainly will now! This DSP is absolutely gorgeous with its bright colors and light sponge distressed edges. It’s so…ME!

The Everyday Enchantment Ribbon & Brad Pack is another choice you have with a $50 purchase. I love these 1/8” Organdy ribbons in Lucky Limeade and Calypso Coral. So easy to use (and you all know me…I’m so ribbon/bow challenged). The brads are Printed Designer style making a perfect little accent!

So, you know you’re going to spend $100 bucks…just so you can get both of these Sale-A-Bration choices. Just thought I’d give you a heads up now and you can save up :) You are welcome! I can’t wait!!!

By the way, you can schedule your workshop for Sale-A-Bration. As hostess, you get even more freebies! What is more fun than stamping and crafting with your friends and family AND getting free stuff? Not much! Call me to schedule your workshop today!

Hugs,

Leslee

Supplies are Stampin’ Up! Call me to schedule a workshop today :)

Twitterpated Dream

2012-01-16T09:00:00.000-05:00

In need of some quick note cards to include in customer orders, I whipped up a bunch of these cute postcard style cards.

This was the first time I got to “play” with my new Twitterpated goodies from the Occasions Mini catalog. I love this color combination which I pulled straight from the floral paper…Island Indigo, Pear Pizzazz and Blushing Bride. The sentiment is from the new Loving Thoughts set (a must have for me). I used the flowers from the new Bordering on Romance set. The scalloped edge is one of the Adorning Accents Edgelits Die. These are so nice to use as you can see where you’re placing the design before you cut. The heart is from the Hearts Collection Framelits Dies. I’ll be using these Edgelits and Framelits often! A Twitterpated Designer Button in Baja Breeze and 3/8” Pleated Satin Ribbon in Blushing Bride (yummy). Everything coordinates so nicely! :)

I’m sure you’re going to love the Twitterpated collection as much as I do :) Thanks for stopping in today.

Hugs,

Leslee

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

Snowflake Gift Card Holder

2012-01-15T09:00:00.000-05:00

I give a lot of gift cards and love making gift card holders. I am always looking for something a little more than a simple envelope. I want the recipient to be able to “open” a gift as well :) I found this design awhile back (see this post). Of course, you can always change out the papers/theme to suit any occasion. That’s the beauty of paper crafting and stamping.

This was made for a friend and customer of mine. Her husband called and asked me if I do gift certificates. Of course I do…and I’ll even package it up real pretty. Wasn’t that sweet of him? It certainly surprised me but I knew immediately what I’d create. I know she loves snowflakes and this was pretty easy to put together :) Naturally, she loved it and can’t wait to spend her gift card :) And with Sale-A-Bration right around the corner…she can pick one FREE goodie too :) Now that’s what I call an awesome gift!!

Hugs,

Leslee

Supplies are Stampin’ Up! - DSP, silver cord and Soft Sky card stock are retired :(

Fun with the Snowmen

2012-01-06T09:00:00.000-05:00

I actually designed these cards as part of a One Sheet Wonder card class but I’m just now getting around to posting them. I thought that they would be great cards to use even after the holidays. We still have birthday and thank you cards to send (and make) and the snowmen are perfect for these cold winter months that are upon us.

Super clean and simple. A card base, piece of DSP, perhaps an embossed coordinating layer and the main image…with or without a sentiment. Just plain ol’ fun cards!

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you’ve been inspired to create a winter themed card. For those of you southern hemisphere friends…how about a summer theme? Can’t wait to see them :)

Hugs,

Leslee

Supplies are Stampin’ Up!.

Whisper White & Marina Mist card stock; Frostwood Lodge DSP (retired); Snow Much Fun stamp set; Blender Pen and various Classic inks.

Occasions Mini! Hooray!

2012-01-04T10:57:00.001-05:00

I love this time of year! Out with the old and in with the new! The Occasions Mini Catalog is just the thing to break me out of the after holiday blues! I’ve finally had the opportunity to play with some of the new goodies found in this beautiful mini. I’ll begin sharing those with you soon.

I still have some much needed “catching up” to do here around the house. All the busy preparation for Christmas and going out-of-town has left the house a mess. I have concrete company and end-of-the-year taxes staring at me. I’m in the process of forming two Stamp Clubs (the first to begin Jan. 9th). And the Christmas decor needs taken down and packed away.

I really enjoyed the winter break with the boys home and family close by me. The blogging break was much needed too. This year, I’m starting out with a refreshed body and mind, a renewed sense of purpose and focus and tons of big plans and personal goals! Time to get busy! I hope you have enjoyed your holidays, family and friends. May God bless you throughout the coming year. I look forward to creating with you :)

Hugs,

Leslee

Textured Snowflake

2011-12-15T09:00:00.000-05:00

I did not immediately fall in love with this particular card. I ran the Cherry Cobbler card base, three strips of Frostwood DSP and the large die cut Snowflake #2, all adhered together, through the Big Shot using the Snow Burst Textured Impressions Embossing Folder. It came out all textured and stuck together…duh! What was I thinking? I hated it! I tried to lift the snowflake off to no avail. I only managed to pull up the edges…it was stuck good! Oh well. I tossed it aside, still in sight, move on (I was designing for my One Sheet Wonder Card Class). I stared at that card, all stuck together, for four days…what to do? Well, it grew on me and I began to actually like the look. Then it hit me…add a punched snowflake, un-embossed (is that a word?), set on a Dimensional. Tie a bit of Linen Thread and some mini jingle bells to the center and wah-lah! I don’t just like the look…I love it! This card REALLY grew on me! I guess I’m trying to say that, even though it isn’t what you had pictured originally, don’t give up. It will either grow on you or you’ll figure out just what it is missing…or both!

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you’ve been inspired to give your “what-was-I-thinking” pile of card parts a second look. You never know what beauty may be lurking in the shadows.

Hugs,

Leslee

Stampin’ Up! supplies can be purchased here.

Frosty Thank You’s

2011-12-14T09:00:00.000-05:00

I enjoy throwing a little something in with customer orders. Just a small “thank you”. These cuties have found their way into several Stampin’ Up! bags in the past month. So easy to make…and easy is exactly what I need with the busy season that is upon us ;)

Made with the Big Shot and Top Note die (head and hat). A 1” x 5” strip of Basic Black with the corners rounded (Corner Rounder punch) for the hat brim. Real Red grosgrain ribbon for the hat band. The holly leaves are from the new Stocking Accents die. I used my stylus to add some veining. The Red Glimmer Paper berries and the eyes are a 1/2” circle punch. His nose if a petal cute from the 5-Petal Flower punch. The mouth is a handheld hole punch. I simply wrote my note of thanks on the back…postcard style. However, you could easily cut your Whisper White to have a fold in it and create a card or even a gift card holder :) However you make him, have some frosty fun!!

Hugs,

Leslee

Stampin’ Up! supplies can be purchased here.

Cannot Resist the Flakes :)

2011-12-13T09:00:00.000-05:00

I love snowflakes! It doesn’t snow too much here in southeast Virginia. We might get one, maybe two good snowfalls a year. I’m from up north though and snowfalls, snowflakes and snowmen will always hold a special place in my heart :) So, if I can’t get the real thing, I’ll just have to create me some snowy crafts! This card is perfect and makes me very happy!

I used the emboss resist technique for this. On Naturals White card stock, I stamped the snowflakes from the Serene Snowflakes set in various blues (Marina Mist, Bashful Blue, Pacific Point) and utilized the generation stamping technique as well. I stamped the large Medallion in VersaMark and heat embossed with Clear Embossing Powder. I then started sponging on Bashful Blue, starting in the center of the medallion and working my way outwards changing blue inks, getting darker as I go. I sponged some Marina Mist onto the punched snowflake to make it stand out on top of the medallion. I love the mini jingle bells hanging from the White Baker’s Twine :) A leftover strip of punched Lace Ribbon Border is tucked behind the image panel and layered onto a layer of Naturals White. A gathered piece of White Taffeta Ribbon hides the seam of the punched border. I think that the Pacific Point base really makes the image pop! I love this card! Easy to do, fun and gorgeous to look at :)

Thanks for stopping in today. I hope you’ve been inspired to create a little snow in your neck of the woods or, at very least, give the emboss technique a try.

Hugs,

Leslee

Stampin’ Up! supplies can be purchased here.

Center Step Card CASE

2011-12-12T16:06:00.001-05:00

This is one of the projects that we completed at my monthly Stamp Club. It looks intimidating but it really is quite simple. You can find easy-to-follow directions at SplitCoast at this link, Center Step Card. I actually cased this card right out of our monthly demonstrator’s magazine, Stampin’ Success (November 2011 issue). Created by the fabulous Becky Roberts (Inking Idaho), I just had to give it a try for myself. I changed up the DSP and the stamp sets as I don’t have exactly what Becky used. I used the lovely Frostwood Lodge DSP and the Snow Swirled stamp set for the tree. The Jewel Basic – Pearls were colored using various permanent markers. The oval frame from the Designer Frames Textured Impressions folders set is the perfect backdrop for the tree. The wide oval punch fits right inside the frame :) Gotta love coordination!! Of course, I had to make the inside of this gorgeous card as lovely as the outside! :)

Thanks for stopping in today. If you’ve never tried a center step card, I highly recommend you do so. The end result is stunning! I hope you’ve been inspired.

Hugs,

Leslee

Stampin’ Up! supplies can be purchased here.

Stamps: Snow Swirled, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Paper: Frostwood Lodge DSP, Whisper White, Garden Green, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake

Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green

Accessories: Jewel Basic – Pearls, Designer Frames Textured Impressions folders set, Modern Label punch, Wide Oval punch, Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding Ribbon

Simple Stocking

2011-12-10T09:00:00.000-05:00

I realize this project isn’t anything new or out of the ordinary but it’s just too darn cute not to post it up. I’ve used this for Make-N-Takes and Stamp Club projects. Everyone loves it. We added a little sponging to the heel, toe and cuff (looks dirty just like my son’s socks) :-) It has a back on it that was adhered with sticky strip to create the pocket to hold goodies or even a gift card. Sweet, quick project to mass produce for classroom parties too :)

Thanks for taking a peek today. I hope you’ve found some inspiration and encouragement.

Hugs,

Leslee

Stamp Sets: Christmas Greetings

Paper: Real Red, Garden Green, Naturals White, Red Glimmer Paper

Ink: Basic Black, Sahara Sand

Accessories: Big Shot, Holiday Stocking Bigz L Die, Stocking Accents Originals Die, 1/2” circle punch, sponge, sticky strip

Supplies can be purchased here.

Quick Quartet

2011-12-09T16:10:00.000-05:00

This is a quick quartet of cards I created for a recent presentation. It uses only two sheets of 8.5 x 11 Whisper White and one sheet of Cherry Cobbler and one 6 x 6 piece of Designer Series Paper. The point of the presentation was to show just how quickly you can create a complete set of cards using minimal supplies. The ladies seemed to enjoy the presentation. They were amazed at the different looks that can be achieved with all the same elements. Kind of like mass production without the duplication! The embellishments are different on each…ribbon on one, brads on the next and bling on another. Fun presentation!

Thanks for stopping in today. I hope you’ve been inspired mass production with no duplication a try :)

Hugs,

Leslee

Paper: Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Paisley Petals DSP

Inks: Old Olive, Basic Black Classic, Rich Razzleberry Marker, White Gel Pen

Accessories: Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding Ribbon, Regals Designer Buttons, Linen Thread, Regals Brads, Rhinestone Jewels, Modern Label punch, Big Shot, Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, sponge, Dimensionals

Stampin’ Up! supplies can be purchased here.

Sympathy Resist

2011-12-06T09:00:00.000-05:00

Unfortunately, I was in need of a sympathy card. This went together very easily. It uses the emboss resist technique. I started by stamping the lone tree from the Lovely As A Tree set in Early Espresso on Whisper White card stock. I then stamped the large Medallion stamp in VersaMark and heat embossed with clear embossing powder. I love the way the tree image pops from behind the embossed image. I finished by sponging on some Marina Mist and Soft Suede…just until I achieved the look I wanted. I added a layer of Early Espresso and mounted it onto a Marina Mist card base. I used the Decorative Label punch and punched it down to a smaller width.

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you’ve been inspired to give a new technique a try :)

Hugs,

Leslee

Stampin’ Up! supplies can be purchased here.

Peekaboo Frames Advent

2011-12-02T09:00:00.000-05:00

As soon as I saw the project on page 36 of the Holiday Mini catalog, I knew I had to make ~~one~~…uh…four! You see, Jesse (my oldest) and his grandmother (my mom) started this tradition years ago. I think Jess was about 4 when it began. Each has his/her own advent calendar and, starting on December 1st, each will begin the count down to Christmas by lifting one window each day. The boys will call their grandmother and each will tell what picture is revealed. It has become a ‘game’ to see if they get the same picture. My parents live hundreds of miles away and we don’t get to see each other often enough. It’s been a great way for the boys to keep in touch and they ALL look forward to the morning reveal and phone call! Especially my mom!

The advents turned out even more beautiful than I had imagined! They went together quite easily too. It was just as easy to do four at once as it would have been to do just one. I pretty much cased the project in the mini catalog. However, I don’t have all the supplies they used and I wanted ALL my windows to lift. The Peekaboo Frames die is awesome for this! I used the new 25 & Counting stamp set on the outside of the windows and the Jolly Bingo Bits are on the inside waiting to be revealed. I used several other punches and lots of little embellishments for details. I used some of the Frostwood Lodge DSP and coordinating card stocks. My Big Shot got tons of use with this project! I found the 12” x 12” frames at my local craft store and put the glass behind the advent. Love, love, love it! And lots of love went into the making of each one of these advents!

The boys each wanted their calendar arranged so that they would have to search for the next number. Turns out, I could do that! :) Such a great feeling to be able to make it yourself…and the end result is heart-warming satisfaction!! Love that I can contribute to this fun family tradition!

This year, we included my sister who lives in yet another state. However, the boys will have to call her after school as she is two hours behind us. I don’t think she will want a daily 5AM phone call…I know I wouldn’t :)

Grandma loved her advent! We surprised her with it and she received it a couple of days ago. Auntie hasn’t received hers yet. It is due to arrive later today. I’m sure she will love it too!

Thanks for stopping in today. I hope you’ve been inspired to start new family traditions…or simply keep the old ones alive :) I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas season!

Hugs,

Leslee

All Stampin’ Up! supplies can be purchased here.

Rock Star

2011-11-30T09:00:00.000-05:00

Ahh…it’s good to be back! Life has been super busy as of late! A good busy :) but I have missed my blogging. The blog posting is the first I have to let slide when life gets busy. I do enjoy sharing what I’ve been up to with you all. I have been stamping and crafting so I have plenty to share…just need to find the time to post them up. So, bear with me. Posts may be short, sweet and to the point. Like today’s…

I was in need of a super quick birthday card for a young man. My go-to set, Extreme Elements, and the retired Extreme Guitar did the trick. A Pacific Point card base, Pacific Point & VersaMark inks, some sponging and Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz made for quick work of this card. I did want to mention that, in my haste, my guitarist image was less than perfect. I must have missed several spots in the inking process. No problem…Basic Black marker to the rescue. I simply filled in the missing spots. You’d never have known if I hadn’t told you now, would you?

Thanks for stopping in today. Don’t forget to stamp a coordinating envie :)

Hugs,

Leslee

Stampin’ Up! supplies can be purchased here.

All*Star Birthday

2011-11-14T09:00:00.000-05:00

This is a super quick and easy one-layer card for a sporty young friend of my son’s. Of course, I waited until the last minute to create the card. Literally 5 minutes to be out the door! Yikes! I’m amazed that I even remembered to get a quick photo before I shoved it into an envelope (and thank goodness for gift cards along the way). It’s been a crazy couple of weeks around the Holston household. Knock on wood…I haven’t slipped up and missed anything yet!

The star punch has been retired :( So has the sporty stamp set called Sporting. I did manage to sneak in a couple of the Extreme Elements on there. The panel was sponged in Sahara Sand on a Very Vanilla base. Again, I have to thank my dear friend Paula for her sponged panel idea :) It truly was a lifesaver!

I hope you’ve been inspired to create that card…ahead of time! (smile) Thanks for stopping in today.

Hugs,

Leslee

Quick Tags

2011-11-11T09:00:00.000-05:00

I used up some of the scraps, bits and pieces laying about on my desk (you all know how I LOVE to do that) and made up these cute tags to go along with orders last month. I stamped my customer’s name on the back…just to make it more personalized :) The flourish, from Elements of Style, was stamped in VersaMark ink and then heat embossed with Clear Embossing Powder. I added a little highlights by using my White Gel Pen. I have a difficult time using this Whisper White Organza Ribbon on cards but it is lovely on these tags! You could also use this as a bookmark :) (and you know how I LOVE double duty items)!

Thanks for stopping in today. I hope you’ve been inspired to create a little something different with your bits and pieces. Have fun!

Hugs,

Leslee

Stampin’ Up!® supplies can be purchased here.

2011 Holiday OSW Card #12

2011-11-08T08:00:00.000-05:00

This is the twelfth and final card of the One Sheet Wonder class. Love the snowman from the Snow Much Fun set. He’s just so happy! I love the clean and simple look of this card. It makes me happy! The snowflake in Cherry Cobbler with the Mini Silver Brad is happy. It’s just an all around happy card :D

It’s a bit difficult to see but I spritzed on more happy with the Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz. It certainly is an easy way to add some sparkle to your cards and projects.

I so hope you have enjoyed all the OSW cards. I hope you’ve found something to be inspired by. It has inspired me to do another OSW card class in November. This time, it’s all about Snowmen & Snowflakes…because they make me happy! If you need more information about any of the OSW cards or think you would like the template or to join me at the next OSW class, don’t hesitate to contact me. Thanks for stopping by today.

Happy hugs to you,

Leslee

Stampin’ Up! ® supplies can be purchased here.

2011 Holiday OSW Card #11

2011-11-07T08:00:00.000-05:00

I love the darling Dasher! It’s such an easy set to use. I love to bling his swirly antlers. On this card, I’ve used the Dazzling Details Glitter Glue to add that sparkling touch. I have threaded a length of White Baker’s Twine through the punched Lattice Ribbon Border, placing Mini Jingle Bells at equal intervals. This is probably my least favorite card of the OSW set. I think it just needs a sentiment to complete it. I’ll throw one on before I send it off :)

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you’ve been inspired to use the fun Mini Jingle Bells on your next project :)

Hugs,

Leslee

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

2011 Holiday OSW Card #10

2011-11-04T09:00:00.000-04:00

This is a super quick card to create and a great one to mass produce. Perfect for a handmade holiday greeting card.

I won’t bore you with every detail. I will say that I stamped the sentiment (from Hand-Penned Holidays) before I ran the Whisper White card base through the Big Shot using the Northern Flurry Textured Impressions Embossing Folder. If you try to stamp it after adding the texture, you won’t get a good, clean image. I’ve added Jewel Basic Rhinestones to the snowflakes. Such a nice touch.

Thanks for stopping in today. I hope you’ve been inspired to add blinged up snowflakes to your next project. :)

Hugs,

Leslee

Supplies are Stampin’ Up!® and available for purchase here.

2011 Holiday OSW Card #9

2011-11-03T09:00:00.000-04:00

This is another of my favorite cards. There really are so many of them. (smile) It is that scrappy look that I really enjoy doing. Everything coordinates and is arranged in a way that is pleasing to the eye. The Ornament punch is perfect! The ornament images were from Delightful Decorations and Tags til Christmas. I love that there are so many different sets that coordinate with the one punch. The Garden Green ornament has a Jewel Basic Rhinestone in the center while the Cherry Cobbler ornament has the Jewel Basic Pearls. It’s a really classy way to dress up the card. The sentiment is from Word Play. I lightly sponged the edge of the Whisper White layer with Garden Green just to set it apart a bit better. Sometimes, it’s the smallest of details that packs a huge punch!

Thanks for stopping in today. I hope you’ve been enjoying the OSW cards. They really were such fun to make!

Hugs,

Leslee

Supplies are available for purchase here.

2011 Holiday OSW Card #8

2011-11-02T09:00:00.000-04:00

For this OSW card, I used an Early Espresso base. I had a difficult time working in the Espresso but this seemed to fit. The DSP was textured with the Square Lattice Texture Folder and the Big Shot. It gives a whole new look to the DSP! Very cool effect! The sentiment is from the beautiful new Hand-Penned Holidays found in the Holiday Mini Catalog. You can find the Pines & Poinsettias stamp set in there too. I stamped the pinecones in Early Espresso and then added White Gel Pen to highlight them.

I hope you’ve been inspired to texture your DSP for an all new look! You’ll like it! Thanks for stopping in today.

Hugs,

Leslee

Supplies can be purchased here.

Masked Foliage

2011-11-01T09:00:00.000-04:00

This card was inspired by my good friend Paula. Here is her beautiful card that inspired me, Keeping It Simple. I thought that the not scary Masking Technique would be great to show for my October Stamp Club meeting. Get it? Masking…ghosting…the October club theme? Okay…I know it’s a ghastly stretch but it really was a great club meeting! :)

We started with a Very Vanilla card base and masked off everything but the image panel. Sponged on some Sahara Sand to define our panel. Lifted the mask on one side and stamped the large oak leaf from French Foliage. Masked the leaf and replaced the side mask and continued stamping the image panel until the desired look was achieved. We removed all the masking and stamped our sentiment. I chose the ‘Happy Birthday’ from Bring On The Cake simply because I needed a birthday card but any sentiment would work. It’s a fast and easy one layer card.

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you’ve been inspired to give a masked panel a try. Stop by Paula’s blog, Stampinantics, for some more inspiration and beautiful projects :) Leave her some love while you’re there.

Hugs,

Leslee

Supplies can be purchased here.

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T09:00:00.000-04:00

     We made this card at our October Stamp Club meeting. It was a huge hit with the ladies. This technique has lots of WOW factor to it. It’s called the Ghosting Technique or VersaMark Resist. We called it ghosting in honor of Halloween :)

     The technique is simple. Start with a piece of Glossy White card stock. Stamp your image to be ghosted in VersaMark ink. In this case, the sentiment from the House of Haunts set. Let it dry just a bit then sponge on your color of choice. You could brayer on your color too. I’ve used Concord Crush on this card. The versamark will resist the ink, leaving it uncolored. That’s right…ew-ah! Cool! I sponged on some Basic Black ink around the edges to give my image a bit more depth. I finished the image panel with the tree (also from House of Haunts), stamped in Jet Black StazOn. The card base is Basic Gray. I ran it through the Big Shot with the Spider Web Textured Impressions Embossing Folder and highlighted it with Concord Crush ink using the flat stamp in the Distressing Essentials Kit. Of course, I had to finish the inside with this cute little bat from the Every Little Bit set.

     I don’t make a lot of Halloween cards to send but I couldn’t ‘resist’ making this one :)

     We also made this Pillow Box Mummy Treat Holder. Again, it’s super simple. Run the Naturals Ivory card stock through the Big Shot on the Pillow Box die. Using the leftover card stock, tear strips, sponge the edges with Sahara Sand and adhere to the box using Sticky Strip. I used a 3/4” circle with a little googlie eye for the eyes. Too cute!

     It was a super fun stamp club meeting. I’ll show the last card we made at the meeting in tomorrow’s post. I’ll pick up with the OSW cards after that :) I hope you’ve been inspired to give this ghosting technique a try…if you haven’t already :) Have a Happy Halloween!

Hugs,

Leslee

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

Treats Only

2011-10-30T16:53:00.001-04:00

I figured that I ought to post up these Halloween goodies before the All Hallowed Eve actually gets here :) I do love to spoil the children. Adam’s classroom had a little “End of a Unit Celebration” ;) I couldn’t resist making up a bunch of these treats for the kids!

I used the long retired but never out of style, Booglie Eyes set to create the cute little toppers. Stamped them in Jet Black StazOn on Whisper White card stock. I colored them in using my Watercolor Pencils and a Blender Pen. Super easy…I did them at one of Jesse’s soccer practices :) A 1-3/4” Scallop Circle and 1-3/8” Circle punched in various colors of scraps. I stapled the scallop circle to the fun 1” x 8” Cello Bags which I had stuffed with a festive pencil and two Pixie Stixs. Everyone loves a Pixie :) I then adhered the layered circles on top of the staple with a Dimensional.

Fun, quick and very cute project! I’m loving these little cello treat bags! At only $2.50 for a package of 50…you can’t help but look for cool little goodies to fill them with. I can’t wait to try a chocolate dipped holiday pretzel in these bags!

Thanks for stopping in today. I hope you’ve been inspired to do a little something fun while crafting your projects today :)

Hugs,

Leslee

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

2011 Holiday OSW Card #7

2011-10-27T09:00:00.000-04:00

This is another of my favorites from the OSW cards. I LOVE snowflakes! So I layered up this flake with the large Snowflake #2 and a small Sizzlits Die – Snowflakes Set #2. This color combo is perfect for the Serene Snowflakes stamped randomly on the Marina Mist card base. I used both VersaMark ink and Marina Mist ink. The button is tied on with a bit of White Baker’s Twine. The sentiment is from the Christmas Greetings set. What’s not to love? Super simple…done!! I may just make up a bunch of these for my greeting cards this year :)

Thanks for slipping by today. This one is for my sis. The season’s first snowfall in Denver, CO has her snowed in today. Just Monday, she had temps in the high 70’s. Now, she has 8 inches of heavy, wet snow. My son, Adam, called her with this…what do you call the last snowflake to hit the ground? Give up? A slow flake! Hehe haha! I hope you enjoy your day…no matter what it’s looking like outside your window :)

Hugs,

Leslee

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

2011 Holiday OSW Card #6

2011-10-26T09:00:00.000-04:00

Well, here were are half way through the OSW cards. If you haven’t figured it out by now, all these cards are super easy to make. Each one would be great to mass produce as well. Once you have your design, cutting and prepping won’t take long at all. Creating twelve cards in one sitting doesn’t have to be a terrible chore. My OSW Card Class had four ladies in attendance. It took us only three hours to complete the entire set…and that included sharing supplies and lots of laughs! It really was a super fun time!

For card #6, we start with a Cherry Cobbler base. Adhere a piece of DSP with edge torn for visual texture. The Early Espresso layer was run through the Big Shot using the new Snow Burst Textured folder. The tree from Snow Much Fun was stamped onto the Whisper White panel with Jet Black StazOn ink. We colored it in using Watercolor Pencils and a Blender Pen. A bit of Dazzling Details Glitter Glue adds just the right amount of sparkle to this image. It’s difficult to see in this photo but, trust me, it’s there :) The sentiment is from my favorite, Teeny Tiny Wishes set. Again, this card leaves lots of room for adding more layers or embellishments.

Thanks for popping in today. I hope you’ve been inspired to make a bunch of cards today :)

Hugs,

Leslee

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

2011 Holiday OSW Card #5

2011-10-25T09:00:00.000-04:00

I am so sorry for the long break between posts. My ‘other’ life has been extremely demanding of me…leaving no time for any stamp related activities. Funny thing is, stamping is my only form of stress relief. I should know by now that a ‘stamping break’ is just what I needed!

So, here I am with card #5 on the OSW set.

I promised my son, Jesse, that I would give him all credit for this card. He thought up the overall card design. I put it together. It really doesn’t get much easier than this. The poinsettia is created entirely of 5-Petal Flower punch outs. The ‘veins’ were ‘drawn’ on with a stylus. Basic Jewel – Pearls are perfect in the flower center. The tag is from the Tags Til Christmas set. The lovely Cherry Cobbler Quilted Ribbon is wrapped around the DSP corners and then the DSP is adhered to the Cherry Cobbler card base.

Very simple and elegant. Wouldn’t this make a cute gift card holder? Card and present all in one!

Thanks Jesse for the design. You Rock Kiddo! :) And thank you for stopping in today. I’m going to try to post a bunch up before my ‘other’ life gets too hectic again. I think I might slip some non-OSW cards in here and there too :) Thanks for hangin’ in there with me.

Hugs,

Leslee

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

2011 Holiday OSW Card #4

2011-10-17T09:00:00.000-04:00

I have a real love for snowmen and snowflakes. How can one go wrong putting the two together. After all, snowflakes are merely unassembled snowmen…right?

This card is, again, too simple! Piece #4 from the Frostwood Lodge DSP template adhered to the left side of a Marina Mist card base. Run it all through the Big Shot with the Northern Flurry Texture folder. The tall snowman is from the Snow Much Fun set and colored in with classic inks and a Blender Pen. Distress the edges of the Whisper White image panel with the distressing tool on the Cutter Kit and adhere to card base with Dimensionals.

Very quick, very cute card. By leaving any sentiment off the front of the card, this card could be used for a variety of occasions. Simply stamp a sentiment on the inside. I love creating versatile cards like this. It can quickly become a birthday, thank you or thinking of you card. :)

Thanks for stopping in today. I hope you’ve been inspired to stock your stash with cards for all occasions :)

Hugs,

Leslee

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

2011 Holiday OSW Card #3

2011-10-14T09:00:00.000-04:00

This is one of my favorites from the One Sheet Wonder class. It features the beautiful Dasher image stamped in Early Espresso ink. I love to add the Rhinestone Jewels to this image. The sentiment is found in the Delightful Decorations set. I ran the Cherry Cobbler layer through the Big Shot with the Square Lattice folder. You could omit this step but the added texture really adds just the right touch to the card. A triple wrap with the Cherry Cobbler & White Baker’s Twine anchors the image to the layers.

Speaking of the Big Shot…through the month of October, you can receive the Big Shot Die Cutting machine for FREE when you sign your Demonstrator Agreement with Stampin’ Up! If you are ready to become part of my creative team, call me or check out all the details on my website’s Promotions Page.

What do you think? You can do this too. Simple…right? You betcha! I love this card! Thanks for stopping in today. I hope you’ve been inspired to add a little texture to your project today!

Hugs,

Leslee

Stampin’ Up! supplies can be purchased here.

2011 Holiday OSW Card #2

2011-10-13T09:00:00.000-04:00

Isn’t this an elegant card? Talk about simple! It doesn’t get any more simple than this! The beautiful Cherry Cobbler Quilted Ribbon is wrapped behind the DSP and then the Frostwood Lodge DSP is adhered to a Garden Green card base. The sentiment is from the very affordable Christmas Greetings set. This would be a great, simple card to mass produce for your holiday greeting card. It also allows plenty of room to add on…layer an image or add embellishments. I love the simplicity of this card!

Thanks for stopping in. I hope you’ve been inspired to go simple!

Hugs,

Leslee

Stampin’ Up! supplies can be purchased here.

2011 Holiday OSW Card #1

2011-10-12T09:00:00.000-04:00

I’ve been deliberating as to how best show the One Sheet Wonder class cards to you. Shall I post them all in one? Or, one card at a time? After much hemming and hawing, I’ve decided that one at a time is best. Although each of these cards have a common thread…the DSP and colors…each is unique on its own. I’ve kept each card simple and scrappy. Thus utilizing my card stock to the fullest. The simplicity of each card allows for additional layering or embellishments but, to complete in a class setting, keeping it simple is best.

Without further ado, here is Card #1:

I’ve adhered the 1” x 4” strips of Frostwood Lodge DSP (love this DSP) to a mat of Marina Mist. The sentiment is from the retired Occasional Quotes. Two Cherry Cobbler snowflakes from the Snowflakes Set #2 Sizzlits Dies and a snip of Cherry Cobbler Quilted Ribbon. The Whisper White card base is the perfect back drop for these festive colors.

I designed and have worked with this template for cutting the DSP for the last three years. Each time, I tweak it to fit my needs. I have to say, this is the best one I’ve done yet :) If you are interested in the template, I’ll be happy to share it with you (cause I love to share). It’s easy enough to change it up to fit your needs. Just let me know in the comments or email me and I’ll get the template to you.

The class was so much fun! I’ll be having another on November 19th. It will feature all snowmen and snowflakes (my favorites) and another piece of the Frostwood Lodge DSP. If you are in the Tidewater region of Virginia and would like to join in the fun, check out my website’s Events page for additional information.

Thanks for stopping in today. I have plenty more OSW Class cards to share over the next several days. I hope you’ve been inspired to start your holiday greeting card stash. It’s never to early to start!

Hugs,

Leslee

Stampin’ Up! supplies can be purchased here.

Ghosting Leaves

2011-10-05T09:00:00.000-04:00

I have never tried the ‘ghosting’ technique and thought it would be fun to teach to my Stamp Club ladies the month of October. Of course, just because the technique name sounds scary, doesn’t mean that it has to be scary. The technique is also known as VersaMark Resist. I read through the tutorial on SplitCoastStampers and added my own little experimenting to this one.

Here’s how I did it. Start with a piece of Glossy White card stock. Randomly stamp the small leaf from French Foliage in VersaMark. I let mine dry a bit before applying the ink. I used my brayer to apply Daffodil Delight. Then I stamped the larger leaf in VersaMark, let dry a bit and brayered on Pumpkin Pie. I finished by stamping the larger leaf in Cajun Craze repetitively. I sponged all edges with Early Espresso. Layered on Cherry Cobbler, Lucky Limeade and a strip of Square Lattice textured Early Espresso. The card base is Crumb Cake. The sentiment is from Bring On The Cake.

I really like how this card turned out. For a first try to this really cool technique, it wasn’t too bad. The second stamping of the VersaMark doesn’t quite show up as well as I had wanted it to but it’s very subtly there. I will have to play a bit more with the technique before my club meeting. For this card, I was going for a masculine feel. It’s for my little brother’s birthday :) Happy Birthday, Steve! Love and miss you!

Thanks for stopping in today. I hope you’ve been inspired to try the ghosting technique…or any other technique that may be new to you. Don’t give up on the first try just because it doesn’t look like you expected it to. Try it again with new colors, new stamps or just a few tweaks to your liking. You might just stumble across something you really like :)

Hugs,

Leslee

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

Scrappy Quick 50th Card

2011-10-03T15:36:00.000-04:00

There is plenty going on this month with fall sports, tons of birthdays and a change-of-season head cold. Me time is at a minimum and the mojo just isn’t making an appearance when I do sit down to create :( Therefore, my cards all seem to have taken on that simple scrappy look. Don’t get me wrong…I love the look and it uses up the bits and pieces I have at hand :) I have recently completed my One Sheet Wonder Class and all the cards were the simple scrappy look. The ladies seemed to really like them (I’ll show them here soon) and it really does leave some wiggle room for extra layering or embellishments.

This card was made in less than thirty minutes. We had soccer in the morning, followed by a very long baseball game in the afternoon. I literally had thirty minutes to create a card, change clothes and get on up the road for my brother-in-law’s surprise birthday party. As chance would have it, the color combo I had seen on the Color Challenge #334 on SplitCoastStampers earlier in the week. Lo and behold, there they lay on my desk…ready to be used. I do like the combo…Pool Party, Cherry Cobbler and Early Espresso. With the scrappy look, it makes a very nice masculine card. I love when a card comes together so quickly and nicely :) The image/sentiment was pieced together from the Bring On The Cake set. I stamped it twice to punch out the “5” and “0” with the 3/4” Circle punch, colored them with marker and adhered them in place with Dimensionals. The Cherry Cobbler scrap was textured using the Big Shot and the Square Lattice folder. If I would have read the entire Color Challenge, I could have used the Crimper to corrugate the layer and I would have done the “dessert option”. The textured layer really adds some visual interest to the card. Of course, the inside sentiment says, “So many candles, so little cake!” B-I-L and everyone else at the party loved the card.

Oh, and speaking of the Big Shot (and I’m not talking about my brother-in-law), when you join the Stampin’ Up! family during the month of October, you will receive the Big Shot for FREE! Or you can choose up to $100 in FREE product. $175 for your Starter Kit will get you over $345 worth of stamp sets, inks and business supplies to get your business going. It’s a great deal! Visit my website or call me for more details.

I hope you’ve been inspired today. Give a few minutes and see how you can use your scraps quickly :)

Hugs,

Leslee

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

French Foliage Birthday Wishes

2011-09-23T09:00:00.000-04:00

This card just makes me happy! The natural colors and clean lines work very nicely together. It just seems to brighten the day :)

Once again, I used the French Foliage set along with Watercolor Crayons. I, also, colored up the small Acrylic Block A with the crayons, misted with water and randomly stamped the Whisper White layer. It was then layered onto Early Espresso, wrapped with Linen Thread and finished with a Daffodil Delight Designer Button – Bright. The scrap layers are Daffodil Delight and Lucky Limeade.

Again, a quick and easy card. Thanks for stopping in. I hope you’ve been inspired to color on your acrylic blocks. Such a nice effect to the project :)

Hugs,

Leslee

Stampin’ Up! supplies can be purchased here.

Give Thanks Set

2011-09-21T09:00:00.000-04:00

Autumn is my favorite season! I love the change of outdoor scenery. God’s canvas offers a lot to be inspired by! Well, the leaves here in Virginia aren’t quite ready to change just yet but it won’t be long. The weather is beginning to get cooler and nightfall is getting earlier. I guess I’m ready for this change because I couldn’t wait to break out my French Foliage set and rich, warm and natural colors.

This cute little fall project was designed for my Stamp Club. It features the use of the new Simply Scored tool, the beautiful Hand-Penned Holidays set, the sparkly Dazzling Details glitter glue and cute little 1” x 8” Cellophane Bags (all found in the current Holiday Mini Catalog). The project also features Watercolor Crayons and the direct-to-stamp technique.

I am so loving the Simply Scored tool! It really makes quick work of any scored project. The medallion and the box were both made on the Simply Scored tool. Why do you need a Simply Scored when you have the Paper Cutter with Scoring blade? (I knew you would ask that.) The answer…this tool is so much quicker. There is no lifting and realigning of the card stock. Score lines are every 1/8”. I only wish Stampin’ Up! offered it sooner :) Trust me, it is a must have!

If you’d like to learn just how the Simply Scored works, consider hosting a workshop. I’ll be happy to show you just how simple it is to create this lovely box & medallion.

Thanks for stopping in today. I hope you can find inspiration in the things you find outside your door :)

Hugs,

Leslee

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

With Love

2011-09-19T09:00:00.000-04:00

Once again, I’ve been incognito for several days. ‘Me time’ has been at a minimum lately. Getting back to my routine with the boys being in school has taken a toll on me and I hope I haven’t bitten off more than I can chew with my new PTA responsibilities. I’ve just plain been exhausted! Anyway, I’ve got to find the mojo and soon! I’ve got a Stamp Club meeting coming up and my One Sheet Wonder Class shortly after that!

I started out with something simple. Don and I celebrated our fourteenth wedding anniversary last week. He isn’t a sappy card kind of guy and this simple card was short, sweet and to the point. I started with a Naturals Ivory card base and layer. I stamped the sentiment from Hand-Penned Holidays in Indigo Island and scored the “frame” using my Simply Scored tool (very cool tool!). I sponged on some Pear Pizzazz along the outside edge. Colored the Jewel Basic Rhinestones with a turquoise Sharpie® marker. The layer is adhered to the base with Dimensionals.

Like I said, sweet and to the point. It isn’t exactly what I had in my head and I wish I would have used Whisper White card stock instead. But, it severed its purpose and let Don know that I love him very much! :)

Thanks for stopping in today. I hope you’ve been inspired to make a sweet and to the point kind of card for yourself.

Hugs,

Leslee

Stampin’ Up! supplies can be purchased here.

Simply Soft Marina Mist Whispers

2011-09-07T09:00:00.000-04:00

Okay, maybe I’m too tired to come up with a good title tonight. This card really took no time at all. I love the fresh clean look of Whisper White with Marina Mist. A quick spritz with Marina Mist Marker and the Color Spritzer Tool onto the Marina Mist layer. The Square Lattice Textured piece was a leftover. Yes! I’m still trying to use them up! I softened the edges of the stamped focal image with the Corner Rounder punch and the texture tool in the Cutter Kit. The image is from the Simply Soft Hostess set. A very lovely Two-step stampin’ set. I like the way the Antique Brad fits into the Marina Mist Designer Button for an all new look. This Whisper White Satin ribbon is so feminine. Love it!!

This lovely stamp set could be yours for free simply by hosting a workshop. I can show you just how easy this card is to make. Besides, stamping with your friends and family is so much fun to do anyway! Call me to schedule your workshop today.

The boys had a great first day back to school. I knew they would! I stayed very busy and never did get any stamping time in. Maybe later tomorrow. I must get to the gym for a workout first. It’s been ALL summer since my last visit and it’s starting to show :(

Thanks for stopping in. I hope you’ve been inspired to, ah…let’s see…inspired to give a big button an all new look!! :) Have fun with it!

Hugs,

Leslee

All supplies are available for purchase through Stampin’ Up! here.

Thank You Bundles

2011-09-05T09:00:00.000-04:00

Many of you know, I’m very active with the school PTA. Last year as Labels Coordinator, I was able to get pens, pencils, glue sticks and sticky note pads through one of the programs that the school participates in. Yes, I knew full well that it would be up to me to put these items together in bundles…all 80 of them. You read that right…80! We hand them out to the teachers, para-educators and school staff at the Back To School Luncheon. A simple thank you for paying for their yearly membership with the PTA. I love to do it and the teachers seem to appreciate them as well :) What will they do when I’m gone??

The cute little bus is found in the Every Little Bit set. I quickly colored these in with Stampin’ Write markers in Daffodil Delight, Real Red and Basic Grey. The sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes. I love these sets used together! Together, it’s a sentiment and cute little image for just about everything you can imagine. I had to take apart the sticky note pads in thirds so that I could punch the hole in them using the Crop-A-Dile. Some curling ribbon holds it all together.

Adam asks why I do all this? Maybe I do it because I appreciate all that the school, staff and teachers do for our children? Maybe I do it because I so enjoy sending my boys to school for several hours each day?? Hmmm… Whatever the ‘real’ reason…I love to do it! Thanks for stopping in today. I hope you’ve been inspired to do a little something for the educators in your life :)

Hugs,

Leslee

Stamps and markers are Stampin’ Up! and can be purchased here.

Shower Invites

2011-09-02T09:00:00.000-04:00

Sorry for the delay in posting. Been extremely busy after Hurricane Irene and preparing for school to begin next week. Yes, I’m excited for school to begin so that I can get myself back onto a schedule.

So, looking back over the last month, you can see just how my mind works to get to this set of cards today. A friend of mine approached me to make a dozen baby shower invites for her. Having just tried the gingham technique using the Stripes Textured Embossing Folder and the Big Shot and LOVING the look, I just had to give it a try in pink. I used Pink Pirouette and Whisper White. Again, I crimped the Eyelet Border punched edge. A simple square knot in the Whisper White Taffeta ribbon will allow the card to fit easily into an envelope for mailing. The sentiment is from the Sincere Salutations set. I, also, stamped a little teddy bear from the Every Little Bit set onto the outside of the envelopes. He is a little bit difficult to see in the photos but, trust me, he’s a cutie :)

And there you have it! My journey to the invites and just how the mind is inspired…while trying to use up all the bits and pieces leftover on my desk. I did a pretty good job using up those scraps and I am proud of myself! It just seemed that I’d never climb out of the everything-is-looking-the-same rut. Well, I took Andrea’s advice…stashed the scraps in the scrap bin and started fresh!

Thanks for stopping in today. I hope you’ve been inspired.

On a personal note, we made it through Hurricane Irene with no problems. We lost power only for a couple of hours. By the time my husband decided to start the generator so he could watch the race, the power came on within five minutes. Lots of limbs down and tons of leaf debris but very little waterline debris. The worst part was shuffling around the vehicles, all the company equipment and small engine tools. Hubby has acquired WAY too much junk in the eight years since the last hurricane came through. Our new pool was an absolute mess! The concrete surround isn’t put down yet and there was a good two inches of mud in the bottom of the pool…nasty! It took me three days just to clear it up enough to even see the bottom. All is well though and we are extremely thankful. Oh…funny story…we were saying grace before dinner the night before the storm, my youngest (Adam the comedian) adds on “and may God send a jet ski to float up into our yard.” Hmmm! Much to Adam’s dismay, there was no jet ski among the debris. Little stinker!

Hugs,

Leslee

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

Gingham with the Big Shot

2011-08-29T09:00:00.000-04:00

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:

Using the brayer, ink up one side of the Stripes embossing folder.
Sandwich in your card stock and run it through the Big Shot like normal.
Again, ink up the same side of the Stripes embossing folder.
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).

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.

Hello Texture

2011-08-26T09:00:00.000-04:00

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 White 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.

My Ribbon Rosette

2011-08-24T09:00:00.000-04:00

** 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!!

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!

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.

Project Texture – Big Shot, Brayer & Butterflies

2011-08-22T09:00:00.000-04:00

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 ways 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.

I Do…

2011-08-17T09:00:00.000-04:00

…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.

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.

Imagine More Possibilities

2011-08-15T09:00:00.000-04:00

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.

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!

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.

Kindness Matters

2011-08-12T09:00:00.000-04:00

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!

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.

Imagine the Possibilities

2011-08-10T09:00:00.000-04:00

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.

Inspiration is Everywhere!

2011-08-08T09:00:00.000-04:00

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.

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 set, 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 creative 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.

Open House Thank You Favors

2011-08-05T09:00:00.000-04:00

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.

Sail Away Easel Card

2011-08-03T09:00:00.000-04:00

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.

Snow Much Fun

2011-08-01T09:00:00.000-04:00

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.

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 correctly). 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.

Open House Make-n-Take

2011-07-29T09:00:00.000-04:00

This card using the Simply Soft and Swirls & Curls Verses Hostess sets was the final make-n-take card at my Open House. It was built off of this design, Simply Soft, but I added a layer of Basic Black behind the Whisper White panel. I couldn’t wait to show off this lovely Lucky Limeade Ruffled Ribbon and the new Designer Printed Brads. :) They make me smile! I love the cute little sentiment with that cute little bird! I’ll be using more of that stamp!

I hope you enjoyed this card and have been inspired by it. Thanks for stopping by today!

Hugs,

Leslee

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

Simply Soft

2011-07-27T09:00:00.000-04:00

The part about designing that I love the most is getting to ‘play’ with stamp sets to see just what I can do with them. These two lovely cards didn’t make the cut as a make-n-take at my Open House. Although I really like them, I really wanted to use some of the new ruffled ribbon on the make-n-take. My order with the ribbon hadn’t arrived at my door yet. I’ll post the end result in a few days. :)

On both of these cards, I ran a layer of Lucky Limeade through the Big Shot using the Square Lattice Embossing folder. On a Whisper White layer, I randomly stamped the outline of the flower images from the Two-Step stamping Hostess set, Simply Soft, in Jet Black StazOn. Then, I went back over the random stampings with the ‘filler’ image (one using Calypso Coral and the other Daffodil Delight). The sentiments are from the Swirls & Curls Verses set (another lovely Hostess set – which I think I will use quite often). I finished by sponging some Lucky Limeade ink in a circular motion over top of the image. It just gives it a nice background for the image to ‘sit’ on.

These Two-step stamp sets are so easy to use. I have something in mind for another time already. Gotta love it! I hope you found some inspiration today. Give a two-step stamp a second look :) Thanks for stopping by today.

Hugs,

Leslee

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

Thanks So Much…

2011-07-25T09:00:00.000-04:00

…for this super simple card. I shamelessly CASE’d this one from Donna Ross that I had run across on SplitcoastStampers. I took only a few liberties as I so loved Donna’s card just as it was. I LOVE that it showcases all the new 2011-13 In-Colors that we find in the new catalog. Yes, I had my customers make this lovely card at my New Catalog Open House.

I had been sitting on the Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer punch…wondering just why I bought this punch. I can’t seem to find just how to use the punched flowers. This is the perfect layout to show these punched flowers. I used the Lace Ribbon Border for the bottom edge of the panel. I wanted my customers to get hands on with that punch as well. The sentiment is from the Swirls & Curls Verses Hostess set. I placed a Jewel Basic Rhinestone in the flower center. That small touch makes it a very elegant card.

Thanks so much, Donna, for sharing your card and thank you for stopping by today. Check out Donna’s blog, Stamped Sophisticates. She inspired me. I’m sure you’ll find some inspiration there too. :)

Hugs,

Leslee

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

Hello!

2011-07-22T18:01:00.000-04:00

With my New Catalog Open House only days away, I had to kick the creativity into high gear. I started by coming across this lovely layout over on the Clean & Simple Stamping site. Layout #146 was the perfect start to a full day of creating.

This card showcases the beautiful new set, My Friend. Butterflies are die cut in Wisteria Wonder using the Big Shot and the Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die. The Whisper White sentiment panel is layered onto the gorgeous new Pool Party. The sentiment was stamped in Basic Black after I adhered the panel to a Crumb Cake card base. Some simple paper piercing was added above and below the panel. A rhinestone was placed in the center of the large butterfly to finish it all off.

It took a lot to get to this point. The mojo just hasn’t been cooperating lately. However, I took one look at this layout and knew just exactly what I wanted to do with it. Whew!

Thanks for stopping in today! I hope your mojo hasn’t taken a vacation like mine has. If so, hop on over to the Clean & Simple Stamping site for a little sketch of inspiration.

Hugs,

Leslee

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

Oh Mojo…

2011-07-20T09:00:00.000-04:00

…where did you go?

It’s not that I don’t like this card, it’s just not exactly what I was envisioning. I’ve been trying to find some creative mojo all week. I guess that my head just isn’t into it. There is just too much happening this summer. Hopefully, just having the chance to “play” will spark something. I have my New Catalog Open House and my first Stamp Club to design for :)

Anyhoo, simple card…whisper white card base with the edge scalloped. I ran the Pear Pizzazz Patterns DSP through the Big Shot using the Flower Garden Textured Impressions folder. I then lightly sanded the raised embossed image to make it pop a little better. The Poppy Parade strip along the inside edge is layered on a Pear Pizzazz strip. The card really needed the red flower button (Designer Buttons – Brights collection) to pull it all together. A simple card perfect for any occasion.

Thanks for stopping by today. Finding lost mojo can be a difficult task but you have to start somewhere :)

Hugs,

Leslee

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

More Teacher Gift Sets

2011-07-13T09:00:00.000-04:00

This is the set that I did for Jesse’s teachers. He had six teachers to thank this year. Five of them received an altered gift bag with the Dry Erase markers. The last one received a popcorn package and altered bottle of water. She didn’t use the markers (must have been the PE teacher). Anyway, I used Night of Navy and Poppy Parade. These are a perfect match to his school colors. Cool idea! Even one of the teachers commented on the colors and said that she will “keep the gift bag for herself”. Of course, she asked Jess if he stamped it himself. Ha! I think she needs a catalog if she knew it was hand stamped…don’t you? Again, the teachers all liked their thank you gifts. BTW, dry erase markers are a great gift for teachers. It something they will use often during the school year and it is usually something they must purchase out of their own pocket.

Thanks for stopping in today. I’ve been busy designing for my New Catalog Open House. The mojo has peeked here and there. I should have more to show in the coming week. I hope you’ve been inspired to wrap up a thank you for someone you are thankful for in your life :)

Hugs,

Leslee

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

Teacher’s Gift Set

2011-07-11T09:00:00.000-04:00

Of course I did end of the year gifts for the boys’ teachers. School’s been out for almost a month now. I’m sorry it has taken me this long to get to posting these for you. This summer has just been non-stop so far. What happened to the “slower pace of summer”? I’m certainly ready for it :) I digress…

Adam said that his teacher likes pink. Well, I’ve been itchin’ to use up more of this retired Razzleberry Lemonade DSP and it goes perfect with Melon Mambo! Add a little Basic Black as an accent and I’m happy! And that’s what counts! ‘Cause when mama ain’t happy, nobody’s happy! The little white gift bag was purchased in the clearance rack at the supercenter. They hold a 4-pack of Dry Erase markers perfectly. I just decorated the front. Wouldn’t that make a cute card front as well? The butterfly is simply the flower punched out of the new Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch. I love thinking outside of the box and getting extra use out of my purchases. I snipped the top and bottom ‘petals’, wrapped and tied some Whisper White Baker’s Twine for antenna and added the black bling from the retired Designer Jewels Black Flourish (I wish Stampin’ Up! would carry more of it). I even wrapped up a few more of the popcorn packages.

The teachers enjoyed their goodies. I think that Adam enjoyed having them throughout the year. We’ve been blessed to have the teachers we have had. Thanks for stopping in today. I hope you’ve been inspired to show someone that they are an inspiration to you.

Hugs,

Leslee

All supplies are Stampin’ Up! and can be purchased here unless noted as being retired or purchased elsewhere :)

It’s been crazy!

2011-07-07T17:53:00.001-04:00

Sorry, no cards or projects today. Just some life matters :) I will post some teacher’s gifts tomorrow :)

I know…I’ve been MIA for a week. Things have just been crazy here in the Holston household. My youngest son had his hand operated on two Thursday’s ago. Not one but two cysts were removed and sent for review. The pathology report said that the cysts were “vascular malformations”. What does THAT mean? Even the surgeon is baffled. We figure they don’t know and placed a big fancy name on it. Adam’s cast was removed last week. Well, his hand is developing yet another “knot”. It is very large and painful for him. I’m a wreck…that’s my baby! So back to the lab for blood test we went this morning. Tests came back normal – no infections (good). But then what is it? Our appt. with the doctor is Monday. Of course, the surgeon is on vacation for two weeks, so we see another one in the same office. For now, prayers are much welcome!

On a lighter note, we attended a family reunion in West Virginia. It was the 100th gathering of the Mann family. Isn’t that amazing?! That’s my husband’s grandmother’s family. She was the 9th child of 13. It’s a HUGH gathering! We camped in a tent for the weekend, visited with family, met new cousins, ate good food, played games, had fireworks, roasted marshmallows, hiked the mountain and returned home absolutely exhausted! Now, I’m ready for a vacation! :) Isn’t that how it usually goes? The mountains are beautiful and the fact that it is the site of the original homestead makes it all the more special. We will return again next year.

Thanks for letting me ramble today. I needed to. The mojo just hasn’t been flowing lately and now you know why. I’ll post a couple of recent end-of-the-year teacher’s gifts then, hopefully, mojo will make an appearance and I’ll have something new to share :)

Hugs,

Leslee

A Gift to Treasure

2011-06-30T09:00:00.000-04:00

Have you noticed that, somehow, I have gotten off schedule? It’s that time of year again…summer break! That’s right, my boys are home for summer break. The routine is so totally off now. I sure hope that some sort of routine will develop (and soon). The last week of school was packed with end of the year classroom parties and PTA transitioning that I couldn’t think straight. The first full week of break was so busy with “other stuff” that it flew by in a blink of an eye. Anyway, I’m now trying to play catch up. Let me start by showing you this super awesome chair that Mrs. True’s soon-to-be-3rd grade class made for the room moms (there were two of us).

Isn’t this the cutest thing you’ve ever seen! I was so totally surprised and touched by this crafty thoughtfulness that I got teary eyed. Then all the kids yelled “thank you!” and came to hug me. It really was a sweet moment for this room mom! It is something I’ll treasure for a very long time! All the kids in the class fingerprinted flowers and then signed their name to the chair. She used acrylic paints and Sharpie® marker. Too cool!

Thanks for stopping in today. I hope you’ve been inspired to pull up a seat and make someone’s day! I really wanted to share this project with you. You never know, you might just be needing something to show your appreciation?!

One last thing to share…Adam got upset with me when I left it in the sun on the patio. He advised that I had to put it away when I’m not sitting in it…so that the sun won’t melt the flowers…lol. Even if I intend on coming back to it in a few minutes, I’m to put it in the garage…out of the sun! He’s a hoot! I think he’s pretty proud of what the class made for his mom! That’s my boy!

Hugs,

Leslee

Sail Away Sunset

2011-06-28T09:00:00.000-04:00

Doesn’t this card make you feel happy? It does me! I love this color combination! The simple layout of the card allows the main image to draw you in. This is a brayer card. Here’s how I did it…I masked off the sky and brayered on Marina Mist vertically to the horizon. Then I masked off the water and brayered on Daffodil Delight horizontally from the water upward. I strategically placed a mask for the sun using a 1-1/4” circle punched out of a sticky note. Brayered on Peach Parfait and finished with Cajun Craze. Unmask the sun and added a little Peach Parfait in the center of the sun with a sponge. The Sail Away image was stamped in Basic Black Classic Ink and colored in solid with the Basic Black Marker. I added several White Gel Pen marks in the water to give that rippled effect. I’m absolutely loving the White Baker’s Twine (which you can find in the Summer Mini Catalog). The Brights Collection Designer Button in Pumpkin Pie works perfectly combined with the Daffodil Delight and Pacific Point mat. Don’t you think so?

I sent this card to my dad. His birthday is today. Yay! It’s been a tough year for both of my parents. I’m sure these gorgeous colors and beautiful scene will be just what the doctor ordered! :) Who wouldn’t want to view this scene? I didn’t want to move it off my desk…but I can always make another one :) You know I will!! ;)

Happy Birthday Dad! Wish I could be there to help you celebrate. I miss you! Oh, and your card is in the mail ;)

Thanks for drifting by today. I hope you’ve been inspired to set sail for your craft/stamp space and create something happy, cheerful and full of color…something to make someone smile!

Hugs,

Leslee

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

Pursonality!

2011-06-25T09:00:00.000-04:00

Recently, I was invited back to demonstrate another paper crafting project with the local Girl Scout Troop. I wanted to show this cute little purse with the Faux Alligator finish. Of course, not all of us have the same “pursonality”. So I let each of the girls choose the colors they wanted and embellishments to fit their individual personality. We had so much fun making these. I made mine into a gift card holder. Any birthday girl would love to receive this purse with a gift card tucked inside. I know I would! :) Some of the girls chose to make a mini photo album instead. Again, it’s all about “pursonality”!

These purses use three of the Top Note Die Cuts cut using the Big Shot. I accordion fold a piece of card stock for the bottom. The Top Notes were covered with VersaMark and Clear Embossing Powder. I then created the faux look by dragging my Bone Folder through the powder and heat the powder with the Heat Tool. Really cool effect (not to mention the ews and ahs as the girls watched the powder melt and harden). :-D The fun really began as we picked through embellishments and punch elements to add to our purses.

All purses were different and showed a little of the girl’s individual personality. All the purses were beautiful…just like all of the girls! Thanks for having me back ladies! You all are super fantastic! And thank you for stopping in today. I hope you have been inspired to show your individual personality on your projects.

Hugs,

Leslee

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

Popcorn Packages

2011-06-22T09:00:00.000-04:00

My time as PTA Labels Committee Coordinator has come to an end. I’ve tried to let all the ladies who help me out each week know just how much I appreciate their help throughout the last two years. A handmade thank you here, a decoratively wrapped candy bar there (He’s Alive!), Carrot Treat Holders at Easter and Mini Milk Carton Peeps just to name a few…none of which anyone expected me to do. It’s just a simple thing from the heart that has made them smile. This time was no exception. I wrapped the soon-to-be-retired Newsprint DSP around a single serve microwave popcorn package. A quick ribbon wrapped around that and a tag on top. The tag uses the soon-to-be-retired Spiral punch along the edges. The little popcorn bucket is punched using the Build-A-Cupcake punch. That’s right! I love double duty punches! To make the popcorn in the bucket, I used the cupcake top and sponged on some Daffodil Delight scallops from the negative of the cupcake top.

Who doesn’t like popcorn, right? Okay…maybe some don’t but everyone who received one absolutely loved it! I certainly get the warm fuzzies when I see someone smile! Come to think of it…buttered popcorn makes me feel good too! :) Thanks for “popping” in today. I hope you’ve been inspired to make someone smile for no reason at all!

Hugs,

Leslee

Supplies are Stampin’ Up! and can be purchased here unless retired (Riding Hood Red Taffeta ribbon and DSP).

Poppy with Pizzazz

2011-06-20T09:00:00.000-04:00

I think I’m stuck in the rut of making cute little cards with modified envelopes. Not a bad rut to be stuck in but I do need to move away from these smaller style cards. They are adorable and so much fun to make but I don’t even know whether they will mail through parcel post. I will have to take one in and ask. I’ll let you know. If they do…I’m sure I’ll be stuck in this cute-little-card rut for awhile longer! ;)

I used the masking technique to create the center circle. I punched a hole using the 2.5” Circle punch into a sticky note. Sponged the inside of the circle with Crumb Cake ink. I then lined the worded stamp from the Strength & Hope set into the circle repeatedly using the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig and Early Espresso ink. For projects like this, a stamp positioner is a must! I just hate to place a line off kilter and ruin the whole card. Most of the time, it would be a perfect opportunity for embellishing but it is a pain to decide just what embellishment to use :) Decisions, decisions… I digress. The Whisper White was layered onto Poppy Parade and then on a piece of Pear Pizzazz DSP from the Patterns Pack – In Color Level 1 Hostess item. I’m not really fond of the Poppy Parade but I do like it paired with the Pear Pizzazz and Early Espresso :) The butterfly was stamped in Poppy Parade with Early Espresso marker just along the edge. I used the direct to stamp technique to achieve the look. It is cut out and on a Dimensional.

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you’ve been inspired to pull out a color your not so fond of and give it another go! You might just find that it’s not so bad after all.

Hugs,

Leslee

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

Simply Sail Away

2011-06-17T09:00:00.000-04:00

With Father’s Day in a couple of days, I have found myself reaching for this new stamp set often. Sail Away is a lovely line art stamp that can be used in a variety of ways. I showed this card at a recent workshop so I wanted to keep it super simple. I stamped the image off center in Early Espresso. The sentiment is found in the Hostess Level 1 set, Afterthoughts and is stamped in Cherry Cobbler ink. I’m going to miss this set once it retires on June 30th. :( The DSP is the lovely and very masculine Nautical Expedition paper in the Summer Mini Catalog. The Early Espresso/White Baker’s Twine can be found in the same catty. I Scallop Border punched a strip of Early Espresso card stock to off set the DSP as well. The card base is 4.25” square in Naturals White. I made a coordinating modified envelope to go along with the card. You can see how I did that in this post, Scalloped Circle Card w/ Envelope.

Thanks for stopping in today. I hope you’ve been inspired to make a quick masculine card and let the men in your life know just how much they are loved and appreciated! :)

Hugs,

Leslee

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

The Black Splat!

2011-06-16T10:44:00.001-04:00

This is the card and gift bag I had made for my son’s birthday. If you had read my earlier post about his party invites (Extreme Invites) you’d understand the significance of “the black splat”. Well, I just had to make his card and the bag with a black splat! It’s what he asked for :)

This set was so super simple…thanks to the Extreme Elements stamp set. I simply used a ready-made plain gift bag and added a card stock front to it. One point of interest, the splat is in Basic Black Classic Ink. The birthday sentiment, found in the Bring On The Cake set, is stamped using Whisper White Craft Ink. The black looks as if it bled through the craft ink giving it a bluish color. You can see it where the stars where stamped over the black splat as well. It’s kind of a cool effect…not an expected effect but cool just the same. Maybe I need to re-ink my craft pad though too??? Hmm…anyway, Jess loved it!

It’s been crazy in the Holston house with the end of the school year. Last day is today! Yay! I’m looking forward to the slower pace of summer break. Of course, I give it about a week and I’ll be ready to send them back to school ;) I have lots of teacher gift stuff to show you. I just need to find time to breathe a minute or two before I can post them. Ahhh…it won’t be long. Thanks for stopping by today. Enjoy!

Hugs,

Leslee

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

Extreme Surfboard Take Two

2011-06-13T09:00:00.000-04:00

I get bummed this time of year. Sets that I truly love, mostly guy/sporty type sets always seem to make the retiring list. :( To see this list for yourself, click this link, Last Chance Stamp Set List.

Well, I am sad to say that this set, which I just got, is on the soon-to-be retired list! So, I had to give it another go. I loved the first card I used it on, Surf’s Up!, so much that I pretty much cased my card. I changed only a few things on the card…the embellishments. Again, I used scrap that were on my desk. This time, I used Smooch Spritz on the image panel. It’s difficult to see in these photos, but trust me, it gives it a super cool shimmer…just like a spray of water! That’s exactly the effect I was going for! The boys loved it and my oldest ask that we give it to his buddy for his birthday. Of course we can!!

Thanks for checking out my Take Two. I hope you’ve been inspired to give one of your lovely creations a second go.

Hugs,

Leslee

All supplies are Stampin’ Up!

Extreme Invites

2011-06-10T09:00:00.000-04:00

My son approached me about a week or so ago and asked if I had thought of an invite for his party yet. I told him that I hadn’t but it was next on the list of things to do (we all have those “priority lists”). He then said, “Well, this is what I was thinking of…” and he proceeds to pull out some card stock colors and tells me how he wants it folded (a gate fold). He continues to tell me that he sees the Extreme Elements “splat” here and a punched Scallop Circle in the center with the “crown” on it. I have to admit, this was one of the easiest invites I have ever done! I simply put his vision onto paper. He said that it is exactly what he had in mind, except that he envisioned the “splat” stamped in black ink but he could live with it in VersaMark. Gotta love it! I was impressed just listening to him explain his vision to me. What a GREAT stamping mom moment it was!! I did take liberties and heat emboss the crown in Basic Black craft and Black Embossing Powder. I think these are one of my favorite invites!

There you have it. My baby boy is growing up. It goes by so quickly…just yesterday I brought him home from the hospital and today…well today he turns 12! Happy Birthday Jess! I love you!

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you can be inspired by someone special in your life! I was! :)

Hugs,

Leslee

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

Strength & Hope – Thank You

2011-06-08T09:00:00.000-04:00

This is the first chance I’ve had to even play with this lovely new set, Strength & Hope. Since this is a “card-0f-firsts”, I also gave my Watercolor Pencils a go and tried my hand at the Framed Tulips Textured Impressions Embossing Folder on a square panel. For the butterfly, I used my Watercolor Pencils directly onto the stamp and then misted the stamp with water before stamping it onto a piece of Whisper White card stock.

Each of these techniques will require a bit more refining. Overall, I am very satisfied at how this card turned out. Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you’ve been inspired to give something that you’ve been putting off a try! You just might like how it turns out!

Hugs,

Leslee

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

Sail Away for Father’s Day

2011-06-06T09:00:00.000-04:00

This set, Sail Away, is found in the Summer Mini Catalog. Such a beautiful set for any gender but simply perfect for those hard-to-come-up-with masculine cards! Here’s a little gift set that I made for one of the dad’s in my life (I’m not sure who will get this one just yet).

This is another 4.25” square card with an altered envelope. You can see how I altered the envelope in this post, Scalloped Circle Card w/Envelope. I stamped the sailboat twice, once on a scrap piece so that I could color it in with my Blender Pen and Crumb Cake ink, run through the Big Shot with the Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder and fussy cut the sails. The sails were then placed on the main image using dimensionals. I love how it makes the sails look full. The image is matted on Not Quite Navy and adhered to the Crumb Cake card base. The Cherry Cobbler Bakers Twine looks great on this masculine card.

The inside was done up using the beautiful Nautical Expedition DSP (also in the Summer Mini Catalog), which is used on the envelope as well. Sentiment is from the Teeny Tiny Wishes set.

The gift set is completed with this quick and simple Pillow Box die cut treat holder. This time the Baker’s Twine serves a purpose and holds the box closed :) Again, a strip of DSP to tie it all together. The hard part is deciding what to put in the box!

Thanks for sailing through today. I hope you caught some wind in your sails and set off to create something masculine for someone in your life!

Hugs,

Leslee

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

Blossom Bouquet Trio

2011-06-03T09:00:00.000-04:00

While creating this card, FTL#142 Birthday Wishes, I made a few extra flowers with the Blossom Bouquet – Triple Layer Punch. This time, I placed a Jewel Basic Pearl in the center. I used up some scraps that were on my desk. Threw the scraps together in a pleasing-to-the-eye manner and stamped on the sentiment…found in the Bring On The Cake set.

I love the Pear Pizzazz, Basic Black and Whisper White color combination.

Birthday card for the little girl across the street….done!

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you’ve been inspired to use some of your scraps today. More times than not, they make one terrific card!

Hugs,

Leslee

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

FTL#142 Birthday Wishes

2011-06-01T09:00:00.000-04:00

I found myself in need of a beautiful birthday card for my mother-in-law (go figure…me in need of a card…lol).

There were three things I knew for sure…

I knew that I had to use green (that’s her favorite color)…Pear Pizzazz is perfect!
I knew I wanted to give the Faux Mother of Pearl technique a try. I have seen so many crafty people use this technique all over the internet but,when I saw this card by Annette and this card by Andrea, I knew I had to give it a try…and real soon! I used the lattice looking piece of Presto Patterns DSP, daubed on some Frost White Shimmer Paint using a crumpled up piece of plastic wrap and sponged on the Pear Pizzazz ink. Wipe off any excess ink with a paper towel. Tip: Let the Shimmer Paint dry before sponging on your ink. You can speed this process up using your Heat Tool.
I, also, knew that I wanted to use this cute little flower that I came up with while playing with my new Blossom Bouquet – Triple Layer Punch. I did the Faux Suede technique on it and twisted up the punched outside ring for the flower center. A Jewel Basic Rhinestone adorns the very center.

I was catching up on some blog surfing when I came across this weeks Fall-To-Layout #142 on the Clean & Simple Stamping blog. I knew immediately that this would be the perfect layout for this card! It shows each technique used absolutely beautifully! I love it when a card comes together so quickly!

Thanks to all that inspired this card! Check out Annette’s blog, Lavender Thoughts, and Andrea’s blog, EnchantINK. Give them some comment love while you’re there. And, as always, when in a rut (or anytime), give the Fall-To-Layouts a try on the Clean & Simple Stamping blog. They post a new layout each Friday. I hope you have been inspired too!

Oh, my MIL loved her card. Of course, she’s always so impressed by everything I do :) (Gotta love her!) We had her over for dinner on Monday, which was also Memorial Day here in the states. Kabobs on the grill and her favorite dessert, Brownie Tiramisu Trifle – yum!

Hugs,

Leslee

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

Extremely Quick Guitar Dude

2011-05-27T09:00:00.000-04:00

This is card three of my “quick” cards. I don’t know what I was thinking? I wanted to give the Bouncing Brayer technique a try…but I had no time (or patience) to do it properly. I ended up just jumping the brayer in a circle around the Whisper White card stock with Daffodil Delight and Pumpkin Pie ink. Looks a bit messy but not too bad. Keep in mind, I was in a hurry. Stamp the Extreme Guitar dude in the center in Basic Black Craft and call it finished! Of course, I couldn’t just leave the dude floating in air so I added the Basic Black strip of card stock as a “stage”. The sentiment is from the Bring On The Cake set.

I know…it’s not the bouncing brayer look I was going for but it looks kinda “cool”! I’ll try this again…when I have more time (and patience) to do it correctly. Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you’ve been inspired to try something new today :)

Hugs,

Leslee

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

Extreme Baseball Elements

2011-05-25T09:00:00.000-04:00

This is the second of three cards that I quickly made this past weekend. For a young man’s birthday, this mix of Extreme Elements, the retired Just Baseball and retired Sporting is a perfect combination! The Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler and Whisper White color combo works nicely as well. I chose Cherry Cobbler only because this young man plays on a team whose jerseys are red in color. I think that any other color would have worked nicely too. Got to love versatility! A quick distressing of the edge with the Cutter Kit and done!

Not much to say about this card. Only that it is extremely fun and makes me smile :) I hope you’ve been inspired…extremely!

Hugs,

Leslee

All current Stampin’ Up! supplies may be purchased here.

Extreme Birthday

2011-05-23T09:00:00.000-04:00

This month seems to be the month of never ending birthdays. Along with that comes the never ending line up of birthday parties. Yesterday was no exception…I took Adam to one party while Don took Jesse to a combined party for two of the cousins. Of course, with as busy as I’ve been all week, I waited until the morning of to make three cards. I quickly reached for my go-to set, Extreme Elements. I LOVE this set. It’s so quick and easy and can be used in a variety of ways. For this card, I used some scraps that were tossed about on my desk. The sentiment is from the Hostess Level 1 set, Afterthoughts. These colors, Pacific Point and Cherry Cobbler, are so bold together. A really nice looking combination for a young man.

This card came together very quickly. Thank heavens for that! And thanks for stopping by today. I hope you’ve been extremely inspired :)

Hugs,

Leslee

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

Scalloped Circle Card w/ Envelope

2011-05-20T09:00:00.000-04:00

I don’t make odd sized cards too often. Simply because I don’t have envelopes to fit or they won’t mail or require additional postage. In this case, we weren’t going to mail the card so I decided to try my hand at creating my own envelope to fit the smaller size of the Scalloped Circle die.

I began with a standard medium sized envelope that Stampin’ Up! carries. I adhered the flap to the back and cut off the end just so it covers the scalloped circle card. Then, I used a piece of DSP (the retired SAB Ice Cream Parlor was used for this envelope) to create a new flap. I punched a Scallop Edge and secured the paper to the inside of the envelope. I punched a 2-3/8” Scallop Circle in the envelope so that you can get the card in and out easily.

I decorated my envelope to coordinate with my card using the Hostess Level 1 Birthday Bakery set. I used several markers and a Blender Pen to color in the image on the card and left the image on the envelope with no color. There is plenty of color on the DSP.

The inside of the card is simply a strip of cardstock designed as a pocket to tuck a gift card into. The sentiment is from Bring On The Cake.

I love how this card and envelope turned out! The bright colors just make me happy! I hope you’ve been inspired to do something that makes you happy today. Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs,

Leslee

All supplies are Stampin’ Up! and can be purchased here…except for the retired SAB DSP :)

Surf’s Up!

2011-05-18T09:00:00.000-04:00

I’ve had this awesome stamp, Extreme Surfboard, for several months now. I finally got to ink it up! I had a young man’s birthday card to make. Perfect set to use! And talk about quick…less than 10 minutes!

I began with a piece of Whisper White cardstock. Brayered Bashful Blue onto the top, on a diagonal, to create the beautiful blue sky. It took a few times to achieve the color I wanted. Someone once told me that if you think it is dark enough, brayer it two more times. She said that Classic ink will dry two shades lighter. That’s what I heard, so that’s what I do. How true? I don’t know but I’m not going to waste my time to find out :) The bottom corner, opposite the sky, uses Baja Breeze done in the same way. Just keep adding until you like it and add two more. Yes, I re-ink the brayer as often as I need to.

I stamped the surfer in Marina Mist. That’s right…I wanted the blue of the water to show. I then used a Basic Black marker to color in the silhouette of the surfer. I used my White Gel Pen to add some white to the “sea spray” on the wave.

The rest of the card is easy-peasy. The Extreme Elements set makes the perfect back drop for this extreme surfer. I created a piece of patterned paper with the one element on the Not Quite Navy cardstock. The main image was layered onto a Baja Breeze mat. Some Linen Thread was wound around the image panel and I adhered it to the base with Dimensionals.

I had so much fun with this card. I really love the technique and will certainly be doing more of it. I see other cards with this 'dude’ on it! :) Thanks for stopping by today. I hope that you’ve been inspired to get EXTREME!

By the way, do you brayer? Or is it bray? What is the proper term?

Hugs,

Leslee

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

Thanks…

2011-05-16T09:00:00.000-04:00

for our fabulous teachers and staff!

It was a very last minute idea but, as co-room mother for my youngest son’s classroom, we felt that a little something from all the children would be a nice gesture to give to the teacher during Teacher Appreciation Week. While the other mom picked up a small potted plant, I made a quick card and had all the kids sign it during lunch. BIG MISTAKE!! Having them sign during lunch, that is. The first girl to sign the card knocked over her cherry sno-cone which spilled straight across the entire inside of the card. LOL! You just have to laugh out loud sometimes :D We blotted it dry and continued on. By the time it was all signed, there were greasy chicken nugget finger prints, ketchup stains and some blob of I-don’t-want-to-know-what-THAT-is all over it! LOL! You just HAVE to laugh out loud! But the kids are great! And they were thrilled to watch their teacher receive her card and gift.

This card is a little bigger than a normal A2 sized card. I had a larger, pretty green envelope that I wanted to use, so the card was designed to fit the envelope. The flowers are from a favorite set, Inspired By Nature. I colored directly on the stamp using Melon Mambo, Early Espresso and Old Olive markers. The bees are from the Every Little Bit set. Cute set! I just colored them in with So Saffron marker. The sentiment is from the Level 1 Hostess set, Afterthoughts. After I stamped the image on the front, I stamped the inside corner without reinking. This is called generation stamping or stamping off. I placed the quote, found in Plant Hope, on top of that. The quote just seemed to fit in with teacher appreciation.

The teacher loved her card and gift. I’m sure she could tell the card was signed during lunch. One of the other moms said that the pink sno-cone stains looked as if I could have put them there on purpose. But that big blob of I-don’t-want-to-know-what-THAT-is…well…sometimes you just have to laugh out loud! LOL!

Thanks for laughing with me today! I love that I can share these moments with you. As I’m sure we all have them :)

Hugs,

Leslee

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

Flower Garden Boxes

2011-05-13T15:39:00.001-04:00

Last week was Teacher Appreciation Week. I definitely wanted to do a little something for the boys’ teachers. This was what they received.

It is a simple 2-4-6-8 box. Start with a sheet of 8.5” x 11” cardstock. Score lengthwise at 2”, 4”, 6” and 8”. That leaves 1/2” for the flap. Score across the bottom at 2”, cut up to this line along the original 2, 4, 6, 8” score marks. You have now created the bottom flaps. Cut your box down to the length you desire. Mine was cut to be a 5” tall box. I scalloped the top edge with various edge punches (Scallop Edge, Eyelet Border & Scallop Trim Border). I ran my box through the Big Shot using the new Flower Garden Textured Impressions Folder found in the Summer Mini Catalog. I then inked the raised embossing with Whisper White Craft ink and the flat rubber stamp in the Distressing Essentials Kit. Finally, I built and adhered my box together. I finished them off with some simple thank you tags and stuffed them with a tube of hand cream and some tissue paper. Done! Ready to send to school with the boys. Of course, I had to do one in just about every Bold Bright color available…including a retired Bold Bright – Green Galore (a personal fav).

I wanted to play with my new Tangerine Tango Embossing Powder too. So, I made a white box and used VersaMark on the raised embossing. Then I applied the Tango powder and heat it with the Heat Tool. Very Cool! Because it was so different from the other boxes I made, I gave this one to the school principal. She’s awesome and deserves something nice too :)

Thanks for stopping in today. I hope you’ve been inspired to let someone you know how much you appreciate all they do.

Hugs,

Leslee

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

Beautiful Wings Bookmark

2011-05-11T09:30:00.000-04:00

As you can see, this lovely little bookmark is so easy to put together. I literally used leftover pieces to make this. I may just go through my ribbon scraps and do a bunch of these.

The butterflies are die cuts from the Beautiful Wings Embosslits die cranked through the Big Shot. There is a total of four butterflies on the ribbon…each with a white brad body. The first side, I put the brads through the ribbon and fastened them down. The flip side, I adhered the butterflies to the backside with a Mini Glue Dot (or two). The Certainly Celery Grosgrain Ribbon is long enough that the butterflies hang outside our Stampin’ Up! Idea Book & Catalog perfectly! Of course, you can make them any length :)

Let me just tell you, I made this super quick and gave it to a customer with her catalog. She absolutely LOVED it! Something so easy, so simple…it just made her day. See…it IS the little things that mean the most :) Enjoy your day and thanks for stopping in.

Hugs,

Leslee

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