Saturday, December 26, 2009

One Sheet Wonder

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This was a quick and easy card to mass produce.  I stamped a half a sheet of Whisper White card stock using Serene Snowflakes and various shades of blues.  There’s some Platinum Shimmer Paint in there too (smile, I love that stuff!).  The sentiment is from the Christmas Greetings set.  The ribbon is from the Mistletoe Ribbon Originals.  I scallop border punched the edge of a strip of Kraft cs to layer onto the Night of Navy card base. 

Super, super simple!  Yet those snowflakes and that shimmer paint have a big, big impact! 

Have a great day!  God bless!

Hugs,

~Leslee~

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Finishing Up

I’m sure you’re glad to hear that I’m putting the final finishes on my Christmas projects.  These were designed to get my cards done and out the door (several days ago).  Yes, I’m just getting around to posting them.  Originally, I had envisioned an all white card.  However, the Platinum Shimmer Paint worked its way onto the stamp and this is what I ended up with…

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Not bad, but I had to give it a go with some colorful ornaments…

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Check out the close up…

I really liked this one.  It’s crisp and clean with lots of embossed white space.  I used the Big Shot and the Backgrounds #1 Flourish Texturz plate.  I added a little Shimmer Paint over the raised embossing by lightly dragging a sponge across it.  The sentiment is from Christmas Greeting.  Ornaments use Delightful Decorations stamp set and the coordinating Ornament punch

Then the card morphed into these cards…

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These colors are Garden Green, Real Red and Brilliant Blue.  They are the same thing only the layout is a tad different.  I love how one idea will morph into more designs!  I love my job!!

Now, with all the family festivities, I don’t know how soon I’ll be able to post again, but I do have lots to show.  Thanks for stopping in today.  I hope you have a blessed Christmas!

Hugs,

~Leslee~ 

As always, you can purchase any of these supplies by clicking HERE!

    

 

Friday, December 18, 2009

Keepin’ it simple

Yep, I’m keeping it simple from now until all of my Christmas cards are completed, addressed and out of my house!  Here’s one I made last week.  I cased the Tea Time Tea Bag Holder from this post, It’s Tea Time.100_9296  The Real Red card base was run through the Big Shot (can you tell I’m lovin’ my Big Shot?) using the Eyelet Backgrounds #1 Texturz plate.  The panel is Whisper White on Old Olive and stamped in Old Olive with the pine tree, from Lovely As A Tree, turned on its side.  The ornament from Delightful Decorations is stamped in Real Red with Frost White Shimmer Paint sponged on top.  It is punched out using the Ornament punch.  I’ve used this punch quite often this season.  It is topped off with a square Fire rhinestone brad.  The ribbon is from the Mistletoe Ribbon Originals and the sentiment from Christmas Greetings (another I’ve used quite often).

NOTE:  Check back soon for some mass produced cards I did using the new Delightful Decorations set and coordinating Ornament punch.

ANOTHER NOTE:  Due to the overwhelming response to the new Shimmer Paints found in the Holiday Mini Catalog, Stampin’ Up! will now include them as a Write-In to the Idea Book and Catalog.

I’m so glad you stopped by today.  I hope you’ve been inspired to think outside of the box and use your stamps in a new ‘direction’.

Hugs,

~Leslee~

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Another Christmas Card

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Yes, I’m still working on Christmas cards.  Actually, I’ve had this card done for about a week and I’m just getting around to posting it today.  I’m so behind and I wanted to be so much further along by now.  Oh well, I’ll just roll with it.

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This pretty little card is pretty simple to make.  The base is Whisper White.  I ran the Real Red layer through the Big Shot with the Damask Background Texturz Plate.  The panel is a strip of Whisper White that I Eyelet Border punched and topped with a strip of DSP from the Cast A Spell Designer Series paper package.  The poinsettia flower is finished off with a stickles center.  You can see how to do the flower in this post, Quick Holiday Set.  Like I said, pretty simple!

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you are where you want to be today :)

Hugs,

~Leslee~

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Stampin’ Up!’s 12 Days of Holiday Sales

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You must check out the items that Stampin’ Up! has discounted for the 12 Days of Holiday Sales!  You can check them out by clicking the link Here!  The link will take you to online ordering.  Or, call me and I’ll get your order placed for you.  Sale prices only good through Dec. 22nd.

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Merry Christmas!

~Leslee~

Friday, December 11, 2009

Serene & Sweet

This sweet treat is sure to please both young and old.  It’s so simple to make.  Little hands can do it.  It would make a nice classroom project. 100_9160Here’s the deets:

Trim approx. 2 inches off the open end of a standard sized lunch bag.  I’ve used a white bag here but you can use any color to coordinate with any theme or occasion (what fun!).  Fold bag in half.  I randomly stamped the Serene Snowflakes (love this set) in Soft Suede ink.  I, also, sponged on some ink randomly as well.    100_9164The inside greeting is from Christmas Greetings (it’s seen its share of ink this season).  Insert single packet of instant hot cocoa mix into back, open end of bag.  Tie a 15” length of ribbon around bag/card.  I’ve used the solid side of the Soft Suede Polka Dot ribbon.   Layer a panel onto the front of the bag.  The snowflake is a die cut from the Snowflakes Set #2, a brad and the sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes (another favorite).

I did a simplified version of this to hand out at our PTA board meeting today.  I made 14 of them in just under 40 minutes.  When I say ‘simplified’, I simply omitted the front panel and inside greeting layer and stamped a sentiment directly onto the paper bag…no layering involved that way.  The ladies just loved them!  Who wouldn’t?

I can’t take credit for this project.  I found it on the Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator’s website.  Stampin’ Up! gives us all kinds of project and card ideas.  It’s just one of the perks of signing a demonstrator’s agreement.  If you’d like to do what I do, call me or check out more info. on my website, Start Your Own Business.

I hope you’ll give one a try.  If you have any questions on how to make one of these, just leave me a comment or drop me an email.  I’m always happy to share.  

As always, thanks for stopping by.  I hope you’ve been inspired.

Hugs,

~Leslee~

Most supplies can by purchased on my website HERE.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Bows & Baubles

Since most of my family live in other states, gift cards have become the gift of choice.  They are easy to mail and the recipient can get exactly what they want with it (or, at least, apply it to what they want).  I still want them to be able to have something to “open” though.  So, I am always on the lookout for special gift card holders.  Small decorated boxes and pretty handmade cards have been the normal…until I came across Carolina’s blog post, Seasonal Saturdays: Ornament Money Holder.  Well, I took her basic idea and enlarged it to accommodate a gift card instead of money.

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Isn’t this the cutest darn gift card holder you’ve ever seen?!  I LOVE how this project turned out!  100_9258It really is quite simple and Carolina has a fabulous video tutorial on how to make the money holder.  The gift card holder is the same concept only larger.  My finished package (Holiday Treasure DSP ret.) size is 5-1/2” x 5-1/2” which will accommodate the large Sizzix Scallop Circle (Riding Hood Red).  I used the Circle Scissor Plus to cut out two Very Vanilla circles that are 4-1/8” in diameter.  One of them I cut in half and adhered over the other using TomBow Multi Liquid Glue (just along the outside edge).  I placed my pocket along the side so that the printed pretties showed nicely on the gift card itself.  100_9279The baubles are picked up from the gift card.  I used various sized circle punches and the scallop circle punch in Soft Suede, Old Olive and Riding Hood Red.  The sentiments are from a retired set, Fancy Flexible Phrases (an all time favorite of mine).   The tab punch and Gold Elastic Cording (found in the Holiday Mini) was used for the ornament top. 

The bow on the front of the “package” is my favorite!  Yes, it is a ‘cheater’ bow!  You don’t think that I could actually 100_9257make a real  bow look so nice, do you now?  Here’s how I did it…I took about 18” of the striped wide ribbon and folded it into thirds accordion style.  I then took the large button, threaded it with gold cord and tied it tightly around the middle of the folded ribbon.  I then pulled at the ribbon ends to get a nice look.  Looks great!  One of my best yet!  And anyone who knows me knows how bow challenged I am.  I my opinion though, seriously, I think it’s the little sprig of holly and berries that make this bow.  Without it, it would be a nice bow but the holly adds the “WOW” factor to it!  Yes, I’m pleased with this bow and overjoyed with this project.  I wish I could be there to see his face when he opens it!  But (sigh) I can’t.  I trust that he’ll love it!  I know I would! (smile)   

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you’ve been inspired.  Inspiration can come from anywhere.  I found mine at Carolina’s Creative Pad.

Come back soon!

Hugs

~Leslee~

Most items can be purchased from my website by clicking HERE!

Friday, December 4, 2009

Grateful Design

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I’m finally getting around to posting a card I designed before Thanksgiving.  I wanted to use up some elements that I had laying about my workspace for the past year.  The elements available were as follows:

  • One Top Note die cut in Close to Cocoa 
  • One stamped sentiment layered on Barely Banana cs
  • One Old Olive Little Leaves die cut
  • Tri-grouping of punched flowers
  • Certainly Celery cut and scored card base

I fussed over the placement for about ten minutes and decided that it was missing the Old Olive ribbon (from the Mistletoe Ribbon Originals in the Holiday Mini).  I kept it simple, trying to utilize only scraps.  I settled, quiet happily with this layout.  What do you think? 

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The flower trio was Rock-N-Rolled on Barely Banana cs using So Saffron and Pumpkin Pie ink and the flower from Best Wishes & More.  Centers markered with Chocolate Chip.  You can see just how they were made by visiting this post, Double The Fun.  As for the sentiment, it’s a retired SU! set but for the life of me I can’t remember the name.

I love this layout and have since decided to build upon it.  Here is the Christmas card I ended up with.

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It is still a simple layout but looks more embellished with the use of the Serene Snowflakes and the Platinum Shimmer Paint.  The sentiment is from All Holidays and the snowflake is die cut from Snowflakes Set #2.  Some silver elastic cording and a swirl from the Priceless set finish the card off.

100_9110 I’m really pleased with the outcome of both of these cards.  This is a layout that I may return to time and time again.  And why not?  It’s simple yet it allows room for plenty of embellishing.

As always, your comments are welcome.  I hope you have been inspired to use up some of your scraps with a great design!

Hugs,

~ Leslee ~

All supplies are Stampin’ Up! and most are available for purchase by clicking Here!

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Easy tree…

Ever need a kick-in-the-pants to get going?  That’s so what I’ve been needing lately.  So, I turned to SCS’s weekly sketch challenges for a starting point.  I found this challenge SC#254.  The center panel just beckoned for the tall pine from Lovely As A Tree.  Here is what I came up with…100_9090 I began with a Rich Razzleberry card base.  I stamped the small pinecone and bough across the top and bottom of the base in VersaMark ink.  The two squares in the middle are Always Artichoke that I ran through the Big Shot using the Flourish Background #2 Texturz plate.  The main panel is Naturals White.  I stamped the tree in Chocolate Chip on the panel.  On another piece of Naturals White, I again stamped the tree in Old Olive with Frost White Shimmer Paint sponged on top.  This tree was cut out and adhered using dimensionals onto the main panel.  The panel was edged using a gold pen.  IRL, this tree really shimmers!  It’s gorgeous!  If you haven’t tried the new Shimmer Paint, you must!

Simple!  I’m going to have to keep it simple from now through Christmas.  Oh, and it’s not enough that I get the cards made, I have to mail them out too (smile)! 

Have a great day!  I hope you’ve been kicked, I mean, inspired to get started on your projects.

Hugs ~Leslee~

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

It’s Tea Time!

Grab a cup of tea (or whatever you like)…it’s tea time!

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Here’s a quick tea bag holder that any tea-loving person would love to receive!  This holder can be used for a money holder too!

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  Here’s how I did it:

Cut your card stock to 10-1/2” x 3-1/2”.  Score at 3-1/2” and 7”.  Cut the right hand third on a diagonal from the score line to the short edge.  Fold this in and secure bottom to center with adhesive, thus creating the pocket for the tea bag.  Fold left side over.  Wrap a 15” piece of ribbon around holder and secure with adhesive along back of holder.  Stamp and embellish as desired. 

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I used the pine tree from Lovely As A Tree stamped in Old Olive to make branches for the Delightful Decorations ornament to ‘hang’ on.  I punched the ornament using the new Ornament punch found in the Holiday Mini.  In the center is a red circle Fire Rhinestone brad.  The sentiment is from my favorite Warm Words set.  The double stitched ribbon is Mistletoe Ribbon Originals found in the Holiday Mini.  The inside poem reads like this…

On Christmas Day at half past three,

Have yourself a cup of tea.

I’ll think of you, you’ll think of me

Sitting around the Christmas Tree!

I cannot take credit for the poem.  I found it on SplitCoastStampers (SCS).

I’m sorry about the sporadic blog posts.  I’ve had sick kids home with one illness or another for the past month now.  I’m so over this stuff!  I sure hope that my life gets back to normal here real soon.

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you’ll take time for a cup of your favorite beverage. Here’s to you!!!

Hugs ~Leslee~

All supplies can be purchase Here.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Holiday Note Card Set

I love giving gorgeous note cards as gifts for the holidays.  It’s a little piece of me that I’m giving as well.  Each set is lovingly designed with the recipient in mind.  Here’s a set I can give to a November hostess.  Just a few holiday cards that are ready for giving.

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This set features the Christmas Cocoa Specialty Designer Series paper found in the Holiday Mini catalog and the Snowflake #2 Big Shot die.  It coordinates lovely with the Soft Suede cardstock and ribbon.  The “Peace” sentiment is from the “Peace Love Joy” stamp in the All Holidays set.  It is markered and stamped in Soft Suede, punched out with the large oval punch and layered onto a scallop oval punch out.  I used the triple snowflakes stamp from Serene Snowflakes to add a little extra behind the sentiment and on the envelopes.  I started with blank Note Cards and Envelopes from Stampin’ Up!  This is an extremely easy set to make.

100_8988I created the folder using one sheet of 8-1/2” x 11” Soft Suede cardstock.  Using the eyelet border punch, I punched along one long edge.  I scored the center at 5” and 6”, thus creating a ‘binding’ (perfect placement for the coordinating pen).  To form the pockets, I scored the length of the paper at 5-3/4” and 6”.  This makes the pockets 1/4” deep to accommodate two cards and envelopes in each pocket.  I cut the middle center flap out leaving only the 1/4” center flap, which I folded up and adhered to give the binding a little extra strength.  The outer edge of the pockets are 100_8976simply held together with a mini glue dot so that the cards and envies won’t fall out the sides.  The inside flap and outside of the folder is stamped with the triple snowflake stamp from Serene Snowflakes.  It is held closed by a 1/2” circle punch with a vintage brad in the center on the front and a piece of gold elastic cord held underneath the dsp on the back.  Just wrap the cord around the circle to secure (based on those large manila inner-office envelopes). 

Again, I love making these sets and I’ll be making several for teacher gifts this year.  Teachers are always in need of Thank You notes so I’ll do them with a Thank You theme. 

And thank you for stopping by today!  I hope you’ve been inspired to try one (or more) of these quick and easy Note Card Sets.  If you have any questions, just let me know.  As always, your comments as welcome and much appreciated.

Hugs ~Leslee~

All supplies seen in this project can be purchase here.

 

Monday, November 9, 2009

Quick Holiday Set

When it comes to the holiday’s, it has to be quick, easy and say “Wow”.  This set does just that.

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Here’s how I did it.  I started with one 8-1/2” x 11” sheet of Very Vanilla cardstock.  I cut the cardstock in half along the long side at 5-1/2”.  The one half I then scored at 4-1/4” to make this standard size card.

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It’s a simple card…a one inch strip of dsp from the Cast-A-Spell package, a length of the Old Olive – Mistletoe ribbon and a poinsettia flower made using two 5-petal flowers punched in Real Red and two in Old Olive.  Each flower was scored using my stylus and then layered together.  Three vintage brads help to hold them together.  The sentiment is from the new Christmas Greetings set (I’ll be using this set often this holiday season).  

 100_8924   The other half of Very Vanilla cardstock was then used to create a 2-4-6-8 box.  I scored across at 2”, 4”, 6” and 8”.  This leaves a 1/2” flap to place your adhesive (I use sticky strip for the best hold).  Then, turn your cardstock 90 degrees and score at 2”.  Cut the short 2” side of the 2-4-6-8 score marks up to that new 2” score line.  Thus creating the bottom flaps.  Fold and adhere all together.  This cute little box can be decorated and embellished how ever you’d like.  I scalloped the top edge with the Scallop Edge punch before I folded and adhered mine together. 

I used a scrap piece of cardstock to make the coordinating tag.  Again, the 5-petal flower poinsettia and a strip of dsp.  A super quick and easy, coordinated set!  I love it when it all comes together so quick and easy!

Box Note:  The 2-4-6-8 box can be made to any height desired.  Just determine the height needed and add on 2” for the bottom flap.  For a great tutorial on a variation of this box, check the 2-5-7-10 box out HERE on SplitCoast.

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you’ve been inspired to try a quick, coordinated set.  They really are quite fun and the recipient will simply love it! 

Hugs ~Leslee~

You can purchase any of these SU! products through my website HERE!

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Going Green

Going green is something that seems to be on everyone’s mind lately.  All of us trying to do our part to protect the environment…it’s a good thing!  Altered items are a great way to do your part.  Especially at this time of year when we are looking for inexpensive packaging for our handmade goodies!  For example, this container originally held alfredo sauce for a recent family dinner.

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It was washed, altered and presented to a recent hostess as a thank you gift.    She and the others at the workshop loved it!  And who wouldn’t?  It was filled with chocolates.  Holiday Fudge would be a great item to present in this container!

Here’s how I did this one… 

After washing the container, I simply used my black Sharpie marker to color the lid (it was green…already perfect for Christmas goodies).  Using my Circle Scissor Plus, I cut out a piece of orange dsp from the Cast-A-Spell Designer Series paper pack to fit the lid.  I, also, cut out three Basic Black circles in three sizes to make the spider.  These were adhered together with a dimensional between each layer.  Googlies for eyes and Basic Black grosgrain ribbon for the legs.  He’s just too cute!  100_9023The side of the container is covered with the hounds tooth pattern found in the Night & Day Specialty Designer Series paper (in the Holiday Mini).  Because the side of the container is tapered from top to bottom, I pleated the dsp to lay nicely around the container.  It’s held down with the ribbon and topped off with a sentiment punched with the large oval punch, layered on a scallop oval and wide oval.  Very simple with a huge impact!  Of course, you can easily change the theme with any designer paper and embellishments.

Here’s another recycled item…a small jar.  It once held maraschino cherries.  Same concept as the larger container, different scale.  Again, my hostess and her guests loved the idea!100_8989

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So, the next time you are looking for the perfect packaging, take a look in your own pantry.  Ask yourself, “How can I alter that item?”  You never know what might be waiting to be reused and given new life.  I hope you’ve been inspired to do your part and Go Green!  Thanks for stopping by.  Comments are welcome.

Hugs ~Leslee~

All Stampin’ Up! items can be purchase through my SU! website here.

Friday, November 6, 2009

A Do-Over FTL#64

Have you ever made a card and just didn’t like how it turned out?  Here’s the card that just didn’t do it for me…

 

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It’s okay but that’s what’s wrong…it’s just okay.  Well, I hung it on my desk right in front of me, so I had to look at it every day.  I looked at that card for two weeks until I ran across the Fall-To Layout #64.  That’s what was wrong!  The elements are great…the layout was just all wrong.  So, I disassembled the card, cut down the Rich Razzleberry panel, added the sentiment (from Season of Joy) and a panel of the black polka dot Night & Day Specialty Designer Series paper (you can find it in the Holiday Mini Catalog).  I absolutely LOVE this card now!  What a difference a good layout makes!  Isn’t this much better…

 

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The Razzleberry panel was background stamped using the small stamps in Delightful Decorations100_8919The ornament (Delightful Decorations) is stamped on Basic Black cardstock using Platinum Shimmer Paint that I had sponged directly onto the stamp.  It’s punched with the new Ornament punch and layered on a Basic Black ornament to create a shadow effect.  The ribbon is Whisper White Taffeta ribbon that I altered by sponging on Platinum Shimmer Paint.  Just allow it to dry thoroughly before using it on a project.  You can heat gun it to quicken the drying process. 

So, the lesson here…don’t toss it…call a Do-Over!  Sometimes, it’s just a simple as the layout.  Let me know what you think.  I love your comments.  I hope you’ve been inspired to never give up.

Hugs ~Leslee~

All supplies can be purchased through my SU! website HERE!

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Lovely Shimmery Night

Do you find using a brayer a bit intimidating?  I did.  But the more I use it, the easier it gets and the more I love it!  The best way to combat that intimidation is to just do it!  Keep in mind that no two projects will turn out exactly the same.  Something else to keep in mind is that there is no right and no wrong.  If you like it…that’s all that counts!  I happen to love this card…

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It features the Lovely As A Tree set (a new favorite of mine), Heard From the Heart for the sentiment and the cool new Frost White Shimmer Paint

I started with a piece of Very Vanilla card stock.  I punched a 1-3/8” circle out of a Post-It Note and used it to mask off the moon.  Using my brayer, I rolled on Bashful Blue.  Then Brocade Blue making sure to not completely overlap the Bashful Blue.  I finished off using Brilliant Blue across the top of the cardstock.  This gives the sky a gradient look to it.  I removed the mask circle and then inked up my trees with Craft Basic Black.  I sponged on some Shimmer Paint and stamped the trees onto the cardstock, making sure that some of the trees were overlapping the moon.  Be sure to allow for a little extra drying time when using craft ink.  Once dry, I sponged on some more Shimmer Paint over the entire scene.  The entire scene shimmers like a crisp snow is falling.  It’s absolutely radiant in real life!  I stamped on the sentiment in Craft Basic Black.  Layered the cardstock onto Kraft cardstock with one edge punched using the Eyelet Border.  I wrapped on some satin Old Olive ribbon from the Ribbon Originals - Mistletoe (yes, I did a cheater knot).  This was then all adhered to a Night of Navy card base.

Brayer Note:  Always start with your lightest color first.  You can always add more to make it darker but you can’t take it away. 

What do you think?  Are you ready to give the brayer a try?  If you need a little more inspiration, try one of these blogs,  bits & pieces and Freedom in Creating.  These ladies have given me a great deal of inspiration.  I don’t mind sharing them with you :)

Thanks for looking.  Leave me a comment and let me know what you think.  Comments are always welcome.  Have a great day!

Hugs ~Leslee~

All supplies used can be purchased through my Stampin’ Up! website.  Just click on the My SU! Website link on the right hand side bar or click HERE

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Sunrise Inspired

I can’t believe that it’s been so long since my last post.  I’ve been busier than I ever imagined…and that’s a good thing.  I’m getting things done!  Of course, having sick children home and under foot is never in the plans.  All is getting back to normal and, I think, that all will be back to school in the morning.  Yay! 

So, without further ado, here is a quick birthday card that was done for my brother-in-law.  100_8850I love a great sunrise and this card reminds me of the sun rising above the sand dunes.  Again, I used the masking technique for the sun.  Here, I used sponges to wash the color onto Very Vanilla card stock.  I started with the lightest color first, Barely Banana.  I, then, sponged on some Pretty in Pink and finished up with Pumpkin Pie.  The sand dune is sponged with some Sahara Sand.  I removed the Post-It Note sun mask and stamped on the grass from Inspired by Nature in Soft Suede.  The main panel is layered onto Soft Suede, Dusty Durango and then a Sahara Sand card base.  The sentiment is an old retired favorite, Warmest Regards.

Here’s a sunrise that helped to inspire this card.

100_8879 This was out my back door.

I hope you find inspiration all around you!  Thanks for looking.

Hugs ~Leslee~

Monday, October 12, 2009

Busy, busy, busy!

No, I didn’t fall off the face of the earth.  I know I told you that I had plenty to show and I do.  It’s just finding the time to sit down and post it to the blog that hasn’t happened.  ‘Busy’ has been my middle name lately. 

My sister and her husband were in from Denver, CO for a visit.   It ShashManuelwas so wonderful to spend some time with them!  They left this morning.  They are headed back to Mom & Dad’s in OH and then back to Denver.  I’m so glad they came the extra miles to spend time with us!  They got to see Jess’ soccer practice.  We had a bonfire on Saturday…roasted hot dogs (Adam’s favorite), marshmallows and made S’mores…yum!  The boys were doted upon…lots of hugs and kisses (smile!)  We topped off the weekend with a trip to our favorite Mexican restaurant.  It went way to fast and we hated to let them leave.

Anyway, on to the card…

100_8843 This was a really quick card I made for my father-in-law’s birthday.  Don wanted me to use this cute little crab and he gave me all of 20 minutes to get it completed in.  You see, his dad was a waterman and fished blue crabs for a living.  So, this is the card I came up with.

I simply sponged on some Sahara Sand and a bit of Sage Shadow.  I added the “seaweed” in Old Olive using the grass from the Inspired by Nature set.  The crab is from the retired Fishy Friends set.  He was stamped in Jet Black StazOn and colored using my Aqua Painter and Watercolor Crayons.  He is cut out and adhered to the sponged panel with a dimensional.  (Isn’t he cute?)100_8846 The sentiment is from an old retired favorite, Warmest Regards.  The sponged panel was then adhered to a Soft Suede card base.

The card took less than 10 minutes.  It received approval from the entire family.  My father-in-law really liked it.

Thanks for checking it out.  Comments are always welcome.  This month is just a really busy month for me.  I keep thinking that “next week will be better”…hmmm.  Maybe next week WILL be better?!

Hugs ~Leslee~

All supplies except for the retired stamp sets can be purchased through my website.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Scrap Card…

I love it when that happens!  When I can use the scrap pieces and parts that have been laying on my desk for weeks (or longer).  This is just a quick and simple card.  100_8817The Whisper White panel already had the edge punched with the Eyelet Border punch.  I simply added a length of Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot ribbon.  I masked the outlined flowers from the Wonderful Watercolors set, stamped them in Jet Black StazOn, and colored them in using my Aqua Painter and Crushed Curry ink pad.  The sentiment is from the same set.  The Basic Black strip was a scrap.  The card base color is Rich Razzleberry.

That’s it for today.  I hope you’ve been able to use up some of your scraps this year.  Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs~Leslee~

Monday, September 28, 2009

Officially Fall!

I know that fall is here when I start seeing this beautiful garden spider in my flower beds.  She’s known as a Black & Yellow Argiope or  may also be called a Yellow garden spider, Banana spider, Zipper spider or Golden Orb spider but the boys and I have named her, ‘Bob’.  Every year for as many years as I’ve been in this house (ten to be exact), Bob graces my flower beds.  I’ve since learned that the females are the larger of the species, they aren’t aggressive, and their life span is only one year.  I know, Bob is a male’s name but once named, it stuck.  As you can see, she isn’t a small spider and I can’t imagine running into her web.  Ewwww! 

Anyway, Bob is here again and I thought it a good time to stamp some spiders!  Of course, this spider looks nothing like Bob but it’s creepy crawly enough for this Halloween card.

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This layout is from SCS’ CAS#33 challenge.  The spider is found in From the Crypt and the sentiment in House of Haunts.  They are both stamped in Basic Black Craft ink on Whisper White.  I really love the craft ink.  It is bright and vibrant.  Just remember to allow a little extra drying time with the craft inks.  Or, you can speed the time along by using your heat gun.  I altered the linen thread by running it across a sponge with Platinum Shimmer Paint (found in the Holiday Mini Catalog).  I wanted a more web-like look to the thread.  Here’s a close up…100_8823

The main panel is layered on Basic Black with an offset layer of Perfect Plum.  The strip of DSP is in the Cast-A-Spell pack.  It’s all placed on a Certainly Celery card base.

This card is a really easy peasy cas card that would mass produce quickly.

That’s it for today!  I hope you’ve been inspired to look around you for inspiration.  I almost put my face right into this one!!!

Hugs ~Leslee~

Friday, September 25, 2009

Thoughts of Autumn

I don’t know what it is about cooler weather…it just puts me in the mood to stamp pumpkins, gourds, colorful leaves and spooky scenes. I love fall! And since I’ve kept you waiting long enough for this post (yes, it’s been way to long between postings), I’ll give you two cards today.

Here’s the first…

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I love the masking technique! The most difficult part of masking is the tedious chore of cutting your masks out. The results are well worth your effort though! I save my masks for reuse. I just use cheap sticky notes and they will last through many uses. This Autumn Harvest set is perfect for creating a fall scene that is perfect for water coloring. I love to water color too! Here I’ve used my classic inks with an Aqua Painter. I stamped my images in Jet Black StazOn on Very Vanilla card stock. Here’s a close up of the scene with a popped up leaf for visual interest.

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The ribbon is the reverse side of the Soft Suede Polka Dot ribbon. Card base is Old Olive and the scalloped edge strip of Pumpkin Pie is scraps that I had laying about my desk (yep…still using up scraps…I love that too!)

This next card is very CAS-ified but it uses the same supplies and techniques.

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The sentiments on both cards are from Kind & Caring Thoughts Hostess set.

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These were placed on the inside of the card.

I find that creating these little masked scenes are fun and relaxing. I hope you have been inspired to create a masked scene of your own. Thanks for stopping by today!

Hugs ~Leslee~