Friday, July 31, 2009

Get your MOJO on!



I played along with the Mojo Monday Sketch #96 (last week's sketch challenge). You can check the sketch out HERE! There is a new sketch every Monday for you to get your mojo going. There are some awesome sketches and the 'mojolicious' Mojo Makers always have some awesome samples for us to draw inspiration from.
Once again, I was playing around with my new From the Crypt set and Cast-a-spell DSP. I'm gonna have to move this set way off of my desk because it is all I seem to be reaching for. This was a fun sketch to use and it just begged for designer paper on the three panels. The scallop circle is die cut with the Big Shot and the Scallop Circles #2 die. The Perfect Plum circle is cut with the Circle Scissor Plus. The focal image is tediously trimmed (I don't think I'll do that again) and is sponged with Perfect Plum. Once again, I will warn you to use the StazOn Jet Black ink...unless you want it to smudge. Please don't ask me how I know this. The ribbon treatment is black grosgrain with a snip of black gingham and silver cord knotted around it. Who says we can't mix and match ribbons?
One last note of interest...see the three punched plum circles in the upper right corner? Well, I'll admit it (although if I don't, no one would know), they are covering up an ink smudge. Yet, I like the graduating circles (1/4" to 1/2" to 3/4" under the bat). It makes it look as if the bat just flew out from behind the scalloped circle. Okay...so you really have to use your imagination on that one.
Thanks for stopping by today! I hope that next time you are in lack of mojo you'll give the Mojo Monday Sketch Blog a try.
Hugs ~Leslee~

Thursday, July 30, 2009

It's Elemental


This was a super quick and fun card to make. I wanted to combine lots of the graphic elements onto one card. I think I accomplished that. Yes, this is a no layers, no embellishments card! Very odd for me. I wanted the graphic elements to make the card. This card sports Extreme Elements, Medallion, and From the Crypt. Can you spot them all?
I started with the beautiful Soft Suede card base. I stamped the Medallion in VersaMark in the lower left hand corner. I then added the various elements from the Extreme Elements set. I changed the ink color with each stamp...the fleur-de-lis in Close to Cocoa, the winged element in Saraha Sand, the dots in Soft Suede, stars in Whisper White, and the skull (in the From the Crypt set) in Bordering Blue. All inks are craft (except the Soft Suede, Sahara Sand and VersaMark). I wanted the elements to layer onto each other...not blend into one another. I drew inspiration from my young man's graphic T-shirt (of all things). I noticed how the elements are mostly subdued and monochromatic...except for one. That one focal element is in a bolder, yet complimentary color. That's why the skull is in Bordering Blue. The birthday sentiment from Birthday Wish is heat embossed in Basic Black and Black EP. I had to emboss it to make is stand out on the card.
Here's a look at the inside...
That's where I have my layers and more star elements in Bordering Blue.
This card received rave reviews from my boys. Gosh, I love hearing them lovin' my cards! It is very hip, cool and extremely masculine. What do you think?
Thanks for looking! May you find inspiration in places you didn't even think to look! Come back soon.
Hugs ~Leslee~

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Plum Scary!!


The card is anyway. The sketch is awesome! I used Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge #32 (MTSC32) which you can find on her blog, Lord Have Mercy. Just click HERE! Mercy has brought back her weekly sketches and she's started them off with a bang!


I knew exactly what stamps I wanted to use...my new From the Crypt set. I've paired it with the awesome new Cast-A-Spell Designer Series paper. I'm loving these two new items. Graphically speaking, they pair will with the Extreme Elements set. I'll show you more of that this week too.

This card is pretty straightforward. I'll spare you the 'gory' details and won't point out the obvious. I will tell you that I used Jet Black StazOn ink on the skull. I used my blender pen to color in the skull with Pale Plum craft ink. If I would have used the craft or classic Basic Black, the ink would have smeared...of course, it might have made this card even scarier...hmmm. The panel of Perfect Plum was stamped using VersaMarker on just a corner of the stamp with the bat in the center. I left any sentiment off of this card, but there is plenty of room to add one (once I decide what I want to put on it).


Thanks for stopping by today! I certainly enjoy sharing with you. I hope you are inspired to check out Mercy's blog and challenges. She has been a huge source of inspiration to me.

Hugs ~Leslee~

Supplies:
Paper - Basic Gray, Basic Black, Perfect Plum, Whisper White, Cast-a-Spell DSP
Ink - Jet Black StazOn, Pale Plum Craft

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Love You Much Hearts

I thought that I would break up the extreme elements show with this Clean & Simple (CAS) card. This is from Monday's CAS#25 which is a sketch challenge. You can check out the original CAS post HERE! It is always so difficult to get a good photo of a white based card, so I apologize now for the photo. It really doesn't do this card justice. IRL, it's a beautiful, crisp and clean card. So simple to make...under 10 minutes.

I started with the Whisper White base. I used my Big Shot and the Backgrounds #1 Texturz plate - Flourish to dry emboss the card front. The panel is Basic Black, with a layer of Whisper White and a strip of Razzleberry Lemonade DSP. Of course, my fav black gingham ribbon! I stamped the hearts from Love You Much in Basic Black and added a bit of Melon Mambo marker for some color. These are punched out using the Heart to Heart punch (on sale this week only for a low $10.99 through Stampin' Up!'s Deal of the Week). These were snailed to the panel with the medium heart up on a dimensional.
Clean, simple, gorgeous, done!!!
Thanks for stopping in today. I'll be back tomorrow with another masculine elements card.
I hope you've been inspired to give Monday's CAS challenges a try.
Hugs ~Leslee~

Monday, July 27, 2009

Deal of the Week #5

You are going to LOVE this week's Deal of the Week!



For this week only, you can purchase the Heart to Heart punch for only $10.99! That's more than 30% off the regular price of $15.95!

If you remotely think you might use this punch for card making or scrapbooking, now is the time to purchase! This deal is super and we may not see it ever again!

Here is a few projects I've done with this punch.....
You can place your order online on my website or you can call or email me. Remember, this deal is only for this week! Place your order today! Have questions, call me!
Hugs ~Leslee~

Extreme-ly Awesome!!!

As promised, I've spent the weekend playing with my new stamp sets. I love them!! And I have lots of new cards to show you this week.

As many of you know, I have all boys and I'm always looking for the masculine stamps and papers. My boys are past the cute trains and teddy bears and zoo animals. And they love the graphic t-shirts that are so popular now-a-days. So, I naturally gravitated to the new Extreme Elements set in the SU! catalog. I asked both the boys to pick an extreme sport set...they both chose the Extreme Dirt Bike. Without further ado, here is the first card made with these two sets....


Do you like it? I do...extremely! I submitted this for Friday's Limited Supplies Challenge #230 on SCS. The challenge was to 'Get your motor running'. Use an image that you can rev up! Considering I was planning on using my new set anyway, this challenge was perfect and extremely easy! I think this set qualifies.

I started with the Very Vanilla panel. I randomly stamped the different elements in various craft inks, Old Olive, Bordering Blue, Pale Plum, Close to Cocoa, and Soft Suede classic ink. I started with the 'splash' in the center and worked around it. Surprisingly, it was extremely easy to stamp so randomly.

Jess told me that it is 'more extreme when it's upside down'. And that's just what I did. The bike is stamped in Basic Black craft and then heat embossed using clear embossing powder. I should make mention here that you should always use your embossing buddy over any area that you don't want embossing to adhere to. Especially when using craft inks which tend to stay wet and tacky longer (perfect for embossing powder to cling to). I added the pewter brads to the wheels for visual dimension. Adam said they made a 'cool axle'.

The rest is simple...layer the Very Vanilla panel onto Basic Black and then Old Olive. They are all mounted in dimensionals onto the Soft Suede card base. I added a few elements to the card base corners in Soft Suede first.

Here's a picture of my two goofy guys! I received two 'very cool' remarks! I extremely needed to hear that from them! Jess even said that it's about time I had some stamps for boys. I hope you like the masculine graphic elements. I'll be using these sets often. Of course, I can't wait to try the Extreme Elements with a feminine flair. Check back all week. I have lots to share. I'll also have the Deal of the Week posted as soon as Stampin' Up! has it announced later this morning.

Leave me a comment and let me know what you think. Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs ~Leslee~

Friday, July 24, 2009

Sweet Slice of Summer

Ah...summer is so sweet, isn't it? Cookouts with kids running wild, fresh veggie salads and sweet watermelon dripping down your chin! Does it get any better? I think not! We recently had one of these awesome and sweet summer days. And when I sat down to start my swap cards for an upline meeting, all I could think of is that I wished I had some more of that sweet watermelon! So...I grabbed my Circle Scissor Plus and set out to make my paper version of that sweet watermelon.
Can't you just taste it? Um...makes my mouth water!
Here's how you can make your own...
Using my Circle Scissor Plus, I cut out a circle in Whisper White, and then a circle slightly larger in Certainly Celery. I used a scratch piece of paper and cut a circle just smaller than the Whisper White. I used this as a template to reverse mask the white circle. In the template, I sponged on Melon Mambo (the watermelon flesh). The bite is created with the Scallop Circle punch. The seeds were hand cut out of scrap Basic Black, adhered with 2-way Glue Pen and then covered with Crystal Effects for visual dimension (it's really awesome irl). The sentiments in Basic Black Craft ink are both from the Teeny Tiny Wishes set (can't get enough of this set...I can't get it off my desk). I used the Eyelet Border punch on the panel of Basic Black, Whisper White and a strip of Razzleberry Lemonade DSP. The Melon Mambo Polka Dot ribbon is wrapped just above the DSP strip and it is all adhered to the beautiful Melon Mambo card base. I love how this card turned out. I did fifteen of these and the toughest part was the seeds and waiting for the Crystal Effects to dry. To do just one really takes no time at all.
Adam really wanted me to leave the Whisper White panel off and mount the watermelon right onto the Basic Black. While I had the supplies all out and some extra watermelon slices on my desk, I made him this card.

I love the melon on the black. So, I had to do one more...

This card layout is inspired by the Stamps & Smiles layout (SASSC25) seen HERE over at The Fresh Batch. I lowered the ribbon a bit, it just looked better to me that way. This is the first time I've ever played along but they post up a sketch challenge each week. Hop on over and give it a try. Anyway, the supplies are basically the same with the addition of black brads and the flower, made with the 5-petal flower punch. The flower center is a 1/2" circle with "sweet" stamped in Whisper White craft and then covered with Crystal Effects. Here's a close up...
The C.E. really makes it pop! Do ya like it? I really like this one!! Someone really special is getting this card!!

Thanks for stopping in today! May you find inspiration in life's sweet things too! Check back soon...I just got my order of new goodies and I'll be playing with it all over the weekend. I've already made a masculine card that I post first. I can't wait to put what's in my head onto paper!!! Been dreaming about this for weeks now! See you soon!

Hugs ~Leslee~

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Inspired by a Lovebug

Art.com has done it again! This Lovebug, Ladybug print by Tania Schuppert has inspired today's card. Again, this is for the CAS#23 challenge on SCS.



The scroll style frame on the print immediately reminded me of the Big Shot Top Note die. I ran a piece of Certainly Celery and Whisper White card stock through the Big Shot. I trimmed off the edge of the Whisper White and layered it onto the Celery. In the corners, I adhered the small heart from the Heart to Heart punch. The lovebug is simply one of the petals from the Pick-A-Petal set. I stamped it in Real Red ink onto Glossy White card stock, cut them out and adhered them to the back of a 3/4" punched circle of Basic Black with a 1/4 of it snipped off (the head). Placed that in the center of my 'frame' and drew in the antenna and body freehand with a Basic Black marker. It is all layered onto a Whisper White card base.
Really easy peasy! And to think, it was inspired by children's art. Clean and simple and under ten minutes!
Thanks for stopping in today. I hope you've been inspired to give the CAS challenges a try. There's a new one post every Monday on Splitcoast.

Hugs ~Leslee~

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Inspired by Jerry

Here's another CAS#23 challenge card that was inspired by Art.com. As I said in my last post, this site is full of inspiration!

**Sorry about the poor quality of this photo. It was so difficult to get a good shot and I finally just gave up trying.

I chose this fun piece as my inspiration, Jerry by Kate Mawdsley. I used a technique called Reverse Masking. I made a frame with the opening just larger than the giraffe image. I laid the frame over my Whisper White card base. I lightly sponged on a little Crushed Curry and then Dusty Durango. The two colors give the area a little depth. Then, I removed the frame. The giraffe image is from the set, Animal Crackers. I stamped him in Close To Cocoa on Very Vanilla. I colored him in with Barely Banana, Close To Cocoa, Summer Sun, and Soft Suede markers. Cut out the image using very sharp paper snips and adhered him to the card base. Using the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig (which I seem to be using often lately), I stamped the sentiment by markering only it and omitting the giraffe on the stamp. It wasn't my original intention to paper pierce under the sentiment. It is actually covering over a stray dot of ink. The dot was so small...but I noticed it and it bothered me. To punch out the sentiment and cover over the mistake just didn't look right. I wanted to keep the look of the inspiration piece. That's how I ended up with the piercing. It works!! What mistake??

I think that I may try using other images with this same reverse masking framed technique. It took me less than ten minutes to complete this card...more like five! How do you like it?

Thanks for coming by today. I encourage you to browse Art.com. You might just be inspired to create a lovely piece of art yourself!

Hugs ~Leslee~

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

CAS-ing Art


This was a super fun CAS#23 challenge that was held last week on SCS! I know, I'm a bit slow getting this post up, but I've been on a creative roll and, when on a roll, it's difficult to stop! I'm sure you have that problem too. Right? The challenge was to draw inspiration from Art.com and create a Clean & Simple card. There is SOOOO much to draw inspiration from on this site. I didn't...let me rephrase that...I couldn't stop at just one. I ended up making three different cards in the course of one evening. And, I've bookmarked the site so I can return time and again for even more inspiration. Is it cheating by casing a piece of artwork from some well known artists (or some not so well known)? Absolutely not!!
So, without further ado, here is the first card I have to show you...


I love how this card turned out! Here is the original artwork, Night Blossoms by Cristina Pepe. So very simple to create. I started with a 5-1/4" x 4" piece of Soft Suede card stock. I sponged on some Soft Suede and Melon Mambo. The sponging just adds some depth to the project. I stamped the floral branch from the Thoughts & Prayers set in Chocolate Chip. Then, using my Stamp-A-Ma-Jig set slightly off to one side, I re-stamped the image in Whisper White Craft ink. This technique is known as Shadow Stamping. I dried the ink completely and rubbed my Embossing Buddy over the entire card stock. I inked up only the blossoms with my VersaMarker and, again, set my Stamp-A-Ma-Jig slightly out of alignment and stamped the image. I embossed using White Embossing Powder and heat tool. This is what made the flowers look as if they are popping off the card. The sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes (I'm loving this set...it has everything). The flower and half back pearl is found in the Pretties Kit. It is all layered onto a Whisper White card base.
Remember, when using pigment inks (Craft inks), drying time will be longer than if you used the dye based inks (Classic inks). You can speed this process by setting your heat tool to it.
I love the outcome. And, believe it or not, it took under ten minutes to complete. Yes, I used my heat tool. How do you like it?
Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you'll give Art.com a try the next time you need a little creative inspiration. I'll be posting my other art inspired cards in the next day or so. Come back soon!
Hugs ~Leslee~

Monday, July 20, 2009

DEAL OF THE WEEK #4

Hi! It's Monday and time for another fabulous [insert big loud booming voice] DEAL OF THE WEEK!




This week's special is the beautiful Styled Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware!

You can purchase this awesome kit this week only for the low price of $18.99. That's over 30% off the regular retail price of $29.95.

And after the hardware is gone (providing that you don't hoard it), you can use the empty tin for any altered project you can think of!
Here's a look at all the hardware styles you will find in this kit:

These are beautiful on cards and the perfect addition to a scrapbook page!

Check out the deal HERE on my website. You can order yours directly from the site or call me to place your order.

Check back next Monday for another great Deal of the Week!

Hugs ~Leslee~

Book 2 Look

That's right! You will have to book a workshop to look inside one of these adorable scallop envelopes! It's really easy to obtain one of these envelopes. All you have to do is book a workshop with me to be held by October 31, 2009. You will then get to choose an envelope. The contents of the envelope will only be revealed at your workshop in front of your friends and family! I can promise you this...you won't be disappointed at what you find inside your envelope! There are some real goodies hidden inside these little beauties! Contact me today to schedule your workshop. Need 3 more reasons to hostess a workshop? Simply click HERE!
Now, on to the adorable envelope deets....
As you can see, these were mass produced in Pumpkin Pie card stock using my Big Shot and the Scallop Envelope die. I wrapped a 5" x 1" strip of Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series paper around the envelope. The flowers are punched in Rich Razzleberry and Crushed Curry using the Boho Blossoms punch. A pumpkin pie brad holds the flower together and a mini glue dot holds it on the envelope. The sentiment is stamped in Pumpkin Pie ink from the Teeny Tiny Wishes set, punched in Crushed Curry using the Word Window punch. Inside (which I can't show you until your workshop) holds a 3" x 2" card. Perfect for a stamped sweet sentiment or small note. It would make a lovely Valentine's swap for an entire classroom! Change the colors and replace the flower with hearts! Yes! You need this Big Shot & die!! Hold a workshop...I'll help you get some of these goodies for FREE!
Thanks for coming by today! I hope you've been inspired to book a workshop! Come back soon for more!
Hugs ~Leslee~

Friday, July 17, 2009

Final Open House Card


I really like this card. Here is the original one I had made. As you can see, I've only changed the card base from Melon Mambo to Bermuda Bay and I added a Basic Black layer behind the main panel. I think that by adding the Basic Black, it allows the Melon Mambo on the main panel to really pop and grab your attention. Again, I used the generation stamping technique, added Dazzling Diamonds glitter to the flower petals and wrapped a length of Melon Mambo Polka Dot ribbon. The sentiment is from the same set as the flowers, Kind & Caring Thoughts (a Hostess Level 3 set).

This next card is the same. I was just using up some of the card stock I had laying out on my desk. The colors are changed...Cameo Coral base, Garden Green layer with the corners rounded and Naturals White run through the Big Shot using the Top Note die. Of course, I wrapped a length of my fav black & white gingham ribbon.

All these cards are beautiful! I don't think I'd be able to pick a favorite. Which one do you like? It goes without saying, this is a super easy card to make and mass produce.
Thanks for stopping by today. Come back again soon. I've been on a creative roll lately. I have several more things to show you. I hope you've been inspired to take one of your beautiful cards and give it a color make-over or two!
Hugs ~Leslee~

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Joy

What is "JOY" for you? For me, it's my boys and the time I get to spend with them. My flower beds when they are all weeded and mulched (which they are not). Eating the first harvest from my veggie garden (those beans were good). Seeing God's handiwork in everything around me (I thank HIM each day for it all). Stamping and playing with my new stamping toys and sets.
That brings me to this New Catalog Open House card.
This card uses just about every toy, I mean tool that I own. I can't call them toys too much....Don will think that I'm actually having fun and then he'll take away my buying privileges (and we can't have that now). I love my tools! They really do make card making and scrap booking much quicker and easier.
Here's a quick run down...
I used the Big Shot and the small dots plate from Background #1 Texturz plates for the Very Vanilla layer. I wrapped a length of Soft Suede Polka Dot ribbon around that, using the unpolka dotted side (it's like double-sided ribbon--twice the bang for your buck). Then layered it all onto a Soft Suede card base.
The large circles were created using the Circle Scissor Plus. It's one of those tools that the more you use it, the better you get. I highly recommend this tool! I can't even cut a circle on a drawn line and make it look nice. I start with the smallest circle (Very Vanilla) and work my way larger (Crushed Curry & Soft Suede). I first stamped my flower image from the Wonderful Watercolors set (it is on the Dormant List this year but is available for purchase). Because this is a 2-step stamping set, I used my Stamp-A-Ma-Jig to get that perfect image placement (outline is in Jet Black StazOn and the second step in Crushed Curry and Old Olive). Then I cut the circle with the Circle Scissor Plus around the image. I wanted the image to be a little off center to allow for the sentiment and embellishing.
The sentiment is just the word 'JOY' that I markered in Soft Suede from the saying "JOY is to behold GOD in everything" (also in the Wonderful Watercolors set). I used the 1" circle, 1-1/4" circle and the 1-3/8" circle punches to create this layered sentiment. I stuck a Saffron brad in the center of the 'O' for added visual dimension.
The space above the sentiment and to the right of the image was in need of something. I pulled out my mat pack and paper piercing tool and added the piercing. I followed along a circle of scrap that I had cut (again using the Circle Scissor Plus). I just eyeballed the spacing. I like how the piercing filled in the space but think that perhaps a butterfly popped on a dimensional would look nice too.
Yes. I went a little overboard on the tools. But, it was a JOY! What do you think?
Take joy in your day today! I hope you've been inspired to break out all of your toys!
Hugs ~Leslee~

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

It's A Razzleberry Birthday...

...card that is! Isn't this paper scrumptious? I just love it! The Designer Series Paper (DSP) is from the new Razzleberry Lemonade DSP pack. The card itself was pretty easy to make. This is another one from my New Catalog Open House. I used a Whisper White card base and punched the scallop edge. I adhered a strip of the DSP to the inside edge. The 'image' DSP (yes, this paper is pretty enough to be a focal image) is layered onto Rich Razzleberry card stock. I wrapped a length of Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot ribbon around that and added a handmade embellishment (I'll explain that a few lines down). The "happy birthday" sentiment is from the Teeny Tiny Wishes set (I'm loving this set and its versatility). I added the flower from the Razzle Dazzle set over the sentiment...just gives it some extra pizazz...then I punched it using the large oval and layered it onto a scallop oval punch.
Note: The Razzle Dazzle set images coordinate with the Razzleberry Lemonade DSP so nicely!
Okay, the handmade embellishment...I originally had placed a button there. The button just wasn't doing it for me so I grabbed the Boho Blossoms punch and started playing. The stamped flower is in the Razzle Dazzle set and it fits perfectly into one of the flowers in the punch. My flower layers are in Crushed Curry, Rich Razzleberry and Whisper White. I punched a 1/16" hole in the center and used linen thread to attach it all right to the ribbon. I like this much better than the button I had there. AND, it used some of the scraps I had out on my desk already! So, don't be afraid to make your own 'buttons'.
Let me know what you think. Comments are always welcome.
Have a blessed day. I'll be back tomorrow with more from my Open House.
Hugs ~Leslee~


On a side note, the boys and I went to see the new Transformers movie yesterday. We loved it!

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

After vacation blahs...

Ever notice that after vacation you need a vacation? Well, that's how I'm feeling. You take five days off and it takes ten days to play catch up. I'm exhausted now. Anyhoo....my house is clean, the bills are paid and the companies are all caught up! So, it's time to get back into the swing of things...a somewhat "normal" routine (if there is such a thing). Like two younglings howling that there's nothing to do is "normal", right? I did promise that we would start doing some fun summer stuff and I am going to uphold my end of the bargain...as long as they let me get some of my stamping time in. I have all good intentions to get some much needed scrap booking done too. I actually have vacation pictures to scrap this year!

Okay...enough blathering...on with the goodies....

I held my annual New Catalog Open House this past weekend. It was so nice to see everyone! I really enjoy the time we spend together. Over the next few days, I'll be posting the cards that I had made for the Open House. I'll start by showing you this card.


I had seen the cattails done about a year ago on the SCS site. I'm sorry, I don't remember who I had gotten the idea from but I have been meaning to do this ever since I first saw it. I put a wash of watercolor on for the background. I misted water directly onto watercolor paper and then used a sponge to lightly brush on some color (Dusty Durango & Crushed Curry--yes, new In-colors). Then in Soft Suede, I stamped the grasses from the set Inspired by Nature. The cattails are made by using the punch out pieces from the slot punch (in Choc. Chip). I adhered these using my 2-way glue pen. I matted the watercolored image onto Naturals Ivory card stock. I simply tore the edges and drug it across the Soft Suede ink pad. Some natural hemp twine on opposing corners and it's all layered onto a Dusty Durango card base. I really love how this card turned out. It has a very masculine feel to it. Change the colors and it could be very feminine. I think I will have to try it.

This next card is the same concept, same colors, different layout of the colors and no cattails. I used linen thread in the corners and added the sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes, that I had punched out with the word window punch. I had sponged a bit of Soft Suede on the background too. Again, a real masculine card. What do you think?

Well, that's it for today. I hope you've been inspired to give that thing you've been wanting to do a try. I finally did and love it!!!! Thanks for stopping by, come again soon.

Hugs ~Leslee~

Monday, July 13, 2009

DEAL OF THE WEEK #3 – July 13, 2009


It's Monday and time for another fantastic Deal of the Week….









Add some bling to your projects using Stampin' Up!'s Square Fire Rhinestone Brads!




For this week only (July 13 – 19), you can purchase these lovely brads for only $6.99! That's over 30% off the regular price of $10.95!




Check out all the details on my website HERE! You can order yours through the site or contact me directly.




Be sure to check out my website every Monday at 12 PM (Eastern Time) this month for the new Deal of the Week!

Monday, July 6, 2009

DEAL OF THE WEEK - July 6, 2009


Introducing this week's Deal of the Week….




Feel like a big shot with the Big Shot Doctor's Bag!


For this week only (July 6 – 12), for only $49.99 you can purchase this awesome bag! That's nearly 30% off the regular price of $69.95!


Check out all the details on my website HERE! You can order yours through the site or contact me directly.


Be sure to check out my website every Monday at 12 PM (Eastern Time) this month for the new Deal of the Week!

Vacation is over...

...and we had a fantasic time! It's not often (more like never) that we take a family vacation. The summer is Don's busy time at work and we just don't take the time off. This year, we headed to South Carolina and stayed with some long time friends.
Don drove the track at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte with the Richard Petty Driving Experience. He said it was the "experience of a lifetime"!
That was, by far, the best birthday gift I could have gotten him. He is now ready to drive at Richmond! Also, we visited with some other long time friends who are in Charlotte. All three families got together (the guys all grew up together) and we enjoyed each others company and ate some good food. The kids all got along great...just like no time had passed between them. What a fabulous vacation we had!!!

Which brings me to my card. Needless to say, I needed a thank you card. The SCS CAS challenge for 6/29/09 was to make it sparkle. This is a very simple and quick card to make.
The flower and sentiment is from the new Hostess Level 3 set called Kind & Caring Thoughts (sorry, for some reason, I can't find to link to that set...you can see it in the catalog though). I inked the flower head in Melon Mambo and the stem in Garden Green using markers. I used the generation stamping technique. That's where you stamp the image repeatatively without reinking the stamp. I did 'huff' on the stamp between each stamping just to remoisten the ink. Each stamping will be slightly lighter than the last. I then used my 2-Way Glue pen on the petal tips to adhere my Dazzling Diamonds Glitter to the image.
(Here's a close up.)
A length of the new Melon Mambo Polka Dot ribbon was wrapped around the Whisper White card stock and then it was layered onto the Melon Mambo card base using Stampin' Dimensionals.
I just wanted a card to convey our appreciation for the warm hospitality we were given. I think this card will do just that.
Thanks for stopping in today. I hope you can find some family time in your busy schedule. Now, if I can get all those pictures into a scrapbook....I'll have to work on that soon.
Don't forget to check out the DEAL OF THE WEEK! I'll post it when it is up from SU!
Hugs ~ Leslee ~
All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted.