Monday, January 31, 2011

Hearts & Flourish

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     The new Glimmer Paper is absolutely wonderful!  You get the beautiful look of glitter without the mess or clean up of using glitter.  The paper is one-sided, cover weight and perfect for adding sparkle and glam to any project. 

      The card base is Pink Pirouette.  I layered Whisper White onto Basic Black that I had Scallop Edge punched up one side.  The flourish is from the Priceless set, stamped in Real Red Classic ink.  I used both the large and small flourish stamp here.  The glimmer paper punches with ease.  I used the Heart-To-Heart punch and simply applied the hearts to the card front in a pleasing-to-my-eye manner.  For added bling and interest, I adhered several Jewels Basic Rhinestones.  The sentiment, stamped in Basic Black Classic ink, is found in Teeny Tiny Wishes set.  I finished the card off with a 5/8” Basic Black Satin ribbon that I simply wrapped around the top of the card and knotted. 100_2424

     Yes, I love the glimmer paper!  No mess…the glitter isn’t coming off!  Funny thing is, I still “felt” like I had glitter all over my face.  (smile)  I didn’t though.  I hope you’ve been inspired to give this paper a try.  Thanks for stopping by today.

Hugs,

Leslee

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

Friday, January 28, 2011

Vintage Wishes

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100_2408      You can’t say I didn’t warn you…I love, love, love this new Springtime Vintage Designer Series paper and the Framed Tulips Textured Impressions Embossing folder!  I can’t seem to move it from my reach.  Which is fine by me!  I’m loving the look!

     Here, I have embossed right onto the Pear Pizzazz card base.  To make the raised embossing a little more prominent, I applied some Very Vanilla Craft ink with the flat stamp in the 100_2406Distressing Essentials kit.   The Victoria Crocheted ribbon is simply gorgeous with the vintage look of the DSP.  So do the Jewels Basic Pearls (which I think is the icing on the cake).  The sentiment is from the new Bring On The Cake set found in the Occasions Mini Catalog (along with the embossing folder, label punch and the DSP).  The Decorative Label punch is perfect with this vintage look too.   Baja Breeze is the accent color on these cards.   

     I’m so happy to share these with you today!  I hope you’ve found some inspiration…vintage or brand new!

Hugs,

Leslee

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

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Vintage & Faux

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     Vintage is so popular at the moment.  My supplies certainly aren’t vintage on their own so it is only natural to incorporate faux into the project.  Okay, maybe a few supplies that I’ve been hoarding for like…forever.  (smile)  The Springtime Vintage Designer Series paper is so beautiful and elegant.  It really does scream “vintage”!  I’m so smitten with it…now there’s a vintage word.

100_2449     This card was created for a recent swap.  Though it looks labor intensive, it really is not.  The new Framed Tulips Textured Impressions Embossing folder is so elegant and frames your artwork so nicely.  A quick crank through the Big Shot and it’s done.  The faux suede flower is so easy to create.  You can see the technique in this post, How-To-Faux Suede.  I used the Scallop Circle and Boho Blossoms punches.  The ‘leaves’ were made with the 5-Petal Flower punch.  The flower is in Rose Red, leaves in Always Artichoke and all is held together with a Very Vanilla brad.  The Very Vanilla Taffeta ribbon was scrunched by pulling only one thread in the center.  I came across this technique on Mary Fish’s 1 Minute to Wow video tutorial.  You can check it out by clicking on this link, Simple Satin Scrunchy Ribbon.  The ribbon took the longest when creating these cards.  But once I got the hang of grasping only one thread to scrunch, it went very quickly.  I even impressed my hubby (that doesn’t happen often).  The stamp set I used is a new one found in the Occasions Mini, Thanks for Caring.  I just love this butterfly and had to have it!  He is stamped in Pear Pizzazz ink.  I ink distressed the image panel with Pear Pizzazz and the Distressing Essentials’ flat stamp.  This simply adds to the vintage feel of the card. 

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     I really like how the card turned out.  Hubby said it was the best I’ve ever done!  I’ll take that!  Though…what does he know? ;)

     Thanks for looking.  I hope you’ve been inspired!

Hugs,

Leslee

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

Monday, January 24, 2011

Couple’s Cups

    Every year, my family holds an after Christmas gathering with the entire extended family.  We exchange small gifts at this gathering…nothing elaborate or expensive as the family grows larger each year and, let’s face it, it can get extremely expensive.  I like that this gathering has been after Christmas simply because it gives me more time to put things together.  This year, I crafted these cute couple’s cups and holders for the couples and the singles received just one travel cup.  Each cup contains the making for Snowman Soup.  You know, one packet of hot chocolate mix, a handful of mini marshmallows, a few Hershey’s Kisses and a peppermint stick for stirring.

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     Before I get too far into this post, I must tell you that I did not come up with this design on my own.  I believe in giving credit where credit is due.  I found this adorable project on fellow blogger Chris Twing’s site, For Love Of Paper.  The link will take you directly to the project.  There, you will find her fabulous tutorial on how to make these.  Please note, her tutorial/measurements are for the larger 16 oz. cup carrier.  For my project, I used the 12 oz. travel cups.  Therefore, I made my carrier size smaller.  I started with a 7-3/4” x 7-3/4” pc. of card stock and scored all sides at 2-1/4”.  Still, by checking out Chris’ tutorial, I’m sure you won’t have any problems altering to fit your project needs.  She has done a fantastic job with her tutorial. 

100_2392     Here is the Snowman Soup poem that is on the front of the wintery cup holders:

When the weather outside is frightful,
Snowman Soup can be delightful.
May it warm your spirit and your soul.
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!
When you feel a chill or are saying "brrrr,"
Use the candy cane stick to stir.
Add hot water and sip it slow.
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

       I had SO much fun making these!  Not only did I make them for our family gathering but the boys’ teachers, the gals that help me on the PTA Committee and school staff members too.  Yes, I had a ton of fun making these cuties.  The best part is that it used up lots of my Designer Series paper that I’ve been hoarding for years :)  I had so much fun that I can’t stop making them…change the paper/theme and have a set for any occasion.  Like the Valentine’s set?  It is going to a certain couple I love and miss very much…can’t say whom just yet ;)

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     Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you’ve been inspired!  Hmm…St. Patrick’s Day??

Hugs,

Leslee

All supplies are Stampin’ Up! and can be purchased HERE unless retired (like the DSP on the winter cups).

Friday, January 21, 2011

Baseball Birthday

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     With two boys young men in the house, I’m sure to need a masculine birthday card at some point in the year.  Well, here’s the first one of 2011. 

     For this card, I used up some scraps that were laying about on the desk.  The scrap of DSP reminded me of a pennant and I simply ran with it.  This nice young man is on the ball team with Adam, so the retired Just Baseball set was a perfect choice.  The background stamps are from my favorite young man/masculine set, Extreme Elements.  The sentiment is from the level 1 hostess set, Afterthoughts.  I love the Crumb Cake card stock.  It lends itself to so many styles and occasions.    

     The card received two thumbs up and dubbed as “cool”!  That’s good enough for me :)  Enjoy your day!

Hugs,

Leslee

All supplies are Stampin’ Up! and can be purchased HERE unless otherwise noted at retired.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Present-ation is Everything…

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     I love the ease of purchasing gift cards.  Not only are they easy to send but the recipient 100_2365can get just what they want with it.  However, I always feel bad that they don’t really have anything to “open”.  I came across these adorable “presents” on my sideline’s blog, Stamping Inspiration.  She even included the measurements.  I’m sure you will agree, Marie Shaughnessy is an uber talented crafter!  You may have seen her work on SplitCoastStampers as well.  For the presents in the above photo, I used Deck the Halls DSP and coordinating card stock.  For the others, I was able to use more of the retired papers that I’ve been hoarding.  I’m on a mission to use it all…only to justify the buying of more, of course :) 

100_2368     I absolutely adored Marie’s “bow” topper and had to try for myself.  These are simply made with the small and large oval punches.  I secured them together with a Glitter Brad.  Now that’s thinking outside the box!!

     I love these little presents!  Change the DSP and you have a present for any occasion.  They are really quick and easy to make too!  That’s always a plus!  Thanks to Marie for her inspiration.  Be sure to stop by and check out her blog.  Thanks to you for stopping in today.  I hope you have a super day!

Hugs,

Leslee

Supplies are Stampin’ Up! and can be purchased HERE unless noted as retired. :)

Monday, January 17, 2011

Newsprint Note Set

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     Way back when the Newsprint Designer Series paper first came out, I had said that I was going to make a set of cards for my aunt for Christmas.  Well, as promised, here’s the set…finally!  Once again, I used this super simple scrappy design.  I seem to be stuck in this DSP rut (if you can call it a rut).  I’m just really enjoying using up the DSP’s that I’ve been hoarding for such a long time.  And the cards are simply gorgeous…if I say so myself.  And isn’t that what crafting and creating is all about?  It’s about what makes YOU happy!  Right?  I LOVE the way this set turned out.

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     I won’t bore you with all the deets of each card.  I started with the basics for each: Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler and Newsprint DSP.  I found that I needed to stamp the flourish from Elements of Style in Cherry Cobbler on the DSP to give it visual interest.  Otherwise, the paper just got lost and looked out of place on the starkness of the card base.  The main image flowers and the sentiments mostly came from the Watercolor Trio set.  My Kind Dear & Wonderful Friend is found in the All Holidays set.  I, also, used Thoughts & Prayers and a few retired sets as well.  Inks were all Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive and a little So Saffron.  All pieces of the Basic Black card stock was run through the Big Shot with the Square Lattice Textured Embossing folder.  I used very few accessories, some Black Flourish Designer Jewels (snipped apart) and some paper piercing.

    I made a box with a clear acetate lid and added in a coordinating pen.  Decorating the front with the coordinating goodies just put the icing on the cake. 

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     I really enjoyed making this set.  My aunt loved it!  I only wish I could have been there to give it to her in person.  I hope you’ve been inspired to make something nice for someone special in your life.  This would make a very nice teacher’s gift too!  Thanks for stopping in today.

Hugs,

Leslee

All supplies are Stampin’ Up! and can be purchased HERE unless otherwise noted as being retired. 

Friday, January 14, 2011

Snowflake Candle Holders

     I love making handmade gifts for every occasion.  Go figure…I’m in the right business, aren’t I?  I can’t take credit for these lovely snowflake tea light candle holders but I can’t remember just where I had seen them. 

     Here’s how I made them…

     Using the Big Shot and the Snowflake #2 die, I cranked out two flakes in, of all materials, roof 100_2280flashing.  The flashing material is aluminum.  I’m not sure the gauge but it is just a smidge thicker than a soda can.  Thus, it holds it’s shape very nicely.  It isn’t as sharp edged as the soda cans either.  Although, I would recommend being extremely careful when using anything aluminum.  The Craft & Rubber scissors cut through this aluminum with ease.  Cutting smaller pieces off the large roll makes it so much easier to work with.  I 100_2281punched a hole in the snowflake center with my Crop-a-dile (again…very easy to punch through).  I placed the flakes on top one another and secured the center with a brad of choice.  Next, I pulled one point from the bottom flake up through the top flake.  The next bottom point was pulled down to create the holder’s “legs”.  The next point came up through and the next pulled down.  You get the idea…repeat until all points on the bottom flake are either up or down.  The top flake remains flat.  I simply shaped the points around a tea light candle and the holder is complete. 

Here’s a side and top view of the completed holder…

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     I finished off the top of the tea light candles with a stamped snowflake (Season of Joy set) in Cherry Cobbler on tissue paper.  Lay the tissue paper on the candle and use the heat gun to melt it into the wax.  This was the first time I have ever done this technique…way cool!  My boys even thought it was “cool”!  This is the finished set that I made for my sister.  It turned out really beautiful!  I made a set in blue for my mom and my sister-in-law too.  Super easy gift idea!  Took very little time and hardly any effort (just don’t tell anyone).

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     Thank you to whomever’s blog I cased this idea from.  Sure wish I could remember so as to give proper credit.  I hope you enjoyed and could draw some inspiration from this project too.

Hugs,

Leslee

All Stampin’ Up! supplies used can be purchased HERE.  Tea lights and roof flashing purchased elsewhere :)

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Finishing with Flakes

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     Quick post today!  I finished my Christmas cards with this super simple and stylishly elegant card.  The card base is Crumb Cake.  I randomly stamped the flakes from the Serene Snowflakes set in Whisper White, Crumb Cake and VersaMark inks.  The sentiment, from Christmas Greetings, is stamped in Basic Black Craft ink.  I like the vibrant look of the craft inks on the card stock.  On some of the cards, I used 1/8” Basic Black Taffeta ribbon.  All of the cards were blinged with Jewels Basic Rhinestones.  A quick change of the sentiment and you would have a lovely thank you or winter greeting card.

     Thanks for stopping in today.  I hope you have been inspired.

Hugs,

Leslee

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

Monday, January 10, 2011

Been Way Too Long!!

     I sure have missed my blog!  However, just because I haven’t been blogging, that doesn’t mean that I haven’t been creating.  With Christmas projects, class parties and PTA, I’ve been very busy over the last two months.  Add in there sick kids, snow days and hubby being home since Thanksgiving…I’ve had my hands full.  Unfortunately, my blog is the first thing I must give up when ‘me time’ is at a minimum.  Thank you for hanging in there with me.  I’m hoping that the new year brings lots of time for creating.  So, my apologies said, how about something creative?  I thought so!

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     I’m sure you are tired of seeing Christmas cards by now but I had to show you just how cute this set of cards turned out.  Of course, the DSP, focal image and sentiment can easily be changed to feature any occasion.  I showed this set at a workshop held just before Christmas.  I wanted to show just how easy this entire set could be made with very limited stamps and supplies.  Here’s the recipe… 2 and 1/2 sheets of Very Vanilla, 1/2 sheet of Early Espresso and 6”x6” piece of Deck the Halls DSP.  Mix carefully and add a pinch of bling (Jewels Basic Rhinestones).  There you have it…no fuss, no mess!  It’s mass production made simple! 

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     I used two sets, Dasher and Christmas Greetings, and only two inks, Early Espresso and Cherry Cobbler.  I love this color combination!  Other accessories used were the Big Shot, Square Lattice Textured Impressions folder, the mat pack and paper piercing tool.  This simple card design is so easy to use.  Seems I’ve been using it lots.  It’s a good way to use up the DSP I’ve been hoarding for way too long! 

     I hope you enjoyed your Christmas?  I did!  It’s time to get back to business though.  I’ll be posting more regularly…now that things are back to normal (if there is such a thing) :)  I’ve missed you!

Hugs,

Leslee

All supplies are Stampin’ Up! and can be purchased here with the exclusion of the Deck the Halls DSP.