Easter

     I seem to have gotten stuck in trying all sorts of different colors with this layout/resist technique.  It really is a nice layout and a lovely technique…so, I guess it is okay.  I won’t bore you with the details today.  I’ll just let you know that, for the panel, I used Crumb Cake and Wisteria Wonder for the flowers and sponged over with Daffodil Delight.  Pretty Easter colors (I have a dress these exact same colors too).  The sentiment is from the Wacky Wishes hostess set. 

     Remember, Easter is next Sunday!  Get your cards in the mail :)  Thanks for stopping in today.  I’m so glad you did.

Hugs,

Leslee

Serene Watercolor

      I love to watercolor!  It is a very relaxing medium for me…although, I’m not very good at it.  So, I try to keep it simple.  This card is certainly an easy one and, literally, takes about 5 minutes to complete.  The most difficult part was making the decision as to which sentiment I wanted to place on it. 

     This is what is known as a watercolor wash.  You simply wet down your watercolor paper with a spray bottle.  Dip an aqua painter or watercolor brush in a puddle of ink.  I used Classic re-inkers in Marina Mist and Lucky Limeade to make my puddle.  Swipe the color across your paper and let it bleed and run…move it around with your brush…get the desired effect you are wanting.  Really, this was a reckless, swipe it on and be done with it kind of thought process.  Just Do It!!  Let it dry completely or hit it with the heat tool (which I did because it would have taken longer than 5 minutes if I didn’t).  The flowers, from Serene Silhouettes, were stamped in StazOn Jet Black.  I layered my image panel onto Basic Black and Lucky Limeade.  The DSP is a torn piece of First Edition Specialty paper (I’m really liking it).  The….I really don’t know what to call these….the black pieces on the opposite corners?  Anyway, they are punched using the Modern Label Punch and a silver mini brad secures them on the card.  The card base is Very Vanilla. 

     See?  Easy peasy!  Yet it looks like you would put a lot of time into it.  I’ll never tell :)  Thanks for stopping by.  I’m glad you did.  I hope you’ve been inspired to give this watercolor wash technique a try.  I promise…you don’t have to stay in the lines :)

Hugs,

Leslee

Supplies may be purchased here.

Sympathy in Pink

      Sympathy cards are not easy cards to make.  They are even more difficult to make when it is for someone close to you.  My cousin lost his 18 year old daughter in a tragic accident.  She was a beautiful girl…inside and out.  She touched so many lives.   Mere words cannot convey our sorrow and I think that’s why it is so important to us crafters that the card is just right. 

     I had just completed the card, Serene Scene, for the PPA154 challenge.  I loved the look of the technique and wanted to try it in other colors and/or layouts (I’ll post those up later).  While talking with my mom about the arrangements for this beautiful young girl, she had mentioned that her favorite color was pink.  I knew exactly what I wanted to do for the sympathy card. 

     Same card, same layout…only the colors changed.  Again, I used the emboss resist technique.  This time adding Pretty In Pink and Sahara Sand flowers (Serene Silhouettes set) and sponging the panel with Pretty In Pink.  I ink distressed the edges of the panel and the Whisper White card base with Sahara Sand.  The sentiment from Loving Thoughts is stamped in Soft Suede.  I added the Pretty In Pink grosgrain ribbon along with the large scalloped edge (an edgelits die). 

     I love this card!  It’s soft and pretty and I hope that my cousin and his family know just how much I love them and wished I could be there in person.  Thanks for stopping by today.  Inspiration is everywhere.

Hugs,

Leslee

Supplies can be purchased here.

PPA154 Serene Scene

     While perusing the internet recently for some much needed inspiration, I stumbled across the March 2013 Pals Paper Arts Color Challenge (PPA154).  The colors are Calypso Coral, Raspberry Ripple and Crumb Cake.  Inspiration struck immediately and I knew just what I was going to do.  Sometimes, inspiration strikes just like that!
     Having never inked my new Serene Silhouettes set yet, that’s the set I went for.  I used the Emboss Resist Technique…stamping the flowers in VersaMark and embossing with clear powder.  Then, stamping the same flowers in Calypso Coral and Crumb Cake and stamping off a time or two as well.  This simply creates some depth to the scene.  I then sponged over the entire piece of cardstock in Calypso Coral and sponged the edges in Raspberry Ripple.  The panel was then attached to a Crumb Cake card base that had been run through the Big Shot with the Square Lattice Embossing Folder.  A simple Large Scallop (Edgelits die) and 1/8” Very Vanilla Taffeta ribbon adorns the bottom edge of the panel. 
     Absolutely lovely colors together!  I am very impressed!  Not colors I would have normally chosen to work together…but that’s why they call it a “challenge”…right? 
     I’m so very glad you stopping in.  I hope you find inspiration…and it strikes you in the head and you go “WOW!  What hit me?!”  Enjoy your day :)
Hugs,

Leslee
All supplies can be purchased here.   

Fabulously Phrased

     These cute little tags/bookmarkers went into my club orders this month.  Super simple to make!  I used the Two Tags die and the Big Shot to crank out a bunch of tags.  I built my words (from the Fabulous Phrases set) right onto the clear block, markered and stamped onto the tags.  Then I use my markers again to color the images from the Spring Sampler set and stamped the top of the tags.  A light bit of sponging in Crumb Cake along the edges and a piece of ribbon from last year’s SAB adorns the tag top.

     Sweet little tags that are completed in a matter of minutes :)  Gotta love that!  Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you’ve been inspired to tag a friend today.

Hugs,

Leslee

Supplies can be purchased at my online store.

Dude, You're Welcome!

     Have a guy in your life?  Has he ever taken an interest in what you do?  For guys, it's not always easy to express themselves.  That's why we've created the Dude, You're Welcome! Kit.  For whatever reason, he can quickly build a card (cause that's what guys do...build things) that says just what he wants it to say...even if it's "#%&@!".  Of course, this would be the perfect stamp for those tough to do masculine cards too :)  So, Dude, you're welcome.  We've got your back!
     You can check it out on my online store, Dude, You’re Welcome!

Hugs,
Leslee

A Cupcake Thanks

     One of the stamp club ladies brought the yummiest homemade cupcakes to last month’s meeting.  Not only did she bring a box for us but she brought one for my boys as well.  I thought this card would make a fitting thank you.  A sweet act of kindness deserves a sweet act of kindness in return :)  Thanks Sherry!!

     Colors are Crumb Cake, Melon Mambo, Gumball Green (Print Poetry DSP) and Very Vanilla.  The stamp set is the hostess Carry On set.  I ran the card base through the Big Shot with the Framed Tulips Embossing Folder.  I paper pieced the paper cupcake cup.  Some rhinestone bling and Crystal Effects on top of the cupcake finish the card off.

     Thanks for stopping in.  It always sweet when you do.  I hope you’ve been inspired to create something sweet today.

Hugs,

Leslee

Love You Bits

     If you’ve followed my blog for any length of time now, you might remember that awhile back I did a segment using Bits and Pieces of leftovers that I had been saving.  This card is another that uses up leftovers.  The panel of pink butterflies was in that mess of bits and pieces.  I used the panel to create a simple layout.  The sentiment was leftover as well.  However, Stampin’ Up! has brought this sentiment back.  You can purchase it with the February Best of Love set.  It is part of the Best of 25 Years monthly promotion that Stampin’ Up! is hosting as part of their silver anniversary celebration.  You can still purchase the February set until March 31, 2014. 

     You can check out each of the monthly released Best of sets on my online store.  Thanks for checking in.  I hope you’ve been inspired to use up some of your leftover bits and pieces.  I know you have them :)

Hugs,

Leslee

Something New…

    Photopolymer Stamps!      We are pleased to introduce the new entirely transparent Photopolymer stamps. These completely clear stamps are of a durable photopolymer material that is designed to last, stick amazingly well to our clear blocks and they won’t yellow or cloud up over time. These new stamps will be in addition to our current wood mount and clear mount stamps and will appeal to all types of stampers. They are designed to have just enough give to create a perfect stamped image and they work super well with our new firm-foam ink pads. We are offering these on a trial basis and, depending on how well they are received, we may release more sets of this type.

     Check out the first set of photopolymer stamps, Designer Typeset. Mine is on order :)  Get yours today and we may see more photopolymer stamps in the near future.  Contact me if you should have any questions.

Hugs,

Leslee

Simple & Marvelous

     I used the same exact layout and technique as I did on this card, So Glad.  The only difference is the colors and DSP used.  For this card, I used the Sycamore Street DSP – you can get it FREE with $50 purchase during Sale-A-Bration.  The same goes for the lovely Bloomin’ Marvelous stamp set.  I textured this card with the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder run through the Big Shot.  I simply love using the Tea Lace Doilies from the Spring 2013 Catalog.  I’m going to miss these when they are gone :(  I’m stocking up now :) 

     Thank you for dropping in today.  I’m so glad you did!  I hope you’ve been inspired to change the colors on one of your favorite layouts.

Hugs,

Leslee

Supplies can be purchased here.

Your Pumpkin Awaits!

      Have you signed up for the Paper Pumpkin? Each month you’ll receive a sweet little box that will whisk you away to enjoy some paper fun. You’ll find everything you’ll need to create stuff like cards, journals, pages and more! You’ll only need to supply the adhesive. This is a new monthly kit program that anyone can enjoy! Simply sign up for the program by visiting www.mypaperpumpkin.com and click Get It. The first kit will arrive starting in March-if you sign up before March 10th. Paper Pumpkin membership is only $19.95 per month and that includes shipping! You can cancel anytime or skip a month if you want. The Welcome kit is the very first Paper Pumpkin you will receive in your first month of membership. It includes a free gift-a clear acrylic block!

     Sign up today and let the Paper Pumpkin take you away!

Hugs,

Leslee

Sycamore Street Rosettes

        A hostess had requested that I demonstrate paper rosettes.  Of course, I was all to happy to oblige.  Since there are a couple of ways that we can create these lovely handmade embellishments, I decided to show both the Big Shot &  Designer Rosettes  Bigz XL Die and the Simply Scored Tool. 

     The Kraft Box was given to the hostess as a thank you gift.  The rosette topper was made with the Big Shot and die.  You can’t get much more simple than that.  The downfall (if we can call it that) is that the rosette die is only one width between scored lines…1/2”.  Therefore, the rosette will be taller than you’d want to use on a card. 

     For the card, I made the rosette with the Simply Scored Tool and scored my lines every 1/4”.  Thus, creating a rosette that doesn’t stand so tall.  Of course, you wouldn’t want to mail this lovely card in a regular post envelope.

     I used the SAB Sycamore Street DSP and Sycamore Street Button & Ribbon package to create both rosettes.  It’s a breeze to put these together.  I used the Silicone Craft Sheet(item #127853) found on pg. 36 of the Spring 2013 Catalog and my handy hot glue gun.  Place a blob of hot glue center of the craft sheet and build your rosette right on top of that.  It pops right off when you’re done.  Super simple!!  A must have for all sorts of crafts!  Don’t forget a little punch of Silver Glimmer with a 7/8” Scallop Circle punch.

     Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you’ve been inspired to make rosettes…Big Shot or Simply Scored :)  However, enjoy!!

Hugs,

Leslee

Supplies can be purchase by clicking on the “Shop Now” tab above.

Tulip Framed Chalkboard

     I simply love this sentiment!  It is found in the Feel Goods set in the Spring 2013 Catalog.  Once again, I have paired it with the fun chalkboard technique and the Elegant Butterfly punch.  The DSP is Tea For Two, also found in the Spring Catalog.  The black “chalkboard”, polka dot DSP and the Calypso Coral card base are gorgeous together.  The DSP is matted on Very Vanilla with a strip of Victoria Crochet Ribbon on the edge.  I used the Framed Tulip Embossing Folder to frame the main image.  Don’t forget the bling (Jewel Basic – Rhinestones). 

     I demonstrated this lovely card at a recent workshop.  It shows lots of products and techniques…Embossing – both dry and heat (I used Whisper White Craft ink & White Embossing Powder), Big Shot – framelits (Apothecary Accents) and folders (Framed Tulips), punch, Creped Filter Paper, bling and the chalkboard technique itself.  Lots of fun stuff all on one card :)  Yet, it is simple to achieve all this elegance.  Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you’ve been inspired to frame one of your favorite techniques today :)

Hugs,

Leslee

Supplies can be purchased by click “Shop Now” above.

Z-Chalkboard

       The chalkboard technique is presently one of the hottest trends in the market.  It is such an easy look to achieve and it certainly packs that “WOW” factor! 

     For this card, I paired the technique with the use of the Delicate Details Lace Tape as a stencil, as well as using the Simply Scored Borders Scoring Plate as a stencil for the accent around the sentiment.  I, also, designed this as a Z-fold card.  The butterflies are layered with the Creped Filter Paper and punched using the Elegant Butterfly punch.  Add the bling (Basic Jewel – Rhinestones) and pack a little more “WOW” onto the card. 

*Tip:  When punching the Creped Filter Paper, layer it onto scrap paper or cardstock and punch them together.  The filter paper is simply too fibrous and tends to pull and tear in the punch.  By layering onto other paper, it punches through cleanly.

     I know…I packed a ton of “WOW” into this one little card.  Sometimes, you have to.  There are only so many hours in a day.  Seriously though, we did this at stamp club and it was the perfect card to show this many different techniques :)  Thanks for stopping in.  I hope you have been inspired to give at least one of these techniques a try.

Hugs,

Leslee

All supplies can be purchased by clicking the “Shop Now” link above.

Twisted Dream

     I wanted something a little different for my stamp clubs this month.  I had never made a Twisted Easel card so that’s the something different that I chose to do :)  I found a great tutorial on the Twisted Easel on SplitCoastStampers.com.

     Admittedly, I’m not a big fan of Summer Starfruit but, paired with the Gumball Green and Midnight Muse, it is beautiful!  The colors were picked from the designer series paper, Print Poetry DSP stack.  I’m telling you, you can’t go wrong with this DSP.  The flower was created by spritzing Summer Starfruit onto Creped Filter Paper and layering two punched 1-3/4” Scallop Circles and one 1-1/4” Scallop Circle.  Crumple the filter paper around a brad and fluff to shape your flower.  The card base was run through the Big Shot with the Scallop Circle Bigz die.  The sentiments are from the Loving Thoughts set.  The flourish is from Flowering Flourishes.

     Thanks for stopping by.  I’m so glad you did.  I hope you’ve been inspired to try something different today. 

Hugs,

Leslee

All supplies can be purchased here.

Love You Much

     A perfect little anniversary card (or any little love note)…quick, simple and to the point!

     I used the Full Heart punch, one in Pool Party and the other with the More Amore DSP.  The hearts are “tied” together with a button from the SAB Sycamore Street Ribbon & Button pack.  The sentiment is found in the Best of Love set (February’s Best of 25 Years!).  You can take a look at all stamps in this set by clicking here.  The edge was scalloped with the Scallop Edge Border punch.

     Like I said, quick, simple and to the point!  Gotta love it!  Thanks for stopping in.  I hope you’ve been inspired to show some love today :)

Hugs,

Leslee

All supplies can be purchased by clicking the “Shop Now” tab above. 

So Glad

     This is one of the projects we did in February’s Stamp Club meeting.  A simple and very elegant card that can be used for lots of different occasions. 

     This project uses the lovely Floral District DSP which coordinates with the Baja Breeze card base and Daffodil Delight strip.  I bannered the bottom of the strip with the corner of the 1” square punch.  A half of a Tea Lace Paper Doily makes a very elegant appearance.  The Whisper White circle is from the 2-1/2” circle punch.  The flower and sentiment are from the SAB Bloomin’ Marvelous set.  The flower was built using the masking technique.  A Blender Pen was used to lift the Rich Razzleberry ink from the middle of the flower and then added Daffodil Delight with the marker.

     I love this card!  It’s not all about layers and embellishing.  I think that it is important to show even the most simple of techniques.  It may be simple to us veteran crafters but it can be all new to those just starting out.  We all were there once and someone showed us :)  Thanks for stopping by today.  I’m so glad you did!  I hope you’ve been inspired to get back to basics.

Hugs,

Leslee

Click the “Shop Now” tab above to purchase any of these Stampin’ Up! products.  

Late for the ball…

…but I’m gonna show you anyway.

     I know…Valentine’s Day was several days ago.  I still wanted to show you this simple layout.  These non-traditional Valentine’s colors would make this a perfect card for an anniversary or simply an “I love you” card…any time of the year.

     Using the Hearts Framelits Dies, you can place your cutout heart anywhere on your card front.  I placed a piece of More Amore DSP behind my cutout.  My hubby is a no-frills-kinda-guy so I kept it very simple with the button treatment.  The button is from the SAB Sycamore Street Ribbon & Button pack.  This is a Pool Party front on a Very Vanilla card base.  This sentiment is found in the Hostess set, Wacky Wishes.  Change the sentiment for any occasion.

     Thanks for looking.  I hope you’ve been inspired to give hearts all throughout the year :)  They’re not just for Valentine’s Day.

Hugs,

Leslee

Sunshine

      This was a card that we made at my recent SAB workshop.  It features several items found in the lovely Spring 2013 catalog.  The sunny sentiment is found in the Feel Goods stamp set and the smiling sun in the Spring Sampler set. 

     Here’s how we did it… 

     We created a background using the direct-to-paper technique by swiping the Daffodil Delight ink pad onto Whisper White card stock.  We added a little bit of visual interest on the lower corner with the single flower from Flowering Flourishes in Certainly Celery.  We stamped the sentiment in Jet Black StazOn onto the Creped Filter Paper.  The sun was inked with Daffodil Delight and then rolled in Pumpkin Pie (the Rock-n-Roll technique).  Then, we crumpled our filter paper, uncrumpled and adhered it on top of the background using an Anywhere Glue Stick.  This is known as the Faux Silk technique.  The only difference is that the original technique uses tissue paper.  The filter paper gives it a slightly different look and feel.  I like it!  That lovely Tangerine Tango button and ribbon is from the SAB Sycamore Street Ribbon & Button Pack.  You can get it for FREE with a $50 Stampin’ Up! purchase.  Go “Shop Now” to learn more.

     We finished this lovely project by layering it all on another piece of Whisper White and Tangerine Tango card stock.  The card base was cut using the Scallop Square die and the Big Shot.  The coordinating envelope and DSP strip on the card are from the fun and bright Polka Dot Parade DSP.  The envelope was quickly created using the Simply Scored and the Diagonal Plate. 

     We’ve had several days with a major lack of sunshine here in southern Virginia lately.  This bright, sunny card was just the thing to chase the dreary doldrums.  Thanks for stopping by today.  Let me know what you think.  Did this brighten your day?  I hope you’ve been inspired to brighten someone else’s :)

Hugs,

Leslee

Lace Tape Treatment

     This is a simple and elegant card that features a couple of Spring 2013 Catalog items and a Sale-A-Bration item too. 

     I used a piece of the lovely Delicate Details Lace Tape as a stencil on a strip of Whisper White card stock.  I sponged over some Island Indigo and then pulled the tape off.  Be sure to save the tape for another day as it is still usable.  I just love when we can get “extra mileage” out of our products :)    I then fixed the stenciled strip over a half piece of a Paper Tea Lace Doily.  Add the lovely Island Indigo ribbon from the Sycamore Street ribbon & button pack found in the SAB catalog and a Pool Party punched Elegant Butterfly with some pretty Jewel Basic Pearls and adhere it all to a Pool Party base…done!  The sentiment (from Fabulous Phrases) says it all…beautiful!  In my opinion anyway :)

     Remember, now through March 22nd, with every $50 you spend you can select an item from the Sale-A-Bration catalog for FREE! 

     Thanks for taking a peek!  I’m so glad you did.  I hope you’ve been inspired to try stenciling with your lace.

Hugs,

Leslee

All supplies can be purchased here.

Little Treat Boxes

     I wanted just a little something sweet to grace my customer orders.  I had come across a post awhile ago that used these little candy treats but, for the life of me, I couldn’t find the post :(  The packaging was what I was looking for so I ended up creating something of my own to use.  It is a basic simple box with a top, bottom and a base for the treat to sit down in.  Hold it all together with sticky strip and coordinating ribbon.  Add a coordinated tag and done!  I used Clear Window Sheets for the sides and the Festival of Prints paper stack that was in the recent Holiday catalog for the lid.  The base is Island Indigo card stock and ribbon is Very Vanilla 1/8” taffeta.  Score it all up with the Simply Scored Tool which makes such quick work mass producing this type of project.  Such a lovely little treat to give.  And they were well received too :)

     Thanks for dropping by today.  I’m so glad you did.  I hope you’ve been inspired to make something special for someone you appreciate this week.  Remember, it is Valentine’s Day on Thursday :)

Hugs,

Leslee

Wedding Cake Wishes

    The family recently had a wedding to attend.  She’s a beautiful girl and certainly she deserves a beautiful card :)  There’s no better time for tone-on-tone and lots of texture than on a wedding card. 

     The card is Very Vanilla with some lightly sponged Blushing Bride (retired) to add just a little bit of pop and interest on the heart and flowers.  The sentiment is found in the  Loving Thoughts set.  The heart, from the Hearts Collection Framelits, was run through the Big Shot with the two smaller hearts turned over…non-cutting side up.  It left just the outline of the hearts inside the large cut heart.  The small flower is from the Boho Blossoms punch, each with a Jewel Basic – Pearl.  The Swirl Embossing folder is (gasp) non-Stampin’ Up!.  Of course, the envelope was done up to coordinate.  Such an easy way to take your project up to the next level.

     The inside had to be just as “wow” as the outside.  I did the pop-up packages technique to make a lovely three-tiered cake…complete with lots of texture and more pearls.  I found the tutorial for the pop-up packages on Lisa Young’s blog, Add Ink and Stamp.  Thanks Lisa…great tutorial! 

     I really love how this card came out!  I’d been waiting for the right time to do an elegant tone-on-tone card.  This one exceeded my dreams :)  I wish the very best for the newlyweds.

     Thanks for popping.  I’m so glad you did.  I hope you’ve been inspired to give lots of texture to your card or project today.

Hugs,

Leslee

 

Supplies can be purchased by clicking the “Shop Now” link above.

Masculine Poetry

  

   I really like the Print Poetry Designer Series Paper Stack that is in the Spring 2013 Catalog.  If you flip through it the one direction, the colors are pinks and yellows and girlie :)  If you flip through the other direction, colors are blues and greens with a more masculine feel to them (yet some are still very girlie).  This really is MY kind of paper stack! 

     That said…I had a young man’s birthday card to make for a party my young man was invited to.  You guessed it!  I grab my Print Poetry DSP stack and found this polka dotted dsp.  Coordinating with the Crumb Cake card base and the Midnight Muse strip was a no-brainer.  The fun sentiment is found in Sassy Salutations (love this set) and stamped in Very Vanilla Craft ink (retired).  The inside sentiment is from Bring On The Cake stamped in Midnight Muse Classic ink. The linen thread around the Midnight strip simply ties it all together (so to speak).  Coordinate the envelope and there you have a quick easy card with plenty of masculine feel to it!

     Thanks for stopping in today.  I’m so glad you did.  I hope you’ve been inspired to create something masculine. 

Hugs,

Leslee

All supplies can be purchased by clicking on the Shop Now link above.

Lace Doilies, Print Poetry & Creped Filter Paper

       How’s that for a title?  That about covers it all :)

     My aunt recently celebrated a birthday.  I wanted a card that was elegant with a vintage feel to it.  The new White Tea Lace Paper Doilies seemed to be a perfect fit.  I had one sitting on my desk from a previous project, already sponged with Primrose Petals, and decided to use it.  

     I’ve been playing with several of my new Spring 2013 Catalog goodies and was kind of stumped as to how to used the White Creped Filter Paper (besides dyeing it and creating flowers).  I decided to try using it with the Faux Silk Technique.  Normally, the Faux Silk technique is done using tissue paper which is thinner than the filter paper.  However, the filter paper does work with this technique and gives a slightly coarser look to the project…not in a bad way either. 

     Here is what I did with this project…

     I stamped the image from Bordering On Romance in Jet Black StazOn Ink.  I colored the image in with a Blender Pen and Classic Inks (Primrose Petals, So Saffron and Gumball Green).  I then lightly misted the filter paper with a Stampin’ Spritzer, water and several drops of Primrose Petals re-inker.  Crumple up the filter paper and adhere to Whisper White cardstock using an Anywhere Glue Stick.  I added some Print Poetry DSP to the bottom and ran it through the Big Shot with the largest frame in the Apothecary Accents Framelits die set.   The ribbon is from SAB 2012.  The Whisper White card base was run through the Big Shot with a retired embossing plate. 

     Although this is a crisp white card, it still has that elegant vintage feel.  I like how it turned out.  What do you think?  I’d love to hear from you.  Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you’ve been inspired to crumple and adhere a project or two today :)

Hugs,

Leslee

Supplies can be purchased here.

Valentine’s Treats

 

     I really hope that I’m not the only crafter that walks through the candy isle at the grocery store and thinks “how can I use that?”  Please tell me I’m not the only one?  These JuJu’s showed up and I knew exactly what I would use them for!  They fit beautifully in our 1”x8” cello bags.  I love these little treat bags.  I use them for every occasion!  Just change up the tag or “topper” to fit the occasion. 

     For this project, I wanted to play with the White Tea Lace Paper Doilies.  I simply sponged the edge in Primrose Petals, wrapped it around the cello bag and thread some White Baker’s Twine through the lacey holes in the doily, tying it in a bow.  The single stamp, Happy Valentine – Heart, was markered direct to stamp using Pink Pirouette, Regal Rose and Primrose Petals.  The stamp coordinates with the Full Heart punch…which makes it perfect for mass producing a bunch of these cute little treat bags.  I attached the heart to the doily with Mini Glue Dots. 

*Points of Interest:  When markering different colors that will touch, always use your lightest marker color first so as not to “muddy” up the lighter colors with the darker color.  I added a little SNAIL to the cello under the doily so that it wouldn’t slide up and off the cello bag.

     I do thank you for stopping in today and sincerely hope that you are inspired to look through the candy isle differently ;)

Hugs,

Leslee

Click the “Shop Now” tab above to purchase any of these fine Stampin’ Up! products :)  The JuJu candies were found at the local grocery store :)  I’ve been through two containers now :0

Hearts & More Amore

 

     This was another project we did for January Stamp Club.  I really am enjoying the More Amore Specialty DSP.  The laser cut hearts are adorable.  For this card, I cut apart the hearts…they are so fancy!  A Full Heart punched in Very Vanilla with the edges sponged in Primrose Petals is popped up on Dimensionals.  Two Small Hearts punched in coordinating DSP top that.  The sentiment was markered (marker omit/direct to stamp) from a stamp found in the My Little Valentine set.  I then ran it through the Big Shot using the Bitty Banners Framelits and embossed the hearts on the Pool Party panel with the Adorning Accents Textured Impressions Embossing folder.  Hearts, hearts everywhere! 

*Just keep in mind, hearts are one directional.  So, make sure you have them all going in the direction you want them too :)

     Thanks for stopping in.  I hope you’ve been inspired to pop a heart on your project today.

Hugs,

Leslee

Supplies can be purchased by clicking on the “Shop Now” tab above.

A Little Amore

     We made these little 3”x3” cards at our January Stamp Club.  Just in time for Valentine’s Day, this More Amore Specialty DSP is simply perfect.  Since I have several fellas in my house, this gray patterned paper has just a little more masculine feel to it.  I kept it simple by punching a Full Heart out of the DSP and adding only a single Small Heart punched in Red Glimmer Paper and some scalloped dry embossing.  It was the perfect way to get a feel for using the new Simply Scored Borders Plate (found in the Spring 2013 Catalog).  Yes!  I love it!  The sentiment is from the hostess set, Wacky Wishes.  I, also, made a coordinating envelope by adding DSP to the envelope flap.  Such an easy way to go the extra mile :) 

          Thanks for popping by today.  I’m so glad you did.  I hope you’ve been inspired to make a little love for someone special in your life.

Hugs,

Leslee

Supplies can be purchased by clicking the “Shop Now” tab above.

Marvelous Sketch! CTS#12

CTS#12

     I recently came upon a new clean and simple card challenge blog, CAS(E) this Sketch!  I really like what I saw and knew that it would be a good place to start when the mojo just isn’t making an appearance or time isn’t available…or a little of both.  So, when I sat down to create for my upcoming Sale-A-Bration workshop, I knew just where to go.  This week’s sketch, CTS#12, is a beauty and allows for some creative wiggle room.

     I kept my interpretation of the sketch pretty exact, very clean and very simple, as I will be using this at my SAB workshop.  It features the SAB set, Bloomin’ Marvelous, and the Print Poetry DSP Stack that you can find in the Spring 2013 Catalog.  The colors were picked right out of the DSP: Midnight Muse, Crumb Cake, Gumball Green, Summer Starfruit and Very Vanilla.  Don’t you just love how beautifully they coordinate?  I do!  The flower was ‘built’ using the masking technique with the flower stamp and leaf stem stamp in the Bloomin’ Marvelous set (I just like saying “Bloomin’ Marvelous”).

     I’m submitting this card over on the CAS(E) this Sketch! site.  I don’t get a chance to play along that often.  Click on over and check out the other submissions for CTS#12 …they are all pretty ‘marvelous’!  Thanks for stopping by today.  I’m so glad you did :)  I hope you’ve been inspired to CAS(E) this Sketch! too.

Hugs,
Leslee

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

No Masking Fluid?

     Let me first apologize for the poor quality photos.  These pictures really don’t do these projects any justice :( 

     I have seen several crafters out in blogland using a product called masking fluid.  Now, I don’t own any masking fluid nor does Stampin’ Up! carry masking fluid (hence the reason I don’t own any).  However, I really like the effect that masking fluid has on the projects I’ve seen.  So, as not to be out done, I set my brain to figure out just what I can use to give us the same effect.  I came up with this… 

     The technique is basically an Emboss Resist Technique.  I wet an old toothbrush with plain water and then dipped it into a puddle of VersaMark Re-Inker.  I used my thumb to then flick the ink off the toothbrush onto the Whisper White card stock.  I stamped my trees from the Lovely As A Tree set (an all-time favorite) in Early Espresso and used my Stamp-A-Ma-Jig to offset more stamped trees, this time in VersaMark (the Shadow Technique).  Cover it all in Clear Embossing Powder, heat set with the Heat Tool and sponge on Marina Mist in the sky.  This reveals the “snow” that we flicked onto the card stock and the offset trees is the snow collecting on the branches.  Really, really awesome effect!! 

     This was a project that we did in my December Stamp Clubs.  The gals really enjoyed the technique.  I love that I came up with a Stampin’ Up! version to masking fluid.  :)  That makes me happy!

     I hope you’ve been inspired to use the products that you have on hand.  If you have any questions about this “technique”, feel free to contact me.  I love to share :)

Hugs,

Leslee

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