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.

Autumn Inspired

      I had a few extra leaves and acorns left on my desk from when I borrowed the Autumn Accents die from a friend of mine awhile back.  I draw a lot of inspiration from the autumn beauty that is all around me.

     This card is another quick and easy card.  The oak left is in More Mustard with the edges sponged in Cajun Craze.  I really love the look it gives to the More Mustard.  Again, I used the Naturals Ivory card stock, linen thread, Sq. Lattice Embossing folder and the Big Shot.  The veins in the leaf were just drawn in with my stylus on the piercing mat.  The sentiment is from the Teeny Tiny Wishes set.

     I’m hoping that this will be the last of the autumn cards for about a year.  We have quite a few autumn birthdays.  Although I draw a lot of inspiration from this time of year, I am ready to move on to Christmas cards and projects.  Put it this way, I must move on if I am to even come close to finishing before Christmas :)

     Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you’ve been inspired.

Hugs,

Leslee

CASED From Shelli

     I saw this beautiful simple, yet elegant card on Shelli Gardner’s blog, So Shelli.  I knew it was one that I would have to CASE before too long.  Whether it is lack of mojo or simply short on time, having a few cards in the “CASE File” is always a good thing!  For this card, I was very short on time (as I seem to be running very behind lately).  It really is a quick card to complete.  I even had time left over to line the envelope :)  My brother-in-law thinks I slaved over the card for hours…I’ll never tell :)

     Thanks for the inspiration Shelli! 

     For those of you who don’t know, Shelli Gardner is the co-founder and CEO of our fabulous company, Stampin’ Up!.  Jump on over to her blog and check it out.  Leave her some love while you are there :)

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

Hugs,

Leslee

All supplies are Stampin’ Up! and can be purchased here (except for the DSP which has been retired but I’m sure you can find something to replace it with). 

Supply List:  Naturals Ivory card stock, Linen Thread, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Crumb Cake & Early Espresso Classic Ink, French Foliage stamp set, Fabulous Phrases stamp set, retired Newsprint DSP

Glimmer Star Birthday

     A real girly-girly I know (I won’t name names) just celebrated her 16th birthday :)  I wanted to create something that was pink and sparkly.  I think I accomplished what I set out to create :) 

     The stars are die cut with the Big Shot and the retired stars die.  They are Silver Glimmer Paper that I had sponged with Pretty In Pink.  I love that we can change the color of the Silver Glimmer Paper to whatever we want.  Keep in mind that it isn’t true to the color you sponge on it but it sure is close.  The sentiment and scallop edging is in Early Espresso.  I put Dazzling Details on top of the swirls. 

     Love how the card turned out and love the girly-girly who received it ;)

     Thanks for stopping in.  I hope you have a star-studded day today :)

Hugs,

Leslee

Fall for Triple Time Stamping

     I have really enjoyed the Triple Time Stamping technique.  I presented this technique to my August stamp clubs but instead of layering centered on top of each layer, we made our layout just a bit different.  However, the technique of layering, stamping and then matting is the same.  For this particular card, we also threw in the collaged look.  The French Foliage set is perfect for this look.  We added a touch of Rock-N-Roll in there too.  That’s a great way to add additional color to a stamp image.  I ink the image up with a light color and “rock” the edges around in a darker color ink.   This card also features the use of the new Stampin’ Spritzer (item #126185).  I fill the spritzer tube 3/4 of the way with plain old rubbing alcohol and add about 5 – 10 drops of re-inker.  When spritzed, the alcohol dries very quickly leaving only the spritzed ink. 

     Lots of techniques on this one little card :)  and it is relatively quick and simple to do as well.  Got to love that!!  Thanks for stopping in today.  I hope you’ve been inspired to throw more than one technique on a card or project today :)

Hugs,

Leslee

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

Triple Birthday Wishes

     A friend of mine recently celebrated her birthday :)  While Facebook is a great way to keep in touch, there is still nothing like opening your mailbox to find something other than bills with your name on it :) 

    I’ve seen this technique all over the internet as of late.  It is known as Triple Time Stamping or Seamless Tiers.  I had to give it a try!  Keeping in mind that this card would be mailed, I left off any additional embellishments.  I kept the stamping simple and elegant…only adding visual appeal with splashes of color to the flowers on the flourishes.  I inked up the Flowering Flourishes with Gumball Green and Melon Mambo markers.  I stamped this onto the DSP (Floral District) and layered that onto Gumball Green card stock.  Super simple!

     I love the look!  I will be showing my stamp club members this technique and I’ll be using it myself a lot more in the near future.  Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you’ve been inspired to give this a try yourself.

Hugs,

Leslee

Supplies can be purchased here. 

Making the Cut

  

     This one didn’t make the cut for my Open House but I can always use birthday cards :)  I was in play mode.  You know…that time when you just sit down and start “playing” with your new goodies.  See what your own mojo can come up with…or not.  Well, it was certainly an “or not” moment. 

     I did come up with the medallion which was not put to use on any card prior to my Open House.  I just couldn’t figure how to use it.  The stamp used is in Betsy’s Blossoms.  I stamped it three times in Rich Razzleberry ink.  I then punched it with the 2-3/8” Scallop Circle and then again with the same punch only I turned the punched scallop slightly in the punch the second time.  The second layer used the 1-3/4” Scallop Circle and punched again turning the punched scallop slightly.  This gives the pointy edge to the scallops.  Love when punches pull double duty!  The third and final layer is the large flower from the Boho Blossoms punch.  I finished the card using the Floral District DSP and a bit of Rich Razzleberry Taffeta Ribbon.  I used the same layout as I did for one of the Open House cards, Floral District Happiness. 

     Glad to finally be able to use this layered medallion.  Thanks for stopping in today.  I hope you’ve been inspired. 

Hugs,

Leslee

Supplies can be purchased here.

Sneak Peek at Betsy’s Blossoms

 

     I received my new catalog pre-order and I was itchin’ to play with some of the new In-Colors.  On this card we have Summer Starfruit, Primrose Petals and Gumball Green.  Let me just stop right here and say, “I love these colors!”  They look so nice together and I look forward to using them over the next two years :)  Yes, I’m still on a color block kick.  It’s a great way to showcase these new In-Colors.  The flowers are from the beautiful new Betsy’s Blossoms set.  I stamped them in Basic Black Craft Ink.  Love the way it pops on the colors of the background.  I finished the card off with a length of Gumball Green Satin Stitched Ribbon (I must say it’s yummy).  The sentiment from Afterthoughts has retired but I pull it out often.  It’s one of those sets that I can’t tuck away.

     You can purchase these new goodies beginning June 1st.  That’s only one week away.  In the meantime, go over your wish list and make sure you purchase any of the retiring items before May 31st.  After that, you may never see them again.  Just like the sentiment, it may be a set that you pull out often.  Some sets you just can’t live without! 

     Let me know what you think of the new In-Colors.  Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs,

Leslee

To order, click here.

Color Blocking & Mud Slinging

     I sat down late Friday night to make cards for two of the three birthday parties the boys had to attend this past weekend.  I wanted them to be quick and easy as I was exhausted.  Jess suggested that I use the retired Extreme Dirt Bike set.  He also said that it would be “cool” (yes, he used that word) if I could get some “mud” flying off the tires.  LOL…okay…I’ll see what I can do.  Well, this is what I created. 

     I, again, used Clear Block C to stamp the color blocked backgrounds.  I inked up the block using Classic ink pads…Daffodil Delight, Peach Parfait and Pear Pizzazz on the first card and Bashful Blue, Marina Mist and Pacific Point on the second.  The dirt bike and sentiment was stamped in Basic Black Craft ink. 

     I could have stopped there but I just had to give Jesse’s “mud-off-the-tires” a try.  I tore a sheet of scrap paper in two.  Placed them on top of the card revealing only a crack from the back tire.  I then sprizted it using the Log Cabin Smooch Spritz.  The end result is “mud-off-the-tires”. :) 

     Personally, I would have stopped without the mud but seeing the smile on Jesse’s face made the “muddy mess” all worth it :)  Thanks for stopping in.  I hope you’ve been inspired to throw a little mud on your card today.  Okay…spritz something!  And remember…without water, mud pies would be non-existent. 

Hugs,

Leslee

Supplies can be purchased here.

BIG Birthday Wishes

     The past weekend was such a busy one.  It was hubby’s birthday weekend and we did it up BIG!  The boys and I treated him to dinner at his favorite seafood restaurant on Friday night.  Soccer and baseball games Saturday morning, Jesse’s friend’s birthday party in the afternoon and a birthday bonfire Saturday night here at the house…complete with live music :)  Sunday, recoup, two more kids’ birthday parties to attend and birthday dinner at another restaurant with Don’s family.  Lots of birthday-ing going on and I hadn’t a single slice of cake nor a dollop of ice cream :(

     Needless to say, card making was fast and easy!  This is the cute little card I did for hubby’s gift bag.  He’s not big on cards so I made his card small…but it’s BIG on wishes :)  The card measures 2.5” x 2.5”.  I used my Basic Gray marker and scribbled directly onto Clear Block C.  The “Wish Big” sentiment is from the Word Play set.  Markered it up in Basic Black and Rich Razzleberry.  The gift bag has stars all over it in shades of gray and black so I chose my colors from that.  Stamped a “Happy Birthday” sentiment on the inside, signed it with an “I love you” and called it done!  Literally a 5 minute card :) 

     We spoiled him so much this weekend that I think it made up for the lack in size of card ;)  Besides, I always heard that good things come in small packages :)  Thanks for stopping in for a quick peek.  I hope you’ve been inspired.

Hugs,

Leslee

All supplies can be purchased here.

A First :)

 

     Our little niece has just celebrated her 1st birthday.  She has such a sweet little personality.  She certainly has us all wrapped around her little finger :) 

     I had only about 30 minutes to throw something together.  What could be easier than the Big Shot and 5-Petal Flower punch?  I can’t think of anything either :)  The flowers are in Melon Mambo, Little Leaves die cut in Garden Green.  The ribbon and flower buttons are from Sale-A-Bration past.  The sentiment is pieced together from Bring On The Cake.  The Perfect Polka Dots texture allows the card base in Whisper White to work with the Whisper White Top Note die.

     Quick, easy and cute…just like my niece!  Here’s a cute picture of her and my baby.  She held his attention almost as long as his favorite video game!  :)  Now that is a first.  Thanks for stopping in today.  

Hugs,

Leslee

Supplies for this card can be purchased here.

Case of the Birthday Fishes (FS272)

        My baby turns 9 today!  He’s always been my “difficult” child.  Extremely trying of my patience.  Pushes me to my limit.  On a daily basis, he can make me want to scream and the next moment he’s making me laugh.  He is witty and quick to crack a joke.  His smile is infectious!  I’m truly blessed to call him my son and I’m so proud of the young man he is becoming.  Happy Birthday, Adam!

   

     Naturally, I made him a card :)  I was running short on mojo so I turned to SplitCoast Stampers Featured Stamper #272.   Karen has a super gallery and finding inspiration there didn’t take long at all.  I chose to case this card from her gallery, Birthday Fishes.  The curved bottom caught my eye immediately!  And how perfect to just happen to have the fish!  Adam’s a fisherman through and through so I thought it only natural to case this card.  Here’s my take on it:

   

     I stamped the grass from Inspired By Nature (I’m really going to miss this retiring set) in Certainly Celery and a few in Soft Suede.  The retired Slot punch was used to create the Soft Suede cattails.  A quick strip of Everyday Enchantment DSP (nope, still can’t put it away), Pear Pizzazz (retiring soon) and the curved Pool Party was then added below the grasses.  I curved my Pool Party freehand with the Cutter Kit.  The fish is from the long retired Very Puny set and the sentiment was pieced together from the fish stamp and another retired set, Birthday Bakery.  I added some Dazzling Details to the fish bubbles.  Not too much because then it wouldn’t be “cool”!  I love how this card turned out.

     Thanks for the inspiration Karen!  There are a few more I’d like to case from Karen’s gallery.  I hope you can find some time to browse through yourself.  Thanks for stopping in today!  Now I’m off to make brownies for my birthday boy!  Enjoy your day!

Hugs,

Leslee

Supplies can be purchased here with the exception of the retired items.

Birthday Smooches

      I really do like the new Summer Smooches DSP that is available for purchase this month as part of Stampin’ Up! ‘s new catalog product sneak peek promotion.  You can check out all the Summer Smooches on my Promotions Page.  With colors so vibrant and tons of things to coordinate with it, how can you go wrong.  I used the new Daffodil Delight Seam Binding Ribbon on this card.  All the Seam Binding Ribbons are so easy to use thanks to the sheerness and light weight. 

     This card was one of the projects we did at this month’s Stamp Club meeting.  Not only does it show off some of the Summer Smooches products but it teaches the technique for using the Scallop Trim Corner and Scallop Trim Border punches.  There is a technique to creating this beautifully trimmed layer.  It’s one that certainly takes some practice and it is a good technique to teach.  If you’d like to learn how, I’ll be happy to get together with you and your friends and teach you :) 

     I can’t wait to play with more of this pretty paper!  Thanks for stopping in today.  I hope you’ve been inspired get some Summer Smooches of your own :)

Hugs,

Leslee

Supplies can be purchased here.

Celebrate Sale-A-Bration!

     This is not a new idea.  I’ve seen it done all over the internet but I’d been itchin’ to do it with the awesomely gorgeous Everyday Enchantment DSP and coordinating Everyday Enchantment Ribbon and Brads package!  It is so yummy together!  Can you tell that I am really liking this paper?  You might think that I haven’t ventured any further back in the Sale-A-Bration catalog.  Well, you’d be wrong.  I flipped two pages and found the lovely Outlined Occasions stamp set :)  A perfect compliment to these adorable presents! :)  I colored the sentiment in with coordinating markers.  The card base is Very Vanilla and the sentiment strip is Pool Party.  Presents are punched with the 1-3/8” Square punch.  I would like to point out that the present bows (not the ribbons) are made using the Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer punch.  Yet another use for our wonderful punches :)

     Thanks for stopping in today.  I’ll be working on an email subscription for my sidebar.  Just for Andrea :)…but anyone is welcome to use it.  I pray I won’t mess things up too terribly bad.  Fingers crossed.  I hope you have a blessed day and get your fingers inky!

     Sale-A-Bration lasts only until the end of this month!  There is still time to book a party and earn some free goodies?  This is the only time you’ll be able to get the DSP, ribbon & brads and the stamp set that I’ve used here today!  Don’t let a good thing pass you by.  Call today to schedule :)

Hugs,

Leslee

Bordering Accents

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

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

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

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

Hugs,

Leslee

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

Extreme-ly Quick

 

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

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

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

Hugs,

Leslee

   

 

Bordering On Romance

 

 

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

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

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

Hugs,

Leslee

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

Rock Star

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

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

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

Hugs,

Leslee

Stampin’ Up! supplies can be purchased here.  

All*Star Birthday

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

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

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

Hugs,

Leslee

Masked Foliage

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

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

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

Hugs,

Leslee

Supplies can be purchased here.