Stampin' 411 Sketch...Clean and Simple

I wanted to make a Clean and Simple Card and was playing with the new "Whimsical Words" set from the Sale-A-Bration" and the lovely, "Thoughts and Prayers" Set. I coloured the flowers in both Pretty in Pink and Rose Red with my Markers and the vine was coloured with my Old Olive Marker. The Designer Paper is from the new Sweet Pea Paper Pack in the Mini Catalogue. One again I used my Lots of Tags Die and the Big Shot, along with my Wide Oval Punch for the sentiment. Thanks for stopping by! Make sure you check out the Stampin' 411 Sketch this week, it is perfect for a Clean and Simple (CAS) Card!

Smiles,
Lesley ;)

Stampin' Royalty and Colour Q

I am playing with my Bella Blooms set again today!!! Oh how I love that pretty flower...why didn't I get that set long ago!!! I used the current Stampin' Royalty Sketch and Arielle's Colour Q Challenge to use Bashful Blue, Taken with Teal, Real Red and Black. I did use Bashful Blue, it is the soft sponging around the flower.I used my Stampin' Write Markers to colour directly onto the stamp to achieve both the Real Red Flowers and the Taken with Teal Stem. The DSP is an old Real Red hostess pack of paper I had stashed. The ribbon in Real Red is tied in a knot, for a different look. The flower is punched out with the Wide Oval Punch and that oval is on one of the dies from the Lots of Tags Die.I used the Kind and Caring Thoughts Set for the sentiment on the inside and the outside. Love that set too! I hope you like my card! Please leave me a comment so I may come and visit your blog too!

Smiles,
Lesley ;)

Stampin' 411 Sketch Challenge

I did the Masking Technique on this card. The sets I used were both FREE from the Sale-A-Bration mini...the houses, trees and clouds are from the set called "Good Neighbours" and the sentiment is from the set called "Bella's Blooms".

All week I have been waiting for my order to come because I wanted to make this card for the Stampin' 411 Sketch. In this picture below you can see the Masking Technique I used to make the houses stand infront of the trees. The images are stamped right on top of eachother.I also used the new Scallop Trim Border Punch (also FREE in the Sale-A-Bration) to create a little blue fence at the bottom of the main image panel...it looks like a pretty upscale neighbourhood...don't you think? LOL!

I was so excited that the Bella Bloom set was in the free picks from the Sale-A-Bration mini. I love this sweet little stamp set and have wanted to buy it forever!!! I can't wait to use this sentiment on little Christmas gifts and cards...The designer paper is called "Pawsitively Prints" and is supposed to coordinate with the Beary Best Friends set...I also used the Pumpkin Pie 1 1/4" grosgrain ribbon on this card. I love how this ribbon ties so nicely into a bow. I am also in love with the colours Pumpkin Pie and Ballet Blue. Wow! I never knew how pretty Ballet Blue was until I ordered this Designer Paper.

Well that is it for tonight. Have a big day tomorrow. Thank you for stopping by!!

Smiles,

Lesley ;)

Colour Throwdown #77

I made this card for the current Colour Throwdown which was to use Elegant Eggplant, Certainly Celery and Baja Breeze. I was short of Baja Breeze so I subbed in some Soft Sky. I made another Easel Card. I really love the look of them and I went with a Wedding Theme. I used the Daisies #2 Die and the Top Note Die. It is difficult to see the 4 layers of Daisies I used...the cardstock is so dark. But in person, it has a cool effect...lots of layers and umph!The sentiment is from the Sale-A-Bration set called "Whimsical Words" and the inside sentiment is from the Hostess Level 3 set called "Kind and Caring Thoughts".

Thanks for stopping by!
Smiles,
Lesley :)

(CAS) Mercy's Sketch #58 and SPCC#32

I made this CAS (Clean and Simple) card for the SPCC Colour Challenge #32 to use Basic Gray, Close to Cocoa and Creamy Caramel. I also used Mercy's Sketch #58 from the Lord Have Mercy Blog.
The butterfly has been highlighted with Crystal Effects to make it shiny. I think this would be a nice masculine Get Well card. Once again I was surprised about how much I liked this colour combo!

Thanks for stopping by!

Smiles,

Lesley :)

Mojo#123 and Curtain Call Colour Challenge Act 14

Wow! I love challenges! I looked at Stacey's Curtain Call Colour Challenge and thought, what will I do with those colours? I used my Stampin' Write Markers in Orchid Opulence and Almost Amethyst and coloured right onto the flower stamp from the Thoughts and Prayers Set. Now I really like this colour combo and would have never attempted it myself!I used the sentiment from the Thoughts and Prayers set as well and inked it up in Orchid Opulence. The flowers that are popped up are from my Boho Blossoms Punch and I used the end of a pencil eraser to make them rounded and look like they are blooming. I also used the new Border Punch that I received for FREE from the Sale-A-Bration Catalogue. The sketch is the current Mojo Challenge to make a square or circle card. My card measures 41/4" Square. I also embossed the side panel with my Perfect Details texture plate. The ribbon is 1/4" white grosgrain. I used some little sticky gems in the centre of my flowers. I stamped the inside with the same flower and a pretty sentiment from the same set.

Thank you for stopping by!
Happy Stamping!
Lesley ;)

Stampin' Royalty and SPCC #31

I made this card for the SPCC Colour Challenge to use Apricot Appeal, Real Red and Pretty in Pink. This card is also for the Stampin' Royalty Challenge to make a One Layer Card. Both of these challenges stumped me at first, so I thought why not combine them?

I tried another new technique that I have been putting off for a while. The Chalkboard Technique. I used my Stampin' Pastels (chalks) to colour in the flowers. The flowers are from "For All You Do" and "God's Beauty". Basically you stamp a solid image in Whisper White Craft Ink and then colour over top of it with the Chalks. The chalks cling to the craft ink and it dries instantly, it is a simple technique and lots of fun. I tried it on black paper and the effect was really pretty. The sentiment was also stamped in Craft ink and embossed with White Embossing Powder and a heat gun. I use white satin ribbon at the top of the card to hightlight the other white on the card.

This card was so simple to make, the planning took the most time!

I hope you like it. It is my first Chalkboard Technique Card but not my last!! I think I am hooked!

Smiles,

Lesley ;)

Meet Skye

My best friend Jake is a brand new Auntie! Her sister had a little girl last week and her name is Skye Bailey. I made a card for the new parents and will be sending it off today! Here is Jake holding her little niece. Awww!! So cute!

Thanks for stopping by!
Smiles,

Lesley :)

Got Sketch? Challenge #96

I found a new Blog called "Got Sketch?" that I am trying. It has some really lovely sketches for scrapbooking! My goal is to do more scrapbooking this year. The sketch they gave us to work with is really pretty. I am currently working on a 8 1/2"x11" book and so I had to adapt the sketch a bit to accomodate my page size.

My page has a picture of my friend Pam and me, sitting on a bench in Invermere, BC...12 YEARS ago! I love this picture of us and have wanted to scrap it for a long time. I can't believe how long ago that was! I used my Big Shot (113439) and the "Go Go Boots" Alphabet (113450). I also used my Daisy Flower Die (113442) and my Little Leaves Die (114511) for the flower at the bottom of the card. I also used the Texture Plate to add some embossing to the bottom right hand side of the page. The DSP is called "To the Nine's"(114038). I used the retired Chocolate Chip Satin ribbon that is now in the Clearance Bin on my SU! website...such a great deal for such beautiful ribbon!

Thanks for stopping by!

Smiles,

Lesley :)

MTSC57-New SU! Items

My shipment of new SU! stuff came in today and after I put everything all together, stamps, took wrapping off packages, and so on...I NEEDED to stamp. LOL! The Sale-A-Bration Set called "Happy Moments" was calling my name...actually as soon as I saw this set, I knew I wanted it. I love the pretty flowers and really the entire set is so sweet! I also love the "Whimsical Words" set and inked it up today too!My sketch came from Mercy Kerin's Sketch Challenge. I inked up those sweet little flowers from the "Happy Moments" set and coloured them with my ink pads and Blender Pens. I love the look of this kind of colouring and am still learning how to make it look watercoloured. I used Regal Rose, Old Olive and Going Gray (to outline the images).The sentiment is from "Whimsical Words" and I punched it out with the Wide Oval Punch (112082) and nested it in the Lots of Tags die (114508) which I used on my Big Shot. The DSP is from the newest paper pad (117161) in the Occasions Mini and the ribbon is Pretty in Pink in 1/4" grosgrain (109032). Have you seen the Sweet Pea Paper Pack (117161) in the mini? Wow! It is stunning and I am so excited to do some scrapbooking with it. There are 48 Sheets of paper in this pack! There are 24 designs in this pack! I embossed the white base of the card with the Perfect Details Texture Plate (115962) and my Big Shot. I almost forgot! I used the new Scallop Trim Edging Punch on this card! You can get this Punch for FREE with a $65 SU! purchase. It is in the Sale-A-Bration Mini Catalogue! It was easy to use!

Thank you for stopping by!

Smiles,

Lesley ;)

Colour Throwdown and Diva Coffee Break Designs (Sketch)

This card was made for the current Colour Throwdown #76 Colour Challenge and the current Diva Coffee Break Designs Sketch Challenge #161. I am working towards getting some Melon Mambo but it is not in my stash yet! So I had to improvise and use an old In Colour Favourite from way back...Puerly Pomegranate. I loved this colour and it was great to be able to use it again. It is such a juicy ink pad!I had one piece of So Saffron left in my stash! Oh horror! (Luckily UPS is delivering today!). The sketch asked for a rectangular shape on the side of the card but I went with Ovals. I hope that is ok!! The flower is from the set called Eastern Blooms (111626) which I have not used forvever! I love the way the flowers stamp in this set, so pretty! The leaves are from a retired Hostess Set called "God's Beauty". The ribbon is SO Saffron 5/8" Grosgrain which I received from the Sale-A-Bration sale last year. I love it and need to use it more! The sentiment is from the set called "For All You Do"(115360). It was a challenge getting a bright enough picture, the sunlight is brightly streaming into my kitchen and the flash doesn't go on when that happens. I will try to take a better photo tonight.

Thanks for stopping by!
Happy Stamping!
Lesley ;)

Mojo Sketch and DIVA's (DCBD) Colour Challenge

I hope I made it in time! This card is for the Diva Coffee Break Designs to use Black, Basic Gray, Going Gray and Whisper White. I wanted to make a clean and crisp card and so I took out the Big Shot and played with some of the new dies I just received. I am loving the Daisy Flower die (113442), in fact, I ordered the Daisies #2 die (114520) and it will be here this Thursday, can't wait! I love these colours together. This is such a fun challenge!This card also uses the newest Mojo Sketch. The Design Team sample cards were amazing and so inspirational. I used the Big Shot and the Texture Plates Perfect Details (115962) for the white background.The sentiment is from All Holidays (114916). I love this saying and think it is such a nice thing to put on a card to a friend. Thank you for stopping by!
Happy Stamping!
Lesley ;)

Colour Create and ANOTHER Easel Card

Okay...this is the last easel card for a while but I just love the simple design and how it forces me to finish the inside of a card. I think this is one of my favourite layouts for a card!! Obviously! LOL! I used the same Stampin' 411 Sketch, I think it is a great one this week and played with my new Bella Bleu Paper. The Colour Create Challenge was to use Blue, Kraft and White.The stamp is from the Hostess Level 3 Set called "Kind and Caring Thoughts" and I love it. I stamped the image in Not Quite Navy and then stamped it off twice. I used my SU! Marker in Not Quite Navy to ink up the "Thanks" from the "Thanks So Much" stamp in the set. That way it could fit into my oval punches.

Thanks for stopping by!
Smiles,
Lesley :)

Stampin' Royalty and Mojo Sketch

This card was made for the current Mojo Sketch Challenge. I haven't played the Mojo Challenge for a while. I always miss the beginning of the challenge and by Tuesday there are already 400 people who have entered! LOL! So I feel like I have missed the boat somehow? Anyway, I decided to enter today, even though there are over 400 people! I combined the Mojo Sketch with the current Stampin' Royalty Colour Challenge.When I saw the Colour Challenge on the new Stampin' Royalty blog I was stumped. Where was the Old Olive? Where was the green hue of anything? Then I started to play with the colours and I realized how pretty the Razzleberry looks with the Plum! I had no idea! Thanks to the gals at Stampin' Royalty for turning me onto something new!!You can't see it in the first picture but I used the Always Standard Wheel on the Elegant Eggplant strip on the front of the card too! I also sponged the flower on the front of the card in Razzleberry for more depth. I wanted to complete the inside of the card too.

Can you see the Texture Plate I used called "Perfect Details", I love the sweet little swirls. The sentiment is from "Well Scripted", I am in love with this set! The flower is my little Daisy Sizzlit put through my Big Shot and the I added some Boho Blossoms from the Boho Blossoms Punch. The double ribbon was a new thing for me...I thought it was kinda daring! LOL!

Thank you for stopping by!

Smiles,

Lesley :)

Stampin' 411 and Colour Q

My best friend's sister just had a baby! I am so excited for her and her husband. I had already made them a baby card for their baby shower so I wanted to make a special congratulations card for them. Last night I made THIS CARD. It is called an Easel Card and I thought that I would challenge myself again to make the card in the standard A2 size. It was easy! Then I decided to incorporate two blog challenges with this card. The Stampin' 411 Sketch and the Colour Q Challenge. Colour Q asked for Pumpkin Pie, Certainly Celery, Barely Banana and Basic Gray with Whisper White. Such pretty colours and perfect for a baby card. I inked up my new set called "Well Scripted" in the Basic Gray. That Basic Gray ink is a nice alternative to Basic Black. It is softer for the baby card. I used SU!'s "Curvy Verse" set for the inside of the card...it stamped nicely in the Basic Gray too!

I used SU!'s "Perfect Details" Texture Plate for the White side of my card front. I love the pretty swirls and I thought they kind matched the theme of the Designer Paper. The Stampin' 411 Sketch was perfect for showing off the pretty Celery Patterned Paper I have from last year's Sale-A-Bration. Plus I had the ribbon too!

The flowers are a created with my Big Shot. I used the Sizzlits Daisy Flower Die and the Little Leaves Die. Then I pulled out my Boho Blossoms Punch to make the flower centres. Then with my Paper Piercer and Mat Pack, I created a little hole in each blossom and added a gold brad. I tried to "fluff" the flowers so they had more dimension.
That is it for now. I need to get some "real" work done, like laundry and paper work. I am hoping to do a big purge in my craft room today and to make it more efficient. My Big Shot is calling my name and I am hoping to do a scrapbooking page today. I want to get more scrapbooking done this year!

Have a terrific day!

Happy Stamping!

Lesley :)

Colour Throwdown #75

Yeah! I got to play the Colour Throwdown this week. I was so excited when I saw the pretty colours and knew I had to ink up my newest stamp sets. This set is so pretty and the flowers kind of reminded me of that retired set called "Peaceful Wishes". The flowers on my card are from the set called "Thoughts and Prayers". Here is a picture of the "inside" of the card with the same floral image. I also used the Eyelet Border Punch for some added detail and prettiness.I used my Rich Razzleberry Ink pad and pressed it directly onto some of the flowers. Then I took my Stampin' Write Markers (love them!) and finished off the flowers with Orchid Opulence. I had to be smart about this so that I kept true to the challenge colours. Then I inked up the vines on the flower stamp with my Mellow Moss marker and my Garden Green marker. I love that these markers can be used directly onto the stamp.Then I huffed and puffed on my flower stamp and pressed onto the Whisper White Paper. I wanted the flower to droop down to the sentiment. The sentiment is from a new Clear set called "Well Scripted". This is such a pretty word set...it stamps well. The sentiment also fits beautifully into the oval punches!!! I was so excited about that!I wanted to challenge mysef to make something different from the regular card and so I did an easel card. I found it quite simple to make and wanted to keep the card CAS. Here is a picture of the side of the card. The card folds flat and fits in a regular envelope.

Here is the finished card! I did it!! I made my first easel card!
Have a great day! Hope you all get to stamp. Thank you for stopping by my corner of the blogging world.

Lesley :)

Club Night #1-Valentine's Theme

My first Club night was on Wednesday and I wanted to make my gals some sweet treats to thank them for joining my club! My theme for the night was Valentine's Day! The first thing I made was a new wrapper for some yummy chocolate bars. I used the new Sending Love Patterned Paper from the new mini and added a little card made from the 2 tags die. I set up each space and added the little treat.

Then we made Sour Cream containers out of the new Designer Paper and a Film Strip card using the new stamp set "Fox and Friends" and more of the Sending Love paper. It was a fun night! I was so busy, I forgot to get pictures of the gals! Must do so next time!Happy stamping! Thank you for stopping by!

Smiles,

Lesley ;)

Playing with New Products...

My shipment of new items came in and I inked up some new sets. I played with the Fox and Friends set. As soon as I saw the new mini catalogue, this was the stamp set I wanted the most! I love the sweetness of each animal and the way I could fit each animal onto my different punches. This card below, I used the To the Nines designer paper, the Always wheel, my circle punches and the leaf die in my Big Shot. Love the Happy Birthday from the new set called Well Scripted. I thought this would be a cute masculine birthday card!I also needed to make a Birthday card for my mommy...her birthday is on February 1st. I just LOVE this new Well Scripted set! I used the birthday stamp from this set on the inside. The colours I used are So Saffron and Certainly Celery.
I love how these Clear Mount stamp sets are labeled on the sides for simple viewing in the bookcase! Also love the pictures of the stamps on the side! So clever! They were simple to put together and they are less expensive! Thanks for stopping by! I hope to have some more samples posted by tomorrow!Thanks for stopping by!
Smiles,
Lesley :)

First Card Class of the New Year

This is the first card class I offered for 2010. We made 10 cards, 2 each of 5 different designs. I took a quick picture of all the cards together but will try to take individual shots tomorrow of each card.The ladies and I had fun...there were some laughs, there were some good stories shared!

Thank you ladies for coming and hanging out with me today!

Smiles,

Lesley

Stampin' 411 Sketch Challenge #133

I made another card for the 411 Sketch Challenge. I inked up the retired "To Have and to Hold" set and my Ovals All set. I wanted this card to be clean and simple. I broke open my Bella Bleu paper and used my Boho Blossoms punch to make a flower on the side. I was inspired to use the flower punch because of Sarah. Check out her pretty card when you have a chance! She used the new Sale-A-Bration set called "Happy Moments". So cute!

Thanks for stopping by!
Smiles,
Lesley

Supplies Used:
Stamps: To Have and To Hold (retired), Ovals All
Paper: Bella Bleu, Very Vanilla, Kraft
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Acessories: Boho Blossoms Punch, Paper Piercer, Gold Brads, Oval Punches, Chocolate Chip Satin Ribbon (in the clearance bin)

Stampin' Royalty, Diva Coffee Break and CTD

There is a brand new challenge blog out there and it is in my own backyard! Congrats to my fellow BC Stampers who have created a new challenge blog called STAMPIN' ROYALTY. Their first challenge is to make a Birthday Card to celebrate the "birth" of their new challenge blog.So I created this card using the current DIVA COFFEE BREAK DESIGNS SKETCH and the current COLOUR THROWDOWN COLOURS (again). I also made this Birthday Set for the Colour Throwdown. I LOVE this stamp set! Please make sure you visit the STAMPIN' ROYALTY challenge blog.
Thanks for stopping by!

Lesley :)

Wild About You (A Masculine Valentine)

Made this card for a few different challenges...

CAS48-A Valentine's Card (this is for my sweetie, it is kinda masculine)

Stamping 411 Colour Challenge (Brillant Blue, Green Galore and Tempting Turquoise)

Stamping 411 Sketch Challenge #133

Carole'Anne's 10 Minute Card Challenge

This card is a totally new kind of card for me...I am usually all about layers and felt maybe I should have added a black piece of cardstock under the DSP! Oh well...it is done! I had to use my SU! markers to colour the animals...I don't have these colours in an ink pad! I really like the green. I was surprised. I did some paper piercing around the main image.

I hope my husband will like it. He is not a Pink and Brown card kinda guy! LOL!!! I think he will be able to handle I LOVE YOU in Green and Blues!!!

Thank you for stopping by!

Lesley :)

Just Us Girls #14 Sketch Challenge

This card and the "Sour Cream Container" combo were made for the "Just Us Girl's" Sketch Challenge #14.I wanted to create a Valentine Card with the SU! Stamp Set called Always. This is such a pretty set and lends itself to Anniversary Cards. Wedding Cards, Valentine's Card or even Thinking of You Cards. I also used the All Holidays set...again...why didn't I buy this set sooner! LOL! I angled the main rectangle on the front of the card which is a little different from the sketch.I also used a Crimper to make the Sour Cream Container which holds some Hershey Kisses. I have never made these containers before but I followed the instructions found on Splitcoast Stampers and found that making these is really easy and fun! I thought the "Hugs and Kisses" sentiment from All Holidays was perfect for my little container which is filled with Hersey's Hugs and Kisses!

Thanks for stopping by!

Smiles,

**Lesley**

Supplies Used:

Stamps: All Holidays (114916), Always (113620)

Ink: Real Red, Chocolate Chip

Paper: Real Red DSP (retired), Choclate Chip, Real Red and Whisper White

Tools: Scallop Circle and Scallop Border Punches, 1/4" White Grosgrain Ribbon, Sticky Strip adhesive, Sponge

Stampin' 411 Sketch #132 and Colour Throwdown #74

I made this card and matching "Box in a Bag" for the current Colour Throwdown Challenge #74 and the current Stampin' 411 Sketch Challenge #132. I was away visiting my extended family in Ontario and have just returned. We had a fabulous time and it was a nice break from stamping!I just loved the colours Pink, Dusty Durango and Chocolate together...so I inked up my Crazy for Cupcakes set from SU! and used the birthday sentiment from the All Holidays set also from SU!. If you would like more information regarding the supplies I used for this card, please send me an email!

Supplies used:

Stamps: Crazy for Cupcakes (111618), All Holidays (114916)

Paper: Real Rust (100661), Chocolate Chip (102128) and Whisper White (100730)

Ink: Black Stazon, Markers

Tools: Scallop Border Punch (112091), Big Shot (113439), 1 3/8" Circle Punch (104401), 1/4" White Grosgrain Ribbon (109025), Crop-I-Dile (108362) to make the holes at the top of the bag.

Thanks for stopping by!

**Lesley**

Splitcoast Stampers Colour Challenge #250

My husband's granny is not well and in the hospital. We are going to spend Christmas with his family this year and I wanted to make Granny a pretty card. When I saw the bright, cheerful colours for the colour challenge I was inspired to make this card! I used my favourite stamp set called Sweet Stems and the sentiment came from the hostess set Kind and Caring Thoughts.Thanks for stopping by!
Smiles,
Lesley :)

Stamping 411 Sketch Challenge (CAS) and Colour Throwdown #73

This card was really a stretch for me...where is the main image? LOL! I used my SU! retired set called Big Flowers and tried to make a single layer card...I still layered it with the DSP but the main card face is one layer. The Sketch came from the current Stamping 411 Sketch #130!This is a fun and whimsical card...I started out making it for the current Colour Throwdown but he greens didn't work with this design so I had to make another card to incorporate that challenge. So I inked up my Snow Buddies set and went to work! I just love that little snowman!I am pretty sure these will be the last cards from me for this year!Thanks for stopping by! I wish you and yours the very best for the Holiday Season and the upcoming year.

Smiles,

Lesley :)

Pink Elephant Sketch Challenge #46 and Creative Card Crew DT Call (Anything Goes)

This card was made for the Creative Card Crew Challenge "Anything Goes"! I am also submitting this card for the Creative Card Crew Design Team Call. This card was also made for the Pink Elephant Sketch Challenge #46. I really loved the sketch and wanted to break into some of my new paper. I actually opened and cut into my SU! "To the Nines" designer paper. Here is a better picture to show off the finished inside. I love that Flowers in Silhouette stamp!The sentiment is from All Holidays and I inked it up in White Craft Ink and heat embossed it with White Embossing Powder. Then I used Chocolate Ink and my Flower in Silhouette stamp, also from SU!, and stamped it over the sentiment. Then I used a clean cloth to wipe away the brown ink from the embossed sentiment, thus doing a "Emboss Resist" technique! Yeah me!!! I need to challenge myself out of my comfort zone and do more techniques like this!!!Is the card too dark? I thought it looked like Chocolate and my friend in Vancouver LOVES chocolate and hopefully she will love this card too! I was not happy with the strip at the bottom of the card, maybe I should have used the Flower stamp along it as well. I inked all the Kraft paper with Chocolate ink and a sponge. I added some twine to the bottom to continue to earthy feel of this card.

All supplies are from Stampin' Up!

Thank you for stopping by!! I can't wait to see what everyone else does with this sketch!!

Smiles,

Lesley :)

Sketch Saturday #82-Birthday Wishes

It feels so good to be creative again! With my teaching job and the card classes I held, I must admit I was feeling tapped out! I decided to continue with my chocolate/pink theme (I love those colours together) and played along with this week's Sketch Saturday Challenge. The layout was a stretch for me but that is the best part about Challenges! They challenge you!

The main image is from SU!'s stamp set called Crazy for Cupcakes, I have wanted that set forever and just purchased it for myself! I used the Modern Label punch for the sentiment which is from Garden Greetings. Garden Greetings is being retired at the end of this month which is too bad because the words in that set stamp so nicely, it is one of my favourite stamp sets. I think this may be my last card posted for this year!! Maybe I will be able to squeeze in one more!!

Merry Christmas to all my blogging friends, I hope you have a restful holiday break.

Smiles,

Lesley :)

Friday Sketchers and Pals Paper Arts

This card was created for two challenges. It has been a week since I last crafted because I seemed to have lost my MOJO!!! So tonight I was looking through the challenges I was inspired by the current Pals Paper Arts Colour Challenge and the current Friday Sketchers Sketch Challenge. Whew...this card was a project and a real different card for me to make. Firstly it has many layers and I have incorporated three different techniques; dry embossing, sponging and faux stitching. I inked the edges of the flowers I created with my Big Shot with More Mustard. The stamp is from a retired hostess set which I love.

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Lesley ;)

Supplies

Paper: Old Olive, More Mustard, Chocolate Chip

Ink: Chocolate Chip, More Mustard

Stamps: Echoes of Kindness (Retired SU!)

Accessories: Big Shot, Sizzlet Flower, Textured Pad and Impressions, Paper Piercer, Mats Pack, Sponging, dimensionals, glue dots

Stamping 411 Sketch Challenge #128 (Thinking of You)

Here is my second challenge card of the day. I am playing with a new stamp set called Kind and Caring Thoughts which is a level 3 hostess set in the main SU! catalogue. I love the colours Really Rust, More Mustard and Old Olive together. I actually saw a card using these stamps and colours that I LOVED!!! I can't remember where I saw it but she inspired me to make this card! She actually used the new in colours-Crushed Curry and Dusty Durango.So here is my card for the Stamping 411 Sketch Challenge #128. I dry embossed the white back panel and used some 5/8" Old Olive grosgrain ribbon. Here is the inside of my card. I wanted to finish it with the same flowers and the feel better sentiment. I love this stamp set!!! Thanks for stopping by!!

Happy Stamping!

Lesley :)

JUGS #10 (Sketch Challenge)

As soon as I saw this sketch today for the Just Us Girls Challenge Blog, I knew I wanted to play and try out some of my new SU! Sets. I pulled out some Mellow Moss, Whisper White and a piece of DSP I had stashed away that had a So Saffron tone to it. The sketch was really inspiring and I decided to flip it.

Here is the sketch:

Here is the card I created: I inked up my "For All You Do" Set and my "Kind and Caring Thoughts" set. The branch is a SU! sizzlits die that I used with my Big Shot. I added some gold brads to the centre of the flowers and three to the side of the card as the sketch indicated. I am back into using brads lately, I am loving it. I cut out each flower and popped them up on the card face for dimension.

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Stamping!

Smiles,

Lesley :)

Playing with the Big Shot and PPA18 (Kiss Creations)

I was feeling a little crafty yesterday and my Big Shot arrived, so I decided to scrapbook. I wanted to do something clean and simple for the PPA18 KISS Challenge, here is what I came up with!! I used the Snowflakes #2 dies and the large Snowflake die. I also used the Go-Go Boots Alphabet, such cute little letters perfect for an 81/2"x11" scrapbook. I tore some Whipser White paper to make the snow at the bottom of the Navy Paper and added glitter to it. Then I arranged the letters to make the scrapbook title and snowflakes all around. I love how I can cut out 4 snowflakes at one time with my Big Shot.Then I designed this card for my Christmas Card Class on Friday!!! Also using the PPA KISS idea, I wanted to try a different fold to see if it would work. Love how it showcases the Old Olive Ribbon. I used the Patterned Pines and the All Holidays Set for this card.

Off to bed...must go to work in the morning.
Happy Stamping!
Lesley :)

Stampin' Up Holiday Extravaganza

Stampin' Up! is offering an online extravaganza sale, where you can get items up to 50% off. There is an Ultimate Stampers Starter Kit that gives you 3 stamp sets, brads, card stock, ribbon and inks valued at $170.95 for only $102.57 on preferred pricing. Here's a picture of all the great things you get: This next bundle is called "Thank You Kindly" Bundle. It would be regularly priced for $41.90 and is being offered for $20.95.This next bundle is called "Heart to Heart" Bundle. Regular price is $69.85 on sale for $34.93.This is called "The Four Square" Bundle regularly priced as $42.90 on sale for $21.45.Please check HERE for other great bundle deals. I will be placing orders on Wednesday afternoon, please email me at leo1975@shaw.ca to place an order or visit my online store at http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/lesleycroghan/ and click "Shop Now".

Smiles,
Lesley :)

Huge Sale at Stampin' Up!

There are some amazing deals this week at Stampin' up that will end on November 30th. Please visit my Stampin' Up Website HERE to see the deals and email me at leo1975@shaw.ca to place an order.

Happy Stamping!

Lesley :)

Pals Paper Sketch Challenge...again...

This card was made for the Pals Paper Sketch Challenge. I already made a card for this challenge found here, but I was so inspired by this sketch, I had to make one more card! I wanted the next one to be more elegant! The brads I used are gold but they don't show up in the picture. love this little Snowflake stamp from the Patterned Pines Set. I also inked up Peace Love Joy from the All Holidays Set. I LOVE this set and do not understand why I hadn't purchased it earlier! Oh well...better late than never!!!To continue the theme of Snowflakes and to share, I inked up my new Serene Snowflakes Set and did so on non-traditional paper colours. I chose Sage Shadow, Basic Grey and White. The corners of the front panel are punched with my SU! Ticket Punch. I need to use this punch more, I forgot how much I love it! I embossed the sentiment from All Holidays again and embossed one snowflake from the set. The other snowflakes are stamped in Going Grey and Always Artichoke ink. I love how Artichoke and Sage go together!! I am off to write report cards. I have half of mine finished and hope to get a big chunk of them done today.

Happy Stamping!
Lesley :)

Just Us Girls Colour Challenge and Pals Paper Arts Sketch Challenge

This card was made for the Pals Paper Arts Sketch Challenge #17. As soon as I saw this sketch, I thought of these little Snowmen from the Snow Buddies hostess set. This is also for the Just Us Girls #8 Colour Challenge which was to use Pumpkin Pie, Really Rust and Bashful Blue.I made this card with the other hostess set from the Holiday Mini Catalogue. I used Rich Razzleberry, Mellow Moss and Very Vanilla. Thanks for stopping by!
Happy Stamping,
Lesley :)

Colour Throwdown #69 and Christmas Wishes Card Class

These are the cards I designed for my Christmas Wishes Card Class #1. There will be another Christmas Card class on Friday, December 4th from 6-9pm. All information about this class is on my Stampin' Up Wesbite found here.This first card I designed for the Colour Throwdown #69 which was to use Real Red, Chocolate Chip, Vanilla and Old Olive which are all Stampin' Up colours. I embossed the Peace, Love, Joy sentiment from All Holidays with versamark, white embossing powder and my heat gun, all from SU! The main image is from the stamp set called Music Expressions and it is coloured with inks and a blender pen. This next card is made from 2 retired Stampin' Up sets that I love! Holiday Woodcuts and Peaceful Wishes. I used the Scallop Border Punch to highlight the poinsettias.This card was made with the Retired Peaceful Wishes set and the hostess set called Best Yet. The paper is Mellow Moss and Rich Razzleberry. I inked the stamp with my SU! markers and huffed it. Then I stamped off the image to give it a vintage feel. The green background is the Petals A Plenty embossing folder from SU! I used with the Big Shot. I tried a new technique which was Faux Stitching using the Mat Pack and the paper piercer. I love how this card turned out.This 4x4 square card uses the Penguin from the retired set Wild About You. The colours are Sahara Sand, Black and White. I also used a retired background set I had to create the background on the white panel and the ink is River Rock. The Scallop Circle Punch, 1 1/4" and 1 1/3" circle punches were also used to highlight the penguin. He is stamped in Basic Black.My final card is made with the Dasher Stamp and En Francais Background stamp. The Joy sentiment is from the Delightful Decorations stamp set and is punched out with the 1 1/4" circle punch.

Thank you for stopping by!

Happy stamping!

Lesley :)

To learn more about my upcoming Card Classes,

please visit my website.

Scallop Circle Punch and Nesting Circle Punches

I am teaching a Christmas Card class this Friday. These are two of the 5 designs we will be using for the class. I just need to cut all the paper and get it set up! For the first card, I used one of the ornament stamps from Delightful Decorations Set. Then I used my 1 1/4' Circle Punch to punch it out. I used the 1 3/8" Circle Punch to mat the cut out piece in white and the Scallop Punch in black to set it off. The Scallop Circle Punch has little holes punched out of each scallop. The main image used on this card is the Dasher Stamp. Dasher is stamped in Basic Black Classic Ink and the background of the card is En Francais in Basic Grey; for a softer look.

This next card I used my retired SU! Snow Burst Stamp set. I inked it up in Night of Navy and punched it out with the 1 1/4" Circle Punch. Then I matted it with the 1 3/8" Circle Punch in Bashful Blue and then punched a Scallop Circle out of Night of Navy with the Scallop Punch. The small swirl in the top right hand corner is from the Baroque Motifs Stamp Set. The sentiment is from the retired SU! set called Peaceful Wishes. The blue designer paper is from last year's SU! Sale-A-Bration. There is other Bashful Blue designer paper available in the catalogue and through online ordering.
Supplies Used:
Stamps: Dasher, Delightful Decorations, Paceful Wishes, Snow Burst, En Francais, Baroque Motifs
Paper: Card #1-Real Red, Basic Black and White
Card #2-Bashful Blue, Night of Navy, White
Ink: Real Red, Night of Navy, Basic Grey and Basic Black
Tools: Circle Punches and Scallop Punch, 1/4" white grosgrain ribbon

Please visit my online store located on my Stampin' Up Website to purchase these items.

Thank you for stopping by...happy stamping!
Lesley :)

Christmas Cards and Open House

I made these Christmas Cards for a couple of challenges and for my upcoming Open House, tomorrow, Sunday November 15th from 2-4pm. Please email me for more details.This is a card will be making at the Open House. I also made it for the Charisma Cardz challenge "Merry and Bright" and for the Paper Pal's Challenge which was also a Christmas Theme.

This card I made is for the OCC Sketch Challenge. It was an awesome sketch and I had fun working with it. I love this new Delightful Decorations set and matching Ornament Punch! It is pretty easy to make lots of Christmas Cards quickly.

What Stampin' Up Products I used to make these cards:

Stamps: Delightful Decorations, Christmas Greetings, Elegant Cheer (retired), Baroque Motifs

Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Mellow Moss, Night of Navy, Bashful Blue, Real Red, Whisper White

Ink: Same as above

Accessories: Ornament Punch, 1/4" White Grosgrain Ribbon

Thank you for stopping by!!

Smiles,

Lesley :)

CAS#40

This card was made for the Splitcoast Stamper's Clean and Simple Challenge #40 which was to use one colour and white. I had to stamp off each image with Always Artihoke Ink because I couldn't find my Mellow Moss...so I tried to match it as best as I could!! I hope that is ok!

Thanks for stopping by!
Smiles,
Lesley ;)

Recipe is made with all Stampin' Up Products
Stamps: Delightful Decorations, Baroque Motifs, En Francais
Ink: Always Artichoke
Paper: White/Mellow Moss
Accessories: Whisper White 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Ornament Punch

Colour Throwdown #68

These two cards were made for the Colour Throwdown #68 and they are my very first card post as a new Stampin' Up Demonstrator. I am really excited about becoming a Demo and have wanted to for awhile. Today I went for ir!

The colours to use for the CTD challenge are Crushed Curry, Real Red, Only Orange and a dark neutral. I chose to use my favourite dark neutral which is Basic Gray! I wanted to create really clean and simple cards so that the colours and the images shone through. I was also excited to ink up my new Fifth Avenue Florals set from SU! I LOVE this set!
Thanks for stopping by! Happy stamping!

Smiles,

Lesley :)

Recipe is made with all Stampin' Up Products

Stamps: Fifth Avenue Florals, Garden Greetings (on Dormant list)

Ink: Real Red, So Saffron (in lieu of Crushed Curry), Only Orange and Basic Gray

Paper: Real Red and Basic Gray SU! Cardstock

Accessories: Whisper White 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Scallop Border Punch,

New Face of Blog

Hi stamping friends...

After considerable thought, I have decided to become a SU! Demonstrator! I am very excited about this and am looking forward to sharing my passion for card making and scrapbooking with my friends. So I decided to give my blog a facelift and save all my old posts to draft. That way I can start fresh with a clean slate.

So please excuse the dust and the disorder...I will be up and running again soon...

Thanks!
Happy stamping!
Smiles,
Lesley :)

Colour Challenge#227 (SCS)

This card was made for the Splitcoast Stampers Colour Challenge #227. (Lavender Lace, Barely Banana, Going Gray, Black and White).

I used SU! To Have and To Hold Set (which is now retired) and finally used the mini flower vines stamp that came with that set...I really like it! Coloured those little flowers with Lavender and the hair on the bride and groom is Barely Banana. The background paper is black, white and a light gray. I used my Going Gray ink pad and a blender pen to outline the main image. The sentiment I found at a stamping garage sale and it fit perfectly in my circle punches. Once again I used the Top Note die and now I know I need to order it! I love it! To add some bling, I put a couple of pearls on the corners.

I also made a little white envelope to match, using the little flower motif.

Thanks for stopping by!
Smiles,
Lesley :)

Colour Throwdown #49 (Chocolate, Guava and Soft Sky)

When I saw the colours for this week's Colour Throwdown, I knew I wanted the card to be clean and simple. I used my Fresh Cuts Set from SU! Have not used that one in a while!! I stamped the centre panel in Chocolate and then inked the little flower in Guava. I cut out the little flower and popped them up on dimensionals. The sentiment is from Garden Greetings. I used the soft sky in the back panel.

Thanks for stopping by!

Smiles,

Lesley :)

Colour Throwdown #42 & Stamps and Smiles SASSC15

This card was made for the Stamps and Smiles Sketch Challenge and for the Colour Throwdown Challenge.
Each flower is cutout and popped up on dimensionals. I love using this SU! Set called Double Line Doodles just for this flower! The leaves and stems were cut out on Turquiose paper as well and popped up. The DSP is from the Saleabration special and the sentiment is from Kind Thanks, another SU! set.

I stamped another flower on the inside to complete the card.

Thanks for stopping by...
Smiles,
Lesley :)