Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Oh no!

So the past three days I have been away, doing some teacher prep stuff as school starts next Tuesday.  I decided to get a new phone that I can use on the internet and the gal at the phone store "helped" me to set up the phone.  I wanted access to my blog and to posting and to my emails.  Somehow, she managed to erase one of my folders on Picasa which is where blog photos are stored and how they appear on a blog.  I lost around 200 photos!  Gasp!  So if you go way back into my blog, there will be various photos missing throughout.  It is a terrible shame...sigh...

Thank you to everyone who emailed me these last couple of days to tell me that my photos were gone... I received lots of them and I appreciated it.  Unfortunately I was on the road and there was nothing I could do about it but I am VERY sad to have lost all this work I created.

I am just going to go onward from here and hope something like this NEVER happens again...

Smiles,
Lesley
We hope that you will join the Friday Mashup Challenge this week!  Please be sure to visit the other DT Members to see their wonderful creations!
Friday Mashup Design Team
We hope that you will join the Picture Perfect Creations Challenge this week!  Please be sure to visit the other DT Members to see their wonderful creations! We hope that you will join the Paper Players Challenge this week!  Please be sure to visit the other DT Members to see their wonderful creations!
The Paper Players Design Team
Thanks for stopping by!!!
Smiles,
Lesley

Monday, August 29, 2011

Picture Perfect Creations #70-Bright Christmas


It is Monday and time for another terrific colour combo from the PPC.  The colours are fun and pretty!  I decided it was time to break into some Christmas cards and I was excited to use some non-traditional colours for it. 

Supplies I used:
Stamps: Tree Trimmings Pg 34, Hand Penned Holidays (coming out in September in the new mini catalogue)
Inks: Melon Mambo, Tempting Turquoise, Concord Crush
Cardstock: Melon Mambo, Tempting Turquoise, Concord Crush
Tools: Punches, New Snowflake embossing folder (coming out in September in the new mini catalogue), Paper Piercer and Mat Pack
We hope that you will join the Picture Perfect Creations Challenge this week!  Please be sure to visit the other DT Members to see their wonderful creations!   
Thanks for stopping by!!!

Sunday, August 28, 2011

A New Look for Lauri Ingram

Lauri Ingram of Paperville Crafts ordered a Custom Blog from me. She loves green and vibrant colours. She wanted something to grab your attention. I am so pleased with how her blog turned out! Be sure to stop by her blog to see the final product!!!   You can get there by clicking HERE.

This is what I created for her, I was SO happy that she liked it!!!

(Click the images to see them in full)



To order your own Custom Blog Banner, please click HERE to see the pricing and information.
Thanks for stopping by!
Smiles,
Lesley

Paper Players Challenge #61-Sketch by Jaydee



Good morning blogging friends!!! Corey went out fishing with a buddy and brought home 3 salmon...yum! Take a look. Too bad the boys were standing in the shadows! LOL! We ate some of the salmon tonight and it was YUMMY! I spent the day at home today, feeling under the weather. After a long bath tonight, I am starting to feel more like myself!

 

This week at the Paper Players it is our last week with our Fall Design Team Lauri Ingram and Sandra Azzopardi.  Both ladies have been exceptional team mates!  I will miss them!  This past month Carrie Gaskin has been our Guest Designer and has done a marvelous job of it too!  Thank you ladies!  Jaydee has come up with an awesome sketch for us to try!!!  I decided to go clean and simple, relying on designer paper and plain ol' stamping...I didn't even colour the image!!!

I used the new Spice Cake Designer Paper and the Always Thankful Stamp set that is coming out on September 1st!  We hope that you will join the Paper Players Challenge this week!  Please be sure to visit the other DT Members to see their wonderful creations! 

The Paper Players Design Team
Thanks for stopping by!!!

Friday, August 26, 2011

Friday Mashup Challenge #21-Bossy and Sketchy!

Another week has come and gone and my summer holidays are quickly disappearing!  But I have enjoyed a restful break and now I am onto school prep and classroom set up!  I have to admit, I love it!!!  This week at the Friday Mashup I am the challenge hostess and have created a simple sketch for you!  I am also being "bossy" and am asking for some DRY embossing!  None of that "wet" stuff around here this week!!!  Wait a minute...that title...maybe I am Bossy and Sketchy...eeek! LOL!
This is also Jen Mitchell's last week with us as a Guest Designer for the month of August!  I love her work and think she is a pretty swell gal!  Thanks Jen!


So here is how we are MASHING IT UP this week
  1. Create a project using the provided "Sketch"
  2. or Create a project that has a "Dry Embossing on it"
  3. or "Mash it Up!" and create a card using the "Sketch with Dry Embossing"
Here is my project!  I made a little card purse with a matching card! I love the new Field Flowers stamp set!!!  I used some In Colour Designer Paper in 'Wisteria" and paired it with Concord Crush.  I also added a kick of green with some Old Olive ribbon.

 
We hope that you will join the Friday Mashup Challenge this week!  Please be sure to visit the other DT Members to see their wonderful creations!
 
Friday Mashup Design Team
Thanks for stopping by!!!
Smiles,
Lesley

Thursday, August 25, 2011

**New** Custom Designed Blog Banner Package Now Available!

After careful consideration, it seems that some blog owners would like a custom option!!  So I have decided to give it a go!  I will still offer some Pre-Made Banners too!



Custom Designed Banner Package     Cost: $60
  • One customized banner for your blog, designed by me
  • One "Shop Now" button that I will created to match your new banner
  • The banner and the button will be loaded onto your blog for you
  • I will fix your background to make it match the new look
  • I will fix the Post Titles to match the colours/style of your new look 

My Calendar:
-I will work on banners on a first come, first served basis. 
-When I receive your Pay Pal order, I will email you within 24 hours to confirm and to discuss design options. 
-At this time I have no waitlist.

REFUNDS:
Once a Custom Design Package has been paid for, there are no refunds UNLESS I haven't started designing yet.

The Fine Print:
-I use only Stampin' Up images and cannot use others at this time.
-I can ONLY design for a BLOGGER Blog, sorry I cannot design for other types of blogs at this time.
-When I install your new look on your blog, I will also add my Design Badge with a link back to my design blog.

Questionnaire:
In order to create a customized banner for you, I will need some information!!!  When I have received your Pal Pal Payment, I will email the Customized Blog Questionnaire to you!

Some things to consider:  Favourite Colours, Images, Clean Lines, Vintage, Modern, Cute...these are all things that will help me design something perfect for you!!!

Questions?  Please email me at thepaperplayers@yahoo.ca

Sincerely,
Lesley

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Blog Makeover for Nance Leedy!

I recently updated Nance Leedy's blog! I showed her a design and she fell in love with it! I was so pleased!! She wanted funky colours and clean lines, I was so happy that this worked for her!!! After she decided on her banner, I made a couple of buttons for her..."Shop Now" and a badge for her blog!

On Saturday August 27th, I will be releasing all my banners for sale...there may be one for you! Have any questions? Please email me by leaving a comment below! Remember I am also offering one follower a chance to win a FREE pre-made blog banner that I will personalize for them! To enter your name for the draw, please click HERE.


Nance Leedy's Blog Banner, click HERE to see her blog. Click on the images to make them larger.




Thanks for stopping by!!!
Smiles,
Lesley

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Clean and Simple "Owly" Banner!

I also made a Shop Now button to match this sweet blog!
Click on the Owl to enlarge the banner and to see it in Full Size.
I have been busy, working on banners for my upcoming "sale" on Saturday over at my new Banner Design Blog called "Premade Blog Banners by Lesley!

I am having so much fun designing and have read all the comments people have been leaving on my BLOG CANDY post. If you would like to enter my blog candy contest please click HERE. 

So today I was getting "Owly". I love Owls...they are so mystical and appear to be wise and stern. Then there is the Owl from Stampin' Up! He is quite a character and I had fun making a banner with him today!

Are you an Owl enthusiast? This banner will be available for purchase on Saturday or it could be yours for free if you win the Blog Candy!!!

All my pre-made banners will be $25 and you will have the option to purchase a "Shop Now" button for an additional $5. I also will load the banner on to your blog and your new button too!

If you have any questions, please leave me a comment! I would love to hear from you.

Thanks for stopping by!
Smiles,
Lesley

Monday, August 22, 2011

EXCITING NEWS...I DID IT! (BLOG CANDY)

Hello blogging friends....



Well I did!  I have started my new Banner Design Blog and you can see it by clicking HERE.

I am offering blog candy on it too!!!  Yippee!!!

Hope you will stop by!
Smiles,
Lesley

Picture Perfect Creations Specialty Challenge #9-Summer Time Fun

Monday is here and it is time for the Picture Perfect Creations Challenge.  This week we have a Theme challenge called "Summer Time Fun".  I needed to scrapbook some of our photos from our Summer adventures and so I went to work.  I created a layout that was quick and easy! I love using the My Digital Studio program!  If you click on the pages, they will come up full size.


We hope that you will join the Picture Perfect Creations Challenge this week!  Please be sure to visit the other DT Members to see their wonderful creations!   
Thanks for stopping by!!!
Smiles,
Lesley

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Paper Players #60-CAS Sketch and Colours from Create with Connie and Mary

Sunday is here and that means it is time for another challenge from the Paper Players!  This week my dear friend LeAnne is the hostess and she has created an awesome sketch for us to try!  I love the clean lines to this sketch and love that she chose three images for the main focal point.


I needed some inspiration as to which set to pick!  I thought snowflakes, owls, cupcakes, buttons but then I was visiting Nance Leedy's blog and saw the current Create with Connie and Mary Colour Challenge which was to use Pacific Point, Tangerine Tango and So Saffron.  FUN!!  With those bright colours came the idea to use the Up, Up and Away stamp set. 

We hope that you will join the Paper Players Challenge this week!  Please be sure to visit the other DT Members to see their wonderful creations!
The Paper Players Design Team
Sandra Azzopardi
Carrie Gaskin GD

Thanks for stopping by!!!
Smiles,
Lesley





Supplies Used:
Stamps: Up, Up and Away and On Your Birthday
Inks: Tangerine Tango, Pacific Point and So Saffron (Basic Black accent)
Papers: Bold Brights DSP Collection, Pacific Point CS, Whisper White CS
Extras: So Saffron 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Small Dots Embossing Folder. Modern Label Punch and Word Window Punch

Up, Up and Away Set #122757 Clear Mount $22.95
Up, Up & Away - Clear-Mount Stamp Set - by Stampin' Up!

Friday, August 19, 2011

Friday Mashup #20-Sweet as a Button...

...and cute as a CUPCAKE!  Good morning!!!  Friday is here and with it the "Friday Mashup" Challenge!  This week is a cute challenge, featuring Cupcakes (my favourite) and buttons (which is something I always forget to add!)  I used brads instead!



Create a project using Buttons .
Create a project featuring "Cupcakes".
or "Mash it Up!" and create a project with Cupcakes & Buttons!

I inked up an old favourite using new colours!  Calypso Coral and Lucky Limeade...those colours scream "BIRTHDAY" to me!!!  Happy and cheerful, the new In Colours are so much fun to play with!!!

I paper pieced the cupcake with Designer Paper and smooched spritzed the top of my cupcake to make it sparkle.  The Designer Paper is the new In Colour Paper Pack and see those fun brads...they are new In Colour brads in Lucky Limeade!!!  The sentiment comes from the Petite Pairs stamp set, this is a MUST HAVE because all the sentiments fit in the Oval punches which I think is awesome!!!!

We hope that you will join the Friday Mashup Challenge this week!  Please be sure to visit the other DT Members to see their wonderful creations!
 
Friday Mashup Design Team
Thanks for stopping by!!!  As always if you have any questions about my cards or projects please email me.  My email is located at the top of my blog in my banner.  Speaking of blog banners, I created a new one using MDS...what do you think?  I love Sage Shadow and decided to use that for my main colour.  Speaking of banners, I am offering some blog candy, you can enter for it by clicking HERE.
Smiles,
Lesley

Thursday, August 18, 2011






Please be sure to visit the other DT Members to see their wonderful creations! We hope that you will join the Paper Players Challenge this week!  Please be sure to visit the other DT Members to see their wonderful creations! 
The Paper Players Design Team
Sandra Azzopardi
Carrie Gaskin
Thanks for stopping by!!!
Smiles,
Lesley

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Pals Paper Arts and SUO Challenges

I had a chance to play with some new rubbah tonight!  I made this card for two great challenge blogs; Pals Paper Arts and SUO Challenges.


Untitledppa pic


Pals had a great challenge to used a recipe...one designer paper, one punch and one sentiment.  Easy peasy!  Except I missed the deadline...got my days mixed up, thought I had until tomorrow to post.  Oh well, it was a great challenge and really inspired me!  Then the SUO Challenges asked for our favourite "new" stamp set and this was what I needed to ink up my new sets called "Established Elegance" and "Field Flowers".

I made this card for my mom because she has over halfway to her goal weight and she is looking amazing!  She just turned 60 and wanted to be more fit.  She has been working so hard...you should see the difference.  None of her clothes fit, she is down many sizes with still a long journey ahead but I am so proud of her accomplishments. 

Thanks for stopping by!!!
Smiles,
Lesley

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Blog Banners and BLOG CANDY ALERT

Happy Tuesday!  Hope you are all enjoying your week!  We are off to play tourist today with our Guests!  We are having a great visit!!

I wanted to share three creations with you today thatI did not make with paper but rather my MDS scrapbooking program.  MDS or My Digital Studio is a Stampin' Up Product that you can use to digital scrapbook or to create cards or calendars or invites...it is an awesome program and paired with my new computer, I have been busy, creating up a storm.

I created a new blog banner for my friends Anne Marie Hile and Joan Jeffery.  Here is what I created for them and of course, I had to create something new for myself!  (Click on the banners to see them in a larger size on your screen).







I have other banners I have created and will be offering them for sale in a Pre-Made Store (coming soon)...I will add your own title and information to them and then add them to your blog.  Once a banner is sold, it will not be sold to anyone else, so you will have a unique banner for you and get a fun new look for your blog!

I was wondering if anyone would be interested in this?  Do you think it would be a good idea to offer this service?  Please give me your input by adding your comment. 

Blog Candy Alert: 
 I will be drawing one name from all the comments on this post and that person will win a FREE pre-made banner from me.

Thanks for stopping by!!!
Smiles,
Lesley

Monday, August 15, 2011

Picture Perfect Creations #69-Happiest Thoughts


Good morning!  I am having a great visit with family here from Ontario!!!  It is Monday and time for another Picture Perfect Creations Challenge!  This week, the colour combo is SO lovely...I had to get out a new set called 'Field Flowers".
Here is the card I created!!  I love the two step stamping that you can do with this set!  I am off to entertain some more!  Have a great week!
We hope that you will join the Picture Perfect Creations Challenge this week!  Please be sure to visit the other DT Members to see their wonderful creations!   
Thanks for stopping by!!!
Smiles,

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Paper Players Challenge #59-Pretty in Pink


Just a quick post tonight as we have company here and I need to get to bed so I can play hostess tomorrow!  We had a great day of visiting already!!!  Anne Marie has challenged us to use three shades of pink!  She LOVES pink and it pretty cute about it! LOL!  So we all had fun putting together some pink pretties for her challenge!


Here is my card for her challenge!  I hope to be able to add more information about this card later.  Sorry I am unable to tonight!!!

We hope that you will join the Paper Players Challenge this week!  Please be sure to visit the other DT Members to see their wonderful creations!

The Paper Players Design Team
Thanks for stopping by!!!
Smiles,
Lesley

Friday, August 12, 2011

Exciting News!



I have decided to start another Challenge Blog.  I still have the Paper Players and love my gals there!!! This is a new Challenge all about Clean Designs...it is called "Freshly Made Sketches" and you can see the new blog by clicking HERE. 

The whole idea is to make a project with Clean Lines...but it does not have to be Clean and Simple..just "Clean".

We have put together a wonderful design team and will be choosing 2 more design team members to join us as the challenge gets going! We will be looking for clean lined creations and someone who is a team player.

We hope you will join us on September 7th for our first Sketch Challenge!!!
Thanks for stopping by!!!
Smiles,
Lesley

Friday Mashup #19-Wings and Bling

Happy Friday to all my blogging friends! It is time for the brand new challenge at the Friday Mashup!  I am so excited to be posting tonight using my brand new computer!  It is amazing how quickly it works!  Wow!  My old computer was SO slow and it would take me hours to do anything.  I also could not see many blogs, for some reason my old computer would not let me!  SO now I am able to visit everyone and leave comments which I love to do!
(Photo Source)


So, here's the "Mash Up!" challenge:

1. Create a project with "Butterflies and Bling".
2. Create a project using "Marina Mist, Perfect Plum and your Choice of ONE other color and ONE Neutral".
3. Or "Mash it Up!" and create a project that using "Butterflies, Bling and the Color Combo"!

I dusted off my scallop border punch and used it to create three rows of scallops to my card!  The vanilla background is embossed with my dots embossing folder.  The little flower was created with the Boho Blossoms punch.  I used the new Beau Chateau Paper for the butterfly which I created using my new "Butterfly Die"!!!  Yippee!  The bling is on the butterfly and the small flower has a pink glimmer brad!


We hope that you will join the Friday Mashup Challenge this week!  Please be sure to visit the other DT Members to see their wonderful creations!
 
Beau Château Designer Series Paper - by Stampin' Up!
Beau Chateau Designer Paper 122357 $13.50
Beautiful Butterflies Stampin' Up! Bigz Die - by Stampin' Up!
Beautiful Butterflies Die 114507 $26.95



Thanks for stopping by!!!  If you have any questions please contact me at my email listed at the top of my blog!
Smiles,
Lesley