Time Well Spent

Today I have a card to share that I created for three different challenges, hence my title, "Time Well Spent":

Stacey's Curtain Call Colour Challenge-So Saffron, More Mustard, Cherry Cobbler and Crumb Cake

Stamping 411 Sketch
Pals Paper Arts-Scallops

The colours were right up my alley and I knew I wanted to make a distressed, sponged card with the warm yellows and red.  I also wanted to use the simple sketch at Stampin' 411 to be a jumping off point.  My scallops are created with the scallop edge border punch and the matching corner punch.  I love those punches!

My card measures 5"x5" as I wanted to create a square card using the sketch.  I have to admit, this card did not come together for me as I had envisioned it?  I think I needed to change the card base but I decided to post it anyway, sometimes a card will grow on my even if initially I didn't like it at first!  Does that ever happen to you?

Thanks for stopping by!

Smiles,

Lesley

Pals Paper Arts Colour Challenge and Stamping 411 Sketch

Thank you to all my blogging friends who have left messages and emails for me regarding my pup Cyrus.  He is calmer tonight, we hope he will sleep more soundly.  I really appreciate your thoughts and kindness.  Tonight I had the chance to stamp (my husband was watching football, hanging out with Cyrus) and I decided to try the Stamping 411 Sketch with the Pals Paper Arts Colour Challenge which is to use Poppy Parade, Daffodil Delight and Basic Grey.  These colours are so pretty together and look pretty sharp with Whisper White. 

The 411 sketch is great and I decided to pull out Vintage Vogue because of the flowers in that set, I wanted them to overhang the rectangle like in the original sketch design found HERE.

This was my first creation:

I wanted to create my card with a Clean and Simple look.  I used Whisper White as my card base and added some major bling to my flowers with SU! gemstones (I love these things!!).  After I created this card I decided to go back to the drawing board and start again because I realized that I was a little off from the sketch at Stamping 411.

With more layers and some designer paper, I stepped up this card with some depth and weight.  I am really happy with both cards.  The designer paper is from the Level One Hostess Pack in the Big SU! Catalogue.

So what do you think?  Which style appeals to you?  Please let me know if you have any questions about what I used on my card or how I made my cards by emailing me.  My email address is located in my profile.  Please leave me a comment to let me know which "look" you like the best!  I really enjoy hearing from you!

Thanks for stopping by!

Smiles,

Paper Players Challenge #17-An Inspiration from LeAnne

Paper Player Design Team member, LeAnne, has just welcomed her first granddaughter to the world!  Her name is Cassidy and she is absolutely adorable.  I wasn't surprised when LeAnne chose an adorable baby image as her inspiration photo for this week's challenge!! 

I have realized that I need more baby type stamps. So instead of going ga-ga for baby images, I decided to make a "Congratulations" card for a proud grandma or mama....using the pretty colour combo of Pretty in Pink, Basic Black and Crumb Cake. 

I love the Vintage Vogue set and paired it up with some retired Bella Bleu DSP, using a couple of crumb cake DSP pieces as my two main panels of the card.  The sketch is from Splitcoast Stampers and is Sketch Challenge #259.  I liked the layout and thought it showed off the colours nicely.  I used my crimper to crimp the main strip of paper that fits across the card.  I also used my En Francais background stamp to create the main pink background panel of the card.  The edges are all sponged.

I hope you get the chance to play with us this week!!  To see the designs of the other team members and to play along, please click HERE.

Thanks for stopping by!
Smiles,
Lesley

Stampin' Royalty, Curtain Call Colour Challenge and the Sweet Stop Sketch

Last night, while I was up way too late, I visited my pal Jaydee's blog and saw her amazing card you can find by clicking HERE.  I saw that she was using a sketch from the Sweet Stop and I really was drawn to that sketch!  So I started to make a card, using that sketch and a couple of other challenges.  I used the pretty colours from Stacey's Curtain Call Colour Challenge and I played along with Stampin' Royalty which was to make my own Designer Paper.  This card also qualified for the Paper Players challenge to make a Vintage Card...so I decided to add it! 

This is what I came up with, I had a hard time photographing it...it is a little dark...

I used the Vintage Vogue set and stamped some flowers and flourishes on the white piece of cardstock...I actually inked up each stamp, stamped them on a scrap piece of paper and then stamped them onto my cardstock...to give a softer look.  I sponged the edges in Crumb Cake...I stamped and cut out the flowers on the side of the card and popped them up on dimensionals. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Smiles,

Lesley :)

Vintage 411

The sketch at Stampin' 411 really got me thinking! For the past two days I have been sketching and thinking and planning!  I used the new colours Early Espresso and Cherry Cobbler.  I LOVE the Cherry Cobbler...my goodness...it is rich and vibrant.  Well after lots of thinking and planning, this is what I came up with!

I used the "Vintage Vogue" stamp set and the En Francais background stamp.  The Friends stamp was inked up using Early Espresso and the flower was inked up in Cherry Cobbler.  I used some Vanilla Satin Ribbon and a pearl from the retired "Pretties" kit.  The main panel was created using the Top Note Die and my Big Shot.  I just cut part of the Top Note off, so it would frame the small rectangle.  I sponged around the Cherry Cobbler paper with Cherry Cobbler Ink and stamped En Francais in Cherry Cobbler Ink, to add some depth.

Thank you for stopping by!  I hope all my American friends had a wonderful Independence Day. 

Smiles,

Lesley

Stampin' 411 Sketch and Pals Paper Arts (Monochromatic Blues)

Well after a busy week of performing and working, I just did not get the chance to get cards made and so here I am with a card tonight! Hooray!  I used the lovely sketch over at Stampin' 411 and also used the challenge at Pals Paper Arts which was to create a project using all blues...

This card is all scraps...I dug around in my scraps bin and found everything I needed.  My main blue is Night of Navy and the DSP is a scrap from the "Pawsitively Prints" Designer Paper.  I love that paper!  The images are from Vintage Vogue and the sentiment is from the new "Watercolour Trio" set in the Summer Mini Catalogue. 

Thanks for stopping by!
Smiles, Lesley :)

Colour Dare and Cards for Mum

This card uses the "Elements of Style" set and I wanted to make a card for the current Colour Dare which was to use Yellow, Green and a Lighter Green. I covered the flowers in Dazzling Diamonds and it is all glittery!!  What mom wouldn't love a little glam and glitter!

I absolutely LOVE the "Elements of Style" set, can you tell?  Geez, I can't stop using it and I am ok with that!  I used Rich Razzlebery and Mellow Moss.  I also must tell you, I finally broke down and bought the Word Window Punch!  I LOVE IT!!!  I am so silly sometimes, thinking I don't need something and just making do with what I have.  But the Word Window Punch goes beautifully with the Modern Label Punch and my Teeny Tiny Wishes Set!  Now my options seem endless!

For this card I pulled out my Vintage Vogue Set and inked it up in the Plum colours from the Soft Subtles colours.  This is one of my favourite colour combos and I need to remember to use it more.  I made some other cards with these colours last week and since then, I have been looking to use them more.  This card measures 5x5.  The pretty Mother's Day Sentiment is from "All Holidays".

Thanks for stopping by!

Smiles, Lesley :)

Two New Challenges (DT Submission)

Well I have been checking out some other blogs and found two new Challenge Blogs. One of them had a Sketch Challenge and the other a Colour Challenge. So I decided to combine them and came up with a birthday card to add to my birthday card stash! The sketch came from the "Inkspirations Sketch Challenge". The colour challnege came from "Picture Perfect Creations". Megan, the Blog owner, is having a Design Team Challenge Call, so you should go and check it out! This is my submission for the DT. She asked for Rose Red, Bashful Blue, Basic Black and Whisper White. My DSP came from the Sweet Pea Pack and the butterflies were created using my Embosslit die. The Square is 3 1/4" and I used my Corner and Trim Scallop Border Punches to create a delicate lace frame around my main image.I have really been getting into completing my card insides too! I left this one blank, but I think I will add a "Curvy Verse" to it. I added another butterfly to the inside and used the scallop trim punch to add some more interest. I love that punch!!Thanks for stopping by!
Smiles,
Lesley ;)

Colour Create and OCC Sketch Challenge #6

This card was made for the current OCC Sketch Challenge and the Colour Create Challenge to use Mint, Chocolate and Vanilla. I have made this card for my husband, it is our 3rd wedding anniversary on March 17th, St. Patty's Day! As soon as I saw the colours, I was inspired to make the card for him.I used the Finial Press embossing folder with the Big Shot. I inked up the flowers from the Vintage Vogue set and used the "Well Scripted" Set again. The edges of the main panel are sponged with Chocolate Chip. The inside is finished off as well...to make it all come together!Thanks for stopping by!

Smiles,
Lesley ;)

Stamping 411 Sketch Challenge and the Colour Dare

This card was made for two challenges: The Colour Dare and Stamping 411 Sketch Challenge. The Colour Dare asked us to use Certainly Celery, Tempting Tuquoise and Chocolate Chip. I inked up the Medallion Background Stamp in Turquoise, love how it stamps in that colour! The ivy is stamped in Celery. I used the Vintage Vogue Set on most of the card. I also added a little butterfly to the top corner with my Butterfly embosslits die.

Thanks for stopping by!
Smiles,
Lesley ;)