Moxie Fabbin' It!!

February 28, 2011

Happy Monday, everyone!!  I can't believe that I haven't been able to sit down and write a blog post today until now, but I have just had other things going on.  But, now I do have some time...and I can proudly say that I am the Moxie Fabber of the Week!!  Head on over to the Moxie Fab blog if you would like to read my interview, and see some of my favorite cards.  Cath wrote the sweetest little note about me at the end of the post, and it definitely warmed my heart reading it.  Thanks so much, Cath....I feel completely blessed by what you wrote.

In keeping with the Moxie fab theme...I have a super fun card to share with you today!  I created it for my Stamper's Dream DT work, but also used some of the brand new papers from GCD Studios.  What does this have to do with Moxie Fab, you might be asking?  Well, Moxie Monday is all about the new "Funhouse" collection by GCD Studios, and they are giving the collection away!  So, be sure to check out that post at the Moxie Fab blog as well, if you haven't already!! I also used the Viva la Verge March 2011 Sketch #1 for my card...I just love how it turned out! Check it out:
"Good Times are Even Better..." supplies:
Cardstock: Bazzill Basics (red) & Papertrey Ink (vintage cream) 
Paper: GCD Studios (Funhouse: Candy Apple, Three Ring Circus, Trick Pony, Come One Come All) 
Stamps: JustRite Stampers (Friendship Nested Sentiments
Ink: Clearsnap (Pigment: magenta, Chalk: warm red) 
Pearls: Kaiser Craft 
Twine: Darice Inc. 
Flowers:Prima
Glitter: DecoArt 
Diecut Machines: Cuttlebug & Cricut Expression by Provo Craft 
Diecut Cartridge:  Plantin Schoolbook by Provo Craft
Steel Dies: JustRite custom dies by Spellbinders (Nested Frame, Nested Sentiment sets) & Papertrey Ink (Ticket border)
Sewing Machine

Instructions:  Fold red cardstock in half to make card base.  Cut a vintage cream cardstock block slightly smaller than the card, zig-zag stitch along the edges, and adhere.  Cut three patterned paper strips to fit inside the cream block, and ink the edges.  Zig-zag stitch along the edges of each paper strip, and adhere to the front.  Diecut and emboss a floral paper block using the Cuttlebug & nested frame die, then adhere to the front.  Cut the strip of tickets from patterned paper using the Cuttlebug and ticket border die.  Tear off each end, sand the edges a little bit, and then adhere to the front.  Diecut the sentiment label from vintage cream cardstock using the Cuttlebug & nested label die.  Stamp the sentiment to it, and adhere to the front.  Diecut a star at 1.5" from orange patterned paper using the Cricut Expression & Plantin Sschoolbook cartridge.  Cover the star in glitter, then top with a twine bow and pink paper flower.  Adhere the star accent to the sentiment corner using foam adhesive.  Accent the other corner of the two paper flowers, and then add pearls to the sentiment label to finish. 

The only thing left that I need to do is let you know who won the Skipping Stones Design stamps from THIS POST last week.  Without further ado, here is the winner!! 
Congratulations, Terri!!  Please email your shipping information to jnllawson @ bresnan.net (sorry for the spaces, I don't want spam) and I will get it passed on to the SSD owner!!  Thank you so much for your lovely comments...I loved reading each and every one of them! 

Well, I better get going for now!  I hope that you have a wonderful rest of your day! ♥♥♥ 

Until later,
~Lea L.

PTI Make It Monday #3: Glitter Strips with Scor Tape

February 26, 2011

Happy Saturday night, everyone!  I hope that you have had an awesome weekend so far!  Ours has been lots of fun!  We went out last night and celebrated our friend's birthday.  The celebration continued this morning as we all had brunch together at our house, and then we all just lazed around together.  During the lazing around, I was able to get a couple of cards done that were specially ordered by our friends Grant & Meagan.  They have had some friends and family have new babies lately, and needed a couple of baby cards to send with gifts.

The first baby card was a great one to take advantage of the latest PTI Make It Monday #3, to add glitter strips with Scor Tape.  There is nothing traditional about this card at all, and the glitter strip just gave it an even more modern feel to it.  This card is going to a family who are die hard Auburn Tigers fans....which I can relate to, as this household is as well {my hubby was born in Opelika, AL and raised an Auburn Tigers fan from birth}.  So, I went with an Auburn Tigers color theme for the card, and my friends are so excited to send it to their friends!!  Yay...I love that!  The other thing about this card...if you frequent my blog at all, you will know that I made a similar card last week, just a square version with different colors.  I enjoy going back and "lifting" myself of past cards that have become some of my favorites!  And the truth is...while they are similar, they still don't look exactly the same.  And THAT is what I love about handmade.
"Babies are Such a Nice Way to Start People" supplies: 
Cardstock: The Paper Company (white) & Bazzill Basics (orange) 
Paper: Basic Grey (June Bug: Admiral)
Vellum: The Paper Company
Stamps: Papertrey Ink (Inside & Out: Baby set) 
Ink: Clearsnap (Pigment: frost white)
Chipboard: Rusty Pickle
Twine: Darice Inc. 
Pin: Making Memories
Jewel/Glitter: Doodlebug Designs
Corner Rounder: EK Success

Instructions:  Fold white cardstock in half to make card base.  Cut {3} 3.5x1" strips, and round the opposite corners of the two blue dot paper strips.  Adhere to the right side of the card, making a striped block.  Cut a 1" strip of vellum, and adhere a 1/8" strip of Scor-Tape at the top of it.  Cover the Scor-Tape in glitter, then stamp the sentiment below.  Wrap and adhere the vellum strip around the card, making sure the sentiment sits over top of the colored block.  Paint a chipboard heart white, cover in glitter, and then adhere to the left of the sentiment.  Tie a bow from twine and adhere it to the right side of the heart.  Cover a chipboard star in glitter, add a jewel to the middle, and adhere it to the top of the twine bow.  Adhere a pin to the entire accent, slightly tucked in under the twine bow and glittered star to finish. 

The second baby card isn't for the glitter strip challenge, it is just another one where I happened to case myself again.  I made a boy version of this card awhile back, and it quickly became one of my faves.  So, when my friends needed a second card that was more traditional...I jumped at the chance to make a similar card in a girl version!! Here is what I came up with! 
"Welcome to the World" supplies: 
Cardstock: The Paper Company
Paper: My Mind's Eye (Lush: pink floral) 
Stamps: Papertrey Ink (Night, Night Moon and Inside & Out: Baby sets) 
Ink: Tsukineko (Momento Dye: dandelion, VersaMagic: pixie dust, & Versafine: onyx black) 
Embossing Powder: Stampendous (clear) 
Ribbon: Renaissance by Design
Flower: Prima
Pearls: Kaiser Craft
Diecut Machine: Cricut Expression by Provo Craft
Diecut Cartridge: Storybook by Provo Craft 

Instructions: Fold cream cardstock in half to make card base.  Stamp the stars & moon border to the bottom of the card.  Stamp the pink sentiment to the upper left corner, cover in clear embossing powder and heat set it.  Cut the scalloped circle at 2" using the Cricut Expression & Storybook cartridge, and adhere it to the right side of the stamped border.  Cut the circle at 1.75" and stamp the moon, stars and small sentiment to it.  Accent the stars with pearls, and adhere to the top of the scalloped circle using foam adhesive.  Tie a bow and accent the upper left corner of the circle with it.  Add a paper rose to the middle of the bow to finish.

Well, that is everything I have to share with you tonight.  I hope that you have a great rest of your night, and a wonderful Sunday!  I will probably be back tomorrow with something to share!! ♥♥♥ 

Until later,
~Lea L.

P.S.  I am still giving away two sets of Skipping Stones Design stamps!!  You have until 11:59PM Sunday night to comment on THIS POST and possibly win them!!  So, click on over and get your comment in!! {After you comment on this post, of course.  Tee hee!}

Papertrey Ink February Blog Hop

February 25, 2011

Happy day, everyone!  Aren't you glad it is Friday?!  I definitely am ready to have a fun weekend!  We will be celebrating our friend Grant's birthday this weekend...so it should be a fun one!!

Well, if you are a PTI fan...you know what today is!!
Here is the Blog Hop Challenge that Nichole has given this month:
Ahhhh...scallops.  What is not to love about the scallop?  There is so much you can do with it!!  They make great borders, and edges.  They can be any size from teeny tiny to LARGE.  The card making industry has grown leaps and bounds when it comes to all the different border punches and dies that are now available...and it definitely all started with the scallop.  So, what to do with the scallop that I haven't ever done before?  Well...this is what I came up with.  {Oh, and BTW- I used Viva la Verve February Sketch #4 for this card...just so you know. Hee!}
"Just Because" supplies: 
Cardstock: Bazzill Basics (kraft) & Papertrey Ink (vintage cream) 
Paper: My Mind's Eye (Lush: blue damask, pink houndstooth, pink large polka dot, pink floral)
Stamps/Button: Papertrey Ink (Asian Fusion set) 
Ink: Tsukineko (Versafine: onyx black) 
Ribbon: Renaissance by Design
Twine: Darice Inc. 
Pearls: Kaiser Craft
Corner Rounder: EK Success
Border Punch: Stampin' Up (scallop)
Diecut Machines: Cricut Expression & Cuttlebug by Provo Craft
Diecut Cartridge: Stamping by Provo Craft
Steel Die: Spellbinders (Labels Twenty)

Instructions:  Fold kraft cardstock in half to make card base, and round the lower left and upper right corners.  Cut a blue damask paper slightly smaller than the card front, and then cut in half longways.  Round the lower left corner, and then adhere the paper block to the front.  Diecut and emboss the label from vintage cream cardstock and punch a hole through the top.  Thread cream ribbon through the punched hole, and and then adhere the entire piece to the front.  Tie a button around a bow with twine, then adhere the bow to the top of the label.  Punch a scalloped edge to different strips of blue and pink patterned papers.  Adhere them to a 2"x4" cardstock scrap in alternating colors, and then cut the butterfly from it at 2" using the Cricut Expression and Stamping cartridge.  Accent the middle of the butterfly with pearls, and then adhere it to the top of the label on the card.  Stamp the sentiment in the lower left corner to finish!

And...I am totally digging how the butterfly turned out!!  Not that what I did is revolutionary by any means, and it has been done before...but it is my first time trying it out...and I kinda like it! Tee hee!  And now I can't wait to see what the other PTI blog hoppers have in store for me on their blog...I always love seeing what everyone else does with their beloved PTI stamps!!  Have a happy day! ♥♥♥ 

Until later,
~Lea L. 

P.S.  I am giving away two sets of Skipping Stones Design stamps!!  You have until Sunday night to comment on THIS POST and possibly win them!!  So, click on over and get your comment in!! {After you comment on this post, of course.  Tee hee!}

Taylored Expressions February "Blast from the Past" Blog Hop

February 24, 2011

***If you are here for the Stamper's Dream Blog Hop, please scroll down or CLICK HERE for the post.***

Yep- I have another post today!  I know...I told you earlier this week that I have a lot going on at the blog and just not enough days for all of it! Tee hee!  It has been great fun though, and I really hope you are enjoying all of the projects and such.

For this post, I am participating in Taylored Expressions February "Blast from the Past" blog hop!!  I love participating in this blog hop every month, because it makes me utilize my TE stamps more often!  And now that I have been a guest designer for them for two months, I have even more stamps to use {once they get past the required time of being released, of course!}  The blog hop this month is themed around "green", and could be interpreted however you liked.  I chose to utilize it in the most common form...the color, and used multiple shades of green on my card.  
"Missing You" supplies: 
Cardstock: Core'dinations
Paper/: My Mind's Eye (Quite Contrary: Day Dream, Zig Zag, Owl Be There)
Stamps: Taylored Expressions (Love Everywhere set)
Ink: Clearsnap (Pigment: chestnut, teal) 
Ribbon: Renaissance by Design
Twine: Darice Inc. 
Flowers: Recollections
Jewels: Glitz Design
Glitter: Ranger Stickles
Corner Rounder: EK Success

Instructions:  Fold teal cardstock in half to make card base, and round the bottom corners.  Cut a cloud paper block slightly smaller than the card, round the bottom corners and adhere.  Cut a zig zag paper strip, cut a flag shaped end and adhere.  Cut a flag shaped end to a peice of ribbon, and adhere to the top of the zig zag strip.  Tie a bow at the top, and then top the center with a twine bow and green paper flower.  Trim the edges of a journaling card and round the bottom corners.  Cut the trees, clouds and owls from patterned paper, and layer them together on the journaling card.  Stamp the bench, cut out and adhere to the card.  Add a cut out owl to the bench, then stamp the sentiment to the right of it.  Adhere the entire journaling card to the front of the card using dimensional adhesive.  Cut out another grouping of clouds from patterned paper, and adhere to the upper right corner.  Accent all the clouds with Ranger Stickles, then accent below the sentiment with a paper flower & clear jewels to finish. 

As always, we were provided with an amazing sketch by Sankari Wegman that we could utilize if we chose to.  Of course, I used it...I love her sketches!!  Here it is so you can check it out, and use it yourself sometime if you'd like! 
I really hope that you liked my sweet little owl themed card!  Thanks for all the lovely comments lately...I read every single one of them and cherish them!  So- thank you, from the very bottom of my heart...I appreciate each and every person who happens upon my little crafty blog.  ♥♥♥




Until later,
~Lea L.

P.S.  Because I have had so much on my blog this week, here are some links to other things you might be looking for:
Want to win free stamps from Skipping Stones Design?  CLICK HERE and follow the commenting instructions!
Looking for my card that was just posted on the CPS blog today?  CLICK HERE, because I posted it earlier in the week, due to all the craziness today!
And once again, if you would like to participate in the Stamper's Dream blog hop, just scroll down a tiny bit, or CLICK HERE!
And if you want to participate in next month's "Blast from the Past" blog hop...click below! 



Blast from the Past Blog Hop

Stamper's Dream Blog Hop!

Happy Thursday morning!! Today we are doing a super fun blog hop at Stamper's Dream, and there are two fabulous prize packages that you can win!  So, keep reading to find out how you can win!

But first up is the card that I created for the blog hop.  I seriously just love this sweet little card...it's kind-of scrumptious!  I happened upon a sketch blog that I hadn't heard of, so I used Tuesday Morning sketch #82 for my card as well! Here it is:
 "A Sweet Treat for a Sweet Person" supplies: 
Cardstock: Bazzill Basics (kraft) & Papertrey Ink (vintage cream) 
Paper: My Mind's Eye (Lush: Blue Damask, Pink Houndstooth) 
Vellum: The Paper Company
Stamps: Impression Obsession (Sweet Treat Cling & Sweet Treat Words cling)
Ink: Clearsnap (Pigment: dune) 
Ribbon: Bo Bunny
Twine: Lawn Fawn Trimmings
Pearl: Zva Creative
Flower: Prima
Jewels: Glitz Design
Corner Rounder: EK Success 
Circle Cutter: Creative Memories
Diecut Machine: Cuttlebug by Provo Craft
Steel Scalloped Die: Papertrey Ink

Instructions:  Fold kraft cardstock in half to make card base, and round the bottom corners.  Cut blue damask paper a 1/2" smaller than the card, and round the bottom corners.  Cut a scalloped edge from cream cardstock, adhere to the bottom of a pink dot paper strip, and then adhere to the blue damask block.  Tie ribbon around pink dot strip, and then adhere the entire block to the card front.  Cut a circle from cream cardstock, and stamp the sentiment to the top of it.  Stamp the cupcake to vellum and then cut out.  Stamp it again to pink dotted paper, cut out, cover in glitter and then adhere to the vellum piece.  Add twine trim to the bottom of the vellum cupcake and accent the middle with a pearl.  Adhere the entire cupcake to the cardstock circle, and accent with a blue paper flower.  Adhere the entire circle piece to the front of the card, and then add three jewels in the lower right corner of the card to finish. 

Here is a close-up shot of that sweet little cupcake.....it is so yummy!  And as a non-coloring stamper...paper piecing is a great way to add texture and color in a different way!
So, I know that I said a little something up top about some giveaways!  Michelle from Stamper's Dream is giving away two prize packages!  Here are the images of them:
So, two lucky comments will win one of these prize packages!  But, we aren't telling you which blogs the winning comments will be chosen from!  Thus, it is called a blog hop...tee hee!  So, if you happened upon my blog by chance, I would suggest you start from the beginning and start hopping!  Here is the link list so you can be on your way!  Just don't forget to leave a comment first!! ♥♥♥
Tosh- http://stamptalkwithtosh.blogspot.com/            
Mariana- http://marianagrigsby.wordpress.com/               
Kim- http://paperintheworks.blogspot.com/               
Lea- http://leascupcakesandsunshine.blogspot.com/ (You are here!)          

Until later,
~Lea L.

American Crafts "Guest Designer of the Week"

February 23, 2011

Well, my post title says it all....EEEEEEK!  Paige emailed me in January, asking if I would like to be a "Guest Designer of the Week" for American Crafts, and of course, I said yes!!  They sent me an amazing box of goodies, which included a ton of Elements (brads & buttons) because that is the focus of this week.  To read my entire guest designer of the week post on the American Crafts blog, CLICK HERE...there is a little questionnaire at the end!  

Now, before you fall on the floor from fainting...I did a layout! ;)  It has been a long while since I scrapbooked, but it is kind-of like riding a bike....you don't forget how to do it, and you remember how much fun it is!!  To give myself a little bit of help getting started, I did use the sketch challenge #5 from the Get Picky blog.  I did enlarge the photos from what the sketch stated, which worked perfectly for what I wanted it to look like.  Here is the layout that I created:


This is the sweet baby girl, Mary, that I fell in love with while at the children's home in Kenya.  I would have brought her home with me in a second if it would have even been possible, but alas...it is illegal in more ways than one.  So, I had to leave her there with a large chunk of my heart.  I miss her every single day, and wonder how she is doing, if she is getting held enough, how much bigger she is by now.... {Sigh}- I love that little girl.

I also created these three cards:
And last but not least, I created this sweet home decor piece:
Well, I hope that you enjoyed my American Crafts guest designer blog post....thanks so much for checking it out!! Have a wonderful Wednesday! ♥♥♥

Until later,
~Lea L.

P.S. If you haven't already, be sure to follow the commenting instructions on THIS POST.  I am giving away two Skipping Stones Design stamp sets to one lucky commenter!!  

You are the Joy in my Day....

February 22, 2011

I know, I know....another post in the same day?!  I have too much to post this week, and not enough time!!  So, with that said...if you are looking for my Skipping Stones Design post and wanting to win FREE STAMPS, then either scroll down a bit after you check this post out, or CLICK HERE

My second card today is one I created for Stamper's Dream.  It also is my card for CPS Sketch #206 {which you are totally getting an early preview of because it won't be on the CPS blog until later this week}, and I used the color challenge CR84FN16 {light pink, medium violet, gray}.  I added a neutral via vintage cream to make the card come together for me!! Here is what I created:
  "You are the Joy in my Day..." supplies: 
Cardstock: Bazzill Basics (purple) & Papertrey Ink (vintage cream) 
Paper: My Mind's Eye (Lush: Pink Floral, Pink Houndstooth) 
Stamps: JustRite Stampers (Wedding Nested Sentiments set)
Ink: Clearsnap (Pigment: sky gray) 
Chipboard: Tattered Angels
Ribbon: Michael's 
Flowers: Prima
Pearls: Kaiser Craft
Glitter: DecoArt
Corner Rounder: EK Success
Diecut/Embossing Machine: Cuttlebug by Provo Craft 
Steel Die: JustRite custom die by Spellbinders (Nested Frame set)

Instructions:  Fold purple cardstock in half to make card base, then round the top left and bottom right corners.  Cut pink floral paper slightly smaller, round the same corners and adhere to the front.  Cut a vintage cream cardstock block, round the same corners, and adhere to the lower right.  Cover a cream chipboard frame with glitter and cover the back with pink dotted paper.  Add a strip of ribbon to the right side of the card, and layer the chipboard piece over top of the ribbon end.  Tie a bow where the ribbon meets the cream cardstock.  Stamp the sentiment to cream cardstock, then diecut and emboss the label around it.  Adhere the sentiment label to the glittered chipboard frame, and accent with purple pearls.  Accent the middle of the bow and the chipboard frame with purple flowers to finish the card. 


Can I just tell you how much I love that sentiment?  And paired with the softness of the colors....{sigh}.  It just warms my heart a little.  Speaking of...I think I am going to go make a cup of hot cocoa and get a few more projects done.  It is snowing, yet again...and I am feeling a little chilly.  Might be time to throw on a sweatshirt too.  I hope your day has been going well!! ♥♥♥ 

Until later,
~Lea L.

CR84FN16 Graphic:

Skipping Stones Design Sketch 65 + Giveaway!!

Happy Tuesday everyone!!  I hope the start of your week has been a fabulous one!  I cleaned like crazy yesterday...our bathroom and our room.  While our bathroom just needed a normal cleaning, our room was a completely different story.  There was so much dust, it is almost embarrassing!!  But now, it is clean from top to bottom and looks fabulous!!

Today I have my card for this week's Skipping Stones Design sketch 65, which I happened to also design. :)  It is kind-of fun to design a sketch and then create a card based on your own idea...  I also used one of the latest Spellbinders label die sets...I won them during their big blog hop week showcasing all the new releases before CHA.  I was so excited when they landed on my doorstep, and I finally got a chance to use them!!  Without further ado, here is what I came up with!
"Together We Can..." supplies:
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink (vintage cream) 
Paper: Bo Bunny (Crazy Love 6x6 pad) 
Stamps: Skipping Stones Design (Cancer Schmancer set)
Ink: Clearsnap (Pigment: pink, dune) 
Lace Ruffle: Bo Bunny
Ribbon: Renaissance by Design
Pearls: Kaiser Craft (pink) & Zva Creative (off white)
Corner Rounder: EK Success 
Diecut/Embossing Machine: Cuttlebug by Provo Craft
Steel Die: Spellbinders (Labels Twenty-One set) 
Sandpaper 

Instructions:  Fold cream cardstock in half to make card base, and round the bottom corners.  Cut a pink paper block a bit smaller than the card front, round the bottom corners and sand the edges.  Cut and emboss the label from cream cardstock, adhere to the card and stamp the sentiment to the bottom of it.  Stamp the butterfly on cream cardstock, cut out and adhere to the top of the label.  Accent the butterfly with three pearls.  Adhere the ruffle below the label accent, and then tie ribbon around its seam.  Accent the lower right corner with three pearls, and stamp the second sentiment to the left of them to finish. 

I don't have any first hand experience with cancer in my life, and for that I am extremely grateful.  But I watched a great example in my grandma Penny, as she was there for a friend dealing with the disease.  She took her friend to appointments, loved on her and was basically just there for her.  I thought of this as I was looking through my SSD stamps and came upon this set, and my card just completely came together.  And while I hope that I don't ever have anyone to give this card to...I do have it just in case.  And I hope that I will follow in my grandma's example if I ever find myself in the same situation.  

Here is the sketch that that this card is based on- 
And as the Skipping Stones Design sketch designer this month, I get to giveaway two stamp sets!!  So, one lucky winner is going to win the stamp set released this month, "Pumpkin Seed Sentiments", and the set I showcased today, "Cancer Schmancer".  Please leave one comment on this post telling me what you like best about my card, or my post in general!  You have until 11:59pm MST on Sunday, February 27th to leave a comment, and I will post the winner on Monday!  Good luck...I can't wait to hear your responses!  Here are the images of the stamp sets so you know what you are winning! 
 I hope that the rest of your day is fabulous...I have an awesome post tomorrow, one that I am very excited about!!  Come back on over tomorrow to find out what it is!! ♥♥♥

Until later,
~Lea L.

PTI Make It Monday #2: Vellum Sentiment Strip

February 19, 2011

Happy Saturday everyone!!  I hope that you had a great Friday!  Our quickie trip over to Butte for my great-grandfather's funeral was a good one.  The roads on the way over were snowy for about 40 miles, and then they became clear.  On the way home they were completely clear until about 5 miles before Missoula...when, guess what?  Yep- it was snowing like crazy....but we were just fine.  Missoula has been SO weird this year.  We have gotten SO much snow, and the rest of the state really hasn't.  It is normally the other way around...so I guess it was just our time for the snow.  Tee hee!

I have a sweet little card that I created for PTI's Make It Monday #2, which is a challenge to use a vellum sentiment strip on your project.  Well, I LOVE vellum sentiment strips, and I love figuring out fun ways to use them!  I also used WPlus9's Color Cue #12 {kraft, lilac, turquoise, white} and Get Sketchy #74 {which is late for the weekly challenge, but still really wanted to use it!}.  Here is what I came up with!
"Thank You for Touching my Life" supplies: 
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink (white) & Bazzill Basics (lilac, kraft, turquoise) 
Vellum: The Paper Company
Stamps/Button: Papertrey Ink (YOF: Morning Glories set) 
Ink: Clearsnap (Pigment: frost white)
Chipboard Heart: Maya Road
Twine: Darice Inc. 
Flower: Prima
Pearls: Kaiser Craft
Glitter: Doodlebug Designs
Corner Rounder: EK Success 

Instructions:  Fold white cardstock in half to make a 4.5" square card, and then round the bottom corners.  Cut {3} 4x1" cardstock strips, and round the left corners of the lilac strip and the right corners of the turquoise strips.  Adhere to the right side of the card, making a striped block.  Cut a 1" strip of vellum, and adhere a 1/8" strip of Scor-Tape at the top of it.  Cover the Scor-Tape in turquoise glitter, then stamp the sentiment below.  Wrap and adhere the vellum strip around the card, making sure the sentiment sits over top of the colored block.  Paint a chipboard heart white, cover in glitter, and then adhere to the left of the sentiment.  Tie a bow from twine, layer in between a button & paper flower, then adhere to the glittered heart.  Accent below the sentiment end with three jewels to finish.

I really love how this cute little card turned out, and it could be recreated with so many other colors and different sentiments...I love cards like that!  And every time you recreate it, it will still look completely different!

Well, it is about time for breakfast...so I am going to get going for now.  I hope that you have a super lovely Saturday!! ♥♥♥ 

Until later,
~Lea L.

Penny Black Guest Blogger

February 18, 2011

Happy Friday, everyone!  I hope your week has been a fabulous one!  We have to drive to Butte for a funeral today, and I am a little worried about the weather.  So, if you think about it...please keep us in your prayers this morning.

But before we leave, I do want to share some projects with you today!  I am the guest blogger for Penny Black stamps today, and I was able to pick out some of the CUTEST stamps to play with for my projects!!  If you would like to see my post on the Penny Black blog, please CLICK HERE.

Without further ado, let's get started!  This first card uses a clear stamp set from Penny Black titled "j'aime paris", and it is fabulous!!  I used the Viva La Verve February Week 2 sketch for this card as well, and it was definitely a perfect fit!   
"I Love You" supplies: 
Cardstock: Bazzill Basics (black) 
Paper: Echo Park (Be Mine: Rose Bouquet, So In Love, French Chronicle, Journal Cards) 
Stamps: Penny Black
Ink: Clearsnap (Pigment: antique pewter, razzberry)
Ribbon: Michael's brand
Flowers: Maya Road (pink ribbon) & Recollections (gray paper) 
Jewels: Glitz Design
Border Punch: Fiskars (Upper Crest)

Instructions:  Fold black cardstock in half to make card base.  Punch an upper crest border to two strips of striped paper.  Adhere a paper strip to each side of a gray floral paper strip, zig-zag stitch along the seams, and then adhere to the front of the card.  Cut out the two journal cards and adhere at slight angles on the front of the card.  Stamp the Eiffel tower and the sentiment to the top journal card, and accent with three pink jewels and a gray paper flower.  Adhere a bow to the corner of the journal tags, and accent the middle with a ribbon flower and two gray paper flowers.  Cut a thin strip of XO paper and cut a banner end to it.  Adhere over the seam of the two journal cards, giving it a couple bumps of texture.  Accent each of the o's with black jewels to finish the card.

This next card uses a wooden block mounted rubber stamp titled "Snow Dust".  I just adore this stamp...it is just so pretty and whimsical, and could be used for a range of sentiments.  I chose a winter sentiment from a different stamp company to go with it, and it matched perfectly!
"Wishing You All the Joys..." supplies: 
Cardstock: Bazzill Basics (kraft) 
Vellum: The Paper Company
Stamps: Penny Black & Papertrey Ink (On Ice set)
Ink: Clearsnap (Pigment: frost white) 
Ribbon: Renaissance by Design
Glitter: Making Memories
Pearls: Kaiser Craft
Corner Rounder: EK Success

Instructions:  Fold kraft cardstock in half to make card base, and round the bottom corners.  Stamp the snow dust trees and sentiment to the front, and accent with gold pearls.  Add two strips of 1/8" Scor-Tape to the top of a vellum strip, cover with gold glitter, and adhere to the bottom of the card.  Tie gold ribbon to the bottom half of the vellum strip to finish.

This last card is definitely in the category of last, but NOT least.  I used the super fun wooden block mounted rubber stamp titled "Sparks at Christmas", and paired it with the sentiment titled "A Wonderful Christmas".  I masked out the Christmas part of the sentiment to just make it a New Year's sentiment...and I love how it turned out!
"Happy New Year" supplies: 
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink (white) 
Stamps: Penny Black
Ink: Tsukineko (Versafine: onyx black) & Clearsnap (Pigment: razzberry) 
Jewels: Glitz Design (black) & Kaiser Craft (pink) 
Ribbon: Michael's 
Corner Rounder: EK Success

Instructions:  Fold white cardstock in half to make card base, and round the bottom corners.  Stamp the sparkle girl image and sentiment to the front of the card, and accent with pink jewels.  Tie ribbon around the top of the card, and top the middle of the bow with a black jewel to finish.

I will add supply lists and instructions later on...but I need to finish getting ready so we can get on the road.  I hope that you enjoy checking out my Penny Black creations...they were a lot of fun to create! ♥♥♥

Until later,
~Lea L.

Life is a Journey....

February 16, 2011

Happy Wednesday, everyone!  I hope that the middle of the week proves you are having a great one so far!!  Snow is falling outside as I type this, and it is so pretty and peaceful.  While I am not the biggest fan of cold weather, I do enjoy watching the snow fall.  Our weather has been so weird lately....we had been in the 50's since this past weekend until today, and now it is snowing.  It is definitely the start of Spring in Montana, which basically means our weather will have multiple personalities until June.  Tee hee!

Today I have my card for CPS Sketch #205.  This week is a special week at CPS, as it is our 4th Anniversary!  If you haven't checked out the blog so far....you really should!  We have had posts every single day, and many of our CPS Designer Alumni have created cards for the week as well!!  This week is being sponsored by CardMaker Magazine, and the winner will win a one year subscription to the magazine!  I hope you will play along with the sketch and get yourself in the running for this awesome prize!!  Here is what I created this week:
"Life is a Journey..." supplies: 
Cardstock: Bazzill Basics (kraft) & Papertrey Ink (white)
Paper/Jewels: Glitz Design (Afternoon Muse: banner, polka)
Stamps: Glitz Design (Afternoon Muse) & Papertrey Ink (YOF: Gladiolus)
Ink: Clearsnap (Pigment: dune, aqua, frost white)
Ribbon: May Arts
Twine: Darice Inc.
Flowers: Prima
Lace: vintage craft supply
Corner Rounder: EK Success
Border Punch: Fiskars (Apron Lace)
 Sandpaper

Instructions:  Fold kraft cardstock in half to make card base, round the right hand corners and ink the edges.  Round the right corners of a slightly smaller pink paper block, sand the edges, and adhere to the front.  Cut a circle from kraft cardstock, ink the edges, and adhere to the bottom of the card.  Round the right corners of a white cardstock block, ink the edges and then stamp the front of it with a Ferris wheel & sentiment.  Adhere the stamped block to the top of the card. Accent the Ferris wheel & the kraft circle with pink & clear jewels.  Cut a strip of aqua dotted paper, and punch an apron lace border to blue paper.  Sand the edges, layer the punched border to the right side of the aqua strip, and adhere to the left side of the card.  Adhere a strip of pink crocheted lace to the aqua strip, and then layer tan dotted ribbon over top of it.  Add flowers to the middle of the bow.  Thread the banners on twine, leaving a gap for the Ferris wheel, and adhere the entire banner piece to the front.  Accent each banner end with a twine bow and pink jewel to finish.

Well, I better get going for now!  Thanks so much for stopping off at my blog, and taking a little time to see what I have been creating!  I appreciate every visit, and I love reading each and every comment!  They always make my day a little brighter!  Have a wonderful Wednesday! ♥♥♥ 

Until later,
~Lea L.  

Skipping Stones Design Blog Hop- Sketch 64

February 15, 2011

Happy Tuesday, everyone! Welcome to the Skipping Stones Design Blog Hop to celebrate the release of Pumpkin Seed Sentiments! If you've just happened upon my blog today, make sure to start from the beginning at Skipping Stones Design.

Combined with the blog hop today, it's also Skipping Stones Sketch Tuesday which means we're showcasing another great creation from our Guest Sketch Artist this month, which just so happens to be me! We'd love for you to play along with the sketch and link your card at the Skipping Stones Blog. A free stamp set is up for grabs to a lucky winner that joins our sketch challenge!
 "I Love You" supplies: 
Cardstock: Bazzill Basics (pink shimmer, aqua) & Papertrey Ink (white) 
Stamps: Skipping Stones Design (Pumpkin Seed Sentiments
Ink: Clearsnap (Pigment: pink) & Tsukineko (Versamark) 
Embossing Powder: Stampendous (Detail White) 
Chipboard/Pin: Maya Road
Button: Papertrey Ink
Twine: Lawn Fawn Trimmings
Flower: Prima
Glitter/Jewels: Doodlebug Designs

Instructions:  Fold pink shimmer cardstock in half to make card base.  Stamp the pattern to aqua cardstock, heat emboss, and then adhere the entire block to the front of the card using foam adhesive.  Paint the chipboard heart white, cover in glitter, and adhere to the front.  Stamp the sentiment to a white cardstock flag, and adhere around a clear topped pin.  Adhere the sentiment flag to the glittered heart.  Layer a twine bow on an aqua button, top with a pink paper flower, and adhere to the middle of the glittered heart, slightly overlapping the sentiment flag.  Accent the left corner directly below the stamped aqua block with three jewels to finish.


 Here is a list of all of the blog hop participants...be sure to check out what everyone has created with this new fabulous stamp set! 
And last but not least, here is the sketch so you can check it out!  We would love for you to participate this week! 
I hope that you have a wonderful Tuesday! ♥♥♥ 

Until later,
~Lea L.

Love is in the Air

February 14, 2011

Happy Valentine's Day, friends!!  Whether your in love with this day celebrating love, or you are completely anti-valentine....I hope that you are having a lovely day.  Tee hee- no pun intended!

Today I have a simple little card to share with you using some fabulous Taylored Expressions stamps & product.  I combined two stamp sets, a newer & an older, and also used paper from the Valentine Project Pantry Kit for my card.  The product I used also fit perfectly with the current Embellish Color Trends Challenge with hearts.  Here is what I created!
"Love is in the Air" supplies: 
Cardstock: Bazzill Basics (red) & Papertrey Ink (white) 
Paper: We R Memory Keepers (Be My Valentine: Together)
Paper Frill/Glitter: Doodlebug Designs
Stamps: Taylored Expressions (Kid at Heart & Love Everywhere sets)
Ink: Clearsnap (Pigment: cranberry, frost white) 
Pin/Chipboard: Maya Road
Button: Papertrey Ink
Twine: Darice Inc. 
Jewels: Kaiser Craft 

Instructions:  Fold red cardstock in half to make card base.  Adhere pink paper frill to the left side of a patterned paper block, and adhere the entire piece to the front of the card.  Cut a small block of striped paper to fit in the middle right block, round the edges and adhere.  Paint the chipboard heart pink, cover in glitter and adhere to the striped paper.  Stamp the sentiment to a white cardstock flag, and wrap around a clear topped pin.  Stamp the heart kite to white cardstock, cut out and adhere to the left of the sentiment.  Adhere the entire sentiment piece to the top of the heart, and then accent the kite with pink jewels.  Thread a button with twine, and then layer on the sentiment piece.  Stamp the heart flutters above and below the sentiment flag, and then accent with pink jewels to finish.   

The whole design of this card was based around that one sheet of patterned paper...I just loved all the cute love blocks that were included on it, and I didn't want to cover many of them up.  By covering up just the one, that wasn't my favorite anyways...I was able to make a fun sentiment embellishment that played on the theme of all the other fabulously fun blocks!!  

Well, I hope you enjoyed my post today, and I hope that you enjoy your day today...celebrating or not.  Talk to you later! ♥♥♥ 

Until later,
~Lea L.

No Bird Soars too high...

February 12, 2011

Happy Saturday, my friends!  I hope that you had a wonderful Friday evening!  It is a Friday night ritual that we go to "Tips & Tots" at the Bodega on Friday evening with friends.  Occasionally we don't go, but for the most part....you know where to find us from about 6-8p on Fridays.  When we got home, we watched a couple episodes of Bones on Netflix instant queue.  After that Josh played Call of Duty online with some friends, and I completely conked out on the couch.  Apparently...I was pretty tired.  Tee hee!  It was definitely a good night.

Today I have a card to share with you for my Stamper's Dream DT work.  It uses a fun sentiment from a JustRite circle set, and I love how it mixed perfectly with the other product used.  I also used the Viva la Verve February Week 1 sketch for this card...I am a little behind on the VLV sketches this month, but I do plan on getting them all finished up in time!!  Here is my card!
"No Bird Soars..." supplies: 
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink (white) 
Paper: Glitz Design (Hoopla: zebra, polka, pipework, frames) 
Stamps: JustRite (Bird Houses 3 1/4" set)
Ink: Clearsnap (Pigment: chestnut) 
Cardstock Sticker: Glitz Design (Love Nest: journaling) 
Rub-on: Glitz Design (Love Nest) 
Ribbon: Michael's
Twine: Darice Inc. 
Flowers: Prima
Pearls: Kaiser Craft
Embossing Machine: Cuttlebug by Provo Craft 
Embossing Folder: Victoria by Provo Craft 
Diecut Machine: Cricut Expression by Provo Craft 
Diecut Cartridge: Stamping (scalloped circle) by Provo Craft

Instructions:  Fold white cardstock in half to make card base, and round the bottom corners.  Dry emboss the front of the card using the Cuttlebug and Victoria embossing folder.  Cut a distressed white paper block and round the bottom corners.  Round the corners of two small paper blocks, adhere to the left side, and then wrap ribbon around the bottom.  Adhere the rub-on birds to the journaling sticker, and then adhere to the right side of the paper block.  Tie a bow from matching ribbon & twine, then adhere to the right side of the block.  Accent the top of the bow, and the upper left corner of the sticker with paper flowers.  Cut the scalloped circle from aqua patterned paper at 2 1/4" using the Cricut Expression & Stamping cartridge (real dial size on, blackout button on), and then adhere it to the the front of the paper block.  Stamp the sentiment to white cardstock, cut out in a 2 1/8" circle, and adhere to the top of the scalloped circle with foam adhesive.  Adhere this entire block to the front of the embossed card to finish it.

Well, I better get going for now!  Want to spend some more of my lazy Saturday getting some more cards done before I head out for a little bit for a friend's birthday!  Have a wonderful rest of your day! ♥♥♥ 

Until later,
~Lea L.

You're Nothing Short of my Everything

February 11, 2011

Happy Friday everyone!  I hope that your day has been an excellent one so far, and that you are gearing up for an even more fabulous weekend!! I think it is going to be a fairly quiet and lazy weekend for us...which will be so nice.  Totally looking forward to it.

Today I have my card for CPS sketch #204 to share with you.  Not a stamp to be seen on this card, it uses some items from the fabulous and new product of "Laced with Grace" by Glitz Design.  Surely heading to a store near you...so be sure to be on the lookout!
"My Everything" supplies: 
Cardstock: Bazzill Basics (green)
Paper/Cardstock Sticker: Glitz Design (Laced with Grace: floral, plaid, polka)
Ribbon: Papertrey Ink
Twine: Darice Inc.
Pearls: Zva Creative
Jewel: Westrim Crafts
Flowers: craft supply
Border Punch: Fiskars (Upper Crest)
Sandpaper

Instructions:  Fold green cardstock in half to make card base.  Sand the edges of a slightly smaller floral paper block, and adhere to the front.  Sand the edges of a plaid paper block and the sentiment sticker.  Layer them together, adhere to the front of the card, and accent with a red heart jewel.  Punch an upper crest border to a dotted paper strip, sand the edges, and adhere at the base of the sentiment sticker.  Tie ribbon around the seam, and accent the middle of the bow with a twine bow and pearl.  Adhere flowers to the right side of the bow, tucking them slightly underneath it.  Cut a butterfly from patterned paper and adhere to the front.  Accent with pearls and a pearl flourish. 

There is something about this paper line that just makes me love using those calla lilies.  Which is funny...because the main floral design for this collection is roses.  Who knew that roses and calla lilies went together so well?!  {Other than maybe a florist, I guess. Tee hee!} 

I know that I haven't done a savings post in couple weeks, and that is mostly because I have been so busy that any type of shopping hasn't been a priority.  We did go grocery shopping today, and while we shop mostly at Costco for groceries, I did snag a couple of deals.  I got two packages of Kraft shredded mozarella cheese for $1.04 each.  I had a mfgr. coupon for $1.50 off 2, and then a Target coupon for $1.00 off 2.  I make crockpot lasagna with this cheese, so we use it a lot in this house!  I needed to just get a couple of cans of cream of mushroom & cream of chicken soup to add to what I already have in my cupboard.  Target had a coupon for $1 off 3 cans, making them about $0.54 per can.  I have one recipe that I want to make in the next couple of weeks that requires a little bit of peanuts.  I grabbed one of the $0.79 bags of Planters peanuts at Target, and had a $0.50 off Target coupon for them....with no size limit!  Got to love that...I got them for $0.29.  Awesome!  I had a buy one, get one coupon for Minute Maid juice...picked it up at Target and ended up paying $1.25 each after the savings.  Along with those great deals, and just making sure to utilize coupons available to me....we only spent about $115.  An average grocery shopping trip for us is about $200, so I think I am doing pretty good at shopping for what is on sale and using coupons.  

Well, I better get going for now.  I hope that the rest of your day is fabulous! ♥♥♥ 

Until later,
~Lea L.

PTI Make It Monday #1: Go To Sentiments

February 9, 2011

Hi everyone!!  I hope that this post finds you having had a wonderful Wednesday so far, and gearing up for a great evening.  I have to leave for church in about a half hour...I am the baby caretaker tonight, so I definitely have to be on time!  Tee hee! {Not that we are normally late for church...only sometimes!}

But, I was able to do a card just for myself today!  Doing some challenges that I really wanted to do, and using some of my PTI product....which feels like it hasn't been touched in forever.  Sometimes I wonder if I take on too many responsibilities at once....but then I realize that I love them too.  So, it is all good!

Anyways...I got this sweet little card done today.  I did it for two of the Anniversary challenges going on at PTI right now; the Make It Monday challenge and the Color Combo challenge (I chose to use the pure poppy, spring rain, kraft & vintage cream combo for this one).  I also used Waltzingmouse Sketch #33 for it.  Without further ado, here it is!
"Thank You" supplies: 
Cardstock: Bazzill Basics (red, kraft) & Papertrey Ink (vintage cream) 
Paper: My Mind's Eye (Quite Contrary: Jack & Jill "Cute" engaging Gingham)
Ink: Clearsnap (Pigment: sky blue, cranberry) 
Twine: Lawn Fawn Trimmings (Dapper set)
Jewels: Creative Cafe (red, blue) 
White Pen: Uniball Signo
Diecut Machine(s): Cuttlebug & Cricut Expression by Provo Craft
Diecut cartridge: Stamping (larger butterfly) by Provo Craft

Instructions:  Fold red cardstock in half to make card base.  Stamp the mix of sentiment to the front of a vintage cream cardstock block, and then adhere to a kraft cardstock block.  Adhere the entire block to the front of the card, and add three jewels to the lower left side of the card.  Draw a white penned line around the sentiment block, interrupted at the jewels.  Cut the larger butterfly from red gingham paper at 1.5" using the Cricut Expression & Stamping cartridge.  Cut the smaller butterfly from felt using the steel die and Cuttlebug.  Sew them together with a button and twine, and then adhere the entire accent to the front of the card to finish.

I am super happy with how this sweet little card turned out!  I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to pull off the Make It Monday challenge....using all those different sentiments together, and keep the card uniform.  But, I like it!  I think it ended up turning out okay!  And....I used SO many different sets...love that! 

Well, I better get going for now!  I hope that you have a great night! ♥♥♥ 

Until later,
~Lea L.

{Lawn Fawn Presents} Lunar Lights Sneak Peek, pt. 2

February 8, 2011

Hey there, everyone!  Today I have my card for day two of the Lawn Fawn sneak peek of "Lunar Lights".  This 4x6 set will be available at 12:01am on February 10th, and it is definitely going to be a must have in your Lawn Fawn collection!

Yesterday I went with pretty and feminine on my card...a garden party theme essentially.  Today I went with clean and graphic to showcase how versatile the set really is.  AND...I went with a rainbow theme.  One of my faves, and I haven't done it in awhile.  Without further ado, here is my card!
"Shine Brightly" supplies:
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink (white)
Stamps/Twine: Lawn Fawn (Lunar Lights set)
Ink: Clearsnap (Pigment: scarlet, orange, canary, lime, turquoise, heliotrope, violet) & Tsukineko (Versafine: onyx black) 
Jewels: Doodlebug Designs (colored) & Zva Creative (clear) 
Corner Rounder: EK Success

Instructions:  Fold white cardstock in half to make card base, and round the bottom corners.  Stamp the lanterns across the card front in a rainbow pattern.  Adhere a strip of twine across the top of them, and accent each end with a twine bow.  Add clear jewels to each bow middle and to the top of each lantern.  Stamp the sentiment and shine below the lanterns, then accent with jewels in a rainbow gradient in between them.

Be sure to check out what the rest of the Lawn Fawn design team created for sneak peek #2 of Lunar Lights too!  It is sure to be amazing! 

And there are a couple of chances to win this set and more, so follow the following links and read the instructions on how to be eligible! 

Until later,
~Lea L.