Halloween Party Invite- Wicked Spirits

September 22, 2011

Hey there everyone!  How has your week been so far?  Pretty busy here...just continuing to work on wedding images and album designs.  Loving that fall TV has started!!  Glee, New Girl (which I only caught a couple snippets, but what I did see was FUNNY!  I will definitely start watching this one in full), Parenthood, X Factor, Whitney, Kitchen Nightmares.....I can admit, I kind-of love TV.  Tee hee!

I have a spooky Halloween invite to share with you today!  This is my card for CPS Sketch 236, where we were sponsored by EAD Designs this week.  The vintage cream/black/kraft color combo makes it fit The Shabby Tea Room #80 and Stampotique Designers challenge #38.  The black crow stickers make it fit The Sisterhood of Crafters "For the Birds" challenge.  And the black lace makes it fit the Ribbon Carousel challenge #21 and Pals Paper Art #112.  Here is what I created!!
"Wicked Spirits" supplies: 
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink (kraft, vintage cream)
Paper: Echo Park (The Apothecary Emporium 6x6 paper pad)
Vellum: The Paper Company
Doily: Wilton
Stamps: JustRite Stampers (Greetings From Paris, Halloween Mini Sentiments, & You Are The Best sets)
Ink: Tsukineko (Versafine: onyx black) & Clearsnap (Pigment: dune)
Distress Ink/Blending Tool: Tim Holtz (antique linen)
Stickers: EAD Designs (Wicked Spirits set)
Ribbon: May Arts
Twine: Darice Inc.
Button: American Crafts
Jewels: Doodlebug Designs
Flower: Recollections
Lace: vintage craft supply
Corner Rounder: Marvy Uchida

Instructions:  Make card from kraft cardstock, and distress ink the edges.  Cut spiderweb paper slightly smaller, distress ink the edges, and adhere to the front.  Cut a doily in half, distress ink, and adhere to each side of the card.  Wrap black lace around the bottom.  Round the corners & distress ink the edges of a vintage cream cardstock block.  Stamp the flourish in black ink, and the fleur de lis border in dune pigment ink to it.  Stick the scroll sticker to vellum, cut out, and adhere to the bottom of the stamped cardstock block.  Adhere the entire block to the card front.  Tie a bow from gingham ribbon, and then stitch a button around the middle using twine.  Adhere the bow to the upper left corner of the stamped block, then accent with a skull sticker.  Stamp the sentiment & banner to vintage cream cardstock, cut out, and adhere above the scroll sticker.  Add the crow stickers to the front, then accent with clear jewels and a brown paper flower to finish. 

I love the fact that the "Wicked Spirits" part of the sentiment could be considered your guests, or a yummy beverage that you might serve at the party!  I also like the fact that the card is more elegant and pretty, than sweet and cute.  I love the vintage feel of it, and the muted colors- not a drop of orange or purple in sight!  Tee hee! 

Well, that is everything I have to share with you today!  I hope that you have a great rest of your day! ♥♥♥ 

Until later,
~Lea L.

P.S.  I was recognized in a couple of challenges!  Here are the badges! 

WPlus9 All Eyes On: Season of Thanks

September 20, 2011

Hey there everyone!!  First up- if you are looking for my Taylored Expression Key Ingredients blog hop post...just scroll down to the next post.

This is my second post of the day, and this one is for the WPlus9 All Eyes On feature that we do each month.  This month we are featuring a previously released stamp set called "Season of Thanks".  If you love fall & Thanksgiving, but also love a stamp set with versatile sentiments...then this is a must have in your collection.  I ADORE this stamp set...it is one of my faves!!

I created it for some current challenges as well.  I used the Viva la Verve! September Week 2 sketch to help with the design.  I used the colors from Our Craft Lounge challenge #83 (dark brown, goldenrod, pumpkin).  The glittered pumpkin makes it work for Clearly Inpsired #36, and Crazy 4 Challenges #105.  Having the sentiment on the front makes it eligible for Stamptacular Sunday challenge #129, and last but not least, the fall theme makes it fit the Our Daily Bread Shining the Light challenge #77.  Here is what I created!
"Season of Thanks" supplies: 
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink (vintage cream) 
Paper: My Mind's Eye (Lost & Found 2 "Sunshine" & "Breeze" 6x6 paper pads)
Stamps: WPlus9 (Season of Thanks set)
Ink: Clearsnap (Pigment: leather, ochre, topaz, dune & Chalk: creamy brown, dark brown, bisque)
Distress Ink/Blending Tool: Tim Holtz (antique linen)
Doily: Wilton
Twine: May Arts
Flower: Prima Marketing
Button: Fancy Pants
Jewels: Doodlebug Designs
Glitter: DecoArt
Diecut Machine: Cricut Expression by Provo Craft
Diecut Cartridge: Plantin Schoolbook by Provo Craft
Sewing Machine: Brother
Thread: Coats & Clark

Instructions:  Make card from vintage cream cardstock, then ink the edges.  Ink and sand the edges of two patterned paper strips, then adhere to the right side of a texted paper block.  Zig-zag stitch along each edge of the papers trips.  Ink & sand the edges of the texted paper block, then adhere to the card front.  Distress ink a white doily, fold a portion of it under and adhere to the front.  Stamp the fall image to cream cardstock, trim the edges and adhere to the front.  Punch an upper crest border to striped paper, ink the edges, and adhere to a grid paper strip.  Ink & sand the edges of the grid paper strip, and adhere it to the card front.  Stamp the leaves to the upper right corner of the paper strip, then tie twine around the middle of it.  Cut the tags at 2" using a Cricut Expression & Plantin Schoolbook cartridge.  Stamp the sentiment to the cream tag, then ink the edges.  Ink the edges of the patterned paper tag, then adhere them together to the card front.  Tie a double bow from twine, thread a button around the middle, and adhere to the top of the tags.  Stamp a pumkin, cut out, and cover in glitter.  Add the flower and glittered pumpkin to the front, then accent the acorns with jewels to finish.

Be sure to check out what the rest of the WPlus9 gals have come up with!  It is sure to be a treat! 
I hope that you have a wonderful rest of your day!! ♥♥♥

Until later,
~Lea L.

P.S.  I won a couple of blog challenges last week!!  Here are the fun little badges!

September Key Ingredients Blog Hop!!

Hi there, everyone!  Did you have a good weekend?  Ours was great!  We had a super quiet Saturday, just watching football and hanging out together.  The Montana Grizzlies won, but our Auburn Tigers lost- so that was a bit of a bummer.  We went to that concert on Sunday evening, and it was a lot of fun!!  REALLY loud, but fun!

Today is the September Key Ingredients blog hop!!  Have you checked out the kit yet?  It has some really awesome October Afternoon papers in it, and the buttons are fab!!  I LOVE buttons, and those are probably my favorite part of the kit!  Here is the card that I created!
"A+ In My Book" Supplies: 

If you aren't a subscriber to Key Ingredients yet, please CLICK HERE to learn more about how to get signed up!!  You won't regret becoming a Key Ingredients member...it is a super cute and fun piece of mail to get every month!!

Don't forget to check out what the rest of the Key Ingredients design team members have created!! 
Have a wonderful rest of your day!! ♥♥♥

Until later,
~Lea L.

WPlus9 September 2011- A Pocketful

September 16, 2011

Hey there, everyone!  So, are you super happy that it is Friday?  I know that I am...looking forward to another quiet weekend full of college football and spending time with the hubby.  Also VERY excited for the concert we are going to with our missional community group on Sunday night...I think it is going to be an awesome time together!

Today is my third, and final day of sharing creations using the latest stamp releases from WPlus9.  Today I am showcasing "A Pocketful" & matching die for you, and I decided that shabby chic was the style to go with this time around!!  When I first saw the set, I was immediately drawn to the image of the sun, and knew I had to find a way to use it for my inspiration post.  I really love how it turned out!!

I created my card for a few challenges as well.  I used the My Mind's Eye card sketch challenge #27 to help with the design of my card, and utilized mostly My Mind's Eye product.  The cute little felt heart made it work for the City Crafter Challenge #74- "I {heart} you".  I diecut the felt heart and pocket, which makes it eligible for PaperPlay Challenge #37- punches & dies.  And there are two current "Anything Goes" challenges at Creative Inspirations #129, and Cute Card Thursday #182 that it fits.  Here is what I created!
"Sending You a Pocketful of Sunshine" supplies:
Cardstock/Felt: Papertrey Ink (vintage cream)
Paper: My Mind's Eye (Lost & Found 2 "Sunshine" 6x6 paper pad)
Stamps/Pocket Die: WPlus9 (A Pocketful set, Pocket Die)
Ink: Clearsnap (Pigment: antique pewter, ochre)
Distress Ink/Blending Tool: Tim Holtz (antique linen)
Pin: Maya Road
Twine: May Arts
Flowers: Recollections
Alphabet Stickers: Making Memories
Button/Lace: craft supply
Heart Die: My Favorite Things
Diecut Machine: Cuttlebug by Provo Craft
Sewing Machine: Brother
Instructions:  Make card from vintage cream cardstock, and distress ink the edges.  Cut striped paper slightly smaller, and distress ink the edges.  Zig zag stitch along the edge of the block, and then adhere to the card front.  Cut three strips of patterned paper, and distress ink the edges.  Zig zag stitch along the edge of each strip, then adhere right next to each other on the right side of the card.  Cut the frame from patterned paper, and adhere to the left side of the card.  Adhere a strip of lace across the bottom of the card.  Stamp the sunshine above the hand cut frame.  Diecut the pocket from vintage cream cardstock, and distress ink the edges.  Stamp the pocket outline to it, then adhere directly below the stamped sunshine.  Cut two banners from patterned paper, and stamp the first part of the sentiment to the light blue one.  Wrap the stamped banner around a clear topped pin, and adhere to the left side of the pocket.  Tuck the polka dotted banner underneath the stamped banner at a slight angle.  Tie a double bow from twine, thread a button around the center, and adhere below the banners.  Accent with a felt heart, and then add two paper flowers.  Finish the sentiment with gold letter stickers.

I hope you have enjoyed my creations for the September release of new stamps!!  I am sure you will see all of these stamps on some cards in the near future...they are just fabulous!!  Join us again on the 20th for "All Eyes On" a past WPlus9 stamp set!!  Have a great rest of your day! ♥♥♥ 

Until later,
~Lea L.

WPlus9 September 2011- Class Act

September 14, 2011

Hey there, everyone!!  I hope that you have had a wonderful day so far!!  Today marks three days of WPlus9 inspiration on my blog, using the newly released stamp sets in September!  Considering most kids just went back to school in my area, it seemed fitting that I would start off with the school themed set called "Class Act"...which I just LOVE!!  I wrote a little bit about why I love this stamp set for post on the WPlus9 blog today, so CLICK HERE if you would like to read it!

My card fits some current challenges as well!  It fits the "Back to School" theme for Ribbon Reel Challenge #10, Cupcake Craft Challenge #159, Our Craft Lounge #82, If The Shoe Fits #90 and Delightful Inspirations Saturday's challenge.  It also fits a twine/string challenge for Little Red Wagon #98, and Belli Challenge #126.  Here is what I created!
"A+ Well Done" supplies:
Cardstock: Bazzill Basics (aqua) & Papertrey Ink (vintage cream) 
Paper: October Afternoon (Cherry Hill: new apron, cookie jar and 5&Dime: wax bottles)
Stamps: WPlus9 (Class Act set)
Ink: Clearsnap (Pigment: cranberry) & Tsukineko (Versafine: onyx black) 
Felt Apple: Maya Road
Twine: May Arts
Buttons: Fancy Pants
Jewels: Doodlebug Designs
Spiral Notebook Die: Papertrey Ink
Diecut Machine: Cuttlebug by Provo Craft
Sandpaper

Instructions:  Make card from aqua cardstock.  Add a strip of star patterned paper to the right side of a striped paper block.  Sand the edges of them, and adhere the block to the card front.  Fold down the upper right corner of the striped paper to reveal the star paper.  Tie a double bow from twine to a green button, and adhere to the folded corner.  Cut a block of apple paper, then wrinkle and sand the edges.  Adhere to the front, and then fold the lower left corner.  Adhere a twine threaded button to the folded edge.  Diecut the spiral notebook from vintage cream cardstock, and stamp the header and numbered lines to it.  Adhere to the card front, then add the felt apple to it.  Stamp the sentiment to a vintage cream strip, and cut a banner end to it.  Adhere the sentiment banner to the apple, then accent below it with jewels to finish.

I hope that you have enjoyed my first WPlus9 card for September!  Come back tomorrow for more, and have a wonderful rest of your day today!! ♥♥♥ 

Until later,
~Lea L.

"Making Frosty Friends": Lawn Fawn Inspiration Week

September 13, 2011

Hi there, everyone!  I hope that you have had a wonderful day today!  Tonight is the last night of this month's Lawn Fawn inspiration week, and we are sharing the new set called "Making Frosty Friends" with you!  You are just going to LOVE the cute little snowmen you can create with this set, and the sentiments are so fun!!

I was in paper piecing heaven when creating this card!  While it can be a little time consuming, I always find it relaxing to do as well.  And I just love the finished look.  My card also fits a couple of challenges that I found.  First up, the Fab 'n' Funky challenge #90 is a bingo card, and my card fit the row with "stamped image, 3 papers, & diecuts".  It also fits the Inky Impressions challenge #24- dressed to impress.  I happen to think I dressed my snowmen pretty well!!  Tee hee!  And last but definitely not least, it fits Challenge Up Your Life #53- paper peicing.  Here is what I created!
"Friends Warm the Heart" supplies: 
Cardstock: Bazzill Basics (red) & Papertrey Ink (smooth white)
Paper: Prima Marketing (North Country 6x6 pad)
Stamps: Lawn Fawn (Making Frosty Friends set)
Ink: Tsukineko (Versafine: onyx black) 
Felt Heart: Making Memories
Button: Fancy Pants
Twine: May Arts
Puff Balls: Darice Inc.
Glitter: DecoArt

Instructions:  Make card from red cardstock.  Cut blue snowflake paper slightly smaller, and adhere to the front.  Tear three hills from smooth white cardstock, and add glitter to the tops of each one.  Layer them together at the bottom of the card.  Stamp the snowmen and layers to cardstock & patterned paper.  Cut each layer out, and adhere together.  Stamp the arms directly to the card front, and then add the snowmen and mittens to the front.  Accent the tops of the hats with white puff balls.  Cut banner edges to both sides of a cardstock strip, and then stamp the first part of the sentiment to it.  Add a felt heart in place of the last word, and then accent with a twine tied button to finish.

Be sure to check out what the rest of the Lawn Fawn gals have come up with using "Making Frosty Friends", including our guest this month!! ♥♥♥

And as always, there will be lots of giveaways on the Lawn Fawn blog this week!!  Click on these links and follow the comment instructions for your chance!!

Until later,
~Lea L.

Trick or Treat...Smell my Feet!

Hey there, everyone!  I hope that you are having a good morning so far.  Do you want to know what was so awesome about this past Saturday?  We stayed home, and watched college football (& tennis) all day long.  It was SO nice to be home, and just hanging out together all day.  I ran to the store for a brief moment in the morning to get some things we wanted to eat...but other than that, it was an awesome day at home.  If you have been a long time follower of my blog, you know that most Saturdays used to be spent out of town going to football games for my brother, Casey.  Well, he made the decision to leave Carroll College this year because it just wasn't the right fit for him.  He will be taking a year off, but plans to start back next fall at UofM, and hoping to try and walk on to the football team here.  :)  I can't even tell you how excited I am for that!!

I have a card to share with you for Stamper's Dream today.  It is also my card for CPS sketch #235, where we were sponsored by Want2Scrap this week.  I also created this card for The Pink Elephant challenge #116- vintage theme, and for the Ribbon Carousel challenge #20- get punny.  Here is what I created!
"Trick or Treat...Smell my Feet!" supplies:
Cardstock: Bazzill Basics (orange)
Paper: My Mind's Eye (Mischievous 6x6 paper pad)
Doily: Wilton
Stamps: JustRite Stampers (Halloween Mini Sentiments & You Are The Best sets)
Ink: Clearsnap (Pigment: topaz), Tim Holtz (Distress: antique linen) & Tsukineko (Versafine: onyx black)
Ink Blending Tool: Tim Holtz
Vintage Image: Crafty Secrets
Jewels/Ribbon Charm: Want2Scrap
Pin: Maya Road
Corner Rounder: Creative Memories
Sandpaper

Instructions:  Make card from orange cardstock.  Cut banner paper slightly smaller, round the corners, sand the edges and adhere to the middle.  Cut a doily in half, cover in distress ink using a blending tool, and adhere to each side of the banner paper.  Adhere the jeweled frame to a Halloween vintage image, cut off the excess and adhere to the middle of the card.  Stamp two banners to patterned paper, and then stamp the sentiment to the middle of each one.  Cut each banner out, and adhere together as shown to the lower right side of the vintage image.  Adhere a clear topped pin to the left side of the sentiment banners.  Tie a bow from light blue ribbon through the circle jeweled charm.  Adhere the finished bow to the left side of the sentiment banners to finish.

I really LOVE this new Halloween paper collection from My Mind's Eye.  My favorite part is that the light blue is carried through a lot of the papers, but it just pops in here and there.  I think it is a brilliant color combo!! 

I also wanted to share with you a little peek at my card set going up on the Key Ingredients blog today!  To see the full set, please CLICK HERE and check it out!! The September Key Ingredients kit is an awesome one...I just LOVE the papers!!  If you aren't a Key Ingredients subscriber, you should definitely check it out!  It is a fun piece of mail to get every month! 
Well, I better get going for now!  I hope that you have a wonderful rest of your day!! ♥♥♥ 

Until later,
~Lea L.

"Ornate Ornaments": Lawn Fawn Inspiration Week

September 12, 2011

Hey there, everyone!  Look at me...all on time and everything!  Tee hee!  Tonight we are sharing projects using the "Ornate Ornaments" from the latest Lawn Fawn release.  This is such a fun set, and you can easily go elegant or cute when using it!!

I went for the cute look this time around, and I love it!  I also continued channeling my clean and simple side for this one, and used the Less is More challenge #32- seeing double (use two of the same items on your card).  It also fits the Raise The Bar Challenge #74 to use an all white background.  This is what I created:
"Merry Christmas" supplies: 
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink (smooth white)
Paper: GCD Studios (Scandia Jul: scandie bird, hip holiday stripe)
Stamps: Lawn Fawn (Ornate Ornaments set)
Ink: Tsukineko (Versafine: onyx black & Momento Dye: london fog)
Jewels: Zva Creative
Twine: The Twinery
Markers: Zig (gray) & American Crafts (yellow)
Glitter: Ranger Stickles
Corner Rounder: Creative Memories

Instructions:  Make card from white cardstock, and round the bottom corners.  Stamp the ornaments, sentiment and stars to the card front in onyx black ink.  Stamp the hooks to the top of each stamped ornament using london fog ink.  Stamp the ornaments to patterned paper, cut out, and adhere to the card front.  Color in the ornament tops with a gray marker, and the stars with a yellow marker.  Add strips of jewels to "hang" the ornaments, and accent the middles with matching jewels.  Tie two bows from light green twine, and adhere to the top of each ornament.  Add a clear jewel to the middle of each bow.  Add glitter stickles to the stars, and then add two more jewels to the end of the sentiment to finish.

Be sure to check out what the rest of the Lawn Fawn gals have come up with using "Ornate Ornaments", including our guest this month!! ♥♥♥

And as always, there will be lots of giveaways on the Lawn Fawn blog this week!!  Click on these links and follow the comment instructions for your chance!!

Until later,
~Lea L.

"Pa Rum Pa Pum Pum": Lawn Fawn Inspiration Week

Hey there, everyone!  Well, I have to admit- I completely goofed up my dates for the Lawn Fawn inspiration week.  I had the due dates as the actual post dates, so my card for Pa Rum Pa Pum Pum is completely late.  I feel a bit silly, but hey- I have never claimed to be perfect.  So, I whipped a card up as quickly as I could today, and now have one to share with you for this new Lawn Fawn set!

I channeled my clean and simple side for this one, and love how it turned out.  I created this for the Lawnscaping challenge #17 (to use embossing on your project).  Now- I am wishing that I had a woodgrain embossing plate, and I would have embossed the background.  I might do this card over once I have one in possession.  If I do...I will share it again!  Anyways- here is what I created!
  "Have a Very Beary Christmas" supplies: 
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink (kraft) 
Paper: GCD Studios (Joyful Peace: Peppermint) & October Afternoon (Weathervane: Chilly Mornings)
Stamps: Lawn Fawn (Pa Rum Pa Pum Pum & Hats Off to You sets)
Ink: Clearsnap (Chalk: creamy brown, Pigment: chestnut, dune) & Tsukineko (Versamark)
Embossing Powder: Stampendous! (detail white)
Twine: Darice Inc.
Button: Fancy Pants
Pearls: Kaiser Craft
Puff Balls: Darice Inc.
Corner Rounder: Creative Memories
Diecut Machine: Cricut Expression by Provo Craft
Diecut Cartridge: Plantin Schoolbook

Instructions:  Make card from kraft cardstock.  Round the bottom corners, and ink the edges with creamy brown chalk ink.  Stamp and heat emboss the teddy bear & santa hat to patterned paper, then cut out the pieces.  Stamp the bear to vintage cream cardstock, and cut out the middle part.  Layer all cut pieces together, and then accent the santa hat with white puff balls.  Tie twine around the bottom of the card, and adhere the teddy bear to the left side of the knot.  Cut the tag at 3" from striped paper using the Cricut Expression & Plantin Schoolbook cartridge.  Ink the edges of a slightly smaller vintage cream cardstock strip, and adhere to the middle of the tag, then stamp the sentiment to it.  Tie a double bow from the same twine, and tie a button around the middle.  Glue the bow to the tag, and then adhere the entire over the knot on the card.  Add three pearls to finish.

Be sure to check out what the rest of the Lawn Fawn gals have come up with using "Pa Rum Pa Pum Pum", including our guest this month!! ♥♥♥

And as always, there will be lots of giveaways on the Lawn Fawn blog this week!!  Click on these links and follow the comment instructions for your chance!!

Until later,
~Lea L.