Month: March 2017

Happy Christmas

Leslie19 Comments

** 4/9/17 Winner at Christmas Card Challenges! **

Update: This challenge blog abruptly closed down in mid-April, after only a couple challenges. :(

Hi everyone! Hope your week is off to a good start and you’re enjoying some nice spring weather! It’s time for another fun challenge over at Season’s Greetings Christmas Challenge and I’m stoked to share my DT inspiration project for Challenge #4 – Picture Inspiration! Isn’t this photo just gorgeous?!

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I created a CAS Christmas card playing off the red in the photo. I’m working on creating more clean and simple designs. It’s a challenge because I do like my layers but I really enjoyed creating this. I cased one of my own Christmas card designs from this past Christmas because I liked it so much. The simplicity is just so cool! And how about that adorable Santa hat?! :)

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The front sentiment is stamped in gorgeous Delicata Silvery Shimmer ink. OMG, everybody should have some of this in their stash! The inside sentiment is stamped in Real Red ink, a Christmas classic. :)

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I’d love to enter this fun card into the following challenges:
4 Crafty Chicks: #343 – Punches or Dies
Aud Sentiments: #176 – Any Sentiment Except Birthday
Brown Sugar: #243 – Anything Goes
CAS on Sunday: #104 – Sentiment
CAS-ual Fridays: #170 – No Dies Allowed
Christmas at Sweet Stampin Challenge Blog: Anything Christmas Goes for March
Christmas Card Challenges: #9 – Anything Goes with optional Mittens (no twist)
Crafty Catz: #363 – Anything Goes with optional Buttons (no twist)
Creative Inspirations: #271 – Anything Goes
Hiding In My Craft Room: #284 – Any Holiday
Little Miss Muffet: #159 – Anything Goes
Pammie’s Inky Pinkies: #1713 – Anything Goes
Penny Black and More Challenge: March Anything Goes
QKR Stampede Challenge: #236 – Spring is in the Air or Anything Goes
The Crafty Addicts: #34 – Anything Goes/Clean and Simple
Word Art Wednesday: Weeks #274/275 – Anything Goes

Recipe:
Cardstock/Paper: SU Whisper White and Real Red cardstock
Stamps: SU Suite Seasons and Versatile Christmas stamp sets
Ink: Real Red ink, Delicata Silvery Shimmer ink, SN Crystal Clear Sparkle Overlay marker
Dies/Punches: SU Jolly Hat Builder Punch
Accessories:  MISTI

I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s Christmas project and will link up one yourself! We’d love to see what you create! Thanks so much for stopping by today – we’ll see you soon! ;)

Scrappy hugs,
lesliesig

There’s a new challenge blog in town!

LeslieLeave a comment

Hi everyone! There have been so many challenge blogs closing down over the last few months, so I got a wild hair today and decided to start a new technique challenge blog. I know… I think my hubby’s spontaneity is definitely rubbing off on me, lol!

Mix It Up Challenge Blog will launch monthly challenges featuring different techniques on mixed media projects, altered art, and paper crafts such as cards, tags, mini albums, ATCs, 3-D projects and scrapbook layouts! I’d love it if you snag the badge and then come on over and Follow – I would definitely appreciate your support!

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Our challenges will go live at 6:00 AM EST on the 1st day of the month and end at 6:00 PM on the last day of the month. Winners and Top Picks will be chosen by our design team and announced on the 5th of the month following the close of each challenge. All challenges will be Anything Goes with an optional twist that you can play if you want to and are not required.

You may enter our challenges up to five times and combine our challenges with as many others as you’d like! We won’t solicit sponsorship so there will be no prizes; we’ll play for “Winner” and “Top Pick” badges and an occasional goody bag that I’ll throw in for a lucky winner. :)

So, along with launching this new technique challenge blog comes the task of organizing a design team. I’m looking for mixed media artists, 3-D paper artists, cardmakers and scrapbookers who want to show their stuff! The DT Call will remain open until all the positions are filled. Our first challenge is scheduled for May 1st so time is of the essence. I will be perusing blogs as the applications come in, and those making the cut will be contacted immediately to submit additional information. Once that info is received, they’ll be announced on the blog. So tell all your friends and direct them to the DT Call post HERE! UPDATE: The DT call is now closed, as all positions have been filled. Our first challenge will go live on May 1st! :)

Thanks for stopping by today and we’ll see you soon!

Scrappy hugs,
lesliesig

Thankful-Grateful-BLESSED

Leslie28 Comments

** 3/24/17 Party Pick at PDE Linky Party! **

Hello, crafty friends! Can you believe we’re in the middle of March?! I hope you’re enjoying some nice Spring-like weather wherever you are! The March challenge went live on the 5th over at Let’s Craft and Create and I’m stoked to share my mid-month DT inspiration project for Challenge #123 – enTWINEd! We want to see some twine on your project! C’mon, you can do it! Twine is awesome!

I created a very flowery friendship/thank you card using three coordinating sheets from a new Crafter’s Companion paper pack that I’m in love with. The stitched tag die is relatively new to my stash of stitched dies which I’m also in love with, lol!

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I embossed the sentiment on the tag with white embossing powder which coordinates beautifully with the white design on the paper and the lace doily I added beneath the flowered panel. In addition to the twine, I used quite a few red rhinestones and white flat-back pearls.

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I decorated the inside with a leftover strip of the floral paper and red cardstock used on the front. The front and inside sentiments are from a relatively new SU stamp set which I’ll be using again very soon. :)

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I’d love to enter this card into the following challenges:
A Bit More Time To Craft: #40 – Anything Goes
Brown Sugar Challenge Blog: #242 – Anything Goes
Cardz 4 Gals: #43 – Pretty in Pink
Come and Get It Challenges: Anything Goes
Craft Rocket Challenges: #35 – Make It Feminine
Craftyhazelnut’s Patterned Paper Challenge: March Anything Goes
Cut It Up Challenge Blog: #117 – Think Green
Daisy Chain Challenges: #6 – Make It Feminine
Fairytale Challenge: #164 – Favorite Color Combo (green/pink)
Inspiration Destination: #124 – Anything Goes
International Art & Soul: #4 – Embossing
Hiding In My Craft Room: #293 – 3X Designer Paper
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends: #54 – Anything Goes
Make My MondayChallenge Blog: #42 – White Embossing
Ooh-La-La Challenges: #224 – Spring Is In The Air
PDE Linky Party: #164 – Tags
QKR Stampede: #235 – Anything Goes with twist of Congratulations
That’s Crafty Challenge Blog: Bling It Up
World Wide Open Design Team Challenge: #20 – Anything Goes
Word Art Wednesday: Weeks #274/275 – Anything Goes
{PIN}spirational Challenges: #186 – Photo Inspiration

Recipe:
Cardstock/Paper: SU Chocolate Chip and Real Red cardstock, Crafter’s Companion Floral Delight 6 x 6 paper pad
Stamps: SU Paisleys & Posies stamp set
Ink: SU Real Red ink, Versamark
Dies/Punches: Paper Smooches Stitched Tag die
Accessories:  Hero Arts white embossing powder, twine, SU lace doily, Fiskars corner rounder, white flat-back pearls, red rhinestones

I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s project and have found a little inspiration to create a project with some twine this month! Thanks so much for stopping by today – we’ll see you soon! ;)

Scrappy hugs,
lesliesig

Thank You

Leslie32 Comments

** 3/27/17 Top 3 at Ooh-La-La Challenges! **

Hi everyone! Happy Saturday – hope you had a great week and that you’re enjoying your weekend! If you’re like me, you LOVE your weekends! I’m really stoked to share a CAS project that I created today using a new Close To My Heart stamp and die bundle. I made the decision at the beginning of the year to create more clean and simple cards that are easier to mail. My cards generally have lots of dimension and big bows! ;)

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I chose a green monochromatic color scheme. I have quite a few favorite colors (and color combos) but green is my absolute favorite. Since childhood. So I used green foil, green cardstock, green ink, green Spectrum Noir markers and green sequins. Love, love, love!

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I kept the inside clean and simple also with a blank panel to write a personal thank you note.

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I’d love to enter this card into the following challenges:
A Bit More Time To Craft: #40 – Anything Goes
CASology: Week #240 – Foliage
CAS-ual Fridays: #169 – Off The Edge
City Crafter Challenge Blog: Week #353 – Spring is around the corner (photo inspiration- march, spring, flowers, bloom and color green)
Craft Rocket Challenges: #35 – Make It Feminine
Crafty Creations Challenges: #337 – Anything Goes
Cut It Up Challenge Blog: #117 – Think Green
Daisy Chain Challenges: #6 – Make It Feminine
Fairytale Challenge: #164 – Favorite Color Combo (green/white)
Glitter ‘N’ Sparkle: #230 – Use Some Green
Incy Wincy Designs: Thank You Cards
Inky Chicks: #80 Flowers
Inspiration Destination: #124 – Anything Goes
Little Miss Muffet Challenges: #158 – Anything Goes
Not Just Cards Challenge Blog: #42 – Monochrome
Ooh-La-La Challenges: #224 – Spring Is In The Air
Pammie’s Inky Pinky Challenges: #1711 – Anything Goes
Pearly Sparkles Challenge Blog: #14 – Flowers
Penny Black and More Challenge: March Anything Goes
QKR Stampede: #235 – Anything Goes with twist of Congratulations
Scrapper’s Delights Challenge Blog: #64 – Anything Goes
Stamping Sensations: March Challenge – Close To Nature
Sweet Stampers Challenge Blog: #5 – Easter/Spring
The Crafty Addicts: #34 – Anything Goes/Clean and Simple
Unicorn Challenge Blog: #19 – Go Green
Word Art Wednesday: Weeks #274/275 – Anything Goes
{PIN}spirational Challenges: #186 – Photo Inspiration

Recipe:
Cardstock/Paper: Spectrum Noir Ultra Smooth Premium white cardstock, Stampin’ Up! Garden Green cardstock
Stamps: Close To My Heart Hello Lovely stamp set
Ink: Memento Cottage Ivy ink; Spectrum Noir- LG3, LG5, CG2, DG2, DG3
Dies/Punches: Clost To My Heart Hello Lovely Thin Cuts
Accessories: Doodlebug Design sequins, Sharpie white paint marker

I really love how this card turned out and I hope you enjoyed it. Thanks so much for stopping by today – we’ll see you next time!

Scrappy hugs,
lesliesig

Happy Mother’s Day

Leslie36 Comments

** 3/24/17 Top 5 at QKR Stampede! **

Hi everyone! Happy St. Patty’s Day! Hope you are wearing green so you don’t get pinched, lol! Today is my post day on the Dare 2B Artzy blog and I’m happy to share my DT inspiration project featuring two gorgeous papers from the In Bloom Collection Paper Pack, Flowers for Mom stamp set and Totally Black ink.

I used a curved scallop edge die to cut the front flap a little shorter, then added a piece of Blooms paper layered on black cardstock. For the bottom portion under the flap I used a piece of Fields in Bloom paper layered on black cardstock, along with the striped strip from the top of the Blooms paper and a couple very narrow strips of black cardstock.

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When planning my design, I made sure there was a green flower in the center to coordinate with the card base. Then I cut a green flower out of another section of leftover Blooms paper, adhered it to plain white cardstock, and trimmed it leaving a small margin of white around the outside of the flower which I colored with a Memento Tuxedo Black marker.

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I adhered some loops of natural bamboo hemp cord to the under side of the extra flower and then affixed it with 3-D foam pads to the green flower in the center of the card flap. I added flat-back pearls in various colors to the flowers and the strip across the bottom.

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I stamped the Mother’s Day sentiment in Totally Black ink on a white panel butted up to the Fields in Bloom paper.

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Proud to enter this card into the following challenges:
A Bit More Time To Craft: #40 – Anything Goes
City Crafter Challenge Blog: Week #353 – Spring is around the corner (photo inspiration- may, spring, flowers, bloom and colors)
Craft Rocket Challenges: #35 – Make It Feminine
Crafty Calendar Challenge: March Challenge – Mum’s Day/Special Female
Crafty Creations Challenges: #337 – Anything Goes
Craftyhazelnut’s Patterned Paper Challenge: March 2017 Challenge
Creatalicious Challenges: #111 – Anything Goes + optional gems or pearls
Cut It Up Challenge Blog: #117 – Think Green
Daisy Chain Challenges: #6 – Make It Feminine
Deep Ocean Challenge Blog: #150 – Dots and/or Stripes
Fairytale Challenge: #164 – Favorite Color Combo (green/black)
Glitter ‘N’ Sparkle: #230 – Use Some Green
Hiding In My Craft Room: #293 – 3X Designer Paper
Inky Chicks: #80 Flowers
Inspiration Destination: #124 – Anything Goes
Ooh-La-La Challenges: #224 – Spring Is In The Air
Pammie’s Inky Pinky Challenges: #1711 – Anything Goes
Pearly Sparkles Challenge Blog: #14 – Flowers
QKR Stampede: #235 – Anything Goes with twist of Congratulations
Scrapper’s Delights Challenge Blog: #64 – Anything Goes
Sweet Stampers Challenge Blog: #5 – Easter/Spring
Sweet Stampin’ – Mother’s Day/Special Lady (stamping is on the inside)
The Sisterhood of Crafters: Celebrating Women
Unicorn Challenge Blog: #19 – Go Green
Word Art Wednesday: Weeks #274/275 – Anything Goes
{PIN}spirational Challenges: #186 – Photo Inspiration

I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s project! Be sure to check out all the fun stamps, dies, papers and ink at Dare 2B Artzy! I know you’re going to fall in love! Thanks so much for stopping by today – we’ll see you next time! ;)

Scrappy hugs,
lesliesig

Dare 2B Artzy products used:

Other products used:
Cardstock/Paper: GKD Jelly Bean Green cardstock, The Paper Cut Black cardstock, Spectrum Noir Ultra Smooth Premium White cardstock
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black marker
Dies/Punches: YNS Curved Scallop Edge die
Accessories: Hemptique Natural Bamboo cord, Doodlebug Design Mini Pearls, SU Pearls, MISTI

You Sweeten My Life tag

Leslie21 Comments

** 3/7/17 Spotlight Artist at City Crafter Challenge Blog! **
** 3/15/17 Best Technique Winner at World Wide Open Design Team Monthly Challenge! **
** 3/26/17 DT Favorite at Crafting When We Can! **

Hi everyone! Can you believe we’re almost a week into March already! We haven’t really even had a Winter in the sense of cold weather here, and we’re rapidly headed into Spring! I created a fun tag with tons of layers for our Dare 2B Artzy Lots of Layers challenge going on this month. I used the gorgeous Artzy Doodles Midnight Blue paper, Cup of Cheer stamp set and Totally Black ink. Come on over and play with us for a chance to win a stamp set and ink pad of your choice! How awesome is that?! :)

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I started with a tag I hand cut from 120# kraft cardstock (including the circle with hole at the top) which I inked, splattered and spritzed, and also used a stencil with grit paste. I fed several scraps of ribbon and twine through the hole at the top which I secured with more twine. I thoroughly enjoyed creating this and see lots more mixed media in my future!

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I laid out all the pieces that I inked, splattered and spritzed to match the tag, including the strip from the top of the D2BA paper (yes, all of them have it and you should totally use it on your projects!), the paper lace doily, the die cuts and the corrugate oval shape.

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After the grit paste and other elements were dry, the strip went on first, followed by the Kensington Branch die cut and paper lace doily. Then I tied some twine onto the corrugate oval prior to adhering it, and added the hot cocoa and heart die cuts.

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I embossed the sentiment on a scrap of the blue paper using white embossing powder and cut it with a flag punch, then layered it on a scrap of dark brown cardstock. To complete the tag, I added a few white flat back pearls.

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Here’s an angled shot showing the shimmer from the spitz. So pretty!

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Proud to enter this tag into the following challenges:
A Perfect Time To Craft: #3 – Anything Goes
Brown Sugar Challenge Blog: #240 – Anything Goes
City Crafter Challenge Blog: #351 – Hygge
Crafting When We Can: #139 – Mixed Media
Crafts Galore Encore Challenges: March Anything Goes
Crafty Catz: #360 – Anything Goes with a twist of doilies
Crafty Gals Corner: #112 – Add Ribbon
Mixed Media World: #22 – Anything Goes Mixed Media
Ooh-La-La Challenge Blog: #223 – Embossing
PDE Linky Party: #162 – Anything Goes
Penny’s Paper-Crafty Challenge Blog: #318 – Anything Goes
Scrapper’s Delights Challenge Blog: #64 – Anything Goes
Sweet Stampers Challenge Blog: #4 – Add A Sentiment
Word Art Wednesday: Weeks #272/273 – Anything Goes
World Wide Open Design Team Challenge: #19 – Anything Goes

Be sure to check out all the fun stamps, dies, papers and ink at Dare 2B Artzy! I know you’re going to fall in love! Thanks so much for stopping by today – we’ll see you next time! ;)

Scrappy hugs,
lesliesig

Dare 2B Artzy products used:
Cardstock/Paper: Artzy Doodles Midnight Blue paper
Stamps: Cup of Cheer stamp set
Ink: Totally Black ink
Dies/Punches: Mug Die

Other products used:
Cardstock/Paper: Paper Accents 120# kraft cardstock, dark brown cardstock scrap
Ink: SN markers- BG1, TB3, TB5, TB9, EG5; Ranger Walnut Stain distress ink, Versamark
Dies/Punches: SU heart punch, SU 1/4″ and 3/4″ circle punches, SU banner triple punches, MB Kensington Branch die
Accessories: Hero Arts white embossing powder, Fiskars small corner rounder, Darice oval corrugate cut out, fun foam, Tim Holtz Doily stencil, Ranger grit paste, Tsukineko Pewter shimmer spritz, jute twine, assorted ribbon scraps, SU paper doily

Boxed Set of Thank You Cards

Leslie15 Comments

Hi everyone! Hope you’ve had a great week – I just love my Fridays! Today is my post day on the Dare 2B Artzy blog and I’m stoked to share a DT inspiration project using the gorgeous Flowers for Mom stamp set and coordinating Joyful Flower dies, along with Artzy Doodles Bright Pumpkin paper!

 

I created an awesome boxed set of six thank you cards, three each of two different CAS designs. My inspiration for this project came from a YouTube tutorial HERE. Can’t tell you how much I enjoyed this! My version has a velcro closure under the flap, and I also decorated the back of the box. I used punches (extra large oval and extra large scallop) for the stamped sentiment. And I’m so sad that this grosgrain bow is my very last one. Sniff-sniff. And I don’t even remember where I got these but I sure have enjoyed them!

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Orange is not usually my first choice of colors but I sure was diggin’ this, lol! My whole mindset was ‘bright colors’ and orange just fit the bill this time. I’m in love with the Artzy Doodles Variety Paper Pack! And yes, ALL of the Dare 2B Artzy papers have a patterned strip across the top which coordinates perfectly! This Bright Pumpkin layered on the white is just gorgeous against the slightly darker shade of orange cardstock used to create the box.

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The card bases I used are 3-1/2″ x 5″ with slightly larger envelopes, and were perfect for this project considering the size of the die cut flowers. I prepared the panels first – cut the white pieces and stamped the thank you sentiment on each using a stamp positioner. I then cut slightly larger layering pieces from black cardstock and adhered them to the card bases. I stamped each flower three times in Totally Black ink on white cardstock, then colored them all, doing each set of flowers in the same color schemes. Once all the coloring was done, I cut them all with the coordinating dies and adhered them to the card bases. I finished them off with a few sparkly elements for some added interest.

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And here’s a shot of the back of the box. Love, love, love how this project turned out! I’ve already made another boxed set of standard A2 sized cards with a magnet closure on the box. I’ve adjusted the measurements of the box for that project and will share soon, so stay tuned! :D

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I’d love to enter this boxed set of cards into the following challenges:
Brown Sugar Challenge Blog: #240 – Anything Goes
Classic Design Team Open Challenge Blog: #12 – Anything Goes
Crafting by Designs: March Anything Goes
Crafty Creations Challenges: #336 – Anything Goes
Inspiration Destination: #123 – Anything Goes
Kitty Bee Designs: #89 – Flowers
Little Miss Muffet Challenges: #157 – Anything Goes
PDE Linky Party: #162 – Anything Goes
Pearly Sparkles Challenge Blog: #14 – Flowers
Sweet Stampers Challenge Blog: #4 – Add A Sentiment
Word Art Wednesday: Weeks #272/273 – Anything Goes
Your Scrapbook Place: March Anything Goes

I hope you’ve enjoyed this project! Be sure to check out all the fun stamps, dies, papers and ink at Dare 2B Artzy! I know you’ll fall in love! Thanks so much for stopping by today – we’ll see you next time! ;)

Scrappy hugs,
lesliesig

Dare 2B Artzy products used:

Other products used:
Cardstock/Paper: SU Whisper White Note Cards & Envelopes, SU Whisper White cardstock, The Paper Cut black cardstock, GKD Tomato Soup cardstock
Ink: SN markers- JG1, JG7, LG4, CG3, DR2, OR3, CT4, TB8; Sharpie white paint pen
Dies/Punches: SU extra large oval punch, Marvy extra large scallop oval punch
Accessories: Orange grosgrain bow, Stampendous red Dot Sparklers