Love To Scrap!: December 2016

Saturday, December 31, 2016

Happy Meow Year

** 1/26/17 Top 3 at Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge Blog! **

Hi everyone! Hope you had a wonderful Christmas and are looking forward to a brand new year! I know I am! This is my last post with Creatalicious Challenges and I'd like to to thank Melanie and the rest of the team for having me along these past several months. I've thoroughly enjoyed myself! A new challenge is live this morning and I'm happy to share my DT inspiration project for Challenge #106 - Anything Goes with Optional Happy New Year/Wishes! Our sponsor this time is The Paper Shelter, so come on over and play! We can't wait to see what you create!

I chose 'Happy Meow Year', one of my own images from The Paper Shelter, to create this new year card. I generally color my images but I used the pre-colored version this time because I really wanted to use the fun background paper and all the colors needed to match. The Paper Shelter always provides the most fun companion papers for their images which makes using the pre-colored versions hard to resist. I stamped some kitty footprints down the left side and embellished the banner with some rhinestones. I added a party hat charm and some smaller rhinestones to the stamped sentiment, and added my signature big bow.

I created some subtle ink splatters using a Spectrum Noir Sparkle Amethyst marker which gave the layering paper behind the focal image some pretty sparkle.

I embellished the inside with a couple strips of the leftover cardstock, and stamped a simple sentiment in the same green ink used to stamp the front sentiment.

Happy to enter this card into the following challenges:

Recipe:

Cardstock/Paper: GKD Pure Luxury Ivory, Tomato Soup and Sweet Mango cardstock, Stampin' Up! Very Vanilla cardstock
Stamps: The Paper Shelter 'Happy Meow Year' digital image, Stampin' Up! 'And Many More' stamp set, Paper Smooches 'Feline Friends' and 'Word Salad' stamp sets
Ink: Stampin' Up! Wild Wasabi ink, Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Spectrum Noir Sparkle Amethyst marker
Accessories: Clear Wink of Stella, Prairie Bird Boutique yellow wrinkled ribbon, party hat charm, green rhinestones

I hope you've enjoyed this project and will consider playing in our challenge this time! Be sure to check out all the fun digis and papers over at The Paper Shelter - I know you won't be able to resist some of those cuties! Thanks so much for stopping by today - we'll see you soon! ;)
Scrappy hugs,
Leslie

Split-Top Box of Note Paper

** 1/4/17 Winner at Crafty Gals Corner! **
** 1/5/17 Top 4 at 4 Crafty Chicks! **

Hi everybody! Well, it's finally here... the last day of 2016. I was just laughing with someone the other day remembering all the hype about the impending 'Y2K.' Seems like yesterday. Where have the years gone?! This is my last post with Crafty Friends and I'd like to thank Diane Louise, Tanya and the rest of the design team for having me along this past year. I've had a blast - and I could not ask for better DT leaders! A new challenge is live this morning and I'm super stoked to share my DT inspiration project for Challenge #48 - Anything Goes. Our awesome sponsor this time is:

Di's Digi Stamps

I created something fun and practical gift - a split-top box of note paper. I used neutral colors of ivory, kraft and black. One can never go wrong with neutrals.

I love this James Taylor quote which was one of the sentiments in a double set of Stampin' Up! stamps. It's large and created a nice panel to go across the top of the box.

Here are a couple shots of the box opening up.

I lined the bottom of the box with a matching panel. And, by the way, every piece of the ivory note paper was hand cut to fit the box. I have no idea how many sheets I cut but it was a nice stack! :)

Happy to enter this project into the following challenges:

Recipe:

Cardstock/Paper: Paper Accents 120# Kraft cardstock, Stampin' Up! Basic Black cardstock, GKD Ivory cardstock, Stampin' Up! Typeset Specialty DSP
Stamps: Stampin' Up! 'From My Heart' stamp set
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black ink
Accessories: MISTI, Ebony Black Crystal Drops

I hope you've found some inspiration to play in our 'anything goes' challenge this time! Thanks so much for stopping by today - we'll see you next time! ;)
Scrappy hugs,
Leslie

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Thank You note cards (set of 6)

Hi everyone! I'm back with another post - I'm absolutely thrilled to finally be able to blog this set of Thank You note cards and another single card (which I'll blog separately) that I submitted to Rubber Stamp Madness magazine! The teal and pink ones are being showcased on the Rubber Stamp Madness Facebook page as a sneak peak to an upcoming story about matching dies and stamps! Woo-hoo!

Oh what fun! And oh what inky fingers, lol! All stamps, dies and cardstock are from Stampin' Up! This set was super easy and worked up fairly quickly. I first created the background panels using the six different cardstock colors, then cut a swirly die cut from the same colors of cardstock. I then stamped on each of the panels, assembled the cards, and then finished each one with three flat-back pearls in the upper left corner. The insides were left blank as they are note cards. Love, love, love! :)

Here they are individually...

Recipe:

Cardstock/Paper: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Marina Mist, Calypso Coral, Strawberry Slush, Wisteria Wonder cardstock
Stamps: Stampin' Up! Swirly Bird and Lots of Thanks stamp sets
Ink: Stampin' Up! Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Marina Mist, Calypso Coral, Strawberry Slush, Wisteria Wonder, Cucumber Crush and Wild Wasabi ink
Dies/Punches: Stampin' Up! Swirly Scribbles Thinlits dies
Accessories: Stampin' Up! Pearls, clear Wink of Stella

I hope you've enjoyed seeing this set of cards as much as I enjoyed making them! I'm really happy with how they turned out, and ecstatic that they were noticed by Rubber Stamp Madness! Thanks so much for stopping by today - we'll see you next time! ;)

Scrappy hugs,

Leslie

to thoughtful you... from thankful me

Hi everyone! I'm super excited to finally be able to blog some cards I submitted to Rubber Stamp Madness magazine! They will be doing a story on matching dies and stamps in an upcoming issue and chose to showcase this card and a set of note cards (that I'll blog separately) on the Rubber Stamp Madness Facebook page as a sneak peak! Very honored, indeed! :)

All the stamps and dies are from Stampin' Up! I had a blast creating this card, randomly placing the stamped die cut flowers and leaves along the left-hand side.

I kept the inside fairly simple with a stamped layered sentiment.

Recipe:

Cardstock/Paper: Stampin' Up! Whisper White and Old Olive cardstock
Stamps: Stampin' Up! Swirly Bird and Lots of Thanks stamp sets
Ink: Stampin' Up! Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Marina Mist, Calypso Coral, Strawberry Slush, Wisteria Wonder and Old Olive ink; Delicata Golden Glitz ink
Dies/Punches: Stampin' Up! Swirly Scribbles Thinlits dies
Accessories: Stampin' Up! Rhinestones

What a thrill to see my projects showcased on RSM's Facebook page! You know I'm grinning from ear to ear! Thank you so much for stopping by today - we'll see you again soon with the other cards! ;)

Scrappy hugs,

Leslie

Monday, December 19, 2016

so many smiles...

** 1/2/17 Winner at A Bit More Time To Craft! **
** 1/15/17 Best Technique Winner at World Wide Open Design Team Challenge! **

Hello, my crafty friends! Hope you all had a marvelous weekend! I got my craft on and created several projects, almost forgetting this one, lol! I generally stay so far ahead of myself that I totally forgot I didn't have this project made! Hahahaha! It's time for our last challenge of the year over at Love To Scrap Challenge Blog and I'm thrilled to share my DT inspiration project for LTSCB #92 - Anything Goes! We have three awesome sponsors again this time - Pickled Potpourri, A Creative Need and SheepSki Designs - so come on over and play!

Let me mention that this challenge will close a day early (on December 31st) so we can get ready for our new once-a-month challenge schedule January 1st. We've added a couple designers and a mid-way motivation post on the 15th! Hope to see you there! ;)

I chose the gorgeous Jo's Daffodils digi from SheepSki Designs for my all-occasion card. I initially thought 'birthday' but decided it could be used for other occasions as well. I colored this image to match the coordinating cardstock and patterned paper I had picked out, and cut it with one of my favorite stitched dies. I used a new curved scallop edge die to cut off the bottom right corner for a fun effect where I stamped the sentiment.

As much seam binding as I have in my stash, I had none that matched the cardstock and paper, so I colored some white seam binding with one of the Spectrum Noir markers used on the image. I then spritzed it, re-wrinkled it and hit it with heat tool to set the ink and dry it.

I kept the inside relatively simple, decorating the inside with leftover cardstock and paper used on the front, and stamping the other half of the sentiment.

Proud to enter this card into the following challenges:

Recipe:

Cardstock/Paper: Spectrum Noir Ultra Smooth Premium white cardstock, Stampin' Up! Crushed Curry cardstock, Stampin' Up! Regals Designers Series Paper Stack
Stamps: SheepSki Designs Jo's Daffodils digital image, Stampin' Up! Petite Pairs stamp set
Ink: Spectrum Noir- GB3, GB6, GB7, BT1, BT3, IB3, CG2, IG1; Memento Tuxedo Black ink
Dies: Memory Box Stitched Circle Layers die, YNS Curved Scallop Edge die
Accessories: Prairie Bird Boutique White wrinkled ribbon, Darice foam, Stampin' Up! Pearls

I hope you've found a little inspiration to play in our last challenge of the year with an 'anything goes' theme. Be sure to check out all the fun digis at Pickled Potpourri, A Creative Need and SheepSki Designs! Thanks so much for stopping by today - we'll see you next time! ;)
Scrappy hugs,
Leslie

holiday hugs

Hello, my crafty friends! Well, we have less than a week to go before the chubby man in the red suit visits! Have you been naughty or nice?! Our newest challenge at Let's Craft and Create began on the 5th, and I'm excited to share my mid-month DT inspiration project for Challenge #120 - Christmas/New Year! Come on over and play with us!

I created a fun step card using the SweetStamps 'Winter Treats Snowman' digi which I think is absolutely adorable! I pulled out some fun papers and a few dies from my stash and went to town, lol! Fun was had by all!

I sorted through my stash of Christmas embellishments and chose a few to use on this card. I stamped the sentiment on a hand-cut flag and held it there with a tiny festive red clothespin.

Here's an angled shot. This is one of my favorite fun folds - they are so easy to cut and fold, and then embellishing them is so much fun!

Proud to enter this fun step card into the following challenges:

Recipe:

Cardstock/Paper: GKD Dark Chocolate and Cherry Red cardstock, Marco's White Antique Linen cardstock, Stampin' Up! Trim The Tree DSP, The Paper Cut White Gold cardstock
Stamps: SweetStamps Winter Treats Snowman digital image, Paper Smooches Holiday Cheer stamp set
Ink: Spectrum Noir- IG1, EB5, TN7, TN8, CR10, PP1, IB1, IB2, IB3, GT2, GT3, BT7, BT9, DR1, DR3; Memento Tuxedo Black ink
Dies/Punches: Memory Box Stitched Circle Layers die, Cheery Lynn Italian Flourish, Spellbinders Icicles
Accessories: Recollections White Flocking, clear Wink of Stella, Tim Holtz Idea-ology Numbered Brad, red organza ribbon scrap, Queen & Co. Pave gemstones, YNS green Glittered Gumdrops

I hope you've enjoyed today's project and are inspired to play in our Christmas/New Year challenge this time! I'd love to see what you create! Thanks so much for stopping by - we'll see you next time! ;)
Scrappy hugs,
Leslie

Thursday, December 8, 2016

Deck the Halls with Ugly Sweaters!

Hi everybody! Well, we're a week into December and Christmas will be upon us before we know it. I'm happy to report that I'm once again guest designing for Scrapping4fun Challenges! One of my cards was featured there a few weeks ago, so here I am! I'm happy to share my inspiration project for Challenge #80 - Christmas. You know how I love my fancy folds so I created a 3-tier pull-out card. This was my second project using my new Scan N Cut. OMG, I can't even begin to tell you how much fun I had with this!

Vera and Mabel are my two favorite old ladies who could be me and my BFF. And they are rockin' their ugly sweaters this Christmas season, lol! And how 'bout that plaid Christmas paper?! LOVE it!

Here's the second tier pulled out...

And finally, the third tier...

Isn't this awesome?! I'm totally head over heels with this fold - so much fun and so versatile. Could be used for any occasion!

I'd love to enter this fun Christmas card into the following challenges:

Recipe:

Cardstock/Paper: Stampin'' Up! Kraft and Basic Black 12x12 cardstock, Stampin' Up! Warmth and Cheer DSP
Stamps: Great Impressions 'Holiday Vera and Mabel' and 'Ugly Sweaters!' rubber stamps, Stampin' Up! 'And Many More' stamp set
Ink: Spectrum Noir- FS4, FS5, FS6, CG1, CG3, CG4, EB2, EB6, CT2, GB8, IG4, DR6; Spectrum Noir Clear Glitter Overlay; Spectrum Noir Sparkle Solar Red; Copic Black Multi-Liner pen; Memento Tuxedo Black ink
Dies/Punches: Memory Box Stitched Rectangle Layers die, Cottage Cutz Double Stitched Square die, Stampin' Up! Scalloped Topper Punch, Lil' Inker Designs Stitched Sentiment Flag
Accessories: White Crystal Drops, green ribbon scrap, Studios Blackbird green twine, KaiserCraft green flat-back pearls

I hope you've enjoyed this project and have found just a little inspiration to play in our Christmas challenge this time! Thanks so much for stopping by today - we'll see you next time!
Scrappy hugs,
Leslie

Monday, December 5, 2016

Snow Angel

Hi everyone! We are just rootin' and tootin' right along into December! We've had a little rain which we desperately needed so no complaints here. It's time for another fun challenge over at Love To Scrap Challenge Blog - and it's our next to last challenge this year... can you believe it?! I'm absolutely thrilled to share my DT inspiration project for LTSCB #91 - Winter Wonderland! We are being sponsored this time by Karleigh Sue Digis, Little Blue Button Stamps and The Paper Shelter so come on over and play! We want to see your Winter-themed project!

I played with the oh-so-adorable 'Snow Angel' digital image and coordinating paper from The Paper Shelter. OMG, is this not just the cutest image ever?! I had the best time putting this card together - used some fun puffy alphabet letters and Tim Holtz Label Letters. And how about that 'phat' bow with loops of gold thread?!

You can't really see it well in the photos, but I splattered the background with Spectrum Noir Sparkle Amethyst marker, which looks really cool. I'm using my double-stitched oval dies again... just love those things! I stamped and fussy cut a pretty snowflake to use as an embellishment. And that image couldn't be any cuter, lol! I don't generally use pre-colored images but those wintery colors are perfect and I couldn't resist!

I kept the inside of this one pretty simple with just a stamped sentiment on a layered panel.

Proud to enter this awesome wintery card into the following challenges:

Recipe:

Cardstock/Paper: GKD Pure Luxury Ivory cardstock, Stampin' Up! Pacific Point cardstock
Stamps: The Paper Shelter 'Snow Angel' digital image, GKD Snow Frame duo, Stampin' Up! Cozy Christmas stamp set
Ink: Tsukineko Delicata Golden Glitz ink, Stampin' Up! Pacific Point ink, Spectrum Noir Sparkle Amethyst marker, Sakura white gel pen
Dies/Punches: Cottage Cutz Double-Stitched Oval dies
Accessories: Tim Holtz Idea-ology Label Letters, Freckled Fawn Puffy Alphabet Letters, Prairie Bird Boutique blue wrinkled ribbon, gold thread, Winter Blues rhinestones, large blue gemstone

I hope you've found a little inspiration to play in our Winter Wonderland challenge this time! And don't forget to visit Karleigh Sue Digis, Little Blue Button Stamps and The Paper Shelter - I know you'll find something you just can't live without!
Scrappy hugs,
Leslie

Saturday, December 3, 2016

Sending Warm Wishes

Hi everyone! Hope your December is off to a fun start! I sure do love this time of year! It's time for another fun challenge over at Crafty Friends Challenge Blog and I'm excited to share my DT inspiration project for Challenge #46 - Merry Christmas. Come on over and play - we have two awesome sponsors this time:

Star Stampz

Sherri Baldy "Besties" Digi Stamps

I chose the adorable Star Stampz 'Cup of Cocoa' digi for the focal image on my Christmas card. She was an absolute joy to color. I stuck with the traditional Christmas colors of red and green with a pop of gold sparkle in the charm and cording as well as layering with gold metallic cardstock.

I love my double-stitched dies so I layered the cut image on an angled oval cut from green Glitter Silk cardstock. I used a fun snowflake embossing folder with Core'dinations Vintage cardstock and sanded it just before taking it out of the folder and then embellished it with a few red rhinestones. I layered the background panel and the stamped sentiment on the gold metallic cardstock. Fun, fun, fun!

I decorated the inside with some leftover strips of the gold cardstock and patterned paper used on the front and then stamped a nice bold sentiment. I'm really loving how this turned out! ;)

Happy to enter this sweet Christmas card into the following challenges:

Recipe:

Cardstock/Paper: GKD Pure Luxury White and Cherry Red cardstock, Marco's Gold Venicelux cardstock, Core'dinations Red Vintage Collection, Core'dinations Green Glitter Silk cardstock, Stampin' Up! Trim The Tree DSP
Stamps: Star Stampz 'Cup of Cocoa' digital image, GKD 'Simple Snowflakes' and 'Season's Greetings' stamp sets
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black ink; Spectrum Noir- GB8, GB9, GB10, GB11, CR9, DR1, LG4, LG5, TN7, FS2, FS3, FS5, FS6, IG1; Sakura white gel pen
Dies/Punches: Cottage Cutz Double Stitched Oval dies
Accessories: Crafter's Companion Embossalicious Snowflake Flutter embossing folder, sanding block, MISTI, Prairie Bird Boutique red wrinkled ribbon, Really Reasonable Ribbon Gold Metallic String, Wild Orchid Crafts snowflake charm, Stampin' Up! pearls, Recollections red rhinestones

I hope you've enjoyed this project and are inspired to play in our Christmas challenge this time! Be sure to check out all the fun digis at Star Stampz and Sherri Baldy "Besties" Digi Stamps! Thanks so much for stopping by today - we'll see you next time! ;)
Scrappy hugs,
Leslie

Friday, December 2, 2016

Baby Onesie Gift Boxes

** 12/15/16 Best Technique Winner at World Wide Open Design Team Challenge! **
** 1/1/17 Special Mention Winner at Classic Design Team Open Challenge! **

Hi everyone! Happy Friday - I hope you've had an awesome week! I'm super glad it's Friday because that means getting some crafting in this weekend! It's time for another fun challenge over at Craft for the Craic and I'm excited to share my guest design inspiration project for Christmas (anything but a Christmas card). Come on over and play with us - we'd love to see your Christmas project... but just make sure it's not a Christmas card, lol!

I created boy and girl Baby Onesie Gift Boxes which were the first actual projects I created with my new Scan N Cut! Sooo much fun! I've had this cut file from Creations by AR for a couple years and had not gotten around to using it. I don't even have an explanation of why I haven't made these adorable little gift boxes because they are so stinkin' cute! I used Stampin' Up! cardstock and DSP. The green one is for a sweet baby boy, embellished with a white button brad.

And the red one is for a sweet baby girl, embellished with a red bow.

Here's a photo of the two of them side by side. OMG, I'm in love!

And finally, here they are turned sideways so you can see the simple box construction. The back folds down over the front and each has a magnetic closure at the top.

I'd love to enter these sweet little gift boxes into the following challenges:

Recipe:

Cardstock/Paper: Stampin' Up! Real Red and Garden Green cardstock, Stampin' Up! Warmth and Cheer DSP
Dies/Punches: Creations by AR Baby Onesies cut file, Stampin' Up! 1-1/4" Circle Punch, EK Success 1-1/2" Scallop Punch
Accessories: Button brad, red ribbon scrap, Winter Blues Rhinestones

I hope you've today's project and find a little inspiration to play in our Christmas challenge this month! Can't wait to see your non-card Christmas project! Thanks so much for stopping by today and we'll see you soon! ;)
Scrappy hugs,
Leslie

Thursday, December 1, 2016

Tangled Up for House of Cards End of Term Blog Hop

** 12/9/16 Featured Creation at Scrapping4fun Challenges! **

Hello, once again, crafty friends! I'm back with my final post today - and it's a F-U-N one! It's the end of the term at House of Cards and several of our designers are leaving and several are staying, so our lovely blog owner has organized an End of Term Blog Hop to bid those leaving a fond farewell and to say thanks to those staying. How awesome is that?! The hop will begin on December 1st at 6:00 AM and run through December 15th at noon CST.

You should have arrived here from sweet Katy's blog! If not, then you'll definitely want to head over to the HOC Blog to start from the beginning. Trust me, you don't want to miss a thing! Our DT has been busy creating some pretty awesome projects for your hopping pleasure! Be sure to leave comments at all the stops because there are hidden prizes and random drawings will be done from the blogs where prizes are hidden! And after you complete the hop, link up a project using this fabulous inspiration photo for an extra chance to win! Woot-woot! All prizes will be announced December 20th. Can't wait to see how this gorgeous photo inspires you!

We have some pretty amazing sponsors!

Beccy's Place

Prize: 1 stamp set or 3 single images

Cute As A Button

Prize: 3 single images

Great Impressions
Prize: Prize Package

MHKDesigns

Prize: Any three products of your choice!

Okay, I'm going to get side-tracked here for a moment to share my DT inspiration project. I saw primarily red with green as the secondary color in the inspiration photo so that's the angle I took with this adorable peek-a-boo gate fold. This was my first attempt at this particular fun fold and I liked it so much that it turned into this year's Christmas card prototype! I'll be making 40 more, lol! ;)

I absolutely love the 'Decorated Moose' stamp from Great Impressions which was so fun to color. I used Glossy Accents on the Christmas lights and clear Wink of Stella to make the snow sparkle. After cutting the image down, I layered it on a SB Square Swatches die that serves as the flap hiding the matching sentiment.

The stamped sentiment on the left is the subject of the 'peek-a-boo' on this card. The stamped sentiment on the right - that hides beneath the flap - is the coordinating 'Tangled Up' stamp from Great Impressions. Isn't this just adorable?!

And yep, it lays flat for mailing! Well... there's a magnet closure on this one... but I'm not using magnets on the other 40! :D

Your next stop on the hop will be the lovely Linda's blog! Remember to leave comments as you hop because there are lots of prizes up for grabs!

Would love to enter this fun card into the following challenges:

Recipe:

Cardstock/Paper: GKD Pure Luxury Ivory and Cherry Red cardstock, Stampin' Up! Trim The Tree DSP
Stamps: Great Impressions 'Decorated Moose' and 'Tangled Up' rubber stamps
Ink: Spectrum Noir- GB8, GB10, TN1, TN2, IB3, CR11, BP3, CG4; Copic Black Multi-Liner pen; Memento Tuxedo Black ink
Dies/Punches: Spellbinders Square Swatches die
Accessories: Clear Wink of Stella, Glossy Accents, small round magnet

I hope you've enjoyed today's project. Don't forget to leave comments on all the blogs as you stop to get in on the chance to be a random winner of a hidden prize! And get another chance at a sponsor prize by linking up a project using the inspiration photo! Thanks so much for stopping by today - we'll see you next time! ;)
Scrappy hugs,
Leslie