Love To Scrap!

Monday, January 16, 2017

Looky-Looky!

Hi everyone! My new blog is up and running! Come visit me at Love To Scrap 2!

If we're already following each other here on Blogger, I would really appreciate it if you'd follow me on the new blog, and you can also sign up for email updates if you want!

My beloved original Love To Scrap blog and all of it's wonderful blogging history and projects, Followers, links and family pics will remain here! But all crafty projects from this day forward will be posted on my new namesake blog.

Thank you all so much for your continued support and I look forward to seeing you over there!

Big scrappy hugs,

Leslie

Friday, January 6, 2017

To You From Me Gift Bag

Hi everybody! Hope your new year is off to a great start and you're getting your craft on! I don't make new year's resolutions but you can bet I'm going to craft every chance I get! It's time for another fun challenge over at Craft for the Craic and I'm proud to share my guest design inspiration project for our challenge Pick Me Up. Nothing says "pick me up" like a pretty bouquet of flowers on a gift bag! I am still diggin' these fun purse gift bags... probably will never get tired of making them! They are so much fun, so easy and really pack a big punch.

The double-sided paper and cardstock are from Stampin' Up! The flowers and greenery were all cut with Stampin' Up! Botanical Builder Framelits dies and embellished with Stampin' Up! pearls and rhinestones. The sentiment stamped on the wavy banner is from Stampin' Up!

Happy to enter this sweet gift bag into the following challenges:

Recipe:

Cardstock/Paper: Stampin' Up! Daffodil Delight cardstock, assorted cardstock scraps for die cut flowers, Stampin' Up! Brights Designer Series Paper Stack
Stamps: Stampin' Up! And Many More stamp set
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black ink
Dies/Punches: Stampin' Up! Botanical Builder Framelits dies
Accessories: Stampin' Up! Pearls and Rhinestones

I hope you've enjoyed this project and have found some inspiration to play in our 'Pick Me Up' challenge this month! We'd can't wait to see what you create. The interpretation is wide open on this one! Thanks so much for stopping by today - we'll see you next time! ;)
Scrappy hugs,
Leslie

Thursday, January 5, 2017

For you, dear friend

** 1/15/17 Winner at Scrapbook Stamp Society Challenge Blog! **
** 2/1/17 Winner at Cards Galore Encore Challenge Blog! **

Hi everyone! How's the first week of the new year going? It's great here but we're not having very wintery weather... we've had our A/C on! I'm happy to say that I'm once again a guestie over at Scrapping4fun Challenges! Another one of my cards was chosen as a Featured Creation a few weeks ago, so here I am! I'm thrilled to share my inspiration Challenge #81 - Bright Colors! Oh, how I love bright colors and how I love fancy folds! I created my first-ever Dutch fold using the absolutely stunning Sherri Baldy 'Fluffy Frannie' digital image! What fun! I do need to apologize for the clear post in the bottom of the photo... I had to use it to hold the card closed because it was not cooperating standing up or lying down, lol!

This Sherri Baldy image is one of my favorites. So fun to color up with the bright hues! Isn't she just gorgeous?!

I cut the image with a stitched circle die, layered it on a Cogs die cut and trimmed the right side even with the card base. The only embellishments are yellow sequins and a couple orange sprinkles.

Here are a few shots of this fun card opening up. First the top flips up...

Then the gatefold type panels open out to each side to expose the complete sentiment.

And here's one more shot showing just how flippin' cute this is! ;)

Happy to enter this fun Dutch fold card into the following challenges:

Recipe:

Cardstock/Paper: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Tangerine Tango and Pumpkin Pie cardstock, Stampin' Up! Brights DSP Stack
Stamps: Sherri Baldy 'Fluffy Frannie' digital image, Stampin' Up! Birthday Blooms stamp set
Ink: Spectrum Noir- IG2, IG4, FS3, FS6, OR1, OR2, OR3, CT4, LG4, LG5, TN1, TN2, BP2, BP4, CR10, PL4; Stampin' Up! Tangerine Tango ink, Sakura White Gel pen
Dies/Punches: Memory Box Stitched Circle Layers die, Spellbinders Cogs die
Accessories: Fiskars Stamp Press, Yellow Doodlebug Design sequins, Doodlebug Design Sprinkles Tangerine Assortment

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

Sunday, January 1, 2017

Simplify. Simplify.

Hi everyone! I'm back with my final post this morning... getting this new year started with a bang! The January House of Cards challenge is live this morning and I'm excited to share my DT inspiration project for Add A Building and/or Colors! Look at this gorgeous wintery inspiration photo - isn't this a beautiful color palette?! It screamed masculine to me, so that's the angle I took.

I've been playing with fun folds again. You know me - if there's a new one out there, I'm going to find it, lol! This is called a Z box fold and my inspiration came from Splitcoast Stampers. And I just happened to have some new masculine papers in my stash that nailed most of these colors.

I had my heart set on using this particular sentiment with the old mill and it was too large for the panel, so I stamped it, cut it in strips and lined them up on the circle die cut. It kind of adds to the ruggedness of the card, I think.

Here's an angled shot showing the inside of the Z fold and the 'box'. Love it!

I stamped the old mill in black on gray cardstock. What an absolutely gorgeous focal image!

Here's an shot from above showing the full construction. So much fun and I'm really loving how it turned out.

Proud to enter this fun fold into the following challenges:

Recipe:

Cardstock/Paper: Stampin' Up! Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake and Basic Bray cardstock; Crafter's Companion Just For Men 6x6 paper pad
Stamps: Artistic Outpost Old Grist Mill stamp set
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Dies/Punches: EK Success 2-1/2" and 2-1/4" circle punches; Stampin' Up! 2" and 1-3/4" circle punches
Accessories: Basic Grey metal studs

I hope you've enjoyed this project and are inspired to create a project with a building and possibly some of the colors in the photo! Thanks so much for stopping by today - we'll see you next time! ;)
Scrappy hugs,
Leslie

Know What I Love?

** 1/31/17 Top 3 at Vilda Stamps Challenge Blog! **
** 1/31/17 Honorable Mention at Card Mania! **

Hi everyone! Happy New Year, once again! Today is the 1st of the month so you're seeing a few posts from me! If you follow the Love To Scrap Challenge Blog, you know that we're transitioning to once-a-month challenges beginning today! Our challenges will run from 6:00 AM EST on the first day of the month until 6:00 PM EST on the last day of the month. Half of the design team will showcase projects on the 1st and the other half will showcase their projects on the 15th for your mid-month inspiration. We will continue having three sponsors for each challenge and our DT will continue choosing our three winners and five DT favorites! We are really excited and hope you are too! ;)

I'm so excited to share my DT inspiration project for LTSCB #93 - Anything Goes! I wanted to start the new year off with some color! I chose the absolutely adorable Bugaboo Digi Stamps 'Scene It - Ladybugs' digi for my card. I created my own background by stamping the splotches in inks matching the Spectrum Noir colors I used on the image. I colored some kraft corrugated paper with a black SN marker to lay under the image that I cut with a double-stitched rectangle die. Man, I LOVE those dies!

I think the inks match the alcohol marker colors pretty well. You can't see it at all in these photos, but I also embossed smaller splotches that I stamped in Versamark and used clear embossing powder which adds a little sparkle and dimension to the background. I stamped a simple sentiment on the lower edge of the image, and thought a simple knot with the black and white gingham ribbon was more appropriate than my usual big bow for this since the background was somewhat busy. L.o.v.e. how this turned out! ;)

The inside is super simple with the other half of the stamped sentiment on a layered panel.

Proud to enter this card into the following challenges:

Recipe:

Cardstock/Paper: Spectrum Noir Ultra Smooth Premium White cardstock, Stampin' Up! Elegant Eggplant cardstock, GKD Black Onyx cardstock
Stamps: Bugaboo Digi Stamps Scene It - Ladybugs digital image, Stampin' Up! What I Love, Gorgeous Grunge and Timeless Textures stamp sets
Ink: Spectrum Noir- PP4, PP6, PL1, PL4, TB1, CG2, DG2 DG3, CT4, OR1, DR2, IG5, True Black; Memento Tuxedo Black ink; Stampin' Up! Elegant Eggplant, Crushed Curry, Strawberry Slush, Pear Pizzazz and Smoky Slate ink; Versamark
Dies/Punches: Cottage Cutz Double Stitched Rectangles die
Accessories: Ranger Clear embossing powder, Darice Corrugated paper roll, MISTI, fun foam, GKD black & white gingham ribbon

I hope you've enjoyed today's project and will create an anything goes project (or five) for our challenge this month! Can't wait to see what you create! Thanks so much for stopping by and we'll see you soon! ;)
Scrappy hugs,
Leslie

Hippie Birthday

Hi everyone! Happy New Year! Let's ring in the new year in style, lol! The Love To Craft Challenge Blog is launching a new challenge this morning and I'm stoked to share my DT inspiration project for LTCCB #6 - January Anything Goes! I was commissioned by a co-worker to create a card for her hippie friend who loves music, flowers and colors, and this is what I came up with... a tie dyed, wild and funky easel card! I think this is a great way to start the new year! :D

These next few pics show all the fun elements I used, starting with the denim background paper. I have to admit my favorite one is the white denim pocket! Can't you just imagine wearing the white hip-hugger pants?! LOL

The inside/easel bottom features a stenciled tie dye pattern created with several colors of distress ink. And how about that peace sign charm. I'm really loving how this turned out! My co-worker's friend loved it too! :D

Happy to enter this very colorful (lol) easel card into the following challenges:

Recipe:

Cardstock/Paper: Paper Accents 120# Kraft cardstock, GKD Navy and Sweet Corn cardstock; Marco's White Antique Linen cardstock; scraps of pink and teal cardstock; scraps of GKD Tomato Soup, Fresh Asparagus and Red Hot cardstock; scrap of denim paper
Stamps: GKD So Groovy and Special Delivery stamp sets
Ink: Ranger Barn Door, Mustard Seed, Salty Ocean, Mowed Lawn and Picked Raspberry distress ink; Memento Espresso Truffle ink; Versamark
Dies/Punches: Spellbinders Pockets and Swirls dies, Memory Box Stitched Circle Layers die
Accessories: Crafter's Workshop Mini Tie Dyed stencil, GKD Fresh Asparagus ribbon, silver thread, flat-back pearls, ticket ephemera, guitar paperclip, green Wink of Stella pen, Pico irResistible Embellisher Wedding Dress, Hero Arts White embossing powder, peace sign charm, Darice Dream Sequins, YNS Glittered Gumdrops

I hope you've enjoyed this project and will come play with us this month! Remember, we are an all-crafts challenge blog and we want to see whatever you are working on! Thanks so much for stopping by today - we'll see you again soon! ;)
Scrappy hugs,
Leslie

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