Merry Christmas!

Supplies- Technique Junkies Holly Bird, Technique Junkies Gift of Christmas sentiment set, Neenah Solar White cs, red cs, Copics, alcohol, sequins

God's Blessings to you and yours this Christmas!   

To get a 10% discount on your Technique Junkie order, use code TJ10LeeAnn.  Thank you!

Pink Snowman

Hello Everyone! 

Just a quick post to share a card I came up with the other evening using a background piece from my ever growing stash of waiting-to-be-used card pieces. 

I snagged this adorable snowman at Tuesday Morning, of all places.  I guess I am a bit of a snowman snob, so when I find one that calls out to me, I have to get him! 
I used the sketch from Sunday Stamps~

I am also linking up to Shopping Our Stash for their "Gah! Pink" challenge, which is a tribute to Leslie Hanna. 

Thanks for stopping by! 

Lee Ann

Ornaments in Red

Hello, Hello!

I love today's Christmas card.  This was one of those stamps that I had to have, no questions asked.  Elegant yet simple~

This is one image stamped three times.  Almost CAS, but I wanted dimension on the final layer. 

I started by creating a simple template of the Draped Ornaments image from Technique Junkies.  I stamped the image on scrap paper and then loosely fussy cut it out.  This helped me to determine final placement of my images.  The first time I stamped the image off center to the left on the card base.  The second time I did a bit of masking of a few ornaments.  I also used the template to determine exact placement of the second stamped image.  This one was stamped off center to the right.
The third image was stamped and the ornaments colored with Copics.  Then the image was fussy cut out.  I adhered it to the card using dimensional tape.  I added light shadows to the background ornaments with grey Copics.
The sentiment is from the Gifts of Christmas stamp set.  I added some shimmer to the ornaments with Wink of Stella.

Well, what do you think?  Simple yet elegant.

I am linking up to Happy Little Stamper's Christmas Challenge- Anything Goes, Asddicted to Stamps Challenge- Make Your Mark, and Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog- Christmas.   

Wanting to do some last minute shopping?  Get 10% off all Technique Junkies stamps using code 

TJ10LeeAnn~ 

Thanks so much for visiting!

Lee Ann  :)

CAS Chickadees

Hi All!

I have a quick post today, as I really wanted to use the sketch at CAS(e) This Sketch this week~

Edit- I finally had a chance to retake a photo of this card when there was sunlight.  I am not sure this is much better, however.  Lighting has not been my friend this week!

I just adore these sweet little birds from Powerpoppy!

Here is the sketch~

My birds are colored with Copics.  I added SU's Dazzling Details to the snow and berries.  Please excuse the crummy picture as I had poor lighting when I got home from work.  I will try to get a better picture later this week.  Colors are from PowerPoppy's Hues to Use Challenge. 

I am also linking up to Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge, Christmas/Winter Holidays. 

That's it for me!

Have a fantastic week!

Lee Ann 

Midnight Ride

Hello All!

Are you counting down yet?  All I want to know is 'Where is the month going???"
I have one more Christmas card to share with you and as promised last week, I am using the same stamp that I used in this post~

 I used my MISTI to get perfect placement.  I started with determining where Santa's sleigh was going to go, then I cut out a mask for the moon.  I added the mask to the appropriate place on the blank panel.  I used watercolor paper for this panel.
Next, I put my background image, Layered Swirls, in the MISTI and inked it up with a blue distress ink.  I am sorry that I do not remember the exact color, but one of the lighter blues.  Then I spritzed the image with water and stamped it on the watercolor paper.  Once dry, I inked it up a second time  with the same ink, spritzed and stamped.  I used a paint brush and water to move the ink around on the paper.
Once my sky was to my liking, I inked up the edges of the stamp in a darker blue and stamped it.  I repeated the step to get the ink to the desired dark blue color.
Once the background was done and all was dry, I determined the placement of the Santa in Moonlight stamp so that once I stamped, the outline of the moon would be over the previously masked area.  I used the MISTI so that I could ink up the stamp multiple times to get solid coverage of the image.
I added my sentiment from the Gifts of Christmas stamp set to a banner.
Snow was added using a white gel pen as well as a few die cut snow flakes.  I finished the card off with sequins and gold twine.

Thinking of doing some shopping? Use code TJ10LeeAnn to get 10% off of your order a!  t Technique Junkies!

That's all for me!
Enjoy the season!

Lee Ann  :)

Coffee Lovers Blog Hop

Hi All!

It has been a while since I have done a coffee lover's blog hop, but I decided to get in on the fun this time around.  I had a genius idea (at least I thought it was) to combine two MFT stamp sets- Harvest Mouse and Cool Day.

I used the sketch from Fusion~

I kept the card CAS  and used score lines for the two narrow panels.  The sentiments is from Sweet n Sassy Stamps Holiday Hugs stamp set.  My little wisps of steam are from a Kraftin' Kimmie stamp set, Love Chemistry.
Colors are from  Color Throwdown~

I am also linking up to Addicted to Stamps and More- Anything Goes.
Thanks so much for stopping by!  Happy Hopping!

Lee Ann  

New Team, New Stamps!

Hello, Hello!

I am back!  And with good news to boot!  I am now a Design Team Member for Technique Junkies.  My crafty break did me so much good and now I am enjoying crafting and playing with new goodies.   I have been having so much fun with Technique Junkies stamps and of course, it is all about Christmas right now.
This clean Christmas card was made with a background stamp~

I used a couple of different techniques to turn this Layered Swirls background image into the main focal point.

I started by stamping the image in Memento Desert Sand on Neenah Solar White paper.  Then, using Copics, I took a stab at no line coloring and colored in lots of the leafy scrolls.  The red berries were added in.
Second, I sponged red ink on the background for a little more color than the Desert Sand.  The sentiment, which is from the Gifts of Christmas set, was stamped in black ink, using my MISTI for perfect placement. 
I used a MFT stitched basics edge die for the curve on the image panel.  The card seemed like it needing something else, so I added texture via a dry embossed background panel.  Gold twine finishes it off!
Stop by next week to see how I use this stamp in a completely different way!

I am linking up to the Fab n Funky card challenge- Christmas

Want to buy yourself a Christmas present?  Use 

code TJ10LeeAnn for 10% off your order! 

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Lee Ann  :)

Mini Bittersweet

Hello again,

Yep, I was on a roll with both Power Poppy images and fall themes/colors.  I think bittersweet is one of the most beautiful fall florals.  I used the berry image from the Peony Muse Stamp Set and stamped it multiple times to make a wreath. 

Now I know these berries really aren't bittersweet, but honestly, colored up like this, who can tell? 
I heat embossed on vellum the hello sentiment from the Loving Tulips Stamp Set and then fussy cut it out.  I am linking up to the Power and Spark Challenge on the Power Poppy blog, which is to make a mini card. 
Please excuse the poor quality picture; it is a dreary day here in St Louis and trying to get a decent photo was next to impossible. 
Thanks for popping in! 

Lee Ann

Making It Mini

Hello All and Happy Sunday! 

I played with some new stamp sets from Power Poppy; I joined in their Power and Spark monthly challenge; this month the challenge is to Make it Mini and Mighty- make a card less than 4". 
This card started out monochromatic using the Copic E40s.  I felt like the different flower groupings needed some distinction though, so I added small amounts of pastel color over the neutral E40s~

 I really like how it turned out- subdued but lots of contrast.  The image is from the stamp set, Pure Prairie Spirit.  I love the look of a large image stamped off the edges of the card. 
The flower centers are shinyed up with Wink of Stella and I added clear seed beads to the large flower center for a bit of dimension. 
For those who read that I was doing my first ever 5K, well, I did it!  I have the medal to prove it, LOL!  And a picture~

Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed week!

Lee Ann

Hues to Use with Power Poppy

Hello, Hello!

Yes, I have been MIA.  Crafting has taken a back seat lately.  Work, redecorating my house, and training for a 5K have been taking up my time.  However, when asked to guest design for Power Poppy's Hues to Use challenge, I could not say no!

Marcella's floral images are brilliant.  And maybe it is just me, but I think they have a bit of a vintage feel to them; as if you just picked a bouquet from grandma's garden.  Yes, they are stunning.

This week's Hues to Use are~

What an easy color combo for flowers; the dilemma was not finding an image to use, but figuring out what NOT to use!

I settled on these gorgeous peonies~

The Peony Muse Stamp Set is not only gorgeous, but versatile, as you can build your bouquet any way you like.  I did a lot of masking here to create this bouquet.   The floral portion of the card is single layer.  I added a vellum sentiment strip.

As I said, the color combo is such a good one, it was a question of what not to use.  I ended up making a Christmas card with the same color combo using the Cozy Cupfuls Stamp Set. 

My process for this card was a little more complicated.  I started with water color paper and using my MISTI, I masked off the cup and stamped the tree in Mowed Lawn distress ink.  I then used a paint brush and water to move the color around on the branches.  Once that was dry, I restamped the tree with Mowed Lawn ink. 
Once the green ink was dry, I outlined the Christmas ornaments with a black Micron pen.  Then I masked off the tree and stamped the cup with Memento ink.  The cup was colored with Copics.  I finished off the image adding Crystal Effects to the ornament in the saucer.
 

That's it for me; wish me luck on the 5k; it is my first one!
Thanks so much for stopping by!  Hope you can join the Hues to Use Challenge!

Lee Ann 

Vintage Power Poppy

Hello and Happy Monday! 

I am a bit blue today as summer is officially over- it is back to work I go. Are the kids back to school where you are?  Well, I may be blue today, but I was red last week, working with this floral image from Power Poppy!
I have played a lot with my new stamps from Power Poppy.  This set is not a new set, although it is new to me.  It has been calling my name for a long time, I think because it is very nostalgic.  You see, my mother planted geraniums every summer when I was growing up.  Actually, I think she still does, LOL!  These images bring back memories of childhood. 

This image is from the Geraniums Take Two stamp set.  It is colored with Copics.  I used a Zig Zag Stitched Rectangle die from SugarPea Designs for the ecru panel. 

Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed week! 

Lee Ann  :)

Power Poppy and Some Sweet Colors

Back again, and if you checked out my previous post, you will see how similar these two cards are.  And yet they look so different!
The image layout is identical, with the exception of an additional leaf in this card.  I added the leaf to balance the floral spray as I did not fussy cut along the floral edge on this card.

The color combo on this card, which I love, is from Power Poppy's blog and their Hues to Use Challenge.  These colors came from an adorable picture of Marcella's new puppy.  

Stamp Set used is Power Poppy's Peony Muse.  The image is colored with Copics.

I am also linking this up to Happy Little Stampers August CAS challenge, which is 'flowers'.  

Thanks for stopping by!  

Lee Ann

Finally, Back to Blogging

Hi Everyone!

My computer has been out for repair and that means no blogging for a while.  How I missed it!  We are so dependent on technology.  Personally, I hate that we have become so attached to it.
Anyway, back to blogging!  I have made several cards over the last week, many of which were for challenges that have since ended.  But this one is for the current Fusion challenge- love the sketch!

Here is the sketch~

 I just received my Power Poppy order and could not wait to stamp up this set.  I have another one, almost identical.  I used my MISTI for image placement.  I figured I may as well do two cards since the MISTI makes it so easy to stamp using masking.  On this card, to incorporate the sketch, I fussy cut along my floral edge.
I amd also linking up to the Power Poppy blog and their monthly challenge.  This month we are to combine two different sets.  I used Pure Prairie Spirit for the sentiment and  Peony Muse for the flowers.
Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed week!

Lee Ann

A Little Inspiration with the Challenge

Hello and Happy August! 

School is just around the corner; I hope everyone is enjoying their remaining lazy days of summer! 
Today's challenge at The Challenge is an inspiration photo.  I picked up on the colors in this photo.

Here is your inspiration~

There are lots of ways to interpret this photo; it is very busy! 
I used SugarPea Designs Banner dies, Zig Zag Stitched Rectangles dies, and Celebrate All Things Stamp Set.  The Balloon die is from Lawn Fawn. 
Check out the rest of the amazing inspiration from the team HERE and then link up your card! 
Thanks for stopping by,

Lee Ann 

Monochromatic for The Challenge

Good Morning!

So here we are, with our last challenge of JULY!  

Goodness, where is the summer going?!?!  I have spent some time back at work and I can tell you beyond a shadow of a doubt, I did not like it, LOL!  

July has been a great month, full of fun, including this week's word challenge!

Here are your words- use one or as many as you want.

I used 'simple', 'monochromatic' and 'circle.  

This image remains one of my favorite Christmas images; it is from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps.  

It is this precious set, Born this Day.  

I used the sketch at The Paper Players.  I am also linking up to Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge, Anything Goes.

You can check out the rest of the amazing inspiration from the team HERE and then link up your card to The Challenge!
Thanks for stopping by!

Lee Ann 

A Unity Blog Hop

Hi Everyone!

I have the pleasure of joining several Growing in Unity Girls for a Unity blog hop! 

 I love Unity Stamps; it was hard to pick a stamp to use as I love them all! I went with a 'sweet' fruit image from the June Kit of the month. 

When I received the June Kit of the Month, I new exactly what I wanted to do with this image.  It is perfect for creating a background, which is so trendy right now.
I stamped the image multiple times, turning the stamp each time, to cover the cardstock.  Images are colored with Copics.

 I used the inlaid die cut technique for the 'Happy' part of my sentiment and heat embossed the remainder of the sentiment in white on black cs.  A nest of gold thread and my favorite sequins finish off the card.

Are you ready to hop?  Remember, leaving a comment on each blog enters you for a chance to win one of two Unity prize packs!

Your next stop is Belinda! 

Your Hop List~

Unity

Anna Natalia
Shannon Horc
Suzanne Shaft
Heather Bolli
Linda Pekrul
Lynda Lindley
Lee Ann Barrett
Belinda Beshirs
Suzi Baker McKenzie
Monica Edwards
Alyson Kerr Esposito

I am linking up to Addicted to Stamps- Anything Goes

and Just Us Girls~

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Enjoy the Hop!  

Lee Ann  

Feeling Blue with Today's Challenge!

Hi Everyone!

I have been away from the craft desk for a while, as I went on another trip out to Colorado.  What a beautiful place Rocky Mountain National Park is!  Pics below, if interested, but you are here for the new challenge!
The challenge at The Challenge this week is all about your color choice- black and white plus one color!

Goodness, it seems I never can have enough sympathy cards.  Seems that is all I make these days.
I went CAS with this card, using a small floral image from Power Poppy's Countryside Bouquet Stamp Set.  I stamped the image several times, colored and then fussy cut them out.
For texture and depth, I used white embossing paste and a stencil to create a background for my flowers. Once dry, I adhered my flowers and the sentiment strip.  My favorite sequins finish it off.
Thanks so much for stopping by!

Stop by the blog for all of the other design team members' amazing inspiration and then JOIN us! 

I am linking up to Curtain Call Challenge as I was inspired by the colors in this weeks pic~

And, as mentioned above, a few pictures from my trip-

Thanks for visiting!  Have a blessed week!

Lee Ann  :)

Gorgeous inspiration from The Challenge!

Hi Everyone! 

I am off exploring the mountains again, but the challenges continue at The Challenge!  This week's inspiration is just stunning! 

As this image practically screamed to use florals,  decided to use my brand new Honey Bee Stamps, Country Blooms Stamp Set and Happy Everything for the sentiment~

This is actually a mixed media piece; I used a chicken wire stencil (or honey comb, whichever you want to call it) for the background and colored in the negative space with a white Prismacolor pencil.  The pencil resists the watercoloring that I did next.  I like the almost bokeh effect that I got.
Check out all of he amazing inspiration- just gorgeous stuff- over at The Challenge. 

Thanks for stopping by!  Hope to see you in the gallery!

Lee Ann  :)

New Bella and Challenges

Hi Everyone!

I played in the Stamping Bella Challenge this week as I was totally drawn to the inspiration photo.  And, I had a NBUS image that was just calling for me to color!

Isn't this a gorgeous photo???

I used the newest sketch from Fusion Challenge~

I am also linking up to Seize the Birthday- 'Anything Goes'-

And Time Out Challenges- 'Celebrations'.

The background, is not really what I was going for, but my gesso and Colorbursts were not working with me!
Thanks for stopping by!

Lee Ann  :)

The Challenge with a New Option!

Hi All!

Welcome back; we have a new style of challenge for you this week at The Challenge!  I like the versatility of it.  Let me know what you think!

Here is your challenge~

Pick one or pick as many key words as you would like!  It is up to you!

I just got this new stamp set from Altenew and of course had to ink it up.  Love, love, love this set!  I colored the leaves and smaller bunches with Copics. The two large blooms are stamped with Altenew inks.  As I was playing around with the arrangement and looking at the key words,the word 'square' jumped out at me.  I decided it might be fun to use a vellum square as a window and embellishment for my bouquet.  So flowers, bright and square.  There you have it!
Hope you can join us!  check out the rest of the amazing work from the rest of the team and then link up your project HERE!
I am linking up to The Flower Challenge~

As well as Sunday Stamps Challenge~

And Addicted to Stamps- 'Make your Mark'. 

Thanks so much for stopping by and have a blessed week!

Lee Ann :)