Nordic Tree

Hello All!

Nordic art. Folk art.  I love it.  Not sure why as I do not have a nordic bone in my body, lol.  Anyway, I just had to have this Spellbinders die, Nordic Tree.  It is part of the Spellbinders moving sale, and gang, the sale ends TODAY!  So hop on over to check out the amazing bargains.  Did I mention that the Nordic Tree die is $3.00?!?!?!?!

Typically, I hate making sets- the repetition and all.  But these were so fast and easy!  I die cut them out, colored them with Copics and then die cut another white panel and adhered down, using the inlaid die cut technique.
I did very traditional colors (all blue), traditional colors (red, blue and yellow) and whatever I wanted (pink, lol). Which is your favorite?  The all blue is mine (looks better irl).
These were superfun to do and that is coming from someone who is a minimalist when it comes to using dies, lol!
I am linking up to the Anything Goes Challenge at Die Cutting Divas.
 
Hope you like them!  Thanks for stopping by!

Lee Ann  

Freshly Made Sketches #399!

Hello Hello!

Welcome to Wednesday and the 399th sketch at Freshly Made Sketches!

Yep, 399!  And the team has something cooked up for sketch 400, so stay tuned! 

I am not sure where this past week went, but I lost track of time and everything else.
This is the second card I did for the sketch as the first one was 'insert bad word here'.  However,
I realized when I was done that I did not quite get the sketch right, [sigh].  So forgive my
deviation from the sketch.

Here is your sketch~

This sketch is from Jen B.  My goodness, she knows how to make a cas card!
I went with a rectangle instead of square, but what I did not realize was that there was a specific placement for the sentiment.  Oops!
I used an image from Impression Obsession that I already had colored and sitting on my desk.  I love when that happens.  :)  The image is by the talented Dina Kowal and is the Happy Trails clear stamp set.  I also used the Mushroom stamp from Dina.  The sentiment is from The Skinny sentiment set.
I sponged peacock feathers distress ink onto some Bristol cardstock and then spattered it with water to distress.  My squares were die cut using  Spellbinders Square Nestabilities Dies.
I fussy cut the image out; it had been colored with Copics.
The image panel is framed with a scalloped die cut from MFT.

Check out all of the wonderful inspiration from the team that always inspires.  Then link up your version!  Can't wait to see your creations in the gallery!
Lee Ann  

Breakfast Fun

Hello All!

Happy Sunday to you!  I have a quick share today using this adorable stamp and die set. 

I have been eyeing this adorable Spellbinders set- The Breakfast Club, Game, Set, Match- for quite some time.  I just had to scoop it up because, guys, get this - I got it for $5.00!!!!!
I couldn't believe it either!  You should see the other goodies I picked up for cheap- I am talking $1.00, $2.00, $5.00.  I was super excited, even though I was supposed to be on a spending freeze, lol! 
So Spellbinders is having a huge moving sale and you can still get these fantastic deals right
HERE.  If I needed a die cutting machine, oh my goodness, they have a Grand Caliber for $69.50!
Anywho, I colored by bacon, egg and toast with Copics (and added a tiny bit of ink sponging to the toast). The yolk is coated with Glossy Accents.

 I used the sketch from CASE This Sketch~  

That's it for me!  Hope you are having a fantastic weekend! 

Lee Ann  :)

Sweet n Sassy Stamps Christrmas in July Hop Meets Freshly Made Sketches!

Hello Everyone!

Today not only means new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches, but it is also time for the Sweet n Sassy Stamps Christmas in July Blog Hop!

There is lots of inspiration along the way; leave a message on each blog post as there will be a drawing from all the comments along the hop to win a $50 gift code to the Sweet n Sassy Stamps shop!

I used the new Freshly Made Sketch, #398  for my CAS card.   

Choosing a Christmas stamp set was simple.  This set, Born This Day, is probably my most favorite Christmas set of all time.  I stamped the manger scene in Memento Tuxedo Black ink and then colored it with Copics.  The image was them fussy cut out.  The background was done on watercolor paper; I swooshed (technical term!) some yellow gold Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolors onto the background and let it dry.
The Christmas star and the sentiment were stamped in Versamark ink and embossed in gold embossing powder.  I die cut the panel and adhered it to a kraft cardbase.

In addition to the hop and a chance to win a $50 gift code to the SNSS shop, from today through July 31, all Christmas and Winter stamp sets are 25% off!  

Check out the rest of the inspiration from the Blog Hop Team; don't forget to leave your comments along the way for a chance to win!  Deadline to comment is 11:59 ET July 31.

Sweet 'n Sassy Blog
Julee Tilman
Bev Gerard
Ceal Pritchett
Dina Kowal
Gayle Bond
Giovana Smith
Jane Bosi
Jeanne Streiff
Julie Cassell
Lee Ann Barrett
Lyn Tomlin
Monika Davis
Sheri Gilson
Stephanie Serrano

Check out the Freshly Made Sketches inspiration as well, and then join us with this great sketch from Cecile!   I just love her CAS and whimsical style!  

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the hop!  

Lee Ann 

Fishing you Well

Hello! 

We have started a new week already!  Where has the summer gone??  I am enjoying summer way to much to see it nearing the end, lol. 
CASE this Sketch had me dreaming of the beach as I put together this card with their sketch~

This was one of those serendipitous cards; you know, playing around just to be playing around and then using an already colored and fussy cut image to create a card. 
I was playing around with the Primitive Fish stencil from A Colorful Life Designs, along with Distress inks in Salty Ocean, Mermaid Lagoon, Blueprint Sketch, Faded Jeans and Old Paper.  My sequence was to lay down color, then place the stencil and add more color; remove stencil and splash water.  Then repeat varying the colors above.  I really love how this background turned out.  Turns out it paired perfectly with this Sweet n Sassy Stamps fish from the Fintastic Friends Stamp Set. 
I used this great sketch from CASE This Sketch~

Sometimes the best creations come with the least amount of effort! 
I am also linking up to Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge- Make your own Background. 

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful week!

Lee Ann 

Creative Worship

Hello All!

We are heading into the weekend and I am going to  be having another wild Friday night- at home crafting, lol!
I have started Bible Art Journaling or Creative Worship as it is also called.  I have been wanting to start this for a long time but had every excuse in the book not to.  Which makes the page I did today very significant.

I listened to a powerful sermon the other week about resistance- that which keeps us from all that God has for us.  Most of the resistance comes from within, as illustrated in Exodus 3 when God reveals Himself to Moses in the burning bush.  God told Moses what he had planned for the nation of Isreal through Moses.  Moses, being just as I would have been in that scenario, came up with excuses 5 times before resigning himself to following God.
Moses felt he was not good enough, worried that God's plan would not work, didn't think he was eloquent enough in speech and flat out asked to not go.
I ask myself how many times I do this?
Why me?
I'm not good at that.
I don't have time.
I'm afraid to speak in front of people.
I don't know anything about it.
I'm not doing it, God.
I'd rather be doing something else.
God let Moses know in no uncertain terms that He had everything under control.  He let him know that He is 'I Am'.
I need to trust who God says I am. 
I am who I Am says I am.
Throw out all of those lies in your head that are on repeat and believe who God says YOU are!

I used both Kuretake Gansai Tambi watercolors and Lyra Aquacolor Crayons to make my flames.  As this page was already illustrated with Exodus 3:14, I used Liquitex  gesso to white out the verse reference and added the words 'says I am' along the side of the page.  The word 'says' was done with the Script Alphas from Sweet n Sassy Stamps.

That's it for me.  If you have made it this far, thank you!  I know this is not my typical post.

Have a blessed weekend!

Lee Ann

Freshly Made Sketches and Sea Shells

Hi Everyone!
Wednesday has rolled around again and that means a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches!

Initially, Kim's sketch scared the heck out of me, lol.

  But once I settled on these sea shells from Sweet n Sassy Stamp's By the Sea Stamp Set, the rest fell into place.  Other shells that I have in my stamp collection I have found to be either to big or too small, but these are the perfect size.  The sentiment is from the Scripty Thoughts Stamp Set.
My background was painted with Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolors and splatter with black watercolor paint from the same set, once the strips were dry.
I used the beautiful, rich colors from Sunday Stamps Challenge.

Please excuse the lighting.  We have had gray days and my pooch broke one of my good lights.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Head over to the blog to check out the rest of the team's
 inspiration.

Lee Ann

Peonies

Hello Everyone!

Hope you had a lovely weekend! Today I am sharing a gorgeous floral image from Sweet n Sassy Stamps.  This image comes from  the Peony Cluster Stamp Set.

I was inspired by Color Throwdown's color challenge this past week~

I was also inspired by Cupcake Inspirations - Shades of Pink.

And are you familiar with the Petals for the Pittman's Fundraiser and Linky Party? Two stamp sets have been designed by multiple industry stamp companies and are being sold to benefit a fellow stamper and her family who are experiencing a host of huge medical problems.  Unfortunately, being technically clueless, I do not do digis, because these are amazing sets!  You can still link up to the fundraiser/party.  And, there are prizes involved, also from multiple industry companies.  So hop on over to check out the party and help out a fellow stamper! 
I stamped the image in the corner of my cs and colored it with Copic markers.  Once colored, I outlined the leaves with a metallic gold pen.  I used my white Gelly Roll Pen to dot the flower centers after going over the stamens with a Micron pen.  The sentiment was stamped using my MISTI.  It is from the Scripty Thoughts stamp set.
I cut my panel down and backed it with a black strip of cs and narrow strips of white and gold patterned paper that I found at Tuesday Morning. :)
I am also linking up to Watercooler Wednesday for their All About Occasions Challenge.


Thanks for visiting and have a blessed week!

Lee Ann 

Blue

Hello!

I have a short post as it is Saturday and everyone is busy!  I just had to play in the challenge at Impression Obsession.  This week the challenge is Things that Fly.

I knew I had to use this comical stamp  Blue Footed, by Dina Kowal.  I have always been facinated with this birds and dream of a trip to the Galapagos Islands.  He is colored with Ken Oliver Colorbursts, which are currently 40% off at Blitsy!!  I added in a bit of a background for him and then added the What's Up sentiment.  I die cut the panel with an old stitched die.  That's pretty much it!

I am also linking up to The Paper Craft Crew for their Designer's Choice Challenge this week.

That's it for me!  Have a blessed weekend!

Lee Ann 

Simple Stamping

Hello and Happy Friday Everyone!

I wanted to play in a couple of challenges which include the colors red, white and blue.  Gina K's Monthly Mix Challenge is 'Flag It'- use the colors in a flag.  I went with the US flag.  The Mod Squad Challenge is to use red, white and blue.

I was inspired by the sketch at Cas(e) This Sketch~

I stamped the jar from Gina K's You Make Me Happy Stamp Set; then, using my MISTI, I stamped the flower from the Wreath Builder Bundle several times in WPlus9's Gala Red ink.  To give my bouquet depth, I added a few more flowers, first stamping off one time and then stamping  a faded bloom to the bouquet.  The MISTI allowed me to get perfect placement of the flower, even after stamping off.
I added a table line with a Micron pen.  Copics were used to color the table top and the jar of water.
I also used a Micron pen to add stems and to loosely outline the flower petals.  I used a white Gelly Roll pen to add white flower centers.  The sentiment, from a Gina K set that I cannot find on the website (it might have been a JunkieFest exclusive), was heat embossed in black ep.
Once I have an image done, I am afraid to do anything with it.  This time I took the plunge and die cut it with the Square Peek a Boo die  from MFT.  The square die cut was adhered to the card base while the negative die cut was popped up on dimensionals then adhered to the card front.  A few sequins were added.
I am also linking up to Addicted to Stamps and More Challenge- CAS.

Thats it for me!  Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed weekend!

Lee Ann 

Nautilus

Hello, Hello!

Back with another summertime/tropical card using a new Technique Junkies background stamp, Texture Nautilus.

I used the emboss resist technique, heat embossing in white and then adding color with Ken Oliver Colorbursts (which are 40% off right now at Blitsy.com) .

I am linking up to Watercooler Wednesday-this week's challenge is 'All About Occasions'.
I am also linking up to Double D Challenges where I was inspired by the gradient colors in the sunset and the pineapple. 

And lastly, to Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge- Life on the Ocean Waves.


Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed week!

Lee Ann 

Freshly Made Sketches Gets Fishy

Hello Everyone! 

We have a new sketch up at Freshly Made Sketches, this one designed by the talented and oh so sweet, Linda! 

Isn't he the cutest?!  This little puffer is from the new Sweet n Sassy Stamps set, Fin-tastic Friends. 
He is colored with Copics and fussy cut out.  The background is the Wavy Weave Stencil from A Colorful Life Designs.  I used Distress inks on the stenciled background. 

Here is your sketch~

You may be wondering where my border is.  It is a bit difficult to see due to lighting, but I scored around by image panel.  A simple hello and sequins for bubbles finishes it off! 

Check out all of the inspiration on the FMS blog and then join us!  Can't wait to see what you create!

Thanks for stopping by!

Lee Ann 

Keep Swimming

Hello! 

'Tis the season for all things beach and ocean themed.  I have inked up my new Just Keep Swimming Stamp from Technique Junkies.  Can you hear the sound track?  The whole time making this card I thought of Finding Nemo, of course.  And these fish remind me of the large ugly ones at the end of the movie, lol!

I love how comedic they are!  My fish were watercolored with Ken Oliver Colorbursts on mixed media paper. SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT- If you were considering getting Colorbursts, they are 40% off at Blitsy right now!  Actually, everything is 40% off right now!  

I then fussy cut the fish out.  

 As far as the background goes, I used the Wavy Weave Stencil from A Colorful Life Designs.  I inked up the stencil itself with some Distress Oxide inks and then spritzed it with water.  I flipped the wet stencil onto my watercolor paper to get this effect.  I sponged a little bit of ink at the bottom of the card to give the sea a bit more depth.  

Once the background was complete, I stamped the image with my MISTI so I could stamp it a couple of times as I was stamping onto fairly rough watercolor paper.   Then I glued the fussy cut, colored fish onto the stamped fish on the card.  I drew in some bubbles and used Crystal Effects on the fish eyes and on the bubbles.  Everything was spritzed with some Irridescent Shimmering Bliss Topper from Technique Junkies. 

So the question is, is that a net behind the fish, or is it the sun reflecting in the water? 

I'll let you decide!  

Lastly, you can save 10% at Technique Junkies should you decide to shop there!  

Just use Code TJ10LeeAnn.  

Thanks so much for stopping by!  You are appreciated!

Lee Ann  

By the Sea

Hello!

Happy 4th of July weekend!  I know a lot of people are traveling now, many to the beach.
I used a new Sweet 'n Sassy Stamp set, By the Sea for this card.

I have been watching a lot of watercoloring videos, trying to improve my technique.  I also got a couple of new brushes which has made a big difference.
On this particular card, I used Ken Oliver Colorbursts to watercolor the scene.  I also used it for the 'splattery' background.  The sentiment is from the same set.  I just love the font on it. I die cut a frame around the image panel and popped the scalloped frame up on dimensional adhesive.
I was inspired by the sketch at Tuesday Morning Sketches~

I am also linking up to Crafty Friends where the challenge is 'Things Beginning with 'B'. (Beach, Blue)
Lastly, I am linking up to Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge, Make your Own Background.  


And don't forget, this month's The Rainbow Card Challenge  color is BLUE!  Hope you can join us for or monochromatic challenge! 

Thank you so much for stopping by!  Your visits and comments are so appreciated!

Lee Ann 

Freshly Made Sketches and Florals

Hello Hello!
Well, here we are in the month of July, ready to celebrate the birth of our nation (if you live in the states).  Where did June go, lol?!?
We have a new sketch for you at Freshly Made Sketches; Jen is starting us off this month
with a great sketch, one that I know I will return to again and again.  

I was completely lacking in MOJO, so I actually dug out some images that I had previously watercolored with my Arteza Brush Pens. Arteza has a sale going on right now-20% off- so if you were thinking about checking them out, you might want to head over there.

 These Altenew images from the Crown Bloom Stamp set worked perfectly for this sketch.
I sponged the background with Lawn Fawn Merman ink and a A Colorful Life Designs stencil, Currents.
Next, I die cut a large circle and then a circle frame, slightly smaller that the first.  Everything was adhered to the card front with dimensional tape being used for the flower and leaf.
Lastly, 'love' was die cut 3 times and stacked on each other (Altenew brand).  It was adhered to the front of the card with dimensional tape as well.
I am linking up to Watercooler Wednesday's Feminine Anything Goes Challenge,
As well as Inkspirational's challenge-

And The Paper Players tic tac toe- flower/yellow/die cut

Check out the blog for more inspiration.  These ladies always inspire me.

Thanks for stopping!

Lee Ann 

Fish You Were Here!

Hello All! 

I have the pleasure of guest designing for Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps again this month. 
I took a class by Sandy Allnock and was itching to try out some techniques taught and
the latest release from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps was perfect for them!

After practicing some of the techniques, I stamped my coral, puffer fish (is he not the cutest!?) and the mermaid from the Fin-tastic Stamp Set on the cardstock.  Next, I started on my background and worked from back to front.  Lastly, I colored in the images; I added texture to the coral with my
0 blender pen, but it is hard to see here.  Everything was colored with Copics. 

I am linking up to Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge- Make Your Own Background. 
I am also linking up to Addicted to Stamps and More- Make Your Mark.

Thanks for stopping in! 

Lee Ann 

Technique Junkies New Release and a New Challenge with The Rainbow Card Challenge!

Hello! 

 Technique Junkies is Celebrating the new July Release!  

As with every Techique Junkies release, you can save 15% on all

new stamps through July 8th.  And, you can save an additional 

10% on  everything in the store ( except clearance) with code TJ10LeeAnn.  

Let's check out the new release!  

This is my favorite of the release, Sailing Panel.  Using my MISTI, I inked up areas with 

different colors of ink.  I colored in the boat with a Copic marker.  

Next, I used a my Currents stencil from A Colorful Life Designs and various different

Distress Inks in blues alongside the stamped image.

To give the card some dimension, I added a drop shadow using a grey Copic along the right side 

of the Sailing Panel.  Lastly, I added a banner, using the new Smooth Sailing

sentiment stamp.
I am linking Smooth Sailing up to Simon Says Stamp Wednesday
Challenge, 'Anything Goes'.  
 
Next up is the fabulous new background stamp, Ropes.  I decided to go the easy 

route and simply heat emboss it onto navy cardstock.  

Please excuse this photo.  It either was looking like black cs or over-exposed navy blue.

Anywho, as you can see I embossed the background in white.  I then stamped the Vintage

Lighthouse stamp in navy and fussy cut it out.  I made a frame using Spellbinders

A2 Matting Basics A Card Creator Dies and adhered the lighthouse to the inside of the 

frame; then popped up the frame on the card front.  

I finished it off with a the Aged to Perfection sentiment stamped on  a strip of cs.  
I am linking up to Watercooler Wednesday- All About Occasions (Birthday).

As it is the first of the month, it is also time for a new challenge at The 

Rainbow Card Challenge!  Can you guess what the color is this month??

We hope you play along with your monochromatic blue card!  

Now, how about some more Technique Junkies inspiration! 

Technique Junkies Blog 

Beth Norman-Roberts 

Ceal Pritchett 

Giovana Smith 

Holly Brown 

Janelle Stollfus 

Janine Tinklenberg 

Jeanne Streiff

Jessie Banks 

Judy Jackson 

Kia Gibson-Clapper

You are HERE--Lee Ann Barrett 

Lynda Pleckan 

Pat Huntoon 

Ro Donner