Prickly

Hello, Hello!

I am sneaking in card this week.  Boy, things have been busy around here and time is at a premium for all things crafting.
Today's card uses the new Prickly Stamp from Technique Junkies.

This is such a great cactus image, and a nice size, too.  I stamped it on watercolor paper and painted it with watercolors.  I die cut the panel with a circle die, mounted it on black paper and mounted it on the card base, which I added a card front die cut to.  Pretty simple!

I am linking up to Simon Says stamp Wednesday Challenge- Anything Goes
As well as The Color Throwdown~

I am also linking up to Addicted to Stamps and More- Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by and have a Fabulous Friday!

Lee Ann 

The Big 4-0-0!

Hello All! 

Today is an exciting day at Freshly Made Sketches as we are at the end of our month long celebration and at Sketch 400!  And along with Sketch 400, comes prizes from wonderful companies in the crafting community!   So without further ado, Sketch 400!

The sketch~

I was excited to do this sketch as I envisioned using the stamp from Sweet n Sassy Stamps for the card.  It came out just as I had planned.  Isn't it nice when that happens?!  The set is Singing Praises and is just spectacular.  The birds are gorgeous!  The set is currently FREE with the purchase of $75 from the Sweet n Sassy Store, but keep your eyes pealed as it may make a reappearance in September! 
The bird was colored with Copics.  I wanted a blue and brown color scheme; I found a blue panel on my desk that was a discard from a stamping with a stencil technique.  It was perfect.  I then used the Falling Leaves Background Stamp and added leaves to the top of the blue panel as well as the main white panel.  I used the gorgeous shade of blue, Caribbean Sky, from the Glacier Caves Cube Set. 
My square window and blue frame was die cut with the Spellbinders Nestabilities Classic Squares Dies. 
Lastly, the sentiment is from the Scripty Thoughts Stamp Set.  The bird and white panel are popped up on foam adhesive.  I finished it off with a few sequins from SSS. 

Now it is your turn!  Head over to the Freshly Made Sketches Blog for all of the details on this week's festivities and check out the rest of the team's inspiration- they always blow me away with their talent! 
Thanks for stopping by! 

Lee Ann! 

Shimmering

Hello!

Today is my first official post over on the Shimmerz Blog! Head there for details on how I made this card!

I really love how this turned out.  The sparkle in the background from the Lime Green Shimmerz Paint is amazing!  If you love shimmer, you canNOT beat Shimmerz Paints products.

I tried to capture it on camera, but you know how that goes.  It is so much more shimmery irl!

I paired the Lime Green Shimmerz with some Well Blue Me Down Coloringz.  I just love the names for some of their products, lol.   The Coloringz line does not have shimmer, and is a spray.  But where the two products blended together- shimmer!  So much fun to get messy with!

I also used Liquetex white gesso on the panel for texture and to add variation in the colors.  

And the flowers- they are from Sweet n Sassy Stamps stamp set, Mason Jar Bouquet.  I stamped 3 flowers and colored them with Copics, then fussy cut them out.  The sentiment is from the same set.  It was stamped in Versafine black ink.  I added white to the flower stamens with a Sakura Gelly Roll pen.

And friends, if you decide to shop at Shimmerz Paints, put my name (Lee Ann Barrett) in the comment section and you will receive a FREE gift with your order!

Thanks for stopping by! 

Lee Ann 

Rolling Green Hills

Hello Everyone!

Today's card is super easy and was inspired by a couple of challenges.

I used a couple of stamps from Technique Junkies.  The background is Abstract Waves.  It is one of my favorite background stamps as it can represent so many different things.  Here it is representing rolling hills going off into the distance.  The sheep is from the newest release and is called Miss Ewe.  I love this quirky sheep!  It makes a cute baby card too!
I was inspired by Pinspirational with their inspiration photo of mountains.  I don't have 'campy' stamps even though I love to camp so I put the next best thing on grassy, green hills- livestock, lol.

I used my MISTI to stamp the background as I could stamp it multiple times to get good ink coverage.
The sheep was stamped on Neenah Solar White cs, colored with Copics and fussy cut out.  Super easy!
I am also linking up to Sheepski Designs for the Animal Madness challenge.

Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed week!

Lee Ann 

Celebrating Freshly Made Sketches!

Hello Again! 

We are at week 3 of our month long celebration at Freshly Made Sketches!  We are looking back at another sketch~

Here is your sketch- number 300!

I am not a coffee drinker (please don't faint), so if I can find TEA I grab it!  This month Sweet n Sassy Stamps released an adorable tea set, Tea For Two. 
I started with a piece of watercolor paper and stamped one of the hearts from the set all over the panel with Versamark, then heat embossed it with white ep.  Next, I did a light pink wash using DS watercolors. 
I stamped those adorable tea bags in Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored them in with Copics.  I am so weird about trying to color everything life-like- I used Copics here to give the appearance of tea leaves in the bag.  I fussy cut the image out. 
I layered a couple of scrap pieces of patterned paper and then added my circle with sentiment.  The tea bags are adhered with dimensional adhesive. 
Now it's your turn!  Check out all of the fabulous inspiration from the rest of the team and then link up your interpretation of this sketch! 

Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed week!

Lee Ann 

Fall Robin

Hello All!

I am back with another bird card; I love bird images and the latest ones from Sweet n Sassy Stamps are fantastic. The set is Singing Praises and is FREE this month with a $75 purchase.   I decided to give no line coloring a go, allowing me to turn the bird into whatever species I wanted.

Obviously, I made this bird a robin.  I stamped him in Memento Desert Sand ink and colored him with Copics, using a photo for reference.
The sentiment is from the same set and is stamped in Versafine Black ink.

I used the color inspiration from Sunday Stamps~

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful week!

Lee Annn

Blue Hues

Hello All! 

School starts tomorrow so it is a busy afternoon and evening.
  Quick post to share a retirement card~

I used a Technique Junkies Stamp, Born to Fish, and paired it with the Retirement stamp. 
For the sky, I did some emboss resist using the Marble Swirl Background Stamp.  I think it gives the sky a bit of an ethereal look or even northern light 'ish'.
I sponged various blue distres inkes to the backgound and stamped the main image.  Perfect for a MAN! 
I am linking up to Watercooler Wednesday- All about Occasions, my occasion being retirement.  I will certainly be celebrating that! 
I am also linking up to Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge, Mid Summer Blues.

If you shop at Technique Junkies, be sure to use code TJ10LeeAnn for 10% off your entire purchase!  That includes the 3 stamp above that I used. 

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful back to school season!

Lee Ann 

Another Look Back with Freshly Made Sketches!

Hello All!

Welcome back to another look back with Freshly Made Sketches!  Today's sketch is 

sketch number 200.  

Here is your sketch!

I used this gorgeous new bird from Sweet n Sassy Stamps from the Singing Praises Clear Stamp Set.  This set happens to be the Stamp of the Month and is FREE with a purchase of $75.
The sentiment is from Lots of Spots. 
I stamped the image in Versafine Black ink using my MISTI so I could stamp multiple times to get a good image on the rough watercolor paper.   It is watercolored it with Daniel Smith Watercolors.  I noticed that some people swatch out the colors they use when painting, so I tried that; I can never do things the way one is supposed to though, lol.  I started using paint that was dried and already on my palette, lol, so I have no idea what green and yellows I used.  This is my pathetic attempt at trying to keep up with the big kids!  And because my DS paints are splits from Lydia Fiedler, my numbers mean nothing to you, lol.  the DS colors are actually Ultramarine Blue, Mayan Dark Blue, Piemontite Genuine, Transparent Red Oxide, and Quinacradone Coral.

I just love the birds in this set.  It was perfect for watercoloring and splatters. 
Check out what the rest of the team has for you; they ALWAYS inspire!  I am blessed to be a part of it. 
Thanks for stopping by and can't wait to see you in the gallery!

Lee Ann 

A Freshly Made Sketch and Celebration!

Hello All!

Welcome to our celebration of 400 sketches at  Freshly Made Sketches!

Wow!  Just Wow! Lesley Croghan started this challenge waaaay back (8 years back!). Did you know there are still 2 original DT members on the team?!   I have been playing on again off again since the beginning. 
I feel so blessed to 

now be designing for the team!  

This week's sketch is actually FMS's 1st AND 100th sketch!

I actually remember this sketch, and boy, those rectangles threw me off back then!  As you can see, I took some liberties with them this go around and actually painted them using some awesome Shimmerz Paints products.
The image is brand new from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps from the Tea for Two Clear Stamp Set.  I colored  the bunny and his critter friend with Copics.  I then fussy cut the image out.
My background was done on watercolor paper; I used new to me products- Shimmerz Paints Inklingz Bahama Mama and Colorz Spray Well Blue Me Down.  To keep the color somewhat contained, I used a A Colorful Life Marvelous Mask Rectangle when applying each background color.
My horizontal panel is on vellum.  I brushed on some Miner Miner 49er gold shimmery watercolor.
Once that was dry, I added a strip of Altenew Gold Trim Washi.
Some sequins finish it off! 
We hope you join us for the challenge, especially during this special month!  Stay tuned!  Lots more is planned!
Lee Ann

Crabby HI!

Hello, Hello!

Today's card is such a fun one, and it is for a special event at Splitcoaststampers!
My card making venture started out quite a few years ago now, with SU and the SCS website.  I got my 'big break' there, when I was a member of the Dirty Dozen.  Each year, current and past DD members host a special event of challenges to thank those who are members of the SCS Fan Club.
So, in honor of Splitcoaststampers, here is my card!

Challenge details can be found in the Dare to Get Dirty Forum.
I used one of my favorite critters, from the Sweet n Sassy Stamp Set, Mer-Mazing.  And as he seems to be waving 'Hi', I thought it would be fun to have the sentiment be 'Hi'!  To do this, I used the new School Days Clear Alpha Stamp Set. I left the stamps right on the acetate sheet and with some tape runner, adhered the entire sheet of letters to my MISTI door.  FYI, today is the LAST day to take 25% off of everything in the My Sweet Petunia store (MISTI) as they have been celebrating their 5th birthday.
I inked up the alphas with Versamark ink and stamped onto my Tim Holtz watercolor cardstock.  I heat embossed everything except the H and the I with clear embossing powder.  I inked up the  H and the I with Versafine Black ink and then heat embossed with clear ep.
Once everything was heat embossed and cool, I watercolored the background with Ken Oliver Colorbursts.  I seem to have be saying this a lot lately, lol!
Mr. Crab was stamped on Neenah Solar White cs and colored with Copics.  I fussy cut him out.  I made my square window with Spellbinders Square Nestabilities.
Lastly, I added Glossy Accents to the little guy's eyeballs!

I am also linking up to The Male Room, for their 'Surf's Up' Challenge!

I am also linking up to Just Add Ink for their Just Add 'C' Challenge- my 'C' being a crab.  :D

Lee Ann 

Desert Sky

Hello and happy Weekend!

I am playing along in a couple of challenges using this awesome silhouette stamp from Technique Junkies.

The stamp is aptly named Desert Landscape Border.  I lightly sketched in a sun and mountains; using Ken Oliver Colorbursts, I colored these areas in.  Dick Blick currently has some of the best prices, if not the best price, on these watercolors right now.   Lastly, I stamped the Desert Landscape Border image, doing a bit of masking to place the large saguaro cactus over the sun.  I was able to do this with my MISTI.  Everything at My Sweet Petunia (MISTI maker) is 25% off now through August 5th in celebration of their 5th birthday!
 I got to see these cacti irl a couple of years back and am looking forward to traveling to Arizona again to see these kinds of landscapes again.

I am linking up to Cupcake Inspiration Challenge~

Just Us Girls- Summer

And to Just Add Ink~  Just Add 'C'.  I hope it is obvious I am adding Cactus!

That's it for me!  Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful weekend!

Lee Ann 

August Rainbow Card Challenge

Hello All!
It's my second post of the day.  If you are looking for the Technique Junkies August Release Celebration, go HERE.
This month's The Rainbow Card Challenge color  is one I tend to avoid.  Not sure why as I absolutely love how the PURPLE colors turned out for this month's Rainbow Card Challenge~

Yep , the color this month for The Rainbow Card Challenge is purple!

I inked up a stamp from The Ton, which was waiting to see ink.  I stamped in Versamark and then heat embossed in the fabulous rose gold ep from The Ton. Then it was a matter of watercoloring; for that I used my go-to, Ken Oliver Colorburts.  I love working with these watercolors.  They are so concentrated- makes getting vibrant color easy!
Have you heard about for Petals for the Pittman's Fundraiser and Link Up? 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! 

Celebrating the August Technique Junkies Release

Hello and Welcome to August 1st and the New Release Celebration with Technique Junkies!

You are going to love this release!  There is something for everyone and right now you can get 

the entire release at 15% off through August 8th!  Want an even better deal?  You can get an extra 10% off your entire order (everything except clearance items) 

with code TJ10LeeAnn.  

This first card was just good ol' fun!  I got the idea to use a thought bubble around this hysterical
sentiment, because, lets face it- who hasn't thought this?!?!?! The sentiment is Internet Browser and I
paired it with Dreaming of Wings, just stamping the top of her head.  I added a colorful strip that I had made, using the Wavy Weave A Colorful Life Stencil and some Distress Oxide inks.
The next card uses the entire image of Dreaming with Wings.

This image is such a beauty!  Absolutely loved coloring her, giving her face and hair depth as well as depth to the simple dress.  I paired her with the sentiment from the Strong, Brave and Humble Stamp Set.  I wanted to keep the card a OLC, but needed to ground her or frame her.  To do this, I used the Marvelous Masks Rectangles to trace around for a perfect rectangle.
Lastly, I have a card using the adorable Miss Ewe stamp.

I just love this forlorn looking sheep!  I paired it with the awesome Abstract Waves Background Stamp, which fills in nicely for rolling green hills!  I stamped the background with my MISTI so I could be sure to get excellent ink coverage, as it allowed me to double stamp.

That's it for me!  I hope I have inspired you!  Don't forget, you can get

 10% off everything with code TJ10LeeAnn.  

Check out what the rest of the team has for you as we celebrate this new release! 

Technique Junkies Blog 

Beth Norman-Roberts 

Ceal Pritchett 

Giovana Smith 

Holly Brown 

Janine Tinklenberg 

Jeanne Streiff

Judy Jackson

Kia Gibson-Clapper 

You Are Here~Lee Ann Barrett

Lynda Pleckan 

Pat Huntoon 

Ro Donner 

Stephanie Severin