Red Tulips

Hello Crafty Friends, 

I am making lots of cards- flower and more flowers.  My friend asked for thank you cards, so that is what is on the craft table.  

I used the sketch from Sketch Saturday.  

I took liberties with the diagonal strip and instead used a die cut with a diagonal edge at the bottom.  

I am also linking up to Can You Handle the Pressure and The Four Seasons Challenge- Spring.   

My image is an old Power Poppy image (thank you Marcella for a beauty) which is colored with Copics and fussy cut out. I used a MFT edge die along the bottom of the blue panel and then embossed the panel with an old SU ef.  The flowers were added to a banner and the sentiment, which is from The Ton, was stamped with Versaclair ink.  

I am not getting fancy with photography these days, so the picture is not the best.  Less time with camera= more time crafting! 

Thanks for stopping by. 

Lee Ann  

Azaleas for Mom

 Hello Friends! 

Now that Easter has come and gone, it is time to start working on Mother's Day cards.  I pulled out another oldie but goodie for this card- a gorgeous azalea set from Power Poppy.  

The image was colored with Copics and fussy cut out.  I had a white rectangle die cut sitting on my desk, so I used that along with a kraft card base.  I found the perfect piece of patterned paper and adhered that along the left-hand side of the card.  

I stamped a sentiment from a SnSS stamp set and then die cut it out with an old MFT banner die.  I think banners need to make a comeback!  I finished off the card with some SSS Moonshine sequins and added white details to the stamen with a white gel pen.  

I am linking up to The Paper Players Challenge~ I used patterned paper, sparkle and flowers.

The Four Seasons Challenge~  

And I used the sketch at Try Stamping on Tuesday~ 

Thanks for stopping by! 

Lee Ann  

Supplies used in today's project(s)

Copic Sketch Markers SSS | Blick	3M Scotch ATG Advanced Tape Glider SSS
Neenah Classic Crest 80# Ream Smooth Solar White Cardstock SSS	Simon Says Stamp Assorted Moonshine Sequins SSS
EK Success Cutter Bee Scissors SSS | scrpbk	Tonic Craft Guillotine Trimmer SSS
Memento Tuxedo Black Ink SSS | scrpbk	Gina K Connect Glue SSS | scrpbk
Versafine Claire Ink Nocturne SSS | scrpbk	MISTI SSS

A New FMS Sketch

Good Morning!

Jen Timko has a great CAS sketch for you this week!

Here is your sketch; isn't this a fun one!!

My inspiration came from the amazing and talented Marcella Hawley.  Marcella, besides being a fabulous artist, owner and illustrator at Powerpoppy, is also an avid gardener.  I had the pleasure of checking out her garden yesterday- which happens to be her entire yard- and her spring florals inspired this card.

I used the Natural Beauties Stamp Set from Power Poppy and colored up some daffodils like ones in her yard.  I ringed the flowers with a blue circle and backed them with a bit from a monoprint that I had made quite some time ago.  The sentiment strip was made using the Simon Says Stamp Tiny Words Stamp Set. I used some good old fashioned pearls to finish it off.

I am linking up to Retro Rubber Challenge, 'Anything Goes'.  The Natural Beauties Stamp Set  was released in 2017 and I have had it for about 2 years. 
I am also linking up to Sunday Stamps for their color challenge.
  
Check out what the rest of the team has for your inspiration over at Freshly Made Sketches, then join us! If you are interested, check out some pictures of Marcella's garden below!  Excuse the poor quality photos.

 See you in the gallery!

Orange is the new Monochromatic Color

Hello All and Happy February to you!

It is February 1st and that means it is time for a new challenge at The Rainbow Card Challenge.
This month, we are going ORANGE!  At first I thought this was going to be a bit tricky, but when I found the right stamp, easy peasy!

Your challenge this month~

This stamp was begging to see ink.  Is it not the most gorgeous image?!  It is a Power Poppy image and I am blessed to live near the owner/artist, Marcella Hawley.  She is an absolute gem and soooo incredibly talented.  If you have not checked out her store, do yourself a favor and head over to Power Poppy.
So, I decided to watercolor this image and use my Daniel Smith watercolors again.  Lesson learned- Tim Holtz watercolor cardstock is not the ideal paper to water color on. I have been trying different papers to see how paints react, or in some cases, don't react on them.  I really wanted to like this paper as it is such a pretty, bright white, but I really did not care for how the paint moved on it.  I ended up adding color and detail with my Prismacolor Pencils in the end.
I used  a gold gel pen to color some of the flower center and added a few sequins and some ribbon (yes, ribbon; haven't used that in ages!) to finish off the card.

I am linking up to Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge- 'Anything Goes'.

Also linking up to Paper Craft Crew Challenge- Tic Tac Toe- My stamp is new to me, I used a rectangle die to cut out the top panel, and I used grey tones on the stems and live to give the card a vintage look.

 
Check out the rest of the team's inspiration at The Rainbow Card Challenge and then link up your project in the gallery! 

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Happy February!

Lee Ann 

Bring on Fall

Hello, Hello!

I took the opportunity to play in a couple of challenges, using this gorgeous Power Poppy image.

I used this week's sketch from Freshly Made Sketches~

And am also playing in Time Out Challenges, which has this gorgeous inspiration photo~

As well as Simon Says Stamp's Wednesday Challenge, 'Bling it on'.

The background is stamped in a light warm gray color and then the same image was stamped with Memento ink, colored with Copics, and fussy cut out.

Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed weekend!

Lee Ann

Sympathy Peony

Hello All,

Well, I needed a sympathy card.  Truth be told I have several in my stash, but I needed the right one.  My heart was so heavy in making this card~

This card is for a young woman who, many years ago, babysat my son.  She married the man of her dreams; he passed away suddenly a week ago.  He was 37.  Thirty seven.  Thankfully, while she is obviously mourning, she has hope.  Hope that she will see him again as she is confident he is rejoicing in heaven with his Savior now.  He lived a joy-filled life knowing he was a child of God.
My card is green.  I am sure it seems a strange color for a peony, and for a sympathy card.  But there is significance to the color green.  Green is the color of renewal, of new life.  And if we put our faith in Jesus Christ we will have a new life with Him.  This young man's death has hit me hard.  Friends, we do not know what tomorrow holds.  If you have not put your trust in Jesus Christ, call on Him today to be your Savior.

OK, back to the card.  The stamp is a Power Poppy image-love, love, love this set.  It is colored with Copics.  I used a sketch from Hand Stamped Sentiments  ~

I am also linking up to Power Poppy's May Challenge, Black and White with a Pop of Color. 

Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed week!

Lee Ann

Power Poppy Tulips

Hello Everyone!

Are you a watercoloring fan?  I sure am; I really enjoy seeing so many brilliant watercolor projects out there.  When it comes to doing, though, I find it very difficult. I either ace it, or it looks like a kindergartener did it.  No inbetween.  Can you relate?
It was time to change that.  I purchased the Arteza Real Brush Pens- got them at a great price and much more cost effective than the Zigs- yes, I have been spending too much $ lately.  It was time to practice watercoloring.
So here is the first piece I did with the Artezas~

I have a loooong way to go, but I do like how this turned out.  I used the sketch at Fusion Card
Challenge and the colors are from PowerPoppy's Hues to Use- I am about a week late with Power Poppy, but it took forever to get good lighting to get a pic.  I am also linking up to this month's 'Anything Goes' challenge at Die Cut Divas. 

On a side note, I had the privilege to see this beauty of a piece of artwork and more of Marcella's when I took part in the St Louis Coloring Road Trip with Kathy Raccosin. Amazing stuff I tell ya!

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful Sunday!

Lee Ann  

Wildflower Bouquet

Happy Sunday Everyone! 
We are experiencing some warm weather here in St Louis and it is such a lovely reprieve from winter!  Been trying to get some of those 'outdoor' things done but had to squeeze in some time for coloring for Kathy Racoosin's coloring challenge, The Daily Marker 30 day. 

I used a gorgeous Power Poppy image for this card and colored it with Copics.  The card is pretty straight forward, so I will spare you the details.  :)
The sketch I used is Freshly Made Sketches~

Thanks for stopping in and have a wonderful week! 

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 

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