Thanks for the Inspiration!

Hello Everyone!


This card is dedicated to a friend who has been a great inspiration to me~Lesley Croghan. 

It is time for a new sketch at Seize the Sketch, and sadly our last sketch~

Cathy's sketch is really out of the box and made me think!

I was inspired by the gorgeous color palette at Color Throwdown this week~

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge has an "Anything Goes" Challenge this week and I am linking up there as well. 
I finally broke out one of my 3 jars of embossing paste for this challenge.  I purchased a new Prima stencil and decided to try it, taking advantage of the two squares in the sketch- I immediately saw black/white/mirror image.  I stenciled the image in white on Basic Gray, then added a couple of drops of Basic Gray reinker to some white embossing paste and embossed on white cs, flipping the stencil for a mirror image.  I used some of my hoarded stash of Nature Gmund Savanna cardstock with the gorgeous wood grain embossing. 
I added butterflies made with the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Majestic Monarchs and matching dies. 
The sentiment is from Altenew's Label Love set and is embossed in gold on vellum.

You can check out all of the Design Team's amazing inspiration on the Seize the Sketch Blog.  

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

Lee Ann  :)

Getting Silly with Seize the Sketch!

Hi Everyone!

It is time for a new sketch at Seize the Sketch.  This week, Katie has a sketch for us that is wide open to interpretation.

I just had to have this new Art Impressions Stamp Set-  What a hoot!  I colored it with my mom and dad in mind.  :)
As you can see I turned the sketch 180 degrees and used clouds for the star embellie.
The image was colored with Copics, fussy cut out, and popped up on dimensionals for depth.  I found this great piece of dp that looked like sky, and for the life of me I cannot remember the company.  The cloud dies used are from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps- Happy Happy Dies and Cloud  and Raindrops Die Set.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Check out all of the fabulous inspiration by the rest of the Design Team on the Seize the Sketch blog.  If you are hopping along to all of the Design Team members' blogs, Lesley is next up! 

Have a blessed week!

Lee Ann  :)

A New Sketch Meets a New Baby!

Good Morning All!

It is that time again; where are the weeks going??  I am a bit shocked that summer is almost over.  So here we are, with another new sketch at Seize the Sketch.  This sketch is brought to us by the talented Mona Pendleton.
My interpretation~

The sketch~

I decided to get outside my comfort zone with this card and try the collage style. The sweet bear is actually from a Valentine's set from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps, Valentine Critters.  I think this cute bear doubles perfectly for a baby card. She is colored with Copics and fussy cut out.  I had some packaged die cuts that I had bought for the express purpose of trying out collage style cards with lots of layers and the rose image grabbed me.  To that I added a black striped journaling box die cut and some cheese cloth.  I framed all of the elements with a 'polaroid style' frame cut from dp.  The back panel is glossy white cs, mimicking the shine of photo paper.
I used the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Delightfully Delicate Background Stamp for the panel on the bottom of the card.  From glossy white cs I cut a scallop edge using Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Scallop Borders dies.
I also added a couple of leaves to the collage, mimicking the leaves that are a part of the rose image.  From white cs, I die cut 2 leaves using the Thankful Blooms Die Set.  I used various shades of blue and green Copics to color the leaves and tucked them in behind the circular rose die.  My seam binding bow finishes off the card.
 There is lots more A-mazing inspiration on the Seize the Sketch blog.  Hop on over an check it out, then why not play along!   If you are hopping along to check out all of the DT inspiration, the next blog to be inspired by is Lori Turner.
Thanks so much for stopping by;  have a blessed week!

Lee Ann  :)

Supplies Used-
Stamps- Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Valentine Critters, Delightfully Delicate Background Stamp
Paper- SU Blushing Bride, Basic Black, Glossy White, Naturals White; Neenah Solar White, dp
Ink-Memento Tuxedo Black, Blushing Bride
Other- Copics, Seam binding, Kaisercraft ticket die cut, Glitz Designs Rose Die Cut, cheese cloth, Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Thankful Blooms Die Set and Scallop Border Dies, sequins, SU button

Seize the Sketch Gets Ducky!

Hello Everyone!
  It is time again for a new sketch from Seize the Sketch.  Vicki brings us this week's versatile sketch which you can dress up or dress down.

 I had lots of fun with this sketch and used a stamp set that I just had to have and have had for quite some time, but one which has barely seen ink!  As you can see, I dressed the sketch up, adding layers, including a doily. 

I also turned the sketch and added some banners.  The stamp set is Papertrey Ink's On the Farm set.  I stamped my duck in different shades of yellow and fussy cut them out, layering the images for depth.  The background was stamped with the checkerboard image; I stamped off once to give my background a more rustic look.  I love the sentiment that accompanies this image; it is perfect for a friend who is recovering from foot surgery; it is sure to bring a smile to her face!

I am entering in the challenge at Shopping Our Stash, in which the challenge is Wooden Ships- I have used Wood Veneer on my card.  
If you are checking out all of the inspiration from the team, Lesley is next, here! 
If you have not been to the blog yet, head here to get all of the inspiration from the amazing Design Team!  I hope you can play along with us!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  You are so appreciated!

Have a blessed week!

Lee Ann  :)

Supplies Used-
Stamps -Papertrey Ink On the Farm
Paper- Neenah Solar White, SU Naturals Ivory, Soft Suede, So Saffron, Flourishes White
Ink- So Saffron, Crushed Curry, Daffodil Delight, Real Red, Soft Suede
Other- SU paper doiley, MFT Fish Tail Flag Stax Die-Namics, SU button, SU wood veneer element, SU linen thread, SU baker's twine

A Sketch Just For Fun

Hello Everyone!

I hope you are having a wonderful July 4th weekend!  I am enjoying mine visiting a friend in Indianapolis.  We had a great time riding Segways today! 
I am sneaking in a fun card a made using this week's sketch from Seize the Sketch and some Stampin' Up Stamps. 

This is a lot different than my first card for this sketch, with these comical giraffes peeking out over the sentiment! 
I masked the top portion of the image panel and then stamped the giraffe legs a couple of times.  Then I masked the bottom of the image panel and stamped the giraffe heads, giving me some tangled up giraffes with extra long necks! 

You still have time to join us this week with this sketch- come on over and join the fun!

Have a blessed 4th of July weekend!

Lee Ann  :)

Supplies used- SUO
Stamps- Hardwood background, Zoo Babies, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Curly Cute
Paper- Whisper White, dsp
Ink- Crushed Curry, Smokey Slate, Bermuda Bay
Other-Oval Framelits, Pool Party baker's twine, wood accents, edgelit, vintage pin, button , Apothecary Framelits, fine tipped black marker

Golden Anniversary in a Sketch

Hi Everyone!
Happy Tuesday to you all!  Today is a new sketch day at Seize the Sketch.

I hope you can join us this week as we share our creations, using this sketch, by me!~

I was inspired by this photo at Fusion Card Challenge (isn't it a beauty?!)~

I started by heat embossing my butterfly on vellum with gold ep and die cutting it out.  I made my die-cut trellis oval using a Spellbinders lattice die.  I rimmed the oval with gold just as the plates are in the inspiration photo. 
I used an Add A Little Dazzle Craft Metal Sheet for my foliage die cut, which is actually cut using the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps tree branch die from the Love Birds Die Set.  3 white flowers with tiny yellow gold bling centers embellish the foliage.
I finished off my card with a sentiment stamped and die cut out with another Spellbinders die.

There is so much more amazing inspiration on the Seize the Sketch blog; why not check it out and then play along with us!

A peek at our summer vacation~

 Zion

Have a Blessed Day!

Lee Ann  :)

Supplies Used-
Stamps- Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps- Majestic Monarchs, Love Birds (sentiment)
Paper- Neenah Solar White, vellum, SU Brushed Gold, Whisper White
Ink- Versamark, Early Espresso
Other- Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Love Birds Dies and Majestic Monarch Dies, Spellbinders Resplendent Rectangles, Grand Ovals and Basic Lattice Dies, Add A Little Dazzle Metal Craft Sheet, bling, dimensionals

Another Sketch, Lots of Possibilities!

Hi Everyone!

Just a short post today, sharing with you the newest sketch from Seize the Sketch, this one from Lori.  I was initially intimidated, but this is really a fun sketch and full of possibilities!  Hope you can play along!

I was trying to clean up my work area when I made this card and determined that I was going to use scraps that were laying on my desk.  It took me a while to settle on something- I ended up going with a Christmas card and used the 2 die cut and heat embossed sprigs of holly, stamped and die cut ornament, embossed Crumb Cake panel of cs and piece of vellum.  I consider that a successful use of scraps!  :)
There is lots more amazing inspiration from the Design Team on the blog.  Come on over and check it out!


Hope you are having a fabulous summer!

Lee Ann  :)

Supplies used-
Stamps- Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Christmas Silhouettes and Christmas Joy; SU Ornament Keepsakes
Paper- SU Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Whisper White, Naturals Ivory, dsp and vellum
Ink- Versamark, Lucky Limeade
Other- Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Christmas Silhouettes dies, SU Ornament Keepsakes dies, silver and Early Espresso ep, MFT Circle Stax Die-Namics, SU Argyle ef, dimensionals, silver cording

Sunshine and Seize the Sketch

Hello Again!

It is time for a new sketch from Seize the Sketch~

Lori brings to us this simple and versatile sketch~

My Simon Says Stamp Sunshine die was the perfect size for this tilted rectangle and was the perfect base for my Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Happy Happy sun and clouds.  This card makes me happy happy!
Check out the rest of the amazing Design Team inspiration on the Seize the Sketch blog.  Hope you can play along with us!

Lee Ann  :)

Supplies used~
Stamps- Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Happy Happy 
Paper- Neenah Solar White cs from CutCardStock , SU Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black, retired dsp
Ink-Versafine black
Other- Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Happy Happy Die Set, Hemptique twine, dimensionals, Simon Says Stamp Sunshine die

Howdy! Time for a New Seize the Sketch!

Howdy Everyone!

It is time for a new Sketch from Seize the Sketch; this one is from Lesley! It is also time for another Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Feature Friday Blog Hop and Challenge!
 I have always been a fan of the 'ol West, and with the ol' West, stars come to mind, so it seemed natural to use the latest stamp set, You're a Star, and matching Sweet 'n Sassy Star Dies for a western themed card.

 I stayed true to the shapes, but you can use whatever shapes you desire, as long as the sketch is still recognizable. 

The Details~

• Includes 5 images & 17 sentiments
• Large star measures approximately 1 7/8" x 2"
• Designed by Korin Sutherland
• Coordinates with Star Dies
• Stamp Set Priced at $15

I pulled out an old SU color, Buckaroo Blue, to stamp my large star.  I paired it with Crumb Cake cs and some old Cosmo Cricket and Echo Park dp.  The pierced oval reminds me of an big 'ol belt buckle and the pewter embossed stars of heel spurs.

Our Sweet 'n Sassy challenge to you this week is to make a Congrats card.

The first 11 cards in the hop were created for your inspiration by the design team.  As you hop along, leave a little love behind, then create your own Congratulations card and use the linky tool to add it to the gallery!

Just a few guidelines to remember as you play:

           

- You don't have to use a Sweet 'n Sassy image to enter (although we sure love when you do!)
 - You'll have until Thursday, May 22nd at midnight EST to enter
- We'll draw 1 winner from this week's challenge to receive a $10 credit to Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps!
- Please use code SNSFFC12 when uploading to Splitcoaststampers or other galleries 

Share a link to your creation below.

Thanks for joining us today!  Be sure to check back again on Friday, May 23rd to see if you won and to check out the next Friday Feature & Challenge!

Thanks so much for stopping by; there is lots more sketch inspiration from the uber talented Design Team on the Seize the Sketch blog and FABULOUS Sweet 'n Sassy inspiration from the links below.   

Lee Ann  :)

Seize the Sketch and Heartfelt Creations Alum Blog Hop

Hello All!

Here it is, the end of April already.  It is time for a new sketch from Seize the Sketch.  It also means it is time for another Heartfelt Creations Alumni Bog Hop!  If you are following along, you should have arrived here from Glenda Brooks' blog.  If not, you may want to start at the beginning, at Giovana Smith's blog.
 You have until Friday, May 2, 2014 at Midnight (EST) to hop along and comment for a chance to win.  The more blog hop participant's blogs you comment on, the greater your chances of winning!
Today I am sharing a Missing You card I made using this week's great sketch from Seize the Sketch brought to us by Jessi.

I replaced the banners in the sketch with a fussy cut, pewter embossed, ornate border image from the All Seasons Gazebo Set.  Yet again I have used the trendy emboss on vellum technique for the ornate border image and the sentiment. I had a terrible time trying to photograph the embossed sentiment, so please pardon my photo. 
The image is from the Summer Season Set and is colored with Copics. 
When making this card, I imagined the sender to be reminiscing about days gone by.  The image of laundry on the line certainly takes me back to my childhood. I sure wish clothes lines would make a comeback!  They remind me of simpler times. And I loved the smell of sheets that dried on the line! 

Here is your Alumni Blog Hop list; enjoy the hop!

Giovana Smith
Vicki Dutcher
Emilia van den Heuvel
Amarilys Doria
Cibele Glazer
Glenda Brooks 
Lee Ann Barrett 
Candy Slabaugh
Mary Faus
Alissa Wells
Lisa Allen

For more sketch inspiration from the a-mazing Seize the Sketch team, you can check out the blog here.   

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

Lee Ann  :)

Supplies Used-
Stamps- Heartfelt Creations All Seasons Gazebo, Summer Season, Classic Message Set (sentiment)
Paper- SU Early Espresso,Flourishes white cs, Heartfelt Creations Daphne Paper Collection 
Ink- Memento Tuxedo Black, Versamark
Other- pewter embossing powder, seam binding, Spellbinder Oval Dies, Copics

Seizing a New Sketch!

Hello Everyone!

There is a brand new sketch from Jessica over on the Seize the Sketch Blog today. It is a super versatile sketch and will jump start anyone's MOJO! 

I used this great retro image from Pink Persimmon and added some of my favorite MME dp along with a muslin strip, MME embellishments, and my all time fave twine- no card is complete without Hemptique twine! 
Feel free to change up the shapes, just I have here, changing the oval to a rectangle and a star to a bow; just as long as the sketch is recognizable.  I hope you can join us!
Check out all of the other wonderful inspiration from the Design Team on the Seize the Sketch Blog. 

I am entering this in the Craft Hoarders Anonymous Challenge, to use a stamp and at 613 Avenue Create- Anything Goes.

Have a blessed day!

Lee Ann  :)

A New Sketch from Seize the Sketch!

Good Morning Everyone! 

It feels so good to say it is April 1st!  Not because is it April Fool's of course, but because the very word, April, sounds like spring!
 I used a springy new, soon-to-be-released  Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps set for my card for this week's Seize the Sketch sketch-

Here is your sketch~

As you can see, I took a few liberties with the sketch because, well, because I never seem to be able to follow the rules! 
This stamp set is so stinkin' cute- I just love the nest, which I stamped and colored twice, cutting out the second one and popping it up on dimensionals.  All of the images have matching dies, but of course, when I was making this card, I did not think I had them or lost them or just plain wasn't sure if I indeed had them or not-so I fussy cut out the tree branch and nest.  I tucked a few strands of burlap in between the two nests for a bit of texture. I embellished my fab Hemptique bow with a paper button that I made with my new PTI dies.  There is a clear heart shaped SU button on top of them, but it is hard to see in the pic. 
There is so much great inspiration on the Seize the Sketch Blog; stop by to see what the ladies have made for you!  Hope you can play along with us!

Thanks so much for stopping by and have a blessed April!  ;)

Lee Ann 

Supplies Used-
Stamps-Sneak peek of a soon to be released Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps set
Paper- Flourishes white cs, SU Early Espresso, Pumpkin Pie, Crumb Cake; dp ancient and unknown!
Ink-Memento Tuxedo Black
Other- Copics, Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps matching dies, PTI Button Stacks Die, Hemptique twine, SU clear heart button, dimensionals, SU polka dot ef, SU vintage brads, SU oval framelits, Tim Holtz woodgrain ef

Yeah! I LOVE Seize the Sketch!

Hello Everyone!

I am so excited to announce that today is my first official post as a Design Team Member for the awesome sketch challenge site, Seize the Sketch! 
And what a great sketch to start off with~

I have to admit, I tend to be one to shy away from trends, but I am really loving the vellum and gold embossing trend of late.    I used my brand new Die~Namites Die, Spring Blossoms, vellum and gold ep, to create an airy and SPRINGY card; spring cannot come fast enough!

I cut my branch from white cs and colored it with Copics.  I cut it again two times from green cs and added the leaves to the branches, doubling them up for a fuller effect.  I then die cut two more branches out in pink.  The first (bottom) layer of pink flowers were colored a shade darker with a Copic marker.  The second layer of flowers were shaded around the flower centers with a Copic.  Liquid Pearls was used for the flower centers.  I free hand cut a cloud shape and used it to sponge in a sky on a square of white cs.  I framed the sky with a vellum window.
I added a banner, button, ribbon and leaves (cut from the Love Arrangement Die) to the right hand corner.  I think this Love Arrangement Die is fast becoming my favorite as I use leaves from it on almost every one of my cards! 
There is plenty more AMAZING  inspiration from the Design Team on the blog.  I hope you can join us!  You have two weeks to link up your card with us!

Have a Blessed week!

Lee Ann  :)

Supplies Used-
Stamps-Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Flower Block 3
Paper-SU Vellum, Designer Series Paper (retired), Old Olive, Blushing Bride, Whisper White, Flourishes white cs, Pebbles Inc. dp
Ink-Versamark, Pool Party
Other-Copics, Spellbinders Square Nestabilities, Die~Namites Love Arrangement Die, Die~Namites Spring Blossoms Die, Liquid Pearls, button, square punch, dimensionals, Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Scallop Borders Die