King of the Road

** 10/9/13 Winner at Rhedd and Rosie's Challenge Blog! **
** 10/6/13 Winner at Bombshell Stamps Blog! **

I've been in the scrap room playing with my new Bombshell stamp sets! Woo-hoo! I can honestly say I've had some inky fingers and that's definitely not a bad thing! ;) This card is one I created specifically to enter into a few challenges! I love me some sketch challenges and just don't seem to play with them often enough. C'mon, what are you waiting for?! There are still a couple more days, so come play!

Here's the Bombshell Stamps September sketch....

And here's my version...

I modified the sketch a bit, as I definitely felt like this street rod needed some square corners!

I used a piece of bright yellow cardstock that's been kicking around in the scrap bin for a couple years now, so I felt pretty good about that. The vintage dark gray and yellow gingham papers are from fairly new 6x6 paper packs.

And here's a peek at the inside. Love that V8 symbol! ;)

I'd love to enter a few challenges with this girl:

• Bombshell Stamps Blog September Sketch Challenge
• Five Simple Things: Inspire Me Fridays 122 - Anything Goes!
• Sister Act Card Challenge: Challenge #26
• Rhedd and Rosie's Challenge Blog: Something for the Men....26th Challenge
• Ooh La La Creations Challenges: Magnificent Men
• Party Time Tuesday's Challenge Blog: PTT#139 Challenge - Anything Goes

Recipe:

• GKD Pure Luxury ivory and dark gray cardstock; yellow cardstock from stash
• Vintage dark gray paper from My Mind's Eye Nostalgia 6x6 designer paper pad; vintage yellow gingham paper from Crate Paper Pretty Party  6x6 pad
• Bombshell Stamps King of the Road Stamp set
• StazOn Jet Black ink
• Copics: Y06/17, C1/3/5
• Queen & Co. Rox Marble Magic gemstones

Thanks so much for stopping by today - we'll see you next time! ;)

Hugs,

Leslie

Birthday Fishes!

It's time for a new Inky Impressions challenge! This week it's IIC #127 - Sports and Hobbies! Come play with us! The winner will receive $10 to spend in the Inky Impressions online store!

For my DT inspiration project, I used the absolutely adorable "Christopher Fishing" stamp! He's just so stinkin' cute! Before I get to my card, I have to tell you that if you've never used an Inky Impressions stamp, you need to check them out because you're in for a real treat! They are deeply etched red rubber mounted on EZ Mount, and come on a laminated card for storage. And this little guy just happens to be on sale! ;)

It's been a while since I've created a window card, so I thought it was time!

I matted green crinkle paper on light blue cardstock, and then used the light blue cardstock to create a scalloped circle die cut frame for the window.

The inside is the colored image matted on the light blue cardstock.

I'd love to enter this cute little window card into the following challenges:

• Fussy and Fancy Friday Challenge: Challenge 98 - Punches and Dies
• Sister Act  Card Challenge: Challenge #25 
• Oldie But A Goodie Challenge: Dies and Punches (I've had the fish brads at least 5 years!)
• Five Simple Things: Inspire Me Fridays #121 - Anything Goes! 
• Rhedd and Rosie's Challenge Blog: Something for the Men....16th Challenge
• The Crafter's Cafe Challenge Blog: Challenge #30 - Die Cuts/Punches
• Eclectic Ellapu: For A Boy

Recipe:

• GKD Pure Luxury White cardstock (card base); Crafter's Companion white cardstock (image); DCWV blue textured cardstock; The Paper Cut green crinkle paper
• Inky Impressions Christopher Fishing stamp
• Copics: E00/33/35/37, B00/91/95/ R20, C1/3/5, YG11/17, Y21
• Memento Tuxedo Black ink
• Sakura Stardust pen
• Spellbinders Classic Circles and Scalloped Circles dies
• Lil Inker Designs Stitched Sentiment Flag die
• Fish brads

I hope you're inspired to play in our Hobbies and Sports challenge! Thanks so much for stopping by today - we'll see you next time! ;)

Hugs,

Leslie

Bombshell Stamps September Blog Hop

Hi everyone! Welcome to the Bombshell Stamps September Blog Hop! The theme this month is Speed Demon: Masters of Transportation! Sit back and get comfy - you're in for a real treat and some uber awesome inspiration!

My Bombshell stamps were late getting here. Thanks to the good ole' US Snail Service, priority mail that should have taken 1-3 days took 7 days, so I'm (finally) here to update this post with my project! Yay! I really appreciate your patience, and to those of you who took the time to check back for my project, I thank you from the bottom of my Harley heart! :)

The hubster doesn't know it, but this is going to be his birthday card next year. I used one of the awesome stamps from the Harley Bikes stamp set, mounted on a chunk of rusty red textured cardstock matted on dark gray. I created a flame border with the very cool flame stamp from the Tattoo Backgrounds stamp set.

This bike's sparkly paint job was done with Copics and Stardust pen. I wish you could see the sparkle better in the photos! It looks pretty darn good! ;) And I had a blast adding the flames (from the flame stamp) on the gas tank!

This is a totally awesome sentiment - so awesome, in fact, that the hubster wants to put it on his 'Vette ('74 Stingray)... I'll keep you posted on that! ;)

I kept the inside blank except for a tiny Iron Cross in the lower left corner. The Iron Cross was originally displayed by bikers as a symbol of rebellion but in recent years has taken on a meaning of honor, strength, and standing up for what you believe. Very cool!

I'm honored to enter this card into the following challenges:

• Bearly Mine Challenges: Challenge #105 - Anything Goes
• Ooh La La Creations Challenges: Magnificent Men
• Rhedd and Rosie's Challenge Blog: Something For The Men....16th Challenge
• Simon Says Wednesday Challenge Blog: Anything Goes
• Party Time Tuesday's Challenge Blog: PTT#139 - Anything Goes
• Through The Craft Room Door: TTCRD Challenge September 24-30 - Anything Goes

Recipe:

• GKD Pure Luxury ivory and dark gray cardstock; DCWV rusty red textured cardstock
• My Mind's Eye Nostalgia 6x6 designer paper pad
• Bombshell Stamps Harley Bikes stamp set
• Bombshell Stamps Tattoo Backgrounds stamp set
• StazOn Jet Black ink
• Memento Tuxedo Black ink
• Copics: C1/3/5, R22/24/27, YR04, Y17, B000
• Sakura Stardust pen
• Spellbinders Long Classic Rectangles and Grommet Tags dies
• Dark gray flat-back pearls

Okay, here's the hop list - if you arrived here from Marnie, you're on the right track and your next stop is Alaine! If not, check out the Bombshell Blog where the hop starts!

Bombshell Blog (the hop starts here)
Alison
Kim
Glittery Katie
Monika
Marnie
Leslie (you're here)
Alaine
Susie
Kelli
Kathi

Hope you're having fun! Thanks so much for hopping by today - we'll see you next time!

Hugs,
Leslie

Howdy!

Howdy everyone! I'm back today to share with you a very cool fancy fold card that I created in a Western theme to enter into a few challenges! I used several stamps from the Bombshell Stamps Western Gal stamp set that I just love! I used the digital set but it's also available in rubber! Bombshell Stamps is the bomb - I haven't seen any of their stamps yet that I don't like! ;)

This is a tall accordion card and the fold is from the Technique Junkies "Fancy Folds and Motion" specialty CD. There are some pretty amazing folds on that CD that I really want to try... two down, 58 to go! Hahaha!

The card base is brown bag cardstock. The Western Gal graces the front panel, mounted on a die cut piece of faux leather. Isn't she just gorgeous?!

I paired some pretty floral paper with some blue denim paper, both matted on navy blue cardstock, and even created a lasso out of twine! I'm lovin' it! :)

The panel on the inside left is dry embossed and decorated with jute ribbon and a scallop border die cut with some tiny gemstones.

The signature space on the inside right holds the sentiment and a cowgirl boot.

I am entering this card into the following challenges

• Chocolate, Coffee and Cards: Challenge #48 - Anything Goes!
• Divas By Design: Anything goes
• Five Simple Things: Inspire Me Fridays 121 - Anything Goes!
• Challenges 4 Everybody: Challenge #29 - Anything Goes
• Sister Act Card Challenge: Challenge #25
• Created With Love Challenges: CWLC 58 - Anything Goes
• Fussy and Fancy Friday Challenge: Challenge 98 - Punches and Dies
• Oldie But A Goodie Challenge: Punches and Dies (the blue denim paper is some of the oldest paper in my stash... I've had it probably 5-6 years!)

Recipe:

• The Paper Cut Brown Bag cardstock; GKD navy blue and chocolate brown cardstock; Crafter's Companion white cardstock
• K & Co. Julianne floral designer paper; blue denim paper from stash
• Bombshell Stamps Western Gal digital stamp set
• Copics: E000/01/29/35/39, Y17, B00/93/95/97, RV25
• Sakura Stardust pen
• Spellbinders Labels Eighteen die
• Sweet N Sassy Small Scallop Border die
• Comotion Almost Leather
• Twine; light brown flat-back pearls; tiny clear gemstones

Stay tuned... I have some exciting news to share in about a week and a half! Thanks so much for stopping by today - we'll see you next time! ;)

Hugs,
Leslie

From this day forward

Hi there! Boy howdy, this month is flying by just as fast as the rest of the year has! Just amazing! It's time to share my DT inspiration project for Love To Scrap! Challenge Blog's Challenge #14 - Run For The Border! This challenge requires a stamped, punched or fancy-cut border! And we're being sponsored by The Paper Nest Dolls! Whoot-whoot! Come play with us!

The Paper Nest Dolls generously provided us with several images to play with, and I chose "Love Birds Toasting" for my white-on-white wedding card. There's also a little bit of fuschia and silver in addition to the colors in the image. I actually ended up re-working this card, making it a little larger, using a different embossing folder, creating a vertical sentiment and rounding a corner. I just wasn't "feeling" the original version... unfortunately this happens to all of us at times. My featured border is the Martha Stewart Footlights edge punch which I actually forgot I had and think is just gorgeous!

I wove some tiny paper rosebuds into a beautiful white heart applique and affixed a pink pearl.

I used Glossy Accents on the glass and paper-pieced the bow to give it a little dimension. :)

Finally, here's a peek at the inside. Front and inside sentiments are from Leave Memories, a company which (sadly) is no longer in business.

I'd love to enter this pretty card into the following challenges:

• Challenges 4 Everybody: Challenge #29 - Anything Goes
• Cute Card Thursday: Challenge 286 - Hip To Be Square
• Sister Act Card Challenge: Challenge #24
• Card Mania Challenges: CMC #29 - Favorite Color Combination (any shade of pink and white)

Recipe:

• GKD Pure Luxury white cardstock; DCWV fuschia shimmer cardstock; Silver mirror cardstock from stash
• The Paper Nest Dolls "Love Birds Toasting" digital image
• Copics: C1/3/5, BV11, RV25, R27, E00
• Leave Memories - front and inside sentiments
• Memento Tuxedo Black ink
• Spellbinders Classic Circles, Scalloped Circles and Lacey Circles dies
• Memory Box Forget Me Not Stem die
• Cuttlebug Floral Fantasy embossing folder
• Glossy Accents
• Martha Stewart Footlights edge punch
• Wild Orchid Crafts flowers and Venise applique heart
• Light pink and white flat-back pearls; tiny clear gemstones
• White floral ribbon

I hope this gives you some inspiration to create a project using a stamped, punched or fancy-cut border for our "Run For The Border!" challenge! Thanks so much for stopping by today - we'll see you next time!

Hugs,
Leslie

Inky Impressions September New Release & Blog Hop

** 9/21/13 Top 3 at My Time To Craft! **

OMG! I've been busting at the seams for over two weeks now to blab my great news! I've been invited to join the Inky Impressions DT as one of the newest Inkettes! Woo-hoo! I'm beyond excited! What better time to join this fabulous DT than for a new release! And a blog hop! :)

We are really excited at Inky Impressions to be releasing two super cute new digi stamps! We just know you're going to love them and we're giving you the chance to win both of them! All you have to do is join in our Inkettes blog hop - just visit all of the Inkettes and leave them a comment - it's that easy!  One random winner will be chosen on September 22nd and we will announce the winner on the Inky Impressions Challenge Blog! Good luck!

If you can't wait to find out if you're a winner, the new digis can be purchased at Inky Impressions Rubber Stamps! ;)

I used the absolutely adorable "Angelica Raking" for my Fall Splendor card! Isn't she just the cutest?!

I'd love to enter this card into the following challenges:

• My Time To Craft Challenge Blog: Challenge #234 - Autumnal Colors
• Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog: 89 - Autumn
• Chocolate, Coffee & Cards Challenges: Challenge #48 - Anything Goes!
• 613 Avenue Create: Challenge #37 - Anything Goes w/Optional Twist 'Happy Fall Y'all'
• Challenges 4 Everybody: Challenge #29 - Anything Goes
• Just For Fun Challenge Blog: Colors of Autumn
• Sister Act Card Challenges: Challenge #24

Recipe:

• GKD Pure Luxury white and tomato soup cardstock; orange sherbet and gold mirror cardstock from stash
• GKD Grateful Heart 6x6 paper pack
• Inky Impressions Angelica Raking digital image
• Copics: E000/35, YR09/14/15, Y06/21, R20/22/27, B91/95/97, G24, YG13
• Ranger Dried Marigold and Wild Honey distress ink
• Spellbinders Classic Circles and Scalloped Circles dies
• Sizzix 3-D Flowers die
• Wild Orchid Crafts leaves
• Large yellow and small caramel flat-back pearls
• La Prevenchere Fall quote

Okay, here's the hop list - if you arrived here from Kerry, you're headed in the right direction and your next stop should be Lisa H! If not, check out the Inky Impressions Challenge Blog where the hop starts!

Inky Impressions Challenge Blog (the hop starts here!)

Audrey

Doreen

Elisabete

Jenee

Jessie

Katie

Kerry

Leslie (you're now here!)

Lisa H

Tanya

Valou

Vicky

Inky Impressions Inspiration Blog (the hop ends here!)

Hope you're having fun! Thanks so much for hopping by today - we'll see you next time! ;)
Big hugs,
Leslie

Grateful Heart Note Card

** 9/20/13 Featured Artist at The Kraft Journal! **
** 9/10/13 Top 3 Challenge Winner at The Kraft Journal! **
** 9/7/13 Chat & Challenge Winner at StampTV! **

Okay, I got my other note card photographed this morning so I'm back to post it! I played in the scrap room yesterday and created a couple note cards with some of the new Gina K Designs stamps and paper. I'm just loving these bold autumn/fall colors with the kraft, brown and red cardstocks! OMG! I have a bit of "fall fever" anyway, and this card just did me in! ;)

Again, I chose clean and simple for my "Grateful Heart" thank you note card and followed a layout/sketch. I love sketches and just don't seem to play with them very often, so I'm indulging myself! I used primarily kraft cardstock layered on chocolate brown, with one piece of patterned paper also layered on the chocolate brown. I love vertical sentiments and created a two-layer banner with distressed edges for this one. I used two leaf stamps, one as the focal image on the front and the other on the inside, stamped in Memento Rich Cocoa ink. I even layered the gross grain ribbon on a piece of the chocolate brown cardstock. Just love this! ;)

Here's a peek at the inside... with plenty of room to write that "thank you" note!

I'd love to enter this note card into the following challenges:

• StampTV Chat & Challenge STV13CHAT4: Fantastic Fall!
• The Kraft Journal: Challenge 136 - Clean and Simple
• Loves Rubberstamps Challenge Blog: Challenge 68 - Anything Goes!
• The Corrosive Challenge Blog: Challenge 182 - All About Fall
• Totally Gorjuss: Challenge 200 - Anything Goes
• Addicted To Stamps and More: Anything Goes!
• Inky Impressions Challenge Blog: With Thanks
• Chocolate, Coffee & Cards Challenges: Challenge #47 - Layout (below)

Recipe:

• GKD Pure Luxury Ivory, Chocolate, Kraft and Tomato Soup cardstock
• GKD Grateful Heart 6x6 patterned paper
• GKD Grateful Heart stamp set (both leaves and sentiment)
• Memento Rich Cocoa ink
• Ranger Dried Marigold distress ink
• Ranger Walnut Stain distress ink
• GKD Tomato Soup (coordinate) gross grain ribbon
• Kool Tak clear foam squares

Thanks so much for stopping by today - we'll see you next time! ;)

Hugs,

Leslie

You're my favorite one in the bunch

What an awesome flowery sentiment for a girlfriend! I've been playing in the scrap room today while the hubster worked a little while this morning and then mowed the yard (four acres) when he got home. I reworked a card that I made a couple weeks ago that I just wasn't feeling (you'll see the new version very soon in an upcoming Love To Scrap! Challenge Blog challenge) and also created a couple note cards with some gorgeous new Gina K Designs stamps and papers which I'll post separately. Woo-hoo - I've been chomping at the bit for the last couple days to dig into this package of crafty goodness! :)

I kept this note card relatively clean and simple, using three beautiful floral stamps, ivory and green cardstock and some gorgeous patterned paper. Most of the time I gravitate toward lots of layers and embellishments, but in this case, I believe less is more! I just love how it turned out! I created the note cards today strictly to enter in a few challenges... they aren't DT inspiration projects! ;)

I'd love to enter this beautiful note card into the following challenges:

• StampTV STV13MON35: Mix It Up Monday - It's Getting Darker
• Addicted To Stamps and More: Anything Goes!
• Loves Rubberstamps Challenge Blog: Challenge 68 - Anything Goes
• Rhedd and Rosie's Challenge Blog: Something For The Ladies....14th Challenge
• Totally Gorjuss: Challenge 200 - Anything Goes
• Sister Act Card Challenge: Challenge #23

Recipe:

• GKD Pure Luxury Ivory and Fresh Asparagus cardstock
• GKD Grateful Heart 6x6 patterned paper
• GKD You're My Favorite stamp set (floral stamps and sentiment stamp)
• Memento Tuxedo Black ink
• GKD Fresh Asparagus double-stitched ribbon
• Copper brads
• Kool Tak clear foam squares

Thanks so much for stopping by today - we'll see you next time! ;)

Hugs,

Leslie

New Baby Girl Coaster Mini Album

** 9/9/13 Top 3 at Incy Wincy! **
** 9/4/13 Top 3 at 4 Crafty Chicks! **

Hi everyone! I'm back on this first Monday in September (can you believe it?!) with my DT inspiration project for the Love To Scrap! Challenge Blog's Challenge #13 - Anything Goes! Woo-hoo! I just love me some Anything Goes and I know you do, too! AND we're being sponsored this time by the awesome Lacy Sunshine Stamps! Come play with us! :)

I'm so stoked to show you the New Baby Girl mini album I created with coasters! Yep, you read it right - coasters! Square coasters! I absolutely LOVE making mini albums and haven't made one in a couple years, so it was definitely time! This one is 'baby chunky', ready for six photos of that new baby girl, and created in non-traditional baby colors of green and purple, which is one of my fav color combos! And look at that adorable Lacy Sunshine Stamps image on the front - Snow P. Pod Flower Pot! It just doesn't get any cuter than that!

I kept the dimension down to a minimum on all the pages so the album could "close" somewhat! ;) I'm proud to say that each page inside is decorated with scraps of green and purple cardstock and paper, as well as leftover borders and die cuts from other projects! Woo-hoo! It was fun digging through the scrap bins! ;)

I used quite a few embellishments from my treasured stash, along with some rubber stamping on a couple of the pages.

This is the second baby project I've posted in two days... I showed this one (and the other one) to my son and daughter-in-law when they were over yesterday and told them they need to get busy! Hehehe!

I used the Crop-A-Dile Big Bite to punch holes on the left side, attached all the pages with O-rings, and tied different pretty green and purple ribbon to the rings.

I would love to enter this precious little mini album into the following challenges:

• Incy Wincy Designs: Hey Baby
• Aud Sentiments: Challenge 88 - Any Sentiment (New Baby Girl circle sentiment is on the inside)
• Challenges 4 Everybody: Challenge #128 - Anything Goes
• Delightful Challenges: Make The Cut!
• Paper Crafting Journey: Anything Goes Challenge!
• Stampin For The Weekend: Colors of Summer
• 4 Crafty Chicks: 4CCC #157 - Crazy Egg Challenge {Squares}
• Five Simple Things: Inspire Me Fridays - Anything Goes!
• Country View Crafts: Challenge 7 - Layers

Recipe:

• Blockheads Paper Arts square coasters
• GKD Pure Luxury white cardstock; DCWV purple shimmer cardstock; Heartfelt Creations clear cardstock; other pieces of purple and green cardstock (various textures) from stash
• Paper scraps from the Recollections Bold Basics paper pad; handmade purple paper from stash
• Lacy Sunshine Stamps "Snow P. Pod Flower Pot" digital image
• Copics: V12/17, E00/51/33/35, YG11/17, BG000
• Sakura Stardust pen
• Lili of the Valley Circle Sentiment stamp
• Karber Flower Cluster stamp
• Memento Tuxedo Black ink
• Martha Stewart Eyelet edge punch
• Cheery Lynn Designs English Tea Party doily die
• Magnolia Doohickey Leaf die
• Sweet N Sassy Scallop Border and Lacey Eyelet Border dies
• Spellbinders Labels Eight, Lacey Squares, Classic Squares, Classic Circles, Big Scallop Circles, Scallop Rectangles and Scallop Ovals dies
• Purple MeiFlower bows
• Crocheted flower, "Miracle" washer and 3-D bunny sticker from stash
• KaiserCraft baby rub-ons
• White flat-back pearls; pink and clear gemstones
• Various kinds of green and purple ribbon

I hope you're inspired to create a project for our Anything Goes challenge! Thanks so much for stopping by today - we'll see you next time! ;)
Hugs,
Leslie

a blessing from above

** 9/5/13 Featured at Five Simple Things 

Inspire Me Fridays! **

I'm  back this evening to share with you an explosion card I created just to enter into a few challenges! I haven't been doing that very often lately... usually my creations are DT inspiration projects. I won a monthly technique challenge over at SweetStamps several weeks ago and the prize was a Technique Junkies specialty CD. There were a few CDs to chose from and I selected "Fancy Folds and Motion" - a pretty awesome choice if I say so myself! I want to make every one on the CD! Needless to say, this explosion card fold is one on the CD.

Despite it's complex look, this was super easy and loads of fun! I used a new GKD stamp duo that I got a few months back, paired with some coordinating blue and green papers from my new favorite Bold Basics paper pad. Now I can't wait give it to somebody having a little boy! I showed it to my son and daughter-in-law today when they were over... wink-wink... hint-hint! I told them they needed to get busy! Hehehe!

The stork is colored with Copics and paper pieced. There's lots of distressing - on the edges of the focal image, the outside edges and along each of the folds which you can't see very well in the photos.

I used a scallop border die cut on both outside edges and blinged it up around the focal image and both outside edges. I'm lovin' it! ;)

I'd love to enter this explosion card into the following challenges:

• Flourishes: Timeless Tuesday #235 - In Distress
• Sweet Stampin: Spots & Stripes
• Five Simple Things: Inspire Me Fridays 118 - Anything Goes!
• Challenges 4 Everybody: Challenge #28 - Anything Goes
• 4 Crafty Chicks: 4CCC #157 - Crazy Egg Challenge {Squares}
• Sister Act: Challenge #22 (Always Anything Goes)
• Inky Impressions Challenge: ICC #123 - Animals

Recipe:

• Technique Junkies "Fancy Folds and Motion" Specialty CD
• GKD Pure Luxury white cardstock; DCWV blue textured cardstock
• Dotted and striped/plaid papers from the Recollections Bold Basics paper pad
• GKD "a blessing from above" stamp duo
• Memento Tuxedo Black ink
• Copics: B91/93, E00, YR01, G14
• VersaMagic Oasis Green ink (used to distress all outside edges and folds)
• Spellbinders Classic Squares and Scalloped Squares dies
• Sweet N Sassy Scallop Border die
• Clear gemstones

Thanks so much for stopping by today - we'll see you next time! ;)

Hugs,

Leslie