Happy New Year!

 Hello and Happy New Year to You!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!  Mine was very relaxing.  Now we are looking forward to some winter weather- finally!  

The new Spellbinder Club Kits are here!  As I am a sucker for Swedish folk art designs, the new Clear Stamp and Die of the Month for January is perfect for me!  

I opted to go with something a bit less traditional for this card, choosing red, blue and yellow hearts.  The images were stamped with Versamark Ink and then heat embossed with white embossing powder.  Using a white Prismacolor pencil, I colored portions if each of the images.  

Each heart was die cut out with the coordinating die.  The sentiments were also stamped with Versamark ink and heat embossed.  The sentiments were then die cut with the coordinating banner dies.  

I adhered a narrow strip of black and white striped paper to the lefthand side of the card front, then cut another panel, just a bit narrower than the card front.  I added a couple of layers of cs to the back of the panel to add dimension once the panel was adhered to the card front. 

The hearts were applied and the sentiment strips were popped up on dimensional tape.  A few black sequins finish off the card. 

I am thinking this card would be perfect for a teen or young adult.  What do you think?

I am linking up to Watercooler Wednesday Challenge- anything goes and 
Krafty Chicks Challenge, anything goes. 
Also linking up to a new-to-me challenge, Cardz 4 Galz- In with the New Year/New Stash

Thanks so much for stopping by.  Here's to 2022!

Lee Ann  

Supplies used in today's project(s)

3M Scotch ATG Advanced Tape Glider SSS	Neenah Classic Crest 80# Ream Smooth Solar White Cardstock SSS
Tonic Craft Guillotine Trimmer SSS	My Favorite Things Black and White Striped 6x6 Paper Pack SSS
Versamark Ink SSS | scrpbk	Embossing Buddy SSS
Brustus Monroe Alabaster White Fine Embossing Powder SSS	Prismacolor Pencils, 72 count Blick
Wagner Precision Heat Tool SSS	SB Clear Stamp and Die Club Kit Spellbinders

CAS Chick

 Hello and Happy Weekend!  

I have a super quick and CAS share this morning using the adorable, Hoppy Spring Stamp Set from Sweet n Sassy Stamps. 

The cute little chicks in this set are perfect for CAS cards.  This one is a OLC of kraft cs.  

The image was stamped using my MISTI with a white pigment ink initially and colored with Prismacolor Pencils.  I did not care for the look of the white pigment ink so I then over-stamped

 it with Versasfine Onyx Black Ink.  This was possible as I had kept the image in my MISTI 

so was able to go back and restamp.  The MISTI also allowed me to get perfect placement 

of the sentiment.  Don't you just love that font!?!  

To finish things off, I scored a border around the whole card front.  

I am linking up to a a couple of challenges.   

Just Us Girls

Addicted to CAS

Color Hues-Yellow and Blue

Have a wonderful Weekend, friends!

Lee Ann  

It's All About Hearts at Impression Obsession

 Hello Hello!  

The Impression Obsession team is sharing all things hearts for our theme day today.  There were so many stamps to choose from that picking out a stamp was tough!  I settled on this fun Heart Medallion Stamp.  It has a very Scandinavian look to it to me and I have always liked this look.  I started out very simple and added to each of the remaining two cards.  

Blue card~  Start with a blue card base and stamp a tone on tone pattern using the Cover a Card Small Dots Background Stamp.  The Heart Medallion image was stamped in blue ink and colored with a tone on tone Prismacolor pencil.  The panel was die cut with the rectangle in the Crazy Stitched Die Set.  

Yellow and Grey card~ I had to get the Pantone colors of the year in here!  The background panel is stamped with the Cover a Card Gingham Background Stamp in grey.  The Heart Medallion was stamped in yellow and colored tone on tone with Prismacolor Pencils.  This panel is popped up on foam tape.  

Red card ~The Heart Medallion is stamped in red ink and colored tone on tone with Prismacolor Pencils.  The panel is adhered to a black card base.  Next, stamp the Cover a Card Gingham Background stamp in red on white cs; die cut a Large Frame from the gingham stamped cs and adhere with foam tape to frame the heart medallion.  

Sequins were added to all cards.  The sentiment was stamped with sentiment stamps from the Gracefully Grateful Stamp Set; I used the MISTI to get complete coverage of all of the background stamps and perfect alignment of the sentiments.  

I am linking up to TGIF Challenges, 'Background Stamps'. 

Head to the blog to check out the rest of the 'heart inspiration' from the team!  

Thanks for stopping by, 

Lee Ann  

New Year, New Release from Impression Obsession!

Hello and Happy New Year!  

I am excited for a new year and excited to officially be a member of the Impression Obsession Stamps Design Team.  If you came from Laura Williams's blog, you are in the correct place.  If not, head over to the Impression Obsession Blog for the start of the hop.  

Each day ( Jan 1st and Jan 2nd), you will find a list of participants on the Impression Obsession Blog.  We will be giving away THREE Impression Obsession $25 gift certificates for the event- so, the more blogs you comment on during the release hop, the more chances you have to win!   You can comment until Jan 4th at 11:59pm, CT.  Winners will be announced Tuesday, Jan 5th on the Impression Obsession blog.  

Love is in the air with this release!  I fell in love with this gorgeous heart and floral~

The stamp, Floral Heart, H20902, was stamped with IO Black Ink onto Arches watercolor paper.  It was then painted with Ken Oliver Colorbursts.  I let the image dry well and then masked off the image and sponged white ink through a stencil on the watercolored background.  Once the ink was dry, I stamped the sentiment,  I Love You, C17308, in the IO Black Ink using my The Krafty Chicks Challenge, Anything Goes. as well as ModSquad Challenge Blog, Anything Goes.   

If you are looking for a great image for CAS design (and great for masculine Valentines cards), Triple Heart Love, G20903, is your perfect image.  

After stamping the image with IO Black Ink on kraft paper, I colored the hearts in with Prismacolor Pencils.  A few sequins later, and done! 

 PS-Prismacolors are at a great price right now- the 72 set is 63% off of list price! 

The new stamps are available NOW!  You can find them all HERE.  

Your next stop is Lynda Pleckan with some gorgeous inspiration for you!  

Thanks for stopping by!  Enjoy the hop! 

Lee Ann  

Teal Appreciation

Hello and Happy Monday!

Just a quick share today for a challenge over at Hero Arts.

The challenge is Stay Crafty with Hero and this week it is 'Essential Kindness'; in other words, make a card for an essential worker.  I thought something simple would be perfect for a grocery store worker.
I used the Hero Arts Antique Rose Stem image (I have the old wooden block image) and stamped it on kraft cs.  I colored the image in  with Prismacolor Pencils.  To add a bit of texture to the background, I sponged Hero Arts Unicorn ink through some drywall tape.  The sentiment is from Sweet n Sassy Stamps So Thankful Stamp set.
I am also linking up to Addicted to CAS Challenge which is 'flower' this week.

As well as Retro Rubber Challenge blog- spring flowers
Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed week!

Lee Ann 

Two from the Flock

Hello, Hello! 

Being home and getting caught up on some things is also bringing some of the MOJO back.  And I for one am thrilled about that! 
Today I have two cards to share using the adorable Sweet Little Lamb Set from Sweet n Sassy Stamps.  I am playing along in Darnell's fun and creative challenge, Twofer; this month the challenge is Spring Animals. 

I have created two cards, using the same stamps, with two different themes and two different layouts. 

For the first card, I started with a sketch for inspiration.  I used one of the 3 that Julee at MOJO Monday has up for a few weeks.  My two background panels started out as 1 piece of Bristol cs and was sponged with Distress Oxide Inks.  I used Bueprint Sketch, Broken China and Ripe Persimmon.  The panel was then cut in half and adhered to a kraft cs layer.  The sentiment was stamped in Versafine Onyx Black ink and heat embossed with clear ep. 
The lamb image was stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored with both Prismacolor Pencils (blue and orange areas) and Copics (face, hands, and feet).  I used the Prismas for some texture to the wool.  A Sakura White Gelly Roll Pen was used for highlights and a Studio Katia Crystal Clear Sequin was used for the flower center.  Wink of Stella was added to the blue wool.
I popped the lamb up with dimensional adhesive onto a stenciled panel.  a small grassy die cut and sprig of leaves was added to finish it off.
My colors came from Color Throwdown~

The second card uses the same lamb, colored with Copic markers~

The background was started by painting a large rainbow on Canson mixed media paper using my beloved Ken Oliver Color Bursts.  I then cut it out.  The background panel was done on watercolor paper and received a wash of turquoise and green Color Bursts.  
After determining my placement of things, I glued the rainbow onto the watercolored background and die cut a stitched rectangle panel from it.  The sentiment was then stamped in Versafine Onyx Black ink.
 I watercolored another panel of watercolor paper in green Color Bursts and then die cut 3 strips of 'grass' from them.  Everything was adhered to the card, adding some dimension to the lamb and top layer of grass by adding some scrap pieces of paper behind them. Wink of Stella was added to the Lamb's wool. 
A few of the Studio Katia Crystal Clear Sequins to the flower center and rainbow finish this off. 
Note- Just as I was finishing coloring and detailing the lamb, I messed up the face; the face was fussy cut out and a newly colored face was glued behind the image, which gives the face a lot of depth.

I am linking this card up to Inspirational.  

Also linking up to Festive Friday for their Unicorn Challenge~

Thanks for stopping by!  Hope you are enjoying your time with family while you stay home!

Lee Ann 

Sweet n Sassy Flowers

Hello Everyone! 

Happy Monday/Tuesday! 

I have a post on the Sweet n Sassy Blog today where I am taking a look at mixed media in the card world.  I also challenged myself to use things that were already on my desk, discarded from previous attempted projects.  This is one of my projects. 

I had a watercolored rose already to go.  The rose is from the Mason Jar Bouquet Stamp Set.  It is colored with Ken Oliver Color Bursts(surprised?  I bet not!). The floral branch background panel was also sitting on my desk.  It was colored with Prismacolor Pencils.  The only thing I did to it was color the leaves; only the blossoms had been colored originally. The branches are from the Birds and Blooms Stamp Set. 
I just received happy mail and wanted to try out my new Altenew Fine Frames Rectangle dies. 
The sentiment is from the Singing Praises Stamp Set. 
I used the sketch at Just Add Ink~

 I am also linking up to Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge~  'Frame It'.
And, I am linking up to Addicted to Stamps and More- Make Your Mark. 

I have two more Mixed Media projects on the Sweet n Sassy Blog; stop by to check them out!

Lee Ann 

Freshly Made Sketches #394

Hello and Welcome back to Wednesday and Freshly Made Sketches!  Today's sketch is
by the amazing Jen Timko. 

Here is your perfect, basic sketch with lots of room for making it your own. 

I used a couple of different Pinkfresh Studios stamps for this card.  Their challenge this month was to 'mix it up' so I mixed up two stamp sets- Lush Greenery and apparently a set that is not available because I cannot find it. :(
I stamped the foliage on Neenah Desert Storm cs and then masked it and stamped a sweet little flower cluster several times.  All images were colored with Prismacolor pencils.  I added a few sequins , keeping it simple to let the images shine.  And yes, I am aware of the fact that my flowers are not roses even though the sentiment references roses!  If you squint hard enough...

Check out the fabulous and diverse inspiration on the Freshly Made Sketches blog. 

Have a wonderful week and hope to see you in the gallery!

Lee Ann

Wednesday and a New Freshly Made Sketch!

Hello and Happy Wednesday!

This week's sketch from Freshly Made Sketches is from our super talented Kim!  She can make any sketch look like it was a breeze to put together.

I went with a lot more layers than I usually do, starting with a couple of images from Lesia Zgharda Design.  The fern is stamped in Memento black and colored with Prismacolors.  The flowers and leaves are stamped with Memento Desert Sand ink and colored with Copics and highlighted with Prismacolors.  Both images were fussy cut out.  I used white and navy cardstock for the circle and strip element and backed it all with some printed paper.  My sentiment is a die cut from Avery Elle.

I used the colors from Sunday Stamps.

Pop over the the Freshly Made Sketches blog to see what the rest of the talented team has for you.

Thanks for stopping by!

Lee Ann 

Pattern within a Background

Hello! 

I have a quick card to share today, using Prismacolor pencils and gold embossing powder. 

My background stamp is from Technique Junkies, Stained Glass.  The image was stamped with Versamark ink and heat embossed with gold embossing powder.  I used Prismacolor pencils to color in selected areas of the image.  A die cut sentiment and a few sequins finish it off! 

If you want to shop at Technique Junkies, you can get a 10% discount on your entire cart (minus clearance items) using code TJ10LeeAnn. 

Happy Weekend! 

Lee Ann 

Christmas and Verve and Guesting, On My!

Hello, Hello!
Welcome to my blog and Day 1 of Verve's New Release Spotlight Hops for November.  That's right- Verve!  I have the honor of guesting for Julee, the owner of Verve, for the month or November!
I have been a Verve fan for a long time; Verve was one of the first companies I discovered and shopped from when I looked beyond SU.  :)  I absolutely love the fonts and wonderful scripture stamps in the Verve collection.
Enough of that!  Back to the release! You should have arrived here from Julee's inspiring blog, Poetic Artistry.  Today we're sharing inspiration featuring the new Jolly Jingles stamp set and coordinating Winter Friends Die Set.

 This set is amazing!  There are so many options here- snowman, reindeer, trees and stockings! 

And those sentiments with their fabulous fonts!  Just became my new fave Christmas set.  :)
Mr Snowman was stamped on kraft cs and colored with Prismacolor Pencils.  I used the Winter Friends Dies to cut him out. The snowflake background is stamped with an oldie but very goodie set, Glad Tidings.  The sentiment panel is also an oldie but very goodie, the Vintage Oval Stamp and matching die, which is a part of the Die Side Kicks Set.  The image is stamped and heat embossed on that panel.  Some gold thread and clear sequins add some shine and elegance.

I switched from elegant to CAS for this fun card, which uses Rudolph from the Jolly Jingles Set.  I stamped and colored him 3 different times so I could fussy cut parts out to make a dimensional reindeer.  He has a red pearl for a nose. I am linking this up to Merry Monday's Challenge, 'How Will You Decorate Your Door', and Fab 'n Funky- 'Animals'.

The wreath is from the Glad Tidings Stamp Set.

Check out the giveaway details then head over to your next stop, another guest designer, the fabulous Lynn Mangan! 

Want to win some shiny new Verve? We'll be picking a random commenter on one of the hop spots below to win today's featured products! So be sure to leave a little comment on all the blogs to increase your chances!

Back to Florals with Some Gorgeous Inspiration!

Hello Everyone!

Hope you are enjoying your weekend.  We had some wonderfully unseasonably warms temps here in St Louis this weekend.  I was able to get in a little yard work on Saturday.  It also allowed me to get outside to take photos of some cards.  I have reclaimed my dining room table -it used to be my photography location for my cards.  I have had a tough time finding another spot with good lighting, so getting outside this weekend was a pleasant surprise.

I have an extremely ambitious and talented blogging friend, whom many of you may know, Lesley Croghan of Always Playing with Paper.  She has started more challenge blogs than anyone I know!  Just recently, she has started providing us with a weekly inspiration photo.  This week, I am honored to be asked to guest design for her, using this beautiful photo~

The rustic vase and sweet bouquet reminded me of cottage gardens and was the perfect opportunity to ink up this gorgeous new-to-me Power Poppy image.  My Prismacolor Pencils have been sorely neglected and I got them out as well, to color the flowers on kraft.  The sentiment is from PTI; it is heat embossed.

I am linking up to Simon Says Stamps Work it Wednesday Challenge, 'Use something New' as well as Just Us Girls- 'Tic Tac Toe'- Flowers, stamps and die cuts.

Also linking up to The Paper Players Tic Tac Toe Challenge- 'Flowers, Die Cuts, Yellow' and 'Die Cuts, Pink, Girly'.
Thanks so much for stopping by and hope to see you over at the Inspired by All the Little Things Challenge!

Lee Ann  :)