Felt butterflies & glitter....

Totally random post name....I know.  I was having a hard time thinking of something, and that popped into my mind when looking at the two cards I have to share today.  Tee hee!  They all can't be brilliant.

The first one is my card for CPS Sketch 155...such an awesome sketch this week!  It is also for Gina K Designs blog hop this month....which also had a color challenge attached to it.  You had to pick two of the colors she listed, and I chose equivalents to innocent pink and ocean mist.  And last but not least, I am also entering it into the Moxie Fab "Olypmics of Stamping".  This card could be used for a few different themes....baby, wedding, birthday....but I am entering it in the Thinking Of You category this time around!

 "God Bless You..." supplies: 

Cardstock: Bazzill Basics

Paper: My Mind's Eye

Stamps: Gina K Designs (Lovely Labels set)
Ink: Clearsnap (pigment: dusty plum, aqua)
Ribbon: Renaissance By Design
Twine: Darice Inc.
Button: Doodlebug Designs
Felt: Provo Craft
Jewels: Doodlebug Designs & Zva Creative
Corner Rounder: EK Success
Embossing Machine: Cuttlebug by Provo Craft
Embossing Folder: Houndstooth by Provo Craft

Instructions:  Fold white cardstock in half to make card base, and round the right hand corners.  Emboss the front of the card using the Cuttlebug and Houndstooth embossing folder.  Tie ribbon around the left side of the card, and attach a button to the bow using twine.  Round the right hand corners of an aqua circle paper block, and adhere to the front.  Stamp the houndstooth label to white cardstock using pink ink, and cut out.  Adhere to the middle of the card.  Cut a strip of plaid patterned paper and adhere to the right of the ribbon.  Stamp the sentiment to the right of the pink label.  Attach the felt butterfly to the front, and embellish with aqua jewels, and clear jewel flourishes.  Accent the top of the sentiment with three jewels.  

Do the cuts on this card look familiar?  Yep- two of them are the same from one of the cards I did for yesterday's PTI blog hop.  I cut things too big or too small all the time when using my Cricut Expression.  I try not to waste cuts, so when I cut the cloud cut FAR to big yesterday...I decided to make another card with it.  And I love how different the cards turned out....even using two of the same cuts!

  "Heaven Sent" supplies: 

Cardstock: Bazzill Basics

Patterned Paper: October Afternoon

Pearls: Kaiser Craft

Glitter: craft supply

Corner Rounder: EK Success

Diecut Machine: Cricut Expression by Provo Craft

Diecut Cartridges: Paper Dolls Dress Up & Stamping Solutions by Provo Craft

Instructions:  Fold white cardstock in half to make card base.  Round the corners of a cloud paper block, and adhere to the middle.  Cut the cloud at 5" from white cardstock using the Cricut Expression and Paper Dolls Dress Up cartridge.  Cut the same shape at 4.5" from yellow cardstock.  Cut out the stars, glitter them, and adhere to the white cloud cut.  Attach to the front of the card.  Cut the moon at 3" from blue & yellow cardstock.  Cut the stars from the yellow cut, glitter them, and adhere to the blue cut.  Attach to the front of the card.  Cut the sentiment & shadow layer at 1.5" from yellow and blue cardstock using the Stamping Solutions cartridge.  Adhere the shadow cuts to the front of the card, and then adhere the yellow cut over top with dimensional adhesive.  Accent the card with blue and yellow pearls. 

I picked up Josh from the airport last night after his trip to Portland.  It is nice to have him home!  Tonight we are heading over to Butte to watch Casey play basketball.  They played last night and won by 11 points!  So, that is awesome!  I wasn't able to make it to that game, so hopefully they I will get to see a good winning game tonight as well!!  It is crazy to think that Casey's time in high school is quickly coming to a close.  Time flies so quickly...it is so hard to believe he is 19, and about to head off to college.  If I feel this way, I can't imagine how my parents feel.  And while I am sentimental and gooey about all of it....it makes me feel OLD too.  Yikes....that whole age 30 thing keeps sticking out its tongue at me and making funny faces. Sheesh! :) 

Any thoughts on who was cast off on American Idol last night?  I was kind-of bummed that Janell didn't make it another week.  I thought she had a good voice, just not the best song choice.  But, that is how it goes!  I really hope next week's performances are so much better!  

Well, I am going to get going for now!  I hope you have a super wonderful Friday!! ♥♥♥ 

Until later,

~Lea

Papertrey Ink February Blog Hop

The 25th of February means it is time for the Papertrey Ink Blog Hop again!  I have participated two months in a row now!!  Yay!  Here are the details of this month's blog hop:

Since we just finished up our 3rd Anniversary Festivities, we thought we would do something extra
special for this month's Blog Hop!  Design Team Appreciation Day!  Your challenge is to go through the
Design Team gallery or any of the Design Team Members' blogs and find a project that is especially
inspirational to you!  Then recreate the project with your own spin, making it unique!  Be sure to share a
link and photo of the original project that inspired you!  And you can also use this opportunity to thank
the team for all their contributions this past year!  I know they inspire ME daily and I never seem to thank
them enough!  We look forward to seeing your projects!

 So, I did two cards for this fun little challenge.  The first one was inspired by Dawn McVey's "I ♥ Paper Crafting".  More fun rainbow stamping...you know I love that!  I am not sure why the stamping looks crooked in the photo...it isn't in real life.  Hmmm...oh well!  It is still cute!  This guy also fits a Moxie Fab "Olympics of Stamping" contest category as well...so I am submitting it for that too!

 "Thinking Of You" supplies: 

Cardstock: Bazzill Basics

Stamps: Papertrey Ink (Background Basics: Hearts, & Asian Fusion) 

Ink: Clearsnap (Pigment: scarlet, orange, canary, lime, surf, violet, heliotrope, black) 

Jewels: Doodlebug Designs 

Pen: American Crafts

Corner Rounder: EK Success

Instructions:  Fold white cardstock in half to make card base, and round the bottom corners.  Stamp the hearts to the middle of the card using rainbow colors.  Add the six rainbow colored jewels below the stamping, and then pen black lines around the entire thing.  Stamp the sentiment to the lower right corner using black ink.

This next one is inspired by Betsy Veldman's "Moon and Stars Baby" card from the January release.  Ever since I saw that cute hanging baby from the branch....I have wanted to make my own version of it!  Such a cute, cute idea!!  So, here is my take on it!

 "On the Night..." supplies:

Cardstock: Bazzill Basics
Paper: Doodlebug Designs

Stamps/Button: Papertrey Ink (Inside & Out: Baby) 

Ink: Clearsnap (Pigment: robin's egg) 

Ribbon: Renaissance By Design

Twine: Darice Inc. 

Jewels: Westrim Crafts

Glitter: DecoArt

Corner Rounder: EK Success

Diecut Machine: Cricut Expression by Provo Craft

Diecut Cartridges: Paper Dolls Dress Up & Designer's Calendar by Provo Craft

Instructions:  Fold pink cardstock in half to make card base.  Cut two patterned paper blocks, round the top and bottom corners, and adhere to the front of the card.  Round the bottom corners of a block of white cardstock, and tie ribbon around the bottom.  Adhere it to the bottom of the card, and accent with jewels and a button.  Stamp the sentiment to the cardstock block with robin's egg pigment ink.  Cut the cloud from white cardstock at 4" using the Cricut Expression and Paper Dolls Dress Up cartridge.  Cut the same image from pink cardstock at 3.5", and cut out the stars.  Cover them in glitter, and adhere them to the white cloud.  Attach the cloud to the front of the card.  Cut the moon from yellow cardstock at 2" from the same cartridge.  Cut the moon from pink cardstock at 1.75", and cut out the stars.  Cover them in glitter as well, and adhere to the yellow moon.  Attach the moon to the front of the card.  Cut the baby from peach cardstock at 1.5" using the Designer's Calendar cartridge.  Cut it again from dotted paper, and cut out just the cloth section.  Adhere to the front of the peach cut, and adhere to the front of the card.  Hang the baby cut from the moon using twine, and top with a pink jewel. 

So, that is what I came up with!!  Hope you like them!  ♥♥♥ 

So- any thoughts on American Idol, now that we have seen all the girls and guys perform?  Ummm...let me just say, apart from a couple of them...I hope they just had some major nerves, and that they are going to get better in the coming weeks.  Because most of them were pretty bad performances.  BUT....Casey James made up for almost two hours of mediocre singing last night....he is my favorite as of now!!  

Well, I better get going for now!  Have a great night! 

Until later,

~Lea

The Moxie is back.....

....seriously, for almost two weeks I was in a mojo slump when it came to crafting.  But, it happens, and my house got really clean because of it!  Tee hee!  I have a few cards to share with you today!

The Moxie Fab blog has started the Olympics of Stamping today....so I plan on participating as much as possible!  This first card fits one of the themes....happy birthday.  It also fits the Embellish Mag current challenge (birthday card using pink, green, blue, & brown), and the current Jacksonbelle Tuesday Challenge (to use flowers). 

"Birthday Wishes" supplies:

Cardstock: Bazzill Basics

Paper: Glitz Designs

Stamps: Glitz Designs (Maya Rose) & Papertrey Ink (Asian Fusion) 

Ink: Clearsnap (pigment: razzberry, green) 

Jewels: Doodlebug Designs & Westrim Crafts

Felt: Provo Craft

Corner Rounder: EK Success

Border Punch: Fiskars

Instructions:  Fold kraft colored cardstock in half to make your card base, and round the bottom corners.  Punch a border to striped paper and adhere to the top.  Add a thin strip of paper with three jewels to the top of a pink dotted paper block, and adhere to the top of the card.  Stamp the rose directly to the card, and then stamp the sentiment to the left side of the rose.  Accent with jewels and felt leaves.  Adhere two thin strips of patterned paper to the bottom.

This next card is based on Laura's Sketch 46, and Just Buggin' Challenge 25 (to use predominately black and white).  I think the Just Buggin' challenge is technically "over", but that is okay!  I still wanted to have fun with it on this card!!

"You Are Fabulous" supplies:

Cardstock: Bazzill Basics

Paper: Little Yellow Bicycle & Scenic Route

Ribbon: Renaissance By Design

Stickers: Making Memories

Jewels: Darice Inc. & Bazzill Basics

Ink: Clearsnap (Chalk: charcoal)

Glitter: DecoArt

Corner Rounder: EK Success

Border Punch: Fiskars

Diecut Machine: Cricut Expression by Provo Craft

Diecut Cartridges: Home Decor & Graphically Speaking by Provo Craft

Instructions:  Fold pink cardstock in half to make card base, and round the right hand corners.  Round the right hand corners and ink the edges of a damask paper block, and adhere to the front.  Punch a border to a dotted paper strip, and adhere to the left side of the card.  Tie ribbon around around the left side of the card.  Cut the chandelier and its layers at 3" using a Cricut Expression and the Home Decor cartridge.  Glitter the pink shadow layer and adhere to the front.  Adhere the top layer using dimensional adhesive.  Accent the chandelier and dotted paper block with pink jewels.  Cut "fabulous" at 1" using a Cricut Expression and the Graphically Speaking cartridge.  Glitter the cut and adhere to the bottom of the card.  Finish the sentiment using tiny black alphas. 

And just one last card to share with you today!  Yesterday the Moxie Fab gave us an awesome card by Kim Crawford to use as the current Tuesday Trigger.  I was inspired by the colors she used, and the pearls at the top of her card.  

"With Deepest Sympathy" supplies:

Cardstock: Bazzill Basics

Paper/Stamps/Button: Papertrey Ink (Asian Fusion stamps)

Ink: Clearsnap (Pigment: chestnut) & CTMH (Pigment: Vanilla Cream) 

Ribbon: Renaissance by Design

Twine: Darice Inc. 

Pearls: Kaiser Craft

Corner Rounder: EK Success

Border Punch: Fiskars

Instructions: Fold chocolate brown cardstock in half to make the card base, and round the bottom corners.  Stamp the flower stripes to a yellow cardstock block using vanilla cream pigment ink.  Adhere a kraft cardstock strip to the top of the yellow block.  Punch a border to brown leaf paper and adhere over top of the seam.  Tie ribbon around the block, and attach the button to the bow with twine.  Stamp the sentiment to the kraft strip, and accent with brown & yellow pearls.  Adhere the entire block to the top of the card base with dimensional adhesive. 

Well, that is what I have to share with you today!!  Well, I have some errands to run and I better get going!  I hope that you are having a wonderful Wednesday!!  ♥♥♥

Until later,

~Lea

Rainbow of hearts....

....so have you checked out the Moxie Fab blog post today?  If not....you need to check it out right now, because Cath is giving away a huge set of Gina K Stamps.  This includes Tami Mayberry's Happy Hearts set, and Nina Brackett's Lovely Labels set.  I happen to have both of these sets, so I did up a couple of cards using them! 

This first card uses both stamp sets, and Sweet Sunday Sketch 57.  Have I shown you lately how much I love to use rainbow colors?  ♥♥♥

 "Have A Sweet Day" supplies: 

Cardstock: Bazzill Basics

Stamps: Gina K Designs (Happy Hearts & Lovely Labels) 

Ink: Clearsnap (Pigment: scarlet, orange, canary, lime, surf, violet, black)

Ribbon: Renaissance By Design

Twine: Darice Inc. 

Button/Jewels: Doodlebug Designs

Corner Rounder: EK Success

Embossing Machine: Cuttlebug by Provo Craft

Embossing Folder: Swiss Dots by Provo Craft 

Instructions: Fold white cardstock in half to make card base, and round the bottom corners.  Emboss the front using the Cuttlebug machine and Swiss Dots embossing folder.  Stamp the hearts in rainbow colors to a block of white cardstock, and round the bottom corners.  Stamp the label & sentiment to white cardstock and cut out.  Tie ribbon around the heart block, and attach a button to the bow with twine.  Adhere to the stamped label below the bow, and accent with jewels.

This next one is super clean and simple, and a little eclectic.  But, I love how it turned out.  It is based on sketch 79 at the Clean & Simple Stamping blog....loosely based, but still inspired by nonetheless.  

 "Happy Ending" supplies: 

Cardstock: Bazzill Basics

Stamps: Gina K Designs (Happy Hearts) & Kitchen Sink (Plaid Plus) 

Ink: Clearsnap 

Jewels: Doodlebug Designs

Rub-on: Cosmo Cricket

Corner Rounder: EK Success

Embossing Machine: Cuttlebug by Provo Craft

Embossing Folder: Love Languages by Provo Craft

Instructions: Fold red cardstock in half to make card base, and round the bottom corners.  Emboss the front of the card using the Cuttlebug and Love Languages embossing folder.  Stamp the hearts to the lower part of a block of white cardstock.  Add the strip of jewels to the upper left spot, and add the rub-on sentiment to the middle.  Adhere the entire block to the front of the card. 

And one last little thing....the design team for Gina K is doing a blog hop!  Start here, at Gina's blog and get started....lots of eye candy to be seen!!

Did you have a fabulous weekend?  We watched Casey play basketball, which was fun!  They played in the district championship game, and ended up losing.  So, they took second place....which is the best they have ever done since Casey has been in high school.  So, that is great!  They start divisionals this week...so we shall see how that turns out.  Should be fun!  Josh is in Portland until Thursday night for a work related training...so it is just me, the pups, and the Olympics! :)  Well, with American Idol and Lost intermixed in there.  Tee hee!  

Well, I think I am going to go and get my craft on!  I lost my moxie for a couple of weeks...but I think I got it back finally!  Time to start creating! ♥

Until later,

~Lea

Tsk...Tsk...Tsk....

Well, I got so busy last week that I didn't have time to make a card for CPS sketch 154 as a designer.  So, I took the week off as a CPS designer.  BUT....I am playing along as a participant instead! Tee hee! I had some extra time before heading out today for Casey's basketball game...so I whipped this up really quickly.  It also fits The Pink Elephant 54 challenge to use ribbon....I think all of my cards fit this challenge.  Tee hee!  It also features one of the new Renaissance By Design stamp releases from February...all about shoes!!  What girl doesn't love that?!  Be sure to check them out...they are linked in my supply list!  Here is my card:

 "A Girl Can Deal..." supplies:

Cardstock: Prism

Paper: Glitz Designs

Stamps: Renaissance By Designs (Sole to Soul set)

Ink: Clearsnap (Pigment: black, pink & Chalk: charcoal)

Ribbon: Renaissance By Design

Jewels: Zva Creative

Border Punch: Fiskars

Instructions: Fold black cardstock in half to make cardbase.  Punch a border to the left side of a paper block, ink the edges, and adhere to the front.  Ink the edges of a pink paper block and adhere to the front.  Stamp the shoe image and sentiment to a white cardstock block, and adhere to the lower right corner.  Tie bows to the left side of the card, and accent the middles with black jewels.  Add the black jeweled flourish to finish the card. 

Now I just have a couple of cards to share that I have had done, but never posted.  I did this one for Bridal Shower Invite section of the last Cards Magazine call.  This one didn't get picked up, but a different one was.  Maybe this one was a little too racy....tee hee!  It uses the Tie The Knot cartridge....which I LOVE!!  This card could be used for a few different things....bridal shower, bachelorette party, lingerie party....it could even be changed to a Valentine's or love card for your hubby....meeeoowww!! :)

"You're Invited" supplies:

Cardstock: Bazzill Basics

Paper: Glitz Designs

Ribbon: Renaissance By Designs

Twine: Darice Inc. 

Button: Doodlebug Designs

Jewels: Westrim Crafts

Rub-on: American Crafts

Glitter: Making Memories

Corner Rounder: EK Success

Diecut Machine: Cricut Expression by Provo Craft

Diecut Cartridge: Tie The Knot by Provo Craft

Instructions: Fold red cardstock in half to make card base, and round the bottom corners.  Round the bottom corners of a dotted paper block and adhere to the front.  Tie ribbon around the middle, and add a button to the bow using twine.  Cut the corset and its layers from black cardstock & patterned paper at 5 1/4" using the Cricut Expression and Tie The Knot cartridge.  Glitter the black layer, and then adhere the top layer.  Accent with three red jewels, and adhere to the front of the card using dimensional adhesive.  Add the rub-on sentiment to the lower right corner.

And now that I am posting this one...I realize that all my cards planned for today use Glitz papers!!  That wasn't planned....its just such fabulous paper that I use it a lot!!  Tee hee! 

"A True Friend..." supplies: 

Cardstock: Bazzill Basics

Paper: Glitz Designs

Paper Frill: Doodlebug Designs

Stamps: Renaissance By Design (Blossom & Wilt Set)

Ink: Clearsnap (Pigment: black, moss green, olive)
Pearls: Kaiser Craft

Flowers: Prima

Brad: Creative Imaginations

Corner Rounder: EK Success

Instructions:  Fold cream cardstock in half to make card base, and round the right corners.  Round the right corners of a patterned paper block and adhere to the front.  Round the right corners of a flourished paper block and adhere to the front.  Stamp the sentiment, stem and leaves to a block of cream cardstock.  Layer the flowers together and adhere to the top of the stem with a brad.  Accent the stem with green pearls.  Add a pink scalloped edge to the right side, and adhere the entire block to the front.  Accent the seam with a pink pearl strip. 

So, have you been loving the Olympics?!!  We have!  Loving the metal count so far....the US is kicking butt! Whoo hooo!  It has been fun watching it every night together.  I am also finally getting excited about American Idol.  I am ready to actually hear these people sing, not just snippets.  Now I can finally start picking my favorites.  

Well, I need to get ready to head out for Casey's basketball game!  Hope you are having a wonderful Friday!! ♥

Until later,

~Lea

I've been around...

...just kinda busy!  Sorry I haven't updated in awhile! I didn't mean for it to be this long, but you know....life happens!!  I hope you have had a wonderful week since I last posted!

I have a couple of things to share today!  First up....I was chosen as one of Nina's "Designing Friends"!  Which means....I will be helping her out with projects using the new stamps she illustrates for Gina K Designs!!  She had me answer some questions in order for readers of her blog to get to know me a little better....so check out this post if you want to read it!

The first set I am working with is this month's new release called "Lovely Labels".  They fit many of the Nestabilities  label dies....but I am here to show how to use them without.  Because I don't actually have any nesties.  I think the stamps work perfectly without them as well....they stamp beautifully directly onto paper!  Here is just one example for now...I will have more to share later in the week!

"Wishing You" supplies:

Paper: My Mind's Eye

Stamps: Gina K Designs (Lovely Labels set) 

Ink: Clearsnap (Chalk: rose coral, warm red)

Ribbon: Renaissance By Design

Twine: Darice Inc. 

Button: Papertrey Ink

Pearls: Kaiser Craft

Corner Rounder: EK Success

Border Punch: Fiskars

Instructions:  Fold pink paper in half to make card base, and round the bottom corners.  Punch a border to red paper, and adhere to a strip of bird paper.  Round the bottom corners, and adhere to the bottom of the card.  Round the top corners of a block of white paper.  Stamp the label and sentiment to the middle of the white block using chalk ink.  Adhere to block to the front, and accent with pearls.  Tie ribbon around the seam, and accent the bow with a button & twine. 

And then I never had a chance to post my last CPS card from last week's sketch.  It was my last card featuring some of the new PTI releases, this one featuring Dot Spot and Asian Fusion.

"Feel Better Soon" supplies:

Cardstock: Bazzill Basics

Paper/Stamps/Ribbon/Buttons: Papertrey Ink

Ink: Clearsnap (pigment: pink, olive green) & CTMH (pigment: vanilla cream)

Twine: Darice Inc. 

Corner Rounder: EK Success

Border Punch: Fiskars

Instructions:  Fold green cardstock in half to make card base, and round the bottom corners.  Round the bottom corners of a block of brown leaf paper, and adhere to the front of the card.  Stamp the dot circle and sentiment to white cardstock, and round the bottom corners.  Tie ribbon around the middle, and accent the bow with a button using twine.  Adhere the block to the front of the card.  Punch a border to brown cardstock, and adhere to a strip of pink cardstock.  Stamp the smaller dots to the pink cardstock, and add a button to the middle of each one.  Adhere to the front of the card using dimensional adhesive. 

Did you have a good Valentine's day?  It was pretty much a normal day for us, but we made a spectacular dinner together!  Well, Josh made dinner, and I made dessert.  We had ribeye steaks, baked potatoes, and sauteed mushrooms for dinner.  And I made chocolate covered strawberries, and lemon icebox pie for dessert!  They were SO yummy!  We have been enjoying the Olympics, and I have been cleaning the house like a mad woman.  Nooks, crannies, crevices....it is all getting cleaned!  This house will be sparkling in no time! 

Well, I need to get going for now.  It shouldn't be another week before I post again....hopefully just a day or so! Hee hee!  ♥

Until later,

~Lea

Finding new color combos....

....that I wouldn't have really thought about with these new PTI stamps, along with their papers, buttons, and ribbons.  And I am loving it!  I have two cards to share with you today....both with new PTI and both based on this week's sketch at CPS again.  Told you I did quite a few cards this week!
Up first is card number one, using the new stamp set called Asian Fusion.  This set has really pretty flowers and vases....but my favorite part is all the amazing sentiments.  A large portion of the sentiments I am using on all of these cards com from this set.

"With Deepest Sympathy" supplies:

Stamps/Paper/Ribbon/Button: Papertrey InkCardstock: Bazzill Basics
Paper Frill: Doodlebug Designs
Pearls: Kaiser Craft
Twine: Darice Inc.

Ink: Clearsnap (Pigment: cranberry, mint)
Corner Rounder: EK Success 

Instructions:  Fold kraft cardstock in half to make card base, and round the bottom corners.  Round the bottom corners of a strip of aqua leaf paper and adhere to the bottom.  Round the top corners of a block of white cardstock and adhere to the front.  Add red paper frill to the aqua paper, and then tie ribbon around the seam.  Attach a button to the bow using twine.  Stamp the vase and flower stems to red leaf paper and cut out.  Stamp the aqua flowers directly to the white cardstock, and place the vase below them.  Stamp the sentiment to the right of the flower vase, and then accent the card with pearls.  

This next one uses two new sets, "Dot Spot", and the sentiment is from "Year of the Flowers: Violets".  

"Thanks for Everything" supplies:

Stamps/Paper/Ribbon/Button: Papertrey InkCardstock: Bazzill Basics
Jewels: Doodlebug Designs
Ink: Clearsnap (Chalk: toffee & Pigment: cranberry)
Corner Rounder: EK Success

Instructions:  Fold light brown cardstock in half to make card base.  Round the corners of a block of red leaf paper and adhere to the front.  Stamp the dot spot image to a block of kraft cardstock using toffee chalk ink.  Stamp the sentiment to the top half using cranberry pigment ink.  Add a strip of brown leaf paper to the bottom, and tie ribbon around the seam.  Accent the middle of the bow with a button.  Accent the entire block with jewels, and round the top hand corners.  Adhere to the middle of the card with dimensional adhesive.

Well, that is it for me today!  I have some work I need to get done, so I am going to sign off for now!  I hope that you have a wonderful Tuesday! ♥

Until later,

~Lea

CPS & PTI

We are having a lot of fun at the CPS blog this week, and all brought to you by some of the February new releases from PTI!  We were sent three stamp releases of the month, and they are all just fabulous!!  You will see multiple cards by each designer all week long.  So, you are going to see a lot of new PTI on my blog this week!  It should be fun!  Just to let you know...there is a giveaway going on this week at the CPS blog like normal....a lovely PTI prize.  BUT, Nichole is also having a giveaway on her blog as well that coincides with it....so make sure you head over to her blog as well!!

This first one is based on this this week's sketch, CPS 153.  It uses a new release from PTI called "Year of the Flowers: Violets".  I think this set makes for really fabulous encouragement cards.  And who doesn't need a little encouraging every once in awhile?   

   "With Faith" supplies:

Stamps/Paper/Ribbon/Button: Papertrey Ink
Cardstock/Floss: Bazzill Basics
Paper Frill/Glitter/Jewels: Doodlebug Designs
Ink: Clearsnap (Watermark & Pigment: moss green, evergreen)

Embossing Powder/Stickles: Ranger Industries (eggplant)
Corner Rounder: EK Success 

Instructions:  Fold purple cardstock in half to make card base, and round the bottom corners.  Add purple paper frill to a strip of green patterned paper, and round the bottom corners.  Adhere to the bottom of the card.  Round the top corners of a block of white cardstock, and adhere to the front.  Tie ribbon around the seam, and sew a button around the ribbon using purple floss.  Heat emboss the two violet stamps to purple cardstocks and cut out.  Fill in the specific areas using Zig glue writer, and cover with purple glitter.  Stamp the leaves on green patterned paper and cut out.  Adhere all the pieces to the front, making the top flower and the leaves dimensional.  Accent the leaves with Stickles.

I also whipped up this card today using two of the new PTI sets, "Dot Spot" & "Asian Fusion".  Oh how I love both of these sets.  Dot Spot just brings out the clean and simple cardmaker in me, and Asian Fusion has some of THE best sentiments.  (Please note that the stars are not from a PTI set)  This card is based on this week's 365 Cards: Super Sketchy Sunday, and on SP Color Combo #33 (summer sun, real red, pink passion, tempting turquoise). 

"Birthday Wishes" supplies:

Cardstock: Bazzill Basics 

Paper/Jewels: Doodlebug Designs

Stamps: Papertrey Ink & Kitchen Sink

Ink: Clearsnap (Pigment: canary, scarlet, razzberry, surf, black)
Corner Rounder: EK Success

Border Punch: Fiskars

Instructions:  Cover a white cardbase with turquoise flocked paper, and round the bottom corners.  Stamp the stars, dots, and sentiment to a white paper block.  Round the bottom corners of the block, and adhere to the front.  Punch a border to yellow dotted paper, and adhere to a thin strip of pink cardstock.  Adhere to the top of the white block with dimensional adhesive.  Accent the middle of the stamped dots with jewels. 

I really hope that you chose to play along with us at CPS this week!  You will have a chance to win these new releases from PTI, and they are really fabulous to work with!  It is a prize you definitely want, I promise! ♥

So, do you have any fun Superbowl plans?  We are heading over to a friend's house...there will be six of us adults and some childrens....should be a fun time!!  Lots of good food, football, and commercials!!  Not to mention...time with friends!  Speaking of....I better get going!  I need to finish getting ready!  Talk to you soon! ♥

Until later,

~Lea

Love, Love, Love.....

I have some cards to share with you today that are all about love and valentine's day!  All 4 of them are based on Crazy For Challenges 23, "Be My Valentine".

This first one is uses CardPatterns Sketch #49, and is based on Cricut Cardz Challenge #11 (make a Valentine without hearts).  I seem to have a thing for lips on my Valentine's cards this year.  These lips came from the Tie The Knot cartridge, and have multiple layers for it.  I also love the glitter that I added to the light pink layer....kind-of like lip gloss! :)

"{LOVE}" supplies:

Cardstock: Bazzill Basics

Paper: Teresa Collins Designs

Ribbon: Renaissance By Design

Stickers: Making Memories

Jewels: Doodlebug Designs

Glitter: DecoArt

Corner Rounder: EK Success

Diecut Machine: Cricut Expression by Provo Craft

Diecut Cartridge: Tie The Knot by Provo Craft

Instructions: Fold black cardstock in half to make card base, and round the bottom corners.  Round the bottom corners of a block of XO paper, and adhere to the front.  Round the bottom corners of a block of pink houndstooth paper, and adhere to the bottom.  Add a strip of texted paper to the bottom of that paper block.  Add the glitter sentiment stickers to the left side of the block, and accent above it with three jewels.  Cut two strips of pink and red dotted ribbon, and adhere to the right side of the card.  Cut the lip layers at 1 1/2" from white, pink, & light pink cardstock using the Cricut Expression & Tie The Knot cartridge.  Glitter the light pink layer, and adhere the cut together.  Adhere to the front of the card with dimensional adhesive, and top with a red bow. 

This one is based on Kazan's Sketch 45 at 2 Sketches 4 U, and on 365 Cards: Shape Up! challenge (use large heart(s) cut.  I love this doily shaped card from the Wild Cards cartridge....it is one of my fave cuts from that cartridge.  And this bee is one of my many favorites cuts from the Home Decor cart.  

"Bee Mine" supplies:

Cardstock: Bazzill Basics

Paper: Teresa Collins Designs & Scenic Route

Ribbon: Renaissance By Design

Chipboard: Scenic Route

Stickers: Doodlebug Designs & Target brand

Jewel: Westrim Crafts

Glitter: craft supply

Diecut Machine: Cricut Expression by Provo Craft

Diecut Cartridges: Wild Cards & Home Decor by Provo Craft

Circle Cutter: Creative Memories

Instructions: Cut the doily shaped card at 5 3/4" from kraft cardstock using the Cricut Expression and Wild Cards cartridge, and fold in half.  Cut a circle from red heart paper using a circle cutter, and adhere to the middle of the card.  Cut two hearts at 4" & 1 1/2" from black dotted paper using the Cricut Expression and Wild Cards cartridge.  Adhere them to the front of the card.  Add ribbon to the front of the card, and top with a bow and glittered heart sticker.  Cut the bee & layers at 1 1/2" from yellow & black cardstock using the Cricut Expression and Home Decor cartridge.  Glitter the yellow layer, and adhere to the front.  Attach the black layer to the top.  Glitter the chipboard letters with yellow glitter, and adhere them to the top of the ribbon.  Add the letter stickers directly below them to finish the sentiment.

This one is based on Mojo Monday 124, and 365 Cards: Color Scheme (red, light pink, dark pink, purple, & white).  I did omit the purple, and added a little black...but I figured it still worked! :)

"This Way To Love" supplies:

Cardstock: Bazzill Basics

Paper: Teresa Collins Designs

Stickers/Brads: Doodlebug Designs

Ribbon: Renaissance By Design

Stamps: Taylored Expressions (Love Everywhere set) & Papertrey Ink (Background Basics: Hearts set)

Ink: Clearsnap (Pigment: black, cranberry) 

Corner Rounder: EK Success
Diecut Machine: Cricut Expression by Provo Craft

Diecut Cartridge: Winter Woodland by Provo Craft

Instructions: Fold red cardstock in half to make card base.  Stamp a block of white cardstock with the heart background stamp, and round the bottom corners.  Adhere to the bottom of the card.  Round the top corners of a block of pink dotted paper, and adhere to the front.  Round the upper left corner of a block of black heart paper, attach stickers to it with brads and adhere to the front.  Cut the scalloped circle at 2 1/4" from black cardstock using the Cricut Expression and Winter Woodland cartridge.  Adhere to the front of the card.  Tie ribbon around the seam.  Stamp the sentiment to a white cardstock circle, and accent with heart stickers.  Adhere with dimensional adhesive to the front. 

And this last one is super simple, but still pretty cute!  It is based on Just Buggin' Challenge 23 to make a Valentine's project using your Cricut.  I didn't use any conventional cuts for valentines....I used clouds! 

"Love is in the Air" supplies:

Cardstock: Bazzill Basics

Paper: Imaginisce & October Afternoon

Stamps: Taylored Expressions (Love Everywhere set)

Ink: Clearsnap (Pigment: black, cranberry, brown & Chalk: lime pastel, ice blue)

Glitter: DecoArt

Corner Rounder: EK Success

Diecut Machine: Cricut Expression by Provo Craft

Diecut Cartridge: Everyday Paperdolls by Provo Craft

Instructions: Fold red cardstock in half to make card base.  Round the top corners of a block of cloud paper, and ink the edges.  Cut two green hills by hand and ink the edges.  Adhere to the bottom of the paper block.  Stamp the hot air balloon directly to the paper block, and to white cardstock.  Cut out the balloon and adhere to the top with dimensional adhesive.  Stamp the sentiment directly above it.  Stamp the house and heart to white cardstock, cut out, and adhere to the front.  Add the entire block to the front of the card with dimensional adhesive.  Cut the clouds at 2" & 1 1/2" from white cardstock using the Cricut Expression and Everyday Paperdolls cartridge.  Cover them in glitter, and adhere to the front of the card. 

Those are all the cards I have to share today!  I hope you liked them.  So, it seems lately that many blast from the past TV shows are on when I am scrolling through the channels.  When I was younger, I ♥♥♥ TGIF.  When I first started watching it, this was the fun lineup: 

While they might have been full of the cheese factor, they were such great shows for a kid!!  And I really loved it when my parents would go out on the Friday night, and get me a babysitter.  That meant junk food galore, and I had the coolest babysitters.  My mom worked at a boarding school for high schoolers in Arizona, and my babysitters were a couple of the girls from the dorm that my mom looked after.  

At some point, these shows were added in place of a couple others, and they were probably my VERY favorites of TGIF: 

Anyways...I keep seeing these some of these shows on the guide when I am scrolling, and they just bring smiles to my face.  What shows did you love when you were a kid? 

Well, I better get going for now.  I hope your weekend is going great so far! ♥

Until later,

~Lea

PTI is turning 3!!

And they have provided some really fun digital images to use for their latest birthday bash challenge!  I chose to work with two of the images, one by Dawn and the other by Heather.  They are super cute!  I loved all the other images too, but I only had time to work with a couple of them. The paper and white cardstock on both of these are purely from scraps....got to love that!  These are also based on the current Jacksonbelle Embellishment challenge, "Buttons and bows and brads....oh my!"  Here they are:

"Wishes Do Come True" supplies:

Cardstock: Bazzill Basics

Paper: American Crafts & Sassafras

Ribbon: Bo Bunny

Button: Doodlebug Designs

Twine: Darice Inc. 

Pearls: Kaiser Craft

Stamp: My Sentiments Exactly

Ink: Clearsnap (pigment: chestnut)

Corner Rounder: EK Success

Border Punch: Fiskars

"Happy Birthday 2 You" supplies:

Cardstock: Bazzill Basics

Paper: Jillibean Soup & October Afternoon

Jewels: Zva Creative & Westrim Crafts (star)

Ribbon: Renaissance by Design

Corner Rounder: EK Success

Border Punch: Fiskars

I also have a little love card to share based on Get Sketchy 23.  More Crush papers....love this line.  {sigh} 

"True Love Story" supplies:

Cardstock: Bazzill Basics

Paper: Teresa Collins Designs

Jewels: Doodlebug Designs & Westrim Crafts (heart)

Corner Rounder: EK Success

Border Punch: Fiskars

Sorry no instructions for now....I need a little extra time to get them done, which I don't have right this second.  Hopefully tonight!

Since Josh has been working overnights, I have just been home with the pups.  It is the perfect time to watch those movies and shows that he just doesn't care for.  So, I watched this last night: 

Oh man....it made me so emotional.  I think I felt every emotion on the spectrum.  And I cried & cried through many parts of it.  There were times that I was so angry with a character, and then poof- I totally understood why they were acting that way.  It isn't a movie I could watch all the time....actually, I probably won't ever watch it again.  But I am so glad that I did watch it once.  

Well, I need to get going for now!  Guess what is on tonight.....

EEEEK!  Can't wait! ♥

Until later,

~Lea

Glitter and vintage....

....it doesn't get much better than that on love themed projects!!  I have a couple of cards to share with you today that are full of layers, and glitter, and vintage images....the list could go on.  I know it must seem like my cardmaking style has multiple personalities....but I think that is okay!  I just do whatever strikes my fancy at the time....a few days ago it was super clean & simple, and now it is layered and full of product.  I can deal....so hopefully you can too! :)

First up is my card for this week's sketch at CPS.  I changed it up a little by inverting the triangles to match this gorgeous chipboard frame, and then just layered, layered, layered....

"Anything with Love" supplies:
Cardstock: DCVW
Paper: K & Company
Chipboard: Tattered Angels
Flower: Maya Road
Fabric: Crafty Secrets
Jewels: Doodlebug Designs & Prima
Pearls: Darice Inc.
Glitter: DecoArt
Pinking Shears: Fiskars
Twill/Sandpaper: craft supply

Instructions: will be posted later....

This card uses Sweet Sunday Sketch 54.  I have decided that this card doesn't only work for love or valentine's day, but also as a baby card.  I love it when you can do that!

"Sweet Angel" supplies:

Cardstock: Bazzill Basics

Paper: K & Company

Chipboard: Tattered Angels & American Crafts

Fabric: Crafty Secrets

Stickers: Making Memories

Ribbon: May Arts

Pearls: Darice & Kaiser Craft

Flowers/Jewels: Zza Creative

Glitter: DecoArt

Border Punch: Martha Stewart Crafts

Doily/vintage lace/sandpaper: craft supply

Instructions: will be posted later...

Did you have a great weekend?  Ours was pretty quiet and lazy, which was nice!  My parents were here yesterday with Casey for some meetings at the university.  I'll talk about that more a little later.  They got here late late Saturday night (actually Sunday morning), and then left after we had dinner together with some friends.  It was a fun dinner, and am glad I got to see the fam for a short amount of time.

Well, short post for today.  I need to get going! Have a great day!  ♥

Until later,
~Lea