Love is a Four-Legged Word

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

March 24th was a sad day for fans of the Jenny L. Cote book series, The Epic Order of the Seven, which happens to be my daughter's all-time-favorite books. The main character of the books is Maximillian Braveheart the Bruce, a Scottish Terrier, who is based on Mrs. Cote's own beloved pet, Max. Well, sweet little Max passed away last week after battling cancer. Besides loving Max as the character in the books, my daughter is also a dog-lover in general. (March 24 was also our own terrier's 15th birthday, too.) So, when I told her about Max's passing, my daughter was devastated, and fell asleep on a tear-dampened pillow, while holding tight to a plush Scotty that looks just like Max. 
Mrs. Cote does a lot of creative writing workshops for kids, and she just happens to be coming to our town for a workshop for our homeschool group next week, so I made this sympathy card for my daughter to give to Mrs. Cote while she is here. I love this Tiddly Inks image, which I colored with Copics, and I've used it before, for a card that I intend to eventually give to my daughter because it looks so much like her and our dog, Ozzy, but it is also perfect for this occasion, since it resembles Mrs. Cote and Max, too! See...


Jenny Cote, Max, and Liz
Jenny Cote, Max, and Liz

I used the Viva la Verve March 2015 Week 4 Sketch for the card design, and all the patterned paper, including the sentiment on the die cut faux leather belt, is from the Raining Cats & Dogs paper pad by Graphic 45. I added the detailed eye to the image, and worked quite a while on the girl's cheek to make it look more dimensional. I still need practice, but I was pleased with how it finally turned out. 
The sentiment inside the card was typed in Word and printed onto cardstock. I added little paw print stamps and a red flourish in the corner. The monogram letters (M-A-X) are from the Paper Sweeties Fancy Monograms stamp set. I stamped them with Versamark onto black chipboard, then heat embossed them in white. I can't get over how much detail is in the monograms, even when embossed! After cutting the letters with a die from the Beautiful Little Wishes Sweet Cuts die set, I mounted each letter onto a square of craft foam, then onto a square of gold mirror foil. It's pretty in real life, but since it truly is mirrored, the gold doesn't show up well in a photo. The sentiment at the bottom is written in Gaelic (I just love Google sometimes!), to go along with Max's Scottish heritage. Again, it doesn't show well in this photo, but the sentiment strip is wavy, rather than glued flat to the card. I used Pearl Pen dots under the center of the strip to keep it from getting smushed.

My daughter loves the card and can't wait to give it to Mrs. Cote, along with a little gift she made just for her. ;)

Thanks for stopping by, and have a lovely week!

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Viva la Verve March 2015 Week 4 Challenge
Tiddly Inks Challenge #154: Anything Goes With a Tiddly Inks Image/Stamp
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge: Anything Goes
613 Avenue Create Challenge #117: True Anything Goes...No Twist!

~Hugs,

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Paper Sweeties March Release Rewind!

Monday, March 16, 2015

It's time for Paper Sweeties March Release Rewind! Today, we'll be showing you how well the new release works with older releases. I made a boxed gift card set using the new I Pick You stamp set and also images from the Home Tweet Home stamp and Sweet Cuts die sets, and the Sending Sweet Thoughts stamp set.
I love that there are so many little images in different stamp sets that are similar in size. They made for a sweet little summer scene on the front of the box.
To make the cloudy background, I embossed blue cardstock with a Cloudy Sky embossing folder, then swiped white pigment ink over the clouds. The hat was stamped on designer paper and shaded a little with a Copic marker, and the frog was stamped on white paper and colored with Copics. Both those images were fussy cut. All the other images have matching dies, which made this a quick and easy scene to create.

pic name pic name
pic name pic name
After stamping simple sentiments and tiny creatures onto 3" x 3" white card bases, I added a variety of sequins. Have you seen Paper Sweeties newest sequins? Oh my, you need to check them out! Spring Peeps and Jellybeans sequins are my favs! I used Jellybeans on the frog card, and Spring Peeps on the bird card. I added Stickles to the centers of all the sequins except the ladybug card. On that one, I used red sequins from the Apple Pie mix of sequins and put a drop of black Pearl Pen in the center to match the ladybug. Green Apple sequins are on the dragonfly card.
Here's a look at the back of the box, which I made with an envelope punch board. There is a thin magnet under the flap and inside the back of the box to hold it closed. It is large enough to hold all four cards and the four envelopes I made for them.
When you are looking through Paper Sweeties shop, choosing your favorite stamps and dies, keep in mind how well the images in different sets work together. All the mixing and matching is sure to give you an extra spark of cardmaking creativity!

Be sure to check out the rest of the Design Team for more Rewind inspiration:
~Hugs,

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Bundle of Love & New Copic Storage!

Sunday, March 15, 2015

If you're looking for my Paper Sweeties March Release Party post, click here.

Three years ago, my sister-in-law asked me to make her an African-themed wedding card. Well, that couple is now having a baby boy, so I was asked to make an African-themed baby card for the baby shower, using yellows and browns.
Using one of this month's Viva la Verve sketches, I chose to use jungle and giraffe print paper, and some burlap for texture. The giraffe image was colored with Copics. I like to try to add some kind of sparkle or shine to most of my cards, so I opted for metallic sequins around the edge of the picot edge die cut, and added Glossy Accents to the ball of the rattle. I hope she likes it.

Now, I just had to share this, too...
NEW STORAGE FOR MY COPICS!!!

My brother (the same one who is married to the SIL who needed the above card) and I live fairly close to each other and get together every few weeks. The last time he was at my house, he started talking about some new woodworking tools he had gotten. I didn't even know he did woodworking! Well, in jest (ok, partly in jest) I mentioned that it sure would be nice if he could make me some storage for my Copics. I've tried different things in the past, and there has always been something wrong with them. Mostly the little cubes weren't deep enough and if I pulled a marker off the bottom of a stack, all the other markers would come tumbling out. Well, my thoughtful brother got right up and measured one of my Copics, got a few details of what I needed, and in just a few days I had this new storage! The wood is bare so I can paint, stain, or cover it any way I want, but, honestly, he did such a great job sanding it, I can't bare to cover it up!


Here it is all loaded with Copics. His measurements were perfect!!! OMGosh, this just made me SO happy! Thank you, Paul! You're the BEST!

Thanks for stopping by, and have a wonderful weekend! And, don't forget that Paper Sweeties' newest releases are available now! And, I'll be back tomorrow with my March Release Rewind post, where we create by mixing the new releases with older releases. 

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Viva la Verve March 2015 Week 2 Challenge
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge: B is for... (Baby)
Chocolate, Coffee, and Cards Challenge #86-For a Child
Corrosive Challenge #220: Our Animal Friends

~Hugs,

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Paper Sweeties March Release Party!

Paper Sweeties Release Party is here! Whoo Hoo! Now you can get your hands on the newest Paper Sweeties stamps and Sweet Cuts dies, too! Here's another card I made using the new Stitched Tags #1 stamps and dies, as well as the Bloom & Grow stamp set
I went all shabby chic for this card, with lots of feminine layers, texture, and distressing. I made the heart with the Stitched Tags #1 heart stamp and Sweet Cuts die, then added the sentiment and little leaves from the Bloom & Grow stamp set. Sequins from the Sweetheart Mix made for cute little flowers, with a drop of gold Pearl Pen in the center of each one. I also have two more tags from the the Sweet Cuts Stitched Tags #1 die set on the card, cut from designer paper. You can see the floral tag with the button, and there is a typewriter text tag just beside it. You can't see the tags too well because I got carried away with the yummy Bubblegum Seam Binding and Cotton Candy Twine bow, but hey, can you blame me? ;)

You might have noticed that the white doily has a pinkish stain on it, but in my supply list below I've listed Dylusions Melted Chocolate Ink Spray. I added just a small amount of Ink Spray to a small water spritzer and it came out a nice shade of Victorian pink.

Now, you seriously have to check out the my Paper Sweeties Teamies creations. They have amazing talent and creativity! 

Cheryl Lea (that's me)

What's New

Thanks for stopping by! We'll be back tomorrow with our March Release Rewind, where we mix new and older releases. You won't want to miss it!

And, don't forget, there's still time to enter the Paper Sweeties Inspiration Challenge--Waiting for Spring!

papersweeties-inspiration#29

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
The Shabby Tea Room Week #247: Pop of Pink
Viva la Verve March 2015 Week 1 Sketch Challenge
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge: B is for... (Bloom & Bow)
Really Reasonable Ribbon Challenge #113: Flower and Ribbon or Trim
Your Next Stamp Color Challenge #9
Corrosive Challenge #219: Follow Your Heart
Fresh Brewed Designs March 11-17 Challenge--Flowers
Paper Issues: Enamored with Enamel with Paper Camellia

~Hugs,

Supplies Used:

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Paper Sweeties March Release Countdown!

Saturday, March 14, 2015

I'm back with another Paper Sweeties card for the March Release Countdown! I used the new I Pick You stamp set to give Abigail a little flower garden.
I colored the flowers, butterflies, basket and Abigail images with Copics, cut Abigail out with her very own Sweet Cuts die, and fussy cut the other images. I gave Abigail some plaid overalls with paper from a Little Yellow Bicycle paper pad, and fancied them up with a pretty Creamsicle sequin. Liquid Pearls accent the centers of the flowers. I colored each of the butterflies differently, then added white paint pen to one, and Stickles to the other two. To keep their wings raised, I used a little bit of transparent Pearl Pen under each one. The sentiment is heat embossed with white embossing powder.
A couple more flowers and a butterfly brighten up the white panel inside.

Be sure to check out the awesome creations from the rest of the Design Team for more inspiration:

Cheryl Lea (you are here)
Debbie Marcinkiewicz – Paper Sweeties
Jill Norwood 


What's New


See you tomorrow for the Paper Sweeties March Release Party

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge: B is for... (Blue)
613 Avenue Create Challenge #114: Anything Goes
Chocolate, Coffee & Cards Challenge #86: For a Child
Fresh Brewed Designs Challenge: March 11-17--Flowers

~Hugs,

Supplies Used:

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Paper Sweeties March Release Sneak Peeks!

Friday, March 13, 2015

Hello Friends! It's Friday, the 13th! And, what does that mean? Well, what else...it's time for the March Sneak Peeks at Paper Sweeties! Yay!!! You're going to love this month's release. As soon as I saw the Sweet Cuts Stitched Tags #1 dies, I knew I was going to have to use them immediately!
After cutting three tags from designer paper, I heat embossed Easter and Spring sentiments from the Jelly Bean Time stamp set onto two of the tags, and on the third tag, I added a fussy cut basket from the new I Pick You stamp set and filled it with eggs from the Bloom & Grow stamp set. Three different trims are tied to the tags, with a Cotton Candy Twine bow added to the bottom tag. Finally, I added several clear sequins from the Sweetheart Mix Sequins, and one of the pink ones to the basket.

Just behind the tags, using a stencil and molding paste, I added a Harlequin design to a piece of kraft cardstock, then spritzed it with several colors of Dylusions Ink Spray. After everything dried, I sanded the stenciled area to tone down the colors a bit, and added white paint to the torn edges, and a bit of wonky sewing around the edges, also. Behind that, is a white layer, embossed with a chicken wire design, and accented with Brushed Corduroy ink.

To leave a smooth area for personalization on the inside, I used an embossing diffuser with the chicken wire embossing folder, then stamped a sentiment from Jelly Bean Time and a sweet little butterfly from the new I Pick You stamp set.

Be sure to check out the rest of the Paper Sweeties Design Team for more inspiration:

Cheryl Lea (you are here)
Debbie Marcinkiewicz – Paper Sweeties
Jill Norwood 




Thanks for stopping by!  Come back tomorrow for another sneak peek of the I Pick You stamp set! It's a real cutie!

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #259: Use any previous SSSC sketch (I used #248)
Your Next Stamp Color Challenge #9
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge: B is for... (Basket)
613 Avenue Create Challenge #114: Anything Goes
Really Reasonable Ribbon Challenge #113: Flower and Ribbon or Trim
Fresh Brewed Designs Challenge: March 11-17--Flowers

~Hugs,

Supplies Used:

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Cupcake Inspirations Color Challenge 300

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

I'm back with another Paper Sweeties card for the Cupcake Inspirations Challenge 300. Today's challenge is a color challenge.


The colors in this challenge are chartreuse, white, and pool, but I added in some pink just so I could use these sweet Cotton Candy Straws. I also used the Party Time and Bloom & Grow stamp sets and cut them with the Party Time and Sweeties Wagon Sweet Cuts die sets. The flowers were colored with Copics, and I did a little shading on the plaid cake with Copics, also. Blueberry Baker's Twine adorns the "Happy" banner, on which I hand-wrote the letters using gel pens. For sparkle, I added Green Apple Sequins.
Inside the card, I used the Pretty Posies stamp set and coordinating Pretty Posies Sweet Cuts die set to cut the flower and leaves. Rather than cutting the leaves from the green paper, I just cut them out of the white layer so that the green paper showed through, then after adhering the negative die cut white layer over the green paper, I stamped the leaf onto the green plaid paper, and glued the pink flower over them. 

I left the inside of the card blank so that I can use it for any "Happy" occasion, but my daughter hinted that for her next birthday, she'd really, really like to have this card, so I suspect it will end up being a birthday card. ;) 

Congratulations, Cupcake Inspirations!

Thanks for stopping by, and have a wonderful week!

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Cupcake Inspirations 300th Challenge Celebration: Color Inspiration
Viva la Verve February 2015 Week 3 Sketch Challenge
Simon Says Monday Challenge: Just a Hint of Clover
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge: Anything Goes
613 Avenue Create #113: Anything Goes
Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge: Lucky
Fresh Brewed Designs March 3 Challenge: 1 Image + 1 Sentiment
The Paper Players - Laurie's Theme Challenge PP234: Think Spring

~Hugs,

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Paper Sweeties March Inspiration Challenge #29 - 'Waiting For Spring'

Sunday, March 1, 2015

It's the first of the month, time for the Paper Sweeties Inspiration Challenge, and I'm SO excited to share my first post as a member of the Paper Sweeties Design Team! This month's challenge is "Waiting for Spring."


I used Paper Sweeties' newest stamp releases, Pretty Posies and Garden Time for my card.
I stamped the flowers three times for each flower and fussy cut them so I could shape them into 3D flowers, added Diamond Stickles to the edges of each layer, and sequins, from the Sweetheart Mix, to the centers, finally putting a dot of Stickles in the center of each sequin. I stamped the flower pot onto designer paper and drew vertical lines from the curly border to the bottom, then added shading with a gray Copic. For more dimension, I also creased the flower pot along each of those vertical lines, which curved the pot. 3D glue is helping the pot retain it's shape. 
I stamped the flower on the inside of the card, too, and added just a little bit of Copic coloring to the flower and leaves. Magenta Stickles is in the center of the flower.

All that sparkle is for a reason...Paper Sweeties is helping Cupcake Inspirations celebrate their 300th challenge, and the first day's challenge is a Sparkle Challenge. It's hard to see in the photo, but I've not only added sparkle to the flowers, but also to the background. Every single raised dot on the white embossed background sparkles, too! Congratulations Cupcake Inspiration!


Be sure to check out the rest of the Design Team for more Spring Inspiration:

Cheryl Lea (you are here)
February Guest Designer:  Donna Baes

Thanks for stopping by, and have a sparkly week!

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Cupcake Inspirations 300th Challenge Celebration: Sparkle Inspiration
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge: Anything Goes
613 Avenue Create Challenge #113: Anything Goes
Color Throwdown #331
The Paper Players - Laurie's Theme Challenge PP234: Think Spring

~Hugs,

Supplies Used:

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