"Amberley Grace" Card Slider

As I mentioned in a prior post, I would show you one of The Angel Company's new paper collections...and here it is....Amberley Grace! Isn't it lovely? I love it's gentle and elegant look. These pictures don't really do it justice. But my next project shows this paper off much better so come back and check that one out!

Amberley Grace V840 paper collection goes extremely well with the "Forever" T2811 valentine's stamp set. I love this set since they're solid stamps and I didn't have to color anything in...this was definitely quickie stamping! Since I wanted to use non-traditional valentine's colors, I used Cognac TT217 and Cote d' Azure TT206 Palette hybrid inkpads. Did you know?...Palette hybrid inkpads are a combination of dye and pigment inks? Very cool to use!

Here's how to make the tag-like card slider... I've included two different versions...the first is using the Cricut Expressions:

-Use Plantin School Book cartridge

-press Italic

-press Fit to Length

-set Tagright at 8"

Not to fret, if you don't have a Cricut I've measured the card slider and you can cut it out by hand as follows:

-cut a 2-1/2" x 8" sheet of paper
-punch 1/4" hole on either end
-wrap card slider around cards

-slide ribbon thru holes and tie a ribbon knot (see first picture).

That's it! How quick and easy, huh? Makes a wonderful gift set.

Thanks for dropping by, believing you enjoyed this quick tutorial. God bless you!

Tutorial - Faux Swiss Dotted Ribbon & Flowers

Tutorial - Faux Swiss Dotted Ribbon & Flowers

I love using swiss dotted ribbon (or is it dotted swiss?) on my cards but I didn't have the color I needed! Goodness, what to do? Well, I guess I can try to make my own....what else, huh?




Here's a quick tutorial on making your own swiss dotted ribbon and flowers using Stickles glitter glue.

Supplies used:
Stickles Glitter Glue F516, F522
Bitty Blossoms flowers D437
Dark pink ribbon "Mimi"B211
"Curls & Swirls" T2773 stamp set
"Love Doodles" T2709 stamp set

Can you tell I'm really having fun using the "Love Doodles" set??! I just noticed I've used it on the last few posts! The "red hearts" are GWP's (Did you know? GWP's are Gift With Purchse FREE stamps that you receive with your $30 order...I know, pretty neato of TAC to do that, huh?....please email me if you want more info on this. Here's the tutorial:
Oops, you need to look at the post up above....don't know what happened here! I hope I corrected this!

Now it's your turn to give this a try...come back and show us what you've done..don't forget to link up so we can see your work! Thanks for looking.

"Mimi" meets the Cricut!

Our first class of the year will be heart-themed and it is certain to be a lot of fun! Yes, "Mimi" (our wonderful paper) meets the Cricut!! You can see it in the picture...the pink mini purse. Isn't it cute?

We will be using my new Cricut Expressions electronic die cutter (my holiday gift - yeah!) to make the following projects:

-Heart Photo Book

-2 cards with matching card holder

-Treat Box or Small Purse

The Cricut Expressions recipes (how-to instructions) will be included for your future use.

If you live locally, we'd love for you to join us and enjoy the fun!!! Bring your favorite adhesive, glue pen. Please RSVP me at myleeson@netscape.net to RESERVE your seat! Thanks for dropping by!

"Amor" Card

Once I receive the new paper collections, stamps, etc. mentioned in the post below, I will post some samples for you. BUT until then...here's how to make your first "Happy Hearts" card. Ok, I know it's a real jump from the holidays but I'm ready for hearts and here's a quick card to get you started! (Excuse the scan...my camera isn't cooperating this a.m., thus, the scan instead. You can click on image to enlarge it.)

-Using red inkpad, stamp "love" rectangle (from "Love Doodles" t2709 stampset) on 2-1/2" x3" white cs & then stamp "Speckle" F-19 over it. Ink edges.
-Adhere this to center of red cardfront.
-Stamp "ornate" design (from discontinued "Partridge" stampset) on 2"x2" heart shape and ink edges.
-Adhere to right side of love background with mounting "Pop-It" popdots.
-Stamp "tic-tac-toe" (from "Love Doodles" t2709 stampset) on white cs, trim, & ink edges. Attach with jump ring to bottom of heart.

To make photo corner, stamp design on 1"x1" white cs square, cut in half diagonally. Trim w/scissors to shape into photo corner.

With white pen add dots to top left of cs and hand write the word "Amor" at lower right of cardfront.

And here you have your first FUN Happy Hearts card!

January TAC News!

The new The Angel Company (TAC)SPRING/SUMMER Inspiration Book & Catalogue has been released and it is just WONDERFUL!! See for yourself here.

It is filled with beautiful new paper collections, double-sided Matchbook Kits, great new stamp sets and accessories. I especially love the new faithbooking and inspirational stamp sets for scrapbooking! There are new GWP (gift with purchase are free stamps you receive with a $30 purchase!) and Hostess Stamp sets. We have scalloped punches, Scor-pal, Bind-it-All, etc., etc.!! (Remember you can get these at half price with your $100 funshops-what a benefit!!)

I had the honor of designing for this catalogue...so excited! My samples are on pages 94 and 95 if you want to take a look...these are in the Amelia Papers and christmas stamp sets section.

Contact me so I can mail you your catalogue today and you can start ordering on January 2 either thru me (to get the free rewards)you can order direct thru my online store at www.myleeson.ismyangel.net.

January FUNSHOPS are now being scheduled also so phone me with your date so I can mail you your catalogue and get you started. Did you know? Even if you're out-of-state, you can take catalog orders and receive all the freebies of a Funshop for yourself!!

Organizational Stamp Sets:

CLICK ON IMAGES TO SEE A CLOSE UP.

TAC has designed four Organizational stamps sets to help us stay organized giving us more time to stamp and scrap!!
-Studio Organizer stamp set
-Papercrafting Products Organizer stamp set
-Office Organizer stamp set
-Sorting by Seasons Organizer stamp set

When you sign up as a Demonstrator this month, you receive ALL 4 SETS along with your Start-up recruiter stamp sets!! Can you say "OH YEAH"!!

January Stamp of the Month:
Artful Objects is a 5-stamp set that is available for $5.95 with your $30 purchase!

Click here for the Stamp of the Month Set.

Vintage Set:
The Portfolio Collection is a 11-stamp set for $13.95 with your $30.00 purchase. These "realistic" stamps are shown at 70%.

New Years Belief

Thank you for visiting my blog this past year...well, it'll be a year in a few months. Thanks for your encouraging and positive comments...greatly appreciated!

My belief, for those of you reading this, is summarized in the verse of scripture on this card from 3 John 2 "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health even as thy soul prospereth!! Happy New Year!

Perky Penguin

Love this little guy - this card design was one I received in a stamping swap. Thanks Avis for the instructions! The scan is not the best as you can't see how it pops out when opened. Love the wording in this card "Abundance is....unexpected blessings!" May you all receive many unexpected blessings during the holiday season and an abundance in every category of life for the new 2008 year!! God bless you and your families and thanks for dropping by!

Secret Sister Swap Gifts

I just wanted to show you what I received in the mail this week from Julie Griffith, my secret sister/santa! I belong to a TAC stamping group and we had a sister/santa swap...never having done one before with them, I thought it would be fun to try it out. Well, as you can see by the pictures below, I was blown away by Julie's generosity and talent (well, talent, I already knew she was a very talented stamp artist!). I didn't want to open up some of the gifts because her wrapping was so pretty. She sent me lotsa hand-crafted items (the personalized notecards and the calendar with verses of scripture were some of my favorites!), some TAC products and a cd from their WHAG stamping seminar. Needless to say, I was totally BLESSED! Thanks again, Julie, for your big heart of giving!!

Holiday Carnival!!

If you haven't done so yet, please visit Craft Critique's Holiday Carnival. They had three days full of different BLOGS featuring holiday cards, decorations (see me here!), sb layouts, altered items, gift ideas, gift boxes, recipes --- anything to help you with ideas for the upcoming holidays and then some. I participated this year and was overwhelmed with the talent out there and the great hearts of these crafters to share with us. So go visit and enjoy your time there! Go on!

Simply Rudy - Embossing a Background

Don't you just love this little guy? He's from Tis the Season stamp set. You could easily use this set with the Merry Wishes paper that is so festive looking! Scroll down to see my post where I used this paper to make ornaments and to take advantage of this paper special until November 30th!!

First, I made my own fern background by heat embossing the fern from Bold Flourishes stamp set. For newbie stampers, that means I stamped my fern image with embossing ink and then sprinkled embossing powder over it. Then we heat emboss it with a heat gun until the powder melts and you see a shiny surface. A very cool technique. Er, or should that be a very hot technique??!) I used a scrap piece of Rustic Chic paper behind Rudy (you know how I can't throw away these small scraps of TAC paper!) I then embellished it with a ribbon and paper flower. That's it - simply Rudy! Hope you enjoy him.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

May you and your families be blessed with a wonderful and peaceful Thanksgiving day! Every day is a day to be thankful if we just take the time to THINK about how God has blessed us TODAY!

Here's a card I made using Ephesians 3:20 as the central focus of the card. This verse is our ministry's "theme" verse for the year. I'm so THANKFUL for that! Ephesians 3:20 is one of my all time favorite verses. If you'll look at the column on the right hand side you'll see it there, under my picture. Yep, that's where you've seen it before. This verse is one I always bring my mind back to when I'm challenged in life. God can do ABOVE AND BEYOND what we can ask or think!! Wow, how awesome and comforting is that?? All we have to do is BELIEVE His Word and claim His promises. Oh yes, I forgot to tell you, our theme for the year is "Your Power for Abundant Living." What a great theme to work & study this year, huh?

Again HAPPY THANKSGIVING today and tomorrow and tomorrow and...!! God bless!

Teabag-Folded Tree

We made these teabag-folded trees at Rita's Ohio Gathering (thanks, Rita!) but I misplaced the directions. So from memory (oh boy!) I made this one. They are easy to make once you put one together. I don't have her instructions but I found this website that has similar instructions.

The sizes of paper squares that I used on this Welcome card were:
3x3",
2-1/2 x 2-1/2"
2x2",
1-1/2 x 1-1/2"

First I used the Patridge's tail (from TAC's "Partridge" rubber stamp set) as my design & I stamped it on light green cardstock using Bordeaux Palette inkpad on the first and third layers. For the green layers I doodled white dots on my green cardstock using my Signo white pen.

Next, I folded as per instructions and nested them together with glue dots. The bottom striped strip and the two top ones are from TAC's Amelia paper collection. Love the vintage look of this paper! I then tied some jute twine around the strip before adhereing it to the front of the card.

I will be punching 1/8" hole on top to thread ribbon thru them and use them as ornaments. I saw a technique using beeswax, so I want to try this on some of these ornaments & see what they turn out like. I love experimenting with new techniques, don't you? I will show you those once I try that technique. Well, friends, thanks for dropping by and lookin'!

Notecards Box with Divider (altered treat box)

I saw this cute Treat Box tutorial and thought I'd give it a try. No, this isn't a sample of that treat box -- sorry. But it is the first time I've tried a challenge and it was lotsa fun! Loved the treat box!

Here's what I did differently. I decided to use double-side paper instead and then was inspired to alter it and turn it into a notecards box with an inside divider for my desk. Tell me what you think.

To make the divider, I simply and obviously didn't thread ribbon thru it like the treat box tutorial called for. I brought all folds together to form the box. I then brought two of the pointed triangular folds to the center and adhered them together with double-sided tape. Then you adhere the remainder of the sides together to complete the box. That's it!

You can use this not only for notecards, but you could put receipes, tall candy bars, napkins and plastic ware, etc. You get the picture. The divider makes it a more versatile box to use.

I used Tag Tidbits (which is one of the best stamp sets to use for "teeny" sayings) for the "Just a Note", Amelia hardware , Salsa Flowers and I put to use some discounted double-sided paper.


Thanks for dropping by - God bless YOU!

"Merry Wishes" ornaments

Here are some ornaments I made with TAC's "Merry Wishes" 12x12 paper collection. I really like this paper - it's so versatile!

I covered wood cutouts with the paper. You can put a "stonewashed" look on them to soften the colors by lightly dry brushing white acrylic paint over them or you can put a "vintage" look on them to get that old world look by edging the ornaments with Versamagic "Jumbo Java" inkpad (or your favorite brown inkpad) with a cosmetic sponge - whatever the look you want, it's easy to do with this paper. You'll then want to seal the ornaments with a matte sealer.

Right now TAC has a "Merry Stamping" special on this paper! You can get the paper collection (which includes 16 heavy weight patterned paper, alphas, tags, AND a 34-word stamp set for only $29.95!-retails for 39.95. Check out the "Merry Words" - they are wonderful for those scrapbooking pages you know you're gonna make this holiday! This paper goes a long way and it is has such a fun & festive look. Click here if you want to see the rest of my TAC online store.

Thanks for dropping by to visit me! God bless~

Tutorial - Scalloped Shrink Plastic Ribbon Slider

I was asked how I made the scallop edge on the Teeny Tiny Tag with the oval scallop punch. I thought I'd show you how to do that plus combine it with how to make a shrink plastic ribbon slider. Whew!-what a mouthful.

For the scalloped ribbon slider (see SLIDE pictures below this):

-First, remove the plastic back to expose the scallop punch opening.

-Cut a piece of opaque shrink plastic 3"x2". The size you use must be, of course, smaller then the opening so you can feed it thru.

-Insert your shrink plastic as you normally would. Then feed it thru and out the punch opening. (See Slide pictures below.)

-Position it & you're ready to punch the scallop edge.

-Punch two 1/4" holes on each side. This is where you will slide your ribbons thru.

-Using black Versamagic inkpad. Stamp your image on the shrink plastic.

-With a an heat gun, heat emboss it holding it down with tweezers.

-It will begin to curl but don't freak out-it's suppose to! Keep heat gun on it until it curls & uncurls itself.

-Immediately place it under an acrylic block to flatten it.

-Color in images. I used Impress markers. Some I just sponged inkpad colors on them. Hit them with heat gun a few seconds to dry off the colors.

-You're ready to use it as a ribbon slider or a charm.

Shrink plastic is easy and lots of fun to make your own charms, embellishments, alpha stickers, earrings etc. Now go make one and show me your work. Thanks for joining me today!

SO MUCH - SO GENEROUS!!

Wow! Have I told you lately how blessed I am to be a part of TAC (The Angel Company) rubber stamps and scrapbooking company? A lot of people aren't familiar with THE ANGEL COMPANY and all it has to offer. This is just a "heads up" for you. I can't tell you enough what a great company to be a part of and they are just so GENEROUS to their customers and their demonstrators. If you've been considering in becoming an independent demonstrator, you must read on. Join my "Luv 2 Bless" Stampers team and have fun with us! There is only a minimum of $100 in retail orders in 4 consecutive months and there are so many benefits available to you. Email me for more info or click here to read on your own. Take some time (you're gonna get blessed!) and look at some of the GENEROUS SPECIALS just for the month of November:

"Celebration" will continue ALL THRU the month of November. This is where, when you place your order with me, all customer and hostess benefits ARE DOUBLED! Can you believe this? Regularly, for EVERY $30 order you get 1 free GWP (gift with purchase) stamp. But now you get 2 instead of 1. With your $100 FUNSHOP, free hostess stamps sets are DOUBLED also! Plus you still get one 1/2 off item with that!

SURPRISE BOXES - These are GREAT for the "gift-giving" holiday coming up as there is quite a variety of product in this baby! Surprise Boxes are a box full of discontinued product which has at least $100 retail value. You can order one, or as many as you'd like, for only $50!

"Fond Farewell" to some of our paper collections. Only $3.50 for 36-sheet pad of 8x8 paper and $10 for 12x12 heavy weight paper collections (which include tags, alpha stickers, embellishments) as follows (click on highlighted name to see the wonderful colors of paper):

Bella Flor - $19.95 now $10.00
Kaleidoscope Brites - $19.95 now $10.00
Surf Shoppe - $6.95 now $3.50
Simply Spooky - $6.95 now $3.50
Whimsey Blossoms - $6.95 now $3.50
Finger Paints - $6.95 now $3.50
Country Cottage - $6.95 now $3.50
Metropolis - $6.95 now $3.50
Lap of Luxury - $6.95 now $3.50


"Merry Stamping" special - includes "Merry Wishes" paper 12x12 paper collection and "Merry Words" 34-stamp set (retail $39.90) for only $29.95 for BOTH! This is such a FUN paper collection for all your holiday projects.


Stamp of the month - with $30 purchase get this "Button Words" 12-stamp set for only $6.95!
Vintage monthly set - with $30 purchase get the "Ginger Joy" gingerbread man for only $4.25. A great one to use for your holiday candy tags.

Well, didn't I tell you you'd get blessed? Thanks for dropping by to see me. I'll have some artwork and tutorial in my next post, so come back to visit me! God bless~

Natalie Rose Card

Here's a baby card I made for one of my sweet customers. Her newborn baby's name is Natalie Rose. Isn't that such a lovely name?

For a really soft color to edge a girlie card, try Versamagic Pink Petunia. I used the Mimi paper collection & edged it with this color chalk inkpad.



For the white dots on the scallop and the name plate, I used the sharpie poster-paint pen. Click on the photo for a larger view. "Children are a gift (heritage) of the Lord" - don't you just love that verse?

Tutorial - Walnut Ink Resist - updated

I said I would show you the demo on Walnut Ink Resist that I presented at our Ohio Gathering rubber stamping weekend. Glossy paper is used for this technique. The instructions are on the picture SLIDE but, for "newbies," you're basically going to:

- Ink your stamp with Versamark or embossing ink and stamp it on your glossy paper.
- Sprinkle stamped image with CLEAR embossing powder.
- With heat gun, heat emboss image until it melts to a shiny surface.
- Take the dauber on the Terra Cotta Walnut Ink bottle and swipe all over your image and paper. The embossed images will "resist" the ink and you'll get a really interesting vintage look to your work.
- Let the ink dry or you can wipe off excess ink with kleenex depending on the look you want. That's all there is to it!

The SLIDE show below shows variations of faux looks you can obtain when doing this technique. I used the Amelia paper collection to match this vintage look. Any questions? You must give it a try! It's lotsa fun. We'd love to see what you've done with it. Thanks for visiting and have a blessed day!

Teeny Tiny Gift Card