Friday, September 8, 2017

Birthday and Christmas

Hi there!  I'm back today with three cards I made with my Power Poppy Under Glass stamp set.  They're all rather clean and simple.  Lots of white space, but color, too.  The first is a birthday card.  That's probably pretty obvious.



There's a cloche (or bell jar) with this set which I did not use for the birthday card.  Part of the beauty of the Under Glass set is that you can go either way.

I paired it with the Poppystamps Celebration Balloon Collage die, cut twice and layered.  On the top layer I used a craft knife to cut away the balloons so I was left with just the oval.  I colored the balloons on the bottom layer with Copics and then glued the second over top.  Nothing is popped up, but it appears to have quite a lot of dimension.  The card base was embossed with an old Cuttlebug birthday embossing folder.  Lots of sparkle was added to the birthday image with Stickles Stardust glitter glue.




Next are Christmas cards made from the same set.  I couldn't help but see Christmas bells in the cloche.

The card on the left mixes the cloche with Power Poppy's Merry Littles set -- the poinsettia, bow, and sentiment.  The die cut is Memory Box Frostyville Border.



The card on the right is mixed with a sentiment from Glistening Paperwhites.  The die is Memory Box Beloved Snowflakes.  The sun was wreaking havoc with my picture taking, so this wonky photo is the only one I ended up using.  There's too much going on at my house right now to be very picky about things like this.

The white on all cards is Neenah 110 lb.

On a personal note:

  • My root canal was a piece of cake.  I still have two more appointments for the crown.
  • Rich went to his family practice doctor for the obligatory follow up visit after his evening at the ER, and still everything is fine.
  • LuLu (precious Golden Retriever) had to go to the vet on Wednesday after a night of vomiting and urinary urgency (feels like she has to pee a lot but hardly anything comes out).  It's a lot like a human urinary tract infection.  She's fine now.
  • We did buy an RV and it's awesome!  We'll have an orientation and bring it home next Tuesday.  Now we'll start the process of stocking it up like a home away from home.  The one we chose is perfect for us.  King size bed (for two humans and two Golden Retrievers) and plenty of open floor space so the dogs won't feel cramped.  Roomy bathroom.  Polar package, meaning it's set up for cozy living no matter how cold it is outside.  Power awning with a row of LED lights.  Only 24' including the tongue, so it won't be like hauling a train down the highway.  Those were some of the main selling points, but it's so much more fabulous than all that.  I can't wait for our first trip!

I've been sitting here too long and must run now.  Hugs and happy wishes to everyone!


26 comments:

Joan B said...

WOW, those balloons are unreal. I so wish you lived nearby. I need some lessons!!! Both cards are amazing. Congrats on the medical news and the RV purchase. My inlaws had an RV for years and really enjoyed it.

Ros Crawford said...

How do you do it?? Those balloons look real!! Your skills with copics are just incredible and you eye for design... Well you are one of the best in my opinion! I'm really glad I fond you through DD... Love each and every one of your creations... Sorry to hear about your fur baby... My Ginger cat had the same thing and he has a special diet to rid him of the Struvite crystals which causes the problem. Grae news about your RV!! What fun to deck it out too! Have a beautiful day!

Pauline said...

Beautiful Cards! I also ditto to the above comments - those balloons do look real! The card is beautifully designed - lots of colour, and texture, this is sure to bring a smile to the recipient, it made me smile. Love your Christmas cards as well, so elegant looking, it's amazing what you can come up with, using one main image (cloche) - just fabulous Leslie. Gosh I wish we lived closer so we could have a fun day of stamping once in a while, but too many miles apart! Good news on the health front for all, and so excited for you to own your RV, it sounds amazing - oh the places you will travel- enjoy!

ChristineCreations said...

Oh Leslie, first off I’m so glad that you’re ok and that Rich is ok. You guys are going to have a blast in the RV :) Just think, you can even come to Canada if it’s winterized (wink!). And, such a pretty trio of cards with this set! That’s one of the reasons I love this set, there are so many ways to use it. Those balloons are such a great pairing for the BD cupcakes, and I just LOVE the poinsettias in the cloche! So creative!

Cindy Beach said...

I'm agreeing about your amazing coloring skills, Leslie. You make it look effortless! The first card took my breath away - texture, teacups, cupcakes and balloons wrapped up with a bit of glitter. Oh my. The Christmas cards are crisp and beautiful. I love the way you used the dainty dies for tone on tone elegance.

Yogi said...

beautiful. I love the coloring on those balloons - fabulous - they just pop. Have a great day

Darlene said...

HOLY MOLY!!! These are amazing Leslie! Your balloon coloring makes them look so real! Your coloring is ALWAYS top notch! LOVE the designs! And, even though I struggle with white space ... these are FABULOUS! The white space actually enhances your already beautiful coloring! WELL DONE my friend ... what fabulous design inspiration! YOU GO GIRL!!

nancy littrell said...

All 3 of your CAS beauties are...Stunning my friend:-) I love your bright coloring and use of so many beautiful die cuts on your creative layouts. Wow!

Can't wait to see your RV IRL. You will LOVE your travels I am sure. I have gotten so I even take a few stamping supplies on our trips. It is a fun relaxing time to color:-) You will love that!

Have fun and TFS your new beauties, Leslie. Hugs..

Traci M said...

Leslie, the cards are exquisite!! But I had to comment on personal...I had my first root canal in February, which was painless! But my story has been much more complex. i am going to document it on my blog soon; as I need a place to look back to. Many months and specialists later, no one knows what is wrong. I have several upcoming appointments...one with an oral surgeon and am hoping for some light shed on these issues. So glad your LuLu is better!
And am excited about your RV! Can't wait to see!

Donna Ellis said...

Leslie, I so enjoy seeing the highlights you create in your amazing cards! I just love everything you color. EXQUISITE, and so lighthearted and sweet. Always, your artwork makes me feel peaceful, calm, happy, joyful, lovely - what a nice "ability" to give to your friends. Glad to hear about the root canal - good endodontists are like gold when you need them! Super happy to hear about Rich's followup check. Sorry to hear about Lulu - my kitty had a UT last year, and I felt so badly for her! Hoping Lulu feels like her old self soon. AND I CAN HARDLY WAIT to see your incredible traveling photos. I can imagine entire posts of beautiful landscapes, and fun tales (or should I say tails?). I envy you this opportunity. So as you travel, please carry me in your heart, knowing that I would treasure each of these travels as well. Maybe some day you'll make it all the way to Florida!
Sending happy hugs,
de

pam said...

Gorgeous card designs Leslie, your colouring is perfect!!, those balloons look amazing..glad your fur baby is ok now.
Had to google RV.. I know what your talking about now..hope you have fantastic trips.
Hugs Pam x

Nanny's Pansy Patch said...

Well, I can see that you have been busy. These cards are great! I love the balloons and bells and the cute little cupcake. What a great stamp set. The balloons really look popped up! So glad your tooth issue went well and the rest of the family is doing well - always a sigh of relief. Now, I'm really jealous of your RV! I'm sure you will have so much fun traveling around with it! Take pictures!

Kathy Krug said...

So glad you root canal was easy and that everyone is checking out to be ok. Sounds like you are going to have fun in your RV. Fabulous group pf cards colored to perfection. Love that balloon die and how you put the happy birthday panel underneath, and the dies you chose for the Christmas cards are perfect.

Margaret said...

All of your cards are so fabulous. I purchased that set about a month ago and can't wait to put it to use. Glad to hear that your root canal went okay and that Rich is fine. I'm sure you are beside yourself to get going on a road trip with the RV. Make sure to set a spot aside for your stamping stuff. Can't leave that all at home.

Pam Sparks said...

So pretty Leslie! I love them all! Send me a picture of the RV! or link... sounds awesome! Is there room for card making supplies?

laurie said...

Awesome cards Leslie! Those balloons look SO real...amazing detail.Your camper sounds fun...I bet you will get lots of enjoyment out of that!

Evelyn S. said...

The balloon card is truly one of the most WOW cards I've ever seen! I thought the balloons must be puffy stickers! I love the colors, too. It's just such a showy piece of art. And Christmas cards: They, too, are outstanding! (On to the personal news: glad you and hubby are doing okay, and hope you love that new RV!)

Julia Aston said...

Beautiful cards - your balloons look so dimensional and glossy!

Conniecrafter said...

WOW!! Beauty overload here :) Your coloring of those balloons is just out of this world, you are so amazing, I would love to just sit and watch you work! Love the embossing behind them and the festive image with all the glitter just tops it off wonderfully!
Same goes for your bells and the lovely flower on the other bells, I so love how you have used those memory box dies with them, just sets it off nicely!!
So glad to hear all went well with your root canal, hope all goes well with the crown too, I had one of my crowns come loose and they had to reseal it but it has been fine ever since. Also good to hear all is well with your hubby too, got to keep him in shape for your fun times ahead in the RV, sounds like you made a great decision with it, and can't wait to see pics from your adventures :) I know you didn't mention it but I am sure you got one with a good table and plenty of space to have some cardmaking goodies on board :) Poor Lulu, glad she is doing better too, I think that is enough for you all now, do take care!

Sherri said...

Finally up to commenting again & WOW, am I glad! These are gorgeous cards! Your coloring just blows me away every single time. Glad your root canal was smooth & that LuLu is feeling better. Give her a hug from me!
Your RV sounds amazing! Glad you found a big enough bed for your babies to share too! Glad Rich got a good checkup & everything is back on track too! Hugs!

KimCreate said...

Wow, I love how you added those balloons under the oval for a cool 3D effect that is very unique!

Diane said...

All three cards are fabulous, so bright and cheerful for the holidays. I LOVE bell jars, and have a few 'cloche' jars myself which will be coming out soon for fall! The cards with the jars are amazing, the poinsettias are gorgeous and the designs as well. I love, love that birthday card with all the pretty balloons! So glad that your family is all okay now, they say it comes in 3's so guess you had your 3!! Your RV sounds amazing (I hope you post some pics inside and out) I hope your travels will bring you to Michigan as it is so beautiful here with all the Great Lakes and your hubby can drive it across the Mackinaw Bridge or Mighty Mac as we like to call it...it sounds like your retirement is going to be so much fun...maybe you have a place in it to 'color at, too!!

Stacy Morgan said...

I am not sure how a root canal can be a piece of cake, but if you say so. :-) Glad that Rich is okay and everyone is doing well finally. The RV sounds so cool and I bet the puppies will love it traveling with you guys. Your cards are wonderful, oh I do love the balloons. That is so clever and they look totally 3d. The poinsettia bell looks beautiful! All the white space makes me grin. Love it all!

Lynette said...

First off - your cards are beautifully amazing. I love them all. Glad your root canal went well. Also glad that Rich is doing well. And your RV sounds so cool! I would love to travel the country like that, but I'm kind of a nervous rider and I don't think I could handle the stress of driving while towing it. Can't wait to see pictures. Maybe you'll even make it to Minnesota! :) Almost forgot - sorry about LuLu but so happy she's doing fine.

wannabcre8tive said...

Your card are beautiful. I love how you did the balloons on the first one and added the other image at the bottom. Glad your root canal went well, isn't it amazing how root canals are painless now? Glad your hubby and fur baby are doing good.

CherylQuilts said...

Oh, Leslie, I LOVE all your cards! Your CAS are so amazing, and the balloons look so dimensional...and such fabulous coloring. I really love the cloche set and LOVE the Christmas bells you made with it. Sweet! So glad your root canal went well. They really have the procedure down well now. And I'm so glad to hear Rich is fine. Poor Lulu...it's bad enough being a human with a UTI, but not being able to speak. Well, I'm just happy she is fine now. And woohoo about the RV. I was curious (haha) and was looking at lots of fun floor plans for RVs. Sounds like you have a lovely one, and I know you are ALL going to love it! Thanks again for a lovely "visit," my friend! Hugs!