Swirls and Curls

I am totally addicted to the swirls out there. I think that this style may be my favorite "new" thing to hit scrapbooking styles yet. It is so versitile! I can use them in every color, mix and match, or use them as accent fillers. I cannot get enough of them. Oh, to have more time to make things with swirls. :)


In honor of my swirls and curls addiction, I made this card full of all types of swirls from the embossing, the stamping, and the paper. I used my cuttlebug for the embossing. The pattern paper is MME. The "Thinking of You" stamp and the blue and green accent stamps are from the Studio G line otherwise known as the Michael's $1 Stamps. The large swirl in the background of the circle is an Autumn Leaves stamp by Rhonna Ferrer.

Also, I would like to repeat this again. If you like podcasts, you must check out ScrapCast. I have almost finished all the back episodes. This is one great podcast. She really gives you so much information. For more info, check out this post or go to the ScrapCast site.

And the Stamps go to . . .

..."nancy". She told me about franticstamper. I have made a list of a few things that I am going to get from there. Thank you!

Thanks to everyone for the great places to shop. It is sometimes hard to judge what will be a good place to order online.

Nancy - if you will email me at sillyleann AT gmail.com then I will get all the info and get your stamps out as soon as I can.

It's the Little Things

I was looking through some of the cards that I have received or made for various swaps and things. As I was looking through, I began to wonder what made some of the cards really stick out to me and others sorda fade into the rest. For me, and I empahsize the for me part, it is all about the details that add demension and interest. I went through my archives and found this card I made. I would like you to take a look at the original design.



I love the different patterns that I used. I not a big fan of the colors, but otherwise a nice card.

Now look what happens when I add a little ribbon.


Now think if I were to use some pop dots and really push those circles out a bit. I could also add some brads or buttons to bring even more interest to the card. It would make this card pop.

Not my favorite card, but I really think you can still get the idea that the little things made the difference.

Spring Generosity

Ok, I guess I have figured out that I am the only one who reads my blog. :) I am okay with that. I will continue to upload my creations as a record of my growth as a card maker. But, for anyone who is interested . . . I still have stamps to give away from the previous post. I will pick a winner Monday, April 9th. So, you will need to post a comment by early that morning to be eligible for my blog candy.

Here is another card for my spring card swap - Enjoy!

Credits to follow soon...

Want Stamps?

I have to admit that I am a major lurker sometimes. I have a list of about 18 blogs that I read on an almost daily basis. I have only commented maybe a handful of times. I really try comment when I have a chance, but it seems that I am always in a rush.

So, in the name of goodwill, I am going to offer these fabulous new Michael's dollar stamps. I am sure that someone reads my blog that doesn't get a chance to comment. That's okay . . . lurk away. I hope that something I post offers you some kind of inspiration. If you want to win these stamps, post a comment telling me where I can get some unique embellishments. I only have a Hobby Lobby and Michael's to shop at (no AC Moore's, JoAnn's, ect.) The closest local scrapbook store is over 30 minutes away. I would like to find something that not many people can get locally here.

If you post, your name will go in a cup and I will pull out a winner. Here is what you could get:

Sunday Morning

For some reason, we haven't been able to capture those angelic photos of our daughter. It seems like most of our pictures she is "deer in the headlights" look. I was so excited that before we loaded up to go to church, she actually gave me a happy face. I had to scrap this.


The flower paper is by DebF. The flower doodle stamp and alpha are FJardine. The frame is ShabbyPrincess.

It has been a long time since I have actually put a digital layout together. It was so nice to get back to something I have such passion for. Oh, to be able to craft to keep up with life . . .

Scrapbooking for Your Speakers

I have to admit that I have been taken over by the iPod rage. I was surprized with one from my DH just before Christmas. I had never even touched one or really looked at one until he gave me mine. I got an 80G 5th generation iPod.

Shortly, after downloading iTunes, I began purusing their store. I found a few podcasts of some different churches that I love and was estatic to see I could hear the sermons for free. I became hooked on podcasts. I say all that to tell you that there is an awesome podcast called "Scrapcast". You really should check it out. You don't have to have iTunes or an iPod to get her shows.

The show is hosted by Lynette. She really packs each episode full of useful information. I get so many ideas and little tidbits here and there from the show. She does a great job and makes a very useful program. Note: I used a screen shot from http://www.scrapcast.com/ for the little graphic so that you can get the feel for it.




I haven't posted anything but cards lately that I almost forget that my purpose of this blog is scrapbooking and card making. :) So for those of you who are faithful card watchers this is for you:


I made these invitations for my neice. She is having a princess party. I made the pocket portion of the tag card. I distressed it with ink. Then, I stamped the swirls with Technique Tuesday stamps. The "Your Invited" stamp is a $1 stamp from Michael's. I paper pieced the castles and adhered them to the front. I made tags with all the information on them and then disstressed the edges. I topped the tag off with some funky fur in white, pink, and purple.

New Idea for Invitations

Here are some beautiful invitations that I made. They are a take off of the ever popular tag card. I just tweaked the idea so that you can see the "Who, what, where, when, why" information. I made these for a baby shower, but they could be used for practically any type of card or invitation. I hope you enjoy!



The colors turned out a little off. The papers coordinated beautifully. I also made some matching envelopes.

2-Minute Miracle

I have to admit that I was interrupted so many times while making this card. I had the general idea set. So, in theory this should be a quick 2-minute card.
Again, a 2-Minute Miracle begins with the inspiration of a beautiful paper with coordianting card stock and sentiment. Then you cut, stamp, and embellish from there. It is that simple.

Credits: Paper - Basic Grey; Flowers - Prima

Baby Shower Invites - DONE

One of my good friends had a baby back in January. She had moved prior to the birth and wasn't up for anything before. So, we are having a "Welcome Party" for her. Everyone can come and see (and hold) the baby. I, of course, volunteered to do the invites. That is a picture of their baby. Because I thought the photo was so cute, I had to use it on the invites. I thought they turned out so cute. However, these were very time intensive! I didn't think I would ever finish them. As some of you know, my sister-in-law and I make and sell all kinds of cards and invites. So, I can say with much experience behind me that these were intense. :) It was fun though because I haven't been able to do anything like it.
I said I was too busy to post and here I am blogging! I was so excited to get all my invites out the door today that I had to show them off.
Have a great weekend! I will most likely not be blogging again until Monday.

I love my Spring Stamps

I was so anxious to make something with my cutie spring stamps. I have a card swap with the theme of spring cards. How convenient! I have never water colored before, so this is my first attempt. I see all these beautiful cards, and I have to learn to do this technique. Anyway, I love how this card turned out. I hope my fellow swappers will be as happy with them as I am. All the cards are basically the same. You can even see what I put on the inside. It says "Happy Spring" with the letters of spring in flowers.


Enjoy! I have had a rough week. I am not sure how much I will be around to blog in the next few days. My husband has the weekend completly off!! So, if I you don't hear from me on my blog, don't worry. I am having a great weekend.

Edited to add Credits:
Paper is a printed paper from Shabby Princess. I ran the blue card stock through my cuttle bug. The stamps are Hobby Lobby colored with water color pencils.

Cute New Spring Stamps

I had to go shopping today because I needed some paper to finish a project I am currently working on. While I was at the store, I found the cutest sping stamps. They were an absolute bargain. Aren't these just the cutest things ever? I am sorry about the flash spot. I need to do something with them. Hmmmm...



Edited to Add: I got these stamps at Hobby Lobby. They are HL brand, so you will have to get them there. The spring stamps cost me $6. I know...what a deal!

Wooden Blocks Anyone

Now that I am getting all my stamps organized, I have a new twist. I don't want to throw away all the wooden blocks that I have. I have seen people asking where to buy these in the past. I don't know if their is a need at all for my precious blocks. If you need some wooden blocks, let me know. I will ship them to you for shipping cost plus any other cost (i.e. envelope, ect.). Here is just the tip of the ice berg of my wooden blocks.

If you would like to give these guys a new home, email me (sillyleann AT gmail.com) and we can work it out.

On the lighter side of things, I have a cute story to tell you. My sister was putting her 5 year old to bed. They were talking about Easter and what it meant and what traditions we have. When it was time to fall asleep, my sister said she would pray first and then my neice could pray second. My sister prayed and said amen. My neice began to pray. "Dear Lord, thank you that it is almost Easter. And I could really use your help finding all those eggs."
I thought that was the cutest story. It is probably even cuter if you knew this spirited 5 year old.

Time to Organize

I have to admit that my stamp collection has tripled in the past 2 months. I am not sure if that is a good or bad thing. I now have so many stamps that it makes it hard to find a stamp when you need it. When I only had like 3 stamps, I stored them in a rubbermaid with the 2 stamp pads that I owned. As they both grew in number, I moved my stamps to their very own rubbermaid. I have more than 3 rubbermaids full of stamps not to mention all the clear acrylic stamps that I own. So, I have thought and thought. I did a little research. I found that to really save space many people are taking their rubber stamps off of the wooden blocks. I haven't been pleased with the storage options of the bare rubber stamps. Nor, was I very excited to "tear up" my stamps.

After much thought, I took to pludge. I came up with my own system of storing the bare rubber stamps that will suit me. As I unmount the rubber stamps, I place them on transparencies arranging them according to theme. I then take the transparencies and put them in page protectors. When I am all done with that, I will go back and stamp a plain white CS to mimic the stamps on the transparency. You can see the bare bones startup of this in the picture.

I began with the stamps that I don't use very much at all. I think that the stamps I use frequently will stay mounted to the wood. I am going to work a little each day and hopefully transform my stamp storage in time. I'll post again to let you know how it is coming.

Two Minute Miracle

I was in need of a card that I had to mail rather quickly. So, I grabbed what was on top and flew it together. This is what came about.



Credits: Stripe paper - Michelle Coleman of ScrapArtist; Brown and White CS; Bazzil Flower; Stamps - Clearly Wordsworth

This was a 2 minute miracle! So after I thought for a bit, I thought this would make a fun challenge. You set your clock for 2 minutes and go. You don't worry about the "perfect" embellishment; you just put it together. I literally grabbed the paper on top and found CS to match. I quickly put a coordinating flower. Then it was stamp and done. I admit that this card will not win any awards, but it will give the receiver a nice smile.

I would love to see your 2-Minute Miracle . . .

Princess Purse Pity

Have you seen the incredible and beautiful princess purses? I really, really want one of those neat princess purses that ScrapArtist has been talking about. They even had a contest to win one. I did not win, but I had a lot of fun practicing to make inserts for my very own Princess Purse insert. So even though I am having a pity party today, I thought I would share these with you and tell you about these great things. Here are both sides of my purse:




These are digital scraps - Credits: Everything is by Michelle Coleman of ScrapArtist except the flower, brad, and alphas which are mine.

If you want to know more about the princess purses, go to http://www.memorypurses.com/. You really need to check out how cute these purses really are!

Prima's Anyone

Look what I got . . .



My local Target had these on Clearance for $4.88 each. I was so excited because NO ONE carries these primas locally. I have always had to order them and pay shipping costs. So, I sm totally excited that I will finally be able to join the Prima bandwagon.

Now to get something done with them . . .

I've gone crafty!

I have been enjoying my two children immensely. We have had a rocky start with our daughter, but things are really turning around. To God be the Glory. Because of my weird schedule and draining situation with our daughter, I have revitalized my paper crafting side. After I began digital scrapbooking, I swore off the old stuff forever. It is funny how life takes you on journeys. I have found a mixture of the two that has really lit a new found creativity in me. So, from now on, SillyLeAnn Designs will be a mixture of the two.
At the current moment, I am going to be doing both digital and paper crafts, scrapbook pages, cards, etc. So, get ready . . . I am excited to share my journey with you.
Here is a little warmer-upper.

Credits: "Birthday" stamp - Clearly Wordsworth; Flowers - MM; Paper - I cannot remember for the life of me. (I'll find it and update)

Christmas Papers and Where I Have Been

I have some Christmas papers to share with you. Here is a preview for you:


As to where I have been lately, that is simple. Enjoying life. :) I have been spending lots of time with our children. Also, my sister-in-law and I started selling our cards. That has been a fun adventure. You should check out our cards at our blog. It is very much in the beginning stages, but we wanted somewhere to show examples of what we have to offer. View it here! And, if you want to buy a few, I am sure I could hook you up with some. :)

I hope to get back to designing kits to sell again. I have no current plans but plan to return.

Thanks for keeping up!

Revival Alpha

Here is the alpha to go with the Revival Kit!

Enjoy!