Saturdays With LeAnn

Happy Saturday and welcome back to the Stamp & Scrapbook Expo blog for another dose of creative planning fun.  I hope you all are having an awesome July so far.  It is so hard to believe we are approaching the middle of July already.  I thank you for sharing part of your Saturday with me.  Today you are sure to be inspired by these wonderful and talented designers.  I hope you will take the time to enjoy and create some of the fabulous projects I have to share with you.

Love Today By Nathalie DeSousa

I am sure with your busy summer you probably have plenty of photos to scrapbook.  I want to share this adorable summer layout that combines a mixed media look using cut files.  If you haven’t used digital cut files, this is a great opportunity for you.  The beauty of cut files allows you to make your designs the size that you need them to be.  This is a fun technique and you can become very creative with your layouts.

Nathalie added watercolor, gesso, and iridescent paste to create the watery teal color in the background.  Once she completed her background, she added clusters of ephemera and stickers along with more cut files for her title.  There are literally hundreds of combinations you can create using cut files.  Take a minute and check out Just Nick Studio digital cut files; you will have so much fun creating with them.  If you haven’t had the pleasure of visiting Nathalie’s blog Living An Inspired Life, that is something you will definitely want to do!  You will leave her blog totally inspired by her outstanding projects.

Sew On And Sew Forth By Kathy Clement

Do you have a hard time getting started when you sit down to create a card?  I know I do because I have so many darling papers and embellishments.  I often just sit at my crafting table and stare because I don’t know where to begin.  Today’s card will give you some inspiration on how Kathy began to create her card.  Kathy started her card using card map sketches.  She followed the design using her Authentique papers to do the sketches.  This card is so adorable and it only gets better!

The basic principle of card map sketches is very simple and that is to provide card makers with a design layout for a card.  The card sketch will have basic shapes and designs drawn on the layout but no other instructions are given.  Therefore you can use your favorite color schemes, papers, stamps, and any other embellishments that you desire to create your cards.  You can turn each inspiring sketch into a mini work of art.  Click here and I will take you over to the Authentique blog where you will see every little detail about this darling card.   If you have never tried using a card sketch, give it a try!  It is loads of fun and you won’t have any struggles about where to begin.

Stencil Cinder-block Planters By Janna Makaeva

Are you wanting to update your planter boxes, or just want something fun and different?  Try painting some cinder-blocks with paint and stencils for a fun and creative look.  Cinder-block planters are an easy way to add a fun accessory to a garden without breaking the bank.  These planter boxes will add such a statement to your yard, and the trendy stencil patterned planters will be the topic of conversation at your next neighborhood barbecue.

If you don’t have any cinder-blocks laying around, you can pick them up for just a few dollars.  Let me take you on over to Stencil Stories where you will find a tutorial by Erika showing how easy it is for anyone to create a focal point for their garden.  Don’t be afraid to play around with different paint colors and stencils to create your masterpiece planter.  It is amazing what a stencil and a little paint can do!

Cherry Pie Crumble Bars By Stacy Bryce

I love cherries, and I hope you do, too!  There is just something amazing about these little tasty, tart Cherry Pie Crumble Bars.  These scrumpdillyicious bars bring out the best that cherries have to offer.  The crumble is so amazing and complements the cherries perfectly to bring out the combination of tart and sweet.  You will find yourself picking up the few crumbs that end up on your plate and sweeping them into your mouth.  This is so amazingly delicious!

This recipe is all about baking to please a crowd, so this is a perfect dessert for a fun summer family gathering.  These Cherry Pie Crumble Bars are easy to bake and yet will be sure to knock everyone’s socks off! They will be begging for more!  Come with me over to Wicked Good Kitchen where Stacy will give you step-by-step instructions on how to make these scrumptious treats, and you will learn how to make the Homemade Tart Cherry Pie Filling.  Enjoy!

As always, I appreciate being able to spend some time with you today.  I hope you have been inspired by these wonderful designers and will begin a new adventure in crafting.  Enjoy the beautiful weather and have a wonderful week ahead of you.  I am headed out Wednesday to get ready for our Duluth, GA show (July 20-21).  If you are in the area, come join us in a fun-filled weekend.  Be sure to stop at the Registration Desk and say hello to me.

Hugs to all,

LeAnn