Mister Zagg

I love Ranger's Mini Misters!  They're great for so many things (we'll get back to that), and I think they're fairly inexpensive as well--a nice bonus.  But you'd be surprised at what you might have around the house worth repurposing.  We recently bought our son a new phone; and everytime we buy a new phone we always buy the Zagg Invisible Shield for it's guaranteed protection.  But this is the first time I'd noticed that there is a small mister in each kit--no kidding!  These misters have a solution in them to help apply the screen cover, but is easily washed out and perfectly usable--and the labels peel right off too.  I dug out another of our kits we had put up, and grabbed the mister out of that one too.  One of the misters is the exact size of Ranger's Mini Mister, and the other was a tad bit larger.  But how cool is that?!  Had to pass on that bit of useful repurposing to you all, of course.

Getting back to why these misters are so fab:
1.  Small size to go anywhere/anytime, for all your crafting needs
2.  Delivers a fine mist, so heavy droplets don't weigh down your project in just one area.
3.  Fill the bottle with so many fun things -- great for lots of applications:
     - Fill mister with water, apply dye ink to stamp, mist inked stamp with water and press image onto cardstock for a watercolor print.
     - Fill mister 2/3's with water, add 4-5 drops of re-inker, spray over project a little or a lot--depending on the color coverage you like, let dry naturally or dry faster with heat gun
     - Great for distressing projects with a bit of water mist, scrunched up paper, and drying time
     - Fill with stamp cleaner to clean up stamps, dry on soft cloth/towel
     - Fill with walnut stain
     - Fill with Copic blending solution for your alcohol ink projects
4.  Use as a water mister when a bit of steaming is necessary for your small fabric projects

And SO much more!  You can google lots of information on how to use these misters, or check out YouTube for more project ideas.  Tim Holtz has a lot of videos I like watching for inspiration...try checking out some of those on YouTube for your inspiration (he uses the Mini Misters in a lot of his projects).  Here's a video to get your creative juices flowing...Tim Holtz Distress Ink & Mini Misters...Enjoy!

ETA - Best Buy (local electronics store) installs a lot of the Zagg film onto gadgets for their customers, which means they go through these misters very quickly.  I asked them what they do with them, and they said they throw them away!!  Whenever I'm in there, I ask if they have any emptys.  If they do, they give them to me.  Sometimes they'll combine misters that are low together, and give me the empty bottles.  Just thought you might be interested!

 Happy Crafting!  Lisa

Cats & Nursery Rhymes

A bit of playful fun - Cat & the Fiddle - for Hannah

I know I've been behind blogging this week -- I've been working on a Mother-Daughter Tea for our church.  I'll post the specifics for the projects, and pictures, once the event is completed in May--I wouldn't want to spoil the surprise for anyone.  But just as a teaser I can tell you we named our tea time "A Supercalifragilistic Proper English Tea".  =)

In the meantime, I thought I'd share a quick card I made for my friend's daughter, Hannah.  They have some fun cats in their family--we used to watch them bounce off walls & shelves, and laugh at the funny things these cats would come up with.  So I had to include a cat in my birthday card! 

I absolutely LOVE the Nursery Rhymes cricut cartridge!  Even though my kids are older, I just couldn't resist all the great cut files for this cartridge.  I'm sure I'll find lots of ways to put this cartridge to use.  As for this card:  I used my Cricut to cut the Cat & Fiddle figure from a spice color cardstock (CS), and cut the base shadow blackout using a darker brown CS.  I inked the edges of the detailed cut with vintage photo distress ink, adding extra for the fiddle area.  Then I used Glossy Accents over the fiddle to give it a polished look (it's not easy to see in this photo unfortunately), and tied a ribbon around the cat's neck, before adhering it to the shadow base.  I used a white pigment ink to lightly dust around the edges of the dark brown CS. 

My CS base is Best Creations CS (I believe--it was in my stash), and I added a strip of magenta CS to break up the design a bit...also adding more white pigment ink, after distressing it's edges.  I added a bright pink May Arts ribbon, and a glittery "H" to finish the front of the card.  On the inside I cut phrase "Cat & The Fiddle", inked it with a bit of vintage photo, and applied diamond stickles for a bit of a sparkle effect.  I didn't cut the shadow for the phrase, as I wanted it to sort of blend into the card a bit. 

I probably don't use my Cricut often enough for card making, but I need to.  I couldn't believe how quickly this card came together  -- good thing too...I was already belated as it was!

Thanks for stopping by!  Lisa

The Journey to Grungy Monday #2

If you haven't been to Linda's StudioL3 yet, you ought to pop on in.  She's hosting Grungy Mondays and it's all about playing with techniques -- Tim Holtz style.  This week I'm playing with Claudine Hellmuth's multi-medium matte and distress inks.  This is a technique I hadn't tried before today, but I found it was both easy & fun to do -- Linda posted a video link for this tutorial, presented by Tim Holtz (of course), on her blog.  One of the things I really like about Tim Holtz is that his tutorials are so easy to follow!  He does everything step by step, and explains what he is doing so even inexperienced crafters can follow along. 

For my card I used a portion of scrapbook paper that had a larger image of Rome's Colosseum on it.  The stamps I used are by TH:  old jalopy, flock of birds, & journey quote.  Several distress inks were used:  stormy sky, forest moss, weathered wood, & pumice stone.  I also used brown corduroy distress ink to "grunge" up the silky ribbon.  I heat embossed my quote using VersaMark & Zing black embossing powder, and added a steering wheel gear & TH game spinner to finish it off before adding it to a ripped blue & green cardstock mat.  Attached it to a brown card, and there ya have it.

Thanks for popping in again.  See ya soon...Lisa

LoveLee Links



Skagway, Alaska:  scenic eye-candy



I have a lot of places I like to visit--on the web--and with so many things currently on my home page, I thought I'd make it easier to find these wonderful sites.  So I moved my inspiration links to a new page of my blog, called LoveLee Links.  When you're on LoveLee Notes home page you can access it by clicking on the page link just below the title box, next to Blog Acronyms.  

I hope you take some time to check out these links on occassion.  I like to relax with a hot cuppa tea when I'm blog hopping.  And sometimes, a bit of papercrafting eye-candy is all it takes to get your creative mojo back in action. 

Thanks for checking in.  Lisa

CAS Tea Sampler Purse

For those of you that know me and/or follow my blog, you already know that I love my tea -- I also enjoy trying many tea varieties from around the world.  Well, a friend of mine who is not really a tea drinker, came to visit recently while her husband was deployed (his year away is nearly over).  She actually will drink tea with me when we're together, but time got away from us and there were only so many days to drink tea.  LOL.  I meant to send her home with some tea that her hubby had sent me (my DH had asked him to send it to me), but after she left I realized I hadn't packaged it up for her.  As I said...she's not a big tea drinker, but I did want her to be able to try some of the samples I had.  She used to live in Turkey and had mentioned how she really liked their Green Apple tea, so I wanted her to have some of that too. 

I didn't want to just put it in an envelope, so I cut out this purse with my Cricut from the Forever Young cart (purse1).  I used my Gypsy to hide the contour lines of the purse's flower image for the back part of the purse, and for the front of the purse I added a "T" cut out from Plantin Schoolbook cart. 
NOTE:  If you don't have a Cricut you could draw the purse shape and cut it out twice (front/back). 

Cutting purple coordinating cardstock (CS) to the size of the purse bottom and sides, I used a 1-1/2"" width for the bottom of the purse and scored horizontally in 1/4" increments, then accordian folded the CS.  I did the same process for the sides of the purse.  I used score-tape to attach the 1st fold to the purse base on bottom first, and repeated the same with the side accordian folds.  It was easier to position the purse front over the accordian folds by assembling it back to front. 
I used one-sided CS, but double-sided would've looked really nice, and finished off the insides a bit better--plus I could've used the other side of the CS for the accordian folds.  Isn't hind-sight always 20/20?!

Well, that's about it...quick & easy--just the way I like it.  =) 
I adhered CS behind the "T" with glue so I could apply the glitter, and finished it off by quick tying a sheer ribbon to the handle.  I added some tea I packaged in small plastic jewelry bags, and shipped it off to my friend.  A simple gift of tea in a cute package.  I could've added some inks & embellishments to jazz it up even more, but I really just wanted something CAS.

CAS is the acronym for clean & simple.  The viewpoint on a CAS design is subjective, but basically speaking - a CAS design usually has one or more of the following attributes: a distinct focal point or theme, shows uncluttered space, not always a time-saver project but may highlight a specific technique, doesn't usually have a lot of layers/embellishments, is easily reproduced with minimal supplies.  I first learned about CAS designs on Splitcoast Stampers.  You can do a search on their website and find a lot of CAS examples--their site is a wonderful resource.  For this CAS project, I'm simply hoping you look at it and maybe think of a "T" purse/pouch.  =)

Thanks for stopping by, I think I'll go for now...I feel a tea break coming on.
Lisa

Beautiful Grungy Monday on Wednesday

The challenges for Tim Holtz Compendium of Curiosities book has been completed and Grungy Monday has begun!  Linda at StudioL3 has started her Grungy Monday challenges, and I'm loving it.  It's a wonderful way to incorporate fun ideas into your crafting without trying to decide what technique to do next.  The tutorials are easy to follow along, because she gives you a direct link to Tim Holtz' tutorial--and he's fabulous for his step-by-step tutorials--even the most beginners of crafters can follow along and explore their creative side.  

For my Grungy Monday project--which I'm posting on Wednesday--I decided to make a tag for my Mom's birthday.  I wanted to make it a bit more flowery, so I used the flower parts mask for mine...added some sparkle, some flowers, and brighter colors. 

It was a lot of fun to make, and following Tim Holtz' tutorial was great!  Be sure to stop by Linda's blog to see the other submissions for this challenge--lots of great talent with different points of view for the same techniques!

LoveLee Supply List:
Manila Tag
American Crafts ribbon & other fibers
Turquoise Perfect Pearls
Tumbled Glass Distress Re-inker
Victorian Velvet Distress ink
Sage Distress ink
Forever Green Perfect Pearls
BoBunny brad
Silk flower petals from Michaels
Tim Holtz (TH) flower parts mask
TH Lost & Found paper stash
TH Shabby French stamps (quote)
TH grunge board
Ranger Turquoise embossing glitter
YG45 Cobalt Green Copic marker
Walnut Stain Distress ink
TH Muse token (Inspire)
Adirondack Cranberry alcohol ink
CTMH Butterfly Wings stamp set
Paper Studio Sophie-Alphas stamps
Archival black ink

A Card to Celebrate Today

I don't usually use a lot of orange, but I loved this two-toned cardstock.  Dark orange on one side/light orange on the other and has a linen texture to it; sort of a coming-into-Spring type of look -- it's Graceful Geranium, double color, by WorldWin papers from their DoubleMates line.  I picked it up at a LSS because I really liked the colors.

I embossed the front of the card with the Ornamental Iron embossing folder and sanded a bit of the front, thinking the lighter orange would show through--it didn't.  So I used CTMH Key Lime ink and lightly swiped it over the raised edges, before sporadically adding CTMH White Daisy pigment ink--which gave my mint green ribbon a helping hand in popping the card.  I don't know why, but I just love this color combination--I think it looks refreshing. 

I cut the wings from Tim Holtz Heart Wings die, and the crest & banner from TH Regal Crest die.  I used Antique Linen & Tea Dye distress inks to add a bit of distressed color to the die cut pieces before stamping with black Adirondack Archival Ink. I stamped the wings with CTMH Butterfly Wings stamp set, the dragonfly with CTMH Butterfly Kiss stamp set, and "Celebrate Today" with CTMH Today's Date stamp set.  Finally I used Rock Candy crackle medium to glaze over the wings and crest, though it may be a bit hard to see in the photo.

For the envelope, I quick-swiped my stamp pad (CTMH Taffy) around the perimeter of the envelope and stamped using black archival ink and CTMH Doodle Alphabet.  I also used my Spica Copic markers to color the doodles in.  I love the mica in the Spica alcohol markers...gives it just the finest hint of sparkle when tilted in the light. 

And that's it.  Because I used my Cuttlebug to emboss & die cut, this card came together very quickly.  So now I'm off to work on another project I've been playing around with. 

Enjoy your weekend--the weather's sure to be better soon.  =)
Lisa

NOTE:  Anytime you don't know an abbreviation I've used, click on the page link (next to "home", under the title block) for a list of Blog Acronyms.  Hopefully you find all you need to know and more.

The Organized Tea Box

My friend, Kate, has about as much tea as I do...but it doesn't mean I won't send her more.  LOL  If I see a new tea, I may just pick up a second and send it to her to try too.  One time I found Bubble-Gum tea--I bought two packets, one for me, one for her--figuring she could tell me if it was good, then I'd try it.  hee hee.  As it turned out, my sister-in-law called one day to tell me she had the same tea and to say it was so good--thankfully she told me the bubble gum was for chewing and the tea was separate.  OOooo...good thing she told me, I was thinking the bubble gum got stirred in with the tea leaves (and yes, I did tell Kate).

Anyway, for my friend's birthday I wanted to make a small tea organizer--something she could put in her cabinet, or even leave out on the counter.  I created a box base from cardstock (approx. 12" x 7 3/4" with box measuring 8 1/2"w x 2 1/2"h x 2 3/4"d) which closely mimics the pasteurized cheese box I found at a thrift store (from an earlier post--you could also use a Velveeta box as a template).  I made an insert to fit inside the lightweight box to give it support.  (See photo below) The insert ends needed to reach the top of the box so it measures approx. 10 3/4"x 8", plus an additional piece taped to one end of 2 3/4" x 2 3/4" (subtract 1/8" from each of the insert measurements for an easier fit).  I scored the insert to fit snugly into the box shell, and removed the other two corners.  I covered it with coordinating cardstock (DCWV Rustic Stack), and used Claudine Hellmuth's Multi-Medium Matte to protect the inside of the box, so it could be wiped clean if necessary.  That multi-medium is SO awesome--I like it better than Mod Podge since it doesn't bubble as it dries, and it's much thicker so it gives a better coating.  I covered the exposed edges with yellow rose ribbon before adhering it to the inside of the box.

You can see how the sides of cardstock base doesn't extend to the top.
I added length to the insert to add durability to the box.
The cut-out design gave it a more snug fit inside and worked like a charm.

I decorated the outside of the box with fencing I die cut with my Cricut, using my Gypsy to weld them together, from the Heritage cartridge -- I used off white cardstock and inked over it with distress ink: Antique Linen.  I also used Tim Holtz Tattered Florals die to make the flower on the front end.  This was an extra one I made when I demonstrated paper sueding in an earlier post--it's attached to chipboard for a more dimensional floral effect.  Tea bag divider tags were cut 2 3/8" x 3 3/4" from coordinating cardstock--I stamped varied designs on each one and added clear embossing to each tag for special effects, though I don't know if you can really tell from the photos.  I labeled each of the divider tags with different types of teas, and of course added some tea bags so you could get the idea.  I left a couple blank dividers in case another label was thought of.  I used CTMH stamp sets:  Cup of Friendship, Annotations, Make it Count, Come Unto Me, and He is Risen for the various designs on the Tea dividers.

In case the Tea Box is left on the counter, I didn't want the bottom of the box to become wet and distorted.  So I used two dominoes for the "feet" (found a box of dominoes at the thrift store for 50 cents), and applied alcohol ink to them with a felt applicator (see this POST where I used alcohol inks, for more info).  I used: Adirondack Lettuce, & Gold mixative alcohol inks.  I adhered them to the bottom of the box with The Ultimate glue by Crafter's Pick.  I love, love, love this glue!  I works so well on sooo many things--holds really well, dries clear, water resistant, and child safe non-toxic. 

I originally made a box top for it, but in the end I liked it so much better without. 

I think this would be nice to pull out when company comes so they could browse through the tea they'd like to try.  In my case, I have tea in so many tins, boxes & tea chests that I'm thinking I could put quite a variety in this box and pick a tea according to my mood, or the time of day, without going on a search. 

Other ideas:  if you didn't want to use this box for your tea, you could use it to organize your ATCs (Artist Trading Cards), since it's the perfect size.  Or what about all those school sized wallet photos--I get so many of those during the school year & at Christmas time, and again...the perfect size to organize by friends, family, and so on.  It would look great sitting on a coffee table too.  Those are only a few ideas of how you could use this box...what will you come up with?!

Thanks for popping in.  Happy Crafting...Lisa

Thank you for the Tea



A variety of tea from:  Australia, Turkey, Korea, England, & Canada
In the cup?  Turkish Green Apple Tea -- SO Yummy!
Thinking of You "bagged tea samples" I'll be sending out with a card.

 I love sitting down with a hot cuppa tea almost any time of the day -- I've acquired so much tea that I'm constantly trying something new; of course I also have particular teas I drink for that perfect "me moment" as well.  But not all my friends/family are so into tea like I am--I guess living in England for five years really got me hooked.  One of the nice things about being military is moving around--you probably don't hear that too often, but I love to spend time in each new location visiting new places/making new friends.  I've been blessed being able to meet people from all over the world, and I've made some wonderful friends chatting over a lovely cuppa tea.  It's fantastic when they send me tea from a new duty assignment, or in some cases from their own country -- I enjoy trying new types of tea, but more importantly I'm thankful to be remembered.   [Sending big hugs & thank yous for my most recent gifts of tea -- Pete & Rachael, Autumn, Kate, & Suzi.]


In my family neither my husband, nor my sons are tea drinkers.  But on occasion my hubby will sit down with me and drink a cuppa Cinnamon Apple tea from Australia, or my Christmas Spiced Tea (sort of like wassail).  And I've only been able to get Cody to drink a very small cuppa Strawberry & Cream tea from England, while Nathan's only interested in iced tea -- but that doesn't mean I don't keep trying.  ha ha...

Later this week I'm meeting up with a new friend...yep--over a cuppa!  I think its a great way to chat and get to know someone.  Mind you--not all my friends drink tea, so I always have coffee or hot chocolate on hand.  But at the end of the day, it's not what you're sipping that brings friends/family together...it's minimizing the distractions and enjoying the conversation.  Now doesn't that sound good right about now?

Stay tuned tomorrow...I've got something tea-licious up my sleeve.

Drink Tea!

Sentimentally Easy Card

 When I first started creating cards (about 12 years ago) I used a simple formula: 

1. card base

    - usually 1/2 sheet of 8 1/2 x 11 cardstock, folded in half

2. decorative mat

    - decorative scrapbook paper cut to fit just 1/8" to 1/4" smaller than card base front

3. embellishment

    - ribbon, ink, stamped image, stickers, die cut, etc. (initially I only used stickers & markers)

4. sentiment

    - hand-written, stamped, cut out, printed, etc.

Sometimes going back to the basics gives you a bit more freedom than you realize.  A simple, quick card doesn't mean you care any less...but just maybe you'll have time to make a few extras to send out, giving someone a smile just when they need an encouraging word.  

So, enter here another quick card!  This one starts with a card base I had cut with my Cricut using the Sentimentals cartridge onto green cardstock.  I also cut an envelope from the same cartridge from deco scrapbook paper.  I used the leftover scraps of the same paper I used for the envelope for the card mat.  I added a ribbon binding (without tying a bow), and stamped the bird, flourish, & sentiment with CTMH stamp sets:  Free Spirit, & Greetings Script.  I overstamped the flourish image with VersaMark and heat embossed with clear embossing powder.  Finally, I stamped images on the envelope and used additional scraps of the same paper for the handwritten message inside the card. 

Normally I might spend more time inking the edges, or adding more techniques, but I liked the simplicity of the card and decided it was finished. 

If you don't normally take time to make cards, why don't you try the simple formula I mentioned above.  You just might make someone's day extra special!

Happy Card-Making!  Lisa