Hello to you on this first Monday after Christmas! I hope you all had a lovely holiday and will continue to enjoy the beautiful season right into the new year. I love it when things settle down after Christmas. The world outside my door seems to be a bit frenzied the closer it gets to Christmas. More traffic, stores crowded. Even the holiday light displays seem to blink brighter and faster. Saturday was so quiet on the streets. Amazing.
I made today’s cards in that busy week leading up to Christmas when, more than anything, I needed the peace and quiet of clean and simple. Yes, I’m dabbling in clean and simple again. You know me – I can’t settle on any one style. I love them all. I sat down with two stamp sets, two die sets, one designer paper pad, kept to a theme, and started creating. The first in blue with the critters stamped in Charcoal Color Box chalk ink:
The stamp sets are new to me, Inkadinkado “Cats” and “Dogs”. I couldn’t decide which to use first, so I put the two together and love how they paired up, especially with my Paper Smooches Hello Words for the sentiments. Fabulous, fun script on these with five dies in the set. I’ve also used Paper Smooches Hearts – a practical set of five hearts plus a heart border. Very versatile and useful. The next card is in brown with the critters stamped in Chestnut Roan chalk ink:
The image panels are popped up. The die cuts are layered for dimension – designer paper onto white, then onto a darker cut for shadowing. The designer paper is Simple Stories Snap Color Vibe. Finally, I’m back to Charcoal chalk ink again, this time with pink:
Naturally I found my dies at my fave place to shop, Dies R Us. I’m sharing today on the Dies R Us Inspiration Blog, as well. I can’t wait to see what everyone’s stamping now that Christmas is over. Just a reminder to check the DRU Challenge Blog, too. There’s always a challenge and a chance to win! See you again soon!
These are simply adorable! I love the colors!
Posted by: Glenda | 12/28/2015 at 02:31 AM
First of all, there is nothing wrong with CAS. Love all 3 cards Leslie, they are so adorable, all the white space and just a bit of colour - perfect! And your word die cuts, they are so cute, nice and small as well as your hearts. These would make for a nice little gift card set. Thanks for sharing. Enjoy your day.
Posted by: Pauline | 12/28/2015 at 03:38 AM
Oh my, these are the cutest ever! And you know I am a cat and dog person...so cute...I checked out those dies...they just might have to jump in my cart...great colors and papers, too! I really enjoy seeing your DRU posts and what fabulous dies you have chosen! Sorry I haven't been around...spent lots of holiday time with the hubby, kids and family and wouldn't trade it for anything! Thank you too for my beautiful Christmas card...ALL mine are sitting here never mailed out...bad me!!
Posted by: Diane H | 12/28/2015 at 06:02 AM
cute. love the first card, those images are really cute. Have a great day. Glad you rec'd the blog hop stuff and my card.
Posted by: Yogi | 12/28/2015 at 07:53 AM
OMG these are SO COOL! What a fabulous idea and they are all equally adorable (even though I am NOT the animal lover Diane is! lol). Well done and fabulous inspirational (since I struggle with CAS creations).
Posted by: Darlene Pavlick | 12/28/2015 at 07:55 AM
These are all so adorable! I love the sentiment dies and how you cut them from the same designer paper you used for accents. Sending you wishes for a blessed and Happy New Year.
Posted by: Maggie S | 12/28/2015 at 08:45 AM
These are so fun and great cards for thinking of you type cards, like the different patterns on them too!
Posted by: Conniecrafter | 12/28/2015 at 09:36 AM
Oh what pretty designs Happy Holidays.
Hugs diane
Posted by: diane | 12/28/2015 at 10:42 AM
Adorable, with a capital A ! Love these Leslie. A fun little set of cards, and just perfect for clean and simple. I really need to check out those other stores you shop at. But, I am really afraid to. I know me. Spend, spend, spend! :-) I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and I wish for you all, a safe, healthy and Happy New Year.
Posted by: Bobbi Miller | 12/28/2015 at 11:10 AM
I'm in love with all three of these cards ! I actually have those stamps , believe it or not! Ha ha I can't believe how many times you and I have the same supplies. I don't have the dies, but they are now on my list! These were just brilliant !! I love the way you combined the cats and dogs !
Posted by: Sherri Dean | 12/28/2015 at 01:50 PM
Hello, it's me! I couldn't resist Adele's lyrics and now I'll be humming (badly) all night!
Yes, you are a diverse artist. Really, I haven't seen anything that you do that isn't just fabulous. You know I'm a CAS fan so these are just candy to me! I love the monotone and the pet designs are crazy cool.
Just love it all. Hello...........
Posted by: Gail | 12/28/2015 at 06:20 PM
These are great, Leslie! Clean and some works any time of year but especially now!
Posted by: Linda E | 12/29/2015 at 09:24 PM
These cards are gorgeous Leslie. Great designs and colors. Wishing you a happy New Year!
Posted by: Amelia | 12/30/2015 at 12:41 AM
These are so stinking adorable!!! Happy New Year! All the best to you in 2016!
Posted by: Michele Kovack | 12/30/2015 at 05:45 AM
Love your Clean and Simple! (And your fancy. And your distressed. And your ... whatever!) Happy New Year to you, my friend.
Posted by: Lynette | 12/31/2015 at 12:05 PM
Oh, Leslie, these are absolutely adorable, and I love any style you choose! I love this adorable set with the dies, and what a great way to make up some quick CAS gift sets! I love each one! Hugs!
Posted by: CherylQuilts | 01/22/2016 at 07:58 AM