Wow! I have lots to share today so stay with me till the end, okay?
News item #1: Welcome to Power Poppy Friday! This is, in fact, my final Power Poppy Friday with the Bloom Brigade. I know! It’s rather a shock to me, too, but I think the right thing to do at this time. I’m taking off my DT hats and free wheeling indefinitely. Just stamping willy nilly. I hope you’ll still come visit me. These last two years have been the best – always something new and exciting coming down the pike with Power Poppy, and a huge privilege to have been in on the launch of such an outstanding line of stamps. I can’t say enough about Marcella and the team and the beauty and quality of the stamps. The best testimonial I can give will be the frequency with which I use my PP stamps in the future. And I will. Use them. A lot! So I just want to take a moment to say “thank you, Marcy, for having me”. It’s been such a joy, and will continue to be a joy every time I sit down to create with my Power Poppy stamps.
News item #2: The Bloom Brigade gals have made samples for the new Card Maps sketches this month. For a lot of great sketches all in one place Becky Fleck’s Card Maps is the place to go. Really. Check them out. I had a fun sketch to work with (which I’ll show further down) and it immediately inspired me to get out my Play Ball set. I’d almost forgotten what a kick it is to work with. Lots of different stamps and sentiments to play with. I paper pieced the pennants – stamped on designer paper and cut out just the triangle part – then stamped each edge on white, colored with Copics, cut out and glued over the pennant. I added red glitter to the sentiment on the one pennant.
These are the Copics I used:
I had nearly as much fun with the inside as I did with the front:
Pictured below is the sketch. You can see how I adapted, but how I was inspired, as well.
News item #3: A new Power & Spark Challenge starts today, too. The card I’m sharing today was made long before I knew what the challenge theme would be, so it doesn’t fit, but I think the challenge sounds like bunches of fun:
Intrigued? I’ll send you to the Power Poppy Blog to find out more info about what Christine has up her very creative sleeve with this challenge.
News item #4: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, POWER POPPY!
Two years old today! Still just a baby, perhaps, but we’ve come a long way, baby. Here’s a note verbatim from Marcy:
“Power Poppy is turning 2. WOOHOO! We want to THANK YOU, our sweet and encouraging peeps around the world, for helping us spread the botanical abundance and zest for life. Your creativity, love, and generosity of spirit is SO STRONG! We are thrilled to kick off another year of flowering and empowering together.
From Friday through Monday, we're offering 20% OFF all stamps, digital and clear. Use discount code MARCELLA at checkout to receive the special savings. PLUS, for four days only we have a special birthday digi for only TWO BUCKS! Visit Power Poppy to learn more.”
Trust that I’ll have something colored up with Marcella’s never-fail-fabulous digi ASAP.
News item #5: I can’t leave without providing a link list to all the Bloom Brigade sharing awesomeness with you today:
Whew! Told you I had a lot to share! My final Power Poppy post was a biggie, wasn’t it? You’ve probably had enough of me by now so I’ll sign off for today. See the recipe below my signature for card ingredients. Thanks for hanging in. I’ll be back with you soon!
Stamps: Play Ball Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, SU! Poppy Parade and Bermuda Bay, My Mind’s Out of the Blue and Notable designer paper Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics as pictured above Accessories: Holiday Red Stickles glitter, Die-Namics Star Stax and Stacking Stars dies, Scotch brand foam mounting tape
*SNIFF, SNIFF* I don't want you to go!!! :( Know how very much you'll be missed! Of course you have aced this last challenge - your take on the sketch is awesome! Love the design, colours, stitching, colouring - all perfect!! You are going out on a high sweet lady! {{{BIG HUGS}}}
Posted by: Kathy Jones | 04/01/2016 at 05:28 AM
Leslie, this card is so great. so colorful and fun! I am save some tiny pieces of that star paper because I love it soooooo much.
You'll def. be missed at Power Poppy I'm sure but I'll still be coming around to see what your are up to!
Posted by: Kim | 04/01/2016 at 06:13 AM
boo hooooooo! I will miss seeing your fabulous PP tuts! But am very happy for you to begin this leg of your crafting journey - and since it is art of which we speak... it is really a soul journey as well! I'm very happy for you, and look forward to seeing all the fun, beautiful projects you'll be inspiring us with! Love your card, BTW (LOL, guess I'd better say something about it) and am grateful you had it made before the marvelous new challenge. All that fussy cutting and very pretty shading! I always sigh and admire your ability to blend and imbue color into those images, regardless of what they are! Wishing you a lovely week-end, and happiness in your new month of freedom. xo
Posted by: Donna Ellis | 04/01/2016 at 07:25 AM
WOW Leslie ... I can only imagine how much they are going to miss you and your beautiful creations! Today's card is AMAZING! LOVE the happiness it exudes! Fabulous coloring (as always) ... YOU GO GIRL! Best of EVERYTHING coming up in your willy-nilly future! LOL
Hugs
Posted by: Darlene Pavlick | 04/01/2016 at 07:48 AM
Oh my, what a cool, cool sketch and I love the card, a wonderful image and so perfect for the sketch, like they were made to go together!! Well, you know you 'can't get rid of me'..lol...I stalk (subscribe to) your blog and love every minute of it...I can certainly understand the stepping back, too...though I seem to somehow get involved again without even knowing it..LOL. Have a great time with your fur babies and flowers and color your heart out...we love it and your talent!!
Posted by: Diane Hover | 04/01/2016 at 08:10 AM
Lovely as always! I just know you will be sadly missed!
Posted by: Glenda | 04/01/2016 at 08:18 AM
Oh, Leslie, you know I've been following you for more years than I can imagine - way back when you had Ruby Tuesday challenges using Basic Grey's Stella Ruby DP. And I still have some of that DP - haha! You've continued to delight us all with your amazing work with Power Poppy images, and I know you will continue to love and use Marcy's images. But I also know that there are times when you want to just stamp (as you've said it well) "willy nilly" and at your own pace. And now that you are a "retired lady" and have so many loves, including your DH Rich, your precious Wally and Lulu, gardening, etc., I wish you a joyful time of refreshment and just doing what you want to do! And now to your card, my friend! Wow! I love it and love how you've used this fun Play Ball set that was made for the sketch! You've really nailed it perfectly, and I love all the wonderful details that are so "you" in style and design. It's fabulous - inside and out! So, my sweet friend, it's not goodbye. I simply look forward to your future posts as you delight us with your relaxed and enjoyable stamping...that I know you will love and enjoy! Warm and loving hugs, sweet friend! xoxo
Posted by: CherylQuilts | 04/01/2016 at 09:11 AM
I know how much you will be missed, but am so thankful you will still be sharing your awesome creations with us on your blog. This card is just spectacular! Any young man would be over the moon to get this card! And if I were his parent, I would be framing it & hanging it in his room!
Posted by: Sherri Dean | 04/01/2016 at 09:11 AM
lots of news. all the best with whatever you choose to do. Nice card too. BIG GRIN
Posted by: Yogi | 04/01/2016 at 10:35 AM
Marcella has been lucky to have you! I'll miss seeing your Flower Poppy creations - hope you continue to blog your beautiful cards. Your creation today is amazing!
Posted by: Patti J. | 04/01/2016 at 11:39 AM
Gorgeous card, Leslie. And, I will follow and stalk you, wherever you go! It's been fun watching you do wonders with the gorgeous PP stamps. I actually JUST bought my first 3 last week. I only waited so long to see how long I could hold out. I did pretty good...until I just couldn't take it anymore. But, I am so looking forward to seeing what you make for us, and of course, smiling at your fur babies and hubs too of course. Oh, and your gorgeous garden! Hugs my friend! Thanks for the inspiration and for making my days so bright!
Posted by: Bobbi Miller | 04/01/2016 at 05:14 PM
Oh, Leslie, I'm sorry to see you leave the Power Poppy team, but I fully understand. I have followed you for years and will continue to follow. I too remember when you use to do the Ruby Tuesday challenges, boy how time flies! Your card is fabulous, love all the details inside and out. Enjoy your retirement, and look forward to seeing all your future posts, either with your fur babies, gardens or cards, no matter what the posts you always make me smile. Thanks for all the wonderful inspiration. Big hugs,
Posted by: Pauline | 04/01/2016 at 06:02 PM
I will never stop following you, no matter what you are up to. I love what you did with this sketch, so fun inside and out, such a fabulous baseball fan card!! Your coloring as always is terrific and like the paper piecing, just fantastic!! Hope this will give you time to recoup and just have fun with your card making, with no pressures!! Have a great weekend!
Posted by: Conniecrafter | 04/01/2016 at 08:42 PM
What a fabulous card, Leslie! Love your coloring, of course - the glove looks so realistic! I just can't believe it's been two years already for Power Poppy. Enjoy your free-wheeling:)
Posted by: Lynette | 04/02/2016 at 06:16 AM
WOW, What an fabulous card!! I love the way you colored the image, super job:) The dp, colors and whole layout make it SOOO wonderful! I'm sure you will be really missed by the team!
Posted by: Davi | 04/02/2016 at 08:56 AM
You know I will miss you tons... but we will still be talking as always. ;-) This totally speaks my language right now with the baseball season. The pennants look awesome and so fun in the papers. Love the way you used the sketch girlie! This is awesome. Hugs hugs...
Posted by: Stacy Morgan | 04/02/2016 at 10:30 AM
I’m just not ready for you to go :(
I want you to know how special I think you are, your talent is so inspiring, and you are just a lovely genuine wonderful lady. I pray nothing but blessing over this season for you, that it will be full of abundant joy and freedom! Such a fun design as your “official” send-off. But I’ll always be excited to see your un-official stuff in the future. Lots of love!
Posted by: ChristineCreations | 04/02/2016 at 01:01 PM
Your place on PP will be hard hard one to fill but you know I'll be back. Love both of your cards and of course, your coloring and designs are always spot on! Enjoy your free wheeling!
Posted by: Tammy Hair | 04/02/2016 at 03:07 PM
What a fabulous design and coloring Leslie, you are sure talented.
Hugs Diane
Posted by: diane | 04/02/2016 at 05:22 PM
Your card is amazing, Leslie! Love the papers & all the elements put together perfectly!
Posted by: Greta H | 04/02/2016 at 10:10 PM