About

I reside in the area of Oklahoma most noted for “Tornado Alley” where spring storms threaten to hurl all my craft supplies for miles in every direction.

Over the past few years I have dabbled in paper crafting. Being self taught I have learned quite a few things on what NOT to do. Persistence has given me a confidence in my “art”, enough that I share what I learn on this blog.

If you are daring enough to go into the far reaches of posts dating back to the beginning, you need to know that I am NO LONGER a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator and have not been for a number of years.

I hope you enjoy your time spent on this blog, and I hope that you learn a thing or two in your paper crafting.

Leslie

15 Comments (+add yours?)

Carole Parsons
Aug 29, 2012 @ 09:03:50

Leslie, I just have to give you a big ole’ cyber hug!!! Your ink pad from foam core board is fantastic!! Thanks to your directions, I actually made one and it looks great:) I just blogged about it and linked back to you in my blog post. http://scmagnolia.blogspot.com/

Are you still a Stampin’ Up Demo? I just became one last month and I’m having the MOST fun!
Carole from South Carolina

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- Message In A Fold
  Aug 29, 2012 @ 11:18:15
  
  How awesome! I’m so glad you found my wonky ink pad holder and the directions helpful to you. I’m also stoked that you made one for yourself!
  
  No, I am no longer a Demo. My “Day Job” is an over the road truck driver and I’m only home in the winter months. I couldn’t keep up with all the new products and changes while out on the road so I had to give it up. It was good while I was at it though. Good luck to you in your endeavor. Shoot for a seat at the Council! There are many people out there that will help you rise in Stampin’ Up.
  
  Leslie
  
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kford2007
Mar 09, 2013 @ 18:56:15

Leslie, thank you for following my blog. I have been getting into scrapbooking a little, so I’m excited about cruising around your blog for ideas.

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Tracy
Mar 11, 2014 @ 19:48:34

Just found you on you tube, and loved your craft room tour! Gave me inspiration and hope for the mess I currently have going on with my room. Totally understand the feeling of hate even thinking of the idea of entering the room let alone actually crafting in there! But just can’t seem to get things accomplished! I will sit and write list of how and what to do next and then start with the task then get bigger mess and think to self this isn’t going to work and so a new list appears. And then bigger mess and so on and so on, now to the point of actually telling husband ” I am just getting rid of it all” I can’t believe those words came out of my mouth, I love it so much! This is my first blog post to anyone, I am definately not very computer savy, but I just had to write to you felt like had alot in common with you in just the few videos of yours I got to see so far, not only with crafting but actually down to being a truck driver myself, thank goodness no longer, to years of struggling with depression…hmmmm wondering if aren’t they all related somehow! Lol. Really looking forward to watching more of your videos as well as reading blog…barring I can find it again ..lol. Thanks for such inspiration! Tracy

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- Message In A Fold
  Mar 16, 2014 @ 17:32:02
  
  Tracy, thank you so very much for stopping by my blog and letting me know you have found a kindred spirit 😀
  
  I had to quit watching the “Haul Videos” on YouTube. I felt I had to just about have everything shown That ended up being a total frustration in my craft room and with myself What a flaming mess I had!
  
  I hope you drop by my blog from time to time. I will be getting a few more videos posted in the coming weeks. Not sure what they will be about or even when but I do have plans 😀
  
  Once again, thank you for stopping by and letting me know you enjoy my offerings. We women truck drivers have to stick together 😀
  
  Leslie
  
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Jeanne Casella
Mar 20, 2016 @ 22:12:53

You are such a hoot! I have just started watching YouTube videos to help me learn card making, and I came across one of yours. One led to another, and when I watched the video on packing supplies, I knew that I had stumbled upon a kindred spirit! I’m on the road as an RVer, and while I could take my drawing pad along, now that I’m into card making I was wondering how that was going to work.
I will have to go shopping soon for a travel bag and some duplicate supplies. Thanks for the ideas!
Now, the next time you’re in PA, let me treat you to Esther’s in Ono.

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- Message In A Fold
  Mar 27, 2016 @ 13:42:17
  
  Hello, Jeanne Casella!
  Thank you for finding my blog and leaving this great comment. I’m thrilled you found my video on packing crafting supplies to go with you on an indefinite period of time. It will be so much easier for you to drive up to the craft/hobby stores where ever your wandering life takes you, with your RV. Since you will be pressed for space in your RV, take advantage of the $1 spots at Michaels for their small packages of ribbons and embellishments. Or….you can take the time to unspool your favorite ribbons and cut them into 18 inch lengths. Save your cereal boxes or food packaging to cut into strips to wind the ribbon around. Stack your ribbon “cards” in a plastic container for ease of use and storage.
  
  The next time we are in Ono I will take you up on your offer to meet at Esther’s. We ate at the cute little restaurant next to the closed up convenience store/gas station…..”Oh Yeah” I think is what the business used to be.
  
  Safe travels – Leslie
  
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DW
Apr 06, 2016 @ 09:59:33

Hello Leslie,

I just wanted to tell you that I really enjoy your posts. You’re funny and so down to Earth, go with the flow. It’s refreshing to watch your videos and I always can’t help but notice that I’m smiling throughout the entire video.

I’m about to embark on some of the storage items that you have created for us here on your blog. I will be sure to post pictures on my blog and refer back here to you as well. It might take me a while to finish as I get pretty busy and work at it in spurts, but I will get it done because my workspace is just getting a little out of hand.

I also want to applaud you for talking about mental health in a few of your posts. Mental health and mental illness still carry such a stigma in society and that causes people to be afraid of talking about it. I think talking about it helps to take away the power of that stigma. In Canada, there is an increasing amount of discussion that is supported by big corporations (I know, can you believe it?), but there is so much more work to do. I hope the US is working on similar programs to help us all understand it better.

Thanks again. All the best to you and Joe on the road and keep those entertaining videos coming. Watching them gives me that feeling of going home to visit family. I have a good number of truckers in my family so I’ll just sign off with a “keep on trucking!”

D

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- Message In A Fold
  Apr 06, 2016 @ 11:36:26
  
  Thank you for your comment which warmed my heart. I appreciate you and your kind words.
  
  The foam core board, surprisingly, is extremely sturdy and wears well. I would love to see photos of your creation. :D. How you 10 up me. That would be awesome!
  
  Mental illness runs the gamut of “certifiable”, bi-polar, and depressive in the maternal lineage of my biological family. Stress and pressure knock me for a loop and I go down the rabbit hole from time to time. Here in the U.S. mental issues are dealt with by drugs. Young children are even dosed. Personally, I have to keep mine in check by focusing on the positive things in my life. Plus I get a lot of that positivity from people like you. Thank you for that.
  
  Warmest regards – Leslie
  
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Lidia
Aug 30, 2016 @ 16:52:45

Hello!
Hope you doing ok! I really wish you a fast recuperation!

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- Message In A Fold
  Aug 31, 2016 @ 06:22:32
  
  Thank you, Lidia, I am finally doing better than I have in a while. I appreciate you checking in on my.
  Leslie
  
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Lidia
Aug 31, 2016 @ 10:12:43

I would like to join your challenges, but I just started making cards.

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- Message In A Fold
  Sep 03, 2016 @ 07:45:02
  
  Lidia, please consider yourself invited to join in the challenges. If you watch my step by step videos on making a card from a sketch, then pop over to “stmpgrl” and her YouTube channel you will see her take on the exact same card sketch. This will help you in making your cards. You will get to see how another person uses their paper and tools on the exact same sketch to give you more ideas. I hope you do join in the fun.
  Leslie
  
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Lidia
Sep 04, 2016 @ 15:54:32

Thank you!

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frogdancerblog
Nov 02, 2016 @ 22:26:52

Life is taking over again. It is a hurried and pushed life. I don’t like it. I want to lay back and make cards. Well, what I am here for is to tell you how much I have enjoyed watching your videos and trying some of the techniques. If I learn to put pictures on my “blog” I will show some of my problems. Boy am I a green, disabled, 73 year old attempting to learn card making. I was digital scrap booking, filled my many hard drives and DVDs, I thought it wouldn’t be as hard to find storage for it, ha!! I am back to watching more of your videos.

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