Create With Me

Bear Hugs for Dusty

2009-11-10T23:07:00.005-05:00

Today the Teaparty is traveling all the way to Michigan to save little Dusty Bear from the attic and give him a new home with all his new Teaparty friends. Check out the full story here.

I'm bringing little bear Deidre who is hoping she can stay there with Dusty. She thought to bring along a few extra buttons in case Dusty needs to replace any eyes or some such thing?!

The background chevron design is a stamp from Off Beat Backgrounds by Waltzingmouse Stamps and the cute little bear is from The Greeting Farm. (Wild Things - retired set)

The Doubledog Dare Challenge on Split Coast this week from hostess Charlene was to make a card for the Teapot Tuesday challenge - so here we are - one card - two challenges! Come along and play with us! Put DDC in the keyword when you upload to SCS.

Thanks for coming by!

Stamps: Off Beat Backgrounds - Waltzingmouse Stamps, Wild Things - The Greeting Farm
Paper: Vintage Cream, Dark Chocolate - PTI
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Adriondack - Lettuce, Espresso, Sunset Orange
Accessories: Circle & Pinking Circles Nestabilities, glue dots, foam dimensionals, vintage buttons - PTI, Copics E33, E35, E53, E59

A Thank You In One Color

2009-11-09T20:56:00.006-05:00

Today's CAS (Clean and Simple) challenge on Split Coast was to make a card using white and only one color.

I used Enchanted Evening as my color (it's a dark navy blueish - not black if that's what it looks like in the pic!)

The only embelishment I used was two scored lines above and below the damask and the sentiment. I also stamped a smaller damask on the envelope for a little extra fun!

Really clean - really simple! And I've got another 'Thank You' card done for my friend. (see yesterdays post)

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Stamps: Damask Designs - PTI
Paper: White - PTI
Ink: Enchanted Evening - PTI
Accessories: scor pal

Plaid With Gratitude

2009-11-08T21:10:00.002-05:00

I was away for most of the day Sunday but my stamping friend Christine (chrisations.ink) was the featured stamper over on Split Coast- so I just had to CASE one of her cards. I chose this pretty card.

I liked the plaid designer paper she used and wanted to use my Off Beat Background set by Waltzingmouse Stamps to make my own stamped plaid DP. The beautiful fall wreath and sentiment are from the Peace and Plenty set. I used Circle Nestabilities to cut them layering the sentiment over the wreath after sponging the edges with chamomile ink.

I used different stamps and colors than Christine and placed the sentiment inside the wreath rather than on a separate panel.

A friend of mine at work commissioned me to make 10 thank you cards - so this will be one of them. I think he'll like it.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse Stamps: Off Beat Backgrounds, Peace & Plenty
Paper: Vintage Cream - PTI
Ink: Adirondack Lettuce, Espresso and Sunset Orange, Memento Tuxedo Black, Chamomile - PTI
Accessories: glue dots, foam dimensionals, circle nestabilities, Copics: YG95, E59, E35, YRo4, Ribbon - Kiwi Kiss SU, sponge

An Inspired Christmas Petal Box

2009-11-07T12:20:00.010-05:00

Don't you just love this petal top box? I found it here And I've been wanting to make one ever since I found it. Today's Inspiration Challenge on Split Coast gave me the opportunity. I was inspired by this box on the web site Stef showed us. (sorry the site wouldn't let me copy the picture so I had to just link it!) I used these non-traditional colors to go along with the inspiration piece.

The lovely heart and sentiment are from the Waltzingmouse set called Seasons of Love. (I think it's out of stock right now but Claire might be keeping a wait list if you want to contact her.) The heart fits one of the Heart Nestabilities but you can also just cut along the edge with scissors of course. I used all Papertrey Ink papers sponging the edges of the heart, the sentiment and the yellow circles with Chai Ink.

Here's how the top looks when you close the 'petals'. The box is 4" square (you start with a 12x12 piece of cardstock and score at 4" on each side.) so it's a good size to fit a candle, or a lovely ornament, some soaps or cookies - lots of things!

The petals are made by cutting 4" circles, folding them in half and attaching them to the outside of the box. You cut a square for the bottom and punch the edge with some kind of scallop punch. Put the ribbon across the bottom of the box, then attach the square panel over it.

It's a very easy box to make and I think it comes out looking quite impressive - don't you!?

Stamps: Waltzingmouse: Seasons of Love

Paper: White, Summer Sunrise, Enchanted Evening, DP - In Bloom - PTI

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Chai - PTI

Accessories: Rhinestone - PTI, foam dimensionals, Scor Tape, saddle stitched Enchanted Evening Ribbon - PTI, Ek Success punch, heart nestabilities, oval nestability, copic YR23, Circle coluzzle

Mojo Sketch and Santa's Bag

2009-11-06T07:00:00.000-05:00

The Ways to use It Challenge on Split Coast this week was to use stickers or rub ons on your card. I have several packages of rub ons but I always forget to use them. I found these pretty Christmas ones in my craft room from Stampin Up that I bought last year when they were on sale and knew they'd be just the thing for the challenge!

I used the mojomonday sketch for my card. I just touched Santa's cheeks with a blush Copic for a dash of color - I wasn't sure if it would stay on the rub on - but it did! The great papers are Cosmo Cricket Jolly by Golly.

Stamps: none
Paper: Vintage cream, ocean tides, dark chocolate - PTI
Ink: chamomile - PTI
Accessories: Copic R20, Rub Ons - SU Old St. Nick, classic oval nestability, Alpine Ribbon - SU, foam dimensionals, glue dots, vintage buttons - PTI

And here is the third treat bag that the elves dropped off at my house last week (see post here)

This cute baglette is from the big guy himself (Santa that is!) but I'm sure the elves designed and made it for him to givw out! The shape looks surprisingly like the Top Note by Stampin Up and this is the official Santa's workshop seal on the front. How fun that they attached a little reindeer and snowflake on the corners to give the North Pole atmosphere!

Inside they tucked more of those fun mints with the Seal of the Chief Elf on them - again - an official mark so we know these are the real thing straight from the North Pole!
And on the back - a personal note from Santa (doesn't he have lovely handwriting?!?) for the kids (and parents!) who have left him a little treat to give him strength for his travels Christmas Eve. Santa is nothing if not a gentleman - get a treat, give a treat!

Now - you can find very similar stamps to those used on this project by the elves above over at Claire's shop Waltzingmouse Stamps. Check out her other two new sets while you are over there - you'll definately want to pick up one or two! And - just a suggestion - if you like it - buy it - she sells out fast on her lovely stamps!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!
Stamps: Waltzingmouse Secret Set
Paper: Ribe Avocado, Pure Poppy - PTI, DP - Cosmo Cricket Jolly by Golly/Merry Berry, sparkle white - DCWV
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Chamomile Ink - PTI
Accessories: foam dimensionals, ribbon - SU, brads, silver Stickles, glue dots, reindeer & snowflake punches - Martha Stewart, Sakura gelly roll black pen, Top Note Die & horizontal slot punch - SU, scalloped circle punch, white paper sack - Michaels.

An Elf Treasure Box and a Pop of Color

2009-11-05T07:00:00.001-05:00

In continuation of my post yesterday - I have full size pictures of the fun treasure treat box Santa's Elves created to be left for good girls and boys on Christmas Eve! The Elves were gracious enough to send me all the details on how they created this cute little box!

They found the pattern for this wonderful treasure box on Katie's blog here. (she made hers as a tool box for Dad which is really cute too!)

They added the Chief Elfs Official approval seal on the top of the box to show it is truly authentic North Pole goods as well as a fun metal clasp (which I'm thinking is like the metal ware we can get at Stampin Up!?!)

Then they added their 'boot' stamp of approval inside the box as an added point of authentication! You can never be too careful about these things I guess - they don't want anyone copying them!

You can find stamps very similar to the ones that the elves used here at Waltzingmouse Stamps It's listed as a secret set and you need to get the password on Claire's blog in order to see it - how very mysterious - but of course very important when you are dealing with the work of Elves! Certain secrets must be protected!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse Secret Set
Paper: ocean tides - PTI, Basic Black - SU, DP Dream Street Papers/Sam
Ink: Versamark
Accessories: Scor tape, Scor Pal, clear & black embossing powder, hot gun, metal hardware - SU, Cuttlebug Distressed Stripes Folder, scallop circle punch, inverted scalloped squares Nestabilities. Tool Box Template

And here's a little clean and simple card - made by me!

It was made for the Color Challenge over on Split Coast this week - to use neutrals and then stamp with color for POP! It is also for this week's Doubledog Dare Challenge from Francie G to use at least 4 layers and a ribbon on your card.

This wonderful star is from the Seasons of Love set by Waltzingmouse Stamps I stamped it in red then colored it with an orange copic. I stamped the sentiment on Summer Sunrise card stock, punched it with a circle punch and layered it over the center of the star with foam dimensionals. I just love how this came out!

See you tomorrow when I'll reveal the 3rd Project from the Elves - the little baglet shown on my Monday post!

Stamps: Seasons of Love - Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper: Vintage cream, Summer sunrise, Kraft - PTI, Basic Black - SU
Ink: Pure Poppy - PTI
Accessories: star nestability, labels one nestability, circle punch, copic Y17, crop a dile, twill pure poppy - PTI, foam dimensionals, glue dot

A Special Box from Santa's Workshop

2009-11-04T07:00:00.004-05:00

So I e-mailed the Elves (yes they are such techies now!) and asked if they could tell me how they made these wonderful treat boxes and they were gracious enough to forward the instructions! (Check yesterday's post if you don't know what the heck I'm talking about here!)

The wonderful box pattern was found on this blog. (Who knew that the Elves surfed the web for ideas just like us!!??!) They added their official Santa's Workshop label to the cover of course and used some lovely Christmas papers to decorate it.

And tucked inside are some wonderful mints topped with the Chief Elf's stamp of approval. Wouldn't you love to find this inside your stocking on Christmas Morning?!?

Tomorrow I'll be posting the elves instructions for the special treasure box I showed a snippet of on yesterday's post so be sure to drop by!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse (secret stamp set)
Paper Ocean Tides, Rustic White, clear card stock, DP Rustic Snowflakes - PTI
Ink: Ocean tides, pure poppy, chamomile - PTI
Accessories: circle punch - SU, York peppermint patties, sponge, saddle stitched ocean tides ribbon - PTI, plastic snowflake - Michaels, Xacto knife, foam dimensionals. Box template

Made by Elves

2009-11-03T08:05:00.005-05:00

Santa's elves just dropped off these fun treat boxes to my house! They are some new designs the elves are trying out - to leave little thank you treats for good boys and girls on Christmas Eve! I'm just showing little snippets of the containers today - but the full views may be showing up here shortly!

Here is a wonderful little trunk - just right for storing all those 'little treasures' kids have. I guess the elves walked all over the sides with their tiny feet covered in coal?!

And this lovely box holds mints - approved by the Chief Elf himself!

This little baglet is a thank you from Santa for leaving him cookies - I wonder what he put inside this????

You might want to check out Claire's blog and the Waltzingmouse store to see her newly released sets (they'll be available later today!) . You'll need to pick up the password on Claire's last two postings in order to get in to see the secret set that the elves used to make the projects above!!! You could win the set just by leaving her a comment in the secret posting - Whoo Hoo!!

Does this get you in the spirit!?!?! What do you think of the elves new ideas??? They asked me to report back to them!

Two Sketches of His Word

2009-11-02T18:00:00.000-05:00

I'm finally caught up with my biweekly His Holy Name pages! Somehow the weeks had come and gone and I was suddenly 3 challenges behind! This 6x6 page is for Week 22 and God's attribute of Peace. I chose Isaiah 26:12 to illustrate this attribute.

I used all Amuse designer papers on this page. The ribbon and buttons are Papertrey Ink.

I used Friday's Taylored Expressions sketch for this page

Stamps: none
Paper: vintage cream - PTI, Ruby Red - SU, DP's - Amuse
Ink: none
Accessories: glue dots, foam dimensionals, modern label punch - SU, circle punches, square nestability, spring rain saddle stitched ribbon and Vintage buttons - PTI

And here is my 6x6 page for Week 21 of the His Holy Name Challenges. God's attribute for this week was Sanctifies. I chose this verse from John 17:17 to illustrate this attribute.

I used the MojoMonday sketch for my page. The papers are all Basic Grey Bittersweet.You can find the His Holy Name Challenges here in the forums on Split Coast.

Stamps: none
Paper: Dark Chocolate, Vintage Cream - PTI, Purely Pomegranate - SU, DP basic grey/bittersweet
Ink: Purely Pomegranate - SU
Accessories: foam dimensionals, glue dots, sponge, Prima flower, pinking circle nestabilities, circle nestabilities, modern label punch - SU, computer generated verse, butterfly punch - Martha Stewart, Scarlet jewel saddle stitched ribbon - PTI

May Peace Be Yours

2009-11-01T13:30:00.006-05:00

Miss Boo was the featured stamper over on Split Coast today. I chose this greatest gift card of hers to case. I changed the colors and stamps and omitted the sentiment panel but kept the overall design of her pretty card.

This beautiful star stamp and sentiment in the center are from the Seasons of Love set by Waltzingmouse Stamps. It also includes a heart, a circle label, and about 13 different sentiments for many different holiday celebrations you can stamp inside the labels - what a versatile set! As a bonus - the heart and the star fit the Nestabilities of those shapes.

Be sure to check out Claire's Blog - she is posting sneak peeks for her soon to be released new sets!

DH and I are off for a walk (I really have to force myself to STOP stamping once in a while!) It's a beautiful day here in MA - in the 60's with a slight breeze making all the fall leaves flutter! What a beautiful world we live in!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse Stamps: Seasons of Love
Paper: Vintage cream, ocean tides, DP Rustic Snowflakes - PTI
Ink: Ocean Tides, Chamomile - PTI, Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: vintage button, saddle stitched Ocean tides ribbon, silver ribbon - PTI, star nestability, circle punch, foam dimensionals, glue dots, Snow flake punch - Martha Stewart, eyelet - Making Memories, Crop a dile

Inspired by Fall

2009-10-31T00:05:00.003-04:00

My good Doubledog Dare stamping buddy, Anne (Itsapassion), was the hostess for the Inspiration Challenge over on Split Coast today and she asked me, along with some other of the DDC team, to make a card for her to link to the challenge as an example. She showed us a wonderful web store of beautiful ceramic creations.

Since I love bringing flowers from my garden into the house, I took a look at the vases and found this pretty leafy one, perfect inspiration for this fall season!

And here is my inspired card. I used a woodgrain designer paper from Dream Street Papers for the background to mimic the look of the vase. I embossed it with the Distressed Stripes Cuttlebug folder but I don't think you can see that in the picture. It adds a little dimension IRL!

I stamped the label, cut it out with my Labels Four Nestability and then cut out the center with my Petite Oval Nestability. I stamped the sentiment on the oval and adhered it right onto the DP. I layered the frame over the sentiment with foam dimensionals.

I stamped a bunch of the leaves with several colors of ink, using the rock and roll technique on some of them (ink the stamp with one color, then rock and roll the edges on another color). I bent each leaf a little and attached them over the frame with foam dimensionals - adding a vintage wood button knotted with twine to the centers.

I rounded the corners and knotted the ribbon around the bottom edge. I was really pleased with how this came out!

The stamps I used are all from Waltzingmouse. The label/frame is part of the Very Vintage Labels #4 set (this set is presently sold out but Claire is keeping a wait list so get yourself on it!) and the leaves and sentiment are from the Blessed by You set.

Check out Claire's blog - she's doing sneek peaks for her soon to be released new stamp sets - and one of them is a secret set you'll need a password to get to see - how mysterious!!!!??? what's that all about???

Stamps: Waltzingmouse Stamps - Very Vintage Labels #4, Blessed by You

Paper: Vintage cream, Bazzill Basics Brown, DP - Dream Street Papers/Sam

Ink: Adirondack - Lettuce, Watermellon, Hazelnut, Sunset Orange, Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: twine, Melon Berry Double Stitched Ribbon, vintage buttons - PTI, glue dots, foam dimensionals, Zutter Corner Punch, Labels Four and Petite Ovals Nestabilities, Cuttlebug Distressed Stripes Folder,

A Plum of a Thanksgiving

2009-10-29T21:12:00.012-04:00

We are going to my husband's brother's in Vermont for Thanksgiving this year and I wanted to bring along some thank you gifts. I bought this plain glass bottle Warm Apple Pie Fragrance Diffuser thinking that I would decorate it somehow. Today's Ways to Use It challenge on Split Coast was to use purple on a project and the Moxie Fab World challenge this week is to Capture the Essence of Plum so these two challenges were my inspiration for my decorating colors. I colored this wonderful fruit image by Waltzingmouse Stamps with Prismacolor Watercolor Pencils and Gamsol, cut it with an oval Nestability and layered it to a scalloped oval Nestability. I wrapped a band of dotted designer paper around the bottle that I punched with an EK Success scalloped lacey punch. I layered a piece of Plum Pudding satin ribbon over the band.

I tied a piece of Plum Pudding saddle stitched ribbon arond the neck of the bottle. The sentiment, also from the Peace & Plenty Waltzingmouse set, is punched with a Labels Trio Spellbinders die. To give the image a little dimension - I attached a few dew drops to the grapes and the pumpkin.

I think this will look quite decorative on a side table for the Thanksgiving season don't you? ..... and it smells like apple pie - what more could you want!?!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Peace and Plenty

Paper: white, plum pudding - PTI

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Plum Pudding - PTI

Accessories: sponge, Prismacolor Watercolor Pencils, Gamsol, oval & Scalloped oval nestabilities, tag trio Spellbinders, Satin & Saddlestitched Plum Pudding Ribbon - PTI, scalloped EK Success punch, scor tape, dew drops, foam dimensionals, glue dots, Frangrance Diffuser.

Simply Christmas & The Bread of Life

2009-10-28T11:20:00.000-04:00

I made these Christmas cards for the October Papertrey Guest Stamper challenge to make a Clean and Simple Holiday card.

This card is simply a panel of card stock, a 2/3rd's panel of designer paper, a ribbon tied along the edge with the sentiment stamped directly on the cardstock - accented with one dew drop and corners rounded!

Stamps: Signature Christmas: PTI

Paper: White, Scarlet Jewel, Holiday Cheer: PTI

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Dew drop, glue dot, Scarlet Jewell extra fine polka dot satin ribbon- PTI, corner rounder.

And here is a no layer card where I just stamped the damask and greeting right on the cardstock. I accented the damask with a few gems and outlined the card with a black Micron pen!

It would be easy to make lot's of these cards in no time at all!

Stamps: Damask Designs, Signature Christmas - PTI

Paper: New Leaf - PTI

Ink: Enchanted evening - PTI

Accessories: Rhinestones - PTI, corner rounder, black micron pen

I made this 6x6 page for Week 20 of the His Holy Name Challenges on Split Coast - God's attribute for this week was Bread of Life. I chose John 6:35 to illustrate this attribute that I printed on the computer and cut with the Labels Three Nestability. I used the MojoMonday sketch from last week. I liked the earthiness of the Cosmo Cricket papers and chipboard pieces and thought they accented the idea of Jesus being one of the basic things in life we need to survive.

Stamps: none
Paper: vintage cream, dark chocolate - PTI, DP - Cosmo Cricket Earth Love/reuse
Ink: none
Accessories: computer generated verse, oval punch, window frame punch - SU, cosmo cricket ready set chip/Earth love, Alpine ribbon - SU, Nestabilities Labels Three

Believe and Hope and Pics of the Fair

2009-10-25T17:55:00.003-04:00

Gosh - I had such a busy weekend - our church fair was Fri and Sat (see pics at end of this post!) - then DH and I went to a coffee house to see two Irish singers Sat night, and then I had church this morning - BUT of course, I still had to stamp!

So here are two projects I did combining several challenges this weekend.

The featured stamper today was Rachelhope13 - I had not been in her gallery before so it was fun checking out all her cards! I finally chose this plaid stocking card to case.

I used a different stamp, made my own plaid background panel with stamps, tilted the image panel and lowered the ribbon!

For my ribbon - I used the buttony bow technique that Joanne created . She is offering a chance to win blog candy if you link a card using this technique - you can see her video tutorial here ETA: Joanne picked my card as one of her 10 favs!

I have been wanting try out my new Waltzingmouse Offbeat Background stamps to make a plaid background so caseing this card was the perfect opportunity. First I stamped the plaid horizontally using scarlet ink - then I stamped it vertically using blue ink. I machine stitched around this piece. I paper pierced around the image panel - and the stocking itself has a stamped stitched edge as do all the stamps in this set (that makes it easy huh!?!)

I distressed around all the edges and sponged them with So Saffron ink. I layered the stocking image - first stamping it on the white panel - then on scarlet and two different designer papers - cutting out pieces and layering them over each other using foam dimensionals.
Stamps: Waltzingmouse Stamps: Off Bead Backgrounds, Sewing Box Christmas
Paper: white, Spring rain, scarlet jewsll - PTI, DP - SU
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, so saffron - SU, Spring raind, Scarlet Jewell - PTI
Accessories: sponge, sewing machine, saddle stitched spring rain ribbon - PTI, twine - PTI, vintage button - PTI, paper piercer - SU, circle punches, foam dimensionals, distresser - Heidi Swapp

My second project is actually a 6x6 page that I made for the His Holy Name challenges that I do every other Sunday. See my side bar for a link.

You can find Patter's challenges here in the SCS forums God's attribute for week 19 was The Word. I chose Psalm 130:5 to illustrate the word for my page today.

I thought this image block from Cosmo Cricket Earth Love designer paper fit it beautifully. I can just feel God's breezes swirling around this girl - waiting for the Lord on this hilllside - can't you??

I used Friday's Taylored Expressions sketch for this page as well as Sharon's no time to stamp challenge to make a square card and only use square corners. (Round embellishments are ok so I think it was ok to have curvy shapes on the dp?!)

Stamps: none
Paper: vintage cream, new leaf: PTI, DP Cosmo Cricket Earth Love/elements/relive/ reuse
Ink: none
Accessories: square punch

And finally - here are some pics from our church fair - we had a full house crowd on Friday night and I forgot to take pictures we were so busy! So these were taken Saturday morning just as we opened - we didn't have as big a crowd on Saturday but there was a steady trickle of people luckily!

Here are Lillian, Dot and Sandy - displaying all the wonderful hand knit items people donate for us to sell.

Here's Cathy and her granddaughter - selling what's left on the Home Backed Goods table. You couldn't even see the tablecloth on Friday night!

Some of the ladies put together various themed baskets (kids, wine, bath and body, etc) for a raffle. Here's Linda ready to sell tickets! Our Country Store table is in the background - here we sell bakery bread, home made baked beans, corn chowder, fresh popped pop corn, canned jellies, relishes and Apple Cider.

Here's me, Jeannine, and Elizabeth at our D'Vine Cards Table - where we sell hand stamped cards and crafts. Jeannine got us these cute autumn aprons at Joanne's for us to wear. We are all a little exhausted!

Dale and her daughter and friend Peggy make holiday gifts/decorations all year long to sell at this packed table!

Here's a shot of the main hall - we also have a sncak bar and Attic Treasures room downstairs.

And here's Jane selling what's left at the jewelry table - The crowds flock to this table first on Friday night - hoping to find that million dollar gem that someone gave away not realizing the value of it!!!

And finally - here are 6 year old twins, Paige and Gweneth with mum, Elizabeth. They were a great help to us at our card table - putting sales in the bags and giving out change - they love to stamp too! I didn't know that Elizabeth snapped this picture with my camera - I found it when I down loaded the others - It was a fun surprise - as well as a great picture!!

If you are still here reading this (!!!! ) ... thanks for sticking with me through this long posting!!!

Ghostie Peep Treat Box & a Skull Jar !

2009-10-24T18:00:00.004-04:00

Ok, so I lied - I'm not quite done with Halloween projects!

My church fair is this weekend and I've been madly making little last minute crafts after work to sell at our stamping table where two friends and I (Hi - Elizabeth and Jeannine!) make cards and stamped crafts to sell.

The sentiments I used on these spooky treat boxes are from the Halloween Party stamp set by Waltzingmouse Stamps. I punched them with the Designer Label punch by SU.

These fun little box/stands are designed by Ana Wohlfahart but I think her scoring measurements were a bit off on her instructions.

Here is how I made mine: Basically the box is a 3" x 11" piece of cardstock. I scored along the 11" side at 1 1/2", 3", 4 1/2", 6" and then cut an oval (smallest petite oval nestability) on the section between the 1 1/2" and 3" score (2nd panel in). Next fold on all score lines, fold up the box part and adhere it with Scor tape to the back panel. Cut a piece of designer paper for the back panel - decorate as desired. I tied a ribbon around the base and sponged a little white ink around it.

Here's my little army of ghosts! I wrapped up the ghost Peeps individually in Saran Wrap and placed them inside the oval cutouts- I think they look so cute peeking out here! I adhered some fabric bats, ghosts and pumpkins in the corners - they were left over from the supply Joanne (sleepyinseattle) had given the Doubledog Dare challenge team this week to use to make a Halloween card.

So here's my little bucket of 12 treats ready to go home to some little trick or treater for Halloween - don't they look spooky/cute!?!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Halloween Party

Paper: Basic Black, DP - SU

Ink: Memento tuxedo Black, Smokey Shadow, Fresh Snow

Accessories: sponge, zesty orange twill ribbon: PTI, petite oval nestability, designer label punch: SU, glue dots, foam dimensionals, punched witch (unknown), fabric bat, ghost, pumpkin (unknown), Scor pal, Scor Tape

I made these cute jars the night before the fair - I just happened to stop into Michael's and they had this Martha Stewart Skull punch on sale ($9.99 marked down from $17.99!) So I brought it into my craft room and saw these 5 little jars sitting on the floor - left over from an Easter project last spring!

I just happened to also have a bag of this chocolate candy corn and the whole design came to mind. Here's a close up of the front view. I sponged the skull with Smokey Shadow Ink.

After I punched the skull, I realized that I needed something behind the eyes and mouth to make them stand out - so I punched an orange circle - then the base needed to be bigger to cover the jar top - so I tried the scalloped edge circle with black card stock. Then I just had to cover the rim with a coordinating ribbon and fill the jar with the candy! Another cute little treat!

Paper: White, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black: SU

Ink: Smokey Shadow: PTI

Accessories: ribbon - PTI, glue dots, skull punch- Martha Stewart, circle punch, scallop circle punch: SU

Be Merry and Bright!

2009-10-23T18:00:00.002-04:00

This week Dancerriley was the Featured Stamper over on Split Coast Stampers. I chose her pretty ornament card to case. I used a a different ornament stamp, different colors and a different nestability cut out - but the theme is basically the same.

The stamps I used are from the new Sewing Box Christmas (the ornaments) and Seasons of Love (the sentiments) stamp sets by Waltzingmouse Stamps . Both sets offer lots of possibilities for all your holiday card needs! You can check out Claire's wonderful samples on her blog.

For the ornaments - I stamped them first on avocado card stock and then again on designer papers. I cut out the center part from the DP's and layered them over the avocado stampings using foam dimensionals. I punched a hole for the loop and threaded gold ribbons through as hangers attaching the ends on the back of the panel. I slipped wider gold mesh ribbon under the hangers tying it in a knot on the side.For the sentiment inside the card - I adhered the center piece that was left from cutting the Labels Nine Nestability frame on the front of the card under the ornaments and stamped Merry Christmas directly on the Nestie cut out.

Caseing a card for the Featured Stamper challenge is so fun - I would not usually use so many patterns or have created such a busy card on my own - these kinds of challenges make you move out of your comfort zone and grow a little in your creating!

My church fair is this weekend (Fri and Sat) and I'll be selling at it both days as well as helping close it down on Sat afternoon - I'll have some pics to share with you after the weekend!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse Stamps - Sewing Box Christmas, Seasons of Love
Paper: PTI - white, ripe avocado, scarlet jewell, DP Holiday Cheer
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: foam dimensionals, gold ribbons: PTI,, circle punch, Labels Nine Nestabilities

Mindful of Your Troubles - and One More Spook

2009-10-22T18:00:00.003-04:00

This card combines two Split Coast Challenges - the clean and simple challenge to make a sympathy card and the color challenge - to use burgandy, coral and vanilla.

My card is 4 1/4 x 4 1/4 and it went together pretty quickly - which is the goal of a clean and simple card, right?! I stamped the label - cut it with a Labels Four Nestability (that fits it perfectly!) stamped the sentiment inside the oval and layered it onto a piece of designer paper using foam dimensionals. Then I just added the pretty Prima flower with a glue dot. Easy peasy!

The frame stamp is from a set called Very Vintage Labels 4 from Waltzingmouse Stamps (it's presetently sold out but Claire is putting names on a waiting list ) and the lovely sentiment is from a set called Blessed by You - check out all the great sentiments and images on this set!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse Stamps: Very Vintage Labels 4, Blessed by You
Paper: Vintage Cream, Text Style Holiday Cheer: PTI
Ink: Memento tuxedo black, Cameo Coral: SU
Accessories: foam dimensionals, Prima flower, glue dot, Labels Four Nestability

This may be my last Halloween card for the season (but then again.......)

Joanne (Sleepyinseattle) was our hostess this week for the Doubledog Dare Challenge. She sent us a bunch of fun Halloween stuff to use on a card. I only used a little bit of it - the ghost, the witch, the moon and the bats. (I'll be able to make about 10 more cards with everything she sent us - how fun! - thanks Joanne!)

The black panel is cut with an inverted scalloped square Nestability - the sentiment, ghost and witch are all up on foam dimensionals. This is another 4 1/4 x 4 1/4 size card. (I love this little square size!) and I had the ghost's tail stick off the side a little bit so it really looks like he's flying in front of the card!

The spooky sentiment is from the Halloween Party stamp set by Waltzingmouse Stamps

We'd love to have you join us by making a Halloween card too! - just put DDC in the keywords when you load your card onto Splitcoast!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse Stamps: Halloween Party
Paper: Basic Black: SU, White, Summer Sunriese : PTI
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: classic inverted scalloped square Nestability, cut outs: unknown, foam dijmensionals, small oval punch: SU

Oh Christmas Tree

2009-10-21T18:00:00.000-04:00

The Limited Supplies challenge on Split Coast a while ago was to use a Christmas tree on your card. I tried to keep the supplies limited but I was also doing Taylor's sketch for that week on this card so it ended up with more than a few layers!

I used a circle and pinking circle nestability to frame my image and two Cuttblebug folders, the snowflake and Swiss Dots. The sentiment by Rubber Soul was punched with the Word Window punch from SU.

At least my bare little Amuse tree has limited decorations on it! (and check it out - it's on sale!)

Thanks for stopping by today!

Stamps: bare tree: Amuse, sentiment: Rubber Soul
Paper: spring moss, sweet blush, aqua mist, vintage cream: PTI, DP My Minds Eye-Be Merry Trim the tree
Ink: memento tuxedo black, Spring Moss: PTI
Accessories: Copics: E09, E35, sponge, dew drop, glue dot, foam dimensionals, word window porch: SU, Snowflake and Swiss Dots Cuttlebug Folders, Circle and Pinking Circle Nestabilities, Dotted Swiss Sweet Blush Ribbon: PTI

A Tiled Christmas Tree

2009-10-20T18:00:00.000-04:00

This is a picture of the pretty tile from the Xenia Taler web store that inspired my card for Saturday's Inspiration Challenge over on Split Coast. It instantly made me think of this fun tree stamp from the new Sewing Box Christmas set by Waltzingmouse Stamps. If you are into folk art and/or sewing or just that home spun look - this is the set for you!I stamped the 'ornaments' on colored card stock, punched them with a circle punch - then layered them on the tree with foam dimensionals after sponging the edges. I paperpieced the base with card stock. The Faux stitched border is from another Waltzingmouse Stamp set called Off Beat Backgrounds (check out the fun stamps in that set!) I distressed the edges of the top panel and used some silver ice stickles on the star for a little spot of shimmer.
Inside my card I stamped a pretty sentiment from the Seasons of Love set as well as the stitched heart from the Sewing Box Christmas set. I may go back and color that in yellow to match the front of the card now that I'm looking at it here!!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse Stamps: Sewing Box Christmas, Off Beat Backgrounds, Seasons of Love
Paper: White, Enchanted evening, Lemon Tart, Summer Sunrise - PTI, Sahara Sand - SU
Ink: Sahara Sand - SU, Enchanted Evening - PTI
Accessories: foam dimensionals, circle punch, sponge, distresser - Heidi Swapp, Silver Ice Stickles

Give your Dog a Holiday Bone and Love with Pizzazz

2009-10-18T11:00:00.001-04:00

I wanted to share another craft I made to sell at my church fair. I made some more dog cookies - this time in the shapes of ghosts, pumpkins and turkeys for the up coming holidays! You can see my other dog bones on this post.

I placed two cookies in each bag - some went in clear cellophane bags (Michaels) and some into wax paperbags (Papertrey Ink). I cut toppers from DCWV The Pets Stack using the Top Note die from SU and folding it in half over the top of the bag. You can find lots of dog bisquit recipes here. I made the Milk Bone ones.

I stamped a little dog with a bone in his mouth (Stamp Craft) on brown card stock and punched it with a circle punch. I printed labels on the computer that say "Give Your Dog a Bone" and stuck them on the front.

I know people like to know what they are giving their pets so I printed a list of the ingredients on a label and placed it on the back of the bag topper.

And here is my little basket full of the dog cookie bags - ready for the sale!

And finally I have a card to show you - We had a fun Ways to use it challenge over on Split Coast a while ago entitled "Say it with Pizaaz'. We were to JAZZ up our sentiments! I used some Damask Sticky Alpha letters by ColorBok that I got recently on sale at Michael's for my JAZZED up sentiment. I added an embossed scalloped heart Nestability with a gem over the letter O, scored some lines above and below with my Scor Pal and added a thin gingham bow!

A clean and simple card with pizzazz!!

Stamps: none
Paper: White: PTI
Ink: none
Accessories: Sticky Alpha Stax Damask: ColorBok, foam dimensional, Scor Pal, scalloped heart Nestability, gemstone: Hero Arts

A Sewing Box Christmas

2009-10-17T07:00:00.001-04:00

I wanted to share some projects with you that I used the pretty new Waltzingmouse Stamp set called Sewing Box Christmas. These images have such a wonderful homespun look with their 'stitched' edges. My little totes are made using the Ready Set Wrap Templates from PTI.

I used the holly image on the large tote - it matched so well with this pretty Cosmo Cricket designer paper Jolly by Golly/Merry Berry. I just stamped the holly, cut it out, adhered it to the side with foam dimensionals and added a button as a berry. I stamped the sentiment and cut it using a Tag Trio Spellbinder die and adhered that with foam dimensionals also. I sponged the edges of the tote handles with Aqua Mist Ink and tied a knot in the ribbon through the handle. I placed 5 wrapped mints inside for the lucky receiver!

For my little tote - I stamped one of the little snow flakes from the set twice on each side and sponged the edges with ink. I stamped the sentiment (actually separate words) on red and punched with a circle and adhered it to the front. I used my Martha Stewart punch for the snowflake - added a button to the center and adhered it with a foam dimensional. Just two mints fit inside this mini tote! I made 6 of each size of these cute treat holders - another item to sell at my Church Fair that's coming up on 10/24.

Stamps: Waltzingmouse Stamps: Sewing Box Christmas

Paper: Riding Hood Red, Sage Shadow: SU, Vintage Cream: PTI, Cosmo Cricket Jolly by Golly/Merry Berry & Oh Joy Frosty.

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Aqua Mist PTI

Accessories: Sponge, Ready Set Wrap Template: PTI, Tag Trio Spell Binder, Saddle stitched Ribbon - Pure Poppy, Aqua Mist: PTI, vintage buttons: PTI, Martha Stewart Snowflake punch, circle punch, mints: CVS

For my card, I used the snowflake image from the set as well as three of the separate words among many in this lovely set. I just stamped them right onto the designer paper here and added dew drops around them.

I used Taylored Expressions Sketch for my card design. I stamped the snowflake twice, colored one of them with my Copic G21, cut out the inside part of the uncolored one and layered it onto the first stamping with foam dimensionals. I embossed the green panel with the Swiss dots Cuttlebug folder and sponged all the edges with Ocean Tides Ink. The snowflake punched edge is a Martha Stewart punch.

I hope you've enjoyed seeing some of the stamps in this pretty set! Thanks so much for stopping by!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse Stamps: Sewing Box Christmas
Paper: VIntage Cream- PTI, Bazzill Green, Sage Shadow - SU, DP COsmo Cricket Holly by Jolly/Breezy Freezy
Ink: Ocean tides PTI, Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: dew drops, martha stewart snowflake edge punch, foam dimensionhals, swiss dots cuttlebug folder, Copic: G21, sponge, ceramic brad: target

A Happy Thanksgiving Easel Card

2009-10-15T07:00:00.000-04:00

I was so excited to try another easel card for the Try a New Technique challenge over on Split Coast this week. I just love this style card - you can see a Halloween one I made and my tutorial for making one on my posting here.

They are so easy to make and look so stunning don't you think?? I made mine a 4x4 this time (base 8x4, front 4x4). The stamps are a new set called Peace and Plenty by Waltzingmouse Stamps . I just love the mixed fonts on the sentiments in this set and all the lovely fall images.

I used Spellbinders Fancy tags for the sentiment and Labels Nine for the image. I added some Dazzling Diamonds to the leaves and acorn tops for a little sparkle. I think you can just see a little of the sparkle on the first picture - it's really shimmery IRL!

As always I am thankful that you came by to visit me!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse Stamps - Peace & Plenty
Paper: Rustic White, Dark Chocolate, Autumn Abundance: PTI, Pumpkin Pie: SU
Ink: Jemento Tuxedo Black, Apricot Appeal - SU
Accessories: glue dots, dew drops, sponge, zutter 1/2" round it all, fancy tags: Spellbinders, Labels Nine: Nestabilities, quickie glue pen, Dazzling diamonds: SU, foam dimensionals, ribbon: unknown, Copics: YR07, YR23, E34, E09, E59, R59

Spooky Treats!!!!

2009-10-13T07:00:00.002-04:00

Yikes! doesn't this look like it's straight out of a scary movie!??! I just LOVE this little coffin treat box and had to whip some up to sell at our church fair coming up in a couple of weeks.

The template comes from Martha Stewart Magazine but I found the link and template on Split Coast from Stampztoomuch in the forums under Templates. This is also my challenge for the Doubledog Dare Challenge ladies over on SCS as I am the hostess this week - the challenge - to make a coffin treat box! I can't wait to see the different ways people decorate these! I printed the template right onto my Smokey Shadow cardstock so it was really fast to put it all together.

I found these perfect treat size Hershey bars at CVS to tuck inside with some basket shred - they actually have tombstones on them (even on the chocolates when you open them! How do I know that???!!) The directions say to create a complete lining with designer paper (SU) but I just lined the inside of the cover. I try to keep things simple when making a bunch of anything!

I used lots of images from the Halloween Party set by Waltzingmouse Stamps - embossing them with black embossing powder. Then I sponged around the images with Fresh Snow ink. The sentiments are black embossed, then punched and the edges are sponged with Smokey Shadow ink and adhered to the casket with foam dimensionals. Then I just wrapped 23" of ribbon around the base and knotted it at the top. To make the inside cover lining I printed the template on white computer paper, cut out the inside of the top and traced it on the designer paper.

Here you can see some of the creative names they put on the candy bars - Paul Tergeist, Ed Less, Rick Amortis, Barry L. Ive - pretty clever huh! So much more fun to find inside these than just plain old candies!

So here is my bucket of six caskets! I usually do 6-10 of each thing I make to sell at our church fair - two friends and I have a stamping table - call D-vine Designs (it's a Harvest Theme Fair)and we sell stamped cards and crafts so every September I'm working like crazy to get things made to sell!

And here are some less scary treat bags I made for the Fair. More images from the Halloween Party stamp set by Waltzingmouse. (I'll be moving on to Fall and Christmas really soon I promise!!!)

I just tucked a cellophane wrapped little ghost Peep into each one of these little purse bags along with some Halloween colors basket shred (I added a little candy bar to each bag after I took these pics as the ghosts looked a little lonely!) The two end ones are the fronts - the middle one is how the backs look - it says Scary Sweets.

Here I used some different colors and different stamps from the same set - on the left is the front and on the right is the back. You can find the template for these cute bucket purses at Melzstamps

And here is the whole group of little treats! Hopefully they will all be sold very soon!!

Thanks for stopping by today! Link back here if you make any of the coffins so I can come see them ok!?!?!

May the Road Rise with You and some Celtic Sympathy

2009-10-11T09:00:00.002-04:00

In honor of last weeks World Card Making Day -Julia's Ways to Use it challenge over on Split Coast was to use the world for inspiration.

I decided to use this picture that I took at the end of the corkscrew road at Galway Bay, Ireland when DH and I were there celebrating our 10th anniversary 2 years ago. I enlarged it 120% and copied it onto card stock. It almost looks like an oil painting when you enlarge it like this - slightly softening the details.

The sentiment is from the Irish Blessings set by Waltzingmouse Stamps . I just stamped it right on the picture. I didn't think this card needed any embellishments - the picture and sentiment says it all! You can see another card I made using one of my photos here
Stamps: Irish Blessings: Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper: White, Ocean Tides: PTI, Basic Black: SU
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

I seem to always use Ocean Tides card stock when I use Claire's Waltzingmouse Irish themed stamps. They just seem to go naturally together!

On this sympathy card I used the Celtic Heritage set. I just love the knots (scrolls?) on the top corners of the frame that match the longer scroll in this set.

The long scroll almost looks like the word Love to me - do you see that?? I stamped it horizontally on the front and then I stamped it vertically on the inside of the card next to this wonderful sentiment.

Thanks for coming by today! Gotta run - I'm having my son, Josh, and his fiance, April, over for dinner today to celebrate his 32nd birthday (can I be that old?!? LOL!) - his actual b'day is 9/27 but we couldn't find a mutual free time until today! What busy lives we lead huh?!? I have Monday off (US - Columbus Day) whoo hoo!!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Celtic Heritage
Paper: Ocean tides, White - PTI, Basic Black, DP- SU
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
Accessories: Modern label punch - SU, Corner punch - EK Success.

Beware! Beware!

2009-10-08T18:00:00.002-04:00

I am so excited to show you this Easel card today! I found the design on Becca's blog and knew it would be perfect to highlight this Halloween scene I was working on. I was inspired by this card by Vicki

I'll show you how I made my easel card. There are two pieces - the image front and the folded base. My finished card is 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" so my base is 11 x 5 1/2. I scored along the 11" edge at 2 3/4" and 5 1/2".

Then you fold on the scores to make the easel shape as per below.

Attach your sentiment to the base mounted on foam dimensionals so it is popped up and will hold back the easel part. Make your card front (5 1/2"x5 1/2") and adhere the bottom half of it to the easel triangle with Scor Tape.

You can see how the popped up sentiment holds the card front upright. Isn't this super? It's a great way to make a card into a beautiful decoration that you can display on a shelf or counter.

And now the deets on my fun Halloween image. The stamps are from the Halloween Party Set by Waltzingmouse Stamps. First I stamped the spooky witch and owl on the branch with black ink. Then I punched a circle from Eclipse Tape and placed it over the images. I sponged around the sky using 3 different blue inks. Then I masked the sky and sponged the moon using yellow and orange inks. Finally I cut a rolling line from Eclipse Tape and masked the ground sponging the area in dark blue. To finish it off - I stamped the bats in green flying in front of the moon. I cut the image with Petite oval nestabilities and layered it to two colors.

I stamped the sentiment and cut it out with Labels 4 Nestabilities layering it to two colors. I stamped the bats with Versamark ink so they are just a shadow behind the sentiment.

This is how the card looks closed.

You can make an Easel card any size - the base just has to be twice as long as the front image piece. For example to make a 4x4 card - your base would be 4x8 (score along 8" side at 2" and 4") and your card front would be 4x4.

These are so easy to make and look so impressive - don't you think??!!

Stamps: Halloween Party- Waltzingmouse Stamps

Paper: White, Oceantides, Enchanged Evening, DP Bitty Dot Basics, Hocus Pocus - PTI, Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie: SU

Ink: Versamark Watermark Pad, Not Quite Navy, Soft Sky, Blue Bayou: SU, Ocean Tides: PTI, Adirondack Lemonade, Sunset Orange, Memento Tuxedo Black.

Accessories: Labels 4 Nestabilities, Eclipse masking tape, foam dimensionals, circle punch, petite oval nestabilities, Fiskars Corner star punch, Copic: YR04, saddle stitched ribbon: PTI, drippy punch: Martha Stewart.