Create With Me

Blushing Paris & Courage

2012-02-15T23:15:00.000-05:00

I made this card for two challenges - the sketch challenge over at Split Coast and this week's Color Throwdown.

I stamped a collage of images over a stamped wire grid background - all my stamps are from Rubbernecker I popped up the layered mat stacks on foam tape and added some Tiny Twinkles for a little glitter!

My second card was made for this weeks Split Coast Color Challenge - Night of Navy, Bashful Blue and Crumb Cake.

My card is almost a no layer card (just one layer color framing!) I stamped the corner garden in Night of Navy ink on a white panel. Then I masked a circle in the top corner and sponged the blue sky with Tumbled Glass. I removed the mask and sponged over the ground and the moon with Frayed Burlap - I wanted it to be a kind of stormy night to go with the sentiment. I layered the image to a panel of Night of Navy and then onto a white card. I added pale blue rhinestones to a few flower centers. Then I stamped the sentiment directly on the card. The corner garden and sentiment are from Rubbernecker

I'll be back on Friday with my WMS Blog Party card - hope you're joining in and that you'll stop by to see my card!

Paris:

Stamps: Rubbernecker - wire grid #573, Eifel Tower, car, postage from Paris 1908 set #527

Paper: tan textured card - Michaels, poppy parade & blushing bride - SU

Ink: Memento desert sand, Ranger Distress Frayed Burlap

Accessories: foam tape, Tiny Twinkles - Taylored Expressions, Matt Stack 3 - PTI

Courage:

Stamps: Rubbernecker - Wild Garden Corner #539-04, Courage sentiment #582-13
Paper: White - PTI, Night of Navy - SU
Ink: Night of Navy - SU, Ranger Distress Frayed Burlap & Tumbled Glass, Versafine Onyx Black
Accessories: Eclipse tape, rhinestones - Amuse, blending tool - Ranger, 1 1/2" circle punch - EK Success

Make a Wish

2012-02-13T07:00:00.001-05:00

Hi stampers! I made today's card for the CAS-ual Fridays challenge - clean and simple paper piecing.

First, I stamped this adorable fairy by The Craft's Meow directly on the card with Memento London Fog ink. I liked the softer tone of the grey rather than stamping it in black.

Then I paper pieced the wings and dress - stamping those parts on dotted patterned papers, cutting them out and adhering them over the stamped image.

Keeping it CAS - i just added two Tiny Twinkles and drew a line across the top and bottom of the card with a silver pen to define the visual field. I was going to frame all four sides - but I did the top and bottom first and I liked how it looked - so I left it at that!!

Thanks for coming by today! I'd love for you to leave me a comment so I can come and see you!

Stamps: Butterfly Kisses - The Craft's Meow

Paper: White, Text Style 2008 Bitty Dot Basics - PTI

Ink: Memento London Fog

Accessories: silver pen - Creative Memories, Tiny Twinkles - Taylored Expressions

Sisterhood Sundays - Candy Hearts

2012-02-12T10:00:00.057-05:00

Happy Sunday Stampers! It's time for another Sisterhood Sunday Challenge - are you up for it??! Today we have a sweet inspiration photo.

Doesn't this remind you of Valentine's Day when you were little?! We've all had these little conversation hearts at some time in our lives, and I just happen to have a little conversation hearts Rubbernecker stamp!

So what do you see when you look at this box of conversation hearts?? Maybe you are inspired by the box - or all the pretty colors? Maybe you see a field of flowers??

Check out the challenge and all the details on the Stampin' Sisterhood blog - make an inspired card and link it up - there are stamps to be won!

Stamps: Rubbernecker - Candy Hearts #246-16

Paper: white, Sweet Blush, Berry Sorbet, DP Textstyle Pink Patterns - PTI

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: scallop punch - SU, heart Nestabilities, doily edge die - PTI, foam tape, rhinestones - Michaels, Copics - R32, R00, R29, Swiss Dots embossing folder - Provo Craft.

Weeds in a Pot

2012-02-11T00:10:00.000-05:00

Happy Saturday Stamping Friends! I created today's card for two challenges:

The Inspiration Challenge over at Split Coast where I was inspired by this lovely golden glass vase and stems

And the Color Throw Down Challenge

I used my Spellbinders Flower Pots to die cut the pot and I embossed it with the Tim Holtz Bricked Embossing Folder. I also cut the top piece of the pot off and popped it up on foam tape to give dimension.

I tied a piece of wrinkled seam tape in two bows and attached it to the pot with a glue dot. I added 3 dew drops (boy I haven't used dew drops in long time!).

My weed and sentiment stamps are from Rubbernecker .

I sponged the edges of the card and the pot with Ranger Distress Scattered Straw and Dried Marigold

If you're looking for more inspiration this weekend - check out the Waltzingmouse Saturday Sketch and The Sisterhood Sunday's Challenge

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Stamps: Rubbernecker - Weeds #497-11, #497-13, #497-14, Friend from Fall Trilogy Set #480

Paper: Vintage Cream, Dark Chocolate, Terra Cotta Tile - PTI

Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Cantalope, Potters Clay, Ranger Distress Scattered Straw, Dried Marigold

Accessories: Bricked embossing folder - Tim Holtz Sizzix, foam tape, Flower Pots - Spellbinders, wrinkled seam tape - Prairie Bird Boutique Etsy Shop, dew drops

WMS February Christmas Card Challenge

2012-02-10T08:00:00.001-05:00

Woo hoo! It's the 10th of the month and that means Lynn has posted the Waltzingmouse Christmas Challenge over on the WMS forum! You can check it out here

This month we have an inspiration photo for our challenge:

and here is the card I created - being inspired by the fun red twig tree!

I used several Waltzingmouse stamp sets for my creation today - the branch and green flower are from Asian Gardens, the blue snowflake is from Vintage Ornaments and the tiny purple snowflake is from Teeny Trees!

I sponged the edges of the image panel with Ranger Distress Scattered Straw ink and layered it to coordinating colored panels. I cut the card to fit the image so this smallish card measures 2 7/8" x 4 7/8"

So come along and join us in the Waltzingmouse Forum today and every month - wouldn't it be great to have all of your Christmas cards done BEFORE December??!!!

While I had my supplies out - I made 4 of these cards to add to my 7 from last month!

AND don't forget the Waltzingmouse Blog Party coming up on Feb 17th - find all the details here.

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Asian Garden, Vintage Ornaments, Teeny Trees

Paper: White, Pure Poppy - PTI, Tempting Turquoise - SU

Ink: Memento - Bahama Blue, Lady Bug, Bamboo Leaves, Versafine - Imperial Purple, Ranger Distress Scattered Straw.

Accessories: Rhinestones - Kaiser

WMSC83 - Music is the Prayer

2012-02-07T21:22:00.000-05:00

It's been a while since I've made a card for the Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge - and when I saw Jen's wonderful sketch..........

I was inspired to make this card!

I've made all the Valentine cards that I need this year so I went with a music theme based on my computer generated sentiment.

First I cut the round white card with my circle Nestability, then I cut a slightly smaller blue circle and stamped it with a music background stamp. I layered that circle to a black pinking circle Nestability. I stamped the piano keys on a white strip and layered it over the blue circle. I printed the sentiment on a piece of white and cut it with a heart Nestibility. I adhered the heart to the card with foam tape. Then I just added three blue rhinestones for a little sparkle!

So come on and join us for the WMS sketch challenge this week! Every week a random linked card will win a free stamp set! Check it all out here.

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Musical Backgrounds

Paper: White, True Black, Spring Rain - PTI

Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Memento London Fog

Accessories: foam tape, heart, circle, pinking circle Nestabilities, rhinestones - Kaiser

If the Shoe Fits.....

2012-02-03T09:00:00.001-05:00

A co-worker asked me if I could make a card for her sister who will be celebrating her 40th birthday in April - I asked her what her interests were and she said 'she loves shoes' - I immediately thought of making a 3D shoe rather than just a card. I knew I had seen templates out there for such things.

So - here is the cute little number I created for her! I used a textured Bazzill card stock appropriately called Black Tie - so this looks like leather with a little shine. (I've got a link to the template at the bottom of my post)

A adhered a little felt flower from Maya Road over the toe. I die cut a tag and stamped "If the shoe fits, buy one in everycolor" (Hampton Arts) and faux stitched around the edge with a fine tip pen. I tied the tag around the shoe strap with Glitter Eyelash Yarn by Martha Stewart.

The silver 'buckle' is a punched circle with two slits cut in it with an x-acto knife so the strap slips through.

And the back view - Do these heels make my feet look fat???!!!

I slipped the little shoe into a flat bottom clear bag (on it's side)- adding a piece of coordinating card stock for the shoe to sit on. I left the bag open so my friend could write a note to her sister on the tag - but it then can be folded and stapled closed.

Isn't this the cutest thing??!! and what a fun easy gift for the shoe lover! Just change the card stock or use patterned paper to create many different looks! You could slip a gift card or a 'little something' into the shoe as well.

I found the template for this terrific shoe here on Split Coast. It's a great pattern and goes together very quickly! I forgot to measure it before giving it to my friend - but it's around 5 inches long and maybe 3 1/2" tall.

If you're looking for stamping inspiration this weekend please check out the Saturday Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge and the Sunday Stampin' Sisterhood challenge.

And good news for those wondering when Claire's next Waltzingmouse Stamp release will be - the Design Team will have sneak peeks for 3 days starting February 26th and a Blog Waltz on Release Day February 29th! Wait until you see the new stamps!!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Thanks for the Music in My Heart

2012-02-01T10:26:00.001-05:00

Two more cards to share today - the first was made for the Queen for the Day challenge on Split Coast. Shirley (wannabecre8tive) was featured and I chose to CASE her Cheating? card

I loved the sketch she used. I used stamps (she made her creation with pretty papers) I left off the middle panel and just put little snippets of ribbon on my sentiment tag.

Although this quote is from Wordsworth, the image is of Beethoven but both are about music so felt they went together! The stamps are from Stampington & Co.

My second card is a Thank You and was made for the SCS Color Challenge which I just happened to have hosted this week! My color choices were White, Island Indigo and Pool Party with the option of using a sentiment as the image.

I dressed up my Thanks so Much sentiment from Rubbernecker by using an embossing folder for my back panel, a lovely Amana Circle Memory Box die to frame the sentiment and a wrinkled seam tape bow. Then I scattered some rhinestones for a little sparkle!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

ETA: do you want to play in the Waltzingmouse Blog Party this month? Well - you need to post and link up your spring themed creation on 2/17/12 over at Claire's WMS blog - check out all the details here so you don't miss out!
Beethoven Card:
Stamps: Beethoven, Wordsworth Quote - Stampington & Co

Paper: vintage cream, ocean tide - PTI, DP Webster's pages
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Distress Weathered wood
Accessories: foam tape, Amuse Twinkle stickers, circle & eyelet circle nestabilities, Tags 5 Spellbinders, wrinkled seam tape, foam tape.

Thank you
Stamps: Rubbernecker - Thanks So Much #565-18

Paper: white, - PTI, Island Indigo & Pool Party - SU
Ink: Taken with Teal - SU
Accessories: Amana Circle - Memory Box, Foam tape, Vine Label Embossing Folder - Life Style, Rhinestones - Kaiser, Wrinkled Seam Tape

Sisterhood Sundays - An Inspiration in Purples

2012-01-29T10:00:00.042-05:00

Hi friends! Well - it's Sunday already (where does the weekend go?!) but the good thing is that it's time for another Sisterhood Sunday's Challenge! This week we have a collage photo inspiration - don't you just love all these shades of purple, pink and green? And we've got flowers, cupcakes, trees and desserts to inspire us!

And here's the card I was inspired to make

I stamped the pretty wildflower bloom (#496-12) in Sweet Plum on a white panel. Then I sponged the edges with both Milled Lavender and Dusty Concord. I embossed a square Nestability on the card base, sponged the edges with Dusty Concord, tied the ribbon around the card in two bows, then adhered the white image panel inside the square with foam tape. To finish it off - I stamped the sentiment (#200-04) along the bottom edge and added rhinestones to the flower centers.

I hope you'll join us in the Sisterhood Sunday Challenge this week - you will find all the details on the Stampin' Sisterhood Blog. as well as more inspiring samples made by some of my Stampin' Sisterhood Sisters!

Stamps: Rubbernecker - Flower #496-12, It's Your Day to Shine Sentiment #200-04

Paper: White, Simply Chartreuse - PTI

Ink: Memento Sweet Plum, Ranger Distress Milled Lavender & Dusty Concord.

Accessories: Square Nestabilities, wrinkled seam tape - Prairie Bird Boutique Etsy Shop, rhinestones - Kaiser

A Musical Bookmark - and a Belleek-like Card!

2012-01-27T11:56:00.000-05:00

Hi stamping friends! The weekend's just a few hours away - I don't know about you - but I can't wait! It's such a good feeling knowing I have two days off!

I have two projects to share with you today

I made a bookmark for the Looking Back - Ways to Use It challenge over on Split Coast.

We were to combine as many of the past years challenges as we wanted on our creation - I hit the following challenges from this past year:

WT309 Happy Birthday
WT329 Something Old (stamps) Something New (music punch)
WT323 Music Related
WT331 Crazy Collage (use 4 stamps)
WT342 Make a Bookmark
WT350 Fancy Ribbons
WT365 It's My Birthday

I cut a piece of white card stock 2 1/2 x 5 3/8, cut off the top corners and sponged all over with Victorian Velvet, Weathered Wood and Shabby Shutters.

First, I stamped the piano keyboard along the edge. Then I adhered the punched music score to the bottom, stamped the sheet music at an angle, and stamped the G clef and notes. My music stamps are from Musical Backgrounds by Waltzingmouse .

I stamped happy birthday from Birthday Basics by PTI on a piece of Lavender Moon card stock, punched it with my word window punch and adhered it over the stampings. Then I layered it to a 2 5/8 x 5 1/2 piece of Lavender Moon, punched a hole in the top and looped the wrinkled seam tape through the hole. To finish it off - I stamped a birthday sentiment on the back.

My second card was made using a really fun technique for the Try a New Technique challenge on SCS - Inspired by Belleek. You ink up the inside front cover of an embossing folder with a tan or gray ink pad. Then put your card stock inside and emboss it. The result looks very much like Belleek Pottery!

I have been to the Belleek Factory in Ireland and you'll see in my picture, one of the miniature vases I purchased there. This vase has a tall grasses design so I used my Bird Call Embossing folder as it has tall marsh grasses.

I used River Rock Ink on my embossing folder and cut a panel out of the embossed piece of cardstock that I adhered to my textured card with foam tape. I stamped a Celtic heart in green and adhered it over the inked embossing with foam tape. Then I just stamped the simple sentiment on the side and added a rhinestone to the heart! My stamps are from Celtic Heritage by Waltzingmouse.

Have a nice weekend everyone! I'll be back on Sunday with my Sisterhood Sunday challenge card - hope you can stop by then and also join in on the challenge!

Music Bookmark:
Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Musical Backgrounds, Paptertrey Ink - Birthday Basics

Paper: white, Lavender Moon, True Black - PTI
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Ranger Distress - Weathered Wood, Shabby Shutters, Victorian Velvet
Accessories: wrinkled seam tape, Crop a dile, word window punch - SU, symphony punch - EK Success

Belleek Technique:
Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Celtic Heritage

Paper: vintage cream - PTI, textured card - Michaels
Ink: River Rock - SU, Memento Bamboo Leaves & Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Bird Call Embossing Folder - Provo Craft, rhinestones - Kaiser, foam tape, heart punch - EK Success

Imagine with All Your Mind

2012-01-25T23:28:00.000-05:00

I made this card using the colors from this weeks' Color Throw Down

I used the sketch from today's Split Coast challenge.

I really don't like diagonal lines but I got it in there on my card! This wonderful sentiment is from Rubbernecker. I stamped the sentiment on a vintage cream panel, sponged the edges with Antique Linen and adhered it over the Grand Madison Window die cut. I adhered the window frame to the card with foam tape.

Just watched CSI while I was posting this - and then some of the news - so got to go - it's late and morning comes early!!

Stamps: Rubbernecker Imagine with all #582-23

Paper: Vintage cream - PTI, Bazzill Brown, DP Curio Paperpad - Basic Grey

Ink: Archival Coffee, Ranger Distress Antique Linen

Accessories: Foam Tape, Grand Madison Window - Poppy Stamps, Wrinkled Seam Tape, Rhinestones - Kaiser

Music is the Voice of the Soul

2012-01-24T09:10:00.000-05:00

A friend of mine just purchased a sheet music shop in Boston and she asked me if I could make some music themed cards for her to sell there.

Here are the first two I've made. I was inspired by challenges over at Split Coast - I made this one for the Featured Stamper challenge and based it on Kim's card here.

I had this fun sheet music patterned paper in my stash. The trumpet and sentiment are from Rubbernecker.

My second card was made for the CAS (clean and simple) Challenge - to use pink, celery and white.

It actually took me about 30 minutes to get this card done! I started out trying to use some die cuts and after several renditions - finally ended up with just these simple stampings. It was really hard to leave all that white space on the card!!! but I really like the result!

The note is from Musical Backgrounds by Waltzingmouse and the sentiment is from Take Note by Papertreay ink.

Don't forget to check this post for a chance to win a Cause a Scene stamp set

And check out the Saturday Waltzingmouse Sketch challenge here

Thanks so much for stopping by today! We had about 5" of snow last Saturday - and today it's supposed to hit 50 degrees. What a crazy winter we are having here in New England!

Trumpet card:
Stamps: Rubbernecker - Bass Trumpet #533-02, Music sentiment #582-05
Paper: vintage cream, true black - PTI, DP Provo Craft Heritage Music Score
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
Accessories: gold rhinestones - Michaels, foam tape
Just a Note Card:
Stamps: note from Musical Backgrounds - Waltzingmouse, sentiment from Take Note by Papertrey Ink
Paper: white - PTI
Ink: Memento Bamboo Leaves, Ranger Distress Worn Lipstick

Happy Birthday Pardner!

2012-01-22T20:35:00.000-05:00

Howdy Stampers! I made this cute little penguin Western card for the Cas-ual Fridays challenge Penguin Suit - to use only black and white - not a SPOT of another color! It was so hard for me not to color in the sheriff's badge - or the bandana - or one of the little critters hats! but I persevered - and here it is - pristine in its' black and whiteness!!

The stamps are from The Cat's Pajamas - the paper is Papertrey Ink - the large scallop is a punch by EK Success. The sentiment is layered to a Pinking Circle Nestability. I popped up the stars and sentiment on foam tape for a little dimension. My card is a slim 3" x 5 1/2"

A good masculine card, don't you think??

Check my post below - you still have time for a chance at winning a Kittie Kit....

Stamps: The Cat's Pajamas - It's a Western Thing

Paper: white, true black, DP Textstyle Black & White Basics - PTI

Ink: Versamark Onyx Black

Accessories - Foam tape, circle punches, Pinking Circle Nestabilities, Scallop Edge punch EK Success.

Rubbernecker Kittie Kit Blog Hop

2012-01-21T10:00:00.070-05:00

Hello Stampin' Sisters!! Thank you for joining us for the KITTIE KIT Blog HOP fun!!

In case you didn’t know, Rubbernecker Stamps has a line of stamps called KITTIE KITS and they include a variety of images that can be used together in MANY different ways to create MANY different scenes!! The Stampin’ Sisterhood DT each has a creation today to illustrate some ways to use these stamp sets!

There is a HOP ROUTE for you to follow below!

You could win your choice of one AWESOME KITTIE KIT stamp set

Make sure to leave a comment at every stop to increase your chances of winning.

The winner will be announced FRIDAY 1/27 on the Stampin' Sisterhood Blog

I used The Cause a Scene set The Moose is Loose for my winter scene today. I stamped the log cabin, masked it, and then stamped the pine trees around it. I removed the mask and colored the cabin with Copics. I stamped the Let It Snow sentiment across the bottom and sponged the edges with Old Paper ink and the sky with Weathered Wood.

Then I added White Opal Liquid Pearls to the sky and Crystal Ice Stickles to the snow flakes in the sentiment. I also colored in some smoke coming out of the chimney with a grey Copic. I can just imagine how cozy and warm it feels inside this pretty cabin in the snowy woods!

Be on the look out for our NEXT HOP coming in FEBRUARY!! We look forward to bringing you MORE sharing and prizes!! Until then, be sure to check out the daily posts on the STAMPIN’ SISTERHOOD blog!! There's LOTS of inspiration to be found every day!

Here's the list for the hop - be sure you stop by each blog and leave a comment to increase your chances of winning a Kittie Kit Stamp set!

You can see all the Kittie Kits here.

Stamps: Rubbernecker - Let It Snow #151 SO, The Moose is Loose Kittie Kit #KKCS-5002

Paper: White, Simply Chartreuse, Smokey Shadow - PTI

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Distress - Old Paper, Weathered Wood, Pine Needles, Iced Spruce, Peeled Paint.

Accessories: Copics - T2, E13, E19, YG91, BG10, Y15, Liquid Pearls White Opal, Ice Stickles Crystal Ice, Eclipse Tape.

Waltzingmouse Stamps Blog Party - Sweet Things!

2012-01-17T03:00:00.098-05:00

Today I'm participating in the Waltzingmouse Stamps Blog Party which happens on the 17th of each month (formerly known as the Friends of Waltzingmouse Blog Waltz that was held in the WMS Forum.)

Claire has switched it up a bit (you can see info on this post here.) changing the name and hosting it from The Waltzingmouse Blog where you can find all the details and link up your creation!

This months' theme is Sweet Things - and here is my first creation - pretty Sa-weet, huh?!?!

First I stamped red and white panels with the hearts background stamp from Nordic Winter. Then I cut the panels with a pinwheel die. I put them together alternating colors, red/white/red/white etc. I stamped the Sweets for My Sweet sentiment from Sweet Hearts and cut it with a pennant banner attaching it to the pinwheel by tucking it just under the brad. I adhered it to the stick (a stirrer from Starbucks!) with a thick glue dot, then added rhinestones to the head of the brad and on the banners for a little sparkle!

I made the cupcakes with a cherry cake mix and cream cheese frosting from Pillsbury (yummy, yum, yum! and so easy! I'm definitely not a 'from scratch' baker most of the time!) The cute dotted cupcake papers are from AC Moore. You can just change the colors of the pinwheel papers and the sentiment on the banner to celebrate another holiday or special occasion!

My second Sweet Thing is a Valentine card I created using sentiments from Sweet Hearts. I love the pink white and grey color combination on this - don't you?

I also used a new toy on my card - the cupid and one of the hearts is a Tim Holtz Movers and Shakers Die. I sponged all the edges of the cut outs with Antique Linen and popped them up on foam tape.The patterned paper is from Echo Park Yours Truly 6x6 pad.

Please join us in our Waltzingmouse Stamps Blog Party today! Check it out on the Waltzingmouse Blog. I'm off to see all the SWEET THINGS everyone else has created today!! (and hope to see you on the 17th of next month too!)

Pinwheels:
Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Nordic Winter, Sweet Hearts

Paper: Pure Poppy, white - PTI

Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Memento Lady Bug

Accessories: pinwheel die from Lilinker, stirrer from Starbucks, thick glue dot. 3/4" brass fastener - Stamples, rhinestones - Michaels, pennant banner - Spellbinders, cupcakes.

Cupid Valentine:

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Sweet Hearts

Paper: white - PTI, Rose Red, Pink Pirouette, pretty in Pink - SU, DP Yours Truly 6 x 6 pad by Echo Park

Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Ranger Distress Antique Linen

Accessories: rhinestones - Michaels and Kaiser, heart punches - EK Success, Cupi & heart die - Mini Love Struck /Tim Holtz Alterations Movers and Shakers, foam tape

Sisterhood Sundays - A Sketch Challenge!

2012-01-15T10:00:00.073-05:00

Happy Sunday, Stampers! There's a fun sketch challenge over at the Rubbernecker Stampin' Sisterhood blog today!

I'm already in the Valentine's Day mode - so here's a Valentine I created using the sketch.

I stamped the hearts on the white panel with Heart Background #28-10 The lovely font sentiment is Stamp Oasis Happy Valentine's Day #1594 SO. I added a double layer of die cut large scallops, some wrinkled seam tape and red rhinestones!

I hope you'll join in on our Sunday Challenges - (there's a new one each week!) - if you link up your creation on the Stampin' Sisterhood Blog, you could win some Rubbernecker stamps! Check out all the deets here.

I'm also entering this in the following challenges:
Really Reasonable Ribbon challenge - to make a Valentine and use ribbon on it!

Sentimental Sundays Challenge - to use ribbon with a sentiment

Stamps: Rubbernecker - Heart Background #28-10, Sentiment - #1594 SO.

Paper: white, pure poppy, true black, DP Textstyle Bitty Dots Basics - PTI, DP Stella & Rose/My Mind's Eye 6x6 pad.

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black & Lady Bug

Accessories: Wrinkled Seam Tape - Prairie Bird Boutique Etsy Shop, corner rounder - EK Success, large scallop die - PTI, rhinestones - Michaels.

I do Love Nothing So Well as You

2012-01-12T20:51:00.000-05:00

Oh my gosh - don't you just LOVE this Shakespeare quote???!!!

The Ways to Use It challenge over on Split Coast today was to use stickers.

I knew I had tons of stickers from my scrap booking days somewhere and luckily I had a file folder right under my work table labeled 'Valentines'. I pulled it out - wiped off the dust - and I found a wonderful book of stickers with all kinds of love quotes inside!

I embossed my card base with my Tim Holtz Patchwork embossing folder then just stuck the sticker on top!

It took me longer to figure out where to place the little hearts I decided were needed than to design and make the whole card! At first I just put one on the top left corner - but the old rule of threes was shouting in my head - so this is what I ended up with. Inside I stamped a simple "Be Mine, Valentine"

Now I've got to go back into my stamping room to see what other quotes are in that book of stickers!!

The weekend's almost here! don't forget to check out the Waltzingmouse Saturday Sketch and on Sunday I'll have a card for the Sisterhood Sunday's challenge!

Stamps: none

Paper: Pure Poppy, Ocean Tides - Papertrey Ink

Ink: none

Accessories: sticker from Love- Color Quote Sticker Stack - Die Cuts With A View, Patchwork Embossing Folder - Tim Holtz/Sizzix, heart punch - McGill

WMS Christmas Card Challenge for January - The Night Time Sky

2012-01-10T08:00:00.002-05:00

I know - we have barely put away the Christmas decorations and here I am with a Christmas card! Well - I'm starting my cards for 2012 already so I'll be all done by the time December rolls around - sound like a good idea? Then how about joining along?!!

On the 10th of each month, Lynn posts a new challenge for us in the Waltzingmouse Forum. You can check out all the deets here.

So, for January the challenge is to look skyward - to the day or night time sky. I chose the night time sky and here's the card I created:

I stamped Santa and his sleigh on a white panel, masked a circle and sponged the panel using 3 shades of blue starting with the lightest, ending with the darkest. I removed the mask - and voila! - a beautiful white moon in the night time sky - silhouetting Santa and his reindeer as they fly by!

I die cut the Country Landscape and cut it to fit the bottom of the panel. I stamped the sentiment on the card and then embossed it with my Swiss Dots embossing folder. I made 7 of these cards - a great start to my stash of cards for Christmas 2012!

So - are you ready to start your cards?? Come join us in the WMS Forum!!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Twas the Night Before Christmas

Paper: white, true black - PTI

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Distress - Weathered Wood, Summer Sky, Chipped Sapphire.

Accessories: Eclipse tape, 1 1/4" circle punch - SU, Country Landscape Die - Memory Box, Swiss Dots Embossing folder - Provo Craft.

A Vintage Bicycle and a Glittery Heart

2012-01-08T20:28:00.000-05:00

Hi stamping friends! I have two cards to share with you that I made this past weekend.

My first card was inspired by this Bike Print from the Inspiration Challenge over at Split Coast.

I used a vintage biker stamp from Rubbernecker for my image as well as a dotted dirt stamp. (which I think I stamped a little too often now that I'm looking at it! - whoops!) The sentiment is from Papertrey Ink. I sponged on the colors with my blending tool from Ranger. It's always good to have a masculine birthday card on hand!

My 2nd card was made for the Featured Stamper challenge and I chose Pam's (pamshobby) I{heart} Hearts card to CASE.

I'm working on Valentine's for a sale at my church so I was glad to have this inspiration for a new design!

I made my card 4 1/4" x 4 1/4", used one big heart from Waltzingmouse instead of several smaller hearts and used a funky Glitter Eyelash yarn from Martha Stewart rather than a red ribbon. I love how it just sticks out all over the place! The yarn is tied around the card - pulled through a hole in the heart and tied in a bow.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Bicycle Card

Stamps: Rubbernecker: dirt dots stamps from Clowns and Crowns Set #528, Bicyclist from Paris Set #527. Paper trey Ink - sentiment from Everyday Button Bits set

Paper: white, black - PTI

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Distress - Bundled Sage, Victorian Velvet, Weathered Wood

Accessories: rhinestones - Kaiser, oval punch - SU, foam tape, Blending tool & non stick craft mat - Ranger

Valentine card
Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Seasons of Love
Paper: Ocean Tides, Pure Poppy, White - PTI
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black & Lady Bug
Accessories: square lattice embossing folder - SU, glitter eyelash yarn - Martha Stewart, foam tape, glue pen, heart punch - McGill, heart ,scallop heart and oval Nestabilities

Bunches of Thanks and Roses

2012-01-05T09:43:00.001-05:00

Hi Stampers! I have two cards to share today - both from Split Coast Challenges...

My first card was made for the Featured Stamper challenge. Congratulations to Lana (Lunar Lana) on being chosen the first Featured Stamper for 2012! I had not been in her gallery before and enjoyed checking out all her wonderful creations!

Having a similar bunny stamp - I chose to case her Bunny Ride card. I used a different bunny, different colors, added a ribbon (to cover an ink smudge!) and made mine a Thank You card. I loved all the fun colors and patterns on Lana's card - I used strips of patterned paper rather than quilted squares.

And this card was made for the color challenge - Hostess Betty gave us a lovely combination to work with - Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade and Basic Grey - and the dessert option was to use something new.

Well, I've gotten several new things recently and used them here - 3D flowers die from Sizzix, Madera Corner die and small pinwheel posie from Memory Box, and Polka Dots embossing folder from Life Style Crafts!

I used Liquid Pearls on the foliage and added rhinestones to the centers of the flowers. I didn't stamp a sentiment because I'm not sure what I will use this card for yet - it will definitely have to be hand delivered!

Bunny Card:
Stamps: Flopsy Flowers - MFT

Paper: vintage cream, terracotta Tile - PTI, DP - Cosmo Cricket/Clementine Mini Deck
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Copics: R20, R05, G21, BG10, T2, C1, foam tape, wrinkled seam tape, large scallope die - PTI, Rhinestones - Kaiser

Flower Card:
Stamps: none

Paper: Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade, Basic Grey, - SU, white PTI
Ink: none
Accessories: small pinwheel posie & Madera Corner - Memory Box, 3 D flowers - Sizzix, rhinestones - Kaiser, Glossy Accents & Liquid Pearls White Opal - Ranger, fern punch - Martha Stewart

Wishing you a Happy & Healthy 2012!

2011-12-31T17:23:00.001-05:00

Hi stampers! Just popping in to wish everyone a very Happy and Healthy New Year! As the years pass - I realize just how important good health is!

Here's a card I made today for the Inspiration Challenge over on Split Coast.

The inspiration Etsy Shop that Steph had for us was called Embroidery Everywhere and I was inspired by this Asian doll .

As I stated on my last post - I've been cleaning out my stamping room and came upon a sweet set of Four Chinese Dolls by Hero Arts - perfect for my inspiration!

I stamped the row of flowers across the card and colored them with Copics. Then I dry embossed a rectangle Nestability on the card. I stamped and colored my Chinese Doll, cut her out and layered her inside the frame with foam tape. My card is 4 1/4 x 4 1/4 (my favorite size to make!)

Then I added Tiny Twinkles to the flowers and to her robe. I stamped the Chinese symbol for Health in the corner. I will use this as a get well card!

Kent and I are going out to an early dinner at a new Thai Restaurant in the next town over from us - called Spice. Then we'll be home on the couch watching the ball drop on TV (if we can stay awake that long!!) - safe and snug in our warm home - (which I'm SO thankful for!)

What are your plans for this New Year's Night???

Stamps: Hero Arts - Four Dolls & Tiny Chinese Wishes

Paper: white - PTI

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black & Bahama Blue

Accessories: foam tape, Copics - B00, B24, R20, R29, E50, Y17

The Princess and the Purse

2011-12-29T20:47:00.000-05:00

I'm in the midst of cleaning out my craft room - I have so much 'stuff' in there I have no room to stamp and no place to put my new goodies (I see other heads nodding!). I've already filled 5 big boxes with stamps I no longer use and haven't even put a dent in the room! It seems like an endless job - but I'm trying to do one section at a time and not think about now much more there is to go. I know it will be worth it when I can stamp in a less 'cluttered' environment!

So - here are 2 creations I did manage to create in the clutter - both for Split Coast Challenges this week.

This little fairy birthday card was made for 3 challenges - I was inspired by this fairy from the Urban Art Loft from the Inspiration Challenge, the Ways to Use it challenge was to use a digital image and I was also inspired by this week's Queen for the Day Barbara's pretty cupcake thank you card . I was inspired by her framing her image with a Nestability, using a dotted background and using a banner for her sentiment.

I changed the size of my card to 4 1/4 x 4 1/4. My Godchild looks just like this adorable fairy Tabia from Mo's Digital Pencil - so this will be for Eden's next birthday! (it's not till November so I hope I remember where I put it by then!)

And I made a little leopard purse for the Tuesday Teapot Challenge - Our inspiration was a leopard teapot!
You will find this week's Teapot Tuesday challenge here in the SCS forums.

I used a purse die by PTI to create my little bag - cutting it out of cocoa card stock and layering some leopard patterned paper over it. I added 3 ceramic brads with punched stars behind them down the center. My tag is a stamp from the Afternoon Tea set by Waltzingmouse . I tied it around my wrinkled seam tape bow with some book twine.

This will go to a friend with either a little cookie/candy treat, teabags or maybe a gift card inside!

Fairy Birthday

Stamps: Fairy Tabia - digi image by Mo's Digital Pencil, Sentiment from MFT Pure Innocence-Birthday Princess

Paper: white, lavender moon, textstyle bitty star basics - PTI

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Distress Weathered Wood

Accessories: Copics - E00, E37, R20, RV23, RV11, BG10, Star Circle & Nested Lacey Pennants Nestabilities, Rhinestones - Kaiser, foam tape.

Leopard Purse

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Afternoon Tea

Paper: Vintage Cream - PTI, Close to Cocoa & Choc Chip - SU, unknown DP

Ink: Archival Coffee, Ranger Distress Tea Dye

Accessories: wrinkled seam tape, book twine & purse die - Papertrey Ink, ceramic brads - Basic Grey, Scotch Quick Dry Adhesive, Micron 01 fine black pen, star punch - McGill

Clean and Simple Snow!

2011-12-26T23:46:00.000-05:00

I've been missing a bit here on the old blog - I'm on vacation for two weeks - just at home - busy with holiday preparations and celebrations - some babysitting of one of my sweet grand-nephews - 7 month old James Charles - seen here playing happily with his feet!

- going out to lunch with my sister at Pickity Place - and today I went to see the Sherlock Holmes movie with my dear husband Kent! - Wednesday I have plans to meet my stamping friend Anne (jdmommy) for lunch and I still have 7 more days off!

I have been stamping though - and here are two I made for Split Coast challenges - both oddly enough involving snow! (although our ground is bare here in New England we did have some flurries on Christmas Day!)

This card was made for the CAS challenge (to make a window card) as well as the Technique Lovers Challenge - to make a simple thank you card. I used 3 new toys on this - the Small Madison Window die, the Snowfall die and the Country Landscape die. I sponged the window and the landscape with Antique Linen. I love how this came out!

My second snow card is also a thank you card - made for the Color Challenge which is Night of Navy, Bashful Blue and White with the dessert option of using glitter (that I put on the punched snowflakes!)

The flight pattern stamp is from Little Lady set by Papertrey Ink, and the Thank You is from Join Us set by Waltzingmouse.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Window Card

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Thank You from the set Join Us

Paper: White - PTI

Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Ranger Distress Antique Linen

Accessories: foam tape, Small Madison Window Die - Poppy Stamps, Snowfall and Country Landscape Die - Memory Box

Snow Flake Card

Stamps: thank you from Join Us by Waltzingmouse, flight line from Little Lady by PTI

Paper: white - PTI, bashful blue - SU

Ink: Night of Navy - SU, London Fog - Memento

Accessories: Snowflake punch and Coarse Glitter - Martha Stewart, foam tape, glue pad - Pallette

A Snow Globe, Gingerbread Men and a Rosette!

2011-12-20T07:00:00.022-05:00

Hi fellow stampers! Here are 3 cards I made in between baking for various Christmas celebrations this week!

First up is a fun snow globe - made for the Try a New Technique challenge over on Split Coast - to make a snow globe! I cut a circle Nestability, stamped George the Snowman, colored him with Copics and then inked the image with my Palette Glue Pad and covered it with Dazzling Diamonds. I embossed the card base with Swiss Dots. I used the SU Key Tag punch for the base of the globe.

Next is my card for Cindy's SCS Teapot Tuesday Challenge - which was a gingerbread man teapot. I made a Many Thanks card and used my many gingerbread men stamp for it!

And finally my card for the SCS Color challenge - a birthday card with a paper rosette flower.

Ok - enough distraction! I'm off to wrap some presents!

Snow Globe

Stamps: Rubbernecker - Snowman George #594-02, Let It Snow #151 SO

Paper: white, blueberry sky, black - PTI

Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Ranger Distress Fired Brick, Palette Stamp & Stick Glue Pad

Accessories: Circle Nestability, foam tape, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, small oval and key tag punches - SU, Dazzling Diamonds - SU, Copics - BG10, YG17, YG63, RV11, C6, R59, YR04

Gingerbread Thanks

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Candy Jar Christmas Fillers, sentiment from Frame It

Paper: White - PTI, More Mustard - SU

Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Ranger Distress Tea Dye

Accessories: square Nestabilities, Copic - R29, Rhinestones - Kaiser, Tiny Twinkles - Taylored Expressions, Foam Tape.

Birthday Rosette

Stamps: Papertrey Ink - Birthday Basics

Paper: White, Textstyle Bitty Dot Basics - PTI, Lucky Limeade, Calypso Coral - SU, DP Capetown Scenic Route Paper Co

Ink: Versafine Onyx Black

Accessories: rhinestones - Kaiser, sizzix Leaf stem die, thick foam tape, thick glue dots, Paper rosette die - Tim Holtz Alterations

Sisterhood Sundays - An Inspiration Challenge

2011-12-18T10:00:00.014-05:00

Hello Stampin' Sisters! It's Sunday and time for another Sisterhood Sundays Challenge! This week we have an inspiration photo

So pretty in the blues and silver isn't it?! I'm really done with all the holiday/Christmas theme cards at this point - so I let the colors inspire me, not the theme - and created this card:

I clear embossed the Kolo Berry image that I inked with Chipped Sapphire Ranger Distress Ink (this ink dries slower so you can emboss with it!) I cut the image with Nestabilities 14 and sponged the edges before taking it out of the die. I colored the image with Copics and added Silver Stickles to the centers of the flowers.

I silver embossed the Ivy Frame on blue cardstock and embossed the edges with a dotted strip.

I adhered the die cut image to the blue panel with foam tape, then adhered the panel to the card.

This would make a lovely thank you note don't you think?!

This is also for the Featured Stamper today over on Split Coast - where I CASE'd this card of Bonnie's.

I hope you'll join us in the Sisterhood Sunday Challenge this week - you could be chosen a Sunday Sister and win a stamp from Rubbernecker - check it out here!

Stamps: Rubbernecker - Colo Berry #531-10, Ivy Frame #557

Paper: White, Blueberry Sky - PTI

Ink: Ranger Distress Chipped Sapphire & Weathered Wood, Versarmark Watermark Ink.

Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder, Silver Embossing Powder, Hot gun, Copics: B34, B37, N2, Silver stickles, Labels 14 Nestabilities, embossed dots - Just My Type Provo Craft Embossing strip.

The 12 Tags of Christmas #12 - Finally!

2011-12-17T11:55:00.000-05:00

I finally finished up my 12th Tag of Christmas from Tim Holtz Challenges! Preparations for Christmas sort of took me away from my craft table - but I was determined to get it done! You can see Tim's 12th tag here along with all his instructions for the various techniques he uses - including making the pretty tissue paper flower!

Here's my Tag #12:

I didn't have Tim's printed tissue paper - so I stamped music from Musical Backgrounds on plain white tissue and glued that to my card base that I had stamped with a text stamp from Text It. I used sparkly Thicker Letters. Instead of a white figurine - I used a tree and reindeer that I had made from Shrink Plastic when I was using that technique on my Tag #11 (that was SO fun!) The sentiment stamp is from VIP Inc.

I'll be back tomorrow with my card for the Stampin' Sisterhood Sunday Challenge - hope you'll join in!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Text It, Musical Backgrounds, VIP Inc - Sentiment

Paper: white - PTI, thin coaster, Shrink Plastic

Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Ranger Distress Walnut Stain, Picket Fence Distress Stain, Adirondack Cloudy Blue Acrylic Dabber, Alcohol Inks - Rust, Lettuce.

Accessories: Thicker Letters, glitter eyelash yarn - Martha Stewart, glue dots, wrinkled seam tape, Glossy Accents, tree & reindeer - Sizzix Dies, star button from stash, Melting Pot - Ranger, Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel.

Chanukah Baskets for the Bosses

2011-12-16T07:00:00.012-05:00

Today I wanted to share the baskets I decorated and filled for the 3 doctors I work for. They celebrate Chanukah and every year I like to create something special for them. I got the plain blue baskets at The Christmas Tree Shop for $2.99 each. The basket is 9 1/2" tall and 8" wide.

I adhered the striped May Arts Ribbon around the top, tied the Glitter Eyelash yarn (Martha Stewart from Michaels) over the ribbon in a bow and added a paper flower I made out of sparkle tissue paper. I just learned how to make these simple flowers on Tim Holtz blog when he made one on his12th Christmas Tag.

I strung the tag on the basket with the same glitter yarn. The stamps I used on the tag are from the Mazel Tov set by Papertrey Ink. I silver embossed the images and added Yellow Stickles to the flames.

I filled the baskets with home made goodies:

Star of David Sugar Cookies wrapped in a flat bottom clear bag.

home made fudge wrapped in a clear acetate box. (you can find my simple, delicious fudge recipe here)

and Pecan Rum Cake Bundtlettes with a label added to warn receivers they contain nuts!

Here's the basket filled to the brim with the goodies!

Amazing what a little ribbon, a flower and a tag can do to dress up a plain basket isn't it??!!

I have made these Rum Cakes every Christmas season since I found this recipe in a magazine several years ago. They are super easy and 'out of this world' delicious!

Bert's Rum Cake

Makes 1 large bundt cake or 12 Bundtlette cakes

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1 box yellow cake mix

1 box (3.4 oz) vanilla instant pudding mix

1/2 cup light rum

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup water

4 eggs

GLAZE

1 cup sugar

1 stick unsalted butter

1/4 cup light rum

1/4 cup water

Preheat oven to 350. Spray a 12 cup bundt pan or 2 - 6 bundtlette pans with cooking oil spray with flour. Sprinkle chopped pecans over bottom. Stir cake mix and pudding together in large mixing bowl. Add rum, water, oil and eggs. Beat for 2 minutes with an electric mixer. Pour cake batter over nuts and bake for 45-50 minutes. If you are making the smaller cakes, spoon batter evenly into each mold (about 2/3 cup each) and bake for 20 minutes.

5 minutes before cake is done, prepare the glaze. Place sugar, butter, 1/4 cup rum and 1/4 cup water in a saucepan and boil for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Remove cake(s) from oven and slowly drizzle the glaze over the top while cake is still hot. It will take several applications to use all the glaze. Cool cake in pan for 30 minutes before unmolding. Finish cooling on a wire rack.

Yum!!

You can see the gifts I've made in past years for the doctors here and here.

Wishing a very happy Chanukah to all those who celebrate - starting next Tuesday at sundown.

Waltzingmouse and Moxie Fab Stamp of Approval!

2011-12-15T03:00:00.013-05:00

Yikes! Have you seen the Moxie Fab World today?? Cath Edvalson is showcasing Waltzingmouse holiday stamps!

In honor of the day I made a card using two of the featured sets:

I cut an opening in the card with an Oval Nestability, then embossed the opening with a larger Oval. I inked around the edges with white craft ink just to highlight the embossing a bit.

Here's the inside when you open the card.

The Santa and 'No Peeking' stamps are from Santa's Coming to Town. The square poinsettia and Merry Christmas are from Nordic Winter.

This is also my Christmas card for the Waltzingmouse Forum Monthly Christmas Card Challenge - to make a no layer card. Come join this fun challenge in the WMS Forum! What a great feeling to have all of my Christmas cards made and ready to mail! We'll be starting all over again in January!

And now - hurry over to the Moxie Fab World and check out the Waltzingmouse post - that's where I'm going!!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Santa's Coming to Town, Nordic Winter

Paper: Pure Poppy - PTI

Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Whisper White Craft Ink - SU

Accessories: Oval Nestabilities, Rhinestones - Kaiser, Q-tip (to apply the Craft ink)

12 Tags of Christmas #11

2011-12-12T22:56:00.000-05:00

I'm on the home stretch with Tim Holtz's 12 Tags of Christmas Challenges - I have #11 for you today and I'm working on #12 and will post it soon!

You must go see Tim's tag #11 then see how I used what I had to recreate it in a slightly different way! He has a video showing how to use the Melting Pot, UTEE (Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel) and shrink plastic to make the pretty holly on my tag. See it on the top left there? I was SO glad that I had bought the Melting Pot several years ago and had it in a drawer in my craft room! NOW I know something fun to do with it!

I used another German Paper Santa Image (see yesterday's tag) on this tag since I didn't have Tim's fun retro Santa stamp. The tag is made with glossy card stock, sponged, dried - then flicked with water to make the droplets! - ANOTHER cool technique I learned! My sentiment is from Twas the Night Before Christmas set by Waltzingmouse - and goes perfectly with my Santa I think! Here is Santa - on Christmas Eve - bringing presents and even a little tree!

It's a good thing we have come to the end of Tim's challenges - I really need to get cracking on decorating some baskets for my bosses and co-workers food gifts!! I just have to finish Tag #12...............

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Twas the Night Before Christmas

Paper: glossy white - SU

Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Ranger Distress - Chipped Sapphire, Broken China, Faded Jeans, Festive Berries, Peeled Paint, Adirondack Alcohol Inks - Lettuce, Rust.

Accessories: Ranger Melting Pot, UTEE, vintage paper Santa - The Paper Source, rhinestones - Kaiser, wrinkled seam tape, foam tape, Glossy Accents, Holly Branch Die - Tim Holtz Alterations Sizzix

12 tags of Christmas - #9 & #10

2011-12-11T15:40:00.000-05:00

Well - I've had a festive weekend - on Friday night - my husband's holiday work party at a local Chinese Restaurant and on Saturday night - a dinner with friends before going together to the Melrose Symphony Christmas Concert.

In between the fun events I was still working on Tim's Tags - in bits and pieces (of course! does a stamper EVER stop stamping when they are busy doing other things?!)

So please check out Tim's Tag #9 and see how he cut up his Candle Fright die to make his candlestick.

Here's my version of Tag #9.

I did not have his candle die - so I dug out my really old Sizzix birthday candle die (first time I've used it!!) I die cut it out of a thin coaster, painted the candle with acrylic white paint and the flame with Wild Honey Distress Ink. Then I covered the candle with Glossy Accents and the flame with Yellow Stickles. When the candle had dried - I put some Liquid Applique along the top to create the 'drips' of wax.

For the candle base I die cut an Elegant Post from Spellbinders and covered it with Glossy Accents. I turned it on it's side and adhered it to the tag. The swirl to the left is a piece that came out when I die cut the post - you can see where it would fit in to the right....

The tag base is made by stamping a Victorian Damask Panel by Rubbernecker with Evergreen Boughs Distress Ink, clear embossing it, then sponging over the tag with Festive Berries Distress Ink - and clear embossing the whole tag. This makes the damask design double thick with embossing and the tag base clear embossed. I just love all the new tricks I'm learning from Master Tim!

Tim's Tag #10 goes back to a nostalgic look with a musical background and vintage Santa clip art.

Here's my version of Tag #10

I didn't have the clear acrylic frames so I didn't do his technique for the Santa's - I had these wonderful paper images made in Germany that I adhered to white card stock and then covered with Glossy Accents. After they dried I cut around the edges and sponged with Brushed Corduroy.

My music stamp is from Musical Backgrounds, the pine bough at the top and bottom of the tag is from Festive Foliage and the sentiment "You're on my "Nice" list" is from Secret Santa - all from Waltzingmouse.

Just two more days of tags - I'm working on #11 now!

Tag #9

Stamps: Rubbernecker Victorian Damask #498

Paper: White - PTI, Green Kraft Core - Coredinations, thin coaster.

Ink: Ranger Distress - Wild Honey, Evergreen Boughs, Festive Berries, Vintage Photo.

Accessories: sander, chip board Thickers letters, Sixxiz Candle die, elegant posts - Spellbinders, Liquid Applique, Glossy Accents, clear embossing powder, hot gun, lace netting, yellow stickles, Holly Branch & Tattered pine cone Dies - Tim Holtz Alterations Sizzix.

Tag #10

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Musical Backgrounds, Festive Foliage, Secret Santa

Paper: Rustic Cream PTI

Ink: versafine onyx black, Ranger Distress - Forest Moss, Brushed Corduroy

Accessories: gold Perfect Pearls in Mini Mister, netting, metal ball buttons, clear embossing powder, hot gun, glue dots, Ribbon Banners - Spellbinders, wrinkled seam tape, Glossy Accents, santa prints made in Germany, glitter eyelash yarn - Martha Stewart,

The 12 Tags of Christmas - #8

2011-12-09T07:00:00.001-05:00

Well, Tim's Tag #8 was the hardest one yet for me - all kinds of nuts and bolts and images that I didn't have - it made me realize I can do grunge a little bit but I'm not hard core!!?! There was WAY too much 'stuff' on his tag - I just couldn't put that much on mine....and I had to soften it up a little by using green sparkly letters and numbers instead of black!

So here's my version:

I didn't have any of the dies or metal that Tim used - so I improvised - using half of a Floral Doily Motif Spellbinders die, a piece of chipboard and a watch stamp for my circle layers. I didn't have the 3 dapper guys so used a vintage biker from Rubbernecker. I did have a metal steering wheel charm and a crown charm so I stuck those on!

And I actually like this now that it's done - growth is always painful I guess - even when it's artistic growth!!

Stamps: Rubbernecker - bicycle man from Paris set #527, Believe from Fall Trilogy Set #480, Watch from Clowns and Crowns set #528.

Paper: white - PTI, acetate brick wall -screen prints Hambly, thin coasters

Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Ranger Distress - frayed burlap, walnut stain, iced spruce, festive berries, everygreen bough.

Accessories: sparkly thickers, ticket, crown charm - Mark's Finest Papers, steering wheel charm - Karen Foster, green cord and wrinkled seam tape - Prairie Bird Boutique Etsy Shop, foam tape, glue dots, ScorTape, floral doilly motif die - Spellbinders..

The 12 Tags of Christmas - #7

2011-12-08T07:00:00.083-05:00

Wow - I thought I was done in with Tim's Tag #7 - I don't have any Kraft Glassine paper (I didn't even know it existed!!) and I don't have the holly die (yet....... it's in the mail!!) but...... I did have some plain glassine envelopes (like the ones the Post Office puts your stamps in) and the alcohol inks so I tried using that instead!

I used the alcohol inks on the glassine envelope and it worked like a charm - they just come out a little more transparent than Tim's because they aren't Kraft based - I free hand cut some holly leaves, crumpled them up and inked them with Vintage Photo. I had some red beads in my 'beads & buttons" box for the holly berries (one was already on a little piece of wire - so I used that to wire the 3 beads together and wrap them around the scrap of lace!). The pearl bauble at the top is a clip on earring and the silver ball is a button, both from my dear Mother-In-Law's button box that I inherited - I'm so happy to use them on something! The lovely silver cloisonne thread was hers also.

Not having Distress Stains - I put drops of Pumice Stone and Antique Linen re-inkers on my craft mat - spritzed them with water and dragged my tag through it - I think it gives pretty much the same effect as the stains. I used my Bare Tree die from Sizzix for the twigs - painting them gold, dabbing them with white acrylic paint and adding some silver stickles.

Not having Tim's stamps - I stamped a crackle panel by Rubbernecker on the tag for background and my sentiment is from Seasonal Remedies by Waltzingmouse - it says "Tincture to aid in the attainment of PEACE on Earth"

I learned a lot of fun techniques with this tag today! I'll definitely be looking for some of that Kraft Glassine paper!

I've got some evening events coming up the next couple of days (A Christmas party and a Christmas Symphony!) - so I'll probably be posting two tags at a time every other day over the weekend - I hope I can keep up!

Stamps: Sentiment from Seasonal Remedies - Waltzingmouse, crackle background panel #574 - Rubbernecker.

Paper: white - PTI, glassine envelope

Ink: Distress Inks/Vintage Photo, Frayed Burlap, Alcohol Inks - Stonewashed, lettuce, pesto, gold mixative, alcohol blending solution, Distress Embossing Ink.

Accessories: hot gun, glittering eyelash yarn - Martha Stewart, red beads, wire, pearl earring, silver bead button - from my stash, glue dots, scortape, lace - Mark's Finest Papers, Sizzix bare tree die, silver ice stickles, acrylic paints - white, gold, black embossing powder. cloisonne thread.

The 12 Tags of Christmas - #6

2011-12-07T07:00:00.003-05:00

I can't believe we are half way through with the tags - I honestly was wondering if I could do them all at this busy time of year - but they are actually working up pretty quickly. And they are really taking me out of my comfort zone (of CAS) into the grungy artsy look - and I'm lovin' it!

Having said that - when I first saw Tim's Tag #6 - I wasn't overly excited about it - the colors he used weren't pleasing to my eye - I didn't know what I could use instead of the embossing folder he had and I wasn't sure the metal sheets I had would work...... but then I got home - assembled what I had that I thought I could use -and created my tag #6!

I found a sheet of metal aluminum, got out this Sledding embossing folder from Provo Craft (which I have NEVER used until today!) grabbed 4 random acrylic paint colors that I thought would be a little winter/Christmas/festive (Lettuce, icy white, Raspberry, Yellow Ochre and black), painted over the embossing, let it dry, sanded it, sponged it with Walnut Stain and clear embossed it - AND I LOVE IT!!!

My rusty heart was already colored and rusted (I had a package of them - from Michaels I think) and I used a snowflake rub on from Stampin' Up on it to tie in the snowman theme.

Thanks Tim for pushing me way out of my comfort zone and showing me ways to use all the 'stuff' I have accumulated in my craft room!!! Gosh - every day I can't wait to see the next tag!

Paper: Smokey Shadow - PTI, glossy card stock - SU, aluminum metal sheet - Making Memories.

Ink: Ranger Distress - Walnut Stain

Accessories: acrylic paints - Lettuce/Adirondack, Black/Plaid, Ivy White & Ochre/Folk Art, Raspberry/Anitas, sanding block -SU, clear embossing powder - Ranger, hot gun, Allegro & Sledding embossing folders - Provo Craft, wrinkled seam tape - Prairie Bird Boutique Etsy Shop, rustic heart - Michaels, rub on snow flake - Stampin Up.

The 12 Tags of Christmas - #5

2011-12-06T07:00:00.003-05:00

Wow - I'm up to tag #5! Keeping pace with the Master Tim! Check out Tim's blog for his tag and his description of all of the wonderful techniques he uses! I get so excited each day when I see his tag - thinking about what supplies I have and I can't wait to get home from work and get into my craft room!! Here's my Tag #5.

I did not have a 'backwards stamp' sentiment so I couldn't use his alcohol inks on acetate technique. Instead - I used the alcohol inks (Cranberry, Wild Plum and Rust) on a piece of glossy card stock, then white embossed my sentiments on top!

I used three sentiments from Compliments of the Season by Waltzingmouse.

I do have the Regal Crest Die he used for the wreath (Yippee!) and the Lettuce Paint Dabber so I made the wreath pretty much like he did adding the pearls and the ribbon. I even had the netting to loop through the top!

I love how this came out! so festive and Christmasy! Between the glossy card stock, the alcohlol inks and the white embossing - this tag is REALLY shiny IRL

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Compliments of the Season

Paper: Glossy white card stock - SU, White - PTI, rectangle coaster

Ink: Adirondack Alcohol Inks - Wild Plum, Cranberry, Rust, Versamark.

Accessories: Hot gun, glue dots, wrinkled seam tape - Prairie Bird Boutique Etsy Shop, white embossing powder, Regal Crest Die - Tim Holtz Alterations, netting - from my stash, sticky pearls - Michaels.

12 Tags of Christmas - Tags 3 & 4

2011-12-05T07:00:00.003-05:00

Well I'm still on this wonderful creative journey of Tim Holt's 12 Tags of Christmas!

Tag #3

Check out all the details on Tim's blog for his Tag #3 - Here is my version of it:

I didn't have a single multi-sentiment stamp like Tim had - so I used separate sentiments from Say It Loud - Winter Holiday, Sewing Box Hugs - Christmas, and Santa's Coming to Town.. My holly is from Festive Foliage. All the stamps are from Waltzingmouse. I used my Martha Stewart fern punch and the rhinestones are from Kaiser.

I mixed some gold Perfect Pearls powder with water in a mister and sprayed the tag giving it a little shimmer. I embossed the top half of the tag with my Swiss Dots just to cover up the empty spaces since my sentiments were smaller than Tim's! All the edges are sponged with Brushed Corduroy.

Tag #4

Check out Tim's Blog to see his 4th Tag and all of his cool techniques! Here is my version:

I used a different snowman die and because my number dies were too big to cut out of Mr. Snowy like Tim did - I adhered musical patterned paper to white card stock - die cut the numbers, covered them with Glossy Accents and adhered them on top of Mr. Snowy!. I punched 3 snow flakes out of acetate, inked them with chalk ink and adhered them on the right side of the tag (not very noticeable in the pic!)

I inked my tag by dragging Stormy Sky and Weathered Wood ink pads over my nonstick craft mat, misting the mat with water and dragging my tag over it. Then I stamped a snowflake from Very Vintage Christmas by Waltzingmouse randomly on the tag. I inked the edges with Weathered Wood and Iced Spruce.

I die cut my snowman out of a piece of light cardboard (sort of like the back of a lined note pad) - not as thick as grunge board as my die wouldn't cut through that. I covered him with Weathered Wood Distress Crackle Paint and let him dry!

I added netting to the wrinkled seam tape scarf and on the blue button - I just happened to have a piece in my 'stash'!! (I KNEW I saved it for something!)

The fiber at the top is a yarn called Glitter Eyelash by Martha Stewart I tied the metal tag around that with bakers twine.

Are you doing the 12 Tags of Christmas too?? Let me know - I want to come see them!!

Tag #3

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Say It Loud - Winter Holiday, Santa's Coming to Town, Sewing Box Hugs - Christmas, Festive Foliage.

Paper: Shipping tag 3" x 6", white & Ripe Avocado - PTI

Ink: Ranger Distress - Worn Lipstick, Brushed Corduroy, Iced Spruce, Evergreen Bough, Faded Jeans, Fired Brick, Mustard Seed.

Accessories: Rhinestones - Kaiser, Perfect Pearls Gold, Water Mister - Ranger, twine - PTI, bell - Michaels (from wreath kit), Swiss Dots Embossing Folder - Provo Craft, fern punch - Martha Stewart.

Tag #4
Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Very Vintage Christmas (snowflake)
Paper: White, Clear Card Stock - PTI, music patterned paper - Provo Craft
Ink: Brilliance Moonlight White, Ranger Distress - Stormy Sky, Weathered Wood, Iced Spruce, Embossing Ink.
Accessories: Snowman Die - Sizzix, wrinkled seam tape - Prairie Bird Boutique Etsy Shop, foam tape, vintage buttons & Number dies & bakers twine - PTI, silver tag, fringe & netting from stash, sticky pearls - Michaels, fiber & snowflake punches - Martha Stewart, Dazzling Diamonds - SU, Glossy Accents & weathered wood Distress Crackle paint- Ranger.

Sisterhood Sundays - A Sketch Challenge

2011-12-04T10:00:00.020-05:00

It's Sunday and time for another Sisterhood Sundays Challenge! Today's challenge is a lovely sketch!

For my card - I flipped the sketch and turned it on it's side!

I just love this festive group of little carolers singing on the snowy street on a cold winters night! I made the moon behind them by die cutting a Nestability circle and using it as a mask that I placed over the image and sponged around - then I removed the circle and sponged in the bottom area - easy peasy! ........and quite a dramatic look don't you think?? I colored my carolers with Copics. I stamped the Holiday Greeting sentiment right on the card - A quick CAS card!

Please check out the Sisterhood Sundays Challenge on the Rubbernecker Stampin Sisterhood blog for all the details of the challenge - There are prizes to be won!

Stamps: Rubbernecker - Carolers with dog and lightpost # 337-09, Holiday Greetings #23-11

Paper: white, True Black - PTI

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Weathered wood Ranger Distress.

Accessories: Circle Nestability for mask, Copics: R05, R20, E00, E35, BG10, BG18, G19, W6, YR09, Y13, Y26. Blending tool and craft mat - Ranger

Trying the 12 Tags of Christmas - Day 1 & 2

2011-12-02T23:42:00.001-05:00

Ok - so every year I hear of Tim Holtz's 12 Tags of Christmas 'thing' but for some reason I never checked it out or realized that he created a new tag each day on his blog for people to be inspired by. I've also sort of NOT been into the whole grunge, over the top decorating of things as is Tim's style.

But....... over the past couple of years I've been experimenting with Tim's style on and off - and on the way - gathering more and more Tim Holtz/Ranger 'supplies'. SO - having seen a tag on my blogging friend, Susan's, blog where she linked to Tim's challenges - I got inspired to give the 12 Tags of Christmas a try!

Day 1 Tag - You really need to go to Tim's Blog to see his sample - but here is my inspired tag. I used a lot of his ideas but with the supplies that I had in my craft room. I used his tattered flower die instead of his pine cone and I used some of his grunge board flourishes instead of the floral pieces. My Noel letters are Thickers that were already blue and sparkly!

Day 2 Tag - You can see Tim's tag here. And below is mine. I didn't have a deer die - so I used a Sizzix Snowman, cutting the hat and scarf piece out of felt and adding 2 brads for his eyes. . I used a lot of Dazzling Diamonds on this tag so it looks pretty snowy IRL!

So now I have to go check out Tim's blog for Day 3! If you join in - remember to link your creations to the proper day's tag posting - there will be prizes to win - and you have until 12/31 to get them all done - check out all the details on Tim's Blog.

Tag Day 1:

Paper: Coredinations Distress Collection - Tumbled Glass & Shabby Shutters, Hawaiian Shore - PTI

Ink: Ranger Distress Ink - Iced Spruce, Evergreen Branch, Embossing Ink.

Accessories: Floral spray - wedding section/Michaels, snowflake embossing folder - Provo Craft, wrinkled seam tape - Prairie Bird Boutique Etsy Shop, Tim Holtz Ideology grungeboard elements - Flourishes, Thickers Glitter Letters - American Crafts, Regal Crest & Tattered florals Sizzix Alterations dies, white embossing powder, hot gun, shimmer brad - Making Memories, Liquid Pearls - white opal, Dazzling diamonds - SU.

Tag Day 2:

Paper: Rustic Cream - PTI, DP music paper Provo Craft, Coredinations Distress collection - Bruxhed corduroy, Ranger Claudine Helmuth canvas.

Ink: Ranger Distress Tea Dye, Iced Spruce, Embossing Ink.

Accessories: wreath - Michaels, brads - Imaginesce, felt - Michaels, Sizzix Snowman die, pine tree punch - EK Success, Scallop punch -SU, dazzling diamonds - SU, gingham ribbons and bell - Michaels, marichino twine - the Twinery, thick foam tape.

Wonder and Joy

2011-12-01T22:03:00.000-05:00

I made this card for the Ways to Use It Challenge over on Split Coast - Faux letterpress - or inking your embossing folder inside and then embossing your card stock!

I used my Tim Holtz Tall Pines Sizzix embossing folder - I inked it with Memento Paris Dusk Ink (like navy) - so the trees show the green of the textured card stock (Core dinations) and the surrounding areas were darkened with the ink - I was thinking it would make it look like 'night time' in the forest!?!

The pine panel was punched with my new Martha Stewart Punch (on sale at Joann's!) I added some Diamond Stickles to give it a little shimmer.

The sentiment is the last two words of a larger sentiment stamp from Rubbernecker - the full stamp says 'Wishing You a Holiday Full of Wonder and Joy"

The sentiment is die cut with Trio Labels by Spellbinders and adhered with foam tape. I added a few rhinestones to the trees to finish it off.

I used the colors from the CR84FN43 challenge.

Stamps: Rubbernecker - Wonder & Joy #22-04

Paper: textured green & brown - Core dinations Tim Holtz, dark chocolate - PTI, creamy caramel - SU

Ink: Memento Paris Dusk, Archival - Coffee

Accessories: foam tape, trio labels - Spellbinders, Tall Pines Sizzix Embossing Folder Tim Holtz, Diamond Stickles, Pine branch punch - Martha Stewart, rhinestones - Kaiser

After the Break - 3 Cards to Share

2011-11-28T23:30:00.000-05:00

Wow - It seems like I haven't posted in ages - life kind of took over for a little bit there with some church projects and getting ready for hosting Thanksgiving dinner - but here I am to share a few cards with you today!

I made this first card for the CAS challenge over on Split Coast - we had a sketch to follow of a square in the middle of the card with a tag. I made mine really CAS - with no layers. I used some Papertrey Ink stamp sets (Chairished and On my Couch) that I purchased quite some time ago but have not inked up much! Don't know why because they are SO CUTE!! I love the oval rug stamp under the rocker. The frame around the images is from Frame It by Waltzingmouse. Inside I stamped a happy birthday verse.

My second card was made for the Color Challenge on Split Coast - I was the host this week and chose the colors of Kraft, white and Pear Pizzazz with the dessert option of using polka dots! The sentiment is from Teeny Trees by Waltzingmouse.

My third card was made for the Teapot Tuesday Challenge - this week we had a magical Harry Potter Hat teapot for our inspiration.

Our cards are going postal to Hunter Renz (who loves Harry Potter) for his 12th birthday on Dec 1st. We hope to make this first b'day without his mum (fellow stamper Katie Renz) a little bit happier with all the cards he'll receive.

Here's Hunter's address if you'd like to send along a card as well:
Hunter Renz
PO Box 5913
Bellingham, WA 98227-5913

You Rock!

Stamps: Frame from Frame It - Waltzingmouse, rocker, sentiment, rug from Chairished set, hanging picture from On my Couch set - Papertrey Ink

Paper: white, hawaiian shores - PTI

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Hawaiian Shores - PTi

Techniques: CAS

Get Well Soon:

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Big Blooms Chrysanthemums, hugs from Teeny Trees

Paper: Kraft, white, Text Style Happy Spots - PTI, Pear Pizzaz - SU

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Distress Shabby Shutters

Accessories: rhinestone - Kaiser, wrinkled seam tape - Prairie Bird Boutique Etsy Shop, Swiss Dots embossing folder - Provo Craft, grommet tag - Spellbinders, foam tape

Harry Potter:

Stamps: Happy Birthday and 12 from Free Spirit Sentiments set - Waltzingmouse, Harry Potter from Trade Mark Harry Potter set - Barnes & Noble, alphabet snap stamps - Karen Fisher (no longer available)

Paper: white, true black, plum pudding - PTI

Ink: versafine Onyx Black

Accessories: foam tape, square Nestability, pinking circle nestability, 1" circle punch - EK success, small oval punch - SU, Copics: BOO, B37, B41, E00, E37, R20, Y02, sticky stars - Amuse

I am Thankful

2011-11-24T12:34:00.001-05:00

Just wanted to pop in and say Happy Thanksgiving to all the stampers in the US! I'm hosting the turkey dinner for some of my family today so I thought I'd share a few of the crafty things I did for our celebration today.

Here's my table all set for 6 with a high chair for my dear grand nephew, 14 month old Landon. I grow the Japanese Lanterns in my garden that I used in the center piece. I found the bittersweet mixed in on a walk a few weeks ago!

I made the little name place treat holders with a pattern from Split Coast (look here) and filled them with caramel Hershey kisses! I saw the wishbone idea for tying around the napkins in Martha Stewart Magazine - you can find the wishbones here.

You may be able to see the fern print on the napkins? I made these by taking real ferns, placing them on the linen napkin, covering it with a piece of white computer paper and pounding over it with a rubber hammer - the green from the fern dyes the napkin. I ironed them after to help seal the color but they do turn brown when you wash them.

These cool turkeys are cornbread! I found this idea again in Martha Stewart Magazine (I love her wonderful seasonal ideas!) You can find the turkey mold here.

I made a recipe of pumpkin butter to use on the cornbread. Also from Martha - here's the recipe:

Beat together 2 sticks softened unsalted butter, 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons pure pumpkin puree, 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup, 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin-pie spice and 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt with a mixer on high speed until pale and fluffy. The mixture will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Here's the dessert selection! Homemade pumpkin and pecan pie, some fudge and white chocolate dipped pretzels!

I make this fudge every year - it SO delicious and SO easy to make - the recipe is from Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk:
3 cups (18 oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 (14 oz) can Sweetened Condensed Milk
dash of salt
1/2 to 1 cup chopped nuts, optional
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

In a heavy sauce pan, over low heat, melt chips with sweetened condensed milk and salt. Remove from heat, stir in nuts if desired and vanilla. Spread evenly into a wax paper lined 8 or 9 inch square pan. Chill 2 hours or until firm. Turn fudge onto cutting board, peel off paper and cut into squares. Store covered in refrigerator. YUM!!

For the pretzels, I just melted the round white chocolate pieces (from JoAnn's or Michaels that you use to make lollipops) rolled the pretzels in the melted chocolate and sprinkled with colored jimmies and colored sugars. (I put them in the freezer on wax paper for a few minutes as they take a bit to harden!)

And finally here are two pics of traditional decorations that come out every year at my house.

My son, Josh (now 33) made these pilgrims when he was in kindergarten and although they are a little worse for wear and packing - they come out every year and I love them!

And the tradition of getting out this picture called Pilgrims Going to Church by George Henry Boughton goes back at least to my great grandparents - my parents reproduced the picture for my sister and I as we each were married and established our own homes.

Today I am thankful for so many things - my family, my friends, the wonderful art of stamping, that I have a warm home and plenty to eat, that I have a job and my health.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone celebrating today!

If you'd like to see all the Thanksgiving projects I've done since I started my blog you can check them out here.

Sisterhood Sundays - There's a New Challenge in Town!

2011-11-20T10:00:00.002-05:00

I made this card for the very first Rubbernecker "Sisterhood Sundays" challenge! Every Sunday there will be a new challenge and we hope you will check it out and join in!

You will find all the challenge information on the Rubbernecker Blog, including info on prizes you could win!

This week the challenge is a photo inspiration challenge - and this is the card I created.

Well - it's actually an ornament tag! I used my 2011 Heirloom Ornament dies to cut the metallic card stock and pretty red ornament patterned paper. I embossed the 'Merry Christmas' sentiment in silver then die cut it with a Spellbinders Ribbon Banner, sponging it with Barn Door Distress ink before removing it from the die. Then I just punched a hole at the top of the ornament and looped through this pretty silver cord (it's called silver cloisonne thread - I found it in a box of ribbon that I 'inherited' from my dear MIL).

I was SO inspired by the photo this week - that I also made a card:

I love this pretty framed evergreen branch. I embossed it with an embossing powder called Christmas Tree - it's green with little flecks of shiny red so it really sparkles IRL - I think you can see the red flecks but the glitter doesn't show in the pic :( I embossed a square Nestability on the card and adhered the image inside the frame with foam tape. I sponged the edges of the image with Ranger Antique Linen. I used the same Merry Christmas sentiment (my favorite can you tell?!) here that I used on my tag above but I just stamped it in black on the card.

So we hope you will join the Stampin' Sisterhood Design Team by creating an inspired project and linking it over at the Rubbernecker blog! And don't forget to check out the new challenge EVERY Sunday!

Ornament Tag:

Stamps: Rubbernecker - Merry Christmas #387-10

Paper: Metallic Red - Grafix, Pure Poppy - PTI, DP Die Cuts With a View (DCWV) The Christmas Stack.

Ink: Versamark, Ranger Distress Barn Door

Accessories: Silver cloisonne thread - Elsa Williams Needlecraft, foam tape, ribbon banners - Spellbinders, 2011 Heirloom Ornaments - Nestabilities.

Evergreen Card:
Stamps: Rubbernecker - Evergreen Block #1574 SO
Paper: Pure Poppy, White - PTI
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versamark, Ranger Distress Antique Linen
Accessories: Foam tape, square Nestability, Embossing Powder - Christmas Tree/Antiquities - Joanne's, hot gun.

November Friends of WMS Forum Blog Waltz - Christmas!

2011-11-17T03:00:00.091-05:00

Today I'm participating in the Friends of Waltzingmouse Blog Waltz that is run out of the Playroom in the Waltzingmouse Forum. Why don't you check it out and join us each month on the 17th day!? It just takes a few minutes to sign up to be a member of the forum.

The theme for November is 'Christmas'! And I have two cards to share with you today.

My first card was totally inspired by Kelly's trifold WMS sketch challenge card seen here. I just loved her wonderful layered paper pieced stockings from Sewing Box Christmas. I used just one stocking on my card, used a sentiment from Twas the Night Before Christmas and drew a frame around it with my black 01 fine Micron pen. My card is 4 1/4" x 4 1/4"

This card also doubles as my November WMS Forum Christmas Card Challenge card - and per the challenge requirements this month - I made 3 of them!

How cute and fun are these?!?!!

and here's my 2nd Christmas card.

I made this sweet cardinal using circle and scalloped circle punches. I first saw it here on SCS. I used another sentiment from Twas the Night Before Christmas on this card. The trees are a Sizzix die. I stamped the snowflakes from Sewing Box Christmas with Versamark Ink and sprinkled Dazzling Diamonds over them.

Now I'm off to check out all of the Christmas inspiration linked in the forum! Are you coming?!

Stocking Cards:

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - stocking from Sewing Box Christmas, Sentiment from Twas the Night Before Christmas

Paper: White, TextStyle Bitty Dot Basics - PTI

Ink: Versafine Onyx Black

Accessories: bakers twine - The Twinery, foam tape, glue pen, 01 black fine time micron pen.

Cardinal Card:

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Sentiment from Twas the Night Before Christmas, Snowflake from Sewing Box Christmas

Paper: more mustard, always artichoke, bravo burgandy - SU, Vintage Cream , true black - PTI

Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Ranger Distress Fired Brick, Palette Stamp & Stick Glue Pad

Accessories: pine tree - Sizzix Die, dazzling diamonds - SU, mega rectangle Nestability, circle punches - SU, silver pearls - Michaels, square lattice embossing folder - SU

Two for the Boys

2011-11-15T06:00:00.001-05:00

Reminder: you have until 11/17 to participate in the Rubbernecker DT blog hop and a chance to win free stamps! check it out on my post here:

I made these cards for the Teapot Tuesday Challenge over at Split Coast - this week the destination for our cards is Nate and Will - Katie & Kevin Renz twins who will be 6 on Nov 19th. As most of you know, Katie Renz lost her battle with stomach cancer last week - so we are hoping to give a little cheer to the boys on their special day.

Cindy wanted us to use trucks, cars and buses on our cards - so I used these fun truck stamps and coordinating truck dies from Papertrey Ink.

I know they are twins but wanted each card to be special for each boy - so I personalized them and used different colors on the truck and bus.

The number dies are also from Papertrey. I used Karen Foster Alphabet Snap Stamps for the boys names - these are no longer being made but you can google them to find them on Ebay etc.

and here's what I stamped on the inside of the cards.

If you'd like to send cards to Nate and Will you can mail them to:

Nate & Will Renz
PO Box 5913
Bellingham, WA 98227-5913

Thanks for stopping by today!

Rubbernecker Sisters Holiday Blog Hop!

2011-11-13T10:00:00.086-05:00

First a Note from Jacquie with all the details you need to know!

Hello Rubbernecker Sisters!! HOP day has arrived!! The Stampin’ Sisterhood has LOTS to share today!! Thank you SO much for joining us!

We thought it would be a GREAT idea to share some of our HOLIDAY images!! SO, sit back and ENJOY!!! Hey, and if you leave some LOVE at EVERY stop along the way? You will be entered into a RANDOM drawing for your choice of ONE Rubbernecker Stamp SET!! A SET, not just one stamp!! Now, how AWESOME is that?! Mr. Rubbernecker wants YOU to be able to choose, so you will LOVE what you get!! BRILLIANT!!

OH, and if you want to join in the sharing? We will be starting some AWESOME Rubbernecker challenges on SUNDAY 11/20!! Hope you will join us for SISTERHOOD SUNDAYS!! We are going to have a BLAST!! Who knows? You could win a prize on SUNDAYS too!!!

Now that we've gotten all that info out of the way - here is my project for the hop - 4 Christmas cards and a coordinating gift bag! I got the bag at CVS.

I embossed each tree with either gold or silver embossing powder - then embossed the ornaments with gold if it was a silver tree and silver if it was a gold tree!

I layered each image to a metallic gold card stock panel, accept for the bag where I used silver since the big eyelet on the bag was silver.

If the ornament stamp included a star - I did the tree in silver and the ornaments in gold.

When the tree stamp included the star - I embossed the tree in gold and the ornaments in silver.

I used the stamps from 2 Part Christmas Tree Set #598 for my projects today. The white and Enchanted Evening card stocks are from Papertrey Ink, the gold metallic paper is from Mark's Finest Papers and the silver (framing the image on the bag) is Metallic by Grafix.

On the inside I gold embossed this lovely font Merry Christmas #387-10. The gold and silver makes these cards quite elegant don't you think?!

These cards worked up really quickly - just what we need during this busy holiday season when we want to make our cards but don't have a lot of time, right??!

Now - here are the links to all of the Design Team Members where you will find much more holiday inspiration!! - remember to leave a comment at each stop for your chance to win!

You have until Thursday 11/17 to HOP! Our winner will be announced on the RUBBERNECKER BLOG, on Friday 11/18!!

A Card in PaperCrafts!

2011-11-12T03:00:00.007-05:00

Just wanted to share with you that I had a card published in the just released PaperCrafts 365 Cards! Have you seen this great issue yet? It's just loaded with cards for all occasions (365 cards in fact!!).

If you check out Page 112 you'll find my card - a card for when you really need to let your friend know you're sorry for something that came between you.

A very clean and simple creation - just a piece of pretty patterned paper from Webster's Pages, the lovely sentiment from Fancy Phrases by Waltzingmouse die cut with Fancy Tags 2 Spellbinders! I sponged the tag before taking it out of the die with Dried Marigold Ranger Distress Ink and popped the tag up on foam tape. I added 2 rhinestones and that's it!

Check out the PaperCrafts blog to see how you could win a copy of this magazine.

Happy Saturday everyone! Don't forget to check out the Waltzingmouse Saturday Sketch Challenge!

AND...... I hope you'll come by tomorrow for the Rubbernecker Stampin' Sisterhood DT Holiday Blog hop! There'll be LOTS of holiday inspiration for you , as well as a chance to win a Rubbernecker stamp set of your choice!!

Waltzingmouse November SoAP CASE Competition Winner!

2011-11-11T08:00:00.009-05:00

Hi everyone just dropping in to let you know the winner of the November Waltzingmouse Stamp of Approval Parade CASE competition has been chosen!

Charmaine Stack CASE'd Tosh's beautiful snowflake tag and has been chosen the winner.
Here is Charmaine's lovely creation:

You can see Charmaine's 2nd tag and all the details of the competition on The Waltzingmouse Blog here.
You'll find all of the entries here.

Big Congrats to you Charmaine!!

Please be sure to leave some love for Charmaine and the other participants if you have some time. Next Thursday, Nov. 17th is the Friends of WMS Blog Waltz, and we hope you will participate in that also! Details for that and the thread to sign up are on the WMS Forum!

And the Waltzingmouse Saturday Sketch Challenge will be posted here tomorrow! So many fun things going on for us stampers!

A Beauty All It's Own

2011-11-08T22:05:00.002-05:00

Today my card was inspired by this poppy paper . It's from a wallpaper site shown for the Inspiration Challenge over on Split Coast this past weekend.

I fully intended to use a poppy stamp and emboss in white on red - but my poppy stamp didn't work out so I shifted to this pretty frond and lovely sentiment from Rubbernecker

In changing stamps I also changed to gold embossing on terracotta tile. Funny how you can start out on one road and then divert to another during the creative process! I love the contrast of the black butterflies - mine are Martha Stewart Punches.

We're almost back to summer here in New England - temps are going to be in the 60's and may even hit 70! and last week we had a snowstorm - I don't know what clothes to put on every morning when I get up!?!?!

Stamps: Rubbernecker - Frond from Fall Trilogy set # 480, Nature Gives #200-03

Paper: True Black, Terracotta Tile - PTI

Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Versamark Watermark Ink

Accessories: Gold embossing powder, hot gun, glue dots, Martha Stewart Butterfly punches,

God Please Bless Katie

2011-11-07T14:37:00.002-05:00

I am deeply saddened to post this note from Kate from I {heart} Papers, who sponsored the Keep Swimming fund raiser for our stamping friend Katie Renz who passed away this morning after her year long most courageous battle with stage 4 stomach cancer. Many of us participated in the Swimming for Katie blog hops.

This was Kate's e-mail today:

Dear Swimmers,

It is with a very heavy heart that I write to you to let you know that Katie has passed. Early this morning at 5:10am PST she passed peacefully in her sleep, surrounded by her family until the very end.

Please take a moment to update your followers and blog readers with this news. We had such an overwhelming support for the Swimming for Katie hop and fundraiser and I know they would want to know this news. The donation link is still live, as is the static page with the fundraising items for sale. All the information is HERE. So, if people feel so moved, they still have the opportunity to purchase or donate.

Sympathy cards can be sent to:

The Renz Family
PO Box 5913
Bellingham, WA 98227-5913

Also, in case you're interested, the twins, Nate and Will, will be turning 6 on Nov. 19th and Hunter will be 12 on Dec. 1. It would be wonderful if we could shower them with cards for their special day, just like their mom would do. Kevin's birthday is November 17.

I am at a loss for any other words other than thanking you from the bottom of my heart.

Thank you.
With deep sadness...
Kate
i {heart} papers, LLC

Katie - I know you are now pain free with a new healthy body resting in the arms of God so my prayers are now for those left behind - Nate, Will, Hunter and Kevin as they adjust to a life without you, their beloved mother and wife - and our dear friend.

Here are two pictures Katie's husband Kevin posted on her blog the other day. They are of Katie with her boys.

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Text It, Asian Garden Additions, Very Vintage Labels No. 10

Paper: River Rock, Basic Gray - SU, White - PTI
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Ranger Distress Antique Linen
Accessories: Labels 10 and square Nestabilities, foam tape, gem - Michaels.

Time Together - A Little Treat Box

2011-11-05T08:00:00.002-04:00

What a FUN free 4 all challenge over at Split Coast yesterday - 6" of fun - in this sweet little box! It starts as a 6"x6" piece of paper - and when it's all folded up the base is 2" square. Here are views of the side and back:

and here is how it looks opened up!

I'm hosting Thanksgiving with my family this year so I've been thinking about what I might have at each person's place at the table - and this will be it! You can fit 2-3 Hershey Kisses inside or maybe a handful of nuts!

The pattern and instructions for this sweet thing are here in the SCS forums. This is Wendy's pattern for a 6"x6" piece of patterned paper or card stock. The top flap is a piece 4" x 2" and you use a piece of velcro to hold it closed.

and here are Wendy's instructions:

It uses one 6 x 6 inch piece of cardstock, scored in thirds tic-tac-toe style, at 2 and 4 inches, so its overall size is approximately two inches. It actually works best with patterned paper, as it is not a s thick as cardstock, and folds much cleaner and easier.

All of the horizontal and vertical lines are folded peak-style, while the diagonal score lines are folded valley style. Add a 2"x4" piece of patterned paper, folded at 2" along the 4" side and adhere to back of box. I used a Velcro dot to close the box.

My sentiment stamp from the Butterflies are Free set by Rubbernecker is perfect for Thanksgiving - don't you think?? That's what Thanksgiving is all about - spending time together!

Now I just have to make 7 more - glad I'm not hosting a bigger crowd!! Although these do work up quickly once you figure out the 'hill' and 'valley' folds!!

You will find all sorts of variations of this cute little box in the Split Coast Free 4 All challenge gallery here.

Oh - and it's Saturday - don't forget to check out the Waltzingmouse Saturday Sketch!

Stamps: Rubbernecker - sentiment from Butterflies are Free set #538

Paper: dark chocolate, rustic cream, Textstyle Turning a New Leaf - Papertrey Ink

Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Ranger Distress Tea Dye

Accessories: Rhinestones - Kaiser, 2" circle punch & 1 3/4" circle punch - EK Success, velcro - Staples

WMS November SoAP - Day 4 - Everything Christmas

2011-11-04T03:00:00.086-04:00

Welcome to the final day of the Waltzingmouse November Stamp of Approval Parade (SoAP)! I'm sure you've gotten a lot of good ideas for Christmas creations over the past 3 days - I know I have!

As usual - on the last day of our parade - we announce a CASE competition - see all the details at the end of this post!

Today I found inspiration in my Pottery Barn Catalogue with this festive 'Santa and his reindeer' pillow.

Claire's Twas the Night Before Christmas set has the perfect images to recreate this pillow.

First I stamped the background story image on my red panel with gray ink so it's there but just subtly. Then I dry embossed a mega rectangle Nestability in the center of the stamping. I tied twine and a little jingle bell around the panel. I stamped Santa and his sleigh on a Rustic Cream panel, cut it with a mega rectangle, and adhered it inside the frame using foam tape. Inside I stamped 'Believe in the Magic' from the same stamp set.

My last inspiration for the SoAP, was again from a Pottery Barn Catalogue - these simple brown paper wrapped boxes caught my eye! Particularly the lighter text panel wrapped around the middle of the larger box!

I made my box out of kraft card stock using a tutorial on Split Coast. It's an A2 card box - which means cards will fit nicely inside! Here are 3 views of my box. I cut panels of patterned paper for the top and sides of the cover and sponged all the edges with Tea Dye Ink.

I tied the box with a simple narrow velvet ribbon from Michaels.

For the text panel - I cut a piece of brown packing paper 14" x 4" (the paper came in something I ordered!) I stamped the "A Visit from St. Nicholas' story stamp from Twas the night before Christmas set 3 times on the strip. Then I sponged the edges with Tea Dye Ranger Distress ink. I wrapped it around the box and adhere it to itself where it overlapped in the back. You can see I did not try to get the wrinkles out of the paper - I did smooth it with my hand to stamp it, but didn't iron it smooth!

Here's a close up of the tag which fits the Labels 14 Nestabilities.

And here are the 6 simple Thank You cards I made to tuck inside the box with envelopes. I just adhered panels of patterned paper to Kraft cards and stamped Thank You from Say it Loud with black ink. I thought Thank You cards would be a nice little gift at Christmastime - we all receive gifts or go to parties during the season that require a little note of thanks back to the giver. But this box is also perfect for gifts of cookies, tea, candy or even a gift card!

Here's a view of the bottom of the box.

The ribbon and text panel will slide right off the box without damaging it so it can be kept for another purpose after the cards are used up!

I hope you have been inspired by my 'catalogue' inspirations these past 4 days - remember to check out your catalogues when you need a card or craft idea!

So let's go see the rest of today's final parade on the blogs of the Design Team who are participating!

Anya Schrier
Becca Feeken
Clare Buswell
Julia Aston - you're here!
Jennifer Holmes
Kate Whelan
Kelly Schirmer
Laurie Schmidlin
Lynn Mercurio
Mona Pendleton
Sandie Dunne
Tosha Leyendekker
Claire Brennan (Owner)

INFO ON THE COMPETITION:
We hope that you have enjoyed, and been inspired, by our Stamp of Approval Parade; highlighting Claire's lovely Christmas and holiday sets. Now it’s time for you to get your craftiness on as we invite you to participate in a CASE (Copy and Share Everything) competition.

Find a card or project from any of the projects posted over the past few days by the WMS Design Team, CASE that project using Waltzingmouse Stamp images, and link it using the Inlinkz on Claire’s blog . At the end of the competition, one project will be randomly selected to be highlighted with a Parade of its own on several of the Design Team blogs.

You have one week to complete and link your project

The competition will close at 8:00 AM Claire’s time on November 10th, which is 3 AM Eastern, 2 AM Central and Midnight, Pacific time. The winner will be announced on Claire’s blog on November 11th.

A Visit from St. Nick:
Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Twas the Night Before Christmas
Paper: Pure Poppy, Rustic Cream - PTI
Ink: Palette L'Amore Red, Memento London Fog
Accessories: jingle bell from bell wreath kit - Michaels, Mandarin Bakers Twine - the Twinery, foam tape, Mega Rectangle Nestabilities.

Wrapped Card Box:
Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Twas the Night Before Christmas, Say It Loud
Paper: Kraft, Text Style Holiday Cheer - PTI
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Bamboo Leaves, Ranger Distress Tea Dye.
Accessories: Velvet Ribbon - Michaels, Labels 14 Nestabilities, Cappuchino Baker's Twine - The Twinery

WMS November SoAP- Day 3 - Everything Christmas

2011-11-03T03:00:00.045-04:00

Welcome to Day 3 of the Waltzingmouse Stamp of Approval Parade!

I went back to my Sturbridge Yankee Workshop Catalogue for my inspiration today. This wooden wall hanging featuring a feather tree caught my eye.

The tree is exactly like the tree in the set, Sewing Box Christmas.

If you look below (or have this set!) you will notice the tree stamp has bare branches - but notice the little stamp that looks like one arm of a snowflake (or a chicken leg - LOL!?!) It's to the left next to the little heart, I stamped that on the bare branches to make my tree look like the feather tree!

Another CAS (clean and simple) folk art/homespun card (Kelly - do you like this one?!! Kelly's our resident folk art stamper on the DT!)

Now off we go to continue the parade at the blogs of the following Design Team members who are participating today! Hope you'll have a chance to stop by tomorrow for our final parade!

Anya Schrier
Becca Feeken
Clare Buswell
Julia Aston - You're here!
Jennifer Holmes
Kate Whelan
Kelly Schirmer
Lynn Mercurio
Mona Pendleton
Sandie Dunne
Tosha Leyendekker
Claire Brennan (Owner)

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Sewing Box Christmas, inside sentiment from Nutcracker Sweet.
Paper: Rustic Cream - PTI, red metallic foil board - Grafix
Ink: Ponderosa Pine - Close to My Heart, Pallette Hybrid Ink - L'Amore Red, Ranger Distress Wild Honey, Memento Potters clay.
Accessories: tiny twinkles - Taylored Expressions, glue pen.

WMS November SoAP - Day 2 Everything Christmas

2011-11-02T03:00:00.024-04:00

Welcome to Day 2 of the Waltzingmouse Stamp of Approval Parade! Did you follow along the parade route yesterday and get totally inspired for your holiday card needs??!! (scroll down to yesterday's post if you missed it!)

Once again I've been inspired by looking in catalogues or magazines for my creation. Today my card was inspired by a Martha Stewart ad for some of her bedding - aptly named Fair Isle Sweater Knit Throw!

I bet you can tell what 'just released' stamp set this inspired me to use??!! Yes, yes - you're correct!!! Nordic Winter of course!! Claire told us that this stamp set was the best seller of the October release - I hope you ordered one - (there's still time so order it now if you missed it!) then you can make this card to send out this year!!

Now off you go to check out these Design Team members who are participating in the parade today! Hope to see you tomorrow for Day 3 of our lovely parade?!

Anya Schrier
Becca Feeken
Julia Aston - you're here!
Jennifer Holmes
Kelly Schirmer
Laurie Schmidlin
Lynn Mercurio
Mona Pendleton
Sandie Dunne
Tosha Leyendekker
Claire Brennan (Owner)

Stamps: Waltzingmouse Nordic Winter
Paper: Vintage Cream, Pure Poppy - PTI
Ink: Palette Hybride L'Amore Red
Accessories: rhinestones - Kaiser Craft, foam tape, Modern Label Punch - SU, square Nestability.

WMS November SoAP Day 1 - Everything Christmas

2011-11-01T03:00:00.049-04:00

Welcome to the first day of the Waltzingmouse Stamp of Approval Parade (SoAP)! As you may remember, the months Claire doesn't release new stamps - the Design Team has a 4 day parade using sets from past releases. This month the theme is Christmas/Holiday.

I don't know about you - but around this time each year my mail box starts filling up with all kinds of catalogues (maybe because I ORDER so much??!!) Anyway - I was looking through the latest Sturbridge Yankee Workshop catalogue and found some terrific inspiration for my parade cards!

Here is the first item that inspired me: It's a wooden sign hand made in Wisconsin out of white pine and it's screen printed (10" x 6.5")

And here is my inspired card - using vintage cream paper, the tree (Santa's boot print) from Secret Santa (you'll need the password ibelieveinsanta to see this secret set!)and the sentiment from Santa's Coming to Town. Inside I stamped Merry Christmas from Secret Santa

I layered the image panel to a piece of gold metallic card stock to give it a little festive framing. And how easy is this to duplicate!!?? - no coloring, no ribbons, clean and simple - and still pretty!

Then I thought the St. Nicholas Nutcracker would look just as lovely with this CAS design and created my second card! Sometimes I just don't feel like coloring, but I want to use a certain image - and see how lovely he looks just stamped, the detail is so wonderful on this - no coloring is needed! For St. Nick I used blue metallic card stock as a framing and stamped the image on white paper.

Now I hope you'll follow the parade with the following Design Team members who are participating today!

Anya Schrier
Becca Feeken
Julia Aston You.re here!
Jennifer Holmes
Kelly Schirmer
Laurie Schmidlin
Lynn Mercurio
Mona Pendleton
Sandie Dunne
Tosha Leyendekker
Claire Brennan (Owner)

December 25th:
Stamps: Waltzingmouse - tree from Secret Santa Set, December 25th from Santa's Coming to Town, Merry Christmas (inside) from Secret Santa
Paper: vintage Cream - PTI, metallic gold - Mark's Finest Papers
Ink: Ponderosa Pine - Close to My Heart

St. Nicholas:
Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Nutcracker Sweet
Paper: White - PTI, metalic blue foil board - Grafix
Ink: Versafine majestic blue

A Christmas bag, a basket of flowers and pots of tea!

2011-10-29T20:30:00.001-04:00

I have 3 cards to share today that I made for the Inspiration Challenge over on Split Coast. Anne was our hostess and she showed us The Blue Carrot Shop - a site that sells vintage and retro items (I have to admit that I recognized lots of stuff on this site from my growing up years!)

For my first project - I was inspired by these nut bags

I was more inspired by the glassine bag than the colors or images. I created a Christmas gift bag that could be for a gift card or cash or even treats if they are not too thick!

My stamps are from Rubbernecker I just love this beautiful snowflake and the font on this sentiment! I added a rhinestone to the center of the snowflake and tied blue/white twine around the top. My bag is 3 3/4" x 6 1/4". from Papertrey Ink.

I used Versafine Ink to stamp the images and I used my hot gun to help the ink dry - I think I'll leave this over night to be sure that it does dry - you may have to sample different kinds of ink if you stamp on a coated bag to be sure it dries.

My second inspiration was a faux wood covered thermos

The weave of this basket reminded me of the wood tone on the thermos. First I stamped the flowers on the panel, then drew on stems with a fine tip green pen. Then I dry embossed the panel with my Square Lattice embossing folder.

I stamped the basket, cut it out, sponged the edges and adhered it under the flowers. I sponged the edges of the panel and added pearls to the centers of the flowers. The basket and flowers are from a Rubbernecker set called Create a Garden

I cut the sentiment with my key tag punch, then punched a hole on the side with my horizontal slot punch (I haven't used this punch in years!) and looped 4 colors of twine through the slot. I adhered the tag to the card with foam tape. The Thinking of You sentiment is also from Rubbernecker.

This card is 3 x 5 1/2" so it will still fit into a regular A2 envelope even with the tag and twine sticking off the edge of the card.

For my final card - I was inspired by these Bartender Invites

Instead of drinks and appetizers - I used a row of teapots.

My stamps are from a fun Rubbernecker set called Tea Time Set. Inside I stamped "brewing up a birthday wish for you" perfect for a tea-loving friend! I added a rhinestone to the top of each of the teapots.

I hope you'll stop by on Nov 1st - the Waltzingmouse Design team will be having a 4 day SoAP (Stamp of Approval Parade) using previously released WMS Christmas Stamp sets!

Christmas Wax Bag:

Stamps: Rubbernecker - Merry Christmas #387-10, Snowflake #1504 SO (Stamp Oasis)

Paper: wax bag - PTI

Ink: Versafine Majestic Blue

A Basket of Flowers:

Stamps: Rubbernecker: Create a Garden Set #512, Thinking of you #565-10

Paper: rustic cream, terracotta tile - PTI

Ink: Versafine Onyx black & Habanero, Ranger Distress - Old Paper, Memento Rose Red, Potters Clay,and sweet plum

Accessories: foam tape, green fine tip pen - Creative Memories, square lattice embossing folder - SU, pearls - Kaiser, keytag and horizontal slot punches - SU, Lilac, mandarin, peapod and pink sorbet bakers twine - The Twinery

Is it Tea Time?

Rubbernecker: Tea Time Set #457

Paper: White, Smokey Shadow, Simply Chartreuse - PTI

Ink: Versafine Onyx Black

Accessories: Rhinestones - Kaiser

Season of Gratitude

2011-10-26T13:00:00.001-04:00

I wanted to share a couple of cards I recently made using stamps from Sweet 'n Sassy. My 6 month term of being on the SNSS Design Team is drawing to a close and I have greatly enjoyed using Korin's lovely stamps and sentiments on my creations.

This card was made using a recent Split Coast Stampers sketch. The stamps are from Forest Silhouettes and Autumn Bounty.

I used the Square Lattice embossing folder from SU on both cards. I love the texture it gives to the cards.

I made my second card for a recent SCS Inspiration challenge. This was my inspiration - a wall hanging from the Handscapes Gallery web site.

and here is the card I created using Serene Silhouettes and Seeing Spots. The background strips are pieces of weathered wood grain patterned paper by Fancy Pants.

Hope you are having a happy stamping day!

Oh - and just looking ahead - The Waltzingmouse Design Team will be having a Stamp of Approval Parade Nov 1-4 using prior release Christmas stamp sets - so please stop back then for lots of holiday inspiration!!

Wishing you a season of:
Stamps: Sweet 'n Sassy - tree from Forest Silhouettes, sentiments from Autumn Bounty

Paper: Kraft, Dark Chocolate - PTI, DP Pyrus Paper Pad/Basic Grey
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black & Potters Clay
Accessories: Square Lattic Embossing Folder - SU, foam tape, wrinkled seam tape - Prairie Bird Boutique Etsy Shop, tiny twinkles - Taylored Expressions

Thinking of you:
Stamps: Sweet 'n Sassy - Serene Silhouettes, Sentiment from Seeing Spots

Paper: Kraft, Orange Zest, True Black - PTI, DP Fancy Pants/Papa
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Ranger Distress Old Paper
Accessories: 3/4" circle punch - EK Success, square lattice Embossing Folder - SU, foam tape, twine - PTI

Gingerbread Holiday Hugs!

2011-10-24T00:30:00.001-04:00

I made this card for today's CAS sketch challenge over on Split Coast as well as the Waltzingmouse October Christmas card challenge held in the WMS forum - to use food on your card!.

I stamped the group of three candy canes in red on the card, than stamped the gingerbread men on Really Rust and cut them out layering them over the candy canes with foam tape.

I added black sticky pearl eyes and buttons, stamped the sentiments in two colors of ink and drew the frame around the edges with a 01 Micron fine black pen.

My stamps are from the newly released Waltzingmouse Set called Candy Jar Christmas Fillers.

You may have noticed I've been missing in action for the last several days - we had our annual Church Fair this past Friday and Saturday and two friends and I run a table selling stamped cards and crafts - so I was madly working on last minute projects as well as organizing and pricing all the items I had managed to finish!

Here are a few pictures of our table.

Over the two days we sold $227.00 from our table - pretty good when you consider most things were between $2.50 and $4.00!

And here are Gwen and Nicole (Gwen is the daughter of Elizabeth working with me and Nicole is the granddaughter of Sandy, co-chairperson of the Fair)- the theme for the fair this year was The Wizard of Oz - so they were dressed up like the bad and good witches! They had such a good time running around and also helped us stamp "thank you" on our brown lunch bags we used for sales.

So now things will be a little less hectic for me and I will settle back into my regular stamping routine!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Candy Jar Christmas

Paper: white - PTI, Really Rust - SU

Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Palette L'Amore Red, Adirondack Butterscotch

Accessories: foam tape, black pearls - Amuse, 01 micron fine Line Black Pen

Sweet 'n Sassy Meets the Twinery - Blog Hop!

2011-10-19T08:00:00.056-04:00

Today I'm excited to be participating in the Design Team blog hop between Sweet n' Sassy Stamps and the Twinery!

You should start the hop at The Twinery if you came here from Tifany DeGough then you are in the right place!

See below how you can have a chance at winning a prize!

This little lady bug makes ME smile - isn't she the cutest! I stamped her on white, die cutting with a circle Nestability. I colored her with Copics and added some tiny twinkles to her smile and antenae!

I wrapped the twine to get 3 loops on each side, then adhered it to the back of the lady bug circle. I layered that to a black scallop die cut circle. I embossed another circle on the card and layered the image onto the frame with foam tape. I thought the loops of twine gave the impression of wings, although I didn't try to make them even or in a straight line. Then I simply stamped the sentiment directly on the card.

So here are the details on how and what you can win!

There will be TWO prizes awarded from those who leave comments on all participating blogs.

The Twinery will give away to one winner:

One Ultimate Color Sampler Pack (retail value $25)

Sweet 'N Sassy Stamps will give away to one winner:

One Season of Change Stamp & Die Set (retail value $28)

Deadline to hop/leave comments is 11:59 EST, Saturday Oct 22nd
Winners will be announced at the Sweet 'n Sassy Blog and The Twinery on Sunday, Oct 23rd.

Next stop on the hop is Hera Frei

Thanks for stopping by - and Good Luck!

Stamps: Sweet 'n Sassy - Some Buggy Loves You

Paper: Pure Poppy, White, True Black - PTI

Ink: Versafine Onyx Black

Accessories: Copics - R37, 100, Mandarin Bakers Twine - The Twinery, tiny twinkles - Taylored Expressions, circle and big scallop circle Nestabilities, foam tape.

Friends of WMS Blog Waltz - Wishing You Peace and Plenty

2011-10-17T03:00:00.010-04:00

My card is a CAS one today - I stamped the pumpkin and water colored it, using a water pen brush and ink smudged onto the cover of my ink pad - I love the soft subtle color water coloring gives. I embossed a square Nestability on my card (you've probably noticed this is one of my favorite things to do on a card!) and layered the pumpkin panel inside the frame using foam tape. I added a little bit of Diamond Stickles to create 'frost on the pumpkin'!

My stamps are from the lovely fall set - Peace and Plenty

Thanks so much for coming by today! I'm off to check out all of the Thankful cards linked in the forum!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Peace & Plenty

Paper: Tangerine Tango, More Mustard - SU, Brushed Corduroy - Coredinations Tim Holtz

Ink: Tangerine Tango - SU, Brushed Corduroy - Ranger Distress

Accessories: Diamond Stickles, foam tape, square Nestability, Water Brush Pen, Rhinestones - Kaiser

Rubbernecker Fall DT Blog Hop - Share the Treats!

2011-10-16T10:00:00.043-04:00

Hi Rubbernecker friends!! Welcome to our Fall/Halloween hop! Thanks so much for joining us!

Rubbernecker Stamps has such a wide variety of images, that we thought we would share some Fall and Halloween ones with you! There is a HOP ROUTE for you to follow below! Make sure to leave some LOVE at every stop in order to be eligible for our PRIZE!! What fun would it be without a PRIZE!!

***You could WIN Your choice of one of these AWESOME stamp sets!!

Cool huh? OK, the Stampin’ Sisterhood has lots of creations to share with you, so grab a cuppa, sit back, relax and get HOPPIN’!! Be on the look out for our NEXT HOP coming NEXT MONTH!! We look forward to seeing you then for MORE sharing and prizes!! Thanks again for joining us today and ENJOY!!

I'm sharing three Halloween creations today - made with brand new Halloween stamps from Rubbernecker!

The first is a card I made using a Split Coast Sketch. I turned the sketch on it's side to fit my spooky Halloween night background stamp image.

I cut the image in thirds and adhered it to the orange card base. I added some rhinestones and black glitter Thickers. I sponged all the edges with Spiced Marmalade ink.

This flying witch panel stamp is a brand new image from Rubbernecker, the Happy Boo to You Sentiment is from last years Halloween Set 2 #474.

The second is a Halloween Treat bag I made for the Ways To Use It Challenge over on Split Coast, to use a lunch sack.

I decorated the paper bag with some patterned paper, a drippy edge punch, and a Sizzix bat.

My monster named Squints is one of the new Halloween images from Rubbernecker. And Squints wants us to Share the Treats! I guess we'd better listen to this guy - he has 4 eyes so he'll certainly see if we don't!!

My third project is a little candy treat bowl - made from a 6" x 6" piece of patterned paper. Sue made one on Split Coast and gave these instructions.

Basically you score your 6"x6" piece of paper at 2" and 4" on both edges so it looks like a tic tac toe board - then you score diagonally on the corners so they fold in. Punch holes on the inside pieces to tie your ribbon through. Sue says it's better to use a patterned paper as it's thinner than card stock and folds up more easily.

Here are a couple of pictures showing the scoring and partial folding so you get the idea!

I stamped 4 different cats on white, punched them with a circle punch and layered them to a scallop circle.

I sponged the edges of the circles and added purple Tiny Twinkles to the eyes for a little glitter!

I stamped the sentiment and punched it with the SU Keytag punch and tied it to the ribbon with bakers twine.

Each little section will nicely hold one or two of the miniature candy bars.

Now I hope you'll hop along to all of our DT members linked below to find more Fall/Halloween Inspiration - remember to leave comments along the way so you have a chance to win a free Rubbernecker stamp set!

**HOP ROUTE**

Boo Card:

Stamps: Rubbernecker - Flying witch panel #588, Happy Boo to you from Halloween set 2 #474

Paper: orange zest, plum pudding - PTI
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Ranger Distress Spiced Marmelade
Accessories: foam tape, word window punch - SU, tiny twinkles -Taylored Expressions, glue pen, rhinestones - Kaiser, Glitter Thickers

Share the Treats Bag:

Stamps: Rubbernecker - Squints #596-02, Share the treats from Halloween Set 3 #475

Paper: smokey Shadow, white - PTI, Bazzill Black Tie, DP Ghosts & Goblins DCWV
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Copics: BG96, R20, YG95, Y17, YR07, Brown paper sack - Michaels, ribbon - PTI, bat - Sizzix die, drippy punch - Martha Stewart, rhinestones - Kaiser, foam tape, black pearls - Amuse, basket shred - Michaels

Bats and Cats Treat Basket:

Stamps: Rubbernecker - Sentiment from Halloween Set 3 #475, Cats from Halloween Cat Set #597

Paper: white, black - PTI, DP Halloween - SU (retired?)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Distress Milled Lavender

Accessories: circle & scalloped circle punch - SU, tiny twinkles - Taylored Expressions, wrinkled seam tape - Prairie Bird Boutique Etsy shop, cropadile, glue pen, foam tape, lilac twine - the Twinery

Waltzingmouse October Release - DT Blog Waltz

2011-10-15T14:00:00.003-04:00

Welcome to the Waltzingmouse October Release day!! To celebrate this great occasion, the Design Team is having a Blog Waltz - and you can win a WMS stamp set just by leaving a comment on each DT's blog today!

You should start the Waltz at Belinda's blog, if you came here from Sandie's blog you're in the right place!

If you lose your way - you will find the complete Waltz list on Claire's Blog.

Today we are using the two last sets of the release - Candy Jar Christmas and Candy Jar Christmas Fillers - two wonderful sets for packaging those cookies and sweets we love to give during the holidays!

I always bake cookies and other goodies to give friends and coworkers when just a thoughtful little gift is needed. So first up is a clear box of Gingerbread Men!

I made the front strip 2 x 6 1/2" and stamped my gingerbread men from Candy Jar Christmas in a row. Then I stamped the slim red border from Nordic Winter along the bottom. The circle sentiment is from Candy Jar Christmas Fillers.

I adhered a piece of patterned paper on the outside of the back of the box with the pattern facing in so it showed behind my cookies. I used small glue dots on the corners and sides to adhere it so it didn't show too much.

Before I adhered the patterned paper - I stamped all these sentiments on the white side, they are all from Candy Jar Christmas accept for "to help you make merry" which is from Seasonal Remedies! The frame is a Spellbinders Classic Frames.

Then I decorated this wonderful jar (again from the Christmas Tree Shop for just $2.99!) with images from Candy Jar Christmas Fillers. I love having holiday traditions - and I think getting this jar of sweets out each year would be a lovely one don't you? I didn't have enough peppermints to fill the jar so I just laid a few outside so you'd get the idea!!

Here's a close up of the pretty peppermint jar - I layered the label over the jar and added some clear tiny twinkles. This pretty pleated ribbon strip is from Pink Paisleee.

Now don't forget to leave comments all along the waltz for your chance to win a WMS stamp set! And don't forget to go shopping! Commenters have until October 17th 11:59 PM, 5:5 9AM Central, 3:59 AM Pacific and 6:59 AM Eastern. The winner will be announced on Claire’s blog October 18th.

Next on the Blog Waltz list is the ever creative Kate!

Waltzingmouse Oct Preview - Day 3 - Ornaments and Santa!

2011-10-14T03:00:00.122-04:00

Wow - here we are at Preview Day 3 already! Hope you've got your 'must have' list written up and ready for tomorrow!

Today we are previewing two new sets - 2011 Holiday Ornaments (that JUST so happen to fit the new Spellbinders 2011 Heirloom Ornament dies!!) as well as a jolly set called Santa's Coming to Town

I had so much fun creating with these stamps that I made 3 cards!

For my first card - I stamped three of the smaller ornaments as if they were hanging from this lovely pine branch - don't you love the wonderful designs on them?? I was still in the Nordic mood from yesterday (!) so I used the Good Jul sentiment from Nordic Winter. The pine boughs are from Festive Foliage. I gold embossed the tops and strings of the ornaments which are separate stamps. I masked the red ornament in order to stamp the string on the blue ornament "behind" the red one.

I got a little more elegant with my 2nd card - gold embossing this lovely large ornament and cutting it with my 2011 Heirloom Ornament die (although it would also be very easy to cut this out by hand.) Then I just looped a gold cord through a hole in the top and let it drape down. I thought this paper looked like a wall in a cozy parlor!

The sentiment is from a set from last month's release - A Cottage Christmas.

I used stamps from Santa's Coming to Town for my last card - a little more playful and fun! I stamped the background with two stamps from this set - using one of them again over stamping the Santa silhouette. I created his pipe smoke with a little steam stamp from Afternoon Tea! The little ornament with the deer is from 2011 Holiday Ornaments and I cut it with the smallest 2011 Heirloom Ornament Die. I made a paper rosette out of dotted red paper to layer my Santa silhouette on.

So there you go! Ornaments and Santa! Tomorrow we'll be have a DT blog hop previewing the final two sets - and just wait until you see them!! - they're all about baking and candy treats! Be sure to stop by because you'll have a chance to win a Waltzingmouse Stamp set just by commenting! Tomorrow we'll be posting at 2 pm EST so Claire has a chance to set up the new sets at the shop!

Now - who's coming with me to see what the other DT have to inspire us today??! Here are their links:

Anya Schrier
Becca Feeken
Belinda Chang Langner
Clare Buswell
Julia Aston - me!
Jennifer Holmes
Kate Whelan
Kelly Schirmer
Laurie Schmidlin
Lynn Mercurio
Mona Pendleton
Niki Estes
Sandie Dunne
Tosha Leyendekker
Claire Brennan (Owner)

Good Jul:

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - 2011 Holiday Ornaments, Good Jul from Nordic Winter (to be released 10/15), pine boughs from Festive Foliage.

Paper: White, New Leaf - PTI

Ink: Memento - Tuxedo black, lady bug, bamboo leaves, Bahama Blue, rich cocoa, Versamark

Accessories: gold embossing powder, hot gun

From Our House to Yours:

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - 2011 Holiday Ornaments (to be released 10/15), sentiment From Our House to Yours from A Cottage Christmas Set.

Paper: White, New Leaf, DP Mini Deck Social Club Cosmo Cricket

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versamark

Accessories: hot gun, gold embossing powder, gold cord - Prairie Bird Boutique Etsy Shop, lace - Mark's Finest Papers, ribbon - Mar Arts, cropadile, foam tape.

Be Very Good:

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Santa's Coming to Town, deer and ornament from 2011 Holiday Ornaments (to be released 10/15), steam stamp from Afternoon Tea.

Paper: Pure poppy, true black, white - PTI, DP Modern Homemaker October Afternoon

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black & Lady bug, Versafine - Smokey Gray

Accessories: Twine - PTI, 2011 Heirloom Ornament dies Spellbinders., wrinkled seam tape - Prairie Bird Boutique Etsy shop, glue dots, Circle & scallop Circle Nestabilities, paper rosette die - Tim Holtz Alterations.

Waltzingmouse Oct Preview - Day 2 - Nordic Winter

2011-10-13T03:00:00.100-04:00

My goodness - didn't you just love all the inspiration yesterday!?!? Well - hold onto your hats (or your sweaters!) ladies - today we are previewing a set like no other - Nordic Winter! I think most of us have had a sweater in the Nordic patterns at some point in our lives.

We had a world traveling Aunt Helen that brought my sister and I Nordic Sweaters when we were young - mine had red in it and Marcia's had blue and both had those lovely flower stamped pewter-like buttons! and I must say - itchy as heck as they were wool!

Today I decorated a lovely basket (I got at the Christmas Tree Shop for just $2.99) using several single stamps from the set to create my own Nordic pattern. See how the patterns of the stamps look like yarn stitches?!

I took pictures while I was stamping my panel so you could see the individual stamps I used and how I stamped them. First I drew a line in the middle of my panel to help me stamp the first snow flake/star image straight across!

Then I added some read hearts

Then smaller hearts in grey and trees in black ink

And finally I stamped a narrow red strip along the bottom.

Now - this panel is 11" long and the basket measures longer than this around. The basket sides are not straight down so I knew a longer panel would not adhere flat if I went all the way around. So.......

I added red grosgrain ribbon to the top and bottom of the panel with ScorTape - extending the ribbon on the top past the edges of the panel so I could tie it in a bow at the back of the basket. I hate having an open unfinished space and I think this finishes it off nicely!

I used both ScorTape and thick glue dots to adhere the panel to the basket as there is a shiny finish on it and Scor Tape wasn't enough alone to keep it held on. I also made a little tag using stamps from this set to tie around the ribbon with twine.
Front:

and back:

I filled my basket with yummy Nonni's Chocolate Decadence Biscotti. I may have to go back to the store to pick up a few more of these baskets - 'cause I think I'm keepin' this one!!

I've got so many more ideas for using this set - I can't wait to have some more time with it!

So let's go check out what the rest of the Design Team created! I can't wait to see - can you!??! Hope you will stop by again tomorrow to see what we have for Preview Day 3!

Anya Schrier
Becca Feeken
Belinda Chang Langner
Julia Aston You are here!
Jennifer Holmes
Kate Whelan
Kelly Schirmer
Laurie Schmidlin
Lynn Mercurio
Mona Pendleton
Niki Estes
Sandie Dunne
Tosha Leyendekker
Claire Brennan (Owner)

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Nordic Winter (to be released 10/15)

Paper: Vintage Cream - PTI

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Lady Bug, London Fog

Accessories: Heart Punch - Paper Shapers, Fancy Tags - Spellbinders, rhinestones - Kaiser, cropadile, Pure Poppy Grosgrain Ribbon - PTI, thick glue dots, ScorTape, cookies, Basket - The Christmas Tree Shop, Twine - PTI

Waltzingmouse Oct Previews - Day 1 - Seasonal Remedies

2011-10-12T03:00:00.135-04:00

I'm so excited to be bringing you a Waltzingmouse Preview today! Claire has designed 6 wonderful holiday sets for us this month - just in time for our holiday decorating, gift and card giving needs!

Today the Design Team is highlighting Holiday Remedies a lovely labels set (a holiday version of last years Rescue Remedies!) - and I made a card and an altered gift item!

For my 4 1/4" x 4 1/4" card I used the two smallest stamps in the set - this beautiful framed Holy City and the crown.

I embossed an oval Nestability on my card and then silver embossed the crown above the frame. Next I stamped the image on white, cut it with a slightly smaller oval, adhering it inside the oval with foam tape. The Merry Christmas is from another new set we will be previewing on 10/14.

My next project is an altered jar of Strawberry Preserves! I stamped this fun label which is actually a square and die cut it with a circle Nestability so it fit on the cover. I sponged all the edges with Ranger Distress Old Paper ink.

For the sides of the jar - I measured around the jar and cut a panal 1/2" longer (for overlap) and the height of the jar which just happened to fit the label (well, almost!) Then I stamped the label side by side until the panel was covered. I adhered the panel to the jar using ScorTape. Helpful Hint: when you want to cover a jar - look for one that has straight sides -then a panel will adhere around it nicely!

I made a label for my Gift Jar by stamping the holly and berries from Festive Foliage and the sentiment "A Gift for You" from Compliments of the Season. I punched a hole in the top and tied it around the jar with twine. This really dresses up the Strawberry Preserves don't you think?!

Now off we go to see what the rest of the crafty Design Team ladies have to inspire our creativity! I hope you'll stop by tomorrow to see another new Waltzingmouse set preview (it's a set you haven't seen ANYWHERE else!) - Release day is Saturday October 15th.

Anya Schrier

Becca Feeken

Julia Aston
Belinda Chang Langner

Jennifer Holmes

Kate Whelan

Kelly Schirmer

Laurie Schmidlin

Lynn Mercurio

Mona Pendleton

Niki Estes
Sandie Dunne

Sarah Martina Parker

Tosha Leyendekker

Claire Brennan (Owner)

Holy City Card:

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - crown and Holy City from Seasonal Remedies, Merry Christmas from 2011 Holiday Ornaments (both to be released 10/15)

Paper: White, Blueberry Sky - PTI

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black & Danube Blue, Versamark

Accessories: Oval Nestabilities, silver embossing powder, hot gun, foam tape.

Jar of Strawberry Preserves:

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Label from Seasonal Remedies (to be released 10/15), holly and berries from Festive Foliage, A Gift for You from Compliments of the Season.

Accessories: cropadile, ScorTape, twine - PTI, wrinkled seam tape - Prairie Bird Boutique Etsy Shop, jar of Strawberry Preserves.

Swimming for Katie Renz

2011-10-10T00:01:00.016-04:00

"From October 10th -12th some of the best stampers are joining together to support and encourage our friend and fellow stamper, Katie Renz, who is currently battling inoperable gastric cancer. If you're not familiar with her, Katie’s cancer story started just before Christmas last year. This young, beautiful, healthy, vibrant mother of 3 with her infectious smile was suddenly diagnosed with an inoperable cancer, virtually overnight. A few tummy aches and then stage 4 gastric cancer. Her first post about it is here. The idea of “Swimming for Katie” came from her recent post here.

The exclusive digi image used in my sample, designed by Becky Oehlers, is available as a clear stamp, as well as a digi or a digi and SVG cut file. 100% of the profits go to Katie's fund to help her and her young family.

In addition to the Keep Swimming Octopus, Marianne Walker and True =D Doodle Designs both also donated digis that are for sale.

Direct donations are also being accepted. Information central is HERE. This is a permanent page that will stay active at i {heart} papers with current information and the full 3 day blog hop listing, as well as the donation button.

Here are all the items available for sale.

I hope you will join me in supporting Katie through a purchase or donation. The following is a list of everyone who has projects posted today. I hope you will be inspired by them and moved to purchase or donate.

If you would like to send Katie a card, her mailing address is:
Katie Renz
PO Box 5913
Bellingham, WA 98227-5913

Please also keep Katie and her family in your prayers.... Thank you!

AJ Otto

Beate

Carolyn Mustopa

Dawn Burnworth

Deb Felts

Gretchen Belknap

Heather Jensen

Jen del Muro

Julie Ranae

Kate - i {heart} papers

Kendra Wietstock

Lisa Johnson

Loretta Lock

Lori Tecler

Lynn Mercurio

Marianne Walker

Michele Gross

Stacy aka Twinshappy

Tracy Schultz

Debbie Olson

Cindy Lawrence

Cindy Haffner

Julie Koerber

Christine Okken

Tammy Hershberger

Danielle Kennedy

Barbara Anders

Makiko Jones

Ashley N Newell

Shannan Teubner

Taylor Usry

Jen Tapler

Jenn Balcer

Jenny Chesnick

Jess Larsen

Jessica Knutsen

Jimmi Mayo

Joan Bardee

Joan Ervin

Julia Aston Me!

Julie Day

Julie Ebersole

Paper: white, Dark Chocolate, Lavender Moon, Text Style Happy Spots - PTI

Ink: Ranger Distress Tumbled Glass

Accessories: ScorTape, foam tape, glue dots, Acetate Bullion Fringe - Joann's, vintage button - PTI, wrinkled seam tape - Prairie Bird Boutique Etsy Shop, tiny twinkles - Taylored Expressions, circle and lacey circle Nestabilities, Copics - RV11, RV21, RV32, R20, YR23

Waltzingmouse Saturday Sketch - Roses of Sympathy

2011-10-08T03:00:00.019-04:00

Can it be Saturday again already?? AND a long weekend here in the US with Columbus Day on Monday??!! I have so much stamping to do for various deadlines - but I HAVE to take some time to go off and do something with DH Kent - everything in moderation - right?!

So I have a card for the Waltzingmouse Sketch to share with you today - here is Claire's sketch:

It's a great one isn't it??!

And here is a sympathy card I created using the sketch. Purple seems to be a good card for sympathy - not too bright and cheery and not too somber - don't you think?

I used one of the text background stamps from Text it on the purple panel. The lovely roses and leaves are from Roses in Bloom - and the sentiment is from Frame It. I popped up the roses panel with foam tape so the leaves are under the panel. Everything is stamped with Imperial Purple ink accept for the sentiment which is black.

How about joining us in the sketch challenge this week - you could win a WMS stamp set of choice! Check it all out on the Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge Blog.

And don't forget - the WMS Design team will be starting Previews of the October Release on Wed October 12th so I hope you'll stop by to see what wonderful Christmas designs Claire has created for us!!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Text It, Roses in Bloom, Frame It.

Paper: White, Ripe Avocado, Plum Pudding - PTI

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Imperial Purple

Accessories: Foam tape, yellow Stickles.

Bat Poop!

2011-10-05T21:30:00.001-04:00

Hi stamping friends! How's your week going so far??? I've been very busy at work as our manager left and so we are all hustling to get the work done until they hire a replacement - I'm so glad to get home, relax and stamp!

This month our Claire is sponsoring Jen Del Muro's October Sketch for You to Try so I just had to join in! and of course I had to use Waltzingmouse Stamps! Check it out - it's a really fun sketch!

In case you cannot read the poem - it says " I hear that you've been playing tricks, so listen, here's the scoop - I'm running short on candy treats, and this year it's Bat Poop!

This poem is free at the Waltzingmouse Store so go grab yourself one and get cracking on your Halloween treats and cards!

The bat stamp is from the Cicely at Halloween set and my papers are from a fun Ghosts & Goblins Mat Stack by Die Cuts With a View (DCWV) that I picked up at Joann's the other day. I used three different papers from the stack on my card.

I printed the poem on card stock, cut it out and stamped the bat on the bottom. Then I sponged the edges with both Dried Marigold and Mustard Seed Ranger Distress Inks. I layered the image to a slightly larger black panel and adhered it to the card with foam tape. Then I just added some rhinestones for some sparkle!

Thanks for stopping by today - and just so you know - Claire has decided to do a release this month of some wonderful Christmas/Winter stamp sets - the DT will be starting our previews on October 12th and the release will be October 15th so I hope you will come by.

AND - something very special is happening for three days in blog land Oct 10th - 12th. I'll be participating on the 10th so please stop by then too!!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - free digital poem, bat from Cicely at Halloween set.

Paper: True Black, Orange Zest, White - PTI, DP Ghosts & Goblins Matstack - DCWV

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Distress Dried Marigold & Mustard Seed

Accessories: Rhinestones - Kaiser, Foam Tape