Thursday, February 28, 2013

WMS DT Blog Waltz - A Few of Our Favorite Things

While we wait patiently for Claire's March Waltzingmouse Stamps Release (March 8th with sneak peeks starting here on March 5th!)  the Design Team decided to have a DT Blog Waltz using our favorite WMS stamps.

I own every single WMS stamp set - having been a fan of Claire's right from the beginning - so it's very difficult for me to say which is my particular favorite.  SO.......... today I decided to use several background sets on my egg projects since I love to make backgrounds and I love to make holiday cards/crafts!
For all of the eggs, accept for the text one - I clear embossed the stampings on white card stock - then sponged the color on while the egg was still in the Nested Egg Die.  I have a few pics of the process.
For the back of each egg card -  I cut another egg, scored a line across about 3/4"down from the top of the egg, added some Scor Tape and adhered it to the colored egg.

Here is the back attached to the front.
This pic shows how I cut off a bit at the bottom so the egg card will stand up!
I got my inspiration from these eggs I saw on Pinterest
 Here are the eggs I made with this technique with the stamps that I used listed with each pic.
Peacock Feather Egg  - Stamps: Victorian Fripperie
Festive Berries Egg - Stamps: Heirloom Patterns and Off Beat Backgrounds
Milled Lavender Egg - Stamps: Nestie Eggs
Ripe Persimmon Egg - Stamps: Nestie Eggs
Seedless Preserves Egg - Stamps: Flourishes - Scallops and Dots
And finally my pretty text eggs that were inspired by these eggs and hearts I found on Pinterest
For these eggs -  I stamped one of the text stamps from Text It directly on Vintage Cream cardstock, die cut the egg and sponged the edges with Antique Linen before taking the egg out of the die.  Then I just added the lace and the ribbon flower.  SO easy and SO pretty - don't you think???
And now - off to see what sets the rest of the Design Team has used today.  Their links are listed below and I hope you will check them all out.

You may notice our Design Team is about a third larger -  most of the Mischief Maker DT (from the sketch challenges) have now joined us - and we are SO excited to have them!!  Please give them a warm welcome when you stop by their blogs!  They are the red names below.

AND I hope you'll stop back on Tuesday, March 5th when the DT sneak peeks of the March 8th release will begin!

Peacock Feather Egg:
Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - Victorian Fripperie
Paper:  white - PTI
Ink:  Ranger Distress Peacock Feather
Accessories: wrinkled seam tape - Prairie Bird Boutique Etsy Shop, Scor Tape, Nested Eggs Nestabilities
Festive Berries Egg:
Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - Heirloom Patterns, Off Beat Backgrounds
Paper:  white PTI
Ink:  Ranger Distress Festive Berries
Accessories: Scor Tape, Nested Eggs Nestabilities
Milled Lavender Egg:
Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - Nestie Eggs
Paper:  White - PTI
Ink:  Ranger Distressed Milled Lavender 
Accessories: Scor Tape, Nested Eggs Nestabilities, silver pearls - Michaels
Ripe Persimmon Egg
Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - Nestie Eggs
Paper:  White - PTI
Ink:  Ranger Distress Ripe Persimmon
Accessories: Scor Tape, Nested Eggs Nestabilities, wrinkled seam tape - Prairie Bird Boutique Etsy Shop
Seedless Preserves Egg
Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - Flouishes - Scallops and Dots
Paper:  White - PTI
Ink:  Ranger Distress Seedless Preserves
Accessories:  Scor Tape, Nested Eggs Nestabilities, rhinestones - Kaiser Craft
Text Eggs
Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - Text It
Paper:  Vintage Cream - PTI
Ink:  Versamark Onyx Black, Ranger Distress Antique Linen
Accessories: Scor Tape, Nested Eggs Nestabilities, lace - Ellen Hutson, ribbon flower - Michaels
  

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Feeling Better in Red

I made this card for my good friend and stamping buddy, Anne Harmon, who is having surgery on her thumb this week.  She'll be out of stamping commission for a few months while it heals.  She had the other thumb done maybe 6 months or so ago - so she already knows how painful it is in the beginning. (yuck!)

Anne LOVES red -  so I just had to use as much red as possible on my FEEL BETTER card I'll be sending to her.

I used several circle Nestabilities to make this card - the back of the card is cut with a scallop circle die (I cut across the bottom area so it will stand up and not lean forward since the front circle is smaller than the back!)  I used two circle dies for the red and a heart circle die in Brushed Silver for the front.  To attach the front to the back - I scored a line across the top of the front and adhered it to the back piece using Scor Tape.

My cute little nurse cat is Nurse Sprinkle from the Cat's Pajamas (this may be retired - I couldn't find it on the site).  My sentiment is from Say It Loud from Waltzingmouse.  Inside (not shown) I stamped "I hope each day finds you feeling more and more like your wonderful self" - from Healing Touch Sentiments from PTI.  I used two red Tiny Twinkles for Nurse Sprinkles eyes!

I'm also entering this card in the following challenges:

CASology Cue card - Circle
Less is More - paper piercing
Cas-ual Fridays - Hi Ho Silver (my heart circle is cut from brushed silver cardstock)
CAS on Sunday - making the rounds.

I hope you'll come by again on Thursday - I'll be participating in a Waltzingmouse DT Blog Waltz featuring our favorite stamp sets!  I think you'll be inspired!

Stamps:  Nurse Sprinkle from The Cats Pajamas, feel better soon from Say It Loud - Waltzingmouse.
Paper:  pure poppy, white - PTI, brushed silver- SU
Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black
Accessories:  scallop circle, heart circle and circle Nestabilities, foam tape, piercing tool and pad, tiny twinkles - Taylored Expressions.

Monday, February 25, 2013

Merry Christmas from my Stash

I'm participating in several monthly Christmas Card Challenges this year so I'll have plenty of cards to send out in December and even some extras to sell at our church fair in October and later on - our Christmas sale.

I made these particular cards for the March Christmas Card Challenge over on Split Coast  - the challenge was to use' found items' in your stash.

My found items were a print out of this card by Antje that I had printed in 2010 when she posted it on her blog - as well as a box of the red felt reindeer that I had purchased at Border Books several years ago. I now remember I printed a copy of Antje's card because I knew I had the same reindeer and I loved how she had used them on her card!

Fast forward to 2013 and I'm finally making the cards! I made 6 of them since I had 6 red reindeer (I also have pink, green and blue ones but those will be for another day!)

I changed it from Antje's card a bit by stamping all of the snowflakes in red (she used white on the smaller ones) and I made my banner white instead of kraft. I also added a rhinestone to the center of the big snowflake and left off a button she put on the reindeer.

I die cut a scallop square Nestie - then die cut a circle out of the center to make my frame.  I stamped all the snow flakes directly on the card - framing the large one in the center.  The sentiment is stamped on a die cut banner using Nested lacey Pennants. 

The stamps are from two different Waltzingmouse Sets - the snowflakes are from Sewing Box Christmas and the sentiment is from Nordic Winter.

Just a reminder that I have a couple of Waltzingmouse posts coming up -  this Thursday all of the WMS DT will be participating in a Blog Waltz using some of our favorite WMS sets.

AND next week on March 5th we will start showing sneak peeks of the 3 wonderful new WMS sets Claire will be releasing on March 8th!!

Hope you will stop by!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - snowflakes from Sewing Box Christmas, Merry Christmas from Nordic Winter
Paper: Kraft, white - PTI
Ink: Ranger Distress Festive Berries
Accessories: corner rounder - Zutter, rhinestones - Kaiser, foam tape, square scallops and circle Nestabilities, banner from Nested lacey Pennants - Spellbinders, Scotch Quick Dry Adhesive, felt reindeer - purchased at Borders Books - says Paper Chase on the box.

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Creations by AR New Template Release - Goody Basket

Hi everyone!  I'm happy to welcome you to Adela's 2nd February Template Release.  Today the Design Team is using the sweet Goody Basket Template to inspire you!   And we're having a blog hop so you might win this template for yourself.  See how at the end of my post!  The basket measures 3.25"w x 2.25"d x 4.25"h.

I used the template to make two very different style baskets - first a fun one that would be great for a fanciful birthday party!
I used an old Sizzix Bare Tree die for my owl to sit on. (I don't think they make this tree die anymore -  but Tim Holtz has a great one that would work just as well)  I cut the trunk off of it and just adhered the branches to the basket handle.  The sentiment is from Wise Owl by PTI
The cute little owl is a punch from SU
Back view - the woodgrain card stock is from Amuse
Side view
For my second basket - I went formal - using brushed silver and gold card stock from SU, and lace and netting from my stash.  (the netting was wrapped around some flowers given to me at some time in the past - I knew I'd need it someday!)  My sentiment on this is for an engagement favor - but  with different stamps it could easily be used for a wedding shower, wedding, or special anniversary! 

The sentiment is from Waltzingmouse.  I die cut it with Spellbinders Fancy Tags 2

I just knotted the netting through the handle and let it flow on each side.  Back view - you can see how nicely the liner piece of the template finishes off the inside of the box -  Adela thinks of everything!
Side view kind of obscured by the netting!
So - in review -  2 creations using Adela's new Goody Basket Template - one elegant
 and one fanciful!
I hope you have been inspired by my creations for this sweet little Goody Basket Template - All of Adela's templates come in PDF, SVG and DXF formats.  This lovely template is available in the shop here.

You can win a PRIZE!!: The Goody Basket Template

HOW TO WIN:

Leave a comment at each of the DT's blogs linked below.

Comments also welcome at the Creations by AR Facebook Page , Creations by AR Paper Craft Planet Group 
Comments accepted until 12:00 noon (EST) on Sunday, Feb. 24.

Adela Rossol:

Jak Heath
Julia Aston (me!):
Lisa Somerville:

Lyn Bernatovich:
Patti J. Gilliam:
Sue Kment:
Sue Morris:

THE WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED  MONDAY (2/25) AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS:

Creations by AR website:
Adela's Blog:
AR Group on PCP:
AR FB Page:

Owl Basket
Stamps:  Have a hoot - from Wise Owl - PTI, 
Paper: Vintage Cream, pure poppy - PTI, browns - Bazzill, woodgrain - Amuse, polka dots - dark chocolate Pattern Pack - PTI
Ink:  Archival Coffee
Accessories:  glue pen, scor tape, Extra Large 2 step Owl punch - SU, bare tree die - Sizzix, tiny twinkles - Taylored Expressions, foam tape, Silhouette Cameo.  Goody Basket Template -Creations by AR

Engagement Basket
Stamps: On your engagement from Big Day Additions - Waltzingmouse
Paper:  white - PTI, Brushed Silver and Brushed Gold - SU
Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black
Accessories:  foam tape, Scor Tape, lace and netting from stash, Fancy Tags 2 - Spellbinders, heart rhinestones and gold pearls - Michaels, Silhouette Cameo.  Goody Basket Template - Creations by AR

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Flying By With a Happy Birthday



I'm was excited to see my good stamping friend, Mary Marsh, as the Featured Stamper over on Split Coast this week!

I always loved Mary's ...miss you Phoenix Daisy card that she made after returning from a trip out west to visit her granddaughter - so that's the card  I cased.

I made my card 4 1/4" x 4 1/4" (my favorite size!), and used a piece of a map from a National Geographic showing the state I live in (MA). I found a ton of National Geographics when I had to clean out my parents attic - I recycled the magazines but removed and kept all the wonderful maps - I knew I'd want them someday!  My plane and banner stamps and dies are from PTI and I used Copics to color the plane just a bit. I used a piece of peppermint twine to link the banner to the plane and popped them up on foam tape over the map.

I'm also using this for the Less is More challenge - Up in the Air.

Stamps: Fly Away - PTI
Paper: white, true black, aqua mist - PTI, piece of a map from a National Georgraphic
Ink: Ranger distress Festive Berries, Versafine Onyx Black
Accessories: peppermint twine - Divine Twine/the Cat's Pajamas, pland and banner die - Fly Away PTI, Copics - R08, BG10, foam tape

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

St. Pat's Top Hat Treat Box

Hi friends!   Well - Valentine's is behind us now as we march onward to the next holiday - St. Patrick's Day!  Once again - some friends and I have a sale at our church for this holiday - so I'm always looking for fun new St. Pat's items.

And I found just such a fun item over in Adela's template shop - Creations by AR!
 I just love these wonderful top hats -  slightly larger at the top than at the brim - sort of like the Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland aren't they??!!!     I actually combined two of Adela's templates on my project -  the Hat's Off Template (which is actually on sale right now for $3.00!) and the newly released It's Bow Easy Template. (this template is also just $3.00)    All of Adela's templates come in 3 formats - PDF (to print and cut out), SVG and PDF (for machines like the Silhouette Cameo)
 The top of the hat lifts off to reveal  a roomy little area to hide some treats!
I used a dark forest green and a bow of brushed gold card stock on this hat although the bow looks kind of 'blah gray' in the pic - IRL it's a little more shimmery and vibrant!
This hat is made with an olive green and Summer Sunrise card stock for the bow.

Here are 3 more color versions - with the Happy St. Patrick's Day sentiment I tucked into the hat band!

I''ve made 6 of these for our sale - and I'll put some sort of 'green' treat inside -   I think people are going to go crazy for these - I know I did!!

I'll be back on Thursday with the rest of the Design Team to show a cute new spring time template from Creations by AR - hope you'll stop by then!

Stamps:  Celtic Heritage - Waltzingmouse
 Paper:  Green's  - Prismatics, brushed gold - SU, Summer Sunrise, True Black - PTI,
Accessories:  Scor Tape, Scotch Quick Dry Adhesive, Silhouette Cameo, Hat's Off and It's Bow Easy Templates - Creations by AR, modern label punch.

Monday, February 18, 2013

Clover for St. Patrick's Day

Today I have a St. Patrick's Day card -  some stamping friends and I are having a sale at our church on March 10th so I needed to make some cards for the sale.  I used the sketch from CAS(E) this sketch - and it made a great card!
The banner was made using a Spellbinders Nested Pennant - I used a Prismatic paper that has a nice little texture to it.  The clover was cut with Lucky Leaves die by Memory Box - and the sentiment is an unknown clear stamp.  Easy peasy and oh so wonderfully green for St. Pat's!

Here's what I stamped on the inside - both the blessing and sprig of clover are from Irish Blessings. The perfect set for all your St. Patrick's Day needs!

Stamps:  Irish Blessings - Waltzingmouse
Paper:  Simply Chartreuse (card base) - PTI,  shamrock & banner greens - Prismatics.
Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black
Accessories:  Nested Pennants - Spellbinders, Lucky Leaves Die - Memory Box, foam tape.

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Feb Friends of WMS Blog Party - A Parisian Doily


Today I'm participating in the Friends of Waltzingmouse Blog Party that happens the 17th of every month.  The theme is announced on the first of every month over on Claire's WMS blog.  This month the theme is doilies.
I used this intricately patterned half doily from the Dainty Doilies 2 - Small set for my background, stamping it on a soft print patterned paper.   I layered the Eiffel Tower from Paris Nouveau over it - popping it up off center on foam tape. To finish it off, I stamped the Merci directly on the paper and sponged the edges with Ranger Distress Dried Marigold.  As I sponged the corners, I let them curl up a bit to give a little distressed look.

Are you joining in this month's blog party?  If you didn't know about it ahead of time, you still have time to create a card - check all the details and link up your card on the WMS blog here.

Let's go see all the creative ways everyone used doilies!

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - Dainty Doilies 2 - Small and Paris Nouveau
Paper:  Vintage Cream, True Black, Patterned paper - My Minds Eye/Miss Caroline
Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black, Ranger Distress Dried Marigold
Accessories:  foam tape.

Friday, February 15, 2013

Red Hearts for Christmas

Hello blogging friends!  I finally have a card to post on the old blog!  I've been having fun making things to post - but they'll be coming here on Sunday and next Thursday!

This card is for two challenges -  CASology Cue Card -  Red  and the WMS  February Christmas card challenge in the Playroom of the Waltzingmouse forum  is to use hearts.  This design was so CAS that I quickly made 5 of them for my box of Christmas Cards!

The stamps are from Nordic Winter by Waltzingmouse.
I know it's kind of weird making Christmas cards EVERY month - but it is really helpful when December rolls around and you don't have to make them then!  Check out the Playroom in the WMS forum and join along!  You can read about it on the WMS blog

I'll be back on Sunday with my card for the WMS Feb Blog Party - the theme this month is doilies.  Are you playing along this month?   check out all the details here.

AND -  I'll have a really fun post on Thursday using a brand new template from Creations by AR - something really cute for spring!

I may even have some fun posts in between!   Be sure to check back!!
We had 2 feet of snow last weekend (this is a picture through my front door - which I couldn't open because the snow was blocking it!-  and we're supposed to get 3" tonight and maybe again on Sunday!  Winter has finally arrived in New England!

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - Nordic Winter
Paper:  white, pure poppy - PTI
Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black, Ranger Distress Festive Berries

Monday, February 11, 2013

You're Still the One

I made this card for two CAS challenges this week:

Cas-ual Friday - Love Song
Less is More - 1 layer music theme

So I had this cute little kitty stamp who's reading a piece of sheet music - and I stamped 'You're still the one'  in the empty space at the top of the sheet.

In case you are too young to know this song -  here are the words.  Orleans is a group that started in 1972 - you can read about them here.  You can HEAR the song  here.

 Not my favorite song in the whole world - but it does remind me of my college dormitory years!

STILL THE ONE (Orleans)
 
We've been together since way back when
Sometimes I never want to see you again
But I want you to know, after all these years
You're still the one I want whisperin' in my ear
You're still the one I want to talk to in bed
Still the one that turns my head
We're still having fun, and you're still the one

I looked at your face every day
But I never saw it 'til I went away
When winter came, I just wanted to go
Deep in the desert, I longed for the snow

You're still the one that makes me laugh
Still the one that's my better half
We're still having fun, and you're still the one

You're still the one that makes me strong
Still the one I want to take along
We're still having fun, and you're still the one

Changing, our love is going gold
Even though we grow old, it grows new
You're still the one that I love to touch
Still the one and I can't get enough
We're still having fun, and you're still the one

You're still the one who can scratch my itch
Still the one and I wouldn't switch
We're still having fun, and you're still the one

You are still the one that makes me shout
Still the one that I dream about
We're still having fun, and you're still the one...

Stamps:  Jazzy Cat - Stampabilities, You're still the one sentiment from Feeling groovy Set - Verve
Paper:  Rustic Cream PTI
Ink:  Versafine Archival Vintage Sepia and Onyx black

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Creations by AR - New Templates! Lolli-Pot and It's Bow Easy!

I have two fun new templates to share today -  Adela over at Creations by AR has just released a clever little Lolli-Pot - a flowerpot shaped box that hides the top of a lollipop or cake pop in it's base - and also a sweet little bow template, perfect to adorn boxes and cards!  All of Adela's templates come in PDF, SVG and DXF formats.  PDF you print and cut yourself, SVG and DXF work on cutting machines.

First the fun Lolli-Pot box -  I made mine for St. Patrick's Day using two colors of green card stock (Adela includes patterns for a heart, a star, a shamrock and a flower!) - you'll find a list of all my supplies at the bottom of the post.
The shamrock 'flower' slips right off the lollipop stick so you can get the lollipop out easily!  How clever is that?! Stamp from Waltzingmouse, coin and rhinestones from Michaels.  Grass die from MFT.
Now, decorating boxes and bags is one of my favorite things to do since I'm always making things to sell at craft sales at my church -  so I really went crazy with Adela's beautiful new "It's Bow Easy' template -  and it IS super easy!  I love how she has the option of the tail pieces that will wrap around the container.
I decorated a metal bird cage from Michaels.
 The little tag is a Spellbinder's nested bird. Stamp from Waltzingmouse
Then I decorated a gable box from PTI - stamp and die from Waltzingmouse. Wrinkled seam tape from Prairie Bird Boutique.,
Taking a masculine turn -  I decorated this Sinamay bag from Pouch Mart
 Stamp from A Jillian Vance Design - Arrow from MFT
And I had to stop myself after making one more masculine design - using a little brown bag from Michaels - the man die from MFT and sentiment from Verve. The bag is 3 1/4" x 4 1/4" by 1 1/2".
And just adding a a cute polka dot kraft bag  from Impress Rubber Stamps that I decorated with a card stock bow. (I posted this on Thursday in case you missed it!) The perfect, simple but impressive wrapping for a large home made cookie!  The bag is 5" x 7.5" The sentiment is from Papertrey Ink.
Ok, I'm finally done! Sorry to keep you SO long!   Hope I have inspired you!

Please click on the links to these other Design Team members blogs to see how creatively they have used the new templates!

Amy
Lisa
Lori
Jak
Lyn
Sue K
Me!

LINKS to the new templates in the shop:
Lolli-Pop:
It's Bow Easy:

St Pat's Day Lolli-Pot 
Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - Celtic Heritage
Paper:  White - PTI, greens - Prismatics, shiny silver foil paper -stash from gift packaging I received.
Ink:  Versafine onyx black
Accessories:  grass die - MFT, Scotch Quick Dry Adhesive, Tootsie Roll Pop, gold coins and rhinestones - Michaels, crop a dile, wrinkled seam tape - Prairie Bird Boutique Etsy Shop, Lolli-Pot template - Creations by AR.

It's Bow Easy:
Bird Cage
Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - Teeny Trees
Paper:  Hawaiian Shores - PTI, Basic Grey Urban Prairie Meadow
Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black
Accessories:  metal bird cage - Michaels, nested bird - Spellbinders, wrinkled seam tape - Prairie Bird Boutique Etsy Shop, bow template - Creations by AR
Gable Box
Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Compact Sentiments
Paper:  White - PTI, October Afternoon Thrift Shop/Collectors Item
Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black, Ranger Distress Broken China
Accessories:  Scor tape, gable box - PTI, wrinkled seam tape - Prairie Bird Boutique Etsy Shop, bow template - Creations by AR.
Sinamay bag
Stamps:  Live to Ride - A Jillian Vance Design
Paper:  Cosmo Cricket Mr. Campy Happy Camper
Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black
Accessories:  Sinamay bag - Pouch Mart, arrow die - MFT, Honey dew twine - The Twinery, bow template - Creations by AR
Brown bag
Stamps:  Verve - Feeling Groovy
Paper:  white, true black - PTI, Scenic Route - Cape Town
Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black
Accessories: man die - boy meets girl/.MFT, brown bag - Michaels, bow template - Creations by AR
Friend bag:
Stamps: In Bloom - Papertrey Ink
Paper: vintage cream - PTI, polka dot kraft bag - Impress Rubber Stamps
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
Accessories: scor tape, It's Bow Easy template - Creations by AR