Happy Birthday, Bird on a Window!

I just found a wonderful on-line stencil shop called Stencil Girl - and bought myself 7 beautiful new stencils!  So I was excited to fit one into the design of my card today!

This stencil is called Bird in Window -  the bird is sitting on a ledge of a lovely window with vines in the center which you can just see a portion of since I cut off a lot of it with my Tipped Tops Die.  I sponged Fern Green and Cornflower Blue Archival Inks on my stencil.  I stamped the sentiment from Simply Said Happy from Avery Elle (another new purchase!) on a Sentiment Strip from MFT.  I layered the die cut over my white card base and added 3 Caribbean Blend sequins form Avery Elle and called it done!

My card design was inspired by this week's Cas(e) this Sketch

I'm also joining in on the Card Concept Challenge -  my card is clean and simple, with the image to the left like the bloom on the bedspread.   I have a couple of layers - but most of it's white.

And a new challenge I just found:  PaperCrafting Challenge #17 - Sequins

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  One more day of vacation - than it's back to the grind!  But I can't really complain -  I had a week and a long weekend off of gorgeous summer weather - I'm ready to bring on the fall!

And here's a public service Announcement!  

Adela is having a template sale over at Creations by AR

Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2014 - August

Yikes -  I finally found time to work on my Tim Tag for August -  with just a couple of days to spare!  Here's Tim's Tag and his tutorial on how he made it.  This month he wanted us to create showcasing our own creative muse.

So although I was inspired by his techniques for the background of the tag -  I did use different colors, different stamps, different Idea-ology, and a different theme.  Here's my tag.

First, like Tim - I laid down two pieces of Tissue Tape - I used Commute.  Then I stamped my cool cats from Tim's new set Halftone Halloween over the tape.  When I was all done with my tag - the cats didn't show up too well being stamped over the Tissue Tape - so I stamped them again on card stock, but them out, sponged the edges with Walnut Stain Distress Ink and layered them over the stamped cats with foam dots - slightly lower so the stamping behind looks like a shadow.  I also used some stamps from Steampunk.  The spider is die cut from Alterations Candlelight Fright - that I covered with Clear Rock Candy Crackle Paint.  I tucked the spider web into the Tinsel Twine and Natural Trimmings I looped through the hole on the tag.

I used Tim's Halloween and Harlequin Stencils with Wendy Vecchi White Embossing Paste over my tag.  After the paste dried, I colored my tag with Spiced Marmelade, Wild Honey and Weathered Wood Distress Stains - rubbing the stains on my nonstick craft mat, spritzing my tag with water and dragging the tag through the stains.  I let the colors drip down and dried the tag with my heat tool.  To add the dots -  I stenciled over the tag using Tim's Dot Fade and Walnut Stain Distress Ink.

I added a Plaquette with the #31 for Halloween that I covered with Archival Dandelion Ink.  I put a Remnant rub/Apothacary spider on a Vial Label adding a Chit Chat Sticker over it and inking that with Dandelion Ink. To finish off my tag - I spread some Glossy Accents on the top right and bottom left corners and a little on the left edge - than poured Mustard Seed Distress Glitter over it, tapped it off and let it dry.

So -  I got my tag done!   just in time to find out what Tim has to inspire us for the September Tag!

A Vintage Journey Challenge 13 - ATC's with a Touch of Tim

The latest challenge over at A Vintage Journey is to make an ATC (or two or three!) using a touch of Tim - ie. Tim Holtz Products or inspiration.

I made three ATC's using Tim's Big Top Stamp Set and linked them all together with some Jute and Paper string.  Here are the ATC's from the front.  I mounted each card to a slightly larger black panel laying the strings between the two panels.

I first cut some Ranger Specialty Stamping Paper into the 2.5" x 3.5" size of an ATC.  I dabbed Picked Raspberry and Salty Ocean Distress Stains onto my nonstick craft mat, spritzed the colors with water, then dragged my ATC papers through the stains.  I dried them with my heat tool and pressed them into the colors again until I achieved the look I wanted and dried them again.  I sponged the edges with Ranger Distress Picked Raspberry ink.

 I added Chit Chat Stickers

 and sticky stars

 Here's what the set looks like from the back.

I added Industrious Stickers/Borders that I inked with Archival Cornflower blue ink and Remnant Rubs/Life Quotes.The shapes on the left and center panel are cut with Alterations Artful Dwellings die.

And here is my little ATC set folded up and tied together.  I knotted some round silver buttons from my button box onto the ends of the strings.

And once again -  my 3 ATC's

Here's the link to the A Vintage Journey Challenge - ATC's Tim Inspired

I'm also entering my ATC project in the Stamplorations Aug 2014 challenge - Stamps and die cuts.

Fusion Card Challenge - August 28th

Welcome all to a brand new Fusion Challenge - I think we are acknowledging that summer is winding down and we're looking ahead to the earth tones of fall with the inspiration photo!!

I was inspired mostly by the photo for this challenge - although I do have a sentiment strip in there!  The shelf unit in the photo made me think of my Poppy Stamps screen door die and I thought this paper from Paper Stash/Seasonal by Idea-ology worked to represent the letters (these are all portions of Thanksgiving words on the paper - Gobble, Turkey, Pumpkin, cranberry, thanks and family from top to bottom).  I rubbed some Frayed Burlap Distress Paint over the edges and then distressed the edge as well.

I die cut the door and then pounced Ranger Distress Paints over it - using Rusty Hinge, Seedless Preserves and Frayed Burlap - to give it that peeled paint look.  I added a brad for the door handle.  I adhered the door to the panel with strips of foam tape.

The screen door actually opens to reveal the complete sentiment that I stamped on a Sentiment Strip.  I added some Chocolate Sundae Sequins to draw your eye around the card and layered the panel to a piece of Scarlet Jewel paper and then to my Rustic Cream card base.

So now it's your turn!  Will you be inspired by the photo or the sketch - or maybe you will do a FUSION - combing both on your creation??  You'll find all the details and the link up here.

For more inspiration please check out the rest of the Design Team's Creations - linked below.

Betty J
Dannielle Robeson
Deepti
Jeanne Jachna
Julia Aston - me!
Katie Brooks
Kelly Griglione
Kimberly Wiener 

Lyndal Higgins

Lynn Mangan 

Michelle Folland

Michelle Lupton

Sindu
Stephanie Severin

Stamps:  Hero Arts

Paper:  Rustic Cream, Scarlet Jewel, Kraft - PTI,  DP Paper Stash/Seasonal - Idea-ology

Ink:  Archival Jet Black, Ranger Distress Gathered Twigs

Accessories:  Classic Screen Door - Poppy Stamps, foam dots, brad - Imaginesce, Sentiment Strip die - MFT, edge distresser - Ranger, Chocolate Sundae Sequins - My Craft Spot, Glue N Seal - Ranger, Ranger Distress Paints - Rusty Hinge, Seedless Preserves, Frayed Burlap.

Waltzingmouse August Release Day!

We have FINALLY arrived at the wonderful day of the August Waltzingmouse Release -  all of the new sets we have been highlighting for the past 3 days are now available in the WMS shop!

And as is tradition -  the Design Team is having a blog hop - and you can win a stamp set just by leaving a comment at each blog along the way!   You should start the hop at Claire's Waltzingmouse Blog - she also has the complete list of the Design Team if you lose your way.

I am the first stop along the hop this time!

What are your favorites?  Vintage Baby Shower, Little Darlings, Little Darlings Sentiments, Hello Happy Thanks, Tis the Season, Great Big Owl, Boo and Friends or Peek a Boo Sentiments - 

 I know - you can't just pick one right?!!

Here's one more peek at a few of the new sets being released.

A beautiful vintage umbrella and lovely sentiment from Vintage Baby Shower adorn this CAS baby gift thank you card.  I simply stamped on the panel and colored the umbrella with a Copic.  I sponged the edges of the panel, adhered it to the card base and added 3 sequins for a little sparkle. Can't get much simpler than this!

For my next card - I used a photo of my grandnephew, James, wearing his Jake the Pirate outfit from last Halloween (taking a little poetic license here using a pirate for a sailor!) The sentiment stamps are from Hello Happy Thanks - and I used the recently released dies from Ocean Bound Anchors and Ocean Bound Ships and coordinating Ocean Bound stamp set released last year.

I added some tiny star rhinestones to the sentiment, ships wheel and anchor for a little nautical sparkle! I cut around his hand and slipped the anchor in so it appears as if he is holding it. Doesn't it look like James is saying 'Arrrgh' in the photo?!!

My last offering today is a quick and easy home decor project.
I made a switch plate cover using one of the beautiful owls from the Great Big Owl set who just happens to have a space to cut out right where the on/off switch is located!

I stamped the owl on Kraft card stock and embossed him with brown embossing powder.   There's such wonderful detail on this owl!

Then I sponged the edges with Vintage Photo Distress Ink, rounded the corners and cut out the center with my x-acto knife.  I ran the piece through my Xyron 510 to laminate it so it's protected from fingerprints (!) cut the laminate out of the center part - and layered it onto the switch plate with Scor Tape. -  Fun huh??!
He looks so cute in our hallway!

Next on the hop is Sandie who I know has something wonderfully creative to share with you! 

Don't forget to leave a comment at each of the DT's blog -  you have until midnight on Aug 29th to leave your comments - and the winner will be announced on Claire's blog on Aug 30th - good luck!

Vintage Baby Thanks

Stamps:  Vintage Baby Shower - Waltzingmouse

Paper:  Vintage Cream - PTI

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Distress Antique Linen

Accessories:  Copic: RV23, Sequins - Neat N Tangled, Glue N Seal - Ranger.

Handsome Sailor 

Stamps:  Hello Happy Thanks, Ocean Bound - Waltzingmouse

Paper:  White, Pure Poppy, Enchanted Evening, Summer Sunrise - PTI

Ink:  Memento Nautical Blue and Potters Clay

Accessories:  Dies:  Mega Rectangle Nestabilities; Ocean Bound Anchors and Ocean Bound Ships - Waltzingmouse, Star gems - Amuse, photo, foam dots.

Owl Switchplate cover
Stamps:  Great Big Owl
Paper:  Kraft - PTI
Ink:  Versamark, Vintage Photo Ranger Distress
Accessories:  Brown Embossing Powder - Ranger, ScorTape, Xyron 510, Double Sided Laminate for Xyron, x-acto knife, Zutter Corner Rounder.

Waltzingmouse August Release - Sneak Peek - Day 3

Welcome friends to Day 3 of the Waltzingmouse August Release Sneak Peeks -  Tomorrow Claire will be releasing all 8 of the wonderful stamp sets we have been showing you for the past 3 days along with many new coordinating dies!  whoo hoo! 

For our last day of Sneak Peeks - we are showing you Great Big Owl, Boo and Friends and Peek a Boo Sentiments.  Dies will also available for these sets.

For my first card - I'm using one of the 2 gorgeous owls in the Great Big Owl set along with two circle designs (there are branch and leaf stamps and other little design stamps in this set) and one of the 9 sentiments.  I colored the owl with Copics and cut out the opening in his belly to frame the sentiment I stamped on the patterned paper behind him.

Inside I stamped another of the sentiments along with the crescent moon in the set.

Here's a close up of the wonderful detail on this owl stamp!

Next up I have a card featuring my grandniece, Mila.  She's 2 years old now - but this photo was from last Halloween when she was just 1 - what a dolly!!  (and she still is!)

I used a sentiment from Peek A Boo Sentiments for this card (this set has 15 sentiments in it!) - along with Claire's recently released Halloween Party witch die that goes with one of her very first Halloween sets - Halloween Party

Inside this card I stamped another sentiment from Peek-a-Boo Sentiments and a cute little ghostie from the Boo and Friends set.

And for my final sneak peek today - I stamped this cute little dracula ghost and cluster of stars from Boo and Friends along with another sentiment from Peek-A-Boo Sentiments.  I added a drippy punched edge along the bottom of the image panel.

I covered the dracula ghost and stars with Glitter Glaze to give them a lot of sparkle.  I cut out the ghost and layered him onto the panel with foam dots.

Inside another sentiment from Peek-A-Boo Sentiments with candy corn cluster from Boo and Friends.

So once again - you will find links to all of the participating Design Team over at the Waltzingmouse Blog - as well as below:
Anya Schrier
Jeanne Jachna
Jen Cuthbertson 
Julia Aston - Me!
Karin Åkesdotter
Kelly Schirmer
Laurie Schmidlin
Lynn Mercurio
Renee Lynch
Sandie Dunne
Tosha Leyendekker
Claire Brennan  - Owner and designer

Please check out all the inspiration offered!

I hope you have enjoyed my sneak peek creations - and that you have made up your 'wish list' so you'll be ready to order what you need right away tomorrow after the release at 2 pm EST!

Tomorrow we'll all be back with the Release Day Design Team Blog Hop where one lucky commenter will win a WMS stamp set of choice!! 

Boo to You
Stamps:  Great Big Owl - Waltzingmouse
Paper:  White, True Black, PTi, DP My Minds Eye/Cowboy
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Archival Jet Black, and Orange Blossom
Accessories:  Exacto Knife, foam dots, Copics: YR07, YR04, 1" circle punch - EK Success

Too Cute to Spook
Stamps:  Boo and Friends, Peek-A-Boo Sentiments - Waltzingmouse
Paper:  White, True Black - PTI, Certainly Celery - SU, DP My Minds Eye/Cowboy
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black and Pear Tart
Accessories:  Halloween Party Die - Waltzingmouse, photo, Arch Frame Die - Alterations/Tim Holtz, Large oval punch - SU, Lucky Blend Sequins - Avery Elle, Glue N Seal - Ranger, foam dots.

You're Spooktacular
Stamps:  Boo and Friends, Peek-A-Boo Sentiments - Waltzingmouse
Paper:  White, True Black - PTI, DP DCWV Ghosts and Goblins Mat Stack
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black and Gray Flannel, Archivel Dandelion.
Accessories:  Copics R59, Y17, 100, Glitter Glaze Sheer Sparkle, MFT, foam dots, Dripping punch - Martha Stewart

Waltzingmouse - August Sneak Peek - Day 2

Welcome to Day 2 of the Waltzingmouse August Release Sneak Peeks!

Today I have 3 cards featuring 3 more of the new Waltzingmouse sets coming out on August 27th -  Little Darlings, Little Darlings Sentiments and 'Tis the Season.

My first card features stamps from the Little Darlings set that contains 4 wonderfully vintage baby images and 3 coordinating vintage font sentiments. (This set compliments yesterday's Vintage Baby Shower) I also used two sentiments (Congratulations to You and Baby and A Baby Girl) from the 12 sentiment set -Little Darlings Sentiments.

I stamped two sentiments A Baby Girl from Little Darling Sentiments and Arriving Soon from the Little Darlings Set in light pink ink along the top and bottom edges of my card.

I stamped and hand cut the beautiful vintage baby carriage and layered it over a new die Claire is releasing on Thursday called Picot Panel - so pretty with the dotted lacey edge isn't it?!

As many of you know - I have 2 beautiful grandnieces (2yrs and 5 mos)  and 2 handsome grandnephews (4 yrs and 3 yrs) whose photos give me constant inspiration for my card designs!   So here is a sweet photo of Madelyn when she was less than a month old with a cute little yawn! 

I cut the tag with one of Claire's Stitched Tag dies and stamped this sweet sentiment from Little Darling Sentiments on it. I attahced it to the photo with a sparkle brad.

Inside I stamped another of the sentiments (a kind of 'tongue in cheek' one!) from the set on a panel of pink card stock.  "A hint for the new fangled parent - the first 40 years are the tricky bit".

And finally - the third set we're showing today - a lovely Christmas sentiment set called 'Tis the Season consisting of 4 large flourishy sentiments!   Here I've paired one of the sentiments with a die cut layered pine tree cut from some patterned paper and covered with Glitter Glaze (the tree is quite sparkly IRL!)  These lovely sentiments certainly take front and center attention!

So there's a list over on the Waltzingmouse Blog - with links to all of the Design Team that are participating in today's sneak peeks - as well as below:
Anya Schrier
Becca Feeken
Jeanne Jachna
Jen Cuthbertson 
Julia Aston - Me!
Karin Åkesdotter
Kelly Schirmer
Laurie Schmidlin
Renee Lynch
Sandie Dunne
Teresa Kline
Tosha Leyendekker
Claire Brennan  - Designer Owner

  I hope you'll check out all the inspiration from the team!

I'll be back tomorrow with a sneak peek at three more sets (hint - there'll be some Halloween fun in the mix!)  I hope you will stop by!

Congratulations to You and Baby
Stamps:  Little Darlings, Little Darling Sentiments - Waltzingmouse
Paper:  White, Sweet Blush - PTI
Ink:  Memento Angel Pink and Rosebud
Accessories:  Picot Border Die - Waltzingmouse, Sugar Blend Sequins - Avery Elle, Vintage Lace Die - Alterations - Tim Holtz, foam tape.

Hello Little Darling
Stamps:  Hello Little Darling Sentiments - Waltzingmouse
Paper:  White, Sweet Blush - PTI
Ink:  Memento Rosebud
Accessories:  Sugar Coated Brad - Doodlebug Designs, Stitched Tag - Waltzingmouse, foam dots, Vintage Lace die - Alterations/Tim Holtz.

A Very Merry Christmas
Stamps:  'Tis the Season - Waltzingmouse
Paper:  White, Rustic Cream - PTI, DP Paper Stash/Seasonal Ideology/Tim Holtz
Ink:  Ranger Distress Vintage Linen and Festive Berries.
Accessories:  Foam tape, home made enamel dots from Perler beads, Glue N Seal - Ranger, Glitter Glaze Sheer Sparkle - MFT, Snow Covered Stacker tree die - Dee's Distinctively.

Waltzingmouse - August Sneak Peek - Day 1

I'm excited to welcome you to the first day of the Waltzingmouse August Release Sneak Peeks!  Claire is releasing 8 exciting new sets this Wednesday Aug 27th! Today the Design Team is creating with stamps from two of the sets Vintage Baby Shower and Hello Happy Thanks.  All the sets will also have coordinating dies available for purchase.

The Vintage Baby Shower set is just that - a set of 4 wonderful vintage baby images with two beautifully fonted sentiments!  I colored the bonneted baby image with Copics layering it over some pretty patterned paper and die cuts with sponged edges.  I added 3 sparkly sequins for a little shine.

On this 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" card I used two sentiments from the new set Hello Happy Thanks - this versatile set has 3 large sentiments and 14 small sentiments - useful for so many occasions!  I also used the sweet little vintage baby shoe from the Vintage Baby Shower set on my card - a mix of modern and vintage!

You'll find links to all of the Design Team members highlighting these sets today over at the WMS blog as well as below:

Anya Schrier

Jeanne Jachna
Jen Cuthbertson 
Julia Aston - Me!
Karin Åkesdotter
Kelly Schirmer
Laurie Schmidlin
Lynn Mercurio
Renee Lynch
Sandie Dunne
Teresa Kline
Tosha Leyendekker
Claire Brennan  - Owner Designer

I'll be back tomorrow for Sneak Peak Day 2 -  hope you can drop by again!

Vintage Baby Shower card
Stamps:  Vintage Baby Shower - Waltzingmouse
Paper:  Vintage Cream - PTI, DP Cappella Paper Pad - Basic Grey
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Distress Antique Linen
Accessories:  Dies - Floral Doily Motifs, Circles, Mega Rectangles - Nestabilities, foam dots, Glue N Seal - Ranger, Copics: R20, E00, B00, Sequins -Neat N Tangled.

Baby Thanks
Stamps:  Hello Happy Thanks, Vintage Baby Shower - Waltzingmouse
Paper:  White, Enchanted Evening - PTI
Ink:  Memento Nautical Blue and Teal Zeal
Accessories:  Stitched Mat Rectangle die - Lil' Inker Designs, Small oval punch - SU, home made enamel dots made from Perler Beads, foam dots.