Happy Anniversary

I realized I needed some anniversary cards for my stash of cards that I sell to friends at work - so today I made a CAS one.

I used a super fun stick figure set from Lil' Inker Designs called It's Today, Right?  I stamped the couple on a white square, colored in just the flower and hem of the dress with Copics and layered it to a Tropical Teal square set on an angle.  The Happy Anniversary is a Hero Arts wooden stamp.  Inside I stamped "to the best couple ever" from the same Lil' Inker Set.

My sketch is the latest Cas(e) this Sketch.

Also linking to Addicted to CAS

I can't believe the weekend has passed and I'm back to work already!  Days off go by so quickly don't they?!!

Stamps:   It's Today, Right? - Lil Inker Designs, Happy Anniversary - Hero Arts
Paper:  White, Tropical Teal - PTI
Ink:  Archival Jet Black
Accessories:  Copics - BG18, Y17, foam dots.

Glitter Tree

I haven't been keeping up with my plan to make a few Christmas cards every month so today I made one to add to the box!

 I used Tim Holtz Tree Blueprint Framelits - a set that comes with stamps and dies.  I purchased it on sale at the end of last year - and today is the first time I pulled it out to use it!

 I brushed Glitter Glaze from MFT over the whole tree to add a little sparkle to this otherwise fairly dark card.  I sponged a white panel with Ranger Distress Iced Spruce Ink as a background for my tree.  The sentiment strip is layered over the tree with pop dots.

I'm linking my card to a couple of challenges today:

Merry Monday #151 -  Use a tree

Darnell's NBUS challenge (my 2nd entry!)

It has actually been snowing here ALL day today (AGAIN!)   it's not accumulating where we live but they say some ares could get 2-3" -   this winter just will NOT let go of us!!

Stamps:  Tim Holtz/Sizzix Tree Blueprint Framelits
Paper:  White - PTI, Coredinations/Tim Holtz
Ink:  Archival Jet Black, Ranger Distress Iced Spruce
Accessories:  Glitter Glaze - MFT, foam dots.

Fusion - March 26th

Well -  we're 6 days into Spring and although we have been having sun here in MA - we still have lots of snow on the ground and cold temps!   There's one spot at the side door of my church that is protected and gets the warm sun and the daffodils and hyacinths planted there are just poking their green tips out of the ground so I do have hope!!!

It's also time for the next Fusion Challenge -  and it's a bright and sunny one!

A friend at church asked me to make a First Easter card for a new granddaughter so I figured I could get two assignments done with one card by using the Fusion Challenge for inspiration.  I'm not that big on using cupcakes on my cards for some reason (?!) but I was going to go with bright yellow for Spring and Easter -  but when I went looking for papers to use, the ones I decided on didn't have much yellow on them -  so my card became pretty much just the sketch!

The egg and bunny stamp are from A Good Egg and the Easter is from Spring Baskets (it's a partial stamping of a stamp that says Easter Blessings)both by Waltzingmouse.  The Happy First is a another partial stamping (the stamp says Happy First Birthday) from the Bitty Baby Blessings set from PTI.  The egg and flower dies are from A Good Egg die set by Waltzingmouse and the big oval is from Tim Holtz Alterations - Sized Ovals/Large.  The sentiment strip is from MFT (LOVE these dies!).  Everything is popped up on foam dots. The striped paper is from a paper pad from PTI called Watercolor Wonder - it has 9 wonderful patterns in it (4 - 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" sheets of each pattern) - you could make a card with just these papers and a sentiment stamp!

So how will you be inspired by this week's Fusion Challenge -  will you choose the yellow and/or cupcakes?  the sketch?  or will you do a Fusion and combine the two??  

You'll find all the details of the challenge and the link to link up your creation over at the Fusion Challenge Blog.

And check out all the super inspiration from the DT!

Amy Tsuruta - taking a break this week

Betty J
Jeanne Jachna
Julia Aston - you are here
Katie Brooks
Kelly Griglione
Kimberly Wiener

Lyndal Higgins

Lynn Mangan

Michelle Williams

Michelle Lupton

Stephanie Severin

Stamps:  A Good Egg, Spring Baskets - Waltzingmouse, Bitty Baby Blessings - PTI, Snap Stamps small alphabet - Karen Fisher (no longer available)
Paper:  White, Aqua Mist, Harvest Gold, DP - Watercolor Wonder, Text Style Bitty Dot Basics - PTI.
Ink:  Melon Berry - PTI, Tea Rose - Wendy Vecchi Archival, Archival Jet Black, Memento Tuxedo Black.
Accessories:  Enamel Dots - Michaels, Lace - SU, Foam dots, Dies - A Good Egg - Waltzingmouse; Sentiment Strips - MFT, Sized Ovals/Large - Tim Holtz Alterations.

Sending Sincere Thanks in Style

A friend at work has a daughter who is running a marathon for charity - and so my friend wanted to purchase some Thank You cards from me.  So I've been busy making several different designs for her.  Here is one of them.

I used a stamp and die set from PTI called Boutique Borders: Thank You. and Boutique Borders Thanks Die  - The stamp set is just $5 and the die is $4! I love when there are dies to coordinate with the stamp sets - it makes card designing so easy -  and a card always looks better with something popped up on it don't you think?  I simply added 2 black rhinestones to it.

 

I'm linking my card to the following challenges:

 

Darnell's NBUS challenge #4  -

I purchased the stamp set and die several months ago - and this is the first time I've inked it up!

 

CAS-ology  cue card - Style  

 

 It's always in good style to send a thank you and I think this flourish frame gives the design style!

 

I'll be back tomorrow with the newest Fusion Challenge -  hope you can drop by!

Stamps:  Boutique Borders: Thank You Stamp Set - PTI
Paper:  White, Textstyle - Green Boutique - PTI
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Wendy Vecchi Arcival Leaf Green
Accessories:  Boutique Borders: Thank You set die, foam dots, black rhinestones - Kaiser Craft.

Packages for Christmas

Wow - I can't believe it's been a week since I last posted -  I've been working on Design Team projects that will be posted later as well as making lots of Easter Cards for a sale at my church so I've been stamping - just not posting!  So tonight I just had to work on something for some challenges I wanted to do!  I haven't started making as many Christmas cards as I did last year by this time - so I'm glad to get another one done -  it's SO nice to have them all done by the fall!

This is a one layer card (accept that it's layered over a black panel) -  and it's ALL stenciling - no stamping.  The stencils are all by Wendy Vecchi - Check Mate, SISI Floral Frame, Dots and Stripes, SISI Holiday Icons, SISI For the Holidays.  All the inks are Wendy Vecchi Archival colors plus Archival Jet Black.  I made my gold enamel dots from Perla Beads. See my tutorial here.

I'm linking my card to the following challenges:

House of Cards - Use Enamel Dots

Merry Monday Christmas Card Challenge - Feature Gifts on your card

Wendy Vecchi  Make Art Challenge - Use Stencils

I hope you all have a lovely weekend!  We're still having snow (just a dusting hopefully) even though today is the first day of spring!

Paper:  white, true black - PTI

Ink:  Wendy Vecchi Archival Red Geranium, Leaf Green, Dandelion, Cornflower Blue, Archival Jet Black.

Accessories:  Wendy Vecchi Stencils - Check Mate, SISI Floral Frame, Dots and Stripes, SISI Holiday Icons, SISI For the Holidays, home made enamel dots, Scotch Quick Dry Adhesive.

Tim Holtz 12 tags of 2015 - March

I finally had some time to try my hand at Tim's March 2015 tag!  This is Tim's tag

and you'll find all the details of how he made his here.

I ended up making two tags since I had enough Distress Paint on my mat to color two tags -  similar to each other with a few differences - I used different stencils and different colors of Embossing Powders on them

I started both of my tags by  placing some strips of Tissue Tape on them and then swiping them through puddles of Cracked Pistachio and Spun Sugar Distress Paints that were spritzed with water. After the paints dried,  I used the large bird nest stamp from the Bird Feather stamp set (instead of Tim's butterfly), stamping it in Archival Jet Black Ink and clear embossing it.

 On this first one, I used Tim's Dot Fade stencil with White Embossing paste, covering it with Gold Embossing powder.

 I added a Philosophy tag, an enameled tag with Remnant Rubs/Words and a Word Band with Linen Ribbon laced through it.  On this tag I also added a Wishbone to go along with the 'make a wish' sentiment (love these little bones!)

 On my second tag I used white embossing paste with the Latticework Stencil sprinkling it with Copper Embossing powder - letting it dry and then heating it, per Tim's instructions.

 I added additional Remnant Rubs/Words to this tag at the top and bottom.  I rubbed Cracked Pistacio Distress Paint on both the Enameled Tags and Word bands, sanding most it off of the Word band once it dried.  I attached the Word Band to the tag with ScorTape.

 Have you made your Tim's Tag for March yet?  You have until the end of the month.  Check it all out at Tim's blog here.

And a reminder that there's still time to link up to the Mixed Media Card Challenge - theme Spring - optional element BIRD (at least I got the bird NEST on my tags!)

It's been raining here all day today (a good day to be inside stamping!) - the piles and piles of snow are slowing melting away!  MAYBE by Easter it will be gone - I can only hope!

Stamps:  Bird Feather - Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous
Paper:  Manilla tag - Ranger,  True Black - PTI
Ink:  Archival Jet Black, Ranger Distress Vintage Photo
Accessories:  Ranger Distress Acrylic Paints - Cracked Pistacio and Spun Sugar, Stencils - Dot Fade and Latticework - Ranger, Glue N Seal - Ranger, Embossing Powders - God and copper - Ranger, Idea-Ology - Philosophy Tags, Word Bands, Remnant Rubs/Words, Enameled Tags, WishBones, Linen Ribbon, Long Fasteners;  Wrinkled Seam Tape - Prairie Bird Boutique Etsy Shop, Clear Embossing powder.

Fusion Challenge - March 12

 Welcome to this fortnight's Fusion Challenge!  I just love the beautiful colors on these flowers and also the thought that all the snow we still have here in MA will, in fact, some day give way to blooms such as these!!

So although I started out thinking I would use these lovely colors - my card took it's own direction, as sometime happens, and I ended up using the sketch instead - with a nod to the photo using purple and blue on my coneflower! 

My card is all Wendy Vecchi today.  I used her Archival inks -Orange Blossom, Cornflower Blue, Watering Can, Hydrangea and Fern Green, along with Archival Jet Black.  I stenciled with her Check Mate, Vintage Quilt and Basically Bricks stencils along with two of her SISI stamp/stencil sets Cone Flower and For the Holidays. I masked the right edge before stenciling the bricks and I drew the lines at the edges of the stencils with a black Fude Ball pen.

I also stamped over the coneflower with Wendy's Spatter stamp in Brilliance Moonlight white ink and I stamped over the bow with the lovely lacey stamp from the Say it With Art set.  The sentiment is from Wendy's Passion for Art set.  The flower and bow are popped up on foam dots.

Please check out the inspiration from the rest of the Design Team:
Amy Tsuruta (taking a break this week) - Betty J - Deepti

Jeanne Jachna - Julia Aston (me) - Katie Brooks

Kelly Griglione - Kimberly Wiener -  Lyndall Higgins - Lynn Mangan

Michelle Folland - Michelle Lupton - Stephanie Severin

and add YOUR fusion card to the Fusion Challenge

I'm linking my card to these other challenges as well:

Wendy Vecchi March Make ART challenge - to use stencils.

Crazy 4 Challenges - Put a Bow on It!

Stamps:  Wendy Vecchi Studio 490/Stampendous - Spatter Background, Say it With Art, A Passion for Art.
Paper:  White, Smokey Shadow - PTI
Ink:  Archival Jet Black,  Wendy Vecchi Archival Orange Blossom, Cornflower Blue, Watering Can, Hydrangea, Fern Green, Brilliance Moonlight White.
Accessories:  Wendy Vecchi Stencils Check Mate, Vintage Quilt, Basically Bricks,  SISI Stamps/Stencils - For the Holidays, Coneflower, foam dots, Fude Ball Black Pen

A Bow on a Baby Jar

This past weekend I attended a baby shower for my friend's son and daughter-in-law who are expecting a baby boy in April.  Instead of giving a card - we were asked to bring a book that we wrote our name in so they could read it to their son and always know who gave it to him.  It was really hard for me, a card maker, not to give them a hand made card!!   SO - I made a sweet little baby food jar to put a Target Gift card in.

I used Eileen Hull's Baby Jar die from Sizzix cutting it out of Little Sizzles Matboard.  I embossed the handle of the spoon and the jar lid with Frantage Aged Silver Embossing powder and Frantage Shabby Blue on the bowl of the spoon.  I die cut two extra pieces from the matboard of just the jar tops, embossing them in the silver and layering them over the jar base.

.

I wrapped pieces of cream and light blue wrinkled seam tape around the front of the jar tying them in a loose bow.   I stamped a sentiment from the new Tim Holtz Handwritten Sentiment Set, cutting it out around the letters and sponging the edges with Ranger Distress Tea Dye Ink. 

And how cute is this onesie shaped gift card from Target??!!! I slipped that inside the jar.

I didn't take a photo of how I presented this gift -  but I placed it inside a clear flat bottom bag and attached this tag to it.  I made the tag a while ago for a Papertrey Ink and Tag It challenge - you can see that post here - I love these Sweet Cheeks stamp and coordinating die sets - SO great for baby projects!  The die is Tag Sale #8.

I'm linking my baby jar to Crazy 4 Challenges - Put a Bow on It.

and to Virginia's View - all things embossed

Baby Jar
Stamps:  Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous - Handwritten Sentiments
Paper:  Rustic Cream - PTI, DP - My Minds Eye/Cowboy, Itsy Bitsy Baby Boy/K & Co, Little Sizzles 6"x13" Cream Matboard.
Ink:  Archival Jet Black, Ranger Distress Tea Dye, Versamark
Accessories:  Eileen Hull Food Jar 3D and Spoon - Sizzix, Aged Silver and Shabby Blue Frantage Embossing Powders - Stampendous, Scotch Quick Dry Adhesive, ScorTape.

Loads of Love Tag:

Stamps:  Sweet Cheeks - PTI

Paper:  White, DP Bitty Star Basics - PTI

Ink:  Hawaiian Shores - PTI, Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories:  Tag Sale #8 Die and Sweet Cheeks dies - PTI, foam dots, Glossy Accents, Caribbean Blend Sequins - Avery Elle, Ocean Twine - The Twinery.

A Vintage Journey #27 Anything Tim

A Vintage Journey is celebrating it's 1 year birthday this month - and Hostess Brenda has chosen 'Anything Tim' for her challenge to us!  I knew I wanted to make a birthday card to celebrate the occasion. 

I had a piece of grungeboard that I had previously die cut using the Postage Stamp Frame sitting on my work table - and decided to start with that for my card design.  I figured that Tim would have some help for me in how to color the grungeboard - and sure enough I found it on page 39 of his Compendium of Curiosities Vol 1.  You basically just sponge it with the desired colors - going over it until the desired depth of color is achieved - given that the grunge board will tend to soak up the color.  I used Cracked Pistachio and Salty Ocean Distress Inks, sponging the edges with Walnut Stain.

 I wanted my card to be bright and spring-like (I am desperately looking forward to spring after the snowy, snowy winter we have had here in MA this year!)  so I thought butterflies would be a good choice to adorn my card with!   I die cut some text patterned paper with the Butterfly Frenzy die and pushed them into various Distress Inks to color them - Worn Lipstick, Mustard Seed, Salty Ocean and Wild Honey.  Then I sponged them all lightly with Tea Dye Distress Ink.

 I stamped the architectural stamp from Classics #16 and the Happy Birthday from Handwritten Sentiments using Archival Jet Black ink onto the grungeboard.  Then I stenciled the Latticework  along the right side using  Walnut Stain Distress Ink, being careful not to go over the sentiment.

 I adhered the butterflies to the grunge board using Scotch Quick Dry Adhesive just along the center bodies, bending up the wings while holding down the glued center with tweezers for a minute until the glue dried. I layered the grungeboard to a piece of Coredinations/Ranger paper using Scor Tape.  I had sponged the edges of  the Coredinations with Tea Dye Distress Ink and used my Ranger Distresser on the edges.

 I added a few Chit Chat Stickers that I had rubbed in Tea Dye Distress Ink.  I added the Quick Dry glue to the stickers as well to be sure they would stick to the grungeboard. 

  I love how 'active' this card feels with the cluster of butterflies with their wings up as if in flight!

We hope you will join us in celebrating the 1st Birthday of A Vintage Journey with your creation of 'Anything Tim' -  there are several lovely prizes to be won  -  and with our second year - Brenda has some fun changes all described over at A Vintage Journey!

I'm also linking my card to the Paper Players Challenge - Theme - Think Spring

Stamps:  Classics #16, Handwritten Sentiments - Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous
Paper:  Grunge Board - Ranger, Coredinations/Ranger, DP - My Minds Eye/Cowboy
Ink:  Ranger Distress - Cracked Pistacio, Salty Ocean, Wild Honey, Worn Lipstick, Mustard Seed, Walnut Stain, Tea Dye; Archival Jet Black.
Accessories:  Butterfly Frenzie Die and Postage Stamp Frame - Alterations/Tim Holtz/Sizzix, Scor Tape, Idea-ology Chit Chat Stickers, Scotch Quick Dry Adhesive, Distresser - Ranger.

Waltzingmouse Feb Release - Day 4 Blog Hop

Welcome to the final day of the February Waltzingmouse Release - the Design Team is celebrating with a blog hop.  If you arrived here from Lynn's blog you are in the right place.   All of the new release stamps and dies are available for purchase at the WMS shop.

Today the Design Team could pick any of the new release stamps or dies to highlight.  Here is a card I made using one of the lovely stamps and a sentiment from Special Lady.  I love the beautiful detail on this ornate stamp - so I just stamped it 6 times randomly across a white panel using Archival Orange Blossom and Corn Flower Blue inks!    I layered it over a Canyon Clay panel and then to the white card base.  I stamped one of the sentiments from this lovely set along the bottom - so this becomes a Thank You card!  To finish it off I added blue and orange Rhinestones.

And for my second card - I used the Halftone Backgrounds with a sentiment from Kaboom.  A CAS one layer design.

Now with these hearts - this could be a Valentine - but I made it into an anniversary card by using blue and a sentiment from an older set - Sweethearts along with the hearts from Halftone Backgrounds.

I hope you have enjoyed our 4 days of Waltzingmouse goodness and that you have been inspired by our offerings!  I greatly appreciate all of your comments left here!

Now it's time to hop over to Sandie's blog (the last stop on the hop) to see what she has to inspire us today!   And don't forget to Pin it to Win It -  details on the Waltzingmouse Blog.

So Sweet of You
Stamps:  Special Lady - Waltzingmouse
Paper:  White, Canyon Clay - PTI
Ink:  Wendy Vecchi Archival Orange Blossom and Corn Flower Blue, Archival Jet Black
Accessories:  Rhinestones - Kaiser

Waltzingmouse February Release - Day 3

Welcome to day 3 of the Waltzingmouse February Release!  Today the Design Team is creating with the new Halftone Backgrounds  set and the Easter Die.  All of the new stamps and dies are available now at the WMS shop.

For my first creation I used the Halftone Backgrounds Stamp Set -  this set will coordinate well with yesterdays Kaboom set - both having the cluster of dots design.  I used a monochromatic color scheme, stamping 4 of the stamps in this set randomly over the panel.   The sentiment is from Kaboom -  the dotted frame that I hand cut out is from an older set Fancy Phrases.

On the inside I stamped the arrow stamp from Halftone Backgrounds and a sentiment from another older set - Putting on the Ritz.

I'm linking this card to the Seize the Birthday Challenge -  Masculine.

Along with the lovely new Easter die I used several older Waltzingmouse products on my Easter card.  I used one of the Stitched Tag dies, the egg and chick are stamps from A Good Egg, the blessing sentiment from Say it Loud, and the Art Deco Background stamp

You can see the Art Deco background on the yellow panel a little better in this close up photo.  I stamped it using Mustard Seed Distress ink on Lemon Tart card stock.  I also sponged the edges of the panel with the Mustard Seed.

Please check out the rest of the Design Team's posts for more inspiration using the Halftone set and Easter die!

Anya Schrier
Becca Feeken
Jeanne Jachna
Julia Aston - Me!
Laurie Schmidlin
Lynn Mercurio
Sandie Dunne
Tosha Leyendekker
Claire Brennan - Owner/Designer

Tomorrow we will be having the Design Team Blog Hop.  

All the details of how you can Pin It and Win It  are here on the Waltzingmouse Blog.

You're the One
Stamps:  Halftone Backgrounds, Kaboom,  and on the inside of the card - Fancy Phrases, Putting on the Ritz - Waltzingmouse
Paper:  White, True Black PTI
Ink:  Wendy Vecchi Archival Tea Rose, Archival Jet Black
Accessories:  Winter Blend Sequins - Avery Elle, foam dots, Glossy Accents.

Easter Blessings
Stamps:  A Good Egg, Say It Loud, Art Deco Backgrounds - Waltzingmouse
Paper:  White, Lemon Tart, Canyon Clay - PTI
Ink:  Ranger Distress Mustard Seed and Wild Honey, Archival Jet Black
Accessories:  Easter Die and Stitched Tag Dies - Waltzingmouse, Lemonade Sequins - Avery Elle, glue pen, foam dots, wrinkled seam tape - Prairie Bird Boutique Etsy Shop.

Waltzingmouse February Release - Day 2

To see my March Mixed Media Card Challenge post, please scroll down or click here.

Welcome to the second day of the Waltzingmouse February Release -  just a reminder that all of the new stamps and dies from this release are already available at the Waltzingmouse Shop! 

Today the Design Team is highlighting the Kaboom Stamp set and coordinating Kaboom Die.

First I have a card using the Kaboom Stamp set.  This would be a great congratulations card for someone passing an exam, graduating, getting a new job etc.  
In other words -  it's not just for kids cards!

This set looks like it popped out of a Super Hero Comic book doesn't it??!!  How fun are all the dots making up the stars and clustered at the bottom of the letters.  I stamped the sentiment frame and then hand cut it out so I could layer it over the base panel with foam dots.  I also added a few sequins around the card.

If you visit me often - you know that I love to use photos of my grandnephews and nieces on my cards - and these Kaboom stamps and die inspired me to use a recent photo of 4 1/2 year old Landon that his mum took of him.  Landon had had his face painted and is holding some kind of ray gun!  I'll be giving this to Landon for his 5th birthday in early September (if I can wait that long!)

The Kaboom die cuts so you can layer the letters in a different color over the first cut.

I'm linking my Kaboom birthday card to Seize the Birthday Challenge - toppings/Masculine

Please check out the rest of the Design Team for more inspiration using Kaboom!

Anya Schrier
Becca Feeken
Jeanne Jachna
Julia Aston - Me!
Laurie Schmidlin
Lynn Mercurio
Sandie Dunne
Tosha Leyendekker
Claire Brennan - Owner/Designer

I invite you to stop by again tomorrow when I will be creating with the new stamp set Halftone and the Easter die.  See how you can win some WMS stamps here at the Waltzingmouse Blog

You Nailed It

Stamps:  Kaboom - Waltzingmouse

Paper:  White, Pure Poppy - PTI

Ink:  Ranger Distress Mowed Lawn, Wild Honey, Fired Brick, Archival Jet Black

Accessories:  Lucky Blend Sequins - Avery Elle, Glossy Accents, form dots

Kaboom

Stamps:  Kaboom - Waltzingmouse

Paper:  White, True Black, Tropical Teal - PTI

Ink:  Archival Jet Black, Ranger Distress Peacock Feathers

Accessories:  Kaboom Die - Waltzingmouse, form tape, glue pen, Arrow die - MFT