Colour Q #117 Sun Dial

I hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas and that Santa was good to you.  Maybe he left some new scrappy toys for you to play with?  If you are like me that would be nearly impossible unless you made the old guy a list of your own!  Sometimes even I  forget what I have and wind up buying doubles on things!!  My best gift this year - besides meeting my blogging buddies - was the set of shelves my husband put up on two walls of my craft room.  I am finally getting organized!  The Spellbinders are in CD cases, the cling stamps are in DVD cases, Twine is in glass sugar jars and best of all NO MORE SEARCHING!!!!The shelves are really great because I can change the sizes later.  It seems like my favorite craft items change every few years and now the storage space can change with me. 

Today I'm playing along with Colour Q's weekly challenge.  This week we have Black, White and any one color to play with.  For this one I went with green!!  It's so cold here that I'm dreaming about my garden and looking forward to Spring.  I've got a long way to go - Winter just started!!!  If you'd like to play along you can get all the details here:  http://colourq.blogspot.com/2011/12/colourq-challenge-117.html

Keep warm and thanks for stopping by for a peek!

Jeanne

Shabby Tea Room #93 - Kraft-y Christmas

I don't know how I'm doing it, but somehow I have time for another challenge this week.  I just found The Shabby Tea Room courtesy of Miss Chupa - a.k.a. this week's Guest Designer, Iwona Palamountain - Random Acts of Creativity! so I thought I would give it a try!   I couldn't resist the fab color combination and those bright shiny string of stars.  Here's what I came up with...

I distressed the edges of the newsprint by inking it up with silver acrylic paint - I wish you could see better how it sparkles.  The tiny stars are strung through silver cord and finished off with some ebeads. I hope you like it and that you are having a great week!  If you'd like to play along, you can get all the details here:  http://theshabbytearoom.blogspot.com/2011/12/week-93-kraft-y-christmas.html

Jeanne

Supplies Used:  Finished size 6" x 6"

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse:  Santa's COming to Town, 2011 Holiday Ornaments

Paper:  Echo Park For the Record:  Stamp of Approval & Newsprint / Gingham:  K& Co

Border Punch:  Fiskars

Embossing Folder:  Cuttlebug Snow Dots

Seam Binding:  Hug Snug Havanna Brown, Bright Red

Ink:  Momento Lady Bug, London Fog

Acrylic Paint: Ranger Adirondack Metallic Acrylic Paint Dabber Silver

Dies:  Cheery Lynn Nautical Wheeler Doily

Spellbinders:  Standard Circles, Classic Scalloped Circles, Stars 5

CASE Study #70 - Fuchsia Butterfly Flourish

I'm trying to get some crafty time in before the big day this week - I know there will be lots of last minute running around with the kids both out of school. Today my mom and sister came over and we all decorated gingerbread houses. We all had a great time decorating and sampling the goodies to go on the houses. We had so much fun we decided to make it an annual tradition!! I bought all different size house kits so our village doesn't look like a cookie cutter sub division! Note to self - next year buy ALL pre-assembled houses!

Today I'm playing along with the Case Study challenge this week.  Actually this one is running two weeks - so you have extra time to play along.  Our muse/designer of the month is Amy Sheffer!  Her gorgeous card is to the left.   

I generally like a lot of color so I added some bright fuchsia pink to this one.  I double cut the butterfly and just couldn't resist adding some antenna.  I picked up the bling in Amy's example and used it to dress up my butterfly.  I stamped all my images with Archival Ink to get a clean dark imprint.  I hope you like it and thank you for taking a peek!

Supplies Used:    Finished Size 6" x 4.5"

Stamps:  Butterfly  Stampin'Up!  Background Kimberly Poloson Flourishes by Fiskars

Dies:  Spellbinders Circles

Embossing Folder:  Cuttlebug Swiss Dots

Border Punch:  Martha Stewart Quilted

Ink:  Ranger Archival Ink

WMSC #78 Santa Dangling Star Tag

 Hi!  I hope everybody is having a good weekend!  I'm on my own today so I thought I'd try to get in some crafty time.  I know this week is going to fly by!  The kids are home from school and lots of last minute running around to do.   I am playing along with the WMSC this week.  I saw the star image and thought it would make a great tag for some gifts.  My daughter teaches religious education to a group of kindergartners and packed some goodies in purple and red patterned Chinese take out boxes as a small gift for them.  She asked me to come up with a nice tag to put on the packages that would appeal to the kids so of course I went with good ol' St. Nick.  And boy I hope they've been good for her or I'm never going to be a grandma! 

This one was another trixie to photograph!  The paper is dark and it's got nothing to stand on!!  I just gathered up some beaded garland and stood it up in one of the loops.  To make this tag  I enlarged the image and hand cut it out of purple swirl paper.  I adhered that to some gold foil and cut it out again to give me a little bigger surface to work on.  I added a glittery St. Nick and I linked some die cut stars together with twine and let them hang freely to the side of the image.  I hope you like it and that you are finding time to play along this week.  All the details are just a click away!  http://waltzingmousesketchchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/12/challenge-78december-17-2011.html

Supplies Used:

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse Gingham & Co. Santa's Coming to Town, Candy Jar Christmas, Faux Fun Circles

Paper:  Purple Swirl Recollections - Gold Foil AC Specialty

Dies:  Spellbinders Standard Circles, Stars Five

Ink:  Momento Ladybug Red, Grape Jelly, Lulu Lavender

Twinery Twine Lilac

Martha Stewart Coarse Glitter

OWH Valentine's Last Call - Love You Teddy Bear

It's been a while since I've done a card for Operation Write Home so I popped over to their blog to see what they are in need of to send our service men and women.  What better time to get involved than the holidays?  My heart goes out to all our military people and their families who will be separated from their loved ones this Christmas.  If you'd like to get involved you can find all the details here.

 http://www.owhstarsandstamps.org/2011/12/valentines-last-call.html.  This week OWH is having a last call for Valentine cards.  

OWH has a few restrictions for the cards they allow - they try to keep the size down and limit embellishing with glitter.  If you know me - I can't resist blinging it up!   I can't tell you how much I wanted to glitter up that heart in the teddy bear's paw!  To get some of that extra detail I love I embossed the hearts behind Teddy and added some twine on top of my seam binding ribbon.  I stamped the wire heart background alternating in light and dark pink and colored teddy with Copics.  The background of the "love you" sentiment is the ivy heart stamp in light pink ink.

Please leave me a comment if you like this card.  As always, if I get a good response I will make 15 more to send to OWH.

Supplies Used:  Finished Size 5.5 x 4.25"

Stamps:  Serendipity Stamps:  Bear with Heart 1088E, Wire Heart 756D, Love You Lg 622D, Ivy Heart 182E

Dies:  Spellbinders Classic Scallop Heart. Classic Heart, Ribbon Tag Trio 3

Markers:  Copic

Embossing Folder:  Paper Studio (Hobby Lobby) Intricate Swirl

Ink:  Momento:  Angel Pink, Rosebud, Tuxedo Black   Ranger/Tim Holtz Distress Spun Sugar - 

Seam Binding:  Hug Snug Lipstick Red

Twine:  Twinery Marachino

Hero Arts December Sketch Challenge - Make Your Own - Vintage Dress Pattern

Today I'm playing along in the Hero Arts December Sketch Challenge.   When I saw this vintage dress pattern stamp I immediately thought of my mom.  I have lots of memories of her sewing clothes while I busied myself flipping through her Simplicity patterns and looking at those lovely drawings. So (or should I say sew?) I made this one for my mom.  I know she will like the bright colors, that vintage stamp and of course that twine button bow. 

 If you'd like to play along you can get all the details here:  http://heroarts.com/blogs/club/december-2011-contest-details/.

Thanks for stopping by!
Jeanne

Supplies Used:  Finished Size 5" x 7"

Stamp:  Hero Arts Make Your Own

Dies:  Spellbinders:  Labels 4, Labels 4 Small

Patterned Paper:  October Afternoon 5 & Dime

Markers:  Copic

Twinery Twine Denim

Border:  EK Success Zig Zag

Card Patterns Sketch #145 - 12-10-11 Geraniums

Hi everybody!  Hope you are off to a great week.  I have some excellent news to share!  I am officially on the design team for Serendipity Stamps!  If you are not familiar with their stamps, let me tell you they are just GORGEOUS!  Although they offer a large variety of stamps, I just adore the flower designs.  They are natural, realistic renderings that almost have me smelling the flowers while I am working on the coloring!  Another neat thing about Serendipity stamps is that you can order them mounted on wood, cling foam, or not mounted at all. The choice is yours!

For my design today I am working  with the large geranium stamp.  I colored it with Copics and cut out only a portion of the design with my Spellbinders circle die.  For the background I embossed a diamond pattern with a Sizzix Texturz embossing plate (these are great for larger pieces of paper) and distressed it with a little sanding.   

If you'd like to play along, you can get all the details here:  http://cardpatterns.blogspot.com/2011/12/sketch-145.html

Supplies Used:  Finished Size is 5" x 7"
Stamps:  Serendipity Stamps Large Geranium #112J, Thanks Small #613B
Die Cuts:   Spellbinders:  Lace Circles, Circles
Patterened Paper:  Crate Paper Portrait Collection Pearls, Something Blue
Markers:   Copic
Embossing:  Sizzix Texturz Diamonds
Seam Binding:  Hug Snug:  Lipstick Red
Twinery Twine Maraschino
Ink:  Momento:  Tuxedo Black

Case Study #69 12-8-11 - God's Handwriting

Today I'm playing along with Case Study's Challenge #69. The sample design is by this week's guest designer/muse Amy Sheffer. Amy has presented us with gorgeous layered creation for inspiration. I didn't want to just case this one so I made a few changes to make it mine but overall the design is true to the recipe.

I used lots of color for my card layering simple craft paper with deep red cardstock.  I used an inexpensive bird stamp from Studio G and paired it up with a sentiment from a Stampin' Up! Set.  Instead of using ribbon I used twine - I felt it tied in with the bird image and craft paper better.  I double stamped the bird, colored it in Copics and layered it with adhesive foam.  Of course I had to get in a little bling so I added the pearls in the corners, little beads on the twine, and some colored pearls for the berries on the branch.  I hope you like it and that you're finding time to play along!

Supplies Used:  Finished Size 4.25x 6.5"

Stamps:  Bird:  Studio G  Sentiment:  Stampin' Up!

Die Cuts:  Spellbinders:  fancy Tags, Spellbinders for Just Rite, Labels 18

Ink:  Momento Rich Cocoa, Ranger/Tim Holtz Antique Linen

Embossing Folder Cuttlebug Kassie's Brocade

Markers:  Copic

Patterned Paper:  My Minds Eye Lost & Found Collection Union Square "Perfect" Damask Print Paper

Waltzingmouse Tag Challenge - Nutcracker Tag

 Hello!  I hope everyone is having a good week.  I'm still making tags.  Feels like lately I'm the tag lady - maybe if I make it sound more glamorous...  the tag goddess??  Queen of Tags?    Oh well as long as I'm having fun right?  I have loved this nutcracker from Waltzingmouse from the first time I saw it!   Seems only natural that I would bring it out for the big event!  Did you hear?  Waltzingmouse Stamps is having a tag challenge.  One random winner will be selected to receive 4 stamps of their choice!  This is the tag I decided to post.  Hope you like it and find time to play along!  Here's the link:  http://waltzingmouse.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-tag-challenge.html 

Supplies Used:
Stamps:  Waltzingmouse Nutcracker Sweet, Vintage Circles Small, Seasons of Love Tags
Dies:  Spellbinders:  Petite Scalloped Circles, Standard Circles, Stars 5, Teardrop Circles, Ironwork Accents
Ink:  Momento:  Grape Jelly, Rhubarb Stalk, Tim Holtz/Ranger Distress Antique Linen
Markers:  Copic R17, R27, Y19, E00, E02, V06, V01
Seam Binding:  Hug Snug Bright Red, Lavender

Waltzingmouse Rainbow of Ornament Tags

Happy Tuesday!  Since I've been kicking around tag designs for the Waltzingmouse Stamps Tag Challenge I though I would share with you a really simple one I came up with.  I took the large ornament stamp from the Vintage Ornaments set and stamped them in a whole rainbow of Momento ink colors.  I used a lighter shade ink to stamp the center, and then stamped the sentiment in black.  I strung some matching twine through an eyelet at the top and added a pretty loop bow and that's it - your done!

I'm new at glitter and have been experimenting with different ways to apply it where I want it.  The liquid glues make your paper buckle.  I've been using a simple inexpensive glue stick (courtesy of kids school stash) to apply adhesive where I want it.  It goes on thinly and my paper stays flat.   I made about 50 of these tags and they look great in every color.  With the twine already attached they will be a cinch to add on to all things holiday - presents, baked goods,  even my little Norfolk pine I picked up at the grocery store!!  I think "You're My Star" sentiment will be perfect on gifts for my special friends who seem to always be looking out for me.

These were a little tricky to photograph.  I wound up covering a book with white drawing paper and standing it up.  I taped the strings to the top of the covered book binding so the tags would stay put and lay properly.

I hope you like them.  Don't forget - Waltzingmouse Stamps is hosting a big tag contest with BIG prizes - 4 sets of stamps of your choice to one random winner.  You can get all the details here..  http://waltzingmouse.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-tag-challenge.html
Stay tuned.....    I plan to post my Waltzingmouse tag entry tomorrow!  Have a great day!

Supplies Used:
Stamps:  Waltzingmouse Vintage Ornaments , Seasons of Love
Ink:  Momento Summer Sky with Bahama Blue, Tangelo with Cantaloupe, Cottage Ivy with Pear Tart, Rosebud with Angel Pink, Grape Jelly with Lulu Lavender
Lilac Posies with Lulu Lavender, Rhubarb Stalk with Angel Pink  All distressed with Ranger/Tim Holtz Distress Antique Linen
Glitter:  Martha Stewart Coarse Glitter Crystal
Twine:  My Minds Eye Lime Twist Happy Day Fuschia, Everyday Orange (SPECIAL THANKS TO CATHY WEBER!!)  Twinery Caribbean, Peapod, Lilac, and Maraschino, Blossom

WMSC #76 - 12-3-11 Round Purple Ornament Tag

Hi!  I hope everyone is having a good weekend.  My hubby is working,  and the kids are bogged down with homework so I'm left to entertain myself!  I thought I'd get my week off to a good start with a little Waltzingmouse!  The sketch this week is a tag - which is kind of coincidence since Claire is hosting a tag contest this month with big prizes.  Needless to say tags have been on my mind - who couldn't use a free set of Waltzingmouse stamps?

I love all the bright colors of the holiday season, and all the sparkle and shine that makes everything so magical.  There is no limit to the colors you can use at Christmas time.  I think they all work.    I really love the combination of gold and purple - they are so rich and elegant.  I started off  my ornament by embossing the patterened egg stamp from WMS Nestie Eggs set with Zing! Metallic Purple. I topped that off with eggplant pearl paper layered with gold foil paper that I embossed.  I added a bow with a Bazill Bling! Gem button that I cut the back off and a few tags for the holly leaves in the sketch.  I mean what's better than two little tags?  Three right?  The "For You" sentiment comes from the WMS Nutcracker Sweet set.
As I mentioned, I made a few tags that I will be showing in the next few days.  I had a real dilemma deciding what tag to enter in the WMS tag contest.  Quick and simple or over the top fancy and elegant?!  I still have to decide.  The contest is one entry per person.  If you check back in the next few days you'll get to see both.  

To play along with this weeks sketch challenge click here:    http://waltzingmousesketchchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/12/challenge-76december-3-2011.html

And if you are interested in Claire's tag contest you can click here:
http://waltzingmouse.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-tag-challenge.html
One random winner will receive 4 stamps sets of their choice!

Supplies Used:
Stamps:  Waltzingmouse:  Nutcracker Sweet, Nestie Eggs
Dies:  Spellbinders:  Labels 20, Standard Circles, Ironwork Accents
Embossing Powder:  Zing! Metallic Purple
Embossing Folder:  Sizzix Starry Night #2 from Sugar & Starry Night Set Basic Grey
Border Punch:  Fiskars
Ink:  Momento Grape Jelly, Tim Holtz/Ranger Antique Linen

Stampin' Royalty #100 - Snowman Tag

Hi!  Can you believe it's Thursday already?  This week is going FAST!  So much to do for the holidays.  It seems like you just finish with Thanksgiving and it's time to start digging out the Christmas things!   I'm having a good day getting things done and had a little time so I thought I'd play along with the Stampin' Royalty Challenge.  This week it's "Anything but a card!"  So I made this cute snowman tag.  I think a fancy tag really brightens up any gift.  This one is so sweet maybe it could double as a tree ornament!

I found the snowflake gem in the dollar bins at Joann and have been making good use of them.  For this design I took a plastic button that looked almost like glass and glued the snowflake gem to it.  I couldn't resist a few jingle bells and a dusting of glitter for some added shine.  This one was a pleasure to make - gotta tell you - the hardest part was taking the photo!!  The ribbon is so top heavy that this little guy kept wanting to roll away!!  Maybe you're making something other than a card this week.  If so, you might want to drop by Stampin' Royalty and enter the challenge.  All the details are here:  http://stampinroyalty.blogspot.com/2011/11/stampin-royalty-challenge-100.html.

Supplies Used:
Stamps:  Just Rite Happy Everything Tag Making Kit, Old Fashioned Christmas Set
Polka Dot Stamp - Studio G
Dies:  Spellbinders:  Picot Edge Circles, Standard Circles
Markers:  Copic  B00, B24, B32, YR09, YR04, R24, R27, R29, W0, W1, E000
Glitter:  Martha Stewart Crystal Fine Glitter
Ink:  Momento Summer Sky, Paris Dusk, Tuxedo Black