The 12 Kits of Christmas - January 2012

The 12 Kits of Christmas came about when Suzanne and Renee decided to be better prepared for sending Christmas cards the coming year.  To keep each other from straying from their commitment they decided to challenge each other with themes, supplies, and sketches. This idea bloomed into the 12 Kits of Christmas  (a play on the 12 Days of Christmas). 

Here's how it works:  There are 12 designers - each will play hostess for one month.   The hostess will put together 12 identical kits in their own unique style that will include paper, stamped images, die cuts, and embellishments.    The 12 designers of The 12 Kits of Christmas group are challenged to create a Christmas card using the ingredients supplied by the hostess of the month.  Creations will be revealed at 12:01am ET on the last day of each month.

Renee started the ball rolling for 2012 with a great package of goodies... die cuts from Cheery Lynn, Memory Box, and Papertrey Ink.  She also included velvet ribbons, seam binding, jingle bells, twine, buttons and stamped images from Waltzingmouse and Papertrey.  Paper is from October Afternoon Holiday Style.  The color scheme she selected  was classic red, white and green.  Here's a shot of the package of goodies...      How could you go wrong with this bundle of goodness???

I went with the silhouette image from PTI's In the Meadow and made a classic holiday scene.  All the items used have been supplied by Renee EXCEPT for the card backing, frame, silver tag, and the crochet lace.  If you are curious and would like to see what the other ladies came up with - feel free to blog hop along.  Maybe jingle all the way?   Oh... and did I mention that there is a little blog candy to be had???   Just leave a little love (a sweet comment) on each of the blogs and you will be entered to win - it's that simple!  Links to all the designers are listed below

Renee

Suzanne

Cathy

Joyce
Kim
Amy

Kara

Sharron

Marybeth

Jessica

Christina

Thanks for stoping by!

Jeanne

Ingredients:  Finished Size 6" x 6"
Dies:  Spellbinders:  Fancy Tags Trio, Petite Ovals, Labels 10, Grand Ovals
PTI:  In the Meadow Silhouettes, In the Meadow
Memory Box:  Star of Wonder, Essex Label
Stamp:  Waltzingmouse Compliments of the Season
Paper:  October Afternoon Holiday Style

CR84FN47 & Random Acts of Creativity - Wedding Cake

The weather here is so nice today - it feels like spring!  I took my girl out for a walk - she's not doing so well - she is 13 years old so I let her set the pace.  She is slower than she used to be, but it makes me appreciate her more.  Walking slower gives me the opportunity to look around more and notice the little things I might normally miss.  I'm thinking I might just sneak out later when she's napping so I can walk faster and get some exercise in.  I'm tempted to open the windows to bring some of that fresh air in the house - but decided it's better to keep my energy bill down! 

Today I'm playing along with two different challenges.  I am using the color combination/inspiration from CR84FN, and the Sketch Design from Random Acts of Creativity.   I was inspired by the "country wedding" images from the CR84FN and made a wedding congratulations card based around this theme. 

I used papers from October Afternoon's Thrift Shop for that 'country" feel and added felt rolled roses that I made. 

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by to take a peek!

Jeanne

Supplies Used:  Finished Size 5" x 7"
Stamps:  Serendipity Wedding Cake 425E
Paper:  October Afternoon Thrift Shop
Dies:  Sizzix 3D Flowers, Spellbinders Foliage, Labels 16, Grand Labels 11
Border Punch EK Success Double Embossed Dotted Lace, Dotted Scallop
Embossing Folder:  Cuttlebug Musical Flourish
Markers:  Copic R81, 83, 85, B32, G24, R00
Seam Binding Hug Snug Baby Pink, Cream

Card Patterns Sketch 150 - January 28, 2012 - Red Cameo

Happy Sunday!  I hope everyone is enjoying a leisurely day!  My son and husband are off helping at the church pancake breakfast - and the girls are at home.  We made our own pancakes and bacon and are enjoying the day. Although most of the snow is gone, it's still a bit cold out.  My daughter is taking a college exam on line so I'm playing along with the Card Patterns Sketch 150.

I started with this beautiful paper from My Mind's eye and dressed it up with lots of layers of die cuts.  

I made all the flowers on this card from felt and ribbon.  Thanks for stopping by to take a look - have a great day!

Jeanne

Supplies Used:  Finished Size:  5" x 7"

Stamps: Waltzingmouse Cameo To Go

Paper:  My Mind's Eye Lost &  Found Collection Madison Avenue "Cherish" Pintuck Paper, Union Square "Home Sweet Home" Collage Paper, Union Square "Favorite" Union Station Paper

Dies:  Spellbinders Foliage, Postage Stamps Big Scalloped Ovals, Classic Squares

Rolled Flower:  Sizzix Flowers 3 D Die

Border Embossed Dotted Lace EK Success, Punch File Tab Mc GIll

Ink:  Versafine Black Onyx

Card Patterns Sketch 149 - January 21, 2012 Heart Locket

Today I'm playing along with Card Patterns Sketch 149 by Tracy Schultz.  I saw the circular shape, and the heart and decided to make a non-traditional Valentine card that will be headed off to my sister Kathy who appreciates things that are beyond the ordinary. 

I made the beautiful centerpiece by layering the wings from Spellbinders Heraldry set in two colors.  I sanded them to make the embossing stand out and give them a distressed look.  I topped them with a silver foil cut heart locket from the Timeless Heritage set.   I set that on top of a piece of crinkled wired organza ribbon.  The heart is hand crochet by my mom - and that beautiful ornate Love stamp is by Serendipity.

This one was hard to photograph - I was tempted to tape it down so it would stop rolling away!!  I hope you like it!  Thanks for stopping by to take a peek.  If you'd like to play along this week you can get all the details here:  http://cardpatterns.blogspot.com/2012/01/sketch-149.html

Jeanne

Supplies Used:   Finished Size Approximately 6" x 6"
Stamp:  Love 036B Serendipity Stamps
Paper:  My Mind's Eye Lost & Found Collection Market Street "Princess" Princess Crowns Paper, Portobello Road "Boy" Dapper Dots Paper
Dies:  Spellbinders Grand Circles, Grand Scalloped Circles, Heraldry, Labels 14,  Timeless Heritage, Cheery Lynn Lace Light Deco Border
Ink:  Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Tattered Rose

Serendipity Blog Challenge 1-25-12 - Valentine Card

Hi and welcome to a new Serendipity Stamps Blog Challenge!  Mary, the owner of Serendipity has challenged us to create a Valentine's Day card with a simple catch.....  the card has to be completely white except for the image - AND we have to use a dry emboss technique.   I have to tell you that I just love all the natural flower stamps in this collection so selecting just one was the tough part of this challenge!!  The all white really makes the colors you select pop!

I decided on the English Rose image, stamped it with Momento Tuxedo Black (this is the best ink to use when coloring with alcohol markers) and colored it up with Copics.  My card is 5" x 7" so I dry embossed a slightly smaller square and then die cut an oval from the center.  I used pop dots and centered them over the colored rose image.  I inked up my sentiment with Versafine Black Onyx ink so get a nice dark image, die cut it and dressed it up with a few pearls.

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If you'd like to see what the other ladies created you can click on the design team member's names below and it will take you directly to their blog.  Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope this inspires you to create a beautiful one of a kind card of your own.

Jenny Gropp

Amy Corkley

Miriam Napier

Kathie Bailey

Sue Eldred

Jeanne

Supplies Used:  Finished Size is 5" x 7"
Stamps:  Serendipity Stamps:  English Rose762L, Happy Valentine's Day 319D
Die Cuts:  Spellbinders Grand Ovals, Blossom Tags & Accents
Embossing Plate:   SIzzix Texturz Christmas Lattice
Markers:  Copic G24, 28, 85, R22, 24, 27, 29, W1, W0
Ink:  Momento Tuxedo Black, Versa Fine Onyx Black

Cupcake Inspirations 144 - January 22, 2012 - Snowy Pastels

Today I'm playing along with Cupcake Inspirations Challenge #144.  When I saw the inspiration photo - beautifully iced snowflake cookies -  I knew I had to play along!  I started by stamping my background with pink and blue pastel snowflakes from Waltzingmouse.  I added some pleated blue satin trim, icy pink glittery cord and bakers twine.  I topped it off with a pretty pastel and glitter snowflake. 

The snowflake is a triple cut of Spellbinders Lace Doily Accents topped with a Cheery Lynn snowflake cut from white glitter paper.  In the center is a snowflake gem topped with a pink round gem.   I dusted the background pattern with gems and pearls for a little added sparkle.

Thanks so much for stopping by to have a look - I appreciate your nice comments and encouragement!

Jeanne 

If you'd like to play along you can get all the details here:  http://cupcakeinspirations.blogspot.com/2012/01/challenge-144.html

Supplies Used:  Finished Size 6" x 6"

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse Compliments of the Season, Santa's Coming to Town, Seasons of Love Tags, Vintage Ornaments

Dies:  Spellbinders Lace Doily Accents, Twisted Metal Tags & Accents, Cheery Lynn:  Snowflake 2

Ink:  Momento Rosebud, Angel Pink, Summer Sky  Tim Holtz/Ranger Distress Tumbled Glass, Antique Linen

Twine:  Twinery Caribbean, My Mind's Eye Lime Twist Life of the Party "Happy Day"

WMSC#81 January 21, 2012 - Sweetie Pie

I hope everyone is having a good weekend.  We all worked hard Saturday removing the snow so I decided to let everyone sleep in.  I took advantage of a quiet morning and played with the Waltzingmouse sketch challenge for the week.  If it was summer time you'd find me and the dog outside at 6 a.m. relaxing and listening to the birds.  I miss sitting outside with a glass of iced tea reading a book. 

I made this Valentine for my mom.   As strange as it sounds my son has been calling her "sweetie pie" for as long as I can remember.  When I saw this phrase in the Sweethearts set I knew it would wind up on a card for her.  My mom is always doing special little things to let us know she cares - buying us little presents, and encouraging our hobbies.  She likes to crochet and often sends over a handful of hand made flowers for me to add to cards I make.  In fact she even sent over a package of these sweet flowers you see on my card.  This week's sketch is by Anya Schrier and here's the link if you'd like to play along:    http://waltzingmousesketchchallenge.blogspot.com/2012/01/challenge-81january-21-2012.html

Thanks for stopping by to take a peek!  Have a great day!

Jeanne

Supplies used:  Finished Size is 5" x 7"

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse Sweethearts, Vintage Labels 1

Dies:  Spellbinders Labels 1, Labels 1 Small,  Lacy Pennants, Cherry Lynn Heartland America Large

Paper:  Echo Park Be Mine Collection "Love Letters"

Ink:  Momento Rosebud, Angel Pink - Tim Holtz/Ranger Distress Antique Linen

Embossing Folder:  SIzzix Starry Night #2 from Sugar & Starry Night Set

Corner PunchCorner Chomper Deco

Martha Stewart Coarse Glitter

Staples:  Fastenater EK Success

CR84FN46 - Pink Yellow Neutral - What a Doll!

Today it's cold and snowy here.  We are expected to get from 6 to 8 inches and I think we are well on our way - it's been snowing for a straight 5 hours now.  Should make for some fun picking up my son from school!  YUCK!  I thought I'd stay home today (no kidding!) and get something done (other than housework - another YUCK).

I made this one for a princess I know who is having a birthday.  Like all little people she loves to hear the story of the day she was born.   We always begin with "Once upon a time..."  My mom still tells me about the day I was born, and I still love to hear her tell it.

My card today is my attempt at randomness.  I have pieces taped at angles, and my strip of ribbon is short and unfinished - not neatly wrapped around the side of the card.  I know it still looks organized doesn't it.  Oh well - I'm still learning!  The two color bow is made from  both pink and yellow seam binding wrapped together.  The Spellbinder dress die I found at a local scrap shop - and had to have it.  I hope you like it!

If you'd like to play along you can get all the details here:   http://cr84fncolorchallenge.blogspot.com/2012/01/cr84fn46.html Thanks for taking a peek!  Have a great day!

Jeanne

Supplies Used:  Finished size:  6"x 6"

Stamps:  Cat's Life Press @catslifepress.com

Paper:  K& Co Cut 'n Paste Collection

Dies:  Spellbinders Decorative Dress Forms, Ribbon Tag Trio 2

Seam Binding:  Hug Snug, Baby Pink, Antique Gold

Twine:  Twinery Blossom, My Minds Eye Lime Twist Life of the Party "Happy Day"

Border Punch:  EK Success Binding Edge

Stampin' Royalty # 107 - Day Lilly

I hope everyone is having a good week.  I'm still playing around trying to organize my things better.  I've bought a few of those white wooden storage boxes from Michael's, and they seem to be helping.  The hardest part is putting them together.  My thumb is sore from turning the screwdriver!! 

I decided time to give cleaning a break and have some fun so I decided to play along in the Stampin' Royalty challenge this week.  I immediately started thinking flowers - I don't know if it was the colors or the little leaf shapes but that is the direction I went.  I colored these beautiful day lillies from Serendipity and framed them in beautiful Authentique paper and Cheery Lynn dies.  I added a seam binding bow with a button brad and a sweet tiny tag to finish it off. 

Thanks for stopping by to take a peek.  If you'd like to play along or just see what everyone else came up with you can get all the details here:  http://stampinroyalty.blogspot.com/2012/01/stampin-royalty-challenge-107.html

Thanks!

Jeanne

Supplies used:  Finished Size 5" x 7"

Stamps:  Serendipity Day lilly 1213H, Thinking of You Small 617B

Paper:  Authentique Gathering Collection "Grow"

Dies:  Spellbinder Petite Ovals, Labels 13 -Cheery Lynn Polynesian Sails Oval, Border Carnivale

Markers:  Copic Y19, YR12, 15, 16, 18, YG95, 97

Ink:  Momento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Onyx Black

Twinery Twine Caribbean

Button Brad:  K&Co. (I added gems to this)

Seam Binding:  Hug Snug Elegant Peacock Blue, Dusty Olive

Waltzingmouse Christmas Card Challenge - January - Sky Background

    

Did you know Waltzingmouse had a Christmas Card Challenge?  The challenge is pretty simple, on the 10th of each month a new challenge is issued in the Playroom Forum.  While you increase your stash of Christmas cards, you increase your changes of winning a wonderful prize as well.  This month the challenge is to create a card that showcases either a daytime or nighttime sky.  I don't know about you, but I got caught in the mad dash this year and was short more than a few Christmas cards.  The thought of buying cards from the store was more than my crafting heart could bear!!  I resolve to not be caught empty handed this year!! (Well hopefully right?) 

Supplies Used:    Finished Size 6 x 6"
Stamps:  Waltzingmouse 2011 Holiday Ornaments, Santa's Coming to Town, Vintage Circles Small
Dies:  Lifestyle Crafts Nesting Frame 3, Spellbinders Double Ended Tags, Circles
Paper:  Fancy Pants Christmas Magic "Christmas Carol", Holly Jolly "Striped Sweater"
Seam Binding:  Hug Snug Paradise Aqua
Glitter:  Martha Stewart Coarse Glitter
Twinery: Twine Honeydew (Thanks Renee!)
Ink:  Versa Magic Chalk Sea Breeze, Momento Dye Rhubarb Stalk
Embossing Folder:  Cuttlebug Give A Hoot Set

Serendipity Blog Hop Challenge - January 18, 2012 Calendars

Hi and welcome to my first post as a Serendipity Stamps design team member!  I am so proud and excited to work with these stamps and show you all their gorgeous designs.  Their flowers in particular are amazing and so life like that I can almost smell them as I'm coloring away with my Copics.

Like many of you I've been working so hard on getting more organized this year.  My husband put shelves up in my craft room to get the boxes out from under my feet.  I put all my cling stamps in empty DVD cases, got glass jars for my twine, and my Cricut cartridges are all in alphabetical order!!  Mary, the owner of Serendipity Stamps came up with another fantastic way to help get organized this year - create a calendar! 

I've seen blank calendar kits before, but I'd never actually worked on one until now.  I don't know why I never tried this, but now that I have it might become an annual event.   I really enjoyed decking out these two pages.  I know I will enjoy looking at them in the months to come - each one an individual work of art hanging in my craft room.

I glammed up the October page with lots of bling and sparkle to capture the magic of the holiday.  I made the orange flower using a tutorial featured by Clare Buswell for they Hybrid Chick blog http://www.thehybridchick.com/2010/09/fabric-flower-gift-box/. 

For November I wanted to capture all the color of the fall leaves.  I love the Horn of Plenty image because it captures all these colors in the bounty of the harvest so well. 

Each of the design team members were assigned two months to decorate - just click on their names to hop on over to their blog to see what they've come up with. 

Jenny Gropp       January & December

Amy Cokley       February & March

Miriam  Napier   April & May

Kathie Bailey     June & July

Sue  Eldred        August & September

Jeanne Jachna  October & November   (You are Here)

I hope this will inspire you to come up with a one of a kind creation of your own to brighten up your home and your day!

Jeanne 

Supplies Used:
October                                                                          November

Stamps:  Serendipity Pumpkin on Rock 405H, Wicked 1228D                   Stamps:  Serendipity We Give Thanks 488E,

Trick or Treat 314C,  October 549F, Tiny Pumpkin  1021C                       Horn of Plenty 672K, November 595F
Paper:  Recollections Midnight Magic                                                       Paper:  Authentique Blissful Collection "Prosperity" & "Euphoria"
Markers:  Copic YR00, 12 16, 18, 24, R17, YG01, 95                                Markers: Copic G07, 24 28, E00, 13, 23, 33, 87,  R17, 46, CO

Y08, W0,  01, 03, 05                                                                                 YR12, 16, 18, 24, 31, Y01, 19, YG61, 95, V01, 04, 09, 06, B24

Dies:  Quickutz/Lifestyle Crafts Frame, Nexting Frame 5 & 3,                     Dies:  Lifestyle Crafts Nesting Frame 2, Spellbinders Grand Circles
Flourish , Spellbinders Fancy Tags 2, Petite Ovals                                    Grand Scalloped Circles,  Fancy Tags 2, Petite Ovals

Bling:  Recollections                                                                                 Border Punch:  Martha Stewart Zig Zag

Orange Button:  Bazzil Basics

Twine:  My Mind's Eye  Lime Twist Fly A Kite "Everyday"

Border Punch:  EK Success Double Embossed DOtted Lace

Embossing Folder:  Cuttlebug Skeleton Scroll

Ink:  Tim Holtz/Ranger Distress Antique Linen,

Versafine Onyx Black, Momento Tuxedo Black

Black Button La Mode

Waltzingmouse Stamps January Blog Party - Sweet Things

On the 17th of every month Waltzingmouse Stamps hosts a blog party - this month it's all about "Sweet Things" - just in time for Valentine's right?  I've had my eye on these little wooden boxes you can find at Michael's for a while.  They are very inexpensive - around $2.    I wanted to do something special for the blog party so I took the plunge and bought one.  I gave it a quick coat of gesso and covered it in sweet Martha Stewart Valentine's paper.  

To make it even more like a party I added a rosette wand with a streamer of little hearts.  Save some money - make your own rosette without a die - just cut a 2" strip of 12" paper, score it every 1/4" for folding.  I ran mine through a Fiskars border punch to give it a fancy edge, zig zag folded it, and attached the two ends. Use a hot glue gun to attach a small circle on both sides for some stability and you're good to go.  Easy Peasy!

What could make this box any sweeter than this you ask?  I say CHOCOLATE!!!  I'm planning on giving this one to my mom to brighten her day - she's been a little down lately.  This will let her know I'm thinking about her and satisfy her sweet tooth at the same time! 

Thanks for taking a peek - Have a great day!

Jeanne

Products Used:

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse Sweethearts, Gingham & Company, "Dearest" from Cameo to Go

Dies:  Spellbinders Nested Lacy Pennants, Fancy Tags 2, Classic Hearts, Cheery Lynn Two of Hearts, Dancing Doily Lace Border, Sizzix Window Cuts Hearts 

Paper:  Martha Stewart Valentine Collection

Martha Stewart Coarse Glitter

Twine:  My Mind's Eye Lime Twist Life of the Party "Happy Day"

Border Punch (on rosette) Fiskars

Ink:  Momento Rosebud, Lady Bug, Versa Fine Onyx Black

WMSC 80 - January 14, 2012

Happy Sunday!  I made it through my dental implant surgery yesterday and am just happy to be alive!  I think you know the feeling.  Like when you're on the way to the doctor or the dentist - don't you always feel better?  So good sometimes that maybe you don't feel like you need to go there at all!  HA!  I was brave and got through the procedure conscious - now just a  sore jaw and a little swelling.  So I'm spending the day in my pj's and playing with my craft supplies.  My boys are out helping with a Boy Scout Eagle project, and I have my girls  (my daughter and my dog) to take care of me!

Of course, had to play along with the Waltzingmouse sketch challenge.   I decided to go with the Asian Gardens set for my design today.  Here's the sketch and the link if you want to play along or just see what everyone's come up with http://waltzingmousesketchchallenge.blogspot.com/2012/01/challenge-80january-14-2012.html    I have a no peek policy - that means I don't look at anyone else's design until I'm done with mine.  This week I'm done early so I can check everyone else out. 

I really love the birds in this set, but have been unhappy with the results when I stamp them in one ink.  I changed things up a bit today by stamping them first in Momento Summer Sky - light blue. Then I took a Momento Danube Blue marker and highlighted the head and the feathers.  I took a cotton swab and cleaned off the belly and markered in some Momento Tangelo.  For the leaves on the tree I dipped the stamp in Momento Pear Tart and then dabbed some Bamboo leaves onto the edges of the stamp to give them the two color effect you see.

Supplies Used:  Finished Size is 5" x 7"

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse:  Asian Gardens

Paper:  My Mind's Eye A Beautiful Live 6x6 pad

Dies:  Spellbinders Labels, Chery Lynn Lace Light Deco Border

Ink Pads/Markers:  Momento:  LuLu Lavender, Bamboo Leaves, Summer Sky, Potters Clay, Sweet Plum, Danube Blue, Grape Jelly, Tangelo, Pear Tart