12 KIts of Christmas - March Edition

Are you ready for another edition of the 12 Kits of Christmas?Just to refresh your memory, this is a group of 12 designers. Each has been assigned a month to provide the Christmas crafting supplies to the other 11 members. We all receive the same supplies and post our creations on the last day of every month. It's interesting to see how we all come up with something different with the same kit of supplies. 

This month our hostess supplying all the goodies is Suzanne Dahlberg.  She's provided all sorts of paper crafting goodness, lots of patterned and shimmery papers, stamped images, and pretty ribbons.  This month I came up with three cards - it seems I've been adding one a month since this started.  If it keeps up I will be in big trouble come December :) !!

I cut this one at a diagonal showing off both sides of the pretty paper Suzanne gave us -Cosmo Cricket Mitten Weather.  I triple stacked some buttons and topped them off with a pearl half and a figure 8 looped bow.   I colored my dove with  green and purple to coordinate with the papers and added a little silver bling for a little Christmas sparkle. 

Next I used that Winter Woods scene from A Muse Studio to create a more traditional Christmas card in red and green.  I dded lots of twine - in the bow, wrapped around the sentiment, and wrapped around the card for a really rustic feel.  You can put the button face up or down - I think it looks great either way - as seen in the photos.

For my last card I went back to the purple - and as you might already know red and purple are one of my favorite color combos.  I think this one most represents my style.

This one is fun and whimsical yet full of the bling elements that I love.   This card showcases one of my trade marks - the seam binding woven through the lace trim, and again more sparkle in the night sky as Santa makes his rounds.

If you like these, why not see what the rest of the team came up with for this months challenge? Here's a list of the designers with links to their blogs!  

Suzanne   March

Marybeth  April

Joyce  May

Amy  June

Christina  July

Kim  August

Kara  September

Jessica  October

Jeanne (That's Me!)  November

Sharron  December

Renee  January

Cathy   February

Thanks for having a look! Join us next month to see the latest in the 12 Kits of Christmas!

Jeanne

Peace:  Finished Size 6x6"

Paper Cosmo Cricket Mitten Weather

Stamp:  Block Art Sparkle Dove M253  Stampendous

Ribbon:  Ripe Avocado Papertrey Ink

Buttons:  Papertrey Ink New Leaf

Dies:  Spellbinders RectanglesTwiney Twine Orchid

Markers Copic

Others Silver bead and gems

Border Punch Martha Stewart Zig Zag

Season's Greetings:  FInished Size 6x6"

Paper:  Cosmo Cricket Dear Mr. Clause Collection

Stamp:  Winter Wood A Muse Studio

Ribbon:  Red Stampin Up!  Green Satin  Ribbonbazaar.com

Button:   Papertrey Ink New Leaf

Dies Spellbinders Fleur De Lis Rectangles

Extras: Twine

Santa Card:  Finished Size 6x6"
Paper Cosmo Cricket Mitten Weather & Dear Mr. Clause Collection
Stamp:  Santa's Flight A Muse Studio
Ribbon:  Ribbon Bazaar Cream Lace - Seam Binding Hug Snug Lipstick Red
Markers:  Copic
Brads Brides
Edge Punch EK Success Double Embossed Dotted Lace

Get Well Debbie!!

I made this card today for Debbie Marcinkiewicz from the Simple Treasures blog.   If you like paper crafts and everything elegant you have probably been introduced to Debbie.  I know her as the owner of the Shabby Tea Room - one of my favorite places to play but you can find her lots of other place as well - the Ribbon Reel blog challenge and Crafty Secrets for example.   Debbie recently had surgery and I'm sending her my get well wishes.  I hope you will stop by Debbie's blog and wish her a speedy recovery too!

To keep Debbie occupied while she recuperates she came up with  a blog challenge of her own.  Make something fabulous with  inspiration from this photo and include aqua, pink and pearls.   To make it even sweeter she is giving out a prize of 15 yards of hand died shabby vintage seam binding.    I thought this was a fab idea because now  beautiful creations to her specifications are just one click away. 

I only know Debbie from a few sweet comments she's left me on my blog, but I felt compelled to make something special for her.  I know she loves layers and roses so I let my imagination run wild.   I only regret that I didn't fit a tea cup in here somewhere.  I hope that this card makes her smile and that when she's resting she dreams of layers of vintage lace, paper roses, pearls and ribbons!  Get well SOON DEBBIE!!! 

Here are a few close up's.  I had to add a "D" to make it special for Debbie - this  stamp is from the Elegant Alphabet set from Serendipity.

I know I'm a little photo heavy here but I also wanted to share with you some signs of spring.  First are some lilacs I picked from my yard - and I wish you could smell how wonderful their scent is - it fills the whole room!

Next are some beautiful Daffodil's I got from a scouting friend.  She purchased them from a fund raiser for the American Cancer Society called Daffodil Days.  Aren't they spectacular? 

Thanks so much for having a look!  Have a beautiful day! 

Jeanne

Supplies Used:  Finished Size is 6" x 6"

Stamps:  Serendipity Elegant Alphabet, Waltzingmouse Fancy Phrases

Paper:  Echo Park Victoria Gardens Collection - Journaling Cards

Dies:  Spellbinders Bird Sanctuary, Nested Pennants, Labels 19, Grand Labels 1, Foliage, Cheery Lynn Nautical Wheeler Doily

Embossing Folder Cuttlebug Victoria

Bling Recollections, Seam Binding Hug Snug Baby Pink, Flowers Prima Ribbon Reel Hobby Lobby Treasures by Shabby Chic, Brad Brides

Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black, Ranger Antique Linen

Solid Papers Papertrey Ink

WMSC # 90 Tuesday Throwdown #91 - Amour

I've been playing around with this idea since I saw the Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge #90 design by Mischief Maker Renee Lynch.   I found this one a little tricky - and even though I love layering I had a hard time covering up part of the images I stamped.  I put it to the back of my mind until I saw the theme for Tuesday Throwdown his week - "outside of the box." Have part of your image outside of the  frame.    I  put these two ideas together and this is what I came up with.

I stamped the two identical pieces with an accent from Paris Nouveau.  I stamped them back to back to make one image with an empty space in the center.  The roses in the center are from the Ribbon Reel - they are the off white 25 mm Hybrid Tea Roses.   To color them I used a mini mister (Ranger) and filled it with rubbing alcohol (so it would dry quickly).  I added half a dropper of Mustard Seed ink from a reinker and some Pearl Ex Aztec Gold powdered pigment.  The end result is a yellow rose with lots of gold accent.   To "anchor" all my elements I used some twine - and I couldn't resist a big fat bow to top it all off.

Thanks so much for having a look!    Enjoy this wonderful spring weather and have a great day!

Jeanne

Supplies Used:  Finished Size:  5 x 7"

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse Vintage Labels 10, Paris Nouveau

Paper:  AUthentique Blissful Collection "Paradise" - all solid color paper is Papertrey Ink

Dies:  Spellbinders Labels 10, Labels 9, Labels 1, Scrap Mart Exclusive Oval Square Label

Extras:  Twinery Charcoal, Flowers Ribbon Reel, Seam Binding Hug Snug Antique Gold, Black, Pigment Powder Pearl Ex Aztec Gold

Ink:  Ranger/Tim Holtz Distress Mustard Seed, Antique Linen, Versa Fine Onyx Black

Ribbon Reel #24 Colour Q #130 - Rolled Roses

This is another busy week for me so I don't know how many posts I will get in.   My son is off school for spring break and we've been enjoying our time together.  Yesterday we went and saw The Hunger Games.    The book was last summer's required reading for him so we were anxious to see if they got all the characters right.  The movie did not disappoint - there were a few minor changes to the story here and there, but not enough to make a significant difference.

I made this card for two challenges this week - the Ribbon Reel and Color Q.  I just placed my first order with the Ribbon Reel about two weeks ago.  I was anxious to play in their blog challenge because I already know many of their fab DT members so I got started without my goodies.   I thought the shipping charges to the US would be very expensive but they were very reasonable.  I love all the pretty flowers and trimming and other embellishments they offer.   I just finished the card and my shipment arrived today - just in time for me to add a few goodies to my creation - like that pretty leaf stick pin!  If you'd like to play along at The Ribbon Reel - you can get the details here:  http://theribbonreelchallenge.blogspot.com/2012/03/challenge-24-pretty-as-posey.html

The pretty colors for the Colour Q Challenge are so pretty I am entering my card here as well.  What a gorgeous color combo - so many spring possibilities.  If you'd like to play along with the Color Q ladies you can get all the http://colourq.blogspot.com/2012/03/colourq-challenge-130.html

I made my card with lots of rolled flowers, a Cheery Lynn doily background and a sweet stamp from Papertrey Ink.   The greenery behind the rolled roses is a snowflake die - the rolled roses are actually a Christmas ornament die - very clever huh?   I love it when you can dual purpose an item!!   The Simply Jane set is so romantic I thought it would be perfect with the flowers and the lacy background. 

Thank you for having a look.  I hope have a great day and find some time to play yourself.

Jeanne

Supplies Used:  Finished size 6" x 6"

Stamps:  Papertrey Ink Simply Jane

Paper:  Crate Paper Emma's Shoppe Collection Fabrics & Quilts

Dies:  Rolled Roses Sizzix Spiral/Garland Bigz Die, Papertrey Simply Jane, Cheery Lynn Snowflake 5, French Flair Doily Stacker

Ink:  Stampin' Up Baja Breeze, Versa Fine Vintage Sepia

Twinery Caribbean,   Leaf Pin The Ribbon Reel

Border Punch:  Martha Stewart Doily Lace

Button:  Papertrey Ink

Waltzingmouse XC Challenge - March 2012

See, I told you I was serious about getting caught up on the Waltzingmouse Christmas Card Challenges!!   For the March challenge, Waltzingmouse Design Team member and Christmas Card Maker Extraordinaire,  Lynn Mercurio, has asked us to create a card that includes some winter blues and brown.  This combination has always reminded me of surf and sand - a great combination - and a perfect way to forget the winter blahs - I mean blues.  Today is a wet and rainy spring day in Chicago land so this is a great escape for me!

I made a ledger card using four stamps from the Candy Jar Christmas set and stamped them on kraft paper.  To get the fancy cut top I taped a Spellbinders Labels 11 die and rolled it through my die cut machine only about half way.   I wrapped some twine and a Swarovski element around that and added some gems and die cut foliage.    For the bottom border of the card I embossed kraft paper and ran some chalk ink over the debossed side to bring out the image.  I added die cuts, a shimmery bow and more gems for a little more Christmas magic! 

I hope you're working on your Christmas cards and getting caught up too.  You will be ever so glad you did! 

Jeanne

Supplies Used:  Finished Size 6" x 6"
Stamps: Waltzingmouse Around Christmas Time, Candy Jar Christmas
My Mind's Eye Lost & Found Collection Portobello Road "Buddies" Perfect Paper
Charm  Swarovski Elements
Dies:  Spellbinders Labels 11, Picot Edge Circles, Standard Circles, Inverted Scalloped Circles, Persian Accents, Foliage
Embossing Folder Paper Lace 2 Cuttlebug
Ink: Momento Danube Blue, Versa Fine Vintage Sepia, Versa Magic Aegean Blue
Twinery Denim

Waltzingmouse XC Challenge - February 2012

I made today's card for the Waltzingmouse Christmas Card Challenge.  I admit it, I fell behind, but I am getting right back on track so expect to see my card for the March challenge shortly.  I am determined to stick with this and get my Christmas Cards done one at a time vs. in a mass frenzy come this November.   Maybe you fell behind on your resolution too?  Well I double checked the rules, and you have until June to get your cards in for the first half of the year - so get crackin!!  Everyone is a winner because even if you don't win the prize you  will have 12 Christmas cards made by December!

Here is the inspiration photo hand picked by Ms. Julia Aston.  It is loaded with great inspiration to get you started.  I focused mainly on the bottom left corner photo.  I mimicked many of the element in my card including the stripes, red branches with the blue ornaments, off white background, the blue frame, and the jeweled baubles on the lime green tree  skirt.    I backed the doily with a green glittery paper to add some extra Christmas magic.

I hope you like it and I appreciate your stopping by to have a look.  

 Jeanne

Supplies Used:  Finished Size 6" x 6:
Stamps:  Waltzingmouse Vintage Ornaments, Complements of the Season, French Country
Dies:  Cheery Lynn English Tea Party, Spellbinders Classic Ovals, 2010 Heirloom Ornament, Quickutz Branches
Ribbon (a gift from) - THANK YOU SUZANNE @ http://thecardyard.blogspot.com
Ink:  Momento Bahama Blue, Desert Sand, Versafine Onyx Black
Flower Centers Prima

WMSC #89 - Roses in Bloom

 Finally I got my new Waltzingmouse Stamps.  It really didn't take very long - one week - but it seemed like forever.  I couldn't wait to get my hands on the new stamps I ordered.  While I love the new images there are still so many of the previous releases that I've been wanting so I added a few of them on to my order.  This decision was kind of a no brainer if you think about it since shipping is free (even to the US) if you meet the required order amount.  I've been missing Roses in Bloom and Large Doily and they arrived at the perfect time for this week's sketch challenge by mischief maker Renee Lynch. 

I double stamped the roses and the leaf image, colored them with copics and then assembled them with pop dots.   I fussy cut the top flower to expose only the inside petals and pent them up slightly to give them more dimension.  The flower and doily seemed to be visually "floating in space" so I anchored them with a bit of twine.  
The magpie in me needed some bling so I added the rhinestone flower center (I found at Hobby Lobby ) and a little swirl of gems.  If I have a big swirl of gems I usually wind up cutting it down into smaller size pieces to add to my cards when I want just a hint of bling.  It is inexpensive and adds just enough sparkle.

If you want to see what everyone else came up with you can click here to link to the Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge blogsite.  Thanks for having a look - have a great weekend! 

Jeanne

Supplies Used:  Finished Size 5 x 7"
Stamps:  Waltzingmouse Roses in Bloom, PicNic Patterns, Large Doily
Copic Markers YG03, 52, 61 RV52, 55, 34
Dies:  Spellbinders Big Scalloped Circles
Ink:  Momento Rosebud, Stampin Up! Regal Rose, VersafineOnyx Black
Extra's Twine, Bling Recollections, Flower Center Hobby Lobby

Serendipity Blog Hop - Challenge Acetate

It's time for another Serendipity Blog Hop?  Today the design team members were challenged to create with Acetate.  For me this was a totally new experience - I've never worked with it before so I had some catching up to do.  Once I did a little research I got to work and came up with three projects for today's hop.  To stamp on the acetate you have to use permanent ink made just for shiny surfaces.  I used StazOn Solvent Ink by Tsukineko in Jet Black.  It does come in many colors including metallic so there's lots of possibilities.  It is a little tricky stamping on the slick plastic.  Keep in mind that if you mess up you can take a napkin dipped in ordinary rubbing alcohol and erase the image and begin again.  Serendipity offers Acetate sheets 10 sheets for $1 - you can get them here.

The first project I made is a shaker ornament.  I stamped the bunny image on one side of the acetate, waited for it to dry and then added a little coloring with copics on the reverse side.  If you color on the same side that you stamp it will remove the stamped image!  I didn't think my bunny was easy enough to see totally transparent so I painted over the areas I wanted solid with white acrylic paint.  To make the shaker box I cut the Sizzix Frame #3  three times from white craft foam and glued the layers together.  I finished off the back with a solid  frame shape that I hand cut.   I found the flower confetti at Michaels for $1 and added a few large pinches of regular small white pearl beads to up the shaker factor.  I think this would look great tied to an Easter basket or an Easter tree.

My next project is a scrapbook page.   Long before there was a "smash" book I started my own ring binder filled with my favorite quotes, photos, song lyrics, and papers.  If something ever happens to me that I have to stop paper crafting, this is the book I want with me - it is full of all my favorite things.  Acetate is a great way to add a favorite quote over a photo.  For this beach layout I positioned the ocean quote and seashell strategically over the photos so I can enjoy the beauty of both.

For my last project I started putting together a mini album for an upcoming camping trip.  I like to surprise friends with a little book featuring photos from our trip together as a keepsake.  This book is  a simple 3-ring chipboard/cardboard  6 x 6" by 7 Gypsies

For the cover I layered my stamped acrylic between a frame and the chipboard cover.  Here's a quick look at the inside to show you the finished look.  I like how the pattern of the paper on the inside is the background for the image. 

Please visit the other design team member blogs to see what they came up with for this creative challenge.  Simply click on their names below to jump to their blogs.

Kathie Bailey

Amy Cokley

Sue Eldred

Jenny Gropp

Miriam Napier

I hope you will give this a try yourself.  I had a lot of fun exploring this new media (for me anyway)  Thanks for stopping by!  Don't forget Serendipity is offering 40% off your highest priced item by using the coupon code 40OffHighest.  Expires 3-21 so you need to hurry!  What a great time to get the scroll egg or scroll heart stamp/die sets. 


Jeanne

Supplies Used:
Bunny Ornament:
Stamp:  Serendipity Bunny with Eggs 1245F
Ink:  Staz On Jet Black
Die Cut:  Sizzix Frame 3
Extras:  Organza Ribbon, Flower Confetti, Pearl Beads, Acrylic Ink, Copic Markers

Beach Page:
Stamps:  Serendipity Whelk Shell 279H, Quote:  My Life 288E
Ink: Staz On Jet Black
Paper:  Low Tide Collection by Me & My Big Ideas
Die Cuts:  Cuttlebug 2 x 6"
Extras:  Glitter Paper DCWV

Camping Book:
Stamps:  Serendipity Pheasants 1247J, Spring from Seasons & Friends 581QCL Also available as a sticker
Album 6x6" Seven Gypsies
Ink:  Staz On Jet Black, Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Barn Door, Antique Linen, Vintage Photo
Paper:  K& Co Boy Scouts of America Collection
Die Cuts:  Sizzix Frame Decorative Rectangle, Spellbinders Ribbon Tag Trio
Embossing Folder:  Sizzix Birds, Flowes & Branches Set
Xtra Large Eyelets by We R Memory Keepers
Extras:  Twine, Buttons, Metal Alphabet Charm, Metal Photo Corners, File Tab punch Mc Gill

Happy Birthday Kim!

This is a special blog post today for my new friend Kim from Cupcakes Cards & Kim.  I met Kim through the 12 Kits of Christmas Club.  I want to thank her for all the encouragement and sweet comments she leaves for me so I made this special card for her.  Happy Birthday to you Kim!  You can thank Joyce for rounding us up - grab a cup - sit back - and ENJOY a blog hop JUST FOR YOU!!!

I'f you'd like to see what everyone came up with to celebrate Kim's birthday - the Official start of Spring -  please click on the links below......

Joyce
Cathy
Jeanne  That's me!!
Jessica
Kara
Katie
Laurie W.
Lee Anne
Marybeth
Michelle
Renee
Sharron

Inspiration for this card came from Karola Witczak:

Supplies Used:  Finished Size:  4" x 9.24"
Stamps:  Waltzingmouse Vintage Circles Small, Eat Cake
Dies:  Spellbinders Butterflies Two, Foliage, CIrcles, Big Scalloped Circles
Paper:  Echo Park For the Record Fancy Floral, Newsprint
Ruler Ribbon Fashion Trends:  Hobby Lobby
Seam Binding Hug Snug Forum Teal
Ink:  Versa Magic Chalk Ink Aegean Blue, Tim Holtz/Ranger DIstress  Antinque Linene, Stampin'Up! Real Red
Buttons: Papertrey Ink
Misc:  Twine, Corsage Pins, Pearl Spray, Silk Flower

Shabby Tea Room #106 Pennant Party - Guest Designer

I am so excited to join the Shabby Girls and be the guest designer this week at the Shabby Tea Room!  I always love the inspiration photos Debbie provides and this week is no exception!  The challenge this week is to create a project that includes a banner or a pennant.

It's not hard to see where I got my inspiration for this card - all those great colors, textures and embellishments were all within my reach. The buttons, thread, embroidery and crochet all got me thinking sewing box. When I saw that cute little bird by the fabric envelope I knew I had to do a bird house. I used all the same great elements of the envelope - the gingham, red stitching, and the fancy button on the birdhouse.

I spent a long time on this one trying to get it just right. There are so many details on this layout , from the embossed mint green background, the stitched birdhouse, to the little string bows holding up the banner. The sweetest embellishment are the little crochet flowers my mom made for me.

I made my own faux "crochet" doily heart by taking a die cut, running it through an embossing folder and distressing it. I colored a regular pearl with a copic to get the right shade of blue for my flower center. I scattered some flowers and buttons and even added a few little branches to pick up that little trace of brown in the background.

Here's a close up so you can see the pearls, the hand stitching and the pretty crochet flowers.  The red flowers are cut from inexpensive felt using the Sizzix Hydrangea die and topped with a pearl.

I used a lot of scraps for my banner and my bird so I can't tell you whose paper it is. It was really fun picking out bits and pieces of remnants trying to get just the right look. I'm really happy with and wouldn't change a thing - that's how I know I'm done!! I hope you are having a great day and I can't wait to see your project linked up to The Shabby Tea Room Blog!  

Jeanne

Supplies Used: Card size is 6" x 6"

Dies: Spellbinders Cuckoo Clock, Classic Scalloped Heart, Standard Circles, Foliage, Nested Pennants
Heart Die Cut: Cricut Martha Stewart Elegant Cake Art Branches: Quickutz Felt Flowers: Sizzix Paper Sculpting Hydrangea
Embossing Folder: Cuttlebug:Kassie's Brocade
Stamp: Cuckoo for You! A Muse Art Stamps
Ink/Markers: Copic B05 (to color pearl), Momento Tuxedo Black, Ranger/Tim Holtz Distress Antique Linen
Background Embossing: Sizzix Diamond Texturz Plate
Brad: K & Co.
Paper: Coordinations