Paper Sweeties December Inspiration Challenge #14

Are you a Paper Sweeties fan? Well then you are going to want to stay tuned and check back often since we are doing things a little different this month.  Normally we have new release previews on the 13-16 of every month, but since you will be wanting these stamps early to make some cards they are hitting the store early.  Previews begin tomorrow.  Today begins a new monthly inspiration challenge at Paper Sweeties.  There is a new challenge every month and it's a great way to get ideas for your stamps as well as a chance to win some new ones!  Check out the inspiration photo this month - lots of earth tones and neutrals to work with here.

I made a layered card featuring a blond Sophie dressed as an angel  I paper pieced her tunic and wings and added different textures (crochet lace, burlap trim).  I was thinking of the nativity  I wanted to mix elegance and opulence, with a down to earth homespun feel.  

Want to see more?  Here's a list of the designers with projects today.   I really like that the Design Team alumni (which I will be joining next month) return for the sketch challenge every month.  I've gotten to know these ladies and respect and admire their creativity.

 Debbie Marcinkiewicz - Paper Sweeties

 Andrea Ewen
  Char Cundy
  Jeanne Jachna
  Jinny Newlin

 Kristi Schurr

 Lori Hairston

 Maria Patrick

 Michelle Bala

Pattie Goldman

 Tammy Hobbs

December Guest Designer: Gail Lass

Thanks for stopping by!   I hope I see you tomorrow for the beginning of the December release previews.


Supplies Used:  Finished Size:  4.25 x 5.5"
Stamps:  Paper Sweeties Sophie, Christmas Blessings, Mahalo! (Shoes)
Dies:  Spellbinder Back to Basics Tags, Labels 25, A2 Floral Ribbon Threader
Pattern Paper My Minds Ee Lost & Found 2 Rosy 6x6", In Bloom
Card Stock:  PTI Vintage Cream, Antique Linen, White, SU Baked Brown Sugar
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Peanut Brittle, Versamagic Wheat, Versafine Onyx Black, Copic
Glitter Star:  Paper Studio (Hobby Lobby)
Ribbon:  Twisted Burlap Natural, 1/2" Crochet Natural May Arts 

Poppystamps Freemont Pine

It's my turn posting on the Poppystamps blog and am a little red faced about my internet issues.  I've got my wi fi signal back but still no telephone.  Better late than never I guess!  Today I'm showing a card featuring the Freemont Pine die.    I cut one from dark green, and another from a lighter green and then switched out the cut out pieces.  Heart gems make pretty sparkly ornaments  and the Trudeau border die is so pretty with the red peeking through.

If you are a fan of Poppystamps you will want to check out the blog on December 2.  We'll be featuring a blog hop and an opportunity to win a few dies of your own.   I hope I see you then!


Supplies Used:  Finished Size 4.25 x 5.5"

[941] DIES- Trudeau Border

[CS306B] Sweetest Holiday

[900] DIES- Large Fremont Pine Outline

InLinkz.com

Dies:  Poppystamps Trudeau Border, Large Freemont Pine Outline
Stamp:  Poppystamps Sweetest Holiday
Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black
Gems:  Recollections (Michaels)

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Thanks for stopping by! Lots of posts for me today.  I've been having trouble with my internet provider - no phone or wi fi going on day 3 - so I will keep this short.  I never realized how much I depended on my wi fi until this week !   I decided to take matters into my own hands and come up with a plan b!  I just wanted to write a quick note to let you know what's going on and wish you a beautiful day!  Happy Thanksgiving everybody!!

Supplies Used:  Finished Size:  5.75 x 5.75"
Stamps:  Serendipity Autumn Wreath, Happy Thanksgiving SM
Dies:  Cheery Lynn English Tea Party, Spellbinder Assorted Leaves, Grand Circles, Grommet Tags
Embossing Folder Circles Leaves & Diamonds
Twine
Brad:  Brides
Ink:  Versafine Vintage Sepia, Ranger Distress Antique Linen, Spiced Marmalade, Copic Markers
Card Stock:  PTI White, Terracotta Tile, Pure Poppy, Gold Foil American Crafts
1/4" Stitched Satin

CASE STUDY CHALLENGE #168 Christmas

I'm going to keep this one short - first of all it's Thanksgiving so I hope you are spending your day with family and have a HUGE meal planned.  I see lots of cooking in my near future - in fact it's already begun and the bird is in the oven!    I've been without telephone or internet service - today is day 3 - and no I don't have a smart phone so I think I will begin haunting McDonalds for their free wi fi soon.  Apparently the "server is down" in my area.   So I am a bit late posting for the CASE Study Challenge this week.

This month our muse is Keisha Campbell from A Bit East Coast!   Here's the inspiration photo.  Wow!  Can I tell you again - I adored just about everything about this - except for the neutral colors.   I can't help it!  You wouldn't know that from visiting my house - lots of neutral colors there - but my paper creations are like flowers - full of color.   I switched up the theme to Christmas making the die cuts ornaments, and the tag a poinsettia.  Inside the die cuts are little images of Santa, poinsettias and even a nutcracker! I hope you find some time after all your black Friday shopping tomorrow to unwind and play!

Thanks for stopping by - fingers crossed I'll be back in action soon.  I look so funny with my lap top, remote hard drive loaded with pictures and my spiral notebooks with all my "ingredient" lists!  Have a great day!

Supplies used:  Finished Size 4.5 x 6.25"
Stamps:  Waltzingmouse Nutcracker Sweet, Twas the Night Before Christmas, 2011 Holiday Ornaments, Big Bloom Poinsettia
Pattern Paper:  October Afternoon Holiday Style 8x8"
Card Stock:  PTI Vintage Cream, SU Gumball Green, Pretty In Pink, Pink Pirouette
Dies: Spellbinder Nested Lacy Pennants, Poppystamps Blooming Poinsettia, Lovely Tendril
Ribbon:  SIlver 3/8 Decorative Trim Hobby Lobby
Gem:  Jolees Boutique
Embossing Folder: Lifestyle Crafts Linear
Border Punch EK Success Double Embossed Dotted Lace

Paper Smooches Sparks Challenge

Trying to get everything done really quicly.  No internet or phone at my house - this is day 3 an on top of that it's Thanksgiving.  So a blessed day to all!  YAY!! My dad made it home!  Now to keep him doing his therapy and thinking happy thoughts!  It's been a hard few weeks and I can't say how much your messages have meant to me - just the boost I've needed when I've been down.  Thank you!


I'm on a Paper Smooches kick lately and I've ordered more than a few sets - they're just so stinkin cute aren't they?  I'm really enjoying coloring them up - and the ease of the matching dies for lots of the sets.   The challenge this week at the Paper Smooches Sparks Challenge Blog is a picture perfect photo challenge.  You are instructed to make a project inspired by this photo.    I have to admit I started thinking about vacation when I saw this - and my love affair with the ocean.    While my husband checks his email every night when he gets home from work I'm at the other side of the room crafting.  I always show him the inspiration photo and my finished project and say "do you see it?"  Once in a while I need to explain but most of the time he gets it - even when I put him under the microscope!  What a delight to see he's not just saying "Yep!"  So do you see it?  I focused on the couple and the colorful balloons.   Do you see it now?  

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!  

Supplies Used:  Finished Size 4.25 x 5.5"
Stamps:  Paper Smooches  Off the Charts, Sentiment Sampler
Card Stock:  PTI Aqua Mist, White, Hawaiian Shores
Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black, Memento Luxe Bahama Blue, Love Letter, Rosebud, Dandelion, Pear Tart, Morocco, Memento Summer Sky 
Die:  Spellbinder Standard Circle
Corner Rounder 1/4" Crop A Dile
Pearls

Waltzingmouse Bedtime Story #4 - Christmas Bells

Oh what a fun Birthday Party Blog Hop for me yesterday.  It was like a big hug when I absolutely needed it.   My dad had his knee replacement surgery on 11-11 and had to be readmitted for an infection.  Thanks so much for all your well wishes and prayers!  My dad is looking better and his mood has even improved since Friday when he was readmitted to the hospital.

Did you have fun at the Waltzingmouse Pajama Party?  I almost didn't make it!  I had only minutes to spare.  I started making the rounds and having a peek at the designs and am just blown away with all the creative projects and unique ways the stamps were put to use!  Well there is no reason for the fun to stop just yet! Claire was kind enough to leave us with a Bedtime Story Sketch, and there's still time to link up your design.   So if you are a procrastinator like me you can still get in on the action and maybe win some prizes.  Here's the sketch.  

Looks a little tricky doesn't it?  Well remember the circles don't have to be circles, they can be just about anything you want.  For the sentiment circle I used a pretty label , and for the other two circles some of the Folk Art Christmas Additions Bells!  They are so easy to stamp and look wonderful in every color imaginable!

I hope you will join us!  You can get all the details, and see all those pretty creations I talked about linked up here!  Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Supplies Used:  Finished Size 4.5 x 6.25"
Stamps:  Waltzingmouse Stamps  Folk Art Christmas Additions, Country Labels 4
Card Stock:  PTI Vintage Cream, Pure Poppy
Pattern Paper:  October Afternoon Silent Night 8x8"
Dies:  Spellbinder Labels
Ribbon:  1/4" Red Ric Rac Hobby Lobby. 3/8" Silver Holiday Inspirations (Joann)
Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black, Memento Bamboo Leaves, Grape Jelly, Memento Luxe Love Letter
Extras:  Gems, Pearl flower Prima

Waltzingmouse November Pajama Party!

Wow am I ever running it close for the Pajama Party today.  My dad had complications with is knee replacement surgery and he's back in the hospital.  I just got home and need to link up within the next 52 minutes so I'm going to keep this really short folks!  If you are running late like me don't forget that the Pajama Party always ends with a bed time story -  sketch that will remain open for one week so you still have time to make something!  You can play along and get all the details here at the Waltzingmouse Makes Blog.

I stuck with the Thanksgiving theme because I am thankful always for my bloggie friends!  You always make my day and bring light to my life!  Thank you!!  I haven't played with my Teeny Trees in a while and this one was so fun using all sorts of pretty colored inks and creating a little scene of my own.

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!! 

Supplies Used:  Finished Size 4.5 x 6.25"
Stamps:  Waltzingmouse Teeny Trees
Dies:  Xyron Shapez Frame 5, Spellbinder Nested Pennants
Card Stock:  PTI Orange Zest, White
Embossing Folder:  Cuttlebug Damask Decor
INk:  Versafine Onyx Black, Memento Teal Zeal, Tangelo, Morocco, Cantaloupe, Pear Tart, Bamboo Leaves, Dandelion, RIch Cocao

Paper Smooches - Nutty For You!

Hi!  I hope everyone is doing good!  Enjoying a little quiet time so I thought I'd make a card for the Paper Smooches Sparks Challenge Blog.   Did I ever tell you that I used to think the word "Smooches" was "kisses" in Polish?    When ever we would visit my Grandmother it wasn't unusual for she and my dad to start conversing in Polish.  Of course, most of the time they were saying things about us that they didn't want us to understand, and whenever we would say "good bye" Grandma would always ask for a "smooch".  I'd never heard anyone call a kiss that before so I thought it was a new Polish word I was learning.   HA HA!  Silly isn't it?

The challenge this time is a cool shades (every third week of the month)  inspired by Thanksgiving!  I'm really a fall person - I love the cooler temperatures and the changing leaves so of course I reached for the "Falling for You" set with the amazing acorn.   Here's a link to the Paper Smooches site.

It's not unusual for me to use non traditional colors for projects so the colors worked beautifully.   I stamped a background of the acorns and topped it with fussy cut images that I colored with copics.  At first my sentiment looked like it was "floating" so I decided to pin it down to the acorn.  And YES!  I got all four colors in there!  

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!  Did you get your turkey yet?  I got mine!!

Supplies Used:  Finished Size 4.25 x 5.5"

Stamps:  Paper Smooches Falling For You

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers
Pin:  Dritz

Card Stock:  PTI  White, Aqua Mist

A Waltzingmouse Christmas - Decorations

It's the last day of the Waltzingmouse Christmas event!  This release is a little different because the new items are in the store early.  This gives you more time to work with them to make your holiday projects.  We're showing projects made with all the Waltzingmouse holiday stamps - old and new!    Over the past few days we've shown cards, tags, and today our focus is decorations!

My daughter brought home about a dozen of these cute little poinsettias that she wants to give to her friends and co workers.  Being her crafty mom I made it clear that she need to "dress them up" a bit.  I made these rosettes by cutting a 12 x 2" length of pattern paper.  I  border punched the edge and scored lines every 1/4 inch.  I zig zag folded the strip attaching the two ends to form a circle and then hot glued the centers to hold them securely.  The stick is a wooden kitchen skewer that I wrapped in twine.

Looking for more fun ways to make the holidays brighter Waltzingmouse style?  Check out projects from the rest of the design  team here:

Anya Schrier, Edna Morrisedie, Iwona Palamountain, Becca Feeken

Jen Cuthbertson, Jennifer Holmes, Julia Aston, Karin Åkesdotter

Kelly Schirmer, Kim Duran, Laurie Schmidlin, Lynn Mercurio, Renee Lynch

Sandie Dunne, Teresa Kline, Tosha Leyendekker, Claire Brennan

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!


Supplies Used:
Stamps:  Waltzingmouse Santa's Coming to Town, Putting on the Ritz
Card Stock:  PTI Vintage Cream
Pattern Paper:  October Afternoon Holiday Style Snow & Mistletoe 12 x 12"
Twine:  Gold Shimmer Twinery
Ribbon:  5/8" Burlap Center Stitch Red, Ivory Button Twine May Arts
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Memento Luxe Love Letter
Dies:  Spellbinder Standard Circles, Nested Pennants, Exquisite Circles,  Lil Inkers Holly Leaf
Pin:  Tim Holtz
Border Punch Fiskers Scallop Edge
Extras Button, Gem, Wood Skewer

CASE STUDY #167 - Happy Thanksgiving!

Getting ready for the big day? I did some grocery shopping yesterday and couldn't believe how busy the store was - especially around the frozen turkeys!  HAHA!  I guess it's on my mind too !  I'm starting to think about what I'll be making for dinner... and dessert!  I'm not sure if my parents will be coming over since my dad is still recuperating from his knee surgery or if I will be knocking on their door with a turkey in hand.  Either way is fine with me -  as long as we are all together. 

I'm enjoying our muse this month at CASE - it's Keisha Campbell from A Bit East Coast.  You should check out her blog - her photos are wonderful and it's a beautiful place to get lost for a few hours!  Check out the inspiration photo for this week.  What grabs you?   Is it the chevron pattern, the color combination or maybe the pretty flowers?   I just love everything about it.  I zeroed in on the postage stamp cut borders, the sentiment with the flowers peeking out, and those big leaves peeking out over the edge.  So how to make it my own?  I switched up the colors, but kept true to the sketch.  Of course had to add a little bling for some eye candy!

Need more inspiration?  The CASE DT is sure to please - just click on the names below to jump to their blogs.  Our special guest designer this month is  Amy Tsuruta!

Chupa - Iwona Palamountain

Amy Wanford

Andrea Ewen

Clare Buswell

Debbie Hughes

Maureen Plut

Tasnim Ahmed 

Maureen Merritt

Silke Ledlow

So What will you do with this one? I'm looking forward to seeing your creations at CASE Study Blog Challenge!  Have a great day!

Supplies Used:  Finished Size:  4.25 x 5.5"
Stamps:  Papertrey Ink Leaf Prints, Acorns
Dies:  PTI Autumn Acorns, Leaf Prints, Spellbinder Classic Bracket, Labels & Tags, Petite Ovals
Gems:  Recollections
Pattern Paper:  Lost & Found 2 Rosy
Card Stock:  PTI White, SU! Certainly Celery, Gumball Green
Ink:  Memento Tangelo, Morocco, Dandelion, Sweet Plum, Grape Jelly, Pear Tart, Bamboo Leaves, Versafine Onyx Black

A Waltzingmouse Christmas - Tags!!

Are you enjoying our Waltzingmouse Christmas?  We're doing things a little different this release - the stamps are already in the store - so no excuses - start making those Christmas Cards!! HAHA!!  I know... I'm not one to talk!    Did you see there are new dies that coordinate with previously released sets too?    They make stamping, cutting and assembling super easy. 

Today it's all about the tags!   We're trying to cover all the bases - yesterday was cards, today is tags - tomorrow is decorations.  We're rolling out the older sets and mixing in the newer ones so you are sure to see something you love. 

My first tag was made with the new Mistletoe Die set that matches the Festive Foliage stamp set.  I made a tag base by cutting two different sizes of a Spellbinder label die.  I topped it with a sprig of mistletoe and a yummy soft velvet bow. 

Don't forget about all the Waltzingmouse label stamps that coordinate with Spellbinder die cuts! Here's Santa flying by on his sled from the Twas the Night Before Christmas set!  This cute little tag is sure to dress up any gift.  So what was the hardest part of this release?  Deciding what set to work with.  So many favorites here old and new and they all work beautifully together!  

Looking for more tag ideas?  Here's a list of all the ladies with designs to show you today! 

 Anya Schrier, Edna Morrisedie, Iwona Palamountain, Jen Cuthbertson

Jennifer Holmes, Julia Aston, Karin Åkesdotter, Kelly Schirmer, Kim Duran

Laurie Schmidlin, Lynn Mercurio, Renee Lynch, Sandie Dunne, Teresa Kline

Becca Feeken, Tosha Leyendekker, Claire Brennan

I hope you'll stop by tomorrow to see what decorations we've made to make the holidays even more festive!



Supplies Used:  
Mistletoe
Stamps:  Waltzingmouse Festive Foliage
Die:  Waltzingmouse Mistletoe
Spellbinder Nested Lacy Pennants, Labels 18
Card Stock:  Papertrey Ink Simply Chartreuse, Vintage Cream
Pattern Paper:  My Mind's Eye Mistletoe Magic "Collage" 12 x 12
Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black, Memento Luxe Pistachio, Versamagic Wheat
Ribbon:  3/8" Velvet Woven Parrot Green, Twisted Burlap Natural May Arts
Pearls
Jumbo Eyelet We R Memory Keepers

Santa
Stamps:  Waltzingmouse Twas the Night Before Christmas, Sewing Box Christmas
Dies:  Spellbinder Labels 14, Nested Lacey Pennants
Ink:  Memento Luxe Love Letter, Versafine Onyx Black, Memento Angel Pink
Card Stock:  Papertrey Ink Vintage Cream
Jumbo Eyelet We R Memory Keepers
Pin Dritz
Pearls
Twisted Burlap Natural May Arts

SSCB #24 Tags!

A new challenge begins today at the Serendipity Stamps Challenge Blog.  And you guessed it - we're talking tags!  I'm always looking for a quick easy way to dress things up and and a tag does just the trick!    I haven't hidden my obsession for dies and can I just say Serendipity makes some of the most beautiful intricate cuts out there? Want to go shopping?   The special for this week is 40% Off the highest priced item in your cart.   Use coupon code “40fromhigh1113”.   Good through 11/27.   So no stamping from me this time folks - I'm cranking out dies for these pretty tags! 

I started with the gold foil ornament die cuts and backed them with colorful red and aqua.  As if that wasn't elegant enough I added a sheer organza bow topped with a sparkly star.  A bitty tag threaded with twine makes this easy to attach to just about anything from a package to a bag of home baked cookies.   

You didn't think I would jump straight to Christmas and neglect Thanksgiving did you?   I used the tag making challenge as an excuse to make some pumpkin bread.  I had to have some props right?  Now the house smells like cinnamon and cloves.  Who wouldn't want to come home to that? 

I started with the Pumpkin die and added a backing so lighter orange color peeks through.  I embossed and die cut a leaf, topped it with a threaded button and attached it to my tag with some adhesive foam tape.  Last  I tucked a sentiment under the button.  A simple punched hole for the twine and I'm ready to go!.    

I picked up a big spool of this plaid ribbon at the warehouse store (you know the kind that makes you stock up to save money?)   for around $9.  At about 18 cents a yard it's a simple inexpensive way to dress up a mini loaf of bread.  I really like using this die cut pumpkin for bake sales and gift giving my pumpkin bread - it makes it easy to identify that there's pumpkin bread inside!  Here's my favorite recipe if you want to give it a try.  It's YUMMY!

 Pumpkin Bread

Ingredients:

2 1/2 Cups Sugar

1 8 oz Pkg. Cream Cheese

1/2 Cup Butter

4 Eggs

1 15 oz Can Pumpkin

3 1/2 Cups Flour

2 tsp. Baking Soda

1 tsp. Salt

1 tsp. Pumpkin Pie Spice

1/2 tsp. Baking Powder

1 Cup Chopped Nuts

1 Cup Pecan Halves

Cream butter, cream cheese and sugar in mixer until light and fluffy.  Add one egg at a time mixing well after each addition    Blend in pumpkin.  Add combined dry ingredients, mixing just until moistened.  Fold in nuts.  Pour into greased mini loaf pans.  Top with pecan halves.    Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.  Want to save more time?  Use disposable aluminum mini loaf pans!

Want to see more tags?  Check out what the design team came up with for this challenge!!  Just click on their names to hop to their blogs.

Jenny Gropp

Marybeth Lopez

Miriam Napier

Pauline Pollington

Anya Schrier

Julie Warner

Feel like making a few tags of your own?  I hope you will join us! All you have to do is make a tag featuring a Serendipity Stamp or die and link it up here for your chance to win $20 off your next order.  Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful day!!

Supplies Used:  
Dies:  Serendipity Pumpkin, Ornament, Spellbinders Assorted Leaves, Tags Trio
Stamps:  Serendipity For You, Enjoy!
Twisted Burlap Natural, Button Twine Natural, 7/8  Sheer White Stitched Edge Organza May Arts, Marachino, Carribean Twinery Twine
Card Stock:  PTI Pure Poppy, Hawaiian Shores, Canyon Clay, Simply Chartreuse, Orange Zest, Vintage Cream, AC Specialty Paper Gold Foil
Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black
Button, Gems
Glitter Star Paper Studio
1" Wired Plaid Ribbon Costco