Paper Sweeties January Sketch Challenge

Are you a fan of Paper Sweeties?  They are the sweetest set of little dolls you can imagine.  There's lots of clever sentiments and accessories in the sets so the possibilities are endless.  Did you know they have a sketch challenge every month?  Well check it out!  Here is the latest sketch!  All you have to do is create a project following the sketch design using you Paper Sweeties stamps.  What a great way to get ideas to use the stamps you already have and if you play along you could win a few free sets to add to your collection.  You even get a whole month to play!

I've been sticking with a theme since the challenge started two months ago.  I've been creating a scene using both Jake and one of the ladies to commemorate the month. For Thanksgiving they were pilgrims, for Christmas Jake was in his military Class A's meeting his sweetie under the mistletoe, and this time I have the couple ringing in the new year!  I put them under a banner announcing  the new year, topped them with party hats, and used lots of fun colors!  I can't wait to see what you come up with for the challenge.

 

Need a little inspiration?  Well the design team is playing along too!  They're sure to come up with something fantastic! Have a blessed and beautiful new year full of time to create!

Hugs!

Jeanne

 

Supplies Used:  Finished Size:  5.75 x 5.75"

Stamps:  Paper Sweeties PS-A Abigail, PS-J Jake, PS32 Happy Fall Y'all, PS33 The Splendor of Autumn, PS-14 Alphas Lower Case

Dies:  Cheery Lynn Dutch Scallop Square Frame, Spellbinder Standard Circles, Inverted Scalloped Circles, Quickutz 2x2" Pennants, Stampin Up Small Tag Punch

Pattern Paper:  October Afternoon Cake Walk Collection

Card Stock Papertrey Ink:  Pure Poppy, Stampers Select White, Aqua Mist, New Leaf, Orange Zest, Summer Sunrise, Stampin Up Regal Rose

Ink:  Copic Markers, Momento Tuxedo Black

Buttons, Gems 1/8" Red Satin Ribbon

1 1/2" Grosgrain Ivory Stripes Red May Arts (Ribbon Reel)

12 Kits of Christmas - December Edition

Ok you might be thinking Christmas is over!!  Well actually no it's not!  The 12 Days of Christmas (also known as Christmastide and Twelvetide) actually begin on December 25 and end on January 5.  But regardless of that The 12 Months of Christmas is a group of designers who take turns providing supplies to the others to make Christmas Cards.   We all get the same kit and post on the same day so we can see the different ways we all used the products.  This month is bittersweet for me.  We've made it through the year (12 posts) and have some big changes for next year.  I am sad because this is the last post in the 12 Kits for Cathy Weber and Suzanne Dahlberg.  I will miss seeing their vision of the kits - but it won't stop me from stalking their blogs!

Our host for December was Sharron from On Papillon Wings.  Sharron is one of the sweetest people you would ever want to meet and she always has a kind word!   She was so generous with the kit she put together for us with all sorts of goodies that I haven't used before and am now addicted to!  Take a look at this fabulous kit - velvet ribbon, fancy die cuts from Impression Obsession, Memory Box and My Favorite Things, Stamps from Casual Fridays, Lawn Fawn, WPlus9 and Papertrey Ink.... wow!  just all the bling and shimmery ribbons would make me happy!  Now I don't know if I am getting better at this (I started this club in January and only made one card) or if I got one of those "kits that make themselves" that Joyce is always so lucky to get but this time I made 5 (and I could have kept going... dang it - I didn't use those cute little mittens and sweaters!)  I know Sharron loves birds so I will start off with those and name them each accordingly... here goes....     

   Blue Bird

Red Birds       

Snowflakes

Deer

Snowmen

I love how all the cards look so different and their natural theme!  But wait that's not all... check out what the rest of the 12 Kits designers put together with this gorgeous kit!!  Just click on their names below to jump to their blogs... starting with Miss Sharron ... our hostess with the mostest!  You can tell her what a great kit she put together for us!

Sharron December

Renee January

Cathy February

Suzanne March

Marybeth April

Joyce May

Amy June

Christina July

Kim August

Kara September

Jessica October

Thanks for stopping by!

Jeanne

Supplies Used:  Finished size of all cards 6x6" except Red Birds 6.25" x 4.5"

Stamps:  Snowflake Greetings Casual Fridays, Making Frosty Friends, Winter Fox Lawn Fawn, IN the Meadow, Pretty Peonies, Signature Christmas, Papertrey Ink, Folk Art Flurries, Winter Wishes WPlus9

Card stock:  Enchanted Evening, Pure Poppy, Stampers Select White, Vintage Cream Papertrey Ink, Soft Stone, Old Olive, Baja Breeze Stampin Up!, Oatmeal WPlus9

Pattern/Texture Paper:  Glitter Paper  Opal White LSS< Snowy Days Bo Bunny, Mitten Weather Cosmo Cricket

Dies/Punches Birds, Pine Branch Impression Obsession, Mittens Sweater Lifestyle Crafts, Anna snowflake, Tall Birch Memory Box, Sentiment Strips, Snow Drifts My Favorite Things, Christmas Label, Framed Out #3, In the Meadow, Mat Stack 4, Pretty Peonies Frame Papertrey Ink, Pretty Patches Tree, Seasonal Sentiment, Simple Snowflake WPlus 9, Scalloped Oval Punch (Marvy)

Embossing Folders:  Christmas Words and Dots Set (Sizzix - Hero Arts)

Embellishments:  Bells Darice, Buttons Papertrey Ink Hawaiian Shores, Felt National Non wovens, Gemstones
Paper Studio, Pearls Rhinestones, Large Gemstone Recollections, Ribbon Hobby Lobby / Michael's
Ink: Baja Breeze, Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive Stampin Up, Rich Cocoa, Teal Zeal, Tuxedo Black Momento
Things I added: Divine Twine Holiday, Chevron Washi Tape, 1/4" Gingham Ribbon, Copic Markers

WMSC129 - Let it Snow!

Are you ready for another long weekend?  We will be playing board games, video games, watching movies, and munching on snacks for 4 days straight!  Then back to school, back to work, and back to a schedule!   But for now we can still play!  YAYYY!!!  I wonder if DH will make it past 10 pm this year.  At least long enough to see new years hit the East Coast in Times Square!!

Here's the latest sketch for the Walztingmouse Sketch Challenge.  This one was inspired by Edna Morrisedie of Stamps Paper Happiness!  You might recognize Edna from her sweet little icon of Edna from The Incredibles - she is just Mah va lous Dah Ling!!  I was excited to use some of my new stamps from Yonder Star and turn one of them into a snowflake.  I debossed and then die cut the cream doily the snowflake sits on.  And how about that little cutie stamp in the corner.  I love that Claire always thinks of these little embellishments to fill out the sets!

I hope you like it and that you find a little time to play this week at Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge.   Come on over for a look - your bound to be inspired by some of the samples from the Mischief Makers, and you just might win a free set of stamps to call your own!

Have a great weekend!

Jeanne

Supplies Used:  Finished Size 5" x 7"

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse Yonder Star, Complements of the Season, Santa's Coming to Town

Dies:  Spellbinders Exquisite Circles, Standard Circles, Classic Inverted Scalloped Circles, Nested Pennants, 2011 Snowflake Pennant

Pattern Paper Basic Grey Fact  Fiction Collection

Card Stock:  Stampin Up Baja Breeze, Papertrey Ink Kraft, Vintage Cream

Ink:  Stampin Up Baja Breeze, Versafine Onyx Black

3/8" Ribbon

Gem:  Paper Studio Hobby Lobby

CASE STUDY #122 - Happy Birthday

I hope you had a beautiful Christmas surrounded by the ones you love!   My folks and my sister came over for Christmas dinner and we played Pinochle afterwards.  It was good to get caught up on what they've been doing and share our own adventures as well.  My kids are getting older and I wonder how many years I have left before they invite a friend to join us.  

CASE Study has a new challenge starting today.  It is another two weeker so you have time to play in between festivities.  Our muse this month is Windy Robinson from The Ribbon and Bling Blog - wow she has me at just the name of her blog - but look at this beauty she made to inspire us!  I was immediately struck by the pretty flowers, the swirl of gems and the color PURPLE!  You have to know I'm in heaven here.  I mean seriously!  What else do I need to say?  You can be inspired by any of these elements and make something C&S or extra fancy - it's all up to you.  Oh and did I tell you that our guest designer this month is Wida Miller from Beachorado?  Can't wait to see what she does with this one!

The swirl of gems in Wida's card inspired me to stamp the lacy bouquet background on mine.  I used Versafine Imperial Purple for a clean impression on this really detailed stamp.   I used a fancy Spellbinder die to add a little more elegance to the card.  I even embossed the deep purple background.

I added some pretty cotton violet striped ribbon and lots of mulberry flowers to finish it off.  Here's my finished card.

Need a little more inspiration?  Check out what the rest of the CASE Study design team came up with for this one!  Just click on their names below to jump to their blogs

Chupa - Iwona Palamountain

Amy Wanford

Andrea Ewen

Christina MacLaren

Clare Buswell

Debbie Hughes

Jean Martin

Maureen Plut

Teneale Williams
Guest Designer Wida Miller

I hope you will give this one a try - there's sure to be something to inspire you here!  I'll be looking for you at Case Study Challenge!

Jeanne

Supplies Used:  Finished Size:  5" x 7"
Stamps:  Papertrey Ink Lace Bouquet, Simply Jane
Card Stock:  Papertrey Ink Vintage Cream, Royal Velvet, New Leaf
Dies:  Spellbinder Grand Labels 23, Foliage 2
Versafine Imperial Purple Ink
Flowers:  Ribbon Reel, I am Roses
Ribbon:  5./8" Organic Cotton Stripes Purple Ribbon Reel, 7/8" Grosgrain Amethyst
Sizzix Emboss Plate Texturz Curlique

Merry Christmas - Noel

Merry Christmas!   Just got the ham in the oven - so had to sneak on to my blog to wish you happiness!   Its a white Christmas here in the Midwest - there is a light sprinkle of snow on the ground - enough to feel the spirit, but not hamper driving!  I have a few hours of quiet time before my folks arrive.  I'll probably go watch the kids play video games - so funny to watch them move to their avatar on the TV!  Enjoy your day! 

Jeanne

Supplies Used:  Finished Size 5.75" x 5.75"
Serendipity Floral Alphabet
Pattern Paper:  Authentique Festive 6x6" Pad
Gold Embossing Powder ZING!
Dies:  SPellbinder Classic Squares, Classic Inverted Scalloped Square
Gold Foil Paper: Graffix
Pearl Brad:  Brides
Card Stock:  PTI Pure Poppy, Vintage Cream

Seasons Greetings

Oh we are getting so close now... Santa Claus comes tonight!  Just a short post to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas!  I hope you've all been good and get lots of goodies!!

Big Hugs to you my friends!!
Jeanne

Finished Size: 5" x 7"
Stamps:  Serendipity Seasons Greetings 1236E, Bells with Holly 415H
Dies:  Cheery Lynn Itialian Flourish, Spellbinder Labels 18, Lifestyle Crafts Nesting Frame 2
Patern Paper: October Afternoon Thrift Shop
Card Stock:  Papertrey Ink Stampers Select White, Vintage Cream, Pure Poppy, New Lea, Graffix Gold Foil,
Ink:  Momento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers, Versaftine Onyx Black, Ranger Distress Antique Linen
Extras:  Emboss Plate SIzzix Texturz Stripes, Bell, Red Satin Ribbon 1/4"

Sugar Plum Fairy Ballerina

I hope you are getting all your last minute preparations done!  I'm taking it easy this year - I'm still having my folks over for dinner but I'm taking a few short cuts.  I'm not making the loads of different  cookies that I normally do, and we skipped lots of decorations.  I have a torn rotator cuff and we are still in the middle of some major home repairs.  I plan on a more laid back holiday without all the frills and having time to enjoy my company a little more. 

I made this card for Mary, the owner of Serendipity Stamps.  Her daughter has been performing as the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Nutcracker performing at some local elementary schools.   Mary gets to help out behind the scenes and make sure the girls look picture perfect.  What a great way to enjoy the Christmas season!   I wanted to dress up the ballerina in the stamp to look like her daughter. Here's her photo - she looks like she was born to perform!   I roughly drew the red layer of her dress onto the stamp and colored it with copic markers.  To add a little more dimension I fussy cut the red layer that I colored and popped it up with adhesive tape.  I also cut out the bitty crown and dipped it into gold glitter.  Here's my finished card.  I didn't want a busy background I wanted all the focus to be on the stamp so I used a neutral from Pink Paislee City Sidewalks - it reminds me of going into the city to see a performance.

 
I topped it all off with a gold metallic ribbon and a pretty paper rose.  I hope your holiday is filled with beauty and magic!

Jeanne

Supplies Used:  Finished Size 5" x 7"
Stamp:  Serendipity Ballerina, Dance
Dies:  Pellbinder Grand Oval, Grand Scalloped Oval, Labels 14
Markers:  Copic
Pattern Paper:  Pink Paisee City Sidewalks Collection
Card Stock Papertrey Ink:  Pure Poppy, Kraft, Stampers Select White
Momento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Onyx Black, Ranger Distress Antique Linen
Glitter Martha Stewart, Tea Rose Ribbon Reel, 1" Gold Wired Ribbon Kirkland
Ink:  Momento

Red Santa Tag

Well we made it through the end of the world! My son and his friends took advantage of 2012 prophecy and a had an end of days party. Any excuse to get together and have fun - I think all those video games have them totally prepared for the zombie apocalypse. I heard someone on the radio say "We should be letting the music of the season fill our hearts instead of letting panic fill our heads" - how profound. 

I guess I am missing the Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge this Saturday - this time it's a two week challenge.    This tag doesn't fit the sketch, but it fits the mood - making spirits bright!  I imagine things will be quiet for the next few days as we enjoy the holiday and hold our loved ones a little tighter this year.  God bless you and thank you for making my season so memorable!

Big Hugs!

Jeanne

Supplies Used:
Stamps:  Waltzingmouse Santa's Coming To Town
Dies:  Spellbinder Moroccan Motifs, Standard Circles, Splendid Circles, Stars 5, Nested Pennants
Paper:  Cardstock Papertrey Ink Pure Poppy, Kraft, Stampers Select White, Grafix Gold Foil, Gold Glitter Paper from DCWV
Ink:  Stampin Up Real Red, Versafine Onyx Black
Extras:  Gold Lame Cord, Red Wired Ribbon 1 1/2"

DYSU # 103 - Berry Sprig

Hope you are having a good day.  Winter is finally starting to touch the Midwest - or at least my little corner of the world.  I woke up to a light sprinkle of dust on the ground today.  The puppy didn't know what to make of it and took each step cautiously!  What a hoot!

I'm playing along with the DYSU Challenge.  Sadly they are closing this challenge blog - I believe this is the last challenge there, and the theme this time is "anything goes" so have fun with it!  We're counting down to Christmas so I,m keeping with that theme to keep spirits bright.

I made this one by layering an embossed Serendipity frame die over a Spellbinder Fleur De Lis Square, and then topped it off with a fussy cut Copic colored berry sprig.

Stay warm - and I hope you carry the spirit of the holidays with you wherever you go today!

Jeanne

Supplies Used:  Finished Size:  5.75 x 5.75"
Stamps:  Serendipity Merry Christmas Small 1036B, Square Frame 584G, Berry Sprig 683E
Dies:  Spellbinder Classic Squares, Fleur de is Squares, Labels & Tags
Ink:  Momento Rich Cocoa, Ranger Distress Antique Linens, Versafine Vintage Sepia, Copic Markers
Paper:  Papertrey Ink Poppy Red, Kraft, Stampers Select White
Extras Embossing Plate SIzzix Textrurz Christmas Lattice, Zing Gold Emboss Powder

SSCB#2 - Winter Birthday

So, Have you checked out the new Serendipity Stamps Challenge Blog?  Finally you get to play along with the Design Team on our bi monthly challenges and have a chance to win $20 off your next order!  What a great way to  build your collection of these beautiful detailed stamps.  All you have to do is play along!  You don't have to have a blog to play - you can link up to any on line gallery - like Flickr or Splitcoast Stampers.  Just stick with the theme and be sure to use at least one Serendipity Stamp.   And the challenge this time?   Winter Birthday!!  You can get all the details here.

Well when I think winter living in the Midwest I think SNOW, and when I think about Birthdays I want them to be HAPPY - so what could be better than this happy snowman for a winter birthday challenge?    In inked up this sweetie in Momento Tuxedo Black and then colored him up in Copic markers.  It was really easy because I left quite a bit of him uncolored - snow is white after all :)

I hope you will give our new challenge a try!  If you need a little inspiration the design team has lots to share - just click on their names below to jump to their blog.

Cathy Weber

Helen Berry

Jenny Gropp

Marybeth Lopez

Miriam Napier

Pauline Pollington

And the sale of the week?  40% off  the highest priced item in your basket from December 19 through December 26, 2012. 

Jeanne

Supplies Used:  Finished Size Approximately 6 x 6"

Stamps:  Serendipity Snowman with Fence, Happy Birthday

Die Cuts:  Spellbinder Standard Circles, Grand Circles, Cheery Lynn Dutch Scallop Square Frame

Pattern Paper:  Basic Grey  Jovial Collection "Button Nose"

Card Stock:  Papertrey Ink True Black, Pure Poppy, Stampers Select White
Markers Copic

Ribbon:  7/8" Double Face Red Satin, 3/4" Twill Stripe Red May Arts (Ribbon Reel), 1 1/2" Red Satin Ribbon

Gems:  French General Jolee's Boutique

Ink:  Momento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Onyx Black

Copic Markers

Snowflake Brads and Buttons from My Stash

Mama Elephant CB #1 - May You Be Merry

I had a quiet day at home yesterday - I needed it after the Scout Christmas Party!  I like when things are quiet and that is just fine by me.   I can breeze through my housework with no interruption.... well maybe a little bit of interruption.  I was folding laundry when I heard a big commotion today - like things knocking over.  So of course I had to investigate - should have known it was my crazy dog (she's 10 months old now and 85 pounds!).  I found her trapped in the bath tub with her collar wrapped around the faucet and shampoo bottles all over the floor.  Thank goodness she didn't tear the faucet out of the wall or it would mean another project!   If there is trouble she will find it!

Today I'm playing along at the brand new Mama Elephant Challenge.  I purchased a few sets of their stamps on Black Friday and was happy to see they are starting a challenge blog.  The thing I like best about a challenges is that I get to see creative ways to use all  my stamps - not just new releases -  with fab examples from the design team and ordinary players just like me.

This time is a color challenge of red, aqua, white and glitter.  I just love red and aqua together and was excited to see a little glitter on the list too.  The colors got me thinking Christmas (although your creation doesn't have to be)  but the stamps I bought weren't.  Well that's ok because Mama Elephant put a free digital image on the challenge page that you can use for your design.  I mixed a bit of what I had with the free digi they provided.
Here's what I came up with..
Isn't that birdie the sweetest?  I used the chevrons and pennants from Trifecta and On Target  to make a festive little scene of the birdie decorating it's house.  I hope you like it and if your a fan of Mama Elephant - check out their new challenge blog!

Jeanne

Supplies Used:  Finished Size 5 3/4 x 5 3/4
Stamps:  Mama Elephant Trifecta, On Target & Digital Image May You be Merry
Pattern Paper:  Fancy Pants All Fall Collection "Spelling"
Card Stock:  Stampin Up Pool Party, Soft Suede, Papertrey Ink Hawaiian Shores, Kraft,
Stampers Select White, DCWV Silver Glitter
Dies:  Spellbinder Cuckoo Clock, Quickutz 4x4 Branches
Ink:  Stampin Up Real Red & Baja Breeze
Silver Lame Cord
Pearl Paper Studio
S10 Flowers Red & White Iamroses.com

Sarah Hurley #75 and Craft Us Crazy #32 - Sled

I had a little crafty time so I thought I'd play along in a few new challenges this week.  It's quiet here - my daughter is on break from school and my son is studying for finals so SSSSHHHHHHHHHH!!  I'm good with that - I have a few things of my own I'd like to work on  :)))    I love this vintage sled image and it brought back some memories for me.  Growing up in the Midwest its never hard to find a hill to slide down - often along side a road that has a good pitch to it .  You'll know the place - cars will be parked up and down the street for blocks!

I stamped this one in Versafine Vintage Sepia and left it uncolored so the detail really shows.  I distressed the edges a bit and layered it on to a pretty die cut.  The cherry on top of course is a pretty bow with a few bitty bells  (gotta get those angels wings!!!).

I've entered this one at Sarah Hurley Challenge Blog # 75 "Christmas" and Craft Us Crazy #32 "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like....."  Both are looking for Christmas entries and this one fits the bill :)  Maybe I'll see you there?!!  Have a great day!

Jeanne

Supplies Used:  Finished Size 5" x 7"

Stamps:  Serendipity Sled 540H and Tis The Season 349

Dies: Spellbinders Fleur De Lis Rectangles, Classic Rectangles, Nested Pennants

Pattern Paper:  October Afternoon Modern Home Maker Collection 8" x 8" Pad

Papertrey Ink:  Pure Poppy, Stampers Select White

Ink:  Versafine Vintage Sepia, Ranger Distress Antique Linen

Extras:  Jingle Bells, Jump Ring, Button, Hug Snug Seam Binding Lipstick Red, Red Craft Thread

Paper Sweeties December Release Day 4

Today is the last day of the Paper Sweeties previews.  The design team has been previewing the new December releases that hit the Paper Sweeties Shoppe on December 15.  There are lots of new winter accessories to dress up the girls as well as a new friend - this cute snowman!  NO coloring on this one! There are also lots of fun wintery accessories and sentiments that are sure to warm your heart - and who couldn't use that on a cold day??!

I stamped the snowman image from the new set Snow Friends on the patterened paper.  Then I stamped him on white cardstock.  I fussy cut the white card stock one and then glued it onto the patterned paper image.  This gives you a nice clean look if your fussy cutting needs a little help like mine!  I stamped the hat and scarf on pattern paper and fussy cut them also.  This set comes with a knit cap you can use as well.

Isn't he just so happy looking?  I hope you will stop by the rest of the design team and see what they have in store for you today - I'm sure it's nothing short of fabulous.  Just click on their name below to jump to their blog.

 Debbie Marcinkiewicz

Charlene Cundy

Andrea Ewen

Pattie Goldman

Jinny Newlin

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Jeanne

Supplies Used:  Finished Size 5.75x 5.75"

Stamps:  Paper Sweeties PS-48 Let it Snow, PS-43 Snow Friends

Pattern Paper:  Basic Grey Aspen Frost Collection Woolen Mittens, Copper Kettles, Strudel, Oh What Fun

Card Stock:  Papertrey Ink:  Pure Poppy, Hawaiian Shores

Dies:  Spellbinder Grand CIrcles, Grand Scallop Circles, Standard Circles, Floral Doily Motifs

7/8" Double Face Red Satin, Buttons Papertrey Ink and Favorite Findings, Pearls, Martha Stewart Glitter (Sugar Cube)

Red and Purple Ornament Tag

This time of year I'm always looking for ways to make things a little extra special - could be a place card for the dinner table, a decoration to display, or a tag to make a gift super special.  Kelly, our Waltzingmouse Gingham Girl teases me that red and purple are my signature colors so rather than fight it I thought I would embrace it on this tag .

I layered up foil die cuts and stamped die cuts and topped it off with a two color bow with bitty jingle bells.  It was fun and easy to make - just be sure to have lots of foam pop dots on hand :)  I'm entering this one at DYSU #102 Challenge Blog whose current challenge is Christmas.  I'm sad to say the DYSU Challenge Blog will be closing down at the end of this year - so now is your last chance to collect that winner badge!  I had to give it just one more go!

Thanks for stopping by for a look - I hope you have a beautiful day!
Jeanne

Supplies Used: 
Stamps:  Waltzingmouse Faux Fun Circles, 2011 Holiday Ornaments, Nutcracker Sweet
Dies:  Spellbinders 2011 Heirloom Ornaments, Labels & Tags, Picot Edge Circles, Petite Scalloped Circles, Ironwork Motifs
Seam Binding:  Hug Snug   Lipstick Red, Lavender
Bitty Jingle Bells, Twinery Maraschino Twine
Ink:  Versa fine Onyx Black, Stampin Up Real Red, Grape Jelly
Paper:  Papertrey Ink Stampers Select White, Foil Paper AC Specialty