Color Throw Down #368–It’s Ugly Sweater Season!

Hello sweet friends!!

It’s my second week as a guest over at the Color Throw Down Challenge, and this week’s color combo is another super fun one!!!

Is that not so yummy?!!  I feel like the possibilities for this combo are endless.  I decided to pull out a super fun holiday set from My Favorite Things called Cozy Greetings, and this card just took on a life of its own!  LOL  Here’s my take on the challenge!

Oh my goodness – pretty sure I’d win an ugly sweater contest with this baby, right?!  LOL  Here’s how I created this project:

1. Trim an A2 top-folding card base from Gravel Gray Card Stock.  Score at 5.5”, fold in half and perfect crease with a Teflon Bone Folder.
2. Die cut a scalloped rectangle from Translucent Vellum using the Scalloped Stitched Rectangles Dies.  Die cut an image panel from Sweet Tooth Card Stock using the Stitched Rectangle Dies.  Stamp the sentiment from the Cozy Greetings Stamp Set using VersaMark onto the image panel; heat emboss with Leaf Embossing Powder.  Adhere the scalloped vellum panel to the image panel with foam squares.  Adhere the image panel to the card base with foam squares.
3. Die cut the sweater from Ripe Raspberry Card Stock, and the collar, cuffs and waist band from Gravel Gray Card Stock using the Comfy Sweater Die-Namics.
4. Stamp the Houndstooth Background onto the sweater using Red Current Pigment Ink.
5. Die cut the tree from the chest of the sweater using the Cozy Mitten Die-Namics; die cut it a second time from Simply Chartreuse Card Stock.  Insert the green tree into the opening on the sweater and secure using scotch tape to the back.
6. Adhere mini prills to the tree using Multi Matte Medium.  Adhere the collar, cuffs and waist band to  the sweater.  Adhere the assembled sweater to the image panel with foam squares.

There you have it!! I am excited to see what you all create using this super fun color combo!  For more inspiration, I hope you’ll click on through to the Color Throw Down Challenge Blog to see what the brilliantly talented design team have created for you!  I know you’re going to be blown away!

That’s it for me today, friends!!  Still running like a chicken with my head cut off to get caught up . . . hoping that I have another productive day today!  Thanks so much for stopping by!  I’ll be back soon with another Avery Elle Project!

CS Cozy Greetings BG Houndstooth Background Die-namics Comfy Sweater Die-namics LJD Cozy Mittens Sweet Tooth Card Stock Ripe Raspberry Prestige Card Stock Gravel Gray Prestige Card Stock Translucent Vellum Red, It's Right Prills Hot Mama Prills

InLinkz.com

Powder Tool Adhesive Deactivator

Hero Arts Embossing Gun

Martha Stewart Scoring Board, Mini

Soft Grip Embossing and Stylus

Teflon Bone Folder

Sizzix Big Shot White & Gray

Sizzix Cutting Pad, Standard

Sizzix Accessory, Magnetic Platform for Wafer-Thin Dies

Scrapbook Adhesives Thin 3-D Foam Squares, Mix White

Scotch Double-Sided Foam Mounting Tape

Ranger Multi Medium, Matte Mini, 1/2 oz.

VersaMark Ink Pad

Red Current Fresh Ink Simply Chartreuse Card Stock Scalloped stitched Rectangles - Die set Stitched Rectangles - Die set My Sweet Petunia

InLinkz.com

Warm Winter Wishes!

 

Hola Chicas!

 

STAMPS:  Sewing Box Christmas (Waltzingmouse Stamps)
INK:  Lady Bug Red (Memento)
PAPER:  Men of Life DP (Papertrey Ink), White CS (Neenah), Blue Sky CS (Recollections)
ACCESSORIES:  Nested Mittens Shapeabilities (Spellbinders), Swiss Dots Embossing Folder (Provo Craft), Lacey Circles Nestabilities (Spellbinders), 3D Dots (EK Success), Corner Chomper (We R Memory Keepers), Snowflake Embossing Folder (Provo Craft), Baker’s Twine (Divine Twine), Buttons and Red Felt (Papertrey Ink), Glue Dots

Warm Winter Wishes Mittens 2 VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

I’m back today to share another Baby, It’s Cold Outside project for the ABC Toys & Crafts DT Challenge.  Who doesn’t think of warm mittens when it’s cold outside?!  I know I do!!  In fact, I wish I’d had a sweet pair like this Saturday night when I was freezing my bootie off at the Fiesta Bowl!!  Yes, kids, it’s been really, really cold here in AZ the past few days.  I’m hoping that the cold temps are short lived because I’m ready to get back to warmer temperatures.

 

But I digress . . . back to my project.  I die cut the mittens using the Nested Mittens Shapeabilities - one set out of red felt, and one set out of white cardstock.  I then embossed the white mittens using my fave Swiss Dots Embossing Folder (no craft collection should be without that baby!)  The circle was cut using the Lacey Circle Nestabilities, and the white strip was embossed with a snowflake embossing folder that I had in my stash.  Add some buttons and yummy baker’s twine and you’ve got yourself a fun little winter note for a sweet friend!

 

So, have you created some projects for the Baby, It’s Cold Outside challenge?  You have three weeks to create something, so we’d love to have you join in on the fun!!  You can find all the deets by clicking on the blinkie below. 

 

 

Oh, and did I tell you that ABC Toys & Crafts has all new DISCOUNTED prices – all the time?!!  You really should check it out.

 

That’s it for me today, kids.  I’m cropping with friends tomorrow, so I plan to have more crafty goodness to share with you this week.  Thanks so much for stopping by today!  Your visits mean the world to me!

Friends of Waltzingmouse Stamps Blog Waltz!!

Welcome to the October Friends of Waltzingmouse Stamps Blog Waltz! The fun starts in The Playroom:  Blog Waltzes:  October Blog Waltz Links thread in the Waltzingmouse Stamps Forum. If you haven't already registered, it's just a couple of quick questions and a few clicks away!

We also have a game we're playing for a chance to win a stamp set of choice, which is open to everyone! You'll find the chat and deets in The Playroom:  BlogWaltzes:  October Blog Waltz Chat and Game thread. The competition is open until Tuesday (October 19th) night at 11:59 pm Eastern, so you can waltz at your leisure over the weekend.

Our theme this month is Autumn/Fall. Claire has designed the most wonderful Autumn and Fall stamp sets – Peace and Plenty and Blessed By You. Even her new set, Teeny Trees, could be used for a fall/autumn theme.  Waltz along with us today and check out the Waltzingmouse Stamps Gallery for some autumn-licious samples!

 

 

My card features the wreath from Peace and Plenty.  I stamped the wreath image in Versamark and then heat embossed each one in a different Zing embossing powder.  The layout was inspired by a card that I saw on Dawn McVey’s blog a while back, and the felt embellishments were created using the new Lacey Circle Nestabilities.  I don’t typically like long cards, but I think I’m pretty happy with the way this one turned out.

The weather has been amazingly gorgeous here in Washington – we’ve had the most beautiful autumnal days . . . I almost hate to leave next week.  But I’m sure it won’t be too long before the rain starts pouring, and I’ll be so happy that I’m in the AZ sunshine again!!

 

Thanks so much for waltzing by today! Enjoy the rest of the waltz!

WaltzingMouse Sketch Challenge!

Hi Kids!

How is your Monday going?!  Good, I hope!!  I thought I’d pop in and share a little sumpin’ sumpin’ that I threw together this morning for the latest and greatest challenge site that I found – the WaltzingMouse Sketch Challenge!  Be still my heart!!  Two of my favorite loves all rolled into one – sketches and WaltzingMouse Stamps.  Seriously, could it get any better than this?  I don’t think so.  So here’s what I’ve come up with in response to the very first sketch challenge.
 
First, I stamped this beautiful sentiment from Words of Wisdom with Tangelo ink (Memento).  Next, I stamped the violet image from Afternoon Tea Sentiments in Versamark and then heat embossed it with Zing clear embossing powder (love that stuff!)  Then I rubbed Sea Breeze chalk ink over the image, and then wiped the chalk ink off with a paper towel.  Wowzer!!  Love how that subtle flower image just pops right out, don’t you?!!  (If you click on the photos, you'll see a larger view - go on, try it!!)  I’ve never done the emboss resist technique before, and I can tell you I will definitely be trying this again.  The circle was cut out with my Classic Circle Nestabilities, and the Scalloped Square was cut out with my Scalloped Square Nestabilities.  The final finishing touch was the scrunched ribbon and bow.  I’ve been seeing this technique all over blog land, and I just love it.  Super easy, and again something I’ll use again!!

This also qualifies for three other challenges:  The CAS-tastic Challenge (focus on sentiments), the CAS Challenge at SCS (quotes and verses), and Crazy 4 Challenges (pleats).  BONUS!

STAMPS:  Words of Wisdom and Afternoon Tea Sentiments (WaltzingMouse Stamps)
INK:  Tangelo (Memento), Sea Breeze (VersaMagic Chalk Ink), Versamark (Tsukineko)
PAPER:  Sno Cone CS (Poptone), Hot Fudge CS (Poptone), White CS (Neenah)
ACCESSORIES:  Sticky Strip, Clear Embossing Powder (Zing/American Crafts), Ribbon (American Crafts), Classic Circle and Scalloped Square Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Cuttlebug, Stampin' Dimensionals (Stampin' Up!)


There’s a prize at stake for this fun little challenge – if your card is picked, you could win a free template AND will possibly be picked as one of three Top Mice!!  I want that Top Mouse award – BAD!!  LOL  You all should come and play along.  You have until 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, June 10th to join in on the fun!  Just click on the sketch above, and it’ll take you right to where you can upload your project.  Good luck!!

Also, I just had to share this sweet little picture of my grandson, Brecken.  This was taken yesterday on his very first shopping spree with grandma and mom.  How stinkin’ cute is he?  I know, I know . . . I’m prejudiced.  I think I’ll keep him, though!  Happy One Month Birthday, Brecken!

That’s it for me today.  I’ve got a few more cards stuck in my head that I need to get out before it explodes.  LOL  Have a great day – I’ll be back tomorrow with my ABC Toys & Crafts goodie for you!  Thanks for stopping by today.

Happy 1st Birthday Waltzingmouse Stamps!!

Welcome!

If you’ve stumbled upon my blog this morning, then I should tell you that you’ve visited at the perfect time!  Today we’re celebrating Waltzingmouse Stamps’ First Birthday with a very special blog waltz!!

The theme this month is birthdays – perfect, right?!!  Well, I loved the theme so much, I made TWO cards.  This is my first.  I have loved the images in the Sewing Box – Hugs set since I first laid eyes on it.  Every single image in this set is faux blanket stitched.  Love that!!  I’ll list the supplies used for each card below, but I feel it’s important to point out that these sweet images are so fun to play with.  I stamped the  leaves onto two different colors of felt and then cut them out.  The flowers and birdie are stamped onto Fly A Kite and Thrift Shop DP to carry that vintage feel throughout.  The sentiment is from the Sewing Box – Hugs set, too.  Here’s a shot of the inside of the card, too.  I used an SRM sticker – easy, peasy!

My second birthday card uses two different Waltzingmouse Stamps sets – Off Beat Backgrounds and L’il Buddies.  Banners are hot right now, and I wanted to create one to celebrate the WMS First Birthday!  I stamped each of the backgrounds from Off Beat Backgrounds and punched them out with my handy dandy Fiskars triangle punch.  I adhered the triangles to some 1/8” ribbon, and then adhered the banner to the card front.  The sentiment is from L’il Buddies.  A bit of cloud DP, some stitching, a couple of buttons and voila’ – you’ve got yourself another birthday card!

I can’t believe it’s only been one year ago that I first stumbled upon Waltzingmouse Stamps.  Claire Brennan is the owner of this very fun company.  Claire cares very much for her customers, and has the kind of integrity, both as a business woman and as a person, that is second to none.  She adores anything Christmas-related, and her kind spirit oozes out of her sweet images.  Just so you know, I’m not part of the WMS DT, and have not been compensated to participate in this blog waltz.  What I say here is from my heart, and from my first-hand experience.  When I tell you that Claire Brennan and Waltzingmouse Stamps are exceptional, I tell you this from the bottom of my heart.

Happy First Birthday to Claire and Waltzingmouse Stamps!!  Wishing you many more to come – please know that I’ll be your biggest fan as long as you’re around!!

If you’d like to play along with this months’ waltz, just click on the Waltzing Mouse badge at the top of my post.  It’ll take you to Claire’s blog, where you’ll find all the details of today’s waltz.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

A Little Birdie Told Me
STAMPS:  Sewing Box – Hugs (Waltzingmouse Stamps)
INK:  Rich Cocoa (Memento)
PAPER:  Vintage Cream CS and Aqua Mist CS (PTI), Fly A Kite and Thrift Shop DP (October Afternoon)
ACCESSORIES:  Zig Zag and Donut Chain Border Punches (EK Success), Janome Sew Mini, Corner Rounder, Stampin’ Dimensionals (Stampin’ Up!), Buttons (PTI), Rustin Button Twine (PTI), SRM Sticker
Happy Birthday
STAMPS:  Off Beat Backgrounds and L’il Buddies (Waltzingmouse Stamps)
INK:  Pixie Dust and Red Magic Chalk Ink (VersaMagic), Summer Sky and Tuxedo Black (Memento)
PAPER:  Pure Poppy and Sweet Blush CS (PTI), Clouds DP (Doodlebug), White CS (Neenah), 1/8” Satin Ribbon (PTI), Xyron Sticker Maker, Buttons (PTI), Janome Sew Mini, Stampin’ Dimensionals (Stampin’ Up!)

Waltzing Mouse Customer Blog Hop - Spring Has Sprung!

ETA:  For some annoying reason, Blogger put my post into "draft" form instead of "scheduled" as I told it to.  It's so annoying when that happens.  Sorry for the break in links - hope you enjoy the hop!!

Hello!

The day is finally here!!  The first ever Waltzing Mouse Stamps Customer Blog Hop!  If you arrived at my blog in your daily blurfing and you want to enjoy some wonderful spring goodies, then the Blog Hop starts at the Waltzing Mouse Stamps blog HERE.  If you've arrived at my blog from Lee's blog, then you're in the right place!!

I just love spring, don't you?!  So, when Claire said she wanted our theme to be "spring" I jumped at the chance to play along.  I immediately thought of the sweet images contained in the new "Spring Baskets" stamp set that I just received in the mail a few weeks ago.  Oh my gosh, this set is chock full of darling images, but my fave definitely has to be this sweet flower bouquet  image.  It reminded me so much of what is typically the first sign of spring in Washington - primroses.  Right?!!  I cut the basket template (from a template I downloaded from Papertrey Ink) out of Kraft CS, and ran it through my Cuttlebug using the Retro Diamonds embossing folder.  I thought it represented a fun basket weave.  I stamped the flower bouquet three times on white CS, colored them up with my Copics, and then cut them out.  I adhered them to the basket template with pop dots, and then added buttons and self-adhesive pearls for the centers.  Wouldn't it be so fun to get a sweet basket of primroses like this?!

That's it for me!  Tisha Ann has more delicious spring goodies to share with you, and is the next stop on the Hop!  Thanks so much for stopping by - I hope that your spring arrives where you live very soon!

STAMPS: Spring Baskets (Waltzing Mouse Stamps)
INK: Tuxedo Black (Memento), VersaMagic Chalk Ink
PAPER: Kraft CS (PTI), White CS (Neenah), Sno Cone CS (Poptone)
ACCESSORIES: Retro Diamond Embossing Folder (QuicKutz), Satin Ribbon (PTI), Spring Fling Template (PTI), Self-Adhesive Pearls (Recollections), Tag Die (Spellbinders), Scrapper's Floss (Karen Foster), Buttons (PTI), Scallop Border Punch (SU), Copic Markers, Stampin' Dimensionals (SU)

Some REAL Crafty Goodness . . . and a Card!

Hi Girlies!

Look at this darling cookie flower bouquet!!  I celebrated my birthday on Sunday (and by celebrate, I mean that I did ABSOLUTELY NOTHING because that's what I wanted to do!!  LOL).  I had so many sweet phone messages, emails and Facebook messages from all my wonderful family and friends.  It really makes a girl feel special.  And THEN I got to spend a crafty afternoon with my GIRLIES yesterday and this amazing sight was waiting for me when I walked in the door at Terri's.  Helllooooooo!!  Can you say frickin' DEE-LICIOUS?!!  Yeah - Terri MADE those cookies!!  And check out that sweet card (not to mention the gift card to my absolute fave paper store)!!  I know, I'm using a lot of exclamation points here, but I just need to express how spoiled rotten and special I feel for all the kindnesses and thoughtfulness shown to me for my birthday . . . you have no idea how much it means to me.  I simply don't know what I've done to deserve such great friends, but boy am I happy I have them!  Thanks for a great day, Terri!

Okay, I know I promised you a card, too.  I created this little card for the sketch challenge over at the new Our Craft Corner sketch blog . . . I think I got it in at the very last minute, but I really wanted to play.  I'm embarrassed to admit that this is the first time that I've inked up these Waltzing Mouse Stamps - how freakin' cute are these images?!!  And Claire, the owner and designer of these stamps, is just about the sweetest lady you'll ever want to know - and she lives in Ireland!  The patterned papers are from the October Afternoon Farm Fresh paper pack -  I really like the scale of the 8" x 8" pads.  I wish my sentiment popped off the page a bit more, but all in all, I was pretty happy with how this turned out.

STAMPS:  Sewing Box Hugs (Waltzing Mouse Stamps)
INK:  Tuxedo Black (Memento)
PAPER:  Pure Poppy CS (PTI), Spring Moss CS (PTI), Kraft CS (PTI), Vintage Cream CS (PTI), Farm Fresh DP (October Afternoon)
ACCESSORIES:  Spring Moss Button (PTI), Rustic Button Twine (PTI), Tag - Basic Elements Design Card (Making Memories), Pink Slice (Making Memories), Swiss Dots Embossing Folder (Provocraft), Cuttlebug, Spring Moss Grosgrain Ribbon (PTI), Janome Sew Mini, Scallop Trim Border Punch (SU), Stampin' Dimensionals (SU)

That's it for me today, kids.  I've got some housework to do and some grocery shopping to get done.  Our first load of spring house guests are arriving this afternoon . . . so I must get my booty in gear!  Thanks so much for stopping by today.  I'll try to post another little cutie in the next day or so . . . I actually got some work done at Terri's yesterday for a change!  Thanks for stopping by - it means so much to me that you take the time out of your day to visit.  Hugs!