A Teeny Tree for Tenia!

I was blog hopping today and found out that one of the sweetest stampers around was honored as the Featured Stamper last week at Splitcoaststampers....Tenia Sanders-Nelson!  I just had to case one of her stylish cards and I chose this beauty! 

 I know, WOW!

I also wanted to play along with the Inspiration Challenge this week, an awesome website featuring children's bedding called Glenna Jean.  I was inspired by this bedroom set called Central Park!

See those 2 trees on the dresser in the background?  Tenia's awesome layout and card elements, along with the colors and trees from the photo led me to making this card...

I used the tree and sentiment from Teeny Trees, and the beautiful label from Very Vintage Labels No. 10 from Waltzingmouse Stamps.  The background is the Tulle Damask Backgrounder from Cornish Heritage Farms.  I embossed it in white on Sky cardstock by A Muse Studio.

I embossed the tree with Diamond Embossing powder, cut it out, and then added a little rolled rose at the top.  I could only dream of making a flower like Tenia's!  I made up for it by adding a big dramatic satin bow just like Tenia used on her card!

CONGRATULATIONS, TENIA!  I am so happy that you were featured this week!  Oh how I love your style and so appreciate all of the sweet comments you sprinkle all over blogland :)!

Supplies:
Stamps:  Teeny Trees and Very Vintage Labels No. 10, Waltzingmouse Stamps, and Tulle Damask Backgrounder, Cornish Heritage Farms
Paper:  PTI Vintage Cream, and A Muse Studio Sky
Ink:  Versamagic, VersaColor Umber, and Tim Holtz Walnut Stain Distress ink
Other:  Diamond and White embossing powders, pearl, and satin ribbon all A Muse Studio, Spellbinders Labels 10 Nestabilities, PTI Vintage Cream felt, MFT Mini Rolled Rose die

A Place for the Mr. and Mrs....Sketch!

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  But don't put those fancy dishes too far back on the shelf yet...it's already time to think about place settings for Christmas!  As always, Claire was thinking ahead with this week's sketch at the Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge Blog!

I decided to make room for 2 additional guests this year...

 

Santa and Mrs. Claus!  Santa will probably be too tired to drive back to the North Pole, and Mrs. Claus deserves a day off in the kitchen!  Jen Cuthbertson told me that if you make a place for them, they are sure to come! 

I used the Santa sentiment from Santa's Coming to Town, and the Mrs. sentiment from Candy Jar Christmas.  The gingham is from Gingham & Co.!

I might be a little obsessed with this sweet evergreen swag image from Nutcracker Sweet!  Oh and those ribbons, so sweet!  To embellish, I just dotted the little circle with Christmas Red Stickles, and wrapped twine around the cardstock above the gingham panel.

Who will you be coming to your house this Christmas?  Make some place cards and upload a photo of them HERE by next Friday, December 2.  Be sure to use at least 1 Waltzingmouse Stamps image on your creation to be eligible to be the randomly-selected participant who will win a WMS stamp set of choice!

Supplies:
Stamps:  Nutcracker Sweet, Santa's Coming to Town, Candy Jar Christmas, Gingham & Co., all Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper:  PTI Vintage Cream and Kraft cardstock
Ink:  VersaColor Bamboo, Fresh Ink in Tomato Red, Tim Holtz Distress inks in Walnut Stain and Antique Linen
Other:  twine, Christmas Red Stickles

While I'm at it...let's CR84FN!

It's my first time playing along with Mona Pendleton's CR84FN Color Challenge!  I picked a week with a bit of a tricky combination for my first go around...

Brown, Tan, and Green...ohhh it was hard keeping away from the red on this one.  But I did it!

I had the Love Lives Here: Holiday stamp set out for the PTI Blog Hop and just kept going!  Also used 2 new Black Friday finds, the Triad Leaves and Snowflake #8 Embossing Folders by Sizzix/Basic Grey.  Used Grass cardstock by A Muse Studio which has a white core.  It started to show through with the crisp embossing, so I sanded over it even more.

Added lots of sparkle with Crystal Snow glitter by Stampendous on the angel's wings and star, some Sakura Stardust glitter pen on the branches, and some A Muse Studio Latte pearls on her skirt.

I had SUCH fun with this challenge!  So much inspiration from Mona, the Design Team, and all of the other participants.  Be sure to visit the CR84FN blog HERE to play along, too!

Supplies:

Stamps:  Love Lives Here: Holiday, Papertrey Ink

Paper:  PTI Vintage Cream and Kraft, A Muse Studio Grass cs

Ink:  VersaColor Umber, Color Box Chesnut, Fresh Ink in Tuscan Olive, Tim Holtz Antique Linen Distress ink

Other:  Spellbinders oval die, Sizzix/Basic Grey embossing folders in Triad Leaves and Snowflake #8, Crystal Snow glitter by Stampendous, sandpaper, A Muse Studio Latte pearl stickers, twine

Papertrey Ink Blog Hop

Time for another blog hop with Papertrey Ink!  Who could pass up the opportunity to use this beautiful photo as inspiration for a Christmas card.? 

Here is my card:

I used the beautiful angel and pine boughs from Love Lives Here:  Holiday, and a sentiment from Believe.  The technique to make the background was featured on a previous Make It Monday.  I placed the arch from the Sending You die set on top of the Vineyard Impression plate (cutting side facing away from the impression plate), paper on top, and tan/chocolate mats on top of that.  Sent it through my Cuttlebug.

It left a beautiful impression in the center, the perfect place to tuck the angel.

I'm posting a late entry, as I was out scoring some deals on Black Friday!  My best finds at 6:30 AM?  Some Sizzix/Basic Grey dies that were 75% off, fancy Fiskars tweezers that were 60% off, and 5 new Copics to add to my collection.  Hope you all had fun shopping today...whether at the local mall or in the comfort of your own home!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies:

Stamps:  Love Lives Here: Holiday, Believe, both Papertrey Ink; Gingham & Co, Waltzingmouse Stamps

Paper:  PTI Vintage Cream and Pure Poppy

Ink:  Fresh Ink in Tomato Red, Color Box Chesnut, VersaColor Umber and Bamboo

Other:  Vintage Cream twill tape, Vineyard Impression Plate, Sending You and Love Lives Here: Holiday die sets, all Papertrey Ink; also, Spellbinders oval, A Muse Studio Cranberry pearls

Gingham & Holly Sketch

Another wonderful and versatile sketch from Claire this week at the Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge Blog!  This one is just perfect for a Christmas card, see?....

I thought so....!

I stamped images from two sets that I can't seem to get enough of lately...the holly tag image from Around Christmastime inside the candy cane circle from Faux Fun Circles.  The regal sentiment is from Nutcracker Sweet!

I stamped the tag image in Memento Tuxedo Black ink, colored the inside with Copic markers, and added a bit of Crystal Snow glitter.  Popped it up inside the candy cane circle and added some red pearls for the berries.  The holly fits perfectly inside a 1.75 inch circle punch, and the Faux Fun Circles coordinate perfectly with the Spellbinders Standard Circles Small Nestabilities set!

Are you on a Christmas card roll, too?  Link your project with this sketch HERE by next Friday, November 25th.  Be sure to use at least 1 Waltzingmouse Stamps image on your project in order to be eligible to be the randomly-selected player who will win a WMS stamp set of choice!

Supplies:
Stamps:  Around Christmastime, Faux Fun Circles, Nutcracker Sweet, all Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper:  gingham paper by A Muse Studio, PTI white
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Stampin Up Cherry Cobbler, Copic markers
Other:  Spellbinders Standard Circles Small Nestabilities, 1.75 inch circle punch, Crystal Snow glitter by Stampendous, ribbon, pearl twinkle stickers from A Muse Studio

Friends of Waltzingmouse Stamps Blog Waltz

It's time for another Friends of Waltzingmouse Stamps Blog Waltz, and this month's theme is Christmas/Winter!

I have been collecting some 6x6 Christmas-themed patterned paper pads lately!  In the past when I have purchased papers, I then had trouble incorporating them into projects.  So I have been trying new things, and actually USING what I buy!  When I saw the Peppermint Collection by Crate paper, I knew that I wanted to combine it with the new WMS set Santa's Coming to Town!

Those lovely traditional colors with the text all about Santa was a perfect fit.  I used the Santa silhouette from Santa's Coming to Town, and a label from Very Vintage Labels No. 1, which coordinates with Spellbinders Labels One Nestabilities.

I stamped the image in Versamark, and embossed it with black powder.  It fits perfectly over the little circle in the center of this image, with just enough peeking out to look like a pinked edge!

Can't wait to see all of the Christmas projects today!  If you would like to participate, or follow along and visit the other participants' blogs, just look HERE in the Waltzingmouse Forum!

Supplies:
Stamps:  Santa's Coming to Town, Very Vintage Labels No. 1, both Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper:  Crate Paper's Peppermint Collection, PTI white
Ink:  VersaMark, Fresh Ink in Basil, Tim Holtz Antique Linen Distress ink
Other:  Spellbinders Labels One Nestabilities, Fern ribbon and red pearls by A Muse Studio, red jingle bell, twine

Better Late Than Never Sketch

I didn't get to post a project for this week's Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge, but I just had to work on something this weekend because it is SUCH a good sketch from Claire!

Here is my card (I stepped away from the Christmas images for just one second, they'll be back SOON)!

I used the beautiful wreath and sentiment from Peace and Plenty.  I colored the wreath with Copic markers, and then covered it with Martha Stewart clear coarse glitter.  I made a wreath like this last year, but I didn't have Copics at that time.  They sure do make my wreath more vibrant!  Made a felt flower using My Favorite Things Mini Rolled Rose die with Harvest Gold felt.  The background woodgrain paper is from A muse Studio, and the grid paper is from October Afternoon's 5& Dime Collection.

Add your project to the link list HERE before this Friday, November 18th.  Be sure to use at least 1 Waltzingmouse Stamps image to be eligible to be the randomly-selected player who will win a WMS stamp set of choice!

Supplies:
Stamps:  Peace and Plenty, Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper:  PTI Vintage Cream, A Muse Studio woodgrain patterned paper, October Afternoon 5&Dime Collection
Ink:  Memento Rich Cocoa, Copic markers
Other:  twine, Martha Stewart Clear Coarse glitter, My Favorite Things Mini Rolled Rose die, PTI's Harvest Gold felt

Walzingmouse Stamps November SOAP CASE Winner!

And the winner of the Waltzingmouse Stamps CASE competition from the November "Stamp of Approval Parade" is....Charmaine Stack!  Just look at these lovelies that she made after being inspired by Tosh's SOAP project from Day #3 seen HERE!

Plum Gorgeous, Charmaine!  I just love the way Charmaine used so much sparkly shimmer, and the elegant mix of die cuts, images, and patterned papers that she combined!

A special thank you to everyone who participated in the CASE competition. Your projects were amazingly creative and inventive. You can see ALL of the competitors right HERE!

Stockings in a Row Sketch

Okay, holiday season full steam ahead!  I can't seem to put my Christmas stamps away now!  Lucky for me it's Saturday and time for another sketch at the Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge Blog. 

Claire drew up a fancy one this week...now who's up for this challenge?...

 Heee! 

Here is my card:

I tried to cut a fancy top, but couldn't figure out that Nestie trick!  Instead, I cut out panels with a nestie circle to make arches to hang my stockings.  The stocking image is from Sewing Box-Christmas, and the green gingham paper is by A Muse Studio.  Paper-pieced the stocking with those lovely Jillibean Soup patterned papers from the "Homemade 6 Bean Soup" and "Christmas Chowder" Collections. 



The sentiments, and little star and heart are also from Sewing Box-Christmas.

Ready to tackle this sketch?  Upload your creation HERE by next Friday, November 11th.  Be sure to include at least 1 Waltzingmouse Stamps image on your project to be eligible to be the randomly-selected player who will win a WMS stamp set of choice!

Supplies:

Stamps:  Sewing Box-Christmas, Waltzingmouse Stamps

Paper:  Vintage Cream cardstock, Papertrey Ink; Jillibean Soup "Homemade 6 Bean Soup" and "Christmas Chowder" Collections; green gingham paper from A Muse Studio

Ink:  Memento Rich Cocoa

Other:  Spellbinders Standard Circles Small Nestabilities and Petite Ovals Nestabilities, wooden button from Michaels, red twine by Martha Stewart

Waltzingmouse Stamps SOAP, Day 4

Welcome to the final day of the "Stamp of Approval Parade" at Waltzingmouse Stamps!  It's been so much fun sharing all of these Christmas projects!  Claire has SO many wonderful sets to choose from :)! 


For my last projects, I used one of my favorite techniques...the Faux Silk Technique.  The finished product will leave your card recipients saying...."Now how did you DO that?"  We don't have to tell them how EASY it is!  There is a great tutorial about it written by Beate Johns HERE at Splitcoastampers.  I think there are really 2 ways to do this technique, so I'll share how I did mine...

First I stamped snowflakes from Seasons of Love-Tags on Vintage Cream cardstock to make my own background.  Then, I took a glue stick and covered the entire stamped portion.  I crumpled up a piece of tissue paper (the more wrinkles the better), straightened it out again, laid it on the glue, and smoothed it right over the images.  Lastly, I cut the excess tissue off around the edges, and added some Antique Linen Distress ink in places to enhance the aged appearance.  (I think Beate actually stamps on the tissue paper, crumples it, and then lays it down on plain cardstock...but I tend to have a hard time stamping on the tissue!)

See those wrinkles?  I think they look so pretty (now if only that were true for our clothes)!  I stamped the star and sentiment, also from Seasons of Love-Tags, and coated it with Martha Stewart Clear Coarse Glitter.  I added that fun bias tape in a crisscross pattern, and attached the star with some twine and cream twill tape.

How about another Faux Silk card with Festive Foliage and a sentiment from Say It Loud-Winter Holiday!

I even put my rusty jingle bells away for a moment to get out my SILVER ones!

Wrinkly AND sparkly!!

Guess what?  Now it's YOUR turn to get crafty for Christmas!  Here's the information for the CASE competition this month! 

We hope that you have enjoyed, and have been inspired, the past few days from our Stamp of Approval Parade; highlighting Claire's lovely Christmas and holiday sets. Now it’s time for you to get your craftiness on as we invite you to participate in a CASE (Copy and Share Everything) competition.


Find a card or project from any of the projects posted over the past few days by the WMS Design Team, CASE that project using Waltzingmouse Stamp images, and link it using the Inlinkz on Claire’s blog at http://waltzingmouse.blogspot.com/. At the end of the competition, one project will be randomly selected to be highlighted with a Parade of its own on several of the Design Team blogs.

We hope you will enjoy this competition and that it will inspire you be creative. You have one week to complete and link your project as the competition will close at 8:00 AM Claire’s time on November10th, which is 3 AM Eastern, 2 AM Central and Midnight, Pacific time. The winner will be announced on Claire’s blog on November 11th.

I have had SO much fun sharing these projects with you this week, and I can't thank you enough for all of your sweet comments.  Now be sure to stop by the following Design Team Members' blogs for more Christmas inspiration! 

Anya Schrier

Becca Feeken

Clare Buswell

Julia Aston

Jennifer Holmes

Kate Whelan

Kelly Schirmer

Laurie Schmidlin

Lynn Mercurio

Mona Pendleton

Sandie Dunne

Tosha Leyendekker

Claire Brennan (Owner)

Supplies:

Star Card:

Stamps:  Seasons of Love-Tags, Waltzingmouse Stamps

Paper:  Vintage Cream and Kraft, Papertrey Ink, and tissue paper

Ink:  Stampin Up Not Quite Navy, Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Brushed Corduroy and Antique Linen, VersaColor Umber ink, Papertrey Ink Vintage Cream on edges

Other:  Martha Stewart Clear Coarse Glitter, twine, bias tape, Vintage Cream twill tape, PTI, and dimensionals

Holly card:

Stamps:  Festive Foliage and Say It Loud-Winter Holiday, Waltzingmouse Stamps

Paper:  Vintage Cream, Papertrey Ink and tissue paper

Ink:  Brilliance black, VersaFine Onyx Black, Fresh Ink in Currant

Other:  Martha Stewart Clear Coarse Glitter, rhinestone, satin ribbon, silver jingle bell, twine, dimensionals



Waltzingmouse Stamps SOAP, Day 3

Seeing all of this lovely Christmas inspiration has put me in such a jolly mood!   Today's project features one of my favorite Waltzingmouse Stamps sets of all time...Sewing Box-Christmas!

I used the snowman from Sewing Box-Christmas, and made a banner with a sentiment from Seasonal Remedies.  He's inside the little knit circle from Faux Fun Circles.  (PS:  When blog hopping recently, I was inspired by a WMS customer who had Mr. Snowman holding a little sign!  I thought it was in the sketch challenge cards, but when I went back to link it up, I could not find it!  So if you are the creator of the sign-toting snowman, tell me in the comments!) 

Inside is the closest snack that I could think of that looked like "snow" in a pail..white chocolate popcorn!  You should have seen me in the kitchen!   While I like making cards, a chef I am not.  When melting the white chocolate chips to pour over the popcorn, bad things started to happen.  I have since consulted a friend and know what to do next time!  In the end,  I guess it didn't matter too much..the popcorn still tastes great!

I also made a little cover for the lid using the large and smaller knit circles from Faux Fun Circles. 

Time for more delicious inspiration from the Design Team!  Here are the members who are participating today. 

Anya Schrier

Becca Feeken

Clare Buswell

Julia Aston

Jennifer Holmes

Kate Whelan

Kelly Schirmer

Lynn Mercurio

Mona Pendleton

Sandie Dunne

Tosha Leyendekker

Claire Brennan (Owner)

See you back here tomorrow for the final SOAP day. A competition will follow, so stay tuned for details!

Supplies:
Stamps:  Sewing Box-Christmas, Faux Fun Circles, Seasonal Remedies, all Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper: Vintage Cream and Pure Poppyfrom Papertrey Ink, dotted patterned paper from A Muse Studio
Ink:  A Muse Studio Bermuda ink, Memento Rich Cocoa
Other:  clear pail, Michael's; Aqua Mist buttons, Papertrey Ink; twine, gingham ribbon, toothpick, white chocolate popcorn, dimensionals

Waltzingmouse Stamps SOAP, Day 2

Fa la la la la!  Welcome back for another Christmas project featuring Waltzingmouse Stamps!

It's well known that I love me some Tim Holtz Crackle Paint!  I thought it would be perfect for a bit of a "masculine" project today, featuring the stamp set Around Christmastime.

Oh, I just love that Santa!  I started out with one of those little paper mache boxes from JoAnn's seen HERE.  It only cost $1.00!  It's about a 4-inch square, and 2 inches deep.  I painted it with 2 coats of Plaid Folk Art paint in "Barnyard Red".  Stamped the Santa from Around Christmastime with VersaFine Onyx Black on Vintage Cream cardstock, heat set it, then colored it with Copic markers and Antique Linen Distress ink.  I cut out the image using a Spellbinders Standard Circle Small Nestie.  I then put lots of red line adhesive on the back of the circle and adhered it to the top of the box.

Afterwards, I painted over the whole box with Tim Holtz Crackle Paint in Rocky Candy (clear).  After it had dried, I went in with a sponge dauber and Tim Holtz Distress inks in Tea Dye, Aged Mahogany and Pumice Stone, and distressed the edges of the image and the seams of the box.  This also helped to enhance that beautiful crackle!

Tied some ribbon (a scrap from last year!) around the edge and secured a big rusty jingle bell at the top with twine.

There you have it!  So easy...all you really need is patience for the layers to dry!  It only cost a few dollars to make, and I think it looks just like a little box that you would see at an antique store or specialty gift shop.  I  think it will be perfect with a gift certificate or little treat tucked inside!

Can't wait to hop around myself and see what awesome Christmas projects these ladies have in store for us today:

Anya Schrier

Becca Feeken

Julia Aston

Jennifer Holmes

Kelly Schirmer

Laurie Schmidlin

Lynn Mercurio

Mona Pendleton

Sandie Dunne

Tosha Leyendekker

Claire Brennan (Owner)

Supplies:

Stamps:  Around Christmastime, Waltzingmouse Stamps

Paper:  PTI's Vintage Cream cardstock

Ink:  VersaFine Onyx Black, Tim Holtz Distress Inks in Antique Linen, Tea Dye, Aged Mahogany, and Pumice Stone, Copic Markers

Other:  paper mache box, Standard Circles Small Nestabilities, Plaid Folk Art Paint in Barnyard Red, Tim Holtz Crackle Paint in Rock Candy, square foam brush, sponge daubers, 13 mm rusty jingle bell from http://www.rustytin.com/, twine, plaid ribbon, red line adhesive

Waltzingmouse Stamps SOAP, Day 1

Welcome to the Waltzingmouse Stamps SOAP Event for November!  For the next 4 days, the Design Team will be bringing you projects featuring previously-released stamp sets that most definitely have our  "Stamp of Approval!" This month, we are focusing on not one, not two, but ALL of the Christmas-themed sets at Waltzingmouse Stamps!

A few months ago when I joined Pinterest, this picture was one of my very first "pins."  It's the most adorable project courtesy of the Martha Stewart website under the heading "The Craft Department's Favorite Holiday Projects":

I decided to try my hand at this sweet project...stamping style!

Not a creature was stirring...not even a WALTZINGMOUSE!

This made me SO happy while I was making it!  First, I cut a freehand teardrop shape from kraft cardstock, and then stamped the background with the Nordic Winter stamp set.  I cut 2 slits for the ears and 2 slits to insert the candy cane with a craft knife.  The sentiment is from Candy Jar Christmas, stamped on a Classic Scalloped Heart Nestie!

(Sidebar:  Do you know that it's hard to find candy canes right now?  I had to go to 3 stores!  Must be they stock these the day AFTER Halloween!  My candy canes are Cinnabon's Classic Cinnamon Roll flavor.  I love the nontraditional color scheme!  I may have tried one myself...delicious!)

Cut 2 pieces of cardstock in a "light bulb" shape for the ears, and slid them into the slots.  I used mini black eyelets and a rusty tin bell for mousie's face.  The twine I used to tie on the bell made excellent whiskers, so I added some more!  I am in charge of making Christmas class treats for Eva's class.  I have a sneaking suspicion that I will be buying 2-3 more boxes of candy canes on November 1st!

Time to send you off for some more Christmas inspiration!  Here is a list of the Design Team members who are showcasing SOAP projects today.  See you back here tomorrow!

Anya Schrier

Becca Feeken

Julia Aston

Jennifer Holmes

Kelly Schirmer

Laurie Schmidlin

Lynn Mercurio

Mona Pendleton

Sandie Dunne

Tosha Leyendekker

Claire Brennan (Owner)

Supplies:

Stamps:  Nordic Winter, and sentiment from Candy Jar Christmas, both from Waltzingmouse Stamps

Paper:  PTI Kraft and Harvest Gold cardstock

Ink:  Stampin Up Cherry Cobbler, Fresh Ink in Tomato Red, VersaColor Sahard Sand, ColorBox Chalk ink in Creamy Brown, Tim Holtz Distress inks in Brushed Corduroy and Tea Dye

Other:  mini red bag from Big Lots, Cinnabon candy cane (regular sized not mini), mini black eyelets, rusty jingle bell, twine, Spellbinders Classic Scalloped Heart Nestabilities, gingham ribbon