Rosie Right

Amber Daigre is hosting a really fun little blog hop this week for her one year blog anniversary.  She's been  looking back at her previous posts and re-doing some cards...those "What was I thinking?" type cards!  I actually chose a recent card that was leaving me "unsettled".  I couldn't put my finger on why I didn't like it.  I kept staring at it wondering what was wrong?

Call the doctor!  For it was Dr. Amber that diagnosed this card.  She had made a background with Rosie Posie and pronounced it "flat" until she added shading with colored pencils.  YES!  That's it!  This is too flat!  Also, I was going for Maile's monochromatic background seen HERE, and I don't think I stamped my images close enough to each other.

So armed with Amber's advice, and the colors from the CR84FN Challenge , I made a new card.

(Note:  Excuse the poor picture.  There is no natural light to be found here right about now!)

I stamped the roses using Memento Angel Pink ink and then shaded them with Copics.  The leaves were inked with PTI's Ocean Tides ink but stamped off the paper once to get a lighter image.  Same goes for the little dots, stamped off using Ocean Tides and Pure Poppy ink.  I've been seeing denim patterned papers lately, so I dug out my retired SU Denim Background and stamped some Ocean Tides Denim of my own!

While I am still not totally thrilled with my coloring, I think I may be on the right track!  Rosie Posie is such a beautiful set, that I can't give up yet!  Thanks so much to Amber for hosting this fun event!
P.S.:  Congratulations on your one year anniversary (Seriously...only 1 year?  Oh the places you have gone, Amber :)!

Edited to add:  STILL fixing it, hee!  Slid bow over to right hand side, didn't like it in the center.  ALSO forgot to say that I was inspired by the awesome coloring of Rosie Posie by both Amber AND Suzanne Russell!  Suzanne's stunning card is seen HERE!!

Supplies:
Stamps:  Rosie Posie, Tiny Tags both Papertrey Ink, and retired Denim Background, Stampin Up
Paper:  PTI white
Ink:  Memento Angel Pink, PTI Ocean Tides and Pure Poppy, and Copic markers
Other:  white satin ribbon, Tiny Tags die, pink embroidery floss

All Those Little Images... Sketch!

Isn't this sketch grand?  Another fun one created by the fabulous Anya Schrier for the Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge Blog.  I had so much fun that I got a bit carried away...I used images, big and small, from SIX different WMS sets to make my card!

Here's the rundown:
-a big heart and sentiment from Sweethearts
-wreath image from Faux Fun Circles
-a mini heart from Earth Angel
-leaves from Teeny Trees
-dotted circle and tiny dot from Nutcracker Sweet
-reverse polka dot border from Gingham & Co.

It just goes to show that Claire's sets really are so versatile and have the sweetest little treasures tucked between those bigger images on that acetate sheet!

I shout out to Edna...I added a bit of a "topper" to the sketch! (Eek, I couldn't help myself!)  I cut the wreath out with a Standard Circle Nestie and layered it over a bigger Petite Scalloped Nestie.  I covered the polka dotted heart from Sweethearts with Martha Stewart's clear coarse glitter.  You can see a bit of fabric underneath cut with a scallop border die.  The sentiment is stamped on a Tiny Tags die cut from Papertrey Ink.

This is going to be a week of brilliant background stamping I'll bet!  Upload your creation HERE by next Friday, February 3.  Be sure to include at least one Waltzingmouse Stamps image on your project to be eligible to be the randomly-selected participant who will win a WMS set of choice!

Supplies:
Stamps:  See list above, hee!...all Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper:  PTI Vintage Cream and Kraft cardstocks
Ink:  Fresh Ink in Tomato Red and Basil, VersaColor ink in Umber, Tim Holtz Distress Pumice Stone Distress ink
Other:  Tiny Tags die and Large Scalloped border die from PTI, fabric, Martha Stewart's clear coarse glitter, Spellbinders "Standard Circles Small" and "Petite Scallops Large" Nestabilies, twine, dimensionals

Papertrey Ink Blog Hop

The theme for this month's Papertrey Ink Blog Hop is a fun one.  We were to choose a favorite project from last year and use it to be inspired to make one for the new year! I recently put together a Top 10 cards of 2011 post on my blog, so I had a favorite in mind all ready to go.

This was the ATC card that I made last April for Spring Fest in Buffalo, NY.  It's an annual get-together for stampers, and I always sign up for this swap!  I though my design was simple until on (approximately) ATC #3 (out of 26), I didn't want to thread and glue any more buttons!  I kept going, though, and was really happy that I pushed through :)!

I decided to take out Button Boutique, Baby Button Bits, and Bitty Background Blocks again to make a new card:

I thought this patterned paper from October Afternoon's "5 & Dime" Collection was a perfect fit in theme and matched the colors of my button card.

Instead of stamping a Bitty Block pinked square, I used 2 of the images from the set to paper piece the cupcake and leaves.  Used different images from Button Boutique to make my button card, and added the cupcake and sentiment (instead of the peas) from Baby Button Bits.

It will be so much fun to see all of the projects, both old AND new!  Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Supplies:
Stamps:  Button Boutique, Baby Button Bits, Bitty Background Blocks, all Papertrey Ink
Paper:  PTI Vintage Cream and Aqua Mist, October Afternoon's "5 & Dime" patterned papers
Ink:  PTI's Aqua Mist, Fresh Ink in Chocolate, Pink Lemonade, Celery, and Chamomille
Other:  PTI's Button Boutique dies, button, embroidery floss, dimensionals, little white flower and Lemon Whip satin ribbon by A Muse Studio

Little Pink Houses Sketch

Time for another fun layout at the Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge Blog.  Here is this week's sketch by Anya:

Because of kind Cathy Weber, I decided to enter this in the CR84FN Challenge, too...I forgot that yellow was the other color paired with pink this week!

I was singing that John Cougar Mellencamp (or is he now John Cougar? John Mellencamp?) song "Ain't that America" while I was making this sketch card.  You know the line..."Little pink houses, for you and me..."



I had colored this cottage from A Cottage Home way back at release time, but did not have any patterned paper that went well with my pink house!  It had been sitting in my "How do I use these on a card?" bin for too long.  I stamped some plaid paper using the stripes from Off Beat Backgrounds and Pic-Nic Patterns.   It kind of looks just like striped paper now because the cottage is hiding the vertical stripes!  The sentimentand tiny hinges from A Cottage Home are stamped on PTI's Linen Vellum cardstock and wrapped around the card front. 

I colored the house with Copic markers, layered it with dimensionals, and then added glitter here and there.  Oh how I love the scallops on the roof, the teeny lanterns, and the sweet little details on the door!  The delicious satin ribbon is in the color "Lemon Whip" by A Muse Studio.

Now it's your turn to get creative!  Upload your project HERE by next Friday, January 27th.  Be sure to include at least one Waltzingmouse Stamps image on your creation to be eligible to be the randomly-selected participant who will win a WMS set of choice!

Supplies:
Stamps:  A Cottage Home, Off Beat Backgrounds, Pic-Nic Patterns, all Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper:  PTI White, Lemon Tart, Linen Vellum
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Stazon Black, A Muse Studio "Bubblegum Pink", Fresh Ink in "Chamomille", Tim Holtz Crushed Velvet Distress ink, Copic Markers
Other:  Stampendous Crystal Snow glitter, Lemon Whip satin ribbon from A Muse Studio, lots of dimensionals!

Waltzingmouse Stamps Blog Party!

It's a new year, and a new kind of Blog Party at Waltzingmouse Stamps!  The blog party will still be held on the 17th of each month and will have a special theme.  Now, you will link your project on Claire's blog instead of in the forum.  You will have until 10:00 a.m. Central Time, 8:00 a.m. Pacific, 11:00 a.m. Eastern, and 4:00 p.m. Dublin time to post your direct link using the Inlinkz tool. The linking option will be closed after that time. From there you can just click on any of the projects linked and be directed to any of the participants’ blogs to get a closer look at their creativity. 

On the 20th of the month – a few of the entries with that "extra special effort" will be highlighted on Claire's blog.  Also at that time, a randomly-selected participant in the blog hop will receive a coupon code good for a free WMS set of choice!

The theme for January's hop is "Sweet Things."  I can think of no other stamp set in the world that is sweeter than "Earth Angel"!   (I readily accept any opportunity that I have to gush over this set :)!

The background is made with the Dainty Doilies-Large set.  A sentiment from this set fit the theme perfectly!  I added little hearts from Earth Angel, as well.

I am trying to embrace gray as a color in my card-making, and thought Earth Angel would look so sweet in a little rustic dotted dress!  Stamped the polka dots for her dress from Gingham & Co.  The circle of hearts is another fave image of mine from the L'il Buddies set.  Her wings are colored with a red Copic marker and then coated in Martha Stewart's clear coarse glitter. 

This is going to be a deliciously good hop!  I can't wait to see all of the versatile projects with the "Sweet Things" theme.  Thanks for stopping by today!

Supplies:
Stamps:  Earth Angel, Dainty Doilies-Large, L'il Buddies, and Gingham & Co., all Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper:  PTI White, Soft Stone, and Pure Poppy cardstock
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black and Ladybug Red, Fresh Ink in Slate, and Copic markers
Other:  Spellbinders Standard Circles Nestabilities, Stickles, Martha Stewart clear coarse glitter, and lots of dimensionals!

Homespun Hugs Sketch

Another unique sketch from Anya at the Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge Blog!  This one made me think of quilty prints...

I have missed using my non-holiday sets!  Time to get out the old favorites like Sewing Box-Hugs!

I also can't seem to leave that October Afternoon Sidewalks Collection alone!  Just love the fun springy colors and patterns.  I layered the Sewing Box-Hugs flowers with dimensionals after stamping them directly onto the patterned paper.  Also added my own little stamped pattern with flowers from Eat Cake.

For the center panel, I sponged the edges with PTI's Aqua Mist ink, and then stamped the plaid stripes from Off Beat Backgrounds on the top and bottom.  I could line up the sweet sentiment from Sewing Box-Hugs perfectly!

Like using a ruler...but with much cuter results!

Now it's your turn to play along!  Upload your creations HERE by next Friday, January 20th.  Be sure to include at least one Waltzingmouse Stamps image or product on your creation to be eligible to be the randomly-selected participant who will win a WMS set of choice!

Don't forget!!!!....there is another event next week at Waltzingmouse Stamps.  The Waltzingmouse Stamps Blog Party will take place on Tuesday, January 17th.  This month's theme is "Sweet Things"!  In the new format, you will link your blog post directly into the Mr. Linky section on Claire's blog, rather than on a thread in the forum.  You can add your project any time that day.  Can't wait to see you there!

Supplies:

Stamps:  Sewing Box-Hugs, Eat Cake, Off Beat Backgrounds, all Waltzingmouse Stamps

Paper:  Papertrey Ink Vintage Cream cardstock, October Afternoon's Sidewalks collection

Ink:  PTI Aqua Mist and Smokey Shadow inks, Tim Holtz Barn Door Distress ink

Other:  PTI Aqua Mist and Pure Poppy buttons, embroidery floss, dimensionals

Winter Bloomers

The CR84FN Challenge is back, and they came up with a bright, cheerful color combination to chase away those winter blues...

Here is my card with the inspiration colors:

I made some roses using My Favorite Things Mini Rolled Rose dies, and added them to the basket from Papertrey Ink's Vintage Picnic.  The yellow wool felt is from an etsy.com shop called "BenzieBazaar".  Had to sneak in just a few leaves with PTI's Simply Chartreuse felt.  The sentiment is from Friendship Jar Fillers.

It was so nice here that I took this photo outside!  No rain, no drizzle, sleet or snow...maybe the real bloomers aren't far behind?

Supplies:
Stamps:  Vintage Picnic and Friendship Jar Fillers, Papertrey Ink
Paper:  PTI white
Ink:  Tim Holtz Broken China Distress ink, Fresh Ink in Chamomille
Other:  PTI Sending You (arch) and Tiny Tags dies, MFT Mini Rolled Rose dies, Swiss Dot CB embossing folder, orange gingham ribbon, PTI Simply Chartreuse felt, and yellow felt from BenzieBazaar (etsy.com shop), white pearls

Lovely Celebration Sketch

Welcome back to another year of fabulous sketches at the Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge Blog!  I had a wonderful holiday week, but it is good to get back to the usual routine :)!  Here is this week's sketch by the lovely Anya...

Time to put away those Christmas colors and get out some bright fun colors again:

Okay, confession time...the sweet love tag IS from Around Christmastime!  (Maybe I can't put away all of those sweet WMS sets yet!)  I embossed it in white on Hibiscus Burst cardstock.  Only THEN did I remember that the sentiment panel was supposed to be at the bottom of the card!  I thought the teeny tiny "I love you" sentiment from Say It Loud fit right in with this adorable patterned paper from October Afternoon's Sidewalks Collection.

I turned the sentiment into a little medallion/ribbon with stamped "tails" from Bitty Banners

to match the theme on the paper.

 

Let the fun begin again!  Upload your creation HERE by next Friday, January 13th.  Be sure to include at least one Waltzingmouse Stamps image on your project to be eligible to be the randomly-selected player who will win a WMS set of choice! 

 

Supplies:

Stamps:  Around Christmastime, Say It Loud, Bitty Banners, all Waltzingmouse Stamps

Paper:  PTI Vintage Cream, Hibiscus Burst, and Harvest Gold and Sidewalks Collection by October Afternoon

Ink:  PTI Ocean Tides, Memento Ladybug Red, Versamark, Antique Linen Distress ink

Other:  Nestie circles, rick rack border die from A Muse Studio, buttons, twine

Washi Ruffles

Ugh, this week back to school and work has been difficult!  I am longing for those lazy days that came after Christmas.  I decided that I needed some creative therapy, so off to the Runway Inspired Challenge again for some fun eye candy.  This week's design is by Gareth Pugh, Spring 2012....I see layers of fabulousness!

Oh so out of my comfort zone (figuratively and literally...those SHOES!)  

I grabbed some Washi tape and made some layers of my own:

I cut 3 strips of black cardstock and wound some black and white striped washi tape around them.  I left some overhang at the bottom to make little "ruffles".  (Note to self:  Use washi tape more often, it's very forgiving!)  Then I layered the 3 panels over each other, and adhered them diagonally to mimic all of the crazy angles at the bottom of the skirt.  Both the sheer ribbon and the sentiment are from A Muse Studio.

I am enjoying the Runway Inspired Challenge so much!  It's just the kick start that I needed to try new things this year.  As an added bonus, the DT members' and participants' samples are JUST as inspiring as the original photo!

Supplies:
Stamps:  sentiment from Glamour Girl, A Muse Studio
Paper:  PTI black and white
Other:  washi tape, ribbon, and white embossing powder, all from A Muse Studio

Embroidered Rosies

I got to play along with one of my favorite Splitcoaststampers challenges this past weekend, the Inspiration Challenge hosted by SmilynStef!  She chose an etsy.com site called "Embroidery Everywhere" for inspiration.  I chose the lovely Simply Sweethearts embroidered flour sack seen HERE  to get me started.

Ever since I saw Maile Belle's background stamping with PTI's new Rosie Posie set, I knew that I wanted to try it out!  I stamped the roses along with the hearts from Love Lives Here in Tomato Red Fresh Ink.  The sentiment is from Waltzingmouse Stamps Say It Loud set.  Added some layered buttons and gingham ribbon (is there any other kind, hee!) to set off my Valentine!  It's fun to think hearts and pretty things after all of those Christmas projects :)!

Supplies:
Stamps:  Rosie Posie and Love Lives Here, Papertrey Ink, and Say It Loud, Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper:  PTI white and black
Ink:  Fresh Ink in Tomato Red, VersaFine in Black
Other:  black and heart buttons, gingham ribbon, corner rounder punch, Divine Twine