Shuffle off to Buffalo...and a sketch card!

A fab sketch by Karin Akesdotter to round out the month of April at the Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge Blog!

Here is my card:

Stamped the reverse polka dot background from Gingham & Co. with my favorite Toffee ink from A Muse Studio.  I used the sweet apple from Peace & Plenty and paper-pieced it with Jilly Bean Soup "Homemade Six Bean Soup" patterned paper.  The sentiment is from Frame-It.  Used the Memory Box Woodrow Rosette die and a PTI Buttoned Up #2 die cut.  That paper on the rosette is SO old, but I think it's called Dill Blossom from Bo Bunny (??)!  Upload your creation HERE by next Friday, May 4th.  Be sure to include at least one Waltzingmouse Stamps image on your project to be eligible to win a WMS stamp set of choice!

Today, I am off to Buffalo for the annual Spring Fest stamping event!  I have spent many hours getting ready for my one big "swap" event of the year!

First up is my shoebox project.  This is the project that I will share with my tablemates.  You bring the supplies needed for 20 people to make this card, and it is supposed to be a design that would take only 10 minutes to make.  You sit at a table of 10 people in the morning, and work your way around the table doing all of the projects.  Then in the afternoon, you get to sit with 10 new people.  So I kept mine pretty simple...besides, that Nordic Spring butterfly steals the show anyways!  The sentiment is from Papertrey Ink's "Harvest Berries" set.

I also signed up for one swap, the Artist Trading Card or ATC swap.  There are many different types, such as 6x6 recipe cards, 3D projects, and card fronts.  The first year I signed up for two swaps and thought I would die, hee!  From then on, I just stuck with the ATCs...as it was, I had 33 of these little buggers to make!  Remember this sketch card?

I decided that middle piece would make an excellent ATC, so I set to work.  The tea kettle and cup are from Waltzingmouse Stamps Afternoon Tea and Afternoon Tea Sentiments. I am really bad at making multiples of things because I get soooo bored!  I decided to make the same design, but use all different kinds of patterned paper.  Playing tea party was so much fun!!

Here is one all bagged up and ready to go in a special little clear envelope made especially for ATC cards...

Don't forget the back, stamped with Make Your Mark...

I hope I remember to take some pictures today at the event.  People make the coolest stuff and I have met so many friends from Splitcoaststampers there!  Forgot to mention that the day ends at Buffalo Stamps and Stuff...a really awesome store that has all of the latest and greatest papers, inks, stamps, and supplies!  Wish my wallet luck ;)

Thanks for stopping by and hanging around to finish this awfully long post :)

Heads UP!!!

Waltzingmouse Stamps got Cath Edvalson's Moxie Fab stamp of approval this week!  See her post HERE and be sure to comment by Sunday, April 29th at midnight EDT for a chance to win FIVE stamp sets which are...

French Country
Paris Nouveau
Nordic Spring
Heirloom Patterns
AND...Chicken Wire


EEEK!  That's the best prize EVER!

Made with Love

Time to CR84FN!  What a lovely color scheme this week...medium pink, tan, and cream!

I decided to get out a stamp set that has not seen ink yet (the shame!)...Lace Bouquet from Papertrey Ink.

I stamped it with Fresh Ink in the color Pink Lemonade, but stamped off one time.  I then stamped Text-It from Waltzingmouse Stamps over the top with Antique Linen Distress ink.

Stamped a butterfly from PTI's Love Lives Here in the Pink Lemonade ink again, but this time I used it "full force"!  I cut a border for my window using Petite Scalloped Circle Large Nesties.  The sentiment is also from Love Lives Here and is stamped in kraft ink.  A little Martha Stewart glitter to finish it off!

I love stretching myself with these color combos from CR84FN...can't wait until next week when a new challenge will be revealed!

Supplies:
Stamps:  Lace Bouquet and Love Lives Here, both Papertrey Ink, and Text-It, Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper:  PTI Vintage Cream
Ink:  Fresh Ink in Pink Lemonade, PTI ink in Kraft, Tim Holtz Antique Linen Distress ink
Other:  Petite Scalloped Circles Large nesties, Martha Stewart Clear Coarse glitter, Love Lives Here butterfly die

Doodle Doo Sketch

Karin Akesdotter has created another sketch for us that I just LOVE at the Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge Blog today!

I decided to go back to the French countryside again...

The colors in this "Stella Rose" paper by My Mind's Eye were just telling me to go French Country!  So out came Mr. Rooster, but this time I paired him with the lovely label, border, and sentiment from Victorian Frippery!  I cut the label using a  Large Scalloped Circle Nestie.  I made my own rose by spiraling cardstock, and then spraying it until it was really soggy with Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist...that helped me to meld the petals into shape a bit better!

Upload your creation HERE by next Friday, April 27th.  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 stamp set of choice!

Supplies:
Stamps:  French Country, Victorian Frippery, both Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper:  "Stella Rose" collection by My Mind's Eye, PTI Vintage Cream
Ink:  Tim Holtz Broken China, Rusty Hinge, and Antique Linen Distress inks, VersaColor Topaz
Other:  Spellbinders Large Scalloped Circle Nestabilities, pearls, satin ribbon, Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist

Waltzingmouse Stamps Blog Party!

Time for another Waltzingmouse Stamps Blog Party!  This month's theme is a great one for creative interpretation...it's New Beginnings!  

Ever make a card and run out of room for the sentiment? That's exactly what happened with this one!  I was going to stamp the sentiment over the patterned lawn, but when I did a test, all of the patterns made it disappear!  Maybe it's for the best because this card could be for a new home OR a new married couple (since I added those little hearts).  Not to mention that it kind of has a lot going on already!

I haven't made a circular card in so long, and this one was so much fun to make!  I paper-pieced the sweet house and hearts from Sewing Box-Hugs with papers from the "Handmade" and "Double Dutch" collections by Lily Bee Design.  Added lots of dimension, but only 2 little red pearls for embellishments (did I mention that this card kind of has a lot going on?!)

I can't wait to see all of the "New Beginnings" that you found for this hop!  You can add your link HERE on Claire's blog until 1:30 PM on Wednesday, April 18th.  One randomly-selected participant will win a WMS stamp set of choice, and Claire will also highlight a few special projects on her blog.  These will be announced on Friday, April 20th!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Supplies:
Stamps:  Sewing Box-Hugs, Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper:  PTI white, Lily Bee Design patterned papers from "Double Dutch" and "Handmade" Collections
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Tim Holtz Antique Linen Distress ink
Other:  Spellbinders Standard Circles Small, and Petite Scalloped Circles Large Nesties, red pearls

Come Away with Me Sketch

Another lovely sketch by sweet Karin Akesdotter for the Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge Blog!  Here it is...

Here is my card:

Oh how I love getting out Afternoon Tea and Afternoon Tea Sentiments!  In a few weeks, you will see that I used these sets to make ATC cards for Spring Fest in Buffalo...33 of them!  Luckily, I picked a set that I never tire of :)

This card was made with lovely papers from the Miss Caroline "Howdy Doody" Collection by My Mind's Eye.  They were so pretty, it was hard to cut into them!

Stamped the flowers from Afternoon Tea Sentiments and colored them with Copic markers.  Also added some dimension by popping up the center of the flower.  The sweet tea cup was stamped on another paper from the line...one that looked very tea cuppy to me :)

If you can't come away with me for some tea, won't you come and play along with this week's sketch?  Upload your creation HERE by Friday, April 20th.  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 stamp set of choice!

Supplies:
Stamps:  Afternoon Tea, Afternoon Tea Sentiments, both Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper:  Miss Caroline "Howdy Doody" Collection by My Mind's Eye, PTI Vintage Cream
Ink:  Memento Rich Cocoa, Copic markers
Other:  Pearl Lace border die from Memory Box, pearls, Lemon Whip satin ribbon from A Muse Studio

Hexa-gone Crazy!

I finally got to play along with another CR84FN Challenge!  The colors this time around are so lovely and springy...pink, peach, and light blue!

First, a bit of a story.  I have been eyeing the retired Creative Memories Hexagon Punch on Ebay for a few weeks, and finally won a set of them!  It pays to be watching an auction that ends at 10:30 PM on the night before Easter.  We had just returned home from my mother-in-law's birthday dinner and the girls were wound up.  I needed to be up to help the Easter Bunny outside, so I had to make SURE they were sleeping.  After putting them to bed, I sat at the computer and took my husband Jason's sound Ebay advice.  I only bid on the item in the last 30 seconds, and I won...two punches which will cut 4 separate hexagon shapes!  But this left me wondering...how come nobody has released a hexagon die yet?? So they arrived this week from California and were the inspiration for my card....

I cut different patterned papers with the punches, some from the Miss Caroline "Howdy Doody" Collection by My Mind's Eye, and some that were from Anna Wight when I won a prize on her blog :)  I haven't quite got the "quilting" pattern down yet, but I will definitely be pinning hexagon projects on my Pinterest account!  The bees are from Pink Paislee's Queen Bee collection of stamps, and the label and sentiment from Waltzingmouse Stamps Very Vintage Labels No. 25!

So glad I buzzed in at the last minute to play along!  Thanks Mona and all of the CR84FN girls!

Supplies:

Stamps:  Very Vintage Labels No. 25, Waltzingmouse Stamps and Queen Bee stamps from Pink Paislee

Paper:  PTI White, My Mind's Eye

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, A Muse Winter Sky, Copic markers

Other:  retired Making Memories Hexagon Punch-Mini, Spellbinders Labels 25 die, Stickles, peach embroidery floss

Strawberry Sweet

Melissa Phillips posted another "Mondays with Melis" challenge on the Papertrey Ink forum HERE.  I find them to be so much fun!

This week, she posted this project by Danielle Flanders to be used as inspiration...

Isn't it so pretty??!!  

Here is my card...

The picture is not the best because despite the cheeriness of the inspiration photo, it's pretty gray here today!  I was inspired by so much of Danielle's project...the stripes, pretty pastels, "berry sweet", flowers, and SCALLOPS!  Lots and lots of scallops.  My papers are from the Sweet Caroline "Howdy Doody" Collection by My Mind's Eye.  Also used Polka Dot Basics 1 to make the bottom edge.  The strawberry is from Green Thumb and the sentiment from Blooming Button Bits.  I think my scale was a little off because that strawberry is getting lost in my lots and lots of scallops :)  But it's kind of hard not to get carried away sometimes!!

Thanks again Melissa (and Danielle!)...can't wait for next Monday!

Supplies:
Stamps:  Green Thumb, Polka Dot Basics 1, Blooming Button Bits, all Papertrey Ink
Paper:  Miss Caroline "Howdy Doody" Collection, My Mind's Eye, PTI cardstock in Aqua Mist, Harvest Gold, Vintage Cream, White
Ink:  Fresh Ink in Strawberry and Celery, PTI Fresh Snow
Other:  Large Scallop Border die, PTI, Pearl Lace Border die, Memory Box, Spellbinders Lacey Circles, ribbon from A Muse Studio, flower from Hobby Lobby, corner rounder punch

Easter Blessings Sketch

This week's sketch at the Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge Blog is by the lovely Karin Akesdotter!  

I think that Karin's sketch says SPRING!

I made a butterfly banner!  I cut a butterfly with an A Muse Studio die and stamped it one of the patterns from Gingham & Co. Chose some inks to match this sweet paper from the Dear Lizzy Neopolitan Collection.  It's funny because the ink names are Mango, Bubblegum, Pistachio, and Peach :)  Yummy all around!

The border is made with the Victorian Lace Border die from PTI.  I stamped the sentiment from Spring Baskets on a petite oval nestie.

Hopefully you will have time this week to play along... it's spring break here, and I hope to find some extra stamping time this week!  Upload your creation HERE by next Friday, April 13th.  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 stamp set of choice.

Happy Easter!!

Supplies:

Stamps:  Gingham & Co. and Spring Baskets, both Waltzingmouse Stamps

Paper:  Dear Lizzy "Neopolitan Collection" by American Crafts, PTI White cardstock

Ink:  Fresh Ink in Mango and Peach, A Muse Studio Ink in Pistachio and Bubblegum

Other:  A Muse Studio's butterfly die, Papertrey Ink's Victorian Lace Border die, Spellbinders Petite Oval Nestabilities, twine, buttons 

Mondays with Melissa Phillips!

Melissa Phillips is starting a new challenge each Monday!   She will post it in the "Challenge" section on the Papertrey Ink forum HERE.  You can see her beautiful sample card HERE!  It's a little informal get together of sorts :)  She has listed some supplies to use, and we then play along and link up our posts...no deadlines, just for fun!   Melissa is like my "Stamping American Idol!"  I saw the challenge this morning, and could barely wait to get home and play tonight!

This week's supply list:
1.  A heart
2.  Birthday-themed
2.  Scallops
4.  A background stamp
5.  Buttons

Check, check, checkedy-check...

I used Quilter's Sampler and Quilter's Sampler Additions to make my background and for the birthday sentiment.  You can't see it in this photo, but at the very bottom I used the Guide Lines Impression Plate under the sentiment.  The felt flower was made with a Beautiful Blooms II, #2 flower die and two Love Lives Here dies.

To make the quilt look like fabric, I used an idea that Nichole Heady gave us LONG ago and that I have loved and used ever since!  I colored the quilt blocks with Copic Markers.  Then I inked up my retired Stampin Up Linen Background with Fresh Snow ink and stamped right over the top of my colored piece!  My very sweet mother-in-law is having a birthday (76!!) this weekend, and this card will be perfect for her :)  I am just hoping that her daughter (my sister-in-law Lisa) doesn't make her a real quilt to show my paper one up.  She is an AMAZING quilter, if only I could do this with fabric....:)

I can't wait to see what Melissa has dreamed up for next week!  I just loved her recipe today and had so much fun playing along.  Thank you, Melissa!!

Supplies:
Stamps:  Quilter's Sampler, Quilter's Sampler Additions, both Papertrey Ink, and the retired Linen Background, Stampin Up
Paper:  PTI Kraft, Aqua Mist, Vintage Cream, Guide Lines #1 grid paper
Ink:  Memento Rich Cocoa, Copic Markers, Fresh Ink in Chocolate, PTI Tea Dye Duo, Fresh Snow, and Vintage Cream inks
Other:  Guide Lines Impression Plate, Beautiful Blooms II #2 die, Love Lives Here dies, Vintage Cream, Aqua Mist and Harvest Gold felt all from Papertrey Ink, buttons, twine, and felt from BenzieBazaar at etsy.com, Pearl Lace die from Memory Box