Finally the chalkboard technique!

I have been wanting to make a card using the chalkboard technique for what seems like a year (well maybe since Betsy Veldman's blog post in November)!  Splitcoaststampers was featuring it for the Try a New Technique Challenge today so I finally decided to play along.  I used Betsy's step by step photo tutorial seen HERE to create my card.

I used Rescue Remedies from Waltzingmouse Stamps.  The striped paper is from Authentique's Festive Collection and the little ruler is from some American Crafts paper.  Thought it went with the whole vintage theme.

The red striped paper reminded me of Christmas sweets, but the added hearts in the center of the flowers would be perfect for Valentine's Day!

If you haven't tried it yet, make it YOUR New Year's Resolution.  It's seriously fun.  I have 2 more labels ready to go, just have to pair them up with some patterned papers.  Maybe tomorrow on a lazy New Year's Day ;)!

Supplies:
Stamps:  Rescue Remedies, Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper:  PTI True Black, White, Authentique Festive, American Crafts paper
Ink:  VersaMark, PTI Fresh Snow, A Muse Studio Cherry, Memento Tuxedo Black
Other:  Filagree White Detail embossing powder, Nestabilities (square), heart brads

Top 10 of 2012!

I love it when people post their 10 favorite projects from the past year of crafting!  It's even fun to look back at my own blog to see the projects that I made, and find out how I've progressed as a stamper :).

So here are my Top 10 favorites projects/cards from 2012!

Baby Button Bits, Button Boutique

Papertrey Ink

 A Cottage Home, Off Beat Backgrounds, Pic-Nic Patterns

Waltzingmouse Stamps

French Country, Very Vintage Labels No. 25

Waltzingmouse Stamps

Afternoon Tea, Afternoon Tea Sentiments

Waltzingmouse Stamps

Back in the Saddle

Waltzingmouse Stamps

Big Berries-Strawberry, Chicken Wire

Waltzingmouse Stamps

Playful Pinwheels

Waltzingmouse Stamps

Happy Hexagons, Background Basics: Botanicals, Holiday Button Bits

Papertrey Ink

French Country, Text-It, My Island, Peace & Plenty
Waltzingmouse Stamps

Woodgrain Backgrounder, Ornate Ornaments, Sewing Box-Christmas

Waltzingmouse Stamps

So there you have it!  Just like last year, I am noticing that some of my favorite new sets from 2012 have made their way onto this countdown!  

Can't even wait to see what the stamping world has in store for us in 2013!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Last Sketch

As you may have read, today is the last sketch that will be posted at the Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge Blog.  While it's sad to see this little Saturday tradition come to an end, I'm happy to report that it's because Claire has lots of fun things in store for Waltzingmouse Stamps in 2013!  There will still be fun challenges (including sketches and such!) in the future that Claire will host from her blog Waltzingmouse Makes.  So stay tuned to read all of her announcements...soon!

So we are going out with a BANG with a fabulously fun sketch by the wonderful Edna Morrisedie!

I thought it would be good to end 2012 with a little bit of hope for the new year to come...

Funny, but I chose the candle image, then used it with a sentiment that talks about lantern lighting, hee!  But I still think this card has the peaceful, post-holiday vibe that I was going for.  You can't make me put me Christmas stamps away yet, oh no you can't!  :)  The candle is from Bright Season and the sentiment from Light of the World.  Oh yeah, and you can't make me put my Christmas papers away EITHER!  (These are from the "Christmas Wish" Collection by My Mind's Eye.)

Used an image from Vintage Circles Small around the outside and then added another little leaf image from the set to my sentiment panel.  The little berries are glitzed up with a Sakura Glaze pen and the flame with a Stardust pen.

Upload your final creation for the Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge Blog HERE by next Friday, January 4th.  If you include at least one WMS image, you will be eligible to be the randomly-selected player who will win a WMS stamp set of choice!

I just wanted to say thanks SO much to all of you who have participated (and visited my blog to leave comments on my sketch cards) through the years!  I have made SO many good friends from all around the world!  But I don't want this to sound like a good-bye...not even close!  I will be back in the New Year with all kinds of fun Waltzingmouse Stamps projects to share!  Happy New Year!

Supplies:

Stamps:  Vintage Circles Small, Bright Season, Light of the World, all Waltzingmouse Stamps

Paper:  My Mind's Eye "Christmas Wish", PTI White

Ink:  A Muse Studio Cherry, Fresh Ink in Harvest and Mango, VersaColor Bamboo, Memento Tuxedo Black, Tim Holtz Distress Markers

Other:  Spellbinders Nestabilities (circle, square), Sakura Stardust and Glaze pens, sparkle twine

Time to be QUICK!

I have a few quick little tags that I made for my speech students' gifts. They are 3-4 years old, so I knew that I shouldn't go crazy since they would end up on the floor in one second!

Up first are some sparkly candy canes using Waltzingmouse Stamps Sewing Box-Christmas!  I can't believe how glittery the Stickles looked!  I guess I usually use a dab here and there...but if you lay it on thick, it really shines!

And the little Holiday Button Bits gingerbread man makes another appearance this season.  He's dancing on a PTI Tag Sale #3 die cut embossed with a new dotted chevron Cuttblebug striped embossing folder.  Even though these tags were for little ones, I couldn't resist adding buttons and dimensionals here and there!

To be honest, I haven't felt very much like crafting since last Friday.  So hard to get in the spirit when I know so many families are devastated.  My heart has been very heavy and even Christmas carols in the store aisles bring on tears.  But I am trying to enjoy each little moment with my family and friends.  And something to look forward to tonight....SNOW!  It's seems like it's been a long time since we've had a sizable accumulation for Christmas.  Maybe 4-7 inches for us!  I rushed out today...but not to buy gifts.  I needed snow pants and boots for the girls!!  Leave it to an Upstate New Yorker to leave that to the last minute!  :)

Supplies:
Candy Cane Tags-
Stamps:  Sewing Box-Hugs, Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper:  PTI White
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black and Ladybug Red
Other:  PTI Tag Sale #3 die, twine, Xmas Red and Star Dust Stickles

Gingerbread Tag-
Stamps:  Holiday Button Bits, Papertrey Ink
Paper:  PTI Kraft and White, Simple Stories Handmade Holiday
Ink:  VersaMagic Gingerbread
Other:  PTI Tag Sale #3 die, buttons, twine, Cuttlebug embossing folder

Decorated Tree Sketch

I finally got to play along with the sketch this week at the Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge Blog!  This week's designer is the sweet and talented Teresa Kline!

There are so many lovely samples from the Mischief Makers already, all kinds of different interpretations!  I was thinking "tree"...

A Christmas tree for me!  I decorated a PTI Christmas tree die cut with the beautiful Vintage Christmas Backgrounder.  The sentiment is from the new Ornate Ornaments set and the snowflakes are from the original Compliments of the Season.

I stamped the Vintage Christmas Backgrounder with Fern ink and heat embossed it with clear powder. Decorated it with Ruby Red Liquid Pearls.  The little banner is made with gingham linen washi tape.  A big button to finish it off...and of course a bell so that my card jingles!

Upload your creations HERE by Friday, December 14th.  If you include at least one Waltzingmouse Stamps image, you will be eligible to be the randomly-selected participant who will win a WMS stamp set of choice!

Supplies:
Stamps:  Vintage Christmas Backgrounder, Ornate Ornaments, Compliments of the Season, all Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper:  October Afternoon "Modern Homemaker", My Mind's Eye "Christmas Wish", PTI Simply Chartreuse and Vintage Cream cardstock
Ink:  A Muse Fern ink, VersaMark, Memento Espresso Truffle
Other:  PTI Christmas tree die and Spring Moss button, red and natural twine, gingham linen washi tape, Filagree white embossing powder, A Muse Studio clear embossing powder, Ruby Red and White Opal Liquid Pearls, red jingle bell

More Ornate Ornaments!

Our last day of Design Team projects featuring the newly released sets for December 

at Waltzingmouse Stamps!  

Today we are showcasing Ornate Ornaments.  It's an awesome set with shapes that coordinate with all three of the Spellbinders Heirloom Ornaments Nestabilities (2010, 2011, 2012).  Today I used an ornament featuring the 2011 shape.  I love the festive stripes on it!

I made 2 tags, same design and ornament but different color schemes and embellishments.  Makes for quicker tag creating without getting bored!

You know this one is my favorite!  I think it looks like gingerbread and I want to take a bite out of it!  I inked a kraft tag with Tea Dye and Wild Honey Distress inks, then stamped the branch from My Heart with Versamark ink and heat embossed it with white powder.  Added some Ruby Red berries with Liquid Pearls.

The ornament was stamped on Pure Poppy cardstock and heat embossed with white, too.  The cute sentiment is from Around Christmastime.  I wanted the ornament to have a bit of weight, so I cut 2 more tags with my nesties out of coaster board and layered them on the back.  The holly is corrugated paper cut with PTI's Holly Jolly dies.  This is festive, folksy and my kind of tag :)

My red, white, and blue color scheme came back for a second time this release...

This time I stamped the ornament with red ink and clear embossed it.  Added a sparkling snowflake and icy blue dew drop.  The sentiment is another from Around Christmastime.

This time the branch was stamped in VersaMark ink, heat embossed with A Muse Studio's Diamond Embossing powder, and dotted with White Opal Liquid Pearls.

I can't wait to make more tags!  This release has some of my favorite sets that Claire has ever designed...but then again, I think I say that every month.  (But it's true!!)

Thanks so much for visiting me this week!  Now hurry on and see some more lovely Ornate Ornaments!

Anya Schrier 

Belinda Chang Langner 

Lynn Mercurio

Supplies:

Kraft tag:

Stamps:  Ornate Ornaments, My Heart, Around Christmastime, all Waltzingmouse Stamps

Paper:  Inkessentials tag, PTI Kraft & Pure Poppy cardstock, green corrugated paper from Michael's, PTI coasters

Ink:  Tim Holtz Tea Dye and Wild Honey Distress inks, VersaMark

Other:  Spellbinders 2011 Heirloom Ornaments Nestabilities, Papertrey Ink Holly Jolly die, Ruby Red Liquid Pearls, A Muse Studio white embossing powder, red jingle bell, twine, gingham ribbon

Blue tag:

Stamps:  Ornate Ornaments, My Heart, Around Christmastime, all Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper:  Inkessentials tag, PTI White, PTI coasters
Ink:  Fresh Ink in Red Currant, VersaMark, Tim Holtz Tumbled Glass and Stormy Sky Distress inks
Other:  Spellbinders 2011 Heirloom Ornaments Nestabilities, Martha Stewart snowflake punch, White Opal Liquid Pearls, A Muse Studio clear embossing powder, Diamond embossing powder, and Diamond glitter,  blue Dew Drop, silver and red twine, white grosgrain ribbon

More My Heart and Woodenheart Alphabet!

Back with another round of projects featuring newly released sets at Waltzingmouse Stamps.  Today we are sharing more projects with My Heart and Woodenheart Alphabet.

My daughter Eva will be turning 9 in January and I decided to use these sets to make a girly-girl kind of card for her.  Eva is all about "more is MORE" so I decided to make a card that fit her style...

The paper is the "Fabulous" collection by Simple Stories...it IS fabulous!  I have been saving it for something special :)  I love the doilies scattered about, and made a bigger one to add to the corner using the Dainty Doilies-Small stamp set.

That "amazing, beautiful, fabulous, YOU" came right on the paper!  Stamped her "new" age using Woodenheart Alphabet and placed it inside the leafy heart from My Heart.  Added a little "Happy Birthday" sentiment on the side from Say It Loud.

I also made a coordinating tag using Woodenheart Alphabet...

I have to admit that I am not very good with alphabet sets.  Remember when it was revealed that Bonnie Sharp is scared of nutcrackers?  Hee!  Well, I am afraid of mini letters that I have to line up, LOL!  But Woodenheart Alphabet is so beautiful that I had to give it a try...luckily when we named our daughter, we picked a short one!  It sure does look pretty in that font.  Will have to practice for when my other daughter Claire turns 8 in October!  The butterflies are cut with dies from A Muse Studio.

You still have time to win the Spread the Word prize!  Leave a comment on Claire's blog post HERE  letting her know all the ways that you announced the USA shipping trial to all of your friends (blog, Twitter, Facebook).  The more ways you announce...the more entries for the $100 store voucher (£63GBP)!!

Fabulous (my word of the day!) projects await you here....

Anya Schrier 

Belinda Chang Langner 

Lynn Mercurio

Supplies:
Card:
Stamps:  Woodenheart Alphabet, My Heart, Dainty Doilies-Small, Say It Loud, all Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper:  Simple Stories "Fabulous", PTI Rustic White, Kraft, and Hawaiian Shores
Ink:  Fresh Ink in Pool and Chocolate, A Muse Studio is Bubblegum Pink, Tim Holtz Antique Linen, PTI Vintage Cream
Other:  A Muse Studio butterfly dies, rhinestones, twine, corner rounder punch
Tag:
Stamps:  Woodenheart Alphabet, Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper:  Fimple Stories "Fabulous", PTI Rustic White and Hawaiian Shores
Ink:  Fresh Ink in Fuchsia, Tim Holtz Antique Linen
Other:  A Muse Studio butterfly dies, PTI Tag Sale #7, rhinestones, twine

More Woodgrain Backgrounder!

We're back with some more samples of the new Waltzingmouse Stamp sets now available in the store HERE.  I had a few more ideas rattling around in this brain of mine so I decided to join in the fun!

Today is a project with Woodgrain Backgrounder paired up with Candy Wagon which was just released last month!

These sets work so well together!  In fact, Lynn started an awesome thread in the forum HERE about which Waltzingmouse Stamps you like to put together.  Well really, all of them!  Claire's designs go together like peanut butter and jelly (or my preference, peanut butter and chocolate).  Must be the Candy Wagon talking :).  The banner from Woodgrain Backgrounder can turn into adorable pennants!

I stamped the wagon using Tim Holtz Distress Markers.  Used the plaid strip from Off Beat Backgrounds to make a little ground for the wagon.  The cute sentiments are from Candy Wagon.  The little tag is cut with Claire's Opera Tags by Spellbinders.

SPREAD THE NEWS PRIZE!  
Claire is offering a prize for those that get the word out about Waltzingmouse Stamps new USA SHIPPING!  Spread the word via Facebook/Pinterest/Twitter/your own blog.   Just let everyone know that we are getting US shipping off the ground.  Go back to Claire's blog HERE and tell her what you did to spread the news.  She will add you into a drawing to win a $100 (US) or £63GBP gift voucher for the store!  You will increase your chances of winning by listing the ways in which you shared our news in your comment.  For example if you tweet about our news and also blog about it, then you will have two entries into our prize draw!

Now visit these DT members' blogs for some more lovely samples today!  See you tomorrow!

Anya Schrier
Belinda Chang Langner
Lynn Mercurio

Supplies:

Stamps:  Woodgrain Backgrounder, Candy Wagon, Off Beat Backgrounds, all Waltzingmouse Stamps

Paper:  PTI Rustic White and Sweet Blush

Ink:  Fresh Ink in Tuscan Olive, Tim Holtz Distress Markers and some ink pads in the colors:  Broken China, Worn Lipstick, Vintage Photo, Peeled Paint and 

Other:  Waltzingmouse Stamps Spellbinders Opera Tags, Basic Grey brad, twine

Introducing the Challenge Chicks!

Hi everyone!  I was thrilled to receive an email from Diane Zechman asking me to join a little group called "The Challenge Chicks!"  Diane and I met 3 years ago at the Spring Fest stamping event in Buffalo.  I was a nervous first-timer at a big swap event.  I was literally shaking as I presented my table project to the 8 ladies seated in front of me.  I was lucky enough to be at Diane's table.  She talked me off the ledge, LOL, and I have returned to the event ever since!

Last month, Anna Wight, Jeanne Streiff, and Diane issued a challenge to each other to make some critter shaped cards.  They had so much fun (and made THE most awesome cards), that they decided to expand the group and have monthly challenges!  You can upload your creations with the monthly theme to your blogs or to Splitcoaststampers using the keyword CHXDEC12.  There is a Facebook page just for us, and you can come and "like" us here :)

This month, Diane was our hostess and she asked us to make some TAGS!  I decided to go back to my stamping roots...like WAY back!  I dug deep in the closet and found some of the first sets that got me hooked on stamping.

Up first is a set from 1994!  (That's the year I graduated from college, ha!)  I purchased it in 2002, though.  It's from Stampin Up and it's called "Happy Winter."  The tree and snowman came from the set.  In the background you will see my MOST used stamp of all time...the Linen Background, also retired Stampin Up.  I die cut a tag using Papertrey Ink's new Tag Sale #7 and added a sentiment from the "old" A Muse Artstamps (yes, that's also a found treasure from my stash :))  A rule of mine is that when you give a present at Christmas time, it should jingle!

Up next is some old paired with a NEW favorite!  The background stamping and sentiment come from the Nordic Winter stamp set from Waltzingmouse Stamps.  I stamped it over the Linen Background.  The poinsettia was made with an oldie...Stampin Up's "Sew Seasonal"!  I layered like 10 of the flower petal image and curled them back with a little skewer.

I am so excited to play along with these talented chicks!  One of my idols is on board...Anna Wight!  Her sweet designs from Whipper Snapper Designs were another reason that I got hooked on this hobby.  Her blog featuring her projects (and life on the farm!) is one of my favorite stops each week!

So join us!  Find us on Facebook and upload a tag from your blog, or post one at Splitcoaststampers!  We'll be back next month with another challenge hosted by Jeanne Streiff!

Off you go to visit some awesomely creative ladies...

Diane Zechman

Anna Wight

Jeanne Streiff

Kelli Hull

Lydia Fiedler

Vickie Gee

Supplies:
Snowman tag:
Stamps:  Happy Winter, Linen Background, retired Stampin Up, Jingle Jingle, A Muse Artstamps (retired)
Paper:  PTI Kraft, Rustic White, Scarlet Jewel
Ink:  A Muse Studio Eucalyptus, Fresh Ink in Mojito, Memento Espresso Truffle, Tim Holtz Antique Linen, PTI Vintage Cream, Copic markers
Other:  Papertrey Ink Tag Sale #7, Sizzix Snowflake embossing folder, Cuttlebug Swiss Dot embossing folder, rusty jingle bell, twine, gingham ribbon, star button

Poinsettia Tag:
Stamps:  Nordic Winter, Waltzingmouse Stamps, and Sew Seasonal, Linen Background, retired Stampin Up
Paper:  PTI Rustic Cream, Paper Studio tag
Ink:  Stampin Up Cherry Cobbler, A Muse Studio Latte and Toffee, Tim Holtz Antique Linen, Memento Espresso Truffle
Other:  Spellbinders Small Labels Nestabilities, KaiserCraft champagne gems, PTI Kraft satin ribbon, wood button, twine

Waltzingmouse Stamps Release Day Blog Waltz!

Release day is HERE!  You should be making your way here from Clare Buswell's blog, but you can always go back to Claire Brennan's blog if you lost your way.

You can find the four new stamp sets at the Waltzingmouse Stamps store.  They are Woodgrain Backgrounder, My Heart, Woodenheart Alphabet and Ornate Ornaments.

Today I chose to feature the Woodgrain Backgrounder paired with the previously-released Sewing Box-Christmas set.

I stamped the wooden hexagon from Woodgrain Backgrounder in Pistachio, Eucalyptus, and Wheat inks, cut them with my nesties, and arranged them in a quilt pattern.  The beautiful sentiment is from another new release, Ornate Ornaments!

I stamped the Sewing Box-Christmas snowflakes on some Creative Imaginations Real Wood paper and heat embossed them with white powder.  Added some buttons and twine to match the hexagon pattern in the background.  These sets together make for some rustic good fun :)!!

Claire is having a release contest!  One comment will be chosen randomly from one of the Design Team Members' blogs, and that person will receive a stamp set of choice...so the more comments you leave, the better your chances to WIN! You have until December 4th, 6:59 AM EST to leave your comments.  Winners will be announced on Claire's blog Wednesday, December 5th. 

Now off to LYNN'S Blog for some fabulous inspiration!

Supplies:

Stamps:  Woodgrain Backgrounder, Sewing Box-Christmas, Ornate Ornaments, all Waltzingmouse Stamps

Paper:  Creative Imaginations Real Wood "Thin Cherry" paper, PTI Rustic White and Kraft cardstock

Ink:  A Muse Studio Pistachio and Eucalyptus inks, VersaMagic Wheat, VersaMark, PTI Vintage Cream

Other:  Spellbinders Hexagon and Petite Ovals Large Nestabilities, A Muse Studio white embossing powder, PTI Vintage Cream grosgrain ribbon and buttons, twine

My Heart Sketch

Iwona Palamountain has created this week's sketch for the Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge Blog.  It's a fun and stylish one, just like Chupa is!

I used some of the new stamp sets (to be released in the store TODAY!!) for my card...

I used the beautiful new heart and sentiments from My Heart and some of the awesome elements from Woodgrain Backgrounder!  I love the little chevron stripes...they matched my paper from Crate Paper's Random collection perfectly!

I layered the heart images with dimensionals, and used a printed Basic Grey Brad.  I was all proud of myself for making a "modern" looking card for once, LOL!  You can never go wrong with black and red in your color scheme :)!

Upload your fun creations HERE by next Friday, December 9th.  If you include at least one Waltzingmouse Stamps image, you will be eligible to be the randomly-selected player who will win a WMS set of choice!

REMINDER!  Release day is TODAY!  Four new sets will be available for purchase.  They are:

Woodgrain Backgrounder

My Heart

Woodenheart Alphabet

Ornate Ornaments

Stay tuned to Claire's blog HERE for full reveals and information!  Join the Design Team today at 2:00 PM EST for the Release Day Blog Waltz for some more projects featuring these amazing sets.

Supplies:
Stamps:  Woodgrain Backgrounder & My Heart, both Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper:  Crate Paper "Random" collection, PTI Kraft, Rustic Cream, and True Black
Ink:  Fresh Ink in Tomato Red and Black Tea, A Muse Studio Latte ink, Antique Linen Distress ink
Other:  Basic Grey brad, corner rounder punch, twine