Waltzingmouse Stamps-Our Favorite Things Blog Waltz!

Welcome to a special blog waltz with Waltzingmouse Stamps!  You should be arriving here from Becca Feeken's blog.   It's our first official post as the new and improved Design Team!  Today we get to welcome everyone AND see some fabulous projects.  We were asked to feature our favorite WMS set of all time.

Well it's no surprise that Earth Angel is my favorite set!  So to add an element of surprise, I decided to choose my favorite newer set to pair with it...and that is definitely My Heart!  You know when you get asked on forums questions such as "What 5 crafting items would you bring with you to a deserted island?"  Well these two sets would make it into my survival backpack :)

I stamped 2 hearts from My Heart onto patterned paper from Crate Paper's "Storybook" Collection.  Paper-pieced the dress for the little angel in the same pattern.  The sentiment is from Earth Angel, as well.  I decided to stamp the "Angels" portion over the mini heart from My Heart, and then cut it out.

I stamped her wings in light blue ink and then traced around the image with a glue pen and added crystal glitter.  I love the look, as I usually stamp them separately and cut them out.  She is holding a teeny little garland of mini buttons that I strung together with regular thread.

So there you have it!  My old AND new favorites from Waltzingmouse Stamps.  I can't wait to see what everyone else has chosen.  Off you go to Laurie's blog.  Here is a full list of the DT just in case you get lost along the way today.  When you stop by, be sure to leave lots of love welcoming our newest members!  See you SOON!  Stay tuned to Claire's blog here for information regarding an upcoming new release.

Kim Duran

Jean Martin

Karin Åkesdotter

Jen Cuthbertson

Iwona Palamountain

Teresa Kline

Edna Morrisedie

Renee Lynch

Jeanne Jachna

Lynn Mercurio

Julia Aston

Tosha Leyendekker

Jennifer Holmes

Sandie Dunne

Becca Feeken

Kelly Schirmer

Laurie Schmidlin

Clare Buswell

Anya Schrier

Sarah Martina Parker

Belinda Chang Langner

and Claire picked a favorite, too!

Supplies:
Stamps:  Earth Angel, My Heart, both Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper:  Storyteller by Crate Paper, PTI Vintage Cream
Ink:  Memento Espresso Truffle, PTI New Leaf, A Muse Studio in Wheat & Winter Sky, Fresh Ink in Tomato Red, Tim Holtz Tea Dye Distress ink, Copic markers
Other:  Stampendous Crystal Snow glitter, Liquid Pearls in "Gold Pearl", mini buttons, thread

12 Kits of Holidays for February

Time for another round of the 12 Kits of Holidays!  We are back to Christmas this month and our hostess is the lovely RENEE LYNCH!  Just look at this beautiful kit that she sent us!

Lovely traditional colors of red and green but in such beautiful shades...and with a bit of chocolate brown and a Western theme thrown in to the mix with TONS of Waltzingmouse Stamps images!  The papers this month are by Echo Park.

My first card uses that lovely deer trio from Memory Box!

I love this doily paper from the collection.  It reminded me of snowflakes!  And ohhh that green grosgrain ribbon is so pretty, too!

I stamped a matching doily image from Waltzingmouse Stamps Dainty Doilies-Large Set onto the woodgrain paper.  I used Versamark ink and then heat embossed it with white powder.   This sentiment from WMS Ornate Ornaments seemed to fit the scene!

This die cut tree caught my eye as soon as I opened Renee's envelope...as did this sweet mini bow die cut from L'il Inkers Designs!  I have the "small" size and now I must have the mini.  And even more dies to add to my wishlist...these tiny detailed Christmas stars!  I think that they are also from Memory Box.

I thought that the scroll pattern in the tree went perfectly with this sentiment from WMS Compliments of the Season 2...with those fancy g's!

I placed the tree over some rustic white cardstock and then covered the whole thing with Martha Stewart's Clear Coarse glitter, and added a plaid bow that coordinated with the background.

I finished this card last night while watching one of my favorite shows...Nashville!  So appropriate since Renee is from Tennessee!

Love this sentiment from Yonder Star!  Renee is able to use the coordinating cut files that Claire has available at the WMS store, so she can cut the sentiment and make these awesome little mat backgrounds.  I have been in a doily mood ever since the WMS blog party.  I used a real doily on this one paired with that awesome woodgrain patterned paper and some new denim paper of my own.  I just LOVE these little dew drop baubles that Renee sent...especially the glittery ones!

Another month with a kit overflowing!  There are SO many fun things left to use after our little party is over!  I can hardly wait to see the girls' Christmas creations with Renee's kit.  Come along and visit these blogs with me...

Amy

Christina

Jeanne

Jessica

Joyce

Kara

Kim

Marybeth

Renee

Sharron

Tracey

Supplies:
Patterned Paper:  Echo Park This & That Christmas, My Mind's Eye Dolled Up (denim only)
Stamps sets:  Yonder Star, Compliments of the Season 2, Dainty Doilies-Large Set, Ornate Ornaments, all Waltzingmouse Stamps
Dies:  Yonder Star cut files, Memory Box Deer Trio, Star, and Christmas tree dies, L'il Inkers Mini Bow die, Spellbinders Petite Oval Nestabilities, WPlus9 star dies, My Craft Spot Tiny Tags die

Waltzingmouse Stamps February Blog Party

It's blog party time at Waltzingmouse Stamps, and the theme this month the theme is DOILIES! 

Don't worry if you haven't finished your project yet.  You have until tomorrow (Sunday) at 1:30 PM EST to upload your project to Claire's blog HERE!

For my first project, I used a real doily to make a tag...

I stamped the lace pattern from Faux Fun in Versamark and then heat embossed it with white powder.  Added a little tag and then went on a search for a teeny tiny sentiment.  This "Love You" from Big Berries-Strawberry was a perfect fit!

I die cut a primitive heart and then used three Distress inks, from light to dark (Tea Dye, Wild Honey, then Vintage Photo), to make a deep brown color.  Then I stamped the large background from Woodgrain over the top in the darkest ink, Frayed Burlap.  It looks just like wood in real life!  Want to know what it really is....?

The opposite side of a Cheez-It box, hee!  I wanted some plain chipboard but didn't have any, and this worked like a charm.  I die cut the hearts using the Sizzix Primitive Hearts die.

Up next is a card using this photo from Pinterest as inspiration. Oh, I wish I knew how to knit!  These ornaments are so gorgeous.  (Hmm my sister does...maybe I can commission her to make me about a dozen...or two... for the Christmas tree next year :))

The Purl Bee

Whit's Knits Snowflower ornaments

I tried several versions of making a background of white doilies with little colorful centers, but my projects did not turn out anything like I had envisioned when I saw this photo!  I finally decided on this design...

I stamped the mini doilies from Dainty Doilies-Large set in Versamark ink on white paper, then heat embossed them with white powder.  I colored them in with Tim Holtz Distress Markers and added gems.

The smaller hearts are more Cheez-It box leftovers!  I wanted them to be white this time, so I painted the cardboard side with Tim Holtz Picket Fence Crackle Paint.  The little banner is strung across a piece of cardstock impressed with a woodgrain plate from A Muse Studio.   Left a sentiment off of this one as I think it would be good for lots of occasions...even an upcoming baby shower that I am invited to attend!

I have a feeling that everyone is going to have the most elegant and creative entries for this blog party...I can't wait to come visit!  Remember that on Wednesday February 20th, Claire will highlight some special projects on her blog and will also announce the winner of a free stamp set of choice!

Then stay tuned to Claire's blog as she will soon provide details regarding the next Waltzingmouse Stamps release, yippee!!

Supplies:

Primitive Heart tag:
Stamps: Faux Fun, Woodgrain, Big Berries-Strawberry (sentiment), all Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper:  PTI white, Inkessentials kraft tag
Ink:  VersaMark, Stampin Up Cherry Cobbler, Tim Holtz Distress Inks in Tea Dye, Wild Honey, Vintage Photo, and Frayed Burlap
Other:  Sizzix Primitive Heart die, doily, My Craft Spot-Tiny Tags die, Filagree Detail white embossing powder, gingham ribbon, twine

Crackle Heart card:
Stamps:  Dainty Doilies-Large set
Paper:  PTI White and Hibiscus Burst
Ink:  VersaMark, Tim Holtz Distress Markers in Worn Lipstick, Mustard Seed, and Broken China
Other:  Sizzix Primitive Hearts die, Tim Holtz Crackle Paint in Picket Fence, A Muse Studio Woodgrain impression plate, buttons, twine, rhinestones

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CATHY!

Today we are celebrating Cathy Weber's birthday with a little blog hop!  How fun to have a birthday so close to Valentine's Day...makes it extra sweet, just like Cathy!

I chose some sets from Waltzingmouse Stamps that I have an inkling are some of Cathy's faves:)  I have seen her use them herself on some gorgeous cards!

I colored the teacup and flowers from Afternoon Tea Sentiments with Copic markers, which was really fun since I usually just paper-piece the cup!  Added a lovely "wallpaper" background from Nordic Spring...of course I chose hearts!

A little doily, some peach twine, and another border of the hearts dotted with some Liquid Pearls.  Also added some glaze pen detail on the insides of the flowers and leaves so that they looked "dewy!"  The sentiment is from Bountiful Basket Additions.  I loved using this bright color scheme...made me think of spring.  Of course, Cathy probably gets to look outside her window at these colors right now since she's in California...but I am sure she must not be bored of them quite yet ;)

BIG HUGS, Cathy!  I hope you have a wonderful day, enjoying time with your lovely family...and hopefully getting a bit inky, TOO!

Now off you go to celebrate a bit more with these lovely ladies...

Joyce

Jeanne

Kara

Kim

Marybeth

Renee

Tracey 

Sharron

Supplies:

Stamps:  Afternoon Tea Sentiments, Nordic Spring, Bountiful Basket Additions, all Waltzingmouse Stamps

Paper:  PTI Vintage Cream, October Afternoon Sidewalks

Ink:  Memento Espresso Truffle, Fresh Ink in Melon, Copic markers

Other:  Doily, Liquid Pearls in White Opal, A Muse Studio pearls, peach twine, Sakura Glaze pen

WMS Cranberry Sauce Color Challenge

Claire is back with another Monday Morning Make challenge...and this time it's an awesome color challenge posted on her blog HERE!

She chose this beautiful inspiration photo. She took it when she was making cranberry sauce during the holidays!  Thus, the Cranberry Sauce Color Challenge was issued...

Such lovely colors!  I immediately thought of the Camellia set for some reason, but started and restarted this card so many times!  Tried masking, coloring the camellias in various combinations.  Finally decided that whenever I have trouble combining the colors...just add a healthy dose of a neutral or two!  I chose cream, soft grey, and a lovely doily print paper from My Mind's Eye "Love Me" Collection for the background.

I stamped the Camellia in black ink and then colored it in with reds and lavender Copics.  Also, I tend to have trouble with shading, so that's where the colorless blender comes in VERY handy!

I wanted to use the Vintage Garden-Seed Packet frame.  Instead of keeping the flowers inside, I have them bursting right out of it!

So I had the cranberry (with soft pinkish highlights), the silvery purple, the black...and here's where that darker purple/blackberry color came in.  I stamped the "Thank You" sentiment from Vintage Garden-Seed Packet in black and added the "Gratitude" from the set, and also one from Camellia around it.  I stamped them first, then ran the whole piece through my Cuttlebug with a woodgrain impression plate.

I hope you have a chance to play around with this lovely combination.  Claire has extended the Mr. Linky set on her blog until Wednesday!  You can find it HERE.

Supplies:
Stamps:  Camellia, Vintage Garden Seed Packet, both Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper:  My Mind's Eye "Love Me", PTI white, Rustic White, and Soft Stone cardstock
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, A Muse Studio Blackberry, Copic markers
Other:  PTI Woodgrain Impression plate, satin ribbon

PTI Puffy Heart Tag

The 6th Anniversary Celebration has begun at Papertrey Ink and today there is a big prize being offered!  The PTI Design Team was asked to choose six favorite projects, and then customers are to choose a project as inspiration and make a new project.  The prize?  You make a wishlist at the PTI store and title it "Anniversary."  Then one random winner will win the entire contents of the wishlist up to $300, yippee!

Today I chose the distressed tags made by Melissa Phillips as inspiration.  Here they are...

Eek, so beautiful!  I got out my Tag Sale #5 die, cut 2 coasters, and glued them together.  Then decorated a tag for Valentine's Day...

I stamped the gingham pattern from Bitty Background Blocks, then used Betsy Veldman's Make It Monday "Diecut Double Up technique."  I cut a Heart Print die out of the center and placed some Pure Poppy felt inside with a little stitched "kiss."

I then glued the whole piece over another pinked edge die cut, being sure to tuck some tissue inside so that the heart would puff out (thanks, Tosh!)

My tag was painted with folk art paint first, and then painted over with Tim Holtz Picket Fence Crackle paint.  The "Love You" from Script Sentiments is stamped on a little piece of My Mind's Eye patterned paper.

While this is NO where near as awesome as Melissa's, I am always inspired by her magical creations!  I still find myself saying "What would Melissa do?" or "Where would Melissa put this button?" quite often!

Supplies:
Stamps: Bitty Background Blocks, Script Sentiments, both Papertrey Ink
Paper:  My Mind's Eye "Love You", PTI coasters and Vintage Cream cardstock
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Tim Holtz Pumice Stone Distress Ink
Other:  PTI Pure Poppy felt, Heart Prints die, Tag Sale #5 die & Kraft satin ribbon; WPlus9 Pinked Square die, Plaid Folk Art Paint in Clay Bisque, Tim Holtz Crackle Paint in Picket Fence, Stampendous Crystal Snow glitter, twine, pearl

A Go-To Tag

Eva and Claire always are in need of tags for birthday parties...and yesterday we had a family party for my great-niece Reegan who turned 3!  I am finding that the Heroines-Fairy Princess mini set from Waltzingmouse Stamps is perfect for these.  Just buy the wrapping paper or gift bag and paper-piece a coordinating outfit for her.

This floral wrapping was from Target's Dollar Spot!  The fairy's dress is paper-pieced with red dotted paper from Simple Stories "Snap" collection.  Her wings are stamped on vellum and then just glued along the bottom so that I can flare them out a bit.  The sentiment is from Mixed Messages and the tag is cut with the Tag Sale #3 die, both from Papertrey Ink.

Here's one from 2 weeks ago that we made for Eva's friend Madeline...the bag was in our re-gift stash :)

A little glitter and some pretty ribbon...now if only I would make a stash of these ahead of time so that I would be READY the next time an invitation arrives at our house.  But it really would be a shame if her dress didn't match the wrapping paper, wouldn't it?!  :)

Supplies:
Stamps:  Heroines-Fairy Princess, Waltzingmouse Stamps and Mixed Messages, Papertrey Ink
Paper:  Simple Stories Snap Collection, My Mind's Eye Miss Caroline "Howdy Doody" Collection, A Muse Studio vellum
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic markers
Other:  Papertrey Ink Tag Sale #3 die, Stickles, ribbon, pearl

Valentine's Day with the Challenge Chicks!

It's the first Sunday of the month, time for another fun edition of The Challenge Chicks!  This month our hostess is Kelli and she challenged us to make something for Valentine's Day!

The Queen of Procrastination has finished late again.  I've been baaaa-d (hee!). This adorable sheep seemed to be the perfect fit for my tardy card (and it's by our own Chick...Anna Wight!)  It's called "Heart Sheep" and is available at Whipper Snapper Designs...

I found some sweet rustic patterned papers including some denim from October Afternoon's Sasparilla collection.  I wanted my sheep to be happily traipsing through a flowery meadow, so I used these whimsical flowers from Verve Stamps.  The sentiment is from A Muse Studio...it's in Julie Ebersole's handwriting, swoooon!

I can barely stand the cuteness!  I tried my best to color him with Copic markers and paper-pieced his little blanket with more denim and dots.

Off you go to see the rest of the Chicks' projects!  We would love for you to play along.  Upload your creation to Splitcoaststampers using the keyword CHXFEB13 or post a project to your own blog and link it to our Facebook page HERE!

Anna Wight

Diane Zechman

Jeannne Streiff

Kelli Hull

Lydia Fiedler

Vicki Garrett

Supplies:

Stamps:  Heart Sheep, Whipper Snapper Designs, Hand-Scripted, A Muse Studio, and Amazing Wishes, Verve Stamps

Paper:  PTI Rustic Cream and Vintage Cream, October Afternoon Sasparilla, Bo Bunny Bitty Dot, and Garden Tool Tan Plaid by Lasting Impressions

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic markers, Tim Holtz Antique Linen and Brushed Corduroy 

Other:  Sizzix Primitive Heart die, pearls, twine, edge distresser

Do-It-Yourself Washi Tape!

This week for Claire's Monday Morning Make at Waltzingmouse Stamps, she challenged us to make our own Washi tape using tissue paper, stamps, and double-sided tape.  Her tutorial can be seen HERE.   It was SO much fun that I commented on her blog that she has turned me into a certified Washi-making monster!  It is easy and addicting!

I was all excited to sit down and complete the challenge.  I got out some wide Scor-Tape and then searched the house for white tissue paper, only to came up empty handed.  All I had was some fluorescent colors (scream!!)...lime, orange, hot pink.  So out of my color zone!

I settled on some lime green and ended up loving the result!  Of course you know which stamp set I picked first!  I stamped Gingham & Co. and  decided that I was going with a scene theme.  My green Washi was perfect for the grass...

My nephew and niece-in-law just had a new baby 2 weeks ago named Hudson!  My 5th great-niece/nephew!  So I made this card with him in mind using the sweet chick and sentiment from L'il Buddies.  I decided to make a sun for the corner and used the heart circle from the set to make the rays :)

I stamped the gingham using Evergreen ink on the lime tissue...but on the dotted pieces I used a turquoise blue ink called "Pool" and it changed the whole color of the tissue but made the dots show through lime!  I also made some hot pink washi tape but I think I am going to save it a bit for an upcoming Valentine's Day card.

You still have time to upload your own DIY Washi project HERE on Claire's blog.  The Mr. Linky set will close tomorrow (Monday) at 6:00 AM EST.  While you are there, check out the THIS theme for the monthly blog party which will be taking place on February 17th!

Supplies:
Stamps:  Gingham & Co. and L'il Buddies, Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper:  PTI White and Aqua Mist, lime green tissue paper
Ink:  A Muse Studio Evergreen, Fresh Ink in Pool and Mango, Memento Tuxedo Black
Other:  Spellbinders Petite Scallops Nestabilities, Stampendous Crystal Snow glitter, Scor-Tape, button, twine, PTI Cloud die, Cuttlebug Swiss Dot embossing folder