Saturday, March 30, 2013

12 Kits of Holidays for March!


It's time for another 12 Kits of Holidays post!  This month our hostess was Tracey McNeely and she sent us the most wonderful, colorful kit celebrating Easter and spring!



I seriously jumped up and down at the sight of the patterned papers she chose.  I had never seen them before...Pebbles "Sunnyside" Collection and they are so HAPPY!


Up first is a little bunny from Spring Fling by Paper Smooches.  So adorable!  I paired it with the Headline Alphabet dies from Papertrey Ink and a sweet sentiment that is also from Spring Fling.


A fancy CAS card for me next!


I loved this sentiment that Tracey sent to us.  It's from a My Favorite Things set called Clearly Sentimental About Art.  I think I am going to get the set myself just so I can make more cards like this!  Had to try it out with the Watercolor Wonder set from Papertrey Ink and a butterfly die cut from A muse Studio coated in glitter.


Last is a springy card with a cool spiral clip from Tracey and an adorable sentiment from Papertrey Ink's Egg Hunt set.  It made me think of another older PTI set in my cupboard....Everyday Button Bits!  I still love all of the Button Bits sets as much as the first day I received them in the mail.

Thanks SO much Tracey for an awesome kit.  I think that you figured out that I LOVED that patterned paper collection, heee!  There are more lovely spring projects to see with this month's kit....


Supplies:
Bunny card:
Stamps:  Spring Fling, Paper Smooches
Paper:  PTI Hawaiian Shores, White, Pebbles "Sunnyside"
Ink:  Copic markers
Other:  PTI Tag Sale, Headline Alphabet dies, AMuse butterfly die, saddle stitch ribbon, button, twine, pearl, Circle Nestabilities


Splash of Color card:
Stamps:  Watercolor Wonder, PTI, Clearly Sentimental About Art, My Favorite Things
Paper: PTI White, Hawaiian Shores, Summer Sunrise
Ink:  A Muse Studio Orange & Bellini, Fresh Ink Pool & Fuchsia
Other:  A Muse Studio butterfly die, Stampendous Crystal Snow glitter, Kathy Davis "Happiness" glitter epoxy dots


Butterfly and Flower Garden card:
Stamps:  Egg Hunt and Everyday Button Bits, Papertrey Ink
Paper: Pebbles Sunnyside, PTI white
Ink: Fresh Ink in Tuscan Olive
Other:  Circle Nestabilities, Buttoned Up #1 & #2 dies from Papertrey Ink, A Muse Studio butterfly die, corner rounder punch, spiral clip, orange grosgrain, assorted buttons and bling




Monday, March 25, 2013

Papertrey Ink Blog Hop


It's time for another Papertrey Ink Blog Hop!  This month the theme is to use SEQUINS on a project!  

I took out my trusty Baby Button Bits cupcake and decided to frost it with some sequins :)



I bought some white sequined ribbon from the dollar bin at Michael's and cut the individual sequins off of the thread.  Glued them to the top of the cupcake image (stamped on white paper) and then paper-pieced the liner with patterned paper.  The little heart is a Heidi Grace sticker.  The paper hearts are cut with the Heart Prints dies.


I absolutely LOVE Maile's new Birthday Style set!  So much fun to play around with the images and die cuts, but I just love this sentiment, too!  

It will be FUN seeing all of the sparkling sequin projects on Nichole's blog today.  Thanks so much for stopping by to see mine!

Supplies:
Stamps:  Baby Button Bits, Birthday Style, both Papertrey Ink
Paper:  Echo Park This & That "Graceful" Collection, PTI white
Ink:  Memento Espresso Truffle, Fresh Ink in Strawberry, Copic markers
Other:  PTI Mat Stack 3 and Heart Print dies, white sequins, Heidi Grace epoxy heart stickers, Martha Stewart aqua twine



Sunday, March 24, 2013

Baby Elephant tag

I went to a baby shower today and some of my family members and I went in on a gift with a "zoo" theme for the Mom-To-Be of sweet little Samuel!  I wanted to make a tag for the basket, so I had some fun combining new and old stamp sets.  Think that my scale is a bit skewed...big sentiment, big balloon, mini elephant, hee!


I used Papertrey Ink's new Wonderful Words:  Hello die cut and stamp combined with the "baby" from Mixed Messages.  The little elephant on top is from an old stamp set by A Muse called "Animal Friends".  He's holding a balloon cut with the new PTI Birthday Style dies!  As you can see, I have hopped on the enamel dot embellishment train.   They add such a fun little bit of colorful shine and are perfect with Maile's new balloons!

Supplies:
Stamps:  Wonderful Words:  Hello and Mixed Messages, Papertrey Ink, & Animal Friends, A Muse (old)
Paper:  October Afternoon "Sidewalks", American Crafts Dear Lizzie Neopolitan collection (balloon), and PTI Blueberry Sky and white cardstock
Ink:  PTI Blueberry Sky, Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic makers
Other:  Recollections tag, Wonderful Words: Hello die, Birthday Style die, Blueberry Sky grosgrain ribbon, Divine Twine, enamel dot

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KIM!

Today we are having a birthday blog hop for Kim Heggins!  She is such a sweet blogger, always leaving the loveliest comments.  I love how she uses colors on her cards and always just the right touch of embellishing. With that in mind, I made a card with some happy colors and a fancy brad :)  That's Kim to me!




I used cheerful springy papers from Echo Park's This & That "Graceful" Collection.  The stamps are the new Folk Art Labels No. 25 from Waltzingmouse Stamps topped with the butterfly from Nordic Spring (also WMS).  I embossed the butterfly in white over polka-dotted paper from the collection.

I heard that you have had some stressful days at work lately, Kim...so I hope today is filled with delicious treats, some relaxing moments, time with good friends & family...and lots of SMILES!  Have a great day!!!

There are more ladies waiting in line with warm wishes for Kim on her special day...


Supplies:
Stamps:  Folk Art Labels No. 25 & Nordic Spring, Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper:  This & That Graceful Collection from Echo Park, PTI Rustic White
Ink:  Fresh Ink in Tuscan Olive and Strawberry, and Versamark
Other:  Spellbinders Picot Edge Circles and Labels 25 Nestabilities, Filagree Fine Detail embossing powder in white, twine, Basic Grey brad, pearl

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Waltzingmouse Stamps "Luck" Blog Party!


It's one of my favorite blog parties of the year!  It's St. Patrick's Day, and what better way to celebrate than with Waltzingmouse Stamps!  Claire, our favorite gal from Northern Ireland, is hosting a party from her blog HERE...the theme this month?
Why it's LUCK, of course :)...

Still not tired of the newly-released stamp set Folk Art Medallion!  It is quite possible that I could stamp a card with it every day, THAT'S how much fun it is to create with!  Today I paired it with some other WMS stamps to make a good luck card...


I stamped the medallion, added mini shamrocks from the set Irish Blessings, and then cut it out.  Stamped the sentiment from Fancy Phrases at the bottom of a sheet of Fine Linen cardstock, and then embossed the paper with a Cuttlebug embossing folder.




Before I even began stamping, I spritzed Tattered Angels "Guilded Gold" Glimmer Mist onto Rustic White cardstock and then let it dry.  So perfect to add a bit o' gold for today! The whole medallion just shimmers in the sunlight, and the added rhinestones really add to the sparkle.

Upload your creation HERE on Claire's blog by tomorrow (March 18th) at 1:30 PM EST.  One randomly-selected participant will win a stamp set of choice! Claire will announce the winner on Wednesday March 20th as well as highlight some special projects that caught her eye along the way.

Thanks so much for stopping by today...can't wait to see all of the lucky creations!

Supplies:
Stamps:  Folk Art Medallion, Irish Blessings, & Fancy Phrases, all Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper:  PTI Rustic White and Fine Linen cardstock, A Muse Studio Fern cardstock, and Simple Stories "Take a Hike" patterned paper
Ink:  Fresh Ink in Pear, Mojito, and Birch and Memento Ink in Olive Grove
Other:  Cuttlebug embossing folder, Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist in Guilded Gold, green rhinestones, lace, satin ribbon

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Experimenting...

I haven't had a chance to use my new Watercolor Wonder stamp set from Papertrey Ink, so I sat down for a little while yesterday afternoon to experiment.  Of course I chose another birthday tag for an upcoming party!  I used my Tim Holtz Distress Markers to color the stripes in different shades and added some glitter to the Headline Alphabet die cut letters.


Not sure I like the addition of the yellows that I had (Mustard Seed ?!)...or the overall design for that matter...but this should look cute enough on a little pastel gift bag for Eva's friend :)!

REMINDER!
Tomorrow on St. Patrick's Day (!) it is the Waltzingmouse Stamps Blog Party!  Of course Claire is celebrating with a LUCK theme.  She has some free digital images available in the store, including a gorgeous new freebie for this year!  See you there at 1:30 PM EST...you will have 24 hours to upload your creations to the Mr. Linky set on Claire's blog HERE.

Supplies:
Stamps:  Watercolor Wonder, Vintage Picnic (sentiment), both Papertrey Ink
Paper:  PTI Rustic White
Ink:  Tim Holtz Distress Markers in Tumbled Glass, Broken China, Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick, Mustard Seed, Wild, Honey, (Mulled Lavender inkpad), and Dusty Concord; A Muse Studio ink in Heather
Other:  PTI Tag Sale #7 & Headline Alphabet dies, Doodlebug Design Sugar Coating "Lily White Glitter" and gem, button, A Muse Studio paper flower, twine

Friday, March 8, 2013

Waltzingmouse Stamps Release Day Blog Waltz!

It's the Design Team Release Day Blog Waltz at Waltzingmouse Stamps!  You should be arriving here from Clare Buswell's blog but you can always go back to Claire Brennan's blog if you have lost your way.

Claire is releasing 3 new stamp sets in the store...A Good Egg, Folk Art Medallion, and Folk Art Labels No. 25.  Don't forget about the cut files and coordinating digital papers while you are there!  Visit her blog HERE for the full reveals!

Claire will also be holding her usual commenting competition.  Leave comments on the DT members' blogs as you waltz along today, and one random commenter will be chosen to win a free stamp set of choice!  You have until Monday March 11th at 6:59 AM EST to leave comments.  The winner will be posted on Claire's blog on Wednesday March 13th.

REMEMBER:  These new sets, as well as many others, now can be shipped from the USA if you choose!  The list of the sets available for US shipping can be found HERE.

Up first I have a little card duo made with the gorgeous Folk Art Medallion.  All you need is some ink and this stamp and you can make some beautiful cards so quickly...and easily too!  I used a variety of Tim Holtz Distress Inks for each card, and then heat embossed with clear powder.

First was Wild Honey, Peeled Paint, Scattered Straw and Antique Linen...


Second was some of the newer colors Peacock Feathers, Shaded Lilac, Festive Berries and Tumbled Glass...


Keeping with the same general layout, I went fancier for a new baby card with A Good Egg.  I just had to make one more with a teeny flocked chick!



The background is made with images from Folk Art Medallion.


Before you go, I just wanted to say thanks so much to everyone for visiting this week and for leaving such wonderful comments!  I can't wait to see what you make with these new sets!

Now off you go to LYNN MERCURIO'S blog where you are sure to see something fabulous!

Supplies:
Medallion card set:
Stamps:  Folk Art Medallion, Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper:  PTI Rustic White
Ink:  Tim Holtz Distrress inks in Wild , Peeled Paint, Scattered Straw, Antique Linen, Peacock Feathers, Shaded Lilac, Festive Berries, and Tumbled Glass
Other:  twine, Hero Arts clear embossing powder

Just Hatched card:
Stamps:  A Good Egg, Folk Art Medallion, Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper:  PTI Rustic Cream & Limeade Ice
Ink:  Fresh Ink in Melon, Limeade, and Sugar, A Muse Studio Buttercup, Hero Arts Butter Bar
Other:  A Muse Studio satin ribbon in "Shell" and Papaya Flocking, Spellbinders Petite Scallops Nestabilities, White Opal Liquid Pearls, Sizzix embossing folder

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Waltzingmouse Stamps March Release Previews, Day 3

I am sure that you have been hopping along today, enjoying every gorgeous detail of the Folk Art Medallion stamp set!  Claire will be releasing it at Waltzingmouse Stamps tomorrow, Friday March 8th along with the 2 other new sets, Folk Art Labels No. 25 and A Good Egg.

Today I am focusing on the large medallion in the set.  But let me tell you... this large stamp set is packed with elements which allow you to make multicolored and patterned medallions, as well as unique backgrounds!

I stamped the medallion using VersaMark ink and then heat embossed it with white powder on kraft paper.  It is cut out with the largest die in the Lacey Circles Nestabilities set.  Stamped some pastel flowers in orange, aqua blue, and lavender, and added some Liquid Pearls.


The card base was cut with Spellbinders Grand Labels 11 Nestabilities.  Made a little tag with images from Folk Art Medallion cut with the Small Labels Nestabilities.


Up next is a simple one layer tag (gasp!!) using the Faux Tearing Technique.  It's basically masking...but you sponge and stamp around a piece of paper with a torn edge...


I sponged Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Tumbled Glass around the torn paper and then stamped the medallion using darker blue and red inks.  


Then I removed the mask and added the pretty sentiment along the bottom.  I am excited to try more medallion tags with this technique in lots of different color schemes!

I'll bet these ladies are as excited about Folk Art Medallion as I am!  Off you go to see some lovely samples!

Supplies:
Medallion Card-
Stamps:  Folk Art Medallion, Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper:  PTI Rustic White, Kraft, Winter Wisteria
Ink:  Fresh Ink in Silver Lilac, Ginger, & Pool, VersaMark
Other:  Spellbinders Nestabilities (Grand Labels 11, Small Labels, Lacey Circles, Standard Circles Small), White Opal Liquid Pearls, pearl, PTI Winter Wisteria satin ribbon

Medallion Tag-

Stamps:  Folk Art Medallion, Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper:  PTI Rustic White, Recollections tag
Ink:  Fresh Ink in Capri Blue, Stampin Up in Real Red and Not Quite Navy, Tim Holtz Tumbled Glass Distress ink
Other:  White Opal Liquid Pearls, pearl, gingham ribbon, twine

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Waltzingmouse Stamps March Release Previews, Day 2

Back for another preview of one of the 3 new Waltzingmouse Stamp sets that 
Claire will be releasing in the store this Friday, March 8th!  

Today we are featuring a mini set that packs quite a punch.  It's my favorite label image that Claire has ever designed...and she creates the most amazing ones!  It's called Folk Arts Labels No. 25 because it coordinates with the Spellbinders Labels 25 Nestabilities
...and also may coordinate with something else that's new and fabulous that will be debuting tomorrow :).


Isn't it SUCH a beautiful image?   The font of the sentiment makes me so happy!  I colored my label with Copic markers to match the flowers in this My Mind's Eye "Dolled Up" paper.


I die cut and layered two butterflies, and stamped the center with one of the mini detail images included in the set.  Added some gems and twine antennae!

From a rustic project to one with more of a floral Vera Bradley kind of feel to it!


Colored the frame with Copics again, but this time I popped up the flower on dimensionals.  


Also colored and cut 2 more little flowers and added them to my ribbon as embellishments.

It was so much fun seeing all of the DT samples yesterday!
Now for some more gorgeous inspiration featuring Folk Art Labels No. 25...


Supplies:
Butterfly Tag
Stamps:  Folk Art Labels No. 25, Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper:  My Mind's Eye Miss Caroline "Dolled Up" Collection, PTI Vintage Cream
Ink:  Memento Toffee Crunch, A Muse Studio Titian, Copic markers
Other:  Spellbinders Labels 25 Nestabilities, A Muse Studio butterfly die, Recollections Creative Tag, brown and yellow gems, twine

Floral card:
Stamps:  Folk Art Labels No. 25, Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper:  Echo Park This &That "Graceful" Collection, PTI Vintage Cream, A Muse Studio Lichen
Ink:  Memento Espresso Truffle and Ladybug Red, Copic markers
Other:  Spellbinders Labels 25 and Labels 5 Nestabilities, Sizzix embossing folder, PTI Vintage Cream twill tape, red gems, pink Stickles

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Waltzingmouse Stamps March Release Previews, Day 1

A new release for Waltzingmouse Stamps!  

Claire will be releasing 3 new stamp sets in the store this Friday, March 8th, as well as some coordinating cut files and digital papers.  She has created some amazing images that are an absolute dream to stamp with!

Today we are showcasing an adorable set called A Good Egg.  It's filled with sweet springtime images, including bunnies and chicks for Easter.  She's also included some other sentiments that make this folksy set perfect to use all year round!

I started with a little nest of eggs for Easter...


I covered the bottom half of a little paper mache pinecone box that I had left over from Christmas.  I purchased 3 of them in a pack by Martha Stewart, but could not figure out how to use them!  I covered it was fuzzy yarn after seeing THIS idea on her website.


Added a little toothpick and Easter sign featuring images from A Good Egg.


I stamped the chick in yellow and then filled them in using a glue pen.  Added some Papaya Flocking from A Muse Studio to make them fuzzy peeps!


All of the papers used today are from a beautiful Easter collection by Authentique called "Hope."  I made a coordinating card to go with my nest...


I love mixing and matching all of the images with these eggs!  This egg was stamped and then cut out with the Big Scalloped Circle nestie.  I then placed it on top of Claire's own Opera Tags Nestabilities by Spellbinders, which are available at the WMS store.


Join us tomorrow as we preview another new stamp set.  Now for more inspiration from our new and improved Design Team!  Off you go to see what these ladies created with A Good Egg...


Supplies:
Yarn Nest
Stamps:  A Good Egg, Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper:  Authentique "Hope" Collection, Papertrey Ink Vintage Cream and Kraft cardstock
Ink:  Hero Arts Butter Bar, A Muse Studio Eucalyptus, PTI Kraft
Other:  Spellbinders Classic Ovals Small Nestabilities, A Muse Studio Papaya Flocking, yarn, twine, Martha Stewart pinecone container (half), toothpick

Good Egg card
Stamps: A Good Egg, Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper:  Authentique "Hope" Collection, Papertrey Ink Rustic White and Kraft cardstock, A Muse Studio Squash cardstock
Ink:  Fresh Ink in Cocoa & Sicilian Blue, A Muse Studio Squash, Tim Holtz Antique Linen and Tea Dye, PTI Fresh Snow
Other:  Waltzingmouse Stamps Opera Tags Nestabilities, Spellbidners Big Scalloped Circle Large Nestabilities, lace, twine, gingham ribbon, KaiserCraft pearls, edge distresser


Sunday, March 3, 2013

Going Green with the Challenge Chicks!


It's the first Sunday of March (wow, where did February go?), and that means it's time for some fun with the Challenge Chicks!  This month our hostess is Anna, and she challenged us to go green-as in, recycle or re-purpose!  I trembled at the sight of this theme...I know what these girls can DO and they all can rock a 3D project!

Spring made me think of baskets, which lead me to do a Pinterest search.  Decided on the recycled item of...


NEWSPAPER!

On Pinterest, I found this link to a newspaper basket, originally posted on the website How About Orange.  I set to work weaving my strips. I cut half of a newspaper page (vertically) and folded the strips into quarters.  I think that I prepared about 24 of them.  It helped to glue the edges of the strips each time I folded them so that they didn't pop open.


Once I liked the size of the bottom of the basket, I folded the rest of the edges up and began weaving the sides. 


Here is the completed basket!  I meant to go smaller, but ended up with a basket that is about 8 1/2 inches square!

I decided that I wanted to make my basket "springier," so I painted the outside with Plaid Folk Art Paint in the color "Sky Blue."  I only added one layer of paint because I liked how some of the newspaper text was showing through...also didn't want the paper to become too soggy.

The border around the top is upcycled, too!  My niece got married in 2004 and registered at Pottery Barn.  She got SO many gifts wrapped in that sage colored twill ribbon at her shower.  As I wrote down the list of gifts received, I wrapped up about 5 yards of the leftovers.  I came home and put the baggie in my gift wrap supplies...this is almost the last of it!  I ironed it out and just glued it around the top edge.  
The flower is cut with Papertrey Ink's Big Blooms #3 die with some layered buttons glued to the center. 


The inside is still the newspaper print.  I think that I may keep some of those mini ink pads stacked in here.  The true charm would be to make 2 more of these in different pastel colors and have them lined up on a shelf.  I just don't know if I have the patience to make another one, though!

Edited to add....It IS quite sturdy, Kara!  It would easily hold crafty supplies like ribbon, spools of twine, scrap paper, markers, etc.  It would be even sturdier if I painted the bottom, but I skipped that part ;)!!

Now it's your turn to have some fun sifting through the recycle bin!  Upload your Going Green project at Splitcoaststampers using the keyword CHXMAR13.
Or you can post to your blog and link to our Facebook Page HERE.

Off you go to visit the other chicks!


Supplies:
Stamps:  none 
Paper:  newspaper
Ink:  none
Other:  newspaper, Plaid Folk Art Paint in Sky Blue, twill ribbon, canvas sheet from Canvas Corp., Papertrey Ink Bloom Builders #3 die, buttons, twine

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Quick Tag

Inspired by Melissa Phillips' WISH card from Papertrey Ink's anniversary party, and also yesterday's Friends 'til the End posts from Betsy Veldman and Melissa Phillips, I made a quick tag to put on a present for Eva to take to a party today.


The fancy floral background is a gift bag that we had in our "used gift bag" bin!  I try to only keep the really pretty ones...and also a few different sizes on hand.  I used PTI's new Headline Alphabet dies to make the WISH and then half of a sentiment from Vintage Picnic.  Daisies to coordinate with the bag were stamped using the Rosie Posie set.  I was SO mad because the lower left corner is actually a daisy cut out and glued over the first one that I stamped...which I smudged BIG time!  It was too late to re-do all of the die-cutting...and I had to keep in mind that this gift is going to a 7-year old!  So over the top it went :)!  I can't wait to make more of these!

Supplies:
Stamps:  Rosie Posie & Vintage Picnic, both Papertrey Ink
Paper:  PTI Rustic White, Orange Zest, Berry Sorbet, Simply Chartreuse, Hawaiian Shores, all PTI
Ink:  A Muse Studio Heather and Orange, Fresh Ink in Fuchsia , Memento Tuxedo Black
Other:  PTI Tag Sale #3, Headline Alphabet dies, clear gems, Orange Zest satin ribbon