Friday, May 31, 2013

12 Kits for May!



It's the last day of the month, and that means we get to share the projects we made with one of the 12 Kits...this month's was created by Marybeth Lopez!  It was such a beautiful one with soft colors and both elegant and whimsical images for the themes...thank you, thinking of you, and get well soon.


Once again I have so many lovely things left over, but I did finish 4 items this month. First up is a get well card with an adorable little image from L'il Inker Designs...


I decided to make a round card because I don't make them often enough and I love how they look.  Created a little scene, even using some left over paper for the "grass" from Tracey's kit in March!  Marybeth sent us sequins which was very exciting for me since I only have some plain white ones :)


I was way heavy-handed on my coloring as my Copic instructor Colleen would have said!  I actually made a mistake in that I went for a mulicolored umbrella look and then ended up covering my original blue coloring with all red, eek!  I fussy cut the image because my coloring was bleeding...um, not a good look for a get well card :/!

More fun with Copics on this adorable scene called "Butterfly Garden" from Serendipity Stamps...


SO much fun to color!  I couldn't resist pairing it with Waltzingmouse Stamps new Country Labels 4 set.  Love this sentiment and thought it went along with the theme this month.  The mini heart is from the WMS Earth Angel set!


I glittered up the whole scene with Stickles and then added this gorgeous blue gem from Marybeth to the center of the biggest flower.  My girls were oohing and aahing over them.  I got two in my kit and wonder of wonders...I used them BOTH!

A card a bit out of my style with some fun die cuts...


Loved the "get well" die cut from Paper Smooches.


Such a sweet sentiment from Lockhart Stamp Company, and the bowl fit right in the swoop!!  Filled my bowl with some love :)

And last but not least a tag...


I had cut some flowers from another floral image from Serendipity Stamps called "Sun Garden" to frame the sentiment on my first card, and decided it was getting too busy.  So I made this pretty one the star of my tag, along with another sparkling gem...and a sweet bluebird die cut to match!  The picket fence die cut is from Papertrey Ink and the sentiment is from Waltzingmouse Stamps Vintage Garden Seed Packet set.

Wasn't this kit so amazing?!  Thanks SO much Marybeth for spoiling us!  I also wanted to mention that she even sent us a sentiment stamp set from Serendipity Stamps.  I meant to use it on my last tag but somehow papers got shuffled and then this little pennant caught my eye.  So sorry I didn't feature it, that was so generous of you, Marybeth!

I cannot even wait to see what the other ladies have dreamed up for today!  So here they are...

Supplies:
Under the Weather:
Stamps:  L'il Inkers Sugar Kissed Cottage "Rain Boy"
Paper:  Recollections "Aqua Screen", Pebbles "Sunnyside", PTI white, Soft Stone, & Aqua Mist cardstock
Ink:  Copics
Other:  PTI cloud dies, Hobby Lobby sequins, Spellbinders Grand Circles Nestabilities

Glittered Garden:
Stamps:  Butterfly Garden, Serendipity Stamps; Country Labels 4, Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper:  PTI Raspberry Fizz gingham, white cardstock
Ink:  Copics, A Muse Studio Ocean, Memento Tuxedo Black, Fresh Ink Fuchsia
Other: Spellbinders Labels 4 Nestabilities, Stickles, gem from Hobby Lobby

Get Well:
Stamps:  Comfort Food, Papertrey Ink; Get Comfy, Lockhart Stamp Company
Paper:  PTI Aqua Mist and white cardstock, Bazzill Basics "Worth Remembering" polka dot paper
Other:  Paper Smooches "Get Well" die, PTI Comfort Food dies, heart brads, circle punch, corner rounder

Flower tag:
Stamps:  flower from Sun Garden, Serendipity Stamps, Turning a New Leaf, Papertrey Ink; Vintage Garden Seed Packet, Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper:  My Mind's Eye Lost and Found "Blush" collection
Ink:  Fresh Ink Pear
Other:  PTI Tag Sale die, picket fence die; A Muse Studio Woodgrain impression plate, Impression Obsession bird die cut, L'il Inkers Stitched Banner die, Martha Stewart clear coarse glitter, gem from Hobby Lobby, pink satin ribbon

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Waltzingmouse Stamps Release Day Blog Waltz!

Today is the day!  Claire is releasing 2 new stamp sets at Waltzingmouse Stamps.  They are Country Labels 4 and USA 1776!

The entire Design Team is featuring projects for the waltz.  You should be arriving here from Clare Buswell's blog but you can always go back to Claire Brennan's blog for the entire list.

I could barely wait to ink up both sets!  But with Flag Day and July 4th quickly approaching, I had to use USA 1776 first.  I stamped the little star pattern that was made to coordinate with the largest star pre-cut from the Spellbinders Stars 5 Nestabilities set.


I continue my little obsession with denim and woodgrain paper!  I also made some red stripes using the plaid pattern from the previously-released set Pic-Nic Patterns.


The medallion was made with some denim patterned paper.  Love the beautiful font of this sentiment with the cute "stitched" number 4 from USA 1776!

Up next is the sweet Country Labels 4!


That little cherry stole my heart right away.  It made me think of this adorable paper from Melissa Frances called "Kitschy Kitchen!"


I cut the outside label with Spellbinders Labels 4 Nestabilities, and then cut and paper pieced the inside stitched label and popped it up on dimensionals.  The little cherry is colored with Tim Holtz Distress markers.  Love how it looks like a teeny watercolored image :)!

Don't forget about the traditional Release Day contest!  One random comment from all of the DT members' blogs will be chosen and the prize is a stamp set of choice!  You will have until June 1st at 11:59 PM (GMT), 5:5 9AM Central, 3:59 AM Pacific and 6:59 AM Eastern to leave comments. The winner will be posted Claire’s blog on June 3rd.

Be sure to keep your eye on Claire's blog for the month of June!  There will be projects featured each week using both USA 1776 and Country Labels 4.  

Now off you go to LYNN MERCURIO'S blog to see something that is sure to make your jaw drop! 

Supplies:
Star Medallion card:
Stamps:  USA 1776 and Pic-Nic Patterns, both Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper:  PTI Vintage Cream and Scarlet Jewel, Recollections Denim and Wood Floor patterned papers
Ink:  Stampin Up Not Quite Navy & Cherry Cobbler
Other:  Spellbinders Stars 5 Nestabilities, Memory Box Woodrow Rosette die, PTI Woodgrain impression plate, twine, wooden button

Cherry Label card:
Stamps:  Country Labels 4, Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper:  PTI Rustic Cream and Melissa Frances "Kitschy Kitchen" collection
Ink:  Memento Toffee Crunch & Rich Cocoa, Tim Holtz Distress markers
Other:  Spellbinders Labels 4 Nestabilities, May Arts gingham ribbon, lace, twine, button

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Patriotic Bike

Told you I had another bicycle card in mind to make with Papertrey Ink's new Pedal Pusher set!   This time I used it with sketch #87 from Freshly Made Sketches.  It was created by Jennifer Timko:


I flipped the sketch and made a patriotic bicycle in honor of Memorial Day...


Used papers from DCWV and a bit from Crate Paper's "The Pier" collection.  Oh, and some denim paper from Recollections.  I found more denim paper that I like, yay!


The sentiment is a retired one from the former AMuse Artstamps.  As you can see, I had a little bit of difficulty stamping with a wooden one as I am so used to clear stamps these days.  Added some mini stars and rhinestones floating from the basket to match.

There is still time for you to play along, too.  I hope everyone has a special day tomorrow with family and friends!

Supplies:
Stamps:  Pedal Pusher, Papertrey Ink, God Bless America stamp, former A Muse Artstamps
Paper:  DCWV "Striped" Stack & "Dot" Stack, Crate Paper "The Pier" collection, PTI white
Ink:  Memento Ladybug Red and Tuxedo Black, Fresh Ink in Capri Blue
Other:  Recollections rhinestones and stars, PTI star dies

Birthday Bike

I just received Papertrey Ink's new "Pedal Pusher" set and had to try it out on a birthday card for one of Claire's friends!


I used patterned paper from a new Crate Paper collection called "The Pier" to set my color scheme.  It's so fun and summery.


And another new favorite inspired by so many cards that I have seen...enamel dots.  They are the newest items for me to collect (kind of like patterned paper, rhinestones, and buttons) and I hoard them like crazy!  It was fun to use a grand total of 6 on this card.  Reminded me of birthday confetti :)

I see more Pedal Pusher cards in  my future...like later today, I hope!  I have one riding around in my mind for a fave sketch challenge ;).

Supplies:
Stamps:  Pedal Pusher, Birthday Style (bow), and Vintage Picnic (sentiment)
Paper:  PTI white and Harvest Gold, Crate Paper "The Pier" Collection
Ink:  Fresh Ink in Tomato Red, Turquoise, Birch, and Basil, & Memento Espresso Truffle
Other:  PTI Birthday Style bow die, Spellbinders Circle Nestabilities, various enamel dots 

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Waltzingmouse Stamps Teacher Appreciation Blog Party

**Second post today.  Please scroll down for the Kreate-a-lope Blog Hop**
Time for another Waltzingmouse Stamps Blog Party and this month Teacher Appreciation is our theme!  I also loved this sketch by Amy O'Neill for Freshly Made Sketches and decided to use it for my party card, as well.



Here is my card using the sweet apple basket from Peace and Plenty.


I used patterned paper from American Crafts and a sentiment from Frame-It.


I stamped a separate basket with the Woodgrain background and then paper-pieced it over the original basket.  Love how it looks in that color!

You still have time to play along with the blog party!  Upload your creation to Claire's blog HERE.  One randomly-selected player will win a WMS stamp set of choice.  Claire will announce the winner, and also highlight some special projects that she saw during the hop, on her blog on May 20th.

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:
Stamps:  Peace and Plenty, Woodgrain, Frame-It, all Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper:  American Crafts patterned paper, PTI Rustic Cream
Ink:  A Muse Studio Mermaid ink, Memento Espresso Truffle, Copic markers
Other:  twine

Fun with Kreate-a-lope!

Today a few friends and I are having a little fun with a product called Kreate-a-lope!  It's an envelope template created by Nick Romer.  You can see an awesome video featuring Nick using the template at his website greensneakers.com!

Today we are featuring the A2 template but there are other sizes and box templates available at the website. The cool thing about the Kreate-a-Lope is that you can make an envelope quickly as no cutting or tracing is necessary and you can also use ANY kind of paper...cardstock, patterned paper, old gift wrap, newspaper...the sky is the limit!

I stamped some cards and created coordinating envelopes.  I always end up buying plain old white ones from the store and I must admit that these look so much better and it was easy and fun to make them.

Up first is an envelope made from some beautiful vintage wrapping paper.  A family friend used to direct the fragrance department at Macy's and he gave me some of the paper that was used to wrap the perfume bottles!


It's shiny gold and lovely!  I made a coordinating card using this peacock feather from a set by Market Street Stamps called "Wild."


Stamped the background feathers using Delicata gold ink.  I stamped a single feather separately and colored it with Copic markers and cut it out.  The sentiment is from Waltzingmouse Stamps Camellia set.

This second envelope was made with denim patterned paper. I think it really looks like it's made out of fabric!


The lovely border is stamped with Waltzingmouse Stamps French Country and heat embossed with white powder.


Stamped a cheery coordinating card using more images from WMS French Country and the sunshine from My Island.

Here is a look at some more envelopes cut with Kreate-a-lope...


Love this woodgrain envelope...another "authentic" look created with patterned paper from Recollections.  The envelope on the right is actually made from a cool paper bag that I got at a local craft store!   I haven't sealed these yet, but when I do I will be using the cool "Lick and Stick" envelope glue also available at greensneakers.com.  You apply it along the edge, let it dry, and then just remoisten it when you are ready to send it out!

Thanks so much to Nick for sending these fun products to all of us!  He is having a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds in order to make more sizes of templates.  You can make a pledge and get your own Kreate-a-lope HERE. Or you can purchase these items at his website HERE.

Now off you go to see some more awesome projects featuring the "Kreate-a-lope"!

(who will be joining us later today due to traveling layovers :)!

Supplies:
Peacock card:
Stamps:  Market Street Stamps "Wild" and Waltzingmouse Stamps "Camellia"
Paper:  Papertrey Ink Rustic White, vintage wrapping paper
Ink:  Delicata Gold, Memento Paris Dusk, Copic markers
Other:  Kreate-a-Lope envelope template (A2 size), rhinestone

Rooster card:
Stamps:  French Country and My Island, both Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper:  Simple Stories "Summer Fresh", Recollections Denim paper, Papertrey Ink Rustic White
Ink:  Stampin Up  Real Red & Not Quite Navy, Fresh Ink in Harvest, and VersaMark
Other:  Kreate-a-Lope envelope template (A2 size), twine, Spellbinders Square Nestabilities

Other envelopes:  Recollections "Wood Floor" paper, newsprint shopping bag

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Fresh Star Sketch


Scroll down for the Challenge Chicks new challenge and Joyce's Birthday Blog Hop card!

How about another post today?  Had to get in some more crafty time to get Freshly Made Sketch # 84 done before tomorrow.  This one is by the talented and sweet Linda Suarez...



I love the little banner that Linda put in the sketch!  I would never have thought of that.  I made mine with 2 strips of linen washi tape.  The awesome papers are from Simple Stories "Summer Fresh" collection and the denim from Crate Paper's Random collection.  I am pretty sure that I will cry when I don't have any more of that denim!!


The star was made with Spellbinders Nestabilities Stars Five and a mini medallion cut with Memory Box's "Woodrow Rosette" die.  That little thing can be hard to put together, but when I can get it to work I am so happy with the results!  The sentiment is from Seasons of Love-Tags by Waltzingmouse Stamps.

Can't wait to see next week's sketch!  Thanks to the Design Team for all of the lovely inspiration which can be found HERE!


Happy Birthday, Joyce...and some Challenge Chicks Colors!


It's the first Sunday of the month which means a new Challenge Chicks Challenge is posted!  This month, Diane asked us to use this color combination on our cards...


These are the Stampin Up colors:  Chocolate Chip, Soft Sky, Crushed Curry, and Tangerine Tango....so pretty!

You can upload your Challenge Chicks project to Splitcoaststampers using the keyword CHXMAY13 or link your blog post or photo to our Facebook page HERE.

I thought it was a perfect opportunity to use some patterned papers and make a birthday card for the lovely JOYCE who is having a birthday TODAY!


I stamped the gorgeous rose from Roses in Bloom by Waltzingmouse Stamps a few times onto Basic Grey paper, then layered it with dimensionals.  Also added some highlights with a few Copic markers.


Added a doily from Dainty Doilies-Large set.  It's stamped in VersaMark ink, heat embossed with white powder.


At the very bottom of the blue circle you can see the Chicken Wire background stamped in VersaMark along with a sentiment from Fancy Phrases.  For my woodgrain piece, I coated the Woodgrain Impression plate from A Muse Studio with Vintage Cream ink before running it through my Cuttlebug.  Kinda of scary, but it sure looks cool!

If you would like to see more Challenge Chicks projects, visit these ladies today....


How 'bout some more birthday cards?  Continue the party here...


Have a wonderful day, Joyce!!

Supplies:
Stamps:  Roses in Bloom, Dainty Doilies-Large set, Chicken Wire, and Fancy Phrases, all Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper:  Simple Stories "Summer Fresh," Basic Grey "Fiction," and Papertrey Ink Dark Chocolate and Rustic White cardstock
Ink:  Memento Rich Cocoa, VersaMark, PTI Vintage Cream, Copics
Other:  Spellbinders Grand Circles Nestabilities, A Muse Studio Woodgrain impression plate, Filagree white embossing powder, Stickles