Happy Fall Box

The week is almost over!! I know I'm looking forward to this weekend because I get to spend it visiting my son who's away at college!! :)

Since it's Thursday, it's time for a CCEE Stampers Challenge, and this week we were to make something with a Fall theme. I needed a couple of boxes for a little gift that I'm giving to a couple of stamping friends of mine this week. I haven't seen them in a year, so I'm very excited. I used a new Verve set that Julee has just put in her store called Boo to You. Isn't that pumpkin just the sweetest? I added a sentiment from the Happy Fall set too.


I thought it would be fun to combine the Sweet Scallop and the Tiny Sweet Scallop dies, and added a little Martha Stewart Punched leaf, along with a few Kaisercraft Rhinestones, some Burlap string and a sweet little button. The border was made with an EK Success Border Punch.

That's it for today. Be sure to check out what Fall Inspiration the CCEE Stampers have to share today.

Thanks for stopping by!!
Happy Stamping my friends!!

A Sad Farewell...

It's hard to believe, but Michelle, owner of Stamper's Dream, is closing her on-line store. I've been one of Michelle's original Design Team members, so it's hard for me to even imagine Stamper's Dream not even being there anymore. Owning a store, whether it be brick and mortar, or on-line, is a huge undertaking, and Michelle has been running Stamper's Dream, and working full time. I don't know how she's done it as long as she has. She's decided to focus more on her family and take some time to enjoy life for a change!! You go girl!!

Michelle, it's been an honor to design for you, as well sharing some wonderful memories at CHA. Although I will miss your store, I know how to find ya, so ya can't get rid of me that easily. *grin* Love ya my friend!!

Anyway, as a farewell, Michelle is putting everything in the store on sale, and is having a final Stamper's Dream Blog hop with the current DT as well as some of the past members.

Everything in the store is 20% off with the coupon code Farewell2U. Just enter it on the checkout page in the coupon section and it will take 20% off the lowest marked price of the items in your shopping cart! There is a $20 minimum to activate the coupon. Sorry, but there will be no free shipping during the liquidation.

Now, for my card:

I've always been a fan of JustRite images, and have used them often. So of course, for my last SD hop, I had to pull some out. I used two different sets: Be Strong, and Christmas Trimmings for the sentiment "Believe". Christmas is not an easy time for everyone. There are some who have suffered recent losses, or are struggling with an illness or disease. So I though making an ornament with the sentiment "Believe", and including a little "Hope" tag at the top might fit well to remind some that they can believe in Christ and have some hope.

I used the small oval in the Be Strong set to frame the sentiment "Hope". The little butterfly also comes in this set.

I think the oval frame fit beautifully in the new 2011 Heriloom Ornament die by Spellbinders.

To finish off my card, I added some lace, a bit of sparkle with some rhinestones, some seam binding ribbon, and a little button.

That's it for my card, be sure to visit the other Stamper's Dream hoppers. There's a lot of inspiration to be had today.


Michelle Rodgers
Becca Feeken
Tosha Leyendekker
Denise Marzec
Laurie Schmidlin
Carolyn King
Amy Sheffer
Arlene Cuevas
Teresa Kline
Jessica Diedrich
Mariana Grigsby
Lea Lawson
Jo Thompson

Thank you so much for stopping by today. I love visitors. :)
Happy Stamping my friends!!

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Stamps: Be Strong, and Christmas Trimmings
Paper: Printery Collection (Prima), Vintage Cream (PTI)
Ink: Onyx Black (Versafine) and Vintage Photo (Ranger Distress)
Accessories: 2011 Heirloom Ornament die (Spellbinders), Border Punch (EK Success), Seam Binding Ribbon (MemrieMare), Button (PTI), Rhinestones (I-Rock), Sewing Machine

Waltzingmouse Oct. Release Blog Waltz

Waltzingmouse images are in the house!! :) I can't believe the release day is finally here!! It has been such a treat to work with all the new sets, let me tell you! They are all filled with fabulous images and sentiments. All fun and unique!! Today, the dt is sharing the last two sets in the release called: Candy Jar Christmas, and Candy Jar Christmas Fillers. There is absolutely no limit to these sets of images...cards, tags, backgrounds, etc. If you've just arrived from Niki's blog, you're on the right track. Otherwise, you'll want to start at the beginning with Claire. Believe me, you won't want to miss a stop. :)


For my first card, I stamped the jar image onto decorative paper, and filled it with White embossed kraft Gingerbread men. I included the lid on the bottom, as well as one of the included sentiments at the top.


For my second card, I stamped the jar onto acetate, filled it with some candy canes, and added a few candy pieces to the bottom as well. I also included a sentiment medallion with one of the fun circle images, as well as the sentiment "no charge for nice folks". Isn't that just the cutest sentiment?!?!?

Well, that's it for me. You'll want to head on over to Becca's blog now. She always has a wonderfully creative treat to share. Don't forget to leave a comment on each DT member's blog to be entered to win a stamp set of your choice. You have until October 17 at 3:59 AM Pacific and 6:59 AM Eastern. The winner will be announced on Claire's Blog October 18.


Thanks so much for visiting and for all your kind comments this week. I had a wonderful time sharing this new release with you.


Happy Stamping!!

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Gingerbread Cookie Jar
Stamps: Candy Jar Christmas, and Candy Jar Christmas Fillers (Waltzingmouse)
Paper: Pixie Glen Collection (Prima), Kraft and Vintage Cream (PTI)
Ink: Onyx Black Versafine and Versamark
Accessories: Baker's Twine, White Embossing Powder, Border Punch, Sewing Machine, Rhinestone (Kaisercraft), Corner Rounder Punch

Candy Cane Jar
Stamps: Candy Jar Christmas, and Candy Jar Christmas Fillers (Waltzingmouse)
Paper: Acetate, Happy Days (EP), Vintage Cream and Black (PTI)
Ink: Onyx Black (Versafine)
Accessories: Petite Scallop Circle and Standard Circle dies (Spellbinders), Border Punches (Martha Stewart and EK Success)

Waltzingmouse Oct. Release Day 3 ~ 2011 Holiday Ornaments & Santa's Coming to Town

Have you been enjoying the Waltzingmouse peeks? Aren't these sets AMAZING?!?!?!? I don't know how Claire outdoes herself each release, but she always manages to come up with something even more spectacular!!


For this card, I wanted to show the elegance of some of the ornaments in the set 2011 Holiday Ornaments. The photos are pretty light...that's because the ornament colors are very light and soft. If you click on the photos, you can see them a bit better. Everything is really sparkly irl. I used a Quickie Glue Pen and some ultrafine transparent glitter to cover the Elegant Post die (Spellbinders), as well as the ornaments that were diecut with the new 2011 Heirloom Ornaments. The sentiment was diecut with Labels 8, and I added some sparkly punched flowers. The dp was coated with some white acrylic paint to soften the bg as well. If you click on the photo below, you can see the flourishy detail a bit better.


Now, for my next card, I used the new set Santa's Coming to Town, and went to the opposite extreme....BRIGHT!! I normally don't work with "Christmas green". I lean more towards jewel tones and a softer color palette. So, I thought I'd step out of my box and "go green". :) The snowflakes were all embossed with White Embossing Powder, and Santa is stamped with Smokey Gray Versafine. I added the "No Peeking" with some Onyx Black Versafine, some black ribbon and a sweet little red button to finish it off. Clean and Simple.


That's my samples for today. Just in case you haven't seen everyone else's yet, I've provided the links here:

Anya Schrier
Becca Feeken
Belinda Chang Langner
Clare Buswell
Julia Aston
Jennifer Holmes
Kate Whelan
Kelly Schirmer
Laurie Schmidlin
Lynn Mercurio
Mona Pendleton
Niki Estes
Sandie Dunne
Tosha Leyendekker
Claire Brennan (Owner)


Thanks for visiting today. I hope today is an awesome day for you, and that you have a fabulous weekend!!
Happy Stamping!

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Ornament Card
Stamps: 2011 Holiday Ornaments (Waltzingmouse)
Paper: Romantique Collection (Prima), PTI
Ink: Blush and Sky (a muse), Smokey Gray (Versafine)
Accessories: 2011 Heirloom Ornament Labels 8 and Elegant Posts dies (Spellbinders), Silver cord, Flower Punch (Carl CarlaCraft), Pearl (Pizzazz Aplenty), Ultrafine Transparent Glitter, Quickie Glue Pen, Sewing Machine


No Peeking
Stamps: Santa's Coming to Town (Waltzingmouse)
Paper: PTI and Bazzill
Ink: Versamark, Smokey Gray and Onyx Black (Versafine)
Accessories: Labels 8 die (Spellbinders), White Embossing Powder, Ribbon and Button (PTI)

Waltzingmouse Oct. Release Day 2 ~ Nordic Winter

Welcome to Day 2 of the Waltzingmouse releases for this month. Today, we're featuring a new set called Nordic Winter. And oh my, is this ever a must have set!! I have so many ideas, but not enough time to implement them right now...*sigh*. This has to be one of my absolute faves!!

For my first card, I decided I wanted to make a Nordic mitten, and with the variety of borders and images, it was so fun and easy to make. I stuffed a little Gingerbread man from the Half Baked Gingerbread Joy set, and a Sizzix diecut Primitive heart, inside the mitten, and added a sweet little sentiment from the Seasons of Love - Tags set. I finished it off with some sewing, burlap string, pom-pom ribbon and lace. I also added a couple of punched borders.

Now, for my next card, I went with a completely different style. I used one of the border images to make the stripes, and added the reindeer and sentiment to the solid panel.


That's it for me today. If you haven't seen what the other girls are sharing today, be sure to stop by their blogs for a visit too. You won't want to miss it!!

Anya Schrier
Becca Feeken
Belinda Chang Langner
Julia Aston
Jennifer Holmes
Kate Whelan
Kelly Schirmer
Laurie Schmidlin
Lynn Mercurio
Mona Pendleton
Niki Estes
Sandie Dunne
Tosha Leyendekker
Claire Brennan (Owner)

Thank you so much for visiting today. I hope you're having a wonderful week!! :)
Happy Stamping!

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Nordic Mitten
Stamps: Nordic Winter, Half Baked Gingerbread Joy, Seasons of Love - Tags
Paper: Paris & Co. Six by Six (MME), Dark Chocolate, Kraft and Vintage Cream (PTI)
Ink: Versamark, French Roast and Sage (a muse), Smokey Gray (Versafine), Red Brick (VersaMagic), Walnut Stain (Ranger Distress)
Accessories: Mitten die (Spellbinders), Labels 8 die (Spellbinders, Primitive Heart die (Sizzix), Lace, Pom-pom ribbon, Burlap String (May Arts), Wood button (PTI), Mini-Clothespin, White Embossing Powder, Border Punches (EK Success and Martha Stewart), Sewing Machine (Waltzingmouse)


Nordic Reindeer
Stamps: Nordic Winter (Waltzingmouse)
Paper: Vintage Cream and Smokey Gray (PTI)
Ink: Onyx Black and Smokey Gray (Versafine), Sage (a muse)
Accessories: Baker's Twine, Button (PTI), Rhinestone (Kaisercraft), Border Punch (Martha Stewart)

Waltzingmouse Oct. Release Day 1 ~ Seasonal Remedies

Hello everyone!! I'm so excited to start sharing some Waltzingmouse Sneak Peeks with you this week!! Today the Dt used images from the set Seasonal Remedies. It's full of Charming remedy labels and fun little sentiments. I chose to make the "Pure Joy Effervescent Formula Remedy" into a tag, and the charming little Bethlehem scene into a little label.

I have a friend who LOVES coffee. In fact you could say it brings her "pure Joy". ;) So I thought it would be fun to transform some Starbucks Frappuccino bottles and their case into a little Christmas gift.

I started by framing the little Bethlehem scene with the Spellbinders Labels 4 and Twisted Metal Tags and Accents dies. I added some Bronze Viva Decor Gel around the frame and some seam binding ribbon along with a Bazzill button and some Burgandy Burlap String.


I stamped the "Joy" tag with Onyx Black Versafine, diecut it with the Labels 15 die by Spellbinders, and ink distressed the edges with Walnut Stain by Ranger Distress ink. I also added the little crown tag by punching it out with SU!'s small oval punch, and attached both with some Black Burlap String.



I added the fun little sentiment "To bring you Good Cheer" to the bottom corner with some Onyx Black Versafine. I wish I would have embossed it so it stood out better though.



For the tops of the bottles, I stamped a small doily from the Dainty Doilies Large set, and framed it with a punched circle and the scalloped circle from the Ironwork Accents dies (Spellbinders). I added a paper ribbon around the top of the bottle using a Martha Stewart punch for the border. The paper is all from the Christmas Lost & Found My Mind's Eye Collection, with a Dark Chocolate PTI base.



Here's another look at Claire's charming Remedy image!! I tell ya, this set is so fun. The remedies could work with just about any drink you can come up with, or just be made into a fun card!



If you haven't seen all the dt's samples from today. Be sure not to miss a one. These guys have some serious inspiration skills!!

Anya Schrier
Becca Feeken
Julia Aston
Belinda Chang Langner
Jennifer Holmes
Kate Whelan
Kelly Schirmer
Laurie Schmidlin
Lynn Mercurio
Mona Pendleton
Niki Estes
Sandie Dunne
Sarah Martina Parker
Tosha Leyendekker <-----you are here
Claire Brennan (Owner)

Thank you so very much for stopping by. Be sure to visit tomorrow. Claire has come up with a really fun, charming and unique set that I know you're going to love!!
Happy Stamping!!

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Stamps: Seasonal Remedies and Dainty Doilies Large (Waltzingmouse)
Paper: Christmas Lost & Found (MME), Dark Chocolate (PTI)
Ink: Onyx Black (Versafine), Walnut Stain (Ranger Distress)
Accessories: Labels 4, Labels 15, Ironwork Accents and Twisted Metal Tags dies (Spellbinders), Border Punches (Martha Stewart), Bronze Viva Decor Gel, Rhinestone Button (Bazzill), Seam Binding Ribbon, Burgandy Burlap String (May Arts), Small Oval Punch (SU!)

Swimming for Katie Blog Hop

I'm honored to be participating in this blog hop for a very special lady: Katie Renz. "From October 10-12 some of the best stampers are joining together to support and encourage our friend and fellow stamper, Katie Renz, who is currently battling inoperable gastric cancer. If you're not familiar with her, Katie’s cancer story started just before Christmas last year. This young, beautiful, healthy, vibrant mother of 3 with her infectious smile was suddenly diagnosed with an inoperable cancer, virtually overnight. A few tummy aches and then stage 4 gastric cancer. Her first post about it is HERE. The idea of “Swimming for Katie” came from her recent post HERE.

This exclusive stamp used in my sample, designed by Becky Oehlers is available as a clear stamp, as well as a digis or a dig and SVG cut file. 100% of the profits go to Katie's fund to help her and her young family. Her husband Kevin and her three young children need our help and support. In addition to the Keep Swimming Octopus, Marianne Walker and True =D Doodle Designs both also donated digis that are for sale. Direct donations are also being accepted. Information central is HERE. This is a permanent page that will stay active at i {heart} papers with current information and the full 3 day blog hop listing, as well as the donation button.

The items available for sale can be found HERE.

For my card, I colored the octopus with Copics and covered her in glitter. Each arm is cut out individually and is curled a bit for a 3-D affect. The papers are all from the Everyday Flair 6x6 designer paper pad by MME, and the card frame was made with the largest Lacy Circle die from Spellbinders.

I hope you will join me in supporting Katie through a purchase or donation. The following is a list of everyone who has projects posted today. I hope you will be inspired by them and moved to purchase or donate. Thank you!"

Ashley Harris
Clare Buswell
Jessica Diedrich
Lisa Somerville
Charlene Merrick
Eva Dobilas
Judy Rozema
Sharon Doolittle
Tifany DeGough
Windy Robinson
Ashley Cannon Newell
Connie McCotter
Heidi Van Laar
Karen Maldonado
Lori Craig
Melissa Phillips
Tosha Leyendekker (you are here)
Amy Kolling
Angela Thomas
Angelica Suarez
Angie Blom
Becky Oehlers
Betty Wright
Bev Gerard
Brenda Weaver
Carolyn King
Chari Moss
Charlene Driggs
Cindi Bisson
Claire Brennan
Corinna McGregor
Craft Critique
Karen Hunsaker (Rubbernecker Stamps Designer)
Keely Yowler
Kelly Schirmer
Keri Lee Sereika
Kim Hughes
Kimber McGray
Kittie Caracciolo
Kristin Eberline
Wendy Price

Thank you so much for stopping by.

Autumn Rose

Andrea is hosting the Get Your Diva On Challenge over at the Verve Forum, and has challenged us to include something handmade on our cards today. I decided to try out my new Spiral Blossoms One Spellbinders die that I got from Stamper's Dream. It's so easy to use, and way fun!! The Leaves were made with Spellbinders' Nested Leaves die. I ink distressed both the rose and leaves with Walnut Stain (Ranger Distress Ink).

The sentiment I used is from the Verve set Harvest Blessings, and it just happens to be the Stamp of the Month and is 40% off!! I love this set. The leaves are gorgeous!! And it includes the sweetest little wreath too. I included a Teardrop Circle diecut piece (Spellbinders) behind the rose, framed the sentiment with the Labels 8 Spellbinders die, added some Papertrey Fine Linen ribbon, some Cinnamon Stickles, and Wild Orchid Craft Lace.

That about sums this baby up. :)
Be sure to check out the GYDO Challenge over in the Verve forum. There's some yummy Verve to be won!!! :)

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Stamps: Harvest Blessings (Verve)
Paper: Generations (Simple Stories), PTI
Ink: Aged Mahogany, Walnut Stain (Ranger Distress), Onyx Black (Versafine)
Accessories: Spiral Blossoms One, Nested Leaves, Teardrop Circle, Labels 8, Standard Circle dies (Spellbinders), Ribbon (PTI), Stickles, Lace (Wild Orchid Crafts

New Mercies

Hello my friends!! It's raining as I write this post and I can't be happier. We've had so many hot days strung together, and this cool rain is a nice reprieve!! My card today, was made for the CCEE Stampers challenge for this week. Shirley is the hostess this week and has some fun ideas in store for ya'll. This week we were to use our favorite color combo and include a half circle. Well, mine is like 3/4's of a circle. I hope I don't get buzzed.....Yikes!! As for color combos, well, I don't know if I have a favorite. It all depends on my mood. It changes from day to day. I'm fickle that way...*grin*. So today, it's a kind of coraly pink/ivory/green combo.

Here's a list of the ingredients I used today:

Stamps: New Mercies (Verve)
Paper: Market Street (Lost & Found MME), Vintage Cream (PTI)
Ink: Onyx Black (Versafine), Pixie Dust (VersaMagic), Antique Linen (Ranger Distress)
Accessories: Tear Drop Circles, Standard Circles, Classic Petal Edgeabilities, Wonderful Wings dies (Spellbinders), Say it in Crystals (Prima), Blooms (Webster's Pages), Frosted Lace Stickles), Pearls (Kaisercraft), Ivory Satin Ribbon (PTI)

Short post today. Lots to do around here. But thank you so much for stopping by, and for your kind, encouraging comments. They are very much appreciated.

Happy Stamping my friends!! :)

October Diva Inspirations Blog Hop!

Welcome to the October Diva Inspirations Blog Hop! Our Diva Inspirations and Release teams are here to start your month off right with a little Verve inspiration!


I have a lot of awesome Verve info to share with ya'll, so I'll get right to my card. Now, you might be thinking my card looks like the VLV Week 4 sketch for Sept., and it's a new month. And you would be right. I just received this awesome Candy Cane border punch (EK Success) in the mail a couple of days ago and thought it would work beautifully with Laurie's sketch. Now, last month's sketch challenge is over, but you can use the sketches found in the Verve Forum, at any time, for inspiration.

I knew I wanted to make a Christmas card for this hop because that's just what I was in the mood for. I'm channeling the colder weather hoping some will visit soon. Summer has overstayed it's welcome here. lol

So, here you have it. A Christmas card using the charming Verve set Glad Tidings (One of my faves), with the Sweet Scallop Tag die. I embossed the snowflake tag image with Silver ep, added some Snowy White Pizzazz Aplenty Dream String, a Wild Orchid Crafts Mulberry Rose along with some Prima Holly Leaves.. I finished it off with a Martha Stewart border punch and some I-Rock Rhinestones.

That's it for my card today. Now, take a little peek at each of the fabulous blogs below and leave a little comment love for their Verve-alicious eye candy and you just might win some Vervey goodness of your very own!

1. Julee 9. Charmaine 2. Betty 10. Sankari 3. Dawn 11. Teresa 4. Jen d. 12. Andrea 5. Lynda 13. Tosh 6. Shannan 14. Maureen 7. Sony 15. Amy 8. Susan 16. Laurie 17. Jen T.

We've hidden a little mystery prize on one of today's hop spots, so be sure to leave a little comment love as you hop around for a chance to win!
Comment Deadline: 11:59pm Mountain, October 10
Prize: $30 gift certificate to Verve

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October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and we're doing our part to raise awareness. We've got a special Think Pink SALE, with all in-stock stamps and dies 20% off October 1 - 16. And to sweeten the deal, Verve will donate 10% of proceeds from this sale to the Susan G Komen For the Cure foundation. A little something for you... a little something for the cure!

And last but not least, a new month brings a new Stamp of the Month...
At 40% off during the month of October, Harvest Blessings is one splendid deal!

That's all I have for you today my friends!! Thank you so very much for stopping by. I truly hope you have a super fabulous week!!

Happy Stamping!

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Stamps: Glad Tidings (Verve)
Paper: PTI
Ink: Versamark and Onyx Black (Versafine)
Accessories: Sweet Scallop Tag die (Verve), Border Punches (EK Success and Martha Stewart), Flower (Wild Orchid Crafts), String (Pizzazz Aplenty), Holly Leaves (Prima), Rhinestones (I-Rock), Silver Embossing Powder (SU!)