Waltzingmouse Feb. 2012 Blog Waltz Release

Waltzingmouse's Feb. Release Day has finally arrived!! Woo-Hoo!! And for this special day, we have the honor of sharing some of Claire's...imho...most charming and beautiful images, from the sets Paris Nouveau and Vinatage Labels 25. Okay, I say that a lot, but man oh man are these two sets filled with some fabulously fun and trendy images!! If you've arrived here from Anya's Blog, you're on the right track. If not, you will want to start at the beginning and check out what Claire has to share. She will also have a complete list of the hop. Believe me, you won't want to miss a stop. :)



Burlap is huge right now, so I thought it would be fun to alter a jar by wrapping it with some burlap stamped with images from the Paris Nouveau set. I stamped the image on a burlap panel, and hand stitched it too another panel that I wrapped around the jar. I took a copper sheet, cut it into strips, pierced holes in it, distressed it with some Black Stazon ink, added some copper brads, and adhered it to the burlap with hot glue. It was all very easy, and I love the finished look.

Here's a Close-up.

For my second project I had some fun combining the Paris Nouveau set with French Country, Florentine Frippery, and one of my all time favorite WMS stamp sets, Text-It.




I started off by making a tag, and spritzing it with a variety of Glimmer Mist colors. I first stamped the text bg with White ColorBox ink (Most of the stamped images were stamped with ColorBox, unless otherwise mentioned), and then stamped the Eiffel tower with Onyx Black Versafine. After that I stamped the elegant frame with the Bonjour sentiment over it. Lastly I added the Circled Heart and some of flourishes.



I attached the sweet "Chanticleer" sentiment with a library clip that I adorned with a tiny topaz rhinestone, added some ribbon, a vintage button, and a Glimmer Misted flower. The left border was punched with an EK Success Border Punch, and the actual card is vertical and starts at the end of the punch.




Whew...that's finally it for today. I hope you've enjoyed the peeks this week, and have been inspired to get your hands on these fabulous sets. I hope you've been commenting on the blogs you've been visiting because with each comment you have a chance of winning a stamp set of your choice. With all these fabulous sets being released this month, I don't know how you could ever pass up a deal like that!! :) You have until have until March 3 to leave your comment. The winner will be announced March 4. Check out Claire's blog for the times.

Now you can continue the hop by visiting the exquisitely talented and inspirational Becca.

Thanks so much for all your kind comments this week. I'm honored that you stopped by!
Happy Stamping!!

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Altered Jar
Stamps: Paris Nouveau (Waltzingmouse Stamps)
Ink: Black (Stazon)
Accessories: Jar (Hobby Lobby), Copper Sheets, Copper Brads, Burlap, Hot Glue, Piercing Tool, Twine, Sewing Needle


Paris Tag Card
Stamps: Paris Nouveau, French Country, Florentine Frippery, Text-It (Waltzingmouse)
Paper: Vintage Cream (PTI), Miss Caroline Fiddlesticks (MME)
Ink: White, Silver, Copper (Colorbox), Onyx Black (Versafine), Walnut Stain (Ranger Distress)
Accessories: Ribbon, (PTI, and Offray), Silver Cord, Flower (Prima), Tag Corner Punch and Library Clip (SU!), Rhinestones (Pizzaz Aplenty), Vintage Button (Tim Holtz Accoutrements), Electric Blue, Butternut Squash, Iridescent Gold (Glimmer Mist), Distrezz-it-All (Zutter), Sewing Machine, Flourish die (Sizzix), Quickie glue Pen, Crystal Glitter

Waltinzingmouse Feb. 2012 Release ~ Day 3

It's day 3 of Waltzingmouse's Feb. release, and the design team will be sharing peeks using two sets: Heirloom Patterns (designed by our very own Anya Schrier ~ Woo-Hoo) and Compact Sentiments.

I have to start by saying, I adore the Heirloom Patterns set. In fact, these were the first cards I made for this release because I just thought the patterns were so charming and I immediately had this CAS trio set idea for them. So, here goes:


I thought they would look beautiful stamped in white on a trio of colored cardstock with a tiny embellishment added to each one. For this first one I added a Martha Stewart punch butterfly.


For this second card, I added a double layered heart diecut using Verve's "From the Heart" die set.



And for the final card, I used a Punch Bunch flower. The frames were all diecut using the Postage Stamp die from Spellbinders.

The sentiments are all from the French Country set previewed on Monday.

That's it for today. I have a card made using the Compact Sentiments set, but I'll save that for another day since there are already three cards to view.

If you missed a stop along the way, here is the list of those participating in the peeks.

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

Thank you so very much for stopping!!
Happy stamping!! :)

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Stamps: Heirloom Patterns (Waltzingmouse)
Paper: Bazzill and PTI
Ink: Versamark, Onyx Black (Versafine)
Accessories: Postage Stamp die (Spellbinders), White Embossing Powder, From the Heart die (Verve), Flower (Punch Bunch), Cream Pearl Pen, Sewing Machine

Waltinzingmouse Feb. 2012 Release ~ Day 2

It's day two of Waltzingmouse's February Release, and we get to share 2 new sets with you: Florentine Frippery and Nordic Spring. Two very beautiful and fun sets filled with a wonderful variety of images and sentiments.

For my first card, I used one of the images that is compatible with Spellbinders' new Labels 24 die. Isn't it a gorgeous image? I stamped it 3 times using the Versamagic inks Thatched Straw and Pink Grapefruit. I then scored the corners a bit to give it dimension and layered it with some dimensional tape. Lastly, I added an octagon, a button, with a bow, to the center, and a bit of glitter.

I think the sentiment is so proper, fun and elegant. :)

If you click on the photo below, you can see the bg detail better. I stamped one of the included bg images with Versamark, and embossed it using Iridescent Ice ep from Stampin' UP!. I love the elegant effect.

Here's a look at another signature image from the Make Your Mark set. There are images to fit any style card.

For my second card, I stamped the butterfly, from the Nordic Spring set, with VersaMagic inks Spring Pansy and Eggplant, and added some glitter. The bg strip is another image included in the set and it was stamped with Smokey Gray Versafine.

The Thank You sentiment is from the Waltzingmouse set Teeny Trees.

Click on the photo to see the sparkle a bit better.

That's it for today. Here's a list of the WMS DT in case you missed a stop along the way!!

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

Thank you so much for stopping by.
Be sure to visit tomorrow for some more fun peeks!!
Happy Stamping!!

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Verily I Thank Thee
Stamps: Floretine Frippery (Waltzingmouse)
Paper: Vintage Cream (PTI)
Ink: Thatched Straw and Pink Grapefruit (VersaMagic), Onyx Black (Versafine), Versamark
Accessories: Corner Punch, Lace, Pearls, Glitter, Button (PTI), Border Punch (EK Success), Scor-Buddy


Nordic Spring Butterfly
Stamps: Nordic Spring
Paper: White (PTI)
Ink: Spring Pansy and Eggplant (VersaMagic), Smokey Gray and Onyx Black (Versafine)
Accessories: Glitter, Rhinestones (I-Rock), Border Punch (Martha Stewart), Scor-Buddy

Waltinzingmouse Feb. 2012 Release ~ Day 1

Are you ready for a tempting week of Waltzingmouse Stamps Sneak Peeks? Oh my has Claire ever pulled out all the stops. This is going to be 4 days of truly jaw dropping goodness. We have 9 sets...yes you read that right...9 sets of images, to showcase, that will make your heart go pitter patter!!

The two sets I used today are: French Country and Make Your Mark. The awesome Rooster was inked with Latte and French Roast (a muse) ink and stamped on Vintage Cream (PTI) card stock. I took one of the bg images from the set and stamped it with sage pigment ink (a muse), onto to the bottom portion of the dp. I also stamped the "bonjour" sentiment directly onto the Beach Cottage dp.

Now, Claire always seems to know ahead of time, just what type of set we need. And this month is no exception. She's created the most fun and charming "Signature Stamp" set including 16 different images, called Make Your Mark.

Here's the label I made for the back of my card framing one of the images with a Spellbinders die from the set Twisted Metal Tags and Accents.



That's it for today. :) Be sure to stop by tomorrow. I have quite a few more projects to share, but so many incorporate a variety of sets, I couldn't "peek" them until the other sets are revealed. I have a project I made using burlap, and my first ever "mixed media" project with a technique I learned at the Stampendous booth at CHA.

Now, this is the last stop on the hop, but I've included the list just in case you missed a stop along the way.

Anya Schrier
Beeca Feeken
Belinda Chang Langner
Clare Buswell
Julia Aston
Jennifer Holmes
Kelly Schirmer
Laurie Schmidlin
Mona Pendleton
Sandie Dunne
Claire Brennan - Owner
Sarah Martina Parker
Tosha Leyendekker <----- you are here

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Happy Stamping!!

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Stamps: French Country and Make Your Mark (Waltzingmouse)
Paper: Vintage Cream (PTI), Beach Cottage (Creative Imaginations)
Ink: Latte and French Roast (a muse), Onyx Black (Versafine), Antique Linen (Ranger Distress)
Accessories: Fancy Tags 2, Octagon, and Scalloped Octagon dies (Spellbinders), Cream Pearl Pen, Ribbon, Flowers (Wild Orchid Crafts), Leaves punch (Martha Stewart), Scribbles Swirls die (Sizzix), Sewing Machine, Rhinestones (I-Rock)

Viva la Verve Feb. Week 4 CAS

It's Friday!! Woo-Hoo!! I'm so looking forward to the weekend. I'm also looking forward to seeing what stampers do with this week's VLV sketch that I'm hosting in the Verve forum over at Splitcoast Stampers. This year, we're dedicating the last week of the month to CAS (Clean and Simple) sketches, and we love it when you join in the challenge. So, head on over to the Verve Forum and check out all the details.

Julee released a PJ (Plain Jane) this month, that I feel speaks to many at different times in their lives. It's called Be Okay. Here's a closer look.


Okay, my ribbon is covering it a bit. It says "Everything is going to be okay". Isn't the font fun?

Those who frequent my blog, know I love to distress paper. Whether it be with ink, or just ripping the edges to shreds. Well, funny thing, I never thought of distressing the centers of the papers before. It's always been the edges. Now we all have or have had jeans with holes in the knees. Am I right? Why wouldn't paper wear in random places too? So, I added a small tear to the "inside" of my base panel. Just one...baby steps with the tears...lol


Here's the CAS sketch for you to work with. I flipped the sketch on it's side for my card.



Remember, if you make a card using this sketch, be sure to upload it to Splitcoast Stampers and link it in the Verve Forum found HERE.

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Stamps: Be Okay (Verve)
Paper: Dilly Dally (My Mind's Eye), Vintage Cream (PTI)
Ink: Smokey Gray (Versafine), Pumice Stone (Ranger Distress)
Accessories: Petite Ovals and Labels 18 dies (Spellbinders), Small Exotic Butterfly die (Cheery Lynn Designs), Vintage Wrinkled Ribbon (Prairie Bird Boutique), Button (PTI), Twine (Olive Manna), Border Punch (Martha Stewart), Glitter, Quickie Glue Pen, Sewing Machine, Distrezz-it-All (Zutter)

JustRite Guest Designing ~ Day Three

Well, this is my last day as guest designer for JustRite Stamps. It's always a treat to work with their images. So you'll for sure see some more projects using some of their sets. Thanks so much for the opportunity Kellie!!

Be sure to check out the JustRite blog to see what I came up with for a masculine birthday.

Thanks for dropping by!
Happy Stamping!

JustRite Guest Designing ~ Day Two

Would you like to see how I combined the JustRite Lace Borders set with an image from the Cast All Your Cares set? Well, then head on over to the JustRite Blog for all the details.

Thanks for visiting!!
Happy Stamping!! :)

JustRite Guest Designing...

I have long been a fan of JustRite, and have been stamping with their images for about 4 years. Well, at CHA, Kellie asked if I would like to be a guest designer for three days this week. Now, Kellie's super sweet, is a dear friend, and has a huge heart for papercrafting, and papercrafters themselves, so of course I jumped at the chance. JustRite has wonderful sentiments, and their designs that work with Spellbinders dies are fabulous!! So, I'd be honored if you'd head on over to the JustRite blog and check out the card I have to share with you today.

Happy Stamping my friends!!

Mojo Monday Surprise Blog Hop for Julee

Twins!! How exciting!! We're having a Mojo Monday blog hop shower of sorts for Julee and Mark (owners of Verve Stamps). They're expecting twins in a few short weeks!!

If you've arrived here from Janelle's blog, you're on the right track. Otherwise, you might want to start at Julee's blog and wish her congratulaions.

I thought it would be fun to use the giraffe from the To the Moon set and frame it with the star frame from the set American Hero. The star at the end of the sentiment tag is from that set also. I also added an "s" to the "precious little one" sentiment.

That's it for my card. Next up on the hop is the sweet and talented Jackie.

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Stamps: To the Moon and American Hero
Paper: Genuine (Authentique), White (PTI)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Black Soot (Ranger Distress)
Accessories: Copics, Pearl Pen, Button (PTI), Twine (Olive Manna)

Waltingmouse's Feb. Blog Party

Wow!! I can't believe it's the 17th of February. This year is flying by already, and I feel like I'm just getting started. Well, it's time for another Waltzingmouse Blog Party, and I'm excited to be participating. The theme for this month is "Spring". And I love my flowers!!

(The card opens to the side. The fold is just under the lace on the left side.)

So, I got to combine a few of my absolute faves for this card: Flowers, Vintage Elegance, Ivory and black with a hint of color, bling, and of course, one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE sets by Waltzingmouse, Say It Loud!! If you click on the photo, you can see the butterfly stick pins and sparkle on the flowers a bit better.

You have time to play along too, and we'd love it if you did. All you have to do is make a card using Waltzingmouse images with the Spring Theme, and Link it over at the Waltzingmouse Blog found HERE. It's just that easy!! There is a time limit though. So be sure to read the instructions for what the cut off for linking is in your time zone.

Thanks for dropping by!!
Happy Stamping!!

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Stamps: Say It Loud (Waltzingmouse)
Paper: PTI, decorative paper (Can't remember who by)
Ink: Versafine and Versamagic, Ranger Distress
Accessories: Flowers (Prima and Wild Orchid Crafts), Butterfly Stick pins (Webster's), Labels 20 and Standard and Scalloped Ovals (Spellbinders), Rinestones (Zva Creative), Buttons (PTI), Pearls (Kaisercraft), Lace

Paper Smooches Friend

Hello my paper crafting friends. I had the pleasure of working with my friend Laurie in the Paper Smooches stamps booth at CHA last month, and met some of the sweetest and most talented women. The owner and designer, Kim Hughes, started Paper Smooches a year ago, and has a fabulous array of the cutest and most charming whimsical, and geometric images. Since I worked in her booth for a short time, she's generously blessed me with a few of these sets, and I'll be sharing some projects, over time, that I made with them.




I fell in love with the this little tree set called Gently Seasoned (How cute a name is that!!!), the first time I saw it in their booth. I love the variety of leaves, and the charming bare tree. So many possibilities!!

I've also really been enjoying the clean lines of graphic art lately, so I thought I'd start by making a card with the leaf trio branch, and color them three coordinating colors. Now, for me, CAS cards take waaaaaaaay longer to make than Shabby Chic cards with tons of details!! So this collection took some time for me to get it the way I wanted. *sigh*

I included a trio of scored lines along the bottom of the card, and attached a tiny rhinestone to the center of the leaves. (If you click on the photo, the scored lines are much more visible.)



Now, I thought I was done. But then I thought, I had to share the sweet little tree too. Especially since being inspired by the blooming of our fruit trees right now. There are pink blossoms everywhere around here right now. They're so sweet and beautiful. Thus, the inspiration for this little tree using the Gently Seasoned set, as well as the little green oval of grass from the Vogue Abode set. I LOVE mixing and matching images from different sets, and Kim's work beautifully together. The "too kind" sentiment is from the Chit Chat set, and the "let's chat" sentiment is from Vogue Abode.



Now, I mentioned that I love the current graphic design style. But I'm also very vintage at heart. So I made a sweet little lacy box to hold all these cards along with some return address labels and stamps. I used the Labels 11 Grand die (Spellbinders) as my base, and added a couple of 2 1/4" squares to the sides for some stability. All the panels were embossed with a Sizzix Embossing folder. The medallion in the center was made with an Ironwork Accents die (Spellbinders), as well as some SU! Oval and Circle Punches. Lastly, I added some lace and Satin Ribbon (SU!), as well as a PTI button.

That about sums this project up. I hope you'll take the time to check out Paper Smooches. They have a variety of images that will appeal to any taste.

Happy Stamping my friends!!

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Stamps: Gently Seasoned, Vogue Abode, Chit Chat (Paper Smooches)
Paper: PTI
Ink: Onyx Black (Versafine), Tuxedo Black (Memento), French Roast, Sage and Amethyst (a muse)
Accessories: Labels 11 Grand, Long Rectangles and Ironwork Accents dies (Spellbinders), Circle and Oval Punches (SU!), Copics (B93, BV11, YG93), Postage Stamp Border Punch (Fiskars), Rhinestones (Pizzaz Aplenty), Satin Ribbon (SU!), Button (PTI), Embossing Folder (Sizzix), Scor-Buddy

Wings of Love Tag

I am such a dork. Really and truly!! As Verve divas, we make samples for the Viva la Verve challenges. I had an open Thursday, so I thought, hey, I'm going to make a card using the sketch for the next day's VLV. So, I looked up the sketch, got to work, and emailed my finished product to the sketch designer for that week, letting her know I made a card for her post. She was gracious and emailed me back thanking me, with some kind words included. When I went to check in the VLV forum, I finally realized the "DUH" moment I had. I had made a card using a month old sketch. Hellooooooooo Tosh!!! Really?!?!?!? Andrea (the kind soul I emailed my card to) never mentioned a thing about my apparent obliviousness to the week we were currently in. I can only imagine the thoughts that were running through her brain. *sigh*

Anyway, all this to say, I made this card using Verve images and last month's, week two, sketch designed by the ever talented, and oh, so sweet Andrea Ewen. I had been struggling with my paper crafting mojo the last few weeks, and her sketch was quite an inspiration. Although using an old VLV sketch doesn't get you entered in to win some fabulous Vervaliscious goodness, it can get the creative juices flowing again.

I combined a new set with a slightly older set to get the soft, vintage shabby look that I was going for: Wings of Love and Tag Time

I stamped the gridded tag, with Smokey Gray Versafine, onto some dp, and diecut it with the Verve Tagged Rectangle die. The winged heart is paper pieced into three layers after stamping it directly onto some dp. There are some stardust stickles added to the wings too. Wings need sparkle, am I right? :) And the little "Thank You" sentiment, from the Tag Time was also stamped with Smokey Gray Versafine ink.

The dp and sweet little embellishments (chipboard butterfly, flower, and button), are all from one my absolute favorite paper companies, My Mind's Eye.

That about sums this little baby up. Thank you Andrea for the inspiration, and for your kindness in my "crs" moment. LOL

Happy Stamping my friends!!!

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Stamps: Wings of Love and Tag Time (Verve)
Paper: Be Happy (Follow Your Heart, Be Happy MME), Vintage Cream (PTI)
Ink: Smokey Gray (Versafine), Lemon Whip (a muse)
Accessories: Tagged Rectangle die (Verve), Chipboard and button embellishements (Follow Your Heart by Happy Buttons (MME), Rhinestones (Pizzaz Aplenty), Startdust Stickles, Seam Binding Ribbon, Border Punches (EK Success), Ruffled Lace Trim (Vintage), Sewing Machine, Distrezz-it-All (Zutter), Corner Rounder Punch, Scor-Buddy

Celebrate CAS style

Hello everyone!! :)
I have a quick post to share with you today. I realize I've been remiss in my postings, but I've been busy with life. kwim?

I made this card the same day I made THIS CARD for Shannan's VLV CAS challenge the last week of January. I thought, why not make the edges rougher, so I just teared a piece of copy paper in half, inked up the negative space, and stamped some sentiments, from the Waltzingmouse set Say it Loud, with Onyx Black Versafine. I have to say, this is one of my "go to" sets for many, many projects. The set is beautifully fonted, and has a gazillion little sentiments to go with the large ones. Perfect in my honest opinion. :) Claire's a genius!! Just sayin...

Lastly, I added a sweet little I-Rock Rhinestone at the end of the "celebrate" flourish.

That's it. Easy peasy, and it could be masculine, or feminine.
Thanks for dropping by. I'm still working on CHA faves to post. There's so many photos, I think I might break it up into two days.

Happy Stamping my friends!!

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Stamps: Say it Loud (Waltzingmouse)
Paper: Vintage Cream (PTI)
Ink: Antique Linene, Bundled Sage, Frayed Burlap and Milled Lavender (Ranger Distress), Onyx Black (Versafine)
Accessories: Copy Paper, Rhinestone (I-Rock)

Stampin' Friends at CHA

I had the most fabulous time at CHA last week meeting some of the most kind paper crafters. It's a treat each year to catch up with ladies I've met previous years, and meet some new ones, that I've wanted to meet for some time.

I started off, on Saturday, with a Copics class taught by Suzanne Dean. Suzanne is a miracle worker!! I kid you not. She starts the class by telling us all, by the end of class we will all be at the same level and will be able to color with Copics. Me, being the loyal pessimist that I am, had serious (and I mean serious) doubts. But I have to say, my confidence level has risen astronomically!! Her teaching techniques (and patience...lol), are fantastic!! I highly suggest taking her class if she's ever near you. Shoot, even if she's not, it's worth the traveling time.

I have many photos to share with ya'll. My favorite products (paper and embellishments), and photos of stampin' friends. Some I've known for awhile, and some new friends, just made. :)

First of all, I treasure this picture of Laurie Schmidlin and I. We met on Splitcoaststampers about 5 years ago, and have been the best of friends ever since. Since she lives in Montana, we treasure the times we get to see each other.


Linda Duke and I live only a few miles away from each other, and only just realized that a couple of years ago. Now, of course, we squeeze in lunch and coffee when ever we can. :) All three of us drove down to CHA together this year, and took the Copics Class from Suzanne.

Here's a photo of our uber talented teacher, Suzanne Dean. She's a crack up!! Too fun!! Not only did we learn tons, but we had a super fabulous time while learning. Who knew learning could be such fun!!

What a treat it was to meet these sweet, sweet Verve Divas: Susan Liles, and Jen Del Muro

Julie Comstock, President and Designer for Cosmo Cricket...she is just a hoot, let me tell you. LOVE Cosmo papers, and thoroughly enjoyed talking to her about the new lines!!

Tina Gilliland was one of Suzanne's helpers in the Copics class. She's a real crack up!! :)

Sweet Lynn Mercurio...our DT coordinator for Waltzingmouse Stamps!! She keeps us all organized and on the ball, and is just the sweetest ever!! :)

Jessica Diedrich...hilarious and sweet as ever!!

Val Stangle, Julie Ebersole and Cindy Lawrence. All true blue gems!! LOVE 'em!

Sweet, sweet ladies: Jami Sibley, Lori Craig and Ellen Hutson at the Dirty Dozen Dinner. Jami and Lori give the best hugs ever and are always the first to welcome everyone. Ellen is so charming too!!

Val Stangle, Cindy Lawrence, me and Dina Kowel. Dina is so kind and colors like no other. Seriously!!

(This is Dina's photo that she posted on fb. I didn't get one taken with my camera. )

That's it for the name dropping....*grin* There are many other charming and sweet paper crafters that I got to visit with, but didn't get a picture of...*sigh* CHA is always so much fun. Meeting paper crafters, and seeing all the new product...speaking of which...tomorrow I will be posting some of my favorite things. I'll tell ya now though...there was burlap everywhere!! LOVE it!!