Special Lady ~ Waltzingmouse

Are you ready for some Waltzingmouse Stamps goodness?  Well, you can get the newest release RIGHT NOW during our Stamp sets and die previews.  Claire is doing it a little different this time around.  So, for the next 4 days, we'll be featuring stamp sets along with their coordinating dies and you can purchase them at your hearts desire.  No waiting!!  How cool is that! 

Today we're featuring a stamp set called Special Lady, along with 3 individual dies: Hello, Pretty Circle and Mother.

 

For my first card, I used the doily image (from the Special Lady stamp set) for the background (stamped with White pigment ink), and diecut the word "Mother" with some gold mirrored cardstock.  I added a few rhinestones, along with some Diamond Stickles to the flower, and a doily in the back.  Simple, yet elegant.

 

For my second card, I diecut the word "hello" along with the scalloped Pretty circle gold base, and fun little trim circle.  They too are diecut from the gold mirrored cardstock.  I just used it as a frame and added some gold string and twine along with some enamel dots to finish it off. 

For my tag, I tried a new technique I found on the Tim Holtz Blog.  I stamped the Special Lady onto white cardstock with Vintage Photo Distress Ink and added Heirloom Gold Perfect Pearls to the image while the ink was still wet.  I then heated it with a Heat Tool, and it gives it this awesome sheen.  I did the same with the doily image in the background only I stamped it with Silvery Shimmer Delicata and added Pewter Perfect Pearls to it.  For the tag background, I used some stencils along with a variety of Distress inks.  I also outlined the sentiment with a black Spica pen.

If you click on the images, you can see the sparkle a bit better.  It's pretty subtle and needs to be looked at, at just the right angle.
  
Would you like to win some Waltzingmouse Store credit?  Or the "hello" die for free?  Click HERE for all the details. 

That's it for today's projects.  Be sure to check out what the rest of the gals have to share if you haven't already.  

• Claire Brennan (Owner)
• Anya Schrier
• Becca Feeken
• Jean Jachna
• Julia Aston
• Laurie Schmidlin
• Lynn Mercurio
• Sandie Dunne
• Tosha Leyendekker

    Happy Stamping!

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Mother

Stamps:  Special Lady (Waltzingmouse)

Paper:  Kraft (PTI), Mirrored Gold

Ink:  Whisper White (SU!)

Dies:  Mother (Waltzingmouse)

Accessories:  White Embossing Powder (Ranger), Silk Ribon, Flower (Wild Orchid Crafts), Diamond Stickles, Rhinestones (Pizzazz Aplenty), Doily

Hello

Stamps: None

Paper:  On Trend (MME), White (PTI), Mirrored Gold

Ink:  None

Dies:  Pretty Circle, Hello (Waltzingmouse), Standard Circle (Spellbinders)

Accessories:  Enamel Dots (MME), Gold String, Twine

Special Lady Tag

Stamps:  Special Lady (Waltzingmouse)

Paper:  White (PTI), Tag (Tim Holtz)

Ink:  Tattered Rose, Victorian Velvet, Antique Linen and Vintage Photo (Ranger Distress), Onyx Black (Versafine), Silvery Shimmer (Delicata)

Dies:  Pretty Circle (Waltzingmouse)

Accessories:  Organza Flower (A Gilded Life), Lace Trim (A Gilded Life), Lace, yarn, string, Button (Haberdashery), Sequins, Perfect Pearls (Ranger)

French Lilacs ~ Power Poppy

 

Hello my creative friends!!  I am super excited to share the new French Lilac digital image by Power Poppy!!  Did you see what the Instant Gardners did with this digital image earlier this week?  If not, click HERE for the links to all their blogs.  Shoot, even if you did already, they are worth another look.  :)

I have fond memories of Lilacs.  We lived in a small town in Illinois (pop. 1200) and would walk to school each day.  On the way I would pass this HUGE Lilac bush.  It was so tempting to break off a branch and carry it the rest of the way...but I didn't want to steal.  *sigh*  But I stopped every day to take a gigantic whiff.  

For my card today, I printed the French Lilac image twice onto X-Press It Blending Cardstock and colored one of the image entirely with Copics.  I only colored a few (about 20) of the petals a second time, cut them each out and adhered them to the first image giving the image even more depth.  I also add some super tiny pink rhinestones to their centers and some Glossy Accents to the ladybug.

eta:  I forgot to mention that I edged the matting frame with a Gold Leafing Krylon Pen, and spritzed the entire image with Gold Sheer Shimmer Spritz (Imagine Crafts)

Here's a close-up angled photo so you can see the depth of the petals better.

Also, since it's Friday, we'd like to invite you to participate in our Power and Spark Challenge issued earlier this month by our very own super talented and sweet, Julie Koerber!  For all the details, click on the image.

Here are three sunrise photos that I used for inspiration for this card.  I was blessed to be able to spend my 25th wedding anniversary in Maui this year, and we biked down the Haleakala mountain.  Before you can bike down though, they drive you up to the top (about 10,000 feet) leaving around 2:00 am.  Once you get there, you wait for the sunrise.  It's incredibly cold, but oh, so worth it.  You are above the clouds, so you're waiting for the sun to rise above them, and it's quite a show.  My pictures do not do it justice.  The first picture is the one I used for my inspiration.

Here, the sun is just starting to rise above the clouds.

There are audible ooohs and ahhhhs as the sun finally peeks above the clouds.  It is incredible irl.  And then the steam starts moving toward you at quite a speed.  This is the second time we've done this in our lifetime, and I would do it again, and again.  There's nothing like it.

Now, if you haven't already, you will want to check out what the rest of the Bloom Brigade has to share.  Here are the links to their blogs:

• Allison Cope
• Christine Okken
• Cindy Lawrence
• Dawn Burnworth
• Julie Koerber
• Kathy Jones
• Katie Sims
• Leslie Miller
• Stacy Morgan
• Tosha Leyendekker ---You are here!

Copics: Blooms:  BV13, BV00, RV11 Leaves: YG95, YG93, YG03, YG21 Stem: E27, E15 Ladybug:  R39, R29, R02 Background: Y28, Y26, Y23, Y21

That's it for me everyone!  I hope you've been inspired to join us in our Power and Spark Challenge! 

  Happy Stamping!

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Stamps:  French Lilac (Power Poppy)

Paper:  X-Press It, White (PTI), Vintage Spring Basics (Maja Design)

Ink:  Antique Linen (Ranger Distress)

Dies:  Petite and Elegant Ovals (Spellbinders)

Accessories:  Copics, Gold Leafing Pen (Krylon), Dew Drops (The Robins Nest), Ribbon, Button (Haberdashery), Rhinestones (Pizzazz Aplenty), Gold Sheer Shimmer Spritz (Imagine Crafts), Glossy Accents, Lace, Sewing Machine, Distrezz-it-All (Zutter) 

Power Poppy Prayer Journal and Bracelet

Hello Friends!!!  I have a couple of projects to share with you today.  But first, let me share with you something new we're doing over at Power Poppy.... our Power & Spark Challenge! Each month, we’ll usher in a new designer-led challenge and you have all month long to submit cards, chat it up with our designers (feel free to ask questions in our comments section below -- we'll check in from time to time) and get YOUR chance to win a Power Poppy stamp set of your choice! Click on over the first Friday of each month and you’ll see what this fun-filled journey is all about!  For more details, head on over to the Power Poppy Blog.

Julie has issued a fabulous challenge which requires us to use the sky as our inspiration!!  I LOVE sunrises, sunsets, clouds, etc, so this is super fun for me.  The hard part is choosing a photo because I have like...a gazillion!!   Here is a sunset photo I took while hiking and camping in the Sierra Nevadas.  It's over 8000 ft up, and we're overlooking a valley and mountain range.  My second project was inspired by this challenge. I'm sure you noticed there are no purples in this sunset. 

  
Now for my projects.  I've been stepping out of my "stamping box" and have been working some more with resin.  I've made one necklace before (found HERE) with Copics, and I thought it would be fun to make something with watercolor and see how it works.  I'm still learning by trial and error. Even after using a Paper Sealer (Art Mechanique - Susan Lenart Lazmer), I found that the colors faded a bit.  But I still like the look for what I'm going to use it for.  

I decided I wanted to make myself a prayer journal.  My faith is very important to me, so I hand wrote the word faith on a piece of watercolor paper.  Unfortunately while tearing it, it makes the paper edges really thin, and the resin enhances that.  I also had a rhinestone inadvertently stick itself to the middle of the sentiment.  I didn't know I had thinned the paper there when I removed it, thus the thin spot in the middle.  But, it's me...I make many mistakes while papercrafting and start over, or cover them up.  With resin, however, once it's poured, what's underneath is permanent, and there's no covering it up.  This will be a good reminder to me that thankfully, even though I make a mistake, it doesn't make me any less valuable in God's eyes.  And besides, it's what's on the inside that counts anyway, and those will be prayer reminders.

Below is a closer look at the resin filled bezel.  I used two stamp sets for this project:  Dynamic Duos: Glads and Gerberas, and Marcella's Mixtape Vol. 1

I added a bee charm to the bottom for two reasons:  one-I collect bee skeps and bee images, and two-bees are a flying miracle.  The size of their wings should not support the weight of their bodies, yet they do.  I also added a cup-chain rhinestone to the center which really sparkles irl.

I stamped some of the feathers from Marcella's Mixtape Vol. 1 Stamps set with Concord Grape Versamagic after I coated the book with Gesso and some Metallic Purple Gel stick (Faber-Castell).  I also stenciled on some polka dots with Whisper White pigment ink (SU!).

Now for my second project which was inspired by the sunset.  

I had fun coloring the Gerberas to fit a sunset color palette.  After finishing, I thought it would be fun to make a bracelet using a small square bezel and a Gerbera center.  I colored the whole image, and used only a tiny portion...I should use the rest for mini tags or something.  This too was colored with Tombow Markers on watercolor paper and filled with resin.

 

Well, that's finally it for my projects today.  If you haven't already, stop by the following Bloom Brigade Blogs.  You won't want to miss them, I assure you!!

• Christine Okken
• Cindy Lawrence
• Julie Koerber
• Leslie Miller
• Stacy Morgan
• Tosha Leyendekker

Thanks for dropping by!  I appreciate your visit!

    Happy Stamping!!

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Gerbera Prayer Journal

Stamps:  Dynamic Duos: Glads and Gerberas, Marcella's Mixtape Vol. 1 (Power Poppy)

Paper:  Watercolor, Corrugated

Ink:  Versamark, Vintage Photo (Ranger Distress), Concord Grape (VersaMagic)

Dies:  Square Media Mixage (Spellbinders)

Accessories:  Square Bezel (Spellbinders), Ice Resin, Tombow Markers, Black Embossing Powder, 

Chipboard Book (SU!), Wrinkled Ribbon (prairiebirdboutique-etsy), Buttons (PTI and Haberdashery), Lace, Burlap String, Cheesecloth, Bee Charm, Gesso, Purple Metallic Gel Stick (Faber-Castell), Metal Corners and Bubble Layering Stencil (Tim Holtz)

Bracelet

Stamps:  Dynamic Duos:Glads and Gerberas (Power Poppy)

Paper:  Watercolor

Ink: Versamark

Dies:  Square Mixed Media Mixage (Spellbinders)

Accessories:  Square Bezel (Spellbinders), Ivory Woven Cord, Toho Seed Beads 4mm 6/0, Ice Resin

Distress Spray Stain: Yee~Haw Birthday

I made these two cards right around Christmas and never got around to sharing them.  So I thought I would do so today.  I had some fun playing around with Tim Holtz's Distress Spray Stains, and made two different cards with the same paper.  I used Mustard Seed, Barn Door, Orange Marmalade, Tarnished Brass, Vintage Photo and a touch of Black Soot.  

I started by spritzing my watercolor paper with water and then adding the colors letting them run together.    If you let the paper dry in between colors they will stay separate, but I wanted mine to blend more. 

For my first card, I thought the colors would make a good sunset, so I combined two Waltzingmouse sets:  Way Out West and Back in the Saddle  
They're stamped with Onyx Black Versafine

Using the same distressed watercolor paper, I gave my second card an entirely different look.  I just used some stencils, dies and debossing folders.  No stamps on this one.  The gears were diecut out of adhesive backed metal.  I added a bit of Black Stazon to give them some dimension.  The sentiment was made using a Shadow Press Debossing folder by Tim Holtz (Sizzix).  I just sanded it a bit after running it through my die-cutting machine.

The rest is pretty explanatory.  I have the entire supply list at the bottom.

But, before you leave, you should head on over to Waltzingmouse Stamps!!  Claire is having a 40% off Retiring sets sale.  And there are only a few left.

 

Thank you so much for dropping by.  I hope I've inspired you to try some Distress Stains.  They are super fun!  And Waltzingmouse Stamps has just the variety of images to make each card unique.

  Happy Stamping!

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Western Birthday

Stamps:  Way Out West, Back in the Saddle (Waltzingmouse)

Paper:  Watercolor, Kraft, White and Black (PTI)

Ink:  Onyx Black (Versafine), Black Soot (Ranger Distress)

Accessories:  Woodgrain Embossing Folder (Sizzix), Distress Stains, Twine, Metal Dot

Geared Birthday

Paper:  Watercolor, Black (PTI), Adhesive Backed Metal (Ranger)

Ink:  Black Soot (Ranger Distress)

Dies:  Gears (Cheery Lynn Designs), Shoot (Spellbinders)

Accessories:  Metal Gears (Ranger), Debossing Folders (Sizzix), Numbered Stencil (Tim Holtz) 

 

Orchids Rock ~ Power Poppy Release Day

It's finally here!!  Power Poppy's newest release (which Marcella has affectionately called the "Storm of Creativity Collection), is now available for purchase!!  And to further enable you, the Bloom Brigade is hopping with more inspiration today.


I had received a gorgeous Thank You note from my, now daughter-in-law, a year ago last month and saved it because I loved the tri-fold design with the blues and grays.  I knew the Orchids Rock set would work beautifully to replicate that particular design.  

The card is 3 1/2" x 12" and scored at 5" and 10".  I actually trimmed about a 1/8" off the end so the pointed in folded flush.  I then used an exacto knife to make a slit for the flap to tuck into just like George Stanley is known to do in his tri-fold cards.  I like the CAS look.

The Orchids were Silver Embossed (Ranger) onto water color paper and colored with Tombows.  After it dried, I covered the entire image with Clear Wink of Stella (Zig).  It gives it a really nice sparkle irl.  Lastly I flicked some color over the image using my water color brush and outlined the entire card with a Silver Krylon Pen.  Oh, and I almost forgot...I used a Chevron stencil to emboss the tip with Silver ep.

Here you can see the back of the tri-folded card.

That's it y'all!  I hope you've enjoyed all the previews this week.  Now you can shop at Power Poppy to your hearts delight!!

Here are the links to the Bloom Brigade posts today:

• Allison Cope
• Christine Okken
• Cindy Lawrence
• Dawn Burnworth
• Julie Koerber
• Katie Sims
• Leslie Miller
• Stacy Morgan
• Tosha Leyendekker
• Marcella Hawley 

Thank you so very much for visiting and for all of your kind comments!  You are much appreciated!

  Happy Stamping!

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Stamps:  Orchids Rock (Power Poppy)

Paper:  Water Color

Ink:  Champagne Encore

Accessories:  Tombow Markers, Silver Embossing Powder (Ranger), Silver Krylon Pen, Exacto Knife, Chevron Stencil