Stamp Talk with Tosh

Purge Blog Hop Winners announced!!

2012-01-30T05:00:00.000-08:00

Hello!!
It's Monday, and I'm still at CHA checking out all the fabulous new "toys" that will be available soon. As you know now, due to this purge hop, I'm seriously addicted to paper, and after seeing some of the new lines of my favorite companies, I will seriously be able to feed that addiction soon....LOL....there's some yummy stuff comin' ya'll!!

Now, for the winners of the purge hop. I have the package that I pictured in my post, as well as 5 boxes of paper to share. If you see your name, please email me with your address, and I will get your packages in the mail later this week. I won't be home for a few days yet.

The goodies pictured winner:

Gabriela said...
What a lovely card, Tosh! Love your use of the tiny library clip. That's quite a generous stash of blog candy! My favorite item in your blog candy are the Spellbinders. Are you sure you want to include those in the giveaway pile?

Paper winners:

EllenaElizabeth said...
What a subtle but stunning card.Your giveaway looks wonderful .

Wanda Cullen said...
What a fun blog hop! Love this whole purge idea (different from my work-related purging of giving laxatives and enemas - lol)! Your definition of purging is so much better! :-)

Naomi said...
Tosha,
GORGEOUS card! I LOVE the tiny clip!
WOW....what an AMAZING prize package you have there!

Barbara A. said...
Whoaaa........my mouth is getting really watery just looking at this amazing purge pile! I love the colors of your card, so pretty! Thanks for the chance to win and for sharing your talents with us all!
January 22, 2012 9:55 AM

Conniecrafter said...
So pretty, great verse and I love the detail along the bottom under the buttons!!
Oh my I love crystal gems and die cuts and I don't have any of them... always love new paper too ;)
January 22, 2012 2:53 PM

I hope you've enjoyed this Purge Hop. Thanks so much for participating!!

Have a fantastic week and.....

Happy Stamping!! ;)

Viva la Verve Jan. Week 4

2012-01-27T00:00:00.000-08:00

Hi stamping friends!! I have a quick post to share with you today. I'm heading to CHA tomorrow, and there's so much to get done before I leave. Two super sweet, and totally talented stamping friends are riding down to Anaheim with me: Laurie Schmidlin and Linda Duke. Talk about some serious stampin' skills. Wowsers!! I'm hoping that some of their mojo rubs off during our long driving time. (fingers crossed)

Anyway, Verve has made a small change in the Viva la Verve Sketch schedule. The last week of the month will be a CAS sketch. I think that is such a fun idea to take some of us out of our comfort zones. Today, Shannan has provided the sketch, and you can find it in the Verve Forum HERE. I used the Verve set World's best along with some Ranger Distress inks and 3 itty bitty Pizzaz Aplenty Rhinestones.

That's it for today!!
Have a super weekend my friends!!
Happy Stamping!!

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Stamps: World's Best (Verve)
Paper: Vintage Cream (PTI)
Ink: Antique Linen, Bundled Sage, Frayed Burlap and Milled Lavender (Ranger Distress), Onyx Black (Versafine)
Accessories: Rhinestones (Pizzaz Aplenty)

Purge Blog Hop

2012-01-21T05:00:00.000-08:00

So, are any of you admittedly "paper-aholics"? Well, I am, and I have the stacks and stacks to prove it. But, it's a new year, and it's out with the old and in with the new. Therefore, I need to make room for my newest obsessions. :) That's where ya'll come in. A few of my blogging friends and I, have decided to "Purge" our stamping stash, by giving it away as blog candy. I have one package with a variety of goodies, and several boxes of miscellaneous papers by just about any dp company you can think of. We'll call those "grab bag" boxes. They may have 6x6 paper pads, 12x12 pieces of dp, or a combo of both, but, each box is FULL to the brim. (some paper pads have pieces missing, but very little if any. And there are random pieces of dp thrown in too.

All you have to do to win one of these boxes, is comment once on the hop spots you want a chance to win and tell us what you spy as your favorite item. The hop will stay open until January 28th, 5PM ET. Each of my friends will post a winner from their prize post on Monday, January 30th!

First, let me share a card with you that I designed using some of Verve's newest images: Zephaniah 3:17 Plain Jane, Twitterpated, and Wings of Love.

See the little clipped on heart? That was diecut with one of the hearts from Verves die set From the Heart.

The butterfly is from the Twitterpated set and was diecut with the All Aflutter die set

Here's a look at everything that's in the Grand Prize package. The other packages just have paper in them, but they are full, full, full!!!

Spellbinders Anemone and Daisy Flower Toppers, Martha Stewart Around the Page Punch, Tim Holtz Embossing Folders, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Authentique and BoBunny dp, Martha Stewart Twine, Crystal Stems (Wild Orchid Crafts), MME dimensional sticklers, ribbon, decorative tape

Here's the Hop list in case you miss anyone along the way. :)

That's it. Hope you've been inspired to create, and I hope you have fun hopping along!!

Happy Stamping!!

VLV Jan. 2012 Soar and Believe

2012-01-20T00:00:00.000-08:00

Teresa has a fantastic sketch designed for Viva la Verve this week. Check it out HERE. I used one of Verve's newest releases called Wings of Love. I think the wavy heart is just precious, and thought the wings would be perfect with the sentiments I used. Julee also designed a sweet heart die, Wavy Hearts Die, which frames the heart beautifully!!. I put the Labels 18 framed sentiment inside the little envelope.

The sentiment flag was diecut with the Tim Holtz Tattered Banners die.

I also added a little Martha Stewart punched key, that I covered with some silver glitter.

Short post today. It's been a long day, and I'm ready to call it quits for the night.
Thanks so much for visiting!!
Happy Stamping!

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Stamps: Wings of Love (Verve)
Paper: Loolah (Creative Imaginations), Vintage Cream (PTI)
Ink: Smokey Gray (Versafine), Versamark
Accessories: Wavy Hearts Die (Verve), Kraft Envelope (Maya Road), Labels 18 die (Spellbinders), Tattered Banners die (Tim Holtz Alterations), Silver button stickers (EK Success), Rhinestones (Pizzaz Aplenty), Lace, Silver Glitter, Sewing Machine, White Acrylic paint, Heart Key Punch (Martha Stewart)

Waltzingmouse Stamps Blog Party ~ Jan.

2012-01-17T06:00:00.000-08:00

It's time for Waltzingmouse Stamps' first Blog Party of the year!! I'm so excited to be able to participate with a card using this month's theme, "Sweet Things".

I'm hoping you'll be able to guess what about my card is sweet. My son didn't get it. He thought the image, from the set Teeny Trees (WMS), was a tree or flower. Which is exactly what this image was designed to be, so I can't hold that against him. But I thought it would be fun to make it into cotton candy by using my Quickie Glue pen and some Sparkly Flocking Powder by Martha Stewart. If you click on the photo, you can see the sparkle better.

Hope I've inspired you to join in the WMS Blog Party. All you have to do is make a card with WMS images, with the Sweet Things Theme, and link it to the WMS Blog. There is a time limit, so be sure to check the blog for all the details.

Thanks for visiting.
Happy Stamping!!

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Stamps: Teeny Trees (WMS)
Paper: Yours Truly (Echo Park), White (PTI)
Ink: Blush and Latte (a muse), Onyx Black (Versafine)
Accessories: Labels 2 die (Spellbinders), Flocking Powder (Martha Stewart), Quickie Glue Pen, Twine (Twinery), Button (PTI), Rhinestones (Pizzazz Aplenty), Border Punch (Fiskars), Scor-Buddy, Medium Scallop die (a muse)

Verve January Spotlight Hop

2012-01-14T06:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome to our January 2012 After Party Hop! Last night we released 3 new stamp sets, 4 plain janes and 4 dies! All of the new products we've been showcasing this week are available now in the Verve store! Be sure to leave a little comment love as you take a stroll through the Diva blogs. One lucky commenter from today's hop will win the ENTIRE Release! Check out the Verve Blog today for all the prize details and deadlines.

If you've arrived here by way of Charmaine's blog, you're on the right path.

So, did you attend the Verve Release Party last night? Did you rush right over and get your new Verve? If not, we have another day of inspiration (temptation...*grin*) for you.

Today I want to share a little box of love I made with a variety of Verve dies and a Martha Stewart "All around the page" punch.

For the little 3x3 card, I used the smallest heart from the From the Heart die set, and the sentiment from the new Wings of Love set.

For the sentiment collage on my box, I used the following dies and stamp sets: Lovely Marquee die, Charming Oval die set, and the Floral Circles die set. The wings and sentiments are all from the Wings of Love set.

Here's a close up of the collage.

These sentiments are all included in the Wings of Love set.

And now you've come to the end of my post. :)
I hope you've enjoyed the inspiration this week. Thank you so much for stopping by. Be sure to stop by the Verve Blog for details on how you can win the entire release.

Here's the Hop order in case you've missed a stop along the way. Next on the hop is the ever inspirational, Laurie.

*January 14, 2012*

1. Amy	8. Tosha
2. Maureen	9. Laurie
3. Sankari	10. Julee
4. Andrea	11. Janelle
5. Teresa	12. Betty
6. Amber	13. Shannan
7. Charmaine	14. Jackie

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Stamps: Wings of Love (Verve)
Paper: Yours Truly (Echo Park), White and Smokey Gray (PTI)
Ink: Onyx Black (Versafine)
Accessories: Lovely Marquee Die, Charming Oval Die Set, Floral Circles Die Set, and From the Heart Die Set (Verve), Heart Clover punch (All over the page punch: Martha Stewart), Button (PTI), Black String (May Arts), Rhinestones, Border Punch (Martha Stewart), Houndstooth embossing folder (Cuttlebug), Scor-Buddy

January 2012 Verve Spotlight Release ~ Day 3

2012-01-13T06:00:00.000-08:00

It's Day 3 of Verve's Jan. Spotlight hop, and One lucky commenter from each day's hop will win the sets and dies featured that day, so be sure and leave a little love in the Divasphere! Check out the Verve Blog today for all the prize details and deadlines.

Today the divas are featuring the following: Hearts & Swirls Die, All Aflutter Plain Jane, All Aflutter Die Set, and I have 2 projects to share with you. The first being this sweet little card.

I used the little solid heart trio to make the three stripes on the card and little envelope. (the card is itty-bitty btw...it only measures 2.75" x 3.5". I used the All Aflutter die to cut out my Copic colored butterfly, and added the sentiment. I love the little "twitterpated" sentiment I added to the envelope. Isn't that cute!!

I also made a Top Hat Gift Box (Filled with Cinnamon gummy hearts....YUM!!), and used the "Love ya" sentiment, from the set Twitterpated, for a little sentiment tag. I diecut it using the A Cut Above die Charming Banner. It was stamped with Onyx Black Versafine ink directly onto some gray felt.

Here's a top view. For the tutorial on how to make this Top Hat Gift Box, scroll down to the next post.

Here's a close up of the decorations.

That's finally it from me today. :) Be sure to visit all the other divas' blogs!! They are all hugely talented and inspiring!!

*January 13, 2012*

1. Amber	7. Amy
2. Teresa	8. Laurie
3. Charmaine	9. Maureen
4. Andrea	10. Julee
5. Tosha	11. Sankari
6. Janelle

Thanks so much for visiting, and for all the encouraging comments!!
Happy Stamping my stampin' friends!!

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Twitterpated Card
Stamps: Twitterpated (Verve) Paper: White (PTI) Ink: Colorbox Accessories: All Aflutter die (Verve), Border Punch (Martha Stewart), Rhinestones
Top Hat Gift Box
Stamps: Twitterpated (Verve)
Paper: White (PTI)
Ink: Onyx Black (Versafine)
Accessories: Felt, Charming Banner dies (Verve), Circle dies (Spellbinders), Flower and Heart beads (Wild Orchid Crafts), Rhinestone Ribbon, "forever" charm, Paper bird and Rhinestone Swirl (Prima),

January 2012 Verve Spotlight Release ~ Day 2

2012-01-12T06:00:00.000-08:00

(If you click on the photo, you can see the silver and sparkle better.)

It's Day 2 of Verve's Jan. Spotlight hop, and One lucky commenter from each day's hop will win the sets and dies featured that day, so be sure and leave a little love in the Divasphere! Check out the Verve Blog today for all the prize details and deadlines.

Today the divas are featuring a Plain Jane, and a fun set called Wings of Love. There's a matching die set called Wavy Hearts too. I snuck in an extra image and frame that will be peaked tomorrow. So shhhhhhhh....it just fit with the idea I had in my head. What can I say? :)

I started by inking the winged heart, from the Wings of Love set, with Versamark, and embossed it with silver. The sentiment frame was done the same way. I then used a Salmon Pearl Pen, from Viva Decor, to fill in the heart center, and some crystal glitter for the wings. The "Happy Valentine's Day" sentiment is a Plain Jane, and was stamped using Papaya Cream Pigment Ink by Colorbox. It's framed with a new Verve image and die as well as a die from Spellbinders' Twisted Metal Tags and accents.

I then added some sweet little sentiment pieces from the Wings of love set: "my angel." and "cherish." I made this for my daughter (who I call "angel") who is away at college, and she's not a "pink" type of girl, so I'm hoping the salmon color and soft green/blue background fits her style more.

That about sums up today's card. Be sure to check out the other Diva's blogs if you haven't already!! :)

*January 12, 2012*

1. Janelle	7. Teresa
2. Julee	8. Andrea
3. Laurie	9. Sankari
4. Tosha	10. Maureen
5. Charmaine	11. Amy
6. Amber

Thanks so much for visiting!! I hope you're enjoying the Spotlight hops!!
Happy Stamping!!

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Stamps: Wings of Love, Titterpated, Valentine's Day PJ (Verve)
Paper: Inspired Traveler (Creative Imaginations), White (PTI)
Ink: Smokey Gray (Versafine), Versamark, Papaya Cream (ColorBox)
Accessories: Hearts and Swirls Frame die (Verve), Twisted Metal Tags and Accents die (Spellbinders), Large Scallop die (a muse), Silver Embossing Powder (SU!), Salmon Pearl Pen (Viva Decor), Seam Binding Ribbon, Silver Cord, Sparklet (Kaisercraft), Quickie Glue Pen, Crystal Glitter, Rhinestones (I-Rock), Lace, Border Punch (Fiskars), Scor-Pal, Sewing Machine

January 2012 Verve Spotlight Hop ~ Day 1

2012-01-11T06:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome to our January 2012 Spotlight Hops! Hop along with the Divas over the next few days as we share our first looks at a few of the new products releasing from Verve this Friday night! One lucky commenter from each day's hop will win the sets and dies featured that day, so be sure and leave a little love in the Divasphere! Check out the Verve Blog today for all the prize details and deadlines.

Today, the dt is featuring Lucky You, a new Shamrock Die set, and two Plain Janes.

It just so happens that my husband's birthday is March 17, which is St. Patrick's Day in the U.S. So I thought I'd make his birthday card using Verve's charming new set called Lucky You. Julee also designed a Shamrock Die set to match. Sweet!!! :) I framed the Blessing sentiment using two Verve dies: Rounded Scallop Frame and Rounded Rectangle. I then scored the scallops around the frame using my Scor-Buddy, and diecut the charming Shamrocks with the new Shamrock Die set. Lastly I added some pearls to the shamrock centers, some sewing, and a punched border. Clean and simple. Perfect for a guy. :)

I'd also like to take a moment to welcome a new diva to the team...Janelle!! She's got mad stamping skills, and is sweet to boot!! Now that's a great combination!!

That's it for me today. Be sure to stop by the rest of this week for some more peaks, and don't miss any of the divas' blogs today. They are sure to inspire.

*January 11, 2012*

1. Amy	7. Charmaine
2. Maureen	8. Tosha
3. Sankari	9. Laurie
4. Andrea	10. Julee
5. Teresa	11. Janelle
6. Amber

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Stamps: Lucky You (Verve)
Paper: Gathering (Authentique), Kraft and Vintage Cream (PTI)
Ink: Pearlescent Ivy (Brilliance), Frayed Burlap (Ranger Distress)
Accessories: Rounded Scallop Frame, Rounded Rectangle and Shamrock dies, Scor-Buddy, Pearls, Border Punch (Martha Stewart), Sewing Machine, Dimensional Tape (Scotch)

Masculine VLV Sketch

2012-01-06T00:00:00.000-08:00

Let's face it, masculine cards can be a bugger to create. But when I saw Amber's VLV sketch for this week, I immediately thought "guy card" design. I made this card for a guy who's going through a rough time right now, and thought the "Hunt and Gather" dp by Kaisercraft, combined with some Karen Foster sticky back cork board would work beautifully with the Verve Love Notes heart and "Blue Skies" sentiment from the Verve set Blue Skies. Most guys don't go for all the frou-frou, so I just added a metal brad, and woila...easy, and perfect for a guy.

Be sure to check out this week's VLV sketch. We'd love to have you participate too. It's really easy, and best of all, you can win some Verve Stamps!!

Heads up too....Verve is releasing some wonderful new sets on the 13th of this month, so don't forget to stop by for some previews. I've been working on them already, and these stamps are a dream to work with.

Happy Stamping ya'll!!

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Stamps: Love Notes and Blue Skies (Verve)
Paper: Hunt and Gather (Kaisercraft), PTI
Ink: Onyx Black (Versafine), Black Soot (Ranger Distress)
Accessories: Ribbon (Lush Brown MME), Ric Rac die (Spellbinders), Brad, Cork (Karen Foster), Corner Rounder

2011 Paper Crafting Favorites

2012-01-01T13:41:00.000-08:00

This is my first time sharing my project favorites for the year. I love looking through other paper crafter's favorites, so I thought, why not give it a try.

I would like to start by thanking all of you for your continued encouragement through comments throughout the year too. It doesn't go unnoticed, and is very appreciated. I hope you all have a 2012 filled with blessings!!

So, here goes: The colored words are links that will take you directly to the image sets.

January: Verve ~ Smallest Things

February: Verve ~ Love Notes

March: Stamper's Dream ~ Penny Black and JustRite

March: Verve ~ Egg-stra Special

April: Waltzingmouse Stamps ~ Gingham & Co., Back in the Saddle, Text-It, Very Vintage Lables No. 18

May: Waltzingmouse Stamps ~ Gingham & Co., Dainty Doilies Large, Say it Loud, Text-It

June: Verve ~ Dad's Day

June: Waltzingmouse Stamps: Dainty Doilies Large, Say it Loud, Text-It

July: Verve ~ Richly Blessed

August: Waltzingmouse Stamps ~ Teeny Trees, Big Day Essentials

September: Waltzingmouse Stamps ~ Blessed by You, Holiday Label No. 14

October: Verve ~ Glad Tidings

November: Waltzingmouse Stamps ~ Musical Background, Celtic Heritage, Say it Loud - Winter Holiday, Faux Fun Circles, Join Us, Seasons of Love

December: Waltzingmouse ~ Candy Jar Christmas

Thank you so much for visiting!!
Happy New Year, and
Happy Stamping!! :)

Thank You ~ Skipping Stones

2011-12-27T03:00:00.000-08:00

I'm sad to say, this is my last week as a guest designer for Skipping Stones Designs. I can't begin to tell you what a pleasure it has been designing with their fabulous images. They're so versatile and fun. And the dt is most kind and encouraging. So, without further ado, here is the card I made using Sketch #108 and images from the set Victorian Summer and Timeless Textures. I lightly stamped the music bg with Smokey Gray Versafine after stamping it off. I then stamped the rose image over it with the same color ink, and added the sentiment stamped with Onyx Black Versafine. The shaded bg was made using Shabby Shutters and Tumbled Glass Ranger Distress Ink. All the edges were distressed, and inked with Frayed Burlap Ranger Distress Ink. I also added a touch of glitter to the roses, and the flourish.

That sums up today's card!! Thanks so much for visiting. I hope you had a blessed Christmas!!
Happy Stamping!! :)

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Stamps: Victorian Summer and Timeless Textures (Skipping Stones Designs)
Paper: Memorandum (lily bee design), PTI
Ink: Smokey Gray and Onyx Black (Versafine), Shabby Shutters, Tumbled Glass and Frayed Burlap (Ranger Distress)
Accessories: Labels 22 die (Spellbinders), Rose (Prima), Flourish (Sizzix), Lace, Rhinestones (I-Rock), Glitter, Quickie Glue Pen, Distrezz-it-All (Zutter), Border Punch (Martha Stewart), Scor-Pal

Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T00:00:00.000-08:00

I want to take this time to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas!! I hope all of you are filled to overflowing with blessings this Holiday Season. I feel very blessed this season, to be spending some quality time with my kids and husband, laughing, playing games, eating, and sharing. God has blessed us richly, and I pray all of you have many joys in the year 2012!

Here are just a few of the bows I made for our packages this season. I only use wired ribbon for wrapping. Some are handmade, and some are purchased, but all are different. Like my cards, I never wrap a package the same.

Bear waiting for Santa

Happy Birthday ~ Skipping Stones

2011-12-20T03:00:00.000-08:00

Hello my friends!! Are you enjoying the Holiday season? I'm mostly ready to go. All the presents are wrapped and under the tree, however, I still haven't sent out my Christmas cards. Sad I know. I was done with all my shopping weeks ago, even the decorating. I've just been too lazy to get my short letter and cards out. That's on my to do list for tomorrow. :)

I have a Skipping Stones Designs Sketch card to share with you today. You can find the sketch, as well as some samples from the SSD dt and their guest designers, HERE.

I used two different sets, although one is VERY hard to see. It nearly disappeared when it dried. I stamped the flower medallion, from the set Victorian Summer, with amuse Amethyst ink on the main panel bg, and stamped the sentiment "Happy Birthday" (Dandelion Dreams) with Smokey Gray Versafine over it.

I made the loopy flower out of felt (Tutorial), and the beautiful diecut butterfly is from Cheery lynn designs.

That's it for me today.
I hope you're soaking in all the joys of this season!!
Happy Stamping!!

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Stamps: Victorian Summer and Dandelion Dreams (Skipping Stones Designs)
Paper: Alla (Prima), Vintage Cream (PTI)
Ink: Smokey Gray (Versafine), Amethyst (a muse), Frayed Burlap (Ranger Distress)
Accessories: Felt, Pearl Brad, Butterfly diecut (Cheery Lynn Designs), Lace, Buttons (PTI), Glitter, Sewing Machine, Nested Leaves (Spellbinders), Rhinestones (I-Rock)

Top Hat Gift Box and WMS Feature

2011-12-15T03:00:00.000-08:00

I have some fabulously fun things to share with you today. The first being a Top Hat Gift Box I designed to be featured in the on-line magazine called Papers and Pixels. I was thrilled when Laura emailed me to ask if I would mind being featured in their magazine. How fun and exciting!!

I've wanted to make a "Frosty the Snowman (inspired) Top Hat Gift Box", for some time, and I thought this would be the perfect opportunity. Papers and Pixels has the complete tutorial in this month's edition found HERE. It's only $1.50 for a single edition. $1 an edition for a yearly subscription. Here are a few pictures of the top hat I created using black cardstock, some felt, and a sweet little sentiment from the Waltzingmouse Stamps set Candy Jar Christmas.

Here's a close up of the little sentiment tag.

I included some peppermint white chocolate Hershey's Kisses inside.

Okay, now for some more exciting news. Waltingmouse Stamps is being featured over on the Moxie Fab World blog for their "Stamp" of Approval post. How cool is that!! I ADORE Waltzingmouse images, and believe this is an honor well deserved. They're featuring the following fabulous WMS images: 2011 Holiday Ornaments, Candy Jar Christmas, Candy Jar Christmas Fillers, Nordic Winter, Santa's Coming to Town, and Seasonal Remedies.

I also made some quick Waltzingmouse Ornament Tags (and I mean quick...they're so easy to make in bulk...Claire's stunning images do all the work for you!! :) using the 2011 Holiday Ornaments set (Waltzingmouse), along with the coordinating Spellbinders' 2011 Heirloom dies. I'm going to apologize first for the poor photo quality. I have a bugger of a time photographing silver. And since all my decorations and wrapping, in my home, are done in Silver, Red and White, I made all my tags with Red Magic VersaMagic ink and Silver ep.

These also fit for the CCEE Stampers Challenge which is to use ornaments this week. Be sure to check out what the rest of the CCEE Stampers have to share. They never fail to inspire!!

So, I realize this was a lot to take in today. Be sure to visit the Papers and Pixels Blog, the Moxie Fab World Blog, and the CCEE Stampers Blog!!

Thanks so much for visiting. I hope you are all enjoying the Holiday Festivities!! I'm thrilled because both of my kids (who attend college out of state), are coming home for Christmas today. Woo-Hoo!! :)

Happy Stamping my friends!!

Skipping Stones Miss You

2011-12-13T03:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Sketch Challenge #106 and a Blog Hop to feature many of the wonderful Texture Sets from Skipping Stones Designs! If you just came from Taylor's blog, you are in the right place. If you just happened along my blog today, start at the beginning of the hop at Skipping Stones Design. The entire hop order is there and you can hop from blog to blog with ease.

For my card today, I used the sets Timeless Textures, Victorian Summer and Dandelion Dreams. The wonky rectangle and the three strips were white embossed with two of the Timeless Textures images. I stamped one of the floral silhouettes (from Dandelion Dreams) with Smokey Gray Versafine once, and then stamped them off on the sides. The "Miss You" sentiment is from the set Victorian summer and was stamped with Turquoise Gem Versamagic.

Here's a closer look so you can see the white embossed music a bit better.

I used an Ice White Viva Decor Pearl Pen to add some pearls around the Beaded Circle (Spellbinders) die, and added some score lines and a EK Success punched border.

Now, you don't want to miss a stop on this hop, so head on over to Jingle's blog for some fabulous stamping inspiration!!

That about sums up my card for today.

Thanks so much for stopping by!!

Happy Stamping!

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Stamps: Timeless Textures, Victorian Summer and Dandelion Dreams (Skipping Stones Designs)

Paper: Aqua Mist and White (PTI)

Ink: Versamark, Turquoise Gem (VersaMagic), Smokey Gray (Versafine)

Accessories: White Embossing Powder, Beaded Circle and Wonky Rectangle dies (Spellbinders), Ice White Pearl Pen (Viva Decor), Scor-Buddy

Silver Snowflake Tag

2011-12-08T00:00:00.000-08:00

The week is almost over, and Christmas is creeping up fast!! Isn't it exciting?

I have a CCEE Stampers Challenge project to share with you today. I made the little snowflake tag with the 2010 Snowflake Pendant die from spellbinders, a Chipboard Circle, the "Nice List" sentiment is from the Waltzingmouse set Candy Jar Christmas. I embossed the framing of it with Silver ep, and inked up the word "nice" with Barn Red Versamagic. I coated the star and chipboard circle with some silver glass glitter and attached it, along with two little silver bells, to the bow on the package.

Here's a close-up of the sentiment.

Hope all your Holiday plans are going smoothly and that you're enjoying this Christmas Season!!
Happy Stamping my friends!!

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Stamps: Candy Jar Christmas (Waltzingmouse Stamps)
Paper: White (PTI)
Ink: Versamark, Red Barn (Versamagic)
Accessories: 2010 Snowflake Pendant die (Spellbinders), Chipboard Circle, Silver Embossing Powder, Silver German Glass Glitter (Wild Orchid Crafts), Silver Cord, Silver Bells

Skipping Stones Sketch

2011-12-06T05:00:00.000-08:00

Hello my stamping friends!! I truly hope your week is off to a super start! :)
I have a card, to share with you today, that I made using the Skipping Stones Design sketch found HERE. I used the Emboss Resist technique with the Ranger Distress Inks: Aged Mahogany, Antique Linen, Vintage Photo and Walnut Stain. All the stamps I used were from the Skipping Stones sets: Timeless Textures and Dandelion Dreams. The medallion was made with the music bg image from Timeless Textures, and used behind the dandelion. I also used one of the bg's for the square panels. You can click on the photo for a closer look.

That's about it for today's card.

Be sure to check out the Skipping Stones Design blog to see some more sketch inspiration.

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Stamps: Timeless Textures and Dandelion Dreams (Skipping Stones Design)

Paper: Black and Vintage Cream (PTI)

Ink: Aged Mahogany, Antique Linen, Vintage Photo and Walnut Stain (Ranger Distress), Versamark, Onyx Black (Versafine)

Accessories: Flower Medallion (Tim Holtz), Brown String (Olive Manna), Buttons (PTI), Clear Embossing Powder (JudiKins), Border Punch (Martha Stewart), Scor-Buddy, Burlap

Skipping Stones Guest Designer

2011-12-05T05:00:00.000-08:00

Did ya'll have a nice weekend? I did. But I'm also looking forward to this week and all the projects I have planned. Stamping and decorating. I'm ashamed to admit I don't have my house decorated for Christmas yet. The lights are all up thanks to my fabulous husband, but the inside is up to me, and I haven't gotten around to it yet. This week, though, it will be transformed. :)

Now, for some exciting news. I have the privilege of being a guest designer for Skipping Stones Design this month. They have such a wonderful variety of images that there is something for just about everyone's style. I altered this Art Parts (Studio 490) Frame using two different Skipping Stones sets: Victorian Summer and Timeless Textures.

I started off by stamping the Music background with Smokey Gray Versafine onto Kraft cs and ink distressing it with the Ranger Distress inks Antique Linen, Vintage Photo, Walnut Stain, and Black Soot. I then embossed the flower medallion, from the Victorian Summer set, over it with black ep. The butterfly is also embossed with some Frosted Lace Stickles added for some sparkle. I stamped another of the Timeless Textures bgs, with Barn Red (VersaMagic) onto another piece of kraft cs for the frame, and added some lace that I sprayed with some Creme de Chocolate Glimmer Mist to age it a bit. Lastly, I added a wooden key which is also from Art Parts (Sudio 490). I inked it up with the Barn Red and Black Soot inks. The hanging cord was made with some red and chocolate twine that I braided, and I added the sentiment with the end of a Labels 13 die (Spellbinders). I trimmed the edges a bit though.

That's it. Stop by tomorrow to see how I interpreted this week's Skipping Stones Sketch.
Thanks so much for stopping by!!
Happy Stamping!!

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Stamps: Victorian Summer and Timeless Textures (Skipping Stones)
Paper: Kraft and New Leaf (PTI)
Ink: Versamark, Antique Linen, Vintage Photo, Walnut Stain, and Black Soot (Ranger Distress), Barn Red (VersaMagic), Onyx Black and Smokey Gray (Versafine)
Accessories: Square Frame and Wooden Key (Art Parts ~ Studio 490), Black Embossing Powder (Judikins), Lace (Wild Orchid Crafts), Twine (Olive Manna), Button (PTI), Rhinestones (I-Rock), Labels 13 (Spellbinders), Frosted Lace Stickles

One layer Christmas Tag

2011-12-01T00:00:00.000-08:00

Is it Thursday already? Yikes! Time is flying by. Welcome to the month of December ya'll!!
I have a CCEE Stampers Challenge project to share with you today. We were required to use snowflakes and bling.

Well, my color theme this year for decorating my tree and wrapping my packages is red/white/silver. So I decided to use the Verve set Bright Spirits to make a one layer coordinating tag. The little flourish, I used to hang the ornaments on, is from the set Believe. Everything is embossed with Silver with some red and white glitter added for some sparkle. I used some Martha Stewart dimensional snowflakes to adhere the tag under the bow, and added a punched border to fancy it up a bit. I realize the package wrapping looks black in the photo. I assure you, it's silver. It's just shadowed by the bow and tag. :)

Here's a close-up of the sparkle. If you click on the photo, you can see the ornament sparkle a bit better.

That's it for today ya'll. Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope your December is off to a wonderful start!! :) Be sure to drop by the CCEE Stampers blog to see how the rest of the team has used snowflakes and bling.

Happy Stamping!!

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Stamps: Bright Spirits and Believe (Verve)
Paper: White (PTI)
Ink: Versamark
Accessories: Glitter, Silver Embossing Powder, Border Punch (EK Success), Scor-Buddy, Snowflakes (Martha Stewart), Wrapping paper and bow

Fall Photos

2011-11-28T14:42:00.000-08:00

Hello my friends!! It's Monday!! I LOVE Mondays. I truly feel like I get the most accomplished early in the week.

Well, I don't have any paper projects to share today. I have some in the works, just can't share them yet. :)

But I would like to share some photos that I took Thanksgiving morning. We started with a bit of fog, but the skies turned a brilliant blue by the afternoon. And our trees have put on quite a show this year. Oh, we get some color by mid November, but nothing really truly rich. Well, since our Fall was late this year, it seems to have changed things up a bit.

I actually took this picture about a week ago. I loved the fog with the angus, the green grass and changing trees. One thing we have here in central California, is green grass with our colored trees.

Next up are two pictures of the "kids" who keep me company while my other two kids are off at college. This is Bear. Sorry he looks a bit mangy. He goes to the groomer in a couple of days, so his eyes are barely visible.

This is Jack. Our protector. He's extremely loyal, and very protective. Bear's the welcoming committee, whereas Jack is the deterrent. LOL

Here are a couple of pictures that I took of our Cana Lilies this morning. I love the brilliant orange with the dew still on the leaves!!

That's it for now. Thanks for visiting. Check back later this week for some paper projects.
Have a fabulous week, and Happy Stamping!!

Happy Thanksgiving and a One Layer card

2011-11-24T00:00:00.000-08:00

Hello my friends!! I'd like to start by wishing all my American stamping friends, a very

Happy Thanksgiving!!

I'd also like to take this time to share how blessed I feel for being a part of such a wonderful stamping community. Since I got involved with Splitcoast Stampers, and blog landabout 4 1/2 years ago, I've met (in person and some just by sharing comments), some of the most warm, kind, and generous of heart, and I am so grateful. So, thank you my friends, for your kindness, your supportive comments, and for sharing your wonderful stamping gifts, so I am able to grow as a person and a designer. God Bless all of you!!

Now, for my card...

I made today's card for the CCEE Stamper's Challenge this week, which is to make your card One Layer. I started by diecutting a Spellbinders Wonky Rectangle out of copy paper, and laying the negative part over my card as a mask. I then inked up the inside with Ranger distress inks in the following order: Antique Linen, Vintage Photo, Walnut Stain, and Black Soot. I then took one of the Music images from the Waltzingmouse set Musical Background, and stamped it with Onyx Black Versafine until I covered the entire Wonky Rectangle opening.

I then stamped the Cross from the set Celtic Heritage, and the "Joy" sentiment from the set Say it Loud ~ Winter Holiday. After that, I heat set all the ink with a heat tool, and rubbed an embossing (anti-static) pad over it all, and stamped the corner flourish, from the set, Faux Fun Circles, and snowflakes from the sets Join us and Seasons of Love, with Versamark, and embossed them with White ep.

Lastly I added some score lines, some Stampin' Up! ribbon, a Rhinestone, and a punched border.

That's it.
Thank you so much for stopping by today.
I hope you have a fabulous weekend!!
Happy Stamping!!

Holiday Diva Dare ~ Gift Bag Topper

2011-11-21T05:00:00.000-08:00

Hello my stamping friends!! I have another fun gift bag topper to share with you. I made it in answer to the Verve Holiday Diva Dare. Check out my post HERE for all the details. Here's the tutorial for the topper that I made a little while back.

I used the following Verve sets and dies: Glad Tidings, Frosty Flakes, Bright Spirits, Winter Fun and Snowflake Tidings.

See the little snowflake ornament? That was made with the medium snowflake from the Glad Tidings set along with a new Verve die called Snowflake Tidings. And the icicles were made with a Martha Stewart Punch.

I made the medallion using the Tim Holtz Mini Paper Rosettes die along with the 2011 Snowflake Pendant and the Petite Scallop Circle dies by Spellbinders.

Be sure to check out the Verve Blog for more Holiday inspiration this week. We'd love to see how you answer the Holiday Diva Dare.

Thanks for stopping by!!
Happy Stamping!

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Stamps: Glad Tidings, Frosty Flakes, Bright Spirits (Verve)
Paper: White and Kraft (PTI)
Ink: Onyx Black (Versafine), Versamark and White
Accessories: Winter Fun and Snowflake Tidings, Mini Rosettes die (Tim Holtz), Petite Scallop Circle and 2011 Snowflake Pendant dies (Spellbinders), White embossing powder, White Glitter (Glitter Ritz), Icicle border punch (Martha Stewart), beads and sparkly rhinestone sticker, kraft paper gift bag, crimper, Natural Burlap String (May Arts), Scor-Pal

Viva la Verve November Week 3 ~ Merry and Bright

2011-11-18T03:00:00.000-08:00

I made this card using this week's Viva la Verve sketch. I stamped the ornaments from the new Verve set Bright Spirits, colored them with Copics and popped them up. They're framed with the Spellbinders' Labels 9 die, and the dp is all from the World Traveler 6x6 paper pad by Teresa collins.

That's it...pretty straight forward. :)
Thanks for visiting!
Happy Stamping!

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Stamps: Bright Spirits (Verve)
Paper: World Traveler (Teresa Collins), Vintage Cream and Black (PTI)
Ink: Black Onyx (Versafine), Walnut Stain (Ranger Distress)
Accessories: Labels 9 die (Spellbinders), Copics, Lace (Kaisercraft), Satin Ribbon (PTI), Black Pearl Brad (MME), Sewing Machine

Peace on Earth

2011-11-17T00:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Thursday!! I have a simple card to share with you today. And I had a really hard time photographing it because the cardstock is a shimmery blue by PTI. If you click on the photo, you'll be able to see the details a bit better.

Well, I made this card for two challenges: the Waltzingmouse Blog Waltz, which was to be a winter or Christmas card, and the CCEE Stampers challenge which was to include two diecuts, or two punches. I used two layers of the Labels 4 die by Spellbinders. I also added a punched border, but that is just a little extra... :)

I had fun combining a few Waltzingmouse sets for this card: Seasonal Remedies, Very Vintage Christmas (itty bitty snowflakes), Flourishes ~ Scallops and Dots

All were embossed with white ep.

Well, that's it for today. Thanks for visiting.
Happy stamping my friends!! :)

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Stamps: Seasonal Remedies, Very Vintage Christmas, Flourishes ~ Scallops and Dots (Waltzingmouse)
Paper: Shimmer Blue and White (PTI)
Ink: Versamark
Accessories: Labels 4 die (Spellbinders), White embossing powser, Border punch (Martha Stewart), Scor-Buddy, Dimensional Tape (Scotch)

Time to Blossom

2011-11-14T06:00:00.000-08:00

Today, over on the Verve blog, the divas are sharing some of their favorite cards made with Verve's latest release. I chose this CAS card that I made with a new Plain Jane, appropriately called Time to Blossom. I love the fun font and the sweet little flower.

Did ya'll have a nice weekend? I got to hang out with some local stamping friends, Cindy Becker (a stamping recruit :), Pat Smethers and Natalie Qualls,and even had the privilege of meeting fellow Canadian stamper, Michele Ghent (aka: mitchygitchygoomy on Splitcoaststampers). All super sweet and super talented gals. We had a blast chatting at a local Victorian Tea House. Here's a picture of their homemade scones with Devonshire Cream, Lemon Curd and jam. YUM!! (Picture: Cindy, Nat, Tosh, Michele, Pat)

That's it for me today.
Thanks so much for visiting!!
Happy Stamping!!

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Stamps: Time to Blossom (Verve)
Paper: Carolina Breeze (teresa collins), Kraft and White (PTI)
Ink: Smokey Gray (Versafine)
Accessories: Copics, Border Punch (EK Success), Scor-Buddy, Rhinestone (I-Rock), Sewing Machine

Verve Nov. Spotlight Hop ~ Day 4

2011-11-12T06:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome to our final Holiday Spotlight Hop! Last night we released 2 new stamp sets, 5 plain janes and 6 dies to coordinate with new and old Verve holiday sets! All of the new products we've been showcasing this week are available now in the Verve store!

For my card, today, I wanted to stray away from the traditional Christmas colors that I've been using so much lately. So I made a pink Christmas card. I also decided to try my hand at making a dimensional tree. I've been seeing so many 3-D trees and ornaments out there this year. I've made a few ornaments in years past, but I've never made a tree, and the new Verve tree diecut in the Winter Fun die set is perfect for just that. I just diecut 5 trees, folded them in half, and attached one tree side to the next tree, and so on. I also ink distressed the edges with Victorian Velvet and Brushed Corduroy Ranger Distress Ink, and added some Frosted Lace stickles to the edges. The sentiment is from the new set Bright Spirits.

Here's a close-up of the tree and stickles.

That about sums it all up for today. Be sure to leave a little comment love as you take one last stroll through the Diva and Guest Diva blogs. One lucky commenter from today's hop will win the ENTIRE Release! Check out the Verve Blog today for all the prize details and deadlines.

1. Julee	8. Sankari
2. Andrea	9. Teresa
3. Vickie {Guest}	10. Charmaine
4. Amy	11. Tosha
5. Maureen	12. Wanda {Guest}
6. Laurie	13. Jackie
7. Gretchen {Guest}

Thanks so much for stopping by this week. I hope you've enjoyed the peeks. Have a super weekend!!
Happy Stamping my friends!!

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Stamps: Bright Spirits (Verve)
Paper: Madison Avenue (Lost and Found MME), Kraft and Vintage Cream (PTI)
Ink: Victorian Velvet and Brushed Corduroy (Ranger Distress), Onyx Black (Versafine)
Accessories: Winter Fun die (Verve), Labels 15 die (Spellbinders), Buttons (PTI), Twine (Olive Manna), Lace (Kaisercraft), Snowflake Punch (Martha Stewart), Frosted Lace Stickles, Border Punch (EK Success), Scor-Buddy, Corner Rounder Punch

Verve Nov. Spotlight Hop ~ Day 3

2011-11-11T06:00:00.000-08:00

It's day 3 of Verve's November spotlight hop, and I chose to feature Santa's Helper. Isn't he just super adorable?!?!?!?! I stamped him onto kraft cardstock and colored him with Copics. I added some red Viva Decor Gel to his nose and sprinkled it with red glitter. Cause we all know that Rudolph is "the" helper. :) I thought Rudolph would look cute sitting on the new Lovely Marquee die, and it works beautifully with the frame from Love Story. I added some snowflakes from the set Glad Tidings, and diecut them with the new Snowflake Tidings dies. Lastly, I added some gingham ribbon, some burlap string, a button and random sewing.

I should also inform you that this sketch was designed by the sweet and talented Jackie Pedro, and can be found in the Verve Forum on Splitcoast Stampers. It's this week's VLV Sketch.

That's it for me. Be sure to check out the other projects these gals have to share.

1. Julee	8. Sankari
2. Andrea	9. Teresa
3. Vickie {Guest}	10. Charmaine
4. Amy	11. Tosha
5. Maureen	12. Wanda {Guest}
6. Laurie	13. Jackie
7. Gretchen {Guest}

Thanks for visiting!! And don't forget the release party is tonight at 9 pm Eastern!!

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Stamps: Santa's Helper, Love Story, Glad Tidings
Paper: Jingle (Lily bee design), Kraft and Vintage Cream (PTI)
Ink: Onyx Black (Versafine), Walnt Stain (Ranger Distress)
Accessories: Lovely Marquee die and Snowflake Tidings dies (Verve), Standard Circle die (Spellbinders), Copics, Border Punch (Martha Stewart), Viva Decor Gel, Gingham ribbon, Natural Burlap String (May Arts), Button (PTI), Sewing Machine

Verve Nov. Spotlight Hop ~ Day 2

2011-11-10T06:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome to our Holiday Spotlight Hops ~ Day 2! Hop along with the Divas today as we share a look at a few of the new products releasing from Verve this Friday night! One lucky commenter from each day's hop will win the sets and dies featured that day, so be sure and leave a little love in the Divasphere! Check out the Verve Blog today for all the prize details and deadlines.

I went a bit geometrical on ya'll today. I loved the look of the flakes (or stars, or poinsettias...they could really be whatever you want.), and thought they'd be fun to make a pattern with and color. Stamped like this, they remind me of poinsettias. They're from the set Bright Spirits, which is filled with beautifully fonted sentiments, dove's, hanging ornaments, bells, stars, etc. This set has a little of everything in it to make a variety of Holiday cards.

I diecut the stamped dove with the Love Birds Die set, and glittered him up, and added a hanging heart to the sentiment on the inside.

This card also fits with the CCEE Stamper's challenge, this week, which is to include 3 different shapes. I have a button circle, a square panel of the images, and whatever shape you want to call with the sentiment. Be sure to stop by the CCEE Stampers blog to see what shapes the rest of the gals have included on their cards.

That about sums up today's card. Be sure to check out what the other divas are sharing today.

1. Julee	8. Andrea
2. Jackie	9. Vickie {Guest}
3. Teresa	10. Amy
4. Charmaine	11. Laurie
5. Maureen	12. Gretchen {Guest}
6. Tosha	13. Sankari
7. Wanda {Guest}

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Happy Stamping!!

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Stamps: Bright Spirits (Verve)
Paper: PTI
Ink: Onyx Black (Versafine), Aged Mahogany (Ranger Distress)
Accessories: Love Birds Die set (Verve), Circle die (Spellbinders), Tab Punch (SU!), Button (PTI), Ric-Rac, Rhinestones (I-Rock), Graphite Viva Decor Gel, Copics, White Glitter (Glitter Ritz), Black Burlap String

Verve Nov. Spotlight Hop ~ Day 1

2011-11-09T06:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome to our Holiday Spotlight Hops! Hop along with the Divas over the next few days as we share our first looks at a few of the new products releasing from Verve this Friday night! One lucky commenter from each day's hop will win the sets and dies featured that day, so be sure and leave a little love in the Divasphere! Check out the Verve Blog today for all the prize details and deadlines.

One of the new Cross dies works with the cross from the Verve set Richly Blessed. I thought it would work beautifully with the new Jeremiah 33:3 Plain Jane. I stamped it with Onyx Black Versafine onto some 25 Days of Christmas (Simple Stories) dp, and diecut it with the new Cross Die. The die also works with the new Curvy Cross PJ. It is similar to the Richly Blessed cross. It just doesn't have the outline.

That's it from me today. Be sure to continue along the hop to see what the other divas have to inspire.

1. Julee	7. Andrea
2. Teresa	8. Vickie {Guest}
3. Charmaine	9. Amy
4. Maureen	10. Laurie
5. Tosha	11. Gretchen {Guest}
6. Wanda {Guest}	12. Sankari

Thank you so much for stopping by today.
Happy Stamping!!

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Stamps: Jeremiah 33:3 Plain Jane and Richly Blessed (Verve)
Paper: 25 Days of Christmas (Simple Stories), Vintage Cream and Black (PTI)
Ink: Onyx Black (Versafine), Vintage Photo (Ranger Distress)
Accessories: Cross Die (Verve), Standard Circle and Lacy Circle Die (Spellbinders), Brad (Lost & Found MME), Linen Ribbon and buttons (PTI), Lace (Graphic 45), Felt Ribbon Trim (Creative Imaginations), Black Burlap String (May Arts), Sewing Machine, Distrezz-it-All (Zutter)

Waltzingmouse November Soap ~ Day 4:

2011-11-04T00:00:00.000-07:00

It's the final day of Waltizingmouse's Stamp of Approval Parade, and I'm sharing a CAS card that I made with a "candy cane" styled circle from the Faux Fun Circle set, and the holly and Christmas sentiment from the Very Vintage Christmas Stamp Set. I just colored the holly with Copics, popped up the berries and added a sprinkle of glitter to them. The wreath was stamped with Red Magic VersaMagic, and the borders were made by just cutting the top panel 1/4" smaller, along the side, and punching both sides, starting with the middle. I also scored a line along each punch to finish off the edges.

That's it for me this week.
We hope that you have enjoyed, and have been inspired, the past few days from our Stamp of Approval Parade; highlighting Claire's lovely Christmas and holiday sets. Now it’s time for you to get your craftiness on as we invite you to participate in a CASE (Copy and Share Everything) competition.

Find a card or project from any of the projects posted over the past few days by the WMS Design Team, CASE that project using Waltzingmouse Stamp images, and link it using the Inlinkz on Claire’s blog. At the end of the competition, one project will be randomly selected to be highlighted with a Parade of its own on several of the Design Team blogs.

We hope you will enjoy this competition and that it will inspire you be creative. You have one week to complete and link your project as the competition will close at 8:00 AM Claire’s time on August 10th, which is 3 AM Eastern, 2 AM Central and Midnight, Pacific time. The winner will be announced on Claire’s blog on November 11th.

In case you've missed some along the way, here's the list of the DT members participating today.

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

Thanks a bunch for stopping by today. I hope you have a fabulous weekend!! I'm going to be playing catch-up after being gone so much lately.

Happy Stamping my friends!!

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Stamps: Faux Fun Circle and Very Vintage Christmas Stamp Set (Waltzingmouse)
Paper: White (PTI)
Ink: Red Magic (VersaMagic), Onyx Black (Versafine) and Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Accessories: Copics, Border Punch (EK Success), Glitter (Glitter Ritz)

Waltzingmouse November Soap ~ Day 3: Christmas Tag

2011-11-03T00:00:00.000-07:00

It's day 3 of this week's Waltzingmouse SOAP. Have you been enjoying all the Christmas inspiration? Well, today I have a tag to share with you using the following Waltzingmouse sets: 2011 Holiday Ornaments, A Cottage Christmas, and Say it Loud-Winter Holiday.

The snowflake was diecut out of Welcome Home BoBunny dp, using the Spellbinders die 2010 Snowflake Pendant. I first ran the tag base through my xyron and then coated it with Latte Opaque Micro Fine glitter by Glitter Ritz. I then glued the diecut tag piece over the top, added some ribbon, lace and silver string with a sweet little Waltzingmouse Ornament that I diecut with Spellbinders' 2011 Heirloom Ornament die.

The tags were punched with the Stampin' Up! Window punch, and I added some Cool Highlights Transparent Micro Fine Glitter by Glitter Ritz to the ornament too. If you click on the photo, you can see the details better.

Here's a list of the other DT members sharing some inspiration today.

Anya Schrier
Becca Feeken
Clare Buswell
Julia Aston
Jennifer Holmes
Kate Whelan
Kelly Schirmer
Lynn Mercurio
Mona Pendleton
Sandie Dunne
Tosha Leyendekker
Claire Brennan (Owner)

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Stamps: 2011 Holiday Ornaments, A Cottage Christmas, and Say it Loud-Winter Holiday. (Waltzingmouse)
Paper: Welcome Home (BoBunny), PTI
Ink: Onyx Black (Versafine), Walnut Stain (Ranger Distress), Latte (a muse)
Accessories: 2011 Heirloom Ornament, 2010 Snowflake Pendant (Spellbinders), Window Tag Punch (SU!), Button (PTI), Silver Cord, Rhinestone (Kaisercraft), Latte and Cool Highlights Micro Fine Glitter (Glitter Ritz), Sewing Machine

Waltzingmouse November Soap ~ Day 2: Christmas Cheer

2011-11-02T00:00:00.000-07:00

It's day 2 of this month's Waltzingmouse SOAP, and I have a quick and easy card to share with you today. I just stamped one of the "remedies" images, from the set Seasonal Remedies, onto decorative paper, cut it out and framed it with a Martha Stewart Border Punch, added some Teresa Collins Ribbon Trim, a Prima Flower and leaves, and a Webster's Pages Sparkler. That's it. Simple Elegance.

Now, if you haven't had a chance to check out what the rest of the WMS DT has to share today, here's a list of those participating today.

Anya Schrier
Becca Feeken
Julia Aston
Jennifer Holmes
Kelly Schirmer
Laurie Schmidlin
Lynn Mercurio
Mona Pendleton
Sandie Dunne
Tosha Leyendekker
Claire Brennan (Owner)

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Happy stamping!!

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Stamps: Seasonal Remedies (Waltzingmouse)
Paper: Welcome Home (BoBunny), Black and Vintage Cream (PTI)
Ink: Onyx Black (Versafine), Walnut Stain (Ranger Distress)
Accessories: Border Punches (Martha Stewart), Ribbon (Teresa Collins and Martha Stewart), Sparkler (Webster's Pages), Flower and leaves (Prima), Rhinestone (Kaisercraft), Scor-Pal, Dimensional Tape (Scotch)

Waltzingmouse November Soap ~ Day 1 ~ Tutorial: Kraft and Felt bag

2011-11-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

Woo-Hoo!! It's time for the Waltzingmouse November SOAP (Stamp of Approval Parade) parade!! This month, we're focusing on anything Christmas. Whether it be a card or project. Today, I have two sweet little handmade bags to share with you, using a couple of the new Waltzingmouse sets Seasonal Remedies and Candy Jar Christmas. The first bag is made out of kraft paper, and the second made out of felt.

I'm more of a paper-crafter than a cook or baker, but these white chocolate covered pretzel rods are super easy. Even for the clutziest of people. I'll include the easy recipe at the bottom of this post.

I wanted to make my bag a bit vintage looking, so I stamped the images with Onyx Black Versafine. The little candies were masked, and the edges were ink distressed with Walnut Stain (Ranger Distress Ink)

The bag is super easy and quick to put together. I started off with 2 pieces of 3 1/2" x 5 1/2" kraft paper that I cut from a roll that I use to wrap Christmas gifts with. If you don't have kraft paper, you can use lunch sacks. Kraft cardstock is too thick.

I then stamped the design I wanted toward the bottom of one of the pieces, and punched one end, of both pieces, with a decorative punch. (the opposite, and back side of the stamped image - because you're going to fold it over.) I start my punch in the middle, and work out. That way the punched border is balanced. After punching, measure 4" in from the un-punched edge and score with the image facing up. I inked the fold so you can see it better.

This is what it's going to look like when folded.

Next, you're going to want to sew the two pieces together. Lift up the flaps and sew from one side of the opening around the bottom and to the other side (not including the flaps. Back-stitch along the top edges so they are secure when adding the Chocolate dipped pretzels) Then sew the edges of the flaps individually if you want. If you sew them with the rest, they don't lay as nice.

Here you can see the sewn edges.

Then when you fold the flaps, they're not so flat.

Lastly, I added some twine to the punched border and a sweet little vintage wood spool button by Prima.

For this set, I included pretzels all decorated with white chocolate and candy pearls.

You can also use Felt to make the bag. I would cover the pretzels with cellophane, though, because you don't want them against the felt. I also sewed the sides all the way to the top because felt is easy to fold over.

Lastly, I added some twine with a couple of jingle bells on the ends, and a diecut border that I made with the Classic Petal Edgeabilities die by Spellbinders.

This little bag would be great as a place card with the name of a guest added on a little tag. It would also be sweet to give as a gift to your classmates, a teacher, or whatever that creative mind of yours can come up with.

That's it for today's project. Be sure to check out what the other girls have to share, if you haven't already.

Anya Schrier
Becca Feeken
Julia Aston
Jennifer Holmes
Kelly Schirmer
Laurie Schmidlin
Lynn Mercurio
Mona Pendleton
Sandie Dunne
Tosha Leyendekker
Claire Brennan (Owner)

White Chocolate Pretzel Rod recipe:

1 cup White Chocolate Chips (or semi-sweet)
1-2 tsp Shortening

Heat in mug or microwave safe bowl for 1 min. and 30 seconds at 50% power, stir, and continue heating in 15 sec. intervals until completely melted. Dip pretzels in and let the chocolate drip off. You want a thin layer of the chocolate. While still wet, sprinkle whatever topping you'd like over the top. I laid mine over a mug so the frosted side hung over the edge while drying.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Sorry I've been absent for so long. I have two kids in college, both in different states 1000 miles and 2000 miles away respectively. The past two weekends have been parents weekend, so we've been racking up the air miles!! YIKES. I'm finally home for awhile....*sigh*

Happy stamping my friends!!

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Stamps: Seasonal Remedies and Candy Jar Christmas (Waltzingmouse)
Paper: Kraft
Ink: Onyx Black (Versafine), Walnut Stain (Ranger Distress)
Accessories: Sewing Machine, Border Punch (Martha Stewart), Twine, Wood Spool Button (Prima), Pretzels, White Chocolate, Sprinkles

Happy Fall Box

2011-10-20T03:00:00.000-07:00

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...

2011-10-18T04:00:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-15T11:00:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-14T00:00:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-13T00:00:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-12T00:00:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-10T21:01:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-10T05:00:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-06T03:00:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-10-03T05:00:00.000-07:00

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!)

Perk Up...

2011-09-29T00:00:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile since I posted. Do you ever get burnt out from stamping? I do sometimes, especially after a huge DT release. Ideas run through my head, but sometimes the thought of putting them to paper can be a bit overwhelming. It usually takes another commitment to get me in the groove, and the CCEE Stampers Challenge did just that.

We were to include anything postage on our projects. Well, I used the new Postage Stamps dies from Spellbinders (you can find them at Stampers Dream)along the bottom of my card. For the images, I used Verve's Better with You set. LOVE the mug, and all the little extras included in this sweet coffee/tea set. See the swirls down by the hearts? Those were stamped with one of the steam images in the set. I used both "steams" above the mug too, with Latte and French Roast inks by a muse.

The paper is all from one of my favorite companies, My Mind's Eye. It's from their Rosy Lost & Found Collection. You can find this paper at Stampers Dream also, as well as the Picot Edge Circle die (Spellbinders), that I framed the mug with.

That's it for today. Thank you so very much for stopping by. Be sure to check out the CCEE Stampers Blog to see how the girls interpreted this week's postage theme!!

Happy Stamping!

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Stamps: Better with You (Verve)
Paper: Vintage Cream (PTI), Rosy (Lost & Found MME)
Ink: Vintage Sepia (Versafine), Brushed Corduroy (Ranger Distress), French Roast and Latte (a muse) and Bronze Queue (ColorBox)
Accessories: Postage Stamp, Picot Edge Circle and Standard Circle dies (Spellbinders), Ribbon (Martha Stewart), Brad (Basicgrey), Button (PTI), Lace (Kaisercraft), Sewing Machine

Gift Bag Topper Tutorial

2011-09-22T00:00:00.000-07:00

I've been getting quite a few requests for a tutorial on how to make the Gift Bag Topper I posted a couple of days ago. You can find that bag HERE.

It's really quite easy. I made the topper a bit different this time. But don't worry, I'll include measurements for both toppers.

Supplies for Punched topper:

8" x 4 1/4" x 10 1/2" Gift Bag
9" x 12" cardstock
(2) 1 1/8" x 7 3/4" and (2) 1 1/8" x 4 3/4" decorative paper for sides
4 3/4" x 7 3/4" decorative paper for the top of the topper
Scor-Pal
Ruler
Exacto knife

For this one, I started with a 9" x 12" base, and scored 2" in on all four sides. I then took a punch (In this case it was an EK Success one), and started in the middle of each side and worked my way out. That way each punched side is evenly balanced. You don't have to go all the way to the end because you're going to trim the excess off in a bit. Make sure you pass the score marks though.

Trim off the extra punched piece so your tab can fold in without being seen through the punched areas. Then, on the short ends, cut in to the scored line.

Now you need a slit for the handles to go through. I used a ruler and an exacto knife after drawing a line to cut. Begin your cut 1 5/8" in from each side and 1/8" from the side. It has to be wide enough to slide the handle through. Then glue the tabs behind the short ends, and decorate as you wish.

That's it. Like I said it's really very easy.

For my bag, I used one of the newest Waltzingmouse released sets called Say it Loud/Winter Holiday.

Now, I made this bag for the CCEE Stampers Challenge which is to make a "card" with a bird on it. I rebelled a bit and made a bag instead of a card....shhhhhhh.... :) See my little bird hanging from the flower? Be sure to stop by the CCEE Stampers blog for some fabulous bird watching.

Before I go, I promised the template measurements for a topper without a punched border. Here they are:

Supplies for Plain Topper

8" x 11" Cardstock
(2) 1 1/4" x 4 3/4" and (2) 1 1/4" x 7 3/4" decorative paper for sides
Score 1 1/2" around each side and Begin slit cut 1 1/2" from the long sides.

Thank you so much for stopping by. I hope you're having a wonderful week.
Happy Stamping!!

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Stamps: Say it Loud/Winter Holiday (Waltzingmouse)
Paper: PTI and Love Nest (Glitz)
Ink: Onyx Black (Versafine) Colorbox Queue, Antique Linen, Vintage Photo and Black Soot (Ranger Distress)
Accessories: Border Punches (EK Success and Martha Stewart), Flower (Prima), Bird Cage embellishment (The Girls' Paperie), Scor-pal

A Diva Dare Case

2011-09-21T05:00:00.000-07:00

A Diva Dare's been thrown out by Laurie this month. The dare is to CASE a Diva, and I have the honor of CASEing Jackie. What fun to be "Jackie" for awhile. Channeling her diva skills, using her sketch...and ideas....*grin*. Pure stamping fun!!

Now comes the really hard part. Choosing one of Jackie's stunning cards. No easy task, let me tell you. I finally settled on THIS ONE, because I liked the layout and shapes she used. I don't normally think vertical like this sketch suggests, so it was fun to work with. She also has a fabulous way of working with colors and patterns. I loved the horizontal striped panel in the back.

So, for my CASE, I used the same set, Sunny Days, for the flowers and leaves, and added a sentiment from the set Making a Statement. I changed my shapes up a bit, and added some Webster's Pages flocked netting behind the main panel. I also changed my color palette.

That's it for my card. Let me remind you how these dares work. If you make a card and link it to the first diva dare post HERE, you have a chance to win a $30 Verve gift certificate. By leaving comments in you have an opportunity to win a Verve set of your choice. Now doesn't that sound fun? So, head on over to the Verve Stamps blog for all the details.

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Stamps: Sunny Days and Making a Statement (Verve) Paper: PTI, Breeze (Lost & Found MME) Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento), Brushed Corduroy (Ranger Distress) Accessories: Leafy Sprigs die (Verve), Labels 1 and Fancy Tags 3 dies (Spellbinders), Cream Viva Decor Gel Pens, Netting (Webster's Pages), Sewing Machine

Wishing You the happiest of days!

2011-09-20T00:00:00.000-07:00

I made this card for a special young lady today who's being featured on the Teapot Tuesday thread found HERE. Breanne swam with my son for 3 years on their High School swim team. They both were butterfliers. Unfortunately Breanne began getting ill while in High School and had a hard time swimming. Sadly she was diagnosed with Relapsing MS, and will be fighting this disease for the rest of her life. For more about Breanne, click HERE.

Well, music is a favorite of hers, so Cindy challenged everyone to include music or black/white stripes on their cards.

I used this week's Mojo Monday 207, with Verve sets Wishing You and Wonderful Wishes Remix.

Short post today my friends. Long day, and I'm tuckered.
I hope you're having a good week.
Happy Stamping!!

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Stamps: Wishing You, and Wonderful Wishes (Verve)
Paper: Sunshine (Lost and Found MME), PTI
Ink: Onyx Black (Versafine), Black Soot (Ranger Distress Ink)
Accessories: Fleur De Lis Rectangles and Standard Oval dies (Spellbinders), Ribbon, Butterfly Punch (EK Success), Rhinestones (Kaisercraft), Sewing Machine

Waltzingmouse Sept. Release Blog Waltz ~ A Christmas Cottage

2011-09-19T11:00:00.000-07:00

It's day four of the Waltzingmouse Sneak peeks, and we're having a blog waltz featuring the new set A Cottage Christmas. It includes the sweetest little Christmas cottage, along with a darling snowman, some charming trees, brilliant snowflakes, and gorgeous sentiments! What a delight it is to work with this set. If you arrived here from Anya's blog, you're on the right track. If not, you'll want to start at the beginning with Claire. She's leading our Waltz today. :) The four sets we've been peeking are now available too. So after the hop, head on over to Waltzingmouse Stamps to see the complete sets!!

Okay, now for my project...

My goodness, it's been like a gazillion years since I've made a gift bag topper. Okay, so I may have exaggerated a bit, but it's been at least 6 or more. I used to see them all the time. So, since lace and punches are so in right now, I thought it would be fun to make one again, with lace trim, using an Alesa Baker template that I have had forever! The images I used that are from this set are: The cottage (of course), the tree trio, the Snowman on the tag, the sentiment in the top left which reads: "From our House to Yours", and the flakes behind the cottage, and on the top of the topper. I combined these images with some images from the set Very Vintage Christmas: the topper border, and the "to" and "from" sentiments.

I used a Viva Decor Ice White Gel pen with some white opaque ultrafine glitter for the snow.

I stamped the decorative border along the topper, with Versamark, embossed it with black ep, and colored it with Tombows. Incidentally, all the images are colored with Tombows.

Isn't that BoBunny Santa Brad cute? I thought it was a fun addition to the bow.

Here's a close up of the top so you can see the snowflakes.

Before I go, I want to let you know that you have a chance to win a Waltzingmouse Stamp Set of your choice. All you have to do is leave a comment on as many of the blogs, along the Blog Waltz, that you can, by Sept. 22. A Winner will be chosen from one of the design team member's blogs and will be announced on Sept. 23 on Claire's blog.

That's it from me today. Next along the hop is the fabulously talented Becca.
Thanks for visiting!!
Happy Stamping!

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Stamps: A Cottage Christmas, Very Vintage Christmas Paper: Black and Kraft (PTI), Watercolor, and Christmas (Lost & Found MME) Ink: Versamark, Onyx Black (Versafine), Latte (a muse), Vintage Photo (Ranger Distress) Accessories: Tombow Markers, Labels 15, Standard Circle, and Picot Edge Circle dies (Spellbinders), lace (Vintage), Ice White Gel Pen (Viva Decor), Ultrafine Opaque White Glitter, Black Burlap String, Santa Brad (Bo Bunny Noel Icandy), Seam Binding Ribbon (MemrieMare), Border Punch (Martha Stewart), Dimensional Tape (Scotch), Gift Bag Topper Template (Alesa Baker)

Waltzingmouse Sept. Release ~ Hocus Pocus

2011-09-18T00:00:00.000-07:00

Have you been enjoying the Waltzingmouse Sept. release peeks? I know I've had a ton of fun working with these new images, and it's obvious the rest of the team has too by their exquisite projects.

Well, I'm excited to share with you what I made with the new Hocus Pocus set. It has the most fun silhouette images (two of which I used on yesterday's project), and some fabulously spooky fonted sentiments!! And then there's the creepy gated fence....LOVE it!!

Now, I was thinking...Halloween doesn't have to be just about the kids does it? I mean, have you outgrown your craving for sugary treats? I thought not. So, I thought it would be fun to create a little treat gift box filled with a chocolate goody an adult would love. Have you ever had Ferrero Rocher and Rondnoir Chocolates? YUM!! Anyway, that's what I filled this sweet little box with.

Oh, I should tell you how I made the box. Easy as pie!! I used the Spellbinders Square Petal Top Box die. When you emboss it, all the score lines are made for you. I just used a bone folder to make nice crisp folds, and glued it together. I then stamped the fence onto some Fine Linen PTI cardstock, and cut it into panels that fit along the box edges. I used the wonderful circular bat/moon image for my medallion topper and added some Webster's Pages Netting behind the button and Black Burlap string. I think it looks a bit like a web. Don't you?

Lastly, I filled it with the Candy. Four pieces fit perfectly inside. Oh, I almost forgot, I embossed the "Halloween Wishes" sentiment, with detail black ep, onto one of the side panels too.

That's it for my project. I hope you've visited all the other blogs today too. You won't want to miss a one, that's for sure.

Thanks so much for all your kind and encouraging comments. It's so generous of you to share your kind thoughts. They are much appreciated.

Thanks for visiting!!
Happy Stamping!

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Stamps: Hocus Pocus
Paper: Black and Fine Linen (PTI)
Ink: Onyx Black (Versafine), Versamark, Black Soot (Ranger Distress)
Accessories: Square Petal Top Box, Petite Scallop Circle and Standard Circle dies (Spellbinders), Netting (Webster's Pages), Black Burlap String (May Arts), Button (PTI), Ferrero Rocher and Ferrero Rondnoir candy

Waltzingmouse Sept. Release ~ Say it Loud/Autumn Winter

2011-09-17T00:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome to day two of this month's Waltingmouse release. First of all, I'm sure you noticed some new DT members yesterday. What a fabulous addition don't you think? I'm thrilled to be designing with Kelly Schirmer, Clare Buswell, and Becca Feeken. They're all uber talented and just as sweet!

Now for today's release. The team is featuring the set Say it Loud/Autumn Winter. If you loved the last Say it Loud release, you're gonna love this one just as much, let me tell you. Fabulous bold sentiments with charming little additions all in caps. I combined the large "Halloween" sentiment with two littler ones, "bring on the" and "treats". LOVE all the possibilities of this set. I also need to mention I used the WMS sketch challenge #65 for today's peek. I love's Anya's sketches. They always leave room for interpretation.

I made this a Halloween card because I'm participating in this month's WMS Blog Waltz and the theme is Halloween. So, I have to confess that I peeked a set a little early. See the witch and the crow silhouette? shhhhhhh.......they're from a set being peeked tomorrow. But I just had to use them for the Waltz. I'm justified....right? *grin*

My witch is framed with an oval from the Ovals-Classic Frames set that was released in August. It's heavily distressed, so the frame is hard to see. The oval background frame was stamped with Lemon whip ink (a muse), and the silhouette was stamped with Onyx Black Versafine ink. The dp is from the Printery Collection by Prima.

Here's a list of the dt members participating today, in case you've missed some along the way.

That about sums up my card for today. I hope you're enjoying the Waltzingmouse Peeks!
Happy Stamping!

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Stamps: Say it Loud/Autumn Winter, Ovals-Classic Frames (Waltzingmouse) Paper: PTI, Printery (Prima) Ink: Onyx Black (Versafine), Lemon Whip (a muse), Black Soot (Ranger Distress) Accessories: Beaded Oval and Grand Labels 11 dies (Spellbinders), Lace (Kaisercraft), Library Clip (SU!), Seam Binding Ribbon (MemrieMare), Black Burlap String, piercing tool

Viva la Verve September Week 3 ~ Miss You

2011-09-16T00:00:00.001-07:00

Click here for the Waltzingmouse Sneak Peek.

I have the distinct privilege of hosting the Viva la Verve Sketch in the Splitcoast Stampers Verve Forum this week!! Click Here for all the details on how you can participate and win some Verve for yourself!!

I knew I wanted to use the set You and I because the letters are just too fun! Especially when paired with the new I Heart U dies. I started off by stamping the letter "U" with Vintage Cream PTI ink onto some corrugated paper, then diecut it with the "U" die from the I Heart U die set. I love how it turned out. I stamped the sentiment "miss", from the You and I set, onto a little banner flag and attached it with some sewing. I also added the heart behind the "U" with the Verve Jotted heart die, and the flower was made with the Spellbinders Rose Creations die.

Can you see the circle border in the background? That was made with one of Spellbinders' new dies called Teardrop Circles.

That about sums up my Verve card for today. I'm also sneak peeking for Waltzingmouse, so head to the top of this post for a link to that post.

Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you have a super fantastic weekend!!
Happy Stamping!

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Stamps: You and I (Verve)
Paper: Portobello Road (Lost & Found MME), Vintage Cream and Spring Rain (PTI), Corrugated
Ink: French Roast (a muse), Vintage Cream (PTI), Brushed Corduroy (Ranger Distress)
Accessories: I Heart U and Jotted heart die (Verve), Teardrop Circles Standard Circle and Rose Creations dies (Spellbinders), Lace (Wild Orchid Crafts), Leaf die (Sizzix), Natural Burlap String (May Arts), Button (PTI), Sewing Machine, Distrezz-it-All (Zutter)

Waltzingmouse Sept. Release ~ A Cottage Home

2011-09-16T00:00:00.000-07:00

Click here for today's Viva la Verve Post.

Claire (Waltzingmouse) has designed the sweetest little cottages for this release! The set we're peeking today is called A Cottage Home. The details are amazing and so intricate, and she's included some wonderful ornate images and beautifully fonted sentiments.

I decided to be "krafty" with my cottage today and embossed it in white. Claire thoughtfully included the front portion of the house as an individual image too, so it's easy to use for dimension.

To complete my CAS card, I just added some Teeny Trees images to the Background with the "Welcome" sentiment that is from this new A Cottage Home set.

Here's the hop list in case you missed any along the way.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Be sure to visit tomorrow. I have two more cards to share with you!
Happy Stamping!!

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Stamps: A Cottage Home and Teeny Trees
Paper: PTI
Ink: Versamark, Lichen, Sky and Lemon Whip (a muse)
Accessories: White Embossing Powder

Thanks a latte...

2011-09-15T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! I have a CCEE Stamper's Blog challenge card to share with you today. Cindy is challenging you stampers to make a pink card with lace on it. I think I followed the rules to a "T" today. *grin* The sweet mug and sentiment are from the new Verve set Better with You. They were stamped with French Roast amuse studio ink. All the dp is from the beautiful Lost and Found MME paper line Blush. I rarely make pink cards, but I so love this paper!! Of course, there's very little My Mind's Eye paper that I don't love. :) The little heart was made using the Verve die set From the Heart.

I used some new "toys" for behind the mug. I love my Spellbinder's dies!! This time I used the Ornate Artisan Tags and Accents that I got from Stamper's Dream. You might want to check out her store. She has a fabulous variety of Spellbinder's Dies.

This card also fits for the Get Your Diva On challenge found HERE. If you'd like to be a guest diva for Verve, this is a challenge for you. All you have to do is make a monochromatic card. Head on over to the Verve forum HERE for all the details.

That's it from me today. Be sure to stop by the next four days. Waltzingmouse is releasing some fabulous new sets the 19th and we're going to start sneak peeking them the 16th. I'm also hosting the Viva la Verve sketch in the Splitcoast Stamper's Verve Forum this week, so I'll have that to share with you tomorrow. There's a lot of stamping fun going on right now!! :)

Thanks for dropping by!
Happy Stamping!!

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Stamps: Better with You
Paper: Vintage Cream and Kraft (PTI), Blush (Lost and Found MME)
Ink: French Roast and Blush (a muse), Brushed Corduroy (Ranger Distress)
Accessories: From the Heart die (Verve), Ornate Artisan Tags and Accents die (Spellbinders), Lace (Lost and Found MME), Pink Burlap String (May Arts), Button (PTI), Rhinestone (Zva Creative), Sewing Machine

Easy Canvas Prints

2011-09-14T03:00:00.000-07:00

A short while ago, I was asked by Easy Canvas Prints if I would like to have a photo of mine made into a canvas print and then write a review of the finished product. After visiting their website I decided I that it sounded like a fun idea. And boy was I right. Their site is so easy to navigate. The only hard part was deciding what photo I wanted to use. I love nature, especially flowers. So I decided to use a photo that I took of a dandelion a while back. Although I was concerned that the light and airy look of the dandelion would not work on the canvas. Well, it worked beautifully!!! I seriously love how it turned out. Here's a photo of my dandelion Picture on Canvas.

I chose to make my Canvas 8"x8". But they offer other sizes as well. You can even customize your own. They also offer different border options as well as different image and color effects. I chose to have my photo wrap around the frame. I like how the picture continues on through the edges.

Here is the canvas up against an old crate that I have in my dining room window. I'm going to eventually hang it up, but I'm shopping for some vintage items, and hope to make a couple more canvas prints to hang with this one. Like I mentioned before, the hard part is choosing a photo to use.

Thank you, Easy Canvas Prints, for letting me try out your product. I love the look and would most definitely recommend putting pictures on canvas using Easy Canvas Prints. I also have to add that I appreciate the quick shipping and the fabulous packing.

Thanks for visiting!!

Thinkin' about ya...

2011-09-13T00:00:00.000-07:00

I have a quick post to share with ya'll today. I made this card for the Teapot Tuesday Challenge over on SCS using the Waltzingmouse Sketch #64 designed by Anya. For the Teapot challenge we were to include flourishes. Well, Waltzingmouse has the most gorgeous flourishes imho, so I set to work to make them the focal point. Our Teapot Destination is fellow SCSer, Michelle, who's had a lot of tough events thrown at her lately. Hope this makes ya smile Michelle!! :)

I started off by embossing flourishes, from the WMS set Flourishes-Scallops and Dots, with black ep, and adding a few I-Rock Rhinestones. I then added a little sentiment flag using the WMS set Frame It, and a banner from the Nested Pennants die by Spellbinders. Lastly, I added a some Black Burlap string and a sweet little butterfly by Pizzazz Aplenty. It's a pretty simple and straightforward card, but I like the simple elegance of it.

Be sure to check out the WMS sketch challenge, and the two newest Mischief Makers Teresa and Renee!! They're both super talented and super sweet!

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Stamps: Flourishes-Scallops and Dots and Frame It (Waltzingmouse)
Paper: PTI
Ink: Versamark and Onyx Black (Versafine)
Accessories: Nested Pennants die (Spellbinders), Corner Rounder, Rhinestones (I-Rock), Burlap String (May Arts), Butterfly (Pizzazz Aplenty)

One Love, One Lifetime

2011-09-12T03:00:00.000-07:00

It's time for another Get Your Diva On challenge over in the Verve forum at Splitcoast Stampers. Would you like to be a guest diva for the next release? All you have to do is make a card following this theme, and link it in the Verve Forum by Sunday the 18th at 9pm mountain. Julee will pick a winner from all the entries.

This month Sankari is challenging us to go monochromatic. I'm not sure if I totally followed that line with the gray added in with the gold/ivory colors. I really tried. Believe me...I so wanted to add some soft blue/green colors (the other side of the dp's I used...:) But I refrained and stuck to these colors. I'm very proud of myself actually...*grin*

I needed an Anniversary card for some dear friends of ours who are celebrating 50 years of marriage. That is so hard to imagine. I haven't even hit the half-way mark yet. I love the set Love Story, so I stamped the "One love, One Lifetime" sentiment, with Onyx Black (Versafine), onto a piece that I first stamped with the lined image from the set Making a Statement. That was stamped with Smokey Gray (Versafine). I then diecut the piece with the Tagged Rectangle die, and added some hearts that I diecut with the Heart die set. I finished it off with some lace, a BoBunny Trinket and some Seam Binding Ribbon.

That about sums up today's card. Be sure to check out the challenge over in the Verve Forum for all the details on how you could be a guest diva!!

Thanks for visiting today.
Have a wonderful week and,
Happy Stamping!!

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Stamps: Love Story and Making a Statement (Verve) Paper: Vintage Cream and Smokey Gray (PTI), Sunshine (Lost & Found MME) Ink: Smokey Gray and Onyx Black (Versafine), Black Soot (Ranger Distress) Accessories: Tagged Rectangle and Heart die set (Verve), Border Punches (MS), Lace (Wild Orchid Crafts), Embellishment Trinket (BoBunny), Seam Binding Ribbon (MemrieMare), Natural Burlap String (May Arts), Scor-Buddy, Dimensional Tape (Scotch)

A Day to Remember!

2011-09-10T10:30:00.000-07:00

Hello! Are you glad the weekend's arrived? I hope you're all getting some rest and as well as some creative time.

Today I made a card using this week's VLV sketch designed by the terrifically talented Amy Sheffer!! My daughter is having her first birthday away from home. She's a Freshman in college and is turning 18, so I made a card for her in her style. She loves black, and isn't a huge flower fan. So, I made a Rosette medallion and attached two Tiny Sweet Scallop tags to it. The sentiments are from the Verve sets Sunny Days and Tag Time.

That's it for today. Have a wonderful weekend!!
Happy Stamping!

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Supplies
Stamps: Sunny Days and Tag Time
Paper: Rosy Lost & Found (MME), Vintage Cream (PTI)
Ink: Black Onyx (Versafine), Black Soot (Ranger Distress), Colorbox
Accessories: Tiny Sweet Scallop (Verve), Mini Paper Rosette (Sizzix-Tim Holtz), Circle die (Spellbinders), Black Burlap String (May Arts), Button (PTI), Lace (Wild Orchid Crafts), Rhinestones (Kaisercraft and I-Rock),Sewing Machine, Border Punch (MS)

Boo!

2011-09-07T09:53:00.000-07:00

Wow! I can't believe it's Thursday already. The day almost snuck up on me! Since it is Thursday, I have a CCEE Stampers challenge card to share with you today. Cindy has challenged us to make a circle card, and stitching has to be included. You don't have to tell me twice. :) I love circle cards, and I love sewing on them. So, I used Wednesday's, Splitcoast Stampers sketch 349, as my starting point, along with the cutest "witch" ever from the Waltzingmouse Stamps set Cicely at Halloween. Isn't she adorable? I paper pieced her with some fun Fancy Pants dp called Oct. 31. I love the turquoise with the smokey gray.

I made the spiderweb bg with an Inverted Scallop die by Spellbinders, and a white Souffle pen, and added some Baker's Twinery twine that I got as a Thank you in my Eclectic Paperie order. Thanks Daisy!! :) I also added a sweet little PTI button and some bats that were made with a Martha Stewart corner punch.

That's it...be sure to check out what the other girls have to share today. We'd love to see your circle cards too. Head on over to the CCEE Stampers blog for all the deets.

Thanks for dropping by!
Happy Stamping!

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Supplies
Stamps: Cicely at Halloween (Waltzingmouse)
Paper: Smokey Gray (PTI), Oct. 31 (Fancy Pants)
Ink: Onyx Black (Versafine), Black Soot (Ranger Distress)
Accessories: Inverted Scalloped Circle, Standard Scalloped Circle, Standard Circle dies (Spellbinders), White Souffle Pen, Baker's Twine (Twinery), Button (PTI), Bats (MS Punch), Sewing Machine