[Waltzingmouse Stamps] Friendly Feature Sneak Peek

Hello Waltzingmouse Stamp fans, friends & newcomers! I received this fabulous email from Lynn a couple of weeks ago. I love getting mail from Lynn, which doesn't happen too often. And when she asked if I would love to do a Friendly Feature I had to pinch myself and check the To: section a few times. Then I did a happy dance!

A few of you may know that I'm packing up and moving. So Lynn caught me in the knick of time to create something. For Waltzingmouse, my fav stamp company? Any day! I may have been willing to unpack all my moving boxes just to do this ;) Just sayin'... Wanna see a sneak peek?

Don't forget to hop over to the Waltzingmouse Stamps blog to say hi and see what I whipped up. If you can guess what stamp set I used from this sneak peek, I'd be very impressed. Leave me your guesses in the comment. And maybe, just maybe, I will send you something sweet. :)

For the Bride & Groom - a Chalkboard Wedding Gift

Hello there. We had a crazy past couple of weeks, which explains the "silence" on the blog. We have been rotating from the Princeton Animal Vet to the Northstar Vet Hospital with Jojo. She has been going through a spell where she doesn't eat, drink and has gotten so dehydrated and so weak she couldn't even walk or roll over from her back. It's breaking our hearts that we don't know what's ailing her and we hope that this time around they can come up with a diagnosis. She is currently still in the ICU and any prayers that you can send our ways would be greatly appreciated. 

But I am here to share with you a little chalk-board inspiration that I worked on. It was a present for my girlfriend's wedding. We are gifting them a 1-hr photo shoot and I wanted to create a hand-made little gift certificate. Here is what the chalkboard-part looks like.


Stamps: (Big Day - Additions, Ovals - Classic Frames, Cameo To Go) Neat & Tangled
Paper: (Paper Basics Card Stock - True Black) Papertrey Ink
Ink: (Memento - Tuxedo Black, London Fog) Tsukineko
Embellishments: (Soft-core Color Pencils) Prismacolor; (Gelly Roll - White) Sakura; (Border Punch - Postage Stamps) Fiskars

I created a portrat with his and hers. In hindsight I could have used the Cameo Creations, but this hopefully brings the point across that it's a portrait session for the bride & groom.



This part we then added into a wedding frame and wrapped into a gift. (I haven't figured out how to take a picture of glossy things from straight ahead without getting myself into the picture).



Here is a picture of the frame from an angle - a little cleaner and nicer.



I hope to get my December Daily sometime done and get underway with my Project Life 2013 album. Anyone else not done with those? Ahh - I'm always catching up it seems!

[DYSU] Challenge #104 - Final Challenge: Turquoise

Hello DYSUers. I'm writing my greeting with a heavy heart, because this is the last time I get to make that little shout out. If you have been following us, you know this is our last challenge. I have had an amazing time here on the DYSU team and I have a few things I wanted to say "thank you" on this little blog-o:

• To my team mates (current & past members) - you have been super wonderful in every way: the inspirations that you deliver, the camaraderie, the new friendships, and the wonderful support from this group is one of a kind. I really will be staying in touch!
• To the many supporters & fans: you have made this challenge fun, kept returning every week for more, and given it your creative all. Thank you to you guys for also making this an place full of inspiration & beautiful creations
• To the amazing sponsors: without your generosity, we would not have been able to make all these great projects and been able to reward our fantastic players. I also had a chance to work with many of you, who have been absolutely fabulous.
• Last to Alison: the brave, creative woman who started this all and given me a chance of a lifetime when she picked me to be on the team. I wish you much luck, success and happiness with your stamp company TAWS and TAWS Challenge.

Before I start tearing up, I better get to my card for this last challenge. We like to go out on a bang, so I decided to make a card that celebrates the DYSU journey. This particular digi is actually from the talented Elizabeta Kushner. If she sounds familiar, it's because she makes her own Craotian Stamps, designs for The Craft Meow, and runs an Etsy store for non-profit. If you are interested in reading more about Elizabeta's non-profit initiate, please read here. I really learned a lot about Elizabeta's initiative and am really inspired by her.


Stamps: (Doodled Leaves) Elizabeta Kushner; (Say It Loud) Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper: (Paper Basics Card Stock - Kraft, White; Stamper's Select Vellum) Papertrey Ink
Ink: (Versamark) Tsukineko
Embellishments: (Soft-core Color Pencils) Prismacolor; (Gelly Roll - White) Sakura; (Stamp 'n Stuff Embossing Powder - White) Stampendous!

First I printed off the design on kraft card stock and colored in all the leaves in an array of greens, blues, aquas and turquoise. Then ran a white gel pen over each contour. The whole coloring session was quite therapeutic, since I got to listen to Christmas music in the background (Pandora set to "Transiberian Orchestra" station).

The kraft panel is mounted on a bit of white card stock, and the vellum strip is heat embossed with a bold sentiment. I think the vellum gives it a nice way to re-introduce the white in levels of intensity (e.g. vellum for transparent white, followed by a heat embossed strong white). I like this look, since the details of the leaves (and the sweat & effort in the detailing) are not hidden behind a strip of solid card stock. But that's just my two cents ;)



Remember that is our last challenge, so link up and help us go out on a bang. Let's make this a celebration and come leave a sweet comment to our two special Guest Designers: Please welcome Jessi Fogan and Deborah Frings - two of our most faithful players since I have joined the team. Last, I'd like to invite you to hop on over to see the amazing creations by the rest of the DYSU team. It's your last time to leave the Design Team some love :)

This week's sponsor:

Rhoda Design Studio

* $15 gift certificate to spend on Cutting Files or Digis

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps

* $10 Gift Certificate

The Stamping Boutique

* Winner's Choice of 3 Digis

Elizabeta Kushner 

* Winner's Choice of 3 Digis

[The Ribbon Reel] Challenge #42 - Pastel Christmas

Hello everyone! I'm rounding out my guest designer spot with The Ribbon Reel with my second and last post for this November. It really has been fun creating projects for this group. Keilly and I had a little bit of a mail schedule mishap, so I wasn't able to showcase all of her trims in full glory last time. But this time you get to see some of the beautiful, lovely trim that I received. 

This week we're prepping for Christmas + The Colors (Baby Blue, Pink & Cream) + some Bling. 

I decided to ink up some of my older Brilliance ink pads for this one, and pull up some shimmery blue card stock.


Stamps: (Nutcracker Sweet) Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper: (Paper Basics Card Stock - Blue Shimmer; Perfect Match Card Stock - Vintage Cream) Papertrey Ink
Ink: (15mm Sheer Ruffle Edge - Pink, Small Pom Pom Trim - Ivory) The Ribbon Reel;
(Brilliance - Pearlescent Orchid; Memento - London Fog) Tsukineko
Embellishments: (Nestabilities - Picot Edge Circles) Spellbinders; (Stickles - Baby Blue) Ranger; (Pastel White Gel Pen) American Crafts

I inked up this fun little Christmas tree with some Brilliance pink ink (which in reality isn't as saturated magenta as on this picture). It has a nice shimmer sheen that matches the blue shimmer card stock. The bling to the tree is a bit of baby blue glitter accents. The trim is a combination of two trims from The Ribbon Reel, that layers the Small Pom Pom onto the Sheer Ruffle Edge ribbon.



The background is stamped in Versamark with some flourishes. I love the soft but elegant look that the background leaves. The trim is the perfect shade of aqua that I found in my stash. A bit of twine & button topped with a pearl and a beautiful pearl swirl, and the whole card is kinda done. Just a quick, elegant sentiment to tie the whole card together...



Make sure to stop by the rest of The Ribbon Reel's team...These girls have a lot of talent! And thank you again, Keilly, for letting me part of this fun experience!

[Paperplay Challenge] Week 47 - Sweet Angel

Note: If you are looking for DYSU Challenge - please keep scrolling :)

Hi there! It's another fun challenge at Paperplay Challenges. We are getting ready for the winter holidays & Christmas season by making Sweet Angels. One thing I realized is that I actually do not own many angel stamps or digis. I managed to find this one from my digi stash and am so grateful I ran across it.


Stamps: (Barry Angle) The Stamp Fairy; (Say It Loud - Winter Holiday) Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper: (Paper Basics Card Stock - Spring Rain) Papertrey Ink; (Basic Card Stock - White) Recollection
Ink: (Memento - Tuxedo Black; Brilliance - Pearlescent Sky Blue) Tsukineko
Embellishments: (Premium Ribbon - Baker's Twine) American Crafts; (The Sweetest Thing - Honey "Love" Decorative Tape) My Mind's Eye; (Stamp & Stick Glitter Ultrafine Prisma) Palette; (Point 88) Stabilo; (Soft-core Color Pencils) Prismacolor

I colored this cute little bear in the gray & blue color scheme, to make the halo, stars and cloud stand out. What do you think? This angel bear wings is also dusted with some fine iridescent glitter...



I decided to give this sentiment a two stamp treatment: stamped the sentiment "Peace" first in black, then with pearlescent blue pigment ink. Then I divided the image and sentiment space with a bit of twine. Lastly, since the card was a little plain, I moved the front panel to the right, and then ran a bit of washi tape along the left.



That's all I have for you now. Go see what the other PPC girls did on this challenge. They will absolutely knock your socks off...! Hope you will be playing along with us this week...!

Our sponsor this week:

• Whiff of Joy

[The Ribbon Reel] Challenge #41 - Crochet

Hello everyone! My first post back since Hurrican Sandy... and I'm here with a treat for you. I'm here guest designing with The Ribbon Reel. Keilly and the rest of the team have been so generous to offer me a spot. This challenge demands (Crochet Lace or Crochet Flower) + Button + (Ribbon or Lace). 

So I decided to try my hand at creating a lace dress as a card for a wedding greeting card.


Stamps: (You're Lovely, Fancy Flourishes & Scallops & Dots, Big Day Additions) Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper: (Paper Basics Card Stock - Dark Chocolate, Aqua Mist) Papertrey Ink
Ink: (Versamark) Tsukineko; (Jenni Bowlin - No. 11 Brown Sugar) Ranger;
Embellishments: (Lace Tape - White, Cream) Decollections; (Vintage Button - Dark Chocolate; Bakers Twine - Dark Chocolate) Papertrey Ink; (5th Avenue - Sophia Trims) Making Memories; (Precision Pen 05 - Brown) American Crafts; (Crystal Stickers - Pearls) Mark Richards; (Say It With Crystals - Swirls Cream) Prima Marketing

I inked up a piece of scrap card stock and stamped on the dress. Then I layered the crochet trim one row by row on with the cream, and the top with the white. Brilliantly, the top corset portion is the same as on the dress form, so I was able to stamp off the top part of the wedding dress with it. Then I carefully inked the crochet lace again with the ink and added some pearls to the top.



The background is stamped in Versamark with some flourishes. I love the soft but elegant look that the background leaves. The trim is the perfect shade of aqua that I found in my stash. A bit of twine & button topped with a pearl and a beautiful pearl swirl, and the whole card is kinda done. Just a quick, elegant sentiment to tie the whole card together...



Make sure to stop by the rest of The Ribbon Reel's team...These girls are a whole lot of talent! And thank you again, Keilly, for letting me part of this fun experience!


And since Linda over at Catered Crop is having an "Arsenic & Old Lace Recipe Swap" challenge, I would like to add my little card into this challenge round. Thanks for peeking!

[Uniko Studio] Super FREE Saturday - Season's Greetings

Good morning, everyone! I'm so excited to be debuting today for Uniko Studio's Digital Design Team. Thank you Beverley for this wonderful opportunity!  

As you may already know, Beverley puts out some Free (yes, FREE) digital files up on Saturday. And because there is no name more perfect than "Super FREE Saturday" Yep - another exciting monthly event to pencil into your calendars :)

So this month, Uniko Studio has a really fun winter holiday set called "hohoho - let it snow." You can find the download here.

I made a CAS-style card with some of the goodies in this digital file.


Stamps: (hohoho) Uniko Studio; (Complements of the Seasons) Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper: (Paper Basics Card Stock - Pure Poppy, White) Papertrey Ink
Ink: (Memento - Tuxedo Black; Versamark Pen) Tsukineko
Embellishments: (Vintage Button - Pure Poppy; Rustic Cream Twine) Papertrey Ink; (Fabric Tape - 05 Stripe) E2 Daily; (Embossing Powder - White) Stampendous!; (Gelly Roll - White) Sakura; (Rhinestones) Best Occasions; (Smaller Rhinestones) Memory Box

Forgive the picture quality...Florian is off on a business trip and decided to take the good camera with the house. I lost out on convincing him that the camera had to stay because of the card making; it's like dealing with custody...of a camera ;) 

Anyways - I printed off this beautiful Christmas bauble twice - once on white, and once on the red card stock. Then I took the gel white pen and colored in the little pieces on the two smaller snowflakes. These pieces were quite small...



Then I finally took out my Versamark Pen and filled in the larger bubbles and sprinkled them with white embossing power, heated it to set, and voila - some texture. I added some appropriate bling to the center of the snowflakes and fuzzy cut around them.



The strip comes from one of the pattern papers in the set. Chevrons are very in right now, and this set comes with a red & white polka dot, and some red & white stripes. What I love the most about Uniko Studio's Digital products is the fact that all the digital papers come in A4 sizes (for the European market) and in Letter size (for the US market). Easy peasy for everyone - no resizing needed! 

Now, please hop on over to the other lovely ladies

• Aimes
• Amber
• Beverley (owner)
• Gayatri
• Kerry
• Stacey
• Erika
• Nicki

They are also a few new members to the Uniko Studio team and would love a warm welcome. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy your Freebie :)


PS. In case you didn't know, Uniko is having a Autumn Sale that ends Nov 1... Just saying... ;)

[DYSU] Challenge #95 - Embossing

Good morning, DYSU-ers! I've sick and under the weather. I had a great Saturday and then it all went downhill from there. Spend a few days working from my bed and home desk, but there is no rest for the wicked.

Anyways, here at DYSU we're challenging you with Embossing - Heat & Dry. I got a wonderful Robyn's Fetish image. Isn't this teapot just divine?


Stamps: (Afternoon Tea Sentiments) Waltzingmouse Stamps; (Teapot) Robyn's Fetish
Paper: (Paper Basics Card Stock - Rustic Cream) Papertrey Ink
Ink: (Memento - Tuxedo Black) Tsukineko; (Jenni Bowlin - No. 4 Lemon Drops) Ranger;
Embellishments: (Vellum) Papertrey Ink; (Soft-core Color Pencils) Prismacolor; (A2 Cuttlebug Embossing Folder - Fleur De Lis) Provocraft; (Crochet Trim) Waltzingmouse Stamps; (Nestabilities - Labels Eighteen) Spellbinders

I embossed a piece of vellum by inking up the embossing folder with some Lemon Drops. It gave it  a nice letter press impression. The teapot is colored in some cream for the aged porcelain, and some purple to make it pop. I used a piece of gorgeous lace trim from Waltzingmouse Stamps. Here a close up...



That's all I have or you now. I'd like to invite you to hop on over to see the amazing creations by the rest of the DYSU team. Please leave them a loving comment, because they do appreciate some blog love :)

On a last note, if you're a regular reader, don't forget to answer the survey in the top right panel and if you want to play along with in the current open QuAC challenge feel free to. Just a few more days left to show our love for Fall season...

This week's sponsor:

Robyn's Fetish!

* Winner's Choice of 5 Digital Stamps

      Birdie Brown

*Winner's Choice of 3 Digital Stamps

Paper Pretties

* Winner's Choice of 6 Digital Images

[DYSU] Challenge #93 - Anything on Wheels

Good morning, DYSU fans! Yesterday we had a wonderful day. It was Florian's Birthday and I managed to pull off a surprise birthday dinner for him. He thought it was just the two of us going to dinner. He even confirmed with me three days ago and I just nodded when he asked "Just the two of us?" and hurried on to continue to my task to make sure I didn't give away anything. You see, I'm a horrible liar - I have tell-tale signs that my sweetie can tell ;)

I'm waiting for friends to give me pictures. I hope there are a few good ones out there of us catching Florian by surprise. In the meantime, here is Florian cutting his (Oh this tastes like heaven) cake. It was bought from Paris Baguette and it's called a Strawberry Chocolate Cake. If you don't know this store and there is one near you, go run to it...now. And make sure to try the Milk Custard.

I made this card for him today and laid it out next to his wallet for him to see this morning. I thought it was cutsey but manly enough. I decided to leave off the ribbon, the  glitter, and any of the other girlies...


Stamps: (Half Pint Heroes) Waltzingmouse Stamps; (Celebrate) Studio Calico & Hero Arts
Paper: (Paper Basics Card Stock - Fine Linen) Papertrey Ink; (Wander) Basic Grey
Ink: (Memento - London Fog) Tsukineko; (Jenni Bowlin - No. 11 Brown Sugar, No. 4 Lemon Drops) Ranger;
Embellishments: (Soft-core Color Pencils) Prismacolor; (Vintage Button - Dark Chocolate) Papertrey Ink; (Black & Gray Chevron Washi) Freckled Fawn

The background paper is pretty awesome. It's from the Wander collection from Basic Grey and I decided to cut out part of the city scape out. The next challenging part was to find a car color that didn't fight with this crazy, bold city scape. I opted for yellow. Maybe I should have picked a teal or a blue. But hey - live and learn. At least the yellow at it's own way of popping.



That's all I have or you now. I'd like to invite you to hop on over to see the amazing creations by the rest of the DYSU team. Please leave them a loving comment, because they do appreciate some blog love :)

On a last note, if you're a regular reader, don't forget to answer the survey in the top right panel and if you want to play along with in the current open QuAC challenge feel free to. Just a few more days left...

This week's sponsor:

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps

* $10 Gift Certificate

Jelly Park

* Winner's Choice of 10 Digis

Pink Cat Studio

* Winner's Choice of 5 Digis

[DYSU] Challenge #91 - Scallops

Good morning, DYSU fans! I'm a little short on time, so no long drawn out updates ;) This week we are challenging you with a classic: Scallop. So let's get started?


Stamps: (Fruit Barrow) Crafty Sentiments; (Big Bloom - Chrysanthemums) Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper: (Paper Basics Card Stock - Fresh Linen) Papertrey Ink; (Miss Caroline "Dolled Up") My Mind's Eye; (orange) scraps
Ink: (Jenni Bowlin - No. 11 Brown Sugar) Ranger; (Versamark) Tsukineko
Embellishments: (Soft-core Color Pencils) Prismacolor; (Nestabilities - Classic Scalloped Circles Small) Spellbinders; (Impression Plate - Woodgrain; Jute Button Twine; Vintage Button Collection - Brown) Papertrey Ink; (A2 Embossing Cuttlebug Folder - Swiss Dots) Provocraft; (Border Punch - Scalloped Sentiment) Fiskars; (Perfect Pearls - Perfect Copper) Ranger; (Gelly Roll - Metallic Collection) Sakura

I embossed the main panel with swiss dots. The panel is stamped with Versamark and then dusted with Perfect Pearls Copper as well as trimmed with a border punch with scalloped sentiment shape. The main scalloped circle is impressed with woodgrain plate for added texture. The fruit barrow is colored with Prismacolor color pencils and paper pieced with some My Mind's Eye.



The sentiment is from Waltzingmouse Stamps and the rest of the embellishments are from Papertrey Ink. Quick way to anchor a sentiment.



That's all I have for you! Hop on over to see the amazing creations by the rest of the DYSU team. Please leave them a loving comment, because they do appreciate some blog love :)

On a last note, if you're a regular reader, don't forget to answer the survey in the top right panel and if you want to play along with in the current open QuAC challenge feel free to. Just a few more days left...

This week's sponsor:

Crafty Sentiments

* Winner's Choice of 4 Images

Little Claire Designs

*$15 Gift Certificate for Digis

Rhoda Design Studio

* $15 Gift Certificate on Cutting Files or Digis

Hello

This is a quick post, because I wanted to enter this CR84FN challenge. If you haven't seen, Mona is having a DT call. When you see the team line up and if you know Mona, you'd jump at the occasion to join the team. It's absolutely a line up of wonderful girls, and Mona herself is one of the first online crafting people I have "met" through the Waltzingmouse Stamps DT team. She is always encouraging and sweet. So any chance to be working with Mona? Count me in...


Stamps: (Big Blooms - Chrysanthemums) Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper: (Paper Basics Card Stock - Fresh Linen, Lavender Moon) Papertrey Ink
Ink: (Versamark) Tsukinkeo; (Jenni Bowlin - No. 5 Chicken Feed Drops, No. 13 Lavender Sachet) Ranger
Embellishments: (Glaze) Sakura; (3/8" Topnotch Twill Tape - Fresh Linen) Papertrey Ink; (My Sweetest Things - Tangerine "Together" Decorative Tape) My Mind's Eye; (Wood Flags - Hello) Jillibean Soup

I will come back and provide a little more pictures and a description of how the peach colored chrysanthemum was created. But it's late here and I wanted to make sure I snuck this card in on time :)

If you're interested to apply, you have plenty of time! Thank you, Mona, for the chance to apply! Wohoo...