House Mouse Winter Wonderland

Happy Monday stampy friends!

Let's get in shape for the week, shall we! Over on the House-Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge Blog for challenge #228, I have a fun theme for everyone: "Shape It Up"  Create a shaped card.

The new Die'sire Create-A-Card card base dies from Crafter's Companion are PERFECT for making a shaped card in a snap! I used the set called Rosie. It has 6 dies of the same shape in various sizes.

My House-Mouse image (which is as cute as they come!) is stamped and heat embossed on Spectrum Aqua Watercolor Cardstock. Then  I watercolored with Spectrum Aqua Markers. I LOVE these markers!

Marker colors: Desert, Charcoal, Sepia, Spice, Chestnut, Boulder, Begonia, Scarlet, Fawn, Teal, Peach, Tan, Slate and Black.

By heat embossing the image, it made it super easy to watercolor. The embossed raised edges help keep the color from bleeding into other areas. The sentiment stamp is from Crafter's Companion Nordic Christmas - Cool Christmas Stamp Set.

The Spectrum Aqua markers are dual-tipped – at one end, there’s a soft brush nib for flexible line control and a more natural art surface feel. And at the other, a precise fine tip for definition and accurate line work.

I can't tell you enough how awesome that fine tip end is for coloring in very small areas. It worked great for the branches and the little mice hands. I used a lightly dampened small watercolor brush to blend it out.

The fine tip end of the black Aqua Marker was also perfect to color the little string tied from the nut shell to the mouse.

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You can get more info on the Spectrum Aqua markers on the Spectrum Noir Blog.

To join in on the House-Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge - Shape It Up Chalenge - click HERE for all the details.

Have a fun day!

Supplies: 
Spectrum Aqua Markers
Spectrum Aqua Watercolour Cardstock
House-Mouse Stamp - Reindeer Games
Crafter's Companoin Nordic Christmas - Cool Christmas Stamp Set
Crafter's Companion Die'sire Create-A-Card "Rosie" Die
Gemini Die-cutting Machine
Versafine Onyx Black Ink
Clear Embossing Powder
Anti-Static Powder
Heat Embossing Gun
Crystal Glitter
Art Glitter Faux Snow
Liquid Adhesive
Dimensional Foam Adhesives
Woodgrain Printed Designer paper
Heavy Red Jute Twine or Cording
Ranger Distress Ink - Ground Espresso
Ink Blending Tool

House-Mouse Blog Hop Challenge Mid-Way

Hey House-Mouse fans. I'm back again for the 2nd week of the fantastic Mouse-Mouse & Friends Blog Hop Challenge with Stampendous and the wonderful Stampendous Design Team  -- plus the Woodware Craft Collection Design Team (distributors of Stampendous and Dreamweaver Stencils in the UK) and The Stencil Specialists (distributors of Stampendous and Dreamweaver Stencils in Australia) . Get all the deets on the House-Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge Blog.

Once again I used my new Peacock Background Deamweaver Stencil from Stampendous. I thought it matched perfectly with the flower stalks on the House-Mouse Lavender Dreams stamp.

Last week I used ink sprays with this same stencil (see here). This time I used Dreamweaver Translucent Stencil Embossing Paste with Desert Grass Embossing Powder from Stamp A Mania on top. I love using these embossing powders with the paste. The colors are intense and the powder also has ultra fine glitter mixed in. It's super duper sparkly.

I colored with House-Mouse image using Spectrum Noir Blendable Colored Pencil with Blending Solution and Paper Stumps.

• Mouse Skin 005, 008, 009
• Mouse Fur on Left 087, 103
• Mouse Fur on Right 112, 117
• Flowers 038, 079, 082 
• Stems 058, 060, 117
• Yellow Shading 011

To see how I color the mice - check out my tutorial on the Spectrum Noir Blog.

On top of the flowers, and on areas of the stencil background, I added a custom blend mixture of Flower Soft - Lavender, Meadow, Ultrafine White, Ultra Fine Pine and Diamond Range Amethyst. I also dusted a bit of glitter on top while the glue was still wet.

See more great samples our design team came up for our mid-week post HERE.
Visit the challenge post to get all blog hop details HERE.




Happy Crafting!

House-Mouse Challenge Blog Hop

Hello there House-Mouse fans! I've got exciting news! We are teaming up the amazing Stampendous Design Team plus the Woodware Craft Collection Design Team (distributors of Stampendous and Dreamweaver Stencils in the UK) AND The Stencil Specialists (distributors of Stampendous and Dreamweaver Stencils in Australia) for a HUGE Blog Challenge Blog Challenge Hop! FUN STUFF!

This special challenge hop will continue on for 2 weeks! There will be daily posts and inspiration, so make sure to check in daily for loads of great fun and more chances to win.

House-Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge #216 - Use Stencils with your House-Mouse Designs images. (Or you play along with the challenge and blog hop using our alternate theme option of "anything goes".)

For all the challenge, hop and prize details, visit the HMFMCB.

I used a great Dreamweaver Stencil from Stampendous. It's called Peacock Background. The House-Mouse stamp I used is a Happy Hopper image called Relaxing Bubbles.

I colored the image with Spectrum Noir Markers. I also added some Spectrum Noir Sparkle Pens on top of bubbles and on the ground under the tub.

For the background, I masked off the bottom of a stencil to leave a white space. I used 4 different colors of Dylusions Ink Sprays on the Peacock Feathers Background Stencil. After the inks were dry, I placed the cleaned off stencil back over the panel and then spritz with a clear shimmer spray. Really turned out fun! Once the stencil panel was completely dry...I diecut with a stitched rectangle die.

You can find all the links to our Blog Hop over on the main House-Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge Blog or use my list below:

Stampendous
Woodware Craft Collection
The Stencil Specialists
House-Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge Blog

America

Beth Brovold

Christine Craig
Diane Williams

Dorte Kvist

Karin van Eijk

Kate Wiles

Lori Barnett <<<<----- You are HERE

Snoopy

Sue Drees

Sue Kment

Torrey Moseley

IMPORTANT: This is a CHALLENGE blog hop. You are not entered to win simply by commenting on the blog posts. You MUST create a project and link it to the Linky Tool on the HMFMCB website.



Hope you can join us for some "House-Mouse and Stencil" fun :)

Rain or Shine

Good morning friends! Today starts a new challenge over at House-Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge Blog...and I'm the hostess.

House-Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge #213 - Rain or Shine
I can't wait to see what YOU come up with for my theme. Get creative as you want with your House-Mouse & Friends images. Click HERE for challenge details, rules and prize info.

I had the perfect stamp for this challenge theme.

This stamp pretty much takes up the entire front of an A2 card. To get it layered, I did trim it down just a tad. You all know how much I love glitter and bling, so I added glossy accents to the raindrops and sprinkled crystal glitter on top. It's soooo sparkly!

The sentiment is from Great Impressions. It worked out perfectly with this stamp for the challenge. I colored everything (even the little wooden hearts) with my Spectrum Noir Blendable Pencils.

Spectrum Noir Blendable Colored Pencils:

• Flowers, Leaves, Stems - 014, 056, 058, 023, 026, 118
• Mailbox Wood Post - 094, 108
• Mailbox - 112, 114, 118, 120
• Skin - 005, 009, 008
• Fur - 087, 088, 094, 103, 108, 110
• Sky - 074
• Wood Hearts - 023, 026

Hop on over the the House-Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge Blog to see all the other design team projects. They are amazing...and I'm sure you will be inspired!

Our generous sponsor for this challenge is STAMPENDOUS!

Winner will receive a Fabulous $20 Value Reward Card

Need help coloring the House-Mouse mice? Check out the tutorial I did a while back over on the Spectrum Noir Blog.

I can't wait to see what YOU come up with for my challenge theme!

Supplies:
House-Mouse Designs - Special Delivery Stamp
Stickable Stamps by Great Impressions - #D504S Sentiment Stamp
Spectrum Noir Blendable Colored Pencils
Spectrum Noir Blending Solution
Spectrum Noir Blending Stumps
Spectrum Noir Paper Stumps File
Spectrum Noir Pencil Sharpener
Spectrum Noir Ultra Smooth Premium White Cardstock
Stitched Die
Freckled Fawn Wood Embellishments
Ranger Multi-Matte Medium
A Muse Studio Grass Cardstock
Bazzill Grey Cardstock
Memento Tuxedo Black Dye Ink
Versafine Onyx Black Ink
Glossy Accents
Crystal Glitter
Dimensional Foam Adhesive
Die-cutting/Embossing Machine

Trick or Treat House-Mouse

Me again. I have a tutorial for you over the Spectrum Noir Blog. It's step-by-step showing to make the super easy background on this Halloween card.
 

Not into making Halloween Cards? Not a problem. This background can be switched up and made into any theme you like. That's what is great about being a stamper...right? ;)

The sentiment is stamped and heat embossed with Vivid Green Embossing Powder. The House-Mouse images are stamped, colored, trimmed and adhered with foam adhesive. Everything is colored with Spectrum Noir Markers: Black, FS2, FS3, GB8, GB9, IG2, IG4, IG6, IG8, IG10, GB1, GB3, GB5, OR2, CT2, CT4

Hop on over to the Spectrum Noir Blog an to check out my tutorial. Leave a quick comment so I know you stopped by. I'd love to her from you!

Have a happy day,

Supplies:
Spectrum Noir Markers
Craftwell eBrush (with Spectrum Noir Marker adapter)
Wide Art Masking Tape (or other low-tack stamping mask paper)
Crafter's Companion Circle Die
White Cardstock
Stampabilities Sentiment Stamp
Hero Arts Tree Stamp
House-Mouse Halloween Stamp
VersaMark Ink Pad
Memento Tuxedo Black Ink Pad
Black Soot Distress Ink Pad
Stampendous! Vivid Green Embossing Powder
Anti-Static Pouch
Heat Embossing Tool
Black and Green Cardstock
A Mue Studio Orange polka dot A2 Notecard
Fence Border Punch
Sequins and Rhinestones

House-Mouse and Friends 200th Challenge - Blog Candy Party

I can't believe it! We are celebrating our 200th House-Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge! Isn't that amazing?! Our blog started back in August of 2008! I am honored not only to be part of this wonderful team, but to have been on this team since the very beginning.  You can see my very first post HERE. I've come a looooog way in my coloring skills since then!

To celebrate, we are having a Blog Candy Party. The prizes are hidden throughout the design teams blogs. We want to spread the LOVE amongst all of our awesome players worldwide, so we will need your help to sort the yummy CANDY. Please help us by adding the NAME of the Country in which you live in next to your own name, on your challenge entry. To be entered for a chance to win, simply leave comments on the design teams blogs, follow our challenge blog and enter a project into this challenge.

***Please read ALL the details on how to enter for the blog candy over on the House-Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge Blog.


And now for our 200th Challenge:  Color Theme: Yellow, Blue and White
Create anything using this fun colour combo on your design. Or, simply go with the alternate option of *ANYTHING GOES*! Either way you choose, just have fun and play along using stamps, CD collections and, or, decoupage by HMD.

I made this card to celebrate.

Isn't that Gruffie Bear so cute?! He is colored with markers.

Don't forget to leave a comment here on my blog to be entered for the blog candy.

Happy Celebrating!

For Prize eligibility, you must BECOME A *FOLLOWER* of HMFMC.

Enter as often as you'd like, but your projects MUST BE NEW creations and should be submitted by Midnight EST, on Saturday, August 15th , 2015.

Thanks for the Lift

Happy Monday friends. It's time for another House-Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge! This time I'm hosting. I hope you have time to play along.

House-Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge #198 - Sketch

Create a project based on the sketch layout. Your take can be literal - or your own creative interpretation. Feel free to turn the sketch horizontal, or make it into a shaped card. Add more layers, swap out the thought bubble for a cloud or flower, or other embellishment. Keep it simple like the layout, or pile on the goodies! Get creative! As long as we can see that you followed the sketch, have the main elements, and of course use House-Mouse Designs stamps, CD collection images or decoupage, you are good to go.

***NOTE that ALL challenges also have the alternate option of *ANYTHING GOES* too. Easy for you to come play along. Enter your NEW special projects that use stamps, CD collections and, or, decoupage by House-Mouse Designs®.

For further details and information please visit the challenge blog.

I colored with pencils and added some clear glitter pen on the strawberries. The sentiment is stamped and embossed.

Adding the little mouse foot prints is always so cute! To make the strawberries shine, I colored over with Versamark Marker Pen, added clear embossing power and heat embossed.

I can't wait to see all the creations based on my sketch. Have fun!

Star Spangled Mice

Oh do I love my House-Mouse. Here's a card I made for the House-Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge Blog.

Challenge #196 - Holiday. Choose any holiday you like.

I did all my coloring with Spectrum Noir Blendable Colored Pencils and Blending Solution.

Pencil Colors:

• Skin - 005, 008, 009
• Fur - Left Mouse 108, 110
• Fur - Middle Mouse 112, 117
• Fur - Right Mouse 91, 89
• Flag - 073, 071, 027, 033, 115
• Stars - 017
• Sky - 065, 115
• Ground - 115, 112

The stamp is from Stampendous and it's called Star Spangled Mice. Adorable! I also drew a star and colored it with the 017 pencil. All the stars are then covered with Bananan Glitter from Art Glitter. The sentiment banner is also hand cut.
Get all the challenge details over on the House-Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge Blog.
Check out my tutorial on how to color a House-Mouse Image over on the Specrum Noir Blog.


 Happy a mice day,

Supplies:
House-Mouse Designs® Star Spangled Mice Stamp
Versafine Onyx Black Ink
Spectrum Noir Ultrasmooth Premium White Cardstock
Crafter's Companion Kraft Cardstock
A Muse Studio Blueberry and Cherry cardstock
Spectrum Noir Colored Pencils
Spectrum Noir Pencil Blending Kit
Art Glitter Bananan Glitter
Glue Pen
Red Twine
Stitched Boarder Die
Black Micron Pen
Dimensional Foam Adhesive

House-Mouse Coloring Tutorial

Hello everyone. Go grab your Spectrum Noir Blendable Colored Pencils -- because I've got a coloring tutorial for you over on the Spectrum Noir Blog.

Coloring House-Mouse

In case you didn't know, I absolutely LOVE House-Mouse stamps. I've been on the House-Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge Design Team since it started, back in 2008. I also used to teach classes on how to color these adorable images. Yep...I love these furry little friends :)

My absolute favorite way to color House-Mouse mice is with colored pencils. The tutorial takes you step-by-step on how to color the image using the fantastic Spectrum Noir Blendable Colored Pencils. It's so fun to see a plain stamped image come to life right before your eyes! I hope you give it a try. Here's a peek:

 Amazing how it goes from that to this...

Hop on over to the Spectrum Noir Blog to see the tutorial. Leave a comment and let me know you stopped by.

If you're looking to add some of the wonderful House-Mouse Designs® stamps to your collection, Stampendous! is the hook-up! Click HERE to go directly to the House-Mouse stamps shopping category.


Happy Coloring!

Cheering You On!

Hey everyone. I had an explosion of dots in my craft room! HA! That's because the theme for the next challenge over at House-Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge Blog is Dotty for Dots!

 I LOVE all shiny sequins against the pure white card base. No extra layers of paper on this. Just the card base with stamping, sequins and ribbon. The border at the bottom is stamped. I used BT7 Spectrum Noir Marker to color the blue at the bottom. Cool, huh?! The sentiment is from a set called Hand Lettered Encouragement from Simon Says Stamp. I stamped with Memento Luxe Love Letter Red ink and embossed with Judi Kins Cherry Twinkle Embossing Powder.

My House-Mouse image, called Party Mouse, is also colored with Spectrum Noir Markers. I colored over the hat with Clear Wink of Stella.

• Skin FS3, FS4, CR3
• Fur BG2, BG6
• Hat CR2,CR6, CR8, BT7

 

EEEK! Soooo CUTE! This card can be used for any kind of celebration. You could even switch out the sentiment - or personalize it with a name. It's also a great design to have the kids join in for some card making. I totally felt like a kid putting all those shiny little dots of sequins all over the place!

Get all the challenge and prize details for our Dotty for Dots Challenge on the House-Mouse & Friends Challenge Blog HERE. The challenges go for 2 weeks, so you have plenty of time.

Have a great day,

Supplies
House-Mouse Stamp - Monica - Party Mouse
Outlines Rubber Stamp - dots and scallop border
Simon Says Stamp - Hand Lettered Encouragement
Neenah Cardstock
Memento Tuxedo Black Ink
Memento Luxe Love Letter Red Ink
Spectrum Noir Markers
Sequins from Lawn Fawn, Pretty Pink Posh and A Muse Studio
A Muse Studio Sheer Black Ribbon
Clear Wink of Stella
Judi Kins Cherry Twinkle Embossing Powder
Anti-Static Pouch
Glossy Accents (to adhere sequins)
Heat Embossing Tool

Spring is in the Air

Hello friends. I can't believe it's MARCH! That means Spring is just around the corner. Here's a card I colored for our new  challenge that starts today over at House-Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge Blog. Spring is the theme.

I colored with Spectrum Noir Markers, and I'm super happy with how the coloring turned out on the mouse.  Here's how I colored:

Spectrum Noir Markers:
Mouse skin FS1, FS2, TN3, CR3
Mouse Fur GB8, EB6
Butterfly BG6, CT1, CT3, GB6, PL1, PL3, LV1
Background IB1, IB2, CT1, Blender

I stamped the grass and flowers with a few different inks color, for a colorful Spring flower garden. The white fence is diecut 3 times and stacked to make it thicker. Crystal glitter and crystal rhinestone stickers...yep...that was a must ;)

We would love you to join us and show some Spring House-Mouse projects. Get all the challenge and prize (good stuff I tell ya!) details on the challenge blog HERE.

Have a happy Monday :)