House Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge

Pokin' Some Fun!

Do you realize this is the LAST Monday of January!!! WHERE did this month go so fast?! WOW! I've been busy stamping like crazy these days. I made 16 cards in the last 2 days!! I even cleaned my craft room (kinda had ta after makin' all them cards!) AND organized my scraps of cardstock! Yay Me! ha ha ha ha Well alllllrighty then....lets get to this weeks House Mouse Challenge!

House Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge #22 - Paper Piercing

This weeks challenge is to have some kind of paper piercing on your card. If you don't have a paper piercer, you can use a needle or pin. Any place, any amount - and any House Mouse image, colors, and theme! For all the challenge details and to see creations by the Design Team - click HERE.

This House Mouse stamp is adorable!! I borrowed it from my mom...but I might not ever return it! ha ha ha! Just kiddin' mom! ;) Check out all the paper piercing around that outer layer. That's a lot of piercing...but went really quick & easy using my Stampin'UP Paper Piercing Mat Pack. HTH!!


The House Mouse stamp is called Baby Blocks and features Muzzy, Monica, Amanda & Mudpie. The scalloped rectangle was made with my Stamin'UP! Scalloped Border Punch. Isn't that patterned paper with the dusty pink & river rock cardstock to die for!! Perfect with the ivory cardstock & flowers. Is that like a vintage look?? What would you call it??

I love that little mouse in the nutshell!! If you click on the closeup pic...you can see where I used white acrylic paint and a really really tiny paintbrush to color the flowers on the blanket. And the middle of the flower I lightly dotted with my Pink Copic Multiliner SP Pen.



Now it's your turn....get out your paper piercer and start pokin' some fun!! LOL!! Happy Stamping all you House Mouse Lovers!!

Recipe:
Stamps - House-Mouse Designs Baby Blocks
Paper - K & Company LLC Hannah Pink Paper; Bazzill Cardstock; SU River Rock Cardstock; Papertrey Ink Ivory Cardstock
Ink - Tsukineko Versafine Black
Misc. - Prismacolor Pencils; Gamsol OMS; White Acrylic Paint; CTMH Paper Flowers; Misc Brad, EK Success Small Corner Rounder; SU Scallop Border Punch; SU Paper Piercing Mat; Copic Multiliner SP Pink 0.3; Dimensionals
House Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge Blog HERE
House-Mouse Designs Official Website HERE.
Tips on how you can easily color the House-Mouse Stamp Images HERE

A Muse Sneak Peek #2

Another NEW YUMMY A Muse Stamp

Have you seen the Sneak Peeks for the new A Muse Stamps coming out? Welllll......here's another one :)



I used the new Icecream stamp on this card along with one of the current sentiments Sweet Friend MA.

I created layers of by stamping the image 2 extra times - cut out the 3 scoops one 1 and the bottom 2 scoops for the other. I just LOVE how this looks! And...check out the Cotton Candy Stickles! The glass has just a hint of BG10 (Copic Cool Shadow Marker) for shading -- and then I colored Clear Spica Glitter Pen all over it - THEN - blended it around to a smooth finish with the Copic Colorless Blender.



I sanded the edges of the cardstock (I luv doing that!). Just a little paper piercing along the bottom edge of the Ivory CS strip really add to the look. And of course a little 'bling' on the top a bright pink Twinkle Sticker from A Muse.

(all stamps, cardstock & sticker from A Muse)

Just what the doctor ordered

A Daily Dose of Stamping

I don't know about you...but if someone gave me this "Get Well Soon" card it would make me feel better :) I felt better just making it! LOL

The Boy and Sentiment are from Elzybells. The patterned paper is from Around The Block and it's called Teal Blanket. How perfect for a Get Well card!

I stamped the boy a 2nd time and cut out the sling part. I love paper piecing!! It really adds that extra little touch. If you haven't tried this technique you really need to. It's also a great way to hide a mess-up :) Try stamping on patterned paper too!

Since the patterned paper I used has a white core I was able to sand off the edges of the sentiment to make it stand out better. Both images are popped up on dimensionals.

Well...if anyone reading this post is not feeling well...I hope this brightens your day :) Have a great weekend!

Recipe:
Stamps - Elzybells Art Stamps Boy In Sling, Get Well Soon
Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Around The Block Teal Blanket, DCWV Rust Textured from Fall CS Stack, Bazzil Teal textured CS, SU White textured CS
Ink - Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black
Misc - Copic Markers, Prismacolor Markers, EK Success punch, SU Ticket Corner Punch, CTMH Bitty Brads, Offray Ribbon, SU Paper Piercing template, Red Stick Tape, SU Dimensionals

Something Old - Something New

Making Room for NEW DP!!

I decided I better start using up some of my old stuff to make room for the new. Wait till you see all the new Designer Series Paper coming out in the new SU Catalog!! I don't even need to make a wish list...cause I want it ALL!



Anybody remember this old DP? It's called Spring Showers. I think it was from 2006. The NEW item I used on my card is the sentiment from a new stamp set available in the Stampin'UP! Fall-Winter 2008 Catalog called Heard from the Heart. Ordering out of the new catalog starts on August 11th. That's only in a couple days!! WAHOO!!

I cut out 1" x 1" squares of DP (yes...on my paper cutter...I don't have a 1" square punch. Go figure!) and glued down to So Saffron cardbase (4 1/4" x 5 1/2"). The middle piece of DP is 5 1/4" x 2". Sentiment stamped with Pigment ink and embossed. Flowers stamped and cut out - then cut in half. Sentiment and Flowers popped up on dimensionals. I added Stickles on the flowers for sparkle.

Recipe:
Stamps: SU Heart from the Heart, Looks Like Spring
Paper: SU Designer Paper - Spring Showers, So Saffron, Whisper White
Ink: SU Classic Ink Chocolate Chip, Bashful Blue, So Saffron, Clearsnap Colorbox Chestnut
Misc: Stampendous Chocolate Brown Embossing Powder, SU Spring Flower Bouquet Punch, Dimensionals, Misc Bronze Brads, SU Paper Piercing Template, Ranger Stickles Diamond

Freedom Bella

Red, White & Blue ParisBella

My new Bella stamp. Isn't it TOO CUTE!! I love this new paper too! So fresh looking. Sponged SU Night Of Navy Classic ink on edges. Paper piercing star with SU Brass Template. Star is popped up on Dimensional.



Recipe:
Stamps - Stamping Bella - ParisBella, CTMH - So Sweet Seasons
Paper - Bazzill textured cardstock, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Adornit Carolee's Creations All American Collection - Scattered Stars
Ink - Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black, SU Night Of Navy Classic
Misc. - Prismacolor and Copic Markers, CTMH Red Blings, SU Silver Cord, Marvy Uchida Star Punch, SU Brass Template, SU Paper Piercing Guide, Dimensional

Sweet Birthday Treats

Something Old & Something New

The old is the background stamp called Crosshatch. It's retired from StampinUP. The new is a stamp from Stampendous called Tiers of Treats. It's new to me, but it actually came out in 2006. I LOVE this stamp! Sweet Birthday Treat is new this year from Studio G - Hampton Art. It's one of those $1 clear stamp mini sets.



I stamped the background with Versamark and embossed with Iridescent Ice powder. Main image is layered on Dimensionals. I also took strips of the brown SC and scored a line on them. They are also attached with Dimensionals to give it a little window kind of look. I used scalloped edge scissors to make the scallopes on the top piece.



Recipe:
Stamps - SU Crosshatch Background; Stampendous Tiers of Treats; Studio G Clear Stamps
Cardstock - SU Cranberry Crisp, Glorious Green, Whisper White; Bazzill Brown Textured
Ink - Ranger Adirondack Pitch Black; Versamark Ink; SU Markers; Prismacolor Markers
Misc - 2 Way Glue Pen; SU Dazzling Diamonds; SU Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder; Dimensionals; Grossgrain Ribbon
Tools - SU Paper Piercing Mat; Paper Piercer; Scalloped Edge Scissors; Scor-Pal

Happy Birthday Bro!

Funny Birthday Card

I made this card for my brother. He's 1 year older than me....so I have to rub it in that he IS and will ALWAYS BE older than me :) LOL

(David...if you're reading this..."yer older than I am! yer older than I am!" ha! love ya!)



I like the way StampinUP's Naturals White paper is a softer off-white color and has those little flecks in it. Perfect for something a little country chicken-ish! Making cards for the guys always seems to be a bit of a challenge. Since we are "The Funny Family".....humorous cards seem to be what I create the most of. I think it's easier to make humorous guy cards because then you can use all kinds of stamps.

Are you wondering what's "The Funny Family?" Well...long story short...several years back my daughter Michaela asked a question something like "what family are we?" I think she was about 4 year old. I wasn't sure what they heck she was asking....so we just said "we are the funny family!" Since we are always joking around and bringing humor into about every moment of our day it seemed fitting.

Recipe:
Paper - Stampin'UP! Cardstock Naturals White; Chocolate Chip; Marigold Morning; White
Ink - Stampin'UP! Craft Going Gray; Ranger Adirondack Expresso; Clearsnap Colorbox Chalk Chestnut Roan
Stamps - MissyB Designs Chicken; Inky Antics Chicken Wire; Stampin'UP! Birthday Whimsy; Repeat Impressions (?)
Punches - Marvy Uchida Scalloped Circles; EK Success 2" Paper Shapers; Stampin'UP! Word Window
Misc. - Prismacolor Pencils; Gamsol; Clear Embossing Powder; Red Twine; Stampin'UP! Stampin' Dimensionals, Copic Spica Clear Glitter Pen (used on teeth - but you can't see it in the pic)

Friends In Color

A Dirty Girl Challenge
(blank line)
I knew exactly what stamp set I wanted to use when I saw this DTGD Sketch Challenge. StamperSharon from Splitcoaststampers provided this fun and easy sketch layout for one of the Dare to Get Dirty Challenges. Check out her blog Paper Fections - she has some awesome creations!



This sketch is a standard A2 size: 5.50" x 4.25" Think of all the possibilities with this layout! I know I have TONS of ideas. I created this card faster than any card I've ever done. Any layout that I can get a card done under 4 hours is GOOD for me! LOL

Here's the secrets to my creation:
Everything except the brad and crystal are from Stampin' UP!

• Stamp Sets - Love Matters & Simply Said. Sanded Background stamp on Wild Wasabi cardstock with Wild Wasabi ink.
• Card Stock - Wild Wasabi card base & circle. Groovy Guava & Soft Sky Paper for the strip. Whisper White for Sentiment strip.
• Inks - Always Artichoke Craft Ink used to stamp Friends and the Heart Flower Border then heat embossed with Clear Detail Powder.
• Coloring Images - I used a Blender Pen with Inks to color the images. Groovy Guava and Wild Wasabi on Friends and Soft Sky for shading. Hearts colored with Soft Sky and Leaves colored with Wild Wasabi. I used a sponge dauber to edge the circle and card base very lightly with Wild Wasabi ink.
• Misc. - Paper Piercing and Dry Embossing to add a little detail. Friends and Flower Circle are popped up on Dimensionals. The final touch was adding a Crystal on the "i" Naturally it's a Genuine Swarovski Crystal! :) It really sparkles! I had to get a little bling in there somewhere. I got the crystal out of my beading supplies. You know....I make beaded jewelry. (OK darling daughters of mine - I know what you're thinking....let's not go there! LOL)

Final Thought

The worst day stamping is better than the best day ________!

(go ahead....fill in the blank)

Jealous Again!

Cheery Colors & Secret Technique

I made this card a few days ago, but I didn't want to post it until the new owner received it. Happy Birthday Blair!



Well....I did e-mail a picture of the card to my daughter so she could drool. Yep....that's right....I caused another "gotta have that stamp" moment :) Here's what Alisha had to say back to her favorite mom "That turned out soooo cute. I'm jealous:) Did you stitch around the edge or is that a stamp?"

LOL....silly girl....come over and play if you want to know moms secrets! Alisha is always trying to get me to come over to her house and stamp. I'm always trying to get her to come over to my house to stamp. But usually what happens is we go shopping and buy more stamps! We talk about building homes next to each other and having a craft room in the middle so we can keep all our stuff together and share! Now that would be cool!!

Here's the scoop on the card....
The inspiration for this card started with a Splitcoaststampers DTGD '07 Challenge -- which was to use Cheery Colors. The bird stamp is from Penny Black. The saying is from Stamping Bella. Chicken wire stamp is from Inky Antics. I also used stamps from Stampin'UP! Best of Cluck set. Colors I used are from SU - Yoyo Yellow, Only Orange, Glorious Green, Very Vanilla. River Rock ink for the ground using Skinny Oval stamp from A Muse Artstamps and Sahara Sand marker to highlight the sand on the ground. I also used both Tag Punches from SU. Paper Piercing & Faux Stitching with black marker (there's moms secret Alisha!) Edge Distressing and Black ink around the edges of a couple pieces to make them stand out. The tag is on Dimensionals. SU Ribbon, Prima Flowers, Brads & Eyelets, Marvy Uchida Scalloped Circle Punch with hand doodling around the edges.

OK Alisha...come on over and play!

A New Dress for my New Purse!

Girlie Stuff & Sparkles

I actually started making these cards before I made the Pretty Purse & Wallet. But....after finishing the purse I remembered that I had started making cards with the dress stamp. Well, I HAD to finish the dress...after all...a girl has to have a purse AND a dress! :)

Accessorizing this dress was really fun - like playing dress-up!! Colors, glitters, flowers, ribbons, buttons, bows, satin, velvet......what choices! I think I will make one of everything! LOL :) Just like shopping...if you can't decide...get them all.



Of course we had to have some yummy cake with all the trimmings.

Recipe:
Silhouette Dress, Cake, Flower Background stamps from Great Impressions; Saw It, Loved It, Bought It stamp from Bella; Happiness stamp and Paper from Stampin' UP!; Craft and Classic Inks and Markers from Stampin' UP!; Flower from Prima; Stickles Glitter Glue.

The solid brown dress was stamped using pigment ink and embossed with clear - then cut out. The flower dress was stamped and cut out. Then I used an embossing pen to line the top edge and embossed with clear. The bottom of the dress velum stamped and embossed with clear - then cut out. Markers were used on the back to color flowers. I cut out white paper and put under the velum. Markers were also used to color the cake.

OUCH!

Get Well Card for Michaela

A couple days ago, Michaela tripped and tumbled down on the floor and hit her head. As I was comforting her I said "How about I make you a Get Well card?" Of course she said yes! :)

As the day went on I got reminded SEVERAL times with the question "When you gonna make me a Get Well card?" I waited until she was sleeping and then put it on her nightstand. It was the first thing she noticed when she woke up the next morning! She came right into my room and said Thank You!! It was SO CUTE! And she also said "that was a lot of hard work wasn't it." Well, after her careful inspection of my craft work...she pointed out the boo-boos that I made! LOL Can you find them?

Supplies used for this 5" x 5" card: Stamps are from Inky Antics, Savvystamps, Close to My Heart and Stampin' UP! Inks used were Stampin' UP! Craft & VersaMark. Stampin' Write Marker from Stampin' UP!

I embossed the image on the front and colored it with Prismacolor Colored Pencils. Blended them with Gamsol Magic and blending stumps. I used Crystal Effects on the nose of both the dog and cat. The dots background was stamped with VersaMark and embossed. All the letters stamped and the bandaid were stamped with Craft Ink and then embossed. The shading done under the dogs feet was done with Sahara Sand Marker from Stampin' UP!