Friday, April 30, 2010

WMS Sneak Peek Day 4 - Afternoon Tea

If you visit my blog often - you know that I am all about the paper crafts and templates - so today I'm very excited to share wth you how I used Claire's Rubber Band Box Template from her April release to showcase two new sets being released tomorrow! - Afternoon Tea and Vintage Labels 10.

This is the larger template. The sentiment is from Afternoon Tea and the label stamp is from Vintage Labels 10 which conveniently fits inside the Nestabilities of the same name!

Here's a view of the open box with the Stella Dora Egg Jumbo cookies tucked inside. You can actually get three or four of these cookies into this box when you lay them down.

I also made the smaller box in this template set. It is a perfect size for teabags. Claire's design is so precise - this template works up in just minutes


I used a different Vintage Labels 10 stamp for the framing. The sentiment and scrolls are from the Afternoon Tea set. I sponged all the edges with Tea Dye Distress Ink.
Here's a peek inside this box. You could fit 4-5 tea bags inside. Wouldn't this be a great set to bring a girlfriend when you drop over to visit??!!

Thought you might like to see how I made my little rose flower. I used handmade Mulberry paper (not hand made by me! - I bought it many years ago probably at AC Moore)

First you draw a swirl as shown - cut it out and roll it up starting from the outside end. It will be pretty tight so I place it on my work table and tap the top a littlewith my finger tip so it opens up just a bit.

Then I dab some Scotch Quick Dry Adhesive on the bottom and push it onto the center of the scroll that sort of makes a platform for the flower. This works up in just minutes and they look so cute don't you think?! The leaves were made with mulberry paper also - I just cut a leaf shape, sponged it with Tea Dye Distres ink, creased it down the middle than attached it under the rose. You can use any kind of paper for these and make them any size - I started with a 2"x2" square.

Now it's time to check out the other WMS DT Ladies to see what inspiring Sneak Peeks they have to show us!

Bonnie, Lisa, Jennifer, Anya, Laurie and Claire.

And tomorrow is the day we've all been waiting for! Claire will be releasing the 8 wonderful stamp sets we've been previewing this week. All the DT ladies will be participating in a blog waltz and you will have the chance to win a stamp set so be sure to come by and check it out! It starts at 2 pm EST

And there's still time to get in on Claire's Sketch Challenge!

ETA: and my flowers today just happen to fit Sharon's No Time to Stamp challenge today - to use 3D flowers for May!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Afternoon Tea, Vintage Labels 10 (available May 1)

Paper: White, Ripe Avocado, Aqua Mist - PTI, DP Jillibeen Old World Cabbate Stew, Handmade Mulberry Paper - AC Moore

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Distress Ink Tea Dye, Aqua Mist - PTI

Accessories: Waltzingmouse Rubber Band Box Template, sponge, scor pal, scor tape, round elastic cord - Dritz (Joanne's), cropadile, labels 10 nestabilities, cuttlebug, silver eyelets, 2 buttons.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

WMS Sneak Peek Day Three!!! - An Asian Garden Thank You

Are you loving all the new WMS sets coming out??? I know I'm loving using them!! There are so many beautiful stamps and so many wonderful sentiments! Only two more days to go 'till you can see them all and get them into your shopping cart!!


Today I'm using Asian Gardens along with Vintage Labels 10 (Yes - they fit the Labels 10 Nestabilities! whoo hoo!!)



Just look at this branch and the wonderful leaves on it (a separate stamp) and the sweet bird cage (there are two in the set!) I stamped them all on a white panel - then stamped the Vintage Labels 10 frame and cut it using two size dies, so it cut the outside and the inside. I popped up the frame over the image panel using foam dimensionals.

I added a coordinating panel on the inside of my card.


Please check out these WMS DT members who are also sneak peeking for you today! Bonnie, Lisa, Belinda, Lynn, Anya, Laurie and, of course, Claire!

See you tomorrow! One more day of sneak peeks and then on 5/1 it's the WMS DT Blog Hop and Release Day!! You could win a free stamp set! Don't miss it!

ETA: Claire has a fun sketch challenge going on check it out here You could win all 8 sets of the new release!!!

ETA: See the Rubbernecker Blog Hop Winners on post below!!! Whoo Hoo - one winner was chosen from comments on my blog!!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Asian Gardens, Vintage Labels 10 (available May 1)

Paper: White, Scarlet Jewel - PTI, Core-dinations/Katydid
Ink: Adirondack/Raisin, Juniper, Lake Mist
Accessories: Labels 10 Nestabilities, cuttlebug, Scarlet Jewel twill - PTI, foam dimensionals.

Rubbernecker Blog Hop Winners!

The Rubbernecker April Release Blog Hop Winners have been announced by Bev and are:

from Karen’s blog: “Holly said…
“How soft and pretty - love this sweet pink card! That ribbon treatment is awesome! “

AND

from Julia’s blog: ”leslie said…
“I am always amazed at the beauty and creativity of your cards. I am going to give this card a try….it is simple but lovely. Thanks for the inspiration and sharing”

(Yippee! one was chosen from comments on my blog!!)

CONGRATULATIONS to Holly and to Leslie! You have each won your choice of one of the new collections from Rubbernecker Stamps!

send your email addy & mailing information along with your choice of new collection to Bev at texasgrammyx2@yahoo.com !

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

WMS Sneak Peek - Thinking of You

Wow - have you been checking out the Waltzingmouse Sneak Peeks?? They started yesterday with some of the WMS DT and I have some for you today!
Claire is celebrating WMS's 1st anniversary this May and to mark the occasion she is releasing 8 wonderful new stamp sets! You'll want to start making your shopping list right now!

I'm using Big Blooms today as well as sentiments from Asian Garden (I'll be using some of the images from this pretty set tomorrow!) and Fancy Phrases.

First, I have a get well card using both the solid and outline chrysanthemums in the Big Blooms set and sentiments from Asian Garden. This card is 4 1/4" x 4 1/4"

I also stamped the inside of my card.


My second project is a little canvas bag that I stamped with the Big Blooms chrysanthemums as well as one of the leaves in the set. This sentiment is from the new set Fancy Phrases. (ETA: I bought this cute canvas bag on a stamping web site a few years ago - they no longer carry them and I haven't been able to find any exactly like it yet. Michaels has a slightly larger one in white but it's not as nice!)
You'll really want to check out the rest of the WMS DT who are showing sneak peeks today : Belinda, Anya, Laurie, Lynn , Bonnie, Jennifer and our Claire.
I'll be back tomorrow and Friday with more sneak peek excitement for you!!

On Saturday all of the WMS DT will be participating in a blog hop using a super fun new template and there will be two stamp sets to be won!!! Trust me - you will not want to miss it!!!

Note: Claire is also running a Shipping Promotion in the store on May 1st and 2nd. Orders of $77 US or 50 GBP sterling, will qualify for free shipping! So those two days would be a really good time to order all the WMS sets on your list!!!

Stamps: Big Blooms, Asian Garden, Fancy Phrases (to be released May 1)
Paper: White - PTI, Core'dinations/vintage collection.
Ink: Adirondack - Raizin, Lake Mist, Memento Tuxedo Black, Stazon Black/Olive Green/teal Blue.
Accessories: canvas bag

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Rubbernecker April Release Blog Hop - You Can Win!

The Red Hot Mamma's have put together another Rubbernecker DT Blog Hop to highlight some of the new stamps Dave has released this month.

Today I'm showcasing this beautiful Victoriana Damask Background stamp.


I just layered a lacey punched panel (Martha Stewart punch) and the sentiment panel - keeping it clean and simple to show off the beautiful design of this background stamp.


The cardstock (SU) and ink (Adirondack) are eggplant - hopefully that shows up in the photo -it can sometimes photograph like it's black!


All the Deets!

Two winners will be chosen randomly from the comments left on all of the participating Red Hot Mommas' blog hop postings.
The Prize:

You get to choose the complete set of one of the new releases listed here!
African American Figures
Fashion Ladies

So be sure to leave a comment at everyone's blog below for your chance to win! That gives you 8 chances to win if you hit all our blogs!!

You have until 11:59 pm (EST) Wed 4/28 to leave your comments. The two winners will be announced on Bev's Blog by 6 PM EST on 4/29

Dave has recently lowered many of his stamp prices, including the new releases! So be sure to check them all out at Rubbernecker!

Here are the Hot Mamma's blogs for you to check out and leave a comment - Good Luck!
Julia Aston (Me!)

And please come by tomorrow for the start of my sneak peeks for Waltzingmouse Stamps!

Saturday, April 24, 2010

You Shine!

Happy weekend everyone! It's a beautiful day here today - and I've got to get out to do some gardening - but I just had to do the Inspiration Challenge over on Split Coast first! Today's inspiring web site was Green Rainbow Shop
And I was inspired by this star plate above to create this star card below!
I added a little yellow and orange to it just to perk it up a little bit - since I made mine a graduation card and that is a bright happy occasion! I layered my star and sentiment with foam dimensionals -both stamps are from Waltzingmouse Sewing Box Hugs (this set is SO versatile!)

Inside I layered a panel cut with Labels One Nestabilities. The graduation sentiments are from WMS Free Spirit Sentiments and the cap is from Free Spirit-Boy.
If you would like to see how Claire's WMS stamps are packaged - the size of her sets- the cost comparisons (US dollar vs British Sterling vs Euro) and shipping costs check out her informative posting here.
AND - the WMS DT will be showing sneak peeks of the May 1 releases starting next Tuesday (I'll be starting on Wed) - so be sure to check back - Claire has some wonderful sets coming out and she is already showing some teasers!!
Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Sewing Box hugs, Free Spirit Boy, Free Spirit Sentiments
Paper: grey & white bazzill, white, Summer Sunrise, Lemon Tart - PTI
Ink: Lemon Tart - PTI, Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Heart punch - McGill, foam dimensionals, sticky gem, small oval punch - SU, labels one Nestabilities.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Mother - I Ruff You!

A fun free 4 all challenge over on Split Coast last Friday - to cut out of the box and emboss. I followed the technique instructions in the Split Coast forum. I used my brandy new Labels 10 Nestability for my framing. I also embossed the label after cutting it to meet the challenge requirements!

This beautiful heart with the Celtic Lunette design, matching digitial patterned paper and the sentiment are all from Waltzingmouse Stamps My card today is very clean and simple. I popped up the label on foam dimensionals and then just added 3 sticky gems to the lower corner!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse Stamps: Spring Baskets (sentiment), Celtic Heritage (Heart)
Paper: white, hibiscus burst - PTI, Celtic Lunettes Digital Patterned paper/Waltzingmouse Stamps
Ink: Hibiscus - PTI, Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: foam dimensioinals, gems, labels 10 Nestabilities, cuttlebug


I don't have a lot of time to stamp after work so I try to get lots of challenges into a card if I can - so today I was able to hit 4 challenges!

I used the Split Coast color challenge Apricot, sage, grey - Mercy's Tuesday Sketch, and the The Cat's Pajamas Tuesday challenge was to use cork.

And I'm bringing my little flying doggie (Angel Yappy) to da Mudder's Teaparty - which is at the Kentucky Derby this week - we have to ride something there to participate in the race because all of the horses went on strike - Yikes I hope flying counts!?!?! LOL!! Read all about the Split CoastTuesday Teaparty craziness here.

Thanks for dropping by today!

Stamps: The Cats Pajamas - Angel Yappy, Love Comet, I Ruff You
Paper: white - PTI, Apricot appeal, sage shadow - SU, DP Basic Grey/Archaic
Ink: memento tuxedo black, Sage Shadow & Apricot Appeal - SU
Accessories: lace, heart punch - McGill, cork, heart Sizzix die, sponge, foam dimensionals, scor tape, hand made cloud template

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Have Fun!

I hit both of the Monday Split Coast challenges with my guy birthday card - the CAS challenge was a sketch and the Technique Challenge (guest hosted by Vicki Dutcher- whoo hoo GF!!!) was to use piercing. A great design for all those boys-kids-guys in our lives don't you think?!

I pierced the top corners and along the bottom edge - connecting the piercings with a drawn black line. I sponged the clouds using my hand made cloud template. The punch is EK Success.


On the inside of my card I repeated the punched panel and stamped the zig zag background in the same color as the card stock, overstamping the sentiment in black.
Thanks so much for stopping by today!
Stamps: Free Spirit -Boy, Free Spirit Sentiments, Off Beat Backgrounds - Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper: Aqua mist, spring moss - PTI
Ink: Aqua mist - PTI, Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: sponge, word window punch - SU, EK success punch, cloud template, big brad - American Crafts, paper piercer, mat & Grid - SU, black micron pen

Sunday, April 18, 2010

What a Fun Time at Stamping Around!


My nametag.
Wow - what a fun weekend I just had! I was teaching one of the classes at Stamping Around held at Wholly Scrap! in North Hampton, NH. And here's what we made!
My class was sponsored by Claire of Waltzingmouse Stamps (Thank you Claire!) and we used this beautiful Sewing Box Hugs set for our cards. Six lucky participants won this set after we made our cards - whoo hoo!! here are three of them saying "hi" to Claire!

Beth from Kittery Point ME Bonnie, from Newbury, MA and Janet from Sanford, ME


We used the Paper Tole technique, stamping the images several times on different colors of Claire's own digital patterned papers, cutting out each layer, and adhering them over each other using foam dimensionals. For the bird above, we stamped the image first directly on the card and then layered the bird and wing over the stamping.

The outlines were made using a Micron 01 fine tip black marker drawing a line 1/4" in on all sides. These are all 4 1/4" x 4 1/4" square cards. On this heart card we added a twine bow and a little heart sticky gem by Amuse.

This set is full of wonderful sentiments that coordinate with the images. And with the stamped outline stitches - people are going to think you are a wiz with your sewing machine because it looks like real stitching doesn't it!?!

Our first class on Friday night was taught by Donna Cecere. (Hi GF!!) Her project was this lovely set of 3 cards tucked inside a stamped clear box. We stamped on the box with black Staz On Ink then colored the image from the inside of the box with Copics. We colored the flowers stamped on Kraft CS with Copics, cut them out layered them on panels and added stickles and Glossy Accents to the centers. Very cute huh!?!?

Here's Donna on the front left and Julie Masse (one of the organizer's) on the front right.


The third person on the left here with the blue top - is Sandy from Epping, NH - and she gave me this wonderful stamped linen that she made using Waltzingmouse Stamps - isn't it wonderful??? thank you SO much Sandy!!!
Lauren Meader's project was one of her not yet released templates - and we each got the stamp set we used for this project. Whoo hoo! Check her store to see all her wonderful stamps, templates and digital stuff!!
Isn't this a super gift package?!?After a delicious lunch of specialty deli sandwiches, popovers, sugared walnut, mixed greens salad and little pastries (Yum!!!) Monika Davis inspired us with a pretty spring easel card and matching magnetic bookmark (these are popping up everywhere aren't they?? wink wink - see Fridays post!) We used Just Rite stamps and a Martha Stewart punch on this project.
Below is Monika sitting at the front table just prior to starting her class. Julie Masse and Kim Schofield are giving away more prizes that were generously donated by several sponsoring companies.

For the last class of the weekend - Cindy Lawrence taught us how to make this terrific file folder organizer. The stamp set we used is Dandy Days by Our Craft Lounge.

The papers are My Mind's Eye/Little Boy Blue. Look at all the fun sections on this! Can you believe it's made by folding a regular manila file folder!!


Here's Cindy holding one of the WMS Sewing Box Hugs sets that she was lucky enough to win!

Now don't you wish you had come to Stamping Around???

Thanks so much for coming by!

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Friends of WMS Blog Waltz - Mother's Day

Welcome to the 2nd Friends of WMS Blog Waltz! It's all happening over at the Play Room in The Waltzingmouse Forum. The theme for today's Waltz is Mother's Day!


I used several WMS stamp sets on my card today - The lovely quote is from Roses in Bloom, the daffodils on the front (that I stamped, then masked and stamped again 3 times) and sentiment on the inside are from Spring Baskets. The fun stitched border

is from Off Beat Backgrounds (I just love this stamp!) The little heart stamped on the quote is from Earth Angel. The DP is one of Claire's great digital's - Victoriana Papers. I used the stitched background again on the inside of my card to frame the sentiment and punched two strips of the digital patterned paper for top and bottom.


Now go back and look at my card and see how many little round white flowers I've 'hidden' on my card. (NOT the daffodils!) You need to add up the flowers that all the DT members have hidden on their Blog Waltz cards and enter that number over at the WMS forum in the Playroom - Claire will pick a winner from all the correct guesses! See all the deets on Claire's blog.

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Off Beat Backgrounds, Roses in Bloom, Spring Baskets, Earth Angel
Paper: Vintage Cream, White - PTI, DP - WMS Digital Victoriana
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Lavender Moon - PTI
Accessories: Glue dot, foam dimensionals, Fancy Tags Shapeabilities, butterfly punch -Martha Stewart, Top Note Die - SU, Eclipse Tape for masking, EK success edge punch.

Friday, April 16, 2010

Get Ready for the WMS Blog Waltz!

The WMS April Blog Waltz begins on Saturday, April 17th at 7:00 am Pacific, 8:00 am Mountain, 9:00 am Central, 10:00 am Eastern, 3:00 pm GMT!
Once again, the festivities will begin in the Play Room in the Waltzingmouse House forum. (If you haven't registered yet for the forum, it's just a few clicks away!) The threads will go live when the waltz begins... one for you to post your blog link to your project if you are participating in the waltz, and another for chat.

And of course there will be prizes!!!
The theme for this month's waltz is Mother's Day!

All we ask is that you use Waltzingmouse Stamps stamps for your Mother's Day cards/projects.
Check Claire's blog for all the Deets!
We hope you join in for all the fun!!

Please come back tomorrow to see my WMS Mother's Day Card!

I haven't been posting as much this week because I've been on vacation and doing some fun things with the DH like taking walks and going to movies (we saw It's Complicated - how funny was that!?!?! I just LOVE Meryl Streep), visiting my sister for lunch and cleaning up the house a bit! I've also been busy on some DT work that I can't share just yet!
But I do have several more magnetic book marks to show you that I made for some friends.

This one uses the beautiful Celtic cross from the WMS Celtic Heritage set and a sentiment from Notes of Prayer by Verve Stamps


Just a pic of the sticky magnet strips inside the bookmark.

The next 4 bookmarks all use stamps from PTI - Tea for Two, Damask Designs, In Bloom and Wishing You.
Useful little gifts for the book lovers in your life!
Tonight I'm off to teach at the Stamping Around weekend. I'll have some pics to share on Sunday!

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Winners of Rubbernecker Blog Hop!!

Whoo hoo!!! The winners have been chosen from our Rubbernecker Blog Hop this week.

Our two, randomly drawn winners from comments left on all the Red Hot Momma's blogs are: "Sue D", and "craftymom205"

"All are absolutely beautiful! A tutorial would be wonderful.
Posted by: Sue D April 13, 2010 at 09:55 PM " (as posted on Kittie's blog)
AND
"craftymom205 said...
Great cards. I especially like the first one.
April 13, 2010 11:20 AM " (as posted on Tammy's blog)
So - Craftymom205 and Sue D, please go to Bevs blog for instructions to claim your prize! You will need to decide which stamp set you wish to receive from the list below! what a dilema huh?!
Congratulations to both of you and thanks to everyone for hopping with us!
We'll be doing this again on 4/27 so don't despair if you weren't a winner this time!

A Floral Get Well

Pat Smethers was the Featured Stamper over on Split Coast this week - she makes the most wonderfully detailed cards.

I chose her May's Swing Card to case, changing the punches and the stamp used.

I'm going to use this as a get well card and will stamp an appropriate sentiment on the inside.

My pretty flower stamp is from a new release of florals by Rubbernecker Stamps #496-06 and I used my brandy new deckled edge oval nestability for the framing. The bottom punch is by EK Success and the lacey punch is a Martha Stewart.

Stamps: Rubbernecker Floral #496-06
Paper: white, ripe avodado - PTI, DP Amuse
Ink: Color box chalk Cats eye/Lime Pastel, Memento angel pink dew drop, Chamomile - PTI
Accessories: organdy ribbon - SU, foam dimensional, curved punch - EK Success, Lacey punch - Martha Stewart, oval and deckeled edge oval nestabilities.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Rubbernecker - Fashion, Florals & Weeds (Oh My!) Blog Hop!

I'm so excited to be part of my first Rubbernecker Blog hop! I've got three projects to show you today highlighting the beautiful new Fashion Ladies, Florals and Weeds Stamp sets that Dave recently released. See how you can win one of these complete sets at the end of my post!

First I made a magnetic bookmark using Florals #496-01 The sentiment is from an older set called Word Set #4 under KK Originals.

I used ink daubers to color the flowers so it was easy to use different colors on the stamp
I cut small strips of adhesive magnet tape and attached it on the inside ends.
And here's the bookmark in use - slipped over a page to hold my place! (I usually slip it over the side of the page to mark the exact line I stopped reading at but for this pic I placed it over the top so the word was oriented correctly!)

For my second project - I used seven of the weed stamps to make a set of 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" note cards that I put inside this clear acetate box.

I simply drew a border around the card with a fine point Micron 01 black pen and then stamped a different weed with black ink on each card. I tied a black silk ribbon around the box and attached a Spellbinders scalloped tag stamped with a sentiment from an older set Floral Silhouette Set #467. "Friendship is the only flower that blossoms in all seasons."

Don't these make a great set of note cards?!?!

And my third project is two cards using the Fashion Ladies stamps
This is Katherine #494-14
and this is Daphne #494-03
They are both colored with Copics and the flowers are Floral Creations 3 Spellbinders.
The Details
Two winners will be chosen randomly from the comments left on all of the participating Red Hot Mommas' blog hop postings.

The Prize: You get to choose the complete set of one of the new releases listed here!
New Release Florals
New Release Weeds
New Release Vines
New Release Fashion Ladies

So be sure to leave a comment at everyone's blog below for your chance to win! That gives you 9 chances to win if you hit all our blogs!!

You have until Noon (EST) Thurs 4/15 to leave your comment. The two winners will be announced on each of the participating Red Hot Momma's Blogs by 6 PM EST on 4/15

Dave has recently lowered many of his stamp prices, including the new releases! So be sure to check them all out at Rubbernecker!

So here are the blogs you need to check out and leave a comment at!
Thanks so much for coming by today - and for sticking through this LONG post!! and be sure to check back here on Thurs night to see if you won!