A Kept Life

Serendipity New Dies / Stamps Bloghop!

2012-02-29T00:00:00.000-06:00

I have two blog entries today so if you are looking for my 12 Kits of Christmas post please scroll down.

Are you ready for this? Serendipity has just released their very first coordinating die / stamp sets. The Egg Scroll and Heart Scroll are beautifully intricate thin metal dies. The solid die can be used to cut a backing for the flourish die or to perfectly die cut the coordinating rubber cling back stamp. Dies and stamps are all available individually or as a kit. Today the design team is featuring these two sets to celebrate the release and demonstrate how versatile these sets can be. Mary, the owner of Serendipity is making this blog party even sweeter by providing a little blog candy!!! IMPORTANT: Please follow along on the blog hop and leave comments for each of the designers. Two lucky winners (randomly chosen from the comments) will receive either the egg scroll or the flourish scroll set. So without further delay here are the two sets:

Egg Scroll Set Heart Scroll Set

There are so many possibilities for these sets. I've made several cards but am only going to show you a few today because I'm so photo heavy on this post. This is a wedding congratulations card featuring the scroll heart die cut in foil.

I also made a clean and simple Easter Egg Card to show how quick and easy you can make a beautiful Easter card with this stamp.

Here are some simple to follow directions to cut out your stamped images perfectly centered.

1. Stamp your image.

2: Cut out solid die to create a template

3. Center the template over your stamped image and tape down.

4. Insert die in opening - it will not slide around when it is seated completely. Once positioned tape die down.

5. Run taped down "sandwich" through your die cutter for a perfectly cut image.

Here's the list of the Serendipity Design Team Members participating in the blog hop today. Be sure to hop to each blog and leave a little love for your chance to win one of these great sets. You have until March 2 to leave a comment so get hopping!!!

Jeanne Jachna (That's Me!)

Amy Cokley

Thanks for having a look!

Jeanne

Pink Heart Scroll Card: Finished Size 6x6"

Stamps: Serendipity Congratulations Script 473D, Dies: Serendipity Scroll Heart, Spellbinders Labels 15, Fleur De Lis Rectangle, Paper DCWV Luxury Stack, Lace Simplicity Venice, Pink Velvet Ribbon, Flowers Prima Symphony Blend Amoroso Pink, Button PTI, Ink: Versa Fine Onyx

Clean & Simple Easter Egg Card: Finished Size 5" x7"

Stamps: Serendipity Flourish Egg 1254E, Happy Easter Sentiment 325E
Ink: Momento Angel Pink, New Sprout, Summer Sky, LuLu Lavender, Cantaloupe, VersaFine Onyx Black

12 Kits of Christmas - February - Polar Bear

2012-02-28T23:00:00.001-06:00

Are you ready for another installment of The 12 Kits of Christmas??? Just to refresh your memory, this is a group of 12 designers. Each has been assigned a month to provide the Christmas crafting supplies to the other 11 members. We all receive the same supplies and post our creations on the last day of every month. It's interesting to see how we all come up with something different with the same kit of supplies.

This month our gracious hostess is Cathy Weber. She sent us this fabulous supply of goodies to create with - including die cuts and papers from Memory Box and Your Time Made Easy, buttons from Papertrey, and sentiments from Waltzingmouse, Papertrey and Memory Box. She even included some "snow", pom poms, gems and pretty red satin ribbon.

I made this snow globe shaker box by cutting 4 sheets of craft foam one at a time with two Spellbinders circles set one inside the other to make a ring. I glued the 4 rings together - created my "scene" and filled it up with "snow, tiny pearl beads and some iridescent sequins. I topped it off with a clear piece of plastic cut from a transparency sheet. I then added a ring of paper to give it a more finished look. It was easier than it sounds and the results are sweet! I glittered the "snow drifts" on the bottom that I just rough cut and I added gems to make the dark night sky snowfall sparkly.

I also made a tag with the goodies from the kit - here's a close up

For this one I cut a large circle and scallop using the Spellbinders Grand dies, topped that off with my polar bear snow scene and put a big fat 3 layer bow on top. In the center of the bow is a button "sandwich" of a plain button topped with a snowflake button, topped with a red button topped with a gem. Whew! That's a lot of buttons huh? I added a some c-beads on my twine for some added glam.

Why not see what the rest of the team came up with for this months challenge? Here's a list of the designers with links to their blogs!

Thanks for having a look! Join us next month to see the latest 12 Kits of Christmas!

Jeanne

Supplies Used:
Finished Card 6x6"                                                                        Tag
Paper: Memory Box Yuletide Collection                                          Paper: Memory Box Yuletide Collection
Polar Bear Stamp and Die Cut: Wesley Bear Memory Box                Polar Bear Stamp and Die Cut: Wesley Bear Memory Box
Embossing Folder: TIm Holtz                                                         Seam Binding: Hug Snug Elegant Peacock Blue
Snow globe diecut from MyTimeMadeEasy.com                             Stamp Sentiment: In the Meadow Papertrey Ink
Twinery Caribbean Twine                                                                Twinery Caribbean Twine
Buttons: Papertrey Ink                                                                   Buttons: Papertrey Ink
Copic Marker Red 27                                                                      Dies: Spellbinders Grand Circles, Grand Scalloped Circles
Extras: Synthetic Snowflakes: Michaels, Pearls,                               Standard Circles, Scalloped Circles
Coarse Glitter Martha Stewart                                                           Coarse Glitter Martha Stewart
Iridescent Sequins, Gems                                                                Beads
Sentiment By: Lil Inkers

Moxie Fab World - Tuesday Trigger: Home Sweet Home

2012-02-26T11:01:00.002-06:00

I'm having a quiet weekend - my favorite kind. Everyone else is off doing their things and I'm left home to "keep shop" so I thought I'd play along with Moxie Fab World Tuesday Trigger. Is this Moxie Fab Trigger Target adorable or what? I love all the details on this sweet little house with the bird on the roof. It was easy to find some inspiration here to create a gorgeous one-of-a-kind card. I was immediately inspired by the polka dots, and the sweet little bird on the roof. I tried to keep in all the little details I love - the ribbon ruler, the green scallop trim, the button door knob and even the little flower trim. I embossed the wood grain bottom panel of my card with an embossing folder and then lightly ran a Tim Holtz/Ranger distress inkpad over the impression to make the wood pop. I originally tried Antique Linen which wasn't quite dark enough, and then settled on Vintage Photo. I tried to replicated the window with my sentiment - the red frame on the outside with the blue polka dot pattern on the inside. All the blue polka dots are stamped, and the wing for the bird was cut free hand.

I hope you like it! Thanks so much for stopping by to have a look. Enjoy your day!!

Jeanne

Supplies Used: Finished Size 6 x 6"

Stamps: Waltzingmouse Fancy Phrases, Gingham & Co., Vintage Labels 4

Dies: Spellbinders Bird Sanctuary, Petite Scalloped Ovals, Petite Ovals, Labels 4

Red Polka Dot Paper Echo Park For the Record Collection Table Cloth

Border Punch: EK Success Double Embossed Dotted Lace

Embossing Folder Paper Studio Wood Grain

Ribbon Trends Ruler Ribbon

Ink: Stampin' Up! Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, Versa Fine Onyx Black, Ranger/Tim Holtz Distress Vintage Photo

Small Ribon Roses Darice

Cupcake Inspirations #148 - Sock Monkey

2012-02-24T08:32:00.000-06:00

I wanted to get an extra post in today because I am running out of time on this challenge. I strongly recommended to a good blog friend that she should do this one but I haven't seen anything from her yet - HINT HINT! I know that if she did this one that I wouldn't stand a chance so I was going to pass. By some divine intervention - or my sheer lack of restraint, while I was on my weekly craft store hunt my daughter spotted this paper with sock monkeys and said "aren't you going to do the Cupcake Challenge?". Needless to say my fate was sealed.

I was immediately inspired by the colors - black and red, patterns - polka dots and stripes, and of course that cute sock monkey. I made mine into a festive - Go You! card that can be used for just about any cheerful occasion. For the sock monkey embellishment I fussy cut one of the little guys from the pattern paper and used pop dots to give some dimension. There lots of bling and shine - the satin ribbon, the gems, and even the buttons almost glow. I think you can see the influence here. If you want to play along - you better hurry - you can get all the details here: http://cupcakeinspirations.blogspot.com/2012/02/challenge-148.html

Thanks for stopping by for a look - I hope you have a fantastic weekend!

Jeanne

Supplies Used: Finished Size 6X6"

Stamps: Waltzingmouse Bitty Banners, Vintage Banners

Paper: Paper Studio Sock Monkey, Black Polka Dots - October Afternoon Thrift Shop

Border Punch: EK Succcess Double Embossed Dotted Lace

Die Cuts: Lifestyle Crafts Nesting Doily Hearts, Spellbinders Circles, Nested Pennants

Ink: TIm Holtz/Ranger Distress Antique Linen, Stampin Up! Real Red, Basic Black

Bling - Recollections (Michaels)

Twinery Twine Maraschino

Buttons: Papertrey Ink

Tuesday Throwdown #86 - Morning Glories

2012-02-24T00:00:00.000-06:00

Happy Friday! Today I'm playing along with a new challenge - Tuesday Throwdown. I was visiting Helen Berry's blog and saw that she is their newest Design Team member so of course I had to check them out. I'm a big fan of Helen's designs and always love to see what she's working on - so I added this blog challenge to my list of favorites. This week's challenge is "Winter Blues" - put something blue in your project. You can get all the details here: http://tuesdaythrowdown.blogspot.com/2012/02/tuesday-throwdown-86.html

My first thought when I read "winter blues" was snow! If you live in the Chicago area you know what I'm talking about. In fact it's snowing right now!!! Fortunately it's melting as soon as it hits the ground - but it's a sloppy mess! Lots of foot/paw tracks on the kitchen floor today!! I thought I'd follow the other DT's examples and turn my blues into happy ones!

I stamped and colored my morning glories, fussy cut a mask and stamped a background of words in a light blue. I fussy cut out a second set of flowers to "pop" them over the originals for more dimension. I double cut the butterfly and added wire antennae and gems.

Thanks for stopping by for a look! Have a great weekend!

Jeanne

Supplies Used: Finished Size 5" x 7"

Stamp: Morning Glory Serendipity 339L Background Butterfly Words 465G

Embossing Plate Sizzix Texturz Diamonds

Dies: Spellbinders Grand Labels 4, Butterflies 2

Copic B12, 32, 24, G40, 24, W0, Y19

Seam Binding: Hug Snug Glory Blue

Paper: Papertrey Spring Rain, Blueberry Sky

Extras: Button, Craft Thread, Gems, Wire

WMSC#85 - Welcome Sweet Girl!

2012-02-23T00:00:00.000-06:00

Hi and Happy Thursday! Wow this week is just flying by! Today I'm playing along with the Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge. I'm running close too because entries need to be in by Friday! I made this card for some friends who are expecting their first baby soon. They had some troubles along the way but they are keeping their eyes on the prize - that beautiful baby girl who is going to make it worth all the effort!

I stamped the bottom "patterned" paper with the accent stamp from Oval Classic Frames set. Claire is great for sneaking in lots of little stamps to fill up the package. And while I love this (we wouldn't have all those great accents) - I am cursed with my inability to focus on where I place the smaller elements I work with. SIGH... Yes... I did loose my safety pin stamp - which forced me to clear off my desk, and then empty the garbage can, all in vain, since I found the little bugger right on the clear acrylic stamping block tucked behind the lamp on my desk. How it got there I will never know. As my husband would say - "it is exactly where you left it". I would argue that there are gremlins or pixies or some other elements at work in my craft space... but now that it is back safe and sound and put away I can relax. Oh and hey - did I mention my desk is clean?

I hope you find some time to play today - if you'd like to play along you can get all the details here: http://waltzingmousesketchchallenge.blogspot.com/2012/02/challenge-85february-18-2012.html.

Jeanne

Supplies Used: Finished Size 5" x 7"

Stamps: Waltzingmouse Say it Loud, Oval classic Frames, Join Us

Spellbinders Labels 14

Papertrey Paper Classic White, Sweet Blush

Extras: Twinery Blossom Twine, Versafine Onyx Black Ink, Stampin Up Classic Pretty In Pink, Gems, Satin Ribbon, Velvet Ribbon Gems

Serendipity Stamps Challenge - February 22, 2012 - Scrapbook Page - Horrible Reminder

2012-02-22T00:00:00.000-06:00

Hi and welcome to another Serendipity Stamps challenge! Today the design team members were to come up with a scrapbook page or photo card using word stamps from the Seasons, Friends, Happy, or Inspiration sets. The words I selected are Friends, Smile, Happy, and Laugh.

This is the first scrapbook page I've featured on my blog. I like to scrapbook, but I was a little concerned about how a page so large (12 x 12") would photograph. With a little help from my daughter I think I can say mission accomplished!

I put together a scrapbook page of my son and his patrol brothers commemorating their adventures/misadventures in scouting. When I saw the stamp about being a "horrible reminder" I knew it would be perfect for a layout of Roger. He is always fearless, pushing the boundaries to see how far he can get. He is the first one to race you to the top of the hill and stand nearer to the edge than I'm comfortable with. The top two of these photo's were taken at Devil's Tower (remember Close Encounters??), and the bottom group photo was taken at Ransburg in Indiana.

Since my family spends so much time with scouting, camping is always a popular theme in my scrapbook pages. Serendipity offers a large variety of realistic bird and animal images like this beautiful autumn owl. I like to add natural elements like the twine and the leaves.

The word stamps featured in the blog hop today are also available as stickers - they come in sets of 50 and are on clearance for a $1 a roll. Here’s the link http://www.serendipitystamps.com/category/this-and-that.html

I hope you will visit the other Serendipity Stamps design team members listed below to see what they've come up with! Just click on the ladies names below to jump to their blogs.

Thanks for stopping by for a peek!

Jeanne

Supplies Used: Finished size 12" x 12"
Stamps: Serendipity Acorns 1141F, Autumn Owl 1182G, Good Example 1102E, Smile Happy & Laugh from 278QCL, and Friends from 581QCL

Paper: Cosmo Cricket Want S'more? Collection Mr. Campy:Nature Walk, Basic Grey Basics Collection Inventory

Dies: Spellbinders Grand Scalloped Circles, Grand Circles, Standard Circles, Leaf from Orchard Harvest Tags & Accents, Labels 11
Border Punch: Zig Zag Stitch from EK Success - Tabs are For Sale Sign Punch from EK Success

Markers: COPIC E00, 000, 09, 23, 25, 27, 29, 87, 13, W1, 03, Y11

Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Black Onyx, Tim Holtz/Ranger Distress Antique Linen

Shabby Tea Room #102 - High Tea

2012-02-21T09:50:00.000-06:00

Today I'm playing along with the Shabby Tea Room High Tea Challenge. The requirements are that you use the colors in the photo and a doilie. When I saw the inspiration photo I was immediately struck by the blue and gold, and of course that pretty pink flower in the center of the tea cup. Sometimes ideas come like lighting - a quick flash. This one not so much. I knew I would use the tea cup die - but I won't tell you how many tea cups I cut out in different sizes before I decided on this patterned one. (peacock blue embossed in gold, cream color stamped with turquoise, etc.) I think I cut out about 6 different colored doilies and backgrounds too! But sometimes that's just how it goes! Why fight it?

The Shabby Tea Room is also having a call out for DT members - now's a good time to try your hand at some high tea shabby chic!

If the inspiration photo inspires you - please play along....

http://www.theshabbytearoom.blogspot.com/2012/02/week-102-high-tea.html.

I used lots of gold on this one - the doilie, trim, button, matt, and even the bow. I made the bottom bow with a shimmery blue organza ribbon, topped it with a gold foil bow, and then added the pretty pink glittery flower. The gold was hard to photograph because of its shine, so I took a side view photo so you could see it better. I also added a few gems and some e-beads on my tie.

Here's the finished card. Lots of glam and sparkle. I hope you like it - I think it is certainly high tea worthy!

Jeanne

Supplies Used: Finished Size 6" x 6"

Die Cuts Lifestyle Crafts Nesting Frame 6, Spellbinders Nested Tea Cups, Tags Trio, Cheery Lynn French Pastry

Paper: Anna Griffin

Sentiment Stamp: Waltzingmouse Cameo to Go
Embossing Folder Cuttlebug Paper Lace 2

Pink Flower - Prima

Ink: Versafine Onyx Black

JUGS124 & PPA129 - Birthday Flowers

2012-02-20T09:01:00.002-06:00

Well, we're off to the start of a new week! I hope everyone had a good weekend. I went to a Eagle Scout Court of Honor, got to visit my mom and dad, and even had a little time to make a card! My son is off school today to celebrate President's Day. He stayed overnight at a friends house for an all night video game session so I will be leaving shortly to pick him up.

Today I'm playing along with Just Us Girls Challenge 124 - this week is a color challenge. I took the sketch design from Pals Paper Arts for a starting point. I turned the design upside down because I thought the flowers hid too much of that pretty scalloped edge.

You can get the details for both challenges here:

Just Us Girls: http://justusgirlschallenge.blogspot.com/2012/02/color-with-just-us-girls-124.html html

Pals Paper Arts http://www.palspaperarts.com/2012/02/ppa129-sketch-challenge.html

I made the flowers using a Sizzix Bigz die called Spiral/Garland. It was originally intended as a Christmas decoration die but seeing as all rolled flowers start with this simple spiral design I thought - why not? I think this simple spiral resulted in a more casual looking flower which was what I was aiming for. After I hot glued them down (so they wouldn't keep rolling apart) and added a little glitter. I dipped a cotton swab in glue and ran it along the edges of the flowers, and then sprinkled on some Martha Stewart coarse glitter. I didn't have any blue pearl gems for the flower centers so I took some regular white pearls and colored them with a Copic Marker.

I have to tell you I hated buying that big bottle of glitter around Christmas time - I thought I would never in my lifetime use that much glitter - but it's turning out to be one of the things I keep reaching for. I can say the same thing for the Twinery Twine Spools - 240 yards??? That's a lot of twine! Sure it's a great deal - about 6 cents a yard - but really do I need that much??? It's turning out to be another great item to have on hand that always adds a little extra to my cards.

Thank you for stopping by to have a look. I hope you find some time to create something special today - just to show someone you love how much you care!

Jeanne

Supplies Used: Finished Size 6X6"
Paper: K& Co Cut N'Paste Collection - Green Leaf Paper is from Wild Raspberry Collection
Die Cuts: Flowers Sizzix Bigz Spiral/Garland, Leaves Spellbinders Foliage, Blue Flowers Spellbinders Rose Creations
Border Punch: EK Success Double Embossed Dotted Lace
Stamp: Serendipity Happy Birthday from Everyday Words Set Large 471QCL
Extras: Martha Stewart Coarse Glitter, Tim Holtz/Ranger Distress Ink in Mustard Seed, Spun Sugar, Peeled Paint, Tumbled Glass, Sentiment Stamped in Versa Fine Vintage Sepia, Pins, Gems, Copic B16, Twinery Twine Blossom

CASE #78 Happy Anniversary!

2012-02-18T21:06:00.000-06:00

I hope everyone is having a great week. I feel like I'm falling behind lately. There are so many challenges I want to play! I'm really loving Case Study this month with Karola Witczak as the guest designer/muse. I did make a card for last week's challenge but by the time I finished and was ready to post the challenge was over! This week I'm not messing around!! I got it done and didn't make any excuses. Are you playing along? There's only a few days left!! You can get all the details here: http://casestudychallenge.blogspot.com/2012/02/case-study-challenge-78.html

When I saw the inspiration photo I fell in love with the flowers and all the layers. I decided to make mine into a formal anniversary card. I got the flowers from the wedding department in local craft store. I thought the strings of pearls, and the soft blue and pink would be in keeping with the wedding / anniversary theme of the card.

I added lots of leafy foliage and some pearls on the striped banner.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Jeanne

Supplies Used: Finished Size: 6" x 6"

Patterned Paper K & Co.

Dies: Lifestyle Crafts Nesting Frame 5, Spellbinders, Grand Scalloped Squares, Grand Squares, Foliage

Cricut Sophie Cartridge Accent 6 Doily 4.75"

Stamp Sentiment: Serendipity 376D

Twinery Twine Shore

Ink: Tim Holtz/Distress Tumbled Glass

Card Patterns Sketch 153 - Pink Roses Collage

2012-02-18T10:00:00.000-06:00

Hey did you hear the fantastic news? I'm guest designer this week for the Card Patterns Weekly Sketch Blog. This week's sketch looks a little complicated at first glance, but once you get started it's a lot of fun. To keep my squares clean and simple I used two square hole punches. The top layer is 1" and the bottom layer is 1.25". You can take this sketch alot of different ways and I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with! You can get all the details here: http://cardpatterns.blogspot.com/

I decided to use the grid pattern and make a collage of little Victorian images of cupid, butterflies, flowers and fairies from patterned paper from Pink Paislee. To keep with this dreamy theme I rolled some roses using the Spellbinders Spiral Blossom One die. For the large flower I cut the die out three times in cream paper, inked up the edges with Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Spun Sugar and rolled , and rolled and rolled. I started rolling with a quilling tool to keep the center nice and tight. I hot glued the bottom - last petal to hold everything in place and sprinkled Martha Stewart coarse glitter down the centers for a little sparkle. For the smaller rolled rose I used the same die, cut out twice, and distressed in Tattered Rose. I cut the leaves out of patterned paper and distressed with Vintage Photo.

I die cut the butterflies using Spellbinders Fanciful Flight and Butterflies Two. I double cut them and layered them so the wings are open. I distressed them with Broken China and added some pearls to their centers. You know I can't pass on the bling!

This is my finished card - I lot of fun making it and love all the little details, I might just frame this one in a shadow box for my scrap room!!

Thanks for having a look! I appreciate your kindness and encouragement my friends.

Jeanne

Supplies used: Finished Size 5" x 7"
Patterned Paper: Pink Paislee Butterfly Collection: Nature Sanctuary, Dragonflies, Botanical Gardens
Dies: Spellbinders Spiral Blossom One, Butterflies Foliage, Fanciful Flight
Ink: Ranger/Tim Holtz Distress Broken China, Spun Sugar, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose, Tea Die
Hug Snug Rose Petal, Baby Pink Seam Binding
Pearl Rhinestone Crown Pick David Tutera
Square Punches EK Success
Button: Papertrey Ink
Others: Ink, Pearls, Pin

Happy Birthday Cathy!

2012-02-16T19:00:00.000-06:00

Today is a very special post for me. A group of friends have organized a birthday blog hop for our dear friend Cathy Weber. You might know her from her blog Empty Nest Crafter.

Cathy was one of the very first friends I met blogging. Although I've never met her in person she is always inspiring me with her designs and encouraging me to do my best. We met through the Waltzingmouse Stamps Sketch Challenges and Blog Waltzes. Cathy was a big stand out in my mind - always leaving me a positive comment letting me know I was on the right track.

I made this card especially for you Cathy - with some fresh new Papertrey stamps (see I listen!!! Let's take it to the next level!!) - and colored in some of the bright raspberry fizz colors that you love!! I know you like it clean and simple so I tried ot keep it under control!!! Thank you for always being so sweet!! Happy Birthday My Friend!!

Please stop by the following blogs to see the other beautiful cards that have been created to celebrate our friendship with Cathy!

Jeanne (You are Here)
Sharron
Jessica

Kara

Supplies Used: Finished Size 5" x 7"
Stamps: Papertrey Ink Fillable Frames #4, Year of Flowers Sweet Peas, Fillable Frames #1
Dies: Papertrey Ink Fillable Frames #1, Spellbinders Grand Big Scalloped Ovals, Grand Ovals
Markers: Copic G00, 03, 05, 07, RV02, 13, 14, C0, 01
Ink: Versafine Black Onyx, Momento Rosebud

Patterned Paper: Fancy Pants Celebrate Collection Confetti

Solid Paper: Papertrey Raspberry Fizz, Hibiscus Burst

Just Us Girls # 123 Technique - Buttons - Let It Snow!

2012-02-16T14:03:00.003-06:00

I feel like the Mad Hatter today! I'm Late I'm Late! Well almost... I will be getting this one posted just in time if you know what I mean. Today I'm playing along with Just Us Girls Challenge. This week we are challenged to create with buttons. I adore buttons. I started with a collection of just a small box when my kids were little. I used to love their toddler clothing with buttons of airplanes and kitty cat faces. When their clothes were too worn or stained I would clip the fancy buttons from them and put them in a box. The buttons were a way to hold on to some precious part of their childhood. Today I'm still collecting buttons. I went from a small jewelry box to a giant shoe box full of buttons. When I saw the button challenge I knew I would play along. If you'd like to play along you can get all the details here:

I cut out lots of snowflakes with foil paper and embellished them with layers of buttons and gems. for lots of snowy sparkle.

Thanks for having a look - Have a great day!!

Jeanne

Supplies Used: Finished Size 5" x 7"

Patterend Paper: Fancy Pants Holly Jolly Collection Striped Sweater

Dies: Spellbinders Fancy Tags Two, Create A Flake 2, Create A Flake 3

Stamp: Serendipity Let It Snow #151D

Ink: VersaFine Onyx Black

ISSC#02 Go You!

2012-02-15T00:00:00.000-06:00

Hi Everybody! I hope you are having a great day! Today I'm playing along with the new blog challenge page - I Spy Sketches - this is their 2nd sketch challenge. When I saw the pennant design with the banner across the bottom, I knew this would make a fun birthday card. I used a chalkboard look paper by October Afternoon and some bright pink accents (twine, rhinestone flower center and felt flowers) to make the color really pop! I hope that you have some time to play along this week - you can get all the challenges here: http://ispysketches.blogspot.com/2012/02/issc02-with-beate-johns.html.

This is a close up of my twine peg bow and the double layer tag. I softly distressed the edges with Tim Holtz Spun Sugar.

I appreciate your taking the time to have a better look!

Jeanne
Supplies Used: Finished Size: 5" x 7"
Patterned Paper: October Afternoon 5 and Dime
Dies: Spellbinders Circles, Scalloped Circles, Nested Pennants, Nested Lacy Pennants, Sizzix 3 D Flower Bigz
Stamps: Waltzingmouse Vintage Banners, Join Us, Fancy Phrases
Extras: Twine: My Mind's Eye Lime Twist "Life of the Party" Happy Day, Flower Center Prima
Ink: Momento Angel Pink, Rose Bud, TIm Holtz/Ranger Distress Spun Sugar

Liebster Blog Award

2012-02-14T15:03:00.003-06:00

To make myValentine's day even sweeter I was delighted to receive an award from Helen Berry (Helen Berry Design)

THANK YOU HELEN!

What is the Liebster Blog award? Here is a quick explanation.

'Liebster' is German for 'dearest'. The award is a 'share-the-love' arrangement, given to inspirational bloggers with less than 200 followers.

Here's the to-do list of any Liebster award recipient:

Thank the giver and link back to the blogger who gave it to you.
Reveal your five blogger picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog
Copy and paste the award on your blog (see above)
Hope that those you award forward it to their favourite bloggers
Here are my five favorite blogs (in no particular order) with less than 200 followers (based solely on google followers).

Thank you ladies for always being there to inspire me and challenge me to do better. Your word of encouragement mean the world to me and your creations are always an inspiration!

1. Cathy Weber - Empty Nest Crafter
2. Marybeth - Marybeth's Time For Paper
3. JJ Bolton - Ribbon Girls (Handmade Cards)
4. Kristi S - Kristi's Paper Creations
5. Sabrina- SabrinaScrapbook

Happy Valentine's Day!!! Cameo Wreath

2012-02-14T12:34:00.000-06:00

First I want to wish all of you a Happy Valentine's Day!

I wanted to post something really festive and romantic to commemorate the day. I fell in love with this pretty heart shaped berry wreath at Michael's. If you look closely you can see the little tiny transparent red hearts that are on the end of each of the red berry clusters. So pretty!

I didn't really care for the bow that was on the wreath and decided to make this one a "fixer upper". I really try to see things not just for what they are but for the potential that they hold. In hindsight I should have taken a "before" and "after" so you could see the improvements. I made my own bow, and added the cameo centerpiece with the "my Dear" sentiment - just for the fun of it - no challenge today.

Thanks for having a look - I wish you a day shared with the ones you love!

Jeanne

Supplies Used:
Wreath: Michael's
Stamps: Waltzingmouse Cameo to Go, Oval Classic Frames
Die Cuts: Spellbinders Classic Ovals, Tags Trio, Classic Scalloped Ovals
Ink: Stampin'Up! Real Red
Ribbon: 1.5" Brick Red Wired Ribbon by Pure Color European Fashion

Cheery Lynn Lace Rose

2012-02-09T13:04:00.000-06:00

I'm going to keep this one short and sweet because I'm just jugglling too many things today. I'm still waiting for the candy to arrive for the Boy Scout Fannie May sale - now they're telling me tomorrow. I made this one for the Cheery Lynn Blog Challenge. This week's theme is red and white. What a great way to showcase the gorgeous details of these intricate dies!

I used the negative space of the die cut as the background for this card. I embossed it to give it lots of texture. I inserted the cut Japanese Garden Lace Oval Frame, and placed my bright rose bloom on pop dots in the center. For the lacy bottom I adhered a strip of red stain ribbon and then placed the lacy die cut on top of it. I thought about adding a bow but with all the pretty details nothing else is really needed.

If you'd like ot play along with the Cheery Lynn blog challenge you can get all the details here: http://cheerylynndesigns.blogspot.com/search/label/challenge They also give you a preview list of upcoming challenges to give you some extra time to think up a great project. Thanks for stopping by to have a look!

Jeanne

Supplies Used: Finished Size 5" x 7"

Die Cuts: Cheery Lynn Lace Light Deco Border, Japanese Garden Lace Oval

Stamps: Serendipity Rose 281L

Markers: Copic
Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black

WMSC #83 - Black Leopard Heart

2012-02-09T00:00:00.000-06:00

I hope everyone is having a great day!! Me?? Sort of so/so.

I stayed home all day waiting for a special truck delivery of - and you'll never believe this..... CHOCOLATE! I'm in charge of the Fannie May chocolate sale for our Boy Scout troop and all the goods are being delivered HERE! I can't believe they trust me with that much temptation!!! I've been waiting all day - looking out the window every time I hear a car door slam - and still no chocolate. They tell me that for some reason the delivery was delayed and I can expect to receive it tomorrow!!! How horrible! Another day of waiting and worse than that, a day without chocolate! Oh well - it gave me time to surf the web and work on a few things. Gotta look at the up side right???

Today I'm playing along with the Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge. I did a lot of peeking this week - normally I don't look at any other designs until I'm done with mine. I almost didn't do an entry because I saw so many excellent ones that I wasn't sure if I would stand a chance at Top Mouse. I knew to stand out that I would have to do something ... you guessed it.... completely different. I decided to go for it and make a tag for a gift for my daughter. I am so proud of her!!! She just completed her first semester at University and made the Dean's List!! I am so glad she's off to a good start. I've done all my motherly lecturing and was hopeful that some of it sunk in! I'm so thankful!!! Now I just keep asking her who this Dean guy is and if he's good looking!! Her response???? "OH MOM!!!" of course!

I made this tag with lots and lots of layers - take a look at that close up!! I hand stamped the background with an accent piece from Oval Classic Frames. For the lace strip I used a border stamp from Pic Nic Patterns and embossed it black. I added glittery leopard paper, metallic textured paper, and that big fat bow! I know my daughter will love this and will be able to see all the love that I put into it. Just my little way of letting her know that to me... she is sooooo worth it!!

Jeanne

Supplies used:

Stamps: Waltzingmouse Cameo to Go, Oval Classic Frames, PicNic Patterns

Dies: Spellbinders Big Scalloped Ovals, Classic Scalloped Heart, Classic Hearts, Grand Circles, Grand Scalloped Circles, Tag Trio

Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Tim Holtz/Ranger Vintage Photo

Serendipity Blog Challenge - February 8, 2012 - Easter Basket

2012-02-08T00:00:00.000-06:00

Hi and welcome to the Serendipity Stamps Easter Blog Hop! Easter is always one of my favorite times of year because it means winter is over and life is renewed to my part of the world. I am ready for the celebration of spring and longing for all the plants and flowers in my yard.

The card I made today features the Judy's Easter Basket set. I started by stamping the basket image with Momento Rich Cocoa - I think this enhances the natural colors of the basket image better than black would. Next I colored the image with Copic markers. I then took a glue pen and carefully drew over the dots and stripes on the eggs in the basket, and added lots of colorful glitter.

I made a post bow with a double layer of seam binding, topped that with a twine post bow, and then topped that with a sweet pearl embellished brad.

I hope you'll check out the other designs the Serendipity design team members came up with! What a great way to get a jump start on your Easter cards! Just click on the ladies names below to view their blogs!

Thanks for stopping by for a peek - THINK SPRING!!!

Jeanne

Supplies Used: Finished Size: 6" x 6"
Stamps Serendipity Judy's Easter Basket 702QCL
Dies: Lifestyle Crafts Nesting Frame 8 and 3
Paper: K&Co. Cut n' Paste Collection
Markers: Copic E23, 33, 37, BG53, C0, 01, B24, B32, YR00, 12, 65, R81, 22, YG13, 61, Y31
Hug Snug Seam BInding Elegant Peacock Blue
Twinery Caribbean Twine
Glitter Martha Stewart Crafts
Brad K & Co.

Card Patterns #151 - Red Rose Swirl

2012-02-07T19:23:00.000-06:00

Wow is time flying lately! I can't believe we're well into February! I've been making so many Valentine's cards lately and I haven't mailed even one of them yet. At my house the hardest part isn't making them - it is getting everyone to sign them. It seems wrong for me to write their names for them, but that's what it's going to come to soon. It seems like everyone is in a hurry and has some other place to be. Crafting has been a real blessing for me since my daughter started driving. It is so important for her to become independent, but at the same time it has created a void in my life that crafting has filled. I am so thankful for all my crafting friends I've made through blogging.

I've seen so many pretty CAS cards lately. I really don't understand why they are called that. I get the "clean" part, but I don't think there is anything "simple" about them. I think they are genius in that they hold so much blank "negative" space but don't look like they are missing a single thing. I am always finding myself adding "one more thing" creating lots of layers. I tried to go for this CAS style today, but I still added lots of details like paper piercing, gems, and a hand made felt flower. To make the rose I tried to mimic a ribbon folding technique I've seen on line and used a hot glue gun to hold it all together.

I found the crystal heart in the jewelry department at Joann Fabric. They have a whole wall of gems on strings in every color you can imagine. I knew it would be a great accent on a card someday! I made this card for the Card Patterns Challenge #151. If you'd like to play along with the sketch above you can get all the details here: http://cardpatterns.blogspot.com/2012/02/sketch-151.html
Thank you so much for taking the time to have a look - I hope you have a great day!

Jeanne

Supplies Used: Finished Size 5" x 7"
Stamps: Tattered Angels Screen Prints Flowering Vine
Ink: Momento Ladybug Red

ISSC01 - Tea Time!

2012-02-06T12:39:00.000-06:00

Well I survived Super bowl! I don't watch the game. I usually get stuck with kitchen duty preparing food and snacks for the festivities. My husband doesn't have friends over often so it is a chance for me to thank him for all the nice things he does for me. This year my son had a group of friends over so there was lots of hoots and hollering!

Have you heard the buzz? There's a new blog challenge in town! It's I Spy Sketches from Kim Teasdale!!! And talk about new - this is really really new! This is their very first sketch challenge. I'm new to blogging (I've been at it less than a year) so it's not often I run into something that is newer than me ;)!! I wanted to catch this one from the ground up so of course you can count me in! The guest designer for the kick off is Loretta Lock. If you want to play along you can get all the details here: http://ispysketches.blogspot.com/2012/02/issc01-with-loretta-lock-and-one-that.html

I started with this great Tea Service stamp from Serendipity - I think it's a real beauty and what better way to showcase it than with this sketch design. I embossed the grey background and distressed it a bit with some Pixie Dust Versa Magic Chalk ink to bring out the details.

This one was a lot of fun to make. I'm looking forward to seeing the great sketches and designs from the guest designer and design team every week. Have a great day!

Jeanne

Supplies Used: Finished Size 6" x 6"
Stamps: Serendipity Tea Service 016G, Celebrate 914B
Paper: Echo Park Be Mine Collection Love Letters
Markers: Copic, G21, YG95, WO, B000, 14, 32, R81, 83, 85, RV00, BV000, 04, 01
Border Punch: Martha Stewart Pinking Scallop
Dies: Spellbinders Grand Ovals, Grand Scalloped Ovals
Seam Binding: Hug Snug Clipper Grey
Embossing Folder: Cuttlebug Paper Lace 2
Ink: Versa Magic Pixie Dust, Momento Tuxedo Black, Versa Mark Onyx Black, Tim Holtz/Ranger DIstress Antique Linen

Case Study #76 - Pink Bloom

2012-02-05T19:25:00.000-06:00

It's Superbowl Sunday!! I've got sausage and mostaccioli in the oven so I'm taking a breather to post a card I've been working on for Case Study. If you know me, then you know for me it's all about the details! I'm envious of those of you who can pull off the CAS look because for me it never looks like it's quite finished when I try.

This month CASE Study brings us designs from muse Karola Kraftuje. I was delighted when I saw her design this week because it's right up my alley! I love all the layers and the details on this one. I followed her example but changed it up a little bit. I made my card in pink and added a sprinkling of gems.

I made the rose with Spellbinders Spiral Blossom One die cut three times. I shaded the edges in Tim Holtz/Ranger Distress Spun Sugar. The smaller flower is the same die cut once and distressed in Tattered Rose. The bird is from Spellbinders Bird Sanctuary. I cut my own wing and zig zag folded it like Karola did.

Here are a few close ups - the flower, and the butterflies and bird with the gems added.

Thanks for stopping by to take a look - I really had fun making this one. I hope you will give it a try. You can get all the details here: http://www.casestudychallenge.blogspot.com/2012/02/case-study-challenge-76.html.

Supplies Used: Finished Size 5" x 7"

Paper: K&Co. Cut N'Paste Collection

Stamps: Sentiment: Serendipity Everyday Words 471QCL, Crafty Secrets Queen Bee, Bird Notes

Dies: Spellbinders Spiral Blossom One, Bird Sanctuary

Martha Stewart Punch Butterfly

Ink: Momento Rose Bud, Ranger/Tim Holtz Distress Antique Linen, Worn Lipstick, Spun Sugar, Tattered Rose

Cupcake Inspirations Challenge 145 - Zebra Stripes

2012-02-03T15:44:00.001-06:00

Can you believe it's Friday already? This week really flew for me! My craft room is a total mess! That's how I gauge my productivity. I will spend tonight or Saturday putting everything where it belongs and begin again on Monday!!! I went to Hobby Lobby today and made a few purchases - a few Copics, some pretty ribbon spools (I used one today above), and some felt.

Today I'm playing along with Cupcake Iinspirations Challenge 145. I saw this zebra striped confection and knew I had to play along. I'm getting close to the wire (entries close in a few hours) so I'm going to keep this one short.

I started out with a wooden purse shaped box that I found at Michael's for - get this - $2.99!!! I painted it with gesso, then a coat of white acrylic paint. Then I covered the front and back in a shimmery zebra print paper, added some black gems and fuchsia felt rolled flowers. I wanted my sentiment to look like a price tag attached with black and white twine.

I will be filling the box with chocolates to give to my sister for Valentines day. I hope you like it! Thanks for stopping by for a peek!

Jeanne

Supplies Used: Wooden Box - Michaels

Stamp: Serendipity Happy Valentine's Day 319D

Paper: WIld Thing Zebra KI Memories

Rose Die: Sizzix 3-D Flower

Ink: Versafine Onyx Black

Gems: Recollections

Twinery Charcoal Twine

WMSC82 Spring Wishes

2012-02-02T13:51:00.000-06:00

I hope everyone is having a great day. I'm going through another round of dental treatments - went in yesterday and again this morning. Makes me glad to be alive to be back home in the comfort of my "space" - my craft room of course!! I can't believe it's February, and that it's Thursday already. I didn't want to end the week without participating in the Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge! Here's the link for this week: http://waltzingmousesketchchallenge.blogspot.com/2012/01/challenge-82january-28-2012.html

I've had this card in my head since I saw the sketch on Saturday (I didn't know the blog party was going to be Spring and almost saved this one for that!) I was glad to get this on paper and pieced together last night. I hope you like it - I love all the green - it is a fresh of breath air after all the red and pink I've been working with lately! I think this is just about as clean and simple a card as I'm able to make. I stamped the background in Pic Nic Patterns, colored the flowers in Copic - fussy cut a second set to layer the flowers and really make them pop. I almost sugar glittered all the flowers but decided on some simple orange gems for the centers that coordinate well with the gem on the bow.

I hope you like it - I appreciate your having a look. Have a great day!

Jeanne

Supplies Used: Finished Size 5" x 7"
Stamps: Waltzingmouse Spring Baskets, Pic Nic Patterns
Dies: Spellbinders Classic Ovals, Big Scalloped Ovals, Grand Labels 11
Embossing Folder Intricate Swirl Paper Studio
Seam Binding: Hug Snug Antique Gold
Copic Y12, 15, 17, 19, E13, 11, G21, 24, WO
Flower Center Prima
Ink: Momento Bamboo Leaves, Tuxedo Black, Ranger/Tim Holtz Antique Linen Distress

Sweethearts

2012-02-01T15:08:00.003-06:00

Hi! I hope everyone is having a good day. The weather is beautiful here - upper 40's. It's really starting to look like Spring! I'm not going to kid myself - winter isn't done with us just yet. In fact, today is the anniversary of the big blizzard we had last year. It's hard to believe we were buried under several feet of snow a year ago, and today is so beautiful.

It's February 1 so it's time to start thinking about mailing out some of the Valentine's I've been making. Now if I can only get everyone in the house to sit down long enough to sign them I'll be in business!

I combined a few different challenges today - I took the color combo from Color Q challenge 122, and used only Cheery Lynn Dies for their blog challenge. The Cheery Lynn blog challenge this week is "Sweethearts". This immediately got me thinking about the Waltzingmouse Cameo and of course the beautiful die cut Cheery Lynn hearts.

I am also entering this at Stampin' Royalty whose only requirement this week is to make something for Valentine's Day - It's all About Love.

I started with the new Sophia's Heart Doily, topped it with the French Pastry Doily, and then layered the hearts from Two of Hearts and topped them with the cameo images. I made a post bow with two colors of seam binding and glued a felt flower in the center. The crochet flower at the bottom is hand made by my sweet mom. I also squeezed in some of the Twinery's latest color - Flax. It goes great with the kraft paper.

Thank you for having a look - I hope you find some time to play today!

Here's the links to the above challenges:
Cheery Lynn Designs Weekly Challenge http://cheerylynndesigns.blogspot.com/search/label/challenge
ColourQ http://colourq.blogspot.com/
Stampin' Royalty http://stampinroyalty.blogspot.com/

Jeanne

Products Used: Finished Size: 6" x 6"
Die Cuts: Cheery Lynn Designs Sophia's Heart, Francesca Border, Two of Hearts, French Pastry
Sizzix 3D Flowers Bigz
Stamps: Waltzingmouse Sweethearts, Oval Classic Frames
Patterned Paper: My Mind's Eye Lost & Found Collection Madison Avenue "Sisters" Lace Paper
Embossing Folder Lifestyle Crafts Whimsy
Seam Binding Hug Snug Baby Pink, Camel Hair
Twinery Twine Flax
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black

The 12 Kits of Christmas - January 2012

2012-01-30T23:00:00.000-06:00

The 12 Kits of Christmas came about when Suzanne and Renee decided to be better prepared for sending Christmas cards the coming year. To keep each other from straying from their commitment they decided to challenge each other with themes, supplies, and sketches. This idea bloomed into the 12 Kits of Christmas (a play on the 12 Days of Christmas).

Here's how it works: There are 12 designers - each will play hostess for one month. The hostess will put together 12 identical kits in their own unique style that will include paper, stamped images, die cuts, and embellishments. The 12 designers of The 12 Kits of Christmas group are challenged to create a Christmas card using the ingredients supplied by the hostess of the month. Creations will be revealed at 12:01am ET on the last day of each month.

Renee started the ball rolling for 2012 with a great package of goodies... die cuts from Cheery Lynn, Memory Box, and Papertrey Ink. She also included velvet ribbons, seam binding, jingle bells, twine, buttons and stamped images from Waltzingmouse and Papertrey. Paper is from October Afternoon Holiday Style. The color scheme she selected was classic red, white and green. Here's a shot of the package of goodies... How could you go wrong with this bundle of goodness???

I went with the silhouette image from PTI's In the Meadow and made a classic holiday scene. All the items used have been supplied by Renee EXCEPT for the card backing, frame, silver tag, and the crochet lace. If you are curious and would like to see what the other ladies came up with - feel free to blog hop along. Maybe jingle all the way? Oh... and did I mention that there is a little blog candy to be had??? Just leave a little love (a sweet comment) on each of the blogs and you will be entered to win - it's that simple! Links to all the designers are listed below

Joyce
Kim
Amy

Thanks for stoping by!

Jeanne

Ingredients: Finished Size 6" x 6"
Dies: Spellbinders: Fancy Tags Trio, Petite Ovals, Labels 10, Grand Ovals
PTI: In the Meadow Silhouettes, In the Meadow
Memory Box: Star of Wonder, Essex Label
Stamp: Waltzingmouse Compliments of the Season
Paper: October Afternoon Holiday Style

CR84FN47 & Random Acts of Creativity - Wedding Cake

2012-01-30T16:08:00.000-06:00

The weather here is so nice today - it feels like spring! I took my girl out for a walk - she's not doing so well - she is 13 years old so I let her set the pace. She is slower than she used to be, but it makes me appreciate her more. Walking slower gives me the opportunity to look around more and notice the little things I might normally miss. I'm thinking I might just sneak out later when she's napping so I can walk faster and get some exercise in. I'm tempted to open the windows to bring some of that fresh air in the house - but decided it's better to keep my energy bill down!

Today I'm playing along with two different challenges. I am using the color combination/inspiration from CR84FN, and the Sketch Design from Random Acts of Creativity. I was inspired by the "country wedding" images from the CR84FN and made a wedding congratulations card based around this theme.

I used papers from October Afternoon's Thrift Shop for that 'country" feel and added felt rolled roses that I made.

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by to take a peek!

Jeanne

Supplies Used: Finished Size 5" x 7"
Stamps: Serendipity Wedding Cake 425E
Paper: October Afternoon Thrift Shop
Dies: Sizzix 3D Flowers, Spellbinders Foliage, Labels 16, Grand Labels 11
Border Punch EK Success Double Embossed Dotted Lace, Dotted Scallop
Embossing Folder: Cuttlebug Musical Flourish
Markers: Copic R81, 83, 85, B32, G24, R00
Seam Binding Hug Snug Baby Pink, Cream

Card Patterns Sketch 150 - January 28, 2012 - Red Cameo

2012-01-29T13:23:00.001-06:00

Happy Sunday! I hope everyone is enjoying a leisurely day! My son and husband are off helping at the church pancake breakfast - and the girls are at home. We made our own pancakes and bacon and are enjoying the day. Although most of the snow is gone, it's still a bit cold out. My daughter is taking a college exam on line so I'm playing along with the Card Patterns Sketch 150.

I started with this beautiful paper from My Mind's eye and dressed it up with lots of layers of die cuts.

I made all the flowers on this card from felt and ribbon. Thanks for stopping by to take a look - have a great day!

Jeanne

Supplies Used: Finished Size: 5" x 7"

Stamps: Waltzingmouse Cameo To Go

Paper: My Mind's Eye Lost & Found Collection Madison Avenue "Cherish" Pintuck Paper, Union Square "Home Sweet Home" Collage Paper, Union Square "Favorite" Union Station Paper

Dies: Spellbinders Foliage, Postage Stamps Big Scalloped Ovals, Classic Squares

Rolled Flower: Sizzix Flowers 3 D Die

Border Embossed Dotted Lace EK Success, Punch File Tab Mc GIll

Ink: Versafine Black Onyx

Card Patterns Sketch 149 - January 21, 2012 Heart Locket

2012-01-26T00:00:00.000-06:00

Today I'm playing along with Card Patterns Sketch 149 by Tracy Schultz. I saw the circular shape, and the heart and decided to make a non-traditional Valentine card that will be headed off to my sister Kathy who appreciates things that are beyond the ordinary.

I made the beautiful centerpiece by layering the wings from Spellbinders Heraldry set in two colors. I sanded them to make the embossing stand out and give them a distressed look. I topped them with a silver foil cut heart locket from the Timeless Heritage set. I set that on top of a piece of crinkled wired organza ribbon. The heart is hand crochet by my mom - and that beautiful ornate Love stamp is by Serendipity.

This one was hard to photograph - I was tempted to tape it down so it would stop rolling away!! I hope you like it! Thanks for stopping by to take a peek. If you'd like to play along this week you can get all the details here: http://cardpatterns.blogspot.com/2012/01/sketch-149.html

Jeanne

Supplies Used: Finished Size Approximately 6" x 6"
Stamp: Love 036B Serendipity Stamps
Paper: My Mind's Eye Lost & Found Collection Market Street "Princess" Princess Crowns Paper, Portobello Road "Boy" Dapper Dots Paper
Dies: Spellbinders Grand Circles, Grand Scalloped Circles, Heraldry, Labels 14, Timeless Heritage, Cheery Lynn Lace Light Deco Border
Ink: Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Tattered Rose

Serendipity Blog Challenge 1-25-12 - Valentine Card

2012-01-25T00:00:00.000-06:00

Hi and welcome to a new Serendipity Stamps Blog Challenge! Mary, the owner of Serendipity has challenged us to create a Valentine's Day card with a simple catch..... the card has to be completely white except for the image - AND we have to use a dry emboss technique. I have to tell you that I just love all the natural flower stamps in this collection so selecting just one was the tough part of this challenge!! The all white really makes the colors you select pop!

I decided on the English Rose image, stamped it with Momento Tuxedo Black (this is the best ink to use when coloring with alcohol markers) and colored it up with Copics. My card is 5" x 7" so I dry embossed a slightly smaller square and then die cut an oval from the center. I used pop dots and centered them over the colored rose image. I inked up my sentiment with Versafine Black Onyx ink so get a nice dark image, die cut it and dressed it up with a few pearls.

If you'd like to see what the other ladies created you can click on the design team member's names below and it will take you directly to their blog. Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope this inspires you to create a beautiful one of a kind card of your own.

Jeanne

Supplies Used: Finished Size is 5" x 7"
Stamps: Serendipity Stamps: English Rose762L, Happy Valentine's Day 319D
Die Cuts: Spellbinders Grand Ovals, Blossom Tags & Accents
Embossing Plate: SIzzix Texturz Christmas Lattice
Markers: Copic G24, 28, 85, R22, 24, 27, 29, W1, W0
Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, Versa Fine Onyx Black

Cupcake Inspirations 144 - January 22, 2012 - Snowy Pastels

2012-01-23T18:23:00.000-06:00

Today I'm playing along with Cupcake Inspirations Challenge #144. When I saw the inspiration photo - beautifully iced snowflake cookies - I knew I had to play along! I started by stamping my background with pink and blue pastel snowflakes from Waltzingmouse. I added some pleated blue satin trim, icy pink glittery cord and bakers twine. I topped it off with a pretty pastel and glitter snowflake.

The snowflake is a triple cut of Spellbinders Lace Doily Accents topped with a Cheery Lynn snowflake cut from white glitter paper. In the center is a snowflake gem topped with a pink round gem. I dusted the background pattern with gems and pearls for a little added sparkle.

Thanks so much for stopping by to have a look - I appreciate your nice comments and encouragement!

Jeanne

If you'd like to play along you can get all the details here: http://cupcakeinspirations.blogspot.com/2012/01/challenge-144.html

Supplies Used: Finished Size 6" x 6"

Stamps: Waltzingmouse Compliments of the Season, Santa's Coming to Town, Seasons of Love Tags, Vintage Ornaments

Dies: Spellbinders Lace Doily Accents, Twisted Metal Tags & Accents, Cheery Lynn: Snowflake 2

Ink: Momento Rosebud, Angel Pink, Summer Sky Tim Holtz/Ranger Distress Tumbled Glass, Antique Linen

Twine: Twinery Caribbean, My Mind's Eye Lime Twist Life of the Party "Happy Day"

WMSC#81 January 21, 2012 - Sweetie Pie

2012-01-22T19:27:00.000-06:00

I hope everyone is having a good weekend. We all worked hard Saturday removing the snow so I decided to let everyone sleep in. I took advantage of a quiet morning and played with the Waltzingmouse sketch challenge for the week. If it was summer time you'd find me and the dog outside at 6 a.m. relaxing and listening to the birds. I miss sitting outside with a glass of iced tea reading a book.

I made this Valentine for my mom. As strange as it sounds my son has been calling her "sweetie pie" for as long as I can remember. When I saw this phrase in the Sweethearts set I knew it would wind up on a card for her. My mom is always doing special little things to let us know she cares - buying us little presents, and encouraging our hobbies. She likes to crochet and often sends over a handful of hand made flowers for me to add to cards I make. In fact she even sent over a package of these sweet flowers you see on my card. This week's sketch is by Anya Schrier and here's the link if you'd like to play along: http://waltzingmousesketchchallenge.blogspot.com/2012/01/challenge-81january-21-2012.html

Thanks for stopping by to take a peek! Have a great day!

Jeanne

Supplies used: Finished Size is 5" x 7"

Stamps: Waltzingmouse Sweethearts, Vintage Labels 1

Dies: Spellbinders Labels 1, Labels 1 Small, Lacy Pennants, Cherry Lynn Heartland America Large

Paper: Echo Park Be Mine Collection "Love Letters"

Ink: Momento Rosebud, Angel Pink - Tim Holtz/Ranger Distress Antique Linen

Embossing Folder: SIzzix Starry Night #2 from Sugar & Starry Night Set

Corner PunchCorner Chomper Deco

Martha Stewart Coarse Glitter

Staples: Fastenater EK Success

CR84FN46 - Pink Yellow Neutral - What a Doll!

2012-01-20T15:02:00.003-06:00

Today it's cold and snowy here. We are expected to get from 6 to 8 inches and I think we are well on our way - it's been snowing for a straight 5 hours now. Should make for some fun picking up my son from school! YUCK! I thought I'd stay home today (no kidding!) and get something done (other than housework - another YUCK).

I made this one for a princess I know who is having a birthday. Like all little people she loves to hear the story of the day she was born. We always begin with "Once upon a time..." My mom still tells me about the day I was born, and I still love to hear her tell it.

My card today is my attempt at randomness. I have pieces taped at angles, and my strip of ribbon is short and unfinished - not neatly wrapped around the side of the card. I know it still looks organized doesn't it. Oh well - I'm still learning! The two color bow is made from both pink and yellow seam binding wrapped together. The Spellbinder dress die I found at a local scrap shop - and had to have it. I hope you like it!

If you'd like to play along you can get all the details here: http://cr84fncolorchallenge.blogspot.com/2012/01/cr84fn46.html Thanks for taking a peek! Have a great day!

Jeanne

Supplies Used: Finished size: 6"x 6"

Stamps: Cat's Life Press @catslifepress.com

Paper: K& Co Cut 'n Paste Collection

Dies: Spellbinders Decorative Dress Forms, Ribbon Tag Trio 2

Seam Binding: Hug Snug, Baby Pink, Antique Gold

Twine: Twinery Blossom, My Minds Eye Lime Twist Life of the Party "Happy Day"

Border Punch: EK Success Binding Edge

Stampin' Royalty # 107 - Day Lilly

2012-01-20T00:00:00.000-06:00

I hope everyone is having a good week. I'm still playing around trying to organize my things better. I've bought a few of those white wooden storage boxes from Michael's, and they seem to be helping. The hardest part is putting them together. My thumb is sore from turning the screwdriver!!

I decided time to give cleaning a break and have some fun so I decided to play along in the Stampin' Royalty challenge this week. I immediately started thinking flowers - I don't know if it was the colors or the little leaf shapes but that is the direction I went. I colored these beautiful day lillies from Serendipity and framed them in beautiful Authentique paper and Cheery Lynn dies. I added a seam binding bow with a button brad and a sweet tiny tag to finish it off.

Thanks for stopping by to take a peek. If you'd like to play along or just see what everyone else came up with you can get all the details here: http://stampinroyalty.blogspot.com/2012/01/stampin-royalty-challenge-107.html

Thanks!

Jeanne

Supplies used: Finished Size 5" x 7"

Stamps: Serendipity Day lilly 1213H, Thinking of You Small 617B

Paper: Authentique Gathering Collection "Grow"

Dies: Spellbinder Petite Ovals, Labels 13 -Cheery Lynn Polynesian Sails Oval, Border Carnivale

Markers: Copic Y19, YR12, 15, 16, 18, YG95, 97

Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Onyx Black

Twinery Twine Caribbean

Button Brad: K&Co. (I added gems to this)

Seam Binding: Hug Snug Elegant Peacock Blue, Dusty Olive

Waltzingmouse Christmas Card Challenge - January - Sky Background

2012-01-19T00:00:00.000-06:00

Did you know Waltzingmouse had a Christmas Card Challenge? The challenge is pretty simple, on the 10th of each month a new challenge is issued in the Playroom Forum. While you increase your stash of Christmas cards, you increase your changes of winning a wonderful prize as well. This month the challenge is to create a card that showcases either a daytime or nighttime sky. I don't know about you, but I got caught in the mad dash this year and was short more than a few Christmas cards. The thought of buying cards from the store was more than my crafting heart could bear!! I resolve to not be caught empty handed this year!! (Well hopefully right?)

Supplies Used: Finished Size 6 x 6"
Stamps: Waltzingmouse 2011 Holiday Ornaments, Santa's Coming to Town, Vintage Circles Small
Dies: Lifestyle Crafts Nesting Frame 3, Spellbinders Double Ended Tags, Circles
Paper: Fancy Pants Christmas Magic "Christmas Carol", Holly Jolly "Striped Sweater"
Seam Binding: Hug Snug Paradise Aqua
Glitter: Martha Stewart Coarse Glitter
Twinery: Twine Honeydew (Thanks Renee!)
Ink: Versa Magic Chalk Sea Breeze, Momento Dye Rhubarb Stalk
Embossing Folder: Cuttlebug Give A Hoot Set

Serendipity Blog Hop Challenge - January 18, 2012 Calendars

2012-01-18T00:00:00.000-06:00

Hi and welcome to my first post as a Serendipity Stamps design team member! I am so proud and excited to work with these stamps and show you all their gorgeous designs. Their flowers in particular are amazing and so life like that I can almost smell them as I'm coloring away with my Copics.

Like many of you I've been working so hard on getting more organized this year. My husband put shelves up in my craft room to get the boxes out from under my feet. I put all my cling stamps in empty DVD cases, got glass jars for my twine, and my Cricut cartridges are all in alphabetical order!! Mary, the owner of Serendipity Stamps came up with another fantastic way to help get organized this year - create a calendar!

I've seen blank calendar kits before, but I'd never actually worked on one until now. I don't know why I never tried this, but now that I have it might become an annual event. I really enjoyed decking out these two pages. I know I will enjoy looking at them in the months to come - each one an individual work of art hanging in my craft room.

I glammed up the October page with lots of bling and sparkle to capture the magic of the holiday. I made the orange flower using a tutorial featured by Clare Buswell for they Hybrid Chick blog http://www.thehybridchick.com/2010/09/fabric-flower-gift-box/.

For November I wanted to capture all the color of the fall leaves. I love the Horn of Plenty image because it captures all these colors in the bounty of the harvest so well.

Each of the design team members were assigned two months to decorate - just click on their names to hop on over to their blog to see what they've come up with.

Jenny Gropp January & December

Amy Cokley February & March

Miriam Napier April & May

Kathie Bailey June & July

Sue Eldred August & September

Jeanne Jachna October & November (You are Here)

I hope this will inspire you to come up with a one of a kind creation of your own to brighten up your home and your day!

Jeanne

Supplies Used:
October November

Stamps: Serendipity Pumpkin on Rock 405H, Wicked 1228D Stamps: Serendipity We Give Thanks 488E,

Trick or Treat 314C, October 549F, Tiny Pumpkin  1021C                       Horn of Plenty 672K, November 595F
Paper: Recollections Midnight Magic                                                       Paper: Authentique Blissful Collection "Prosperity" & "Euphoria"
Markers: Copic YR00, 12 16, 18, 24, R17, YG01, 95                                Markers: Copic G07, 24 28, E00, 13, 23, 33, 87, R17, 46, CO

Y08, W0, 01, 03, 05 YR12, 16, 18, 24, 31, Y01, 19, YG61, 95, V01, 04, 09, 06, B24

Dies: Quickutz/Lifestyle Crafts Frame, Nexting Frame 5 & 3, Dies: Lifestyle Crafts Nesting Frame 2, Spellbinders Grand Circles
Flourish , Spellbinders Fancy Tags 2, Petite Ovals Grand Scalloped Circles, Fancy Tags 2, Petite Ovals

Bling: Recollections Border Punch: Martha Stewart Zig Zag

Orange Button: Bazzil Basics

Twine: My Mind's Eye Lime Twist Fly A Kite "Everyday"

Border Punch: EK Success Double Embossed DOtted Lace

Embossing Folder: Cuttlebug Skeleton Scroll

Ink: Tim Holtz/Ranger Distress Antique Linen,

Versafine Onyx Black, Momento Tuxedo Black

Black Button La Mode

Waltzingmouse Stamps January Blog Party - Sweet Things

2012-01-17T00:00:00.000-06:00

On the 17th of every month Waltzingmouse Stamps hosts a blog party - this month it's all about "Sweet Things" - just in time for Valentine's right? I've had my eye on these little wooden boxes you can find at Michael's for a while. They are very inexpensive - around $2. I wanted to do something special for the blog party so I took the plunge and bought one. I gave it a quick coat of gesso and covered it in sweet Martha Stewart Valentine's paper.

To make it even more like a party I added a rosette wand with a streamer of little hearts. Save some money - make your own rosette without a die - just cut a 2" strip of 12" paper, score it every 1/4" for folding. I ran mine through a Fiskars border punch to give it a fancy edge, zig zag folded it, and attached the two ends. Use a hot glue gun to attach a small circle on both sides for some stability and you're good to go. Easy Peasy!

What could make this box any sweeter than this you ask? I say CHOCOLATE!!! I'm planning on giving this one to my mom to brighten her day - she's been a little down lately. This will let her know I'm thinking about her and satisfy her sweet tooth at the same time!

Thanks for taking a peek - Have a great day!

Jeanne

Products Used:

Stamps: Waltzingmouse Sweethearts, Gingham & Company, "Dearest" from Cameo to Go

Dies: Spellbinders Nested Lacy Pennants, Fancy Tags 2, Classic Hearts, Cheery Lynn Two of Hearts, Dancing Doily Lace Border, Sizzix Window Cuts Hearts

Paper: Martha Stewart Valentine Collection

Martha Stewart Coarse Glitter

Twine: My Mind's Eye Lime Twist Life of the Party "Happy Day"

Border Punch (on rosette) Fiskars

Ink: Momento Rosebud, Lady Bug, Versa Fine Onyx Black

WMSC 80 - January 14, 2012

2012-01-15T16:33:00.000-06:00

Happy Sunday! I made it through my dental implant surgery yesterday and am just happy to be alive! I think you know the feeling. Like when you're on the way to the doctor or the dentist - don't you always feel better? So good sometimes that maybe you don't feel like you need to go there at all! HA! I was brave and got through the procedure conscious - now just a sore jaw and a little swelling. So I'm spending the day in my pj's and playing with my craft supplies. My boys are out helping with a Boy Scout Eagle project, and I have my girls (my daughter and my dog) to take care of me!

Of course, had to play along with the Waltzingmouse sketch challenge. I decided to go with the Asian Gardens set for my design today. Here's the sketch and the link if you want to play along or just see what everyone's come up with http://waltzingmousesketchchallenge.blogspot.com/2012/01/challenge-80january-14-2012.html I have a no peek policy - that means I don't look at anyone else's design until I'm done with mine. This week I'm done early so I can check everyone else out.

I really love the birds in this set, but have been unhappy with the results when I stamp them in one ink. I changed things up a bit today by stamping them first in Momento Summer Sky - light blue. Then I took a Momento Danube Blue marker and highlighted the head and the feathers. I took a cotton swab and cleaned off the belly and markered in some Momento Tangelo. For the leaves on the tree I dipped the stamp in Momento Pear Tart and then dabbed some Bamboo leaves onto the edges of the stamp to give them the two color effect you see.

Supplies Used: Finished Size is 5" x 7"

Stamps: Waltzingmouse: Asian Gardens

Paper: My Mind's Eye A Beautiful Live 6x6 pad

Dies: Spellbinders Labels, Chery Lynn Lace Light Deco Border

Ink Pads/Markers: Momento: LuLu Lavender, Bamboo Leaves, Summer Sky, Potters Clay, Sweet Plum, Danube Blue, Grape Jelly, Tangelo, Pear Tart

WMSC #79 - January 7, 2011 - Hey Sweet Thing

2012-01-12T14:15:00.000-06:00

I hope everyone is having a great Thursday. I did a little running around with my daughter this morning, but now we are home and back in business. Actually she is going out to lunch with some friends from school, and I'm taking advantage of my quiet time. Can you believe it's snowing here? Our first real snow of the winter!! It's so pretty to watch when your indoor and don't have to go anywhere. I will have to face the slippery roads when I pick up my son from school shortly.

Today I'm playing along with the first Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge of 2012! The Mischief Makers were on a holiday hiatus but now they're back - and so am I! Click here for the link you'd like to play along... And here's the sketch.

I've been trying to make more cards to send out vs. building up my already large card collection so I decided to make a Valentine's card. Sweethearts is one of the most recent sets I've purchased and I'm glad to get some ink kissed on to these babies. I really love all the unique sentiments Claire included in this set, and the one I used "hey! sweet thing" is no exception. I wanted to do something a little non-traditional and I think this one with the turquoise accents fits the bill. I distressed the edges, sanded down the embossed middle, and added lots of layers. I hope you like it and that you find some time for a little fun today!

Supplies Used: Finished Size 5" x 7"
Stamps: Waltzingmouse Dainty Doilles 2, Sweethearts
Paper: Crate Paper Portrait Collection "Boquet"
Die Cuts: Heart: Quickutz/Lifestyle Crafts, All others: Spellbinders: Double Ended Tags, Picot Edge Circles, Lattice Pendants
Ink: VersaMagic Chalk Ink - Turquoise Gem, Red Magic
Embossing Folder: Cuttlebug
Border Punch: Ek Success Bracket Edger

Authentique Paper January Challenge - English Rose

2012-01-11T18:01:00.003-06:00

I found a new scrapbook store in my area today. I keep seeing these fantastic dies by Memory Box and wanted to get my hands on some. The store I found was listed on MB's web site. They didn't have any of the dies I was looking for - but Wow! what a collection of scrapbook papers!! You might already be familiar with Authentique but for me it was an eye opener. And let me tell you - it was love at first site!! Naturally I had to check out their site to see what else I've been missing from them and while I was browsing I found they have a blog challenge every month so of course I'm in!

I started with the Uncommon Collection which is so romantic looking that I had to top it off with a gorgeous rose from Serendipity. I added lots of crochet lace and a silver locket button just under the seam binding bow. If you are interested in playing along you can get all the details here: http://blog.authentiquepaper.com/2012/01/january-sketch-challenge.html

I wanted to add a quick edit to this post - Mary at Serendipity is sponsoring a Rose in Winter Festival. You can also enter to win a $25 gift certificate! You can get all the details here: http://www.serendipitystampsgallery.com/2012/01/roses-in-winter

Jeanne

Products Used: Finished SIze 5" x 7"
Paper: Authentique Uncommon Collection "Distinct", "Unique", "Gifted"

Stamp: Serendipity English Rose 762L

Markers: Copic R81, 83, 85, W0, 01, G24, 28, 85
Dies: Lifestyle Crafts Nesting Frame 3
Seam Binding: Snug Hug Melon

Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, Tim Holtz/Ranger Distress Antique Linen, Weathered Wood

Case Study #72 - January 5, 2012 - Cupid

2012-01-05T13:25:00.000-06:00

I had to play along with this week's Case Study. Jen Rzasa is the new guest designer this month at Case Study. When I saw the inspiration photo I knew I had to play along!! I'm working on Valentine's cards and an image of cupid flying in a cloud of hearts came to mind - so that's where I took it! If you feel inspired by the photo and would like to play along you can get all the details here: http://www.casestudychallenge.blogspot.com/2012/01/case-study-challenge-72.html

I think this card is just about as clean as I've ever got it! I stamped the sentiment and the clouds on my base - look mom no layers!!! I inked the sentiment with Archival ink to get a deep dark impression, and then added the red border stamp. I stamped the clouds in Momento Summer Sky and did a quick outline shadow around them with Copic B70. The cloud stamp had several clouds on it - to make the clouds all look different I taped off certain clouds and only inked up the ones I wanted to use.

Did I tell you my husband built me some new shelves for all my scrappy goodies? This helped me dig out things I haven't been using and put them within easy reach. All the dies used on this layout are Quickutz dies that have been out of sight, out of mind! I guess being organized does pay off!! Thanks honey!!

Supplies used: Finished Size 5" x 7"

Dies: Hearts & Cupid Quickutz 2x2

Stamps: Sentiment and Border - Martha Stewart, Clouds - All Night Media

Ink: Black: Archival/Ranger Red: Momento/Ladybug, Blue: Momento/Summer Sky

Stampin'Royalty #105 - January 4, 2012 - Happy Valentine's Day!

2012-01-05T10:44:00.000-06:00

Baby it's cold outside! For those of us not brave enough to face the elements, I hope you are keeping busy creating something beautiful indoors. I've been spending some time trying to organize my scrap room. My hubby put in lots and lots of wall shelves for me - I think he was worried I'd wind up on an episode of Hoarding. Things are looking good - still trying to figure out those odd shaped items, and my growing collection of cards I've made. I'm trying to get smarter about this and make cards for upcoming occasions now that I've got a decent stash acquired. To a more organized 2012!

Today I'm playing along with the Stampin' Royalty Challenge #105. I thought I'd use this as an opportunity to get a jump on some Valentine's cards. I started with this pretty Parisian inspired paper from K& Co. - so romantic. I added some hearts, pretty doilies and of course some bling! If you'd like to play along you can get all the details here.. http://stampinroyalty.blogspot.com/2012/01/stampin-royalty-challenge-105.html

Supplies Used: Finished Size 5" x 7"

Paper: K&Co. Brenda Walton Madeline 8 x 8 paper pad

Dies: Spellbinders Long Classic Rectangles Large, Petite Scalloped Circles Small, Long Classic Scalloped Rectangles Large, Blossom Tag & Accents

Stamps: Martha Stewart Stamp & Punch, Sentiment by Doodles By Design

Embossing Folder: Cuttlebug Paper Lace 2

Ink: Momento: Angel Pink, Rose Bud, and Lilac Posies

Bling: Recollections

The Shabby Tea Room #95 - Time Flies - Who Loves You?

2012-01-04T09:43:00.000-06:00

I hope everyone had a fantastic New Year's Celebration! Both my kids were off partying with their friends so my hubby and I got to ring in the new year on our own! We had a quiet evening at home eating pizza and watching the celebrations on TV. I hate to admit it, but I fell asleep just before midnight! I think that's a first for me! We skipped the champagne in case we had to drive anywhere, but enjoyed ourselves just the same. I'm looking forward to 2012 and seeing all the beautiful new things this year has to bring!

Are you ready for another great inspiration photo from The Shabby Tea Room? How cute is this one? I love the branch with the butterflies and the owls "nested" on the frilly bed - so of course I had to play along. This bed looks fit for a princess who loves the outdoors. The branch reminds me of a dream catcher - only full of butterflies!

I started with the blue background and scored some lines in it to mimic the panelling in the background. I added some green ruffles for the quilt, and topped it off with a spread of owls - like the patchwork quilt on the bed. I couldn't resist blinging out the owls to give them some glam and more dimension. I used a Quickutz die for the actual branch, and a Sizzix die for the foliage. It was a branch with leaves - I trimmed off the leaves and added them one at a time. I used a Martha Stewart punch for the butterflies, and any patterned paper you see is just bits and pieces from my scrap box that has been rapidly growing.

Thank you for taking the time to have a look! I hope you have a fantastic day. If you want to play along this week you can get all the details here: http://theshabbytearoom.blogspot.com/2012/01/week-95-time-flies.html

Jeanne

Supplies Used: Finished Size is 5" x 7"

Stamps: Balancing Owls, Owl Set Hero Arts - Who Love Ya? Serendipity Stamps 851D

Border Punch: EK Success Double Embossed Dotted Lace

Dies: Spellbinders Classic Squares, Classic Inverted Squares

Butterflies: Martha Stewart Punches

Branch: Quickutz Revolution DIe

Leaves: SIzzix Branch with Leaves Sizzlit xL

Markers: Copic

Shabby Tea Room #94 - A Colorful and Shabby New Year

2011-12-29T14:15:00.000-06:00

Hi! I hope you are having a great day! Are you ready for your New Year's Celebration??? My son had some friends over for an all night video game off yesterday so I was grounded to the house. I don't mind - I like a house that's lived in and full of people and noise! The kids have so much energy and enthusiasm it's contagious! This gave me some extra time to play so I decided to visit the Shabby Tea Room! I love the inspiration photos they provide each week, and this one is no exception! The silver tray, the party horns and bags of confetti got me thinking of the New Year's Eves of my younger days - going to parties, watching the ball drop in Time's Square, staying up late and kissing my sweetie at midnight! OK I still have my someone special to kiss at midnight, but he might not be awake when the bells chime 12 !!!

I wanted to capture the party atmosphere of the photo so I started with the champagne bottle with the cork popping off and added colorful streamers and gem confetti of my own. My tag with the "Happy New Year" sentiment mimics the silver tray in the photo and I added some striped paper that would capture all the yummy colors of the noise maker horns.

If you want to play along you can get all the details here:

I don't know if this will be my last post of 2011 - I'm going to try to get one more in - but just in case..... I wanted to thank you for making 2011 a great year for me! I am so thankful and feel so blessed by having you in my life. You are one of the bright spots in my day and always make me smile! THANK YOU! I wish you an even better 2012!

Supplies Used: Finished Size 5" x 7"

Die Cuts: Bottle: Cricut Wild Card 6.25", Streamers: Cricut Celebrations 6", Tag: Spellbinders Fancy Tags 2

Paper: Echo Park, Life is Good Collection, Grandma's Quilt, Bold Stripes

Stamp: Oogaloo Happy New Year

Border Punch: Ek Success Jumbo Medallion Chain

Embossing: Sizzix Texturz Plate Twirls

Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, Ranger/Tim Holtz Distress Antique Linen

http://theshabbytearoom.blogspot.com/2011/12/week-94-colorful-shabby-new-year.html

Colour Q #117 Sun Dial

2011-12-28T15:49:00.000-06:00

I hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas and that Santa was good to you. Maybe he left some new scrappy toys for you to play with? If you are like me that would be nearly impossible unless you made the old guy a list of your own! Sometimes even I forget what I have and wind up buying doubles on things!! My best gift this year - besides meeting my blogging buddies - was the set of shelves my husband put up on two walls of my craft room. I am finally getting organized! The Spellbinders are in CD cases, the cling stamps are in DVD cases, Twine is in glass sugar jars and best of all NO MORE SEARCHING!!!!The shelves are really great because I can change the sizes later. It seems like my favorite craft items change every few years and now the storage space can change with me.

Today I'm playing along with Colour Q's weekly challenge. This week we have Black, White and any one color to play with. For this one I went with green!! It's so cold here that I'm dreaming about my garden and looking forward to Spring. I've got a long way to go - Winter just started!!! If you'd like to play along you can get all the details here: http://colourq.blogspot.com/2011/12/colourq-challenge-117.html

Keep warm and thanks for stopping by for a peek!

Jeanne

Supplies Used: Finished Size 6" x 6"

Stamps: Serendipity Sun Dial 545H, Miss You 642B

Paper: Echo Park For the Record by Bella Road Newsprint and Fabric Store

Markers: Copic G21, G07, G17, WO

Dies: Spellbinders Tags Trio, Spellbinders for Creatopia Frame 5

Ink: Ranger Archival, Ranger Antique Linen Distress

Twine: Twinery Charcoal

Rolled Rose - O Happy Day!

2011-12-22T10:49:00.003-06:00

I woke up this morning and everyone was already gone! Just me and notes on the kitchen table telling me where everyone went! Yesterday we made 5 different kinds of cookies! I guess everyone had enough of me putting them to work and went off to look for better things! I thought I'd make some fun of my own and finish a card I'd been playing around with.

I am entering this one at Random Acts of Creativity's Sketchbook Saturday #42 http://ipalamountain.blogspot.com/2011/12/sketchbook-saturday-challenge-42.html, and Mojo Monday's Challenge #220

http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/2011/12/mojo-monday-220.html

I made this ribbon rolled rose with some fuchsia wired ribbon - there are lots of tutorial's on line, maybe you've tried this already yourself. Clare Buswell has an excellent tutorial on her blog - here is the link: http://clare-buswell.blogspot.com/2011/06/wired-ribbon-flower-tutorial.html It was really easy - you just pull one of the wires and gather the ribbon - then simply roll your rose and hold it in place with some adhesive or a few stitches. I put a cushion cut glass bead in the center. All the craft stores have so many strings and strings of pretty beads - it was hard to decide on which ones to buy. I figured I couldn't go wrong with a cushion cut clear iridescent glass bead - it will go with everything!

I cut out my sentiment with the Spellbinders Fancy Tags 2 and trimmed it down to size for a cleaner look. I hope you like it and that you are finding some time to play!

Supplies Used: Finished Size 5" x 7"

Stamp: Serendipity Everyday Words Large 471QCL

Paper: Echo Park Be Mine Collection Love Letters

Dies: Spellbinders Foliage and Fancy Tags 2

Seam Binding: Hug Snug Summer Rose

Border Punch: EK Success Double Embossed Dotted Lace, Dotted Scallop

Ink: Tim Holtz/Ranger Distress Spun Sugar, Momento Tuxedo Black

Shabby Tea Room #93 - Kraft-y Christmas

2011-12-20T11:42:00.000-06:00

I don't know how I'm doing it, but somehow I have time for another challenge this week. I just found The Shabby Tea Room courtesy of Miss Chupa - a.k.a. this week's Guest Designer, Iwona Palamountain - Random Acts of Creativity! so I thought I would give it a try! I couldn't resist the fab color combination and those bright shiny string of stars. Here's what I came up with...

I distressed the edges of the newsprint by inking it up with silver acrylic paint - I wish you could see better how it sparkles. The tiny stars are strung through silver cord and finished off with some ebeads. I hope you like it and that you are having a great week! If you'd like to play along, you can get all the details here: http://theshabbytearoom.blogspot.com/2011/12/week-93-kraft-y-christmas.html

Jeanne

Supplies Used: Finished size 6" x 6"

Stamps: Waltzingmouse: Santa's COming to Town, 2011 Holiday Ornaments

Paper: Echo Park For the Record: Stamp of Approval & Newsprint / Gingham: K& Co

Border Punch: Fiskars

Embossing Folder: Cuttlebug Snow Dots

Seam Binding: Hug Snug Havanna Brown, Bright Red

Ink: Momento Lady Bug, London Fog

Acrylic Paint: Ranger Adirondack Metallic Acrylic Paint Dabber Silver

Dies: Cheery Lynn Nautical Wheeler Doily

Spellbinders: Standard Circles, Classic Scalloped Circles, Stars 5

CASE Study #70 - Fuchsia Butterfly Flourish

2011-12-18T17:47:00.000-06:00

I'm trying to get some crafty time in before the big day this week - I know there will be lots of last minute running around with the kids both out of school. Today my mom and sister came over and we all decorated gingerbread houses. We all had a great time decorating and sampling the goodies to go on the houses. We had so much fun we decided to make it an annual tradition!! I bought all different size house kits so our village doesn't look like a cookie cutter sub division! Note to self - next year buy ALL pre-assembled houses!

Today I'm playing along with the Case Study challenge this week. Actually this one is running two weeks - so you have extra time to play along. Our muse/designer of the month is Amy Sheffer! Her gorgeous card is to the left. If you'd like to play along you can get all the information here: http://casestudychallenge.blogspot.com/2011/12/case-study-challenge-70.htm .

I generally like a lot of color so I added some bright fuchsia pink to this one. I double cut the butterfly and just couldn't resist adding some antenna. I picked up the bling in Amy's example and used it to dress up my butterfly. I stamped all my images with Archival Ink to get a clean dark imprint. I hope you like it and thank you for taking a peek!

Supplies Used: Finished Size 6" x 4.5"

Stamps: Butterfly Stampin'Up! Background Kimberly Poloson Flourishes by Fiskars

Dies: Spellbinders Circles

Embossing Folder: Cuttlebug Swiss Dots

Border Punch: Martha Stewart Quilted

Ink: Ranger Archival Ink

WMSC #78 Santa Dangling Star Tag

2011-12-17T18:05:00.001-06:00

Hi! I hope everybody is having a good weekend! I'm on my own today so I thought I'd try to get in some crafty time. I know this week is going to fly by! The kids are home from school and lots of last minute running around to do. I am playing along with the WMSC this week. I saw the star image and thought it would make a great tag for some gifts. My daughter teaches religious education to a group of kindergartners and packed some goodies in purple and red patterned Chinese take out boxes as a small gift for them. She asked me to come up with a nice tag to put on the packages that would appeal to the kids so of course I went with good ol' St. Nick. And boy I hope they've been good for her or I'm never going to be a grandma!

This one was another trixie to photograph! The paper is dark and it's got nothing to stand on!! I just gathered up some beaded garland and stood it up in one of the loops. To make this tag I enlarged the image and hand cut it out of purple swirl paper. I adhered that to some gold foil and cut it out again to give me a little bigger surface to work on. I added a glittery St. Nick and I linked some die cut stars together with twine and let them hang freely to the side of the image. I hope you like it and that you are finding time to play along this week. All the details are just a click away! http://waltzingmousesketchchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/12/challenge-78december-17-2011.html

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Waltzingmouse Gingham & Co. Santa's Coming to Town, Candy Jar Christmas, Faux Fun Circles

Paper: Purple Swirl Recollections - Gold Foil AC Specialty

Dies: Spellbinders Standard Circles, Stars Five

Ink: Momento Ladybug Red, Grape Jelly, Lulu Lavender

Twinery Twine Lilac

Martha Stewart Coarse Glitter

OWH Valentine's Last Call - Love You Teddy Bear

2011-12-14T13:58:00.000-06:00

It's been a while since I've done a card for Operation Write Home so I popped over to their blog to see what they are in need of to send our service men and women. What better time to get involved than the holidays? My heart goes out to all our military people and their families who will be separated from their loved ones this Christmas. If you'd like to get involved you can find all the details here.

http://www.owhstarsandstamps.org/2011/12/valentines-last-call.html. This week OWH is having a last call for Valentine cards.

OWH has a few restrictions for the cards they allow - they try to keep the size down and limit embellishing with glitter. If you know me - I can't resist blinging it up! I can't tell you how much I wanted to glitter up that heart in the teddy bear's paw! To get some of that extra detail I love I embossed the hearts behind Teddy and added some twine on top of my seam binding ribbon. I stamped the wire heart background alternating in light and dark pink and colored teddy with Copics. The background of the "love you" sentiment is the ivy heart stamp in light pink ink.

Please leave me a comment if you like this card. As always, if I get a good response I will make 15 more to send to OWH.

Supplies Used: Finished Size 5.5 x 4.25"

Stamps: Serendipity Stamps: Bear with Heart 1088E, Wire Heart 756D, Love You Lg 622D, Ivy Heart 182E

Dies: Spellbinders Classic Scallop Heart. Classic Heart, Ribbon Tag Trio 3

Markers: Copic

Embossing Folder: Paper Studio (Hobby Lobby) Intricate Swirl

Ink: Momento: Angel Pink, Rosebud, Tuxedo Black Ranger/Tim Holtz Distress Spun Sugar -

Seam Binding: Hug Snug Lipstick Red

Twine: Twinery Marachino

Hero Arts December Sketch Challenge - Make Your Own - Vintage Dress Pattern

2011-12-14T09:55:00.000-06:00

Today I'm playing along in the Hero Arts December Sketch Challenge. When I saw this vintage dress pattern stamp I immediately thought of my mom. I have lots of memories of her sewing clothes while I busied myself flipping through her Simplicity patterns and looking at those lovely drawings. So (or should I say sew?) I made this one for my mom. I know she will like the bright colors, that vintage stamp and of course that twine button bow.

If you'd like to play along you can get all the details here: http://heroarts.com/blogs/club/december-2011-contest-details/.

Thanks for stopping by!
Jeanne

Supplies Used: Finished Size 5" x 7"

Stamp: Hero Arts Make Your Own

Dies: Spellbinders: Labels 4, Labels 4 Small

Patterned Paper: October Afternoon 5 & Dime

Markers: Copic

Twinery Twine Denim

Border: EK Success Zig Zag

Card Patterns Sketch #145 - 12-10-11 Geraniums

2011-12-13T10:40:00.001-06:00

Hi everybody! Hope you are off to a great week. I have some excellent news to share! I am officially on the design team for Serendipity Stamps! If you are not familiar with their stamps, let me tell you they are just GORGEOUS! Although they offer a large variety of stamps, I just adore the flower designs. They are natural, realistic renderings that almost have me smelling the flowers while I am working on the coloring! Another neat thing about Serendipity stamps is that you can order them mounted on wood, cling foam, or not mounted at all. The choice is yours!

For my design today I am working with the large geranium stamp. I colored it with Copics and cut out only a portion of the design with my Spellbinders circle die. For the background I embossed a diamond pattern with a Sizzix Texturz embossing plate (these are great for larger pieces of paper) and distressed it with a little sanding.

If you'd like to play along, you can get all the details here: http://cardpatterns.blogspot.com/2011/12/sketch-145.html

Supplies Used: Finished Size is 5" x 7"
Stamps: Serendipity Stamps Large Geranium #112J, Thanks Small #613B
Die Cuts: Spellbinders: Lace Circles, Circles
Patterened Paper: Crate Paper Portrait Collection Pearls, Something Blue
Markers: Copic
Embossing: Sizzix Texturz Diamonds
Seam Binding: Hug Snug: Lipstick Red
Twinery Twine Maraschino
Ink: Momento: Tuxedo Black

Case Study #69 12-8-11 - God's Handwriting

2011-12-10T16:04:00.000-06:00

Today I'm playing along with Case Study's Challenge #69. The sample design is by this week's guest designer/muse Amy Sheffer. Amy has presented us with gorgeous layered creation for inspiration. I didn't want to just case this one so I made a few changes to make it mine but overall the design is true to the recipe. If you'd like to play along this week you can get all the details here: http://casestudychallenge.blogspot.com/2011/12/case-study-challenge-69.html

I used lots of color for my card layering simple craft paper with deep red cardstock. I used an inexpensive bird stamp from Studio G and paired it up with a sentiment from a Stampin' Up! Set. Instead of using ribbon I used twine - I felt it tied in with the bird image and craft paper better. I double stamped the bird, colored it in Copics and layered it with adhesive foam. Of course I had to get in a little bling so I added the pearls in the corners, little beads on the twine, and some colored pearls for the berries on the branch. I hope you like it and that you're finding time to play along!

Supplies Used: Finished Size 4.25x 6.5"

Stamps: Bird: Studio G Sentiment: Stampin' Up!

Die Cuts: Spellbinders: fancy Tags, Spellbinders for Just Rite, Labels 18

Ink: Momento Rich Cocoa, Ranger/Tim Holtz Antique Linen

Embossing Folder Cuttlebug Kassie's Brocade

Markers: Copic

Patterned Paper: My Minds Eye Lost & Found Collection Union Square "Perfect" Damask Print Paper

Waltzingmouse Tag Challenge - Nutcracker Tag

2011-12-07T11:05:00.000-06:00

Hello! I hope everyone is having a good week. I'm still making tags. Feels like lately I'm the tag lady - maybe if I make it sound more glamorous... the tag goddess?? Queen of Tags? Oh well as long as I'm having fun right? I have loved this nutcracker from Waltzingmouse from the first time I saw it! Seems only natural that I would bring it out for the big event! Did you hear? Waltzingmouse Stamps is having a tag challenge. One random winner will be selected to receive 4 stamps of their choice! This is the tag I decided to post. Hope you like it and find time to play along! Here's the link: http://waltzingmouse.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-tag-challenge.html

Supplies Used:
Stamps: Waltzingmouse Nutcracker Sweet, Vintage Circles Small, Seasons of Love Tags
Dies: Spellbinders: Petite Scalloped Circles, Standard Circles, Stars 5, Teardrop Circles, Ironwork Accents
Ink: Momento: Grape Jelly, Rhubarb Stalk, Tim Holtz/Ranger Distress Antique Linen
Markers: Copic R17, R27, Y19, E00, E02, V06, V01
Seam Binding: Hug Snug Bright Red, Lavender

Waltzingmouse Rainbow of Ornament Tags

2011-12-06T11:06:00.000-06:00

Happy Tuesday! Since I've been kicking around tag designs for the Waltzingmouse Stamps Tag Challenge I though I would share with you a really simple one I came up with. I took the large ornament stamp from the Vintage Ornaments set and stamped them in a whole rainbow of Momento ink colors. I used a lighter shade ink to stamp the center, and then stamped the sentiment in black. I strung some matching twine through an eyelet at the top and added a pretty loop bow and that's it - your done!

I'm new at glitter and have been experimenting with different ways to apply it where I want it. The liquid glues make your paper buckle. I've been using a simple inexpensive glue stick (courtesy of kids school stash) to apply adhesive where I want it. It goes on thinly and my paper stays flat. I made about 50 of these tags and they look great in every color. With the twine already attached they will be a cinch to add on to all things holiday - presents, baked goods, even my little Norfolk pine I picked up at the grocery store!! I think "You're My Star" sentiment will be perfect on gifts for my special friends who seem to always be looking out for me.

These were a little tricky to photograph. I wound up covering a book with white drawing paper and standing it up. I taped the strings to the top of the covered book binding so the tags would stay put and lay properly.

I hope you like them. Don't forget - Waltzingmouse Stamps is hosting a big tag contest with BIG prizes - 4 sets of stamps of your choice to one random winner. You can get all the details here.. http://waltzingmouse.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-tag-challenge.html
Stay tuned..... I plan to post my Waltzingmouse tag entry tomorrow! Have a great day!

Supplies Used:
Stamps: Waltzingmouse Vintage Ornaments , Seasons of Love
Ink: Momento Summer Sky with Bahama Blue, Tangelo with Cantaloupe, Cottage Ivy with Pear Tart, Rosebud with Angel Pink, Grape Jelly with Lulu Lavender
Lilac Posies with Lulu Lavender, Rhubarb Stalk with Angel Pink All distressed with Ranger/Tim Holtz Distress Antique Linen
Glitter: Martha Stewart Coarse Glitter Crystal
Twine: My Minds Eye Lime Twist Happy Day Fuschia, Everyday Orange (SPECIAL THANKS TO CATHY WEBER!!) Twinery Caribbean, Peapod, Lilac, and Maraschino, Blossom

WMSC #76 - 12-3-11 Round Purple Ornament Tag

2011-12-04T12:52:00.001-06:00

Hi! I hope everyone is having a good weekend. My hubby is working, and the kids are bogged down with homework so I'm left to entertain myself! I thought I'd get my week off to a good start with a little Waltzingmouse! The sketch this week is a tag - which is kind of coincidence since Claire is hosting a tag contest this month with big prizes. Needless to say tags have been on my mind - who couldn't use a free set of Waltzingmouse stamps?

I love all the bright colors of the holiday season, and all the sparkle and shine that makes everything so magical. There is no limit to the colors you can use at Christmas time. I think they all work. I really love the combination of gold and purple - they are so rich and elegant. I started off my ornament by embossing the patterened egg stamp from WMS Nestie Eggs set with Zing! Metallic Purple. I topped that off with eggplant pearl paper layered with gold foil paper that I embossed. I added a bow with a Bazill Bling! Gem button that I cut the back off and a few tags for the holly leaves in the sketch. I mean what's better than two little tags? Three right? The "For You" sentiment comes from the WMS Nutcracker Sweet set.
As I mentioned, I made a few tags that I will be showing in the next few days. I had a real dilemma deciding what tag to enter in the WMS tag contest. Quick and simple or over the top fancy and elegant?! I still have to decide. The contest is one entry per person. If you check back in the next few days you'll get to see both.

To play along with this weeks sketch challenge click here: http://waltzingmousesketchchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/12/challenge-76december-3-2011.html

And if you are interested in Claire's tag contest you can click here:
http://waltzingmouse.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-tag-challenge.html
One random winner will receive 4 stamps sets of their choice!

Supplies Used:
Stamps: Waltzingmouse: Nutcracker Sweet, Nestie Eggs
Dies: Spellbinders: Labels 20, Standard Circles, Ironwork Accents
Embossing Powder: Zing! Metallic Purple
Embossing Folder: Sizzix Starry Night #2 from Sugar & Starry Night Set Basic Grey
Border Punch: Fiskars
Ink: Momento Grape Jelly, Tim Holtz/Ranger Antique Linen

Stampin' Royalty #100 - Snowman Tag

2011-12-01T11:08:00.000-06:00

Hi! Can you believe it's Thursday already? This week is going FAST! So much to do for the holidays. It seems like you just finish with Thanksgiving and it's time to start digging out the Christmas things! I'm having a good day getting things done and had a little time so I thought I'd play along with the Stampin' Royalty Challenge. This week it's "Anything but a card!" So I made this cute snowman tag. I think a fancy tag really brightens up any gift. This one is so sweet maybe it could double as a tree ornament!

I found the snowflake gem in the dollar bins at Joann and have been making good use of them. For this design I took a plastic button that looked almost like glass and glued the snowflake gem to it. I couldn't resist a few jingle bells and a dusting of glitter for some added shine. This one was a pleasure to make - gotta tell you - the hardest part was taking the photo!! The ribbon is so top heavy that this little guy kept wanting to roll away!! Maybe you're making something other than a card this week. If so, you might want to drop by Stampin' Royalty and enter the challenge. All the details are here: http://stampinroyalty.blogspot.com/2011/11/stampin-royalty-challenge-100.html.

Supplies Used:
Stamps: Just Rite Happy Everything Tag Making Kit, Old Fashioned Christmas Set
Polka Dot Stamp - Studio G
Dies: Spellbinders: Picot Edge Circles, Standard Circles
Markers: Copic B00, B24, B32, YR09, YR04, R24, R27, R29, W0, W1, E000
Glitter: Martha Stewart Crystal Fine Glitter
Ink: Momento Summer Sky, Paris Dusk, Tuxedo Black

Mojo Monday #217 - November 28 - Hippy Snowchick!!

2011-11-30T10:14:00.003-06:00

It's been a while since I got my mojo on - but when I saw the sketch I knew I'd be playing!! I think I'm just so happy to be out of the kitchen that everything in my scrappy room looks new. Like coming home after a long vacation.... no place you'd rather be!!! I'm a little late in the game since it is Wednesday but that is ok - better late than never right? Here's the sketch, you can get all the details at http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/2011/11/mojo-monday-217.html if you want to play along.

I decided to go with the square card and broke out this cute little Hippy Snowchick fom A Muse Artstamps. I decided that since she's a cool hippy chick that I would go with some non-traditional colors like pink and purple.

I double stamped the Christmas tree image and layered them with pop dots, and I triple stacked the Hippy Snowchick. I added lots of glittery goodness - sparkly ribbon, glittery snow and gems on the snowflakes! No better time to bling it up than the holidays! I plan on giving this card to my sister Kathy who is sort of a non-traditional gal herself! I hope she likes it, and I hope you're getting your mojo on!

Hugs!

Jeanne

Supplies Used:

Stamps: A Muse Artstamps : Christmas Tree, Hippy Snowchick, Cool Yule Waltzingmouse: Snowflakes from Nutcracker Sweet

Die Cuts: Spellbinders for Shapez Xyron Frame 5, Spellbinders for Just Rite Stampers Labels

Paper: K & Company
Markers: Copic

Border Punch: Martha Stewart Modern Garland

Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, Lulu Lavender

Glitter: Martha Stewart Coarse Glitter

Seam Binding: Hug Snug Baby Pink