Christmas in July

Good morning!

I am here today with another challenge from Serendipity Stamps!

If you are looking for my Waltzingmouse Stamps new release Blog Waltz post, please scroll down or click here!

Today's challenge was to use one of Serendipity's non-Christmas images to make a Christmas card. I thought it would be fun to use Cheryl's Postcards to make some Christmas mail.

I started by stamping the postcards three times, twice on Riding Hood Red cardstock and once on Rustic White. I embossed each of these in gold, and then cut the individual postcards out and layered them on top of each other.

The patterned paper is from the Cosmo Cricket Jolly By Golly line. I thought it was a good compliment - not too Christmasy, but it helped to tie everything together. The sentiment is from the Snowbird Cling Set. I masked the bottom portion off and stamped only Merry Christmas - I love getting extra mileage out of my sentiment stamps.

I hope you enjoy! This was a fun challenge - and its never too early to start making Christmas cards!

I am so glad you could stop by today, I really appreciate it. Please be sure to visit the other Design Team members to see their take on the challenge!

Amy
Kathie
Lynda
Jenny (Guest Designer)

Don't forget to check the current contests on the Serendipity Stamps Blog and take some time to sign up for the newsletter (and sale announcements)!

Have a great day!

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: Cheryl's Postcards, Snowbird Cling Set - Serendipity Stamps
Cardstock: Mellow Moss, Riding Hood Red - Stampin' Up!; Rustic White - Papertrey Ink
Patterned Paper: Play Day from the Jolly By Golly Collection - Cosmo Cricket
Ink: Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger
Other: Detail Gold Embossing Powder - Stewart Superior; lace trim, sewing machine

Wanda's Pantry

Welcome, my pretties!! You have arrived at the August release Blog Waltz for Waltzingmouse Stamps! It has been so much fun sharing these Halloween projects with you. Two new sets, Midnight Feast and Wanda's Pantry, are now available for purchase in the WMS Store.

If you're waltzing along with us, you should have come here by way of Julia's blog. If you just happened to stop in, the fun starts with Claire on the Waltzingmouse Stamps Blog. The fabulous Jennifer is up next; her blog is linked up again below.

Let me share a peek of something wild and witchy, fun and frightening! Let's take a look in Wanda's Pantry!

We have double-strength Venom - dangerous stuff! And some Irish Toad Oil to add a little zest (you can always click the pictures for a larger version).

Witch's Brew - Wanda's own putrid purple concoction - will have your victim out in no time. Fermented Innards add a certain tang, and never underestimate the powers of Vampire Blood!

A staple of every witch's pantry, Love Potion No. 9. All it takes is a drink - you won't know if it is day or night.. you'll start kissing everything in sight! Keep the lid on this one!

Just a couple of old bottles, a dab of food coloring, a few odds and ends from around the house (I bet you all think I'm a big weirdo now, huh?), and the labels from Wanda's Pantry, and you have the making of some spectacularly spooky (and easy) home decor for Halloween.

What a blast I had putting this together! My wonderful husband's role as photographer was indispensable - I couldn't have set the spooky scene without him!

As usual, Blog Waltz prizes are up for grabs for two lucky commenters! One winner will be randomly chosen from the comments left on one of the Design Team blogs, the other will be chosen from the comments left on the Waltzingmouse Stamps Blog. So let us know what you think of the new release! Do you have lots of spooky ideas for Halloween? Are you ready to pull out the treats now? The contest ends at 11:59 pm EST Thursday, July 29th. Winners will be announced on the WMS Blog on Friday.

Thank you so much for visiting today - Jennifer is your next stop along the waltz. Have a great day!

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: Wanda's Pantry - Waltzingmouse Stamps
Cardstock: Pink Pirouette, Lovely Lilac, Always Artichoke - Stampin' Up!; Smokey Shadow, Spring Moss, Rustic White - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Jet Black Archival Ink, Antique Linen, Bundled Sage, Vintage Photo, Fired Brick Distress Ink - Ranger; Riding Hood Red, Always Artichoke, Soft Suede, Bermuda Bay, Tangerine Tango - Stampin' Up!
Other: Small Labels, Labels Four, Labels Eleven, Classic Circles, Classic Squares Nestabilities - Spellbinders; Detail White Embossing Powder - Stampendous; Dusty Concord Distress reinker, Perfect Gold Perfect Pearls - Ranger; black rhinestones

Trick or Treat Trio

Good morning!

Today I have a fun trio of cards for you using Midnight Feast - one of two new sets being released by Waltzingmouse Stamps tomorrow!!

Each is a variation on a theme - vintage print, some ruffled crepe paper, and a fabulous circle label from Midnight Feast all in my favorite Halloween colors.

I scored a vintage song book at a fleatique last weekend for a buck. Here, I spritzed a sheet of it with a mix of Wild Honey Distress reinker and Perfect Gold Perfect Pearls.

I pulled out the crepe paper again for these cards, ruffling it under my stamped panel.

Some glitter, rhinestones and sparkle finish each of these off. (Yes, I chose that particular piece of music on purpose! ;) It is fun to work assembly-line style and I love to see these little guys all lined up.

Today, Claire, Julia, Lynn, Mona, Jennifer, Belinda, Lisa, and Laurie are sharing previews. Be sure to check them out!

Release day is tomorrow! The DT is having a Blog Waltz, so be sure to stop back!

Have a great day!

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: Midnight Feast - Waltzingmouse Stamps
Cardstock: More Mustard, Perfect Plum - Stampin' Up!; Ripe Avocado, True Black - Papertrey Ink
Ink: More Mustard, Old Olive, Perfect Plum - Stampin' Up!; Jet Black Archival Ink, Wild Honey, Peeled Paint, Dusty Concord, Vintage Photo Distress Ink - Ranger
Other: Pinking Circles Large, Classic Circles Nestabilities - Spellbinders; Dusty Concord, Peeled Paint, Wild Honey Distress reinkers, Perfect Gold Perfect Pearls - Ranger; Chaorite glitter - Martha Stewart Crafts; Black Crepe Paper; Adhesive rhinestones; Vintage books; sewing machine

The Dead of Night

'The Harvest moon fills the sky
A wicked witch goes flying by...'

Welcome to our second day of previews for the Waltzingmouse Stamps August release. Today's card uses Midnight Feast, a perfect set for ghoulish treats and cards alike!

When I first saw the artwork for this set, I envisioned using the window shape to create a little scene.. the view of Winnie zipping across the sky, outlined against the moon! I stamped the gothic window repeatedly, lining the edges up to create the look of a wall of windows. Yeah, then I cut all those windows out!

The set contains a cluster of stars, excellent for creating a background! I stamped mine in VersaMark Dazzle for some extra shimmer. Winnie was stamped onto Spring Moss and cut out. Everything was given a coat of Perfect Pearls, but you'd have to see them shimmer in person to believe me. The ruffle bit at the bottom is crepe paper! I've got all sorts of fun ideas in mind for that.

Today, Claire, Julia, Lynn, Bonnie, Mona, Jennifer, and Belinda are sharing previews. Be sure to check them out!

Thanks for stopping by today - have a great Sunday!

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: Midnight Feast - Waltzingmouse Stamps
Cardstock: Going Gray, Vintage Violet - Stampin' Up!; Spring Moss - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Basic Gray - Stampin' Up!; Jet Black Archival Ink - Ranger; Champagne VersaMark Dazzle - Tsukineko
Other: Perfect Pearl, Interference Blue Perfect Pearls - Ranger; white gel pen; black crepe paper

Calling all Vamps!

Happy, happy Saturday!

Today we are starting the previews of the new stamp sets being released for August from Waltzingmouse Stamps. This month, two Halloween sets are being released - the season will soon be upon us! And if you're like me, you can't wait!!! Today I am previewing Wanda's Pantry - the perfect set to accompany all your Halloween treats!

I combined my preview with today's WMS Sketch Challenge:

And here is my card:

How marvelously macabre!!

The Vampire Blood label fits the largest of the Small Labels Nestabilities. I stamped it, die cut it and then used Pumice Stone and Black Soot Distress Ink to dirty it up a bit. The patterned paper is from Cosmo Cricket (Haunted) and was a perfect fit. The dripping blood was cut by hand - this would be an ideal pair for the Martha Stewart Drippy Goo punch!

Wait until you see these sets up close and in their entirety - perfect down to the last, gory detail!!

This month we are also adding another fantastic lady to the Design Team! Mona Pendleton, the head cupcake herself, is joining us! I am very excited for the opportunity to work with Mona. Please take a moment to stop by her blog and say hello!

Claire is also offering another free shipping promotion this month. Please check the WMS Blog for all the information.

Today, Claire, Lisa, Julia, Lynn, Bonnie, Mona, Jennifer, and Laurie are sharing previews. I can't wait to see what creepy creations they have come up with!

See you tomorrow with more!

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: Wanda's Pantry - Waltzingmouse Stamps
Cardstock: Smokey Shadow, Soft Stone, True Black - Papertrey Ink; Riding Hood Red - Stampin' Up!
Patterned Paper: Gothic from the Haunted Collection - Cosmo Cricket
Ink: Jet Black Archival Ink, Pumice Stone Distress, Black Soot Distress - Ranger
Other: Small Labels Nestabilities - Spellbinders; Upper Crest border punch - Fiskars; Copic marker R05 - Imagination International

Mahalo!

Hi friends!

Today is an exciting day! Have you seen the announcements on the Waltzingmouse blog? Three awesome things happening!

- WMS has a new webstore! The website has been updated with increased functionality and features and is just downright purdy!!
- WMS has also opened a Gallery! Go forth and upload your WMS projects! Don't forget to check out all the DT's projects, too!
- The August release previews start on SATURDAY! Yes - you heard that right! Claire is going on vacation (and a much-deserved one at that) and is moving the August release up a few days. Hold on to your socks, people!

Still here?? ;)

Here's a card from the archives for you today. You'll have to wait a few days to see the new stuff that I've been working on!

The flowers and sentiment are from the Free Spirit sets. They were colored with Copics.

That's it for me today - I can't wait to see you around for the new WMS release festivities! Have a great day!

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: Free Spirit - Boy, Free Spirit - Sentiments - Waltzingmouse Stamps
Cardstock: Hawaiian Shores, Rustic White - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Tuxedo Black Memento - Tsukineko; Antique Linen Distress - Ranger; Hawaiian Shores - Papertrey Ink
Copics: RV13, RV23, Y11, Y17, Buttermilk Spica - Imagination International
Other: Hawaiian Shores Vintage Buttons, Rustic Cream Button Twine - Papertrey Ink; Petite Oval Nestabilities - Spellbinders

Serendipity Stamps Classic Challenge

Good morning!

I'm back today with another challenge from Serendipity Stamps!

Today's challenge was to use one of Serendipity's early images. I chose to work with the Window image.

I loved the vintage appeal of the image and wanted to run with that theme. I stamped the window onto Rustic Cream cardstock with Coffee Archival Ink (yum!). Then in an effort to just add a touch of color, I used chalk pastels to color in portions of the image. It is a subtle touch, I hope you can see it!

I debated how I wanted to place my sentiment, Hands of Memory, another fantastic verse from Serendipity. Finally, I decided to trim the words out and have them follow the lines of the image. I kept everything else simple, just stitching a frame around the outside and layering it onto an embossed mat. I really like the final product!

I am so glad you could stop by today, I really appreciate it. Please be sure to visit the other Design Team members to see their take on the challenge!

Amy
Kathie
Lynda

Don't forget to check the current contests on the Serendipity Stamps Blog and take some time to sign up for the newsletter (and sale announcements)!

Have a great day!

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: Window, Hands of Memory - Serendipity Stamps
Cardstock: True Thyme, Blush Blossom - Stampin' Up!; Rustic White - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Coffee Archival Ink, Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger Industries
Other: Herringbone Cuttlebug Embossing Folder - ProvoCraft; Chalk Pastels - Stampin' Up!; sewing machine

Warmed by Your Friendship

Just a quick card for you guys today, just finally digging myself out from a very full week last week!

Not quite sure how I feel about this one - I feel like its missing something. Dimension, maybe? There's no fussy cutting ;)

The flowers were layered to create a bouquet, and then tied with a bit of linen thread. The base Kraft layer was embossed with the canvas side of PTI's Linen & Canvas Embossing plate.

Thanks for your visit today, tomorrow is a Serendipity Challenge Day, so I'll see you back here then! Have a great night!

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: Life - Papertrey Ink; Blessed By You - Waltzingmouse Stamps
Cardstock: Rustic White, Kraft - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Perfect Plumeria, Pink Grapefruit, Mango Madness, Wheat, Spanish Olive, Aloe Vera VersaMagic - Tsukineko
Other: Linen & Canvas Impression Plate - Papertrey Ink; Corner Chomper - We R Memory Keepers; linen thread

PPRS Blog Hop

Welcome to the Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps Blog Hop! Today I am pleased to introduce two new summer additions to PPRS' line of clear stamps and coordinating dies: Hot Air Balloon and Birdcage.

Visit the Design Team's daily releases and the Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps Blog on July 19th and 20th to have the chance to win one of two great prize packages.

Today's prize package includes the Hot Air Balloon set and matching die, three transparency ATC sheets of your choice, and a half sheet of red rubber stamps of your choice.

So let's get started! Today I am featuring the Hot Air Balloon stamp set and coordinating die.

Something sunny for your Monday morning! I cut the sun's rays by hand and punched a circle for the center. The balloon was die cut from October Afternoon patterned paper. The two cloud patterns are part of the set, as well as the sentiment. I masked a portion of it, as I just wanted to say 'Hi!' :)

For my second card, I went classic. Whenever I think of hot air balloons, I always think of rainbow colors. I die cut two balloon shapes and then stamped them (I should note that the striped center pattern is a separate stamp) with Tuxedo Black Memento ink. I pulled out my Copic markers to color my balloons in a happy rainbow! A quick tip when choosing Copic colors: it is easy to find colors that work well together when using Copics. If you choose colors that have the same numbers (or close) you know you'll get a good match. All these colors (with the exception of one) end in a 2, which is the brightness or intensity of the color. See how they all seem to be the same tone? Something to keep in mind when you're coloring!

So here are the blog hop details: each day you have more than one chance to win! The hop starts at the Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps Blog. Leave a comment on the blog for one chance to win. Then hop on over to the day’s release blogs and leave comments there for more chances to win. So easy! AND you will get to see some fabulous paper projects featuring the new sets.

For each release, you will have until midnight the night AFTER the release day to enter comments (that is two days!). Only comment per blog, please.

Here is the release schedule:

July 19th: Hot Air Balloon Clear Stamps and Coordinating Die featured on PPRS Blog, here!, One Krafty Cat by Jenny, and Paper Talk by Leslie.

July 20th: Birdcage Clear Stamps and Coordinating Die featured on PPRS Blog, Tesa's Scrap by Tesa, and Primitive Paper by Tracy.

Good luck! Thanks for stopping by!!

#Anya

Recipe:
Sunny Hi Card
Stamps: Hot Air Balloon Clear Stamps - PPRS
Cardstock: Spring Rain, Lemon Tart, White - Papertrey Ink
Patterned Paper: Fly a Kite - October Afternoon
Ink: So Saffron - Stampin' Up!; Spring Rain - Papertrey Ink; Jet Black Archival Ink - Ranger
Other: Hot Air Balloon die - PPRS; 1-3/4 inch circle punch - EK Success; Fruit Punch Stickles - Ranger

Fly With Me Card
Stamps: Hot Air Balloon Clear Stamps - PPRS
Cardstock: Kraft, Spring Rain, New Leaf, White - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Tuxedo Black Memento - Tsukineko
Other: Hot Air Balloon die - PPRS; Copics (R22, YR02, Y11, G02, B12, V12, E43); sewing machine

July Blog Waltz and WMSC6!

Hi everyone! I am multi-tasking today, combining the July Friends of WMS Blog Waltz with today's WMS sketch challenge!

If you want to waltz along with us and you haven't yet linked up your project, head to this thread in the WMS Forum to link up your creation and view the other participants. There is also a thread for chatting about what you've seen and participating in our little contest! The DT members are each hiding an image on their cards. Keep track of their count and a correct guess could win you a stamp set of your choice!

Here is today's sketch:

And here is the card I created:

I took some liberties with this week's sketch, using it more for inspiration than a pattern. But that is what is so great about a sketch!

The lantern and cloud images are from Asian Gardens Additions. The birthday sentiment is from Asian Gardens. I stamped my lanterns in shades of blue and green and strung them together with some blue baker's twine.

The sketch challenge will remain open until Thursday, 11:59 pm EST. You can link up your entry on the Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge Blog. Top Mice will be announced along with the new sketch next Saturday!

Have fun waltzing! Don't forget to head back to the WMS Forum to chat and join the contest.

I hope you will join us! Have a great weekend!

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: Asian Gardens, Asian Gardens Additions - Waltzingmouse Stamps
Cardstock: Spring Rain, White - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Bermuda Bay, Baja Breeze, Wild Wasabi, Kiwi Kiss - Stampin' Up!; VersaMark - Tsukineko; Jet Black Archival Ink - Ranger
Other: Baker's Twine - Martha Stewart Crafts; paper piercer