Another Valentine

Happy Friday friends! I hope you're looking forward to the weekend. It is supposed to be cold here in Pittsburgh, so I've decided it would be a great weekend to stay in. Next week is a release week for Waltzingmouse Stamps, so I've got some sneak peeks to prepare for! :)

Today's card is for Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge. Another great one, Mercy! The sketch is here, and here is my card.

This card turned out so soft and dainty! The background is the knitted pattern from Faux Fun. I really love it. It adds just the perfect amount of something, if you know what I mean. The lacy bit is the broderie anglaise border from the same set, stamped onto Kraft cardstock and then embossed in white. I used a corner rounder to create the scallops along the bottom. I was really pleased with the way that this pattern looked when embossed, very pretty.

The hearts and sentiment are from Sweethearts. The flower in the center of the hearts is from Faux Fun, an easy way to tie it all together. I colored the pearls with my copics and added some Antique Linen Distress Ink to everything.

Faux Fun is certainly a new favorite of mine!

A few notes before I sign off, this card of mine was chosen by Nichole Heady as one of January's Guest Star Stamper winners! What a fab surprise!

And if you have a few minutes, it would be great if you could pop over to Bill's blog. He has a few recent posts, and he's asking for some photo critiques. I'm sure he would love some feedback if you have the time!

Have a great weekend friends! Next week starts sneak peeks for the February Waltzingmouse Stamps release - you are in for a fantastic release! See you then!

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: Faux Fun, Sweethearts - Waltzingmouse Stamps
Cardstock: Sweet Blush, Kraft, White - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Pink Pirouette, Sahara Sand, Chocolate Chip - Stampin' Up! ; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger
Other: Corner rounder - EK Success; Studio Essentials Design Card and Slice - Making Memories

Homespun Hugs

Good morning my dear friends.

I hope your week is going well. I am looking forward to the weekend.

Today's card is a simple one I put together for a publication call. It didn't get picked up, so I get to share it with you!

Easy, peasy card here. The patterned paper is from Basic Grey Nook & Pantry. I stitched it along the bottom. The branch, bird, leaves, and sentiment are all from the Sewing Box - Hugs set from Waltzingmouse Stamps. I stamped everything in Chocolate Chip ink and trimmed it out. I used some foam tape to pop up the bird and its wing.

This card is on its way to a good friend of mine from college. She is a few months pregnant and at the beginning of January her husband was deployed to Afghanistan. So, she needs some hugs. Hugs to you too!

I hope your day is great! Thanks for your visit!

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: Sewing Box Hugs - Waltzingmouse Stamps
Cardstock: Kraft, Rustic Cream, Spring Moss - Papertrey Ink; Close to Cocoa textured, Barely Banana - Stampin' Up!
Patterned Paper: Nook & Pantry - Basic Grey
Ink: Chocolate Chip - Stampin' Up!
Other: sewing machine

Count the Seeds

Good Wednesday morning!

Today I have another card to share that was made for the Gingersnap Creations Wednesday challenge. This will conclude Serendipity's month of sponsorship of the challenges, and I had a great time! This week's challenge was numbers.

I did some thinking, and thought about numbers, and thought counting and this stamp popped right into my head. I used Anyone Can Count (1165F) from Serendipity Stamps.

I started by stamping the apple once onto Cranberry Crisp cardstock and again onto Ripe Avocado cardstock and cut the pieces out. The strip of lacey paper is the Martha Stewart Embossed Scallop punch, punched on both sides of the paper. Isn't that pretty?

The patterned paper is once again from the Life's Journey collection from K&Company - boy, I love this (and I found it on sale at Michaels :)

Some stitching, some inking and I think it looks like a cozy country creation!

Now it is your turn! You can submit your creations for the Gingersnap challenge and have a chance to be the randomly drawn winner of the Pithy Sayings set from Serendipity Stamps! Details are here. Make sure to take a peek at the other creations from the Gingersnap and Serendipity Design Teams while you're there!

Hope you have a great day!

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: Anyone Can Count (1165F) - Serendipity Stamps
Cardstock: Cranberry Crisp, Creamy Caramel, Buckaroo Blue - Stampin' Up!; Vintage Cream, Ripe Avocado - Papertrey Ink
Patterned Paper: From the Life's Journey Collection - K&Company
Ink: Jet Black Archival Ink, Antique Linen, Vintage Photo Distress Ink - Ranger
Other: Embossed Scallop edge punch - Martha Stewart Crafts; Cranberry Crisp stitched ribbon - Stampin' Up!; Classic Circle Nestabilities - Spellbinders; sewing machine

Birthday Blog Hop

Good morning friends! It is a very special day here today, as it is my dear friend Claire Brennan's birthday! The Waltzingmouse Stamps Design Team has organized a blog hop in honor of her birthday!

This is the first stop along the hop, so please be sure to visit Belinda's blog next and she'll send you on your way!

Happy Birthday Claire, you're the best!

So many things I love on this card! Plaid, stitching, lace background stamps, an edge punch, and a fun color combination!

The Raspberry Fizz strip is stamped with the large broderie anglaise border from the Faux Fun stamp set. The large butterfly was cut from a piece of cardstock stamped with the plaid stamp from Off Beat Backgrounds. The small butterfly was embossed with the Swiss Dots Cuttlebug embossing folder. The swirly, curly sentiment is from Say It With Style (this set is a must-have! it is so beautiful, versatile, and nestie-friendly!).

I added some stitching, rhinestones, and a punched strip.. I just kept adding and adding! Stopped short of the glitter and buttons, though :)

Claire, I hope you have a wonderful, happy birthday! Now be sure to head over to see Belinda, the next stop along the hop. I hope you all have a great day, and thank you so much for stopping by!

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: Faux Fun, Off Beat Backgrounds, Say It With Style - Waltzingmouse Stamps
Cardstock: Elegant Eggplant, Pale Plum - Stampin' Up!; Raspberry Fizz, White - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Melon Mambo, Pale Plum - Stampin' Up!; True Black - Papertrey Ink
Other: Apron Lace edge punch - Fiskars; Beautiful Butterflies Sizzix Die - Stampin' Up!; Swiss Dot Cuttlebug embossing folder - ProvoCraft; pink rhinestones - Recollections; sewing machine

You Hold the Key

Hi guys. I am in a cold-medicine-induced fog so its short and sweet today.

Thought I'd try my hand at the decorated card inside that is so trendy recently.

Here is the front, stamped with the one of the fabulous lace stamps from Faux Fun. I added some black rhinestones and half of a sentiment from Sweethearts.

This is the inside, where I carried over the lace from the front, the rest of the sentiment, and the heart-shaped lock from Little Box Labels. Very simple, but about all I can manage right now! :)

Have a great day!

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: Faux Fun, Sweethearts, Little Box Labels - Waltzingmouse Stamps
Cardstock: Real Red, Elegant Eggplant - Stampin' Up!
Ink: Jet Black Archival Ink - Ranger
Other: Black adhesive rhinestones

Paris

Thank goooodness its Friday. There's a little cold bug making its way through this Schrier household (all two of us) and I'm the lucky next recipient. Hopefully with some rest and medicine this weekend I'll be right as rain.

Today's card is for Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge. You can see the sketch here.

I started with another ATC transparency from Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps. This one is also from the Birds & Flourishes ATC Transparencies.

I stitched the transparency onto some patterned paper and built the rest of the card around that. The patterned paper is from the Life's Journey Collection from K&Company. The fleur-de-lis was cut using my Slice, the design is from the Basic Shapes 3 Design Card.

Love this card! I hope you have a great weekend, I am going to rest up! Take care!

#Anya

Recipe:
Cardstock: Vintage Cream - Papertrey Ink; Sage Shadow - Stampin' Up!
Patterned Paper: Life's Journey Collection - K&Company
Ink: Antique Linen, Vintage Photo Distress Ink - Ranger
Other: Transparency from Birds & Flourishes ATC Transparency - Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps; Scroll edge punch - EK Success; Scallop edge punch - Stampin' Up!; Slice and Basic Shapes 3 Design Card; Pearl flower - Making Memories; sewing machine

Papertrey Princesses Challenge

Good morning ladies!

I am so very excited to bring you our first Papertrey Princesses challenge of 2010! Get your creativity on, because this is an inspiration challenge!

This photograph comes to us courtesy of Country Living Magazine. Doesn't it just make you happy? Be inspired by the colors, the materials, the layout - whatever you like! Here is my card (you can click the photo for a larger version).

For a challenge like this, I like to start by jotting some notes down - what is my first reaction when I see this picture? The things I picked up on right away were the great colors, the pinked edges of the blue striped fabric, and the overall sewing theme. Quilter's Sampler seemed like a good place to start, and the rest took off from there. I used my Copic markers to color the bits in, going for Spring Rain, New Leaf, and Spring Moss colors.

Now it is your turn! It was great to use a fresh, new color combination and stamps that haven't seen ink recently and I am very excited to see how you interpret the challenge. The important part is to have fun!

Once you've uploaded it, please share your challenge card with us by adding a link to your blog or gallery in the Official Papertrey Princesses Challenge Thread on the PTI forum. Please also include a link back to this challenge post. In two weeks, Lee will be hosting a new challenge for us.

I am so glad that the group has been revived! Many thanks to Diane for her efforts and I look forward to seeing you all around! Have a great day ladies!

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: Quilter's Sampler - Papertrey Ink
Cardstock: Kraft, Spring Rain, Rustic White - Papertrey Ink
Ink: True Black, Chamomile Tea Dye - Papertrey Ink
Other: New Leaf Satin ribbon - Papertrey Ink; Pinking blade for rotary paper cutter - Fiskars; Assorted markers - Copic; sewing machine

Precious Metal

It is time again for the Gingersnap Creations challenge! This week was a Metallics color challenge.

I picked up this scrolly, metallic picture frame from Michaels ($1!) and thought it would be a perfect project for this challenge.

These frames are really fun to make. I love working on a small scale like this. They also make great gifts, or fab additions to your own house or office space. (Some others I've made are here and here).

I started by cutting an oval with my nestabilities to fit the frame. Then I stamped the Chrysanthemum (863E) stamp for the background. I inked it up with a few different colors of VersaMagic chalk ink to get the graduated colors.

I waited a few minutes for that to dry and then stamped and embossed the More Things (027D) sentiment right on top. I really love this look. Then I added a few gold pearls to carry the metallic theme through.

See how pretty?

Now it is your turn! You can submit your metallic creations for the Gingersnap challenge and have a chance to be the randomly drawn winner of the Pocket Watch Cling set! Details are here. Make sure to take a peek at the other creations from the Gingersnap and Serendipity Design Teams while you're there!

Take care!

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: Chrysanthemum (863E), More Things (027D) - Serendipity Stamps
Cardstock: Vintage Cream - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Thatched Straw, Pumpkin Spice, Sage VersaMagic - Tsukineko
Other: Gold embossing powder; gold adhesive pearls; Gold frame - Michaels

Tie-Dye Flower

Hi friends! I will be short and sweet today, as I am running a bit behind on things. It has been one of those days!

First off, I want to say a big thank you to the Embellish Magazine crew for featuring my Secret Admirer card! That one is a favorite of mine.

Today's card uses the super-versatile ATC transparency sheets from Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps. This one is from the Birds & Flourishes ATC Transparency sheet.

I used several different colors of alcohol ink to 'tie-dye' the transparency sheet. Then I used a rectangle nestability to cut out a window in the front of my card to make the pretty pattern visible. Lining the inside of the card with white also helps show off the pattern. I thought a pretty ribbon would be a good finishing touch - don't need to busy this one up any more!

Thanks for your visit, sorry I'm not so chatty! Hope your evening is relaxing!

#Anya

Recipe:
Cardstock: True Black, White - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Meadow, Lettuce, Eggplant, Cranberry, Currant Alcohol Ink - Ranger
Other: Transparency from Birds & Flourishes ATC Transparency sheet - Prickley Pear; Raspberry Fizz Satin Ribbon - Papertrey Ink

For You, With Love

Hello, friends! I hope your Monday is going well. I had a few peeks of a blue sky out my window today, which works wonders on those Monday morning blues. It is rain and snow from here on out, though.

Today I have another (almost late) card for Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge. You can check out the sketch here. Here is my take:

Lots to love on this one! I finally inked up the fabulous scroll border stamp from Say It With Style to create my patterned paper strip. What a unique, elegant pattern! I will absolutely be using that again!

I combined phrases from the same set for my sentiment. Isn't that curvy, curly font yummy?

The hearts along the bottom are from Sweethearts. So is the large heart on the left... the little bow on the heart is the Ribbon Bow punch from Martha. I think I need to use these two cuties together again. I added adhesive pearls along the top to balance out the space. What do you think?

So I have been reading Julie & Julia, passed along from a friend of mine. While I'm not going to announce my intent to prepare each of Julia Child's 524 recipes from Mastering the Art of French Cooking and then blog about them, I did think I would blog about some other recipes I've tried. I always like to hear about things other people have made and loved, so I am going to assume (perhaps incorrectly) that you might like to as well. It won't be a daily feature, but if I try something I like then I will share. Same goes for you!

Like many of you, I am a big Pioneer Woman fan. Bill bought me her cookbook for Christmas, but I have been printing recipes from her website for quite some time. Yesterday, I made the French Breakfast Puffs. They were really yummy. To me, they had a slightly denser consistency than muffins and reminded me more of a donut. That right there is tops in my book. After they come out of the oven, you roll them in butter and then cinnamon and sugar. Please, do yourself a favor and try them. They apparently freeze well too, but mine will be gone before that is necessary!

And last, but certainly not least, my hubby has joined blogland! He just started a photography blog, so if that's something you might be interested in checking out, head over here. He is just starting out (so go easy on him ;) but he hopes to use it as a tool to improve his photography.

Whew - that was a lot for me, I hope you stuck around! Have a great day!

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: Say It With Style, Sweethearts - Waltzingmouse Stamps
Cardstock: Scarlet Jewel, Vintage Cream - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Pink Pirouette, Bravo Burgundy - Stampin' Up!; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger
Other: Ribbon Bow punch - Martha Stewart Crafts; adhesive pearls; sewing machine

Faux Embossing

Happiest Friday to you, my dear friends! Sleeping in, soft pretzels, and some good, clean.. cleaning are all on board this weekend! :)

A technique that I like to use now and again is faux embossing (at least that is what I call it). Basically, you layer die-cut or punched elements on a card in a tone-on-tone color scheme. It creates that same 'shadowed' look that you could get my embossing or dry embossing an image. Make sense?

Here is the card I created using shapes I cut with my Slice.

Isn't is pretty?

I thought I'd share some step-by-step photos to show you how easy it is!

I started by choosing the shape that I wanted to use. This is a tulip-like design that is from the Basics Shapes 3 Design Card, cut at 2 inches. A simple circle or square shape would be just as fab.

I cut a bunch of these out and decided how I wanted to orient them on my card front. I lightly sketched a pencil line down the center of my card base that I could use to line these babies up and then got to adhering.

Here's what it looked like once I had them all attached. When I got to the edges, I just overlapped my shapes knowing that once everything was all together, I could just cut the excess off.

And here is the final product, all trimmed and cleaned up.

I wanted to keep this simple, letting the design take center stage, so I just added a simple tag (also cut from the Basic Shapes 3 card) and sentiment. The sentiment is from Say It With Style and was stamped in Going Gray. I added a vintage keyhole and some sparkle. What do you think? Pretty elegant, isn't it?

It is a fun technique - I encourage you to try it out! Here is another card I made using the same technique.

I hope your weekend is great - its time for the Christmas decorations to make their way back up into the attic. I never really like the process of putting all that stuff away, but am looking forward to feeling like everything is so spacious! Have a fabulous night!

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: Say It With Style - Waltzingmouse Stamps
Cardstock: Soft Sky - Stampin' Up!; White - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Going Gray - Stampin' Up!
Other: Basic Shapes 3 & Slice - Making Memories; Vintage Keyhole - Melissa Frances; Scalloped oval punch - Punch Bunch; Dazzling Diamonds glitter - Stampin' Up!

Shot Through The Heart

I really am sorry, but I had to go there. I hope you're not singing it to youself for the next 37 days like I will be.

Here's another idea that had been floating around my head for a while... I was dying to make little pierced trails for the arrows in the Sweethearts set :)

I added my sentiment 'ransom note' style just for something different.

Hope you like it, I'm playing with my Slice tonight!

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: Sweethearts - Waltzingmouse Stamps
Cardstock: Sweet Blush, Spring Rain, White - Papertrey Ink; Riding Hood Red - Stampin' Up!
Ink: Riding Hood Red - Stampin' Up!; Jet Black Archival Ink - Ranger
Other: Apron Lace edge punch - Fiskars; Paper piercer; Red adhesive rhinestones

Will You Be Mine?

Happy Wednesday friends! Wednesday means it is time for another Gingersnap Creations Challenge! This week is a supply challenge to use embossing powder. Lots of possibilities there!

Here is my card, using the Valentine Postoid (184E) stamp from Serendipity Stamps.

A pretty time-intensive card, but I like to do that sometimes. I like to spend the time fiddling, and cutting, and distressing - it is therapy for me. I started with a plain white card base and lined it with strips of white cardstock that had been punched with the Scalloped Dot edge punch from Martha Stewart Crafts and then inked with Antique Linen Distress Ink (I wish I would have taken a picture for you at this point, but alas, I did not!).

Then I stamped and embossed the Valentine Postoid a total of six times - three times on white cardstock and then once each on Pretty In Pink, Regal Rose, and Rose Red cardstock. See where I'm going here? To achieve the postage stamp edge, I cut around the rectangle as a whole and then used a hole punch to punch out the circles. It was (slightly) easier than trying to cut each of those with my scissors. The pink part of the image is layered right on top of the white. This image, with the heavy lines and detail really lends itself to embossing! I love the glossy look. Embossing it on white cardstock and coloring the image in would be a great thing to try, too.

The sentiment, Will You Be Mine (1079D), was also embossed.

And if *that* doesn't make you think of a frilly, lacy Valentine doily, I don't know what will! ;)

Now go forth and participate! You can submit your embossing powdered creations for the Gingersnap challenge and maybe be the randomly drawn winner of the Victorian Hearts Cling set! Details are here. Make sure to take a peek at the other creations from the Gingersnap and Serendipity Design Teams while you're there!

Enjoy your day!

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: Valentine Postoid (184E), Will You Be Mine (1079D) - Serendipity Stamps
Cardstock: Pretty In Pink, Regal Rose, Rose Red - Stampin' Up!; White - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger
Other: Scallop Dot edge punch - Martha Stewart Crafts; Black embossing powder

All You Need is Love

Here's a fun, quick card for you today.

Anyone else have trouble with songs getting stuck in your head? Yeah, me too.

The card base is Kraft, stamped with Background Basics: Hearts in Versamark.

The word love is from Say It With Style. I just used a post-it note to mask off the 'you' part of the sentiment. The rest of the words were computer-generated. The smattering of hearts is from Simple Valentine and were added just to balance some of the blank space.

The stitching was a final thought - I really like it right on the card base like that, usually I would have stitched around the patterned paper or something. Instead, I curled up the edges of the patterned paper a bit. The final touch was a healthy dose of Distress Ink. This one was quick and fun, and hopefully will get the song out of my head!

Have a great night!

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: Background Basics: Heart, Say It With Style, Simple Valentine - Papertrey Ink
Cardstock: Kraft, White - Papertrey Ink
Patterned Paper: Simple Valentine - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Real Red - Stampin' Up!; Hibiscus Burst, True Black - Papertrey Ink; Versamark - Tsukineko; Old Paper Distress Ink - Ranger
Other: Copic markers; sewing machine; computer-generated sentiment

Be My Sweetheart

Good Monday afternoon, everyone! (I just typed Monday morning. Geez!)

I have a fun Valentine's card today.. a variation on a theme if you've been here before.

I was thinking of hearts and thought about the bare tree from Sewing Box Christmas... and thought what a perfect pair that would make! I stamped and cut out my hearts, but this card would come together in a snap if you had a small heart punch.

I paired my tree of hearts with a plaid background using Off Beat Backgrounds. I think these sets go so well together - the cards always feel so homey and comfy to me. I finished it off with a little ink around the edges and a twill bow. The sentiment is from Sweethearts, part of January's release. The other half of the release, Faux Fun, and should be shipping some time this week!

I hope your evening is fabulous! I have some more lovey cards to make!

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: Sweethearts, Off Beat Backgrounds, Sewing Box Christmas, Oven Fresh Gingerbread Joy (heart) - Waltzingmouse Stamps
Cardstock: Vintage Cream - Papertrey Ink; Close to Cocoa - Stampin' Up!
Ink: Real Red, Regal Rose, Close to Cocoa - Stampin' Up!; Dark Chocolate - Papertrey Ink; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger
Other: Chocolate Chip twill - Stampin' Up!

Hey There

Hey there! I started my weekend a bit early today, as I spent the morning in the emergency room with what the doctor has diagnosed as kidney stones. Wow - not fun! Not sure if I'm in the clear yet, but I sure hope so.

I put this card together for Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge.

I love the stitched ruffle-y ribbon. I use a paper piercer to fold it under while stitching.. works great!

The rest of the details are below.. not too much to say about this one!

I hope you have a great weekend!

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: Turning a New Leaf, Say It With Style - Papertrey Ink; Woodgrain - All Night Media
Cardstock: Kraft, Vintage Cream - Papertrey Ink
Patterned Paper: Turning a New Leaf - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Ripe Avocado, Dark Chocolate - Papertrey Ink; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger
Other: Classic Circle Nestabilities - Spellbinders; Ripe Avocado satin ribbon - Papertrey Ink; Scalloped edge punch - Stampin' Up!; paper piercer; sewing machine

Prickley Pear Polar Bear

Hello, friends! How are you today?

I enjoy working with the ATC Transparencies put together by Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps. It is quite easy to jazz one up and go! For this one, I ran a piece of cardstock through my Xyron machine and covered it with glitter, then adhered it behind the polar bear image.



Not too much to talk about today, but I'll share another close-up of the sparkly bear. The ATC transparencies are available in a number of different themes and there are eight to a sheet. It is fun to work with these images, really allows you to create something in a flash!

Have a great night!

#Anya

Recipe:
Cardstock: Real Red, Tempting Turquoise - Stampin' Up!; White - Papertrey Ink
Other: Polar Bear from Christmas Collage Transparency - Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps; D'vine Swirl Cuttlebug Embossing folder - ProvoCraft; Crystal Fine Glitter, Turquoise glitter, Alpine Snowflake punch - Martha Stewart Crafts; Clear adhesive rhinestone; paper piercer

Time Began

Shifting gears a bit today.. Serendipity Stamps is sponsoring the Gingersnap Creations Challenges for the month of January. Each Wednesday, Gingersnap issues a new challenge and this month the Serendipity Stamps DT is participating. This Wednesday is a theme challenge, and so apropos to our first week of the new year, the theme is 'time'.

I used the Sun Dial and Time Began sentiment (available together in the Sun Dial Cling Set) to create my card. I stamped the sun dial image in Vintage Photo Distress Ink, then I used an Aquapainter and more Vintage Photo ink to color the image in. I had the idea of an old, sepia-toned photo image in my mind when creating this card. I added some decorative paper piercing to the top and bottom corners - the bottom one is mostly covered by the sentiment.

The sentiment was also stamped in Vintage Photo ink and then trimmed out. I matted it with a piece of cardstock and trimmed again. The little banner bits were free-handed. I accented with a bit of Perfect Gold Perfect Pearls, also painted on with the aquapainter. Here is another shot that is, hopefully, better angled to see the bit of sparkle the Perfect Pearls adds.

If you aren't familiar with the Gingersnap Creations Challenges, head over to their blog for more information. Each challenge is open for 3 weeks and you can create pretty much any type of paper-crafted project for the challenge! There are also more samples there for this week's challenge from both the Gingersnap Creations DT and the Serendipity Stamps DT.

And it wouldn't be a challenge without a contest! Enter your time-themed creations by January 31, and you will have the chance to win the Sun Dial Cling Set! You can also find more information on the Serendipity Stamps Blog. Have fun!

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: Time Began and Sun Dial (from the Sun Dial Cling Set, 545QCL) - Serendipity Stamps
Cardstock: True Thyme - Stampin' Up!; Vintage Cream - Papertrey Ink
Patterned Paper: Tuscany Prose - Bo Bunny
Ink: Vintage Photo, Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger
Other: Perfect Gold Perfect Pearls - Ranger; Aquapainter; Paper piercer

Be Mine Tag & Box

Hi again! I'm back with more! This is my second post for today showcasing the Sweethearts set, so if you missed the first, please scroll down or click here!

The January release is now available for sale over at the Waltzingmouse Stamps store. Head on over - but please save a set of Faux Fun for me.. I'm dying to try it out!

I have a cute, easy tag and petal box combo to share with you today - inspiration from my wonderfully fab fellow DT member Julia. See her petal box here!

I enjoyed making my Christmas tags so much that I wanted to keep the fun going! The tag background was stamped with some of the various endearments included in the Sweethearts set. Then I added the label and the hearts - isn't this a fun color combination?

Here is the petal box by itself, which is really quite easy to make! I created my own patterned paper for each side panel, trying to keep it simple since the teal packs its own punch! Then I created a coordinating band to go around the box and keep it closed. I pulled in the same background elements for the band that I had used for the tag.

Here is a view with the band removed - you can see how the box opens with the 'petals'.

One thing to note - instead of adhering my petals (which are folded circles) to the outside of the box, I adhered them before I added the patterned paper. That way none of my hard work was covered up! ;) Changing that step seemed to have no effect on the functionality at all, so it is up to you.

The finished size of the box is four inches square, so there is plenty of room for a number of different treats for your sweetie (or yourself!).

So there you have it! I hope you'll head over to the WMS store and check out the new release. I know that you will be just as inspired by Claire's stamp sets as I am!

Have a great night!

#Anya

Recipe:
Be Mine Tag
Stamps: Sweethearts, Very Vintage Labels No. 1 - Waltzingmouse Stamps
Cardstock: White - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Bermuda Bay, Regal Rose, Melon Mambo - Stampin' Up!; Old Paper Distress Ink - Ranger
Other: Labels One Nestabilities - Spellbinders; Clear rhinestone stickers - Recollections; Ivory Ribbon - Target Club Wedd

Sweetheart Petal Box
Stamps: Sweethearts - Waltzingmouse Stamps
Cardstock: Taken With Teal - Stampin' Up!; White - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Taken With Teal - Stampin' Up!; Old Paper Distress Ink - Ranger
Other: Ivory Ribbon - Target Club Wedd; sewing machine

From Your Secret Admirer

Happy Release Day!

Later today, Claire will be releasing the Sweethearts set for sale in the Waltzingmouse Stamps store. Keep checking for updated information!

I have two things to share with you today - I decided that I just couldn't wait until later in the week! I will post my second project a little later today, so please come back and visit for that one!

Today's card found its starting point from Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge and the Embellish Magazine Hearts Color Challenge. I love when I can do double-duty!


Cute! The idea for the heart in the envelope came over the weekend while standing in the merchandise return line for Kohl's. It was looong, but lucky for me, they had their V-day decorations out - so I pulled out my notebook and sketched a few ideas!

I stamped the sentiments on a curve to fit inside the oval. I just winged the envelope, making changes as I went along. The heart was punched out with the EK Success large heart punch. I added a strip of pink hearts, some black stitching, and a fab black vintage button. Good stuff!

I hope you enjoy it - I will be back later today with more goodies!

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: Sweethearts - Waltzingmouse Stamps
Cardstock: Real Red, Pretty In Pink - Stampin' Up!; White - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Real Red, Pretty In Pink - Stampin' Up!; Jet Black Archival Ink, Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger
Other: Effervescence edge punch - Fiskars; Large heart punch - EK Success; Oval Nestabilities - Spellbinders; Red Baker's twine - Martha Stewart Crafts; Vintage button; sewing machine

Be Mine

Woah! Is anyone else feeling a little shell-shocked after going back to work this morning? I am! I think it is going to take a few days to get used to this again! ;)

I'm sharing more sneak peeks today of the soon-to-be-released Sweethearts set from Waltzingmouse Stamps, I hope you're not tired of seeing them!

This card and I, we have .. a thing. The concept for this card had been in my head for a few days and when I sat down to work, the creative process did not go quite as smooth as I had hoped! So now that it is done, I feel like I have a bit more invested than I bargained for. :)

Recognize the patterned paper? Yep, that is the fabulous bow and arrow stamp from the set! I started with a piece of Vintage Cream cardstock and stamped a pattern using the bow and arrow in Sahara Sand. I trimmed it down to the size I wanted for my card and stitched across the top and then the scalloped piece to the bottom. The buttons and ribbon are Melon Berry and are also both stitched across the card.

The hearts were stamped in Cinnamon VersaColor, cut out, and then inked with Antique Linen. I added a strip of ScorTape and Smoky Quartz glitter to the background to ground the hearts. I fussed and fussed and fussed some more with the placement of those hearts. I couldn't decide what I liked and finally ended up with this configuration. I do think I like it, even though I was so frustrated!

If you haven't been there yet today, you need to head straight to Claire's blog! She is sneak peeking not only the Sweethearts set but a new, never-before-seen (even I was surprised!) set releasing next week. Claire will provide you with all the details - it is fabulous stuff!

See you tomorrow!

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: Sweethearts - Waltzingmouse Stamps (will be released soon!)
Cardstock: Blush Blossom, Sahara Sand - Stampin' Up!; Vintage Cream - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Cinnamon, Old Rose VersaColor - Tsukineko; Sahara Sand - Stampin' Up!; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger
Other: Simple Scallop Edge Punch, Smoky Quartz Glitter - Martha Stewart Crafts; Melon Berry Satin Ribbon, Melon Berry Buttons, Rustic Cream Button Twine - Papertrey Ink; sewing machine

I Just Love You

Good morning, all!

Another peek of the upcoming release from Waltzingmouse Stamps. I had a bit of fun playing with my new toy on this one - I got a Slice from Santa this year!

I started by stamping a few rows of the medium-sized heart in different colors onto white cardstock to create some custom patterned paper. Then I used my Slice to cut out the word 'love' from this paper (I used the Basic Shapes 1 Design Card). I layered this onto a piece of plum cardstock that I had punched with a scalloped edge. The polka dots on the card base are from the Off Beat Backgrounds set. Then I went ahead and stamped the sentiment right on top of everything. I was a bit worried, but the coverage was great! This one is fun and graphic!

If you're looking for more ideas and sneak peeks for this set, then you had better check out the other fabulous DT members' blogs! Belinda, Bonnie, Jennifer, Julia, and Laurie are all sharing new things! And I'll have more tomorrow, so be sure to stop back. Have a great day!

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: Waltzingmouse Stamps (to be released January 4th)
Cardstock: Melon Berry - Papertrey Ink; Perfect Plum - Stampin' Up!; White - Georgia Pacific
Ink: Groovy Guava, Perfect Plum, Pink Pirouette - Stampin' Up!; Aqua Mist, Spring Moss - Papertrey Ink; Jet Black Archival Ink - Ranger
Other: Scalloped Edge Punch - Stampin' Up!; Basics 1 Design Card & Slice - Making Memories

Someone Very Special...

Happy New Year everyone! I hope 2010 is filled with love and happiness for all of you!

Speaking of love, I have another sneak peek today of the new Waltzingmouse Stamps set that will be released January 4th.

I started with a card base of Rose Red and stamped the small and medium-sized hearts along the left side. The sentiment was stamped in Jet Black Archival ink from Ranger (this is quickly becoming my most favorite black ink) and then overstamped with some small hearts and the bow and arrow image in pink. I absolutely love the detail on the bow and arrow image - those are the things that get my background-patterned-paper-making-ideas churning! I foresee some using this image!

I added a mat of pink paper that had been stitched and adhered it on an angle for some interest. I contemplated some glitter but liked it as is! I hope you're enjoying the sneak peeks - I know I am! Be sure to visit the other design team members (links on the left side) for more. And don't forget to stop back here - I am happily getting back into a stamping and creating groove.. now that's a great way to start the new year!

I also want to say how excited I am to be working with our newest Design Team member, Lynn Mercurio! So glad you're joining us, Lynn!

Have a great day!

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: Waltzingmouse Stamps (not yet released)
Cardstock: Rose Red, Pink Pirouette - Stampin' Up!; White - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Rose Red, Pink Pirouette - Stampin' Up!; Jet Black Archival Ink - Ranger
Other: sewing machine