My Best Friend

I am back today with another (unofficial - ooh!) preview for the Waltzingmouse Stamps March release. Belinda and Jennifer are up today, so please be sure to visit their blogs.

I was really inspired by this card that Bonnie created for her sneak peek on Friday. I absolutely loved the way she used different patterned papers for her flower layers. Here is the card that I made based on that idea.

My rose and leaves were stamped with patterns from Off Beat Backgrounds. The second set of inside petals was cut from another flower and popped up, easily adding some dimension.

The background patterned paper is one of the new digital papers that WMS is offering! They are beautiful! This one is the Victorian paper in Rose. Look familiar? You can read more about them here on Claire's blog.

The sentiment is also from the Roses In Bloom set - I told you, it is loaded!

Please be sure to stop by and visit Belinda, Jennifer, and our fearless leader Claire for more peeks today!

Tomorrow is release day and we'll be celebrating with a blog hop - the fun starts on Claire's blog.

Thank you so much for your visit - I appreciate you taking the time to stop by today!

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: Roses In Bloom, Off Beat Backgrounds - Waltzingmouse Stamps
Cardstock: Sweet Blush - Papertrey Ink
Patterned Paper: Vintage (in Rose) - (new!) Digital paper from Waltzingmouse Stamps
Ink: So Saffron, Mellow Moss - Stampin' Up!; Antique Linen, Victorian Velvet Distress Ink - Ranger
Other: Labels One Nestabilities - Spellbinders; gold pearls

Roses In Bloom

Good morning!

Today I have the privilege of sharing a preview of one of the new sets to be released March 1 from Waltzingmouse Stamps. This set is called Roses In Bloom, and it is so beautiful. In addition to the wild rose images, the set is loaded with sentiments.

I really love this set. The flowers are drawn in such a way that coloring really is very simple. The layered petals are not only great for creating dimension, but also provide you with a built-in cheat sheet on where to add some shading to your image when coloring. I colored my roses with Copics, but I can't wait to try watercolors.

The white background was stamped with the knitted pattern from Faux Fun and then embossed with clear embossing powder. The edges were inked with Tattered Rose Distress Ink. The embossed areas resisted the ink, which is a neat effect. I colored and cut out the roses, layering them onto the card. Isn't that sentiment fantastic? Seriously, you could use that for a Mother's Day card, a new baby card, or even a sympathy card. Love it.

My very talented fellow DT member Lynn is also previewing for you today. Please make sure you stop by her blog and check out what she has made. And you can't forget Claire - she's been knocking my socks off with her creations and I can't wait to see what she's got up her sleeve today!

Thanks for your visit today, so glad to see you!

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: Roses In Bloom, Faux Fun - Waltzingmouse Stamps
Cardstock: Blush Blossom - Stampin' Up!; White - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Tattered Rose Distress Ink - Ranger
Others: Copic markers (R0000, R00, R02, R11, G0000, G00); Clear embossing powder - Stewart Superior; pinking shears

Sparkly Berry Bunches

It is another snowy day here in Pittsburgh. Just when things started to get a little cleared up from our last storm, it is coming down again. I am thankful it is Friday.

Continuing on my purple theme, I have a Prickley Pear card for you today. I really love this one.

I started with one of the new transparencies from Prickley Pear's Spring 2010 ATC Transparencies. I love stamping more than anything, but sometimes it is really nice to just grab one of these transparencies and go. I love the possibilities for embellishing - this time I covered the whole things with adhesive and glittered it. This transparency design is also available in the newly released stamps from Prickley Pear: Berry Bunches.

I stitched the transparency to a mat of cardstock that had been trimmed with my pinking blade. The purple patterned cardstock is from the Guide Lines collection and was a perfect fit for this card. The button was from my stash - I used a Copic marker to color some silk ribbon green to resemble leaves. Cute, huh?

This is a fun, happy card. I just love it!

Don't forget that WMS is sharing previews of the new stamp sets that will be released on Monday. Today Claire, Bonnie, Laurie, and Julia have created some fabulous things. I will be sharing my preview here tomorrow, so please be sure to stop by (it is a beauty if I do say so myself! ;) Love the new stuff!)

Have a fabulous day! Stay warm!

#Anya

Recipe:
Cardstock: Plum Pudding, Rustic White - Papertrey Ink
Patterned Paper: Guide Lines Collection - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Chamomile Tea Dye Ink - Papertrey Ink
Other: Transparency from Spring 2010 ATC Transparency - Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps; Antique Silver, Verdelite, Charoite glitter - Martha Stewart Crafts; Swiss Dot Embossing folder - ProvoCraft; Pinking blade for rotary paper trimmer - Fiskars; Plum Pudding button, Silk ribbon, Rustic White button twine - Papertrey Ink; Copic marker; sewing machine

Cute and Cuddly

Happy Thursday to you! I hope you're having a great week.

I am feeling proud of myself today, as I finished the Papertrey Princesses challenge and Jen's SFYTT ahead of time! This time around, the Princesses challenge was issued by Michele, and it was a great one: to color something on our projects. I can always use more coloring practice!

I combined this challenge with Jen's SFYTT and came up with this cavity-inducing card:

I broke out Baby Button Bits, the freebie I chose for my GSS win. I am not a huge fan of the whole button set idea, but I liked that there were images in this set where a button (or other embellishment) was optional.

I went with the little teddy bear image, stamped it four times, and used my Copics to color them in. I actually worked the patterned paper into my design - picking something that went with the bears that I had already colored. It may have been a better idea to have done this the other way around, but it all worked out ok in the end. :)

Loved the sketch and loved the challenge!

Now before you scoot away, the Waltzingmouse Stamps new release previews are starting today! Claire, Julia, Lisa, and Bonnie are all sharing sneaky peeks! Three new sets will be released on Monday March 1. The WMS DT will be previewing these sets up to that point and then we'll have another blog hop (with prizes - ooh!) for the release on Monday!

Thanks for your visit today and I'll see you soon!

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: Baby Button Bits - Papertrey Ink
Cardstock: Certainly Celery - Stampin' Up!; White - Papertrey Ink
Patterned Paper: Garden Party Collection - Making Memories
Ink: Rich Cocoa Memento - Tsukineko; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger
Other: RV10, B32, W1 Copic markers; Pinking blade for Rotary paper trimmer - Fiskars; Rustic Cream Button Twine - Papertrey Ink; vintage button

Bloom

Good morning friends!

Today I have a Serendipity Stamps challenge project to share with you. This week, we were challenged to use the Floral Alphabet (also here - the set is sold in two) stamp set on our project. This stamp set is incredibly beautiful - each letter is also a detailed drawing of a particular flower that starts with that letter. Maybe a visual will help... :)

Please click the picture for a larger version!

I decided to use the alphabet to create a little seasonal home decor. I stamped each of the letters in Tuxedo Black Memento Ink onto Vintage Cream cardstock and colored the images with my Copic markers. I just had fun and played, not worrying too much about the exact colors of each type of flower.

How about a close up?


I trimmed each letter, matting the word with a strip of Soft Sky cardstock which was layered onto patterned paper from Cosmo Cricket's Everafter collection. Then I stitched some ivory satin ribbon along the top and bottom. The picture frame is from Walmart, something I've had in my stash for quite some time. I hope you like it!

Thank you for the stop today, now make sure you visit the other Design Team members!

Amy
Jennifer
Kathie
Lynda
Sue

Take care!

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: Floral Alphabet (5261FCL and 5262FCL) - Serendipity Stamps
Cardstock: Vintage Cream - Papertrey Ink; Soft Sky - Stampin' Up!
Patterned Paper: Something Old from the Everafter Collection - Cosmo Cricket
Ink: Tuxedo Black Memento - Tsukineko; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger
Other: Copic markers; Ivory ribbon - Target; Picture frame - Walmart; sewing machine

A Sincere Thank You

Well friends, today's post will end my month as the Guest Muse on Mercy's blog. I feel truly blessed to have been given the opportunity to work with Mercy and her Design Team. What a fabulous bunch of talented, supportive ladies!

I had the group in mind when putting together my card for this week - ladies, I cannot thank you enough!

Here is this week's sketch - I *really* like this one!

And here is my card:

*happy sigh*

That fancy, beautifully intricate circle is part of the Faux Fun Circles set from Waltzingmouse Stamps. I stamped it in Versamark and embossed it in gold before cutting it out with a coordinating circle nestability. Isn't it perfect? The sentiment is from Say It With Style and was also embossed in gold. I inked the edges with Antique Linen Distress Ink and added some purple rhinestones. I have been in a purple mood recently.

The patterned paper is from the Guide Lines collection from Papertrey Ink. I pulled out the purples - Lavender Moon and Plum Pudding - for the rest of my card. Some curvy crazy stitching along the bottom and purple satin ribbon finish it off.

Thank you, Mercy, for a great time this month! I loved working with you. And thank you for your visit - I am always so glad to see you. Thank you also if you stopped in yesterday for the first Waltzingmouse Stamps Customer Blog Hop - it was a great time, you all did a *fantastic* job! Whew! I have a lot to be thankful for.

Have a great day, my dears!

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: Faux Fun Circles, Say It With Style - Waltzingmouse Stamps
Cardstock: Vintage Cream, Lavender Moon, Plum Pudding - Papertrey Ink
Patterned Paper: Guide Lines collection - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger
Other: Plum Pudding satin ribbon - Papertrey Ink; Circle nestabilities - Spellbinders; gold embossing powder; purple rhinestones; sewing machine

WMS Customer Blog Hop

Good morning! Welcome to the first Waltzingmouse Stamps Customer Blog Hop! As a DT member, I am really excited to see all the wonderful creations that you have made! I know how much *I* love WMS, but it is great to see so many of you sharing your support as well!

You should have come here by way of Peggy's blog and the next stop after me is Nancy. If you just happened to stop by here, I am so glad that you did! You can visit the Waltzingmouse Stamps Blog to start the hop from the beginning.

Here is my spring-themed creation. Mother's Day is in spring! :) Never too soon to start thinking ahead!

My inspiration started with Jen del Muro's SFYTT from last week. I turned to the very springy Spring Baskets for my card, and pulled out a fun color combination.

The background was stamped with the herringbone pattern stamp from Little Box Labels. I combined two sentiments from Spring Baskets - I love to do this, and Claire's sets work really well for this.

I colored the flowers with Copics, pulling colors from the patterned paper and then I added some burgundy rhinestones to tie into the card base color. Fun stuff!

Thanks for stopping by - I hope you are enjoying the Customer blog hop! Your next stop is Nancy. Have a great day, I am going to get hopping!

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: Spring Baskets, Little Box Labels - Waltzingmouse Stamps
Cardstock: Scarlet Jewel, Lavender Moon, Vintage Cream - Papertrey Ink
Patterned Paper: K&Company
Ink: Bravo Burgundy - Stampin' Up!; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger; Versamark - Tsukineko
Other: Copic markers; Burgundy rhinestones; sewing machine

Make a Wish

It is finally Friday, everyone! Yay!

Just a fun little card to share with you today - I love this kind!

The card sketch was based on this card made by Betsy Veldman. I loved the long panel in the middle and I copied the layout in my sketch notebook. I turn to my little book often for inspiration!

The patterned paper is from the Que Sera Sera Collection from K&Company. I stamped the bird cage from Elegant Birds (My Cute Stamps) and embossed it in gold. Then I blended the distess inks right over top, pulling colors from the patterned paper. I glittered the edge of the label with Antique Gold glitter, then pulled a big gold button from my vintage button jar. I thought it was a fun touch for the card. Very boho, huh?

Now don't forget about the Waltzingmouse Stamps Customer Blog Hop on Monday! Make sure you head over to the Waltzingmouse Blog and sign up for it! It is going to be a great time, I am really looking forward to it!

Take care, my friends!

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: Elegant Birds - My Cute Stamps; Mixed Messages - Papertrey Ink
Cardstock: Rustic White, Aqua Mist - Papertrey Ink
Patterned Paper: Que Sera Sera Collection - K&Company
Ink: Antique Linen, Tattered Rose, Worn Lipstick, Dried Marigold, Scattered Straw Distress Ink - Ranger; Dark Chocolate - Papertrey Ink
Other: Labels Four Nestabilities - Spellbinders; Scalloped Scallop edge punch - EK Success; Antique Gold glitter - Martha Stewart Crafts; gold embossing powder; gold button

Sweet Surprise

Hello friends!

Just in time for our third Papertrey Princesses challenge, I bring you.. the second! Better late than never.

I love this challenge, which came from Lee! We were challenged to create a three-dimensional project and to take inspiration from the objects we were planning to put inside. Here's the link to Lee's challenge.

I snooped around the kitchen (looking for treats) and found my husband's favorite - a bag of Lindt white chocolate Lindor truffles. Perfect to package, and perfect for my current obsession with the color yellow.

Yum!

I used this pattern for a crayon box, put together by Jen del Muro. It was simple!

I embossed the swirly vine from With Sympathy and then added a row of gold pearls around the window. The sentiment, from Cupcake Collection, was embossed in gold. I tied it all up with some of the new silk ribbon from PTI - very nice! I loved the combination of yellow, white, and gold and it was fun to make something other than a card. This was a great challenge, Lee - thank you!

And thank you for your visit, I hope you have a great day. Michele is hosting the next Papertrey Princesses challenge and I can't wait to see what she comes up with!

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: With Sympathy, Cupcake Collection - Papertrey Ink
Cardstock: Lemon Tart, White - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Versamark - Tsukineko
Other: Silk ribbon - Papertrey Ink; Gold pearls - Michaels; Dotted Scallop edge punch - EK Success; Standard circle nestabilities - Spellbinders; white and gold embossing powder; Crayon Box pattern from Jen del Muro

Serendipity Spring Sketch

No spring in sight here! We're still knee-deep in snow, and it just keeps falling.

Today is challenge day over at Serendipity Stamps, and this week we're doing a sketch challenge with a spring theme.

Here is the sketch:
And here is my card:

Aren't those ducklings darling? ;) They are the Three Ducks (981F) stamp from Serendipity. The sentiment is Happy Spring (847C). The ducks were stamped in Tuxedo Black Memento Ink and colored with Copic markers. I added some Diamond Stickles to the eggs. These little guys are just too cute. They would be adorable fuzzy - Fun Flock anyone?

I kept the rest of the card simple, just adding some stitching at the top. I really love this color combination of purple and yellow, and the patterned paper brings it all together.

Thank you for the stop today, now make sure you visit the other Design Team members!

Amy
Jennifer
Kathie
Lynda
Sue

Take care!

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: Three Ducks (981F), Happy Spring (847C) - Serendipity Stamps
Cardstock: Barely Banana, Lavender Lace - Stampin' Up!; White - Papertrey Ink
Patterned Paper: Hot Off the Press
Ink: Tuxedo Black Memento - Tsukineko
Other: Copic markers; Diamond Stickles - Ranger; sewing machine

Elegant Eggs

Good morning, my dears.

Today I am sharing my creation for the Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge team.

Here is this week's sketch:

And here is my card:

I combined both of the baskets from the Spring Baskets set from WMS to create a very elegant egg basket. I paper pieced the fancy eggs and the bows, using patterned paper from Fancy Pants Designs. I used some Copic markers to add some highlights to the basket and then I cut it all out - not for the faint of heart, I warn you! :)

I added some silver glitter to cushion my eggs (it also serves to cover up the seam between the eggs and the basket). The Happy Easter sentiment is also from the set. Those are elegant eggs, aren't they?

If you didn't see it yesterday, Waltzingmouse Stamps has announced some great news! You can read about it on my blog here, or head straight to the WMS blog and check it out there! Exciting stuff!

Have a great day - thank you so much for stopping by!

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: Spring Baskets - Waltzingmouse Stamps
Cardstock: Sahara Sand, Rose Red - Stampin' Up!; Soft Stone - Papertrey Ink
Patterned Paper: On a Whimsy, Delight - Fancy Pants Designs
Ink: Jet Black Archival Ink, Vintage Photo Distress Ink - Ranger
Other: Antique Silver glitter - Martha Stewart Crafts; Stardust gel pen - Sakura; Swiss Dot Cuttlebug folder - ProvoCraft; Petite Oval and Petite Scalloped Oval Nestabilities - Spellbinders; sewing machine

WMS Customer Blog Hop

Some great news today from Waltzingmouse Stamps!

First off, an exciting new product release.. Template Temptations! WMS will now be carrying digital templates, available in both PDF and SVG formats! Woo! Claire has more detailed information here on her blog with a link to the template section of the store.


The second bit of news is that next Monday, February 22nd, WMS will hold their first customer blog hop! The theme is Spring, and we'd like to you to use Waltzingmouse Stamps - any type of project is game! More information is here on the WMS blog. All you need to do is sign up there with Mr. Linky, make your project, and post it along with the WMS blog hop graphic the day of the hop! I am really looking forward to hopping along with you and seeing all the fantastic things you create!

Take care my friends, I'll be back with my card for Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge tomorrow!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day, friends!

I hope you all have a great day. I am trying to catch up on some things around the house, so I'll be short and sweet today.

This is the Valentine I made for my sweetie. I really like it.. not too frilly, but still incorporates some of my favorite elements.

The card size is larger than normal (4-1/4 by 7 inches), based on last week's sketch challenge on Mercy's blog (you can click on the photo for a larger view).

I used Top Ten and Top Ten Additions, stamping each word and then punching it out with different sized heart punch. I added some stitching and some dimension, shooting for a collage-y type look. A perfect Valentine for my husband.

So glad that you stopped by today, and I hope to see you again soon!

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: Top Ten, Top Ten Additions - Papertrey Ink
Cardstock: Kraft, True Black, Pure Poppy - Papertrey Ink; Riding Hood Red, Cranberry Crisp - Stampin' Up!
Ink: True Black, Pure Poppy - Papertrey Ink
Other: Medium Heart Punch, Large Heart Punch, Bracket edge punch - EK Success; Extra Jumbo, Super Jumbo Scalloped Heart Punch - Marvy; Lace Heart edge punch - Martha Stewart Crafts; sewing machine

There's No Place Like CHA..

I love lazy Saturdays. I just like to poke around the house, doing a little of this or that.

I have another card to share that was created for the current Moxie Fab World Blog challenge. This card isn't quite as Anne Taintor-ish as the other, but I loved this image from the Vintage Fashion ATC transparencies and thought it was close.

I was trying to think of something snarky I could say about shoes, but kept coming back to Dorothy's 'there's no place like home' from the Wizard of Oz. I wondered what place a crafter would want to be and thought CHA! (I know *I* would like to go to CHA - this summer I just might make it to Chicago!) So I took it and ran.

I added the rectangle border (cut with my Slice) and red glitter as a nod to Dorothy's ruby slippers. The newsprint background is actually from a shopping bag, and I tried my hand at one of the scrunched-up scalloped circles. The sentiment was computer-generated. Maybe not an exact match for the challenge, but certainly inspired by!

Enjoy your Saturday!

#Anya

Recipe:
Cardstock: Vintage Cream, Kraft, Rustic White - Papertrey Ink; Real Red - Stampin' Up!
Patterned Paper: Stampin' Up; K&Company; newsprint background is a shopping bag
Ink: Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger
Other: Vintage Fashion ATC Transparencies - Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps; Garnet glitter - Martha Stewart Crafts; Slice and Studio Essentials Design Card - Making Memories; scalloped circle punch; paper piercer; pinking shears; computer-generated sentiment

Many Blessings

Happy Friday everyone!

Today's card was made for Jen del Muro's Sketch For You to Try (SFYTT). I am a big fan of Jen's sketches and have been an un-official participant for some time. I keep a notebook of sketches I like and Jen's have made it in there on many occasions. Anyway, I wanted to break out some of the other stamps I had not yet used from the Spring Baskets set.

I paper pieced the centers of the little flower clusters using paper from the Cosmo Cricket Girl Friday collection. I colored the flower petals and leaves with my Copic markers, pulling colors from the patterned paper. The Sweet Blush background was stamped with the knitted pattern stamp from Faux Fun.

I added some different kinds of stitching and a cute little button from my stash. I am addicted to Rustic White cardstock right now. I have been using it on everything, and just love the cozy look it gives.

That's all for me today! I hope you have a great weekend - I still have so much I want to share - check back for some weekend posts! Thank you for your visit!

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: Spring Baskets, Faux Fun - Waltzingmouse Stamps
Cardstock: Rustic White, Sweet Blush - Papertrey Ink
Patterned Paper: Sunday from the Girl Friday collection - Cosmo Cricket
Ink: Pink Pirouette - Stampin' Up!; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger; Tuxedo Black Memento - Tsukineko
Other: Standard circle Nestabilities - Spellbinders; Copic markers; sewing machine; button

Striped Love

Hello blogland! *Tap* *Tap* Is this thing on?

Is it just me, or have things been a little slow out there recently? Well, around here, the weather has ground everything to a halt, so maybe that's the problem?

Anyway, I realized that I was running out of days to share Valentines, so that's what is up for today.

You may remember this card that I made a few months ago for Waltzingmouse Stamps. Well, here it is reincarnated as a Valentine.

I simply changed up my ink colors and instead of the holly, punched a heart. I used a post-it to mask off different portions of the herringbone stamp (from Little Box Labels) so that I could get varying stripe widths. The sentiment is from Seasons of Love - Tags. Some messy stitching finishes if off.

That's it for me! Hope your day is great!

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: Little Box Labels, Very Vintage Labels No. 1, Seasons of Love Tags - Waltzingmouse Stamps
Cardstock: Real Red - Stampin' Up!; Vintage Cream - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Real Red, Rose Red, Pretty In Pink - Stampin' Up!
Other: Rose Quartz glitter - Martha Stewart Crafts; Labels One Nestabilities - Spellbinders; Small Heart punch - EK Success; Red crystal stickers - Recollections; sewing machine

Masking Tutorial

Hi again! (This is my second post for the day. To read more, please scroll down or click here. :)

During the Waltzingmouse Stamps New Release blog hop that we held last week, a number of you left comments about masking. Some of you have never tried it or maybe were a little apprehensive, but I want to show you just how easy it is.

The theory behind masking is that you use a mask (I often use a post-it note) to create layers of images without overlapping. In the case of the daffodil card that I made, I wanted to create the illusion that the flowers on the left and right sides were growing behind those in the center. Make sense? Here's the image again.

I'm going to take you step-by-step through the process and show you just how easy it is. You can click any of these pictures for a larger version.

1. We are going to start with our first image - this is the one that we want to be front and center. All the other images we stamp will appear to be behind this one.

2. Next, stamp your image again onto a post-it note or other masking medium. If you're using a post-it note, make sure you stamp at least part of your image onto the adhesive part, sticky side down. (Eclipse Tape is another popular option for masking).

3. Cut out your mask. I didn't cut out the whole thing, because I knew I was only going to be overlapping the leaves on the left and right sides. Place your mask over top of your stamped image.

4. Stamp your next image.

5. This is what it will look like after you've stamped your image and removed the mask. See how it looks like the second image is behind the first?

6. Replace your mask and stamp your next image, this time on the left.

7. Remove your mask, and voila! Your daffodils are layered without the images overlapping. Easy peasy, no?

If you're looking for some more information about masking, Claire also shared a tutorial during the countdown here.

I hope this information was helpful to those of you that have been a little nervous about trying this technique! If you are feeling inspired, I would *love* for you to share your creations with me! Please leave me a comment or a link to your blog or galley and share what you've come up with!

And please, your feedback is always appreciated! If you ever have questions or need clarification, don't hesitate to ask!

Have a great day everyone!

#Anya

For You, Joyce!

Well, we're halfway through this crazy week. We got more snow last night through this morning, and it would be a great time if I didn't have to go to work. But, that's why I drive a truck.

Today I wanted to wish a happy birthday to one of my fellow Papertrey Princesses, Joyce. Happy Birthday, Joyce! Her blog is here, so make sure you stop by and wish her a great day! :)

Here's a little card I put together for you, Joyce! I used the current Embellish Magazine challenge as my starting point.

I used the fancy lace stamp from Faux Fun, stamped on a diagonal and then embossed. The sentiment, from Little Box Labels, was also embossed. I pleated and stitched some turquoise ribbon and then matted the brown layer with white and pink. I love how detailed the lace stamp is!

I hope your birthday is wonderful Joyce! So glad to be a part of the Princesses group with you!

Stop back later today, as I'm putting the finishing touches on my masking tutorial.

Until then!

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: Faux Fun, Little Box Labels - Waltzingmouse Stamps
Cardstock: Dark Chocolate, White - Papertrey Ink; Pretty In Pink - Stampin' Up!
Ink: VersaMark - Tsukineko
Other: Clear embossing powder - Stewart Superior; turquoise satin ribbon; sewing machine

Lots of Happiness

Good morning, friends! Today is Tuesday, and you know what that means! (Haha, if you don't - its time for Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge!)

Here is this week's sketch:

And here is my sample:

The fabulous birdcage stamps are from the Elegant Birds set from My Cute Stamps. I love these adorable, whimsical birdcages.

I stamped one of each size birdcage onto Lilykate patterned paper and cut them out. I did a little bit of masking to put the bird in the blue cage. I used a Spica glitter pen to add a bit of sparkle to each of the bird cages. The sentiment is also part of the set.

I stitched the satin ribbon to a strip of patterned paper and added the flourished brad to finish off the sketch. The completed card size is 4 inches by 7 inches.

Make sure you stop by Mercy's blog to find the links to the DT members and check out their sketches.

Also stop by Claire's blog to see if you were one of the Waltzingmouse Stamps new release blog hop winners! Thank you all for your visit and kind comments during the new release!

Have a great day!

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: Elegant Birds - My Cute Stamps
Cardstock: Rustic White, White - Papertrey Ink; Barely Banana - Stampin' Up!
Patterned Paper: Lilykate - Basic Grey
Ink: True Black - Papertrey Ink; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger
Other: Spring Moss satin ribbon - Papertrey Ink; Flourish brad - Stampin' Up!; Sand Spica glitter pen; sewing machine

Happy Birthday, Bill!

Hi everyone! Today is my sweetie's birthday. We have celebrated many birthdays together - the first one was back in high school, 15 years ago. Time really flies.

I'd like to share the card I made for Bill with you.

My jumping off point was the embossing resist challenge that PTI had last week. The sentiment was stamped and embossed first. I then used Distress Inks to create the graduated colors in the background. Then I stamped the trees, which are from Through the Trees. A strip of text from Background Basics: Text Style II inside two score lines creates a subtle background.

I know I don't talk too much about him, but Bill is a very special guy. He is kind and supportive, and very smart. He is silly and spontaneous and maintains family as his highest priority. We have had some difficult times over the past few years, but with a lot of hard work are coming through things on top. That is a nod to Bill's work ethic as well as his belief in us. Not a day goes by that I don't think we were made for each other or that we are fulfilling some sort of destiny by sharing our lives together. He is my partner and I highly value his opinion and feedback (I want to interject that he provides his seal of approval for all of my creations - sometimes he provides suggestions that really make a world of difference to my fishished product). My experiences are richer when shared with him, and I look forward to that for the rest of my life. Happy Birthday, babe!

Bill shared some pictures of our monster snowstorm this weekend. We ended up with about two feet of snow Saturday afternoon after it was all said and done. We are running out of places to put all that snow. He's a pretty tall guy, and it was up to his knees - it was over top of our dogs' backs! Check out his blog for some photos.

Have a great day everyone - thank you for stopping by today!

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: Through the Trees, Background Basics: Text Style II - Papertrey Ink
Cardstock: Rustic White - Papertrey Ink; Garden Green - Stampin' Up!
Ink: True Black - Papertrey Ink; Going Gray - Stampin' Up!; Pine Needles, Faded Jeans, Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord Distress Ink - Ranger
Other: Clear embossing powder - Stewart Superior; Scor-Pal; sewing machine

So Sweet!

Speaking of sweet, I am going to be short and sweet today. We are getting some serious snow here in the 'Burgh and I am going to try and finish up and get out of here before things get bad.

Here is a sweet card with some yummy cupcakes!

The cupcakes and sentiment are from Papertrey's Cupcake Collection. The swirly icing top was stamped onto different patterned papers (all PTI), cut out, and then glitterfied. The cupcake bottoms were stamped onto Kraft cardstock and cut out.

I stitched around a piece of Rustic White cardstock and adhered it to a Lemon Tart card. I have been using yellow a lot recently - I have been loving the happy, springy feeling it gives everything. I think I am not the only one that is looking forward to spring! The sentiment is from the same set.

Thank you all for the wonderful comments you left on yesterday's Waltzingmouse Release Blog Hop post. It was so nice to hear from so many of you. If you have not seen it, please check it out! There are prizes to be had! The contest ends Sunday, February 7th at 11:59 EST.

I also promise you a masking tutorial using the daffodil stamp from Spring Baskets. Many of you left comments about masking these images and I thought maybe a little visual would be helpful. Look for that coming up soon!

Have a wonderful evening friends, I am going to hunker down at home with my hubs and the fireplace!

#Anya

Recipe:
(All supplies Papertrey Ink unless otherwise noted)
Stamps: Cupcake Collection
Cardstock: Rustic White, Lemon Tart, Kraft
Patterned Paper: Raspberry Fizz Mix, Everyday Blessings, 2008 Bitty Box Basics, Simple Valentine
Ink: True Black
Other: Dazzling Diamonds glitter - Stampin' Up!; sewing machine

Glorious Spring Wishes

Hello! Welcome to the new release blog hop for Waltzingmouse Stamps!

If you're hopping along with us, you should have come here by way of Belinda's blog. If you just happened to stop in, Lynn is heading us up today if you'd like to start at the beginning! Prizes are up for grabs, too, so keep reading!

As soon as I saw the graphics for the new Spring Baskets set, I wanted to color these daffodils! These guys fit beautifully into both of the baskets included in the set, but they have a flat bottom and are just as beautiful planted in their own flowerbed!

I stamped my first daffodil image and used a post-it note as a mask when stamping the other two images. The result is a seamless bed of beautiful, blooming flowers! Don't be fooled by the intricacy of the image - masking these flowers is a cinch.

I added one of the sweet little bees and his buzzy trail as well as one of the great sentiments. Some Stickles finish off the flower centers. If you can't tell, I really love this set!

My patterned paper is (surprise!) the plaid stamp from Off Beat Backgrounds, custom-made to match the colors in my flowers. I punched a strip of white cardstock with the Fiskars Threading Water punch and then stitched it. If this card sketch looks somewhat familiar, it is the same one I used for Claire's birthday card - I loved it so much I wanted to use it again.

Now before you hop on, let me get some details out of the way. There are two fabulous prizes up for grabs and all you have to do is leave a comment! One winner will be randomly chosen from the comments left on one of the Design Team Members' blogs, the other will be chosen from the comments left on the Waltzingmouse Stamps blog. Now that's easy!

So what are you playing for? The chance to win your own copy of one of the newly released sets, of course! The DT blog winner will receive a copy of Spring Baskets and the WMS blog winner will receive a copy of L'il Buddies. Awesome! The deadline for comments is Sunday, February 7th, 11:59 pm EST. The winners will be drawn and posted on the WMS blog on Monday.

Your next and final stop on the hop is Claire herself at the Waltzingmouse Stamps blog! She has something fantastic to share with you (if you haven't seen her countdown posts you *really* need to).

Thanks for your visit here, and good luck!

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: Spring Baskets - Waltzingmouse Stamps
Cardstock: Barely Banana, Soft Sky - Stampin' Up!; White - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Barely Banana, Apricot Appeal - Stampin' Up!; Tuxedo Black Memento - Tsukineko
Other: Assorted markers - Copic; Threading Water punch - Fiskars; Star Dust Stickles - Ranger; sewing machine

Bad Hair Day

Happy Wednesday everyone! My computer is acting strange today - hopefully it figures itself out. Computer problems are the worst!

Today I have a super fun card to share! I stepped up to the plate again for the current challenge on the Moxie Fab World Blog - Let's Get Sassy with Taintor-tude!

I love Anne Taintor's snarky sense of humor. I mean, what isn't to love about this? It is sort of like we're all thinking it.. but she says it! Anyway, on to my card!

This is another very versatile transparency from Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps. This is from the Vintage Fashion ATC Transparencies. I thought these behatted ladies would be just the ticket. The patterned paper is from Cosmo Cricket (Early Bird and Girl Friday). I liked how everything is on an angle and the circle hangs over the card - I added some red rhinestones for pizzaz.. Or sass, if you like. :)

The sentiment was computer-generated, just cut from copy paper and then distressed with Antique Linen and Vintage Photo ink. Cute, quick, and fun (and too bad if fabulousness isn't a word ;)

Today you should also visit Bonnie, Jennifer, and Claire, who are sharing their sneak peeks for tomorrow's Waltzingmouse Stamps release! Yay! We'll be hopping blogs and giving prizes starting at 1 pm EST so you should stop back then!

Have a great day!

#Anya

Recipe:
Cardstock: Aqua Mist - Papertrey Ink
Patterned Paper: Girl Friday, Early Bird - Cosmo Cricket
Ink: Antique Linen, Vintage Photo Distress Ink - Ranger
Other: Vintage Fashion ATC Transparency - Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps; Standard circle nestabilities - Spellbinders; Red adhesive rhinestones; Sewing machine; computer-generated sentiment

Love and Roses

Good morning, my dears! Happy Groundhog Day - we'll have six more weeks of winter here regardless of what Phil has to say, but one can hope!

Today I have the pleasure of sharing a little secret with you. I was asked to be Mercy Kerin's Guest Muse for the month of February! You know how much I love Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenges, and I am just so tickled to be working with her and the rest of the Muses this month!

I'm kicking things off with MTSC59. Here is the sketch:

And here is my card:

I first saw these fun paper roses on Winter Sims' blog with a link to the original tutorial here. These babies are so easy and very cute! After assembling them, I traced the petals with a glue pen and dipped them in glitter. The leaves were cut using my Slice.

I created my own patterned paper using the lace stamp from Faux Fun. I also snuck in another sneak peek of the soon-to-be-released Faux Fun Circles set! Is that not the most gorgeous decorative element you have seen? The sentiment is from Seasons of Love - Tags. Such a lovey dovey card - nothing says love like roses!

Now head over to Mercy's blog and see what she and the other Muses have created with this sketch! They are so much fun, and we would love for you to play along! Mercy has given me such a warm welcome and in addition to my card has posted a little info about yours truly. :)

And don't forget the Waltzingmouse Stamps sneak peeks continue - Lisa and Lynn are your hosts today, and of course, Claire!

Have a great day, everyone! I'm so glad you stopped by!

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: Faux Fun, Season of Love - Tags, Faux Fun Circles - Waltzingmouse Stamps
Cardstock: Sweet Blush, Vintage Cream - Papertrey Ink; Real Red, Regal Rose, Old Olive - Stampin' Up!
Ink: Going Gray - Stampin' Up!
Other: Garnet and Tourmaline glitter - Martha Stewart Crafts; Basic Shapes 3 Design Card and Slice - Making Memories

WMS Sneak Peek - Faux Fun Circles

Good morning! Today I am continuing the sneak peeks for the new Waltzingmouse Stamps February release! This Thursday, there will be four fantastic sets released.

I am sharing a sneak peek for the new Faux Fun Circles set. In true Waltzingmouse Stamps fashion, this stamp set coordinates with the Small Standard Circle Nestabilities from Spellbinders. As the name suggests, some of the elements from last month's Faux Fun stamp set are incorporated into this set.

I chose to use one of my favorite designs from this set, a wreath.

I stamped the wreath three times using Sage VersaColor ink. I highlighted the berries in the center wreath with rhinestones. The Easter sentiment is one of many offered in the Spring Baskets set, which will also be released on Thursday.

The coordinating branch element, stamped onto Melon Berry cardstock using VersaMark ink, is also part of the Faux Fun Circles set. The background on the card is the knitted pattern stamp from Faux Fun. I love how this goes with anything! I finished it off with some machine stitching.

I hope you enjoyed my sneak peek! More peeks are available today on Claire's blog and Julia's blog. Make sure you see what wonderful creations they have made using the soon-to-be-released sets!

Thanks for stopping by today, I will see you tomorrow (with a fun surprise)!

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: Faux Fun Circles, Spring Baskets (to be released February 4), Faux Fun - Waltzingmouse Stamps
Cardstock: Mellow Moss - Stampin' Up!; Melon Berry, White - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Sage, Cinnamon VersaColor, VersaMark - Tsukineko
Other: Adhesive rhinestones; sewing machine