Thursday, August 30, 2012

Play Date Cafe Challenge #147

Good morning!

Welcome to another Play Date Cafe Challenge! The challenge for this week - #147 - is a little different than normal, featuring four fab colors instead of three. I will say, that fourth adds a little zing to things!


We were sponsored by gel-a-tins this week, and I used the cute Peace gelly jr's for my card.


I started by stamping the image repeatedly onto my background. Then I added an embossed and a punched strip of cardstock. I finished it off with some ribbon twine and a fussy cut dove, accented with some pink rhinestones and a little Stickles.

When making this card, I tried to keep in mind how I wanted to balance the colors. Since we were using four colors this week, three of which are pretty bold, I knew I had to focus on one or two for the majority of the card and just use the rest as accents. Of course, I threw a little Oatmeal in there for a neutral, but I like the end result and I feel like this method helped to keep the colors from being too overwhelming.  What are your thoughts? 


I hope you will join us for this week's challenge. You have until next Tuesday to link your creation up over on the The Play Date Cafe Blog.


And a huge thanks to gel-a-tins for sharing some of their wonderful stamps with us this week!

Have a great day, my friends!


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Recipe
STAMPS: Peace - gel-a-tins
CARDSTOCK: Oatmeal - Wplus9; Island Indigo, Old Olive, Sahara Sand - SU!
INK: Island Indigo, Rose Red - SU!; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger Industries
OTHER: Twine - PTI; Apron Lace punch - Fiskars; Fancy Fan Embossing Folder - Sizzix; Stardust Stickles - Ranger Industries; Adhesive rhinestones

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

CardMaker Blog Team Hop

Hi there!

Today is blog hop day for the CardMaker Magazine Blog Team. Our assignment for today's hop was to create something that was outside of our comfort zone. For me, that was easy - I am terrified of clean and simple cards!


So here is the card that I made: a one layer, clean and simple card with lots of white space. I even used white cardstock (which I also tend to shy away from) - feeling a little withdrawal from my favorite Oatmeal color!

My scarecrow was created using images from the Happy Harvest set from Wplus9. As a final touch, I added one of the crows from the WMS Hocus Pocus set. He looks like he was meant to sit just there!

So tell me what you think! I am not used to this style at all - but I will say, start to finish was only about 10 minutes! It was fun to experiment, though!

I'm so glad you've stopped by today, please make sure you hop on over to visit the other Blog Team members! I can't wait to check out what these outstanding ladies have come up with!

Anya Schrier - You are here!

Have a great day!


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Recipe
STAMPS: Happy Harvest - Wplus9; Hocus Pocus - Waltzingmouse Stamps
CARDSTOCK: White - PTI
INK: Buckaroo Blue, Riding Hood Red, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede - SU!; Onyx Black Versafine - Tsukineko

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Shine

Hi there.

It seems like it has been forever since I've posted, but really just a few days! I was away on vacation and came back to packing up my office move, a 33rd birthday, and then an office move. It has been hectic!

Before I jump into today's post, I wanted to announce the winner for my little Distress Ink giveaway. Random.org chose lucky number 4, which was:

Super Jen August 13, 2012 6:32 PM

I love silhouette stamps but have been afraid to try making skies. Thanks for the inspiration - I'll be sure to pick up some supplies next trip to the craft store. Oh, and Happy Left Handed Day!


Jen, please email me your postal address and I will mail out your goodies! Thank you all for your sweet comments!

Alright. On to today's card.

Just a little something for Claire, who is so gracefully handling some frustrating situations.

Nerina from A Creative Inkling approached me with a fabulous idea to share our support and encouragement for Claire by making a card. Hey, its what I do best ;)


I used the soon-to-be available Bright Season and Light of the World Sentiments stamp sets. I also used Claire's custom-designed Opera Tags dies (which are available in the store now!). These dies are beautifully detailed!


These lantern and candle images are fabulous. I can't wait for you to get them - they are fun!

If you have some time to share a little something for Claire, please head to sweetie Nerina's blog and link up your creation.

Have a fabulous day - I have tons of photos I would like to share with you, so I will be back soon!

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Recipe
STAMPS: Bright Season, Light of the World Sentiments - Waltzingmouse Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Vintage Cream - PTI; Perfect Plum - SU!
PATTERNED PAPER: 5 & Dime - October Afternoon
INK: Perfect Plum, Barely Banana, Peach Parfait, So Saffron - SU!; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger Industries; Onyx Black Versafine - Tsukineko; Copper - Color Box
OTHER: Opera Tags Dies - Waltzingmouse Stamps / Spellbinders Paper Arts

Friday, August 24, 2012

WMS August Release Blog Waltz

Hi there! Today is release day for Waltzingmouse Stamps. Nine new sets are being released this month, and they are all available for purchase now in the Waltzingmouse Stamps store!

You should have arrived here from Laurie's blog. Claire's blog is the start of the waltz, so head back to her if you're just popping in, she has a list of all the Design Team members participating. Tosh will be your next stop after this one.

As usual, Blog Waltz prizes are up for grabs! One winner will be randomly chosen from the comments left on one of the Design Team blogs, so let us know what you think of the new release! You have until 6:59 AM EST on Sunday, August 26th to leave your comments. Winners will be announced on the WMS Blog on the 28th.

Today I am sharing some additional projects using the Vintage Garden Series as well as Bright Season.

First off is a home decor project featuring the images from Vintage Garden Produce.


I started by stamping the seed packet frame from the Vintage Seed Packet set four times. Then I filled the frame in with the fruit/vegetable images from Vintage Garden Produce (the pumpkin is from the Seed Packet set). After I had everything all stamped, I pulled out a bunch of different ink colors and watercolored the images.


I adhered the seed packets to a a piece of patterned paper cut to fit the frame (12 x 5). I used just a little bit of adhesive in the center of the seed packets and left the edges curled and warped (from the watercoloring). It gives it such a fun aged look!


A great decor project for a kitchen!

My second project today is a little notebook. I have a friend who keeps a Prayer List, and the last time her and I got together, she was scribbling on a bunch of different post-it notes. I thought something she could tuck in her purse and keep everything together might help her out.


I started by stamping the large lantern from Bright Season on to white cardstock with Silver pigment ink. Then I filled in with the candle and flame. The sentiment, from Light of the World Sentiments was stamped right on top in black ink.

I used my Bind-it-All to create a little notebook, filling it with blank 3x5 index cards. I was glad to pop this in the mail right away, and hopefully she finds it useful!

That is it for me today! Thank you all for your wonderful comments on the release projects. I actually just returned home from vacation, so I really had to kick it into high gear to get everything done and posted ahead of time. I'm glad you enjoyed them! Tosh is your next stop! Enjoy the rest of the waltz!


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Recipe
Seed Packet Home Decor
STAMPS: Vintage Garden Seed Packet, Vintage Garden Produce - Waltzingmouse Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Oatmeal - Wplus9
PATTERNED PAPER: For the Record - Echo Park Paper Co.
INK: Coffee Archival Ink, Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger Industries; Various Dye Inks - Stampin' Up!
OTHER: Picture Frame - WalMart

Prayer List Notebook
STAMPS: Bright Season, Light of the World Sentiments - Waltzingmouse Stamps
CARDSTOCK: White - PTI
INK: Baja Breeze, More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, So Saffron - SU!; Onyx Black Versafine - Tsukineko; Silver Pigment Ink
OTHER: Bind-It-All, 5/8-inch Silver Wires - Zutter; Plain Index Cards

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Play Date Cafe Challenge #146

** This is my second post for the day. If you're here to see Day 3 of the Waltzingmouse August Release, please scroll down or click here!

Happy Thursday!

Are you guys ready? It is time for a Color Splash week at The Play Date Cafe! These weeks are wildly popular, so I hope to see you splashing along with us!

Here is our fab color story:


And here is the card I created, using some fantastic designs sent to us from SRM Stickers, our awesome challenge sponsor for this week.


I used a combination of border stickers from the We've Got Your Border - Halloween selection on my card. How *fun* are these! I have to say, I've never used stickers on my cards before, but just loved them!

I paired my sticker strips up with the bats from A Pocketful: Halloween.


I hope you will join us for this week's challenge. You have until next Tuesday to link your creation up over on the The Play Date Cafe Blog.

Please also be sure to check out the amazing selection of products that SRM Stickers carries!


Thanks for joining me today!


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Recipe
STAMPS: A Pocketful: Halloween - Wplus9
CARDSTOCK: True Black, White - PTI; Pear Pizzazz - SU!
INK: Onyx Black Versafine - Tsukineko
OTHER: We've Got Your Border - Halloween - SRM Stickers; Black Rhinestones

WMS August Release Day 3

I'm glad to see you back for Day 3 of the Waltzingmouse August release! Nine new stamp sets will be released on August 24 (that's tomorrow!!).

Today we are previewing our final three sets: Bright Season, Little Lanterns, and Light of the World Sentiments.

These unique and beautifully detailed images will become a quick favorite, I promise!

Let's start with something from Bright Season.


This is a 4x6 set featuring a large lantern image and coordinating extras. I see this beautiful lantern carrying me right through fall to the holidays.

For my card, I stamped the lantern onto cream cardstock and cut it out. Then I used a craft knife and ruler to cut out the center panes (straight lines = easy!). I lined up my trimmed out lantern on my card front and used a pencil to lightly trace the portion where the panes would be. Then I repeated the trimming, also cutting this portion away with a craft knife.


The whole point of the exercise was so that I could back my lantern with acetate, and have the candle image stamped on the inside of the card 'shine' through. You'll have to take my word for it - acetate never photographs well, but it sure does add a cool effect to the card.


The inside of the card was stamped with the candle and flame images, as well as that soft halo of light. Does that not just say warm and comforting?

The sentiment is from the Light of the World Sentiments set and was stamped so you can't see it until the card is open. This coordinating sentiment set is decidedly faith-based with a few scripture passages but also has a wonderful selection of sentiments to express encouragement and sympathy.

Now, how about some color?


This card uses images from the Little Lanterns set. Goodness, these are illustrated so beautifully!

I stamped each lantern onto a strip of cardstock, using ink that was slightly darker than my paper. I lined them all up onto a plain card base, and topped it with the sentiment (also from Light of the World Sentiments). This phrase is stacked in the set, but I did some selective inking to orient it this way.

And here is my final creation for today.


My inspiration for this card came while doing a little internet surfing. I came across a photo of a Moroccan lantern with colored glass in it. I got to thinking of hanging lanterns and arrived at this card design :)

I know we are nearing the end of summer, but here it is just starting to become bearable to be outside again, so patio parties are not out of the realm of possibility!

More masking for this card... to create this design I masked only the top and bottom solid parts of the lanterns, but let the glass overlap. I colored the lanterns with Copic markers. My favorite parts are the tiny bits of orange and green created from the overlap.

I pulled out the Join Us set for my sentiment.


I'd go to that party! ;)


There are your Design Team links for today. Tomorrow the release party kicks off at 2:00 pm EST. See ya!


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Recipe
Leaving a Light On Card
STAMPS: Bright Season, Light of the World Sentiments (available August 24) - Waltzingmouse Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Oatmeal - Wplus9
INK: So Saffron, Peach Parfait, Really Rust, Cherry Cobbler, Wild Wasabi - SU!; Onyx Black Versafine - Tsukineko
OTHER: Acetate

Let Your Light Shine Card
STAMPS: Little Lanterns, Light of the World Sentiments (available August 24) - Waltzingmouse Stamps
CARDSTOCK: So Saffron, Pool Party, Not Quite Navy, Purely Pomegranate - SU!
INK: Summer Starfruit, Cool Caribbean, Midnight Muse, Rich Razzleberry - SU!; Onyx Black Versafine - Tsukineko

Join Us for a Party Card
STAMPS: Little Lanterns (available August 24), Join Us - Waltzingmouse Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Oatmeal - Wplus9; Going Gray - SU!
PATTERNED PAPER: Nostalgia Collection - My Mind's Eye; Project Life Amber Collection - Becky Higgins
INK: Tuxedo Black Memento - Tsukineko
OTHER: Fancy Fan Embossing Folder - Sizzix; Caribbean Baker's Twine - The Twinery; Copic Markers - Imagination International; Mister Huey's Calico Shine - Studio Calico

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

WMS August Release Day 2

Hello again!

Today we are sharing the second day of previews for the new Waltzingmouse Stamps August release. Yesterday we previewed four sets and today we have two new sets to share.

The first set is called Opera Tags, and is an elegant set of tag images with coordinating custom dies! Yes, the first set of Waltzingmouse dies! How cool is that?!

Unfortunately for me, my dies didn't arrive in time for when I was making these projects, but the tags were still easy peasy to trim by hand!

Sure, I like the Opera, but how about Halloween?


I started by stamping the tall tag in Cajun Craze ink and hand trimming it. Then I stamped and trimmed a trio of spiders from Halloween Party. Here's hoping for a WMS spider web image to go along with these guys!

I layered my tag onto a strip of cardstock stamped with the gothic font from Text It and another strip of cardstock impressed with a harlequin pattern. My card base is patterned paper that was flecked with some gold Perfect Pearls. The elegant sentiment is from Midnight Feast.

The second set we're previewing today is called Camellia, which is a beautifully detailed floral set.

Before I show you my next card, I just want to say that I may at some point attempt to put every single thing in the Candy Jar image. Lucky for you, flowers work wonderfully.


I did a fair bit of masking to achieve the little scene on this card. It wasn't difficult, but it did take a certain amount of planning to make sure that I stamped the correct images first. If you haven't done much masking in your stamping, you should give it a shot. Using the Candy Jar image is a particularly fun place to try it out. I created my masks with post it notes, and I've stashed them with the coordinating stamp set so I can reuse them.


I used Copic markers to color everything in. I love the font of the sentiments, and love that there is a selection of 'phrase-builders'. The sentiment I used is made up of 3 separate stamps.

I'm rounding things out today with a simple birthday card.


For this card, I stamped the flower and leaf images onto colored cardstock and heat embossed them with white detail embossing powder. I trimmed around the outside and layered them onto my card.


I love how the embossing captured the detailed petals so well. Beautiful!

I'm sure you're ready to see what the others have been up to for today! Here is your link list:


Enjoy!


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Recipe:
Happy Halloween Card
STAMPS: Opera Tags (available August 24), Halloween Party, Text It, Midnight Feast - Waltzingmouse Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Smokey Shadow - PTI; Cajun Craze - Stampin' Up!; Oatmeal - Wplus9
PATTERNED PAPER: Mischevious - My Mind's Eye
INK: Cajun Craze, Going Gray - Stampin' Up!; Onyx Black Versafine - Tsukineko; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger Industries
OTHER: Harlequin Embossing Plate - Sizzix; Perfect Gold Perfect Pearls - Ranger Industries; Smokey Shadow Button - PTI; Baker's Twine

Simply Wonderful Card
STAMPS: Camellia (available August 24), Candy Jar Christmas Fillers - Waltzingmouse Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Soft Sky, Peach Parfait - Stampin' Up!; Oatmeal - Wplus9
INK: Tuxedo Black Memento - Tsukineko; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger Industries
OTHER: Copic Markers - Imagination International, Inc.

Birthday Wishes Card
STAMPS: Camellia (available August 24), Asian Gardens
CARDSTOCK: Oatmeal - Wplus9; River Rock, Old Olive, Primrose Petals - Stampin' Up!
PATTERNED PAPER: Postmarks - PTI
INK: Old Olive - Stampin' Up!; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger Industries; Versamark - Tsukineko
OTHER: Detail White Embossing Powder - Stampendous; Mister Huey's Calico Shine - Studio Calico; Fancy Fan Embossing Folder - Sizzix, Standard Circles Small - Spellbinders Paper Arts

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

WMS August Release Day 1

Hello there!

I am so glad to be bringing you the start of the previews for the August Release at Waltzingmouse Stamps! This month, 9 new sets are being released, and will be available for purchase in the WMS Store on August 24th.

Today, we are sharing previews of four new sets, all with a common theme... Vintage Seed Packet, Vintage Garden Produce, Vintage Garden Flowers, and Vintage Garden Appleblossom Seeds. Claire will be giving you all the delicious details about these sets, but they all compliment each other beautifully and I've used them today interchangeably.

First up.. a little something with a fall feel to it.


The Vintage Seed Packet set contains a blank seed packet frame along with images and sentiments to add to the inside. For this card I used the pumpkin image, stamping it and then watercoloring it with my ink pads and Aquapainter. I layered it onto a scrap of muslin that was stamped with the large pattern from the Chicken Wire set. I frayed the edges a bit and stitched it to my card base, which was stamped with the herringbone pattern from Little Box Labels.


Love all the cozy texture on this one, I think it has a real crisp fall feel!

My next card combines the floral images from Vintage Seed Packet and Vintage Garden Flowers.


Does anyone remember years ago when the tables at Wendy's fast food restaurants had faux old newspaper ads on them? They were a lovely combination of kraft and black, and I think of them every time I see this card. :)

I started with a Kraft cardstock base and stamped the floral images and their names (all separate stamps) in black. A little Walnut Stain distress ink around the edges adds a little interest.

Then I added a strip of patterned vellum and the elegant decorative label image from Vintage Seed Packet.


The flower image on the label was colored with chalk pastels. I used a gold gel pen to color in the border and added the little trowel, which was adhered with dimensional foam tape. I don't know what it is about this particular card, but I just love it and all its vintage goodness.

My last creation for today features Vintage Garden Appleblossom Seeds. This set is a 3x4 mini, with a perfectly gorgeous seed packet all assembled for you ready to use. Just add ink!


I stamped the Appleblossom seed packet image in Currant ink and heat embossed it with clear embossing powder. Then I cut it out and swiped it with Antique Linen Distress Stain. The sentiment (given the same treatment) is from the Vintage Seed Packet set.

My tag started as a plain manila tag that was slathered in Picket Fence Distress Stain, which adds the perfect weathered look. Then I stamped it with the woodgrain background from Way Out West. My seed packet and sentiment were layered onto a doily and a stitched strip of cardstock that was stamped with the small houndstooth from Heirloom Patterns and the script text from Text It. Lots of layered stamping on this little gem - just the way I like it!

A strip of threaded, juicy red buttons finish off the bottom.

Please be sure to check out what the other Design Team members have created for today!


See you tomorrow with previews of two more new sets!

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Recipe:
Best Quality Pumpkin Seeds Card
STAMPS: Vintage Seed Packet (available August 24), Chicken Wire, Little Box Labels - Waltzingmouse Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Vintage Cream - PTI, Early Espresso - Stampin' Up!
INK: Early Espresso, Really Rust, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive - Stampin' Up!; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger Industries
OTHER: Linen Twine - Stampin' Up!; Sewing Machine - Janome; Muslin Fabric; AquaPainter

Love Grows Card
STAMPS: Vintage Seed Packet, Vintage Garden Flowers (available August 24) - Waltzingmouse Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Kraft, Oatmeal - Wplus9; Plaid Vellum - Colorbok
INK: Onyx Black Versafine - Tsukineko; Walnut Stain Distress Ink - Ranger Industries
OTHER: Stampin' Pastels - Stampin' Up!; Gold Gel Pen - Uniball Signo

Appleblossom Tag
STAMPS: Vintage Garden Appleblossom Seeds, Vintage Seed Packet (available August 24), Way Out West, Heirloom Patterns, Text It - Waltzingmouse Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Vintage Cream - PTI
INK: Latte, Currant - Amuse|Studio; Coffee Archival Ink, Old Paper, Vintage Photo Distress Ink - Ranger Industries; So Saffron - Stampin' Up!
OTHER: Filigree Clear Embossing Powder - Stewart Superior; Antique Linen, Picket Fence Distress Stain - Ranger Industries; Manila Tag - Stampers Anonymous; Doily - Wilton; Scarlet Jewel Buttons - PTI; Ecru Embroidery Thread - DMC; Sewing Machine - Janome

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Welcome Little One

How about a cute little baby card for today?


What better to use for a baby card that the adorable baby bunny from L'il Buddies? I combined him with the circle of hearts and colored them both with Copic markers. A colored, glittered butterfly makes an appearance as well.

These were added to a hand cut taggy banner shape that was stitched to the top of my card. This is a fun layout, you could literally put a million different things in place of the circle.


That's all I have to share today, but I do hope you'll stop back first thing on Tuesday when we begin the countdown for the August Waltzingmouse Stamps release! I have lots to share!

Take care!

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Recipe
STAMPS: L'il Buddies - Waltzingmouse Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Soft Stone, Melon Berry - PTI; Oatmeal - Wplus9
PATTERNED PAPER: Happy Tune (So Happy Together Collection) - Echo Park Paper Company
INK" Tuxedo Black Memento - Tsukineko; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger Industries
OTHER: Standard Circles Large, Classic Scalloped Circles Large - Spellbinders Paper Arts; Copic Markers - Imagination International; Stardust Stickles - Ranger Industries; Sewing Machine - Janome

Friday, August 17, 2012

Sweet Birthday Wishes

Hello there! Today is the Waltzingmouse Stamps August Blog Party. The theme for this month's party is birthdays. I love birthdays! I'm all for a day of celebration (and cake!).

I took the opportunity to create a birthday card for a dear friend, and am quite excited to have the chance to hand-deliver it (which makes up for the fact that its late, right?).


I stamped the background with the herringbone stamp from Little Box Labels. I stamped it on a diagonal, just to mix things up a bit.

The sentiment is a combination of words from Compact Sentiments and Compact Family. I love that it says just a bit more than Happy Birthday - a card for one of my best friends should be a little less formal, after all. :)


I layered the cake and stand from Eat Cake onto the sentiment panel. The flower centers were glittered with Lavender Stickles, keeping with my purple palette.

So excited to be able to give this to her in person!

If you'd like to join us for this month's Blog Party, create a birthday-themed project and head over to the Waltzingmouse Blog and link it up. You have until 1:30 pm EST tomorrow before the links are closed.

And real quick, before I jet off - my little contest will be open for another day or so.  Go check it out, you could win some Distress Inks! :)

Have a super day!

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Recipe:
STAMPS: Little Box Labels, Compact Sentiments, Compact Family, Eat Cake - Waltzingmouse Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Crumb Cake, Wisteria Wonder - Stampin' Up!; Oatmeal - Wplus9
INK: Wisteria Wonder, Almost Amethyst, Vintage Violet - Stampin' Up!
OTHER: Lavender Stickles - Ranger Industries

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Play Date Cafe Challenge #145

Hi there!

I am happy to bring you today's Play Date Cafe Challenge #145.

I love today's color combination, and I hope you will too!


Kinda makes me think fall! Here is what I created..


:)

All of the sentiments are from the Back in the Saddle set from Waltzingmouse. I combined three different ones here, and love how they turn into a longer phrase. Achieving the color gradient on the sentiments was easy to do - I just inked the whole sentiment first in More Mustard ink and then went in with a darker shade (Tangerine Tango) and inked up just the bottom. Good stuff!


This week's prize is being brought to you by the fabulous folks at Momenta.


Head back to the the The Play Date Cafe Blog to find out what you're playing for and to join in the fun!


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Recipe
STAMPS: Back in the Saddle, Bitty Banners - http://www.waltzingmousestamps.com/">Waltzingmouse Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Bordering Blue, Tangerine Tango - Stampin' Up!; Oatmeal - Wplus9
INK: More Mustard, Tangerine Tango, Buckaroo Blue - Stampin' Up!; Pumice Stone Distress Ink - Ranger Industries
OTHER: Chicken Wire Impression Plate - PTI; Rhinestones - Recollections; Sewing Machine - Janome