Serendipity Stamps Summertime Release Blog Hop

Good Morning!

Welcome to the Serendipity Stamps new release blog hop. The Design Team is sharing samples using some new products being released by Serendipity Stamps.

Today we are sharing the new Pear Die and Stamp set. If you are following along with the hop, you should have arrived here from Jenny's blog. Miriam is the first stop if you'd like to join along.

There is a prize available, too! A random drawing from comments left on the DT blogs will win this Pear Die and Stamp set. Deadline for comments is Friday, May 3rd - winners will be announced on the Serendipity Stamps Blog on Monday May 6th.

Here is the card that I created using the beautifully detailed Pear Die:

I die cut the pear from Oatmeal cardstock and backed it with patterned paper.

I combined it with a sentiment from the Tandem Bicycle Set. Using a post-it note to mask the word 'team', I inked up the remainder of the sentiment. Cute, huh?

Cathy will be your next stop along the hop. We will also be hopping again on Thursday, sharing more new release products. I hope you'll stop back! Have a great day!

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Recipe:
STAMPS: Tandem Bicycle Set - Serendipity Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Oatmeal - Wplus9; Crumb Cake - SU!
PATTERNED PAPER: Early Bird - Cosmo Cricket
INK: Early Espresso - SU!; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger Industries
OTHER: Pear Die - Serendipity Stamps; Eggshell Seam Binding - Hug Snug

Play Date Cafe Challenge #179

ETA: Hi there! This is my second post of the day, please be sure to check out my CASE Study post for this week!

Hello there!

Welcome to this week's Play Date Cafe color challenge. We have a springy let's-get-planting color combination for you this week... grass, rose petal, and hibiscus.

And my card for this week...

I have a total crush on this card - I just love how it turned out! The nautical theme is hitting the stamping world hard, and I could resist using this new acquisition for this week's challenge.

So worth the fussy cutting! :)

I hope you will join us! You can link up your creation over at The Play Date Cafe Blog. You have through Tuesday, April 30th to play along. While you're there, you can check out the Cup of the Week prize from our fabulous challenge sponsor, The Twinery! Thank you for sponsoring us this week!

This week we are also saying farewell to Ashley Bores, who has come to the end of her Private Blend Designer term. We are so lucky to have had Ashley share her creativity and inspiration with us for these past weeks - thank you! I am sure she would love to hear your well wishes!

Looking forward to seeing what you create for this week's challenge!

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Recipe
STAMPS: By The Tide - SU!
CARDSTOCK: Wild Wasabi - SU!; Oatmeal - Wplus9
INK: Blushing Bride, Groovy Guava, Wild Wasabi, Sahara Sand - SU!; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger Industries
OTHER: Stripes Embossing Folder - Sizzix; Rustic Cream Twine, Button - PTI

Wishing You Happiness

Hi there!

Today I am sharing a little card I made using this week's Viva La Verve! sketch challenge as inspiration. I completely skipped the gorgeous inspiration photo, but that's kind of where I'm at right now...

Here is this week's sketch, from the fabulous Andrea Ewen:

And the card I created..

I used the Brighter Days set from Verve along with the Thatched Banner Plain Jane and a tiny little stitched stamp from the Borderline set. Love those little stamps that add the perfect accent.

I hope you'll join us for this week's challenge. You can find all the details in the Viva La Verve! Splitcoast thread.

Have a great day!

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Recipe
STAMPS: Brighter Days, Thatched Banner Plain Jane, Borderline - Verve Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Oatmeal - Wplus9
PATTERNED PAPER: The Sweetest Thing (Lavender) - My Mind's Eye
INK: Baja Breeze, Pink Pirouette - SU!; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger Industries; Onyx Black Versafine - Tsukineko
OTHER: Oval Nestabilities - Spellbinders Paper Arts; Sewing Machine - Janome; Adhesive Rhinestones - Recollections

WMS April Release Blog Waltz

This is my third post of the day. Please be sure to check out this week's CASE Study Challenge as well as the new Play Date Cafe Challenge!

Hello there!

Welcome to the Waltzingmouse Stamps April Release Blog Waltz. Today, the three new Waltzingmouse stamp sets we've been previewing for the past few days will be available for purchase in the Waltzingmouse Stamps store.

You should have arrived here from the incredibly talented and super sweet Sarah Martina's blog. The waltz starts over on Claire's blog, so be sure to head there if you're just popping in.

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, April 21st to leave your comments. The winner will be announced on the WMS Blog on the 23rd.

Here is what I have for you today, using a little bit from My Kind of Guy and Man of the Hour.

Such great complimentary sentiments. I loved adding the little monocled guy to the mix. The small houndstooth pattern from Heirloom Patterns was a perfect compliment. I added a strip of washi tape for a pop of color along with a little clothespin and some twine.

So that is all for me today - you still have a little waltzing to do - so I won't keep you any longer. Next stop on the waltz is Chupa, who will no doubt have created something awesome! I have only peeked at the rest of the DT blogs over the past few days and I am SO looking forward to the weekend, curled up on the couch with my laptop checking out what everyone else has made!

Thank you so much for your visits and kind words over the past few days. It means so much to me that you stop by and share your thoughts. Take care!

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Recipe
STAMPS: My Kind of Guy, Man of the Hour (available April 18), Heirloom Patterns - WMS
CARDSTOCK: Basic Gray - SU!; Soft Stone - PTI
PATTERNED PAPER: Note to Self - Echo Park Paper Co.
INK: Night of Navy - SU!; Pumice Stone Distress Ink - Ranger Industries
OTHER: Stone Twine - The Twinery; Washi Tape - My Mind's Eye; Mini Clothespin

Play Date Cafe Challenge #178

ETA: Hi there! This is my second post of the day, please be sure to check out my CASE Study post for this week!

Hello there!

Welcome to Thursday! And welcome to this week's Play Date Cafe color challenge. Get your sunglasses out for this week's combo - a little neon in the mix!

This week, we were sponsored by CAS-ual Fridays Stamps. I used the Casual Elegance stamp set on my card.

Since we have such bright colors this week, I wanted to keep them as mostly accents. I stamped the vines and sentiment in gray, then went in and added some pops of colors. I used two different sized hole punches to punch out my cardstock and add it to the vines.. sort of like flowers.

I hope you will join us! You can link up your creation over at The Play Date Cafe Blog. You have through Tuesday, April 23rd to play along. While you're there, you can check out the Cup of the Week prize from our fabulous challenge sponsor, CAS-ual Fridays! Thank you for sponsoring us this week!

I can't wait to see what you create!

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Recipe
STAMPS: Casual Elegance - CAS-ual Fridays Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Basic Gray, Crushed Curry - SU!; White, Sweet Gelato - Wplus9
INK: Slate - Amuse|Studio
OTHER: 1/4", 3/8" hole punch

Waltzingmouse April Release Day 3

Hi there - this is my second post of the day... please scroll down or click here to see this week's Serendipity Stamps Challenge.

Hello there. Welcome to Day 3 of the previews for the April Release at Waltzingmouse Stamps.

The sets we preview as part of the April release will be available for purchase on April 18. The last set we are sharing is another masculine set.. I know you will just love this one! Today, we bring you Man of the Hour.

Here are my cards for today:

First up, a little play on the super hero sentiment. I love the different font combinations in this set. There are so many great typefaces combined in this one.

My next card combines a gift card holder right into the card front.

Its like a card in a card!

I cut a piece of cardstock slightly larger than my gift card and scored the sides to fold in and the bottom to fold up to create a little envelope. I trimmed the excess off and folded the flap down to resemble a card. A fun way to give a gift card!

The three sets we have been previewing will be available for sale tomorrow. Our new release hop will start at 2:00 pm EST... you should keep an eye out for contests! See you then! Here are the rest of the Design Team links for today. Enjoy!

Anya Schrier - you are here!

Becca Feeken

Belinda Chang Langner

Clare Buswell

Edna Morrisedie

Iwona Palamountain

Jean Martin

Jeanne Jachna

Jen Cuthbertson

Jennifer Holmes

Julia Aston

Karin Åkesdotter

Kelly Schirmer

Kim Duran

Laurie Schmidlin

Lynn Mercurio

Renee Lynch

Sandie Dunne

Sarah Martina Parker

Teresa Kline

Tosha Leyendekker

Claire Brennan

So glad you stopped by! Have a super day!

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Recipe
Super Hero Card
STAMPS: Man of the Hour (available April 18), Way Out West - Waltzingmouse Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Pacific Point - SU!; Cupid's Bow, Oatmeal - Wplus9
PATTERNED PAPER: Note to Self - Echo Park Paper Co.
INK: Real Red - SU!; Onyx Black Versafine - Tsukineko
OTHER: Chevron Embossing Folder - Sizzix

Rich Man Card
STAMPS: Man of the Hour (available April 18) - Waltzingmouse Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Kraft, Oatmeal - Wplus9; Early Espresso - SU!
PATTERNED PAPER: Note to Self - Echo Park Paper Co.
INK: Early Espresso - SU!; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger Industries
OTHER: Stripes Embossing Folder - Sizzix

Serendipity Stamps Challenge #10

Hi there!

It is time once again for a new challenge on the Serendipity Stamps Challenge Blog. The challenge for this week is to create a background using non-background stamps. This is right up my alley!

I used the Shell Cling Set for this background. I started by wetting my cardstock with an Aquapainter, and then brushing on some ink from the lid of my inkpad. While the cardstock was still a little wet, I stamped the shells and flicked some ink onto the design. The ink ran just a little bit as it dried. I love the washed-out effect it has, especially for these shell images.

I added a strip of embossed cardstock to help offset my sentiment. I again debated about leaving the sentiment off, but this one goes so well with these images. Thanks for stopping by today!

Stop over to the Challenge Blog for all the details and to see the fabulous inspiration from the rest of the Design Team:

Cathy Weber

Jeanne Jachna

Jenny Gropp

Marybeth Lopez

Miriam Napier

Pauline Pollington

Serendipity's special this week is 40% off the highest priced item in your basket. The special runs through Wednesday 5/1. You need to enter the code 40fromhigh413 to apply the discount to your order.

Have a great day!

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Recipe
STAMPS: Shell Cling Set - Serendipity Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Oatmeal - Wplus9; Sahara Sand - SU!
INK: Pool Party, Baja Breeze - SU!; Antique Linen Distress Ink, Coffee Archival Ink - Ranger Industries
OTHER: Script Embossing Folder - ProvoCraft

Waltzingmouse April Release Day 2

Hello there. Welcome to Day 2 of the previews for the April Release at Waltzingmouse Stamps.

The sets we preview as part of the April release will be available for purchase on April 18. Yesterday we shared a masculine set, and today we're previewing the newest addition to the Nordic Winter and Nordic Spring line of sets: a mini set called Nordic Baby.

Here is what I have for you today:

Despite its size, this set is full of fabulous baby images. I used the large medallion and the baby booties on this card. I also used a sentiment from Say it With Style.

And another in blue..

I actually can't wait to send this card. As we speak, my sister-in-law has just welcomed a bouncing baby boy to the family!

The background was created by piecing together squares stamped with Gingham & Co. The strip was stamped with the same scalloped border from My Kind of Guy that I shared yesterday. I used the little baby booties again paired with a sentiment from Nordic Baby.

We will be sharing previews through Wednesday and the sets will be available for purchase on Thursday, so be sure to stop by tomorrow to see more of the April release. Here are the rest of the Design Team links for today. Enjoy!

Anya Schrier - you are here!

Becca Feeken

Belinda Chang Langner

Clare Buswell

Edna Morrisedie

Iwona Palamountain

Jean Martin

Jeanne Jachna

Jen Cuthbertson

Jennifer Holmes

Julia Aston

Karin Åkesdotter

Kelly Schirmer

Kim Duran

Laurie Schmidlin

Lynn Mercurio

Renee Lynch

Sandie Dunne

Sarah Martina Parker

Teresa Kline

Tosha Leyendekker

Claire Brennan

So glad you stopped by! Have a super day!

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Recipe
Pink Congratulations
STAMPS: Nordic Baby (available April 18), Say it With Style - Waltzingmouse Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Pink Pirouette, Vellum - SU!; Rustic White - PTI
PATTERNED PAPER: The Sweetest Thing (Lavender) - My Mind's Eye
INK: Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink - SU!; White - Wplus9; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger Industries
OTHER: Eggshell Seam Binding - Hug Snug; Pink Button - PTI; Detail White Embossing Powder - Stampendous; Adhesive Pearls

Welcome Baby Boy
STAMPS: Nordic Baby, My Kind of Guy (available April 18), Gingham & Co. - Waltzingmouse Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Marina Mist - SU!; Vintage Cream - PTI
INK: Bashful Blue, Marina Mist - SU!; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger Industries
OTHER: Sewing Machine - Janome

Waltzingmouse April Release Day 1

Happy Monday!
Today we are kicking off Day 1 of the previews for the April Release at Waltzingmouse Stamps.

For the next three days we will be sharing previews of the three new sets that will be available for purchase on April 18. Today we're previewing a masculine set called My Kind of Guy.

A great little something to accompany a monetary graduation gift. I found this mustache mug in Target's Dollar Spot and knew it would go perfectly with this set.

My second card uses only stamps from the My Kind of Guy set, but with a decidedly feminine twist.

I started by masking off all but a strip of my card base. Then I stamped the dotted scallop border repeatedly, starting with pink and working my way through the rainbow.   Each line of the sentiment is a different stamp, combined to create a sweet little sentiment.  I added a few coordinating sequins to finish it off.

We will be sharing previews through Wednesday and the sets will be available for purchase on Thursday, so be sure to stop by tomorrow to see more of the April release. Here are the rest of the Design Team links for today. Enjoy!

Anya Schrier - you are here!

Becca Feeken

Belinda Chang Langner

Clare Buswell

Edna Morrisedie

Iwona Palamountain

Jean Martin

Jeanne Jachna

Jen Cuthbertson

Jennifer Holmes

Julia Aston

Karin Åkesdotter

Kelly Schirmer

Kim Duran

Laurie Schmidlin

Lynn Mercurio

Renee Lynch

Sandie Dunne

Sarah Martina Parker

Teresa Kline

Tosha Leyendekker

Claire Brennan

So glad you stopped by! Have a super day!

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Recipe
Mustache Mug & Tag
STAMPS: My Kind of Guy (available April 18) - Waltzingmouse Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Soft Suede - SU!; Manilla Tag - Stampers Anonymous
PATTERNED PAPER: For the Record - Echo Park Paper Co.
INK: Soft Suede - SU!; Onyx Black Versafine - Tsukineko; Vintage Photo Distress Ink - Ranger Industries
OTHER: Chevron Embossing Folder - Sizzix; Natural Button Twine - Waltzingmouse Stamps; Tiny Attacher - Tim Holtz

You Are So Very Kind Card
STAMPS: My Kind of Guy (available April 18) - Waltzingmouse Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Oatmeal - Wplus9
INK: Colors - SU!; Onyx Black Versafine - Tsukineko
OTHER: Sequins - Darice

10 Minute Craft Dash #15

Oh thank goodness it is Friday, friends!

Do you have any big plans for the weekend? I need to do some major de-cluttering around my house.. I have this bad habit of cleaning one area and piling all the stuff I need to 'go through' somewhere else... so then that spot needs to be cleaned up... right now my dining room table looks like a filing cabinet exploded on it. Which it kind of did.

So! I am here this morning to share what I whipped up for the current 10 Minute Craft Dash.

Epic fail this time around. I couldn't manage to keep it under 10 minutes (11 min, 8 seconds final time); let's just say I made some poor design choices for working with only 10 minutes. No worries, though, it was the start of what I predict will be a long and passionate love affair with the new Blanket Stitched Blooms set from Wplus9! Oh lordy, that set is divine.

I just love those flowers. I haven't even stamped the stitched part on them yet, but just love the shape and layering possibilities. I stamped them and cut them out (that was my first mistake, I should have used the dies), layering them on a die-cut pinking square.

Love, love, love. Can't wait to play with these more this weekend!

I hope you are planning something fun. Next week we will be starting previews for the April Waltzingmouse Stamps release (4/18) so look for lots of new stuff from me. Have a great day!

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Recipe
STAMPS: Blanket Stitched Blooms - Wplus9; Gingham & Co. - WMS
CARDSTOCK: Ballet Slippers, Oatmeal - Wplus9
PATTERNED PAPER: The Sweetest Thing (Lavender) - My Mind's Eye
INK: Blushing Bride, Sage Shadow, Marina Mist - SU!; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger Industries; Onyx Black Versafine - Tsukineko
OTHER: Clear Cut Stackers Pinking Squares - Wplus9

Play Date Cafe Challenge #177

ETA: Hi there! This is my second post of the day, please scroll down or click here to see my CASE Study post for this week.

Hello there!

It is once again time for the Play Date Cafe to bring you our fabulous color challenge.

This week's colors are midnight, aqua, and terracotta. A fresh, fabulous combination!

And here is what I created for this week's challenge:

I used the big beautiful medallion image from the WMS Folk Art Medallion set. I love the easy way you can customize this image with just about any mix of colors you'd like. I started by stamping it in navy and adding accents in aqua and terracotta. I followed the gallon, pint, ounce theory for distributing my colors to help create a balanced design.

The background strip was stamped with the large Chicken Wire image, then I went back with a little flower motif and filled in the holes. This is officially my favorite button treatment - a snippet of seam binding tied with a bow.

I hope you will join us! You can link up your creation over at The Play Date Cafe Blog. You have through Tuesday, April 16th to play along. While you're there, you can check out the Cup of the Week prize from our fabulous challenge sponsor, Simon Says Stamp!

Thank you for sponsoring us this week, Simon Says Stamp!

I can't wait to see what you create!

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Recipe
STAMPS: Folk Art Medallion, Chicken Wire, Fancy Phrases - WMS
CARDSTOCK: Oatmeal - Wplus9; Night of Navy, Pool Party - SU!
INK: Night of Navy, Pool Party, Dusty Durango - SU!; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger Industries
OTHER: Button - PTI; Banner Trio Die - Wplus9; Seam binding - MemrieMare; Sewing Machine - Janome

April Cloud9 Blog Hop

Hello there! Welcome to the April Cloud9 Blog Hop! Has spring finally arrived in your neck of the woods? We finally made it out of the 40s, and had temperatures in the 60s over the weekend. I feel like a new person!

Suzanne chose a beautiful springy tablescape for this month's inspiration picture.  Here it is, from the Coffee Rings and Southern Things Blog.

Beautiful!

I came home last night to my Wplus9 order (thank you, Dawn, you are the best!) and couldn't resist playing with new stamps. I have two words for you: Quilt Prints. You need it in your life, trust me.

Pops of bold color is what I pulled from this month's inspiration pic.

(See what I mean about Quilt Prints?)

I originally intended to layer another piece of cardstock on top so that the pattern just peeked out from the left side. BUT, I couldn't bring myself to cover it up. So, a trusty banner and a button help define my sentiment (Blanket Stitched Blooms). Oh the possibilities!

I am so glad that you've stopped by to see me today, I hope you'll play along with this month's Cloud9 Blog Hop with the chance to win a fabulous Wplus9 prize as well as join the Inspiration Team as next month's Guest Designer! You have until 10 am on April 12th to link up with us over on the Cloud9 Blog.

Also be sure to check out the amazing creations from the rest of the inspiration team:

Suzanne Dahlberg
Erin Taylor
Gayatri Murali
Maureen Merritt

as well as this month's special guest designer:

Vickie Zimmer!

Have a great day!

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Recipe
STAMPS: Quilt Prints, Blanket Stitched Blooms - Wplus9
CARDSTOCK: Oatmeal - Wplus9
INK: Crumb Cake, Poppy Parade, Lucky Limeade, Night of Navy, So Saffron - SU!; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger Industries
OTHER: Banner Trio Die - Wplus9; Kraft Button - PTI

Verve's April Diva Inspirations Hop!

Hello!

Welcome to the April Verve Diva Inspirations Hop!

This is a regular feature on the 5th of the month and is a chance to breathe some new life into some much-loved Verve stamps and dies. Leaving a comment enters you into a drawing to win a $30 gift certificate to Verve Stamps! You are on the right track if you've arrived here from Amy's blog. The hop is kicking off on the Verve blog, so be sure to head there to get all the details!

This month we're also saying a fond farewell to the amazing Jen del Muro, as this is her last hop as a Verve Diva. She's been a part of the Verve team almost from the very beginning and although we're sad to see her go, we're so excited to see the things she has up her sleeve for the stamping world! Its gonna be good, friends!

I kick started my mojo this month using the Viva La Verve sketch for this week... a classic, versatile design by Laurie Willison.

I did a little sketch flippin' for this one.

I started by stamping the Thatched Banner Plain Jane three times onto Oatmeal cardstock. Then I layered it with some leaves from Bloom & Grow and the big gorgeous flowers (and one of my favorite sentiments) from Brighter Days. I did my flip-the-stamp-over-and-ink-up-the-back to get the solid flower under the outline image. A great trick!

That will do it for me today.. sweetie Jen del Muro is your next stop along the hop!

Take care!

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Recipe
STAMPS: Thatched Banner Plain Jane, Bloom & Grow, Brighter Days - Verve Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Crumb Cake, Pale Plum - SU!; Oatmeal - Wplus9
INK: Wisteria Wonder, Pale Plum, Crumb Cake, Wild Wasabi - SU!; Onyx Black Versafine - Tsukineko; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger Industries
OTHER: Baby's Breath Embossing Folder - ProvoCraft; Light Pink Rhinestones - Kaisercraft; Washi Tape - My Mind's Eye

Play Date Cafe Challenge #176

ETA: Hello, hello! This is my second post of the day.. pinch me, I am guest designing for the CASE Study Challenge this month! I hope you'll scroll down or click here to check it out!

Hello there!

It is once again time for the Play Date Cafe to bring you our fabulous color challenge.

This week's colors are cappuccino, slate, and burlap.

And here is what I created for this week's challenge:

We are welcoming a returning sponsor this week.. Jenni Bowlin! I used the fabulous Writing Book stamp on my card. A fun card for a graduation, I think.

I hope you will join us for this week's challenge! You can link up your creation over at The Play Date Cafe Blog. You have through Tuesday, April 9th to play along. While you're there, you can check out the Cup of the Week prize from Jenni Bowlin's JBS Mercantile, this week's challenge sponsor! We have oodles of guest designers joining us this week, and I know you will want to check out the inspiration they are sharing!

Enjoy!

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Recipe
STAMPS: Writing Book - Jenni Bowlin
CARDSTOCK: Sahara Sand, Going Gray - SU!
PATTERNED PAPER: Basics White - Basic Grey; Note to Self - Echo Park Paper Co.
INK: Soft Suede - SU!; Pumice Stone - Ranger Industries
OTHER: Tab Punch - Jenni Bowlin for Fiskars; Tiny Attacher - Tim Holtz; Mister Huey's Dark Calico Spray - Studio Calico; Button - PTI; Twine - WMS; Sewing Machine - Janome