Serendipity Stamps Blog Hop

Good Morning!

Today the Serendipity Stamps Design Team is participating in a blog hop to showcase the new Bird Die that Serendipity has released. If you are following along with the hop, you should have arrived here from Vickie's blog.

This beautiful dove-like bird design is so elegant - it would be perfect for a holiday card or a wedding card.. and if I was a good DT member and read instructions, I would have made one of each sample for you! Instead, I just squeaked by with one card for you today. This is going to be one of my last projects before I pack up the rest of my craft room for our move.

Here are the hop details: one random commenter (that leaves a comment on EACH of the DT blogs) will win $20 off their next order. Deadline for comments is Tuesday, September 2nd when a winner will be announced on the Serendipity Stamps Blog.

My first thought when I cut the bird die from white cardstock was that I wanted something pretty to peek through the cut outs in its wings.

I thought immediately of some stained glass-like pattern I had made with glossy cardstock and alcohol inks. Then I searched all over the place and tucked away in a drawer I found some I had left over. Phew! I cut the pieces to fit behind the wings to create a pretty stained glass look.

Of course then I needed to add some glitter.

The sentiment, May Your Heart Be Filled seemed like a perfect one to finish off this holiday design. What do you think of the color peeking through the wings?

That is it for me today - I don't want to keep you, my sweet friend Jeanne will be your next stop along the hop. Have a great day!

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Recipe
STAMPS: May Your Heart Be Filled - Serendipity Stamps
CARDSTOCK: White, Lake House - Wplus9
PATTERNED PAPER: Mitten Weather - Cosmo Cricket
INK: Onyx Black Versafine - Tsukineko; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger Industries
OTHER: Bird Die - Serendipity Stamps; Labels 22 - Spellbinders; Crystal fine Glitter - Martha Stewart Crafts; Adhesive pearls

Autumn Leaves

Hello! Happy Friday!

I am popping in today to share a little something I made for this week's Viva la Verve sketch challenge.

This week's fun sketch is brought to us from Teresa Kline:

I used the sweet Autumn Splendor set for this card. I adore these perfect little leaves.

I kept things pretty straightforward, stamping the leaf outline followed up by the solid image in a gradient of oranges. I pulled those same colors in to the rest of the card with the layered cardstock and patterned paper. I love the sentiment, too - one of the reasons I love fall so much!

If you'd like to play along with this week's VLV Sketch Challenge, head over to the Viva la Verve! thread and link on up!

For the whole month of August, *ALL* Verve stamps and dies are on sale as part of their 6th Anni-Verve-sary! Woo! Your favorites are bound to be marked down, since all stamps and dies are 10-50% off during the month of August! Be sure to pick a little something up for yourself :)

Thanks for stopping by, I'll see you soon!

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Recipe
STAMPS: Autumn Splendor - Verve Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Tangerine Tango, Dusty Durango - SU!; True Black - PTI; Oatmeal - Wplus9
PATTERNED PAPER: Farmhouse - October Afternoon
INK: Dusty Durango, Tangerine Tango, Peach Parfait - SU!; Onyx Black Versafine - Tsukineko
OTHER: Rustic Cream Button Twine - PTI; Modern Wallpaper Embossing Folder - ProvoCraft

Serendipity Stamps Challenge #18

Hi there!

It is time once again for a new challenge on the Serendipity Stamps Challenge Blog. The challenge this week is to use either polka dots or gingham on your project.

I am in fall mode, my friends, and I could resist using this sweet Autumn Chair image on my card. I envision this old chippy chair on the porch of our new home. :)

I stamped the image and used Copic markers to color it in. I stitched around the outside edge and matted it with some dark brown cardstock.

I brought the polka dots into play by using different dotted patterned paper. I picked colors that were all complimentary to my colored image, and the different sized dots keep it interesting. I die cut the pieces and adhered them in a quilty pattern. A bit of grosgrain ribbon finishes it off.

Won't you join us? All you need to do is use at least one Serendipity Stamps image on your project, along with polka dots or gingham, and link it up over on the Serendipity Stamps Challenge Blog

Here is this week's fabulous inspiration from the rest of the Design Team:

Jeanne Jachna

Jenny Gropp

Marybeth Lopez

Miriam Napier

Pauline Pollington

Julie Warner

Vickie Zimmer

I hope you'll join us for this week's challenge. If you're in the mood for a little shopping, this week's sale is 20% off Halloween. The special is good 8/21 through 8/28.

Thanks for stopping by, take care!

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Recipe
STAMPS: Autumn Chair - Serendipity Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Vintage Cream, Dark Chocolate - PTI
PATTERNED PAPER: October Afternoon
INK: Rich Cocoa Memento - Tsukineko; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger
OTHER: Quilt Cuts 1 Die - Wplus9; Vintage Cream Grosgrain Ribbon - PTI; Linen Thread - SU!; Sewing Machine

Dare to Dream and Other Random News

Good morning, friends. Long time no chat.

First, I want to share a card I made for this week's Mojo Monday sketch challenge. I have really been missing a challenge since The Play Date Cafe closed down (it still makes me sad every Thursday). I have always loved a good sketch challenge, so I thought I'd give Mojo Monday a try :)

This week's sketch:

And my card:

I used the Great Friend and Borderline stamp sets from Verve for my card. I also broke out the Flag It Die Set, which I had not used before, but enjoyed thoroughly :)

In my other random news, we are finally closing on our new house. Friday is the day! (Knock on wood). We never had any idea that it was going to take so long, but it was a somewhat unique situation, so that's what we get. Everything worth doing is worth waiting for, right?  Just in time for fall, too.

In my ongoing efforts to pack and purge and simplify, I have added some items to my For Sale page. I have a Making Memories Slice Machine (for a steal!) and also a Stampin' Up Color Caddy and I'll be adding some more PTI and SU! sets tonight.  The Color Caddy includes the extenders and holds 60 SU! ink pads. It comes apart and assembles easily, so it will ship pretty efficiently.

Any takers on anything, please email me! Let's make a deal!

Have a great day!

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Recipe
STAMPS: Great Friend, Borderline - Verve Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Oatmeal - Wplus9; Groovy Guava - SU!
PATTERNED PAPER: Story Teller - Crate Paper
INK: Wild Wasabi - SU!; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger
OTHER: Flag It Die Set - Verve Stamps; Circle Nestabilities - Spellbinders; Gold Embossing Powder - Stewart Superior; Rhinestone, Gold Pearl - Recollections; Sewing Machine

You Make Me Smile

Hello! Happy Friday!

I am popping in today to share a little something I made for this week's Viva la Verve sketch challenge.

This week's fun sketch is brought to us from Sarah Gough:

I used the Smile Plain Jane on my card - this is such a great little stamp for so many different occasions!

I apologize for the photo quality - I have the majority of my equipment packed away, so I am trying a few different things to try and get some decent photos. I miss my light tent!

The little hearts on the right are from the Better With You set. I think they are pretty cute peeking out from under the embossed panel. I used the rounded rectangle (cut using the Rounded Scallop Frame Die) for my sentiment.

If you'd like to play along with this week's VLV Sketch Challenge, head over to the Viva la Verve! thread and link on up!

For the whole month of August, *ALL* Verve stamps and dies are on sale as part of their 6th Anni-Verve-sary! Woo! Your favorites are bound to be marked down, since all stamps and dies are 10-50% off during the month of August! Be sure to pick a little something up for yourself :)

Thanks for stopping by, I'll see you soon!

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Recipe
STAMPS: Smile Plain Jane, Better With You - Verve Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Ballet Slippers, Oatmeal - Wplus9
PATTERNED PAPER: This & That - Echo Park Paper Co.
INK: Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink, Strawberry Slush - SU!; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger
OTHER: Rounded Scallop Frame Die - Verve Stamps; Classic Oval Large Nestabilities - Spellbinders; Dear Lizzy Printed Chipboard Shapes - American Crafts; Baby's Breath Embossing Folder - ProvoCraft; Star Dust Stickles - Ranger; Rhinestones - Recollections; Sewing machine

WMS August Release Day Blog Hop

Hello there!

Welcome to the Waltzingmouse Stamps August Release Day Blog Hop. Today, the nine 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 fabulously talented Laurie Schmidlin'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 August 12th to leave your comments. The winner will be announced on the WMS Blog on the 14th.

Ok! Details out of the way.

I have two cards for you today using some of the sets I wanted to play with a bit more. First up, Ocean Bound.

I started with the Bedtime Story Sketch #1 from the first WMS Pajama Party (have no idea what I'm talking about? Click the link to read more - you'll want to play along! The next Pajama Party with be at the end of August!)

I took a few liberties with the sketch, flipping it and leaving out some elements. Love this sketch. The anchor and sentiment are both from Ocean Bound, and this card came together in no time.

Next up is a little tag fun using Simple Sprig.

I adore this set, I am so in love with those little flowers. This is a cute little mini set, and with the detailed sprig and four flowers it is not only a great staple for your collection, but a steal! I layered some pattered paper onto my tag, then stamped and cut out the leaves and flowers. A little layering and a sentiment from Big Day - Today, and it was ready to be added to a little gift.

We have the whole Design Team joining us today for the hop, so I won't keep you. 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.

Iwona will be your next stop along the hop! Take care!

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Recipe
My Anchor Card
STAMPS: Ocean Bound (available August 10) - Waltzingmouse Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Going Gray - SU!; Soft Stone - PTI
INK: Night of Navy, Baja Breeze - SU!
OTHER: Rope Twine - SU!

With Gratitude Tag
STAMPS: Simple Sprig, Big Day - Today (available August 10) - Waltzingmouse Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Vintage Cream - PTI
PATTERNED PAPER: Emma's Shoppe - Crate Paper
INK: Pear Pizzazz, Groovy Guava - SU!; White - Wplus9; Onyx Black Versafine - Tsukineko
OTHER: Labels 11 Nesties - Spellbinders; Tag - Stampers Anonymous

Waltzingmouse Stamps August Release, Day 3

Good Morning!

Today I am happy to bring you Day 3 of the countdown for the August Release at Waltzingmouse Stamps. Nine new sets will be available for purchase tomorrow!

Today, we are sharing previews for two new backgrounds: Pinstripe Backgrounder and Zig Zag Backgrounder. We are also previewing Big Day - Today, a sentiment set. I've shared a little bit of these sets over the past two days, so today I'm focusing on the ones you haven't seen from me yet.

I used the Zig Zag Background here, stamping it first in Versamark and heat embossing it in gold. Like WMS' other background stamps, this image is about 4.5" x 5.75", so it is bigger than a normal card front and super easy to use.

I broke out the Funky Flowers set to add a little floral fun to my background. These flowers are just delicious, and I had so much fun combining them in shades of pink and purple. I cut them out (there are cut files available for this set, but seeing as my Cameo is all packed up, it was the good ol' scissors for me) and adhered them with dimensional adhesive. Loving these!

That's it for me today, the nine sets we have been previewing will be available for purchase tomorrow. We will have our new release blog hop at 2pm EST, when the sets go live in the WMS store. Here are the rest of the Design Team links for today. Enjoy!

Anya Schrier - you are here!

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

Teresa Kline

Tosha Leyendekker

Claire Brennan

So glad you stopped by! Have a super day!

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Recipe
STAMPS: Zig Zag Background, Funky Flowers (available August 10) - Waltzingmouse Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Oatmeal - Wplus9; Rich Razzleberry - SU!
INK: Pale Plum, Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, Wild Wasabi, Pistachio Pudding - SU!
OTHER: Detail Gold Embossing Powder - Stewart Superior

Waltzingmouse Stamps August Release, Day 2

Good Morning!

Today I am happy to bring you Day 2 of the countdown for the August Release at Waltzingmouse Stamps. If you missed my previews for Day 1, you can check the post out here.

Nine new sets will be available for purchase on August 10, and we will be sharing previews until then.

Today, I am so excited to tell you about three new gorgeous floral sets. I don't know about you, but I can always use a fabulous floral. Today Funky Florals, Two Step Sprig, and Simple Sprig are on deck.

I love stepped stamping, especially with florals - you know, where you build your flowers piece by piece. The Two Step Sprig set is just this, with petals, accents, the inside bits all separate little stamps that you can combine for beautiful depth.

For this card, I stamped the leaves then trimmed off the edge of the cardstock, leaving a few of the petals extending off the side. I stamped the flowers separately, cutting them out and adhering them to the leaves with dimensional adhesive. The sentiment is from Compact Sentiments. The card base was stamped with another new release - a new background - and you'll see more of that one tomorrow.

My next card uses just one image from the Funky Florals set. I took this one leaf and stamped it repeatedly in different shades of green to create a background. I added some pops of color by throwing in some pink leaves and topped it off with a sentiment from another new set. I feel a little bad using just one leaf in this set - there are some gorgeous flowers in this one that are still dying to see ink.

That's it for me today, we will be sharing previews through Friday and the sets will be available for purchase on Saturday, so be sure to stop by tomorrow to see more of the August release. Here are the rest of the Design Team links for today. Enjoy!

Anya Schrier - you are here!

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

Teresa Kline

Tosha Leyendekker

Claire Brennan

So glad you stopped by! Have a super day!

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Recipe
Thanks a Bunch Card
STAMPS: Two Step Sprig, Pinstripe Background (available August 10), Compact Sentiments - Waltzingmouse Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Oatmeal - Wplus9; Barely Banana - SU!
INK: Pistachio Pudding, Mellow Moss, Marigold Morning, Tangerine Tango, More Mustard, So Saffron, Smoky Slate - SU!; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger

Birthdway Wishes Card
STAMPS: Funky Flowers, Big Day - Today (available August 10) - Waltzingmouse Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Soft Sky - SU!; White - Wplus9
INK: Lucky Limeade, Wild Wasabi, Old Olive, Melon Mambo - SU!; Onyx Black Versafine - Tsukineko

Waltzingmouse Stamps August Release, Day 1

Good Morning!

Today I am happy to bring you Day 1 of the countdown for the August Release at Waltzingmouse Stamps.

For the next three days we will be sharing previews of the nine new sets that will be available for purchase on August 10.

I think you will just love today's sets. Tapping in to one of my favorite trends, these three sets are inspired by concepts from our own Renee Lynch. Claire took Renee's vision and created the most fabulous combination of nautical sets I have seen. Let me introduce you to Ocean Bound, Safe Harbour Sentiments, and Tying the Knot.

I used a little bit of each set on my card for today. These sets go so well together, it is fun to combine the elements. I will let Claire give you all the detailed information, but the sentiment (isn't the typography fabulous?!?) is from Safe Harbour Sentiments. The fun knotty border on the left is from Tying the Knot (one of a handful of fun rope motifs in the set), and the remaining elements are from Ocean Bound. I am feeling the pinch here at home with packing and the move, so I unfortunately don't have the time I would like to devote to samples for this release. But let me tell you, these three sets will be making an appearance again. I can't wait for you to see them all!

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

Anya Schrier - you are here!

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

Teresa Kline

Tosha Leyendekker

Claire Brennan

So glad you stopped by! Have a super day!

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Recipe
STAMPS: Ocean Bound, Tying the Knot, Safe Harbour Sentiments (available August 10) - Waltzingmouse Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Oatmeal - Wplus9; Night of Navy - SU!
INK: Baked Brown Sugar, Night of Navy, Bermuda Bay - SU!; Onyx Black Versafine - Tsukineko
OTHER: Stripes Embossing Folder - ProvoCraft; Standard Circles Small - Spellbinders

Serendipity Stamps Challenge #17

Hi there!

It is time once again for a new challenge on the Serendipity Stamps Challenge Blog. The challenge this week is to use a butterfly on your project.

I used the Floral Butterfly Die and Butterfly Outline Die on my card.

I die cut the Floral Butterfly Die from vellum - it is so delicate and beautiful. I layered it over a solid butterfly that was die cut from pink cardstock. Some strategically placed pearls help to cover the vellum adhesive.

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

Jeanne Jachna

Jenny Gropp

Marybeth Lopez

Miriam Napier

Pauline Pollington

Vickie Zimmer

This week we are also welcoming Julie Warner to the Design Team - so glad you could join us, Julie!

I hope you'll join us for this week's challenge. If you're in the mood for a little shopping, this week's sale is buy 3 items, get the 4th one free. The special is good through 8/14.

Thanks for stopping by, take care!

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Recipe
CARDSTOCK: White - Wplus9; Pink Pirouette, Vellum - SU!; Shimmer - PTI
PATTERNED PAPER: Uncommon - Authentique
OTHER: Floral Butterfly Die, Butterfly Outline Die - Serendipity Stamps; Tea Party Embossing Folder - Lifestyle Crafts; Adhesive pearls

August Verve Diva Inspirations Hop

Hello!

Welcome to the August 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!

I am starting to get crazy for fall already. I used one of my new favorite Verve sets, Autumn Splendor, for my card. I love that this set has the outline and the solid insides to stamp the leaves. I stamped the outlines in gray and then went back with a fun color combo of orange, olive, and aqua for the leaves.

I also used this week's Mojo Monday sketch:

There is so much going on with Verve, contests and prizes for their anni-Verve-sary! :)

We're celebrating 6 years of VERVE this month with a huge sale! Your favorites are bound to be marked down, since all stamps and dies are 10-50% off during the month of August! Now that's something to celebrate!

Gotta love a ginormous sale! ;) Be sure to treat yourself to something stampy! If you need a little help deciding, keep hopping - Betty Wright is your next stop along the hop!

Take care, and thanks for stopping by!

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Recipe
STAMPS: Autumn Splendor, Bountiful Harvest - Verve Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Oatmeal - Wplus9
PATTERNED PAPER: Storyteller - Crate Paper
INK: Smoky Slate, Baja Breeze, Old Olive, Peach Parfait - SU!; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger Industries
OTHER: Stone Twine - The Twinery; Petite Oval Small Nesties - Spellbinders; button