WMS February Release Day Blog Hop

Hello there!

Welcome to the Waltzingmouse Stamps February Release Day Blog Hop. Today, the new Waltzingmouse stamp set and two coordinating die sets that we have been previewing (along with some extra die sets, too!) 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 March 2nd to leave your comments. The winner will be announced on the WMS Blog on the 4th.

Ok! Details out of the way.

Today I wanted to use the Gift Card It Die Set for a different use than presenting a gift card. I used it to create a space to incorporate a bookmark into my card.

I used some scrap cardstock to cover up one end of the die cut, so that I could space the two tabs farther apart. It worked like a dream! Then I measured the space between them and cut my bookmark to nestle in perfectly.

I used the previously-released Ocean Bound, Safe Harbour Sentiments, and Tying the Knot sets on this card.

This was so easy to make and is a nice 'extra' for the card. I love the scripture passage on it, too; a great little reminder to tuck into a Bible or calendar.

My sweet friend Jeanne Jachna will be your next stop along the hop! Take care!

------------
Recipe
STAMPS: Ocean Bound, Safe Harbour Sentiments, Tying the Knot - Waltzingmouse Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Night of Navy - SU!; Soft Honeydew, Oatmeal - Wplus9
INK: Night of Navy, River Rock, Going Gray - SU!; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger
OTHER: Gift Card It Die Set - Waltzingmouse Stamps; Stripes Embossing Folder - Sizzix; Stone Twine - The Twinery

Welcome Sweet Baby

Good morning, friends. I am back again this Friday to share with you the new Viva la Verve sketch for this week's challenge.

Today's sketch is brought to you by Janelle Stollfus.

And here is the card that I created, using the Making a Statement stamp set and Loopy Blooms Die Set.

Happy, spring flowers. It feels like this is the only way I am ever going to see any!

I hope you will join us for this week's challenge. Remember, if you've played along with all the sketches for the month, you're in the running for a fabulous Verve prize! Head over to the VLV Challenge Blog for the link list!

Have a great day!

---------------
Recipe
STAMPS: Making a Statement - Verve Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Oatmeal - Wplus9; Soft Sky, Certainly Celery, Almost Amethyst - SU!
INK: Almost Amethyst, Wisteria Wonder, Pink Pirouette, Regal Rose, Barely Banana, Daffodil Delight, Blush Blossom, Groovy Guava, Certainly Celery, Pear Pizzazz - SU!; Onyx Black Versafine - Tsukineko; Vintage Photo Distress Ink - Ranger
OTHER: Loopy Blooms Die Set, Banner Bundle Die Set - Verve Stamps; Scallop punch - SU!; Diamond Stickles - Ranger; Sewing machine

Waltzingmouse Stamps February Release, Day 3

Hello again!

I am back with Day 3 of the countdown for the February Release at Waltzingmouse Stamps.

We have been sharing previews of the new Gift Card It stamp set and coordinating Gift Card It and Gift Card It Envelope dies. Today we are putting a different spin on these sets, to create something that is not gift card related. It was actually pretty easy, considering the Gift Card It stamp set has some beautiful floral motifs and fabulous sentiments!

I used the floral stamps to create a background pattern, just stamped randomly on my cardstock and then watercolored with inks. It is soft and pretty. The sentiment followed suit, and I stamped it on the gift card die cut from the Gift Card It Die Set. It has such a nice clean rounded edge. I trimmed a bit off the top and added a row of stitching and one of the leafy branches from the set.

I'll be back with more tomorrow, but until then be sure to check out the rest of the Design Team links for today. We will be sharing previews through Friday when the sets will be available for purchase. Enjoy!

Anya Schrier - you are here!

Jeanne Jachna

Jen Cuthbertson

Jennifer Holmes

Julia Aston

Karin Åkesdotter

Kelly Schirmer

Laurie Schmidlin

Lynn Mercurio

Renee Lynch

Teresa Kline

Claire Brennan

So glad you stopped by! Have a wonderful day!

------------
Recipe
STAMPS: Gift Card It (available February 28th) - Waltzingmouse Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Cashmere - Wplus9; Vintage Cream - PTI; Barely Banana - SU!
INK: Rich Cocoa Memento - Tsukineko; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger; Barely Banana, Daffodil Delight, Cameo Coral, Wild Wasabi, Pear Pizzazz, Pool Party - SU!
OTHER: Gift Card It Die Set (available February 28th) - Waltzingmouse Stamps; Swiss Dots Embossing Folder - ProvoCraft; Button; Sewing machine

Holiday Hugs - Festive Friday

Hi there!

It may be the last of the last minute, but I wanted to make sure that I snuck in to share my card for the current Festive Friday challenge. Not only am I really enjoying the challenges, but it is making me so happy to be adding cards to my holiday stash already.

Here was the Festive Friday inspiration photo:

And the card I created using the Candy Jar Christmas Fillers set from WMS.

Lots of red and white for this one. WMS is slowly releasing dies to match some of the previously released stamp sets, and while I'm a girl who has always loved fussy cutting, having a die for this set is awesome. This is the Jar Essentials Die Set that I used here.

Thanks for stopping in! :)

ETA: I went to link up my post for this week's challenge over on the Festive Friday challenge blog and was so surprised to see that the card I created for the last challenge was chosen as a winner. Thanks so much, gals! I sure do love playing along!



---------------
Recipe
STAMPS: Candy Jar Christmas Fillers, Jar Fillers - Jam Packed, Zig Zag Backgrounder - Waltzingmouse Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Poppy Parade - SU!; White - Wplus9
INK: Poppy Parade - SU!; Tuxedo Black Memento - Tsukineko; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger
OTHER: Jar Essentials Die Set; Snowflake Embossing Folder - ProvoCraft; Washi Tape - Martha Stewart Crafts; Star Dust Stickles - Ranger; Copic Markers

Waltzingmouse Stamps February Release, Day 2

Hello there!

Today is Day 2 of the countdown for the February Release at Waltzingmouse Stamps.

Yesterday, we shared the Gift Card It stamp set and coordinating Gift Card It Dies. Today we are adding in the Gift Card It Envelope Die! This die cuts a little envelope that fits a standard gift card perfectly. And of course it works so well with the Gift Card It Dies we shared yesterday.

For today's card, I incorporated the Gift Card It Envelope Die directly onto my card front. It creates a snug little place to present your gift card and makes it front and center. Again, like the card I shared yesterday, I like the idea of making the gift card part of the presentation instead of something you just stick in your card. It is, after all, the gift!

Today I used some of the larger stamp images from the Gift Card It stamp set. Isn't that font the most scrumptious ever? I also pulled in some of the leaf branch motif and the flower clusters, all heat embossed in gold. The flower trio is adhered just so on the front of the envelope with some dimensional foam tape to help to keep the top flap closed.

This is still a traditional card in the sense that it opens and has a place for a longer message. You could also easily use just a single sheet of cardstock and write your message on the back.

I'll be back with more tomorrow, but until then be sure to check out the rest of the Design Team links for today. We will be sharing previews through Friday when the sets will be available for purchase. Enjoy!

Anya Schrier - you are here!

Jeanne Jachna

Jen Cuthbertson

Jennifer Holmes

Julia Aston

Karin Åkesdotter

Kelly Schirmer

Laurie Schmidlin

Lynn Mercurio

Renee Lynch

Teresa Kline

Claire Brennan

So glad you stopped by! Have a wonderful day!

------------
Recipe
STAMPS: Gift Card It (available February 28) - Waltzingmouse Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Groovy Guava - SU!; Cashmere, Oatmeal - Wplus9
INK: Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger; VersaMark - Tsukineko
OTHER: Gift Card It Die Set, Gift Card It Envelope Die (available February 28) - Waltzingmouse Stamps; Detail Gold Embossing Powder - Stewart Superior; Copic Markers

Waltzingmouse Stamps February Release, Day 1

Good Morning!

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

For the next three days we will be sharing previews of a new stamp set and coordinating dies that will be available for purchase on February 28.

I think you will just love today's set. It is innovative and definitely fills a niche for gift giving! Let me introduce you to Gift Card It and the coordinating Gift Card It Dies.

The Gift Card It stamp set is jam-packed with sentiments for accompanying a gift card as well as for creating some of your own! The Gift Card It die set contains the tools to make fab little holders (like the tabs you can see on my card for keeping your gift in place), as well as die cutting your own gift card shape.

Gift cards tend to be my go-to gifts for the guys in my family, so I love how this set can help me to step up the presentation a bit. I made a more masculine card for today to show off how great these elements work together. I just happened to have a Lowe's gift card laying around (they are like gold in this house right now) so I designed my card scheme around that.

The background pattern was created by stamping some of those little bitty accent elements from the Gift Card It stamp set. I wanted something a little geometric and slightly hardware-ish (a bit of a stretch, huh? ;)

The Gift Card It die set was used to cut the two half-circle tabs that hold the gift card in place. Both tabs are on one die, so there is no worry about getting them lined up - the die places them perfectly! I also used the actual gift card die from the set (cut in half) to create the black mat the card is nestled on.

I will tell you - the teeny tiny stamps I showed today don't even scratch the surface of the beauty that is in this set. The fonts are to die for and there are some amazing scrolly leaf designs. I'll be back with more tomorrow, but until then be sure to check out the rest of the Design Team links for today. We will be sharing previews through Friday when the sets will be available for purchase. Enjoy!

Anya Schrier - you are here!

Jeanne Jachna

Jen Cuthbertson

Julia Aston

Karin Åkesdotter

Kelly Schirmer

Laurie Schmidlin

Lynn Mercurio

Renee Lynch

Teresa Kline

Claire Brennan

So glad you stopped by! Have a super day!

------------
Recipe
STAMPS: Gift Card It (available February 28) - Waltzingmouse Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Going Gray, Brilliant Blue - SU!; Black - Wplus9; Soft Stone - PTI
INK: Onyx Black Versafine - Tsukineko; Pumice Stone Distress Ink - Ranger
OTHER: Gift Card It Die Set (available February 28) - Waltzingmouse Stamps; Woodgrain Embossing Folder - Darice

Just Because

TGIF people! I am glad the weekend is almost here, its been a long week.

Back again this Friday to share with you the new Viva la Verve sketch for this week's challenge.

This week is also one of the fun weeks where we combine the sketch with a twist - we have an inspiration photo to share today. You can combine the sketch and inspiration or do one or the other. Me, I love the extra little jump I get from mashing them both together.

Today's sketch is brought to you by Sarah Gough.

And my card for you today..

I zeroed in on the black and green scheme with the pop of pink and gold. I am totally crushing on those mirrors, too :)

I used the Great Friend set for my card. I love those big, beautiful flowers. Tucked in my design is also the Thatched Banner image.

So what will you do with this week's challenge? Is it going to be the straight sketch, or did one of the fun elements in the photo pique your interest? Whatever it is, I can't wait to see how you are inspired. Join us!

And making sure you are fully enabled, Verve is having a Spring Fling Sale!

---------------
Recipe
STAMPS: Great Friend, Thatched Banner - Verve Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Vintage Cream - PTI; Black - Wplus9
PATTERNED PAPER: Portrait, Story Teller - Crate Paper
INK: Onyx Black Versafine - Tsukineko; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger; Wild Wasabi, Strawberry Slush - SU!
OTHER: Flag It Die Set - Verve Stamps; Circle Nestabilities - Spellbinders; Sequins - Darice

Serendipity Stamps Challenge #28

Hi there. I am here today to share more inspiration for February's challenge on the Serendipity Stamps Challenge Blog. The customer challenge this month is to use sheet music or text pattern on your project (the DT will provide inspiration twice each month, but you have the whole month to play along!)

This week we are combining a color blending technique with a music or text pattern. I used Distress Inks to create a blended background and then stamped the English Rose image over top.

I brought the text pattern into my card by embossing the card base with a script pattern. I also added a sentiment strip (stamped with the I'm Beginning to Learn sentiment) behind my image. A few flecks of gold, some twine and a gold button finish it off.

Be sure to stop by and visit the rest of the Design Team:

Jenny Gropp
Marybeth Lopez
Miriam Napier
Pauline Pollington
Anya Schrier - you are here!
Jeanne Jachna
Vickie Zimmer
Julie Warner
Karen Amidon

I hope you'll join us for this month's challenge - all you need to do is use a sheet music or text pattern and at least one Serendipity Stamps image or die. Need to add to your collection? This week's sale is buy three items, get a fourth one free. Lowest priced item in the cart is free! The sale runs through 2/26/14. Enjoy!

Thanks for stopping by!

------------
Recipe
STAMPS: English Rose, I'm Beginning to Learn - Serendipity Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Steel Mill, Oatmeal, Lake House - Wplus9
INK: Spun Sugar, Picked Raspberry, Tumbled Glass, Bundled Sage, Forest Moss, Vintage Photo Distress Ink - Ranger; Onyx Black Versafine Ink - Tsukineko
OTHER: Script Embossing Folder - ProvoCraft; Perfect Gold Perfect Pearls - Ranger; Rustic Cream Button Twine - PTI; Button

Merry & Bright

Hello there. I just got a big box of goodies from Wplus9 and then I had to go out of town for work. Isn't that such a stinker? Just a note - so in love with the new cardstock colors.

I did make sure to take a photo of the card I made for the current Festive Friday challenge so I could share it while I was away, and that's what I am here to do now :)

Here is the inspiration pic:

Whenever I do challenges like this, I like to take a look at the picture and make note of a few things that stand out to me. That way I'm not obsessing over the picture and whether my card looks like it :)

I liked the neutrals with the pop of red, the little bit of glitter, those textured pine coney ornaments, and circles. So this is the card that I came up with.

I stamped and die cut the rectangle from Label Layers 4 then added some elements from Merry & Bright and Fresh Cut Florals. Coordinating dies are a must.

Two holiday cards down. I love this! :)

Hope your week is fabulous. Thanks for visiting!

---------------
Recipe
STAMPS: Label Layers 4, Fresh Cut Florals, Merry & Bright - Wplus9
CARDSTOCK: Vintage Cream, Fine Linen - PTI
PATTERNED PAPER: North Pole - We R Memory Keepers
INK: River Rock, True Thyme, Riding Hood Red, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede - SU!; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger; Onyx Black Versafine - Tsukineko
OTHER: Label Layers 4 Die, Fresh Cut Florals Dies, Merry & Bright Dies - Wplus9; Standard Circles - Spellbinders; Linen & Canvas Impression Plate - PTI; Smoky Quartz Glitter - Martha Stewart Crafts

My Sunshine

Happy Friday!

Today I am here to share this week's Viva la Verve sketch challenge! Julee is our beautiful hostess this week and we are once again are offering a color challenge along with this week's sketch.

Feel free to combine the sketch and colors or pick one or the other! I combined them to create this sweet Valentine using Verve's Rain or Shine set.

(I've been on a doily kick recently, can you tell?)

This was a tricky sketch, but a fun challenge! I can't wait to see your take on it! If you would like to join us, be sure to head to the Viva la Verve challenge blog to check out the other samples the Divas have created and to link up your own. This sketch kicks off the VLV challenge for February, and playing along for the whole month enters you into the chance to win $100 for the Verve store!

Hope your day is great, I'm so glad to see you!

---------------
Recipe
STAMPS: Rain or Shine, Love Notes - Verve Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Oatmeal - Wplus9; Smoky Slate - SU!
PATTERNED PAPER: Farmhouse - October Afternoon
INK: Smoky Slate, Pink Pirouette, Real Red - SU!; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger; Onyx Black Versafine - Tsukineko
OTHER: Doily - Wilton; Stone Twine - The Twinery

February Verve Diva Inspirations Hop

Hello!

Welcome to Verve's February Diva Inspirations Hop. It's the 5th of the month and that means it's hopping time!

This month we've got a bloomin' good challenge for you along with our usual inspiration! So in addition to a comment prize hidden along the hop, you can play along with the challenge and link up your creation for a chance to win another prize!

Our February challenge is Floral Fantasy:

 
February is the month of love and flowers are a popular gift
so add some petal power to your cards this month!

Here is what I created for this month's challenge:

I used the fun flowers from the Poppy Birthday set combined with one of the great sentiments from Brighter Days.  My Nana needs some well-wishes, so I am working on a pile of cards to send to her.  Verve sets are just the perfect thing to use for a time like this.  

Need some more inspiration for this month's challenge? Check out the blogs linked below to see what the other Divas did with the challenge! It's sure to be a treat, and speaking of treats, we've got a prize for one lucky commenter along the hop! Check out the Verve Blog today for all the prize info and deadlines.

	1. Julee	11. Tiffany
	2. Amy	12. Maureen
	3. Anya	13. Stacey
	4. Betty	14. Christyne
	5. Jessica	15. Teresa
	6. Karen	16. Marisa
	7. Sankari	17. Charmaine
	8. Sarah	18. Janelle
	9. Sony	19. Jen
	10. Susan

AND be sure to check out the newly released sets from Verve, just in time for Valentine's Day!

Take care, and thanks for stopping by!

------------
Recipe
STAMPS: Brighter Days, Poppy Birthday - Verve Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Barely Banana - SU!; Vintage Cream - PTI
INK: Blush Blossom, Barely Banana, Pink Pirouette, Groovy Guava, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede - SU!; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger
OTHER: Build a Poppy Die Set, Rounded Scallop Frame Die - Verve Stamps; Doily - Wilton

Serendipity Stamps Challenge #28

Hi there!

Hope you are having a good week. Did you get a lot of snow? I am here today to share some inspiration for February's challenge on the Serendipity Stamps Challenge Blog. The customer challenge this month is to use sheet music or text pattern on your project (the DT will provide inspiration twice each month, but you have the whole month to play along!)

This week we are combining images of food with the music or text pattern.

I used the Heart Cup and Heart Teapot on my card. I paper pieced these images, combining them with some book print patterned paper.

Be sure to stop by and visit the rest of the Design Team:

Jenny Gropp
Marybeth Lopez
Miriam Napier
Pauline Pollington
Anya Schrier - you are here!
Jeanne Jachna
Vickie Zimmer
Julie Warner
Karen Amidon

I hope you'll join us for this month's challenge - all you need to do is use a sheet music or text pattern and at least one Serendipity Stamps image or die. Need to add to your collection? This week's sale is 40% off the highest priced item in your cart when you use the code "40fromhigh214". The sale runs through 2/12/14. Enjoy!

Thanks for stopping by!

------------
Recipe
STAMPS: Heart Cup, Heart Teapot - Serendipity Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Vintage Cream - PTI
PATTERNED PAPER: Fly a Kite, The Thrift Shop - October Afternoon
INK: Onyx Black Versafine - Tsukineko
OTHER: Doily - Wilton; sewing machine

So Grateful

In celebration of their fourth birthday, Wplus9 is holding some fun challenges. I am such a fan of sweet Dawn and her amazing designs, and its easy to say that Wplus9 is one of my favorite stamp companies.

The challenge she posted yesterday was to create a card in your comfort zone. The card I made for the challenge is me to a T - what do you think?

This card incorporates all the things I love to craft with - creating a stamped design, using two-step images, my beloved Oatmeal cardstock, a little bit of Antique Linen Distress Ink, and my tried and true when-I-can't-squeeze-any-ideas-out favorite layout. And of course, throw in Wplus9 images and you have my comfy jammies equivalent of cardmaking.

:) Hope your day is great!

---------------

Recipe
STAMPS: Fanciful Feathers - Wplus9
CARDSTOCK: Kraft, Oatmeal - Wplus9
INK: Groovy Guava, Barely Banana, Baja Breeze - SU!; Onyx Black Versafine - Tsukineko; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger