Waltzingmouse Stamps May Release, Day 1

Good Morning!

Today I am happy to bring you Day 1 of the countdown for the May 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 May 3.

Today we are focusing on the Tag Collection 1 Stamp Set.

For this card, I used the large 'Enjoy' frame to create a bold graphic design. I started by first stamping the plain rectangle image from My Island. It was just about the same size as the sentiment, and I used it to add some color to background. So for the green frame, I stamped it in light green then stamped right over it with the 'Enjoy' frame from Tag Collection 1 in a darker shade. I repeated this twice more in a bold pink and yellow.

The 'For You' is also from Tag Collection 1. The black card base was stamped with the Pinstripe Backgrounder and clear embossed. Some black buttons help to bring it all together.

For my second card, the 'A Little Something' banner from Tag Collection 1 is the star of the show. I stamped it first in the center of my cardstock and then lightly traced an oval around it. I used various flower images from Funky Flowers and Simple Sprig to create a rich floral frame for the sentiment. I stamped the banner a second time and cut out the sentiment parts, adhering them with some foam tape for a bit of dimension.

So that is it for me today. I hope you like what you've seen so far. 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 Saturday when the sets will be available for purchase. Enjoy!

Anya Schrier - you are here!

Edna Morrisedie

Jeanne Jachna

Jen Cuthbertson

Julia Aston

Karin Åkesdotter

Kelly Schirmer

Laurie Schmidlin

Lynn Mercurio

Renee Lynch

Teresa Kline

Tosha Leyendekker

Claire Brennan

So glad you stopped by! Have a super day!

------------
Recipe
Enjoy Card
STAMPS: Tag Collection 1 (available May 3), My Island, Pinstripe Backgrounder - Waltzingmouse Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Oatmeal, Black - Wplus9
INK: Pretty in Pink, Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, Crisp Cantaloupe, Certainly Celery, Wild Wasabi - SU!; Onyx Black Versafine - Tsukineko; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger
OTHER: Clear Embossing Powder - Stampendous; Buttons

A Little Something Card
STAMPS: Tag Collection 1 (available May 3), Funky Flowers, Simple Sprig - Waltzingmouse Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Oatmeal, Cashmere - Wplus9
PATTERNED PAPER: Farmhouse - October Afternoon
INK: Poppy Parade, Regal Rose, Groovy Guava, Night of Navy - SU!; Lake House, Sweet Nectar - Wplus9; Antique Linen Distress Ink -Ranger
OTHER: Twine; Button

Happy Birthday

Good morning!

Popping in this morning to share this week's Viva la Verve challenge with you!

This week's hostess is sweet Stacey Schafer. Here is her fun sketch for this week:

I used the Chevron Love set from Verve to create my bright birthday card.

I hope you will join us for this week's sketch - your entry makes you eligible for a $100 gift certificate to the Verve store. You can find more details on the Viva la Verve blog. I can't wait to see what you create!

Have a great day, flea market season is starting up around here, so I am excited to hit up a neighborhood sale this morning! :)

---------------
Recipe
STAMPS: Chevron Love - Chevron Love
CARDSTOCK: Cashmere, Oatmeal - Wplus9; Groovy Guava - SU!
PATTERNED PAPER: Nostalgia - My Mind's Eye
INK: Cranberry Crush, Lake House - Wplus9; Onyx Black Versafine - Tsukineko
OTHER: Polka Dots Embossing Folder - ProvoCraft; Circle Nesties - Spellbinders; Dear Lizzy Chipboard Shapes - American Crafts

Serendipity Stamps New Release Blog Hop

Hi there!

Serendipity Stamps has released some new spring images, and the Design Team is here today to share some creations and inspiration using the new stamps.

You should have arrived here from Vickie's blog. If you'd like to start from the beginning and get more details about the blog hop, please head to Mary's Blog.

One lucky commenter will win a $20 gift code prize to the Serendipity Stamps store. Be sure to leave a comment on EACH blog to be eligible for the prize! To enter to win leave a comment through midnight Sunday 4/27. The winner will be posted on Mary's blog on Monday 4/28.

Here's what I made using these new images:

For this card, I used the new Aprons image. I stamped it twice and colored the cute aprons with Copic markers. The sentiment is this Mother stamp.

For my second card, I created a colorful background using some of the flowers from the Flower Pops set. I used a bunch of happy colors and just layered the images. The adorable sentiment is the Happy Mother's Day Stitched. I added it over my patterned background with a bit of tied twine. I really like the way this one turned out.

And finally, this one just makes my country-loving heart happy.

This card combines the Wildflowers and Mason Jar images. I did a tiny bit of masking right around the top of the jar to give the illusion that the flowers were inside, but some strategic coloring helped to make it a bit more convincing. This was also colored with Copic markers. I sure do love a blue mason jar - did you know that the Ball Jar company has re-released the green Mason jars? My windowsill is calling for some!

From here, Jeanne is your next stop along the hop. Here is the full list, be sure to visit everyone and leave a little love for a chance to win the $20 prize!

Mary's Blog

Marybeth Lopez

Miriam Napier

Pauline Pollington

Vickie Zimmer

Anya Schrier

Jeanne Jachna

Jenny Gropp

Julie Warner

Karen Amidon

Have a great day!



---------------
Recipe
Apron Card
STAMPS: Aprons, Mother - Serendipity Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Wild Wasabi, Soft Sky - SU!; Oatmeal, Black - Wplus9
INK: Tuxedo Black Memento - Tsukineko
OTHER: Apron Lace punch - Fiskars; Copic markers

Happy Mother's Day Card
STAMPS: Flower Pops, Happy Mother's Day Stitched - Serendipity Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Pale Plum - SU!; Oatmeal - Wplus9
INK: Sweet Gelato, Sweet Nectar, Wild Mango, Bloomsberry, Lake House, Cranberry Crush - Wplus9; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger; Onyx Black Versafine - Tsukineko
OTHER: Orchid Twine - The Twinery

Mason Jar Card
STAMPS: Wildflowers, Mason Jar - Serendipity Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Ballet Slippers, Dove Grey - Wplus9
PATTERNED PAPER: Farmhouse - October Afternoon
INK: Tuxedo Black Memento - Tsukineko; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger
OTHER: Copic Markers; Washi tape

Hello

Good morning!

Welcome once again to Friday. I am here to share this week's Viva la Verve challenge. This week is inspiration photo week, so Laurie has chosen a fabulous photo to pair with her fabulous sketch! You can use just the sketch or just the photo, or combine them both for double the fun!

I picked up on the mix of blues as well as the stripe/dot motifs.

I used the heart from More than Love and paired it with a simple hello from Remember This. The card base was stamped with the fabulous distressed polka dot strip from Better Together.

I hope you will join us for this week's sketch - your entry makes you eligible for a $100 gift certificate to the Verve store. You can find more details on the Viva la Verve blog. I can't wait to see what you come up with.

Have a great weekend! :)

---------------
Recipe
STAMPS: More than Love, Remember This, Better Together - Verve Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Soft Sky, Not Quite Navy - SU!; Hawaiian Shores - PTI
INK: Soft Sky - SU!; Nautical Navy - Wplus9
OTHER: Mini Rays Embossing Folder - Sizzix; Pinking circles - Spellbinders

Serendipity Stamps Challenge #30

Hi there. I am here today to share a card for the April challenge on the Serendipity Stamps Challenge Blog. The customer challenge this month is 'Shades of Grey'. Your cards can be any theme but should use white, gray, or black (or other monochromatic color) on them. This week the Design Team is combining this with a love theme.

Here is what I created:

I used the Love Scroll image to create an elegant design. I used a lot of gray on my design and added black and white when I wanted things to stand out. I did a lot of layering for this one and finished things off with some pretty adhesive pearls.

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 monochromatic color scheme and at least one Serendipity Stamps image or die. Need to add to your collection? This week's sale is buy 3 items get a 4th one free. The sale runs through 4/23. Enjoy!

Thanks for stopping by!

------------
Recipe
STAMPS: Love Scroll Large - Serendipity Stamps
CARDSTOCK: White, Black, Dove Grey - Wplus9; Going Gray - SU!
PATTERNED PAPER: Farmhouse - October Afternoon
INK: Onyx Black Versafine - Tsukineko; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger
OTHER: Standard Circles, Lacey Circles, Labels 22 Dies - Spellbinders; Fancy Fan Embossing Folder - Sizzix; Adhesive pearls

All of my Smiles

Good morning!

I really love the sketch that Teresa came up with for this week's Viva la Verve challenge. Its one of those that is really versatile and allows for some fun pattern or color combinations.

The new Better Together set showed up in my mailbox earlier this week and I couldn't wait to use it.

I also used the Flag It Die Set - I use this little set of dies all.the.time. I really love the different shapes and its 20% off right now - at just over $10, its a steal!!

I hope you will join us for this week's sketch - your entry makes you eligible for a $100 gift certificate to the Verve store. You can find more details on the Viva la Verve blog. I hope you will join us!

Have a great day, we have a first birthday in the family to celebrate. Gotta love a one year old + smash cake! :)

---------------
Recipe
STAMPS: Better Together - Verve Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Kraft - PTI; Soft Sky - SU!; Oatmeal - Wplus9
PATTERNED PAPER: The Sweetest Thing Lavender Collection - My Mind's Eye
INK: Wild Mango, White Pigment - Wplus9; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger; Onyx Black Versafine - Tsukineko
OTHER: Flag It Die Set - Verve Stamps; Big Scalloped Circles, Standard Circles - Spellbinders; Butterfly Chip shapes - Studio Calico; button

April Verve Diva Inspirations Hop

Welcome to Verve's April Diva Inspirations Hop. It's the 5th of the month and that means it's hopping time! This month we've got a fabulous challenge that's sure to put a spring in your step! 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 April challenge is Chic Chevrons:

 

Chevrons are the new polka-dots! Get groovy and use this popular pattern somewhere on your creation. Whether you draw inspiration from the graphic or zig-zag off on your own, just show us some chic chevrons!

Who doesn't love the fun geometrics of chevrons?

My card started with the chevron-bordered tag from the Holiday Treats set.  I paired it with some fun patterned paper, a chevron-embossed strip of cardstock, and a sentiment from Brighter Days.  I accented my design with the chevron strip from the Borderline set as well as one of the arrows from Brighter Days.  It was a fun and cheery card to make!  
 
Need a little inspiration? 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	9. Susan
	2. Amy	10. Stacey
	3. Anya	11. Teresa
	4. Betty	12. Maureen
	5. Karen	13. Marisa
	6. Sankari	14. Charmaine
	7. Sarah	15. Janelle
	8. Sony	16. Christyne

Thanks for stopping by today, enjoy the rest of the hop!


------------
Recipe
STAMPS: Brighter Days, Borderline, Holiday Treats - Verve Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Lake House, Oatmeal, Steel Mill - Wplus9
PATTERNED PAPER: Simply Happy Journaling Card - We R Memory Keepers
INK: Lake House, Sweet Nectar, Wild Mango - Wplus9; Onyx Black Versafine - Tsukineko; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger
OTHER: Tagged Rectangle Die, Arrow Die, Metal Mix Sequins - Verve Stamps; Chevron Embossing Folder - Sizzix; Sewing machine; Button

Rising

Happy, happy Friday, friends!

Looks like we have a rainy weekend in store for us, but you know what they say about April showers!

I am popping in this morning to share this week's Viva la Verve sketch challenge.

The first week of the month brings us around to Julee as our hostess, and she's offering a color challenge along with this week's sketch.

Feel free to combine the sketch and colors or pick one or the other! This week, I used just the sketch to create this card.

I started by stamping my sentiment - from Verve's Learning to Sail and just took it from there. I used the rope border from Strong Anchor and the Pennant Trim Die.

I had fun adding in some chipboard, twine and a button. It was a good time! I hope you will join us this week, too.

For all the VLV details, head to the blog and link up your card. You could win $100 of Verve store credit!

Hope you have a wonderful day!

---------------
Recipe
STAMPS: Learning to Sail, Strong Anchor - Verve Stamps
CARDSTOCK: Not Quite Navy - SU!; Dove Grey, Cupid's Bow - Wplus9
PATTERNED PAPER: Basics White, pb&j - Basic Grey
INK: Nautical Navy, Silver Lining - Wplus9; Pumice Stone Distress Ink - Ranger
OTHER: Pennant Trim Die - Verve Stamps; Circle Nestabilities - Spellbinders; Ocean Twine - The Twinery; Dear Lizzy Chipboard Shape - American Crafts; Button