Holly Bowl

Good morning everyone!

How are you doing? I wanted to post this yesterday, but time got away from me. I apologize for the sporadic posting over the past few days, to be honest, I was just being lazy!

My mom and I have been taking pottery classes together at the Manchester Craftsmen's Guild on and off for the past few months. I am really no good at it, but I can manage to throw a mostly symmetrical bowl. So this time around instead of being frustrated that I couldn't figure out coffee cups, or vases, or plant pots, I decided to embrace my bowl-throwing abilities and focus instead on the decoration. I discovered that clear stamps work great to impress a design into the leather-hard clay. Because the stamps are flexible, it was easy to bend them to fit the shape of my piece. Anyway, I had a bowl fired last week and here's how it turned out.

I used the two outline holly stamps from Festive Foliage to decorate my bowl. I just impressed it into the clay, bending around the shape of the bowl. The berries were made from extra clay. I painted the leaves and berries with a glaze, the bowl itself was fired with no glaze - the metallic brown color comes from the soda firing process.

So there you go - stamps are for more than just paper! This is a pretty addition to my mantle for the holidays.

Another thing I wanted to share with you is a Citizen Science program that the Cornell Lab of Ornithology sponsors called Project FeederWatch. Project FeederWatch is an opportunity for those of you that feed your birds (I'm thinking of you, Cindy H.!!) to provide feedback to researchers about the types and numbers of birds that visit your feeders over the winter. They use this information to track species populations, changes in migratory/wintering patterns, disease, etc. The data exploration portion of the Project FeederWatch website has tons of information already compiled for the past 20 years, so you can see right where the information you provide is going.

There is a $15 fee to join the program, but you receive identification materials and a newsletter subscription, plus the money goes to help fund the research program. The program runs from November through April, and you can count as many or as few times as you'd like. If you enjoy watching your feeder birds or if you would like to start, this is a fantastic opportunity for you to contribute to scientific research. I encourage you to join! I love watching my birds and it is something that I find very rewarding (my husband is heaving a sigh now, I know it, but he was the one that built me the bird feeder! ;)

Please check out the links if you're interested, or send me an email! The Project FeederWatch program is available to US and Canadian citizens - my international friends, check for a similar program in your area! My professional background is in Ecology, so you're getting a peek at something else I'm passionate about.

Thanks for stopping today, and taking the time to listen to my PSA!

Anya

Winter Birthday Wishes

Happy Saturday! Today is Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge day, and here is today's sketch:

Here is my card, for a friend celebrating a winter birthday!

The snowflakes are from Sewing Box - Christmas, a fantastic winter-themed set. The holly stamp is one of my all-time favorites. Kept things simple on this one, but made up for it with all that glitter!

The sketch challenge will remain open until Thursday, 11:59 EST. You can link up your entry on the Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge Blog. Top Mice will be announced along with the new sketch next Saturday! Be sure to visit the blog and check out what the other DT members and Mischief Makers have created for the sketch challenge!

Have a great weekend!

Anya

Recipe
Stamps: Sewing Box - Christmas, Teeny Trees - Waltzingmouse Stamps
Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Buckaroo Blue - Stampin' Up; Vintage Cream - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Buckaroo Blue - Stampin' Up!; Old Paper Distress Ink - Ranger Industries
Other: Antique Silver Glitter - Martha Stewart Crafts; Snowflake punch - Marvy; Snow Cap Acrylic Paint - Ranger Industries; Scor-Tape; button

Happy Thanksgiving!

A quick note this morning to wish my US friends a Happy Thanksgiving. I've been baking up a storm, taking a short break here checking some email before things get crazy for the day. I am watching Calendar Girls, have you ever seen it? I love feel-good movies like this.. this one may need to find a place in my collection.

A little enabling announcement for you.. Lizzie Anne is having a Thankgiving weekend sale. The entire store will be on sale 40% off Friday through Monday! And you will also get a holiday-themed Single stamp with every order over $25 (LAD choice.) What a great sale!

I have much to be thankful for: a loving family, a husband who is willing to make sacrifices, a cozy home, and supportive friends! I am sure I don't say it enough, but thank you. Have a wonderful day!

Anya

Serendipity Coaster Challenge

Good morning! I am here today to bring you this week's Serendipity Stamps DT challenge. This week we were challenged to create a tile coaster. Have you ever made these coasters before? They are fun and easy!

So let's see a show of hands - who has a Dad, brother, husband that is hard to shop for? Yeah, me too. Well here's a gift idea for you!


Aren't these great? I used the Train Engine Large and Train on Track stamps from Serendipity to make these coasters.

The coasters are available at any big box home store, they are usually sold in a package of 9 (a square foot) for around $5. I have made these in the past and used a variety of mediums to color them. For this one, I stamped the images in Jet Black Archival Ink from Ranger and then colored the images with markers. After a clear coat of spray paint, I have never had any problems using markers or water-based ink. StazOn and Palette inks also work well. I hear Copics work well too, but you have to be careful the coaster doesn't suck all the ink from your marker. I like to finish the coasters off with felt pads on the bottom.

Package a few up together and you have an easy, great gift! I hope you will give them a try.

I'm so glad you stopped by today, please be sure to visit the other Design Team members to see their take on the challenge!

Amy
Kathie
Lynda
Jenny (Guest Designer)

Also, don't forget to check the current contests on the Serendipity Stamps Blog and take some time to sign up for the newsletter (and sale announcements)!

Have a great day!

Anya

Recipe
Stamps: Train Engine Large (1217J), Train on Track (1239G) - Serendipity Stamps
Ink: Jet Black Archival Ink - Ranger Industries
Other: Stampin' Write Markers - Stampin' Up!; Clear Spray Paint - Krylon; Tile Coasters

Advent Calendar Tutorial

Hello my dears!

Thank you all so much for your patience while things calmed down at home and I put together the tutorial for the advent calendar I made for the last WMS Release.

Before I get started, a few notes. To complete this project, you will need:

- A 12-inch by 12-inch shadowbox frame (I purchased mine at Michaels - it is about 1 inch deep and has an 11.5-inch opening, which is important later!)
- 25 sheets of cardstock trimmed to 8.25 inch square (ouch, I know)
- 'Twas the Night Before Christmas stamp set from Waltzingmouse Stamps

Ok - one final thing before I get into the pictures. This project is not difficult, but it is time consuming. I found the thing that worked best for me when doing it was to work production-line style. I cut all my cardstock, then scored it all, then stamped all the boxes, etc. It went much faster when I completed each step together - even though it was tempting to skip ahead! I know that we all don't have time to commit to a project like this all at once (and I won't get into how late I stayed up finishing this in time!!) but it is completely feasible to make a few boxes at a time and have everything in place by December 1! I know you girls can do it! :)

Grab a warm beverage, and let's jump right in!

Step 1. Score your cardstock at 1.5" and 3".

Step 2. Rotate your cardstock and score it again at 1.5" and 3".

Step 3. Repeat for each remaining side. (Your score lines will end up at 1.5", 3", 5.25"
and 6.75", but I found this method to be easier and faster).

Here is what the box pattern looks like.

I also created a PDF pattern for you that you can print directly onto cardstock if you want. Click here for the downloadable PDF. I'm sure I don't need to give you the for personal use only spiel :)

You will want to cut along the dotted lines and fold along the gray lines. The gray areas in the corners will be cut away.

Step 4. Here is what your box will look like once it has been scored and cut.

Step 5. Stamp frame and windows in the center of your box. This will end up being the front of your box, instead of what would normally be the box bottom.

Step 6. Color your frame and windows. I decided when I started that I was not going to color the fancy outer frame portion of the window. I wanted your eyes to be directed right to the window portion, and I knew it would save some time. I colored the window frame with Copic marker E43 and highlighted the window glass with W1, but the world is your oyster - make it your own!

Step 7. Finish decorating your windows. I *love* the little wreath included in this set. There are also lots of other elements that can be used to decorate the windows. I did something different in each of mine, but established a 'pattern' of sorts so that I at least had a starting point. I used the numbers from Victorian Alphabet to number my boxes for each day.

Step 8. Using a craft knife, cut along the top and bottom of your windows and then down the center in between.

Step 9. Score the outside edges of the windows. This creates a nice fold and allows the windows to open easily.

Step 10. Now you're ready to start assembling your boxes. I find it works best to fold all of your scored lines first. Then fold in the sides and adhere with a strong adhesive, as shown.

(I used Scor-Tape.)

Step 11. Repeat with the other side.

Step 12. Fold down the remaining flaps and adhere. I used a regular piece of tape on the bottom just to be sure.

Step 13. You have a finished box! One down - 24 more to go!! ;)

Step 14. Now you need to prepare your frame. You could, of course, do this step at any time in the process, depending on what you want to do. The frame that I bought was originally black, so I spray-painted mine. You could cover it with patterned paper, ribbon, glitter, or leave it plain - whatever you want!

Step 15. Once you've finished your frame, all you need to do to assemble the calendar is to slide the boxes in place. As I mentioned earlier, the actual frame opening is about 11.5 inches. The boxes were sized (2.25 inches) so that five of them would fit beside each other snugly and not require any adhesive to keep the boxes in place. I liked this plan a lot - if something happens to Day 11, for instance, you can just pop it out and replace it without having to tear the whole thing apart!

The finished product!! You can fill your little boxes with whatever you choose, I filled mine with little wooden ornaments, as seen here.

So that's it! A step-by-step tutorial for you. If you have any questions, or would like more information about a particular step, please don't hesitate to leave me a comment or send an email! I will respond with an edit at the beginning of the post so that we can all benefit from your question - I know I'm not the best direction-giver!! Thank you for bearing with me.

I hope you will be willing to give this project a try. You girls made me laugh when I read your comments on the original post. Yes, the recipient does love this! I smile each time I see it, and can't wait for my hubby and I to start counting down the days to Christmas (I'm keepin' it for myself!!! ;)

Hugs!!

Anya

Warm Wishes

Welcome, weekend! I'm glad it is Saturday.

Today is Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge day, and here is today's sketch:

Thursday was my Mother-in-law's birthday and today we're celebrating. I thought I'd use the sketch as inspiration for her card. Here's what I made.

I have been eyeing up this swag image since Nutcracker Sweet was released. I used it to create my background. I don't know what exactly it is about this image, but I just love it. So much potential in that little shape.. I want to stamp it in red next!

I thought Warm Wishes was a completely appropriate sentiment for a birthday - something a little different!

The sketch challenge will remain open until Thursday, 11:59 EST. You can link up your entry on the Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge Blog. Top Mice will be announced along with the new sketch next Saturday! Be sure to visit the blog and check out what the other DT members and Mischief Makers have created for the sketch challenge!

Have a great day!

Anya

Recipe
Stamps: Nutcracker Sweet, Very Vintage Christmas, Holiday Labels No. 14 - Waltzingmouse Stamps
Cardstock: Pink Pirouette - Stampin' Up!; Rustic White - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Mellow Moss, Pink Pirouette - Stampin' Up!; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger Industries
Other: Petite Oval Small Nesabilities - Spellbinders; Fillable Frames 7 Die - Papertrey Ink; Half Pearls from Pretties Kit - Stampin' Up!; Pinking Blade for Rotary Paper Trimmer - Fiskars; Sewing machine

LAD November DT Challenge

Hi there!

I am here today to share the November Design Team Challenge from Lizzie Anne Designs. This month we were challenged to create a wreath, using this photo as inspiration.

Gorgeous, huh?

Here's what I came up with - I used the hot air balloon stamp from Warmest Wishes, the new December 2010 Mix Set!

I stamped the balloon four times in each of my selected colors (I went for the rich holiday jewel tones :). Then I used a 1-1/2 inch circle punch to punch out the portion used for my ornaments. I scored each of the circles down the center and adhered them together to create a three-dimensional shape. I lined the edges with a gold paint pen and added a punched ribbon bow for the top. I adhered my ornaments to a scalloped circle and then to my wreath. The wreath is approximately 5-1/2 inches in diameter.

Here's another photo - this was hard to photograph!

Isn't this a fun project, just in time for the holidays!

To see what the other DT members have created for this challenge, head over to the Lizzie Anne Designs blog!

Thanks for stopping by, have a great day!

Anya

Recipe
Stamps: Warmest Wishes - Lizzie Anne Designs
Cardstock: Rustic White - Papertrey Ink; Handsome Hunter, Elegant Eggplant, Not Quite Navy, Bravo Burgundy, Cranberry Crisp - Stampin' Up!
Ink: Handsome Hunter, Elegant Eggplant, Not Quite Navy, Bravo Burgundy, Cranberry Crisp - Stampin' Up!; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger Industries
Other: 1-1/2 inch circle punch - EK Success; Scalloped Circle punch - Marvy; Ribbon bow punch - Martha Stewart Crafts; Gold paint pen - Zig Painty; Gold pearls - Recollections; Gold elastic cord - Stampin' Up!; Gold brads

Happy Birthday

Hi there!

Today I have a fun and quick birthday card that would be great for anyone! I used Lizzie Anne's Vintage Birthday set to put this together. I really like this set.

I thought it would be fun to use PTI's Grid Lines cardstock to add to the graphic feel of this card. I stamped Happy Birthday in red first and built the rest of the background around it. The gray is the second generation image (stamped off first onto scrap paper) and I like that it didn't give an even impression. I think it fits with this card. The 'Eat More Cake' is a portion of another sentiment in the set, I used a marker to ink up just the portion I wanted. Eat more cake sounds like good advice any time!

Thanks for visiting me today, tomorrow I will be back with the Lizzie Anne December Design Team Challenge. Saturday brings the Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge. I hope you have a great day and that you can stop back soon!

Anya

Recipe
Stamps: Vintage Birthday set - Lizzie Anne Designs
Cardstock: Kraft, Guide Lines - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Basic Gray - Stampin' Up!
Other: Maraschino Baker's Twine - The Twinery; Black marker; Red button

November WMS Blog Waltz

Good morning, waltzers! Welcome to the November Friends of WMS Blog Waltz.

If you want to waltz along with us and you haven't yet linked up your project, head to this thread in the WMS Forum to link up your creation and view the other participants. There is also a thread for chatting about what you've seen and participating in our little contest! The DT members are each hiding an image (or not!) on their cards. Keep track of their count and a correct guess could win you a stamp set of your choice!

I can't think of many things more festive than these red and green Nutcrackers! I colored each of them with Copics and cut them out. My background pattern was created by filling up an acrylic block with all the sentiments in the Nutcracker Sweet set - I love this, and particularly like the many ways to say Merry Christmas!!

I stitched a strip of dark green felt to my card so my Nutcrackers had a place to stand, and I added some multi-colored crochet thread which is even a bit more fun than baker's twine!!

Have fun waltzing! Make sure to head back to the WMS Forum to chat and join the contest.

I hope you will join us! Have a great day!

Anya

Recipe
Stamps: Nutcracker Sweet - Waltzingmouse Stamps
Cardstock: Garden Green - Stampin' Up!; Vintage Cream - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Sahara Sand - Stampin' Up!; Tuxedo Black Memento - Tsukineko; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger Industries
Other: Copic markers; Multi-colored Crochet thread; Sewing Machine; Pinefeather felt - Papertrey Ink

Shabby Tea Room Week #36

Hi there!
I am Guest Designer this week over in The Shabby Tea Room! This week's challenge is a color challenge with a thankful theme. Here's the photo inspiration:


I have to be honest, this one stumped me for a bit! Here is my card:

The creative juices started flowing when I spied this pretty little wreath in the new Around Christmastime set from Waltzingmouse. It is a simple thing, but one thing I am thankful for is the Autumn season. The colors and smells, the crisp chill in the air, woodsmoke drifting on the breeze.. I just love it. So that's what is wrapped all up in my card. I also used Off Beat Backgrounds and Musical Backgrounds on my card (I am also exceedingly thankful to have the opportunity to be a part of the WMS DT and work with Claire and her incredible stamps!).

Please make sure to head over to The Shabby Tea Room to see what the Design Team members have created. There's a great prize up for grabs this week, too, so be sure to try your hand at the challenge!

Have a beautiful day!

Anya

Recipe
Stamps: Around Christmastime, Off Beat Backgrounds, Musical Backgrounds, Peace and Plenty - Waltzingmouse Stamps
Cardstock: Rustic Cream - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Mellow Moss, Old Olive, Tangerine Tango - Stampin' Up!; Coffee Archival Ink, Antique Linen, Vintage Photo Distress Ink - Ranger Industries
Other: Crocheted lace; Sewing machine