Happy House Mouse Monday!!

Our challenge this week was to make a card with a KIT we received from Miss America of the House Mouse Challenge Design Team.  America sent an amazing kit to each member of the HMDT!   We were only allowed to use what was in the kit although we could use our own tools and coloring mediums.  Here’s what the kit contained . . .

Since it’s almost impossible to send everyone a kit, we would like you to try to reproduce the kit (don’t worry if it’s not exactly the same or even if you only have a few items that you could use). This may seem like a tough one, but it definitely get you thinking!!

Here’s my card for the challenge:

We hope you will join us for this challenge.  Our sponsor this week is . . .

One lucky participant will receive a $25.00 Gift Certificate for House Mouse stamps!!

All the details can be found here, and while you’re there, be sure to check out all the KIT cards by the amazing HMDT!!

It’s a BEAUTIFUL Fall day today in Wisconsin!   Have to get out there and enjoy it, since we all know what’s just around the corner!!

This little Tilda is called Tilda Holding Magnolias ~ but, every time I see the image, the magnolias remind me of milk seed pods!   lol     I remember as a little girl collecting the seed pods and making a wreath from them.  So, I thought I would make an Autumn card with Tilda collecting milk seed pods!!   I also added the Fall Background stamp for a true Autumn look.

This card is for the November Magnolia-licious Highlites DT Sketch challenge.  I just love this Sketch!

Tilda is colored with Copic markers, cut out and attached with pop dots.  The DP is from The Paper Loft, called Autumn Blaze and Candy Apple, and I added some Autumn Harvest Pearlized brads from The Paper Company Studio. 

I actually had time to decorate the inside of this card:

And, I always have fun “accessorizing” my Tildas ~ for this little cutie, I added some tiny ribbons to her braids …

Hope you are having a wonderful Saturday afternoon!      Hugz ~ Mary

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Copics Used:   E000, 00, 01, 02, 11, 13, 15, 17, 21, 30, 31, 33, 34, 35, 40, 42, 43, 44, 47, 50, 51, 53; R000, 11, 20, 30; YG91, 93, 95; Wo, 1, 2, 3, 4

Seriously!  This is probably my fifth or sixth Christmas card already this month … I’m way ahead of my usual schedule.     Now, if I can only get them mailed on time.  

I found this cute little snowman from my LSS, it’s by Northwoods Rubber Stamps.   He has no name!!    hmmm …  I suppose Frosty isn’t very original.  

I know we’re told NOT to do this, but I stamped this image on watercolor paper and colored him with my Copics!  They say it absorbs too much of the Copic ink, but I really wanted some texture since the  image has so much white space.   It worked okay, since I was then able to do the background with my Koi water brush and Distress inks - broken china and faded jeans.    Of course, I added some Stickles around Frosty in Stardust … on the berries of the holly in Fired Brick and on his chain in Silver.   The dove, star and heart were cut out and attached with pop-it dots.   The paper is from the Basic Grey eskimo kisses 6×6 pad.

TGIF!!   I’m soooooooo happy it’s Friday.  Hope you have plans for a great weekend!

If you are interested, I have a new Tilda card up on MyMagnolia blog ~ Apple Pie Tilda!   

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Copics Used:   RV10, 11, 32, 34, 39; YG01, 03, 23, 93; E70, 71, 74, 77; W0, 1, 3, 4; N1, 3, 5; C0, 1

As soon as I saw these ADORABLE little angels from C.C. Designs, I knew I had to have them!!  Aren’t they just the cutest ever?!  And, they’re available NOW at 7 Kids College Fund!  

I added lots of Stickles in star dust to their wings and popped them up with Pop-it dots.   The angels are colored with Copics (is there any other way??!)          I decided to have them standing on a cloud, which as you can probably tell, I drew freehand!   Think I need a little more practice!    The sentiment is computer generated.

Thanks for dropping by today – hope you’re having a good week.                  

Hugz ~ Mary

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Copics Used:  E11, 13, 15, 19, 40, 43, 44, 47, 53; B000, 00, 21, 23, 32, 63; R000, 00, 01, 11, 20; YR23, 24, 31; W0, 1, 3; BG000; BV00; Y28

Sooooo, have I mentioned lately how much I love these new Penny Black  stamps??!!   NO?   Well, I love em a lot!   If you’ve been following for the past few days, this is my third image from the awesome new Penny Black holiday images  now available at 7 Kids College Fund.   I just love each one more than the last.   This one is called Celestial Heart.

I found this sentiment on the internet and thought it was pretty appropriate for this card.  I actually would love to use this for our Christmas cards this year, just wish it were February or March so I could spend enough time on them!!   Oh well, I might have to tailor this one down since it took quite awhile for me to finish it!   I think the worst part was that I had decided to do lots of layers with the image, not realizing that there are three little hearts that hang down off the trumpet.   And when I say little, I mean REALLY little!   I was pretty proud that I actually got them colored, cut out and attached to some nylon iridescent string I had!!   I won’t tell you how long THAT took!

Here’s a picture to show you the actual layers …  I believe this is an EIGHT layer card!!   Is that a record??   

This is the very first card I have ever done where the edges have been distressed!   It was actually lot of fun ~  Although I think I may go out and buy a distressing tool … my fingernail is still sore!  

I even made my own glitter buttons ~ just added some Star Dust Stickles to the back of a transparent button – pretty cool!   The sentiment is computer generated.

I think I’ll give you a break from the Penny Black stamps for awhile!    Well  …  maybe just one more!  :)    Thanks for stopping in today!

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Copics Used:   E000, 00, 04, 07, 08, 09, 11, 50, 51, 53; R11, 20, 39; Y15, 28, 38; RV29; W0, 1, 3, 4, 5, 6

Welcome!   Yesterday was Club Anime’s monthly Sketch Challenge, held each month of the 2nd.   Here’s the Sketch we were to work with …

And here’s my card using one of Club Anime’s newest images ~ Snowman Chick!  

The image has been colored with Copics and cut out and attached with dimensionals.  This gorgeous flock dp is from Bo Bunny.  I also added a small piece of ribbon for Mr. Snowman’s scarf and some Kaiser half pearls in a minty blue color.    The snowflake is from Making Memories.

We hope you will join us for this challenge!    All the details can be found on the Club Anime blog.  

There’s lots of exciting changes happening over at InStyle Stamps!   

First, ISS has a new blog, as I mentioned here.  AND, Virginia has graciously changed the number from 75 to 150 FREE IMAGES!   So, I hope you will take a minute to go check it out and signup for your FREE ISS image.   

Second, Club Anime is now available to the public.   Everyone can view the blog and participate in the challenges. The exclusive images for Club Anime will be available on the 1st of each month but those that are members will get the images first.

Thanks for stopping by today!

I think I used every single Copic marker I have to color this image!!    LOTS of colors ~please see list at the end of this post.   Thank goodness I am able to get my Copics from 7 Kids College Fund  since they have the best prices and selection around!    

This is another from the brand new holiday collection from Penny Black, called SWEET NATIVITY.   My favorite part of this particular image is the adorable faces of the animals peeking their heads out on each side of the image!    

I also can’t tell you enough how impressed I am with this new stamp form they’ve come up with.  It’s called Slapstick ~ if you’re interested, you can read about it on my post from a few days ago – here. 

In case I haven’t mentioned it ~ I just LOVE ALL these new images from Penny Black!!   You can take a peek at the entire collection at 7 Kids.   I also love this dp from Karen Foster Design, called Christmas Ribbons ~ I really love the rich dark colors and tried to color my image to match. 

I, of course, HAD to add some Stickles – in Golden Rod on the star and the star rays in the background.  No Christmas card is complete without some glitter!   I tied some gold metallic string to the side of the card and attached a wooden heart I had in my stash.  

Thanks for stopping today ~  Hope you have a great week!

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Copics Used:   LOTS!!   E000, 00, 01, 11, 25, 27, 29, 30, 31, 33, 37, 40, 41, 43, 44, 50, 51, 53; R000, 11, 14, 20, 39, 46, 59; YR21, 23, 24, 31; YG25, 91, 93, 97; G82, 94, 99; W0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5; N1, 3, 5; Y17, 28; V06, 09; B01, 02

Free Images…..

Hi Everyone!!!

Just a quick post to let you all know that Instyle Stamps has a new Blog …  AND

Virginia is giving the first 75 followers … a FREE DIGI IMAGE OR FREE DIGI PAPER of their choice!!

So head over to ISS blog quickly!    

Aren’t they just the cutest little skaters ever?!!!         This is Tilda and Edwin on Ice  from the Magnolia New Years Collection.   

I’ve colored these cuties with my Copic markers for the Copic Creations Challenge of RED hair.    I love to color Tilda and Edwin with red hair ~  I’ve put together a tutorial on MyMagnolia blog showing the specific Copic colors I generally use, if you are interested.

The paper used for this card is by SEI and called Winter Song – flurry kisses.  I added some die cut snowflakes, embellished with Stickles in Stardust … my favorite!  

I hope you can join us for this challenge ~ all the details can be found here.   One lucky winner will receive a $35.00 Gift Certificate to 7 Kids College Fund!   Be sure to check out all the awesome red-haired cards at the Copic Creations Red Hair challenge. 

Thanks for your time today ~ Hope you’re having a great weekend!

Hugz ~ Mary

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Copics Used:  BG10, 11, 23; R000, 11, 17, 20, 24, 27; E000, 00, 02, 07, 08, 09, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 50, 51, 53, 93; W0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5; C1, 2, 4, 7

Guess what I received in the mail today!!??    Happy Mail!        You may recall a few days ago that I was VERY excited about the new Penny Black holiday stamps??   You can find my post here, in case you missed it.   Needless to say, my stamps arrived today!  

I have to tell you these are really awesome stamps ~ they’re called slapstick stamps.  They are deeply etched red rubber mounted to EZ Mount that has been stamped with the image, which works out great to be able to line up your image.   I really love this new stamp format ~ a great impression on my first try too!

This adorable little girl is called Winter Swing.  I love all the little holiday accessories she’s wearing ~ so typical of little girls at this age.  

The dp used is from a company called ADORNit, Holly Jolly Collection – Shouting Stars (appropriate name!).  I added some Golden Rod Stickles to all the stars.   The ribbon is from my very generous friend America – it was originally red and white stripped, but I used my Y11 Pale Yellow Copic marker to change the white to yellow!   It works really well, AND it also helps to make the ribbon a little stiffer and easier to tie into a bow.  

I know today is Halloween, but I just couldn’t wait to ink up this cutie pie!   I do have a Tilda Halloween card and treat bag today on My Magnolias blog, if you’d like to take a peek!  

Thanks for visiting ~ Hope you have a safe holiday today!   

Hugz ~ Mary

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Copics Used:  YR20, 21, 23, 24, 31; Y00, 11, 15, 17, 38; R000, 11, 20, 29, 46; RV25, 29; YG01, 03, 17; G12; E000, 00, 11, 30, 31, 33, 34, 35, 39, 40, 42, 43, 44, 47, 51