House Mouse Monday ~ You Gotta Have Friends!

HAPPY HOUSE MOUSE MONDAY!! 

 

Hope you had a great weekend.    We’ve got a new challenge today over at the House Mouse & Friends Monday challenge blog ~ You Gotta Have Friends, brought to us by the wonderful, ohhh-so nice and VERY talented Sue Drees from the HM Design Team.    

 

 

Talk about two VERY cozy friends!      I just love this HM stamp, appropriately called Holiday Smooch.     I’ve actually used Distress Inks to paint this one on watercolor paper —  No Copics, except for the gray outlining!!    Can you believe it?!    lol    It’s been awhile since I’ve used this medium and really enjoyed it!   

I hope you have time to take a peek at the House Mouse & Friends Monday challenge Design Team’s  awesome FRIENDS projects, I know you’ll be inspired to join us for this challenge!      

Thanks for visiting today!    Snowman Tuesday tomorrow.   🙂

 SUPPLIES USED:  

• House Mouse ~ Holiday Smooch
• My Minds Eye ~ Lost & Found union square DP
• Strathmore coldpress watercolor paper
• Versafine ~ onyx black ink
• Distress Inks ~ tattered rose, fired brick, aged mahogany, bundled sage, shabby shutters, forest moss, brushed corduroy, tea dye, wild honey, black soot and weathered wood
• Sizzix ~ Flourish, holly & mistletoe die
• My Minds Eye ~ Lost & Found glitter trim
• Stickles ~ xmas red
• Copics:   T1, 3, 5

With Gratitude

 

Hello … again!   With the busy weekend ahead I thought I would share this card with you now.   It’s been awhile since I’ve been able to make a card with an image from my favorite stamp company ~ I Brake for Stamps.    This one is part of a set of four called Birds and Butterflies Collage Sheet.   Each stamp can be purchased separately, if desired.   The image shown above is called Butterfly Rose Collage.    I do have the other three and am hoping to use them on cards VERY soon!     Don’t forget ~ if you’d like any stamps from IBFS ~ use Coupon Code SAVE10MARY for a 10% discount off your order. 

 

 

The image was stamped onto watercolor paper and painted with Tim Holtz Distress Inks ~ antique linen, scattered straw and vintage photo for the flowers; bundled sage and peeled paint for the leaves; pumice stone on the flourishes; and old paper for the background.   

The butterfly was stamped on regular cardstock, colored with Copics, cut out and attached to the main image.  I had done this as a last minute thought and didn’t keep track of the marker colors I used – sorry about that!    Both images were then sprayed with Shimmerz Spritz for a little sparkle.   The paper is from a K&Co paper pad by Tim Coffey.   The ribbon and green braided cord are both from my stash.  

Thanks for stopping by tonight!    Tomorrow I’ll have a brand new Phindy’s Place challenge card ~ hope you can stop back.

Shabby Chic Bunny in the Garden

 

 

 

Floppy Bunny  is a brand new image from an Easter set  just released at I Brake For Stamps. (I can’t wait to color those adorable little bunnies peeking over the hill, also from this set!)    And, don’t forget to use code SAVE10MARY to receive 10% off your entire purchase from I Brake For Stamps. 

As soon as I saw this stamp, I thought she definitely should be watercolored . . .  not sure why!   So Miss Floppy Bunny has been watercolored with Distress Inks on cold-press watercolor paper.   I did a tutorial quite awhile ago for this technique that can be found here  ~  It’s actually a nice break from Copics!    (short-lived, but nice!) 

 

 

I decided that she also would be perfect for the shabby chic style.   So, out came my Tim Holtz Paper Distresser from Tonic Studios and LOTS of Distress ink in Vintage Photo.   The gorgeous vintage flower is from the Prima Ameruse Duchess Mix and the little filigree butterfly charm is from Vintaj Natural Brass Company.   The ribbon is from May Arts and I added some MS glitter from the woodland glitter set to the flower in her hand.   I almost forgot!    The dp is from a K&Co paper pad called Classic K, unfortunately most of it is covered!  

Thanks for stopping by today!    TGIF!!!!    Since Monday is the 1st AGAIN, it’s another double-header – House Mouse Monday AND Copic Creations.  

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Copics Used:   NONE!    😀

Skipping Stones Sketch Challenge ~ An Irish Blessing

 

Hi!   Time for another Sketch Challenge at Skipping Stones Design.   Our Sketch was once again designed by Belinda of Bleu Bella Paperie.  I really love this Sketch and will definitely be saving it to use again.   

 

For my card, I used the Rustic Tiles stamp set from SSD.  

 

When I saw the first tile, it really reminded me of a Celtic Knot design – so, I decided to use it for a St. Patty’s Day card.

 

 

I hope you aren’t tired of seeing my cardz using the new Basic Grey origins paper ~ I really love it!!     The tile was colored with Copics and then edged with Distress Ink in Vintage Photo.   I also used the Spellbinders Shapeabilities Pendants Lattice die to mount the tile on and added a brad from Vintage brads by Creative Charms.   The ribbon is from an awesome package of goodies I received from my dear friend America.   The sentiment is computer generated.

 

 

The inside of the card is one of my favorite Irish Blessings, also computer generated …

 

 

Here’s a closeup, if you would like to read it:

 

 

Be sure to stop over at the Skipping Stones’ blog to check out all the amazing cards by the Design Team – a/k/a The Stamp Tramps!   I hope you will give this Sketch a try!   

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Copics Used:   G24, 40;  YG11, 67;  W3     (Wow, not too many!)     😀

Oopsy Daisy Tilda!

 

This really has to be one of my (many!) favorite Tilda images.  She just look sooo sweet and innocent ~ personally, I’m still having issues with her wearing heels on some of the newer stamps!  lol    The stamp is from the A Little Yummy For Your Tummy Collection ~ Oops Tilda.

 

 

Tilda was colored with Copics, cut out and attached with dimensionals to another stamped piece of cardstock which was highlighted with Distress Ink in Dried Marigold.   The DP used is from the Basic Grey Nook & Pantry 6×6 paper pad, which I thought would work well with this  computer-generated sentiment …

 

 

Thanks for stopping by today.   Hope you’re having a good week.

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Copics Used:   R000,01, 02,05,08, 17, 20, 27, 30;  E000, 00, 01, 11, 30,31, 33, 35, 37, 41, 42; W0, 1, 3

Steps on how I cut out and highlight images for my cardz

I’ve been asked by several people about the steps I take to both cut out my images and how the highlighting is done behind the images and on the edges of the die cut background.    Soooo, here you go!    🙂

I’m probably including too much information, but I have this ritural I follow for most of my cardz and thought I would share each step.    Hopefully, you can just skip over the unneeded info and find what you might be interested in.   AND, I’m asking Santa for a video recorder for Christmas!!   I think it will make these tutorials VERY much easier!!   

1.   The first thing I do when creating a card is to choose my papers, so I can match the colors in the DP to the Copic markers I use.   Obviously, this isn’t a necesary step for this tutorial.  

This little cutie is Vanessa from InStyle Stamps Club Anime – already colored with Copics.   I’ve printed the image twice – once to color and the other will be the mounted background shape.  

(I generally use a Spellbinders Nestabilities die  for my background shapes, but unfortunately, I really wanted to attach Vanessa to a heart shape and she was a bit too large for the Spellbinder hearts, so this heart shape will not have any embossing on the edges.)  

2.  The other supplies needed are a good pair of scissors  (these are very cool Squishy Scissors from Marvy Uchida);  Ink for highlighting – I generally use Tim Holtz Distress inks;  a small rectangle – about 1 1/2 inch by 3/4 inch piece of  Inkssential Cut-n-Dry Stamp Pad Felt from Ranger   (This really is my FAVORITE material for a smooth, even highlight); and a permanent black marker.  (Since the marker is used for the edges of the cut image, I don’t use my Copics for this part.  I’ve found out the hard way that it can damage the tips!)

3.   To make my detailed cutting a little easier to get to, I cut roughly around the image about a  1/4 to 1/2 inch.

4.   I guess  because I’m right-handed, I always begin cutting on the right side of my image, always beginning with the most difficult cuts. 

 

5.  I cut as close to the outside of the black line as possible, moving both the scissors and image as I’m cutting.   This always reminds me of peeling apples for PIE!   I usually end up with one long connected piece –  since you are never really taking a full cut, just moving the scissors around your image.    (Yikes!   I hope that makes sense!    Once I get a video recorder, I will try to redo this to actually show you this “in motion”!)

6.  Now, time for that black permanent marker – Carefully run the side of the marker around the edges of the entire cut image.   This just makes your cutting look cleaner –  yes, there is a word for people like me!   🙂 

7.  On to uncolored background image.   My first step is to use one of the Gray Copics to add some shading around this image.   I used W3 here.

I usually take my Colorless Blender pen to soften this line so it doesn’t appear too harsh.

8.   Since I will be attaching the cut image with Pop It!  Dots, I color the outer sections so that when the card is viewed at a side angle you will see a colored image rather than the white uncolored one.   (yep, that word again!)

9.   Finally time to sponge the background of the shaped image.  

I do this in a light circular motion – I start out directly on the image – since the first touch to the paper generally is darker.  

Just keep lightly going around the image always starting from this point – always in a circular motion, until you achieve the desired level of color.   If you need to pick up more ink on your piece of felt, start again from the center of the image.     

If you look closely, you can see the darker “starter points” on the center of the image –  Don’t worry, these will be covered with your cut image!

10.  And  to add color to the edges of your shaped image –

If I’m using a different color, I just use the other end of my piece of felt.  

It’s best to have a piece of scrap paper under your image for this step. 

This time, I begin my ink actually on the scrap paper, holding my shaped image tightly with my left hand.  

Put your inked felt straight down onto the scrap paper and pull it up and over onto your shaped image, continuing around the entire shape in this same motion.   Again, always starting lightly and going over the area again if a darker color is desired.   

I always keep turning my shaped paper rather than the inked felt around the edge, so the ink impression flows in the same direction.     (Somebody REALLY needs a manicure!) 

11.   That’s it for the highlighting!   

Now, just apply those Pop It! Dots to your cut image and stick it onto your highlighted, shaped image.

12.   And she’s ready to be made into a card!!      Pretty easy, right?!    

Here’s a link to the completed card.    Thanks for stopping by for this lonnnnnnnnnnnnng tutorial!   If you have any questions – please don’t hesitate to ask.    And, hopefully, if Santa brings me a video recorder, I can redo this whole thing and it might make more sense!!    lol

It’s beginning to look a LOT like Christmas …

 

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

InStyle Stamps Blog Hop

 

Yay!  It’s time for another Instyle Stamps Blog Hop  AND time to start thinking about Thanksgiving!   

Thanksgiving really is my favorite holiday …  LOTS of food & friends AND NO gifts required!   We always have LOTS of guests for Thanksgiving dinner – the more the merrier.   I buy a HUGE turkey and make all the trimmings, especially desserts ~ my favorite!

I’m sure you all have heard of, or experienced the infamous “kids” table!  I usually try to make some type of fun goodies for those destined for this table.   This year, InStyle Stamps made my job a little easier!   

Meet William and Virgina!  The newest ISS images … Mr. & Mrs. Pilgrim!   

 

 

 

 

I thought it would be fun to use these adorable pilgrim images as placecards for the kids’ table for Thanksgiving!  

Each image was colored with Copics, cut out and attached to my pre-made placecard.   The placecards are made with Bo Bunny burnt orange dot dp for the background, with a piece of Reminisce Turkey Trot dp.  The name tags are cut out with Spellbinders Nestability Labels Six dies (my new favorite dies!!) and have been highlighted with Distress inks in vintage photo and dried marigold.  I also added some self-adhesive “nail heads” to the name tag.  

And,  now on to all the details of this month’s Blog Hop ~  

PLEASE be sure to check out ALL the Pilgrim themed projects from the ISS Design Team… 

We are also, once again, having a contest ~ make sure you head on over to the InStyle Stamps Blog to vote for your favorite project!   The DT member who gets the most votes will win a prize … and YOU can WIN A PRIZE JUST FOR VOTING!!   The contest will remain open until 11:59pm EST on Saturday, October 31st, and winners will be announced on Sunday.  

Here’s a list of the blog hop participants in order:

Kim http://www.craftsbykim.blogspot.com/

Piali http://touchofcreation.blogspot.com/

Joy http://daiseyfreak.blogspot.com/

Virginia http://paperyumness.blogspot.com/

Raquel http://raqode7.blogspot.com/

me!  https://mycardz.wordpress.com

Maylee http://mayleescreativecorner.blogspot.com/

Jodi-Ann http://inkedinspirations.blogspot.com/

Lysa http://lysaq.blogspot.com/

Melissa http://mmedesigns.blogspot.com/

So, if you’re following along  …   your next stop is the super talented Maylee.    And, don’t forget to stop back at the ISS blog to vote for your favorite DT member project!    

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Copics Used:   E000, 00,01,11, 21, 30, 31, 33, 34, 35, 37, 39, 50, 51; R000, 11, 20, 30; YR23, 24, 31; Y17, 21, 28; B23, 24; W1, 2, 3, 4, 5; C1, 2, 4, 7

Eeeeeeeek (again) more recipes!

As promised, Part 2 of the HM recipe card collection! 🙂   Yup…SIX of these tooo!

This post will be very short & sweet…I’ve got LOTS of challenges due this week, so be sure to stay tuned!   

Carrots anyone?     🙂

Eeek! House Mouse Chili & Beans!

 

House Mouse Chili!

Yum!   🙂     I joined a House Mouse Recipe card swap over at SCS.  We were to make a 6×6 recipe card using HM image. …    times SIX!

Six recipe cardz

Phew, that was ALOT of work!   Each one is watercolored using Distress Inks.  The image I chose was too large to also include a recipe…so I decided to make a pocket for the actual recipe.  Stay tuned…I still have a set of dessert recipe cardz to make!!

Kidney Beans!

Hope you’re having a GREAT weekend!

House Mouse Challenge No 37 ~ Moving

Happy House Mouse Monday!!    

Our challenge this week is ~ Moving!!

Please make a card or gift for someone who is moving to a new home/job or make a gift for someone who has just moved to your area – these are just some ideas as to what you could do but please feel free to interpret ‘moving’ as you wish.

Our sponsor this week is…………

 

For my card I used the stamp called Welcome Guests.  I actually used this stamp before for HM Challenge No. 15 ~ Polka Dots using a winter scene.  I decided to change it to a SPRING scene this time by adding green grass and some Flower Soft  to the trees.  The sentiment is computer generated.

Welcome Guests

I hope you are able to join us in the fun challenge, be sure to upload your card to the HM Challenge blog  AND stop by to see all the amazing creations by the very talented HM Design Team.

 

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 Stamps:  Stampabilities, Welcome Guests

Paper:  Neenah, Solar white cs;

             My Mind’s Eye, dp;

            Bazzill, blue & tan cs            

Ink:     Memento, black;

            Distress, broken china 

Accessories:  Computer generated sentiment;

                      Flower Soft, heather;  Candy dots,

                     Colored with Copics; Misc. ribbon;

                     Accent Depot daisy brads; Pop it Dots                                       

Copics:   B12, B23, B32, B45, E00, E31, E33, E35, E43, E50,

                   E51, E53, E57, E77, Y28, Y38, YR00

Another relaxing mouse! :)

One thing is certainly for sure ~  these House Mouse guys sure do know how to enjoy life!   Floating along with a flower to shade you or lying on a branch of lilacs … I could sooooo be there!!   This little cutie is Mr. Maxwell, the stamp is called In a Nutshell.  Colored this one with Tim Holtz Distress Inks.  I love these inks!!    I hope you have had a chance to see all the colors carried by 7 Kids College Fund.

In a Nutshell

The sentiment is from PTI‘s new Wishing You set.  He seemed pretty peaceful to me ~ not a care in the world!  

Peace

I hope you are having a peaceful and relaxing weekend!   Don’t forget to stop back on Monday for a new challenge for House Mouse Monday!!    🙂

House Mouse Challenge No. 35 ~ Get Well

 

A bandaid always helps!

Happy House Mouse Monday!! 

Looks like Mr. Mouse may have a tummy ache ~ but, of course, a bandaid always makes everything feel better!   🙂   FYI,  I used a REAL bandaid for this!  Stamped with Stazon ink and cut to fit.  I like things to be authentic!!

Our challenge this week is a Get Well project.  The stamp used is called Healit Bandages by Stampabilities, dated 1988 ~ I used my Distress inks  to color these guys, and added a computer generated sentiment to the image. 

I do love the embossed flowers on this card~ they are from 7 Kids College Fund ~ Assorted Brights Obsession Embossed Flowers by Prima.  7 Kids has a great selection of these flowers in every color of the rainbow, and as always, at a VERY affordable price!  

Hope you're on the mend

Healit Bandages

Thank you for stopping by today and  I hope you are able to join us for this challenge, and I also hope you can take a few minutes to check out all the always awesome DT members’ Get Well creations at the House Mouse Challenge blog.    

Have a great week….and don’t foget Friday is May 1st, time for a new Copic Creations challenge!    🙂

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Stamps:  Stampabilities, Healit Bandages, 1988   

     

Paper:  Neenah, Solar white cs;

             My Mind’s Eye dp;

            Bazzill, red & orange

               

Ink:     Memento, black;

            Distress, various

 

Accessories:  Computer generated sentiment;

                      Spellbinders Nestabilities,Curved Rectanles;

                     Diamond Glaze; Red embossed flowers by Prima;

                    Brads from my stash; Bobbin Ribbon

                                          

Copics:   Lettering – R46

House Mouse Challenge No. 34 ~ Springtime!

Mmmmmmm.....Lilacs

Happy House Mouse Monday!   Our challenge for this week was chosen by the super talented Carolyn Bounds ~ Springtime! 

I LOVE all the aromatherapy in the air in the spring!  We used to have two lilac bushes with an apple tree in the middle of them… when they were all in bloom I would just stand there and smell  ~  Mmmmmmmmmmm…my personal piece of Heaven!      🙂

 

 As you can see, for some dimension, I added lavendar Flowersoft to the lilacs, which can be found at 7 Kids College Fund  in LOTS of colors.

Thanks Carolyn for an awesome challenge.  Hope you are able to join us this week for Carolyn‘s House Mouse challenge.   Don’t forget to take a peek at all the gorgeous creations by the entire House Mouse Challenge Design Team!   Thanks for stopping by and Happy Monday!    🙂

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Stamps:  Stampabilities, Lilac Bouquet

     

Paper:  Neenah, Solar white cs;

             My Mind’s Eye, Wild Asparagus dp;

            Bazzill, light purple & light blue cs

               

Ink:     Versifine, black

            Distress, tea dye, frayed burlap, vintage photo, faded jeans, peeled paint

 

Accessories:  Computer generated inside sentiments;

                      Spellbinders Nestabilities, Large Deckled Mega Rectangles;

                     Flower Soft; Dew drops; ribbon; Pop it Dots; EK Swirl Punches

                                          

Copics;  W3, W4 & YG03

Attention Wine Connoisseurs!

Friends of ours are real wine connoisseurs….wine of the month clubbers,  wine cellar in their home ~ the whole nine yards!  Soooooo, when I found this awesome set of stamps by Stamps Happen from their new line for 2009, I couldn’t resist ~ especially since the stamps produced by this company are always very detailed and so well-made.   (Here are links to a few other cards I previously made with Stamps Happen stamps… Guess How Much I Love You, True Love & Don’t Worry…Bee Happy!)

You can check out the ENTIRE collection of Stamps Happen  rubber stamps at Janlynn ~ they have an amazing selection of stamps and accessories!  

As you can see, I put each stamped and Distress ink colored image (Distress ink  coloring tutorial can be found here) into a frame for a collage grouping as a gift for our friends.   Here are some closeup views: 

Cabernet

 

Merlot

Chardonnay

I also made a set of blank note cards using the same stamps to go along with the framed images…

Merlot card

Here’s the entire gift set, along with a bottle of vino’, of course!   I’m planning to get a basket with a few other treats to present the gift package.  🙂

Gift set

 

I hope you can take a peek at these stamps at Janlynn’s site, they have a HUGE selection…I know you’ll be impressed! 

Thank you for dropping in today!   And, as always ~ TGIF!!!!!!    Woooo Hooooo!!!   (It’s been ANOTHER long week!)

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Supplies Used:   Stamps Happen Cabernet, Merlot & Chardonnaystamps; Versifine black pigment ink; Tim Holtz Distress inks; Watercolor paper; Watercolor brush; Bazzill cs; Green Tree Gallery frames