House Mouse LOVE

Shopping our Stash has a challenge out there that is all about "crazy for coloring".   I am crazy for coloring . . . but most of my coloring (90%) is with House Mouse images.  I am obsessed with them. 

How obsessed?

A friend and I buy and collect stamps all year . . . talking and comparing notes, praying we will not double-buy.

Once a year, we get together, bring our stamps . . . we stamp onto watercolor paper with Versafine, emboss with clear embossing powder, and we do about three images for each of us . . . or is it two.  I don't know, but my collection of images to color just grows and grows.  We have a scheduled date coming up to stamp away . . . just one week from Thanksgiving!  We also have containers with pre-stamped images stored . . . and ready to color.

So I pulled one for this challenge.  

This time around I colored using distress inks . . . sometimes I use watercolors or water color markers.  I like to switch it up.  What you can't see in the photo is the shimmer . . . I ran over those flowers with a shimmer liquid. 

So yep . . . I'm crazy, and crazy for coloring. 

Supplies Used - You Inspire Me

Stamps:  Label Love (Altenew); Painted Pansies House Mouse (Stampendous)

Ink: Versafine Black Onyx; Distress Inks for Watercolor (Ranger); Black (Hero Arts); Clear Embossing Powder (Ranger);

Paper:  Tangerine Tango (Stampin' Up); Solar White (Neenah); Canson Watercolor;

Accessories:  Spectrum Noir Clear Overlay

Sometimes Life Is . . .

I'm a huge fan of sequins . . . hope they never go out of style.  I played around with this week's challenge at Stamp Ink Paper, and it was sequins all the way for this one.  

This was a bit tedious, but a few years back I had recalled a card where negative space was filled with sequins, so I wanted to give it a shot.  It was a fun technique.  

Here's hoping you find some time to create today! 

Debbie

Supplies Used - Just the Pits

Stamps and Dies:  Cherry Dies (The Stamps of Life), cherries2stamp (The Stamps of Life)

Ink & Embossing:  Licorice (The Stamps of Life)

Paper:  Solar White (Neenah) and Life in Color (Simple Stories)

Other:   Mossy Green and Raspberry Sequins (Pretty Pink Posh)

Hello, Baby!

This is one of my go-to stamps for baby cards.  Created this card with Stamp Ink Paper as the inspiration.  This bear is so darn adorable. 

I hope you find some time to create! 

Cheers! 

Debbie

Supplies Used - Hello Baby

Stamps:  Baby Bear (Stampin' Up)

Ink: Pool Party, Marina Mist Night of Navy, Basic Black (Stampin' Up)

Paper:  Pool Party and Whisper White (Stampin' Up); scrap of pattern paper from my scrap stash

Accessories:  Whisper White Ribbon (Stampin' Up); Sequins (Pretty Pink Posh);

Dimension w/Layering

I was inspired to create a card with dimension, without using foam tape at the Try Stampin' On Tuesday challenge.  My favorite way to do that is just simply by layering.  The key to dimension can be the product used.  So I used a shaped die and a fairly intricate die, some glitter paper, and then added a layer of vellum, die cut sentiment and sequins for even more dimension.  

 I actually used the negative pieces of the die, not the positive.  And since they were cut with glitter paper, they really pop. 

The sentiment includes a die cut word, and and embossed sentiment, and this is layered on stop of the card, and then sequins. 

I will say, funnest part of this card was fitting all those negative pieces on the card base.  It was like a puzzle. 

I hope you find some time to create today! 

Supplies Used - Love You Forever and a Day

Stamps and Dies:  Scallop Heart Fold-its Die (Sizzix); Love Statement Stamp Set and Die (The Stamps of Life); Vellum (Graffix)

Ink & Embossing:  Black Onyx (Versafine); 

Paper: Powdered Sugar and Licorice Cardstock (The Stamps of Life); Strawberry Glitter Paper (The Stamps of Life);

Other: Sparkling Clear Sequins (Pretty Pink Posh);

Oh Scrap!

I was inspired by the challenge at Stamp Ink Paper to use up scraps.  I'm one of those crazies that can't get rid of scraps.  And I'm a scrapbooker, which means when I create a layout, I'm inundated with loads of scraps of pattern paper that I just can't part with.  I try to immediately cut them into card size pieces and create something so I'm not storing them.  I'll tuck them into a bag and pull them out later to play around.  These four cards came from one such adventure.

As you look at them, you'll see the same patterns were used across the board.  I will usually grab some of the bigger pieces to create some front panels and set them aside.  From there it's all about cutting them up! 

For the first two cards, I maximized the use of dies.  

For this first one, I die cut the many pattern papers into flowers and layered them into the corner and up one side of my card.  I love the dimension and simplicity. 

 And this next one was all dies . . . no stamping (except that sentiment). 

No stamping (except that sentiment). 

 

For these next too . . . no stamping anywhere.  I took advantage of sentiment that was in the paper scraps.  Just a quilt background and some circle and scallop dies on this one . . .

 And I love the super simple look of this next one . . .

Layers of paper with a border die . . . that was it.  The sentiment was one of those tape runners! 

Great way to use up scraps. 

I hope you find some time to create today! 

Supplies Used - Your Friendship

Stamps:  Sentiment (The Stamps of Life)

Ink: Licorice (The Stamps of Life)

Paper:  Powdered Sugar Cardstock (The Stamps of Life), Pattern Papers (Kiwi Lane)

Accessories:  Sparkling Clear Sequins (Pretty Pink Posh)

Supplies Used - Hello, Penny for Your Thoughts

Stamps:  piggybank2stamp (The Stamps of Life)

Ink: Black (Hero Arts)

Paper:  Solar White (Neenah); Pattern Papers (Kiwi Lane); Gold Glitter Paper (Best Creation); Licorice Cardstock (The Stamps of Life)

Accessories:  Piggy Bank Die Set and Notebook Edge and Hello Dies (The Stamps of Life)

Supplies Used - Thank You

Ink: Vintage Photo (Ranger Distress)

Paper:  Desert Storm Cardstock (Neenah); Pattern Papers (Kiwi Lane)

Accessories:  Sparkling Clear; Marshmallow and Sand Sequin (Pretty Pink Posh); Scallop and Circle Dies (Sizzix)

  

Supplies Used - Hello

Paper:  Sky Cardstock (The Stamps of Life); Solar White (Neenah); Pattern Paper (Kiwi Lane)

Accessories:  Hello Sentiment Tape; Sparkling Clear Sequins (Pretty Pink Posh); Chevron Die (The Stamps of Life); Sweet Sora Collection Decorative Tape Runner Hello (SEI)

Seahorse Inspired

I was inspired to create a card by the If You Give A Crafter a Cookie challenge.  Interestingly enough, I had a stamp set that was part of my collection that was calling my name, but was also from a class that I never got around to taking.  When I saw that seahorse cookie, I had to go dig the set out. 

So here is my card . . .

 Fun set to play with.  And glad I was inspired to pull out the set and dig into the class. 

Cheers, and hope you find some time to create. 

Debbie

Supplies Used - Just Fishing For Some News

Stamps and Dies:  Fish2Stamp and Under the Sea Stamps and Dies (The Stamps of Life); Dotted Tags and Scallop Rectangle Dies (Sizzix);

Ink & Embossing:  Green Apple, Ocean, Tangerine, Kiwi, Sky and Licorice Ink (The Stamps of Life);

Paper: Powdered Sugar, Glossy White, Green Apple Cardstock (The Stamps of Life);

Other: Twine (The Stamps of Life); Sparkling Clear Sequins (Pretty Pink Posh)

Something New for Cards in Envy

Pulled out one of my newest stamp sets or the Cards in Envy challenge.  I love a good border stamp, an this one was fun to play with . . . in lots of colors. 

 Love black and white with pops of color. 

I hope you find some time to create today.

Debbie

Supplies Used - Sending Good Vibes

Stamps and Dies:  Good Vibes Border Stamps (Catherine Pooler Designs)

Ink & Embossing:  Coral Cabana, Limoncello, Lime Ricky, Grape Crush, Aquatini and Midnight (Catherine Pooler Inks); Versamark and White Embossing Powder (Wow);

Paper: Black Cardstock (Bazzill); Premium White Cardstock (Catherine Pooler)

Other:  Colorful Confetti Sequins (Simon Says Stamp)

Shaker Card for Shopping Our Stash

I was inspired to create a shaker card at the Shopping Our Stash challenge this week.  I absolutely LOVE shaker cards, so it was fun to play along.  I went with a Halloween theme, because the earlier I create a Halloween card, the better. 

The colors in the sequins were my inspiration.  Love cats!  Love dogs!  Love shakers!  

I hope you find some time to create today. 

Debbie

Supplies Used - Boo to You

Stamps:  Critters4Halloween Stamp Set (The Stamps of Life); Grid 2 Dies (The Stamps of Life)

Ink: Licorice Cardstock (The Stamps of Life); Acetate (The Stamps of Life)

Paper:  Boysenberry and Black Licorice Cardstock (My Favorite Things); Solar White (Neenah)

Accessories:  Trick or Treat Mix Sequins (Pretty Pink Posh)

Gingerbread Squad

So addicted to my stash of stuff, and Addicted to Stamps and More inspired me to create a Christmas card this week. 

Here is my card . . .

I'm not always into stamping and fussy cutting, but my little gingerbread guys needed to pop off this card.  

So loving that pattern paper and those little die cut guys.  I hope you find some time to create today. 

Debbie

Supplies Used - Gingerbread Squad

Stamps and Dies:  Christmas Squad Stamps (Simon Says Stamp)

Ink & Embossing:  Rockin' Red and Midnight (Catherine Pooler Inks)

Paper: Solar White and Desert Storm (Neenah); Milk and Cookies Paper (Doodlebug);

Other: Diamond Stickles (Ranger); White Signo Uniball Gel Pen

House Mouse on Kraft

Been so busy that it's been hard to post.  But the other night I put this House Mouse card together, as it is officially Christmas in July at House Mouse & Friends Monthly Challenge.  I love to stamp and color on kraft cardstock.  It does have it's challenges, as I was using distress inks to watercolor, which means you need to use very little water. 

Here is my end result . . . 

Supplies Used - House Mouse Holiday Wreath - NEEDS PAPER

Stamps:  Wreath Kiss (House Mouse)

Ink: Versafine Black Onyx Ink; various Ranger Distress Inks used for watercolor of image

Paper:  Desert Storm Cardstock (Neenah) and pattern paper from my stash of scraps

Accessories:  Sparkling Clear Sequins (Pretty Pink Posh); Clear Embossing Powder (Ranger)

Summer-ish Challenges

I've been trying to draw inspiration from challenges and have two to share today.  This first one is for TGIF Challenges, and had the element of "summer heat embossing."  Here is the card I created . . .

The stamping of the pineapple was heat embossed, as was the sentiment.  And nothing says summer like a pineapple in sunglasses. 

My second cards took inspiration from CAS(E) this Sketch.  Here is the sketch . . .

And here is my card . . .

I do struggle with one layer cards, but I gave it my best shot for this one.  Included some sparkly embossing to make it pop.  

I hope you had some time to create today. 

Debbie

Supplies Used - Happy Birthday to One Fineapple

Stamps and Dies: pineapple2stamp and pineapple2stamp dies (The Stamps of Life);

Ink & Embossing:  Versamark, Versafine, White Embossing Powder (Wow), Clear Embossing Powder (Ranger);

Paper: Cardstock and Pattern Paper(March Card Kit from The Stamps of Life)

Other:  Twine and Heart Epoxy (March Card Kit from The Stamps of Life)

Supplies Used - You Had Me At Aloha

Stamps and Dies:  Tropically Yours Stamps (Catherine Pooler Designs);

Ink & Embossing:  Coral Cabana, Limoncello, Lime Ricky, and Aquatini and Midnight Ink (Catherine Pooler Inks); Versamark; Wanderlust Embossing Powder (Wow)

Paper: Premium White Cardstock (Catherine Pooler)

Stay Cool Beachy Dude

I had so much fun creating this card, exploring techniques using Distress Oxide inks, and creating a beach scene for a few challenges including Try Stampin' on Tuesday and this week's challenge at StampNation. 

So first, my card . . .

=

I used Neenah Desert Storm cardstock, and started by layering the distress oxide inks over a stencil.  I love that these inks layer.  I then created the torn strip at the bottom . . . prompted by Try Stampin' on Tuesday's challenge, ran some versamark over it, and used Sand Dune EP from Wow to creates my sand.  I popped this over the stenciled piece.

For my dog, I stamped on the same Neenah Desert Storm, embossed the outline, and then used the distress oxide inks to watercolor.
 

Look at that little dude standing on the sand.  And what's really cool . . . those sunglasses . . .

This was a fun card.  I would definitely try this technique with distress oxides on kraft cardstock again. 

I hope you were able to create today. 

Debbie

Supplies Used - Stay Cool

Stamps and Dies: Dog Days of Summer Stamp (Newton's Nook);

Ink & Embossing:  Squeezed Lemonade, Fossilized Amber, Spiced Marmalade, Abandoned Coral, Twisted Citron, Peacock Feathers, Salty Ocean, Mermaid Lagoon, Gathered Twigs Distress Oxide Inks (Ranger); Midnight (Catherine Pooler); Versamark; Sand Dune EP (Wow);

Paper: Desert Storm (Neenah); Midnight (Catherine Pooler)

Other: Sunscape Stencil (Newton's Nook); Blueprint Sketch Distress Stain and Glossy Accents (Ranger);

Tropically Yours for Freshly Made Sketches

Loved the sketch this week at Freshly Made Sketches!  And here is my creation using new stamps and dies that arrived on my doorstep Friday.

I do love the CAS look of this card . . . not to mention black and white with a pop of color!

I hope you fine some time to create today.

Debbie

Supplies Used - Tropically Yours

Stamps and Dies:  Leave Me In Paradise Stamp and Dies, Tropically Yours Stamps (Catherine Pooler Designs);

Ink and Embossing:  Aquatini, Lime Ricky, Coral Cabana and Midniht Ink (Catherine Pooler)

Paper: Premium White Cardstock and Black Tie Gala Pattern Paper (Catherine Pooler Designs)

Other: Golden Sunset Glitter Drops (Nuvo)

Wishing You Joy for SOS

Christmas in July! That is the challenge at Shopping Our Stash this week.  I definitely can play along with that. 

I love stamping on kraft colored cardstock.  I stamped my image with white pigment ink first, and then I shifted my cardstock a bit and stamped with the green.  It gives the tree some pop.  I did the same for my sentiment.  

I hope you find some time to create today. 

Debbie

Supplies Used - Wishing You Joy

Stamps and Dies:  Sketched Evergreens (Altenew)

Ink & Embossing:  White Pigment Ink (Simon Says Stamp); Spruce (Catherine Pooler); Versamark; White EP (Wow!);

Paper: Desert Storm (Neenah); Real Red (Stampin' Up)

Other: Classic Christmas Sequins (Pretty Pink Posh)

Love the Mouse

The challenge at House-Mouse Friends . . . SUMMER! 

And this little guy is enjoying his summer . . . 

Love this little guy! 

Not so interesting, but I dropped my watercolor brush onto my painted surface, which then meant I needed to cut my image out.  It worked out fine, because I created a water source for him and plopped him right down after cutting. 

I do hope you find some time to create today.

Debbie

Supplies Used - Oh Joy

Stamps and Dies:  Daisy Float (House Mouse Designs/Stampendous); Oh Joy die (The Stamps of Life)

Ink & Embossing:  Onyx Black Versafine Ink; Clear Embossing Powder (Ranger); Various Ranger Distress Inks for watercolor

Paper:  Canson Watercolor Paper, Cardstock and Pattern Paper from The Stamps of Life March Card Kit

Other:  Sparkling Clear Sequins (Pretty Pink Posh); Clear Wink of Stella

Watercolor Background for Just Us Girls

A watercolor background for Just Us Girls.  I adore this stamp set from Catherine Pooler Designs.  It was from a past Stamp of Approval release.

Not sure I love the glitter embossing powder, but I still adore that stamp set.  

I hope you find some time to create today.

Debbie

Supplies Used - You Rock My World

Stamps and Dies:  The World Awaits (Catherine Pooler Designs)

Ink & Embossing:  Be Mine, Flirty Fuchsia and All That Jazz  (Catherine Pooler Inks); Versamark; Neptune Embossing Powder (Wow!)

Paper: Premium White Cardstock (Catherine Pooler); Ocean Glitter Paper (The Stamps of Life); Watercolor Paper (Close To My Heart);

Other: Sparkling Clear Sequins (Pretty Pink Posh)

Fun Creation for Fusion

Hi all! 

Tried to keep my colors and sketch true to theme.Here is the inspiration for this Fusion Challenge. 

The challenge . . .

Here is my card . . .

Tried to get artsy with this one . . . some watercolor, and some embossing, and tried to stay close to the colors in the sketch (which is likely a stretch).  

 I do love how this one turned out. 

I hope you find some time to create.

Debbie

Supplies Used - Thanks

Stamps and Dies:  Crafty Friend Stamp Set (Simon Says Stamp)

Ink & Embossing:  Versamark; Black Embossing Powder (Stampendous); Daniel Smith Watercolors;

Paper: Audrey Blue and White Cardstock (Simon Says Stamp); Licorice Cardstock (The Stamps of Life); I'd Rather Be Crafting (Echo Park); Watercolor Paper (Close To  My Heart);

Other: Lemon Enamel Accents (Ranger)

Quote Inspired at Time Out

A very simple card for the Time Out challenge this week.  I used supplies from a very old kit in my stash.  The quote that inspired the card . . .


.

Very true story in that quote.

 

 I love being able to pull out old supplies to create.  

And I hope you found some time to create today.  

Debbie

Supplies Used - Smile and Be Happy

Stamps and Dies:  Happy and Smile (Simon Says Stamp)

Ink & Embossing:  Black (Hero Arts)

Paper: Cardstock (Simon Says Stamp and American Crafts; Sunkissed (Doodlebug)

Other: Sparkling Clear Sequins (Pretty Pink Posh); Epoxy Sticker (Doodlebug); Dot Stickers (Pebbles)

Christmas in July for SIP Challenge

Last week I was creating an Easter card . . . this week Christmas.  I love stamping "off" holiday cards.   This one was for Stamp Ink Paper, whose challenge this week was Christmas in July. 

 I created my watercolor background first, and then tried to be sure that my images were just as muted as that red and green background.  My distress markers were the best match for the Color Burst watercolor background. 

I added some sparkle with some Stickles . . . snow must have sparkle. 

I hope you find some time to create today. 

Debbie

Supplies Used - Happy Holidays

Stamps and Dies:  A Star is Born (Impression Obsession); Short and Sweet Sayings (Close To My Heart)

Ink & Embossing:  Pthalo Green, Alizaria Crimson and Sepia Color Burst (Ken Oliver); Zig Black Marker; Barn Door, Evergreen Bough Wild Honey and Walnut Stain Distress Markers (Ranger);

Paper: Solar White (Neenah); Watercolor Paper (Canson);

Other: Diamond Stickles (Ranger)