Waltzingmouse Blog Party - and a little ramble...

I can't believe June is already more than 1/2 over!!  It's the last week of school here, and truthfully, it couldn't come at a better time - we're all EXHAUSTED! lol.  However, it will still be busy, as the kids will head to camp, and I will still be heading to work every day.

At the last minute, I got to whip up something simple and fast for today's blog party (or I guess yesterday's, but I'll get in RIGHT under the wire, lol.

Here's the inspiration photo:

And here's what I did with it:

I told you it was simple and quick!  But -- I do love the color combo, which is primarily what I used from the inspiration photo.  A few little orange gems adorn the sentiment (I get it from my friend Pam, she understands, lol) That bottom chevron looks black, but it is indeed dark gray *sigh*.  Thanks for popping by today - glad I got to play!

Now -- the ramble.  My older daughter is a bit shy, ok, she REALLY shy, but more than that, she's not the "stick up for herself" type of girl - and when adversity is in her path...she'll usually run the other way.  BUT - about a year and a half ago, she began martial arts training.  WHAT a difference in her confidence, and self esteem!  It's something she KNOWS she's good at - and she enjoys it.  This past weekend, she competed for the first time, and though it was not the ideal situation (nothing went according to plan) my "old" daughter would have freaked out - and decided not to do it.  My "new" daughter got up there - and though not perfect, did it.  She did it, and she did it with a loud kiyap (a loud yell) and essentially said "That's right -- I'm here, and I'm going to DO THIS".  My heart raced, and filled with pride for my little girl who is getting so big and brave.  

Until next time...

Smokey Shadow Cardstock - Papertrey Ink	Compact Sentiments Part 2 - Walztingmouse Stamps	Hawaiian Shores Cardstock - Papertrey Ink	Orange Zest Cardstock - Papertrey Ink
Fresh Snow Ink Pad - Papertrey Ink	Chevron Border Dies - Papertrey Ink

InLinkz.com

WMSC 100!

There's a celebration going on over at the Waltzing Mouse Sketch Challenge blog.  This week marks their 100th sketch!  I wound up unexpectedly being home today, so I got a chance to play along :)

Here's the sketch:

And here's my take:

I turned it on it's side, and gave it a manly look...and speaking on manly...that's my handsome hubs on that wanted poster.  Of course, not the GREATEST photo of him, but he's a bit pesky when the camera is out ;).  I used my tea dye cubes A LOT to try and get this messied up, in a good way.

If I *could* have a party for my husband (we have a mutual understanding, I do not throw him any parties, and he can throw as many for me as he likes ;) ha ha ha) I think it would be fun to do invites like these...we're in a Fife and Drum Corps that dresses like cowboys...so while we're not the REAL deal, it's fun to play dress up, though I think he'd fit right in, he loves horses, and looks great in jeans and a cowboy hat.

Thanks for stopping by today -- make it a great one!

Supplies:

Back in the Saddle - Waltzingmouse Stamps	Way Out West - Waltzingmouse Stamps	Kraft Cardstock - Papertrey Ink	Kraft Ink Pad - Papertrey Ink
Dark Chocolate Cardstock - Papertrey Ink	Dark Chocolate Ink Pad - Papertrey Ink	Soft Stone Cardstock - Papertrey Ink	Soft Stone Ink Pad - Papertrey Ink
Smokey Shadow Cardstock - Papertrey Ink	Smokey Shadow Ink Pad - Papertrey Ink	Vintage Touch Tea Dye Duo - Papertrey Ink	Mat Stack 4 Die - Papertrey Ink

InLinkz.com

A Waltzingmouse Birthday Girl

Yes, it's been a long time, yes, I'm popping in for a visit...if you're reading this, that means you are too, and I'm thankful :).

For those of you that know me...you know that I have a big extended family with LOTS of nieces and nephews...and that means...LOTS of birthday parties! :)  This past weekend was NO exception!  My niece Tess, turned 4, and her older sister Grace turned 11.  I'm sharing Tess' card with you today, and will save Grace's for next time ;).

I was so happy to have received my new stamps from Waltzingmouse Stamps - called Half Pint Heroines.  I decided to use the full body image with the long haired 'head' to make a likeness of my niece.  Colored her in with my Copics (I completely forgot to photograph the colors I used -- sorry!)

I fussy cut the image out (old school in this day and age of custom dies, HA!) and mounted it on a banner cut (wine bottle tag) from By the Numbers paper. Added some embellishments, and adhered that to the base, which also had her age mounted on a lemon tart flower.  Bright and colorful for a bright and colorful girl :).

We had a great time at the party, a neighbor took the kids on a tractor ride to the local farm, and they played on the playground, and then came back to the house (a few times!) I think they all felt 'big' to get away from all of the parents for a little while...I think there were 19 kids on one ride (I told you I have a big family, lol).  Thanks for popping by!!  Make it a great day!

Supplies:
Stamps: Half Pint Heroines (Waltzingmouse Stamps)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: Classic Kraft, Plum Pudding, Raspberry Fizz, Lemon Tart, New Leaf, Hawaiian Shores, Select White (all PTI), By the Numbers patterned paper
Accessories: Wine Bottle tag die, Filigree Border die (PTI), swiss dot embossing folder, recollections bling  

Make it Monday #63 - Die Cuts with Glitter

Heeeyyy - long time no see, lol.

Life always seems to get in the way, and I just never get around to posting.  I had to make a couple of birthday cards today, and one of them just happened to fit the current Make-it-Monday challenge, on Nichole Heady's blog, so I actually took a picture of my card, and here I am! :)

This was for one of my favorite little guys, who just turned 4.  I know glitter isn't usually a 'guy' thing, but I used very manly colors, so I thought it was ok ;).

I stamped LOTS of stars from Star Prints and Super Stars for the background on base layer in Fresh Snow and Classic Kraft ink.  The sentiment is from Birthday Bash Sentiments.  Then I die cut my stars (Spellbinders Nestability Stars) from Enchanted Evening, Orange Zest and Simply Chartreuse CS.  Put them through the ol' Xyron, and covered them in coordinating Martha Stewart Glitters...well, except the blue.  That one I used a lighter blue glitter, and then used a navy blue copic, and airbrushed it darker.  All in all, a fun card for a fun little boy.

Thanks for popping by -- Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Supplies:
Stamps: Star Prints, Super Stars, Birthday Bash Sentiments
Ink: Fresh Snow, Classic Kraft
Paper: Classic Kraft, Enchanted Evening, Orange Zest, Simply Chartreuse
Accessories: Martha Stewart Glitter, dimensionals (SU!)

February PTI Blog Hop

Happy Saturday!!  How excited was I yesterday, when I got home, and had a new box of goodies waiting for me?  I SWORE I was taking a break from spending -- and then the PTI Anniversary happened!  HA!

The Movers and Shakers dies must be my absolute FAVORITES yet!  This month's blog hop theme was to create an interactive card.  And those of you that know me, will not be surprised to know that I needed a....you guessed it, BIRTHDAY card for my nephew.  (I have a very large family, with about 20 nieces and nephews - we're ALWAYS going to a birthday ;0) )  Anyway, onto the card.

(I apologize for the pictures, it was very late, and very very dark when I finished!)

Here's the front view:

I utilized lots of fun things here - Mat Stack #3 die, Limitless Layers 1.75" circle dies, the sliders Movers and Shakers Dies and stamp set, the alphabet dies, Dot Spot, and Way to go Kiddo (the lines on the Mat Stack #3 die cut)

Here we are, partially open, to reveal the sentiment from Movers and Shakers:

Too adorable.  I love the sentiments in this set, as well as the Simply You set.  Just darling.  I've added some stars from Star Prints on the tab that slides out, as well as the layer I added behind it.

Here's the tab all the way out - to reveal something about the birthday boy:

And there you have it!  My handsome little nephew will be receiving this today - We are so blessed to have a wonderful big family, and I love them all so much.  Can't wait to CELEBRATE! :)

Thanks for dropping by, have a GREAT weekend!

Supplies (All PTI):

Stamps: Movers and Shakers, Dot Spot, Star Prints, Way to Go Kiddo, Big Birthday Wishes

Ink: Pure Poppy, Aqua Mist, Summer Sunrise, Simply Chartreuse, True Black

Paper: Pure Poppy, Aqua Mist, Summer Sunrise, Simply Chartreuse, Select White

Accessories: By the Numbers dies, Movers and Shakers Sliders dies, Mat Stack #3 Die, Limitless Layers 1.75" circles dies

Waltzingmouse Blog Party - think SPRING!

Good Afternoon!! (Well, here anyway!)  It's the 17th, so that means is time for the Waltzingmouse Blog Party!  Yaaaay!  I haven't gotten to play along in quite some time, but this month's theme got me going.  I can't think of Spring, and not think of cute little First Communicants. :)  This year, my big girl, as well as my Nephew (and Godson) will both make their First Holy Communion.

The nephew was born ON St. Patrick's day, so really, how could I NOT use Claire's Celtic Heritage stamp set for his card?? LOL.  

The cross image is heat embossed with detail gold embossing powder, and lots of little green gems were added to dress it up a bit.  The sentiment (also from Celtic Heritage) was stamped in Green Galore Ink from SU! - though I'm fairly certain it has been retired.  It looks a little washed out in my photo, but is a nice hearty green.  The roped background is stamped with the braid image from Irish Blessings, in Sahara Sand ink, also from SU!

Looking forward to making the rounds -- thanks for stopping by!!  Wishing you all a marvelous weekend!

Supplies:

Stamps: Celtic Heritage, Irish Blessings (Waltzingmouse Stamps)

Ink: Green Galore (Retired), Sahara Sand (SU!)

Paper: Select White (PTI)

Accessories: Mega Mat Stack #4 die (PTI) Filigree Gold EP, Amuse and Doodlebug gems

Make it Monday # 53

Coasters, huh?

Just by chance, I happened to get some of these in the bag of goodies I received when I was lucky enough to go to Nichole Heady's house last month, so I figured I had no excuse NOT to play along!

I also, just happened to need a Valentine for my Valentine ;).  I used my Mat Stack #4 die on my coaster, and then I spritzed a little water on the coaster.  Then I brayered it with Canyon Clay ink (I didn't have the refill, so I did the best I could!).  Then I broke out some smooch spray (I think it was spun sugar, it's the only one I have) and since the nozzle wouldn't unclog, I had to get unconventional.  I grabbed an extra piece of scrap paper, and I pushed the nozzle stem down on the paper a bunch of times, then I used my brayer to pick up the spritz, and rolled it onto my coaster.  Now it was time to run it through the Cuttlebug with my woodgrain impression plate.  Funny thing, my coaster must have been a little TOO saturated, because it squeezed a lot of ink and water out onto the plates! lol.  BUT -- when I added the dark chocolate ink (direct to paper) it gave it this awesome look, just like a real piece of wood.

I die cut 2 hearts from Canyon Clay CS, and stamped them with the heart image from Love and Marriage, and then used my Vintage Touch tea dye inks around the edges.  I Stamped the block of famous couples down the side of my base from Rustic Cream CS in Canyon Clay ink, and the sentiment in Dark Chocolate ink, completed with 2 small gems.

I hope you had a nice Valentine's Day - mine was simple and quiet...just the way I like it! :)  Thanks for stopping by!!  Have a great week!!