YOU'VE GOT MAIL

Hi and happy Tuesday.  We had some snow the past couple of days, but now it is going to get up to 40 something today and rain so that will take care of the snow.  This has been a weird Winter as far as weather.

Today's card is for the Challenge at Totally Tilda #39 Pink and Red Valentines.

Here comes Tilda with a Rose and a Valentine!

My Card Recipe

Stamp - Magnolia

Dies - Spellbinders

Pink lace doily

Flowers - Prima

Sparkly hearts and love word are stickers from Michael's

White sparkly die is Memory Box

Stamp is from a Valentine paper pack

Ranger distress in on oval

Lots of Star Dust Stickles

Colored with Copics

I'm also entering this card in the following challenges

Simon Says - Anything Goes

Allsorts - One or More Hearts

Simply Create Too #5 - Love is in the Air

Have a great Tuesday.  Thanks for stopping by for a peek.  Until later.............

HOUSE MOUSE AND FRIENDS MONDAY CHALLENGE #112 & BLOG HOP

Welcome to the House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge

AND

BLOG HOP

The challenge # 112 theme has been chosen by our talented teamie, Christine, who also coordinates our Guest Design Team Members for us! Thanks Christine!!

Her chosen theme is LOVE and you must use at least two (2) hearts!

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, this one should be easy peasy.

Here's my card

My card Recipe:

Stamp- Stampabilities, Hoppy Valentine's (HMLR1046)

Sentiment - A Muse Art Stamps (B-8530D)

Papers - Pale Pink Pearlescent card base. 

Blue crackle designer paper, The paper Studio Chirstimas stack

Square Paper doily, with corners inked light blue

Large red foil heart, Doily Dies, Cherry Lynn (DL106)

Detailed heart - Memory Box, La Rue Heart, cut from red card stock

inked with clear ink and embossed with red glitter embossing powder.

Sizzix swirls cut from white pearlescent paper.

Small red hearts, red foil paper, punch

Oval die, Spellbinders

Charm from the "Charm Lady" our friend, America Kuhn!

Star Dust Stickles

Colored with Copic Markers

ON TO THE HOP

If you have arrived here from Sue Cooper's blog (Scoopy) then your in the right place.  If not, you might want to go to the challenge blog and start over so you don't miss anyone.

Here are the rules for the blog Hop:

1.  You must enter a card in our current challenge. And use either a House Mouse,

Gruffie, or Happy Hopper image.

2.  You must visit each DT members blog and leave a comment.

(A complete list appears on the challenge blog.)

3. You must leave a comment on the House Mouse Challenge blog when your done hopping

Do we have prizes?  DO WE!

Sponsors who have generously offered prizes for our challenge and BLOG HOP are:

House Mouse Designs - $ 25 online Gift Card

Joanna Sheen - Unmounted Gruffies Stamp Set

Pink Gem Designs - 3 Digi Images of winner's choice

Die Cut Dreams - Selection of shaped cards & Stands

House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge DT - 5 new HM and Friends Stamps

Priscilla Styles Store - $10 Gift Certificate (for digi's only)

And that's not all!  Some of the gals on the design team are offering prizes for the HOP on their individual blogs.   LIKE ME...........

You could win these two February 2012 Stamps of the Month Stamps, just by playing along with the House Mouse Blog hop and leaving a comment on MY blog.  I would love it if you would follow me, but it is NOT a requirement to win these stamps.

For some great inspiration, please check out the design teams entries for our Blog HOP,  great cards, ideas, and beautiful work.

Now off you go, hop, hop, hop on over to SUE Kment's blog.

Have a great Monday, thanks for hopping by.  Until later................

BSS MONDAY IDEA - LIBRARY POCKET CARD AND ACTION WOBBLE SPRINGS

ANOTHER MONDAY, ANOTHER IDEA AT

BUFFALO STAMPS AND STUFF

Hi there, welcome to another BSS Monday Idea.

Actually, this week there are two great ideas!

A Library Pocket card

And Action Wobble Springs

First, we will talk about the Action Wobble Springs

This is a picture of my card, and where the Action Wobble Spring is placed. I had to cut it down

to make it fit behind the bears head, but it worked perfectly.

This is a close up of the Action Wobble Spring.. It's a tiny vinyl spring. You attach one end to your project, and the other to the object that you want to Wobble. They have pull away strips to reveal adhesive, so really easy to apply. When you wiggle the card, you get a springy action, kinda like bobble head dolls. These are so much fun. Sharon has them on order at the request of several people that have been inquiring about them and should be in the store any day.

Here is a youtube demo of the Action Wobble Springs in action

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=odcV0Ty0eOk

Now, on to the Library Pocket Card.

. This is the outside of the card

The card recipe

Stamps - Bear, Penny Black

Teddy's Party (4079K)

Sentiment - Stampabilities (DR1113)

Happy Birthday - Endless Creations

Paper - Basic Gray - Olivia 6x6 paper stack

Rick Rack Trim - Punch - EK Success

Action Wobble Spring

Colored with Copic Markers

This is the inside tag with optional gift card holder.

Instructions:

Start with a piece of cardstock 7"x 91/2 "

Score at 2 1/2" and 7" on the 9 1/2 inch length

Score at 6 1/4 inch on the 7" length at the bottom

Cut away on the 6 1/4 inch score on both sides

Fold up the middle flap on score line and cut the corners like

the picture above.

On the top of the pocket, score the center section only 1 3/4 inches from the top.

Cut away from both sides and across the score line as shown above.

Fold score lines for sides inward. Apply adhesive to the outer flap edge to close flaps.

Fold up bottom flap, apply adhesive.

This completes the pocket.

Tag is 6 1/8 inches x 4 1/4 inches with clipped corners and punched hole for ribbon.

Optional gift card holder is 4 3/4 inches by 3 3/4 inches

Score at 1 1/4 inches on either end of the 3 3/4 inch length

Using a small circle punch, punch half a circle in the top of the center section. OR, cut out

a half circle shape. See picture above

Place strong adhesive along one edge of the 3 3/4 inch length and

in the center section on the back of the holder. Fold the unglued section inward, fold

the glued section inward to create the gift card holder. Adhere the gift card holder

onto the tag, centering it at the bottom.

Hope you have a great Monday.  Thanks so much for stopping by.  Until later........

THE BUTTERFLY

Hi, just a quick post today.  I made this card after seeing the Try a new Technique on Split Coast stampers Monday.  It involves inking one side of  an embossing folder then running your paper through.  It called for white on white with just a touch of pale color.  It's based on the look of Irish pottery. So anyway, this was my take on it.

Besides the embossing folder and chalk ink in sand, I used the butterfly die from Stampin Up.

The square die is Spellbinders.  The corners are a Paper Shapers punch.  White pearls.

I painted the entire embossed piece with DecorArt Glitter paint, as well as the butterfly.

Had a hard time getting a picture of this one, was dark all day today and shadows were a real problem.

Thanks for stopping by today.  Have a great Wednesday.  Until later...........

ANT'S IN THE CANDY

I am going to go to my local stamp store this morning for a shopping spree.  And then maybe Michael's and Joann's.  Haven't been out shopping since Christmas shopping, so ready to see what's new.

Today's card is an adorable image from Doodle Pantry.  I'm entering it in their challenge #19 which is to use one of their images. 

I love these Ant series of digi's.  AND, I love red hots!  I usually have a bag in the stamp room to nibble on.

My Card Recipe:

Digi - Doodle Pantry, circle sentiment, Purple Onion Design

Papers - Pink textured card stock base, designer paper, DCWV,

Red heart cutout, purchased

Paper lace

Spellbinders die

Glossy Accents on the red hots and the window on the box

Red dotted ribbon from my stash

Colored image with Copic Markers

I'm also entering this card into challenges at:

Just Us Girls Challenge # 120 - Use Red, Pink and White

Pile it on #4 - Add lace (I used paper lace doily)

Crafty Creations Challenge #153 - Valentines

Have a great Tuesday.  Thanks for stopping by. Until later.............

BSS MONDAY IDEA - TRIANGLE TREAT BOX

WELCOME TO THE MONDAY BUFFALO STAMPS AND STUFF IDEA.

Today's idea is a Triangle Treat Box.

This cute little treat box is made from blue green card stock. You can find the directions at

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/cammiestriangletreatbox/

The Stamp is from Art Impressions (UMT1185), colored with Copic Markers.

The beautiful cut out heart is a die from Memory Box, La Rue Heart (98255)

I cut it from plain white card stock then inked it with clear ink and embossed it with

white sparkling embossing powder. The little tag sentiment is computer generated.

The sparkling heart is a punch. Filled the tiny treat box with a small bag of kisses for Valentines Day, and tied with a white satin bow.

Side view

Other side view

Hope you have a chance to make this little treat box, goes together pretty quickly and fun to decorate, lots of possibilities.

Thanks for stopping by today.  Have a great Monday.  Until later..................

GINGERLOFT CHALLENGE GDT CARD

Hello.  A card I submitted for the Winter Challenge at Gingerloft was chosen in the top three and Tami asked me if I wanted to submit a card for the challenge #32 that starts today, the theme being "Snow".Well, of course I do! 

I had purchased this beautiful digi from Gingerloft called Winter Tree and hadn't had a chance to color it up.  I printed the image on glossy card stock.  I used stipple brushes and the sponge applicator tool from Ranger to color it.  Inks I used are Ranger distress ink and Marvy Matchables.

Pine green card stock for the base card.  Designer paper is from Winter Magic Stack from DCWV.

Silver foil mat.

Paper lace border. Snowflakes and ribbon from my stash.

Tami, thanks so much for the opportunity to be a guest on the Gingerloft Challenge Blog.

Thanks for stopping by today. Have a great Sunday.  Until later......

SAFARI ADVENTURE

Hi, hope everyone had a great Friday and it looking forward to the weekend.

Today's card is for the challenge at Totally Tilda #38- and the theme this week is

Tilda with a non-domesticated animal AND  The official Magnolia Inspiration Challenge #33, the theme this week is to use fabric and a card sketch.

Card Recipe

Stamps - Magnolia, sentiment - dollar bin at Michael's

Papers - Safari Chic - DCWV

Fabric - Burlap fringed

Other - Twine, small tiles, Prima Leaves, various Ranger distress inks

Colored with Copic Markers

Thanks for stopping by today.  Until later.

WOLVES IN SNOW

WOW, we had some really heavy rain and high winds yesterday.  Took the snow away, but some people lost power and some trees came down. 

Today's card is for a new challenge called Craft a Scene and this is their very first challenge. The theme is Anything Goes.  I love scene stamping, I took several classes some years ago from Kevin at Stampscapes, and then taught scene stamping at my local stamp store.  But, kinda got away from it, but still have drawers filled with stamps for just this purpose, so I'm thinking I'm going to enjoy this New Challenge.

My Card Recipe:

Stamps - Snuggling Wolves - Coronado Island Stamps, Sentiment-Paula Best

Papers - Stamped on white glossy card stock.  Card base, Winter Magic DCWV

Green, Black and White Card stock mats

Snowflakes - Cuttlebug die, white glitter paper

Rhinestones - Kaiser

Sponged and brushed color with Marvy Matchables and Tombow markers

Sharpie White Poster pen, snow

I love wolves.  We have visited several places where they house wolves and have seen them up close and personal, fascinating animals.

Thanks for stopping by today.  Have a great Tuesday.  Until later..............

HOUSE MOUSE AND FRIENDS MONDAY - BLACK/WHITE ONLY

Welcome to the HOUSE MOUSE AND FRIENDS MONDAY

 Challenge # 111. 

Thanks to everyone who entered our last challenge and congratulations to the winners.

We are welcoming five new Design Team Members to our Team.  We look forward to working alongside these talented ladies. A big House Mouse welcome to:

DORTE KVIST

JENNIFER WOODWARD

KATE WILES

PAULA HOLIFIELD

TRACY THOMPSON

The theme for this challenge was chosen by our talented friend and leader, America.  She chose Black and White with just tones of grey, no color!  This was hard for me as I do like to color.  Had to sit on my hands several times so I didn't reach for a bright red marker!

Our sponsors for this challenge are:

Di's Digi Downloads - $ 10 Voucher

America - 2 New House Mouse Stamps

Please visit us at the House Mouse and Friends Blog to see the beautiful Black and White creations by the design team and welcome our new Design Team Members

Going forward, the Top 2 picks will win a spot as the Guest Design Team Memebers for our next challenge.

This challenge will run through Sunday, January 29th.  Hope you can dust off your House Mouse, Gruffie and Happy Hopper stamps and join us for this challenge.

Our next challenge on January 30th will be a blog hop, with lots of great prizes from our sponsors and the girls on the team.  Make sure you check back on the 30th for all the details.

Have a great Monday.  Thanks for stopping by today.  Until later............

BSS MONDAY IDEA - A BOX CARD

Welcome to another Buffalo Stamps and Stuff Monday Idea.

Today's idea is to make a Box Card.

This is the front of the card.

This is the inside of the card.

There is a great tutorial for making this card at:

http://beccysplace.blogspot.com/2011/12/technique-class-box-cards.html

My Card Recipe:

Stamps - Tina Wenke - Sarah in the snow with Kittie (WD5714)

Inside sentiment - Wordsworth (S057K)

Papers - Gray textured cardstock, pink cardstock and white cardstock

Piece of Acetate for the window, also run through the embossing folder.

Embossing folder - Snowflakes - Darice

Snowflakes - Martha Stewart punch, pearl centers, Mellissa Frances

Oval cut from Marvey Punch

Two packages of Swiss Miss hot chocolate.

This card with the inside box goes together pretty easily. Great for small gifts or even

gift cards. Punching the window is optional, but fun to see what is tucked inside.

Hope you get a chance to try this project, I'm sure you will love the results.

DREAMER

Hi. Posting late tonight, as we ran some errands today and went to an afternoon movie.  This retirement thing leaves us with time we never had before and so far so good.  We even had a gift certificate from one of our Godchildren from Christmas and enjoyed dinner at a favorite restaurant after the movie...

Today's card is for the challenge at Mo's Digital Challenge # 117 - Clean and Simple.  Mo has upped the anti in prizes, depending on how many folks enter the challenge. 

Isn't this little Amelia wanna-be just so cute.

Papers and border punch - Martha Stewart

Spellbinders die

Colored twine

Colored with Copic Markers

We are expecting a little snow tomorrow, only 3 to 5 inches, but so far this year we have only had

5 inches total.  Ski resorts and winter festivals are hurting.  And, Buffalo, New York has a reputation to uphold, we are always getting slammed on the National News............

Hope your day was good and tomorrow is better.  Thanks for stopping by today.  Until later....

 

BSS MONDAY IDEA - CAROUSEL TOP CARD

Welcome to the Buffalo Stamps and Stuff Monday Idea.

The idea this week is to make a Carousel Top Card.

I wanted to make it appear as this beautiful stamp from Inkadinkado was under the canopy of a Carousel.

I colored with Copics. I used worn lipstick distress ink to come in from the edge, up to the image.

The base card is red glitter paper. For the carousel top, I cute a triangle that extended beyond

the 5 1/2 x 4 1/8 in card by 1/2 inch on either side. I used an EK Success scalloped border punch to punch along the bottom. Then score about 1/2 inch above the scalloped edge and fold down.

A circle punch was used to add the circle at the top. Bakers twine along the fold. Rhinestones along the scallops. The image is matted on silver glitter paper. The music paper is unknown source, but you could stamp any music stamp in red and make your own. The canopy paper is My Minds Eye.

Added a small piece of feather to the horse. After attaching the canopy, which I popped up, I trimmed the corners of the card off.

Cute card for a child's birthday. I think a Carousel brings out the kid in all of us. Because the top of the card extends beyond the card, it will fit into a 5x7 inch envelope.

Thanks for stopping by today.

DOLLY

Colored up this coloring book page, a Sarah Kay image a couple of days ago, so decided to put the card together today. 

Pretty simple card.  Colored with Copics. 

Hope you are having a nice Sunday.

Thanks for stopping by.

WE MISS HER SO............

On Wednesday morning our beloved Keeshond, Keeley passed away.

We are devastated.  We miss her so.

We feel blessed to have had her for the past 11 of her 13 years 7 months,
and are grateful for each day we had with her.

We are working on pulling ourselves together and getting on with life, but it's hard.

Thank God for great memories and beautiful pictures.

FAIRY WITH PENGUINS

Hi, well it finally happened, it got cold in Buffalo!  We are experiencing deep freeze temperatures, but it is January and we have held out until now, so I don't think we can complain, or we can but it won't do any good!!  And, since Rick retired last Friday, we didn't have to go out...., so we didn't. 

Today's card is for the challenge at Prairie Fairy #69 and the theme for the challenge is Sparkly Wings.

My card Recipe:

Digi - Prairie Fairy

Papers - Card base, purple pearlescent, DCWV Winter Magic Stack

Punched border - Martha

Snowflake - Cuttlebug die and matching embossing folder set

rhinestone stars in snowflakes- Michael's

Ribbon from my stash

White and blue American Art Institute Glitter

I'm also entering this card in the following challenges:

Pile it on Challenge #1 - Anything Goes

Anything Goes Challenge #57 - Blue and one other color

Gingerloft #30 - Winter/Christmas

Stampin for the Weekend #23-Let it snow

Top Tip Tuesday #67 - Anything Goes

My Tip, don't be afraid to experiment with different color combinations,

I think most of us tend to use "safe" color combos, but neglect some of the

more adventurous ones!

Digital Tuesday Challenge #141 - Winter Wonderland

Thanks for stopping by.  Until later.........

HOUSE MOUSE AND FRIENDS MONDAY CHALLENGE #110

HOUSE MOUSE AND FRIENDS MONDAY CHALLENGE

WE'RE BACK!

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season.

Our holiday break is over and we are back on our regular schedule for 2012 with challenge #110

The theme this challenge, picked by the team is "NEW".  Any way you want to interpret this challenge.  A new baby, a new job, new clothes, even if your using a new House Mouse stamp you got for Chirstmas!

I chose "NEW FRIENDS".  Who doesn't like to make new friends?

Looks like this little Raccoon is the lucky one in the scene, getting ice cream from his new Mouse friends.

Our sponsors this challenge are

 

In business since 2002, Simon Says Stamp is striving to offer you the best selection of Rubber Stamps, Altered Art, Scrapbooking, Artist Trading Cards and Paper Crafting Supplies in the world. They stock over 100,000+ items, offer quick service and 1 stop shopping at a great price!

PRIZE ; A $25 Gift Card PRIZE to the Simon Says Stamp store!

 AND

Pizzazz Aplenty

Offering the Winner a $10 package of embellishments!

Pizzazz Aplenty began with only a bit of bling and some ribbon, but in the last few months, we've added so much more... from cardstock to cello bags, as well as charms, stick pins, brads, buttons, cords, twines, laces, and over 20 colors in flatback pearls and rhinestones. The newest additions are teardrop pearls, button stick pins, leaf pins, heart pins, resin cameos and flowers!

My Card Recipe

Stamp - Stampabilities-House Mouse-Raccoon Helpers (HMKR1014)

I did the background paper with the words make new friends on my word program and

ran it off on the light blue card stock in blue lettering.  Distressed the edges and inked them with blue dye ink.

Lace Border - Martha Stewart

Yellow satin ribbon and flowers are from Michaels

Tag with sentiment is a Spellbinders die

Star Dust Stickles

Yellow half rounds on corners are Martha Stewart

Colored with Copics

Hope you can join us for our challenge this time.  Please remember, for inspiration, the design team has come up with some very unique takes on the challenge and you can see them HERE.  To join us, you must use a House Mouse, Gruffie or Happy Hopper image.

Thanks for stopping by today.  Have a great Monday.  Until later...........