12 Kits- September

Hello, everyone!
Well...
it's the last day of September...
where has it went?
Didn't it just start?
Regardless...
it's the last day of the month which means another edition of...

This month our hostess was Kara from KandRDesigns...
and she sent us a fabulous little goodies package full of treats...
and a challenge!
Take a look at all of this...

Can you guess what the challenge was?
Did you guess a notebook?
If you did...
you would be right!
A Holiday Planner...
which...
dare I say it?
Christmas is less than 3 months away...
aawwww!!!
This is the point where I start to plan...
making notes...
buying little things here and there...
seriously...
I really get into the Holidays!
But exactly 2 months from now...
I'm going to be in pure panic mode!
I do it every year!

Now...
Sharron is our fabulous photo taker this month...
thank you, Sharron! :)
Now because I'm me...
of course I wait till last minute even though Kara sent the kits early...
4 weeks...
that's an eternity...
plenty of time!
Why do I always forget to figure in what the kids will have in store for me?
So here's what I managed to get done...

The planner took me quite a bit...
I've never done one before...
but I have to say it's kind'a cool.
A place to make notes...
and keep receipts!

OK...
I'm going to send you on to everyone else now...
have to see what they were able to come up with using this fabulous kit...

Cathy
Suzanne
Marybeth
Joyce
Amy
Christina
Kim
Kara
Jessica
Jeanne
Sharron

And be sure to visit again next month when our hostess will be Jessica...
and I can't wait to see what goodies she has for us!
Thank you Kara for such an awesome kit...
and hope to see you next month!

Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge #117

Good morning!
It's a happy, happy, joy, joy kind'a day...
not only is it Saturday...
but fall break started yesterday at around 3pm...
whoo-hoo!!
So I will be enjoying the next couple of weeks with no alarm clock...
and some jammie days...
starting...
today! :)

But first I get the pleasure of helping introduce a new sketch over at Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge Blog...
and this week we have a tasty treat from wonderfully talented DT member Kelly Schrimer...

And Kelly and I were talking last week about my new favorite fall color combo...

navy and orange...

because navy is the most perfect color in the whole wide world...

and I challenged her to use it last week on her card...

and she did an amazing job with Gracie at Halloween...

did you see it?

Go here to get a glimpse!

So this week I picked up the gauntlet and decided that Cicely needed a little navy lovin' so here's my interpretation of this fabulous sketch...

All images are from Cicely at Halloween...
and before you say something...
yes!
I made a little flub.
In my excitement of using my new Lil' Inkers Stitching Mats for this one...
I forgot the little dodads at the bottom :(
But I did add the little stitched sentiment flag on the side so we'll call it creative interpretation shall we?
*giggle*

I colored Cicely with Copics and then matted her onto some SU Not Quite Navy cardstock...
and then matted that onto some orange chevron from MME Haunted.
Notice the stitching detail on each layer...
they're all cut with the Stitching Mats.
Tied a jute twine bow...
a little button...
and all done!


So ready to join in the fun?
Hop over to the Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge Blog and check out all the incredible projects the Mischief Makers and DT have to inspire you...
then link up your creation with the linky provided for your chance to become Top Mouse and...
don't forget that one lucky participant will win the stamp set of their choice just for playing along!
Just remember to use at least one Waltzingmouse product to be eligible!
Can't wait to see what you create!

And make sure to check Claire's blog on Monday the 1st for details of the October Blog Party!

Until next time!

For Sale

Hi everyone!
Been doing a little cleaning of the cupboard and have some stamp sets I'm listing up for sale.
All are in CD cases unless noted...
and include shipping to the US.
Canadian friends please add $1 and all other internationals please add $3.
I've tried to be honest in my description...
I use Memento ink and it does stain but the stamps still work perfectly...
and in some cases there's only a couple of stamps in the sets that are even stained...
some have never been used.
Feel free to email me with any questions...
and thanks for taking a peek!


Papertrey Ink:

Holiday Treats (new) - $20
Everyday Treats - $20
Friendship Jar and dies (stained...jar and topper dies only) - $34SOLD
Friendship Jar Holiday (new) - $20SOLD
Friendship Jar Fall Fillers (new) - $20SOLD
Little Labels and die - $16
Ad Sense and Die - $18
Teacher's Apple (stained) - $18
Scattered Showers (light staining) - $18SOLD
Tiny Treats Christmas (stained) -$18
Tiny Treats Valentine (stained) - $18 SOLD
Tiny Treats Halloween (stained) - $18
Tiny Treats Birthday (stained) - $18
Botanical Silhouettes (2011 Anniversary set) $18
Mat Stack 4 Collection (original set that includes 2 extra stamps no longer available)- $22 SOLD
Mat Stack 3 Collection (light staining) - $20

Not in CD case...stored in plastic CD cover
Heart 2 Heart #2 and die - $6 SOLD

Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge #116

Good morning everyone!
Hope you have had a fabulous week...
I'm just glad it's over!
This has been one of the most hectic, on the run weeks I think...
ever!
And now...
just one more to get through and we'll have a two week break!
Two weeks of sleeping in...
two weeks of jammie days...
two weeks of no schedule...
almost!
We were originally planning on going to FL to visit hubby's mom who recently moved down there...
but after Issac invaded the Gulf a few weeks ago...
and she moved south of Tampa...
I changed my mind and decided we'd in go in the spring...
no hurricane season in the spring!
I'm brave like that!
*giggle*
So now we're going to stay home and hopefully get some projects done before winter moves in...
and there could possibly be a new craft table in my future if I'm really good!

And then there's my favorite yearly event...
I look forward to this every year...
The Southern Festival of Books!
I love going to hear the authors...
and one of my most favorite reads this year...
Gone Girl...
Gillian Flynn is going to be there!
Along with oodles more that I can't wait to hear and meet.
I know.
It sounds boring to anyone who isn't a book addict...
but trust me...
it's way more interesting than you may think!

Now it's Saturday...
and because Saturday is such a special day...
we love to celebrate it each week with a new Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge and this week we have a fabulous sketch from the Head Mouse herself...
Claire Brennan...

And since I'm deep in Halloween and fall mode...
came up with this little ditty...

I used one of my favorite Halloween sets...
Cicely at Halloween...
and that wonderfully fabulous poem for the focal point.
I LOVE that poem!
Then I stamped my favorite background...
Harlequin from Heirloom Patterns...
seriously...
have you tried it?
I love that I can give it a distressed look just by not pressing down in certain places...
maybe even having my ink a little "messy" on the stamp...
gives it such a vintage look when done this way.
I heavily tea stained the edges but then went back over them with a light touch of black ink to really darken them.
That little strip of paper...
from Authentique's Enchanted collection.
A little lace...
and see those pumpkins peeking out...
that's actually ribbon.
I've had it for years...
longer than I've been making cards!
I had picked it up for a class project and decided I liked it too much to put on candy for 5 year old's who would just throw it away...
so I hoarded until something worthy came along!


So ready to join in the fun?
Hop over to the Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge Blog and check out all the incredible projects the Mischief Makers and DT have to inspire you...
then link up your creation with the linky provided for your chance to become Top Mouse and...
don't forget that one lucky participant will win the stamp set of their choice just for playing along!
Just remember to use at least one Waltzingmouse product to be eligible!

And can't wait to see what you create!

Until next time!

Waltzingmouse Blog Party

Good afternoon everyone!
It's that most wonderful time of the month...
you know what I'm talking about...

Party Time!!

Each month on the 17th Waltzingmouse Stamps hosts it's fabulously fun Blog Party where we can all get together and ogle everyone's incredible projects using our favorite Waltzingmouse Stamps!
This month the theme is FALL...
and there's so many directions you can take with this one because it's all about what Fall means to you...
the vibrant colors...
pumpkins...
leaves...
sports...
campfires...
even...
HALLOWEEN!
Mention Fall to my kids and their first thought is always Halloween, costumes and the most important thing of all...
CANDY!!
*giggle*

I decided to use the new sketch over on the Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge Blog again for this one...
check out this fabulous one from the incredibly talented Jennifer Holmes...

And here's what I did...

And because I have decided that my new favorite color combo for Fall is orange and navy...
because you know how I feel about navy...
THE most perfect color in the whole wide world...
here's a close up of the embossing and gold squares that I could not...
no matter HOW hard I tried...
get a good pic of...
and you also get a better peek at the navy...

These gorgeous images are from Peace and Plenty ...
then layered onto gold metallic paper and navy pinking squares...
and then they were layered onto a background stamped with Heirloom Patterns Harlequin.
Some gorgeous navy satin ribbon that was a recent birthday gift from my friend Kim...
who happens to know my love of all things navy...
Thank You, Kim :)...
and is some of the most gorgeous satin ribbon ever...
double sided and so incredibly soft...
I'm in love!!

And on that note...
I have to say that I have the most incredible crafty friends EVER!
I have the worst birthday to try and celebrate on...
and they know I like to keep things very quiet...
but if you could see the cards and gifts that quietly made their way to my door...
I have been in tears over it all.
And you will be seeing the gifts!
Trust me...
they know me well! :)
My heart is just swollen with love for these incredible women that are such a large part of my life...
and I am honored and blessed beyond measure to call each and every one of them my friend.
And trust me...
I'm coming out way ahead in this deal...
they have to put up with me...
and hubby will confirm that's not always an easy task!!
*giggle*

OK...
back to topic on hand!
If you don't have your project ready just yet...
no worries!
This Party lasts for 24 hours...
we're Irish...
what do you expect?
*giggle*
And you can get all the details on Claire's blog here!
No Waltzingmouse just yet?
Again...
no worries because Claire has got your back!
Check out all her freebies over in the store here!
And if you're stumped for a starting point...
check out all the inspiration using this week's sketch challenge over on the Sketch Challenge Blog here!
Can't wait to see you and all your crafty goodness at the Party!


The Details:
Stamps: Waltzingmouse Peace and Plenty, Heirloom Patterns
Dies: Lifestyle Crafts squares and pinking squares
Cardstock: SU Night of Navy, WPlus9 Oatmeal, PTI Terracotta Tile
Misc: ribbon (Britex) gold metallic paper (Michael's)

4 of a Kind- September

It's that time of the month again...
time for another...

with Joyce, Kim and Cathy!
Cathy was our hostess this month and I know I say this every month but each kit is just so incredible...
I died when I opened the package and saw all the goodies inside!
I forgot to snap a pic but good thing Cathy remembered...

we're going Western!!
She used Waltzingmouse Back in the Saddle for this one...
and found the perfect papers and embellishments for it...
I died when I opened it and saw all the goodness!
And here's a few cards I was able to come up with...

And yes...
par for me...
I hoarded some of the goodies for later!
*giggle*

Now you have to go see what
Joyce
Kim
Cathy 
came up with using this fabulous kit...
and then we'll see you next month when Kim is our hostess!
I can't wait to see what she has in store for us!

Hope you have a wonderful week...
and don't forget about Waltzingmouse Blog Party starting tomorrow!
The theme for this month is FALL...
and you can get all the details on Claire's blog here!

Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge #115

Good Saturday morning!
Hope everyone has had wonderful week...
been busy here!
And next week...
even worse!
It's homecoming here...
and with Haley now in high school...
it's a big deal and she'll be staying after school every day working on the freshman class float for the parade on Friday...
which means I'll be in my car even more than normal since Robert is taking a gun safety class and I'll be the one driving to pick her up every night!
So what is homecoming like in your hometown?
Is it a really big deal or just "ehh"?
We have a huge pep rally on Friday morning...
literally all morning...
music...
skits...
then the schools let out at half day so everyone can go to the parade down Main Street...
and then the big game Friday night...
I still remember it so well from when I was in high school...
and I know she's going to have so much fun experiencing it for herself now!
I still can't believe I have one in HIGH SCHOOL!!!
YIKES!!
Where has time went?

OK...so instead of talking about my HIGH SCHOOLER and how anyone who is only 29 can have one in high school *giggle*...
let's talk about the fabulous new sketch this week over on the Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge!
This one is brought to you by the incredibly talented Jennifer Holmes...

I love squares and knew exactly what I was going to do with this one...
true to me I kept it simple...

Back to Halloween and for this I used images from Halloween Party to create the panels.
Isn't this set like one the coolest Halloween sets ever?
I think it ties with Wanda's Pantry!
I did some selective inking on the sentiment to make it "square" versus oblong...
and then distressed and tea stained each of the squares before adhering to the pinking squares.
That's some new Authentique Enchanted paper behind and then a little seam binding and a gem...
all done!

So ready to join in the fun?
Hop over to the Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge Blog and check out all the incredible projects the Mischief Makers and DT have to inspire you...
then link up your creation with the linky provided for your chance to become Top Mouse and...
don't forget that one lucky participant will win the stamp set of their choice just for playing along!
Just remember to use at least one Waltzingmouse product to be eligible!

And don't forget about Waltzingmouse Blog Party on the 17th!
This month the theme is FALL...
and you can get all the details on Claire's blog here!
Hope to see you there!

Happy Birthday, Kara!

Just popping in very quickly with a special wish for a special crafty friend...

Today is Kara from KandRdesigns birthday...
and wanted to wish her a day that is as happy as can be...
and a year filled with all the goodness she deserves!

And here's my e-card to her because her actual card is already in her possession...
and though it may confuse you...
she'll know the meaning behind this...

Happy Birthday, Kara!

Cloud 9 Blog Hop

Good afternoon!
Popping in quickly with a card for this month's Cloud 9 Blog Hop...

this month Suzanne gave us an inspirational pic...
isn't this gorgeous...

I could go for a picnic like this!
Before I show you what I conjured up...
let me just say...
I'm horrible with inspiration pics...
I find them so hard because I never know what to focus on and then usually focus on too much...
but that's why it's called a challenge...
right?
Well...I stayed simple for this one...
colors.
Here we go...

All the die cuts and sentiment are from Wplus9's Folk Art Florals...
the blues are from that little box on the front of the table that draws your eye...
the green from the rolling hills...
the red from the flowers and the yellow from the candlelight.
I used Lil' Inkers Textured Frame IP for the border to signify the tree...
and then used Lil' Inkers Small Bow Die to cut a bow out of my absolute favorite paper ever...
Simple Stories Summer Fresh...
to bring in the flowers on the table.
Simple.
The way I like it.

So have your project ready?
You have until Tuesday the 11th to link up and have not only the chance to win a $25 GC from WPlus9...
this month you also have a chance to win a $20 GC from I (heart) Papers...
YAY!!!

Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge #113

Good morning everyone!
After an extra long weekend last weekend...
this one's looking pretty short...
and busy!
It's Saturday...
and that means football!
And tonight should be the perfect night for it...
after some rain this morning we're going to be down into the mid 50's...
so I'll have to remember to pack a blanket...
maybe even bring a cup of caramel latte. ;)

And since it's Saturday that means I also get to help introduce a new sketch challenge over on the Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge Blog...
and this week we have a fabulous sketch from the amazingly talented Anya Schrier...

I'm going to be honest and just say I had no idea what to do with all those circles when I first saw this...
they made me think of bubbles...
buttons...
so it only makes sense that I did this...

leaves!
OK...
and few buttons! ;)
I used the incredibly gorgeous Peace and Plenty for this one.
Colored those yummy fruits and leaves with Copics and then...
you may want to sit down for this...
I fussy cut all the leaves!
Yes!
I know!
Me?
Fussy cut!
The person who failed scissor cutting in kindergarten!
They were actually kind'a easy...
and I was surprised to find it was even a little fun!
But give me a choice between fussy cutting and a die...
I'm going to take the die every time!

I used my new Simple Stories Harvest Lane for the papers...
seriously...
I believe Simple Stories is my absolute favorite paper company these days...
a little lace...
some gingham ribbon...
and it was done!

So ready to get inky and play along?
Hop over to the Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge Blog and check out all the fabulous inspiration the Mischief Makers and Design Team have for you...
then link up your creation with the linky provided for your chance to be chosen as Top Mouse and one lucky participant will win the stamp set of their choice just for playing along!
Just remember to use at least one Waltzingmouse product on your project to be eligible.

And don't forget about Blog Party coming up on the 17th...
this month's theme is FALL and you can get all the details on Claire's blog here!

Hope you have a wonderful week...
until next time!

Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge #113

Good Saturday morning everyone!
And if you're here in the States...
YAY!!
Long holiday weekend!
I found out on Thursday that I kind'a get an extra day to make it a 4 day...
3 of the kiddies are out on Tuesday for staff development...
though Hunter will still have school but since it's also Number 1 son's birthday...
we'll go out and make a day of it!
They love going to Hunter's school...
they think it's so incredibly cool to have an indoor pool and how she'll get to occasionally go swimming during the school day...
how she also has a bowling alley...
and her library is full of real animals...
stuffed of course.
There's a lion, a polar bear, deer, zebra to name a few...
an eclectic mix of animals from many, many years ago when the school was first opened...
some are now endangered species...
but to be able to go up to them...
to run your finger through the lions mane...
pet a polar bear...
these children can't always understand by just reading about them...
and they can't see pictures in a book...
so having these animals there...
to feel the sharpness of the teeth...
the softness of the fur...
to gain an understanding of the size of these animals...
it's an experience for the the blind...
and the sighted.

OK...so to kick off a long weekend...
how about a new Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge?
This week we have a fabulously fun sketch from DT member Lynn Mercurio...

And lately I've been seeing a lot of cards in black and kraft...
which just happen to be 2 of my favorite colors to work with so I decided to try this sketch using just those 2 colors...

I used a few sets on this one...
I heat embossed the willow from Blessed By You...
that fabulous checkerboard from Off Beat Backgrounds...
and some more embossing for the sentiment from Say It With Style.
Layered it...
tied it with some seam binding and a gem...
all done!

So...ready to play?
Hop over to the Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge Blog and take a gander at all the fabulous creations the Mischief Makers and Design Team have for you and then get inky!
Just remember to use at least one Waltzingmouse product and link up with the linky provided...
one lucky person will win the stamp set of their choice for playing along!

And you know what today is...
September 1st...
so make sure to check out Claire's blog here for the latest details on Blog Party coming up on the 17th!

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and Holiday...
maybe I'll be able to sneak in some extra crafty time...:)
Oh...
who am I kidding?
Even on holidays...
there's laundry!

The Details:
Stamps: Waltzingmouse Blessed By You, Off Beat Backgrounds, Say It With Style
Cardstock: PTI True Black, Kraft
Misc: seam binding, gem