House Mouse Sweet Lilacs

Now that it's turning a bit chillier, I thought I'd share a card that reminds me that Spring will be with us at before too long!

Card Recipe:
Tools: Tonic Studios Indulgence Boudior Square Base Die, Square Layering Dies, Scallop Square Layering Dies, Every Day Sentiments 1 Dies, Grand Calibur
Digi Stamp: House Mouse Triple CD - Joanna Sheen
Paper and Card: Stardream Card
Embellishments: Flatback pearls and crystals, handmade hat pins

For the House Mouse digi stamp, I cropped the image to the size of my die before printing it.  This means that although the origianal image was oblong, I was able to create a square focal, with a plain edge all the way around it.
My background uses one of my favourite techniques using the lattice Boudoir Base die in lilac stardream card stock along a contrasting frame from oyster stardream card.  

Finally, I had to add a couple of handmade hatpins, don't forget to check out my two tutorials on Creating Hatpins and the aptly named follow-up, More Decorative Hatpins for a simple guide to creating your own embellishments. Pin It Now!

Too Cute to Spook - Halloween Window Card

Every year, I take part in a Halloween Swap on a Craft forum that I belong to, and it's one of my favourite swaps of the year.  However, as Halloween is just once a year, I try to not spend too much cash on craft stash just for that occasion and today's card is a case in point.  The only exclusively Halloween element on this card is the main stamped image, everything else has been adapted "spookify" it!
Card Recipe:
Stamps: Inkadinkadoo, Joanna Sheen's House Mouse
Tools: Tonic Studios Doomed Window Die,  Tonic Studios Window Basket Die  Tonic Studios Label Die, Cameo Silhouette, Grand Calibur
Colouring Mediums: Versmark Ink Pad, Versafine Black Ink Pad, Promarker Pens, Cosmic Shimmer Mist, Moon Glow Embossing Powder, Distress Ink Weathered Wood
Paper and Card: WRMK, Textured, Joanna Sheen's Elegance Satin, Velvet Paper, Opal Vellum
Embellishments: Tooth pick, foliage, silver-tone charm, string, bakers twine, crystals

To create the stamped scene, I cut a piece of stamping card slightly smaller than my window die, and punched out a 1" circle mask from a post-it note. I checked the position of my mask against the window die cut, then lightly coloured the stamping card with weathered wood distress ink.  After removing the mask, I stamped my witch using Versafine black , so that she appeared in silhouette against the moon.  Finally, I spritzed the entire image lightly with cosmic shimmer mist.

As this is a window scene looking from the inside to outdoors, my vellum blind needed to be proud of the window.  I cut the decorative edge with my favourite gothic border punch, and created the velvet "pelmet" by die- cutting some velvet paper and cardstock with the window box die that coordinates with the window die (but turned upside down).

They say that necessity is the mother of invention and as I do like making my own embellishments, and I had fun creating this witchy-broom as a bespoke Halloween decoration.  I used some sprigs of floristry foliage, which I pressed into my Versamark ink pad then coated in gorgeous two-toned moon glow embossing powder (midnight pewter obsidian).  When I heated the embossing powder, my craft room was filled with the scent of pine.

I glued the now midnight-black sprigs to a wooden tooth-pick and wrapped some rough string around the join - et voila - a very witchy broom.  

If you like to see how I created my All Hallows House Mouse, have a look at my original Scary House Mouse blog post.


You can also see how I used my Tied Together embossing folder and Black Soot ink pad to create my Halloween textured "wallpaper" from a piece of purple patterned paper.

The pumpkins were cut on my Cameo Silhouette, I like the curly fronds.  The silver-tone spider was an Ebay find, I just added the crystal to the centre and suspended it from a thread of Halloween Bakers Twine.












Here's one final look at this spooktacular card...

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1 Today Baby Girl Birthday Card

I've been waiting ages to show you this 'Lucia 1 Today' card, so I do hope you think it was worth the wait!

Card Recipe:
Image: Joanna Sheen House Mouse Triple CD
Paper and Card: Textured, DCWV, Stardream
Tools: Tonic Studios Happy Birthday Sentiment Die Set, Layering Squares, Love Arches Punch, Fanciful Flourish Die Set, Grand Calibur, Silhouette Cameo 
Embellishments: lace, seam binding, lace heart, pearls and crystals

I made this card for my parents to give to their first (and only) granddaughter on her first birthday, so it had to be special!

The focal point is this lovely sweet House Mouse digi image from Joanna Sheen''s House Mouse Triple CD.  I die cut with my favourite layering squares dies and mounted it onto a fancy square from the Happy Birthday Sentiment die set on DCWV luxury cardstock.









I used my Silhouette Cameo to cut out the 'Lucia 1 Today'  motif and  highlighted the 1 with flatback pearls.  The pretty lace heart is from the Tilly Daydream collection.

I'm generally of the view that more is more, I do like fussy and fancy cards, so some of the extra detailing on this card include:
* a cyrstal embellished florish swirl die-cut
* a seam binding bow
* handmade decorative hat-pins
* a lace border, layered with a cardstock border punched out using the Love Arches punch.


If you would like to have a go at making your own decorative hat-pins, I have a tutorial here that is a great starting point. 

I used the Happy Birthday frame as a mount for the message inside the card.




















Here's one final look at this card.

I do really love hat-pins, lace and House Mouse - what about you? Pin It Now!

Baby Lucia's Filigree First Birthday Card

Gosh, where did the last 12 months go?  I can't believe that it's my niece's first birthday this Sunday.  So, it is going to be a series of Baby Birthday blog-posts at the moment, we've had the Button Wall Art last week, now it's the Baby First Birthday Card, and there's the cake to come too!

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Autumnal House Mouse Big Apple-tite

Autumn is my favourite season. I know that the Summer is fab but I just love Autumn, the colours, the leaves, the Harvest!  This time last year, I was lucky enough to be visiting the wonderful Autumn colours in New England, so this is my homage to the arrival of Autumn!

Card Recipe:
Stamp: Joanna Sheen House Mouse
Tools: Tonic Studios Elegant Vine Square Die Se, Gothic Border, Tim Holtz Paper Distresser  Grand Calibur
Colouring Mediums: Promarker Pens, Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pads
Paper & Card: My Mind's Eye, Parchment, mulberry paper, Satin Elegance
Embellishments: Raffia, String, Baker's Twine, Sheer Ribbon, Buttons, Skeleton Leaves

Do you recognise the die set that I've used as a mat for the main focal image?   Yes, it's the Tonic Studios Elegant Vine Square Die Set.  Previously I've cut the top die from vellum and laid it over a pattern card, this time, I've cut the filigree layer in patterned card and layered it over a semi-translucent textured mulberry paper.

Plus, you'd never know that there is a tag in the centre of this die set, my focal image hides it completely, those clever, versatile Verso dies!

Do you find it difficult to shabby things up?  I know I do!  However, I've been playing with my Tonic Studios Tim Holtz Paper Distresser and had a good go at distressing all my edges, before inking them up with Tea Stain Distress Ink.  I think I like the effect, what do you think?

You can also see the edge I've punched with my Simplicity Gothic Border Punch - I think it works great on men's cards.



This card is also my Design Inspiration over an Oldie But A Goodie Challenge of us Dies and Punches.  So, the "Oldies" that are over 6 months old on this card are:
My Mind's Eye Card ● Buttons ● Twine ● Raffia ● String ● Ink Pads ● Elegance Satin Stamping card ● Promarker Pens ● Skeleton Leaves ● Mulberry Paper

Here's one last look....

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:
Cards for Men - String It Up

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Sneak Peek - Tonic Studios Elegant Vine Square & Bauble Tag Die

HoHoHo - would you like to see what Santa's delivered early to Tonic Studios Towers? It's their new Elegant Vine Square Die Set which I've used with Bauble Tag Die, combined with the Antique Frame Tag Die.  

Card Recipe:
Stamps: Joanna Sheen House Mouse, Kanban
Colouring Mediums: Promarker Pens, VersaMark, Encore Metallic Ink Pad, Peebles Inc Chalks
Paper & Card: Stardream, HOTP, Mirror, Glitter
Tools: Tonic Studios Elegant Vine Square Die Se, Bauble Tag Die, Antique Frame Tag Die,  Grand Calibur
Embellishments: Sheer Ribbon, Crystal Button, Jingle Bell,  crystal beads, pearls, pins, brads, eyelet

As I've admitted previously, I'm not really a Clean & Simple (CAS) card-maker, I really enjoy using lots of different techniques and effects on my cards, and this one includes the following (can you spot them all?): 

Paper piecing ● Ribbon threading ● Stitching ● Dry Embossing ● Stamping (digital and traditional)●  Manual Die Cutting ●  Eyelet Setting ●  Masking ●  Accenting ●  Decoupage ●  and (of course) Hat Pin Making!

So let's have a closer look at some of these.  To create the focal point, I used a Joanna Sheen Digi-stamp which I resized to fit onto my tag.  I printed the image out three times, twice onto Elegance Satin stamping card and once onto a small piece of patterned HOTP paper. I coloured the image in with Promarker pens, decoupaged the mouse, then cut out and paper-pieced the ribbon from the patterned paper.  Then, I masked the image, chalked the tag with shimmery Peebles Inc chalks and rubber stamped small snowflakes all over the background using the gorgeously rich Encore Metallic ink pad in purple.  Finally, I printed the Merry Christmas sentiment onto an offcut of stardream card, with I die cut using the tag element from Antique Frame Tag die set.  The tag has been mounted onto the new Tonic Studios Elegant Vine Square, and I used a craft knife to cut into each side of the tag so that I could thread my sheer ribbon through it.

Do you like my bling-tastic ribbon embellishment charm? I've had some glittery Jingle Bells in my stash for ages, and I attached one to the crystal button using jump rings before stitching it to the ribbon bow.  I made the hatpins myself and if you'd like to have a go, take a look at my Tutorial on More Decorative Hatpins.

I love to know who's visited my blog, so why not leave a comment and tell me what you think of this card, it would be much appreciated!

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Sneak Peek - Tonic Studios Antique Frame Gift Tag Die Set

Wowsers,  would you like a sneak peek of the launch of Tonic Studio's fabulous new Gift Tag Dies?  They are gorgeous and I've been lucky enough to have a little play ahead of time! Although I'm sure that you will be using these lovely dies on all your Christmas projects, as we're still in the midst of a glorious heatwave, I just had to use them on a very summary card.

Card Recipe:

Tools: Tonic Studios Antique Frame Gift Tag Die, Label Die, Gothic Border Punch
Stamp: Joanna Sheen Digi Stamp

Colouring Mediums: Promarker Pens, Chalks

Paper & Card: DCWV, Pearlescent, Elegance Satin
Embellishments: brads, crystal bead, homemade cocktail umbrella, grosgrain ribbon

The main focal point is a House Mouse digi-stamp from Joanna Sheen - those mices  little faces are just too sweet (even though the lemon appears to be a bit too sour for their tastes)!  These have been coloured-in with ProMarkers.  Today's been so hot, I wish I was having such a refreshing dip, it looks just the ticket!

Take a closer look at the new Tonic Studios Antique Frame Gift Tag Die which comes complete with a mini layering die.  I used that mini die to cut out the fun, computer generated sentiment, and pearl card to cut and emboss the frame.  

This is using the die as it was designed, however.........................

I can never just leave it at that (I don't really do clean and simple crafting, lol) so here's the same Antiques Frame Gift Tag Die, but this time I cut 2 sets from pearl card and cut one in half vertically and one in half horizontally. I then used these halves as a perfect fit to frame my label die-cut for my focal image.

To make the cute little parasol embellishment, I cut out a small circle of complementary patterned paper, which I then folded in half and then quarters, using a bone folder to create crisp creases.  I opened the circle back up, and folded into quarters again but this time between the existing score lines.  Opening up flat again, I then cut out a small segment, before glueing the ends together, I popped a cocktail stick through the centre and concertina-folded into a brolly shape before topping with a tiny bicone bead.  

Hope you all have a great weekend, and watch out for further sneak peeks coming very soon (the next one will be much more festive, Ho Ho Ho)

 

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:

Allsorts - Photo Inspiration (colours)

Anything Goes - Coffee Break/Food

Bunny Zoe's Crafts - Pink & White

Crafts & Me - Anything Goes

Crafty Calender - Anything Goes

Country View Crafts - Quotations & Sayings

Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes

Divas by Design - Favourite Colours

Dream Valley - Summer Days

Paper Crafting Journey - Punches and/or Die Cuts

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Father's Day Gift Tag & Bottle Tag Set

With Father's Day looming, I've made this matching gift tag & bottle tag, to fully co-ordinate with my Bunting & House Mouse Father's Day Card.

Project Recipe:
Stamps: Joanna Sheen House Mouse, LOTV sentiment
Colouring Mediums: Encore Ultimate Metallic Ink Purple, Memento Cocoa, Promarker Pens
Paper & Card: DCWV, Conqueror, Elegance Satin, Textured Pearlescent
Tools: Tonic Studios Butterfly Beautiful Die Set, Grand Calibur, Spellbinders, Silhouette Cameo
Embellishments: Creative Expressions Bakers Twine, Button, Brads, Beads, Wire

To make the Bottle Tag, I created the base shape on my Cameo Silhouette, by merging a circle and rectangle, and then adding another circle, I then used the offset tool to cut out the patterned paper layer. 

I echoed elements from my Father's Day card by using the same Tonic Studio's label die shape and another House Mouse Stamp from the same set as the card.  It tickled my sense of humour that the House Mouse was giving a present of Cheese as a gift on my Bottle Tag - making it a Cheese & Wine Tag (boom, boom!  Ok, pretty "cheesey" joke).  I made the little "Dad" embellishment with some yonks-old alphabet beads, a couple of glass spacer beads and some pretty lilac wire that I twizzled.  I stitched on th button with Baker's Twine using a pretty hefty darning needle.

The gift tag was made from the same Tonic Studio's label die shape, layered up and folded in two.  Again, echoing the main card, I used the same Happy Father's Day stamp, but reversed the colours on the cardstock so that the tag shape was cut from yellow textured card and the stamp mat in lilac.

So, this Gift Tag and Bottle Tag co-ordinate perfectly with my Father's Day Card:

I am entering this project into the following challenges:

ABC Challenge - Open
Anything Goes - Father's Day

Cards For Men - Dad

Craft-room Challenge - Use your Scraps
Crafts & Me - Something Old (Everything apart from Label Die is over 6 months old)

Creative Card Crew - Punches/Dies

CountryViewCrafts - Die Cuts

Fashionable Stamping - Tag Time
House Mouse & Friends - Father's Day
 I ♥ ProMarkers - All Stitched Up
Love to Create - Father's Day
Paper Crafting Journey - Masculine Cards

Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
Pile it On - Stripes and/or Plaid

Really Reasonable Ribbon - Masculine with Ribbon or Trim

Simon Says Stamp - Father's Day
Simply Create Too - Father's Day

I hope that you like my Father's Day projects, let me know what you think, I love to read your comments!

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Bunting & House Mouse Card for Father's Day

One of the things I love about House Mouse stamps is that they are so versatile, you can use them for cards for men, women and children. As my Dad rather enjoys all my baking, this cupcake house mouse image is perfect for this year’s Father’s Day Card!

Also, I’m really chuffed to report that I amonce again appearing as Guest Designer on this Sunday’s new challenge over on the lovely Joanna Sheen’s Challenge Blog. I the new theme is spots and stripes, and this is the card I’ve designed for my guest slot!

Card Recipe:
Stamps: Joanna Sheen House Mouse, LOTV sentiment
Colouring Mediums: Encore Ultimate Metallic Ink Purple, Memento Cocoa, Promarker Pens
Paper & Card: DCWV, Conqueror, Elegance Satin, Textured Pearlescent
Tools: Tonic Studios Butterfly Beautiful Die Set, Tonic Studios Doily Strip Punch, Grand Calibur, Spellbinders, Sewing Machine
Embellishments: Creative Exprerssions Bakers Twine, Button, Brads

To make the “DAD” Banner, I used the smaller label die in the Tonic Studios Butterfly Beautiful Die Set and cut out three labels in textured pearlescent card and three more in patterned paper. I trimmed down the outer edge on the patterned paper die cuts so that they created a perfectly sized mat for the card labels, and layered them together. I then scored the top of each of these labels and threaded them onto some Baker’s Twine, before securing with a brad, to create a bunting.

I threaded another piece of Baker’s Twine through the border I cut from my Tonic Studios Doily Strip Punch. I love this punch, it’s just perfect to lace through with ribbon or, in this case, Bakers Twine.

My image is from the House Mouse Ice-Cream stamp Plate, stamped with Memento Cocoa Ink, coloured with Pro-Markers and decoupaged. I also used a Promarker to create the Polka Dot pattern on the cup-cake wrapper, to nicely echo one of my patterned papers.

I've also being trying to get to grips with my Sewing Machine.  It was a birthday gift about 6 years ago, but I am very challenged in the sewing dept :( and after a disasterous first go, gave up.  However a lovely crafting friend has inspired me to have another go, so I used the machine to accent this card.  I will get better, but at least I've had a go!









I am entering this card into the following challenges:
ABC Challenge - Open
Cards For Men - Dad
Craft-room Challenge - Use your Scraps
Creative Card Crew - Punches/Dies
CountryViewCrafts - Die Cuts
CutiePie Challenge - 3-2-1 (3 tails, 2 mice, 1 sentiment)
LEJ Designs - Celebrate
Paper Crafting Journey - Masculine Cards
Passion For ProMarkers - Add Ribbon, Lace or Twine
Pile it On - Stripes and/or Plaid
Really Reasonable Ribbon - Masculine with Ribbon or Trim
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
Simply Create Too - Bingo (O)

Do let me know what you think of this card, I love to read your comments! Pin It Now!

House Mouse Love Wreath Happy Couple

It's time for this fortnight's challenge over at an Oldie But A Goodie Challenge, and the theme choosen by Francesa is Weddings.  We're sponsored by The Pretty Little Ribbon Shop, which is just perfect as I ♥ ♥ ♥ pretty ribbon! There's some fabulous inspiration by the Design Team, so have a good rifle through all your old stash (you need to use at least one element that is over 6months old on this challenge and, if you mention it in your post, you could win a fab prize of embellement gorgeousness from The Pretty Little Ribbon Shop) and come and join in!

This is first card using a Digi-Stamp! I realise I’m well behind the curve on this one, but I don’t use on computer a lot in my crafting (spend too long on the PC for work). However, I was so excited about the new House Mouse Triple CD, I just couldn’t wait to start on the digi-stamps included, and chose this so cute Love Wreath image.  Apart from this image, all the other elements on my card are from my existing stash and over 6 months old.

Card Recipe:
Stamp: Joanna Sheen
Colouring Mediums: Promarker Pens, Flexmarker Pens, Pebble Inc Chalks, Tattered Angels Glimmer Spritz
Paper & Card: Chiyogami paper, Stardream Opal, textured pearl card
Tools: Tonic Die, Spellbinder Dies, Dreamweaver Stencil, Silhouette Cameo, Grand Calibur
Embellishments: Präsent Ribbon, hand-made beaded Hat Pins, Pearls, Dome Sticker, hand-made Ruffle Ribbon Flower

I printed the House-Mouse Love Wreath digi-stamp onto Stardream Opal paper and coloured it with Promarkers and Flexmarkers. I really love the Antique White Flexmarker, when you’re using it, you think it’s not laying down any colour, but it does make a beautiful, subtle difference so suited to delicate blossoms.

I picked up on the blossom theme with my embellishments. I used a lovely Dreamweaver Cherry Blossom stencil, which I dry embossed using my Grand Calibur onto an offcut of Stardream Opal cardstock. I then chalked through the stencil to colour the branches and flowers, before spritzing the whole panel with Tattered Angels Glimmer Spritz. If you want to see how I made the large ribbon flower, take a look at my Ribbon Flower with a Twist Tutorial.

This gorgeous flourish has been die-cut with my new Tonic Studios Bird on a Branch die set and its blossom detail co-ordinates perfectly. I cut two in textured pearlised cardstock, to create a frame accent around my main image. The little charm was made by stamping and colouring a part of the wreath, then encasing it in an acrylic dome sticker and cutting out. Using my Antique White Flexmarker, I coloured the leaf behind my signature hand-made pearl hatpins. I also stitched glass pearls to the blossom centres on my favourite ribbon in the whole-wide world ever (made by Präsent and ridiculously expensive and lovely at the same time).

I cut my card base and layers using my Silhouette Cameo. My top layer is a Chiyogami paper which is beautiful hand silk-screen printed paper from Japan, using an ancient papermaking art. 

I am entering this card into the following challenges:
Crafts & Me - Lots of Layers
Deep Ocean Challenge - Ribbons or Lace
Divas By Design - Friendship
Dream Valley Challenges - Animals
Fab 'n' Funky - Ribbon or Lace
House-Mouse & Friends - Flower Power
I ♥ Promarkers - Anything Goes
LEJ Designs - Dies or Punches
Moving Along with the Times - Embossing
Paper Crafting Journey - Photo Inspiration
Passion For ProMarkers - Anything Goes
Crafty Calender Challenge- Blooms & Blossoms

Hope everyone has a fabulous Bank Holiday weekend.  I'm desperate to get into the garden to do some cutting back, so please let the sun shine!  I do love to read your feedback, so please do leave a comment after visiting!

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I Scream For Ice-Cream!

Can you believe it is now November? I just don’t know where this year has gone! Well, if it is November, then it’s time for Dad’s Birthday Card. I got the idea for this Dad Birthday Card as my Dad’s very partial to pudding, especially Ice-Cream, so the House Mouse Ice-Cream stamp seemed very appropriate.

Card Recipe:
Stamp: Ice-Cream House Mouse from Joanna Sheen
Colouring Mediums: Memento Ink, Promarker Pens
Paper & Card: DCWV, Conqueror, card from stash
Tools: Spellbinders, Silhouette Cameo, BigShot, Martha Stewart Punch, Tim Holtz Ruler, Martha Stewart Score Board
Embellishments: Baker’s Twine, Buttons, Rhinestones

Apart from the button, rhinestones and twine, I made all the embellishments on this card using my Cameo, spellbinders dies, Martha Stewart punches and scoreboard. I hope you like all the layers and points of interest.

The mice, which have been stamped twice and decoupaged, have been coloured in with Promarkers, including the gorgeous Grey Squirrel in the 2012 Autumn Limited Edition set.  I've loved the wonderful colours in this series of pens, absolutely fabulous.

The DCWV papers I used were perfect for the project, and I've had this particular stack for about 5 years before using it!

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Cards For Men: Sketch
Crafts & Me Challenge: Bling It Up
Die Cuttin Divas: Anything Goes
Here Comes The Boys: Die Cuts & Punches
I Love Promarkers: Cute
LEJ Designs: Anything Goes
Love to Create: Lots of Layers
Oldie But A Goodie: Spots & Stripes (5 year old DCWV papers!)
Paper Crafting Journey: Ribbon or Twine
Pile it On: For the Birthday Boy
Stampin' for the Weekend: Anything Goes
Tuesday Morning Sketches: No 170

Reading comments from fellow crafters is such a pleasure, so I do appreciate it if you can take the time to leave a comment. Thank you!
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