House Mouse Challenge with "ANYTHING CHRISTMAS GOES" theme

Not a creature was stirring...
not EVEN a ...



Greetings, friends!
In my last post, I mentioned that we had beautiful warm weather and were still using air conditioning. Today's weather is different. We are below freezing! I feel sorry for all the wildlife, farmers, and our plants - they don't know what is happening!

Sigh. All good things must come to an end. This is my final Guest Design card with my wonderful mice buddies at House Mouse and Friends!

SPECIAL HOLIDAY CHALLENGE

#256 Anything Christmas Goes

December 11th through January 8th

There are so many darling stories these House Mouse stamps tell. My imagination smiles and giggles while coloring them, and putting the cards together.

These two characters were misbehaving all night, when they were finally told that Santa would not come until they ceased their shenanigans and went to sleep. They stopped right where they were, closed their eyes -- and

did they REALLY fall immediately to sleep? Or are they pretending?

What do you think?



Colored with Copic Markers, the darling House Mouse image (called FRIENDLY DREAMS) was die cut with a pretty Sue Wilson die - Indian Ocean - Maldives CED10015.

Bringing out more of my AGES OLD K&C paper, it has been embellished with awesome Champagne Glass Glitter. I wish you could see it in real life - what sparkle this has! AND easy to use without glittery particles floating around, too!
(click on the photo below for a close-up of this glitter please)



The glass glitter was adhered with Nuvo Glitter Accents Aztec Gold. I chose this as "adhesive" because all the crevices were covered with the same color of glittery goodness between the chunky glass glitter pieces. It really affords a nice dimensional look whether used alone, or adding more glitter atop.



It's been such a pleasure designing with the Mousie crowd these two months!

Products Used:

• Images: Stampendous House Mouse "Friendly Dreams HMCM06"
• Glass Glitter: Champagne Glass Glitter GG02C
• Nuvo Glitter Accents Aztec Gold 
• Dies: Sue Wilson Indian Ocean - Maldives CED10015, SB Grommet Tags
• Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Stormy Sky Distress, Shabby Shutters Distress
• Papers: Express-it Copic, K and Company, Certainly Celery Green
• MISC: Copic Markers, Satin Ribbon, Lace, Brads

Lovely Challenges to play in please!

1. Addicted to Stamps #159 "Seasons Greetings" (animals are rubber, sentiment is digital) 12/24
2. Animal Friends Challenge #57 (Dec) Anything goes with an Animal 1/1 (sep post)
3. Classic Design Team Open Challenge #20 Anything for a DT 1/1 (sep post)
4. Come and Get It Challenges (Dec) Christmas 1/7
5. Crafty Animals #9 Anything Goes with a Critter 1/1 (sep post)
6. Christmas Card Throwdown  (Dec 2) (choose a challenge from 2012-2013) I chose the Animals from Challenge #15 March 16-2013. 12/30  (C12)
7. Let's Craft and Create Challenge #132 Anything Christmas Goes 12/31
8. Pammie's Inky Pinkies #1750 Anything Goes 12/18 (sep post)
9. Pile It On Challenges #137 Non-Traditional Colors  1/7 
10. Merry Monday #269 (color challenge) 12/18 (sep post) comment on 3

Warm Christmasy Stamping Hugs,

Show Me A Snowman - Cardz 4 Galz - Sparkle N Sprinkle

Hello, Blogging Buddies! Wishing you a great day. Are you enjoying the holiday celebrations and preparations? Here in central Florida, we are enjoying gorgeous  blue skies, light fluffy clouds, and temperatures in the low 80s (in the shade!)

Maybe my card will cool things off.

Speaking of cards - I love playing with my supplies, getting messy, and experimenting. Do you?

There's a new challenge at Cardz 4 Galz Challenges today!

Badges are awarded for the Spotlight Winner and Top Picks.

Challenge #61 is chosen by designer Caz - and the theme is:

  SHOW ME A SNOWMAN  

show us your Paper Crafting projects using any technique and medium, 

AS LONG AS IT FEATURES A SNOW PERSON!

Challenge ends on DECEMBER 21st.

Today's card is 5x7 (A7) and features this darling Bugaboo Image merged with  Sparkle N Sprinkle has become the Snow Couple Rubber Stamp Set (also available digitally). They are delighted, cuddling together to keep each other COLD, and singing you "we wish you a Merry Christmas".

I colored this image with Copic Markers, and this is the colored version you will receive with this stamp set if you buy the digital set.

Then I die cut the intriguing Tonic Layering Ribbon and Bow Frame Set in white, coated it with VersaMark and dredged with Firecracker Red Detail Opaque EP (it contains glitter). I removed the center (detailed) portion of the die, leaving two plain pieces, and die cut the same frame out of fun foam.



Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive with fine nozzle tip was applied to the back of the red embossed frame and adhered to the fun foam.
The back of the fun foam was coated with 1/4" Tear-ific Tape, and it was then placed on the die cut Snow Couple die cut piece.

The next step involves Super Adhesive Sheets - Double Sided, and Cloud Nine Velvet Microfine Glitter:

Cut red cardstock as desired, and then cut the Super Adhesive Sheet 1/4" smaller.
Carefully center the cut SAS to the red cardstock, leaving the protective layer on top. Adhere the red layer to the card base:

The sentiment was designed to be on one side, so I pulled back the SAS on the right side just enough to apply a little Cloud Nine Velvet Microfine Glitter, burnishing it in with my finger. (See how it will look when the protective layer is finally removed?



After wiping off the excess, I prepared the left side for the same treatment, leaving the center tacky for the Snow Couple Panel:



Leaving the protective layer in place, burnish the left side and brush off any loose glitter.
Place entire panel in the Tim Holtz Stamp Platform to arrange the flourish stamp (sorry about the glaring light bulb!):



To get the Blazing Red Staz-on ink to show up enough, I had to restamp 7 times (because the base cardstock is red, not white). After stamping, the protective layer was removed, the Snow Couple panel was applied, and then the top and bottom of the SAS was burnished with more glitter. (Below, see that the SAS holds the Snow Couple panel, and just above and below more glitter is needed:



The sentiment is heat embossed with White Detail EP. I put it back in the Stamp Platform and stamped again with Versamark, and heat set with Velvet Sparkle EP. This allows the white EP to show clearly, but gives a bit of a sparkly shadow to the words (hope you can see the sparkles):



To create my giant sized snowflakes I used Nuvo Glitter Accents Fresh Snowfall, and dredged with Diamond Dust Glitter. The same process was done on the ground, and on the snow couple's hats:



Tonic's Poinsettia Wreath Die 80e was cut up and embellished with more Firecracker Red Detail Opaque EP to match the frame. The little heart brad was heat set with Velvet Sparkle EP. (Just heat the brad, dip into embossing powder, heat again, dip again, until you like the appearance).

Finished Sparkly card:

Products Used:

• Embossing Powders: Sparkle N Sprinkle Firecracker Red Detail Opaque EP (with Glitter), White Detail EP, Velvet Sparkle EP
• Stamps: Sparkle N Sprinkle Snow Couple Rubber Stamp Set, Flourishes 2 Rubber Stamp Set
• Glitters: Sparkle N Sprinkle Diamond Dust Glitter, Cloud Nine Velvet Microfine Glitter, Nuvo Glitter Accents Fresh Snowfall
• Adhesives: Sparkle N Sprinkle 1/4" Tear-ific Tape, Super Adhesive Sheets - Double Sided, Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive with fine nozzle
• Cardstock: Neenah Solar White cardstock, Red
• Tim Holtz Stamp Platform
• Tonic 12" Wide Base Craft Guillotine
• VersaMark
• Dies: Tonic Layering Ribbon and Bow Frame Set 1461e, Tonic Poinsettia Wreath Die 80e
• Fun Foam (for frame), brad

Fun Challenges I'd like to play in:

1. Kerst/Christmas Challenges #12 Anything Goes Christmas 1/1/2018
2. Craftaholics R Us #48 Christmas 12/13
3. Always Fun Challenges #35 "Snowmen" 12/10
4. World Wide Open DT Challenge #28 Anything for a DT 12/15
5. Bugaboo Crafty Challenge #11 Anything Bugaboo Goes 12/15
6. Love to Scrap #104 Winter Wonderland 12/31 (sep post)
7. Crafty Calendar Challenges (December) "It's Christmas" 1/1 (sep post)

Thanks for coming by today,

Sasayaki Glitter - 2 Crafty Critter Crazies

Hello, Critter-loving Friends!
I'm so happy to be seeing you again.

It's time for a new challenge at

2 Crafty Critter Crazies!

Sasayaki Glitter is sponsoring December's challenge, which ends December 30. A random winner is selected, and a guest designer for the upcoming month is chosen.

I am featuring Little Miss Teacup Mouse!


Colored with Copic Markers, she slurped her way through yummy hot chocolate in her china teacup. Even her fur coloring changed to a rich chocolate hue!

The teacup was coated with VersaMarker, and heat set with SNS clear detail embossing powder. Great shine, isn't it? (All that "white" in the cup is actually shine from the light on the clear EP)

Burnished Bronze Dream Weaver stencil paste was applied to K and Company designer paper, and allowed to dry into this amazing color!

The dies are Spellbinders Labels 8, and Sue Wilson Melbourne.

I accidentally dropped my round die cut with the mousie, and it adhered in the wrong place on the card, but that's how it goes sometimes. The adhesive was too strong to pull back up. Has that happened to you?
(While it's sad that it fell where it did, at least it fell relatively straight, right?) lol

The background cardstock was dry embossed and inked with the same abandoned coral distress ink as the image's circle.

Thank you for popping by today!
Don't forget to upload your creations that feature a critter at

2 Crafty Critter Crazies!

hugs,
Donna

The Merry Christmas Challenge

Good Morning, dear blogging friends!
Whew! Just one month before the end of 2017. Is it possible? We are again enjoying the typical Florida "Autumn" weather, that many of my northeastern friends in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine would consider to be summer.



I'm happy to share:
Today begins a challenge #45 at the Merry Christmas Challenge Group!

The theme is always ANYTHING CHRISTMAS GOES. This can include any type of crafting at all, so work on those decorations, tags, wreaths, sweaters, gifts, cards -- Anything Christmas Goes! Every week begins a new challenge.



I'm somewhat discouraged with the newer cameras - they capture every flaw and little particles of light that the human eye cannot see. So these photos were taken in two places.
One has artificial light (where the camera captures no sparkle), and the other is bright and sparkly, but the colors look darker than they are in real life.

Here is what I made:


White and chocolate brown cardstocks were used:



Check out the "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" frame:



Apply Tonic Nuvo Mother of Pearl Embellishment Mousse (on white cardstock):



Makes a big difference transforming the card stock:



Stamp on top of the moussed cardstock. My VIRGINAL stamp was purchased at a convention in 2011 - and is happy now that she has been stamped:



Me and Carrie Lou "Poinsettia" was stamped with Versafine Sepia Brown ink, and heat embossed with SNS Log Cabin Cosmic Embossing Powder (it's a combination of elements to create a "detail" EP but still sparkle with glitter). This luscious EP is both creamy and sparkly.

TIP:

to color the leaves:

Spritz a little water in the Embellishment Mousse to keep it moist AND use a water color brush on top of porous and NON porous surfaces:



The first layer of poinsettias was stamped and heat embossed on a large section of cardstock pre-embellished with Nuvo Mother of Pearl Embellishment Mousse.
Then only one delicate section of the die set was used to frame it.

On another scrap piece of paper, also prepared with Nuvo Mother of Pearl Embellishment Mousse, the poinsettia was stamped and embossed again, then fussy cut some of the petals out:



While the next step could be done with white cardstock, I used brown, just in case I missed any sections. SNS Copper Dreams Detail EP was massively dredged on a precut square that was liberally inked with VersaMark (This EP is extremely Sparkly but great on details, and coordinates well with Log Cabin Cosmic Embossing Powder).

I die cut the Tonic Poinsettia Wreath Die, smooshed VersaMark on it, and heat set with SNS Copper Dreams Detail EP so it would match the background. The die cut was cut up into pieces, with one adhered to the moussed background, and another popped up on the bow.

It really is shiny, shimmery, and sparkly all over!

The color values are truer in the photo below, but it just does not show off the shimmer of the mousse, or the sparkle of the embossing powders:

Ribbon is from DLArt "Coffee House Bundle Two".

Now for the inside:

All the white cardstock was again prepared with Nuvo Mother of Pearl Embellishment Mousse, and the brown was prepared with Copper Dreams Detail EP:

The inside is just as pretty as the outside.

Here it is with the shimmer and sparkle showing:

Thanks for stopping by! Don't forget to play in our Christmas Challenge!

Sparkle N Sprinkle Products Used:

• Tonic Nuvo Mother of Pearl Embellishment Mousse (on white cardstock)
• Tonic Merry Christmas Sentiment Die Set
• Tonic Poinsettia Wreath Die
• Tonic Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive with fine nozzle
• SNS Log Cabin Cosmic Embossing Powder (it's a combination of elements to create a "detail" EP but still sparkle)
• SNS Copper Dreams Detail EP (it's extremely Sparkly but great on details)
• VersaMark Ink (need a reinker?)
• Tonic Hinged Stamp Platform by Tim Holtz

Other Products Used:

• Images: Me and Carrie Lou "Poinsettia" H180, Heartfelt Creations HCPC3552 "Bright Christmas"
• Ribbon: DLArt "Coffee House Bundle Two"
• Martha Stewart "Cherish" Punch (edge inside)
• Memory Box Pinpoint Scallop Circles (inside)
• Pearl Brad

Challenges I would like to support by playing in them:

1. Crafting with Dragonflies #94 Christmas Card in non-traditional Colors 12/2 (sep post)
2. Christmas at Sweet Stampin Challenge Nov 8 Anything Christmas Goes 12/14 (sep post)
3. Kerst-Christmas FB Challenge #11 November Anything Christmas 12/2
4. Monochrome Magic #7 Monochrome 12/15
5. Retro Rubber #76 Anything Goes 12/6 (my VIRGINAL stamp is from a convention purchased in 2011)
6. Scrapy Land Challenge #78 Anything Goes with A Die SL Sells 12/6
7. The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge #20 Anything Christmas Goes 12/12
8. Use Your Stuff #290 Heat Embossing 12/3 (sep post)
9. World Wide Open DT Challenge "Anything DT Goes" 12/15 (sep post)

Warm and Cozy Christmas Hugs,

House Mouse Challenge Anything Goes with BIRTHDAY IN DECEMBER theme

Greetings friends!

I'm continuing the Guest Design gig with House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge today!

Challenge #255 Anything Goes OR Theme Option "Birthday in December"

November 27 - December 9th

So much fun coloring this over-partied mousie setting with Copic Markers in the cool colors of December, yet livening it up a bit with K and Company's Elegant Christmas Papers (from how many Christmas's ago? 10 at least!)

SIGH:
But some papers age gracefully, and never lose their timeless quality.



These colorful snowflake flowers were in the designer paper, and made the perfect accent for a BIRTHDAY IN DECEMBER!


A bit of tulle was added for texture.

A shiny button tied with jute twine finishes it all off!



Please link up with us at House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge and show us your pretties. Remember, it can be Anything Goes House Mouse or the optional theme!

Products Used:

• Images: Stampendous Birthday Cupcake (Friend, Mudpie), Hero Arts Peg Greetings
• Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Deep Lagoon, Mermaid Lagoon & Old Paper Distress Inks
• Dies: Spellbinders Labels Twenty-three, Shapeabilities Foliage
• Paper: Neenah Solar White, KandCompany old, old Christmas Paper, SU Sage
• MISC: Copic Markers, MS double heart punch, Tulle, Button, Jute Twine

Challenges I'd like to Support:

1. A Bit More Time to Craft #56 Anything Goes 12/15 sep post
2. Always Fun Challenges #34 Anything Goes 12/4
3. Artistic Inspirations #191 Anything Goes 12/11
4. Come and Get It Challenge (Nov 26) Animals 12/3
5. Crafting from the Heart #185 Anything Goes 12/3
6. Crafty Cardmakers #201 Animal Magic 12/11  C14
7. Crafty Catz Challenge #394 Anything Goes with Twist of Winter Colors 11/30
8. Creative Fingers Challenge #141 Anything Goes (on #143 post) 12/7
9. My Time to Craft Challenge Winter Birthday #359 Winter Birthday 12/1
10. World Wide Open DT Challenge #28 Anything DT Goes 12/15 sep post

Little House Mouse Hugs,

Cardz 4 Galz - Cupcakes

Hello, dear Blogging Friends!
Today is Thanksgiving Day in the U.S. and I am very thankful for the kind, generous Beauty you each share with the rest of us - and especially, how I've grown just by knowing you. You never know whose life you are touching with your words and artwork!

I have two questions below which I'm hopeful you can answer in your comments, but first, let's take care of "business" (giggle)

There's a new challenge at Cardz 4 Galz Challenges today!

Badges are awarded for the Spotlight Winner and Top Picks.

Challenge #61 is chosen by designer Amy - and the theme is:

  CUPCAKES!  

show us your Paper Crafting projects using any technique and medium, 

AS LONG AS IT FEATURES A YUMMY CUPCAKE DELIGHT!

Challenge ends on DECEMBER 6th.

First I stamped this darling little flying lover of cupcakes with the Stamp Platform currently on sale.
I stamped 3 times until the gray ink was just dark enough:

This card is for my granddaughter, so My Copic Markers naturally gravitated to a more sophisticated color palette suitable to her age (giggle).
Isn't it amusing how we enjoy certain colors as children, outgrow those colors, and slowly gravitate back to those fun colors as we age?


Surrounded by glittery happiness,
the sentiment is left OH-SO-PLAIN, with a tad of yellow ink, and a gray Copic Marker on the edge.

The Balloons are stamped twice so that one could be colored, and dredged with Starfire Ultrafine Glitter. After the glue for the glitter dried, I fussy cut one balloon, distressed the glitter with Black Memento ink, and popped it up for some dimension.

Starfire Ultrafine Glitter is fantastic for "shading" after it has been applied - with alcohol-solvent markers, or water-based products.


TIP:


In fact,
speaking of "distressing" glitter,
(isn't that an oxymoron?),
all three of the die cut balloons have been colored with Copic Markers, then dredged with Sunny Daze Ultrafine Glitter  and Sassy Silver Ultrafine Glitter, and THEN colored again with darker Copic Markers, to add a little more depth to the balloons.
You can even "change" the shade or color of many glitters (both microfine and ultrafine) by coloring with inks and markers.

I created the border by using Abby's Birthday Party digital stamp set. The tiny cupcake was cropped, and then flipped and copy and pasted a number of times to create a fun border. Later it was colored with coordinating markers. I RESISTED THE URGE to glitterfy them by sparkling up the frame instead. It's popped up with a piece of fun foam and attached using SNS Tear-ific Tape 1". They look like they are dancing:



Cute card! Now, it's your turn to create some cupcake fun for the challenge!

QUESTION #1
Do you completely change your project 3 or 4 times during the creative process before finally seeing a possibility? Sometimes, as with this card, I have an idea, which morphs into another, which then morphs into yet another, and finally ends up being completely different from what I started with!


QUESTION #2

Recently, I learned that Windows users cannot "see" the "You might like" widget that is at the bottom of each post (just above where you write a comment). I have learned people with an Apple device (iPad, MacBook, iMac, etc) can see the 5 thumbnails, but apparently Windows users cannot. Will you please advise in your comment if you can see it, and which Platform (Windows or Apple) that you are using? Thank you! I'd like to contact the widget maker.

Products Used:

• Stamps from SNS: Flying Birthday Girl Rubber Stamp Set, Abby's Birthday Party digital stamp set
• Glitters from SNS: Sunny Daze Ultrafine Glitter , Sassy Silver Ultrafine Glitter, Starfire Ultrafine Glitter
• Paper: Pale Gray, Neenah Solar White
• Adhesives: SNS Tear-ific Tape 1", Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive with Fine Tip, 
• Dies: Tonic English Picnic
• Embossing Folder: Tonic Layered Leaves
• Inks: Copic Markers, Distress Lemonade, Brilliance Platinum, Memento Tuxedo Black, Memento Gray Flannel

Challenges I'd like to play in:

1. A Bit More Time to Craft #56 Anything Goes 11/29 (sep post 11/30)
2. Allsorts Challenge Blog #442 "Glitter" 11/25
3. Craftaholics R Us #46 "Girly" 11/28
4. Crafting with Friends #55 Anything Goes 11/29
5. Crafty Girls Creations #41 Anything Goes 12/1
6. Crafty Friends Challenge #71 Add A Sentiment 12/1
7. Cute as a Button Challenge #39 Anything Goes Cute! 12/1
8. Retro Rubber Stamps Challenge #76 "Anything Goes" (my flying girl rubber set with sentiment are circa 2013 by SNS - I love this stamp set!) (C10) 12/1 (sep post 12/4)
9. Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge (11-22) "Food Or Drink" 11/29
10. Sweet Stampin' (Nov 18) "It's Our 8th Birthday" 11/25 (Birthday Cards)

Thanks for dropping by today.
Sending you cupcake hugs,