House Mouse Gingerbread Decorating {Christmas Bingo Challenges}

NOTE: My Jan's Digi Stamps design team project is also published today here.

Yippee! I'm so excited to share a brand new Christmas Challenge for blog land!

It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year! A brand new challenge blog for Christmas lovers all year long! 

Named Christmas BINGO Challenges, a new bingo card is available for each challenge. But this bingo is a bit different. Only columns may be used (not rows or diagonal choices). Each column includes a FREE SPACE, which you may also use. Please utilize three or more squares in the column of your choice. (more details on blog)

In this case, I have chosen the "B" column.

Tags (in the upper right of my card)

Dots (in the background papers)

Green (papers are pine needle green)

Stamped Image (House Mouse & Hero Arts)

and I even can say "free" because I've used some other "stuff" on the card (giggle)

Remember, you only have to use 3 squares in one column, and FREE can be one of your choices!

Colored with Copic Markers, this darling House Mouse stamp is now retired. Fortunately, I had stamped a few from a friend several years ago.  

The sentiment is stamped in Rain Forest VersaFine Clair and heat set with clear detail embossing powder. 

The House Mouse line is one I never tire of coloring. 

How about you? Do you have certain favorite stamps or stamp lines that you enjoy? Or do you find yourself going through cycles of certain styles and techniques?

I tried balancing the gold glossy die cut with the brass bell in the image:

Come on over and show us what you can do with the bingo card at Christmas BINGO Challenges.

Products: Stamps: Stampendous House Mouse Frosting Gingerbread Man from 1997 (it's long been retired),  Hero Arts Clear set CL722, Green Digital Paper by LianaScrap (free, thank you), Dies: Tonic Mixed Edge Rectangle set, Surprise Creations Double Stitch Tags die set, Tutti-123 Arched Fir Branch die, Memory Box Precious Gingerbread Men Inks: Rain Forest VersaFine Clair, Oxides in Pine Needles and Lucky Clover, Copic Markers, Clear Detail Embossing Powder 

Challenges I would like to play in please:

1. Outlawz Twisted Thursday AG with theme COLOR IT (colored with Rain Forest VersaFine Clair, Oxides in Pine Needles and Lucky Clover, Copic Markers) 5/4 (3 of 5 allowed entries)
2. Worldwide Crafters and Colorists Challenge #4 AG (entry 3 of 3) 5/12
3. My Favorite Things Christmas Challenge (April 20) ends May 17
4. House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge (5/1) AG HM ends May 13
5. Classic Design Challenge #5 AG 6/1
6. A Perfect Time to Craft #5 AG (check 7/1)
7. Girlz Creative Christmas Challenge #18 Everything Goes 5/6
8. Peace on Earth Christmas Challenge #38 AG option mood board 5/4 (D&D - I hope I understood the challenge properly) 
9. Christmas With The Cuties #69 Something Hand Colored ends May 14 check 5/29
10. Critter Crazy Challenges #74 FEATURE a critter 6/1
11. Merry Little Christmas Challenge Blog #50 AG Christmas 6/15

Stamping Hugs,

Patriotic Poppies {Jan's Digi Stamps}

Happy May, dear blogging friends! 

Today is the kickoff for May's Anything Goes Challenge at Jan's Digi Stamps!  If you use a JDS image in your card, please mention it. There is a 2nd draw specifically for those who use one of Jan's fun images. Jan's newest sets are 25% off and this month's Father's Day sale, includes 10 sets, also on sale 25% off.

I've blended some other papers with Jan's pretty, Patriotic Poppies set, in honor of those who have fought for our freedom, and the freedom of others. The poppy was established as a symbol for that reason globally after World War 1. 

Patriotic Poppies on sale 33% off for $2.00

Sentiment is from:

Botanical Orchids 874

I digitally created a red 4.5 x 4.5 inch background, placing 4 small rectangles and cropped poppies in each. Then a larger rectangle accommodates the sentiment. Each rectangle is framed digitally in black, with a shadow effect for the sentiment, all in my free, trusty Pages word processor. I copy-and-pasted the flowers in each rectangle to be colored and layered. The images are colored with Copic markers. Even the lace is a digital addition.

Instead of "popping up" the whole flower, the bases of each flower (near the stem) have been glued flat atop the flower underneath, with black dimensional tape under portions of the flower petals on the upper layer:

A shadow affect was used on the sentiment digitally:

The card interior uses my handmade sentiment with one of Jan's pre-colored images:

We love seeing your projects at Challenge at Jan's Digi Stamps!

Products: Jan's Digi Images:  Patriotic Poppies 4095,  Botanical Orchids 874, also digital: Digital Lace Borders by Angie Makes at Creative Market, Lozzy T's Papers "Checkout #30", regular papers, Coral Mulberry Paper, Copic Markers

I'd like to play in the following fine challenges please:

1. Outlawz Twisted Thursday AG with theme COLOR IT (colored with Copic Markers 5/4 (4 of 5 allowed entries) 5/4
2. Crafting Happiness Challenges # 142 Flowers 6/1
3. Creative Knockouts #493 Flower Power (1st of 3 allowable entries) 5/13 OE10

4. A Perfect Time to Craft #5 AG (check 7/1)

5. Make My Monday Challenge #199 Flowers 5/6

6. Classic Design Challenge #5 AG 6/1

7. Pammie's Inky Pinkies #2317 AG 5/8

8. CD Sunday Plus #109  5/1 ( I used digital items: Lozzy T's Papers "Checkout #30" and layered Creative Market's Lace border onto it and printed. On my word processor, I then digitally applied red square layer framed in white with 4 white "windows" framed in black. The digital image was also placed in the "windows". A window was created for the sentiment, also a digital image from JDS and highlighted with red on the computer. This was printed out. I also printed more of the poppies separately. These were all colored with Copics and layered atop. Several digital layers, and several "paper" layers. 5/15

Stamping Hugs,

Early May Bouquet - Jan's Digi Stamps

Hello, friends! Waving special love and sunshine your way!

Today's card is for April's mid-month reminder at the Anything Goes Challenge at Jan's Digi Stamps!  If you use a JDS image in your card, please mention it. There is a 2nd draw specifically for those who use one of Jan's fun images.

Jan's Digi's now has a freebie section. New items will be added periodically. My card uses one of the freebies.

Jan's newest sets are 25% off and don't forget about this month's Mother's Day sale! Ten sets 25% - 50% off.

To create my card, I colored with Copic Markers, Spun Sugar DI, and Salty Ocean Oxide with used two sets and a freebie image (just click on them to enlarge):

*NEW* Early May Bouquet 8 images Sale $3.00

Showers of Tulips 923 - 16 images

Using my word processor, 

one image was cropped twice 

to accommodate 

an enlarged area. 

Two pale lines were added 

at a 90 degree angle

on the right.

Folds flat for mailing:

From the new freebie section:

Perfect for any occasion! It's going to be a birthday card for a dear friend:

Looking forward to seeing your project in the Anything Goes Challenge at Jan's Digi Stamps!

Products: Jan's Digi Images: Early May Bouquet, freebie section sentiment, Showers of Tulips 923 (Happiness Sentiment), Sue Wilson Noble Double Pierced Squares set B, Spun Sugar DI, Salty Ocean Oxide, Copic Markers, Martha Stewart punches (Doily Lace Trim & Daisy Edge). 

I'd like to play in the following fine challenges please:

1. Outlawz Twisted Thursday AG with theme COLOR IT (colored with Spun Sugar DI, Salty Ocean Oxide, Copic Markers) 5/4 (2 of 5 allowed entries)
2. Worldwide Crafters and Colorists Challenge #4 AG (entry 2 of 3) 5/12
3. Triple B Challenge  (April 2) Blooms 4/30 (2nd of 3 possible entries)
4. The Paper Funday Challenge #52 AG with Flower Power 5/1 (2nd of 6 possible entries)
5. Friendship Challenge #86 "Let flowers do the talking" 4/30 (2nd of 2 possible entries)
6. My Time To Craft Challenge #505 Easter Flowers or Spring Flowers 4/20
7. Double Trouble Challenge #136 Celebrate a Special Lady 4/27 (2nd of 4 possible entries)
8. Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #204 Anything Goes (5/1 or 5/7)
9. QKR Stampede Challenge #465 Anything Goes 5/1) (1st of 3 possible entries)

Stamping Hugs,

Separated Roses {Beautiful Blossoms}

Happy Mid April to you! Have roses begun blooming for you yet? Ours bloom from late autumn through spring, when the air is less humid and the heat is not too harsh.

 It's time for a new Challenge at Beautiful Blossoms.  A fun "mood-board-inspired" monthly challenge which features Flowers as the main focus.  The Mood Board is a starting point, and your artwork is where your imagination takes you! You do not have to follow the theme of the Mood Board, but you do need to use it as inspiration. Details are on the blog. Hope to see you there!

My "mosaic rose" was inspired by:

1. the colors blue and  lilac-lavender, with a tad of green
2. the baskets (which are used to "separate things". In this case, it is my separated rose image. 
3. The antique plates and crock, remind me of "antiquities" or the vintage, botanical style of drawing in this image
4. the mosaic quality of the mood board is reminiscent of the "mosaic rose".

Stamped with Memento Sweet Plum ink, this 4.25" x 4.25" rose mosaic has been layered with various shades of lavender, lilac, blues and soft jade Copic Markers over a period of a few days, to give the alcohol inks time to blend more deeply into the very thick Neenah Card Stock. It's a little like a stained glass composition in that regard.

Isn't this the perfect sentiment for these roses? Here in Florida, unless you have one of the indigenous "seven sisters" rose bushes, roses are very difficult to grow. Kindness helps us all grow as individuals, both when we dish it out, and when we receive it. I'm fortunate to be friends with lots of Kindly People, many of them are reading this post right now. THANK YOU!

Recently, I've been making more "simple" easel cards because they are fun to receive, and fold flat for mailing. It's always been rewarding to play with "old stash". This Magenta Stamp was purchased long ago, with my Mother-in-Law at a sweet little store called Tamp-A-Stamp (you guessed it! In Tampa, Florida) back in 1999! It had never seen ink before!

I have fallen in love all over again with this Four Panel Rose!

Looking forward to seeing your floral masterpiece at at Beautiful Blossoms Challenge!

We are "Partnering" with Double Trouble Challenge (April 15-27)

Products: Stamps: Magenta 09156Q, The Cottage Stamper "Every Act 4687, Inks: Memento Sweet Plum & Distress Milled Lavender, Copic Markers, Martha Stewart Scalloped Scallops punch, Spellbinders Grand Scallop Squares.

I would like to play in the following challenges please:

1. Outlawz Twisted Thursday AG with theme COLOR IT (colored with Memento Sweet Plum & Distress Milled Lavender, Copic Markers 5/4 (1 of 5 allowed entries)
2. *NEW* Creative Inspiration Challenges #1 AG (1st of 2 entries) 4/30
3. Worldwide Crafters and Colorists Challenge #4 AG (entry 1 of 3) 5/12
4. NBUS #49 Magenta Mosaic Rose stamp never used since 1999. E10 comment on 3 entries
5. Triple B Challenge  (April 2) Blooms 4/30 (first of 3 possible entries) inspired by the blue background in the bottom left of the inspiration board.
6. The Paper Funday Challenge #52 AG with Flower Power 5/1 (first of 6 possible entries)
7. Friendship Challenge #86 "Let flowers do the talking" 4/30 (first of 2 possible entries)
8. My Time To Craft Challenge #505 Easter Flowers or Spring Flowers 4/20
9. Retro Rubber #204 Spring Scenes (This Magenta Stamp was purchased long ago, with my Mother-in-Law at a sweet little store called Tamp-A-Stamp (you guessed it! In Tampa, Florida) back in 1999! It had never seen ink before!) 4/22
10. Double Trouble Challenge #136 Celebrate a Special Lady 4/27 (1st of 4 possible entries)

Stamping Hugs,