House-Mouse Designs Cool Treat Shaker Card

 It's hecka hot here in New Jersey. It's too hot to be outside unless you have a cool treat like these critters.

Here's my card with the House-Mouse Designs® Cool Treat Rubber Stamp by Stampendous!®

Stampendous!® Products Used:

House-Mouse Designs® Cool Treat Rubber Stamp

Tuxedo Black Memento™ Ink by Tsukineko®

Mixed Media White Paper

Other Products Used:

Kraft Cardstock by Bazzill Basics Paper®

Rockin' Patterned Paper from the About a Boy Collection by Fancy Pants Designs™

Alphanumeric Thinlits™ Dies by Tim Holtz® for Sizzix®

A2 Layers Dies by The Stamp Doctor

Copic® Markers:

   Mouse Faces, Paws, and Tails: BV0000, BV000, E51, E50, R000, R22, RV91

   Mouse Tongue: E04, RV42

   Fur: W3, W4, W5, W7;  E23, E25, E37;  E33, E35, E44

   Popsicle: Y04, Y0g, Y19; YR04, YR07

   Popsicle Stick: E21, W1

   Rocks: T1, T2, T3, T4, E71, E93, BG90

   Plants: YG05, YG17, YG25, G14

Yellow and Orange Microbeads

Citrine Sparkle Blends by Doodles Paper Playground

Citrus Twist Sprinkles by Kat Scrappiness

Brushed Corduroy Distress® Ink by Tim Holtz® for Ranger Ink

Crafty Foam Tape Black by Scrapbook Adhesives® by 3L

Essential Adhesive Sheets by Sizzix®

Clear Acrylic* I usually use packaging for this!

Instructions:

1. Cut a piece of 8.5" x 11" Kraft cardstock to 9" x 8". Score at 4" and fold to form card base. Set aside.
2. Stamp Cool Treat onto Mixed Media White Paper with Tuxedo Black Memento ink.
3. Use Copic markers to color scene.
4. Use a die from the A2 Layers Die Set to cut the image panel. 
5. Edge with Brushed Corduroy Distress ink.
6. Use a die from the A2 Layers Die Set to cut patterned paper and the next largest die to cut Kraft cardstock.
7. Edge the patterned paper die-cut with Distress ink.
8. Double mat the image panel and set aside.
9. Cut a piece of polka-dot patterned paper to 8.75" x 3.75" and edge with Distress ink. This will become the card front.
10. Place the letters for "Sweet" onto an Essential Adhesive Sheet being sure to place them so they will read correctly when reversed.
11. Place the sheet over the patterned paper and run through a die-cut machine. Reserve the die-cut letters if desired.
12. Flip the patterned paper to create the aperture for the shaker.
13. Adhere a piece of clear acrylic to the back of the patterned paper covering the letters.
14. Frame the word with foam tape.
15. Add shaker contents to the well formed by the foam tape.
16. Remove the backing from the foam tape and adhere a small piece of kraft cardstock cut big enough to cover the word.
17. Adhere the matted image panel to the card front.
18. Adhere the card front to the card.

Thanks for visiting today!

Happy Halloween!

The mice were using the jack o'lanterns as scaffolding to reach the Halloween decorations that they were painting. They were taking a break, when two paint jars fell. Fortunately, they were almost done and no one was hurt, only embarrassed.

Here's my card with Stampendous!' new Pumpkin Paint House-Mouse Designs® Rubber Stamp.

Stampendous! Products Used:

Pumpkin Paint House-Mouse Designs® Rubber Stamp

Tuxedo Black Memento™ Ink by Tsukineko®

Mixed Media White Paper

Other Products Used:

Copic® Markers:

   Pumpkins E95, E97, YR02, YR65

   Pumpkins' Stalks: E41, E42, E43, E44

   Pumpkin Faces; W1, W3, Y32, Y35

   Paint Jars: YR000, T0

   Paint: G20, G21, G24

   Painted Mouse: B32, G21, G24

   Mice Skin: BV0000, BV000, E50, E51, R00, R01, R20

   Mice Noses; R21, R22

   Mouse Fur: 

       Left: E33, E35, E44

       Middle Left: E21, E23, 325, E44

       Middle Right: E44, E53, E55

       Right: T1, T3, T4, T5

   Paint Brush: V25, V28, C00, C1, E81, E84, G24

   Ground: BG90, BG91

A2 Layers Die Set by The Stamp Doctor

Happy Halloween Dies by The Top Dog Dies

Green and Orange Cardstock by Bazzill Basics®

Master Detective 8x8 Patterned Paper Pad by Graphic 45®

Instructions:

1. Cut a piece of 12x12 green cardstock in half. 
2. Score one piece at 6" and fold to form a 6" square card. Set aside.
3. Use Tuxedo Black Memento ink to stamp the image and color with Copic markers.
4. Use the A2 Layers Die set to cut the image panel and orange and green cardstock.
5. Double mat the image panel as shown.
6. Use the sentiment dies to cut green and orange cardstock.
7. Cut a piece of plaid patterned paper to 5.75" square. Edge with a dark marker.
8. Adhere the plaid paper to the card.
9. Adhere the matted image panel to the card.
10. Adhere the green sentiment die-cut 
11. Add the orange "innards" to the letters as shown to finish the card and reserve the orange Happy Halloween for another use.

Thanks for visiting today!

Autumnal Thank You Card!

It's Tuesday, which means that it's my day to share a project created for Topflight Stamps. This week, my TFS teammates and I are created autumnal projects. You should check out the TFS blog during the week to see how we all interpreted this challenge!

I thought a bit and decided that fall meant monarch butterflies, sunflowers, and shades of orange, yellow, red, and greens. My interpretation meant that PaperArtsy's Tracy Scott 39 Rubber Cling Mounted Stamp Set was perfect for this challenge!  I also used the "Thank you" from the Classic Sentiments Clear Stamp Set by Heffy Doodle.

Here's my card.

Topflight Products Used:

Tracy Scott 39 Rubber Cling Mounted Stamp Set by PaperArtsy

Classic Sentiments Clear Stamp Set by Heffy Doodle

Onyx Black VersaFine™ ink by Tsukineko

PSA: There are lots of fantastic new products at Topflight Stamps, so you should definitely click on over there after reading my instructions! BTW, if you'd like to get 12% off your order at Topflight Stamps use THIS LINK!

Other Products Used:

Solar White Classic Crest® Cardstock by Neenah Papers
Orange and Green Cardstock by Bazill Basics Paper®

Tuxedo Black, Summer Sky, Dandelion, Canteloupe, Tangelo, New Sprout, and Bamboo Leaves Memento™ Inks by Tsukineko®

Copic® Markers: 

   Butterfly: YR12, YR14, YR16, YR18, R24, VB20, BV23, BV25 BV29, N6, N8

   Flowers: Y04, Y11, Y21, Y23, Y26, Y28, Y32, Y35, YR23, YR24, YR27, YR31, R24, R56, R59, V15, V28

   Leaves: YG03, YG05, YG511, YG63, YG67

Leaf Flourish Stencil by Dyan Reaveley

Small Oval Die by The Stamp Doctor
Small Flags Die

Removable ID Labels by Avery®
STAY-tion™ by Wendy Vecchi for Ranger Industries

Instructions:

1. Create an A7 card from green cardstock.
2. Stamp the image onto white cardstock and onto removable label paper. 
3. Fussy-cut the label paper to create a mask and adhere over its counterpart on the image panel. 
4. Sponge Summer Sky ink over the the masked image onto the entire image panel.
5. Use magnets to secure the stencil over the image panel on the STAY-tion.
6. Sponge colored Memento inks over the stencil onto the image panel.
7. Remove the magnets, the stencil, and the image panel from the STAY-tion.
8. Touch up the leaves with Copic markers.
9. Remove the mask and color the image with Copic markers. 
10. Use Onyx Black VersaFine ink to stamp the sentiment. VersaFine ink is perfect for stamping detailed fine image, such as this sentiment.
11. Trim the image panel to 4 5/8" x 6 5/8".
12. Cut orangish cardstock to 4.75" x 6.75" and use to mat the image panel.
13. Create an A7 card from green cardstock.
14. Use the small oval die to cut the sentiment.
15.  Use the flags die to cut green cardstock
16. Adhere the sentiment oval to the green cardstock.
17. Adhere the matted image panel to the card.
18. Adhere the sentiment to finish the card.

Thanks for visiting!

Happy Haunting!

Local and online scrapbooking, stamping, and craft stores that carry Stampendous products will be hosting a Virtual Catalog Party this weekend. We are offering stores and customers that missed our July VCP a chance to join in and have some fun. One winner from each participating store will receive the DCP1014 Gift Card Wallet Die Set and the SSC1347 Birthday Gift Perfectly Clear Stamps Set (a $40 retail value).Different stores have set different requirements for contest entry. Pop over to Stampendous!' blog for more information. 

Here's my card using the new Seated Skelly Rubber Stamp!

Stampendous!® Products Used:
Seated Skelly Rubber Stamp
Spooky Wishes Perfectly Clear Stamp Set
Metal Stencil
Mixed Media White Paper
Tuxedo Black Memento™ Ink by Tsukineko®

Other Products Used:
Copic® Markers:
   Bones: T0, T1, T2, E40
   Cape: V93, V95, V99
   Pumpkin: YR04, Y416, Y17, R17, R89, E44, E47
   Raven: N5, N6, N7
Purple and Orange Cardstock
Milled Lavender and Black Soot Distress® Inks by Tim Holtz® for Ranger Industries
Jet Black Archival™ Ink by Ranger Industries
An Eerie Tale 8x8 and 6x6 Patterned Paper Pads by Graphic 45®
Nameplate Die by Spellbinders®
A2 Layers  Die Set by The Stamp Doctor
Gemstones by Kaisercraft
STAY-tion™ by Wendy Vecchi for Ranger Industries
Removable ID Labels by Avery®

Instructions:

1. Cut a piece of 8.5" x 11" purple cardstock in half. 
2. Score at 4.25" and fold to form an A2 card.
3. Cut pumpkin patterned paper to 4" x 5.25", edge with Black Soot Distress Ink, and adhere to the card.
4. Using Tuxedo Black Memento ink, stamp the image onto mixed media cardstock and onto label paper.
5. Fussy-cut the label paper version to form a mask. Place mask over the image on the cardstock.
6. Secure the image panel to the STAY-tion using magnets.
7. Sponge or brush Milled Lavender Distress ink over the stencil onto the image panel.
8. Place the magnetic ruler horizontally across the image panel.
9. Sponge or brush Milled Lavender Distress ink over the bottom of the image panel.
10. Remove the image panel from the STAY-tion.
11. Remove mask and reserve for another use.
12. Color the image with Copic markers.
13. Use one of the dies from the A2 set to cut the image panel.
14. Use a larger die from the set to cut orange cardstock.
15. Using Archival ink, stamp the sentiment onto orange cardstock, then cut with the nameplate die. 
16. Edge both the orange rectangle and the sentiment nameplate with Black Soot Distress ink.
17. Adhere the image panel onto the edged orange rectangle.
18. Adhere the matted image panel and the sentiment to the card.
19. Adhere gemstones to either side of the nameplate to finish the card.

Thanks for visiting today!

Coffee Loving Cardmakers Spring Blog Hop

I'm delighted to be playing along with the folks at the Coffee Loving Blog for their Spring/Summer Blog Hop! If you love coffee, you should play along or at least hop because not only is there loads of eye candy to enjoy, there are prizes to be won!

Stampendous! is a super-sponsor and I'm pleased to be sharing my card using Donut Day, one of the fabulous House-Mouse® Designs Stamps along with the Coffee Background rubber stamp and a die from one of my favorite die sets, Spring Borders.

Here's my card!

Stampendous Products Used:
House-Mouse Designs® Donut Day Rubber Stamp
Coffee Background Rubber Stamp
Spring Borders Cutting Dies Set
Tuxedo Black Memento™ Ink by Tsukineko®
Mixed Media White Paper
Shaved Ice Glitter

Other Products Used:
Solar White Classic Crest® Cardstock by Neenah Papers
Brown and Green cardstock by Bazzill Basics Paper Company®
Copic® Markers:
   Skin: BV0000, E50, E51, R01, R20
   Fur: E31, E33, E35, E47
   Outside of Donut: E21, E31, E33, E44 E47
   Inside of Donut: W1, W3, 11, Y23, YR31
   Cup: B32, G12, G14 G16
   Coffee: E44, E47
   Background: G000, E30, E40, E41
Ground Espresso, Gathered Twigs, Evergreen Bough Tim Holtz® Distress® Oxide Ink by Ranger Industries
Gathered Twigs Tim Holtz® Distress® Ink by Ranger Industries
Acorn VersaFine™ Clair Ink by Tsukineko®
A2 Layers Cardmaking Die Set by The Stamp Doctor
Sailor® Glue Pen
Gel Press
Brayer
Burlap

Instructions: 

1. Cut a piece of 8.5 x 11 brown cardstock in half, score, and fold to create an A2 card.
2. Using the A2 Layers Die Cut set, cut the remaining brown cardstock and green cardstock to form mats.
3. Using the A2 Layers Die Cut set, cut green cardstock with one of the cutting dies from the Spring Borders set. Edge with Distress ink. 
4. Use Memento ink to stamp Donut Day onto white cardstock. Color with Copic markers, trim, and edge with Gathered Twigs Distress ink.
5. Use glue pen to randomly add adhesive to the donut. Sprinkle on the Shaved Ice,  brush off the excess. Voila! You now have a sugar glazed donut that has no calories! Yahoo!
6. Smoosh Distress Oxide inks onto Gel Press and use a brayer to blend the ink.
7. Press Mixed Media White paper onto the Gel Press and smooth the back.
8. Lift the paper for your print.
9. Press Burlap panel onto the remaining ink on the Gel Press, place the inked print atop the Gel Press, smooth the back, and lift the print.
10. Smoosh the Distress Oxide inks onto different parts of the burlap, place the inky side of the burlap against the print, and brayer over the burlap to transfer the burlappy pattern. Repeat as necessary.
11. Lightly spritz the print with water, then thoroughly heat set the print.
12. Place the print between scrap paper, place this print sandwich on the platform of your die-cut machine, put both cutting plates over it, then run it back and forth through the machine to flatten it as much as possible.
13. Place the now flattened desert dry print onto a stamping platform, secured with magnets.
14. Position Coffee Background stamp* onto the print as desired, press the platform's cover onto the stamp, ink the stamp with Acorn VersaFine Clair ink, and stamp.
15. Using the A2 Layers Cardmaking Die Set, cut the print as desired. 
16. Adhere the layers of the card as shown, then adhere the image panel to finish the card.

Thanks for visiting today!

A Rockin' 60th Birthday Card!

My favorite brother-in-law turned 60 last week. He loves Classic Rock, especially The Rolling Stones, Beatles, and The Grateful Dead, so I decided to make him a music-themed birthday card.

Alas, I could not find any stamps featuring iconic musicians, so I resorted to a Google search, where I found a fabulous caricature, which I promptly purchased along with a Keith Richards caricature. I created the card, mailed it, and it arrived on time. My brother-in-law loved it and gave his permission to share it with you all.

Here's the card.

Products Used:
Mick Caricature from GraphicsFactory.com
Solar White Classic Crest® Cardstock by Neenah Paper
Black and Red cardstock by Bazzill Basics
Patterned Paper: Source Unknown
Copic Markers:
    Skin: BV0000, BV000, E50, E21, E11, E00, R20
    Lips: 04, R30, R32, RV42
    Mouth: RV93, R95, RV99
    Tongue: RV42, RV93, R30, R32
    Teeth: T0, YR0000, YR30
    Hair: E44, E47, E49
    Clothes: B26, B39, R27, R39
    Microphone: C4, C6, C8
Silver Stardust® Glitter Gel Pen by Sakura
White Gelly Roll® Gel Pen by Sakura.
Pale Ochre and Jet Black Archival™ Ink by Ranger Industries
London Fog Memento™ Ink by Tsukineko®
Barn Door and Blueprint Sketch Distress® Ink by Tim Holtz®/Ranger Industries
Play Guitar Stencil by Visible Image *
Super Hero Rays Stencil by Paper Rose *

Simple Strips Birthday Stamp by Taylored Expressions

Simple Strips Die by Taylored Expressions

A Hint of Lime Die by Die-Versions

Sun Die by The Stamp Doctor

STAY-tion™ by Wendy Vecchi/Ranger Industries

Sun Die by The Stamp Doctor

Removable ID Labels by Avery®

* Please Note: You can purchase products by Visible Image and Paper Rose at Topflight Stamps, where you'd can get 12% off your order at Topflight Stamps by using THIS LINK.

Instructions: 

1. Cut, score, and fold red cardstock to create an A2 card.
2. Find a piece of music notation patterned paper.
3. Secure the music notation paper to the STAY-tion using magnets and sponge the entire piece with Pale Ochre ink.
4. Lift the magnets, position the Play Guitar stencil over the patterned paper, and secure with magnets.
5. Sponge Barn Door and Blueprint Sketch Distress ink over the stencil as shown.
6. Lift stencil, trim the patterned paper, and edge with the same colors of Distress inks.
7. Adhere the stenciled, trimmed, and edged patterned paper to the red card. Set aside for now.
8. Download clipart image, resize using photo editing software (I use PhotoElements), and print onto Copic friendly cardstock and onto label paper using a laser printer.
9. Fussy-cut the label paper image and place over its counterpart on the white cardstock.
10. Secure the white cardstock image panel to the STAY-tion with magnets. 
11. Place the magnetic ruler horizontally across the image where you want the stage floor to be.
12. Sponge Ochre Archival Ink over the masked image.
13. Position the Super Hero Rays stencil over the image as desired. Secure the stencil with magnets. 
14. Sponge Pale Ochre over the Super Hero Rays stencil.
15. Reposition the magnetic ruler to cover the top part of the image panel.
16. Sponge London Fog Memento ink over the masked image on the image panel.
17. Lift the mask and reserve for another occasion.
18. Color the image with Copic markers. Use the glitter pen to add sparkle to the microphone. Add white gel pen to the shoes.
19. Sponge Pale Ochre ink over a piece white cardstock, then cut with the sun die. Reserve the rest of  sponged yellow cardstock.
20. Mat the image panel with black cardstock.
21. Use the alphabet (which has numbers) die to cut black cardstock.
22. Adhere the number 60 onto the sun. 
23. Adhere the sun to the image panel as shown.
24. Using Jet Black Archival ink, stamp Simple Strips Birthday onto the reserved piece of sponged Yellow Ochre cardstock, the use the Simple Strips die, to cut the strips.
25. Adhere the strips as shown to finish the card.

**Another Note: I did finish the inside of the card with additional Simple Strips and personalized commentary. 

It's a Special Day! Celebrate!

It's Friday the 13th and my daughter's 30th birthday (I had her when I was 9. I was precocious like that.) and my fairy stamp mother's birthday (She's 29...again) and National Cocoa Day (Who comes up with these holidays?), so I made a card with cocoa and mice (We have mice. ugh! Not as pets, as intruders.  And yes, we do have  two cats. Who think the mice are their new toys.) However, I digress. I made a card for National Cocoa Day. So did my lovely Stampendous teammates and other friends. Be sure to click on over to Stampendous' blog to get links and to see the prize that's up for grabs!

Here's my card with the House-Mouse Designs® Sharing a Sip Rubber Stamp.

Products Used:

Stampendous Products Used:

House-Mouse Designs® Sharing a Sip Rubber Stamp

Fitted Frames B Cutting Dies Set

Sentiment from The Winter Photo Frame WindowRama Kit

Tuxedo Black Memento™ Ink by Tsukineko

Other Products Used:

Solar White Classic Crest® Cardstock by Neenah Papers

Copic® Markers: 

   Mouse Skin: BV0000, BV000, E50, E51, R01

   Mouse Cheeks: R20

   Mouse Noses: R21, R22

   Mouse Fur: E31, E33, E35, E47; E21, E23, E25, E37; E35, E47, E53, E57

   Mouse Hats: R24, R27, R39, C00, BV0000, RV0000, B0000

A2 Layers Cardmaking Die Set by The Stamp Doctor

Scarlet Cardstock by My Colors

Tim Holtz® Christmas Paper Stash® by Idea-ology®

Gingham-Linen Rainbow Petite Prints 6x6 Patterned Paper Pad by Doodlebug Design Inc.™

Zen Collection 6x6 Patterned Paper Pad by Avery Elle

Jet Black Archival™ Ink by Ranger Industries

London Fog Memento™ Ink by Tsukineko®

Vixen Sparkle Blend by Doodles Paper Playground

Clear Star Starburst Gelly Roll® Pen by Sakura

Instructions:

1. Cut scarlet cardstock to 7" x 10", score at 5", and fold to form a 7" x 5" card. 
2. Cut a piece of music patterned paper from the Christmas Paper Stash to 6.75" x 4.75".
3. Cut a piece of the white hatched paper to 3" x 4.25".
4. Edge both pieces of patterned paper with London Fog Memento ink.
5. Layer as shown and adhere to the red 7" x 5" card.
6. Stamp image onto white cardstock with Tuxedo Black Memento ink.
7. Color with Copic markers.
8. Cut the image panel with one of the dies from the A2 Layers die set.
9. Cut red linen patterned paper with the next largest die from the set. Edge with London Fog Memento ink.
10. Apply Clear Star glitter gel pen to all edges of the image panel, then mat with the red linen die-cut.
11. Stamp the sentiment with Jet Black Archival ink onto red linen paper.
12. Cut the sentiment with one of the dies from the Fitted Frames B die set, then edge with London Fog ink.
13. Adhere the matted image panel and sentiment to the card front.
14. Adhere the sequins to finish the card.

Thanks for visiting today!

Doodles Paper Playground and Stampendous Blog Hop v2.0

Welcome to the final day of the Doodles Paper Playground and Stampendous Blog Hop. My Stampendous teammates and I have had the chance to play with the wonderful Sparkle Blends from Doodles Paper Playground. Be sure to visit Stampendous' blog to find out more information about prizes, get some inspiration, plus get links so that you can hop along and have the chance to win!

White Rose Crafts LLC., your online source for these Doodles Paper Playground Sparkle Blends, is offering a 30% discount promo off Sparkle Blends during the hop, which started Friday and runs through Sunday, November 17th! Use code: SPLURGE30 for your discount! They're also including a free gift with every order.

Here's my second shaker card with Cling Giving Snowmen Rubber Stamp Set and Vixen, Penguin Party, and Pixie Dust Sparkle Blends from Doodles Paper Playground. I must admit that I went a little overboard and probably overstuffed my shaker, but in my defense, they're sooooo pretty and sparkly!

Products Used:
Stampendous Products Used:
Cling Giving Snowmen Rubber Stamp Set
Tuxedo Black Memento™ Ink by Tsukineko®

Other Products Used:
Vixen, Penguin Party, and Pixie Dust Sparkle Blends from Doodles Paper Playground
Solar White Classic Crest® Cardstock by Neenah Papers
Copic® Markers:
   Snowman:    Scarf: R32, R30, R32,R56, R59
   Hat: C4, C6, C7, YG05, YG17, R35
   Snowman Arms: E74
   Carrot Nose: YR04, YR007
   Fawn: E31, E33, E35, E47
Glaze® 3D Glossy Gel Pen by Sakura
A2 Layers Card Maker Dies by The Stamp Doctor
Eskimo Kisses 6x6 Patterned Paper Pad by Basic Grey®
Pink and Red Cardstock by Bazzill Basics Paper®
Foam Tape by Craft Fancy
Eclipse Tape by Judikins

Instructions:

1. Create a red A2 card. 
2. Use Tuxedo Black Memento ink to stamp the Snowman image onto white cardstock and onto Eclipse Tape 
3. Fussy-cut the Eclipse Tape version and place atop the one on the white cardstock. 
4. Brush Summer Sky Memento ink over the masked image. 
5. Brush Angel Pink Memento ink over the masked image. 
6. Lift the mask and save for another use. 
7. Color the image panel. 
8. Add several layers of Clear Glaze pen to the Snowman's nose, mouth, eyes, and buttons. 
9. Using temporary adhesive, adhere the patterned paper to a piece of red cardstock. 
10. Using the third largest die from the A2 Layers Card Maker Die set, cut the cardstock/patterned paper combination. 
11. Choose a die from the same set to become the shaker opening, position the die onto the cardstock/patterned paper combo, tape the die down, and cut. 
12. Use the next smallest die and cut pink cardstock. 
13. Separate the patterned paper from the red cardstock and die-cut the patterned paper so that it's slightly smaller than the red cardstock. 
14. Adhere the pink cardstock to the back of the patterned paper, then adhere to the red cardstock. This is the card front. 
15. Position acetate on the reverse of the card front over the opening. Adhere. 
16. Apply foam tape around the openinge. I used two layers of foam tape. 
17. Add a combination of the Vixen, Penguin Party, and Pixie Dust Sparkle Blends to the well created with the foam tape. Don't be like me and overfill. It's not easy to resist. Be strong. 
18. Seal the well with the stamped, colored image panel. 
19. Adhere the shaker card front to the red card. 
20. Realize that you've overfilled the shaker and that your layers are a bit wonky. Perfection is overrated, so get over it. 

Thanks for visiting today! Don't forget to visit the other participants for inpiration!

Time for Tulips.

Power Poppy is the sponsor this week at Passionate Paper Creations and Friends. I chose to use their lovely Hobnail Pitcher Digital Stamp Set, because it's spring (hallelujah!) and flowers are always a challenge for me. I wanted to use more subtle colors than my usual super-saturated colors, so you'll have to let me know how I did!

I also googled Hobnail pitchers because I thought they were metal. Imagine my surprise when I found out they're usually made from semi-opaque glass with a texture reminiscent of hobnail boots. So I went with an amber glass inspired by a photo.

Here's my card.

Supplies Used:

Hobnail Pitcher Digital Stamp Set by Power Poppy

Circle Frames Die Set #1 by The Stamp Doctor

Scalloped Border Die Set by The Stamp Doctor

Circles Nestabilities® Die Set by Spellbinders®

Solar White Classic Crest® Cardstock by Neenah Papers

Green Cardstock by Bazzill Basics

Artisan Style 8x8 Patterned Paper by Graphic 45®

Gingham-Linen Rainbow Petite Prints by Doodlebug Designs Inc.™

Dot-Stripe Rainbow Petite Prints by Doodlebug Designs Inc. ™

Copic® Markers: T0, T1, E81, Y0000, Y000, Y00, B60, G20, *G30, G40, YR20, YR23, YR30, YR31

*G30 is 50% G20 and 50% G40.

Instructions:

1. Cut, score, and fold a piece of green cardstock to create an A2 card.
2. Resize the digital image and print onto Neenah cardstock with a laser printer.
3. Color the image with Copic markers.
4. Using a circle die, cut the image panel.
5. Using the next largest circle die, cut green cardstock.
6. Mat the image panel onto the green cardstock.
7. Using the largest die from the Circle Frames Die Set #1, cut the yellow polka-dot patterned paper. Edge with a yellow marker.
8. Adhere the image panel onto the die-cut yellow polka-dot circle frame.
9. Using one of the three dies from the Scalloped Border Die Set, cut the orange/yellow gingham patterned paper. Trim to 4" wide, and edge with a marker.
10. Cut a piece of green patterned paper from the Artisan Style 8x8 pad to 4" x 5.25" to form the card front. Edge with a green marker.
11. Adhere the image panel onto the card front as shown.
12. Adhere the scalloped border atop the image panel.
13. Adhere the card front to the green card.

I haven't decided what occasion to use this card for, so I did not add a sentiment at this time. I also misplaced my orange acrylic dots, which I would have wanted to add to the top left. Oops.

Thanks for visiting today!

Happy Easter!

Here's my Easter Box Card that features a whole bunch of dies from The Stamp Doctor, including the new A2 Card in a Box #2 that creates a horizontal box card. This set includes dies to cut the card base  and layers.

Here's the Box Card with daffodils in the background!

Here's a close-up of the top of the box card.

The card (somewhat) flattened. It will fit into an A2 envelope!

Supplies Used:

The Stamp Doctor Dies Used:

A2 Card in a Box #2 Die Set 

Egg Carton CIB Die Set - Add On Dies 

Large Chocolate Bunny Dies

Small Chocolate Bunny Dies

Tags #1 Die Set

Mini Tags #1 Die Set

Grass Edger Die

Scalloped Border Die Set

Rounded Rectangle Connectors Die Set

Sun Die Set

Other Supplies Used:

Colored Cardstock by Bazzill Basics

Solar White Classic Crest® Cardstock by Neenah Papers

Copic® Markers Used; E31, E33, Ed34, E35, E44, E47

Kitten Smitten and Petite Prints Patterned Paper by Doodlebug Designs Inc.™

House-Mouse Designs® Painted Wishes Perfectly Clear™ Stamps by Stampendous

Cottonball White Fun Flock by Stampendous

Nocturne VersaFine Clair™ by Tsukineko

Surprise and Delight Rubber Stamp by A Muse 

Vellum 

Red Liner Tape

Sookwang Tape

Glue Pen

Paper Edger Scissors by Fiskar's®

Instructions:

1. Follow the instructions included with the A2 Card in a Box #2 Die Set to cut green cardstock.
2. Use the grass die from the Egg Carton CIB Die Set - Add On Dies  to cut green cardstock three times. 
3. Adhere the three green grass die-cuts to the green strips.
4. Follow the instructions to assemble and create the box card.
5. Cut two pieces of blue cardstock .25" than the back panel of the card. 
6. Cut two pieces of plaid paper smaller than the blue cardstock and adhere.
7. Cut one piece of blue polka dotted paper .25" smaller than the plaid paper and adhere as shown.
8. Use the rectangle dies from the A2 Card in a Box #2 Die Set to cut plaid patterned paper and blue cardstock. Adhere to the base of the card as shown.
9. Die-cut bunnies from white cardstock and color with Copic markers.
10. Use glue pen to add glue to their tails, sprinkle Cottonball White Fun Flock over the glue, press lightly, then shake off excess.
11. Cut patterned papers with the eggs from the Egg Carton CIB Die Set.
12. Adhere the bunnies and eggs onto the grass strips.
13. Using the Grass Edger Die, cut green cardstock twice, trim to the proper width, and adhere to the card front as shown.
14. Cut one of the large eggs with a pair of Paper Edger Scissors.
15. Adhere the bunnies and egg half to the card front.
16. Die-cut blue cardstock with one of the dies from the Scalloped Border Dies and adhere as shown.
17. Stamp the sentiments onto polka dot patterned paper with the Nocturne VersaFine Clair ink.
18. Cut the sentiments with the one of the dies from the Tags #1 Die Set and one of the dies from the Rounded Rectangle Connectors Die Set. 
19. Adhere sentiments as shown.
20. Add Sookwang Tape to a piece of vellum and then cut two "clouds" with one of the dies from the Mini Tags #1 Die Set.
21. Cut yellow cardstock with the Sun Die Set.
22. Adhere one cloud, then the sun, then the second cloud to the background as shown.

Thanks for visiting today!

Happy Birthday: To or From the Cat!

Whimsy Stamps is the sponsor this week at Passionate Paper Creations and Friends. As a certified cat lady, I had to use Kitty-ology, a fantastic digital stamp.

Here's my card.

I decided that I was going to create a side-step birthday card using The Stamp Doctor's fabulous  Side-Step Card Die Set. You can purchase this die which cuts and adds score lines for an A2 Side-Step card. Or you can be like me and get the whole combo which gives you a mess of other dies so that you can die-cut all the layers you'd want. Just go to the link and use the pull-down menu. OOH! Edited to add that if you use the code KathsTales, you'll get a 10% discount. Cool, eh?

You'll note that the smart kitty is colored like my cats who are mostly white with black/grey spots on their heads. Domino is a puffy long hair and his sister, Harley Quinn, has short hair and grey spots on her body. They're now a year old, having celebrated their birthday on March 21st.

Supplies used:
Kitty-ology, a digital stamp by Chrissy Armstrong for Whimsy Stamps
Side-Step Card Die Set by The Stamp Doctor
Lollipop Stamps - Birthday #1 by The Stamp Doctor
Circle Dies #1 by The Stamp Doctor (This set coordinates with the Lollipop Stamps!)
Solar White Classic Crest® Cardstock by Neenah Papers
Brown Cardstock by Bazzill Basics
Oxford 6x6 Patterned Paper Pad by Basic Grey
Collectible Remarkable 6x6 Paper Pad by My Mind's Eye™
Necessities - Wood 6x6 Paper Pad by My Mind's Eye™
Tuxedo Black Memento™ Ink by Tsukineko
Gathered Twigs Tim Holtz® Distress® Ink by Ranger
Potting Soil Archival™ Ink by Ranger
Clear Glaze™ 3D Glossy Gel Pen by Sakura
Kitties Stencil by The Crafter's Workshop
Copic® Markers:
  Cat's Fur: C00, C0, C1, C2, C3, C4, C6
  Cat's Ears and Nose:   Cat's Eyes: YG01, YG05
  Glasses: R27, R29
  Books: Y26, Y28, R27 R39, E81, W3, BG72, BG75, BG78, E23, E25, E27, W3, E40, C4, C6

Instructions:

1. Use the Side-Step Base die to die-cut a piece of 8.5" x 5.5" brown cardstock.
2. Fold along the score lines according to the instructions. 
3. Use the Side-Step Combo sets if desired. I just measured and cut the patterned paper myself.
4. Edge the patterned paper with Distress ink.
5. Adhere the patterned paper to the card base.
6. Resize and print the digital image onto Copic-friendly cardstock using a laser printer. 
7. Fussy-cut the cat and color him (or her) with Copic markers.
8. Run a black marker along the fussy-cut edges.
9. Add several layers of Glaze pen to the cat's glasses, letting the glossy gel ink dry between layers.
10. Lightly trace the base of the cat (his bum, feet, and tail) onto the wood-patterned paper using an E40 Copic marker. Fill in below to look like his shadow.
11. Using Potting Soil Archival ink, stamp the sentiment circle onto patterned paper then die-cut it with the corresponding circle die.
12. Edge the circle with Distress ink.
13. Use Potting Soil Archival ink to sponge a paw print into the center of the die-cut sentiment circle.
14. Die-cut brown cardstock using the next largest circle and use this circle to mat the sentiment.
15. Adhere the cat and the sentiment.

Thanks for visiting today!

Merry Christmas! (A Day Late!)

My Christmas card was created (and actually mailed) to a friend as part of a Secret Santa gift exchange. She opened the package yesterday, which means that I can share the card today! BTW, the inside of the card was decorated as well, but I had to rush the card and package to the post office, so I didn't get photos. Bad me!

Supplies Used:

Center Step Card Dies and the Super Combo Die Set  by The Stamp Doctor

Merry Christmas Connected Word Die by The Stamp Doctor

A2 Layers Die Set by The Stamp Doctor

Whatcha Saying Now Die Set by Heffy Doodle

The Russian Cats Rubber Stamp Set  by Katzelkraft

Funny Accessories Rubber Stamp Set by Katzelkraft

Solar White Classic Crest® Cardstock by Neenah papers

Grey and green cardstock by Bazzill Basics

Christmas Wish and Holly Jolly 6x6 Pads by My Mind's Eye

Tuxedo Black Memento™ Ink by Tsukineko

Copic Markers: C00, C0, C1,  C3, C4, C5, C6, C7, C8, YG23, YG25, YG63, R24, R27, R39, R59, B0000,

Christmas Remnant Rubs by Tim Holtz® Idea-ology® by Advantus

Tim Holtz® Barn Door Distress® Ink by Ranger

Clear Glaze™ 3D Glossy Gel Pen by Sakura of America

Post-it® Notes by 3M

Stamp-a-ma-jig® Stamp Positioner by EK Success

Instructions:

1. Die-cut the card base from grey cardstock using the Center Step Card Die. Score and fold.
2. Die-cut the layers for the front, sides, and inside using the Super Combo Center Step Card Die set. 
3. Edge all pieces with Distress ink and adhere to the the card base.
4. Stamp the Santa hat from the Funny Accessories set onto white cardstock and onto a Post-it Note. 
5. Fussy-cut the Post-it note and adhere over its counterpart.
6. Using the stamp positioner, stamp the cat.
7. Lift off the Post-it Note mask and color the image with Copic markers.
8. Die-cut the image and the grey cardstock with two of the dies from the A2 Layers Die set.
9. Mat the image panel onto the grey cardstock
10. Apply several layers of Clear Glaze 3D Glossy Gel Pen to the cat's eyes, letting each layer dry before adding another. 
11. Die-cut the sentiment from green cardstock.
12. Adhere the matted image panel and the sentiment to the card card base.
13. Die-cut the thought bubble from green cardstock.
14. Add the rub-on sentiment and adhere the thought bubble as shown.

Thanks for visiting today!

Happy Hanukkah!

I can't believe it! I seem to be living in a time warp as yet another holiday has snuck up on me! Hanukkah starts on Sunday evening and I have not wrapped one gift. In fact, I was way behind in my shopping this year. I don't know if it's a sign of my age or that things are more chaotic lately.

Anyway, here's a center step card featuring The Stamp Doctor's wonderful dies, including the Hanukkah Die Set which is on sale from now until December 5th. 

Supplies Used:
Center Step Card Dies Super Combo by The Stamp Doctor
Hanukkah Die Sett by The Stamp Doctor
Cryogen White Metallic Cardstock
Teal/Aqua Cardstock
Paler Aqua Cardstock
Copic Markers: C0, C1, C3, B60, BG72, BG75, BG78, YR09, Y19, Y35
Spica Yellow Glitter Pen
Marrakesh 6x6 Paper Pad by Basic Grey

Instructions:

1. Create your card base by using the Center Step Card Dies to die-cut teal/aqua cardstock.
2. Die-cut the patterned paper using other Center Step Card dies. Edge them with a BG72 marker.
3. Die-cut lighter aqua cardstock with one of the rectangle dies from the Center Step Card Die Set.
4. Die-cut the Menorah, sentiment, and dreidels from Cryogen White Metallic cardstock.
5. Color the Menorah and dreidels with Copic markers.
6. Draw a horizon line onto the light aqua rectangle and color under it.
7. Adhere the Menorah to the aqua cardstock as shown.
8. Use the yellow Spica glitter pen to add sparkles around the candles.
9. Adhere the image panel to the center panel of the card.
10. Adhere the dreidels to the outside panels of the card.
11. Add the sentiment to finish the card.

Don't forget that the Hanukkah Die Set is on sale from now until December 5th!

Thank for visiting today!

Happy Halloween!

Stampendous is sponsoring 31 Days of Halloween this year. The design team will be playing along with other fabulous paper crafters to present a lot of fun and spooky inspiration and you can play along with us. Best of all there will be prizes! All you need to do is to check in daily at Stampendous' blog!  Click here to be whisked to today's link!

Hmm. It seems that Count Catula found something tasty at the local cemetery and had himself a little snack.

Supplies Used:
Count Catula Rubber Stamp by Stampendous
Tuxedo Black Memento ™ Ink by Tsukineko/Imagine Crafts
Center Step Card Die Set by The Stamp Doctor
Happy Haunting 8x8 pad by Graphic 45
X-Press It® Blending Card
Copic markers:
 C6, C7, C8, RV93, R32, R17
 B04, B06, B16, B18
 Y15, Y18, T1
Graveyard Scene and Shapes Dies by Spellbinders (retired)
Cat dies (source unknown since I collect all things cat and forgot to mark the dies, which is how I see track of what's what. I clearly need a different system.)
Bat die (another unmarked die)
Happy Halloween (yet another)*
London Bus Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic Paint by Paper Artsy

Thanks for visiting today! Remember that you can play along with us by linking up your project with this: 

Stampendous 31 Days of Halloween Link Up - Click Here!

I shall be entering this card into the following challenges:
• My Time To Craft Challenges: Halloween or Cats
• Creative With Stamps Challenges: Halloween or Leaves
• Die Cut Divas Challenges: For Autumn or Halloween
• Lost Coast Challenge #63: Cats or Dogs

What's Up Pussycat?

Whimsy Stamps is the sponsor this week at Passionate Paper Creations and Friends and I decided to select their Lazy Kitty stamp along with one of the three dies from my new Scalloped Border Dies Set from The Stamp Doctor, who also is a sponsor of Passionate Paper Creations and Friends.

Here's my card! 

Supplies Used:

Lazy Kitty stamp by Whimsy Stamps

Copic Markers: 

  Cat:

  Sky:

  Tree Trunk and Branch: E70, E71, E74, E77, E89

  Leaves: YG000, YG01 YG03, YR12, YR16, YR218, YR27, R35, R39, Y13, Y19, &35

  Butterfly: YR16 YR18

  Fly: N1

Scalloped Border Dies Set by The Stamp Doctor

Mellow 6x6 Patterned Paper Pad by Basic Grey

Orange cardstock by Bazzill Basics

Tim Holtz® Ground Espresso Distress® Ink by Ranger 

I'd like to note that the kitty was colored to look like a cross between Harley Quinn and Domino, who are my six and half month kittens.

Here's a photo of them taken a while back. Domino is on the left and HQ is on the right. 

Thanks for visiting today!

It's National Coffee Day and I Love Coffee!!!

Today is the National Coffee Day Blog Hop, sponsored by the Coffee Loving Cardmakers. Since I love coffee and I make cards, I'm playing along using Stampendous stamps since they're a sponsor. Click HERE for more information about which of my teammates is participating and how you can win a prize from Stampendous!  HERE's a link for more information. You can also find more information on the Coffee Loving Papercrafters Facebook page.

Here's my card with the Warm Cup Rubber Stamp by House-Mouse Designs™ and the Coffee Background Rubber Stamp.

Stampendous Supplies Used:
Warm Cup Rubber Stamp by House-Mouse Designs™
Coffee Background Rubber Stamp
Memento™ Tuxedo Black Ink Pad by Tsukineko®
Mixed Media White Paper

Other Supplies Used:

A2 Layers Combo Die Set by The Stamp Doctor

Solar White Classic Crest® Cardstock by Neenah Papers

Desert Storm Environment® Cardstock by Neenah Papers

Copic Markers:

  Mouse Skin: E50, E51, E93, R20, BV000

  Mouse Fur: E23, E25, E37

  Mug: BG11, BG13, BG90, BG93

Black and Dark Sepia Pitt Artist Pens by Faber Castell

Umber Pastel Pencil by Derwent

Tim Holtz® Distress® Oxide Inks by Ranger: 

  Antique Linen, Tea Dye, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Ground Espresso

Tim Holtz® Distress® Ink by Ranger: 

  Gathered Twigs, Ground Espresso

Jet Black Archival™ Ink by Ranger

Vintage Double Dot Designs Patterned Paper by BoBunny®

Clock Washi Tape, Source Unknown

Twine by American Crafts

Instructions:

1. Create an A2 card from the Desert Storm Cardstock.
2. Stamp the Warm Cup onto Neenah cardstock using Memento ink. 
3. Fussy-cut the image, color with Copic markers, and edge with a black pen.
4. Using Jet Black Archival ink, stamp the Coffee Background onto Mixed Media cardstock.
5. Brush Antique Linen, Tea Dye, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Ground Espresso Distress Oxide inks horizontally onto white Mixed Media cardstock, going from light at the top to the darkest at the bottom. Blend as you go.
6. Spritz with water, heat set, then repeat the process until you're happy with the result. In retrospect, I would have done the ink blending first, then stamped the background. Oh well.
7. Make sure that the Oxided background panel is bone dry, then die-cut with one of the dies from the A2 Layers Combo Die Set. Sponge the edges with Ground Espresso Distress ink.
8. Adhere the clock washing tape, then outline top and bottom with the brown Pitt Artist pen.
9. I had a Warm Cup mask from a previous stamping session. I placed the mask where I wanted and outlined it with the brown pastel chalk pencil, then smudged the lines.
10. Using a fine-tip black pen, add the mouse's hair.
11. Remove the mask, add more brown chalk, then smudge again.
12. Adhere the fussy-cut Warm Cup image.
13. Die-cut the patterned paper using a larger die from the same die-cut set used previously. Sponge the edges with Gathered Twigs Distress Ink.
14. Mat the image panel with the patterned paper.
15. Add the twine, securing it on the reverse.
16. Adhere the card front to the A2 card.

Thanks for visiting today!