My Favourite WMSC Cards ....

.... January is a good time to review things in your life and, prompted by Pauline (Craft Obsessions), I've reviewed my past entries to the Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge.  I didn't find this challenge until it reached WMSC16, so I was a bit late joining the party.  However, I have tried to play along each week.  I've had so much fun going through these cards and I've picked out twelve of which I'm really proud.  Here they are, click on the photo or caption to go to the original post:

WMSC29 

WMSC31 - My first Top Mouse - I was absolutely thrilled! 

WMSC40 - Not only was Katie a winner, but so was I - this got me a Top Mouse! 

 WMSC50 - One of many cards I've made for Ben using my favourite set - Free Spirit Boy

WMSC59 - Version 1 - for which I got Top Mouse!

  

 

WMSC59 - Version 2 - Made for Ben - it's that set again!

WMSC65 - Kathryn liked this so much that she's asked for it.

WMSC77 - Made for my niece's 11th birthday - got Colour Courtier for cQc115 with this.

WMSC83

WMSC96

WMSC123

WMSC127 - Absolutely thrilled to discover that I got Top Mouse with this one.

WMSC128 - Another card for Ben with a Western theme this time.  I was so delighted to get Top Mouse for this one - my last one!

Pauline - thanks so much for the inspiration - I've really enjoyed reviewing my WMSC cards - I hope you've enjoyed it.  I originally picked 24 cards, but reduced it to 12.  Thanks so much for dropping by.  I hope to be back later with a new card to share!

End of a chapter ....

.... Afternoon!!  Kathryn and Jonathan are on holiday until next Monday - so we are enjoying a long holiday.   We went out this morning to get Kathryn her Christmas present - a mobile phone.  She's thrilled to bits with it and it will be so much easier to keep in touch with her.  This afternoon I've managed to get some time in my craft room while Kathryn catches up with a TV series she likes and Jonathan has a photo shoot.

When we got back earlier this week I was delighted to find that the Christmas card I made for Ben - Follow Yonder Star - had been picked as one of the Top Mice for WMSC128.  Then as I read further down the post I saw that the current Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge - WMSC129 is the last one!!  Sob!!!   I think this was one of the first challenges I played along with and I ALWAYS check this blog first on a Saturday morning.  I shall miss the challenge, but look forward to seeing what Claire and her team have in store for us in 2013.  Thank you ladies - it's been fun!!

I had to make a card using my favourite Waltzingmouse set - Free Spirit Boy, and I see that I'm not the only one!  I used an old Colour Q palette - cQc90.

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Free Spirit Boy, Playful Pinwheels, Off Beat Backgrounds
Inks: Stampin' Up! - Bashful Blue, Tempting Turquoise, Poppy Parade; Memento - Danube Blue; Versamark
Dies: Spellbinders - Grommet Tags (S4-322)
Accessories: Red ribbon from stash, Clear Embossing powder; White card from stash

I think the chevron stamp is also a favourite - from the top I stamped in Danube Blue, Tempting Turquoise and Bashful Blue and added the bright red ribbon above.  I stamped the circles onto white card, inking up with Versamark and then Danube Blue and heat embossing with clear powder.  I cut it out and adhered it to the card with dimensional tape.  I finished off with a fun and positive sentiment from Playful Pinwheels - stamped in red and coloured with Bashful Blue while in the die.  I added a couple of silver brads and attached to the card with dimensional tape.  I think this card will go into my stash for the moment, but it's likely to go to Ben.

That's all for now - once again - thanks to Claire and her entire team for such a super sketch challenge.  See you soon.

Follow Yonder Star ....

.....  I've CASEd Jean Martin's card and gone for a western feel with my Christmas card for Ben.  I've actually managed to combine four challenges in the card:

• Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge - WMSC128 - sketch designed by Kim Duran
• Colour Q - cQc168
• Charisma Cardz Challenge - CCC50 - theme is Santa coming to town
• Waltzingmouse Christmas Card Challenge - WMSCCC11-12

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Woodgrain, Midnight Feast, Way Out West, Back in the Saddle, Sheriff, Santa's Coming to Town, Yonder Star

Inks: Stampin' Up! - Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Real Red, Bashful Blue; Versamark

Dies: Spellbinders - Lacy Squares (SS4-295) #2

Accessories:  WMS - Twine, Card from stash; Embossing powder

I turned the sketch through 180° as I wanted the Sheriff Star to look like it's high in the sky with the other stars - this fits the theme for November's WMSCCC of having a source of light in the card design.  I stamped the Sheriff's star in Versamark and embossed with my own blend of powder (black, gold & silver) giving a slightly gunmetal finish and then I cut it out (very easy).  I stamped the background to look like wood (love the large woodgrain stamp).  Then I stamped the blanket stamp in Real Red and Bashful Blue to make the vertical panels.  I decided that I'd put the Santa cameo in the centre of the Sheriff star.  I stamped the image in Cherry Cobbler (one of the new SU pads, so very juicy) and triple embossed with clear powder to give an enamel finish.  Once cool, I cut out the cameo and attached it to the star.  At this point I deviated from the sketch a bit to add the sentiment.  The box comes from one of the images in Back in the Saddle and the sentiment from Yonder Star, I mounted it on a small scalloped square, attached some twine and let it hang from the star.

For the inside, I cut two layers the bottom in Bashful Blue and the top in white.  I stamped the outline star in Crumb Cake (second impression so that the image is a bit more subtle) and then the fabulous sentiment in Cherry Cobbler.

Ben really likes cards with lots of layers and details - I think this fits the bill!

Today's the last chance to get to the shops and get any presents - we're off to town this morning to get a few bits.  Bye for now.

Christmas blues .....

..... Good afternoon - it's very dull and grey in Northville today - a perfect excuse to stay indoors and play!  Jonathan has just finished a photo shoot at the house, Kathryn has done some homework and is now playing and I've made a card for the following challenges:

• Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge - WMSC127 designed by Teresa Kline
• Colour Q - cQc166
• Addicted to CAS - ATCAS2 - theme word Bauble
• Just Us Girls - JUGS166 to use embossing on your card

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Ornate Ornaments
Inks: Stampin' Up! - Midnight Muse, Pacific Point, Tempting Turquoise, Pool Party; Versamark
Dies: Spellbinders - 2010 Heirloom Ornaments (S4-283) #5
Accessories: Martha Stewart - Ornament Punch; Cuttlebug EF - Winter Wonderland; SU Card - Midnight Muse; White Lustre Card, Silver embossing powder

I got my new WMS sets yesterday and I had to play with the wonderful ornate ornament stamps - the large stamp is stunning.  Claire showed us how easy it is to colour here.  My card is not entirely original - Teresa used the same one on her card, but our cards are totally different.  So versatile.

I stamped it in Versamark and embossed with detail silver powder, then I painted with my aquabrush.  I don't have Cool Caribbean so used Pool Party on the stripes with Pacific Point and Tempting Turquoise for the fancy scrolls.  I used Midnight Muse to stamp the sentiment on the ornament and the verse inside the card.  I made the card base from Midnight Muse card.  The white panel was cut to fit the card, the bauble edge was made using my Martha Stewart ornament punch and then it was dry embossed in my Bug!  I finished off with a double bow - white striped organza and turquoise organza both from my stash.  For the inside I simply stamped a bold sentiment.  Here's a close up of the ornament and embossed snowflakes.

I had such fun making this card.  I think you'll be seeing a variation on this card very soon.  Hope you all have a super weekend.  See you soon.

Sweetest birthday wishes .....

.... I'm running very late with this card - it's for this week's Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge - WMSC126, designed by Iwona Palamountain.  It's such a versatile sketch and I would have had my card up earlier, but I've not been feeling great this week! But I've made it and I'm loading it now - details will follow:

Stamps: WMS - Half Pint Heroines, Earth Angel, Opera Tags, Compact Sentiments

Inks: Memento - Tuxedo Black; Distress - Salty Ocean, Mustard Seed; Versamark

Die: Spellbinders - Labels 25 (S5-077) #2; Opera Tags (WMS-DT#1); Cuttlebug - Hippie Chick Alphabet

Accessories: Blue paper (from India); Yellow patterned paper from scrap pile; Promarkers - Warm Grey 1 - 5, Soft Peach, Peach, Mango, Cinnamon, Chestnut, Satin, Baby Pink, Cyan, Aquamarine, Blush; Gems and card from stash

This card is for a special girl who will be 12 very soon.  I stamped the elephant twice onto white card and coloured with Promarkers, once onto the blue swirly paper and yellow patterned paper and then did a lot of cutting out!!  Then I layered up the elephant adding gems at the tassels and along the edge of the3 basket.  I stamped the little girl's head and dress and coloured with Promarkers and cut her out.   I cut out a panel of the blue paper and attached it to the card base.  I stamped the birthday sentiment onto white card, cut it out with Labels 25 and while in the die added some colour - sort of suggesting the sun!  I stamped a couple of clouds - one behind the blue and one to go on top.  I finished off with this gorgeous Opera Tag which I stamped in Versamark, embossed with gold and then added the number 12, I completed the tag with some twine from my stash.   

For the inside I used Promarkers to make the blue frame and then used several of sentiments in the Half Pint Heroines set and the birthday greeting from Earth Angel.  Here's close up of the elephant and sweet little girl showing the dimension.  I used the CR84FN45 colours - blue, orange and yellow - they seemed appropriate with the elephant!!  

Card is now in the post and should get to the UK in time for the young lady's birthday.  I had such fun making this card - the elephant is just fab!

The postman has just delivered my new Waltzingmouse stamps - they are absolutely super.  Off to play now.  See you soon.

Festive food ....

.... Good Wednesday afternoon - we have been blessed with another lovely day here in Northville.  I like it cold, crisp, bright and dry, then I don't feel bad playing in my nice warm craft room ;)   I've another festive card to share with you today - combining these challenges:

• Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge - WMSC125 - designed by Jean Martin
• Jingle Belles - JB12:24 - to use festive foods in your design
• Colour Q - cQc165 - really lovely festive colours and check out the apron!!

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - Nordic Winter, Around Christmas Time, Oven Fresh Gingerbread Joy, Compliments of the Season II; My Favourite Things - Seasonal Sentiments
Inks: Stampin' Up! - Real Red, Regal Rose, Pool Party; Memento - Tuxedo Black, Rich Cocoa, Cottage Ivy
Dies: Spellbinders - Picot Edge Circles (S4-345) #3; Die-namics - Fishtail Flags Layers STAX
Accessories: Stampin' Up! Card - Real Red; Promarkers - Red, Pine; Foil and white card from stash

I don't have all the named colours from the Colour Q challenge, so I've matched as closely as possible.  I love the way Claire's stamps all mix together so well - I had fun putting this card together.

I made the base from some SU Real Red card (great colour).  I positioned the sentiment with my stamp-a-ma-jig and then randomly stamped some sweets and candy canes all over the panel.  I used the Fishtail Flags to cut the banners; Real Red for the bottom layer and white card stamped with this pretty pattern from Nordic Winter. I used more of the Nordic Winter stamps to create the panel across the card.  The Christmas pudding is mounted on a gorgeous green circle.  I stamped the pudding in Rich Cocoa and cut it out by hand.  I restamped the holly leaves and berries, colouring them with Promarkers and attaching to the pudding.  I decorated the inside with a simple, but bold sentiment.

That's all for now - see you tomorrow!

Follow Yonder Star .....

... Good afternoon - back again!!!  I'm making excellent progress with my Christmas cards and have another for you to share.  I used two challenges to make this one:

• Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge - WMSC123  designed by Lenet Mos
• Colour Throwdown - CTD218 - I adore these colours, and the photo is just fabulous!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Yonder Star Background, Compliments of the Season II, Yonder Star, Seasonal Remedies
Inks: Stampin' Up! - Soft Suede, Tempting Turquoise, Early Espresso; Distress - Tumbled Glass, Broken China
Spellbinders: Small Labels (S4-169) #5; Edge Classic Scallop (E8-001)
Accessories: SEI design paper - Berry Melody; Twine and card from stash

I absolutely love the Yonder Star background stamp - makes wonderful Christmas cards and I can see it working for guy cards too!  So easy to use too - see Claire's tutorial here.  I stamped the background in Soft Suede directly on to the card base.  I don't have SU Cool Caribbean, but I do have some lovely design paper that is almost exactly that colour.  I cut the scallop border with my Spellbinder Edgeabilities.  I made the focal image from the rectangle in Seasonal Remedies - stamped and embossed, the cut out with the small labels die.  While still in the die I shaded with Tumbled Glass and Broken Glass.  Next I made the big star - I inked up with Versamark and then Tempting Turquoise, and then heat embossed with clear powder.  This star is so easy to cut out.  I finished off with the little flag - I had some Yonder Star BG scrap, cut it to size and then stamped this elegant sentiment in Early Espresso.  Here's a close up of the lovely foiled finish on the SEI paper.

Before I go, I'd like to say Hello and Welcome to Michelle Brinker - a new follower; so pleased to have you join me.  It's been a really productive day - both in my craft room and in getting some laundry washed - sadly that means the ironing needs to be done now!!  Bye, see you soon.