WWC323 - Cathy's Challenge: All Things Feminine

 I'm really excited about this card!  It "grew like Topsy".  I had a plan which, bit by bit, I discarded as the card evolved and became what it had decided to be.  Does that ever happen to you?

My mail arrived with a new stamp by Ellen Jareckie.  You know how much I absolutely love her House-Mouse images.  Well, this one was just released this year and spoke to the plant-lover in me.  I immediately stamped the image twice, once on Coloured Pencil paper and once on Mixed Media paper.  I wasn't entirely certain which way I would go.  You see, I have a new set of General's Pastel Chalk Pencils and was anxious to try that media for a change.  My "insurance", in case I absolutely hated the look, was the image on the Mixed Media paper, for which I would use my watercolours.

Well, the pastel chalk pencils worked out beautifully and I was all set to use the image for the front of my card.  Somehow, despite my plans, I prepared my Base of Heavy Whisper White for a gatefold.  Fine, I hadn't made a gatefold in a while and so was willing to see where this would lead.  It led to my using several dies which I hadn't yet used as well as some silver foil paper which I hadn't thought to use for quite a long time.  I also found and used some retired designer paper and used that.

When the gate opens, the grid and leaves come up and reveal the little mouse, happily napping in its scented "bed".  

Opening the other side of the gate reveals the full scene.  Doesn't the colour of the chalk pastel pencils simply "pop"?  I love it and will likely use this medium quite often.

The close up of the inside shows the subtle blending possible with the pencils.  It's a completely different look from the watercolours.  This "something new" is definitely a happy surprise.

Have fun checking out our Watercooler Wednesday Challenge and I hope you'll link your creation before the deadline on Monday, September 6th, 2021.

I've also entered my card at the following challenges:

House Mouse & Friends Challenge #347 - Anything Goes or option Water Play

Lemon Shortbread Challenge #153 - Anything Goes

Unicorn Challenge #68 - Anything Goes

WWC309 - Dawn's Challenge: Anything Goes With a Masculine Twist

 For Dawn's Masculine challenge I decided to revisit the adorable Gnomes in Fran's Stampendous stamp set.  They really adapt well to almost every occasion.

I decided to keep this card clean and simple.  For my base I used the Heavy Whisper White and then allowed a large frame around the actual image, with a Cajun Craze matte around the stamped and watercoloured image.

My little Gnome is sitting in the grass with a present which could be for a birthday, valentine's or even an anniversary.  The sentiment certainly works for any of those occasions.  It's what  gets stamped or written inside which will decide.  I love the way the Derwent watercolour pencils add so much bright colour, don't you?  They're so easy to use with a little bit of water and brush or an Aqua Painter, which is my favourite. 

 In this slanted view  you can see the shine on the silver-coloured bow.   I added a few black dots for interest.  This was an easy card to make but I love the results.

Have fun checking out our Watercooler Wednesday Challenge and I hope you'll link your creation before the deadline on Monday, February 22nd, 2021.

I'm also entering my card in the following challenges:

Lemon Shortbread Challenge #139 - Anything Goes

Always Fun Challenges #201 - Anything Goes

Cardz 4 Guyz #264  - Clean and Simple

WWC307 - Heidi's Challenge: Anything Goes With a Feminine Twist

 After getting an amazing sentiment stamp made by Stampendous, I began checking my (way too many) stamps to see what image would fit.  Sometimes oldies are the best.  I combined two of my favourite Stampin' Up! sets and did some free-style drawing to wind up with a card that I love.  I hope you love it, too.  

I love this image from the Beautiful You set.  It is definitely my favourite, although I love the other images, too.  In order to make the image fit the sentiment, I added a puddle at her feet and then sketched two boots to fit her feet.  Since this is a very stylish girl, I had to ensure that her hat matched those boots, right?  And then I sketched in a little jacket since the rain is seldom warm.  All the colours I used to watercolour my image are from Stampin' Up!  We have Daffodil Delight for her hat, crinoline and boots, then her jacket is a combination of Basic Black and Smoky Slate.   That pretty dress is the lovely, bright Poppy Parade, the puddle and raindrops are Balmy Blue and then the sentiment is Pacific Point.

I'm not sure if you can tell from this angle that I covered the puddle with some Shimmering Crystal Effects.  After all, puddles are shiny, aren't they, even in the rain.  The raindrops are from the Weather Together stamp set.

For the inside, I cut a broad stitched frame from a piece of Balmy Blue cardstock and then stamped the remainder of the sentiment inside.  Then I went on a hunt for a boot stamp.  Believe me, with all the stamps I've accumulated, I knew I had a stamp which would be perfect.  And I was right.  This image is from the Craft Consortium Farm Meadow.  I love the style and went wild with the colours, of course adding polka dots to make them perfect. 

Have fun checking out our Watercooler Wednesday Challenge and I hope you'll link your creation before the deadline on Monday, February 8th, 2021.

I've also entered my card in the following challenges:

Lemon Shortbread Challenge #138 - Anything Goes

Addicted to CAS Challenge #190 - Pattern

WWC304 - Kath's Challenge: All About Occasions

Even though it's only January, I had to use this adorable House-Mouse image for my card this week.  Isn't it just the perfect Valentine?

This image is aptly named "Love Treat".  Don't those adorable mice look like they're deep into a sugar high?  Where a candy heart like this might be one of many we might consume in one sitting, I think it's going to last  Mudpie and Amanda at least a week. 

I used a base of the heavy Whisper White.  Then I added a much smaller rounded corner matte of a sparkly pink glitter paper.  On top of that I glued the watercoloured image.   Of course I used my Derwent Watercolour pencils for this job.  They offer such pretty, bright, clear colours.  Besides, I  love watercolouring.

This time I used a much lighter ink than normal to stamp my image.  The Versafine Toffee is closer to the colour I imagine the hair would be on these mice.  As a result, the image wound up looking much more like a no-line watercolour.  I love the results, don't you?

Have fun checking out our Watercooler Wednesday Challenge and I hope you'll link your creation before the deadline on Monday, January 18th, 2021.

I've also entered my card in the following challenges: 

House-Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge #331 - Anything Goes or New Beginnings (and what is a better new beginning than Love)  

Lemon Shortbread Challenge #137 - Always Anything Goes

WWC303 - Karen's Challenge: Anything Goes With a Feminine Twist

Wow!  We're in a new year!  I can't say I'm sorry to have said goodbye to 2020.  Let's all hope that 2021 is a much better and kinder year.

I fell in love with this adorable Stampendous stamp set designed by Fran Seiford.  Not only are there three sweet images with kittens, but the set includes a stencil with tiny kitten paw prints.  The "Awwwww" factor is absolutely enormous!

I used a base of the Heavy Whisper White followed by a matte of Highland Heather cardstock.  On a piece of Mixed Media paper I stamped the image with the five kittens and proceeded to colour them using my Koh-I-Noor Woodless Colour Pencils combined with the Gamblin Solvent Free Fluid.  I tried to give each a different colour of fur as well as different eyes.  They may all look quiet and sweet in the picture, but I'm sure within moments they were running all over the place, tumbling and playing with anything not tied down. 

After colouring the kittens, I added a light purple mat on which they're sitting.  They had to be grounded, after all.  I also stamped one of the three sentiments in the set. "Hugs and Kittens" simply seemed perfect, don't you agree?

Have fun checking out our Watercooler Wednesday Challenge and I hope you'll link your creation before the deadline on Monday, January 11th, 2021.

I've also entered my card in the following challenges:      

Lemon Shortbread Challenge #136 - Anything Goes    

Show Us Your Pussycats Challenge #62 - Any Furrything Goes   

Simon Says Monday Challenge - Use a New/Unused Product    

                         

WWC297 - Helen's Challenge: All About Occasions

 Oh those Gnomes!  They're everywhere this year.  But I love them and was thrilled to get this stamp set by Stampendous with  the little birthday Gnomes.  Who wouldn't love a card like that?

I decided to keep this card clean and simple.  I began with a base of Whisper White, added a thin matte of Bermuda Bay cardstock and then added my piece with the stamped image and sentiment.  

I used a piece of Mixed Media paper for my image and sentiments.  Once I had stamped that little Gnome, colouring him was a real pleasure.  The image is very simply drawn, but it's easy to add some dimension by shading the colours.  For that I did watercolouring with my Derwent watercolour pencils.  I just love how much control there is and how easy it is to mix colours as well.  To ground my little character, I added some ground and then just topped it off with a bit of happy background.  

For a bit of birthday sparkle, I used my Nuvo Aqua Shimmer pen to add some lovely sparkle and shimmer to that balloon.  You can really see it in this close-up.  And that's it.  Just clean and simple.  I think it's a perfect birthday card and should give someone a great big smile, don't you?

Have fun checking out our Watercooler Wednesday Challenge and I hope you'll link your creation before the deadline on Monday, November 16th.

I've also entered my card in the following challenges:

Lemon Shortbread Challenge #132 - Anything Goes

Seize the Birthday Challenge #203 - Anything Goes

WWC275 - Karen's Challenge: All About Occasions

As a rule I don't make Sympathy cards ahead.  I know some people like to have almost every occasion on hand and, generally, I do that as well.  I just don't make Sympathy cards ahead because I prefer not to think someone I know will pass away.  Just a little mental block.

Unfortunately not making a card ahead doesn't stop people from passing away, either.  I'm glad that I had this stunning stamp on hand.  It's by Stampendous and is probably the most moving stamp of its type that I have seen.  From the delicate foliage and blossoms to the beautifully written sentiment, this stamp took some of the sting out of the reason for the card's creation.

For the foliage, I first coloured the images with various greens and the purple and then used my stamping platform to stamp it on Mixed Media paper.  After that, I covered the image with Versamark and stamped it again, over the colours.  Taking the paper from the platform, I heat embossed the image using clear embossing powder.

With the stamping platform it's an easy matter to get the paper in precisely the same spot.  This was necessary because the actual rubber stamp is in one piece: both image and sentiment are combined.  I first stamped the sentiment using Smoky Slate ink and then covered the sentiment with Versamark and stamped it once more.  Taking the paper from the platform, I heat embossed the sentiment using silver embossing powder.

You can see in this image for which I used a flash, the sparkle of the clear embossing powder where it stands out against the watercolouring.  The silver, too, shows up   better with the flash.  I used a base of Heavy Whisper White and then added a matte of Gorgeous Grape.  The Mixed Media paper was roughed up along the perimeter with my distressing tool.

I love the way the card turned out and hope you do, too.  Have fun checking out our Watercooler Wednesday Challenge and I hope you'll link your creation before the deadline on Monday, June 15th.

I've also entered my card in the following challenges:

Lemon Shortbread Challenge #121 - Anything Goes

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Something Metallic

The Crafter's Cafe Challenge Blog #244 - June 1st, Anything Goes

WWC274 - Dawn's Challenge: Anything Goes With a Feminine Twist

As you know, I have an obsession with those adorable little House-Mouse images by Ellen Jareckie.  This little image simply delighted me when I saw it.  Being a bit (a lot) of a choco-holic, I couldn't pass up creating a card with a mouse totally covered in chocolate sauce.

I've kept the design rather CAS.  My base is the Heavy Whisper White and then I've added a matte of Gorgeous Grape.  I stamped the image and sentiment onto a piece of Mixed Media paper using the Versafine black ink so that it wouldn't smear when I watercoloured.

I had so much fun colouring the images, but you know how much I love these little House Mice.  I used my Derwent Watercolour pencils and, of course, my Aqua Painter brush to turn the pencilled colour into gorgeous watercolour.   Once that was totally dry, I put some Crystal Effects onto a pallette and mixed in a bit of water to make it easier to brush on.  Using a very small brush, I covered the chocolate on the Mouse, on the floor, and dripping down the jar with the Crystal Effects mix.  Once it dried, it looked so much like real chocolate that I wanted to lick it.  Thank goodness for self restraint.

The sentiment isn't by Stampendous like the House Mouse image.  Actually, I hunted around to find "the perfect sentiment".  You know how hard that can be.  But finally, in a rather old set which I haven't used for years, I found it.  By Hero Arts, it's called "Friends" and came out in 2010.   Old, but perfect.

Have fun checking out our Watercooler Wednesday Challenge and I hope you'll link your creation before the deadline on Monday, June 8th.

I've also entered this card in the following challenges:

HMFMC #317 - Anything Goes with an Option of Gingham or Plaid

CAS on Friday Challenge #181 - Animals

Lemon Shortbread Challenge #141 - Anything Goes

WWC273 - Marsha's Challenge: All About Occasions

I love Stampendous Stamps.  Not only does the company make those wonderful House Mouse stamps which I adore, but it also makes some wonderful stamps for all sorts of occasions.  This one, called Little Mushroom Cling Set, is one which really speaks to my heart.

I love these images so much that I decided to make this a single layer card.  I simply didn't want a matte or secondary colours to take any attention away from the stamping.

After stamping the images and the sentiment in black, I traced a circle around part of the mushroom image and butterfly image using one of my blue watercolour pencils.  Then I proceeded to use my Derwent Watercolour Pencils to colours all the images.  Once that was done, I used my Aqua Painter to "magically" turn the pencilled-in colours to watercolour.  I love the control that the pencils afford me.

Then I used the same blue pencil with which I traced the circle to fill it in.  After that I used the Aqua Painter to give it the watercolour finish.  It took a while for everything to fully dry, but once it had I took my Nuvo Aqua Shimmer pen in a clear Glitter Gloss and covered the blue completely.  While that dried, I used my White Inkssentials Enamel Accents to add a bit of dimension to the white on the butterfly's wings.

This close-up shows off the glitter as well as the pretty white enamel accents quite well.  I love the final effects and hope you do, too.  Have fun checking out our Watercooler Wednesday Challenge and I hope you'll link your creation before the deadline on Monday, June 1st.

I've also entered this card in the following challenges:

Crafty Cardmakers Challenge #257 - Butterflies

Simon Says Monday Challenge Blog - We're Going Around in Circles

Addicted to Stamps & More Challenge #391 - Anything Goes

Arty Divas Challenge #22 - Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

WWC265 - Marsha's Challenge: Anything Goes With a Feminine Twist

Are you ready for another fabulous House Mouse creation?  This week's challenge has to have a Feminine Twist and what could be more feminine than a huge cupcake with sparkly pink icing?  Just don't shriek when you see that two adorable little mice have been enjoying it, too.

I used a Heavy Whisper White cardstock for my base and then added two mattes, the first using Pineapple Punch cardstock and the second using Melon Mambo.  I stamped the adorable Ellen Jareckie House-Mouse images using black Memento ink directly onto a piece of Mixed Media paper.  I love that paper because I can do any kind of colouring without worrying about my paper pilling, buckling or otherwise betraying me.  The Memento ink is wonderful when I use my wax based crayons and Gamsol for colouring the images since it doesn't lift and mix with my colours.

Once I finished colouring everything and using my paper stub and Gamsol to smooth the colour out, I added some shimmer to the delicious-looking pink icing.  My Nuvo Glitter Gloss pen worked beautifully for that purpose.  I also wanted the candles to have a bit more dimension as well as more of a waxy look and so I carefully covered them using my Shimmery Crystal Effects.  Once dry, they were perfect.

 

Once assembled with a simple "happy birthday" sentiment added, I decided that a bit more "bling" was needed.  I found some Melon Mambo sequins and added a tiny silver pearl in the centre of each.  I think I've made it feminine enough, don't you?

I hope you'll enjoy my card as much as I enjoyed making it.  Have fun with our Watercooler Wednesday Challenge.

I'm also entering this card in the following challenges:

Lemon Shortbread Challenge #116 - Anything Goes

House-Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge #313 - Anything Goes (and the option of sparkle)

Crafty Creations #408 -  Anything Goes

Simon Wednesday Challenge Blog - Simon Says Happy Birthday

WWC259 - Dawn's Challenge: Anything Goes With a Masculine Twist

Oh my goodness!  We have a masculine challenge at our Watercooler Wednesday and it's perfect timing since it's also my grandson's birthday.  It's a very special birthday since he's entering the TEENS!  So, what kind of card will I make for my awesome almost 13-year-old grandson?  I'll give you a hint.  It has a house-mouse on the front.

The backstory to this is, of course, Xavian's obsession with Chinese fortune cookies.  He has loved them from the first time he was given one.  He likes the cute fortunes but he loves the flavour.

You can see why I bought this stamp, under the circumstances.  What could be more cute than a darling house-mouse surrounded by new and broken fortune cookies?  None of the little papers had any writing on them.  I added that myself.  The one being held up is, again, perfect for our talented showman.

 I invite you to check out the awesome samples by the other Watercooler Artists over at our Watercooler Wednesday Challenge.

I've linked this card up to the following challenges:

House-Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge #310 - Anything Goes

Make My Monday #116 - Critters

Animal Friends Challenge #83 - Februar Mause

Addicted to Stamps & More Challenge #377 - Make Your Mark

WWC212 - Tristan's "All About Occasions" Challenge

Yay!  I made the top three!

We're having an "All About Occasions" Challenge hosted by Tristan this week.  I love the possibilities that are offered by this challenge.  So many big and little occasions happen in our lives all year long.  I also love that I had an opportunity to use a brand new Happy Hoppers stamp created by Ellen Jareckie.

Isn't that a fun image?  Stampendous offers all these wonderful images created by Ellen Jareckie in rubber stamps.  I wound up with a perfectly crisp image which I had a lot of fun colouring with my Aquapainter and several of my ink pads.  The umbrella is Rich Razzleberry, the raindrops and puddle are Balmy Blue, and the adorable little frog is a combination of Pear Pizzaz and Mossy Meadow.  For the bunny's fur I changed to my Stampin' Blends and used the Crumb Cake and Petal Pink.

That lovely patterned piece with all the watercoloured dots is from the Share What You Love Specialty Designer Series paper.  I've taken all my colours from that paper (except the frog).  My two slanted pieces of cardstock are Grapefruit Grove and Tranquil Tide.  I love the way the colours and images came together.  I think someone's spirits are going to be lifted with this little card.

I hope you'll check out the wonderful creations by the Watercooler Artists over at our Watercooler Wednesday Challenge and also welcome our brand new Watercooler Artist, Michelle Wallace.

I've entered my card into the following challenges:

House Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge #286 - Anything Goes with Option of Dots or Stripes

Lemon Shortbread Challenge #89 - Always Anything Goes

WWC172 - Anything Goes

I love it when a fifth Wednesday comes along in a month because it means that we have a "wide open" Anything Goes challenge.  Sometimes I've created a fancy box or another type of 3-D project but this time I kept it simple.  But that's the beauty of the Anything Goes challenge.

Like I said, I decided to keep my project simple this time.  I love the Stampendous House Mouse designs.  There are so many adorable little critters, many of whom have been  given names because they have so many adventures together.  I found one which simply "spoke" to me and so, of course, I had to have it.  It's a tiny little mouse, nestled among the pussy-willows, eyes shut and clearly taking a nap. 

Because it's all about the image, I made my card clean and simple.  My base is the Heavy Whisper White, the next layer is Mossy Meadow and the final layer is Whisper White.  First I stamped my image on the Whisper White and then, after it had fully dried, I used my Derwent Coloursoft pencils, bringing the mouse and pussy-willows to life with the colours.  Using the Gamsol afterwards to blend and smooth out the colours was next to magical.  I also added a bit of soft blue around the image and stamped some "bubbles" using Soft Sky, just to finish it off.

The sentiment is one of my favourites and is from the retiring Hostess Feathery Friends set.  I added a few black rhinestones to finish off.

I hope you'll check out the wonderful creations by the other Watercooler Artists at our Watercooler Wednesday Challenge blog.

I'm linking this card to the following challenges:

Creative Moments Challenge #144 - Anything Goes/Animals

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge Blog - Simon Says Anything Goes

HMFMC #267 - Anything Goes