A Little Painting Fun!

This week's challenge at 

the House Mouse Challenge Blog is:

Autumn/Fall!

Good thing because I have several more Halloween cards to make before mid October!

I picked an image I hadn't had the chance to color before now.

How cute are these little mice?

And additionally, the 1st prize this week is from Stampendous!

I DO so love me some scrumptious Stampendous goodies!

I used their embossing powders (Aged Scarlet and Green Glitter) for the splats of paints. 

I have been anxious to unpack more of my craft supplies to find my embossing heat gun!

You'll see me use many of their products on my cards!

As always, colored with Copics!

Thanks for sharing in the Halloween "spirit",

Jan

School Daze at House Mouse!

The new weekly 

House Mouse Challenge

is:

"Back to School"

or, as always, Anything Goes!

Go to the link and see what amazing prizes they have weekly!

I find trying to meet the weekly challenge theme tends to make me be a bit more creative and helps me choose the image I want to stamp and color!

So frustrated looking!

My grandson is starting high school this year (yikes!)

and this pretty much sums up his orientation day!

He loves his new classes, so it will all turn out fine.

I used my Copics for this little guy, and die cut a Spellbinders sunflower to

tie into the image!  

Thanks for looking at my blog today, 

and please leave a message so I don't feel all alone out here!

Happy Scrapping!

Jan

Rainy Day Blues???

New Challenge at

House Mouse Monday Challenge!

With so many friends and relatives experiencing flooding and continuous rains this Spring, I chose to go with an

"Anything Goes" 

entry this week!

Hopefully, this will bring a smile to someone's face as 

they watch the raindrops fall!

This is an older Hopper image called "Puddle Fun". Like the Mouse Team Designer, Bunny,
it's always been one of my favorites!

Colored with Copics, and using the clever little sentiment, I think it projects my sympathy

but with a subtle hint of optimism...

Happy coloring to everyone!

And if you should find yourself needing any stamps,

House Mouse has enough to keep any stamper happy for a long time!

Jan

Swingin' in for a Color Challenge!

This week's challenge at House Mouse Challenge #294 is:

A Color challenge!!!

This gave me the perfect excuse to pull out my pink and purple papers along with this adorable House Mouse image of the flowers!

I chose the Pink, Purple, and White trio of colors for my card.

Used my Copics markers and added some Tattered Angels Shimmer Mist on the blossoms and
Violet Leaf stack from DCWV.

The shimmer is difficult to see in a photo, but IRL, it looks amazing. 

I also chose to add a few water droplets using my Glossy Accents.  

By popping up the flowers by stamping the image twice and coloring and cutting out the second set, 

adhere with a few 3D foam squares, and your image becomes so much more dimensional!

These little images are so easy to color and can be used for any occasion.
As you can see, I chose a generic greeting so that it'll be at the ready no matter 
what the happy occasion!

#housemousechallenge

Well, off to do some more coloring and enjoy this LOVELY 100+ weather
here in Phoenix!  

Jan

Also entered in: Simon Says Anything Goes Challenge

It's Summer at the House!

The House Mouse, 

that is!

This week's challenge is 

Summer Fun!

Since I have just recently started coloring again 

after some medical issues,

one of my first stops was at some of my favorite blogs,

two of those being Stampendous and House Mouse!

One of my many favorite images

from House Mouse/Stampendous is this little 
Happy Hopper!

I chose to color him up with my Copics markers, 

and make a 3 dimensional card.

The wonderful thing about these little animal images is that they can be used for any occasion!

In this case, I have a dear friend who's birthday is 

in August, so what better way to send a "cool" wish!

Happy coloring to everyone out there!

If you're like me, and have been on a sabbatical from

scrapping, get back in there!!!

Jan

Sometimes it's an "Uphill Battle!"

Greetings for the NEW YEAR!

 

I am thrilled to say that I am looking at the New Year with a renewed energy that I hope to direct toward LOTS more crafting, especially my scrapbooking and card making!

Of course, that won't leave out my love of home décor items! I already have a "mental" list

of the things I want to accomplish in the coming months!

 

To kick it off,

I am entering my card AND applying for a DT position with

Clear It Out Challenge blog!

I have long admired their clever idea of "purging" all these supplies we have hoarded

and putting them to good use!

Plus, they have a very generous group of sponsors and images that I love!

 

Enjoy the card, and wish me luck.  This will encourage me to do more as

 I'm always better with deadlines and commitments!

 

This card was made using a House Mouse image from Stampendous,

as well as the green crushed glass glitter!

The foil paper is from DCWV!

Colored with Copic markers,

with the wooden snowflakes that I've stained brown to match the ski's.

I'd never seen anyone wood stain the flakes, so thought it would be unique!

 

 

 

 

This card was made for my dear friend who is starting out the New Year

recovering from a mild heart attack!  I Do hope this lifts her spirits!

 

Thanks for looking at my blog today, and please leave a comment.

(And again, wish me luck getting "back on the horse" and being accepted to a design team!)

 

JAN

Arizona

 

Just for fun, I've also entered this card in the weekly challenge at

Crafty Catz, Add words to your card (and I would love to win some Bugaboo images!)

 



The Biggest show on earth!

 

 

 

This week's challenge here at The Royal Castle is to

"Make it a 6 x 6 Square"!

 

 

Stampendous Stamp used- "Circus"

 

Graphic 45 Papers

from the "Le Cirque"

collection.

More of their great papers are available here at

The Scrapbooking Queen's

store blog!

 

 

Todays tip:  Always lay out your layered cards before gluing anything down permanently!

It's easier to change things around rather than rip them up later!

 (Trust me on this one!)

 

Have a great week!

~Jan~

House-Mouse Christmas Greeting!

 'Tis the season and the Mice are back!   I love working with these little darlings. They have so much personality and are always up to something!

 

This time it's adorning the holiday tree!

*****************************

House-Mouse Stamp:
 "Deck the Halls"

One thing to keep in mind when making any card is to

remember to add the tiny details!

 ********************************************************************************

This card is my second entry in the December Monday Challenge at

House-Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge

and to, again, let the gals know how much

I'd love to be a part of their DT!

 

Go to their blog and check out all the adorable critters in the store!

Mice aren't the only creatures stirring this Christmas!

 

Happy Holidays!

Jan

 

(Also entered in the December challenge at

Stampendous!)

 



Happy Valentine's Day...

from the little mice's, meeses, mice...whatever...

at the Garber household!

 

 

At Christmas time, one of these little guys was caught in a jar!

 

 

But since then, they have been running amuck in my house!

Stampendous' House Mouse's and Happy Hoppers are everywhere!

 

Now they have taken over my front entrance on my Valentine wreath!

 

Greeting all who come to my door with a friendly

"Happy Valentine's Day!"

 



 

Peeking out from behind roses and the bow,

and making sure everything is arranged just so!

 

 

My UPS delivery guy was chuckling when I opened the door!

He commented how much his young daughter would enjoy these sneaky little fellas!

I can't wait for my own grandson to see it!

 

I am entering these seven little cuties in the challenge at the

House Mouse Design's Challenge,

"Show some Love",

Stampendous' Impressions,

"Love Letters",

Gruffies and Guests,

"Love is in the Air"

and

Sunshine Mail

"Anything with a heart"

challenges.

 

As a design team member, I will also be posting this on the blog for

"Stampin' for the Weekend" as it incorporates the

"Flowers"

theme for the week of the 14th!

They are also having a great prize challenge!

Who doesn't want more flowers this holiday? 

 

(I used a clearanced $1.20 green pine wreath from Christmas, shaped it into a heart, and spray painted it white.

The rest was easy with  my Copics and some very

patient fussy-cutting!)

 

Give a BIG hug to someone you love!

~Jan~



Fall Float!

House Mouse

"Fall Flight"

 

Whether she's sailing downward, or across the sky like in this card,

this little guy appears to be having the time of his life!

 

Love these leaves and the adorable expression on her face!

 

 

This card is entered in the Blog Hop Challenge at

House Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge

"Anything Goes with Twine"

They have some great prizes and the designers have offered up many of their own

goodies as giveaways!

Who doesn't want to win some House Mouse?!

Have you seen the new Gruffies?  CUTE!



Are you scared yet?

Dustin Pike has done it again!

The new August release is full of adorable (and frightening!) Halloween images!

As always, each with it's own whimsical twist.

 

See all the new images and find out how you can get hundreds of terrific digitals images at

Doodle Dragon Studios.

Here is my card made with one of those cute guys!

 

 

 

Isn't he just too scary?  LOL!

I would have preferred to use cheese cloth, but all my scrapping supplies are pretty much packed in boxes at the moment.

The tissue paper worked fairly well as mummy wrapping,

don't you think?

 

Have a great day, and join us over at the

 "Playground"

anytime for a challenge and chance to win some images!

We've been on vacation, but the fun is about to begin again!

 

~Jan~

"Stampendously" Spooky!

There's nothing really scary about these little fellas,

but they sure do make adorable Halloween cards!

 

 

You can capture this image yourself either at the

Stampendous store or from the House Mouse website.

 

 

Challenges:

House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge, Orange and Green

Stampendous October Challenge, Halloween

 

Colored using Copic markers.

 

Thanks for looking today!

Catch me if I fall...

This little guy appears to have a nice, soft place to land!

The leaves were colored with Copics and fussy-cut so they could pop up off the card.  Not an easy task. 

I am now appreciating the girls efforts who have been

cutting out these little leaves for their projects!

 

 

 

I actually stamped one of the House Mouse images (Fall Float) twice in order to have the extra leaves for the "landing pad".

 

 

With some curled edges, they really appear to be FLOATING on the page!

This is definitely one of my fall favorites!

 

 

I will be entering this card at

House Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge (Autumn Leaves)

Stampendous September Challenge  (Fall Fun)

Simple SPOOKY Easy Easel Card!

As long as I had my

Stampendous, "Pumpkin Gate" stamp

all inky,

I decided to make a second card for the

Fall Fun Challenge!

 

 

I love the Halloween paint chips from Stampendous.

Makes for a GREAT place for these guys to rest.

 

 

A simple sentiment was all that was needed.

 

 

I also decided to punch holes on each side of the gate post so I could slip a small ribbon through and tie a tiny bow.

 

Enjoy your week!

Thanks for looking and please leave a comment!

I love knowing you were here!

~Jan~



Craft's Meow September Challenge!

Sending Butterfly Kisses!
What a terrific way to celebrate saying goodbye to summer!

Cooler weather is on its' way!

 

Techniques abound over at Craft's Meow this week!

Check out all of the DT's great tips on how to ink up your projects!

 

I used the blending ink colors to mimic water colors and also used the metallic look for my background.

 

Using my favorite little stamp,

"Butterfly Kisses"

I heat embossed her over a misted green/blue background, and then highlighted her delightful little wings with some vibrant color!

The background is embossed with

Spellbinders'

M-Bossabilities, "Flora".

I inked it in Momento, Gold and Copper, and then rubbed on some
Copper metal Rub-n-Buff.

It really shines!

 

My little butterflies were stamped and fussy cut to pop off the card!

 

 

This card says so long Summer and welcome Fall !

Entered into the challenge at Craft's Meow (techniques)
and
Moxie Fab World, (All that Glitters)
Simon Says Monday Challenge Blog (Embossing)
Simon Wednesday Challenge Blog (Embossing)

Stampendous Challenge Part Two

I have another House Mouse project for the August challenge at Stampendous today.

This time it is a simple holiday card with another

adorable House Mouse!

 

Hanging Around

 

Close up of image

 

I debated adding "snow" to the branches and leaves but didn't want to distract from the cute little image!

 And notice the difference when shadows were added to the image.

They didn't show up very well in the photo, but adding shadows gives dimension!

 

 

 

I am so excited to see these little images available at Stampendous!

My Christmas cards are almost completely finished and it's only August!

Yippee!

 

Papers: October Afternoon

White Trim:  May Arts

Red Trim: Recollections

Copics Markers

 

Have a great weekend!

~Jan~



There's a mouse in the house!

In case you haven't heard, Stampendous is now carrying

House Mouse stamps!

Yes, selected House Mouse is now available through your

local LSS/Stampendous dealer and online here!

 

I was fortunate enough to be at my friends' house playing with our markers and colored up a few of these little darlings!

 

This is what I decided HAD to be done with this fella!

 

 

I'm old school...the best mouse is a captured mouse! LOL!

 

 

Is he not the cutest thing ever?

 

 

I used the Stampendous Shabby White embossing powder inside the jar, with some sprinkle Christmas snow from Michael's to add volume to the pile of snow he's landing in!

(Be careful when you heat the powder to melt. The jar will get very warm!)

 

And if you're wondering how I mounted him in the jar, here's my secret:

After coloring my image, I glued the entire thing to a piece of black cardstock. I then fussy cut it out and that made the back appear more finished.

I cut a small square wooden stake about 2 inches long, and glued one inch length of it up the backside and painted it's upper half black to match the back of my image. The bottom half I painted white and glued "snow" to it so as to blend into the snow drift. Hot glued it to the bottom of the jar, and filled with the fluffy snow material.

Lastly, I hot glued the pine and holly berries inside and outside of the lid, along with more "snow". done!

 

 

My mother has limited space now to display any type of holiday decorations, so I think she'll love having this little guy hanging around!

 

Copics markers used:

R29, 46, and 59

E33, 35, and 37

E50, 51, and 93

N0 and N2

 

Also entered at the wonderful challenge at:

House-Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge (Transport)



Back after what seems like FOREVER!

As some of you may know, I have been very ill for quite some time.

Without going into a lot of boring detail, I suffered from severe anxiety and weight loss from issues stemming from the sleep deprivation caused by Ambien.

Yes, you either increase your dosage (which I refused to do) or give in to the fact that while taking it, you will sleep shorter and shorter periods of time.  I had hit bottom at two hours per night for several months. Take my word for it, sleep meds are not the answer. 

 

But, I am thrilled to say that I am better now, close to my "fighting weight", and feeling like I can again join the rest of humanity in enjoying life!

 

Enough of that...

 

I made my first challenge card today in a very long time!

 

 

 

I have been exploring the stamp blogs as if I had never seen any of them before!  Six months can leave one very mesmerized!  But then, it now all seems new and fresh to me!

 I saw this challenge for a "Silhouette" card on

http://sweetstampsblog.blogspot.com/

Sweet Stamps!

First off, I LOVE the stamp images they offer, and second, I have none!

So, I grabbed what I DID have and made this sweet heat embossed card.

 

Thanks for coming back after my having abandoned my blog for so terribly long.

Please forgive.

 

Paper:  MME, "Lost and Found"

Images: Tim Holtz and TPC

Embossing Powder:  Stampendous, "Detail Black"

Flowers: Prima



To new beginnings....

With the holidays coming to a close,

I look toward the New Year as a time of new beginnings.

 

 

My term is ending at

Crafter's Companion

and it has been a wonderful, however short, fullfilling experience.

The design team has been so very helpful to this newcomer,

and I have learned so much about their products and techniques from everyone!

 

With the recent passing of my father in October,

the caring and closeness of my blogger friends has become even more apparent!

 

So, I say "Good-bye" to 2012

and "WELCOME 2013" and to a fresh start with new ideas and renewed creativity!

 

A "Charmed" New Year!

 

I used the absolutely gorgeous butterfly stamp from the

Sheena Douglas collection,

A Little Bit Scenic, "Flying Colors" set.

 

I spritzed some alcohol ink directly onto my white cardstock, trying to match it to a section of this paper from 7 Gypsies.

(one of my New Year's resolutions is to use up some of my old papers)

Then, I stamped the butterfly image twice onto the dry paper and

black heat embossed them.

I cut them out and added some ink to the wings to better match the color tone and add some dimension.  I always pop up my images for movement.

The key charm was used as the "body" on one of the butterflies, and an extra little clockface tied onto the ribbon.

 

As I say so long to one life experience,

I am excited to see what this coming year holds.

 

As always, I'll continue to bring you goodness and yumminess from

DCWV

and

Doodle Dragon Sudios

and plan to expand in yet more directions with my craft.

 

Have a Happy, Happy New Year!

~Jan~

On the Seventh day of Christmas with DCWV....

... I made this little shadow book that can hold so many memories!

So glad you could join

DCWV

for our

12 Days of Christmas!
 

 I am day Seven!

I wanted to make something a bit different than a card, or a layout (and since I have no swans a swimmin' to speak of, or seven of any bird for that matter)

I decided to make a nice keepsake book/box as a decorator piece for the holidays!

 

 

I decorated the front of an old book with the gorgeous vintage paper from the

Chrismas Combo Stack, 2012. 

With 180 pages of beautiful holiday papers to choose from, you can't go wrong!

I cut the adorable little stockings out of the "Winter Holiday" stack, and finished it off with a pretty white bow and gold trim paint.

(You can't tell, but my fireplace is the brown pattern paper run

through a "brick" embossing die!)

 

 

When you open the book, it has become a 3 dimensional frame

with a small scene inside.

 Here's where the swans come into play!

 

The secret to this project is PATIENCE.

I drew my area to be cut out on the top page, and then cut through as many layers with an Exacto knife as possible. Little by little, you make your way through the pages of the book. I stopped about 1/2 inch from the bottom so that my background had some padding behind it.

Decorate the back of what will be your shadow-box, making sure you have absolutely EVERYTHING you want included before this next step.

 

 

For my "shadow box book", I included a stamped, heat embossed and decorated Christmas tree, some white paint and snow, and popped up a lady swan.

 

Only then do you glue an acetate sheet over the top and start decorating the front cover of your frame.

I also glued all of the bottom-section pages together (yes, more patience) and painted the sides lightly with gold paint to give a more antique appearance.

The large swan on the outside is also cut twice and popped up.

 

These old books can be recycled to hold keepsakes and memories of many types.

See where your imagination can take you!

 

The pictures of this were the most difficult I have ever tried to take. Between the acetate reflecting my lights, and the day being so very gloomy and dark, this is the best I could do.

 

But the feeling of the holiday and the old-timey wholesomeness of the poem still comes through....

"seven swans a'swimming...., "

 

Please check back tomorrow at DCWV to see what the Eighth Day of Christmas brings!

 

To join in on the fun over at Top Tip Tuesdays, I entered this project on their weekly challenge!

Happy Holidays!

~Jan~