The 12 Kits of Christmas: April

Welcome to another 12 Kits Blog Party! If you have been visiting on the last night of each month you are aware of the purpose of our little group. Each month one member puts together kits for everyone and sends them out at the beginning of the month. The theme is always Christmas or other winter holidays and our goal is to have a cache of cards ready when the holidays roll around. 

Our hostess this month is Marybeth and below is a photo of the kit she sent. Thank you, Marybeth! Everything was wonderful and I enjoyed all the wonderful goodies so much! The picture below was contributed by Kara. She always takes wonderful pictures and happily shares with anyone who wishes to post it. The day the kit arrives is always exciting! Everyone loves opening their envelope of goodies. And we have no idea what will be in it until it comes! This month, I was super excited to see the jingle bells cut with a very cool Memory Box die! She sent them in three colors! But as I was doing my cards, I didn't find just the right place for them so I have them safely tucked away--something special to play with later. Maybe I will use them when I CASE someone else's card that I see today! 

Photo by Kara

That's another fun thing about getting all these kits. There are always leftovers!!! I used this Grand Madison Window from the January kit that Renee put together! I have the smaller version but still don't have this large one. It is a favorite so must order one soon! Marybeth used the Country Landscape die and some plaid paper to make this sweet addition! I used just a piece of it. That particular house made me think of a stable that could be used for a Christmas scene. The big gold star also came in the kit. I love the patterned paper and used it for two of my cards.  

This was a perfect sentiment for the inside of the card. 

And here is that same paper again. It makes a great background for the tree. It is black and I ran it through it my Cuttlebug with a embossing folder to add a little texture. The pearls and rhinestones were included as was the die cut sentiment which fit perfectly at the bottom.

My last card shows the little angels all bundled up and ready to be out in the snow! I considered leaving them uncolored. I see so many wonderful examples of images just stamped but I usually end with the colors. It's like naked buttons! I just can't bare to leave them without some type of thread! The Frostyville Border worked great! Marybeth included a die cut Holly Vine but I hated to cut it up so used these PTI dies for the sentiment strip. They coordinate with the holly on the lantern.

Well, I won't keep you! You will want to be on your way to visit all the wonderful blogs. I am always amazed how each of us comes up with totally different designs---even though we all have the same supplies!

Enjoy the hop! So happy you were able to join us!!

Sharron

Below is the list of participants:

Marybeth

Renee
Cathy
Suzanne
Joyce
Amy
Christina
Kim
Kara
Jessica
Jeanne
Sharron--you're here!

Supplies (those included in the kit are shown in red)

Card 1 

Stamps: Sentiment on front (PTI Christmas Sentiments); Inside Sentiment (Stampendous) 

Cardstock: PTI Soft Stone and Pure Poppy; Bazzill Blue Textured 

Patterned Paper: My Mind's Eye

Dies: Star of Wonder, Country Landscape (Memory Box), Grand Madison Window (Poppystamps); Half and Half (PTI); Labels Eleven (Spellbinders)

Card 2

Stamps: Sentiment (PTI)

Cardstock: Rustic White, True Black, Vintage Cream (PTI)

Patterned Paper: My Mind's Eye

Dies: Star of Wonder (Memory Box; In the Meadow (PTI); Banner Ribbons (Spellbinders)

Additional: Pearls, Rhinestones (Hobby Lobby); Starry Night Embossing Folder (Sizzix)

Card 3

Stamps: Little Angels (Stampendous); Sentiment, Merry Little Christmas (PTI)

Cardstock: Rustic White, Pure Poppy, Enchanted Evening, Vintage Cream (PTI)

Dies: Frostyville Border (Memory Box); Double-ended Banners, Holly Leaves and Berries (both PTI)

Additional: Copics

Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge #94

After an extremely hectic week and a half I am finally getting to do some fun things, just for me! This week's WM sketch is again from Karin Akesdotter--isn't it great! I hated missing last week's challenge but unfortunately there was no way I could squeeze it in. I went to buy a birthday present for one of the grandchildren and stopped by Hobby Lobby. I definitely didn't need this stamp set but used a coupon and bought a Penny Black set called Mimi in Paris. I was thinking of using it with the French Country stamps that I love so much. As I was driving home, I was thinking about how wonderful it would be if Claire did a set similar to the Halloween sets with Cicily and Gracie using a French theme. Wouldn't that be fabulous!!

Anyway, here is my card. I couldn't resist the pink poodle! And the perfect background set that comes in French Country was a must. I paper pieced her hat, cut out the poodle and colored the rest with Copics.

I have tried to regularly check blogs but haven't written all the comments that I would have liked. Hopefully things will run more smoothly for a while now. And it's almost time for the 12 Kits of Christmas monthly post so be sure to come back on May 1.

Have a great weekend!

SMILES,

Sharron

Supplies

Stamps: French Country, Compact Sentiments (WMS); Mimi in Paris (Penny Black)

Cardstock: Fine Linen, Vintage Cream, Raspberry Fizz, Sweet Blush (PTI)

Dies: Labels One, Spellbinders

Additional: Argyle Embossing Folder (Sizzix); Black Ribbon (May Arts); Copics; Tuxedo Black Ink (Memento)

Waltzingmouse April Blog Party

It's time! Another WM Blog Party is about to begin! The theme this month is New Beginnings--weddings, babies, Spring--there are all sorts of possibilities. I decided on a baby card so I could use one of the images from L'il Buddies. Gosh, I love that set!!

I paper pieced the bunny then lightly colored his face and inside his ears with a Copic. The tail is cut from felt. That is such an easy image to paper piece and I really like the look! The embossing is an argyle pattern to give a quilted appearance. I also use PTI's Half and Half dies a lot. They are great to use with focal points. The sentiment at the top is stamped on a negative piece from the Heart Border die. This card went together so quickly. I knew about the party but then got so busy over the weekend and yesterday that I forgot to do my card until this morning! 

Be sure to visit all the other blogs. There is always lots of wonderful inspiration so you won't want to miss out.

Glad to see you at the Party---ENJOY!

Have a great day,

Sharron

Supplies

Stamps: L'il Buddies, Frame It (WMS)

Cardstock: Stamper's Select White (PTI); Blue-unknown color (Stampin' Up)

Patterned Paper: My Little Shoebox

Dies: Half and Half, Heart Border, Limitless Layers 1 3/4" (all PTI)

Additional: Argyle Embossing Folder (Sizzix); Felt and Button (PTI); Ecru Embroidery Thread; Copics, Tuxedo Black and London Fog Ink (Memento)  

Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge #92

This week's WM sketch was contributed by one of the super talented Mischief Makers, Karin  Akesdotter.  I wanted to try something other than banners and finally decided on butterflies. After seeing Kara's, KandrDesigns, beautiful card using leaves, I came up with this design using the WM sketch. I cut a piece of Spring Moss cardstock with my newest to arrive die, Mat Stack 5. First I inked up and stamped just partial images from WM Chicken Wire (love this!) and PTI Text Style. Then I added the leaves, using two colors of Memento Ink--Bamboo Leaves and Pear Tart. For these, I used the Generational Stamping technique from last week's PTI MIM challenge by Ashley Cannon Newell. Maybe I should have added more leaves, especially at the top! The line across the top was a stamp from It's A Celebration. After looking for small butterflies with patterns, I used one from Butterfly Dreams and one from Antique Engravings. Hubby asked about the 'upside down' one but it's just flying down!! They are colored with Copics. The background layer is embossed with Leafy Branch folder by Cuttlebug. To keep with the more rustic look I used copper eyelets (one of my seldom used supplies) and some Rustic Twine. The sentiment is from Frame It by WM.

This reminds me of designs I see a lot on patterned papers and I plan on using it again!

Be sure to take some time to see the other WM entries. There's always lots of inspiration!

Thanks for coming by,
Sharron

Supplies
Stamps: Chicken Wire, Frame It (WMS); Text Style 1, Turning a New Leaf, Butterfly Dreams, It's a Celebration (PTI); Antique Engravings (Hero Arts)
Cardstock: Spring Moss, Simply Chartreuse, Rustic Cream, Rustic White (PTI)
Dies: Mat Stack 5, Double-ended Banners (PTI)
Additional: Leafy Branch Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug), Copper Eyelets (American Crafts), Rustic Twine (PTI), Copics; Memento Ink (Bamboo Leaves, Pear Tart, Rich Cocoa); Amuse Ink (Slate); Ranger Distress Ink (Antique Linen)

Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge #91

This week's WM Sketch may look like it would be easy but definitely not for me!! I have thrown away more paper in the last couple of days than I ever do. I'm not sure why I struggled so much but I guess single layers just aren't my thing. It's great though to have challenges like these and force trying new things but wow--that doesn't mean it will be easy! 

Nevertheless, in the end I have two cards for the challenge! I wasn't sure what things could be used and still qualify as one layer but I liked what I came up with so here are my entries!

Card #1 uses stamping, coloring with Prismacolor pencils and a bit of trim. The stamp set for both cards is WM French Country! I haven't used pencils in ages but since Copic markers would bleed through it was an excuse to get out my pencils and Gamsol and it was fun to play with them again!

Supplies

Stamps: French Country (WMS)

Cardstock: Stamper's Select White (PTI)

Additional: Prismacolor Pencils, Twine from The Twinery, Button (PTI)

Inks: Papaya and Blueberry (Amuse)

Card #2 was stamped, also colored with Prismacolor pencils, then embossed. I found when I was making the tag that the little medallion I used on the background fit perfectly at the top of the tag--even the holes lined up. I used two tags--a plain one and one with a cut out heart. I colored an area on the plain tag and then glued them together. This was actually one of the cards that got messed up (there were several!). I was trying to figure out how to emboss the front and leave an area plain but obviously that didn't work! This one I salvaged and it is now my favorite!

Supplies

Stamps: French Country (WMS); Tiny Tags (PTI)

Cardstock: Stamper's Select White (PTI); Pink (Stash)

Additional: Prismacolor Pencils; Gingham Ribbon (LSS); Twine (The Twinery); Diamonds and Dots Embossing Folder (Quikutz); Tiny Tags Die (PTI)

Ink: Bamboo Leaves (Memento)

So glad you came to visit! LOVE your comments! And if you have any tips on one layer successes, please leave those too!!!

Have a wonderful weekend,

Sharron

The 12 Kits of Christmas: March

Welcome to our March blog party! I can never express just how much fun being part of this group has been. After having a month to play with all the goodies in our kits, we do a group post at 12:00 midnight EDT on the last day of the month. That's when we get to see what everyone else has made!

Our hostess this month is Suzanne Dahlberg, The Card Yard.  And here is a picture of all the wonderful things included in our kits:

Photo by Kara

She sent us such a incredible array of patterned papers, stamped images, ribbon and all sorts of trims. I was able to only use a small portion so still have more to play with after I get some additional inspiration from seeing everyone else's creations! I love snowmen so was instantly drawn to this cute image. Doesn't he look kind of funky! So I thought he needed some non-traditional colors! All the supplies are included in our kits except card bases so I chose Lavender Moon and Plum Pudding (both from PTI). The bottom base is white. I colored him with Copics and used a Glitter Pen on the snow and star. The background is embossed with Starry Nights embossing folder by Sizzix. I tried different sentiments but finally decided on this small one from Waltzingmouse, in the Candy Jar Christmas Fillers set. Looks like he is waving and sending you "Winter Wishes"! The image was cut with Spellbinders Labels Eleven.

My second card is the total opposite. The colors are more subdued and the style more formal. All the supplies are from the kit except for the rhinestones. I cut the piece of PTI Spring Moss cardstock with a PTI Half and Half die and embossed it with Starry Nights. The main image was cut with PTI's Mat Stack #3 die. It probably doesn't show well but the background is Opal Shimmer Paper (see list below).

It is really pretty and looks so much better IRL.

I knew I wanted to use this little bird so he was one of the first things I colored and set aside. Can you see the little rusty bell on his cap--what a cool item for Suzanne to include! But this was the last card I made as I just couldn't decide how I wanted to use him. I finally decided on getting out some of my new Memory Box dies. This is the Small Madison Window (LOVE the window dies!) and Twigs and Berries. The leaf with that die is pretty large so I used ones from Tender Leaves. Besides the birdie, the 'wallpaper', the lace and the sentiment are from the kit. Cardstock used is Vintage Cream, Fine Linen, Dark Chocolate, Pure Poppy (all PTI) and an unknown green from my stash. I used the Woodgrain Impression Plate (PTI) on the Fine Linen.

So are you ready to check out all the other blogs! Just click on each of the the links below. I also have included the supply list from Suzanne. There's a lot of information there if you are wanting to order anything.

Renee
Cathy
Suzanne
Marybeth
Joyce
Amy
Christina
Kim
Kara
Jessica
Jeanne
Sharron--you're here!

Thanks so much for taking time to visit!

Have a wonderful weekend,

HUGS

Sharron

Supplies in the Kit:

Stamps

1. Holiday Birdie with matching die: Poppystamps (http://www.poppystamps.com/CartGenie/prod-14.htm)

2. Snowman w/ Star: Print Works Collection 2009

3. Block Art Sparkle Dove M253: Stampendous (Amazon.com has a cling mount, but I have the wood rubber stamp)

4. Santa's Flight (Sleigh w/ Reindeer & Sentiment): A Muse Studio

5. Winter Wood (deer with trees & sentiment): A Muse Studio

6. Vintage Holiday Greetings: A Muse Studio (and stamped on Vintage Labels 1 diecuts, also from A Muse Studio)

7. Swirly Tree with sentiments: Bright Hopes from SU!

Paper

1. The cherry red shimmer cardstock is Cherry Shimmer from A Muse Studio.

2. Candy Cane Stripe - A Muse Studio

3. Twas the Night Before Christmas (text) - A Muse Studio

4. Spring Moss (PTI)

5. Mitten Weather from Cosmo Cricket

6. Dear Mr. Claus from Cosmo Cricket (one pack was split, so folks may have different patterns)

7. SU! Holly Berry Bouquet (one pack was split, so folks may have different patterns)

8. The cream lightweight shimmer paper is Stardream Metallics in Opal. This is what is sold (or at least used to be sold) at Paper Source, but you can buy it cheaply in bulk here: http://envelopemall.com/Metallicmnu.aspx (Heavyweight 105 lb cardstock also available) It's great for punching snowflakes. Envelope Mall has long been my favorite place for envelopes too. They'll send you sample colors if you call!

Ribbon

1. Green satin ribbon (double-faced) & cream lace - not great quality but super cheap in bulk from Ribbonbazaar.com.

2. The striped ribbon and the red ribbon are from SU!

3. The twines are two new colors from The Twinery

4. Polka dot ribbon is Ripe Avocado from PTI

Misc

1. Metal pin: I can't remember which company, but I had 2 packs of 6 each, everyone got a different pattern.

2. New leaf buttons (PTI)

3. Cosmo Cricket sticker(s) from Dear Mr. Claus collection

4. Rusty jingle bells 6mm  (craftcatalog.com)

Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge #89

This week's WM sketch is again from the very talented Mischief Maker, Renee Lynch! I'm a little late getting mine posted but here I am once again using an image from L'il Buddies! This time the bunny is in pink and chocolate brown. I also used the circle of hearts from the same set and colored in the hearts with a Copic marker.

There are some really amazing entries for this week's challenge so you must go see them all. And I finally have time myself to go visiting some blogs. 

I am making this short so I can get it posted before the deadline!

Have a great weekend,

Sharron

Supplies

Stamps: L'il Buddies (WMS)

Cardstock: Stamper's Select White,  Dark Chocolate (PTI); Pink Cardstock (Source Unk) 

Patterned Papers: Raspberry Checks (Lasting Impressions); Love Struck (Making Memories)

Additional: Dark Chocolate Satin Ribbon (PTI); Pearls (Martha Stewart); Circle Punches; Scalloped Circles Die (Spellbinders); Mat Stack 3 (PTI); Memento Ink