Serendipity Stamps May Blog Hop and Challenge Reminder

Welcome and thanks for stopping by! Serendipity Stamps is having a blog hop to show you some of the latest products and remind you to play along with our challenge!

If you're hopping along with us you should have reached me from Vickie Zimmer's blog! That means your in a good mood because Vickie always makes beautiful things! If you want to start from the beginning you can see the prize that's up for grabs and get all the details here at Mary's Blog! Now.. let's get started! :)

I made two cards today - both very different - for this one I left the Wine and Cheese image naked. To add a little more interest I stamped the "Welcome" sentiment right on top of it.

This card was made using papers that you can find in the Yard Sale section of the store. Mary has some paper assortments that include at least 20 sheets of paper for $1. You don't know what papers you will receive - there's lots of different patterns. My pack included these.

Do you love the little wood grain sequins? They're at Serendipity here.

I cut a few grape vines from gold foil paper to tie in with the wine and cheese image. Gold is always so rich!

The pretty scallop border along the bottom of my card is from Pretty Pink Posh Stitched Borders 3. Did you know Serendipity stocks Pretty Pink Posh dies? They compliment the images beautifully and you can find them here.

For my second card I colored up this sweet little cowgirl. The image came out a few months back but Mary has just added the cutest little sentiment to the store! They just belong together don't you think?

I love the bits of rope at the beginning and the end of the sentiment!

I stamped the image with Memento ink and colored it with Copic Markers. I wanted to give the image a little more pop so I backed it with a stitched scallop circle die and only let part of it peek out. I chose blue to pick up on the colors of the Cowgirl outfit and the blues in the background papers.

A few trims like the peek of brown stitched border (Pretty Pink Posh Stitched Borders 4), Twinery Espresso Twine and a sprinkle of wood sequins complete my card.

Want to go shopping?

The 50% off stamp of the month is the Lemonade Pitcher

There's a sale too! The code “40fromhigh0516” will give you 40% off the highest priced item in your cart. Good Wed May 18th – Sun May 22.

Mary's also having a “Yard Sale” – it’s contains lot’s of bargains, some one-of-a-kind. You can find it here!

Join us for our latest challenge - Die Cut! We're looking for projects that include die cuts (any brand) and at least one Serendipity Stamps image! You can find our challenge here at Serendipity Stamps Challenge Blog!

Our special guest at the challenge this month is Carol Mayne of Just Me: C Blog! I hope you'll stop by and tell her hi! I know she's going to rock your socks off!

The next stop on this hop is Jenny Gropp! No one does layers and coloring like Jenny! But Before you go..

Please leave me a comment!!!!

There is a $20 gift certificate that will be awarded to one commenter randomly selected from all the blogs. Hoppers can leave comments through 5-22 .. the winner will be announced on Mary's Blog on 5-23.

Here's a complete hop list for your convenience!

Mary's Blog (Start here)

Miriam Napier

Vickie Zimmer

Jeanne Jachna (That's Me)

Jenny Gropp

Julie Warner

Karen Amidon

Marybeth Lopez

Good Luck and Happy Hopping!!



Finished Size 4.25 x 5.5:
Stamps | Serendipity Stamps Wine & Cheese, Welcome
Dies | Pretty Pink Posh Borders 3 | Memory Box Grape Vine
Paper | Serendipity Yard Sale Mixed Paper Pack
Twinery Gold Shimmer Twine
Wood Sequins Serendipity, Gold Sequins Pretty Pink Posh

Stamps | Serendipity Stamps Cowgirl, And She Was Good
Dies | Memory Box Open Studio Stitched Circle Layers, Stitched Scallop Circle Layers, Pretty Pink Posh Stitched Borders 4

Pattern Paper | Authentique Homestead 6"
Twinery Cappuccino Twine
Wood Sequins Serendipity
Pin Tim Holtz

Serendipity Stamps July Release - Howdy Partner!

Howdy Friends!!   Serendipity Stamps is celebrating their newest release with a blog hop!  And if you love western images you're going to flip over these!  If you're following along on the hop you should have reached me from my talented friend Vickie Zimmer's blog.  If you want to start at the beginning and get all the details you can find them here at  Mary's Blog.  July's release has lots of new images and dies to see - I'm showing only a few of them here today. 





The poker chip die is one of my favorites - I love the little suits along the outer rim and the interchangeable centers.  It's easy to switch these up for the guys or the gals just by changing the color.






The sentiment is available in two different styles (a circular layout, and this horizontal layout).   The horizontal stamp reads "When the chips are down you can always count on me" and the circular one read "When the chips are down I can always count on you".  All the border dies on my projects today are from Pretty Pink Posh and can also be found at the Serendipity store. 

Here's a masculine version with the same layout.   The chips look great in just about every color combination!  Those little wood look sequins are from Serendipity too!

What else is new?  The cutest little cowgirl ever!  





And a new word die - "Howdy".   Take a closer look and you'll see the  end of it has a rope pattern engraved in it!!





There's also a new bandanna die that you're going to want to check out!

The next step on your hop is Jenny Gropp - and let me tell you.. that girl can seriously color!!  But before you go.. make sure you leave me a comment!!!   One random commenter selected from the comments on all the blogs will be selected to win a $20 Gift Certificate to Serendipity Stamps. But you have to leave a comment to enter. You have until Sunday July 5 to leave a comment The winner will be announced on Monday July 6 on Mary's Blog!!! 

No worries!! Everyone is a winner!!! Mary is running a special to celebrate the new release!

Special: Sale is free shipping on all US orders of $15 or more (Continental US only).
The 50% off Stamp of the month is Winter Doe (shown above).

Here's a complete list of everyone on the hop today for a quick reference!

Mary's Blog

Julie Warner

Karen Amidon

Marybeth Lopez

Miriam Napier

Vickie Zimmer

Jeanne Jachna

Jenny Gropp

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Hopping and good luck!!

All cards finished Size 4.25 x  5.5"

Feminine "You can count on me" for the gals

Serendipity Stamps Stamp:  "When the chips are down"

Dies:  Serendipity Stamps Poker Chip, Pretty Pink Posh Stitched Border

Sequins:  Wood Look - Serendipity,  Colored Pretty Pink Posh

Twinery Blossom Twine

Pattern Paper:  My Mind's Eye "Presh Cut & Paste" 6x6"

Masculine "You can count on me" for the guys

Serendipity Stamps Stamp:  "When the chips are down"

Die:  Serendipity Stamps Poker Chip, Pretty Pink Posh Stitched Border, MFT Blueprints 15, Fishtail Flags

Sequins:  Wood Look - Serendipity

Pattern Paper - Basic Grey "Serenade"

Little Buckaroo

Serendipity Stamps Cowgirl

Dies:  Serendipity Stamps Howdy, Pretty Pink Posh Stitched Border, Stitched Banner Duo 2

Pattern Paper: Simple Stories "Summer Fresh"

Twinery Natural Twine

Washi MT

7/8" Cluny Fan Lace Simplicity

Ink: Memento, Copic

Glitter Stars Paper Studio (Hobby Lobby)

Star Pin Maya Road

Waltzingmouse March Pajama Party

YAY!  It's Pajama Party Time!  If your a fan of Waltzingmouse Stamps then you know once a month we have a Pajama Party.    The challenges were posted earlier in the month so if you have something made already all you need to do is link it up.  If not..  well then!   It's time for you to break out your fave Waltzingmouse stamp sets, and get crafty!!  Of course there are prizes to be had - and I'm looking forward to seeing all the different projects linked up on the Waltzingmouse Makes Blog.   I'm always crafting at night - usually waiting up for one of my kids to get home from work, or hanging with friends.  It's that mom in me - I have to make sure they are home safe and sound before I can relax.  That's ok because I'm enjoying what I'm doing. Sometimes I'm so focused on what I'm making that they'll be home in bed and I can't seem to drag myself away.  I sort of feel like your crafting away with me today!!

Claire's got some fun challenges for you today and you can get all the details here.  I'm playing along with Challenge #1 - To Die For. I'm using the new Waltzingmouse Cutting Edge Dies that match the Afternoon Tea set.  What a difference using the die vs. fussy cutting by hand.   Its so much cleaner looking (I never could cut a straight line), and lots quicker!  Have you seen there are lots of new sets like Funky Feathers, and Flowers?  It seems like they are appearing in the store a few at a time so you never know what you're going to find!

The Afternoon Tea set has a die for the label as well as for the tea pot.  The open frame design makes them super easy to line up perfectly every time.  I wanted to show you that the tea pot die looks fab all on it's own too!  No stamping involved!   I made this little treat bag to give you a peek  Who doesn't like a little something to take home for later once the party is over?  This was really simple to decorate with a package of doilies, some twine, and some mini clothes pins dipped in glitter.

I'm also playing along with the bed time story.  So if you didn't have anything ready for the party today you still have time to play and another chance at a sweet prize!  I think its a wonderful way to wrap up the night!  The bed time story stays open after the other link ups close so you can still join us.  You have a week to link up your project.  Here's the sketch!   I thought this would be a good one to mix up some patterned paper on.   I thought the denim paper gave this a "western" feel so I added the "Little Lady" sentiment. 

 Here's a few close ups so you can see some of the details.

And the finished card of course!

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope I see you at the Pajama Party!

Supplies Used:  Finished Size 4.5 x 6.25
Stamps:  Waltzingmouse Afternoon Tea
Dies:  Waltzingmouse Afternoon Tea, Cheery Lynn French Pastry
Card Stock:  PTI Vintage Cream, Raspberry Fizz
May Arts 1 1/2" Striped Grosgrain
Twinery Pink Sorbet,
Pattern Paper:  My Minds Eye The Sweetest Thing Honey 6x6"
Rose:  Iamroses.com

Treat Bag  5 x 7"
Stamps:  Waltzingmouse Afternoon Tea
Teapot Die:  Waltzingmouse Afternoon Tea
Doily:  Doodlebug
Twinery Twine Pink Sorbet
Card Stock:  PTI Vintage Cream, Raspberry Fizz
Ink: Memento Rosebud
Mini Clip
Glitter Doodlebug
Bag:  Carrier Bag Store

Little Lady  Finished Size 4.25 x 5.5"
Stamps:  Waltzingmouse Back in the Saddle, Two Step Sprig
Dies:  Waltzingmouse Digital Cut File Two Step Sprig
Ribbon:  May Arts 5/8" Organic Stripe Pink
Ink:  Memento Rosebud, Angel Pink, Pear Tart, Bamboo Leaves
Sequins
Card Stock  PTI Vintage Cream, Hibiscus Burst
Pattern Paper:  Bo Bunny Prairie Chic 6x6"

CASE Study #179 Thanks

Hi Friends!   The great thaw is still in action here.  Lots of melting snow and sun shining.  I've even spotted Robins back in the yard.  Does that mean it's officially Spring now?  Well .. I'm not falling for it.  If I've learned anything living in the Chicago area it's that weather is very unpredictable.  It wouldn't surprise me to find myself in a blizzard by Saturday HAHA!!!

Since it's Thursday there's a new challenge at Case Study.  I'm enjoying the inspiration photos from none other than  Danielle Flanders of Homespun from the Heart!  I love seeing her projects at Papertrey Ink!   She's got a beautiful clean and layered style.   Here's the inspiration photo for this week.  So what do you see?  You know the drill.. focus on the elements you like and then make it your own.    Sometimes it's easy to see where I got my inspiration and other times.. not so much.  So do you see it?  Well obviously it wasn't the soft pastel colors!!   Yes!  I took the die cut word set on an angle, and I grabbed the stars and turned them into flowers. 

Want a little more inspiration?  Or maybe you're just curious to see what direction the DT ladies too this one?  Just click on their names below to jump to their blog.

Chupa - Iwona Palamountain

Amy Wanford

Andrea Ewen

Clare Buswell

Debbie Hughes

Maureen Plut

Tasnim Ahmed 

Maureen Merritt

Silke Ledlow

I'm looking forward to seeing what you make - I'll be looking for you at Case Study Challenge!











Supplies Used:  Finished Size 4.5 x 6.25"
Stamp:  Waltzingmouse Rescue Remedies
Dies:  Memory Box Thanks Script, Spellbinder Foliage, ROse Creations, Floral Flourish
Corner Rounder/Chomper:  WE R Memeory Keepers
Pattern Paper Bo Bunny Prairie Chic 6x6"
Card Stock PTI Kraft, Raspberry Fizz, DCWV Burlap, SU! Pool Party
Pearls
Ivory Button Twine May Arts
Border Punch:  Double Embossed Dotted Lace

Casology - Country

I've been trying to find my CAS side lately.   It's a style that I love and will admit I am not so comfortable with.  I figure the more I try the better I will get.  I am trying to play along with more challenges that focus on this style and my favorite has become Casology.  It's a great way to see loads of examples and get tips from their experienced design team as well.  The theme this week is county.  So what does country mean to me?  I think wide open spaces and blue skies, Loretta Lynn and peanut butter pie.   I thought this cowboy image would fit the bill perfectly - and look - no bow (well just a bitty one), and no patterned paper (except for the bits I stamped). 

I used rustic cream paper and distress ink to give it a bit of a distressed look.  I embossed the top of the boot charm to give a tooled leather look, and the doily under the rider reminds me of a fancy concho.


 Thanks for having a look - have a great day!!



Supplies Used:  Finished Size 4.25 x 5.5"
Stamps:  Waltzingmouse Back in the Saddle, Way Out West
Card Stock:  PTI Rustic Cream, Pure Poppy, Kraft, Silver Foil AC Specialty
Dies:   Die Namics (Thanks Cathy), Cheery Lynn Polynesian Sails Mini Doily, Spellbinder Standard Circles
Natural Button Twine:  May Arts
Embossing Folder Cuttlebug Madison
Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black, Memento Luxe Love Letter, Ranger Distress Antique Linen

OWH Sketch Challenge 131 - Guest Designer

Today I'm honored to be Guest Designer for Operation Write Home Sketch Challenge 131.  Operation Write Home is made up of thousands of card makers who care about our military, and want to support them through creativity and encouragement. Many thousands of crafters of all ages and levels of experience have participated since 2007! Care packages filled with hundreds of handmade cards are sent to troops so they can write home to their loved ones. If you'd like to get involved in mailing some of your own hand crafted beauties you can get more information here.   

To keep postage costs down, OWH asks that you keep cards to a specific size, no glitter,  and layering to a minimum.  All easy things to comply with!  A sketch challenge is posted every Sunday, and there is a Midweek Throwdown Challenge every Wednesday to keep those creative juices flowing.  Here is a link to the challenge blog Stars and Stamps.  I try to make cards in themes that I feel will appeal to younger men and women.  I made this one western for all those cowboys and girls out there!  I kept it mostly flat, but added lots of extra embellishments like the pierced zig zag border, the Kraft doily and a bit of twine. 

I hope you like it and thank you for having a look.  As always if I get a good response I will make 10 more of these to send to OWH - so if you LIKE it - LEAVE A COMMENT! 

Hugs and Thanks!

Jeanne

Supplies Used:  Finished Size 4.25 x 5.5"

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse Back in the Saddle

Paper:  October Afternoon Sasparilla Collection

Papertrey Ink Kraft, Pure Poppy, Fine Linen

Dies:  Cheery Lynn Celtic Fire Rectangle, Spellbinder Standard Circles, Classic Inverted Scalloped Circles, Labels 5 (cut down)

Border Punch:  Martha Stewart Zig Zag

Ink:  Versafine Vintage Sepia, Satin Red

WMSC #100 - Let's Celebrate- Yee Haw!!

Can you believe it?  Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge Blog is celebrating its 100th Sketch?  It all began in June of 2010.   It was one of  Claire's fondest wishes for the Waltzingmouse Stamps community... a place where we could showcase our favorite Waltzingmouse stamps, have a bit of fun, and perhaps win a prize along the way!  Well not to worry - we're still having fun and I can tell you there are still a few prizes to be won.  In fact, you might just want to check out all the festivities at the Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge Blog.

Here's a little trivia for you....  Did you know in the beginning that Claire the Head-Moustress displayed her creations along with the other Mischief Makers?   Oh, and who were the original Mischief Makers?    I wonder how many you can guess ....  I'll give you a hint..  a few of them are on the Waltzingmoue Design Team.....     OK .... here goes........Anya Shrier, Belinda Chang Langner, Bonnie Sharp, Jennifer Homes, Julia Aston, Lisa Hjulberg, and   Lynn Mercurio.   

Yee Haw!!! Can you tell I'm a little excited about the celebration?  If you like the folded "flowers" you can see a tutorial here.  I like these pinwheels because they lay flat for mailing and they aren't too fru fru for the guys.  I tried to make this one a little more masculine with the western theme, twine, and "gear" looking doily. 

Thanks as always for having a look - I hope you'll join us in celebrating the 100th Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge!

Jeanne

Supplies Used:  Finished Size 5" x 7"

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse Vintage Labels 18, Bitty Banners, Vintage Circles Small, Back in the Saddle, Large Doily

Dies:  Spellbinders Labels 18, Labels 5, Circles, Nested Lacy Pennants, Cheery Lynn Canadian Kaleidoscope

Paper:  Authentique Glory Collection 6x6" Bundle, Papertrey Solid Colors Pure Poppy, Kraft, Fine Linen

Extras: Twine, Natural, Brads Basic Grey & Brides

Pearls Recollections

Border Punch Martha Stewart Zig Zag

Ink:  VersaFine Satin Red