House Mouse and Friends Blog Hop and Challenge

House Mouse and Friends is having its first blog hop/challenge, using any House Mouse, Happy Hoppers or Gruffies stamp, using this sketch for your design:

I had made a few Valentines before last night, but none matched the sketch completely, so I worked on another:

Here is what I used for the card:

Stamp:  Stampabilities Happy Hoppers (House Mouse) "Love Bunny" HMI1014.

Colored pencils:  Prismacolor, Derwent and EK Success.

Chalk:  Pebbles Pearlescent Shimmers (around bunny).

Paper, background:  K & Co. Smitten Valentine tablet of 12 x 12 papers.

Paper lace, light pink:  American Crafts paper in Baby/Miss Muffit, cut with Fiskars heart edge punch.

Paper lace, brown:  American Crafts paper in Baby/Miss Muffit, reverse if light pink dot, cut with Martha Stewart double edge doily lace trim punch.

Raspberry square:  Bazzill pearlescent in Feather Boa, embossed with Swiss Dots folder in Cuttlebug, cut with Nestabilities Classic Scalloped Squares, Large.

Sentiment:  K & Co. Smitten banners.

Pearls:  Recollections half-pearl stickers.

Miscellaneous:  Pink Gelly Roll Stardust pen on hearts above bunny's head.

You can visit the Blog Hop/Challenge by clicking on the title of this blog, or on this link:  http://www.housemouseandfriends.blogspot.com/

Card count:  7/365

Make a Wish

Am I on a roll or what?  I colored several images and have started to assemble them into cards.  This first one is a birthday card for someone who lives here in the apartment building, and since her birthday is today, I had best get it delivered. Thanks for looking.  Here is what I used:

Stamp:  Make a Wish 02, House Mouse/Stampabilities - HMGR1011.

Pencils:  Prismacolor and Derwent, blending stump, turpenoid.

Cardstock, solid:  K & Co., Marcella Well-worn solid mat deck.

Print cardstock:  source unknown but I love it.  Wish I had more.

Flowers:  Prima Pixie Tin, Bella.  A word to the wise - it is very hard to get a good scan with flowers that have raised centers, especially when you put them on with foam dots!  (the shadow on the card is because of this).

Glitter:  Stickles in Baby Blue (on the icing) and Frosted Lace (on the candle).

Cuttlebug folder:  Happy Birthday (Joyeux Anniversaire).  I also ran a sheet of the olive through this folder as a greeting for the inside, just adding a tag for my signature.  On the envelope I used the Cuttlebug Celebration Stamps and die that came with the machine, and since I am hand delivering the card, I put them where you would put a stamp on the envelope.

Chalk:  Pebbles Pearlescent in Shimmers. 

I didn't get the others finished that I had hoped, but maybe tomorrow.  The recipient of the above card called me the minute she got it.  First she said "Thank you" and then she said "Please tell me how to make these".  That was as wonderful as the "thank you"!

Card count:  6/365

Tweet Kisses

I got another one done but it was hard to get a good photo because the "bling" on the card kept the scanner lid from closing properly, and even though I covered it, some light got in.   I also seem to be slowing down a little because my fingertips are in their usual winter condition which means split and sore.  Time to slather on more cortisone or Neosporin.  Thank you for looking.

Here is what was used for this card:
Stamp:  Stampabilities/House Mouse Tweet Kisses HMJR1035
Coloring:  Prismacolor and Derwent colored pencils, blending stumps and turpenoid. Background shaded with Pebbles Pearlescent chalks in Shimmers.
Cardstock:  Solid:  Bazzill; Green dot:  Sprout 6 x 6 Paper Collection, Memory Box, Inc. (love this collection and wish I had bought several pads of it).
Paper:  Source unknown.
Punch:  Martha Stewart
Flowers:  Prima
Ribbon:  Dashes, Dots & Checks
Bling:  from a Heidi Swapp frame
Brads:  Recollections

Card count:  5/365

Baby Card

Last week, on the Magnolia-licious group, we learned from Willeke that she had just become grandmother to a very premature baby boy.  I asked if it would be okay if I sent a card to the baby's parents and she said "yes".   I went through my images, and found this one, colored it last night and assembled the card this morning, when I had better light (I really must get another Ott Lite).   I hope you like it.  I am definitely starting to see a pattern here with my colors - soft and muted, harkening back to the days of Color Me Beautiful and color analysis.  Yes, I am a soft summer. 

Stamp:  House Mouse/Stampabilities, Baby Shoes 02 HMIR1006

Coloring:  Prismacolor and Derwent colored pencils, blending pen (National    Colored Pencil Blender).

Cardstock:  Bazzill Basic cut and embossed with Spellbinders Nestabilities in Classic Scalloped Squares, Large.

Chalk:  Pebbles Pearlescent in Shimmers. 

DP:  Source unknown, in gift package from paper crafting friend.

Bling:  Source unknown, in same gift package as DP.

Letters:  Part of a pack of designer papers purchased two years ago, company forgotten.  They show up better on the card than they do in this photo, sorry.

This will be on its way to the Netherlands tomorrow.

Card count:  4/365

Happy Retirement

One of my neighbors here at the apartment complex will be retiring Friday and I wanted to make a card for her.  I was truly at a loss as to how to begin but I tossed the idea out to the House Mouse group and someone suggested this stamp.   Once the stamp design was chosen, the rest was easy as it is a simple card without much embellishment.    Thanks for looking.

Stamp:  Happy Hopper (from Stampabilities/House Mouse),  "Relaxing Bubbles", item HMG1015.

Coloring:  Prismacolor and Derwent colored pencils.  For the tub, to make the white stand out, I used a dressmaker's tool:  General's Pastel Chalk pencil in white, #4414, bought at the local quilt shop.  Area around the bunny was highlighted with Pebbles pearlescent chalks in Shimmers.  Edges were darkened with brown Palette stamp.

Highlights:  Creative Cafe Glitter Glue in Spirit White for the bubbles (this is iridescent and works well with the colors of the mats) and Stickles Frosted Lace on the tub.

Paper:  unknown, gift from a paper crafting friend (thanks, Lisa).

Cardstock:  Bazzill solids, cut and embossed in Cuttlebug with Nestabilities Classic Scalloped Squares, Large.

Sentiment:  Computer generated, Storybook font.

Flowers:  Prima

Brads:  Recollections.

Inside verse:  Irish Blessing:

          May you always have work for your hands to do.

          May your pockets hold always a coin or two.

          May the sun shine bright on your windowpane.

          May the rainbow be certain to follow the rain.

          May the hand of a friend always be near you 

          And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.

This was printed on vellum and mounted on the same blue cardstock as the second mount behind the bunny.  The bottom edge was cut with the Martha Stewart heart border punch. 

Card count:  3/365

ADDENDUM:  Happy 13th birthday, Katie (one of my granddaughters in MN).