*** America's Charm LOT Winner ***

ATTENTION HOUSE MOUSE & FRIENDS LOVERS...... If you were here during the last House Mouse & Friends challenge and left comments on our DT's blogs, then your name was entered into this fun drawing of mine for a LOT of Beautiful Silver Charms. It is my personal way of saying thanks for stopping by and leaving us comments.

The name has been drawn and the Winner is......... ****Danni, from Danni's Dreams***!!!
Whohoo!! CONGRATULATIONS Danni! Thank you so much for leaving all of the HMDT members your sweet comments on the HM&F's Card Kit Challenge #56. Here's a pic of the lovely charms you've won.

Ive added a few more so now there's a little more than 100+ Charms! Included are a couple of Mousie Charms too! :) Please email me your address within the next 48 hours. CONGRATS again Danni!

Candy Cane Dreams - on a Double Pocket House Mouse Bag

Let's try a new thing for HM&F Challenge #57... How about a Double Pocket Bag? It's super cute, it's small and so perfect for any little gift - on any given occcasion. You've got to check this one out because it's FUN & super simple to create. The ~ Double Pocket Bag is Janneke's idea! Here's a great SCS tutorial on how to make these bags:

And here is my take on this;
I used lots of bling on mine and it really sparkles IRL due to all the Rhinestones, Silver Metallic Brilliant Spray, Stickles Glitter, Silver Gel Pen, Metallic Silver Sharpie uses.... The stamp is by Stampabilities, HMD and it's called: Candy Cane Dreams, # HMPR1022. It is colored with marvy Matchables & Copics and shaded with CTMH Chalks.

This challenge is the first HM&F challenge for Curt, Christine & Lisa on board the DT, so it's very exciting. It is also Janneke's last challenge with us. She's been a huge inspiration & one of our original HM&F DT Members. She will be truly & greatly missed. Go see her FAB Dbl Pocket bag along with the rest of our awesome DT's creations to help inspire you HERE.

And LASTLY.... ***A GREAT BIG THANK YOU to all of you who left comments on the DT's blogs during our last HM&F challenge #56 ~ which was My CARD KIT. As mentioned previously I have a personal PRIZE to give away to one of you that is a bag-full of various themed fabulous Silver charms! You'll be thrilled to know that there's approximately 100 charms in there!!! :) I will be announcing the winner of this Prize later today, so please make sure to stop back by. ***

Thanking Our Military during the Thanksgiving Season

On Thursday at SCS, the Ways To Use It challenge #WT245 - was to create cards or projects for finding ways of being Thankful & Giving Thanks. This brought many meaningful thoughts, but especially for all those serving in our Military. I've created these Armed Forces cards as my way of saying "THANK YOU" ...

***ARMY***

***NAVY***

***AIR FORCE***

***MARINES***

America

CRAFTY SENTIMENTS New Releases & 1st Blog Hop

This blog hop is to launch new sets of Stamps & Sentiments available only from Crafty Sentiments & to formally introduce you to that new blog if you were not aware of it before.

If you love NEW Stamp releases of SUPER ADORABLE images, then you'll LOVE the NEW Crafty Sentiments CHRISTMAS COLLECTION this month. It consists of 3 very sweet characters {Lulu, Daisy & Yasmin }, all designed by the lovely and talented Kathy Hare. These are being released TODAY, November 15th with this mini blog hop that starts at CRAFTY SENTIMENTS. We will be joined by our Guest Designer -the amazing Bev Rochester from All The Things I love. It is our first ever blog hop to celebrate the new release. There are two hidden prizes to be won but you will have to hop to every DT Member's blog (6 total) and leave a comment on their blogs. You can also link the Crafty Sentiments blog hop on your personal blog.

This blog hop will run until Wednesday, the 18th of November. It is a circular blog hop. You can start on the blog you are on and just continue by clicking on the next name on that blog. The end of the blog is when you land back on the blog you started on. You don't have to hunt for the blog candy!. We just want you to enjoy the hop.

There are two things you should know in order to take part on this hop:
1. You need to be a member of Crafty Sentiments Blog
2. You must leave a comment on each DT Blog Post, - if you visit each blog, you will find who to go to next. There are 6 total. Thanks for joining in the fun. Dont forget to leave a comment here and then hop on to the next blog who is our Guest Designer Bev.

Post EDIT:
I just created another Christmas card featuring a Verse from the *Winter Wonderland* Crafty Sentiments Set. This set is quickly becoming a favorite! :)


The sentiment is Heat Embossed with Silver EP. The frame was sprayed with Silver Metallic Brilliant Spray to match the chipboard Snowflake embellishments. BG is dry embossed with Cuttlebug Snowflake Folders.

Thanks for looking & Happy Blog Hopping!
America

***HAPPY VETERAN'S DAY!!!***

Well, today has a very special meaning to us Americans as we celebrate all the men & women who have bravely and selflessly served and those who now presently serve in our Military. I have created these cards honoring them. It's also very dear to my heart since my DH is an active Duty ARMY Officer & I am a US ARMY Veteran. :)













Thanks for Looking & Happy Creating! :)
America

A House Mouse Kit, A HMD Prize & A Small Surprise

Hello & welcome to Monday again friends! This week is very exciting at House Mouse & Friends because not only is there a $25 Gift Certificate/Voucher PRIZE from the official House Mouse Designs WebSite, but it is also my turn to name the Challenge and I will be giving away a little surprise at the end.

***I sent a House Mouse Card kit to all of our HM&F DT Members and asked them to please create a card {using ONLY the items found within the kit} along with their very own tools & coloring mediums. For all of you participating in this NEAT challenge - all you need to do is to try to reproduce the kit's items to make similar cards. That's it! :)***

Here is a pic of the kit's contents:
And here is what I came up with using these products:


Now, its your turn. Give it a go for your chance to win that $25 HMD prize ~ {great way to add to your House Mouse Collection}.... PLUS, we'd really LOVE to see what you can come up with using similar items!!

***now for my surprise to help inspire you*** I will personally enter your name for a chance to win a prize directly from me and it's for a Baggie Full of Silver Beautiful Adorable Quality CHARMS (in various themes), to use on your projects. All you have to do is follow us & leave us a comment here or anywhere our HM&F DT member's blogs by Nov 22nd. I will randomly choose & announce a winner on NOV 23rd. :)

America
Christine
Curt
Emma
Heather
Janneke
Lisa
Lori
Mary
Pat

Thanks so much for Looking & Happy Creating!
America

Crafty Sentiments New Releases, a mini-Blog HOP & 3 Cards

Hello again! I wanted to share with you some info on an upcoming Crafty Sentiments release, A fun BLOG HOP with great Prizes & 3 easy Christmas cards created with Crafty Sentiments verses.

The NEW Crafty Sentiments Christmas Collection consists of 3 very sweet characters by the talented Kathy Hare. These will be released on the 15th November with our mini Blog-Hop. We will be joined by our Guest Designer, Bev Rochester from *All The Things I Love*. So dont miss it.

Here is a quick peek at the upcoming releases:

First Up is ***Lulu***
Then there is ***Daisy***
And we also have ***Yasmin***

And lastly, 3 simple Christmas Cards created using the great verses from the Crafty Sentiments stamp set called "Winter Wonderland".

***Witching You A Happy Halloween***

Here's another House Mouse card for Halloween.... and it was made for today's SCS challenge #WT242 ~ to incorporate the color "Purple" into our cards. This is also for Lala's Weekly Wednesday Challenge #10 - and this week it's to use *Ribbon* on our projects.


The Stampabilities, HMD stamp used here is called "Witch Way to the candy from (Oct 09)", #HMUR1067 & the Stampabilites HMD verse is called; "Witching Halloween", also from (Oct 09), #Stock# MR1013. Images are colored in with Copics, Metallic Gel markers & CTMH Chalks. Silver Brads, Ribbon & doodling adorn card. MS Border Punch & Spellbinders were used to create panel and edge.

Thanks for Looking & Happy Creating!
America :)

House Mouse HOLES.... aka: "Apertures"

This week at House Mouse & Friends, we were challenged by Heather to create a card with an Aperture - also known as a "hole". For mine, I started my card thinking that having the center cut-out of the frame might count for the 'aperture', but then added piercing punctured holes, (just in case it didnt).
Stamps: Stampabilities, House Mouse Designs, from 2008, called "Smarty Pants", featuring Amanda, #HMJR1078. The verse/sentiment is also by Stampabilities, called "Everything I know", #NR1023. The frame has ribbon around both edges, a bow and behind sentiment sides on bottom. School themed brads and tiny rhinestones finish off this card. :)

AND just to make sure I did this "Aperture" thing correctly, I made a 2nd card with an actual Circle Center hole created with the negatives of Spellbinders Circle Cuts, layered & placed descending to reveal the HM image at bottom. I also added pierced holes around the edges of the card (just in case my center didnt count as an aperture) LOL.

Stamps: Stampabilities, House Mouse Designs, from 2008, called "Spooktacular Flower", featuring monica, #HMF1019. The verse/sentiment is also by Stampabilities, called "Spook-Tacular", #QR1033.

For more awesome House Mouse cards & Micee inspiration, visit us at HM&F here:
http://housemouse-challenge.blogspot.com/


Thanks for Looking & Happy Creating!

Christmas Tags for CSAYL

Here is a set of Christmas TAGS made for CSAYL's challenge #39 set by Sankari last week. We were to create a set of least 3 Christmas Tags. I made 6 similar/simple tags using sentiments from a brand new "Crafty Sentiments" stamp set called "Winter Wonderland". The Glitter Cardstock is by DCWV. All sentiments were heat embossed using colorful/metallic Embossing Powders. Panels are cut with various Spellbinder Dies.



Here's another use of that lovely CRAFTY SENTIMENTS set on a card. This card was actually part of a Christmas Hallmark card set. I just cut the center with scalloped Spellbinders leaving wreath image, added a gold heat embossed center sentiment panel, red ribbon, a tree charm, some rhinestones & a scalloped top edge. Not much to it, but it makes for a super quick & simple fancy card.


For more Chirstmas Inspiration, visit our CSAYL blog here:

To purchase these wonderful CS Christmas Sentiments, visit the Crafty Sentiments blog here.

Thanks for Looking & Happy Creating!
America

Going to the Movies at House Mouse & a Sketch at CSAYL ...

LOTS going on .....
First, at House Mouse & Friends it's time for another Challenge. Our beloved DT Member Stacy is the hostess and has chosen "Going To The Movies / Movie Titles" as the theme. I chose the Family Comedy MOVIE called "See Spot Run"..... as my inspiration. :)
For my fun card I used this sweet Stampabilities House Mouse stamp & stamped it 3xs. One for adding dimension by layering it over the mouse coming out of the filmstrip. Images are colored in with Copics, SU white signo gel pen and CTMH chalks. Accessories include; lots of brads, Spellbinder filmstrip, EK Success Border Punch & a mini tag punch that holds the word "inspire" as the finishing touch. :)

Second; This week at HM&F, 2 of our beloved DT members {Stacy and Carolyn}, are leaving us. This is their last challenge. Gosh, these girls have been a BIG part of this blog alongside me from the start & I will miss them very much! :(

Third; The search was on for 2 NEW DT Members to join us. Thanks to all of you who submitted your work. As Emma said it: The chosen applicants to go forward to the next and final round will be chosen & notified by Friday 16th.

Fourth; You might want to MAKE time to join us this week at HM&F because there is a fantastic prize up for grabs from our sponsor....the big enchilada...the one and only official HOUSE MOUSE DESIGNS website.... Go Add to your collection of HM stamps with a fabulous $25 voucher to spend directly at the House Mouse site.

Fifth; For more House Mouse inspiration and to see what the rest of our DT came up with, please visit our blog at House Mouse & Friends here.

And lastly, but not certainly NOT least, :) Sixth; is this week's CSAYL Challenge. It's hosted by site founder Maria Bell, and she's asked us to create a Christmas Card with the following sketch:




Accessories include; Ornament Cuttlebug Dry Embossing Folder, Rhinestones, Silver Cording & a recycled Hallmark card (for the cut-out ornaments). The BG Glittery Cardstock is by DCWV premium heavy CS stack. The only stamp used here is the sentiment from Stampin' Up!.

Whew! Thats it for now. LOL.... Thank you for stopping by & for your sweet comments. They are very much uplifting. :) Happy Creating! America

Christmas From Our House To Yours, CSAYL

This week at CSAYL, we were challenged to use the following colors in creating our Christmas card:





At first I thought 'WOW! What a tough challenge with all those colors to work with!' But, I managed. Whew!! LOL :) All I could think of was a wintery stamp of multiple homes colored in those colors. I tried to use colors that came closest to this. So this is what I came up with. I chose to frame this as a window using the Spellbinders Die Negative Cut as well as the positive for the interior panel.

Christmas Stamp is by PSX, from 1995, #K-1603. Image is colored in with Copics, Marvy LePlume Markers & CTMH chalks. For the look of sparkly dimensional snow, I used a Martha Stewart Glue Pen & added Ultrafine White Glitter. The final touch was the sentiment panel that's also a Spellbinders Fancy Tags Diecut. The sentiment itself is from the SU set called "To You & Yours"--> That set seems to be one of my absolute favorite Christmas sets! :)

Thanks for Looking & Happy Creating! :)
America

*** World Card Making Day ***

***What a GREAT HOLIDAY for us cardmakers!! Happy World Card Making Day Everyone!!! :)***

(The WCMD is a special Holiday for card makers around the world to Celebrate the creativity of handmade cards & the personal connection that they create between friends & family.)

Here is my first card for today....

The Stamped Sentiment is by Stampendous, from 1994. The Designer paper is Daisy D's. I cut out an extra flower from the DP. The Half Pearls are all from BasicGrey. Spellbinders were used for the main panel and an EK SUccess Corner Punch for corners. A little Dry Embossing, Piercing & a small ribbon complete this card.

And here is are 2 more of my recent cards that happen to fall in the same pretty color schemes:



Thanks for looking & Happy Creating!
America

Happy House Mouse Christmas Memories

Today at CSAYL, the challenge is to create a Christmas scene using at least 2 stamps/stamp sets.

Well, I started a beautiful wintery scene of a row of homes. Then--> I had to color it. Then re-color it. Then fix the coloring.....so much so that in the end, I was sooo frustrated that I couldnt color it the way I pictured it in my head. Sooo I went ahead with a completely different scene/card! LOL

So, here's my **Wintery House Mouse Ski Scene**. Stamp is by Stampabilities, called "Downhill Delight", featuring Mudpie & Amanda, #HMLR1030. For the second set of stamps this challenge calls for- I added snowflakes to the BG & the sentiment, both of these stamps are from the SU set called "Holiday Hedgehogs".

Dry Embossing, Paper Tole & Tearing are the techniques here. Lg & Small Rhinestones, vellum, MS Icicle Border Punch, Fiskars Snowflake Border Punch, SU Hodgepodge & Glitter are the accessories that complete this card.

This is also my card for this past Sunday's SCS Featured Stamper #FS138 -"NancyRuth". She is such a sweetheart & very talented. I love the fancy elements she adds to her cards. Which is why I wanted lots of bling on this one. I chose to CASE one of her House Mouse Cards found here:
I kept the Dry Embossed BG, the layout, glitter & sentiment placement. I changed the colors & theme, added lots of rhinestones and left out ribbon, extra cb & punched edged panels behind the main image.

Thanks for Looking & Happy Creating!
America

Watching The Leaves Change

***Hello & welcome back to Monday everyone! It's time for our next Challenge at HM&F and its by our DT member Patricia who has asked us to create using "buttons". We must use at least one House Mouse & Friends image.

This is my take...

Thanks for Looking & Happy Creating!!
America

Someone Who Changes Everything... LSC247

Here is my creation for yesterday's fun SCS Sketch Challenge #LSC247 found here:

I love this sentiment from Stampabilities. It's called "Changes Everything" #DR1094.

The Dry Embossing is done with 2 new Cuttlebug Folders.
BG DP is from Studio G's card sets found at the Micahel's $1 section. I cut these cards up for using as backgrounds. What a great & economical way to get fresh new looks, huh? :)

The silver charm & cording are also from Michael's. Corner Piercing was done with Stampin' Up!'s Piercing Tools.

Thanks for Looking & Happy Creating!!
America

Christmas at CSAYL, A House Mouse Baby Boy & Thank You Cards...

I have 3 cards to share with you today....

First, it's this week's Christmas card for CSAYL. The challenge was to use *non-traditional* Christmas colors. I went with brown and silver. I chose to play with these large Chipboard Snowflakes that are actually huge (6x6) ornaments used as decor. They come in a 6 pack from the Michael's $1 section. I used one as a backdrop just for fun. The snowflake Glitter DP is from a brand new Anna Griffin line, The BG is DCWV CS Glitter DP, The interior Paper is by SU. Small silver snowflake is a Martha Stewart dimensional sticker. I adorned it with a rhinestone star. The only stamp used here is the sentiment which comes from the SU set called "To You & Yours". Ribbon & additional rhinestones complete this busy card.

The following two cards were inspired by last week's (Saturday/9/12/09), Inspirational challenge #IC197, for the CWDKids line found at SCS here:

It's A Baby Boy HM card:

Lots of textures on this one!

And A Thank You card:

Layering, Dry Embossing & Crimping make up this card!

Thanks for Looking & Happy Creating!
America

House Mouse & Friends 1 yr Anniversary & CSAYL

Hello Friends. First, I want to apologize for not posting sooner. Second, just wanted to mention that the Fall is such a busy time of the year for Mommies of school age children. I have Four!!! With all the back to school stuff, fall sports & new activities - it leaves very little time for crafting. Which is why Im late, but thrilled to finally post again....

The First Card is for this week's House Mouse & Friends Week #52 Challenge. . That's right! It's our 1 year Anniversary! Yeah!! Come see us at HM&F & check-out the DT's choices for inspiration. Our Founder will generously give out Prizes to several of you who'll play along with us this Anniversary week! The challenge is to choose a FAVORITE HM&F challenge from the past year and recreate a new project.

For me, it was really tough to choose - as there were so many great options. I finally decided on combining "Moving" & "Multiple Images" as those were always big favorites! :) The trouble with my card is that I had just finished coloring the front Bunny only to realize that the movement actually shows the Bunny moving backwards, therefore, it's the rear Bunny that should have been colored! Ooops & Yikes!! Now, 'ya know there was absolutely no way that I was going to color a 2nd Bunny 'cuz I'm just not a fan of coloring! Besides, it takes me way too long to color! LOL


Stamp: Stampabilities, HMD called "Great Catch" from yr 2006, featuring Itty Bit, #HMG1011.
Paper: Sports DP, Red & White CS.
Ink: Copics, CTMH Chalks
Accessories: Spellbinders, Cuttlebug Folders, SU Piercing Tools, Ek Success Photo Corner Punch, Silver Brads, Silver Charm
Technique: Paper Tole, Dry Embossing, Doodling
******************************************************************************

The second Card is for this week's Christmas Challenge at CSAYL. We were to follow Maria's sketch shown here:

This was my take:

and a second view of the same card...

Stamp: Stampabilities, HMD called "Mice Elves" from yr 2005, featuring Friend & Monica, #HMR1036. The Sentiment is from the SU set called "Best Yet".
Paper: Only DCWV CS Glitter Designer Paper & White CS.
Ink: Copics, Gel Markers, Marvy LepLume Markers, CTMH Chalks
Accessories: Spellbinders, Cuttlebug Folders, Scor-Pal, Stickles, EK Success Border Punch, SU Piercing Tools...

Thanks For Looking & Happy Creating!
America

Christmas continues at CSAYL

At CSAYL we create a weekly Christmas card. A terrific way to motivate me with making those Christmas cards on time this year! Come join us!

These are my last 2 challenge cards. First, this week's challenge was to create a Christmas card using the "Paper Piecing Technique" and here is my funky 'overly-brad-bling-jewel-ed' silver take. LOL


The Xmas tree is Silver heat embossed and lined with a Sharpie Silver Metallic Marker. Brads, Jewels, Rhinestones were placed on as ornaments. All Images from SU set called 'Holiday Wishes'. Paper pieced the 3 side images with BG DP. Stickles Ultrafine Glitter and some Paper Piercing complete this card.

Next is last week's challenge to create using "Traditional Christmas Colours-Green, Red & a dash of Silver or Gold!!!!!".



Do ya' think I met the requirements with that huge GOLD ribbon? LOL! My other dash of Gold is the gold embossed sentiment-also from Stampin' Up!. The poinsettas are dimensional decorative stickers. EK success punch adorns edges. Corners are dry embossed and punched out with Corner Punch, also by EK Success.

Thanks for Looking & Happy Creating!
America

Here Comes The Rain Again....

Our HM&F DT challenge this week is hosted by our very own Mary who wants us to create a card inspired by {Song Titles/Lyrics}.

I have several "rain" themed Hm stamps...so I searched the net for songs with the word "rain" in the title. WOW!!! Who would have thought there were sooo many! Here is a great Link to an 'Epinion' on The top 30 SONGS about "RAIN" or with "RAIN" in the Title...

My final choice was "Here Comes The Rain Again" by The Eurythmics...

This HM Stamp is by Stampabilities, HMD called; "Singing In The Rain", from 2001, #MHR1002. Its featuring Amanda, Maxwell, Mudpie & Muzzy. Sentiment also by Stampabilities HMD, called "Make The Best", #CR1055. Image is colored with Copics & CTMH Chalks. Stickles Glitter & Glitter Gel Markers were used to highlight the rain drops & umbrellas. Music Notes, Dots & Water Drops CB Folders were used for BG and Silver brads complete this card.

Go check-out what everypone else came up with for this fun song titles/lyrics challenge & play along with us at HM&F. http://housemouse-challenge.blogspot.com/
TFL & HC!
America

It's a House Mouse Gift Card Holder

Hello & welcome back to our Monday House Mouse Challenges!! It's time for Challenge #50 - and it's from our DT member *Janneke*, {to create a Gift Card Holder}. I chose to make a Masculine Eddie Bauer Gift Card holder for back to school shopping.





Stamps: by Stampa Rosa, House-Mouse Designs, from 1999, #D114.
Paper: Bazzill CS & Designer Paper from the DCWV High School Premium CS Stack.
INK: StazOn & Copics.
Accessories: Scor-Pal, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Spellbinders Dies, EK Success Edge Punch, SU Piercing Tools & SU Punches shape this card. Silver brads, iron-on gems & doodling were the final touches.

There are many ways to create Gift Card Holders. For simple tutorials on creating some styles, go visit this SCS link here: or this link, Stamp TV,

Don't forget to stop by our awesome DT's member's blogs to see the rest of the HM Gift Card Holders to help inspire you.

Halloween FUN

Here are some of my latest Halloween cards... The first one was inspired by today's SCS "wall Covering" Inspirational challenge found here:

A Spooktacular Halloween...


A Monster Fly By...


Halloween Circles...


Witching You...

Christmas Kitty

Our DT challenge at CSAYL this week is to create a non-A2 sized Christmas Card. I went with a square shape that measures 5&1/2 x 5&1/2.



Kitty Image is by Penny Black Acrylic "Christmas Critters" set. Its colored in with Copics, Silver Dye Ink, Marvy LePlume Markers & SU White Signo Gel Pen. Sentiment is from SU-Cute Converses.
Paper: MAMBI DP-Christmas Collection
Accessories: Red & White Brads, Ribbon, Spellbinders, Flowers, DOTS Cuttlebug Folder, SU Oval Punch, EK Success Corner Punch

FUN Anniversary Cards for Couples

Today I have 2 fun Wedding Anniversary cards to share with you:

First, A Happy Camper:


Next is a 50th Golden Wedding Anniversary:


All Images by; H&M Stamps Co and MAMBI->(Me & My Big Ideas)
Coloring done with Copics, Metallic Sharpies, Glitter Gel pens, CTMH Chalks
Accessories used are SU Punches, small& lg Brads, various Spellbinders, flatback buttons, twine, ribbon.
Paper; CTMH DP, BasicGrey DP & Bazzill CS. Tent was created with a piece of heavy textured uphosltery fabric.

Thanks for Looking & Happy Creating!
America

Christmas in AUGUST Continues at CSAYL

At CSAYL this week, we are following a sketch by Maria:
Here is my take:

Stamps by: Inkadinkado Christmas sets
Christmas DP by: Me & My Big Ideas "Noel" Collection
Accessories: Rhinestones, Silver Embossing, Silver Ribbon & Silver Brads

And this is my card for last week's CSAYL "Spotlight Method" Christmas Challenge. For a quick tutorial on this technique, go to SCS here. Here is my spotlighting:


Thanks for looking & Happy Creating!
America