...just a heads up for tomorrow

I've had stacks of email enquiries about the release so I just wanted to post some info regarding how it's all going to work tomorrow!! Apologies if you have been confused!!

8.00am my time - I will post my last samples for this release...you might want to see them, it's a bit of fun!

12.00 midday my time - the Challenge competition closes for the BIG PRIZE of all 8 stamp sets from tomorrows release!! If you hurry, there's just time, it's a simple sketch!

6.30pm my time - I will post the winner's name here on the blog!

7.00pm my time -

• I will formally open the release.
• All of the artwork for the new stamp sets will be posted here on the blog.
• The store will start showing the new sets and other goodies!
• The DT Blog Waltz links will be published here for your enjoyment, the ladies have worked so hard and you don't want to miss it!!
• As always there are prizes to be had on the blog waltz!!

Regarding stock - hugely important!

It seems my Free shipping promotion (for orders over £50) is proving of interest, lol. I have taken a frighteningly large number of enquiries regarding this during the week!! I have a decent quantity of stock for all the sets to hand and just this evening received replenishments of other sets as well.

Obviously I am hoping to be able to fulfill all orders I receive over the two day shipping promo period, but just in case things do sell out I WILL be allowing the store to take back orders on stamp sets so that folks can still avail of the free shipping offer.

Normally the store will not allow customers to add a stamp set to their basket if it is not actually physically in stock. Tomorrow and Sunday the store will allow sets to be added to the basket even if the set has sold out.

Orders including a sold out set will ship as soon as the set comes back in stock. This should not delay affected orders for more than a week as I have already ordered more stock due to the number of enquiries I received this week.

I will of course email folks whose orders will be fulfilled in this way to let you know exactly what stage your order is at.

does that sound ok to you??

...Say Hello to Vintage Labels 10

I can't believe the release is tomorrow!!! (If you're new, I release new clear photopolymer stamp sets every month, tomorrow is a huge release!!) You folks haven't seen the half of what's coming! LOL! Seriously, you will need to tune in twice tomorrow, in the morning there should be a couple more samples and then at 7pm my time the Actual release will commence, I will announce the winner of the BIGGIE and I will show all of the stamp sets on my blog!

Phew it's gonna be a busy day, and of course there is the DT blog waltz!!! I CANNOT wait for you to see what my ladies have been up to!! lol.

OOOh and don't forget to peep and see what the DT ladies are previewing today: Bonnie, Lisa, Jennifer, Anya, Laurie and Julia

So, today's first card is my interpretation of the sketch challenge currently running here, you'll have to be quick and enter the deadline is midday on the 1st May, but it might be worth it!, all 8 new stampsets from the May release are up for grabs for one lucky random winner! Quick, run to that craft room!

I know, I know, I cheated a tad, but hey, that's the point, make it yours!


I used the largest stamp from the new Vintage Labels No. 10 set to make a pretty frame for the sentiment which is from the Words of Wisdom set, also releasing May 1st (tomorrow!)I cut the die shape first and stamped after, it's much easier this way (thanks Joan!). I used Versacolour inks because I like how they come in a little spongy pad which is perfect for blending colours on the actual stamp.

I wanted a little dimension and so I cut out a second label shape, this time in a heavier kraft cardstock. I placed strong adhesive (tape) at either end on the back of the cream sentiment die cut and stuck the left hand side down first onto the kraft die shape. I set the cream die cut slightly in from the edge and stuck it well down, then I stuck down the right hand side, also slightly in from the edge, this gave me a pleasant 'bump' in the centre! LOL, I like how it pushes the sentiment out and emphasizes it.

My background was made using a Spellbinders Impressability! I used it to emboss the cardstock but they are also good for stenciling and I've even heard tell of folks cutting them apart to use as little accents! I LOVE how crisp the embossing is, the range of designs seems to be way more detailed than my cuttle bug folders, I feel a whole new addiction starting...

I cut out the embossed panel, and mounted it onto a larger than ave kraft card base, I think this card was approx 5x6.5 inches...or thereabouts...

Mounted the sentiment panel on to that, added some flowers and some fabby Zva pearly swirls that my good buddy Lynn sent over, aren't they fabby?

Below you can see the versacolour ink pad and how spongy it is, I just rub it straight on the embossed card for a lovely soft colour.

I am delighted to say I will have a hand-full, and just a hand-full of these fabby floral Impressabilities available in the store tomorrow.


Next is a little tag for a baggie of speciality sugar cubes. I used another Vintage Labels no. 10 stamp to make a frame for my tag. Handily, the frame includes a space at either end which is perfect for bling or to punch a hole through, as I did here. I love it when things look planned. I stamped a sentiment and cup from Afternoon Tea Sentiments and two cups in different sizes from Afternoon Tea. Coloured the larger cup with a red copic and added white gel pen dots. I decided they were too bright and coloured over them in red to tone them down a bit! Stamped the steam in cream ink, Vintage Cream I believe.



This is a notebook inspired by Julia, she suggested the fabby sentiment "Things to do after I have tea." LOVE that. I am a huge list maker and skinny notepads are no use to me, I fill book after book and I'm still no better organised...but at least I'm trying, right/ lol


Another of the frames from Vintage Labels No. 10 and two wee cups from Afternoon Tea to dress it up a bit, they are paper pieced and shaded with a copic marker. This is a versatile wee frame that will be equally at home on formal or casual projects.


And lastly I have to sneak another Asian gardens sample in, I so love this background using two stamps from the set. I went in after with the white gel pen and dotted up the flower stamens (?). The panels are cut out with a labels 11 die, the smaller panel was made by cutting the die shape and then sliding the die cut up the die and cutting again, you can do this with a die that has two parallel straight edged to get any length of label you want, neat??



Tickled?

...Say hello to Afternoon Tea

ED - Joan, I use a scalpel, surgical grade. I haven't found a craft knife yet that can compare, BUT be warned folks these things are sharp! Hand on Heart I couldn't recommend it, It's totally your own decision and if you do for goodness sake keep them out of reach of everyone, especially children and gadget minded husbands!!! I hear good things about those wee finger knives, intending to try them. Also I have a wee pair of really sharp embroidery snips, better for corners.

Today I'd like to show you a set that I absolutely love, you'll have guessed by now that I have a bit of a leaning towards vintage and this little old fashioned Afternoon Tea stamp set is now such a favourite! Actually there are two sets, Afternoon Tea and Afternoon Tea Sentiments.

But before we get started I must tell you who else is previewing today! Be sure to visit Julia, Bonnie, Lisa, Belinda, Lynn, Anya and Laurie today for more fabulous samples, these ladies are the bees knees!!

And - just one more thing, scroll down to the previous post to see details of the BIG CONTEST, it's a challenge and there's not a whole lot of time so do it now!! lol

My first card uses a kettle image from the Afternoon Tea set and a sentiment from Afternoon Tea Sentiments. The kettle image comes in two options one for solid stamping and one outline drawing for colouring and paper piecing, as I have done here. I popped on a little bead over the lid handle for extra interest and added a little shading to the kettle with a very pale grey copic marker.

The tablecloth background was made using one of the fat plaid stamps from the pic nic patterns set also releasing on Saturday, how I love plaid!! I used a teeny tiny cup image from Afternoon Tea in between the plaid stripes and also in the sentiment panel. Can you see the tiny steam above the tea cup? lol!!



I made a matching Tea Bag Baggie!! A cute little gift bag which houses some gigantic and fun, (but not pretty, lol) tea bags! The bag itself is in the shape of a tea bag and comes complete with a tiny label on a string. I made it from vellum and it has that nice linen texture, just right for a tea bag. If you think this is something you might like to make, pop back to the old blog here on Saturday, the FREE template will await you!

The template includes the bag and little tiny label, which is just the right size for a couple of the stamps in the Afternoon Tea set. I have used the label stamp "Soothe away the day" for my little label on this bag, there are a couple more options in the stamp set.


The mini kettle shape comes from the Afternoon Tea set and the sentiment is from Afternoon Tea sentiments. I have used both sets together a lot in my post to try to bring you as many sneaks as I can, there is so much to get through, but I think you will be pleasantly surprised at just how many stamps and options are in each set.

Afternoon Tea has 30 stamps, 12 of which are sentiments. Afternoon Tea sentiments contains 25 stamps, many of which are longer sentiments, the focal images of this set are the large tea cup and the separate posy of pansies, which could be set into the tea cup using masking or used alone, I hope to bring you a sample of that if time permits.


Today's final card uses my favourite image from the Afternoon Tea set. I am a sucker for labels of all kinds, especially vintage and the design for label has been floating around in my head for ages!! I absolutely love it! lol. If I had to pick a desert island stamp, this just might be it.


The whole image including the frames and kettle and cups is one stamp so there's no worries about lining things up. I stamped it repeatedly here to make the background, using Rich cocoa, memento. Much sponging and distressing.

the focal image was stamped in Versacolour pinecone and clear embossed so's I could colour some of it with copics. the main part of the label is a very pale lilac, kinda hard to see in the photo but pretty IRL.

I cut it out with a craft knife and popped it up on some dimensionals. The pink band behind is sponged and blinged. Vintage Barbie...?


Hope it tickles!!

...The Biggie!!!!

Ok, we're nearly there, just a couple of days to go until the release!! it's time for the big prize contest!!

Here's what I'd love for you to do, it's a challenge, I want you to make a card based on the sketch above. Interpret it your way!! you don't have to use Waltzingmouse Stamps although I'd be real tickled....

Post your cards on your blogs/galleries/flikr and then paste your link into the inlinkz gizmo thingy on this post to be in with a chance of winning the grand prize which is one of each of the 8 stamp sets releasing on Saturday!! If you don't have a gallery/blog/flikr I will open a special thread on the Forum, you may upload a small image of your card there, look for the challenge thread in the Hall area of the Forum!

The competition closes at midday, my time, on Saturday May 1st and the winner will be announced at the start of the release at 7pm my time!! Good luck!!

...Say hello to Fancy Phrases

ED - the textured paper used in the last couple of cards is a cream texture I got from papermillshop, it's a UK store but I believe the term for this style of paper is 'hammered" no don't laugh, lol, Here is a link.

ED - The tag set that co-ordinates with these stamps is called Fancy Tags and for you US folks it is available Here. For folks who maybe can't get their hands on a set so easily, I am hoping to have a small quantity of these tag sets for sale in the store on Saturday. Just to spill the beans properly I was hoping to start carrying a limited stock of Spellbinders dies to match my stampsets but they are so popular that my suppliers are out of stock! lol, hopefully soon!

Good morning and welcome to the second day of samples for the May release. WOW, didn't the DT ladies blow us away yesterday! I wonder what they have up their sleeves for today!! Pop over to see: Julia, Belinda, Anya, Laurie, Jennifer, Lynn and Bonnie.

Just in case you're new here I'll be releasing 8 new photopolymer stamp sets on May1st!! AND there will be a shipping promotion going on, orders over £50 sterling will ship for free as part of out first birthday celebrations!!

Do pop back later today for details of the BIGGIE contest...get your thinking caps on and set aside some crafting time...it's gonna be a challenge!

Today I'm previewing a little stamp set that is perfect on it's own but, by happy coincidence (wink, you know it's not a coincidence right?? LOL), fits perfectly with the Spellbinders die set Fancy Tags. This set is called Fancy Phrases.

My first card is what I'm fondly calling my Opera card, yep I can just see me giving this to Ms Becky Oehlers after one of her fantastic performances!! lol! I LOVE that wee sentiment and it's going to be suitable in so many occasions!

Now, see that wee burgundy colored frame stamped around the Bravo? that's one of the 5 separate frames included in this set. It was designed for the larger rectangle die but there are frames also for the oval and small rectangular tag dies.

There are 27 sentiments in Fancy Phrases in a couple of different styles to cover a multitude of everyday situations. Added to that are 3 decorative motifs giving a total of 35 separate stamps, yep this is one jam packed set!!

I used Versacolour Burgundy ink, the coverage is really excellent for detail stamps.



I have 4 cards in today's post and I feel like I am just scratching the surface of all of the potentially fabulous things you could do with this set.


Of course the first thing that comes to mind is to make tags, easy, the sentiments fit beautifully into the tag they were designed for, but what if you want to do something a little different? Try using the tag dies as an aperture cutter, I think they make beautifully shaped windows! and now I have some fabby sentiments to stamp in those windows!! The next couple of cards will show you what I mean. Simple and yet just a little different.

The little flourish accent comes from another new May set, Vintage Labels 10, more on that in a later post!!



I love this Hurrah! card, I could get loads of mileage out of this for baby cards, wedding congratulations, any sort of achievement celebrations. The old fashioned font is just tongue-in-cheek enough to be used in any situation!

OOh and if you're gonna try one of these wee aperture cards, don't throw out the wee negative bits that fall out of your die after you cut the aperture, pop them in their place on the card to accentuate the design, see below!!


In today's final card I stamped the sentiment "Happy Foreverness" onto a tag shape and sponged a little ink, gorgeous Distress velvet ink! yum! I then stamped 3 panels onto the card base using another of the frames from Fancy Phrases and some Memento Rich cocoa ink. I colored the panels in by making a mask, see the following photos for directions, it is super simple with this frame shape. I added a dotty oval frame (also from Fancy Phrases) and some bling before mounting the tag front and centre. I think it makes a decent wedding/anniversary card!


I love the slightly 30's styling on this font combined with the decorative panel, makes me think of the Orient Express...not that I've ever actually even seen it! LOL.





Hope they tickle!!

...And the winners are!!!!

ED - Scroll down to see today's samples AND huge apologies, shipping notices are going out a little late as I prepare for Saturday, orders are shipping as normal bu the paperwork is definitely taking a back seat...LOL

Well that good ole' random number thingy threw out number 34 (we didn't count my deleted test post and any duplicate posts) which meant that Tiff was our first winner!!!

Tiff said...

Hi Claire!

Sarah Martina Parker sent me your way to view your beautiful sneak! These flowers ARE SO her thing! LOL!

Tiff's buddy Sarah also wins a set for sending her over!!!

So ladies, if you would both like to pop me an email at :

claire.brennan1@ntlworld.com

please include your addresses and your choice of sets...or maybe you'd like to wait on the release!! lol, chat soon, ladies!!

...say Hello to Asian Gardens

Hello and welcome to the start of the samples for the May 1st release, I have 8 new clear photopolymer stamp sets to show you and I'm kicking off with Asian Gardens. Don't forget to check out what Belinda, Jennifer, Lynn, and Anya, are up to today!!

Totally inspired by a beautiful font I found, I drew up the main tree image in two parts, trunk and leaves, for easy inking in separate colours.

I used tsukineko versacolour inks in two shades of green as they blend beautifully on the stamp. I popped a little bling in the centre of the leaf swirls, I coloured my blingy bits with copics to give them a sort of caramel tone. I stamped the trunk in Memento rich Cocoa and used a fine marker and drew a few squiggly lines to accentuate the bark, I've seen Belinda get a similar wood effect by dragging a comb over the surface of an inked stamp, itching to try that next. I cut the image with a Spellbinders label 2 die and sponged a little green around before removing the image from the die.

The green panel at the back is stamped with a little asian pattern border stamp, so handy for making fast backgrounds. The card base is stamped with the largest of the sakura flower images. There are 4 versions of the flower in this set because I just cannot get enough of it! LOL.


Today's second card used another version of he sakura flower to make a background. It's the image you all were searching for in the blog waltz! I stamped it repeatedly all over some melon berry cardstock and clear embossed it and rubbed over some brown distress ink!! I love how this background turned out!!


The focal image is a little Asian pheasant resting on a branch (the tree) I thought it made a good image for an encouragement card, and so I paired it with a sentiment from another new set, Words of Wisdom.



Inside I stamped the sakura flower again and added the "Try it!" sentiment also from Words of Wisdom.


Today's last card uses the branch stamp (stamped twice) from Asian Gardens and a smaller sakura flower stamped repeatedly to create a cherry blossom image. I very simply cut out the image with a Spellbinders Labels 11 die. This die is a fab shape for Asian themed cards because it is a little reminiscent of a cloud, which I believe is a popular Asian motif. It is all mounted simply on a piece of blue card which has been embossed with a cuttlebug folder, and two strips of orange ribbon, picking up the orange tone of the branches. A little dew drop co-ordinates.


The sentiment panel is a cut down section of another labels 11 die cut, I cut it down using a side section of a smaller die from the set. Stamped friend from Asian gardens and that was it!!


Hope they tickle!!

...a final peep

ED - Jenn Copeland, been trying to email you, I've shipped your set. My emails keep getting returned, maybe it's a spam thing!

Phew! hugely busy here! lol, just time for a final peep before the samples start tomorrow!!!!

Don't forget to scroll down two posts to get to the competition!!! open till tomorrow night!!!

...Vintage labels 4

have just gone out of stock again, folks on the waiting lists, I have your sets here and I have emailed you. More are coming but do email me to be added to the waiting list, I am just astounded by how fast these are selling out! Back later with another peeky, check below for the competition - still open till tomorrow night!!

...wanna see some more? and Competition!

ED- The competition is now closed and winners have been posted, BUT there's always the BIGGIE, keep your eyes peeled!!!

Another peep at what is coming for May, I will be releasing 8 new clear photoplymer stamp sets on May 1st!!! I took the opportunity to have a big launch as it marks the first year of trading for Waltzingmouse Stamps.

A year ago I started selling my clear stamps form a little blog and i am delighted to still be here one year later. All due to my lovely customers, Thank you.

I will be running a shipping promotion on May 1st and May 2nd, folks whose orders exceed £50 will receive free shipping, wherever you are USA, Canada, Australia etc. All store purchases will count, even digi's!

And today I fancy having a little competition here on the old blog. Here's what I want you to do:

Leave a comment on this post, include your name. Then go and tell a stamping friend about our first birthday celebrations. Ask your friend to leave a comment on this post and to mention your name, they might post something like "Hello, I'm Joan Smith and Betty Marbles sent me to say hi!"

On Tuesday night I will pick a random pair of buddies from the comments to each win a stamp set of their choice! I will need to be able to 'tie' you both together so make sure your buddy knows to mention your name!

So off you go!! lo, and spread the word...and don't forget to mention that as well as this wee competition, folks should really be keeping an eye on the old blog for news of a HUGE Grand prize competition....

...icky stuff, and the May release

Just wanted to pop on with a heads up about a couple of things I should mention before the May release. We'll start with the icky stuff and get to the good news after. I started my little stamp company last year, when VAT was 15% (VAT is a government tax that I have to pay when I purchase stock and packaging supplies etc.) The VAT rate rose to 17.5% in January this year, so my costs went up. My manufacturing costs also rose in January when my supplier made their annual price adjustments.

I did not raise my prices at that point. I felt that it was too soon after I had made a slight adjustment to the pricing in November. Frankly, I wanted to wait until after the May release and the first birthday celebrations. I was prepared to swallow the extra cost until then.

Then I had a bright idea, there was a little something I wanted to try out for the May release. I know a lot of folks really value a shipping break and I was intending to offer a shipping deal. This is where it gets complicated. I am nearly at the point where the volume of mail I send out would qualify me for a discount from the Post Office, which I aim to pass on to customers, BUT I am not quite there just yet.

So here's what I'm going to do. I will hold off. I will not put up the prices until May 5th, that way everyone has a fair chance of getting any sets they want before the price increase, including the new release sets. The price raise is necessary but will be minimal, I haven't had the final figure from my accountant but it will be somewhere under £1 per stamp set much like it was last time. It will only apply to stamps, digital product prices will not rise.

And the good news!!
I will go ahead with a TEST shipping promotion. For two days May 1st and May 2nd (next Saturday and Sunday) anyone whose order exceeds £50 will receive free shipping. If the test proves popular I may consider running a similar promotion again, but I can't make anything permanent until my shipping volumes exceed a certain point and I get that discount for us all. So spread the word!! together we could snag us some free shipping!!

All purchases in the store will count towards the free shipping on those two days, even digital product!!!!!!!

As always, I value your feedback, whatever your opinion. I like to think that if I can listen and respond to what folks think, that there's a better chance of my still 'being around' in a couple of years!!

...tease tease and Back in stock!

Another really handy stampset to have around, releasing on May 1st, this is a Fabulous set on it's own but with the added bonus of fitting a hugely popular SpellbindersTM die set...

btw the image is shown much larger than actual size, had to zoom in because showing it all would have given the game away!

Also wanted to let folks know that everything is back in stock at the store, I have emailed all of the ladies on the waiting lists, if you were meant to be on a list and haven't received an email from me, do get in touch (but check your spam filter first! lol) Many thanks to the waiting list folks for your patience!

...another peeky!

another peep at what's coming in May!!!

...is it too early??

What's this? a Sneak Peek?? normally I would not be starting these till next week, but if all goes according to plan May will be an extra special release!!

Normally I release 2-3 stamp sets on the first of the month, for may, there might be a wee bit more than usual!!!

Guess why!

...out of stock

We are now out of stock of the following sets, more are in transit and i will post here and on he store when they are replenished.

Very Vintage Labels No. 1
Very Vintage Labels No. 4
Very Vintage Labels No. 5
Roses In Bloom

I run waiting lists so if you'd like to reserve a set from the expected consignments pop me an email at: claire.brennan1@ntlworld.com

...public service announcement!

I went to a craft fair the other night, I do love to get out to see what's 'going on' in the craft world, and although Belfast's finest craft fair is hardly on a par with the likes of CHA etc, it's still nice to potter about looking at some of the goodies that I've seen on blogs this last 6 months or so.

One thing that struck me, hard, as I wandered about was how expensive everything is. I'm talking particularly about stamps of course!! LOL!

And, as I walked about, looking at what was on offer I came across stamps I have only ever seen on the internet. I was absolutely STUNNED to see that time after time, the stamp sets were way smaller than what I had imagined and it began to dawn on me that many folks have no real idea, when they order Waltzingmouse Stamps, what size of package to expect.

Right about now the penny was finally dropping! I get so many emails from folks telling me that they were delighted at how large the stamp sets are and what great value for money they are! Alarm bells should have been ringing ages ago but I am usually so caught up in orders and designing that the obvious has bypassed me on this one. I need to show folks just what great value WMS are!

Up to now all of my stamp sets have been the same size, 8 inches by 6 inches. This doesn't actually mean very much until I lay it down on top of a sheet of American standard size cardstock. See the photo below. I have laid the Celtic Heritage set out on top of a sheet of cardstock (actually someone did suggest this to me last week, thank you!) so that you can get a grasp of the size of a stamp set. A few sets are standing behind so's you can see the packaging, thankfully they are way more presentable than they were this time last year when I started!



As I walked around the fair I realised that my sets are positively huge compared to other sets of the same price and quality!! Excellent, I thought!! lol, WMS is great value!! If you know me at all you will know that I don't like to 'blow my own trumpet' I'm way too easily emabarrased to do that but the comparisons I made that night were so strong that i do feel it needs shouted about! lol. So I'll be adding a section to the webstore where folks can see these pics and hopefully be better informed about just what to expect from WMS!


All our clear photopolymer stamp sets retail at an amazing £13.50 sterling each – check out how many images and sentiments are in each set!! (approx US $20.74, Canada $21.01, Euro 15.37, Australian $22.43 – all values approximate as of 17th April 2010 and subject to change – source, XE.com)

Shipping costs

• Currently shipping one stamp set to USA costs around US$4.13, shipping 4 sets costs around US$7.75

• Currently shipping one stamp set to Canada costs around CAD$4.18, shipping 4 sets costs around CAD$7.86

• Currently shipping one stamp set to Australia costs around AUD$4.47, shipping 4 sets costs around AUD$8.39

• Currently shipping one stamp set to Europe costs around Euro€3.06, shipping 4 sets costs around EURO€5.75

NB. these prices are approx values and are subject to change as currency values change.

At present shipping is delayed due to the Ash cloud problemd from the Icelandic Volcano but normally most US/Canada/Australian customers receive their orders within 7-10 days. European orders take from 3-7 days normally.

Anyhow, so now you know! lol, be back tomorrow with a card hopefully. Isn't it funny how life gets busier just when you thought it couldn't!!

...it's Sunday night winner time!

Time to announce at least one of our Blog waltz winners!!!

The participants prize, randomly drawn from all of the lovely folk who made cards for our blog waltz goes to:

Joanne Gilch of:
http://cardologyetc.blogspot.com/
huge congrats Joanne!!! pop me an email, you win your choice of stamp set!!, you can also pick from the May release!!!!

Tomorrow I hope to announce the viewers prize, I'm just waiting on confirmation of the number of flowers in one of the DT pics, lol, check back and see if it was you!!

I want to say a HUGE thank you to folks who waltzed with us, everyone made fabulous samples and I am so itching to get the WMS gallery running so's we can get all of your fabby cards up for the world to see! really there is inspiration in this waltz that you don't want to miss! you can still view the waltz by heading over to the Waltz link list on the forum.

A couple of pics for you from Tollymore Forest park in Co Down, we pic-nic-ed there today and then took the wee folk on a huge walk, they did so well, even little dude, we walked for miles!!

Check out this wee bridge below, this is Foley's bridge in Tollymore Forest Park, it was built in 1787 by one H. Foley! He (or she!) carved his name and the date on the bridge! Isn't is so pretty!

...Welcome to the April Waltz

Ed - I've had a couple of emails regarding entry for the blog hop, and yep! you can still enter a card at any time up until tomorrow. The link list will not close but after tomorrow night the prizes will have been drawn so it might be best to pop in sooner rather than later! lol, thank you!!


Welcome to the April Blog Waltz with Waltzingmouse Stamps! Today we are waltzing with the theme of Mother, I know, I know, Mother's day is passed for all you UK folk, but it's an upcoming holiday in the US and it never hurts to remeber Mum, right?? LOL

As usual I made a hames of the time conversion and though I had a little longer to get ready so i'm just a wee bit late posting!! sorry!

So if you are new to Waltzingmouse Stamps, here's how to follow our Waltz - pop on over to the WMS Forum here and register if you haven't already, it takes just a sec and we don't ask any awkward questions, lol.

Go to the 'Play Room' and you will see the Blog Waltzes posts, if you are participating in the waltz, you will want to add a direct link to your blog post in the thread called April 17th Blog Waltz, Link list and if you just moseying through soaking up the inspiration, this is where you will find all of the links to see what we have all made, it is super easy to follow the waltz from here, don't miss the tips to make browsing quicker.

The participants prize!

I will pick, at random, one April waltz participant to win a stamp set of their choice and yes! if you win, you may also have the choice of some of the upcoming May releases!!!!!

The viewers prize!

As you waltz your way through the gorgeous cards on view, you will see that some of the DT ladies are participating. The DT ladies and I have hidden a little flower motif in some of our waltz pictures!

Check the DT photos (and mine) very carefully, and if you see any of the floral motif, note them down and count them all up. Post your flower tally in the chat thread that accompanies the hop list and I will pick a random winner from the correct answers to win a free Stamp set of your choice, I'll pick the winner on Sunday night, so there's plenty of time!!!

Here is the floral motif you are looking for:


look closely - we've been sneaky, the motif might be white and or partially transparent!!!

The Motif itself is actually a peep at a stampset due for the May release and is just a teeny tiny morsel of what may be one of my fave sets ever, ooh apart from the *** set, also due for May, sooo been wanting that one, but I'm waffling now!! lol



Anyhow, my card for the waltz is very simply done, no ribbons, no bling, nothing, just stamping...ok well a tiny bit of stitching! This is the sort of card I make when I am short of time, I get out the stamps and ink up. I do as much as I can with stamping and if it works out ok, I don't need to add anything else. Now, don't get me wrong, I LOVE embellishment of every kind, I just don't always have the time to throw it all together! LOL, I lack the skill required to just throw stuff together, I can spend hours just deciding what ribbon I want to use!

So I broke out the hibiscus stamp from one of our newest releases, Free Spirit Boy. I adore this image and love how versatile it is, here I used it to make a frame for my sentiment, Mother, from Roses in Bloom. I outlines the stamped and coloured frame with another copic pen in the same tone as the Antique Linen distress Ink.

I coloured in the flowers with copics and then cut out the centre panel with my craft knife. I left a nice wide border of card between the cutting and the stamping, the better to highlight the sentiment area.

Around the edges on the front of my card some eagle eyed folks will spot a stamp from the upcoming May release!!!!!!! I cannot wait to show you!!! A little stitching and rounded corners.

I just want to share a wee tip, some of you will probably be doing this already but I just discovered it.
On the sentiment panel, mounted behind the frame, I stamped the hibiscus in antique linen distress ink and then I brushed on some Victorian Velvet distress ink, that Tim Holtz, he knows what he's doing, doesn't he ladies? lol.


Normally I would have reached for the sponges, but I am always a little unhappy about my sponging, I get really uneven areas and I'm ALWAYS in a hurry, so I don't want to be spending ages trying to get smooth evenly blended coverage, usually I end up just calling it distressed!!! LOL.

Anyhow, I just discovered stencilling brushes (see pic above)!!! How fab!! even blending no matter how hard I lean!!! faster, smoother!!! Perfect!!! love it!

I repeated a lot of what I did on the inside panel, my sentiment from Roses in bloom, is a personal favourite. I used it here on my Mother card but it would also be great as a stand alone sentiment on the front of a card for a husband or partner.

I stamped a frame again, using Antique Linen Ink and then outlined it with a light lavender shade of copic pen, must look for the number...Again I used a May release stamp around the outside...and again I brushed with Victorian Velvet distress ink. A wee bit of stitching and we're done!!!



Hope it tickles!!!!!!