November Friendly Feature–Nancy Penir

Hello Waltzingmouse Fans. Today we have a wonderful guest blogger to share some wonderful Christmas inspiration. Many of you will recognize:

Nancy’s blog, Artful Notions, is packed full of unique and creative designs of all things crafty. She loves Waltzingmouse Stamps –and a wonderful friend and supporter. Just take a look at what Nancy is sharing with us today.

Talk about exciting news, I received an email from Lynn and Claire (THE Lynn and Claire!) of Waltzingmouse Stamps inviting me to be the November Friendly Feature blogger.

YES! I’m excited to be a friend of WMS, and thrilled it was November, as I LOVE the holidays, and their holiday stamps!

I created 2 projects to share and showcase their gorgeous sets.

Festive Foliage was stamped and ghost stamped along the top and bottom edge, before adding the red berries which were first stamped, then stamped again with Stamp N' Bond, before adding Prisma glitter.

Bright Season lantern has its own die which allows me to shine (along with the lantern!). I fussy cut the candle and leafy sprig. I’m so excited that Waltzingmouse Stamps has come out with dies.

Their easy placement of the die makes for a perfect cut.

Tags are gifts I give this time of year at housewarmings and cookie exchanges.

The inspiration for my tags came from Lindsey L, who created a set of double tags .that I loved and they are so easy to make, yet looks so good. (Did I tell you I love layers?) This is a set I'm taking to friends this Wednesday.

My tags feature Folk Art Christmas Additions which are the perfect size for tags, AND they have their own dies.

Unfortunately the dies just came out, so I fussy cut these and popped them up with foam. (Can't wait to get those dies!)

A little burlap ribbon and a twine bow and done!

I used Zing embossing powder in 2 shades of aqua. The folksy designer paper is from Webster's Pages.

Well, I could show you more of the fun I've had with my Waltzingmouse Stamps and about what a thrill this has been to be the month’s Friendly Feature,  but I think you get the idea.

Thank you Waltzingmouse!

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Aren’t these amazing creations? Just in time for the Christmas tag making season too!

We asked Nancy to answer these questions to help us get a better idea about her process and crafting history:

When did you get into this hobby?

Officially 2010.  That was when I ordered my first stamp set.  Before that, I dabbled in scrapbooking.  I began to love the possibilities of working with a size A2 card.

What is your favorite manufacturer of cardstock?

PTI!  I found PTI’s cardstock by accident while browsing through a card making magazine.  I noticed how sturdy everybody’s cards looked.  I love the colors, the weight, its uses are endless.  You can paint on it, die cut with it, emboss and texturize it.  It simply makes the best looking cards.

What is your favorite Waltzingmouse stamp set or one you reach for ever and over?

There isn’t a stamp set I’ve ordered that I don’t love...and I mean LOVE.  Right now, the Christmas stamps, particularly the Folk Art Christmas, make the most adorable tags and cards.  I was sent a free stamp set with my first order, a phrase filled set, which I use constantly.  The script is so beautiful.

Do you have a favorite technique?

That’s easy.  I love layers.  More is more in my world.

Do you own a die cutter?  What kind?

I own a little Cuttlebug, one of the original models.  I bought it on eBay because I wasn’t sure I was going to continue this hobby.  Bad move.  It’s trade-in time.

What is your favorite color combo?

Red and white.  I’m a color nut.  My grandchildren ask me all the time, “Grandma, what’s your favorite color?”  I tell them I don’t have one.  I love them all. 

If money wasn’t an issue, what crafty stuff would you buy?

I am currently looking for a wonderful camera.  I want to do more with photography.  When you do something you love and take a photo with a point and shoot, you want to scream.  Didn’t I put glitter on that?!  So my next purchase is a decent camera.  Right after the new die cutting machine.

Who is your most admired crafter, or the person that inspires/challenges you most?

To narrow this down to one person is impossible.  I admire everybody.  I admire the wonderful people who bring us all together by providing us with all the best stamping materials and crafting tools; the design teams inspire me to do excellent work; I have one or 2 favorites that are my go-to for inspiration if I’m dry, and they are Betsy Veldman and Melissa Phillips.  They never fail to trigger an idea or layout or color scheme.  They’re fabulous.

Please join us in thanking Nancy for guest blogging today and for being such a loyal friend of Waltzingmouse Stamps!