Fall Project with House Mouse Stamps

I've had so many people ask me about my House Mouse Stamps.   My sister Linda, who started me on this papercrafting journey, got me hooked on them.  I LOVE them to pieces.  They have a way of capturing our day to day lives and just making you smile.  One of the wonderful things they offer, besides their stamps, is a "Daily Squeeek".  Every day it is waiting in your email inbox.  A new image each day.  I have a folder just filled with their images and when I am in need of inspiration - well that folder calls to me.

This is a card I made last night.  I printed the image onto watercolor paper and then with a wet brush, enhanced certain parts of the design.  Then I added stickles - matted the picture and used my new favorite stamp set from Peachy Keen (scarecrow accents) "Be Ye Thankful".  The leaf paper and cutouts are from Hot off the Press (paperwishes.com)  

Please email me with any questions - or if the links to House Mouse Stamps, Daily Squ--eeek doesn't work.  I'll be glad to sign you up!

I'm entering this card into the Whimsical Wednesday, "Anything Goes Challenge".

Happy Crafting!!!!  (And a big thank you again, to my sister Linda....who always knows where to hook me up for what I need in the scrapping world)

ANNUAL COMMON GROUND FAIR

Today we took our oldest Grandest-Daughter, Lexi, 4, to the Common Ground Fair.  This fair is sponsored by the Maine Organic Farmers and Growers Association.  There is such a diverse culture and belief system there - and so many avenues to pursue and explore.  My favorite places included the 'fiber arts'.  Sheep, angora rabbits and goats...Ahhhhhh, I could go on and on.  I love feeling the many fleeces and fibers...the natural dyes and the many knit, crochet, spun, woven and hooked creations.  Then there are the vegetables...the herbs...the many remedies and folklore we have some how lost along the way.  I feel inspired, I feel in awe and I feel overwhelmed.  Today, I saw it all through the eyes of a 4 year old.  She tried on angora hats and declared, "Nana, these are so fashionable."  She pet alpaca's and said, "Oh, Nana they are so cute and cuddly - I need to hug and kiss them".  She decided Llama's were not her thing - but the babydoll sheep and angora goats she threw her arms around and declared we just had to get some.  How I love that little girl and her ability to embrace everything in life.

This Donkey was cute, but she decided he didn't smell so good.  But the next stop - angora bunnies...were so soft, she didn't care if they smelled a little yucky at times.  After face painting and contra dancing and a ladies drumming group, we made our way back to the truck....

This is one exhausted little peanut.  Sleep well, little Butterfly Princess and dream wonderful dreams...

Get Sketchy With it - Challenge at Crafty Sprouts

Crafty Sprouts has a sketch challenge this week.  I've done two other sketches this weekend and thought I'd try my hand at another.  Here is my entry!

I had a lot of fun with this - just using pieces from the scrap box.  I used some cricut cuts and my Martha Stewart Border Punch and some stickers from Paper Wishes. 



"What A Pear" Anniversary Card

I needed to make a quick anniversary card for some friends.  I pulled out my Preserves cartridge and My Pink Stampers veggie puns stamps and here is what I came up with. 

Introducing my new "Lil' Sprouts Collection"

Some of you know that I am also a knitter.  I've been knitting for over 35 years now.  When my children were small, I knit hats, sweaters and scarves for LL Bean. (The Moose Earflap hat is still my most popular design.)  I still have a custom knitting business and web site Patti-Lynn Creations.  This fall I will be introducing a new line of infant and toddler knits.  I will be calling it the 'Lil' Sprout Collection".   Here's a preview of one of the designs.

These are fruit and vegetable hats shown here in infant/toddler sizes.  Orange for pumpkins - Red for apple/cherry/tomato and of course, Blue for the Maine Blueberry!  My grand-daughter said I need to make a light green one for pears and a yellow one for  corn.   We'll see.  They are knit in acrylic and perfect for spring and fall when you just need a little something on your head. 

I'll be offering these at an introductory price of $10.00 plus shipping and handling. As always, all my knits are custom orders and are knit for the customer to insure perfect fit and design!   Thanks so much for taking the time to check out my newest line!

Stampin' Daisies Sketch Challenge #3

I found another sketch challenge to try this weekend.  Stampin' Daisies has a challenge going on right now.  I made a fall themed card - using scrap box finds and some items I don't usually use on cards.  I got these adorable pumpkin brads from paperwishes.  Would love to hear what you all think of my creation!

I've also entered this card into the fall color challenge at Whimsical Wednesdays, My Craft Spot and More Than Favors.

Sketch Challenge/Hop at Crafty Card Gallery

I was inspired by the Sketch Hop today at the Crafty Card Gallery.  For my sketch I used a House Mouse stamp.  If you haven't signed up to receive the "daily squ-eek" which brings a new sketch to your email every day - I invite you to do so!  I printed mine off on water color paper, used a damp brush to give it that water color look and added some stickles to the wings.  I really liked the way it came out.

I've also linked this to Paper Compulsions Show and Tell "Anything Goes" challenge!!!

Thank You Card For My Doctor

My doctor really went above and beyond for me this past month.  Daily calls to my home for an update on my progress - calling specialists, trying to squeeze me in...and the list goes on.  I think sometimes we forget to say thank you to care givers - because we think that's what we (or our insurance) pays them for.  But every so often, they really are 'angels' and go above and beyond.  This is the card I made my doctor and his staff.

I just noticed his shoes 'slipped' a bit, so I will go fix that before I send it.  But I think you get the general idea.

I used Everyday Paper Dolls for the Doctor cutout and for the wings I used Paper Doll Dressup.  Ran the wings through my cuddlebug.  The papers I used were from my scrapbox and I attached the doctor with pop-dots to make him stand out - I also bent the wings forward a bit and brushed them with silver to give more dimension.  Silver stickles from paperwishes were added to the stethascope and the head band.

Playing In the Scrap Box

After being laid up for so long, it felt good to get into the studio and 'tidy up' and 'organize'.  I tackled the pile of scraps and cut them down to usable pieces.  Grabbing a handful, I created this card.  Just cutting and pasting, a simple sentiment and this is what I came up with.  Sometimes 'simple' is just enough!

The brads are from Paper Wishes and the cardstock from walmart.  Thanks so much for taking time to check this out!!

Yorkie Blog Hop Fun

Royal Yorkie Blog Hop

My Grandest Daughter, Lexi and the pups!

I found this Blog Hop while I was looking for inspiration this morning.  Most of you know that I have yorkies, four to be exact, and that I'm a bit obsessed with them.  My shorky, Trixie (shitzu/yorky mix) had a litter of 5 pups and we currently have two left.  Two little black boys who are starting to get their yorky brown markings.  That's the thing with yorkies...you may buy one color - but they change - you never know what you will end up with.

This is our Trixie's gang, minus one.  Boy 3 and Zu-Zu are the last left at home...and If they stay much longer I may need to keep them.  That would mean 6 dogs in my house....can anyone beat that number?

Anyway, if you love yorkies and all 4-legged little fluff balls - check out Mr. Cricut Crazy's Blog Hop this weekend.  It is sure to make you smile.  I need to have ALL those cute yorky stamp sets!!!!!  I can't believe this talented man is so young!!!!

This is a little boy we've been calling "Zu-Zu"  he will sit in your arms all day if you let him and is the softest puppy I have ever felt.