Thursday, April 18, 2013

WMS April Waltz

Welcome to the WMS blog waltz! You should have come from Jennifer's blog and will be going to Sandie's blog next. If you didn't come from Jennifer's blog, make sure to start from Claire's blog to see all the fabulousness! :)

And no waltz is complete without a prize. A random person will be drawn from all the blogs and win a stamp set of their choice. You have until April 21 at 11:59 PM (GMT), 5:5 9AM Central (April 22), 3:59 AM Pacific and 6:59 AM Eastern to leave comments. 


For my waltz project, I did a fun little diagonal rainbow.
Because somehow in my mind super heroes == rainbows.

Next up is Sandie Dunne!

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

April WMS Release - Day 3

Welcome to day 3 of the WMS April Release!
Today we're back to cards for the man in your life.
We're showcasing a set called Man of the Hour.


First off is a collage where I stamped a number of the sentiment onto one card.
And then filled in the spaces with some of the small elements from My Kind of Guy


And for the next card I just wanted to stamp happy 3 times.
Because sometimes you're just that happy.


Tuesday, April 16, 2013

April WMS Release - Day 2

Welcome to Day 2 of the April WMS Release.
Or better known as the Pink Attack on this blog-o.
Because it seems like everyone I know is having girls.
Something must be in the water here?

If you haven't guessed, we're previewing a baby set called Nordic Baby.
You can certainly use the set for girls and boys - I just happen to know lots of little girls coming soon.


We start with a cute pair of baby shoes.
Because all baby things are cute.
Almost makes me want to have one.
(Luckily no one has left a baby sock with lil' fishes on it in my house yet. Refer to "But Sock" clip from How I Met Your Mother)



I added a little pearl for the buckle part of the shoe.
Because why not? It needs a lil' something on it.


For this next card, I used the circular image to create a scallop pattern.
Added some piercing for the homey effect.
Sweet and simple.
Just like babies.
(I think?)


Thanks for stopping by!
Be sure to visit all the other talented DT ladies!

Monday, April 15, 2013

WMS April Release - Day 1

Wow, where does time go?
Can you believe it's April already?
And it's time for another WMS release!

This time there are three fabby sets to preview and today is a fun set called "My Kind of Guy"
It has a lot of cute sentiments and fun pieces to go with the sentiments.


For my first card I went with one of the sentiment pieces.
And then in the background, I stamped the hat and mustache in lightly.





For the second card, I used a border piece to create a fun banner.
And then added some gems to add a little something something.


Thanks for stopping by!
Be sure to visit all the other talented DT ladies!

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Stitch Fix Review

So this isn't my typical post but at the same time, I don't think I've crafted in awhile so I have a feeling this blog is going to diverge a bit - might even change my header if I'm feeling crazy. :)

I signed up for a service called Stitch Fix, which is a fun, personal styling service. Mainly because I wanted to try to bring a sense of style into my wardrobe. After you fill out a profile on your size and your style, they send you a fun box of goodies. You can schedule it to come every month (or manually set which dates you want them to come). Each item also comes with a little tag that tells you how to style it with things you might already have in your closet.

I'm normally not someone to buy clothes via mail but I realized that over the years, my closet has become dangerously filled with items from White House Black Market. Mainly because every time I go, one of the sales lady helps me pair outfits and I buy three times more than I intended (and three times more than what I buy at other stores). Also, being a Computer Scientist, the idea of using machine learning and data analysis to refine what is included in my box is fascinating to me.

Couple of reasons why I'm loving Stitch Fix so far:
  • A box of clothes landing on my front door without having to lift a finger. I've been crazy busy so this is a fun way to add a little retail therapy to my life once a month.
  • Trying on clothes in the comfort of home and getting my husband's opinion without dragging him into the mall.
  • Having someone tell me how to style things and pick out things I might not try myself
  • Using social networking to get my friend's thoughts (and have a few days to ponder). Follow me on Instagram for all the conversations. :) 
As I'm a compulsively curious person who loves seeing what everyone else gets, I figured it was only right that I also post my Stitch Fix box. So here you go!

Item 1: Sunburst Multi Color Scarf
Verdict: Pass, maybe? Still on the fence...
While I love the pop of colors and the fact that it'd probably go with a lot of what I have already, I'm not convinced I'm a scarf gal. I'm glad I tried it and I'm definitely on the fence here. We'll see how I feel tomorrow after I prance around the house with it on some more. :)


Item 2: Catie Printed Tunic
Verdict: Pass
This was slightly large on me and looked a little funny near the bum area - although nothing a little altering couldn't fix. This actually hit me mid-thigh and as I already have stubby legs, I felt that a tunic that hit me mid-thigh only made me seem shorter. I wanted to like this so much when I saw it but unfortunately the fit didn't work for me. I think tunics need to hit me in the hip and not the thigh or maybe just needs the better fit? Not sure...


Item 3: Olle Sheer Back Cowl Neck Tank
Verdict: Pass
I was pretty close to keeping this but unfortunately a stitch was loose on the back. I plan to email Stitch Fix to see if there's something we can do about it (or at least so they're aware). My husband begged me to keep this as he loved it that much - basically because he said it was soft and he loved the sheer back. But I wasn't about to keep something that had a loose stitch so had to pass.


Item 4: Callie Denim Jacket
Verdict: Keep
My husband claimed that Jean coats are "so 1978". But I kindly pointed out that those fashion statements were making a comeback. (I then commented that I really wanted to buy a pair of leggings because they look so darn comfortable and I'm pretty sure his jaw dropped). What I liked about the jacket is that it worked with a number of skirts I have in my closet that have been collecting dust like the coral skirt I pulled out this weekend to pair with the jacket. And with the chilly summer nights in the Bay Area, this will be perfect. I had been eyeing jean jackets for awhile but I never thought I had enough skirts to pair with it until I took a look at my closet and started pulling out some oldies but goodies. Might also encourage me to finally try some colored pants (as I think that would be awesome with this as well).


Item 5: Betsey Open Back Sweater
Verdict: Pass
Darn my long torso! I had to keep pulling it down or you'd see my tummy in these photos. It's cute but I don't feel right showing my tummy so out this went. (Yes the tag is sticking out but the little information panel and the tag were attached to it so it was easier to keep the tag out)

Overall: This was loads of fun and I nearly bounded up the stairs after my business trip and threw these clothes on. :) I'll definitely be getting some more boxes after adjusting a few size preferences. If you haven't given Stitch Fix a try, I highly encourage it. In full transparency, there are also other services that I haven't tried myself (Cake Style, Tog and Porter, Keaton Row) but definitely read up on some reviews if you're interested and let me know what you think! I am thinking of giving Tog and Porter a try -- maybe for my upcoming birthday month.

*That link will give me Stitch Fix credit just so we're 100% clear. Feel free to sign up without my referral code as well if that's how you roll.

Friday, March 08, 2013

Waltzingmouse March Release Waltz

Welcome to the March Release Blog Waltz. You should have come from Jennifer's blog and will be going to Sandie's blog next. If you didn't come from Jennifer's blog, make sure to start from Claire's blog to see all the fabulousness! :)

 And no waltz is complete without a prize. A random person will be drawn from all the blogs and win a stamp set of their choice. You have until March 11th at 11:59 PM (GMT), 5:5 9AM Central (March 12), 3:59 AM Pacific and 6:59 AM Eastern to leave comments.


For this set, I decided to use the large medallion image from Folk Art Medallion.
Also decided to pull out the embossing gun.
Because this image is just screaming to be embossed.



And I couldn't stop at one color...
Or two...




Next up is the lovely and talented Sandie! Hope you're enjoying the waltz!

Thursday, March 07, 2013

Waltzingmouse Release - Folk Art Medallion

Welcome to Day 3 of the Waltzingmouse Stamps release! :) Today we're working with a lovely set called Folk Art Medallion.

Thank You Card

For this card, I used a border from the set.
Colored the stamp with some markers and used the huff and puff trick.
Added a little gem in the flower for some bling which I colored with a marker as well.
Rather than using the same border for the base, I went with a small scrap paper.


Colored Set

For this set, I was just playing with the elements in the set when I first got it by stamping some patterns.
And it created such fun tapestry-like pieces that I just kept it and made it into a card.
So many fun pieces to create so many fun patterns!



Wednesday, March 06, 2013

Welcome to Day 2 of the Waltzingmouse Stamps release!

Birthday Frame Card

For my first card, I stamped the border and sentiment. Colored in the border with copics.
I really probably could have left it that as it was quite lovely.
But I added a little framing to it to add some more color. Because really, who can't use more color?



Colored Birthday Card

For this card, I wanted to play with some of the other elements in the set.
So stamped this circular element in different colors and used some scrap cardstock to emphasize the colors.
Then added some glitter. Because glitter is just plain fun. :)



Thanks for stopping by and be sure to visit all the other talented DT ladies!

Tuesday, March 05, 2013

Waltzingmouse March Release - A Good Egg

(Apologies for the late post - not sure what happened... but I think things are fixed now)

Welcome to Day 1 of the previews for the March Release at Waltzingmouse Stamps. For the next three days we will be sharing previews of three new sets that will be available for purchase on March 8. Today we're previewing a fun spring set called A Good Egg.

You're a Good Egg Card
Starting out with a simple one, but my husband's favorite.
Maybe because he likes green?
Or maybe because he likes "the white bumpy things" as he called the embossing.

When I saw the "You're a good egg" sentiment, I immediately though about school.
(Hope it's not just me... I have been listening/watching YT videos on techy topics while crafting...)
So I stamped the background from Heirloom Patterns that reminded me of grade school paper.
Some simple masking meant a more controlled square space and then embossed it in white.




Just Hatched Card

Stamped the Chicken wire bg on this in a watermark ink
Yellow and watermark doesn't photo well but you do see it in person.
Used a small stamp to help ground the egg and then a little button/twine to tie it all up.


Thanks for stopping by and make sure to visit all the other talented DT ladies!

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Waltzingmouse Waltz

Welcome to the Waltzingmouse DT Waltz. A little pick me up in the middle of the week to help you get through to Friday. :) Technically we were supposed to pick an all-time favorite set to share. I, however, am not one to entirely follow rules and besides, how do you pick an all-time favorite set?

I went with Playful Pinwheels, a summery feeling set, because it's starting to be warm again and I'm loving it. :) I apologize to those of you live in less warm climate. You may begin throwing snowballs at me now...


I colored in the pinwheels with markers and then added a bit of glitter to them which apparently isn't coming out in the photo. But trust me, it's there.

A little scalloped grass to ground those pinwheels a bit. And then a little punny sentiment to make my day. Because that's how I roll.


I think I'm the last one on this little waltz so pat yourself on the back if you actually started from the beginning. So many great projects, right? If you didn't start at the beginning, I highly encourage you waltz over to see all the great inspiration!