High Hopes Chris the Mouse meets Tim Holtz...sort of

Happy Christmas - almost - to those who celebrate this festive yearly event!  Today I am sharing the Christmas card I made for my brother. I decided insead of making an actual card, I would make a decoration that could be used year after year....hmmmmmm....new tradition alert! 

I have been getting crafty Tim Holtz style. I couldnt resist using one of my favourite High Hopes Stamps, Large Chris Mouse

The hanging ribbon in May Arts Silk Ribbon inked up with Fired Brink Distress ink and  SU Taken with Teal ink then dried with my heat tool. You can hardly see it, but I stamped a Hero Arts background Christmas Stamped with VersaMark, covered and heated clear embossing powder, then sponged with Fired Brink Ink. The light bulb paper is from Echo Park. All of the Teal Cardstock you see is SU Taken with Teal. 

I cut some Grunge paper using theTim Holtz Pine Tree Die, covered it with distress ink, then crackle paint. I added some craft plastic Christmas lights I found in my stash using my hot glue gun.  

The teal and red ornaments on the left side and the Noel on the Rosette were created by die cutting shrink plastic with Tim Holtz Sizzix dies. After heat shrinking, I coloured them with copic markers (you can use Tim Holtz Alcohol Inks) and then covered them with clear crystal effects. The light bulbs hanging on the top right were created the same way with an old sizzix die.

I embossed Ranger Self Adhesive silver foil with a Holly and Ivy embossing folder

I sanded a Tim Holtz Christmas Muse Token added it to a trinket pin and attached it to the Red garland.

The Happy Christmas are Tim Holtz Ransom Alphabet pieces covered with Silver Acrylic paint. I love the shrink plastic Christmas lights.

My brother really loves his new decoration!

Stay Tuned for the one I am creating for my dad using the 2011 Winter Special Release Artic Home White Coke-a-Cola Polar Bear cans.

High Hopes Challenge # 123

The next High Hopes challenge is going to be our last challenge of the year!

This challenge is being hosted by Sarah:

Numbers

Add numbers to your card or make a card for a specific date.

If you don't have a number on your card, please state what "date" the card is for.

Just remember that you MUST use a High Hopes Stamp on your card to enter the challenge.

If you are in need of a High Hopes stamp, check out our Diva stores

Lacey Stephens - Stamp and Create based out of the US

Nikki Fairbairn - Bunny Zoe's Crafts based out of the UK/Europe

Amy Wegener - Stampin' Stuff based out of Australia

High Hopes Website

In the Spirit of December 25th, here is my card.

Supplies Used:

Stamps: High Hopes Mudzie's Gift, Sentiments by Whimsy Stamps

Echo Park Paper

Accessories: Christmas Lights from Michaels Crafts, PTI Vintage Ornament and Tree Die, Tim Holtz Numbers die, SU Embossing folder, Martha Stewart border punch

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs

Heidi

High Hopes Snowflakes

This weeks High Hopes Challenge is to use Snowflakes. I went overboard! I love using snowflakes as embellishments. First, I love finding new snowflake Dies/Punches/Templates. I love how the basic snowflake has evolved over the past few years.  This one uses some very basic Martha Stewart snowflake punches. Oh My Gosh....I used Martha Stewart and basic in the same sentance! I cut out the big snowflake using my Cricut and the When It's Cold Outside Cartridge. It's one of the few cartridges I still have. Most of the time I use the Sure Cuts A Lot Software with my cricut.

Supplies Used:

Stamps: High Hopes Snowy with Flake PTI Sentiment

Ink: Copic Markers

Cardstock: Retired SU Vintage Violet

Paper: Webster Pages

Accessories: Snowflake Button and Brown Suede Ribbon from my Stash, Star Dust Stickles

Thanks for visiting! I hope you get a chance to participate in this weeks challenge! I know you have lots of Holidays cards to create!

Hugs

Heidi

High Hopes Anything Goes-Take 2

 I prepped my post for this weeks  High Hopes Anything Goes Challenge by posting my picture in the DT folder and adding the picture to my prescheduled post, thinking I'd go back and "write" my post before it went "live"  I've been side tracked getting ready for my first craft faire that I forgot to put any content in my post. So I am "re-doing" my post and giving you some extra pictures.

You might remember my wreath post during the last High Hopes Release.

Here is it again:

I am donating this wreath to the raffle for the craft faire!

But I had so much fun making the first one, I decided to make 2 more to sell at the faire! Here they are:

All of the projects pictured above use Snowmen from the latest High Hopes Release, and Basic Grey Nordic paper. Which is perfect for the latest challenge I've "discovered" BasicGrey Challenges. I don't know it has taken me so long to find this challenge. I found it on my detailed inspection of all the challenges listed on the Feline Playful Blog. My favourite designer paper is Basic Grey. I love just about every collection they release.  So these wreaths are perfect for the anything goes challenge # 56

So for the Basic Grey Challenge Team: The Basic Grey item I am using is Nordic Paper.

Thanks for visiting!

And Don't forget to participate in the High Hopes Anything Goes Challenge!

Hugs

Heidi

High Hopes Anything Goes

High Hopes Tutorial

It's Tutorial Tuesday over at High Hopes Stamps. The awesome Andrea is showing how to mount and store your High Hopes Rubber Stamps. So in the spirit of storage, I thought I would show how I store all my crafting supplies.

Here are my Copic Markers. They are kept by my spot on the couch. I colour while I am watching television. I have a clipboard with the colour chart printed. It's on the same paper I use to stamp my images. I can quickly figure out what colour I want to use. I have the colours segmented by group. I got some drawer dividers from The Container Store. The basket is from Michaels, purchased 2 years ago.

My Stamp Space, shared with my computer. If things get messy, my computer moves!

My High Hopes Stamps are stored in clear folders.

My quick go to items are in labeled boxes. These include my basic hand held punches, stamps from various companies, brads and spacers, Bling, my PaperTrey Ink Dies, Stickles, Vintage Touch Ink. Behind my computer I have my favourite ribbon in boxes and two DVD containers for my PTI Stamp Sets.

Underneath my desk I keep my paper cutters, SU Craft Ink Pads I dont use too much. The Basket Bag has partially used cardstock categorized my group.

In front of the TV Table, I have my Big Shot, Die, embossing folders, Sticks and Pins, Felt, handheld sewing machine. The bottom shelf holds bags and bags of 12x12 paper categorized by vendor. And my 8x8 Paper packs like October Afternoon and PTI.

You can barely see it, but there is a Laundry Basket on 2 file boxes. The basket contains all my flowers in clear bags categorized by colour.

My Sponge Daubers labeled by colour are stored behind my computer.

To the left of my chair, I have my Ink Pads, acrylic blocks, and my spellbinders. The set of drawers have my things like score tape, circle cutter, hammer, sanding tools, sharp hobby knives etc.

In one drawer I keep my Tim Holtz Blending Handles and a 3 ring binder. I have one of those handle holders, but it was in the way.

The folder contains strips of velcro. There are labels for each colour. I use Stampin Up and Tim Holtz Distress Inks.

This wall used to contain all my old college text books and other books in enjoyed to read. Now it contains 100% craft stuff. I have tons of those photo boxes from Michaels. Each are labeled with their contents. I got a whole bunch of Aqua boxes when I attended an SU convention. (I wanted to go to convention with my best friend from college so I became a demo for the convention and discount. I'm no longer a demonstrator) The Aqua Boxes each have a small magnet with a label for its contents.  They contain various things like cricut cartridges I dont want to part with, brads, eyelets, flat flowers, liquid adhesives, printer ink, stickles, round gems/bella baubles, Tim Holtz Reinkers, Tim Holtz Acrylic Paint.  etc. I also have more of those boxes from Michaels that contain more stamps by vendor, Tim Holtz Metal embellishments, Hodge Podge Hardware, Spritz, beads. Those baskets on the top of the right set of shelves hold all of my Martha Stewart Punches. This is also the home of my cardstock. The top shelf is sorted my colour, and then SU In colour. I Primarily use SU cardstock, with some PTI and Bazzil Basics. There is a shelf for more 12x12 paper and the 12x12 cardstock.

The black set of drawers contains all of my 6x6 paper pads organized my vendor as well! SU reinkers and stock of Scor-Pal Tape, 3M foam, and other things like magnets, brayers, crimper.

The smaller grey unit has all my various forms of white cardstock/Paper. The top drawer holds the pieces for my air brushing systems (not used enough...going to change that)

I stick my bike stuff on the top.

That's the grunt of it! Can you say addicted and way too organized.

Hugs

Heidi

High Hopes Lace and Ribbon

Happy High Hopes Tuesday! This weeks High Hopes challenge is Ribbon and Lace!  What paper crafter doesn't love ribbon and lace!

I used one of my favourite High Hopes Images: Warm Wishes, perfect for birthday cards!

Supplies used:

Stamps: High Hopes Warm Wishes, PTI Sentiment

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers

Cardstock: SU Tangerine Tange

Paper: Echo Park Victoria Garden

Accessories: PTI Parisian Lace Doily Die, PTI Tiny Tags Die Flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts, KaiserCraft Pearls, Lace from Joann Fabrics, Orange Peel Stickles

I hope you get a chance to join in with the High Hopes Lace and Ribbon Challenge!

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs

Heidi

High Hopes Designer Showcase

Laurie and Dustin

High Hopes Challenge # 119 and October Sale

Happy Tuesday blog friends! We are experincing our first winter rain here in Northern California. Just to think...last week we had 90 degree Sunny Skys!

Challenge # 119 over at High Hopes is to create a party favour. Since Halloween is just around the corner, I made some English-Cracker style party favours. These crackers are square instead of round, there are no explosive bangs when you open them and you dont get a fun paper hat to wear......but they are still filled with candy treats!

Supplies Used:

Stamps: High Hopes Witchy Poo and Kitty Frame, Boo Family in Frame, Happy Halloween Sentiment Top/Bottom, Trick or Treat Greeting

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers

Cardstock: SU Basic Black

Paper: Echo Park Happy Halloween 2010

Ribbon: Paper Trey Ink

Since it's the beginning of a new month, it is also time for a new High Hopes Sale.

Check it out here

Get your thinking caps on and come up with a neat party favour for a cute small gift for a friend. It doesn't have to be Halloween themed and join in with the High Hopes Challenge fun!

Thanks for visiting!

Heidi

High Hopes Dinner Sets

Hello friends out in blog land! High Hopes Divas Tanya and Karen have put together some wonderful dinner settings, one for Thanksgiving and one for any winter occasion . Be sure you check out the High Hopes Blog to see their wonderful creations!

In the meantime, in the spirit of Thanksgiving and Winter, here are two old creations using some of my favourite High Hopes Stamps.

Tom's Plea

Chris Mouse

Don't forget about the current High Hopes Challenge: Home for the Holidays

Thanks for visiting!

Heidi

High Hopes Blog Hop

Welcome to the High Hopes New Release Blog Hop. If you are following the blog hop, you should have just visited Alex's Blog. If this is your first stop, you can start the blog hop HERE at the High Hopes Blog.  

I made a small wreath to show off one of the new stamps. The wreath is 9 1/2 inches wide. To make the wreath I cut 6" by 1/2" Stripes of paper, curled them with the edge of some scissors, and attached them to a foam wreath with hot glue. I punched snowflakes using various Martha Stewart Punches and Snowflake Nestabilites dies (Snowflake 1,2 &3), covered them with Stars Dust Stickles, attached a round clear Rhinestone in the center and then attached them to the wreath with hot glue.

The sentiment is embossed in Gold to match the candle holder.

I made the falling snowflakes background using a big snowflake Background Stamp and silver embossing power. To protect the image from dust, I covered the entire image with clear cardstock.

Here are some close ups.

The sentiment is from a past High Hopes Release

All of the snow flakes are covered in Star Dust Stickles. There is a clear Rhinestone Brad in the center.

 The snowflakes are a mix punched out with various Martha Stewart Punches and Snowflake Nestabilities.

Your next and final stop is the wonderful Lacey. Thanks for visiting! I can't wait to read your comments. The stamps go on sale Today....Thursday!

The blog hop will run through Saturday September 24 night at midnight EST. However, the "Home for the Holidays" challenge still be open for 2 weeks.

Hugs!
Heidi

High Hopes Sneak Peak Day 2

Welcome back for High Hopes New Release Sneak Peak Day 2!

I really had fun creating this card. ...I have fun making all my creations, but I am really chuffed by this one. I love the paper...it's the Night Before Christmas Story. I had to use it because the little mouse is not stirring...much. He's tucked up in bed waiting for Father Christmas.

Tomorrow is the big release day and start of the blog hop!

There is still time to help spread the news and enter for a chance to win some of the new releases!

Go to this post and follow the directions!

High Hopes Release NEXT WEEK!

Hello Paper Crafting Friends!

I am excited to tell you that there is going to be a High Hopes Release NEXT WEEK! There is blog candy to help spread the news!

Be sure to check out the High Hopes Challenge Blog on Tuesday September 20 to see the first full size sneak peaks!

Hugs

Heidi

High Hopes Bunny

This week at Stamp and Create we have a Product Spotlight that will get you in the mood for Easter!!

This week all stamps in the Bunny Category are on sale 25% off!

The sale runs through Sunday night at midnight.

I made this Easter card for my brother, perfect for the High Hopes #106 For the Boys Challenge.

Supplies Used:

Stamps:High Hopes Bunny, Bunny with Gift.  PTI Sentiment

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers, PTI Vintage Touch

Cardstock: Night of Navy

Paper: Basic Grey Life's a Party

Accessories: Whimsy Shapeology Penant Die, Petite Oval and Scallop Petite Oval Nestabilities, Oval and Scallop Oval SU Punches.

Thanks for visiting!

Sweet Sketch Wednesday High Hopes Go Green!

I'm not sure if this should be a St. Patrick's Day Card or Easter. So, I'll just leave it generic. The Sketch is from Sweet Sketch Wednesday and the main theme is High Hopes Go Green.

Supplies Used:

Stamps: High Hopes Gotcha by Dustin Pike

Stamp Paper: Copics X-Press It Blending Card

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, SU Wild Wasabi, Copic Markers

Card Stock: SU Wild Wasabi

Paper: SU Wild Wasabi DSP

Accessories: PTI Bloom Die Trio, PTI Ric Rack Die, Long Rectancle Nestabilities, Flower Spacer and Pearl Brad from Hobby House UK.

Thanks for visiting!

Heidi

Stamp and Create - Bow Easy Product Spotlight

Looking fo my Magical Mondays Flowers Post? Click here, or scroll down.

The product spotlight this week at Stamp and Create is the amazing Bow Easy! It is the most amazing tool that helps you create the perfect bow!

Its On Sale through Sunday for 25% off (Limit 3 per customer)

I used Peeking Kitty from the latest High Hopes Release. I also used a Bow Easy to create a cute double bow with May Arts White Silk Ribbon. I used Basic Grey Max and Whiskers Design paper which is perfect for animal lovers. The accents are Prima Flat Flowers with the Flower 2 Spacer with small pearl brads and a standing cat charm.

Thanks for visiting! I love reading you comments.

Heidi

Would you like to win a $25 Gift Certificate?

Lacey, the owner of Stamp and Create has been very busy getting ready for a big move from Florida to Georgia. She had to go out of town this weekend, I didn't  have time to put a Product Spotlight on sale. Therefore, she decided to offer a $25 Gift Certificate instead!!

All orders placed from today through Sunday will be entered into a drawing for a $ 25 Gift Certificate!!

Even though there isn't a specific product so showcase today, the Design Team still has some cards to share to give you some ideas for Valentine's Day!!

I used Hare's my Heart from the latest High Hope's release. I also used some Kaiser Craft Pearls and a heart shaped Charm.

Thanks for visiting! I love reading your comments

Happy 100th High Hopes Challenge!

Why is there a 4 Rent sign hanging onto the bird house? Doesn't Mr. Kitty Kat look guilty? In my house, that grey tabby would be black and feathers hanging out of her mouth.

This is my card for the High Hopes 100 Challenge Celebration- Anything Goes. And the Sketch comes from the Sweet Sketch Wednesday Challenge # 84

Thank for visiting! I love reading your comments!

Heidi

Cute Christmas

The challenge over on the High Hopes Blog this week is to use Red and Green. I combined it with the Sweet Sketch Wednesday for this week.  It's actually a 4x4 Christmas Tag.

Supplies Used: High Hopes Meowy Christmas, PTI Sentiment

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers

Cardstock: SU Real Red, Garden Green, Neenah Solar White

Paper: American Crafts

Accessories: Lacey Circle Nestabilites, Basic Grey Embossing Folder. Real Red SU Grosgrain Ribbon, Circle Punches, Square Punches.

Thanks for visiting! I love reading your comments, so please leave a little love :-)

Heidi

High Hopes Spots or Dots

High Hopes has moved their weekly challenge to Tuesdays! Challenge #88 is Spots or Dots. I used the sketch from Sketch Saturday #120.

Supplies Used:
Stamps: High Hopes Sitting Snowy with Flake, PTI Sentiment
Stamp Paper: Neenah Solar White
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Memento Rich Cocoa, Tim Holtz Distress Old Paper, Copic Makers
Cardstock: SU Chocolate Chip
Paper: Basic Grey Jovial
Accessories: Square and Snowflake Nestabilities, SU Circle and scallop circle punches, Eucalyptus and Icicle stickles, Distress tool, American Crafts Pearl Brad, SU Brads, SU Linen Twine

Thanks for visiting! I love reading your comments.

Heidi