Monday, November 9, 2009

Penny Black Week at Stamper's Dream



Penny Black has introduced a wonderful new collection of cling-mount images called the Slapstick Collection, and the Stamper's Dream designers are showcasing them (and other PB images) all week long. Also posting today are Denise Marzec and Michelle Rodgers, and their cards are just sweeter than sweet!

I can remember going caroling as a child every December as part of my piano teacher's Christmas party. We'd sing to the neighborhood, botch a few lyrics (or tunes) here and there, freeze our fannies off (usually), and, of course, head back to her house for hot cocoa and cookies. Fun times! I haven't been caroling or welcomed any carolers in years, so I thought it might be fun to use this adorable Caroling Trio image to make caroling invitations for some friends and neighbors. I stamped the image in Versafine Onyx Black onto watercolor paper, clear embossed, and colored with Tombow markers. I added some perimeter sponging using Stampin' Up's Bashful Blue inkpad and a sponge dauber. The sentiment, "a-caroling we will go," is hand-written with a black pigment pen and cut into a banner. My Mind's Eye's Colorful Christmas paper collection had just the right bright, fun look I was going for, and the 1" teal sheer ribbon by May Arts matched perfectly. Martha Stewart punched snowflakes, silver brads, glitter, and some stitching provide the finishing touches.

[ETA: I was feeling a bit like the farmer's wife when my Spellbinders die cut off the mice tails. To fix that, I stamped the image a second time, cut out the tails, extending on into the body about a 1/2 inch. Then I used a craft knife to make tiny slits on the original image right at the base of the tail. I threaded my new tail sliver through that slit and secured on the back. Even in real life, you almost can't tell they've been added back on.]

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Hugs,

41 comments:

Bastelfrosch's Kreativseite said...

This is a wonderful card!!
Annette

Denise Marzec said...

It's totally gorgeous!! I love your handwritten sentiment and all those brads. SUPER adorable card, Amy!

Unknown said...

Super sweet, Amy! At first glance I thought it was a snow globe! Love the paper with that image, and your handwritten sentiment is perfect! Beautiful colors...an awesome card!

Angela S. said...

Amy, I love this layout and the paper looks so good with this image. I really like your handwritten sentiment. BEAUTIFUL card!!

Barbara said...

Adorable!!!! Love all the little details!

Harriet Hensley said...

this is such a great card.... wonderful colors and all goes together perfectly.....

Michelle said...

Amy, this is absolutely gorgeous! Your coloring rocks, I love the colors in the papers...& that is too funny about the tails, lol!

Sew Club said...

So cute!!! Funny - I just bought this stamp at 7 Kids yesterday! Irrisistable!

Dotty Jo said...

Isn't this adorable! totally love this stamp and those colours, Jo x

Marimer said...

Ooooooooooooooooooooohh!!!!, me encanta, me encanta, me encanta, el stamp es precioso y adorable, coloreado genial y todos los detalles de papel, buen trabajo. Felicidades. Bss

Niki Estes said...

This is adorable, Amy! I love the non-traditional colors!

ChristineCreations said...

Oh I just love the combination of sweet colors with the little mice...so glad you rescued the tail :)

Anonymous said...

Your card is so beautiful, Amy! I don't often comment on your amazing creations, 'cause that'd be every day, as I visit each post. I love this card! It's beautiful - the colors you chose, and your coloring is superb. Just wanted you to know that I love coming here and seeing your talent. And I'm glad I don't have to call the Humane Society since you fixed those mice's tails!

whoistracy said...

Your coloring is FANTASTIC! These little cuties look so lifelike.

Tosha Leyendekker said...

Absolutely adorable and gorgeous!! Your coloring is fantastic, and the dp combo is fabulous!! Love the sketch and all your fabulous details Amy!! WOW!

Carolyn King said...

Beautiful!!!!!!!!!! Love your amazing card, the coloring and the surgically replaced tails (hee!) Gorgeous card!

Kathy Jones said...

Awwwww....isn't this just DARLING!!! Love your colouring and that sentiment tag and beautifully embellished too! (Tee hee about the Farmers Wife story!!! :) )

Gabriela said...

Oh Amy this is marvelous! I adore the image and your coloring is superb! Love the DP and of course the story about fate of those poor little tails!

Angel said...

that is your handwriting? NICE! This is so cute. LOVE it!

Linda Carson said...

What a FUN card! Beautifully done! I hope PETA doesn't see this post! lol

Dawn B. said...

LOL at the Farmer's wife edit..made me giggle. I can't even tell he was tail-less for a bit.. Great image.. I love PB. They are so fun to color...

Chris Olsen, Glowbug said...

This is one of my fave PB images. I love your coloring and design Amy!! Cute Christmas card!!
hugs,
Chris

Crystal said...

Amy, you've done it again ! Love this sweet image, all the wonderful deTAILS (heheh) and your sentiment!

Anonymous said...

hi amy - those little mice are too cute and your card is gorgeous. i don't own a single PB image - isn't that awful!

Janiel/ janny said...

OH AMy this is VERY VERY CUTE!!! LOVE THE COLORS and well I just plain love the whole card!!!
hugs, janny

Barbara said...

Oh, this is so cute and the color combo is wonderful!

Barb

Kimberly Crawford said...

gorgeous!!!! LOVE your color palette!!!! :)

Only By His Grace said...

Oh so cute Amy.
So humane of you to fix poor Minnies tail like that.
Wow! your handwritng is wonderful.
Hugs Marion

Silke Ledlow said...

OMG - Amy - this is super gorgeous!!! Love the colors and how you colored this sweet image!!! Hugs ~S~

Dawn Easton said...

Amy, this is simply sweet! Love all that fun, colourful designer paper!! Only you would think about their tails and need to fix them...hehe! That detail would not have crossed my mind. Love your handwritten sentiment too!

America said...

Hi Amy! I love your amazing eye for details that always blows me away. What a wonderful mix of elements, great colors, adorable PB image and FAB card!!

Desire Fourie said...

Such an adorable card. Love the organza ribbon and of course the little mice are just the cutest.
Hugs
Desire

Unknown said...

Oh Amy! Another stunning card coloured so beautifully.
Must get mine used. I've got loads of PB stamps that are gathering dust! Criminal.
Hugs Viv xx

Marisa said...

You can't go wrong with PB critters - I just love them :D Fabulous card showcasing this daring image. Glad the mice got their tails back too :D

Dawn Cosgrove said...

absolutely BEAUTIFUL card!!

dpkennedy said...

Oh the tail surgery! Too funny! I have never been caroling or ever had any at my door. How fun! I bet they do that in sweet small towns, sigh. I would love that! Your card is gorgeous! Come caroling at my house!!

Country Mouse said...

Love this card!!! Very cute image and great coloring!! And.....love the tale about the tails!!! Thanks for adding them back on!!!:)

Karen C said...

Love your card - would you share your secrets for taking such beautiful photos of your artwork? In all of my photos, the artwork looks so flat. Even if it has layers.

Charmaine (CharmWarm) said...

OH how adorable, Amy! LOVE this. ..and can I have your handwriting in a stamp set?

Jenn said...

Absolutely gorgeous card Amy! Love the bold DP and you can't even tell it's a remade tail! Hilarious!

Laurie Schmidlin said...

You know, whenever I come to your blog my jaw ALWAYS drops!! You are so extremely talented! I just love the details on this...and your coloring is beyond gorgeous!