Sending you a little smile :)

Special Projects Member All That Scraps, Ima Butterfly

2012-03-02T16:50:00.000+01:00

Hi Everybody,

Today I have a special project for you. A few weeks back the very talented Lesa Rapp from the All That Scraps Design Team contacted me. Christine, the owner and one of the stamp illustrators at All That Scraps had asked her to contact me and they wanted to know if I would like to be a special projects member for All That Scraps. Now I have to first tell you that my very first set of stamps was a set from All That Scraps and I have been a HUGE fan of their stamps ever since. I have seen a lot of Design Team calls come and gone and each time thought of entering but didn't only because I simply wouldn't be able to make the number of cards that is required. I have been a guest designer for All That Scraps in June of 2009 (can't believe it's been that long!!!) and I was so honored to be asked then but this request was the best ever. You'll be seeing one or two projects from me with the latest All That Scraps releases and this is my first one:

Now if you are thinking... I don't know that cutie, you are RIGHT!! This absolutely adorable stamp is called Ima Butterfly and she will be released next week, so be sure to check out the All That Scraps blog for all the peaks that are going to be showing there starting next Tuesday March 6th. The lovely sentiment is by Amy R for All That Scraps and she was released in February, you can find the set (my favorite ATS sentiment set until now) HERE. The pretty papers I used are from the Pixie-Licious Mini Deck by Cosmo Cricket. The flowers are by Wild Orchid Crafts and the pretty ribbon is by The Ribbon Girl. The chandeliers are by Magnolia and the stitching was all done by hand again.

Here is a close up of the pretty image.

And for the lovers of the little pieces, these are the pieces Ima was built of. This card is also featured on the All That Scraps blog today, SO exciting!!! :).

OK, then before I forget, I have done a tutorial about the use and storage of Olba Glue for the seventh issue of the Whimsy Inspirations Magazine, you can find that HERE. The whole magazine is just amazing but if you want to find my tutorial, it is on page 37 and be sure to check out page 30 as well because my two beautiful girls have their first published cards :). They were SO proud.

OK, love to read your comments guys!! Back soon!!

Hugs,

Whimsy Stamps February release day 7 with Dandelion girl

2012-02-28T18:00:00.001+01:00

Hi everybody!!

Hello and welcome to Day 7 of the Whimsy Stamps February Rubber Die Release Showcase!

On Wednesday (22 February) Whimsy Stamps released this month's rubber designs and new Shapeology dies. From then until 28 February the Whimsy Stamps DT and Special Guests are showcasing these fabulous new stamps and dies with a daily mini blog hop.

Each mini blog hop has a new release prize hidden somewhere along the way and you have 24hrs to enter each prize draw.

To be entered into today's mini blog hop prize draw, be sure to leave a comment on ALL of the DT's posts listed below by 12.00PM EST tomorrow. All winners will be announced on the Whimsy Inspirations blog on 29 February. You'll find the list of the other hops after I have shown you my card.

I only have one card to show you this release. I decided to ink up the precious Dandelion Girl by Wee Stamps.

I recently bought this pretty Basic Grey paper pad called Kissing Booth. I have to say when I first went through the pad I thought I didn't like all the papers but I have used the one I thought I liked the least and love how it turned out so changed my mind and LOVE this pad, I combined it with kraft cardstock. The cute little corner is from a new corner dies set by Whimsy Stamps, the set has four different corners for just 8 dollars, that's a good price right! I used this corner on the inside of the card too, I'll show a picture of that further on. All corners have had a little pearl added to them, those are by Basic Grey as well. The hearts are cut with nestabilities as are the oval shapes and the heart border is by Whiff of Joy. All the stitching has been done by hand. The flowers are by Wild Orchid Crafts.

This is a close up of the gorgeous image. As always colored with my Copic Markers and 3D paper pieced for extra dimension.

I thought I'd share this picture from the side, just because you can see the texture better this way and that pretty corner die.

As promised, a picture from the inside of the card. Very simple, just cardstock, four corners with pearls and some stitching around the edges.

And the back, also decorated. The gorgeous personalized stamps has been on my blog before but just in case you've missed it, it's by Ann Vento of Raindrop Echo Designs for Whimsy Stamps. I love using it on the back of my projects.

And finally a picture of the little pieces. As you can see I cut the dandelion seeds one by one when I was finished, much easier that way with little flowers and such.

Well hope you like my card, to take a peek at all the other fabulous new release creations for today's hop, please click on the links below...

Bev Rochester

Erin Bailey

Heidy Blom

Mariska (oui c'est moi :) )
Niki Estes
Simonne Clay who is ill at the moment so be sure to wish her well when you leave a comment!

Tammy Louise Cunliffe

Remember that the entire new release is available to buy right now from the Whimsy Stamps store along with all your Whimsy favourites.

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to leave comments and check back tomorrow on the Whimsy Inspirations blog to see if you are one of the winners!

Hugs,

February release day at Whimsy Stamps

2012-02-22T18:00:00.000+01:00

Welcome to Whimsy Stamps February rubber stamp and die RELEASE DAY!

Whimsy Stamps is releasing 19 fantastic new rubber stamps and 5 wonderful new Shapeology dies today together with 2 brand new Shape EZ templates! These new goodies are available to buy right now from the Whimsy Stamps store along with all your Whimsy favourites. (NB All Raindrop Echo Designs February stamps and 2 of this month's Shapeology dies were released last week as part of the ‘3 Companies’ blog hop).

From today until 28 February the Whimsy DT and Special Guests will be showcasing these fabulous new stamps and dies with a daily mini blog hop. Each mini blog hop has a new release prize hidden somewhere along the way and you will have 24hrs to enter each prize draw by leaving a comment on every blog listed for that day. I will have a post on the 28th of February.

From this release onwards we are doing things a little differently. At the end of release week (Wednesday 29 January) a special Release Round-Up will be posted on the Whimsy blog. This post will include a selection of new release DT work from the previous week together with a complete list of winners from the daily mini blog hops.

To be entered into today's mini blog hop prize draw, be sure to leave a comment on ALL of the DT posts listed below by 12:00PM EST tomorrow:

Ann Vento
Bev Rochester {Special Guest}
Debbie Eastman
Ellie Stover
Erin Bailey
Jacque Beddingfield {Special Guest}
Stephanne Maraver
Tammy Louise Cunliffe

Finally, here is a full list of the wonderful February release:

3 Crissy Armstrong rubber stamps
Bud ~ Gus The Bunny ~ Little Playmates

4 Kenny K rubber stamps
Helga Frost ~ Da Bomb ~ Elena K ~ Ryder Cole

3 Meljen's Designs rubber stamps
Party Time Cat ~ Dragon's Little Friend ~ Party Penguin

3 Wee Stamps rubber stamps
Dandelion Girl ~ Easter Bunny ~ Sympathy Bugs

6 Raindrop Echo Designs rubber stamp sets
Fanciful Birthday Notables 1 (coordinating die available) ~ I Heart You Tabs 2 (coordinating die available) ~ Love Postage Stamps (coordinating die available) ~ Notebook Page background ~ Thanks a Bunch Notables 2 (coordinating die available) ~ Vintage Travel Postage Stamps (coordinating die available)

4 Raindrop Echo Designs Shapeology dies
Corner Dies Set ~ Lamp Post ~ Notebook Spiral ~ Tabs 2

TLC Shapeology die
Heart Tag

Shape EZ by TLC
Flip Cupcake 1 ~ Triple Heart Gift Box Card

Don't forget to visit today's DT and leave a comment on their blog posts to be entered into the draw to win a new release stamp, then pop back to the Whimsy blog tomorrow for the next list of showcase posts!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy our new release!

Winner of my blog candy

2012-02-19T09:38:00.000+01:00

Hi everybody!!
First thank you so much for all the entries to my candy. I've been seeing so many HUGE candies lately on blogs that I was sure my little candy wouldn't get that many entries but 111 is SO much more then I had expected!! Good to see people still appreciate little candies too!!

I did the random.org thingy and the result is:

I did the counting and number 14 is:

Ella's Design zei
Thanks so much for the chance to win some lovely candy! Have been admiring these doo hickey dragonflies for a while, so fingers crossed! Love all your wonderful inspiration! Lisa x

Lisa, would you please contact me with your address? I'll send the candy out to you asap!!

Thank you all for joining!!
Hugs,

Candy!!

2012-02-19T07:00:00.000+01:00

THIS CANDY HAS CLOSED, A WINNER HAS BEEN DRAWN!

Hi everybody,
Sorry for being so quiet, I am busy making several things and have a couple finished, there will be projects on my blog this week so don't worry... won't be long now. But in the meantime I thought I'd give away a little candy on my blog.

You don't get the cute little bunny, she's my daughters, but I am giving away the Magnolia dragonflies DooHickey dies (there is a larger and a smaller one in there) and the gorgeous Spring Bringer stamp by Wee Stamps for Whimsy Stamps. Both products are completely new and in the wrapper, waiting here for one lucky winner.

Candy is open to all my followers, old and new ones and all you need to do is leave a comment under this post. I'll draw a winner next Sunday.

See you soon!!

Hugs,

Project from my 3D tutorial at Copic Marker Europe blog

2012-02-18T16:08:00.001+01:00

Hi Everybody!!
You may have already seen the project I'm showing you today. This project was posted on the Copic Marker Europe blog last Tuesday. I didn't just share the project there but also show picture by picture how I created the 3D paper pieced Angie by Wee Stamps, this cutie will be for sale as a rubber stamp at Whimsy Stamps in March and you can get her as a digi right now at Wee Stamps. For the details on my project, Copic Colors used and a description of how I did the 3D paper piecing I'd like to direct you to the original post on the Copic Marker Europe blog. I'd love to hear what you think!!

I'll be back tomorrow to draw a winner for my candy!!

Hugs,

Mariska

Three companies Love in Paris blog hop

2012-02-14T11:00:00.009+01:00

Not one, Not two but THREE COMPANIES have come together to bring you a fantastic collection of images, sentiments and even matching embellishments to get your creative minds flowing with ideas!

WHO ARE THEY??

If you have been following the lead up to our big release then you may have taken a stab at guessing who we are.

If you guessed...

Whimsy Stamps, Make it Crafty and Little Miss Muffet Stamps!

Then you are correct!! Woot!

Now as you can imagine there are HEAPS of prizes to be won but before all that, join us on our incredible inspiration hop where the talented girls from our teams share different ways you can combine our products.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

With it being Valentine's Day, of course the theme has an element of love... whether it be friendships, a thank you or even a romantic kiss in Paris... you are sure to feel the love all round.

So if you have just popped by to say hi and stumbled into this hop you may want to

START AT THE BEGINNING!
Otherwise you should have arrived from SHIRLEY.

In all other cases, here is the project I have to show you today :):

Since the theme of the joint release is Love in Paris I have used these gorgeous papers from a paper pad by Glitz Design called French Kiss. I really wanted to use the pretty paper with the eiffel tower so, while Zoe made these gorgeous background images there really wasn't any room left to use them. The lovely little diva is called Agent Eclair and she will be available at Little Miss Muffet Stamps. The sentiment is by Whimsy Stamps and is from another gorgeous set by the fabulous Ann from Raindrop Echo Designs and it is named The Fanciful Birthday Notables 1, the matching die was released a while back and you can find that HERE (there are actually two different dies you can choose from for these stamps). I placed the cut out sentiment on a matching chipboard shape that was created by Zoe from Make it Crafty, now these chipboard shapes actually come with a window so I could have also placed the sentiment under the chipboard shape but I liked it better this way. I have to tell you, I'm not into chipboard that much but when these arrived it was instant love. They are all very detailed and very easy to use, when you have a set of the Notables you NEED the matching chipboard shapes, fabulous job Zoe!! The flowers and ribbon are all Wild Orchid Crafts. And the card was finished with some bandage, distress ink, distress paint, pearls, liquid pearls and stickles.

This is a close up of Agent Eclair, as always colored with my Copic Markers and 3D paper pieced. Oh... and about the paper piecing, if you are finished with the hop you might want to check out the Copic Marker Europe blog because I have a new 3D paper piecing tutorial up there today.

And a close up of the pretty sentiment and chipboard shape. As you can see the shape was painted with picked fence distress crackle paint.

And finally.... the little pieces that Agent Eclair was made of.

Oh and I have a little something I'd like to point out to you by the way, how do you like this:

50% of all Whimsy digi's and Shape EZ digi SVG cut files.... now that's a nice deal right!!!? Click on the button to go to the Whimsy store... but after you finish the hop of course!!

Hope you like my project... now on with the details of the hop!:

PRIZES, SURPISES and A CHALLENGE!!

Make sure you comment along the way for a chance at winning a few extra goodies and once you reach the end, we'll share all the details on the prizes you can win and we even have a fun challenge you can enter which could win you a feature in the upcoming Whimsy Magazine! Wooohoo!

Did we just hear you scream?

"I LOVE THESE PRODUCTS AND I WANT THEM NOW!"

haha - they are awesome right? Our ideas just exploded!!

Well they are available RIGHT NOW!!

Whimsy Stamps Store | Make it Crafty Store | Little Miss Muffet Stamps Store

So where to next you ask??

JUMP on over to my new friend VIV!

Note holder with Amy by Sylvia Zet

2012-02-01T13:55:00.000+01:00

Hi everybody!!

Today I have a special project to show you! I have mentioned it on my blog before, a couple of months ago I became a teammember of a Dutch club named "Kaarten maken met Tiets". It's a place where crafters "virtualy" come together to share pictures of projects and every month there is one or more competition for the members of the club. One of the competitions that keeps coming back is a digi contest. "We" (normally Tiets) ask a designer if she wants to make a digi especially for the club. We have a contest around that digi and for a couple of weeks that digi is only available for members of the club. We have had some great designers in the past but this time we have my favorite designer... Sylvia Zet! Sylvia is not only a fabulous designer but also one of the loveliest people I've gotton to know in this crafting community and she was kind enough to draw us an absolutely adorable little girl named Amy (which also happens to be the name of my youngest daughter :) ). Here is the project I did with her:

Isn't she adorable? Not to worry, she is planned for the March release at both Whimsy Stamps (as a rubber stamp) and Wee Stamps (as a digi) so you'll get a chance to buy her soon enough but for now... she is only available for the members of the club. Here is a close up of Amy:

Oh I'm so crazy about her. Colored with Copics (what else) and 3D paper pieced for extra dimension (not telling you anything new am I?). Just in case you haven't read my earlier message... the fabulous Olba glue and the syringes I use for both my 3D and the attaching of embellishments like these flowers and chandeliers is for sale at Whimsy Stamps now! Here is a picture of the little pieces that make pretty Amy:

And finally a picture of the opened project. It's a note holder. I attached one of my businesscards on the inside and the pretty little stamp is a freebie I received with one of my stamps from Whimsy Stamps... love those for things like this!!

Hope you like my project!!

Hugs,

Fist card for Copic Marker Europe blog using LOTV Little Dot

2012-01-27T08:00:00.001+01:00

Hello everybody,
Yesterday I posted my first card on the Copic Marker Europe blog. Today I'm showing the card on my blog, for the details, materials used and Copic colors used, I'd like to send you to the CME blog though. Hope you like!

And a close up:

A side view of the Double Dutch Fold card:

And a picture of the little pieces the image was made off:

I do hope you like my card! Can't wait to read what you think.

Hugs,

Olba Glue now available in the USA!

2012-01-26T13:22:00.000+01:00

Hi girls!!

This short post is especially for my blog followers in the USA. When you have seen one of the tutorials I did on how I 3D paper piece my images you will have noticed that I use a glue by a Dutch company named Olba. In the past I have had a lot of questions of American blog followers asking me if this product is also for sale in the USA, until now I have had to answer that question with no, and I know that some people ordered their glue in The Netherlands after that. But I have awesome news for those of you who want to try this glue either because you want to give the 3D paper piecing a go (there isn't a better product for that) or because you want a super glue to adhere all your flowers, charms or other embellishments to your cards. This is the best glue out there!!

Since yesterday Whimsy Stamps sells Olba Glue and the syringes I use to paper piece for a prize that is comparable or better then the prizes in Europe... and you don't get the overseas shipping costs or the long wait! I'll do a tutorial on the uses of this glue, the filling of the syringes and the best way to keep the glue in the February issue of the Whimsy Stamps Magazine but you can buy the glue and the syringes right now HERE.

If you have wanted to try this glue for ages you want to order fast! Just in case you want to see the tutorials I did where I use the glue, you can find a (VERY long) videotutorial HERE on the Whiff of Joy tutorials & inspiration blog, there are four videos but you'll want to watch video three (from around 4 minutes and on) and video 4, and a picture tutorial HERE on page 16 of the fifth issue of the Whimsy Stamps Inspirations Magazine.

January Rubber & Die Release Showcase- Day 7

2012-01-25T18:00:00.000+01:00

Hi everybody!!

I know... it's been a whole week again. I have been busy crafting though. Just not things I can show you yet. But I do have a sample again!! But I do have a second card to show you with one of the newly released Whimsy Stamps. This stamp is called Bird Swing and again it's by the talented Sylvia Zet from Wee Stamps. Now when you click on that link you will probably notice that I decided not to use the top part of the stamp. Most of you will probably know how to not use parts of a stamp but for those of you who don't, you try not to ink the part you don't want to use and if you do get a bit of ink on that part of the stamp you whipe it away with a babywhipe or a damp tissue. Here is my card:

I decided to go for a different shape for once. The pretty papers are from a new paper pad by Glitz Design called Pretty in Pink. I bought two gorgeous new pads by Glitz Design from a Dutch store named Luzifi the second they hit the store, you can find them HERE. You might also want to check out the fabulous stuff they have on pre-order, amongst which the new Copic Markers (YES). Anyway, some craft and pink cardstock at the base, pretty flowers and the pearl heart (colored pink with a Copic marker) all bought at Wild Orchid Crafts. The two shades of pink pearls are by Basic Grey. The gorgeous thick ribbon my "lieve vriendinnetje" Diana bought for me on the market in Leiden (dikke kus Diaantje!!, ben er super blij mee). Behind the image is some ribbon I have no idea what it's called but I've had it for ages and I cut it into pieces. A cute little feather behind the flowers, unfortunatelly not longer for sale at the shop where I bought them, a punched edge by Martha Stewart and distressing with Frayed Burlap distress ink and picked fence crackle paint both by Tim Holtz. Here is a close up:

Aren't they pretty? And because I forgot to take a picture of the little pieces again, here is a side view so you can sort of see the layers. Everything, including the leafs and the beaks of the birds was 3D paper pieced again.

If you have been joining us on our hops this past week and have left comments with me and/or my fellow teammates you might just be a winner. Don't forget to check out the Whimsy Stamps blog today, the winners should be announced there today. We still have a mini hop for you today as well though. No prizes but a lot of eye candy. So be sure to visit my DT buddies:

Well that's it for me for today. Tomorrow I'll have a card up on the Copic Marker Europe blog. Oh.... and almost forgot to tell you, I had a day with the Dutch girls from the Copic Marker Benelux and the Copic Marker Europe teams on Sunday and while there I became a Copic Certified Designer :). So now I can finally color properly :). Hope you like my card!!!

Huge hugs,

Mariska

Whimsy Stamps January release with Wee Bunny card

2012-01-18T18:00:00.003+01:00

Hi everybody,

Welcome to Whimsy Stamps January rubber stamp and die RELEASE DAY!

Whimsy Stamps is releasing 16 fantastic new rubber stamps and 2 wonderful new Shapeology dies. These new goodies are available to buy right now from the Whimsy Stamps store along with all your Whimsy favourites.

From today until 25 January the Whimsy DT and Special Guests will be showcasing these fabulous new stamps and dies with a daily mini blog hop. Each mini blog hop has a new release prize hidden somewhere along the way and you will have 24hrs to enter each prize draw by leaving a comment on every blog listed for that day.

To be entered into today's mini blog hop prize draw, be sure to leave a comment on ALL of the DT's posts listed under the piece about my card by 12:00PM EST tomorrow. All winners will be announced on the Whimsy Inspirations blog after 12:00PM on 25 January.

Here is the card I have to show you on release day. It is showing the absolutely adorable Wee Bunny by my sweet friend Sylvia Zet for Wee Stamps:

Isn't that bunny just adorable? The papers I used on this card are from an old line by Bo Bunny and I matched it up with some kraft and pink cardstock and then some sugarcoated and velvet cardstock by Doodlebug. The flowers and chandeliers are all from Wild Orchid Crafts and I have added some very tiny pearls in the left corner. The papers were all handstitched.

Now if you like the layout of my card... I do to but I SO cannot take credit for it. I, with permission (thank you so much Camilla!), cased one of my favorite cards ever by Camilla S. (and this is her Magnolia blog) that was featured in a Magnolia Magazine back in 2010. That card featured Cherry Tilda and when I look through my old magazines (every evening before I go to sleep) I always stop to have a stare at this card (and many other fabulous cards by Camilla because I am a huge fan of hers). Thank you for letting me case your card Camilla!! Yours is still so much prettier though!! Here is a close up of the cute little bunny:

As always, colored with Copic Markers and 3D paper pieced. The little dots around him are platinum liquid pearls. And finally for the people who love to see the little pieces, here are the parts that make this cute little bunny:

I do hope you like my card!! To take a peek at today's fabulous new release creations by the Design Team, please click on the links below...

Debbie Eastman
Ellie Stover
Erin Bailey
Mariska van der Veer {Special Guest}
Niki Estes
Stephanne Maraver
Tammy Louise Cunliffe

Here is a full list of the wonderful new goodies released today:

3 Crissy Armstrong rubber stamps
Everything's Just Ducky ~ Heart Hugs ~ Spring Zebra

4 Kenny K rubber stamps
Bodacious Bev ~ Cool Kid ~ Mad Skillz ~ Val Ventura

3 Meljen's Designs rubber stamps
Snow Bunny ~ Yeti Cocoa ~ Cozy Winter Raccoon

3 Wee Stamps rubber stamps
Bird Swing ~ Heidi ~ Wee Bunny

3 Raindrop Echo Designs rubber stamp sets
Sympathy Notables 3 (coordinating die available below)~ Thank You Tabs (coordinating die available below) ~ Celebrations Mini Tickets (coordinates with already released Mini Ticket die)

2 Raindrop Echo Designs Shapeology dies
Notables 3 (coordinating stamp set available above) ~ Tabs (coordinating stamp set available above)

Don't forget to visit the blogs of the other members of today's DT and leave a comment on their blog posts to be entered into the draw to win a new release stamp, then pop back to the Whimsy Inspirations blog tomorrow for the next list of showcase posts!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy our new release!

New Design Team member for Copic Marker Europe

2012-01-01T20:39:00.001+01:00

Hi everybody,

Just a quick post from me. First to wish everybody a wonderful 2012, I hope the new year brings you only good things! Don't worry... I'm not going to write every single good and bad thing that has happened this past year but I do want to thank you all for stopping by so often and for so many of you who were already following me or started following me this year. I love making cards but I have to admit the reactions I get, may it be in comments or just people starting to follow my blog are a huge thrill as well!

Second I'm very proud to announce that, starting January 16th, I am going to be part of the Design Team for Copic Marker Europe for six months!! I had never expected to be part of this team, you all know I love working with my Copic Markers but there is a big difference between loving to color with them and to be part of a team actually showing all the wonderful results you can get with these fabulous markers. Diny and Lydia contacted me though and told me they wanted me on the team so I just decided that you only live once and offers like these don't come along that often. I'm going to try my hardest not make them regret their offer :).

That's all for me girls!! See you back soon with actual projects :).

Big hug,

2011-12-31T13:37:00.001+01:00

Hi everybody!!
This is already my last post as December Guest Designer for Meljen's Designs and also my last post for this year! This of course had to be a happy new year's card and here it is:

For this card I used this gorgeous Meljen's digi called Patriotic Bear. This bear was officially made for the 4th of July I think but I figured that with non-American colors this cute bear with sparkles would be perfect for New Years as well. The pretty papers are by Basic Grey (Ambrosia) and My Minds Eye (Breaking Free) both from older lines, together with some orange and grey cardstock. The ribbon I bought at the Krea Doe I think, not sure what brand they are. The pearl stars are from Wild Orchid Crafts and colored orange with my Copic Markers as are the pearl parts of the Karen Foster Star Burst Brads that I bought ages ago. The star with the (computer generated) sentiment is a die by Magnolia that I actually won in the advent on the amazing Tab's blog (thank you again Tab and Magnolia!). Here is a close up of the image

As always colored with my fabulous Copic Markers and 3D paper pieced. There is some stickles on the bear and the edges were done with silver German Glass Glitter 80 grit that I bought at Wild Orchid Crafts. Here is a sort of side view:

And here are the little pieces:

Well that's it for me as Guest Designer for Meljen's Designs. I loved working with their gorgeous images this past month... but then I always do and I always will :). I guess all that's left is wish you all a safe and wonderful evening and night and just in case you read this tomorrow... a wonderful, healthy and creative 2012 filled with love!

Big hug!!

Third project as Guest designer for Meljen's Designs Party Time Cat

2011-12-24T14:06:00.001+01:00

Hi everybody!

I'm back with another card as this months guest designer for Meljen's Designs. Today I have a card to show you that I made for my "little" brothers upcoming birthday. I used the funny little Party Time Cat by Meljen's Designs for this card:

The papers that I used are kraft colored cardstock and Maja Design, Life by the Sea. The larger stars are cut with Nestabilities, the small stars are from Hotfix. The little golden sequins I bought on the Krea Doe and I love how they shine. All the edges were distressed again with Frayed Burlap Distress Ink. Here is a close up of the cute Party Time Cat:

As always, colored with my Copic Markers and 3D paper pieced. I've added lovely stickles here and there and the balloons are nice and shiny with a little help from Paper Glaze (after the stickles were dry). Here are the little pieces:

Well hope you like!!

I want to wish all of you a wonderful Christmas. Hope you get to spend it with the people you love!

Big hugs!

New Whimsy Stamps Magazine with a 3D tutorial by me

2011-12-21T23:05:00.001+01:00

He girls,

Sorry, no card from me for the blog hop today. If you do want to see my work though you might want to look at the new Wimsy Stamps Magazine!!! Issue 5 is out and on page 16 is a tutorial on how I 3D paper piece my images. Hope you like it, would love to hear what you think of it and if you decide to give it a try!! And if you don't like my tutorial there are more then enough other gorgeous projects by my fellow DT members that will blow your socks of! Have fun!!

Oh and almost forgot... you might just want to take a look at the Whimsy Stamps blog today to see if you are one of the winner of the Whimsy Blog Hops. One of the comments left on my blog last Monday won!
Big hug!
Mariska

Card with new Meljen's Design rubber release Lovin' Turtle

2011-12-19T15:51:00.003+01:00

Hi Everybody,
Finally my first card for the new Whimsy Stamps rubber release. Today I'm showing you a card I made with the extremely cute Lovin' Turtle by Meljen's Designs. When I first saw this image I knew I had to use my red or pink fun flock on the hearts, I bought them together with the white fun flock but never got around to actually using any other color then white. Making this card was a lovely change to all the Christmas projects I've had lately:

Now that's some color for you :). The gorgeous papers are by Bo Bunny from an older line called Sweetie Pie. I had all these ribbons in a back that fitted perfectly with the papers... they must have been in a kit but I don't remember which one. Anyway... since all these cute ribbons fitted so perfectly I decided to use a couple of them, love how they look. The gorgeous white flowers are by Wild Orchid Crafts except for the small white ones, those are by Creative Treasures. The pearl heart is also from Wild Orchid Craft and the gorgeous shiny heart button that doesn't come accross as pretty as it is is from The Ribbon Girl. The sentiments are computer generated and then with a little help from my Stamp-a-ma-jig I stamped the blanc frame from the new Friendship Notables 2 by Raindrop Echo Designs over them. The sentiments were then cut using the new matching Notables 2 Die. The sentiments read "I'm Thinking about you" and "The power of thought" in Dutch, I send this card out to somebody who has been diagnosed with cancer and has a long difficult treatment and operation ahead. I'm hoping this card will lift her spirits. Here is a close up of the gorgeous turtle:

As always colored with my beloved Copic Markers and 3D paper pieced for extra dimension. As mentioned the hearts have been fluffed with Fun Flock and the pink shell has been given a coat of gorgeous Stickles.

Hope you like my card!! I'm working very hard to have another preview for you ready on Wednesday. In the meantime... if you leave a comment on my blog and the blogs of the other girls from the Whimsy team displaying samples today you might just win yourself a prize from this new release! The talented girls and boy you also want to be visiting and leaving some love today are:

Hope to see you guys back on Wednesday!!

Third post as a Meljen's Designs Guest designer

2011-12-17T15:39:00.001+01:00

Hi everybody,

Already my third post as a guest designer for Meljen's Designs... boy is this month going by fast!! Today I have two projects to show you. The first I made for my dad who's birthday is today. My dad loves to fish and has done so for as long as I can remember. When I looked through the gorgeous digi's Meljen's Designs has for sale I decided that there wasn't a more perfect image to use for my dad's birthday then the Fisher Moose. Since they aren't the type to leave a birthday card standing around for forever I decided to make him a picture frame:

I know... I wanted to put a picture in the frame of my dad proudly holding a huge fish he had cought but the only pictures I had of him doing that were send to me by my parents and so small that they couldn't be printed so I decided to use this one and he can insert a better picture if he wants to. The cute fish is also a Meljen's digi and she is called Little Fish. Since it's a frame for my dad I wanted to keep it manly so the only things I added are webribbon, and a bit of fishing gear I bought at the local pet store. The wooden frame I bought at a Dutch store named "Blokker" for the Dutch ladies. Sorry for the terrible pictures by the way... I didn't finish this project until yesterday evening and by then the light was terrible and since we went to my dad early this morning I didn't have time to make a better picture. Here is a close up of the Fisher Moose though:

As always colored with Copics and 3D paper pieced, and so is this cutie Little Fish:

And this time I didn't forget to take a picture of the little pieces:

And I have a second project to show you this week. I made this tag for the Dutch club, Kaarten maken met Tiets. In the tradition of the fabulous Mr. Holtz we had our own seven tags of XMas and I made this tag as a sample for day three where the challenge was "Winter". Nicole from Meljen's had send me this gorgeous Cozy Winter Wolf Pup and I figured he was just perfect to use for this theme:

The papers used are brown and white cardstock and very old design paper by My Minds Eye. I've distressed the papers with Distress Ink Walnut Stain, Aleene's Glitter Snow and Platinum Stickles. Here is a close up of the cute Wolf Pup:

Isn't he adorable? I also used my new Tim Holtz Snow Flurries die and decided to treat it as Tim Holtz treated his snowman on his (I think) third tag this year. I didn't like the result though, probably because I used to little Crackle Paint Rock Candy, so after painting it white, painting it with the Rock Candy and distressing it with stains I added Stickles and paper glaze. I love how it looked after that (you can click the picture to see it better):

The fabulous sentiment is by Ann Vento for Whimsy Stamps, the set is called Winter Letter Seals.

Hope you like my two projects!! Love to hear what you think!!

Big hug!!

New Whimsy Stamps release!

2011-12-14T18:16:00.000+01:00

Welcome to Whimsy Stamps December rubber stamp and die RELEASE DAY!

Whimsy Stamps is releasing 20 gorgeous new rubber stamps, 3 fabulous new Shapeology dies and 6 new Shape EZ templates and cut files today. These new goodies are available to buy right now from the Whimsy Stamps store along with all your Whimsy favourites.

From today until 21 December the Whimsy DT and Special Guests will be showcasing these fabulous new stamps, dies and Shape EZs with a daily mini blog hop. Each mini blog hop has a new release prize hidden somewhere along the way and you will have 24hrs to enter each prize draw by leaving a comment on every blog listed for that day.

To be entered into today's mini blog hop prize draw, be sure to leave a comment on ALL of the DT's posts listed below by 12:00PM EST tomorrow. All winners will be announced on the Whimsy Inspirations blog after 12:00PM on 21 December.

To take a peek at today's fabulous new release creations by the Design Team, please click on the links below...

Deb Routledge {Special Guest}
Ellie Stover
Erin Bailey
Tammy Louise Cunliffe

Here is a full list of the wonderful new goodies released today:

5 Crissy Armstrong rubber stamps
Giraffes in Love ~ Lend me your Ear ~ Valentine Fairy ~ Love Birds ~ Jumbo in Love

4 Kenny K rubber stamps
Atlantea ~ Groove Dude ~ Miss Fortune ~ Miss Thang

3 Meljen's Designs rubber stamps
Lovey Pup ~ Lovin' Turtle ~ Loving Ewe

4 Wee Stamps rubber stamps
Fluffy on the Lily ~ Rose and Felix ~ Sam's Special Delivery ~ Spring Bringer

4 Raindrop Echo Designs rubber stamp sets
Everyday Circle Postmarks ~ Friendship Notables 2 (coordinating die available below) ~ Love Mini Tickets (coordinating die available below) ~ Stylized Notables 1 (coordinates with already released Notables 1 die)

3 Raindrop Echo Designs Shapeology dies
Mini Ticket (coordinating stamp set available above) ~ Notables 2 (coordinating stamp set available above) ~ Country Heart

6 Shape EZ downloadable templates
Flip Tree ~ Magnolia Flower ~ Mini Rosettes ~ Pedestal Tag 1 ~ Sparkle Holiday Pin ~ Take Out Box

Don't forget to visit today's DT and leave a comment on their blog posts to be entered into the draw to win a new release stamp, then pop back to the Whimsy Inspirations blog tomorrow for the next list of showcase posts!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy our new release! I'll be back early next week with samples.

Second project as Meljen's Designs Guest designer

2011-12-10T15:00:00.002+01:00

Hi everybody!!

Back with my second project as Meljen's Designs Guest Designer. For this card I used the absolutely adorable Snow Bunny that I've been SO wanting to use for forever!! I used gorgeous Basic Grey paper that I've had and treasured for ages and a lot of new stash that arrived from SCACD the other day. First... here is my card:

Don't you just LOVE the gorgeous die that I used on the bottom of the card? It is the Frostyville Border by Memory Box. I've stickled it up and added some pearls. A little part that I cut off I used on the left and I've also added some gorgeous snowflakes from a punch by Martha Stewart, again with pretty pearls and stickles. The snow on the floor was created using this fabulous new (for me) product that I also bought at SCACD, it's called Shaved Ice and it's by Stampendous and I'm in love with it. Now it says very clearly in Susana's shop that she doesn't ship the product internationally but she did me a big favor and I'm so glad she did! If you read this... thank you so much Susana, love it!! You'll get a better view in the next close up picture. The furry part was done with a new product as well that I bought at SCACD, Sparkly Fluff. The ribbon is from my old stash and today I've used an also new buy, Distress Stickles Frayed Burlap, the same color I used as a distress ink to distress the edges again. Here is a close up of the image:

Colored with Copics as always, 3D paper pieced as always and don't you LOVE the shaved ice!!!? I forgot to take a picture of the little pieces... was to busy loving making this but here is a picture of the back:

Hope you like!! Be back soon!! Big hug everybody!

Guest designer for Meljen's Designs

2011-12-03T15:35:00.001+01:00

Hi everybody!
I am very proud to announce that during the month of December I get to be the guest designer for Meljen's Designs. I adore Melissa Jenkins', the artist behind Meljen's Designs, gorgeous style. Her characters are SO cute and I love all the little stripes, hearts and dots she places around the images, besides that, there isn't a stamp brand more suitable for the 3D technique I love to apply so much. Thank you so much for having me Melissa and Nicole!!

My first project is with one of the newer images by Meljen's, this precious image is called Holly Christmas Fairy and the first time I saw her I thought... wouldn't she be perfect to place on a Christmas sentiment... and so I did :) :

Hope you like the bold colors with the white. It isn't what I usually do but I sort of love how it turned out. The papers are Echo Park Holly Jolly Christmas (the 6x6 paper pad), the poinsettia is from a die-set by Magnolia and the ribbon and brads I bought at the Krea Doe (Dutch Fair) earlier this year and I have no idea what brand they are.Then all that's left is some white cardstock, two different embossing folders by Cuttlebug and again the square doillies I bought on Ebay. I've been distressing with my Frayed Burlap distress ink again and the image and papers has been spiced up with some stickles. The sentiment is an old one by Elzybells that no longer excists unfortunatelly. Here is a close up of the cute fairy:

Isn't she cute!! As always she was colored with Copic Markers and 3D paperpieced. The furr parts have been done with Fun Flock again.

I also decorated the back of the card. Again, you can find this gorgeous personalized stamp HERE and yes, the design is also by Melissa of Meljen's Designs together with Ann Vento of Raindrop Echo Designs. Finally... the little pieces:

Hope you like my first guest designer card!! Remember, much more of these gorgeous images can be found at Meljen's Designs!

PCS digi contest at the Dutch Club of Tiets

2011-12-01T15:53:00.002+01:00

Hi girls,
Today I have a box to show you that I made for the Dutch Club of Tiets. A couple of times a year we have a digi contest where one generous company gives us a totally new digi to work with. Members (who have been so for at least three weeks) of the club can get the digi and in return they make an entry for the competition. I asked my friend Melissa from Pink Cat Studio if she'd like to provide us with a digi and, as sweet as she is, she said yes and also gave us a price to give to the lucky winner. The team of the Club always make samples and since I'm on the team... here is mine:

Isn't that the perfect digi for this time of the year. If you really like it and are not a member of the Club of Tiets, don't worry, it'll be in the Pink Cat Studio digi store after the 15th of December. The sentiment reads "zaaaalige kerstdagen" which means both blessed Christmas Days (we celebrate Christmas on two days instead of one) and delicious Christmas Days, zalig has both meanings in Dutch. Here is a close up of cute Betty, colored with Copics and 3D paperpieced:

The furry parts are again Fun Flock. Here is a sideview of the clear box that I bought at a Dutch store named Blokker:

And finally a picture of the inside of the box, it's a hot chocolate package filled with cocoa, sugarbags, whipped cream (lasting), marshmallows and a little bottle of rum.

Hope you like my project!! Thank you again for all the lovely comments you always give me!!

Big hug,

Birthday card with Sugar Nellie's Let them eat Cake

2011-11-25T15:18:00.001+01:00

Back!!!

And today not with a DT card but with a card that I made for a birthday earlier this week. I knew she liked this stamp so I decided to use "Let them eat Cake" by Sugar Nellie:

I do hope she likes pink :). The papers are all old ones from my scrapfolder, the pink one I've embossed with THIS Cuttlebug stencil. The gorgeous pink flowers are all from Wild Orchid Crafts, the pink ribbon I've had for ages and no idea where I bought that. The leafs are from a punch by Martha Stewart. The oval shapes are by Spellbinders and I've attached some very small rhinestones with my Hotfix (never use that thing :) ). The gorgeous sentiment is by Ann Vento, Raindrop Echo Designs for Whimsy Stamp and the name of the set is Birthday Letter Seals. The paper doillie in the corner is just a the edge of a very large square paper doilly that I bought on Ebay... can't seem to find them anymore sorry! Here is a close up of the image:

Colored with Copics and 3D paperpieced for extra dimension. Lots of stickles, liquid pearls both in little dots around the image and as icing on the cake and everything is distressed with Frayed Burlap distress ink again. Here is the back of the card with my personal stamp that I bought at Whimsy Stamps HERE.

And finally... the little pieces :).

Hope you guys like my card? Love to hear what you think!!! Have a great day everybody!!

Whimsy Stamps november release showcase day 6 with Wee Stamps Christmas Bunny

2011-11-22T18:00:00.011+01:00

Hello everybody,

First, thank you all so much for the amazing amount of lovely comments I received on the bag I showed you last Tuesday! Today I have my second and last card to show you with one of the stamps that was released by Whimsy Stamps on November 16th. Today I'm showing a card made with the precious Christmas Bunny by Wee Stamps for Whimsy Stamps as well as one of the gorgeous Winter Notables sentiments (that was cut with one of the two co-ordinating dies):

I'm sorry if the picture looks a bit blurry, the light has been terrible to take pictures today and this was the best I could make of it. I'm afraid the gorgeous glitter that is everywhere on this card doesn't come off very well. Remember if you click on the pictures you get a larger view and that will be way sharper! But don't you love that gorgeous Christmas bunny? I think he is SO sweet. The papers used are from the Authentique Wonder Bundle Paper pack, the larger poinsettia flowers were made with a Magnolia Die, the brad I bought on the Krea Doe and I have no idea which company they are from. The smaller flowers are by Prima and came together on a branch, I cut them off and added some xmas red stickles to the stamen. The white paper used for the flowers and the different layers of the card has a pearly shine to it, I've had it for ages, no idea which company it's from again sorry. The square doillies I bought on Ebay a while back but I don't think they are sold there anymore. Finally there was added a LOT of platinum stickles and Frayed Burlap distress ink to the edges. Here is a close up of the image:

As always he is colored with Copic Markers and then 3D paperpieced. The snowflakes were accentuated with drops of White Opal Liquid Pearls, there has been added stickles to the ribbon on the parcels as well as the red berries on the wrapping paper and the fur parts were done with fun flock again. The snow below the sleigh is Flower Soft Polar White. And for the lovers of the little pieces:

Hope you like my card! Remember each mini blog hop (so also this one) has a new release prize hidden somewhere along the way and you have 24hrs to enter each prize draw.

To be entered into today's mini blog hop prize draw, be sure to leave a comment on ALL of the DT's posts listed below by 12.00PM EST tomorrow. All winners will be announced on the Whimsy Inspirations blog after 12.00PM EST on 23 November.

To take a peek at today's fabulous new release creations, please click on the links below...

Debbie Eastman
Ellie Stover
Erin Bailey
Mariska van der Veer {Special Guest}
Tammy Louise Cunliffe
Zoe McGrath {Special Guest}

Remember that the entire new release is available to buy right now from the Whimsy Stamps store along with all your Whimsy favourites.

Big hug!

Whimsy Stamps Release day, Bundled Little Snowman Meljen's Designs

2011-11-16T16:06:00.001+01:00

Welcome to Whimsy Stamps November rubber stamp and die RELEASE DAY!

Whimsy Stamps has released 20 fabulous new rubber stamps and 4 wonderful new Shapeology die sets today. These new goodies are available to buy right now from the Whimsy Stamps store along with all your Whimsy favourites.
From today until 23 November the Whimsy DT and Special Guests will be showcasing these fabulous new stamps and dies with a daily mini blog hop. Each mini blog hop has a new release prize hidden somewhere along the way and you will have 24hrs to enter each prize draw by leaving a comment on every blog listed for that day.

To be entered into today's mini blog hop prize draw, be sure to leave a comment on ALL of the DT's posts listed below by 12.00PM EST tomorrow. All winners will be announced on the Whimsy Inspirations blog after 12.00PM on 23 November.

Well, here is my sample for the release day hop:

The cute image is Bundled little snowboy by Meljen's Designs and decorated a paper bag with him that I filled with a bag of the yummy white candy (spekjes in Dutch) that you see in front of the bag. The poem is in Dutch and you'll find it on the third picture but it's inspired by a lot of different English poems I found on the net about snowman poo... I made my own Dutch variation. Here is a close up of the cute snowboy:

As always colored with Copics, stickled up and 3D paper pieced. The papers are from a 6x6 paper pad from Echo Park called Seasons Greetings. The brads I bought on the Dutch Krea Doe and they didn't have a brandname on them and the snowflakes are by Unique Hobby Products and I also bought those on the Krea Doe. The snowaccents are Aleene's Glitter Snow and the "furry accents" were again done with Fun Flock again Fun Flock. All the edges were distressed with Frayed Burlap Distress Ink and then stickled up with Platinum Stickles. Here is a close up of the handwritten "poem":

A free translation, around Christmas a little gesture, a bit of chocolate or candy. Or in this case, perhaps a bit strange, a bag of snowman poo. Sounds really stupid in English but in Dutch it makes sense and it rhymes. Like I said if you search for Snowman Poo on google you'll find a lot of different English poems.

I'll leave you with the details about the release and the blog hops!! Hope you liked my sneak peek. Have fun everybody!!

xxx

To take a peek at today's fabulous new release creations by the Design Team, please click on the links below...

Beate Johns {Special Guest}
Debbie Eastman
Deb Routledge {Special Guest}
Ellie Stover
Erin Bailey
Mariska van der Veer {Special Guest}
Stephanne Maraver
Tammy Louise Cunliffe

Here is a full list of the wonderful new rubber stamps and dies released today:

5 Crissy Armstrong rubber stamps
Cool Pony ~ Penguin Skier ~ Sealed With A Kiss ~ Served With Love ~ Snow Fun

4 Kenny K rubber stamps
Brianna Blaster ~ Sexy Elf ~ Superhero ~ Toy Soldier

3 Meljen's Designs rubber stamps
Bundled Little Snowboy ~ Cozy Little Chickadees ~ Cozy Winter Owl

5 Wee Stamps rubber stamps
A Letter For Me ~ Christmas Bunny ~ Let It Snow ~ Suzi With Bunny ~ Wee Florist

3 Raindrop Echo Designs rubber stamp sets
Cozy Hands sentiments (co-ordinating die set available) ~ Sleigh Ride ~ Winter Notables (co-ordinating dies available)

4 Raindrop Echo Designs Shapeology dies
Layered Snowflakes ~ Mittens (co-ordinating stamp set available) ~ Notables 1 (co-ordinating stamp set available) ~ Elegant Notables 1 (co-ordinating stamp set available)

Don't forget to visit today's DT and leave a comment on their blog posts to be entered into the draw to win a new release stamp, then pop by the Whimsy Inspirations blog tomorrow for the next list of showcase posts!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy our new release!

Challenge at The club of Tiets with Sugar Nellie Knitted with Love

2011-11-01T09:00:00.001+01:00

Hi Everybody!!
Today I have a card to show you that's a little out of my comfort zone. Some of the Dutch girls who read my blog may know that I am a team member over at the Club of Tiets. It's a Dutch club where the members can participate in challenges but can also just show the things they have created and ask questions and stuff. Starting November first there is a new sketch up on the club and as a team member I have made a sample for the challenge. The sketch is by the "boss lady" Tiets and since her cards are usually with a lot of layers of paper so is the sketch. Not my usual style but I love a challenge so here is my result:

I have to admit I'm not used yet to all the paper but I don't hate my card... it's just not my usual :). The gorgeous stamp is by Sugar Nellie and she's called Knitted with love. I love her and the first moment I saw here I knew I had to use my paper bloc of Eline's Old Fashioned Nursery for it. I love the woolen pattern on one of the designs and I thought it would be perfect with the heart. The sentiment is by Nicole Verkooijen and the flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts. The tag is a DooHickey by Magnolia, the lace and the bandage are from my stash. The edges of the paper were first distressed with Distress Ink Walnut Stain, then I've heated some liquid applique to the corners and finally I added some Platinum Stickles here and there. Here is a close up of the image:

Isn't she cute? I used the Diamond Stickles on the image, colored her with Copics and 3D paper pieced her for extra dimension (what else is new). I've also added some Fun Flock again. Here is a side view so you can see the layers better:

And finally for the lovers of the little pieces:

Well hope you like my card! For the Dutch (and Belgian, and also some German and even an English) girls be sure to join us over at Tiets' if you want to give the sketch a go!

I'd like to enter this card into the Simon Says Challenge which is Anything Goes,

and in the Sweet Stampin' Challenge which is also Anything Goes.

Guest Designer for Deep Ocean Challenge Blog

2011-10-25T09:05:00.002+02:00

Hi everybody!!

My lovely colleague over at Whimsy Stamps Alberto Gava asked me to be his guest and join him and his talented co-designers over at the Deep Ocean Challenge Blog and of course I couldn't refuse. The team is absolutely amazing so I only hope my creation is a little bit what he expected when he asked me.

This bi-weekly challenge is SWEETIES, and it's sponsored by Miekelotte. Alberto told me that I was free to do something Halloween-like or not and since we don't celebrate Halloween here I decided to make a sweet gift for someone to send for Christmas. Here is the front:

The papers used are by Magnolia, Pebbles Inc and Doodlebug (velvet cardstock). The corners, pink ribbon and roses are by Wild Orchid Crafts and the little white flowers are Daisy Double Layer flowers that I bought from Creative Treasures, the cute little bell on the side of the wallet is also by Wild Orchid Crafts but I got this one from my fellow DT member at the club of Tiets, Joyce (nogmaals bedankt Joyce!!!). Then there is some bandage underneath the paper and the snowflakes is the waste from the edge I punched on the inside with my Martha Stewart Edge punch. A lot of Star Dust stickles everywhere and the edges of the paper and the inside of the nestabilitie were distressed with Stormy Sky Distress Ink. The precious little fairy is called Elin with Star and she is a clear stamp by Nellie Snellen. She is colored with Copic Markers and 3D paper pieced. Here is a close up:

Now on the inside I made pockets to add some yummie chocolate and some lovely vanilla coffee sachets. I figured with the warm and snuggly sentiment on the front of the project this was a nice step to get the receiver there.

Here's the inside with the filling separate. Ritter sport chocolate is so yummie but I truly don't get why they have sport in the name... maybe to help me convince myself that it isn't that bad if I eat it :).

That's it I guess!! If you want to join "us" at the Deep Ocean Challenge blog for this bi-weekly challenge go HERE and have fun!!

I'm also entering this project in the current challenge at Paper Sundaes, Sundae bar; use at least two of the toppings black, sparkle, flowers or distressing. My card has sparkle, flowers and distressing :).

Big hug!

Preview of the new Whimsy Stamps release

2011-10-17T18:00:00.003+02:00

Hi girls!!

Today I have a card to show you with a fabulous new image by Kenny K that has been released by Whimsy Stamps last Wednesday. This post is part of a mini-hop that started on the Whimsy Stamps blog. For the full details of the hop and the release please check the info beneath this card. Do want to point out though that by leaving a comment on this card you might have a chance to win a new release prize since there is one hidden somewhere along the way. To be entered into today's mini blog hop prize draw, be sure to leave a comment on ALL of the DT's posts listed below by 12.00PM EST tomorrow morning. All winners will be announced on the Whimsy Inspirations blog after 12.00PM on 19 October.

Onto my card:

The gorgeous Santa lady is called Mistletoe and I think she is SO gorgeous! The mini stamps used are also in the new release and they are called Holiday Mini Postage Stamps and you can cut them out with the coordinating Mini Postage Stamp Die. I love the "because you've been naughty/nice" stamp in combination with this gorgeous lady. I put a little cross in the naughty box with red liquid pearls. The papers used are white and red cardstock and a My Minds Eye Lost and Found Christmas paper pad. The pretty glittery holly are by Prima, some rhinestones from stash in the corner and some bandage and stitching to finish things off. Now a close up of the image:

As you can hopefully see she is 3D paper pieced and colored with Copic Markers. The furry bits have been done with Fun Flock again. And look at those gorgeous mini stamps! Here is a side view so you hopefully can see the 3D better:

And for the lovers of little pieces... here they are :) :

Thank you very much for your visit today! Don't forget to leave a comment because there may just be a prize hidden. Below are all the details about the October release! Have fun and thank you again!

I'm entering this card in the next challenge:
Charisma Cardz Challenge 41, In Stitches.

Last Wednesday Whimsy Stamps has released 15 fabulous new rubber stamps and 2 wonderful new Shapeology die sets. These new goodies are available to buy right now from the Whimsy Stamps store along with all your Whimsy favourites.

Since Wednesday and until 19 October, the Whimsy DT and Special Guests have been and will be showcasing these fabulous new stamps and dies with a daily mini blog hop. Each mini blog hop has a new release prize hidden somewhere along the way and you will have 24hrs to enter each prize draw by ensuring you leave a comment on every blog listed for that day.

To be entered into today's mini blog hop prize draw, be sure to leave a comment on ALL of the DT's posts listed below by 12.00PM EST tomorrow morning. All winners will be announced on the Whimsy Inspirations blog after 12.00PM on 19 October.

To take a peek at today's fabulous new release creations by the Design Team, please click on the links below...

Ellie Stover
Erin Bailey
Mariska van der Veer (you are here now)
Simonne Clay
Stephanne Maraver
Sylvia Blum

Here is a full list of the wonderful new rubber stamps Whimsy Stamps has now released:

4 Crissy Armstrong rubber stamps
Bart Loves Christmas ~ Christmas Dreaming ~ Jolly Little Santa ~ Little Santa Claws

4 Kenny K rubber stamps
Drama Queen ~ Lady Victoria ~ Mistletoe ~ Mrs Claus

7 Raindrop Echo Designs rubber stamp sets
Holiday Mini Postage Stamps ~ Holiday Pennants ~ Postcard to Santa ~ Seasonal Ornaments (compatible die available) ~ Stockings (compatible die available) ~ Advent Calendar ~ Holiday Postage Stamps

2 Raindrop Echo Designs Shapeology dies
Stockings Dies ~ Ornaments Dies

Finally, I would like to let you know that issue #4 of the Whimsy Stamps Inspirations Magazine will be released on 19 October! Woo-hoo! It's a FULL issue packed with never-before-seen creations from the Whimsy Stamps DT and guest designers, so be sure to check it out for lots of gorgeous inspiration!

I've created my own Pink Cat Studio image... and you can too!!

2011-10-06T15:08:00.001+02:00

Hi girls,

Back already!! First I wanted to thank everybody for the huge number on comments on my Wee Suzi bottle hanger in yesterday's post! Reading all those comments really made my day!

Today I have another Christmas card to show you with an image by Pink Cat Studio. You will not be able to find this image in the PCS store though... I made it myself!! Melissa, the owner and designer of Pink Cat Studio, who also is a fabulous friend and a lovely person (*waving*), created this program, the Digi Stamp designer. She asked me if I wanted to try it out last week and of course I had to give it a go. It's super easy, anyone can do it if they know how a mouse works. You can choose a PCS character, give him or her clothes, accessories, hair, you name it. It's so easy to use that Melissa even invited an eight year old little girl as a guest designer for this release and this girl, Shiloh Bruckler, daughter of MacKenzie Bruckler, did a fabulous job at it!!

Anyway... you should really go and check it out, you'll have a ball, but first here is my card with my Digi Stamp Designer image:

Isn't he cute? It's my favorite PCS character, the cute little bunny from the Fairy Friends set. I made him into a Christmas fairy with all this cute little stars... I love it! Here is a close up of MY little Christmas bunny :):

Isn't he cute? Colored with Copics of course and 3D paperpieced with stickles on the stars and Cotton Ball White Fun Flock by Stampendous on the white of his hat. I also did a quick decoration of the inside:

Very simple, the sentiment is also by Pink Cat Studio and you can download that for free on the PCS digital website. Papers used are all cardstock and Basic Grey. The gold ribbon and the little bells are by Wild Orchid Crafts. Love the fact that this card makes a sound when you touch it :). Melissa is also releasing some cute new digi's by the way:

You'll find these cuties HERE!! But of course first try the new Digi Stamp Designer!!

Have fun!!
xxx
Mariska

Whimsy Stamps Wee release blog hop with Wee Suzi wine bottle hanger

2011-10-05T18:00:00.002+02:00

Hello and welcome to the Wee Stamps for Whimsy Stamps BLOG HOP!

On Sunday we announced the wonderful news that Whimsy Stamps is exclusively releasing Sylvia Zet's beautiful Wee Stamps collection in rubber!

Whimsy Stamps is releasing 6 new Wee Stamps for Whimsy Stamps today and these new goodies are available to buy right now from the Whimsy Stamps store along with all your Whimsy favourites.

The Whimsy Stamps DT and Special Guests have been showcasing these fabulous stamps for the past 3 days, and today we are celebrating their release with a BLOG HOP! We are delighted to welcome our wonderful special guests who are joining the Whimsy DT for this hop - Alberto Gava, Mariska van der Veer (me :) ), Jacque Beddingfield, Dena Concienne, Tab Robinson and Sylvia Zet herself!

The hop starts today (Wednesday October 5th at noon EST) and ends on Tuesday October 11th at noon EST.

For this hop we have 5 different prize draws! One lucky hopper will win the entire new release of 6 stamps. We also have 4 mini candy stops throughout the hop where you can enter to win a new release stamp! I'm not going to tell you where they are, so if you haven't found them you'll just have go back to the beginning and start hopping! *wink*

If you would like to hop along with us today and haven’t arrived from Ellie Stover’s blog, please CLICK HERE to return to the beginning of the hop at Ann’s blog.

For my blog creation I used the first image Sylvia Zet ever released... the pretty Wee Suzi. I decided she'd be perfect to decorate a small gift with and since I'm planning on giving somebody a nice bottle of Rosé wine sometime soon I decided to decorate that bottle:

I'll list the materials on the bottom of this post but as you can see some gorgeous sentiments there from Whimsy Stamps as well as the gorgeous die that was released in the last release. Here is a closer view:

As always Wee Suzi has been colored with Copics and completely 3D paper pieced... completely... also the little flowers and leaves and remember, I color them, cut them, color the sides and the underlying layers, emboss and glue.... you SO don't want to know how long this project has taken me!

A side view so you can see the layers better:

And for the lovers of the little pieces here is a pic of part of them. All of the flowers and leaves I cut etc. one by one at the end because I didn't want to puzzle which leaf and which flower went where. But all of the black dots in her hair and on the flower pot and dress have been 3D'd.

That's it for my creation. Hope you like it!! So now it’s time for you to continue the hop by hopping over to the amazing Alberto Gava’s blog, I'm sure this sweetie has something absolutely gorgeous for you in store!

Finally, here is a complete blog hop list in hopping order:

Ann Vento
Chris Olsen Tammy Louise Cunliffe
Debbie Eastman
Dena Concienne
Stephanne Maraver
Sylvia Blum
Jacque Beddingfield
Erin Bailey
Ellie Stover
Mariska van der Veer (me again :) )
Alberto Gava
Simonne Clay
Annika Ryan
Tab Robinson
Sylvia Zet

Thank you so much for hopping with us today and I hope you enjoy the new release! Remember you can find all the new cuties HERE!

MATERIALS USED:

Image: Wee Suzi by Wee Stamps brought to you in rubber by Whimsy Stamps

Sentiments: Friendship ticket sentiment (with die also available) by Whimsy Stamps, Circle Postmarks by Whimsy Stamps

Paper: Cardstock and Basic Grey Green at heart Paper Pad

Vines: Vines Die set by Whimsy Stamps

Flowers: Sheer Blooms by Creative Treasures

Ribbon: I'm not sure about the gross grained ribbon and the dark red ribbon but the pink ribbon is by Wild Orchid Crafts (I think the dark red ribbon might be too)

Die at the bottom: Fancy Hearts border die by Whiff of Joy

Sneak peek Wee Stamps Winter Fairy for Whimsy Stamps

2011-10-03T19:06:00.001+02:00

Hi girls (and boy ;) ),

As you may have already read on my blog, Whimsy Stamps will now be releasing Sylvia Zet's adorable wee collection exclusively in Whimsy rubber! So if you aren't crazy about digi's, can't work with them or just want those adorable images in rubber because you are a rubber addict (like me) you can soon purchase your favorite image from Whimsy Stamps!

This month Whimsy Stamps will be releasing six Wee Stamps for Whimsy Stamps rubber stamps on 5 October: Autumn Happiness ~ Rose's Bike Ride ~ Silver Fairy ~ Sweet Blossom ~ Wee Suzi ~ Winter Fairy.

Yesterday different members of the Design Team started showing you gorgeous samples with these cute images, we will also be doing this today and tomorrow and to top things off we will be holding a fantastic BLOG HOP on 5 October to celebrate the new release!! Be sure to join us then as we will be giving away the entire release to one lucky hopper as well as having a few secret prize draws scattered throughout the hop.

But today I have a first peak for you! I used a Wee Stamp image I haven't used before, the Winter Fairy. Loved her from the moment I saw her! Here is my card with this precious stamp:

Papers are older ones and the strip where the brand and the line is on is missing so can't tell you that I'm afraid. The charm is from Whimsy Stamp as is the sentiment which is one of the Holiday Ticket sentiments that I cut out with my Ticket Die. The ribbon and poinsettia flowers are by Wild Orchid Crafts. The rims (is this the right word?) on her coat and boots were covered with some Cotton Ball White Fun Flock by Stampendous, the corners of the image have a little bit of white embossing powder but I don't think that shows well and the snowflakes were created with white liquid pearls. Some stickles and a bit of glossy accents on the berries and that's it! Now as always a close up of the gorgeous image, of course she was colored with Copics and 3D paperpieced for extra dimension:

And one more picture so you can see the 3D better:

And for the fans of my little pieces; here they are, there are some missing that were on the right like the ear muffs but you get the idea:

And finally I wanted to show you the back of this card. I ordered my own special stamp from Whimsy Stamps to go on the back of my cards and this is my first time using it.... LOVE it!:

If you want to order one of those for yourself be sure to check HERE. The Winter Fairy and the other gorgeous Wee Stamps being released by Whimsy Stamps will be in store on October 5th!

To take a peek at today's amazing sneak peek projects by the other team members, please visit the DT listed below...

Annika Ryan
Chris Olsen
Debbie Eastman
Ellie Stover
Erin Bailey
Jacque Beddingfield
Sylvia Blum

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget that tomorrow there will be more peaks from other design team members. I will be here again for the hop on the 5th!

If you ever wanted a Simply Betty Stamp... buy them now!

2011-10-03T00:19:00.000+02:00

Hi girls,

I'm planning a sneak peek of one the gorgeous Wee Stamps being released in rubber tomorrow but had to stop by today to point out THIS post to you. Please read it! If, like me, you have been thinking about buying a Simply Betty stamp or digi for some time now but haven't done it already.. or if you have bought them but had some you'd left of buying for a different time... do so now. Read the post and you'll understand!

As a mom of three I just wanted to bring this to your attention!

Big hug,
Mariska

Baby box for little baby Kian with Whipper Snapper stamp

2011-09-22T11:00:00.001+02:00

Hello sweet people!

Back with another box :). This time it's one I bought though, for the Dutch girls, deze doos is van de Hema, je koopt ze met z'n tweetjes in elkaar en dit is de kleinste van de twee. Friends of ours had a very cute little boy they named Kian on September 2nd (as you can see on the label :) ) and we wanted to give them a gift. The absolutely adorable stamp is by Whipper Snapper Designs and it's called Floppy Bunny Trio. The tickets are of course by Whimsy Stamps (love my ticket stamps and die) and I used the blank tickets from the Friendship and the Holiday set again, cut them both out with my ticket die and hand-wrote the birth-date of little Kian and his place of birth which is actually Zoetermeer but in a free translation I wrote down Sweet Lake City :).

The letters for the name are Alpha Corrugated Kraft by Rusty Pickle, I've had those for ages and finally decided to use them. I've distressed them with paint and ink. The brown ribbon is from Wild Orchid Crafts and the design paper (I used a plate to make the circle) is from stash and very old and a piece of cardstock of course. I used my brown Memento dual tip marker for the faux stitching. I distressed everything with Tim Holtz Distress Ink Frayed Burlap (my favorite). Let's do a close up of the cute bunnies, colored with Copics and 3D paper pieced:

There are some white liquid pearls around them, took that from the tips posted on the blog of the brilliant Camilla HERE. I can't imagine anybody not knowing her work but if you haven't here full blog is HERE. A side view of the box with the lid, so you can see the 3D :) :

And the inside of the box, very cute little shoes and a set of a longsleeve and trousers. I ordered the shirt and the trousers from a dutch company named Rainbowbabies and I let them print his name and his birth-year with a copyright symbol on the shirt in a flock print. Love personalized gifts like this!

Well hope you like the gift we got for Kian. I think his parents did and I'm sure Kian will to when he's grown into the cloths and shoes :). Take care!!

Whimsy stamps september showcase with Pum Kinnie Fairy

2011-09-20T15:05:00.003+02:00

First, sorry for everybody who came by here yesterday expecting to find a showcase card for Whimsy Stamps. I had the dates screwed up in my head and was very busy yesterday evening getting my card ready which I thought was for today!! I didn't find out I should have posted this card until after midnight my time and I still hadn't finished my card then. But I do hope you'll be checking out my blog today because today I do have a card to show you using the precious Pum Kinnie Fairy by Crissy Armstrong for Whimsy Stamps:

A very simple card really. I've colored the pretty fairy with my Copics and 3D paperpieced her as always. The rest is flowers by Wild Orchid Crafts, a scrap of design paper and kraft cardstock. Here is a close up of the fairy:

Hope you guys like!! Here are the mini blog hop details:

Each mini blog hop will have a new release prize hidden somewhere along the way and you will have 24hrs to enter each prize draw.

To be entered into today's mini blog hop prize draw, be sure to leave a comment on ALL of the DT's posts listed below by 9.00am EST tomorrow morning. All winners will be announced here on the Whimsy Inspirations blog after 12noon on September 21st.

The Design Team members you want to be visiting today are:

Annika Ryan
Debbie Eastman
Mariska van der Veer {Special Guest} (you're already here :) )
Sylvia Blum
Tammy Louise Cunliffe
Zoe McGrath {Special Guest}

Remember that the entire new release is available to buy right now from the Whimsy Stamps store along with all your Whimsy favourites. Whimsy Stamps is also offering a fabulous 10% discount on all new release stamps and die. There is no need to enter any code when checking out as the 10% discount has already been applied. (Please note that this special discount is valid for one week only and until stocks last, and expires at midnight EST on Wednesday 21 September 2011.)

Big hugs!!

Mariska

2011-09-17T15:00:00.071+02:00

Hello and welcome to Day 3 of our September Rubber Die Release Showcase!

Last Wednesday, Whimsy Stamps released our September rubber designs and new dies! From then until September 20th, the Whimsy Stamps DT will be showcasing these fabulous new stamps and shapeology die with a daily mini blog hop.

Each mini blog hop will have a new release prize hidden somewhere along the way and you will have 24hrs to enter each prize draw.

To be entered into today's mini blog hop prize draw, be sure to leave a comment on ALL of the DT's posts listed below by 9.00am EST tomorrow morning (voor de Nederlandse dames, dat is 15.00 uur morgenmiddag). All winners will be announced on the Whimsy Inspirations blog after 12noon EST on September 21st.

Today I am one of the Design Team members showing a sample. I decided to showcase one of the fabulous Autumn Letter Seals by Ann Vento for Raindrop Echo Designs for Whimsy Stamps. I love Ann's sentiments and these are no exception, they are just gorgeous to showcase as a main image on a card..... so I did :):

I know it's not the usual card for me but I actually love how this card turned out. I've taken a lot of scraps of cardstock in autumny colors and cut different leaves out of it using Spellbinders Shapeabilities Foliage. I distressed the leaves with different shades of distress ink, embossed them as I always do with my 3D images and glued them on with my Olba glue. On top I glued he pretty Letter Seal that I colored just a bid with my Copics. Lastly I gave everything a lot of stickle accents. Everything uesd on this card is scraps of cardstock, a little scrap of orange Basic Grey paper, stickles, some rhinestones from stash and the fabulous Letter Seal:

Hope you like!!

That's it for my peek, to take a peek at today's fabulous new release creations by the other members of the Design Team, please click on the links below...

Ann Vento
Annika Ryan
Debbie Eastman
Erin Bailey
Alberto Gava
Sylvia Blum

I'm sure they'll blow you away! Remember that the entire new release is available to buy right now from the Whimsy Stamps store along with all your Whimsy favourites.

Whimsy release with card by me, prizes to be won and a discount!

2011-09-14T17:00:00.003+02:00

Welcome to Whimsy Stamps September rubber stamp and die RELEASE DAY!

Whimsy Stamps have released 15 fabulous new rubber stamps and one wonderful new Shapeology die today. These new goodies are available to buy right now from the Whimsy Stamps store along with all your Whimsy favourites.

From today until September 20th, the Whimsy DT and Whimsy Special Guests will be showcasing these fabulous new stamps and shapeology die with a daily mini blog hop. Each mini blog hop has a new release prize hidden somewhere along the way and you will have 24hrs to enter each prize draw by ensuring you leave a comment on every blog listed for that day.

To be entered into today's mini blog hop prize draw, be sure to leave a comment on ALL of the DT's posts listed below by 11.00am EST tomorrow morning. All winners will be announced on the Whimsy Inspirations blog after 12noon on September 21st.

I'm in the hop today (so you'll want to leave me a comment even if you hate my card :) ) and I decided to use a stamp released from Meljen's Designs, this cutie is called Cat O Lantern:

I never do round cards but always love seeing them on other people's blogs so I thought, why not :). Oh and have you seen my cute new watermark en my signature at the end of this post, it was designed by Ann Vento for Whimsy Stamps and you can get yours HERE if you want one! The image was as always 3D paper pieced and colored with my Copics, here is a close up:

And a side view so you can check out the 3D better:

And finally for the lovers of little pieces... you guessed :):

Materials used:
Stamps: Cat O Lantern, Friendship and Holiday ticket sentiments (for the two different blank tickets)
Coloring medium/ink: Copic Markers
Papers: Cream and kraft cardstock and scraps of design paper from different companies
Embellishments/tools/other: Buttons, roses by Wild Orchid Crafts, McGill Leaves punch, Martha Stewart Hydrangea punch, Diamond stickles, DecoArt glamour dust gold, Quickie Glue pen, white gelpen and black fineliner, Frayed Burlap Distress Ink and Tim Holtz ink blender tool.

To take a peek at more of today's fabulous new release creations by the Design Team, please click on the links below (and be sure to leave comments to be in today's prize draw)...

Ann Vento

Annika Ryan

Debbie Eastman

Ellie Stover

Erin Bailey

Stephanne Maraver

Here is a full list of the wonderful new rubber stamps and die released today:

3 Crissy Armstrong rubber stamps

Football Bart ~ Ock Toe Bur Fairy ~ Pum Kinnie Fairy

4 Kenny K rubber stamps

Golfer ~ Scarlett West ~ Teen Idol ~ Wasn't Me

4 Meljen's Designs rubber stamps

Acorn Mouse ~ Cat O Lantern ~ Fall Wreath ~ Little Bunny Witch

4 Raindrop Echo Designs rubber stamp sets

Autumn Letter Seals ~ Lavish Flourishes ~ Steampunk Travels ~ The Fun Life Ticket Sentiments

Raindrop Echo Designs Shapeology die

Whimsy Stamps is also offering a fabulous 10% discount on all new release stamps to all our wonderful Whimsy customers! There is no need to enter any code when checking out as the 10% discount has already been applied. (Please note that this special discount is valid for one week only and until stocks last, and expires at midnight EST on Wednesday 21 September 2011.)

Don't forget to visit today's DT and leave a comment on their blog posts to be entered into the draw to win a new release stamp, then pop by tomorrow for the next list of showcase posts!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy our new release!

Altered cigar box for my parents 40th wedding anniversary

2011-09-06T19:55:00.001+02:00

Hi everybody!!

Back with a project you might have already seen. The box I'm showing today was for my parents 40th wedding anniversary in July. It was shown in the second issue of Whimsy Stamps Inspirations Magazine. If you STILL haven't (how can you have missed it!), you should really go and check it out HERE because this box isn't the only thing in it, there are some absolutely gorgeous creations and tutorials in there that you don't want to miss!

Anyway... this box features a digi by Meljen's Designs that is no longer for sale at Whimsy Stamps. All Meljen's rubber still is but Meljen's Designs has started it's own digi-shop starting September of this year so if you want to check out this perfect digi for wedding anniversaries (I think) you should now check HERE. Anyway... here is my altered cigar box:

All the products used you can find on page 79 of the Whimsy magazine HERE. Here is a close up of the adorable image, colored with my Copics and 3D paper pieced for extra dimension:

A side view:

And a look at the inside of the box. We gave this box together with my "little" brother Vincent and his wife Johanneke and the box told my parents we are taking them for a couple of days in a cabin in Bosrijk at the Efteling. My parents had already started asking us if they could take us there and we had both been "difficult" about that... work... school... difficult... and when they read WE had infact already planned the whole thing they both ended up crying. SUCCESS :). My mom isn't into crafting at all but literally EVERYBODY needs to see this box, she's so proud. Love that!!

And a look at the invite on the inside next to the box.

Well... hope you like, no Copic colors this time. Haven't taken them down... sorry :(. Hope to be back soon with a new project but at the moment I'm busy doing DT-cards that I can't show you yet. We did receive word the other day that dear friends are now the proud parents of a little boy though so do want to make something for them. I'll be back ;).

Take care sweeties!
xxx
Mariska

Winner of my blog candy!!

2011-09-03T13:56:00.000+02:00

Hi girls,

As promissed today I picked a winner of my candy. First, thank you all for entering! There were 57 entries amongst which two double ones and a couple that didn't give the names of their favorite Wee Stamps. I decided to let everybody apply ones, even if they didn't give me the names of their favorite stamps since there might be a language reason why someone didn't give the names (because they simply couldn't read they had to) and I didn't want that to be the reason for cutting people out. I decided to do the random.org thingy for 57 and in case random.org would pick the second comment for one of the two people who gave double comments I would redraw. I figured this would be the most honest thing to do. Enough explaining.... I entered the numbers into random.org and this is what came out:

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:44Powered by RANDOM.ORG

I did my counting and checked it twice and number 44 is:

JB zei...

Hoi Mariska ,

gefeliciteerd met je 500 volgers.
Ik ben gaan kijken en ja kon
niet weerstand en heb er
er 6 gekocht , ze zijn gewoonweg
prachtig . Er zijn nog twee die
ik heel graag zou winnen
Bird Swing en Wee Florist ,
bedankt voor de kans .

Groetjes Jenny

Congratulations Jenny! Could you please send me an e-mail (my e-mail you can find on my profile page) with your details so I can get the candy shipped to you?

Thank you again everybody for entering!!

Big hug,
Mariska

500 followers candy!!

2011-09-02T21:00:00.000+02:00

THIS CANDY HAS ENDED, A WINNER HAS BEEN DRAWN!!

Hello sweet people!

Yesterday my little blog hit the 500 followers!! All of you who are following me, thank you SO much! I know I'm not the most loyal blogger, there are a lot of days there isn't anything to do here but I love that when I do have something to show you there are so many people who are willing to watch! To show you all how much I appreciate you following me I've put together a little candy. Not as big as some I have seen on other blogs but still my little way of saying thank you so much! Here is a picture of the candy:

In my candy you'll find:
* Two gorgeous digi-images by Wee Stamps of your choice!
* A brand new EZ Mounted Lili of the Valley Birthday Valley stamp!
* A brand new EZ Mounted Whipper Snapper Mr. and Mrs. Claus stamp!
* Brand new Forever Friends A Christmas Tale Christmas Bells clear stamps pack!
* A Brand new EZ Mounted C.C. Designs Swiss Mushroom stamp!
* KaiserCraft 6x6" Christmas Carnival Collection Paper Pad with matching Rubons, Die Cut Elements, buttons, flowers and cardstock!
* A sheet of Rayher butterflies as used on the Silver Fairy box I created for the Whimsy Stamps second inspirations magazine (I'll try to put that box up on my blog tomorrow).

What you have to do to apply for this candy is simple. You have to be or become a follower (normally I don't make this rule but since this is a thank you to my followers I think this is now a must) and I want you to leave me ONE comment on this post and in this comment I want you to name me the two Wee Stamp digi's you'd like to receive if you win my candy. To find out which Wee Stamps you'd like you'll have to visit the Wee Stamp store HERE, but be very carefull... there are only MUST have images over there ;). That's it! You don't have to put the picture of my candy in my sidebar or anything but of course you can if you want to.

I ship worldwide and I'll pick a random winner on Saturday the 3rd of September. Good luck everybody!!

Big hug,
Mariska

Card with Fairwee Josie by Sweet November stamps

2011-08-31T22:39:00.002+02:00

Note: I've added the Copic colors I've used on the bottom.

Hello everybody!!

Wow the response to my candy (on top of my blog until this Saturday) has been amazing until now, and not only that, my number of followers has grown a lot since I started the candy as well. So welcome new followers and loyal older ones :). A couple of weeks ago I was lucky enough to win a fabulous candy pack over at Amy's blog. This candy was to celebrate to release of the gorgeous new Fairwee's by Sweet November stamps for All That Scraps and since I adored those cute little Fairwees and most of all little Josie, who I won, I couldn't have been happier. Next to sweet little Josie there was also paper, embellies and a gorgeous card by Amy herself in the pack... you can see the complete candy HERE. I loved how Amy had put sweet Josie on a mushroom so I ordered that one from All That Scraps together with some matching sentiments and other fairies and here is my first result with my latest wins and buys:

On this card, Fairwee Josie, the CC Designs Swiss Mushroom which I ordered but already owned (I know....) so there is one of these in my candy as well, CC Designs Swiss Two butterflies which I have as stamps but I could only find as digi's on the ATS site now, and the "Hope your day is Magical" sentiment stamp also from Sweet November stamps. The orange dotted paper is by Imaginisce and was in the Candy by Amy, the grass was punched using my Fiskars Grass Punch. The green ribbon is by Wild Orchid Crafts as are the roses, rose buts and mulberry flowers. The Daisy Double flowers and the shimmer dots on the sentiment I bought from Creative Treasures and that was my first order there. Have to tell you guys that my first order never arrived but after contacting them about it they told me they had prove of shipment but would send my order out again nevertheless and it was here in FOUR days, from the UK!! Now that's service! Got some other very pretty flowers from there as well, will show them later. The green dotted paper I have had in my stash for ages. The leaf was done with my new Nestabilities Foliage and the circle with the pretty border was cut using THESE dies. Some hand stitching, some white and green cardstock and I think I have mentioned it all. Here is a close up of Fairwee Josie:

Colored with Copics and 3D paper pieced as always, here are the little parts for the lovers:

And a side view so you can see the 3D better:

And finally the sentiment in close up:

That's it!! Hope you like this card! Don't forget my candy people, on top of my blog!!
Take care!!
xxx
Mariska

Copic colors used:
Mushroom, butterflies:                               R59, R46, R08, YR68, YR16, YR00
and just for the orange of the mushroom:   W5, W3, W1, W00
Bottom mushroom:                                    E44, E42, E40, blender
skirt:                                                             B99, B97, B95, B93
hair:                                                              E49, E47, E44, E42
wings:                                                          E87, E81, blender
face:                                                             E11, E00, E000, E0000
cheeks:                                                         R22, R20, R00
shirt and shoes:                                            E59, E39, E37, E35, E33, E31
dots mushroom:                                           E51, E50, blender

Silver Fairy by Sylvia Zet for Wee Stamps and soon Whimsy Stamps!

2011-08-27T07:42:00.001+02:00

My candy is on top of my blog and will stay there until the closing date. You can find it HERE.

Hi everybody!

I hope you've already seen this creation I'm going to show you today because that would mean you've already seen the second issue of Whimsy Stamps Inspirations Magazine. If you haven't, you should really go and check it out HERE because this box isn't the only thing in it, there are some absolutely gorgeous creations and tutorials in there that you don't want to miss!

Anyway, about the box. I have created this box with the gorgeous Silver Fairy, drawn by Sylvia Zet for Wee stamp, already for sale as a digi HERE and in October to be released as a rubber stamp by Whimsy Stamps. The sentiment used is part of a song Wind beneath my wings by Bett Middler. This song was played on the funeral of an uncle and so to me it's a beautiful sad song, I thought the Silver Fairy was just perfect to go with this song, or rather, I thought the song was perfect to go with the Silver Fairy :). I made the sentiment on PSP and if you'd like to use it yourself you can still find it HERE. Anyway, here is the top of the box:

Here is a close up of the sentiment and the Silver Fairy, remember you can click on the image to get a closer view.

And a close up of the gorgeous Fairy, colored with my Copic Markers and 3D paper pieced. Since Sylvia called her the Silver Fairy I wanted to give her silver hair, hope you don't think it's grey but I myself love how it turned out.

For the lovers of little pieces, voila :) :

A side view so you can better see the 3D:

And a sideview of the box so you can see those gorgeous feet by Tim Holtz, LOVE those, need to get me new ones :). Oh and the box might look greyish but it's a gorgeous purple silver color. I bought the spray can especially for this project. My husband sprayed it for me though because I was to chicken to do it myself but in the end I helped (yay for me!!)

Well... lots of pictures but really hope you like this box. All the details of the materials used you'll find in the second issue of the Whimsy Stamps Inspirations Magazine. Don't forget, if you are as big of a fan of rubber as I am, this gorgeous fairy is going to be available along with some other gorgeous Wee Stamps in October over at Whimsy Stamps. And you could of course also win her as a digi if you enter my candy ;).

Take care everybody!!

xxx
Mariska

Mr and Mrs Teddy Bear by Wee Stamps

2011-08-24T21:41:00.001+02:00

Hi everybody!!

Back with a card! I've colored up Mr and Mrs Teddy Bear by Sylvia Zet for Wee Stamps ages ago but never got around to actually putting everything together, the past days I've been busy doing just that and here is the result:

The image was colored with my Copic Markers and 3D paperpieced as always. I forgot to take a picture of the tiny parts... I know some of you love them ;) but there are a lot on this one again. All the little leafs, the flowers, the arms, legs, feet, snouts, noses, you name it and it's been layered. Now this image isn't one of the soon to be released RUBBER stamps by Wee Stamps for Whimsy Stamps but I'm sure if you let Sylvia know how much you love this image she'll concider turning this one into rubber too :). I think it's super cute! Here is a close up of the image:

And an even closer close up, remember you can click the image to get a larger view:

And a side view to give you an idea of the tiny bits:

Well hope you guys like! I didn't take down the markers back when I colored this image, sorry but you'll find a list of the materials below! Take care sweet people!

xxx
Mariska

Image: Digi image Mr and Mrs Teddy Bear by Sylvia Zet for Wee Stamps
Coloring medium: Copic Markers
Papers: Maja Design Life in the Country line, square doilly from Ebay and white cardstock
Flowers: smallest roses by Stamping Corner, blue/white large rose from a store on the Knotsgekke Kaartendagen, no idea which one, other flowers by Wild Orchid Crafts
Ribbon: Wild Orchid Crafts
Rhinestones and pearls: Rhinestones by Melissa Frances, pearl hearts by Rayher, pearl dots on square doilly with Perlen-Pen
Glues: Scor-Tape and Olba Glue
Other: Stickles Star Dust and Platinum, Gelly Roll pen Clear Star and Tim Holtz Distress Ink Frayed Burlap

Als je verdriet hebt

2011-08-22T16:34:00.000+02:00

Hi Ladies,

Haven't had much time to craft the past two weeks but hope to make time this week. I had to make a card to send to an uncle and aunt though. My uncle got news the other day that he has been diagnosed with cancer of the worst kind. What do you say to people when they receive news like that.... Just absolutely horrible. I've spend a good part of my Sunday searching for poems and stuff in Dutch to put on a card and I finally found something I felt was kind of what I wanted to say. I decided to buy this Leafy frame made by Ann Vento for Whimsy Stamps and put the poem in it. Papers are very old ones from Bo Bunny. I bought these online and found them way to dark when they arrived but I thought they would work for this card. Pearls and ribbon (also behind the frame) are from stash, butterflies are by Rayher and and I used some stickles and golden liquid pearls on them and around the distressed edges.

I first colored the leafs that normally are black olive green using the magic wand and flood fill tool in PSP Pro and then put a time machine effect on the entire frame. The white turned yellow because of this but then I selected all the background parts again and made those white again using the magic wand and flood fill tool again. Now the leafs are a gorgeous olive/brownish/golden. Here is a close up with the poem:

The poem means in English (it is in Dutch of course):
When you are sad or hurting,
Think of all the people
who wish you the best
and are with you in spirit.
May the knowledge that so many symphatize
bring you extra strength in this difficult time.

In Dutch it's a poem of course. I'm not absolutely happy with this card but then this isn't the type of card I want to be making... but I do want them to know they are in my thoughts.

Hope to be back soon with a card for a happy occassion.

xxx
Mariska

Whimsy Stamps blog hop, 2nd Whimsy Stamps Inspiration Magazine and download

2011-08-17T18:00:00.017+02:00

Hi girls!

Today is blog hop day over at Whimsy Stamps. I'm not in this hop yet, I'll be starting next month. If you want to do the hop though just start HERE and have lot of fun!! Today is also the release of the second edition of the Whimsy Stamps Inspiration Magazine though and I do have two projects in that issue that I'm very proud of. I can't show you them until next week so you'll have to look them up in the magazine but I promiss you that won't be a punnishment because there are some absolutely fabulous creations in there. There is just so much talent in the Whimsy Stamps design team!!! You'll be blown of your feet.

And if the gorgeous creations in the magazine aren't enough to blow you away you'll find some amazing news in the magazine as well, news that got me extremely happy when I first heard it. You'll have to look it up of course but it's about a little wee company joining forces with Whimsy Stamps... love it!!

If you found my first creation somewhere behind the big announcement I was talking about you'll also see that I have made a sentiment to go with the image I used and that I'm offering it here for free. It is part of "Wind beneath my wings" by Bette Middler. I thought it was perfect to go with the image and so I decided to make a sentiment of my own. If you like it, here it is, just click on it with you left mouse button and after that click on it with your right mouse button and select "save as", I'd love it if you left me a comment if you do decide to download it and if you do use the sentiment and show your project on your blog I'd appreciate a link to this post, please don't place the sentiment on your own blog to download but foreward people to me.

That's it from me for now! Below you'll find everything there is to know about the hop and the new magazine. Hope you have fun! I'm hoping to finish the reorganisation of my crafts room today, you won't believe the amount of stuff I'm throwing away. If you want to take a look at the stuff I've put on Marktplaats just check this post HERE, I'll close the auctions tonight so you still have an hour or two to place a bid.

xxx
Mariska

Hello and welcome to the Whimsy Stamps August new rubber and die release BLOG HOP!

On August 10th, Whimsy Stamps released our August rubber designs and new dies. Today we are hosting a blog hop to celebrate this release and to share creations made using these 15 fabulous new Rubber Stamps and 3 wonderful new Shapeology Dies. These new goodies are available to buy right now from the Whimsy Stamps store along with all your Whimsy favourites. We also have our wonderful special guests joining us for this hop - Elaine Hughes, Zoe McGrath, Alberto Gava and Iwona "Chupa" Palamountain.

The Whimsy Stamps DT have been showcasing these fabulous stamps for the past 6 days, so if you missed them be sure to hop on over to the Whimsy Inspirations Blog for some more inspiration!

Here is a full list of the wonderful new August release rubber stamps and dies:

3 stamps from Crissy Armstrong
Bart Goes Golfing ~ Butterfly Sympathy ~ Hang In There

4 stamps from Meljen's Designs
Cupcake Treat Trio ~ Monkey Toes ~ Pen Pal Mouse ~ Topsy Turvy Cake

4 stamps from Kenny K
Bathing Beauty ~ Buggin Drummer ~ Wanda Wicked ~ Wedding Garter

4 stamp sets from Raindrop Echo Designs
Bottle Cap Sentiments ~ Film Markers ~ Schoolyard Fun ~ Vintage Seed Packets

3 dies/sets from Raindrop Echo Designs
Elegant Butterflies Die Set ~ Bottle Cap Die (coordinates with Bottle Cap Sentiments stamp set) ~ Film Marker Die (coordinates with Film Markers stamp set)

Today is also the release of the second edition of the Whimsy Stamps Inspirations Magazine! The magazine features never before seen samples and tutorials from our DT members as well as some creations from our customers and fans too! This issue is crammed full of crafty goodness and best of all it's FREE! Just click the link below and you will be taken to the magazine where you can read it online or download it and save to your computer.

CLICK HERE to view the Whimsy Stamps Inspirations Magazine Issue 2

If you would like to hop along with us today just start at the beginning of the hop at Zoe’s blog.

The hop starts today (Wednesday August 17th at noon EST) and ends on Wednesday August 24th at noon EST.

For this hop we have 7 different prize draws! We have not one but TWO grand prize draws, so two lucky hoppers will win a large selection of new release stamps. Grand Prize 1 will be for those who help us advertise the hop, and Grand Prize 2 will be for those who hop along with us. We also have 5 mini candy stops throughout the hop where you can enter to win a new release stamp! I'm not going to tell you where they are, so if you haven't found them you'll just have go back to the beginning and start hopping! *wink*.

Whimsy Stamps August Rubber Release!

2011-08-10T16:36:00.000+02:00

Today is an exciting day at Whimsy Stamps because it's ...

Rubber stamp and die RELEASE DAY!

Just as we did last month, we are releasing our August release stamps and dies a whole week before our new release blog hop! So that means... the August New Release rubber stamps and dies are available to buy RIGHT NOW from the Whimsy Stamps store!

We are holding a fabulous new release BLOG HOP on 17 August, when we will have our usual plethora of prizes, special guests, and lots of amazing creations from our DT (I (Mariska) will not yet be attending this hop though). From today until 16 August, the other members of the DT are going to be showcasing this month's new release stamps and dies, so be sure to stop by our blogs to see what they've created.

Here is a list of the new stamps, sentiment sets and dies we have released today:

4 Kenny K rubber stamps
Bathing Beauty ~ Buggin Drummer ~ Wanda Wicked ~ Wedding Garter

2 Crissy Armstrong rubber stamps
Bart Goes Golfing ~ Hang In There

4 Meljen's Designs rubber stamps
Cupcake Treat Trio ~ Monkey Toes ~ Pen Pal Mouse ~ Topsy Turvy Cake

5 Raindrop Echo Designs sentiment rubber stamp sets
Bottle Cap Sentiments ~ Butterfly Sympathy ~ Film Markers ~ Schoolyard Fun ~ Vintage Seed Packets

3 Raindrop Echo Designs dies
Elegant Butterflies Die Set ~ Bottle Cap Die (coordinates with Bottle Cap Sentiments stamp set) ~ Film Marker Die (coordinates with Film Markers stamp set)

They are all available to buy from the Whimsy Stamps store RIGHT NOW!

Happy shopping! :)

Meljen's Designs Brooke's Butterflies for club Tiets

2011-07-31T15:32:00.001+02:00

Hi everybody!!
First I want to thank everybody who left lovely comments on my announcement that I was asked to be a Special Guest Designer for Whimsy Stamps! I'll be officially starting in September but today I already have a card to show you using a digi from Meljen's Designs for Whimsy Stamps. It was actually a free digi from the Dutch "Kaarten maken met Tiets" club if you participated in their july/august digi challenge. So here is the card I created for that challenge using Brooke's Butterflies which is now also for sale for everybody who isn't a part of Tiets' Club.

A close up of the image. The girls, flowers and butterflies were colored with Copics and the background with my Derwent Watercolor pencils. The image was of course 3D paperpieced and stickled up:

And for those of you who like to see the little pieces:

That's it for now! I'll leave you with the materials used and the Copics used:

Materials:

Digi image: Brooke's Butterflies by Meljen's Designs for Whimsy Stamps

Paper: Red and white cardstock

Ribbon: Red and white checkered ribbon is from a local bookshop, the white ribbon is from Wild Orchid Crafts

Punches/Dies/Embossing: EK Success Retro Flower Small, Martha Stewart Hydrangea punch, Cuttlebug Polka Dots Embossing folder

Embellishments: Red Cherry Blossoms from Wild Orchid Crafts, Glittery red button from Doodlebug, bandage from the Kruitvat and brads, pearls and white wire are from stash

Glittery gorgeousness: Stickles Star Dust, DecoArt Glamour Dust Chrystal attached with a Quickie Glue pen for the swirls and edges of the image

Other: Tim Holtz Distress Ink Antique Linen and Tim Holtz paper distresser for the edges of the paper

Copics:

Skin: E11, E01, E00, E000, E0000

Cheeks: R24, R22, R20

Hair: E35, E33, YR24, YR23, YR21, YR20

Shirt and knee patch: R59, R29, E27, R24, R22 and C5, C3, C1, C00

Dungarees and butterflies: B99, B97, B95, B93, B91

Flowers: yellow: YR07, Y19, Y17, Y15, Y11 orange: R08, YR07, YR04, YR02

Leaves: YG67, Y17, Y13, Y11

Background: Derwent watercolor pencils

other: Hema white gel pen (Dutch company), Memento Dual Marker for the edges of the pieces (3D)

xxx
Mariska

Yippieieieieieieie

2011-07-27T22:05:00.000+02:00

Do I need to tell you more? I've been asked yesterday and I have been bouncing around the house ever since. Hubby SO doesn't understand what I'm on but I just had my best friend Diana on the phone and she got the full blast of my enthousiasm! I've been holding off from permanent Design Team positions because I just don't do well with weekly deadlines and stuff... just to much going on with three kids, a busy husband and my being so slow in crafting doesn't help either but when Denise from Whimsy made me this offer I couldn't possibly say no! So in the next months you'll be seeing more of the gorgeous Whimsy stamps here on my blog!!! Thank you Whimsy Stamps for having me!!!

Big hug!
Mariska

Pink Cat Studio Ninbert Gnome for FIL

2011-07-26T20:30:00.002+02:00

Hi girls and my first male follower I noticed the other day!!
I know it's been a while since my last post. I did make a box for my parents but I can't show you that one yet. I do have a card to show you I made for my father in law though.

My friend Melissa from Pink Cat Studio send me these cute gnomes ages ago and asked me if I wanted to make a card with one or more of them. I'm sorry to say I didn't get around to using one of them sooner. Since in honor of his birthday tomorrow we are taking my Father in Law (together with my MIL of course) for a nice morning in the woods and after that a nice brunch I figured a gnome would work very well for this card. Besides, my FIL, who is a very nice FIL to have and an incredible grandfather, is a real garden gnome himself with his front and backgarden and his vegetable garden where he enjoys spending a lot of time. So without further ado, here is my card with Ninbert the Gnome by Pink Cat Studio:

Isn't he cute! The papers are craft and red cardstock and very old ones by Chatter Box (using up my old stash :) ). The ribbon is from Wild Orchid Crafs, the button twine is from Whiff of Joy and the button stars are from Buttons Galore and More. The sentiment reads hartelijk gefeliciteerd (Happy Birthday) and is from THIS set by my friend Nicole Verkooijen. Naturally I used some Stickles and a white gell pen. Here is a close up of Ninbert, colored with my Copics and 3D paperpieced:

I'll give you the Copics I used at the end of this post (zo goed Diaantje ;) ). Here is a view from the top with the Tegoedbon (gift certificate) inside:

And a last picture of the complete card with the gift certificate. Dames, als iemand het word bestande van de tegoedbon wil mag je mij altijd mailen. Hij is heel simpel hoor maar toch :).

That's it! Hope you like my card! I'll leave you with the Copics used:

Skin: E11, E01, E00, E000 and E0000

Facial hair: C1, C00, colorless blender

Gnome hat: R59, R29, R27, R24, R22

Coat: B99, B97, B95, B93 and B91

Belt: E29, E27, E25, E23

Belt buckle and lantern: YR24, YR23, YR21, YR20 and diamand stickles

Trousers: E27, E25, E23

Shoes: C7, C4, C3, C1

Shading around the gnome: W5, W3, W1, W00, colorless blender

Big hug!

Mariska

Pack a picnic basket with Done! by Mo Manning

2011-07-10T17:36:00.001+02:00

Hello girls!!

Back with another box but this time the base isn't a cigar box but the Pack a Picnic basket template by Papertrey Ink, you can find the template HERE. It will cost you 5 dollars but it's super easy to use, just print it on cardstock that you've cut to 8.5 inch x 11 inch (letter) and do what the manual tells you to.

The box is for my favorite niece Barbara who graduated last month. I wanted to give her a little something and figured this was the perfect wrapping. I looked for ages to find the perfect stamp to use but most are American with graduation caps and that isn't a ritual here so I wanted to try something else. Then Mo Manning came with this cute image called Done! and I knew what I wanted to use! My first Mo Manning image! Here is the lid of the box:

Here is a close up of the image, colored with Copics and 3D paperpieced (not the easiest image I've tried this on!):

Here are the lid and box separate:

And together :) :

And here is a picture of the Magnolia label with the text "Geslaagd! (nu even relaxen)" or in English "Graduated! (time to relax)" I'll fill the box with the same kind of goodies I did in the bags in the boxes I gave Amy's teachers.

That's it! Flowers used are mostly by Wild Orchid Crafts as is the red ribbon and the twine. The dotted ribbon is from Stamping Corner and the leaves are from a McGill punch that Stamping Corner also sells. The papers are from an older Bo Bunny line and the brads are from stash.

Hope you like this box! I did have some trouble with the image but hope you like it!

xxx

Mariska

Second box for Dyanne's teacher Marian

2011-07-02T09:00:00.000+02:00

Hi girls!!
Promissed I'd show you the second box I made for Dyanne's other teacher Marian. Well here it is:

Isn't that girl absoluly adorable? She is of course by Lili of the Valley and she is named Back to School Girl. I think she was in my first set of stamps I bought from LotV and I was so glad I finally had a chance to ink her up. Here is a close up:

Colored with Copics and 3D paperpieced as always. I used the same Basic Grey Oxford paper as I did on my box for teacher Jenneke and again the flowers are by Wild Orchid Crafts except for the bleu berry kind of flowers which I bought on the Magnolia Event. No idea what brand they are from. The ribbons are by Wild Orchid Crafts (uni-colored) and from StampingCorner (dotted). I made the holes to tie the ribbon in with my Crop-a-Dile and the circles behind the image (and the image itself) were cut with Nestabilities. The swirls around the image are from Whiff of Joy. And here is a picture of the complete set:

Well that's it for now. Hope you like this box and of course more importantly, hope Dyanne's teacher likes it :). Take care everybody!

xxx
Mariska

First teacher's gift box

2011-06-30T15:00:00.003+02:00

Hi ladies,

A few days ago I told you I had made two end-of-the-year-gifts for Dyanne's class to give to their teachers. Today I'm showing you the first:

Again it's a pimped sigar-box. This time I've used images by All That Scraps, the Sugarplums Crayons and Apple digi and the Swiss Pixie Cute Birgitta digi. Since I worked everything in 3D again I just colored the separate images and then 3D paperpieced them together to have Birgitta sitting on the Crayon. Flowers and stamens are by Wild Orchid Crafts. The ribbon I've had in my stash for forever and I have no idea how it got there and I also don't know where I got the heart charm with the text "made with love" (on a piece of button twine tied in with the ribbon). In the left corner is a piece of a very large square doilly sticking out and behind the images are two cardstock (nestabilitie) circles, both the doilly and the scalloped circle were embossed with UTEE embossingpowder pearl. The design paper used is from a paper pad called Oxford by Basic Grey. The design paper I used above the ribbon was just perfect for this project with pencils and stuff so I have to admit I bought the paper pad especially for that piece of paper. I also bought the large variety of that design and used that on the inside of the box. Enough info!! Here is a close up of the image:

I didn't only make the box I also made one of THESE cardfolders but in a different size to fit in the sigar box. On top of the cardfolder is of course a picture of Dyanne's class (the only person recognizable is my little girl :) ) and inside are cards I gave to each parent with on it the name of the child, what he or she wants to tell the teacher and on the back a drawing or some other piece of art. Lastly I had Parker pens engraved for the teachers. All the parents chipped in and I hope the teacher likes her gift... I did my best :):

That's it for this box. Dyanne had two teachers this year and of course I made another box with another image for the other teacher, I'll show you that one later. Hope you like this one though!!

I'm entering this project into the current challenge at the All That Scraps Weekly Wednesday Challenge which is punches or dies.
Take care!! And thank you for your sweet comments everybody! Some of you are so loyal in always leaving comments!! Please know I enjoy reading every single comment!

xxx
Mariska

End of the schoolyear presents for teachers Amy

2011-06-28T16:19:00.002+02:00

Hi everybody!!

I've been very busy with the end of the year presents for my kids teachers. Dyanne (my six year old) is leaving the "kleuterschool" so I made her teachers a larger project to be the present for all her classmates but since one of her teachers has been to my blog before I won't show those projects before Thursday when we will be giving them. I also made a little something for Amy's (my three year old) teachers though so I can show you those:

I have made these "box in a bag" projects before and loved making them. You can find a very good tutorial on how to make them HERE. I kept them very simple with just a title "Eventjes rust kit" ("A little rest kit" in English). The design paper is Basic Grey Blush and Cardstock, the flowers are by Wild Orchid Crafts and the ribbon is from my friend Helma Sprenger at StampingCorner. The kit contains two vanilla scented candles, two bags of "goodnight tea" (to help calm you down), two BonBon Block chocolates, a facial mask and a gift certificate for a book and music store (Bol.com). I figured together this would make for a nice get your legs up and enjoy kit :). Here is a picture of one of the boxes in the bags:

Well hope you like these little gifts. More to come and I think you'll like those better... had a lot of work on those but I think it was worth it.

Take care everybody... hope the temperature at your end of the world is better then it is here... I'm melting!!!!

xxx

Mariska

Card featured in the new Whimsy Stamps Inspirations Magazine

2011-06-15T17:43:00.002+02:00

Hi girls,

Sorry to have been away for some days now but I have been crafting, just not things I could or can show you yet. The first thing I am able to show you is a card that was featured in a whole new magazine though. I don't know if you have read it already, it is already published on Facebook and I did see Ann Vento had a link up already so I don't think it's a big secret anymore but Whimsy Stamps has there own online magazine. It's called Whimsy Stamps Inspirations Magazine and one of my cards has been published in it! The magazine looks amazing and I'm very proud to have my own little spot in it! If you want to check out the magazine (and you'll want to) you can click on the image below and it'll take you to it!

I couldn't place a picture of my card on my blog before the magazine was published but since it is published I now can. It's the card below that I made for my dear friend Erwin. For the details on materials and stuff please check out the gorgeous magazine, it's all in there!

Enjoy the magazine!!

Big hug!

Mariska

Box with Wee Stamps Spring Bringer

2011-06-03T14:36:00.003+02:00

Hi girls,

I'm back from a small break, we've been to the South of Limburg here in the Netherlands and spend a couple of days in a cabine with the most gorgeous view and lots of playgrounds both in and outside for the girls to enjoy their days. While the kids were asleep though mummy did bring a large bag with printed/stamped images and her Copics so after putting everything together today and yesterday I have a box to show you with the gorgeous Spring Bringer image by Wee Stamps.

The box was colored pink and distressed a bit with Tim Holtz Distress Inks in the colors Tea Dye, Stormy Sky and Faded Jeans. I know... another box but the top is of course just an easel card:

I used my paper square doillies again that I got on Ebay from THIS lady and craft and pink cardstock. The design paper with the pretty butterflies is by Magnolia and the sentiment is by Elzybells but unfortunatelly since that company doesn't excist anymore is no longer for sale. The ribbon, heart pins and the pretty flowers are all by Wild Orchid Crafts and the pearls and shimmer dotz are from stash, no idea which company they're from. All of the edges of the paper has been distressed with the Tim Holtz paperdistresser, with Tim Holtz Distress Ink Tea Dye and some stickles (Diamond). The gorgeous Spring bringer was of course colored with my Copics and completely 3D paperpieced and stickled up:

Here is a sideview, I cut out so many pieces I lost count :). Every single flower and the bells on her pants... everything has been cut out and 3D paperpieced:

And lastly a picture of the box with the easel card down:

Hope you like! I'm entering this box in the following challenges:
* Paper Sundaes 71, Vintage or Shabby Chic
* Cute Card Thursday 167, Embellish It!
* Stamp Something, Use a digi

Can't wait to read what you think about this box! Take care!

xxx
Mariska

Love Letter Kaylee

2011-05-26T10:41:00.001+02:00

Hi girls!!
I'm back with a new card. I have been keeping my eye on Some Odd Girl for some time now. I love the look of their images, so cute! When they announced they were going to do a "real" stamp release I knew that was going to have to be my first order. I am getting used to working with digi's but my true love will always be rubber. Now this sweetie was produced as a clear stamp but that would just have to do (sorry... I'm just a fan of real rubber), I could no longer resist these cuties. I decided to ink up Love Letter Kaylee first (sorry for the bad pictures but the light is horrible today!):

The design paper and the rhinestones used are by Doodlebug and I bought them when I was at the Magnolia Event last Saturday. I have always had a soft spot for Doodlebug, I just love the bright colors. The sentiment which reads "Sending happy thoughts your way" is by Whimsy Stamps. The Flowers used are by Wild Orchid Crafts and Prima and the ribbon I bought from my friend Helma at StampingCorner. Here is a close up of Love Letter Kaylee:

Colored with Copics and 3D paper pieced as always.

And for those of you who like to see tiny pieces... voila :):

Well that's it for me. Hope you like my card. I know it's completely different from the boxes I did but I do hope the bright colors will please your eyes as well :).

Oh... alsmost forgot! The sketch used is by Sketch Saturday so I'm entering this card into this weeks challenge, loved it Jo!!

Take care everybody!!

xxx

Mariska

Box with Ballerina Tilda

2011-05-19T13:44:00.000+02:00

Hi everybody!!

I am back with yet another box (I know.... I'm sorry, I just enjoy making them so much). I am going to the Magnolia Event in Doorn next Saturday and I really had to try doing a Tilda again. Some of you may know that I'm not Tilda's biggest fan, I love seeing them on other peoples cards and projects but I have done few of them myself. I do own a lot of Tilda's though... strange thing is when I see the new collections there are always some I "have" to have but then when I start choosing a stamp for my next project my Tilda's usually stay in the box. I think I've only done three of four Tilda projects since I started crafting. I love how this box turned out though so I might have to start using them more often:

The small picture seems a bit blurry I think but when you click on the picture you'll see the picture really isn't. Just to much details I guess. Here is a close up of one of my favorite Tilda's:

She's so pretty I think! She was of course colored with Copics, 3D paperpieced and then stickled up to perfection. Here is a sideview of the box:

Well hope you and the person I made this box for like it.

I'm entering this box into three contests:

Magnolia Down Under challenge: Your favourite things, I used my favourite paper, Basic Grey Blush, lots of flowers, my gorgeous Magnolia chandelier chrystals, lots of Stickles, the box is my favourite color pink and I've used one of my favourite Tilda's.

Just Magnolia challenge blog: Make it lacy, I used lots of "lace" square paper doilies.

Simon Says Stamp! challenge blog: Sparkle and Shine, I've used lots of stickles, shimmer dots, the nestability backing the image was sprinkled with Glimmer Mist and there are of course the Magnolia chandelier crystals.

I'd love to hear what you think of this box!

xxx

Mariska

Second try for my Sweet Blossom box

2011-05-13T19:59:00.005+02:00

Hi girls!!

I had put this box up yesterday but then of course Blogger went crazy and my post seems to have gone missing somehow. Maybe Blogger will restore it but I see most people are putting there post from yesterday back up again themselves so I figured I would to. So maybe you've already seen it but here is my new box (again the base is an old cigar box) with the gorgeous Sweet Blossom by Wee Stamps:I'll keep this post short but if anybody wants to know anything about the materials used, please leave a comment and I'll try to get back to you. Here is a close up of Sweet Blossom:

She was slightly altered. The brach was longer and I replaced some of the flowers but it's still Sweet Blossom, she is SO my favorite image by Sylvia Zet. Here is the complete box again, hope you can see the 3D. Everything was 3D paperpieced, from her three layers of hair to the little beads on her hair and dress.

Well that's it I guess. Hope this one stays up :). Hope you like my box, have a great day everybody!!

xxx

Mariska

Sweet Blossom box for my MIL

2011-05-12T14:20:00.000+02:00

Hi girls!!

I'm sure most of you have been to visit Wee Stamps by now. You may recall I did a card with Angel Cody by Wee Stamps a while back (HERE) and Sylvia Zet, the very nice owner of Wee Stamps, told me she liked it a lot and so I decided to send her the card as a small gift. As a thank you she gave me some images to work with amongst which my favorite Wee Stamp image Sweet Blossom. I have been wanting to color her ever since she arrived in my mailbox and now finally I have. I created another box, this one for my MIL who is celebrating her 65th birthday next Saturday, I don't think she ever visits my blog so I think I'm perfectly save posting the pictures of my new treasure on my blog, here it is:I know the layout is almost the same as my last, I tend to use this simple layout a lot... sorry but I love how this box turned out. Here is a close up of the absolutely gorgeous Sweet Blossom:

I did alter the image a bit by shortening the brach she is on and slightly replacing some of the flowers. As usual the image is completely 3D paperpieced and colored with my Copics. Here is a sideview of the box:

Papers used are very old ones from MME, they are some of my favorite stashed goodies and are gorgeous and glittery but from 2008. The flowers used are by Wild Orchid Crafts. The square doilly used I bought on Ebay and the round doilly used I bought at the KreaDoe fair last year and I have no idea from which store. The ribbon and pearl-brads used are from an older Card Art kit. The box was painted using different colors of normal and crackle paint, some golden stickles and some varnish.

Hope you like my box. The base is like my last creation an old cigare box, I received a couple of box full of these from my mother (no she didn't smoke them herself :) ). If there are Dutch girls who would like a couple and don't mind paying for the shipping please or picking them up here in Nieuwe Wetering please e-mail me. I think shipping to other countries would make these boxes very expensive so I don't think you'd want that.

Well that's it for now!! Take care sweet people!

xxx

Mariska

Friends forever box

2011-05-05T16:36:00.003+02:00

Hi everybody!!!

So sorry to have been gone from my blog for so long. I have just not been in much of a mood to craft and when I was nothing worked. The paper I used to color with my Copics just didn't seem to do what I wanted anymore and I was completely out of inspiration. But I got myself some new paper... Paper Tempress Cryogen White (I read it was Suzanne J. Dean's favorite paper at the moment so had to give it a try) and that's made a world of difference. LOVE this paper!! Furthermore I had bought this absolutely adorable Friends Forever stamp from Whiff of Joy when I was at the Art Specially stamp show and did a very short sort of a demo for them and have been wanting to use it ever since. I decided to make a box for my best friend Diana who came with me to the Art Specially and who I'm trying to get excited for stamping. I bought her a small gift (hope she doesn't read my blog) and thought the sentiment used was perfect. It's by Nicole Verkooijen and it reads Everything is better when shared with a friend... which is absolutely the case for me and my stamping.... I love the Diana is showing interest in stamping as well because I love to craft with her. Anyway.... here is my first creation in ages :) : I used a square doilly I bought on Ebay and some flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts and some rhinestones from stash. The backing to the image is a die by Spellbinder and the paper used is by MME from a Stella and Rose Gertie paperpad. Here is a close up of the cute image by Whiff of Joy:

Colored with my Copics and 3D paperpieced... hope you can see that better on this picture:

I used some twine as rope for the swing. Here is the complete box again:

It's a sigare box actually which I have first sanded (geschuurd, hope sanded is the correct name) and then painted with different colors of paint, there some light and darker blue, some pink and some silver paint in there. Finally I gave the box a layer of varnish. Here you can see what the paint now looks like:

Well hope you like!! I am already busy on my next project so hope to have something to show you soon. Take care everybody!!!

xxx

Mariska

3D tutorial on the Whiff of Joy Tutorials and Inspiration blog

2011-03-25T21:33:00.003+01:00

Hi everybody,

I've just uploaded my very first video tutorial on the Whiff of Joy Tutorials and Inspiration blog, you can find it HERE. I'm afraid it turned out extremely long (more then a half an hour :S) but I do hope some of you will take the time to check it out and if you do please let me know what you think about it.... very scary first experience! Here is my finished card: And a close up of the cute Delivering my Heart to you stamp by Norma Fickel for Whiff of Joy (this is my favorite of the gnomes).

As promissed, the glue I use is Olba lijmkit or Pinflair Glue Gel which is supposed to be exactly the same but Pinflair is just the name the manufacturor uses in the UK. The syringes I use are THESE.

Well that's it for now. PLEASE let me know what you think about my tutorial and if you do try the technique please let me know in the comments on either this post or my post at the tutorial bog and I'll be sure to give you a visit.

xxx

Mariska

Card with Happy Birthday Gnome

2011-03-23T20:59:00.002+01:00

Hi girls,

A very short post this time I'm afraid. I caught the flu and I've been out since last Saturday. I'm starting to feel a bit better fortunatelly and the fever seems to have almost gone so I finally wanted to get this card up. I used the Happy Birthday Gnome by Whiff of Joy on this one. Here is my card: The papers and brads used were all in the latest Card Art kit and the pennants were cut using a Whiff of Joy die and after cutting them apart attached to a bit of Button Twine desert sand also by Whiff of Joy. I used some broken china distress stickles on the circle that was cut using a nestie but I'm not so sure about these distress stickles... I think I prefer the normal ones. Here is a close up of the cute little gnome:

I have to admit this isn't one of my favorite cards. I started making it on Thursday when I already had a screaming headache... that was probably the start of the lovely flue that followed a bit later and it never got to a point that I was completely satisfied.... Better luck next time though. I'm off to bed! Take care sweet people!

xxx

Mariska

Happy Birthday with Skater Ben

2011-03-13T11:55:00.002+01:00

Hi everybody!!

Hope your Sunday is turning out fabulous. We are having a very slow morning here in Nieuwe Wetering in The Netherlands. We had dinner with a wonderful Indonesian family yesterday and I ate WAY to much but couldn't stop myself... our hosts had cooked so much and it was all so yummie, Indonesian people sure know how to make people feel welcome. The children were spoiled with lovely gifts and candy and there was special food for them and we went home way to late for them but it was still to early in their eyes.

Anyways... Marco was up early to go training for the Alpe d'HuZes again HERE is the post I did about his participation last year and HERE you can find his personal page for this year, it's in Dutch of course but the pictures are universal... isn't he cute!! I'm so proud of him for doing this again, it's not just the day itself where he'll try to climb the mountain six times but in preparation he has been cycling for hours and hours almost every weekend! Cancer is such a horrible illness and every Euro that's being collected with this event is going directly to researche, the organisation refuses to have any money spend on anything else!! If anybody wants to support my sweetie in his efford to climb the Alpe d'Huez no less then SIX times this year you can make a donation on his personal Alpe d'HuZes page! Thank you if you do!!

Anyways... that's not why I'm here of course... I'm here to show you the card I did with Whiff of Joy's Skater Ben. I went completely out of my comfort zone with lots of distressing:

Craft cardstock of course and white and blue-ish cardstock. The craft cardstock was distressed a lot with Walnot Stain Distress Ink and white ink and partially embossed with a Tim Holtz folder. The stars were cut with nesties out of paper from the last Whiff of Joy paperkit, distressed with white ink and then heat embossed using extra thick embossing powder that was melted in my melting pot (first time I used this!!). Some buttons and flowers on there from stash that make this card suitable for the current Whiff of Joy Challenge which is Blooms and Buttons and some "I don't remember how you call this type of ribbon" ribbon from stash :). The sentiment has been done in Word using the Scrum Bucket font I downloaded from DaFont and the punch I used on the side is by EK Success (I think :S). Here is a close up of Skater Ben:

And here is a side view:

Now I know I'm not that good in distressing... just not my usual style, but still hope you like this! I do think it turned out to be a real boys card which was my intention!

Have a great Sunday everybody! I'm off preparing for our guests that will be arriving in an hour or two!

xxx

Mariska

Small Dutch post - klein Nederlands postje

2011-03-13T11:44:00.000+01:00

Just a small post about my hubby in Dutch... the card above is in the post below.

Hoi dames,

Het kaartje op de foto staat hieronder met een beschrijving in het engels maar een stukje van de boodschap wil ik ook even in het Nederlands neerzetten :). Mijn ventje gaat dit jaar dus voor de tweede keer meedoen aan het Alpe d'HuZes evenement. Een evenement met als doel zoveel mogelijk geld op te halen voor onderzoek naar kanker, de Stichting Alpe d'HuZes heeft daarbij een anti-strijkstokbeleid wat inhoudt dat er geen cent aan iets anders wordt uitgegeven dan aan onderzoek. Alles wat rondom het evenement wordt georganiseerd, van flyers tot kleding tot locaties voor bijeenkomsten wordt gratis door bedrijven aangeboden en ook het KWF, waar het geld naartoe zal gaan, heeft toegezegd geen cent van het opgehaalde geld te gebruiken voor personeel of campagnes... alles gaat naar onderzoek. Om dit geld bij elkaar te krijgen gaat dus onder andere mijn ventje zo vaak mogelijk maar mijn ventje hoopt dus zes keer proberen de Alpe d'Huez per fiets te beklimmen. Ik ben helemaal niet van de reclames ofzo op mijn blogje maar in dit geval wil ik mijn mannetje op iedere manier die ik kan steunen dus mocht je hem ook willen steunen dan is iedere euro welkom! Het kan per keer dat hij omhoog gaat of gewoon een bedrag, alle beetjes helpen! Ook een hart onder de riem door gewoon een opmerking achter te laten kan. Zijn persoonlijke Alpe d'HuZes pagina vind je HIER. In ieder geval super bedankt voor het lezen van dit berichtje!

xxx

Mariska

Ala Anita bag with WoJ I am sorry gnome

2011-03-09T14:45:00.003+01:00

Hi girls,

Sorry for staying away so long. I had meant to have this project ready last Sunday. The image was all colored on Friday but then everything went crazy with everything you can read in my last post and Amy's wound from the fall getting infected. She is currently taking antibiotics and Dyanne has eardrops and we are waiting for labtests on what is wrong with her ear... it is still running :(.

But enough about the problems... I finally have my project ready. I did go to the DoeaDing event last Saturday with Dyanne (figured we could both use an afternoon away from the house) and I HAD to buy one of the templates Anita Izendoorn did for Crealies. You can find them HERE, I bought the number 8 template... but I think I'll need the number 7 as well. You can also still win one of the templates by clicking on the picture of one of Anita's bags in the right sidebare and reading what you need to do. These are really easy to make and so pretty I think! I am to late with my next Design Team card for Whiff of Joy (sorry :(... I'll have my next one finished asap) but here is finally my second Gnome: This one is called the I am Sorry Gnome but I think he is perfect for any occassion. This bag is going to be thank you for having us gift next Saturday filled with either chocolate eggs or scented candles... not sure yet. Here is a close up:
As always colored with Copics and 3D paperpieced. Here is a picture from the top of the bag:
And one from the back:
Other things I used on this bag are craft cardstock, design paper by Magnolia, Swirl die by Magnolia, Heart Banner die by Whiff of Joy (the heart on the back of the bag is cut out of the same die), roses from Wild Orchid Crafts, Tim Holtz distress inks (Walnut Stain I think this color is called) and Stickles.

Hope you like!!

Take care!

xxx
Mariska

This is SO not my day!!

2011-03-04T12:16:00.003+01:00

No card for me today... just me having to tell someone about this horrible day I'm having. It started with way to little sleep because Leon cried all night because he is getting some new teeth... third night in a row with perhaps two hours of sleep so very hard to get out of bed. But next I had to deal with an earinfection for Dyanne that had been building up for a week or so but started running during the night (and still is) resulting in very dirty hair and bed folowed by Amy falling all the way down the stairs landing with her head on a doorlock that luckily broke on impact but left her with a whole in her head so lots of blood and panic and then if that wasn't enough, while Amy was in the shower Leon threw all of his breakfast up over his clothes so I had to put him in the shower as well. How lucky can you get right! Now everything has kind of calmed, Amy seems to be doing ok, a little bruised and with a huge plaster on her head we are keeping an eye on her, Dyanne doesn't seem to be having much pain now, it's just uncomfortable and I hope it stops running soon, last time it lasted more then a week. Leon has kept in some food so I hope he'll be Ok... now I'm just hoping this was all my bad luck for today. Keep your fingers crossed for me will you!

Hope your day is better!

xxx
Mariska

Ps right after typing this post I let a full jar of fruit slip from my hands onto the kitchen floor and cut my finger on the glass cleaning up the mess. One thing is for sure... I'm not going bungy jumping today!

Wee Stamps Cody and Stars

2011-03-01T22:24:00.005+01:00

Edited March 2nd, 18.30 CET: I have added two pictures, the first pictures I uploaded are to yellow the last pictures I uploaded are to blue so I just thought I'd put them all on my blog and you can just imagine that the actual image is somewhere in between. At least in the last pictures Cody has a neck ;).

Hi everybody,

I hope your week has started well. I made myself some time to craft and decided I really wanted to try one of the new Wee Stamps images. Like a lot of you I received Wee Suzi but to be honest Cody and Stars stole my heart the second I saw him so I decided to purchase him and color him up (ik weet het Nicole... ik zou het voorlopig nog even laten maar lukte weer eens niet :S). The lines of both Cody and Suzi are very fine so that is a bit more challenging with my 3D but I loved working with him. Here is the card I made:
I hope you're able to see that both Cody and the stars have lots of Stickles on them, the Bo Bunny paper used is also glittery but I don't think any of that sparkle was captured on the pictures. But believe me... this card sparkles :). Paper, pearls, ribbon and charm are all from stash. Here is a close up of cute little Cody:

Hope you like my card.. I loved making it! From Nicole's blog I understand that there will be a new release in mid March.. can't wait! I love the style of these images. I also have found the most perfect sentiment to go on the inside of my card but I have to order those sentiment stamps so maybe I'll show you the inside when it's done in a week or two (I have to order them from the USA).

It's of to bed for me! Take care sweet people, love to know what you think of this card!

xxx

Mariska

Don't worry be happy Gnome :)

2011-02-27T09:48:00.003+01:00

Hi girls,

The weather outside is so wrong for my post of today. I received the March release for Whiff of Joy in the mail a few days ago, very cute gnomes by Norma Fickel. Now I have to admit... I never colored an image by Norma Fickel before but these gnomes are very quick and nice to color. My first Gnome to show you is the "I miss you Gnome" (sorry no link yet since these will be released on March 1st). Here is my card: The roof of the gnome house is paperpieced with Twitterpatted paper by Imaginisce as is the rest of the designpaper used on this card. This card fits the current challenge at the Whiff of Joy Challenges blog which is paperpiecing (you have to be quick though, less then three days left to enter). The button is from stash and the button twine is by a Whiff of Joy and the color is Desert Sand. Here is a close up of the image:

Colored with my Copics and 3D paperpieced as always. Now I wasn't sure what kind of sentiment to use on this card until I had a friend on the phone the other day. This friend has everything going for her, she is healthy, succesfull and is surrounded by people who care about her and love her but still she worries about a few (in my eyes) stupid people who are probably just jealous and keep making her feel bad. At the time I was busy coloring this cute little gnome and when I got back to my project he reminded me of her all of a sudden. Here is this cute little gnome who is sitting in his cute little house with the green grass, flowers, love but does he look happy? There will always be things to get you worried but in the end you should look at the things that are good in live, count your blessings I guess. I mean, come on this guy is a gnome for goodness sake! How bad can life be right :)! So anyways.... here is the sentiment I thought of in this mood:

Now I'm not going to mention my friends name on this post but I do hope she knows I'm talking about her and gets the message. Love you girly, forget about the stupid people, enjoy all the things you've got going for you!

That's it for me for this post. Don't forget the cute Gnomes are coming into store on March 1st!

Take care people and be happy!!

xxx

Mariska

New Release at Pink Cat Studio

2011-02-24T20:06:00.004+01:00

Hi everybody!!

As most of you may know I have a soft spot for Pink Cat Studio. Melissa, the owner of Pink Cat Studio who I have the great pleasure of calling my friend, contacted me last week and asked me if I wanted to be a guest designer for the next release. She showed me the picture of the cute gnomes she'd be releasing and I SO wanted to say yes. I did try but I couldn't make it in time, I'll try to do a card later on though.. busy busy busy. Anyhow, I didn't want to let you guys miss the new release so on top of this post you'll see the incredibly cute gnome family and for you Dutch girls... doesn't the male gnome remind you of the kabouter by Rien Poortvliet!! As I told Melissa, growing up we had the Kabouterboek by Rien Poortvliet and I have looked through those gorgeous drawings so many times.

Oh and since I'm busy telling you about the latest release by Pink Cat Studio, just in case you missed it, below you'll find a picture of last weeks release... loved that one so much as well. We'll be taking the girls to the Disney Rapunzel movie next Saturday if Dyanne is up to it... we were away last weekend to Limburg and she got ill and still isn't feeling 100%. Poor thing. Anyway... aren't these super cute:
I'll leave you guys!! Have a great evening!

xxx

Mariska

I have a tutorial up on the Whiff of Joy Inspirations- and Tutorial blog

2011-02-23T16:12:00.002+01:00

Hi everybody,

I did a tutorial on how I make small alterations to a stamped image on the Whiff of Joy Inspirations- and Tutorial blog HERE. I know I promissed to do one on my 3D technique but I want to do a videotutorial on that one and I need to get a new camera before I can do that one... or borrow one from my in laws. Anyways... that one will be my second one, I promiss :). Here is the card I did for the first tutorial, if you do visit the WOJ blog I would love it if you would leave me a comment! The front

A close up

The inside

And the pieces used to create the 3D

(loved your reaction when I showed you those for my last card!)

Have a great day everybody!!

xxx

Mariska

New digi-store

2011-02-15T15:48:00.003+01:00

Hi ladies,

I came across a lovely new digi-store yesterday, I knew I recognized the adorable face of one of the three images from somewhere and that is because the designer, Sylvia Zet is also a designer for Spesch stamps (blog in my sidebar). You could get the gorgeous digi below for free if you go to her blog and read what you need to do to get it. I would hurry because you have until Wednesday.

xxx

Mariska

Whiff of Joy Nora with Spring Birds

2011-02-13T08:40:00.004+01:00

Hi ladies,

I have a new card to show you. It has taken me about three evenings and an afternoon waiting during my daughters swimming lesson to finish this one... and I am still not completely satisfied with it. But at some point you have to stop adding things. Being the perfectionist that I am I was still thinking about cutting the circle of the card this morning and making a complete new card around it... but stopped myself in the end. What do you think... keep it this way? Here it is: Now I LOVE the image, she is one of my two favourites of the new Whiff of Joy release and she is called Nora with Spring Birds. She is completely done in 3D and I do love how she turned out. I did do a small alteration to the image, on the left, I placed here ear before the bird, that worked out better with my 3D. If anybody doesn't know how to make these small alterations and wants to find out give me a call and I'll do a tutorial about that. Here is a close up:

The sentiment "Wishing you a perfect Day" is also by whiff of Joy from an older sentiment set (the same one I used in my previous card). I figured if two little birds helped you to dress up that would certainly be a good start to any day :). I wanted to show you how many pieces I used to create this card so.... here's the picture :):

Call me insane... I know :). Now maybe you'll understand why I can't do three cards in one evening. Here is a side view to see all the layers. Pictures from the front don't do the images justice I think, I like them so much better IRL.. but then, when I send them to somebody that's exactly how they see them right :).

I'll do a tutorial on my 3D technique on the Whiff of Joy Inspirations and Tutorial blog in less then two weeks. If anybody is interested :).

Not much to say about this card really... almost every single piece of material is from stash. Hope you do like it even though I'm not completely satisfied :).

Take care!!

Mariska

Nora with Raincoat card

2011-02-06T15:48:00.004+01:00

Hi girls,

First, the winner of my candy is:

True Random Number Generator (by Random.org)
Min: 1 Max: 24
Result: 15

That is: Maria Therese. Maria Therese, if you e-mail me with you details I'll send you the wallet as soon as possible!

Then I have my first card with a stamp from the Whiff of Joy February release. This cute stamp is called Nora with Raincoat and I think she is SO adorable. I love the fact that all of the Nora and Ben images have large eyes to color and I decided to give this version of Nora gorgeous Bambi-brown eyes. I think she looks just gorgeous with brown eyes and blond hair. The papers are again from the Whiff of Joy 6x6 Paperkit Fruhlingserwachen together with Kraft cardstock. The flowers used are by Wild Orchid Crafts and the ribbon I bought from Stampingcorner, the bow was done with the Bow Easy which is also sold at Stampingcorner amongst other places. The leaves were done with a McGill punch. The sketch is this weeks sketch over at Sketch Saturday. Here is a close up of the image, can you see those gorgeous Stickles?:

This card matches the challenge that's on these two weeks at Whiff of Joy Challenges. The challenge is Love is in the Air and if you see the inside of my card you know that that's the case :). The sentiment is from an older Whiff of Joy sentiment set and reads "It's Raining Love and Birthday Wishes!", I thought that matched perfectly with Nora in her raincoat.

Here is a side view of the card so you can see the 3D.

Hope you like my card!!! Take care everybody!!

xxx

Mariska

For my Tweetheart Spring Fold Card

2011-02-03T20:24:00.005+01:00

Hi girls,

Today I have a card to show you using For my Tweetheart by Whiff of Joy. This stamp is from the January release, the February release was delivered by the postman today (!!!). I bought this sweetie right after it was released, I believe the same night actually :). My friend Nicole and I were talking about this release a few weeks back and she kept talking about this little owl and I had no idea which stamp she was talking about... turns out she was talking about this cute little robin though :). For me this bird was a robin from the moment she caught my eye and so I colored her up as one. Of course... then I had the problem of finding matching papers. I struggled with it last night for two hours and then today.... Whiff of Joy's new paperpad "Fruhlingserwachen" was in the envelop and my problems were solved! Every single piece of paper matched my already colored image :). So here is the result:

The sentiment "Sweet Hello" was part of the Whiff of Joy Summer Stamp Kit of 2009. This is my first Spring Fold Card. It was so easy to make though using THIS tutorial and I love how it displays the image so I'll be using it again. Here is a close up of the little robin:

Colored with Copics and 3D paperpieced for extra dimension as always. Here is a side view:

Well hope you like my first card as a Guest DT member for Whiff of Joy. I have already started coloring my first image from the fabulous February release so I hope to be able to show you a card soon.

Take care!!

xxx

Mariska

YES!!

2011-01-24T18:39:00.004+01:00

Hi girls,

Have you seen Katharina Frei's blog yet? If you haven't let me tell you my big news:

I have been chosen to be Whiff of Joy's Guest Designer for Februari and March!!

I haven't been trying out for Designer functions ever since Leon was born but I got really excited when I read about the call on Katharina's blog earlier... just had to give it a try.... still can't believe I actually made it though. I can finally give my iPad a break since I have been using it to refresh Katharina's blog just about every ten minutes today. I can't wait to see what stamps we'll get to work with!

Thank you so much for this opportunity Katharina!!

xxx
Mariska