A Blog Called Wanda

Gung Hay Fat Choy! Happy Chinese New Year 2014!

 

Hi everybody! Where did this week go? Sheesh! I had all kinds of plans...but here it is Friday and all I did was go to work all week! Today is a special day because it is Chinese New Year - the Year of the Horse! Gung Hay Fat Choy! If you've been following my blog for a while, you know that I always make Chinese New Year cards for my friends. CLICK HERE TO SEE MY CARDS FROM PAST YEARS. Here is some information about the Chinese Zodiac symbols. I am a Dragon! What are you? 

I looked on-line and went through my stash and could not find any horse stamps that I thought were appropriate, so I got out my huge bin of Asian stamps and found a pretty lantern stamp to use for my cards this year. 

I used one of my favorite techniques, which is 'watercolor' stamping with markers onto watercolor paper. You do this by inking your stamp with markers (water based markers like Marvy), and then spritzing the stamp lightly with water before impressing your image. For my cards, I stamped off three lanterns from each inking.... I used red, orange and yellow markers and let the colors blend together....

 

 

 

After I stamped my lanterns and they were dry, I stamped some pretty Chinese calligraphy in Linen Distress Ink, and then also inked the edges of my paper. Then I stamped my numbers in nice dark black ink. 

 

 

 

Here are my stamps....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gosh, how gorgeous are the postage stamps this year for Celebrating Lunar New Year??? LOVE these. I bought five sheets! The white cards on the right are the insides of my cards. The envelopes are a pretty red. You can see I stamped chrysanthemums in Versamark Ink on the front for a pretty detail. 

 

 

 

Here is a close up of the pretty stamps....

 

 

 

I hope that you have a wonderful New Year! Celebrate and enjoy! I hope the Year of the Horse brings you health, happiness, success and prosperity! Gung Hay Fat Choy! And, have a great weekend everyone! XO

Papertrey Ink January Blog Hop - Pretty in Pink!

Hello!!! Just what the card says! I'm so happy to be hopping along today in the Papertrey Ink Customer Blog Hop! The theme this month is Pretty in Pink, and we know that's just up my alley! I enjoy doing this hop so much - there is so much love going around, and so many beautiful projects to see. If you're stopping by to see me for the first time today - welcome! 

I went through a bunch of shades of pink before finally choosing a pretty salmon/rose pink color. This is one of my favorite colors of all time. It reminds me of antique roses and old fashioned things. As my neutrals I used kraft and crisp white.  I got out a BUNCH of dies and different stamp sets and came up with this: 

  

 

This is the first time I finally got out this awesome Hello word die! I cut it out of a piece of ombre paper to give it a nice effect...

 

 

 

Here's a close up of my little love notes tucked into my tiny roses envelope....

 

 

I made the tiny envelope with my We R Memory Keepers Envelope Punch Board (love).... The patterned paper I chose is two sided and I love the lattice look of the other side. Made for a nice contrast on my card. 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are my flower embellishments - made with the Blush buttons pack and some kraft leaves that I hand cut free style. I like to take my bone folder and make a crease in the leaves to make them three dimensional as you see here. 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's one final shot of my layers...you know me with the foam tape...lol. 

Okay, now I can't wait to see what everyone else made! Have a super fabulous weekend everyone! XO

Happy Day!

Hey there! I hope it was a happy day for you! It appears I am in a butterfly phase again! I'm gravitating towards the brighter, lighter colors of Spring already. We have had unusually warm weather in my part of the world and I think the nice weather has me ready for pretty colors in my crafting. I am also drawn right now to accents of black with the bright colors....so graphic and clean. I hope you like the card I have to share today! 

No stamping today on this card - just all dies and pretty papers.... 

 

 

 

This chalkboard paper from We R Memory Keepers has not left my desk! It's all the colors I love - aqua, celery, pink....ahhh.... I cut out some pretty butterfly dies and layered them twice. I used some big giant pearls for the centers.

 

 

 

Happy! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is a top down view so you can see all the layers! 

 

SUPPLIES FOR TODAY:   

InLinkz.com

Whew! Let's get caught up!

Hi everyone! It seems like ages since I sat down and wrote a blog post! The things you've been seeing for the past week were all scheduled ahead of my trip to CHA in Anaheim! Well, I'm home now, and trying to get caught up with 'real' life and such. It's good to be home, and my brain is overflowing with crafty ideas...

The trip to CHA was amazing! I worked all four days at the Taylored Expressions booth and they had a great show. It's so fun to spend time with the people I work with online every day. They are such a wonderful group of people and I'm reminded how blessed I am that they are a part of my life. I also got to walk the show and see so many of my favorite bloggy friends. My heart is full!! I think it took three days for my feet to stop aching! LOL. It was a great trip. I tried to facebook as much as I could so I hope you checked out all my 'on to go' photos there. Whew. 

Here are just a few photos that I wanted to share from my trip! First up is a photo of all of us at the TE booth. From left to right - Stephanie, Jami, Taylor, John, Regina, Wanda, Shannon and Linda. XOXO

 

 

 

 

My MOST favorite and unique display from the show - Tim Holtz for Sizzix....

 

 

 

Laguna Beach, Heisel Park...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Creative Retreat classes start next week! Thank you so much to all of you who already signed up! I think it's going to be really fun! My class project is all ready to go and I'm so excited for you guys to see it. There is no time limit on when you can sign up. CLICK HERE FOR THE CLASS INFO PAGE - and to see the sneak peeks of some of the projects. 

And here is my Sneak Peek!

Vintage Paris Valentine is the name of my class! 

I've missed all of you! What have you been up to? I hope your new year is off to a great start! I'm renewed and energized creatively and can't wait to start sharing projects with you. Thanks for popping in! 

I Mustache You a Question!

 

 

ACK! Me again! Back with more Valentine F-U-N from Taylored Expressions and the January Stamp of the Month Kit! SO cute, this set! Little tiny mustaches? Are you kidding me? I used one of my favorite card layouts from last year, and some old timey striped paper to make a silly card. Hope you like it! 

 

 

 

I'm telling you - the fonts in this set are PERFECTION! Isn't this the best sentiment stamp? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Until we meet again my sweets! XO

 

 

 

InLinkz.com

Taylored Expressions January 2014 Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!

 

 

It's time again for the fantabulous Stamp of the Month Blog Hop for Taylored Expressions! Yeah! This is one of my favorite posts for the month. Love how Taylor combines pretty papers together for the Key Ingredients kits and I always love the new SOTM too. Hope you enjoy! My card today is a non-traditional valentine. I used some of the different colors together and I kind of like it! That Kiss Me stamp is a new fav. LOVE that font, don't you? 

 

 

 

 

I stamped my sentiment with white ink onto a charcoal grey paper and then rimmed it with silver! Ooh la la. Doesn't get more vintage than that! 

 

 

 

LIPS!! Oh, and that awesome old-fashioned medallion? LOVE it! 

 

 

 

 

I LOVE doing this hop every month - because we team up with the awesome ladies from the Key Ingredients Team and I adore them! Here are all the links for today - have fun!! Loads of inspiration! 

• Amy Crockett
• Cassie Trask
• Charmaine Ikach
• Courtney Kelley
• Jen Shults
• Joan Ervin
• Kerri Michaud
• Monika Davis
• Sankari Wegman
• Shannon White
• Shelly Mercado
• Stephanie Kraft
• Taylor VanBruggen
• Tracy Clemente
• Wanda Guess

 

InLinkz.com

Thinking of you....

Hello!! Happy Saturday! I hope you have a fantastic weekend! I'm at CHA right now enjoying the creative time with friends and bloggers. I so look forward to this every year. I always come home renewed and energized and ready to be creative. It's the one time of year when I can see my bloggy friends... And, not to forget, see ALLL the new products! This year I am particularly interested in the new things from Tim Holtz. Be sure to check out my A Blog Called Wanda facebook page if you want to see photos from the show floor. 

Before I left I made one last card... I was inspired by this piece of cool map paper I found in my stash... Then I was inspired by some pretty Memory Box Dies... And then some Perfect Pearls... Well then this all sort of happened! Hope you enjoy. Talk to you soon! 

 

 

 

 

The sentiment is from one of the Simon Says Stamp exclusive clear stamp sets. I stamped my sentiment in Corduroy Distress Ink. I used Heirloom Gold Perfect Pearls mist (that's my favorite one). 

 

 

 

I always glue my butterflies in the center with clear Tombow glue and then hold them down with my bone folder until they stick. That way you can fold their wings up and they don't fall off. 

 

 

 

 

 

That's it for me today! Thanks for checking in and hope you have a great weekend! XO

Taylored Expressions January 2014 Release Day - Big Bold Valentine & Love Makes the World Go Round!

RELEASE DAY IS HERE!!! Taylored Expressions' January 2014 Release is ready to purchase! CLICK HERE to go to the TE Storefront and check it all out! I have two last projects to share with you today. As you're reading this I am on my way to Anaheim to meet up with Taylor and the crew and get ready for the CHA show! I'm working Taylor's booth taking orders and doing make-n-takes. CANNOT WAIT! 

First up today is another Valentine card, made using lots of new items and some pretty new papers too. Full supply list is at the end of my post. I just went a little crazy with the washi tape and the hearts...and the arrows... LOL.  

 

 

 

The tag was made using the new Tag Stacklets 2 Dies that we put out this month! There is a separate die for the reinforcements so you can make them any matching color! Perfect. 

 

 

 

To make my embellishment I cut a circle out first and then used the new Heart Stacklets to cut an offset heart out of the center. I love the way the patterned paper shows through. LOVE the word die too!!!! Oh, and did I mention those cool arrows? I think I did!! 

 

 

 

Yummmmmmmy coordinating washi tapes! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next up is a sweet and simple one layer card made using the "Love Makes the World Go Round" stamp set. LOVE these adorable images. This card was made for a housewarming card for my friend's mom! I used some sweet colors in Copic Markers to color my images...and then added some touches of prisma glitter. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Okay...so there you have it! Another release in the books! Have fun shopping and creating and be sure to check out one last link list. Thank you for following along with me this week. Mwah! 

• Charmaine Ikach
• Courtney Kelley
• Jen Shults
• Joan Ervin
• Kerri Michaud
• Regina Mangum
• Sankari Wegman
• Shannon White
• Shelly Mercado
• Stephanie Kraft
• Taylor VanBruggen
• Wanda Guess

  

InLinkz.com

Taylored Expressions January 2014 Sneak Peeks - Valentine Treat Toppers!

Day Three of Taylored Expressions Release Week is here! Have you enjoyed the week so far? Anything in particular catch your eye? Thanks for having fun with us all week.... Tomorrow is RELEASE DAY! You can purchase all the new items tomorrow morning. Yippppeeeeee! 

For today's project I used the super cool Candy Box Punch Board along wtih the new dies called Valentine Treat Toppers - to make some little treat boxes! Squeeeee! Love this project. I tucked some Hershey's kisses inside my boxes.  

 

 

Red and white is so crisp for Valentine's Day...and you know I always love a pop of light blue with it. I added some sparkles to each one too. The Treat Toppers dies come in a set and are perfect for cupcakes, treat sacks, cards...anything. Those lips are so fab! 

 

 

 

 

Here is your linky list for today! Hop around and see what everyone else is up to! Have a wonderful day! 

• Charmaine Ikach
• Courtney Kelley
• Jen Shults
• Joan Ervin
• Kerri Michaud
• Sankari Wegman
• Shannon White
• Shelly Mercado
• Stephanie Kraft
• Taylor VanBruggen
• Wanda Guess

 

InLinkz.com

Taylored Expressions January 2014 Sneak Peeks - In My Heart!

HEY! Welcome back for Day TWO of Taylored Expressions Sneak Peeks for the January 2014 Release! So happy to have you here! Today I am sharing one project - a sweet Valentine card that is sure to delight any valentine! I used the AWESOME new Heart Stacklets Dies and a fun new stamp set called "In My Heart."

I like to make at least one CAS design card every release week - something that would be easy to mass produce and flat for mailing. This card fits the bill. I hope you like it! XO

 

 

 

My card base is soft cream paper and I stamped the heart in bright red! I cut on the diagonal and put some pretty background paper as my bottom layer. This is a good card layout to save, too. You could use it for lots of things. 

 

 

 

Here is a side shot so you can see how I layered my pieces! 

 

Okay, that's what I got for you today. Please make sure to stop by all the other designers' blogs to see their cool projects and get a flavor for all the new items. See you tomorrow for more sneak peeks...and Thursday for Release Day! 

Your Baker's Dozen Design Team: 

• Charmaine Ikach
• Courtney Kelley
• Jen Shults
• Joan Ervin
• Kerri Michaud
• Regina Mangum
• Sankari Wegman
• Shannon White
• Shelly Mercado
• Stephanie Kraft
• Taylor VanBruggen
• Wanda Guess 

 

InLinkz.com

Taylored Expressions January 2014 Sneak Peeks - A Lovely View and Sack-it!

YOWZA! It's time for Taylored Expressions Release Week already!!?? Yep! And, there are so many cute things in store for you this month! Lots of fun things for Valentine's Day and l-o-v-e! I hope you will join me all week as I showcase different new products! Everything is going to be available for purchase on Thursday morning - the 9th! 

Today I am sharing two projects that use many of the new products - especially new dies. You're going to love everything - I just know it! First up is a silly owl card (you know I love owls) and second up is a candy confection of pink and red perfect for a valentine sweetie! 

 

 

 

 

You're a HOOOOOT! How cute is this little set of owl dies? It coordinates with the "Sack It" collection but I made it into a card! I also used the new Tag die! YEAH! 

 

 

 

I made my sweet little owl and then I thought...hmmm...she needs a little something. I know!! Spectacles! Don't laugh, because I used to wear glasses just like that! I love this retro color combo... Inspired by the Basic Grey Hipster paper pack. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next up is a fun explosion of color and all things girlie! I used the new stamp set called "A Lovely View" combined with the new Display Window and Awning dies!! I colored the stamp in with my Copics and added a birdie. 

 

 

 

This awning die is seriously too fabulous! It has a separate piece to make the stripes a different color! Awesomeness, Taylor! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you so much for coming by today! And, don't forget to check in here every day this week for more sneak peeks. Here are the links to the rest of the Baker's Dozen Design Team - check out all the projects! Have a great day!  

• Charmaine Ikach
• Courtney Kelley
• Jen Shults
• Joan Ervin
• Kerri Michaud
• Regina Mangum
• Sankari Wegman
• Shannon White
• Shelly Mercado
• Stephanie Kraft
• Taylor VanBruggen
• Wanda Guess

  

InLinkz.com

Announcements!!

Hello my bloggy friends! Whew...January is off to a fun start! I have so much to share with you and some announcements of things to come this month. Read on! 

I am going to be one of the instructors for a fabulous online craft workshop! My friend May Flaum (amazing and talented) kindly invited me to join in on her Winter Creative Retreat! I am thrilled to teach with some of my favorite crafter/bloggers. There are nine instructors in all - and loads of projects. I wanted to share the information with you - maybe you will sign up!? The cost is lower if you sign up before January 9th. CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE INFORMATION PAGE!  There are bios on all the other teachers and more deets.  My project will be a card (of course) and it will be Vintage Valentine in theme! 

 

 

 

For a limited time this class is available for just $20!  

The classroom will be active, with new content added and all of the lessons being posted, between January 20-31. Students will not be limited or cut off from access after this time and the classroom will remain open and available for you to enjoy the materials at your own pace. 

What's included? 

* Twelve separate lessons from different instructors, delivered between January 20-31st featuring projects and techniques ranging from scrapbook layouts to cards, to mixed media canvases!

* Unlimited access to the classroom to re-visit these materials and work at your own pace and E-mail access to lead instructor May Flaum!

* E-mails notifying you of new materials being added to classroom, as well as additional inspiration and ideas!

 

CHA is coming next week! 

In other big news....next week is Taylored Expressions Release Week! And...I will be on my way to Anaheim to see Taylor and the rest of the TE Crew at the CHA Convention! WOOOT WOOOT! I am beside myself with excitement to get there and start having fun! FOUR DAYS of girly, crafty, creative, inspiring fun! 

I will be at the convention from Friday until Tuesday, and, like last year, I will be posting photos of new products, new innovations and your favorite craft-a-lebrities the whole time on my A Blog Called Wanda Facebook page. If you want to see the latest from the floor - "like" my page on Facebook. Just click on the Facebook link in my left hand sidebar. You can also check out my pictures from last year on there. 

I hope that your year is off to a great start! Thank you for being a part of my creative journey! Blessings to you! XO

 

 

 

 

....Inspire Great Things....

HAPPY HAPPY NEW YEAR! Happy 2014 Everyone! The new year is full of promise and possibilities and beginnings! I hope your year is off to a good start. We spent the day at home yesterday relaxing and watching the parade and football games and I got some much needed creative time. Hmmmm....I had no idea what I wanted to make,though. Something for the new year, but what? I went through my drawer of Papertrey Ink goodness and saw the Hands of Time stamp set and then I saw the sentiment that I used. I thought - that is a really nice saying for the new year - and voila! A card was born! 

 

 

It was really hard to pick a color scheme...but then I found the fern stamps and decided on a natural color palette of green, brown and mustard. And, my current obsession, wood grain paper! Isn't that a pretty saying for this week? 

 

 

 

It took me a while to decide what color to make the clock... I had a brown clock, a white clock and finally decided on the mossy green. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I cut the clock hands out of distress kraft core paper and then sanded them to look a bit worn. All my paper edges are inked with Antique Linen Distress Ink. 

 

 

 

Here's a photo that shows my layers...

Stamps and dies for this project are all from Papertrey Ink: Hands of Time stamp set and clock dies, Number dies, Meadow Greens stamp set and matching dies, and Love Lives Here stamp set and matching dies. The inks are all Tim Holtz Distress Inks: Antique Linen, Mustard, Peeled Paint and Corduroy.  See you soon! I'll have some news to share soon about an online card class I'm doing with May Flaum (and a giveaway)! Also, I leave next Thursday for CHA!!! And, next week is Taylored Expressions Release Week. 2014 is off to a busy start! XO