Frequently, when I’m out visiting blogs, I’ll drop in on folks just in time to see the cards they’re sharing for the current House Mouse and Friends challenge. It always gives me the urge to get out some of my old House Mouse stamps and play along. So, I did just that today!
When I first became enthusiastic about stamping, my son would occasionally bring stamps for my birthday or Christmas, and that’s how I came to own my current House Mouse collection. It’s a small collection, and the stamps are older, but because they’re from my son, they’re very dear to me and I’ll never part with them. Thankfully, both stamp quality and image appeal have withstood the test of time. This one, called Fish Tales, is one of my favorites.
The current challenge is #99 “Make a Splash”. All you have to do is use a House Mouse image which has water in it. I have more than one House Mouse stamp with water in it, but I just love this one because it’s really a very likely scene. Of course, all those unlikely scenes are pretty cute, too. In fact, I went browsing the House Mouse store and found some adorable new stamps which would be so much fun to color. Talked myself out of making a purchase at this time since I have a basketful of stamps I haven’t used yet, tsk, tsk.
I colored the image with Copic markers. All these papers are from the Prima Fairy Flora collection, which seemed to have all the right colors in it to coordinate with the image. I plan to send this card to my son so I avoided the pretty floral prints and went with the subtle patterns and watercolor hues.
That’s it for me today! I’m back to the reality of the work week after a little time off, sigh… Hope I can keep this refreshed feeling going for a while. We’ll see. Have a happy day!
Stamps: House Mouse Fish Tales Paper: Flourishes Classic White, Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Prima Fairy Flora designer paper Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic markers for coloring Accessories: Self-adhesive nail heads, poly-twill ribbon, Scotch brand foam mounting tape (to pop up image panel)
Very cute card...bet your son will get a big smile out of the memory of buying it for you! I have a small collection of House Mouse and a few I bought last year but have never seen ink...you are inspiring me to get them out!!
Posted by: Diane Hover | 07/05/2011 at 03:19 AM
What a sweet, sweet card! It's a perfect reminder for your son.
Posted by: Tammy Hair | 07/05/2011 at 05:22 AM
That card is adorable and timeless! Love that you gave it a masculine look with your choice of papers, without being overly masculine.
Posted by: Marian Bonney | 07/05/2011 at 05:24 AM
Wow Leslie you have done this image proud great colours & the DPs go so well perfect male creation
love the stitching & layout great take on the Water theme chall.
thanks for shaing with us at HM & friends Monday chall.
smiles Christine xx
Posted by: christine | 07/05/2011 at 05:46 AM
Oh wow!! This is a fantastic HM&F design!!! I love your coloring, the subtle colors and your sewing that sets this off so beautifully!! A beautiful take on our "Make A Splash" theme!! Thanks so much for playing along with us at house-Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge!!! Hope to see you again joining us next time for our 100th Challenge and BLOG-HOP Celebration! :)
Posted by: America | 07/05/2011 at 05:46 AM
WOW Leslie, what a beautiful card!!! Your image is delightful, your colouring awesome and those fabulous papers and the layout are simply perfect.
So glad you shared this with us at House Mouse & Friends Monday challenge,
love
Heather xx
Posted by: Heather | 07/05/2011 at 05:47 AM
Beautiful card, Leslie, and gorgeous coloring! Love this image. You're inspiring me to try to get in on this one....it's been awhile. Have a great week.
Posted by: Karen W. | 07/05/2011 at 06:27 AM
I feel like I say this all the time, but your coloring is fabulous! It takes a keen eye to make something look like it's truly under water, and you've done it here. The fishy colors are perfectly muted, while the jumping one is so bright, sailing above those cute little mice.
Posted by: Colleen Dietrich | 07/05/2011 at 06:56 AM
Cute image, one I haven't seen before. Great coloring and card for the challenge. Have a good week.
Posted by: Bev J. | 07/05/2011 at 07:02 AM
This card is just adorable and, of course, your coloring is so fabulous!! tfs
Posted by: Cindy H. | 07/05/2011 at 08:43 AM
Leslie - you have quite the knack for buying the prettiest papers. I think that instead of venturing out on my own when purchasing DP, I will simply take my cue from your choices and follow suite. Your little mousie card is just precious and exquisitely colored.
Posted by: Gabriela | 07/05/2011 at 09:15 AM
I love House Mouse. Years ago (way before email) I had a card shop and, along with blank art cards, HM was a favorite of my customers. Your coloring is superb as always.
Posted by: Mildred | 07/05/2011 at 10:31 AM
Wow what an awesome card and I bet your son will enjoy getting this. The coloring is great. Good luck with this challenge.
Posted by: Victoria T | 07/05/2011 at 10:32 AM
Hi ya
a fabulous card, awesome colouring, lovely design & stitching, thank you for joining us at House Mouse & Friends this week, hope to see you next time, sue,x
Posted by: sue | 07/05/2011 at 12:28 PM
This is super adorable!!! Love your coloring which is perfect. All-around fabulous card.
Posted by: SueB | 07/05/2011 at 12:57 PM
What a fabulous card, and so sweet that your son gave you those stamps and you still have them! Wonderfully colored and finished!
Posted by: Lynette | 07/05/2011 at 01:24 PM
Well I can see why this would be a "favorite" as it's just such a cute image. You've done a wonderful job showcasing this stamp.
Posted by: Ida | 07/05/2011 at 03:51 PM
I love this stamp too. Gorgeous card Leslie.
Posted by: Leigh | 07/05/2011 at 04:46 PM
You nailed the water line Leslie, wow! What a cute card, the coloring wonderful. Makes me think of lazy evenings walking around the ponds in Virginia (when we lived there). A delightful scene.
Hugs,
Susie~
Posted by: Susie | 07/05/2011 at 09:45 PM
Oh my Goodness, Miss Leslie, this is so darned Adorable! I love love Love House Mouse stamps! I have a small collection myself, that have never seen ink..But you are inspiring me to break them out and put them to use! LOL I am sure you son will just love this! It's just Wonderful.. Wonderful coloring and Fabulous dp's.. Think I need to pic up that prima stack.. 8-) Thanks so much for the inspiration Miss Leslie!
Hugs
Shannon 8-)
Posted by: Shannon White | 07/05/2011 at 11:35 PM
I love that Fish Tails came from your Son... that make this card that much better. Just love thid image and the way you colored it then used the perfect papers to show the whold thing off...
Great Card!!!
Posted by: Dotty A | 07/06/2011 at 04:56 AM
This is adorable, I love house mouse stamps, just darling.
Posted by: Karen Wallace | 07/06/2011 at 08:23 AM
Leslie, this is just darling! I love your coloring and paper too. I love HM images and have gotten a few new ones recently. I truly enjoy reading your blog to see your creations and your beautiful dog Wally.
Posted by: bensarmom | 07/06/2011 at 08:52 AM
You've done masterful things with these 'lil rodents, Leslie...seriously, they are colored so beautifully and what a perfect card for your son!! I so want to learn to color like you!!
Posted by: Traci Major | 07/06/2011 at 10:34 AM
Leslie this is super cute HM (that I do not have) and your son has wonderful taste. hee hee Your coloring is wonderful and I think the water looks perfect. Very cute.
We just got home and I am relaxed as all get out. trying to catch up on blogs while the laundry is cleaning. Sand sand and more sand, that is the price you pay for the beach time. :0)
Posted by: Stacy aka Twinshappy | 07/06/2011 at 02:17 PM
This truly is such an adorable scene.. Those little tails in the water with the fish, oh my! LOVE this, Leslie.
Posted by: Susan (rainy) | 07/06/2011 at 05:20 PM
She did it!!! Sorry to be so tardy, but harvest is putting a real crimp in my crafty and blog time! Goodness--I am tickled pink to have your play along with us atHM&F's Monday Challenge!!! I am totally pink to have you play along with this amazing creation. Love how you made this darling image into a manly card. I am sure your son will love getting this in the mail! Sue K
Posted by: Sue Kment | 07/06/2011 at 09:23 PM
I don't know if I have seen this one yet, it is too cute, and terrific coloring, love the papers they compliment it so well and neat stitching too!
Posted by: Conniecrafter | 07/07/2011 at 09:26 AM
Gorgeous card. Love your colours and the cute image. Wonder what the mice'll say when the fish bite their tales! Thanks for joining us at HM&F.
Kat x
Posted by: Kathryn | 07/07/2011 at 03:09 PM
Oh Leslie, this is so beautiful. Love that stamp and the colors are so pretty. Stitching is lovely, makes such a beautiful statement on your card. Thanks for joining us at the House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge. Nicely done.
Hugs
Sue
Posted by: Sue Drees | 07/07/2011 at 05:53 PM
Saw your Guest Designer spot over at Dude Time Doodles this morning, and stopped by to browse your blog. When I'm not doing Dude Time cards, I dearly love House Mousies! This card is so sweet. Fabulous coloring! Reminds me that I need to get my own House Mouse card finished and submitted. Thanks for the inspiration and the wonderful browse.
NanaConnie
DTD Dudette
Posted by: NanaConnie | 07/10/2011 at 05:07 AM
What a fabby card - love the colours - i wonder what the wee frog is thinking - thanks for joining us at HM&F this week.
Gill GDT for HM&F for July
Posted by: gill mccall | 07/12/2011 at 10:11 PM
Great card. Love your creation. Thank you so much for joining us over at House Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge. Good luck!
Hugs, Natascha
Posted by: Natascha | 07/16/2011 at 05:23 PM
Your card is absolutely fabulous. I love everything about it. I only came late to the challenge and squeaked in by a whisker (sorry, couldn't help myself..) so didn't get a chance to comment before for which I apologise. Anyway, congratulations on your win and I can hardly wait to see more of your lovely cards. Lx
Posted by: Bluebertie | 07/18/2011 at 04:36 AM