MICEY MAYHEM

My first love, when I began card/paper crafting, was rubber stamping.  

Whilst on my first trip to Florida (decades ago!), we discovered a fabulous rubber stamp emporium, sadly no longer there, but to a crafter it was like Christmas had come early.  They had the common sense to provide comfy leather sofas for the 'husbands' to settle on whilst the 'wives' wiled away many hours of 'oohs and aahs' and shall I or shalln't I buy this one or that one.  Tim took a book to read, and sometimes two, as he knew he would be in for the long haul.  There was too much choice especially with a limited luggage allowance for  the return flight.  I wanted it all !!!! I did learn the lesson of travelling light after that, and taking an empty case too.  I could do without clothes, I could not live without craft products.....you know what I mean don't you ;-)

This is where I first came across the delightful House Mouse range of stamps - Amanda, Monica, Maxwell, Mudpie & Muzzy - drawn by Nancy Dezotell.  When I first purchased them they were manufactured by Stampa Rosa Inc, and subsequent ones  from Stampabilities.  Those in the UK, and certainly the ones in my web shop are by Stampendous, now having the added space saving benefit  of being cling mounted rather than wood mounted, plus much more affordable.

The selection of cards I have posted today shows just how detailed the art work is.  They almost do the work for you.  In fact, the one on the left is just purely stamped in black ink with just the accent of a coloured ribbon.   The stamps speak for themselves and are so adorable, that anyone receiving a card couldn't fail to  smile when they open it up.



And everyone likes colouring - right?  It's so therapeutic.

I have used a variety of colouring mediums - coloured pencils, watercolour pencils (Caran D'Ache for the paler palette and Inktense for the more stronger colours), and my markers of choice are Promarkers.   The cards to the left show the difference between the Caran D'Ache watercolour pencils, and the deeper tones of the Promarkers. 

The versatility of these stamps also means that  they can have multiple uses.  These for example, have been made for a Birthday and an Anniversary, but would work equally as well for a Get Well or even a retirement.

I have discovered a Facebook Page especially for the House Mouse range - fabulous :) So relax, enjoy and have fun...and don't forget to visit the web shop.

Christine