House Mouse Piano Recital

I bought this stamp months ago and was so happy to have a reason to ink it up. A coworker asked for a card to give for a piano recital. I immediately thought of my sweet mice and inked away. The color challenge was perfect for this card. I wanted to try a different ribbon technique than my usual bow and opted to ‘lace’ things up. There are a few challenges where I was trying to incorporate lace, but I can’t find a stitch of the traditional stuff anywhere. I opted to use a ‘lacing technique’ instead. (Please see the Ins and Outs for the challenge links and feel free to join in the fun). My coworker LOVED the card (she had no idea I stamp, color and pull everything together). She just thought I cut out images and slapped them together. LOL, I’m sure that would take less time, but not nearly as much fun. The real bonus is my boss (the same one I just made 20 graduation cards for) placed a pre-order for similar cards at Christmas. She teaches piano lessons and thinks these would be great for her students! WAHOO!

The Sketch (Stamps & Smiles)

Color Inspiration (SCS Forum) Bashful Blue So Saffron Pumpkin Pie Inspiration Polka Dots (Jacksonbelle Embellishments) Lace (House Mouse and Friends & A Spoon Full of Sugar)

My Card

Image Detail

I added Diamond Glaze to the piano keys. A cool effect I didn’t plan on was when I tried to ‘flatten’ my image (it was warping a bit from the wet glaze) some of the glaze cracked (you can see it a bit under the middle mouse’s feet). If you have an older piano (which I do), look at the ivory on the keys – often it gets hairline cracks! Bonus for reality! Of course, I couldn’t ‘make’ it crack in all the spots I wanted, but it was a happy accident.

Lace Detail

I used 2 colors of ribbon to create a laced border. It wasn’t difficult at all and I know I’ve spent more time trying to tie the perfect bow!

Spica Detail

If you’ve worked with Spica pens, you know the subtle sparkle that can be created. It’s very tricky to capture the glint in photographs, but I try. If you haven’t worked with Spicas – go get some! I use them on just about every image. PLUS they just released a new set of 12 colors (they are at the top of my wish list). In this image I used Clear Spica to outline the piano keys (and colored in the black); Gold Spica to highlight the bars of music and the ‘gutter’; Orange Spica to highlight the shadow between the book and piano; Pink Spica to pop the mice noses and just a tish in their ears; and I also used Clear Spica over their tails and to dot their eyes. The sparkle actually comes from minute pieces of glass mixed with the ink. SO GORGEOUS, get out and try some! (I don't work for the manufacturer or even get anything for promoting the product, I just LOVE it!)

INS AND OUTS ~ House Mouse Piano Recital Challenges: Stamps and Smiles ~ Sketch Challenge 16

SCS Color Challenge Jacksonbelle Embellishments Challenge ~ Polka Dots

House Mouse & Friends Challenge #2 ~ Lace it Up A Spoon Full of Sugar #53 ~ Lace Stamps: House Mouse – Tickling the Ivories (Stampabilities) Paper: DCWV, PTI White Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics (C1, C3, C5, E00, E31, R81, YR04, Y21, B21), Spica (Pink, Clear, Gold, Orange), Stampin Up Write Markers (So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie, Bashful Blue) Accessories: Diamond Glaze, Pop Up Dots