Not a creature was stirring...

I bought this sentiment stamp (from Amuse Art Stamps) a few years ago, and then had to go searching for a mouse stamp (this one is from Penny Black).  I used them both in my Christmas cards 3 years ago, before I owned any Copics (honestly, before I was even aware of the existance of Copics!!!), so back then I coloured the little fella with my Derwent coloured pencils.  I was happy enough with the results, but the Copics are just so much easier to blend, and give such a nice, smooth result!
I had to pull this mouse stamp out again today after watching the fabulous colouring video by Sandy Allnock in the Holiday Card Workshop today.  I took a while to put this card together, as I thought the smooth colouring and shadows gave the little mouse a kind of a vintage feel (I know, weird for such a cutesie image!), and the font on the sentiment is definitely vintage in feel, so I went with a dark burgundy card base that just didn't look quite right, until I added the Hero Arts holly swirl background stamp using just Versamark ink - I think it added just the right touch :)  I also diecut the main image to give it a nice little frame.