Copic Fun!!

I've had this Blooming with Love set from SU! for the longest time and never took the time to ink it up - while it was snowing last night I decided to think Spring!

Usually with my Copics I try to make a totally smooth look but this time I decided to keep the pots looking kinda mottled - -

Lots of greens make the topiary come to life - I really like Y26 Mustard - I used on the pots and on the leaves.

Looks pretty now but is missing something -

Some light Warm gray to "ground" the pots and then some of the new ultra-light Copics to make a sunshine-y background -

Cut and embossed with my nesties and a favorite sentiment from A Muse and this card is finished -

Hope you have some time to do some stamping this weekend -

Beautiful Birds Tote Bag with Cards

Here is a sneak peek of the tote bag with cards that we will be making at the Owensboro Hobby Lobby in February. The four cards/envelopes all fit in the little bag - so fun to use or to give as a gift! To register just send me an e-mail at msmathey@gmail.com
Hope to see you then - the details are on the sidebar to the left.

Rainy Day Lisa -

I am so tired of rain!! We've had some pretty miserable weather around here lately - It inspired this cute card though so I guess it is not that bad!
Stamps - 2-6116D Rainy Day Lisa, 8-8308B Under the Weather?
Ink - Momento Dye Ink in Tuxedo Black
Paper - A Muse Kitchen paper in Red, A Muse 4b notecard in Sky Blue
Accessories - Copic Markers

Last Class at Serendipity - :*-(

This week were the last classes at Serendipity - SIGH - I will definitely miss teaching at this store - If you haven't been in recently, now is the time to get some really good deals before the doors close for good next Friday! I forgot to take pictures on Wednesday but here are the pics from last night -

I will still be teaching - My first classes at the Owensboro Hobby Lobby are February 17 & 19. The description and link to Hobby Lobby are on the sidebar. I will be posting pics of the project that we will be making later this week.
Tonight is the A Muse Pajama Party!! Log into the Lounge to find out more!

You Mean the World to Me

Did you know that Glenda has been doing Random Amusing challenges on her blog for nearly a year now? This week (Challenge 51) is a sketch challenge and I decided to use my new (to me, anyway) A Muse stamps to make a quick and easy card. PLUS an unexpected bonus is that this is a great masculine card - those always seem to be challenging to cardmakers. That touch of ribbon would probably freak my 8-year old son out but I think it looks manly (to me, anyway). Hope you are having a good day - it is raining here - again - seems like it has rained forever. . . (to me, anyway).
Stamps - A Muse 2-7098C Globe, 8-8375B Mean the world MA
Ink - Momento Dye in Tuxedo Black
Paper - A Muse 4b notecard in Sky Blue, A Muse Petite Gingham paper in Green
Accessories - A Muse Polka-dot Sheer Ribbon in Fern, Copic Markers

Sneak Peek - One Layout/5 Ways!

Here is a peek at another one of the cards we will be making in class this week. The darker blue/green panel is the same cardstock as the lighter one it is layered onto - Embossing the stamped panel with clear embossing powder gives it a great texture plus darkens it enough for layering. The patterned paper is Chamomile from the Carma Collection by Dream Street Papers. It has been such a popular paper at Serendipity that Kim has had to order it twice. Since this paper is double sided it is patterned on the inside of the card. Attaching a white layer to the inside makes it possible to write on this card. It is not too late to sign up for class - Give a quick call to Serendipity to register.
Stamps - A Muse 2-4141F Modern Poppy, 9-8588B Get Better Soon
Paper - Aqua Mist cardstock, patterned paper
Ink - Ranger Frayed Burlap Distress Ink, Versamark Ink (for embossing)
Accessories - A Muse Sheer French Roast ribbon, Ranger Heat Tool, Clear Embossing Powder

Sneak Peek - One Layout/5 Ways!

Here's a sneak peek of one of the cards we will be making in next week's classes at Serendipity. We will take one basic layout and show how we can interpret it 5 ways. This card features a technique that I call "Twisted Kissing". Wait until you see how fun and easy it is!
I get inspired for colors on my cards in the strangest ways - - - I turned the corner in my bathroom one day and saw these towels hanging on the rack. I was working on my class cards that day and decided at that point that one card would need to be kraft, white and chocolate.

If you haven't heard already Serendipity will be closing its doors at the end of January. These will be my last classes at the shop. While I am very sad to see this journey come to an end, I wish Kim and Randy all the best in their future endeavors. Its not too late to sign up for this class. Hope to see you then! Stay tuned for a few more sneak peeks of the projects over the next few days -

Stamps - A Muse 2-4163G Dill, 9-8233B Hi Friend, 3-5019G Big Block

Paper - Kraft, White and Chocolate Brown cardstock

Ink - Momento Dye Ink in Desert Sand and Rich Cocoa

Impromptu Treats

Sometimes it is fun to send treats to school for no particular reason - That's when I like to do it- when nobody is expecting it. The hard part is to send a treat that Caleb will approve - He is very particular - I did manage to put the tiniest snippet of cool retro patterned paper on here and he approved the stamp because you have to look close to see it -
The cookies came from Target - 2 tubs made 25 treat bags with 3 cookies each with a few left over. The extra tub is for us!! Can't package up all those treats and not have any to eat here, right? I have a feeling that the kids at school won't mind the paper/stamp. All they will see is cookies in a bag!!

Sentiment is from A Muse (9-8590B mw Delicious Day!)

Pretty(???), Poofy Paper Flowers

Recently, Dawn McVey posted a video on how she makes her Poofy Vintage Print Paper Buttons. I had to try it! I made three of them and I think they are adorable!!

My husband saw them lying on the table and said, "What are those??!!" - He simply didn't see the beauty in my flowers at all!

After I finished my three cards he decided that he liked them better because he said that the cards distracted from the flowers - How rude!!

I don't care what he says - I think they are lovely! Plus it was fun to use the crimper on the leaves. Sentiment is from A Muse (9-8246B thinking of you hand).

Calendar Workshop Canceled -

Due to inclement weather and slick streets in downtown Henderson the Calendar Workshop scheduled for tomorrow, 11/09/10, will be canceled - I'm ready for some warmer weather - bet you are too! At least Caleb and Lily have been enjoying the snow!

Calendar Workshop -

WOW - Is it ever cold outside!! My boys are celebrating because they had a Snow Day today and they will get one tomorrow too! Snow Days are always exciting -
What is there to do when you've been cooped up with kids and tired of all the cold? hmmm.... I know - you can head down to Serendipity and make calendars on Saturday afternoon -

I've got lots of A Muse paper, stamps and bling plus punches and a laminator to complete this fun calendar that can fit in your checkbook or be used as a bookmark, etc.

You know that by Saturday you'll just want to get out of the house (I know I will!!) - See ya then! I'll be there from 1-4PM.

A Muse Bouche - Part IV

Today's theme is Elegant Sea-Themed Greeting. The new Coral stamp makes that an easy task. First, stamp with Ladybug Momento ink, then stamp again (I used a stamp positioner to line things up) with a gluepad, then add glitter. Super sparkly coral - super quick!!
I paired the coral with the new Seahorse stamp - colored with Copics and popped up with dimensionals - The A Muse twinkle stickers are a "must have" with these great sea images!

The coral is stamped on watercolor paper which adds a fun texture to a CAS card layout -I've been really enjoying all the sneak peeks of these versatile images! Haven't you?

BTW - Did you realize that the seahorse is the only creature in the animal kingdom in which the males have babies??!! Wouldn't that make life easier if humans did that too??!!

Stamps - A Muse 6-3145C Sea horse, 6-4171J Coral, 8-8347B Just a Note

Ink - Momento Dye Ink in Ladybug and Tuxedo Black

Paper - White and black cardstock, watercolor paper

Accessories - A Muse Sheer White Polka Dotted Ribbon, Tsukineko Essential Glue Pad, Art Institute Glitter, A Muse twinkle stickers, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Copic markers

A Muse Bouche - Part III

Ready for another peek at the A Muse Sea of Love release? Frankly, I'm not even sure why I made this card - really - do you ever think that I would be crabby??!! (No, you are not allowed to ask my husband or two sons!) hee hee - I hate to admit it but there are many times when a card like could come in handy in my life. I particularly enjoy how sheepish the crab looks as if he is shocked/embarrassed at how "crabby" he got!!
I stamped off the Retro Rectangle first so the red background would be muted. I colored the crabby dude with my Koh-i-Noor pencils and did some shading with a W4 copic marker. Stamping on ribbon is always fun - I don't do it often enough -
Guess I should make a few more of these!
Stamps - A Muse 6-3147D Crab, 9-8625B Been Crabby, 3-5021G Retro Rectangle
Ink - Momento Dye Ink in Tuxedo Black and Ladybug
Paper - A Muse 4b Cranberry, kraft and white cardstock
Accessories - Twill ribbon, EK Success Edge punch - Swiss Cheese, Koh-i-Noor Pencils, Copic Marker, Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher

A Muse Bouche - Part II

Look at the googly eyes those two clams are making at each other - looks like me and Corey (LOL!!) - Novell flipped her card inside out yesterday and inspired me to try it today - The clams were stamped on white paper, colored with Copics, shined up with a Glaze Pen, cut out and popped up with some dimensionals.

My trusty Cuttlebug folder gave the "wavy" look I wanted and a few A Muse twinkle stickers completed the look.
When you open the card you see the sentiment inside - I may use this for our anniversary card this year (don't tell Corey!)
Stamps - A Muse 2-3142C Clams, 9-8629B Happy as Clams
Ink - Moment Dye Ink in Tuxedo Black
Paper - A Muse 4b Robin's Egg Blue
Accessories - A Muse Sheer Ocean Dotted Ribbon, Cuttlebug D'Vine Swirl Embossing Folder

Amuse Bouche

It is time for our most tasty morsels - A Muse Bouche. The NEW Sea of Love release features many beautiful images including Curling Waves. Really, have you felt the air outside? Nobody could surf on those waves except Baby Penguin.
The penguin is such a fun stamp to use since it takes no time at all to paper piece his tummy so it is always bright and white. Copic markers were used to color the waves and then some bling was added with a clear Spica on the penguin and a Gelly Roll pen on the waves.
Be sure and check out all the great sneak peeks today!!
Stamps - A Muse 2-4170E Curling Waves, 7-3098B Baby Penguin, 8-8471B Love is for the Birds
Ink - Momento Dye Ink in Tuxedo Black
Paper - A Muse 4b notecards in Navy and Sky Blue
Accessories - Clear Spica marker, Sakura Gelly Roll Clear pen