OLW25 - The Birds and the Bees (Part 2)

Had so much fun with yesterday's card that I played with my new stamp again!  This time I made my OLW25 (one layer card featuring birds/bees/flowers/trees and sentiment) card with warm rustic colors.  I clear embossed the Memory Box stamp on PTI kraft paper and then drybrushed some Claudine Hellmuth Studio Acrylic Paint (Traditional Tan) on top and then wiped away the excess paint over the embossing.

I rounded the bottom corners, added a touch of ribbon and an A Muse sentiment and called it good!  This card looked good just embossed but the added drybrushed paint made it look kinda haphazard and organic, more "earthy".

These beautiful daisies (?) were photographed with the cell phone on a recent walk with the dog in the neighborhood.  These flowers are so gorgeous and are taller than me!!

Speaking of taller than me - So is Connor!  This is a pic of our boys that I took at the park last week.  Look how gorgeous the foliage is in the background - fallen leaves are definitely more attractive in the park than in my backyard!!  Raking will be a priority very soon!

GS43 - Pink Thanks

Did you know that today is National Pink Day? Neither did I until I read it on the Paper Crafts Connection blog - As a kid, I loved pink!! As an adult my passion for pink has definitely cooled and I use pink in very small doses - I am more of a brown/green kinda gal now! Nothing like a great shade of brown/beige/tan to knock my socks off!! Hence my love of kraft paper that shows up quite frequently on this blog.

This card, based on Get Sketchy - GS43 sketch, is a PINK card to me although the pink is limited to the buttons and and some patterned paper (these patterned papers are My Mind's Eye and The Paper Studio that I picked up at Hobby Lobby). The buttons and silk ribbon come from PTI. Sentiment and Pink Juliette background paper are from A Muse. What is your favorite color? I don't just love brown and green - I also have a thing for black too! (I'm quite the exciting individual!!)

BTW - I made Top 5 at Get Sketchy last week! WHOO HOO!

A Muse - Fun in the "Sun"

There is very little left of the school year here - you know you are at the end when it is time for Field Day. Today was VERY hot - over 90 degrees. One good thing is that I was assigned to help man the popcorn/drink table. It was in the cafeteria so it was cooler but was a very busy job as the sweaty kiddos kept pouring in in waves looking for snacks/drinks. It was hot as blazes which gave me the idea of a card just covered in suns! That would be "a warm hello" indeed!
Make sure and check out all the fun A Muse summer cards! ALL stamps, ink, paper, ribbon and twinkle stickers are from A Muse! The layout of this card is courtesy of Card Positioning Systems Sketch #168.

Everything's Rosy - Moxie Fab

Today is the last day of the A Muse Everything's Rosy peeks! I've had such a fun time making cards with these stamps - so easy and effortless. The last day is Designer's choice so I used the Leaf Frond II to make this card for the Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger Challenge. I do the Trigger Challenges a lot but this one is special because the trigger came from my good friend Veronica Ramsey (her peeps call her Roni)!!
I just had to put all my cards out on the table and take a pic of all their floral goodness! Can't wait to design a class around these wonderful stamps - in fact, I plan to do so in June. Have you noticed in the sidebar that I will be teaching at the Doodlebug in Jasper, IN starting this month? Hannah and Melanie are great and their store is chock full of wonderful papercrafting goodness! They've been in business for 8 years and I know that many of you have already visited their store - I hope to see you there!!

Everything's Rosy - Flittery Fun

The florals in the A Muse Everything's Rosy release have been outstanding - What makes us smile as much as seeing flowers in full bloom? maybe butterflies? Look at this colorful flock (9-4178M Flutterby Flock). Love the matching sentiment too (9-8631C).

If you look closely at the butterflies you will see a texture on them that came from "kissing" them with my big ol' Marigold stamp. It is easy to color each butterfly a different color when you use Momento Dewdrops ink.

Couldn't resist a second card - this one embellished with Zva Pearls. I can't wait to see what all the Muses have made with their butterfly stamps!!

Everything's Rosy - Everyday Elegance

Isn't the new Scroll Border just the most elegant thing ever?! Makes me want to drink tea with my pinky out! I used the new Wild Rose and Wild Rose Branch to make a quick and easy background that was accented with the Scroll Border and a layer of Chiffon Pink cardstock. I couldn't resist adding a big white silk bow! Corey hasn't "whispered" to me with flowers in a long time - maybe I should show him this card and point repeatedly at the sentiment. . . .
Stamps - A Muse 9-4185C Wild rose, 9-4186K Wild rose branch, 9-5067 Scroll border, 9-8634C Flowers whisper
Ink - Momento Dye ink in Rich Cocoa, New Sprout, Bamboo Leaves, Rosebud
Paper - A Muse Chiffon Pink
Accessories - Silk ribbon, Corner Chomper

Everything's Rosy - Floral Friendship

Ready for more delightful images from the new Everything's Rosy release?!! I have been having so much fun getting these new stamps inky - This card is inspired by the pic below. Would you believe me if I said that I made those cookies and then gave them to a friend with this great card?

How rude of you to laugh out loud! Okay, fine - I'll admit it - I got this inspiration photo from Design Sponge. I may not have made the cookies but I did make this lovely card! I really like how the Jasmine Silhouette looks on the Modern Wood Block. I used my stamp positioner to make sure the "Hello" stamped exactly in the right place and added a few clear twinkle stickers for fun.

The petite gingham and the yellow kitchen paper add so much to this layout - funny how you can match gingham and polka-dots on a card and it looks cute but when you wear plaid shorts and a polka-dot shirt people just stare at you like you are weird or something - I'm just saying . . . .

Stamps - 9-4180G Jasmine silhouette, 9-8635B Hello FL, 6-5066J Modern wood block

Ink - Momento dye ink in Cantaloupe, Bamboo Leaves and Rich Cocoa

Paper - A Muse Green Petite gingham, Watermelon and Yellow Kitchen paper

Accessories - A Muse White Polka Dot ribbon, Fiskars Apron Lace Edge Punch, Corner Chomper

Everything's Rosy - Day 1

HOORAY - the time has come to start unveiling all the beautiful new stamps from the Everything's Rosy stamp release! I am in LOVE with these beautiful stamps - This first card features a BIG stamp - Marigold. A clean and simple design like this one is super fast to produce and makes you want to make more -
How about three more? I scalloped the bottom front of the card to break up the "white space" just a hair and added a strip of white paper behind. Did I mention that this is a BIG stamp?
Told ya!! Can't wait to be having lots of fun with this stamp! The possibilities are endless! Hope you "Have a beautiful day."
Stamps - A Muse Marigold 9-4185N. 9-8630C Beautiful day fl
Ink - New Sprout, Bahama Blue, Rosebud, Cantaloupe, Tuxedo Black Momento Dye Ink
Paper - A Muse Latte 4b notecards, Watermelon, Sage Green, Buttercup, Robin's Egg Blue
Accessories - A Muse clear Twinkle stickers, SU! Edge punch

Fifth Avenue thanks - ftl78

These two cards were made for the Clean & Simple FLT78 - I am having so much fun with these weekly layouts - wish I'd stumbled across them sooner. Layouts seem to be my biggest weakness so a jumpstart in that area really gets my "craft" on! ;)

The paper comes from my new La Creme matstack from Hobby Lobby. See all the lovely black brocade on the patterned paper - that is flocking!! Makes it pretty to see and fun to touch!

The flowers are from the SU! Fifth Avenue Florals stamp set. I did some coloring with my copics and then to add texture to the medallions a Sakura Glaze pen was run over all the edges. Adds a subtle sheen and a fun "wow" factor.

Of course when your card is made of black cardstock you need to add a writing area to the inside. Another piece of flocked paper snazzes it up a bit. The Big Thanks (9-8616C) sentiment from A Muse is the perfect finishing touch.

If you haven't already be sure and check out Clean & Simple stamping. Tell them I sent ya - Not that it would made any difference but it might be fun, right? - "eh, Michelle who??!!"

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

A Muse Bouche - Part V

WOW - 5 days of peeks at the new release - Don't ya just want it all? For the final peek, I decided to do something fun and different from anything else I've done before. I was trying to decide how I could show several different shimmer papers at one time and I decided to make some paper ribbon - Here is how you do it -
First - Gather your supplies - I used a piece of white cardstock cut to 8 1/2" x 5 1/2. Then I cut varying widths of shimmer paper (from about 1/4" - 5/8") that were 8 1/2" long.

I decided to stick with a blues/greens/purple/pink palette. After arranging the paper strips in an aesthetically pleasing way (to me, anyway) I started attaching them to the base cardstock with Scor-tape. I even put a few pieces of Scor-tape as spacers (when the cardstock base was completely covered, I removed the waxed paper from the Scor-tape and poured super sparkly glitter over the sticky lines).

Lastly I used a guillotine cutter to slice the paper ribbon into 1/2" lengths - you can get a lot of paper ribbon this way! Now many of the new papers are represented. . .

Funny how such a little bit of shimmer paper can make such a big impression.
I've been staying up late every night to get my projects posted - I'm hoping to sneak in a quick nap tomorrow - I'm exhausted but has been well worth it! Be sure and check the A Muse News blog for one more terrific contest!
Stamps - 9-8616C A Muse (big) Thanks

A Muse Bouche - Part IV

Have you been as impressed as I have with all the amuse bouche we have been seeing? The things that have been created with the new stamps and paper are outstanding - I've been waiting with excitement to show the new Chrysanthemum stamps! When I was in the shop today I picked up some new Metallic Perfect Pearls and decided to play with them tonight - This card features the Bronze Pearls - (apparently I have a real thing about the contrast of the shimmer paper with kraft paper - Kinda like putting silk with burlap - pretty weird but I like it!)
When you angle the card you see how striking the pearls can be, especially when coupled with the A Muse Couture Shimmer paper. I cut out the panels with my Nesties and then layered a piece of acetate behind the black damask paper and added the kraft panel on top.

The piece I cut out got layered onto another card (can't waste a bit of this luscious paper). This chrysanthemum got colored with Silver Perfect Pearls. Using the Stamp-a-ma-jig ensures that your Solid and Open Chrysanthemum stamps line up perfectly!!

Don't forget to visit the A Muse blog to be in the running for a wonderful prize - ALL 5 sets of the new clear stamps!
Stamps - 6-4165J Chrysanthemum Open, 6-4166J Chrysanthemum Solid, 9-8613C Deepest Sympathy

Ink - Moment Dye ink in Tuxedo Black

Paper - A Muse Damask Couture paper in Slate, kraft paper

Accessories - A Muse Sheer Ribbon in white, acetate, Nestabilities, Perfect Pearls, Stamp-a-ma-jig

A Muse Bouche - Part III

Look at this beautiful Robin's Egg Shimmer Couture Damask paper - this box is much smaller than it appears in the photo - I love the little tag on it - It is made from Frosted Shrinky Dink film and is teeny tiny. I'd never used this stuff before and it was so fun! I did the shrinking with the Tim Holtz Heat Tool.
The sentiment comes from the new clear stamp set - Monogram Frames. There are so many beautiful ways to use this set - not only are there frames but 4 sentiments are included also. I paired the "Thanks so much" up with one of the new foliage stamps - this one is called Leaf Frond.
I attached it to the box with some silver cord and the A Muse Sheer White ribbon - So cute. Do you recognize the box shape?! YUP - Godiva (yumm!!). This is the size box that holds two candies. I just opened it up and laid the template on the back of the shimmer paper, traced, cut out and put together - super easy and quick! When I finished and showed it to my older son, Connor he asked, "What are you going to put in the box, mom?" His brain can't wrap around taking a picture of an empty box - boxes are only to open and get stuff out of - not to look at! hee hee
Stamps - A Muse 6-4167D Leaf Frond, Sentiment from Monogram Frames Set (clear stamp set)
Ink - Momento Pear Tart, Staz-On Black
Paper - A Muse Robin's Egg Damask
Accessories - A Muse Sheer Ribbon in white, Marvy Giga Scalloped Oval Punch, silver cord, Frosted Shinky-Dink, Heat Tool

AMuse Bouche - Part II

I don't think I've ever made an orange/red card before but I'm loving this combo!! The new A Muse Flatware and Thank you for everything stamps make a great "thanks for the delicious meal" card. The shimmer was hard to capture on this photo but the red/orange layers are the new Couture Shimmer papers. It is a super easy way to add elegance to a CAS card!

Stamps - 2-7195E Flatware, 9-8614C Thank you for everything

Paper - A Muse Shimmer Couture Solid paper in Apple and Mango, kraft and white cardstock

Ink - Momento Dye Inks in Ladybug, Tangelo and Tuxedo Black

Accessories - Corner rounder and popdots

Don't forget - The A 2010 Muse calendar classes are this week - Wednesday at 10:30AM and Friday at 6:00PM - I'd love to see you there - these are super fun to make - remember to download your calendar at A Muse or use the link on my sidebar!

A Muse Bouche!!

WOW!! The new A Muse release is so beautiful!! Shimmery papers galore - new pearls - new ribbons - new twinkles and best of all NEW stamps!! I got this layout from Clean & Simple FTL 60 - this is a great website to jump start your card creations!! To get the soft watercolor look on my leaves I colored my Maple Leaf Solid stamp with several Copic Markers. These are alcohol markers so you can't mist with water and stamp like you can with watercolor markers. What to do? Mist with Colorless Blender Fluid - easy when you have a Ranger Mini Mister filled with it. You can have one too when you visit Serendipity! Check out all the new peeks that the Muses will have on their blogs!!

Stamps - 9-8615C Beautiful Autumn, 6-4169D Maple Leaf Solid

Ink - Momento Bamboo Leaves

Paper - A Muse Shimmer Couture paper in Espresso, Shimmer Damask in Grass

Accessories - A Muse sheer ribbon in French Roast, A Muse Pretty Pearls in lime, Copic markers, Clear Copic Spica Marker (used on top of leaves to add additional shimmer - can't have too much shimmer!)

BTW - I do believe that this is my 100th post!!