PDCC #74 - Smile!

This card features a technique that is new to me - Delft Tile.  The tutorial was featured on Splitcoaststampers a few weeks ago and it intrigued me.  When the colors popped up for this week's Play Date Cafe Challenge #74 I decided to give it a whirl - Doesn't it really look like tile?  So cool -

I had a hank of purple silk ribbon and some iridescent Zva crystals to embellish this card that features stamped images/ink from A Muse | Studio (stamp sets - Hand Scripted and Ornate Elements).

Gotta dash - time to get things ready for the week and watch Celebrity Apprentice (definitely a guilty pleasure)!!

Tuesday Trigger: A Citrus Celebration (Part 2)

Couldn't resist another stab at the Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger - I apparently like those colors more than I originally thought. These butterflies were made with the new A*Muse|Studio Butterfly Trio Custom dies.

This week's sketch from the Clean and Simple Stamping's blog (FTL133) was perfect for this look once it was turned on its side. After a mighty struggle with my sewing machine (we aren't always on the best of terms) I finally "pinned" these butterflies onto my card!

All supplies (paper, ink, sentiment, etc.) are from A*Muse|Studio.

WHOO HOO - this card got picked as a Trigger Target.

Tuesday Trigger: A Citrus Celebration

Tuesday Trigger time - This week's trigger took me way out of my comfort zone for sure!  WOW - bright, citrusy colors - I do like these hues but all together in one place is a bit overwhelming!!

The sketch is courtesy of Card Positioning Systems - CPS210.  Mixing gingham and polka dots together is such a fun summery look!  Look closely along the left of the card - can you see the bit of peach Washi tape?  It is so easy to work with and is sheer enough to let the pattern of the gingham show through.

All papers, ribbon, ink and stamps (Lots of dots, Marvelous Marigolds, Friend to Friend) are from A Muse Studio.  This card kinda makes me want to go eat a Creamsicle!  Yummy!

FTL132, PDCC73 - A Muse Studio Avian Notes

Once again life is conspiring against my crafty time so it will be a super quick post today!!  AARRGGHH!!  This quick creation is based on the Clean & Simple Stamping's FTL132 and the colors from the current Play Date Cafe Challenge (PDCC73).  All paper and stamps are from A Muse Studio (Avian Notes, Essential Elements and Lots of Dots).

This second card is one that made it into the A Muse Studio catalog (page 31).  What makes it extra fun is that it is made with Bermuda cardstock turned so that the color is to the inside - The front of the card is trimmed back so that the inside color shows through.  Isn't that a fun look?  So easy too when you use A Muse Studio cardstock!
If you are interested in placing an order, getting a catalog or have questions about A Muse Studio, just drop me a line at - msmathey@gmail.com

Art Journal Fun - Pear & SheArt (part 2)

Today I decided to paint a pear - There is no real reason other than the fact that I like pears - how they look, smell and taste.  I've never painted a piece of fruit before but I think I succeeded because when you look at this page you definitely get the idea -

Well, lookie there -

It's a pear!

Don't be jealous of my mad skills!  Not only am I an "artist" but I am a "poet" too!

The other day I made another SheArt girl - She is definitely better than the first one (dubbed "sparkly and fat" by my rude 14 year old son).  I'm really pleased with this dress - not just one big hunk of paper this time - an actual paper pieced skirt and a blouse with a belt and collar!  The hair is cute too!  Usually when you make these girls you write something deep and philosophical on the side - I've been forced to leave it blank because all I can think of is -

She felt awkward (for she had the shoulders of a football player but the legs of a chicken).

or

She wanted to catch a butterfly but she had no hands.

Can you come up with a better caption than that?

Less is More Challenge - "Masculine"

This week's Less is More Challenge is to make a masculine card! Cards for the males in our lives can be tricky but not with the new A Muse Studio "Hey, Man" stamp set! I asked my husband what color lounger he'd like in his virtual world - he said blue. I am not a big fan of blue which makes him so very sad since there is nothing blue in our house - nor is there a Barcalounger to be found 'round these parts.

Don't ya just dig the Grunged Sunrays?!! That stamp draws your eye directly to the focal point of this card which is the chair. The larger margin of kraft paper on the left side of the card balances out the sentiment on the right of the card. I am really tickled with how this card turned out - hope Corey enjoys his paper chair - looks comfy! All stamps/ink from A Muse Studio.

Less is More Challenge - "Off the Edge"

This card is for the Less is More blog's current "Off the Edge" challenge (make a one layer card where an image actually goes off the edge of the cardstock).  WHOO HOO for me!!  I did it!  All the images with the exception only of the sentiment go off the edge of the card. I've been struggling with the challenges from this blog and have been getting gentle reminders from Chrissie and Mandi to work on my "white space" and this time I actually accomplished it!!

Look at the fabulous A Muse Studio goodies that make up this clean & simple beauty.  The new inks are awesome.  I've never been a big fan of pigment inks in the past but these inks are so easy to work with and dry to a chalk finish in only seconds!  I've been converted!! 

The colors are courtesy of the Wplus9 Color Challenge (grey, yellow, green and white) - This is the kind of card that I can see myself making for gift sets with a variety of sentiments.  Did you see the A Muse Studio Essential Sentiments stamp set in the picture?  Crammed full of sentiments - there are a few that I will be using over and over again!  If you want to order that set, look at the catalog or book a party contact me at - msmathey@gmail.com