Paper Trufflez

I love Lemonade, Cont.

Paper Trufflez: I love Lemonade!.

I guess I'm just not ready to let go of summer . . . feel like I didn't get enough of it . . . know what I mean?

 

Die cut the alpha letters from Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, 110lb., with the Red Tag Sale Cuttlebug font --if chipboard is too thick or heavy for what you want, this card stock is really a fab weight for die cutting shapes; thick enough to give dimension, but not bulky--POIFECT!!! 

The pretty flower stamp is by Memory Box Co.  It would be fun to watercolor, because of its nice open lines, but, in this case, it worked well just stamping it in a darker green color onto the note card and letting it take more of a back-seat to the focal, which is the greeting.

I don't always remember to try something different on the corners, but, I thought rounding 'em looked particularly fitting on this design.

I didn't set out to deliberately pair such a geometric pattern with the organic flower, but, I was stoked over how it turned out!  *bouncin' n' crowin'*

Have a fan-stamp-magorical Friday!

We're on the hunt! *wink*

A Muse News: Instructor Team Call.

Yup!  We're looking for art-stamping instructors!  Do you have experience teaching in retail store settings?

Follow the above link for more information!

I'm thankful I get to work with a GREAT group of Instructors--wonderful professionals, they love sharing ideas back and forth and are extremely supportive of each other.  They're big hearted, fun-loving, and good humored.  In short, they're awesome!

If you meet the qualifications we're seeking and think you'd fit well into our program, I hope you'll consider tossing your hat into the ring!  

I love Lemonade!

I'm on a luscious patterned paper kick of late.  I thought these turned out so fresh and fun!  Great color combo of pinks, rosy reds, limey greens and turquoise!  YUM!

The Apple from our Back To School release is one of my absolute favorites!

I gotta run but, I'll come back and share more deets on these sweeties--just wanted to share 'em quick like today! *grin*

Laters,

Back yard antics . . .

I hadn't spied the quail in a few years, but, a family of them showed up in our back yard yesterday, as I was preparing dinner.  I ran and got my camera . . .

Papa Quail perched on an old fence post, standing guard over his brood . . .

I didn't get a great shot of Mama . . . The Babies were difficult to see in the grass, too, cuz they were so TINY!!!  But, so CUTE!!!

Something disturbed Papa Quail, and he started making all kinds of warning squawking noises!  Papa Quail is at DEFCON 5.

And, this is why . . .

Oooh!  Neighborhood "wild" kitty scared the dickens out of 'em!!!

Geeze, I'd be askeered, too!!!  He's got a SNAKE!!!

 

*shrieking*

Wisteria Floral Collection . . .

I like how they turned out!  Out shoppin' one day and saw this pretty 6" pad of patterned paper, called Wisteria, by Basic Grey.  I was looking for something else in my pit of a studio when I found it, and last night, I just played.  Oh, how I played! *grin*

 

Nothing fancy, or unusual, but, when working with such pretty papers, I gotta watch it so I don't end up with a mess, mixing and matching it all.  Patterned papers are not my forté and I usually buy and collect them, but, rarely dare to use them.  Consequently . . . I have quite a stash.  I take them out and pet them, and then tuck them away, in fear.  I know.  Stupid.  I mean, really, once you use 'em up, of course, it's the perfect excuse to go get more.  *chortle*

Eeegads--I even sponged!  I was careful not to get carried away with the layering.  Some of the papers in the pad are so drop-dead gorgeous, that it seems a sin to cover their beauty with anything . . . And, that is the trouble with pretty papers; they're TOO pretty.  ARGH!

Anyhoo, today I practiced filming.  I should say "shooting", but for some odd reason, I like the way "filming" sounds even if I'm just taking still shots.  LOL!   I didn't have much sun tho; so grey here today.  That's sinful, too, considering it is only AUGUST!!! *frown*

These are the results of my practicing.  I'm wondering if I should have increased the ISO even more . . . it was at 800 on these . . . ?

Love using the Mini Flower I designed to make these pom-pom-looking blossoms!

In any event, I think the cards themselves turned out pretty--my sister would love these.  That plum/purple color is her favorite . . .

All stamp images by A Muse Artstamps unless otherwise noted ("With Sympathy" by Anna Griffin for All Night Media)
4 Bar Note Cards all by A Muse Artstamps
All Ribbons are by A Muse Artstamps unless otherwise noted (5/8" pale lavender plain sheer ribbon by SU! [retired])
All (rhinestone)Twinkle Stickers by A Muse Artstamps
Acetate Metal Edge Tag from Impress Rubber Stamps
Patterned Paper:  Wisteria, by Basic Grey
Inks:  Versamagic (Tea Leaves), Memento (Bamboo Leaves, Pear Tart, London Fog, Sweet Plum, Rich Cocoa), Palette (Burnt Umber), Stampin' Up! Craft (Eggplant Envy), Colorbox Fluid Chalk (Prussian Blue)
Copic Original Markers:  Willow Powder Blue, Manganese Blue, Snow Green (Sketch)
Colored Pencils by Koh-I-Noor
Fancy Frame Punch by McGill
Multi-Butterfly Punch by Martha Stewart
Prisma Glitter

Quickie Q & A

Paper Trufflez: "Shake your groove thing, shake your groove thing, c'mon!".

As an island girl, I REALLY appreciate your coloring!!! What colors did you use for her skin? I LOVE IT!--Tiffany

Hey, Tiffany!  I'm a Pacific Islander, too  --well, half (Filipino), anyway! *grin* I used E13 Light Suntan on Hawaiian girl.  I think I also colored over her twice to deepen the tone a little more.

Do you shake Appletinis?--Melissa

Yes!  Over ice.  In a martini shaker.  I also keep my apple flavored vodka in the freezer--won't freeze, but helps keep the drink nice and cold. 

Hey Julie, I was just at The Paper Garden . . .  I snatched up the Hula Girl right away. Couldn't resist . . . You don't see too many blonde hula girls in Hawaii!--Betty

*chuckle*  That is all too true, Betty!  Have fun with her!  Would love to see what you design with her when you get a chance!

Julie, you have the best smilies/emoticons I've ever seen! Where do you get them?--Nancy

Hey, Nancy! I love the smilies from Millan!  They are so fun!  I'm a paid subscriber so I have access to ALL the smilies and animations there , but, there are plenty of free ones, as well.

"Shake your groove thing, shake your groove thing, c'mon!"

I made this little cutie before heading down to Redding, but, the pic I took was lousy, as I was in a hurry to get on the road and already running late (story of my life . . . running so far behind I can see my butt up ahead *sigh*).

So, I tried this morning with my new camera.  I need to practice, and learn a lot more about settings, and whatnot.  A LOT.  I don't like how this shot turned out, but it was the best of about 15 shots.  eep!  As I learn and practice more, I will improve.  Right?  Right???!!!!!   This is how one becomes skilled--practice, practice, practice! (cracking self-imposed whip)

This li'l Hula Girl reminds me of my niece, Piper, who is ridiculously cute, and so full of personality!  I will be sending this to her.  And, I've got other ideas for using "what's shakin'?", too!  *chortle*

The raffia.  Well, raffia has kinda gotten a bad rap and considered to be outdated, I guess . . . I still use it, and like it, tho--just needs the *right* kinda project!   I think it works well here because it makes me think of the grass skirts I used to wear when I had hula lessons as a kidling.  It "fits"! *grin*

Aloha Friday! 

Have ya' gotten signed up? It's gonna be here quick!

Julie Ebersole: Live Classes: Paper Tales, San Diego CA - September 09.

I haven't been to San Diego in years, and I'm so excited to see Michelle's store for the 1st time!

I get asked all the time: How do you make a flat ribbon knot???

I keep meaning to do a video, but, finding the TIME has been a challenge . . . Em's (you may know her as Scoopy ) already done a FABULOUS one tho, so take a look:

Em is DA' BOMB!!!

If you're having trouble viewing the embedded video, click HERE, to see it on YouTube directly.

Besides Homework . . .

  Suffice it to say that I was never a big believer in lots of homework, even as a high school teacher myself.  'Nuff said.  Trust me; you do not wanna get me started on the topic.

I love the new apple in the Back To School release!  This was stamped with chalk ink, and then highlighted with colored and chalk pencils.  It's a great way to shade, and add more visual interest to a solid image!  And, I'm totally stoked about all the versatility the new School Time set offers.

Must admit I'm also excited about the new School Lined Paper.  What is it about school and office supplies that just make me so dang happy??!!!  Anybody else get a total rush just walkin' into Office Max?  LOL!

The design below was also featured a few days ago, as a sneak peek on the AMN blog:

My latest tool obsessions are the Binding Punch by EK Success, and trusty small Corner Rounder by Fiskars--features a squeeze handle.  It'll actually punch thru 2 layers of card stock easy as pie!  I *like* that in a punch. Muchly. 

Just got back last night from a road trip with my cousin Janice, responsible for introducing me to the world of stamping way back when, as well as appletinis.   

We drove down to Redding, CA to stay at my cousin Nancy's beautiful home. We got to stay in the Pool House, which is absolutely FAB!!!

Nancy's sister Sandy drove up from Sacramento, and we just had the BESTEST time!  It was lovely to stamp just for fun, making totally random projects!  I'll have to take a pic of the super cute origami wallets we made and share that some time soon.  Sandy had brought one to show us, and we disassembled it to figure out how it was made, of course.  Then, we got *busy* bustin' out more!

GOOD TIMES!!!

Laters!

Amuse-bouche: Sparkles & Sunshine

SNEAK PEEK:  She's just too stinkin' CUTE, sunnin' herself on that rock out there in the middle of the deep blue sea!  I love mermaids!  Prolly cuz Hayley was so enchanted with the Little Mermaid when she was just 3!  I think this one, from the Mandy's World release which was illustrated by our own Amanda, who works at A Muse HQ, is just fin-tastic! *grin*

Even tho I took this shot in a hurry and you can't see it that well, I put a LOT of sparklies on this one, true to the sentiment!  I'll hafta send this to my girl; she'll get a kick out of it!

Keep your eyes peeled for more Mandy's World cuteness over the coming days!