Paper Trufflez

We know the truth, 5MQ

Caption inside:  CHOCOLATE IS SLIMMING!

When I saw this saying stamp by Amy Smyth for Inkadinkado, I had to have it--it just CRACKS me!  But, of course, everything she does cracks me--I absolutely adore her illustrations and sense of humor.  Her stuff is hilarious!

Hope your Friday has a little laughter sprinkled in it!

 

Stamp Credits:  "We know the truth . . . " by Amy Smyth for Inkadinkado, Chocolates by Gelatins
Colorbox Fluid Chalk Ink in Dark Brown, Memento in Rich Cocoa
Spica Glitter Pen in Pink
Ribbon by May Arts
Patterned card stock from Snow & Cedar Collection by Memory Box Co.
Corner Chomper (Rounder) by WR Memory Keepers

Springy Hello Bunny

How's that for a title?  LOL!

 

I loved this batch of cards my friend Barbara had made, so . . . I CASED her stuff! -> Barbara's Cards and Crafts: Cards for Kids

Missy Ballance illustrated this darling long-eared Bunny for A Muse a few years back and I think she's my favoritest A Muse bunny ever! She reminds me of some of the sweet plush critters Missy sews and makes for a fun card to send a child!

A few weeks ago, I mentioned some juicy felt I had ordered.  It came!!!  Feast your eyes on this:

This is not 100% wool felt, it is a wool/rayon blend.  I ordered it from (name and link have been removed), suppliers of needlework, quilting and related embellishment products.  I haven't done anything with it yet, but simply pet it.  It is quite pretty in sheet form.  LOL!  Anyhoo, I've just had their site bookmarked a loooooong time and finally took the plunge, after admiring the pretty felted flowers Em (Scoopy), and embellishments Heather die cut. Seriously, their felt creations are just darling, so be sure to check them out!

(Name and link have been removed) has a gorgeous felt color range, and their prices seem very good.  Took about two weeks to get my order, but that's because the owner was away/out of town for the week.  Within 24 hours of my online order being placed, I received a personal email from the owner's husband, explaining this.  I thought that was a nice personal touch, and therefore had no problem waiting.  I'm an impatient thing, BUT I am old enough to remember when mail order often meant a 6-8 week delivery time frame, so perhaps I'm easier to please than most in that regard. *wink*

The product arrived, folded in half, inside a Tyvek Priority Mail Envelope.  As you can see, I ordered quite a bit--I wanted a rainbow of colors at my disposal. *grin*

Here's what I've learned so far:

• Acrylic felt sucks.  OK, mebbe that's a bit harsh.  LOL!  Acrylic felt is usually what's carried in craft stores, and generally used in childrens' crafts.  I've messed around with it, and have found it frays along the edges when die cutting.  It tends to pull apart at the machine stitched seams quite easily. It's OK in a pinch and for anything you don't really care about the longevity of.
• 100% wool felt is preferred by many for needle felting.  It is also the most expensive.  It is often preferred for heirloom craft projects. It is the most dense/thick.  Artisans that use 100% wool can be found on Etsy.com and some of their creations will take your breath away--they look like sculptures!  Beautiful work!  Some folks are purists and only 100% wool will do.
• Wool/rayon blend felt is less expensive than 100% wool.  It is often recommended for machine sewn clothing/garments, and typically softer/less itchy than 100% wool. It is thinner than 100% wool, but you can wash/shrink it to make it a little more dense, if desired/depending on the kind of project you're making.
• Bamboo felt (yes, felt can be made from bamboo, interestingly enough) is gaining acclaim!  I don't have any.  But, I may get some at some point because I am intrigued and it sounds cool!  *grin*

If you need to know more, check out:  Felt Smack Down, which compares 4 kinds of felt.  After reading her fun article, I decided that I wanted to try wool blend felt, considering the types of projects I want to use the felt for (hair/clothing accessories, and card embellishments, etc.).  I coulda' done more research, I suppose, but that was all I really needed to know, cuz I don't know, at this point, how felt up I'm gonna get.

I hope to play with my felt this weekend, if not sooner.  I promise to share my fun with ya'all. 

Cuz, well, I'm just awesome that way.  

KIDDING.  I AM KIDDING YOU!!!

 

Stamp Credits:  Bunny Flower, Hello, Tiny Bee, Grass all by A Muse
Copic Markers available at A Muse
Patterned Paper from the Sugar Rush Collection by Basic Grey
Multi-heart Punch by Martha Stewart

Keep Calm . . .

SCORE!!!  I made another entry for the Moxie Fab blog's Tuesday Trigger Challenge cuz this popped into my head, insisting to be made!  I've had this pom pom trim for over a year, untouched (I know, sinful).  But, I couldn't quite figure out how to use it.  Some things just stump me.  Or mebbe, I should say, they lay in wait . . . for just the right time to strike me.  Yeah.  That sounds bettah.  More brilliant.  HAH!!!

OK, what was so ridiculously hard about this (for me)?  Nothing.  It's just that I have an aversion to CUTTING up pretty trim.  But, to use it on a card, meant I had to CUT OFF SOME OF DA' POMS!!!  I actually held my breath, and my hands got shaky as I snipped.  SERIOUSLY!!!  I felt like a bomb diffuser, trying to decide which wire to snip . . . so I wouldn't blow the card to bits.  I know; I'm whacked.

As you can see, we both survived. 

Happy Monday to ya'!

 

Stamp Credits:  Nook & Pantry Cakes Bitsy Stamp Set by Basic Grey
Patterned papers from Farm Fresh Collection by October Afternoon
Clearsnap Fluid Chalk Ink in French Blue, Lipstick Red, Bisque (? on the frosting)
Brilliance Graphite Black Ink
Glitter by Martha Stewart
Red Pom trim, source unknown
Black Mini Brads by Doodlebug
Button from 5th Avenue Blooms and Button Collections by Making Memories

24 Carrot Friend

That pun has always made me giggle--looks so cute with the Carrot Stand, too!

I love our new Sage paper.  I love our new Paprika paper, too.  Well, I'm just havin' a love-fest over paper, aren't I?  *chuckle*

When you blend "sloppily" with Copics, it can resemble watercolor!  I likey!  Quite muchly!  Just be sure to leave some uncolored space so you can get highlights where you want 'em! 

It's Friday.  Aren't you glad? I'm hoping to carve out a little crafty time over the weekend.  Hope you get some, too!

All stamps, notecard, and papers by A Muse
Copic Markers available at A Muse
Grass Border Punch by Martha Stewart

Hugs Inside, 5MQ

It's always a good idea to have some 5MQ designs you can bust out at a moment's notice, UKWIM?  This one's especially nice to send for lots of reasons, including encouragement, to let someone know you are thinking of them, or miss them.

The tiny envelope is punched from text weight kraft paper--isn't it just darling?  I wanna tuck all sorts of things into it!  LOL!

But, for now, some loving "hugs" will do just fine.

P.S.  For those that may have missed it, I have a mini tutorial article on Simple Stick over at SNR!

Sentiment is my own handwriting
Patterned Paper (red) from Sugar Rush Collection by Basic Grey
Kraft Text Weight Paper by Astro Converters
Heart Punch by Fiskars (Squeeze style)
Envelope Punch by Marvy Uchida
Uniball Signo White Gel Pen

Ballerina Bunny says Hello!

ETA:  Also entered this in the Tuesday Trigger Challenge over at the Moxie Fab blog today!

Thought it would be fun to have Bunny Princess dancin' out there among the flowaahs.  I love buttercup and red together--when you add a some black and green for accent, it just looks so fresh in a yummy kinda way, UKWIM?

The great thing about Bunny Princess (she is actually holding a star wand) is that she's good for birthdays, friendship, just because, "hello", thinkin' of you--not just Spring-time or Easter greetings.

 

See? I covered up the star on her wand by punching a tiny flower twice, and 3D mounted the 2nd one atop the first one, embellishing with a Micro Twinkle Sticker in the center.  Glitter accents her skirt, and she was outlined in a soft warm grey to give a little more depth.

Can't help but smile at such a happy li'l bunny, now can ya'?!

We've got the cutest bunnies for Spring and Easter, so be sure to check 'em all out!  I have a few more bunny designs to share in the coming days so I hope you'll come back to take a peek!

All stamps, note card, Micro Twinkle (rhinestone) Stickers, and patterned papers by A Muse
Apron Lace Border Punch by Fiskars
Copic Markers
Tiny Flower (hand-held punch) by Fiskars
Glitter by Martha Stewart

Easter Peeps, all in a row

Isn't this Memory Mug fun?  I picked one up when I was down at the A Muse Shop in Seattle.  Unlike most mugs that you can customize, this one has a stainless steel interior, which is especially awesome for keeping your bevvies hot or cold.

Go post a comment on the Easter Greetings post at the AMN blog by Feb 16th, and you could win one to customize for yourself or as a gift!

The Peep is one of my favorites (I especially love the fact that he's totally calorie free! BAH HAHAHA!!!), so I had a lot of fun using him to create the decorative liner!  There's a pattern/template inside behind the label piece that you can use, so it makes it super easy to trace onto the paper you want to use and stamp it up all purdee!

I thought it would be fun to use my MS grass punch, so I cut another piece from our gorgeous  Sage card stock, and it was a piece of cake to follow the curvature with the border punch, since it is an irregular pattern.

Love that I can swap out the art whenever the mood strikes to suit my fancy!

Stamps, Papers, Ribbon all by A Muse
Memory Mug available at A Muse
Colorbox Fluid Chalk Ink in Wisteria, Memento Summer Sky (light blue) Ink by Tsukineko
Grass Border Punch by Martha Stewart

Wood you be mine?

I know.  I couldn't help it.  I got the idea for this the other day, and it wouldn't leave me alone.  Kept beckoning . . . so, since it is Valentine's Day, well I figure ya'all won't mind.  Too much. *chuckle*

 

IRL the detail of the Modern Wood Block (I illustrated this one, and I just loves it!) shows up much better, but in the pic, the ink I used was a bit pale, so you might not "get" the point of this one at first glance.  *chortle*  I must admit, I am BOUNCING!!!  ARMS WRAPPED 'ROUND SELF!!! Cuz this turned out exactly as I envisioned!

Happy V-day! 

 

Modern Wood Block (by moi for A Muse)
French Roast Note Card
Versamagic Chalk Ink in Wheat
Uniball Signo White Gel Pen
Corner Chomper (Rounder) by WR Memory Keepers
Larger Heart Punch by Fiskars (squeeze)
Smaller Multi Hearts Punch by Martha Stewart
Red Hemp (craft store supply)

Cracking Up, Chicks and an A Muse Giveaway!

Check out all the chicks at the AMN blog today: Spring Chicks & Giveaway

One of the fun things I got to help out with recently at A Muse was selecting some new paper colors to produce in 8.5 x 11".   This gorgeous Eucalyptus is gonna be awesome for all kinds of things--it's so sophisticated a shade!  Isn't it pretty with the Blackberry and Chiffon Purple?  LOLLY!!!

Watercolored the image, again with a dryer Aquapen and my Derwents. Grass strokes aren't part of the image, I just added 'em for fun.  Hard to tell in the pic, but there's a row of piercing running underneath the ribbon, too--adds just a little more detail without goin' crazy. *grin*

Hope you're enjoying your Saturday!

All stamp images, paper, and ribbon by A Muse
Mini Twinkle Sticker by A Muse
EK Success Scallop Circle Punch
Palette Hybrid Ink in Burnt Umber
Derwent Watercolor Pencils

Picky about purple?

I am.  That said, it's not often I reach for that color.  But, our new Heather paper makes me swoon!

So gorgeous with our Blackberry and Chiffon Purple papers!  YUM YUM YUM!!!

Because our paper is white core, it sands and distresses beautifully--I pressure embossed the Heather layer and then sanded it gently to reveal the white core.  I've been doing this a lot lately--love the effect.  I even had to buy another Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder because I'm wearing out the first one at the hinge using it so much!  LOL!

I watercolored the Bunny Gardner with my Derwent watercolor pencils--they are so pretty and easy to work with.  Used a bit of a dryer tip on the Aqua Pen so that I could work on Neenah 80#, instead of watercolor paper.  I need to find some hot-pressed watercolor paper, because I like the smoother surface for stamping . . . every time I go to the craft store they never have hot-pressed . . . argh.

It's Bunny Bonanza at A Muse, featuring our new papers and some of our favoritest Bunnies!  Check out what the other Muses have been up to HERE and HERE--they've got some delightful creations that will have you antsy for Spring to get here right now!

 

Stamps, papers and ribbons all by A Muse
Colorbox Fluid Chalk Ink in Dark Brown
Paper Flower by Making Memories
Button from a collection by FooFala (can't recall the name)
Swiss Dots Cuttlebug Embossing Folder
Chocolate Twine
Derwent Watercolor Pencils
Scallop Border Punch by Fiskars
Leaf Punch by Martha Stewart

What do these three things have in common?

You can find out by visiting Scrapbook News & Review, where I was invited to be a Guest Blogger today!

ETA:  I'm not sure what time the article is scheduled to air, but today is supposed to be the day.  LOL!

Fun! 

 

Pretty Bird Gift Card Presentation

For my mom, at Christmas, I made a very similar gift card greeting (she loves Panera), but I was in a rush to get it shipped out so I didn't take a pic, daggnabbit!

So, I made another one. You can prolly tell there's a Starbucks gift card inside.  Cuz, well, the gift of a nice hot cuppa is such a pleasant one. *grin*

 

I love these little paper sacks--I found 'em at Michael's in the gift wrap aisle.  They also come in white, but I'm especially fond of the kraft version.  Because I wanted to make a slider (when you pull on the ribbon, the gift card slides out), I trimmed off the end a little and then used a decorative border punch.I stamped it randomly in white pigment ink (and heat set, so I could continue working immediately) using the Leaf Trio I designed for A Muse--isn't it a lovely effect on the kraft?

I could not resist the new SU! birdie punch--seriously, the bird, the wing, AND the branch all in one punch?! *sweet*   A tiny chocolate pearl sticker serves as the perfect eye on her, too!

Instead of just one tiny tag, I put two.  I dunno why.  I just liked it.  I debated attaching the tags with some silver cording, and then I remembered I have these tiny cream colored safety pins, so I decided to try that.  And, guess what? I liked it!

Wouldn't this be a fab design for Mother's Day, birthday, thinking of you, get well, congratulations, etc.???!!!  I say YES!!! YES!!! YESSSSSSS!!!  (this is where ya'all look up at the waiter, and say, "I'll have what she's having!" -- When Harry Met Sally) 

In other news of the day, I have a guest blogger article, that will be appearing at Scrapbook News and Review on February 12.  If you have time and are so inclined, I hope you'll pop on over, give it a read, and leave me a little comment love!  There will be pretty pictures. I promise. *wink*

Stamp Credits: Leaf Trio by A Muse
Sky Blue 4 bar Note Card by A Muse
Chocolate Pearls by A Muse
Patterned Paper:  Farm Fresh Collection by October Afternoon
Colorbox White Pigment Ink, Fluid Chalk Ink in Olive
Signo Uniball White Gel Pen
Cream Safety Pin by Making Memories
Ribbon Slot Punch by Making Memories
Twill Ribbon by Martha Stewart
Tiny Tag Punch by Martha Stewart
Border Punch by Martha Stewart
Bird Punch by Stampin' Up!
Corner Chomper (rounder) by WR Memory Keepers
Tiny Kraft Sack: Craft Supply