Paper Trufflez

Be happy! (a COW from last month)

I totally forgot to share this COW (card of the week; COW is a much funner abbreviation than COTW).

I love the colors, I love the hydrangea border punch, I love the lime bling,  and I especially love the BIG "happy"! Good golly, Miss Molly-that's a whole lotta' love! *chuckle*

I've had zero stamping time this week. I get crabby when I don't get to stamp.  How 'bout you?  I know, I know . . . how about some cheese for that whine . . . *snarf*

Mebbe I'll get a chance over the weekend.  Taylor doesn't have a game this weekend.  Much as I love being a supportive mama, I am looking forward to sleeping in for the first Saturday in a looooooong time.

That's be sweet.  Yup.  Totally sweet.

Happy Friday to ya'!

Stamps:  Happy Everything Clear Set, Tiny Bee by A Muse Artstamps; Watermelon, apricot, blush, & lime card stocks by A Muse; Lime Twinkle Stickers by A Muse; Copic Markers;  Ink: Versamagic Mango Madness, Brilliance Graphite Black; Versamark (for embossing); White embossing powder; Border Punch by Martha Stewart

Bonjour Marigolds, 5MQ

Fast and fabulous in 5? This should fit the bill. *grin*  This was a store sample I designed, so you may see it up close and personal at your LSS. Normally, I free-hand the black outline, but I used a ruler on this one.  For some odd reason, it really freaks people out when I free-hand the outline.  I dunno why people think they can't do it--all you need is to drink a lot o' joe, , which causes an unsteady hand; the end result is a "naturally" uneven outline.

You could try an appletini (I'm a lightweight, so just one will do. *wink*), but, the point is to actually stay ON the paper.   Hence, coffee.

Happy Monday to ya'!

Stamps:  Marigold (open), Marigold Solid, "Bonjour" by A Muse Artstamps; Apricot card stock (for card base) by A Muse; Inks:  Brilliance Graphite Black, Memento Cantaloupe and Tangelo; Other:  Fine Tip Black marker

Merci Flutterby Flock

One thing I love about solid images, is how quickly you can shade them with your ink pads--right on the rubbah!  This is a quick and easy way to add a little extra depth and vibrancy.

Apply your lightest color of ink first, then your darker ink to the outer edges.  This helps reduce cross contamination of your ink pads.  I love using Colorbox Fluid Chalk Ink Cat's Eyes for this technique because they blend so easily on the surface of the stamp and the colors are very vivid and saturated.

A Quickie Glue Pen and some Martha Stewart Onyx Glitter on the bodies for just a little more drama, and then sponge the edges with some cyan ink and mount it to a white card; with just this little bit of contrast at the edges, it looks lovely matted in white.

You'll notice I did NOT add my typical butterfly trails (or farts, depending on how you view such things).  There are quite a few butterflies and doing so would have crowded the white space between them.  And, well, if you were a butterfly, it probably wouldn't be a pleasant experience to be flyin' right into yer fellow butterflies' farts anyway, would it?! *deep chortling*

I have another combination of ink colors I'd like to try this same technique (referred to as "Rock & Roll" in the stamping world) with . . . can you guess what they are? *wink*

Have a great weekend!

Stamps:  Flutterby, Flutterby Flock, Merci by A Muse Artstamps; White 4 bar note card by A Muse; Black Pretty Pearls by A Muse; Inks:  Colorbox Fluid Chalk Tangerine and Maroon, Versamagic Sea Breeze; Martha Stewart Onyx Glitter

Gossamer thoughts...

I've been on such a roll with these floral images and the ideas just keep rollin' in!   If you don't like flowers, I guess you'll just hafta avert yer eyes.  Cuz, baby, I am riding this wave for as long as it lasts. *wink*

This was one of the store samples I recently designed for the Everything's Rosy release.  So "springy" in watermelon and apricot tones!  Don't know if you can tell in the pic that I used Pink Pretty Pearls to accent some of the flower centers--it's a nice subtle touch.

Stamps:  Bare Branch, Daisy Duet, Gossamer Wings, "You are in my thoughts" by A Muse Artstamps; Watermelon, and Sage papers by A Muse; Pink Pretty Pearls by A Muse; Sheer Polka Dot Ribbon in Fern and Blush by A Muse; Inks:  Versamagic Grapefruit, Mango Madness, Jumbo Java, Tea Leaves; Border Punch by EK Success

Get Better Soon

Had an absolute blast this weekend at I'm Impressed's Stamp Out Breast Cancer Event--a shout out to Pat for all her help in the morning when I discovered I'd forgotten a few things, and to sweet Janet and June for brain-storming with me to resolve the issue of the ribbon on the pivot card!  You gals are DA' BOMBS!!! *love you*

I forgot my camera, so I'm bummed I didn't get any shots of all the fun. Hopefully someone else got a few snapshots!

Isn't this a sweet get well card?  I love that the size of Leaf Frond 2 makes it a perfect "back accent" to any number of flowers I have--stamped or, as in this case, FELT!

I adore sky blue and sage together--but sometimes, I like to add a splash of red to the mix.  OH MYLAAAAANTA is it ever effective!  You gotta try it some time, if you haven't yet!  Gives me heart palpitations! *grin* The felt I die cut this flower from is called "strawberry dream", and it is YUMMY!!!

It's kind of a soft red, with coral undertones.  And, of course, as is my custom, I never leave m'buttons nekked. *wink*wink*

 

I embossed the front of the note card with my Swiss Dots embossing folder--you know, I've used that thing so much I've worn out the hinge--I had to use packing tape to keep it together!  Of course, I bought a spare so when that one finally goes, I won't be dot-less. *chortle*  Sanded the paper to reveal the white core and create a little more texture.

So...I always have these strips of card stock left over from cutting paper for my classes.  You might ask, what good are narrow strips of paper?  Why don't you toss 'em in the rubbish bin?  Well, they are good for at least ONE sumpin'.  Many A Muse sentiments are a single line, rather than stacked.  These strips are POIFECT for stamping them on and mounting to a card front, speedy quick!

AaaaAAAaaaand, looky how well this one happened to nestle down the center of this beautimous faux suede ruffled ribbon (celery) I found at Sharon's Stamp Simply Ribbon Store.

The fussy cutting of the leaves did take a bit more time, so this would be more of a 10MQ, than a 5MQ.  But, think about it: 10 minutes + this pretty? Um ......................... SCORE!!! 

So. How'd it get to be Monday already?!  Geeze, Loooooo-uise!!! Happy anyway to ya'! *wink*

Stamps:  Leaf Frond 2, Get Better Soon by A Muse Artstamps; Sky Blue 4 bar note card by A Muse; Ink: Versamagic Tea Leaves and Brilliance Graphite Black; Floral die by Sizzix/Big Shot; Strawberry Dream Wool blend felt from www.vintagevogue.com; Black button (source unknown); White Scrapper's Floss by Karen Foster; Faux Suede Ruffled Ribbon from Stamp Simply RIBBON Store

Flutterby Hi

I'm up to the gills preparing to head out the door for my classes at I'm Impressed's Stamp Out Breast Cancer event this weekend, but wanted to share this before I flew the coop! *wink*

Must admit to doin' the o'l arms wrapped 'round self, and a whole lotta bouncin' when I finished this!  This is my favoritest color combination in the whole wide rubbah world.  I've been very good about slappin' my hands away from these colors and trying new (OK, different) combos, but for this design I just couldn't resist. *grin*

There are those who would point out to me that marigolds are not green.  I say:

*snort*

 

I fussy cut the Flutterby and then blinged her up with Twinkles.

"I'm in love, I'm in love, and I don't care who knows it!" -Buddy, in Elf

Yeah.  That pretty much describes how much I likey. *chuckle*

I always enjoy teaching at I'm Impressed and this event was so fun last year--I'm really looking forward to it and seeing all the gals tomorrow! GOOD TIMES!!!

Hope ya'all have a super weekend!

Stamps:  Marigold (open and gloriously mondo!), Flutterby by A Muse Artstamps; Note card, Petite Gingham Grass Paper by A Muse; Sky Blue Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon by A Muse; Sky Blue Twinkle Stickers by A Muse; Inks:  Memento Pear Tart & Versamagic Sea Breeze; Thickers Alphabet Foam Stickers by American Crafts

Queen Anne's Lace & butterflies

Yellow & green. Not a combo I reach for very often.  But, the Queen Anne's Lace seemed to look quite lovely inked in hues of buttercup yellow and soft, earthy greens. 

Mmmmm, warm and sunny--I likey!

Punched the butterflies from Shimmer White Couture Paper--*LOVE* that stuff!  Blinged 'em with Lime Pearls and dolloped the tips of the blossoms with Stickles.

Hello, Wednesday!

Stamps:  Queen Anne's Lace, Leaf Frond 2, "Hello" by A Muse Artstamps; Chiffon Green, Sage, Buttercup Yellow, White Shimmer Couture Papers by A Muse; Lime Pretty Pearls by A Muse; Fern Sheer Polka Dot Ribbon by A Muse; Yellow Stickles; Memento Ink in Bamboo Leaves, Pear Tart, Dandelion; Butterfly Punch by Martha Stewart

Happy Mother's Day

 

Hope all you mamas out there have a fan-tas-magorical Mother's Day!

Stamps:  Bursting Blooms, Happy Mother's Day by A Muse Artstamps patterned paper from the Wisteria Collection by Basic Grey; Button by Foo Fa La

Merci

  

This was inspired by Becky, who's soft, shabby style I have always admired.  Her light and airy ways with our images and papers, her way with those extra sweet little touches, inspired me to try a wee bit o' shabby on myself today. *grin*

This actually turned out even better than I'd hoped--I don't normally do shabby and tend to stay close to my comfort zone.  It was fun to stretch!

A little piercing, a bit of sanding--OK, mebbe a lot of sanding. *chuckle*  But, I must admit, it's kinda therapeutic to sand away at the edges of paper.  Serious!

More Chocolate Pretty Pearls, of course.  I'm afraid I'm addicted to those things . . .  Good news, tho:  They have ZERO calories! *wink*

I did want to say "Merci" for celebrating A Muse's 9th birthday with us over the past week--so much fun!  Ya'all ROCK!

Stamps:  Bare Branch, Daisy Duet, "Merci" from the Everything's Rosy Collection by A Muse Artstamps; Chiffon Pink note card, Chocolate Petite Gingham Paper by A Muse;  Fern Sheer Polka Dot Ribbon by A Muse; Chocolate Pretty Pearls by A Muse; Versamagic Ink in Jumbo Java, Tea Leaves; Versamark Watermark Ink (for thermal embossing); White Embossing Powder; Colorbox Fluid Chalk Ink in Warm Red; Piercing Tool; Sanding Cube

A Muse Birthday Blog Hop: Everything's Rosy

 

Hiya!  Hope you've enjoyed all the pretty eye candy throughout our Birthday Blog Hop!

Mebbe it's 'cuz I don't garden, or lack a green thumb, but floral and nature images are my most favorite to work with.  I never tire of them and can never get enough of them.  I also love working with solid images, so when I compiled this release, I was absolutely ecstatic at the final collection!

If you'll leave a comment on this post, your name will be entered into a random drawing for a prize (mentioned at the end of this post)!!!

I had only ONE (one, YIKES!  Must remedy that ASAP!) piece of Lime Shimmer Couture paper left, but it was enough to make this GAAAW-JUS (if I do say so m'self!) thang:

I used both the Marigolds and our gorgeous Lime Shimmer Couture Paper, to update the Memory Mug I picked up at the shop a few months ago!  Coffee on the go has never been more stylish!  Note:  I love this mug especially because the interior wall is made of stainless steel; it keeps your beverages hot (or cold, if iced) much longer than the ones that are only walled with plastic.

The Solid Marigold was stamped in a soft pink--I started with one of the medium Chocolate Pretty Pearls, and then thought it might be a cool effect to encircle it with the tiny ones!  I likey!!! The Wild Rose Branch serves as an wonderful flourish-like back-drop to the pretties clustered there to the side.

I don't fussy cut very often, but on this design, I really wanted to have some dimensional layers on the Wild Rose--it was stamped twice, and trimmed out and 3D mounted with pop dots.  I love this look on our Latté note cards, but it would look equally gorgeous on white, too.  Just had to put some tiny Chocolate Pretty Pearls in the center for garnish. :)

If you'll kindly leave a comment here on this post, your name will be entered in a random drawing for these 2 marvelous stamps from the new Everything's Rosy Collection:

Marigold, Open
&
Merci

Winners will be announced at the A Muse News Blog on May 10th!!

Be sure to hit this last stop on the Hop, so you won't miss anything-> A Muse News Birthday Blog Hop

If you got lost, you can always head back to A Muse News for direct links to all the bloggers in our Hop! And, be sure to leave a comment at all the stops in the hop to enter the give-away(s)--we're each hosting one!  WOO HOOOOOOO!!!

amuse bouche, Everything's Rosy: Marigold Merci

French roast, creamy white, and palm.  This makes my heart skip a beat. Makes me wrap m' arms 'round m'self and bounce right off the chair! *chortle*

This came together so fast I didn't even hafta mind-map it.  Scout's honor!!!  Hope you squeal as much as I did when I show you what else I've made tomorrow for the A Muse Birthday Blog Hop!

Needless to say, there has been a lotta happy monkey-clappin' goin' on here in the Palace!

Stamps, Papers, Twinkle Stickers all by A Muse Artstamps; Label die by Spellbinders; White Embossing Powder; Versamark Watermark/Embossing Pad; Embossed die cut flower (from craft supply store)

A Muse News: Cuppa Time with Julie!

via amusenews.typepad.com

This was fun to do, even tho I was nervous. :)