Paper Trufflez

OK, one more thing I made; a NON-CARD 5MQ!

Only took 5 minutes to trace and cut some pretty patterned paper and slip it inside this nifty stainless steel (interior) travel tumbler!

Now, who wouldn't be delighted with an enchanting ensemble like this, I ask you?!

Have a Happy Christmas!

And, a coordinating card? GET OUT!!!

I know!!! (best Monica voice). *wink*

All kidding aside, I do love that they match.

Used some of my favorite grey polka dotted paper.

Ran the punched out snowflake thru my little Xyron 250, and then covered it with some Martha Stewart chunky snow glitter--sparkly, but not iridescent.  As you can see, once again, my button is not nekked.

When it came time to add the sentiment, realized I did not have the right alpha stickers, or stamp, or die cut to do what I wanted, so I pulled out my trusty Dymo label maker. 

OK, am I the only one that is obsessed with charcoal, off-white and cranberry red this season? I am just lovin' it!

 

Do you . . .

remember these? I got 'em last week on a trip to the A Muse shop.

A gazillion ideas were ping-pongin' around in my head when I got them home, but confound it all, I haven't had much time at all to actually execute any of 'em.

BUT, I did get ONE idea done.  Brace ya' self . . .

TA-DAAAAAAAH!!!

Well? Whaddya' think? I was pretty much bouncin' off m' chair when I finished it!  Oh, I love it, I do indeed! *arms wrapped 'round self*

 

With the built-in slot, you could slip these fun flakes over a button on your coat or a sweater and *snap*! You're done!

Alas, all my sweaters and coats have buttons running right down the middle. Truth be told, I looked kinda dorky when I tried to slip it over one of my jacket buttons.  I was not daunted by this, however, being the brilliant crafty gal that I am. *snarf*  I decided to cut a little felt circle and whip stitch it onto one side, which would become the back.  Then I punched a 1 1/2" circle from some patterned paper, and covered it with one of our A Muse Clear Circle Stickers (they are a perfect 1 1/2").  To sew it to the front side of the flake, I punched two holes thru it with my Crop-a-dile.  I "dressed" my red button (it is a cardinal rule around here to never leave one's buttons nekked, of course) and then stitched both the red button, and my "epoxy" button together to the snowflake.

Sewed a pin finding on the back and voilá!  In 10 minutes I had the CUTEST felt snowflake pin EVER in the history of the world!!!

*monkey clapping*

As Christmas draws near, some of you may remember that I made a life-changing decision last year at this time . . .

It's hard to believe that it has been almost a year since we brought our puppy home . . . !!!

 

I doubt Bear remembers his first Christmas tree . . .

But, he was pretty happy to help the Mr. with this year's . . . LOL!

*grin*

It's that time of year, people . . . *cheeky grin*

Picked up 2 dozen . . .

of these babies at the A Muse shop this last week.  At only $1 each, they were practically free!!! *giddy*

I got plans, baby.  I got plans. Heh, heh, heh!  

12 Days of A Muse Christmas Wishes!

via amusenews.typepad.com

How fun is this???

These are just a few of what would be on my wish list, cuz I loves 'em SO much!

1. Silver Shimmer Couture Paper - Silver on one side, white on the other, for maximum versatility, I ADORE the way this silver paper in particular sets things off in such an elegant way!
2. Clear Circle Stickers - I use great gobs of these.  Serious!  So fun, so easy, and a great way to accent a stamped image or pretty paper beneath it!
3. Birthday Builder Clear Stamp Set - The numbers are classic, and the font in the greeting is gender neutral so it can be used for feminine, masculine and juvenile designs!
4. Thanks - I'm always needing thank-you notes, and this stamp makes it SO easy and works with anything and everything!
5. Signo White Gel Pen - Perfect for detailing on darker papers!
6. Simple Stick - Hands-down, THE BEST quality sticky embossing powder I have ever used for glitter, flock, foil, etc.
7. 4 Bar White Note Cards - Nothing helps me create my 5MQ's faster than these note cards. I keep a stash on hand at all time--a true staple item for me!
8. Modern Wood Block - I'm mad about woodgrain and use this background stamp so frequently--it's a staple for me!  And, yes, I illustrated it! *cheeky grin*
9. Memory Tumbler - So easy to decorate and FUN!  Stainless interior keeps beverages hot/cold for much longer than the plastic ones do, and what a great gift--just decorate as desired, and accompany with gift card to a favorite coffee shop and voilá!
10. Marigold - I can't help it, but I love big, modern flower stamps--the contemporary look floats me!
11. Solid Marigold - And, if you're gonna get the big one, the smaller solid one works beautifully with it!
12. A Muse Fleece - I love this thing--so soft and comfy! I have one in lime and in black!

Share your wishes!!! 

Hero Arts Catty Blog Hop

Welcome to the 2011 Hero Arts Catalog Blog Hop!

Vintage phones?  Hello!!! I love 'em!  And it was great fun designing this greeting using the new "Just Saying Hi" set for this hop, as Hero Arts unveils their new catalog!

I wanted an "office"-yet-still-feminine look for this card, so I pulled from a stash of 6x6 papers I've been hoarding that I just love.

I've been hoarding this narrow velvet ribbon, too.  Velvet gives an element of "plush" that I just adore!  It was perfect to cover the seam of where the lattice and floral papers meet.

To further emphasize the darling phone, I covered it with an A Muse Clear Circle Sticker.

Texting and emailing are efficient means of communication, but sometimes just pickin' up the phone or sending a letter can't be beat--altho I'm sure letter-writing is considered old fashioned by today's young 'uns. *wink*

Are ya' ready for the next stop on the Hop?  Well, click on over to:

 Dawn McVey

And, thanks for stopping by today!  Enjoy the rest of the eye candy as you click your way through all the fabby creations each designer has shared!

Remember, if you find a link that doesn't work, you can always hop back to the Hero Arts Blog for a list of direct links to all the blogs in the hop.

 
*****

Credits:  "Just Saying Hi" CL502 clear stamp set by Hero Arts; Papers from the Camden Collection by Collage Press (retired?); Inks:  Fresh Ink in Red Currant and Chocolate by Impress Rubber Stamps; Narrow Velvet Ribbon from MJ Trims; 1 1/2 and 1 3/4" circle punches by EK Success; Clear Circle Sticker by A Muse Arts; Corner Chomper (Rounder) by WR Memory Keepers

Snowladen Noel (5MQ)

I was on a roll with the Snowladen Tree, so here's another one.  LOL!  I'm buried right now, so I don't have time to write much, but as you can see, it's definitely a quickie. *wink*

I talk too much anyway.  Ya'all just look at the pictures--you don't actually read any of this, right?! *wink*

*****

Credits:  Snowladen Tree, Winter Sky Paper by A Muse Artstamps; "Noel" was handwritten with Spica Silver and the heart drawn with Spica Crimson (?); Ink:  Fresh Ink in Spanish Olive by Impress Rubber Stamps; Silver eyelet; Prisma/Iridescent Glitter

Glittery Winter Bird

This one's not so quick, but it uses the same tree I used on the last card--Snowladen Tree.  I also love that sentiment by Norman Peale--it just . . . resonates. *grin*

This design features an emboss resist technique--emboss an image on white card stock--I used white powder in this instance so the tree would have a most snowy/icy appearance for my little birdie to perch on.

I'm always asked about my sponging technique.  The secret for me is to use a very rounded sponge pinched in my fingers, and to hit the paper in a swirling motion--no pouncing allowed. *wink*  Seriously, tho, that's what gives it an almost airbrushed look.  I also intensify some areas, especially when doing sky, to create the illusion of clouds, and back off on others.

Water-based dye ink is usually the easiest to apply over an embossed image--any residue left on the image is easily wiped off with a tissue.

The little birdie was clipped from a border punch out (from red card stock), glued into place, and then I used a Quickie Glue Pen to apply a coat of glue over top, and dust him with red glitter.  Tiny punch outs like this tend to get gummed up in my little Xyron machine, so I prefer glittering super tiny things this way.  Oh, and be sure to glue him in place first--it's buggah trying to glitter up a tiny little thing like that without it being anchored in some way!

Silver Shimmer Couture paper for the card base gives this design a very plush and luxurious look--I love that it's shimmery white on the opposite side, too.  I just write my message with a permanent ink pen, like a Sharpie, for ease.

*****

Credits:  All stamp images and papers by A Muse Artstamps; Inks:  Memento Sky Blue, Versamark, Fresh Ink Slate by Impress; Silver Cord by May Arts; Glitter by Martha Stewart; White Embossing Powder; Birds on a wire border punch by Martha Stewart