Festive Owls

I have been having fun playing with my new "Owl Christmas" set from Hero Arts. There are so many fun owl images in this set. I'm sure I will be sharing some more cards using that set. I had a REALLY hard time getting a decent photo. I was able a couple outside today in a little bit of sunlight (sorry for the shadows), but some of the up close pictures were taken indoors so they are not as bright. This was my first version (in red). I colored the owl with my Koh-i-noor pencils & his sweater is colored with "chalk" pencils which I need A LOT more practice with. I think the "chalk" pencils probably work better if you have a more solid space to color in. I also used my Spica glitter pens & A Muse twinkle stickers to add some sparkle. I tried to get a close up of the sparkle below (it REALLY sparkle IRL), but it still doesn't show up very well, but you get the idea. Thanks for visiting today & I hope you have a FABULOUS weekend!!

I covered the snowflake in the Impress Sparkle Glitter & placed an A Muse Twinkle Sticker in the center. If you are looking for a similar glitter, I think the Martha Stewart "Snow" glitter at Michael's is similar.

I thought the red version turned out pretty cute, so I made a blue version below. I did not use Twinkle stickers on this version & I used a combination of Copics & Koh-I-Noor pencils to color this one. I also used my Spica glitter pens as well.

Another close-up of the sparkle below, but again, it still doesn't show very well in the photo.

Cute Little Clips

I have been wanting to make some of these binder clips ever since I saw them on Rhonda's blog. Thanks for the idea Rhonda!! Aren't they sweet? I think they would be cute for holding a picture or a recipe card. I used the one on the left as a post-it holder that I gave to a friend, but the "Post-It" pad that I used was a little to big for the chipboard coaster I used. I think it would work great if you used a standard size Post-It pad as long as it's not too thick. The only drawback to these clips is they don't seem like they will hold a lot of weight. Wishing you a happy day!
Info: Binder Clips from Staples; Ribbon by May Arts; Kitchen Notes & Sentiments by A Muse Artstamps; Sticky Note Pad from Michael's $1 spot.

A Little Late Posting This....

As you may have figured, I'm taking a little break from blogging. I'm just not very good at keeping up with it. I have a couple of photos to share so I thought I would pop in and say HI!!! Anyone that is reading this, I'm glad you're still with me. :) First photo is for Tracy's sketch from last week. I actually had this card done on Monday, I'm just now getting it posted. I love the new Cupcake Builder set from A Muse!!The glitter that I used on this card is so cool. While I picked it up last week at Impress in Tukwila, Washington while I was on a last minute vacation visiting family. You must get some of this glitter!! Now for my exciting news :) ......take a look at where else I have been in the photo below.....
A VERY HAPPY DAY!!

Opening Day at A Muse Shop - Seattle, WA

Linda is such a sweetheart & it was an absolute joy to be able to meet her!! They new shop is beautiful! They really did a gorgeous job at restoring the building they are in.

A card & a little fur.......

.......yes, that's a cat in the background. She was very curious about my picture taking.I was having a heck of a time getting a good shot of this card, so I finally gave up & this is what I ended up with. Wow....where does the time go? I feel like the last couple of weeks has just been a blur. Anybody else feeling that way? I've been wanting to try and participate in Tracy's sketch challenges every week since that is about all that I can seem to keep up with on my blog, LOL, and somehow last week I missed it, so I wanted to make sure to participate this week. I just love these little chicks from Memory Box. I think they are long retired, but I still think they are adorable. I colored the image with my Koh-i-noor pencils & added a pale shadow around the image (also with my pencils although not visible in the photo). I paper pieced the witch hat, glittered it up in some black glitter & popped it out with some dimensionals, but it is also very hard to see in this photo. I am not happy with the placement of the sentiment, but I wasn't about to rip the whole thing apart. I think I will take the advice of using the stamp positioner to move the sentiment around next time to decide where I like it. Thanks for stopping by today. I hope everyone is having a fabulous September so far!!



Card Info: Note Card & Image by Memory Box; Sentiment by Savvy; DP by MME; Cardstock by DCWV & Stampin' Up; Marvy Punches; Provo Scallop Scissors; Ink is Memento; Koh-i-noor pencils; Art Institute Glitter; Ribbon from Michael's.

More Kitty Christmas & Sketches

I wanted to play with my TCP Kitty Christmas set a little more before I put it away, and came up with this card. I am really on a holiday card kick lately. I originally thought this would be great for Tracy's sketch challenge for this week, but when I looked back at the sketch (I was just trying to go by memory), I thought this was probably a little too off of the sketch. I thought I would share it anyway. Isn't Sprinkle just the cutest? She sparkles IRL too, but it is hard to see it in the photo. I wanted to make another card for Tracy's sketch challenge, so I decided to make a different card as well. I remembered this color combo from one of the challenges from AP & I wanted to try it out, so I decided to incorporate those colors in to a "non-traditional" colored holiday card. I added some sparkle with my stickles to the carolers hats, but again, it's hard to see in the photo. Thanks for stopping by tonight & happy Thursday to you!! Any fun plans this holiday weekend?? If I don't have another post before Labor Day, I wish you all a safe & happy one!!

My First TCP Tuesday

This is my first time participating in TCP Tuesday Challenge, and I'm so happy I did. Toni is the hipster hostess this week & she challenged us to use the colors blue & orange in our creations. I think it is so fun to make holiday cards in non-traditional colors, so I chose to use my "Kitty Christmas" set to create this pocket card. I added the sentiment in the bottom corner as an afterthought, but I'm not sure if I like it there or not. I added blue eyelets where I tied the ribbon, but they are hard to see in the photo. I also used a orange eyelet to help pull the card out of the center & I thought it would be fun to place it where the "o" was in word "house" in the sentiment. I think I would use a thinner ribbon next time because I would like to be able to see the eyelets a little better. I colored the image with my Koh-I-Noor pencils. I hope everyone has a nice weekend!! Thanks for stopping by today! :)Card Info: All Stamp by The Cat's Pajamas; Notecard & Ribbon by A Muse Artstamps; Vanilla Cardstock by Stampin' Up; Ink by VersaFine; Martha Stewart Border & Marvy Scallop Oval Punches; Eyelets by Making Memories; Koh-I-Noor Colored Pencils.

Anyone Interested?

If anyone is interested in joining an A Muse ATC swap using the holiday images released during A-muse-a-palooza, check out this post here. I am on the waiting list for the 2nd group & I would love to see it get filled. Maybe you are in the first group & would like to join the 2nd group as well. ;)

Another Fun Sketch

Hi everyone!! This is another card I made for a sketch challenge over on my pal Tracy's blog. I'm glad she is keeps pushing me to get some stamping done with her fun sketches. It gives me something to post on my blog too! I have been really in the mood for making holiday cards, so I decided to give one of the new A Muse holiday images "Hippy Snow Chick" a little inky love. I really had trouble getting the right light to take a good photo with. We went from having over 100 degree weather this past weekend, to rain & fall like weather at the start of this week. I have to say I am ready for Fall. Spring & Fall are my favorite seasons.........love 'em!! Card Info: Images, Note Card, PLP, Twinkle Stickers & Ribbon by A Muse Artstamps; White CS by GP; Pink CS by DCWV; Ink by Palette in Noir & Versa Magic Chalk; Copic Markers Cool Shadow & Pink; Glitter Glue from JoAnns; Fine Black Pen.

HOORAY Victoria!!

This is a card a made for Victoria's celebration challenge on her blog. I *met* Victoria through the A Muse message board group & she is a super sweet gal!! She recently finished her chemotherapy & is halfway through her cancer treatments. She challenged us A Muse "groupies" to make a celebration card to help her celebrate her final chemo treatment. Please stop by her blog & read her story. She is a strong, beautiful, and amazing woman!!
Card Info: Note Card, Ribbon, Nest, Bird & Sentiment by A Muse Artstamps; Branch image by Impress; Ink by Stampin' Up & Pallette; Solid White CS by GP; Textured Green Cardstock by DCWV; Koh-I-Noor Pencils.

Tracy's Sketch Challenge

One of my super sweet gal pals Tracy (HI TRACY!!) is having her very first sketch challenge over on her blog. Of course I had to play along, it's Tracy of all people!! :) I think I may have flipped the sketch around a little, but hopefully she doesn't mind if I fiddled a bit. I have kind of been in a stamping slump lately....that seems to happen a lot.....so this gave me a little push to sit down & make a card. I hope everyone is having a relaxing weekend........THANKS for stopping by!! Card Info: Cardstock unknown; DP by American Crafts; Ink is Pallette Noir; Ribbon, flower image stamp & sentiment stamp by A Muse Artstamps; Copic Markers.

I feel so special!!

I was nominated by two FABULOUS blogging ladies, Victoria & Kimberly for the "Brillante Weblog" award. Thank you so much ladies!! You are too sweet!

Here are the details of the award:

1. The winner can put the logo on her blog.

2. Link the person you received your award from.

3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.

4. Put links of those blogs on yours.

5. Leave a message on the blogs of those you’ve nominated.

I know a lot of you "Brillante" bloggers out there have already been nominated, so I would like to nominate:

1. Tami

2. JenMarie

3. Amy

4. Ashley

5. Jenna

6. Aileen

7. Rose

A Muse S.O.W Challenge #25

This is for the Stamp of the Week Challenge (#25) over at the A Muse Group Message Board. I really hate to admit this, but this is my very first time inking of my A Muse Coffee Break set, YIKES!! I adore ALL of the images in this set, especially since I adore coffee as well! I'm really glad Jennie added the set to one of the images that could be used this week since I don't have any of the others. :( THANKS Jennie!! I'm glad I was able to participate this week! Card Info: Images by A Muse Artstamps; Cardstock by A Muse Artstamps & Stampin' Up (Vanilla & Chocolate Chip); Border Punch by Martha Stewart (thanks Victoria!); Ink by Stampin' Up & Adirondack; Ribbon by A Muse Artstamps; Copic Markers; Marvy Scallop Punches & Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder.

My First Attempt At Inchies

This is my first attempt at playing around with "inchies". I need to practice a bit more, I kind of feel like I butchered this card, but I still had fun at my first attempt. I think I would use a 1" square punch to cut my squares out next time instead of using my paper trimmer. The Hero Arts Club Blog (love this blog) had a week feature on inchies a several weeks ago, & so I wanted to try a card using inchies. If you haven't visited the Hero Arts blog, you must check it out. They have so many tutorials, videos, & ideas. The set I used for this card is called "Cheery Bird" from Hero Arts. It is only available at Archivers stores, which I have none in my state, but I was lucky enough to be able to purchase the set online. I colored the birds with my Koh-I-Noor pencils & added a touch of glitter with Stickles & Spica Glitter Pens. I posted a close up so you could see the sparkle a little better. I'm sorry to be such a terrible blogger. I wish I was better at posting. I appreciate anyone who still stops by to take a look around. I hope everyone is having a fun summer. Have a great day!!

Before my morning coffee.....

....this is how I feel, LOL! Mornings don't really bother me, but I REALLY do need my coffee to get me going. The new penguins from Memory Box are so cute & I just couldn't resist this "Curler Penguin" & "I don't do mornings" sentiment. Isn't she cute? It is hard to tell in the photo, but I covered her robe in stickles & used hot pink flock for the trim, tie & slippers. I used a clear spica pen on her curlers, so they sparkle too. The note card is from Memory Box, DP is by Basic Gray & I finished it off with ribbon & dew drops.

Happy 4th of July....

.......and HAPPY SUMMER!! This is actually my bumper card for the month of June over at the A Muse group. I'm finally getting around to posting it. As you can see, I used a lot of the same color scheme as my May Bumper card. What can I say, I think it's a really fun color combo & is very cheery! I just ordered another pack of the Memory Box "Beach Collection" 6x6 paper. Tinla (Hi Tinla) informed me that it is going to be retired so I thought I better grab another pack. If you are looking for a great deal on this paper, I got mine here on a smokin' sale, so get it while you can!! I hope you all have a safe & happy 4th :)

Starbucks, Meet A Muse

Happy Friday!! I have a fun day planned of lunch and shopping with one of my gal pals, I just wish she stamped :). It is supposed to be VERY HOT here this weekend, mid to high 90's. That is a little too hot for my taste. I'm sharing a card today I made for one of the VERY special ladies over at the A Muse group. I had a lot of fun making this card for Jennie for her birthday. She is a big fan of coffee, as am I, & I've been spinning the idea around in my head of making a card resembling a "to go" coffee cup, & this is what I came up with. Hopefully is some what resembles that to you as well. Before I was finished with the card, I asked DH if he could tell what it was and he said "popcorn?". I was thinking, "great", "my coffee cup looks like a tub of popcorn???". Anyhow, I went with it anyway, and hopefully Jennie knew what it was when she opened her card :) I thought I could use the A Muse "Mermaid" image as an A Muse version of the "Starbucks" logo. I wanted to get all of her hair (mermaid) & after I punched her out, I noticed she then has one elongated arm, but just decided to go with it anyway. The brown sleeve is an actual sleeve I specifically grabbed to use for this card. The note card, images, sentiments, and twinkle stickers are all by A Muse Artstamps. I colored the mermaid with my Copics & Spica Glitter pens, but the sparkle doesn't show in the photo. I hope you have a pleasant Friday & a great weekend!! Thanks for stopping by ;)

Quick & Easy Baby Card

Hi all! Happy Thursday to you!! The weather is absolutely BEAUTIFUL here today. I hope it is where you are at too :) This is a super quick card that I whipped up for a friend at who is having a baby girl soon. This accompanied her baby gift. I must say, it's so fun shopping for cute little girly things. I had fun making this since I don't get to pull out my "baby" themed stamps very often. I used several different stamp companies on this card. I will leave the details for you below. I used my clear spica glitter pen over all of the images, but again it doesn't show up in the photo. It is very sparkly IRL. Sorry the lighting is not the best. I'm off to enjoy the sunshine! Wishing you a happy day :) Card info: GP White Cardstock; Misc. Solid Cardstock; DP by Memory Box; Images by Impress, Rubber Soul & A Muse Artstamps; Ink by Stampin' Up; Clear Spica Glitter Pen; Ticket Corner Punch by Stampin' Up; Marvy Scallop Square Punch; Micro Dot Twinkle Stickers by A Muse Artstamps.

Drumroll Please.........

Thank you for all of your sweet comments on my blog candy post! I have really enjoyed this first year of blogging and have met many amazing women & have created some great friendships! All of you is what makes blogging fun for me. I used Random.org to pick 3 random winners, and here they are:

Tinla

Susan N. (aka. Curtis) (Susan N.'s blogger profile showed up as her husbands name, I deleted her post where she clarified this)

Anita

CONGRATS ladies!! Please e-mail me your snail mail and I will get these in the mail to you ASAP!! You can find my e-mail in "my profile" on my sidebar!! Have a great evening :)

ETA: Tinla was gracious enough to let me know that she already has all 3 of these stamps, so Tinla will still be getting the Sugar paper pack, but she wanted me to send her stamp to somebody else (Isn't she SWEET!!) so I used random.org to pick another winner for the stamp only and that person is:

ESTIVALIA

Congrats Estivalia!! Please send me your snail mail address, and I will get your stamp in the mail to you ASAP :)

Yeah....Blog Candy Baby!!

Hi everyone!! Sorry I haven't been posting much lately, we have had A LOT of "stuff" going on around here and I haven't been doing ANY stamping. Needless to say, I haven't been spending that much time of the computer either. So with nothing to share, how about some blog candy instead? In honor of my 1 year of blogging, I thought it would be fun to have a little celebration and give away some blog candy!! I appreciate each and every one of you that stop by & leave comments. You always brighten my day! So now it's my turn to give back to you!! All you have to do is leave me a comment on this post. In your comment, please let me know which of these stamps you would like most, that's all you have to do. I have 3 to give away, so if your name is drawn, I would like to send you the stamp of your choice (all stamps are by Memory Box) or a stamp that you don't already have. If you don't have a preference, let me know that too. With each stamp, you will also get a pack of Memory Box Sugar 6x6 cardstock which is such a fun paper pack!! You have until 7 PM (PST) Wednesday (June 18th) to leave your comment at which time I will pick three random winners. I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend so far!!


BIRD FAMILY

OUTLINE TREE



LOVE KITTEN

May Bumper Card

YAY.....it's Friday....woo hoo! Not a whole lot going on for me this weekend. I have lots of house cleaning to do, YUCK!! We have a big graduation BBQ coming up next weekend, so I want to get things sparkling ;). This is my bumper card for May over at the A Muse group. I really had a lot of fun making this card for my recipient for the month, who I happen to of had last month too. :) Hopefully she doesn't mind receiving cards from little ol' me two months in a row. Sorry for the poor photo, the weather has been a little gloomy around here, so I wasn't able to snap a photo outside with some decent light. I used an A Muse notecard. I'm not sure what the color is but I think it may be Jasmine. The DP is from Memory Box. I used Spica Glitter pens on the flip flops to add some sparkle. I think the "Flip Flops" was one of my first, if not the first, A Muse stamp in my collection. Who knew it would grow into the obsession that it has today, LOL!! Happy Friday to you!!

Happy Birthday Brother

This is a card I made for my brother's birthday. He's turning the BIG 40 this year. I'm quite sure he doesn't read my blog so I think it's safe to post it here since I know it has not arrived to him yet in the mail. I have a REALLY hard time with "masculine" cards but I think this one turned out somewhat masculine. The A Muse "Birthday Builder" set makes it really easy to make quick & painless birthday cards & it is perfect for milestone birthdays or any birthday for that matter. If you don't own this set, I would highly recommend adding it to your collection.
Card Info: Misc. Cardstock; DP by Basic Grey; Stamps by A Muse Artstamps; Ink & Ticket Corner Punch by Stampin' Up; Marvy Giga & Mega Scallop Square Punch; Clear Spica Glitter Pen; Brad by Lasting Impressions

ATC Peek #2

Happy Friday to you! Are you doing anything fun this weekend? The weather is a little gloomy around here, so I'm not sure what we will be doing. I thought I would share my ATC for the Memory Box group for Kristina's swaps. I kept it really simple. I colored the image with my Twinkling H2O's. The striped dp is by Memory Box. I added a little twinkle to the top of the cupcake with my Stickles, but it is hard to see in the photo. I hope everyone has a safe, fun, & relaxing weekend!!

ATC info: Image, sentiment & DP by Memory Box; Ink by Pallette in Noir; Twinkling H2O's; Stickles; Card Stock by GP & Misc.