usa & god bless you

Our small community always has a parade (rather large for the size) and my parents host a big party in their driveway with drinks, decorations, and brunch.  Everyone brings more food and more chairs.  We eat, chat, cheer on the fun runners that run by, then settle in and watch the parade go by (and pick up as much candy as possible).   What are your 4th plans?  Any traditions?  Any new plans?

 A few patriotic cards for you, before the 4th of July.  Which sentiment do you prefer?  Which size font?

stamp: Savvy stripes; Impress "u", "s", & "a"; Papertrey Ink "god bless you"

ink: Brilliance rocket red; VersaFine onyx black

other: star punch, tag

you're sweet!

Summer has not yet arrived (at least permanently) here in Seattle.  I'm dreaming of warmer days and colder treats.  Do I dare ask, how is your summer weather?

stamp: Memory box ice cream cone; Stampin' Up! "you're sweet!"

ink: VersaFine onyx black

pirate party

These are the invitations for my son's 5th birthday party.  He is super excited to have some pirate fun!  Here goes nothing.  We're bound to have a busy day.

(front)

(inside top half)

(inside bottom half)

stamp: Stampin' Up! pirate, treasure chest, x marks the spot trail, & anchor with "you arrr invited"

ink: Memento tuxedo black; VersaFine onyx black; Brilliance rocket red; Papertrey Ink tea die duo; A Muse french roast

other: Copic markers, Papertrey Ink die cut

{blank cupcake}

As soon as I saw the inspiration photo for the Papetrey Blog Hop challenge, I knew I had to make another rainbow card.  The little dress up clothes, boots, toys, and books had me thinking of my little munchkins and how much they love cupcakes.  So here it is: rainbows & cupcakes.

stamp: Papertrey cupcake pieces
ink: VersaFine onyx black
other: Papertrey cupcake dies; Papertrey button; Stickles xmas red; Sparkles aquamarine

it's a celebration

I made this little long number for Embellish Magazine's rainbow challenge.  It may very well be the longest, skinniest card I've ever made.  I carried the last bit of rainbow on the inside of the card.  Have you ever made a card this long and skinny (10.5x3.5)?

Warning: for those who can't stand naked buttons, you may want to look away.

(click to enlarge)

(not a great photo, but you get the idea)

stamp: Papertrey Ink "it's a celebration" & "be happy"

ink: VersaFine onyx black

other: Papertrey Ink die cut; ribbon; Papertrey buttons; Impress sequin flowers

{blank school}

Okay last inchie card (at least for now).  Once I made the pirate card, I had to try it with the a·muse|studio school days set.  I definitely like the overall look of the pirate card better, but this was fun.

stamp: A Muse bus, school, pencil

ink: Memento Tuxedo black

other: Copics (Yellow, Buttercup Yellow, Pale Yellow, Cool Gray No.1, Sand, Sepia, Lipstick Red, Golden Yellow), Copic multiliner


Now back to your regularly scheduled (non-inchie) cards.

{blank pirate}

I decided to try the inchies with the a·muse|studio buried treasure set.  I love the little peek-a-boo's that inchies provide.

stamp: A Muse pirate, ship, & treasure
ink: Memento Tuxedo black
other: Copics (Light Suntain, Bareley Beige, Sand, Sepia, Lipstick Red, Golden Yellow, Canary Yellow, Colorless Blender)

{blank birthday}

Earlier this month I held an a|s workshop with my new stamp friend, Julia, where I met some amazing women.  After the party, Julia gave me a little thank you gift.  One of the gifts was this beautiful banner sticker.  I was waiting to use it on just the right card and here it is.


If you don't have a banner sticker you can always use the a·muse|studio banner die cut (p. 99).  I know it's on my wish list.  I can't wait to use it with fabric like this adorable sticker.  Thanks again Julia!

stamp: A Muse slice of cake

ink: VersaFine onyx black

other: Sparkles orange peel & buttercup

hello.

More inchie goodness, thanks to a·muse|studio!

stamp: A Muse tree, kite, clouds, & "hello"

ink: Memento tuxedo black; VersaFine onyx black

other: Copics (sand, flesh, barely beige, light suntan, sepia, new leaf, holiday blue, aqua blue, cool shadow, colorless blender), Copic multiliner

{blank guitar}

I wanted to play along with the a·muse|studio consultant challenge this month.  I've never worked with inchies, so this was fun!

You can get more inchie ideas from Julie's short video.

stamp: A Muse guitar

ink: A Muse ocean, slate, & grass

other: A Muse stitched ribbon ocean, zig zag scissors

enjoy

I haven't been doing many challenges lately (lack of creativity, lack of time, you name it).  I just loved the inspiration photo at Simplicity, so it was time to jump back in.  The kicker with this challenge, for me, is that it's one layer.

stamp: A Muse flowers; Papertrey woodgrain & "enjoy"

ink: A Muse papaya; ColorBox dune; VersaFine onyx black

other: Papertrey ribbon, Copic (buttercup yellow)

thanks!

Bright, bold, and white space come together in this great card by Susan Raihala.  I always get excited to see cards that use stamps that I already own, so I don't even have to vary from their beautiful design.

stamp: Papertrey Ink dots; Memory Box "thanks!"
ink: VersaFine onyx black; VersaColor opera pink
other: washi tape, jewel sticker

with sympathy

This card by Jennifer Rzasa was so clean and simple but the color scheme was different than what I normally turn to, so I wanted to try it out.  You know me, I have to add some bling.  What do you "always" add to your cards/projects?

stamp: A Muse flower & "with sympathy"
ink: A Muse french roast
other: A Muse twinkle stickers, Copic marker

you make the road of life more fun!

I saw this card by Kristie Heartfeil for the A Muse consultants blog hop and wanted to recreate that little car fun!


The a·muse|studio cling stamps come precut (amazingly well, I might add), but I still wanted my image (car) separate from my sentiment ("you make the road of life more fun!") to make for easier stamping.  Since they are cling stamps, it was super easy to cut them apart.  Now if I want them back together, I just have to carefully mount them on a clear block next time.

stamp: A Muse car, heart, & "you make the road of life more fun!"
ink:A Muse ocean, grass, & sky; VersaFine onyx black
other: A Muse ocean stitched ribbon, scalloped punch, square punch

happy father's day

Who doesn't need more masculine card ideas?  That's where Laurie Willison comes to the rescue with this fun card.  I could use some more manly birthday cards, but with father's day coming up, I kept the fathery theme.  I'd love to try it in some different colors too.  What color scheme would you try?

stamp: A Muse harlequin background & "happy father's day"
ink: A Muse french roast
other: eyelets, twine, square punch

a|s june spotlight

A Muse Studio is doing something amazing for their customers.  On the 15th of each month a variety of new, creative projects will be unveiled as the A Muse Studio Spotlight in a fresh, magazine-like style! These projects will feature a selection of stamp sets and products, paired with a lovely color palette, around a central theme.  It will be available from June 15th to July 15th.


Each month a|s will feature about 5 stamp sets that will be on sale for 10% off the retail price, plus there will be a corresponding sampler pack of paper too!


June's theme: Elegant Summer Event!

Featured Stamp Sets:
Classic Alphabet (p. 80)
Sea Shells (p. 64)
Keep Swimmin’ (p. 64)
Life’s a Breeze (p. 65)
Mad for Plaids (p.74)

Featured Color Palette - Seaglass: 
Bermuda
Sky
Sage
Lichen
Latte
The Seaglass Assorted Cardstock Pack is item number PAST611


If you are ready to shop, here's my webstore.  I know I've been eying those beachy stamps on pages 64 & 65.  I'm off to purchase my sets!

happy anniversary

My husband and I recently purchased new desks to overhaul his office and my stamping area.  It's not a separate room it's just a section of a large basement, so we I have a tendency to pile things everywhere.  Since we had to move everything anyways, we did a major spring cleaning of all our stuff.  He unearthed this little gem:

It's a tiny card (3x4) that I made from scraps for him while I was working nights at Impress.  That was one of the best things about working there, is they encouraged you to play with the products (when all the stamps were straightened and orders were filled) to show customers how it was done. 

It was for our 1 year anniversary and the inside still has me laughing.  Nine years, a house, and three kids later, things are a little different (for starters I don't make him cards any more). Maybe for our 10th this August I'll actually make him another card.  We'll see.

stamp: (I'll assume they are both Impress, but I can't say for sure)

ink: VersaMark

other: black embossing powder, diamond glaze, marker

a|s blog hop

Welcome to the a·muse|studio blog hop with my a muse "cousins".   We are all lucky to have Krystie as our upline lady.  If you are joining the blog hop, you should have arrived from Kellie Maggio's blog (I scrap, you scrap). 

I was going for some clean and simple cards that are quick and easy to produce without depleting ones paper supply.  The first card is more on the elegant side, while the second card is a bit more bright and fun.  Which style do you lean towards when crafting?  Or maybe something different altogether?

celebrate in style
stamp: A Muse chandelier & "celebrate in style"
ink: VersaFine onyx black
other: scalloped scissors, Sparkles aquamarine


you are amazing
stamp: A Muse birdcage, chain, & "you are amazing"
ink: A Muse ocean & papaya; VersaFine onyx black
other: washi tape


Become a "follower" and be sure to check back here June 15th for a fun announcement!


Now you are off to Kristen Watson's blog, you won't believe the elegant card she made with just 2 stamps.


Here is a complete list in case you get lost along the way:
Krystie Hersch
Lianna Vigil
Kellie Maggio
Kari Bell YOU ARE HERE!!
Kristen Watson
Veronica Zalis
Kathy Hatzke
Kelly Spivey
Lisa Wakabayashi
Karen Crisp
Kristie Hartfeil
Angela Schellenberg
Heather Wroe

i can always count on you

I adore this simple but effective masculine card by Mary Dawn Quirindongo.  I didn't even change it one little bit.  With the a|s cling stamps and clear blocks, lining these wrenches up by just eyeballing it was a cinch!

stamp: AMuse wrench & "i can always count on you..."

ink: AMuse grass, sky, & ocean

other: black brads, distresser

Come back tomorrow for another a|s blog hop (this one is much shorter) and with my a muse|studio "family".

celebrate in style

Who can resist the adorable cards made by Krystie?!  Not me.  I saw this gorgeous chandelier card and knew I would be recreating it.  I wanted to try something bright, fun, and out of my normal color palette.

What do you think?  

Cute and fun? Or too Halloweeny?

A little fun on the inside (for Kathy)

stamps: A Muse chandelier & "celebrate in style"

ink: A Muse orange; VersaMark; VersaFine onyx black

other: black embossing powder, A Muse orange satin ribbon

home tweet home

I just love this simple bird card by Novell Eckstrom.  You know me, I had to add some bling to make it complete!

stamp: A Muse birdcage, chain, bird, & 

ink: A Muse french roast & grass

other: twinkle stickers, Copic marker

thank you

This card by Teri Anderson was too cute not to copy.  I just love this color blocking which uses colors not in my normal palette.  My flowers have a bit more "edges" to them as I'm too lazy to cut each one out so I used my Punch Bunch flower punch.

stamp: A Muse branch, flowers, & "thank you"

ink: A Muse orange & grass

other:  A Muse pearl stickers, flower punch

a|s consultants blog hop

It's the 2nd of the month which means it's time for another a·muse|studio consultants blog hop!

Today's hop includes a variety of a|s consultants who connected through the online forum.  You should have arrived here from Anna's blog, if not you can start it all at Samantha's blog.  She will have the complete list of all the blogs in case there is a glitch along the way.  Just follow the blog path; there are prizes to be won, so leave some comment love!!

Enough nitty gritty.

The theme this month is create your own DSP (designer series paper).  I just love the clean lines of this card by Cristina, so I made the same card, just created my own papers.

stamp:  A Muse dots, circles, & "happy birthday to you"

ink: A Muse slate, latte, & lemon whip

other: twine, buttons, corner punch

Leave a comment and I will select one person to get all these paper pieces, ribbons, and twine to duplicate this card.

Okay now you are off to Angela's blog!

welcome, little one

I just love the layout and colors of this card by Lori Barnett and the paper piecing of the crib from Laura & Melissa Roell.

stamp: A Muse crib & "welcome, little one"

ink: Memento tuxedo black; VersaFine onyx black

other: button, twine, scalloped square punch, square punch, Copic markers