hello sunshine

I lied.  Summer is not here in Seattle.  Unless it was only two days long.  Today it is pouring rain.  I'm not talking the  90 degree summer downpours in the south, or the 85 degree cloud bursts in Hawaii.  I'm talking the 61 degree miserable rains in Seattle that make you long for a fire and some hot chocolate.

Thus, my bright and cheerful card for the Papertrey Ink blog hop challenge.  I drew inspiration from the lively colors and the patchwork quilt.

stamp: Papertrey Ink "hello sunshine"
ink: VersaFine onyx black

happy summer

I stole this adorable summer card idea from Impress. I just love the itty bitty paper piecing. Summer has finally arrived in Seattle and I couldn't be happier!!

stamp: Peddler's Pack margarita glass, Savvy "happy summer"

ink: VersaFine onyx black

studio stampers blog

Guess who is being featured on Studio Stampers?  

Wait, what's studio stampers you say?  It's our brand new a·muse|studio consultants blog, for all those who have the amazing Krystie Hersch as their upline gal.  Every week you'll meet a new consultant and then there will be a challenge from that specific consultant.


It's really new so there aren't many participants, the challenge will be up for 2 weeks (normally it'll be 1 week), AND I'm giving away a fun prize (one package of meadow mix flowers & 1 pack of sugar pearls stickers).

What are you waiting for?  Go check it out.  Then put together a card (you don't have to use a·muse|studio supplies) and play along!

{blank sailboat}

I wanted to participate in the Embellish Magazine Nautical Color Challenge.  Then I realized I own zero nautical stamps (shame on me).  I had to get creative.  I intended for this to fit on a toothpick (I like smaller center pieces), but I got carried away with the hull and just went with it.  Here's my nautical card.

stamp: A muse woodgrain

ink: A Muse french roast

other: circle punch, wooden kabob skewer, Papertrey Ink die cut

{blank flower vases}

I was inspired by the One Layer Wednesday Challenge: Make it Personal.  Often I just make cards that I like and I enjoy.  Then when I need a card I hunt through my stash and look for a card that best matches the person I need to give it to.  I make specific cards for birthdays, but typically I just create what I like.

For the challenge,  I decided to make a card for my mom.  I asked her to babysit the kids (last minute) tonight and not only did she say yes but asked "can they spend the night?"  Needless to say I owe her a big thank you.  My mom loves her garden, her flowers, and especially bringing those flowers inside to enjoy.  So here is a simple card with flowers for her kitchen.  I should really get some real flowers for her too!

stamp: Memory Box flower vases; Impress double stripe
ink: Memento tuxedo black; VersaFine onyx black
other: jewel stickers; Copics (cool shadow, aqua blue, wax white, new leaf, salad, buttercup yellow, golden yellow)

a|s july 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 July 15th to August 15th.

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


July/August theme: Neighborhood Block Party

Featured Stamp Sets:
Birthday Builder (p.78)
Tini Time (p.62)
That's the Ticket (p.24)
Graphic Sunflower (p.33)
Swanky Backgrounds (p.74)

Featured Color Palette - Sorbet: 
Watermelon
Buttercup
Apricot
Sage
Lichen

The Sorbet Assorted Cardstock Pack is item number PAST711


If you are ready to shop, here's my webstore.

miss you

No one does clean and simple like Carly Robertson.  When I saw this adorable card, I just had to make it too. (ignore the poor camera angle)

stamp: A Muse birdcage; Stampin' Up "miss you"
ink: A Muse cranberry
other: A Muse twinkle sticker heart; Copic (lipstick red), Marvy (burnt umber)

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 Karen Crisp's blog (My Paper Paradise). 


I love the  a·muse|studio twinkle sticker packets and wanted to play with some different shapes besides the circle (my go to twinkle sticker).  First up, is the twinkle sticker teardrop.

front

inside

This next card I used the twinkle sticker star.

front

inside

Finally the twinkle sticker heart.

front

peek-a-boo of the beans inside

Did you find it?  Oops, it's not there.  When I originally designed this card there was going to be a little twinkle heart in the circle on the latte cup.  Then my Seattle brain saw the circle and had to make it a Starbucks cup.  So no twinkle sticker on this card, but still fun a·muse|studio goodies.

thanks
stamp: A Muse chandelier, "thanks", & "you are amazing"
ink: A Muse ocean
other: A Muse twinkle stickers; Copic (process blue)


{blank birthday cake}
stamp: A Muse cake, stripes, & "birthday wishes"
ink: VersaFine onyx black
other: A Muse twinkle stickers, circle punch


how ya' bean?
stamp: A Muse latte cup, mini circle, beans, & "how ya' bean?"
ink: A Muse fern & french roast; VersaFine onyx black
other: circle punches, Copic multiliner


It's time for a prize!!
Become a "follower" and leave a comment for a chance to win one package of  a·muse|studio twinkle stickers (I'll even include the heart strip even though I forgot to use it).


Now you are off to Lesa Wolfe's blog (The Paper Pundit).



Here is a complete list in case you get lost along the way:
Kathy Hatzke
Karen Crisp
Kari Bell   you are here!
Lesa Wolfe
Lisa Wakabayashi
Lisa Chapman
Veronica Zalis
Ida P. Krause
Lianna Vigil
Kristen Watson

congratulations

While I don't have any letterpress goodies, when I saw this stunning card (not sure why the pictures won't show up) by Thienly Azim I knew I wanted to try to make something similar with stamps.  The bling just sent me over the edge!

stamp: Papertrey Ink scrolls; A Muse "congratulations"
ink: Encore! silver; VersaFine onyx black
other: A Muse twinkle stickers

fun in the sun!

The Wee Memories "Summertime" challenge was begging for me to get out some of my summer stamps.  The pacific northwest is finally warming up, but it's not consistent yet.  Darn!  You know how much I love the sun.  Here's a little beachy card that has me dreaming of warmer days.

stamp: Memory Box umbrella; A Muse "fun in the sun!"
ink: VersaFine onyx black
other: Marvy Markers (mocha & caribbean blue)

thank you

I just love this card by Nichole Heady.  When my Papertrey Anniversary Set showed up a month later, I had to reproduce it.  I still need to work on my border edges (and get a thicker pen), but it was fun to try something new.

stamp: Papertrey Ink flowers and "thank you"
ink: A Muse shell, bubblegum, & grass
other: Copic multiliner

big birthday wishes

Are you ready for some color?  I mean, lots of color?  Check out this card by the amazing Amy Wanford.  I was dying to reproduce that rainbow color blocking.  I have no idea what was wrong with me, but it took me way too long to reproduce this card.  Does that ever happen to you?

stamp: Papertrey Ink "big birthday wishes"
ink: VersaFine onyx black
other: circle punch, ribbon, buttons

sorry & hello

These cards are just so fun, fresh, and easy by Susan Raihala. I wanted to try them with some a·muse|studio sentiments that I had yet to ink up.  They key is finding just the right inks (clearly since there is nothing else on the card) and I'm still working on it.   Which color scheme do you like better?

stamp: A Muse "hello" & "sorry"
ink: ColorBox canary & marigold; A Muse orange, amethyst, heather, & blackberry

a|s consultant blog hop

Hello all you hoppers!  Are you getting ready for the 4th of July or already celebrating?  My girlfriend is getting married this weekend, so I'm off to her bachelorette party tonight and her wedding this Sunday.  Then my Independence Day celebrating will begin.


If you are participating in the blog hop, you should have come from Lori Barnett's blog and if not, then you can start from Samantha's blog and hop until you come to my blog.  


This month Americans are reminded of all the men and women who have sacrificed or are sacrificing for our freedom.  I personally want to say thank you to all the men and women who are a part of the US Military!

stamp: A Muse "thanks so much!"
ink: VersaFine onyx black
paper: A Muse Polka Dot cherry & bermuda; Gingham cherry & sky; cherry
other: Star Trio die cut

Now you can complete the loop and head back to Samantha's blog.  Thanks so much for joining us!!