Spider…

Thought I would share this fun card that we made in my last workshop.  The white paper is embossed with a spider web.  The spider is from the A Muse Studio Candy box die set.  While it is so hard to see, the spider is in the Onxy Shimmer Cardstock.

Wanted to share this with you tonight.  I will try to get a better picture for you in the daylight soon.

A Muse Studio Supplies Used:

• A|S Too Cute too Spook (used on the inside)
• A|S Cardstock:
• Orange Chevron
• Slate
• Black Shimmer Cardstock
• Onyx & White twine
• Orange Twinkle stickers

The Gallon / Quart / Pint Challenge

 

So, you my loyal reader(s) should know by now that I am trying to reclaim my mojo.  It really has been hiding lately.  Well, I do know that the best way to get Mr. Mojo back – is to act like you don’t need him.  You know, just craft anyway.  The best way to do that, for me, is to do challenges – so I don’t have to think too hard about it.

I combined a Moxie Fab challenge – that explains the Gallon / Quart / Pint color theory with a layout from The Cat’s Pajama Tuesday Sketchbook.  (#144)  The gallon of color is the orange – which combined with the neutral white, takes uf over half the card.  The Quart is the blue, and the Pint is the dash of yellow.

I went old school with some of my favorite A Muse Artstamps wooden stamps.  They are retired – but I still have much love for them!

Hope you have time to try to find your creativity & mojo!!

Dwell in Possibility…

Hey crafty peeps!  I wanted to share with you another fun set that I made with the Dwell in Possibility set.  Remember, you could earn this set for FREE if you have a qualifying A Muse Studio workshop before the end of September.

The clear embellishments are Em-Bella-shments from Stamping Bella.   They are a very light shade of green.  I have the green and two shades of pink in my stash – time to start using these pretties & not just hoard them.

A Muse Studio Supplies Used:

• A|S Dwell in the Possibilies Stamp Set
• A|S Cardstock:
• Buttercup Petite Polka Dot
• Lemon Whip
• Lichon (I think – it was an A Muse green scrap – and I cannot seem to find my sample paper ring)
• Navy
• Memento Tuxedo Black Ink
• Copics:
• 0 Colorless Blender
• R85 Rose Red
• R20 Blush
• B93 Light Crockery Blue
• BG10 Cool Shadow

I love you s’more

 

I love this Aspen background set by A Muse.  It is new in the Holiday Catalog, and as soon as I saw it on the sneak peaks -  I KNEW that I wanted to pair it up with the tent from A|S Hello from Camp set. 

I am sure that many of you have some very fun camping sets from other manufacturers, that you could certainly use in place of this tent.  For years, I have adored camping sets – but I am not a camper.  My oldest did not really enjoy camping either – he was the boy that had something go wrong on every camping trip he ever went on.  But my youngest, well he has recently had his first camping trip and he was hooked!  Thus, I could justify getting a camping stamp set. 

(yep.  as if I needed a reason)

Also, this is one of the first times that I made Eucalyptus cardstock the focal point of one of my cards.  I had a few pieces in one of the assorted parks of the Winter Color family.  Wow, I am LOVING it.  I will have to add a full pack of it to my ever growing wish list. 

I am thinking about making this card at one of my next Workshops.  What do you think?

 

 I actually stamped on the inside of this card as well

Supplies used:

• Stamp sets:
• A|S Aspen background (will cover a full 5.5”x4.25” card – landscape)
• A|S Hello from Camp
• A|S Lots of Dots for the moon
• A|S Cardstock:
• Eucalyptus
• Fern
• Onyx
• Ink
• Memento Tuxedo Black
• A|S Papaya for the moon
• Tombo Squash Marker
• Foam Adhesive squares

Getting my Mojo back…(or faking it until I do)

 

I know that I am incredibly lucky to have a FABULOUS crafty space (filled with a wide variety of amazing products) & a SUPER supportive hubby that gives me the time to create.  So, what do I do the most often in this space – watch tv or spend time online looking at other crafty creations that so many of you have been kind enough to share online.

Well, now that the summer is ending, it is time to get my Mojo back.  I am going to  challenge myself to create, create, create.  I know that the more I make – the better I feel about…well everything :o)

Is there a better sentiment to help me jump back into my crafty journey?

I just recently found the CAS-UAL Fridays challenges & knew that this is created for me :)

The challenge was Pendants & Banners.  Oh, I tried to overthink it & add a few more banners.  Didn’t work for me.  I tried a TON more banners -  no workie.  Then, I took a deep breath and embraced the name of the challenge CAS (Clean & Simple) and KNEW that if this made me happy – then it was just right. 

So, don’t be afraid to embrace your style – today it might be fancy & highly embellished – and tomorrow it might be CAS.  The lesson to be learned is just to get out there & create. 

 

Supplies Used:

• A|S Holiday Hoopla Hostess Reward Set – Dwell in Possibility*
• A|S Latte Cardstock
• A|S Bermuda Cardstock
• A|S Ocean Ink
• Memento Tuxedo Black Ink
• Copics:
• b00 frost blue
• b02 robin’s egg blue

 

*ok, I should tell you that this set can be earned by hosting your own qualifying A Muse Studio workshop.  If you are within 2 hours from me – I would be happy to come to you.  Live to far?  Well, we can do an online workshop – or I would be delighted to help you see if there is an A Muse Consultant near you.

Currently in Recovery from my Olympic Fever!

 

I am missing the Olympics.  No, not all the swimming, but the sense of togetherness that it brought.  Each day at work, we would discuss our highlights of the tv viewing the night before.  (Did you see Gabby?)  We were all watching the same thing.  It was like when I was a kid, and everyone watched Charlie Brown’s Christmas on the same night – because that ONE night was the only chance you had to see it until next year.    But, I digress…

So, I did make this card a few weeks ago – at the height of my Olympic Fever.  We have since made it in my last workshop & I hope my guests liked making it like I did.  Since then, I have put it somewhere very “special” in my studio.  Yep.  I have no flipping clue where – but I did remember today that I had a picture of it to share with you.

                    

Supplies Used:

• A|S British Invasion
• A|S Cherry Chevron Cardstock
• A|S Blueberry Petite Polka Dot Cardstock
• A|S Cobalt Cardstock
• A|S Sugar Cardstock
• A|S Cherry Ink
• A|S Navy Ink
• A|S Winter Sky Ink
• A|S Forget-Me-Not Paper Flowers
• A|S Cherry Grosgrain stitched ribbon
• White Brad (Colored w/Cherry Ink & Clear Embossed)

I AM BACK!!

Sorry to my readers (reader?) that I have been gone so very long.  Real life has gotten in the way.  Since the last time I posted – I have gotten a new job.  My oldest is leaving for college in 3 days.  And, A Muse Studio has released their Holiday Catalog!!!!!!!

Whooo Hooo!

  Click on this picture to be directed to my A Muse Studio webstore.

You can email me & I would be happy to email you a PDF of this catalog.

                   --OR--

I can send you one for just $4.  Email me at stamping.dana@gmail.com and we can work out the details.

 

 

I was very well behaved when we were able to preorder out of the catalog.  I did not get any stamps – but had to have the yummy chevron paper & the new Splash!  That is the new spray ink – I chose Wasabi.   Check out the fun grass that I made for my last workshop with the Splash!

I sprayed the paper first, then I stamped the mower on top of the ink.  The ink dried SUPER quick & I was very impressed how NOTHING smeared :)

The set was Hey Man! 
Paper Used:  A Muse Studio Craft & Vanilla paper

Memento Ink &  Copic Markers

Pretty Papillon

 

I made this last week, too!  It is part of the new Papillion set.  I originally was going to make it much more complicated, but the simplicity made me happy.  I know that this is a set that will be getting a lot of love in this house!

Supplies Used:

• Papillion A Muse Studios
• Ocean Cardstock A Muse Studios
• Grass Gingham Cardstock A Muse Studios
• Ocean Ink – A Muse Studios

Lean on Me

 

I LOVE this set!  It is the Let’s Be Adventurers set that is from the new A Muse Studio catalog.   It has several landmarks and makes me think of my sister – as one of her biggest joys was traveling!  I just lost her in December, so I will have to admit that it has barely sunk in.

My eldest son & I are trying to come up with an affordable / awesome trip to celebrate his graduating high school this year.   He is awesome & deserves a great trip!  I am currently unemployed – but we will make a decision once I find a job.  I do think that the passports will be involved!

Where would you go?  Why?  Seriously, let me know in the comments below!

Supplies Used:

• Let’s Be Adventurers – A|S
• Bermuda Chevron Ribbon – A|S  (and it’s fabulous!!)
• Tuxedo Black Memento Ink
• Ocean A|S Shimmer cardstock
• Bubblegum A|S Cardstock
• Copic RV25

Pretty little Pachyderm

 

I am so very sorry little bloggy that I have been ignoring you.  You see, I have this sinus infection – and it has made me a bit to “foggy feeling” to post.  I have not gotten so sick that I needed to curl up in bed with some chick flicks and hot tea – but, well, it has left me feeling a bit unmotivated.  And a little spacier than normal.  (yikes!)

But, I have made a few cards to share with you, when I went to craft with a friend of mine last week. 

I mostly case’d this card from the A Muse Studio 2012 catalog.  Sure, I changed a few things and added the fabulous silky crush ribbon…But, let’s just say that I was “Heavily Inspired” by the catalog.   (ha, heavily – elephant!)

Below is the picture from the catalog that I fell in love with.  It is from the set, Under the Big Top.  It is adorable!!  (and no scary clowns!!)

                                          

Did you get your copy of the new A Muse Studio catalog?  You can download it here, or email me at stamping.dana@gmail.com to purchase a catalog for $5 +$5 shipping.

Supplies Used:

• A Muse Studio – Under the Big Top Stamps
• A Muse Studio – Vanilla Silky Crush Ribbon
• A Muse Studio – Orange Polka Dot Paper & Orange Ginham
• Memento Tuxedo Black ink
• Copics – W2 & Y17

Eat Cake Graphics & A Muse Studio–Make Me Happy Together!

Yep.  A second blog post in one day!  You should feel special!

The Hammock card that I posted earlier, was really made yesterday…if that makes a difference.  So, in trying to keep up with my goal of 2 challenge cards, I did another challenge over a SplitCoast Stampers.  This was Color Challenge, #360 – White, Island Indigo & Pool Party.  Well, of course, I had to do the switcheroo & use my A Muse Studio Colors, white, ocean & bermuda.

                             

So, the dog & the chair are by Eat Cake Graphics.  Adorable, aren’t they?  I used daubers to apply both the Bermuda ink (top color) and the Ocean ink to the Harlequin A|S background stamp.  I fussy cut the chair from A Muse’s now discontinued Bermuda Polka Dot Cardstock.  (Quick – you can still get it at my online store thru February 29th 11:59 est). 

I had a happy discovery with the dog.  I decided to outline the stamped lines of the dog with my W2 Warm Gray Copic – to help define him.  I blended it with the colorless blender & it really seems to have brightened him up!  I am not sure if you can see much of the Grey, but check out the tail – you can see it!  Don’t’ you love a “Happy Accident?” 

Supplies Used:

• Eat Cake Graphic Stamps – Comfy Chair & Rowley Balances
• A Muse Studio – Harlequin background
• A Muse Studio – Ocean Organdy Polka-Dot Ribbon
• A Muse Studio – Ocean & Bermuda Inks
• Memento Tuxedo Black ink
• A Muse Studio Sugar, Ocean & Bermuda Cardstock

An Oldie, but Goodie…

So, I stepped away from the blog last week – life was getting in the way.  I was busy working on taxes, and starting the FAFSA, so that the oldest boy child can go to college in the fall.  Scary!

I jumped back into card making with another challenge from Splitcoast Stampers.  This Clean & Simple (# 155) challenge was inspired by a picture on a jigsaw puzzle.  It is a very pretty picture of a house by a lake.  Colors were greens, with pops of reds & yellows.

           

So, I wanted to bring you both a scene of serenity and play with the red and yellow against the green.  The tree & hammock stamp is a discontinued stamp by the original A Muse Artstamps.  Fabulous, huh?  Yep.  It was one that I cannot part with yet.  The Grunged Sunray is a current stamp by A Muse, that I used 3 of the new Venetian colors with my daubers.  Loving them!  Made grass with Washi tape.

 

Supplies Used:

• Wasabi A|S Cardstock for base
• Winter Sky A|S Cardstock
• Nestabilities Labels #8
• A|S Fern Twine (Discontinued – but available until 2/29 at my online store)
• Hammock Stamp (Discontinue A Muse Artstamps)
• Sentiment – from A|S Life’s A Breeze
• A|S inks: Burano, Lido & Bellini
• Stazon Jet Black
• Copics: E57 Light Walnut, G94 Grayish Olive & Colorless Blender (for stripes in tree)
• A|S Washi Tape (green from the Fall Palette)

You’re So Sweet… (another Sneak Peak)

Did I mention the other day that I really, really, really want to own the Hey Cupcake set?  Let’s add another Really in there, because even without the cupcake, the Hey Cupcake! set is fabulous!

                            

I colored the Cherries with colored pencil, and used Gamsol & blending stumps to smooth out the coloring.  I then highlighted the cherries with a dash of Spica pen, except the cherry immediately to the right of the sentiment – I used the Spica all over that cherry.

The “you’re so Sweet” sentiment is one piece.  I used my daubers to apply the black & red inks.

My catalogs are on their way.  Drop me a line at Stamping.dana@gmail.com – if you would like to purchase one.   I am having a special with catalog purchase, that you can read about in my last post.

Supplies used on this card:

• Sugar A|S cardstock
• Cherry A|S cardstock
• Bubblegum A|S cardstock
• Bubblegum A|S Ribbon
• Spica Pen
• Bubblegum A|S Gingham Cardstock
• Memento  Tuxedo Black  Ink
• Watermelon A|S Ink
• Gamsol Odorless Mineral Spirits

Sneaky Peak, with a Cherry on Top.

How would you like another Sneaky Peak? 

“Pretty Please, with a Cherry on Top?” you say?  Awww….that is sweet.  Ok, why not!

          

This is from the Hey Cupcake! set.  I did not originally order this, but I got to play with it, when I went over to another consultant’s house last week.  It is now on my list.  Towards the top.

So, I was trying to create cards out of my scrap drawer, which always seems to be growing.  I made this 4.25” square out of a scrap of the School Lined paper, and then paper pieced the cupcake.  The ribbon, an afterthought, wraps around the front of the card through a slit I cut in the fold. 

I mentioned that the Polka Dots are retiring?  Well, the lucky consultants at the A|S Convention this weekend have let us know that smaller Polka Dots are coming!!  Whooo Hoooo!   I do love polka dots!  We are hearing lots of other rumors & teases about the new book, so stay tuned.  Heck, you should consider signing up for my newsletter &/or subscribing to my blog.

Also, I have ordered my first batch of catalogs.  I am offering them at $5 + $5 shipping.  If you get a book from me, and place your first $25 minimum order before 3/31 – you will qualify for your choice of FREE Twinkle Stickers or FREE 5 yards of our Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, in your choice of color.  

Supplies Used:

• School Lined Paper
• Ocean A|S ink
• Memento Tuxedo Black ink
• Bubblegum Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon
• Blueberry Polka Dot Cardstock
• Bubblegum Gingham Cardstock
• Kraft Cardstock

Charming Gardeners–Part 3

So, yesterday, I had a *GREAT* time working on my cards with one of my favorite A|S Consultants!  We were even (kind of) productive!!  So, I will have a few more Sneak Peaks to show you in the new day or two…

 

           

This is also from the Charming Gardeners set!  When I stamped the sentiment, I did not ink the part on the bottom right that accredited this quote to Marcel Proust.  Sorry Marcel, but you just did not fit in the Nestibilities Oval.

Again, I broke out the Rialto Patterned cardstock.  LOVE IT.  Doesn’t it look FABULOUS with the Nutmeg & Pumpkin?

 

Supplies Used:

• Sugar (White) A|S Cardstock
• Nutmeg A|S Cardstock (for scalloped oval & layer)
• Pumpkin A|S Cardstock
• Rialto Patterned A|S Cardstock
• Rialto A|S ink
• Stardust Finishing Spray
• Memento Tuxedo Black
• Nestibilities Classic Small Oval Set
• Nestibilities Classic Small Scalloped Oval

Make New Friends, but Keep the Old…

Does anyone else remember the song from Girl Scouts?  Yeah, if you do, sorry for the “earworm” song, but it has been going through my head the entire time I was working on this card.  Now, it just might be going through yours…

                  

It is another card with the new stamp set, Charming Gardeners.  The fabulous sentiment & the flower stamp are both from that set.  The flowers are on a single stamp, and they are slightly smaller than the single flower that I colored yesterday.  I used the Cherry & Orange Vintage cardstock to paper piece the flowers, then colored the “underside” of the petals with a coordinating Copic.

While I had a lot of fun using the Copics yesterday to blend colors for the flowers, I wanted you all to see another way to use them.  I know that a lot of you do not have Copics, and did not want you to rule out this flowers.  There are a ton of great ways to use this set!!

The old friend that we used is the Polka Dot Paper.  Sadly, it will be retiring soon.  But, there will always have a spot in my heart (spot – get it?!?) for the Polka Dots.  They were the first A Muse paper  I ever tried and they won me over.  You can still order it through February 1st, and don’t be surprised if you still see me use it once it is retired.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I am challenging myself to play along with the folks at SCS.  It is sa great way to keep myself motivated, and I hope to see you playing along!!  I got this layout from a Challenge at Splitcoast Stampers - SC367 Sketch Challenge.

Check back soon to see more Sneaky Peaks!

Sneaky Peaky #4

Hey everyone!  I am back, just like I promised!!  This time I brought another Sneak Peak with me.  I played along with the SCS CAS (Clean & Simple) challenge #CAS153 – a Clean & Simple Sketch Challenge.

I used the new Charming Gardeners set from A Muse Studios.  (Yep, another set that I was able to preorder – just another perk of being an A|S Consultant).  I used the single flower from the set & colored it with Copics (Y11, Y17, Y38, & R08).  I reverse masked 2 blocks & used my Daubers to color them with A|S Wheat & Rialto ink.

What, you have not heard of Rialto?  Yep, it’s another Sneak Peak!  Both the small square and the matching cardstock are Rialto – part of the new A Muse Studio Venetian Color Palette. 

The paper “ribbon” that I used is from a roll called Wraphia, that I got from the gift wrapping section at Michael’s a few years ago.  I have used it quite a bit, and the roll just does not shrink. 

 

Come back soon for more Sneaky Peaks.

One more Quick Crown

Before I reach for another new stamp set, and take a peak at the challenges over at Splitcoaststampers – I wanted to share one more QUICK project I made with the larger Crown from Keep Calm. 

I stamped it with A Muse Blackberry ink, on our 2” Maple Tag.  If you have been to one of my workshops lately, you may know about my love of the Maple Tags!  I have NO CLUE if they will be moving into the new Catalog, but they came out in the Holiday Guide & I have been hooked on them!  The hole can be punched with a Cropodile!

So, after the Blackberry dried, I colored over all of the purple with my Spica pen for sparkle. 

What would you use this for?  Oh, how about as a funky necklace, gift tag, luggage tag, kids backpack, even on your dog’s collar? 

The maple tags are available in my A|S shop in 2 sizes, and they come in 12 packs, 1.5” for $3.95 or 2” for $5.95. 

Hey, did you notice the new look of the blog?  I have been working on it lately & I hope that you like the new design.   Feel free to let me know in the comments below…

Another Sneak Peak? Sure, since you asked so nicely…

 

Decided to do another quick & easy card for you all.  You remember the motto, don’t you?  “Think simple, think A Muse…”

This is a single stamp from the Keep Calm set that I showed you yesterday.  The crown is perfectly centered, which is great – because if I tried to center it, it would be all sorts of wonky. 

I broke out the A Muse scrap drawer & decided to pair up Buttercup & Wasabi, as I had the perfect size scraps to use.  Stamped in Wasabi & made dots around the Sugar panel with my Y32 Cashmere Copic.  Of course, the crown needed just a little something sparkly!

Keep watching for more sneak peaks from me & A Muse Studios!

2012 A Muse Studio Sneak Peak #1

Hey, everyone!!  I got my first box of goodies from the new A Muse Studio Inspiration Guide that comes out February 1st!  “First box?” you ask, and yes, this is the first.  We were shown a sneak peak, that included 9 new colors, which included a new color group called Venetian.  We also saw a new pattern of cardstock, and 5 new sets of stamps.  There is so much more that they are keeping secret – that the anticipation is killing me.  So, while this is the first box – I know that when I get my hands on the whole catalog, there will be all sorts of new A Muse Goodies coming my way!

The stamp set that I used is called Keep Calm.  I created this card as not only a sneaky-peaky for you all, but also for a SCS Color Challenge, CC357, I used the new color Burano (part of the Venetian Color Palette), Ocean, and Shell.  That is the new Burano Patterned Cardstock.  It is hard to tell in the picture, that I also used Shell around the edges of the Sugar (White) cardstock, and used my Spica Glitter pen on the word Queen.  Of course, I had to add a little bling to the crown.

I enjoyed breaking the Burano out of it’s Palette, and really liked how the Ocean held up to it’s brightness.

Stay tuned, I will have another Sneaky-Peaky for you soon.  All new products will be available on February 1st, at my online store.

In the meantime…have you signed up for my newsletter?  There is a quick link to join it on the right side ---> see it?  I would love for you to use it.

It’s a Moxie Fab Challenge

Ok, they are known as a Tuesday Trigger, over at Moxie Fab.  And, yes, I know it is Monday night.  But this was a Two-Weeker, and you have until January15th if you want to play along!
Here is the fabulous inspiration:

I loved the repetition of the numbers, and those fabulous yummy colors.  I had to break out the A Muse Studio inks.  I grabbed the skunk from the Friends Fur-Ever set that was still sitting on my desk from earlier today. 
I used Sage, Bermuda, Lemon Whip, Papaya & Shell inks.  Added Orange & Sky Gingham with Orange twinkle stickers to knock out this quick card. 

I just edited this post to include a *slightly* better picture.  Dang, not easy to take a picture of such light colors.  Know what I mean?

Squirrel Smiles…

It is the second week of the year, and so far, I have upheld my goal of participating in 2 stamping challenges per week.  :) .  While it is supposed to be winter here, in the Chicago area, it feels more like March than January.

It was SCSs CAS (Clean & Simple) Challenge #152 – Die Cuts.  I broke out the Grass Die Cut and the Clouds.  The stamps were all from the A Muse Friends Fur-Ever set.  It is part of the January Spotlight, and it is 10% off this week.
The cardstock is also all A Muse Studio – and available in my online store.  The Polka Dots cardstock is retiring February 1st, but as of today, all the colors are still available.

Two Days in a Row!

Can you believe it?

I just popped by to share another Eat  Cake Graphics Image with you.

Can you believe how stinking cute this stamp is? 

I am again doing a challenge from Splitcoast stampers.  It was a color challenge CC356.  I did not have the perfect green Copic to match my A Muse Wasabi cardstock, so I colored it originally with Willow & then layered Cashmere to make it more yellow-y.  I love blending Copics to get what I want.

Happy to say that I used my last 4 snowflake brads when making this card.  I have no clue who made them, they have been in my stash so long.  I did decide to add them after the fact, so I cut the prongs off and used glue dots to adhere them.

Paper is all A Muse Studio, and is available through my online store.

Happy New Year!

Hey, everyone!  I am sorry for my absence for the last 2 months, but not only have I had are/hand surgery, I also lost my sister to Cancer. 

But, I am hoping for a more Creative New Year!  So, I am trying to get more involved w/Splitcoast Stamper’s Challenges.  This was CAS151, Clean & Simple: Beverages.

I wanted to share a card that I made with Eat Cake Graphics stamps.  (I know, *not* A Muse, gasp!). 

The cardstock is all A Muse. The pink layer started as a piece of Sugar cardstock that I embossed with my Web/Swirls Impression Plate (A Muse Studio TAEP004), and used A Muse Shell ink & a sponge dauber to color the raised layer.  I used the paper in what I would describe as the “back” of the embossed page, so there would be more pink than white. 

Flocked the bottom snow and added pearls & black twinkles.  Again, find them at my A Muse Store.

(Ok, I know that the Holly makes it a bit Christmas-y, but I c0uld not wait another 10 months of so to use this stamp again.  Maybe next time, I will mask the holly…)