school bus...

I was able to combine a couple of challenges for this card. The sketch is from the weekly CPS Blog and the other is for the A muse Lounge challenge #7 to use new A muse stamps. Luckily A muse had a new release last week and I was able to stock up a few things. The majority being paper, I seem to be really hooked on paper these days and the new A muse gingham paper has been on my wish list for quite some time!

I used the new school bus image and the lined paper clear stamp on this card. I inked up one side of the stamp and then the opposite side to make the road larger. It's always great to get extra use out of your stamps!

Stamps: A muse. Paper: A muse & Gina K (red)

Here's a

quick shot of the Copics used.

time gets away...

Every time I think I have a few moments to stamp I stamp out as much as I can, because I know my time will be fleeting. Like it was this week! Luckily we headed to a birthday party so I had an excuse to make a birthday card for a little girl. I got to play with a new set from My Cute Stamps, the little girl stamps are super cute! Since I didn't have a lot of time I went with one of my simple go to layouts! I use this quite a bit when time is short.

As you can see from my Copic picture I had a lot of blending to do with purple since I choose some darker colors. It took a lot of coloring the image but was really happy in the end!

Stamps: My Cute Stamps & PTI polka dot basics. Ribbon & paper: A muse

i heart...

my hubby of course! I came across this stamp at Lizzie Ann Designs a few days ago and had to order it. I loved the rose emerging from behind the heart with the banner across it. I used the layout from yesterday which was a CAS challenge on SCS. I also used the colors from this week's Raspberry Suite Color Challenge to get me motivated. This was a great image to pull all these colors together!

Stamps: Lizzie Ann Designs. Paper: PTI, A muse. Ink: Memento, Copics

Here's a quick shot of Copics used to color the image.

deer friend...

I'm still working on challenges to get me stamping and this one took longer than expected. I colored 4 or 5 deer before I settled on a Copic combo I was somewhat happy with.

I've become fairly obsessed with the color teal, I bought a few packs of 'taken with teal' from Stampin Up. At a certain point I may have to hide the paper because I reach for it all the time. Brown and turquoise has become my go to color combo! Stamps: Hero Arts & A muse

I was thinking more about a Copic notebook for color combinations but until I get that together I took a picture of the markers I used in the photo.

wood paper...

I'm still playing with my newest A muse stamps and my yummy wood paper also from A muse. I made sure to pick up a big pack of paper so I don't worry about hoarding all the little pieces!

Maybe this year I will start on Christmas cards sooner so I can actually get them in the mail this time!

Paper: Amuse & Gina K white. Ink: Memento & Copic. Misc: A muse ribbon

playing with copics...

I wanted to experiment more with Copics so I pulled out one of my Rubber Romance stamps. I usually color my girls with brown hair but my husband thought she looked more like a red head! I think most people use 3 markers to blend but with me fairly new to coloring I used 5 or 6 to get the right shading. Other than I kept the card simple to focus on the coloring of the image.

Looking now I really like the blue shopping bag but I have no idea what colors I used. Wonder what others do to keep tab of good color combos?

Paper: American Crafts, Gina K white. Ink: Memento, Copic & Spica

quick card sketch...

I've been able to spend some time stamping so to keep the momentum going I am searching for challenges to keep me busy. I stumbled across the Card Positioning Systems website a while back and have always wanted to try a sketch, so here's my first try at it!

I'm still practicing coloring with Copics and am super excited to see that a certification class is coming to my town! I can't wait to take the class and get tips on using my markers.

Paper: A muse PLP, Gina K White, Stampin Up Navy. Ink: Memento & Copics. Misc: A muse Ribbon

tags a plenty...

I opened up my craft room to a friend today to help her with a project! We made 75 tags for gifts she was giving away to her family. While I stamp as a hobby to relax I also enjoy having friends over and help them create things. The hardest part is always the figuring out the design, once that's done it's just an assembly line. Here's a shot of all the tags! I have to say I love my punches, I have all kinds of die cutting machines but always go back to my punches for big jobs like this.

Stamps: A muse. Ink: Memento, Copic & Spica

apron strings...

I was trying to get a card together tonight but there was a sea of paper and stamps cluttering my desk. The first thing I saw was a clear set from A muse and remembered a card from K Werner a few weeks back. I fought the urge to take a look at her card because I wanted to use it as inspiration instead of a CASE. So this is my version of her fun card, Finally Friday - What's cooking.

Stamps & Ribbon: A muse

too long...

I've been MIA again due to a sudden and total loss of creativity. I was able to take an Amuseapalooza class that is slowing getting me back up to speed. Here's a quick card for the AP challenge over at the lounge! The challenge was to use a card with food for a sleepover so what's better than chocolates for a sleep over!

Stamps & Paper: A muse.

mia...

It's been a long two months or so! I passed the test I had been studying for and am certified, it felt good to get that off my plate.

After that I had a quick window before heading off for vacation. There were lots of late nights at work that kept my craft space empty! Vacation was fabulous, we went to Disney World. It was our second trip and it was even more amazing than the last time. I can't say enough about how magical and wonderful Disney is, we been back a couple of weeks or so and I can't wait to plan our next trip back.

Summer is coming so I'm organizing my space so that I can get motivated again!

kwerner color challenge #53

It's been forever since I've had a chance to play in my craft room but I can always count on the KWerner Color Challenges to get my mojo flowing. These colors made me think of Superman so I thought I'd go the opposite and get girly.

Stamps: A muse sentiment. Crate Paper bird. Paper: Sassafrass Lass. Ribbon: A muse.

bowl of jelly...

On April 24, 2008 I signed up for a designation for my real job, which has left me over a year to complete the certification. Surely it would be complete given I've had a year to study the materials but sadly that it not the case. I choose to wait until two weeks before it's due to even crack open the book. I've spend the last 12 hours studying and have effectively turned my brain into a bowl full of jelly. But I am happy to report that I have passed the practice test for three of the four sections. I saved the biggest and longest for last...wish me luck!




Since I don't have anything creative to show I thought I'd share a picture of my new paper storage. I picked this up a few weeks ago on clearance and I love it! I used to have my paper in rolling cart with a lid but I love that I can see all my papers at a glance. After I put it together I wished I had ordered the taller one. I was only able to put the paper that I use the most in here, of course there's like 8 shelves of A muse! Hopefully I can back in my craft room in a few days, my paper is calling me!

think simple, think a muse...

This is the slogan for one of my favorite stamp companies, A muse Art stamps. I'm not sure why but the simplier the card the harder it is for me to stop fiddling with it. This is the perfect example, I walked away and came back to this card 4 or 5 times before I said enough!

This card was inspired by two challenges. The first was this month's a muse lounge challenge I had to create a simple card with minimal layers and embellishments. The second challenge was from Splitcoast and I was supposed to to use some type of distressing on a card, since I wasn't able to use embellishments roughing up the image worked out great for me. I used the new open zinnia from the most recent A muse release to stamp and cut out the flowers. After I was done I wished I had stamped the sentiment in teal but I was too tired to redo the entire thing.

Stamps: A muse. Paper: stampin up. Ink: Memento. Misc: A muse ribbon

easter baskets...

I've seen the top note bags all over splitcoast so I forced to pick one up the top note die from stampin up! This was a super cute bag to make and decorate.

First I cut two top note dies in my cuttlebug, again thanks to splitcoast I found a sandwich that worked for me. (B plate, paper, die and B plate) Then I pasted a cut brown lunch bag in between the two dies, this will hold the eggs/goodies. Next I used the window word punch for a way to hold the bag and decorated the outside with the Jelly Beans set from My Cute Stamps and paper frills from Doodlebug. Being that's it is Easter this bunny is on serious rotation in my craft room!

flock got me again...

So I thought I'd give the clean and simple (CAS) challenges at Splitcoasrt another shot. These are supposed to be quick cards with little embellishments.

This week's challenge was to follow a sketch but somehow it took me an hour to put this card together! I've been seeing a lot of felt flowers out there so I would try and make my own using fun flock. Mistake #1!!! I used the slice to cut out two flowers and attempted to flock them but had no luck at all. It seems I have good luck with flock in small areas but anything larger than a brad is a flop for me. Next I tried coloring with my Copics and that was just as bad, the colors were way off. I abandoned my color scheme and choose another ribbon. That must have been the problem because the card came together pretty fast after that, like it should have in the first place.

Lesson learned: Just buy the felt flowers!

Paper: PTI white. Ribbon: Strano Designs.

that was quick...

Days go by with zero stamp time but today I snuck it in! This is for the Raspberry Suite Color Challenge, just a quickie to get the mojo working again.

Stamps: A muse. Ink: Memento & Copic. Misc: A muse ribbon

hoppy birthday...

I was able to sneak a few stamping hours today and was able to finish a card or two. Things have been hectic with my little one's birthday party planning but it's finally behind me. April shows no sign of slowing down so I'm dreaming of May when life can return to a slow pace. This is a card for the K Werner Color Challenge and the colors were very pretty and soft. I wanted to break out some new stamps I ordered a few weeks back from My Cute Stamps. The little bunny is adorable and I added a little flock on her tail for a fluffier look!

Stamps: My Cute Stamps, A muse. Paper: PTI Brown, A muse. Ink: Memento and Copic. Misc: Doodlebug flock and A muse ribbon.

mmm...ice cream...

My latest craft obsession is punches, Martha Stewart has come out with some really cute ones. I've seen the butterfly everywhere so in my search I also came across an ice cream cone punch! To get my mojo flowing I thought I'd combine a couple of challenges. The first is the Dawn McVey color challenge. The colors were pink, yellow, orange, brown & white. I really like this combo it definitely reminds me of summer! The second challenge is for the CAS (Clean and Simple) challenge oer at splitcoast, this week the challenge was to use punches.

Paper: PTI Raspberry & white. DCVW. Stamps: A muse. Misc: A muse ribbon & MS punch

love is in the air...

I wanted to make another card for this month's A muse Lounge challenge, the idea was create a card inspired by spring. When I think of spring I always think of love, things are growing and the sun is shining. It's the perfect time to spend with someone you love!

I've also been wanting to play along with one of Amy R's sketch challenges over at her blog prairiepaperandink.typepad.com and this was the cutest sketch to try it out! My favorite part are the little hearts on the bottom right, my mom found these on clearance after Valentine's Day and worked out perfect. So here's to spring and all things love!

Images: A muse & My cute stamps. Paper: American Crafts, PTI, Gina K white. Ink: Memento & Copic. Misc: A muse stickers & ribbon.

spring means strawberries...

at least it does for me! With the start of spring around the corner it means that it's time for the Poteet Strawberry Festival. It's a carnival with strawberries anyway you could want them! So I used strawberries for my A muse spring challenge card over at the A muse Lounge.

I've been super busy at work, which has left me little stamp time. Hopefully things can pick up soon!

Stamps, Ribbon: A muse. Paper: A muse and Gina K white. Misc: Nesties

cas...

This is my favorite saying right now...Clean And Simple. I try to keep my cards simple because that's me for the most part. So here's a quickie for the CAS challenge at Splitcoast this week...

It's Sunday and I'm dreading the work week, I have tons of stuff to get through so I hope to have some creative goodness to work on in the evening.

Stamps: A muse. Paper: Neenah Classic. Ink: Memento and Copic

on the mend...

I've felt horrible the past two weeks, there's a nasty bug going around and it finally hit me! To get back into the swing of things I thought I would try one of Kristina Werner's color challenge. Pink and brown are so pretty together so this was a fun one to try out. I used some glitter paper I picked up from LSS, I've been itching to use it!

Stamps: A muse. Paper: KI Memories, Stampin Up, PTI white. Misc: A muse Ribbon and bling.

blahs...

A few weeks ago everyone in my house was sick and I managed to stay healthy, until now. So here's card from this weekend...I'm off to get some rest!

Stamps: A muse. Paper: A muse & DCWV. Ink: Memento & Copic

pssst....

I love it when a card comes together! Lately the colors I've been choosing have been from the color wheel but not this one. These colors where sitting on my desk and I happened to look over at them. The challenge for this card was to use a set that I had not used before. I choose a set from A muse that has different food and drinks for a quick little card.

This challenge was to create an 'i love you' card with no pink, red or hearts. This was also a quick one! To be goofy I whisper 'pssst' to get him attention and say it until he turns around...a little annoying but it works! Then I tell him I love him!

Melting Pot:

Stamps & Ribbon: a muse. Paper: Papertrey. Ink: colorbox

Psst: Paper: A muse. Stickers: AC Thickers

To the core...

I got the chance to play in Splitcoast's VSN (Virtual stamping night) yesterday and had a lot of fun. A challenge is issued and you have 45 minutes to complete the card. I thought I would post my favorite card first.

I picked up the little apple stamp from the A muse valentine release and had been playing with this idea for a while. Luckily I came across the perfect apple and I think it worked out great. I went green since Granny Smith apples are the best!!!

Stamps: A muse (half apple and sentiment) Hero Arts (full apple). Paper: PTI Bitty Basics, A muse Bark and SU Turquoise. Misc: A muse ribbon.

don't bother knockin'

I'm still using my Valentine's Day stamps because they are too cute, they are begging not to be put away till next year! I was reading this post from Julie HRR and couldn't wait to try out the wire trick on one of my cards. The 'Love Shack' was the natural choice for this technique. So here's my interpretation of her fabu card!

I wanted to take a second shot at the Kwerner Color Challenge, I didn't want these colors to get the best of me!

Afterwards I knew this would be a perfect fit for the music challenge in the A muse Lounge hosted by Jennie. The sentiment on the card was inspired by a Stevie Ray Vaughn song that I love. Who doesn't love SRV?! Finally here's the best action shot I could get of the spring action on the card...thanks for looking!

Stamps: A muse, Hero arts letters. Paper: A muse pretty little paper, Stampin Up. Ink: Memento & Copic. Misc: Heart Nesties

color me happy...

Tracy from Eatsleepstamp.typepad.com selected me as her sketch of the week...Super Fantastico! I can't wait to play again next week...thanks for the inspiration and working on these every week!

So like everyone else I have 6 or 7 black ink pads so it should be no different that I have 6 or 7 brands of white paper. I think I have found a new favorite for coloring with Copic markers, Gina K's paper. It's ultra smooth and is perfect for blending with Copics. I sat down to test out the paper and was super pleased with the texture and weight of her card stock. I am by no means a Copic expert and will never fully understand where shading should be on a card. So here's my first test run with a Billy stamp from Pink Cat. I went super simple with the layout to focus on the coloring, it took a while to get it the way I wanted it!

Stamps: Pink Cat Studio. Paper: Gina K pure luxury, stamping up & DCWV. Ink: copic, memento and copic spica.

spring is here...

Here I go again with the spring time colors! I guess I find myself excited for spring, more than anything the pool is calling my name!

The layout is from 2Peas in a bucket, a year in cards with KWerner. Lately my go to tool is anything scalloped!

Stamps: My Cute Stamps. Paper: Stampin Up, DCVW, PTI. Ink: Memento, Copic Spica and Ranger Stickles. Misc: Doodlebug Paper Frills.

a quick sketch challenge...

Thank goodness for sketches and challenges, they keep me on my crafty toes! This card is for Tracy's Sketch Challenge. I'm using the stamp set from My Cute Stamps again. I picked up two sets a while back and there is a another release coming soon! I used the cherries from the 'Sweet Chocolate' and covered them in brown flock from doodlebug. I'm getting a lot better at using that stuff!

The sentiment is from the A muse Valentine's Day realease and it's also becoming a fast favorite!

Stamps: My Cute Stamps, A muse. Paper: Stampin Up, PTI. Ink: Memento & Copic Spica. Misc: A muse Ribbon. Doodlebug Flock.

kwerner color challenge #42

I had a hard time with the colors in this week's color challenge at KWerner's site. I pulled out one of my favorite A muse stamps, the chandelier, to use on the card. I also used the stitched pinwheel stamp to create background paper, it was embossed with versamark ink.


Stamps: A muse, Sassafrass Lass. Paper: PTI, Stampin Up. Ink: Copic, Memento. Misc: Window word punch

green and more...

I really tried to step outside the usual Valentine's Day colors for these cards. I was in a need of a few quick cards so I made two in each color palette.

I think I have one more Valentine's Day card and then I'll move on to the next season!

Stamps: A muse. Paper: PTI Kraft, Popsicle Pink-Swiss Red Amuse. Ribbon: A muse. Ink: Memento, Copic. Misc: Doodlebug flock.

a little late...

Yes I'm a little late on the Valentine's Day card but only by a few days. I'm still trying to put away the last of my Christmas decorations in the garage so this is a major improvement. This is a little 3x3 card I made for the Year of cards class at 2Peas.com. It's been really fun stamping again, it's nice to sit in my craft room and have ideas again!

Stamps: My Cute Stamps, Sentiment from A muse. Paper: American Crafts. Misc: Marvvy Punches and MS Glitter.

no more cookies...

I've spent the greater part of the last 7 days baking cookies so I'm ready to not bake one for a while. I took on a small project for my sister, she needed favors for a wedding so I agreed to bake cookies. I just couldn't leave it there, I thought I needed to make favor boxes as well. I scoured the Internet and found a quick box tutorial...kwerner origami box

I altered the size to the size of my cookies and was super pleased with the way they turned out. Here's a shot of all the cookies housed in their boxes right before the wedding.

Round 2 of cookie baking was Thursday night for Valentine's Day...just happy that it's all over!

Stamps: Papertrey. Paper: Making Memories. Ink: Memento

kwerner color challenge #41

Somehow I was able to spend most of the day stamping, I love this holiday! Anyhow here's my card for the KWerner Color Challenge. I purchased the Crop a Dile because I went to a class and used it. But the few times I have tried to use it never fits in the right space. So I use another eyelet setter and that was questionable as well! I'll figure it out sooner or later.

Stamps: A Muse. Ink: Studio G. Misc: American Crafts Eyelets

why do birds suddenly appear...

In the spirit of Valentine's Day, I made a card for my husband but I also managed to fit in a challenge while I was at it. It's not your typical V-Day colors but I feel like I have spring on my mind already. Actually the Texas weather has been feeling pretty springy as well!

The challenge at the A muse lounge was to use create a card inspired by music, I chose the song 'Close to you' by the Carpenters....so cheesy but so good! It's been a while since I made a card so I really had to pull back some, I wanted to put stickles in the holes of the yellow paper. Less is more right?

Stamps: A muse. Paper: Doodlebug sparkle paper and paper frills. Ink: Memento, Spica & Copic. Stickers: A Muse twinke stickers.

Color Inspiration #39

I got to play along with another one of KWerner's color challenges. This was a quickie because it's late at night and I should be fast asleep!

The layout was from a two peas challenge and I used my new Valentine A muse stamps for an A muse lounge challenge to use something new.

Stamps: A muse. Ink: Memento. Misc: A muse Ribbon, A muse twinkle stickers, American crafts thickers. Copic Spica Pens.

Fairy and the Castle

Here's a quick card for an upcoming birthday for a little girl. I am loving these new stamps! During Christmas I came across doodlebug glitter paper and I picked up a few sheets to use. Unfortunately I did not pick up yellow so I made my own which turned the same but used quite a bit of glitter.

I'm still practicing with using Copic markers, shading is rough!

Stamps: My cute stamps, stamping bella. Ink: Copic, Memento, Spica. Misc: Lily White doodlebug glitter.

KWerner Color Inspiration #38

It's been way too long since I last posted but I guess that's how things go sometimes. I've always been a lurker on the KWerner site so I decided to come out of the shadows and give it a shot. The stamps are from My Cute Stamps which I also found via KWerner's site. These stamps were so cute I ordered two sets and I can't wait to pick up more!

Stamps: My Cute Stamps. Paper: Amuse, Stampin Up, PTI. Ink: Memento & Copic Spica