Where Have You Been???

Yeah, I've wondered that myself.  Life took over for a while, but I'm wrestling my way back up to the top.  I can't believe I haven't posted anything since before Christmas!  Well, that's changing.  I did my first hostessing of the A Muse Studio Challenge this past week.  My theme was "Where Does the Wind Blow";  I was looking for projects that featured things that flew in the wind, like the kite below, or sailboats, pin wheels, even a girl's hair!  We got some great projects featured and it's been a lot of fun.  Now that I'm getting caught up on my swap cards, look for more postings in the days to come!

"Vintage A Muse" and "Life's a Breeze" stamp sets from A Muse Studios;  Tuxedo Black Memento ink;  Copic markers;  Bermuda and Vintage Blueberry cardstock by A Muse;  punch by Martha Stewart.

GINGERBREAD

While I am not a lover of snow, I am a lover of gingerbread.  This week's A Muse challenge is entitled "Sugar & Spice".  I absolutely adore this patterned paper -- it's a pink shimmer, flocked sheet called "Jolly & Bright" from the Fresh From the Oven collection by Heidi Grace Designs from Fiskars.

Stamp by Stambilities;  cardstock from the Victoriana package from Jo-ann's Crafts;  ribbon and pearl stickers from Michael's;  Rich Cocoa Memento ink from Tsuekeniko;  colored with Copic markers.

SNOWFLAKES

I'm not a lover of snow.  Having grown up with lots of it and not enjoying the feeling of being cold, I'm beyond happy every winter, now that I live in the South, to hear that my friends up North are enjoying the snow they receive, while I run around in t-shirts and sweaters.  However, while I don't like the cold, I enjoy the motif of snow and snowflakes so this week's A Muse challenge -- to create a card with a snowflake theme -- was right up my alley.  Here is my offering:

Stamps by A Muse Artstamps (wood mounted);  Rich Cocoa Memento dye ink;  Twinkle Stickers by A Muse;  cardstock and ribbon from Michael's;  Snowflakes embossing folder by Cuttlebug;  patterned paper sent to me by a friend, probably made by DCWV.

 

HERE COMES CHRISTMAS ... READY OR NOT!

Christmas card making and sending out the door has begun in earnest.  Of course, we are barely into December but, like October and November, it will go fast!  Here are two cards I've made -- one in a previous year and one this weekend.

Stamp by American Art Stamp, Jet Black StazOn ink, cardstock and ribbon by Michael's, image colored with Prisma colored pencils, patterned paper and stocking sticker sources unknown.

Stamp by Hampton Art Outlines;  Jet Black Memento ink;  Faber-Castill india ink markers;  Copic markers;  Smooch ink;  baker's twine by Doodle Bug Design Inc.;  blue and blue metallic cardstock by Michael's.

A Muse Dry Emboss Challenge

The challenge this week from A Muse is a card featuring dry embossing.  I LOVE to use my embossing folders!  I have a Sizzix Texture Boutique and I love using an embossed panel in place of patterned paper.  Now, I do love my patterned paper, don't get me wrong!  But, many times it doesn't turn out quite the way I had envisioned.  Embossing very seldom lets me down!  This card features my favorite embossing folder.  It seems like the perfect Autumn scene to me -- tree with falling leaves, pumpkins, the picket fence, even some floofy grass/wheat stalks.

Embossing folder by Sizzix;  "Yam" cardstock by Bazzill Basics;  embossed panel Core'dinations;  Gold Lamé, Snickerdoodle and Pumpkin Smooch pearlized accent inks by Clearsnap Holding;  orange gingham ribbon by Hobby Lobby.

Fun Day at the Store

Thursday I went to Archiver's to make a couple of Christmas cards.  What a fun time that was!  The store sponsored a make-and-take weekend to jump-start our holiday card-making, and to sell stamps and supplies.  We made a 3x3 mini card using a much-larger Hero Arts stamp but only used one corner of the stamp, then we made a regular-sized card using a stamped image as well as a gilding pen, gold Stickles, and Copic markers.  It was really nice to try out some items before buying, which I will be doing before the holidays are over!  Here's what I made:

Hero Arts unmounted rubber stamp set;  silver embossing powder and Diamond Stickles by Ranger Industries;  red Tombow marker;  Glossy Accents by Ranger Industries;  red and white cardstock by Bazzill Basics;  design by Archiver's.

Horn wood-mounted stamp by Inkadinkado;  "Joy to the World" unmounted rubber by Hero Arts;  gold gilding pen by Krylon;  gold Stickles by Ranger Industries;  Crimson and Grass Green Copic Markers;  die by Tim Holtz;  red, green & white cardstock by Bazzill Basics;  design by Archiver's.

 

A Muse Pink & Brown Challenge

I am now a new A Muse Studio creative consultant!  My starter kit arrived on Thursday, after Jonathon's surgery, so I got to play while he snoozed.  This is my entry for this week's A Muse weekly challenge -- make a card using the colors pink and brown.  I used as many of my new products as possible, and enjoyed making this card that I will be sending to my October Monday Mailer swap partner in my online stamping group.

French Roast cardstock from A Muse Studio;  brown and white cardstock, Reflections from Michael's;  pink cupcake patterned paper, "Sweet Treats" by Reflections from Michael's;  Sew Easy Fancy Floss (baker's twine tertiary) by We R Memory Keepers;  French Roast and Bubblegum pigment inks by A Muse Studio;  Spun Sugar distress ink by Ranger Industries;  colored pencils by Prang;  Cool Blue Copic marker;  twinkling stickers by A Muse Studio.