Christmas Flowers

I do like poinsettias.   I have since I had a customer that was a grower and I used to tour their greenhouses in the Fall for all of the new blooms they had coming out for the holidays.   It was BEAUTIFUL to see rows and rows and rows of lovely red flowers.  Of course, one of the special spots was the greenhouse with all the research and development strains of poinsettias they were working on.   It was like a rainbow of mixed colors and sizes and they were unique and some were even pretty.   Since they were in research phase, some didn't come out exactly as they had hoped or planned.  This card is a little like one of the research flowers.  It needed just a little more sparkle for my liking.   I sprayed it with stardust finishing spray so IRL it has a glimmer but that doesn't show in the picture.  I also realized it's missing a sentiment so I'll have to go back and add one later or maybe just leave it for a nice Holiday Thank you card?  You'll see more of this raindeer though....Card Sketch from Paper Players #65.  Supplies:  All A Muse Studio - Paper:  Wasabi, Cherry, French Roast Shimmer, Twas The Night;  Stamps:  Nordic Noel;  Ink:  French Roast, Wasabi, Cherry;  Cherry Organdy Dot Ribbon,  French Roast Buttons, Twinkles, Stickles

be merry!

As you can see,  I'm back to playing with Christmas papers.  These Christmas tree stamps are some of my favorite and I'm sure one of my designs will include these CUTE trees.   Probably these will be for friends and family close as I like these flowers but mailing them is difficult.  I did get tags and Christmas Envelope seals in the mail today so it felt like another good day to work on a couple more Christmas card designs.  This sketch is this week's MOJO Monday #208.   I used these flowers in my design as part of the last A-Muse-A-Palooza Challenge #6 for A Muse Studio challenges.   I'm sure I'll be back this weekend with more Christmas cards, after all, it's World Cardmaking Day on Saturday ... who can resist?  Supplies:  All   A Muse Studio - Paper:  Candy Cane Stripe, French Roast Shimmer, Twas The Night, Cherry, Wasabi;  Stamps:  Cool Yule,  Buttons:  Cherry;  Stickles Holiday Red,  CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge, Sparkles

Woot! Woot!

Tonight I just needed a "Thinking of You" card!  It seems like it's been awhile since I've done just a card for every day.  I've been wanting to play with these Owls but hadn't come up with something yet until I saw the card challenge at Card Patterns #134 for this week.  I still had the twine out from the Amuse Challenge Blog challenge to use twine so I was inspired to use that again.  I just love when I use an idea from a challenge especially for a 2nd time!   Woot! Woot!   It's Wednesday.   Supplies:  All A Muse Studio :  Paper - Latte Woodgrain, Grass Shimmer, French Roast Shimmer;  Stamps - Owls Well;  Ink - French Roast, Papaya;  Cloud Dies,  Blooms, Twine, French Roast Buttons

Ahhh Bliss

I was talking (well actually texting) with my Sister and she tells me she's exhausted.  It's to be expected because she's pregnant.  This baby blessing is coming late in life, her youngest is 7 and her oldest is going to college next year.   We're all so very happy though because she's having a girl and we have all boys in the family right now.  I was thinking though about how different our life points are at this time.  I'm enjoying lots of free time because my youngest is a Senior in High School as well and my oldest is in college.   While I'm not exactly ready to have them both out of the house it does have it's moments like tonight.  I got home late, heated some leftovers just for me as they had already eaten and went to my stamp room to alter this notebook and 2 year planner for my SCS DSS.  What a great way to spend an evening ... ahhh, bliss!  The design for the altered journal was inspired by the sketch this week at The Paper Players #65.  I used some SU! Paper because she's a fan and some cute stamps I bought at a crafting garage sale.  Supplies:  Paper SU! Ginger Blossom,  SU! Stamps Bliss,  SU! Ink Groovy Guava, Regal Rose, River Rock, Choc Chip,  All Flower Punches SU!

Inspired to be Merry

Wow, I don't know what's gotten into me lately but I've sure been enjoying getting out the Christmas papers and getting some card designs completed.  Usually, I'm waiting until temps get colder and Christmas music comes on the radio but here I am again with another Christmas Card!   I always enjoy getting out the square card bases to mix it up a little.  If I keep going I'll have all different cards for this years holiday instead of just one design...that will be fun.   Today's sketch is inspired from this week's Sweet Sketch Wednesday #119.  I really have enjoyed mixing up my A Muse patterned papers and as you're quickly learning I'll need another Wasabi pack of paper before the holiday even arrives, LOL!   This week's Challenge on the A Muse Challenge Blog was to use twine and it worked perfectly with this card design!  Let's Be Merry!  Supplies:  A Muse  Studio Cardstock Cherry, Wasabi,  French Roast Shimmer, Candy Cane Stripe, Vintage;  Ink:   A Muse  Studio Cherry, French Roast;  Stamps:  A Muse  Studio vintage holiday greetings;  Ribbon:  A Muse  Studio Wasabi Satin

Still Celebrating Fall's Arrival

Autumn is such a pretty time of year ... beautiful colors on the trees and usually nice sunny days with moderate temps.  I am really enjoying playing with the new A Muse Studio stamps I purchased - fresh foliage.   The leaves in this set are just perfect for adding fave Fall colors to the card.  Tonight I chose Grass Green and Buttercup.   This fun sketch is from a new Blog I discovered Freshly Made Sketches #3.  I like their clean designs and hope to go back and do the first 2 sketch challenges as well.  I was also inspired by the challenge at Pals Paper Arts #112 to find some lace and add it to the card.  I think it really added nicely to this sketch.  I completed a card without the lace also and like this one much better.  Supplies:  A Muse Studio Paper:  French Roast & Buttercup Shimmer,  Grass Shimmer Damask,  A Muse Studio Stamps:  fresh foliage,  Ink:  A Muse French Roast, Grass,  SU! Summer Sun,  A Muse Studio Buttercup Buttons, SU! Eyelet Border Punch

2nd Post Today - Christmas #2

Ok, I wanted to get this posted before the MOJO MONDAY #207 closed for this week.  It seems Sundays are a great day for me to get stamping done so I always have cards for this weeks challenges ready to load.  I really like how this card turned out.   I do have another sketch idea for my Christmas Cards and hope to narrow down 2 or 3 designs that I like so I can start getting them mass produced.   Not alot, maybe 10 of each but always fun process.   I thought this was a cute sketch to use because I do like the fun A Muse papers for the background.   Supplies:  All Supplies A Muse Studio - Paper:   Candy Cane, Twas The Night, Wasabi, Cherry,  Stamps:  nordic noel, cool yule,  Ink:  Cherry, French Roast, Wasabi,  Ribbon:  Wasabi Satin,  Button:  Cranberry Mix

Fall Is Here!

Thursday was the first day of Autumn and it brought rain however this weekend it's been beautiful sunny days with high 60 temps here in Ohio...almost perfect for September.   The color is just starting to come out and the leaves are falling!  I couldn't wait to get out my new A Muse Studio fresh foliage stamps.  The leaves are SO cute in this set, very versatile.   The sketch this week is from PALS Paper Arts Challenge #111.  I also cut the leaves out and sprayed them with A Muse Stardust finishing spray for the challenge at the A Muse Challenge Blog #5 to make your own embellishment.  I really enjoy the stardust finishing spray!  It adds just the right touch of sparkle.   I'm really thankful for Fall and the color we're blessed with.  I'll be making more of these cards for Thanksgiving notes to friends and family.  What a great idea from the A-Muse-A-Palooza Challenge #5!  Supplies:  All A Muse Studio Orange Swiss Dot, A Muse Stamps fresh foliage, A Muse French Roast Organdy Dot Ribbon,  A Muse Lime Buttons

Looking for "The Card"

Every year it's time to start thinking about getting my Christmas Cards done I start playing with different designs and papers.   It usually takes me 3 or 4 different tries to find one I really like and want to make "the Card".   The one I'm going to send out to friends and family that year.   Of course,  all the "tries" get sent out too, LOL!   I really like this card design but I think I would use a different color green.  I have some new
A Muse Wasabi that I think would go great with this design,  just didn't have the ribbon to go with it and I liked the dimension the ribbon added.   Guess I'll just have to call my A Muse Demo and place another order for Wasabi Satin Ribbon, haha!  I'm sure she won't mind. Also had chance to use Stardust Finishing Spray which IRL, is very sparkly on the trees.

The card  is inspired from  Card Patterns #132.   I made this card for the A-Muse-A-Palooza Challenge #3.  More to come with my Christmas Cards ...  Supplies:  A Muse Candy Cane CS, Misc White CS, Stamps A Muse Cool Yule,  A Muse Ink Cherry, Lime (bottom card Wasabi),  A Muse Lime Satin Ribbon, A Muse Stardust Finishing Spray, Scallop Border Punch

At Peace

I'm sad today, My Aunt Gloria passed away Thursday.  She was 88 and died peacefully at home in her sleep.  I can rejoice that she is in a better place and I think she's enjoying Heaven and the chance to see my Uncle Leon again.   I have very fond memories of both of my Aunt and Uncle as I lived with them for a couple years when I was young during which time my Mom was so ill.   I still have some of the dolls and teddy bears she made for me.  She was quite crafty and loved to sew, knit and crochet.   She will be dearly remembered. 

Once again this week I forgot to write down where I found this cute card sketch.  I'm really going to have to do a better job of recording that.  It worked great with some cute Basic Grey Sweet Threads paper and my favorite A Muse Studio stamps "on the wing".   I cut the scallop circle  & the tab from the CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut Cart and used buttons and  pop dots on the scallop for dimension for the A Muse Blog Challenge.  Supplies:  Bazzill Olive CS, Basic Grey Sweet Threads, Stamps A Muse Studio "on the wing", A Muse Ink Lime, Bubblegum, Momento Black, Misc Olive Ribbon

Happy Labor Day!

Today is "labor" day around my house as we did a MAJOR Garage/Storage Clean Out!  Whew, it was alot of work but it's Done!  YAY!   It's been one of those projects that's needed to get done but just always had something else to do instead.   This weekend was the perfect time to what we hoped, get started but we ended up taking 2 days and just completing it.   We were worried we wouldn't get back out there, ha!   I was hoping for the A-Muse -A-Palooza Challenge on Facebook but they must have taken a holiday today.  This cute little card I hadn't posted yet, it was made while I was traveling.  SO glad I could take along some stamping stuff for a little creativity time.   I forgot to mark down which sketch it was,  I'm pretty sure I found it on the weekly sketches at Stampin' When I Can.   It's a GREAT site for lots of ideas but just need to make sure you write down when you find one to use so you can find it again if you want to use it again or do another one.   More Amuse goodies - especially the cool French Roast Woodgrain my friend (and Amuse Studio Demo) Samantha shared with me!  Supplies:  Amuse Ocean CS, Kraft CS, French Roast Woodgrain, French Roast Shimmer, Stamps On The Wing, Amuse Blooms, CTMH Pearls

Today It's 2

So yes,  I know I just posted another card not too long ago but today it's 2 cards because I want to get this one posted before the deadline tonight on the A-Muse-A-Palooza Facebook Site.   It would sure be awesome to win 3 new Ink Pads!   The challenge was to use Onyx and Orange.  Now these 2 colors would have probably been much better with Halloween stamps but I didn't have any.   I tried to come up with an idea with the stamps I had but after about 45 minutes,  I decided it was futile.  IRL,  the glitter doesn't look so heavy and gives a nice sparkle to the card.   The sketch is from the sweetest thing #133.  I'm sure I'll be back with another card using this sketch.   Thanks for peeking in!   Supplies:  Amuse CS Orange, Shimmer Damask Onyx,  Onyx Gingham,  Ink Amuse Lime, SU! Pumpkin Pie, Stamps Amuse Beautiful Botanicals 2, On The Wing, Sparkles

Off To College

My BFF daughter Kels, is off to WMU for her first year of college!   It's a big step and I'm very excited for her.  She may not admit it but I know she'll miss her Mom :)  I just wanted her to know I was thinking of her.  My sketch today is Mojo Monday #206.   I doodled around the outside for our September "ABC" Challenge on Friends That Scrap - "D" for doodling.  I'm off to make more cards ... my Ragweed allergies are definitely keeping me in doors during this time of year.  Supplies:  Paper Archivers CS, Basic Grey Hello Luscious and Sweet Threads, Stamp Amuse Wild Blossom, Ink Amuse French Roast, Misc Copic, Distressed Stickles Worn Lipstick, CTMH Sparkles

happy [belated] birthday

I made this card for my Admin at work.  She's TERRIFIC and I even had her birthday written on my calendar and I still missed it.  Oh well,   I guess this way she'll be really surprised.   I also missed the deadline for uploading my card for this week's Card Patterns #130 Sketches, it's the sketch I used on this one.  These cute Amuse Stamps were the stamp gift at Amuse On The Road!  If an event comes to a city near you,  Go!  Lots of fun!   Supplies:  All Amuse - Paper Sage Polka Dot, Kraft & Grass CS,  Stamps - a very merry un-birthday, Ink  - French Roast Lime, Buttons - French Roast, Butterfly Die, Twinkle Stickers