Fun Friday

Here it is! After being quite inconsistent about blogging, I have made 3 entries today. Whew! If only I could keep up with it every or every other day.

Fun Friday is Friday the 13th. Don't know about you, but I have always enjoyed Friday the 13th, and I am not talking about the movie (gruesome).

Because it is supposed to be a day of bad luck, I have always enjoyed going out of my way to make it a good day. In years past, my best friend, Brandy, and I would find wonderful ways to be silly and enjoy the day. As adolescents, we danced around the apartment to Rick James' "SuperFreak", feeling so cool. Oh. We WERE cool. Wink. Wink. Okay. We just liked to think it; but, that is part of the fun of being young. AHHH...memories...

Approaching my daughter's first and my fortieth birthday in December, I am becoming nostalgic and reflective. For those of you who have already hit that 40 mark, did it affect you this way? Did it affect you at all?

I am nostalgic for days like those with Brandy. Or, my other bestest friend, Michelle, and I watching the movie, "Jude", for our New Year's Eve celebration. If you have seen, "Jude", you know this is an 'interesting' way to bring in the New Year. Or, riding around the U-District with Ted and Ryan, while listening to Jane's Addiction. That was before Ted and I were married, or even a couple. Or, so many other wonderful moments in my life.

Today is 'Fun Friday'. It is Friday the 13th. I am nearing 40 and feeling nostalgic. It is time to enjoy this day, and create more moments for which to be nostalgic. Today's fun will be with my husband and daughter. They are the ones who will be filling my 'memory box' in the future, along with my wonderful new friends and neighbors in New Hampshire.

This 'Fun Friday', I wish you all a day of luck...NOT, the superstitious BAD luck of this Friday the 13th. Take a moment, reflect, enjoy, and make some more fun times to reflect on:)

AMuse Addicts Get-Together 2009 @ The Paper Tree

What a great time to be had when crafting with AMuse Addicts. They are fun people! It was wonderful getting together and crafting with everyone for this event at The Paper Tree. It has now been a few months, and I am finally posting about it.

I missed the get-together at Ink About It, so I was happy to be able to make it to this one.

So many wonderful cards were made that day.

Here is my contribution to that day...

*AMuse stamps and cardstock
*Memento Ink
*Stardust glitter pen
**There was a little, orange AMuse ribbon at the top...fell off mine...oops!

I continue to enjoy finding ways to use the Poppy stamp. Isn't it pretty?

Unity Coffee Stamps AND Birthday Card

I love Unity Stamps! Great quality and Great Look! Here, I used their coffee stamps, from one of the monthly kits, to make a friend's birthday card. With the stamps being so cute, I was able to make a simple, quick card at the last minute!

*Unity Stamps
*DCWV glitter paper and pre-cut card
*Brilliance black ink with Ranger embossing powder for both image and sentiment
*Spellbinders Circle dies
*Stampin' Up! Pen...to highlight words
*AMuse ribbon
*bling...???

By the way, I always liked Spellbinders, though I had only one set until recently. I now have a second set--the circles. I am seriously loving these dies! They work perfectly in my Big Kick! I can't wait to get more. The NH Scrapbook Cabin is having a 'buy 1, get 2nd 1/2 off' of Spellbinder Dies for their Black Friday Sale. You know where I will be, in addition to picking up a sweet deal at the 40% off (early AM) at Talk/Paper/Scissors. I am sure that The Paper Tree and other NH stamp and scrapbooking stores will have something going on also...can't wait to find out! Wait! Am I not supposed to be checking out places like Toys R Us first? Isn't that what a mommy should do? Hmmm...well, she already has tons of toys, and the family will be here for the holidays. I am pretty sure they will be getting her some very cool stuff:) Anyway, I would rather shop for clothes for her! Sylvia is too cute to dress:)

Angel ATC AND Scraps/Leftovers

Here is an Angel theme ATC created for the Thursday morning ATC Swap at The NH Scrapbook Cabin. My goal was to use ONLY product already in my scrap area, and make it monochromatic.

ATC Base: Tim Holtz Grunge Board
Inchie: Bazzill chipboard
DC: DCWV
Pearls: Basic Grey Opaline
Ribbon: Offray
Stamps: Hampton Art And Stampin Around
Inks: Stampin' Up!, VersaColor, & Ranger Alcohol Ink
Pen: Stardust clear glitter

Grunge Board is inked with Pink Sherbert and Silver Additive Alcohol Inks. Isn't this a cool effect?

The mini book is created with a stamp. Used is a Stampin Around background stamp of 4 blocks. After stamping, I cut it in half, using 2/4 blocks to fold into the mini book.

The inside of the mini book can be stamped with a sentiment, or personalized with a short, handwritten note.

I am happy with the results, though it is completely different from my original idea. Isn't that how it works?

In what ways have you used your Grunge Board and alcohol inks?

AMuse Swap: Christmas Theme

Above is one of two cards I created for the last AMuse by-mail card swap. I love that little dog!

*DCWV White pre-cut card
*AMuse stamps: both snowflakes and dog
*AMuse bling...on dog's nose
*Brilliance Ink, Ranger Embossing Powder on green glitter paper
*Ribbon??? Don't remember...

I really like the effect of embossing on glitter paper!


Below is the other card created for the swap. I love that classic Christmas Tree. Just perfect!

*AMuse Card, stamps, bling, and ribbon
*American Traditional Christmas paper
*Copic marker on Christmas present
*Stardust Glitter pen on tree

The Meeting of Unity AND AMuse

Unity and AMuse are among my favorite stamp companies who continually produce quality and creative/adorable stamps. Here they meet, on this card for my friend's daughter's third birthday this Summer.

Ice Cream Cone: Unity Stamps
Sentiment and polka dot cardstock: Amuse Art Stamps
Lavender cardstock: Bazzill
Gems: Martha Stewart Crafts
Inks: VersaFine and Ranger
Ribbon/DP/Pink CS: Oops...again, I forgot!


Have you used Unity and AMuse together? If not, give it a try when you get a chance. They complement each other interestingly. If you have already introduced them to each other, would you like to share?

What are your favorite stamp companies and why?

Unity Stamp AND The Color Purple Card Swap

Cardstock: Prism, Bazzill
Paper: Basic Grey
Stamp: Unity
Ink: Memento
Pens: Copic Markers
Ribbon: ??? Oops! Forgot!

This card was made for a splitcoaststamper card swap themed, "The Color Purple". The color purple is one of my favorite, along with pink. I found this Basic Grey patterned paper to be irresistible. And, how about that pink Prism cardstock!? It is one of my new favorites for cardmaking. Perfect, delicate texture and works well with ink and pens.

Have you used this Basic Grey paper? If yes, please share....It is just the prettiest paper. I would love it as a bedspread. Or...hmmm...should I admit???? Wallpaper. And not desktop wallpaper. I am talking wallpaper for a bedroom. Wouldn't that be a little piece of purple heaven?

Have you used Prism cardstock? What do you prefer for cardstock? I like: Bazzill, Prism, Core'dinations, AMuse, and Neenah. I am always on the lookout for good cardstock.

Now...go find some purple paper, ink, ribbon, etc...and create!

Coffee Card Kit & Amuse Bumper Card

Here is a card I made using pieces that I assembled for a SplitcoasStampers 'Coffee' themed card kit swap. I also used it to send for one of the monthly AMuse bumper cards.

What I enjoyed about making this card, is that I used randomly assembled items, without pre-planning their use. This forced me to stretch my creativity; and, as Tim Gunn would say, "Make it Work!".

Stamps, card, ribbon: AMuse
Large photo corner: Hiedi Swapp
Ink: Ranger Ink
DP: I forgot! Uh oh!

What do you think?

Have you any coffee themed cards to share?

How about coffee, in general? Like it?

Me? Glad you asked:) I love it! One of my preferred roasters is Raven's Brew. It is an Alasakan based company that my husband and I discovered while on our honeymoon cruise to Alaska. Their various roasts boast names like, "Resurection Blend" and "3 - Peckered Billy Goat". Not for the faint of heart, nor the faint of humor!

Well, I am off to enjoy some strong coffee!

And, remember, don't forget to take time to smell the coffee!

AMuse Celebration Kids Acrylic Stamp Set

I am pleased and extremely glad that I purchased this versatile set. I have now used it for two kids birthday cards, and I know it will be used for making many more.

This card was for my neighbor friend's sons' first birthday.

I don't remember the brand of paper or chipboard embellishments. Memento Ink and Copic markers used for stamped images.

More of the Panda!

I love this little Panda. Here it is used on some cards for the AMuse Bumper Cards Group. Paper, Stamp and sticker are all AMuse. Gems by Basic Grey. Pink ribbon generic and blue ribbon is AMuse. Ink is Memento.

Asian Theme ATC

Here is an ATC I created for a SplitcoastStamper 'Asian' themed ATC swap. I didn't have much in the way of Asian style stamps, so I chose to use the Sakura flower and Panda stamp by AMuse. Other stamps are Hero Arts. I stamped the Panda onto felt with Ranger Ink. The green background paper is textured and stamped with a Hero Arts acrylic bamboo stamp. The red bazzil paper is stamped with the AMuse Sakura stamped and then painted over with Gesso. This makes the paper glossy and very flexible. The inchie is chipboard painted with Ranger white acrylic paint dabber, followed by the AMuse Sakura stamp in Memento's Ladybug red. It is then edged with the Ladybug red. Green Gem by Martha Stewart Crafts. Lace was just something I had around.

Still not sure how I feel about this compostion, though I like the color combination. What do you think?

No matter what....this Panda stamp is adorable!

A Good Attempt...

Okay....It was a great attempt to blog daily, even if it didn't last....

Here goes another try!

It is the middle of the week. Time to sum up the week's 'to-do' list. For me, that includes making phone calls, finishing up a by-mail scrapbook page kit swap, making a scrapbook page for NH Cabin's monthly page kit, making thank you cards for some super nice people, maybe some more housework, and having fun playing with my baby girl!

These kit swaps are fun! You get all the pieces to put together a card, scrapbook page or other. It is fun to see the collections put together by other paper crafters. In addition, you are forced to use only what is in front of you...if you choose. It is an awesome way to stretch your imagination, using what was chosen for you.

I am new to putting together a scrapbook page with a pre-organized kit. I normally enjoy choosing and matching all the colors, textures, and embellishments. I thought that a kit would be a nice way to push my imagination, as I have found by doing the by-mail swaps, so I picked up a kit from NH Scrapbook Cabin. Going to submit my page to their kit-challenge!

Thank you cards....hmmm...gotta get to work on lots of these. I am terrible about procrastinating when it comes to sending these important sentiments. Must make them in bulk...now, get to work, Tracy!

I have wonderful neighbors, and they have given me more reasons to send more thank you cards to them. Something super sweet: one of my neighbors is no longer stamping, and she gave me a whole bunch of her old stamps. Among them are stamps by Outlines, Stampin' Up, Hero Arts, and more wonderful companies. Excited to use them!

Well, off to care for my little girl, think about dinner, and perhaps even do some crafting.

Looking forward to Fun Friday....husband works from home on Fridays!

Start thinking about...what will you do to make Friday a Fun day?

Friday 11 September

While today is supposed to be 'Fun Friday', it is difficult to feel that, as today is also a day to remember...

that day in 2001, when everything changed. Our nation was forever changed. No longer did we Americans feel perfectly safe from war-like attacks. On television, we had seen it in other countries; on the radio, we heard reports of it; and, from elder Americans, we had heard stories. Now it was our reality. Our home was vulnerable like any other.

I was cuddled-up asleep, with my husband (then boyfriend), and we had just returned from a vacation to Disneyland. The phone rang. We wondered who could be calling us at such an outrageously early hour (we were then living on the West Coast). It was a dear friend, calling to tell us to turn on the television. We were being attacked? Was it real? Was it a hoax, like the explosion of the Space Needle? Should we prepare for attacks of grander scale? What was happening? Was it a modern day reality of the movie "Red Dawn"? Might sound ridiculous to have thought of that movie, but it was a surreal moment, with unreal thoughts. Confusion. Reality. We watched as the second plane hit. We sat frozen, cold, glassy-eyed in front of the television. We called family and friends to wake them and inform them.

Remember 9/11/01. A day where lives were unfairly stolen, transformed, and scarred. Our nation was exposed to a fear that others live with daily. All over the world there are many who live in terror. They will live their entire lives not experiencing safety and comfort. They will die, having never known the freedom of safety.

While we grieve for those lost on 9/11, we should also give thanks for our freedom and safety. No. Our nation is not perfect. We remain young and in need of continued evolution. Yet, we do own a great potential for infinite freedom and basic safety.

Thank you to those who help protect our nation, to those who strive to better our nation, and to each and every one who remains faithful to the vows of freedom and safety for all.

Rest in peace, to those lost on 9/11. We are sorry for, and hurt by, the manner in which your lives were stolen.

Rest in peace, to all who die in ways cruel and unnatural, in the name of religion or politics.

Is it possible to enjoy today, while still suffering from the effects of 9/11? Should we try to enjoy today? Yes. Even though it is important to take time to remember, it is also important to value and enjoy every moment of every day we live. Each day should be lived with strength, faith, integrity, and the pursuit of justice and freedom.

Remember, but don't forget to live.

Almost Fun Friday!

Tomorrow is Fun Friday!

What will you be doing?

I will be off to the post office to mail two swaps: AMuse holiday card swap, and a Splitcoast Stampers recipe card divider swap, chillin' -n- playin' with Sylvia (dd), anticipating arrival of the new Unity Kit of the Month stamps and SCS (Splitcoast Stampers) Asian themed ATC swap cards, preparing for a 3 year old's birthday party on Saturday, preparing to stamp/craft with a friend on Sunday, continuing to assure my husband takes care to get well soon, and just making sure to have a FUN FRIDAY.

The new Unity stamps look fantastic. There is a coffee stamp! Yay! That will be the first one I will use. I am very glad to have signed up for the Unity Kit of the Month Stamps. Their stamps are both quality and beautiful.

Besides finishing cards for the AMuse Winter Holiday card swap (through the AMuse Lounge), I am working at preparing card kits for the AMuse Addicts New England get-together at Ink About It in Westford, MA. This should be a great event! Wish I had some of those new Halloween stamps to use.... Looking forward to getting some of this years AMuse Halloween stamps. If you haven't seen them, check them out, especially if you are a fan of the "Twilight" books.

Still working at updating photos....just haven't been able to make the time. Maybe this weekend? Maybe next week?

REMEMBER: Everything in its time.

Before I close, I gotta give a recommendation. I just started using Proactiv's sensitive line. It is doing wonders for my sensitive skin. Never thought I would use a product from a shopping channel; this just proves that one should never judge prematurely (or without due reason).

Tonight I will be taking a few moments for myself to craft. However, first I will make some curried fried rice! Yum!

Thursday is always a wonderful day to finish incomplete items from your weeks to-do list, and to plan your weekend. This way, you will be ready to enjoy your Friday night.

What will you be doing to make sure your Friday is a Fun Friday?

I plan to start by getting lots of hugs and kisses from my sweet little girl!

Fun Friday

Happy Friday!

I was at my friend's house yesterday, and her daughter said that today was 'Fun Friday' at school. That got me thinking...why can't it be 'Fun Friday' for the 'big people' too?! Why don't we adults find a way to make this a 'Fun Friday' , whether we work at home, outside the home, or other? Why not?!?

What will you do to make today fun?

I have spent the morning cuddling and playing with my daughter. We plan to run errands together this afternoon. Tonight, we are having girls night. What does this mean? We will curl up and watch whatever we want on T.V., eat whatever we want, and do whatever else calls to us at the moment. Okay. She likely will not be watching the movie, nor will she get to eat whatever she chooses; but, she will get to cuddle up and sleep on mommy's tummy for a few hours. For an 8.5 month old, I call that a 'Fun Friday', and for a mommy who adores her little girl, I call that a 'Fun Friday'.

What will you do to make today fun?

I continue to work at getting photos up...coming soon!

What will you do to make today a 'FUN FRIDAY'?

New Day!

Here it is...another new day. Another opportunity to create and do something wonderful.

Still trying to get over whatever I have been fighting....cold or allergies. Having a beautiful, fun little girl helps. While her energy tires me out, her excitement for life energizes me.

Of all weeks to not feel well, it is a busy one. Working at getting out the seasonal A Muse Lounge Card Swap, prepping for The Paper Tree ATC/Card shoebox swaps, putting together photo albums for Ted, and preparing bumper cards in advance (imagine that). In addition, trying to get the house ready for a visit from a friend and her husband. I haven't seen her in a few years, and while she is now living in NY, she is soon returning to her home in Tokyo. I am so excited for them to meet Sylvia. This will also be her first time meeting Ted (DH).

Yesterday, I picked up the cards from The Paper Tree's monthly A Muse card swap. Wonderful cards! Fantastic job everyone!!!

I wish you all a beautiful day...GO CREATE something amazing and fulfilling!

Updates!

First, thank you for the kind comments on my posted cards. I just (now) saw them. Thank you, and I apologize that it took me forever (and a day) to read them.

I had told myself that I would post daily, even if I had no photos to post. Hmmm, first time mom trying to work out a daily schedule...struggling to have 'scheduled' days, telling herself she will make daily posts? Should we say: "dreaming"! Perhaps, if I spent a few less minutes on Facebook, I could make a daily post. Of course, lately, I haven't been playing much on Facebook.

I love being a mommy. It is the best, and our daughter is the best. Lack of sleep and rest got the best of me for a bit of time. Sylvia is sleeping better, Ted took on an extra night of getting up with her, and things are starting to come together. Day by day, hour by hour, and minute by minute, I am learning how to use my time more efficiently. This means more time for crafting...

Recently, I had committed to too many swaps at once. Ugh. My 'bad'. I learned my lesson. Had fun making everything, though. Pictures to come later...

What has been going on...? I went to my first 'Friendship Crop' at NH Scrapbook Cabin. Lots of nice ladies there, and I had a wonderful time. I progressed on Sylvia's gigantic scrapbook. I will expand a description of that later.

I have been enjoying SplitCoast Stamper swaps. It is always fun to get cards in the mail. One of my favorite swaps was the coffee/tea card kit swap. I am excited to play with them. I will post pictures from each swap as I have time.

I signed up for Unity's Kit of the Month. Loving it. Their stamps are fantastic. They are great quality: great stamped images, clean easily, and super adorable/fun. What is even better is that my LSS (Paper Tree) is now hosting a monthly get-together to play with Unity Stamps. How fun is that? The first get-together was this Saturday. Lots of creativity going on...lots of creative, fun ladies. Michelle, Paper Tree owner, led us in a fun game. Write something unusual/quirky about yourself on a piece of paper....she would then draw one to read. What a great way to get to know each other better. However, I was stumped at what to write. What about me? What do they not know? What is interesting/funny/quirky? I am stuck in mommyhood and the school years! Later, Ted (my dh), suggested many things. This moment propelled me into thought about keeping in touch with 'me' while being a wife and mommy (,and, though I was in school forever, and it was a HUGE part of my life, it is no more.). I promise myself to make time for me to write, create, and express 'me' every day. I can still be a good mommy and wife, even if I take this time.

I continue to enjoy monthly ATC and Card Shoebox swaps at The Paper Tree. Always fun.

Looking forward to seeing A Muse's Halloween stamps! Desiring the Martha Stewart gooey drippy punch.

For now, I will close. Pictures coming soon!

Happy scrapping, stamping, and creating to all!

A MUSE*A*PALOOZA COUNTDOWN

Looking forward to A*Muse*A*Palooza at The Paper Tree....

Make-n-Takes
Contests
New Stamps
Treats
And....Lots of Fun!

I am an A Muse Addict, and A*Muse*A*Palooza is an event we addicts enjoy: the release of the new holiday stamps. This is the time to get your stamps and supplies to start making your holiday cards, getting ready for holiday scrapbook layouts, etc... Not just that, but there are many fun ways to win stuff....whether it be from the games at the A Muse blog or at local stores like The Paper Tree.

One of the contests I am looking forward to at The Paper Tree....using one of the new A Muse holiday stamps, make 5 Christmas cards for soldiers, for each 5 entries you are entered to win more A Muse product. Not JUST that, but you help bring a bit of holiday cheer to soldiers abroad. I am going to make as many as possible:)

Come play!

JUNE Updates

I haven't been blogging much lately, but I have been up to a bit of crafting. I will soon update and add photos of new cards and ATC's.

FUN stuff to look forward to in July: A Muse A Palooza!!!!!!!!!! Lots of great stuff will be happening at The Paper Tree in Manchester, NH. Can't wait!

TEA ATC SCS SWAP

"T for 2"


Here is a tea themed ATC I created for an SCS ATC Swap.

I put this together at the last moment. I had had the idea in my mind, just needed to figure out how to execute it. I would like to work on the actual tea bag--could be more accurate. Yet, it was still quite fun to do!

Products: manila file folders, Hero Arts stamps, copic markers, Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Martha Stewart vellum, Ranger Tea Dye Distress Ink, Grunge board, Ranger Archival Ink in Coffee.

Thank you to my husband for his help cutting and helping me get this project finished on-time:) I love you!

COFFEE ATC SCS SWAP

Here is a coffee themed ATC I created for an SCS (Splitcoast Stampers) ATC swap.

"3 CUPS COFFEE"

This was an extremely time-consuming, yet fun, ATC to create. Lots of distressing, painting, cutting, etc...

Products: Grunge board circles, Grunge paper, A Muse stamps, Ranger Acrchival Ink, A Muse ribbon, Copic Markers, Ranger crackle paint, Ranger distress Ink, and more. I even adhered a recycled coffee filter to the back of the card, using acrylic paint.

I am not sure that I agree, "with enough caffeine, anything is possible," but I do truly love the flavor of good coffee.

POPPY WARHOL: JUNE ATC PAPER TREE SHOEBOX SWAP

This ATC was made for the June ATC Shoebox Swap at The Paper Tree in Manchester, NH. This month's theme: A Muse Poppy Stamp. It was great seeing the different results acheived by everyone.

This is the full view of the A Muse Poppy stamp, as stamped on the back of my ATC. It is one of my favorite stamps, and I was happy to have a reason to purchase it.

My Poppy ATC: "Poppy Warhol"
Products: A Muse Stamp, Veramark Ink, Fiskars circle punch, and lots of differently brightly colored paper.

This ATC was fun!

May A Muse Stamp Card Swap at The Paper Tree (My LSS)

This card was made for the monthly A Muse Stamp Card Swap at The Paper Tree (my LSS) in Manchester, NH. It was a fun card to make because it challenged me to think outside 'my box'. May's A Muse card theme: CONGRATULATIONS.

My goal: to make the flower look like a framed picture.

Products used: A Muse stamps, card stock, ribbon; Copic Markers; Marvy punches; Bazzil paper; Ranger Glossy Glaze.

Enjoy!

A Muse Lounge Spring Card Mail Swap

It has been a long time since I last posted. We had family visiting from Seattle; they were here to meet their great niece. A great time was had by all.

While they were with us, I managed to complete a few projects. However, it was with the help of my aunt. She was a wonderful! Thank you!

Here is a card I made for the A Muse Lounge Spring '09 Card Swap. The theme was SUMMER: show what you like to do in the summer, something that 'says' summer. Even though I don't have a scooter, I think it would be super fun in the summer. If I had one, I would enjoy riding it while venturing out for an espresso, going to the beach, or any other fun summertime outing. I wasn't sure that the colors I chose were Summer colors, but they felt like summer for me.

Everything I used was by A Muse, with the exception of: Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and Copic Markers. The stamp is not one of the newer summer stamps, but it is a new stamp to me. I love the striped shirt, scarf, and cap; they reminded me of clothes I would like to wear. So, I HAD to use this stamp! I chose the stamp, 'happy day', because that is exactly how I would feel riding that scooter, sporting clothes in my favorite colors, and enjoying a bumpy ride, on a 'purple' road...

April ATC and Cards...

I have been working on Thank You cards for our neighbors. They were wonderful during our two weeks of travelling back and forth to the hospital to visit our pre-term baby girl in the NICU. This is one example.

*You likely can't see from the photo...there are pop up dots under the deckled edged paper...



Amuse Stamps
Amuse Card Stock
Amust Pretty Little Papers
Copic Markers
Martha Stewart Tag
Fiskars Deckle Edged Scissors














I made this ATC for an ATC Shoebox Swap at The Paper Tree (my favorite place in NH to shop for papercrafting stuff). Our theme for the month was "Wings".

For these Shoebox Swaps, I like to try new techniques and use them as an opportunity to learn. For this Swap, I wanted to practice use of Ranger Alcohol Inks and Ranger Crackle liquid. I also used a new Paper Shapers oval punch. I applied alcohol Ink to photo paper, then stamped the image onto it. Then, I used the oval punch to focus on the bird. I stamped the image onto white carstock in a different colored ink. I lined up the oval image onto the white cardstock. I then applied glitter to the leaves of the image and Crackle all over the white cardstock. My goal was to put the focus on the bird in the image.



Tim Holtz Stamp
Ranger Alcohol Inks
Archival Black Ink
Memento Ink
Bazzill Cardstock
Ranger Crackle
















Babies are wonderful! I know; I have a four month old little angel:) This month's theme for the Shoebox CardSwap at The Paper Tree, in Manchester, NH, was 'BABY'. I was happy to 'NEED' to purchase this adorable stamp by Stamping Bella. Not only do we have a precious little baby at home, but friend of ours in Seattle were recently blessed with a little bundle happiness. So, gotta make a card to welcome baby!

I would like to make changes to this composition, and I will continue to ponder what would work...

Stamping Bella Stamp
AMuse Sentiment Stamp
AMuse Cardstock, Pretty Little Papers, and Ribbon
Copic Markers

Updates At Last!

At last, I found a few moments to update. I have more to add, but am very content to have done this much.

How time passes! It seems like yesterday that I started this blog. Seems like yesterday I found out I was pregnant. Yet, my little Sylvia is napping next to me while I blog. It was last year, on a Friday, during National Scrapbook Weekend, that I found out Sylvia was 'on board'.

National Scrapbook Weekend is coming up...and, I just don't know what I want to do. Do I go to an event or stay home? I don't know that I want to be away from my baby for 12 hours. I could always scrap at home...but, would that be as fun??? Sylvia is fun, but it is also nice to be with a group of adults. Too bad she could not come with me! It is the anniversary of her conception...a wonderful celebration:)

I am enjoying card-making and ATC's. I still have much to learn, but the process is fun. It is a great creative outlet. I would like to get back to my scrapbooks. I am putting together a HUGE scrapbook for Sylvia.

I would love an entire weekend of non-stop paper-crafting. No cooking. No cleaning. Just crafting....maybe in a few year.

Until Later...

A Muse Challenge #4: Think Simple, Think A Muse....Entry 2

This is another entry to the A Muse Lounge Challenge #4: Think Simple, Think A Muse. I recently bought this stamp, Blossom branch with bird, along with other of the newly released A Muse Stamps (Wonderful/Diverse Collection). I was anxious to use this stamp and look forward to using it many more times!

Card INGREDIENTS:
*A Muse 4-Bar notecard in Latte
*A Muse Pretty Little Papers Cottage Polka dot reverse
*A Muse Blossom branch with bird stamp
*Fiskars Deckle edged scissors
*Memento Ink in Tuxedo Blac
*Copic Markers: YG17 (Green Grass) and Y06 (Yellow) for the leaves, R00 (Pinkish White) for the bird, RV10 (Pale Pink) for the flowers

The Polka dot paper is attached to the notecard with foam squares, to make it 'pop'. The flowers are adhered directly to the polka dot paper, and the bird is attached to the branch with a foam square (again, for 'pop'). The branch and flowers, as well as the polka dot paper, are cut with the deckle edged sciccors.

Later, I will add a sentiment to the inside, bottom right corner of the card. Probably THANK YOU.

A Muse Challenge #4: Think Simple, Think A Muse

This is an entry to the A Muse Lounge Challenge #4--Think Simple, Think A Muse. I had just gotten this adorable little bird (MB Little Bird stamp by A Muse), and I wanted to find a simple way to use it. I thought it would be fun to use the grosgrain stitch ribbon as representing 'chirps' by the bird. When you open the card, the ribbon continues until it reaches the cards sentiment.

Here are the INGREDIENTS to the card:

*A Muse 4-Bar Note cards in Latte
*A Muse MB Little Bird stamp
*Memento Ink in Tuxedo Black
*A Muse Grosgrain stitch ribbon in Pink Tutu
*Copic Markers: R00 (Pinkish White) for the bird's head and body, RV10 (Pale Pink) for the bow
*Art Glitter in Seashell in the middle of the bow
**The bird is stamped directly to the notecard. The head and bow were stamped onto card stock, and applied to the notecard with white foam, to make it 'pop'.

Is this Monday morning???

It is Wednesday and feels like Monday. Just trying to catch up around the house after a busy weekend. Trying to get to posting some pics, etc... Yesterday, my sweet little girl and I took a nap. That was in place of catching up my blog:) Priorities.

Working on an ATC with the theme, "Wings", a card with the theme, "Baby", another card with a, "Summer" theme and a few other things.

I also want to get back to scrapbooking. I have found that card making is providing me with tons of inspiration and layout ideas for scrapbook pages. In the same way, ATC making is giving me card layout ideas. It all works together.

My crafting room is coming close to being finished. Mostly, it needs to be organized: putting away everything in its place. Otherwise, I need only to paint my craft table. This needs to be completed soon, as we have guests coming soon....well, not really 'guests'--family. Exciting!

My aunt and uncle are coming from Seattle to meet their new, great 'niece'. This will be a WONDERFUL visit.

After completing the craft/guest room, we will be putting together our baby girl's room. I want to make most of the decorations for her room. I already have a scrapbook page layout to frame for it. In addition, a special cousin in Arizona sent us beautiful dolls and animals for our girl. And, of course, Granny has given baby girl several, precious stuffed animals. We are blessed.

Okay. Gotta play with my sweet cheeks, and try to fold laundry.

Great Weekend

A wonderful weekend!

Saturday with family, and Sunday with a group of creative, kind souls.

I have cards to post and stories to tell. For now, I must care for my baby girl and get some sleep.

Too Busy to Blog

Been to busy with baby to blog. Though, I have done a bit of card-making. Will post it soon. Friday and Saturday I will be prepping for a shoe-box card swap and ATC swap on Sunday. Can't wait to see what everyone has created.

I picked up my cards from "The Paper Tree's" monthly AMuse card swap. The theme was 'birthday'. Some great cards!

I will have lots to blog 'bout after Sunday:)

Thursday 26 March 09: Approaching the weekend

I am looking forward to the weekend. Friday, I am going to a card making/Copic marker class. Love those Copic markers.

Might do some online gaming this weekend.

Got another stamp from the A Muse amuse-bouche collection.

Got some more of the 18"X18" Martha Stewart card stock/paper. I am using it to make a huge scrapbook for my baby girl. Very odd working with that size of page-layout, but I am enjoying all the photos that can fit. I will post that scrapbook-in-progress.

Looking forward to some more crafting today and this weekend.

Let's get crafting!

Cards-n-Things Posted

I posted some recent and old stuff.

I am working on a scrapbook from our day in Paris. All of the photos were originally color. I played with them on Picasa. I distressed both photos and paper. When I think of Paris, I think in Sepia/Black and White: I imagine everything old and aged. Though, I know not EVERYTHING in Paris is old. I need to add some small embellishments, titles, etc... I also have some more photos to add. When finished I will create a front and back page, and use my Bind-It-All to connect it all together.

So far, for this album, I have used a combo of Martha Stewart and Bazzill papers, Tim Holz distress ink and an old nail file to distress the edges.

The ATC that I posted was made recently, and it is the first one I have made. It was for an A Muse themed ATC shoebox swap. I am not completely satisfied with it, but it is a start. I used an A Muse stamp, A Muse ribbon, Bazzill paper, Copic Markers, and Art Glitter. I look forward to making more ATC's.

The card in progress is for a A Muse birthday card swap. I like the general layout of the paper and ribbon. I just can't decide where to put the cake. I have another A Muse stamp to use for: Happy Belated Birthday. Not sure if I will put it on the front page or the inside of the card.

Last, the card with the flowers all over it. I wasn't sure if I should embelish is more? I think I like it simple and as is. Does it inspire thoughts of Spring or Summer or neither?

That is it for now. Going to play with my sweet baby girl.

Making Progress...

Yesterday was productive. I made one card, almost finished another, and got inspiration for others.

Today I am going to post some projects-in-progress.

Looking forward to swaps n stuff coming up.

Gotta Stamp!

Didn't get to crafting yesterday. Today...it will happen. I have just been in the A Muse lounge and am extremely inspired. Lots of great cards with the new stamps.

Projects I am working on:

A Muse themed: 'birthday' card, 'Spring is in the air' card, 'summer' card, and two other A Muse style paper crafts.

ATC: wing themed....got a Tim Holz stamp to use.

For the 'birthday' card, I got a 'belated birthday' stamp; I am always late with birthdays.

Gotta finish my coffee and get the day going....

Monday morning. Wanting to get crafting but knowing clutter awaits. Priorities. Desires. Choices.......play with the baby!

FIRST ENTRY

My blog is in progress. Still editing and developing. Looking forward to adding pictures, links and other fun stuff.