Have A Sip...

B&T paper, metallic cardstock, markers, liquid crystal - CTMH: Stamps - A Muse.

I've always liked the mad scientist, Boris.......and I love the specimen jars (not sure if you can tell in the photo, but adding the liquid crystal to the "glass" really makes them pop). I have to say it was a bit of a bugger to cut around his hair...but overall, I like this card.

A Confession

Cardbase, stamps, ALL papers - A Muse; Inks - Colorbox & Memento; Copics & Spicas; Stickles; Mini-Scallops & Scallops scissors - Fiskars

I'm pretty hopeless with computer "stuff". I'm pleased as punch that I know how to do the VERY basics on this blog (with tons of help from my husband & my daughter - both waaaay more computer-savvy than I'll ever be!!). I can upload (or download - never quite sure which way it is) a photo, I can add some text (I know, I know, sometimes TOO much text - yikes, you should see my Christmas letter), and I can edit things when I hit "publish post" too quickly. So here's something to really crow about......I have learned that I can go under "post options" and line up several posts to be posted at my discretion - which is what I did a few days ago since I knew I wasn't going to be available to do a daily posting. Clever eh??? I'm quite impressed with myself, thank-you-very-much!!

But ok, back to the "I'm a computer-nerd" confession part. I'm trying to follow along with A Muse's AmuseApalooza Fun and as one would expect, periodically there are card challenges. I don't have any problem with the card challenges themselves - I run into trouble when it comes time to "load" them over at the Splitcoasters Gallery. So here's the card for the first challenge (a color challenge, it was issued a couple of weeks ago). I did the card (and I'm pleased with the outcome), but I never managed to get it into the Splitcoasters Gallery................sigh..................maybe next year I won't be quite so lame!!

What About Dad?

Stamps - CTMH & Hero Arts; Ink & Marker - CTMH; Origami Paper - Hanko; Scallop Scissors - Fiskars; B&T...I don't remember

YIKES.......I meant to post this on Father's Day but I'm a dork! Anyhow, I love the fun B&T paper (don't the fish look like they're having fun?). The sentiment has such a playful motion, it fits the mood perfectly. The little origami sailboat was easy to do and it's very flat on the card so this is a good one for mailing. Hope all the dads out there had as much fun on their special day as these fishies seem to be having!!

Dragon Daze - Part 1

Stamp - Stampin' Up; Ink - Memories; Copics

Hmmm - I don't remember what YEAR I stamped these images (it was actually a couple of years after this particular set was released). But in my attempts of getting my stamp room "organized", I've stumbled across several packets of stamped images. Now I'm sure I had a rip-roaring great idea when I stamped this dragon, but for the life of me, I can't remember what it was. Since I stamped him on several different sizes of cardstock, that tells me my plans included cutting the image out (thank goodness for sharp pointy scissors). Perhaps I was just waiting to discover the wonder of Copics?? So here are the colors I've selected and I'm happy with how he turned out. Once I finish coloring all of the images (there are 8), I'll cut them out and THEN figure out what in the heck to DO with them - that will be Part 2!!

Up, Up and AWAAAAAAAAY...

Cardbase - Memory Box; Stamps - Savvy, Memory Box, Rubber Soul; Inks - Colorbox, Versafine; DMC perle cotton; Mickey head punch - ???

Made this one for a D-Land Fan...for his birthday WEEK. Man, it was difficult coming up with a SINGLE card for each day of the week so by the time I landed on this one, I decided I had to make multiples. It's worked out well, I've used all but one....pretty soon we'll be at The Happiest Place On Earth. Maybe I'll get him some balloons and he can "set them free..."!!

Arrrrrrgh....**

Stamps - A Muse and Cats Pajamas; Twinkling H20's, Stickles, Copics, Spicas

**Ok, ok, ok - before anyone gets sideways - this card concept was orignally from an A Muse Designer (my sincere apologies to the designer for not recognizing her properly). I got it from a Halloween class at The Paper Garden last year (FYI - the new Halloween classes are now listed, check out the link to The Paper Garder over to the right...). I think the A Muse mummy was the star in the Halloween card. Anyhow I thought this would be perfect for a Pirate Card (and I have, ahem, SEVERAL pirate stamps in my collection....again, mostly I blame Stephanie @ The PG - always catering to what I REALLY like - the nerve!!). I love those Twinkling H2o's although I forget about them. They're so tiny and compact and they fit so nicely in a basket that I tuck away on an upper shelf and then POOF, out of sight, out of my mind (but hey, that's a whole other story).

Feathered Friends???

Cardbase - Memory Box; B&T.....hmmm - I don't remember; Stamps by A Muse, Hero Arts and Papertrey Ink; Inks - Colorbox; Copics, May Arts Ribbon; Marvy Punch; Stickles

I'm not into birds...yet they're EVERYWHERE in the world of stamps - what's up with that??? I think The Paper Garden carries every single solitary bird stamp known to stampkind. So what's a non-bird-loving stamper to do? Why, embrace the whole flippin' feathered flock of course!! So I started out with some birds from A Muse, then Hero Arts then I saw the hilarious owls from Just Johanna (thanks Steph...) and like magic - I have enough bird stamps to well, let's just say having several feather pillows wouldn't be difficult.

Ok, ok, okaaaaaay - I don't hate birds, I'm liking them..........sort of..............so why are they still pooping on my car???

Flowery Friends

Cardbase - Memory Box; Stamps & decorative notecard - A Muse; Ink - Versafine; Copics; Punches - Marvy; Stardream & other misc. cardstocks

A fun shaker card... which got me to thinking about OTHER shaker cards (and with all the cool mini-punches, the possibilities are almost limitless). So maybe I should throw out apologies now - you'll be seeing more of these little gems I'm sure!!

Quite Simply...

Ink, stamps, cardstock, B&T paper, ribbon, bitty brads - CTMH; Marvy Punch; Stickles

Can you believe it took me 7 minutes (start to finish) to make this card?? No really - it's true!! The cardbase looks layered but it's not, it's simply a piece of cardstock from a CTMH Level 1 scrapbook kit (Adorable). I added a bit of B&T paper, stamped a smidgeon on the punched oval scallop and on the cardstock border, did a bit of ink swiping and added the ribbon accent with a bitty brad and POOF, like magic - there was the card. I love it when simple turns out so well!!

Hey Cupcake

Cardbase & Cupcake stamp - Memory Box; Sentiment & Heart gem sticker - A Muse; Inks - Memento & CTMH; Copics; Bitty Brad - CTMH; Silver Metallic Pen, Ribbon and B&T paper...sorry, I don't remember.

So what is it with cupcakes anyway? I guess they're cute, fun, yummy and they just make you happy. I'm starting to collect quite a few "cupcake" items myself, stamps, sentiments and even B&T paper - I hope this latest trend lasts a long time - I have a feeling there are TONS of cupcake ideas out there!!

Fairy-Land

Cardbase - Memory Box; Stamps: Mushroom, grass & sentiment - A Muse; Fern - Kodomo; Inks - Versafine, Memento & CTMH; Bitty Brads and Edge Distresser- CTMH; Stickles.

Don't you just know there's a fairy sitting behind one of those mushrooms? I love this stamp - I think I've used it for a couple of friendship cards, a b-day card and a thinking of you card - so versatile.....think I might use it for Christmas too....just a little bit of prisma glitter like a magical blanket of snow??

Feelin' Puny?

Cardbase - Memory Box; Stamps... Skull & Crossbones bottle - A Muse; Skull & crossbone - Memory Box; Alphabet - CTMH; B&T Paper - sorry, I don't remember!; Inks - Versafine & CTMH; Copics, Stickles, Liquid Glass (CTMH), Uni-ball Signo broad white pen.

Arrrrgh, when you've indulged in too much grog...................drink up me hearties, yo ho!!

Tassel Time!!

Cardbase - Memory Box; Stamps: Graduation Chick - Stampendous, "You Did It!" - Papertrey Ink, Micro-oval - A Muse; Graduation B&T Paper....sorry, I don't remember; Inks: Memento & CTMH; Markers - Copic; Stickles, Corner Rounder Punch

A CHEERFUL and BRIGHT graduation card....but that's pretty fitting - it's always a celebration at graduation time. I love these little Stampendous Chicks....they always look like they're having so much fun!

Cardbase - Memory Box; Stamps: Owl - Just Johanna; Tree branch & "Happy Graduation" - A Muse; Pretty Little Papers - A Muse; Stardream CS; Markers - Copics; Stickles, Scallop Scissors - Fiskars; Corner Rounder; Ribbon - Michaels $1.00 bin.

This card is an exception to anything I've posted so far....the card design is basically identical to a card from Linda's Card Class (A Muse) that was held at The Paper Garden in April. I love the layout and it was perfect for the stamps I had and the card I needed to make...Thanks Linda!!

Thank You & Goodnight!

Cardbase - Memory Box; Orange Crush Notecards & stamps - A Muse; Citrus Green CS - CTMH; Punches - EK Success; Inks - Versafine & Memento; Markers - Copics; Stickles; Ribbon - ???

Whew..........the third party is over & done with - a wildly successful gathering of the clan (and lovely gifties for Creepella too..). Family, Friends & Food........that's already enough of a celebration!! In keeping with the "Scary Sixteen" theme, here are the Thank You cards Creepella will be using to thank everyone for her very generous gifts. I'm kind of bummed though, it looks like I'll need to put away my Halloweenie stamps for the next few months....sigh.

Scary Sixteen

Stamps & Orange Crush CS - A Muse; Inks - Versafine & Colorbox; Citrus Green CS - CTMH; Black CS - Stardream; Ribbon - ???; Circle Punches - EK Success; Invitation Info printed in "Chiller" font.

By the end of the day, our daughter, Creepella (no, that's not her REAL name - just something I call her) will have had 3 (yes, THREE) b-day parties. A couple of family parties and one with just her girlfriends (they went to see the new Indiana Jones movie - excellent choice, girls...and then a gab-fest/sleep-over....I'm still tired). Later today, we'll be hosting the final party (they've been spread out over 4 weeks). Why 3 parties? Well last year, there was NO party - the house was absolute & utter chaos during the remodel and this year, she's turning 16 - and definitely NOT Sweet 16....Scary 16 - but in a good way. She's mostly comfortable enough in her own skin to shake up the traditional 16th b-day theme. I love that about her...and it's what I want for her - to be herself and to be happy (being herself). Love, careers, money - all that is important in its own way, but the basic be herself & be happy part...that's what's REALLY important. Happy Scary Sixteen Creepella - we love you!

Cool Ride

All stamps, cardstock, ribbon - A Muse; Markers (including Spicas) - Copic; Inks - Memento & CTMH

This card is for the A Muse Addicts weekly Stamps of the Week Challenge...this week the Ice Cream Truck was one of the stamps and since I've been intending on doing a challenge, why not start now? Besides...Ice Cream is definitely a GOOD thing!

Friday's Spark

Stamps, ribbon, twinkling stickers, cardstocks -A Muse; Inks - Memento, Colorbox, Versafine; Markers (including Spicas) - Copic; Punches - Marvy & EK Success; Stickles

This one is for Heather's (A Muse Designer) "Friday's Spark" challenge. I think the bubbles kind of look like eyeballs.....maybe a bit creepy??

Seize The Cake

Cardbase - Memory Box; Stamps - A Muse, Hero Arts; Inks - Versafine, CTMH; Markers (including Spicas) - Copic; Ribbon - May Arts; Stickles

I like this guy............he's very versatile - as a matter of fact, that's why this card is pink - originally I had a bottle of "Love Potion #9" on his tray for a Valentine's Day card. I had a few extra pink cards and he was already stamped so I decided to have him serve cake. Who wouldn't want a whole cake to themselves??..........sigh.........that's why I love stamping - you can let your imagination run WILD!!

Magnificent Moon

Cardbase - Memory Box; B&T paper - Karen Foster Design; Stardream cardstock for the moon, hearts & sentiment; stamp - A Muse; circle punch - EK Success; mini-heart punch - Fiskars

Tomorrow will mark 20 years of marriage...it's weird - it SOUNDS like a really long time...and truthfully sometimes its felt longer but mostly, I can hardly believe we've been married for 20 years. So far, it's been pretty good - he's a kind, nice, decent, good man, he cooks, has a great (although warped) sense of humor, he's quite adept at cooking , he's a wonderful dad, he enjoys cooking & baking, he (usually) just rolls his eyes when I say I HAVE to get a few new stamps (and cardstock and markers and embellishments), did I mention he cooks....about 97% of the time? I like him, I love him and I can't imagine my life without him.

I did this card a while ago (and I'm mighty pleased I didn't "lose" it between then and now - only to have it show up next month...does that ever happen to you??). I think I might be pushing it with the sparkliness of the Stardream - he's not a "shimmery" kind of guy!!

Pocket Perfection

Cardstock, B&T paper, inks, stamps, ribbon - CTMH; Stickles; EK Success Punches

I'm still amazed by Pocket Cards........I mean TRULY amazed. I thought I was being just a little too amazed with them until I sent a few out...and low and behold, I found out that Pocket Card Amazement is contagious. They're so easy to make, so darned impressive to receive and I LOVE that there's a POP-UP surprise!! Thank goodness I learned this fascinating card (at The Paper Garden, of course)..........I can't imagine how empty my stamping life would be withOUT these oh-so clever cards!!