Four Times the Happy

I did that thing recently and thought I'd show you.  You know, that thing.  That thing people do.  On cards.  With word dies.  Yeah!   That thing!

That thing where you layer up the word several times and gloss it up to look cool and use that as the focal point on your card.  I used four layers of "happy" on this card.

I thought it would make a quick and easy card and it probably would have if I hadn't discovered a broken water heater water all over my kitchen floor in the middle of card making.  Then you have to make a decision--do the right thing and empty the water heater closet and clean up the water or finish the card.  You see the dilemma?  I did the right thing and it wasn't even my water heater! It was the guy's on the other side of the wall.  He should have come and finished this card up for me.  Don't you think?!

The Fine Print: And he should have comforted the cat, Charles, who doesn't do well when things go wrong.  Water squeezing out between the floor tiles is a definite indication that things are going wrong in Charles' world.  Mine too, now that I think of it.  All products by A Muse Studio.  Lime cardstock, onyx stitched ribbon, Everything's Rosy designer paper, crystal clear glaze and happy word die.

Wild and Wacky Workdesk Wednesday

Let's just jump right into What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday with gusto.

That's why my desk looked like this morning since I didn't feel like picking it up over the weekend.

Here's a close up of the left side. Thank you clips, cards I've made and received, card in progress, a puzzle die, a bill, random papers, container of pens, container of washi and miscellany, my corkboard piercing pad that I forgot to bring with me today, note paper, bits and pieces for a Stampin' Up open house, brads, stamps, ribbon.... a little of everything.

The right side is more of the same. Card recipe, a flower die, my reading glasses, an empty glass (for painting), cards received, papers, a Tombow in need of a refill, hand cream, and more miscellany.

Here's a close up of the thank you clips I made for people who ordered from me in July.  It is a clothes pin wrapped with baker's cording and thank you piece that could be reused on a card.  I made quite a number of these since other people found the new catalog as exciting as I did.

Remember proper labeling is key to good organization.

The Fine Print: Really the fish tank in the background is not cloudy. I'm not sure why it photographed that way.  Thank you clip parts by A Muse Studio. Stamps-Friends Fur-ever and Hand Scripted greeting with Bermuda baker's cording (which is thicker thank baker's twine).

Monday Musings

I have some quirks that can be a real wet blanket.  My mother and I used to love to go look at model homes or open houses.  We had no intention of moving but it appealed to our inner voyeur.  We loved to see how other people were living.

We would walk around the house and say where we would put what furniture, notate who would get what room and comment on different things about the house.  It was great fun...  ...but then I got my quirk.

I would look at the large mudroom entrance and think what a waste of space.  I see cathedral ceilings and wonder who the hell was willing to pay to heat and cool it.  I'd eyeball enormous western facing windows and pity the fool that had to deal with it.  I'd scoff at enormous sprawling bathrooms.  I'd peer into long deep set cabinets and feel sorry for whoever tried to store stuff "way back there."

That quirk has practical elements to it even though I still have no intention to move. It shows I'm in touch with reality.  But some of this reality-based practicality is just stupid, especially as it pertains to crafting.

Take this card for example.  It was a RAK to me from a friend and I love it.  I sent her that marbled blue paper so I'm glad to see she got some use out of it.  I love that it is a happy garden scene and I love that she added in a punch art butterfly for an embellishment.

Would I make a card like that? No way! Why? Because that's the Butterfly That Ate Manhattan!  That thing is bigger than the mailbox!  That thing could take you out!!!  It isn't proportional.  I can enjoy looking at it, but I couldn't make it.  Yet, think about it...  Proportional sized butterflies would be too small to make an impact on this card.  And it's art so you "get" that this depicts a butterfly filled garden, not some B-horror movie.  So what I need to do, is get the heck over it.

The Fine Print: Butterfly that ate Manhattan punch by Martha, other than that I have no clue.  Someone told me that was an OCD tendency but I'm not sure I buy it since I lack other OCD traits like calling it CDO because that is in correct alphabetical order.

Best Fishes

In keeping with the seaside theme I've been in lately--it's the lack of water here in the desert that makes us crave the sea methinks--I thought I'd share an underwater card today.

This is one of those cards that evolved as it went.  First it was going to be one thing but then that changed, which required that to change and then this happened and we did that, and here we are (you followed that, right?!).

I feel like I've been using a lot of  kraft lately. I guess I've finally learned to embrace it.

The Fine Print: All Products by A Muse Studio unless otherwise noted. Stamps used-Keep Swimming (retired) and Oceans of Joy (Hero Arts). Cardstock used-kraft and sky. Inks used-grass, sky, Bermuda, and Tuxedo black (Memento). Other products-Bermuda mist and Spica glitter pen.

Sea Shells by the Sea Shore

I made this card for my big stamp club's mystery item challenge.  This month the mystery item was the small sand dollar.  This was more dimensional than our usual mystery items, but a fun one nonetheless.  There were lots of beach and sea themed cards, but not all of them.

The Fine Print: Most products by A Muse Studio unless otherwise noted.  Stamps used-Seashells. Cardstock used-kraft, sky and sugar. Ink used-Sky and Blue Martini Mist (Memories) . Other products-Spellbinders circle die, pink washi tape (retired a|s), script washi tape (Tim Holtz), and doily from my stash.

Oh... Fish Farts!

My large stamp club meets tomorrow and our card exchange theme is step cards.  People were asking for directions and dimensions but were told that there is a huge variety of styles and sizes so they should pick what suits them.

I went for short and squat, you know, a dimension I can relate to.

I hemmed and hawed over doing more to the card than this. I fussed with layers, sequins, other papers, etc. In the end I kept it simple.  If you can call lengthening the bottom border and gluing all those little pieces on 'simple.'

This is the inside greeting.  But, of course.  I hope people won't be sad by my extra simple card today.  And if they are sad, well, fish farts!

The Fine Print: Bug eyed fish stamp by The Stamp Mill, greeting by Om Studios, bubble border and small bubble dies by Memory Box.

Ahoy, Matey!

I CASEd this card from the latest A Muse Studio catalog because I liked it so much. I did make a couple of changes.  I made my boat brown (theirs is red) and I changed the greeting since I don't have the set theirs came from.  I really like the constellation designer paper. It works great with this card.

The Fine Print: All supplies by A Muse Studio except where noted. Stamps used-Anchors Aweigh. Cardstock used-kraft, sugar, sky, and navy petite pinstripe. Inks used-Cocoa and Memento Paris dusk (my a|s navy pad need to be reinked). Other supplies-fiesta designer paper, medium scallop border die, toffee twine and common staple.

Wednesday Workdesk

It is time to partake in Julia's What's on Your Workdesk blog hop where I'll show you mine even if you don't show me yours.  Here is my workdesk as of this morning:

Picked up like it usually is on Wednesday, but with a few more things piled on it than usual. There is some fishy paper for a swap card, some candle dies to experiment with, sample cards to show off, clothespins to make a thank you gift with, and a zippered pouch of fun new embellishments to play with.

Above is the Saturday desk, which is more exciting. I had just finished making two of those boat cards you see there.  I have daubers, designer paper, the donuts from last week, paper straws, the catalog I copied from, toffee twine, dies, my glasses, and just a random sampling of things.

I thought I'd share my Sunday desk with you as well to show you that creativity happens all weekend (if I'm lucky).  You see a birthday card front and center, many of the same things piled up along the right side of the desk, ribbons, papers, dies, and more random stuff.

New toys from the local scrapbook store. It is Blue Moon Scrapbooking which is an on-line place but their warehouse is in town and you can visit and shop it when they are open.

I broke down and bought three of the new A Muse inks even though I said I wouldn't. I'm not really an ink person, but I did want my A Muse customers to see the new inks combined with the new papers. 

Last, but not least is a card since I'm all about card making.  My friend set me this to show me what she made with her new stamp set. I love it! I love that the ladies have their toes in the waves. I think the water might be a bit nippy though, what do you think?!

The Fine Print: There is a lot of miscellaneous on my desk so if you want to know about something, just ask.  The inks are (clockwise) azul, marigold, and hibiscus. The ladies are from the Bathing Beauties set by A Muse and the waves folder is by Darice (you know I had to get one too!).

A Whiff of Spring

I guess yesterday's spring chorus post got me thinking spring.  It certainly isn't the thermostat (145 F or so... maybe).

I thought I'd share this card I made I made earlier this month when the A Muse catalog first came out.  It is in the new catalog but it isn't new. I find the new catalog so exciting that it made me want to play with my old stuff as well.  This is a large stamp and up until now I hadn't cropped it down for a card and thought it was high time I did so.

Apparently I'm not the only one thinking off season stuff though.  A coworker posted a photo of Halloween stuff in a store she saw this past weekend and A Muse is gearing up for a Christmas in summer sale:

They are going to put their remaining retired holiday stamps sets on sale for a whopping 40% off starting August 1.  There is a cool set with a disco ball that I somehow never managed to acquire back when it was shiny and new but it will be mine now.  Or at least soon....

The Fine Print: I'd also like a disco ball for my living room. It would be more for the cat and not me, but it would entertain me watching the cat chase all the spots of light.  Or maybe his brain would just explode.  That might be entertaining too as long as I didn't have to clean up afterward.  Daffodil stamp by A Muse Studio, floral oval die by Spellbinders, photo corners by Recollections, and designer paper from my stash (which is code for 'who knows').

Make Up Monday: Spring Chorus Edition

Least you think I've run out of blasts from the pasts to regale you with, here are some cards that have been lying around since spring.

Of 2013.  Or maybe even 2012.  Possibly even 1997.  Who can say for sure, except it wasn't this past spring.

Unless it was.  I find time to be a real slippery thing.

I think I even have more of this kit lying around.  However, that's another story for another day.

The Fine Print: Cards and parts by Club Scrap "Spring Chorus" kit, except for that obnoxious green and green and yellow striped washi tape which magically appeared and may never be used again because I don't much care for it.

The Tree

This tree branch and leafy canopy, along with a heart canopy, were my first ever tree dies. I was excited to have such a big leafy tree.  Then I realized that all it does is cut leaf shaped holes into you paper.  I mean sure you could piece all those leaves onto your card around the tree branches in a pleasing manner if you were insane.

Apparently I'm insane because I decided to try that die inlay technique with it, which is the basically the same thing.  It was my first time doing the die inlay technique, because of you are going to do it, do it big, right?  After the 4 weeks it took me to put all the leaves back into the holes I thought, "Now what?"

You sponge the sky, add some birds, grass that needs mowing and a greeting, of course. Here's a close up of the inlaidedness (which is a word because I said so).

The Fine Print: Twiggy Tree, Leafy Canopy, and Resting Birds by Memory Box. grass by A Muse Studio, corner punch by unknown (from back in the day before stamp companies figured out that people are going t want to know who made it) and greeting by Stampendous.

Sip of Summer

I was going to work on and share with you a Christmas card that had sequins on it but I don't feel like doing that.  Instead I think I'll share with you something totally summery without sequins.

I would like to make note that although I called this a summery card you are in no way, shape, or form obligated to reserve your margarita drinking for the summer. You may imbibe all year 'round.  Cuz I'm easy like that.

I'd also like to not that I was inspired by someone else's card (another a|s consultant) to make this card.  I don't remember who otherwise I would give her credit.

The Fine Print: All products by A Muse, although some are retired.  Stamp set used-Squeeze the Day. Cardstock used-Sugar, sage, blue petite polka dot (retired). Other products-Scalloped rectangles, Squeeze the Day dies (retired), glue pen and diamond glitter.  How do the stamps stay but the dies retire you ask?  The place they got the dies from became cost prohibitive.

To B or not to B

Over at the Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers the latest alphabet challenge is all about the Letter B.  The letter B can stand for many things: bourbon, bongos, blowtorch, bursitis, burlesque... But this time it stands for Brads or Buttons.

Here's Edna (Queen Bee of Snarky Sisters) surrounded by buttons and brads and Brads.  I know the one Brad is Brad Spit but am clueless who the other Brad is.  But I do know all about buttons and brads so I'd best go that route.  I hope I don't get any backlash because I did only one button.

Behold my one button prominently displayed to be seen by billions! What do you mean you see three little white buttons?  Those aren't buttons! Those are brads!  I'm talking about the button that is in the middle of the card.  By gosh, you still don't see it?  How about now?

Yes! I chose the Belly Button for this challenge.  Those button shaped brads, that's just coincidence.

The Fine Print: Stamp by Door County Rubber Stamps, button brads by unknown, "scallops" created with an EK Success circle punch, and paper from my stash.  Quit yer belly achin' you baby, that right there, that's comedy. Hubby says the other Brad is Bradley Pooper.

Tea for Two

I felt like making something pink and girly today.  Usually when I get that feeling I lie down until it passes but today I decided to go for it.

I was a bit worried over the green card base as I put this together but I think it works since it mimics the green of the leaves.  Originally I was going to put the teapot and cups directly on the patterned paper but they got lost in the pattern so I put a bit of solid color behind them to help them pop.  I didn't want to cover up too much of that wonderfully girly background paper though.

Here is something else girly--I got crowned princess over at the Snarky Sisters challenge blog for my decidedly ungirly steampunk frog.  Princesses and Sisterhood, that's girly right?!

The Fine Print: All products by A Muse Studio.  Stamp sets used--Aren't You Sweet and You're Too Kind. Cardstock used--grass, grapefruit, shell and sugar.  Other products--Everything's Rosy designer paper and shell pearl stickers.  I also think of the tea stamp set as 'the Mother's Day' set since it does have that greeting, but this card proves it can be used outside the Mother's Day holiday.

Workdesk #267

No, this is not the 267th time I've shown my workdesk, but it is the 267th time that the What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday blog hop has happened.  Follow the link and check it out.  Don't be surprised if you get hooked though as it is oddly addicting (but not fattening!).

Above is the shot of my desk in action.  I have my dies, inks, and Copics out and was working to finish off a pastel-centric kit I had lying around. You can follow that link to see the final pastel products if you are so inclined.  Yes that means that this action shot of my desk was taken last Saturday.

That's because this photo below is how it looks right now this very second.  It's not very exciting.  No one on this blog hop likes a clean desk.  I've even heard that it's a sign of a sick mind.

There's nothing of interest on my desk except some doughnuts.  Or is is donuts?  Both seem to be acceptable spellings.  One of these days they will be made into cards.  I have two Southern Sass sayings that I am torn between using on my doughnut cards.

I can either use "Lord have mercy" or "Gimme some sugar."  Which would you be more likely to say when encountering a trio of cavity inducing chocolate sprinkled iced donuts?

The Fine Print: I didn't play much over the weekend so not much to share with you which is good to keep my post size down so I don't lull you all into a coma.  Doughnut/Donut stamps by A Muse Studio "Sprinkled with Love Set."

Sparkle Sparkle!

I just invented a new product! It's called Sparkle Spackle (which is what my fingers kept insisting this post be called).  It is spackle mixed with glitter, for when you want your patched holes to be FAH-bulous.  It's a big hit with all the landlords.

Or maybe it's not, but I'll bet this card is a big hit with all the landlords... assuming they like pink and glittery things.  I used the burnished glitter technique on the diamond.  It's an old technique I forgot existed until Leslie at The Crooked Stamper reminded me.  And yes, one of these days I promise to try the technique that had her burnishing glitter in the first place. But for now we're just making things shiny.

Yeah, that's hard to focus on but look! How. Shiny!

I did the burnished glitter over the lady on this card too.  It was a different kind of glitter and gave a much subtler shimmer to the image.  I added in a stripe of red glitter for some interest and really like how that turned out.

The Fine Print: All products by A Muse Studio except the renegade glitter on the bottom card by In The Making "Crystal Glitter Ritz" and the double sided sticky sheet by Grafix. Stamps used--Shine Bright and Bathing Beauties.  Cardstock used--grapefruit petite polka dot, onyx chevron, sweetheart cherry, onyx, and sugar. Other supplies--labels 1 die (made by Spellbinders, but A Muse sells it), sugar pearl stickers, cherry sequins, diamond and cranberry glitter and spica glitter pen (over the words 'sparkle' and 'glitter' but you can't see in these photos).

Make Up Monday Bday Cards

Just a short Make Up Monday today with a couple of cards to share.  These are a couple additional cards I received for my birthday (back in May) and never got around to sharing.  They are too cool to leave out so here they are now.

The Fine Print: Is it just me or is that apple loving hedgehog look like he is up to something???!  Maybe he spiked the birthday punch.

Pastel 'til you Puke

I decided I needed to finish up with that baby making kit I've had lying on my desk.... wait, that baby making thing doesn't quite sound right... it was to make cards and a gift bag and yes, if you've been reading my blog you know I broke that out awhile ago and no, I still haven't finished it.

Or I hadn't.  Until now. Wash my hands of it; it is done. Stick a fork in it; it's done! Toss the plastic bag it was in before the cats chew it to death (what is wrong with them?!).

I didn't make the gift bag. I turned it into two cards instead.

And no more baby stamps since I believe the great baby stampede of 2014 is done at work.  We hope. I can't be caught buying any more diapers.  It skews my grocery store coupons for weeks!

The Fine Print: Stamps by Penny Black "Spring Air" and "Buzz in the Air."  Shaped dies by Spellbinders and leafy vine dies by Cheery Lynn.

White & Green Merry Monday

Since it's gloomy and gray and only 101 F today (darn cold snap) I figured what better way to celebrate the day than by joining Merry Monday, which I haven't done in a coon's age.

As you can see by their graphic this week the challenge is to use white and green.  You should be sure to check out the inspiration cards that the design team made because they came up with some elegant and classy white and green creations.  Me, I went for whimsical.

I actually remembered that I own embossing folders and used one!  I think it was Wendy's card (design team) that jarred my memory but I'm glad that it did.  For one thing I didn't have to clamor around looking for a green colored piece of designer Christmas paper (that's too much like work) and for another I like the look of it.  So Merry Monday on a Saturday to all y'all!

The Fine Print: Merry Elves Set and Petals A'Plenty folder by Stampin' Up, grosgrain ribbon by DeNami, glitter mat piece by DCWV, papers and brad from my stash.  I gotta go find my mittens now before I get frostbite!

Totes Cool

In honor of absolutely nothing, have a card with a goat on it.

This is the card I made for my big stamp club's mystery item challenge.  The mystery item was the punched grass. I showed you the card I received (the nurse with the enormous eyelashes).  I know it isn't very clever to used punched grass as grass, but it was all I had.  At least I used a silly goat and put a sillier saying on the inside:

Stay tuned for the winner of my July 1 A Muse Challenge..... drumroll please!   The winner selected by Random Org is.....  BECKY EVANS!  She would buy the bubble blowing girl set.  That one is definitely on my wish list as well!

The Fine Print: Totes cool goat by Paper Smooches as are the funky letters.  Stitched circle die by MFT, scallop and regular circles by Spellbinders.  Designer paper by Simple Stories "DIY Boutique."

I'm a Happy Camper

Since I'm loving the new A Muse Studio catalog, of course I have to play with it some more. I just love this new set called Happy Camper.  In fact, it makes me a happy camper.

I love the retro camper and the fun trees. I'll be able to make lots of fun nature scenes with them.  They do have matching dies but I forgot to order them.  Well, there is always next time!

Just a reminder that today is the last day to join my giveaway on my July 1 post.  All you have to do is check out the new catalog and tell me what tickles your fancy and leave a comment about it.  You have until the end of the month if you want to get in on my drawing for the Hola Amigo stamp set.  For that one you have to place an order of $25 or more (pre-tax and shipping) at my on-line store.

The Fine Print: All products by A Muse Studio.  Stamp sets used--Happy Camper and Silver Lining. Cardstock used--sugar, sky, fern, wasabi petite polka dot.