BIG NEWS for A Muse Addicts!!!!

We (Michelle Clark, Rhonda Maynard, Jennie Moczan, and myself) are PROUD to launch new home for the A Muse Addicts Group. Yahoo is no more!



You must register to join and we request that you supply us with your mailing address and birthday so that cards and such may be sent to you. If you don't want to do that, just fill it in with No Thanks or zeros.

We are so excited about this. We hope you can join us over there for lots of things:
* CHALLENGES
* SWAPS
* CONTESTS
* PRIZES (did I mention PRIZES)
* FRIENDSHIP
* STAMPING, STAMPING, STAMPING!

Shut Up... It's Your Birthday... Thud

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JULIE! Yes, Ms. JulieHRR, have a Splendiferous Day! Hugs!

I figured Julie needed a little something to play with. Here is a spinner card that I made just for her. The stars spin around Elzy. The tutorial for spinner cards and many other interactive cards can be found on Splitcoast here.

The inside, which I clearly forgot to photograph, says "Shut Up!... It's Your Birthday... THUD".

Does anyone you know say things like that? Hmmm....

This card below is by my fellow A Muse Addict Sister, Donna Gotsch. We needed somewhere to showcase her work! Julie, this is for you from Donna!

And this one was made by another A Muse Addict sister of mine from the Dominican Republic, Ericka Kunhardt.

So, maybe the rest of you have sensed a theme going on here? Look around, maybe you'll see more!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JULIEHRR!

Upcoming Valentine Sparkle Class

Here is one of the cards we are going to make this Saturday in the Valentine Sparkle class at Memory Depot. Hope to see you there!

A Muse class this Saturday - slots open!

Just wanted to let you know that the 4-6pm "Valentine Sparkle" class at Memory Depot this Saturday still has some spaces available!

We'll make 6 cards just in time for Valentine's Day and they all have some kind of sparkle to them ;)! Glitter at someone else's place is so much more fun to use than in your own house!

Come join me!

Driving by...

Well, I'm trying to make some more cards with the Elzybells. I haven't used them all yet! The problem is that I can't get some of the AWESOME cards that I saw during the sneak peeks last week out of my head! I'm not looking to CASE them but maybe I just will have to settle for that!

Michelle and Heather, both on the A Muse team, created 2 cards that I've sorta meshed together into my "own" fabrication. After I saw Heather's paper piecing on the car, I had to try that. And well, my card is basically the same as Michelle's layout only flip-flopped.

I do like this little car Elzybell. She goes with so many of the A Muse stamps. So cute! Everything is on dimensionals - the sentiment block, the sun, and the car! I should probably hand deliver this card, eh?


Images by A Muse and Elzybells NA.
Card stock by A Muse
Accessories include black and white gingham ribbon by Stampin' Up!, basic black brads by Stampin' Up!, Dimensionals by Stampin' Up!, Atyou Spica Glitter Pens, White Sharpie Poster Paint Pen, Copic Markers, Martha Stewart Punch (for the sun)

Quick Birthday Card

My BFF from high school turns 40 this weekend. Yep, 40. This is our year. Well, we pretty much send each other cards for Christmas and birthdays at this point in our lives. It's nice that we still stay in touch.

Anyway, I needed to make her a birthday card and I hadn't used my Birthday Elzybell yet! Did you see the release last week? Oh my!

Here's my super quick card....

Images from Elzybells NA and A Muse; Card stock from A Muse; Chocolate Chip Wide Grosgrain from Stampin' Up; Twinkle stickers by A Muse; Ticket corner punch from Stampin' Up!; White Sharpie Poster Paint Pen; Adirondack Espresso Ink, Adirondack Pitch Black ink; Corner Rounder punch from Stampin' Up!, Copic Markers, Spica Red and Clear pens

Happy Birthday, dear friend!

MARCH 2008 - Afternoon A Muse in class in MARCH cancelled

I just realized earlier this week, that my March 22nd class at Memory Depot is on Easter Weekend! DOH! I WILL have the morning class and yesterday there were 2 or 3 slots left. I am canceling the 1-3pm class because of Egg Hunting with my boys! I *think* they might just be mad at me if I don't do that with them!

I'm so sorry for the inconvenience. I hope you can make it to the morning class that day!

Thanks so much!

p.s. my updated schedule is at the top of my blog.

Another card from the Love is in the Air class

This past Saturday was my Love is in the Air class at Memory Depot, here is Austin. If you missed it and want to take a Valentine's Day class, there is still some room in the Valentine Sparkle classes on February 2nd!

Here is card #2 from the set:

Images and card stock from A Muse, Lavender and Black Spica Pens, Twinkle Circles, Sakura Stardust Pen, Tombo markers, A Muse ribbon

Guess how much I love you?

If you have children in your life, you most probably know this book, Guess How Much I Love You. Ever since I saw the Valentine's Day release by A Muse and the stamp, "I love you to the moon and back", I've wanted to make this card. Well, it took some planning because I didn't have Big Nutbrown Hare and Little Nutbrown Hare (A Muse images: Hoppy and bunny tail). I had to submit adoption papers, etc. and get them to come live with me. ;) Ah, and today was my lucky day... I finally got to make this card.

Hope you like it.

Images: all A Muse artstamps
Card stock: Lime Green Band Card by A Muse
Accessories: Adirondack Pitch Black Ink, Copic Markers, Spica Glitter Pens, 1" circle punch

ETA: These bunnies have White Fun Flock on their bunny tails!

Elzybells, Friendship Collection now available!

Check them out here:

Elzybells NA

Elzybells NA Sneak Peek #4

Here is my sneak peek #4. You've probably seen this image already but I had to make this card. The thing I like about tomorrow's release of Elzybells is that they are all so versatile and can be used year around. I need to send more friendship type cards. Do you send those?

Here's my card:


Are you enjoying the sneaks? One more sleep until the reveal!

Elzybells NA Sneak Peek #3

Wohoo! I really do like these images. Have you seen everyone else's creations? The Elzybells blog has a sneak peek for you, as does many of the Elzybells Design Team, the A Muse Design Team and the Instructor Team (see the A Muse Crew on the right for links). There are so many great images in this release. We were allowed to make any creations we wanted from any of them. It is interesting to me that some of us are picking the same images!

Today's sneak peek was fun for me. I had the "vision" of it in my head for a while. With the use of my handy Xacto Knife, it came to fruition. The only problem is I have that "Just Swingin'" song from the 80's in my head. Ack!

Hope you like it!


Stay tuned for more sneaks tomorrow! The release will be on Friday on the Elzybells blog.

Elzybells NA Sneak Peek #2

Day 2 of the sneak peeks! Which ones have you seen?

Here's my 2nd sneak peek.



This release of Elzybells will be on the Elzybells NA blog on Friday. Be sure to check it out.b

Elzybells NA Sneak Peek #1

Oh my goodness! I absolutely love this release. I can't wait for you to see them all this Friday. But until then, these sneak peeks will have to do...


Be sure to check out the Elzybells NA blog, all of the Elzybells designers, the A Muse designers, and of course, my fellow A Muse instructors! You're bound to see lots of different things....

Post a comment here and let me know what you think about these stamps. I'm dying to see what you gals think of the new release!

Two-reffic Tag game

Not. Thanks to Michelle, I have been tagged for this HARD game.

The rules are that you have to answer these questions and then come up with my own question that asks about 2 of something and finally, tag two people.

Here goes...

1. Name your 2 favorite Stamping (changed from Scrapbooking topics) techniques: Starburst and Embossing with classic (dye) ink
2. What are the 2 best places you've been to: Banff, Canada and Kauai, Hawaii or Hong Kong (hard to pick)
3. Name 2 things you do everyday: check my email and brush my teeth
4. Tell us 2 things that everyone pretty much already knows about you: used to be an Engineer and I like to tell stories
5. 2 places you wish to visit: Greece and Australia
6. 2 things you may not know about me are: I don't like seafood and I get my eyebrows threaded (not waxed)
7. 2 nicknames you've had at some time in your life: um, no.
8. Name 2 of your favorite drinks: Starbucks Frappucinos and Diet Coke
9. Name 2 interesting (good or bad) jobs you've had in your life: Activity Director at a Nursing Home, A Muse instructor ;)
10. What are 2 things you would like to learn: how to live with less and how to relax
11. What 2 things would make your scrapping/stamping workspace work even better for you: A holder for my Copic markers and more time in it
12. What are 2 of your favorite stamp companies: A Muse and Papertrey ink!
13. What are your 2 favorite stores: A Muse and Coldwater Creek
14. What are your 2 favorite accessories to stamp/scrapbook with: Ribbon and glitter
15. What are your 2 favorite occasions to make cards for: Christmas and Halloween
16. What 2 times are the best for you to get stamping done: Late at night and weekends.
17. What are the last two cd’s you bought or two artists you downloaded: Enchanted Soundtrack and High School Musical 2 Soundtrack (oh, geez!)
18: What are your two favorite colors: Purple (deep) and Navy
19. What are 2 of your favorite things to wear: sweatshirt and jeans

My question:
20. Name your favorite tv shows: Grey's Anatomy and October Road

Now, my two people to tag:
Elena and Nicole

Upcoming Hugs and Kisses class

Here is one of the cards from the Hugs and Kisses class at Stamp Salado on Jan. 27th. Maybe you can join me? I think there are a few seats left!

The new release of Elzybells sneak peeks start tomorrow! I LOVE them all... I think you will too. So CUTE!

Upcoming Love is in the Air class

Here is one of the cards we'll be making next week at Memory Depot for the Love is in the Air class.


Stay tuned... more sneak peeks from my upcoming classes AND starting Monday, the new release of Elzybells!

New A Muse class sections added!

Just wanted to let you know that additional sections of the A Muse classes at Memory Depot have been added to their schedule (and mine!). Hope that this works with your schedules! Call them today - space is limited and filling up fast!

The following are the new sessions that were added today:

• Feb 2nd 4-6 Valentine Sparkle, Memory Depot, Austin, TX
• Feb 23rd 4-6 Just for Friends, Elzybells Style, Memory Depot, Austin, TX
• Mar 22nd 1-3 Spring Bling, Memory Depot, Austin, TX

For my entire teaching schedule for Austin and Salado, Texas, please see the top of my blog.

THANK YOU EVER SO MUCH! I can't wait to see you at one of these classes!

Stampin' Tip?

Hey, did you see my stamping tip and the Card of the Week on the A Muse Weekly Newsletter? If you haven't, here's how you can subscribe to the FREE e-newsletter. It's full of great designs and samples from the A Muse design team!

SU! Stamps for sale - PRICES REDUCED

I've marked down the prices on the retired sets I have for sale. They can be seen on the right side of my blog in the Paypal storefront. Here is a list of them just in case you want to see it without looking through the store:

NUM = new, unmounted
NM = new, mounted, never used

Prices do not include shipping and buyer to pay shipping, if mailing is needed. Paypal is preferred but not the only payment method.

Stamp Set	Price	Quantity	Condition
a light heart	$12.00	1	used
aida cloth	$10.00	1	sold
all the best	$10.00	1	used
balmy breezes	$12.00	1	used
booglie eyes	$12.00	1	sold
business boosters	$15.00	1	NM
by design	$6.00	1	used
delight in life	$8.00	1	used
eclectic bg	$6.00	1	used
elegant inspirations	$12.00	1	sold
event full	$10.00	1	NUM
expressive flexible phrases	$25.00	1	NUM
figures of speech	$10.00	1	sold
french script	$10.00	1	used
fun filled	$10.00	1	used
happy harmony	$9.00	1	used
happy harmony	$9.00	1	sold
holiday blocks	$12.00	1	sold
holiday spirit	$10.00	1	sold
I'm here	$16.00	1	sold
it's snow time	$22.00	1	used
label classics	$12.00	1	used
letterpress alphabet	$28.00	1	NUM
loving hearts	$12.00	1	sold
oh so lovely	$10.00	1	sold
on the spot	$10.00	1	used
quick thinking	$7.00	1	used
riveting	$12.00	1	sold
sassy stems	$12.00	1	used
simple shapes	$12.00	1	used
simply circles	$10.00	1	used
so many sayings	$14.00	1	NUM
so very	$12.00	1	NUM
solemn stillness	$22.00	1	sold
stinkin' cute	$12.00	1	sold
tags so much	$14.00	1	NUM
the world over	$8.00	1	sold
very punny	$10.00	1	used
warmest regards	$12.00	1	NUM
well worn words	$10.00	1	used
whimiscal alphabet upper	$20.00	1	used

Thanks for looking. If you have any questions, please ask!

Copic Markers - my very own test for the lazy stamper

I do not claim to be any kind of expert on Copics. I've just had mine for a little while and finally got around to playing with them last week! But last night I did some testing...

So, you've probably all read all sorts of tips and tricks from the JulieHRR and Ellen Hutston about these wonderful markers. IMHO, these markers are fabulous. I didn't realize I would love them so much. I have a lot of marker sets and this is by far by favorite.

I've read all sorts of stuff about them and the main thing I found is that you need to let your ink sit for a while to dry before coloring it in OR heat set it with your heat gun and then color. Hmm. Those ideas don't work too well for me - the lazy stamper.

Let's talk about lazy for a second. I'm a simple stamper. If it takes too long to do or too much to get setup, etc. then I won't do it. Don't get me wrong, I love to emboss, etc. but I prep once and then make a ton of stuff that way. This doesn't work well in a classroom environment like my A Muse classes. Also, as you know, I have 2 small boys. Well, I don't keep the door to my studio closed and I rarely put stuff away in there. My boys are very good at not going in there and messing with my stuff (knock on wood!). There are some things I don't leave laying around though like scissors, especially the pointy ones, and my heat gun. I don't leave it plugged in and it's actually not even out (it resides in a drawer next to my work space). So, getting it out to heat set my black ink to color something is just not going to happen.

Ah, so began my quest to find the right ink (if there is such a thing) that will work with these markers and not have to be heat set. I read and read and talked and talked to people. Well, the other day, I'm chatting with kasevers online and I knew she's a Copic user (that sounds bad, doesn't it?! ;)). She tells me that she uses Adirondack by Ranger and that she read this article on Ellen Hutson's blog. WHAT? How did I miss that? Well, it was back in August. I wasn't paying attention to Copics then. Yeah, that's my excuse.

So, of course, I decided that I needed to do the test myself with A Muse images and with A Muse white card stock. And if you're still reading this, here's what I found...

I tested 6 black inks on A Muse white card stock with 4 Copic Originals and with Boris (and I purposely went over the lines a bit to see what happened):

*Adirondack pitch black
*Versafine onyx black
*Palette noir black
*Archival Ink jet black
*Stazon jet black
*Brilliance graphite black





Now, I know that those 6 pads are all different (dye, pigment, solvent) but I wanted to try all that I had (except the Stampin' Up! Black - which mine is purple :( ).

I stamped each individually, did NOT heat set, colored with Copics as fast as I could and sat back and analyzed ;).

The Results:

*Adirondack pitch black - did not bleed, feather, run or anything; Perfection!
*Versafine onyx black - almost worked but the black in Boris' hair ran a bit when the Copic went over it
*Palette noir black - black in Boris' hair ran a bit when the Copic went over it
*Archival Ink jet black - ick
*Stazon jet black - yuck
*Brilliance graphite black - oh, heavens no

Again, I'm not claiming that this is the end-all-be-all, there are many more experienced people out there than I but I do think I found my solution! Hope this helps.

One of those Duh moments.

So, I thought I came up with a cute, simple, idea for my thank cards from Christmas. Hmm, well, design is 90% but EXECUTION is still a GOOD SOLID 10%. And on my little test to see if the stamp fit the punch, it DID. Not so much when the assembly line was in full motion. But about 3 cards into it, I had my "duh" moment. And um, well, made the punch fit the stamp. Now, seriously, what has happened to my brain. I seem to be doing duh things like this a lot more after the ant bit incident. Hmm. I still stand on the idea that some needed brain cells got lost that night. Hmm.

Well, on to my card. I'm so proud of myself... I actually used some of my stuff I hadn't yet... Copics, Spicas (ok, so I've used these for a few days now but still), Nestabilities (hard to see in the picture but the black square has an embossed square on it), and the Cuttlebug snowflake folder (bought this Christmas 2006 - HAD to have it!).

I do like this color combo... as in, I liked it so much for my Christmas Cards that I thought it was appropriate to use for this type of card. :)

All images by A Muse Artstamps and Elzybells NA Card stock by Stampin' Up! Ink: Versafine Black Accessories: SU! Word Window punch, Copics, Square Nestabilities, Spicas, Sakura Stardust Pen, Dimensionals, Cuttlebug, Snowflakes embossing folder

Isn't that penguin SO cute? I just love him!

Reflection.

Today would have been my father's 77 birthday. In June, he'll be gone 10 years. TEN YEARS. I can hardly believe it. So many things have changed but so many have stayed the same. There's nothing sad about any of this except that he never met my children. He would have really enjoyed them. And as my husband told my son today, he would have spoiled them rotten!

As I was thinking about him today, I thought about how he made one decision in his life that had so much to do with my life today. I'm certain that he and my mother made all sorts of decisions that led me to be the person I am today but this particular decision is the one I thought of today.

When I was 11 years old, we lived in Ontario, Canada. My parents decided to move to Texas then. That one decision impacted my life in so many ways. Sure, he could have decided to move to Kansas and maybe my life would have be similar - who knows? But so many things have come from us moving here. I went to and graduated from the University of Texas with an Electrical Engineering degree. I went there because it has a GREAT Engineering school but I also went there because it was close to home. I met my husband there. How very blessed I am for this. We decided to stay in the area because my family is here and we love Austin so much. Then came our boys. Well, ok, so I can't talk/write about that.

I'm trying to make a point. Here's another story. A year ago at Thanksgiving, my then 4 year old's preschool class was on television for "getting kid's advice about Thanksgiving". It was super cute and they all did so well. I wrote a note to the preschool director after this aired on television. I told her I was so thankful that she picked my son's class to do the tv spot. I said, you made one decision today that impacted lives all around the world. To her, she made a decision about which class she should volunteer. To me, my 94 year old great uncle halfway across the world in India, got to see his great-great nephew sing on tv (web telecast). To me, that one decision she made impacted my family's life.

Alright, so, what's my point, you ask? In January, we all do a lot of resolving, starting over, etc. I do a lot of reflecting, too. Maybe you do too. Where am I now, what have I learned, etc., how can I better myself. Well, with today's reflection about my dad (and consequently, the tv thing), I think making choices and decisions regardless how small or big are important. Tomorrow, I wish for you to think about one decision you make and see how it might impact others around you. It may not but it might. Maybe all you will do is think about this post. And that's ok too. Please, don't feel sorry for me. My dad was a great man. I miss him but I have the greatest memories and part of him is in my children. I so see him daily. ;)

Thanks for listening.

Blog Candy Winner!!

Random.org picked Amy H as the winner of my most recent blog candy - the to resolve or not to resolve post.

Amy, please email me and we'll chat about what set you want!

Thanks everyone for playing. I REALLY enjoyed reading all of your resolutions. Keep at it! I know I'm going to add some of yours to mine... like use more of what I have!

Loves me? Loves me not? Loves me?

Remember that "game" he loves me, loves me not, where you pull out one petal on the flower (daisy, I think) and let the number of petals decide your destiny for you? LOL.

Well, I had that in my mind and I wanted to "recreate" it in a card. This is another for the Julie's A Muse team's monthly challenge (to create an interactive card with A Muse's new Valentine's day images). It's one of those view master cards. The directions are on Splitcoast.

If he does love me, the view master shows hearts. Aww....

Um, well, if doesn't love me, the view master shows "Nuts" from the "Nuts about you" sentiment. Doh!

And apparently, I am very geeky and very addicted to showing you these cards in motion. I can't stop. What would you all think of me, if I didn't show it in motion? LOL.

CLICK ON THIS ONE TO SEE IT MOVE:


All images and card stock by A Muse art stamps
Accessories: CM Circle Cutter, Brad, SU! Scallop Punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, 1" circle punch, Copic markers, Dimensionals, Copic multiliner 0.5 pen

New Elzybells Class!

Just wanted to let you know that I'll be teaching an Elzybells class at Memory Depot in Austin on February 23rd 10a-12p. We'll make six cards using the latest release of Elzybells (the ones coming out soon!). The class is geared around Friendship... so bring a friend and make it a fun, event for everyone!

Call Memory Depot at 512.326.8045 to reserve your spot! Hope to see you there.

ETA 01/09/2008: Registration is now open for this class. Slots are limited! Hope to see you there.

What do you do with the Christmas Cards you receive? Poll results!

First, THANK YOU so much for participating in my poll. A overwhelming 83 of you answered! That's awesome!

WOW! Most of you save your cards, too. That's very impressive. I received an email from Claudia about an organization that is always looking for cards for our devoted soldiers. Here's the link to Cards for Heroes. I think I'll look into this a bit more. I just don't have the space to keep all the stuff I want to keep.... not just cards! LOL!

Anyway, here are the poll results:

Save them. 61%
Throw them away. 10%
Recycle them. 24%
Other. 3%

Thanks again for participating!

What inspires you?

Jennie has a challenge over on the Yahoo A Muse Addicts group to make a card from something that inspires you. Huh? Well, I've been walking around my house, looking at stuff in a different way. Like our plates, for example. Problem is they are all white. Hmm. Stuff in our house is clean lines and simple... like the Danish style, I suppose. So, I walked into my studio and there on the floor was this scrap from one of the card samples I made the other night for my A Muse classes. Hmm, can I use this as inspiration? Don't know if that counts, but I did it anyway.

The A Muse crew has our own challenge of sorts going on and it's to make an interactive card using the new Valentine's Day stamps. So, as you know, I like to make one card fit multiple purposes (the interactive drinking bird card was part of this challenge too). I decided to try to do Jennie's challenge and the A Muse crew challenge together.

The bandit stamp has to be one of my favorite stamps of the new release. And so I used it for this shaker card!

Images and card stock by A Muse
Ribbon by A Muse
Accessories: Copic markers, SU! micro beads, acetate, foam tape, Marvy Giga Scalloped Heart Punch, SU! white craft ink, SU! White embossing powder, heat gun




Now, you want to see it in action, don't you? Just humor me.... click on the picture to the right to see it "shake".

As always, thanks for checking in.

To resolve not to resolve. Sorta. And Blog Candy, too.

Well, as in my life (and has been for much of my adult life), I am a few days late of the resolution "deadline".

So, as I'm sure many of you do, I don't actually "do the resolution thing". Well, sorta. A few years ago, I decided to give up on the ones that we all make because they just made me feel bad when I failed at them. Rather, I decided to make things that will make me feel GREAT if I succeed and not feel poorly if I fail. Some might call them "goals". I still like resolutions better.

I don't like the color red that much. Never have. I'm a cool jewel tone person... sapphire, emerald, etc. Oh, and I love purple - like you didn't know. But the regal purple. Anyway, rubies and garnets aren't on my list. Diamonds, however, are. WHO doesn't like diamonds? One year, I "resolved" to wear more red. The first step, however, was to acquire red. This resolution started out alright. I acquired red and actually forced myself to wear it...something like twice. That resolution failed but I didn't feel badly about it. I tried and then it was done.

Last year (for 2007), I came up with 2 very simple resolutions:
1) Resolution: To actually send out cards to people.
I make them. I should send them. It always brightens my day to receive one. So, I should do that to someone else.
Actual Outcome: I did really well at this but the key was in January 2007, I spent time making address labels for those people that I send to most often. I also kept a birthday list next to the address labels, stamps, etc. I organized that whole thing so that it's easy to do (I got a table top clear, acrylic file folder from the Container Store to sit on my desk - it has a folder for stamps, return address labels, address lists, pre-printed mailing labels, bills, etc.) I figured out that the reason I never sent stuff was that I was "too lazy" to figure out the address, and do all that busy work to get it in the mail. So, I had to come up with something that would make the job easier!

2) Resolution: To make a card EVERY DAY.
So, no, I didn't mean make 1 card each day, I just meant that I should create and do it as often as possible. By now, you may know that I don't make one card at any one time. I make lots at a time. Usually 12 or more. Well, 12 in one sitting counts for 12 days. See? The point here was to make myself create more.
Actual Outcome: I made well over 365 cards last year. But even more that that, is I crafted way more than the year before because of this resolution. It was in my head and it made me create more. That made me happier. And I watched less of the brain-sucking device!

Other crafting things that I am proud that happened:
A) I started this blog. This blog makes me create more of my own stuff and less CASEd work because I didn't want to put up stuff that I copied from others. THAT in of itself is my first and foremost reason for keeping up with it (and all of you, of course ;))!
B) I started the bumper card society with my Stampin' Up! customers/friends. Basically, it's a once-a-month send-a-card to someone on the list program. I had no idea that it would continue through the year and that so many would like it. I have to give thanks to all of you that participated. In August, I took bumper cards to the blog world but playing a game of tag. It was fun to see bumper cards go all over the globe. In September, Bumper Cards hit the A Muse Addicts yahoo group. What fun! I am honored and humbled that this is so successful. It warms my heart.
C) With the help of my friends, Michelle Clark, Jennie Moczan, and Rhonda Maynard, we started a little group of A Muse Addicts on yahoo of maybe 10 people (including us!) and we now have over 200 members and are still growing. I have found some wonderful friends there that share my love for A Muse and also for Starbucks ;)!

Good golly, are you still reading this? Wowza... supposed to be a resolution list not ramblings!

So, on to 2008.... I'm going to keep my 2 from last year:

1) Resolution: To actually send out cards to people.
2) Resolution: To make a card EVERY DAY.
3) Resolution: To do more Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) - I have a plan. Stay tuned.
4) Resolution: To create earlier than later and try to work better without pressure! LOL!

I'm going to start with these. Yes, these are all craft related. The non-crafting ones are a given, aren't they? To be healthier, to spend more time with my kids (although I don't think that's possible!), to be a better wife, friend, daughter, sister, mother, daughter-in-law, sister-in-law, aunt, niece, and LISTENER. Basically, to ENJOY LIFE.

I think it's important to have crafting resolutions. So, in order to get you to make them... guess what? I'm offering up yet another Stampin' Up! retired stamp set from my collection. I will let the winner pick from a list of stamps. Leave a comment here with YOUR REALISTIC CRAFTING RESOLUTIONS - i.e. ones that you promise to try to do. Do this by Monday, January 7th, noon Central Time. I'll pick a winner randomly. Please leave your email address so I can contact you.

This is it. My final challenge entry.

Okay, so here is the last one I did for Jennie's challenge (read about it here). I like this one but being the GEEK that I am, I had to show it in action!

ETA: Please click on the card to see it move. :)


All A Muse images and note cards (some scrap cardstock by SU!).
Copics, dimensionals, file folder punch (SU!), Sakura glaze pen

Jennie, I'm considering myself done! Thanks for making me think upside down and inside out! MWAH!

ETA: So, it's morning now and I realized that I didn't actually write up the "story" behind this card. Must have been in "gotta-get-to-sleep" mode! LOL. Anyway, along with my google research I mentioned below, I also tried to find a picture of one of those "drinking joe" things. Don't google that either. Apparently, they are called "drinking bird" not "joe". Well, I grew up in Ottawa (the Canadian one) and I remember walking by a storefront there when I was little. In the window was a rather large one of those drinking birds, but not the chemically balanced one but the metal one that balances on a little spiky point. You barely touch one end and it makes the bird drink. Anyway, this card was to honor that memory. As always, thanks for listening.

Man, this was hard.

Jennie Moczan, aka MocJen, is in charge of our challenges over on the A Muse Addicts yahoo group. Have you joined yet? This week's challenge was to use an A Muse stamp in a different way than was intended. Many of the addicts have played along. Well, this week, she extended the challenge to the Fab 4, aka us moderators... Michelle, Rhonda, Jennie, and me. The challenge was to use a particular stamp THAT JENNIE PICKED (no, I'm not bitter... not at all!). She picked the very cute "Cup and Saucer" from the new A Muse Valentine's Day release. Now, WHY would you pick that one, Jennie? It's perfect JUST THE WAY it's intended.

Okay, so I've griped and complained to my wit's end to the 3 of them all week. The THREE of them have kicked donkey tail on this challenge. I can not compete. But they pressured me into it. Don't feel sorry for me? Yeah, I didn't think so. Thanks.

Onward. So, all week I've been trying to think of something. I even googled "tea cup, teacup, cup and saucer, etc". I stupidly googled "Coffee, Tea, or Me". Don't do that. Yikes. I thought that was a line from some comedy but that's not exactly what I found. Oops. Tea cup is also a reference to tiny dogs. Did you know that? These are supposed to be the ones smaller than toy dogs. Well, it's not an official name for them but it was in wikipedia... doesn't that make it official? And being the owner of Papillions makes it ok for me to call my smaller than toy dogs, teacups, right? Yeah, that still didn't help me make a card.

So, press on. I stamped the cup and saucer stamp all over a scratch piece of paper. Right-side up, upside down, on it's side, stacked, etc. And then stared. Interestingly enough, upside kinda reminded me of the old rotary phones. Do you remember those?

Alright, it's late. Here's what I ended up with for card number 1:

Little MB Girl is sitting on some 'shrooms! Do you see them or was I just smokin' some? And well the ants are in there just because I had my weekly fire ants shot today.

Did that work? Did I use it for some other than it was intended?
All images by A Muse All card stock by A Muse Copics, SU! inks, SU! ribbon, A Muse ribbon

Did I stop there, you ask? I should have... but no.

Can you guess the reference? Hint... it's a kid movie....

Card number 2:

The quote is handwritten and reads "Mama, There is a girl in the castle!".

Okay, another hint... it's a Disney movie.

Not a great card but sorta a different use for the cup and saucer.


What do you think?

I have one more but I'll put that in a post of it's own.

Egads, this was hard.

Stamps for Sale Storefront thing fixed...

That do dad thing on the right, it's called a "Paypal Storefront" but I've called it lots of other names today. At least in my head because pre-school toys were present. ;). Anyway, I got said thing over there fixed. I think. Can you see the pictures, now? Problem was I always could see them on my pc... in Firefox (my browser of choice!) and even in Exploder (LOL!). But some (ok. most of you using Exploder) of you couldn't. First, recreate the problem. Fire-up the boy's computer... test and test and test... Then, debug to figure out what's actually wrong. THEN HOW TO FIX IT. I have to say, it's a good thing that DH is an engineer too. We speak the same language... that's a beautiful thing (*wink*). I'm so glad he's around. It's been a while since I did any debugging like this. And whew, it's over. I think. I hope.

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy New Year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Here we are. Another year. I've been meaning to post all day but time has flown by today. We've hung around inside because we live in the self-proclaiming ALLERGY CAPITAL OF THE WORLD and today it is so true. My eyes are RED and not from the drinks last night!

We celebrated last night with our best friends at the Melting Pot. Yummy. Everyone else had "real" drinks and well, I had TWO (yes, two) Yin Yangs.... aren't they pretty? They really were milkshakes with some alcohol in them. But they were GOOD.

We came home before midnight because we had inlaws babysitting our 2 boys and my 3 yr. old nephew. The 2 oldest boys (5 and 3) were still up when we got home. Isn't that what a sleepover is all about? Uh, no. It's not. Not at 5 and 3. No. No. No. So, I spent some time laying on the floor in my studio (that's where we set up cots for them to be together) "helping" them to stop talking, getting up, singing, stalling... stalling... stalling...

They were finally asleep at around 11!. So, not to bad, right. Yeah, keep thinking that. My early bird son was still up at the butt-crack of dawn... 6 am, rise and shine! Happy NEW year!

Anyway, I did sneak in to make this card to give to all of you (virtually!). I'll have another post sometime soon about resolutions, of sorts but not tonight.

Here's a card I made to submit for the Yahoo A Muse Addicts group Home Page Contest. Are you a member of our group? Join us.. there's a button on the right over there ----->. It's a ton of fun... lots of inspiration there.

Card details:

Images by A Muse Artstamps
Card stock by Stampin' Up! (basic black, real red, whisper white)
Metal from Making Memories
Accessories: Spica Glitter Pens, Cuttlebug, bubbles embossing folder; Ribbon by A Muse, Silver Cord by May Arts, SU! Silver Eyelet, Crop-a-dile

I wanted to show the sparkle from the champagne. I used the gold spica pens here. If you don't have any of these, you REALLY should get them. You can find them here.

Have a great 2008 and may you have more time to stamp!

Stampin' Up! Retired Sets for sale

Happy New Year!

With today, starts another Stampin' Up! Catalog period, which means it's time to ring out the old and bring in the new! Or something like that ;)....

I've added a paypal store front to my side bar.

Please let me know if you're interested in any of them!

Thanks so much!

Blog Candy winner!

Random.org picked the following:

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

31 

Timestamp: 2008-01-01 18:49:01 UTC

which means Rochelle you WON! Here's what Rochelle said she is thankful for:

Rochelle said...

I am thankful that my daughter and her family are finally her in the USA! She lived in England for 3 years and had 2 beautiful baby girls while she lived there. My grand-daughters, June 2-1/2 and Sophie 1-1/2, are the loves of my life, and I am so happy to have them here.

December 29, 2007 6:43:00 AM CST

Rochelle, please email me and we can figure out what set you want! Thanks!