Friday, June 30, 2006

Love take-out


This is a little booklet I made a few weeks ago and submitted for JustJohanna's DT call. I'm still thinking about ways to use sushi grass!

Stamps by A Muse, design by SLD.

Thursday, June 29, 2006

Not quite how I envisioned it...


but here's my Lady Liberty card!

She's green because well, she is. I visited her years ago and was fortunate enough NOT to walk up all the stairs around the base. I definitely recommend visiting the Statue of Liberty if you ever get a chance.

Wow, the ribbon gods are smiling on me! My coworker just gave me what seems like 30 pounds of ribbon! She unearthed a huge box full of satin and grosgrain ribbon in various colors. I can't even describe the joy I'm feeling. They are a bit dusty but I took care of that by removing the ribbon from their spools. Yay, MORE ribbon! Maybe I can finally start using more American Crafts and Maya Road ribbon from my stash since I have plenty of ribbon for classes now. There's lots of green, white and red ribbon- perfect for the holidays.

Wednesday, June 28, 2006

Christmas in July


Don't forget! I have a Christmas in July class next Friday, July 7, at Stampin' on Cloud 9.

Sure, it's hot and humid out there but once you start playing with these refreshing wintery stamps, you'll forget the heat.

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

Ribbon RAK!


A certain gluestick person sent me a ginormous package of ribbon and other goodies! Thanks, Lisa!

Whee, love ribbon.

August 6 @ Stamping Details



Wooh! I finished developing the fun cards for my two Stamping Details classes.

I put up a couple of other samples in the gallery.

You'll just have to attend the classes to see all 12 cards! :)

See you then!

Friday, June 23, 2006

Sincere Thanks!












Stampin on Cloud 9
Monrovia, CA

Please pre-register in store or call (626) 358-2886
A Muse Hip to be Square
Date: Tuesday, August 8

We'll create 6 general occasion cards using creative layouts designed to work with A Muse's delightful square note cards and Pretty Little Papers. Please bring scissors, adhesive and pencil with eraser for notes. Detailed supplies lists will be provided.

After I made this card last night, it occurred to me I haven't seen the matching sunglasses (to the purse and slip shoe) stamp in a while. I spent a good 15 minutes looking for it. I'm sure it'll turn up but in the meantime, I keep thinking about all the possible places it could be- ack! When was the last time I used it? Probably a class in April...uh. Darn, I hate that feeling!


Thursday, June 22, 2006

It's summer but...


Maybe if I keep looking at wintery things, I'll get in the mood to make holiday cards. Here's a pic of my party shrug I bought from my wonderfully talented friend, Lorigami! The last time I wore this shrug was at a fab Christmas party. I just need to keep thinking COLD (it's like 90 degress outside).

Lori makes great bags, crocheted clothing and jewelry. You may have seen her cute stuff in stores like Anthropologie.

Don't you just love Lori's little girl logo? Well, that was drawn by my friend Irene who designed the cool DoodleFactory stamps from SunSpirit Studio! Yes, I love the friendships I have made with these inspiring artists.

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

LOVE


A few weeks ago, I posted a tennis girl card featuring a retired A Muse "love" stamp. I went back to the drawing board and decided to stamp out the letters using the ever-cool polka dot alpha from A Muse. I dotted the polka dots with Stickles and just love how this card came out.

Plus, I got to use some often-neglected fibers. I'm trying to be good and incorporate fibers back into my stamp work. The two featured here are from Zinnia's, a stamp store in Pasadena, CA.

I saw Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat last night at the Pantages Theatre. The "colors" song has my mind spinning. I wonder what will happen if I create something with ALL those colors mentioned.


It was red and yellow and green and brown
And scarlet and black and ochre and peach
And ruby and olive and violet and fawn
And lilac and gold and chocolate and mauve
And cream and crimson and silver and rose
And azure and lemon and russet and grey
And purple and white and pink and orange
And blue

Tuesday, June 20, 2006

Scissors

I was reading something on 2peas about scissors and it reminded me I wanted to write a rubber, nay, scissors ramble!

For almost all of my life, I had two pairs of scissors. My black handled scissors were purchased by someone in my family and I appropriated them when I was young. They were the best scissors and pretty much the only pair I used for all that detailed collage work I used to do before stamping. My other pair my mom had given me when I was a kid. They were My Melody scissors and woooh boy, they were sharp. I used them in my sewing class when I was in junior high. But they didn't have a pointy tip and not so good for collage work. This pair was eventually moved to my gift wrap drawer.

Then bam, I started stamping which led to buying unmounted stamps. My trusty pair of black handled scissors just weren't (ahem) cutting it. I did some research and bought a pair of Kai scissors at a convention. I love my Kais! I did buy a $1 pair at the Dollar Store reputed to be similiar. So not the same! They're now just uselessly sitting in a cup.

But that broke the dam. I needed fibers/fabric/ribbon scissors because I read paper dulled scissors fairly quickly and I wanted sharp scissors for ribbon. I bought a short Fiskars embroidery pair. I love 'em. But then taking them to classes were risky. I'd find people using them to cut paper. So, I bought a two pack of Titanium scissors. I got a pair of squishy handled scissors from Marvy for more detail work.

But I still needed embroidery scissors for classes. I just got a pair that look like the classic crane scissors from Durasharp. At $4, they work very well. Then I thought the Titanium scissors were too long. And I didn't always like the squishy handles of the Marvy scissors.

And then I got interested in fabric again and decided to get the serrated edged Tonic scissors. They are great! But I don't cut up as much fabric as I thought.

What's my latest purchase? Cutterbees (Fiskars). Gah, now really, I don't need any more scissors! Although, I think about Tonic and Judikins fine detail scissors ALL the time.

Oh wait, decorative scissors don't count, right? Because I must have 30 or so of those. With more coming.

When does this start sounding a wee bit crazy? Especially since I ask students to bring scissors to class.

Kapow!









































Re: the subject line. Heh, I'm thinking about all of Lightning McQueen's sounds from the movie, Cars. I'm posting 4 cards today because I don't think I have time to post in the next couple of days. I got my giant box of the new holiday stamps from A Muse yesterday and will be busy playing!

The golf card is for my best friend's husband's birthday this week. The "golf ball" is an A Muse creative candy twinkle sticker. I don't think he'll appreciate the ribbon but it just didn't look right without it!

Whee, I LOVE my new photo corner punch!

[edited to add]

Gah! I almost forgot. I ordered a midnight black VersaMagic chalk pad a while ago. Used it a couple of times and decided to break it out last night (or rather, 3 a.m. this morning). The darn thing was dry!!! I'm going to have to check my other VersaMagic pads but I'm severely disappointed. I don't want to reink something I just bought a couple of months ago. Bleh. Anyone know of a good source for Tsukineko reinkers? I'm trying to collect all the Brilliance reinkers now as well.

Monday, June 19, 2006

Let's go biking!


I love the Wheely girl in green! The spiral flower has been watercolored with sage Twinkling H2Os. This was one of the cards I taught last Friday. See the rest here!

I didn't get any stamping done this weekend but my most recent grail search has come to an end. I finally found the EK Success Nostalgiques photo corner punch in a little shop called Snap and Scrap in Alhambra, CA. After looking literally in three states, trying to order it over and over, and visiting an abundunt amount of stores, that punch is MINE! But other than taking it out of the box, I haven't done anything with it yet. Heehee.

The other exciting thing to me is I bought a small square flip top box (Sterlite) to hold my A Muse tags. After barely squeezing in all the tags I have, I see I need another two or three if I plan to eventually get all the colors and styles. Sigh. Heh. I still haven't found a good solution to hold my A Muse notecards but I'll get around to that eventually. I sort of need storage for all my storage solutions.

But I did pick up four more tackle boxes from T's $1 spot for eventual housing for all those nifty 5 gram jars of Twinkling H2Os.

---edited to add

Whee! Claudia Rose sent me a wonderful surprise for my future RSM publication. :) I really love her whimsical stamps!

Friday, June 16, 2006

The Gift


Anyone want to gift me with a plane ticket and entrance badge to the summer CHA? Hmmm? I hadn't really pursued going but now I'm getting nostalgic and it'd be so much fun to hang out with people. *winks at Leah*

Ah well, I'll try to concentrate on getting to Memory Trends in the fall and definitely the next winter CHA in Anaheim.

I usually take a major vacation somewhere during the summer but this year, with my teaching schedule, I decided to stay a little closer to home. I am going to visit Napa/ San Francisco and San Jose in August. We might visit Sonoma as well. I wonder if I should plot all the stamp/scrap/paper stores along the way.

(notecard and stamps by A Muse, design by SLD)

Thursday, June 15, 2006

Updates


My webmistress, Tracey is THE BEST ever! If you need someone to write the coolest webpage you ever had, go to her!

My publications page has been updated as well as the classes page.

I will be adding class samples to my gallery as soon as I can. Here's a sneak of a holiday card for an upcoming class. I love this versatile phrase!

I did add the four cards from the new summer Take Ten to my publications gallery.

Reworked


When I originally started making cards for my A Muse portfolio (which has long been filled and I'm contemplating buying another album), I made a card I never liked too much. I didn't scan the original but finally decided it's spent too much time in the portfolio as is.

I ripped off the stamped image, trimmed it with decorative scissors and decided to go simple. After matting the image with the previous pink card it was on, I layered it over some ribbon I had taken off a coworker's present (yes, I know I have tons of ribbon that hasn't been used before but I can't help but recycle bits and pieces that float my way) and one of my pink Primas from a rapidly shrinking supply. Voila- simple!

Oh, the portfolio can ONLY be viewed if you attend my classes- yes, there are cards that don't make it to this blog or anywhere else! So, come to my class tomorrow night and see my latest work as well as create some fun 6 cards of your own!

A Muse Sparkle
Date: Friday, June 16
6:30-8:30 PM
at Stampin' on Cloud 9
We'll use glitter, Twinkle Stickers and A Muse's fun images to make 6 cards that sparkle and shimmer! Please bring scissors, adhesive and pencil with eraser for notes. Detailed supplies lists will be provided.

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

Card of the Day


We're back in business! The ribbon kind of moved during the scan- I swear it's straight! I got the calendar and phrase in my last two orders. I pulled the classic- hmm, cool image, now what? This would be a cool card to send someone you're thinking of who's been away for a while.

I'm trying to get used to this new black pad I got, onyx Versafine ink. It's very nice but a little too wet for my taste. I smeared a little on the card and had to cover up with those tiny Prima flowers! I would love if it Clearsnap came out with a true black chalk ink! I generally use charcoal the most and then Palette's Noir Black. But sometimes, I want the inkiest black ink I can find.

Tulle Necklace


Well, it started out as a bracelet but I added a few too many beads. This is my project for SunSpirit Studio this month. The tulle as well as the stone charm and copper ring are available from SSS at very reasonable prices. I basically knotted tulle around a few beads and then strung the bracelet, er, neclace as usual. Then I tied French ribbon to complete it. It goes around my head without any problems. I've seen Banana Republic recently use a lot of fabric and ribbon in their jewelry line and was inspired by that. Although, it would take a lot of patience to string ribbon through those tiny holes of beads! This way of knotting the beads with tulle is MUCH easier.

By the way, if you haven't joined the SSS newsletter yet, you should! It comes out once a month and they would never sell your name or spam you.

Tuesday, June 13, 2006

Target $1 spot


Oh! How could I forget! I bought a fishing tackle box from Target's $1 spot last week and it works perfectly to store my 5 gram jars of twinkling H2Os! Of course, I don't have enough to fill the box entirely so it might be time to pick up more colors. I do love the twinkling H2Os. I'm estimating buying another 4 boxes to cover the trial packs I'm going to eventually pick up from Monkey Love's ebay store.

Here's another card with me playing with the new Brilliance color, pearlescent rust. Yes, I suppose you could say it's a Card of the Day!:)

I wish the store had the other new colors; starlite black or pearlescent olive which were the colors I was really after. I wasn't too impressed with pearlescent poppy or rocket red gold when I played with them at CHA. But I do LOVE the new dew drops. They made it so easy to edge the cardstock.

(all stamps by A Muse Artstamps, design by SLD). --edited to add the background paper is DCWV and the star brad is Bazzill.

Oooops


Can someone forward me Stampington's latest PostScript email? I accidently deleted it from my spam folder this morning (how it got into my spam folder, I don't know!).

Here's one of the projects I'm uploading to SunSpirit Studio today. It's a pretty easy ATC. I did use a new Brilliance color I picked up recently. Hmm, not sure I like it yet since it's fairly similiar to the other colors in the line. More projects tomorrow! I know this is a sympathy phrase but I always likened it to poetry and maybe wind whispering through a forest.

Monday, June 12, 2006

Holiday fun at Stampin' EJs!

Blogger has been difficult the last few days. So, sorry for this mega-huge post!

I'm teaching at Stampin' EJ's in Costa Mesa on October 6th! Come in the morning (10 a.m.) for the A Muse demo and stay for my class at 12:30. Class descriptions and samples coming soon. I'll be featuring all-new stamps being released by A Muse in mid-July.

I got these no-hole tiny beads years ago from the San Gabriel Bead Company. I love being able to create these fun mini-shaker cards with them. I am running out of those large Prima flowers though. Eeep. The struggle between hoarding and using is most clear when you're down to 6 flowers and whether it's time to order more or see what other nifty products are out there.

I've been busy creating bridal shower invitations and thank you cards for a friend's sister. I hope to get the final design nailed down soon. I tried to hop over to XpedX or Kelly Paper over the weekend to shop for cardstock but was shocked to see they were closed at 1:25 p.m. on a Saturday. They closed at 1 p.m.! I find it weird XpedX and Kelly Paper are usually a block apart.

I also managed to knock out some cards for a patriotic swap with the Stamping Rock Stars. I love seeing Sprinkle and Poochie dressed up in different outfits! I've been hoarding the stars paper for a couple of years now too. The store I bought it from is having a 2 year anniversary sale. Oh, I'm so there! Who can resist cupcakes and champagne?

My to-do list this week consists of finishing the class boards for my August classes, something for SunSpirit Studio for an upcoming magazine ad, my SSS design team work for June, magazine submissions, writing up my class descriptions for September and now October! Oh, and possibly see if I can get my card-of-the-day program back on track. I've had a summer cold for over a week now so I'm exhausted and trying to rest more. I should be all better for Friday's class!

Tuesday, June 06, 2006

Stamping Details class descriptions


There’s been a date change for my A Muse Day at Stamping Details in Poway, CA. The new date will be Sunday, August 8. The following are the class descriptions. I hope to upload the class samples soon.




A Muse Holiday Dazzle!

11:30-1:30 PM

Get in the holiday spirit! There won’t be any reason for store bought holiday cards this year! Let's get a head start on the holidays as we create 6 fun cards with brand new A Muse holiday stamps. A detailed supplies list will be provided. Please bring your favorite scissors and adhesive.

A Muse All Occasion

2:30 –4:30 PM

What’s on your calendar this summer? We’ll make 6 cards to get you ready for those upcoming summer celebrations using some fun images by A Muse. These hip and cool cards will be perfect for birthdays, thank you and just for fun notes. A detailed supplies list will be provided. Please bring your favorite scissors and adhesive.


...

I have some great news! I just found out RubberStampMadness will be publishing one of my tags in the November/December 2006 issue. This will be my second centerfold for RSM. I'm SO excited!

Monday, June 05, 2006

a-muse-a-palooza!



The a-muse-a-palooza site is LIVE!


Check out the cool and fun things A Muse has planned for their new stamps release P-A-R-T-Y at participating stores across the world!

Even if there aren't any events near you, you can still register for a chance to win fun prizes!

...

Eeep, yes, I know I haven't posted Card of the Day pics in a while. I've been busy creating cards for classes. I promise I'll have some fun new ideas soon. I am expecting another wonder package of stamps soon. I couldn't help but buy a just a few more holiday stamps; mostly greetings. I have a bad habit of buying tons of cool images and then realizing I need PHRASES!

...

I went to Stampington's Open House at the Art Bar this past Saturday. It was so great to see so many artists in one room. Actually, it was so well-attended, there were quite a few people overflowing to the outside. I heard there were even some from out-of-state! I loved the seminar by Jenny Doh and the speech by Kellen Giloff. I thought it was fascinating to get their perspective. I've been a subscriber to Stampers Sampler and Somerset Studio (in the past) for many, many years. And it was really cool to meet the new editor of TSS, Take Ten, Catch Up and probably a few more publications, Jami Petersen. It tickled me she said she recognized my style and name! And she did take some of my work for publication. I congratulate all the winners that night, there was a lot of beautiful work!

Earlier in the day, I visited Stampin' EJ inside Debra's Cottage. I met Eva, the owner and had a wonderful time talking to her about Jacquard's new bleach pad, Castaway. In the end, I decided not to make that purchase (but did buy a few new Tsukineko dew drops in a couple of the new Brilliance colors and Versamagic). I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of people attending the make-n-take and the 25% discount that day! I may be going back in the fall to teach at Stampin' EJ's so be on the look out for the schedule!

At the Artbar, I ran into Sue McGettigan from the Buzz and Bloom design team. She joined my friend and I for dinner while we waited for the Stampington editors to make their final selection. It was really nice to have a chance to get to know her better (having just seen her fantastic work on 2peas). And if I'm ever in Australia, I'll be sure to look her up. I'm SO excited her work was picked up that night for publication. You have to check out her gallery here.
...

Get ready for SPARKLE! My next class will feature glitter, shimmer, glow, Creative Candy twinkle stickers, A Muse's simple stick and did I mention GLITTER??? Oh yeah, it's going to be a good time!

A Muse Sparkle
at Stampin' on Cloud 9
Date: Friday, June 16
6:30 -8:30 PM

Friday, June 02, 2006

Where, oh where is my magazIne?


I've been haunting the mail box every day expecting my comp issue of the new Take Ten. Sigh, it's already on the newstands but I'm making myself not buy it because I know it's coming. I have four cards in this issue including 3 A Muse cards and 1 The Cat's Pajamas card! Here's the Make a Wish card. I loved working with the purple, green and blue of this card. The giant "wish" is one of my favorite stamps.

I need to update my website with the following and my Catch Up cards. There are other little things to add too including the class description for my July 16 classes at Stamping Details in Poway (north San Diego).


Take Ten Summer 2006

Page 27: Smiles
Page 99: Eat cake!
Page 120: The Journey
Page 136: Make a wish


{edit}

magazine has been received!

Thursday, June 01, 2006

Bee-lated? I think not!


I updated my Monogram gallery with all the cards I taught last night. I especially liked this wildflower card. When I created this card months ago, I was inspired by Nicole's Crazy Dots card but I opted to do something quicker for my students. They had a blast! Something about splattering paint is FUN!

The inside sentiment is "happy bee-lated birthday" from the new Summer 06 release.