Thursday, August 31, 2006

found another


Still digging through my scans for the other cards but I found my Happy Hour card (page 89 of Take Ten Autumn 06). I might have to break down and just scan the pages! Oh dear.

I find it very funny to read the write-ups next to the cards. I think I send adequate write-ups but the editors tend to rewrite what I say. That green asterisk tag is actually a pre-printed A Muse tag. TT said I stamped it! And the dots are colored with a mauve-y marker. TT said it was gray. Hmmm.

Still, it's nice to see things in print. :)

Take Ten in the house!


I got my comp issue of Take Take Autumn 06 in the mail yesterday. I'm happy to announce I have a total of 11 cards in the issue! Six cards are on my very own two page spread; pages 8-9. Then I have:

Page 38

Gold Time (whoops, Stampington made a typo, it should be “Golf” time)

Page 89

Happy Hour

Page 111

Teddy

Page 117

Funny Bunny

Page 137

Delivering Love (I want to change the title to "Love Takeout" because I actually have another card called Delivering Love on page 9 (it's not the same card).

...

Here's the Funny Bunny card. I'm still digging around my files for the other card scans. The funny bunny is "Zot" a DoodleFactory image from SunSpirit Studio. I do believe this is the first SSS published card! :)

The card on page 111 and the six cards on the two page spread feature 3"X6" cards that I had originally sent in for Stampers' Sampler's definition challenge.


Tuesday, August 29, 2006

busy bee



I've been a busy little bee lately which means very little stamping for me. I did make a couple of cards. Here's a Patch card that I'm almost reluctant to show after seeing so many great cards from Scoopy, I am officially declaring her the master of the Patch cards and I really shouldn't even bother showing mine! I am amazed by her creative and varied use of him. I just made a quick thank you card for a friend who loves doggies.

Here's a pic of me and the girls from AU. That's Andrea from SunSpirit Studio, me, Tracey and Fran. The guy in the background is from Invoke Arts. He makes me laugh.

My next set of classes will be at Violet's in Ventura on 9/16. I'm prepping for the classes now! Stay for the whole day stamping with me! We'll start with a Halloween class and two holiday classes. You'll leave with 18 cards!

Thursday, August 24, 2006

New SunSpirit Studio cards






Click on the images to see them larger.
Read how I made them here.

Have you checked out the SSS gallery lately? You should because there are cool cards and projects from Kristine Bents, Brandy Muth and Alma de la Rosa!

Wednesday, August 23, 2006

ACK!!!








*taps foot impatiently* Where is my new RSM? I saw it on the newstands last week and haven't gotten my issue at home yet. On page three is SunSpirit Studio's ad featuring my ATC.

I think my original version was better but the darn ink smudged so I had to redo the wooden tag part. Tearing the wood didn't come out as well on the second (really, the 4th or 5th) try. I also embossed the new tag and it created the "3-D" look.

I wanted to change the look of this blog and didn't see the warning that when I do so, I would lose all my links. Sigh. I guess I'll have to work on that later.

[update]

I was able to redo the links quickly! I even added a few new ones.

[another update]

I'm still in major shock. A friend told me I have two pages of cards in the next Take Ten as well as 7 others on other pages. WOAH. I need to rush home to see if it's in my mail box! The issue is on newstands next week (9/1).

New home!


My coworker asked me to make her a card for a housewarming she's going to. Naturally, I didn't remember until 2 a.m. this morning-- I had to get out of bed to make this. Hmm, here's my quickie card! I used all A Muse stamps (stamped inside is "home sweet home" from the Spring 06 release), new ribbon I got in Phoenix, Foofala patterned paper, marbled lavender cardstock (she told me she was wrapping the present in purple) and matte purple brads (erm, I think they're Lasting Impressions). Not bad for a quickie card (I also had my contacts out!).

Can I go back to bed now???

Tuesday, August 22, 2006

Back from AZ!


I'm back from Art Unraveled! I took one workshop, Not Your Average ATCs. I got to play with gel medium, mica, transparencies, copper tape and other stuff I have never used to before. Well, I have some but I have been hoarding all of it! I got so excited that I wanted to come back to just work on stuff. But that may have to wait a bit. I'm teaching a class tonight at Stampin' on Cloud 9! A couple of samples of what we're doing are here.

Come on by, I'll have goodies for you!

These are the 4 ATCs I did at the workshop. I'll be adding some beads, stamping and other stuff to a couple of them in the next few days.

I loved being in the company of great artists. I think I was kind of star struck to see people I've only read their books or seen their art- Lynne Perrella, Vesta Abels and to meet people I've been corresponding with years online (waves wildly to Fran!). It was awesome to hang out with other Stamping Rock Stars, Andrea and Tracey! Fran is so inspiring! And generous! Andrea, Tray and I were receipients of POUNDS and pounds of her rubber!

Unfortunately, I didn't get to the stamp stores I wanted to visit (Frenzy Stamper was closed when I went by and I ran out of time for the others). That didn't stop me from spending tons of money at SAS Fabrics (I bought an insane amount of ric rac, buttons and pretty ribbon--it makes me giggle just to think about it) and at the Art Unraveled shopping day. I think I bought stuff from nearly everyone! I got lots of cool paper from Paper Studio. But the bulk of it were beads, tiny bottles, watch findings and other neat things from Invoke Arts. I wish I could afford even the smallest piece of artwork from Michael DeMeng.

Yesterday, I visited the lovely Scrappers Corner store in Northridge. I put a big dent in my store credit picking up the Crop-a-dile, the EK Success retro flower whale of a punch, the Fastenator and other cool "thingies." But try as I might, I didn't use all my store credit. I heard a rumor they just got some new stuff in so I'll be back in a few weeks. I want the big staples that you can thread ribbon through (I can't find a pic online but Fran showed them to me at her house and they look COOL!).

I have to say that flying to and from Phoenix was fine for me. I checked all my tools and toiletries away and breezed through. I did worry about wrecking my heat gun and sharp pointy things but it was fine.

I am glad to be home though! I actually think 90 is "cool" compared to the stiffling 110+ degrees I was in last week.

Sunday, August 13, 2006

last minute packing/buying!

Target shopping:

extra-fine black sharpies
regular sharpies
foam tape
Exacto knife
wet wipes for clean up
extra cheapie brushes

I am going to pick up embroidery needles and gel medium in Arizona.

...

Oh, I got a wonderful email from RubberStampMadness. Not only do I have my second centerfold coming out next month, I'll have my website featured in the Jan/February issue in their Surf City column and be linked from their site. Whee!

Thursday, August 10, 2006

altered tags swap





As always, click on the tags if you wish to view them larger.

I made these five tags last night to personally hand over the swap to my good friend, Tracey when I see her in Arizona. Now to decide which one to send to Stampers' Sampler for their tag call. Hmm. We're sending in a group submission. Go Stamping Rock Stars!

For the most part, I worked with the colors and shapes of the tags although sometimes I was inspired by what they were originally hanging off of. Since there was no size restriction, I made custom tags. The Nars tag is HUGE because I loved that lily paper (Urban Lily) so much I had to show all of it.

Speechless- from a gorgeous dress I bought to wear to the Magic Castle. I was thinking about myths and how if I ever saw a mythical creature like a Mermaid, I'd be pretty speechless too!
High Sierra (though this is obscurred)- I've been buying cute tank tops from Mervyn's lately. Who knew they had such cute tops?
American Eagle (need a lift)- from my recent bikini purchase. Although I'm generally hateful of my body (almost all women are!), I apparently think I'm all that since the last three swimsuits are bikinis!
Calvin Klein- Everyone needs undies. Bonus! I used left-over scraps from the recent bridal shower invitations I made.
Nars- from my recent lipgloss binge. I love Nars cosmetics. It wasn't a tag but I ripped apart the package.

All stamps by A Muse, designs by SLD.


AU tag trades


Woooh, only 4 more days before I leave for Art Unraveled in Arizona! I made 21 of these tags (one for me to keep). The theme? Well, Love on the Rocks. It's been a tough year for me and a lot of my personal art deals with that pain. But stamping is therapy and making 21 of these suckers did make me feel better or at least productive!

Stamps: Savvy, A Muse, The Cat's Pajamas, various rub-ons by Lasting Impresions.

Tuesday, August 08, 2006

Stampin' EJ's! -- October Demo and Class

So it might be a little early to talk about the free demo I'm doing at Stampin' EJ's in Costa Mesa but I'm just so excited to show you a couple of the cards I'm teaching afterwards. See the other one here!








A Muse Demo
Time: 10:30 - 12:30 PM
Date: October 7



Shauna will be demonstrating A Muse's latest stamps, Simple Stick, Creative Candy and of course, lots of Pretty Little Papers. To reserve your spot, please email Eva at stampinej@aol.com.
A Muse Holiday Cheer
Time: 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Date: October 7




We'll make 6 stylish holiday cards with A Muse's newest images and embellishments--these simple yet distinctive holiday greetings are sure to dazzle those who receive them! A detailed supplies list will be provided. Please bring your favorite scissors and adhesive. Please pre-register via email stampinej@aol.com or call (949) 362-0697.

Monday, August 07, 2006

Engagement party card


This is for my friends Geoff and Cheryl. They have a Hawaiian themed party but somehow I went a little bit more traditional. I need to buy bigger bells, these were a little bit difficult to tie on. Good thing I have tweezers. They make things so much easier!

All stamps by A Muse, design by SLD.

Friday, August 04, 2006

Stamping mugs


Wow, stamp mugs!

I think I need these for my birthday (ahem, it's next month!).

I'm slowly chipping away at my to-do list (which is extremely long and growing longer). I hope to get some work done tonight (no, I NEED to get some work done tonight!).

I started 20 tags to be traded at AU. I hope they're acceptable. I want to add some embellishments but otherwise, they'll be fairly simple. I have two more swaps to wrap up, finish developing my classes for Violet's in September, get to my SSS DT stuff and probably a few more things I haven't thought of! Darn this fabulous single life I have that conflicts with my love of stamping! :)

I saw Little Women last night at the Pantages. Although I didn't see much visual inspiration, I did get plenty of ideas from my dinner at the nearby Velvet Margarita Cantina (full review over at my food blog later). I suddenly want to find my velvet and fabric paper and do stuff with them!

Wednesday, August 02, 2006

Stampington Parking Lot Sale

EVENT: One-day Parking Lot Sale! Up to 70% Off!
DATE: August 26, 2006
LOCATION:
Stampington & Company . 22992 Mill Creek, Ste.B, Laguna Hills, CA 92653
DETAILS: Receive up to 70% off hundreds of back issues, art stamps, and crafting essentials from The Shoppe at Somerset!
Bring a friend or a few to enjoy the huge discounts and the fun! Refreshments and snacks will be made available to keep you energized; door prizes will be awarded every half hour; and you’ll even get a chance to win a $100 Gift Certificate good towards Shoppe products, art stamps, or any publication/subscription from Stampington & Company! We’d love to see you! If you have any questions, please contact us at 1-877-STAMPER (877-782-6737).

...

Oh no! I can't make it! I'm in two weddings next year and I have the first fitting of the bridemaid dress for my cousin's wedding. And my other friend who's getting married has her engagement party that day. Awww, shucks! Someone go and tell me how it is!

Tuesday, August 01, 2006

lots of good stuff!

Where are the pics, you wonder? They're coming...they're coming! The last few weeks have been a blur for me since I am hardly ever home these days. I did at least finish the 28 bridal shower invitations and now my coworker wants 20 "not-too-girly" thank you cards. Yikes, not sure if I can get those done before my Art Unraveled trip. Plus, I wanted to make things to trade at AU. (What should I do...hmm, maybe tags). I completely missed the Take Ten deadline (it was today!) although it wasn't because I forgot (thanks to those who emailed me to ask if I was submitting :).

My long-time crack dealer (aka SU) has a blog! Please welcome another Stamping Rock Star, the Closet Stamper! Lisa stamps in her closet. I hope I wasn't supposed to let that secret of her blog name "out of the closet"...heh.

Just a reminder that I'll be teaching the NEWEST holiday stamps this Sunday, the 6th at Stamping Details in Poway (North San Diego). There's going to be lots of good stuff! For those who have never attended my classes, I ALWAYS give away goodies! Click on the titles of the classes to take you to the nifty samples on the Stamping Details site.



Please pre-register in store or call 858-513-8024.

A Muse Holiday Dazzle
Time: 11:30-1:30 PM
Date: August 6

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 Summer Celebrations
Time: 2:30-4:30 PM
Date: August 6


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.