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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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

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!

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.

save the date!

I'm coming to Stamping Details in Poway (north San Diego) on August 6! Get ready for cool holiday fun and all occasion card classes!

Class descriptions and samples soon.

Expanding on the Swivel

Here's the mini-book I made for a friend's daughter. A custom fairy tale!

Just in case

There was a slight mix-up on the SOC9 schedule. My class is scheduled for tomorrow, the 31st. On the newsletter, it said Tuesday, the 31st and obviously today is the 30th. If you can make tomorrow's class, it'll be a fun one! Here are the samples!

You'll be playing with acrylic paint as well as several of the new A Muse acrylic alphabet sets! Come on by!

Well rested

So, did you catch the latest a-muse-letter? :) Here's my blog exclusive- the swivel card in action!


Woot! There's something about long weekends that leaves one well-rested. Hope everyone had a great time this weekend! Here's a card I did the other day. I just love the station wagon and the little canoe. How fun! More Card-of-the-day cards here.

At the beach (COTD- 5/24)

I'm having so much fun with this little scalloped circle punch! I love making this custom tag. I also used a little bit of Japanese cord that I got in Long Grove, IL years ago (must stop hoarding stuff!). And of course, I love playing with new stamps! I've been eying this little bathing suit from A Muse for a while now and finally bought it. It'll be perfect for summer cards and baby girl cards. You can't see the shimmer too well but I used Twinkling H2Os on the suit. I also love the guard chair and matching phrase! To the beach we go!

Years ago, I started a calendar swap with the Stamping Rock Stars and one of my coworkers was so enchanted with the project, she wanted us to create a calendar at work. Every year, I work on at least three calendar swaps but somehow this year has been a little difficult to get all the necessary months together for the work calendar. I had to whip up a dozen quick calendar pages last night to help out one of my coworkers. See my quickie June page here.

I love long weekends! More time to play! I plan to finish the 40 baby announcements for another coworker. They'll look like this lion card and this bunny card. The card is based on this card I made for fun a few weeks back. But because it was cost prohibitive to buy all those sheets of background paper, I made my own with my stash of cardstock, ink and stamps.

Don't forget, I'm teaching TWO classes next week at Stampin' on Cloud 9. The Monogram class is filling up but there's still plenty of room in both classes. Check out the class schedule.

5/23 COTD- Good Morning, Baltimore!

Although I went out last night (opening night of Hairspray at the Pantages in Hollywood), I had time to make this quickie card with some of the new stamps I just got. I may have been a little too quick as the brownstone is slightly smeared on the pink vellum. Ah well. I tilted the vellum a little bit towards curly girl to illustrate the road to a friend's house is never long. :) The leaf is from Paper Source. I am so in love with the color of the pink leaf! They were only $2 for 25 of them (well, maybe it's a bit pricey considering the kajillion prima flowers you can get for $6).

Oh yes, I loved Hairspray! I didn't know the story before but I'm totally in if there's lots of singing and dancing. Love musicals!

The card could also be called, "Good Morning, Baltimore" in honor of the show!

Summer Birthday (COTD 5/22)

Yay, I got an A Muse box o' goodies yesterday including some summer stamps I meant to buy last summer. I couldn't resist the halter dress! Here's a quickie card for yesterday's Card of the Day (I'll always be about a day behind- even more on the weekends, hope y'all don't mind). Red and Orange- the sizzling hot colors of SUMMER!

Did you see? There's a new blog in town! Check out the A Muse blog written by owner Linda Carnell and get the scoop for the 5-year-anniversary sale. It's too good to be missed! The sale includes all the new summer stamps (all images have been uploaded to the site including the cool clear alphas). Just remember you have to be on the a-muse-letter email list to take advantage of the sale. But you want to be on the list anyway. I'm writing an article for A Muse that comes out next week!

Card of the Day (5/19-5/21)

5/21 Baseball card

5/20 Wheely card

Pocket card for 5/19. See the inside tag here.

All notecards and stamps by A Muse. Designs by SLD.

Gettin' busy

I've finished all the cards for the Sparkle class. Ooh, you will have so much fun. I'm breaking out the Twinkling H2Os for this class! Next up, I'm working on the cards for the Christmas in July class. Oh jingle jangle, there will be little bells and other fun embellishments to play with.

Tomorrow (or later today-- hey wait, it's after midnight???) I'll be posting my card of the day for the past three days. I've been having so much fun with these new summer images.

Guess what?! I'm in the newest Take Ten (on newstands June 1)! That makes four Take Ten magazines in a roll. I'm so excited! When I get my artist comp issue, I'll upload the pics into my gallery.

And mark your calendars. I'm coming back to Ventura September 16 for another fun and exciting A Muse day. I'm planning the classes now but the first class will probably be Halloween and the other two Fall/ Winter classes. Get ready for some holiday sparkle!


{edit}

Awww, in honor of A Muse's 5 year anniversary, I wanted to post a couple of cards with my very first two A Muse stamps; giraffe and small shower gift tub. I got these at Stamp On Over in Chicago almost three years ago. How time flies!

Hot tub?

Everyone's doing it! I had to post my kiddie pool card too. I think this little surfer guy got lost on his way to beach surf shop and decided to "hang ten" in the kiddie's pool. Or maybe it's a hot tub! Yeah!

New summer stamps from A Muse. Design by SLD.

Tennis, anyone?

I'm taking up the challenge to stamp daily! Here's the card I stamped yesterday with some new A Muse summer images. I love this little tennis girl. I used to manage my high school tennis team and she brings back so many memories.

And yes, I can't stop using the spiral daisy! The Love stamp is a little bit older (may have been discontinued) but you can use the nifty new clear alphabet stamps to spell out "love."

(stamps by A Muse, design by SLD)

Ex-boyfriends

One of my favorite swaps I was involved in was the ex-boyfriend swap I did with the Stamping Rock Stars. I finally uploaded the pictures to my gallery. I didn't load the ATCs I made that went along with the cards only because they're a little personal. But I wanted to share the cards.

Here's one of my favorites!

I'm a little sad to see Leave Memories close because I use the Yearbook alpha quite a bit (it went along with my Adorned Surface yearbook stamps so well!).

Pretty girly

Pink and Purple!

I neglected to post this picture during the spring release. I liked how the inked flower came out though possibly a little...too bold? What am I saying? I like bold!

I can't decide- which headshot?

I'm going to start adding my headshot to class boards. Which headshot do you like best? Also, I've gotten comments from folks that they can't leave comments because I have this blog set to registered users only. So, I'm opening it up now to everyone wants to comment! (just don't spam me! heh).

(all photos c. Sherri Koop)

A Little Bloom

I made a couple of versions of this card. I'm not sure which one I like better. I think the yellow one is more summery but tweaking a little green into the pink and brown combo is fresh to me.

Class might be cancelled tonight if we don't get another one signed up. That's about two hours away. I'm not worried or sad. I have to be zen about it! But I really think it'll be fun to teach the sandcastle card (the card has been tweaked for tonight). It'll be the first time I'm teaching simple stick and it's such a cool thing!

So, if you're even remotely interested and near Monrovia, come by tonight! Call the store and let 'em know.

Lemonade Stand

The other day, I was driving along and spotted a pre-fab lemondade stand. I was so disturbed by the sight! I can't believe you can buy little stands now. How unclassy! The showy banner and the pre-printed signs for $.25 were extremely disgusting. I could almost imagine the lemonade wasn't even made by the poor little girl behind the stand!

That's why I'm so glad this new A Muse lemonade stand looks just like what I imagine a lemonade stand should be. Handwritten signs and a sweet jug of freshly-squeezed lemonade!

(new summer A Muse images, design by SLD)

Yessss!

One of my favorite Stamping Rock Stars (and fellow SunSpirit Studio Design Team member and A Muse Instructor), Lyndsay Neumann, has joined the ranks of stampy bloggers!

We met long before either one of us started to seriously stamp. I probably have hundreds of postcards from her when we both were in a postcard community. Then we started stamping and now we have hundreds of beautiful handmade cards from countless swaps (I was doing 50+ swaps a year for a few years). Through the years, I've visited her in Minnesota and she's been out to California a few times. It was fantastic when we were both selected to be A Muse instructors and we met up again in Seattle.

I was so happy when our cards were published on the same page in the last Take Ten issue! Our shoe swap was so much fun and I just knew when I mailed off those cards to Stampington, they'd make it for publication!

Here's to a cool stampy chick! I can't wait to read all about her projects and if you're in Minnesota, take one of her classes!

Rock on, Lyns!

summer stamps are here!

Woohoo! I got my box of stamps yesterday and I was ecstatic! I made 6 quick cards almost immediately! Yay, now I can work on my summer II class cards. Here's my favorite of the bunch I stamped yesterday.

I was hoping for a tankini stamp and am so happy A Muse made one for this summer's release! I also love the spiral daisy. So cute!

There are three more in my summer gallery.

...ooops...there is only ONE person signed up for next Tuesday's class. The class will be cancelled if there aren't a few more signed up. Call the store now to reserve your spot! We'll be using A Muse's simple stick and all sorts of nifty fun stuff. Remember, I always give goodies for students. See you then!

Stampin on Cloud 9 Monrovia, CA

Please pre-register in store or call (626) 358-2886 6:30-8:30 PM

A Muse Summer I
Date: Tuesday, May 16
Just in time for summer, you’ll have fun making 6 sizzling hot cards. See all the latest stamps from A Muse’s new summer line. Please bring scissors, adhesive and pencil with eraser for notes. Detailed supplies lists will be provided.

Steady as she goes

There's this new song by the Raconteurs that I love, Steady As She Goes. Though the lyrics have nothing to do with the following card, I heard it in my head (still need to go buy the CD) while working on class cards for the summer.

Samples for the Summer I Class 5/16

Samples for the Monogram Class 5/31

Samples for the Summer II Class 6/2

********NEW SAMPLES**********

Samples for the Sparkle Class 6/16

Samples for the Christmas in July Class 7/7

Samples for the Quick & Easy Class 7/25


I'll be bringing the June and July class samples to the store next week! See you then!

pssstttt...class schedule.

Artbar Open House

D'oh! And I just mailed off 14 cards yesterday to Stampington for consideration.

Artbar Open House

Hmm, I have a vague plan to go to Escondido that day for justjohanna's party at Cat's Craft Cupboard but I don't know if I can really drag my friend all around the Southland. It's kind of tough that none of my friends stamp so they're really not that interested in going on stamp store crawls with me.

But I'm so excited the next Take Ten is coming out on June 1. Just maybe I'll get a comp issue before then. *wink*

I really, really hope the new A Muse summer stamps show up today! I'm in major summer mode right now. This card features stamps from last year's summer release. I love all these darn stamps so much- so cute.

I got my newest SU punches yesterday. I can't wait to play with them. And I'm still on a brads binge. I'm expecting a zillion Bazzill brads today from Queen & Co. They're doing a major clearance sale right now. I got a lot of the tiny stars and tiny flowers brads. Love how they come in three matching shades. Aaaaannnnd, I got my SunSpirit Studio package so I'll be working on something special! I have the greatest idea.

Whee, a happy mailbox is a happy me!

Summer II Class at SOC9

Stampin on Cloud 9 Monrovia, CA

Please pre-register in store or call (626) 358-2886

A Muse Summer II
Date: Friday, June 2
6:30 -8:30 PM
Come and play with the new A Muse summer stamps. Create 6 sunny and cute cards. Please bring scissors, adhesive and pencil with eraser for notes. Detailed supplies lists will be provided.

Here are the two fun, fun sample cards! I'm now expecting the brand new A Muse summer images early next week--- thanks for your patience! I do promise you'll get to play with them in both the first summer and second summer classes. In the meantime, I still love these older but well-loved summer images.

Baby Flamingo

Hahah! I posted this card on 2peas yesterday and said there are of course, pink birds. A commenter said it was a baby flamingo. I like that!

I was trying something a little different with my new oval handpunch (Fiskars). I fell in love with it at CHA when I used it at the Heidi Grace booth. It took a little while to order it but now that I have it, I'm trying not to use it on everything.

Yep, you guessed it...I opened another roll of ribbon!

I realized last night that my second summer class is just two days after my Monogram class. Eek! I made samples and the class board last night. I'll load the samples in a bit.

Variation on a theme

I don't often repeat myself. But sometimes, when I find I've stamped what I think is a great card, I try it in different colors and see what happens. I like both these cards. I like the pale peach/mint combo because it reminds me of the 70s but so does the orange and brown combo. I remember my dad coming home one day exclaiming he loved the orange and brown uniforms from Burger King (sometime in the 80s). At the time, he was looking for something a little bit different for his staff's uniforms. You guessed it, they got orange and brown. I think they were still wearing those colors 20 years later.

(stamps & notecards by A Muse)

Another blogger!

Yay, Moondaughter started a blog! I'm really excited about all of Elishia's upcoming rubber adventures. I'll be designing samples for her line of goddess themed stamps later this summer. We met in the Goddess Stamps yahoo group a few years ago and have exchanged many pieces of Halloween themed artwork. This is my card was from last year's swap. Halloween is hands down my favorite greeting card holiday.

Devil kitty is from Fusion Artstamps, greeting by Rubber Moon and I believe the phrase is from Limited Edition (I'll have to check on this later). The poison label is from Stampola. Polka dot paper is from DCWV and I think the bat sticker is from Jolie's. Unknown brads.

New Monogram Card-- May SOC9 classes

There are a lucky few who got to see the "G" monogram card! However, due to product not being available yet, the card is being revised for class. In the meantime, enjoy this new sample card, Cupcake.

All classes are 6:30 - 8:30 PM. As always, goodies to all students!

A Muse Summer I Date: Tuesday, May 16	Just in time for summer, you’ll have fun making 6 sizzling hot cards. See all the latest stamps from A Muse’s new summer line. Please bring scissors, adhesive and pencil with eraser for notes. Detailed supplies lists will be provided.
A Muse Monogram Date: Wednesday, May 31	Use a mix of A Muse’s latest acrylic alphabet stamps with favorite wood mounted stamps to create 6 fun and fabulous cards. Please bring scissors, adhesive and pencil with eraser for notes. Detailed supplies lists will be provided. Stampin on Cloud 9 Monrovia, CA Please pre-register in store or call (626) 358-2886

Little Ellie

Ribbon. I have been opening one roll at a time of my hoarded American Crafts ribbon. I kind of like this card though the colors don't really go together. Actually, they do because I think they do. I did my favorite sort of background alteration- DTP (direct-to-paper) but now I'm thinking I should have put the phrase on the inside.

I got some lovely ribbon over the weekend at Zinnia, a stamp store in South Pasadena. I was lured there for big sales but managed to buy nothing on sale! At least the street fair happening right outside was nice. It was a gorgeous day. It was very nice after a gloomy week and it's gloomy again today.

Still no summer stamps from A Muse yet...ah well..maybe soon. I did play with some ones I bought a couple of weeks ago last night. I even opened two more rolls of ribbon. It feels good to use what I've been hoarding!

I need to go through my class boxes for this weekend. The sushi/stamping workshop might have 15 or so people. I'm a little nervous about getting them all through six cards in two hours but it'll be very helpful to basically have two experienced groups (intermediate and advanced) of stampers to help with the one group of new stampers. I'm debating whether or not to add embossing to the mix.

One of Us

When I was working on this "faux scrap page" (6X6), I heard the song "Freaks" (or as I call it, "One of Us") in my head from my favorite Hedwig and the Angry Inch sound track. I'm looking forward to seeing the LA Rainbow Carnage shadowcast do Hedwig tomorrow night (12 Midnight). I've seen Hedwig many times including live earlier this month with Donovan Leitch. The colors, the music, the dance...I love it! The last couple of months have been kind of tough on me emotionally and it's been coming out in my artwork. Perhaps you can pick up the theme when you see the rest of the cards I created for SunSpirit Studio here.

I don't remember the floral asterisk's paper's maker but the dotted background paper is Basic Grey. The copper embellishment is from SunSpirit Studio as well as the stamps. The people was punched out from KCRW's monthly program guide. The top left corner was slot-punched (I just found my slot punch and have been using it to tie ribbons through!) and finally, I hand-wrote the words and tag. Oh! And the black flat-back crystals are also from SunSpirit Studio. The green square brads are from Making Memories. Inks used are VersaMagic Cloud White and Charcoal chalk fluid ink from Colorbox.

---edit, the Floral paper is from WE R Memory Keepers.

Orangetini

Sometimes, after I unpack from classes I find "interesting" pieces of cardstock. A student must have trimmed off some of this orange card and then stuck it back with the others. I, being thrifty and economical (shocking, I know), saved this piece by trimming the edge with deco scissors and then making a quick card. I could now use a blood orange mojito (okay, orangetini will do too)!

The flat "brads" are actually Scrapworks conchos. They went right through the cardstock easily and were easy to "set" with my bone folder.

Speaking of classes, they went really well last weekend. *waves* I hope to see all of you again! It is so much fun to talk with stampers!

I'm almost prepped for my first summer class on 5/16. I am waiting eagerly for the new summer stamps from A Muse. I can't get wait to get my inky hands on them. In the meantime, I'm excited about my upcoming workshop at a local sushi restaurant. Sushi and Stamping, what could be better? Mmm, someone save me some spicy tuna rolls! Here are the cards I'll be teaching including a new cocktails card. No, no, of course I'm not a lush. (shhhhh....)

Aloha

I like to make birthday cards with the person in mind so I generally don't have a batch of pre-made cards. I always find myself creating the card about 20 minutes before I have to leave for the party. Ooops. Being the "Take Ten" queen that I am, I try to spend a bit more time composing the card for special friends. Here's my card for my buddy Mark (the one who took the fab headshot of me for my website). His birthday was on Monday so I'll give it to him on Saturday just in time for the party. Now...handmade gifts...yikes, that'll take a bit more time! I don't even have an idea yet. Uh oh!

I saved the postage stamps from an envelope that came across my desk about 9 months ago. I have various coworkers who save postage stamps for themselves. It was a bit of a struggle to get these away from them. Hahah! I just got these two scalloped circle punches from Marvy. I love those clever lever punches. The fiber is from my stash and I just got these cool matte finish brads from Lasting Impressions.

New Publications

Oh wow, I got my comp issue of Stampington's Catch Up issue on Friday. I have two cards in there! The first one, Just A Line on page 73, is right next to my good friend Lena's card! And the other card, Onesies, is on page 109.

I put uploaded the two cards along with my other publications today. Oh wow, 20 publications in a year and half...it's making my head spin!

Here's one of the cards. The little copper dangle is from SunSpirit Studio which wasn't credited.

A big huzzah to all those who got published!

May Classes samples- Summer I/ Monogram at SOC9

Here are the two samples for the Summer I class on 5/16

and the two samples for the Monogram class on 5/31.

I'm looking forward to seeing you all!

Here's my favorite card so far from the Summer class. Meet you at the sand castle!

Color secrets revealed

I'll tell you a secret, I don't know what I'm doing sometimes. Whenever someone askes me about my color combinations and if I use a color wheel, I have to say no. It just feels natural to me which colors go together and I am not concerned about matching. I like to use similiar shades (monochromatic) or contrasting colors together. But usually, I pick similiar colors like orange and pink or green and blue. Right now, my favorite combination is pink and green.

Nicole made my day yesterday when she wrote in her blog about my color choices and designs. I usually stick to 2-3 colors but occasionally will go a bit wild and crazy and use every single color I can. For those who want to experiment with color, go through a magazine or color catalogue and pull out things that look interesting to you- design, color, ads, etc. And then start finding the patterns of what you picked out. Did you pick out classic color combinations like red, white and blue or "different' combinations like fuschia and purple? I find inspiration in bright colors like lime, orange and bright pink. One of my favorite things to do is to tweak traditional color schemes for holidays. I might do pink and light green (yum!) for Christmas or bright colors for Easter (instead of pastel yellow and lavender).

I keep a book of magazine tear-outs I've saved and will go through it periodically to be inspired and re-inspired all over again. What I make might that night might not actually be a duplicate of colors I looked at but I often am invigorated to start from that point.

The other day, I had thrown my orange towel and blue pajama pants into the laundry hamper. I thought, "hmm, I love this color combo. I don't use it enough." That night, I made this card. If you look closely, the colors are blue and orange but there's also dashes of green, white and black. These colors almost appear neutral because of the main colors.

Summer's a great time to experiment. You never know when inspiration may strike you. A yellow tennis ball and green grass (like yesterday's card) might find its way to your stamping.

fonts

I love these new acrylic alphabet stamps from A Muse. They stick like crazy to the clear mount. I only wish they cleaned better but that's the price to pay for any acrylic stamp. My Ultra Clean (from Stewart Superior) takes off the toughest stains but not on acrylic. When I spoke with SS at CHA, they said no cleaner on the market will clean stained acrylic. Hmm, I wonder if acrylic stamp manufacturers will make something to repel stains soon.

Oh dear, I want more alphabet stamps now! I'll have to order them soon since I'm developing my Monogram class. That should be fun. I already have some ideas.

Summer Classes scheduled at SOC9

All classes will be held at Stampin' on Cloud 9 in Monrovia, CA from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM.
Please call or visit the store to pre-register.
Stampin' On Cloud 9
403 S. Myrtle Ave
Monrovia, CA 91016
(626) 358-2886


Tuesday, May 16: Summer I
Just in time for summer, you’ll have fun making 6 sizzling hot cards. See all the latest stamps from A Muse’s new summer line. Please bring scissors, adhesive and pencil with eraser for notes. Detailed supplies lists will be provided.

Wednesday, May 31: Monogram
Use a mix of A Muse’s latest acrylic alphabet stamps with favorite wood mounted stamps to create 6 fun and fabulous cards. Please bring scissors, adhesive and pencil with eraser for notes. Detailed supplies lists will be provided.

Friday, June 2: Summer II
Come and play with the new A Muse summer stamps. Create 6 sunny and cute cards. Please bring scissors, adhesive and pencil with eraser for notes. Detailed supplies lists will be provided.

Friday, June 16: A Muse Sparkle
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.

Friday July 7: Christmas in July
Don’t buy store-bought cards this year. With A Muse’s adorable holiday stamps, create 6 perfect cards to send to friends and family. Please bring scissors, adhesive and pencil with eraser for notes. Detailed supplies lists will be provided.

Tuesday, July 25: Quick & Easy
Need a thank you or birthday card in a hurry? Make 6 perfect cards for any occasion using quick and easy techniques. Please bring scissors, adhesive and pencil with eraser for notes. Detailed supplies lists will be provided.

Tuesday, August 8: Hip to be Square
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.

Tuesday, August 22: Just for Fun
You don't need a special occasion to send someone a smile--these fun, whimsical A Muse designs are sure to evoke happy thoughts, no matter the reason! You'll create 6 just for fun cards. Please bring scissors, adhesive and pencil with eraser for notes. Detailed supplies lists will be provided.

**I'll be working on class samples soon. The new summer stamps are shipping this week to instructors. Whee! I can't wait!