Author Archives: Driven to Ink

Juggling Santa Amuse-bouche

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Today marks the start of the CHRISTMAS sneak peeks! Here’s my first Amuse-bouche Christmas card featuring the new Santa and Vintage Merry Christmas stamps. 

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When I saw this little Santa I thought he would look really cute juggling presents but I couldn’t find my Tiny Gift stamp anywhere so I had to improvise and draw the presents myself. I used the new Evergreen and Grass 8.5×11 Cardstock for this card, which I kept fairly simple since A muse and I share the same motto – “Think Simple. Think A Muse.” I can’t wait to see what all the other muses do with this stamp! Be sure to check them out by going to the A Muse lounge. 

I couldn’t resist sharing another card using one of my favourite new stamps, the Birch Forest with Leaves (although I left the leaves off for this particular card), which also features Young Rudy and the Vintage Merry Christmas sentiment.

This is actually one of the cards we’ll be making in my upcoming Christmas card class on Wednesday at 6:30 at The Paperie – there are still a few spots left so make sure you call to register! Check out The Paperie Blog today for another “Amuse-bouche” featuring Santa, Young Rudy and another adorable new stamp. 🙂

Scary Cemetary Amuse-bouche

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Here’s another sneak peek at some SPoOoKy Halloween stamps being released during this years A*MUSE*A*PALOOZA event…

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Featured on this card are the Three Mice Silhouette, Cemetary Row, and Trick or Treat stamps as well as NEW 8.5×11 papers in Grass, Onyx, and Slate.

Be sure to check out the Paperie Blog today for a cute idea for a treat box featuring new AP stamps!

Witchy Owl Amuse-Bouche

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I am finally participating in my FIRST Amuse-Bouche! I never seem to get my act together in time to order the stamps in advance and play along, but this time the early bird caught the worm and I bought the ENTIRE collection of stamps. I know what you’re thinking, who died and left you a million dollars? Nobody. But Christmas stamps are my biggest weakness and I had the saddest little selection of Halloween stamps prior to this release. Plus, as an A Muse Instructor I felt justified in purchasing the whole kit-n-kaboodle – everyone else is doing it. 😉

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Here is my card, featuring the new Hazel Witch stamp, Bare Branch, and Halloween is a Hoot. Also featured is the new Onyx black 8.5×11 paper, which I used to make a card measuring 5.5×4.25 .

I still have a few spaces left in each of my classes at The Paperie on Monday and Wednesday, and I’ll also be hosting make’n’takes today, Tuesday, and Thursday – bring the kids or a friend, or just take some time for yourself to stamp and get crafty.

Stay tuned throughout the week for even more inspiration, and I’m doing double-duty this week by posting different cards for the Amuse-Bouche on The Paperie Blog too, so pop over to have a peek!

Sparkler Cupcake

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I finally had a chance to participate in the monthly A Muse Lounge Challenge, “Taking off some Layers” (create a single layer card). I’m sure this has been done a hundred times, but when I saw this Sparkler stamp from A Muse my first instinct was to combine it with a cupcake from their Cupcake Builder clear stamp set to make a cute little festive cupcake.

For my greeting I combined another two stamps (Happy Birthday to you & Favourite peeps MA), only inking the “happy birthday” part of the sentiment and breaking up “to one of my favourite peeps”. When I realized that I had stamped my cupcake a little too high, I decided to draw one of those borders that are so popular lately.

For the cupcake frosting I used liquid applique and sprinkled on some ultra fine glitter before heat-setting the applique. The bottom half of the cupcake is coloured with my new Koh-I-Noor woodless pencils and spica, while the sparkler was coloured with the Pitch Black Spica then glittered up even more with yellow stickles.

I’ve been uber busy preparing TOP SECRET cards for the rapidly approaching A*MUSE*A*PALOOZA event at The Paperie – see the post below this one for more details on the classes and make’n’takes I’ll be hosting.

July 2010 Classes

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A-Muse-A Palooza Make’n’Take Marathon – Saturday, July 10th (FREE)
Drop by The Paperie any time between 11:30am-4:00pm (choose your time slot when you register).
I will be hosting a FREE Make’n’Take using the new A Muse release throughout the day on Saturday. Registration is required in advance to secure your space, but you can choose any time between 11:30 and 4pm to drop by. We will make a different card on the three M’n’T days.

Holidays and Fall Days Card Class – Monday, July 12th
Two time slots: 2:00-3:30 or 6:30-8:00 (same cards in each time slot)
You will use new wood mounted stamps revealed at A-MUSE-A-PALOOZA 2010 to make three fun holiday cards and one fall card that will be sure to delight!

A-Muse-A Palooza Make’n’Take Marathon – Tuesday, July 13th (FREE)
Drop by any time between 11:30am-4:00pm (choose your time slot when you register).
I will be hosting another FREE Make’n’Take featuring the new A-Muse-a-Palooza release throughout the day on Tuesday. Registration is required in advance to secure your space, but you can choose any time between 11:30 and 4pm to drop by!

Merry & Scary Card Workshop – Wednesday, July 14th
Two time slots: 2:00-3:30 or 6:30-8:00 (same cards in each time slot)
In this fun class you will use some special NEW A Muse stamps to make a combination of winter, Christmas, and Halloween cards that will sparkle and spook with holiday glee! If you have already taken the other A Muse class or Make’n’Takes offered earlier in the week, don’t worry – this class will have all NEW card designs you won’t want to miss! (Thanks to Lori for the great class title!)

A-Muse-A Palooza Make’n’Take Marathon – Thursday, July 15th
Drop by any time between 11:30am-4:00pm (choose your time slot when you register).
I will be hosting another FREE Make’n’Take featuring the new A-Muse-a-Palooza release throughout the day on Thursday. Registration is required in advance to secure your space, but you can choose any time between 11:30 and 4pm to drop by.

A-Muse-A-Palooza Crop Night – Friday, July 16th (6:30pm-midnight)
This is not just your ordinary Crop Night! This is a chance for you to come in and get started on your Christmas Cards – refreshments and snacks will be provided! The Paperie will have a selection of NEW A Muse stamps available for FREE rental on this night only, as well as a few different A Muse-infused card & layout ideas for you to draw inspiration from (or even copy if you so desire!). Scrapbookers are welcome to join in the fun as well – participants can do their own thing, or join in on our Holiday Tag make’n’take.

A Muse Fancy Floral Cards – Tuesday, July 20th (6:30pm)
This class was so popular last month that I’m teaching a sequel featuring the beautiful floral stamps from A Muse. Make four NEW elegant cards using a blend of new and old floral images from A Muse – we’ll even experiment with Copic Markers in this class! Whether you participated or missed out on the last Fancy Florals, you won’t want to miss the sequel!

Fancy Florals Part II

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I had such an amazing turn-out and so much positive feedback from my Fancy Florals class this Tuesday past that I have decided to offer it again in July – but not to fear if you already took the first class, we will be making different cards using a combination of newer and older floral images from A Muse!

Check out the rest of the cards we made in the class on Tuesday…

A Muse Stamps: Bursting Blooms, Many Thanks FL, Marigold solid, Have a Beautiful Day FL, Marigold. A Muse Papers: Paprika, Orange Shimmer Couture, White, Madeira Blue, Ivory, Yellow, Pink Shimmer Couture. A Muse Accents: Pink Chiffon Sheer Polka Dot ribbon, Cranberry Pretty Pearls, White Pretty Pearls. Other: Scor-Pal, Stickles, Tombows, Inks, Corner Rounder.

A Muse Fancy Floral Cards – Tuesday, July 20th (6:30pm)
This class was so popular last month that The Paperie is offering a sequel featuring the beautiful floral stamps from A Muse. Join me to make four NEW elegant cards using a blend of old and new floral images from A Muse – we’ll even experiment with Copic Markers in this class! Whether you participated or missed out on the last Fancy Florals in June, you won’t want to miss the sequel in July!

Queen Anne’s Lace

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Here’s a quick peek at one of the cards we’ll be making in my upcoming Fancy Florals class on Tuesday night at The Paperie…

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I fell in love with this stamp the minute I saw it – and although I promised myself “no more flowers”, sometimes you just gotta keep up with the Joneses. Jones’s? Jones’? Whatever – Queen Anne’s Lace is technically a weed, so there. I may  have purchased a few other flowers, here or there… ahem.

Look at THIS box, pretty exciting right?

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No, they’re not all mine. Sadly. Just seven of them… plus the Queen Anne’s Lace. You’ll have to sign up for my class on Tuesday to see the rest of the stamps I bought – there’s only one space left 😉

Perhaps I’ll provide another sneak peek before the weekend is over – have a good one!

Everything’s (almost) Rosy…

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Hi folks – sorry I’ve been on the missing list lately, it’s been a crazy month and I haven’t had a lot of downtime so I haven’t been feeling very creative. I expect that is about to change as my stamps from the “Everything’s Rosy” collection are enroute to me as I type! Yay! I’ve waited a long time to buy these stamps, I really should have ordered them immediately at the end of April but I had to wait for payday, then they ran out of stock TWICE in a row (‘cos they are just THAT hot). I know these beauties are going to be worth the wait, I have been admiring everyone elses creations from the big reveal earlier this month. Check them out below!

Day 1

A Muse News – Everything’s Rosy!
Beth (A Muse Instructor in AL): One More Morsel
Glenda (A Muse Instructor in BC, Canada): Designer’s Choice
Jill (A Muse Instructor in CA): Flight of the Butterflies
Cheiron (A Muse Instructor in NY): Queen Ann’s Lace Hello
Jennie (A Muse Instructor in NV): It’s Teacher Time
Dawn (A Muse Instructor in WI): Last One
Geeta (A Muse Instructor in TX): Teacher Appreciation, Amuse-bouche and a Birthday
Jenn (A Muse Instructor in MA): Everything’s Rosy
Lexi (A Muse Designer): Everything’s Rosy
Lori (A Muse Instructor in AZ): Teacher Thanks
Donna (A Muse Instructor in AK): Hello
Elena (A Muse Designer): Flowers Everywhere
Michelle M (A Muse Instructor in KY): Everything’s Rosy
Sherry (A Muse Instructor in NY): Simple and Elegant Gift
June (A Muse Instructor in NC): Everything Is Still ROsy
Emily (A Muse Designer): Bare Branch

Day 2
A Muse News – Everything’s Rosy!
Cheiron (A Muse Instructor in NY): Flittery Fun
Glenda (A Muse Instructor in BC, Canada): Flittery Fun
Donna (A Muse Instructor in AK): Flittery Fun
Geeta (A Muse Instructor in TX): Take Flight
Jennie (A Muse Instructor in NV): Hello Butterflies
Lori (A Muse Instructor in AZ): Flock Takes Flight
Elena (A Muse Designer): Colorful Flutterbies
Dawn (A Muse Instructor in WI): Butterflies
Michelle M (A Muse Instructor in KY): Flittery Fun
Sherry (A Muse Instructor in NY): Flittery Fun
Liz (A Muse Instructor in MA/NH): Flittery Fun
Beth (A Muse Instructor in AL): Amuse-bouche Takes Flight
Jill (A Muse Instructor in CA): All a Flutter
Jenn (A Muse Instructor in MA): Everything’s Rosy
Heather (A Muse Designer): Many Thanks
Michelle C (A Muse Instructor in GA): flutterby kisses
Lexi (A Muse Designer): Rosy Times Two

Day 3 

Jill (A Muse Instructor in CA): Lovely as a Rose
Dawn (A Muse Instructor in WI): Beautiful Day
Michelle M (A Muse Instructor in KY): Flowers whisper
Jenn (A Muse Instructor in MA): Everythings Rosy
Cheiron (A Muse Instructor in NY/NJ): Many thanks
Donna (A Muse Instructor in AK): Everyday Elegance
Beth (A Muse Instructor in AL): Hello
Glenda (A Muse Instructor in British Columbia, CA): Best Wishes
Liz (A Muse Instructor in MA/NH): Merci
Sherry (A Muse Instructor in NY): Everyday Elegance
Geeta (A Muse Instructor in TX): Everyday Elegance
Emily (A Muse Designer): Wild Rose

Day 4

A Muse News – Everything’s Rosy!
Jill (A Muse Instructor in CA): Aloha
Glenda (A Muse Instructor in BC, Canada): Everything’s Rosy
Michelle C (A Muse Instructor in GA): Merci
Beth (A Muse Instructor in AL): Beautiful Botanicals
Lexi (A Muse Designer): Beautiful Branch
Michelle M (A Muse Instructor in KY): Floral Friendship
Donna (A Muse Instructor in AK): In my thoughts
Cheiron (A Muse Instructor in NY/NJ): Best Wishes
Dawn (A Muse Instructor in WI): In my thoughts
Geeta (A Muse Instructor in TX): Beautiful Branch
Jennie (A Muse Instructor in NV): Many thanks
Sherry (A Muse Instructor in NY): Floral Friendship
Melinda (A Muse Instructor in VA): Simply Rosy
Novell (A Muse Instructor in WA): Bare Branch
Emily (A Muse Designer): Jasmine
Liz (A Muse Instructor MA/NH): Glittery Branch
Elena (A Muse Designer): Simple Silhouette
June (A Muse Instructor in NC): Everything’s Rosy
Jenn (A Muse Instructor in MA): Everything’s Rosy

Day 5
A Muse News – Everything’s Rosy!
Cheiron (A Muse Instructor in NY/NJ): Have a Beautiful Day
Beth (A Muse Instructor in AL): Flowers Whisper
Jill (A Muse Instructor in CA): Best Wishes
Liz (A Muse Instructor in MA): Bonjour
Michelle C (A Muse Instructor in GA): Beautiful Day
Glenda (A Muse Instructor in BC, Canada): Best Wishes
Dawn (A Muse Instructor in WI): What Words Cannot Say
Jennie (A Muse Instructor in NV): Have a Beautiful Day
Lexi (A Muse Designer): Bonjour Marigold
Julie (A Muse Designer): Flowers whisper
Sherry (A Muse Instructor in NY): Beautiful Day
Becky (A Muse Designer): Many thanks
Emily (A Muse Designer): Beautiful Marigold
Michelle M (A Muse Instructor in KY): Everything’s Rosy
Elena (A Muse Designer): Many Thanks
Jenn (A Muse Instructor in MA): Everything’s Rosy
Lori (A Muse Instructor in AZ): Everything’s Rosy
Krystie (A Muse Designer): Introducing Everything’s Rosy
Geeta (A Muse Instructor TX): Beautiful Day

To check out even more inspiring ideas, visit the A Muse Lounge to see lots of summery, sunny, feel-good cards made by my fellow Muses…

http://www.amuselounge.com/showthread.php?t=3609&highlight=inspiring+ideas

June 2010 Classes

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Fancy Floral Cards – Tuesday, June 8th (6:30pm)
A Muse Art Stamps has released a beautiful collection of new Floral stamps in their Everything’s Rosy collection. This is one of their most popular releases in history, they have sold out three times in a row already! Join me at The Paperie to learn a new folding technique, and experiment with Smooch and Stickles to make these floral images truly special.

Mainly Masculine Card Class – Monday, June 14th (6:30pm)
Sometimes masculine cards can be the most difficult cards of all – it’s hard to resist all the “pretty” things that can make card-making so fun, like ribbon, flowers, etc. In this card class we will make FIVE minimalist masculine cards to celebrate the men in your life using simple yet effective techniques.

Vintage to you, new to me!

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As with most things in my life, I’m a day late with my A Muse Bouche offerings this week but I was totally inspired last night after seeing all the other Muses work their magic with the wonderful Special Edition Vintage Stamp set. It’s been a tumultuous week, preparing for the Wedding show last Sunday at the Delta, and now getting ready for The Paperie’s BIG Scrapbooking Retreat at the Wilds in Salmonier this weekend.

Here’s a mini 3×3 card I made which was completely copied from Heather Meeson – I gasped out loud when I saw her card yesterday. Being such a music junkie, y’know I had to break out my Rock star stamp and make my own version of Heather’s card…

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The rest of my cards are 4.25×4.25 – with all the new 8.5×11 paper from A Muse, I love being able to make this size card again! For the next card, I had to use my favourite stamp from the vintage release, the Tire Swing. I paired it with my all-time favourite stamp, the Big BL – you MUST go buy this rectangle background stamp before it’s too late – I’d hate to see you snooze and lose 😉 The sentiment on this card actually comes all on one line, but I cut it up so I could easily stagger it. I do this with 75% of my acrylic sentiment stamps – gotta love versatility. I used my scor-pal to create an “embossed” border to add a little extra interest to this card.  

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Finally, I could NOT resist the Dragon and matching sentiment – hilarious! I love that A Muse paired brand new sentiments with all of the retired stamps for this Vintage release. Again, I used my Scor-Pal and the Scor-bug to create a bit more interest – this technique was inspired by Emily’s Card yesterday.  

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To see cards from all the other Muses using the vintage stamps, check the links below!  

A Muse News – Happy & Vintage A Muse
Beth (A Muse Instructor in AL): What’s Up?
Cheiron (A Muse Instructor in NY/NJ): You Make Me Smile
Jill (A Muse Instructor in CA): Welcome to the Party
Glenda (A Muse Instructor in BC, CA): Clearly Vintage
Jennie (A Muse Instructor in NV): What’s Up?
Donna (A Muse Instructor in AK): Dragon of Life
Lori (A Muse Instructor in AZ): Keep Calm
Becky (A Muse Designer): What’s up?
Elena (A Muse Designer): Picnic Time
Geeta (A Muse Instructor in TX): Ride On
Dawn (A Muse Instructor in WI): Keep calm. Ride On
Michelle M (A Muse Instructor in KY): Vintage Bicycle
Novell (A Muse Instructor in WA): Dragon of Life
Sherry (A Muse Instructor in NY): Life’s a Picnic
Michelle C (A Muse Instructor in GA): Picnic Time
Emily (A Muse Designer): Vintage Snappy
Lexi (A Muse Designer): The Old is New Again
Krystie (A Muse Designer): Happy Birthday, A Muse
Heather (A Muse Designer): You Make Me Smile

Pajama Party – Challenge #4

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It’s 12:43am and I’m finally headed to bed after a late night of stamping and chatting with my fellow A muse addicts. For Geeta’s challenge (Make a card for a mom you know), I made a quick card for my mama – she’s had a hard week so I treated her to breakfast.

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Mom’s favourite colours are navy blue and red and she sure does love coffee, so I made this card to have on hand. The inside says “let’s get together for coffee”, and there’s a little pocket to stash a Starbucks gift card. My mom is such an amazing woman, she deserves to be treated more often.

Pajama Party – Challenge #3

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I always seem to use my Zinnia stamps and they just weren’t going to work for my favourite flower (Lilacs) so I had to improvise. I used the two little flower stamps from the Cupcake Builder stamp set to create this pretty little branch of lilacs, and I used the Leaf frond stamp for the leaves.

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Thanks to my mother I have always shared her love of lilacs – they are her favourite flower and every spring we used to go to graveyards to pick lilacs. Shocking, I know – we are practically grave robbers. Don’t tell!

Pajama Party – Challenge #1

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I couldn’t resist playing along with Jennie’s inspiration challenge – create a card inspired by these cupcakes. You know me and cupcakes 😉

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Don’t recognize that cupcake stamp? Look closer… I used a cupcake top and a bottom from the Cupcake Builder stamp set and inked up the back of them. To quote Julie Ebersole, I am hugging myself right now.  🙂

Card Drive for the SPCA!

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Card Drive for the SPCA!

 

The Paperie is having a Card Drive! Here is your opportunity to do something you love and give back to your community at the same time! Create 5 (or more) handmade cards for any occasion, bring them into us at The Paperie, and we will donate them to the local SPCA Spring Sale on April 17th. The cards can be all the same or all different – you choose the cards, we (at The Paperie) will package them up for you, and send them off to the SPCA sale! Don’t forget to pop by St. Mary’s Church Auditorium on April 17th to support this special organization if you’re in the area!

Cards from outside the province are welcome too – please post-mark no later than April 8th to ensure they reach us in time! Don’t worry about creating something brand new, if you already have a few cards in your stash send ’em on over! 🙂

The Paperie

36 Pippy Place

St. John’s, NL

A1B 3X4