Farewell, Dora

Today is the last day for a friend at work -- we have changed the contract on our housekeeping services and my library may never look as good as it has the last 3 years, since Dora kept it so well. Although she won't be at work every day I will  still see her (since I've recently introduced her to stamping) so instead of goodbye I wanted to thank her for all she's done.

Cardstock: A Muse & SU! Various dies (including the lovely cut & embossing on Vintage Labels 1 from a Muse -- a fun feature that is fairly new to me), and a cuttlebug folder

Happy stamping,
Christina

Pretty in Pink

My cousin's son and his fiancé are expecting a girl in August. The shower is next weekend -- in Oregon. I had something from their registry shipped -- but couldn't let the occasion go without a hand stamped card, right? I took inspiration from this week's A Muse Studio Consultant Challenge Blog to come up with a very pink welcome for Lyric Marie!

A Muse Studio: sleepy sighs set, bubblegum gingham & petite polka dot cardstock, vintage labels 1 & butterfly trio die sets, twinkle hearts stickers

The twist I added (just to see how it looked) is lining up the dies to create a cut-out on the double layer of cardstock, rather than layering on TOP of the patterned layer. The sentiment is stamped on the white card base, with the cut-outs adding a different kind of visual interest.

Happy stamping!
Christina

British Invasion Birthday Card

Next week is my dear mother-in-law's birthday. She has lived in the states for over 30 years, but to hear her you'd think she just stepped off a plane from London. So, I was very happy to be able to use my British Invasion set, and then I shipped it off to Arizona to be borrowed by another A*Muse consultant for her "100 cards in 100 days" event.

All products by A Muse Studio except "the wheels on the bus . . ." Inside sentiment: You're all that an' a pack of crisps

I have many more fun things planned for this set, and have some ideas about mixing it with the Let's Be Adventurers set -- but this was a quick and simple card sure to bring a smile to my MIL's face!


Happy Stamping,
Christina

Happy Mother's Day

At my Business Launch Open House last weekend we made Mother's Day cards -- based on the one I made for my own mother, and using Marvelous Marigolds from the May Spotlight.

All supplies: A|muse Studio

I should say that was the project at the Open House -- the results were wildly different. I put out my Essential Sentiments set for those that didn't want to make a card for Mother's Day, and there were a variety of occasions covered. I had several first-time stampers in attendance, mixed in with some veterans, and it was fun to watch the creativity spark and be encouraged by the others in attendance. 

We also did a treat project that involved embossing (the butterfly from Papillon done in white on Navy) that was a lot of fun to teach.

One of my colleagues decided she wanted too many things from the amazing A|Muse Studio Catalog & Inspiration Guide -- so she's planning a workshop in June (either at her apartment or at work). She hadn't stamped before, but her card was a masterpiece for her mother back in Pennsylvania. She's a lot of fun and I can't wait to work with her as she gets more involved with papercrafting.

Happy Stamping & Happy Mother's Day,
Christina

Greeting Card Box

This week was the Dean of my school's birthday, so I made a box of cards for her. A colleague and I usually stamp her a set of cards, but I decided that it would be convenient to have a box to put them in.

Box of Cards for Dr. J. Box: CTMH, Paper: SU!

Some of the cards I included . . .

Maybe by Christmas Break I can make her a set of dividers for the box  . . .

Happy Stamping,
Christina

A Muse Studio May Spotlight: Garden Party

This month's spotlight is all about the Garden Party. The colors are fun and the sets great Spring and Summer themes -- that can be used all year long. In addition to those on the flyer, check out these cute projects:

And, to make this month's spotlight even sweeter: All A Muse Studio inks are 20% off for the month of May. This special pricing is for all A Muse Studio branded single ink pads (no collections). It's a great time to grow your collection, grab that "perfect color," or just try something new!

This month's Spotlight and ink pad sale are available until May 31st 11:59pm E.T. Contact me for more information or to purchase any of the Spotlight items -- or anything else (have you SEEN the 2012 Catalog and Inspiration Guide?)

Happy Stamping,
Christina

May Flowers: A*Muse Blog Hop

If you are participating in the A*Muse|Studio blog hop, you should have come from Tami Grandi's blog and if not, then you should start from the beginning with Samantha's blog until you come to my blog.

I am happy to be participating in my first blog hop! The theme is May Flowers, and I must say that although I only own one A*Muse Studio flower set (remember, I'm still new) I had a hard time choosing which of the (many) cards I created this week to showcase! I am getting ready for my Business Launch Open House on Saturday, so I used one of the May Spotlight sets, Marvelous Marigolds. I love the versatility of this set– I was able to make bold statements and soft whispers just by changing the color of my ink and placement of my images!

Set: Marvelous Marigolds
Paper/ink: Sky (Gingham)

Sets: Marvelous Marigolds & Essential Sentiments
Paper/ink: Papaya, Orange, Tuxedo Black

Now, on to your next stop: Angela Kelley's blog.

Happy Stamping!Christina