S'more Inky AMUSEment

Easter Eggs in the Grass

2012-02-25T06:00:00.001-06:00

Melina, an online friend of mine, recently posted a picture of a card she had made using a negative punch (oval) to create Easter eggs in a grassy spot. I loved her card! Take a peek at it here.

Sooooooooooo... I got to thinking. I could use my A Muse grass die and create a similar card. I like how it turned out.

Happy Easter!

Image: A Muse Beautiful Botanicals (on page 45 of the 2012 Catalog)

Sentiment: A Muse Essential Sentiments (on page 114 of the 2012 Catalog)

Ink: A Muse Grass (on page 129 of the 2012 Catalog) and A Muse Sky (on page 128 of the 2012 Catalog) and Memento Tuxedo Black (on page 139 of the 2012 Catalog)

Die: A Muse Grass (on page 146 of the 2012 Catalog)

All Papers: from my scrap file

Embellishment: a scrap of ribbon

There's still time to shop!

2011-12-20T12:09:00.003-06:00

Soon these items will be retired and unavailable, so be sure to order them now if they are on your wish list.

Click here to go to my webstore to place your order. However, if you are ordering $150 or more, email me instead, so you can also receive hostess benefits.

Thank you!

O Holy Night

2011-11-01T06:00:00.003-05:00

I know it's just the beginning of November, but it's never too early to start thinking about Christmas cards, right?

The inside of my card:

I'm hosting my first ever Cardmaking Stack-a-Thon this weekend and this is one of the cards we'll be making. I hope the ladies will like it.

The A Muse products can be purchased through my webstore.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today! I appreciate you!!!

Image & Sentiment: A Muse Holy Night (on page 19 of the A Muse Holiday Mini catalog)
Ink: A Muse Cranberry (on page 87 of the A Muse main catalog)
Cardstock: White and Black
Designer Paper: Check (from my scrap file) and a page from the Soul Stirring Songs and Hymns hymnal
Embellishments: A Muse Cherry 1/4" Organdy Ribbon (on page 94 of the A Muse main catalog), Bazzil Polka Dot Organdy Ribbon, and Recollections Brads

It's World Cardmaking Day!

2011-10-01T00:00:00.009-05:00

To celebrate World Cardmaking Day, a group of A Muse creative consultants decided to host a blog hop. This is a circular blog hop, so it doesn't really matter where you start, you just hop until you get back to where you started. Easy!

So, grab a cup of coffee (or your favorite beverage) and let your computer take you to the blogs where you will see some great cards.

Here is mine:

It was a bit of a timid card, it simply did not want to take a good picture. I'm sorry! But I've shown you three pictures so you can get an idea of how it looks.

Now it's time to hop on to Sherri's blog and see what she made. Have fun!

If you should get lost in the hop, here's a list of eveyone involved:

Amber Smith

Jennifer Corson

Karen Crisp

Jeanette Cloyd - that's me!

ALL PRODUCTS ARE A MUSE... Image & Sentiment: The Perfect Blend (page 61 in the catalog); Inks: French Roast and Latte (pages 84-86 in the catalog); Papers: Cranberry, Vanilla, and French Roast Polka Dot (pages 85-88 in the catalog) and Wasabi (page 15 in the Holiday Mini catalog); Embellishment: Lime Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon (page 94 in the catalog)

Ho! Ho! Ho! Santa likes Ho Ho Cake!

2011-09-27T06:00:00.002-05:00

Have you seen the A Muse Studio 2011 Holiday Catalog and Inspiration Guide? It is a wonderful mini catalog filled with fun products and samples to imitate. Be sure to check the link and see what crafting awaits in those 40 pages.

I love several of the stamp sets found in the mini... and of course had to buy a few of them. One of my favorites is the Naughty or Nice set.

Here is a card I made, using Naughty or Nice:

Isn't this a fun image:

Check out the inside of my card, too:

Here's a close up of the darling Santa hat:

As always, items from any of the A Muse Studio catalogs can be purchased through my webstore... but if you want to make an order of $150 or more, please contact me and I'll help you to get the hostess benefits you earn with that size of order. You can email me at imn2wmu@yahoo.com. Thanks!!!

Images & Sentiment: Naughty or Nice (p. 13 of the Holiday Mini catalog), Papers: from my scrapfile, Embellishments: tree brad (vendor unknown) and Stickles glitter glue

Yum!

2011-09-23T06:00:00.003-05:00

It is official. Fall has arrived, and with it come cooler temperatures, falling leaves, and family and friends gathering for some good home-cooked dishes.

I really enjoy cooking, therefore it's no surprise that I also like to make recipe layouts.

This recipe is a good one... Sweet and Sour Red Cabbage

It's a colorful side dish that is easy to prepare.

Image: A Muse Perfectly Polished (p. 10 in the mini catalog), Papers: from my scrap file, Embellishments: brads (vendor unknown)

Remember me???

2011-09-22T06:00:00.000-05:00

Oh my! It HAS been a long time since I posted to this blog. EEK!

As you may recall, I was in the process of preparing for a move the last time I posted. Well, we moved. LOL! That was a much BIGGER undertaking than I expected it to be.

We moved into a much smaller house, but we are getting settled and trying to find a place for everything. I'm also trying to get my life in order, so that I can once again become a crafter and an A Muse enthusiast.

Here are three things you might like to know...

1. I'm preparing for a Stamping and Scrapbooking ONLY yard sale, which will be this Saturday. I am purging.... trying to get rid of the things I no longer love so that they can find a new home where they will be used. This will free up much needed space in my new Cubbyhole (my tiny stamping space). Sooooooooo, if you live anywhere near Fairfield, Illinois, stop by my sale this Saturday morning. Okay? There will be lots of goodies to purchase and some Make and Take projects, too.

2. I'm looking forward to having a Christmas Cardmaking Workshop in November. I'll keep you posted on the day/time... and may even show you a sneak peek of some of the things we'll be making.

3. Cardmaking Day is just around the corner. Are you prepared to have some fun???????? I sure hope so!

Check back again soon...... I have a couple of projects to show you in the next few days.

Hot Diggity Dog

2011-06-03T06:00:00.006-05:00

Life is just way too crazy! I need to find a way to slow down and enjoy each and every day!

I know!

Let's have a BarBQue!!!

Hot Diggity Dog!

Image & Sentiment: A Muse Hey, Man (page 43 in catalog) Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (page 103 in the catalog) and Copic Markers (page 96 in the catalog) Cardstock: from my scrap file Designer Paper: DCWV Embellishments: Grosgrain Ribbon, Staples, and Tiny Brads

Grass Isn't the Only Thing Growing

2011-05-12T10:40:00.000-05:00

Spring is here, which means the sound of lawn mowers can once again be heard in our neighborhood. And there's nothing quite like a freshly mowed lawn (and the smell it brings), is there?

As you can tell from the card I made today, grass isn't the only thing growing...

I love the sentiment that goes with the A Muse mower! How fun!!!

Mower Image & Sentiment: A Muse Hey, Man stamp set (page 43 in the catalog) inked with Memento Tuxedo Black ink (page 103 in the catalog) and colored with Copic markers (page 96 in the catalog); Grass and Cloud Images: A Muse Make a Scene stamp set (page 76 in the catalog) inked with A Muse Fern and Sky inks (pages 84 and 86 in the catalog; Cardstock: White and Black from my scrap file; Designer Paper: A Muse Gingham (page 89 in the catalog) and Polka Dot (page 88 in the catalog); Embellishments:A Muse Button (page 92 in the catalog) and Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon (page 94 in the catalog

The May Blog Hop

2011-05-01T23:00:00.005-05:00

It's time for another A Muse Creative Consultant Blog Hop! How incredibly fun!

If you are participating in the blog hop, you should have come from Samantha's blog which is where the blog hop begins. My blog is the second spot in the hop.

I had a lot of fun creating the card for this hop. I used the cushioned in comfort stamp set and did some paper piecing on the image. I also used the same gingham paper for the sentiment to provide some continuity.

A simple button is the only embellishment I used and I chose a clean and simple layout, too.

I used a nestability to cut out the oval hardwood floor on which the chair and table are placed. I popped the image up to give it some depth.

The sentiment reads: Thanks so much for brightening my day!

Now on to your next stop Amber's blog. I hope you will enjoy this hop and leave comments along the way.

Image & Sentiment: A Muse cushioned in comfort (page 60 in the catalog) Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (page 103 in the catalog) and Copic Markers (page 96 in the catalog) Cardstock: Ivory from my scrap file Designer Paper: A Muse Gingham (page 89 in the catalog) and Woodgrain (page 90 in the catalog) Embellishment: A Muse Button (page 92 in the catalog)

The Winner is...

2011-04-08T12:22:00.005-05:00

Oh My!! I am so sorry... I didn't get back here to choose a random winner of the blog hop until now. Please forgive me!

I used random.org to generate a winning number. It selected #11....

which is APRIL!

This is what April said in the comment section:

Hehehe....love the 'puffs' of smoke! I guess I will have to check out the rest of the blog hop...just like me starting in the middle!!

Congratulations, April. There will be a package heading your way shortly!

I hope all of you enjoyed the Blog Hop!!!

It's a Blog Hop!!!

2011-04-01T23:00:00.017-05:00

This has been such an exciting (A MUSEing) week! And the fun isn't over yet. Today is the first ever A Muse Studio Consultant Blog Hop! We are making history... and you are here! Welcome!!!

This is the 17th hop along the way. You should have arrived here from Melissa's blog. The hop started on Samantha's blog, so if you're just now starting, you'll want to go there.

Here's the card I made:

I used a variety of A Muse products - cardstock (from the sampler kit), stitched ribbon, pearls (for little puffs of exhaust behind the car), and images.

Here's a close up view:

I hope you like my card. Be sure to leave a comment before you hop on to the next blog because I'm going to be giving one lucky person a sampling of A Muse Ribbon (for a total of 3 yards of ribbon). You have until Tuesday, April 5 to comment, then I'll use a Random Integer Generator to select a winner from those who left comments.

The next stop on the blog hop is Kari's blog... but before you go, don't forget to leave a comment here on my blog. Remember, one lucky winner is going to receive an A MUSEing prize!

Images: Love Conquers All (page 12 in the catalog) and Make a Scene (page 76 in the catalog) Ink: A Muse Cranberry (page 87 in the catalog) and Memento Tuxedo Black (page 103 in the catalog) Cardstock: I'm not 100% sure what colors they are - I'm sorry! Embellishments: A Muse Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon (page 93 in the catalog) and Pearl Stickers (page 92 in the catalog)

It's an Exciting Day!!!

2011-04-01T07:42:00.003-05:00

This is NOT an April Fool's prank/joke... trust me!

It's true!!! I signed up to be one of the new A Muse Studio Creative Consultants a few week's ago, as many of you know. Today - yes TODAY - is the day that my A Muse Studio Webstore opened!!!

Check it out here!

You can buy A Muse products - which are awesome!!! - directly from my store! Or, if you prefer, you can order them by emailing me. Oh, and should you find lots to love and therefore would qualify for hostess benefits, PLEASE email your order to me. A Muse tells me that for customers to receive the hostess benefits, I (the consultant) have to place the customer order for them through the business office of A Muse.

Have fun shopping! Let me know if I can help you in any way!!!

Oh... and one more thing. I just opened a business facebook page. I hope you'll check it out and, too... and LIKE it! You can find it here.

Something Exciting is Coming!

2011-03-31T06:00:00.006-05:00

Yes, that's right! My A Muse Webstore will be open on Friday!!! How exciting is that!?!?!?

If all goes as planned, A Muse tells us that the webstores will go live at 12:01 a.m. (Pacific time) on April 1. You will find my webstore at: https://www.amusestudio.com/Jeanette

I would love to help you with your need for A Muse products. If you will be placing an order of $150 or more, it will qualify for hostess incentives... but to get them you will need to place your order directly through me, not on my webstore. You can email me at imn2wmu@yahoo.com

If you have any questions, or just want to chat, send me an email. I'll get back to you ASAP! Also, some of you may be wanting a copy of the A Muse catalog. They are available through the webstore for $9.95 plus shipping, or contact me via email and if I still have some in stock, I will mail them to you for $11, including the cost of shipping.

And if the launch of the webstore isn't exciting enough.... on Saturday (April 2), there is more fun in planned!

There is going to be an A Muse Blog Hop!!! I'm going to be participating along with a lot of other A Muse Consultants. So be sure to check back here on Saturday for all the fun!

Guitar Music

2011-03-25T06:00:00.007-05:00

Last Friday I posted a picture of a card I made with the Rock Star set. I had so much fun with that card, that I decided to make another card with the same image and sentiment.

This is a great set to use for cards for those teenagers in your life!

I did a little bit on the inside of my card, too.

The music note brad looks great on the Broken Music Note paper.

Image & Sentiment: A•Muse Studios Rock Star set (page 54 in the catalog)
Ink: A•Muse Studios Currant (page 87 in the catalog) and Ocean (page 85 in the catalog)
Cardstock: from my scrap file
Designer Paper: Carolee's Creations Broken Notes and Piggy Tales Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Collection Wonder Years
Embellishments: Eyelet Outlet musical note brad and Studio 18 rhinestones

To the Moon and Back

2011-03-23T08:42:00.010-05:00

When my children were very young, I started a loving tradition with them. I'd ask them how much I love them and they would respond, with outstretched arms, "This much and more." I love them beyond measure. When I saw the cute rocket ship and sentiment stamp in my A Muse starter kit, I immediately thought of them, although they are now all grown up.

Jeremy, Brock, and Brittney, I love you to the moon and back!

I wanted to add some celestial sparkle to my images, so I mostly colored them with the Copic Spica pens. A Muse sells a clear one and it is perfect for adding a touch of shimmer/shine wherever you need/want it. I also own some of the colored Copic Spica pens and they are what I used on this card.

I even added a bit of cloud paper inside my card - and of course, I had to have a moon!

In this picture you can see that I actually ran the ribbon to the inside of my card, as well. The A Muse Organdy ribbon is so pretty, it cannot be hidden.

This picture shows some of the depth of my card:

I know some of you might be getting eager to order from my A Muse web store. Let me remind you... it will go live on April 1. I look forward to seeing what catches your eye in the catalog. What will you be ordering???

Images: A Muse Make a Scene (page 76 in the catalog) and Quick & Cute Valentines (page 13 in the catalog)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic markers, and Copic Spica pens
Cardstock: from my scrap file
Designer Paper: K & Co. Actopus to Zelephant Designer Mat Pack
Embellishment: A Muse 1/4" Organdy Ribbon (page 94 in the catalog)

How Ya' Bean?

2011-03-20T06:00:00.009-05:00

I have always loved the smell of coffee brewing, even though I didn't start drinking coffee until about 6 months ago. I also like coffee stamps/images and all those fun coffee-themed sentiments found in the stamping world. Therefore I was excited to see that A Muse Studio has a great coffee stamp set called The Perfect Blend.

The cup in the set reminds me of my favorite guilty pleasure - Starbucks! The sentiment I used is fun, too - How Ya' Bean?

I wanted to try out some more of my new A Muse products, so I used a polka dot stamp to provide some unique inking to the front of the card. I also used a small piece of the A Muse Polka Dot designer paper to give some color to the card front. Isn't it cheerful?

The Washi tape is such a fun product. I was able in stamp the sentiment onto it, it did take quite a while for the ink to dry, though. And I just wanted a rugged/torn look so I just ripped the piece of Washi tape and adhered it to the front of the card.

I added some buttons that I had (although A Muse does sell buttons, I don't own any of them - YET!) to give some depth and a variety of color to my card.

Here's the inside of my card:

The sentiment is from the A Muse Essential Elements stamp set

I wanted to try adding ink to the edges of my card, so I did - both inside and out with French Roast ink. I also sponged some Bubblegum ink onto the area where I then stamped the sentiment for some added color.

Speaking of sponging, let me show you my sponging kit that I'm making. So far, the only colors I have in it are Bubblegum and French Roast.

I purchased a package of 12 sponges for a dollar at a yard sale last summer. I am in the process of cutting them into 6 pieces each and I add a handle (white cardstock stapled onto the piece of sponge) so that I can easily hold onto the sponge while inking and sponging onto my projects. I write the ink color onto the handle for easy reference.

The plastic storage case is one that I had from my old system of storing my earrings. It is perfect for my sponge kit.

Now for a final thought, I recently read this statement and thought you might like it...

FOREVER: Time it takes to brew the first pot of coffee in the morning.

Images & Sentiments: A Muse Essential Elements (page 76 in catalog), Polka Dot Patterns (page 75 in catalog), and The Perfect Blend (page 61 in catalog)
Ink: A Muse Bubblegum (page 85 in catalog) and French Roast (page 86 in catalog)
Cardstock: A Muse French Roast (page 86 in catalog)
Designer Paper: Polka Dot (page 88 in catalog)
Embellishments: A Muse Washi Tape (page 84 in catalog), and buttons sewn on with crochet thread (vendor unknown)

You Rock!

2011-03-18T10:11:00.011-05:00

I can't believe it's been nearly a week since I posted on this blog. I'm sorry! When I began it, my intention was to post a minimum of three times a week. However, I have been feeling a little under the weather this week - which has me dragging - and I can't seem to keep up.

This morning I just NEEDED to get inky, though... so I went to my Hidout (my craft space) and opened up some of those wonderful A•Muse Studio ink pads that came in my starter kit. Oh my goodness!!! I could not believe how lucious they are! They stamp beautifully - such rich gorgeous colors. Awesome ink!!!

You can see two of the colors here in the card I made for this post:

The image and sentiment are part of the A•Muse Studios Rock Star stamp set

I had a piece of this awesome double-sided designer paper that I thought went perfectly with the Rock Star image, so I used some of it on both the card front and inside the card.

This view shows you some of the details and the layering of my card:

I almost always pop something up off the card front - the image and/or a sentiment. I love dimensionals!

You Rock!

Image & Sentiment: A•Muse Studios Rock Star set (page 54 in the catalog)
Ink: A•Muse Studios Ocean and Orange (page 85 in the catalog)
Cardstock: from my scrap file
Designer Paper: Piggy Tales Old King Cole Collection (double-sided)
Embellishments: Eyelet Outlet musical note brad and Studio 18 rhinestones

A Sheltering Tree

2011-03-12T09:08:00.019-06:00

I cannot begin to tell you how excited I was to see the UPS truck pull up to my house yesterday. I knew he was bringing my A•Muse Studio starter kit and I couldn't wait to dive into that box.

I must say, I wasn't disappointed. Every single item is incredible!

I just had to get inky!!!

I know I am supposed to say this, after all, I am an A•Muse Studio consultant, but really, TRULY, these cling stamps are awesome!!! They inked up so nicely and stamped beautifully! Perfect!!!

When I was finished stamping, I tried out my new A•Muse Studio Squeaky Clean Stamp Cleaner on my Double Scrubber and it smells so good and cleans beautifully, too! WOW! Loved that stuff!!!

I want to give you an idea of the dimension to my card. The A•Muse Studio trees are popped up off of the designer paper:

One last picture of the card I made:

Thanks for stopping by!

If you're interested in placing an order, remember my A•Muse Studio web store will go live on April 1. Of if you can't wait that long (I know the feeling because I have a HUGE wishlist of A•Muse Studio products, too), then send me an email and we can get your order processed that way. My email address is imn2wmu@yahoo.com.

Image & Sentiment: A•Muse Studios Woodland Friends set (page 38 in the catalog)
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black (page 103 in the catalog)
Papers: all of them are from my scrap file
Embellishment: A•Muse French Roast Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon (page 94 in the catalog)

Have a Swinging Day!

2011-03-10T12:57:00.015-06:00

I'm waiting, waiting.... waiting! Not too patiently, I might add. LOL! I keep watching for the UPS truck, even though the tracking information tells me not to expect my A•Muse Starter Kit until Friday. A girl can hope it arrives early, right?

I decided to try to make a swinging card (or sometimes called Flip Flop Card) using the only A•Muse sentiment stamp I currently own and some cute monkey designer paper. I'd never made one of these swinging cards before so googled to find a tutorial. Splitcoast Stampers has a tutorial, but it was a little too involved for me, so I searched elsewhere. I found an awesome scaled drawing at The Character Cafe and started to work. I've also linked the SCS tutorial, just in case you like all the detail involved there.

One thing I did discover about swinging cards... they are challenging to photograph. I'm sorry! There's just no good way to get a fantastic picture.

This is the front of the card:

I took the sentiment stamp and randomly stamped all over the prepared card base before folding it.

Swing the card open and this is what you see:

Closed:

Open:

Have a swinging day!

Sentiment: A•Muse Swinging Day
Ink: Stampin' UP! Taken with Teal
Cardstock: from my scrap file
Designer Paper: Creative Imaginations
Embellishments: tiny brads

Welcome to my New Adventure!

2011-03-05T10:27:00.001-06:00

I'm so excited! Have you heard the BIG news???

A•Muse Studio is launching its home-based concept!

And I'm a brand new A•Muse Studio Creative Consultant!!!

Can you tell I'm excited?

I am currently stalking my mailman - waiting for my incredible starter kit to arrive so I can start to work.

For now, I've taken some initial steps in my new business venture.

For one thing, I started this brand new blog which will only feature things I create with A•Muse images, sentiments, and more. I'll also continue to maintain my current blog, which I thoroughly enjoy!

I also created my first card with an A•Muse stamp that I currently own.

A•Muse Tent image

There are so many wonderful products in the A•Muse Studio catalog - Cling stamps, inks, papers, Copic markers, Nestabilities, Big Shot, and oh so much more. Check it out!!!

Image: A•Muse Tent
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black and Copic markers
Papers: from my scrap file
Embellishments: buttons and hemp