Blessings Ink.

2012 Calendar and a•muse inks!

2012-01-25T06:37:00.006-05:00

Sunghee, my a•muse studio upline (times 2) and I got together for a wonderful morning of stamping ink charts. I hadn't gotten to see all of the lovely a•s inks until today and I was blown away by the colors...so much better than in the catalog! She's got a great stamping room and look at how efficiently she set up the inks. It is always fun to talk and stamp with someone, I think!

Sunghee is extremely generous and gave me this business card sized 2012 calendar that fits into a plastic business card holder. I got to pick one out and this was my favorite using Wasbi ink and the Friend to Friend stamp set.

What is especially neat is that since our a•muse studio paper is white on one side, she could use a piece of woodgrain DP and print out her calendars on the white, underneath side. My photos don't do this justice and this is so much neater in real life!!

If you are interested in this calendar or any of Sunghee's other templates, you can find them here. And don't forget about my birthday special this week! You can find the details on the previous post...

Celebrate my Birthday!!

2012-01-23T04:00:00.003-05:00

Yup! Today is my birthday and all week long I'm offering a special deal in celebration of me...if you place an order this week of $25 or more I will automatically send you a free 2012 a•muse studio catalog! It's the perfect time to take advantage of the January Spotlight stamp/paper specials - you can get these Valentine stamps at a discount with plenty of time to get busy for that special day! - or don't forget about the retiring a•s products and stamps. After 31 January you won't be able to get these goodies...so send me an email or place your order online at my secure shopping site before midnight, 27 January to get in on my birthday celebration!

PS. If you are in one of my hostess clubs you will be getting one free already - and if you have preordered a catalog and take advantage of this special I will refund you your money...

Card details: I love that I can have matching a•muse products and that is why my ribbon matches my paper so perfectly! They are both sky blue and after I embossed the paper, I rubbed it with a sanding block to let the white core show through...it really adds so much I think! I colored in my cake with copics and then used a ruler and an exacto knife to carefully trim part of it away.

I think this card will be perfect for my Dad's 80th birthday on Friday. I'm so excited to be able to fly out and celebrate with my parents and sister and her family...see? It's a double birthday celebration!!

New Catalog!

2012-01-20T17:29:00.003-05:00

Phew! What a week...

but the exciting news is this weekend is the a•muse studio convention where the new catalog will be revealed!!

I'm so excited to see the whole catalog but I've enjoyed seeing some great sneak peeks! In fact, you can check some of them out here on Pintrest.

In the meantime I wanted to let you know that I just ordered 50 catalogs and you can now begin preordering them from me. It's just $8.50 which includes shipping to you...and includes a little thank you. :)

You can send me an email or click on my paypal button on the side!

Catalog goes LIVE on 1 February...just try to Keep Calm! tee hee...

Mr and Mrs

2012-01-13T06:20:00.001-05:00

What a quick and easy wedding card! I like it because it has just a hint of sparkle but the woodgrain paper still makes it somewhat masculine. Perfect for a new couple. And, you could change the sentiment and it would make a nice Valentine too!

Bubblegum and Slate - it's a great color combo!

Have a super weekend!

PS. I hope by now you've received your email for my a•muse studio catalog preorder...the new catalog goes LIVE on 1 Feb and I should be able to mail them (hopefully!) by 30 Jan. I am also looking for a few more folks for a NEW Hostess Club starting in February...email me for details!

Stamping Kissing!

2012-01-11T04:57:00.001-05:00

Sounds like a perfect technique for a heart stamp, right?

I love the heart from the Happily Ever After set. It's just the right size. I inked it up with Cranberry ink (retiring 31 Jan!) and then "kissed" it...when I say "kissing" I just mean you ink up your solid stamp with pigment ink and then tap with another fine lined stamp or texture.

Above I used an elegant damask, a music score background, some texture stamps (do you recognize Rock Star in there?), florals (my favorite, Marvelous Marigolds!), and the thin lined on the bottom left is just from stamping once on peeled cardboard! The combination is endless!

I cut out some of the hearts and spread them out on a leftover piece of slate woodgrain paper from a•muse studio. I added a piece of onyx twine and stamped just a portion of my "with love" sentiment on a tiny sizzix oval tag.

Quick and super easy! :)

Don't miss out on this set or inks - after Jan 31 the retired items will no longer be available.

Breaking news...

2012-01-09T08:09:00.002-05:00

SO LONG! AUF WIEDERSEHEN!
FAREWELL! ADIEU!

2011 RETIRING PRODUCT LIST

87 as cardstock - cranberry
87 as pigment ink pad - cranberry
87 as pigment ink refill - cranberry
88 as cardstock - polka dot (all colors)
91 as cardstock - mirror silver (5)
92 buttons - cranberry
93 as twinkle stickers - clear (shapes)
95 tiny flowers (all colors)
95 twine - cherry (12 yds)
95 twine - fern (12 yds)
95 twine - french roast (12 yds)
95 twine - navy (12 yds)
95 twine - onyx (12 yds)
95 twine - shell (12 yds)
95 twine - toff ee (12 yds)
95 twine - vanilla (12 yds)
96 copic refills (all colors)
97 water brush medium (12mm)
101 nestabilities - labels 2
101 nestabilities - labels 4
103 encore metallic ink pad - champagne
103 encore metallic ink pad - silver
104 glue dots - pop up
104 super-stick double-sided tape (all widths)
105 edge distresser
105 paper trimmer - 8.5”
106 embossing pad kit
106 hammer (6”)
106 ribbon slot punch tool set
107 precision file set
108 cello bags - extra large (9” x 12”) 50 pk
109 card frame horizontal - galvanized
109 card frame vertical - galvanized
109 enamel noteboard 12” w/stand - galvanized

Please send me an email if you need anything or place your order at my secure shopping site: https://www.amusestudio.com/chris_franco

Heavily inspired by...

2012-01-06T07:13:00.006-05:00

Jill, of the Inspired By blog! She did a video for Penny Black on using white gel pens here. After one white flower, my gel pens (I had two!) gave out. I ended up reaching for my white Prismacolored pencil and basically got the same effect (I hope!).

I used the Marvelous Marigolds stamp from a•muse studio and the music score is from Purple Onion Designs. Thinking of You is from the a•s Essential Sentiments set - lots of great sayings in a variety of fonts!

Speaking of a•muse studio don't forget the retiring list is only available for a little while longer - and I'm expecting to hear any day about retiring accessories. I'll be sending out a newsletter when that info is available. I do know the color Cranberry is retiring but have no fear - they are adding 4 new colors to redesign the summer, winter, spring and fall color palettes...I'm in love!

Boxers or briefs?

2012-01-04T08:59:00.004-05:00

tee hee...that cracks me up! This card started in my head as a possible Valentine's Day card but now I'm not sure it really would work. Either way, it's okay because I like it!

This set of boxers is from the a•muse studio hey man! set. It is true "a•muse" style so while it scares me a little, it also intrigues me and I can't wait to make a set of "guy" cards with this. {Look for a meet up coming soon if you live close by!}

Following my card I have a mini-tutorial that shows you how easy it is to use the dies from a•muse studio. Normally I cut and then stamp but this time I computer generated my saying so my die placement was crucial...they make it so easy!

You can barely see the dots on the background but I used the big dots from Polka Dot Patterns and stamped it tone on tone. I used them in the last post for a more elegant card - love how versatile they are!

For my tag:

1) I found a font that I liked and typed up my saying in Word. I printed it out on a scrap piece of paper.

2) I taped a piece of cardstock over the saying and re ran it through the computer. You could just print it out on cardstock the first time but this allowed me to use up a little scrap. :)

3) Next I centered the clear plastic die over my saying - I can put it exactly where I want. See those two little circles extending out on the side? You stick your pencil inside each one to make a mark. NOTE: Here I'm just demonstrating on my scrap piece but you would do this on the cardstock piece that you want to die cut!

4) Remove the plastic template and replace it with the metal die. Match up the two marks in the center of those two holes... HINT! I use blue painters masking tape to then tape down each side so there is no shifting when I role the die/paper through my diecutting machine!

5) It's that easy! Perfectly placed and you are ready to go. Have a great week!

Happy New Year...and a peek at January specials

2012-01-02T17:10:00.004-05:00

Wishing you a blessed and prosperous New Year!!

More fun and creative ideas from the a•muse studio design team...these projects will really get your valentine's day celebration off to a great start!

January Theme: Sweet Treats and the following stamp sets are on sale for 10% off...plus there is a special paper selection too!

Featured Stamp Sets:
Quick and Cute Valentines
Sweetheart Background (holiday catalog)
Love Conquers All
Friends Fur-Ever
Sweet Love

Featured Color Palette - Rock Candy:
Bubblegum
Shell
Orange
Apricot
Blush

The Rock Candy Assorted Cardstock Pack is item number PAST112

Lots to share!

2011-12-30T10:47:00.007-05:00

Congrats to my blog candy winner! Kathy M

I'll be measuring out the twine this weekend and get it in the mail to you immediately! enjoy....

ah, it felt nice to stamp something other than a Christmas card! On top of it, I've been itching to ink up this new stamp set, Marvelous Marigolds...and I used only a•muse inks and papers - I really love both of these exclusive products. The saying stamp and dots are two stamps that are included in the a•muse studio starter kit.

Speaking of which, time is ticking!! 48 hours are left to get your very own a•muse studio starter kit at an unbelieveable price!

Starter Kit $99.00

Take advantage of our special introductory price!

The regular price of the Basic Starter Kit is $175

Basic starter kit includes everything you need to start your own business!
* four 2011 studio sampler stamp sets
* set of six clear blocks, one of each size
* ten as pigment ink pads {cranberry, currant, fern, french roast, grass, ocean, orange, papaya, bubblegum and sky}
* memento tuxedo black ink pad
* six copic markers {begonia pink, cool shadow, golden yellow, lipstick red, new leaf, sand}
* copic colorless blender
* double scrubber
* squeakly clean stamp cleaner
* adhesive runner
* glue pen
* diamond glitter
* solid paper starter kit - twenty sheets
* swatch ring
* twinkle stickers - clear
* pearl stickers - vanilla
* paper flowers - meadow mis
* three spools grosgrain stitch ribbon {slate, papaya, ocean}
* 4 catalogs, essential business supplies

It's super quick and easy to join - I did it in just 15 min! That was four months ago and now I have a great team of ladies and have easily made my minimums each month...okay, exceeded them!

Want to know more? Email me
or click on my direct link: http://www.amusestudio.com/chris_franco and click on START A BUSINESS in the upper right corner.

Last tag to share...

2011-12-27T08:23:00.001-05:00

I hope by now you are not totally sick and tired of my Christmas tags - they were a joy to make and I was so glad that they could be part of a special gift used to uplift someone.

This stamp set is retiring in January and so you only have a short while to get it yet - it's called Celebrate the Season and I love the bold images for quick and easy stamping while getting a dramatic effect!

I want to thank all of my readers who have hung in there with me through some ugly duckling posts and all! I really appreciate it!

I have some blog candy to offer today! 25 yards of each of the 3 colors of bakers twine that a•muse studio carries: red/white, brown/white and black/white.

Just leave a comment by midnight of the 29th and I'll be back with a winner on Friday!

Merry Christmas!!

2011-12-25T07:20:00.003-05:00

Wishing you a day filled with special blessings as we celebrate the birth of our Savior!

I used copic markers to color in this santa - one of my first stamps from The Angel Company!

My Mitten

2011-12-22T08:14:00.001-05:00

For the mitten exchange...this is clear embossing ink with the white embossing powder from a•muse studio! Everyone thought I had cut out the dove from white paper - that's how crisp it looked. I just love cardboard and had to work it into my mitten design somehow!

The Nordic Noel stamp, mitten and scallop dies, button and floss are also all from a•muse studio. Thanks for taking a peek!

Cracked Glass Santa

2011-12-19T08:14:00.004-05:00

One of my favorite techinques...cracked glass!

I used quite a few of my stamps from The Angel Company - some that I have had for years and others that had just recently been released...they all worked well together in this collage background. I love making these ruffled medallions from crepe paper.

Quick update! The stamp special for November is continuing until the end of the month! A•muse Studio will now be having their stamp specials for an entire month starting in January (vs. straddling two months). And, don't forget - the starter kit special ends Dec 31. It's an incredible deal and there is still so much excitement about this company...make it a Christmas present to yourself! :)

Questions? Email me!

Last day

2011-12-14T09:11:00.007-05:00

to order the November Spotlight Specials...

One of my favorites is the Holiday Tags stamp set which is on sale this month. Not only is this set great for little tags, it's fun for gift boxes and full sized cards too!

I am finding a LOT of uses for my a•muse Candy Cane cardstock too! This fun little gift box uses just one sheet of paper and really went together quickly. It's perfect for tucking in some chocolates or something equally delicious!

Talk about cute gift packages...did you see these two ideas using the wooden clothes pins over on the a•muse studio website? I love it!

br....

2011-12-12T09:16:00.004-05:00

it was so cold this morning...should be a snow day!

Juliet in my hostess club suggested we do a decorated mitten swap using the large mitten die from a•muse studio. Everyone loved the idea and today we'll be swapping our finished mittens. This happens to be a tag I made for my special order so I thought I would share it in the meantime. I used white felt for the top and used the sky blue paper from a•muse. After I embossed it with a CB plate, I sanded the top until the white of the paper showed through...I love this paper! Added a couple of other small tags using stamps from The Angel Company to finish off the look.

Hope this is the beginning of a great week for you...I can't believe there are only 12 more days until Christmas. eeck!!! And there are only 2 more days left for the Spotlight Specials and Ten Must Have special...let me know if you need anything, I'm placing an order tonight!

Poinsettia

2011-12-08T23:13:00.006-05:00

Often you see just a portion of a flower, in this case a poinsettia, framed off in a square and I copied that look here by stamping my flower and then just cropping off part of the image. I used a little sponge dauber from a•muse studio to add the little bit of yellow to the center.

I just love this set, Celebrate the Season, and am shocked that it's retiring. In a way I shouldn't be surprised because in the demo gallery there are only my cards right now under that category. sigh...but look at these great images and phrases!!

This was one of the cards we made at my Christmas Card buffet and it used DCWV paper that I've been saving (hoarding!) for about 8 or more years now. Time to use it!

Off to get the last batch of cookies out of the oven. It's almost 11:30 pm (I'm typing this up the night before posting but I have to sub tomorrow and it's going to be a busy day!) and well past my bed time. I just finished making the oatmeal cookie recipe I posted on my blog last week - I've already taste tested two and they are delicious! I also got my outdoor lights hung, 2 presents bought AND hooked up a new router today! If you are interested in routers, my second Belkin router started acting up again at the 2 year mark and I spent about 2 hours with their tech support only for them to finally admit defeat and tell me to get a new one. I did some quick research and then ended up buying a Cicso Linksys. I dreaded hooking it up since I normally need tech to walk me through the process and then again when connecting a laptop BUT I did it ALL in less than 20 min. woohoo!!

Another tag!

2011-12-07T15:03:00.008-05:00

I heard that the woman who is receiving these tags is just tickled with them (and the gifts of course!)...but how nice when our hobby/craft/passion can be a blessing to someone, eh?!

Here is another one of the tags I've been creating. I wish I had time to play along with Tim Holtz's tags but maybe I'll be able to go back and try one or two of his techniques...they look wonderful and I've enjoyed seeing other's creations.

All supplies from The Angel Company. This little guy is covered with white flocking and colored with Copics. Hope you are having a great week!

PS. I have one present bought - yippee!!

Challenge I'm playing along in: Creative Belli Blog

Are you ready?!?

2011-12-05T11:40:00.005-05:00

These days it seems like the question is, "are you ready for Christmas?"

And I must shake my head, sigh and confess, "no".

No presents bought (not one!), no decorations or lights hung, and no Christmas cards mailed!!

I have to admit, I am in a bit of a panic.

On top of that I still have to start my mitten swap, design my hostess club project so I envision a busy week. I did get started on making a special order of large sized 12 Days of Christmas tags. These are being used to cheer up a very sick woman and her friends wanted to be able to write a message on the back...here is just one. So far I have 7 done and they range from elegant to rustic to cute.

This tag uses almost exclusively a•muse studio products...I can hardly believe I have been with them now for almost 4 months! I do love it and wanted to make sure you know that the Starter Kit special will only be available until 31 Dec. It's not much time, especially in this busy month, it seems to whiz by! My good friend Risa did an analysis on how much this kit is worth...and at $99 it's a steal - after the special the retail price will go back up to $175...

Basic starter kit includes everything you need to start your own business!

* four 2011 studio sampler stamp sets $25 each total $100
* set of six clear blocks, one of each size $52.70
* ten as pigment ink pads {cranberry, currant, fern, french roast, grass, ocean, orange, papaya, bubblegum and sky} $59.50
* memento tuxedo black ink pad $5.95
* six copic markers {begonia pink, cool shadow, golden yellow, lipstick red, new leaf, sand} $36
* copic colorless blender $6
* double scrubber $14.95
* squeakly clean stamp cleaner $6.25
* adhesive runner $6.95
* glue pen $2.95
* diamond glitter $4.75
* solid paper starter kit - twenty sheets $7.50
* swatch ring You can buy them for $5.95 on consultant side of website, but we wont count this in the value.
* twinkle stickers - clear $3.50
* pearl stickers - vanilla $3.75
* paper flowers - meadow mix $6.95
* three spools grosgrain stitch ribbon {slate, papaya, ocean} $14.85
* 4 catalogs, essential business supplies These really add up when you look at the cost of order forms and invites, but since the catalogs are only good til Feb. 1st we wont count this in the retail value either.....
TOTAL RETAIL GRAND TOTAL $332.55
That doesn't even take the catalogs, business supplies or the swatch ring into account.

Let me know if you have any questions or want more information on signing up!

Celebrate the Season

2011-12-03T14:50:00.005-05:00

This was one of the first stamp sets I bought from a•muse studio and sadly, it's on the retirement list. So, I can only encourage you to get it while supplies last! I just finished making a tag this morning with it and I love, love, love it! Almost as much as this card...

You can't really appreciate it in this photo but this cherry red, shimmery damask is absolutely wonderful. I have a scrap of it in my stamp room and pick it up everytime I pass it. So beautiful!

Hope you are having a great weekend! PS. Let me know if you need a list of the retiring stamp sets...there will be an accessories list coming out too in the future...

10 Must Haves...at a special price!

2011-12-01T23:24:00.004-05:00

Email me if you see any "must haves" that you must have!

Nordic Noel in the snow

2011-11-29T07:05:00.005-05:00

Sometimes things don't work out as you had planned, and that's okay! It may turn out better! I think so in this case. :)

I had wanted to make a shaker card with my Nordic Noel reindeer but found the nestabilities frame was just too narrow to make it work. I put it aside but I loved this panel. Then the idea hit me to add some frosted snow (another jar I've had sitting around for over 4 years - I added some water and it was good as new!) and I colored a small pearl with a red copic marker for his nose! Other than the ribbon and "snow", all supplies are from a•muse studio. Oops! The Kraft paper is Recollections from Michaels but I have to say I love the Kraft from a•s - it has little flecks in it and is beautiful! I've already managed to work my way through a pack of it so it's definately going on my next order...tee hee...

Congratulations to Susan! You were my winner for my paper blog candy - please send me your address and I'll get this paper in the mail so you can start crafting!

Black Friday promotion continues...

2011-11-26T08:28:00.005-05:00

I need one more order to make a Black Friday promotion...you'll receive a set of free black damask notecards if you email me your order by Sunday, midnight. And, you'll get your goodies in time to make wonderful Christmas tags, cards or gifts! :)

This is a super time to take advantage of the November Spotlight special as well...and if you missed it, I have blog candy on my previous post! Hope you are having a great weekend...we hit 62 degrees yesterday and it actually made raking leaves pleasant!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T08:36:00.006-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Even if you are not sitting down to a huge meal today, I know this time of year is when we start to think about the important things in life...with two teenagers and aging parents, I am tuned in!!

Don't forget tomorrow starts the a•muse studio Black Friday special! I plan to send in a workshop order on Monday so if you have a few things you need before Christmas, now is the time to order. And pretty much EVERYTHING is back in stock!! yay!

Don't hestitate to send me an email.

And now a tiny little blog candy...I love paper!! I never used to buy it much though and wanted to save all of my money for stamps...but you really have to see/feel/try!! this a•muse studio paper to really appreciate it - as my friend Cheryl said, the catalog doesn't do it justice! So here is your chance to win one sheet of each of these papers:

Just leave a comment about your favorite paper by midnight 27 Nov!

Holiday Tags...more than just tags!

2011-11-22T08:26:00.006-05:00

I confess, I didn't "need" this stamp set when I first saw it in the a•muse studio holiday catalog...I mean, it wasn't one that screamed "buy me first!"...that is until I saw the little tag samples that my upline Angela sent me. (If you missed them, they are about 3 posts back).

Now I love this set and it's on sale through 14 Dec! Not only is it great for little tags, but it's also perfect for cards. I used it twice during my Christmas Card buffet and here is just one of the cards...that is heavily inspired from one I saw in the a•muse gallery by the way.

I really like this woodgrain paper we sell and I started with the variety pack which I can only recommend. And I've almost gone through an entire package of Twas the Night Before Christmas cardstock as well!

Other a•muse supplies here are the snowflake and tag dies (these are metal, work on any die cutting machine), red twine, vellum and vanilla cardstock - another must have!

My parents are here for a visit and it's so good to see them - Christmas was the last time we were together and that is just too long to go without family. Hope this time of year is filled with friends and family for you as well.

Nina B Blog Hop...

2011-11-20T16:11:00.005-05:00

Before The Angel Company closed it's doors, it had discovered some wonderful new designers - one was Nina B! I had loved working with her before as one of the designers over at Card Patterns and was delighted to see her stamps in our catalog.

This one, Beautiful Lace, has so many great elements! I love dress forms and who can resist doilies?!

Card Supplies: Angelee Soar with it Collection, Beautiful Lace

I hear Nina is giving away a stamp set and you can play along before Tuesday midnight!

November Spotlight Special and Cookies!

2011-11-17T08:00:00.005-05:00

Every year after Thanksgiving my mom would start baking...and she'd keep on baking up until the week before Christmas (or so it seemed). Her supply of cookies was endless and the variety was unbelievable. You can't imagine my disappointment when I got married and started baking Christmas cookies...I had made about 5 different kinds when I found out that my husband really didn't like anything much else than Chocolate Chip cookies. What?!? Talk about traditions up in smoke. I still sneak in a different kind of cookie every once in a blue moon...I happen to love White Chocolate and Cranberries - so what if I end up eating the whole batch, right?! tee hee.

This month's November Spotlight from a•muse studio is Cookie Exchange so it's only fitting that I leave with you a cookie recipe. Be sure to scroll all the way down to the end for that yummy treat. And in the meantime, enjoy these rubber stamp and paper treats - at least they are calorie free!! To see all of the projects up close (and they are beautiful!) click here

White Chocolate, Cranberry, Almond, and Oatmeal Cookies

Makes 2 dozen.
Leftover Potential: Keeps in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

3/4 cups butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 cup oats
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
pinch nutmeg
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup chopped almonds
1 cup white chocolate chips

1. Cream the butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing until fully incorporated. Mix in the vanilla.
2. In a large bowl, mix the flour, oats, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Add the dry ingredients and mix just until fully incorporated.
3. Add the cranberries, almonds, and white chocolate and mix just to combine.
4. Scoop the dough onto a baking sheet and bake in a 350 degree oven until they are golden brown, about 10-12 minutes. Let cool completely.
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Article printed from The Apartment Kitchen: http://theapartmentkitchen.net

Black Friday specials!

2011-11-14T12:24:00.005-05:00

Black Friday Promotion
november 25th to 28th, 2011
Host and be rewarded!

Every Hostess will receive a free set of A Muse Studio Onyx Damask
Shimmer Couture A2 notecards with envelopes - 10 pack.

Free gift with every purchase!
Something for everyone! Each customer that places an order at a Black Friday workshop, will also receive a free set of A Muse Studio Onyx Damask Shimmer Couture A2 notecards with envelopes - 10 pack.

Facebook Fun!
Check out our Facebook page every Friday between now and Black
Friday for prizes and giveaways!

* Qualifying Hostess must have minimum workshop sales of $150 and a minimum of 4 unique customer orders.
Consultant orders are not included.
* To qualify, Workshop orders must be submitted and closed in the Business Center between Friday November 25 and Monday November 28 at 11:59:59 pm EST.

Angela's tags...

2011-11-11T16:35:00.005-05:00

My talented upline Angi sent me some wonderful tags for my Open House back in September...I've kept these little beauties to the side until Wednesday when I needed a quick project for my hostess club ladies. We had some much fun making these tags and even though they are super gorgeous, they are so easy to make! woo hoo!!

We used all a•muse studio products including: tag dies, scalloped border dies, twas the night before Christmas and sky blue cardstock, sky ink, a Sakura glue pen (this rocks!) and diamond glitter...oh, and of course the Nordic Noel and Mini Holiday Messages stamp set. Have you noticed this fun new trend? It's nordic patterns everywhere and so perfect for Christmas.

If you want to find these products or take advantage of the October/November stamp special, please visit my shopping site here. Have a great weekend - and thank you so much Angi for sharing your talent. We had so much fun recreating these wonderful tags.

CAS CASE

2011-11-09T09:31:00.006-05:00

:) Now that is a tongue twister! Karen Crisp posted a card in the a•muse studio gallery that made me have to have this set...and if you want it, it's on sale through 14 November as one of the October Spotlight specials.

The way a•muse studio indexes it's stamps makes it so easy to two step stamp, even though these are rubber stamps. Love it!

Card Supplies: all items from a•muse studio

I used cranberry, mango, french roast and grass inks here - these colors just scream fall to me!

Thanks for hanging through my weak postings of late. I hope to get my act together soon and look forward to sharing some of the Christmas cards I've been working on for my Card Buffet on November 18th!

PS. Congratulations to my upline, Angela, and one of my customers, Kristy R, for each winning one of the $100 shopping sprees from a•muse studio's World Card Making Day event...it's wonderful knowing some lucky folks out there! woo hoo...

Fantastic Fall

2011-11-07T10:30:00.005-05:00

When I look out my windows now I can take in all of the wonderful fall colors of the trees. Even though I don't like the falling temperatures - I love the colors I see!

This is a card I made using some of my TAC stamps - it's perfect for fall! And I love to roll different inks on bold stamps like this one...

Card Supplies: all stamps and papers from The Angel Company

PS. My friend Silke has been busy making amazing tags with some things I sent her - you have to check them out! She's so talented....

So busy!

2011-11-02T18:29:00.006-04:00

I'm struggling to stay afloat with so much on my plate -

- subbing almost everyday
- car in for repairs after being hit last Monday
- repairs to the house and hopefully new carpet soon (due to basement flooding ugh)
- just took daughter to get her driver's permit - she passed...stay tuned :)
- son's football team just made the playoffs as of last night...stay tuned :)
- I really, really want to sit and stamp...Christmas Card Buffet scheduled for 18 Nov - means I HAVE to start stamping!!

So, just in case you missed this from my Virtual Open House slide show, I wanted to share some of those cards here with you!

So clean and simple but I just love this stamp set! It's called Celebrate the Season.

And this too is one of my favorite sets from a•muse studio, it's called Beautiful Botanicals 2. The scalloped edge is cut with one of their border dies and all inks and papers in these cards are from a•muse studio. I've fallen in love again...Hope your week is going GREAT!

Coffee, Java...

2011-10-31T08:31:00.005-04:00

Cup of Joe...whatever you call it, giving a gift card for some coffee can make someone's day! Here's a quick and simple gift card holder we made at my last month's hostess club...it's based on a card I saw in the a•muse studio gallery and I'm happy to send you the template.

I colored it in with Copics (the ground I just created with lots and lots of little dots) and added the strip of cardboard to simulate the little sleeve you can get for to-go cup. I think it makes it extra fun and authentic! I just stamped the image on the backside of a piece of peeled cardboard box and then hand cut the shape. So easy!

Hope you survived the Northeastern snow this weekend. We were lucky that it didn't stick nor did we lose electricity...we're back to sun today!

Changing Leaves

2011-10-26T06:03:00.003-04:00

The leaves are just starting to change here...and there is a definate chill in the air. My chickens normally sleep outside on a little roost but lately they have been sleeping inside their little house - it may have to do with them molting but I knew fall was here when I saw that.

The Tuesday Trigger over at Moxie Fab World is Autumn Woods...the colors really inspired me and I tried to incorporate lots of texture in my card even though I stayed away from little squares!

This little card uses lots of goodies from a•muse studio. I used some of my new dies for the pinking edge border and the cardboard frame, the button, a little slip of gingham paper and their cardstock as well. I've been eager to try scoring the cardstock which allows the white to show through, especially when you touch it lightly with a sanding block. I love too how well the inks blend on the bold portions of the stamps - I'll be sharing a tutorial for this next week.

I'm embracing fall before I have to completely focus on Christmas!

PS. This stamp set, Fresh Foliage, is on sale right now for 10% off...

Christmas Rosette

2011-10-24T06:28:00.009-04:00

Here is a card using another one of the rosettes from my friend Donna. I paired it up with papers from a•muse studios and a cute image from the set, Holiday Tags and Mini Holiday Messages.

I used the inspiration from the latest challenge over at CASE Study and am playing along just in the nick of time! It's really a simple layout - the most time consuming part was cutting out that little sleigh!

Have a wonderful week and if you haven't checked out the October Spotlight - you're missing some good deals and wonderful ideas!

Finesse the Dress

2011-10-21T07:45:00.005-04:00

is the challenge over at Moxie Fab. I really struggled with this one and it shows. I wanted to use a doily stamp I had but that had been done and so I looked at some of my new stamps to see what I could come up with...

Not really sure about this one. It still feels like it is missing something but I've worked on it over two days and it's just not getting any better. So, it is what it is!

Stamps: a•muse studio

I hope you have a great weekend...fall is definately here. I woke up freezing this morning!

Shoe Box Swap

2011-10-19T16:48:00.006-04:00

This week I had a shoe box swap with some of the ladies in my hostess club - it's fun because anything goes, although this month we stuck with Christmas cards. I love seeing all of the different ideas! Mine tend to be the same ol' style but I mixed up some of my vintage TAC stamps with some new stamps I got from a•muse│studio.

I love the results! The button, floss and striped candy cane paper are from a•muse│studio too - you just need a little to make a big statement.

I'm slowly building up my supplies and having fun doing so...hope you are having a great week so far! Thanks for visiting.

PS. If you received my newsletter and can not open the link to my store, it's because I made a typo! argh... it should be: http://www.amusestudio.com/chris_franco

Rosette Jackpot!

2011-10-17T08:05:00.007-04:00

My friend Donna had a booth at the church bazaar this weekend and she is a papercrafting queen like no other...plus, she is SUPER GENEROUS!! I bought this beautiful little paper wreath from her and then she gave me a gallon sized plastic bag of finished rosettes - in both Halloween and Christmas colors. I was trembling I tell you and couldn't wait to get home to start making something!

Here is my card using one of the rosettes. It went perfectly with some papers I have from A Muse Studio (I love that woodgrain one - I just got the multi pack and can't wait to use the others...). Fresh Foliage happens to be one of the stamp sets on sale this month for the October Spotlight special...this card fits perfectly with the challenge over on the Embellish It blog!

Other Challenges:
Paper Sundaes - Halloween or Fall
Make it Monday - anything goes

Huge thanks again to Donna for making my day!!

October Spotlight!

2011-10-15T10:59:00.008-04:00

Okay, all I can say is, "Wow!!"

Check out these stamps and special paper palette that are on sale as of today and are good through Nov 14th...

Autumn Beauty

Calendar Fun

Fresh Foliage

Harvest
Blessings

Perfectly Polished

And, for a limited time, order the special Autumn Harvest cardstock
assortment pack - an easy way to get the look showcased in this month's
spotlight.

Autumn Harvest Assortment Pack contains four sheets each:
Toffee

Squash

Orange

French Roast

Currant

These pictures make me want to stop everything and start creating!

Last Day...September Spotlight!

2011-10-14T09:53:00.005-04:00

Today is the last day to order the stamp specials for September's Spotlight. I have a "feeling" we might be seeing some leaf sets on special for October...tune in tomorrow to see what is on sale!

Cool beans!

2011-10-12T16:41:00.005-04:00

I think I picked this up from the Disney channel when my kids were younger - sadly, now they just roll their eyes at me when I say it! But really - fun news! I won the random name pull over at Moxie Fab! Someday I hope to be named a Trigger (card winner) but until that time comes, I'm totally happy.

I totally CASED this card from Seleise - except she used Copics and here I used Tombows for watercoloring. When I saw it, I knew the ladies that come over to stamp in my home would love it and they did.

KEY (ie. lesson learned!): If you watercolor, color the plate first. Next do the brown chocolate cake. Let it dry and then go in with the red layer...otherwise the results will NOT be yummy!

Stamps: A Muse Studio

Thanks Seleise for a wonderful card design!!

Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger

2011-10-10T10:17:00.009-04:00

yup - from last Tuesday! I'm always late, late to a challenge - but eventually I make it! :)

The swirly orange and creamy colors in the parfait cup are the inspiration for my yellow and orange panel on this card. I don't have a lot of Halloween stamps but the cute little bat die from A Muse Studio was perfect for putting together this easy card. Below I'll show how easy this panel was to create - thanks to a video I saw from Julie Ebersole...

To make my watercolored panel I used an acrylic block, Tombow markers, water mister and watercolor paper.

First I scribbled the darkest orange on the upper portion of the block - it's not quite half of the block, but almost!

Next I added yellow Tombow marker to the lower portion of the block.

I filled in with green marker on the upper part next to the orange and then in the lower corner next to the yellow - there's no wrong or right amount, really!

Spritz across the block twice with your water mister.

Rock your block onto watercolor paper - allow for the ink to move a bit.

When you remove the block you may have puddling. You can dab it up with a paper towel or swipe it back and forth with your fingertip!

Done! Let it dry a bit and then die cut with your Nestabilities...

I hope you give it a try!

Other Challenges:

Crafty Cardmakers - anything goes

Cupcake Craft - Halloween

Make it Monday - anything goes

Paper Creations - Black and Orange

Stamps and Fun + Creativity - Halloween

More Botanicals

2011-10-07T06:36:00.005-04:00

This has to be one of my favorite stamps from my starter kit. I just stamped this flower on watercolor paper and then used the second generation of it to "fill" in the white space below the flowers. Love how these inks look on watercolor paper and even though it's a flower, these colors give it a fallish feeling, I think!

Heather happened to post a card using this stamp set today as well...you can't miss it.

Dies!

2011-10-05T09:08:00.006-04:00

I have been having so much fun looking through the pages of the A Muse Studio catalog - and each time I find a new "must have" die. I'm trying to be good and build my collection slowly, but some of those wintery dies are on the buy now list!

Here are two mini cards or tags using the snowman die. It's hard to tell the sizes in the catalog so I've included them below...

You can't really tell but these snowmen are covered in Diamond glitter and are so sparkly!

A Muse Studio: Candy Cane Striped paper, Snowman Die, Celebrate the Season (mistletoe) and Merry Christmas, Diamond Glitter and Bakers Twine ... you can find those goodies here!

Die Dimensions (from Holiday catalog):
o Spooky fence: 6" x 0.875"
o Classic tags set: bubble tag 1.6406" x 2.5911", round tag 1.6406" x 2.5781", classic tag 1.6406" x
2.5781"
o Web: 2.0123" x 2.0137"
o Bat trio set: large 0.9977" x 0.402", medium 0.7981" x 0.3216", small 0.6385" x 0.2573"
o Mini envelope: 2.875" x 2.375"
o Snow globe set: snow globe 2.75" x 2.6111", base 2.1215" x 1.0874"
o Snowflake trio set: large 2.349" x 2.6939", medium 1.9206" x 1.8749", small 1.3527" x 1.5139"
o Stocking – small: 2.0014" x 2.595"
o Mitten – small: 1.867" x 2.6062"
o Tree: 2.3047" x 2.5357"
o Gingerbread man: 2.0427" x 2.4793"
o Snowman: 1.501" x 2.6075"
o Mitten – large: 3.8377" x 5.3572"
o Stocking – large: cuff 2.9604" x 1.4066", boot 3.9499" x 5.0372"
o Heart trio set: large 1.484" x 1.289", medium 0.9794" x 0.8508", small 0.4897" x 0.4254"

You Make...

2011-10-03T08:22:00.006-04:00

Life more fun! This little car is just one of the 8 cute images in the Love Conquers All stamp set from A Muse Studio. I think I'll give it to my husband for our 19th wedding anniversary {today}.

When I saw the challenge sketch on Clean and Simple Stamping last week I thought this image would go perfectly since I didn't want to do buttons or butterflies - which would be one's natural tendancy, I think.

Aren't these inks from A Muse Studio vibrant?!? I just love them and they clean up so easily.

Today is the last day to place your World Card Making Day order with me for a FREE box of Bar4 notecards and envelopes from A Muse. If you email me your order by 5 pm EST I'll be able to include you in my workshop order for this nice bonus! You also can still take advantage of the September Spotlight specials until Oct 14th...so this is a great time to try out A Muse Studio products if you haven't yet!

First Moxie Fab

2011-09-29T08:51:00.006-04:00

Edit...I can't believe this computer just published my post in the middle of me typing! I have had to go to a second computer to get it to publish for about 4 months now because it won't work from here...sorry for the inconvenience to my email subscribers. Technology! argh....

I've never participated in the Papercraft's Moxie Fab blog challenge but there is always a first! I just loved this inspiration photo!!

And here is my card based on a few things I loved in the picture - birds, buttons, flowers and I had wanted to use gingham but just incorporated it into the backdrop...

Card Materials: all supplies (except ribbon) are from A Muse Studio. You can find them here.

Congratulations to Vicki B who won my Virtual Open House prize and to Christie F who won my $10 Gift Certificate from my in home Open House. Thanks to everyone who participated - I hope you had as much fun as I did!!

Open House!!

2011-09-26T19:27:00.006-04:00

Today is my Open House...yay! I'm so excited to introduce everyone "officially" to A Muse Studio products. To celebrate this big event I'm having a Virtual Open House as well as a get together in my home. Hopefully you can join me either way!

To participate in the Virtual Open House - just click on the tab above...I have some fun little games, a preview of all my open house samples and other chances for you to win a fabulous prize.

If you are thinking about placing an order today, I have some fun incentives going on but you can also wait to place your order during World Card Making Day and A Muse Studio will treat you to a box of notecards...how cool is that?!?

The first person who emails me an order or places an order on my website will get a Polka Dot assorted (one sheet of each color) paper package from me!

The second person who emails me with an order/places an order online will get 25 yards of the Cherry Baker's Twine.

The 3rd person to order will receive a Button Sampler (10 buttons each color) from me...

The fourth person to order will get the Adhesive Remover as my special gift (I'm getting one for myself too!)

The fifth person who emails me an order or places an order on my website will get a Spica Glitter Pen.

And, last but not least, the 10th person to place an order will get 5 sheets each of Twas the Night Before Christmas and Candy Cane cardstock...this stuff is AMAZING!!!

Update! The slide show has been updated as of 3 pm EST to include all my samples from today...sadly only 4 were showing this morning!

World Card Making Day

2011-09-23T06:36:00.004-04:00

World Card Making Day is coming and it's right around the corner, on October 1st. No matter where you live (or, if you don't feel like showering or getting out of PJs!) you can still participate in World Card Making Day with A Muse Studio.

Host to win!
Host a qualifying* World Card Making Day Workshop and you will automatically be entered into a drawing to win one of five $100 A Muse Studio Shopping Sprees! And, every Hostess will receive a free set of A Muse Studio 4-bar notecards with envelopes - 10 pack ($6 value).

Free Gift with Every Purchase!
Something for everyone! Each customer that places an order at a World Card Making Day workshop, will also receive a free set of A Muse Studio 4-bar notecards with envelopes - 10 pack ($6 value).

Facebook Fun!
Celebrate with us all weekend long as we post fun World Card Making Day challenges and award prizes to our Facebook friends.

* Qualifying Hostess must have minimum workshop sales of $150 and a minimum of 4 unique customer orders to qualify for entry into the $100 Shopping Spree!

Here's the kicker... you don't actually have to host a workshop in your home. You can host a virtual workshop by collecting orders from your friends! A Muse Studio makes this easy to do with online catalogs that your friends can view 24/7. Really, there's no reason to hesitate. YOU MIGHT WIN!!! So log on my site today and start planning your special World Card Making Day!

And, I'll be back on Tuesday for my Virtual Open House - I hope you'll join me for some real fun!

Old and New

2011-09-21T08:56:00.007-04:00

I had a great time with the ladies from my Meet Up group yesterday ... I couldn't believe how far some of them drove (and if you know the morning rush hour around the DC area, you know what I'm talking about!!). Thank you!

We made 5 birthday cards and this is one of my favorites. It combines an old retired stamp from The Angel Company with the crisp, modern Birthday greeting from A Muse Studio. Plus, the ladies got to try the A Muse Studio pigment inks and they were blown away how juicy they were - and what gorgeous colors.

Card Supplies: Flower stamp (TAC), A Muse Studio: Birthday wishes, ribbon and inks, papers from Michaels

If you'd like to see all the goodies from A Muse Studio, please visit my shop to browse or download the catalogs. I'm also expecting my order of catties to arrive today so if you prefer hard copy, just send me an email!

CAS

2011-09-19T07:44:00.006-04:00

Clean and Simple!

I saw this layout challenge over on the Clean and Simple Stamping blog and immediately knew I wanted to play along. Many of the A Muse Studio stamps lend themselves to this stamping style and I do *love* birdcages and birds!

Stamps: A Muse Studio, Life is a Song

That's still music from one of my organ practice books - from probably 35 years ago! Yikes...

Have a super week! I've scheduled my Open House for the 27th so if you live in the Northern VA area, I hope you can come...but if not, that's okay too...I've planned to have a VIRTUAL event on that same day for all of my long distance friends. That's you!!

Other challenges:
Less is More (trying for 1000 submissions!)
Make it Monday

September Spotlight!

2011-09-15T22:20:00.006-04:00

For one month, you can save 10% on the stamp sets used to create these fabulous projects!

Celebrate in Style
Foiled Again!
If You Dare
Victorian Charm
Web Background

And, for a limited time, order the special Collegiate cardstock assortment pack - an easy way to get the look showcased in this month's spotlight.

Jack-O-Lantern Assortment Pack contains four sheets each:

Apricot
Onyx
Pumpkin
Squash
Toffee

Just ask me how!

Super sweet!

2011-09-14T13:16:00.006-04:00

My kids love gum - and who can resist a colorful gumball machine? This is one of the more cutesy stamps included in my starter kit. It colored up so quickly with my Copics and I don't know if you can tell what I did on the background...I saw this idea from the talented Risa! I punched circles from the same colored cardstock and glued them down randomly to repeat the circle theme of the gumballs. It makes me smile!

Stamps: Sweet Love, A Muse Studio
Supplies: ribbon, Copics, Nestabilities

Have a sweet day! Thanks for stopping by...

Just a moment to play!

2011-09-12T10:04:00.007-04:00

Thank you first of all to all the kind posts you left about our water troubles. The water came in more than I originally realized and yesterday we finally tore out all the carpeting and pads - there was no way it would dry out and the whole house was starting to stink! Yuck...all in all though it could've been much worse and I know there are many families who suffered much more.

My new Amuse starter kit arrived on Friday but all I had time to do was look at my new stamps and oogle at all the beautiful ink colors! I chose the $149 starter kit that is normally $225 and it's a great choice if you want to load up on inks...if not, the $99 kit (normally $175) is an amazing deal and you can then add on the things you really want at your own pace.

What I really *love* is that these stamps come in a DVD type case and are precut and indexed. The indexing is so perfect that stamp placement is a breeze.

This morning I took out 10 minutes for some "me" time once I got the kiddos and hubby packed up and out of the house. It's just a simple card but I love the results of stamping pigment ink on watercolor paper.

{A Muse Studio Stamps and Inks: grass, french roast}

Now back to going through two rooms worth of "stuff" (and most of it is my crafting supplies - do I really still need a light box or my paper making kit?!?!?) that is now crammed in the garage. Hope you have a great week, the sun is shining here!

Too...much...rain...

2011-09-09T08:36:00.007-04:00

Stop rain, stop!!

Yesterday the rain poured down harder than I've ever seen it...my backyard is half washed away because I know realize just how much of a slope I live on - I get it from the side neighbor and our back neighbor. My son and I bailed water for 3 hours straight to keep ahead of the flooding in the crawl space - it lapped into my stamping room (which is also my laundry room!) but I moved the papers and inks to higher grounds. As it poured in through the some major cracks in the walls, we scooped and dumped it out. It was backbreaking work and I can barely move today but I had one bright spot in it all (we worked by candles because the power went out too ... seriously?!). I have an inspiration board above my washing machine and it was in my direct sight as I worked. Each card reminded me of some one and I welcomed the distraction of looking again at each piece more carefully and thinking of them, of you...

Juliet's trading cards - she is the queen of ATCs (and now inchies), a good friend who always pushes me a little harder.

Sannie's cards - my very first customer from the Netherlands, sadly she's been sick and hasn't stamped in years...but she had a wonderful style.

Mischelle's cards - the owner of The Angel Company, such exquisite work and the words were equally wonderful inside!

Awna's card - my first buddy from The Angel Company, sadly she left years ago and we've lost touch

Dina Kowal's card - I bought it on etsy so I could see her work close up and personal, I've been following her blog for years.

Silke's card - such a wonderful friend from Germany, she's in such demand from Design Teams and yet she makes time to feature some stamps from me on her blog!

yikes, even some of my own work that I really liked.

And as I bailed out bucket after bucket, I thought of all of you and how far I've come in this stamping world and the new adventure that awaits. Hopefully the postman really can come through rain (and floods) and deliver my new kit today. It's going to be okay!!

Limited Time Specials

2011-09-06T17:32:00.012-04:00

Each month, select stamp sets will share the A Muse Studio Spotlight with a gorgeous color palette to create projects that showcase the versatility of paper crafting. And during their time in the Spotlight, you can save on the stamp sets used to create these fabulous projects!

From now through September 14, you can save 10% on the stamp sets used to create these fabulous projects!

Rock Star
The Mighty Jungle
Past Due
Personal Stationery
School Days

And, for a limited time, order the special Collegiate cardstock assortment pack - this is an easy way to get the look showcased in this month's spotlight.

Collegiate Assortment Pack contains four sheets each:
Cranberry
Buttercup
Fern
Winter Sky
Eucalyptus

So, what is A-MUSE-A-PALOOZA you ask?

It is a special event, for a limited time {good through Sep 30}, that means extra stuff for you!
Hostesses will receive an exclusive stamp set for hosting a qualifying workshop during A-MUSE-A-PALOOZA

Ask me how to place your order today to benefit from these fantastic specials!

PS. These aren't just cute - they are good enough to eat! My kit arrives Friday and I can't wait to dig in!!

A road forward...

2011-09-05T09:36:00.008-04:00

Card Materials: all stamps and papers from The Angel Company

These past few weeks since The Angel Company had to close it's doors has been a whirlwind. I can tell you that behind every cloud there is a silver lining - this traumatic event brought me closer to many of my fellow Angels and sealed some lasting friendships. And in the downtime between racing kids from practice to practice, or nagging them to finish their summer reading, I had to think what is next?

After a lot of soul searching, I found a new stamping adventure that will take me down a new path. The catalog is not like The Angel Company, that is true, but I have already found some images that I can not wait to ink up and the variety is there! Whether you like clean and simple, cute or sitting down to color...I have been tickled with the options since I personally don't have a style and like to do it all, depending on my mood and time!

And the best part? Many of my fellow former Angels are joining us and I have found some great people already there.

On Friday night at 10:30 pm I signed up with Amuse Studios and I am consultant number 1400! woohoo! My starter kit should arrive by Wednesday and I am so excited to tell you that my upline is the talented Angela Kelley (that was her card that graced the cover of the TAC catalog!) and above her is the very creative, Sunghee. I've been following her blog for over a year and was tickled to find out on Thursday that she too is an Amuse Studio consultant.

I have a great hostess club planned out that will have a new twist and if you are holding on to one of my catalog coupons from The Angel Company - don't worry, there will be a chance now to use it again but in a different venue. I'll be sending out a detailed newsletter in the next few days - if you don't get it, sign up today...I want you to be a part of my new journey, as I head down this new path!

Farewell summer?

2011-09-02T14:27:00.006-04:00

Once football season starts, I know fall is just around the corner...it starts getting cooler and darker so much faster. I'm not ready!!

In fact the kids start school on Tuesday...they are not ready! :)

Anyways, I thought I'd better get some more summer cards in before it's time to switch gears and seasons. I was telling Angela that this is an "Angela" card. I went to her blog for inspiration...yes, I fell short but it's a good start!

All stamps and paper from The Angel Company.

That button is covering up an indent at the top there...my tape holding down the nestabilities really pressed in hard and damaged the paper. I hadn't really planned on using it up there. oh well! Used copics for this little fairy and a little colored pencil to give her dress some dimension.

Have a super weekend...we're going to try and enjoy these last few days of summer!

Peaceful Hearts

2011-08-31T07:15:00.004-04:00

The other day I came across this display of flowers - it was sitting outside an office building and I made my daugther take a picture of it {yes, you should have seen the look she gave me!}. I loved the simplicity of it.

That in turn inspired me to take out this never used before retired set from The Angel Company (I guess all sets are now officially retired, eh?). I used a stamp from the Bingo set and Background Soup to give the yellow cardstock some interest. Took a heatgun to my bow and really crinkled it up!

Congrats to my winner, Trudy! Please send me your address and I will get your package in the mail!

Random Sequence Generator

Here is your sequence:
1

Timestamp: 2011-08-31 11:14:05 UTC

TAC Farewell Blog Hop

2011-08-28T08:00:00.009-04:00

Wow...sadly this is the most players in a blog hop I've ever seen! But we're getting together to pay our final respects to a great company, The Angel Company. What a treat it was for me to use and share their stamps over the past 9 years. I know I will continue to grab for them over and over in the future as well!

Do you ever buy a book or magazine from the bookstore or craft store only to bring it home and be sadly disappointed once you sit and thumb through it's pages? Recently I bought Delight in the Details by Lisa Pace because I had a coupon burning a hole in my pocket. I figured I'd regret it later ... but no! It is one of the best books I've picked up and the crepe paper rosette featured on my card below is from it's pages. If you click on the card you may see the stickles that run around the edge of it...so pretty in real life!

This card is in honor of all the wonderful friends I've made over the past years...and I look forward to keeping those friendships alive and making new friends on my stamping journey!

I hope you'll take a moment to sign up for my blog candy (US only please - I'm sorry!) Leave a comment and I'll pull a winner on Tuesday, midnight.

Please be sure to visit these talented Angels!

Julie
Seleise
Rita W.
Donna
Chan
Mary
Angela
Laura
Barbara
Trudy
Shirley
Wendy
Carol
Rita K.
Chelsea
Kim
PaulaKay
Ginger
Teresa
Maria
Deb
Diana
Betty
Christine
Sandy
Char
Diane
Stacy
Rita
Blessings friends...

Sad News

2011-08-24T11:20:00.008-04:00

My beloved Angel Company has had to close its doors and hang up their wings. It's been an extremely sad and disheartening past few days but I can only say that I have been so honored and happy to have been an Independent Demonstrator for Mischelle, the owner of The Angel Company.

This economy has taken it's toll on many of you, and it continues to rage on in its fierceness. I was blissfully ignorant at how hard it really was. I know Mischelle is heartbroken at having to make this decision, as are we.

Thank you so much for visiting me on my blog adventure! I will continue to blog on...I hope to inspire you and will be so happy to dust off some long neglected favorites that had retired and been pushed to the back of my drawers. :)

This Sunday we will be honoring Mischelle with a special blog hop - I hope you'll come back and take a peek. I will have a nice blog candy ready to hand out...even though I feel like I am at a funeral I have to remember to celebrate all the very sweet memories, wonderful friendships and great times!

See you soon!

Vellum Pocket

2011-08-22T14:56:00.005-04:00

Yesterday I shared a peek of a card from my Angelee workshop. I featured that paper collection and made 10 cards using 11 of the tags...everyone thought this was better than last year's class featuring Willoughby. I'm trying! :)

Here I made a vellum pocket for one the tags. The previous post shows the tag clearly but in real life you can see it just showing through the vellum. I stamped the vellum with the collage stamp from Fairy Wishes by Nina B in Haystack palette ink. That combination was incredible!! You can't imagine how pretty it looks close up, and with the Lavendar ink from the tag showing through...

I think I may add a flower and some more ribbon to dress up the front a bit...it looks a little plain to me now but I think it's a good start to a great card!

Hoping you have a great week.

The storm...

2011-08-21T18:01:00.005-04:00

life can be full of trials and tribulations. Everytime I'm boohooing my circumstances, I meet or hear of someone who really has it tough. It helps put things in perspective for me, but my problems still bother me of course...that's why I draw so much comfort from our Christian radio station. Those songs lift me up!

This sneak peek of a card is going out to someone special who needs a pick me up right now. Prayers are surrounding you and lifting you up.

In fact tonight I am lifting up quite a few folks in prayer...Blessings friends.

New Stamps!

2011-08-19T09:46:00.006-04:00

I really like this new catalog from The Angel Company - the UPS brought me my second big box on Monday, and those were just things for me. I'm just saying! :)

One of the new stamps that I immediately had to get was the Bingo set. All along I had planned that this would be the main feature of any card but I also found it made a great subtle background - almost as if it was printed paper.

This week I had a card class at my home featuring the Angelee Soar with it Collection and I made 10 cards using 11 of the tags from the sheet that is included in that paper pack. So this is one of my favorites - it's one of the more simpler ones but that's just me, I guess!

(You can click on the picture to see it bigger)

I stamped the Bingo image at an angle in Versamark ink on the purple DP included in the Angelee collection. I then came back and stamped the Watercolor Plants in Lavender palette ink...that's how I got the two varying shades that went together beautifully. The scallop is just a hand drawn border that I cut out but a punch will do nicely too. And how about that flower? Here I've been on a flower making kick for about two weeks but in the end, for this card, I loved the simplicity of just one punched flower, crumpled and inked on the edges, topped with a pearl from the Pearl and Gem collection we carry. {I don't tend to do bling well but I'm loving this collection!}

Well, gotta go. I'm stripping our deck and it's been a long process but I see the end in sight. I hope you have a wonderful weekend...we have just a few weeks left of summer before school starts up. I'm dreading the end of these lazy, carefree days...sigh...

More Fabric

2011-08-15T08:52:00.007-04:00

I started another card this weekend and just finished it up this morning...using more fabric! Did you see all of the great ideas for stamping on fabric in the Blog Hop? Check out my last post if you missed it...

Last week I saw a wonderful fabric flower on Artistic Avenger's blog and I thought about stamping my own piece of muslin instead of using a patterned fabric. I didn't even know the colors of my card yet but I grabbed Boudoir Blush because I thought it would look nice with one of the Victorian Elements stamps. The rest came together quite quickly and easily - especially since I CASED the layout from that same card.

Card Materials: all stamps and papers from The Angel Company
Stamps: Victorian Elements, Chair-ished, Hope Perches, Fanciful Vintage and Love you
Accessories: Caboodle paper pack, text paper, manilla tag, muslin, brown button, MS border punch, Boudior Blush and Burnt Umber palette ink

I didn't hear back from my winner for my last blog candy so the next person in line was Holly! I'll be sending you your prize this week. :)

Stamping on Fabric Blog Hop

2011-08-12T07:40:00.008-04:00

Starting today, The Angel Company is hosting another great technique Blog Hop - and you are invited to play along!! It's a fun one...stamping on fabric!

I stayed with my old tried and true method...palette inks and muslin. In the past I've really enjoyed making baby onsies or kitchen towels with this technique. Here I made a mini collage (which my daughter told me was boring) and went from there.

I had a fun clear button which I glued (used Glossy Accents) to some of the green DP in our Catalynne paper collection.

Card Materials: all stamps from The Angel Company
Stamps: Hope Perches, Theo's Joy, Fanciful Vintage, Vintage Backgrounds
Accessories: Catalynne Paper Collection (TAC), Kraft (recollections), muslin, lace, button, twine, Flourishes Impressionabilities Die (TAC), Sizzix tag die, Versamark ink, Burnt Sienna, Landscape and Reflection Blue pallette inks

I hope you'll play along and be sure to visit all of these creative ideas!

Every Road...

2011-08-10T07:49:00.005-04:00

Here is a great new set from The Angel Company. So often it's hard to find stamps that will really work on a masculine card but as I sat cutting out my rubber stamps, I knew exactly what I wanted to try first with this bicycle!

This couldn't be a quicker or easier card. I misted a piece of water color paper with some water and then used a brown Tombow marker on my image. I stamped firmly and lifted...slowly some of the ink started to spread into the wet paper. One section stayed perfectly stamped so I very lightly spritzed water across the paper (really more into the air above the paper!) and let that section run a bit too. Do not blot excess water off because that will lift the ink and really change your color {experience talking}.

The Winchester Soar with it Collection is a gorgeous color palette and even though there is a touch of purple in it, I normally use it for my more manly cards. These 3 pieces happened to be scraps I had and as I fiddled with them, the perfect layout formed for my card...gosh, I love that when that happens!! :)

So, I hope you like it...

Card Materials: all stamps and papers from The Angel Company
Stamps: Every Road, flourish element (retired hostess set)
Accessories: Winchester collection, twine, Nestabilities, Tombow marker, water spritz bottle, watercolor paper

PS. If you happened to watch America's Got Talent You Tube show last night, the dance team from West Springfield is from my daughter's high school. It was so fun to watch them on TV - I even drive one of the gals in my car pool!

Flower Power!

2011-08-08T09:10:00.004-04:00

I've been on a quest for making the perfect flower...and what I found out on this journey is that there are several very nice variations!

In a recent shoebox swap, Juliet showed me how to make the shaped roses where you take a 5 petal flower punch, cut several apart into segments and roll and shape it from there. I used my Marvy 6 petal punch when I found a way to use what I have on hand...but I wanted MORE so I kept on searching.

Here are two I came up with this weekend, using supplies from The Angel Company's latest catalog:

I used my two Marvy punches with tissue paper to make a fluffy, nice sized flower - it was quick and easy! I punched about 8 layers of tissue paper for each flower, stuck them together with a brad and then started scrunching, crumpling and fluffying out each layer. The key was to tug each layer a bit sideways so that the petals did not line up on top of each other... I also inked my edges on the two stacks of flower punched tissue paper before I stuck them together.

The second flower was a bit more complicated but I used regular cardstock, dye reinkers and a water mister to flowers that I punched out with my Tim Holtz flower die. I topped it off with one of the pearls included in the Clear & Pearl Gem Collection. These were goodies I picked up in my latest TAC order. :)

Here is a wonderful tutorial I found online to create my purple flower: http://www.creationswithchristina.com/2010/05/flower-tutorials.html

Last call for my Blog Candy winner - Cindy!! Please contact me with your address by Friday so that I can send you your winnings!

Lucy's Summer Birthday

2011-08-03T10:21:00.005-04:00

In keeping with the HOT, HOT, HOT temperatures around here, I thought I would pair little Lucy here with the Mia's Cottage paper collection.

Don't look too closely at my coloring! Pinks and reds are a real challenge but I managed to stay inside the lines! I also tried my hand at a bit of the dotted background technique...I just had to bring in some more blue although technically the blue would be in the sky. :)

Thanks for taking a peek and stay cool!

By the way, if you are in the area, I'm having a Meet Up on August 16 and 18th...it's an Angelee paper pack workshop where we'll be making 5 cards featuring "tags" and you take home all the leftover papers of one Angelee Soar with it Collection, 1/2 matching cardstock, plus directions for 5 more unique cards using the papers! This class has a real vintage or shabby chic feeling to it...I'm so excited to share it with you. {Email me if you'd be interested in purchasing this as a kit}

Case Study

2011-08-01T09:02:00.003-04:00

This weekend I took a few moments to play along with the CASE study challenge...the inspiration piece was so lovely, clean and simple, that I knew I had to make time to play along. I think I'll be using this layout again! What took me the longest was deciding which border punch to use! :)

Here is the inspiration piece:

And here is my work using Copics with the set, Lovely Peony, from The Angel Company:

Thanks for stopping by today - I appreciate your visit!! And thank you for the well wishes/prayers for my daughter...each day has gotten easier but those first few hours were extremely tough!

Busy Friday!

2011-07-29T07:30:00.007-04:00

Congrats! I have a winner! Cindy please send me your address and I'll get your prize out to you!

Random Sequence Generator

Here is your sequence:
1
4
3
5
2

Timestamp: 2011-07-29 11:29:44 UTC

Gosh, that last card came out looking so bright - I'm really struggling with get good photos these days, it's really not that ugly in real life!!

Here is hopefully a card you will LOVE! I dug around my craftroom and decided to try some things I haven't really used ... my Making Memories scrapbooking paint, I die cut some chipboard to make my own frames (I love this look and can't buy them because I always thing, I can do it ~~ and, I finally did!!), and a little hand stitching.

Aren't those details wonderful?? I'm really happy with the way this card turned out. :)

Well, today my daughter gets her widsom teeth pulled - please be thinking of us!

Card Materials: all stamps and papers from The Angel Company
Stamps: Hope Perches
Accessories: Nestabililities, MM paint, MS seam binding ribbon, button (TAC), border punch, floss, pinking sheers, book text, and this glorious paper is from the Juliette Soar with it Collection

Card Club Quickies

2011-07-27T09:35:00.006-04:00

In the newest catalog The Angel Company has changed up their Stamp of the Month program where you can now purchase a hostess level A set during a particular month...a couple of rules apply, but no matter what you decide, EVERYONE benefits!

How? Well the design team has been hard at work and you can see their cards over on the Savvy Projects blog here - featuring August's Card Club stamp, Happy Leaf. Mischelle Smith, the owner of TAC, has been equally busy and came up with some stunning samples here.

I don't have this stamp set yet but I was eager to play along. Especially since The Angel Company will now have monthly sketches to inspire you - called, Card Club Quickies. I started a tab on my blog so that you can get to them and get inspired, FAST!

I dug around my stash and found this old hostess set that had the same feeling as Happy Leaf. I used one of the three sketches and some paper/ribbon from the Mia's Cottage Soar with it Collection. I used two products on this card that you might not even know that we carry! Scor Tape and Kaleidacolor Pads. These multi color pads are so fun to use for a solid image like this - quick and easy!

Lovely place for a photo...on my driveway! But I was chasing the sun yesterday and my options were limited.

PS. I have BLOG CANDY on my last post - so far there are only two players!! I will extend the sign up deadline to Thursday, midnight...that actually makes more sense since I will post the winner on Friday. It's a Christmas in July theme! :)

Passion, and purpose!

2011-07-24T15:49:00.005-04:00

Have you gotten a hold of the latest catalog from The Angel Company? Not only are the new stamp sets really great, but I love the special feeling I get now as I thumb through the pages. Throughout the catalog, Mischelle, the owner of TAC, encourages us to give this papercrafting passion of ours a PURPOSE! She reminds us how by just sending one of our home made cards we will lift up and be a blessing to someone. So often I spend an hour or two on a card, only for it to sit in my shoebox of cards (which has now grown to a basket). I keep creating but I am guilty of not sharing my cards like I really should!

On page 2 of the catalog is a fun list of Holidays if you "need" a reason to send a card...for instance, did you know that Sep 9 was Teddy Bear Day? Or, that Sep 11 was Grandparent's Day? The list goes on and on! In the past I've belonged to our church's Card Ministry, have made cards for Operation Quiet Comfort, and I know there are many other worthy organizations that would appreciate our home made, hand made with love, cards!

I am currently creating some long distance card clubs where you will get the fixings for a special card to send out, and with just $30 in purchases for 3 months of your choosing, you'll be able to enjoy the hostess rewards for one of the months. You also have the opportunity to purchase the Card Club stamp of the month at a special price...if you want more details, drop me a note!

Page 81 of the catalogs has a verse from Hebrews 3:13 ...encourage one another daily, as long as it is called "Today". Do you have a special organization that you send cards too? Or, do you like to surprise family members on not just their birthdays? For a chance to win this blog candy, just leave me a post on what you do with all of your cards! I'll draw a winner on Wednesday, 27 July by noon. Good luck!

PS. You can see the online catalog here but if you'd like your own copy, I have just a couple left! You can click on the Buy Now button in my sidebar or send me an email.

Odds n Ends

2011-07-22T09:35:00.004-04:00

After I glued everything down and took a picture of my card, I realized that I should have trimmed out the inside of the chair. sigh...I tried to lift it up but since the glue had dried overnight, there was just no way that was going to happen!

I had these flowers punched out and I just spritzed them with some water to help them crumple up more easily, then I inked them around the edges with the same brown I stamped the chair image. Just some simple layering of some scraps I had and I like the end results...even though it's a bit dark, probably better save it for fall!

Card Materials: all stamps and papers from The Angel Company
Stamps: Chair-ished
Accessories: Olive Cardstock, Penelope Soar with it Collection, Flower punch, button, twine, lace, Versamark Dazzle ink

I hope you have a great weekend! I'll be back on Monday with some musings of my take on the new catalog...I just love this new outlook. And...I'll be offering up some blog candy so stay tuned!

PS. If you saw my last post with the chicken card, here's a little update on how I'll be getting the "evil eye" from them for a while! It is HOT here in DC...they said the heat index was about 110 at 7 pm. My chickens must be sweltering under all of those down feathers - in fact, one really was suffering and panting harder then the rest. I brought down a fan from the attic and unrolled a long electrical cord and set it up outside, in front of my chicken coop. I thought they'd love the light breeze and the lawnmower doesn't scare them so I figured it would be okay. WRONG! They panicked and try to fly over each other and it was total craziness...I probably gave them a stroke. Oh well, they seem okay this morning! Phew...because it's going to be another hot one. Stay cool!

Funny Farm

2011-07-20T17:23:00.005-04:00

I know this is a newly retired set but can you believe I've had it sitting here, uncut, for two years...just planning to have a card class with it. It's such a cute set and the sayings that go along with it just crack me up.

I've finally found (made!) the time to have a class...so if you live in the DC area, we're making 5 cards for just $5!!! Class is on Tuesday, 26 July - from 10-12. Drop me a note if you'd like to come.

This first card is CASED from the talented Heather Scott...from the layout to the colors. I used colored pencils and gamsol and unfortunately with the bad weather we're having, I couldn't really get a good photo. It looks much smoother in real life.

This next card I watercolored the chicken with Tombow markers and an aquabrush...if you know me, I love my chickens! Sometimes I feel like my 5 "ladies" in the backyard give me this look when I come empty handed...they love treats!

PS. The reds DO match on the card...I'm battling with camera today, even snapping a photo outside didn't give me much light. Sorry!

Other Challenges:
Fab 'n Funky Blog - animals
Crafting for All Seasons - animals

Sweet Friend

2011-07-18T10:21:00.005-04:00

I was playing around with my Copics this weekend while watching the women's soccer match - what a nail biter! - and came up with this little card. I think cupcakes will always be in style and I love the set TAC came out with, Sweet Sayings, that goes with them perfectly!

It's bright, so grab your sunglasses! :)

Card Materials:
Stamps: Sweet Day Cupcake, Sweet Sayings
Accessories: Rustic Chic paper, DCWV papers, border punch, nestabilities, white pen, copics, Versamark Sparkle, clear embossing powder

I'm off to run the kids around to different places! Hope you have a great week!

PS. In case you live in the area and are interested, I have some spots open for my Funny Farm card class. We're meeting Thursday, 21 July and Tuesday, 26 July - from 10-12.

Challenges:

Simon Says Stamp and
Show - embossing

Stamp Fairy Challenge
- kraft, melon and turquoise

Kaboodles Doodles -
embossing

Christmas in July

2011-07-15T08:55:00.006-04:00

This week The Angel Company has been celebrating Christmas in July and it's been a lot of fun to see what the DT has come up - boy are they creative! Check out all the fun ideas here on Savvy Projects blog.

I followed that theme with one of my projects from yesterday's Open House - thanks again to everyone who stopped by! I used 3 different, non Christmasy stamp sets to make up this cute little gift pouch. How easy it would be to change the colors though and make it the perfect gift wrap for any occasion. (Size: this is just one half of regular cardstock cut the long ways)

Materials: All stamps and papers from The Angel Company
Stamps: Fabulous Frames, Running Stitches, Damask Backgrounder
Paper: Kraft, Olive and Scarlet Cardstock (you've really got to feel this paper to appreciate it!)

This second mini card is stamp lifted from Mischelle's blog when she used Hope Perches for her Retiform card. I fell in love with the card and used her focal point for my mini card version (and in real life, my greens do match!! sigh...

Juliet changed it up once more and created these two lovely mini cards...I had to snap a picture before she left with them!

Catalog Rejects & Open House...

2011-07-12T07:24:00.006-04:00

Earlier in the month I thought some of my cards were rejected and the others made it when I saw a glimpse of the seminar boards...but I had it reversed! Sadly I was in such a rush to make the deadline and mail off my cards that I didn't realize I had snapped blurry photos. I still wanted to share a few of my catalog rejects because the first one is my favorite of the bunch and it was so cheerful in real life!

This had a Christmas-y feel to it.

And here I just went nuts layering Emma papers together!

Invitation!!
If you live in the Washington DC area, I'm having my annual Open House this Thursday from 10 am - 5 pm. It should be a lot of fun and I hope you can stop by! Send me an email if you need directions. :)

...another Vintage Ride?

2011-07-11T06:46:00.000-04:00

Yup! But look at the variety! I've featured an airplane and bicycle, today a car...I used Scarlet cardstock and a free download (Black/White) from The Angel Company for this super simple card.

Here's a fun idea to try...I've always loved the frame stamps I've seen from other companies and then Mischelle, the owner of The Angel Company, shared her version of it - and it's free! Our stamps come with a border around them so she carefully cut everything out and saved the outside frame to use it as a design element. How cool is that?

I colored the car with Copics and left that wide open space until I mail it. I think I will use part of the saying, "Zooming by to say HI" and leave off the "HI" and stamp "Happy Birthday" in the inside. I know already which little guy will get this card...he does love his cars!!

PS. Join us for a Blog Hop over at The Angel Company this weekend...we're featuring Spotlight as a technique. How fun...I'd better get busy! :)

Blog Hop - Spotlighting

2011-07-08T08:30:00.006-04:00

Hi all!

The Angel Company is having another great blog hop over on Savvy Projects! I am so glad they announced it ahead of time since we'll be flying back home from vacation today BUT, I whipped out this card instead of cleaning bathrooms and packing. Don't you think I made the right choice? tee hee...

Sometimes Less is More but in this case, my "less" card just looked really blah. So I searched around in my things and decided to emboss my cardstock. That blue panel uses a Tim Holtz (did you know we are carrying Tim Holtz products now?!?) Halloween embossing folder and I just made sure the skull and poison part didn't show up - I really love the end results. And, who can resist some tan cording with such an outdoorsy looking card...

All stamps and papers from The Angel Company

The thing about spotlighting is it really allows you to make a neat looking card in just a fraction of the time. I think I'll be doing this more often and all of these great collage type stamps in the new catalog are perfect for that...

I hope you'll have the chance to play along! Have a great weekend...

More Vintage Rides

2011-07-06T07:41:00.000-04:00

Does this card scream summer, or what? You can't really tell but I used black stickles on the handle bar streamers (sigh, I remember when my now 15 year old daughter loved her purple handle bar streamers - where has the time gone?!?). I also used a flower stamp from the set, Sweet Day Cupcake, to make a fun background piece. I love this bicycle from the Nina B Vintage Rides set...

If you click on the photo, you can see it larger...I colored my image in with Copic markers and used my Fiskars punch for the first time! The saying is from a now retired set...Enjoy your weekend, I'm thinking of YOU!

Relax...and Fish

2011-07-04T07:55:00.002-04:00

Happy Fourth of July!!

I hope you are relaxing today here in the good, ol' USA...I should have a patriotic card but instead I'm just thinking, vacation!

I embossed some watercolor paper with my Transcendence Powder (that powder will let you emboss with dye inks - incredible!) and then went to work with an aquabrush and Tombow markers. The dangerous part was that I just picked out colors I liked ... then I had to find a paper to match! Luckily, this Winchester designer paper and cardstock from The Angel Company went perfectly with it.

Card Materials: All stamps and papers from The Angel Company

I hope you have a wonderful week! I think I'm going to play some more with this stamp set - I've got some ideas swirling around in my head...

Catalog News!!

2011-07-01T01:28:00.000-04:00

I checked the Fedex shipping number and my catalogs arrive on Friday!! Yay!

While you wait on your copy, (seriously, why does the post office have to take off both Saturday and Monday?!?) here is a low resolution copy for you to take a peek at. I think you'll agree that you need your own hard copy!! Contact me to get yours...

PS. My online catalog is now fully updated too with all of the new stamps so you can start shopping! {But, to earn free stamps with a $30 order or more, please email me your order and I'll get it placed for you!}

And, The Angel Company has announced a special promotion to get your wings for the month of July!

There's NEVER been a BETTER time to get your WINGS and with this New Angel Starter Kit Special ... what are you waiting for?!

With the help of our Angels we put this special package together ... just for you!

Instead of 1 set of Tombow Brights Markers you will receive ...

8 ~ Level A Reward Sets (from any current publication) of your choice!

2 ~ Level B Rewards Sets (from any current publication) of your choice!

1 ~ Level C Rewards Set (from any current publication) of your choice!

That's in addition to all of these wonderful goodies!

Business Supplies:
Catalogue Bundle (10)
Current Card Club Stamp of the Month
Special Booking Stamps exclusive to new Angels!
Order Forms (100)
Recruit Brochures (10)
FUNshop Invitations
The Angel Company™ Logo Stamp

Foundation Collections:
8.5” x 11” Premium White Cardstock
Penelope Soar with it Collection™
Natalee™ Accordion Album Kit
You also receive 5 of our exclusive Angel Company™ Paper Collections, excluding all R-coded collections.

Stamping Supplies:
Acrylic Mounting Starter Kit
Noir Black Palette™ Ink Pad
Select seven (yes 7!!) Stamp Sets (T-coded stamps ONLY) within the specific price ranges given on application.

Click Here to get started or let me know if I can help you get signed up!

*Please note that our TAC Policies Manual is available in Angels Only as a download only.

Shoe Box Swap

2011-06-29T07:26:00.000-04:00

I have a meet up group here in the area and one of the members suggested having a Shoe Box swap. I loved the idea - especially since this time I only had to design one card instead of my usual 5! What a great way to kick of the summer...that and a NEW catalog from The Angel Company!

Debra Miller outlined some of the exciting new things that await us within the pages...

•3 new illustrators - Soft Pencil Studios, Nina B and Phyllis Harris, plus new sets from Mabelle RO
•60 Smoothies cardstock colors
•Individual Sketch Copic markers
•Sew Easy fancy floss and bakers twine
•New Mementos line - ink pads, dew drops, markers, I-Zing glitter glue with reference to coordinating cardstock.
•Big Kick die cut machine, texture plates and dies
•New Nestabilities Dies
•Copic XPress-It cardstock
•Spica pen sets
•New flower punches
•8 New Level A Hostess Sets
•4 New Level B Hostess Sets
•1 New Level C Hostess Sets (coordinating greetings available for purchase)
•12 New GWP stamps (FREE with $30 purchase)

and my good, online friend, Angela Kelley designed the cover...she is a most talented and generous person. Congrats Angela!!

Here's my card for the shoe box swap...I used one of the new sets called, Chair-ished and paired it with some lovely colors!

I'm down to 5 catalogs! Yikes...remember that you will receive a $4 off coupon when you order your catalog from me. I am starting to see place holders for the new sets on my online catalog so keep checking back there too if you want to see all of the new goodies...I just like to snuggle in bed at the end of a hard day with a good catalog to thumb through. Either choice is a good one!

Vintage Rides

2011-06-27T07:59:00.009-04:00

This set is from one of our new designers, Nina Brackett. I love it! I had some time to play and came up with this card...I used an old army training map that I had left over from my Army days! Talk about a packrat! I used to use it for wrapping paper but I think I like this use even better!

I used Kraft and Scarlet cardstock from The Angel Company and colored my airplane in with Copics and cut it out...hope you like it! After I stamped the words crooked on my cardstock, I just stamped them again on a portion of the map and punch out a circle...in the end, I liked the look even better. phew!

I'll be back all this week with more new stamps from The Angel Company...and I'll let you know when my catalogs ship. I'm jumping up and down with excitement to see it - I've heard it's the best catalog YET! So many gals are pumped up after seminar and seeing everything...I hope you will be too!

Don't forget that today is the LAST day to purchase the retiring stamps and accessories. You can see them online, in one easy spot, at my site: http://chris.ismyangel.net or send me an email!

Seminar Weekend!

2011-06-25T12:45:00.009-04:00

Starting yesterday, some very lucky Angels went to this year's seminar for The Angel Company...sigh. I envy them (but in a nice way!) and am very thankful to those who managed to get out a few photos and send us news when they can. I know they should be enjoying their time to the fullest but they are true ANGELS for thinking of us who couldn't go. And now, any day, the catalogs should begin to arrive!! Yay!!

I've "heard" that I have 3 cards in the catalog. Woohoo! I was a little sad when I saw one of the display boards because it had four of my cards on it...these are cards that didn't make the catalog cut. I sent in 4 cards for submission and then I had entered a Trio card contest and those entries were actually pulled for possible catalog publication. In the end they didn't make it so I'll be sharing those here.

In the meantime - here's the board and some other new set close ups! Feast your eyes and drool! PS. My cards are from left to right, first row, last one, second row, third one down and last row: the second and last card!

Here are some new sets that caught my eye...

If you didn't preorder your catalog, send me a note - I only have 10 left that are not spoken for!

Another winner & a Side Step Card...

2011-06-23T07:15:00.009-04:00

First - thanks to McStamper who contacted me - your prize is on it's way!

And, congrats to Cheryl! You won my second blog candy prize...

Random Sequence Generator

Here is your sequence:
7
1
3
6
2
5
4

Timestamp: 2011-06-23 11:14:23 UTC

This is my Hostess Club's last official get together and then we'll be restarting in the fall. If you are interested in coming over to my house once a month for a fun project and ordering just around $10, you'll have the chance to be the hostess with all of the rewards for one of those months! I have 3 spots opening up so please let me know if you are interested! {Or interested in setting up a long distance club for some of you and your friends! wink, wink!!}

So here is our card for this month - these two sets will be featured in the new catalog I believe and I really liked the donut the least of all of the images but I just fell in love with it all here on this card!

My friends thought the Kraft paper was designer paper - what fun to show them how to stamp in white and then color in with colored pencils. It really looks great in real life!

All stamps and papers from The Angel Company - colored pencil/gamsol

I found the directions over on SCS but I would say practice with a scrap of paper first - I had to adjust some of my folds to get it to lay right, but the second time around went so much easier! Also a quick tip: I marked my cut line with a light pencil line first, scored my horizontal lines and then cut the veritcal line last. Oh yes, my stair step portion was only 3" to give me a wider solid panel but you will see that you can play with these dimensions once you practice it first!

Have fun!!

Other challenges I'm playing in:

Ladybug Crafts
Ink TLT Challenge Blog - use Red somewhere

For Fun Challenges -2
ribbons, 2 colors, 1 image, 1 sentiment

More Blog Candy!

2011-06-20T06:21:00.006-04:00

So the catalog will go live in about another week...once I know the catalogs have shipped, the wait is almost unbearable. To help pass the time, let's have some more blog candy!

I've always loved this Gerbera Daisy and this set of sayings, Little Things is so sweet. Who can resist phrases like: birthday candles, butterfly kisses or milk chocolate!?!

Just leave a comment before midnight, Wednesday for a chance to win these two sets!

McStamper - you won the last blog candy - please contact me by Friday or I will have to award it to the next person in line...thank you!!

And to leave you with just a little more catalog excitement (have you preordered your copy yet?!) here are some Hostess Reward sneak peek sets!

These are sets you can earn for free by having a party - I'm happy to do long distance workshops with you...just ask me how!

Happy Father's Day

2011-06-17T18:19:00.008-04:00

When I posted my blog candy I mentioned how neat they would look using the cracked glass technique. They are both wintery stamps though and in this heat wave here in DC, I just couldn't do it. But! I love this collage ship and that did the trick nicely.

So, here's my Father's Day card using the cracked glass technique. Finding embellishments is often tough but I had some ribbon and my stand by button. sigh...are you tired of seeing those?!? I also stamped the Victorian Elements in the lower corner and then sanded the paper lightly to distress it some.

This past weekend we bought some Jumbo Shrimp from India at our Costco and I wanted a nice recipe for them. I found a winner on Epicurious and this would make a great Father's Day meal!

Grilled Jumbo Shrimp with Lemon and Oregano Gourmet June 2006

by Ruth Cousineau

The citrusy dressing makes this dish a standout, and there's plenty extra to be sopped up with rice or crusty bread. Cooking shrimp in their shells keeps them juicy and tender. It all makes for casual finger food that requires plenty of napkins — which is part of the fun.

Yield: Makes 6 servings
Active Time: 45 min
Total Time: 1 1/4 hr

3 lb jumbo shrimp in shell (7 or 8 per pound)
4 large garlic cloves
3/4 teaspoon salt
5 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
3/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh oregano (from 1 bunch)
3 lemons, each cut into 6 wedges

Snip through shells of shrimp along middle of back using kitchen shears, exposing vein and leaving tail and adjoining segment of shell intact. Devein shrimp, leaving shells in place.

Mince and mash garlic to a paste with salt using a large heavy knife or a mortar and pestle. Transfer to a blender along with lemon juice and pepper and blend until smooth. With motor running, add oil in a slow stream, blending until emulsified. Transfer dressing to a bowl and stir in chopped oregano.

Prepare grill for cooking over direct heat with medium-hot charcoal (moderate heat for gas).

Toss shrimp with 1/4 cup dressing in a large bowl and marinate no more than 15 minutes. (Texture of shrimp will change if marinated too long.)

Lightly brush lemon wedges with some of remaining dressing and grill, turning over once, until grill marks appear, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a large platter.

Grill shrimp on lightly oiled grill rack (covered only if using a gas grill), turning over once, until just cooked through, 7 to 8 minutes total. Transfer to platter with lemons as grilled. Serve with remaining dressing.

McStamper - you are my blog candy winner! Please contact me with your mailing address - I can't wait to send you these wonderful stamps! I noticed how small they look in the photo but they easily measure 2 x 3 inches...or larger.

Other Challenges:

Blogger's Challenge - masculine
Class Act Insider - Vintage
Joyful Stamper - Father's Day
Mami Doodles - card for boy/man

A winner!

2011-06-16T06:29:00.002-04:00

Congrats to: McStamper

You won this week's blog candy! I hope everyone comes back to check out the next batch of goodies...

Random Sequence Generator

Here is your sequence:
3
1
4
2
5
6

Timestamp: 2011-06-16 10:29:06 UTC

PS. I'm getting ready to place an order on Monday so if you'd like to still get some of the sneak peek stamps on sale - or get any of the retiring stamp sets on sale!! - just shoot me an email. Thanks to all of you who have pre ordered a catalog...I still have a few more available!

Flying By...with Nina B!

2011-06-14T08:17:00.002-04:00

We have some great new designers coming out in upcoming catalog from The Angel Company. Nina B is one of them and I just love her new set that's featured in the Sneak Peeks. Remember that you can get these on sale before June 27th and then you'll have to pay full price. :)

Take a look!

And don't miss out on my blog candy in the post below...it's open until midnight, Wednesday!

New Catalog Celebration!

2011-06-12T14:28:00.008-04:00

Eeck! I can't wait to see the new catalog from The Angel Company...I just faxed in my preorder so if you are looking to reserve your copy, send me an email. I am charging $8.50 (for my US customers) which includes priority mail to you and a coupon for your first order...if you live overseas and would like a copy, please contact me via email. PS. I have a paypal button on my sidebar if that makes it convenient for you.

To celebrate, I am having some blog candy this weekend and next weekend. Up first is this double set of winter themed collages. It's Twinkle in the Eye which is a hostess set and the retired Train Collage. This morning I thought of trying these in the cracked glass technique. Can't wait to give it a whirl!

You have until midnight on Wednesday to post what you are looking forward to seeing in the new catalog. Thanks for playing along!

Love this...

2011-06-10T04:07:00.003-04:00

This weekend The Angel Company is having a blog hop featuring something you "love"...a technique, a product, a project...whatever you fancy!! I love the look of layered images and shading within a Nestabilities frame. And, since manly cards are often tough to do - I think it works well together here. Oh yes, I LOVE texture too!!

Retiring stamps: Good Timber and Be Still...both are on sale until June 27th!

psst! More things are being slashed from the catalog and this is your chance to save 25% on accessories, while supplies last! For a peek at those items, please visit here.

Other Challenges:

Alphabet Challenge
Blog

Delicous Doodles
Challenge Blog

Fussy and Fancy Friday
Challenge

Polka Doodles blog

Simply Create blog

The Stamp Man

Newly Announced Retiring Sets!

2011-06-07T17:21:00.003-04:00

Yikes, a few more stamps got hit with the retirement ax! Oh well, that's more savings for YOU!!

Discontinued ADDITIONS!

Page Item Description Retail Value

5 TA3286 Basic Blooms $7.95

5 TA3324 Whooo Loves Ya $7.95

16 T2798 Ornamental Joy $5.95

19 T2692 Snowman Nativity $19.95

30 T3109 Summer Boys $10.95

40 T3308 Blossom $7.95

55 T3115 Funny Farm $10.95

55 T3125 Funny Farm Phrases $15.95

91 T3369 In My Heart $19.95

97 T2665 Little Things $7.95

97 T2895 Life is Short $19.95

SHOP EARLY & SAVE BIG on our Final Farewell ADDITIONS!
June 3-12th ~ Receive 40% OFF!

June 13-19th ~ Receive 35% OFF!

June 20-24th ~ Receive 30% OFF!

Spring Time

2011-06-06T17:09:00.006-04:00

One more card to share using one of Heather's sketches from A Card A Day In May {yup, try saying that 10 times). I may add a sentiment in an oval on top of the black ribbon when the time comes to send out this card. I think it needs that!

This is another retiring stamp set from The Angel Company -- we're making room for lots of new, fun stuff! I stamped my tree with palette inks on watercolor pape and it gave me a nice texture. For the pink flowers, I made blobs of pink swirls and then heat embossed them with Transcedance powder and cut them out.
Did you see my previous post of Sneak Peeks?!? What a fun variety...you can order these for a special price before June 27...and that's the last day you may order the retiring stamps on sale. Wow, it's a win-win combo!

Hope you have a super week. Cross your fingers for me - I'm subbing 6th graders for the rest of the week. Talk about ATTITUDE!! phew...

Sneak Peaks are here!!

2011-06-04T11:28:00.008-04:00

The Angel Company will be going LIVE with it's latest catalog on June 27th! Wow, I can't wait to see what they have in store for us and here is a little sneak peek of what awaits us...and the exciting part is that you may order these before June 30th for the special, reduced price!

I've had lots of folks saying they want a catalog and I should have info for you soon {I hope!}.

You can see the actual sizes of these stamp sets HERE

I'm placing an order Monday if you would like one or the other of these sneak peek sets...just send me an email!!

Have you met Theo?

2011-06-02T11:24:00.006-04:00

So, I've had this little guy F O R E V E R and finally had the courage to ink him up. I used a card Mischelle (the owner of The Angel Company!) sent me as inspiration...for coloring Theo and even the color inspiration. I also followed this week's sketch which was perfect with this larger stamp image.

I hope you like it...it was scary and fun all at the same time. Something you don't usually equate with card making, eh?

I used the solid and outline dots from Background Soup to add a little interest to the main panel. All stamps, Copics and papers are from The Angel Company.

The new catalog will be coming out SOON so don't miss out on your chance to snatch up the retiring stamps at a discounted price! I have a link in my side bar and this month's stamp special is:

Other Challenges:

Crafter's Companion - Here comes summer
Paper Creations Ink - anything goes
Penny's Paper Crafty - summer
ABC Challenge - Variety (3 embellishments)*I used ribbon, scrappers floss and a button! *

Last sketch in May

2011-05-31T08:15:00.007-04:00

It's been so fun keeping up with a Card a Day in May over at The Angel Company. Wow, what inspiration! I hope you've enjoyed my little creations as well.

This is the last sketch for the month and it is great for a quick card and some of those larger stamp images.

I used the Stamp of the Month, Sunflowers and embossed it in...WHITE!! Wow, what a different look that gives you. I love it for this image because it has a lot of detailed lines and sometimes that can be a bit overpowering in black. Perfect here for watercoloring with my Tombow markers.

I kept with the soft look of this card by stamping my sentiment on vellum...I just couldn't bare to cover up that pitcher! {grin}

Other challenges:

Stamp with Fun - in the garden
Make it Monday - anything goes

Memorial Day Weekend

2011-05-28T16:25:00.003-04:00

Hope those of you in the US are enjoying your Memorial Day weekend...we're relaxing at home but with the family all off, I'll be taking a short break!

If you are interested in placing an order this weekend, I'm offering double FREE stamps as my personal thanks. Just shoot me an email! Blessings...

Love this sketch...

2011-05-25T08:16:00.006-04:00

so far it's been a great month of sketches over at The Angel Company and this week is no exception. I love this one!

I used my copics to color in this beautiful flower from Blossoms and Blessings. With the TAC caboodle color sets, I automatically have 3 tones of matching colors. It makes life so much easier!!

Once again, I made a slight tweak to the sketch by moving my scalloped layer up a bit...that's what makes sketches so wonderful I think.

All stamps and papers are from The Angel Company.

We'll be making a variation of this card and two others at my Springtime Masterpiece Meet Up this Thursday and Tuesday of next week. So if you live in the area, come join us!

Welcome Little Baby

2011-05-23T06:20:00.006-04:00

My niece is having a baby and I wanted to send her a card with the package I mailed...but we don't know if it's a boy or girl! So, this little elephant from Everyday Events {yes, sigh, it's retiring too...but it's on sale right now for just $12.97!} was perfect! Even better, when I looked back at the baby shower invite, she had used elephants as well. Yay!

I'm following the new sketch over at The Angel Company this week...

Card Materials: all stamps and papers from The Angel CompanyStamps: Everyday Events
Accessories: Toodle Loo Soar with it Collection, Kraft, scalloped oval punch, button, scrappers floss, Prismacolored pencils/gamsol

Other Challenges:

Make it Monday - anything goes
Lexi's Creations - dots or stripes
Shabby Tea Room - Sweet Baby Photo inspiration