House Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge

Paper Tole

House Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge #44 - Paper Tole

This week Pat Rose came up with a fun challenge - Paper Tole. Get all the details for the challenge HERE. I gave my little Mice Friends a vacation this week...so I don't have anything to share with you on this challenge. I hope you have a chance to play with your HM & Friends stamps this week. Have a very MICE Monday all you House Mouse Lovers! :)

House Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge Blog HERE.
House-Mouse Designs Official Website HERE.
Tips on how you can easily color the House-Mouse Stamp Images HERE.

Sew Much Fun

Sock Monkey for Dad

For Father's Day, I made my dad a sock monkey and card. Yup...I sew :) Amazing huh! LOL.

And that card...check out the texture!!!



Is that cool or what! I took a scrap piece of the sock I used to make the monkey...soaked a little Copic Colorless Blender Solution on it and dabbed on top of the monkey. Since I colored it with Copic markers...it made a sock fabric pattern!! Git-er-done!!

After I was all done, Michaela had to give the little guy a test drive. It was so cute.

Simple Tags

More Ribbon Fun

Here's another fun project using ribbon for the A-MUSE-A-PALOOZA Challenge 2. All the details are on the A Muse News Blog HERE.

When I teach...I love sharing projects that are quick and easy. This is a simple tag that I shared at my Simply Sun-sational class on Saturday. A Muse Pretty Little Paper scored in half, fold & decorate. That's it!



A Muse Papaya Grosgrain Ribbon is the perfect summer sun color!



Now it's your turn...grab some ribbon, your favorite A Muse image...and get creating!
:)

Recipe:

Stamps - A Muse Artstamps Sun, You are my sunshine

Paper - A Muse Artstamps Pretty Little Paper Tropic Ric Rac; Buttercup Yellow Notecard (scrap piece to punch scalloped circle)White Cardstock

Ink - A Muse Artstamps Black Dye Ink; Yellow Ink for sentiment

Misc. - A Muse Artstamps Papaya Grosgrain Ribbon; Copic Markers Y11, Y15, Y17; Marvy Uchida Circle and Scalloped Circle Punches; Ultrafine Crystal Glitter, Glue Pen, Hand Held Hole Punch; Dimensional

A-MUSE-A-PALOOZA Challenge #2

The countdown continues...and so does the fun!

It's time for AMAP Challenge #2! Ribbon -- Create a card using RIBBON as your inspiration. The card must feature at least one (1) A Muse stamp image. All the details are on the A Muse News Blog HERE.

I created my own custom ribbon with a Copic Marker. This was SO FUN! I just cut little piece of white grosgrain, colored them, then stuck down with sticky strip.



This card really sparkles!! I used the sticky strip across the top and bottom of card to apply glitter. More glitter around the button and under the word "brighten." Don't ya just looooove that new Petite Gingham cardstock? I love it so much...I had to tear it up!

Well...I've had all the fun I can stand for today. I'm starting to feel yucky again...you know how when you are sick...you always seem to feel worse in the evening. That's me right now...time to go lay down and call it a day. Don't forget to get all the challenge details over on the A Muse New Blog. OH...one last thing...if you are in the Phoenix area...I would love to have you join me for some AMAP fun. You can see my class schedule HERE.

A Muse Artstamps products: Sunshine & Laughter; Blueberry and Green Petite Gingham cardstock

House Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge

Do you feel up to a challenge?

I'm feeling a little better right now...at least good enough that I managed to finish up my card and take a quick pic this afternoon. So I'm gonna keep this short...

House Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge #43 - Sketch

2RedBananas is sponsoring this weeks challenge...and they have come up with a wonderful sketch. They are also taking part in posting samples, are offering all you House Mouse Lovers a 10% discount code AND have a prize up for grabs! Git-er-done!! So how about you join us for the fun and create somethin using at least 1 House Mouse or Friends image on your project. Get all the details for the challenge, discount code and price HERE.

This layout works great for HM images...since a lot of them are larger.


Coloring done with Prismacolor Pencils & Gamsol. I even did realy machine stitching one this...inspired by the stitching on the baby shoes. The Circle Layer is flocked cardstock from Doodlebug. Feels so soft & fuzzy -- just like those sweet little mice ;) The main image layer is popped up on dimensionals.


Hope you have a chance this week to play with your HM & Friends stamps. Happy Stamping!

Recipe:
Stamps - House-Mouse Designs Baby Shoes A Muse Artstamps Baby Wishes

Paper - SU Whisper White and Barely Banana Cardstock; Creative Imaginations Double-sided Paper; Bazzill Pink textured CS

Ink - A Muse Artstamps Black Dye Ink

Misc. -Prismacolor Pencils; Gamsol OMS; SU Scalloped Border Punch; Spellbinder Circle dies; Making Memories Chloe's Closet Brads; Janome Sew Mini Sewing Machine & White Thread; Dimensionals

House Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge Blog HERE.

House-Mouse Designs Official Website HERE.

Tips on how you can easily color the House-Mouse Stamp Images HERE.

Come Back Later...

Why am I up at 2:50 am?

I think I got the same bug my daughter had :( Been sick all evening...and I just woke up...cause I had to puke! nasty nasty nasty! blaaaa! Anywho...after that I was good enough to come get on the computer to let my House Mouse Friends know that I will have my cute little mouse card done soon....so check back later. FYI - it's a baby card using an image called "Baby Shoes" ;) But for now...I'm heading back to bed. Yeah...I'm not feeling well at all...this stinks!

Think Simple. Think A Muse.

Quick & Classic Father's Day Card

We're still "SQUARE" dancin' over on the A Muse News Blog. LOL!!! And...another day closer to A-MUSE-A-PALOOZA! WOOHOO!!!!

I've been making my Father's Day Cards based around this weeks challenge - SQUARE. Look at all those squares on my card!! The new Green Gingham paper is PERFECT for this card and layout. And the Mainly Men Clear Set is great to have on hand for those "Man Cards." I'm sooooooo glad I have it!



The shirt is stamped on the white square...then again on a Classic Dots Pretty Little Paper - then cut out and stuck on top with foam tape. Just a little coloring & shading with markers to give it that extra little sumpin' sumpin'. Those holes are pierced with my new handy dandy Scor-Bug Embosser. That thing works slick!!

Get all the info on Challenge #1 Square -- plus the Secret Squares Games on the A Muse News Blog.

This card also works for the A Muse Lounge Challenge #6 - It's a Guy Thing. I hope you can join us for these challenges!

Recipe:
Stamps - A Muse Artstamps Mainly Men Set
Paper - A Muse Artstamps Green Gingham and Classic Dots Pretty Little Papers; White Cardstock; Bazzill Black Cardstock
Ink - A Muse Artstamps Black Dye
Misc. - Copic E04 & W2; Scor-Pal & Scor-Bug Embosser; Dimensionals

Secret Squares Game!

Hollywood Squares - A Muse Style!

More A-MUSE-A-PALOOZA fun & games over on the A Muse News Blog. You GOTTA GO PLAY the Secret Squares Game!



And don't forget about this weeks challenge -- SQUARE. It's all about squares squares squares! ha ha ha

Sooooo...do you remember yesterday I posted a card where I punched out 3 squares? NO??!! Well go look HERE and you will see where I got the 3 little squares I used on my card for today :) I love love love using scraps....especially when it's scraps of wonderful patterned paper.



I used A Muse clear stamp sets along with the Bamboo image. That dotted line on the little squares is from a set called Personal Stationary. I love the cool little images that come with this set. The sentiment is from the new Fortune Cookie Words set. And check it out...I used Flower Soft! Cool stuff huh!

Don't forget to play the Secret Square Game each day this week on the A Muse News Blog. It's easy...but you can't win if you don't play ;)

Recipe:
Stamps - A Muse Artstamps Bamboo, Personal Stationary Set, Fortune Cookie Words Set
Paper - A Muse Artstamps Cottage Green Argyle Square Notecard; Kraft and White Cardstock; Bazzill Black Cardstock
Ink - Tsukineko Versafine Onyx Black
Misc. - Prismacolor Pencils & Gamsol; Blending Stump; A Muse Artstamps Twinkle Stickers;EK Success 1" Square Punch; Flower Soft Pale Green; Flower Soft Glue; Dimensionals

Countdown to A*MUSE*A*PALOOZA

AMAP Challenge #1

Each Monday over on the A Muse News Blog a challenge will be posted as we count-down the days to A-MUSE-A-PALOOZA. And guess whaaaaat....there's gonna be PRIZES!!
GIT-ER-DONE!

The challenge for this week is SQUARE. Create a card using the word SQUARE as your inspiration. Anything goes as long as you use at least 1 A Muse image on your project. Get all the details for Challenge #1 HERE.

My interpretation - square notecard & square punched out windows.



The square windows are punched out with a 1" square punch. I stamped the Salmon several times on the inside. I stamped it again on scrap and cut out to adhere to front of card. Happy Father's Day comes from the Mainly Men Clear Set. And check out those killer Mini Fasteners by Tim Holtz that look like little screws!!! Toooooo stinkin' CUTE! A little light sponging around the edges of cardbase and around the windows. easy easy easy!

Sooooo....whatcha say....how 'bout gettin' a little SQUARE with use this week? Come on ...you know ya wanna!

Recipe:
Stamps - A Muse Artstamps Salmon, Fishing Pole, Mainly Men Set
Paper - A Muse Artstamps Cottage Green Argyle Square Notecard; White Cardstock; Bazzill Black Cardstock
Ink - A Muse Artstamps Black Dye, Clearsnap Vivid! Olive
Misc. - EK Success 1" Square Punch; Prismacolor Pencil PC1001 Salmon Pink; Gamsol & Blending Stump; Tim Holtz Idea-ology Mini Fasteners; Dimensionals; Sponge

House Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge

Yummy Neopolitan Treats
House Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge #42 - Neopolitan
Make something inspired by Neopoliltan. Make sure to use at least 1 House Mouse or Friends image on your project. Take a look at the design team samples HERE for some Neopolitan inspiration.

I gotta say...when I hear Neopolitan...I immediately think of Strawberry, Vanilla & Chocolate ice cream side-by-side in the same container. BUT...I think in Italy...Spumoni is considered a Neopolitan ice cream. Hummm.....I wonder?? LOL! Either way...I love them both! Just give me the carton & a spoon...and I'm good :)

This Happy Hopper stamp is new to my collection. It's called You Snooze You Lose and features Hop-it & Itty Bit. Michaela picked it out for me. Don't ya think it works perfect for the challenge this week!



All that coloring is done with Prismacolor Pencils & Gamsol. Close To Cocoa ink from Stampin'UP! sponged around all lthe ayers except cardbase. My friend Debbie designed a fantastic stamp set for Our Craft Lounge called Summer Treats. I used a sentiment off that set for this card. Perfecto!! And my new Scor-it Sliding Ruler worked slick to create the grid on the vanilla strip - then I sponged ink on that too.

That scoop of strawberry ice cream and the oval around the sentiment glisten with pink glitter. YOU KNOW how we HAVE TO HAVE glitter on our cards...especially one with ice cream!



Recipe:
Stamps - House-Mouse Designs You Snooze You Lose (Hop-it, Itty Bit); Our Craft Lounge Summer Treats
Paper - Papertrey Ink Vintage Cream Cardstock; SU Whisper White & Pixie Pink and Close to Cocoa Cardstock; SU Designer Paper (retired)
Ink - A Muse Artstamps Black Dye Ink, SU Pixie Pink & Close to Cocoa Classic
Misc. -Prismacolor Pencils; Gamsol OMS; Marvy Uchida Oval and Scalloped Oval Punches; Making Memories Light Pink Glitter; Robins Nest Hyacinth Collection Dew Drops; Sakura Crystal Lacquer (to attach Dew Drop); Misc lace ribbon from stash; Dimensionals; Sponge

House Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge Blog HERE.
House-Mouse Designs Official Website HERE.
Tips on how you can easily color the House-Mouse Stamp Images HERE.

News from the homefront

Saturday at the Barnett House

We started our morning at a swim meet. Michaela got two 6th place ribbons - 1 for breast stroke & 1 for back stroke. Way to go Michaela!!



When we got home...Michaela went right away to say hello to Grace. Sad sad news...Grace had passed away while we were gone. Poor little thing :( We only had her for 13 days. She was not well from the day we adopted her. We kept her anyways...taking care of her & giving her lots of love in the short time she was with us.



As you can imagine...Michaela was VERY SAD. What's a mom to do? Go get another pet :) A friend of mine took us to a wonderful little pet shop (thanks Cynthia! xx) and we brought home not 1...but 2 sweet little critters. :)



As always...we gotta introduce Jewel to the new members of the family. We are thrilled to have Cookie join us. She is SO TINY and cute as them come!



And here is Angel - her name describes her well :) Michaela misses Grace very very much...but she is loving her 2 new friends.



Then...check this out...for dinner we had fresh corn picked right out of our garden. Michaela grew it for the first time!! Look how yummy! And they were just that. WOW! Talk about a treat!!! Fresh from the garden right into the cooker.



Well...there you have it...our eventful Saturday. Wonder what I'll do today....hummm....I know....STAMP! YEAH BABY!

Wanna Win A Prize?

Limited Edition A-MUSE-A-PALOOZA T-Shirt

3 lucky winners will get this t-shirt. All you have to do it go to the A Muse News Blog and post a comment telling us something about A-MUSE-A-PALOOZA (which store is closest to you, your favorite A-MUSE-A-PALOOZA memory, is this your first A-MUSE-A-PALOOZA, etc.) Anything goes! This contest will be open through Saturday, June 13th a midnight PST.

Click HERE to enter!

Stamp Extravaganza!

4th Annual A-MUSE-A-PALOOZA!

It's time to P-A-R-T-Y!

Click HERE to join the party! It's already started!
Click HERE to check out my classes for this event.

House Mouse & Friends Challenge #41

Red White & Blue

House Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge #41 - Red White & Blue

This week Stacy picked a color challenge. Use Red, White & Blue. Make anything you like...just be sure to use the selected colors and at least 1 HM image on your project. And you have GOT to go check out all the super SUPER FANTASTIC creations by the design team. Click HERE and see for yourself!

I used some fun paper that I was "saving" for something special...ha! YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN! We all do it ;) When I think of red, white & blue...naturally I think 4th of July. I also think of picnics in the park and fun summer days. Don't those "special" papers work peferct with this House Mouse stamp!

Those mice look like they had a great time at their picnic :) I colored over all the seeds with a clear glaze pen. Fun stuff!

Hope you can join the fun this week and create something Red, White & Blue...maybe use up some "special" papers ;)

Recipe:
Stamps - House-Mouse Designs Mellow Melon (Maxwell, Mudpie, Amanda, Monica); A Muse Artstamps Spit Happens

Paper - Papertrey Ink White Cardstock ; Flair Designs Picnic Table; Hot Off the Press Denim; SU Whisper White & Real Red Cardstock

Ink - A Muse Artstamps Black Dye Ink, Ranger Adirondack Earthtones Denim; Clearsnap Colorbox Chalk Warm Red

Misc. -Prismacolor Pencils; Gamsol OMS; Sakura Clear Glaze Pen; Martha Stewart Embossed ZigZag Craft Punch, Misc Buttons & Hemp Twine; Dimensionals; Red Sticky Strip; Sponge

House Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge Blog HERE.
House-Mouse Designs Official Website HERE.
Tips on how you can easily color the House-Mouse Stamp Images HERE.

GET BUSY LORI!

Excuse me for a minute while I ramble...

I've been working on lots of fun stamping and paper crafting goodies for upcoming classes -- and this card is not one of those projects. After finishing it, I decided to play around with my camera settings. Why? Because of THIS fantastic post by Lisa Spangler. You gotta go check it out!!

Wait a minute...I should tell you how come I was playing with stamping goodies that aren't part of my current projects. While working on my computer -- it started being dumb -- so I had to re-boot. While it was re-booting (yes...it's slow!) I jumped chairs and made this card. A piece of cardstock was laying on my desk that I had practiced some masking and sponging on. It was calling me ..... "stamp a flower on me please." How could I refuse? The paper has spoken! ha ha ha

Back to the camera thing. I started messin' round with white balance settings. Ummm...yeah... I think I just suck at taking pictures! And when I do get a good shot...I swear it's by accident...never to be reproduced again! My daughter Alisha is taking photography classes. She's got one of those really nice cameras...and knows all the bells & whistles. I gotta grab her one day so she can straighten me out. Maybe with her "in person hands on assistance" -- I might git-er-done.

Here's the card -- after I adjusted it in Photoshop. It could be better...but I'm good with it.



Here's before adjusting the brightness & contrast in Photoshop. See...I told you I suck at taking pictures! I just wanna point & shoot.



And in case anyone wonders...this is the camera recipe (shooting information) for this pic. What's it all mean....I have NO IDEA. If I need to learn it all so I can take better pictures...I'll probably work on it. I think it's important to take a great pic of my projects. Yes...I'm sure it's easy...and hopefully someday I'll "get it." Till then -- I'll focus on stamping...thank you verrrrrrry much.

File Name IMG_1476.JPG
Camera Model Name Canon PowerShot SD790 IS
Shooting Date/Time 6/7/2009 7:31:42 AM
Shooting Mode Manual
My Colors Mode Off
Tv (Shutter Speed) 1/60
Av (Aperture Value) 2.8
Light Metering Evaluative
Exposure Compensation 0
ISO Speed 125(Auto)
Lens 6.2 - 18.6 mm
Focal Length 6.2 mm
Digital Zoom None
IS Mode On
Image Size 3648x2736
Image Quality Superfine
Flash Off
White Balance Fluorescent H
AF Mode Single AF
AF Range Mode Macro
Parameters Contrast Normal Sharpness Normal Saturation Normal
Color Space sRGB
File Size 4060 KB
Drive Mode Single-frame shooting
Owner's Name

Now...back to CREATING!

Recipe:
Stamps - A Muse Artstamps Dandelion, Tin plate Bl, Simple Wishes Clear Set
Paper - A Muse Artstamps Gingham Black Cardstock, White & Black Cardstock
Ink - A Muse Artstamps Black Dye, Tsukineko Versamagic Ocean Green & Aquatic Splash
Misc. - A Muse Artstamps Twinkle Stickers; Glue Pen, Ultrafine Crystal Glitter; satin ribbon from stash, sponge

FYI

A New Blog For My Classes & Events

For anyone interested in taking my classes -- I created a separate blog that I will post my schedule of events on.

http://loribarnettclasses.blogspot.com/

I also have a link to it on my sidebar on the left ... under my profile picture.

Happy Friday :)

Just for Friends

Hi Friend

I though it would be fun to share a couple pics from my Just for Friends class I taught last Saturday over at Stamp Works. A couple of the ladies brought a friend with them...and they were brand new stampers. Woohoo!!

Look how wonderful Lena did on her very first card!



Karen is also new to stamping. I was so excited when the "newbies" finished their first card!



They also got to make a card using the new Gingham paper from A Muse. I'm totally lovin' this new cardstock...and it comes in 10 different colors!!




I gotta point out how perfect "hi, friend." on the front matches with the "cow's it going?" stamped on the inside of the card!



Check out the wonderful garden area in front of the store. Isn't this place great!!




For more info on my classes -- visit the Stamp Works website HERE.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!! July 10th thru July 18th.
A*MUSE*A*PALOOZA is just around the corner! All the info about Classes and Events will be posted VERY SOON here on my blog and on the Stamp Works Calendar.

New members have fur & feathers

Our family has grown!

In case you didn't know...I love animals. So does Mike & Michaela. When I go to the pet store...I feel like all those lonely little animals should come home with me so I can give them love and affection. They look at you with sad eyes..."take me home with you...please!" LOL Well...we stopped at the pet store today to get some goodies for a new Love Bird that has recently joined our family...and guess what we brought home...

...Grace the Fancy Blue Rat :) She's the sweetest little critter! Yep...that's right...I said she is sweet!! Actually...sweet & cuddly...and the softest fur ever!! Michaela picked her out and named her.

A little kiss on the nose is always nice. hee hee hee


Jewel gave her a warm welcome too! What a sweet dog she is! Her birthday is this month..she's gonna be 3.

Here's the new Love Bird. No official name yet.

We also have fish, a frog and a cockatiel that is at least 15 years old! Oh...and a cat that has us! LOL

House Mouse & Friends Challenge #40

Tails Of True Love

House Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge #40 - Wedding/Anniversary
Our challenge this week is to create something with a wedding or anniversary theme. Just make sure to use at least 1 HM or Friends image on your project. And guess what.....we have a prize up for grabs this week!!!! Go check out all the details and see the beautiful creations by the Design Team HERE.

The stamp I used is called Tails Of True Love. Don't Amanda & Maxwell look so sweet. That there's true love I tell ya



I've had this idea of stamping a House Mouse image and not coloring it. But every time I stamp these cute little critters...I just gotta color 'em! Then....when I saw the Wedding/Anniversary challenge...I was like "this is gonna be perfect!!" Don't ya think this turned out so clean and fresh? You can't really tell in the picture - but I used Ivory Cardstock. I also embossed the image with Clear Detail Powder. I just LOVE how embossed images look and feel. You can see a card I made with this same stamp -- but colored in -- click HERE.

Now it's your turn to show some love with those House Mouse & Friends stamps!

Recipe:
Stamps - House-Mouse Designs Tails of True Love, Mouse Prints Background; SU In My Thoughts
Paper - A Muse Artstamps Ivory Cardstock; Bazzill Black and Red Cardstock
Ink - Tsukineko Versafine Onyx Black and Satin Red
Misc. - SU Clear Detail Embossing Powder; A Muse Artstamps Twinkle Stickers; SU Scalloped Border Punch and Double Circle Punch; Misc Sheer Black and Ivory Ribbons; Dimensionals

House Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge Blog HERE
House-Mouse Designs Official Website HERE.
Tips on how you can easily color the House-Mouse Stamp Images HERE