Halloween amuse-bouche

New Halloween Goodies from A Muse!

Have you seen all the sneaks over on the A Muse News Blog? Amazing! Several members of the Creative Team have been serving up some amuse-bouche on their blogs. They are all listed over on the Lounge HERE. Some local stamp stores have already received the new products. If you don't have a local store...you will be able to view all the new stuff on the A Muse website September 2nd.

I finally had a chance to play with my new goodies. Normal life stuff got in the way of my stamping time -- how rude! ha! I've had this idea in my head of her crashing into the moon since I saw the new stamps.
SPLAT!!



I stamped her hat a 2nd time and popped it up on foam tape. Another new image on my card is the Spooky Tree. Isn't it WAY COOL! Hopefully I'll have a chance to serve up another treat tomorrow. Who care's about the dishes...right? hee hee hee

Recipe:
Stamps - A Muse Artstamps Witch Crash, Spooky Tree, Mama Said..., Broom, Crooked Fence, Tiny Star
Paper - A Muse Artstamps 4bar note cards - Slate & Blackberry; White Cardstock
Ink - A Muse Artstamps Black Dye Ink; Clearsnap ColorBox Chalk Popcorn
Misc - Copic markers BV31, YG03, YG06, V01, V06, Y38, C7, T0; Copic Black Multiliner SP; Copic Pitch Black Spica Glitter Pen; Art Glitter Black Glitter; Glue Pen; Marvy Uchida Circle Punch (Blue); Foam Dimensionals

House Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge

The Mice are Back from Vacation!!!

Goooooooood Morning House Mouse Lovers! The Mice and their friends are back from vacation...and ready to play :)

House Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge #50 - Gift Card Holder

This weeks challenge is by Janneke. Create anything that you would give a gift card in. The only requirement is to use at least 1 House Mouse or Friends image on your project. For all the details and to see creations by the design team click HERE.

I made a super simple gift card holder. With this design and layout you can quickly create a gift card holder - or even put a picture on there.

Cardstock base is 4" x 10". Score at 5 1/2". Put 1/8" tape down the shorter edges on the inside and adhere. Inside card is 3 1/4" x 5 1/4".

Even if you don't have a punch to make the slots to hold the card - you can use double sided sticky tape to hold it in. Or a perfect place to put a photo. This would also be super cute with some double-sided patterned cardstock. If your giftcard or picture is landscape...just design your card that way instead :)



The Balloon is covered with Crystal Effects.



I hope you have time this week to join us and make a gift card. We love to see all the wonderful creations using your House Mouse images.

Recipe:

Stamps - House-Mouse Designs Party Mouse (Monica); A Muse Artstamps Balloon; SU Polka Dot Background Stamp and Sentiment from the All Holidays set

Paper: SU Real Red, Green Galore & Tempting Turquoise; White CS

Ink: A Muse Artstamps Black Dye Ink; SU Greeb Galore & Tempting Turquoise; Tsukineko VersaMark

Misc. - -Prismacolor Pencils; Gamsol OMS & Blending Stumps; SU Scalloped Border Punch; Dimensionals; Crystal Effects; Scor-Pal Board & Scor-Bug Embosser and 1/8" Scor-Tape; White Grosgrain Ribbon; SU Slit Punch; Carl Corner Rounder Punch

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.

Use it or loose it!!!

Are you guilty?

Why is it that I buy beautiful 12x12 patterned paper, put it neatly away in that special place for that special project -- and then never use it?

How come I buy all those paper flowers and put them in cute jars on a shelf so I can see them -- yet never use them?

What makes me think that the longer I wait to use a new tool -- the better I'll be when I finally take it out of the package to use it?

How about that new stamp I had to have....but it's never touched an ink pad!

Can YOU relate? LOL! Well guess what I did this weekend....I used some of that paper and flowers and new stamps!! WOOHOO! But most exciting of all...I used my new Copic Airbrush Tool!!!! OH YEAH BABY! That airbrush is cool! I'm gonna have tons of fun with it. Here's a little something I made just playing around to get the feel of how it works.

The Mermaid Girl and fin-tastic day stamps are new Mandy's World images from A Muse. Isn't that fishy paper great! I knew I would use it someday ;) The smaller paper flower was white - so I colored it with a Copic marker and then added Shimmerz on top. I also put Stickles on the mermaid's fin & bikini top. You probably can't see in the pic...but her hair also has a little shimmer from a Spica glitter pen.

I think this card turned out super cute. And it felt good to use all those wonderful goodies I've been saving. BTW - you still have time for the "Ink It Up!" challenge over on the A Muse Lounge. So go get out that new stamp and create something. And don't forget...if you post your creation by the 31st of this month...you have a chance to win a prize! See all the details HERE.

Recipe:

Stamps - A Muse Artstamps

Paper - A Muse Artstamps Orange Crush Solid 4bar note cards; Doodlebug patterned paper; White Cardstock

Ink - A Muse Artstamps Black Dye Ink

Misc - Copic markers, Spica glitter pen & Black Multiliner SP; paper flowers from stash; brad from stash; Fiskars Waves and Threading Water Border Punches; Shimmerz Paint; Ranger Stickles Glitter Glue; Foam Dimensionals

Ink It Up Challenge

A Muse Monthly Challenge #7

Did you know there's a monthly challenge over on the A Muse Lounge? These challenges are always super fun and easy. And anyone who plays along and posts their creation has a chance to win a wonderful prize from A Muse! How cool is that!!!

This month's challenge -- Ink It Up. Create something using any of your A Muse stamps that you have never used before. How easy is that!

I went to a baby shower yesterday...so I decided to make a card using this Jammies stamp that I've had for a looooooong time. How sad is that!
This adorable stamp is no longer available.

I absolutely LOVE this new Gingham cardstock from A Muse. It's petite pattern is perfect for stamping...and works super fantastic for paper piecing! I used B00 Copic marker to add a little shading to the jammies. Just a little touch here and there so it didn't look so flat. After cutting it out I added blue Fun Flock on the collar and edge of the sleeves. (Click the picture and you can see the shading and flocking much better.) I also sponged blue chalk ink around the edges of the card base.

You have until the 31st of this month at 8pm Pacific time get in on the prize for this challenge. Have fun!

Recipe:
Stamps - A Muse Artstamps Jammies (retired); a gift for baby
Paper - A Muse Artstamps Buttercup Yellow Solid 4bar note cards, Blue Gingham Cardstock, White Cardstock
Ink - A Muse Artstamps Black Dye Ink; Clearsnap ColorBox Chalk Ice Blue
Misc. - Copic markers B00; A Muse Artstamps White Sheer Ribbon; Marvy Uchida Oval Punch; Fiskars Threading Water Border Punch and Paper Crimper; Quickie Glue Pen, Stampendous Fun Flock Sky Blue; Scor-Tape; Foam Dimensionals

For You

Featured Stamper Challenge

Happy Friday everyone!



Earlier this week I was hangin' out over on Splitcoaststampers and decided to make a card for the weeks Featured Stamper FS130 is Teresa (aka va.sunshine). Click HERE to see the card I CASE'd.



The things I changed from Teresa's card are: the colors, the sentiment, the layers behind the sentiment, the ribbon, the rhinstones.

I stamped the flowers image first with So Saffron, then stamped it again with Going Grey - but moved the image dows just slightly to create a shadow effect. Then I stamped again over the top of the Grey with The Essentials Glue Pad. I also sponged some of the layers. The reason I decided not to add all the rhinstones across the bottom like in Teresa's card is because I covered the flowers with some amazing glitter from Art Glitter. This card is dazzling IRL!! You might even need to wear sun glasses to look at it!

hee HEE!

Now...back to creating!

Recipe:
Stamps - SU Upsy Daisy, Great Friend
Paper - SU Naturals White CS, So Saffron CS & DS Paper, True Thyme

Ink - SU So Saffron, True Thyme, Going Grey classic inks

Misc. - SU True Thyme stitched ribbon; Marvy Uchida Scalloped Circle Punch; EK Success Circle Punches; SU Scalloped Border Punch; Sponge; Dimensionals; Art Glitter Autumn; Tsukineko The Essential Glue Pad

1st Day of 3rd Grade!

Michaela is now a 3rd grader!

Excitement at the Barnett house! Today is the first day back to school. Michaela is now in 3rd grade. I can't believe how fast she is growing up!!! Today is also my oldest granddaughters first day back to school - and she is in 3rd grade too. The rest of my grand kids who are old enough for school start later this week. I'll try to get pics from my kids to share of all the grand kids big first day.

Here's just a few pics I took this morning. Mom's traditional shots. :)

In front of the house.

At the flag pole.

Going into class.

amuse-bouche Day 6

Time to Party Like a Rock Star!

Today's the day you can see all the new A Muse goodies online! Or maybe you are lucky enough to have a local stamp store near you that already has them in stock. To celebrate...I've got one last sneak peek card to share with you to get the stampin' party started!

Check out the awesome new Rockin' Girl and Party Like a Rock Star! sentiment.

MAN I had fun makin' this card! I actually colored several versions until I got "just the right outfit!" LOL! The line of stars and large star are from the new Sports Words Set. HTH!!! All that black glitter covering the large stars was applied using Simple Stick. That stuff is da' bomb! If you click on the pic below...you can probably see all the Spica Glitter Pen shimmer I added to the girls top, skirt, stockings and boots. I also colored on the tiny stars with Pitch Black Spica.

Well...that's it for amuse-bouche this time around. I hope you enjoyed all the wonderful creations using the Back to School goodies....and the amazing new Mandy's World images. Don't forget to check out all of Day 6 amuse-bouche listed HERE.

Have fun shopping for all the new A Muse goodies! Most of all...have FUN STAMPING!!

Recipe:

Stamps - A Muse Artstamps Rockin' Girl, Party like a rock star!, Sports Words Set, Retro Block

Paper - A Muse Artstamps Popsicle Pink 4bar note cards, Black Gingham Cardstock, Summer Even Stripe Pretty Little Papers; Neenah Classic Crest Solar White; Bazzil Black Cardstock

Ink - A Muse Artstamps Black Dye Ink & Black Pigment Ink; Tsukineko Memento Angel Pink

Misc. - Copic markers RV10, RV13, E00, E11, W8, W2, 110, 0 Colorless Blender, Spica Glitter Pens Clear, Blossom, Pitch Black; A Muse Artstamps Star Twinkle Stickers; A Muse Artstamps Simple Stick; Doodlebug Beetle Black Glitter, JudiKins Eclipse Tape; Foam Tape

amuse-bouche Day 5

Way To Go Michaela!

Guess what.....it's time to serve up more amuse-bouche. And guess what else........my 8 year old daughter Michaela was stamping right along with me to design a card with the new Sports Words Set from A Muse.

Look at Michaela's AWESOME card! No help from mom at all. Well...I did show her how to put the "sandwich" through the Big Kick machine to die-cut the star...but she turned the handle!! I've been teaching her stamping and paper crafting skills for quite some time now. She has even taken a few of my classes at the store.

Awesome job on your card Michaela!!!!

Here's my card - which I'm dedicating to Michaela.

I gotta show you how sparkly the stars look outlined in glitter.



The new "Sports Words Set" is one of those sets you will be sooooo glad you added to your stamp collection.

Go check out all the awesome sports themed creations by the other Muses HERE.

Recipe for both cards:

Stamps - A Muse Artstamps Sports Words Set

Paper - A Muse Artstamps Papaya Solid Square note cards; Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Cardstock; Black and Blue Cardstock

Ink -Tsukineko Brilliance Rocket Red, Sunflower Yellow & Mediterranean Blue, VersaFine Black

Misc. - Sizzix Big Kick Die-cut machine, Sizzix Stars Die; 2-way glue pen; Ultrafine Crystal Glitter; Foam Tape

amuse-bouche Day 4

Everyday Fun with Mandy's World

More cute cute cute stuff to share with you! Today I get to share another peek at more of the new Mandy's World release from A Muse. This card was super simple, super fast, and most of all, SUPER CUTE with the new Doctor Girl!



The sentiment "Get Better Soon" is also new and matches perfect with it's fun fonts. And you all know how well A Muse stamps go with each other...so First Aid bag fit right in with my card design.

Have fun lookin' at all the fun amuse-bouche today! Full list of amuse-bouche on the lounge HERE.

Recipe:
Stamps - A Muse Artstamps Doctor Girl MW, Get Better Soon, First Aid
Paper - A Muse Artstamps Robin's Egg 4bar note cards; Neenah White Cardstock; Bazzill Black Cardstock
Ink - A Muse Artstamps Black Dye Ink
Misc. - Copic markers W1, W2, W8,R27, R29, E33, E37, E00, R20, 0 Colorless Blender; A Muse Artstamps Red Heart Twinkle Stickers; Foam Tape

House Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge

School is Cool!

House Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge #49 - Back to School

I got to select this weeks challenge - and because my daughter is about to start back up to school I thought it would be perfect. Some of you might be saying "But I don't have any HM stamps with this theme". Hey...I don't have any...but I have other school related stamps that I used to create my theme card :) Plus...it doesn't have to be a card. It can be anything - teacher gift, a little note you slip in your child's lunch, something fun to decorate a classroom, the sky is the limit! Check out all the details and see what the design team came up with HERE.

****This weeks challenge will run until August 31st. We are giving our little Mice & Friends a little summer vacation. So you will have plenty of time to get this challenge thought up and created :)

I used this weeks Sketch Challenge (SC239) over on Splitcoaststampers for my card layout. It was perfect for my challenge idea.



I used my Amanda Points House Mouse stamp for this challenge along with patterned paper and some new Back to School goodies from A Muse Artstamps.

I love looking at close-up pics...so I left my pics on the larger side so you can really check them out. Just click the pics to zoom in. Amanda is colored with Copic markers this time around. I normally color them with pencils & gamsol - but wanted to freak you all out this week! LOL. And...another thing I don't normally do is cut out my HM images. But this time it was a must. I'm really picky about the little fur, so I took extra time and tried to cut out those little pieces sticking out all over the place!



The school lined paper is new cardstock from A Muse. COOL STUFF! And...the Solid Apple, Pencil and Sentiment are also new from A Muse. The main image layer is popped up on dimensionals.

I even stamped on the inside of the card this time. WOW!! I'm on a roll! ha ha ha. The line of ABC's is part of a new Clear Set from A Muse.

I can't wait to see all the wonderful creations made for this challenge. Should be a bunch since we are giving you a month to stamps :)

Recipe:
Stamps - House-Mouse Designs Amanda Points and Foot Prints, A Muse Artstamps School Is Cool, Pencil, Solid Apple, School Time Clear Set

Paper: SU Summer Sun Cardstock; Sandylion School Apples Patterened Paper; Doodlebug Design Inc. Ladybug Swiss Dot; Bazzill Black; White CS; A Muse Artstamps Lined Cardstock

Ink: A Muse Artstamps Black Dye Ink; Clearsnap ColorBox Chalk inks Warm Red, Lipstick Red, Charcol, Chestnut Roan, Yellow Citrus; Tsukineko Memento Cottage Ivy

Misc. - Copic markers; SU Paper Edge Punch; Silver Colored Pencil

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.

amuse-bouche Day 3

More back to school goodies.

Today's sneak peek theme is Teacher Appreciation. This was easy with these new images from A Muse. They have TONS of awesome new stamps in this Back to School release!!



I used a piece of the new Lined Cardstock and stamped my own background. Then I stamped the new Wood Frame image on Ivory cardstock - colored it in with a couple grey Copic markers - then stamped the sentiment. And how cool is that Golden Apple! LOL! I knew I bought those brads for somethin'! hee hee hee. Besides...what teacher wouldn't want a golden apple ;)

Have fun lookin' at all the sneaks today!

Recipe:
Stamps - A Muse Artstamps Wood Frame, Solid Apple, School Time Clear Set
Paper - A Muse Artstamps Swiss Red 4bar note cards, Lined Cardstock, Ivory Cardstock
Ink - A Muse Artstamps Black Dye Ink; Clearsnap Colorbox Chalk Lipstick Red & Charcol, Memento Cottage Ivy
Misc. - Copic markers C1, C6 & C7; A Muse Artstamps Stitched Black Grosgrain Ribbon; Creative Impressions Gold Apple Brads; Foam Tape

amuse-bouche Day 2

What's Shakin'?

Mandy's World!! Today we get to share this new line of images from A Muse.

Isn't she SO CUTE!! Just wait till you see all the other Mandy's World images. Oh yeah...you are gonna want them all.

I really like bright tropical colors - so I used the new Papaya Solid 4-bar Note card together with Popsicle Pink and black for my Hawaiian Mandy card design. The sentiment "what's shakin'?" is also new.

OK...what else do I have going on with my card...I stamped waves in the background with Popcorn White Chalk Ink. The black flowers are covered with sparkly black glitter. A bunch of sanding on the edges.

I used 2 new colors of Spica Glitter Pens - Mint on top of her grass skirt & Blossom on her bikini top. And...a couple twinkle stickers to finish it off.



So are lovin' all the sneak peeks? Remember - you can find links to each days amuse-bouche on the A Muse Lounge HERE.

Recipe:

Stamps - A Muse Artstamps Hawaiian Mandy, what's shakin'?, Mini Flower, Waves

Paper - A Muse Artstamps Papaya 4bar note cards; Popsicle Pink 4bar note cards, Bazzill Black cardstock, White Cardstock

Ink - A Muse Artstamps Black Dye Ink; Clearsnap Colorbox Chalk Popcorn

Misc. - Copic markers & Spica Glitter Pens; A Muse Artstamps Twinkle Stickers, Art Glitter Black Glitter; 2 way glue pen; Foam Tape; sanding block, Fiskars Scalloped Border Punch