Con-grad-ulations!!

Paper: a muse | studio Onyx, Sugar cardstock

Ink: a muse | studio Onyx, Blackberry

Silver brad: a muse | studio

Gold cord: unknown source

Stamps: con-grad-ulations cling set

My buddy, Jill, is super busy with some other things so she asked me to be a guest designer for her blog today. I thought I'd share this fun graduation card. Various versions of this card can be found on the internet but I wanted to keep it clean and simple. Cuz that's the way I like it. Uh huh, uh huh. (picture disco dancing emoticon here)

• To create this card, cut Onyx cardstock to 4.25 x 9.75". Score at 5.5"
• With the long side across the top, make a small pencil mark at 2 1/8" to the left and right of the score line.
• Repeat this step on the other side.
• With the short side at the top, make a diagonal score line from the top left pencil mark to the bottom right pencil mark.
• Make a diagonal score line from the top right pencil mark to the bottom left pencil mark.
• With the short side still at the top, mark the center with a small pencil mark (again at 2 1/8")
• Trim off the left and right corners to create a point in the center by using the center mark as a guide and cutting to the top left and top right score marks.
• Fold the center section in. This creates your grad cap.
• Create a tassle using embroidery floss or cording.
• Mark the center of the grad cap and attach the tassle with a brad. I use a paper piercer to make the hole.
• Cut another piece of paper to 2 7/8" square.
• Stamp your sentiment (I used school colors) and cap image, then adhere to the inside of the card so it covers your brad.

See? Fun!! Thanks for allowing me to be your guest, Jill!!

Coffee Happy Hour

All supplies from a●muse | studio

Paper: French Roast, Cherry, Sugar

Ink: Bubblegum, Cherry, French Roast, Memento Tuxedo Black

Cherry button, twine

Stamps: Cup of Good Wishes, Mad for Plaids

Copics

Did you know Starbucks currently has a Frappucino Happy Hour going on? Every day through the 15th of May from 3-5pm, Frappucinos are half off! I must say, I've been enjoying it almost daily. I stick with a tall to help keep the calorie count down a bit. So, here's to you... a cup of good wishes!

Please, someone send the sunshine!!

all supplies from a●muse | studio. Purchase here

It's been so beautiful the past few days here in the PNW but today, I woke up to gray skies. Booo!!!!!! Please, someone send the sunshine!!! I need it back! We have been so water logged over here we still have a lot of drying out to do. Yesterday, someone told me we had more snow in the mountains on May 1 than we did on April 1. That's crazy! Sure is beautiful to look at the snow covered mountains on a beautiful sunny day, though. Yup, that's why I need the sun back. To enjoy the scenery.

Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger

Hullabaloo Polka Dot Steel Blue Fabric from Moda

via www.moxiefabworld.com

I actually had a chance to participate in the Moxie Fab World Tuesday Trigger Challenge, thanks to it being a two week challenge this time. For some reason the trigger image inspired me to want to make a baby card with a circus elephant but I didn't have any stamps of circus elephants! So, I made do with a birthday card instead. Always in need of birthday cards, right?!

all supplies from a●muse | studio, which you can purchase here

I stamped the medium polka dot from the Polka Dot Patterns set using a●muse | studio's Slate pigment ink across the bottom of the Winter Sky notecard base. Then, I stamped the word 'celebrate' using Onyx pigment ink. On a piece of scrap paper I stamped and colored (with Copics) the slice of birthday cake image from the A Very Merry Un-Birthday set, then cut it out and adhered it with a pop-dot. Lastly, I used the banner die to cut a banner, then hand cut little triangles using various patterned cardstock. Fun, don't you think?!

Card Portfolio Class

Come join me on Saturday, April 23rd from 2-4pm for this fabulous Card Portfolio class. I'll teach you how to make the portfolio which holds 5 identical cards and envelopes. We'll have LOTS of fun and you'll walk out with the confidence to recreate this project on your own so you can keep this one for yourself and make more to give away.

Classes!!

I've updated my class page with my very first class at the A Muse Retail shop in the Greenwood neighborhood of Seattle. We'll be making 5 cards focusing on a couple of select sets in our new catalog. I can't wait to introduce you to our new products! You can "purchase" the class online via the A Muse webpage (link provided under class schedule page) or you can call the store directly. I'm working on adding an Easter/Spring class and already have a few other classes on the calendar for May.

One of my cousins has a husband who will be facing some surgery next week. I thought I'd make up a few cards to send as his recovery progresses. My cousin lives in a rural area of a small town in North Carolina so this is a little "country" themed. One of my uncles used to own some cows. He lives within a couple of miles from my cousin. I remember visiting when I was younger, and chasing after the cows in the meadow to see the mama cows and baby cows.

all supplies from a*muse | studio

Stamps: Farm Fun cling set

Papers: Cherry, Sugar, Onyx

Hope he likes it. It makes me chuckle.

Welcome to a|muse studio!!

I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am about "opening day" of a*muse| studio!! I have had the pleasure of being associated with a*muse artstamps for several years now and am continuing my relationship with the new a*muse | studio as a home party consultant!! Wohoo! I've got a copy of the brand new catalog in my hot little hands and it's chock full of gorgeous samples, stamps, inks, ribbons, etc, etc. Everything you could possibly need to make your own beautiful creations is right here in this book!

I can't wait to be your go-to source for inspiration and a*muse | studio products! I am proud to say that many of my creations are in this catalog. I've tortured my poor family pointing them out several times. Please join me in this new and exciting adventure. Contact me to host a workshop and/or order product. You can earn fantastic hostess benefits or even become an a*muse| studio consultant yourself! It's easy!

To a*muse | studio, I wish you.....

ribbon from American Crafts. All other products from a*muse|studio

Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your team!!