Sorry for the last minute notice, but I've updated my class schedule page. Next class: Contemporary Greetings, Saturday, May 19th from 11:30-1:30. We'll create some lovely cards for your stash using some contemporary images and greetings. Come join the fun!

Cupcake Camp Seattle 2012

This Sunday, I'll be attending Cupcake Camp Seattle, which is a fundraiser for the Hope Heart Institute that I discovered last year. This is the 3rd year for the fundraiser and if you are a cupcake lover like I am, you need to be there!! Attending the fundraiser requires the purchase of a ticket, which not only gets you in the door, but works as a punch card for..... CUPCAKES!! All sorts of area cupcake stores come to Cupcake Camp with their cupcake displays. It's a great way to try out new flavors and see what the latest cupcake trends are. The bonus is that you're helping a great cause. No, not helping your waistline but really... who cares?!

Here's my ticket, which was designed by CakeSpy. Note the small icons at the bottom... that's the punchcard part.

This was one of the lovely cupcake displays. Can't remember who the vendor was on this one.

And then there were these gorgeous cupcakes. Yum, yum!! Salivating yet? Free on Sunday afternoon? Well, then get your tickets here. Be sure to arrive early or you'll be disappointed. These cupcakes disappear FAST. Oh, and bring a box to take your cupcakes home in because they don't supply them and you don't want any cupcakes taking a face plant onto the sidewalk as you walk back to your car. That would suck. Badly.

Had a fabulous Spring/Easter class and believe it or not, it's already time to plan on the next one! A Muse Studio has some fabulous boy sets in the current 2012 catalog and I was dying to play with them. We'll be making 4 cards, including an interactive one, plus this very fun box. I hope you can join me! See the Class Schedule page for details.

Stamp set: Love Machines

Paper: Pebble 4-bar notecard, Sky

Ink: Navy, Memento Tuxedo Black

Other: B&W twine, washi tape

Just a fun, quick little birthday card post. I love the new Love Machines cling set from A Muse Studio. My boys aren't so little any more but I still get a kick out of the robots. I used a paper piercer to put a hole in the center of the robot's "hand," then pushed some B&W twine through the hole and taped it on the back side. I stamped the "HB2U" sentiment onto some cherry cardstock, then punched it out with a circle punch, taped the other end of the twine to the back, then attached it to the card with some foam tape. Washi tape across the bottom. Clean, simple, quick!

Spring and Easter class

My apologies for the terrible picture but the weather is not cooperating! New class posting for Spring/Easter cards and a carrot box project on my class schedules page. It's a little close to Easter, but there will still be time for you to get these cards mailed out! Class will be held Saturday, March 31st from 11:30-1:30. Please call the shop directly to reserve your spot! Hope to see you there.

Keep Swimming!

a muse studio stamps: Chevrons, Keep Swimming

a muse studio papers: Sugar, Eucalyptus

a muse studio ink: Ocean pigment inkpad

Other: Copics, crystal glaze, Memento Tuxedo Black inkpad

Chevron stripes have become the latest trend. Seems like I've seen them everywhere! With this card, I decided to use the chevron stripes as waves. I know two kids who are fighting two different types of cancer right now, and it was with them in mind that I created these cards. One is a sophomore boy in high school who has leukemia and the other is a 7th grade girl in middle school who is fighting cancer on her spine. These kids both come from two wonderfully supportive families. While they are all so strong facing these challenges head on, I know they must feel defeated at times. So, this is my hope for them... that they just keep swimming. Both have great prognoses for recovery.

(Had some old notecards to use up. These striped notecards are no longer available)

One of the new A Muse Studio sets is called Charming Gardeners. I love this set because it's really versatile. There are these lovely floral images, pretty leaves, stamens for the flowers (which can be used as floral images themselves), and a lovely sentiment. You can't see the watercolored blue background very well in this photo, but it's there and it really helps to set off the flowers. I haven't touched my watercolor pencils in a long time. It was fun to break them out again with my Niji waterbrush.

Here's a photo of the stamens used as flowers. You can find this card in the current catalog.

Photo © a muse studio