SHE made me do it! It's all Amy Tsuruta's fault! She made me buy this cute stamp set from Fresh Squeezed Stamps. I just couldn't resist this adorable coffee set, which is a good thing, because today I can play along with Squeeze-A-Palooza#4. What's that, you say? Well, it's a monthly blog challenge over at Fresh Squeezed Stamps. 

At least I was able to use some old papers in my stash. Yes, you might recognize this patterned paper as coming from the Basic Grey line, Sugared. I have a TON of 6x6 pads that never get any love. It was refreshing to be able to use just a smidgen of it. This was one of those moments when I wished that I actually USED the Janome sewing machine I bought MANY, MANY years ago. But, sadly, it has remained in its corner gathering dust because I pulled out a clear stamp of zigzag stitching from Hero Arts. It's just too much work to get that Janome going after all these years. You wouldn't know what I'm talking about, would you? (wink)

Quick Update

Just a quick update:

My next class will be this Saturday, November 10th at 11am. I dropped my samples off at the shop before I remembered to take any pictures. Actually, I thought I had taken them but it appears I didn't. Waaah! I promise, you'll love these! We'll make a combination of holiday cards and projects like a CD envelope for treats and this really fun zip/tear gift card holder. Call the shop directly to sign up and if you have my email address, pop me an email to let me know you are coming.

Also, I've had a few inquiries about the 4x4 calendar I used in my class. The calendar was created by fabulous A Muse Studio Consultant, Brenda Lee. Brenda has given me permission to share this calendar so please leave me your contact info if you would like a copy. Or, you can visit Brenda's blog here, find the small blogger icon just under her profile pic (of her cat), then click on her name. You will see a link to email her for the calendar.

More PaperCrafts Holiday Inspiration

My apologies for the poor photo quality but it's been pretty darned rainy and gloomy here in the PNW. Plus, the only time I have to take these photos is either very early in the morning or late in the evening when it's dark out.

Anyway, I wanted to share more PaperCrafts Holiday Cards & More, Vol 7 inspiration with you. I was inspired by the card on the left side of page 18 by Cristina Kowalczyk. I loved the grey birch trees with the red accents and realized I could play around with the same idea with my A Muse Studio stamps. I love this Peace on Earth cling set, but don't be looking for the little birdie there! I pulled that out of another set. I also love using kraft paper for winter cards. There are so many colors that work nicely with it, especially white and red. You can't see it in the photo, but there's a second layer of white cardstock that I glittered the top portion of with a glue stick and some sparkly diamond glitter (from A Muse, of course!). Such a peaceful winter card, don't you think?

Don't forget, A Muse is still giving away their Fight Like A Girl breast cancer awareness stamp set during the month of October, while supplies last. You can get yours here.

Supplies from A Muse Studio

Before I share more PaperCrafts Holiday inspired projects, I'd like to share some other information with you that's really important. For the month of October, A Muse Studio is kicking off their Breast Cancer awareness campaign. They have created a special stamp set called Fight Like A Girl and are giving away 10,000 FREE* COPIES!!  Included with each set is a brochure on breast health. This set includes a really cute pushpin stamp that you can ink up and use to mark important dates on your calendar like your mammogram, or other doctor appointments. 

The Fight Like a Girl Stamp set has a retail value of $18, but you can get one for FREE* during the month of October**. 

* Please note there is a $3 fee that covers shipping and handling for this stamp set
** Available while supplies last
*** Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery

Unfortunately, breast cancer has affected members of my own family (on my husband's side) as well as several friends. Thankfully, with early detection, each of those women is a survivor!! Please share the link so that you and your friends can all get one of these fabulous sets and spread the word about early detection.

Click here to learn how to order your very own free* set, available while supplies last. 

This Saturday, October 6th, I'll be holding my annual 4x4 Calendar class at the A Muse Studio retail shop. We'll be making the base, cover, and decorating the twelve months in-between with a variety of images and products. I hope you'll be able to join me!  Please see my 'Class Schedules' page with details as to how you can contact the shop and reserve your spot. Can't make the class but want a calendar? Just let me know!

PaperCrafts Holiday Cards & More Vol. 7

Whenever a special publication like the new PaperCrafts Holiday Cards & More, Vol. 7 comes out, I'm always inspired to create. Let's take this zippered gift card holder, for example. Betsy Veldman created a fun design which you can find on p. 115. I don't have the same products that Betsy used, but this design made it easy to adapt with images and products I actually DO have in my collection. Not only that, but I actually even had an empty matching gift card! This gift card came from Macy's a year or two ago. I like to keep empty gift cards on hand for card designs... it's a good thing I kept this one!

Stamp sets from A Muse Studio: Snowy Day Background, Let it Snow, Making Spirits Bright
Ink from A Muse Studio: Winter Sky, Cherry, Fern, Ocean
Paper from A Muse Studio: Vanilla, Vintage Blueberry


I don't have the die that Betsy used to create the zipper so I pulled out my Cutterpede paper cutter with a perforating blade to create the zipper. I stamped the snowflake from A Muse Studio's Let it Snow cling set with their Ocean pigment ink onto some Shrinky Dink ® plastic. I used a circle punch to punch it out, then used a standard sized hole punch to create the hole for the twine. When it all shrinks up, the hole is the perfect size for putting twine or ribbon through without a fight. The cherry/white twine with a little jingle bell was the perfect touch for my pull tab.

I've got some more creations I'll be sharing which were also inspired by other designs in this issue. I know it's a little early to be thinking about Christmas, but hopefully, you'll be inspired to create, too.

My next class is Saturday, September 15th at the A Muse Studio Retail Shop. I hope you'll be able to join us to make some really fun Halloween and Fall cards because as evidenced by my recent trip to Target, Halloween and fall are right around the corner! Eegads! I'm not ready for summer to end!





















Since the Halloween candy sections are also popping up, we'll follow up this fun card class with a Halloween Treats project class. I'll show you how to make some really cute and simple treat holders that you can easily adapt to any holiday, or even no holiday at all!

Now when I hold back to back classes, my "regulars" like to have lunch together, so if you're interested in ordering a Vietnamese sandwich for lunch, let me know! They are cheap and super tasty. Nom Nom!

Hope you can make it! I would love to see you. In October, I'll be holding a calendar class so you can get a head start on making them for all of your friends. Check my Class Schedule page for details on how to get signed up for these fabulous classes.