Yucky Weather

Well, the weather has not been very nice lately and it sure makes me feel like being a big lump on a log. It's affecting my kids, too, which just means daily bickering. Yuck! I'm gonna try to perk myself up with some stamping! The VMAA (Virtual Meeting of the A Muse Addicts) is this weekend! I'm not sure if I can participate but I'm sure gonna try. Had lots of fun last month. You should join in on the fun. Click here for details! Don't know what VMAA is? Click here.


Did you notice the new look to the A Muse News blog? I love the new look! Don't forget to check out the new card idea albums, too. Lots of fabulous inspiration there! Since today's post features The Saltbox Studio new release, I'm going to share another Saltbox Christmas card with you. Hopefully I'll have my hands on the new release soon.

Welcome, Baby!

I've been postponing a blog post, waiting to get a picture of my nephew and his wife's new baby. She's a big girl, coming into the world at 9lbs 12.8oz! My son, who is seen in this picture holding her, said she's very heavy. She's a cutie pie. Big sister was at the zoo with her maternal grandpa so I didn't get to see how she was with her or get a picture of them together. Maybe next time. Everyone is doing well and we are thankful for a healthy baby and safe delivery.







I'm eager to get my hands on the new Saltbox Studio release. You can get yours here. Since I don't have the new sets yet, I've been playing a bit with some older ones. After needing to create Christmas and Holiday cards for Amuseapalooza, I've still been in the mood for Christmas. So, it's Christmas in July with this one:





For this card I used some SU Confetti Tan cardstock and cut it to make a 4.25" notecard. The patterned paper is from a Basic Grey Figgy 6x6 pack. I added some red berries to the wreath with my red Sakura glaze pen. The rest was colored with Copics and the distress ink is by Ranger (Walnut). I have a few more Saltbox cards to share this week. My Saltbox sets have been a little neglected with DT assignments so I'm trying to make up for lost time.

Have a scent-sational day!

I'm working on a set of cards for my next class in August. These cards will be focusing on a bee theme and will all have Tiny Bee make an appearance. Tiny Bee has definitely got to be in my top 10 A Muse stamps. It's the cutest little bee, ever! Here's a sample:





supplies:
Orange crush notecard, lime peel band notecard, 2-3091C Sniffer, 3-4094A Tiny bee, 2-4087B Flower Doodles, 3-4106C Daisy Doodle, 8-8424C Scent-sational day

I've been playing Guitar Hero Aerosmith like crazy this week. I've completed the medium level with at least 4 stars on every song but just can't get past the battle with Joe Perry so I wussed out. I almost had him! I have got to take a break from this game, though, because the tip of one of my fingers is going numb from hitting the buttons so hard! LOL. It's totally addicting but I'm hoping it will be easy for me to set it down for a bit since I completed that level. I don't even want to think about trying it on the next one. My youngest son wants Rockband for his birthday next month so I'm prepared for a new addiction. Rock on!

New blogger in town

It's seriously been a week since my last post? Where did the time go? I've been busy working on some Design Team commitments and outside of those, just haven't had the time or the energy to do much other stamping. Since I don't really have a whole lot to blog about myself, let me introduce you a new blogger in town....Tracy Falco! Tracy has been an A Muse Instructor for years and also does some design team stuff for The Cats Pajamas. She's been pretty apprehensive about starting a blog so be sure to head on over and give her some blog love!


The Saltbox Studio is getting ready for a new release very soon. Keep your eye on the blog for some 'sure to be fabulous' sneak peeks from the FAB-O design team. I hear there might be a contest....just sayin'! And with that, I'm off! Here's a Saltbox card for ya' to chew on 'til my next post.

Quick Post

Just a quick post today. I won't be available on Wed or Thurs to post so you won't see anything again from me until Friday. We had our little dog, Ginger, spayed today so she has been getting all my attention. Poor fur baby! I feel really guilty for putting her through this but I know she will be feeling better in a few days.





Here's a card I made recently that I haven't shared with you yet. It went out to a monthly RAK group I'm in. I know the recipient has already received it so it's okay for me to share it now.

Supplies by A Muse: Pink kitchen notecard, 3-4106C Daisy Doodle, 8-8307C Thank you friend, leaf punch, Twinkle Dots, green edged sheer ribbon, orange crush notecard (for layering)

Hope to see you Friday!

Inspired by you

As promised, I am posting the card I made that was inspired by one of you A Muse fans out there. This card by emnkksmommy on Splitcoast, just really caught my attention. I loved the white gerber daisy on the black cardstock. It just creates a beautiful patterned paper, don't you think? I have so much more swimming in my head with this. I just have to find time to put it to paper. I have a busy week ahead of me with my day job with company annual meetings. They always put me behind because the emails don't stop coming even if I can't answer them! LOL

Oh, and I have discovered that I LOVE Guitar Hero! I watched my kids play it at their friends' house (the Legends of Rock version). I wasn't thrilled with the music on that one but it did look like fun. We saw the Aerosmith version at the store and decided to buy it. My oldest son and I took turns playing it yesterday. I still need to find that darn Wii Fit.

It's been fun...

Well, another year of Amuse-A-Palooza draws to a close. I had a fabulous time teaching classes yesterday and was able to see my long lost friend (haha), Nicole and local A Muse Addict, Rhiannon (who came to spend the day with me before going out for an anniversary dinner with her hubby). Rhiannon had on the most fabulous summer dress...way cute! Stampin-In-The-Rain is finishing off the week with a party today. Fun treats, good eats, and a whoppin' good time! Whew! I hope you all had fun following along on the Amuse-A-Palooza blog with the challenges, contests, and prize winnings!


Here are a couple of cards we made in my classes yesterday:





The first card was from the morning session and the second card was from the afternoon session. That second card was a lot more work but totally worth it, I think! I know many of you who do not live near a participating Amuse-A-Palooza store are anxious to purchase this new release but it will be a couple of weeks yet before they are available on line. A Muse is working on a new process for online purchasing but I know you will think it was worth the wait when you see the finished product. Plus, it gives you more time to save your $$!! Gotta find the silver lining in every situation...LOL.

I hope you all get out and enjoy a fabulous day today. Back to the grindstone tomorrow...

Amuse-A-Palooza Sneak Peek #5

Have you all enjoyed the Sneak Peeks this week? Had fun participating with the Amuse-A-Palooza blog, taking classes at stores, purchasing new items? A Muse has worked hard for months preparing for this one special week. As much as the A Muse Design and Instructor team might inspire you, your creations inspire us, too. I love to see all the designs you've posted on your own personal blogs and online galleries. Keep 'em coming!



Sneak Peek #5:


I thought I'd give Missy B's Holiday clear set a little more time in the spotlight. For this card I stamped the Santa first, then masked him with some Eclipse masking Tape by Judikins (the whole thing is like one big Post-It note!) and stamped the sack. I colored the images with my Copics. I love the kitchen red 4-bar notecards and I already know I'll be using them a lot for Christmas cards. They are just so bright and cheery! The green ribbon is from SU (Apple Green). I threw in a bit of red stitched ribbon by A Muse and finished it off with a little bell and some silver cord. Isn't he just the cutest little Santa?!

Hopefully I'll have some time later to create another post showing a card that was inspired by one of you!

Amuse-A-Palooza Sneak Peek #4

Today I thought I'd showcase Missy B's clear holiday set. I think these images are so adorable! They are very kitschy Japanese-ish and I know all my relatives back there would love these images.





I kept trying to add something to this card but in the end, decided to leave it alone. Adding anything like ribbon just seemed like too much. It's a little different but I think I like how it turned out.

Supplies: Blue Raspberry tinplate notecard, scrap of green kitchen with the edges sanded, red heart scallop punched w/purple (Giga) Marvy scalloped heart punch, white heart scalloped w/pink (Mega) Marvy scalloped heart punch. I added the dots with my pink Copic but if I did this again, I would use a scallop of the Pink Tiny Dot and then paper piece the Claus' onto that.

On a personal note, while I was waiting for some pizza to be made at Papa Murphy's last night I was reading the local paper. Inside, the Dean's List from the Univ of WA was posted and my niece Missy was on it. Hooray for Missy! This is certainly not the first time she's made a Dean's List anywhere but it's the first time I saw it in print. It's still quite an accomplishment, I think.

Amuse-A-Palooza Sneak Peek #3

Another quick post today...I've got to get something into the oven to take to the office this morning.

Here's Sneak Peek #3:

This gives you another glimpse at the new Vintage paper...this time in Olive! I paired it with the Wine and Cheese stamp, as well as the wine glass. They are the perfect images to use if you have a party...not just around the holidays.

Birthday update: I just fessed up and told DH I could find nothing to buy him for his birthday. I did, however, grill up some steaks paired with some roasted potatoe wedges and asparagus (he picked the asparagus...my choice was green beans). For dessert I baked some Blueberry Buckle and it was so good he went back twice! Yum-O!

Amuse-a-Palooza Sneak Peek #2

Yesterday was the first day of Amuse-A-Palooza. Did any of you get a chance to see and pick up some new stuff? What were your favorites? Do you like the new Vintage papers? I love them. I would spread them out on my bed and roll around in them but they'd get all wrinkled.

Today's peek uses the Lime Mod Dot notecard with the new Scallop Tree and Wonders of the Season sentiment. It's such a cute little tree.

Today is also my DH's birthday. I can find NOTHING to buy. I'm stuck. Totally stuck. I can't even find him a new shirt...every one I've liked I can't find in his size. He fishes and hunts but doesn't golf. I have no idea what fishing stuff he needs and he isn't planning on hunting this year. He has a boat but the only thing I know he wants for it is about $2K. I'd get him a gift card to the sports store but he just used the one my mom gave him for Christmas the other day. Guess I'll make a cake. Happy birthday. Here's a cake.

Amuse-A-Palooza Sneak Peek #1

Wow! It's finally here! Sneak peek week of Amuse-A-Palooza!!! I wanted to start you off with a good one. I am IN LOVE with this new Bird on Branch image....notice anything else that's new in the picture???!!! Vintage notecards!!! F*A*B*U*L*O*U*S!!!!

Be sure to hit all the Design & Instructor Team blogs for more sneak peeks all week long. If you haven't already, make sure to sign up for AMAP classes at your local LSS if they are offering them. It's a first chance to get first dibs on this fabulous new release! Many participating stores are offering special events to celebrate. Also, check out the Amuse-A-Palooza blog to find out about the new 'Peace and Cheer' clear set that comes with a free online, interactive class! Wowzers!

Thank you for serving!

It's been a busy week. I'm looking forward to Amuse-A-Palooza next week....be sure to get yourself signed up for a class! I've got a class scheduled for Tues eve, Thurs eve, and then both classes repeated on Saturday morning/afternoon.






I wanted to be sure to post a patriotic card for the Fourth of July. I come from a family that has spent many years serving in the military. My father had a 20year career with the Navy and many of his brothers served in various branches of the military as well. Military families sacrifice a lot for our country, especially in these times of war. I thank each and every one of them for serving our country, for defending our freedom, for giving so much of themselves. The young man at my church that was recently shot in Afghanistan has taken a turn for the worse...he is having issues with blod clots. I don't know this soldier personally but I feel like he took a bullet for me. How does one repay that? A simple thank you just isn't enough.

I hope you all have a safe and happy 4th.