Two Card Quickie - Saturday

Two quick and cute cards only $5 or FREE with a $30+ order. Join me at my house on Saturday February 25th at 10am for class. Call or email to RSVP.

Stamps: On The Wing, Beautiful Botanicals 2, and Mod Backgrounds 2. Friends Fur-ever
Paper: Wasabi, Onyx and Sugar. French Roast, Pistachio, Grapefruit, Graph Paper, French Roast Petite Polka Dot and Sugar.
Ink: Slate, Wasabi, and Memento Tuxedo Black. Memento Rich Cocoa.
Accessories: Onyx and White Bakers Twine. a|s Mini Envelope, Heart Trio and Scallop Borders Dies and French Roast and White Bakers twine.

Thank you for stopping by today! If you want to see another card hop over to my facebook page and check out the card I made for Max.

Winter Chill

This is another one of my a muse studio National Conference trades. Sky Gingham and Cocoa cardstock make a nice pair.

Notice my sky gingham button? It's an a muse studio clear button. I love to coat the back of the clear button with with Crystal Clear Glaze and adhere it to pattern paper. After the glaze is dry I cut out the button and thread it. Bob's your uncle - a gingham button!

Want to make your own pattern buttons? Pop over to my webstore and pick up some clear buttons, crystal clear glaze and some of the great a|s gingham, polka dot or Venetian papers.

Happy Stamping!

Stamps: a|s Chill of Winter
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa
Paper: a|s Cocoa, Wasabi, Sky Gingham and Sugar
Accessories: a|s Clear Buttons, Crystal Clear Glaze, Copic Markers, Circle and Scallop Circle Nestabilities.

Changes are Coming - Like me on Facebook!

I haven't blogged in so long! I am sorry. I missed you too. :D I wanted to let you all know that changes are coming! I am going to move my blog to wordpress. I am working very hard on my new blog home and will share more with you as soon as I can. I was hoping that the process would be easier, but I ran into a snag. To hold you over until I can tell you more, here is a card I made for trade at the a|s National Conference.

Cute, huh? It was my favorite of the four designs I made.

Stamps: a|s Just My Type
Paper: a|s Onyx Shimmer, Bermuda, Cherry, Toffee, and Cherry Gingham, Sugar
Ink: VersaMark and Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Cherry Bakers Twine, White Embossing Powder, Cherry Felt cut with the a|s Heart Trio Die, Nesties Circle and Scallop Circle Dies, Signo White Gel Pen

In the meantime, if you don't want to miss any a|s news or news about my move to the new blog...LIKE ME Facebook. I just started a business page and would love if you would follow me there.

February Spotlight

Here is the Spotlight info I promised, I am so sorry it's later than I had anticipated.
For one month, you can save 10% on the stamp sets used to create these fabulous projects!

Floral Duet
Birthday Builder
Beautiful Botanicals
Woodgrain Background
Just Because

And, for a limited time, order the special Urban Wildflowers cardstock assortment pack - an easy way to get the look showcased in this month's spotlight.

Urban Wildflowers Assortment Pack contains four sheets each:

Pebble
Lido
Vanilla
Seattle
Bermuda

New AND On Sale!

Welcome Floral Duet! Isn't it beautiful!? I am in love with this brand new stamp set. It can be yours, and at a discount, in February as part of the Spotlight.

I stamped the large and small bloom on brand new Grapefruit cardstock with VersaMark and embossed with white embossing powder. Then I trimmed them out and layered them to make that great bloom.

Do you see the new polka dot paper? It's a small dot, closer together and printed on white cardstock. I am so excited that we have some new dots! The white base makes it easy to use with the gingham paper.

Tune back tomorrow sometime for more information and inspiration from the February Spotlight.

Stamps: a|s Floral Duet and Essential Sentiments
Paper: a|s Sage Gingham, Onyx Polka Dot, Onyx Shimmer, Sage and Grapefruit
Ink: VersaMagic and Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: a|s White Embossing Powder, Onyx and White Bakers Twine

Together Forever Birthday Cake

Can you believe that it's already time for a muse studio's second catalog!? I can't! The new book is here. Do you want a copy? They are $9.95 and worth every penny. I would love to give you a copy for free for doing any of these three things:

Host a party! It's FUN! I will bring great projects and entertain your friends while teaching them some great rubber stamping tips and tricks. I promise it will be two hours of HAPPY time and a getaway from all the stress of day to day life.

Have a book party! Pass this great catalog around and collect orders. If you would like, I will even provide a little make and take for you to do with your friends! I like to call it a party in a bag.

Order $150 in product. Trust me, that wont be hard to do. Wait till you see this book! I will give you your own copy of the catalog to enjoy AND you will earn an additional $25 of product absolutely FREE. That is more than 23% bonus! Be sure to contact me if you are going to order $150 or more so I can make sure you get your $25 product credit.

Want to get a book for 1/2 price? Place an order of $50 or more and I will give you a catalog for just $5 (plus shipping if applicable). Place your order on my web store, or email me your order. If shipping is required, the catalog will be mailed separately.

Now, let's not put the buggy in front of the horse here, because I still have a whole two evenings left in the current catalog. I have one last order going in! Don't miss out on Together Forever or any of the other fabulous stamp sets that are about to retire. Email me if you need anything before it's too late!

Don't you love the fabulous birthday cake on my card!? It's really the wedding cake from Together Forever! I love a good multi-tasker! This $7.99 stamp set is going to double duty as you make both wedding and birthday cards. To make my wedding cake into a birthday cake, I inked up my stamp and then used a baby wipe to remove the ink from the hearts on the topper. I paper pieced the layers in different paper. Then added tiny star twinkle stickers where the hearts would have stamped. I love those tiny star twinkles. They look like birthday candle sparklers! Click the picture for a closer look at them. They rock!

Stamps: a|s Together Forever, and Wild Rose
Paper: Winter Sky, and Cherry Wood Grain and Buttercup, Cherry and Sage Polka Dot Paper
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa
Accessories: a|s Vanilla Twine, a|s Tiny Star Twinkle Stickers

away at a|s national conference

Loving New Orleans. a muse studio updates on facebook. Follow me on facebook to Marisa Alvarez see the new stuff and get breaking news.

Foiled Again! meets the Retirement List

With all this snow, it's a stampy day for sure! I am going to enjoy the day making soup, doing laundry and making cards for my Retirement Party. I would like to have great class projects and inspiring samples. We will be saying farewell to lots of great stamp sets and products.

I am going to miss Foiled Again! I barely had four months to play with it before a|s retired it. My mustaches are stamped in a|s French Roast and then flocked with some Teddy Bear Brown flock. I love the Quickie Glue Pen for adding flock and glitter. You get ball point pen precision and good sticking power.

Don't miss your chance to order Foiled Again!, Polka Dot papers and Vanilla Twine. All of these great products are retiring as of January 31st. There is limited supply of the items on the retirement lists. Things are selling out quickly.

Stamps: a|s Foiled Again
Paper: a|s Sky, Wasabi and French Roast Polka Dot which is also retiring. I didn't have enough time with the dots either!
Ink: a|s French Roast
Accessories: a|s Clear Buttons, Vanilla Twine (retiring), Brown Flock, CB Embossing Folder

Retirement Party Preview

Don't miss Doctor's Orders, my favorite Cranberry ink and Polka Dot paper! All these great products are retiring from the a muse studio line. These products are only available while supplies last. Some retiring items have sold out rather quickly. Don't delay your order if you have your eye on any of the great products in this post or on the retirement lists. You can buy these products from my secure web shop or you can call or email me your order.

I am going to have a retirement party on January 16th from 12:30 -2:30pm and again from 7pm to 9pm. These cute projects are two of the four we will be making for just $18. If you would like to join the fun, please RSVP by email or give me a call.

Stamps: a|s Doctor's Orders
Paper: a|s French Roast, Sky, School Lined, Sugar, Vanilla, and Cherry Polka Dot
Ink: a|s French Roast, Sky, and Cranberry
Accessories: a|s Vanilla Organdy Ribbon, Nestabilites Standard and Scallop Circle Dies

True Love Stories...

...never have endings.
This is one of the cards we made in my Three Cards and Dessert Valentine Edition. If you missed it and want to make some great Valentine cards, call or email me! I would love to bring my Valentine class to you and your friends OR bring your group to me! My house never closes!

Hi Stacy! Thanks for reading. I love to know I am not just talking to myself.

You can pick up everything you need to make this card in my a muse studio store, but HURRY. The Tiny Flower Ribbon, Cranberry Ink and the Together Forever stamp set are in limited supply! Get them while you still can.
Stamps: a|s Together Forever, Seasonal Branch and On The Wing
Paper: a|s Sugar
Ink: a|s Sky, French Roast, Cranberry, and Grass
Accessories: a|s Tiny Flower Ribbon, Nestabilites Standard Rectangle, Sponge Dauber

Happy Hanukkah!

This is my Hanukkah card. It's the first year I made them. The cards have this sentiment inside:

AS YOU CELEBRATE THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS MAY YOUR HOME BE BRIGHT WITH HAPPINESS AND LOVE.

I think that says it all! Happy Hanukkah to all my dear friends celebrating!

Stamps: a|s Festival of Lights
Paper: a|s Bermuda, Sugar and Silver Shimmer
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: a|s Sugar Organdy Polka Dot Ribbon, Silver Glitter applied to the menorah with a Quickie Glue Pen, Copic Markers, Nestabilities Circle and Scallop Circles

Appreciation Event and Scott Sketch 161

Howdy all! I know I had been promising my card for Heather's Sketch Challenge for a few days now...sorry for the delay! I have been so busy! 'Tis the eason, I guess.
Here is my card for Heather's Sketch 161 plus a little gift card holder. We will be making these projects on 12-29 for my Hostess Appreciation Event.
I have very little time today. I have a wake to attend this afternoon. I lost a neighbor and need to go pay respects. I knew something was not right and had been knocking on her door at various times and days over the last three weeks. I come to find out she was in the hospital. I wish I had known. I missed my opportunity to walk her home. She was a very interesting woman and I am going to miss her! Here's to Glenna, who's friendship warmed my heart.

Supplies used to make these projects can be found in my a muse studio store. Thank you for stopping by. If you want to be invited to my next hostess appreciation, call or email me to book your stamp-y event in the new year. I have two dates available in January and only three available in February.

Stamps: a|s Love Conquers All
Paper: a|s Squash, Vanilla, Cherry, Blueberry Polka Dot
Ink: a|s Slate and Papaya
Accessories: a|s Cherry Satin Ribbon, Cherry Bakers Twine, Cherry Felt, Nesties Rectangle and Scalloped Rectangle Dies

Pam's Workshop Projects - Bath Salt Recipe Included

One day I will learn how to take good photos! Anyone have any tips? I am going to Pam's house for a workshop tonight. I am excited to meet her friends. Most of the ladies in attendance tonight have been stamping for a long time...so I tried really hard to make projects that were fast enough but will keep even the most experienced stampers interested.

All products used to make both the card and treat are available in my a*muse studio store.
The 1x8 treat bag is filled with made-by-me bath salts.
They are super simple to make:
Combine, in a glass jar, 1 part Epsom Salt, available at your drug or dollar-type store, with 2 parts Sea Salt,you can get that at your hobby store with the soap making supplies. I use a pint ball jar for small batches and quart jar for a larger double batch. Add peppermint essential oil, 3 drops for a pint and 6 for a quart. Shake very well to distribute the oil throughout the salts.
Sometimes I take a quarter to a third of the salt and dye it red with pigment dye. Be sure to use a dye made for cosmetics or soap making. When I fill my container with salt I alternate a thick white layer and then pour in a thinner red layer, then a thicker white layer and so on making candy cane stripes.

Here is a close up of the tag topper. I used French Roast, Shell, Vanilla, and Bermuda Dot cardstock, Memento Rich Cocoa Ink, Copic Markers, Nesties Circle and Scallop Dies, 1x8 treat bags, there is Diamond Glitter filling each of the dots on the Bermuda Dot paper and on the torn edge of the snow bank. I {heart} the Quicky Glue Pen for adding glitter.

I used the same cardstocks for the card, plus Shell and French Roast ink, Nesties Oval and Scallop Oval, Label 4, and a|s mitten Dies, Vanilla Satin Ribbon, Vanilla Pearl Stickers, Vanilla Felt, French Roast Not Your Grandma's Bag of Buttons, and Vanilla Twine.

Both the card and treat bag feature stamps from Chill of Winter.

If you like the projects, pop into my a|s store and pick up some of these great cardstocks, 1x8 treat bags and the Chill of Winter stamp set and make your own winter treats!

Welp, that's all I have time for today! I have a card for Heather's card sketch, but that will have to wait for tomorrow. I have lots to do before heading our for my workshop!

Thanks for popping in!

My baby...Sweet 16?!

Can you believe that? My Des is 16! We celebrated her birthday with Grandma and Grandpa at our favorite family style Italian joint, Buca di Beppo. If you've never been, your missing out! We also have a birthday bash planned for her and our close family and friends. We will be bowling and playing laser tag and eating pizza and cake...not your typical sweet 16, I know. Des isn't your typical 16 year old girl - so it fits. I can't wait to play laser tag. I {heart} laser tag!

I made this card in honor of my baby. I have to say, I am in love with Shell, Bermuda and Wasabi! I hope that Wasabi will stick around a little longer than just the holiday season. Wasabi is one of holiday colors from a|s. If you haven't gotten yourself a pack of the goodness, email me or call me and I will get you some on my next order.

I also wanted to mention that the Holiday Washi Tape assortment is on sale for 20% off now through December 15th. I used the Wasabi washi tape on this card. Let me say that the holiday Washi Tape assortment is not just for Christmas! The tape assortment includes a Cherry dotted tape, Wasabi solid and a Pebble (gray) and white stripe that would be fab for masculine cards! Don't miss your chance to try this amazing tape at a fantastic price!

Supplies Used to make this card include:
Wasabi, Shell, Bermuda, Sugar and French Roast Polka Dot cardstock, Birthday Builder (also on sale 20% off) and Sheet Music Background Stamps, Meadow Mix Flowers, Shell Not Your Grandma's Bag of Buttons, Shell Twine, Holiday Washi Tape, Standard and Scallop Circle Nestabilities, VersaMark, White Embossing Powder, Wasabi, Shell and French Roast Ink. All products available from a muse studio.

a brief note...

I am not feeling too chit chatty...I guess I am tired. I made this for the VSN going on at Splitcoast tonight. It was a fun one to make. Sandy, I hope it inspires you! You are going to love Hey Man more and more as you play with it! I know I do. Thanks for popping in!
Supplies used to make this card:
a|s hey man, harlequin background stamps, kraft, cherry, sky, sugar, grass gingham, french roast, papaya, ocean, and orange card stock, Adirondack Espresso, a|s sky, VersaMark inks, Onyx Bakers Twine, a|s grass die, Nesties Rectangle and Scalloped Rectangel Dies