Going to School amuse-bouche

I am so happy to be sharing some fun, new images with you today. This new collection is all about school and there is something for every age.

Now, I have three children in school, two in elementary and one in pre-school. My pre-schooler absolutely fell in love with her school, teachers and classmates. She was always enthusiastic about school and learned so much about herself and the world around her. What I wanted to do is make her a mini album with photos from the school year. I was able to incorporate many of the images and sentiments from this release in the album and I will be sharing small bits here and there over the next few days.



Here is the cover of the album. The different colors of gingham papers are perfect for school crafts, don't you think? Do you spy a small amuse-bouche here?



Here is the first page of the book. Isn't the little girl precious? Well, actually, both are pretty cute. *wink* I thought the stamp mirrored Carolina perfectly, pigtails and all.

That is all I can show you today, but I have lots more to share, so I hope you come back!

A Magical Evening

Two nights ago my husband and I went to see the latest Harry Potter movie. I reread the book when we went to Arkansas, so I was familiar with the whole story. While I was sad that some parts were left out or changed, I did enjoy the movie. I am looking forward to seeing how they manage to finish telling the tale in the cinema, but it will be a long wait!

One of the parts of the story that I liked was when Hermione has finally had her fill of Ron's snogging with Lavender. She exits the room and is later found by Harry sitting with conjured birds flying above her head. It is such a magical scene and I was glad to see that it was in the movie. I was thinking about the movie yesterday and realized that I had a card that reminded me of that scene. Here it is:



In other news, I am happy to announce that I have some brand-spankin' new things to share tomorrow. It is amuse-bouche time, so please come back for a Happy Friday. Yippeeeeeeeee!

card info: notecard, french blue notes, papaya notes, buttercup yellow notes, magician, tiny cake, tiny gift, sentiment, oval, twinkle stickers by A Muse, Copic markers.

Life in the Woods

Let's just say it keeps me on my toes! We've been trying to outwit and outmaneuver some critters lately and it takes a lot of work. We've had the unfortunate privilege of having a mouse in the house and it seemed to have figured out the humane trap we had been baiting. Frustrating, to say the least. Keep fingers crossed for me, please. I'm begging you!

We also have had a seemingly pregnant squirrel trying to build a nest/drey on the inside of our screen porch. Last year we had a similar incident, but didn't realize it until after the squirrel had given birth. We didn't want that to happen again because the mama was destroying the screen by chewing large holes in it, as well as tearing up my azalea bushes to use for its nest. Last week we tried boarding it up, but it came right back and chewed a hole in another part of the screen. I have cleaned out three nests over the last ten days made by this squirrel! I think we have finally managed to discourage the squirrel and it looks like it has made housing arrangements in a nearby tree.

Inspired by the small woodland creatures that have consumed my life lately, I made this card. I think that I have a pregnant friend that will appreciate the story behind the card, as well as just a friendly hello.



I hope that you'll check back in with me later in the week. I have a fun mini album to share with you!

card info: french roast and buttercup notecards, orange gingham paper, squirrel, and nest by A Muse, sentiment by The Saltbox Studio, colored pencils, ribbon by May Arts.

Laden With Gifts

Who wouldn't want this girl to show up during the holidays? Not only is the scene idyllic, but the gifts! My kids would go bonkers over such big boxes. I decided to add a little dimension to the gifts. Here is a closer look:



I know that there is little time to ready blog posts when there are other amuse-bouche waiting to be devoured, so I'll leave it at that. Have a wonderful day!

Another Elegant Winter Card

While I had fun with yesterday's card, today I put on my Martha and present to you a more refined and elegant card. Mind you, it is still very simple and easy! I pulled out some silver cardstock and some silver pigment ink for this card. It was good to dust off the metallic things I have laying around, you know?

This stamp is very versatile because the berries come mounted on the side of the stamp, so you can place berries wherever you want, if you want berries, that is. Omit them, too. It is up to you! Also, since the leaves are open, you could color it any color you wish. I opted to use the clear Spica glitter pen on the leaves for a very subtle sparkle.

If you are still craving A Muse inspiration, be sure to check out the rest of the Creative Team. Everyone has had wonderful things to share. Please come back tomorrow for another amuse-bouche!

Winter Fun for Everyone (even Bears!)

Today's amuse-bouche features one of the new winter critters. This polar bear on the sled might be my favorite of the bunch because I love to go sledding, especially at night! If you love sledding and skiing, this release is sure to please!

I have been spending a lot of time lately with my colored pencils, trying to master techniques. I have seen many examples of white on kraft cardstock that I absolutely love (this one is a great example), so I decided to try it here. I think it worked out ok. I am so happy with the way this card turned out, it might become one of the cards I mass produce for this holiday season.

There should be much more inspiration out there, so have your fill. I'll be back tomorrow with more fun!

If You Haven't Been Lucky Enough...

to see the newest winter holiday images from A Muse for A*MUSE*A*PALOOZA, you will be happy to know that today starts a whole new round of amuse-bouche! For those of you who have been to AP events at your LSS, here is just a bit more inspiration for you.

Today, something for nature lovers:



On to the new stuff! How great is this wood grain paper? When it came in the mail I'm sure that I let out a loud whoop. It is on natural cardstock, so there is no worry of the inside being dark, which I love. The pine branch is open, unlike the pine branch in the Elegant Winter set, and it is a bit larger, as well, so it is perfect for coloring. There is one other tiny detail in the card that is new, too. Can you find it?

I'll be back tomorrow with another card for you. In the meantime, be sure to check out the other Muses on the Creative Team to get your fill!

Mini Elegance

Here is one last card idea for you using the Elegant Winter Card Kit from A Muse.

You might notice that the card is a square, yet the cards included in the kit are 4-bar size. Well, I cut this to be 3.5" square, so that the snowflakes, which are small, could take up most of the card. This mini card is really great for attaching to a gift. While I like tags for family presents, something for a teacher needs a card, too, and this works perfectly!

While this will be the last card using the Elegant Winter clear set, I will have some more A*MUSE*A*PALOOZA fun tomorrow, so please come back.

More Winter Elegance

Have you had time to take a gander at the Winter Elegance Kit? If you look here, you'll see the complete contents of the kit as well as a few peeks of cards you can make when you take an online class with Julie Ebersole as the instructor. Oh my, that Julie can be such a tease! I can't wait to see what she has made. In the meantime, I have another card to share with you.



I am always in need of thank you notes for the holiday time and this will be perfect to replicate so that I can have some on hand. I love this small pine cone, don't you? It s small, but not too tiny that it is difficult to color. I actually used it to practice with my colored pencils.

I'll have another card for you tomorrow!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like...

A*MUSE*A*PALOOZA!!!!!!

I am so glad to finally have a little something to share with you. Today starts an abundance of stamping goodness that I will continue to share over the next week. Are you ready for the first amuse-bouche?

Today I am sharing a new image and sentiment from a special clear set kit that is just for A*MUSE*A*PALOOZA 2009. This cardinal is fairly big, so if you like to color, it is great. I decided not to color him. Instead, I paper pieced him and added just a bit of color onto the red paper. Really easy and quick!



Everything you see on this card is in the A*MUSE*A*PALOOZA kit, even the ribbon and twinkle stickers. Isn't that great? I love card kits that have extra goodies included, don't you?

I'll have another card to share tomorrow, so please stop by. :)

A Slave to Laundry

Well, we're back from our big trip and I have been doing laundry at a furious pace. It was very hot and very dry in Arkansas, so I have had many loads to do.

With A*MUSE*A*PALOOZA kick-off less than two days, I'll have some fun new things to share with you very soon. Hope you're ready!