Ancient Relics of Infancy

Does anyone use diaper pins anymore? I'm sure someone must. I know that my mom didn't use disposable diapers (she was really "crunchy granola" as we like to call her) so she always had diaper pins attached to her shirt while my siblings and I were still in diapers. It is an odd sort of memory, isn't it?

As I was putting away the Newly Hatched baby images, I got to thinking about it. I thought that the images were still kind of small enough that I might be able to make a pin and use an image for the top. Then, last week, I decided to visit Scrapbooks-Plus, the local scrapbook store because it had been almost 6 months since my last visit. I used to try to get there once a month or so, but my little ones are much to comfortable there and mini disasters ensued. As I was browsing, I remembered that there was an Accu-Cut machine that could be used free of charge. I took a look and sure enough, there was a ducky diaper pin die! I bought a piece of gray/silver paper and punched out a whole bunch of pins. I had to wait until much later in the evening to do anything with the die cuts, but it was worth it. Take a look:






I'm not entirely pleased with the boy one. I got a little over enthusiastic trying to make a fancy tag and it doesn't quite look right to me. I have another idea for this, just have to find time to do it.

Make sure to come back on May Day; I have some fun news to share!

card #1 info: notecard, image, boy and blessing sentiments by A Muse, silver paper by Bazzill, Copic markers, Spica glitter pens.

card #2 info: paper, hands, feet, baby girl and sentiment by A Muse, Copic markers, silver paper by Bazzill.

Mixing It Up

It has been a long time since I have used a square note for a card base. That was one of the first things that drew me to A Muse; I liked the smaller size and shape. But all of the new colors and patterns being released in 4-bar size are so hard to resist. I really wanted to make a card with the panda on a polka dot card and this tiny black dot notecard was perfect.

Nothing really special about this card; just using images that work together and a little masking. But, I used an older sentiment with it. If you are looking for it on the A Muse website, you will have to search for it under "berry" because it is meant to be paired with the strawberry. This would be a fun friendship card for kids, I think, or, you could omit the "i like you" and subsitute a small "thank you."

Don't forget to head over to A Muse News to enter the contest for some free stamps and goodies! The contest ends today at noon PST, so get over there now!

card info: notecard, paper, panda, bamboo and sentiment by A Muse, black cardstock, pop dots, Koh-I-Noor colored pencils.

Well, the day is finally here! The Newly Hatched release can be seen here. However, if you may want to check your LSS to see if they already have these stamps (I know Angela's has them). I hope you can find a little something to add to your stamp collection. Let me know your favorites!

Make sure you check out the post from Linda; there's a chance to win some fun stamping stuff!

*** Also, a few people asked about the baby shoe from the other day. The link to the template I used was in the post (click on the words Mary Janes). ***

Every Girl Needs a Pair!

I have been intrigued lately with templates of all sorts. I've found boxes and bags and envelopes online that I want to try. But, before I try some of those, I really wanted to make paper Mary Janes. I thought that the baby girl would be a cute addition to a little shoe, too.



I know that I am not showing you a new image again today, but, once again, something cute just seemed to need that sweet baby girl. Tomorrow, I'll have something different for you - promise!

Lots of Babies!

In the midst of making cards for the amuse-bouche course this month, I thought that I would use the baby girl for a few cards. I featured one yesterday on my blog, and there was one on the A Muse News blog. So, today it is a bit of leftovers (anyone know the French word for that?).



As some of you know, I am part Mexican, so I like to use different skin tones when I color in people. My kids are all a bit different, too. And then there is my husband's family, fair and freckled. His brother is married to a woman whose parents are from the Caribbean. They are expecting their first child in the fall and I'm betting the baby will not look too Irish-Lithuanian. With that in mind, I made this card, just so I could color in babies with dark and light skin, black and red hair (but no freckles); it's really just for fun.

I know that there are more cards out there for your viewing pleasure, so check back with me tomorrow!

Sweet Baby Girl

Well, I'm not sure if I have my image issue resolved, so here's hoping!

I am so glad to be able to share an amuse-bouche with you today. The new A Muse release features images for babies and moms, as well as a few Asian inspired images. I have a few friends that are expecting babies, and a neighbor that just had a granddaughter, so I have been in the mood for making babies (cards, that is)! Since I needed a card for a baby girl, I chose the new Baby Girl image.




Isn't she just the cutest thing? I guess I am a bit partial to her because I have three girls of my own. Chubby cheeks, cute smile; what's not to love?!? I'll be back for another sampling of A Muse goodness tomorrow.

Don't forget to check the other A Muse CT blogs for more ideas today. And, you can see another card with the baby girl (by me) on the A Muse News blog today!

Troubles

I've got some publishing troubles, but I will have an amuse-bouche for you as soon as I can!

Brunch Invitations

It is Thursday and finally, we have pretty spring weather! It has been wet and cold the last couple of days and I've been busy with kids' activities. I never thought I'd have to deal with going in lots of directions, but with four kids, it was bound to happen, right?

One of the things we have going on, is preparing my oldest daughter for her First Communion. Last year, we had a brunch for my son's First Communion, and we are doing it again this year. We have a few family members that will be coming and I wanted to send out some pretty invitations to them. I finally got them all finished and these are ready to be put in envelopes and in the mailbox. I hope I can get it done before the mailman comes on Friday!

Speaking of Friday, I will have some fun to share with you... it is amuse-bouche time!!! I will have something cute and dainty for you tomorrow :)

Pottery Barn Inspired

Hi everyone. Sorry the blog posts have been scarce of late. Spring Break will do that! I've had a little bit of stamping time, but not much. I did want to share some quick and easy Easter cards that I made yesterday.

I had been leafing through a Pottery Barn catalog a few weeks ago and found this picture of spring plates:

These looked very striking, I thought, so I ripped out the picture and put in on my desk, hoping for inspiration. Did you notice earlier when I said a "few weeks ago?" It took quite a while for the inspiration to happen!

Yesterday I started to pull out my scraps of cardstock and found some pieces with similar colors to the plates. Then, I pulled out the white embossing powder, to really make the image really bold. Finally, I settled on the egg basket and Easter Greetings stamps from The Saltbox Studio. Then, I got to work.

I made a set of four cards, just like the set of plates, using bits of notecards that all were 3.5" across. I used sage green, robin's egg blue, buttercup yellow and chiffon pink. I matched each color to a piece of ribbon.  Here is a better look at the final product:

I wish all of you a happy weekend.  My parents and siblings are starting off the weekend with tea this afternoon to celebrate what would have been my sister's 39th birthday.  Then, tomorrow I am prepping for our Easter dinner at my parents' house on Sunday.  Seems like very little craft time for me here, but I might try to sneak something in this evening.  I'm short on time now, so I will try to post materials for these cards later.

A Joy-Fold Card

Hi everyone. It is Friday, and Spring Break is upon us here in NoVa. My two oldest have gone up to Boston with my husband for a couple of days, so it is just me with my wee ones. I hope to have time to stamp for fun over the next few days. I've had some ideas in my head, but time just wasn't kind to me lately.

Last week, though, I did manage to try a fun fold-technique using some of the newest A Muse Love Blooms release.

I had seen the joy-fold technique a few weeks ago and wanted to give it a try. Instead of using patterned paper, I made my own using the flower branch stamp and mixed in some of the new Juliette papers. I like the way it turned out, although, I think the colors of little paper flowers are just a bit off.

Here is the inside of the fold. The newer couple would have fit in here, too, but I like the smaller version for this size card.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I am looking forward to getting my three year old to her first soccer class tomorrow!

card info: notecard, paper (green and Juliette), honeymooners, flower branch, and sentiment by A Muse, brad by Making Memories, paper flowers by Doodlebug and Prima, Spica glitter pen.