{A Season of Sweetness}

    Like many of you my journey into the world of paper crafting began with Stampin' Up. I was a customer, and a Demo for 5 years. But, as time went by so many wonderful stamp companies were brought to my attention and well, here I am today! So today I thought I would show some of my SU sets some love. To create my card I used the adorable SU set "Merry Crittermas". The animals in this set are SO cute, and so much fun to color. I colored my guy with pro-markers.  The argyle background was created with the Papertrey Ink set "A Little Argyle". If you will look closely you will see that I paper pieced the squirrels sweater with the same stamped argyle pattern. I think he looks adorable, and so festive! The scalloped borders were created with the SU Ribbon Scallop punch. I also added two strips of die cut strips using the PTI Photo Finishers Die set. Finally I finished off the card with ribbon I have been hoarding for 3 years that I picked up from Big Lots. I am down to one roll and will be so sad when I finally run out. The button is from the Cranberry button collection by A Muse Studio.

    I also want to remind you about my awesome blog candy giveaway, 6 FULL size Fresh Ink pads! These are identical to the A Muse Studio pigment ink pads, and believe me you will LOVE them! This ink is pretty much my go to ink these days. Here is a link to my giveaway blog post: 

    http://lk2thestarz.blogspot.com/2011/11/holiday-lights-and-amazing-giveaway.html

                             Thank you for visiting my blog today!

                                           

      

{Together Forever and Happy Mail}

   Hello and welcome to my little paper crafting world! Today has been a great day, I had two projects picked up for the Paper Crafts Magazine Jan/Feb 2012 issue. I am so excited! It's such a thrill to receive an email from Paper Crafts magazine and if you have never submitted to any of the calls I highly recommend it. You never know until you try! Anywho, about my card. I used a set from A Muse Studio called "Together Forever". This set is perfect for wedding, and anniversary cards! The patterned paper is from the Lemon Flower stack by DCWV. I stamped the cake and sentiment in A Muse Studio "slate" pigment ink. I added pretty ribbon from Hobby Lobby, and a button tied with sugar twine from also from A Muse Studio. I hope that you are having a great day, and as always thank you for visiting my blog! Today I am playing along with the following challenges:

Papertake Weekly Challenge - Anything Goes - Buttons Optional

Crafts and Me Challenge #42 - Favorites

{True Love Stories}

Good Morning Friends! Today is a bright sunny day and for that I am thankful.  Today I created a card featuring the A Muse Studio stamp set "Together Forever". Believe it or not this is the first wedding themed stamp set I have ever bought. I love the sentiment, and simple wedding cake. This set would be great for invitations, thank you cards, showers, goodness just about anything involving cake! And to make it even sweeter this set is only $7.99. Love that.  Anywho, to create this card I used A|S Shell pink cardstock that I embossed with three different Cuttlebug folders. I attached them to my card and machine stitched along the seams. For the cake I stamped the image once on white cs, and once on pink patterned paper from the Echo Park Springtime collection. I fussy cut the image and attached it to my white cs. I finished off this  CAS card with ribbon by Making Memories. Easy Peasy!  Today I am playing along with a few challenges:

Wee Memories Scrappy Saturday Challenge #54 - Paper Piecing

Simon Says Stamp Challenge - Paper Piecing/Piercing

{A Muse Studio Blog Hop and Blog Candy}

Hello and welcome to my blog! Today I am joining a wonderful group of my fellow A Muse Studio consultants in a blog hop filled with inspiration and ideas.  I am thrilled to be a part of such an amazing group of crafters!   If you are participating in the blog hop, you should have come from Katie Skiff's blog and if not, then you should start from the beginning with Samantha's blog until

you come to my blog.

       Today my card features one of my favorite A|S items thus far, the oh so cute butterfly dies.  These dies come in 3 sizes perfect for layering, and to make it even better they are only 8.95 for all 3 sizes! I cut out several butterfly die cuts in three different colors of A|S cardstock, layered them, and added 2 half back pearls to each butterfly. I cut out 4 pieces of the same cardstock adhered the to my card base and machine stitched the seams. To finish off my card I added a sentiment from the A|S sampler sets that you get if you sign up as a consultant and a small trail of pearls.

    To thank you for visiting my blog I am offering some fun blog candy! Three yards each of these colors of A|S satin ribbon, and a catalog. To win my blog candy all you have to do is comment on my blog. If you would like to win my second A|S blog candy then read THIS post.

       This week I am offering a sign up special to anyone that would like to join A Muse|Studio and be a part of my downline, any stamp set 15.99 or less for FREE. You can sign up with A|S for only $99 right now which is a fantastic deal, and now by signing up under me you can get even more stamps. Email me at  alwaysctr at yahoo dot com if you have any questions.   Thankyou for visiting my blog and I hope you come back to see my creations!
              
       Now on to your next stop on the hop Dana Vincent 's  blog. Enjoy the rest of the hop!

      Today I am playing along with the following challenges:

Stamp Something Challenge - Somethings with Wings

DYSU Challenge #17 - Make it Pop

The Paper Variety Challenge #31 - Polka Dots

The Stamping Boutique Challenge #5 -  Winged Things

{A Card for a Mom and A|S Blog Hop}

     Good Morning and welcome to my blog! Today is a busy day and I am thrilled that you stopped by to join in the fun! If you are hopping along with the A Muse Studio blog hop then you came to the right place! This is also my card for the Cupcake Inspirations weekly challenge. See I told ya it was busy around here! Here is this weeks Cupcake Inspiration picture:


   

   Everything I used to create my card except for the white lace is from A Muse Studio. My card features the "Wild Rose" stamp set. It really is perfect for a Mother's Day card. I daubed  bubblegum, and cranberry pigment inks onto my flower stamp to create the pretty flowers. The pigment ink gives the flowers such a soft and pretty appearance, I love our inks.  I cut 3 pieces of card stock into strips and attached them to my card. Next I machine stitched along the edges. I added the pretty bubblegum satin ribbon and added a small die cut butterfly. I finished off the card with the "Happy Mother's Day" sentiment from the "Essential Sentiments" set.  I hope you like my card!

       Today I am offering some A Muse Studio blog candy for 1 lucky winner. 1 brand new 12 yard package of Toffee twine. I LOVE this twine, and recommend getting the other colors also, especially vanilla. I am also giving away several die cut butterflies using all 3 sizes of the A Muse Studio butterfly metal dies. To win all I ask is for you to become a follower if you haven't become one already and leave a comment. If you would like two more chances to win then leave a comment on this blogpost, and check back tomorrow for my third A Muse Studio card and leave a comment there as well!

    This week I am offering a sign up special to anyone that would like to join A Muse

Studio and be a part of my downline, any stamp set 15.99 or less for FREE. You can sign up with
  A| S for only $99 right now which is a fantastic deal, and now by signing up under me you can get even more great stamps. Email me at alwaysctr at yahoo dot com if you have any questions.


Your next stop on the hop is Kari Bell  . 


If you get lost, here is the complete list:

Krystie Hersch -
Kathy Hatzke - 
Kelly Spivey - 
Liane Vigil -
Lisa Wakabayashi - 
Lesa Wolfe - 
Veronica Zalis - You are here!
Kari Bell -


            Today I am playing along with a handful of challenges.

Two Sisters Challenge Blog # 37 - For a Mom

Etsy Inspired Challenge # 137 - Imagine Studio

Totally Gorjuss Challenge # 78 - 123  (My card has 1 butterfly, 2 flowers, and 3 patterned papers!

CES Challenge # 34 - Inspiration picture

Stamptacular Sunday Challenge #109 - Mums the word

Creative Inspirations Paint Challenge - Mom

Sentimental Sundays Challenge # 53 - For those special women in your life

Lets Ink It Up Challenge #14 - Embellish It

{To a Wild Rose}

   

 Hello and welcome to my blog! Today I am happy to show you a card made with the stamp set "Wild Rose" by A Muse Studios. I have wanted this set from the very first time I looked at the catalog! I sponged the rose with Shell, and Cherry pigment inks. This is my favorite way to use the A Muse pigment inks. The inks blend so beautifully. LOVE them. I cut two stamped roses out and attached them to the card with foam dots. I stamped the wrought iron border stamp using "Slate" ink. I did not have any A Muse light pink ribbon yet so I cut off a length of taffeta ribbon and sponged it with Shell pigment ink. Oh my goodness I am SO happy with the result. Now I will always have matchy ribbon! The pretty butterflies are also from A Muse. I included all 3 sizes in my picture so you could get an idea of how big/small they are. These are my first butterfly metal dies and I am so happy I waited to get them. They are 8.95 for all three sizes  and compared to the other butterfly dies available I think that is a great price. I accented my butterflies with sparky rhinestones. I am extremely happy with the way my card turned out and I am already thinking of my next card using this set! If you would like to order this set for yourself please contact me, or visit my webstore at   https://www.amusestudio.com/cardsbyronnie

            Today I am playing along with several challenges:

Card Patterns Challenge #111 -

The Pink Elephant #98 - Color Challenge

Claudia and Company Challenge #80 - Clean and Simple

Totally Gorjuss Challenge #76 - No patterned paper

Our Daily Bread Designs Challenge #57 - No coloring

My Partner in Crafting Crime Challenge # 25 - Inspiration Photo

Etsy Inspired Challenge #135 - Creating is Fun

{Clean And Simple Wedding Cards}

 Today I am playing along with the Paper Crafts Wedding Cards Gallery Challenge and today  I am posting two cards I made for the challenge!  My first card features LOTS of A Muse Studios goodness, stamps, ink, and ribbon. I know I keep saying this but in the words of Susan Opel creative editor of Paper Crafts Magazine I puffy love Amuse Studios pigment ink, believe, just try it once and you will be hooked! I put in an order and will be receiving some A Muse happy mail next week and I can't wait to show ya! For this card I used stamps from the A Muse sets "Beautiful Botanicals 2" and "Essential Sentiments". I shadow stamped the leaf "frond" in two pigment inks, French Roast, and Latte. I accented the image with a few rhinestone sparklies, and finished off the card with A Muse french roast stitched ribbon. I love this simple card, and it would be an easy one to make several of. For me it is nice to take a break from cards filled with embellishments and layers.

 My next card features stamps from PaperTrey Ink and the same A Muse sentiment from my first card. I used the PTI Anniversary set from 2008. Love all of the pattern elements of this set. I stamped the image several times to create the patterned paper using A Muse Studios Currant pigment ink.  I accented the centers with rhinestones. I used my 100 yard role of offray vanilla satin ribbon. I will never run out of this ribbon. LOL. I bought it at the Offray ribbon outlet in Hagerstown MD for $2. Craziness. I added a nice scalloped border with my Martha Stewart punch and finished off the card with the sentiment stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black ink. Again, another simple card that would be easy to duplicate. I hope I inspire you to create your own clean and simple cards! Today I am playing along with a handful of challenges:

Crafts and me Challenge #30 - Ribbon

Creative Craft World - Love and Marriage

Claudia and Company Challenge #79 - Monochromatic

Tuesday Throwdown Challenge #44 - Sparkle and Bling

Polkadoodle  Challenge Week15 - Tie the knot

{A Sheltering Tree and Blog Candy Winners}

    Ahh, Friday is finally here, what a long week this has been! Today I will be picking the winners of my bakers twine blog candy, and my A Muse Studios blog candy with the help of random.org. But first let me tell you about the card I created today! Everything I used to make this card is from A Muse Studios except for the bakers twine and the cloudy sky patterned paper. I started by stamping the tree on two colors of card stock that I cut out. I did the same thing with the kite only I used A Muse gingham card stock. I stamped the sun (a marigold stamp) on the patterned paper, and again on white card stock and punched it out with a 1 1/2 circle punch. I used a pop dot to adhere it to the patterned paper. I cut the grass out using my Cricut, and SCAL software and then sponged it with A Muse pigment ink in Lichen, and Grass. Have I mentioned how much I LOVE A Muse Ink?? I attached the tree using foam dots, and then stamped the sentiment on the same sky patterned paper and adhered it to the card. I added some  A Muse stitched ribbon and bakers twine to finish off the card. This card makes me happy! Now lets pick out a couple of winners! I used random.org to pick out the winners of my two blog candies, the bakers twine and buttons, and the A Muse Ribbon and catalog candy the winner of the Bakers Twine candy is:

Comment #2

jimlynn said...

Super looking blog candy - and even a more SUPER looking card! So pretty!
I'm already a follower - so didn't know if I needed to post again.
Thanks for the chance for the candy.
Lynn
Wednesday, March 30, 2011 8:10:00 PM CDT
 
Congrats Lynn! Please email me with your address  (alwaysctr at yahoo dot com) and I will get your goodies in the mail!

The winner of my A Muse candy is:
 Comment # 7

Chelsea said...

This is really cute and classy!
Saturday, April 2, 2011 7:56:00 AM CDT

    Chelsea please email me (alwaysctr at yahoo dot com) with your address and I will get your A Muse goodies into the mail!
  
     Thank you so much everyone for the wonderful comments. If you would like a copy of the A Muse catalog I am selling them for 9.95, or free with a $50 order.  I also want to let you know that the A Muse Studio basic starter kit is still at the fantastic price of $99. I would love for you to join my team, or you can sign up with no obligations just to get the great deal on the A Muse Studios Stamps, Ink and Paper. I promise you you will LOVE it!  As a consultant you will receive an extra 10% off of one order you make in your first 45 days. That's a total of 30% off ! Please contact me with any questions you have.  As always thank you for visiting my blog and have a wonderful weekend!



Today I am playing along with a few challenges:

Pals Paper Arts #88 - Color Challenge

Simon Says Stamp Challenge - It's Time For Spring/Easter Colors

Crafty Ann's Challenge #37 - Raise a Smile

Crafts For Eternity - Inspiration Picture:

Dutch Dare Card Challenge # 107 - Spring Has Sprung

{Love you to the moon and back}

Hello and welcome to the A Muse | Studios Consultant Blog Hop!

    My card features a cute and fun image from the A Muse stamp set "Quick and Cute Valentine's". I stamped the image on A Muse Sky Gingham card stock and then once on Butter Cream Gingham card stock. I cut out the middle of the rocket and adhered it to the main image. I cut out the black and white polka dot card stock with Labels 1 Nestabilities. I finished off my card with red and white bakers twine, and two shiny red buttons. Today I am giving away 3 yards of  the 3 colors of A Muse satin ribbon in this picture:

 It is so pretty, and very nice to work with. I am also giving away the 2011 A Muse | Studios Catalog to the winner of my blog candy:

All you have to do to win is leave a comment on this post! Well friends I am the final stop on the
A Muse Blog Hop and you should have come here from 18th  on the hop Kari Bell   If you want to start at the beginning of the hop then you need to visit #1   Samantha Kania   .   Thank you so much for visiting my blog and I hope you have a wonderful weekend! Today I am playing along with a few challenges:

Wee Memories Chalenge #50 - Color!

Craft Your Days Away Challange # 17 - Spots and stripes

CES challenge #30 - Children

{Simply Create Challenge #40}

Good Evening! I was one of the lucky few chosen to be on the Simply Create Challenge Blog design team! Super fun!!   Our challenge this week was to try something new. My something new was using a digital background stamp, and using a line of rhinestones. For my card I used a digital "Friends Definition" digital background stamp from Hero Arts. The background stamp is from A*Muse stamped in Blackberry Ink. I used the SU ribbon scallop punch on black, and crumb cake card stock and then layered them. I stamped the floral image and cut it out and used foam dots to add dimension.  I finished off the card with ribbon (it matches much better in person) a line of rhinestones and machine stitching. We would love it if you play along with us this week at Simply Create! I am playing along with the following challenge today!

Simon Says Stamp and Show a Word

{One of My Nicest Thoughts}

Oh my goodness I can't believe it is Friday already! Yay for weekends! This week was a busy one for me so I didn't have a lot of card making time. Today the boys took a nap at the same time so Mommy finally had some "me" time. My card today features a Hero Arts Owl Digital Stamp. I colored him with Pro-Markers, and used Glassy Glaze to make his eyes pop a bit. I used patterned paper from Cosmo Cricket Joy Ride,  and Jillybean Soup Dutch Mustard collections. I used the Fiskars Threading Water scallop punch and my Janome Sew Mini for the stitching. I finished off the card with twill ribbon from the Offray ribbon outlet, and a button from BasicGrey. The sentiment is from A*Muse. Today I am playing along with a few challenges:

Card Patterns Sketch 107

Crafty Creations #111- In Stitches

I Love Pro-Markers #58 - Go Dotty

Shelly's Images TTT Challenge - Think Warm

Southern Girls Challenge - Add an Animal

{Sweet Sunny Sunday}

Good morning friends! I hope that you have been enjoying your weekend. Today at the Cupcake Inspirations Challenge  we are celebrating spring with a beautiful, sunny yellow, cupcake inspiration picture!

 This week Cupcake Inspirations is being sponsored by Heather Ellis creator of the adorable "Pure Innocence" images.  This was my first time to use one of her images, and I know I will be using them again because they are so darn cute, and fun to color!

For my card I used DSP from the SU Brights paper pack and from the Jillybean Soup Mustard collection. I colored the image with Copics, and Promarkers. I love these images because they are perfect for paper piecing! I finished off the card with stitching, a polka dot flower and my favorite new embellishment, bakers twine. The sentiment is from A *Muse | Studios.  I hope that you will play along with us at Cupcake Inspirations this week!

Today I am playing along with a handful of challenges:

Paper Pal Arts Sketch Challenge #85

 Wee Memories Challenge #  - Cute and Cuddly

Raise the Bar Challenge #58 - Picture Inspiration

{A Day of Blessings}

 Good Afternoon friends and visitors! I hope that this St. Patricks Day has brought you lots of luck, and everything else good that life has to offer. Today's card features stamps from the A*Muse Studios Creative Consultant Kit stamp assortment that features stamps from several different stamp sets in the A*Muse Studios catalog. It is a great way to get started and be able to showcase cards in a variety of styles. For this card I used the Polka Dot background stamp from the "Polka Dot Patterns" stamp set and a floral sillouette stamp from the "Beautiful Botanicals" stamp set.  I stamped the dots in three different colors of ink, all of which came in my starter kit (I ordered the deluxe kit) lichen, fern and grass. Now one of the many things I have discovered from using these  pigment inks is that I can stamp on Georgia Pacific White card stock and still achieve a very nice stamped image because the card stock doesn't soak up the pigment ink like it does with the classic water based inks. Another money saver! Ok, back to the card, I stamped the floral image in french roast after I let the dots dry for about 10 seconds. Yeah, this is not your grandmothers pigment ink, it dries FAST! I stamped the sentiment from the set "Essential Sentiments", and  I finished off the card with machine stitching and a Making Memories button tied with SU linen thread. At first I thought that maybe I stamped too many dots, but after looking at it for awhile I think I like it! Thank you for visiting my blog, and remember if you have any questions about A*Muse Studios, would like to become a Consultant in my downline, or if you would like to put in an order please contact me at cardsbyronnie@yahoo.com  I am  offering 10% off your total orders to the first 10 customers!

Today I am playing along with lots of fun challenges, check em' out if you get a chance!

Moxie Fab World Tuesday Trigger - Button, Button

Wee Memories Challenge #47 - Photo Inspiration

Meljens Designs Challenge #50 - Dots!

Papercraft Star Challenge #37 - Photo Inspiration/St Patricks Day