Thursday, January 31, 2008
have you heard the news?
*snow day*
I tried a new technique on this card. It's called "out of the box". I've seen it done lots of times, but this is the first time I tried it for myself. See how the little mouse's snowball extends beyond the "box"? And one more thing... I love how the blue tin plate A Muse cardstock gives the illusion of falling snowflakes. Pretty cool, eh?
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Images and sentiment by The Saltbox Studio. A Muse notecard and papers. Liquid applique. Brilliance graphite black pigment ink. Copic markers. Stampin' Up sanding block.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
*you stole my heart*
This card was included in the "inspiring ideas" section of last week's A Muse Weekly. If you haven't already subscribed, take a minute to sign up. Every edition includes a fabulous Card of the Week along with a few comments by the designer who created it. Plus, you get stamping tips, additional card ideas, A Muse class schedules, and exciting news about upcoming releases. It's chucked full of stamping goodness, I tell ya!
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A Muse images, sentiment, notecard, papers, and twinkle sticker. Brilliance graphite black pigment ink. Copic markers. Stampin' Up sanding block and circle punch (used to create the moon).
*a contest and a tutorial*
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
*try a new stamp Tuesday*
Monday, January 28, 2008
*mix and match Monday*
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Image and sentiment by The Saltbox Studio. A Muse red madiera 4 bar notecard, ivory and brown paper. Stampin' Up so saffron cardstock , creamy carmel ink, and sanding block. Brilliance graphite black pigment ink. Copic markers. Fiskars mini scalloped scissors. Marvy punches. Red ribbon by JoAnn's Craft Essentials.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
*get wool soon*
It's been an exciting week here at The Polka Dot Cafe, from the very first mention of The Saltbox Studio all the way down to "launch day" when all the fabulous new stamp sets were finally revealed and available for purchase. I've had fun sharing many of my card creations with you. Be sure to visit the gallery over at The Saltbox Studio for more inspiring ideas...and be sure to come back tomorrow to see what I've made using the "Basket Celebration 1" set.
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Images and sentiment by The Saltbox Studio. Notecard and papers by A Muse. Brilliance graphite black pigment ink. Copic markers. Sakura stardust gel pen. Stampin' Up sanding block.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
*how about another snowman?*
*i spy with my little eye...*
Do you spot anything on this card that I haven't shared with you yet? It's the fence! There's a great set called "Fences" that contains 5 different fence styles plus a sentiment. It really is a "must have" set, and if you'd like to see what else the design team has created with it, be sure to visit the studio. The possibilities are endless!
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Images and sentiment by The Saltbox Studio. A Muse notecard and papers. Brilliance graphite black pigment ink. SU sanding block. Copic markers.
Friday, January 25, 2008
*it's launch day!*
Thursday, January 24, 2008
*you warm my heart*
Yesterday, I promised to share a *tip* with you about using clear sentiments. If you want to create a "whimsical" feel to your card or you simply would like to add some visual interest, you can *shape* the sentiment around your image. Unlike wood-mounted stamps, clear stamps are somewhat soft, and they can easily be curved to follow the shape of your focal image. On the pocket card above, I curved the "you warm my heart" sentiment around the little mouse's snowball. Since the snow girl was placed on the right side of the pocket card's base, I balanced out the final design by curving the sentiment around the left side of the mouse on the pocket insert. This fun design would bring a smile to any recipient. A little child would *love* the snow mouse, and a dear friend would be touched by the sweet sentiment.
If you'd like to see another card I made using the same tip, stop by The Saltbox Studio to sneak a peek at my "stud muffin" card.
There's another contest going on over at The Saltbox Sampler. Just leave a comment to enter the drawing for a secret prize!
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Sentiment and images by The Saltbox Studio. Notecard and papers by A Muse. Brilliance graphite black pigment ink. Copic markers. Marvy scalloped punch. Making Memories brads. RibbonTrends pink gingham ribbon. Stampin'Up creamy carmel classic ink and sanding block. Fiskars mini scalloped scissors.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
*you glow girl*
Today, I'm sharing a card that features the "Candle Glow" set. This little mouse is just darling! I colored her in with Copic markers, but if you're more into watercoloring, that would be a great option as well. "You glow girl!" is such a fun sentiment...so clever for a set dedicated to candles!
Be sure to visit The Saltbox Sampler for some inspiring card ideas and to enter a *contest* to win a companion set! And while you're at it, bop on over to The Saltbox Studio for a peek at one of my snowman cards!
I've got another *sneak peek* to share with you tomorrow, so be sure to come back! Plus I'll be sharing a *fun tip* that will help you get creative with clear sentiments!
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Image and sentiment by The Saltbox Studio. Notecard and papers by A Muse. Fiskars mini scalloped scissors. Heidi Swapp edge distressor. Brilliance graphite black pigment ink. Copic markers. RibbonTrends brown gingham ribbon. Sakura stardust gel pen.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
*vintage baby*
I love baby cards! There is nothing sweeter than a brand new baby...and every new baby needs a homecard card to welcome them to the flock! This card features the new set called "Sheep". To give it a shabby look, I sponged the cardstock and stars with white craft ink, which works wonders in softening the edges. Then I sponged the ivory layers with creamy carmel ink. It's perfect for creating an *aged* antique look. For a little dimension, I filled in the sheep's body with liquid applique, and once it dried, I sponged over it with creamy carmel ink. The stars surrounding the sentiment were traced with a sakura stardust gel pen to give them a little sparkle.
Be sure to visit The Saltbox Sampler for additional *shabby sheep* creations. You will be amazed by how many different looks you can achieve from this one fabulous set!
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Images and sentiment by The Saltbox Studio. Cardstock, white craft ink, creamy carmel classic ink, circle punch, and star punch by Stampin' Up. Brilliance graphite black pigment ink. Marvy scalloped circle punch. Ribbon Trends brown gingham ribbon. Sakura stardust gel pen. Copic Markers. Liquid Applique.
Monday, January 21, 2008
*big news*
This darling snowman is from the Winter Wonders set...which happens to be one of my favorites. The images in this set are some of the cutest *snow people* I've seen, and the sentiments are fabulous! The Saltbox Studio's designs are truly unique...and you're gonna love 'em!
I will be adding links to the design team over on the right. They are an incredibly talented group of stampers, and I am privileged to be working with them. Be sure to check out their blogs throughout the week, as they will be sharing sneak peeks as well.
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Images and sentiment by The Saltbox Studio. Notecard and papers by A Muse. Stampin' Up circle punches, word window punch linen thread, paper piercing kit, and sanding block. Target dollar spot star punch. Brilliance graphite black pigment ink. Copic markers.
Friday, January 18, 2008
*today's the day!*
In this next card, Lizzie has already kissed the frog and found her man! This would make a sweet wedding card, don't you think?
Thursday, January 17, 2008
*daisy bunch*
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
*have a swinging day!*
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Images by ElzybellsNA. Notecard, papers, and sentiment by A Muse. SU circle punch and sanding block. Paper source small scalloped circle punch. Copic Markers. Ribbon Trends ribbon. Sakura stardust gel pen. Brilliance graphite black pigment ink. Creamy Brown Colorbox Fluid Chalk inkpad.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
*friends forever*
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Images and sentiment by ElzybellsNA. Notecard and papers by A Muse. Marvy square punches. SU slit punch. Copic markers. Ribbon Trends gingham ribbon. Brilliance graphite black pigment ink. Fresh Ink Celery pigment ink.
ETA: I've been asked how I cut this card, so I thought it would be easiest to explain it here. You simply cut 1" off the right edge of your card front. Then measure down about 3/4", and make a diagonal cut from the crease of your card down to the 3/4" mark. This is also a fun design for a pocket card.
Monday, January 14, 2008
*an Elzybells sneak peek*
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Notecard, papers, and sentiment by A Muse. Image by ElzybellsNA. Brilliance graphite black pigment ink. Copic Markers. Sakura stardust clear gel pen.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
*you're a hoot*
Stayed tuned tomorrow for a *sneak peek* of the new Elzybells release. They are so stinkin' cute...you're gonna want them all!
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Image and sentiment by CHF (Kim Hughes Collection). SU very vanilla cardstock and sanding block. October Afternoon patterned papers. Paper Trends orange gingam ribbon. Copic markers. Heidi Swapp edge distressor.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
*to an unforgettable friend*
Thursday, my Stampin' Up sets came. I bought the Happy Hearts Day set because I *love* this elephant!
And last but not least...my Copic Marker DVD came in the mail yesterday. A Muse is now a distributor for Copic markers, so all of us designers and instructors are thrilled to be getting some tips on how to use them. I'm hoping for a few moments of peace and quiet this afternoon so I can watch it. (That is probably "wishful thinking" since a house with 3 kids rarely has any moments of peace and quiet!)
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend...with lots of time for stamping!
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Stampin'Up cardstock, images, and white craft ink (for inking the edges). Fiskars mini scalloped scissors. Ribbon Trends gingham ribbon. Copic Markers. Brilliance Graphite Black pigment ink. Clear embossing powder. Heidi Swapp edge distressor.
Friday, January 11, 2008
*keepin' it simple*
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SU kraft cardstock, scalloped punch, sanding block, and white craft ink. Image, sentiment, clear sticker, and all other papers by A Muse. Chestnut Roan cat's eye ink pad. Copic Markers.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
another Elzybells
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Notecards and papers by A Muse. Elzybells image and sentiment. SU star punch and sanding block. Fiskars mini scalloped scissors. Ribbon Trends gingham ribbon. Heidi Swapp edge distressor.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
an Elzybells card
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A Muse notecards and papers. Images and sentiment by Elzybells NA. Copic markers. Brilliance graphite black pigment ink. Sicilian Blue Fresh Ink from Impress. Sanding block. Heidi Swapp edge distressor. Creamy carmel classic ink by SU.
*i love you to the moon and back*
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Notecard, papers, images, and sentiment by A Muse. Marvy scalloped oval punch. Copic markers. Sakura clear stardust glitter pen. SU circle punch (used to create the moon).
Sunday, January 6, 2008
*love blooms*
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A Muse notecard, papers, images, and sentiment. CTMH markers. Fruit punch stickles. SU circle punch and linen thread. Fiskars mini scalloped scissors.
Here's a letter that I altered for my daughter. Here name is Livi, so the *L* works not only for her initial, but also for the "love blooms" sentiment. She keeps it on her desk where she colors and stamps while I work. I think she'll be a very talented stamper one day! ;)
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Altered letter from Wal Mart. Image, sentiment, and papers by A Muse. CTMH markers. Fruit punch stickles.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
*gone ice fishing*
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Notecard, papers, images and sentiment by A Muse. Versafine onyx black ink. CTMH markers. Marvy circle and scalloped punches. Sakura stardust glitter pen.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
*let it snow*
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Notecard, twinkle stickers, images and sentiment by A Muse. Marvy oval punches. May Arts ribbon. Fiskars scalloped scissors. Sakura stardust glitter pen. CTMH markers.