*happy summer*

I was completely blown away by all the AMAZING cards the Muses came up with for the summer release! There were countless times that I whacked myself on the forehead and thought: "Now why didn't I think of that?" They shared some of the most unique and inspiring ideas... and I just HAD to borrow a few! Here's a few of the ideas I *borrowed*. See those darling little fish? That's was Lori's brilliant idea! That little fish comes in a clear set, and I'd forgotten all about him! (GASP!) And see that *seaweed*? It's actually the leafy vine stamp, and I would NEVER have thought to use it for seaweed! That's just a sampling of Rhonda's genius!

I'm completely smitten with snorkel boy! He is such a fun stamp... and now I'm thinkin' we need snorkel GIRL! What do YOU think?
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A Muse orange petite gingham paper, images, sentiment, and twinkle stickers. Canson watercolor paper. Rich cocoa Memento Ink. Stampin' Up blender pen and markers. Tattered Angels pearl glimmer mist.

*a designer's challenge with Anna Wight!!!*

I was excited beyond words when the super talented and oh-so-sweet Anna Wight, aka SweetMissDaisy, invited me to join her in a Designer's Challenge! I have been a BIG fan of hers for a long time now, and I nearly fell out of my chair when I got her email! Anna proposed a color challenge using peach, robin's egg blue, and neutrals. Sounds like the perfect colors for a beach scene to me... and I just couldn't create a beach scene without my snorkel boy!

Anna's card is sure to knock your socks off, so be sure to head on over and check it out!

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A Muse notecard, papers, images, and sentiment. Canson watercolor paper. Stampin' Up blender pen, markers, dimensionals, and sanding block. Rich cocoa Memento Ink. Scalloped deco scissors. Crab punch from Dollar Tree. Copic multiliner black pen and spica glitter pens.

*friends to the end*

I'm so excited to FINALLY be able to share my favorite image of the new release with you! You've probably already seen snorkel boy over at the A Muse Lounge. I just adore him! Maybe it's his polka dot swimming trunks and his long skinny legs! And when he's paired up with my second favorite image, pirate chick, well... he is just cute beyond words!!! You can't tell in the picture, but I added some crystal effects to his goggles. I also gave the card a nice little spritz of pearl glimmer mist to give it some extra sparkle.

The summer release is available on the A Muse website TOMORROW!!!
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A Muse papers, ribbon, images, and sentiment. Canson watercolor paper. Stampin' Up blender pen, markers, baja breeze classic ink, linen thread, crystal effects, and dimensionals. Harvest (yellow) Fresh Ink. Scalloped scissors. Flower brads from Oriental Trading Co. Rich cocoa Memento Ink. Tattered Angels pearl glimmer mist. FolkArt vintage white and linen craft paints.

*let's do lunch!*

What could be more fun that a cute stack of A Muse critters?!? These guys just make me smile... and so do all the wonderful new colors of petite gingham papers! I love mixin' and matchin' patterns, and A Muse makes it so easy!

Be sure to check back tomorrow for another amuse-bouche. It features my very FAVORITE stamp of the new release... I can't wait for you to see it!
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A Muse notecard, papers, ribbon, images, and sentiment. Rich cocoa memento ink. Canson watercolor paper. Stampin' Up blender pen, markers, and sanding block. Clear spica glitter pen.

*simply sublime*

How about a fun underwater scene with A Muse's *simply sublime* new summer collection? There's lots of images and sentiments to choose from... you're gonna want it ALL!!!
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A Muse notecard, papers, images, and sentiment. Memento rich cocoa ink. VersaMagic tea leaves chalk ink. Canson watercolor paper. Stampin' Up sanding block, blender pen, markers, and dimensionals. May Arts gingham ribbon. Ric-rac (source unknown). Cuttlebug embossing folder. Scalloped scissors.

*have a sun-sational day!*

How about a little peak at A Muse's fun new summer release? This one's been hard to keep secret because it's one of my favorite releases EVER! Lots of beach-themed stamps to share today PLUS this delightful sky blue petite gingham paper!!! New papers always make my heart happy!
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A Muse papers, ribbon, images, and sentiment. Fiskars boundary waters border punch. Crab punch from Dollar Tree. Stampin' Up dimensionals, linen thread, blender pen, markers, and sanding block. Memento rich cocoa ink. Harvest (yellow) ink by Fresh Ink. Spica glitter pens. Tattered Angels pearl glimmer mist. Crystal stickles. Jumbo flower eyelets from Oriental Trading Co.

*an apple for the teacher*

I struggled with ideas for teacher thank you's this year when IT dawned on me! Why couldn't I make a single toilet paper tube page to hold a gift certificate? For a few briefs moments I felt like a genius! LOL!!! Part way through the project I realized that I didn't have any red eyelets, so I tried coloring an orange one with a red copic marker. It worked!!! That little discovery really made my day and so did finding this super yummy *pistachio* ribbon! I hope they still have it at JoAnn's because I want MORE!!! I was able to pull a few things out of my stash that I haven't used yet. I've been hoarding these oh-so-cute mini library clips for quite a while, and it was the perfect occasion to ink up this cute apple stamp from Hero Arts. Do you think teachers get tired of getting things with apples on them? I've always wondered that.

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Apple stamp by Hero Arts. Kiwi kiss cardstock and classic ink, linen thread, dimensionals, mini library clip, white craft ink, ABC's background stamp, and "for you" sentiment by Stampin' Up. "Thank you" sentiment by studio g. Paperie Rouge Spiral journaling notebook by Making Memories. Pistachio ribbon by JoAnn's Craft Essentials. Rhubarb stalk memento ink.

*hi, friend.*

The A Muse 8th Anniversary Celebration continues, and the creative team is still sharing ideas using the fun new clear set called Classic Labels. I'm so glad you stopped by for a little inspiration! The new set may be called Classic Labels, but if you think it's just for labels think again! You can stamp lots of fun little things inside like I did here. Mini flower and tall grass are a few of my favorite images right now, and they look so sweet tucked inside the label with turtle and tiny bird perched on top!
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A Muse notecard, ribbon, images, and sentiment. Stazon timber brown ink. Canson watercolor paper. Stampin' Up markers. blender pen, kiwi kiss classic ink, and dimensionals. Melon and fig Fresh Ink (by Impress). Yellow stickles. Tattered Angels pearl glimmer mist.

*happy anniversary, a muse!*

This month A Muse is celebrating it's 8th year in business with a limited edition anniversary set called Classic Labels. You can learn how to get your free set here. There's also some fun contests going on over at A Muse News, so be sure to check them out!
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A Muse notecard, papers, images, sentiment and ribbon. Stampin' Up blender pen, markers, kiwi kiss classic ink, sanding block, and dimensionals. Canson watercolor paper. Fruit punch stickles. EK Success corner rounder. Rich cocoa Memento ink. Timber brown Stazon ink. Melon Fresh Ink. Tatter Angels pearl glimmer mist.