Creative Grace

Guest blogger {Michelle} - Keep Swimming

Today I am defending The Beast - this is a "public" presentation I give on my research, hold a Q & A session, and then face my committee firing squad (actually, probably not that dramatic, they are all great people!) Even though I feel like I know my stuff and I'm told I'm the biggest expert on my study, I'm just a wee bit tense today - eek!  

Since I'm hoping that the worst my the work load is over as of today (cross your fingers that I'll only have minor edits), I'll hopefully I'll be back to my regular blogging shortly, although I imagine it will pale in comparison to the fabulous job my wonderful friends have done to share their support and their amazing craft.  I hope that you have have enjoyed these fabulous guest blog posts as much as I have.  

So with that, I end with a bang as I present one last guest blogger for you today, the one and only Michelle Mathey!  I had the pleasure of being on the A Muse instructor team with Michelle where I learned that she is outrageously talented and that she has such a generous spirit.  I wish the world were filled with more people like her!  I LOVE this post from her:

 

My super cool A Muse buddy Jill is busy, busy, busy working on her thesis not to mention teaching school full time and mentoring a student teacher.  Can we say "super woman"?  I'm sending her a bit of encouragement today in card form - do you see the aquarium of fish?  Jill is a big lover of all things aquatic but I bet she feels a bit trapped with all her responsibilities right now - kind of like fish in a tank!  Get it??  You can do it, Jill - all the stress and work will be worth it in the end!

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All supplies are from A Muse|Studio!!

 

 

"Fish in a tank"??? How did you know Michelle? :)  Thanks for putting a smile on my face.

Guest blogger {Martha} - Hanging in there!

Today is Martha day!  I'm so excited that Martha is my guest blogger today!  I met Martha along with her fabulous friend Rachel way back when at an A Muse class I taught.  I've never been the same since :)  Martha just lights up a room and has one of the biggest hearts I've ever know.  Just wait till you see what she cooked up for you today!

 

Sometimes you wanna send a special friend a little “pick me up” but you’re not so sure what; so here’s what I came up with.  It’s a little fancy because everyone loves fun mail. Hope you like it.  

All supplies are from Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted :)  Stamped image "Grand Soiree (2009-10 SU catalog).  Cardstock: So saffron, soft suede, regal rose, chocolate chip, whisper white.  Paper punches: scallop-oval extra large, 1 3/4" x 7/8" large oval, and black embossing powder.  Other supplies: Fiskars( border punch - apron lace, stardust stickles, 1/2" black satin ribbon.

This is so much fun!!!  I love the black chandelier on top of the pink.  THanks for sharing such a clever card Martha!

Guest blogger {Glenda} - Big Huge Hugs

Hi friends!  A quick update from me,  I just sent off The Beast to my committee (why does that make me nervous???).  As of today, it's 147 pages long (scary!) and I'm in the one-week stretch before I defend (a.k.a. give a public presentation and answer questions - basically, "defend" my study).  So, since I'm frantically working on my PowerPoint, I have another fabulous guest blogger for you today!  My sweet friend Glenda (and former fellow A Muse instructor/fellow science geek/one of my friends who has given me tremendous moral support through all of this) has a fun card to share with you today.  

 

I was thrilled when Jill asked me to help out with her blog.  I always love her fun creations and just love her as a person. Her and I click quite well due to our shared love of science and our similar sense of humor!  Quite proud of her, doing her Master's degree... and reminds me that I still want to do it myself.  

This card was inspired by some recent stamps and paper I purchased. I'm quite addicted to flowers and bright colours so incorporated them both here.  What I'm not addicted to is pink (quite dislike it actually - quite love red though).  However, since Jill loves pink, and this is her blog after all, I thought I should put pink on my card.  This is actually the second version of this card... the first one was a little too busy for my clean and simple self... so I hope you like this one.

I'm sending Jill some flowery hugs while she finishes her thesis.  Hope you can too.  Thanks for stopping by.

 


Materials:
Stamps:  Technique Tuesday Petal Pushers, Paper Smooches Sentiment Sampler
Paper:  A Muse Studio Sage & Watermelon, Stampn' Up! Whisper White, Echo Park Springtime - Floral Fun
Ink:  VersaMagic Pink Grapefruit, Tea Leaves & Mango Madness
Accessories:  The Twinery Baker's Twine - Lemondrop, A Muse Studio Pearls - Sugar and Lime, Slice Elite & Seasons Design Card< Martha Stewart glitter", EK Success corner rounder punch

Glenda could probably use some hugs herself!  She's off on a big summer geology work adventure, smack dab in the middle of British Columbia.  Please share the love, blog friends, and leave her some words of encouragement!  She's one of the most supportive and big-hearted people I know.  Glenda, I'm having a nice martini for you today!

Guest blogger {Jenn} - Good luck

Hi there blog friends!  I hope you've been enjoying my guest bloggers as much as I have :)  I am cramming in edits of my beast as this goes live and am so grateful to have another guest blogger to present to you.  I'm proud to call this girl my friend.  She has a heart of gold, is *wicked* beautiful and smaaat, and is one of the most talented crafty chicks I know.  What she does with paint is amazing! I present to you, the one and only Jenn Shurkus:

When jill asked me to guest blog for her while she was crazy busy with her final days of grad school, i was excited to help out! I created this card using Memory Box Papers and one of my favorite My Favorite Things images..... I didn't have a sentiment that was fitting for this card, so I used my alphabet stamps instead..... 

Jill, YOU DID IT!!! :) so proud of you... and you should be so proud of all your hard work... you go girl!!! {{{hugs}}}

I love this Jenn!  Especially the turquoise and the sweet sentiment.  On behalf of Jenn and I, we'd like to invite you over to your local independently owned stamp shop where you not only will find fabulous products like these, but loads of inspiration and wonderful people who really know there stuff and are passionate to share it with you.   :)

 

Guest blogger {Cheiron} - Big Huge Hugs

Wow!  Can you believe it's already mid-June?  Yikes!  That means I'm in total freak-out mode with big deadlines on my horizon with respect to finishing and defending the beast.  Thank goodness for for all of these fabulous guest bloggers!  What would I do without you girls?

Today I'm thrilled to let Cheiron take over my blog!  I just love this girl - she has big spirit, a fabulous New Yawk accent (or wait, maybe I have the accent?), and girlfriend never fails to crack me up and put a smile on my face.  Oh, and we both share a passion for the Washi Tape - which she cleverly uses in this post.  Take it away Cheiron!

 

Here is my little card for you. I decided to go with the "encouragement" theme and make you a card with a few of my favorite things (washi tape, polka dots and hearts). I hope that getting this card in your mailbox would brighten your day -and let know that I am sending you a BIG hug all the way from NJ. Hope you like it!

I love it Cheiron!  And it was muchly needed this week!  NJ hugs are always the best :)

Guest bloggers {Mom and the Chiquitas} - Graduation cards!

I had the pleasure of carrying on a tradition in my family - my Aunt taught me how to stamp (love you Annie!) and a couple years ago I was able to teach my nieces :)  Now, since they are *almost* grown up, I taught my Mom (who bravely jumped in) how to stamp too so they could all do it together.  Turns out this is a pretty great creative outlet for all of them and ended up being a fantastic way for Little Chiquita to surpass all of her fellow kindergarteners in fine motor skills and for Big Chiquita to wow her friends with her phenomenal creativity!  

They were super excited to make cards for my blog and it's very important to note that everyone designed her own card with NO HELP!  I hope that you'll enjoy them as much as I do! :)

 

From Little Chiquita (age 6)

I like making cards.  My favorite Aunt Jill taught me how to make cards.  She asked me to make a card for her blog.  And I love puppy dogs.

 

From Mom (ageless)

When Jill asked if I would make a card for her blog I wasn't  sure i was up to the challenge.  I am fairly new to card making, but since Jill is responsible for everything I know about this craft,  I knew I had to try. I wanted to make a card that spoke about the accomplishments she has achieved and what a wonderful woman she has become.  As her mother, I know how hard she worked to get where she is. She has let her dreams take flight.  Her father and I are very proud of her.   ...awww, thanks Mom :)

 

From Big Chiquita (age 11)

I would like to say congrats to my dear Aunt Jill for getting her masters.  And also, I wanted to help her by putting a card on the blog since she didn't have much time to do one herself.  So the card I decided to make is a simplistic card to show you all.  "You are now the master", said my friend the Owl, "we knew *hoo* can do it!"  

Wow girls!  I love these cards almost as much as I love you :)  Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful creations and for being such a big help to me!  I'm so lucky you are my family and my crafty girls!  XOXO

Guest blogger {Elena} - Amazing

I'm positively giddy about today's guest blogger.  I have the highest of compliments to give to all of the fabulous designers that have worked with A Muse over the years, all of these women are all so unbelievably amazing in their own way.  I'll admit, though, that the designs produced by Elena have, with out a doubt, always given me the greatest joy!  There is always something so clever about her work and often something humorous.  She also has such a big heart! Thanks for taking over my blog today Elena!

 

When I think of dear Miss Jill, I think of what an amazing life she has led.  She has done some awesome field work and sounds like a wonderfully dedicated teacher.  On top of that, she is in graduate school! Surely she deserves a special card, right?

I decided first on the sentiment and then went to the stamp image.  This sunflower has been begging me to use it for a while now and I decided I would give it a try.  I've seen some sunflower fields that go on for rows and rows and are just beautiful and amazing, so I was able to bring the sentiment on the card full circle.  

As always Elena, I am speechless!  I imagine we all would love to the sunflower field that inspired this!  Thanks for such a great card of encouragement! 

 

Guest blogger {Donna} - One of a kind

Hello crafty friends!  I have another wonderful guest blogger to share with you today - the one and only Donna (a.k.a. moose whisperer... you should see the beautiful moose family that hang out in her yard in Alaska!  It must be her big heart that keeps those mama moose and her babies coming back).  Donna is one of my favorite peeps and crazy talented A Muse BFF's who has come to my rescue to help keep my blog alive:

Teacher and friend extraordinaire!  Special.  Dictionary.com defines "One of a Kind" as "Unique" and "Breaking the mold when they made her. "That describes Jill perfectly!  Being her friend has been such a blessing to me, as she is always so encouraging and has thoughtful things to say at just the right time.  I love hearing tales from the classroom, about field trips and classroom helpers that make her life easier.  I love her enthusiasm to take on the challenge of her graduate degree as she continues in the pursuits that make her famous with all her students.  

I am honored to be a part of Jill's blog this week as she races to the finish line in the pursuit of her Graduate Degree. 

Images:  A Muse Art Stamps - Snorkel Boy (discontinued)  A Muse Studio:  You are one of a kind
Paper:  A Muse Studio
Accessories:  Button, Washi Tape - A Muse Studio, Copics

Ok, I'm grabbing my kleenex now :)  WOW Donna - what a fun card with great colors, twine goodness, and such a sweet post - thank you!

Guest blogger {Rachel} - you rock

Welcome back friends!

Today is, well, right smack in the middle of all this craziness I'm dealing with.  With the high of spending time with my family and friends and participating in graduation ceremonies behind me, I now have about 5 more weeks of intense work ahead of me.  I could certainly use a little encouragement right about now.

Enter: Rachel!  I just love this girl!  I met her for the first time when Rachel and her hilarious friend Martha took one of my A Muse classes a couple years ago.  Little did I know what an amazing designer Rachel is and what a good friend she would become.  The card she is sharing today reminds me that what I'm dealing with right now is small potatoes...

Card Inspiration:

My card is for encouragement.  There are several women in my life that have been affected with Breast Cancer.  I truly admire their great courage as they battle this disease.  I am so proud of these women and they are true inspirations.  I made this card for someone close to me and I wanted to tell her she how much she "rocks".  I hope this card inspires you to make a card of encouragement for someone you love! Love is the best medicine!

 


Supplies: All A Muse Studio (Rock Star, Polka Dot Patterns)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: Bubblegum, Onyx and Sugar Cardstock
Accessories: Bubblegum Buttons,  3D Foam Adhesive and Clear Twinkle Stickers

 

You are right Rachel, love is the best medicine!  Thanks :)