Creative Grace

Unique treat

Have you been enjoying the fabulous amuse-buches from the A Muse team?  I have another contribution today and I'll admit, it's a little... unusual!  We were challenged to create a Valentine treat/package.  This got me thinking of the type of treat I enjoy getting - especially at a time when I could use one.  I've noticed that work mailboxes are always filled with stuff nobody really wants to get - usually more work!  It's always WONDERFUL when, on occasion, someone pops in a friendly surprise.  

This got me thinking about the Principal at the school I teach at.  He was very generous and supportive this past Fall, covering the last 5-minutes of my 6th period once a week so I could snake out of the parking lot before school gets out (and the roads become dead-locked with parent traffic), allowing me to make it on-time to my graduate class (with an early start time) an hour away.  It was such a relief to both leave my kids in great hands and not have to worry about driving like a maniac to try and make it to class on time.  What a great guy!

I thought something like this would be fun to put in his box and hopefully put a smile on his face.  

 

I'll try to save it until Valentines! ;)

Stamps: Compass and lost without you by A Muse

Paper:  petite gingham red, bark, natural white, and wood grain papers by A Muse.

ink: Memento rich cocoa

Other: circle punches, Koh-I-Noor pencils, nail file, and orange twinkle stickers by A Muse

Fishy love

Anyone out there need a little smooch?

 

 

More fabulous amuse-bouche cards can be found on the A Muse blog and by checking back here tomorrow!

Stamps: mini fishes and pucker up new by A Muse

Paper:  sky blue, chiffon pink, and navy blue papers by A Muse.

ink: Brilliance mediterranean blue

Other: Pink TuTu (New!) and white sheer polka dot ribbons by A Muse

Love to the men!

For some reason, it can be tough to make valentines for the guys.  A Muse has you covered this year with their fabulous new Sea of Love release!  There are some awesome images perfect for anyone, including the guys.  I chose this great new anchor for my amuse-bouche today:

Love the anchor and the great new sentiment!   I actually used a silver spica pen to color the anchor - it looks cool (but the photo doesn't show the sparkle justice).  I know a lot of guys who would be proud of me for making a card that wasn't too "girly"! :)

Be sure to check back tomorrow for another preview!

Stamps: frames clear set, anchor, and my anchor by A Muse

Paper:  ocean blue, sky blue, and cream papers by A Muse.

ink: Memento london fog, lady bug, and danube blue

Other: Ocean sheer polka dot ribbon by A Muse, silver spica pen, and EK dotted wave border punch

Sea of Love: Valentines greeting for kids

It's Amuse-bouche time!  I'm simply smitten with the new Sea of Love stamps by A Muse!  It's as though they designed these especially for me :)  I can't wait to share lots of fabulous cards with you this week.

Today I'm sharing an adorable valentines card that is perfect for any kid in your life

 I LOVE the new jelly stamp and the long-awaited popsicle pink polka dot sheer ribbon!  Be sure to check back tomorrow for another tasty treat, as well as the A Muse blog for more goodies!

Stamps: Jelly fish and Stuck on you by A Muse

Paper:  Navy, popsicle pink, and sky blue notecards by A Muse.

ink: Memento paris dusk

Copic: RV13 and 0

Other: Blue twinkle stickers and Popsicle pink polka dot sheer ribbon by A Muse

Happy Valentines!

Thought I would share with you a special Valentine's card I made for my hubby.  He's a chemist, and my background is biology, so how could I NOT use Boris and Bernice? :)  I just love Boris... (shhh!  Don't tell my husband!)  

I wish you all lots of love today!

All paper, stamps, and heart creative candy stickers by A Muse.

Alpine hut oldie but goodie

Yay!!!  I'm super excited that my cards are posted on the A Muse blog for the very first time today!  I was thrilled to jump at the chance of using the Alpine Hut stamp for their weekly Oldies but Goodies segment.  It's such a fun stamp to work with.

Of course, when I first did those cards it was shortly after Christmas and I had snow on the mind.  Lately, all I've been able to think about is Valentines, so I thought it only fitting to use the Alpine Hut in a more, ahem, romantic way...

The window on the stamp was nice and big making it easy to cut out so I could peek in on the "kissing couple".  Add a sweet sentiment, and I think this card would be perfect to give to that someone special you'd like to invite to a romantic alpine hut :)

I used a fun new MS punch for the scalloped heart border, Copics for coloring, and a touch of my favorite new A Muse ribbon, pink tutu!  

Since I did an image cut-out on this card, I hope Heather will let me use this as my submission for her Share Your Spark Friday blog challenge! :)  

All paper and stamps by A Muse.

First Classes at Cool Scrapbook Stuff in Poway, CA

I'm so excited to be teaching my first classes in Poway THIS SATURDAY at Cool Scrapbook Stuff. 

I have two classes planned:

♥ 2 UR BFFS : A Muse cards for friends. Make five fabulous cards that you can give to show a little ♥ to your friends. We'll even make a card inspired by the popular Twilight book series.  These cards are perfect for Valentines or any occasion!  Saturday, January 24th 10:00am - 12:00pm (call 858-679-9100 to rsvp).

Valentine Treats: A Muse valentines with a sweet touch! Learn how to make quick and easy valentines that are perfect for special friends and can easily be mass-produced!  Including this adorable hugs & kisses project:

These valentine treats are way better than that store bought stuff!  Saturday, January 24th 2:00-4:00pm (call 858-679-9100 to rsvp).

Bling makes my heart sing

A Muse designer Heather has a fun weekly challenge called Share Your Spark Fridays. I'm excited that I'm actually able to participate again this week!  Woo hoo!   I had already had the idea to make this particular card for a friend, and it fits this weeks challenge, "show me what you can do with bling", perfectly.  

I thought it would be fun to use the new pink twinkle stickers from A Muse on the adorable chandelier stamp.  I punched the front of the card with a scalloped square punch and added a touch of pink glitter on the edges. 

On the inside of the card, I colored the chandelier in with a silver gel pen and used a pink atyou spica glitter pen over the beads (which actually looks sparkly when you see it in person).  I have some fabulous pink velvet ribbon that I glued on to the paper to look like a chain cover (not sure who the manufacturer is as I only have a remnant of the ribbon) and topped it up with a tiny bow made with A Muse sheer ribbon.  

Paper, stamps, and fabulous twinkle sticker hearts by A Muse.

Did you get 'em yet?

How much fun have the sneak peeks by the A Muse creative team been?  I've so enjoyed checking out all the girl's blogs and seeing their fabulous creations with A Muse's new valentine stamps.  Thanks so much to all of you for supporting your local stamp store and purchasing your stamps there.  For those of you in a stamp store desert, you can get your hands on the new rubber by visiting the A Muse site today!  

There's also lots of classic valentine stamps for you to choose from.  The skywriter stamp is one of my favorites!  This is one of the projects we'll make at my Valentine Treats class at The Stampin' Post in Temecula and Cool Scrapbook Stuff in Poway (see info on the right column).  Hope you can join us!

Paper, stamps, and ribbon by A Muse.

Another sweet treat sneak peek

Here's another sneak peek of the wonderful new stamp release by A Muse.  I find this gumball machine to be so charming.  Reminds me of when I was little and couldn't wait to get my hand on a coin at the grocery store so I could get something from the machine!  

I wanted to try something new with this card so I experimented with breaking apart the image.  Not sure I'm happy with it... but didn't have time to make another!

I love the red heart twinkle stickers on the corners...  You're gonna love this release, it's the sweetest! :)

Another sneak peek tomorrow!