Paper Trufflez

Guest Designer Dawn McVey

Link: A Muse News: Guest Designer Dawn McVey.

Looky who I am having the pleasure of writing about for the next few weeks!

People's Picks 2008 | NWsource

Link: People's Picks 2008 | NWsource.

HEY!!!  This is COOL!  Do you know Seattle?  Have you been to the A Muse shop?  I always feel a sense of bliss when I get a chance to go down to the shop--Nina's window displays are so awesome! 

You can actually vote for them (once each day [!], from now through June 1st) for the People's Pick 2008 favorite places to eat/shop/play in Seattle!  Just click on the knitting, sewing, crafting places to shop link to cast your vote.

Cool!

So, where's the best place in Seattle for sushi?  I love Blue C sushi in Lynnwood, but, I suppose that doesn't count, cuz it's actually in Lynnwood . . .

I also voted for Queen Mary's under the dessert places--if you EVER get a chance to go with a girlfriend, it's DIVINE!

I AM BRILLIANT!!!

Mmmmm. Yes.  Most definitely yes.  When a girl hasn't stamped just for the halibut in a few weeks, sometimes, she's just gotta do, what she's gotta do!

Today, I put something that's been rolling around in my head to paper, and, --totally nailed it on the first run!

Stamps:  Images by A Muse Artstamps
Paper:  Orange Kitchen Collection Paper  by A Muse
Ink:  Robin's Egg Pigment (Clearsnap), Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko)
Other:  Dymo Label Maker
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Why, yes, today I am indeed a clevaaaah girl!! (arms wrapped around self, chortling).  Isn't this just the cutest thing???

I took just a couple hours off during the weekend, to take the kids to see Iron Man  . . . O M G !!! Robert Downey, Jr. is a total hottie in this flick!  Eeegads, I haven't been to the movies since last July--really need to get out more often . . .

Anyway, this movie was totally worth full ticket price--can't wait to own it on DVD--Iron Man *must* be mine!!!    If you're a fan of Marvel comics, you'll love it!  Robert, Robert, Robert . . . I'm gonna need an appletini to douse these flames! Mercy!!!
 

OK (slapping self), enough fantasizing and back to the rubbah!

Stamps:  Frame image (from Bracket Frames Clear Set), polka dot "j" (Polka dot lowercase Clear Alpha Set)  by A Muse
Paper:  Madeira Lt. Green by A Muse
Paper Flowers:  Making Memories & Prima

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I also made a spiffy decorative liner using the new Madeira 8.5 x 11" paper for my Starbucks coffee mug! 
I wanted to embellish the center of the flower with these gaaaaaaw-jus Swaroski crystals Mona gave me, but, it wouldn't clear the insert chamber, so I had to remove it, and substituted a mini glue dot, and sprinkled some seafoam ultrafine glitter, so I could have a bit o' bling.  I'm not sure I really like the way I did the monogram, tho . . . the paper is *so* pretty all on its own, that I had a hard time covering it up with anything else . . . I may just re-do it, and showcase the paper all by it's beautimous onsie . . .  I've had that gol durn mug since last fall, waiting patiently for just the right paper . . .  So glad I did! 

It's awesome to now have some of my favorite patterns and colors of paper in full 8.5 x 11" sheets!  Yippeeeee!!!

Well, that's all I got for show and tell for the moment . . . Hope your Monday has been maaaahvelous, as opposed to manic!  *chuckle*

Naughty Stamper!!! *giggle*

Elena's policeman design is the COW, and it had me BUSTIN'!!! I started laughing even harder when I read her description, just 'cuz I know Elena!     Elena, my computer monitor and I thank you for a jolly good spewing!!!

Anyhoo, I wanted to pop in quick-like and share some of my designs from today's Weekly Inspiring Ideas!

STOP!
All images and papers by A Muse

I thought Policeman needed a squad car, so I modified the car from the Simple Wishes clear set, omitting (which means to not ink/refrain from inking) the gift that sits atop the car.

Tiny Star and a T5 Copic Marker (Toner Grey No. 5) assisted me nicely, as well as a Mini Dot Twinkle Sticker and Christmas Red Stickles--what's the point without the flashing lights, right?!

The computer graphic stop sign was resized to suit the dimension of the overall card--and it cracked me that the Papaya Grosgrain Ribbon made the perfect centerline on the roadway.

I colored his uniform black, because where we live cops don't wear navy unies . . . I wonder if that's a WA state thing . . . everybody else seems to color them navy . . . hmmmmmm . .  (!)

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DUDE!  It's all about the journey!
All images and papers by A Muse

My genius on this one was actually *thinking* to use the Scallop Circle for the sun on this one!  It's POIFECT!!!  Glimmered it up a bit with some Yellow Stickles . . .

I hand drew the "wave" with a pencil on the surf paper before cutting it, as I knew I'd botch it if I tried to do it free-hand.  The fold line on this design is actually along the bottom, altho you wouldn't guess that from the pic.  You fold down the wave, and there's room to write a more personal message inside.

This design makes me wanna go some place warm, with sandy beaches . . . to take a nice long nap! No waaaaay would I put myself out there as shark bait!

Bet you didn't know I was such a chicken, didja' ?!          

MillanNet - Free Smilies, Flash Movies, E-Cards, Smileys

Link: MillanNet - Free Smilies, Flash Movies, E-Cards, Smileys.

Some of you have asked where I get the smileys I use.

Many at Millan.net are free, but, I'm a paid subscriber because I love Camilla's smileys and want access to ALL of 'em, ALL the time! 

They're just so "me" . . .   

Just to share . . .

I forgot to share these creations which have appeared in the A Muse Weekly Inspiring Designs, for the month of April

The yoga girl (gymnast?) reminded me of when Hayley would do cartwheels out on the front lawn, so I got the idea to do some "motion" stamping to convey that idea.  I was really tickled I was able to pull if off.

The circle edged with scallops seemed to really suit the "rotation" effect going on.

All images and papers by A Muse

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I don't normally leave my people stark white, but, for some reason, on this design, I actually liked it--it seemed very crisp and precise. 

You know how sometimes you wonder just how far to go with a design, and whether or not if you do one more thing it's going to ruin the whole thing?  Yeah.  That's what I wondered about this one.  So, I decided to stop, once I'd colored the shorts pink . . .

I even slept on it overnight!  And, when I looked at it again the next day, I still liked it just like that.  So, I decided not to torture it . . .  *chuckle*

I thought it would make a great thank-you to someone who had donated support to a Breast Cancer Run fund raising event, etc.

All images and papers by A Muse

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This one was such fun--I have NO idea why I like bees, and bee skep STAMPS--I'm actually terrified of bees! (musta been that movie, "Attack of the Killer Bees" that did me in . . .) I loved mixing the kiwi, yellow and dark to mid tone blues in this--seemed so cheery. 

I always remember to use the Twinkle Stickers, but forget about the Clear Stickers--I'm on a mission to use these more, because they are *uber* cool!  Hold me to it, eh?!  Sometimes, need prodding.  Or chocolate. Bwah ha hahaaaaaaaa!!!!

All images and papers by A Muse

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I pulled a little Beckster shabby-licious on this one, distressing the edges!  The micro oval made the perfect "rabbit" hole to have Missy B's sweet bunny peekin' out of to say hello!

I loved how the layout evolved on this one.

Must confess to feeling massively brilliant over the total effect!

All images and papers by A Muse

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Today I finished a design that I was so *giddy* about, but I hafta keep it under wraps right now.  Oh, the AGONY!!!   I'm hoping to get some "play time" soon to create some stuff I can show & tell.

Precious Memories Scrapbook Spectacular

Precious Memories Home

What a phenomenal event!  When Precious Memories invited me to teach at their annual Scrapbook Spectacular, I wasn't quite sure what to expect, as I had never been to it . . .

SHUT UP!!!

I've created a separate album with pics of my projects and the class--check 'em out HERE.

You could have knocked me over with a feather when I first peeked into the ballroom!  Truly amazing to see several hundred ladies all gathered together in one location, having an absolute BLAST working on their scrapbook pages and other paper-crafting projects!

I thought the Hawaii theme was FABOO (being 1/2 Filipino, of course, and my mother born and raised on Kauai)--loved all the palm tree centerpieces at each table--just so festive!  I even got "lei'd"!!! 

It was plain to see that the owners and staff at Precious Memories truly went all-out, putting in a tremendous amount of time and work, to make it a very special experience for all participants--they had fun/silly contests (OMG!  The Scrapadamia Nuts Costume?  SO STINKIN' CLEVER!!!), awesome door-prize drawings and goody bags, wonderful meals included, and everybody was guaranteed a whopping 5 classes during the event!  They even had a great mini-store right there, that you could shop from while working on your projects!

And, it was so cool to learn that some groups--mothers and daughters, sisters, and close friends make it an opportunity to gather together every year, for a girls' weekend away--to not only accomplish some scrapbooking, but, share good and memorable times with each other.  WOW!  What a fantastic tradition!

It was fun for me to see some familiar faces once again, from classes I've taught previously at Precious Memories, and to meet some new people!  It was also so gratifying for me to see folks enjoying the cards they made in class.

I only had one (I know--it's a miracle that there was only one) mis-hap on this adventure--Mona drove in to hook up with me Sunday morning and we made a Starbucks run . . . on the way in to the Convention Center, I had forgotten something back in my van, and set my mocha on top of my wheely cart, to run back and get it.  When I sprinted back, I snagged the handle of my wheely cart, completely forgetting I'd set the mocha on there only a minute before . . . and there I stood, in a ginormous puddle of luscious, hot mocha  . . .

Seriously?  For one zillionth of a second, I considered callin' "5 second rule!" . . . mighta been a wee bit gritty, tho . . . *SPEW*

  I was really glad only Mona was there to witness one of my greater moments of klutz-hood (I have many, many, many to my credit . . . )

At the end, my one regret was that by the time I got my gear cleaned up and packed out to the van, it was too late for me to hit the store at its new location, before closing time--many of the ladies were telling me it's WONDERFUL, and totally paper-craftin' heaven on earth!

Man, oh man, what a super fun experience for me, and, maybe I'll be lucky enough to have a chance to come teach again next year at it!  Thank you to all of you that attended my class!

Glenda--that was a GREAT modification you did on the Bee card--plan to try that variation myself, as I loved what you did, and Lisa, I appreciated your help passing out kits--AND, that you were "firm"! *chuckle*