big hugs

Hope you're having a great day crafty friends.  Spring seems to be arriving so that puts a big smile on my face.  This week at Seize the Birthday, we are highlighting teal as our topping/option.  This is not a colour I normally use so it was a bit of a challenge.  Stayed pretty simple and I like how it turned out.

All the details for playing along is on the blog.  Our Surprise Party Guest for the next couple of months is Kim Lackenbach.  Be sure to give her, and the rest of the DT, some crafty love.

Always appreciate your comments! Thanks for stopping by.

Glenda

Card details:

big hugs on your birthday - 4.25"x5.5"

Stamps: Avery Elle Simply Said Hugs, A Muse just because

Ink: VersaFine Black, VersaMark, Hero Arts

Paper: white & black card stock, Lawn Fawn

Accessories: A Muse white embossing powder, vellum, black polka dot washi tape

A different type of creature...

Happy Thursday and welcome to another Seize the Birthday challenge.  Hope all is well in your world.  :)  The option this week for the challenge is 'animals'. I know this isn't a traditional animal but sea stars are pretty awesome creatures. They can regenerate limbs!  For more on these amazing creatures, check out this link. I know the common name is starfish (as labelled below in the image) but because I'm a science nerd, I'm using the more technically correct term of sea star (cause they aren't fish - LOL!).

I know you all have some sort of animal stamps/images in your stash so can't wait to see what you come up with.  All the details on how to play along, along with the fabulous cards by the rest of the team, can be found on the blog.

Just for fun, thought I would add a picture I took last year of one of our local west coast sea stars, Pisaster ochraceus.

Have a terrific day and a wonderful weekend.

Thanks for stopping by,

Glenda

Card details:

happy birthday - 4x5.5"

Stamps: Tim Holtz Starfish from Nautical Blueprint set,  A Muse happy birthday (retired)

Paper: Jillibean Soup kraft note card, water colour paper

Ink: Versafine black, Adirondack archival black ink (for water colouring), Tim Holtz Distress Frayed Burlap Distress Ink

Accessories: watercolour pencils, watercolour brush/pen, Copic ultra fine marker, sponge

Happy New Year!

All the best to you and yours for 2015!!! May this year be even better than last year. I know this year will be crazy and exciting for me.

Of course... there is no rest for the wicked ;)... and we are having a Seize the Birthday to celebrate!  The option this week is 'party' so of course I had to pull out the sparkle and the martini glass. :)

Hope you get a change to play along this week.  Be sure to check out the blog for all the details and to give some love to the rest of the design team.

Thanks so much for stopping by - always appreciate your comments.  Have a terrific day, a wonderful weekend and an amazing 2015! 

Glenda

Card details:

Cheers! - 4.25"x5.5"

Stamps:  A Muse Studio A Tini Note of Thanks, Paper Smooches Graffiti

Paper: white card stock, A Muse lime and silver

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, SU! Lucky Limeade

Accessories: SU! silver cord (retired), A Muse Studio gems, Martha Stewart glitter, Cuttlebug, Provo Craft D'Vine Swirls Embossing folder

Card Maker Blog Hop - Graceful Leaves

Welcome to the Card Maker Graceful Leaves Blog Hop!  This is my first post as part of the blog team and I am so thrilled!  September turns our thoughts to falling leaves, although I'm happy to say there aren't too many around here lately.  We are enjoying a beautiful and warm September!  Hope it says around into October.

I loved making this card because I did something I haven't done for a long time.  Pull together stamps from different manufacturers!  Sounds funny, but when I am doing challenges and publication submissions, I usually try to use just one manufacturer.  Today, it's three, Paper Smooches (the leaves), Unity Stamp Co. (the sentiment) and A Muse Studio (the background).  I'm incorporating the velveteen stamping technique (which I discovered over at Hero Arts).  I'm also using some of my favourite colours together, they feel so rich and warm.

Can't wait to see what the rest of the amazing Card Maker blog team has in store!

Card Maker Blog

Anya Schrier 

Carolyn King

Colleen Schaan

Glenda J. Wyatt (here!)

Jennie Harper

Kimberly Crawford

Trudy Sjolander

Thanks so much for stopping by. Hope you are having a great week and enjoy the rest of the fabulously leafy creations!

Glenda

Card details:

Go confidently - 4.25"x5.5"

Stamps: Paper Smooches Reflections, Unity Stamp Co. All About the Journey, A Muse Studio grid background

Paper: white and kraft card stock

Ink:  Memories White, SU! Cherry Cobbler, Lucky Limeade and Chocolate Chip, VersaMagic Mango Madness

Accessories: A Muse Studio latte pearls, EK Success corner rounder punch

Changes...

If you are a fan of A Muse, you should check out Linda's announcement....

Coming Soon

Have a great day,

Glenda

Color Dare 88

Welcome to this week's Color Dare - Riding Hood Red, Old Olive, Neutral of Choice. This was an easy colour combo for this time of year (tried not to do Christmas but I couldn't help it). Remember to use keyword CD88 when uploading to public galleries. Post your card by Tuesday December 14th at midnight for a chance to be named Featured Stamper! Be sure to check out the amazing designs from the rest of the fabulous team:

• Heather Prince
• Joan Jeffery
• Marisa Ritzen
• Melissa Hubert
• Nance Leedy
• Riley Fitzgerald (our fearless leader)

This card is also for this week's Mojo Monday sketch (#168). I modified it a bit by switching the small square to a circle. There is glitter on the tree and on the dots around the sentiment but it's hard to see in the photo. The A Muse Lounge challenge this month is for a sparkle/glitter/bling card so this counts for that too!

Hope you can play along with the Color Dare this week. Just an idea... you could combine it with my quick and easy holiday card challenge for this week!

A bit of exciting news - I was chosen as a Moxie Fab World Trigger Target for this card!

Have a great week and thanks for stopping by.

Glenda

Card details:
Stamps: A Muse Elegant Tree, PTI Communique Curves
Paper: A Muse white and white shimmer couture, Echo Park Wintertime - Red Swirls, SU! Old Olive
Ink: Memento Rhubarb Stalk, SU! Old Olive
Accessories: A Muse white sheer ribbon, A Muse white pretty pearls, Quickie Glue Pen, glitter, button, Cuttlebug, D'Vine Swirls Cuttlebug embossing folder

A Muse PJ Party - Challenge #4

Geeta's challenge is to embellish your card with glitter, stickles or any other sparkly material! I used some glitter around the edges of my tag. Thanks Geeta! Thought I use shimmer couture paper too, just to add to the sparkle and shine of the card!

Hard to see the sparkle in the main photo so I did a zoom for you...

Hope you have a chance to play along with the PJ Party challenges and maybe win something! Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend.

Glenda

Card details:
Thank you for everything - 4.25"x4.25"
Stamps: A Muse Thank you for everything
Paper: A Muse Currant, Onyx and White Shimmer couture, A Muse white card stock

Ink: A Muse black dye ink
Accessories: A Muse Cranberry pretty pearls, A Muse Onyx Sheer ribbon, Shapeabilities Tags Five, D'vine Swirls Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Cuttlebug, ScorTape, glitter, Creative Memories paper flowers

A Muse PJ Party - Challenge #3

It's my turn! My challenge is to be inspired by the poster from Breakfast at Tiffany's. This is a fun poster from a fun movie! You could be inspired by the colours, the white space, the layout, the dress, the jewellery, the word breakfast, the word holly, the city scape ... whatever strikes your fancy!

I was inspired by the simple elegance of her dress, some of the colours, the white space and the lines of the border.

Hope you get to play along with all of the A Muse PJ Party Challenges! There are prizes to be won!
Thanks for stopping by.
Glenda

Card details:
Elegant Blooms - 4.25"x5.5"
Stamps: A Muse Bursting Blooms
Paper: A Muse Apple and Onyx Shimmer Couture, A Muse white card stock
Ink: A Muse black dye ink, Memento Rhubarb Stalk
Accessories: A Muse white pretty pearls, A Muse Onyx sheer ribbon

A Muse PJ Party - Challenge #2

Katie's challenge is a colour challenge - light pink, dark pink, black and kraft. This was easier than expected (as you know my issues with pink) and I really like how this turned out. Thanks Katie!

Be sure to check out the A Muse Lounge and play along with all of the PJ Party challenges! My challenge is coming up next!

Glenda

Card details:
Thanks a bunch - 4.25"x5"
Stamps: A Muse Daisy Duet, Eucalyptus and Thanks a bunch
Paper: A Muse Onyx, Watermelon, Chiffon Pink and White, SU! Kraft
Ink: A Muse black dye ink and Memento Angel Pink
Accessories: A Muse Onyx sheer ribbon, A Muse latte pretty pearls, Fiskars Crimper, Shapeabilities Nested Butterflies, Cuttlebug

A Muse PJ Party - Challenge #1

Jennie's challenge is to make a card for a kid, tween or teen. This is tough for me so I kept it really simple (not totally happy with this, almost too simple I think and my sentiment placement is off... blah, blah, blah, I'll quit complaining now). I think this would be appropriate for a little girl. Thanks for the challenge Jennie (I think - hee,hee)!

Hope you can play along with all of the A Muse Lounge PJ Party Challenges! There are prizes to be won! Thanks for stopping by.

Glenda

Card details:
Birthday's are the best! - 3.5"x5"
Stamps: A Muse Swing Girl and MW Birthday's are the best
Ink: A Muse black dye ink
Paper: A Muse Sage, Papaya, Robin's Egg Blue and White
Accessories: A Muse Papaya polka dot sheer ribbon, Prima Flower, Copics, button

Fall Favourites

Well, after my little rant the other day about fall... Jennie has asked me to come up with something I love about fall for the October A Muse Lounge Challenge. One thing I do love is the colours since they are so rich and there is a whole lotta' red around (and you know how much I love red). Thanks to Jennie for asking me to help out. I love challenges (as you know) and I love A Muse challenges the most!

The layout for this was inspired by Dawn McVey's card on page 72 of Paper Crafts Card Creations. Thanks for stopping by and hope you can play along with this month's A Muse Lounge Challenge. Who knows, you might even win something!

Here's an example of the wonderful rich colours of fall. These are pumpkin fields I can see from my back deck. I'm not into Hallowe'en or pumpkins but I think it's pretty cool.

(this section was added a bit later 'cause I forgot what day it was)

Here's my calendar page for October... even though I'm "not into Hallowe'en or pumpkins", A Muse has so many fun stamps for this season, I couldn't resist. Remember to download yourself an A Muse calendar, proceeds go to the very worthwhile Charley's Fund.

I must admit the beginning of a new month is not always a happy day for me because it marks another jobless month and I tend to get a little (ok, sometimes a lot) down. So instead, today, the beginning of the month of Thanksgiving (the Canadian version - don't worry my American friends, the space time continuum has not been altered), I'm going to be grateful - for my hubby, my family (several of whom I will see at Thanksgiving), my friends, the roof over my head, the food in my fridge, my healthy body and mind, and for the beautiful sunrise I saw this morning.

Have a great weekend. Be sure to stop by tomorrow to celebrate World Card Making Day with me!

Glenda

Card details:
Beautiful day - 3.5"x5"
Stamps: A Muse Solid Zinnia and Beautiful Day Fl
Paper: A Muse Paprika, Espresso Shimmer Couture, Natural White and Fern
Ink: Memento Rhubarb Stalk, VersaMagic Mango Madness
Accessories: A Muse French Roast sheer ribbon, EK Success corner rounder punch and 1.5 inch circle punch (for leaves), Cuttlebug Embossing Folders - Herringbone and D'vine Swirls, Cuttlebug

October - 8.5"x11"
Stamps: A Muse Spooky Tree, Crooked House, Tiny pumpkin, Pumpkin truck
Paper: A Muse Black Petite Gingham and Orange crush, white and blackcard stock
Ink: A Muse black dye ink, Memento Grape Jelly
Accessories: A Muse black pretty pearls, Koh-i-noor pencils, Copics,

Random Amusing Challenge 83

Welcome and happy Monday. Today's challenge is to incorporate squares into your card. If you play along please leave a comment here and a link back here from your post. If you post to an online gallery, please use the keyword GRAC83. Thanks to Michelle Mathey for playing along last week.

I'll be updating my class schedule soon so be sure to check it out (I'm doing a calendar class in November!). Remember to head over to A Muse and buy yourself a fabulous calendar (my projects are here and the A Muse News has several beautiful projects from the fabulous A Muse Muses). It's for Charley's Fund - such a great cause!

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great week.

Glenda

Card details:

hi friend - 5"x5"
Stamps: A Muse Artstamps hi, friend, leaf frond
Paper: A Muse French Roast, White and Yellow Petite Gingham, My Mind’s Eye So Sophie Savvy Best Thing
Ink: Memento French Roast and VersaMagic Tea Leaves
Accessories: EK Success Binding Edge Punch, Stampin’ Up! Cork, Stampin’ Up! Mini library clip, EK Success 1 inch square punch, clear embossing powder, Acrylic flower from Scrappers’ Anonymous, Basic Grey button, French Roast sheer ribbon

Bits of this and that...

Before we get to the cards, I have a few reminders:

- I have classes coming up at Lasting Impressions and Scrapbook Parade. Be sure to check out my schedule.

- If you missed it, here are my A Muse Calendar Projects.

- My challenge for this week is here.

- You can win a $50 gift certificate from A Muse! Click over to Spread the Word at A Muse News for all the details.

- All the logistics are set for Stampin' Island Style on October 16th in Nanaimo, BC. If you are interested in attending (I'm going!), get in touch with Angela Thomas or Kim Teasdale. The cost is $30 and that includes food. There will be make n' takes, door prizes and a buy and sell table.

Couple of challenge cards for you today. This one is for the SCS Ways to Use It 288 - Ransom Style letters.

This one is for the A Muse Lounge Challenge 20 - Krystie Lee's sketch (I flipped it). It's also for the SCS Inspiration Challenge 250 - I picked this shower curtain. I was inspired by the colours.

As you know, cutting is not my specialty...and that shows here. Not my best work but the colours really work, I think....

Thanks for stopping by. Hope you are having a good weekend.

Glenda

Card details:

thanks - 4.25"x5.5"
Stamps: A Muse Artstamps Big Thanks
Paper: A Muse Artstamps Natural White and October Afternoon ‘Thrift Shop’ Last One
Ink: A Muse Artstamps Black dye ink
Accessories: A Muse Artstamps Black and Pearl Sheer ribbon, A Muse Artstamps Black and Cranberry pretty pearls, Nestabilities Labels Five, Cuttlebug, Stampin’ Up Vintage Trinkets Pin, EK Success 1.5 inch circle punch

little note - 3.5"x5"
Stamps: A Muse Daisy Duet and Leaf Frond II
Ink: VersaMagic Mango Madness and Perfect Plumeria, VersaMark
Paper: A Muse Sage, SU! Purely Pomegranate, white card stock
Accessories: A Muse lime pretty pearls

Calendar crazy

I love the A Muse calendars and this year the proceeds are going to another fabulous cause, Charley's Fund.

"Charley Beers was the daughter of a longtime A Muse fan, Amanda Beers. Charley died from an aggressive form of Strep A at the end of June. She was only 6 years old. To honor her memory, the Beers family has established "Charley's Fund" which will provide playground equipment and more at her elementary school in Olympia, WA. Please visit this Facebook group to see photos and learn more about this darling little girl."

Sniffle, sniffle... hope you are able to download a calendar (or two) and donate to this fabulous cause.

Here's my A2 which is also featured on the A Muse News, along with calendars from Julie and Lexi. I am addicted to the A Muse calendars and make a few different sizes every year. In particular, I love using the A2 calendar for my day timer at home. This sits beside my phone and I use it for a birthday and appointment calendar. I don't have a binding machine so simply punched holes, put some rings through and tied on some ribbon. It works really well. Also, the 'tiny' A Muse stamps are perfect to mark birthdays and holidays on these calendars.

I love the rounded corners but I can tell you after doing this project there was a lot of paper flying all over my craft room and a lotta' lotta' of these under my craft table (in fact, they are still there, I haven't vacuumed yet!). They have been tracked all over the house too... much to my hubby's chagrin!

I was feeling ambitious so I also did a mini one. All of the A Muse papers were cut from scraps - love that. So flippin' cute...this will hang on a hook in my craft room.

A quick note - the A Muse Calendars are a download product only. Nothing will be shipped to you. Calendar orders are only processed during regular business hours {Monday to Friday 8a to 5p}. Once your order has been processed, you will have unlimited access to the file(s) you have purchased.

Thanks for stopping by and remember to click over to A Muse and download yourself a calendar!

Glenda

Details:
A2 Cover
Stamps: A Muse Clear Classic Alpha Numbers
Paper: A Muse Currant, Platinum and Onyx Shimmer Couture, A Muse white
Ink: SU! Purely Pomegranate
Accessories: A Muse white pretty pearls, A Muse white and black polka dot sheer ribbon, Nestabilities Labels Five, Cuttlebug, rings, Crop-a-dile Big Bite for hole punching, EK Success Corner Rounder punch

A2 March
Stamps: A Muse Mushroom Trio, Wild Rose Branch, Tiny Bee, Tiny Cake, and Tiny Shamrock
Paper: A Muse Grass Green Petite Gingham and Grass Green Shimmer Couture, white card stock
Ink: A Muse black dye ink, Memento New Sprout, Pear Tart and Tangelo
Accessories: Copics, Spica Orange, Quickie Glue Pen, glitter, EK Success Corner Rounder punch

A2 July
Stamps: A Muse Shell, Compass, Tiny Hat, Tiny Cake and Mini Oval bl
Paper: A Muse Red Petite Gingham and Apple Shimmer Couture, white card stock
Ink: A Muse black dye ink, Memento Rhubarb Stalk and Sand
Accessories: A Muse Cranberry and Latte pretty pearls, Copics

Mini Cover
Paper: A Muse Blackberry and Onyx Shimmer Couture
Accessories: A Muse Cranberry pretty pearls, Nestabilities Labels One, Cuttlebug, Making Memories Eyelet, Crop-a-dile Big Bite

Mini June
Stamps: A Muse Grill
Paper: A Muse Clouds
Ink: Memento London Fog
Accessories: Nestabilities Labels One, Cuttlebug, Making Memories Eyelet, Crop-a-dile Big Bite

Mini September
Stamps: A Muse Maple Leaf
Paper: A Muse Blue Madeira
Ink: VersaMagic Mango Madness, Memento Tangelo and Rhubarb Stalk
Accessories: Nestabilities Labels One, Cuttlebug, Making Memories Eyelet, Crop-a-dile Big Bite

Color Dare 76

The Color Dare for this week is Old Olive, Elegant Eggplant, Rose Red and Not Quite Navy. Be sure to check out what the rest of the fabulous Design Team has done.

• Heather Prince - Princess Scrapper Stamper
• Joan Jeffery - JJ Creations
• Marisa Ritzen - Rosemary Reflections
• Melissa Hubert - My Paper Obsession
• Nance Lempinen-Leedy - Canopy Crafts
• Riley Fitzgerald - Stampin' with Riley

Hope you can play along this week. If you don't have the exact colours, just use something similar, as I have here. Not sure if you can see it but I glittered the flowers.

ETA - Be sure to check out the A Muse News for the all the details on the 2011 charity calendar. Check out today's fabulous projects from Heather, Michelle C and Meghan. Be sure to check back here tomorrow.... *wink*.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope you are having a great week.

Glenda

Card details:
Thank you for everything - 3.5"x5"
Stamps: A Muse Thank you for everything and Flower strand
Paper: A Muse Blackberry, Fern and White, SU! blue striped paper
Ink: VersaMagic Perfect Plumeria, SU! Elegant Eggplant and Old Olive
Accessories: A Muse white pretty pearls, Quickie Glue Pen, glitter, paper piercer

Foggy Fall Morning

Have to share a photo with you... view from my kitchen window this morning. According to my hubby, it was much more red when he got up (a wee bit earlier than me).

This cute and simple card was whipped up for the Embellish Paper Piecing Colour Challenge (kraft, yellow, light green, dark green) and the Clean and Simple Fall to Layout 107. Note: the girl's dress is yellow gingham, just like it was yesterday!

Remember:

- my weekly challenge is here. Hope you can play along.

- the A Muse charity calendars are back. Inspiration projects from the Muses are on the A Muse News all week and the calendars are available for purchase starting tomorrow. All the charity details are here (get your tissues ready). Today's projects are from Cheiron, Novell, Michelle M and a bonus project from Jody Morrow.

Thanks for stopping by, I really appreciate it. Have a great day.

Glenda

Card details:
happy birthday - 4.25"x5.5"
Stamps: A Muse Swing Girl and Happy birthday MG
Paper: A Muse Grass Green, Green and Yellow petite gingham and white, SU! Kraft
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa and New Sprout
Accessories: A Muse Latte pretty pearls, Fiskars scallop edge punch, SU! natural hemp twine

Hope you have a beautiful day

Today's inspiration comes from the A Muse Lounge Challenge #20 and Color Throwdown #109. The A Muse Lounge Challenge is a sketch challenge and I picked this one from Julie. I adjusted the sentiment a bit and added some ribbon. There are 3 sketches to choose from, including these ones from Krystie and Lexi, so I think I'll be playing again! Thanks to everyone for the inspiration and thanks to you for stopping by... Glenda

Card details:
Beautiful Day - 4.25" x 5.5"
Stamps: A Muse Flutterby Flock, Jasmine Silhouette and Beautiful Day FL
Paper: A Muse Papaya, Ocean and White
Ink: Memento Pear Tart, VersaMagic Pink Grapefruit and Mango Madness
Accessories: A Muse white pretty pearls, A Muse Papaya and Ocean polka dot sheer ribbon, sponge, Fiskars 1/4" inch rectangle punch

A Muse PJ Party - my delicious challenge

It's the moment you've all been waiting for (hee, hee) - my turn to host a challenge for the A Muse PJ Party! Hope you are still hangin' in there as this is the last one for tonight! My challenge is to be inspired by summer food and beverages. I love the heat but I also love a cool drink while I'm sitting on my deck enjoying the heat. I know this stamp is called Margarita but it would be a daquiri if it was being served at my house!

Hope you can play along with the challenges. If you do, you have a chance to win some fabulous prizes! Thanks for stopping by and hope you had fun tonight!

Glenda

p.s. Making the lime out of the spiral daisy is not my original idea. I think the first person I saw do this was Julie.

Card details:
Life is Good - 4.25" x 5.5"
Stamps: Margarita, Life is Good, Spiral Daisy,
Paper: A Muse Lime, Xerox Color Expressions Elite white cardstock
Ink: A Muse Black Dye Ink, VersaColor Lime
Accessories: Scor Buddy, EK Success 1 and 1 1/4 inch circle punch, Spica Melon, Quickie Glue Pen, Art Glitter

A Muse PJ Party - Michelle's Watery Challenge

Michelle's challenge is to be inspired by water. I've taken a rather circuitous route - I am a marine geologist and I love the ocean and maps. I have spent a lot of time on ships and boats, looking at maps. The compass rose from A Muse naturally makes me think of nautical charts so I've used it as my 'water' inspiration. Ok, I'm done babbling...Thanks for a great challenge Michelle!

Hope you are having fun with the challenges! I'm up next! Stay tuned... Glenda

Card details:
Enjoy the ride - 3.5" x 5"
Stamps: A Muse Compass and Enjoy the Ride
Paper: A Muse Sage, SU! kraft and random white mulberry paper
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa and Bamboo Leaves
Accessories: Tim Holtz washer, random brad

A Muse PJ Party - Jennie's Hot challenge

Good evening my crafty friends and welcome to the A Muse Lounge Summer PJ Party. I love these events and I'm fortunate enough to be able to host tonight too (you have to wait a bit for my challenge though). First off is Jennie's challenge to make a card inspired by the word "hot". The sun is pretty hot so I used the fabulous Sun stamp. There is actually Diamond Glaze on the sun but it's hard to see in this photo (I used my paper piercer to drag it out on to the rays of the sun). Thanks to Jennie for a great challenge! I hope you have a chance to play along with the challenges and chat online on Yahoo!

Card details:
Stamps: A Muse Sun and Sending you Sunshine
Paper: A Muse white and Blueberry Petite gingham
Ink: A Muse black dye ink, VersaMagic Mango Madness
Accessories: A Muse Lime grosgrain sheer ribbon, paper piercer, EK Success scallop tag punch, SU! Real Red eyelet, Diamond Glaze