Coffee Time!

I don't know about you...but I love my coffee. Every night I have my coffeemaker all ready to go, timer all set for my morning brew time....so that in the morning when I wake up, my coffee is ready for me. It is how I start my day...and I love it!
So it is only natural that when I saw the stamp set "the perfect blend" I knew that I had to have it. Coffee keeps me going....

.....and stamps!

Have a great day!

~Doris

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Supplies: All A Muse Studio
Stamp Set: The Perfect Blend
Paper: Sugar, French Roast; Brown Argyle (retired)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Extras: Sugar Organdy Polka-dot ribbon; Copic Markers: E33 Sand; E27 Africano; 3D foam adhesive

Getting Creative

I tell ya there is nothing that makes me happier than receiving some new stamping supplies! I am sure many of you can relate....




...it is just a feeling of total joy! I love getting new stamps, markers, ribbon, embellishments, paper, inks, dies..... you've got the idea.

It just gets me smilin"

So now that I have these new goodies to play with, my creative juices are flowing.

So today I decided to get that graduation card done for my neighbor who has just graduated from the University of Arizona. Their school colors are Red and Blue, so I wanted to integrate those colors within the card. I purchased this washi tape, that I made the stripes with, from an online source last fall. It was a perfect way to add the colors I wanted, and keep the simple design I was looking for. I think it looks good...hope she likes it!

Have a great day!

~Doris

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Supplies:
Stamp Set: ConGRADulations from A Muse Studio
Paper: Sugar, Navy A|S cardstock
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; A|S Cranberry inkpad
Extras: A|S Twinkle Stickers; 3D Foam adhesive; Washi tape from cutetape.com

Copics...

I have been asked repeatedly what are Copic markers? What makes them so special and why are they so expensive?

Copic markers are fast-drying, double-ended markers available in three types...Ciao, Original and Sketch. Copic markers are permanent, non-toxic, dry acid-free....and refillable!
Ya gotta love that!

What drew me to them is the fact that my paper would not pill when I colored in an image, like they did with water based inks. This is because Copic markers are alcohol based, thus your coloring dries quickly...and doesn't smear. Plus there are so many colors to choose from!

I have been using Copic markers for the past three years, and I purchased Sketch markers because of their price, plus I liked the fact that one end had a brush tip. However, I like the Copic Original markers (which are sold by A Muse Studio) too because I really like how one end had a small tip. This was great for coloring in tiny images or details.

To stamp the image to be colored, I have found that Memento inks are the best because they leave a nice sharp image, and the Copic ink doesn't bleed or smear when it touches it.

The big dilemma is what colors to start out with. There are so many to choose from, that it can be a bit overwhelming. For me, these are the colors that I use the most, and have found to be must-haves:

R29 Lipstick Red
YG23 New Leaf
BG10 Cool Shadow
E33 Sand
Y17 Golden Yellow
RV14 Begonia Pink
B04 Tahitian Blue
0 Colorless Blender

I have about eighty of these beauties, and use them all. I really believe that everyone, should give them a try, and see for yourself how beautiful your stamping creations can be. You won't be disappointed....



-Doris

Happy Mothers Day!

I am blessed to have two lovely women in my life, my mother-in-law, Joanne, and my dear Mom...Anna Mae.

I wanted to create something soft and pretty for them for their special day, and this is what I came up with.

Flowers and butterflies keep the card simple, yet elegant. I put pearls within the butterfly to add softness. You don't have to use a lot of embellishments and papers to create something pretty....simple can be beautiful.

To all the Mothers out there, have a lovely day....

~Doris

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Supplies used are as follows:
Stamp Set: Vintage Labels; and Happy Mother's Day MA (retired A Muse)
Paper: Vanilla A Muse Studio paper; Anna Griffin paper
Ink: Palette Burnt Umber ink pad
Extras: Martha Stewart butterfly punch; A Muse Studio labels die; A Muse Studio French Roast button, Prima Flowers; Divine Twine; A Muse Studio pearl vanilla stickers

Let's Celebrate!

Yes, it is time for another A Muse Studio Blog Hop, and I am so glad that you could join us!

What better event to celebrate than a birthday! Of all the cards that I create, I think that I make birthday cards the most, and I really don't think that I am all that unusual. Everyone wants to be remembered on their birthday, and what better way than with a hand-made card.

In this creation I used the owl image as the central focus of the card, sitting on this little branch. Isn't he a cutie? The banner die I think added that "extra touch" of fun and dimension to the card, and I have a feeling that I am going to be using it quite a bit in the future.

The next stop on your journey is that of Sarah Callahan's blog, which you can visit right here.

Thanks for visiting and joining me on my Sentimental Journey in cardmaking. Please come back again soon!



-Doris

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Supplies: A Muse Studio
Stamp Set: Owl's Well; Itty Bitty Birthday
Paper: Sugar, Onyx; Buttercup Polka-Dot papers
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Extras: Banner Custom A|S Die; Copic Markers: R29 Lipstick Red; Y17 Golden Yellow; E33 Sand; E27 Africano; YG23 New Leaf