My Pretty Little Things

A couple of "The Stamps of Life" cards

2012-02-17T12:51:00.000-05:00

Hi all!! Today I have a couple of cards that I made with a The Stamps of Life set. It's the January set called List2Write.

My favorite image in that set is the cute little notebook page stamp. :) Perfect for Teacher Appreciation Week cards!

I also made this CAS card with the flower image included in the set. I love that many of her stamps come with an outline and a solid image stamp so no coloring needed if you're not feeling it.

A bit of Stickles in the center of each flower adds just a little spunk. I like spunk.

Each month, Stephanie-the owner, has a drawing for a free stamp set for cards that are uploaded to her gallery using that month's featured set. These will go straight into the gallery for my chance to win. Love me some free stamps! :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Lauren

Papertrey Ink- Anniversary Celebrations: Day 7

2012-02-11T13:47:00.000-05:00

Hi all!! Today I'm participating in Papertrey Ink's 7th day of challenges in honor of their 5th Anniversary. Today's challenge was to create a project with a heart theme.

Here is my card:

I used Versamark ink and white embossing powder to make the sentiment stand out. I think it's time to reink my pad because I didn't get the full coverage that I wanted, but being tight on time today, I didn't have time to redo it. Such is life sometimes...just gotta roll with it. :)

I added a little pink Stickles to the pink hearts inside the larger red heart just to add a little more dimension and adhered it with foam adhesive. And what card is complete without a token button? :)

Thanks for stopping by!!

Lauren

Papertrey Ink- Anniversary Celebrations: Day 5, Part Deux

2012-02-09T11:03:00.000-05:00

Hi all!! I'm here once again today with a card I created using a Pinterest photo as inspiration. See my post below for my first entry into the Papertrey Ink challenge for today. :)

This go around, I chose this inspiration photo: (I just love these girly pillows!!)

The link to the originial photo is here: http://pinterest.com/pin/75716837454684819/

And once again, here is the card I created based on this inspiration photo: (I apologize for the colors looking bit washed out. I'm still on the hunt for the perfect spot and time of day to take photographs. :) )

I used Out on a Limb and Autumn Abundance stamp sets. The cardstock is Rustic White and Sweet Blush. I also used the Linen/Canvas impression plate to add a "fabric" texture to the card front to mimic the cotton texture of the pillow. The inks are Memento and A Muse Studio. I also added little dots with a brown pen to the centers of the flowers to add a bit of interest.

As always, thanks for stopping by!! :)

Lauren

Papertrey Ink- Anniversary Celebrations: Day 5

2012-02-09T09:19:00.000-05:00

Hi all!! This is day 5 of Papertrey Ink's 5th Anniversary celebration and the challenges and contests keep comin'. :) Today's challenge was to choose an inspiration photo from Pinterest and create a project based on the inspiration photo.

I chose this photo:

Link to original photo: http://pinterest.com/pin/914862393840947/

Here is the card I created based on this inspiration photo.

I used Papertrey Ink kraft cardstock and woodgrain impression plate to create the cardbase. I curved a sentiment from a Think Big set and added Prima flowers with pearl centers to mimic the cascading flowers in the inspiration photo.

Thanks for stopping by!! I'm off to go waste more time on Pinterest...I foresee a new addiction forming. :)

Lauren

Papertrey Ink- Anniversary Celebrations: Day 4

2012-02-08T11:26:00.000-05:00

Hi all! I'm back again with another Papertrey Ink challenge. A bit tight on time today, so I'll keep it nice and short. :) Today's challenge was to use one of the Design Teams favorite color combos to create a card. I chose Maile's color combo.

I didn't have any of the new Canyon Clay, so I had to substitute Orange Zest for that color. I think the end results still keeps the feel of the color combo, though.

Thanks for stopping by!!

Lauren

My First Papertrey Princesses Blog Challenge

2012-02-07T12:57:00.000-05:00

Hi all!! As the newest member of the Papertrey Princesses (a blog group of very talented ladies), this is my first time participating in their bi-weekly challenges. Steph is this week's hostess and her challenge was to use white and ONE other color.

In this case, my "white" is Rustic Cream. That's not breaking the rules, is it? I hope not. I'd hate to be the rogue princess. :)

I chose Rustic Cream and Pure Poppy as my color palette. I die cut the large label from Mega Mat Stack 4 and stamped one of the border images from Damask Designs. The sentiment is from that set as well.

Then I added a ribbon knot to the top and adhered it with pop dots. The bottom of the cardbase was trimmed with one of Papertrey Ink's edger dies. I think it works really well with the shape of Mat Stack 4. :)

Considering how quickly this card came together (seriously, no more than 10 minutes!), I'm pretty pleased with it. It really helped having my color choices limited to one. :) Looking back on it, I should probably add a little bling somewhere, maybe near the sentiment? Such a dressy card needs a touch of something else, dontcha think?

Thanks for a great challenge, Steph, and please go visit the other girls' blogs! You can find links to the other Papertrey Princesses on the right hand side of my blog.

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Lauren

Papertrey Ink- Anniversary Celebrations: Day 2

2012-02-06T10:03:00.000-05:00

Hi all!! Today is the 2nd day of the anniversary celebrations over at Papertrey Ink. The challenge posted for today is to create a card using one of the freebie images that are downloadable on Nichole's blog. I chose Lisa Johnson's image of the cute little chicks. :)

Just a fun, simple card. I used the birthday sentiment from Birthday Basics and a Pure Poppy button for the balloon.

Thanks for stopping by!!

Lauren

Papertrey Ink- Anniversary Celebrations Day 1

2012-02-05T21:41:00.000-05:00

Hi all!! Today begins the festivities of Papertrey Ink's anniversary, and with that comes fun challenges and prizes.

Today's challenge was to create a card inspired by one of the design teams projects. I chose this beauty by Maile Belles.

And here's my interpretation of Maile's card:

I apologize for the horrible lighting and photographs, but it's night time here and I don't have a good photography set up. This is as good as it gets for me at night. :) I used felt flowers accented with matching buttons over a houndstooth-stamped panel. It may be hard to tell, but the card base is Soft Stone.

It was fun making one of Maile's designs. I just adore her simple, yet oh so beautiful and stunning projects! :)

Thanks for stopping by!!

Lauren

Papertrey Ink: Make it Monday

2012-02-02T11:08:00.000-05:00

Hello friends! I am participating in this week's Make It Monday challenge on the Papertrey Ink blog, albeit a few days late. :) This week's challenge is to create a card using a banner like Nichole did on her tutorial video.

Here's my take on it:

I decided to go with an umbrella/rain/feel better theme. It's kind of funny that I picked this because as I finished the card and was going to find the camera, my 2 year-old decided he wanted a closer look.

Well, he squeezed and crushed the banner, causing it to crease horribly. Ah, well. Life with a 2 year-old. Whatch gonna do? :) You can see my poor banner better here. I heat embossed the rain drops and rain clouds with Versamark and clear embossing powder. I also used both sizes of banners from the Double-Ended banner die for the bottom sentiment. Then accented with a couple of threaded buttons.

So, I guess my card can understand the sentiment pretty well....sometimes life is tough and a little rain must fall. ;)

All stamps are from Scattered Showers and Scattered Showers Additions. Paper by Papertrey Ink: Spring Rain, Spring Moss, Soft Stone, and white. Ink: Autumn Rose and Versamark.

Thanks for stopping by!!

Lauren

It's HERE!!!! :)

2012-02-01T11:34:00.000-05:00

It's here! The NEW 2012 A Muse Studio Catalog!!! Check it out here! On my website you can look through the online version of the new catty. There's TONS of new things! And now all of the new items are available for purchase. :)

Want a catalog of your own to flip through? No problem! Now through the end of February, I will send a FREE catalog ($9.95 value) to anyone who places an order of $75 or more (before tax and shipping). You can shop through my website or you can email me your order and I'll do the paperwork for you. It's that easy to get a free catalog...and it's BEAUTIFUL!! So many amazing projects to inspire your creativity.

You can find my online store by clicking HERE. You can also email me at laurenmccabe.amusestudio@gmail.com if you have any questions about anything you see. :)

Thanks for stopping by!!
Lauren
My A Muse Online Store

February 1st is the day...it's almost here!!! Get a free catalog!!!

2012-01-29T12:29:00.000-05:00

Hello my friends!!

We are just a few short days away from the launch of the new 2012 A Muse Studio catalog!! :) There are so many exciting new things coming. NINE new colors!! 46 new stamps sets!!! New dies, new patterened papers, new ribbons, and MUCH more!!! New, new, new!! New is fun, isn't it?

It all happens on February 1. All of the new products will be available on website starting then!! :)

BUT you can get your hands on a copy of the new catalog for FREE!! Starting today, all orders of $75 or more (before tax and shipping) will receive a free copy of the new 2012 catalog!! $9.95 retail value. You can either order through my website or send me an email with your order.

Also keep in mind that there are many products that will be retiring from the current catalog. Here they are:

Remember that any order of $150 or more will also earn you free products...even better, right?? Now is the perfect time to pull an order together with friends (or totally treat yourself) so you can get the new catty as well as your free goodies.

This is also "last call" on the January Spotlight Special which will expire at midnight on January 31. This month's special includes some of my all-time favorite A Muse Studio sets. You can see the details here:

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and I'll be back soon with more new goodies!! :) Here's the link to my online store- www.amusestudio.com/laurenmccabe

Happy Shopping!! :)
Lauren

The Magnificent Muses Blog Hop

2011-10-01T14:55:00.001-04:00

Hi all!! I am SOOOOO late posting this, so I apologize!! We decided at the last minute to go apple picking early this morning, so I wasn't able to post until just now. Better late than never, right?

The theme for this A Muse Studio blog hop is Halloween. Having no A Muse Halloween stamps other than a sentiment (how is THAT possible??!! ), I needed to get a bit creative. Here's what I came up with.

The "spooky tree" is actually the coral stamp from the Seashells set. Clever, no? I used Slate ink for the trees and "grounded" them a bit with a few flicks of Copics markers. I also used one of the solid circle stamps to stamp the moon in Buttercup.

The Orange gingham paper and bow seem to cutesy those trees up a bit. And I threw in a bit of Blackberry for good measure also. :)

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to stop by Michelle's blog to catch the hop from the beginning!!

Enjoy your weekend...the weather is BEAUTIFUL here in Georgia. Hope your's in nice too!!!

Until next time,

Lauren

PTI Make-It Monday

2011-09-07T16:10:00.002-04:00

Wow, it has been a LONG time since I have been able to participate in one of these weekly challenges! Now that the kids are back in school, I hope to have a bit more time to devote to crafting.

Since I'm a bit pressed for time today, I'll keep the post short and sweet. :)

Here is my entry into this week's Make-It Monday from Papertrey Ink.

All stamps and cardstock is by Papertrey Ink.

Thanks for stopping by!!

Lauren

A Muse Studio & PTI Color Comparison Chart UPDATED

2011-07-07T18:27:00.002-04:00

Edited to add: I have updated this post to reflect more matches that I have found. You can see the additional colors in the second photo. You can click on both photos to see them larger. As I find more or as either company comes out with new colors that are matches, I will continue to update. :)

Hi all!!

After a few requests, I decided to post a color comparison chart using A Muse Studio inks and Papertrey Ink cardstock.

You can view a larger version by clicking on the image. While I don't have all of the A Muse ink colors yet, these are the color matches I have found so far. As I find new matches, I will repost the chart.

If you are interested in trying out these inks (which are nothing short of FABULOUS, by the way), please visit my online store at www.amusestudio.com/laurenmccabe

For anyone who places an online order through my website of $50 or more, I will send you a catalog for free!! ($9.95 value) Please note that A Muse Studio will only ship within the U.S. (Sorry, international peeps!!)

Thanks for stopping by!!

Lauren

WMS Tea Party Challenge

2011-05-20T15:20:00.001-04:00

With the 2nd birthday of WMS soon approaching, Claire has issued a challenge for a chance to win a FABULOUS prize!!! Here is my entry into the contest.

I used Claire's free tea baggie download and decorated it with a text background stamp and the new doilies just released from WMS. I love how these stamps coordinate with several of the Spellbinders Big Scallop Circle dies! No need to buy additional dies!

All stamp by WMS. Pigment ink by A Muse Studio.

Thanks for stopping by!!

Lauren

Make It Monday: Heat Embossing

2011-04-04T15:31:00.001-04:00

This week's Make It Monday challenge from Papertrey Ink is heat embossing. Here's my take on this challenge:

I decided to make a card for my dad. His birthday was in March, but we will be celebrating it this weekend when he comes in town for a visit. (Don't tell him that I hadn't made his card yet!)

I used Masculine Motifs stamp set and heat embossed the green leaf images and the tree scene in the center of the card.

The center panel is adhered with foam dimensionals to give a little depth and interest. The inks I used are Evergreen by Colorbox, Versamark, and Tea Dye duo by Papertrey.

I used Pinefeather, Fine Linen and Rustic Cream cardstock as well, all by Papertrey. The die shape in the center of the card is Mat Stack 1, also from Papertrey.

Thanks for stopping by and, as always, your comments are very much appreciated!!

Lauren

Today's the BIG DAY!!!

2011-04-01T10:52:00.001-04:00

Today is the big day I've been waiting for!! I'm so excited that my new A Muse Studio online store is now live!! For those who haven't heard, A Muse Artstamps has changed their name and their business model. They are now called A Muse Studio and are a home party papercrafting business. They sell cling-mount rubber stamps, high quality photo-polymer clear stamps, cardstock, ink (which is AWESOME!), patterened paper, ribbon and lots of other adorable embellishments!!

I'm excited to be a new consultant for A Muse Studio, so please stop by my online store and take a look around!! I think you'll find lots of really cute ideas. If you're interested in buying a catalog, send me an email at laurenmccabe.amusestudio@gmail.com and I'd be happy to send one along to you. Catalogs are $9.95.

As a special for the new launch, I am offering a little treat. For anyone who places an order of $75 or more (before tax and shipping), I will send you a catalog for FREE!!! All you have to do is place an order through my online store.

If you're interested in hosting a party or getting together with your friends to place a large group order, you will qualify for some amazing hostess benefits such as free product and stamp set discounts!! If you have any questions, please feel free to email me.

Thanks for stopping by, and I look forward to hearing what you think about the new A Muse Studio!!

Lauren

I'm a Consultant!!

2011-03-09T21:52:00.000-05:00

Today I signed up to be an A Muse Studio Creative Consultant!! I have been a fan of A Muse for a while, and recently they changed their company to be a home party company rather than a retailer. I will have an online store that will go live on April 1 and I will also be available to do home parties and demonstrations. Please stop by my online store and check it out. HERE is the link. (Again, it won't go live until April 1st.) Very cute, high quality cling mounted rubber stamps as well as other paper crafting supplies like paper, ink, ribbon, buttons and dies. Hope to see you soon!!

Lauren

Another Make-It Monday card

2011-02-10T15:01:00.000-05:00

Hi all,

In my last post I mentioned a new weekly challenge at Papertrey Ink called Make-It Mondays. I decided to create another card to go along with this week's challenge.

And here it is...

Here's a bit closer look at the details...

This is a "Hello" card for a friend of mine. The background sentiments are from Everyday Button Bits by Papertrey Ink. The large center sentiment and bottom scroll are from Big Bold Wishes also by Papertrey. The cardstock, also Papertrey, is Sweet Blush, Berry Sorbet. Spring Moss, and Ripe Avocado.

Thanks for stopping by!!

Lauren

Back in the saddle with Papertrey Ink

2011-02-08T23:08:00.000-05:00

Wowza...has it been a LOOONNNNGGG time since I've been around Blogland or what?!!! August? Really? Well, one of my crafting goals for 2011 is to do a much better job at posting. (Not doing so well so far, huh?) I've been creating like crazy, but lately the idea of blogging has just seemed SOOOO tedious. That and the fact that I recently convinced myself that I need to start quilting. Who knew? I must do better. Starting now.

The contests recently posted for Papertrey Ink's 4th anniversary (LOVE them!) are just the ticket to get me back in the blogging saddle. You can't win if you don't enter, right? Right. So here goes....

Papertrey has a new weekly challenge called Make-It Mondays, where they post an idea or technique for us to attempt. You can find the challenge here.

Here is my card....

I decided to make a Valentine's Day card for my hubby. (Don't tell.) All of the various sentiments and images are from the Papertrey set called Love Birds. The birdcage die is also from Papertrey, as well as all of the cardstock. Here I used Enchanted Evening, Spring Rain and Rustic White. The border punch is by Martha Stewart.

Overall, I'm pleased with how this one turned out. My husband likes blue, which is why I chose this color palette. And it's just not quite Valentine's Day without a *little* red. :)

Thanks for looking and check back because I *just might* post another card for this challenge tomorrow. ;) I'm really liking the idea behind this week's challenge.

Til next time...

Lauren

Papertrey Blog Hop {Special Edition}

2010-08-30T19:37:00.000-04:00

Tonight I'm participating in a special blog hop to show appreciation for one of the most amazing women in the papercrafting industry. Nichole Heady. Here's a big THANK YOU to Nichole not only for all the endless inspiration you've giving me and countless others, but also for the simply amazing products that your company (Papertrey Ink) has to offer. You and your products have truly made this hobby more enjoyable for me! I just love everything PTI!! Congratulations on your much-deserved success!!

This card uses PTI white and simply chartreuse cardstock. I stamped the "Grateful" sentiment (from the Signature Greetings stamp set) several times in multiple colors. I finished this simple card off with a bit of ribbon, a button tied with twine (Enchanted Evening) and a bit of bling.

Nichole, I hope you are enjoying the many thank you notes from your loving customers and friends. Let this be a reminder that you are doing a FABULOUS job and there are many of us who admire what you do each and every month!! Keep up the great work!!! And THANK YOU!!!!!

Lauren

A Muse Lounge Monthly Challenge - August

2010-08-24T20:48:00.000-04:00

The theme for this month's challenge is Stick to the Pattern. So, we need to create a project with either a stamped pattern or patterned paper. Here are my takes on this challenge. I should mention that all stamps and patterned paper are by A Muse.

This first one shows a pattern I created with Leaf Frond II stamp and gingham paper. Nice and simple. Just how I like it. I just love the lime green and orange color combo. I just so happened to have the perfect coordinating ribbon and button on hand. Don'tcha love it when that happens?

For the second one, I stamped a Christmas tree background in unconventional colors just for fun. I scalloped the bottom edge with a Martha Stewart punch and adhered colored cardstock behind the scallops. I topped the center trees with a bit of bling and tied it up with a bit of ribbon. The sentiment is one of my favorite new A Muse stamps!!

This last one is uber-simple with some gingham punched squares and nice, simple sentiment. Doesn't get any easier than this, but I like how it turned out. I just can't get enough of this petite gingham patterned paper...it's the best!!!

Thanks for stopping by, and as always your comments are very much appreciated!!

Lauren

Papertrey Chicks Challenge

2010-08-23T14:43:00.000-04:00

This week was my turn to host the weekly Papertrey Chicks Challenge. With today being the first day of school, time seemed to pass me by very quickly. So I cheated a bit and decided to use a Clean&Simple card sketch. It's FTL67. It's a clean and classic design that can be interpreted any number of ways.

Being in a time crunch, I kept pretty close to the original sketch design.

I used Orange Zest and Spring Moss as my color palette.

All Supplies Papertrey unless otherwise stated:

Stamps: Polka Dot Basics II, Text Style II, Signature Greetings

Ink: Memento

Patterned Paper: Bitty Dot Basics

Dies: Beautiful Blooms II #1

Felt, Ribbon, Rhinestones: Hobby Lobby

Button: Dark Chocolate

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your week!!

Lauren

You're My Anchor

2010-06-24T21:26:00.001-04:00

Wow, has it really been over 3 weeks since my last post? Time flies and I've been very busy lately with the boys' birthdays and travelling to my step-sister's wedding. But I found a little time today to play with my "toys". Today's post is of a card I made using my new Waltzingmouse stamps (I just found this company and LOVING it!) and Out to Sea by PTI.

For the "rope" border, I used Waltzingmouse's Vintage Labels No. 3 stamp set , which matches the Nesties Labels 3 and stamped in Colorbox Creamy Brown chalk ink. The anchor, sentiment and stars are all from Out to Sea by PTI. (PTI Scarlet Jewel, Enchanted Evening and Versamark inks.)

I wrapped a little PTI Rustic Cream twine around the kraft card front and adhered my frame over it (Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels 3 cut from PTI Scarlet Jewel cardstock). Then I added a little PTI Enchanted Evening saddle stitch ribbon and adhered my focal point label over it with foam dimensionals.

I then added a few stars stamped in Versamark to the bottom left corner since it just looked too blah without a little something more.

My goal was a clean masculine card and I'm pretty happy with how this one turned out. I'm loving these Nestie-friendly stamps by Waltzingmouse!! What a great idea, especially for someone like me who has almost all of the Nestie Labels!!

Thanks for stopping by and, as always, your comments are very much appreciated!!

Lauren

MFT Guest Designer Contest-June

2010-05-31T10:25:00.000-04:00

This month's MFT Guest Designer Contest's theme is "Some Like It Hot" and we can take that in any direction we want to.

I created 2 cards for this contest. The first is this one...

Since this is the type of card I'd only give to my hubby, I made it more masculine. The fireplace scene is from an older MFT Christmas set Home for the Holidays and the sentiment is from MFT Who's That Grillin' Guy?

I used Spellbinders dies to cut out the front panel and frame, and adhered it with pop dots to add dimension. The woodgrain stamp and impression plate are from PTI.

I colored the scene with Prisma pencils and added a little twine and button to finish it off.

Here is the second card I made for this contest. This sassy little lady is laying down the law in her kitchen, the "hottest" room in the house. ;)

Isn't this sentiment just great?! How many times have I wanted to say these very words myself? ;) The main image is from MFT Lovin' from the Oven and the sentiment is from MFT Twisted Threesome. This sentiment set is filled with tongue-in-cheek sassy sayings like this one...just LOVE it!!

I paper pieced the main image and adhered her to a Spellbinders die cut with pop dots. All patterned papers are by October Afternoon.

I added a little crocheted lace and some die cut kitchen utensils to add a couple of finishing touches. The sentiment label is adhered with antiqued brass brads. Thought that added a little something to the vintage feel of this card.

This was a fun contest! Thanks for looking, and as always, your comments are very much appreciated!!

Lauren

My Pretty Little Things

A couple of "The Stamps of Life" cards

Papertrey Ink- Anniversary Celebrations: Day 7

Papertrey Ink- Anniversary Celebrations: Day 5, Part Deux

Papertrey Ink- Anniversary Celebrations: Day 5

Papertrey Ink- Anniversary Celebrations: Day 4

My First Papertrey Princesses Blog Challenge

Papertrey Ink- Anniversary Celebrations: Day 2

Papertrey Ink- Anniversary Celebrations Day 1

Papertrey Ink: Make it Monday

It's HERE!!!! :)

February 1st is the day...it's almost here!!! Get a free catalog!!!

The Magnificent Muses Blog Hop

PTI Make-It Monday

A Muse Studio & PTI Color Comparison Chart *UPDATED*

WMS Tea Party Challenge

Make It Monday: Heat Embossing

Today's the BIG DAY!!!

I'm a Consultant!!

Another Make-It Monday card

Back in the saddle with Papertrey Ink

Papertrey Blog Hop {Special Edition}

A Muse Lounge Monthly Challenge - August

Papertrey Chicks Challenge

You're My Anchor

MFT Guest Designer Contest-June

A Muse Studio & PTI Color Comparison Chart UPDATED