Colored Pencils

A couple years ago I bought a book called "Stamping in Color" and I fell in love! Dave Brethauer, the author and artist, is my hero. I learned some great techniques using colored pencils and I haven't stopped since. It still amazes me how a little shading and highlighting can enhance even the simplest image. I used colored pencils to color in the topiaries on this card. This isn't my greatest "masterpiece," but it does show how easy it is to enhance even a simple design.

Dave (I feel like I know him) also shows techniques with watercolors. I'm still working on that, but the effects are just beautiful. Sadly, this book is going out of print, but I hear that he will have a new book out soon. AND, he's coming to Angela's Happy Stamper in September! There may be a few spaces left so check it out now.. I'm just way too excited to actually meet him.

I almost forgot to mention that Dave is the owner and creative force behind Memory Box! I don't know anyone who can resist those crazy penguins and the paper packs are just to die for.

Have a beautiful day!

All images and papers by A Muse Artstamps.

The date for my classes at Rubber Chicken have changed. They will now be on Sunday, August 19 (same time, same place).

Class Change

Brief Note...

Thank you to all the ladies at Rubber Chicken. I had such fun seeing some old friends and new faces at my two classses on Sunday! I hope we'll get together again at my next classes on August 12. It seems a little early to be celebrating Halloween and Christmas, but I couldn't help it. The new stamps from A Muse are just too cute to wait until the "appropriate" time.

This card uses the cute briefs and, of course, I had to use "a brief note" with it. The middle image was stamped on scrap and cut out. I applied the blue shading (a marker) with a Dove Blender. It's a great way to use your marker pens. I then attached the image with Pop Dots (what else?).

Now for one of the Fall cards that we will be making in the August 12 class! I love the farmer, but at first couldn't figure out many uses for him. But, doesn't he go perfectly on this card? You can't see it very well in this picture, but I used a glaze pen on the pumpkins to make them a little shiny. Hope you like this little sneak peek at my next class!

Bad Girl!

I have been very bad! I just haven't had the time to time to post! I'm going to have some new cards next week, but in the meantime I want to at least let you know I'm still here!

We had a blast during A-MUSE-A-PALOOZA week at Angela's. All the new A Muse stamps came in on Monday and they are just too darn cute for words. "A Muse building" collectors should be in heaven right about now. There are two Christmas type houses, a school, a stamp store, sports shop, and haunted house. Have I forgotten any? And the sentiments are just great too. All I can say is "so many stamps...so little time" (A Muse even has this one)!

On Wednesday we had a fun time putting together a spooky halloween house using the chipboard houses from Doodlebug. We used the A Muse halloween stamps in the windows. I made a prototype, but everyone did their own thing. All I can say is these women are very creative! Thanks for a fun time.

On Friday night and Saturday we had the 10 Card Class. Whew! These ladies worked hard. I had scheduled a two hour class (which was way too short), but they zipped right through them. I hope everyone had as much fun as I did.

I've listed some classes for August at the top of the blog, but I'm still finishing up some cards so you won't see them posted on the store websites until next week. I hope you'll save these dates.

Until next time-happy stamping!

Aaah...Ribbon!

The current AP challenge is using ribbon. Is there anyone who doesn't love ribbon? I have a crazy big stash of ribbon that I don't know if I'll ever get to use. But that's OK. I just like to look at it! I like to use it in many ways, from simply wrapping and tying it around a card to making it a part of the image itself. I've used ribbon to make a scarf and even a beach towel. How many ways do you use ribbon? I'm always looking for new ideas.
This card uses ribbon as a simple decorative embellishment. After I adhered the oval I punched a hole through the front flap and threaded the ribbon through. I'm not great with bows (unless I use a Bow Easy) so I usually just tie a knot.
Have a great weekend!

All images and paper by A Muse Artstamps.

Pink Flamingos!

I just got a new toy to play with-Fun Flock. I'm sure many of you already know about flock, but I finally took the plunge and I love it! If you haven't played with Flock (you can get it here), go get some right now! It's so much fun (hence the name-Fun Flock). I know flamingos aren't exactly pink, but when I saw the pink flock I immediately thought of my flamingo friend. He's so cute, and now he's pink and fuzzy. Fun stuff!

This little guy is also a sneak peek of one of the cards for my upcoming "Summertime-A Muse Style" class.

I have to go now....I'm going to look for other images to flock!

Stamps and notecard by A Muse Artstamps. Decorative paper by Doodlebug. Fun Flock by Stampendous.