A new endeavor...

As you know, I am an avid card maker.  As my family and close friends know, I'm an avid crafter...period.  If you saw my craft room, you would find just about every arts and crafts medium known to womankind.  Of course I have tons of paper, stamps, ink pads, ribbon and any embellishment I could ever need to create a card or scrapbook page for any occasion under the sun five times over.  But...there is also enough fabric to clothe a small village, and enough canvases and paint to keep my hands very very busy for a very long time.

I've dabbled in quilting, sewing, acrylic painting, along with every type of paper craft imaginable.  It's my escape and my sanity saver.  I truly LOVE to be creative and crafty.

My latest obsession started about a year ago when I was looking for an excuse to buy more cute fabric  a way to get more uses out of the mounds of ADORABLE fabric I had accumulated during my initiation into quilting and sewing.  (I mean, HOW is a girl suppose to create something fabulous without an enormous fabric selection from which to choose??? Am I right?) I don't remember where I first saw one of these, but I instantly fell in love.....

Fabric flower necklaces!!!  (sigh)  I just  love these.  It took a bit of practice and trial and error, but I finally got the hang of it and made a few for myself.  I received so many complements on them and people always asked if I made it myself.  When I said yes, they always asked if I sold them.  I would just shrug and say "No, but maybe someday."

Well "someday" has arrived.  I decided to set up an etsy shop and post my little creations for sale. I don't have very many posted yet, but I will continually add them to the shop as I make them.  :)

If you would like to see my necklaces you can find them HERE .  I'd love to hear what you think!!  

Thanks for stopping by...

Lauren

Papertrey Princesses Challenge

It's my turn to host the Papertrey Princesses Challenge! It's my first time hosting since I think I'm the newest member of the group. :)

Even though it's not technically fall yet, the mornings are definitely getting crisper here and the days aren't quite as hot, so fall is just around the corner.  And let's not forget about the football...here in the south, SEC football is a BIG deal and it's in full swing! :)

Fall is by far my favorite season, so I couldn't pass up the chance to open the windows and bring a little more fall into my day. :) For my challenge, I decided to have the group create a project (doesn't have to be a card) with a fall theme.

Here's mine:

And another shot...

Anyone is more than welcome to participate in the challenge.  Just post your blog post in this forum thread so we can see what you cooked up!  I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with!!  

Thanks for stopping by!!

Supplies:  

Stamps and paper:  All Papertrey Ink

Ink:  All A Muse Studio

It's Holiday Hoopla Time!

Hi all!!

I know it's still steaming hot outside, but that doesn't mean it's too early to start thinking about the holidays! :)  It's Holiday Hoopla time at A Muse Studio.  The new Holiday Catalog has been released there are some REALLY cute new products that are now available!!  You can see an online version of the new catalog HERE.

With Holiday Hoopla, there are SO many wonderful things going on.  First there are HUGE incentives for hosting a qualifying workshop (which can be done online, by the way!!), including a free limited edition stamp set (valued at $39.95) as well as higher free product earnings.  If  you are interested, send me an email and I'll be happy to go over the details with you.  

Also, there has never been a better time to sign up to become an A Muse Studio consultant. Not only is the basic starter kit only $99 (usually $175), but you also get any stamp set of your choice for FREE!!  Such an awesome deal!!  You can find more details about becoming a consultant on my WEBSITE.  

Please feel free to send me an email if you have any questions about anything!!  

Thanks for stopping by!!

Lauren

How does FREE SHIPPING sound??

Hi all!!

Man, this summer has been crazy so far!!!  Four out of town weddings, a class reunion (I won't mention how many years!!!), 2 kids' birthdays and a new nephew born!!  Whew!!  Who has time to craft with all that going on?? ;)

If you're like me and find the summer one of the hardest times to carve out some crafty time, maybe I can offer you a bit of inspiration and motivation..........

How about FREE SHIPPING on A Muse Studio

 orders of $50 or more!??

So here's the deal....There are a few important things you need to know about my offer:

1. Your order must be $50 or more, before tax and shipping.  Product totals less than $50 will not receive free shipping.

2. I will refund your shipping charges via Paypal after you place your order.  When you place your order, you will be charged for shipping.  The A Muse website doesn't allow me to change shipping charges, nor does it let me refund the credit card you used, so the only way I can offer free shipping is to refund those charges via Paypal.  After you place your order, send me your Paypal email address to laurenmccabe.amusestudio@gmail.com .  I will refund your shipping charges within 24hrs of receiving your order and email address.  

3. Since this is my personal offer and not an A Muse Studio offer, your order must be placed through my Online Store. 

4. This offer is good through July 31, 2012.


Edited to add:   I just learned this...Unless you are a current customer of mine (meaning you have ordered through me before), you will need to enter yourself as a "new customer" through my website during checkout for your order to be captured properly.  My current customers can sign in as a returning customer.  

If you decide to place a larger order of $150 or more, send me an email first.  I can write that order up as a workshop and you'll receive hostess benefits ($25 in free product) IN ADDITION to the free shipping offer. :)  All workshop orders must be handled personally by me rather than through the online store in order to qualify for hostess benefits. 

If you have any questions about this offer or any of the A Muse Studio products, just let me know!! :)  Again, my A Muse email address is laurenmccabe.amusestudio@gmail.com 

Enjoy your week and Happy Shopping!!!

Lauren

My A Muse Studio Online Store

Two Awesome A Muse Studio Sales!!!

Hi all!!

I posting today to share with you 2 great sales A Muse Studio is having throughout the month of May! :)

First up, is a BIG sale on A Muse's *awesome* inkpads!!!!  Woohoo!!!  Right now all individual ink pads are 20% OFF!  If you haven't tried these inks, you are surely missing out.  Now is the perfect time to try them out or to stock up on some of those colors you've been eyeing. ;)  Check out my online store to see all available colors!!

The other great sale is the monthly Spotlight Special that A Muse Studio offers each month.  This month's featured stamp sets are absolutely GORGEOUS!!!!!!  All of the featured sets are 10% OFF for the month of May.  There is also a specially priced coordinating cardstock sampler.  Just beautiful!!! :)

The names of the stamp sets, in order, are: 

1. Papillon

2. Wild Rose

3. Making a Difference

4. Marvelous Marigolds

5. Venetian Background

If you have any questions about any of these sale items, or any other A Muse Studio products, please feel free to ask.  My email is laurenmccabe.amusestudio@gmail.com or lauren.prettylittlethings@gmail.com

Thanks so much for stopping by!!!

Lauren

www.amusestudio.com/laurenmccabe

Papertrey Princesses Challenge

Hi all!!  I'm here today with my take on a couple of Papertrey Princesses challenges.  Being the time-efficient crafter than I've been lately, I created a card that combines the latest two challenges into one. ;)

Diane's challenge was to create a card with Hawaiian colors or theme in honor of her trip to Hawaii.  Leah's challenge was to create something using the negative image of a die cut.

So here's my card:

I used Hawaiian Shores, Spring Moss and Pure Poppy inks with a tiny blossom from Beautiful Blooms II inside the cut out squares of the Take Three die.  The sentiment is from Half & Half.  Taking a tip from Nichole, I added a trio of tiny black dots inside each flower just to add a bit of dimension and detail.

Thanks for stopping by and please stop by the other Princesses blogs. :)  You can find the links on the right side margin of my blog.  

Lauren

A couple of "The Stamps of Life" cards

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!!!! :)

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!!!

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