Laura Evylin Cinefro!

I have a new grand-niece!

Introducing Laura Evlyin Cinefro!
Born June 26, 2012

She's named after my sister, Laura Ann. And her great-great grandmother, Ruth Evylin and mother, Jessica Evylin. I love that Jess and Nate followed OLD Norwegian tradition naming children after their grandparents. (Ever wonder why there were so many Ole Olson's in the world?? grin)

I wanted to make a WELCOME BABY card that was an expression of me. I think the paper is a My Mind's Eye Valentine paper. But who said Valentine paper was just for Valentine's Day? The Red Lead faerie was stamped over the word LOVE. "WELCOME BABY" is from a PaperTrey Ink set.  I did a quick watercolor for her dress and used a glitter pen over her wings.

Of course big brother, Julian, who isn't quite 2yrs old yet also needed a card.  This little turtle from Inky Antics caught my eye.

Because he has a fun pop-up shell in the middle.

The Copics I used to color the turtle.

A Muse-ing Preview

Last year, I did some catalog work for the "new" A Muse Studio. I loved working on their holiday mini. So when the art director invited me to add my "vintage" style to their 2nd catalog, I eagerly agreed!

I haven't seen the catalog yet, but this last week, A Muse Studio held their 1st convention in New Orleans. And all the card samples sent in for the new catalog were on display. Imagine my delight when one of their consultants posted pictures of the samples....and a good many were mine!

Here's the link to Mindy Fisher's A*MUSE-ingly Crafty blog!

Which cards are mine?

2nd photo - The triptych of vintage announcers.
4th photo - both bee skeps are mine
5th photo - the far left poppy card
6th photo - the far upper right (poppy) and the 2nd from the left (Union Jacks with "Carry On")
7th photo - the grey USA over grey/red travel labels
9th photo - the Union Jack "Carry On" (pretty sure that one is mine...when you do 30+ cards you might forget one.)
14th photo - same as 7th photo

Sweet! I'm excited to see the real catalog!

COVER GIRL!!!

OMG! OMG!! OMG!!!

My card made the COVER of STAMPER'S SAMPLER!!!!

Remember in the last issue the same card was featured in the "coming attractions" ad in the back. I looked at some other issues and it didn't seem to match up that a card in the ad would be on the cover next time. So, I was pretty surprised!

And it's also in the magazine body.

Along with two other cards I sent in.

This one is also mine but attributed to somebody else. I've been given credit for other artist's work - and now I feel their pain!

All the stamps & papers are Amuse Studio! If you'd like to order them, my friend, Lara, can help you!

And on the "Coming Attractions" ad...for Valentine's Day...my Neon Valentine!

eep!

Published...sort of...

I was published again...SORT OF...

A few issues ago, a page worth of cards was attributed to me, but it wasn't my work. I felt so sorry for the artist that did send in the work. How disappointing it must be to *NOT* to see your name!

Well, they did it again. My name. Another artist's work. So sad. And these were such a neat concept!

But this week, I was flipping thru to see what the next deadline was and the challenges. And I saw this ad for the next issue...and there was one of my cards! Using an amuse studio sentiment and their snowflake dies (told you they had killer dies!). I'll be interested to see if the card makes the next issue.

amuse studio Holiday Mini!

I have long been a fan of A Muse Artstamps, specifically their great sentiments! They were always funny, right on, and a great size/font. Even for GRUNGY me! And as you probably know, earlier in the year they switched their format to home party/social selling company, and became A MUSE STUDIO!

What you probably don't know is that one of my good friends, Heather, is Amuse Studio's marketing director. Last spring she asked me if I was interested in using their stamps, paper, inks, etc to create art for their upcoming Holiday Mini. I'll be honest and say I hesitated. Let's face facts...I'm grungy and complicated; and Amuse has always been CAS and cute! But Heather said not to worry, they wanted my grungy spin. So I said YES!

I have to say:
1) I *LOVE* their card stock. I love the white core. I don't have to cut up a sheet of typing paper and tape it inside to write a note. I love that when you sand it you get that distressed look! It's a great weight and the color palette is fresh and "now".
2) I love their pigment inks. I got a good clean stamp every time! I almost never get a clean stamp with a water based ink.
3) I love their wafer thin dies! You have to check out their TAG dies! (grin)

This week Heather finally got home from her travels around the country teaching classes and brought me a catalog. Until this week I had no idea if she'd used any of my cards. When I dropped my assignment off, I told her she wouldn't hurt my feelings if she didn't use anything. I would have been thrilled with just one card. So imaging my excitement that FOUR of my cards made the catalog! GRUNGY OLE ME!!!

Autumn Leaves (SBSQ005)

Perfectly Polished (SNSK070)
mini envelope die (TAD0014)

A Christmas Carol (SASQ017)
Scallop dies (sorry I'm not sure of the number)

Script background (SASJ013)

And the nicest part is that amuse studio recognizes it's contributing artists. I've never seen another company do that! WOW!

I flirted briefly with the idea of becoming a consultant. But after two failed attempts to make money "off my art", I'm just not interested in that end of the business anymore. If you'd like to order or get a catalog, please contact my friend, Lara Kalapacs!

(oh...and I got invited back for another round!) (GRIN)

Happy Birthday Missy!

For my niece Missy...she turned 22 on Monday!

Just a little Asian influenced card.

For the kimono I stamped these Stampin Up two-step flowers and used a Hero Arts background stamp. I have to rave about the new Amuse Studio pigment inks! They have great coverage.

I used the stamp positioner to line up the kimono stamp image. Then cut out the image and collaged the card. The green polka dot paper was stamped with VersaMark and glitter embossing powder.

Stamps: Memory Box, Stampin Up FAST & FABULOUS, Hero Arts, Amuse sentiment
Paper: Amuse Studio (A|S) Grass polka dot & Bermuda
Ink: Amuse Studio (A|S) Buttercup & Lemon Whip; VersaMark; Archival Black
Accessories: Glitter embossing powder, Prima flowers, skeleton leaves, dragonfly charm, pearls

A*Muse | Studio

Did you hear the news? A Muse Artstamps has become A Muse | Studio!

A few month's ago they asked me to do some design work for them...I can't say much but I have to tell you the ink pads alone are FABULOUS!!!!

If you're interested in placing an order try my consultant, Lara Kalapacs!! (Please comment if you'd like her email.)