one little spark ...

share your spark fridays ...

TGIF!  I'm SO happy it's Friday.  And you know what Friday means around here ... another edition of share your spark fridays!

All I can say is "wow!"  So many people creating and sharing this week!  Which means another great week packed with inspiration (and lots of folks sharing their spark for the first time too - welcome)!   Thank you all so much for playing along this week!

Deb Becky Amanda Cheiron Rose Glenda SmilynStef Jen D. Pat Tinla Jill  Beth

Meghan Maria Rachel Amy Lexi (and here and here too!) Laura Laura B Robyn Dawn Sheila

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This week's spark is something fun and easy, something you need only the most basic of supplies to try, but something that will really stretch our creativity!

Create something using sponging!

It could be a background, something you mask off for a shape or design like I did, or anything else you can dream up! 

Today I'll be winging my way to Seattle and in honor of that (and getting to visit one of my favorite cities again), here's what I made ...

 

I sponged the sky directly onto the card using sky blue ink, a sponge, and a mask I handcut out of a sticky note.  And the water was made by randomly punching with half a small circle punch (with a little glitter added to the white waves).  One of my favorite punch "tricks."

Now it's your turn!  I'm looking forward to seeing how you use sponging on your creations!  And don't forget to share your spark by leaving a link to your creations in a comment on this post!

 

PS - I'm gonna be on the road for the next few days but will try to check in from CHA when I get there!

a bunny box ...

I've been fighting through a to-do list a mile long this week (I know you know the feeling)!  But the headaches have been better so that's been a plus (thanks for asking and for the "feel better" wishes)!

So what's been on my list?  Playing with super cute new stuff I can't tell ya' about yet (but am certain will make ya' squeel with delight when you see it), prepping for my classes out at One Little Spark in New Jersey at the end of the month, laundry and packing for Seattle on Friday, and then on to CHA. 

In the meantime, I wanted to share a cute little Easter treat with ya'!  You can find a template to make a box similiar to this one here! 

share your spark fridays ...

Whoo hoo!  It's Friday!  Which means it's time for another installment of share your spark fridays!

You guys seriously need to check out this list!  A couple of gals sharing their spark for the first time, tons of great inspiration, and at least one idea that made me smack my head at it's cleverness (you gotta' check out Sheila's brilliant, money-saving idea for bling - I never woulda' thought)!  Thanks SO much for playing along this week, ladies!

Glenda
Deb
Cheiron
Cris
Pat
SmilynStef
Laura
Lexi
Corina
Tinla
Jill
Amy
Sheila 
Laura

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This week's spark is something that's a fixture in my card-creating arsenal, using a basic tool I reach for again and again: my tiny, sharp detail scissors.  So get out your scissors!  This week's spark is to ...

Create something using an image or sentiment you've cut out!

It could be the focal image, a sentiment - whatever you can dream up!  Let's get those creative juices flowing!  Here's what I made ...

 
I cut out the doll and the sentiment and popped them up ever-so-slightly to add a bit of depth over the background tree.

 
When I cut out images, I don't get too crazy about perfection.  I think, if you do, you'll just drive yourself batty.  I generally leave a little border around the edges and just go for it! 

I use a small pair of Cutter Bee scissors with pointy tips, but any small pair of scissors you have will work - although I do find the pointy tips really handy for getting into corners.  (Or large scissors if what you want to cut is bigger!)

Now it's your turn!  I'm looking forward to seeing all the creative ways you use cut-outs on your cards!  And don't forget to share your spark by leaving a link to your creations in a comment on this post!

 

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stamps used ...
doll from hero arts "three japanese dolls" (wood mounted set)
hero arts slanted tree
sentiment and frame from hero arts "mix and match elements" clear set

paper used ...
a*muse 8.5 x 11 madeira brown cardstock
a*muse 8.5 x 11 classic white cardstock

ink used ...
memento rich cocoa
a*muse black dye ink pad

embellishment used ...
hero arts small blossom sparkle gems

one of those weeks ...

I've been a bit absent this week.  I've had migraines for years, thankfully not too often, but they decided to kick in this week and I've been up and down fighting them all week.

I'll see ya' for Friday's spark!

share your spark fridays ...

Happy Friday, everyone!  And welcome to another week of share your spark fridays!

It's really fun to be back at the sparks and it was SO fun seeing all your cool folded cards last week - some ideas I'd never even seen before!  So cool!  A BIG thank you to everyone who shared their spark!

Jill
Michelle
Glenda
Pat
Lee Anne
Cheiron
Sheila 
Elena
Laura
Debbie (via Emily's blog)

Be sure to check 'em out - LOTS of inspiration in that list!

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Hello, my name is Heather, and I'm addicted to Twinkle Stickers.  *lol*  It's true.  I love 'em so!   I go through phases where I can't use 'em enough.  But it's been a while since I REALLY whipped 'em out and used more than one or two at a time.  And that brings me to this week's spark ...

Show me what you can do with bling!

There's a lot more to use bling for if we put our mind's too it!  Here's what I did ...

 

I stamped Hailey's Solid Heart in really soft, pale pink ink ("stamping off" once) and outlined it in different shapes and sizes of pink gems: hearts and large and small circles.

  

I know, I know.  It's a lot of gems to use all at once.  This was nearly a whole line of pale pink in my A Muse pack of micro dot Twinkles, and yeah, I cringe at the thought of using up my stash sometimes too, but I'm tellin' ya' - it's so worth it!  This card is laying on my desk sparkling away at me!  (And that's what we have it for, right?  To use!)  So ... get started on that resolution I know some of you made to use your stash!  *lol*

Now it's your turn!  I can't wait to see what you guys do this week!  Use any kind of gem or bling you like!  It doesn't have to be exactly what I used - whatever you have!  And don't forget to share your spark by leaving a link to your creations in a comment on this post!

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a*muse stamps used ...
hailey's solid heart
i love you more than (i only stamped the "i love you" bit)

paper used ...
a*muse 4-bar notecard in bark
a*muse 4-bar notecard in chiffon pink
a*muse white cardstock

ink used ...
stampin' up pretty in pink classic ink
memento rich cocoa

embellishments used ...
a*muse micro dot twinkle stickers
a*muse mini dot twinkle stickers
a*muse hearts II twinkle stickers
a*muse pink tutu sheer ribbon

a little hint ...

Today's spark will have something to do with bling ... 

Put those thinkin' caps on and I'll be back soon with the spark!

lots of new a*muse goodness ...

 

A Muse's new Valentine's Day release has had it's offical online launch!  And with it came some fun new goodies: a new Design Studio filled with inspiration AND a new forum! 

All just for you!   You can check it all out at the A Muse Website! 

 

another sneak peek ...

 

By the time January rolls around I'm ready to paint everything pink and red and hang hearts from the ceilings!  It's not that I overly love Valentine's Day, I really just like pink and like the excuse to use it in excess.  *grin*  So you know these sneaks have been a lot of fun for me!  *wink* 

A Muse's new Valentine Release is just too cute, don't you want them all?!  And, you know, there's at least one or two images I haven't seen sneaked yet!   Wonder if I'll see 'em when I make my blog rounds today!?  *smile* 

I wanted to mimic the gumballs in circles all over the card: polka dots on the background, circle layers, and the little pink button.  Nestabilities made quick work of my layers.  (Yay - I'm using my tools!)  Add in a bit of coloring and it was done!  I used Copics: R29 (my favorite red) and RV21 for the gumballs.  One last touch was a Heart-shaped Twinkle Sticker!

Even though we're winding down the sneaks leading up to their online release, make sure to stay tuned!  Lots of fun things still to come!  *wink*

you're the cherry on top ...

It's always tough pickin' a favorite stamp from each new A Muse release, but this time it's a toss up for me between the milkshake here and the gumball machine!  I mean, come on, how fun are these?   

And ya' know ... you don't have to wait until the 7th when they're released online to get your hands on 'em - if you're lucky enough to have an LSS nearby that carries A Muse, check 'em out, they're probably already on their shelves! 

What are your favorites so far?!

 

PS - Have been meaning to mention that I'm having a go at one of those 365 photo projects.  You know ... you take at least one photo a day for the year?  I think it's a great way to get to know your camera, get used to keeping it with you, and used to, well, using it!  Michelle is playing along and a couple of other friends!  Should be fun!  If you want to check out what I've posted so far this year, you can do that here: http://onelittlespark.typepad.com/365  (And if you're doing one too - let me know!)

i love you to the core ...

 

Sneak peek time is so much fun!  And you can't get much easier than a few scraps, cut to fit for a snazzy little background!  (I made the pink scallop one using the Marvy cutter I mentioned to you guys the other day - so glad the Muses prompted me to pull it out!)

The new A Muse stamps are available at your local shops or on the A Muse website come 7 January!

Have a great weekend!