ONE BY ONE

Monday, March 10, 2008

I'm back

The other day I found myself thinking about A-muse-a-palooza and the fact that I had not looked at my blog since the 2007 competition had finished. OK, I had created the blog just because it was for me the easiest way to post my pictures U - but maybe it's time a peek at this blog and update it a little bit.
So, I was saying, July of last year. Well, August was spent in Italy visiting with my family. We did the usual we do when we go there in summer time: hang out at the beach (although not as much as it wasn't a super warm summer), spend time with family and friends, eat, eat, did I say eat?
And then it was back home and back to school. Same old stuff. Christmas rolled around really quickly and now we are all READY for springs. I love Seattle, but trust me, when March arrives we are ready for some serious sun here. At least I am:)
Stamping wise so much has happened. I wouldn't even know where to start. Some highlights are: A Muse is still my favorite brand, those girls rock! I took more classes (I always do, I like to learn new things), I picked-up an interest in altered art, and last but not least I am loving making books, journals and such (took a great class on the subject at Monkey Love Rubber Stamps offered by Diane). I went through a brief Bind-it-All phase, but soon realized that I almost prefer to bind my books with rings and ribbons. As always, I seem to naturally prefer to keep my creations light on the hardware. In spite of that I love my Bind-it-all and I know I'll use it a lot.
Talking about tools, I did finally buy a Cricut. I love it. I immediately put it to use for my Martina's school (I keep their bulletin board up-to-date with my friend Melissa). I have not really spent much time playing with it, but I will!
Anyway, the short story is: more tools have been added, more stamps purchased, more projects finished and new things are happening. But more on this next time .... Francesca's face is dripping with watermelon juice ... you know, priorities ...!!

Sunday, July 15, 2007

And this is what I am going to make for myself now ...

and celebrate the end of Amuseapalooza: this card is symbolic ... and it's stamped in black of course!!! Cheers my friends :)

Last Challenge: revisiting "Black ink only" - Card #6

This is another new image stamped in black. This cards is for all the moms out there!

Last Challenge: revisiting "Black ink only" - Card #5

Well, forgive me, these are not A Muse stamps but I just recently got them and wanted to thry them out. I really liked the result so I decided to include this card.

Last Challenge: revisiting "Black ink only" - Card #4

This apron stamp is also new. It was nice to use it. I also have another card idea for it ...

Last Challenge: revisiting "Black ink only" - Card #3

This card is a combo of the last challenge and the new card challenge ... I used the Holiday Party stamp for the first time and stamped everything in black.

Last Challenge: revisiting "Black ink only" - Card #2

I just got this lavender stamp. I find it very peaceful.

Last Challenge: revisiting "Black ink only" - Card #1

I decided, for this last challenge, to go back to the Black Ink Only that we did as part of the first week of Amuseapalooza. Sine then my favorite black ink has changed ... so I am trying it out!

New stamps challenge - card #13

And here's my new sled. The sanwflakes are also brand new ... but not A Muse ... shhh!

New stamps challenge - card #12

This card was Martina's idea. I was telling her that I have had this sentiment for a long time (well over a year for sure) and never used it, and now it was time! She said I should match it with the singing children, and made-up a very elaborate story about it. I followed her idea and added the branches, which is also a new stamp that I had not used yet!

New stamps challenge - card #11

I have had this Peace A muse stamp for several months. It caught my eye one day while I was in the store and I bought it ... but never had any ideas for a card to make with it. Well, I love this card. I think the word is strong and does not need a lot of embellishment, it needs to be the center of attention.

New stamps challenge - card #10

And here's my new Easter Bunny!

New Stamps Challenge - Card # 9

Ok, now I feel almost bad. I have pulled out so many NEW stamps for this challenge ... I am actually kind of glad I had an excuse to start using them. I made several cards and still have some stamps left that I have not even touched yet. Well, their turn will come too, just not today!!

Event Reporting - Stamping at Monkey Love, the cards

As promised, I am posting a photo of the cards we made at Monkey Love during Friday's make and take event. They are both super cute!

P.S. These cards are NOT my design, they belong to the A Muse team.

This is it!

Well, I am about to post some new cards that I made this afternoon ... and then I am bidding farewell to the wonderful amuseapalooza event. I had fun, I enjoyed looking at other stamper's creations and trying some new things. I am looking forward to seeing what the A Muse crew will organize next year and, in the meantime, I will keep supporting their business and creativity!
Cheers, Antonella

Saturday, July 14, 2007

WEEK 11 - Keep it simple, card # 6

In this card I like the combination of the real leaves embedded in the paper and the stamped leaf.

WEEK 11 - Keep it simple, another card

This is a small transgression on my part, as there are no A Muse stamps in this card. BUT, I have been very good during the competition, sticking to the rules, and I figured I will be forgiven for this.

I made this card with a friend in mind - she is going through a very rough personal situation and has been in my thoughts a lot. This card is for her, because sometimes all we can do is to gather all the courage we have and move forward.