A Muse Charity Calendar Project

Hi all!  Are you ready to make a difference?  :)  That is what I am hoping to accomplish with today's post!  A Muse is offering it's 3rd annual charity calendar NOW!  You might remember that last year, 100% of the  proceeds from the calendar went to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  Wonderful stampers (YOU) were responsible for donating about $5,500 toward the cause.  That was four times the amount donated the previous year and I hope that number multiplies once again. 

My charity is done in small doses, as that is all my small wallet can handle.  LOL  My charity usually comes in the form of good deeds or small donations, so when the opportunity to help promote the new charity calendar presented itself, I knew it was something I needed to do! 

There are 4 formats of the A Muse calendar available (A1, A2, square and full size).  Each calendar contains 16 months (Sept 09-Dec 10) and a perpetual calendar which is great for keeping track of birthdays and anniversaries!  There are 3 donation levels and $4 is the minimum donation per calendar format.  They are all download-able products.  Just save them to your computer and print them out unlimited times.  Not only is this a useful product, but 100% of the proceeds benefit a charity.

This year, the proceeds from the sale of the A Muse 2010 Calendar will go to Water 1st. Water 1st’s mission is to serve families in the poorest communities in the world as they implement community-managed projects that integrate water supply, sanitation, and health education.

We are so lucky to have clean drinking water by simply turning on the tap in our kitchen. In areas where there is no clean drinking water, the job of getting water is typically left up to the women and girls in the community. This means that girls cannot go to school, and women cannot work. When a well is installed it instantly and dramatically CHANGES lives. Water 1st community-based program has been very successful and all of the wells they have helped to install are still in operation today. Please visit www.water1st.org to learn more about this organization.

In addition to donating funds, A Muse will send an employee over to Ethiopia to work on a water project in 2010. This will give us a first-hand look at how the funds we raise will be used.

Ready to donate and make a difference?

I want to donate and receive the A2 format, 16 month calendar and perpetual calendar!

I want to donate and receive the square format, 16 month calendar and perpetual calendar!

I want to donate and receive the 4 Bar (A1) format, 16 month calendar and perpetual calendar!

I want to donate and receive the full size format, 16 month calendar and perpetual calendar!

I happened upon something that strongly inspired my creation.  Have you been to Bath & Body Works lately?  Have you seen the new, limited edition scent, Butterfly Flowers?  YUM YUM!  I actually walked in the store planning to use my "free thing with no purchase" coupon and got sucked in to buying the new line.  It is seriously SO yummy smelling!  Not only that, but the bottle and packaging are beautiful too!  When I removed my perfume from the box, I proclaimed to my hubby that I was going to use it as an inspiration piece for a stamped creation.  Want to see it?

Isn't it SO pretty?  I invite YOU to use it as your inspiration for something stamped!  :)  If you do, link back here and post your creation so I can see it. :)  

For my project, I used the A2 calendar format.  I printed out the calendar in black & white (instead of having the month names in color) on white card stock.  Then, I cut the 4 sheets of card stock into quarters (cut at 5 1/2 and 4 1/4).  On each of the 16 panels, I stamped a butterfly in Versamark ink and embossed with clear embossing powder.  I sponged Tangerine ink all over the panel.  I wanted to mimic the look of the raised white butterflies on the rich orange packaging of the perfume.   

 

I used an EK punch to decorate the bottom edge of each panel, which was then matted on a piece of black card stock.  I stitched each panel on 3 sides and added some decorative brads, crystals and ribbon.
 

 

I started with a 12 X 12 piece of heavy-weight chipboard for the background.  I covered it with a piece of Whisper White card stock.  I added a 1/2" black border around the edge using card stock.  I made a 9 1/2" quilted layer using Basic Grey patterned paper.  That layer is popped up using red line dimensional dots.  The calendar is held in place by 2 clips, which are secured to the quilted layer using brads.  The calendar panel can be switched out each month and would even work for future years or other uses!

I added a few small details, such as silver brads and Swarovski crystals to give it a little bit of oomph!  :)

I hope my calendar inspires you to make one of your own!  I plan to work with the other formats as well and will be posting those as I complete them!  I can't wait to get a full-sized one done to keep in front of me on my computer desk.  I am currently using an ugly one and this desk needs some FLAIR!  :)

Stamps: Art Institute Glitter Butterfly Stamp

Ink: Tangerine Tango, Versamark

Paper: Whisper White, black, Basic Grey Ambrosia, PTI white

Accessories: Swarovski crystals, silver brads, SU silver brads, silver clips, A Muse black stitched ribbon, red line dimensional dots, Janome sew mini, clear EP, 12 X 12 heavy-weight chipboard

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Need some more calendar inspiration?   Check out my calendar creations from last year's charity event!

 

Wildflower Calendar (this one uses the same paper/color scheme I used today) :)

Clearly Unforgettable!

Acrylic Frame Calendar

Halloween Countdown Calendar

My THANK YOU Book!

Too Kind

Card details:

• Colored with Copic markers
• Glitter added to barrette, heart and shoes using Quickie Glue Pen
• Apple "shined" using Sakura clear glaze pen
• Trim from Webster's Pages (a gift from my sweet friend, Michele)
• Sketch from some-one's blog (sorry I don't remember who... ???)

Aren't these images the SWEETEST!?

Stamps: digi stamp

Ink: PTI black

Paper: Basic Grey Lemonade, black, pink, white

Accessories: Trim, pink brads, Janome sew mini, red line dimensionals, Copic markers, Sakura clear glaze pen, Quickie glue pen, clear glitter

Cosmo Tree

Stamps: Grow Love

Ink: Memento black

Paper: cream, black, Cosmo Cricket Early Bird 6 X 6 mini deck

Accessories: red polka dot ribbon, red brads, Janome sew mini, red line dimensionals

Roboto...

Hi all!  I have two creations to share with you today!  They both use this month's MFT Kit: Mr. Roboto.  Every time I use this kit, I sing a song that I do NOT know the words to.  LOL  It goes a little something like this: duh duh duh duh duh duh Mr. Roboto, duh duh duh, duh duh duh.  That is what I literally sing.  I am SURE if I googled it... oh, let me do that RIGHT NOW!  Lyrics will be posted at the end of this entry!  :)

This project was made with my 15 year old son in mind.  As those of you with teens know, as kids get older, they get more mobile... and as they get more mobile... parents get to worry more.  I am a self confessed super-worrier!  This notebook is going to give me *some* peace of mind!  :)  Inside, I am having my son write down the following information for any friend he socializes with:

• 
  
  Name:
• 
  
  Address:
• 
  
  Cell Number: (you know, just about ALL kids have cell phones at that age)
• 
  
  Home Phone Number:
• 
  
  Parent Name:
• 
  
  Parent Cell:
• 
  
  Parent Name: (for kids who spend time at 2 houses)
• 
  
  Parent Cell:
• 
  
  Notes: (directions to house, activities, etc)

My theory is: you can never be too cautious and I want/need this info so that if for any reason I need to get a hold of him or find him, I know where to look.  Granted, I always know where he is and who he is with... but this is just an extra piece of "peace of mind".  :)  I plan to create one for each of my girls as well.  It's handy to have parent contact info for parties, play dates and social events also, so this is dual purpose. :)

back cover

To create this, I used the jumbo tag die cuts in heavy weight kraft available HERE.  The pages are the matching jumbo tag die cuts in white.  I included 20 pages, which should be plenty of space for at least 40 friend's info (aka Digits). 

Stamps: Mr. Roboto MFT Kit

Ink: Memento black

Paper: black, white, Mr. Roboto digital paper pack

Accessories: Jumbo chipboard tags, jumbo card stock tags, brads, teeny tiny brads, poly-twill ribbon, black chipboard letter stickers (Heidi Swapp), Bind-it-all, 5/8" Binding wire, red line dimensionals, Copic markers

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Stamps: Mr. Roboto MFT Kit

Ink: Memento black

Paper: Going Grey, black, white, Mr. Roboto digi paper pack

Accessories: brads, poly-twill ribbon, red line dimensionals, circle punches/nesties, paper piercer, Copic markers, Spica glitter pen, Sakura clear glaze pen, Janome sew mini

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Mr. Roboto Lyrics

Artist(Band):Styx
 
(Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto)


Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto

Mata ahoo Hima de

Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto

Himitsu wo Shiri tai



You're wondering who I am

(Secret secret, I've got a secret)



Machine or mannequin

(Secret secret, I've got a secret)



With parts made in Japan

(Secret secret, I've got a secret)



I am the Modren Man



I've got a secret

I've been hiding

Under my skin



My heart is human

My blood is boiling

My brain IBM



So if you see me

Acting strangely

Don't be surprised



I'm just a man who

Needed someone

And somewhere to hide

To keep me alive

Just keep me alive



Somewhere to hide

To keep me alive



I'm not a robot

Without emotions

I'm not what you see



I've come to help you

With your problems

So we can be free



I'm not a Hero

I'm not a Savior

Forget what you know



I'm just a man who's

Circumstances went beyond his control

Beyond my control,

We all need control



I need control

We all need control



I am the Modren Man

(Secret secret, I've got a secret)



Who hides behind a mask

(Secret secret, I've got a secret)



So no one else can see

(Secret secret, I've got a secret)



My true identity



Domo arigato, Mr, Roboto

Domo (Domo), Domo (Domo)

Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto

Domo (Domo), Domo (Domo)

Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto

Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto

Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto

Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto

(Thank you very much oh Mr. Roboto

For doing the jobs that nobody wants to)

Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto

(And thank you very much oh Mr. Roboto

For helping me escape just when I needed to)

Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto

(Thank you, thank you, thank you)

Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto

(I wanna thank you)

Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto

(Please thank you)



Oh! Oh-ah-oh!



The problem's plain to see

Too much technology

Machines to save our lives

Machines de-humanize



The time has come at last

(Secret secret, I've got a secret)



To throw away this mask

(Secret secret, I've got a secret)



Now everyone can see

(Secret secret, I've got a secret)



My true identity...



I'm Kilroy! Kilroy! Kilroy! Kilroy...

Love Machine

I am just LOVING this month's MFT Kit!  It is SO much fun to create with!  :)

I used a Sizzix die that I have to create a chipboard mini book using the digital papers, image and all the sentiment in the stamp set!

In the picture above, the pages are fanned out, so you can see some of the other elements of the book peeking out.  Here is a close up of the sentiment that I surrounded with Swarovski crystals.

This stamp set is great for making cards for men and boys... but this project was made for ADULTS ONLY.  That was your warning... LOL  If young children are sitting on your lap, please don't let them see the last photo on this blog post.  :)  It's a bit *naughty*!  *wink*

Here is page 2:

I just LOVE that sentiment!  :) 

Page 3:

Page 4:

Naughty Alert: not for young eyes

*giggle*

When I was finished making this, I showed it to my husband (I SHOULD have waited until I was going to give it to him, but I couldn't stand it... LOL).  He had a good chuckle after seeing the last page.  I think when stamping entertains men... you've done well!  LOL

Stamps: Mr. Roboto MFT Kit

Ink: Memento black

Paper: Mr. Roboto digi paper pack, white, black

Accessories: black heavyweight chipboard, Swarovski crystals, silver brads, polytwill ribbon, oval punch, binder ring, red line dimensionals

Halloween Cards in pink, black & white...

I am straying from orange, black, green and purple this year I guess.  Each time I have sat down to create something for Halloween, I have ended up using non-traditional colors, so I am rolling with it... LOL 

This first card was created using the new Party Girl stamp set.  She is SO sassy!  I "dressed" her in signature MFT colors and added some glitzy glitter to her gloves and "bloomers".  Her boots were colored with a black Spica glitter pen.

Stamps: Party Girl

Ink: Memento black

Paper: SU patterned paper, white, black, pink

Accessories: SU brads, brads, Janome sew mini, nesties, SU ribbon, glitter, quickie glue pen, Prismacolor pencils, Copic markers (skin tones E00, E02), black Spica glitter pen, Sakura clear glaze pen, red line dimensionals

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This card was inspired by Barbara, who created an elaborate coffin box using this stamp set.  I decided to created a simple card with the focus on the black coffin.  I used my paper trimmer to trim the coffin and eyeballed where the cuts would be.  Once I had one side cut, I took the part I trimmed off and used it as a guide to cut the other side so my coffin would be symmetrical.  The coffin is paper pierced all the way around.  I stamped the sentiment, framed it with a scalloped oval Nestabilities piece and then added some crystals.  I finished it off with some Prima flowers.  I decided to keep it clean and simple, because I wanted the attention on the coffin and cute sentiment.

Stamps: Ghoulish Label Set

Ink: Memento black

Paper: white, black, pink

Accessories: Prima flowers, SU brads, silver brads, Swarovski crystals, red line dimensionals

Spooktacular Fun!

This is a pre-fab treat box by Martha Stewart.  I purchased a package of them at Michael's about a year ago and finally decided to use them.  :)  I used Too Cute to Spook to create a little scene around the window.

The sentiment was stamped directly on the bag and then I added some AMuse twinkle stickers to jazz it up a bit.  The tiny yellow bow and threaded button pulled it all together. 

The treat box is filled with gum balls purchased at Walmart.

Stamps: Too Cute to Spook

Ink: Memento black

Paper: white

Accessories: AMuse twinkle stickers, polka dot ribbon, black button, twine, Prismacolor pencils, pre-fab treat box, gum balls

Trio of Halloween Treats

Hi, everyone!  I am back with a trio of simple treats for Halloween!

First up, I have a tin filled with some frightfully fun grub!  :)  The label was made using the Ghoulish Label Set from MFT!  I stamped in black and embossed with clear embossing powder.  The sentiment was constructed using words that come in the set.  I added the label to a larger piece of card stock/patterned paper and used the whole thing to construct a band that slides on the tin.  The tin was covered at the bottom with a thin strip of patterned paper and some red line adhesive.

Want a peek inside the tin at the frightfully fun grub?  Are you sure???

Want an even CLOSER look?  :)

 

That is a gummy RAT that I found at Hastings.  It smells HORRIBLE!  LOL  I am fairly sure it is black licorice flavor.  YUCK!  LOL  I am sure SOMEONE likes black licorice, but I am SO not on that list!  LOL  Even looking at it up close, it looks *kinda* realistic.  I am pretty sure this would be a good prank in the making.  LOL

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Up next I have a mini candy jar filled with skulls and bones.  Sounds delightful, right?  :)  The candy was purchased at Walmart.  Look for it in a beaker looking type of container in the Halloween candy aisle for $3. 

I have gotten TONS of questions about where to get these mini candy jars.  I bought mine at Michael's craft store in the wedding section well over a year ago.  I have looked since and they are no longer sold there.  If you google "mini candy jars", you will find on-line sources for them, but I couldn't find them for less than $.75-$1.00 each.   I stamped one of the tombstones from the Ghoulish Label Set on white card stock and colored it with Copic markers, then punched it out and adhered it to the lid using a sticky dot.  I added a simple bow around the lid.  These are SO tiny, that you can't do much to them.  That is a PLUS for mass producing!  :)

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This treat was made using an old Prima bottle.  It came from a "flower of the month" set.  The lid was brown, but it was throwing off the color combo, so I colored it with my black Copic marker... which made it extremely sticky (WEIRD), so I dipped it in clear embossing powder... which made it lumpy, so I dipped it in clear embossing powder again... and again... and again... until I had a *mostly* even coat.  UGH!  WHY oh WHY did I "need" it black.  LOL  While it doesn't look perfect, I think it lends itself to a bubbly cauldron look.  I mean, if something is labeled R.I.P., I think it can be a little marred don't you think?  LOL

I covered the bottle with patterned paper and added a skull and cross bones from The Poppies stamp set.  A tiny R.I.P. tag was stamped and added from the Ghoulish Label Set.  I used some AMuse twinkle stickers for he RIP tag and bottom of the jar just to add some girly flair to my creation.  A pink bow tied at the top finished it off.  I filled it with the remainder of my skull and bones candy from Walmart.

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Are you preparing for Halloween yet?  What treats will you be making?  Any big plans?  I'd love to hear them. :)

Have a GREAT day and see you back tomorrow for another Halloweeny *sweet* treat!  :)

Creepy Crawlies treat WITH tutorial

Hi all!  Today, I have a Halloween treat to share with you!  :)  I am busily preparing for Halloween by making treats for teachers and friends. 

For this project, I used 2 different stamp sets: Too Cute to Spook and Ghoulish Label Set.  I played off the sentiment from the label set: Creepy Crawlies and added another sentiment found in the set, GRUB.  Of course I thought of gummy worms!  :) 

Here is a peek at the top:

I took step-by-step pictures as I was making this treat so I could share my idea with you!

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Materials needed:

Perfect Packaging Jar

Perfect Paper Panel

Bag of gummy worms

Polka dot ribbon

acetate

scissors

card stock

OK, let's get started!

Grab some brown card stock and a pair of scissors!  Let's make some DIRT!  :)  Cut thin strips of card stock with your scissors (your could use a trimmer, but it was easier for me to just cut it).  When you have a little pile of strips, grab them and roll them around in your hand to "distress them" a little and then throw them in your jar.  Repeat this set until you have enough "dirt" in your jar.

Now, you'll need a piece of acetate.  Typically I am a measure and be exact type of girl, but that just doesn't work for this project!  LOL  Cut a rounded square shape out of acetate and see if it fits in your jar.  Keep cutting it down until it will lay flat and mostly cover your "dirt".  See my piece of acetate sitting on the rim?   I continued cutting until it fit correctly.

Here is my acetate sitting on top of my dirt.  I used this as a barrier between my dirt and creepy crawlies.

Time to grab your creepy crawlies!  I am sure there is a great variety of Halloween candy that would fit the bill for this project (if you live in a bigger town than I do where there are REAL stores to shop at).  I settled for some gummy worms from Walmart (THE place to shop in Alamogordo, NM).  They are CHEAP and yummy, so this makes for an inexpensive gift. :)

Lay your creepy crawlies on top of the acetate in your jar.  When you are doing that, make sure to remove a handful of your favorite color... those will be your snack as you finish decorating the jar!  LOL  Note my stash of red/orange gummy worms semi-hidden behind my jar.  LOL 

Now, just decorate your jar!  :)  I added a band of yellow, polka dot ribbon to jazz it up a bit.  It conceals my "line" between the dirt and worms a bit, but it is really not necessary.  I hung a little tag from my ribbon for fun. :)  The top is stamped and labeled.  I stitched around the circle with my Janome.  My tip for doing this is to use the turning, crank wheel thingy on the side of the machine ONLY.  The minute you press on the pedal, you will likely sew out of place and that would be bad.  As ridiculous as this sounds, my hand was ACHING after I sewed around the circle using the wheel thingy.  OUCH!  LOL  Well worth it, though... :) 

I hope this inspired you to make some creepy crawly gifts.  If you replicate this gift, please link back to my post so I can check out your creation!  :) 

Happy Halloweeny!

Stamps: Ghoulish Label Set, Too Cute to Spook

Ink: Chocolate, yoyo yellow, summer sun, tangerine, black

Paper: Perfect Paper Panels in white, black, chocolate

Accessories: janome sew mini, oval punches, sponge, air art tool, red line dimensionals, circle mask, yellow polka dot ribbon, black twine, silver jumbo ribbon brad (Paper Studio), Perfect Packaging Jar, circle punches, Curvy Cutter circle cutting tool with glass mat

Mr. Roboto

Hi all!  It's MFT Kit time!  Today, the brand new September edition of the MFT Kit is released!  YAY!  I must admit that I LOVE this kit.  I am enjoying creating with it and have made some NON-pink things!  *shocker*  Dare I say... MASCULINE... yes... masculine(ish) things.  :)

  

Up first, we have Mr. Love Machine! 

Just add color: YR16, W0, W1, W2, W3

design details:

• Color the robot with YR16 first, then go over the edges with W2/W3.  Then, dab with YR16 along the "line" between the two colors to blend them together slightly.  This will create a "rusty" look on your robot.
• Teeny tiny brads were used on the robots "bolts" (LOVE those tiny things)
• I drew in the "sidewalk" with a fine tipped black marker and ruler. 

 

Here is the next card I made with the kit:

Isn't that sentiment the CUTEST!?!?!?

Just add color: YR16, W00, W1, W2, W3, W4

I used the digi papers to cover the tri-fold card flaps and the back part of the card.  This renders the "inside/center" of the card useless, BUT it looks so cute and I can write a message on the inside of the flaps in white gel pen, so I am ok with that. :)  Isn't the code paper so cute? 

I have one more card to share with you today! 

Just add color: YR16, W1, W2, W3

Want some more details about the MFT Kit for September? 

MFT Kit: September edition Mr. Roboto $25

• Love Machine mini stamp set
• Mr. Roboto digi paper pack (5 printable patterns)
• 6, A2 gate-fold cards with tag flaps
• 100 brads in an adornments case (25 teeny tiny silver, 25 teeny tiny pewter, 25 mini silver, 25 mini pewter)
• 6 yards of coordinating poly-twill ribbon (3 yards 3/8”, 3 yards 7/8”)
• 12 Perfect Paper Panels
• A special, exclusive offer toward a future purchase
• Download-able project sheet

This kit is an amazing deal at only $25  It will provide lots of stamping fun!  I have a couple more "stepped up" samples to show you later this week, but the cards above use PRIMARILY only the kit contents.  I threw in a few scraps of card stock and embellishments, but not much. :)

Want to see the kit up close and personal? 

stamp set

digi paper pack

kit "consumables"

Ready to get your kit?  HERE it is!  :)