It's Spotlight Time! ~ July Spotlight

With the summer Olympic Games just around the corner, what could be better than great deals on these fun stamps?!? I am loving this color palette and can't wait for my order to come. I also ordered some gold and silver embossing powder. I can't wait to heat emboss the crown from that Keep Calm set!

You can order all of these stamps and more HERE at my a•muse|studio web store.

Hope your 4th of July is fabulous!

Devon

June Copic Club

I LOVE my Copic markers! They make me feel like a real artist and I just love the effects you can achieve that make your cards look so professional. I have a group of other Copic lovers that meets once a month. Yes, we get together to color. Grow-up, professional women, sitting around coloring. It's heaven! Here is our card for this month's get together:

All a•muse|studio products:

Stamps: Under the Big Top

Paper: Sugar, Cobalt, Cherry

Twine: Cherry

Pearls: Black and Cherry

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Pens: Copic Markers Y13, Y15, Y17, B24, B26, B29,

R24, R27, R29, W1, W3, W5, BG10, E00, E31, 0, and 

Signo Uniball White

All of the supplies to make this card, as so much more, can be found HERE at my online a•muse|studio store.

Have a great Saturday and happy stamping!

Devon

June Spotlight and a Ribbon Sale!!

Oh my gosh! I love the amazing ideas that the genius designers at A•Muse came up with for our June Spotlight Sale! A very patriotic theme to help you get ready for 4th of July! Check this out:

Perfect color palette for July, right?

And for those of you who are totally addicted to ribbon (ME!) a special 20% off sale

 on all A•Muse Satin Ribbon!

If you could see me right now, you'd see the totally goofy grin on my face 

while I'm jumping up and down!

The Spotlight Sale and the ribbon special will run through June 30th at 11:59 p.m. PST, so don't delay! You can get to my web store by clicking HERE. Remember, if your order is going to go over $150, email me and I will enter it for you in order for you to receive hostess benefits! 

Now go make a card! :o)

Devon

FLT192 ~ With Sympathy

Clean & Simple Stamping sketch 192 looked like a perfect sketch to do with a sympathy card. I think sympathy cards should be very simple. I had one last pre-stamped Marvelous Marigolds sitting on my desk from our last Copic club meeting and I knew it would be perfect for this sketch.

Stamps: a•muse Marvelous Marigolds and Essential Sentiments

Paper: a•muse Sugar and Onyx

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Other: Copic markers Y13, Y15, Y17 and 

Ranger's Liquid Pearls in Lemon Yellow

Clean, simple, and elegant... everything a sympathy card should be. I think it's good to keep a few of these in your stash for when you need them. It's hard to actually make the card at the time, so having one on hand is good.

Off to hike in the sunshine! Happy Stamping!

Devon

THREE in one day!!!

My mom has always said that I never do anything half way! I guess these challenge blogs are a really great way to get the mojo flowin'! The a•muse|studio consultants have a great challenge blog going, but I've never contributed. The current challenge is called "Let's Get Sentimental!" and they want the sentiment to be the focal point on the card. I immediately knew which sentiment set I wanted to use! Big Celebrations is becoming one of my favorites for birthday cards. Embossed in white, these stamps make a big statement!

All a•muse|studio products used!

Stamp Set: Big Celebrations

Paper: Grapefruit (quickly becoming my favorite pink)

Ink: VersaMark

Embellishments: white embossing powder, Bermuda ribbon, 

Not Your Grandma's Buttons in Bubblegum, Onyx twine, white Signo pen,

white Flax flower from Meadow Mix

I was watching a video on another consultant's blog today (The Kitchen Table Stamper) and her ribbon treatment inspired me for the rest of the card. I hope you like it. I'm off to do something in this house that does not involve paper or stamps. I have been neglecting many things today, but it was fun!

Go get inky and happy y'all!

Devon

Another Masculine Card with Designer Paper ~ CFC54

Two cards on my blog in ONE DAY!!! I was cleaning up after the last card and noticed the set Swingin' Day, which I haven't played with in a a long time. I have always used this set with solid papers only, but I thought our Grass Gingham might be cute. I usually reserve gingham for baby cards, so I had to move outside of the box for this one. But I LOVE the way it turned out! So much better than my last card!

All a•muse products used except embossing folder.

Stamp Set: Swingin' Day

Paper: Sugar, Grass, Grass Gingham

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Other: Cuttlebug embossing folder - Swiss Dots, 

Copic markers C3 and Y17, Pebbles Pearlescent Chalks

I pulled out my Copic Air Can to do a little airbrushing on the white cardstock so the golf ball would pop a little, but I couldn't find my sprayer. (Gonna have to grill the boys and see if they've been playing with mommy's toys!) Instead, I got out my chalks to blue up the sky a bit. It's got a slight shimmer to it, which isn't exactly masculine, but I know my man can handle it! ;o) I very lightly filled in the dots on the golf ball with C3 copic marker and popped it up on a dimensional. My 10 year old said, "Oooh! It looks like it's flying off the card!" You've got to love it when kids get your cards!

A Masculine Card with Designer Paper ~ CFC54

I am going to make cards this summer... A LOT of cards! I feel like I really abandoned my passion during the school year and I got myself so thrown out of balance. I need to get inky and cut up paper and do it just for fun! To help myself get the mojo flowin', I'll be checking out as many challenge blogs as possible. Here is a card I did after checking out CAS-ual Fridays most recent post. Great place to get clean and simple ideas and inspiration!

All a•muse|studio products used except for the punch:

Paper: French Roast Woodgrain, Sugar, Buttercup

Stamps: Family Icons and Brief Notes

Ink: a•muse pigment ink in Blueberry, Cherry, and Memento Rich Cocoa

Tools: EK Success binder edge punch

This week's challenge is to do a clean and simple, masculine card using design paper. When I think masculine, I think of a•muse's woodgrain paper. Men woodworking, chopping wood, out in the woods... so masculine to me! And I had not yet inked our Family Icons set, so it was time to bust it out!  The sentiment comes from Brief Notes and makes this card more versatile. I can see using this is as a father's day card, thank you, card, or just something fun to slip into my husband's drawer for him to find at some random time. 

Don't forget ~ we've got two days left in May, which means you have two more days to get ahold of our AMAZING pigment ink at 20% off! I ordered every single color that I didn't already own. Can't wait for my package to come in the mail! If you want to take advantage of this great deal, hop on over to my web store before May 31st at 11:59 pm pst! Webstore link: HERE

Have a great day and go get inky!

Devon

A Memorial Day Special!

A•Muse is having a special gift with purchase this weekend only! Purchase $50 in product and receive 3 rolls of our beautiful satin ribbon for FREE! Cherry, Vanilla, and Bermuda - three of my "go to" colors!

And don't forget! All of our pigment ink pads are on a 20% off special this month too!

That means you could get a great deal on ink pads, while earning 3 spools of FREE ribbon too! 

Don't pass this deal up!

Order here: Devon DeGarmo's Webstore

Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend! Take some time to be crafty and get inky!

Devon

June Stamp Camp Cards

School's OUT! I spent a few days catching up on stuff around the house and now I'm back working at my table once again. It feels so good to have some free time to create cards again. I'm hosting a stamp camp next Saturday and thought I'd share the cards we'll be doing.

A card for your BFF, sister, or mother...

on the inside is says "...and deal with it!"

Stamp set: Days Like This

Paper: Grapefruit, Shell, Sugar

Embellishments: Onyx twine, onyx pearls, diamond glitter

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Copic: RV14

 A little something for Father's Day - 

totally CASE'd from another consultant in the gallery - Kay Petersen! Go check out her blog!

I loved the paper piecing and all things polka dots always catch my eye!

Stamp Set: Brief Notes and Essential Sentiments

Paper: Sugar, Kraft, Grass Petite Polka Dots

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

I just had to bust out Tini Time finally! I could have used just about any of the sentiments that come with this set. This is the only card where I used a non-a•muse element. I pulled out the Tiny Bubbles Cuttlebug embossing folder for this one, because I don't have any of ours yet.

Stamp Set: Tini Time, Mod Backgrounds 1

Ink: A•Muse Pigment inks in Bermuda, Cherry, Grass, and Memento Tuxedo Black

Ribbon: Grosgrain Stitched Ribbon in Lime

Embellishments: Crystal Clear Glaze to make that shiny cherry

Tools: Cuttlebug Embossing Folder - Tiny Bubbles

A more masculine card - Could be used for Father's Day or a masculine birthday. I think the next time I do this, I'll stamp the sentiment in French Roast. The recliner is paper pieced using Grass Gingham. 

Stamp Set: Hey Man!

Ink: A•Muse Pigment ink in Buttercup, French Roast, and Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper: French Roast, Buttercup, Sugar, Grass Gingham

And welcome baby cards are always good to have on hand! Greens and yellows help to have some gender neutral cards around for when you need one. I love this Little Peanuts set and want to make a lot more cards in gender neutral AND pink and blue themes. 

Stamps: Little Peanuts

Paper: Lichen, Sugar, Buttercup Gingham

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Embellishments: Vanilla polka dot organdy ribbon, Vanilla pearls

Tools: Copic marker, Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels 1

The wonderful thing about being an A•Muse Studio consultant is getting so much inspiration from all the other creative consultants. Our online gallery provides me with so many ideas that I use as inspiration for the cards I make. Sometimes it just takes a little spark to get your mojo rolling! 

If you see anything you just can't live without, all of the items used to make these cards can be found at my A•Muse webstore: Devon DeGarmo's Webstore

Happy Stamping and Happy Summer blog friends!

Devon

How to Cute-ify Office Supplies!

The creative geniuses at a•muse used this month's spotlight special products (10% off until 11:59 pm EST on February 29th) to really cute-ify home office supplies. I love it when I can use my stamping supplies for other projects. Cards are fun, but when I can alter every day items to make them beautiful, I get extremely tickled with myself! Check out these fun ideas...

YES! Washi tape on pencils! Now my students will really know which pencils belong to the teacher, because mine will be the cute washi taped ones!

Woodgrain stamp makes a beautiful container wrap... who isn't into "upcycling" these days? 

No more boring manilla folders for me! And I've already started making 

washi taped paper clips. They're sticking out all over my new 2012 catalog, 

marking the first stamp sets that I just have to have

Love the sunshine yellow mixed with the gray and the blue! So pretty and fresh!

I'm already thinking of 1,001 things I can label with the maple tags and they're so easy to color with 

a•muse pigment ink pads.

No more boring binder clips for this girl, no sir! Not when I've got amazing washi tape at my table!

And this I'm simply IN LOVE with! I have a ton of these magazine holders that I keep paper and magazines in. They will be cute-ified right quick, let me tell you!

This month I am investing in all of the spotlight specials, because I just can't resist! Let me know if I can come show you some of these fun projects and cards to make during a workshop. I'd be happy to help you cute-ify some of your things too!

Have a great day!

Devon

February Spotlight Time!

There is something about the February color combo that is really speaking to me... I think it's the gray! That's unusual for me, but I'm just loving the neutral look and I'm usually a bright colors kind of person. Click the link in on right side of the page to order any of these great February Spotlight stamp sets.

I have two events organized for this month and I know we'll be using some of these stamps. Copic Club begins on Friday, February 10th at 6:00 and then Stamp Camp on Saturday, February 26th at 2:00. I love getting together with other people who enjoy the addiction!

It's Here!!! The 2012 a•muse | studio Catalog and Inspiration Guide

I've been waiting for this for months and it's finally here! New stamps, new colors, new paper, new ribbon, new glitter... Too much fun stuff!

Check out all of the fun NEW goodies here and then get in touch so I can 

set up a workshop for you right away!

Heading off to place my first order to prepare for February Stamp Camp on January 25th! 

Have a great night!

Devon

Clean and Simple Cards - Day 5

Yes... I've skipped day four. I haven't figured out exactly what I wanted to do with the day four challenge yet and I woke up this morning more inspired to try some of Jennifer McGuire's techniques with Distress Inks from day five. I've always enjoyed working with Distress Inks, but I haven't played very much with them and how they react with water, so I was excited to give this a try. I came up with two cards this morning:

When I pulled out the Distress Inks to begin these cards, I looked at my colors and it seems I'm mostly drawn to blues and greens. I'm going to need to add some other colors to my stash, but I love the way these colors worked together. When I finished getting all of the color on the paper, it felt somber and more like a sympathy card. They're always the hardest cards to make, so I like to have a few already in my stash. It's hard to tell from the picture, but I added a slight shimmer to the inked background with a•muse's stardust finishing spray. I don't have any Perfect Pearls like Jennifer used in the video, but the finishing spray added just what I was looking for in the shine department. 

Recipe:

Paper: Strathmore watercolor paper, a•muse sky and sugar

Stamps: a•muse essential sentiments and beautiful botanicals

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, VersaMark, Tim Holtz Distress Ink in broken china, chipped sapphire, peeled paint, faded jeans, shabby shutters, bundled sage, stormy sky ( I really need to add some reds and yellows)

Other: a•muse white embossing powder and stardust finishing spray

One layer cards are very hard for me to do and feel like they are finished, but I'm pleased with how this turned out. It's simple, but very pretty and it will be easy to mail. This will be a technique I use a lot in the future. Besides... playing with ink and spray bottles and getting my fingers all inky is just super fun!

Recipe:

Paper: Strathmore watercolor paper

Stamps: a•muse essential sentiments and CTMH Treasures

Ink: VersaMark, Tim Holtz Distress Ink in faded jeans, peeled paint, and chipped sapphire

Other: a•muse white embossing powder and stardust finishing spray

I hope you have a wonderful day! All of my boys are off and occupied with boy things today. I'm heading out to my monthly scrapbooking get together and getting some much needed mommy time. But I will be making sure I know how my Niners are doing against the Saints!

Happy Saturday!

Devon

Clean and Simple Card Making - Day 3

I am on a ROLL!!! I feel like the overly ambitious student who gets all their homework done before the deadline... Yes, I am the Hermione of the Clean and Simple Card Making class! Day 3 begins tomorrow, but I've already got a card and I'm going to publish it tonight. What the heck? It's close to midnight anyway...

For day three, Jennifer McGuire showed two cards that she used die cuts on, which she layered to add dimension to the card. Julie Ebersole showed us how she used Pinterest (one of the reasons why I get to bed so late some nights) for inspiration. I used both of their ideas in ONE card! (I'm feeling kind of cool.) Here is what I came up with:

I've noticed that lately I've been pinning a lot of things on Pinterest involving hearts, rainbows, and clouds, so that's where I drew my inspiration from for this card. There is not one actual stamp involved in this card, because I couldn't find a sentiment that went with what was swirling around in my brain. I kept thinking of "Showering you with Love" and the hearts as the rain rather than drops. So I used my printer to generate the sentiment and cut it in a banner just like Jennifer did on her sample card.

To give the clouds dimension, I layered three of the small clouds on top of each other  and then put those on top of just one of the larger clouds. I like this technique, because then I'm not looking at dimensional adhesive when I see the card from the side. It almost looks like I've cut the clouds out of white chip board. The hearts have dimension since they have been die cut from felt. 

Recipe:

Card stock: a•muse | studio - sugar and sky

Embellishments: a•muse | studio felt, Twinery bakers twine in Marachino Cherry, random felt from my stash

Sentiment: computer generated

Tools: a•muse | studio dies - heart trio, cloud duo

Have a wonderful Wednesday stampers!

Devon

Clean and Simple Card Making - Day 2

A quick post this morning - Day 2 brings us a Perfectly Flat Card from Julie Ebersole. This is the kind of card I struggle with, because I always want to add some bling or ribbon, but I'm really happy with how this one turned out. I had to dig deep into my stash to try an emulate Julie's faux letterpress style and I got to ink up a CTMH stamp set that has never seen ink around here.

Paper: Strathmore water color paper

Stamps: CTMH Paper Lantern

Ink: a•muse | studio papaya, cranberry, ocean pigment ink, Memento Tuxedo Black

Off to have fun with 2nd graders! Hopefully I'll have some energy to play some more tonight.

Have a great day!

Devon

Clean and Simple Card Making - Day 1

Woo-hoo!!! I won a spot in the Clean and Simple Card Making online class being taught by Kristina Werner, Jennifer McGuire, and Julie Ebersole - three ladies who inspire me all the time! I won the spot by leaving a comment on Tami Hartley's blog i make cards. Thank you so much Tami! I'm beyond excited to participate in this class, as my mojo has been waning lately.

Today, I came home from work t-i-r-e-d... oof! 2nd graders can suck every ounce of energy out of you, not to mention my own two little monkeys! But when I saw the sketches for today, I couldn't stop making cards. I knocked out 4 cards tonight and could have kept going if I didn't need to go to work tomorrow. I know one of today's sketches is going to be a "go to" for me for a long time to come.

Before I show you what I did, remember... these are NOT perfect. I was whipping ink around, throwing paper, and grabbing stamps like a frenzy. There are flaws and mistakes and I'm alright with that! It's a class and this is a great way to develop ideas and get the craftiness moving. Perfect can come later. And with that, here are the cards:

All a•muse products for this one:

Paper: Kraft cardstock

Stamps: wild rose 

Ink: cranberry, fern, french roast

Embellishments: Tombow brown marker, french roast bakers twine, cranberry buttons

All a•muse products:

Paper: blush cardstock

Stamps: sweetheart background and quick & cute valentines

Ink: bubblegum and Versamark

Embellishments: white embossing powder, blush felt, heart trio die, white Signo gel pen

All a•muse products:

Paper: vanilla cardstock

Stamp: life is a song

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black and cranberry

Embellishments: cranberry glitter, black pen

And this card got thrown together in a crazed moment of raiding all sorts of items from my massive stash of products...

Paper: a•muse sugar cardstock and Kodak photo paper

Stamp: a•muse hand scripted

Ink: a•muse ocean and Tim Holtz alcohol inks in Purple Twighlight, Citrus, and Sail Boat Blue

Embellishments: totally random organdy ribbon scrap from the stash, CTMH button and embroidery floss

Looking at this post, the next class I clearly need to take is a photography class, but that will have to come another day. It's on my bucket list! 

If you see any of the a•muse | studio products that you just can't live without, I hope you'll visit my webstore and check out our catalog. There are several great stamp sets that are retiring, as well as my beloved cranberry products. But all of these retiring products means one exciting thing.... the NEW catalog is coming!!!

Happy Stamping friends!

Devon

January a•muse|studio Spotlight Specials!

The January Spotlight Special has finally gone live over at a•muse|studio and I'm so excited! I've got a few of these stamp sets, but I'll be ordering the other two that aren't already in my collection at the special price. Spotlight Special prices are good until January 31st. If you want to come and play with these new stamps, I'm having a Valentine's Stamp Camp on January 21st!

All of these sweet stamps and the Rock Candy paper pack can be ordered at my webstore. I can't wait to get creating. I took a long break for Christmas and family time and now it's time to design some fun things for Valentine's Day!

Happy stamping!

Devon