The last of the lovelies . . .
Over the past four weeks we've been sharing the wondermous creations of Nicole Miller, and this is our final article. We hope you've enjoyed them and been inspired by them as much as we certainly have here at A Muse!
Don't forget to leave a comment on this, and any of our previous Nicole Miller articles (one comment per article, please), so you'll be entered for her Guest Designer Drawing, featuring:
Elyse
Kitchen Collection 4 Bar Notes in Red
Bears In The Box!
I went ga-ga over this adorable thing--I mean how could anyone possibly resist this??? It is just too TOO CUTE!!!
I loved how she glittered the gift box and framed the image with scalloped Paper Frills--she even mitered the edges, by golly!
These sweet bears remind her of those favorite plushies little ones receive and hugs so dearly.
She also created a notch closure for this card there on the lower right, and embellished it with a fun shaped brad.
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Da' Bomb!
This design features a "time bomb" and the bomb actually rotates around! Fun and different, Nicole used the Star Twinkle Stickers to embellish the sparks on the fuse and the exclamation point on the sentiment!
Her shading with light and dark grey tones really gives the bomb great dimension and depth!
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Pedestal of Love
Yup. This design pretty much confirms what we already know: Nicole is an AMAZING out of the box thinker!
I know what you're thinking . . . "Hey, A Muse doesn't have a pedestal! Where'd she get that???!!!" I got two words: SWIRLY BRACKET!
She created this by stamping Swirly Bracket in full, and then to create the base legs, she only inked up half the image and stamped those into position at the bottom. ..................THUD!!!
Then, she piled up the tiny hearts, with Tiny Bird on top, sprinkled in a few little Primas, and Twinkle Stickers, and well, dang if it isn't just the prettiest little Valentine!
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BIG Bloom
As you can see, Elyse is no doubt one of Nicole's favorites--In this sweet, soft scene, she is gazing up at a blossom made of scalloped heart punch outs, and, if you'll notice, the flowers blooming next to Elyse are all "hearty" ones!
I have never in my life seen more ingenious uses for heart shape punches than all the designs Nicole has done, hand down!
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No bull!
Hah! I love that! And, in a clever pun Nicole used the bow and arrow (one of my all time favorite Valentine images) and made the most ingenious TARGET out of, yes, once again, a HEART and various circle punches! .............get outta' town!!!
How does she do it???!!!
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Inkin' Under The Sea
Now, I must confess--I loved all of Nicole's designs, but, if I had to pick one as a favorite, after a lot of hemming and hawing, for me I'd say it's this one.
I just adore the wavy, glittery frame, and how she added a tiny hand-drawn paint brush to Octopus, so it looks like he's inking the Heart(retired) onto a canvas, created by the Retro Rectangle.
She repeated the wave edges on the blue paper to give a watery feel and you can see Seaweed sprouted there in the background. Then, she tied the whole thing together with three eyelets in matching colors. Absolutely brilliant!
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We'd like to thank Nicole for letting us share these very creative and FUN card designs--I know every time I look at them I wanna run over to look at all my stamps to see if I can find interesting, new ways to use them beyond what they were originally designed for.
Thanks for stopping by each week! Nicole can't wait for you to enjoy the prize she has chosen, so please be sure to sure to leave a comment by February 7th!
Winners will be drawn and announced here at the A Muse News blog, so check back to see if you are a lucky winner!
--Julie
Love the Octopus card! Can you believe my local stamp store ordered almost the entire Valentine's release except the Octopus??
Posted by: sarah | Friday, February 01, 2008 at 05:39 PM
Love the great ideas!
Posted by: Julie Tang | Friday, February 01, 2008 at 05:42 PM
OMGoodness! Love the Octopus card as well!! Just like a whole scene in one card! Love it!
Posted by: Cookie | Friday, February 01, 2008 at 05:47 PM
Nicole, I have truely enjoyed your incredibly creative designs & I will miss you as a guest designer! I know where your blog is though!! The "Pedestal of Love" is amazing what you did with that Swirly Bracket!! I need some of your creative thinking juices!!
Posted by: Nancy in OR (happistamper) | Friday, February 01, 2008 at 06:17 PM
Nicole has some really good ideas.
Posted by: Jennifer Moore | Friday, February 01, 2008 at 06:22 PM
Pedestal of Love is amazing. So creative. I have enjoyed looking at all of your creations. Very inspirational. Thank you so much. -Molly B
Posted by: tylersmum05 | Friday, February 01, 2008 at 06:26 PM
Out of the box is right! Awesome cards, and so much inspiration!!
Elyss
Posted by: Elyss Jennings | Friday, February 01, 2008 at 06:36 PM
This last round of cards is spectacular. I especially like the card made with "Elyse", as this is one my favorite among the new stamps. Thanks for the treat!
Posted by: Antonella | Friday, February 01, 2008 at 06:42 PM
What original ideas. Loving Bears in the Box!
Posted by: Dina | Friday, February 01, 2008 at 06:43 PM
Nicole's cards are so clever and I love the new polka dot cards.
Posted by: Louise | Friday, February 01, 2008 at 06:48 PM
These are all so FABULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: JenMarie | Friday, February 01, 2008 at 06:58 PM
Oh my gosh! These are ALL adorable!!!
Posted by: PennyH | Friday, February 01, 2008 at 07:39 PM
Wow! Awesome cards, Nicole!
Posted by: Katie | Friday, February 01, 2008 at 07:53 PM
Oh how fabulous are you? The Pedestal of Love is just so creative!!! The Bullseye card is really fantastic too!
I wish I could be half as creative and clever as you! I have loved your whole series!!! Thanks Nicole!
Posted by: Bryn | Friday, February 01, 2008 at 08:05 PM
Sooo creative! These cards are truly amazing and so creative! Thanks for sharing your cards!
Posted by: Riza Almanza | Friday, February 01, 2008 at 08:27 PM
her out of the box rocks!
Posted by: tammy b | Friday, February 01, 2008 at 08:47 PM
Fun cards as usual Nicole....and good luck with your move!!!!!
Posted by: Doreen | Friday, February 01, 2008 at 08:48 PM
Nicole has such unique & clever ideas and has been such a fun guest designer! I love all the hearts surrounding cute Elyse, and the Octopus is outstanding!
Posted by: Linda SS | Friday, February 01, 2008 at 08:52 PM
Once again, Nicole you're the BEST OF THE BEST(EST)!! I don't know where you get all of your ideas...you're cards are absolutely brilliant and so very creative!! Can't pick which are my favorites..I LOVE THEM ALL!! YOU ROCK GIRL!! Thanks much for all the inspirations!!
Posted by: Armie P Cuaresma | Friday, February 01, 2008 at 08:56 PM
ooooh, love the 'love blooms' card.
very cheery and pretty!
Posted by: Cass M. | Friday, February 01, 2008 at 09:10 PM
I will miss seeing Nicole's creations. All of them were so ab fab!!!
Posted by: aileen | Friday, February 01, 2008 at 10:29 PM
Absolutely a-dorable!!!
Posted by: Amy | Friday, February 01, 2008 at 10:58 PM
Wow..AWESOME!!
So fab Nicole!
Posted by: Kelly R | Saturday, February 02, 2008 at 04:26 AM
okay, so now i have to get the swirly bracket!! will the creative inspiration ever stop?! i hope not! the cards were all magical.
Posted by: june g | Saturday, February 02, 2008 at 05:18 AM
I just love the bull's eye image with the heart and punches! Nicole, your cards are all so unique. Every time I see one, it makes me look at my own A Muse stamps with a new set of eyes! Thanks for helping to get the creative juices flowing!
Posted by: Jill Papadonis | Saturday, February 02, 2008 at 05:28 AM
Oh, another display of great inspiration!! Thanks for sharing your creativity, Nicole!
Posted by: Kathy D | Saturday, February 02, 2008 at 05:53 AM
All I can say is WOW!!!! Your cards are awesome! All of them!
Posted by: Mary Duffek | Saturday, February 02, 2008 at 06:07 AM
awesome cards nicole--it's too hard to pick a favorite! :) lexi
Posted by: lexi | Saturday, February 02, 2008 at 06:09 AM
The octupus card wins with me! Thanks for your wonderful inspiration.
Posted by: Christine | Saturday, February 02, 2008 at 06:21 AM
Again, another set of fabulous cards and ideas!
Posted by: Ann I | Saturday, February 02, 2008 at 06:36 AM
Wow Nicole!!! These are so cute and very inspiring.
Thanks for a chance.
[email protected]
Posted by: Cathy M | Saturday, February 02, 2008 at 06:41 AM
What wonderfully fresh and inventive uses of the A Muse stamps! I love your style, Nicole!
Posted by: broni (waterchild12) | Saturday, February 02, 2008 at 06:45 AM
WOW Nicole! I love all of these cards. You are an inspiration. TFS!
Posted by: Shannon Simpson | Saturday, February 02, 2008 at 07:38 AM
Nicole you are just too clever and sooooooo creative!!!! I just LOVE the "da bomb" card ~ too cute!!!
Posted by: Jen | Saturday, February 02, 2008 at 08:03 AM
the creativity of your cards is AMAZING!!!
Posted by: s. patel | Saturday, February 02, 2008 at 08:52 AM
LOVE Elyse and the bears in the gift and the pedestal and...Heck, I love 'em all! Great job Nicole. We're not worthy!!
Posted by: sarah c. (WAstamper on SCS) | Saturday, February 02, 2008 at 09:52 AM
You. Are. Amazing!
Posted by: Kim L | Saturday, February 02, 2008 at 12:53 PM
lovely cards!!!! wow!!
Posted by: katey | Saturday, February 02, 2008 at 01:58 PM
Love all your cards.. no bull is my favorite!
Posted by: Kristy C. | Saturday, February 02, 2008 at 05:50 PM
WOW....seriously, that's all I can say. You continue to amaze me with your talent week after week. I don't even know where to start- the glittery box, the pedestal, the octopus.... they are all beautiful and SOOOO creative! Thanks for sharing!!!
Posted by: Jen | Saturday, February 02, 2008 at 07:13 PM
Nicole, You always make me think of new ways to use the amuse stamps!
Posted by: sharon knitter | Sunday, February 03, 2008 at 07:00 AM
These cards are so amazing. I love seeing all the wonderful ideas. Thanks.
Posted by: Lara | Sunday, February 03, 2008 at 09:15 AM
I love the pedastal card. New ways to use swirly stamps are always excellent to see. Thanks!
Posted by: HeatherP | Sunday, February 03, 2008 at 10:32 AM
I second Julie's vote - Nicole, your cards are grand! Ingenious is the perfect word for it. Thank you for the inspiration!
Posted by: Ingrid | Sunday, February 03, 2008 at 10:48 AM
creativity at her best! love the use of the punches. You've inspired me to pull out my old punches again.
Posted by: Vivian | Sunday, February 03, 2008 at 05:46 PM
So talented! Looking forward to seeing more in the future.
Posted by: stefanie | Sunday, February 03, 2008 at 08:12 PM
Wow...Nicole is an amazing artist! What an inspiration!!
Posted by: Rose Ann | Monday, February 04, 2008 at 01:52 AM
OK...I give...Nicole has inspired (enabled) me to get these bears. That is the cutest card, with the gift box. Adorable!
Posted by: Donna | Monday, February 04, 2008 at 04:28 AM
Wow.... Nicole is a SUPAH STAR! i LOVE THESE CARDS!
Posted by: Angel | Monday, February 04, 2008 at 05:58 AM
Very, very creative and colorful creations... LOVE the bracket/pedestal!
Posted by: Mary | Monday, February 04, 2008 at 06:32 AM
Wow, I love all the cards, she really thinks outside the box, the pedestal card is genius!
Posted by: Cindy Vernon | Monday, February 04, 2008 at 07:27 AM
These are FABULOUS!!! So cute and creative!!
Posted by: Dotty | Monday, February 04, 2008 at 07:34 AM
I *love* the pedestal of love card. They are all so creative, though. You definitely give me some inspiration!
Posted by: Abbie in CO | Monday, February 04, 2008 at 07:42 AM
I've really enjoyed these past weeks because Nichole's cards made me really smile for this week my fav. has been "Big Bloom" but all are very beautiful as well :)
Posted by: Ellie Augustin | Monday, February 04, 2008 at 08:18 AM
Your cards are amazing, Nicole! Love Da Bomb!!!
Posted by: mamichelle | Monday, February 04, 2008 at 08:34 AM
Your cards are amazing, Nicole! I love Da Bomb best!!
Posted by: mamichelle | Monday, February 04, 2008 at 08:37 AM
What an amazing collection of cards! The octopus card is so original and cute. Also really love the heart bullseye. Thank you for sharing so much inspiration and creativity.
Posted by: Kathy W | Monday, February 04, 2008 at 09:41 AM
Oh my gosh, these are all outstanding. My favorite (if I had to pick one) would be the Pedastal of Love. Ingenious!!
Posted by: Regina Davis | Monday, February 04, 2008 at 09:56 AM
Wow - these are awesome cards! My favorite is "The Sea".
Posted by: Pamela Fredrickson | Monday, February 04, 2008 at 10:26 AM
I love all of your polka dots! So fun! I love polka dots and have so much polka dot paper. Thanks for the inspiration to go put some of my stuff to use! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Amy | Monday, February 04, 2008 at 06:33 PM
I love the glittery gift box card. All of your cards are so creative. TFS
Posted by: shellyluwho | Monday, February 04, 2008 at 07:15 PM
Nicole,
This is the cutest~! I love the sea theme
Posted by: tara9033 | Monday, February 04, 2008 at 08:38 PM
I am gob smacked at the wonderful cards
Posted by: EJ | Monday, February 04, 2008 at 09:59 PM
Check these out, they are fantastic! Thanks for the inspiration.
Posted by: Connie | Tuesday, February 05, 2008 at 07:17 AM
Thank you for showcasing these fantastic cards! very inspiring!
Posted by: cy | Tuesday, February 05, 2008 at 01:25 PM
The glittery bears in a box is my absolute fave!
Posted by: Suzy | Tuesday, February 05, 2008 at 02:40 PM
My fave is the little glittery bears - so sweet and fun!
Posted by: Suzy | Tuesday, February 05, 2008 at 02:52 PM
Amazing cards! Love the creativity she has!!!
Posted by: Alana | Wednesday, February 06, 2008 at 09:05 AM
I really enjoy the unique perspective in your designs. Things are just a little bit different, and fresh, and brilliant!
Posted by: Jill Grace | Friday, February 08, 2008 at 09:06 PM
I absolutely adore the Inking of you card--too cute!
Posted by: Angela | Tuesday, February 12, 2008 at 02:15 PM
I have been looking for sites like this for a long time. Thank you!
Posted by: Timmy | Thursday, May 29, 2008 at 02:52 AM
I praise God for answering my prayers. God, you are so wonderful, majestic. Jesus Christ, I adore Your Sacred Heart.y
Posted by: judy | Monday, June 23, 2008 at 03:39 AM
You guys do a wonderful job! Keep up the good work!!!l
Posted by: Rosina | Thursday, July 31, 2008 at 06:28 AM