A Muse News

Clear stampin'

On Wednesday I taught an "Intro to Clear Stamps" class at our shop.  I don't sit down and play with our clear stamps a whole bunch but I really do love the working with them.  The images stamp so nicely and because they are clear, it is even easier to position the stamp *exactly* where you want it.

Don't be fooled.  There are a *lot* of new clear stamps on the market... and some are not made of the highest quality.  For best results, look for clear stamps that are made in the USA.  The durometer (the hardness) of these stamps is closest to rubber and will give you the best stamping results. 

Here are 3 of the cards we did in the class. 

For the first card, I created the background with our scalloped oval background stamp using a technique that Julie showed me a few years ago.  I had forgotten about this but when I saw the topiary trees, they remind me so much of the tall skinny trees in Italy that I wanted to create a little scene showing a bright blue sky and a bit of landscape in green. 

To get this effect, I inked the upper part of the scalloped oval background in CB Chalk Ice blue.  Then I inked up a sliver on the bottom in CB Chalk Lime Pastel.  You can ink over the lighter color (blue in this case) quite easily without harming your ink pad.  Presto - landscape!

I love to give gift cards - they are the perfect solution to gift giving for someone like me that doesn't have much time to shop.  Also, our school participates in SCRIP as a way to raise $ and so it's easy to buy a gift and support the school at the same time.  This fun pocket card is a great solution for giving gift cards.  I added a tag so that I can have a small area to write a thank you note or birthday greeting - whatever the occasion.

To make this pocket card, I folded one of our Cabana blue notecards inside out.  Then I cut off 1.75" with my paper trimmer and then made a scallop edge with my Clouds scissors.  Adhere the sides of the "pocket" to the back and then fold the edge of the pocket over and ahere it with double-stick tape.  You can also add some brads to each end of the pocket for decoration and to ensure that the folded edge stays put.

Folding the card inside out gives you a nice white canvas for stamping! 

This is a FAST and easy card to make once you've mastered the "mechanics".

For the 3rd card, we used our new! large polka dot monogram letters.  We stamped the 'f' for friendship in CB Lime pastel and then closely trimmed with scissors.  I added a pretty little paper (Summer paisley collection) and little ribbon and forever friends.   

That's all for today folks!  Look for more of my card designs in this week's a-muse-letter.  Mmmm.... coffee!

What? You're not receiving our weekly a-muse-letter?!!  Each week we include a card of the week with instructions, tips from our designers and other news from A Muse!  Sign up by following this link!

holy cow!

Thank you to everyone that posted comments for Elena on her Designs.  We sure appreciate your feedback.  Stay tuned as we will be unveiling a new Guest Designer in May!

We have not one, not two... we have FIVE lucky winners!!

These lucky gals will win one of our brand new (& hot! hot! hot!) margarita  stamps as well as a package of our Lime Peel Mod Dot notecards.  Elena is part Mexican so she chose this fun prize for you!

The winners all posted comments at X:43 (x=hour of post).  Elena chose 43 as the winning number because her favorite stamp is the leafy tree and it has 43 leaves!

Will the following gals please email your postal address to: info@amuseartstamps.com.  Please put Blog Winner in the subject line.  thanks!

• Julia Muscari
• TracyH
• Yvette P.
• Jill Kiah-Saslav
• and Julia Stainton*

*Do you remember... Julia also won our entire set of large polka dot monogram stamps?  It pays to check in regularly with the a muse news blog! J

Stay tuned… I have some fun card ideas to share with you later.

got margaritas?

Not at the moment but we are expecting more tomorrow - before noon even!   <smile>

I just uploaded 10 new stamp designs created for Cinco de Mayo on the A Muse website. YAY!!  They are mixed in with our Spring release so in case you can't spot all ten, here is a list for you:

• 8-8417B Got margaritas?
• 2-7118C Margarita
• 8-8416D Make margaritas
• 2-2422D Pinata
• 8-8419C Fiesta
• 2-3090D Donkey
• 2-7119C Sombrero
• 2-4107D Cactus
• 8-8418B Gracias
• 2-6097D Mariachi man

My husband makes some of the *best* margaritas I've ever tasted.  I'll snag his recipe and post it here and we can have a virtual margarita party!  Stay tuned.

updated retail store info

I created a NEW page that includes essential information for the A Muse retail store.  You will find a link on in the left column (scroll down) for future reference.

Keep posting comments to win Elena's A Muse goodies (see post below). We'll pick a winner on Thursday!

Message from Elena

As some of you clever readers have guessed, we are going to do a fun little giveaway for the kind folks that have left comments for Elena's work.  Don't fret, there's still time. 

To enter, simply post a comment to any of the posts on the A Muse News blog that include Elena's work (including this post).  A winner will be selected on Thursday night so that gives you a bit of time. 
** Please note, you can increase your chances to win by commenting to more than one post, however, please limit yourself to one comment per post.  ta!**

I asked Elena to choose a little something for the winner and she has determined how the winner will be selected (don't go pestering her now!).  Bonne chance!

Here's a note to you from Elena:

"I want to thank the readers of the A Muse News blog for their kind comments on my cards. Since I don't have a blog myself, nor an on-line gallery anywhere, I rarely get feedback on my creations. The nuns at St. Michael's taught me that pride is a cardinal sin, but I do feel a *little* bit of pride.

I would also like to thank Linda and the A Muse staff who are truly wonderful people. It has been so much fun doing "design work" for A Muse, something I would never have imagined doing. Thanks, ladies!!" 
Elena Shacochis
A Muse Guest Designer
March 2007

I will leave you with a few more of Elena's fabulous cards.  These were cards she submitted to our Reader Gallery contests.  Enjoy!

Elena's final cards

These are the last 4 cards that Elena created for your viewing pleasure.  It sure has been fun sharing her work with you this month.  I have created a special photo album here on my blog to make it easier to find her work all in one spot!

The cards below demonstrate just how versatile Elena's design talent is. 

• I love how she made every second heart sparkly on the first card - It's these added touches that make a card special!
• You just had to know that Elena would include the Mermaid in one of her samples!  Did you see the fabulous cake she created with our mermaid image that was featured in our weekly a-muse-letter two weeks ago? 
• Her third card featured below ROCKS!  I especially love her use of the skinny oval to look like a shadow from the spotlight below the Rock star's feet - so clever!!
• The last card is such a fun use for our Strong Man stamp.  Some of the balloons really *pop* because she has popped them out with a bit of foam tape. 

I hope you have enjoyed Elena's work as much as we have!  Please share your comments here... you never know when we might have a little giveaway! <wink!>

Elena - Argyle series

Here are three more cards by Elena.  I call them the argyle series because each card uses one of our fun Argyle notecards. 

The first card looks stunning IRL.  It is hard to capture by camera because the vellum seems to have muted the photo a bit.  For this card, Elena cut a piece of thin vellum 4" square, punched out a Marvy Mega Oval to create a window and placed it over her card.  The vellum is held in place by the ribbon at the top of the card.  The image is stamped on a white Mega Scallop Oval (my favorite punch!) and adhered to an A Muse cottage green argyle notecard.  Very pretty! 

The second card is simple but effective.  I like how Elena use our Big Bl stamp directly on an A Muse cottage blue argyle note.  This created a "canvas" for her to stamp our new Chandelier onto.  Clever! 
{Did you know, our Big Bl is presently on sale for $4.50... look in the Bargains section on the A Muse website.}

The last card reminds me of a very fancy neighborhood in Toronto (Yorkville) near where I went to University (go UofT!).  All of the houses on this one street looked so nice and trim.  I especially loved walking down this street at nightime in the Spring.

Stay tuned for more installments of Elena's fabulous creations!!

Elena designs - on the farm!

Here are a few more of Elena's card designs for you - I call them the "Farm Series".  <smile>

Some details that caught my eye:

• The use of the fence on the first card - subtle yet effective
• Check out the grass on the first card.  If you know our Grass stamp, you might remember that the image is approximately 2" wide.  She partially inked the stamp to create tufts of grass - I *love* this idea!
• Lots of masking on the first card - great job, Elena
• I love how she tipped the hay wagon on the 2nd card and put one of the little chicks on top
• The colors on the third card make me happy!

Enjoy and be sure to post your comments here for Elena and be sure to check back tomorrow for more great card ideas!

Ooh la la!

So much to share today!

Sweet cards!
Have you seen the sweet & simple coffee cards Julie made using the "kissing" technique?  Good news - we are overstocked on our Big bl stamp (3-5019G) and have temporarily put it into our bargains section at 50% off!  Such a deal! 

Punches coming soon!
Spoke with the folks at Marvy today and good news - we are expecting more punches next week.  We are presently well-stocked on Super & Mega sized punches in all shapes but almost completely out of Gigas.  If you would like to add your name to our list for the Giga's that are coming, please call Heidi tomorrow to put one on reserve (toll free: 1-877-783-4882).  Yes, we ship to Canada & the UK.

Fun new card series from Emily!
You will love these new cards from Emily and be sure to post a comment to possibly win a fun little birdy clear stamp. 

Upcoming Seattle classes
There are still a few spots left in my upcoming classes.  Tomorrow night (Wednesday) we will be making 6 cards for Spring & Easter.  The class is from 6-8pm and the cost is $22. 

Next Wednesday night (March 28th from 6-8 pm) I will be teaching an Introduction to clear stamps.  We will use a variety of our clear stamps to make 6 fun cards for all occasions.  This class will be fun for stampers of all abilities! Cost is $22.

All classes will be held at the A Muse retail shop located at 8544 Greenwood Ave. N. Please call to reserve your spot (783-4882).

A Muse classes in San Diego
If you live in the San Diego area be sure to sign up for one of Michelle's classes.  You can see samples for one of her upcoming classes on her blog.

Stay tuned for more fabulous cards from our Guest Designer for March- Elena Shacochis!

Guest Designer - March 2007

I am thrilled to announce our very first A Muse Guest Designer!  Please say hello to Elena Shacochis!

Elena's work first came to my attention last year when we ran our Reader Gallery contests.  I really liked her simple, yet clever designs.

Elena is not only a super stamper, she is the busy mom of four wee ones - her youngest is just 5 months old.  I'm amazed that she finds time to stamp!!

I sent Elena a list of words and asked her to expand her thoughts on them so that we could all get to know her a bit better.  Here is what she has to say...

Stamping – I started stamping when I was a young girl because that was my mom’s craft and stamps were around the house.

Style -  I like fast and simple for most cards.   

Inspiration – I find inspiration in many places: magazines, clothing colors, children’s books and stamping blogs/galleries.

Favorite color(s) – Yellow is my favorite color, but for stamping and paper crafts I like blues and greens.

Work space – My husband calls it “The Hole” because it is a 3’ x 7’ converted cedar closet.   

Perfect day –  Any day that I can just be silly with my kids and not have to tend to all of the little responsibilities that come with being a mom of four (i.e. LAUNDRY!) would be perfect for me.

Wildest dream – At one time I really wanted to be helicopter pilot, but I’m realistic and thought I’d be better suited teaching, which is exactly what I did prior to having children.

Fondest memory – Aside from our wedding and the birth of our children, I would say March 26, 2006: the day my alma mater,

George

Mason

University

, beat the

University

of

Connecticut

in the NCAA basketball tournement.  I was there and it was just amazing.

Family – I have been married for ten years to David and have four children, ages 7, 5, 1 ½ and 5 months.

Biggest challenge -  My biggest challenge is not wasting any minute of the day.  There is always something needing my attention during the day, but I reward myself at night by reading or being crafty.

First stamp -  I don’t remember my first stamp because I was introduced to stamping at a young age – perhaps a koala from my mom.  My first A Muse stamp was “from me” and I use it ALL the time.

Favorite product – I love adding ribbons to my projects.  I am always on the look out for ribbon that will add that special something to a card.

Passion – I am a big college basketball fan, especially of

George

Mason

University

; I have been since I was a junior in high school.

Food – I love ice cream and I have some in the house almost all the time.

The future - In my future I see many days filled with homework help!  I hope that there will also always be lots of time for stamping.

Elena has created some wonderful cards that I am pleased to share with you over the next few days.  Here are a couple of my favorites to share with you tonight.  Please post a comment for Elena to show your appreciation of her work! 

I just love this Pink Rock star card that Elena created.  The colors are really fun and it's very "arty".

The second card (the blue one) is really striking in real life.  She used our Twinkle Stickers to make the jewels in the Treasure Chest pop and it looks fabulous! 

All Images & paper products by A Muse.

Fun giveaway...

Over at Jenn's blog.  You just need to post a comment to win.  Good luck!

A Muse Guest Designer Program

I receive many, many emails from very talented stampers inquiring about possible openings on our Design Team.  I *wish* we had more freelance design opportunities, but alas we are just a small company with limited budget and resources.

While on hiatus a few months ago (some of you may remember I was off injured for a couple of months), the idea of a Guest Designer Program started bouncing around in my brain.  This, i thought, would be a fun way to showcase some new design talent, share with you their wonderful creations and provide even more inspiration for your A Muse stamps!

Stay tuned... we will be announcing our FIRST-ever guest designer right here very, very soon!

Phew!

Boy - this flu bug has been wreaking havoc with my entire family!  Two weeks and still counting!  I am feeling a LOT better today - yay!  I feel like I've been asleep for the past 10 days... because I have been quite literally!

I am really behind on email.  Sorry if you are one of the folks waiting on a response from me.  My inbox overfloweth at the moment.  I will do my best to get back to everyone by Wednesday.  I still have one sick girl at home...

People always ask me which are my favorite A Muse stamps.  I'm always a little afraid to answer this one for fear of hurting the feelings of all the other stamps <grin>.  Actually, I'm more fearful that people will think I'm a little odd when I tell them which are my favorites.  You see, I equate "favourite" with most used - you know, the stamps I reach for time & time again.  Here's my current top ten (not in order):

1. Grass
2. Nest
3. Tree Stump
4. Tiny bird
5. Tiny butterfly
6. Dot oval
7. Fancy frame
8. Skinny oval bl sm
9. Margarita (this one is coming soon!)
10. Cupcake

The weather in Seatlle over the weekend was gorgeous... Spring is just around the corner!  I thought you might enjoy a little inspiration for Spring. 

These four cards feature our new Tree Stump stamp (see my list of favorites above). This will be the April Stamp of the Month for Craft Warehouse (craft store chain on West Coast). 

The first two cards were designed by Jennifer Pebbles, the third card was designed by Julie Ebersole and I made the last card for the set.  All stamps & paper by A Muse.  Enjoy!

 

Flu!

We've been hit hard with the flu these past two weeks.  First my daughter, then me and now another daughter too!  Hope to be back soon!

We have a winner!

My girls helped me come up with a method to choose the winner for the 3 beautiful paper-crafting magazines.  We added all of their ages together (4+6+9 = 19) to determine the winner.  Clever little things, aren't they?

dun, dun, da dah!  (can you hear the bugles?)

Cristen Ransom, you are the LUCKY winner! 
Please email me your postal address.

Thank you everyone for your comments.  It was really interesting to read them all.  I am astounded at how many of you find inspiration through this relatively new phenomenon - blogging!  Wowie! 

Some of you wondered where I get my inspiration... I'll have to fill you in on that a little later because it is now 2:15 a.m! Yikers... how does it get so late?!

another fun giveaway...

Check out Jenn's blog for a fun A Muse giveaway! 

Jenn is an A Muse instructor who teaches regularly at Colorful Creations in Hyannis, MA, Ink About It in Westford, MA, Absolutely Everything in MA and also at Bella Art in Rhode Island.  Phew - makes me tired to just list them all! 

Don't forget to add your comments to my magazine giveaway.  Scroll down... its the post two down from here.  Deadline is tonight.

Public Service Announcement:
Have you bought your Girl Scout Cookies yet?  Not only are they delicious, they support terrific programs for girls.  When I was 16, I travelled to Zimbabwe to represent the Girl Guides of Canada ('cause I'm Canadian).  I had so many wonderful experiences through the Girl Guide program and the number one funding source for these programs is the sale of COOKIES!  Please support your local troop and buy a yummy box.  Only two weeks left and then you will have to wait another year.

I'm packing orders for the next two days so it's a good time to place an order.  I like to add lots of little goodies!  <Shhh!  Don't tell Heidi!>

Do you scrap?

I have not done much "classic" scrapbooking in the past 10 years.  {"Classic" = with paper & actual printed photos vs. digital where everything is done electronically and you just print the finished page). 

Why not?  I love photos (have gazillions of them) and used to make fun photo albums (prior to the whole scrapbookin craze!)  Since the birth of my eldest daughter (9 years ago) I have made 5 "classic" scrapbook pages.  Can you believe it?!!!

Recently, I have discovered lots of fun mini-album options and I have been very motivated to play with my papers & photos & stamps.  I think the main reason why I didn't catch the scrapbook fever ('cause I'm the perfect demographic target) is because I find working with a large canvas too intimidating. 

It all makes sense to me now...  A Muse stamps are tiny.  Our notecards are smaller than average.  I love thin ribbon and tiny embellishments.  Small is very BIG with me. 

Last night I whipped up these fun little pages to make a winter mini book for my girls.  The girls were thrilled when they saw them at breakfast this morning. I might get hooked on this... nothing like a little positive feedback to keep 'ya going.

 

Don't forget to post your comments on the post below to enter your name to my blog giveaway.  One lucky winner will be chosen on Thursday night.

Have a bee-utiful day!

Giveaway time!

Yes, it's that time again!  I have the latest issues of:

• Beautiful Cards
• Quick Cards made easy
• Card making & papercraft

from Origin Publishing to give away.  These magazines are amongst my favorite.  The photography is great, and I always learn a new trick or two.

These issues feature cards for Spring and Mother's Day (Mother's day in the UK is celebrated on the 4th Sunday of Lent - this year on March 18th). 

To enter your name in this giveaway, please post a comment below and tell us which is your primary source for stamping inspiration... magazines, online galleries, blogs, local stamp store, etc. and why.

I will pick a winner on Thursday {3/8} at 10 pm (Seattle time) so you may post comments until then.   Good luck!

GGG

G is for Green

One more St. Paddy's day card for you.  This one was inspired by Emily's sweet birthday card.  The clover in the center is an EK Success paper shaper clover punch.  I put the clover shape into my Xyron 150 sticker maker and dropped it into ultrafine diamond glitter.  It is very sparkly in real life. 

Stamps & notes by A Muse.

More dreary weather here again today... does not make for pretty pictures!

G is for Girl Scout cookies!

Our troops' cookies were supposed to be delivered on Wednesday but were delayed until Saturday due to snow.  I am eagerly awaiting S-A-M-O-A-S!!

G is for Gratitude

Today I am grateful for:

• my husband... who still makes me a small pot of coffee even though he's given it up for lent!
• makenna & annabelle... who labelled over 400 lollipops to go in our boxes when we ship orders
• nina... for coming in to do the weekly a-muse-letter even though she is feeling crummy!
• the entire a*muse crew... for setting the bar so high!
• emails... from friends that were "lost"
• Royal Mail... yup, I have more g-o-r-g-e-o-u-s magazines from the UK.  I'm going to read through them over the weekend and will have a little giveaway next week - stay tuned!

More of the green!

Here are a couple of cards that use our Pot of Gold (2-2502C) stamp.  I think our Lime Peel asterix notes are a fun "canvas" for St. Patrick's Day cards.  Our Tiny Shamrock stamp (3-2501A) adds a little Irish charm!

For this second card, I added a "watercolor" rainbow.  I received a brand new top secret toy to create this rainbow.  I can hopefully share more on this favorite new product in the very near future so stay tuned.  In the meantime, you could easily make your own rainbow with watercolor paints.  A Niji waterbrush would be a good applicator. 

btw, sorry for the odd angles on the photos... The daylight is really bad today and I had to shoot in a tight corner by the window.

Have a happy day!