You're invited!

I hope you have enjoyed the sneak peeks of our new Summer Fun release.  Our creative team did a fantastic job showcasing our new products over the past few days. 

Our new summer fun release is available in its entirety at the fabulous stores listed in the right column.  Be sure to pop in for a visit soon.

I have been busy putting together a summer party... wouldn't it be fun if we could all get together for a bit of summer fun? 

First we'll start with the invitation.  This pocket card is my favorite type of invitation for an informal party.  It's fast and easy and a definite crowd pleaser. 

  

Did you notice that cute drink umbrella?  I made it with my Marvy Mega Scallop Circle punch and a wooden skewer.  It is held together with a Pop-up Glue dot and embellished with lime stickles. 

Here's a more detailed look at the invitation.  I stamped our new Sun stamp to give it a little punch.

 

Our new gingham papers are perfect for jazzing up your party decor.  Here I created some colorful bands for bottled water, and also as napkin rings. 

Of course, you could embellish the bands a bit more with stamps but for a large party, that might be a lot of extra work.  The bands are fast and easy and a great way to use up your scraps.

I made the scallops on the water bottles using my handy dandy Marvy Paper Trimming Buddy with the scallop blade.  I just love this paper trimmer for fancy edges - it cuts up to three sheets of cardstock at a time.  Not bad for a "fancy" cut.

These pinwheels are perfect for a summer party and a cinch to make as well.

My girls don't like to sit still for snacks and I don't like to find snack bowls all over the house.  My friend, Stephanie, taught me how to make these SUPER easy origami pockets a while back and the kids LOVE them. 

Here's a close up of the treat pocket.  Do you see the "brown" coconuts on the Open Palm Tree?  Those were clear twinkle stickers which I colored with a Sepia brown COPIC marker.  Tricky, eh?

 

Now that the kids have a snack, we better find a way to keep them busy while the Moms enjoy some beverages and conversation.  How's about some paper airplanes and a scavenger hunt.  My girls LOVE both of these activities - especially scavenger hunts. I try to make them very open ended so they can use their imaginations.  Here's a template for my scavenger hunt, if you'd like to print one (4 per sheet).

 

Now, you are probably thinking that you don't want to give up your precious card-stock for paper airplanes, right?  You really must sacrifice a few sheets because boy do these planes FLY!  Much better than regular paper!!  There are lots of different models... just do an internet search and you'll have more ways to fold a paper airplane than you thought possible. LOL!

Well, the party is winding down and everyone is getting ready to go home.  Don't worry, we have some lovely parting gifts for our friends.  The first gift is a memory game - match the colors of the new A Muse Petite Gingham papers.  I mounted these on Bazzill 2" Chipboard squares for durability.  There are 20 chips/package - perfect! 

  

The gable box was made with an accucut die and it holds the game pieces perfectly!

 

And, finally... at a presentation skills training class that I took eons ago, the trainer told us to "always leave them with a lolly".  So, here's an adorable lollipop treat for the kids to take away.  Hopefully the pretty cover will deter them from ripping it open right away.

 

Thank you for coming to my party!  I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. 

As you are reading this, I am enroute to Quebec taking my mother home.  She has recovered amazingly well from her heart surgery and was very touched by the love and support that you sent her way after her surgery.  Thank you to everyone that sent cards - they were much appreciated!

Here's a recent photo of my mom that Heather took when she was in town a few weeks ago. She looks well, doesn't she?!

 

Vi wants you to win some LOOT!  Woohoo!  She has picked 10 NEW stamps and an assorted package of the NEW A Muse Petite Gingham paper for TWO lucky winners.  How can you enter to win this fabulous prize?  Post a comment here and tell Vi which is your favorite stamp of the new A Muse Summer Fun release.

The ten stamps Vi picked are:

Enjoy the ride, Surfboard, Open Palm, Cabana, Ready Set Recline, Alligator, Let's do lunch, Submarine, Simply sublime, Warm hello

Vi will pick two winners on Friday, May 29th at noon EST.

Have a beautiful day!

 

A Muse Product Links
Stamps: Cabana, Let's Do Lunch, Sun, Life's a Breeze, Open Palm Tree, Little Fun Today, Pirate Bird, You are my Sunshine
Paper: Petite Gingham Paper in Orange, Green, Grass, Yellow, Blueberry; 4-bar notes in Orange Crush and Palm Green
Other: Clear Twinkle Stickers, Papaya Sheer ribbon, Lime Green Stickles, Apron Lace Border Punch, Scallop Circle Punches, Paper Trimming Buddy and scallop blade, Scallop Rectangle Punch, Bazzill 2" Chipboard squares

Comments

[Kathy McDonald]

Linda, your party projects are wonderful! Who wouldn't love to be invited to this soiree? My favorite stamp in the new release is the surfboard. I've seen so many darling cards made with it that I now NEED to add it to my collection!

Safe travels!

[Livia]

I just vacayed in Hawaii so I have to say the open palm tree. They are such beautiful trees!

Thanks for the chance to win!

[Susan N.]

Hi! Vi! Looking good, glad to hear you are feeling much better. My favorite new stamp is "hippo". My daughter loves hippo's and this is the cutest one I have seen so far. Love all the new Summer Fun release stamps. Thanks for a chance to win. Wishing you a safe trip home.

[Rachel Hope]

OOOH, tough choice....I love the Open Palm and the Sand Dollar, both just speak to me! :)

[Amy]

Fabulous party! How do we RSVP ;-)

Vi has great taste, for sure; she picked a fabulous assortment from this release! And she even included my favorite--Simply Sublime! What can I say? I'm a sucker for punny sentiments :-).

[Armie]

Wow, these projects are fantastic..all of them! Thanks for the inspirations and ideas! You always to know what we {heart}!! This SUMMER FUN release is really cool! My FAVE? Hmmm..tough choice. I'd say the CABANA and the PIRATE BIRD (soo cutee!).

Hello Vi, great to see you doing well and no more surgery..yipppee!! I'd say, yes, it's LOOT TIME! :o)

[sarah]

The girl pirate! Love it! :-) Me and everyone else I am sure.

[Whitney H.]

I love the submarine and hope your day is simply sublime. FUN new stamps!

[Lori Frost]

You are amazing. Your party ideas sound so incredible. Thanks for sharing everything, it inspires me. As far as my favorite stamp, it would have to be the hippo or maybe the alligator.

[Michelle]

I love the surfboard! So cute! The new sentiments are fabulous, as well! Thanks for the chance to win.

[jen shears]

I absolutely adored the ready set recline & open palm & cabana card!!!!
So glad Vi's recovering well!

[Analyn]

These projects are so wonderful! Vi, it's great to hear that you are doing well! My favorite stamps (which is a very difficult choice, I love them all!) is the Palm tree and surfboard.

Take care and I hope your family gets to spend as much quality time together making more joyous memories!

:)

[Shannon]

Vi you look fabulous!!:) My fave stamp is the sun. Take care,

[Kelly Marie]

I think I have to pick the alligator. He is such a cutie!

[Dana Klinkner]

Vi, so glad to hear that you have recovered so well - blessings to you as you head home!

I LOVE so many of the new stamps....I really like the new open palm tree - it's a favorite for sure. But I do have to say that the hippos is just stinkin' cute. Oh you guys always do such a great job of making my wishlist grow and grow....sigh.

Thanks for the chance to win!

[Lisa]

There's no place like home! Glad there's no submarine ride involved in getting you to Quebec . . . but that's my fav for this release.

Be well.

[Suzie P.]

A WARM HELLO. ENJOY THE RIDE home. Glad it's not in a SUBMARINE or on a SURFBOARD. The CABANA by the OPEN PALM is READY SET TO RECLINE in after DOING LUNCH with Mr. ALLIGATOR. It will be SIMPLY SUBLIME. Vi, my favorite new summer release would have to be ORCA with DON'T FORGET TO HAVE A LITTLE FUN TODAY! coming in a close second.

[Mo]

The snorkel boy reminds me of being a kid in Hawai'i, I can see oodles of cards coming from that stamp in all the A*Muse summer colors ;)

[Kathy D]

Oh, Vi! You look wonderful in the recent photo - so glad your recovery went well! I can't decide if Pirate Bird or Snorkel Boy is my favorite from the summer release.

[Pru]

I think my favorite is the sun. It looks so cheery, especially with all those bright new papers.

[Loydine]

It is very difficult to pick just one new favorite, but I think I'll pick Enjoy the Ride". This would be a cute sentiment for a birthday that could go with the convertible, the love bus, etc.
Thanks for the opportunity to win!

[Doreen Schostek]

All of the new stamps look so relaxing and "summery"......but I think the palm tree is my fave with the cabana being a close second! Glad your mom did so well after her surgery!

[Debby W.]

This is the best release EVER, Linda! I love them all ... but my favourite has to be the hippo. He is just so cute and darling!

[Jenn E.]

This release has to be my recent favorite! Picking one favorite from a bunch of favorites is tough - but I've been most drawn to the images of the surf board.

I'm so glad to hear your Mom is feeling so well. She must have a bunch of spunk! :)

[Cat]

VERY cute ideas!

hmmm, to pick just one favorite stamp? they're all so cute, and there's several i'll have to have, but probablby my most fav is the cutest hippo! i have nothing like it in my collection, so i'll have to have one :)

[leslie]

LOVE the Hippo! And if that sentiment: "Hippo Birdie to you!" is a stamp, that one wins MY vote! I've been hand-writing that sentiment for years!

[Sherrie]

All of them are adorable how can I just pick one? They scream summer to me and I can almost smell the suntan lotion! Maybe the bird with the peg leg... Thanks for the chance to win!

[Kimberly]

I absolutely love the little submarine!

[sue wisniewski]

Too many to choose from but I'll try. The open palm tree, bird with peg leg & snokel boy but I hope you add a girl soon.
thanks, stamping sue

[Edie]

Vi you sure look great!
Continuted good health to you!

My fav new stamp is....(it's tough to narrow down!) the sand dollar. It's just so cute!
Going in my cart TODAY! :)

[mj]

what happy news about your mom! :)
the surfboard stamp is sooo cool- love everything about it! and the new gingham paper is stinkin' cute!!! love all the fun ideas for a get together too!

[Laura Bassen]

Love that alligator, especially witht the Let's do lunch stamp. So great!

[Laura]

I love all the stamps but I think my favorite one is the cabana. It's just so relaxing and reminds me of when I go to Las Vegas and they have the cabanas by the pool and I wish I could be in one.

[lacyquilter]

The little peg-leg birdie is darling.

[Sarah]

I love the snorkel boy. I love the whole release actually but he's my favorite.

Thanks for the opportunity to win.

[Heather]

I LOVE the alligator with the "Let's Do Lunch" sentiment! So cute!

[Jackie]

My fave is the Open Palm Tree - it reminds me of Florida. I am a transplanted native Floridian and I still miss it!

[Melisa Hunter]

So many cute stamps! I love the surfboard!

[A. Flora]

The little boy snorkling. I have 2 little boys and he reminds me of them. Adorable!

[JenMarie]

I think the cabanna is my favorite! This is a fabulous release!!

[Jill]

I love the cabana - it will be a perfect stamp to "take me away" during the cold winter months.

[Gabriela]

Yikes, that is hard to say. I like so many of them. I really like the Snorkel Boy so I will pick that stamp.

Thanks Vi for wanting us to have a some blog candy.

[Molly K.]

Love them all! My favorite would have to be the sailboat. Reminds me of summers on the lake. Also very excited for the gingham card stock!

[Jackie]

Love 'em all...but that little alligator is so cute!! And the little boy snorkling...and...and...and...!!!

[Ingrid]

The top of my wish list includes the alligator, open palm and the cabana. I adore all the new papers as well. I am so glad Vi is doing well and feeling strong! Have a wonderful summer, Vi!

[Sheryl]

Best wishes to Vi! Take care! Well, there are SO many cute images ,but I think my favorite is the open Palm Tree! It's just so adorable and I love the added "coconuts" ! (second choice is the cabana!!!)

[Amy L. Weber]

What an awesome prize!! I want to win it so badly!! I'm especially lovin' the alligator--so cute!

[{vicki}]

surfboard is my fave

[Brittany]

I heart the submarine, it is adorable!

[Jayne]

I love these summer stamps! It's impossible to pick just one. If I have to I will say I love the snorkel boy and the surf board. Wish I could do both.

[Susie P]

Hooray! Thanks for the chance to win, my favorite is the snorkel boy, but I want them all!

[Suzanne]

I totally love the alligator! I can think of so many ways to use him!

[Sarah Jay]

I can't wait to add Sunshine & Laughter to my collection. It's so versatile and will go with so many of your images.

[Christine]

The Palm Sillhouette has to be my most favorite. The samples I have seen with it already are just breath taking. I just heart the new gingham papers also!! Thanks for the chance.

[Angie]

Ooooh, it's so hard to pick one favorite since they're all so adorable. I think I love the submarine the most.

[Louise]

Dear Linda and Vi, So glad to see Vi looking so well! I think my favorite of the new stamps is the open palm tree but it is a tough choice.

[Gerianne K. Patti]

I Love
The simply sublime sentiment- you can use it with the adorable submarine or with the margarita glass stamp. Can't WAIT to get that one

Happy Summer!
-Gerianne

[Doris G.]

Oh, this is a hard one...but I am going to say the cabana. It is just darling....

[Bethany]

Since I'm from Florida, I ADORE the whole release, but I'm a Florida Gator girl, so you know I love the new Alligator!

[Anita Young]

Such cute projects!! I love the open palm - reminds me of our trip to Hawaii a couple of years ago :) Thanks for the chance to win.

[Pam]

They are all so cute it is hard to pick just one. I will say the cabana brings back some great memories.

[Jennifer Andrews]

They are all adorable. I especially love the surfboard and the submarine. So many ways to use those.

[Amye]

Love them all... and even more so as I have seen how creative the creative team really is! I especially love the sentiments. But my favotire might just be the Sailboat!

[Denise~Paper Ponderings]

Choose? One? Oh my...how is that possible? Alligator? Surfboard? I love 'em!

[Stephanie Jones]

the SURFBOARD! I'm married to a surfer! Can't wait to get my hands on this down at Paper Tales in San Diego!

[Heather]

cute, cute and even more cute... LOVE them all.

[Denise]

I can't wait to find the cabana. I live in south Texas, somewhat near Corpus Christi and I think of Corpus when I see the cabana. I love the new summer stamps. Thank you for making my card making so easy and unique!

[Cassi]

Fabulous release, I love the sun, submarine, and hippo!

[Mary Ann]

I LOVE Snorkel Boy. That's what my son looked like every summer when he was little. Brought back memories!

[Bryn]

Hi Vi, Linda and all the other a muse gals! I am so glad to hear that Vi is recovering well, time surrounded by loved ones is incredibly healing! I love all of these new summer releases but the sailboat speaks to my heart, I grew up spending my summers on a C&C sailboat, so I can't wait to send that image on a card to my dad for father's day!
Best of continued health!

Bryn

[Rachael]

I love them all! My favorite is probably the submarine or the little snorkler. It's so hard to choose, they are all so adorable! And the papers, oh my gosh! I think I'm in stamp heaven! :0)

[Jeanette]

what fun images, I think my favorite though is either the sand dollar or the open palm. Just love them both too much to choose.

[Dottie K.]

What a great prize! I like the hippo and alligator. It's hard to pick they're all so adorable. Thanks so much for a chance to win. Love the new papers!!!! Can't wait to see them in person at my stamp store. Hope she has them!!! :)

[erica m.]

Do I really have to choose only one? The sentiments are fabulous and my fave stamps are snorkel boy and cabana!

[Olga Hall]

I am in love with this line!!! ohhhh to pick one??? I love the cabana....with the invitation of " let's do lunch"

[Teresa]

Hey Vi! I was the crazy girl that cut tons and tons of Accucut shapes when I was there with my mom in April. It was great to hang out with you! I'm in love with the cute hippo. Thanks for the chance to play!

[Christine Loy]

Like most A Muse Fans, we would end up with all or most of the Summer line. I know I would. But, if I must pick - I would pick the hippo and the hippo birdie to you sentiment. It was a hard choice, like picking a favorite amongst your children!

[Teresa]

Great to see that you're well Vi!
I have to say the "hippo" is my favorite and a top priority to purchase.

[Jodi]

Love the alligator! My little girl has just fallen in love with alligators and your stamp is a cute one.

[Sharon Knitter]

I love the cabana! I want a real one.

[Jessie]

Love them all if I had to pick it would be the surfboard!! Happy Summer!!!!

[Janelle]

I just recently discovered A Muse, and I am very excited about these new stamps.
The submarine, sublime, and deep sea diver stamps have to be my favorite. I love the yellow sub card!

Thanks,
Janelle

[Terri]

I would love to pair the adorable alligator with let's do lunch. Seems crazy, I know, bu alligators always look hungry to me! But I really like Orca, too. We are big fans of Sea World. GREAT new stuff!

[Lara]

I just love the open palm with the surfboard a very close second.

[Kim Smetters]

Love the FUN TODAY stamp since we as humans forget to take a little time out to enjoy the good times and special memories in the making...this stamp reminds people to do just that!! Great stamp :)

[Joan Kriete]

I just love them ALL! Summer in Chicago...will it ever get here! These cards make me hopeful and wanting to bring on the sun or go to find the sun either one!! Thanks for the new stamps and all the great ideas! Love AMUSE and your BLOG! Keep up the great work Ladies!!

[Robyn]

There are so many great stamps to choose from in this release, but I'd have to say my favorite is the hippo! Sooo cute!

[neve]

That little pirate bird is just too cutie. I can't help but giggle every time I see it.

[Rose]

Way to go, Vi! You look great! Wishing you well.
I have to say my favorite is all of them, but if I have to narrow it down, it would be the surfboard. My daughters just took their first surf lesson and it reminds me of a fun day in their lives.

[laura gz]

I have to agree with my sister - that little pirate bird is my favorite. Although the hippo comes in as a close second.

[Ann I.]

So glad to hear that Vi is well again! Loving all the new stamp releases! Must haves are the submarine for its uniqueness and the sun for its versatility!!

[BeachGirl]

My favorite stamp in the new release is "have a sun-sational time". All these beachy stamps are making me smile!

[Manjari]

I would have to say that all the sunshine stamps are my favorites. They are so versatile that you can use them anytime, for any occasion and they're sure to bring sunshine and smiles to everyone.

[Lolita]

So glad to hear Vi is doing well. I'm jealous that you are going to Quebec. My mom leaves in Montreal and I live in Washington. Sigh. My favorite stamp of this release. There are too many to pick just one ... however Snorkel Boy reminds me of my son Gabriel. So that's the one. Have a safe trip.

[Patty W]

Vi looks BEAUTIFUL ! Reminds me of my dear Grandma!

Love all the stamps. A warm hello speaks to me, as well as the gingham and the pirate bird!

[Beth Rang]

Hi! My favorite new stamp is the girl pirate. Aaarrrrr!

[Kellene P.]

I'm loving the gator and the sailboat. Too cute!

[Karen]

I love the open palm \! Your party goodies and favors are so cute!

[Brenda H.]

So glad to hear that your Mom is recovering so well!
What cute projects and favors...love it all! My favorite is the palm tree. Thanks for this chance to win!
~Brenda H.

[Christina L.]

Best wishes, Vi; you look wonderful! I absolutely love the open palm - it can be used in so many ways. Really cute. Thanks for the chance to win!