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.

Comments

[Sarah Moore]

Wonderful cards Elena!

[scoopy]

Yay Elena! The rock star is very cool and I bet the treasure card just *sparkles* in person!

[mj]

Spunky and fun rock star card! I really love the extra touch the twinkle stickers give off and how you focused the chest with the circle punch. :)

[Michelle M White]

I love your cards and reading about you! The treasure chest is one of my favorite stamps; I can't believe I never thought to put "jewels" in it. Great idea! I have four kids too, so I can relate to the laundry and not wanting to waste a moment!!! (LOVE that cake!)

[Riza Almanza]

Great card! I really like simple, unclutetred card layout...it says so much more.

[GioBoo]

Good work, I love the simplicity of your cards. Beautiful!!!!

[Julia Stainton]

Congratulations Elena! What great art work! How exciting to be the first A Muse guest designer!

[Melissa]

Elena-
I really love the simplicity of your cards. Makes me think that I could do it too *hehe*.
Keep up the good work!!
~Melissa

[YM]

Wow! I love the treasure card!!

[doverdi]

Congrats Elena. What fun, simple cards.

[Rita]

Love your cards Elena..TFS!

[Michelle]

My grandsons would love the rock card! But I particularly like the friendship card. I have many uses for those stamps, so I must get them to CASE your brilliant design.

Great job!

[Cindy B]

I think most of us can relate to your work which is what makes it so appealing.

[Ashley]

Two more great cards. The rockstar card is great - love the colors.

[Kristi Ferro]

oh I love this rock guy.....

[Beth Watson]

Elena - Great card designs for that special guy. Simple and clean with a touch of sparkle.

[Jenna]

More fantastic cards! Each one of your designs is wonderful!

[Yvette P.]

Hi Elena...These cards are great. I am very fond of the "treasure your friendship". I love how you used the A MUSE twinkle stickers on that one & your color choices are great. Who would not feel happy receiving that "You rock" card. I really like the pink, orange, black color combination on that one. THANK YOU for sharing all of your work with us fellow stampers out there. I hope you will consider a blog someday! THANK YOU LINDA FOR KEEPING US A MUSE FANATICS POSTED...YOU ARE INCREDIBLE!

[Thanh]

lol. Your "hole" sounds like my stamp space as well! I live in a teeny tiny bachelor suite and my crafting storage is also my bookshelf/school supplies storage. Talk about confined space! These cards are awesome and I look forward to seeing more of your work, Elena.

[happy_stamper_Nancy]

Hi Elena- You are a very talented designer. You do great work with A MUSE stamps! I was curious what your first A Muse stamp was that you bought for yourself. You said that you use it "all the time" & was was just curious to know if it was a A Muse stamp in my collection as well. I will miss seeing your work. Please let us know if you ever start a blog!! THANKS to LINDA as well for sharing!