A Muse News

Sacramento Classes - THIS Friday

I am super excited to be heading to Sacramento later this week to teach at The Paper Garden Boutique THIS Friday (September 3rd).  My good friend, Stephanie, will be celebrating her store's 4th anniversary this weekend with an event that you don't want to miss!

I will be teaching a Best of TGIF {our most popular Seattle class} from 10 to 11 am and then again from 6 to 7 pm.  The cost is only $15 and spots are filling up fast.  Call the store to register (916-487-2737).

If you can't make it to one of my classes, I hope to see you at The Paper Garden Anniversary event on Saturday where I'll be helping out all day.

~Linda

 

 

Oh what a party!

Sorry these photos are a litle late... they were on my camera which went with me to Quebec for our annual trip to the cottage.

This July, we held our very first A-MUSE-A-PALOOZA party at the A Muse shop in Seattle.  We had such fun dreaming up party decorations, menu items and make & take projects.  The A Muse crew outdid themselves!!

Here are a few photos that I thought you might enjoy...

 
Every party needs a pretty banner, right?

 
Add some scor-tape & glitter and you've got glittery clothespins!

 
...and yummy gingerbread cupcakes!

{We used our accucut machine to make the cupcake wraps with our Shimmer Couture paper - so pretty!}

 
...and popcorn! 

{Again, we used our accucut machine to make these fab popcorn holders using our Shimmer Couture papers.  Shimmer Couture papers worked great as there were no icky popcorn grease stains!}

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You will want to decorate some water bottles for your next party - fun and fabulous!

 

Take a closer look at the base for this card holder - a spice drop! 

 

Here's a photo of the A Muse gals before the party started. 

 
{L to R: Heidi, Rhonda, Michele, Brenda & Kim}

Thank you to all of our customers that stopped by to make this event such fun!  We enjoy spending time with you and thank you for your continued support of A Muse.

 

P.S.  Don't forget to leave a little blog love by posting a comment on Carly's Guest Designer post(s) below for a chance to win some A Muse loot! 

Around Town - September Classes

The A Muse Instructor Team has some fabulous September classes coming up!  Instructors who are teaching in September are listed below.  Simply click on their names to hop over to their class schedules for more information on the events offered in your area. 

Alaska
Donna Hitz

Arizona
Lori Barnett

British Columbia
Glenda Wyatt

California
Jill Grace

Indiana
Michelle Mathey

Maryland
Melinda Matzen

Massachusetts
Jenn Shurkus
Liz Ballard

Newfoundland
Meghan Fahey

New Hampshire
Liz Ballard

New Jersey
Cheiron Brandon

New York
Cheiron Brandon
Sherry Czarnecki

Oregon
Katie Stilwater

Texas
Geeta Suggs

Washington
Joyce Wheeler
Novell Eckstrom
Rhiannon Christianson

Wisconsin
Dawn Stein
Kamila Younkman

 

Guest Designer Carly Robertson - Week 4

It's time again for more inspiration from our guest designer Carly Robertson!  Today, I have four fun holiday designs, so let's get right to them!

On this first design, Carly popped up the fox using foam tape to give him some dimension.  And the big eyelet and Twinkle stickers at the top of the trees add a little extra pizzazz!

This next design uses our beautiful new big cling Poinsettia stamp!  Carly die cut a scallop card and then added a little ribbon to the top to finish it off (and it does double-duty by hiding the fold - slick!)  Love the black twinkle stickers in the center of the Poinsettia!

These owls make such fun little scenes!  More sparkle using twinkle stickers on the owl's eyes!

And one more for you today - featuring our new Santa and Candy Cane paper.  I *love* the tiny jingle bell - it really makes it special because not only is it adorable, it *sounds* fun too!  I just want to sit here and jingle her card - LOL!

So fun!  And let's not forget, Carly has a few more things to share from our word association game:

• Climate – I love a sunny warm climate which is strange because I live in Canada.
• Last purchase – A Muse of course. :)
• Proudest moment – When I had my first cards published. It was in CARDS Magazine and I think I screamed with excitement for weeks.
• Passion – Stamps and ink!
• Food – Does chocolate count?
• The future – Full of countless possibilities and I am looking forward to seeing what amazing opportunities present themselves.
• Time of day – Definitely late at night when my girls are in bed, the house is quite and I can retreat to my craft room for a little “me” time.

We are nearing the end of Carly's designs, but it's not over yet - I have a bonus week for you!  So be sure to stop back next Friday to see the last of Carly's fabulous work!

Remember to enter for a chance to win by leaving a comment on this, and on each of the Guest Designer posts featuring Carly's designs!  (one comment per post please)

 

Shop News - 8/24/10

Make & Take

With school right around the corner and book clubs ramping back up after a summer break, we've got the perfect make & take this week. A corner bookmark!  You get to pick between 2 designs - an elegant monogramed damask one or a cute school time one!

Join us anytime between 11:30am - 1:30pm, Wednesday or Saturday, to make this great project.

New in the Shop

Halloween is just around the corner.  Come check out all of our great new stuff! From mice silhouettes to poison bottle labels to loads of new punches, we've got everything you need to have a very creepy holiday.

 

New ribbon pack from the Dear Lizzy line of American Crafts

6 different types in the pack - $5.25  I ~heart~ the party flags one:)

Very Cute Hamburger Notepad

Fun mini notepad from Japan - $3.  So silly!

{NEW} Paper Flowers and Leaves

We just *love* these new paper flowers! Coming in different sizes and colors, they are great for adding dimension to all of your projects. Many of them are two-toned - so pretty!

Mini paper flowers 20 pk - $1.99

 

Small paper flowers 20 pk - $2.50

 

Medium paper flowers 10 pk - $2.99 / Small paper leaves 25 pk - $1.99

 

Large paper flowers 5 pk - $2.00

 

Medium paper leaves 25 pk - $2.00 / Large paper fern leaves 25 pk - $2.50

Enjoy the last little bits of summer. Hope to see you around the shop.

Michele

Guest Designer Carly Robertson - Week 3

Hiya! I'm back with more sweet designs for you from Carly today!  This time let's jump right in and check out her cards.  But keep reading below for more words from Carly and I'll also reveal the prize she has chosen!

First up today is this adorable snow couple - the snow gent and snow lady.  I love how Carly paper pieced the gingham to give them clothes!  And the button and twinkle stickers are fun details!

 
To go along with the snow couple, Carly also made a coodinating snow baby card!  Notice the tiny jingle bell tied on the ribbon - it is sooo cute in person!

 
Next up is the fun ginger kids from the ginger delights cling set paired with one of the new labels in the holiday labels set.  Love Carly's use of twinkle stickers in the corners of the label!

 
This next design is my favorite of the group today.  Hopefully you can see all the embossed white snowflakes - it is stunning in person!

 
Here is a closeup - beautiful!
 
Here are a few more of Carly's thoughts in response to our word association questionaire:

• Ink – I have tons and tons of ink in probably every brand and color. I’m a little addicted to ink.
• Family – Been with my hubby for 17 years, married for 14, and we have two beautiful twin daughters that just turned 3 in June. Plus a few crazy cats.
• Beverage – Earl Grey tea latte from Starbucks.
• Biggest challenge – Trying to accomplish everything I want to do within the day.
• First stamp – It was something from Stampin’ Up which I bought at a party, and an A Muse stamp was the second one I ever bought.
• Can’t live without – Chocolate, a good handbag and my stamps.
• Favorite product – I just love my Copics Airbrushing system right now.

Now... I bet you'd love to know what Carly has chosen as the Guest Designer prize - right?!  I'll let Carly tell you:

"For the prize I’d have to pick the Kitchen Green notecards and the super sweet Snow Gent stamp. I just adore the little snowman and woman stamps – they're so super cute!"

So be sure to enter for a chance to win by leaving a comment on this, and on each of the upcoming Guest Designer posts featuring Carly's designs!  (one comment per post please)

I still have lots more of Carly's designs to share, so stay tuned for more holiday designs next week!

Shop News - 8/17/10

Make & Take

Lately I have been so obsessed with the fancy frame shape and all that you can do with it!  This week we're taking our die-cut bracket frame and folding it to make a holder for some sour straws (licorice would work too!) A cute way to say thanks!

Join us anytime between 11:30am - 1:30pm, Wednesday or Saturday, to make this free project!

Classes { THIS } week! Join us!

TGIF Stampin' -Thanks for Everything! -$10                                                                                        Friday, August, 20th 12-1pm

You can never have too many 'thank you' cards on hand! Join us for some fun in this lunch hour class!

Here is one of the projects we'll be making. It's inspired by a beautiful card from guest designer Carly Robertson. These super cute small flowers are now available in the shop!

Summertime with the Slice - $25, with Rhiannon

Saturday, August 21st, 4pm

Join Rhiannon as she breaks out her Slice and shows you how you can incorporate this FABULOUS tool into your crafting! We will be using the “Under the Sea” Cartridge along with our fantastic aquatic/beach-themed stamps to make several fun projects!

Slice Girls~Under the Sea - $10, with Rhiannon

Saturday, August 21st, 2 to 3 pm

Please bring your fully charged Slice machine and the 'Under the Sea' cartridge to this class.

Here are some of the projects you'll be making. How cute is that starfish card?!

Pre-registration is required for all classes. Register by calling the shop at 206-783-4882 or online here.

Have a great week!

Michele

Guest Designer Carly Robertson - Week 2

Hello!  I'm back with more from Guest Designer, Carly Robertson!  We gave Carly a list of words and asked her to share what came to mind so we could all get to know her better.  Here is a portion of the list and her replies (we'll share the rest in her next two posts):

• Name – Carly Robertson
• Stamping – Allows me to be creative, have fun and meet amazing and inspiring people.
• Style - Clean and simple with a splash of fun!
• Inspiration – I find it everywhere, especially in fabric, magazines and my 3 year old twin daughters clothing.
• Color – I love blues, greens and pinks.
• Work space – Very organized. It’s crazy, but I have to have a clean craft room in order to create.
• Perfect day – Starts with Starbucks, maybe some spa treatments, having lots of fun family time, ending it with a great meal, and then off to my stamp room for an evening of card making.
• Wildest dream – To own a little shop one day.

Today, I have two more of Carly's Halloween cards and a treat to share, so let's get right to them!

I love Carly's use of the Petite Gingham paper on all three of these designs!  This first card features the new Hazel Witch Owl.  If you look closely, you can see that she added a perfect tiny twinkle sticker on the broom!  

On her next design - is this hat not amazing!?  Carly used her Silhouette to create it, but it is an easy enough shape that it could be cut by hand.  Notice the button and ribbon on the hat too!  A little drippy goo accents the new graveyard stamp and I love how Carly covered part of the punched goo line with an orange sheer ribbon so that the black shows through.  Gives it a cool - almost velvety look! 

And last but not least... a treat!  Carly used one of our new Halloween sentiments along with our Charlotte spider stamp to make a fun treat topper!  Mmmm - the Candy Corn is sitting here next to me as I write this and it looks sooo yummy I just want to eat it... LOL!  

Well, that's it for today (*sigh*) but I'll be back next Friday with a few of Carly's wintery designs and I'll reveal the prize she has chosen!  Remember to enter for a chance to win by leaving a comment on this, and on each of the upcoming Guest Designer posts featuring Carly's designs!  (one comment per post please)

Shop News - 8/9/10

Make & Take

Sometimes real simple is, well, just right. Join us this week for a simple but oh so cute {FREE} project!  Using the fancy square punch and adding some hand-drawn stitching, we'll make a cute topper for a life-saver treat.  

Stop by anytime between 11:30am and 1:30pm, Wednesday or Saturday, and join us for some fun!

Hope to see you around the shop!

Michele

Holidays in July Challenge Round-Up!

Hi there! It's time for another A Muse Lounge Challenge Round Up! :) July's challenge was called *Holidays in July* and the challenge was to create something for any holiday! There were so many fun and festive creations made!! Our Design Team chose their favorite card this month, and here it is! It was created by Courtney, aka CK21!!

And here are 9 more awesome cards created for this challenge! Click on each card to see the entire design on the designer's blog or gallery.

  

Courtney won a fun A Muse prize for being this month's favorite, and we also drew a prize winner randomly from ALL the participants, and the winner is........Atticelf!! Congratulations Julie!!

I sure hope you enjoyed all of these fabulous creations!! :) We have a new challenge up for August, and it is called *Stick to the Pattern*!! The challenge to use your A Muse stamps to create a card that has a pattern on it! :) There are already some *patterned* cards posted so be sure to head to the Lounge to check them out! :) I hope you will join in and play along this month too! :)

Guest Designer Carly Robertson!

It's time to reveal our guest designer for August... please join me in welcoming Carly Robertson!!  You may know Carly from her fabulous blog, Paper in Bloom, and she is an active member on our A Muse Lounge!  I am excited to share her adorable designs with you this month.  Carly has created inspiring Halloween and Holiday designs using our newly released A-MUSE-A-PALOOZA stamps!

Today I have three of her Fall/Halloween designs to share, but first I'll let Carly tell you a little about herself:

"Hello, my name is Carly Robertson and I'm so thrilled to be this month's Guest Designer!

I am a mom to busy 3 year old twin daughters, Abigail and Emma; and wife to a wonderfully supportive husband. Our family lives in Canada near the Rocky Mountains and we feel truly blessed to live so close to such beautiful surrounds.

I discovered my love for stamping shortly after my girls were born. My first introduction was at a card making party with friends where I ordered my first set of stamps, some ink, and a little bit of paper. Shortly after that party I found A Muse, bought my second set of stamps and have been completely addicted to this hobby ever since.

Stamping has become an outlet were I not only get to be creative and have fun, but it has also given me the opportunity to meet a group of amazing and wonderfully creative people. When I'm not spending time with my family and friends, you can always find me in my craft room. :-)

Thank you so much A Muse for this incredible opportunity; what an unbelievable honor!"

First up today is this simply spooky card featuring our new "three mice silhouette" stamp.  Carly always adds some fun details in her designs - notice that she rounded two of the corners on the white layer to give it more visual interest.  And I *love* the way Carly used the new spider tag stamp - the black lace ties in perfectly with the web!

 
In this next design, Carly used one of my favorite stamps from the new release - birch forest with leaves!  The leaves are mounted on the end of the stamp, so you can easily stamp them in different colors!  Carly used beautiful shades of Fall along with our new nutmeg and squash papers.  The brown button makes a perfect accent!

 
Carly's last design today is a fun Trick or Treat card which features one of the pumpkins in the new Jack O' Lanterns cling set!  If you look closely, you can see that Carly accented the eyes with black twinkle stickers!  So cool how Carly used the petite gingham paper cut into a large circle layer, and then accented it with a circle tag.  A little ric rac ribbon and a Martha punch tie it all together - simply sensational!

   
I hope you enjoyed Carly's first set of designs.  There is lots more to come - next week I'll be back with more of Carly's spooky Halloween cards and fun treat too!  And now... it's giveaway time!  We asked Carly to choose a stamp and pack of notecards to share with three lucky winners.  What did she choose?  Stay tuned to find out - we'll reveal the prize in one of her upcoming posts!  To enter for a chance to win, just leave a comment on this, and on each of the upcoming Guest Designer posts featuring Carly's designs!  (one comment per post please)

 

Shop News 8/3/10

Make & Take

When life gives you lemons...send a glass of lemonade to a sweet friend : ) Inspired by Heather's chappy holder, this week we'll be making a lemonade packet holder. So cute!

Join us anytime between 11:30am - 1:30pm, Wednesday or Saturday, to make this fun {FREE} project!

Summertime customer bonuses!

We have 2 exciting bonuses right now:

Farmers Market Bucks - We just love supporting our local Farmers Markets! For every $20 spent in our retail shop we will give you a $2 coupon good at 7 local Seattle Farmers Markets.  Win - win!  Shop local! Find out more about this program in the shop.

'Stamp all Night' tote bags - For every $50 spent in the shop or online you can get this pink tote bag with our darling owls as a GIFT from us:)  The bag is also available for purchase at $3 each. While supplies last. Not applicable to previous orders or purchases.

CLEARANCE!!

Clear Alphabet stamp sets on major SALE! 

Large sets, only $5:

Polka Dot Uppercase Large, Polka Dot Lowercase Large, Barney Uppercase, Paisley Uppercase, Graffiti Lowercase, Stitched Uppercase, Stitched Lowercase ~ $5

Small sets, only $3:

Broadway, Tiny Flower, Stitches Numbers, Paisley Numbers, Polka Dot Lowercase ~ $3

Come in and get them while they are hot!! Online, they are under the 'new sale' section:)

Classes THIS week

Intro to stamping with Michele - Thursday, August 5th, 7pm - $15

Know anyone that wants to start stamping and needs to learn the basics? Or do you dabble in stamping but want to know more - like, what inks to use for which project or envelope sizing? Then, this is the class for you!

TGIF Stampin' - Birthday Bonanza - Friday, August 6th, 12-1pm - $10

Our popular, quick, lunch hour classes are always a success.  Join us to make some fabulous birthday cards! You always needs to have a few of these on hand, right ? :)

Pre-registration and payment required for all classes.  Call the shop at 206-783-4882 to register or register for any of our classes online here.

Have a great week!

Michele