A Muse News

Shop News - 9/27/2010

Make & Take

Beware!!! :) Using our matchbox die-cut and the Martha Stewart Graveyard edge punch, we'll make a darling little box with a 3D Graveyard on top.  Perfect for treats!

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

 

TGIF - Stampin' Class this week!

With Sympathy

Friday, October 1st, 12-1pm

Join us for this quick, fun, lunch-hour class where we'll make 3 sympathy cards. Only $10!

 Call the shop to register - 206-783-4882  or register online here.

 Hope to see you in the shop or in class!

 Michele

 

 

Spread the word...

09/27/2010 - We have a WINNER!  Thanks to everyone that participated in our Spread the Word challenge!  If the 54 people that participated told at least two people, that means 150... and hopefully they will also tell two people, and so on!  

drum roll, please!

The winner of an  A Muse $50 Gift Certificate is Michelle Krumsee who writes:

"I shared the link on Facebook and sent an email out to friends. The story about Charley brought tears to my eyes. I was so touched. I love that you are supporting her fund."

Congratulations, Michelle!  Please email us at [email protected] and we'll get your gift certificate set up!

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Spread the word suggestions:

• Post a link on your blog
• Post a calendar you have made in a public online gallery
• Send an email to your friends
• Post a link on your facebook page
• Slip it into your conversation with friends over coffee

Come back and let us know how you told two friends... and we'll add to this list!

Thanks for helping us Spread the Word!

Around Town - October Classes!

The A Muse Instructor Team has some spooky October classes coming up! Instructors who are teaching in October 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
Tracy Falco

Delaware
Melinda Matzen

Georgia
Michelle Clark

Indiana
Michelle Mathey

Maryland
Melinda Matzen

Massachusetts
Jenn Shurkus
Liz Ballard

Newfoundland
Meghan Fahey

New Hampshire
Liz Ballard

New Jersey
Cheiron Brandon
Heather Meeson

New York
Cheiron Brandon
Sherry Czarnecki

Texas
Geeta Suggs

Virginia
Melinda Matzen

Washington
Joyce Wheeler
Michele O'Neill
Novell Eckstrom
Rhiannon Christianson

Wisconsin
Dawn Stein

Shop News - 9/21/10

Make & Take

'When witches go riding.....'

Using our "bridal dress" die-cut, we'll make an elegant witch box you can fill with goodies! Check out her hat, it's flocked for extra texture! Super cute!

 

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

Shop News!

PUNCHES GALORE!!!

A Muse is THE destination for punches in Seattle.  We have 24 different Halloween punches in stock!

From Martha Stewart:

Large Double Spider Web-SUPER HOT!Our rep said that we are the only ones around town that have this right now!

Large Iron Fence

Large Spider

Large Skull

Large Jack O Lantern

Large Vampire

Large Witches and Cauldron

Large Witch Hat ( in our M&T above)

Large Trick or Treat

Corner Bats

Corner Spiderweb

Drippy Goo Edge

Mice Edge

Scary Fence Edge

Pumpkin Patch Edge

Graveyard Edge

Splatter

Tombstone

Skull and Bones

Hard Candy

Pumpkin

Bat

Witch

From EKS:

Large Bat

Loads and loads! Come check them out! You can always add anything from the shop to your online order even if it's not on the website.  Just enter the item in the 'comments' section in your shopping cart.

New Slice Cartridges from $39.99 - $49.99

Bon Appetit!, Remember This and Paws & Claws

Spellbound, Spook Alley - Perfect for your Halloween and Fall papercrafting!

 Upcoming classes!

Haunted Halloween Greetings & Gifties! - $25, with Rhiannon

Saturday, September 25th, 4pm

Come and learn how to make some Haunted Halloween Greetings and Gifties, using some of the NEW A*Muse Halloween Images!  Walk away with fabulous ideas for your own haunted celebration or a sweet treat for that special little ghoul or goblin!  Look at some of these cute projects you'll be making!

TGIF - Stampin' - With Sympathy

Friday, October 1st, 12-1pm - $10

Join us for our fun, quick lunch hour class! You'll make 3 sympathy cards and be out in a jiffy:) Here's one that we will be making.

 

Call us at 206-783-4882 to register for these classes or sign up online here.

Anniversary Sale update!

Do you want to be an Anniversary sale VIP?  Join us for our Anniversary Sale Class and get EARLY ACCESS!!

 Halloween Mini Album

Saturday, October 9th,  9-10am - $10

Heather has done it again with this amazingly creative design! Using recycled toilet paper rolls, (yep, you heard me) we will be making this darling 3-ringed Halloween Mini Album.  Once you are finished with your project, you will have special, early VIP access to all the sale goods!!!

 

Space for this class is very limited, so sign up today! Call us at 206-783-4882 to register!

Hope to see you soon!

Michele

 

Calendar Inspiration - Day 6

Welcome to our final day of scheduled Calendar Inspiration posts.  We will continue to post Calendar projects in the coming weeks to spark your creativity!

I'd appreciate it you'll help us Spread the Word about this project.  You could win a $50 A Muse gift certificate just for telling two friends.  Read contest details here.

This first project, featuring the A Muse Mini calendar, was designed by Jenni.

Look at these!! Lunch box notes - how adorable!

"I love making little lunch box love notes for my kids's lunches and I thought the mini calendars would be fun, different element to add to some of the notes, perfect for special days! To create the notes, I normally take half of a 4 bar notecard and fold it in half, and it is the perfect size for a mini card to tuck in their lunch! Having some mini calendars printed up and punched out would make these cards really fast and easy to create anytime you needed a quick note."

                     ~Jennie

To see more of Jennie's clever ideas, be sure to visit her blog Simply Caffeinated.

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This next project featuring the A Muse 4" x 6" calendar was designed by June.  It's such a sweet design... I know you will LOVE it... and be begging her to find out where she got the adorable hanger for her project.  

 

 

 

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Our last Calendar Inspiration project for the week was designed by Glenda.  This is Glenda's 2nd Calendar project to be featured here on the A Muse blog.  Thanks, Glenda!

Glenda features the A Muse mini calendar in this darling project!  I love that she used her scraps to make it! Makes me wanna go rummage through my scrap box right now...

"The mini calendar just screams fun. I decided to use up a bunch of my scraps and pull together this cute mini calendar. Some stamps, die cuts, eyelets, a ring and some ribbon. Easy as pie. This little gem will hang on a hook in my craft room."

Here's a peek inside.  I love how she stamped right over the calendar. 

Glenda is a certified A Muse instructor.  Please check out her class schedule and fabulous designs on her blog Glenda's Papers, Scissors & Rocks.

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Thank you for joining us.  I hope you are inspired to tackle some calendar projects!  Have a great weekend!

 

Calendar Inspiration - Day 5

Wow!  We are up to Day 5 of our Calendar Inspiration posts!  I hope you have found some ideas that spark your imagination and creativity. 

Today, I have three projects to share.

The first project features our FULL PAGE calendar, created by moi (linda). 

My family  used to receive lots of FREE calendars from our local real estate agents - you know, the ones with the pretty photos.  Last year we didn't get any!  Either our real estate agent friends have decided we are never moving or they have decided to spend their marketing dollars on other things.  In any case, I found myself in dire NEED of a full page calendar to keep track of our family activities.

The full page calendar was designed to be FUNCTIONAL but can easily be gussied up to be both functional & pretty!  I have made quite of few of these full page calendars for my girls and as gifts for family.  Here are some fast and easy ways that I have found to bind the calendars together:

• bind-it all with coils
• bind it all holes tied with ribbons
• binder rings
• BIG binder clips (you can find some really pretty ones!)

My favorite way to print the calendar is on the white side of A Muse printed cardstock.  I will usually pick 3-4 colors and alternate them before placing in the printer.  I then add photos or stamped images to the colored/patterned side.  So fast and easy!

 

 

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Emily has been featuring her beautiful A Muse Calendar pages on her blog every month for the past few years.  This year she has decided to mix things up a little bit.

"For my calendar design this year, I printed my calendars on colored pages instead of white. As you know, A Muse has lots of solid cardstock colors in 8.5"x11", so that made it super easy!  And the white core gave a finished look on the back of each page."

Sweet and simple!

Be sure to visit Emily's blog for a monthly dose of calendar inspiration.

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As we have seen, the A Muse team is finding lots of creative uses for our NEW! 4" x 6" calendar. 

Here is another inspiring project, designed by Lori.

"A 4 x 6 calendar AND a black & white version!  This size and neutral color is PERFECT for my design idea.  My hubby and his dad recently went on a fishing trip to Alaska. I knew he would love to have some of his pictures on display.  That’s how I got my idea for a re-usable calendar base that you can change out the month pages and personalize it with photographs. With both the calendars and pictures being 4 x 6, it’s a super easy…no fuss creation.  To help save on paper, I printed on both sides of the A Muse cardstock.  Having 1 side colored and 1 side white gives some variety as well. On the back is a pocket to hold the calendar pages and pictures."

 

I {heart} the pocket.

 To see more of Lori's inspiring projects, please visit her blog Stamp Scents.

I hope you have a great weekend.  Please pop in for more creative calendar ideas.  And, don't miss our Spread the Word contest!

 

Three for Thursday!

This must be a record for us... 3 posts in one day!

We are so happy to welcome the lovely and talented Anna Wight to the A Muse blog again to share some beautiful calendar inspiration.  Anna has supported the A Muse Calendar project for the past three years, wowing us with her creative talent! Thank you Anna for your support!

Anna's calendar is beautiful and practical and would make a great (& inexpensive) gift! 

Anna used the black and white version of the 4x4 calendar for her project.  The b+w files are included with the purchase of each calendar at no extra charge.

Here's a brief note from Anna about her Calendar project with some great tips!

"I chose to use some of my favorite A Muse images to decorate each page, and added lots of glitter for sparkle and shine. I repurposed some light-weight chipboard to create the base of the calendar, and covered it with patterned paper. (A hint about my chipboard: I order sheets of postage stamps from USPS.com -- each sheet comes packaged with a really nice piece of chipboard, perfect for craft projects!) I also repurposed the magnetic strip from the back of a notepad I recently used the last page of, and adhered the magnetic strip to the backside of the calendar base with sticky redline tape. A couple of brads make it simple to change out the monthly pages."

Here's a peek at a few inside pages...

 

Looks like she is a Boris fan. <grin>

Here is a view of the magnetic strip on the back of the calendar page.  You can purchase magnetic tape strips at your local hardware store.

and one last beauty shot for you!

 

Please visit Anna's blog Sweet Miss Daisy to read more about her calendar project.  Be sure to leave her a little blog love in the form of a comment.

Here's a link to Anna's 2009 Calendar projects that is definitely worth a look!

Thanks for stopping by!

Seattle Classes THIS week

We have two great classes that still have space in them this week.

TGIF Stampin' - You've got Male
Friday, Septebmer 17th, 12 to 1 pm
only $10

Join Linda for our fun lunch-hour class series where you will make three cards for the men in your life. Please call the store to pre-register for this class 206.783.4882.

Here's a peek at one of the cards we'll make.

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COPIC 101, with Joyce
Saturday, September 18th @ 4pm
$25

If you own or are considering a purchase of COPIC markers, you *must* come to this introductory class.  You will learn which papers and inks work best with COPIC markers and learn some basic shading techniques.  A Muse pioneered the use of COPIC markers in the stamping world so you will be learning from the source when you take a class from a Certified A Muse Instructor!  Class participants will enjoy a 10% discount on their purchases on the day of the class.

You may register for this class online or call the store 206.783.4882.

Hope to see you in class!

 

Calendar Inspiration - Day 4

Wow!   Heidi was BUSY today processing calendar orders.  Thank you for your support!

I would like to challenge all of you, our stamping friends, to tell at least ONE crafty friend about this great project.  It really is a fun project for all ages and wouldn't it be fantastic if we could build a swingset for Charley?

If you are just joining us, please read more about our Calendar project by clicking on the following links: Charley's Fund, Calendar Details 1, Calendar Details 2.

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OK.  Let's get on with the show!  You are going to LOVE today's calendar projects, created by Julie, Glenda and Lexi!

First up is a beautiful Mini calendar designed by Julie.

"This cute and dainty sized calendar could fit right in your pocket!  The mini size on text weight paper would make the perfect tear-away calendar, too--just staple them altogether at the top and mount to your project!"

                                                        ~Julie

Julie's Mini calendar fits perfectly inside a plastic business card case available here.

Here's a peak at *all* the months.  So pretty!

Please visit Julie's blog Paper Trufflez to view more of her lovely creations!

 

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This next project featues our 4" x 6" Calendar and was cleverly designed by Lexi.  As they say... "necessity is the mother of all invention."   Here's Lexi to tell us about her project:

"My daughter's been begging me for a magnetic calendar for her locker since the first day of school last month, so I knew exactly what I wanted to do when A Muse calendar time rolled around!  She has a full calendar in her planner, so the 4 x 6 size is perfect for getting a quick peek when she opens her locker to gather her books.  Instead of printing on regular paper or card stock, I printed on printable magnet paper--easy peasy!  She helped pick a favorite image for each month and I added some lines so that she can write a few highlights.  She can't wait to hang the first semester up tomorrow!"

To see more of Lexi's clever designs, please visit her blog Confetti.

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Our final project for today was designed by Glenda.  Her classic and useful design makes great use of the A2 Calendar which comes with a FREE perpetual calendar.

"I am addicted to the A Muse calendars and make a few different sizes every year. In particular, I love using the A2 calendar for my day timer at home. This sits beside my phone and I use it for a birthday and appointment calendar. I don't have a binding machine so I simply punched holes, put some rings through and tied on some ribbon. It works really well. Also, the 'tiny' A Muse stamps are perfect to mark birthdays and holidays on these calendars. "

               ~ Glenda

 

Stay tuned, I have more Calendar projects for you tomorrow!

 

 

2011 Calendars now available!

I'm pleased to announce that the A Muse 2011 calendars are now available for purchase and download!  Click here to get yours today!

This year, there are FIVE calendar styles available.  Your Calendar purchase will consist of a digital download (a PDF file) that you may print as many times as you like.  Nothing will be shipped to you.  Please note that we are only able to process orders during our regular business hours (M-F from 8 am to 4:00 pm PST).  Orders placed outside of our regular business hours will be processed on our next business day.

For a detailed description of each Calendar, please click here.

A few notes concerning this year's calendars:

** NEW! - When you purchase your 2011 Calendar file(s) you will automatically receive a black and white version of the same file.  

** NEW! - You may purchase the entire collection of A Muse 2011 Calendars with one button for a minimum donation of $15.  You will receive 10 files in total.

** We no longer offer plastic calendar cases, however, you may purchase them online here.  They offer several styles that coordinate with our calendars.  The 4" x 6" Calendar Case works great with our 4" x 6" calendar.  And, the mini case works beautifully with the mini calendar. 

The proceeds from the sale of the A Muse 2011 Calendar will benefit Charley's Fund.  To learn more about Charley's Fund, please click here.

The minimum donation amount for each Calendar file is $4.  However, if you wish to make a larger donation ($10 or $20), you may select that option at the time of purchase.  Every donation is appreciated!  I would love to raise enough money to build a swing set for Charley!  Together we can do it!

I hope you enjoy your calendar(s).  Thank you for your support! 

Calendar Inspiration - Day 3

If you are just joining us for the first time, please click here to read more about the A Muse 2011 Calendar Project.

Welcome to Day 3 of A Muse Calendar Inspiration.  Today's calendars were designed by Heather, Meghan and Michelle C. and I can't wait to share them with you!

Today's showcase will begin with a colorful 4" x 6" calendar, designed by Heather.  Here are a few words from Heather on the inspiration behind her calendar:

"As I read how Charley's family and friends remembered her on the "Charley's Fund" Facebook page, color seemed to be a recurring theme: in the bright balloons they gathered to release in her memory, her favorite colors, and even as they recalled her vibrant personality.  This year my calendar design is inspired by Charley and her love of color."

The A Muse 4" x 6" Calendar fits beautifully into this nifty calendar case.  Wouldn't this calendar sitting on your desk brighten your day?

I love how Heather has repeated many of the images throughouther calendar pages. 

To see see more of Heather's wonderful designs, please visit her blog One Little Spark.

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Our next Calendar project showcases the 4" square version and was designed by Michelle C.

Michelle no longer uses a paper calendar, she's all digital! However, she has found a clever way to incorporate the A Muse Calendar pages into her scrapbook pages. Michelle writes:

"I wanted to show the versatility of the A Muse calendars. Using the square calendar, I was able to easily create a 4-square layout that can be used for a monthly scrapbook page.You can create pages ahead of time, like I did for October, and just add pictures when you get them. You are guaranteed to have at least one scrapbook page per month."

 

To view more of Michelle's inspiring ideas and read more about her calendar project, please visit her blog Sparkle Designs.

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Our last Calendar project for today features the A2 format, designed by Meghan.  I am always looking for new ways to assemble my calendar projects and I am excited to try this clever solution by Meghan!

Let's have a look:

Meghan shares with us how she put together her calendar:

"The A2 calendar pages are mounted on black cardstock, then perforated with the Scor-Bug 0.5 inches from the top (it's best to go back and forth a few times for extra perforations because there are two layers). The top of the calendar pages were punched with the Crop-a-dile and then taped together with Scor-tape above the holes so you can easily tear away the pages one month at a time. The ribbon is threaded through the back of the calendar out through the lip of the matchbook and tied in a bow.

 The calendart stands up nicely on its own, but as pages are torn away it can be propped up on an easel or even in a cd jewel case."

Perforated Pages... now WHY didn't I think of THAT?!! So clever!!

To read about Meghan's calendar project and see more of her fabulous work, please visit her blog Driven to Ink.

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I hope you have enjoyed today's Calendar Projects.  The A Muse 2011 calendars are now available to purchase from the A Muse website.  Woohoo!  Go get 'em!

I will have even more Calendar inspiration to share tomorrow!  Stay tuned!

 

 

Shop News - 9/14/09

FREE Make & Take this week

Jeepers Creepers! Join us this week to make a Halloween inspired fortune cookie!

Stop in anytime between 11:30am - 1:30pm, Wednesday or Saturday to make this FREE project!

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TGIF Stampin' class THIS week!

You've Got Male!

Friday, September 17th, 12-1pm - $10

Sometimes it's hard to make a 'not so cutesy' card for a man.  Join us for this lunch hour class and make 3 sleek, masculine designed cards for the special men in your life!

Call us to register at 206-783-4882 or sign up online here.

 

COPIC 101 , with Joyce
THIS Saturday, September 18, 4pm

In this introductory class you will learn which papers and inks work best with COPC markers along with some basic shading techniquest.  You are welcome to bring your own markers or use mine.  Please label your personal markers.

Call the shop to register (206-783-4882) for this popular class or sign up online here.

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NEW in the Shop

TOKYOMILK!

We are so excited about carrying the beautiful personal items from TOKYOMILK! They smell absoultely wonderful and would make very special gifts - even for yourself!

Lip Balm - 6 different flavors, $12 each

 
Parfum Solid -  6 different scents, $20 each

 

Gift Soaps - 3 different designs, $4 each

Max's Mud!

The First Certified Organic Sculpting Dough! All natural and great for kids, especially those with gluten allergies. 8 colors. $4 each.

Here's Max's Mom, the creator of the Mud, dropping off our shipment : )

Hope to see you in the shop!

Michele

Calendar Inspiration - TWO for Tuesday!

If you are just joining us, please read this blog entry to learn more about the A Muse 2011 Calendar Project and be sure to check out the posts below for even more Calendar Inspiration.

Our Bonus project today comes to you from one of our stamping friends - Jody Morrow!  This is Jody's THIRD year supporting the A Muse Calendar project with her fabulous designs. I am so grateful to her for lending her immense talent to this special cause!

Jody used the A Muse Mini Calendar to create this *amazing* Calendar Gift Box. 

 

Here's a closer look at one of the calendar pages.

 
See how nicely they fit inside the box?

 

Jody has a special offer for you so hop on over to her blog Confessions of a Ribbon Addict to see more of her amazing calendar project and read all about it.

Here are links to Jody's past Calendar projects which are sure to inspire you!

Jody's Wall hanging

Jody's Thank you book

Jody's Halloween Countdown Calendar

Jody's Acrylic Frame Calendar

Jody's Chic Perpetual Calendar

Jody's Wildflower Calendar

Thank you, Jody, for your continued support of the A Muse Calendar Project!  Please show your appreciation for Jody's inspiring calendar projects by visiting her blog and posting a comment.

 

 

 

 

 

Calendar Inspiration - Day 2

Welcome to Day 2 of our Calendar Inspiration.

If you are just joining us, please read this blog entry to learn more about the A Muse 2011 Calendar Project and be sure to check out yesterday's post for even more Calendar Inspiration.

Let's get started! 

The first projects for today's Calendar Inspiration were designed by Novell.  She used the A Muse Mini Calendar to create beautiful calendar-themed cards.

 

"The A Muse mini calendars are the perfect size for cards, too! Use them to signify an important date like a birthday in January or the first day of school in September!"
                                                       ~Novell Eckstrom

 
This is such a clever idea for a card.  To view more of Novell's inspiring ideas, please visit her blog Mastering the Art of Procurement.

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Our next Calendar project features the A Muse 4" square calendar.  It was our original calendar design and still my favorite!  Michelle likes it too... 

"I love making A Muse calendars!  Choosing the 4" calendar (complete with guide lines for cutting - how easy is that?!) and some delightful A Muse gingham paper enables you to construct a simple, cute and most importantly, practical calendar that I keep in my kitchen year round.  They are so fun to put together and are delightful gifts that any recipient would love!" 

                                                      ~ Michelle Mathey

 
Michelle used the Bind-it-All to keep all of her calendar pages together. 

 
To see/read more about Michelle's fabulous calendar project, please visit her blog Pigment of My Imagination.

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Cupcakes anyone?

Stamping 12 months of a calendar can seem like an daunting task.  It's easy if you stick with one theme, as Cheiron did.  Who can resist CUPCAKES!!  Cheiron stamped a different cupcake theme for each month and the results are simple de-licious!

Cheiron used the A Muse A2 Calendar which includes a FREE Perpetual birthday calendar.  I love how she combined the monthly and perpetual calendar all in one.  What a fun and useful calendar!

 

Please visit Cheiron's Blog What Matters Most to see more photos of her de-licious calendar!

I hope you have enjoyed these inspiring Calendar ideas.  If you like what you've seen today, please show our designer a little blog love by posting a comment here or at their individual blogs.

Stay tuned... I have LOTS more Calendar Inspiration to share!

 

P.S. Calendars will be available for purchase on Wednesday, September 15th at 9 am PST.

A Muse 2011 Calendar Inspiration - Day 1

Welcome to Day 1 of our Calendar Inspiration.

Please read this blog entry to learn more about the A Muse 2011 Calendar Project.

Before we begin with the inspiration, here is a description of the FIVE Calendar formats that will be for sale beginning Wednesday, September 15th.

Eager to see the projects?  Skip over these details for now...

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A2  - This Calendar includes 16 calendar months (Sept '10 through Dec '11) and a perpetual calendar to keep track of birthdays and other special events.  4 months/8.5" x 11" page.

4" square - This calendar includes 16 calendar months (Sept '10 through Dec '11) and a perpetual calendar.  This calendar has a grey frame around the months.  This is the original calendar format I created for my girls and the lines were to help with cutting.  4 months/8.5' x 11" page.

NEW! 4" x 6" - This calendar includes 16 calendar months (Sept '10 through Dec '11).  There is no perpetual calendar with this version.  This calendar includes crop lines for easy trimming.  2 months/8.5" x 11" page. 

Full Page - This Calendar includes 16 calendar months (Sept '10 through Dec '11).  There is no perpetual calendar with this version.  This calendar prints one month/8.5" x 11" page.

Mini - This Calendar includes 12 months (Jan '11 through Dec '11).  There is no perpetual calendar with this version.  This calendar prints on one 8.5" x 11" page.

With the purchase of each calendar format, you will receive both a color and a B&W version.  Thank you to all of our calendar customers that suggested this!

Please note: The A Muse Calendars are a download product only (nothing will be shipped to you.)  There are five different versions available this year.  For a small donation, you are able to download the calendar file and print as many copies are you like for personal use or to create handcrafted items for resale.  Calendars make a wonderful gift for family, friends and co-workers. 

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Now, on with the inspiration!

The first project to share with you was designed by Elena.  Her project features our Mini Calendar. 

 
Elena has a new iPhone and she is hoping to take a group photo of her kids at least once a month that she will be able to put in the calendar.  At the end of the year she will have an "everyday life" keepsake of the whole year.  

Here's an example of a page with a photo:

 
Such a fun idea!  I'll bet the grandparents would like one too!  To read more about Elena's calendar project and see her previous calendar projects, please visit her blog The Stamping Shac.

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The next Calendar project was designed by Krystie.  She has used the A2 Calendar format.

 

Here are a few words from Krystie about her project:

When I saw the A2 sized calendar, I was inspired to plan a special gift for my Mom.  Rather than give her the entire calendar at once, I'll send "calendar cards" month by month.  Inside each card, I'll write some favorite childhood memories from that month or season.  I think it will be something special that she'll always look forward to receiving! 

What a great idea and a gift that keeps on giving! (corny - but true!)

 
To see more of Krystie's calendar project, please visit her blog Cupcake Martini.

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This next Calendar Project was designed by Jenn.  She uses our new 4" x 6" calendar format which provides a nice area for stamping or a photo on the left side of the calendar.

 
To read more about Jenn's calendar project, please visit her blog Creative Chick.

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I hope you have enjoyed these inspiring ideas!  We have LOTS more to share with you so please be sure to stop by each day (sometimes twice a day!) for more.  And, be sure to leave a little blog love for our fabulous designers.  We so appreciate your comments!

 

2011 A Muse Calendar Project

Welcome to the A Muse 4th Annual Calendar Project.

This A Muse Calendar began as a fun project I created for my girls to make personalized holiday gifts for their teachers.  They loved it so much - and couldn't stop making calendars - that I thought others might enjoy it too.  Since it's inception, this project has raised over $11,500 for three different organizations - The Scleroderma Research Foundation, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and Water 1st. Thank you to all of our customers who have helped us raise this incredible sum and aid these worthwhile causes!

The A Muse Calendars will be available to purchase/download beginning Wednesday, September 15th. 

The recipient of this year's Calendar Project is dear to my heart.  A longtime customer and friend, Amanda Beers, whom many of you know from her blog Yellow Makes Me Happy, lost her six-year old daughter, Charlotte, a few months ago to an agressive form of Strep.  The proceeds from the sale of the A Muse 2011 Calendars will benefit Charley's Fund. 

Here are a few words from Charley's mother, Amanda.

A Christmas present we will never, ever forget.  Our sweet girl, Charlotte "Charley" Marie Beers, was born on December 23rd, 2003.  She left us on June 28th, 2010 after a brief but unrecoverable illness.  Her heart, just 6 years old and as pure as one could know, was unable to fight a rare infection.  Those that knew her enjoyed each and every waking moment she gave us, for Charley was a bright light with a brighter smile and the brightest of lives.

Charley lived for all things in her amazing life.  Her family was her first love.  She will always be my soul mate, her Brother is her hero, her Sister a best friend, and Dad continues to be her teammate.  There was bowling and baseball.  Reading and writing.  Hugs and kisses and love.  Just about everything Charley did she did with the utmost sincerity.  She never wanted - she just gave and gave.  She continues to give.

 
To honor Charley and the life she gave us, we have established a fund to bring charity to those who need it most when there's no other way.  This fund will be an annual drive to take the priorities in Charley's life and make them realties, dollar by dollar, day by day.  The first project with Charley’s Fund will be a set of swings built at her elementary school.  There will be eight swings, all of them black except one… it will be yellow, just for her. 

 

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Won't you help us build a swingset for Charley? 

Each day this week, the A Muse Creative Team and some special guests will help us showcase fabulous ideas the 2011 Calendars.  Please join us for a daily dose of Calendar inspiration, and please support Charley's Fund by purchasing one (or more!) A Muse Calendars.

Thank you!

 

 

Vote for us!

We are competing for the title of Best Arts & Craft Store in the Best of Western Washington contest.  We'd sure appreciate your vote!  It just takes a minute.

Click here to vote today!

Thanks bunches!

Linda & the entire A Muse Crew

Shop News 9/8/10

Make & Take

Back to school and Fall means making lists, list, lists.  Here's a sweet mini notebook to jot down notes - complete with glittery mini pencil:)

 

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

*Class This Week*

Cool School Mini Album -$25,  with Rhiannon

This Saturday, September 11th, 4-6pm

Using A Muse school themed images you'll make a great mini album to document the school year! Check it out below.  Each page is a tri-fold, allowing lots of space for pictures and memories.

Call the shop to register at 206-783-4882 or register online here.

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LOTS OF NEW stuff in the Shop!!

The Original SILLY BANDZ - We have them!

Are your kids going crazy for these as much as mine are?! They are the hot new item for collecting, for wearing, or for trading. Fun!  $6 per pack

We have : Zoo Animals, Rainforest, Sea Creatures, Pet Animals, Princess, Rock, Dinosaur, Art, Western and Fantasy.

New Japanese Erasers

White Animal Collection - $1.50 So pretty in white!

Bowling set - $1.50 You get the stickers to put stripes on the pins!

Brand New Button Maker!!

This is a great new tool that is a must have for your papercrafting.  It makes circle or flower shaped custom buttons backed with whatever paper you choose. It also makes custom bubble caps for embellishing. We had so much fun playing with this in our TGIF class last week!

Button Making tool - $24.99 Epoxy Caps and Buttons, $5.99

Beautiful French journals

 Small - $4  Large $10

 NEW gifts!

 

Ballet or Bride Paper Dolls - $19

Children's Stationery- $10 Children's Craft Book - $18

LOVE the old-fashioned images and look;)

 

A useful Make & Take, a great class, lots of great new stuff...Hope to see you in the shop this week!

Michele

Guest Designer Carly Robertson - Winners!

It's time to announce the winners of Carly Robertson's Guest Designer prize! 
We randomly chose three names.... so congratulations to:

Paulette Still who posted August 11, 2010 at 7:11pm:

 
Dana Klinkner who posted August 15, 2010 at 1:13am:

Lori Frost who posted September 4, 2010 at 10:06pm:

If you lucky winners would kindly email me your shipping address,
and we'll send your goodies out to you!

 

Happy Labor Day!

Just a quick note to let you know that the Seattle retail shop will be closed today in observance of Labor day.

Enjoy the day!

Stick to the Pattern Challenge Round-Up!

Hi there! It's time for another A Muse Lounge Challenge Round-Up!! :) August's challenge was called *Stick to the Pattern* and the challenge was to create a card with a pattern, like A Muse's fun patterned paper or by creating a pattern with stamps. The creations this month were amazing, and there were SO many!! Members of our Creative Team chose their favorite card this month, and here it is! It was created by NoraAnne!!

 
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.

 

 
 
  
NoraAnne 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.......stampinak!! Congratulations Cynthia!! 

I sure hope you enjoyed all of these fabulous creations!! :) We have a new challenge up for September, and it is called *A Sketch Challenge*.The challenge to use your A Muse stamps to create a card using one of three card layouts! :) I hope you will join in and play along this month too! :)

 

Guest Designer Carly Robertson - Week 5

It's time for the last of Carly Robertson's guest designer projects.  It has been a pleasure sharing her designs and I hope you have enjoyed them!  This last set has a fun mix of cards, tags, and a treat!  So let's get right to them!

This first design is simple and fabulous!  I love all the elements on this card - from the rounded corners to the ribbon and candy cane paper.  And - how cool is the red star at the top of the tree?!  Carly also added a touch of silver sparkle to all of the ornaments.

More fun with Candy Cane paper on these cutie tags!  I love the little grouping of twinkle stickers on each tag - adds a special touch!

This next card is just beautiful in person.  The colors are so soft and wintery and the silver ink on the snowflakes and crystal twinkle stickers are just the right touch.  Carly has a little tip to share with you on this design: "I cut a partial oval shape out of the top layer to reveal the sentiment. This is a great trick for dealing with longer quotes or sentiments that you want to highlight."

And... last but certainly not least, is this adorable treat bag!  Can you see the little chocolate chip cookies peeking out from the side?  Mmmmm!  Some of you may know that I love scene cards, so it would be no surprise that the new winter scene cling stamp is one of my favs!  And it is soo fast - just stamp and color - no "scene building" required - LOL!  I love Carly's choice of colors here - so festive and fun!  And of course there are hints of glitter on the snow! 

A huge thanks to Carly for sharing her beautiful designs with us!  Be sure to leave a comment on this post to enter the drawing for a chance to win (one comment per post please):

* Snow Gent stamp
* Pack of A Muse Kitchen Green notecards

Then check back Monday to see if you are a prize winner!
 

Seattle TGIF Class THIS Friday

We have a fabulous TGIF class planned for tomorrow - Friday (9/3).  Here's a sneak peek at two of the three projects we'll be making.  Hope you can join Kim for this 'charming' class.

Make your own flower charms with shrink plastic!

Here's a closer look.

We'll be making a charm you can wear.

 

The last project will feature a brand new tool that you will LOVE!

Class details:

How Charming
Friday, September 3rd
12 to 1 pm
only $10

Call the shop to pre-register! (206)-783-4882.

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My girls started school today.  I've been taking photos of them on their first morning ever since they were gong to pre-school.  They are so nice to indulge their mama... but I have to work fast or they start to complain!

Look at how grown up they are now! 3, 5 & 7th grade this year!!

I like to get a 'new shoes' photo too... someone didn't want to go along with it this year. Can you guess who?

 Have a great weekend! 

Shop News - 9/1/10

Make & Take

It's back to school time!  Send them off with a cute stamped pencil to remind them that 'school is cool.'

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

 

TGIF Class this Friday ~ How Charming!
9/3 from 12 to 1 pm  ~ only $10

Join us for a fun, quick, lunch-time class.  It's all about using embellishing charms in your papercrafting! We'll be using shrink plastic, making a charm for you to wear and you'll get to work with a BRAND new tool - never seen before! There are still some spots left so call today (206-783-4882) or reserve your spot online here. 

Fall Class Schedule - NEW!

Our new Fall class schedule is now available! Loads of new fun classes! You can look at our classes on-line here or download and print your own copy here:

Download A Muse Seattle Fall 2010 Class Schedule

 

ANNIVERSARY SALE

Save the date!  Saturday, October 9th.  A Muse Store Anniversary sale.  

 

Have a great week!

Michele