A Muse News

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!

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!

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!

 

 

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!

 

 

Ethiopia trip with Water 1st

As you may remember, 100% of the proceeds from the A Muse 2010 Calendar project will benefit Water 1st. Water 1st provides solutions to the global water and sanitation crisis. Water 1st projects to date have benefited 220 communities and 35,000 people. In 2010, they hope to fund an additional 75 projects benefiting 15,000 people! 

We like this organization so much that we sponsored one of our employees, Amanda, to go to Ethiopia in January with Water 1st.  There she visited communities with in-progress or completed water projects.  She also participated in a work project to help with the construction of a new water system.  Amanda was able to have a first-hand look at how the funds raised from our Calendar are used! 

Here is a note from Amanda about her trip:

"My trip to Ethiopia was with 21 other travelers, mostly from Seattle with an organization called Water1st whose goal is to implement water systems in some of the poorest regions. I traveled to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital and stayed there for 4 days. While we were there we visited a couple of museums and experienced the different cuisines. We also visited the Merkato, the largest outdoor market in Africa.  The other 3 days were spent in Woliso also known as Ghion - a town in central Ethiopia. This is where we spent the days on the field and talked with villagers and also our local partner organization based in Ethiopia, Water Action. Water Action has been working to help Ethiopians solve their water and sanitation problems since 1995. In that time, they have helped 1 million people gain access to safe sustainable water supplies. It was amazing talking to both groups of people and hearing about how the new clean water has changed their lives for the better. The community of Ilamu Muja told us that school enrollment has DOUBLED for girls since their water and sanitation project was completed 2 years ago! While in Woliso we also partnered up with some of the women there and helped them carry water to their homes. The water jugs weighed about 45 lbs and were wrapped onto our backs! They would carry water for hours each day and were expected to help their husbands in the fields as soon as they were finished. Many of us barely had enough strength to carry the water for 10 minutes! The people in Ethiopia truly amaze me. They have huge hearts and are constantly smiling. This trip has really changed my life and I want to thank Water1st and A Muse for this amazing opportunity. I also want to thank all of you who have donated!"

Here are some of Amanda's photos from her trip:

"This is one of the gravity water systems in the process of being built. They expect it to be finished in January 2011. Here we helped transport water and sand to make the concrete-like mixture. The buckets were heavy!"

 

"This is at the Merkato. There were tons of spices, coffee beans, and other things for sale. We bought incense at this particular spot that smelled amazing!"

 
"This is the landscape of Woliso. Most of the houses had thatched roofs and the walls were made out of mud and what looked like hay. Some of the modern houses had tin roofs."
 
"We had many discussions with different communities in Woliso and these were some of the children at one of them. I was surprised by how many young people came to these meetings and I was so happy to know that we were making an impact in their lives."

 
"Here I am in Ethiopia's countryside with a couple of the ladies from Water1st, three of the men from the community, and our driver. He was a very nice guy and I kept asking him if I could drive when we were off-roading. He would respond with a laugh."

Please visit this post on our blog to learn more about our 2010 Calendar project benefitting Water 1st.  You can also see our fun calendar ideas by clicking on the "Calendar" category on the right sidebar. 

 

A Muse Calendar information

Details on the A Muse 2010 downloadable calendar for charity are here.

Calendar Inspiration - Anna Wight

As the finale to our fun week of calendar ideas, Anna Wight brings you not one, but two designs!  Anna used the calendars in a slightly different way - she used the A1 (4-bar) version as a gift tag, and the square version on a card!

Below you can see a closeup of the gift tag.  Anna stamped a circle around December 25th using white craft ink.

And here is a fun Halloween card Anna created using the square calendar.  She used the tiny cat to mark Halloween!  Special thanks to Anna for sharing her designs, her time and her talent with us!  Be sure to visit her blog to see more of Anna's work. 

It has been such fun sharing these fabulous calendar ideas with you!   We hope you have enjoyed them and that they have inspired you!  If you haven't downloaded your calendar yet, be sure to check out our announcement post for full details on the various sizes available and you can learn about Water 1st - who will receive the proceeds from the sale of the calendar.   Remember that we are only able to process calendar orders during regular business hours.  So if you order after hours or on the weekend, you won't have access to the download until the next business day.  Thank you!

Calendar Inspiration - Laurie Schmidlin

Our next amazing calendar project comes to you from another of our stamping friends - Laurie Schmidlin!  Laurie created a beautiful calendar book gift using the A1 (4-bar) version of the calendar!

Laurie plans to make calendar gifts this year and several of her family members like to put their calendar pages on their fridge, so she didn't want the binding permanent.  So inside the book is a pocket page for each month's calendar!  The inside pages of the book are six 3 5/8" x 11 pieces of Ivory cardstock that are folded and adhered together.  Then she created the pockets by sewing on pieces of patterned paper! 

Here you can see the book open.  Each calendar has a ribbon at the top to make it easy to slip the calendar page out of it's pocket and replace it as needed.  

Below you can see a close-up of December.  Laurie decorated the whole book with a Christmas theme, but the calendar pages themselves are non-Holiday specific.  She stamped a beautiful border design at the top of each calendar page - to coordinate with the patterned papers.  You can also see some of Laurie's details - the scallop edge, stitching, and button.   Be sure to visit Laurie's blog for more details!  Thank you Laurie for sharing your beautiful work, your time and your talent with us!    

We have inspiration from one more stamping friend to share with you tomorrow, so stay tuned!

Calendar Inspiration - Jenn Balcer

Our next calendar was designed by Jenn Balcer!  Jenn used the new full-size version of the calendar - which prints one month per 8.5" x 11" page.  Jenn created a fun clipboard to hold the current month - which makes for easy hanging and easy swapping with each new page!

One of the cool things about the full-size calendar is that there is plenty of room to make note of appointments, birthdays, etc!  Here you can take a peek at Jenn's September schedule - *grin*!  I love that she marked certain days with stamps - notice the fan that she used for the Dirty Dozen "fan club" reveal day on the 15th - very clever!

And below you can see a closeup of some of Jenn's details - the fabulous flower and dotted ribbon.  And you can see that she carefully trimmed each letter and mounted them individually on Petite Gingham paper!  Be sure to visit Jenn's blog for more details and to see more of her work!  A special thank you to Jenn for sharing her fabulous project and her time and talent with us!  Thank you Jenn! 

To see another inspiring full-size calendar, check out Joyce's Reading calendar!  I'll be back tomorrow with more from our stamping friends!  Hope you are having a great weekend!

Calendar Inspiration - Jody Morrow

Today's calendar comes to you from one of our stamping friends - Jody Morrow!  Jody used the A2 version of the calendar to create this *amazing* wall-hanging!

Jody printed the calendar in black ink on white cardstock.  The butterfly is stamped in Versamark and clear embossed.  Then she sponged over it with orange ink!  The calendar is on a chipboard base and if you look closely at the photo below, you can see that the clips are attached with brads.   

The photo below shows a closeup of Jody's beautiful work and attention to detail including stitching, brads, and twinkle stickers!  Be sure to visit her blog for more details.  A huge thanks to Jody for sharing her time and talent with us!
  


We have more inspiring calendar ideas to share from our stamping friends, so stay tuned! 

Calendar Inspiration - Erika Hall

Today I am sharing a cool hanging calendar idea from Erika Hall using the A2 version of the calendar which is available --> here!   (As we are coming up on the weekend, remember that we are *only* able to process calendar orders during regular business hours.  So if you order after hours or on the weekend, you won't have access to the download until the next business day.)         

Erika covered a metal board with our Petite Gingham paper.  Then hiding below the scallop oval is a magnetic clip which holds the current month's page!

Here are a few of the other months - Erika used a tree theme!  The magnetic clip makes it super easy to swap pages at the start of a new month!  I love the clean look and contrast of the black mat layer with the yellow and green on the board - really makes the tree colors stand out too!

We have more fabulous ideas coming your way featuring the work of some of our stamping friends, so stay tuned!

 

Calendar Inspiration - Tisha Welch

Our next featured calendar was designed by Tisha Welch!  She made a gift for a friend (who is expecting a baby in March) using the square version of the calendar.  See below for a note from Tisha about her project! 

"For this years calendar project, I decided to think "outside the box" and make something other than a full year's calendar!  I love the thought of making something to mark a special day, and using it in your home!  This wall-hanging was made for a friend who is expecting her first baby in March of 2010!  I only used the March section of the square format A Muse Calendar (I told my printer to only print that page to save paper!), and marked my friend's due date using the A Muse small daisy stamp!  I needed a bit of dimension, so after punching out the flowers using my Marvy punches, I balled them up in my hands and crinkled the heck out of them!"

So fun - and I love Tisha's chosen color combo of orange, pink, green, and blue!  I hope you are enjoying our calendar series.  I'll be back with another calendar design for you tomorrow!

 

Calendar Inspiration - Lexi Daly

You are in for a treat!  Over the next week, I'll be sharing inspiring ideas for our new 2009-2010 calendars from a few of our designers and also some stamping friends!  If you missed the announcement about the calendars yesterday, be sure to take a peek here for the scoop!  This year there are four calendars available.  Today I am sharing a fun idea from Lexi using the 4-bar (A1) version - which is available --> here!  (Remember that we are *only* able to process calendar orders during regular business hours.  So if you order after hours or on the weekend, you won't have access to the download until the next business day.)     

Lexi created this fabulous school year at a glance wall calendar!  All versions of the calendar include 16 months (September 2009 - December 2010), but since Lexi's calendar covers the school year, she used only September to June.  Lexi printed the 4-bar version of the calendar and then trimmed them and mounted them to our Petite Gingham cardstock and got stamping!  So fun to see all these images together!

Lexi will be sharing more information about her project on her blog today.  But in case you are curious, the dates with apples over them are beginning and end of school and conference days, the days with yellow stars are vacations and days off, and those with blue stars are fun school events or parties that are already on the school calendar.

 

Here is a photo of the whole calendar hanging on the wall!  I love that she tied them together with polka dot ribbon!

 

Such a fun and useful idea - I might have to make one myself!  Stay tuned for more inspiration tomorrow!

 

A Muse 2010 Calendar now available!

A few years ago, I designed a calendar project for my daughters.  It was a fun project and we thought others might enjoy it too.  We decided to use the calendar project to help raise awareness and funds for Scleroderma Research, in honor of my mother who suffers from this autoimmune disease.  We raised over $1600!

Last year, we released three versions of the A Muse Calendar and raised over $5,500 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in honor of Victoria Nelson, an A Muse customer who had recently been diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease (now in remission - yay!)

It is my pleasure to let you know that the A Muse 2009 - 2010 Calendar is now available for purchase and download.  The proceeds from this year's calendar will go to Water 1st. 

Water 1st's mission is to serve families in the poorest communities in the world as they implement community-managed projects that integrate water supply, sanitation, and health education.  Safe water saves lives. I encourage you to visit the Water1st website {www.waterfirst.org} to learn more about how this wonderful organization is saving and changing lives! 

The Calendars

All versions of the 2009-2010 Calendar include 16 months (September 2009 - December 2010). The minimum donation amount for each calendar is $4.  You may also donate $10 or $20 for each calendar.  Once you purchase the calendar, you may make as many copies for personal use as you'd like.  Electronic sharing of the A Muse Calendar is prohibited, we ask that you encourage your friends to donate to this worthy cause!

Please note: The A Muse Calendars are a download product only.  Nothing will be shipped to you.  Calendar orders are only processed during regular business hours {monday to friday 8a to 5p}. Once your order has been processed, you will have unlimited access to the file(s) you have purchased.

This year, there are four different A Muse calendar versions available.

A1 (4-bar) Version:

The A1 (4-bar) version is sized to fit an A Muse 4-bar notecard (5"w x 3.5"h).  This version also includes a perpetual calendar that is great to remember birthdays and anniversaries.  This is a nice size to keep in your purse. Click here to purchase.

A2 version

The A2 version is sized to fit an A2 card (4.25"w x 5.5"H).  This calendar format can be printed on an 8.5" x 11" page and cut into 4 equal parts.  This version also includes the perpetual calendar for birthdays and anniversaries.  This size fits nicely in a CD Calendar case. Click here to purchase.

Square version

The square version is sized to fit a 4.25" square.  There are faint gray cutting lines to ensure accuracy when cutting.  The square version also includes the perpetual calendar and fits nicely on A Muse square notecards (which are on presently on sale). Click here to purchase.

Full size version

The full size version is NEW this year.  It fills an 11"w x 8.5"h page.  I created this calendar because I needed a calendar that I could use to keep track of our family activities.  And, I love that I can add easily add family photos to the back-side of each calendar page for a one-of-a-kind family calendar.  This will make a great gift for family and friends.  This calendar version does not include a perpetual calendar. Click here to purchase.

We have many inspiring ideas to share with you in the coming week featuring different versions of the A Muse calendar. Please help us spread the word about this fun paper-crafting project. 

For your viewing pleasure and inspiration, our creative team has made some fun calendar projects.  Please click on the following links to view their wonderful creations!

Heather (A2 version)
Cheiron (A2 version)
Michelle (A1/4-bar version)
Jennie (square version)
Glenda (square version)
Geeta (full size version)
and
Emily (A2 version)

We have LOTS more inspiring calendar ideas to share so please stay tuned!

~Linda

... that was DOLLARS!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading everyones guesses about my *BIG* number.  It is indeed a BIG number and one that we can ALL be proud of.

Here's the scoop...

A couple of years ago, I designed a little calendar project for my girls.  They enjoyed making calendars so much that I decided to make it available as a downloadable project for a small donation.  The A Muse 2008 Calendar raised $1167 for Scleroderma Research. 

Last year, we expanded our 2009 Calendar project, offering three different sizes.  We also got a little help from our friends to help spread the word about this fun paper-crafting project.  With their help and your generosity and support, the A Muse 2009 Calendar raised

five thousand

five hundred

twenty six

DOLLARS!!

The recipient of these funds is The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, in honor of Victoria Nelson.  Victoria is an A Muse "Addict".  She was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Disease last year. 

Here is a message from Victoria:

Dear A Muse Calendar Project Donors:

I’ve always thought crafters were the nicest people, and your contributions to the A Muse Calendar Project proved me right!  Words can’t express how amazed I was to be selected as the honoree of the A Muse fundraiser.  I am touched by your generosity and thank you so much for your support of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Cancer is scary no matter what type it is.  Chances are it will affect all of us in some way during our lifetime, whether we ourselves or one of our loved ones is diagnosed.  My sincerest hope is that every cancer patient receives the same amount of love, support, kindness and generosity that I received during my battle with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.  I know that having an amazing group of cheerleaders supporting me every step of the way was the reason I did so well and encouraged my recovery.  My treatments concluded seven months ago and I am pleased to report that I am on the path to remission.  My last scan in March showed no signs of cancer.

It’s funny how quickly life returns to “normal” after cancer; I’m back to work full time, my hair is growing back, and my battle scars fade a little more each day.  But cancer has changed my life and I will never view it the same.  Things that irritated me before my illness seem trivial now, and even my worst day at work doesn’t compare to the battle I faced and conquered last year.  Most importantly, having cancer has given me a renewed faith in humanity, and that when we are feeling our most scared and vulnerable, the kindness of family and friends and the generosity of our community help us overcome even the most frightening and uncertain circumstances.

Again, I thank each of you for your support and for extending such kindness to a fellow crafter.  Hugs to you all!

Warmly,

Victoria Nelson

I am so thrilled that Victoria is on the path to remission.  She popped by the A Muse Shop earlier in the week and we snapped a photo together.  She looks great, doesn't she?

 

I would like to thank the A Muse Creative team for sharing all of their inspiring Calendar projects, especially Geeta for creating the 4-bar version of the A Muse Calendar. I would also like to thank the following Friends of A Muse, uber-talented designers, that shared their inspiring calendar projects and helped to generate awareness for this special project through their blogs and online gallery postings.  Please visit their blogs to enjoy their work, you are in for a treat!

• Anna Wight

• Beate Johns

• Ellen Hutson

• Jenn Balcer

• Jody Morrow

• Laurie Schmidlin

Lastly, I would like to personally thank everyone that made a donation to the A Muse 2009 Calendar project.  Thank you!!

P.S. I am working on the 2010 Calendar project.  More on this soon!