I hope you have enjoyed the sneak peeks of our new Summer Fun release. Our creative team did a fantastic job showcasing our new products over the past few days.
Our new summer fun release is available in its entirety at the fabulous stores listed in the right column. Be sure to pop in for a visit soon.
I have been busy putting together a summer party... wouldn't it be fun if we could all get together for a bit of summer fun?
First we'll start with the invitation. This pocket card is my favorite type of invitation for an informal party. It's fast and easy and a definite crowd pleaser.
Did you notice that cute drink umbrella? I made it with my Marvy Mega Scallop Circle punch and a wooden skewer. It is held together with a Pop-up Glue dot and embellished with lime stickles.
Here's a more detailed look at the invitation. I stamped our new Sun stamp to give it a little punch.
Our new gingham papers are perfect for jazzing up your party decor. Here I created some colorful bands for bottled water, and also as napkin rings.
Of course, you could embellish the bands a bit more with stamps but for a large party, that might be a lot of extra work. The bands are fast and easy and a great way to use up your scraps.
I made the scallops on the water bottles using my handy dandy Marvy Paper Trimming Buddy with the scallop blade. I just love this paper trimmer for fancy edges - it cuts up to three sheets of cardstock at a time. Not bad for a "fancy" cut.
These pinwheels are perfect for a summer party and a cinch to make as well.

My girls don't like to sit still for snacks and I don't like to find snack bowls all over the house. My friend, Stephanie, taught me how to make these SUPER easy origami pockets a while back and the kids LOVE them.
Here's a close up of the treat pocket. Do you see the "brown" coconuts on the Open Palm Tree? Those were clear twinkle stickers which I colored with a Sepia brown COPIC marker. Tricky, eh?
Now that the kids have a snack, we better find a way to keep them busy while the Moms enjoy some beverages and conversation. How's about some paper airplanes and a scavenger hunt. My girls LOVE both of these activities - especially scavenger hunts. I try to make them very open ended so they can use their imaginations. Here's a template for my scavenger hunt, if you'd like to print one (4 per sheet).
Now, you are probably thinking that you don't want to give up your precious card-stock for paper airplanes, right? You really must sacrifice a few sheets because boy do these planes FLY! Much better than regular paper!! There are lots of different models... just do an internet search and you'll have more ways to fold a paper airplane than you thought possible. LOL!
Well, the party is winding down and everyone is getting ready to go home. Don't worry, we have some lovely parting gifts for our friends. The first gift is a memory game - match the colors of the new A Muse Petite Gingham papers. I mounted these on Bazzill 2" Chipboard squares for durability. There are 20 chips/package - perfect!
The gable box was made with an accucut die and it holds the game pieces perfectly!
And, finally... at a presentation skills training class that I took eons ago, the trainer told us to "always leave them with a lolly". So, here's an adorable lollipop treat for the kids to take away. Hopefully the pretty cover will deter them from ripping it open right away.
Thank you for coming to my party! I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.
As you are reading this, I am enroute to Quebec taking my mother home. She has recovered amazingly well from her heart surgery and was very touched by the love and support that you sent her way after her surgery. Thank you to everyone that sent cards - they were much appreciated!
Here's a recent photo of my mom that Heather took when she was in town a few weeks ago. She looks well, doesn't she?!
Vi wants you to win some LOOT! Woohoo! She has picked 10 NEW stamps and an assorted package of the NEW A Muse Petite Gingham paper for TWO lucky winners. How can you enter to win this fabulous prize? Post a comment here and tell Vi which is your favorite stamp of the new A Muse Summer Fun release.
The ten stamps Vi picked are:
Enjoy the ride, Surfboard, Open Palm, Cabana, Ready Set Recline, Alligator, Let's do lunch, Submarine, Simply sublime, Warm hello
Vi will pick two winners on Friday, May 29th at noon EST.
Have a beautiful day!
A Muse Product Links
Stamps: Cabana, Let's Do Lunch, Sun, Life's a Breeze, Open Palm Tree, Little Fun Today, Pirate Bird, You are my Sunshine
Paper: Petite Gingham Paper in Orange, Green, Grass, Yellow, Blueberry; 4-bar notes in Orange Crush and Palm Green
Other: Clear Twinkle Stickers, Papaya Sheer ribbon, Lime Green Stickles, Apron Lace Border Punch, Scallop Circle Punches, Paper Trimming Buddy and scallop blade, Scallop Rectangle Punch, Bazzill 2" Chipboard squares