Mastering the Art of Procurement

2012-01-09T21:31:00.000-08:00

Start time for class on Jan 14th has been moved from 11:30 am to noon!

2012-01-05T08:26:00.000-08:00

I've designed a very fun Valentine class for Saturday, January 14th. I picked up some of these Chinese Take-Out boxes at a nearby shop for the class and baked up some homemade fortune cookies. (Don't worry, we'll have fresh ones for class!) We'll be making 2 valentine cards and 2 treat boxes, including this take-out box. We'll hand dip the fortune cookies into some melted chocolate and add sprinkles, then place them inside. There are cute little a muse studio valentine greetings already tucked inside!

I know it's short notice but I hope to see you there! Be sure to call the shop to reserve your spot. Looking forward to a new year full of new projects, stamps, and goodies! Current catalog expires the end of January so be sure to pick up any retiring products before they are gone for good! You can see the list of retiring items here.

2011-11-18T22:46:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year again! I'll be teaching you how to make and bind your own 2012 calendar on December 3rd at the a•muse retail shop. Check my Class Schedule page for details and get yourself signed up soon. This class is always popular and space is limited.

Above is a sample of the cover page and some interior pages. If you've purchased calendars from years past, you'll know there is usually a perpetual calendar included. The a•muse studio 2012 calendar does not include the perpetual calendar this year, but it will be included in this calendar.

Hope to see you!!

It's been a while....

2011-11-07T19:08:00.000-08:00

Where has the time gone? It just seems to zoom by so quickly. I've been spending a lot of time baking lately. Lots and lots of cupcakes, cookies, breads, muffins. I love this time of year. It's the time for pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin spice cupcakes with cinnamon cream cheese, pumpkin pecan bread... you get the picture. For me, it's the actual baking that I enjoy rather than the eating. I see fantastic recipes or pictures of treats that I just have to try to make. I would be as big as an elephant if I ate it all. That's what my son's teenage friends are for, I suppose. They love to clean me out of my baked goods. Makes me wonder if there are very many moms out there who still bake for their kids.

This time of year is also a time to be thankful. A former co-worker of mine just lost her young adult daughter last week after a courageous battle with cancer. And, of course, there's Katie Renz. The paper crafting community lost a tremendous member today and a family mourns the loss of a mother, sister, wife, daughter. It leaves me thankful for so many things.

World Card Making Day

2011-09-21T22:44:00.001-07:00

World Card Making Day is coming and it's right around the corner, on October 1st. I'll be teaching a class called 'Harvest Blessings' from 11-1 at the A Muse shop in Greenwood and Jodi will be teaching a holiday themed class from 1:30-3:30. Call the shop to sign up and reserve your spot. But wait! There's more! When you call to reserve your spot (payment in advance is required) you'll receive a free package of 10 notecards w/envelopes. Wohoo! Fun classes and free stuff! Be sure to call soon as space is limited.

You say you aren't local? Well, you can still participate in World Card Making Day with a muse | studio.

Host to win!

Host a qualifying* World Card Making Day Workshop and you will automatically be entered into a drawing to win one of five $100 A Muse Studio Shopping Sprees! And, every Hostess will receive a free set of A Muse Studio 4-bar notecards with envelopes - 10 pack ($6 value).

Free Gift with Every Purchase!
Something for everyone! Each customer that places an order at a World Card Making Day workshop, will also receive a free set of A Muse Studio 4-bar notecards with envelopes - 10 pack ($6 value).

Facebook Fun!
Celebrate with us all weekend long as we post fun World Card Making Day challenges and award prizes to our Facebook friends.

* Qualifying Hostess must have minimum workshop sales of $150 and a minimum of 4 unique customer orders to qualify for entry into the $100 Shopping Spree!

Here's the kicker... you don't actually have to host a workshop in your home. You can host a virtual workshop by collecting orders from your friends! a muse | studio makes this easy to do with online catalogs that your friends can view 24/7. Really, there's no reason to hesitate. YOU MIGHT WIN!!!

a muse | studio September Spotlight

2011-09-15T06:46:00.000-07:00

How does a muse | studio keep doing it? Another fabulous Spotlight right here.

Fabulous idea for party treats:

and Party Decor:

and Home Decor:

and look at these adorable Party Favors!!!

For one month, you can save10% on the stamp sets used to create these fabulous projects!

Celebrate in Style
Foiled Again!
If You Dare
Victorian Charm
Web Background

And, for a limited time, order the special Collegiate cardstock assortment pack - an easy way to get the look showcased in this month's spotlight.

Jack-O-Lantern Assortment Pack contains four sheets each:

Apricot
Onyx
Pumpkin
Squash
Toffee

Contact your local A Muse Studio Consultant to order! (That would be me!)

the fine print: sale prices good September 15th through 11:59pm EST October 14th.

Fringed Felt Flower

2011-09-12T09:16:00.001-07:00

You have got to see this quick (it's in fast forward, haha!!) tutorial

Get outta town!!

Happy Jacks

2011-09-03T09:04:00.000-07:00

Wow, I can't believe it's already September and it seems that I blinked and it's 3 days into the month. September is such a busy month with school getting back into session, football season starting, and my oldest son's birthday. It's also time to think about fall and Halloween designs. I recently taught a class in which we created some fun Halloween projects. This was one of my favorites. I love the little box made from the new Sleepy Hollow cardstock in the amuse | studio 2011 Holiday Catalog & Inspiration Guide. I really wanted to create a "pumpkin-y" (I think I just made that word up) look to it so I added the button and created pumpkin vines using 22 gauge cloth stem wire twirled around a pencil to form curlicues. Isn't it cute?! Those Happy Jacks stamped on all four sides just make me smile. I'm not so much into creepy Halloween.

Looking forward to getting some more classes scheduled over the next few months and to sharing projects with you soon!

2011 Holiday Catalog and Inspiration Guide

2011-08-17T22:38:00.000-07:00

Brown Paper Bags; Cardstock: Sleepy Hollow, Pebble, Onyx, Paprika;

Web/Swirls Impression Plate; small zig-zag border die; Stamps: Too Cute to Spook, Haunted; Onyx Glitter

I've been working on some samples using new products from the amuse | studio 2011 Holiday Catalog and Inspiration Guide. Came up with this fun treat bag using all amuse | studio products. Love the small paper bags (and they're a great deal!). So many possibilities!! I used the small zigzag border die across the top of the bag, then cut a piece of Sleepy Hollow cardstock (trust me, you NEED this!). Distressed the edges with the new Pebble pigment ink pad. Cut a circle out of Pebble cardstock (you need this, too) and ran it through my Big Shot with the new web impression plate, then sanded to bring out the white core. Adhered that onto a scalloped circle, then stamped the large spider on top. Filled in his body with a glue pen and sparkly, sparkly, onyx glitter. Topped it all off with a spooky sentiment stamped on Pumpkin cardstock scraps. Can't wait to fill this one with some treats!

Any product used in this project can be securely ordered online through my website. Follow the amuse | studio link on my sidebar. Better yet, host a qualifying workshop to earn product for free! Amuseapalooza starts on the 22nd and there are extra benefits to be earned! Book your workshop soon!

As a side note, I updated my class schedules page with class samples. Don't forget to call the store to reserve your spot! Class is Aug 27th.

More July spotlight

2011-07-27T13:12:00.000-07:00

Summer is just flying by! The weather around the PNW has left much to be desired, but at least we are not in drought conditions (quite the opposite!) and are not wilting in the excessive heat. No, rather, we wake up each day hoping we'll have sun and hit 75*. Sigh. I'm not complaining, though. Really, I'm not. I went to Texas recently so I know the alternative is not desirable.

This crappy weather has left me with some time to be crafty without feeling guilty about sitting inside. I thought it would be a great time to share another a*muse studio July Spotlight sample with you. I used That's the ticket along with some fun pink polka dotted washi tape to create this fun birthday card. Hmm... someone's birthday is coming soon. Oh yeah, it's mine! haha! Sadly, I'm beyond 40.

Okay, well, I just finished my class samples for my next class on August 27th but no sneaky peekies for you!! I'll be debuting some product from the new 2011 Holiday Catalog and Inspiration Guide so you KNOW you want to sign up and come. If you just can't wait to see the new stuff, contact me and I'll send you a .pdf version of the catalog. Then, you can book your workshop an we'll have some fun together!

2011 Holiday Catalog and Inspiration Guide

2011-07-24T17:56:00.000-07:00

Once again, a*muse | studio has outdone itself! The new 2011 Holiday Catalog & Inspiration Guide has debuted to consultants. This catalog is chock full of fantastic new product; new stamps, new papers, new dies, new accessories. I can't wait to share this with you! Contact me if you want a copy!

July Spotlight

2011-07-15T08:37:00.001-07:00

Stamps: Birthday Builder clear set, That's the Ticket

Papers: Sorbet assortment pack (Watermelon, Buttercup, Sage), Slate

Ink: Onyx, Sugar

Misc: White embossing powder

Today is the unveiling of the a•muse | studio July Spotlight! I am so happy with this month's selection of stamp sets: Birthday Builder, Graphic Sunflower, Swanky Background, That's the Ticket, and Tini Time! The cardstock selection is so yummy, too!! Now don't forget, you can save 10% on the current month's Spotlight stamp sets AND for a limited time, purchase the yummy Sorbet cardstock assortment pack. You have until Midnight, EST of August 15th to place your orders and take advantage of the discount. Click here to see a fabulous display of these sets on the a•muse | studio website and click here to place your order!.

One week left!!

2011-07-10T18:27:00.000-07:00

Ink: Toffee, French Roast

Paper: Toffee, Vanilla

Stamps: Sea Shells, Graphic Sunflower, Mesh Background

Other: small corner rounder, washi tape, brown Tombow marker

Only one week left to save on the current A Muse Studio Spotlight items for June! Be sure to place your order before midnight on July 15th. I've been gettin' my crafty on to prepare for the next Spotlight and I can't wait to share with you!

To make this card, I stamped the starfish image from Sea Shells, inking the center with a brown Tombow marker. I masked the image with a Post-It note, then created a wavy border on a piece of scrap paper. I placed the wavy border on the Vanilla piece, then using a sponge dauber, I added Toffee ink to create sand. Along the bottom of the vanilla square, I added some washi tape, then rounded all the corners. You can't see it clearly in the photo, but I stamped the mesh background on the Toffee notecard base. The sentiment is from our Graphic Sunflower set. Easy peasy, and oh, so pretty!

Class is finalized!

2011-07-06T06:42:00.000-07:00

My July classes have been finalized. Due to the recent announcement of A Muse's Warehouse Sale, my July classes will be held Sunday, July 17th. See the Class Schedule page of this blog for details! Hope to see you there!

Be sure to drop by the shop for the warehouse sale. Who couldn't use a good deal?!

By the Seashore / Make a Wish

2011-06-26T16:53:00.000-07:00

Thankfully, the A Muse shop has decided to continue to offer classes over the summer rather than take a hiatus. I've scheduled two back to back classes (with time for a quick lunch break) for Saturday, July 16th. Class times are yet to be determined but will probably be something like 10:30-12:30, then 1:30-3:30p. I'll post an update as soon as the times are confirmed. Hope to see you!!

ETA: Classes will be held Sunday, July 17th

By the Seashore 11:30-1:30p

In this class, we'll make 5 cards with a beach/ocean theme. I think you'll love them all!!

Make A Wish 2-4pm

We'll make 4 fabulous birthday cards and a small gift bag.

Check the Class Schedule page on my blog for updates and details on how to reserve your spot.

Last week of school!

2011-06-13T22:34:00.000-07:00

all supplies from amuse studio

We are on our last week of school and one of my kids is sick. Sick, sick, sick! Blech! I hope he is feeling better before the end of the week. We have a new place in town called Menchie's. Perhaps you have one in your neighborhood? My first experience to Menchie's was on a recent trip to Georgia. Shortly after my return home, I found out a new location opened in Lynnwood. Tonight, I went with a friend to purchase a couple of gift cards for some very special teachers and, of course, have a little delicious froyo for myself. I think I'll alter this card design to include a Menchie's gift card.

You really need to check this place out. It's pure, frozen deliciousness!!

Cheers to you!

2011-05-30T22:31:00.000-07:00

Baseball games, school events, and travel have taken up my month of May, leaving me little time to craft. It's a good thing I planned my June 5th classes early or I'd be scrambling about now. I thought it might be fun to show you a masculine card since Father's Day is coming soon and who knows, maybe you have a male birthday coming up that you need a card for.

I made this card using a recessed window technique. I used a square Nestability die on the onyx cardstock to create the window and layered some sugar cardstock behind it. All that was layered onto a wheat card base. Next, I created a mask for the hotdog image, then stamped the hotdog on some scrap cardstock, then masked it and stamped the beer mug. The images were then colored with Copics, cut out, and adhered to the window with dimensionals. The sentiment was stamped with a sugar pigment pad then embossed with white EP (embossing powder).

all supplies from a*muse | studio

An easy peasy male card without ribbons or frilly things!

I've been baking again

2011-05-19T20:35:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, our middle school's 7th & 8th grade choir, orchestra, and band groups travelled to Idaho to perform in the Music in the Parks program at Silverwood Theme Park. The kids did a fantastic job, earning excellent and superior scores in every category they competed in. The 8th grade symphonic band took best band in their category over all middle and high schools at the competition. The entire music department (over 200 kids!) took the Esprit de Corps award based on overall behavior, performance, and attitude. What an accomplishment!

While the kids work really hard themselves, none of this would have been possible without the dedication, effort, and commitment of time given by our fabulous music directors. So, to thank them for all they do, I made these fun sugar cookies and gifted them in these decorated boxes.

The cookies are a little rough since it was my first time playing with these designs. I'll do a better job next time. But, I knew they would still appreciate the thought behind the gift.

For the box, I just used a candy box, then taped it shut with some washi tape from my stash. I think it might be from Pink Paislee. Then, I just cut some strips of Onyx amuse cardstock to create the music bar, cut the treble clef with my Making Memories Slice machine, and used a Quickutz Harvest 4x8 alphabet for the 'thank you' using amuse Cobalt blue cardstock. And, of course, it HAD to be finished off with some pretty, clear Twinkle dots.

Hey, Man!

2011-05-16T20:50:00.001-07:00

all supplies from a☻muse | studio

I wanted to post about my upcoming "Hey, Man!" class last week, but Blogger was not cooperating. Boo!!! So glad it is working now! I've got 5 fun projects lined up for this class and one of them is bound to fit the guy in your life. Samples are already at the A Muse shop so be sure to stop by and check them out! Sign up soon as space is limited.

You see that golf themed project in the above picture? Well, the picture below is what the inside of that project looks like. I had to borrow these golf tees for props since my own husband doesn't golf but I know this project will still come in handy for other males I know who do golf. Super cool, huh?!

Con-grad-ulations!!

2011-05-11T07:04:00.001-07:00

Paper: a muse | studio Onyx, Sugar cardstock

Ink: a muse | studio Onyx, Blackberry

Silver brad: a muse | studio

Gold cord: unknown source

Stamps: con-grad-ulations cling set

My buddy, Jill, is super busy with some other things so she asked me to be a guest designer for her blog today. I thought I'd share this fun graduation card. Various versions of this card can be found on the internet but I wanted to keep it clean and simple. Cuz that's the way I like it. Uh huh, uh huh. (picture disco dancing emoticon here)

To create this card, cut Onyx cardstock to 4.25 x 9.75". Score at 5.5"
With the long side across the top, make a small pencil mark at 2 1/8" to the left and right of the score line.
Repeat this step on the other side.
With the short side at the top, make a diagonal score line from the top left pencil mark to the bottom right pencil mark.
Make a diagonal score line from the top right pencil mark to the bottom left pencil mark.
With the short side still at the top, mark the center with a small pencil mark (again at 2 1/8")
Trim off the left and right corners to create a point in the center by using the center mark as a guide and cutting to the top left and top right score marks.
Fold the center section in. This creates your grad cap.
Create a tassle using embroidery floss or cording.
Mark the center of the grad cap and attach the tassle with a brad. I use a paper piercer to make the hole.
Cut another piece of paper to 2 7/8" square.
Stamp your sentiment (I used school colors) and cap image, then adhere to the inside of the card so it covers your brad.

See? Fun!! Thanks for allowing me to be your guest, Jill!!

Coffee Happy Hour

2011-05-09T22:39:00.000-07:00

All supplies from a●muse | studio

Paper: French Roast, Cherry, Sugar

Ink: Bubblegum, Cherry, French Roast, Memento Tuxedo Black

Cherry button, twine

Stamps: Cup of Good Wishes, Mad for Plaids

Copics

Did you know Starbucks currently has a Frappucino Happy Hour going on? Every day through the 15th of May from 3-5pm, Frappucinos are half off! I must say, I've been enjoying it almost daily. I stick with a tall to help keep the calorie count down a bit. So, here's to you... a cup of good wishes!

Please, someone send the sunshine!!

2011-05-05T07:38:00.000-07:00

all supplies from a●muse | studio. Purchase here

It's been so beautiful the past few days here in the PNW but today, I woke up to gray skies. Booo!!!!!! Please, someone send the sunshine!!! I need it back! We have been so water logged over here we still have a lot of drying out to do. Yesterday, someone told me we had more snow in the mountains on May 1 than we did on April 1. That's crazy! Sure is beautiful to look at the snow covered mountains on a beautiful sunny day, though. Yup, that's why I need the sun back. To enjoy the scenery.

Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger

2011-05-04T07:00:00.001-07:00

Hullabaloo Polka Dot Steel Blue Fabric from Moda

via www.moxiefabworld.com

I actually had a chance to participate in the Moxie Fab World Tuesday Trigger Challenge, thanks to it being a two week challenge this time. For some reason the trigger image inspired me to want to make a baby card with a circus elephant but I didn't have any stamps of circus elephants! So, I made do with a birthday card instead. Always in need of birthday cards, right?!

all supplies from a●muse | studio, which you can purchase here

I stamped the medium polka dot from the Polka Dot Patterns set using a●muse | studio's Slate pigment ink across the bottom of the Winter Sky notecard base. Then, I stamped the word 'celebrate' using Onyx pigment ink. On a piece of scrap paper I stamped and colored (with Copics) the slice of birthday cake image from the A Very Merry Un-Birthday set, then cut it out and adhered it with a pop-dot. Lastly, I used the banner die to cut a banner, then hand cut little triangles using various patterned cardstock. Fun, don't you think?!

Card Portfolio Class

2011-04-09T18:53:00.001-07:00

Come join me on Saturday, April 23rd from 2-4pm for this fabulous Card Portfolio class. I'll teach you how to make the portfolio which holds 5 identical cards and envelopes. We'll have LOTS of fun and you'll walk out with the confidence to recreate this project on your own so you can keep this one for yourself and make more to give away.

Classes!!

2011-03-10T23:24:00.000-08:00

I've updated my class page with my very first class at the A Muse Retail shop in the Greenwood neighborhood of Seattle. We'll be making 5 cards focusing on a couple of select sets in our new catalog. I can't wait to introduce you to our new products! You can "purchase" the class online via the A Muse webpage (link provided under class schedule page) or you can call the store directly. I'm working on adding an Easter/Spring class and already have a few other classes on the calendar for May.

One of my cousins has a husband who will be facing some surgery next week. I thought I'd make up a few cards to send as his recovery progresses. My cousin lives in a rural area of a small town in North Carolina so this is a little "country" themed. One of my uncles used to own some cows. He lives within a couple of miles from my cousin. I remember visiting when I was younger, and chasing after the cows in the meadow to see the mama cows and baby cows.

all supplies from a*muse | studio

Stamps: Farm Fun cling set

Papers: Cherry, Sugar, Onyx

Hope he likes it. It makes me chuckle.