A Muse News

Save the date - VSN!

Emily Montenaro — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:04:41 -0800

Along with Splitcoaststampers.com, we will be having a VSN Party Saturday November 14th. What is VSN? It’s a Virtual Stamp Night where we get together online to participate in challenges. Splitcoaststampers will have challenges going on all weekend, so feel free to participate in as many as you can!

What: VSN A Muse Party

When: Saturday, November 14th from 7pm-11pm Eastern

Where: The A Muse Lounge

Who: Everyone that loves A Muse and a good challenge.

How: Grab your A Muse stamps and hop over to the A Muse Lounge (link in the navigation bar above) where we’ll have all the details.

We’ll have a great night of challenges, stamping, and chatting. We hope you can join us!!

Guest Designer Karen Watson!

Emily Montenaro — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:59:21 -0800

Karen Watson

Please welcome our November Guest Designer... Karen Watson! Karen is a designer in the UK and we are excited to feature her beautiful holiday designs during the next few weeks! I have three of her cards to share with you today, but first a little more about her:

Karen has been addicted to rubber stamping for 14 years and spends most of her time demonstrating cardmaking techniques at retail and trade shows around the UK. Added to this, Karen is also a regular contributor to some of the UK's most popular craft magazines. She says "I feel like I have the best job in the world. I love being able to spend so much time playing with stamps, papers and inks".
Karen lives in a small village in England with her wonderful family....husband Anthony and sons Tom 14 and Ben 11 who are all very tolerant and supportive of her passion!

And now, on to her cards!

I love Karen's coloring on this first design. With beautiful blending and shading, she is a pro with her Copic markers! And I love how she incorporated twinkle stickers for some bling. BTW - you can enter to win one of these adorable "under the mistletoe" stamps by entering Karen's drawing. See below for details!

This angel just *sparkles*! Karen used lots of beautiful prisma crystal glitter on her dress and wings!

I really wish you could see in person the fabulous details on Karen's designs. She adds just the right touch of sparkle combined with beautiful coloring and layering. This is a Swiss Red 4-bar notecard, that Karen embossed, trimmed and punched. Then she added the Sage Juliette cardstock layer behind the scallop window! And below you can see a closeup of Karen's awesome cutting skills! I am amazed that she trimmed the girl so precisely! I tend to avoid cutting images because I'm never happy with my results. I guess I need more patience and practice with my craft knife or scissors!

More of Karen's fabulous work is yet to come, so be sure to check back next week!

If you are a regular reader of our blog, then you know that a Guest Designer means it's also giveaway time! Karen selected this stamp and pack of notecards to giveaway to a few lucky readers:

* Under the Mistletoe
* Kitchen Green 4-bar notecards

To enter for a chance to win, just leave a comment on this, and on each of the upcoming Guest Designer posts featuring Karen's designs! (one comment per post please)

Stamping Tip

Emily Montenaro — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:50:00 -0800

Ribbon Snippets
by Sherry

"I don't know about you, but I seem to have a lot of ribbon snippets laying on my stamping desk after a good day full of stamping and card making. I hate to throw away the ribbon snips, so I put them in a little glassine envie on my desk and try to use them as I go.

Three different ways I use them are for bookmark toppers, a little ribbon bouquet, and fold overs.

The ribbon bouquet - I just bunch up a few ribbons and tie a know around them, then stick it to the card with a glue dot as I did on the purple flower card below.

The bookmark - I run one ribbon through the hole and then tie the other accent ribbon around it and knot it.

The foldover - this is for the tiny pieces 1" or less, I put a glue dot in the middle, fold it over and then glue dot it to the back of my card front.

Hope you have fun creating with your ribbon snipets!"

- Sherry

Twinkle Sticker Trick

Linda — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:50:37 -0800

I love adding A Muse Twinkle Stickers to my cards & projects, especially since I discovered a fabulous time-saving trick!

Meet Kelsey! Kelsey is the newest member of the A Muse crew in Seattle and she agreed to be my model for this photo tutorial. Kelsey LOVES Twinkle Stickers too!

Step 1: Cut the Glue strip

Each gem sticker is adhered to a glue strip. In order to use a single gem, you must first cut the glue line between the gems. Be sure to keep them attached to the plastic backing sheet. In this photo, Kelsey is planning to use a light pink twinkle sticker.

Next you will need some wall putty. You probably have some at home but if not, you can pick some up in the A Muse shop or at your local hardware store.

Step 2: Apply a teeny tiny bit of putty

You need just a tiny bit of putty - about the size of a lentil bean. Roll it into a ball and then apply it to the flat end of a pen or marker. An RSVP pen works well or any other pen with a flat bottom.

Step 3: Use putty to pick up twinkle sticker

Make sure you've cut the glue strip between the twinkle stickers.

Here is the twinkle sticker sitting in the putty...

Step 4: Apply twinkle sticker to project.

Presto!

This nifty trick has saved me so much time and frustration! And, I am able to adhere the twinkle sticker *exactly* where I want it.

Here are a few more tips:

Keep your putty "fresh" by removing it from teh pen and rolling between your thumb and finger to make into a ball again.
If your putty ball is too large, you will lose your twinkle sticker. If this happens, make your putty ball smaller.
Can be used with A Muse Pretty Pearls too!

Try it and let me know what you think!

Shop News - 11/3/09

Linda — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:53:07 -0800

Make & Take

The Holidays are coming up quick! This Wednesday come in to the A Muse shop anytime in between 11:30am and 1:30 pm to make this fun winter card using the Quickie Glue Pen!

Classes

Joyce will be teaching a class this Sunday, November 8th from 2pm to 4pm called Falling into the Holidays. She will inspire you with some great ideas for Thanksgiving and Christmas! Sign up here or call the shop at 206-783-4882 to join! Here are just some of the things you will be making!

Also, this Friday, November 6th is the first part of our Calendar TGIF class! Sign up here! The class is from 12 to 1pm and only costs $10. Don't miss out!

Holiday Open House - November 7th

Linda — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:06:03 -0800

We're getting ready for the Holidays! Don't you love the new Holiday color scheme Heather has created for us?

If you live in the Seattle area, we hope that you will join us THIS Saturday, November 7th, for our Holiday Open House. We have lots of fun things planned!

Free Demos all day!

Learn about COPIC markers, Smooch inks, embossing, Metallic Shimmer Chalks & stencils, glitter tricks and more! Demos will run at regular intervals all day long.

3 Make & Takes

Bring a donation to the Greenwood Food Bank to make THREE make & take projects. First you will make a handy Gift Card Holder...

Then you will make a fun Pillow box...

followed by an easy Tea slider...

We will have some special SALE items, yummy treats, door prizes and LOTS of Holiday Card Ideas!

Hope to see YOU on Saturday!

Around Town - November Classes

Emily Montenaro — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:56:59 -0700

The A Muse Instructor Team has some fabulous November classes coming up! Instructors who are teaching in November are noted by a yellow marker on this map. Just click on the marker to see the instructor who is teaching in your area along with a link to their class schedule. Click and drag the map to reposition it as desired or use the arrow buttons. To see all the instructors in your area, you will need to ZOOM in for a closer look! Use the "+" and "-" buttons to zoom in or out.

View as a larger map

Instructors not teaching in November have grey markers, but keep an eye on them for classes in future months! Please note that this map is not intended to provide directions. The markers denote only the state and general area where each instructor typically teaches. Click on "View as a larger map" to view it larger in it's own window and to see a list of instructors.

Shop News - 10/27/09

Linda — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:12:49 -0700

Make & Take

Come in this Wednesday in between 11:30am and 1:30 pm to make this creepy tombstone box! Simple, fun, and perfect to hand out to trick-or-treaters this Halloween!

Please note: We will not be offering a make & take this Saturday (October 31st) due to the Phinney-Greenwood trick-or-treating program. We will be handing out yummy treats to all the little ghouls and goblins, princesses and witches too.

Hope to see you there!

~Amanda

Shop News - 10/20/09

Linda — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:55:17 -0700

Classes

This Friday is our Yuletide Greetings TGIF class 12-1pm for only $10! Come in and make some fun Holiday cards! Pre-registration is required so sign up today either online here or you can call the shop at 206-783-4882.

Make & Take

This Wednesday and Saturday between 11:30am and 1:30pm we will be making this spooky project! It'll be sweet! Hope you can join us!

Other News

Speaking of stuff that's sweet, we have some new delicious Halloween chocolates now available at the A Muse retail shop. There are a selection of different treats including a bat and a white chocolate ghost perfect to give to your ghoulish kiddies!

Also, Martha Stewart Halloween punches are now on sale for 20% off at our retail shop only! We have a limited supply, so get 'em while they last!

Hope to see you soon!

~Amanda

And the winners are ...

Linda — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:03:38 -0700

In the last blog post we gave you a chance to win a complete set of the new wood-mounted stamps! The lucky ladies who won are ...

EJ - Sunday, October 18, 2009 @ 3:54 PM

and

Jayne - Friday, October 16, 2009 at 1:03PM

EJ and Jayne, simply send your name and address to me at hmeeson@amuseartstamps.com and we'll get your goodies out to you!

amuse-bouche - Expressions of Gratitude

Heather Meeson — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 04:00:00 -0700

Yesterday we gave you the opportunity to win one each of our new clear stamps set, simply by commenting! And the two lucky winners, selected randomly, are ...

Michelle H in IL - Thursday, October 15, 2009 @ 6:38pm

and

Nancy in OR - Thursday, October 15, 2009 @ 04:39pm

Michelle and Nancy, simply send your name and address to me at hmeeson@amuseartstamps.com and we'll get your goodies out to you!

And since today is release day, we've got one more chance for you to win! Simply scroll on down, enjoy today's inspiration, and comment to enter!

All of the new products we've been sharing with you this week are now available in your local shops and at www.amuseartstamps.com! And to celebrate we're giving away a complete set of the new wood mounted stamps! Simply comment on this post for your chance to win!

Seattle Class

Linda — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:42:00 -0700

This Saturday, October 17th from 4pm to 6pm Rhiannon is having her Thankful Thoughts class! Sign up today to join in on the fun! You will be making 5 fantastic Fall themed Thankful and Thoughtful cards perfect for sending some hand-made love during the coming Thanksgiving season. Here's just one of the beautiful cards you will be making.

Be one of the FIRST people to try out our NEW stationery release! You can sign up here or call the A Muse shop at 206-783-4882.

See you soon!

~Amanda

amuse-bouche - Fall Floribunda

Heather Meeson — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 04:00:00 -0700

Yesterday we gave you the chance to win an assortment of our new Shimmer Couture papers, simply by commenting! And not one, but TWO lucky gals were selected at random! Oh my ... you're gonna' looove this paper! The winners, selected randomly, are ...

Pam who posted on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 at 4:39pm

and

Michelle who posted on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 @ 9:16 PM

Pam and Michelle, simply send your name and address to me at hmeeson@amuseartstamps.com and we'll get your goodies out to you!

If your name wasn't drawn yesterday, don't despair! There's another opportunity to win even more goodies today! Read on!

This simple, yet striking card features so many gorgeous new goodies: Shimmer Couture in Blackberry and Pink, as well as a beatiful new sentiment and flower.

Espresso Shimmer Couture and Blackberry Shimmer Couture paired together for this pretty greeting! And did you notice the 'H' and 'I'? They're stamped with another new alphabet set, Fancy Alphabet, and surrounded with a frame from our new Monogram Frames set!

Krystie used two new stamps, an Open and Solid Chrysanthemum, to create this elegant thank you card in shades of Blackberry!

Both Blackberry Shimmer Couture papers (Damask and Solid) combine for another lovely thank you note. New Ivory Pearls were also used as accent!

Some of today's designs feature images and sentiments from one of 5 new sets being released on October 16th ... but you could WIN them today! Simply leave a comment on this post, one per person, and you'll have a chance to win one of each of these gorgeous new clear stamp sets!

amuse-bouche - Mother Earth

Heather Meeson — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 04:00:00 -0700

Today's amuse-bouche is cool & crisp, featuring the blues and greens of Shimmer Couture!

And once you've finished taking in all the pretty new eye-candy, be sure to comment! You just may win some of this lovely new paper! Details below!

Emily's "thank you" card is simple elegance at it's finest. So clean, so crisp, so simple ... so A Muse! And adding just a hint of Robin's Egg Shimmer Couture, along with our new Leaf Frond stamp, really completes the look!

Elena created a lovely stationery set using Ocean and Lime Shimmer Couture and Shimmer Couture Damask (complete with matching container). And did you spot the new Ocean Polka Dot Ribbon!? So pretty!

This lovely card from Katie really shows off our gorgeous new Sky Blue Pearls!

Sky Blue Pearls and Robin's Egg Shimmer Couture Damask combine with the Leaf Frond and our new Classic Alphabet set to make this elegant personalized notecard!

Lexi used our bold, graphic new "Thanks" stamp to create this beautifully bold thank you note. And in addition to the new Robin's Egg and Lime Shimmer Couture papers, there's one more new goodie on this card: Sky Blue Twinkle Stickers!

Wasn't this a fun day of sneaks? So clean and fresh ... simple elegance at it's finest! But that's not all today! Leave a comment, one per person, for your chance to win an assortment of these fabulous new papers!

These papers and stamps are showing up in your local shops now and will be available online October 16th!

I'll be back tomorrow with one more day of fabulous amuse-bouche you won't want to miss!