Christmas Crafting

As busy as this month was, with the end of the semester (at work and home -- how can 1 kid forget to turn in so many assignments?! But we ended all caught up, whew!) and house hunting (we looked at 15 houses a week ago, and returned to our top 2 yesterday) I still managed to get a few craft projects finished.

In October I went to a SU! Christmas workshop, where we made 4 or 5 projects. My favorite was a really simple giftcard holder, and I re-created 2 of them to adorn gifts for family far away:

Gift card holder #1, for my in-laws

Giftcard holder #2, for my brother

The most difficult part of this project was finding the right double-sided Christmas paper, but as it turned out I some in my stash that was perfect!

I also made a couple of cards:

All supplies: A|Muse Studio

All supplies: A|Muse Studio (except the shapes are the Apothecary dies from SU!)

I am hoping to get a few projects finished over the Christmas Break, but it seems unusually short this year.

I hope Santa brought you just what you were wishing for!

Happy Stamping!
Christina

Teacher Gifts 2012

Now that my son is in middle school he isn't as excited to give his teachers my handmade gifts -- and now that he has 8 teachers it would be hard to keep up! But I wanted to do something to show our appreciation, after all theirs is a job that I admire from afar (I teach adults, knowing full well it's better for all involved!) so I took advantage of a high school fundraiser and got the 8th grade team a big fruit basket, and the band teachers a smaller one (since there are only 2 of them -- for over 300 students!!)

And, of course I had to include a hand stamped card with each:


For Team 8K; All supplies: A|Muse Studio

This card, for the band teachers, uses a retired A|Muse set in the snow globe die set.

I was happy to get this to the teachers midweek (the week before school let out) so they had time to enjoy the healthy snacks!

Happy Stamping!
Christina

December Spotlight: Old Fashioned Christmas

Santa's Flight -- A|Muse Studio designers

Howdy!
A|muse studio is changing the delivery format of their Spotlight Special projects. Of course the stamps will still be on sale from the first day thru the last day of each month, but the project ideas will come out weekly on the blog, rather than in a single page PDF format. Visit the a|muse studio blog here: http://amusestudio.typepad.com/a-muse-studio/ to see the projects and keep up-to-date with all of the fun things going on with A|Muse Studio!

December's featured sets, as seen above, are: 
A Christmas Carol
Santa's Flight
Village Christmas Postmarks
Vintage Holiday Greetings
Come Fly With Me

The Old Fashioned Christmas cardstock assortment (PASTC12) includes:
Cherry, Wasabi, Sky, Sugar and Kraft.

I have a few projects left to stamp, for my colleagues and to mail off to friends and family  -- including a couple of small calendars that I am almost ready to send to my mom and mother-in-law so they will be ready for the New Year!

I hope you are able to find time to wrap up your last crafty projects, too!

Happy Stamping!
Christina

Ho Ho Holiday Sale

Now thru December 16th enjoy a little extra holiday cheer with 30% off some great A|Muse sets and accessories!

From Christmas sets to ribbon and some of the best cardstock, this is a great surprise sale!
Here is the fine print:

• Sale runs through December 16, 2012 at 11:59pm Eastern time.
• SALE items may not be combined with any other offers or coupons.
• Customer sale price is 30% off regular retail price.
• Sale is limited to stock on hand. Any items that sell out as a result of the sale will not be backordered.

Let me know if you have any questions!

Happy Stamping!
Christina

Thanksgiving Card

I hope the few Thanksgiving cards I stuck in the mail get to family (and a friend) in time . . . I just got them in the mail this morning! I was able to use up the extra pieces from the Holiday Hoopla workshop, and sent this card:

All supplies: AMuse Studio. Give Thanks set, papaya & vanilla c/s, white embossing over Versamark, cocoa memento ink and french roast baker's twine

I love the look of the white embossing on papaya paper. The sentiment inside says "For our blessings we are thankful." This set (from the 2012 holiday catalog & inspiration guide) is one I will use all year long -- with the simplicity of the wheat and the beautiful sayings about gratitude.

I have a lot to do before we leave for the beach on Thursday -- for a much needed relaxing long weekend -- but hope to get some cards designed for the Christmas workshop we are planning at work. The event isn't until November 30th, but we need to put up the projects to start getting people excited (and get on the calendar before Finals start!)

I hope you are able to enjoy some time this week to reflect on the things you are thankful for. As the sentiment (that got cut off in the photo, sorry) above points out, "gratitude can transform common days into Thansgivings."

Happy stamping!
Christina

In My Thoughts

My cousin and her husband recently moved to Texas (the DFW area) from San Jose, California and are having a tough time getting settled. I got a couple of SU! single stamps in my hostess order this month and was able to combine the lovely saying stamp with gorgeous A|S paper to get a card out this week to let her know I am thinking about her, and wishing them both all the best!

In addition, today is the 88th birthday of an online friend's dad. He's been having some health issues and is currently in a rehab therapy center, so friends from all over sent him birthday greetings to bring a smile to his sweet face. He lives on the East Coast so I wanted to send a little Texas charm his way:

I only wish you could see the finish on the tag -- I used A|S Finishing Spray and it really adds a special touch. The stamps are a combination of Deadbeat Designs and a retired A|S set

My husband and son are camping with the Scouts this weekend, so my goal is to finish and mail a few Thanksgiving cards today. I will admit, though, that goal is competing with a strong desire to go out and enjoy this beautiful weather! Hmmm, perhaps the cards can go out on Monday . . .

Happy stamping,
Christina

Owl Grown Up!

This week my son turned 14. I make a good number of owl cards -- because I think they are so cute -- to the point that my son has picked up on the owl sayings, so I simply had to incorporate that into his birthday card!

The background is from the You Rock stamp set from A|Muse, the owl punch from SU! and saying from the Stamps of Life.

I recently started adding googlie eyes on occasion -- I love the added movement and the expression they give to the owls.

We let him choose a restaurant for his birthday dinner, but we ate so much that none of us was up for birthday cake after! He was happy with his presents, -- most had a music theme (from CDs to headphones and a mixing board) so you might want to be happy you don't live next door to us as he continues to explore (and experiment with) his love of music!

Happy stamping!
Christina

Valentine's Catalog: Sneak Peak

Valentine News!

I am so excited to announce information about for the upcoming Valentine Release! (Already?! I know, right?!)  BUT the catalog is available December 1st and will feature a fabulous showcase of new A|Muse Studio Valentine’s Day products including:
New stamp sets
New Splash! Colors
New Washi tape assortment
Fun new embellishments
A fabulous new die set
New cardstock

In fact, 12 pages of new A|Muse Studio product and inspiration! You won't want to miss it!

Here is a quick "sneak peak" to hold you over until the catalog comes out -- or until I can get my hands on another sneak peak:

**I can not wait for those lovely sequins, what a simple and elegant way to dress up a card!**

Don't forget you can order from the Valentine's catalog starting December 1st (I will, of course, post a link to it ASAP) and you can do so by either e-mailing me or on my webstore: https://www.amusestudio.com/christinaseeger

Happy stamping!
Christina

November Spotlight: Harvest Hues

The A|Muse Studio November Spotlight is now available:

For the month of November save 10% on the Featured Stamp Sets (Fresh Foliage, Script Background, Mod Backgrounds 1, Seasonal Branch & Nordic Noel) which pair so nicely with the featured color palette of French Roast, Toffee, Squash, Nutmeg & Wheat.

I have a template (and tips) for the cookie tray and the card tote (cleverly using clear and woodgrain cardstock for Fall -- but you can easily change out the pattern for any season or occasion!) Feel free to e-mail me for a copy of one or both.

I have to admit, I am so glad that A|S is not rushing into the holidays. This month's projects are so fun and allow me to sit back and enjoy the fall -- the calm before the storm, if you will.

I must admit, I love the detail in this project -- and in case you can't tell, the antlers are flocked!

Nordic Noel -- doing double duty. Next month this guy might just be Rudolph! Project & photo courtesy of A|S

I hope you, too, are able to find some time to relax and enjoy yourself a bit this month!

Happy stamping!
Christina
https://www.amusestudio.com/christinaseeger

October Stamping

A friend from work got married earlier this month, and this is the card I made for the happy couple:

Simple elegance: one of my favorite cuttlebug folders with a sentiment from Essential Sentiments in grape, and vanilla pearls, on Vanilla c/s

As a gift to the couple I offered my husband's photography, and they took us up for the rehearsal and dinner. The couple was married in the chapel on campus -- and it would be difficult to find a more beautiful place.

I also had to get a card out to my dad's wife, and my mom for their birthdays (a couple of days apart):

A cheery card for my dad's wife -- using some bright leftovers from a SU! class I took this Spring. I think I mailed my mom's before photographing it -- oops!

I have a dear friend -- who moved about an hour away (closer than she had been) and I *still* don't get to see nearly enough-- with a birthday next week and this is the card I am sticking in the mail to her today:

Touches of pink, and bits of brown -- I love the way the A|Muse Vintage Labels with the matching stamp allow me to coordinate! The inside sentiment simply says " You're one of my nicest thoughts."

And finally, to be caught up, here is the card I made for next Friday's baby shower at work:

A sweet baby boy card for a nice colleague and his wife, expecting their first in time for Thanksgiving! I love the mix of A|Muse vintage labels dies, gingham paper, stamp set AND a found item -- a tag off some pants I recently bought! The front says "welcome, little one."

I also attended a SU! Christmas Stamp Camp this month for some ideas, and I may post those when I have re-interpreted them into Cricut and A|Muse, which is what I am planning to do. BUT, I'll probably work on the small gifts for my work friends next -- October is nearly over, so Halloween goodies have to be a priority!! I can't let them down after years of special treats in their mailbox, right?!?

Happy Stamping,
Christina

October Spotlight: Spooky & Sweet

The projects for this month's Spotlight specials are so fun!

For the month of October you can save 10% on the stamp sets used to create these fabulous projects!

Featured sets:
Spooky Boo Day
Woodgrain Background
Chevrons
Vintage Labels 2
Creepy Hollow 

And the Wicked Woods cardstock pack contains four sheets each:
Onyx
Seattle
Pebble
Lime
Grass

If you haven't already ordered your FREE Fight Like A Girl set you can now order it from my *new* webstore: https://www.amusestudio.com/christinaseeger

Please note there is a $3 fee that covers shipping and handling for this stamp set, and it is available while supplies last. *** Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery***

I just got my set in (I ordered it AS SOON AS IT WAS AVAILABLE!) and will post something with it this week.  It might not be pink, though -- I have posted more pink this year than I ever thought I would!

You have just over a week to get the October specials -- and can get the free "Fight Like A Girl" set "while supplies last . . . so what are you waiting for???

Happy stamping,
Christina

October Blog Hop: Support & Encouragement

As you may have noticed from the FABULOUS Stamp Out Cancer set, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and A|Muse is all over it!

If you are following the A|Muse Blog Hop you should have come from Pamela's blog. If not start at Karen's blog and follow the creativity until you come back here.

This month's Blog Hop theme is a get well card or one of encouragement or support - to tie in with the 'stamp out cancer' campaign. I had all the supplies out to make a get well card, and then I decided to do something a little more cheeky. One of the first sets I bought when joining A|Muse was "Let's Be Adventurers" and I LOVE what a versatile set it is -- here it is as a card of support for a friend:

Sets: Let's Be Adventurers & Make A Scene ; Cardstock: Sugar, Bermuda Chevron & Bermuda; Ink: Tuxedo Black and Bermuda; Other: 3-D foam and brown colored pencil

In case I haven't mentioned it, I also LOVE the chevron paper from the holiday catalog -- and it comes in such great colors!

Now, go on over to Angela's blog to she what she has in store for you! And, if you think you may have missed any of the creativity, here is the list for this month's blog hop:

Karen Crisp http://www.papernstamps.blogspot.com/
Linda Suarez http://luckydogstamper.com
Sarah Callahan http://wastamper.blogspot.com/
Pamela Fredrickson http://attemptedcreativity.blogspot.com
Christina Seeger http://morethanalittlerandom.blogspot.com/ <======= YOU ARE HERE
Angela Kelley http://www.angelakelley.blogspot.com
Kristine Vicente - www.checkerberrylane.wordpress.com
Barb Limone - http://barbscraftcave.blogspot.com
Sharon Roselli http://papersharing.blogspot.com



Happy Stamping!
Christina  

Pink Hostess Pack

If you like pink there has NEVER been a better time to hold a workshop!

In addition to regular Hostess Rewards, for the month of October only, hostesses will receive a special Pink Pack - a $50 retail value!

The Pink Pack includes:
3 ink pads
3 ribbons
cardstock assortment
Shell pearls
Plus you can order the free "Fight Like a Girl" stamp set!
This special hostess benefit will ship automatically to qualified hostesses who have a workshop of $150 or more in sales. (Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of the free stamp set.)


Just had to share that update! If you are in the San Antonio area and want to earn this great reward -- in addition to our fabulous "everyday" Hostess Rewards I'd be happy to help! Let's get a few of your friends together to have a fun time stamping!

Happy Stamping!
Christina

Fight Like A Girl

Stamp out Breast Cancer!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so A|Muse Studio is offering a FREE* set to help raise awareness and promote detection. *There is a $3 shipping charge.



For more information see the A|Muse post at: http://amusestudio.typepad.com/a-muse-studio/2012/09/stamp-out-breast-cancer.html where there is also a downloadable calendar!

If you would like to order the Fight Like A Girl set let me know -- I will post the link to my webstore just as soon as it is set up, but can order it for you -- or you can use the link on the A|Muse Blog post above. Note that the sets will not ship until November.

Happy Stamping!
Christina

Laurie's Birthday

My best friend in high school had a birthday this month, and I made this card to send her:

Stamp set: Enjoy Life (CTMH)



 

I've had this stamp set for quite awhile, but this is the first time I've used it, and the saying is perfect for her!

On Wednesday my friend (and downline) and I are having a stamp camp at work. I'll post the projects after the event -- we're doing a Halloween project, a Thanksgiving card, and 2 Christmas cards! It will be the first time some of the people at work have *ever* stamped, can you imagine that?

Happy Stamping!
Christina

All Things Autumn -- September Blog Hop

Note: If you are participating in the blog hop, you should have come from Pamela's blog and if not, then you should start from the beginning with Karen's blog until you come back to my blog.

This was an easy theme for me to fill -- Fall is my favorite season to stamp, and in my house it is an extended season beginning with the start of school and ending sometime around Christmas. I love all the beautiful colors of Fall, and to celebrate the births of my husband (September) and son (November), the neighborhood goblins (since my son is now "too big" to Trick 'r Treat), and the few perfectly timed days of gratitude that signal the calm before the storms (finals week at work and the Christmas season). The hard part was figuring out which of my new A|Muse Studio goodies to use -- I didn't buy a single Christmas set, but got ALL of the Autumn sets (and the leaf dies).

Autumn Days set on Vanilla cardstock, stamped in: currant, fern, nutmeg, papaya & Memento rich cocoa (for that GREAT sentiment!) Finished off with clear twinkle stickers and one of the leaf dies in papaya. Next time I'll try out my new Orange Splash on the leaf . . .

Now on to your next stop, Carissa's blog.  If you get lost along the way, here is the complete list. I know you won't want to miss the great things these ladies have in store -- with such a wide open theme you never know what you're going to get!

Karen Crisp http://www.papernstamps.blogspot.com
Linda Suarez http://www.luckydogstamper.com
Pamela Fredrickson www.attemptedcreativity.blogspot.com
Christina Seeger http://morethanalittlerandom.blogspot.com  <===== you are here
Carissa Fulkerson www.carissascottage.blogspot.com 
Angela Kelley http://www.angelakelley.blogspot.com

Happy stamping!Christina

September Spotlight: Study Hall

With all the Hoopla going on it might be easy to forget that A|Muse Studio has a whole catalog of other great stamps and accessories -- but that is where the monthly Spotlight comes in as a reminder. And this month is no exception to the fresh and fun inspiration ideas that come from the Studio. Look at these bright colors!

I tell you from experience -- Sticky note holders make great gifts!

 

As a card or a bookmark this is sure to brighten some one's day!

Note cubes -- another great gift! This one especially caught my eye -- what a great and inexpensive gift! My son attends a magnet school with a rocketry focus, so I guess my Christmas teacher gifts have been planned for me! 

And I love how versatile this project is!



Let me know if you need a copy e-mailed -- this *is* rather small

 

For one month, you can save 10% on the stamp sets used to create these fabulous projects!
Greetings Earthling
Rock Star
Love Conquers All
Thank You Mix
Calendar Fun
And, for a limited time, order the special Study Hall cardstock assortment pack (4 sheets each of the colors used in these bright and fun projects):
Currant
Grapefruit
Lido
Fern
Cocoa

But, don't fret -- the Hoopla continues as well, and through the end of September any workshop of at least $150 (with a minimum of 3 customers) nets the Hostess this EXCLUSIVE set, Dwell in Possibility (in addition to extra hostess benefits!):

I am going to use this set for a friend that has been putting off getting her transcripts so she can return to school -- and probably for encouragement along the way once she starts.

Be sure to stop by tomorrow for the monthly A|Muse Studio Blog Hop. The theme is "All things Autumn" and I, for one, can't wait to see what the rest of the group has come up with! Plus, I have a fun card made with a set and die from the holiday catalog to show off!

Until tomorrow -- Happy Stamping!
Christina

Cards of the Week

I got a FUN order from the A|Muse Studio holiday catalog in on Monday -- but since orientation began at work on Tuesday I haven't had much time to play with all of the things from the Holiday catalog. I had a couple of thank you cards to send out this week, though so I recycled an unfinished project and dug out some of the chevron paper for another:

Bermuda chevron on a bermuda base, with the thank you from hand scripted on sugar cardstock, french roast ribbon and butterfly trio and vintage label 1 dies

Recycled: vintage labels 2 & hand scripted on vanilla c/s with some random washi tape.

The saying on the inside, for both of these, is the same as the outer saying on this card, made with the scraps from the others . . . Gratitude can transform common days into Thanksgivings. This is also the first card I tried stardust finishing spray on . . . I got it since I had heard such good things about it and wanted to see what all the fuss was about. Now I am only sorry I didn't discover it sooner!

And, finally, I ordered a few of the sets meant to be Hostess Booking incentives, or rewards or  . . . but at least 2 were destined for my collection from the time I set eyes on them, especially this one:

Unfortunately, I've had to send this one already -- a dear friend had a stent put in over the weekend. And since he is one of the MOST fun septuagenarians I know this was just the right thing to say!

 

I've since spent some time scrapbooking, since my son just ranked up to Life Scout I have to get caught up with his Boy Scout album in time to add all the things he'll do to earn Eagle (projected: next summer, so he has it going into high school), and worked on the pages I am doing for an A|Muse Studio calendar swap -- I'll post that when I send it off to the swap coordinator!

 

Happy Stamping,

Christina

August Spotlight: Summer Fun

August Spotlight

This month's Spotlight is so bright and summery, it reminds me of lazy summer days and trips far away.

The featured stamp sets are:
vacationland
wish you were here
let's be adventurers
enjoy the ride
extraordinary background

And the fun featured color palette includes:
blush
apricot
papaya
orange
bermuda

Check out this month's project from the A|Muse Studio: Create your own mini book! The possibilities really are endless with a|s coasterboard, cardstock, embellishments, and – of course – stamps!

A nice way to customize your mini-album, and set the feel -- and I love the handwritten label, a theme carried throughout this adorable mini travel album!

Dress up a favorite photo with a strip of ribbon. That's all.

Simple but elegant -- washi tape and ribbon

I love the idea of creating a clear overlay to match my project -- and MUCH less expensively, too! Our clear cardstock with cotton white Staz-on -- or even white embossing powder for that extra "pop" -- make this so easy!

Holiday Hoopla is still going on, but I wanted to stop looking ahead to the hectic holidays and hold on to the feel of those lazy days of summer just a bit longer . . .

Happy stamping,
Christina

August Birthday Cards

This Tuesday 2 of the nicest people I work with are having birthdays! The first is for my friend (and downline) Betsy and was done with a PERFECT* hostess gift set (not available for sale, but as a reward for hostesses) Past Due.


Set: Past Due; Paper: French Roast Petite Polka Dot & Bermuda (the library card is a scrap of SU! crumb cake); Ribbon: French Roast; Other: glitter embossing, clear twinkle stickers, memento cocoa ink

Set: Birthday Greetings; Paper: Eucalyptus and vanilla; Ink: memento cocoa

The other card had to be more masculine, and I was able to use some washi tape that I got online to check out this trend, and one of my favorite birthday sayings.

I have one more card to make this week -- for my "little" brother's 26th on Friday! I'll have to get it sent out soon, so forgive me if I don' get a chance to photograph it before chasing down the mailman!

Happy Stamping!
Christina

*Past Due is perfect, of course, because by day I am a librarian!!

It's Finally Here -- Holiday Hoopla!

Today is the start of A|Muse Studio's Holiday Hoopla, and in addition to an exciting holiday catalog there has never been a better time to be a hostess! Hostesses who host a qualifying workshop between August 1 and September 30, 2012 receive an exclusive A Muse Studio stamp set, "Dwell in Possibilities" ($39.95 retail value), and hostesses who host a workshop over $250 qualify for increased hostess rewards!

Holiday Hoopla is on thru the end of September, and here are some of the neat projects showcased by A|Muse:




There are some really great sets -- for Fall, Halloween & Christmas -- and some dies that are "must-haves!" In addition, look at that chevron paper -- we have a nice selection of colors of that fun paper, PLUS the petite polka dots in Navy and Seattle! I'll share some samples as soon as I get my hands on my rather large order, and will share projects showcasing the HOSTESS EXCLUSIVE set "Dwell in Possibility," as soon as this weekend.  Click on the title to take a peak at this fun & cheeky set. I am SO going to do a scrapbook page of my son with the title"Whenever I get sad I stop being sad and start being awesome true story." That sums him up pretty well, I'd say.

Happy stamping!
Christina