April is here -- and so is the new Monthly Collection!

This month's collection is a fun celebration of birthdays -- since in just a few weeks we celebrate the "birth" of A Muse Studio 14 years ago! You can see the entire collection here! I love how versatile some of this month's sets are -- ice cream and summer go hand in messy, dripping hand! There is also a new mini-album in neon pink stripes, and washi tape in stripes, polka dot and plaid.

There is so much to LOVE about A Muse Studio! And, now is a great time to join. This is truly a ground-floor opportunity - there are still a few states where we do not yet have Consultants!! During the months of April & May, we are celebrating our 14th anniversary by continuing our $49 Basic Starter Kit special (save $50 off the regular price!) and $99 Deluxe Starter Kit (over $250 in product value!) with an extra gift for everyone. Every new Consultant that between April 1st and May 31st will receive a FREE stamp set of their choice.

Now for the sad news -- at least for me. The release of a new Monthly Collection means the March collection is no longer available! I am really hoping ALL of the March sets make it to the new catalog this summer, because one month was definitely NOT long enough for everyone that needs these stamps to get their hands on them!

I am going to get a LOT of use out of these sets and matching dies -- they are so perfect to match with other sets.

Because of the shipping delays caused by the longshoreman disputes there will not be a monthly collection in May as we anticipated, however the annual catalog arrives in June, and that's just around the corner!

Be sure to check out the April collection for some "sweet" sets, and I'll be back with some sneak peeks from the new catalog as soon as they are shared (and probably more from the March sets -- I just can't help myself!). In the meantime,

Happy stamping!
Christina

March Collection -- Spring is Definitely in the Air!

The March Collection has been released, and it's fabulous! View the PDF here to see for yourself! This collection includes 4 stamp sets with matching dies, 2 sizes of washi tape, 4X4 mini albums, Vintage Blossom paper straws and a paper collection called Spring Blossom! In fact, the whole collection is fresh and Spring-like. I put my order in last night, so I hope I'll have some of my own things to show you soon, but in the meantime here are a few from the A Muse Studio blog (http://amusestudio.typepad.com/a-muse-studio/)



Wonderful Windows paired with a sentiment from Be Brave and Floral Blossom washi tape

Wonderful Windows -- a great set to use with or without the matching die set!

Mason Jars -- the matching die set makes this set so easy to use! Paired with another sentiment from Be Brave.

Love and Thanks set, of course with a matching die to add dimension!

The combination of the Love and Thanks set with the Mason Jars makes a lovely Spring bouquet!

 

 

In addition, there is a great special for joining the company this month, called "Today is Your Day," which allows you to jump on board for just $49! Spread the word... there's never been a more exciting time to join A Muse Studio! Our new Monthly Collections program provides exciting new products every month, National Conference is just over two months away, and a new catalog is just around the corner! The cost of the Basic Starter Kit for the month of March is only $49. The Basic Kit includes the exclusive A Muse Studio Starter Kit samplers sets, plus all the business supplies a new Consultant needs to get her business started AND for the month of March only, you'll be able to choose two free stamp sets from the March Collection... all for only $49! Or, go deluxe for only $99.

I know it is cold in many areas of the U.S. today, so I hope you have enjoyed this little bit of Spring. 

Happy Stamping!
Christina

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

The consultant challenge at A Muse this month is birthday cards -- but I had a whole lotta thank you cards to get out, and the perfect word die, so that's what I've done! Hopefully I'll get some time to make some fabulous cards for the challenge later in the month, as well!

I like that it looks like the washi tape is holding the card together. These first two cards are for guys so I made them simple and masculine.

Another bit of washi tape to add interest

The lichen paper and matching ribbon allow the tag to stand out nicely, I think. (All supplies: A Muse Studio)

A bit of sequins bling -- all supplies A Muse Studio. When I make this card again I'll add either a bow or some of the small flower dies, but this needs to be flat to mail.

This was a great way to use up some scraps and make a colorful thank you card! All A Muse products, again!

Now to get these in the mail . . .

Happy stamping!
Christina

Fun New Accessories!!

While February came and went, March is here and brings with it the fabulous new Spring Accessory Catalog and Inspiration Guide.

Included are some great thin word dies, some new bunny dies (and flocking to make them soft and fuzzy, and "bunny bums" to finish them off!), and even some little flower dies, as well as an interesting new way to use crepe paper (in a good way!), and a 6X6 patterned paper collection that includes vibrant and fun patterns: florals, hip geometrics, ombre, and more. Each design is lovely on it's own, but all coordinate beautifully with AMuse Studio's Signature colors. 

I love the new word dies. LOVE them! I used them to make some cards this weekend (all supplies, including that CUTE washi tape, A Muse Studio):

I have some events coming up that will have me back in the craft room by week's end so maybe I'll get to use some of the other new items, as well, but I have a feeling the word dies will be included as well . . .

Happy Stamping!
Christina

The Dean's Christmas Gift

I have started a tradition (perhaps inadvertently) of giving the Dean of the pharmacy school hand stamped cards for Christmas and her birthday (to fill the hand stamped card holder I gave her). This year I stamped 25 for her, mostly with a butterfly theme, but I always try to include some masculine and "generic" cards, as well. Here are a few:

I included dividers for the box this year, so now I just have to keep the box full -- I'd better start creating for her again, her birthday is in May! :-)

Happy stamping, and happy New Year!
Christina

The last couple of months have been unbelievably full, with the return of students, the end of basketball season for my son, a business trip to Dallas, and, of course, the "big move!"

Unfortunately, I have had the opportunity to make more sympathy and get well (from a serious illness/surgery) cards already this year than I do most years! Fortunately I've also gotten some birthday and thank you cards out, as well! I already posted the silver lining card I made for my Dean, but here are some of the other cards I've managed to squeeze in:



A dear friend lost her father in January



An administrator at my son's school suffered a massive stroke -- this card is appropriate because he is known for being FUN!

The screenprint background on the butterflies really tie this card together

 

A quick thank you for our realtor on the day of closing

 

Happy birthday to my cousin -- I love the versatility of the marvelous marigolds set!

 

Washi tape madness for a friend far away!

Thanks for letting me share my recent projects -- seeing them again makes me eager to finish unpacking the craft room. I've already found some really great things that I'd forgotten about -- I wonder what else is in those boxes?!

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 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!!

Owl Miss You

I took my son to college this week! He's taking a 3 week class, with other incoming 8th graders, at University of Kansas (Lawrence) as part of the Duke Talent Identification Program. He was willing to fly in as an "unaccompanied minor" -- meaning he is fine on his own and didn't see the need for me to waste my time getting him there. I explained that I wasn't going for him, but so I could see the campus and meet his roommates. I sent a note before leaving Kansas City, and am sending his first "care package" -- the 2 books he requested from his bookshelf, and of course a hand-stamped card:

Stampin' Up Owl & Bird punches, wood-grain washi tape, and  sentiment from  The {stamps} of Life

He'll probably use the card as a bookmark, but at least he'll know his mom misses him! The daily schedule is really packed, but he's texted with his dad and with me a couple of times, so we know he's having a blast and enjoying learning more about computer programming (and life on a college campus)!

Happy stamping!
Christina