{blank flower}

I found an old picture of a card I made at a Stampin Up! workshop long ago (I think with my friend, Mandy), so I thought I would post it now while I was showing other Stampin' Up cards.  Do you ever get attached to a card or really like one more than others even though it's not that special?  I feel that way about this one.  There's nothing fancy or hard about it, but I just love it.

It might even be one of those cards I never gave away to anyone, I just continue hoarding it!

all supplies Stampin' Up!

Thanks for stopping by today!  Come back tomorrow, April 1st, at 3 pm PST and check out a blog hop with my A Muse gals!!  There will be several of us in Krystie Hersch's downline putting on an A Muse blog hop!   Krystie was an A Muse teacher and also contributed to the samples in the catalog!  The next day, on April 2nd, I will be participating in another A Muse blog hop with a bunch of consultants.

it's your birthday!

At the Stampin' Up workshop, Pam had an adorable card with circle punches all over it. I was super excited to make it, then I found this great birthday stamp, so I had to create my own "square" version.

We all laughed because while this card was "free form" and the circles (or squares in my case) were randomly on the card, it was much harder to make and have "just right" than any other card.  Isn't the spinner great?

Do you like doing "free form" cards better or straight forward cards?

{blank} gift enclosure

This was a cute little gift enclosure that we made at the Stampin' Up! workshop.  I just love the little rose on the cupcake.

happy birthday

I went to a Stampin' Up! workshop this weekend with Pam Hirschberg.  I had a great time chatting, catching up with friends, and crafting.  We made three cards and had access to Pam's big shot and the Stampin' Up! embossing folders.

This first one started out as a tag, but since I rarely use tags (I just love shipping straight from Amazon to people), I attached it to a card at home.

all Stampin' Up! goodies except the "Happy Birthday" stamp is A Muse and the chai ink is from Papertrey

i can always count on you

I wanted to make a masculine card and tried copying a card I saw on the A Muse gallery (for consultants only), but when I stamped the wrenches to cut them out, I ended up with this scrap and wanted to try a card with the wrenches stamped like this.

stamp: A Muse wrenches, zig-zag, & "I can always count on you when I'm in a tight spot" 

ink: A Muse slate & orange

you rock!

I copied this card from the A Muse gallery.  It's by Rhiannon Christianson and while she didn't blog about the card you can see some other cute cards (and more A Muse cards) here.

stamp: A Muse guitar & "you rock!"

ink: A Muse grass, orange, & ocean

other: Papertrey Ink die cut

thanks

This was not how I envisioned this card, but here it is anyways.

stamp: Papertrey dots, flower, & "thanks"

ink: A Muse ocean; Colorbox parchment; VersaMark

other: Papertrey Ink die cut, white embossing powder, corner punch

thank you kindly

I made this awhile ago, but it is springy and more fitting for this time of year.  I'm hoping for more spring weather too.

stamp: Stampin' Up! flower and outline; Impress "thank you kindly"
ink: ColorBox marigold & orange
other: rhinestones, gingham ribbon

you're the best!

I decide to participate in the Embellish Magazine's Masculine Color Trends Challenge.  It's always a task to come up with those manly cards!

stamp: A Muse wrench, harlequin background, & "you're the best!"

ink: A Muse slate; VersaFine onyx black

other: circle punch, square punch

happy birthday

I completely stole this card from Maile Belles.  I only had one cage so I varied it by flipping it up-side-down.

Here's a close up of the cut out and popped up bird.

stamp: A Muse bird, birdcage, "happy new year", & "birthday wishes"
ink: A Muse latte, french roast, lemon whip

Mr. & Mrs.

I used some A Muse shimmer couture solid and damask papers to make this simple wedding card.

stamp: A Muse rings & "Mr. & Mrs."
ink: VersaFine onyx black
other: Diamond Glaze, A Muse glitter

you're the best!

A simple little card.

stamp: A Muse flower & "you're the best!"
ink: A Muse slate; Brilliance rocket red
other: A muse cherry ribbon

a muse studio

A Muse has changed their business model.  Instead of selling through retail stores, they'll now be a catalog / home party based business, selling through consultants.  Here are the basics that you might have questions about.  Email me and I'd be happy to provide further details and answer anything else for you!

Note:  This is not an official A Muse Studio document, just bits of information  to give you a better idea if this is the right opportunity for you.  The Consultant handbook and the contract you sign when joining should, of course, be read carefully.  Thanks!

Minimums and obligation
Minimums to remain an active consultant are $300 per quarter. After you buy the starter kit, there is no other obligation to buy anything. If you don't meet the minimum sales, you simply aren't active anymore. No need to do anything or notify anyone.

Discounts and Perks
- 20% discount on all purchases/sales
- Hostess benefits on your own orders
- Additional volume discounts for monthly sales of $300 or more
- Additional 10% off of one order placed in your first 45 days
- Preorder new product before it's available to the public
- Several incentive programs
- Annual convention
- Access to the A Muse Studio Lounge which has forums, a gallery, and lots of support/ideas for consultants (this is really cool!)

Signing up with me
I'd love to have you join my team, whether you buy the goodies for yourself or you sign up to actually host parties.  You do not have to be local.  I am available for any questions/concerns you might have.

Selling
You are not required to sell to others. As long as you make your minimum sales, you'll be an active consultant. People who sign up to the enjoy the discount on their own purchases are commonly called "hobby consultants". For those interested in building a business, it's an exciting time to join. Since it's a new company, you offer product that customers haven't seen yet. Beginning April 1, consultants can opt to have websites where customers can purchase products online. 

Competition
You can continue to do design work for other stamp companies and post projects or links referencing other companies or their representatives on your blog.  The only thing you cannot do is be on a design team for or be a demo for another home-based stamp company.  Stamp companies that aren't home party based are just fine, as are home party based that don't sell stamps, like Pampered Chef.


Starter kit stamps
Your starter kit includes four sets that are a mix of images from around 15-20 catalog sets. It's a great mix of images, sentiments, and some other elements like backgrounds.  They are very versatile sets!  The variety is great if you plan on buying them for yourself or to use for home parties to get a wide range of styles for cheap!

A Muse Studio Stamps

The stamps are cling-mount rubber stamps that are pre-cut and ready to use.  Since I've become used to clear stamps and the easy placement, I didn't think I would like the cling-mount rubber stamps.   But the high-quality red rubber makes for great stamped images and since it's thicker there's almost no chance of your clear block hitting your ink pad/paper.

There is small group of stamps (Clearly Creative) that are clear stamps, mostly alphabets for easier placement of letters/numbers.

A Muse Studio Inks
A Muse Studio ink pads are pigment inks offered in 39 colors that coordinate with the rest of the A Muse Studio paper and embellishments.  It's closer to a chalk ink than a pigment ink.  It dries quickly.  If you run your finger firmly over a completed project you will pick up some ink, but it doesn't smear or smudge.

If you're ready to join
You can sign up at www.amusestudio.com under "Join our Team."  Please send me an e-mail with your name and address and let me know that you want to be in my team.  I'll notify headquarters.
Email me:

your friendship is like a sheltering tree

stamp: A Muse tree & "your friendship is like a sheltering tree"

ink: VersaFine onyx black

other: circle hole punch, twine

get well soon

Are you getting sick of all my A Muse cards? I'm just having too much fun with my Deluxe Starter Kit.

stamp: A Muse leaves, flower, & "get well soon"
ink: A Muse ocean & grass ; VersaFine onyx black
other: ribbon, flower punch, scalloped scissors

thank you

I made this card for the Papertrey Ink Make It Monday challenge: distressing edges.

stamp: Papertrey mat stack dots; A Muse "thank you"

ink: VersaColor opera pink, VersaFine onyx black

other: ribbon, jewel stickers, Papertrey die cut

birthday wishes

I made this card for the Clean & Simple sketch #131.

stamp: Papertrey Ink flourish & damask star; A Muse polka dots & "birthday wishes"
ink: Impress mustard and tangerine; Papertrey Palette chartreuse
other: ribbon

you rock!

A different color scheme, but more fun with A Muse stuff.

stamp: A Muse guitar, flower, background, & "you rock!"

ink: A Muse orange & ocean

happy birthday

I was playing with my A Muse Starter Kit goodies.  I really like how the inks match the papers.

stamp: A Muse cake, background dots, & "happy birthday"
ink: A Muse bubblegum; VersaFine onyx black; Memento tuxedo black
other: A Muse twinkle stickers clear (colored with Copic RV14), Copic markers (RV14, RV21, Y11, Y21, C1)

thanks

stamp: A Muse birdcage, bird, & "thanks"

ink: AMuse ocean, VersaFiney onyx black

other: A Muse twinkle stickers clear

have a swingin' day!

Another adorable card make with all A Muse goodness.

stamp: A Muse golfer & "have a swingin' day!"
ink: A Muse grass, VersaFine onyx black, Memento tuxedo black
other: Copic Markerss (YG23, BG1O), A Muse pretty pearls ivory, Copic multiliner (tee)

how ya' bean?

I've been playing with all my new A Muse goodies lately.

I recommend not popping up the latte cup, just leave it flat for a better look.

stamp: A Muse latte cup & "how ya' bean?"
ink: A Muse french roast, VersaFine onyx black
other: ribbon

a muse studio

March 1st A Muse launched their new home party based company, A Muse Studio.  I have always loved their clean and simple stamp designs and cards.  Plus, I couldn't pass up a great deal.  The Starter Kit is only $99 (normally $175), but of course I had to kick it up a notch and get the Deluxe Starter Kit for $149 (normally $225).  Here are all the goodies that arrived:

My absolute favorite thing is that their starter kit stamp sets include images from a variety of stamp sets (hence they are called sampler stamp sets).  So you can play with an assortment of styles and have even more card possibilities! 

happy st. patrick's day

stamp: Hero Arts hat & pot of gold, Savvy "happy st. patrick's day"
ink: Impress chartreuse, VersaFine onyx black
other: ribbon, corner punch, Papertrey die cut, Prismacolor pencils, Stickles yellow

shoebox swap

My friend, Maureen, invited me to join in for A Muse's Shoebox swap (Each person makes one sample card and includes all the supplies for everyone else to make that card).  I was super excited to get some new card ideas and because I had never been to A Muse's store.  We met some great women and these are the cards they made.

(I goofed and didn't "pop" the scalloped pieces)

This is the card I provided.  It was a really fun evening and I hope to do it again.

sweet surprise

I made this card for Papertrey's Make It Monday Challenge: Fun Foam.  Fortunately, they give you a full week to work.  I always seem to cut it down to the wire.  I had so much fun turning my fun foam into stamps (using die cuts) that I almost forgot to put some on my card.  So there is a tiny bit for embellishment.

stamp: Papertrey "sweet surprise."  Papertrey Eyelet lace border die

ink: VersaMagice pixie dust, Papertrey Palette raspberry fizz, VersaColor peony & pinecone

other: Papertrey die cut

thank you for everything

I used the Clean & Simple sketch #130 for the inspiration for this card. 

stamp: A Muse "thank you for everything", Papertrey flowers
ink: VersaFine onyx black
other: Papertrey Ink diecuts, ribbon, jewel sticker

fun in the sun!

I've really been getting into the challenges lately. It helps to have a jumping off point for my creativity. This time it's thanks to Heather Pulvirenti.

I'm ready to skip spring and head straight into summer now!

stamps: savvy bikini, A Muse "fun in the sun!"

ink: Impress pale aqua & tangerine

other: corner punch, Fiskars scissors mini-scallop, Memory Box jewel stickers deep lagoon

happy birthday to you

I got some new goodies from Papertrey Ink and wanted to have fun with them.  Here's a really bright and cheery card.

stamp: Papertrey Ink flower & frame, Impress "happy BIRTHDAY to you"

ink: VersaFine onyx black

other: Papertrey die cuts, Memory Box jewel stickers canary, ribbon, staple