A-Muse-apalooza and the Great Women at Artsy Tartsy!

Today was so much fun! Tami Wood led a class of wonderful and fun women! Thanks to Mary, Brenda, Wendy, Linda, Sandy, Carrie, (Sandy and Carrie together are called "Candy", how cute is that?) Cheryl, Carol (not pictured), and of course Tami! There were three additional AP stampers (Kate, Carolyn and Hannelore)that were unable to attend the actual event. Here is a photo of the Amuseapalooza party girls!

Here are the five fabulous cards we made:


Cheryl was a prize winner! Here she is in front of the A Muse stamps:

Wendy, who we dubbed "the saintly master of colored pencils" taught us some colored pencils techniques:

We loved Scoopy's bird on a tree branch card! We now call her "Scoop-doggy-dog" because she is a rock star! I had a little accident with the Scotch Tacky Adhesive which I will not go into detail about only to say that it rivals the Helsinki Crazy Glue incident of 1887 (did they even have crazy glue then???)!! Tami created 5 different versions of the amazing Snowman Topiary card. She is always striving for new ideas!! She has such attention to detail- that's why we love her!! All in all (except for the glue incident) - it was a fun day!!! LOVED IT!! Oh and the goodie bag was so generous!!

That's all until Friday!! I hope you are all having a fun and an A Musing week!!

Double Delight - BLOG CANDY!!

O.K. It's blog candy time, courtesy of Tami Wood and me! This is for 2 seperate drawings! The first is for Tami's favorite stamp, the Lacy Oval A Muse stamp plus 8 of something yet to be released! And the second is for the new Inuit Girl A Muse stamp (my favorite) plus 8 of something yet to be released!! As soon as the release happens, Tami will let me know what these other items are (she already has them)!! Why don't you all leave guesses! Are you loving this yummy A Muse candy? SpazzGirl, is this still teasing? We will announce the release and the winners of the blog candies on Monday the 16th!!

I'm off to my 1st A-Muse-palooza Class

I did get my shirt in Pistachio and I love it! I'm off to my class and to finalize details with Tami about our special CANDY!!! I woke up not feeling the greatest this morning, but the excitement of AP got me going. I'll announce the CANDY when I get back!! My DH liked my hair this morning and coaxed me into taking a photo!

By the way, the keylime green painted room is my living room! I'm not afraid of color and I've had people tell me the color is offensive and others say that they love it. Either way, this room is "my happy place."

Double Delight!!

Tami Wood and I have something up our sleeve for all A Muse lovers! Check back for the announcement tomorrow!! It's exciting (and yummy), we promise!

A-Muse-apalooza was a blast!

Where to begin? This evening was at Artsy Tartsy in Plymouth Minnesota. LOVE this store!! There was a crowd waiting for the store to open at 7pm!! There were fabulous make-n-takes (thanks Tami Wood), there were prizes (thanks Tami and Julia), there was food and there were AMAZING NEW STAMPS!!! When we arrived we were given an Artsy Tartsy tote with a gift certificate to the store tied on with Strano Ribbon. Every detail was perfection! We had Pepperidge Farm Mint Milano cookies, beverages, chocolates, A Muse lollipops and a wide assortment of Cold Stone Creamery ice cream. Can you stand it!?

There were so many prizes!! My husband won stickers, paper and ribbon. I won the Grand Prize of a Caribou Coffee mug, a gift certificate for a drink from Caribou, ribbon and an A Muse stamp of the Polka Dot Mug!! How absolutely darling!! Tami you outdid yourself!!
Here's my new toys...

Here is Bekki, Tami, Julia and I (what a great group!)...

Here are the amazing make-n-takes (each one came with an envelope that we stamped)...

Mallory's Card (her 4th)

Mallory loves stamping. She made this for the A-Muse-apalooza event this evening! She loves the color (Pale Plum) and the bling and primas!

Morgan's 1st A Muse Card

Wow! I saw her creation and I thought, now why didn't I think of that! I love the way her mind works!! She is a future diplomat! I am so proud of her!

4th of July Photo!

ATC Card for One of My Swaps

A Muse July 9th Challenge, Card #2

This card was inspired by the Brady Bunch, who didn't love that show?

Challenge for the 9th - Card #1

I used nine A Muse stamps, an A Muse notecard, Fun Flock on the bird and bee, and rhinestones on the flowers. I am loving the Fun Flock, have any of you used it? And yes, Angela, the birds are upside-down waves! (I got the idea from a Tami Wood card).

Many new winners posted!

Congratulations to Antonella Bartel, Angela, Rhiannon, and Aileen! You need to check out all the great prizes! Click here!

New Challenge!! Use 9 A Muse Stamps on a Card!

Today is the 9th and A Muse is celebrating the start of A-MUSE-A-PALOOZA! Your challenge today is to create a card design that uses NINE stamps (please use at least one A Muse stamp if possible). Leave a comment by clicking here and include a link to the photo of your new creation and they'll draw a random winner tomorrow (July 10)! Have fun!

My first two swaps are out the door!

Thanks to everyone who participated! Here is group one:

Thanks to Tami Wood, Wendy J., Tami Grandi, Sarah Bertolino, Anouk Martin, and Tisha!
Group 2:

We had some last minute changes to this group! Thanks to Rose DeGroat, Katie Guy, Patricia Kritkausky, DD Lewis, Angela Meuse, and 2 from me. I hope you all enjoy them, I cherish each one of them! This is definitely a new obsession. Like I needed another!! **wink**

The Big Day is Here!!

A-Muse-A-Palooza is finally here. Check out the A-Muse-A-Palooza blog because there are sneak peeks being posted this week! How exciting! After all the anticipation, I can't wait to go shopping and see all the new A Muse stamps!! Have you lots of fun during the countdown to today? I will be certain to share with you all the cards I make during the classes at Artsy Tartsy! YIPEE!!

By the way, my parents are heading back home today. It was a fun time with them! And the heat wave has finally broken in Minnesota!

I'd love to hear how you are celebrating A-Muse-A-Palooza this week!

Tomorrow is the BIG Day! Artsy Tartsy Here I Come!

Have you seen all the games going on at the AMUSEAPALOOZA blog? Lots of fun games! Keep checking back during the week, Linda promises that there will lots more surprises! I can't wait to go to Artsy Tartsy and see the what the lovely and talented Tami Wood has in store for us!!

ATC Friendship Card for Swap

ATC for one of my swaps. The background paper is from the small A Muse notecards. My kids used them for Valentines this year. They are so cute and come in an assortment of colors. They used the A Muse clear Valentine stamps on them - darling!

I got tagged today by Kathleen Hopperstad's My Happy Place. Another version of Blog Tag. Here goes!

List Seven Random things about yourself:

1. I grew up in Binghamton New York, but was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
2. I met my husband in a seedy bar in Hoboken, New Jersey.
3. I have a Master's in International Relations and I used to work for a human rights organization in NYC.
4. I am allergic to Advil
5. I am addicted to chocolate
6. I love my bed right after I change the sheets, they are so soft and cool - heaven!
7. I am nervous that my daughter is going to middle school this fall!

Post Rules & the bloggers I tagged here:
1. Denny at Random Nonsense
2. Michelle at Crazy Stamp Chick
3. Simone at Daily Dose of Spazz
4. Tami at The Journey of Life
5. Wanda at My Creative Corner!
6. Lexi at Confetti
7. Rebecca at Bella Carta

Leave tagged bloggers comments on their web sites so that they know they have been tagged

One Peson Will Win 1 Year Of A Muse Products!!

I'm not kidding... Are you planning to attend a store event next week? While you are there, make sure to complete an entry form for a fabulous Grand Prize drawing because that is the only way to enter! One lucky person will win a year's worth of new A Muse products! Is your heart racing???? What a dream come true for one lucky winner!!

Keisha Campbell is now a member of the A Muse Design Team!

I am CRAZY for Keisha's work...she is a seriously talented scrapbook artist. I am in awe of her work. You MUST check out her work on her blog! She is living in China right now and she has some beautiful photos on her blog. She is listed on my Inspiration List. What a great combination of A Muse and Keisha!

A-Muse-A-Palooza in Texas

Store Event Added!
They now have a store hosting A-MUSE-A-PALOOZA in San Antonio, Texas! Stamp Antonio is joining in the celebration! The excitement is building!! I can't wait!!

3 Days to A-MUSE-A-PALOOZA Contest!!

It's PRE-PARTY time! Leave a comment on the Amuseapalooza blog and name an A Muse stamp that has exactly THREE of something - like our "3 Trees" or "Dot Trio" stamps. Then they'll select a random winner tomorrow - July 7th!

Challenge 10 #3 Post-It Holder

All paper and background stamp is Stampin' Up! Lemonade Stand is from A Muse. The handle is the word window punch. This makes a sweet gift! It is so hot here today! We took the girls to Valley Fair today, it felt like 100 degrees!! I am hot and tired. Wish I had this lemonade at the amusement park! I hope you are having a great summer day!

Ch #10 Project #2

ATC card for one of my swaps!

A-Muse-apalooza Is Almost Here!

I can't wait!

Only a few more days until A-MUSE-A-PALOOZA! Are you planning to attend a store event next week? While you are there, make sure to complete an entry form for a fabulous Grand Prize drawing because that is the only way to enter! One lucky person will win a year's worth of new A Muse products!

And stay tuned, because there is more fun to come next week their blog! They have lots planned including more challenges, winners, and daily SNEAK PEEKS! They'll also announce the winners of the Ambassador competition! Click here!!!

A Muse Guest Designer for July Announced

Guest Designer for July 2007 is Novell Eckstrom! Be certain to look for her exciting creations!! You can see some of work on Splitcoaststampers by clicking here.

WOW! Congratulations to a NEW A Muse Designer!

Elena Shacochis has joined the A Muse Design Team. Check out her great blog and work by clicking here!

Challenge #10 #1!!

My mom loves my stamped cards. I thought I would make her a little something while she was here. This challenge inspired me to make an altered journal for her. When my eldest was born, my mom always said whatever Morgan first called her would be her "name". Well, Morgan said, "Gaga." And she has been Gaga ever since!

New Ambassador Winner!!

Congratulations.....MJ WESTON! And who will the final winners be??

A Muse Classes in California!!

Join A Muse Instructor, Michelle White for "Make & Takes" at Stamp Diego in El Cajon, CA featuring brand new A Muse stamps! She will have some great A Muse goodies to give away, as well as a limited number of goodies bags from A Muse. There will also be yummy treats to eat! Check out her blog for details!

Week 10 Challenge! The Final Challenge of Amuseapalooza!!

Anything but a card! It's week ten in our countdown to A-MUSE-A-PALOOZA!! The design challenge this week is to create anything but a card. Some ideas include name frames, scrapbook pages, ATCs, bookmarks, altered notebooks, paint cans, clipboards, and wine tags! You may use your choice of ink, papers, colors, stamps (please use at least one A Muse stamp if possible), & embellishments.

Leave a comment on the post you can find by clicking here. Have fun! The prizes are awesome. Posts can be left until Sunday, July 8th at midnight Pacific time.

This Week's Featured A Muse Store is From England!!

A Muse's next featured store is Crop 'Til You Drop in Dartford, Kent, UK. Wouldn't you love to visit that store?! If you live in Engand, run to celebrate Amuseapalooza there! It looks wonderful! To see the photo of the store click here.

A Muse weekly winners

Prize 1 winner of the A Muse Simple Wishes Clear Stamp Set was Erin Bassett! Prize2 2 winner of the Marvy Extra Jumbo Scallop Heart punch and the Colorbox Queue Chalk Ink in Sand Dunes was Rachel Benjamin!! Congratulations!!

Have a Happy and Safe 4th of July!!

Hello! I hope you are having a happy and fun day! I want to let you know that I have received all of the ATC cards so I will be getting those in the mail this week. They are spectacular and I will be posting them soon! Enjoy the fireworks, friends and family this evening! My parents have arrived and my kids are loving all the excitement! I am sending you best wishes for a safe and memorable holiday!

Lauren Meader's Sketch Challenge

This is my second attempt at a sketch challenge. I made this card this morning before the day unfolded. Lauren Meader is one of SCS's Dirty Dozen. Click here to see her great blog. The stamp of the bug is by CC Designs and the sentiment is from Bugs and Kisses (Stampin' Up!).