Let your creativity grow!

A Muse owner, Linda Carnell's special class and visit!

Wow!!!!  I am so excited to announce, A Muse art stamps owner Linda Carnell is coming for a special visit to kick off our 2 year anniversary at the Paper Garden Boutique!

Please join Linda for a special A Muse Halloween class         Friday, September 5th, 2008 --  6pm-8pm  cost:  40.00

Make fun cards using the latest stamps and papers by A Muse.  Please call the store at 916-487-2737 if you're interested in signing up!  To learn more about Linda and her company go to:www.amuseartstamps.com                                             or  blog at  www.amusenews.typepad.com

Sorry about the late notice, but she found a great deal to come to Sacramento and we cornered her to come to the capital city!How exciting for the Paper Garden to get Linda to come twice this year!  pinch me....

Linda will also lead a make and take at our anniversary sale on Saturday, September 6th.  Please join us for all of the festivities including two free make and takes and hot dogs.  We promise a good time!

Halloween Cards!

We finally got our A Muse halloween shipment on Monday and today I was able to make some fun cards.  These cards will be used in our next Halloween class on Wed. September 10th 10am-12pm and Saturday, September 13th from 6pm-8pm.  cost is:  $35.00  We hope you can join us!

Here's the first card:

I took black stardream cardstocks and cut it into a square.  I then took two other cardstocks and shaped them into triangles.  The brads on the corner are by making memories and we only have a few boxes left, these have been so popular!  Stamps by A Muse art stamps.

This next card is a pocketfold square card.  I stamped the new and older images by A Muse and when you lift up the cardstock

It says Happy Halloween!

Here's another fun project!  My friend and customer Renee brought me in a box just like this filled with hershey kisses last week and I said.. I need to make some and told me she got the template from A Muse art stamps.

www.amusenews.typepad.com

Ok.. I remember seeing this on Linda's website and totally forgot about this and when Renee brought it in, it totally inspired me to make these fun trick or treat boxes.  We used all kinds of fun A Muse and Savvy halloween stamps.  Wouldn't this be fun for a teacher or classroom or neighborhood kids?  You can also change the cardstocks and stamp images and make them into baby shower favors, wedding favors or party favors.  It's so easy!  We'll have template patterns by  A Muse for the square cards and 4 bar cards at the store later this week.  You'll be hooked!

Make and Take Friday!

This Friday is the last day for the month.. that means.. a free make and take between the hours of 11:30am-1:30pm.

With back to school in full swing, I thought it would be fun to decorate these composition books.

Right now at places like Target, these composition books are only 50-cents!  If you slap on some fun 12 X 12 decorative papers or 8.5 X 11 cardstocks, you can pretty up these books.  You don't have to be a student to use them, at the store, we use them for contact information, stamp wish lists, and scratch paper!  So fun!

2Year Anniversary Sale-- Saturday, September 6, 2008

I can't believe September is almost here!  My son Miles starts preschool in just a few weeks, I'll be weeping all the way to the classroom. 

It's also our 2 year anniversary sale at the Paper Garden Boutique!  We'll be open 10am-6pm and the entire store is 10% off, you can even sign up for a class and receive the discount.  Our October-December newsletter is ready and it's filled with wonderful classes!  We hope you can join us for our sale.  The best part is... we'll have food and two free make and takes!

This first make and take is a strawberry, it consists of 1 sheet of 8.5 X 11 cardstock.  I got this idea from splitcoast stampers and I loved the idea so much, I took the pattern to Kinko's and blew it up 300%, it cost 8-bucks to get it right (the copy kept coming off the page--go figure!), but once it's formed it's sooooo cute!  I used the A Muse green polka dot paper the stem, A Muse green stitch ribbon and used the blue marvy oval punch and stamped the strawberry and sentiment by A Muse.  Also, I colored in the strawberry with the lipstick red Copic pen and went over it with a Sakura glaze pen... of course, it's not complete until I put on Stickles glitter glue--color: eucalyptus.  So fun!

Here is another picture from the side view.  When you come in, you can make one and fill it with candy.  Also, you'll take home a copy of the pattern.

This is the second make and take, I used the new "Extra Giga" Marvy punches to make "Viewmasters", these are interactive invitations that I first showcased as an A Muse Guest Designer back in April.  I used circle and scallop circle punches.  For the circle on white cardstock, I used an EK Success 7/8" circle punch and used tangerine orange ink around the scallop circle.  Notice the fun brads, this is a variety pack by Making Memories.  They come in fun shapes like bats, a crest moon, pumpkins, and some are blinged up!  The stamps we used are the new clear set by Making Memories.  Very gothic!  Oh yeah, the pen-- of course is my fav-- the white pigment pen by Uniball.  It's a must have during halloween especially if you want to write on black or dark papers!

Here is another example of the card.. aren't they fun?  The circles measure 3.5" and just by poking a brad in the middle, you can turn the card and read all of the sentiments.  It's fast and easy.  This year I will be making these for my annual Halloween get together at my home.  My husband Ken and I invite Miles' friends for a night of trick or treating and dinner.  We have a nice turn out and the kids go home with more than just candy.  They have so much fun in their colorful costumes.

We will make more of these for samples to show with the new A Muse halloween images.  We are anxiously awaiting their arrival either Monday or Tuesday.  We also made some fun trick or treat boxes to show you this week, but we want to make them with the new images. Stay tuned.... and don't forget to make your calendars for our anniversary event!  We promise a good time!

Ken's cards -- class 2

Ken's cards part 2 was another big hit at the store, we made a total of 5 cards .. here they are!

This first card uses stamps from A Muse and cardstock as well.  Ken is a big fan of A Muse and owner Linda Carnell and likes to incorporate her stamps and products.  On the outside, Ken stamped a sentiment and in the inside it's a pop up card.  Blue paper with white dots from A muse is the ideal pattern for winter cards calling for a snowy feel!  Just in time as we head into Fall and Winter!

This design utilizes the basics of 3-D.  Utilizing a few cuts to the base and inverting the fold, this card brings to life the panels created with the new A muse holiday stamps.  You'll notice the cute couple as well as the adorable reindeer create different layers adding dimension to the "pop up" card.  To create yet another layer, the panel with the trees is mounted with foam tape raising it slightly off the back panel.

This next card is a tennis card..  Ken made a tennis ball with circle punches and stamped the "bounce" with an A Muse stamp background.  No need to draw any lines...simply use the circle punch and remove an eighth of an inch on each side of the circle and you've got a super-clean tennis ball!  Watch when you open it up!

He made a tennis court!  He cut out the court with green paper and stamped the net with a savvy stamps background.  Wouldn't be complete without the sentiment "love match" by memory box.

This next card is another Ken "original" card.  It's a panda bear in honor of the summer olympics in Beijing and his Chinese background.  Ken also knows how much Kathy K loves pandas so this ones for you Kath! 

Ken loves punches...swears they're your best friend!  He created this with our circle die cut and circle and oval punches by Marvy and Ek Success.  So fun!  Change up the colors a bit and creates other fun animals suchs as puppies and bears...the ideas are endless!

When you open up the card, the sentiment by A Muse says "Wild about you"

This next card is a "flip" card. Ken got the directions from Splitcoast stampers and made this fun halloween greeting.  The front side of the card says hocus pocus and has three crows going into the witches brew... when you pull the card, it flips to this:

  Three ghosts coming out of the brew!  Notice the white specks.  It's my favorite pen!  The uniball white paint pen.  It works on any dark color papers and works so nicely with stardream cardstocks!  It's a must have pen!  All stamps, ribbon and epoxy stickers by A Muse.  Wouldn't this "majic" card be perfect for a 25th anniversary celebration...with a picture of the bride and groom on their wedding day on the front and a picture of the bride and groom 25 years later on the back!

Finally, this last card was a favorite.  It's a scratch and sniff card!  We also got this recipe from Splitcoast stampers.  You mix strawberry hi-c powder mix with white embossing powder.  Stamp the strawberry in Brilliance's rocket red ink and sprinkle your concoction and emboss with the heat gun!  It's amazing how much it smells!!!  Really..it really works!!!  All stamps, ribbon and paper by A Muse.  Strawberry by savvy stamps.

Scrap paper for free!

If you're a teacher or you are a parent involved in your child's school... you can receive free paper scraps!  We cut paper to size for free and do simple scoring when customers buy our paper.  We have so much paper scraps, we have been giving it to local schools and preschools or our customers.  With school back in session, we want to give it away!  Here's what you need to do:

1.  email us at:  [email protected]

2.  attach a letter on "school letterhead" telling us what you would like.

3.  we'll email you back and let you know a pick up date to get the paper scraps.

4.  we should have enough paper to give away 1-2 times a month.

5.  paper is high quality 80-120-pound weight --true cardstock weight that anyone would be happy to receive!!!  Think stardream, designer paper scraps, yummy colors in pinks, oranges, red, blues, greens.. etc.  We carry more than 150 colors.. you can't go wrong.

6.  best part of this program.. it's free!!!!

Isagenix meeting-- Monday night!

Come see 7 new skinny people who have all taken the Isagenix

body cleansing challenege and hear their success stories after a 9 day body cleanse!  Our meeting is from 6pm-8pm on Monday evening, August 18th.  Please join us!  You can taste the healthy protein drinks and hear testimonies from people who lost weight!  You can also grill my ex-news director about the product and see why it works.  My girlfriend and customer Snowda Goishi was wondering who my dietician or weight trainer is because she saw I had lost weight and body fat, I told her I did a 9 day cleanse...and never worked out!  Well, after I made a believer in myself, she tried it and in 9 days lost 7 pounds and 9 inches!  She is a believer too and so are 6 others who are shrinking and feeling better than ever!

With that story.. I leave you some fun cards!

This is the 6th card for our halloween class this Saturday, August 23rd from 6pm-8pm.  We still have space.. please call the store at 916-487-2737 if you want to take the class.

   This is another asian card for this Friday's Fall in Asia class from 10am-12pm and 6pm-8pm.  We hope you can join us for this class as well!  We'll be creating 6 beautiful cards using fall colors!      

Dave Brethauer classes!!!

I just finished typing up my winter newsletter for October, November and December and we have a lot of fun stuff going on!   The newsletters will be hot off the press and ready before our September 6th -- 2 year anniversary party at the Paper Garden boutique.  Please join us, we'll have 2 free make and takes all day.. we'll have snacks, drinks, plus 10% off the entire store!  So much fun.

On Friday, October 3rd, please join Memory Box owner and designer Dave Brethauer for a free make and take and trunk show from 6pm-8pm.  PLUS.. Dave will be teaching classes all day Saturday, October 4th and Sunday, October 5th.  Please call the store if you're interested.

Here's a list of classes, please book early, as you know, classes with A Muse's:  Linda Carnell and Julie Ebersole sold out very quick!  All classes are $45 or 2/$80, there are no cancellations or refunds on classes with guest instructors.

Classes with Dave Brethauer

Saturday, October 4th, 2008: 

10am-12pm  Memory Box Holiday 1--  use the latest and greatest holiday stamps by Dave and create several cards using colored pencils.

1pm-3pm  Memory Box Holiday 2 -- use the latest holiday stamps by Dave using his signature watercolor techniques.

4pm-6pm Penguins, Penguins, Penguins!  -- Make several cards with Dave's famous line of Penguin stamps.  Create cards and make them come alive with color and simple cuts.

Sunday, October 5th, 2008 (same classes are repeated)

10am-12pm  Memory Box Holiday 1--  use the latest and greatest holiday stamps by Dave and create several cards using colored pencils.

1pm-3pm  Memory Box Holiday 2 -- use the latest holiday stamps by Dave using his signature watercolor techniques.

4pm-6pm Penguins, Penguins, Penguins!  -- Make several cards with Dave's famous line of Penguin stamps.  Create cards and make them come alive with color and simple cuts.

We are so excited to have Dave return to the capital city.  We hope to see you at the boutique in October! 

Happy Haunting!

It's hard to believe it's August and we're already thinking about Halloween and Fall at the boutique!  Laurie is using her magic to make our windows look so pretty and by this weekend we should have a whole new look for Autumn!  Hooray!  We have our first halloween card class on Wed.  Aug. 13th from 10am-12pm and Saturday, August 30th from 6pm-8pm.  There's still some room in the classes if you're interested.  The cost is $35.00.  Here's some of the cards we'll be making.

This first card uses one of my FAV Halloween stamps, it's a cat on a fence by Savvy stamps.  I stamped it first in versamark and then embossed it in black sparkling powder.  So sleek!  The spider, bats, ribbon, sentiment are all by A Muse.

For this next card I used my favorite halloween colors and just stamped the paper mache looking cat on six circles.  For most of my cards made in class, I like to use Stardream papers.  I love the heavy cardstocks and the shimmer.  All stamps and supplies by A Muse.

This next card I used Dave Brethauers concept of stamping his tree in Brilliance gold onto Black stardream paper.  It dries really nice!  Dave made his line of Holiday cards using all stardream papers and stamped his images in brilliance colors and boy what a big difference it makes and again.. it dries so nice!  I then stamped a circle in staz-on cotton white and stamped spiders by A Muse in orange and black.

This next card is used circles and just randomly stamped inside them.  All images by A Muse.

This last card uses new paper by Cosmo cricket.  Doesn't it remind you of the monster energy drinks with the black and green dots?  I love this paper!!!  It's also cardstock weight which is even better!   I stamped a bare tree and then masked off some of the halloween line and stamped it on the tree to make little ornaments.  All images by A Muse.  I think this is my favorite card because of the colors.  I will post the last card later this week plus more asian cards.

By the way, if you're an A Muse lover like myself.  Be sure to visit the store in about 10-14 days.  We'll be getting the brand new release of the A Muse art stamps Halloween and fall---

30-plus stamps!!  how exciting!

Fall Asian card class

Friday, August 22  10am-12pm and 6pm-8pm  cost;  $35

We have a our Fall in Asia card classes!  Hope you can join us, there's still room in both sessions. 

Here's a sampling of the cards we'll be doing:

This is from the fall/autumn set from Kodomo Inc.  The kanji symbol means fall.  The set comes with several flowers and we'll be using them in many of our cards.

I also used some of the flowers from the set on this card.  The Japanese lady is another set from Kodomo.  It's a set of 4 beautiful traditional Japanese dancers.

This is another classic set of cranes from Judikins.  I used all black and white colors with the background being a bamboo by Hero arts, but I think when I stamped the sun/moon in red, it really made the card.  I colored in the cranes with Twinkling H20's.  It's so fun and shimmery and so easy.  You don't even have to use watercolor paper. 

I will have the rest of the cards posted as I finish them. 

Some store news:  the 110lb weight cardstock Julie Ebersole

www.papertrufflez.typepad.com was talking about on her blog is in stock.  Also, my husband Ken's second cardmaking class is booked... so if you want to take it, he will offer another class from 10am-12pm on Saturday, August 16th  cost:  $35

You can call the store at:  916-487-2737

He's doing some wonderful creations.. you'll be sure to love them.  In fact, two of the last cards that he made are the most popular in our store now.  The starbucks giftcard holder and the pool table.