A Muse Studio

Happy New Year - Mini Calendar project

Happy New Year!  The Creative Muses at A Muse Studio have a lot of exciting things in store for 2013 and I am excited to welcome this new year.  Thanks for being a part of A Muse Studio!

To kick off the year, we've got a fun creative project for you that has endless possibilities!  A Mini Calendar. 

This project is near and dear to my heart.  I started designing calendars as a holiday project for my girls to make as gifts for their teachers. They loved it so much that I decided to share it with our blog readers as a free download.  The project evolved and we then made it available as a downloadable project to raise money for several charitable organizations.  Over the years, we raised over $19,000 for Scleroderma Research, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Water 1st and Charlie's Fund.  Due to limitations with our new website, we are not able to continue with this philanthropic project... but I am still happily making calendars with my girls and I hear regularly from customers that they miss the calendars. 

If you missed our free 8.5" x 11" calendar download that we posted in October, you may find it here.

Today I am sharing a 2013 Mini Calendar download for you. 

Download A Muse 2013 Calendar - mini BW

 

I have been busy making calendars and have a few different projects to share with you in the coming days.  For now, I will share one completed project and another work in progress.

Freestanding Mini Calendar

This Calendar is a fast and easy project to put together.  To cut out the months, I used the Labels 1 Nestabilities die set (the 2nd smallest die). 

Tip! Use a bit of washi tape to hold the die in place.

Cut a sheet of A Muse Studio cardstock to 8.5" x 9.5" and score along the 8.5" edge every 2".  This should give you a 1/2" tab to put adhesive on and make your "tower".  Easy peasy! 

I printed the calendar on a sheet of regular printer paper (because that's what was in my printer! *lol*)  It seems to work fine on a light colored cardstock but I would probably print it on white cardstock if I was going to use a more intense color for the background. 

The mini calendar file includes some fun extras: the year 2013, an inspiring quote from Walt Disney and  "made with love". 

Business Card Calendar

My next project is a business card sized (2" x 3.5") calendar.  I haven't fully decided what the finished project will look like.  There will definitely be *more* stamping involved.  Check back to see which direction this goes!

 

I can't wait to see your projects!  Please post a comment with a link to your project if you are so inclined! 

Happy New Year!  Happy Stamping!

Homemade Holiday Gifts - Stationery Gift Set

I happen to think crafty gifts are the best kind of gifts.  They are fun to make and truly a pleasure to receive.  As a lifelong card-maker (I started designing cards in 6th grade... forced my dad to take them to work and get his secretary to photocopy them!), handmade cards are one of my go-to gifts for the holidays.

Our talented designers have done it again with this Spotlight project - fabulous notecards in a pretty stationery gift box!

This beautiful stationery gift box is easy to make.  It's made from A Muse Studio's Clear Cardstock and lined with French Roast Woodgrain.  (It's easy to change the look by swapping in any of our patterned cardstock.)  Here's a couple of tips:

• Our Clear Cardstock is super sturdy (why it's SO great for card bases and projects like this).  Because of this, you will want to go over your scorelines multiple times, using more pressure than you would for normal cardstock
• Use our Super Stick Tape to adhere the box sides together - other adhesives simply won't hold
• The lining is cut to match the dimensions of the box, minus the sides - so 5.75 x 10.25.  For an easy fit, score it just slightly UNDER the scoring dimensions for the box (If your lining peeks over the top at all, just trim)
• The lining isn't adhered in any way

Add some ribbon for the handles and voila! 

Download StationeryBoxTemplate 

 

As we add more templates to our blog, you will be able to find them quickly by clicking on the Templates category in the right column.

All of us at A Muse Studio hope you are enjoying this holiday weekend! 

 

 

 

Holiday Gift Giving - homemade treats!

Every year, I spend a special day with each of my girls making holiday gifts for friends, family and neighbours.  We enjoy planning what we're going to make, getting the supplies and then finally (!) our special day together.  We have learned new skills, had some spectacular failures but all in all we've had some really special times making what are my most favourite gifts of the year.

Of course, an essential part of the gift-making is the packaging!  Baking is almost always on one of the girls' lists.  (Especially fudge - we swear by this *foolproof* recipe!)

This tray, designed by Heather, our chief creative officer, is a great solution for your baked gifts this holiday season.  It can be seasonally decorated to match any holiday.

 

Here's a link to download the template for making the tray. 

 

 

Of course, A Muse Studio stamps, ribbon, felt, dies help to make it pretty!

What are you making this holiday season?  We'd love for you to share your favorite homemade gift ideas or recipe in the comments.

Have a beautiful day!