A Muse U

Welcome to A Muse U!!!

This is a new feature for A Muse. A few of our design team members will take on a theme and share the projects, along with a little design insight and a few tips.

Our first theme is cards that are non-standard sizes and shapes!



I thought about the cards that I find myself giving most often these days, which are thank-you cards for adults and birthday cards for the kids. These often include gift-cards or cash, so I wanted to come up with some easy card sizes/folds that incorporated holders for these kinds of gifts.

I give a lot of gift cards. I live in the Northwest, so a Starbuck's card is the go-to gift around here! I used A Muse’s Woodgrain paper for the base. A couple of quick scores and some sticky tape and it fits a gift card perfectly.



I created my own designer paper for the front, using some of my favorite flower stamps. In order to get a good “random” look, try to use odd numbers of images and be sure to stamp off of the edges.







For the next project, I wanted to make a birthday card that incorporated a money-holder. The base is simple: a few scores, two punches, and adhesive. I found that I needed to create a thin spine on the left side in order for the card to stay closed.

I used several stamps to create a cute birthday scene. I masked the hippo with a post-it note. If I anticipate using the mask again, I store it on top of the stamp block for next time.

I wanted to have the main image on the inside of the card and a window on the front. I used a large Marvy punch to create the window. To make the blue border around it, I used the same Marvy punch, and then trimmed around the opening with my paper trimmer.

For my final project, I wanted to make a little 3x3. It’s a fun size to make, and A Muse carries envelopes to fit them!

I made another window on this one, but this time, I adhered the focal image just behind the window with foam dots, rather than to the inside of the card.

I used Modern Wood Block as the tree trunk. I also used it to stamp and punch out some hearts for a cute detail on the envelope flap.

I made one of these and tucked it into my preschooler’s snack the other day, it was a big hit!

With the scraps from my project, I made a little candle sleeve and wood grain paper box that you can see in some of the pictures.

I hope you've enjoyed these projects! Stop by and see Julie and Lexi for more A Muse U projects! :)

Products Used:

Gift Card Holder Stamps: Dill, Leaves Trio, Mini Flower, Paper: Woodgrain, Eucalyptus Othere: McGill Punch

Money Holder Stamps: Hippo, Tiny Bird, Tiny Hat, Oval, Hippo Birdie Paper: Gingham, Sage, Eucalyptus Other: Copics, stitched grosgrain ribbon

Owl Note Stamps: Owl Buddies, Modern Wood Block, Heart Trio, Hoo Loves You Paper: Sky Blue Other: Copics