Wall of Fame for June

Thanks to everyone who participated in the Wall of Fame Challenge for May (actually, it's a premature thanks because there are still a couple of days left to get your Floral cards in). However, if you're ready for the next challenge, start thinking travel! Where are you off to this summer?

Sadly, my travel plans don't call for Paris this year, but I like the card anyway. Marilynn made excellent use of the canvas stickers from Paper House. Notice how nice they look distressed. And, for a bit of sparkle, she spritzed the entire card with Glimmer Mist. Merci!

Technique Thursday

One of the funnest - yes, I said funnest - clear stamp companies has released a few new alphabets and sets including these pretty flowers. Pretty flowers seems to be a theme for the month but apparently mother nature missed the memo. Come in and make this week's card using the new stamps from Technique Tuesday and cross your fingers that the May showers bring June sunshine.

In other news, we've unpacked new stuff from Basic Grey, The Stamp Barn, Bo Bunny and so much more. Every week it's like walking into a brand new store!

The Big Day is Almost Here!

I have been looking forward to next weekend since Mother's Day weekend last year - the last time Dee Gruenig was here! I've been stamping for about 10 years. Laura's been stamping since 1995. Marilynn started stamping in about 1986 (give or take), but Dee has us all beat! She's been stamping since the late 70s and yet is still on the cutting edge. She was one of the first to convert to unmounted stamps using the EZ Mount system, and she just keeps right on innovating! She called me today to ask how long we had scheduled her to demo on Friday night (May 30 from 6 - 8 PM). When I told her "2 hours", she said, "Oh, I'll have to work quickly. I have so much I want to show them!" Such enthusiasm and such talent! It is rare that Dee teaches at stores any more. She is kept very busy with her convention appearances and her craft cruises. If you haven't reserved your space, I urge you not to miss out. I guarantee you will learn more than you ever imagined, and you will learn it from one of the founders of the entire industry!

www.ahappystamper.com/news/dee.htm

Thursday Make & Take - May 22

Oh boy! We're kicking off this Memorial Day weekend with a beauty of a card! If this doesn't put you in the mood for warmer weather and walks in the park, well, there might not be much hope for you...

Meanwhile, Memory Box has done it again. New stamps, new papers and new make and takes - they spoil us. This week's card is from the creative mind of our favorite stamping rock star, Dave Brethauer.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the weather this weekend is as gorgeous as this card.

May 15 Make and Take

In honor of the Ides of May, here's a little poem for you...

Here's a card called "The eyes of a cat".

What could be more strange than that?

Some, I guess, could say I am,

But that would just be rude.

Maybe I'll just keep my day job. Anyway, this card features a collage stamp by artist Marsha McCarthy of American Art Stamps. Come find out how easy it is to color a stamp that might seem a little intimidating at first glance. I promise I won't recite any poetry while you're here!

Big Announcement!

We are so excited to announce that Dave Brethauer is returning to the Happy Stamper for a series of workshops! Mark your calendars for the weekend of August 9 & 10. Dave will be teaching his spectacular methods of working with colored pencils and watercolors and will be featuring all new Memory Box stamps for Fall and Winter - wahoo! We'll have details posted on the web site as soon as we get them from Dave. But I'm too excited to keep this news to myself!

And the Winner Is...

...Pammy Bongers! She created this fun card featuring scalloped punches and scissors that is as quick and easy as it is cute! You, too, could be a winner of a goodie bag. Simply bring in a card for our Wall of Fame based on our monthly theme - May is Flowers. At the end of the month, we'll draw one entry from a hat - as simple as that! And be sure to check out the Wall of Fame each time you visit - it's right next to the register. We truly have the most talented bunch of customers anywhere! You're sure to find a card that inspires you!

Look Who We're Hanging With!

Rubber stamp artists aren't the only artists we know! For example, Brenda Belfield, who created dozens of the stained glass windows in the National Cathedral in Washington DC, has her shop directly in front of ours and is a regular visitor to the shop.

But my experience nearly 3 weeks ago is a highlight in the "hanging with artists" category! I got to attend Free-For-All-Friday at local radio station MIX 107.3 and meet the legendary artist Peter Max. (That's him in the front right, and that's Jack Diamond with his arm around me!) Known as the artist to the rock stars, he's created dozens of album covers, but his canvas knows no boundaries. He's also painted Boeing 737s, postage stamps for the US Government and so much more. He's even served as the official artist for 5 Super Bowls. (Did you know they had "official artists"?)

Check out lots more pictures on the radio station web site at:

http://www.mix1073fm.com/Article.asp?id=664410&spid=22843

Some days it's just worth getting up at 4 AM!

Thursday Make & Take - TOMORROW!

I'm late! I'm late! But you won't be. Not for this Mother's Day!

Come in tomorrow to make this beautiful card and you'll be a head of the game. While you're here, check out all the great new, just-released products we've stocked from Prima, Love Elsie, Bam Pop, Little Yellow Bicycle and Impression Obsession.

See you there!