Love the chocolate!

I don't always remember rich brown when I'm making my holiday cards, but this is stunning! Marilynn used two Memory Box stamps, and stamped and embossed over Memory Box patterned paper - another thing I don't remember to do. The effect is simple yet elegant. Great for mass production! Come make your first one on Thursday at our weekly free make-and-take.

Tonic Border System

I've been doing ribbon weaving for quite a while now, and the hardest thing has been lining up the punches. Tonic has dramatically simplified the entire process - it's so easy now! They just released these new ribbon weaving punches at the summer CHA show, and the minute I saw them, I knew I had to have them. Look at how straight these borders are! That's due to the Border Tool, which holds your punch in place and has a ruler right on the base so that you can evenly space your punches each and every time. Come find out for yourself how easy these punches are to use, and how creative you can be with your weaving (see how each punch also punches holes? Those can be used for 1/8" eyelets!). Join me for a free demo on Tuesday, September 29 from 12-2 PM. The demo is free and there is no need to pre-register. Just stop on by!

A GREEN Card - literally

OK, so it's obvious this card is the color green. But it's also a great way to recycle scraps you've been saving. In this case, it's wonderful Asian washi paper that you definitely don't want to just toss in the trash! We've also incorporated Robin's Nest Dew Drop embellishments to complete the card. Simple, elegant, quick and GREEN!

Stop in any time between 10 and 9 on Thursday and make one for yourself!

No Distress at Demo Days!

This was really hard to photograph, so you need to stop by just to see the shimmer! When Tim Holtz and Ranger first mentioned a metallic distressed look, it seemed like it couldn't possibly work. And yet, these new Crackle Paints (in 3 metallic colors plus Opaque White) look remarkably "right". Leave it to those creative minds! Stop by on Tuesday between 12 and 2 and let Jenn show you how to work with these pastes and also the Distressed Glitter Glue (or non-glitter glitter glue, as we like to call it). No need to register, just stop in to play!

A Snowball Fight!

It's kind of hard to think about snow when the temperature today is 84 degrees! But, Christmas is 3 months and 10 days away. YIKES! Harriett has a great start on her Christmas cards, Marilynn knows what she's planning to do, and I've done NOTHING! I'm hoping Thursday's Free make-and-take card will get me going! Featuring new stamps from Savvy stamps, and a really fun way to use pom poms, this is a great card to send to the young and the young-at-heart. As long as it doesn't prompt a REAL snowball fight. Stop in any time Thursday to make one for yourself!

The Beauty of Buttons

Buttons are such a fun embellishment to use on your papercrafting projects. Let Jenn show you how to customize them so that they match virtually anything you're working on! No more searching for the perfect color when you can simply create your own. Chipboard buttons can be covered with paper, stamped and colored, or colored directly with ink. Jenn also stained plastic buttons with her Copic airbrush. And, they can be backed creatively to add interest with different shapes. The possibilities are simply endless! Stop in Tuesday between 12 - 2 and see for yourself. Jenn will also show you some finished projects to incorporate these adorable embellishments.

Unity Stampin Store Kits

One of our favorite new stamps companies is Unity Stamps. They have created these new collections (a new one is available each month) of red-rubber stamps on cling mount that are only available in select retail shops (ours being one of them). The sets are pre-cut (yippee!) and come on 8 1/2 x 11" storage sheets in a plastic carrying case (so none of the stamps get lost). The storage items alone would cost at least $5.00!

The August set (at top) has 24 stamps. The September set has 20. And these are nice-sized stamps! The journaling block, for example, is 3 x 4.5", yet if my math is correct (and this is pretty easy math, so I'm feeling confident) it works out to be less than $2.00 as the sets sell for $40 and come with the storage items I mentioned earlier. What a deal! And cute, cute stamps too! Even if you only liked half of the stamps in each set, it would still be a good deal. I LOVE a bargain! Both sets are available in the shop right now, so snag 'em while they last.

A Great Day to be Joyful

With the kids back in school and cooler weather upon us, there is a lot to be joyful about. Thursday's free card make-and-take can be used to celebrate all of it! The card features one of our NEW Accu-cut dies as well as the Fiskars Limited Edition Acorn punch. It's a great way to make use of all of those scraps of paper you've been saving. Come see how easy the Fiskars squeeze punches are to operate. And, take a look at the front of the punch. It shows a small image of the punch shape. That's because these punches are intended to be stored by stacking them. While stacked, you can still see exactly which punch is which - handy! So, join us and take some "joy" home with you!

Shimmerz and Shine!

With so many products on the market that add a metallic sheen, it's obvious that we love to sparkle! But how can you keep them all straight? Join Jenn as she demonstrates the difference between Shimmerz iridescent paints and Twinkling H2Os & Smooches. This picture really doesn't capture the beauty of the shine you get with Shimmerz - even on black! So come take a look for yourself at our FREE Learn at Lunch demo on Tuesday from 12-2. No registrations are required.

Happy Birthday Angela!!

Today is Angela's birthday, so I wanted to send special wishes her way. I used a clear set from Impression Obsession that allowed me to highlight her actual birth day. The set comes with a circle stamp to use around the dates, but I decided to outline the 6th with rhinestones instead. I never turn down an opportunity to use a little bling!

On a separate note, did you see the video Dave Brethauer posted on his site featuring Angela's? We are famous! You can check out the blog entry here.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Labor Day weekend. Don't forget that the store is closed on Monday, September 7th for the holiday, but we will be back open Tuesday. Also, don't forget that Tuesday will be Jenn's first demo at the store and will feature Shimmerz paints.


Take care,

Bring on the candy!

It's never too early to start thinking about the night when people are just giving chocolate away! For Thursday's FREE make-and-take, we are using Snag 'em Stamps from Imaginisce with their coordinating paper. All of the Snag 'em Stamps are clear, unmounted, and they are only $1 each! For that bargain price, they actually stamp beautifully. They come in a variety of Halloween and Christmas designs and they all have coordinating papers. Fun and easy! However, they are limited edition, so once they are gone, they are gone.

Jean's Retirement Party

Really, what else can we say? After 6 years, Jean's reign as the "demo queen" came to an end today with a fantastic party. Thanks to everyone who came out and signed Jean's guest book and showered Jean with cards and good wishes. It was a great time!




Jean took the opportunity to answer questions that weren't quite stamp related - like how she got started stamping and what she would be doing now. We are envious of the time and attention she will now be showering on her husband - but he's quite pleased!



We had an official "passing of the torch" ceremony - thank you, Jenn, for making the torch! Next Tuesday, plan to join us for 12-2 for Jenn's inaugural demo featuring Shimmerz!