The Magic Pen

For this Tuesday's edition of our FREE Learn at Lunch program, Jenn will be playing with the Tim Holtz Refillable Alcohol Ink pen. Alcohol inks are a wonderful medium to play with because they dry on virtually everything and are very versatile. The pen makes it very easy to control exactly where your inks go. In Jenn's sample, she used the pen and green ink to color a piece of acetate that she had previously stamped the Hero Arts Flourish Ornament on. She then backed the ornament with A Muse printed paper. I love how the alcohol ink provides a transparent color so you can still see the printed paper through the ornament. It adds another layer of interest. Why not stop in and give it a try?

Still a few spaces left!

If you haven't reserved your space for our Holiday Open House on December 5, what are you waiting for? This is the most jam-packed extravaganza we've dreamed up yet, so there is sure to be something for you to enjoy no matter what time you get to stop by! I previously posted the adorable snow globe make-and-take that Marilynn will be leading, and this post features the equally cute mini canvas ornament what Donna will be leading. I love the vintage look of it! These two make-and-takes must be reserved in advance and they are $10 total for both. We have them available two different times that day because we know Saturdays in December get kind of hectic - you'll have options! We also have the folks from Seaside Stampin' Ink bringing their entire trade show booth and demoing dozens of things to do with a Spritz Bottle. And, also new this year, I will be bringing my quartet to entertain you with Christmas carols. Food, fun, community outreach - the day has it all! Hope to see you there!

Perfect Holiday Greetings

Just Rite stamps are wonderful for the holidays. Use them to personalize every gift! Mix and match borders with center images, or use fonts to create exactly the right words. Last year, I used mine to create a personalized bookplate to stamp inside the books I gave as gifts. They also make great pail toppers (we're using them in our Holiday Open House make-and-take this year). And, in one of my earlier posts, I showed how you can personalize or recycle "store-bought" cards. Stop in for our demo tomorrow from 12-2 and let Jenn show you the hundreds of uses for Just Rite stamps!

Super Plan B

If you were in the shop ealier this week, you saw a coffee card posted as our next make-and-take. Unfortunately, that card featured one of our new Accu-Cut dies, and our Accu-Cut was recently damaged. We've shipped it back to the manufacturer (wow - they don't really make boxes that size!) for repair, so we have this INCREDIBLE plan B. This card features one of the new bears from Memory Box. How cleaver to use the self-adhesive pearls for the scoops of ice cream! And, you'll also love the new shimmer paper from Memory Box - the perfect layer for a simple, yet elegant, card. This make-and-take is available FREE all day Thursday.

Loving Lutradur!

This Tuesday's Learn at Lunch features the very versatile Lutradur! In this card, Jenn embossed it using a texture plate, painted it with Shimmerz and stamped on it. She'll also show you some samples using heat to create cut outs from stencils and to make interesting edges. The possibilities are simply endless. And, the rolls are large and inexpensive - Jenn noted that it's even cheaper than most paper and a whole lot more fun! Stop in between 12-2 and see for yourself!

Let it Snow!

Stampendous just released these mini tins, and they are adorable! I thought they would be fun for treats and small treasures for Christmas, but Dee and Marilynn are clearly more creative than I am! The came up with this "snowglobe" concept featuring punches, Polar White Flower Soft and Just Rite stamps on top. Join us for our Holiday Open House on December 5 and make one for yourself. You must reserve a space for this make-and-take, and the spaces are limited - so don't delay.

We also announced in our most recent email alert that Joe & Kathy of Seaside Stampin' Ink will be here from 10-4 on Dec. 5 demoing dozens of things to do with a Spritz Bottle (well, really the contents inside the Spritz Bottle, but you knew that). They'll also be bringing their entire trade show booth for your shopping pleasure. I know you don't want to miss that! Make plans to join us and ring in the holidays in style!

Planning Ahead

The number of cards you need to make for Christmas should help determine the complexity of the card. This card, featuring stamps and printed paper from A Muse Art Stamps, is pretty, yet simple enough to mass produce! Join us any time Thursday, November 12 to make one for yourself, and you'll see how quick and easy it is.

Oh so Fancy!

In our Learn at Lunch demo tomorrow, we'll be playing with the latest punches from Europe called Fancy Punches. One side of the punch has a decorative look to it, and the other side has a "tail" that fits into a slot for perfect placement every time. Add gems or coordinating stickers to jazz it up, or leave them plain for a starburst effect. In addition, Angela will be showing you the latest bookbinding tool called Unibind. Create professional looking cookbooks, memory books and more - and it really couldn't be easier! Join us for the Learn at Lunch - Tuesday from 12-2!

Christmas Collage

Did you ever have some "design" stamps that you loved but were not sure how to use? This week we are loving them in layers! Take several design stamps (these are from Savvy and Hero Arts) and layer them together to create a holiday card with lots of pop. I love the simplicity of the monochromatic color scheme. Pretty!

It's getting to be that time- if you haven't started your cards for the holidays, hopefully this will be an inspiration. Stop in and make one for yourself anytime on Thursday between 10 and 9.

Same stamps, new idea!

Rubber Stamp Tapestry is a really unique stamp company! They create sets of peg stamps that can be used to make fabulous borders and frames. Because they are pegs with long handles, they are wonderfully simple to use. I got several sets for my aunt who struggled with severe arthritis, and she was able to use them. They are also very forgiving, because if you mess up an image, you can just stamp something right over the top of it and no one will ever know! Jenn took this idea to the next level by creating a decorative paper with the stamps and then cutting out a shape using her Nestabilities. What a fabulous idea! Come see all the different ways to use these versatile stamps this Tuesday from 12-2. As always, the demos are free and you don't need to register.