Feeling Lucky!

I'm hoping that the luck of the Irish rubs off and the predicted snow storm passes us by completely! That seems like a good thing to spend a wish on - wouldn't you agree? Thursday's FREE make-and-take card features a new stamp from Memory Box. I love the bold, solid look of it. Because it's solid, you can do so many things with it - like ink it up and then "kiss" some of the color off by stamping it with a swirl stamp (or some other design) before you stamp it on your paper. I'm going to try that next!

Inking your Clear Stamps

Have you ever had a hard time inking up your clear stamps? Sometimes, the ink seems to bubble up or just sit on the top, making an even coverage next to impossible. Marvy has created a new line of markers to help solve this problem. Right now, they are only available in sets of 6 colors, but for most stamps, you'll want to use either brown or black to stamp the outline and then color in the image with pencils, etc. as needed. If you take the markers out of the set and toss them into your "marker drawer", you can still tell which ones are for clear stamps by their lids - they are a transparent color ("clear") so you'll know they are for clear stamps (although you can certainly color with them all the time, if you choose). Join Jenn this Tuesday from 12-2 for a FREE opportunity to play with these markers and see what you think.

Ode to my Olympic Buddy Angela

Guest blogger Laura here. I wanted to post a card dedicated to my Olympic buddy Angela. She and I have watched the coverage non-stop and have spent countless hours on the phone discussing every detail.

In honor of my buddy, I wanted to make a card that reflects our love of the Olympics. For my card, I colored the butterflies using the same colors on the Olympic flag and arranged them in the same order as the Olympic rings. I also chose a saying that I thought worked well with the spirit of the Olympics. The stamps, papers, and rhinestones are all by Memory Box.

So, thanks Angela for being my Olympic buddy. Somehow having someone else just as obsessed with the Olympics makes me feel less like a geek.

Thinking of You

We are really enjoying these new collage cling stamps from Hero Arts. The design work is done for you. Simply stamp the image a couple of times (on coordinating papers) and cut out the elements you want to use. We added a hint of additional color to the flowers with Copic Markers and voile! A simple, elegant card that anyone would love to get! Come make yours at our free make-and-take on Thursday, Feb. 18 from 10-8.

Distress inks Demo Today

Distress Inks were introduced to our hobby back in 2004, and I think there are still new uses being discovered for them every day! In addition to new uses are new colors - 12 of them! We're hoping they arrive at the shop today, but with the crazy weather, shipments have been delayed. In any case - they are on the way! But what are they??? They are fade-resistant, water-based dye inks that are perfect for creating a stained, vintage effect. They can even be used on photos! And their 2x2" raised pads are nice and high, making them ideal for direct-to-paper techniques, including highlighting embossed papers (as Jenn has done in this card). Stop by the shop today from 12-2 and play with them a bit. But beware - if you've never tried them before, you'll be hooked!

Wall of Fame Challenge

Each month, we post a theme for our Wall of Fame challenge. You are invited to bring in a card based on our theme for display that month. At the end of the month, we select an entry by random drawing and the winner receives a stamping surprise! Last year, the very talented Chrisi Rogers decided to use Elvis in every single card. We waited in anticipation each month to see how Elvis would be incorporated into the theme. This year, the equally talented Sandy Tuberson has decided to challenge herself by incorporating her favorite stamp (this moose) into each card submission this year. We can hardly wait! Why not join the fun? Stop in and see what creations we have received (they are posted on the wall next to the register), or better yet, make one yourself. This month's theme is Happy Hearts. (It's not a requirement to use the same stamp every month).

We are open!

And we have the make-and-take ready to go! When I came in this morning, Sunset Hills was down to the pavement with two complete lanes on each side of the road. Wow! Our parking lot is ready and the hill is in incredible shape. I'm completely amazed and very grateful! So, if you can get out and are feeling a little stir crazy, come on over! We've got new Impression Obsession to tempt you with :-)

Warm and Toasty Make and Take

We're really hoping to be able to open tomorrow, but I haven't been out at all today to check the roads and parking lot. I'll update the blog tomorrow morning. Meanwhile, this is the make-and-take we have planned. It features one of the Limited Edition squeeze punches by Fiskars and one of the awesome background stamps from Impression Obsession. Give us a call before heading over to make one of these. We don't want you to be disappointed!

Keeping fingers crossed

We are hoping to proceed with the demo tomorrow as usual (from 12-2). Our busy roads and parking lot are well plowed, but we know that's not the case for many of you. If you can get out, we'd love to see you before even more snow falls Tuesday evening. *%$@#!

Jenn will be demoing the new adhesive stickers from Clearsnap. These stickers (in lots of different designs) are adhesive on both sides so you can add glitter, flocking or gold leaf. This design pictured was actually created by Memory Box - how fun is that? We hope to see you, but be safe!

Enough already with the snow!

Happy Sunday! Here's an update from the North Pole (I mean, from North Reston). The management is usually pretty good about clearing the parking lot, and given how much snow we got, that was no easy feat. The problem, of course, is what to do with all of that snow. So, while the parking lot was clear, all of the doors in the development were blocked.

I must say that with practice comes expertise, so I'm practically a professional snow shoveler at this point! I managed to clear a very respectable path and to get the door open. My fear (although really, how bad could this be) was that while I was inside they would come and plow snow back in front of the door and I would be trapped....trapped in a stamp store. Bummer!?!?

Our dear Paula was scheduled to work both Saturday and Sunday. She lives north of Baltimore, so I suggested she just stay home. But she is one dedicated Happy Stamper, so she came down Friday night and took a hotel room. She stopped by the shop first to pick up some emergency stamping supplies. Check out the fruits of her labor! These adorable stamps are from Inky Antics.

This is new paper and one of the Snag 'em stamps from Imaginisce (Snag 'em stamps are only $1). She actually spelled out the word "Wish" with self-adhesive gems. When I asked how long that took, she replied "I wasn't going anywhere". True, true!



This card also features new paper and a Snag 'em stamp from Imaginisce. The words are from a Hero Arts set. All of these things are available in the shop right now, so if you want us to hold something, send me an email. I'm happy to help you with your shopping even if you can't get out of your house yet! Hope you all are staying warm and busy!

New Technique!

Thursday's FREE make-and-take card features two of the new cling stamps from Hero Arts. It also features an easy, new coloring technique. You'll create your own iridescent ink by combining Liquid Pearls and ink together on an acrylic block (which also makes a GREAT palette) and applying that to your paper with a paint brush. Super shiny fun! Come make one for yourself anytime Thursday between 10 and 8!

Painting fun!

I'm late getting the demo sample posted - sorry! I've spent the last two weeks painting the inside of my house! This is considerably less fun than painting the smaller canvases of cards. Nothing has gone the way I had hoped with my house project, so I'm looking forward to leaving that behind and seeing what magical things Jenn does with colored pencils and Gamsol! You can get an amazing watercolor effect with very little effort (I could really use that right now!). Stop in between 12-2 on Tuesday and see for yourself.