What's the Occasion?

Memory Box released a series of animal stamps that could be used for baby or "kid-related" cards and projects. This giraffe is from that series of stamps, but I think it could be used for much more than that! Particularly when paired with this balloon - it makes a wonderful "happy birthday" card. What I thought of (which is not necessarily a "card occasion") is how handy a giraffe would be to have around when the balloon gets away. They can reach so much higher than I can. I wonder what that says about me??? Anyway, join us Thursday for our FREE make-and-take and create your own occasion for this adorable card!

Add a little Sparkle

We have always loved the Stardust Gel pens. They are opaque, so they look great on dark card stock, and they shimmer and sparkle. But they are versatile as well - you can even watercolor with them to get an entirely different effect! Join Jenn this Tuesday between 12 & 2 to learn the tricks of Stardust watercoloring!

Stickers & Memories!

Do you usually send 4th of July cards? Maybe you'd like to, but you don't have any patriotic supplies. We're here to help! Beginning Friday (while supplies last), get a FREE patriotic sticker sheet (a $2.50 value) when you purchase a Memories Ink Pad. Marilynn made these 3 cards with just one sheet - aren't they cute?!?! So, stop in and stock up on your dye ink pad collection, and see what creative things you can do with this sticker collection from SRM Press! (Or, feel free to bring your camera and take a picture of Marilynn's ideas - she's happy to share!)

All Purpose Card

In honor of Mitra's visit Thursday evening, our FREE Thursday make-and-take features this stunning image from Impression Obsession (Mitra is the owner of I.O.). The image covers the entire front of the card, and you can stamp any message inside - making this the great "need to send a card quick" card to have on hand! Some people get scared by a stamp with this much detail, but actually it's easy to use and wonderfully versatile! Marilynn's design evokes old-fashioned photography, where the image was black and white and then lightly hand-tinted in select places. We're achieving that same effect with colored pencils - effective and quick! Check out Marilynn's other samples while you're in the shop - she's done a beautiful card with this stamp and Copics & Flower Soft!

PLEASE NOTE: Our FREE make-and-take will end early (at 5:00 PM) so that we can set up the classroom for Mitra's Demo, which runs from 6:00 - 8:00 PM. It is also free, so stop in Thursday night for a real treat! See you then!

Another New Marker?

I think what I've learned after so many years in this hobby, is that there are always more tools you need to help you get the job done right! I LOVE my Memento Markers and my Copic markers, but now I also LOVE the Big Brush markers from Faber-Castell. What's the difference? Mementos are water-based and match the Memento ink pads (handy for filling in stamping boo-boos). Copics are alcohol ink markers and will dry on everything! Big Brush markers are India Ink - almost like a hybrid marker! They are wet enough to do "direct-to-rubber" yet dry permanently! And, they don't bleed through the paper like Copics do. My favorite things about them is their nib. It's kind of a "hard brush", so you don't have to be dainty when you use it and it stays nice and firm. Stop in Tuesday between 12-2 and see why I'm convinced you'll need "another new marker"!!!!

Definitely - Stay Cool!

After a couple of absolutely stunning days, weather-wise, I fear we're headed back to hot, hot, hot days! So, this week's free make-and-take card is just perfect! It features one of the adorable penguin clear sets from Cat's Pajamas! (Thinking about a penguin needing a scuba mask and floaty is kind of hilarious, don't you think?) Plus, I love how Marilynn incorporated a swatch of canvas paper to simulate a beach towel. Clever girl! Stop in Thursday and make one for yourself. And, stay cool!

Yummy Gelatos!

We are loving the new coloring tools from Faber-Castell and will be featuring them in the next two Technique Tag Tuesdays. This Tuesday, come play with Gelatos. These fabulous water-soluble crayons can be applied directly to stamps or used for backgrounds. They're incredibly versatile! And they come in a variety of matte and metallic colors! Next week, come back to try the Big Brush Markers! These demos are FREE and run on Tuesdays between 12 and 2. Hope to see you there!

Summer Travels!

Wish someone "bon voyage" or share remembrances of your summer vacation with this fabulous FREE make-and-take card featuring a stamp set from The Paper Company. I absolutely LOVE Marilynn's color combination for this card. The technique is kind of the opposite of the popular "popping pastels". Instead of stamping the images first and coloring with chalk, Marilynn created the background color wash first (with chalk) and then stamped over the top. This allowed these beautifully detailed images to really pop! Stop in Thursday between 10-8 to make one for yourself. It's kind of like a mini-vacation in your day!

Hugs and Smooches!

We love the Smooch paints by Clearsnap, and they recently unveiled a bunch of new "must have" colors! If you've never worked with Smooch before, you're in for a treat. First of all, their packaging (they look like little nail polish bottles) is irresistible! And the fine tip makes them very easy to apply, even in very small spaces. These highly metallic paints dry on virtually everything! I use them to paint my metal charms. Join Jenn for this Tuesday's Technique Tag where she'll share a bunch of other techniques, including this fabulous faux marbling technique. Fun!