New, New, New!

If you are here looking for this Thursday's Make and Take card, I put the picture in the sidebar. I had to take a break from our regularly scheduled program to show you some of the great stuff that arrived at the store today.

First of all, how about some Hero Arts? We received their new release of Halloween and holiday wood-mount, cling, and clear images. Also, we have the new Hero Arts packages of neutral twine. They are perfect for your holiday projects!

Can you see the spools of twine in this next picture?















Next, we have signed up for the Inky Antics board of the month program. For this month, they sent us a cute board dedicated to their Honey Pop cards. If you aren't familiar with these cards, you combine stamped images with honeycomb paper to create 3-D cards. Here are the samples from the outside:





















On the inside, people are greeted with a pop-up 3-D image. Here is an example of the Christmas tree Honey Pop:















You can also make pumpkins, cauldrons, snowmen, and more. Come in to see all of the new goodies!

Several of my friends are expecting babies soon. Poor things - what a hot and horrible summer to be pregnant! YIKES! This week's free make-and-take card would be a perfect new baby card or child's birthday card. Customize the gender easily by changing the color of the decorative paper scraps you use. (And this is a fabulous way to use up scraps - simply punch with a square punch)! I love the addition of the rickrack ribbon. Some of the wider rickrack can't be tied easily, but this mini ribbon is a breeze to work with and comes in a variety of colors. Stop in Thursday between 10 & 8 and make one for yourself!

X marks the spot

Wouldn't it be great if you could hit that "x" every time? One of the hardest things to do, especially with a wood mounted stamp, is put your image exactly where you want it. I have trouble with words sloping up or downhill (and sometimes it's not even my fault depending on how the stamp was mounted). Wouldn't it be great if you didn't get enough ink on your stamp that you could just stamp right back over the top of your image and fix it? These are not just fantasies - you can do these things fairly easily with the use of a stamp positioner! Stop by Tuesday between 12 & 2 and let Jenn show you how. It's like MAGIC!

Impression Obsession Sneak Peek

Hello all, guest blogger Laura here. I wanted to take a moment to show you some cards I made using some of the new Impression Obsession images from CHA. Angela let me place a huge order, and we are expecting a bunch of new fall and winter images, great sayings, and all of the latest cover a card backgrounds. Of course, we ordered everything used in the cards below. If you want more instructions for the individual cards, you can find them on my blog.

I really like the Swirly Lace Cover a card background!









































The snowman above used Memory Box polka dot paper. It isn't a Cover a Card background.















This reindeer is from one of the new stamp designers working for Impression Obsession. I really like Hannah Davies' whimsical characters.




















On an unrelated note, don't forget that there is a sale at Angela's on Friday, July 21st and Saturday, July 22nd. Here is the information Angela sent in her last email:

Perhaps you've heard of the CHA trade shows. They take place twice a year,
and vendors come up with all kinds of new stamps, paper and accessories to
display and promote at these shows. Summer CHA ends today, and we've had our
"spies" there placing lots of orders for us! We're excited about the new
products from Ranger, including mini sets of Claudine Hellmuth's Studio Paints
and her Black Gesso, and Hero Art's new collaboration with Sizzix - stamps with
dies to match! In order to make room for all of this new product that is on the
way, we're having a surprise sale Friday and Saturday, July 22 and 23 only. Here
are the details:
Spend $25.00 and take 10% off your entire purchase.
Spend $75.00 and take 20% off your entire purchase.
Spend $100.00 or more and take 30% off your entire purchase.

More fine print: Discounts do not apply to class registration fees, special orders, items already on hold and items previously discounted.

If you are like me, you are planning to hole-up during this heat wave and get a little crafting done. New supplies are a definite must!

Bloomin' Great Day!

There is a lot going on in this FREE make-and-take card. Marilynn used the Stacy Stamps triangle background stamp on craft paper to create a lovely background. Sometimes when you see a background stamp with this much detail, it looks like "too much work". But this is super quick and easy and really highlights the zinnia stamp in the center. I love the extra touch of using Flower Soft in the center of the flower, and I love the highlights Marilynn created with a white colored pencil. We ignore our white pencils too often, I think. Finally, Marilynn used a piece of the new accent tape to adhere the greeting. These tapes come in several vintage colors and are a funky way to "grunge" up your projects. Stop in Thursday between 10 and 8 to make one for yourself!

Not Just for Kids!

When is the last time you thought about Shrinky Dinks? My kids and I made some Sponge Bob ornaments a few years ago, and it was really fun! But it can also be quite classy and add a new way to use those stamps you have that are on the "larger side". Best of all - it's easy and fun! Stop in Tuesday between 12 and 2 and let Jenn show you the tips and tricks (including the best inks) for working with Polyshrink (the adult word for Shrinky Dinks). Why let the kids have all the fun this summer?

A New Perspective!

The Silhouette Grass stamp by Hero Arts has been around for a little while, but most of the cards I've seen it used on have been "fall-ish" or "daytime" in theme/feel. Marilynn has done something completely different and evoked the perfect summer evening! Stop in for our FREE make-and-take Thursday, anytime between 10 and 8, and learn how to create this fabulous background with a mask and brayer! Wahoo!

Never too late for Fireworks!

Even though the 4th of July is over, there's no need to put the Fireworks away! Fireworks sprays (by Tsukineko) are an acid-free product that comes in 24 colors to match the Memento ink pads and markers. Unlike the dye pads, which are matte, these sprays shimmer and shine! And they will dry on virtually any surface, including glossy card stock. Jenn has created a fabulous background and has also used them to color the neutral paper flowers. Stop in Tuesday between 12-2 and see for yourself!

Let Your Summer Take Flight

Memory Box papers are so pretty, they almost require no effort. But what would be the fun in that? Marilynn created this lovely thank you card by stamping on top of patterned paper to make the perfect background for the Cocoa Bean butterfly. Add dimension by stamping the butterfly a few times, then cut it out and adhere only along the body. Add some bling to the top layer, and you have the perfect summertime card! Stop in between 10 and 8 on Thursday and make one for yourself!

Techniques with Solid Stamps

For this week's Technique Tag Tuesday demo, you'll make 2 tags instead of just one, because Jenn thought of too many techniques for using solid stamps to limit herself :-) In the card on the left, Jenn used a "rock n roll" technique to color the solid leaf stamp. In the card on the right, she used the "kissing" technique. Want to know more? Join us Tuesday between 12 and 2 and let Jenn show you all the fun you can have with solid stamps!