We are Open!

What a horrible storm last night! It didn't affect the store, so we are open for business.  If you need a cool place to be today, you are welcome to visit and stay a while to craft.  There isn't a class today, so there is plenty space in the classroom, and we have the air conditioning on full blast.

A Look Inside

Just a quick peek of some of the things that came into the store this week:

Limited Edition Summer Distress Inks

 

New Hero Arts display board with all the needed supplies... Including neon inks!

 

New Honey Pop board with brand new clear stamp sets

 

Just Rite cling stamps

And a restock of Copic markers with an emphasis on hair and skin colors

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Card that POPs!

The card for this week's FREE make-and-take is practically a work of art!  Marilynn used a technique that was featured in the latest issue of Just Cards magazine (which we have at the shop - and this issue is particularly good).  The focal image is actually a new background stamp from Impression Obsession.  One of the things that scares people off from these large stamps is the idea of trying to get multiple colors onto it.  This technique easily solves that challenge.  Marilynn embossed the image on black card stock with white embossing powder.  She then added color to the bursts with Copic markers.  Join us Thursday between 10 & 8 and find out how easy this is.  Plus, you'll be feeling festive when you're done!

All About Adhesives

Our Jenn is so clever!  She has so much to share about adhesives that one tag simply wasn't enough.  She created this tag "folder" so she could cram even more adhesive information in it :-)  The folder is held closed with the fabulous Velcro adhesive made just for paper by Tombo.  We LOVE it!  Spend some time with Jenn Tuesday between 12 & 2 and you'll be amazed at the variety of adhesives available to finish off any project you can come up with!

Have you ever had trouble coming up with a great card design that doesn't use an image stamp, but relies solely on words???  If so, then this is the card for you!  I love that these words could apply to a graduation, a wedding, a new home, a new job, retirement....the list goes on and on.  And, because there is no image, the card is totally multipurpose!!!  Plus, for a graduation card, it can be altered to match the school colors.  Clever!!!  I particularly like the background, which was created by stamping the word "congratulations" multiple times in Sunflower Yellow Brilliance ink.  The metallic nature of the ink causes even a yellow hue to show up on bright red card stock.  Nice!  Stop in Thursday and make one for someone special!

Masks are not just for Halloween!

This week's Technique Tag Tuesday features masking techniques using JudiKins Eclipse tape!  Masking is an easy way to use just a portion of a stamped image, and it's also a method for adding perspective (making objects appear to be in front or behind another object).  In fact, masking is easier to do that to describe :-)  Stop by the store between 12 & 2 on Tuesday and see what Jenn is up to this week!  No costumes required! 

Zentangle Masterpiece!

Stacy Rich, owner of Stacy Stamps, was here last week with a couple of fabulous workshops.  One of the new products she showed us was her new Stained Glass stamps.  She suggested to the class that they try Zentangling the stamp (a fancy word for doodling - kind of).  Joanne H. took her homework assignment seriously and brought back this masterpiece for us to share with Stacy.  But I thought it was too awesome not to share with you all as well!  What a fun idea and a fabulous execution!  Well done, Joanne!

Father's Day or any time!

Sometimes it's hard to come up with an idea for a masculine card (either for birthdays or Father's Day).  Marilynn had a great idea to use a section of one of our fabulous travel papers to create the focal point of the card.  She then distressed the ribbon to match, using the Tim Holtz Distress Stains!  What a great idea!  Stop in this Thursday any time between 10 and 8 to make this card.  No reservations are required. 

And now for something Completely Different

Our Technique Tag Tuesdays typically feature (...wait for it...) a tag!  But this Tuesday, in anticipation of our fabulous House Gift Card Holder class on June 21, Jenn will be showing you how to make this adorable gift card holder featuring a different Scoreboard die.  Scoreboards are dies made by Sizzix and designed by Eileen Hull, a local artist who will be here leading our workshop on June 21.  We are so fortunate to have so many talented artists in the area who are willing to share their knowledge and talents with us.  Eileen usually teaches at the HUGE tradeshows and conventions like CHA.  So, with Gift Card season officially here (graduations and weddings galore), don't miss this chance to make adorable Gift Card presentations beginning this Tuesday, with the free demo from 12-2, and then register for Eileen's class on June 21 and see how much fun Scoreboards can be!

(This is a photo of the House Gift Card Holder class on June 21, taught by the designer herself - Eileen Hull).  Reserve your space today!

Celebrate!

This background stamp by Hero Arts is part of their Konnichiwa collection, but when colored with different colors, it loses some of its Asian flair.  I love versatility in my stamps!  For this card, we used a direct-to-paper technique and paired the image with a birthday phrase to make a wonderful celebration card!  (I can also see this image used to make a great picnic/barbecue invitation).  Join us this Thursday between 10 & 8 to make one for someone special!

Fun with Stacy!

Wow!  Stacy Rich, of Stacy Stamps, blew our mind with her demo today!  She had bags all put together with different techniques she wanted to share.  Each bag she pulled out featured a project more exciting than the last!  It was 2 1/2 jam-packed hours.  To quote one happy participant:  "I'm going to have to go home and put a cool cloth on my forehead"! 

If you missed the demo but want to learn how to use Stacy's new Stained Glass stamps (she's even incorporating Zentangle into this workshop) we do have some space in the 6:30 class tonight.  Come on over!!!

Stacy is here!

She pulled up outside just as I sat down to type this post!  I'm so excited!  And, wow - her car is a "low-rider"!  Completely full of stamps and other goodies for your shopping pleasure.  Begin the day of fun with our FREE demo Tuesday from 12-2.  Stacy will be demonstrating several techniques including coloring and black & white.  There will be TONS of card samples to inspire you, so bring your cameras!  And take advantage of the trunk show - all her fabulous stamps right at your fingertips!

Then, plan to spend the rest of the day.  We still have openings in the afternoon All-Occasion Cards class as well as the evening Stained Glass Cards class.  I can't think of a better way to spend the day!  Hope to see you there!

Brand New Memory Box!

Well, Angela was kind enough to hand over the credit card, and I bought a TON of the new Memory Box dies and stamps. We wanted to make sure people had a chance to get some of the new goodies, so we really upped the quantities (as you can see from the stacks).

Let me walk you through some of the new product.

First, there are new tropical dies.. a turtle with turtle overlay, a turtle border, a palm tree, a hibiscus flower and wreath, flip flops, and waves:

We also have musical notes, layered leaves, garden veggies, owls, birds, and a fern leaf:

Two huge new butterflies with coordinating overlays.  I can't wait to use them on cards, but I think they will also be fantastic on packages!  We also have a swirl tree with coordinating leaves, party lanterns, banners, flower borders, and leaves that match the very popular grove branch:

 Plus, there are stamps!  We have their brand new nature print images that are great with Distress Inks or Twinkling H2O's.

 Everything is entered and out on the shelves, so come in and take a look.

Laura