Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Have no fear!

Some people are terrified of Stampscapes (could it be all those birds in the sky????).  While the scene might look complicated, the hard work (perspective, etc.) is already done!  Simply stamp and color - it really is as easy as that! And, these cards are wonderful for men!!!  Stop in Thursday between 10 & 8 and make this card.  After stamping, we're adding color with Distress Inks and Memento Markers for a stunning fall display!

If you want to know more about working with Stampscapes stamps, join Marilynn for her classes:  Intro to Stampscapes on Saturday, October 27 or Nightscapes, with Day and Evening classes on Thursday, October 18.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Fabulous Fall Flowers

This stamp by Magenta is deceiving when you first look at it.  There is so much going on with the background design that it's hard to picture how the flowers will just POP once the image is stamped.  But that simply means the work is done for you!  Stamp on colored card stock and then add shading with colored pencils or chalk or even bleach out the flowers and then add shimmer with Twinkling H2Os....the possibilities are limitless!!!!!  Stop in Thursday between 10 & 8 and make one for yourself.  This card lends itself to virtually any occasion - so you can stamp the appropriate sentiment on the inside. Fall fabulousness!!!!

Monday, September 17, 2012

Metallic Distress???? Why YES!!

Have you seen the new Metallic Distress Stains by Tim Holtz?  I have lots of ways to add a metallic shimmer to my projects, so I wasn't sure why I needed another one.  Turns out, the reason I need this one is because it's water-based, like all the other Distress products.  That means it semi-opaque (you can see through it) and it blends beautifully on all surfaces (not just non-porous ones like most metallics).  And the shimmer is spectacular!

Come see for yourself how easy this is - and see the shimmer in person.  You'll be stunned!  Drop in and make this tag tomorrow (Tuesday) any time between 12 & 2.  This is our last Learn at Lunch Demo until Dee begins her Dee's Demos series on Tuesday, October 2, so we hope to see you there!

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Isn't it "Leaf"ly??

Good grief!  I've achieved new lows in corniness - just in time for Candy Corn season!  Sigh....

This week's FREE make-and-take features a set from Kim Hughes and Paper Smooches!  I love the solid/outline image combos, and clear stamps make it so easy to line them up.  Stamp the solid stamp first in lots of different colors to celebrate fall, then overstamp with the outline image to add crispness and definition.  Love it!  I also love Marilynn's use of the Bazzill Dot paper as a mat - subtle texture is so nice!  Stop in anytime between 10 - 8 on Thursday and make one for yourself. 

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Snow Writer...everybody sing!

Am I showing my age if I confess that the Snow Writer pen from Marvy Uchida makes me think of the Low Rider song?????  Pitiful, I know.....

Anyway, the pen is fantastic!  Simply apply it anywhere you want the effect of snow, heat it and watch it puff up like magic!  For Tuesday's learn at lunch demo, we'll create this card front  using Copic Marker Refills to create the background.  We'll then stamp this image (Memory Box) and add snow!!!!  I added a hint of glitter on the snow to make it really shimmer, but the effect is just as nice if you are "glitter-phobic".  You can decide!  Stop in any time between 12 & 2 on Tuesday, and let's play!!!

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Boo!

This Thursday's FREE make-and-take project features a stamp set by Hero Arts.  When I first saw this set I thought, "What will I do with all these sayings?"  Obviously, Marilynn was way ahead of me (this is not a new development, by the way).  She used the different phrases and words to create a fantastic background as well as a cute focal image, just by adding little googly eyes.  So clever!  Stop in Thursday between 10 & 8 and make one for yourself.  And let me know all the occasions you can think of to use this card...I've laughed at the few I've come up with so far :-) 

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

It's Fall, Ya'll!

The kiddos are back in school, and it's time to start thinking about your fall cards and projects!  To help inspire you, Great Impressions has a wonderful new board!  We have all the stamps needed to recreate these cards, and the stamp used in the card on the upper left is the Stamp of the Month - available at 50% off for this month only.  Yay!  Can fabulous fall foliage be far behind???

Monday, September 3, 2012

Opaque, yet clear to me!

StazOn ink has long been the "go-to" inkpad for stamping on non-porous surfaces.  Several years ago, Tsukineko created an ink called StazOn Opaque.  On clear surfaces like acetate, the opaque ink provided much better coverage than the thinner solvent ink of the original StazOn.  It gave the stamped images an almost raised appearance.  However, the Opaque ink pads only came in pastel colors and white.  Finally, Tsukineko released brown and black StazOn Opaque pads, and they are fantastic!  Stop in Tuesday between 12 & 2 and give them a try.  We'll stamp this lovely wreath stamp by Memory Box onto acetate, then fill in the berries with Viva Decor's Glass Effects Gel - a transparent gel made specifically for glass, acetate and other clear surfaces.  Oh, and did I mention it's dishwasher safe?  So much to try, so don't miss out!!!  See you Tuesday!

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Have You Seen......

The new Impression Obsession Backgrounds?
There are animal prints (zebra, leopard, giraffe, and peacock):
I'm thinking about using them with my purse and shoe stamps. How about new winter/Christmas backgrounds? There are Nordic patterns, snowflakes, and an awesome knit pattern:
Need something for Halloween? You can't beat this spider web pattern: