We're back! With a new make-and-take!

Welcome to 2014!  We will be open Wednesday, January 1 from 12-5.  Stop in and see the new Great Impressions board, with fun cards that could be used for Valentine's Day or any occasion!  Remember, the stamp of the month is available at 50% off during January.  And then, join us for our FREE Thursday make-and-take project.  This card features stamps from Inky Antics and Penny Black and makes great use of Ranger's Liquid Pearls for a whipped embellishment.  We finished the card with a quick swipe of colored pencils.  Fun and great for anyone!  Hope to see you often in 2014!

Sale, New, and Coming Attractions

So much is going on at the store that I thought I should write a quick post to update everyone.

First, all Christmas products (paper, stamps, dies, and embellishments) are 50% off. It is never too early to start planning for next year!

For those of you who are already starting to think about Valentine's Day, we received brand new product from Penny Black. There are super-cute images perfect for coloring, elegant hearts and flourishes, and beautiful dies. The picture above shows you some of what just arrived.

Coming soon: We place HUGE orders with impression Obsession (new stamps and dies) as well as Memory Box and Poppystamps. We aren't supposed to share the new products just yet, but if you want a small sneak peek, Dave posted a couple pictures on the Memory Box home page. http://memoryboxco.com He will get you ready to "Think Spring!"

Holiday Hours: We are open for part of the holidays, so be sure to check the date and times listed below. There are no classes scheduled during that time, so if you have some time off and want to work on a project in our classroom, you are more than welcome. Pack a lunch, invite some friends, spread out, and enjoy some quality craft time!

Holiday Hours:

Tuesday, December 24: 10-1

Wednesday, December 25-Thursday, December 26: CLOSED

Friday, December 27: 10-6

Saturday, December 28: 10-5

Sunday, December 29: 12-5

Monday, December 30-Tuesday, December 31: CLOSED

Wednesday, January 1: 12-5

 

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Hero Arts 2014 & Thursday Make-and-Take

 Well.....we got one box :-)  The brand new Hero Arts 2014 catalogs ARE here, and so are some of the fabulous stamps and coordinating dies.  We are missing at least one more box, but it should be arriving soon.  Meanwhile, you can stop in and snag a catalog and start your list.  I love the stamps this year... a lot!!!

Thursday's FREE make-and-take is another super quick Christmas card.  I love the vintage look of this Stampendous stamp.  Marilynn stamped it with Memento Luxe, then tore the bottom edge to continue that vintage theme.  To distress the edges, she used Gelatos watercolors - quick and lovely!  Stop in and make one for yourself on Thursday anytime between 10 & 8.  And don't forget to check out the new Hero Arts stamps and catalog.  So much eye candy!!!!

Super Shrink Plastic!

NOTE:  Since the weather was so awful last week (please don't try to convince me it was a Winter Wonderland), we are going to offer this demo today instead - Tuesday, Dec. 17 from 12 - 2.  Join us!

I used to play with Shrinky Dinks as a kid - but WOW!  It's even more fun now!!!  Look at the ART you can create with your stamps and dies.  Join me on Tuesday, December 10 between 12 & 2 and let me show you all the things you can do (and even more important, how easy it is!!!!).

We'll color the shrink plastic with chalk ink, Prismacolor pencils, alcohol inks and even Glitter Pens.  The only problem is that you won't want to stop!

As always, the demos are completely free and you don't need to pre-register.  Hope to see you there!

Last minute Christmas Cards

I have a confession to make. 

I haven't started my Christmas Cards yet. 

I'm not going to offer a bunch of excuses - I'm just putting it out there.  I haven't started.  So, I was THRILLED with Marilynn's latest make-and-take project.  This is a super quick card that looks very festive and elegant.  I can knock these out in an evening.  This card features a versatile poinsettia stamp from Great Impressions.  You could spend some time coloring it beautifully, or you could make this simplified version - watercolored with a Dove Blender Pen.  Join us Thursday any time between 10 & 8 and make one for yourself.  And, wish me luck getting my done and sent.  Sigh :-)

Surprise Weekend Sale!

It's the most wonderful time of the year - Inventory Reduction Time :-)  Stop in this Saturday and Sunday, December 7 & 8 and take 20% off all regularly-priced wood-mounted stamps in the store!  Exclusions include special orders and items already on hold.  Discounts cannot be combined.  Everything else is fair game!  See you soon!

Changing it up!

Have you ever had a stamp that was just almost perfect?  This adorable stamp by Pink Ink can be one of them :-)  We LOVE the contented face on the snowman and the birds and the sentiment!  What we didn't love was the cowboy boots the snowman was sporting.  So, Marilynn simply masked them and stamped without!  The bottom of the snowman was "missing" once we removed the boots.  Marilynn chose to "fill in the blanks" by creating a soft snow effect with glitter glue.  But you could also go in an complete the circle with a fine tipped black pen.  Start looking at your stamps in a new way - you'd be amazed what you can do with a little masking!  Stop in this Thursday between 10 & 8 to make this card for yourself - FREE!  And see how easy it is to "change it up". 

How About a Class?

The busy season is upon us, but how about taking a break from the craziness and taking a class?  There are a lot of options at the store this week:

Wednesday, Dec 4

Rosie's Roadshow Wee 2014 Calendar
Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM   OR 5:00 - 9:00 PM
Fee: $38.00

Make a cute calendar for yourself, or save to give as a gift!

Thursday, Dec 5 

Marilynn's Mini Lessons - Molded Bracelet
Time: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM or 6:30 - 8:00 PM
Fee: $22.00
Marilynn's mini lessons don't take a long time commitment, but you get to make some amazing projects

Saturday, Dec 7th: 

Three for Three (Three 3D projects in 3 hours)
Time: 1:00 - 4:00 PM
Fee: $48.00

Fun variety of projects that are great to give as gifts!  Plus, you have the chance to take a class from one of the Sizzix designers.




Sunday, Dec 8th
A Second Helping of Winter Tin Pins
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Fee: $27.00

If you have been wondering about using Inky Antics stamps and Tin Pin embellishments, this is the class for you.


 

10 in 10 Thank You
Date: Sunday, December 8
Time: 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Fee: $34.00

Thank you cards are a must-have this time of year, and you will get to make ten quick and easy cards in this fast-paced class.

Don't forget that you can also give classes as a gift.  Gift cards can be used for classes as well as products.  Happy Holidays!

Paper Soft!

 Tuesday's Learn at Lunch free demo features the fabulous Paper Soft paint by Viva Decor.  This is absolutely my favorite method for creating lovely background washes.  You can use them with stencils, to create resists - you can even stamp with them!  You will be delighted by how easy these are to blend - no time and no effort at all!  My kind of product! 

Stop in Tuesday anytime between 12 & 2 and give it a try.  Then put all the colors on your Christmas wish list - because I really think you're gonna luv 'em!!!!

Art Journal for January 9th

Hi folks.  I promised my class that I would post my next entry for Art Journaling today.  I posted it on my blog, but thought I'd just go a head and post it here as well.  We've been having a grand time exploring ways to mix media together in our journals.  Each entry stands a lone, so you can come any time to do any of the pages that interest you.  However, we have been having so much fun, lots of folks have been coming every time!  All you need is a journal that can take mix media elements and a willingness to get a little messy! We will be using water color crayons, washi tape, gesso, acrylic paints, dies, stamps, and matte medium.  All supplies are provided for you other than your journal.  Space is limited, so be sure to sign up soon.

Happy Thanksgiving, and Saturday Demo!

 

Happy Thanksgiving, friends!  We will be CLOSED Thursday and Friday, November 28 and 29th as we celebrate Thanksgiving.  We hope that you have a happy and healthy holiday, filled with good friends and good food!!!  Since we will be closed, we will not have our regular Thursday FREE Make-and-Take, but we wanted to leave you with this little bit of inspiration.  The card was made for our Wall of Fame by Sherry Hickey.  I love her paper piecing work on this image - super, super cute!  

 

 Will will reopen at 10 AM on Saturday, November 30.  We are participating in Small Business Saturday, so if you have registered your American Express Card, and you use it to purchase more than $10 in stamping supplies on Nov. 30, you will receive a $10 credit on your next AmEx statement.  Yay!  If you don't have an American Express, please stop by anyway.  I will be leading an encore demo with 2 of my favorite products - the Faber Castell Paper Crafter Crayons and the Envelope Punch Board.  The demo will take place between 11 - 1.  Hope to see you then - and a very happy Thanksgiving to you all!

Ranger Distress Glitters!

Two weeks ago, during the Learn at Lunch extravaganza, we played with the Elizabeth Crafts Ultra Fine Glitter.  Some folks asked if there was a way to "grunge it up" a little.  The answer is "not really", but the good news is, there is a glitter that looks more like vintage mica flakes - and that is the Distress Glitter by Ranger.  This glitter is entirely different from the ultra fine - its appearance is different, its application is different....it's really different!  Stop in tomorrow (Tuesday) between 12-2 and find out more.  The Learn at Lunch demo is free, and you don't need to make a reservation!

New to the Store

Hi everyone. Still need a little holiday inspiration? How about the new sample board from Sweet N'Sassy? We have all the stamps and dies to recreate their holiday/winter cards.

Are you a fan of Penny Black? We just restocked, so there is a lot to see:

 

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Stunning Step Card

One of my favorite things about Step cards is how nicely they display.  If you want to send a card that will sit easily on a mantle, step cards are the way to go!  This Thursday's FREE make-and-take project features stamps from Impression Obsession.  I love the detail of this stamp - and how easy it is to color by simply spotlighting the cardinals with color and leaving the rest grayscale! 

The appreciate the sentiment, but it could easily be replaced with something different as the occasion dictates.  Join us Thursday between 10 & 8 to make one for yourself.

Giddy for Gelli Plates

Tuesday's next Learn at Lunch demo features Gelli Plates.  Take your art projects to an all new level with this totally fun mono-printing tool.  You won't believe the amazing papers you can create!  Join Marilynn between 12-2, and she'll wow you with tons of ideas, suggestions, tips and samples!  You don't have to reserve your space, and the demo is absolutely FREE!  See you there!

3 for 3 Workshop

 We are so fortunate to have amazing local teachers here at the Happy Stamper - many of whom are invited to teach all over the United States.  Two ladies we enjoy hosting when their schedules allow are Eileen Hull and Pam Keravuori.  Eileen is a designer for Sizzix and has created some of the most amazing and versatile dies that Sizzix offers. 

 Their next workshop here at the shop is Saturday, December 7 and features 3 different projects with Eileen's Square Box Die.  In this workshop, you'll create the box, but then learn 2 other ways to use the die (to create a book and a shaker ornament).  Check out our web site to find out more and to reserve your spot today!

Preparing for the Holidays

Ready or not, the holidays are fast approaching. We thought now would be a good time to share some ideas that will hopefully make your shopping a little easier.

First, if you are buying something as a gift, we would be happy to wrap it with some tissue paper, a cute holiday tag, and some bakers twine.

Not sure what to get someone? We offer gift cards in any denomination. We can even email giftcards to recipients if you choose.

How about a removable drink cup holder to use while crafting? It holds a 32oz cup and has a convenient trash bag to keep your space clean. Use it in your craft room or take it with you to classes or crops so that you don't spill on your projects!

Finally, how about something brand new? PanPastels just came out with METALLIC artist-quality chalks. If you have a crafty friend who has everything, they don't have these!

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Let your Light Shine!

Each month, we receive a fabulous idea board from Inky Antics.  This month's cards offer great inspiration for your holiday cards.  It was hard for Marilynn to choose, but she selected the street lamp - which on the board is a stunning shaker card.  She wanted to show a simpler way to use these stamps (in case you need to make A LOT of cards).  Stop in Thursday and make this lovely Christmas card - using Copic markers and layered papers that mimic the Street Lamp motif (Marilynn is a very clever girl!).  Be sure to check out the Shaker card sample using the same stamps - very, very cool!  Our Thursday make-and-takes are always free and are available any time between 10 - 8.

WPlus9

We have been anxiously awaiting the new wreath and coordinating die set from WPlus9.  It has been on backorder, but we were finally able to place the order today  Woohoo!  It is fabulous, and the awesome thing about WPlus9 is that when we order from them and an item is in stock, we get it within a couple of days.  Here is a video by Kristina Werner to show you this wonderful stamp set:




If you want to view the video directly on YouTube, you can see it here.

Need more inspiration?  Check out all the samples on this WPlus9 blog post.  I guarantee you are going to want the stamps and dies!  Let us know if we need to hold them aside for you.......

Have it your way!

 From the land of "you can never have enough"....

I love the stunning glitters by Elizabeth Crafts.  The colors are so yummy - I just want more!  So, Els has created this fabulous recipe sheet to mix your own custom colors (and she even has the handy measuring spoon, so your colors will come out exact!).  I love how, by mixing, you get a new shade that blends beautifully with the colors you are already using - to make shading and coordinating a breeze!  And, don't be shy - you can come up with your own stunning color combinations, too!

Join me this Tuesday between 12-2 and create this coffee-themed glitter card.  We'll be talking about blending, coloring with Copics and all kinds of other ways to use the glitter.  Bring a notepad if you like.  As always, this event is free and you don't need to pre-register!  See you then!

The colors of Fall!

 This Thursday's FREE make-and-take card features a fabulous fall scarecrow by Great Impressions and a fun fall border by Memory Box.  We created a faux ribbon out of decorative paper scraps (come on, we know you save them just like we do!).  We stamped the scarecrow on a fairly dark yellow card stock, so we wanted to color it with something quick and yet opaque enough to be seen on the card stock.  We chose Pan Pastels!  If you've never played with these before, don't miss this opportunity.  They have a wonderful chalky appearance and yet are opaque!  This card can be used for any occasion - love that!  See you Thursday between 10 & 8.

Variations on Vellum

Last week, I colored some vellum with a Wink of Stella glitter pen because I heard it didn't warp the paper.  That turned out to be totally true, and it also got me motivated to pull out my vellum and start playing again.  I hear lots of questions regarding vellum...1) What ink should I use?  2)  How do I color it?  3) How should I adhere it to my card?  I will answer all of these questions (because there is more than one answer for each one, of course) and we'll also look at how to dry emboss to create white, dimensional snowmen - wow!  Join me between 12 & 2 tomorrow (Tuesday) where we will explore the wonders of vellum. 

New Stamps/Samples

Pink Ink (Formerly Lockhart) sent us new stamps and samples. Here are some of their cards:

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Demo Tomorrow!

The classroom is set up and ready for the Memento Luxe ink pad demo tomorrow (Saturday, Nov 2 10am- 12pm). Angela will tell you all about these amazing inkpads, and she has tons of samples to show you. In fact, she has new samples and techniques since she first held this demo, so if you saw it before, you might want to see it again!

 

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No tricks! Only this treat!!!

Join us this Thursday, Halloween, for some candy (of course) and a FREE make-and-take project featuring new images from Impression Obsession.  I love the elegant, monochromatic look of this card!  If you haven't started thinking about your Christmas cards yet, let me offer two thoughts:  1) if you stop by and do the make-and-take, you'll have ONE done and 2) if you need to make a bunch of them, this is a good one - it's beautiful without a lot of layers or steps.  Something to keep in mind as you're planning your card design.  Also, the snowflakes can be used at more than just the holidays.  Wahoo!

Super-sized Demo week!

 If you've spent any time around me at all, you know I can get distracted by shiny things!  So, this Tuesday's FREE Learn at Lunch demo is T-R-O-U-B-L-E, because it's nothing but shimmer and shine :-)  Join me tomorrow between 12 & 2 for a look at the Snow Writer and Glistening Snow Writer and the fabulous Wink of Stella Glitter Pens.  We'll make a tag that looks virtually enameled, and super shiny at the same time.  Sooo much fun!

 If you aren't able to join me for my weekly Learn at Lunch demos, you can still keep up with what we're doing.  There is a demo binder behind the register with instructions and samples so that you can share the knowledge.  Simply ask to take a look next time you're in! 

Also, I will occasionally hold ENCORE Saturday demos (when the classroom is free and I'm in town).  This Saturday, November 2 is the first one!  Stop in between 10 - 12 and learn about the Memento Luxe inkpads.  You will be amazed at what you can do with these inkpads!  Like all of our demos, no registration is required.  Hope to see you there!

New Magazine

Paper Crafts magazine occasionally comes out with special editions that are loaded with ideas on a particular topic. The "Stamp It" issue just arrived, and it has tons of samples with stampers in mind. There are 66 stamping challenges in the publication such as "stamp on glitter" or "make a one layer card" followed by multiple samples of each technique. You are guaranteed to be inspired! Also, for those of you who have enjoyed our shipments of WPlus9 stamps, there are many card samples in the magazine highlighting that company in particular.

 

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How Sweet!

Sometimes folks are intimidated by the detail in these stamps and wonder how to color them.  While colored pencils are the illustrator's favorite method, there are other (faster) methods that are equally effective.  This Thursday's make-and-take features a watercolor technique that makes use of dye reinkers.  Fun - and practical - to use something you already have.  One of the things I love about this technique is the amount of control you have.  By using lots of water, you can create a very subtle wash.  But you can also create a very vibrant visual, just by reducing the amount of water you use!  Stop in Thursday between 10 - 8 and make this sweet little card for yourself!