New Distress Spray Stains

We let you know that we have the new Tim Holtz Distress Spray Stains at the store, but do you know what they are and what to do with them?

Here is a video by Tim Holtz to introduce you to his latest product (hint...the instruction part doesn't start till 1:20)


If you want to view the video directly on YouTube, you can see it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fogOzsCfrcQ

Ombre Stamping with Solid Stamps

Don't you love the variegated ombre look?  I do, especially with fall colors!  Join me this Tuesday between 12 & 2 to find out how to easily achieve this look with just 2 inkpads and solid, clear stamps.  This look is easily mass-produced, which is one more bonus!  The demos are always free, and no reservation is required, so come on over!

Thank You!

We wanted to give a HUGE thank you to all of you who were able to attend our Open House yesterday. It was wonderful to see everyone, and we really appreciated your support and all your well wishes. Thank you also to everyone who brought donations for Cornerstones. We ended up with a car loaded with supplies to take to them.

For those of you who missed the Open House, here are some of the new things at the store:

First new company.... Taylored Expressions. They have tons of cling rubber stamps and coordinating dies.

Second new company to the store....Pink and Main. You will definitely want to check out their cute clear stamp sets.

The new Tim Holtz Distress Stain sprays are here:

How about some new Avery Elle? We have their new release of dies and stamps.

Avery Elle also has 6" x 6" paper packs

We restocked stamps and dies from Prickley Pear

Did you see the cute S'mores treat sample we posted the other day? Here is a card sample Deb made using the same stamp set from the new Lawn Fawn release:

If you missed the free demos yesterday, Donna left her samples from her Vertigo demo that show you how to combine these an intriguing stamping surface with alcohol inks. Here is one of her samples:

The picture didn't do the card justice. You really need to see it in person.

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Among the many things we are getting ready for Open House are some new card samples.  This one uses some of the new Doodle Bug Christmas paper.  Hope you all can stop by for some fun and celebrating. 

Open House Countdown!

Open House is this Saturday (Sept 27), and we are working really hard to get ready. If you are unfamiliar with our Open House parties, we have all kinds of events planned.

In the morning, we have FREE demos from 10:30 - 12:30. No reservation is required. Bring your notebook and a camera and spend the morning learning a bunch of new techniques!

Here is what we will be demoing:

1. Variations with Vertigo Film
2. Adding Dye to Embossing Paste
3. All About Embossing Folders
4. New Sizzix Triplets

In the afternoon, we have a paid make and take session from 2-4pm. The cost for the make and take session is $25. You will get to make four projects, but you must preregister if you want to participate. Here is a link if you want to sign up online- http://ahappystamper.com/news/open_house_2014.htm

This is what you will be making:

Art Impression Innie and Outie Card with Laura

Penny Black Stair Step Card with Donna

 

Lawn Fawn Mini S'Mores Kit with Deb

Elizabeth Crafts Flip-it Card with Paula

Want to play a fun stamp swap game? By popular demand, we will also be hosting two Stamp Swaps during the day - the first at 12:30 PM and the second at 4:00 PM. For each swap that you can attend, bring a new or gently used stamp that you won't be using any more. Please bring it wrapped so that it will be a surprise! We will then play a fun swapping game, and everyone will get a new stamp! Please see Angela if you have questions about this wacky, but fun, event. No need to sign up in advance.

Finally, one of the best things about being a small local business is that we have the chance to support our community. This year we are collecting donations for Cornerstones (previously Reston Interfaith). Your donations will stay right here in Reston to help families in crisis. We are collecting items for them, and as a bonus, you will receive bonus door prize tickets in exchange for donated items.

Here is what we are collecting:

Low sodium, low fat, fat free, sugar free, and organic items are always appreciated for our clients with dietary concerns.

Non-perishable Food:

Rice: Brown and Wild

Cereal, Oatmeal, breakfast items

Peanut Butter and Jelly

Quinoa

Chia Seeds

Lentils, Yellow Split Peas, Split Peas

Couscous

Beans: Pinto, Kidney, black beans (dry)

Canned fruit

Canned Tuna, Salmon, Chicken, Ham

Tea, Coffee (regular & decaf - instant)

Snacks (crackers, fruit & granola bars, etc.)

Sugar, honey, flour, salt, spices

Condiments (mayo, ketchup, mustard, etc)

Canola Oil & Olive Oil

Hygiene Items:

Toilet Paper

Soap

Deodorant

Shampoo

Toothpaste

Toothbrushes

Laundry Detergent

Feminine Pads

Baby Items:

Diapers (all sizes)

Baby Wipes

Formula (Similac)

Baby Food (all stages)

 

Angela's Happy Stamper 11411 Sunset Hills Rd A Reston, Virginia 20190

 

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Contained Glitter - uncontained joy!

This wonderfully upbeat card has fabulous shimmer without all the mess.  This is multicolored embossing powder from Wow!, and once it's heat-set, the glitter is contained.  Love it!  Additionally, we used a Memory Box frame stencil and Hero Arts daubers to create a soft, almost watercolored-looking, border.  The colors and sentiment of this card just make me smile.

Stop in Thursday between 10 & 8 to make one for yourself.  While you're here, check out the adorable projects and demos we have lined up for Saturday's 11th Anniversary Open House.  It's going to be epic!

Layers of Snow

I am having a ball with the new Layering Dies from Leane Creatief.  This is an incredible company located in the Netherlands.  This set contains 5 different layering snowflakes that both cut and emboss.  It makes lining them up a breeze!  And, the back of the packaging gives you hints for all the many ways they can be layered, so you can get wacky-creative, or you can "follow instructions".  :-)

This card has a lot going on - it looks very time consuming.  But it's super quick and will get you lots of compliments when you share with your friends!  Stop in Tuesday between 12 & 2 and find out just how easy these dies are to us. 

Preparing for the Open House

Next Saturday (September 27) is our big anniversary Open House. There will be giveaways, prizes, free demos, food, stamp swaps, and an amazing paid make and take session. It is always so much fun, and we hope you can join us!

You probably already know we always introduce new companies at the Open House, but did you notice we stock up on some of your other favorites in anticipation of the party? Boxes have been arriving, and there is so much to see!

There is a new release of Art Impression characters:

Halloween papers from Echo Park:

Bo Bunny Bling:

Lawn Fawn paper packs and new wood grain notecards:

 

Memory Box notecard restock:

New WPlus9 stamps and dies:

New Penny Black Christmas release. There are stamps:

Stencils:

...and dies

We also have boxes at the store we will be putting out this week from Avery Elle and Elizabeth Crafts. Feel free to stop this week to see all the goodies!

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So Happy

Our long anticipated restocking of Memory Box cards has finally arrived!  With them also came more dies and stamps!  Three boxes worth!  Yeah!

Open House Make It Take It

We hope you have blocked out the last Saturday of September so you can come to our Open House.  This is always a great time of fun and festivities.  We'll have some free demos in the morning, and in the afternoon there are four Make It Take It's done for one price.  Please don't wait until to the day of Open House to try to sign up.  There are only 24 spots, so call the store and reserve your spot.  This will be one of the projects you will be doing.  Fabulous!

Doodle Bug Fall Paper

The wait is over!  Our fall paper is here and killing my with how adorable it is.  Not only paper, but stickers and washi tape to boot!  You can tell I've been having fun with it already-there are more samples up.  Come soon, don't think this is going to stay around long. 

Getting Perky!

Continuing the Impression Obsession WooWoo into the work week.....because it seems like the right thing to do!

Join us this Thursday anytime between 10 & 8 and play with some of the coffee stamps from Impression Obsession.  We'll do a reduction technique with the swirl to create the impression of steamy goodness.

I love how the inks match the ribbon.  Try different color ribbons and inks to completely change the look or customize the card for the recipient.  Easy and awesome!  Bottoms up!

Cosmic Shimmer - Out of this World!

 I just got my hands on the new Cosmic Shimmer Texture Sparkle Paste from Ecstasy Crafts and WOW!  It dries to the consistency and shimmer of glitter glue, but it's thinner and super easy to spread over a metal or plastic stencil with a palette knife! 

It comes in a variety of luscious colors, and the Frosty Dawn takes on the color of whatever paper it's applied to.  That's right - I used the same color on the snowflake and the Christmas tree, but it looks quite different, especially in person. 

Join me this Tuesday between 12 & 2 and take a minute to give it a try.  I think you'll be as enamored as I am - so beware!

Getting ready for Saturday's Celebration

Here are some of the "stamping elves" who come out at night and make samples after the store is closed. It is so much fun to play with all the new Impression Obsession dies! We are working hard to make samples for the Impression Obsession release party tomorrow. Don't forget to stop by the store between 10am- 4:30pm to make two make and take projects using the latest dies. Laura will also be demoing the new cut-out dies between 12-2pm.

More samples of the new dies:

So much to see and so much fun you just gotta come!

 

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Feeling Fallish?

We have another sample using this stamp here in the shop.  It is done in spring colors and looks completely different.  Marilynn changed the color scheme to reflect the change in season (quite frankly, I prefer her take on it - it's a lot more subtle) and the stamp has a whole new life.  The tones are soothing - just want you'd want as you are recuperating!

Join us this Thursday between 10 & 8 to make this card.  You'll be shading with Copic markers to create depth to the water can.  Pretty!

Remember, the make-and-takes are FREE and you don't need to register.  Can't wait to see you!

Impression Obsession Party Saturday!

I really hope you are free this Saturday, September 13th, to join us in celebration of Impression Obsession's new release of fall and winter dies. There are apples, leaves, pumpkins, witches, sayings, snowflakes, trees, Christmas tags, reindeer, and so much more! We ordered lots of dies, so there will be a huge selection and a little something for everyone.

Join us anytime between 10 am and 4:30pm to make a FREE pumpkin truck card (pictured above) as well as a FREE mini Christmas tag.

Laura will also be hosting a free demo from 12pm-2pm to show you the new cut-out dies and they differ from traditional dies. Come join the party and be inspired for fall and winter cardmaking!

 

 

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IO in the house

While I was at the store today not one,not two, but three boxes of Impression Obsession showed up!  Whoo hoo!  We're getting ready for the IO frenzy on Saturday.  Lots of new dies, make it take it's, and demos to boot!  Here is a sample I made with one of the new dies and a stamp from one of IO's clear sets.  A fun and fast one.  Clear your schedule and come join the fun with us this Saturday.

Viva le Pen!

This Tuesday's Learn at Lunch demo features some of the crafting pens from Viva Décor.  These pens are fantastic, because they have a lower water content than other similar pens on the market, so they actually dry faster and stay more dimensional.  We love them!

Stop in between 12 & 2 tomorrow and give them a try.  Use the Pearl pen for a luscious iridescence or try the Glitter Liner for a more "sparkly" look.  Or, do what I did and combine them! 

Hero Arts

Hero Arts is in the house!  Just in time for making some fall and Christmas cards.  As you can see, there are both clear, cling, and wood block stamps to choose from, and some embellishments to boot!  It 's all in the new section right as you come in the door.

Simply Thankful

This card makes a great Thanksgiving card, or simply a thank you card.  The words are from Impression Obsession, and the background is actually a Stencil Girl Stencil.  Marilynn has determined yet one more way to use these versatile tools.  This time, she traced the leaves with the yummy Fude pen, then applied a little color and blended it with a Dove Blender.  I LOVE this card!

Stop in Thursday between 10 - 8 to make one for yourself.  You'll be thankful you did :-)

Howling Good Time!

 The new inspiration board from Great Impressions has arrived, and it is a howling good time!  The adorable dog trio stamp in the lower left corner is the Stamp of the Month - which means it is 50% off the retail price all month long!  A couple of the stamps are Halloween specific, but others can be used for fall, Thanksgiving or really any time of year!  Come take a look at the board - bring your camera - and pick up the stamps to recreate these cute cards at home!