Thursday, April 30, 2015

Weekend Guest Artist and Free Demo

Greeting friends.  There is a lot happening at the Happy Stamper this weekend, and we hope you can join us.

First, there is a bookbinding retreat with a guest artist.  We are so excited to welcome Jan Worms for the first time to the Happy Stamper.  Jan has been teaching bookbinding and Zentangle all over the United States.  She has taught at the huge Stampaway convention in Ohio last summer and she'll be teaching in April at Artiscape.

 Her first class is Friday evening

Gardner's Journal
Date: Friday, May 1
Time: 6:00 - 8:30 PM
Fee: $40.00
This sweet journal will delight your favorite gardener. Perhaps that favorite gardener is you! The cover paper is a delightful British paper and the book is bound with Italian book cloth. We used an interesting lattice stitch created by Keith Smith to sew the journal and accented it with charming antique gold colored beads. This lattice stitch might remind you of an old fashioned trellis with a butterfly perched between two flowers. This 4 1/4" x 5 3/4" journal has 48 pages divided into two sections.



On Saturday, Jan will be teaching two classes:

Stunning Starburst Journal
Date: Saturday, May 2
Time: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Fee: $40.00
This chunky little book is stunning! Choose one of several colors of handmade paper with a gorgeous mum pattern to create the cover. The open back features a striking "starburst" binding which coordinates perfectly with the cover paper. This journal is 4 3/4"x 5 3/4" and contains 84 heavy weight, unlined cream color pages bound with Irish wax linen



Woven Ribbon Spine Journal
Date: Saturday, May 2
Time: 2:00 - 5:00 PM
Fee: $40.00
Join Jan to create this elegant hardbound book! The woven ribbon accent in the spine also serves as a bookmark. This journal makes an excellent gift if you can bare to part with it




Free Demo:
Finally, I (Laura) will be hosting a free demo at the store on Saturday, May 2nd from 1:30-3:00pm.  I will be using some of the latest dies from Memory Box to show you how to do inlaid die cutting.  Here is a sample of what an inlaid diecut card looks like:


The trick is to learn the correct order of diecutting so that all your pieces nest together to create a flat card.  I hope you can stop by to let me show you how to do this great technique.

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Ahh the possibilities!

This Thursday's Free-For-All features one of the new background stamps from My Favorite Things.  We created the rainbow effect by using the small Distress Ink pads to cover the stamp and then spritzing with water to reactivate.  The colors are so wonderfully vibrant and encouraging!  The sentiment is from the new collection of phrases from Memory Box.  We love the fonts, and each wood-mounted stamp has a bonus image attached to the side - in this case, a cute flower!  Stop in between 10 & 8 to make one for yourself.  It's a great card for Graduations - or any other occasion!

Monday, April 27, 2015

Get OVER it!

Cleverly designed clear stamps make "over-stamping" a breeze!  This set, by Reverse Confetti, makes coloring and shading the flamingos super easy.  Join Angela between 12 & 2 on Tuesday and let her show you some tips and tricks for lining things up, and for the best inks to use.  Additionally, we'll be working with Distress Ink pads and reinkers to create the "grounding" for our scene!  Hope to see you there.  The demo is always FREE and no reservations are required!

Saturday, April 25, 2015

Stick It Adhesive

 
I wanted to show you a product we carry at the store that I am sure you are going to really like. It is called Sick It, and it is an ultra-thin adhesive that is designed to work with any die cuts or die-cutting machines. It is especially useful when trying to adhere detailed die-cuts to your cards. We know that a lot of our customers love the look of intricate dies but get frustrated with how to glue them down.  This product is going to make your life so much easier!
 
Here is a video to introduce you to the product:
 
 
 
You can also view the video directly on YouTube here:  https://youtu.be/1KjH4t-0JNg

Friday, April 24, 2015

New Distress Color is Here!



The April Distress color of the month arrived at the store!  Welcome Fossilized Amber!  As you know, the color of the month is announced at the beginning of each month, and we receive it towards the end of the month.  Harriett just called me to let me know that it arrived and is ready to purchase, so I thought I would pass along that information ASAP.  We upped our order numbers, so we have lots in stock.

Want an introduction to the color from the man himself?  Here is a video from Tim Holtz talking about Fossilized Amber:




You can also see the video directly on YouTube here- https://youtu.be/hy426IMrBcM

Also as a heads up, if you stop by the store this weekend to get it, you might want to pick up some Stick It adhesive sheets that work with adhering intricate dies.  I will be posting a video tomorrow about that product, and I am expecting it to be a popular item!

Thursday, April 23, 2015

My Favorite Things

Great items arrived from My Favorite Things.

We have their gnome stamps/dies:

The Go Overboard stamps/dies:

The Tweet on You stamps/dies:

Spring Garden dies:

The Spring Tulips stamps/dies are back:

And don't forget the Stitched Circle dies! They are perfect for shaker cards or as an accent piece on your cards:

 

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Free Make and Take Thursday

Have you ever wanted to try making a scenic card but were intimidated by the prospect of it? Now is your chance to make one for free! Marilynn, our Stampscapes guru, designed a gorgeous card that would be perfect for Fathers' Day. Stampscapes cards look hard, but are much easier to make than you think. Come in anytime on Thursday, April 23rd from 10 am- 8:30 pm to make your free card.

 

Quick Update

Just a quick note that our huge Memory Box shipment arrived. Lots of new dies, stencils and stamps!

 

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

New Company!

We absolutely love it when we can introduce new products and companies to the store. It is just so exciting! Our newest company is called Reverse Confetti, and you are going to love their stamps and coordinating dies. Here are some samples of what you can do with the products we received:

Love the pineapples. They make me think of the tropics and summer.


How about flamingos?

Puppy dogs!

Bees...

And lions...

Stop by the store and give them a look.

 

Monday, April 20, 2015

Tuesday Learn at Lunch

Memory Box has a new release of dies, stamps, and stencils. Join Happy Stamper Angela on Tuesday, April 21 from 12-2pm to learn all about their brand new postage dies and coordinating stencils. They are easy to use and add a fun and interesting design element to your cards. You will even have the chance to make the green card pictured above!

 

Sunday, April 19, 2015

The Week Ahead

Hasn't the weather been glorious? Welcome Spring! A friend of mine recently took this picture at Nat's Park. It makes me so happy.


If you are out and about enjoying the Spring weather, why not stop by the store this week to see what's new and to take part in some of the activities we have scheduled....

Today, Sunday April 18th:

Click for a full size view

Cheers Through the Year
Time: 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Fee: $27.00
Do you love to color and like to practice your coloring techniques? This class is for you! Join Laura in creating 5 fun martini-themed cards that you can send throughout the year. You will make a Valentine, St Patrick's Day, 4th of July, Halloween and Birthday card that you can use or give as a gift set. Each card uses a different coloring technique, and students will have the chance to practice with Copic markers, Distress Markers, Prismacolor Pencils, Watercolor Pencils, and Peerless Watercolor Paints. Each student will leave with 5 completed cards with envelopes. Students should bring: scissors, double-sided adhesive, gluestick. 


Click for a full size view

Cover-a-Card Club
Time: 4:00 - 5:30 PM
Fee: $12.00
Join Impression Obsession design team member Laura each month in exploring the endless possibilities of using your Cover a Card background stamps. Each month has a different theme, and each class can be taken individually of the others. In each session, students will have the chance to make one completed card as well as two backgrounds that incorporate the monthly theme. For the month of April, students will have the chance to practice layering backgrounds to create their own "patterned" papers. Students should bring: scissors, double-sided adhesive, gluestick.

 

Monday, April 20


Click for a full size view
Spiritual Art Journal
Date: Monday, April 6, 13, 20 and 27, May 4, 11 and 18
Time: 9:00 - 10:00 AM
Fee: FREE (but you need to have taken the Spiritual Art Journal prep class
What is a spiritual art journal? It's a way to visually record thoughts and images that reflect your interaction with life on a spiritual level. This has been a surprisingly wonderful discovery for me that I have found to be very meaningful.
I've so enjoyed this process that I wanted to open it up for others to try as well. Each Monday morning, we will meet from 9-10 AM to do an hour of journaling in a guided session. There is no fee for this time - come to as many or as few as you are able. But you need to have attended the "prep workshop" in order to have the pages on which to journal. Students should bring: their journal pages and a favorite writing pen.

 

Tuesday, April 21

Learn at Lunch Demo - FREE!!!
Tuesday is demo day at Happy Stamper! Each Tuesday, stop in an learn a new technique or refresh your memory! All demos run from 12:00 - 2:00 PM, and no reservations are required, so come for a few minutes or stay all afternoon! We call it a demo because Angela will show you all kinds of tips and techniques. But you'll leave with a project, too! This week's theme-Learn all about the new Memory Box postage dies and stencils.




Click for a full size view
Beaded Stair-Step Stitch Journal
Night Class
Time: 6:00 - 8:30 PM
Fee: $35.00
This hard-bound book is an adaptation of the Stair-Step Stitch which includes beading on the spine! Join Angela to create this asymmetrical binding. It makes a great journal (and lays quite flat, even with the beads)! Some previous bookbinding experience is helpful, but not required. Students should bring: bone folder, awl, scissors, ruler, pencil, cutting mat (or book cradle, if you have one), mouse pad, a glue stick and your favorite strong adhesive.

 

Wednesday, April 22

Click for a full size view

Beaded Stair-Step Stitch Journal
Day Class
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Fee: $35.00
This hard-bound book is an adaptation of the Stair-Step Stitch which includes beading on the spine! Join Angela to create this asymmetrical binding. It makes a great journal (and lays quite flat, even with the beads)! Some previous bookbinding experience is helpful, but not required. Students should bring: bone folder, awl, scissors, ruler, pencil, cutting mat (or book cradle, if you have one), mouse pad, a glue stick and your favorite strong adhesive.

 

Thursday, April 23

Free Make and Take Card
Join us at the store anytime between 10:00 am- 8:30 pm to make a free card. This week's card is a scenic design featuring Stampscapes images.

 

Saturday, April 25

Mega Mini Photo Folder #4: Farmer's Market
Date: Saturday, April 25
Time: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Fee: $75.00
Join Donna for the next project in her brand new, year long series of making Mega Mini Photo Folders! Each month, Donna teaches a brand new style of 7"x9" mega-mini folders that open up to a reveal a hidden world of flaps, pockets, tags, and more. Every folder is a brand new configuration! These little beauties are each designed to hold dozens of 4x6 photos, all while keeping a slim profile when folded closed. The folders are a soft spine, so easy to expand to fit as many goodies as you want to stash inside. Each month will also feature a new paper collection, some with a specific theme (like cooking, vacations, holidays) and some simply with the latest gorgeous paper collection. What's in store this month is We R Memory Keepers' delightfully fun Farmers Market collection, featuring bright and cheerfully colored patterns, filled with plaids, checks, polka dots, flowers and veggies, all in fun, farmers market style. Also included in this month’s Photo Folder are all the Farmer’s Market ephemera, including embossed tags and stickers, wood die cuts, cards, tags, and more! PLEASE NOTE: each class in this series is a stand-alone class, with separate registrations for each. Jump in at any time! Class size is limited and we expect slots to go quickly, so don’t miss out on your chance to dive in to this fun and fabulous way to scrapbook! ALSO NOTE: Please email Donna at dmkauffman1@gmail.com after registering to receive any supply list updates and the class photo/instruction file.

Saturday, April 18, 2015

Impression Obsession


Each month we receive new samples from Impression Obdession featuring their dies. It is a great way to get ideas on how to use the dies as well as how the dies will look when they are cut. Of course, we ordered heavily on all the dies so that you can recreate your favorites. The cards above are in the store as samples, but here are a few ideas for using those same dies in different ways:

How about paper-piecing your scraps with the flower?


You could use the same flower die as a backdrop for your floral embellishments:

 

 

The open scroll butterfly is so elegant:

 




I love that there is a Spring wreath die. I often just think about wreaths in the winter, but I have to say, I love the addition of flowers.


You can add several layers of dies to make a full wreath:

Or, you could do less layers:

Or, you could get rid of the wreath and just use the flowers as an embellishment:


The medium butterflies set cuts out nine butterflies at once, so you could use as many as you want on your cards:

Here are a couple of cards I have made with the butterflies: