Pretty Paper Piecing

Are you a person who saves every little scrap of paper in hopes that it might be useful someday? If so, then you will love Paper Piecing! To achieve this adorable look, simply stamp your "open" image (one that would be good for coloring) on several different pieces of coordinating decorative paper, cut them out and layer. This is an especially effective way to achieve a fabric look on furniture or clothing. Stop in Tuesday between 12 & 2 and let Jenn show you some fun tips & tricks. You'll never look at your scraps in the same way again!

Versatile Valentine!

This elegant collage card features a stamp set from American Crafts. I love how Marilynn incorporated all of the elements, but I think it would be fun to use them individually as well. Use the key for "key to my heart", and the bee for "bee mine" and the rose for "roses are red". A pretty card, a versatile set - what could be better - peanut butter and chocolate, perhaps??? Join us Thursday, and make this card for someone special!

Coloring Techniques you didn't learn in Kindergarten

While I'm a big fan of the saying, "Everything I needed to know, I learned in kindergarten", there are a few things I've learned since then. One of the things I've learned is how to use a computer so that I can post these photos and fabulous musings for you all :-) But I've also greatly improved in my coloring techniques! Colored pencils are one of the most versatile coloring tools around. You can greatly change their appearance depending on how much pressure you apply and how you blend them. Join Jenn this Tuesday between 12 - 2 for a tutorial on blending with Gamsol. You can achieve such a soft, almost watercolor, effect with just a little bit of effort. Come find out how!

New Video

Hi everyone. Laura here. I wanted to share my latest video with you. It features the Mega Mount and Cover a Card backgrounds by Impression Obsession. If you have ever seen these products at Angela's and wondered about them, now is the chance to have a look! If you would like to have a larger view of the video, you can view it directly on YouTube here.

Clever Cover-a-Card Stamps

Impression Obsession has been tempting us with their Cover-a-Card background stamps for about a year now. Laura, who is on their design team, tells us she very rarely uses patterned paper anymore now that she has some of the fabulous stamps. (I noticed she didn't say she didn't BUY patterned paper, just that she didn't USE it. But maybe I'm projecting here.....)

I.O. introduced some brand new fabulous designs for CHA (the largest Craft and Hobby show in the world which ended yesterday in California), however we received this stamp release BEFORE the show even started. (It pays to know Laura, I think). Stop in the shop tomorrow between 12-2 and play with these stamps. If you've been intimidated by them because they are so large, you owe it to yourself to find out how very easy they are to use. Jenn was particularly impressed with how realistic the burlap turned out. She wants to share her tricks and tips with you! No need to register, just stop on by!

Welcome Back, Jenn!

Jenn is back after a two week absence with a fabulous demo on using the new Mask It film from Copic. We were all sad when Judi Kins stopped producing Eclipse tape and have been hoping for someone to fill the void. While Mask It is a slightly different product, you can achieve similar results. Not sure what masking even is? It's a great way to achieve depth in your projects by making one item appear to be on top (or behind) another. I may not be able to explain it with words, so if you're in the area on Tuesday between 12 - 2, stop in and let Jenn SHOW you! Our Technique Tag Tuesdays are FREE, and you don't need to pre-register!

Hope for Spring!

Sadly, once Christmas is over, I'm pretty well done with the whole winter experience. Unfortunately, the weather folks don't subscribe to this theory. But there is always hope for spring, and that is what this card, featuring stamps and paper from the new Memory Box What's in the Box collection reminds me. Stop in Thursday between 10 - 8 and renew your hope! But if the weather is nasty, call first to be sure we're open :-)

Accu-Cut Magic!

This demo is truly a command performance! Last week, Dee showed us different ways to use the Clip Punches. This was one of the samples she created that had us all "a-twitter"! Join Dee this Tuesday between 12 - 2 as she shows you how to create fun sized and shaped notecards using the Accu-Cut. Just one little trick will have you looking at our wide selection of dies in a whole new way!

A Heart to Heart

While some may view Valentine's Day as a "manufactured holiday", I think that any opportunity to remind the people in your life how much they mean to you is a good thing! This stamp from Hero Arts makes that easy! It's a blank heart frame, so you can put any message inside to really personalize your greeting. You can also use it dozens of ways! Emboss in gold on a dark card stock for a really elegant look, take the time to color in every detail of the design with glitter pens, or go for a simplified "spotlighted" look for a quick card. Use it for weddings, anniversaries - the possibilities are truly endless! Come make this card at our FREE Thursday make-and-take and know how much we appreciate you!

Add a little PUNCH to your cards

One of the things I consider before buying a new tool or stamp is "how versatile is it?" Will I be able to use it in more than one way? That's why I love these Clip Punches! You can use them as a traditional punch, you can make buttons or ribbon slides out of them, or you can make paper clips out of them (which is where they get their name "Clip Punch"). I love using them as clips to decorate the tops of pockets. Then slide a tag, photo or gift card into the pocket and you have a fabulous presentation! Join us Tuesday between 12 & 2 to see how easy these punches are to use. You'll probably think of even more ways to use them!