Autumn Blessings

Fall is my favorite time of year!  I love the rich colors and the little bit of chill in the air at night!  Launch into fall with this Thursday's FREE make-and-take card.  We are using a stamp from the new Inky Antics board. We will be adding color by layering Prismacolor Pencils. We will also be using some gold Perfect Pearls to enhance the image. I love how it picks up the sheen of the metallic gold paper we will also be using on the card. We have an abundant supply of many wonderful colors of metallic papers so come see how easy it is to incorporate it into your projects.  The FREE make-and-take is available from 10-8, and you don't need to make a reservation!

 

Learn at Lunch returns!

We will be CLOSED on Monday, September 2 in observance of Labor Day! 

On Tuesday, September 3, Fairfax County kids go back to school, and so do we :-)  That Tuesday marks the return of our WEEKLY FREE Learn at Lunch series.  Join Angela every Tuesday any time between 12-2 and learn something new.  On September 3, Angela will be sharing tips and techniques for working with 3-D Stamping Paint from Viva Decor.  This highly metallic paint dries on virtually any surface and is very versatile.  Stop in and see all the different things you can do with it!  We hope you'll make this a weekly stop!

Add a dash of color!

Want an all-occasion card you can whip up in a hurry?  This week's FREE make-and-take card is simple but effective.  I love the "spotlighting" effect that the Washi tape brings to the elegant black and white card.  We'll have a selection of tapes, colors and patterns for you to choose from.  In fact, we love the Washi tape so much that we are also offering a FREE demo at this year's 10th Anniversary Open House.  You won't want to miss that either!  So, join us this Thursday, August 29 between 10 & 8 for this adorable FREE make-and-take card and then join us Saturday, September 28 between 10:30 - 12:30 for the FREE demo.  It's definitely not "tacky" to come to both (get it?  Tacky - as in tape???? - I crack myself up!!!!)

More with Memento Luxe

As you can see from Laura's post below, we are loving the new Memento Luxe inkpads.  Would you like to give them a try for yourself?  Then, join us Thursday, August 22, anytime between 10 - 8 for our FREE make-and-take card featuring the Luxe inks.  They are pigment, so they provide fantastic coverage on solid images.  Yet they dry to a matte, vibrant finish - quickly, too!  Yummy!

New!

Looking around the store today, I noticed there was a lot of new stuff to share.
First, we have the new Memento Luxe pads. People have been asking about them, and now they are here!

What makes the new Luxe pads so special?

• They are pigment ink, so you can emboss them.
• They match the Memento dye ink pads and the Fireworks sprays (we carry both at the store)
• They are permanent on fabric when heat set.
• They are a great ink for paper projects as well as mixed media art
• They are relatively fast drying for a pigment ink
• Highly fade resistant

Marilynn is especially excited about the inks and said she would start using them in her mixed media classes.
Next, we have new samples from Rosie's Roadshow:

Need a holiday gift idea? Check out Rosie's mini calendar case with 2014 stickers:

This year they made a cupcake themed calendar. We have the sample at the store as well as the stamps, mini cases, and sticker sheets:

Finally, the new Take Ten is here with holiday quick and easy card ideas:

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Head-start Holiday!

Impression Obsession had one of the busiest booths at the Summer CHA tradeshow in Las Vegas, and it's not hard to see why!  This card, featuring a new background stamp and die, is stunning and stunningly simple!  You could seriously make a hundred of these (but those people better appreciate you!!!!).  The gold embossing powder makes the stamped image pop, and the mirror card stock makes the ornament look real!  Stop in Thursday between 10 - 8 and make one for yourself!

A Look Inside

So many things have arrived at the store that we thought you would like to take a look.

First, we have the entire line of new Crafters' Workshop stencils....approx 60 designs. There is a little something for everyone.

Next, we have a huge shipment of new Impression Obsession. Can you see the new Cover a Card backgrounds?

Ranger has so many Distress products that we created a new Distress section in the store. Now you can find the Distress pads with coordinating stains, paints, markers and the brand new glitters in one area.

Another view of the the Distress section with the markers. We have all 12 of the new colors.

Here is a bit of information from Ranger about the new markers.

 

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Set Sail!

What a beautiful. sunset!  Usually, when I see silhouette stamps, my "go to" technique is to brayer a background with a multicolor ink pad onto glossy paper and then stamp over the top.  It's a great look, but it's not the only thing you can do!  Here, Marilynn created a stunning sunset using ink pads directly to matte card stock and then stamping over the top with VersaFine.  The VersaFine dries beautifully and maintains all the detail of the phrase and image (by Sweet 'n Sassy).  Quick, easy and beautiful!  Stop in Thursday between 10 - 8 and make one for yourself!

10th Anniversary Open House

We hope you are making plans to join us for our 10th Anniversary Open House - Saturday, September 28 from 10-5.  It's really hard to believe it's been 10 years already.  And even harder to believe - this is our 21st Open House!!!!  That equals nearly a hundred make-and-takes and demos, a couple thousand goodie bags, thousands of dollars of Community Outreach donations and your friendship - which is priceless!!!! 

You are welcome to stop by any time.  You'll receive our best goodie bag gift ever, just for stopping in (one per family, please).  However, if you want to join us for the make-and-take session (featuring the Halloween Hoop project pictures), you will need to make your reservations as soon as possible.  The Open House always fills up quickly, but given the "round number" of this year, we want to encourage you to register soon!

End of an Era - Demos with Dee

This Tuesday, August 6, from 12-2 is our last Demo with Dee.  And boy does she know how to make an exit!!!  She is basically revisiting an entire year's worth of demos in this two-hour span of time.  It's like the review before the final exam - minus the exam, of course!  Stop in to refresh yourself on the differences between pigment, dye, chalk and Distress inks.  Play with inchies and detailed stamps.  Add texture with Ultra Thick Embossing Powder.  You will walk away inspired and informed!  Then, join us every single Tuesday in the fall, beginning September 3, for the continuation of our Learn at Lunch demo series.  Angela (I) will be hosting the proceedings, and our first demo, Sept. 3 from 12-2 will feature Viva Decor products - specifically 3-D stamp paint.  No reservations are required - just bring yourself, a camera (if you want to capture some of the ideas) and a notebook for jotting down techniques.  And, as always, the demos are always FREE!