Demo Today!

We have been talking about the free Gelli Plate demo for a while, but the day is finally here! Stop in today between 10:30am-12:30pm (Sat, June 29), and Marilynn will walk you through using this amazing tool.

Of course, she brought tons of samples (this is why her demos are so great)

 

 

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Christmas in June!

Since we haven't had nearly as many days of unbearable heat so far this summer, maybe it won't be as hard to start thinking about Christmas cards and projects! We've got a bit of a head start! We just received this adorable sample board (all the cards are interactive - so so cute) and all the stamps needed to recreate them. We also received the new collection of Christmas themed paper from Kaiser Craft called Holly Bright. It features traditional colors and images with some foil accents in the handy 6x6 collection packs as well as 12x12 sheets.

To keep you motivated, check back at the shop often for more Christmas goodies. We know that Memory Box is planning to ship their HUGE Christmas and Halloween release on July 1, so it will be arriving soon as well.

Need a little early Christmas present for yourself? How about the brand new Level 4 Copic book?

Topics covered in the book include contrast, light sources, shadows, highlights, textures, mixing custom colors, using multiliners, creating backgrounds, and watercoloring with Copics. There are tons of samples and the book even includes a free cd so that you can have extra images to practice all of the techniques!

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Ahhhh, Summertime!

This card features new stamps from Inky Antics (see more card ideas using these images on their June board - available in the shop).  We dyed vellum to create the water (and adhered it with the Tombo glue stick, which works surprising well with vellum).  The "peek-a-boo" circle and frame were created using our Accu-cut, which you can come in and use any time a class is not in session!  Stop in Thursday anytime between 10 & 8 and make one of these cuties for yourself! 

Rubbermoon!

Rubbermoon images arrived and their flair for quirky and whimsical designs makes such fun cards. I am posting part of the shipment so that you can get a feel for their style.

Stop by and give them a look!

 

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What is Happening This Week

Hi everyone!  Here is what is happening at the store this week:

Tuesday, June 25
Cutting Flower Garden - 3D Flower Class
Time: 6:00 - 9:00 PM
Fee: $48.00

Wednesday, June 26

Class- Copics II
Time: 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Fee: $24.00

Thursday, June 27

Masterboard and Cards
Time: 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM or 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Fee: $24.00

Free Make and Take card

All-day from 10:00am- 8:30pm  Stop in and make a free card!

Saturday, June 29

FREE demo!

10:30am-12:30pm

Marilynn is back with another incredible Saturday Demo - and best of all, it's absolutely FREE! Join Marilynn anytime between 10:30 and 12:30 on Saturday, June 29, and learn the ins-and-outs of working with the hottest mixed media tool on the market - Gelli Plates! Use these with your plastic stencils to create interesting textural backgrounds and so much more! If you have ever attended one of Marilynn's demos before, you know that they are not to be missed. So mark your calendars now - and we'll see you there!

Unconventional Convention!

 We hope you are planning to join us Friday and Saturday for our First ever Unconventional Convention!  We have so many fun things planned to give you your "convention experience" without lines or admission fees!!!  Friday, June 21 we are open extended hours:  10 - 8!  And we'll have the owner and two designers from Sweet N Sassy stamps joining us all day with demos, make-and-takes and their incredible trade show booth!  They are bringing 24 boards, each containing 20 card samples.  I can't even DO that math!  Bring your camera so you don't forget any of this eye candy!  And, they also have some 3-D project ideas that don't fit on boards.  Wow!  Of course, beginning Friday and on into Saturday, we have our fabulous popcorn machine, grab bags for purchase (spend $20 and get between $75-$80 of stamping supplies) and the ever popular Bargain Bags - these bags are $3 each and contain approximately 15 sheets of paper and 2 yards of ribbon!!! 

On Saturday, Darsie Bruno of Just Rite stamps will be here with a series of make-and-takes and demos.  We have a huge selection of their stamps and coordinating dies to entice you as well.  Plus, a fun show special!  Purchase 3 Just Rite items on Saturday, and take home their 2013 catalog.  It is full of over 100 project ideas and Darsie Bruno is featured on the cover of the add-on catalog and several other instances throughout.  This may call for a "catalog signing"!  :-)

And speaking of "book signings", author Mollie Cox Bryan will also be here on Saturday from 1-5 for a book signing! Mollie is the author of Scrapbook of Secrets (which was nominated for an Agatha Award for the Best First Novel of 2012) and Scrapped (which has been nominated for a People's Choice Award from the Library of Virginia). The weekend promises to be a total blast, so plan to join us both days. See you there!!!!

Oh My Goodness!

Sweet and Sassy just set up their booth in our store, and it is amazing! We will be highlighting them tomorrow (Fri, June 21) for our "Unconventional Convention." Their owner will be here along with some of her designers and will be demoing their products. Be sure to stop by and bring a camera. There are hundreds of samples to inspire you! Can't wait? Stop by Thursday night for a sneak peek and early shopping.

 

 

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So Sweet!

 This Thursday's FREE make-and-take card is so life-like, you can almost taste it!  But don't!!!  This card features fabulous summertime images from Impression Obsession and extra chunky glitter from Art Institute Glitter.  You can make one for yourself Thursday between 10 - 8.  How sweet is that???

Happy Dance

Hi guys, Laura here. I titled the post the way I did because a lot of product just arrived at the store that I specifically wanted. I did a little happy dance, hugged my new "toys," then made sure it was all entered.

First, PanPastels. We have had them in the store before, but now we can get them as individual colors as well as sets. Aren't they beautiful?

What are PanPastels you ask? PanPastels are artist quality dry pastels that are ultra soft, super creamy, and are so easy to mix, blend, and layer as you would paints. They are highly pigmented, and can be ERASED completely if you make a mistake. Marilynn and I are both planning to use them in our classes.

Here are a couple of hints about PanPastels:

1. You need very little color on your sponge. If you are creating a lot of "dust," then you are rubbing too hard. Believe me, a little goes a long way.
2. Try them with those plastic stencils that a lot of companies are making right now. You will love the results!
3. You can tint or shade a color by adding a little white, black, or grey pastel.
4. Although you could use a cosmetic sponge with the pastels, it isn't the best tool. Cosmetic sponges suck up a lot of the pastels, so a lot is wasted. Have you ever washed a cosmetic sponge and were amazed by how much foundation came out of it? Same thing. It is better to use sponges that are meant to go with pastels:

The second product I am really excited about are Zig "Wink of Stella" brush markers. They are liquid glitter pens that allow you to add "controlled glitter" to your project. It dries really fast, and the glitter doesn't come off the paper. As you can see from the picture below, the pen looks and acts just like a waterbrush. The brush tip also allows you to make thin or thick lines.

Here are some pictures of the black and clear pens on paper:

And on colored paper:

Hope you are as excited about the new products as I am!

 

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The new Pink Ink Stamps (formally Lockhart stamps) is finally here.  Pink Ink Stamps opened their door on June 15 with 11 new images and they are fantastic.  She has sent amazing samples as well.  Be one of the first to own a Pink Ink Stamp.