Through the Looking Glass

I'm always looking for ways to maximize my stamps.  So, I was thrilled to discover the DRS Stained Glass stamps.  These stamps turn any of the stamp you already have into Stained Glass images.  Awesome! 

Join Angela on Tuesday between 12 & 2 to find out different methods for coloring - and then learn how to get the "glass effect".  (It's hard to take a picture that doesn't glare out the shine).

Don't miss this - you will be amazed at how easy it is to color.  Not nearly as time consuming as those who will receive this lovely card might assume - and I won't tell!

Watercolor like a pro!

I love stamping because I can't draw - but I also know great "cheats" to make it look like I have watercolored "freehand" images - and just like Rice Crispy Treats, no one needs to know the secret :-)

Well - okay - you need to know the secret - so stop in this Tuesday between 12 & 2 and give it a try yourself.  You will be stunned by what you are able to produce.  We are watercoloring with Distress Ink Pads, so join us and find out more!

As always, demos are free and require no registration.

Silhouette Stamping

Once I got started, I simply couldn't stop!

Join Angela between 12 & 2 this Tuesday for a frenzy of ideas for different ways to use silhouette stamps.  She'll show you background washes with Paper Soft, flipping the images with Gelli Plates, stamping on black glossy, creating a masked area and so much more.  You'll never believe two stamps could be so versatile!!!

Incredible IZinc!!!

We always want to be the first place you look for the latest and greatest products.  So we were excited to get our hands on the IZinc paints from Clearsnap.  They are part pigment, part acrylic and are a blast to play with.  You can paint with them, create washes, make sprays - the possibilities are endless.  They are incredibly reactive with water, but one they dry, they're permanent!  And, the colors are OH SO VIBRANT!

Join Angela Tuesday between 12 & 2 to give them a try.  But I warn you - they are incredibly addictive :-)  The demos are always FREE, and no reservations are required!

These are a few of my favorite things!

For Tuesday's Learn at Lunch demo, we are playing with two of my favorite pens - the Signo White UniBall Gel pen and the Wink of LUNA.  We've used the Wink of Stella before, but the Wink of Luna is a bit different.  Instead of being a glitter pen, it's a metallic.  Wonderfully opaque and quick drying.  It will rapidly become one of your favorite things, too!

Stop in Tuesday between 12 & 2 and give them both a try.  And don't blame me if you leave singing :-)

Brilliance on Vellum - dare I say it's Brilliant???

 In my Beginning Stamping class, I talk about the difference between pigment inks and dye inks.  A "general statement" is that pigment inks won't dry on coated cardstock, like vellum.  But, of course, there are exceptions to every "rule", and Brilliance ink is one of this brilliant exceptions :-)  It is absolutely the perfect ink for stamping on that stunning translucent surface.  I also love to use it to create beautiful backgrounds. 

Join me Tuesday between 12 & 2 to find out more about this quick drying, metallic ink pad. 

Monochromatic brilliance!

Thursday's FREE make-and-take is a stunning monochromatic card featuring stamps from Stacy Stamps!  Stop in any time Thursday between 10 - 8 to make one for yourself.  We are excited that Stacy Rich, owner of Stacy Stamps, will be here on Friday with two fabulous workshops and a trunk show of her marvelous stamps!  There are still spaces available in her Lighthouse Minibook and her All Occasion Cards workshop, so make your reservations today!  Her stamps are beautiful and layer so easily!  Come find out more!

March Snow Brings April Showers?

 

I know, I know.  It's not as catchy as April Showers bring May Flowers - but I certainly hope it's true!  It's simply too late in the year to be putting up with any more snow!  For this Thursday's FREE make-and-take, we are using brass stencils to create this card, which can be used for virtually any occasion!  Instead of using a lightbox and dry embossing, we're actually using the stencil as a mask and sponging in color with Memento ink pads!  So easy and quick - love it!  Stop in between 10 - 8 and make one for yourself!

While you're in the shop, be sure to check out the class samples for Stacy's upcoming workshops!  Stacy Rich, owner of Stacy Stamps, is sort of sneaking into town on Friday, April 5, and we've begged her to do a couple of classes while she's here.  She has so many fun techniques - things that make you smack your head and wonder, "Why didn't I think of that?"  So, bring your basic kit and a notepad to take notes, and join us for either her Lighthouse Mini Book or her cards for All Occasions workshop (or both)!  Fun!!!

New Butterfly Set from Stacy Stamps

I have been in Indiana for the past two weeks at school, and my weekend in between coincided with the huge Stamp Away convention in Cincinnati.   It was fun to sneak away from the homework to visit with some friends and see some new product.  For this convention, I was actually able to toss my purchases in the car and bring them back!  I enjoyed visiting with Stacy Rich of Stacy Stamps, and I brought back her new Butterfly set.  I took these pictures of a couple of card samples she created with the set - so easy and yet so effective!

I also snagged the new StazOn Opaque pads in Black and Brown!  Jenn will be demoing these next Tuesday, so be sure to stop in and see!  We'll be unpacking everything else today and tomorrow, so hope to see you soon!

Zentangle Masterpiece!

Stacy Rich, owner of Stacy Stamps, was here last week with a couple of fabulous workshops.  One of the new products she showed us was her new Stained Glass stamps.  She suggested to the class that they try Zentangling the stamp (a fancy word for doodling - kind of).  Joanne H. took her homework assignment seriously and brought back this masterpiece for us to share with Stacy.  But I thought it was too awesome not to share with you all as well!  What a fun idea and a fabulous execution!  Well done, Joanne!

Stacy is here!

She pulled up outside just as I sat down to type this post!  I'm so excited!  And, wow - her car is a "low-rider"!  Completely full of stamps and other goodies for your shopping pleasure.  Begin the day of fun with our FREE demo Tuesday from 12-2.  Stacy will be demonstrating several techniques including coloring and black & white.  There will be TONS of card samples to inspire you, so bring your cameras!  And take advantage of the trunk show - all her fabulous stamps right at your fingertips!

Then, plan to spend the rest of the day.  We still have openings in the afternoon All-Occasion Cards class as well as the evening Stained Glass Cards class.  I can't think of a better way to spend the day!  Hope to see you there!

Bloomin' Great Day!

There is a lot going on in this FREE make-and-take card. Marilynn used the Stacy Stamps triangle background stamp on craft paper to create a lovely background. Sometimes when you see a background stamp with this much detail, it looks like "too much work". But this is super quick and easy and really highlights the zinnia stamp in the center. I love the extra touch of using Flower Soft in the center of the flower, and I love the highlights Marilynn created with a white colored pencil. We ignore our white pencils too often, I think. Finally, Marilynn used a piece of the new accent tape to adhere the greeting. These tapes come in several vintage colors and are a funky way to "grunge" up your projects. Stop in Thursday between 10 and 8 to make one for yourself!

Feels like spring!

Nothing says spring quite like the flower designs from Stacy Stamps! For this card, we used her lovely tulip stamp as the focal point and created a soft background with her flower words stamp - I love this stamp and use it a lot! This card also features some of the new paper we just received from Bo Bunny. It's double-sided, so Marilynn created a little accent strip with the "other" side of the paper. If you're like me, sometimes you can't decide which side of the paper to us - so I loved Marilynn's solution to use both! Stop in this Thursday and catch a little spring fever for yourself!

Happy New Year!

February 14 is not only Valentine's Day - it's also Chinese New Year! Come celebrate the Year of the Tiger on Thursday with our FREE card make-and-take. This card features the Chinese Thank You unmounted background stamp from Hero Arts. Even though this is a large stamp, it's quite easy to get an even impression with the Mega Mount from Impression Obsession - and you'll get a chance to try it for yourself. Stop in any time between 10 AM and 8 PM. If you've had trouble with large stamps before, you'll thank us....a bunch :-)

Ahhh, summer!

For our first FREE make-and-take of June, it seems fitting to visit the shore! These stamps come together in a set from Stacy Stamps, and they make fantastic cards for men - always a hard thing to do, in my opinion! I can almost feel the gentle breezes blowing from here. Let one blow you in here to make a card for yourself!

Pretty in Pink

For Thursday's Free make-and-take card, Marilynn used two stamps from Stacy Stamps. She stamped and embossed the flowers on vellum, then colored from the back with markers. This card is so vibrant and pretty you can almost smell the flowers! A perfect card for any occasion! Enjoy!