Painting with Embossing Powder

This wreath image is the Stamp-of-the-Month from Great Impressions.  The card sample they created with it is for Christmas.  But when I looked at it, I saw fall.  Join me tomorrow between 12 & 2 to learn little tips and tricks for using multiple colors of embossing powders without tainting every color that you own!  See you there!

Feeling Fallish?

We have another sample using this stamp here in the shop.  It is done in spring colors and looks completely different.  Marilynn changed the color scheme to reflect the change in season (quite frankly, I prefer her take on it - it's a lot more subtle) and the stamp has a whole new life.  The tones are soothing - just want you'd want as you are recuperating!

Join us this Thursday between 10 & 8 to make this card.  You'll be shading with Copic markers to create depth to the water can.  Pretty!

Remember, the make-and-takes are FREE and you don't need to register.  Can't wait to see you!

Howling Good Time!

 The new inspiration board from Great Impressions has arrived, and it is a howling good time!  The adorable dog trio stamp in the lower left corner is the Stamp of the Month - which means it is 50% off the retail price all month long!  A couple of the stamps are Halloween specific, but others can be used for fall, Thanksgiving or really any time of year!  Come take a look at the board - bring your camera - and pick up the stamps to recreate these cute cards at home!

The Gold Standard

I'm always looking for Christmas card ideas that can be mass-produced.  This elegant design is exactly what I'm looking for!  I love the detail of the stamp, but to sit and color it - shading - wow!  Instead, we simply stamped it with the Delicata Gold Ink Pad.  This inkpad is unique, in that it is extremely lustrous, and dries with a raised finish - giving the appearance of an embossed image without adding that extra step!  Plus, we used a sponge and applied color from the inkpad to the center of the flower to spotlight a little color.  Super quick and easy, but very elegant.  Stop in Thursday anytime between 10 & 8 and make one for yourself.

Shades of Blue

"Ombre" is a fancy French word for color that is shaded or graduated in tone.  You see ombre in fashion, art and even hair color!  I love the look, and the Adirondack Inkpads make it easy to achieve!  These monochromatic dye inks shade beautifully, and the colors are meant to blend into one another.  Simply pick the family of color that you like, and then get the "Light", "Bright" and "Earthtone" in that family.  A little sponge action and you've achieved ombre :-)  I like the look "solid", and I also love using it with stencils.  Stop in Tuesday between 12 & 2 and give it a try for yourself! 

It's NOT taxing!

First of all, can I just tell you how much I love this stamp?  It's elegant, but quick to color - AND it's half-price this month because it's the Stamp of the Month from Great Impression.  You can't beat that!!!

I colored each of these cards with the Irojiten Pencils from Tombo.  Can you see that swatch of black card stock?  I colored it with the Neon pencils, and they showed up beautifully.  Plus, the Neon colors actually glow in the dark under a black light - Elvis anyone?!?!

I love these pencils because they are part-oil, part-wax, so they are firmer to work with and don't leave a waxy build-up.  And, you can blend them with a Dove blender.  Stop in Tuesday between 12 & 2 and try them for yourself.  I think you'll be very pleasantly surprised!

Delectible Daubers

Hero Arts daubers are such a fun way to add color to virtually any project.  They are a water-based paint in a very easy to use bottle.  You can use them on lots of surfaces, including glossy paper, and you can even stamp with them!  They come in colors to match the Hero Hues collection of ink pads, which is an added bonus, including the fun neon colors!  Recently, Hero Arts released a series of stamps to make use of the shape of the dauber - a very clever idea for quick and easy cards!  Stop in Tuesday between 12 & 2 and let Angela show you lots of ways to make use of this versatile paint.  Fun and FREE!

Last minute Christmas Cards

I have a confession to make. 

I haven't started my Christmas Cards yet. 

I'm not going to offer a bunch of excuses - I'm just putting it out there.  I haven't started.  So, I was THRILLED with Marilynn's latest make-and-take project.  This is a super quick card that looks very festive and elegant.  I can knock these out in an evening.  This card features a versatile poinsettia stamp from Great Impressions.  You could spend some time coloring it beautifully, or you could make this simplified version - watercolored with a Dove Blender Pen.  Join us Thursday any time between 10 & 8 and make one for yourself.  And, wish me luck getting my done and sent.  Sigh :-)

The colors of Fall!

 This Thursday's FREE make-and-take card features a fabulous fall scarecrow by Great Impressions and a fun fall border by Memory Box.  We created a faux ribbon out of decorative paper scraps (come on, we know you save them just like we do!).  We stamped the scarecrow on a fairly dark yellow card stock, so we wanted to color it with something quick and yet opaque enough to be seen on the card stock.  We chose Pan Pastels!  If you've never played with these before, don't miss this opportunity.  They have a wonderful chalky appearance and yet are opaque!  This card can be used for any occasion - love that!  See you Thursday between 10 & 8.

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! 

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day!  If you need a last minute card, let us help you out!  Stop by Thursday between 10 & 8 and make this card for FREE!  The card features the Great Impression Stamp of the Month (which means it's available for purchase at 50% off - WOW!  Did you know we do this every month????)  This stamp is wonderfully versatile.  Use it "as is" for a wonderful spring card - or punch out hearts (or other seasonal icons) and place them over the flowers.  Simple and cute!!!  And, if you don't need a Valentine's Card, use your own sentiment when you get home.  This card works well for birthdays, thank yous or any other occasion!

Also, don't forget that anything you purchase tomorrow (Thursday, February 14) that is RED is 25% off.  How SWEET is that?????  Stop in, make a FREE card and save a little bit of cash.  SWEET deal you are sure to LOVE! 

Dance of the Sugarplum Fairies

Tomorrow's make-and-take card features a Memory Box die and their new snowflake paper (which also comes in red - stunning)!  There is something magical about this very simple design.  A beautiful card that you could make tons of - even at this late date!  Plus, I was amazed at how perfectly the embossing powder from American Crafts matched the paper. 

Stop in this Thursday between 10 & 8 and make this beauty!  This is our next-to-last FREE card of the year - how is that possible????  We've enjoyed stamping with you each Thursday!

It's Fall, Ya'll!

The kiddos are back in school, and it's time to start thinking about your fall cards and projects!  To help inspire you, Great Impressions has a wonderful new board!  We have all the stamps needed to recreate these cards, and the stamp used in the card on the upper left is the Stamp of the Month - available at 50% off for this month only.  Yay!  Can fabulous fall foliage be far behind???

Toadily Awesome!

Want a card that "pops"? 

Jenn and I were talking about the process we used to go through (back in the day....) where we would wind 20 gauge thread around a pencil to create our own springs.  Thank goodness those days are OVER!  Action Wobbles are quick and easy to use (they're even self-adhesive), and they fold completely flat - perfect for the insides of cards, scrapbooks or envelopes.  Plus, they have a LOT of action.  They not only spring, they wobble...like a bobble head.  I warn you - you'll want to put them on everything once you see how easy and fun they are to use!

Join us this Tuesday from 12 - 2 to make this cute little tag for yourself.  While you're at it, wish our dear, sweet Jenn good luck as she tackles the "real world".  This Tuesday will be her last as our fearless Technique Tag Tuesday leader.  She has been a creative JOY to work with for the past 3 years!  Bon Voyage!

Great Impressions August Stamp of the Month

This month's board is whimsical, bright and fun!  And the sentiments are unusual, too!  We are so glad that Great Impressions decided to continue their Stamp of the Month program - even though they've made some changes.  The major change is that instead of using the Stamp of the Month on every single card sample, it's only used on 1.  But it's still available for the entire month at 50% off!  This month's featured stamp is the cute little Garden Bear in the lower center card.  Isn't he great?  Stop in and see these cards up close.  You'll love them!

Stamp of the Month!

Are you familiar with the Great Impressions Stamp of the Month program?

Each month, Great Impressions designates one of their stamps as the Stamp of the Month. They use this stamp on all 5 or 6 of the card samples on that month's board, so you can see how versatile the stamp is. And, better yet, the stamp is available for the entire month at 50% off!!! We keep the board right by the register to inspire you, and we usually have all of the other stamps used on the card projects so that you can recreate them at home (however, only the Stamp of the Month is 50% off).

This month, the SoM has 3 different frames on it - and one of them was used on this fun, all-occasion "girlfriend" card. I LOVE it!

It's an Egg Hunt!

But we're not making you hunt very hard. In fact, I guess you could say it's hidden in plain view. Stop in any time Thursday and make this adorable Easter card featuring stamps from the Great Impressions March Stamp of the Month board. And while you're here, check out their April Stamp of the Month board - it will have you thinking May Flowers!

Great Impressions Stamp of the Month

Laura posted a few days ago about our monthly Wall of Fame challenge, which is a lot of fun. Another thing we do on a monthly basis is offer the Great Impressions Stamp of the Month at 50% off. Each month, Great Impressions creates an amazing sample board that uses the Stamp of the Month in 6 different ways - so not only is it a great deal, it's also a very versatile stamp. This month's theme is "All Boy". We often complain that it's hard to make cards for men. Well, boys are just "mini men". :-) But these cards are sure to be a hit with the male in your life. The stamp of the month is the large "Words" background stamp. We also have the other stamps available too, if you want to recreate one of these cards at home!

I'm late, I'm late!

I've been so wrapped up in getting everything ready for Karen Lockhart's visit tomorrow and Saturday, that I completely lost track of time. This is TODAY'S make and take card - totally worth waiting for, which I can say since I didn't make it! The card features the stamp of the month from Great Impressions as well as the Limited Edition "tree" stamp by Hero Arts. This tree is only available through independent stamp shops - it's not available online or in the chain stores. So, come try it out and if you love it, grab one while supplies last!

A Real Pumpkin!

The FREE make-and-take card for Thursday features this floral background stamp by Great Impressions. Marilynn did a nice job creating a fall card by using warm colors. Just by changing the colors of ink you use, you can create a totally different effect. Come see the sample board with 6 other cards featuring this stamp to see how versatile it truly is!

We received the brand new Halloween stamps, paper and Card Samples from Memory Box today as well. Dave has done it again!