Here Comes the Shine!

There is nothing better, on the day after the sun goes dark, than a little SHINE!  It's hard to capture in a photo, but we will be working with the Pilot Metallic Pens (in both gold and silver) to add some texture to a Color Burst background.

One of the things I love about these pens is how quickly they dry.  Unlike Krylon Gold Leafing pens, these dry almost instantly. 

Join Angela between 12 & 2 on Tuesday for the chance to play, not only with these pens, but also with Color Bursts - like a "solar burst" only not hazardous to your eyes!!!  This event is FREE, so come on in!

Waste not, make art!

It is hard to see the intricate detail in this card, so why not stop in and take a look!

This is the next installment of our FREE Learn at Lunch demos - Tuesday, July 25 between 12 & 2 pm.  Let Angela show you how to make use of your layering rectangle dies to make frames that can be filled with a "modified iris folding" technique.  This is a great way to make use of all those scraps of paper you've been saving, and also use your layering dies in a new way!  Plus, it makes for a really interesting birthday or baby or shower or anytime card (simply change out the colors of paper).

See you there!

Subtle Collage

Join Angela this Tuesday between 12 & 2 for some fun with collage!  Angela has introduced you to Iridescent Creative Medium Gel in the past, and so she wanted to see what else it could do.  In this FREE Learn at Lunch demo, you'll get the opportunity to play with the gel on patterned paper, and we'll use the dried design as a resist for a Gelato and Distress Ink wash. 

Angela will also have other samples to share, including how vibrant the gels are on black cardstock, and examples of how fun they are to use on gelli plates!  Intrigued?  Stop by and nourish your brain with some learning at lunch!!!!

Memory Box Collage Dies

This card has so much depth, it looks like each layer has been popped up!  While you could pop the layers for even more dimension (it would be a challenge to mail), you don't have to with the ingenious way these new dies from Memory Box have been designed.

Stop in Tuesday, April 11 anytime between 12 & 2 and let Angela show you how easy it is to create your own.  You'll make "a scene" - and no one will call the cops!

Our Learn at Lunch demos are FREE and you don't need to register.  See you there!

Wrapped in a bow

 

These new closer dies from Memory Box make a fun, interactive card with virtually no fuss!  We will be playing with the Fancy Bow Closer, but you might also enjoy the same look with their Snowflake design.  And, if you prefer words to images, check out Concord & 9th's dies - they work in the same way. Join Angela on Tuesday between 12 & 2 to learn how easy this is.  She's done the math for you, so these cards are quite easy to replicate. Here is another example with the snowflake closer:

Winter Wonderland

Sometimes it's challenging to start thinking about the holidays when the weather is so unbelievably nice!  But good weather or not, the holidays are approaching!

Join Angela this Tuesday between 12 & 2 for a dose of winter magic!  You will be playing with several of the Memory Box Snow globe stamps to create a wintry scene - and you'll get tips for making the card as easy or ornate as you wish (depending on how many cards you ultimately need to make).  We love dies with flexibility!

The elegance of the Kaiser paper (with a golden snowflake sky) adds to the card - but you could easily replace the paper with blue for a "cooler" effect.

As always, the demos are FREE  and no reservation is required.  See you there!

Watercolor Lifting - so much more fun than weightlifting!

Last week, we created a background wash with ColorBursts.  This powdered pigment is quick and easy to work with, but can never take the place of water-based markers if what you want is control!

For Tuesday's Learn at Lunch demo, Angela will show you how to create a background wash with water-based markers, which we will use as a base color for our snowflake images.  We will then lift color to create a stunning contrast and pop!

Stop in any time between 12 & 2 on Tuesday, and learn a new technique for using products you may already have.  This card features the new Making Spirits Bright stamp set from Memory Box.  See you there!

Chalk it up

Can you believe both of these backgrounds were created with Chalk Board Paint by Faber Castell?  You know Angela loves it when a product is super versatile, so this is bound to be a new favorite!  We've used it before on canvas, but it also works beautifully on cardstock!  You can create an incredibly matte finish with the look and feel of a chalk board, or you can get a much less opaque look - so stop in Tuesday between 12 & 2 and let Angela show you how. 

In addition to experimenting with Chalk Board Paint, Angela will also show you a new technique with Gelatos.  Fun!

A little Christmas "Washi"

This brand new die from Memory Box is the perfect focal point for Queen & Company's washi tape collections.  What a fun, funky (and did I mention quick?) Christmas greeting to send to friends.  It's not too early to get a head start!

Stop in Tuesday between 12 & 2 and let Angela explain why Washi tape is the perfect decorative element (hint:  saves you time on gluing layers).  She'll also give you hints for lining everything up.

See you there!!!!  As always - the Learn at Lunch demo is completely free and no reservations are required.

Mini Background Mania

I love the Impression Obsession Cover-a-Card background stamps because you can create your own patterned paper in exactly the right color!  So much easier than figuring out where to store all that paper - and plus, what if you run out?!?!

I.O. recently released a series of mini backgrounds.  These are fantastic, because the designs are smaller - perfect for embellishing die cuts, for example.  But they are also a nice size for stamping and creating a "layered" look on a single-layer card.  What a time savings!!!

Stop in this Tuesday between 12 - 2 and let Angela show you how "necessary" these new sets are - and how economical, too!  Win-win!!!

A Shimmery Wash

It's a little hard to tell from this photo (shimmery stuff is soooo hard to capture "on film"), but these flowers are a yummy, shimmery wash.  Join Angela to learn a quick way to use Watercolor Pencils and Perfect Pearls to create beautiful background washes (with control).  The FREE Learn at Lunch demo is every Tuesday between 12 & 2, and features different techniques each week.  Be there or be square :-)

Watercolor on Glossy?

I have shown you different techniques to do with Gelatos several times - and here's yet another one!!!  (Isn't it great?  I LOVE versatility in my supplies!)

I never imagined you could use a water soluble coloring medium on Glossy cardstock, but the thing that's so cool about Gelatos is that once they dry, they are permanent!  

Stop in Tuesday between 12 & 2 and give it a try.  It's fun and creative (you don't really know how it will turn out .... other than it will be cool!)  You don't need a reservation, and it's free.  I can't wait to show you!  I'll bring other samples, too, of the dozens of other things I've done with Gelatos. 

Let's Get Sticky!

You really need to come in on Tuesday, April 5 between 12 & 2, because it's very hard to get a good picture of these fabulous products!  Both Stick It and Stick 'Ems allow you to create your own stickers.  Stick it is a very thin adhesive that makes adhering even the most detailed die cut a breeze, and the Stick 'Ems are clear, double-sided shapes that hold glitter (and I mean it - no glitter escapes!!!), foil, gold leaf, flocking and more!

You simply must stop in to get the full effect of how easy these are to use, and how lovely the end result is!

Our Learn at Lunch demos are always FREE and always fun.  Come on in!

Happy Easter!

Now that milder weather has arrived and Daylight Savings has "tortured us" with a difficult time change - Easter can't be far away!  And, it isn't!

Stop in Tuesday between 12 & 2 to create this adorable Easter card featuring 3 new dies from Memory Box. 

Our demos are always FREE and no registration is required!  See you there!

StazOn Studio Glaze Backgrounds

StazOn Studio Glaze creates a stain-glass effect on non-porous surfaces such as Vertigo, acetate, glass and more!  But, did you know you can also use it to create stunning backgrouds quickly?  You know how much I LOVE versatility in my products!

Join me (Angela) Tuesday between 12 & 2 to learn tips and techniques for many different ways you can work with Studio Glaze.  The Learn at Lunch demo is always free, and you don't need a "table reservation". 

The in's and the out's!

I love these new "Breeze" dies by Memory Box.  They are available in a variety of designs - stars, flowers, snowflakes and more!  They are intended to "leave behind" the "waft" of stars, but you can inlay color back in to the negative space! 

Hard to describe in words, but oh so easy to do.  Stop in Tuesday between 12 & 2 to find out how. 

All of our demos are free and do not require a registration.  Come on in!

It's the Nuances in life....

Ahhhh, impressionism - watercolor!  Both looks I never thought I had the patience or talent to achieve.  And now water soluble pigment powders like Color Burst and Nuance have made it so easy to unleash your creative genius.  In fact, it's almost more like being a magician!

Stop in this Tuesday between 12 & 2 and see what magic you can create.  We'll be using the Nuance to make a background wash and then we'll layer over the top using one of the brand new Memory Box cut & embossing dies to add the focal art over the top.

Fun and easy!  See you there!

Transparent 3D Stamping Paint

I "LOVE" the 3D stamping paint.  But I very rarely use the highly glittery colored paints for actual stamping.  I usually use it to cover chipboard pieces or spread it over stencils.  One of the things I love about it is how quickly it dries and yet remains dimensional.

When Jen Starr was here, she introduced us to the TRANSPARENT 3D Stamping Paint, which she LOVES to use for photo transfer.  But, it is also very, very easy to stamp with, and creates a wonderful raised, glossy resist!  No palette knife required.

Join Angela between 12-2 this Tuesday and give it a try!  We'll create a resist with the stamp paint, and then do a lovely Color Burst wash over the top of it.  Fun!

Masking with Molotow

Have you heard the buzz about the Molotow masking pen?  If you've never heard about it, allow us to introduce you!  If you've wondered about how challenging it is to work with - here's your chance to find out!

Join Angela Tuesday any time between 12 & 2 to play with this incredible masking fluid.  We'll use it to create the snowbank and also to highlight the snowflakes.  It's fairly quick drying and much easier to use than I originally thought. 

Plus, we'll play with new stamps and dies from Memory Box and Distress Stains to create our watercolor wash.  Come destress for a few minutes with us!

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Plush dies by Memory Box

Memory Box released a series of "plush" dies.  These dies are intended to be used with felt and embroidery floss to create dimensional projects.  I, however, am not much of a seamstress (and the packaging discouraged me a little - above my pay grade, so to speak).  So, I tried one of the dies on standard card stock, and I LOVE the delicate design that the holes make - who even needs to sew?!?!

Plus, we'll be working with the holographic paper and stickers and the Quick Stik (for easy sticker placement).  These stickers add lots of shimmer without any drying time!  And, they are flat and great for mailing.

Join Angela between 12-2 Tuesday and try one for yourself.  (And, there's zero chance of snow!)