Slider Savvy!

Two of Marilynn's favorite finds at the recent trade show were the Slider Cards (from Paper Cut) and the Fude Ball Pen.  She was basically bonkers over both - and she has combined them into one fabulous card.  Don't say we didn't warn you!  Stop in this Thursday between 10 & 8 to make this interactive card for yourself!  It features stunning Washi tape, stamps from Rosie's Roadshow, Impression Obsession and Printworks.  And, then (hidden behind the tree) you'll get a chance to create some clouds and the sun with "the most perfect pen ever created".  How can you resist?????

Faux Watercolor Flowers

Like the look of watercolor but are, perhaps, intimidated to try it?  This technique will give you a soft watercolor washed look, and it's wonderfully easy!  We'll apply a fine mist of water to watercolor paper, then create the washed background with a Memento Dye pad and a reservoir brush!  Ahhhhh, spring flowers!

Stop in any time between 10 & 8 on Thursday to create this lovely all-occasion card for yourself - FREE!

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!

Birthday Stylin' !!!

It seems like more and more companies are introducing dies, and I couldn't be happier!  You know you've been saving those scraps of decorative paper for years - and now you can make use of them beautifully!!!  Join us Thursday (anytime between 10 - 8) and make this card featuring 3 different dies and fabulous papers.  Add this perfect sentiment from Printworks and you have an adorable birthday card!  Quick, easy and fun! 

Penny Black Make-and-Take card

This Thursday's FREE make-and-take card features a stunning Penny Black flower that is perfect for coloring.  We're using water-soluable pencils and a Dove blender pen to achieve this soft, watercolor effect.  Try your hand at die-cutting with this Memory Box dragonfly.  You'll cut the body out of card-stock and the wings out of vellum - it really looks like wings!  Stop in, make a card, shop for Penny Black products at 10% off, get raffle entries for each $10 you spend on Penny Black items, place a catalog order with Penny Black and take 10% off that order as well.....  that's just FUN!!!!

Trick or Treat

Stop in the shop today (Wednesday) for all treats and no tricks!  We have a free Jack-o-lantern die cut (in a variety of decorative papers for you to choose from) just for you!

Tomorrow (Thursday) is our FREE card make-and-take from 10-8.  Stop in and make this adorable card featuring stamps by Printworks.  Best of all, the pumpkins are a separate stamp.  So you can use this truck all year around to haul flowers, presents, people, pets or whatever else you can come up with!  It's a great size to use lots of different stamps!

Card that POPs!

The card for this week's FREE make-and-take is practically a work of art!  Marilynn used a technique that was featured in the latest issue of Just Cards magazine (which we have at the shop - and this issue is particularly good).  The focal image is actually a new background stamp from Impression Obsession.  One of the things that scares people off from these large stamps is the idea of trying to get multiple colors onto it.  This technique easily solves that challenge.  Marilynn embossed the image on black card stock with white embossing powder.  She then added color to the bursts with Copic markers.  Join us Thursday between 10 & 8 and find out how easy this is.  Plus, you'll be feeling festive when you're done!

Masks are not just for Halloween!

This week's Technique Tag Tuesday features masking techniques using JudiKins Eclipse tape!  Masking is an easy way to use just a portion of a stamped image, and it's also a method for adding perspective (making objects appear to be in front or behind another object).  In fact, masking is easier to do that to describe :-)  Stop by the store between 12 & 2 on Tuesday and see what Jenn is up to this week!  No costumes required! 

I can almost taste it!

From a recent trade show, we received lots of new ribbon, including some wider designs.  To help inspire you on how great wider ribbon can be on cards, Marilynn featured one of the ribbons on this week's FREE make-and-take card!  Join us Thursday between 10 & 8 and make this wonderful birthday greeting.  You'll use 3 stamps by Printworks (including one on the back that identifies this card as a handmade work of art) and also play with the Viva Decor Paper Pen to create sprinkles that look good enough to eat!

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!

How does she do it?

Next time you see Marilynn in the shop, be sure to give her an "atta boy"! She has been creating our weekly make-and-take cards for almost 8 years now. Can you even imagine that? Sometimes, it's all I can do to create one card - especially when there's a deadline! Well done, Marilynn!!!!

I particularly love this week's card. Marilynn created the soft cloud background using the cloud template from Printworks. Simply sponge color around the template - it really is that easy! She used the Accu-cut to create the birdhouse (again using leftover scraps of paper - love it!) and created the branch with the Fiskars Limited Edition branch punch (which she punched twice to make the perfect length). Simple and a thing of beauty. Stop in Thursday to make one for yourself!

The Perfect Pair!

One of the huge delights of "buying" for the shop is when I find the perfect phrase to compliment an image. Especially when they come from two entirely different companies. It's like winning a scavenger hunt! The shoe images are from Hero Arts, and we just found the phrase while attending the trade show. It's from Printworks. See what I mean about the perfect "pair"? Marilynn used the same focal images (the shoes) to create a subtle background. Why don't I remember to do that? It's a great tip! She then stamped the images on decorative paper (a great way to use up scraps and add interest) and punched them out to create this bright and festive card! Stop in Thursday to make one for yourself. Perhaps you'll even have a toe-tapping good time - I hope so!

Friends in bloom!

There is something very pleasing about this week's FREE make-and-take. I don't know if it's the complementary color scheme or the fact that it's so bright and cheerful, but it's definitely something that would make me smile if I found it in an envelope addressed to me! (That wasn't a hint....but if you wanted to send me a card, I'd be OK with it). Come in any time Thursday and make one for yourself!

Surprise Inside

Tomorrow's FREE make-and-take card features a faux watercolor technique - simple and sweet. The surprise is on the inside. I often neglect the inside of the card...missing the opportunity for more stamping and creativity. Shame on me! Fortunately, I didn't design this card, so there are some nice elements enclosed! And, with the weather the way it is today, who can help but think of spring?