Stamp Action

Valentines Stamping: Hero Arts

Happy New Year stampers!  I know it’s been forever since I blogged.  After returning from vacation I was confronted with “undecorating” the house, switching the store around to put Christmas merchandise in the ‘corner” and bring out the Valentines stamps, etc.  I quickly discovered that I had no Valentines merchandise.  Ugh!  That meant I had to do some quick ordering and fortunately my vendors responded quickly so we have lots of wonderful Valentine-themed merchandise in stock.  And that’s what I want to share with you in the next few blogs.  Most of these samples are inspired by samples on the various companies’ blogs.  If you are interested in making these cards, come to our "Hugs and Kisses" class this Saturday, January 28 at 10am.

 

Hero Arts

Here’s a great example of using individual (clear) stamps (from the new XO set) to form a background.  Choose your stamps, mount them on an acrylic block, stamp in Versamark ink and emboss in opaque white EP.  I added a yellow scallop border (Memory Box die) and a heart (The Cat’s Pajamas Heart Trio die).  Another tip:  the “sending hugs” stamp was one long sentiment and I needed it to be short so I simply cut the two words apart and it fit my heart perfectly!

 

This is another example of using all the stamps in one set to make a lovely card.  I stamped the various words in Memento Rosebud and Dandelion.  I added a bit of ribbon, some crystals and 2 die cut hearts for a very colorful and fun card.

 

 

I love this card!  And it is simple – no cutting!  First make a revere mask by die cutting a (Spellbinder) heart from Eclipse masking paper that is cut as wide as your card.  Adhere the Eclipse paper to the front of a white cards (A2 size) and stamp the XOXO (from the XO set) in Memento Lady Bug ink.  Remove your Eclipse paper to see your “XO heart!”  To finish the card add the sentiment (same set) stamped in black Versafine ink and embossed in clear on vellum.  Hint: To elevate the vellum over the heart, use small pieces of foam tape hidden behind some of the letters!

 

Here’s a great year-round card that’s made with the new set “Year Round Sentiments.”  I think it’s self-explanatory but here’s a hint.  Stamp the sentiment first and key your hearts off the sentiment from the bottom up – they will all line up perfectly!  I used various Memento inks.

 

Love this colorful card!  Start by stamping the new Zig Zag background in Memento Angel Pink ink.  I have found the best way to work with these large background stamps is to ink them well and place the folded card directly on the stamp.  Then I use a small acrylic block to rub the paper into the stamp.  Carefully remove the paper and you should have a very clear, crisp image.  Once your background is finished, ink the “friends” heart (from the new 4 Hearts cling set) in Memento Rosebud ink and stamp on white cardstock.  Cut out leaving a small white border all the way around.

Next ink the XO heart in Versmark, stamp on blue cardstock and emboss in white.  Cut out the blue heart.  Mount the two hearts, add some paper scraps and wired string and stamp the sentiment (from Year Round Sentiments) in black.

I will be back tomorrow with another post with Valentines from The Cat's Pajamas!

Classes ... Classes ... Classes

I love calendars and especially like making calendars with stamps!  Saturday afternoon (Jan. 28 at 2pm) we will make this calendar which is mounted inside a 7 Gypsies Printers tray which conveniently has 12 openings!  The good news is that you can mount your calendar pages wiht just a little double sided tape so you can update the calendar next year!  If you are interestedin attending the class, give me call at 915-833-9500.  Can;t come this Saturday?  Just call me and we will make a date that's convenient for you!

Thanks for stopping by.  Please come in an see what's new -- here's a few things to tempt you:

Memory Box and Poppystamps -- tons of new dies and stamps -- gorgeous!!!

Art Impressions -- A whole collection of very funny "Girlfriend" stamps and sentiments -- you gotta see these!!!

Deadbeat Designs -- Hot Air Balloons and sayings to coordinate; new sentiment stamps; lovely new delicate fern stamp.

Decorative Papers -- Colorful, cute, bright and bold -- you need them!

See you soon!

 

 

Holiday Stamping Express

Jump aboard our “Holiday Stamping Express” this Saturday (December 17) at 2pm and in 2 hours you will make 5 quick and easy – yet very impressive – Christmas cards!  Our round-up of cards includes 2 snowmen, a beautiful flourish die, and 2 Christmas trees.  Here are the samples – for more info on the class, click here.

Penny Black “Frosty Snowman”

Penny Black “Snowflakes are Unassembled”

Memory Box snowflake crystal

 

 

 

 

 

 Penny Black tree from “Let it Snow” clear set

 “Twinkle” from same set

 

 

 

 

 

 

Penny Black “Twinkling” tree

Sentiment from “Let it Snow” clear set

 

 

 

Hero Arts “Snowman and Snowflakes”

Sentiment from a Hero Arts clear set

Snowflakes from Memory Box Crystalline Die

 

 

 

 

 

Memory Box “Distressed Jingle Bells” background stamp

Memory Box La Rue Flourish Die

Memory Box Christmas Carols background paper

Hero Arts sentiment

 

 

 

 

Give me a call at 915-833-9500 to register!  No stamping experience needed!

 

Christmas Thank You Cards

Saturday morning (December 17) at 10am we will be making Christmas thank you cards although most of these cards would work throughout the year.  We will be using some Memory Box stamps, dies and pretty papers.  You can get more information here.  No stamping experience needed!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stamp Act Gift Cards

Stamp Act gift cards are always the right choice for any of your stamping friends or family.  If you buy a gift card of $25 or more, we will give it to you in this darling gift card holder shaped like a mitten cap!  Just open the cap to reveal your gift.  Aren’t these just too cute?  The idea came from the Just Rite Stampers blog.

 

Holiday Hours

Please make a note that The Stamp Act will be closed from Friday, December 23 through Monday, January 2.  From January 3 through the 13^th we will have a huge clearance sale.  More details on that next week.

 

17 days until Christmas!!!  I know all of you are so busy but I hope you’ll grab a glass of eggnog or hot cocoa and read this post.  As usual I have many samples to share with you.  If you see something you like, please give me a call (915-833-9500) and I can hook you up with all the supplies to make your own!

 What’s New at The Stamp Act?

The Viva Décor Pearl Pens are here and I am sorry to say I have not played with them yet – stay tuned for more details on how they work.  I have lots of colors in stock!

New (to us) Memory Box Dies arrived yesterday and another order will be coming soon.  Stop in and check out the Catillion or the Scalloped Edge 5” x 7” frame dies – they are fabulous for either flat correspondence cards or for fold over notes.  Watch for my upcoming class in Faux Letterpress using these dies.  The popular Deer Trio, Star of Wonder and La Rue Flourish are in stock now plus the new Crystalline border, Charlotte border and Pop Up Joy. 

    

And don’t miss the Madison Window Die (Small) – it is hot, hot, hot!  The Grand Madison Window is out of stock so it may be a while before it comes back – so don’t miss your chance to snag the small window while you can!  I’ve got plenty for everyone but they are bound to sell out too!

 

 

 

 

  

  

  

   

New Classes this Week

Where to start? How about this Saturday’s classes?  Dec. 10 from 10am to Noon, we’ll take one stamp, the new Penny Black Poinsettia Script background, and use it to create multiple cards.  We will use both the new Tim Holtz Distress Stains and the Winter Limited Edition Distress Ink pad trio with the stamp – and the results are stunning.  The cards are quick and easy but very impressive!  Here’s a peak at 2 more samples:

  

 

For the card on the left I added a poinsettia I cut with the new Spellbinders Layered Poinsettia die.  The sentiment on this card is from an (old) clear set from Impression Obsession.  The "Celebrate the Season" sentiment above is from the same set.

 

 

 

 

Saturday afternoon from 2 to 4pm we will make the cutest ornament (or gift tag) using the Want 2 Scrap Lacey Ovals Nestboard and Nestabling self-adhesive crystals to decorate the ornament.  The central image will be from Just Rite Stampers new Blizzard Buddies set.  On the back of the ornament we will use a reindeer die cut (Spellbinders die).  You will love this elegant ornament so please join us for the fun.  In this class we will also make a gift card holder – sample is in my head and I promise it will be perfect too!

 

 

Thursday, Dec. 8 our afternoon holiday workshop is entitled “It’s All About Santa!” and, as the name implies, we will make cards featuring the jolly old man!   First, our Cowboy Santa (all stamps from Deadbeat Designs) reminds us who's  in charge of this Ho-Ho-Holiday!  Next our Santa Globe card shows the jolly elf and his reindeer flying over the housetops inside a snow globe.  See the Ho-Ho-Ho-tag?  It’s made with a Tim Holtz fragment charm stamped with Stazon ink.  The Santa Globe stamp and Grand Snow Globe die are from Memory Box.  While we’re talking about the Santa Globe stamp, here’s another example of the stamp used behind the Grand Madison Window die.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our last card shows Santa dancing and prancing – maybe on December 26^th??  This stamp from Impression Obsession is so cute and jolly – simply stamp, color with Copic Markers and distress the edges with Pumice Stone Distress Ink.  Add a little Stickles glitter glue (I used Frosted Lace), a sentiment from Hero Arts and a few metallic décor embellishments (also Hero Arts) and you’re done!

 

 

Here’s another Santa card that I couldn’t include in the class because we ran out of the Graphic 45 paper needed to make it.  This style of card is called a pyramid card.  I chose to use 2 sizes of Spellbinder’s Labels 22 dies to cut the picture of this old fashioned Santa.  Then I used the same size die to cut my signature skinny borders then mounted the photo cut outs on the skinny borders to get a framed piece.  This frame was then mounted over the portion of the Santa that was originally cut out.  The pyramid design highlights portions of the Santa picture drawing attention to the picture and giving it more presence.  Try this technique with other pictures of stamped backgrounds.  It’s fun and impressive!

Classes December 17

Sat, Dec. 17 from 10am to Noon, we will make Holiday Thank You Cards.  For the card on the left, I used the Twig and Berries, Perched Reedbird, and Thanks script dies from Memory Box as well as their “Candy Cane” paper.  For the card on the right, I used the Fredward Bear stamp and die from Memory Box as well as their Santa Hat die and “Beary Good” paper.  Inside this card, the fun continues when a “thanks” cut from the “Beary Good” paper pops out at you!  This is cut with the Folding Thanks Die from Lifestyle Crafts.

One more Thank you card showcases the Memory Box Arborscello Die in a white on white setting.  Leave it plain or embellish it with glitter – this tree has a very elegant look!

 

 

 

 

To prove it’s not too late to make Christmas cards, on Sat, Dec. 17 from 2 to 4pm, we will have a class called Holiday Stamping Express!  Join us to make several quick and easy cards featuring snowmen, santas and all kinds of holiday icons!  Samples coming soon!

Other Fun Samples!

Is this the cutest card?  The Peppermint Rosette is cut from some red and white striped paper from Amuse Art Stamps with the Memory Box Rosette die.  This die cuts a vertical strip 1½” wide so when you adhere the ends and “smash” it flat, the rosette is 3” wide.  To make it thinner, simply cut off ½” vertically so the rosette will be only 2” wide.  Wrap the “peppermint candy” in cellophane, tie with ribbon and adhere to card.  The background stamp is made with the Memory Box Twinkle Ball stamped in Versafine Crimson with a sentiment from Amuse Art Stamps.  The Scallop border is made with a border punch from EK Success.

For a non traditional Christmas card try these colors.  I embossed the background with the Swiss Dots Cuttlebug embossing folder (run it through twice to get the width).  Then using the Memory Box Classic ornament, I cut 3 solid backgrounds, and using the Snowflake Ornament, I cut three decorative ornaments.  Glue the two together using Glossy Accents and thread some pink wired string through the hole at the top.  Cut 2 Frostyville Borders from the same pink cardstock and mount these using Glossy Accents at the top and bottom of the card.  Mount the ornaments, tie 3 bows and glue these at the top of the wired string.  This is a really pretty card!

 

One last sample.  Who can resist this darling snowman from Penny Black (called "Warm & Cold"). I stamped him in black Memento ink, colored him with Copic Markers then cut him out.  The wavy ground is pasrt of the stamp and I extended the look to the sides of the card.  I mounted him wiht foam tape to a blue cardstock "sky" and stanped and embossed a few small snowflakes.  The "Twinkle" sentiment is from a new Penny Black clear set called "Let it Snow."  What an easy and ahppy little Christmas or winter wishes card.

That’s enough for today – please stop in soon and see these samples and lots more in person!  Thanks for reading the blog today.

 

Black Friday Doorbuster Specials!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.  It’s hard to believe the year has flown by so quickly and that we are in the thick of holiday shopping season.  So if you are preparing for a Black Friday Shopping Spree don’t forget to shop locally at your local stamp store.  And to entice you, I have some fantastic Black Friday Doorbuster Bargains!

 Black Friday Die and Embossing Folder Bundle

First, I have a “Black Friday Bundle” of 12 dies and 3 embossing folders from Lifestyle Crafts (formerly Quickutz) that is worth $203.85.  It’s yours for only $20 (!!!) with any $25 purchase.  This bundle is too good to believe!  A few of the dies are 2” x 2” but most of them are 4” x 4” or 12” borders.  They are all winter or Christmas related.  Don’t miss this once in a lifetime chance to get a bundle of darling dies and embossing folders at a 90% discount!!!!!!!!  Please, no phone orders or hold orders.  You must shop Friday or Saturday to get this bundle at this price. 

QuickStik Tool

Our next doorbuster is equally great.  The QuickStik tool is a real must have proof of which is that the QuikStik is Lifestyle Crafts leading seller of all time.  This versatile tool is sticky on end making it the perfect tool to pick up tiny jewels, die cuts or embellishments.  The other end of the tool has a scoop for peeling stickers away from the release paper and a pointy tool for poking out die cuts.  The QuickStik normally sells for $6.99 but our doorbuster special is only $3.99 with any $25 purchase.

Free Make and Take

Our third doorbuster special is a free make and take which at this time I do not have completed because I will be using brand new dies that just arrived from Lifestyle Crafts.  It will be a Christmas card and it will be really cute so you won’t want to miss it!  Let me share with you some sample cards from the Lifestyle Crafts Blog using these new dies:

Christmas and Winter Inspiration

I have been busy making samples with some of the new Memory Box dies and stamps.  I literally cannot keep these dies in stock so if you want any of them, please email me and either reserve the die or pre-order it.  I usually have 2 or 3 orders in with Memory Box at any time!  They are working 7 days a week to keep up with the demand!

MB Winterland Tree die

Memory Box paper (2010)

Sentiment – Savvy Stamps

 

 

 

 

MB Frostyville Border die

Sentiment – Hero Arts

Scoring with Scor-it tool

 NOTE:  it is really hard to take photos of white cards!  Trust me "irl" it is gorgeous!

 

 

 

 

Hero Arts House and Home Background stamp

Sentiment – Hero Arts

Pinking border – Spellbinders Ric Rac border die

 

 

 

 

 

Outlines Vixen sm. cling stamp

Paper – Kaiser Craft “Be Merry”

Sentiment – Hero Arts

 

MB Grand Madison Window Die

MB Winter Collage background stamp

Sentiment – Hero Arts

Embossing with Tim Holtz woodgrain/brick embossing folder

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MB Grand Madison Window Die

MB Polar Bear Globe stamp

Sentiment – The Cat’s Pajamas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MB Twig and Berries die

MB Perched Reedbird die

Sentiment – Hero Arts

Memory Box paper (2010)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MB Twig and Berries die

Sentiment – Savvy Stamps

 

 

 

 

 

MB Snowflake Ornament Die

MB Classic Ornament Die

MB Frostyville Border die

Cuttlebug embossing folder swiss dots

 

 

 

 

New Classes Posted

Be sure to check out the November and December class pages on our website.  I have posted some great classes that I know will teach you lots of new techniques like “Stamping with Bleach” and “Faux Letterpress” plus you will have great fun!   And check out our Christmas Tag Class – I love making tags and these are really cute!

Happy Thanksgiving and happy shopping – don’t forget to shop locally and support local small businesses like The Stamp Act.  Thanks!

 

Card Samples with Impression Obsession Stamps

A Word of Thanks

    Hello fellow stamping enthusiasts.  In this season of Thanksgiving, I would like to begin my blog by thanking several groups of people that enrich my stamping life.  First, I thank all subscribers and readers.  You flatter me greatly by “tuning” in each week to see what’s new at The Stamp Act and to view the cards I have made with all the wonderful stamps and other products we carry.  Second, I thank those of you who shop at my store.  Each week I get calls and emails from stampers across the country who do not have a local stamp store.  They always express their wish that they did have a local store offering products, classes, and advice.  Please keep shopping here so the store can stay open.  Finally, I want to thank all my readers for their patience with the too-often "blog malfinctions" when my blog server (Typepad) completely rearranges my text and photos!  I am working on the problem.  Think about having to learn a program with absolutely no instructions!  It’s all hit or miss!  Recently, however, I have found some young programmers who I am hoping will solve these problems so watch for positive enhancements to the blog and the website soon.

 

Samples with Stamps from Impression Obsession

I have some fun samples to share with you today and they are all from Impression Obsession (IO).  Let me say up front that these samples are all inspired by ones I found on their blog.  IO has wonderful artists and a really good design team.  The card on the left is a real favorite of mine.  I am going to send it to my brother and sister-in-law who rescue and foster any number of cats in San Antonio.  This sample was so easy to make using what’s known as “spotlight” stamping.  Keeping most of the image in black and white means the part that is colored, in this case the pumpkin, really pops off the card. I colored the pumpkin with Copic markers.  The cute sentiment is from Hero Arts and the main image is mounted over a background created with one of IO’s cover-a-card 6” x 6” backgrounds called “Tapestry 2.”  Add a little ribbon and mount everything on black glossy paper and a white folded (A6) card and you’ve got a fun fall card.

 

Here’s another really fast card that could be colored for any season.  In fact a customer bought this stamp recently because she thought it would make a good Halloween card.  I stamped the main image (IO cover-a-card “Birds in Branches”) in black Versafine on white cardstock (5” square) then colored in the background with jumbo daubers and Memento inks (Dandelion, Cantaloupe and Tangelo).  The sentiment is from IO’s clear set “Live in Thanksgiving.”  I did darken the birds with a fine tip black pen (Copic).

 

  

  

Do you love this fun quote from IO?  If you read it and notice a little skip in the cadence on the next to the last line, I did delete the word “dinner” after Thanksgiving so it would fit on my Spellbinders labels 1 die cut!  The turkey and the pumpkin are taken from the “Live in Thanksgiving” clear set.  I love the turkey legs background paper (Reminisce)!!

 

  

  

  

  

This gorgeous stamp (left) is appropriately named “Winter Church” and it is the sister to the IO stamp “Spring Church” (right)  Again, the coloring on this image was easy.  Just choose a light and slightly darker brown and use these for all the brown elements.  The church itself is light gray and the background is B0000 Pale Celestine Blue.  To get the variation in color from one marker, simply color the foreground with a very light touch and the upper sky with a little heavier hand.  To create the snow effects, use one of my very favorite products Ranger’s Enamel Accents in white.  Apply the Accents then sprinkle with clear glitter and let dry.  Perfect snow!  The background is yet another cover-a-card stamp called “Canvas Background" stamped is Memento Desert Sand with edges distressed with Vintage Photo Distress Inks.

 

Another Sample with Distress Stains

For this sample I colored the “Twiggy Tree” die cut (Memory Box) then mounted it on a green cardstock die cut with “Leaf Canopy” (Memory Box).  The paper from Reminisce has all the fall colors and is the perfect background.

 

  

  

What’s Coming to The Stamp Act?

In a word lots!  This week we will receive one and maybe two orders from Memory Box and their new Polar Bear Collection. 

I love the new Snow Globe Grand Die (largest of 3 sizes) and the Santa Globe and Polar Bear Globe stamps that fit inside it.  Or use the same stamps with the Madison Window Die – uber cute and easy! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another handsome pair are the Snowflake Ornament and Classic Ornament Dies.  The Classic is slightly smaller than the Snowflake so it fits behind it to provide a perfect background for the snowflakes! 

 

And speaking of pairs – the Iron Fence Die and the new Iron Gate dies form a great foreground to and small house.

 

And who doesn’t love polar bears?  Both Colin Bear and Fredward Bear are dies with matching stamps.  And the cute little Santa Hat Die fits them perfectly!

 

   

For quick, easy yet very impressive Christmas cards this year try the Winterland Christmas Tree Die or the Flowering Christmas Tree Die.  Both are stunning!

Check out the matching Solid Pear and Shaded Pear stamps as well as the Winter Collage Background and the Distressed Jingle Bells stamps.

 

 

There are lots more stamps and dies coming from Memory Box so stop in soon and see the entire collection.

 

 

Exciting new products from Viva Decor

 A new product line to The Stamp Act is Viva Décor.  From what I have seen, this very innovative company has improved upon some products we have all loved for years.  We will be getting the Pearl Pens, Glitter Liners and Inka Gold products soon.  Here’s a quick summary of these products:

VivaDecor’s Inka Gold is a revolutionary product that produces an amazing metallic finish. With beeswax as one of the main ingredients, Inka Gold is a creamy metal gloss paint that is safe and easy to use in all crafting and home decor projects. Just rub it on and polish!  Inka Gold is easy to apply to surfaces including paper mache or wooden boxes, chipboard, paper, and any other porous surface.

Viva Decor Pearl Pen is an amazing product that will dazzle with its pearly essence!   Decorate your favorite garment, shoes, bags, scrapbooks, or whatever you like with Pearl Pens. It's easy! It's like magic! You can create small or large "pearls" by simply increasing or decreasing the pressure. You can create a whole page of "pearls", let dry, then transfer onto your projects! 

 Viva Decor’s Pearl Pen is a dimensional gel pen that has amazing versatility and quality.  Pearl Pen is specially formulated to create perfectly round, non-settling pearls. With its fine control applicator tip, making a wide range of different sized pearls is a snap!  Pearl Pen can be used on virtually all surfaces, excellent for fabric, paper crafting and home decor accents. Pearl pen is water-based and non-toxic.

 

Viva Decor’s Glitter Liner

 

is known for its non-settling, high glitter content and its exceptional dimensional finish.  Glitter Liner dries to a jewel-like quality with an endless shimmer and brilliant gloss finish.  Glitter Liner can be used on virtually any surface to add sparkle and dimension to all your craft projects. Glitter Liner is water-based, non-toxic and comes in 12 brilliant colors

 

Thanks for reading my blog and I hope you will stop in the store soon and keep stamping alive and well in El Paso! 

Santa Claus is Coming to Town!

 

 

 

 

 

This whimsical Santa from Impression Obsession is already here.  For these cards I stamped him in Memento Tuxedo Black and colored him with Copic Markers.  For these two cards I used just a little Pumice Stone Distress Ink around the edges to give a little color.  I love the sentiment on the card on the left – it’s from Hero Arts. For the card on the right I mounted the cut out Santa on Spellbinders Lacey Squares (largest size) and added a little Martha Stewart Bakers Twine on top.  The Santa on the left I finished with Frosty Lace Stickles glitter glue.

This colorful card shows Santa mounted on Spellbinders Labels 1 (large and small) with a sentiment from Impression Obsession.  I added some faux stitching using the Ranger Inkessentials white pigment pen.

 

 

More Samples with Distress Stains

The technique that I taught last week is really popular – everyone who has seen it is quickly buying the supplies to make these cards.  I have huge orders in with Memory Box for their dies and Ranger for the stains so please be patient – they are coming soon!  For the card on the left I used the Arborscello Tree die (Memory Box) and for the card on the right I used the Memory Box Grapevine Wreath and Perched Reedbird.  This technique can be used on so many different die cuts including Christmas trees, Snowmen and even pumpkins!  So think outside the box and come have some fun. 

 

Right now I have scheduled classes in this technique for Friday, Nov 11 at 10am and Sunday, Nov 13 at 1pm.  If you are interested you can get more information here.  Or just give me a call (915-833-9500) for more information.

  

Easy Christmas Card

This card was copied form one I saw on the Memory Box blog.  I die cut the red cardstock with Spellbinders Labels 18; die cut the Memory Box "Deer Trio" and mounted it behind the red layer; then added the yellow "Star of Wonder" small die cut.  The only thing missing is a small sentiment "All is calm" which is coming!  This is a really quick, easy yet very impressive card.

 

Halloween Merchandise

It's all 50% off so hurry in for the best savings and selection!

 

Limited Edition Distress Ink Pads – Get Yours Now!

The Winter release of Limited Edition Distress pads should be arriving at The Stamp Act on Tuesday, Nov 8 along with a few of the Fall Limited Edition.  Each set is $17.99 each.  If you want these let me know ASAP because they are truly limited and once they are gone, they are gone.  See a video with Tim Holtz introducing the new Winter Colors here and send me an email to reserve your set!

 

Memory Box Catalina Wreath Die classes

Hi Stampers!  Thanks for stopping by.  I have had a tremendous amount of interest in the cards I made using the Catalina Wreath Die from Memory Box.  I am teaching this technique on Thursday, Oct 27 at 1pm and again on Saturday, October 29 at 2pm.  If you are interested please sign up as soon as you can.  The cards are very impressive but you’ll be happy to know the wreath technique is easy!  Click here to send me an email or call me at 915-833-9500.  In the class we will make the autumn card (left) and the Christmas Music card (right).  Here are two other samples.  I hope you can join us for this creatively fun class!!!

Speaking of fall, we got more stamps in from Outlines including their Autumn and Blessings Collages which just called out for me to color them.  These gorgeous stamps were made for coloring and blending with Copic markers.  I hope you will enjoy them.  If you want a list of the markers I used, send me an email.

Another stamp that’s perfect for coloring with Copic markers is the new Brilliant Maple Branch from Memory Box.  I love this stamp!  I drew inspiration from the Memory Box blogs and the colors of fall. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I suppose Memory Box intended the “Frostyville Border” die to be used on winter cards featuring snowflakes, etc.  But I saw this idea on line and had to share it with you.  When die cut from black cardstock and mounted against orange dotted paper, the Frostyville Border lights up the sky with fireworks that are perfect for Halloween.  It’s good to think outside the box!

Thise card is also inspired by one I saw on their blog and it combines a variety of Memory Box stamps (maple branch, crow and pumpkin, fence and happy fall) into a fall scene at sunset.

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

Halloween Stamps, papers and dies on sale!

Please stop in soon.  I’ve marked down (almost all) our Halloween stamps and all papers to half off so come in for the bargains!   Spellbinder and Lifestyle Crafts Halloween Dies are 30% off.  I hope to see you soon!

 

Stamping for the Fall Season

Temperatures are falling, mornings are crisp and fall icons like pumpkins and mums are decorating more and more front porches … Fall is here!  After a long, hot summer, the autumn season is always welcome, both for the more moderate temperatures and the colorful palette that paints this season.  I love the reds, golds and deep oranges of this palette and those are the colors I chose for this series of cards.  I used dies from Memory Box and Lifestyle Crafts; stamps from Memory Box, Impression Obsession and Amuse Art Stamps.  I hope you enjoy these cards:

  

 Embossed Background: Cuttlebug embossing folder -- Autumn Type

 

 

 

 Tree -- Memory Box Arboscello die

 Glitter -- Stickles glitter glue in yellow, orange, red, gold and lime green

 Decorative Paper -- Basic Grey Indian Summer

Sentiment stamp -- A Muse Art Stamps

  









 Tree -- Memory Box Twiggy Tree die

Leaves -- Memory Box Flower Mound die

Decorative Paper -- Basic Grey Indian Summer

Sentiment stamp -- Impression Obsession

Adhesive -- Ranger's Matte Accents







 

 

 

 Tree -- Memory Box Twiggy Tree die

Leaves -- Memory Box Leaf Canopy die

 Glitter -- Stickles glitter glue in yellow, orange, red, gold and lime green

 

 

Decorative Paper -- Graphic 45 Botanicabella

Sentiment stamp -- Memory Box

  

 

 



Tree stamp -- Impression Obsession Cover-a-Card Pine Trees

 

Sentiment stamp -- Obsession Impression 

Inks -- Trees: Versafine Olympia Green

Inks -- Background: Memento Dandelion, Cantaloupe, Tangelo and Potter's Clay



 



Outside of Card:

Tree stamp -- Impression Obsession Cover-a-Card Pine Trees

 

 

 

Sentiment stamp -- Obsession Impression 

Inks -- Memento Potter's Clay

Ink on edges -- Ranger Distress ink Amtique Linen





 

Inside of Card:

Thanks -- Lifestyle Crafts Folding Thanks die

Sentiment stamp -- Stampendous

Corner foliage -- Inakdinkado







If you want to make any of these cards, they will be offered in my classes this Saturday, October 22 at 10am and 2pm.  Click here for more information then give me a call to 915-833-9500 or email me here to register.  Thanks!



 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Halloween and Day of the Dead Stair Step Cards

Most stampers that I know love Halloween.  One reason is that we have so many fun stamps, papers and embellishments to play with.  In this Saturday’s classes, we will make 2 stair step cards featuring Halloween and Day of the Dead images.  I really enjoy making these cards – especially because we can use the pre-cut and pre-scored cards from The Paper Cut which saves time and frustration!  For the Halloween card I used several Spellbinders dies against a background of Halloween words from Impression Obsession.  The Day of the Dead card also features Spellbinders dies as well as stamps from Deadbeat Designs, Copper leaf Creations and an old stamp from Our Lady of Guadalupe.   Both were fun to make and I hope you will join me Saturday at 10am or 2pm to make your own.  Click here for more information.

 

 

 

Using Your Stamps to Raise Money

Any of you that have had children attend Texas A & M University know about the Aggie Mom’s groups.  They are organized locally to raise money for the University and students.  I am “Aggie Auntie” and my sister (the official Aggie Mom) asked me to help her make some items for their upcoming craft fair at the University.  She loved the “6 Tags Over Texas” that Mark (owner of Deadbeat Designs) created so when she visited recently she and I made 4 sets of the tags and mounted them in 7 Gypsies printer trays.  She took 2 of the trays to her local chapter and sold them immediately.  Such was the impetus for me to make 10 more!  With the help of my friend Susana Herrera, we knocked them out – in case you’re interested it takes about 8 hours to make one set!  I hope they raise a lot of money!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Limited Edition Distress Ink Sets

The new limited edition distress ink set for Autumn has come and gone, however if you didn’t get yours and still want one let me know ASAP.  I have ordered a few more and expect them to arrive probably in about 2 weeks.  These will go quickly too so please reserve yours today.  The Christmas set should arrive here in about a month or so.  I have not seen the colors but these too will be very popular so please don’t be disappointed – reserve yours today.  Just give me a call to 915-833-9500 or email me here.

 

Stop in soon and check out all the wonderful holiday stamps!

 

 

New Limited Edition Distress Ink Sets for Fall and Christmas

New Limited Edition Distress Inks for Fall and Christmas

As you have probably heard by now, Ranger has released a trio of limited edition distress inks for fall.  The colors are rich autumnal hues named ripe persimmon (orange/red); gathered twigs (brown between Vintage Photos and Walnut Stain); and Seedless Preserves (peony purple).  The trio comes as a set and is priced at $17.99.  Although they are currently sold out everywhere, I have a limited number of sets coming early next week. If you are interested in having one PLEASE email me immediately because I expect they will be gone very soon.

Ranger has announced that they will reissue the trio, but it will be 3 to 4 weeks before they are available again.  Ranger will also be releasing a Christmas limited edition on November 1^st and I expect it will fly off the shelves just as quickly.  If you are interested in that set, please let me know now so I can pre-order.

To see a video of Tim Holtz introducing the distress ink trio and demo’ing the colors, click here.

Upcoming Classes Saturday, September 24

This Saturday, September 24, our morning class (10am) will teach you two resist techniques and how to create colorful backgrounds that really make your stamped images pop right off the page.  Once you learn this technique you will use it with all kinds of stamps.  In addition to the background technique, you will also learn resist techniques.  Just click here for more details and samples then give me a call at 915-833-9500 or send me an email to register.  Everyone is welcome – even brand new beginners can master this technique easily!

Our afternoon class (2pm) will be all about cards for Fall which means coloring with dye inks and Copic markers.  Our first card (on the left) featuring a new stamp from Impression Obsession is colored very simply with Copic markers.  For our second card (on the right) you will stamp Vintage Halloween words from Memory Box on white cardstock then die cut leaves using a Spellbinder die.  Next you will add color to the leaves and finish constructing the card.  Rounding out the class will be a third card that features another Impression Obsession stamp and Copic markers.  The background of this card is special too so don’t miss this fun class!  Just click here for more details and samples then give me a call at 915-833-9500 or send me an email to register. 

Halloween Cards

Halloween is such a fun holiday because the images lend themselves to so many interpretations and designs.  One of our favorite companies is Memory Box because Dave never disappoints with his complete line of stamps, dies and papers.  The card on the left takes advantage of all three tools.  I stamped Vintage Halloween words in Versafine Black on his paper “Dusk,” mounted this on black and adhered this to more Dusk paper mounted on a folded black (A2) card.  Next I stamped Halloween Bat and die cut it with the matching Essex Label die.  To complete the card I mounted the die cut to a die cut oval, threaded a strip of “Luminous” paper through the label die cut and adhered this element to the card.  I added a few black jewels to the label for “bling!”

Another card that shows off the new Memory Box papers is the card on the right.  Again I chose to stamp Haunted Mansion and Harvest Moon on “Woodland Path” paper in black ink.  I distressed the edges with the Distressing Tool from Tonic and mounted this piece on black cardstock.  The background is created with several of the new papers and the Spooky label was made with a Dymo label maker.  This card is 5½” square.

My third Halloween card is a tri-fold card featuring a bat (Spellbinders die) flying right out of the haunted mansion in the background.  The paper is Memory Box Distress Dots, the clouds are made with a die from The Cat’s Pajamas, and the sentiments (inside and out) are from the new Halloween Mini Sentiments set from Just Rite Stampers. The graveyard along the bottom inside of the card is a Martha Stewart punch and the iron fence is a Memory Box die.  The size of this card is 6¼” tall x 3½” wide.

 

 

Colorful Christmas Cards

We just received new Christmas stamps from Penny Black and Savvy Stamps.  The Snowy Village card on the left uses a Penny Black stamp.  I colored it with Copic markers and finished it with distress ink and frosted lace glitter glue.  The card on the right uses Savvy Stamps’ new Flourish Christmas tree and Bling Joy both of which I just love.  This is a beautiful yet quick and easy card.

 

 

 

 

 

Miscellaneous Cards

 

Okay, sometimes a stamp just speaks to me and this is one of those stamps.  It is so funky – even its name “Watermelon Bugs” is crazy!  It’s new from Impression Obsession.  The sentiment is from Hero Arts and after I finished the card, I thought I should have left room at the bottom of the sentiment to add the word “ladybug.”  I plan to make more samples with this card using other sentiments and ladybug stamps I have.  So much fun!

 

 

 

Finally this wonderful, very vintage Doctor’s Bag stamps from Impression Obsession caught my eye.  I stamped it in Brilliance Coffee Bean on off white cardstock then added a little distressing to the edges with Antique Linen ink.  I mounted it very simply using 7 Gypsies paper on a dark brown folded card.  I made a set of these cards to send to my brother (the doctor).

 

 

New and Returning Stamps from Outlines Rubber Stamps

Outlines Rubber Stamps is one of our favorite companies and using their Layering Collage stamps you can create an endless number of fun cards.  We have received a new order of these stamps with themes of Southwest, Birthday and Dogs!  Check out the classes on Saturday, October 1 using the Southwestern stamps and Saturday, October 8 using the other two sets.  You will love these stamps so hurry in for best selection!  Just click here for more details and samples then give me a call at 915-833-9500 or send me an email to register.

 

 

 

 

   

“Half of Half Sale” – now through October 8!

 

We still have hundreds of stamps on sale 50% off including wood mounted, cling mounted and clear stamps.  From today through Saturday, October 8 when you mention the secret discount phrase “Just for Fun” we will take an additional 25% off your purchase of all sale stamps!  That means you get all the sale stamps you want for 75% off the retail price.  Come and load up for yourself and for friends – this will only last until October 8.  Plus any dies that are now 30% off will be 50% off for this same time period.  Don’t miss the bargains!!!!