Fun News!

There's fun news on several fronts:

* Kim Hughes has FOUR adorable new stamp sets out. My favorite of the four is Ocean Friends, but all are must-haves! (Who am I kidding? All of her sets are must-haves!) Her next sets come out the first Thursday in March, and my calendar is already marked.

*I won a fun drawing from Making Memories! I can't wait to play with their new jars! I've just cleaned out my stamping stash (which included my stamp room, living room, dining room, garage, and dad's house!), and I definitely have the need for a few more storage solutions.

* The Re:Use Market in Boise has announced its January Open House! They'll be open on Friday, Jan 23rd from 2 to 5 and then on Saturday, Jan 24th from noon to 3. Be sure to bring a bag!

Hope you're having a great day!

Happy Stamping!

Memorable Memorial Week

Didn't have any big plans for the week before Memorial Day, but I had a few fun stamping surprises to share with you.

On Tuesday night, I had a chance to meet with Amy. I did not know that this would turn into a stamping-related event. She was in Boise (for the first time) representing Sigma Sigma Sigma, the sorority to which I belong. We discussed some of our collegiate experiences and our hopes for an alumnae chapter to be formed here. Somewhere in the conversation, she was talking about crocheting on the plane and said something that I thought might have sounded like "I make cards". So as we were packing up to leave the Boise favorite Flying Pie (we enjoyed Gourmet Night), I asked her "So, did I hear you say that you make cards?" And that led to another hour or two of discussion... ink pads, Greek letter stamps, etc. I can't wait to hang out with Amy again when I travel to Colorado and/or next time she's in Boise. We had a million things in common. So a quick shout out to Amy: Hi Amy!

Then I noticed an ad on the Stampington Web site advertising the Summer 2008 Take Ten magazine that's due out on June 1. I clicked on it and read through the promotional page... and then I saw a card I recognized right there on the page! It was a card I submitted back in November '07 and it had been used in the Take Ten and Catch Up issues recently to advertise the coming Take Ten. So here's a quick glance at what I saw. The print is awfully small, but it looks like its on page 3. I'll keep you posted if any of my other submissions are inside. Oooh and I can't wait to see the work of Teri Anderson, a former Idaho Scrapper. She's the Guest Artist.

Tonight, I cleaned off some desktop space in my craft room. The room might never be completely cleaned and organized, but at least I can stamp in there again. It'll be nice to have a place to hide out and stamp!

In enabling news, Frugalities is offering everything 49% off until May 28th. No coupon code necessary. I noticed they have some Daisy Bucket stamps for $1.17!

Happy Stamping!

News & Happenings

I'm heading down the road on another stamping adventure... this time to Eugene, Oregon for Copic Marker Certification Training. Through my regularly-scheduled blog-hopping, I learned that a few stamping stars (like Cambria and Joy) will be there, too. I can't wait!

I've highlighted a few places on the map that I'd like to stop. We're planning to cross paths with Courtney. Stampin' Cat Studio has been on my wish-list for months and I'm glad I'll get to stop there. We're heading there earlier in the trip than originally planned because our first route is too dangerous. That's right... one of the mountain passes is closed and another has 254" of snow on the side of the road (yes, upwards of TWENTY FEET). I'm also going to try to time it so I can visit Daisy Bucket on the way back. Dad is coming with me, and we're going to make an adventure out of it!

There are lots of fun new stamps and specials going on:
- CHF's Kim Hughes came out with two new sets: Nature's Silhouettes and Baked with Love
- I spy a new CUPCAKE!! It's part of Anna Wight's new birthday set at Whipper Snapper Designs, scheduled to be released on 4/15/08.
- Michael's has little plastic pebbles in their floral department that look just like Dew Drops. Yesterday, I grabbed their big bags on clearance for just $2.
- Save 35% on Crafty Secrets products at 7 Kids College Fund by using code CRAFTY35.
- justjohanna has a special savings set for April -- save 25% on a 5-stamp set which includes adorable owl
- Viva Las Vegastamps is having a big sale on their grab bags.
- Flourishes released Menswear and Siberian Iris.
- Gina K. Designs is preparing to launch a new line of stamps called Kindred Spirits.

Oh yes, and if you're local to Boise, don't miss the Re:Use Market. It's only about the size of a closet, but is it ever fun! The price is right, too -- everything's free for the taking. TIP: Bring a bag. They'll be open Friday the 11th and Saturday the 12th -- check their Web site for hours. My last visit there was so much fun! I got a couple of 3-ring binders, a wallpaper sample book, 2 fabric sample books, some wonderful tile samples, a few small slabs of Corian, and a handful of rub-on letters. It's truly a treasure-trove for any crafter! I can't wait to run some of the fabric and wallpaper through my Big Shot!

I'll be gone for a while... learning, playing, and exploring.

Happy Stamping!

Candy & Specials

Yeay! Heartiest congratulations to Angie, commenter #16 and winner of the 2 Verve Visual sets. Way to go! For more chances to win Verve candy, there are more blogs to check:

* Bethany (through 12/30)
* Charmaine (through 12/31)
* Jen (through 12/27)
* Laurie (through 12/29)

Don't forget to check out the sale that's still going on at the Verve Visual web site. There is a huge selection of papers, rub-ons, ribbons... you name it!

Prickley Pear is offering its unmounted stamps for 50% off through tomorrow (12/27) with shipping in the lower 48 states only a dollar!! Great deal!

Please check back here after the first of the year. If you can believe it, it'll be time for new sneak peeks and another terrific Verve Visual stamp release! Happy Stamping!

New Rubbah & Sales

Lots of fun releases and sales are going on, so without further ado:

• Verve Visual is releasing six new sets on Monday, Dec. 10th. Sneak peeks already available on their blog.
• My Favorite Things released three new sets this week, and is offering a 20% discount on stamps, inks, acrylic handles and Memory Box papers through the 8th of December to celebrate their first anniversary. Coupon code is SCS1207.
• Paula Best is offering her funky WM stamps as UMs until 12/31 for 40% off. This is a rare event. Be sure to put "UNMOUNTED HOLIDAY SPECIAL" in the message area of the order form so the order isn't processed as WMs.
• MissyB Designs is having a Christmas sale, and most of her stamp sets are 20% off. No coupon code to remember -- the prices have been adjusted on the site already.
• Cornish Heritage Farms released sixteen new background stamps... they run the gamut from lined notebook paper to Spanish script. Fun selections!

Happy to Enable & Happy Stamping!

More Bargains!!

It's about an hour into "Black Friday" here in Boise and have I got some bargains to share with you:

* Verve Visual is having a "So Thankful Sale" through Sunday the 25th. Stamps are 10% off, designer paper is 25% off, and lots of other great supplies and embellishments are on sale too! Plus, orders over $50 save an extra 10% off their purchase. You must use the coupon code THANKFUL to receive the discount.

* Purple Onion Designs has released a bunch of fabulous new rubber. Check out the adorable cupcake and the gorgeous damask flourish. YUM! Even better? The new stamps are included in the 25% off Holiday Sale. You must use the coupon code HOL2007 to receive the discount. POD also has a new blog.

* Mandarin Pixie's stamps are all 40-60% off through the end of the month. Through Saturday (11/24), they're sweetening the deal by offering free shipping for orders over $20.

Happy Shopping! And, of course, Happy Stamping!

More Enabling

There's a 25% off sale at The Cat's Pajamas going on from 11/16 through 11/18. Their stamps are very swanky and cute. I am in love with Sprinkle the cat as well as their sentiment stamps. There are some fun and unexpected themes, too, like pirates and knitting. TCP has single stamps wood mounted (although some are still available unmounted) and three holiday sets in clear photopolymer. Don't miss the penguins! The sale is easy: Alma set the site up so the 25% off is automatic!

MadRatRubber is offering 15% off everything while supplies last. This is being billed as a Holiday/End of Year sale, but an ending date isn't listed.

Happy Stamping!

Sneak Peek: Nov. 10 Verve Release

The countdown has begun! Verve Visual is scheduled to debut two more brand new stamp sets in about 48 hours. Each set includes a whopping SEVENTEEN stamps!

This new sample card combines the oval frame from Wonderful Wishes with the fun stars and one of the sentiments from Starlight Starbright. The oval frame fits very nicely with the yellow Extra Jumbo Oval Scallop Punch from Marvy, which I purchased yesterday thanks to Shannan's hot tip. She said that the yellow circle scallop punch works with the set's circle frame, too.

Starlight Starbright includes a bunch of fun star and shooting star-type shapes, and these can be seen on the upper panel of this card. And with eleven coordinating sentiments, this set can be used all year 'round.

Stamps: Starlight Starbright & Wonderful Wishes (Verve Visual)
Paper: Cowboy Collection (Crate Paper)
Ink: Chestnut Roan ColorBox Chalk (ClearSnap), VersaFine Vintage Sepia (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Ghost Shape Star (Heidi Swapp), Calabaza Orange Pinata Ink (Jaquard Products), Chipboard Shape - from the Archiver's Exclusive Punctuation Set (Making Memories), Extra Jumbo Scalloped Oval Punch (Marvy Uchida)

I really enjoy these big stamp set releases! There'll be two new guest designers whose work will also debut on 11/10, so keep your eyes on the Verve blog!

Happy Stamping!

New Card & News

Lots of fun new stuff on the stamping front today! First, a new card that was designed for the big stamping project mentioned in an earlier post. More than 150 items (cards, tags, envelopes, etc.) to be displayed in 5 different states were created and this is my favorite.

The stamp set used for this card is from Hero Arts. It's called Joyful Greetings and also includes a Christmas tree, star, two more snowflakes, a second big swirl, and sentiments. The blue cardstocks are two of the new Smoothies from Bazzill and WOW are they ever smooth! I love stamping with them!

Supply List:
Stamps: Joyful Greetings (Hero Arts)
Paper: Island Breeze & Tropical Breeze Smoothies (Bazzill Basics), Pearlized White Cardstock (Verve Visual)
Ink: VersaMagic Ocean Depth (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Light Blue Gemstones (Hero Arts), Ribbon (American Crafts), Bind-It-All (Zutter), Rotary Cutter & Scallop Blade (Fiskars), Pop Dots (EK Success)

On to some fun stamping news & sales:
-- Steve Vander Meer at Meer Image is celebrating FIFTEEN YEARS in the stamping business! All his tiny peg stamps are half price, and there are 27 brand new styles. Sale runs through 11/15/07.
-- Starving Artistamps has eight pages of new stamp images. There are two pages of equestrian stamps for you horse lovers out there.

-- Viva Las Vegastamps is having a huge sale called "Stampsgiving" on their unmounted sheets, giant grab bags, and Miracle Tape. They can be found in the Bargain Basement at http://www.stampostore.com/ or by scrolling down to “Latest Products” on the shopping cart home page and UM plates, just order your Plates in threes and put “Happy Stampsgiving” in the comments to get your FREE plate with purchase of two. Sale runs through 11/22/07.

I love the idea of Stampsgiving... Couldn't we all use a day to be thankful for the bounty of stamping? Think of all the people you've met and friendships that have developed because of this great hobby of ours, and the creativity and relaxation! Let me know if you think of any fun Stampsgiving traditions. :)

Happy Stamping!

New Releases (and some are on sale!)

I have lots of fun information today on new stamp releases! There's an industry tradeshow called MemoryTrends that's going on right now. Many companies have released new stamps to coincide with the show, others with their traditional 15th of the month, and others just 'because'.

- Daisy Bucket Designs started its own line of papers and paper embellishments early in 2006. These items were textured and lovely. Now there are stamps that coordinate! (I'll be visiting them in Hermiston, OR with Lila in 44 hours or so... can't wait! Hope her trunk is big enough!)

- BasicGrey has been producing fabulous papers, embellishments, tools and the like for a while now... and guess what? They've got a brand new stamp offering too!

- Autumn Leaves introduced 10 new stamp sets, but they're not on their Web site yet. No worries, I found photos for you here. My favorite is the messy stitches.

- Technique Tuesday never disappoints... their new
sets include a new alphabet, a fun swirl mini-set, and a set that focuses on leaves & trees. New chipboard frames are on their way, as well.

- Papertrey Ink had a big release on the 15th with four new sets geared for the holidays.

- Queen Kat Designs released 22 new sets, and they're all on sale this week for 25% off!

More great new stamps are on the horizon! Verve Visual is planning two PAIRS of awesome stamp sets to be released over the next few weeks. Meer Image announced on Steve's blog that they'll be relasing 27 new tiny stamps in September, and they'll be on sale for half price during the first 15 days of November to celebrate Meer Image's 15th anniversary.

I'll be back shortly after I return from my trip. Until then...

Happy Stamping!

Big Bunch of Stamp Sales

It's a party not to be missed if you enjoy stamping! Rubberstampchat.net is celebrating its 1000th member with a virtual rubber stamp show. Each 'booth' is a thread on the message board and the top post explains what that vendor has on sale. These vendors include favorites like Purple Onion Designs and Starving Artistamps offering 25% off all stamps -- a total of fifteen vendors in all. (UPDATE: They're up to TWENTY-THREE vendors!)

This sale runs today (9/7) through Monday (9/10).

Happy Stamping (and Shopping)!

More Enabling

Another fun sale to tell you about... this time it's Prickley Pear Designs. September 2nd through 12th, all of their unmounted stamps are 50% off and they're also offering free shipping in the continental US. They bill themselves as "where classic meets whimsy", and that's a good assessment. Their stamp designs include flowers, fruit, Asian, African, seasonal, sentiments, and animals. My favorite is the scribble kitty -- I've had my eye on him for a while. I've already placed one order, and I'm going to have to place another now that I spent more time looking around to write this article. I'm enabling myself!

Happy Stamping!

POD Faux Tear & Wax Resist Card

Purple Onion Designs (or POD for short) has been one of my favorites for almost all of the 4 years it has been open. Michele, the owner, started out with great alphabets, words, and definitions... then branched out to many more fun images.
  
If you're serious about stamping to the point that you're submitting cards to magazines, POD is very generous! Each time one of your cards gets published and her company's name is listed in the credits, you receive $25.00 worth of stamps -- your choice! How's that for an incentive?
 
So onto one of my favorite cards that fits this bill. It was published in the Stampers' Sampler Catch Up Issue Volume 11 on page 90. It features a faux tear technique and a wax resist technique. 
    

Supply List:
- Sentiment stamp from Purple Onion Designs
- Leaves stamp from Maryse Carrier
- Stampin' Up! cardstock in Glossy White, Barely Banana and Forest Foliage; dye ink in Basic Black, Barely Banana, Old Olive, and Forest Foliage; Black Magic Mesh; Black Hemp Twine, Black eyelet, Sponge
- White Crayon from Crayola

TIP: Until recently, I thought it was important to always use a white crayon when doing the wax resist technique. You don't have to! In fact, using a colored crayon is helpful because you can SEE where the wax is. Any color wax will wipe off.

For those wondering about whether the card in the previous post won: Nope. But guess whose project won the title of Most Innovative Design? Lila, my best friend and Stamping Idol did! Check out her fabulous card by clicking here. She always does terrific work, but this particular card is exceptional.
    
Happy Stamping!