Doris' Blog

A Tootsie Toast to Halloween

Hello bloggers!!  Just want to have a little fun here.  This is what 2.000 kids represent for us on Halloween.  Yep, that's correct - we've purchased 2,000 tootsie pops for this year's Trick or Treat in the Junction on Halloween Day, Saturday, 31 October 2009.  We usually do chocolate but with this year's anticipated increase in kids (from 1600 last year), we thought it prudent to do something less costly given the economic turmoil.  Yep, we feel the pinch too.  Anywy, here is what 2000 tootsie pops look like..... Have fun with it!!  Hugs to all - Doris

p.s.  this event takes place from 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm.  If you have an inclination to participate, come on down.  You can hang out at the shop to see all the ghosts and goblins go by.  They really are cute!!

Trick or Treat!!

Greetings Everyone!!  Only treats here and no tricks!!  It's been incredibly busy especially with so much paperwork due at about the same time.  Quarterly taxes are due and I am working on the Nov/Dec newsletter which is nearly complete so be on the lookout for it.  As usual, we have fabulous classes that will help to fill those shoeboxes for all types of card giving.  Combine a few greeting cards and make a holiday gift with it to include a fancy box or some pretty ribbon.  You'll likely have some happy recipients!

Quite a bit of new "stuff" has arrived including a huge delivery from Peddler's Pack.  We recently conducted a demo using these background stamps and folks just loved them so here they are again.  These are like old standbys that you rely on all the time.  Take a look at the photo below to see just what I mean.

Pretty nice eh?  I have personally loved this line of rubber stamps for years.  They work really well with all sorts of media including bleach - yep plain old laundry bleach!  Here's another look.

This pumpkin background is just the greatest.  It reminds me so much of the feel of velvet.  It's a wonderful stamp which presents many opportunities for showcasing it.  We've got more....

 
Oh this fern is yummy also.  Using bleach, it results in many different colors depending upon the paper used.  Best to experiment with paper until you get a look that you like.  I thought this might be enough but I've got a couple more....

 

The Peddler's Pack Rubber Stamp Company made this sample.  It is really wonderful in person and is currently at the Issaquah location so stop in to take a look.  Here comes the last one.....

 
 
 This is just something for fun.  It looks really cool and spidery when you cut out the eyes, nose, and mouth and attach the spider web background to it.  Just in time for Halloween.

Both locations have lots of these rubber stamps on hand.  Samples are currently in Issaquah but we are hoping to see some in West Seattle soon. 

I think that I have taken up my blog time for one evening.  I hope you enjoy these pictures and samples.  They really are gotta see in person.  I'd like to thank Kathy Fox, one of our friendly Issaquah store managers, for taking the photos and making them available to us.  Gotta keep it fun and this is what these stamps are all about.  Hope to see many of you soon.  Hugs to everyone!!  Doris

It's Getting Frightful Out There!!

Greetings Everyone!!  It's getting frightful out there with all the wind and rain.  The last two days have been incredibly nice but I know the worse is yet to come.  It seems that Halloween is always wet.  A reminder that trick or treating is in the Junction from 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm on Saturday, 31 October.  Tons of children and parents are out and about and it's a great way to celebrate Halloween with the kids in a safe, daytime environment.  Hope you stop by!!

It's been a few days since I've blogged.  It has been incredibly busy for me and somedays I am not sure if I am coming or going.  Somehow I even included teaching a Stampscapes class out in Issaquah.  It was very fun and rewarding and so now I am hoping to do more.   It does, however, consume a good chuck of time.  Oh well, my theory has always been that it will get done somehow.

There are quite a few new "things" at either location.  Northwoods, along with display boards, have arrived at each location.  B-line now consumes two full racks in Issaquah and Stampscapes is full in Issaquah and will be in West Seattle by Thursday.  Let's not forget the Graphic 45 yummy papers.  The holiday line along with two brand new lines, is fabulous!!  These are a must see.  Right now Issaquah houses them all but we are hoping to pick some up for West Seattle also.  If not, Issaquah is an easy 20 minute ride from West Seattle.  We'd love for you to come visit.

The Wesnesday demos are going strong in Issaquah.  A great 1:00 pm activity when you have nothing else to do (fat chance!!) and they are fun to boot.  Learn a new technique each week and add to your ring of techniques.  If you are new, you will be given a ring to house all your technique tags.  It's loads of fun watching them build.

That's it for one babbly blog!!  I'll try to include pictures in my next blog.  I think they are always fun to see and add to all that frivolity we so enjoy.  Have a GREAT week and make some fun art.  Hugs - Doris

It's Sunday Already

It's just after midnight and I really should be sleeping but a long evening nap precludes me from doing just that!!  Oh, how wonderful are those naps?  I am here to tell you that wonderful is putting it mildly.  As a result, however, I get very little done when I should be doing lots of other "stuff".  In any case, love those naps and can't (or won't) live without them.  It's a great time to just slow down.

No Sunday's pick this week and I think I'll just end it today since I am so late anyway.  Although I have enjoyed playing with Sunday's pick, it is obviously not what you would like for it to be and the response has not been what I want it to be so..... Please consider Sunday's Pick finished, done, completed, no more, the end, etc.  We'll need to come up with something new that will be of value to both of us so if you have any thoughts or ideas, I would love to hear from you.

Since it is already late, I will make this short.  If you are looking to play, the balcony in West Seattle is available as well as the training room in Issaquah for Monday's holiday.  Bring a project or two and settle in for the day.  Make it a creative and artful day just for yourself.

Have a GREAT week.  I expect to post some pictures in my next blog.  I'm waiting on some to come in just for fun so.... until then.... take care - Hugs - Doris

Happy October!!

Greetings Everyone!!  Can you believe that it is October already.  It is my favorite time of the year with all the vivid colors and crisp, fresh and clean air.  It's just wonderful to be outside while the sun is still squeaking in knowing that those days are numbered.  Although I have had to pull out my jacket, I really do not mind after the very hot summer we experienced.  All the splendor of autumn makes up for any cold days that we have been experiencing.

I've been busy between both shops and playing runner between the two.  I'd love to be in Issaquah more to participate in the weekly demo day but duty calls here in West Seattle.  The economy has finally caught up with us and now the West Seasttle staff is at a minimum so I am spending lots more time there.  I love being in West Seattle also so I feel fortunate when I can float back and forth.  Do visit each of the locations.  We have lots of new and different goods at each place so it's fun (even for me) to check it all out.  When new "stuff" is received in Issaquah, I have to check it out from the shelves also.  I love it though and just love seeing all the new goods.  Did I mention that Graphic45 papers have come in.  They are in one word "georgeous".  You can find these in Issaquah for the time being.  Take a look below at some of the Northwoods that just arrived including a simply georgeous board.  How fun is this??  These are at both locations so stop in to say hello and take a look.

  

That should be enough for one blog but for those of you who have asked for Kayla's address here tis.  I know that she would love some mail.  College can be a trying time as many of you know.  Here tis.

Kayla Stull

3307 3rd Avenue W Mailstop 1978

Seattle WA  98119-7911

Auntie will appreciate it also.  I love sending her cards and never tell her they are coming.  It's so fun to make it a surprise.  Have a Happy Week everyone - hugs - Doris