Report: Riverside, CA Stamp Show

Hello All,

We just returned from our whirlwind of a trip. We enjoyed the crowd at Riverside. So many of you were so excited to see us there. Their energy was contagious and even though I had been up since 3:45 AM and had the show Friday from 5-8PM, only to return Sat at 9AM, somehow God gave me strength to be cheerful and excited. Amazing.

The most popular accessories that we continued to sell was the Quickie Glue pen. A must for all stampers and crafters. Crystal Lacquer, coupled with the Fun Fluff, the Versafine Pad in Black Onyx and Sepia Brown, the Sparklets glitters and the Essential Glue Pad. Those were such hits.

My philosophy in stamping remains simple, simple, simple. (hence our motto, Simply Elegant, Simply Fabulous) I'm one of those who are skeptical about any new doo-dad that comes along seeking to improve stamping. To me it means more precious space, more money and just plain more stuff. Often I'll just "experiment" and demo with a product without selling the item. Some things get weeded out, but some become indispensable. One example is the Versafine Onyx Black. I've been stamping for almost 20 years now and black pads have been around since the old days of address stamps. You would stamp a design, but even after drying the ink, as soon as you colored it in with a marker, it got mucked up and ruined. Then the pigment pads came along... I thought, now I can stamp in black. Same thing... stamp, color and ruin, repeat! Soooo... embossing powder came along. Now I could stamp in black (I thought), sprinkle the clear embossing powder and heat, then color in. It wasn't the perfect situation, since the black came out a little grey and feathered and the hassle of heating the powder, not including the fact that you always had a glossy finish to the design. Then along came the Versafine pad. Hmmm.... it seemed like the same ol', same ol'.... not! I stamped one of our detailed designs and no feathering and a jet black image. Ok, now comes the real test. Coloring with yellow! I carefully began to color the design, expecting the same muck and ruin, but it was absolutely beautiful. I quickly colored with pink, green and blue. Still beautiful. By they way, for those who watercolor their stamping, this pad is perfect! So it stayed a permanent addition to my staple accessories. We still didn't sell them initially, but with so many requests and the difficulty of finding the product if stamp stores weren't nearby the area we were exhibiting at, we decided to sell the product as an added benefit to our customers who have come to trust our stamping intuition in stamp accessories and make our "stamp tour store" a one-stop-shopping place.

Anyway, back to the stamp show, we met all kinds of stampers. Many long timers and some new. The ones who have remembered us from long past, were delighted to see us in person again. It was so fun. We were hoping for some sun, but when we arrived, it was raining. How funny to have left Seattle dry and arrive in CA all wet...doesn't compute:) All their sunny faces made the trip enjoyable. One highlight was finding a Hawaiian BBQ place called Waikiki in the Ontario Mills Mall area. Great foods and good prices. Definitely comfort food. There were so many restaurants to choose from. Great area to eat at.

The show went on from Friday 5-8PM and Sat 10-5PM. We got packed up at around 7PM and had a flight to take out 9:40PM, only it was delayed indefinitely. What made things a bit challenging was that we had hoped to eat at the airport only to find all of them closed! Only Round Table Pizza was open. Their menu was limited at that time of night, too. Finally, the announcement came that we would be flying out around 11:30PM to arrive at 1:45AM Sun. I never thought I would ever "sleep" at the airport. I mean really "sleep", like on the ground, lying prostrate. I was so exhausted, that my pride was gone and sleep was all that mattered. And oh, what sweet sleep!

We slept warm and cozy back at home. There really is no place like home.

Blessings,
Nami

Rose Gift Card

Here is the first card of the year. The freshness of the color and sheen of the silver embossing powder makes this perfect for some upcoming special occasion. You can use it for a bridal shower, wedding, birthday, or Valentines Day.

All the stamps, accessories and papers used are from DeNami Design www.denamidesign.com

For more cards ideas, visit our updated website!

Riverside, CA Stamp Show

Hello All!

Sorry for the long blog break. We had a great holiday and have been busy getting the latest and greatest in stamping fashion ready for the beginning of the year. We just launched a fresh website look and feel.

We have 15 new Mimi stamps! There's a Mimi stamp for all occasions. We've had some great feedback from our stores and depending on the demand, you may see more of Mimi. Give us your thoughts on what activities you'd like Mimi to be doing! You can visit it here at http://www.denamidesign.com/stamps/mimisboutique.html

We are packing it up to showcase the new designs in Riverside, CA. Come stop by and say,
"Hello". We haven't been out there to visit y'all out there in a while. The following weekend is Lawrenceville, GA. So get ready, Georgians, here we come!

I, Nami, will be personally teaching at the Stamp Shack in Ft Lauderdale, FL on Feb 8. It may be full, but you can be put on a waiting list. At many of the shows, I'll be teaching the Friday before the show. Check the website for that info www.denamidesign.com

I'll be working on more samples to post on the blog. We've made tons of samples for the display boards that will be showcased at the stamp shows. Bring your camera to take pictures!

Hope to see you soon!

Stampingly,
Nami

It's Snowing!

All this week we heard reports of the upcoming snow. You almost have to see it to believe it, based on past weather report track records. We are in Washington, so snow comes around this time of year, but sporatically. Welllll...... It actually started snowing yesterday. Today there was more fluffy snow falling on the ground. It was a day to stay indoors, drink some hot tea and do some things I did not have the time to do, but wanted to do.

I am doing some Christmas card prepping and planning. I will post my prototype soon so you can get a sneak peek. I counted around 100 cards I'll be sending out. Even with the trimming of the card list, I still have 100 left. My kids are great in helping to staff the Christmas card "factory". They are a blessing.

Christmas is coming!

Here is a cute collection of cards. They are sweet and will bring cheer to all. You can change the color theme and the look will change altogether. Here's what you'll need...

Supplies: (available through www.denamidesign.com)

top left card-

G137 Christmas Truck
PF13 Ho-ho-holidays Petit Fours stamp set
PC21 White cardstock
PC23 Black cardstock
PC16 Red cardstock
PC33 Sky blue cardstock
RB32 1/4 inch black ribbon
VF082 Versafine Onyx Black pad
GL01 Quickie glue pen
SS02 Extra fine glitter
CL01 Crystal lacquer

top right card-

G137 Christmas Truck
N108 Merry Christmas dot border
N109 Polka dot border
TR19 Flower Vines Accents stamp set
PC21 White cardstock
PC16 Red cardstock
PC33 Sky Blue cardstock
RB58 1/4 inch red sheer ribbon
VF018 Versafine Majestic blue pad
VF082 Versafine Onyx Black pad
GL01 Quickie glue pen
SS02 Extra fine glitter
CL01 Crystal Lacquer
Here's the link for ordering supplies for this card: http://www.denamidesign.com/projectideas/cards/wj015.html

bottom card-

G137 Christmas Truck
F155 Peace hope joy
PF11 Christmas dots stamps
PC21 White cardstock
PC16 Red cardstock
PC30 Blue ice cardstock
PC33 Sky blue cardstock
VF082 Versafine Onyx black pad
GL01 Quickie glue pen
SS02 Extra fine glitter
CL01 Crystal lacquer
Here's a link for ordering supplies for this card:http://www.denamidesign.com/projectideas/cards/wj015.html

Other supplies: Tombow markers

These cards are very easy and don't involve any advanced techniques. Basically, cut out corresponding panels and stamp with the Versafine pads. Color with markers. Mount panels onto base cards. The top left card needs the ribbon attached first. Use glue pen and add glitter. Add Crystal Lacquer to the red truck. It's so cute with the shiny truck and the glittery accents.

Tip: Stamp the truck and cut out without the tree. You can stamp a mini gift, heart, cherries, dessert, candy, Easter egg, etc. It makes a great all year and all occasion stamp.

Insider info: In the upcoming collection, available Jan, there will be lots of mini stamps that you can use with this little truck. Keep watching for it.

Let me know your ideas using this little truck.

Christmas Tree Tin

Supplies:

• BP-SP-CD1004 BellaPress Peppermint sampler paper pack
• C58 Mini Trees
• J105 Whimsical Tree Trio
• C63 Snowflake Circle
• TR22 Christmas Word Dots
• N109 Polka Dot border
• PC35 Magenta cardstock
• PC21 White cardstock
• PC23 Black cardstock
• VF082 Versafine Onyx Black pad
• CL01 Crystal Lacquer

Additional supplies: Tin, Tombow markers

Place half of tin on Peppermint stripe paper and trace. Do the same with the polka dot paper. Cut 1/2 inch strip in Magenta cardstock and stamp Polka dot border in black versafine.

Stamp "cheer" dot, Snowflake Circle and Mini Trees in black. Color trees in green.

Cut 2.25x2.25 inch white cardstock, 2 3/8x2 3/8 inch black panel and 2 5/8x2 5/8 inch panel in magenta. Stamp Whimsical Tree Trio in black and color. Attach each panel together.

Attach paper panels and magenta paper strip onto tin and tree panel.

Add Crystal Lacquer on dots and trees and allow to dry.

You can use this to present a gift card, or handstamped cards in the tin. You can make "coupons" for your friends and family. Ideas include a coupon for homebaked cookies, a shoulder rub, breakfast in bed, a cup of cocoa, a lunch out, etc. Just use your creative imagination! Let me know what ideas you come up with.

Enjoy!

Wreath Card Variation

Supplies: (available from DeNami Design www.denamidesign.com)

• M52 Leafy Vine Wreath
• I50 Holly Cluster
• A81 Mini Flower
• G133 Flower Vine Swirl
• G132 Vine
• RB59 1/4 inch sheer red ribbon
• RS22 Silver edge sheer ribbon
• Sakura Quickie Glue pen
• Sakura Hobby Craft Crystal Lacquer
• SR03 Classic Christmas Glitter set (includes Evergreen, Cranberry and iridescent gold)
• PC21 White cardstock
• PC15 Cream cardstock
• PC23 Black cardstock
• PC13 Silver cardstock
• PC22 Iridescent Gold cardstock
• PC32 Chocolate Brown cardstock
• EP01 Silver embossing powder
• EP02 Gold embossing powder
• VM001 VersaMark pad
• VF054 Versafine Vintage Sepia pad
• SS05 Silver Sparklets Glitter
• GP002 Glue pad

For gold card: Fold brown in half and stamp Holly Cluster and Mini Flower with Versafine Vintage Sepia pad. Cut cream cardstock to 2.25x2.25 and gold cardstock to 2.5x2.5. Emboss Leafy Vine Wreath in gold on cream and attach to gold panel.

Using crystal lacquer with the needle tip applicator, fill in leaves on wreath and sprinkle with green glitter (in the Christmas sparklets set). Shake off excess. Add tiny dots of crystal lacquer for the berries and sprinkle red glitter. Allow to dry. Using quickie glue pen, add touches to base card and sprinkle with gold iridescent glitter. Attach panel to card and tie a bow and attach to the top of card.

For silver card: Fold black card in half. Cut panel of silver to 4x5.25 inches. Stamp the vine stamps and mini flower all over the silver panel with glue pad and sprinkle silver iridescent glitter. Attach silver panel to black base card and set aside.

Cut white panel 2.25x2.25 inches and black panel 2.5x2.5 inches. Emboss Leafy vine wreath in silver embossing powder. Using crystal lacquer using needle applicator, fill in leaves and sprinkle with silver iridescent Sparklets glitter. Attach embossed panel to black panel and mount to base card.

Beautiful results! The Leafy vine is so versatile. With the right colors, it can be transformed to a Christmas card. You can use the silver/black card for a silver anniversary or wedding card and do a gold version for a 50th anniversary or wedding card. Try a navy blue and silver combination or a silver on the iridescent pastel cardstock for a soft look for all year round. The possibilities are endless! I'd love to hear your combinations.

Enjoy!