Batik Stamps

A couple summers ago on a visit to Seattle we went to Pike's Market (isn't it almost the law that you have to go there and smell flowers, taste honey and eat doughnuts??) I found this batik stamp in an import shop and had to have it - I love that it has a history behind it and the paisley is a favorite of mine also.
Corey had a customer that knew I loved stamping and sent the other batik stamp to me - This one has a handle on the back of it. These stamps are used to make batik cloth by stamping onto cloth with wax (instead of ink) and then dying the cloth. The wax acts as a resist on the cloth and keeps the stamped areas the original color. Pretty cool!

Friday night we had the second Vintage Monogram class - We had a little more room to spread out than on Wednesday. Another Friday night of fun at Serendipity!!

Monogram Class

Number of students - 12
Number of cards created - 120
Hours spent in class - 2 (give or take a few minutes)
Pieces of cardstock that were cut/stamped/scored/punched - at least 650!!!
WHEW! Now that's what I call a class!!!
By the way - Time when UPS man showed up with new stamps, JustRite Stampers, etc. - 1:24PM!! Figures, huh??

Vintage Monograms

How would you like a boxed set of 10 monogrammed notecards?? My classes this week at Serendipity are featuring the above cards plus a box to store them in - I had a blast designing this set of notecards since it is so different from what I normally do. There are pages from an old book (after my initial reluctance to deface a book I am now looking forward to using all the pages so I can recycle the cover somehow), vintage crocheted lace and some new stamps from Stampington. Plus we'll use some fun tools - JustRite Monogram Stamp Set (with Damask rings), Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher, Bow Easy, Parisian Edge Punch, etc.

Don't ya love the patterned paper at the top of this card? WAIT - it isn't patterned paper at all - it is the clear stamp set - French Dictionary. There is a lot of potential for this stamp set as backgrounds, etc. Looks just like old newsprint.
Wednesday's class is already at capacity (can't believe I can actually type this!!) but there is room in Friday's class - See you then!

OLD Stamper

So about 3 years ago (before Serendipity was open and I was teaching in the best store ever) Kim and I had a great lunch together and then hit a couple of antique stores. I found this cool stamper and had to take it home with me -
Did you look closely at the handle? It is a Justrite stamper!! This company has been in business for a long time -

Did I mention that it is a BIG stamp? Here it is with the new Chrysanthemum stamp from AMuse - It is just about the biggest stamp that A Muse makes and this stamper completely dwarfs it - This must have been used in a warehouse or some industrial way?? Who knows - but I love it -

JRS Gift Set Class

Last week I had the privilege of teaching two JRS monogrammed classes. As usual a good time was had by all! 16 people are now ready to go conquer the world of monograms! The world will be a better place for it!! (Where would Superman be without his S??)

JRS Gift Set

Here is a gift set that I made for a dear friend that recently got married - what could be more fun than stationery with the bride and groom's initials? I took a box I purchased from Hobby Lobby - you know the kind - the boxes with all kinds of junk all over the outside. I pulled off all the paraphernalia and spray painted the box black and covered with my most favorite patterned paper of all time - Hannah's Story - Botanical by Cloud 9 Design. I've purchased every sheet of it I can get my hands on and I would purchase more if I could. I am enamored with how it is so modern/retro at the same time and the colors are earthy, which I love!!

I filled the box with matching stationery and made the gift card/bag to match too with the same patterned paper and A Muse and Stampin' Up! stamps.

I also decorated the envelopes - the monogram on the back flap and a strip of paper along the left front side - I need to make a set of these for me!!

Sneak Peak - March's JRS class

Next week I'll be teaching a monogram notecard class. I've had my JRS monogram stamper for over 2 years now and that baby has seen some action!
Anyone thinking teacher gifts? bridesmaids gifts? just because you are my friend gifts?

I've always loved monogrammed things so this stamper has been just what I needed! Not only will we make monogrammed cards but we will make a matching case to store them in that has a magnetic closure. Isn't this Basic Grey paper gorgeous??!! There are a few openings left so call Kim at Serendipity to sign up! See ya then!

BTW - I'm just lovin' how these cards match my blog!

Teacher Gifts -

I've been a fan of JustRite Stampers for a long time now - I bought my first monogram kit back in 2006 and have made dozens and dozens of monogrammed notecards as gifts since then. Here are some pics of some teacher gifts I made a couple months back -

I'm loving that they offer the alphabets in so many different fonts and sizes now - these sets of cards feature the BRAYTON font. Justrite Stampers is getting ready to introduce lower case fonts soon - I can't wait!!

I have featured the monogram kit in two past classes at Serendipity but it has been a long time since I've had another. I'm pretty excited about what I am working on for my March class - We will be using Nestabilities, Cuttlebug folders and, of course, the JustRite Stampers kits to make monogrammed notecards and a case to hold them.

Kim has loads of JustRite Stampers merchandise at the store - Since they've become so popular there are more and more items being introduced all the time - Come to Serendipity and add to your collection -

P.S. Megan's Name Frame is featured on the JustRite Stampers Design Gallery - you may have seen it at the shop!