HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ONE AND ALL!

On your way to your New Year's festivities, remember to party responsibly by designating a driver, and DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE!

The team at Stamp Antonio Arts wishes all of our customers, families, and friends a Happy, Healthy, and Safe New Year! 2008 was a wonderful year, full of wonderful new things, and we hope 2009 will bring much MORE! More New merchandise, more New friends, more New ideas, and more New classes.

We have had many customers over the past few months bring us ideas for classes they would like to see at Stamp Antonio Arts. We have taken these suggestions to heart, and are working to make them come true. If you are interested in teaching a class at Stamp Antonio Arts in the New Year, or taking a class in something we don't offer as of yet, please make an appointment to come by and speak to our Class Coordinator, or leave a suggestion in our "comments" box.

The New Year brings excitement of New things to come, so again, on behalf of all of us here at Stamp Antonio Arts, Happy New Year 2009 and we hope to see you real soon!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL. . . . AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!

Well, here it is, the day after Christmas. Most of the excitement is over, and soon the relatives will be leaving. There are packages and papers, and cards of all types laying around, and the fridge is packed with left-overs. It's time to get out of the house, and take a trip to Stamp Antonio Arts for some fun and creativity!

This Saturday, December 27, 2008 we will be opening and closing at regular business hours;
10:00 am until 6:00 pm. We have two wonderful classes scheduled,(you may check the web page for more information, or call the store at 342-6217) and our monthly Flower of the Month Free Make-N-Take. December's Flower of the month is the Narcissus.

If you didn't get what you wanted for Christmas, or you have some of that hard earned Christmas cash left over from the holidays, come on down, I'm sure we will be able to help you find something to spend it on. We still have lots of the New 2009 Hero Arts line of rubber stamps, both wood mounted and clear stamps that came out two weeks ago, with lots of samples of cards and projects to make with them. We also have some of the Hero Arts Catalogs available for only $10.25 each, that have the complete showcase of Hero Arts Stamps along with lots and lots of sample cards in each catalog. Some customers like to have a copy of the catalog on hand, just in case they have "artist's block" when it comes time to make that special card.

We also have a good supply of Metal Effects tools, metals, and templates if you are interested in embossing and metal working, along with a new shipment of punches and books from The Punch Bunch, if you are into the Flowers So Real flowermaking classes. If you have never tried the flowermaking classes using cardstock and paper punches, come by during our Make-N-Take this Saturday and try your hand at it. The Make-N-Take is free of charge, and you just may discover a new paper craft that expresses a hidden talent.

We want to take the opportunity to thank all of our customers for their business in 2008, and wish you all a Happy, Healthy and Creative 2009.

Mindy, and the Team at Stamp Antonio Arts

Hero Arts Weekend . . . . Coming in 2 Days!

I hope you are all enjoying the Tim Holtz 12 Tags of Christmas, that are linked to this blog. He has been using so many decorating "recipes" on the tags, that those of us who are trying to keep up with the tags, keep falling behind with all the new techniques. I hope we will have time after the first of the year to try some of the "New Recipes" and share them with all of you in our classes!

I also wanted to mention our "Big Hero Arts Weekend Open House" coming this weekend, December 13, 2008! The release of the 2009 New Hero Arts stamps, along with a card Make-N-Take using some of the new stamps, and a class of Simply Stamped Cards celebrating both Christmas and year round holidays will all occur on Saturday during regular store hours. You can check the web site: http://www.stampantonio.com/ for the times of the make-n-take and the class information, or call us at 210-342-6217. There will also be light refreshments to enjoy, so put on your shopping gear, and come on down to Stamp Antonio Arts and join us in celebrating the release of the New Hero Arts line. (p.s. A little birdie told me that the new releases are AWESOME!)

We have been receiving so many new products over the last few weeks, the newest of which are the products pictured above in this blog; the Dreamweaver Metal Stencils (top), and the New Embossing Pastes (below) to use with them. Carrie Avery did a very informative demonstration last weekend with these products, and if you missed it, be sure to see the samples she did while in the store this Saturday. If you have been procrastinating like I have, and haven't gotten your cards out yet, this might be a good technique to try this weekend! You can get a lot of cards done quickly, let them dry, and then pop them into the mail.

Hope to see you all soon, and Spread some Holiday Cheer this Year!

Mindy, and the Team at Stamp Antonio Arts

Tim Holtz's 12 Tags of Christmas

Happy Holidays, Everyone! Things are really "poppin" around Stamp Antonio Arts! The December Class Calendar is up on the Web Site, ready for you all to start signing up for classes. There are some really nice projects in the classes this month. We have also been getting NEW and exciting merchandise in everyday, in fact the UPS man is already making faces when he has to haul in all of the boxes! We are getting all of the new stuff out as quickly as possible, and I will try to have some photos of the new products up on the blog by Thursday.

I also wanted to bring to your attention, Tim Holtz has started his daily 12 Tags of Christmas, step-by-step demos on his blog. You can get there Q-U-I-C-K-L-Y, by clicking on the link on the right side of this page. When I set the link, it previewed "Tim Holtz's blog." But when it came up on this page, it just says "T" with a little box around it! Just click to the right of that "T", and it will take you right to his blog, and the beautiful tags he is creating this year. The first two are AWESOME! And, of course, we have all the supplies he uses here at the store!

Have fun creating something wonderful, until next time. . . . . . . . ho, ho, ho!

Mindy and the Team at Stamp Antonio Arts

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

While we were talking about Metal Effects, I also wanted to show you this framed mirror that one of our customers brought into the store, and had Carol help her measure for and make, for her home. She was so very proud of it, and it came out so spectacular, that we had to take a picture of it. Of course then, all we were getting was flashback from the camera or pictures of ourselves.

When I saw how wonderful the picture came out, and that we finally got one without the flash or ourselves in, it made me think of how grateful and thankful I was, to be working in a business that I love, that keeps me mentally stimulated as far as my Art goes, and lets me congregate daily with other artists at the store that come in to create or just relax from their stressful situations.

At least once a day, someone comes into the store saying that "they just had to get away from some situation" and thought they would come by Stamp Antonio Arts, because they can feel creative, just by walking through the store and seeing what others have done to relax and CREATE!

Sometimes, Carol takes them aside, and lets them take out their frustrations on a piece of metal, or shows them a new technique in card stamping, or embossing. When you see that light come on in their eyes, you can tell the stress is gone, and they have forgotten their problems, if only for a little while. It's that one-on-one caring and compassion that a little bit of ART can do, that makes me thankful for being able to work alongside the wonderful team I do, here at Stamp Antonio Arts. We are blessed to have wonderful customers and friends like you, and hope you all have had a terrific Thanksgiving, and are looking forward to a sensational Christmas and Happy New Year.

We will be closed on Friday, November 28,2008 but will reopen Saturday, November 29 at 10:00 am with two awesome classes and a Christmas idea demo at 1:00 pm. Come on by, we can't wait to see you!

Mindy, and the Stamp Antonio Arts Team

Metal Effects Class with Carol

We had a wonderful class last Saturday,

Metal Effects with Carol Condos ! (one of our owners)

Carol had five students that made these beautiful etched metal mugs for themselves or Christmas presents this year.They had a good time with all of the different colored metals, and all of the different styles of texture plates that Carol has in her stash to use. Several even did some freehand work on their metals, before they placed them in the protective tumblers.

If you think you may be interested in making something like this, be sure and come by Stamp Antonio Arts anytime on Monday's, Wednesday's or Friday's. That is usually when Carol works, and is available to speak with you and answer any questions you may have concerning working with the metal. She has many samples of the metal work on lots of different projects, and is happy to talk with anyone interested.

New Pictures for the Blog!

I wanted to mention about the awesome class this coming weekend, November 15th, with Liz Allen, using the Cuttlebug Die Cut machine and Embosser. It has been awhile since Liz has been to Stamp Antonio to teach a class, but I know there is a bunch of her "Class Groupies" out there that love to take her classes. Since she has moved to Dallas with her new job, she doesn't have as much free time to teach, but is looking forward to coming down this weekend to be with us, and help us learn how to use our Cuttlebug machines to make wonderful greeting cards and tags for the holidays. You may find out more information by checking our website; www.stampantonio.com, or calling the store at 210-342-6217 to reserve your space in Liz's class. Come join us in welcoming Liz back to Stamp Antonio Arts.

Here is the picture of the NEW Distress Stickles display that came in last week. Of course it is not as full as it was in this picture, but I have sent in a re-order on several colors that we are out of already. The new Suze Weinberg Glitz Stickles are across the top row of the rack. She came out with 6 new color combinations, and the rest of the rack is filled with the Tim Holtz colors. They are very pretty and have been selling like crazy.

Here's a picture of our Store Greeter and Watchdog, Duncan, in his Dragon costume for Halloween. Duncan has so much fun being with us several days a week, and he loves coming to Stamp Antonio where he gets lots of ear scratching and plenty of petting from our customers.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Veteran's Day on Tuesday, if you are off work, come on by the store. We will be here our regular Tuesday hours, from 10:00 am till 6:00 pm.

Until we see you again, Happy Stamping!

Mindy, and The team at Stamp Antonio Arts

THE NEW STICKLES ARE HERE!

THE NEW STICKLES ARE HERE! THE NEW STICKLES ARE HERE! THE NEW STICKLES ARE HERE!

OK, now that I've gotten that out of my system, I will mention it calmly. The New Distress Stickles from Tim Holtz and Ranger Co. and the New Glitz Stickles from Suze Weinberg and Ranger Co. are now at Stamp Antonio Arts! Tim has 12 colors, that match his colors of other Distress products such as the Distress Inks and Distress Crackle paints.

Suze's Glitz colors are a multi colored blend of glitters that comes in 6 different colors. Her's are very twinkly and glittery, where Tim's are more vintage and chunky.

Be sure to drop by the store and check out the new colors. . . . . . . you will have to have them all, like me. I couldn't decide on just a few. . . . .

Mindy, and The Team at Stamp Antonio Arts

NEW Idea-ology merchandise from Tim Holtz

(Sorry about the FLASH!)

We have finally received some of the New Idea-0logy merchandise from Tim Holtz and Ranger.

We received the new Grungeboard assortments of Nature and Seasonal, along with the Grungeboard books, both 6 X 6 and 5 X 7. We also got the Fragments Charms, Keyholes, Snaps, and Jump Rings in the embelishments.

We also received some of Tim's Mask's, that he has a demo video of on his blog. You may click on the link to the right of this column, under My Favorite Blogs, and it will take you to his blog. If you click on his October 2008 postings, about half way down the page, he has his Mask technique video, along with pictures of the new Distress Stickles.

We did not receive the Stickles in this shipment, but according to UPS (the big Brown truck guys) the new display is "on its way!" Tim's Blog gives lots of information on how his New Distress Stickles are different from our regular "favorite" ones. Be sure to check his blog for more wonderful videos and information on the new product line.

Don't forget to come by on Saturday for Carol's demo between 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm. She will be showing some Metal Effects techniques that you won't want to miss.
* NOTE* Several customers have come in looking for the New issue of Cloth, Paper, Scissors, and we did receive it also today.

Hope to see you soon,
HAPPY HALLOWEEN from the Team at Stamp Antonio

Pumpkin Time!

It's Pumpkin Time at Stamp Antonio Arts! Zoe has picked out a pumpkin from the patch, and has brought it to the store, for a contest that is worth "it's weight in GOLD!"

All you have to do is come by the store, check out the pumpkin, and guess it's weight! On Halloween evening, we will weigh the pumpkin, and the person who has guessed it's weight to the nearest pound, without going over, will win the opportunity to take one of nationally known artist, Zana Clark's upcoming classes for FREE!

Zana will be at Stamp Antonio giving classes, Saturday and Sunday, November 8th and 9th.

For a list of her classes, check our website http://www.stampantonio.com/.

We have all of her samples on display, so when you come in to check out the pumpkin and guess it's weight, you can also decide which class you want to take for FREE when you WIN!

Hurry on down, the contest ends at closing time on Halloween!

The Team at Stamp Antonio Arts

NEW Magazines from Somerset Studios Are Here!

The NEW magazines from Somerset Studios have arrived! There are a limited number of these publications available, so come in soon to get your copy! The Premiere issue of "Where Women Create" has arrived, and looks really nice. I had a few moments yesterday to sit down and look through a copy, but personally I enjoyed the Cloth Paper Scissors version, called "Studio" more. It seemed to give a better description of their spaces from the artists' themselves, and why they chose to use the different storage elements they used. The pictures in the Somerset version are very nice, but seemed too staged and didn't look like anyone ever used the spaces. I guess if you are looking for ideas on how to decorate your studio space, then it has accomplished what it set out to do.

I also want to take this opportunity to thank Geeta Suggs, representing AMuse, for the wonderful classes she conducted at Stamp Antonio this past Saturday, October 18, 2008. She is a very gifted and talented instructor who taught us all about the use of Copic Markers, (which we now carry) and helped the class students in making the cutest Halloween Cards and elegant Holiday Cards using the New AMuse rubber stamps. In the next few days, I will be showing on the blog some of these awesome cards, so you too can make your holidays sparkle and shine with lovely cards.

Until then, have a wonderful day.
Mindy, and The Team at Stamp Antonio Arts

It is already the middle of October, and 2008 is scurrying to a close. Before we know it Thanksgiving and Christmas will be here and gone. Now is the time to be preparing for the holidays. Seriously! Once they start, it's all downhill from there. No time for crafting and very little time for stamping, except for those last minute cards and gifts.

To help with your holiday preparation, we have received lots of new products and stamps, and still have classes scheduled where you can learn a new technique or two to use in your holiday decorations. Please check our class calendar and Demo schedule for our upcoming events at Stamp Antonio Arts.

This morning we received the latest issue of Cards magazine from Northlight Publishing, and their special fall issue of Digital Scrapbooking. Although I don't do much scrapbooking, as such, this looks like a very interesting issue if you are into the digital aspect of scrapbooking.

Well, that's about all for now. Have a wonderful Columbus Day, and come by the store if you can. We are open Columbus Day from 10 am- 6 pm. Hope to see you soon!

The team at Stamp Antonio.

Rainbow of Colors

Top Shelf: Glimmer Mist's by Tattered Angels
Second Shelf: Glitz Spritz and Moon Shadow Mist's by Lyndy's Stamp Gang
Third Shelf: Fun Flock by Stampendous
Fourth Shelf: Twinkling H2O's by LuminArte

COLORS, COLORS, and more COLORS!

This is our "Rainbow of Color" wall at Stamp Antonio Arts. In the previous listing I told you about the different types of spray colors that you can spritz on your paper to add color to your work. We also have flocking and glitters that can be added with glues on top of the colors. Then there are the twinkling H2O's, which are watercolors that you paint on with water and a paintbrush. Twinkling H2O's come in solid form in a little pot with a lid, and you add just a bit of water to moisten them. Then you paint them on your papers with a brush, or you can paint them directly on a rubber stamp, and allow them to dry. With this technique, you can get many beautiful colored stampings on glossy card stock with just one paint application. For more information on this technique, or to see it demonstrated, come by Stamp Antonio Arts. We will be happy to show you how it's done.

Mindy and The Team at Stamp Antonio Arts

Autumn at Stamp Antonio

This is the view I caught in my lens outside Stamp Antonio one evening this week. The beautiful pinks and lavendars were so beautiful, I just couldn't pass up taking a picture of the fall sky... The temperatures are starting to cool a bit, and if you are like me, I become more creative when I can get outside and get some fresh air.

Not only are there beautiful sunsets to inspire you, there are also new products and classes happening, that will inspire also. We have started stocking up for the holidays and have received shipments of Lydny's Stamp Gang Spritzers, both the Moon Shadow Mists and the Glitz Spritz. For those who are unfamiliar with these products, they are a colored glitz pigment mixed with walnut ink in the Moon Shadow Mists, and the Glitz Spritz is just the glitzy pigments mixed with a binder in a spray bottle in many, many awesome colors that you just mix with tap water and spray on your papers until your hearts content. They may be added to stamped works, patterned scrapbook papers, handmade papers, shipping tags and any type of papers you might be using in your projects. The glitz and glimmer they add are like nothing you have ever seen before.

We have also started receiving some Christmas papers and do-dads that you can add to greeting cards and gifts. More details and pictures of those to follow, soon. Many orders have been placed this week, preparing for Geeta's card classes and Copic marker classes scheduled for October, and I am putting the finishing touches on the Poinsettia and Pine Cone Wreath in the Flowers So Real. . . . classes scheduled for October. There are also more Calligraphy classes, demos, and Make-N-Takes coming up in October also, so be sure to check the class calendar on the web site, www.stampantonio.com, to get a sneak peek and what is coming up and what classes you want to sign up for.

So, until next time, enjoy the cool mornings and evenings, and keep on crafting!

Mindy, and the Team at Stamp Antonio Arts

The Punch Bunch Flower Punches have arrived!

The Flower Punches for this month's Flowers So Real Classes have arrived! There is a change in the flowers advertised for the September classes, due to punches not being available at this time. The flowers we will make in this month's classes will be the Zinnia, and the Sunflower. If you haven't had the opportunity to join us in this exciting series of classes where each month we will be making two or more different types of flowers, you may sign up today by calling us at the store, 210-342-6217, or coming by to sign up in person. Mindy is having such a wonderful time teaching these classes, of making a beautiful Flower So Real. . . . . . out of typical cardstock, that you can hardly tell if it is real or not. We have a weekday class, and a weekend class scheduled for this month, and have the dates available on our class calendar on our web site.

Mindy is also starting a "Flower of the Month" program, where you can come in during her Make-N-Take, and try a sample flower to see if it is something you might enjoy working with. Her first "Flower of the Month" make-N-take is this coming Saturday, September 13, 2008 between 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm. There are only 6 seats available per seating, and we hope to have at least 4 seatings during the 2 hour period. So please be patient if all seats are taken when you arrive. We will try to hurry the sessions along.

The "Flower of the Month" for September is the Purple Aster.

The Team at Stamp Antonio Arts

Classes with Fred Mullett

Stamp Antonio Arts wishes to thank Fred Mullett for the superb classes he held at our store, during his recent teaching tour! His classes were well received, and a good time was had by all. We hope Fred will consider teaching again at Stamp Antonio, the next time his teaching tour brings him through Texas.

We also wish to thank all the students that signed up for his classes, the two days he was here with us. We hope you all took wonderful ideas home with you, and will share them with us in the upcoming weeks, either by email through this blog or dropping by the store.

Restock of Glimmer Mist

We just got in our restock of the Glimmer Mist by Tattered Angel. These are the liquid glimmer/glitter that you can spritz on to patterned paper, shipping tags, gift cards and the like to give them just a hint of twinkle..

They come in such beautiful colors, it's hard to decide which colors you need to buy.

Come by the store and check out the selection of colors we received, and also the new colors of

LuminArte Twinkling H2O watercolors that came in today.

This weekend is our classes with nationally known artist, Fred Mullett. If you were lucky enough to sign up early and get into one of his classes, congratulations!

If not, we do have some of his stamps and products available for sale that you may want to come by and check out!

We will also be having a demonstration of the new "Get Rollin" stamp roller by ClearSnap between 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm Saturday. If you have seen this New Item in the magazines, and can't figure out how to use it, be sure to stop by and try one out for yourself.

Until we see you again, Keep on Stampin'.

Mindy and the Team at Stamp Antonio

New Mounted/Unmounted Invoke Stamps

Our New images from Invoke Stamps have arrived! Some of them are mounted on the wood blocks, and some are unmounted so you may mount them yourself on the cling foam or other format of your choice.

I arranged them so nicely, to take a picture, and while I was doing so, sold several out from under my nose. I have been asked to announce and take pictures showing when new products and stamps arrive in the store, but lately by the time I get them published, they have sold out and are gone from the shelves. I will try very hard to keep up with the flow of merchandise that arrives daily, just for you. . . . . our loyal customers!

Just don't get mad at me, when you stop in and the New stuff is already gone!

Just a Reminder: Stamp Antonio will be closed Monday, September 1, 2008 in observance of Labor Day. We will re-open Tuesday at 10:00 am for business as usual.

Also, the new class schedule and descriptions should be up on the web page by September 1. So be sure and check them out there to see all of the new and exciting classes we have to offer for the month of September. Be sure to sign up early for any classes you might be interested in. Many folks have been waiting until the day before the class to call, and sometimes the class is already filled, or has been cancelled by the instructor. Many classes have a minimum that must be met, before the instructor will teach the class, and the instructors need time to prepare class kits, so time is of the essence. For those who sign up early for classes, and sometimes need a gentle reminder, we will begin calling the day before the class to remind you of the class time and any additional supplies you will need to bring to your class.

Thank you in advance for helping us make your classroom experience a little smoother and nicer, and until we meet again, Keep on Stampin'!

Mindy, and the Stamp Antonio Arts Team

New Magazines

All of the new issues of your favorite Paper Arts Magazines have now arrived at Stamp Antonio Arts. Cloth, Paper, Scissors, Somerset Studios, Somerset Holidays and Celebrations, and many more are in and selling quickly. Even the September issue of the "Cards" booklet and the Hoiday issue of the North Light Publications have arrived , and are really moving.

Everyone is starting to get ideas on Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas projects, and the magazines are furnishing them with ideas galore.

Come and get your today, before they are all gone! Hope to see you soon.

Just a reminder;

Stamp Antonio Arts will be closed on Monday, September 1, 2008 in observance of Labor Day.
We will re-open at 10:00 am on Tuesday for business as usual.

What Has Happened to the Blog?

I know, I know, "What has happened to the blog?" It's what I hear everyday. Well, with vacation, and school starting again, and classes around every corner, it has been hard for me to keep up with everything that is happening.

New merchandise has been arriving on a regular basis, along with a few stamps, but our classes and class schedule have been drawing the most attention. We have three NEW instructors that have joined our ranks, and brought a whole new boost to our Paper Arts business.
-Linda Lahr has been teaching jewelry classes using stamps and paper to make beautiful beads that are then strung into awesome jewelry.
-Rita Abrego has been teaching us how to use the Heat and Mold pads and Stamp Carving Blocks to create our own design stamps to use on paper and fabrics.
-Joan Schmitz will begin teaching Calligraphy classes at Stamp Antonio on the last Monday of each month. All levels of calligraphers are welcome.

For more information on any of these instructors or their classes, or to reserve a space, please call us at 210-342-6217.

We also have nationally known artist, Fred Mullett, teaching classes the first weekend in September. Although most of his scheduled classes are already full, he may be persuaded to work in another class if there is enough interest. Please call us at the above number, if you are still interested in taking one of his classes, and we will see what we can do to make it happen.

We are also tossing around an idea of a "lunch bunch work hour" during the day, when the kids get back in school. This would be a time during the week, for busy Mom's or Dad's to sit down and "CREATE" something without the kids bothering you. Sometimes you just need " a little ME time," so why not create a card or piece of art that will help you relax and de-stress. Remember, "crafting is cheaper and more fun than therapy!" Let us know what you think about this idea the next time you are in the store, or any other fun ideas for classes you may have.

So until next time, (and hopefully it won't be another month) Keep Crafting!
We hope to see you soon at the store!

Mindy, and the Stamp Antonio Arts Team

Stamp Antonio Arts welcomes Barbara Jackson!

Barbara Jackson, a nationally known artist and demonstrator of Golden Products, held an all day class and seminar at Stamp Antonio Arts on Sunday, July 20, 2008. She had been for a visit and to demo some of the new Golden Product line, earlier in the summer. We had such a wonderful turn out, and several of our customers asked if she could come back and give additional classes.

Barbara worked us into her busy schedule, and returned to give a hands on, (or hands in) seminar on the Acrylic Gels line. She will be returning in August for a class in Digital design using Golden Products and your computer, so check our calendar on the website, www.stampantonio.com for more information concerning the class and when it will be held.

Sign up in advance is crucial, so that preparations can be made to get the equiptment and supplies here that we need for each student. So sign up as soon as possible, so you don't miss out on this informative and creative class.

We are also taking reservations for the classes in September featuring Fred Mullett. It has been several years since Fred has been on the road teaching classes down here in Texas. His classes have been filling at his every stop down IH35, and our classes are just about filled. We still have a few openings, so be sure to reserve your spot today for these one of a kind classes. You will be glad you did!

July Artist-in-Residence

Hello everyone. Here are a few photos from our Artist in Residence get-together at Stamp Antonio Arts. This is our second such occasion, and we had such a wonderful turn-out, and everyone seemed to have a good time. If you are not familiar with our Artist in Residence program, it is where some of our wonderfully talented instructors come together to work on their own projects, while you, the customer walks through the store shopping, asking questions, and sometimes signing up for future classes. You get a sneak peek at what our instructors work on in their spare time, and maybe get new ideas on how you can use products you already have at home in a new project. Plus, it is a great time to meet other artists in our community, and share ideas and thoughts with them.







We also had some of our future Artists in Residence showing off their skills on papercraft projects that they enjoy doing. Artists of all ages loved to participate, and with refreshments and live entertainment, a good time was had by all.













Look on our class calendar for the next Artist in Residence coming soon. You will be glad you did!

AMuse-A-Palooza 2008

CONGRATULATIONS to Helen Richards, our Grand Prize winner in the AMuse-a-palooza 2008 festivities at Stamp Antonio Arts. Helen (l) is shown here with co-owner, Carol Condos, Monday when claiming her prize; an AMuse tote bag filled with lots of AMuse product!

We want to thank all of our wonderful customers and fans of AMuse stamps, for helping us celebrate AMuse-a-palooza 2008, and thank Geeta Suggs, one of the wonderfully talented AMuse certified instructors, for taking the time to come visit and teach classes at our store.

We would also like to thank the other sponsers of AMuse-a-palooza for the products they furnished for our other contest winners during this week of FUN!
Scor-Pal: winner, Joan Cornell
Copic marker caddy: winner, Christina Reyna
Color Box goodies: winner, Julie Wright

If you missed coming by the store this past week to celebrate AMuse-A-Palooza with us, you can still come by and see the wonderful cards that were made during the week. We still have some of the new stamps that were released, and have already re-ordered the ones we sold out of. So you can still start your Christmas stamping today, by just coming by Stamp Antonio Arts for all your stamping and cardmaking supplies.

Just as a reminder, we will be having our Artists-in-Residence demos this Saturday, July 19, 2008. Between the hours of 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm our class instructors will be situated at tables around the store, working on projects where you can stop and ask questions, sign up for upcoming classes, or just stand and watch for awhile. We will also serve refreshments, have live music to enjoy while shopping, and a Lemonade Stand manned by two of our up and coming young artists-in-residence. So come on by, and join us in celebrating Summer vacation, and pick up some new ideas and products to try during the H O T, Hot, days of Summer!

Pictures from the A Muse Weekend with Geeta

Here are the pictures from Saturday's A Muse classes with Geeta Suggs. As you can see our class room was full, and we hope everyone enjoyed their cardmaking time at Stamp Antonio!

Now is the time to start signing up for the AMuseapalooza festivities that will be held here at the store. Geeta's class, "Glimmer, Twinkle, and Shine, will be held on July 9, 2008, a Wednesday evening, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. There will also be a free Make-N-Take the same day from 3:00 pm- 5:00 pm. (no reservations required for the make-n-take)

For more information, you may call us at 210-342-6217.

Wonderful A Muse Weekend!

I wanted to take this opportunity to thank Geeta Suggs for her wonderful classes held Saturday, June 21, 2008 at Stamp Antonio Arts. We had such an amazing turnout, and all left with bags and pockets full of beautiful cards, thanks to Geeta and A Muse! These were our first classes in our newly remodelled classroom, and we were glad that the remodel allowed our students plenty of room to work on their cards. (I have photos of this past weekend's classes to post, and will do so as soon as possible.)

Geeta will be returning to Stamp Antonio Arts on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 to help us celebrate AMuseapalooza! with a Make-N-Take from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm, and then a class using the never-seen-before A Muse Holiday Stamps from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. AMuseapalooza is a fun-filled event, and if you like rubber stamping, you need to make plans to come by and join us! There will be many exciting things going on during AMuseapalooza, so be sure and watch this blog, and our web site for announcements of the upcoming events and classes.

Until next time,
Keep on Stamping!

The Classroom Make Over is Complete!

The Make Over is complete, and our classroom looks beautiful. There is so much more room once we got everything up off of the floor. If you haven't had a chance to come by the store and see it, please do! We can't wait to show it off, and have more classes in it.

This coming weekend, Geeta Suggs, the A Muse stamp demonstrator for our area, will be here with three card classes scheduled on Saturday, June 21, 2008. There are still openings in the classes, so please call us to sign up as soon as possible at 210-342-6217 if you are interested.

I want to take this opportunity to thank Erin, Carol, and Amy for all their hard work remodelling the classroom. They spent many long hard hours painting and re-organizing, and making our classroom area a more inspiring and creative place to work.

The Make-Over is Progressing!

Thursday Morning,

The makeover is progressing, the walls are painted and the fixtures are going up.

Well, back to work organizing, More Later!

The Classroom Makeover is Underway!

The merchandise has been packed in boxes, the empty displays have been taken down, the walls have been primed and basecoated. "The Classroom Makeover is Underway!

We have been talking about remodelling our classroom area for sometime now, and it is finally underway. The store is still open for business, and we haven't destroyed anything out front, yet! The store is still pleasantly shopable, but all workshops, Artist's Night Out, and classes for the week have been cancelled while we work on renovating the classroom and stockroom area.

Hopefully we will have it all put back together by this coming weekend, but it is taking a little longer than expected.

We are trying to lighten the ambience of the room and make it a pleasant place where creativity will flow freely. By rearranging and reorganizing the materials back there, we should be able to accomodate more classroom students, especially since we are scheduling more nationally known Artists to teach classes and workshops in the coming months.

Stay tuned to the blog for more updated photos on the classroom makeover, we will let you know when it is done, and ready for your inspection.

One Year Anniversary at Stamp Antonio Arts!

We want to take this opportunity to thank each and everyone that participated in our Artist-in Residence Celebration on May 10, 2008 at Stamp Antonio Arts. We were celebrating our One Year Anniversary since Amy and Carol purchased Stamp Antonio Arts back in 2007, and we had a wonderful day of music, refreshments, stamping, punching, and cardmaking.

Susan Casto, below, demonstrated card making using the Rubber Stamp Tapestry line of peg type rubber stamps. Stamp Antonio is the only store in San Antonio that carries this very popular line of rubber stamps, and if you have never seen them used before, be sure to come by our store and check them out. They have become very popular of late, because they can be tucked into your tote bag or scrapbook bag, and don't take up much room. They can really make a difference on your card or scrapbook page. Susan also teaches classes at our store in a watercolor technique using the Art Impressions line of landscape type stamps. She usually has a class or make-n-take scheduled for each month on our class calendar, so to see more samples of her work, check our class schedule on our website: www.stampantonio.com.

We also had a tremendous turnout for the Golden Products demonstration with Barbara Jackson. She covered so many products, and was so informative, that many requested that she do some workshops or classes in the future. We have talked with her about this, and she has sent us information concerning workshops she does. If you are interested in participating and learning more about Golden Products, give us a call at 210-342-6217, and leave your name and contact information, and as soon as dates and times are finalized we will send you information concerning her workshops.

There are so many more exciting and interesting events coming up in the next few months at Stamp Antonio Arts, you need to stay in touch with our web site and this blog. You never know when something that you have always wanted to learn more about will be addressed on this site. Stay tuned in for more information!