Let loose the Krakens!

Spent all day working on getting the website up and running with the new designs. Our new Summer stamps are finally up on the website. Go over and take a look.

Check out the Gallery too! Our awesome DT members Tracy and Toni really outdid themselves. Check out this super cool card by Tracy. Off the hook, baby! Can you say Kowabunga?

And introducing our newest fab member, Julee. She needs no introduction. Awesome work, Julee. Just awesome.

Whew! Going to lie down now.

Just Cards

Have y'all checked out the latest edition of Just Cards!? Our very own Toni has a whopping 11 cards with TCP designs in it. Sheesh.

And Kim over at My Favorite Things has 3!

I tell you, they just need to change the title of the magazine to "Just The Cat's Pajamas". Has a ring to it, dontcha know.

I hope everyone has a great long weekend. Me? I'll be filling orders and prepping for the release of the summer stamps. Watch this space for an update.

Get your grill on.

I have been loving this weather of late. Sunny days in May in San Francisco are rare. Let alone the ones in the 80s. Makes me want to drag out the old barbecue and start grilling.

Here is a sneaky peek at a couple of our brand spanking new designs for Summer. They'll be appearing in your friendly neighborhood stamp/scrap store any minute now.

Want to see more? Check out this groovy blog.

I'm it!

One of my fabulous DT members, Toni has tagged me, and given me 2 tasks.

Firstly, reveal seven random facts about yourself and then tag seven others...

1. I am a news junkie and have listened almost exclusively to the news on the radio for over 10 years. (Britney who?)

2. I am a voracious reader of murder mysteries written by women. I have every Agatha Christie and Nagio Marsh book written. Give me Elizabeth George and Patricia Cornwell any day and I'm a happy camper.

3. I adore watermelon. The smell, the taste, the color, the sound of the "thump, thump, thump"when you are looking for the most perfectly ripe one and the crunch your teeth make when biting into the crisp flesh. And I love the fact that I can eat as much as I want and not have to worry about too many calories.

4. I can eat a dozen doughnuts in one sitting. I guess it's a good thing I adore watermelon.

5. When I was younger I wanted to be Rhonda Morganstern on Mary Tyler Moore. I loved that she was a window dresser and wore such creative outfits. Her pink studio apartment fascinated me. I mean where was her kitchen?

7. I like plaid. There. I said it. After being garbed in Catholic school uniforms for 12 years I could not bring myself to even look at plaid for decades. Now I am strangely drawn to plaid whenever I see it in a store. Sometimes, I think it even whispers and nudges me to notice it.

Secondly: share some favorite blogs you visit for inspiration.

Jule Ebersole. Yeah, yeah, I know she is everyone's inspiration, but I just wanted to say that she is mine, too. I love her stamped designs, but even more, I love the way she writes.

Alicia Paulson. Alicia is not a stamper, but she is a creative soul. Creativity just oozes from this gal's pores. She lives a truly creative life. Plus I just love her mournful little pooch. Makes me want a doggie of my own.

Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. Okay. Not a stamper again. But this girl can weave a story like a fine piece of fabric.

Claudine Hellmuth. Finally. Someone who stamps. I just love this woman's point of view and her bubbly personality. She actually makes money with her art. Who would've thunk it? It can really be done.

Kim Van der Sanden. She is my new hero. So enthusiastic about what she does and making her new business soar. Kudos to you Kim.

Okay that's enough about me. Get better soon, Toni!

It's Showtime!

While I was on vacation I took a couple of days off to help Robert from American Art Stamp do his MIT and demo at the Joan Mills vendor show. I got to hook up with the owners of a lot of my favorite companies. I don't know about you, but I tend to get a little starstruck when it comes to celebrities. And in my world the people who head up stamp companies I admire, are celebrities. Here is Robert and Helene from Magenta. She is absolutely charming. And I was humbled when she actually remembered my name from our last meeting a year ago.

The MIT had a hawaiian theme going. In the middle of it all, the doors closed and then swung open. Much to everyone's suprise, in walked four men (!?) all dressed in Hawaiian garb. Some even had the whole coconut bra thing happening. Don't believe me? Well, here is proof.

And for you Tim Holtz fans, he was dressed up too, sans coconut bra thing. He, alas, was not prone to posing for the cameras on my side of the room. So you just have to take my word that this was him. Note the distinctive hair and earring. Yup. Tim Holtz.

Good times.

Blah! Blah! Blah!

Did I mention that there is a new "Chat" in town?

It's called Rubber Stamp Chat and it is run by Amy from Beeswax Rubber Stamps

A chat built by a rubber stamper, for rubber stampers. Oh yeah, and the rest of you can come along for the ride. Just tell 'em Alma sent you!