PARTY this Sat December 17th

REmember All Locals Saturday is our annual ORNAMENT exchange at my place 2pm. Bring 1 handmade ornament and a dessert or drink to share! If you need directions email me maryjomcgraw@yahoo.com or give me a call today! 509-327-6622

Tonight, this afternoon really, 4:30pm Wed 5:30 Fiber paste for SAS DT!

OK gang for those of you in the area, Coeur D Alene that is, join us at 4:30 pm for Visual Journaling. We will be playing with pens and little house pages fun and easy. bring a gluestick and pens! I have stuff for those who forget there stuff.
free!!!!! although tips are graciously accepted.

Tomorrow SAS Downtown Spokane 5:30pm FIBER PASTE! only $10 A fabulous medium for the mixed media artist it makes many surfaces into paper. Come on down and check it out.

Visual Journaling TONIGHT 5:30 pm Dec 7th

Bring along your journal scissor and a black pen! See you there.
Christmas party info too!

Creative Element 4:30pm Dec 6th

Tonight we will check out the fun of Absorbent Ground! Join us for the faux watercolor fun at 4:30 It's only $10 don't bring a thing.

Nov 16th stamp club cancelled

Due to what looks like bad weather coming our way tonight Stamp Club is cancelled sorry.

Tuesday and Wed Nov 1-2

today At Creative Element in CDA...Studio Play....Join us for a fun background technique Pulled Paper Paint only $10 come play and find out how fun this technique is!
Wed at the DT store on Monroe we will try a different type of collage...Tip In!
Thats FREE!!!!!!

Don't Forget Oct 29 th All Day Studio Play

There are still a few tables left....Bring your stuff and play all day with us.....I will have lots to try out and its only $20!!!!! Call today 509-327-6622

TONIGHT 4:30pm Altered Books

First meeting of our new Altered Books group! Join us with an old book and scissors for this fun art form. Call for more info 208-667-0813

Upcoming events through the next month!

OUR very FIRST Altered Book Group Meets this Tuesday Oct 25th 4:30 - 6:30pm at CREATIVE ELEMENT I bring it all except for scissors and your book! Join us for the very first meeting Its FREE ( tips are gladly accepted!) Bring a used book or 2 approx 2 inch depth hardcover Next weekend Oct 29th we are trying something NEW and FUN! Join us at the Monroe Spokane Art Supply 10am for and open All Day Studio Play for only $20 you get a table to play on all day and use of paints mediums and waxes. Bring along your latest work in progress and MaryJo will help you along with ideas and suggestions or just bring a journal or altered book to play in. You must call in and let us know you are coming table space is limited 509-327-6622 or email me directly maryjomcgraw@aol.com SATURDAY NOV 5th 12-3pm Basic Copic Marker Class $25 Bring along you markers and come learn all the basic techniques, feathering and about the copic numbering system. If you don't have markers you can borrow mine. Bring along an image you would like to color. I will have many for you to choose from too! Nov 10 Thursday Creative Element 4-6pm Copic Marker 2 beyond the basics, more techniques and surfaces to try out. You will be amazed at what you can do with these incredible PENS! Only $20 EMAIL me with any questions maryjomcgraw@aol.com or catch me on Facebook!

Stamp club tonight 5:30 pm

Join us tonight for Spokane Stampers. We will be doing a tiny book ....so easy you can make a bunch really quick ...bring your scissors!

Hey all if you are in the area this weekend we have the BEAD STAMPEDE ( spokane fairgrounds) this Fri Sat Sun Oct 14 15 16. I will be there Sat Demonstrating a few crazy techniques all day! check out the link thebeadstampede.com for more info ....and you can stop by Creative Element and Spokane Art Supply for free passes! or just print a copy of this and it is your FREE pass!

today and tomorrow

TODAY Tuesday Oct 11 2011 is Visual Journaling at Creative Element 4:30 we will be using gesso for all kinds of tricks don't miss the fun! Tomorrow at SAS on Monroe Faux Encaustic only $10 don't bring a thing just show up at 5:30pm

join us this week OCT 4-5

This week At Creative Element Tues 4:30-6:30 We will be playing with a few different gels and paints to create a faux encaustic look over collage. Join us for only $10 loads of fun and a great technique to try! At SAS Monroe 5:30-7:30 Visual Journaling Gesso tricks and treats also try the Silverpoint medium too plus a look at all the new Pitt(FAT)pens and the Aqua Markers!!!!! ITS FREE

Hey there Local Spokanites and CDA'rs too, Spokane Art Supply's BIGGEst Sale of the year is Next weekend..OCT 1-2,The Great Art Adventure is filled with demos from all ends of the art spectrum.... companies like Golden M Graham, Pebeo, Strathmore and Northlight books will be represented along with many others PLUS you get 20% off of almost everything in the store including sale items and Closeouts. OH and by the way Montana Spray Paints are BACK!!!!!!! LOTs of new Stencils From Crafters Workshop and CoffeeBREAK design too! STAMPS, PAPER AND all kinds of crafty goodies including Tim's Holtz Idealogy....its only ONCE a year so don't miss it.

Sept 6th & 7th

Tonight we begin our fall sessions of Studio Play at CDA, Creative Element. We will be discussing Tape Techniques mainly masking and metal Tapes and glazing these for backgrounds and such. Its only $10 do bring scissors don't bother with any other stuff! Join us at 4:30- 6:30pm see you then! Tomorrow WED at 5:30 Visual Journaling Tissue paper fun. Bring along all your favorite journaling stuff. I will bring the tissue paper. This one is FREE and Downtown at SAS on Monroe!!!!!!

WED Aug 3rd VISUAL journaling 5:30 pm

COME and stay and play at Spokane Art Supply on Monroe...ITS FREE! bring a journal MaryJo will show you some new things to try and we always have FUN!

coming up on a very busy week

so much to be done!
This Tuesday at Creative Element AUG 2nd Studio Play.... we will explore the many uses for CRACKLE Paste. Join us for only $10 ...don't bring a thing.

WED AUG 3rd
at the SAS on Monroe Visual Journaling We will be talking about DOTS and Dashes and hopefully checking out the works from the Teesha Moore class attendees

I will be in OHIO for the week of Aug 8-12 so all classes that week are cancelled sorry GANG!

Upcoming Classes at SAS and Creative Element

Check out the latest list of classes for both stores!
Stamp Club is this WED JULY 20th and I hope those of you that came to TEESHA's Class will bring your cool stuff to share...PLEASE

Creative Element 4:30 pm VISUAL journaling

Join us for the fun...bring along the journal you made or the one you bought or both!
We will be working in Black & White bring your favorite stamo images and a black stamp pad.

TEESHA Moore coming July 16th & 17th

The Most Famous Visual Journaling QUEEN is coming to SAS ....you will be filled to the brim with creative inspiration. Call 509-327-6622 or download the PDf

ttp://spokaneartsupply.com/classesmonroest/stampingpaperarts.html

TONIGHT and Teesha Moore

Teesha Moore's Class is coming up fast!!!!!!! Do not miss it.
Tonight we have two classes going on Collagraphy with Margot and Visual Journaling with ME! Call for details on all 509-327-6622

Spritz and Spray FUN today at Spokane Art on Monroe!

Its FREE and fun today. Joann Ritchie Decorative Painter Extraordinaire is coming today to talk about Memory Boxes and then we will work on some spray and spritzing fun. Come and join us!

TODAY tuesday June 14th CDA idaho Creative Element

Join us at 4:30 for visual journaling....Pockets and Palettes today

Tuesday at Creative Element Wed at SAS Monroe CHRIS COZEN FRI & SAT

Its a busy week OUR NEW STUDIO PLAY at Creative Element is tomorrow 4:30 pm $10 we play with soft Gel medium...don't bring a thing...try it before you buy it!
Wed Fiber Paste at SAS on Monroe fibery fun for only $10!
LAST CHANCE to get in on Chris Cozen's incredible classes Call us ASAP at 509-327-6622

emorial day and summer is here a beautiful weekend afterall. Earlier this week we were expecting rain all weekend.
So an update on the week upcoming and other stuff. We have Ginger Rose an incredible watercolor artist coming to show our Visual Journaling group her journals past and present. That is happening this Wed Jun 1st!
Chris Cozen is arriving June 10-11 for her awesome mixed media classes there is still a little room so sign up quick.

All Day Play at Creative Element Tues May24th

Bring whatever you would like to play with and stay for the day or just a little bit.

tonight Stampers

Ladies tonight bring you scraps ( papers mainly) scissors and a glue stick for some SCRAPPY MAKE DO fun.

hard to believe its the second tuesday already...

but it is so If you are coming to Creative Element for Visual Journal bring your pages and a piece of decorative paper to use as a cover. I will bring the other things to bind it all up.Join us starting at 4:30pm
On WED at the Monroe Store we will be exploring Watercolor for the MIX MEDIA artist only $10 5:30 pm

thats tonight WED MAY 4th

I believe we are discussing hidden messages and REAL watercolor ideas!
bring along some pens or pencils I have some cheating ways of drawing for you too.

Tonight for visual journaling

WED Stamp Club

TALKING this month about new products and lots of free tip sheets from Susan Holton of TSukineko! Don't miss out on all the fun!
Back issues of Somerset mags are still 50% off and lots of new bargain stamps!

lots happening this week

Besides Our CDA Visual Journal group on Tuesday we have our Studio Play night at the DT store on Monroe and Copic Markers class on Thursday in CDA and Back to the DT on Sat for an all day Visual Journal & Altered book Play day...
Here is how it all PLAYS out

Tuesday
April 12th 4:30 -7:30 Bring 1 sheet of stonehenge paper and a few paint brushes for a quick lesson in Acrylic as watercolor.
Wednesday
April 13 5:30 pm
join us for a lesson in Flow Release and Retarder only $10
April14th Copic Pen class $25 don't bring a thing!

Sat April 16th All Day Play with Maryjo $30 all day I will be showing techniques for journals and altered books starts at 10:30am
Call us at the SAS for details 509-327-6622

Visual Journal Tonight on Monroe

Bring a song in your heart and a song for your JOURNAL!
New stuff to show and just plain old fun!
5:30pm see you there......

VOLUNTEERS you know who you are...PLEASE

PLEASE contact me today or tomorrow if you are still planning on working the show. email maryjomcgraw@aol.com

Irredescent paints for the Valley Friday the 18th of March

At SAS Too on Sprague tomorrow ......The subject is Pearly! How to use Irridescent Paints and powders in your Mixed Media art only $10. Sparkly!

TOday March 16th

Hey Gang, today is Stamp Club for the Downtown store on Monroe....If you have Carving stuff bring it we will be carving stamps! These will be fairly simple stuff you can carve with an exacto knife I will have extra tools on hand but you will need to bring or purchase carving material we do have speedy cut and other items. If you have nothing bring an old pink or white eraser. See you at 5:30pm

With the stamp show coming in less than 3 weeks....

I thought you all might get a kick out of an article I wrote a few years back. This image is from my friend Libby from the bay area. by using Micro glaze for a mask over the image she was able to cover the whole background with a BIG crackle stamp (JK) in one shot!
BTW JudiKins will have this stamp at the show its called Porcelain Crackle.

Getting more from your BIG stamps

In all my years of stamping one piece of advice has always remained the same when it comes to investing in a product buy the biggest/best item you can afford. We all know that bulk tends to be the winner when it come to price and good quality never goes out of style. This is as true with rubber stamps as it is with bottled products or tools so buy the big one!

Many companies create images in multiple sizes this creates a problem when you must choose only one. Yes, the little one is cute, less expensive and fairly functional and although price is a consideration value will determine usability. A big stamp can't be beat when it comes to versatility.
Bigger is better, here is why...

Tiling small stamps together is time consuming and can be frustrating. Using a large stamp will fill the space better since most larger stamps are created with composition in mind. Many card makers tend to stay under the standard postal size and many of these stamps are made to fit those sizes.

A large image can always be cut down, torn or masked to fit an area much more easily than a small stamp can be tiled into an area.

Big backgrounds can be punched repeatedly giving multiple parts. I have a large collection of punches that I use often with large images especially backgrounds. Simply trim a background to fit the front of a card then punch a large square or circle at the bottom right corner. Layer over a contrasting colored note card. In the open space place another punched design like a leaf, flower or heart shape.

Substantial designs can be stamped onto shadow or palette stamps leading to a dual design. This is a great technique for expanding your collection. Put a light base color on the palette stamp then stamp a darker color on the palette with a large stamp. Now stamp the palette onto your paper. Try this on your bold alphabets for a brand new look.

There are some issues when using these hefty tools. Many people have a difficult time simply holding big stamps and printing with them can be a struggle as well.
The solution is to use a rubber brayer ( the biggest one you can find of course)!

A brayer is the easiest and most efficient way to achieve an even application of most wet mediums.
A detachable 4 or 6 inch soft rubber brayer can be a big stamp's best friend. I have brayers in many sizes and use them for applying inks and paints to jumbo stamps and many other surfaces. You can also make gorgeous backgrounds with the leftover ink/paint.
To apply the ink or paint you'll need to use some type of large washable surface like a piece of glass, a Teflon sheet or even a piece of shrink plastic to put the loose ink or paint on. Roll out the color with the brayer then apply evenly to the large stamp.
A brayer is also the best at getting an even impression from the stamp itself. Lay the stamp rubber side up then lay the paper face down on the stamp and apply gentile pressure over the back of the paper with the brayer.
Rubber brayers can be cleaned in the top rack of the dishwasher!
Play with big stamps regularly and you will have loads of backgrounds for your latest creations.

Visual Journaling Tues ..Wed Studio Play March 8&9

Visual Journaling CDA Creative Element 4:30pm-7:30 pm Tonight using Stencils in your Journal. I will bring a variety of stencils pen and a bit of paint. You bring scissors and a glue stick. See you there! Call for info 208-667-0813

Wed Studio Play on Monroe. Exploring how to use various mediums including Soft Gel only $10 Come on out and try it before you buy it!

I forgot Metallic Stamping THIS sat MArch 5

We are having a Faux Metal stamping Class this weekend in Coeur d Alene at Creative Element! only $20 everything is provided....if you haven't been to CREATIVE ELEMENT...this would be a great weekend to check it out we have loads of paper, and stamp stuff and you will get a 20% discount on all that cool stuff!

In class you will create some beautiful backgrounds then top them off with some richly embossed images...fun and easy with things you may already have in your stash.

tonight Visual Journaling & Altered Books

Both classes in one since the weather was so bad last night. Meet us at the Monroe store 5:30 for plenty of fun. Recycled pages and black and white stuff

we are doing littlte polyclay books in the Valley TODAY

Join us for a mini polyclay class in the valley store today!!!! all sorts of little projects only $10 Bring one block of polyclay!

Using Colored pencils with rubber stamps WED 5:30pm

SEE you at Stamp Club 5:30

Today 5:30 Studio Play iridescent paints

We will be covering how to create iridescent paints and how to use these paints in mediums and glazes!

Creative Elememnt tonight 4:30pm

We are starting a new Visual Journaling Group in coeur d Alene Bring a gluestick scissors and a pencil....come late if you like!

NEW VISUAL JOURNALING NITE in CDA

We are starting a new Visual Journaling group at Creative Element in Coeur d Alene this coming Tuesday Feb 8th. Just bring a journal or altered book any size or shape. We will start at 4:30 and end around 6:30ish bring along a pencil and scissors ,Thats it! Even if you can come for only an hour DO IT!
BTW all the back issues of Somerset Studio Mags are 50% off and all the TJ design kits are also 50% off(just clearing the decks for new stuff and for the Stamp Show in April)
See you there!

Friday in the Valley 4:30 pm Jan 21,2011

3rd Fridays at Spokane Art TOO CARDMAKERS MONTHLY has become MIXED MEDIA MONThLY in the Valley each month a different technique Everything included for only $10 call for details 509-892-0352
Jan 21 Creating Acrylic Glazes
Feb18 Polymer Clay

Wild Brayer fun tonight5:30 pm Jan 19 2011

At SAS tonight wild & CRAZY background fun with brayers. Bring one if you have one...brayer that is..and join us for some recycling fun with stamps paint and inks. It will be a messy riot so an apron might be good oh and scissors! See you there

stuff this week Jan 17-21

Hey there!
Lots happening this week ....At the Monroe store you will notice the front door boarded up so come in the back way on Wed evening for Club and I will explain!

Third Wed of each month Spokane Stampers Spokane Art Supply DT Join us for a night of cardmaking, stamping and altered art ideas, .... Its Free! 5:30pm-7:30pm
This is what is upcoming
Jan19 Wild & Crazy Backgrounds with brayers
Feb 16 using colored pencils with rubberstamps
March 16 Distressing photo fun

3rd Fridays at Spokane Art TOO CARDMAKERS MONTHLY has become MIXED MEDIA MONThLY in the Valley each month a different technique Everything included for only $10 call for details 509-892-0352
Jan 21 Creating Acrylic Glazes
Feb18 Polymer Clay

Let me know what you all think I love to have input!!!!

Greetings!
A Last Minute Cancellation-Wed. 01/12!
Due to weather beyond our control, tonight's "Studio Play" class at the N. Monroe Spokane Art Supply has been cancelled. The good news is that MaryJo McGraw, the guru herself, is safely tucked away in her lavish, art-deco, unabomberish house in North Idaho. The bad news is that MaryJo McGraw, the guru herself, is safely stuck in her lavish, art-deco, unabomberish house in North Idaho.
Please feel free to pass along this note to anyone you know who usually attends
, and we hope to see you next Wednesday (01/19) for Stamp Club!

Sincerely,
Craig Marshall
Spokane Art Supply

Hey KIDS!

Bring scissors tonight and tomorrow!!!! Gluestick too if you have it!

This week Jan 4&5th

Tues Altered Books at the Valley Store We will be working on upgraded pockets of all kinds using templates Join us at 4:30 pm
Weds Visual Journaling at the Monroe Store Buried words and NUMBERS over painting backgrounds join us at 5:30pm
Both of these classes are free!