Boston Strong Stamp is Here!!

We are delighted that Hero Arts has joined us in this venture, to create a rubber stamp that we can use to raise money and  spread our feelings of support for everyone affected by the Boston Marathon bombing.  We are selling the stamp for $8.00, and if you want to give one to a non-stamping friend, you can add a one-inch ink cube in black, red, or blue, for an extra $2.00.

I made up the envelope to show you how to explain to people how to use the stamp...basically, add it to all your outgoing mail...or make a pin with it...or make a hanging ornament (no need to wait for the holidays!)...but we are stampers, so this is what we do...we make cards, or add it to scrapbook pages...

I created the two-color image by making my own stamp pad (Using a trick taught to us all by the one and only Tim Holtz.)  Take some Cut 'n'Dry Felt, by Ranger, and trim it to the exact size of the stamp. Decide where you want the ink, and add the colors right out of the re-inker bottle. In this case, I used the poppy red and indigo blue reinkers  from Tsukineko.  Where the ink meets another color it just stops and won't bleed into it to any great extent.

Now you can position the stamp right over the pad and ink it up.  It is a good idea to keep the ink pad moist by sealing it in a plastic bag between use...nothing fancy necessary.  If you would prefer, we have the red and blue ink pads in the small size and it is easy to add the two colors this way, too.

We are inviting everyone to join us in this fundraising effort. Hero arts is donating any profits from the sale of the stamp to the OneFundBoston, as are we. All profits from our sale of the stamp will go directly to the OneFundBoston. So, if we need to mail it, you will understand why we need to charge postage.

We will have a "Boston Strong" wall where we will post any and all cards and envelopes, as well as altered art projects, using the Boston Strong rubber stamp.I will keep you all posted if we receive anything to put up.  Fingers crossed.

We are doing an "Operation Write Home" session on Sunday, May 26, from 1-3pm. This organization, Operation Write Home, creates handmade cards for service men and women to send home to their families and friends.

You are invited to come into the store and use our materials, stamps, inks, papers, etc, to make some cards that we will send along to the powers that be, who will in turn send the cards along to the soldiers. We have the new Hero Arts stamp sets that are specific for the OWH effort, and some of their profit goes to the foundation.

I will have some samples done to get you started. Bring your own tools and basic crafting supplies. Everyone who comes to join this effort will have their names entered into a drawing to win a set of paspers and stickers from Bazzill Basics Paper.

When we hear about, and are affected by, the results of the tragedy that occured at the Boston Marathon, we all ask ourselves "What can I do?" It is a time to look toward our own strengths and offer what we can.




We are stampers, so this is what we do. We have commissioned a stamp that says "Boston Strong,"

It isn't even here yet, so I have no projects done with it yet. It is being made for us by Hero Arts, and they are donating their entire profit from the stamp to the One Fund: Boston. We will donate our entire profit from the stamp also to the One Fund;Boston. The size of the stamp is roughly 2.5 x 3.5 inches. (Remember, I haven't seen it yet.) There is a picture, roughly, in the May 3 newsletter.



What to do with the stamp??? Place it on your envelopes, back and/or front...keep the awareness of the strength we have inside of us as a group constantly present. You can also make patriotic cards, for now or the July holiday. I plan on using mine on every bill and other piece of mail that goes out....emboss it, glitter it...make it come alive!! (Make pins, or holiday ornaments, iron it on to t-shirts!!)



We are now taking prepaid pre-orders. The stamp itself is $8.00, and the stamp along with a one-inch black ink cube is $10. Shipping is $2.50 for one stamp, $3.50 for two stamps, $4.50 for three stamps, and $5.05 for any number after three. Shipping will be added, if we are doing mail order for you. Terri tells me she will get this up onto the online store, in the "what's new?" section as soon as she can. If you don't see it, you can order by calling the store. (978-887-6397)



Anyone who wants to be part of our "Boston Strong" Display that we will put up in the store is invited to send in a card, using the stamp somehow, and with whatever else you want to add to the card...or keep it plain and simple...your choice. I'll post more on this once the stamp is here. We are told to expect it next week.