Jan 19, 2013 | cards, rubber stamping
I don't know about you, but sometimes I get overwhelmed thinking about all the things on my "to do" list. These past few days have been like that, but I'm slowly getting myself organized and knocking things off that long list of tasks. As unorganized as I feel sometimes, I have to admit that I'm a bit of an organizing how-to junkie…I love watching all those organizing/decluttering shows, reading the books and checking out the magazine articles (the last two don't always help me in my quest to declutter…but I digress).
Anyway – love this hostess set from Stampin' Up! I tend to prefer wood mount stamps because in my world, I often misplace clear mount stamps. (see complaint about disorganization above). I will find I need a clear mount block, rip off the clear mount stamp, put it down "somewhere safe" and then it gets buried under the mess that I make while creating. HOWEVER I have discovered that clear mount stamps are a joy when you want to combine words into a phrase – like on this card. If you have this set, you will know that the "Keep Calm and" is one stamp, and then you have various options for the final portion of the phrase (plus the little image at the top). The focal image on this card is actually 3 stamps. If you have the set in clear mount, you can grab the extra large block (ripping off whatever clear mount stamp you previously had on it, and putting it aside somewhere safe…ahem…), and then mount the ENTIRE phrase on one block. Love love love this.
In the meantime, I am dedicating a good portion of this weekend to get my office sorted out. I always feel better once I have a bit of control over the chaos, even if just for a short while…This will help me get ready to tackle Sale-a-Bration!! I will also be prepping for my special Sale-a-Bration newsletters! If you are on my email newsletter list, you will be receiving weekly emails featuring projects that use Sale-a-Bration items, similar to my 12 Weeks of Christmas mailings, starting this Wednesday! OK back to clearing the decks….
Jan 17, 2013 | Announcements, cards, rubber stamping
As part of Stampin' Up!'s 25-year anniversary celebration, they're releasing 12 special sets – 1 per month, over the upcoming year. These sets will feature some favourite stamp images from the last quarter century plus each set will have a never-before-seen image!
All sets will be available until March 31, 2014. Starting in February there will be a collector’s card and 25-year proof of purchase sticker with every Best of set. Collect six stickers, and send it in to redeem a FREE set of your choice valued up to $17.95! Free sets must be redeemed no later than April 30, 2014.
January's "Best of" set has a birthday theme – what a great way to get organized for your birthday card needs this year! Click here to see the flyer.
The card above was shared with us at Stampin' Up!'s recent Leadership Conference. The swirl in the background is from the Everything Eleanor set. More pictures to share from Leadership as I get sorted through everything!! (oh, plus, did I mention I ran a marathon while I was there?!)
Jan 16, 2013 | Announcements
Sorry for the bit of blog silence lately – I'm in the midst of trying to find all the cords etc so that I can upload my photos from Leadership (I just got back last evening!).
In the meantime, I'm popping in to ask if you're on my list – please sign up for my email list – because next week I'm starting the 10 Weeks of Sale-a-Bration mailings! I'm trying something new to celebrate Sale-a-Bration this year! Each week, you'll receive an email with a new project featuring Sale-a-Bration product. Each email will have a photo, supply list, and complete instructions to create the project. You'll automatically receive the mailing, with no cost, BUT ONLY IF YOU'RE ON MY LIST!! So – please sign up, if you haven't already! Click on that link, or come to www.yamstamps.com directly and sign up in the box that either pops up or is on the right hand side. App users, I'm in the midst of fixing the feed so that the photos etc will show up in the app, but in the meantime, please click on the link to come to the site!
See you again soon with more photos and news – promise!
Jan 7, 2013 | cards, rubber stamping, Sale-A-Bration
I love the Noah's Ark theme of this stamp, appropriately named Two by Two. I think a single stamp like this is a great option – I don't need "baby" stamps as often as I used to these days, so I don't feel the need to invest in a whole baby-themed set. A single stamp like this will do me for a number of baby type events…and I can use just the image and not the word as suits me if I just avoid inking up the "congratulations".
This also gave me a chance to sit down and colour a bit! I wanted a bit of control over the colour in this image, so chose to use my Stampin' Write markers and blender pen on watercolour paper. Since the blender pen will blend the ink but not flood the paper, the colour is a bit more precise. I also then have the option of using the markers directly onto the paper, as I did for the portholes.
I did a different fold on the card to add more interest and added some (retired) Designer Series Paper – this is a piece from the Welcome Neighbour package that was available a few Sale-a-Brations ago (for FREE! LOL).It was too cute not to use here!
If you missed out on the Welcome Neighbor Designer Series Paper, don't worry, there's more fun Designer Series Paper coming up this year for Sale-a-Bration! If you didn't already get your copy of the flyer, let me know & I can get one to you so you can plot your course of action – you get one free Sale-a-Bration item for each $60 merchandise order (before shipping/taxes), starting January 22nd. I'm working on some samples for that, and of course, the new Spring Catalogue items….busy busy busy…
Jan 3, 2013 | Announcements, Occasions, Seasonal Catalogue, specials
An exclusive stamp set and free product?! What's not to LOVE about this special (except for perhaps the limited time that it's available?!). January 3- 21, purchase the EXCLUSIVE My Little Valentine four piece stamp set, and receive the Sealed With Love Simply Set kit (from the Holiday Catalogue) for FREE! This is pictured above right. OR purchase the exclusive bundle shown on the left – the Happy Valentine Heart single stamp plus a package of 1" x 8" cellophane bags. Simply add ink, paper and you've got a cute Valentine packaging option!
Oh and of course, I couldn't do a post today without linking to the new SPRING CATALOGUE, could I?! (link goes to .pdf download) Lots of new product from Stampin' Up! is available to perk up your winter doldrums and post holiday blahs. Contact me if you need a real life copy to look at….or if you're ready to shop right now, here's the link to my online store – shop from the comfort of your own home, anywhere in Canada! No winter blahs here!! Happy shopping!
I don't know about you, but sometimes I get overwhelmed thinking about all the things on my "to do" list. These past few days have been like that, but I'm slowly getting myself organized and knocking things off that long list of tasks. As unorganized as I feel sometimes, I have to admit that I'm a bit of an organizing how-to junkie…I love watching all those organizing/decluttering shows, reading the books and checking out the magazine articles (the last two don't always help me in my quest to declutter…but I digress). 
