Wishing you and yours the very best of the season from me and mine!
I always appreciate a moment of calm amongst the chaos that can be the holiday season to take a moment to reflect back on the year and look forward to the next.
Thank you for supporting my small business – by buying paper crafting products through me, by purchasing an online class, by subscribing to my newsletter or visiting my social media and website in this busy world! Wishing you all the best of the season and looking forward to continuing to bring you crafting ideas and inspiration into 2026 and beyond!
As everyone in Canada recovers from Game 7, I’ll take you back to Game 1!
I am very thankful that the clocks turned back over the weekend – because I needed that illusion of extra sleep after that rollercoaster known as World Series Game 7. I am typically one of those sports fans that gets more interested as we get into the playoffs and championships, and when the “home team” is involved, it’s even more exciting! Not the outcome that we had hoped for though….
I had the opportunity to take part in the opening ceremony for Game One of the World Series in Toronto, and I am so grateful that I was able to say yes! (Thanks to having some job flexibility and supportive management – in my day job, as well as my side hustle here!). As a youth, I was a member of the Burlington Teen Tour Band, and the casting organization for the opening ceremonies reached out to the band to get participants. The catch was that participants had to be at least 18 years old, and since it’s the “Teen” Tour Band, many of the members were too young, so the invitation was sent to alumni of the band. My son and I both said yes, but in the end, he wasn’t able to participate due to a scheduling conflict. I was still able to participate, and met up with fellow alumni plus a whole bunch of other people with marching and performing experience for the event.
Porch selfie at 530am…. after our first rehearsal Wednesday evening, we had to be at the film studio (our home base) for 7am the next two days in a row. Thankfully I was able to carpool with a friend (thanks Brent!) who had a large vehicle and fit 7 of us in! Rehearsals were a lot of standing around while logistics and positioning were figured out, plus more waiting to get our costumes.
We practised and refined our positioning on Thursday, and then during the Friday dress rehearsal they decided to have us stand behind the Voices of Fire choir during their songs (and the player introductions!!). It was cool being up close, on the dirt in the infield and so close to where the players were going to be! It did require some extra rehearsal so that we could somewhat be in sync with the choir movements. We got to sing along (as much as we could) with the choir, but thankfully the mics were pointed at the choir members, not the wannabes!! I didn’t know much about Voices of Fire before the game, but I’ve become a fan – they’ve got incredible voices and energy.
Photo from dress rehearsal…because there was a LOT of waiting around
The jumbotron screen is a perfect backdrop! You can see the in ear monitors (not in my ears at the time….). They played the tracks through it plus they could give us instructions, like to hold our pose in the Canadian flag, and then when we could leave.
waiting on the ramps before our big entrance
By the time we actually got to game time, we were all pretty tired, but there is nothing like hearing and seeing a capacity crowd to help the energy levels!!
photo of the field before our entrance (courtesy of one of my other on field castmates)
My brother got a screen grab – that’s me in the red gown behind the choir members! We got to sing and dance along – that was a lot of fun.
Photo from a friend in the stands (Thanks Mary Anne!) dorky arrows pointing out me and Pharrell Williams!
More photos from MaryAnn with me pointed out 🙂
Being on the field hearing the cheers and the crowd singing O Canada is something that I won’t soon forget! I’ve seen videos of the opening ceremony since then and am amazed at how great it looks (we couldn’t really get a good feel when we were on the field)!
Before you ask, NO, we didn’t get to stay and watch the game. Once we finished, we were bused back to the film studio where they had some food for us. We wrapped up, got into our regular clothes and headed home. On the plus side – we listened to the game on the way home and there was NO traffic!! Home in time to watch the end of the game (just barely, I dropped into bed and fell asleep!).
Admittedly – I am a fan of both of the teams that were in the World Series….but the home team will always have the edge when they’re in head to head competition, so game 7 was a tough one. I am truly grateful that I had the chance to be part of this unique presentation! Since I am a paper crafter, at some point in time, I WILL get around to doing some scrapbooking/photo journalling of this whole experience!!
(and now, back to our regular programming…..watch for paper crafting entries next!!)
So Exciting! It’s almost time for…. The Twelve Weeks of Christmas!!
Yes, you read that correctly! Starting October 1, YamStamps Subscribers will once again get exclusive access to twelve holiday themed craft project tutorials! If you’re already a subscriber – you’re all set! If you’re not yet subscribed to my weekly craft newsletters, you’ll want to sign up before Wednesday to be sure to receive all the tutorials! (this is in addition to the regular weekly tutorials!)
Each year, as a THANK YOU to YamStamps email newsletter subscribers, I do a 12 week lead up to Christmas. Each week, subscribers get an additional newsletter, featuring an exclusive holiday project tutorial. These tutorials do not appear anywhere else in the YamStamps world – only in the Twelve Weeks newsletters.
Be sure to be subscribed before Wednesday, October 1st to get all twelve projects, because they are each only sent out ONCE.
We start with holiday cards, then gift tutorials and finally wrapping and tag ideas. Each tutorial features a linked supply list and complete step by step instructions along with an image – just as you’ve come to expect, if you’re already subscribed to my weekly YamStamps newsletters! So exciting! I had a hard time picking out which tutorial to lead off with, but I think you’ll love it as much as I do!
Thursday, September 18 ONLY – save 15% on Stampin’ Up! Canada stamps and stamp tools!
Time to shop and SAVE! Grab stamps and stamp tools at 15% off for 24 hours Thursday September 18 while supplies last! Offer excludes Last Chance items and bundles (already discounted),
Sale starts at midnight Mountain Time (which is 2am Eastern) Sept 18th and runs until 1159 pm Mountain time (which is 159AM September 19 Eastern). Shop online at yamstamps.com/shop or message me if you need assistance placing your order!
First of all, it’s the sense of loss and grief that’s felt – you, as well as the person who has suffered the loss. I often feel more anxious and pressured to “get it just right” – wanting to make a sympathy card that is beautiful, thoughtful and appropriate, which is particularly difficult at a time when I’m not feeling very creative or crafty.
It’s often said that cards are a hug with a fold in the middle, and I think that sympathy cards are definitely an example of this. Those who receive handmade cards feel cared for and seen. Your time, your creativity, your words—especially when shared during difficult times—can carry deep comfort and meaning. If I can, I often like to include a favourite memory of the loved one – because that was one of the things that would bring a smile to my face in the past when I’ve received sympathy cards.
I’ve found it helpful to create sympathy cards to have in my stash – because I often don’t feel like making a sympathy card when I actually need one to send. This sympathy card was the second design that I created for the recent Stampin’ Up! Canada September-December 2025 Mini Catalogue card swap. For a linked supply list for this card, please see the YamStamps.com Sunday Swaps Page – where I share linked supply lists for swap cards that I receive (and make)!
Sympathy Card Making Tips
I love monochromatic colour schemes, and I think they are particularly good for sympathy cards – very calming and peaceful, especially if you choose more muted tones. To keep one colour cards from being too boring, texture from Embossing Folders or simple die cuts add interest without being too distracting. Nature themes, not necessarily florals – leaves/greenery, nature scenes (lakes/trees), birds are all good options (as well as florals). I also prefer simple embellishments if any, and nothing too “blingy” – but that’s me, and the person that you are making the card for may like bling and appreciate that more! That’s the joy of making your own cards – you can customize it for the person receiving it.
Sympathy cards can be difficult ones to make, but they are always appreciated.
Ready to Stay Inspired?
If the thought of beautiful, easy card projects lights you up, I’d love to share more with you! Sign up for my weekly newsletter to get exclusive tutorials, time-saving Stampin’ Up! tips, and creative inspiration delivered right to your inbox—just for amazing people like you who deserve a little crafting me time.
