Apr 5, 2009 | rubber stamping
I had a bit of an "aha" moment as Oprah would say… this card features the poppin' pastels technique, a technique that I hadn't shown in a while when one of the club members mentioned they'd like to learn it. DOH – just because _I_ am familiar with the technique, doesn't mean I've shown it to everyone, does it!! lol
So this is the resultant card. We inked the Pretty Petals background stamp with versamark ink and laid kraft cardstock onto it (so that we could be sure to get one of the butterflies on the cardstock!) Then we used sponge daubers to dab pastels onto the image. The pastels will "stick" to the versamark. By using a "pouncing" motion (dabbing straight up & down) as opposed to a swirly or scrubbing motion, you can have less "scatter" of pastel. Pouncing is good for larger images as it keeps your pastel applicator "drier" and your colours neater. On the image we pounced, but on the word, there's more swirling so that you get a bit of a halo effect. A dry swiffer cloth also removes stray pastel particles, and if you're _really_ particular about stray particles, you can always pull out the eraser included in every pastel package to rub away unwanted colour. I don't mind a bit of halo effect, personally. I've also been accused of being a lazy stamper….lol
I'll have Easter type samples coming up this week, in time for your Easter celebrations, so be sure to keep checking in! My goal for April is to post to the blog every day….
Don't forget that you can still register for Stampin' Saturday…cost is $35 per person for 3 hours (or less, if you're a fast stamper!) of stamping fun, snacks, prizes and garage sale shopping! Contact me to register or if you have questions, or check the classes & events page.
Apr 4, 2009 | Announcements
Just a reminder that TODAY is the last day for early bird pricing for Stampin' Saturday – Saturday April 18th noon to 3 pm at Tansley United Church (in the loft) here in Burlington. $25 ends today – after today price goes up to $35. Includes all supplies required and snacks plus door prizes and demonstrations!
Click here to register & pay with credit card
Apr 3, 2009 | rubber stamping
This is a quick and easy birthday card made with one of the bargain stamps on page 208 in the Stampin' Up Spring-Summer Idea Book. It features the Birthdays Count Mini Note kit – you get four whisper white gift notes and envelopes, a double mounted stamp with 'happy birthday' and 'THE SECRET OF HAPPINESS IS TO COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS, NOT YOUR BIRTHDAYS' PLUS a chocolate chip ink spot. For this card, though, I used Perfect Plum (one of my favourites) to coordinate with the little gift box featured in my April newsletter (which was emailed out yesterday). I couldn't resist adding in more Pretties (the clear rhinestone brad – also available on their own now!) and the Simple Flower embosslit for the Big Shot (cuts and embosses at the same time). I used the sponge dauber to add a bit of Perfect Plum ink to the flower to highlight the embossing.
The Birthdays Count Mini Note kit is one of the items you can select for free when you place a $50 order from the Occasions Mini Catalogue as part of the "Get Connected" promotion. (Trust me, you won't have to look too hard to see LOTS of things you'll want!!!). You can place an order by contacting me, or placing your order online here.
DON'T FORGET STAMPIN' SATURDAY EARLY BIRD PRICING ENDS APRIL 4TH (TOMORROW) Price goes up by $10 after that!! See here for details and to pay by credit card to ensure your pricing. Questions? Contact me
Apr 2, 2009 | rubber stamping, Seasonal Catalogue, specials
New month, new Stampin' Up! Occasions mini catalogue, new special for April! Read all the way to the bottom to get all the news!
Have you noticed the single stamps at the back of the catalog on page 208? This is a page dedicated to items UNDER $12.
There are two Mini Note kits as well as a number of single stamps you can purchase. These kits and stamps make it very economical to create a number of different occasion cards for your friends and loved ones.
Here are a few samples featuring the Elegant Thank you stamp.
During the month of April, the Get Connected promotion is in effect! With every $50 of merchandise you purchase from the new Occasions mini OR when you host a workshop/class with $200 in sales, you get your choice of one of the items on page 208 for FREE!!
Contact me for more information or visit my Stampin' Up! website here to place an online order. Remember that to qualify for the free stamp, the $50 merchandise must be from the Occasions mini catalogue. Every $50 increment earns you another free item!
Apr 1, 2009 | Seasonal Catalogue
The Occasions Mini Catalogue starts today! You had the chance to see a few of the stamp sets last month with the special "Sneak Peek" that Stampin' Up! offered, now you can view the entire catalogue here.
There are tons of great new products, including a Matchbox Die for the Big Shot with a coordinating stamp set. I was thrilled to see window sheets and PRINTED acetate! You can be sure you'll see some samples with these new items at Stampin' Saturday. Don't forget to register by April 4th for the early bird price!!
If you have not received your Occasions mini catalogue yet, please contact me to get yours today.
I had a bit of an "aha" moment as Oprah would say… this card features the poppin' pastels technique, a technique that I hadn't shown in a while when one of the club members mentioned they'd like to learn it. DOH – just because _I_ am familiar with the technique, doesn't mean I've shown it to everyone, does it!! lol 
