Jul 29, 2013 | Information, MDS, scrapbooking
OK here’s the second page that I created in MDS from my recent girls trip to Utah/Arizona and Stampin’ Up!’s 25th Anniversary Convention. Melanie organized a stay in Kanab, where we stayed in a gorgeous huge house that actually belongs to Shelli Gardner (the co-founder & CEO of Stampin’ Up!)’s family. We toured the factory there and saw the sights, including a day trip to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. This was my first trip to the Grand Canyon and it was fantastic – and my photos don’t do it justice.
So once again, I used a 12 x 12 photo page template in MDS and added my photos into it. I’ll do a quick video tutorial on how to create the image at the top (so stay tuned!). It’s actually three photo blocks that you “group” together, and then drag & drop your photo into place. It’s a great way to incorporate a larger photo to a pre-set layout. The bottom right photo is a fun set up that I have taken to doing whenever there’s an opportunity… A friend introduced me to this concept a few years back (OK a LOT of years back) when we were at Ayer’s Rock or Uluru in Australia. You find a spot where there’s an outcropping or a downhill slope area, then set yourself up so it looks like you’re hanging off the edge! Again, note that I say it LOOKS like you’re hanging off the edge. You are TOTALLY safe. This being said, we did see some crazy people climbing out to the edge for photo ops, and I couldn’t even look at them – too stressful for me. I have enough stress in my life without adding to it.
Here’s me, Dana and Sue (Sue being the only one who looks convincing in this shot…..) cropped photo ready to go…
and here’s the uncropped photo showing how we did it (not that you couldn’t figure it out yourself, I’m sure…LOL). This was taken by an innocent passerby that we convinced to take the shot for us (and who didn’t get the instruction to take us from waist up). I’m sure she wondered what the heck we were doing….
We had so many laughs during our time together – I’m so fortunate to have found such good friends through crafting!
Jul 27, 2013 | Events, MDS, scrapbooking
I think I’ve now recovered from the excitement of Stampin’ Up!’s 25th Anniversary Convention! It was quite the gathering this year, with over 5000 demonstrators from North America and around the world descending upon Salt Lake City to celebrate. A few friends and I arrived in Utah a few days before the start to socialize and tour the area. Our friend Mel was kind enough to organize us for our road trip (and that was quite the job in itself…)
Here’s a page that I did featuring some images from convention – the centre shot is a picture of the stage – the “banners” could be different colours and have different background images on them – very cool. The top photos show the bag we received this year – we demonstrators always look forward to these! It’s a different design each time and comes loaded with supplies that we need to create our “Make & Take” projects (or in my case, “Take & Make”, since I usually just bring everything home and try to complete them then!). I really liked this year’s design, done in a classy white & silver motif. The only downfall….have you ever tried to negotiate through a crowd where everyone has a backpack??!! LOL At the right is me putting my card into the bin as part of the Guinness World Book of Records effort (a successful bid, too!).
The bottom row shows two of my friends getting recognition for their efforts this year in sales and downline promotions, and also enjoying the glitter shower at the end of convention. And…like true scrapbookers, taking photos of the event!!! We always have a fun time at these events, and I look forward to seeing my friends from year to year. Our circle of friends grows with new friends and group members that attend with us too! I’m hopeful that next year more of my demonstrator group will be able to attend with me. (Maybe YOU?!)
I made this page up quickly using a page template in MDS. It’s a 12 x 12 layout on a white background (which in hindsight, I probably should have changed to a different colour so you could actually see the borders of the page…DOH) I simply dragged & dropped the photos I wanted into the appropriate photo slots and was done! Instead of printing this page, I chose “share” and was able to save the page as a jpeg so I could upload here. I love digital scrapbooking because my photos are digital….and this way I can share them in a fun format rather than have them live on my hard drive where nobody gets to see them…
Come back tomorrow & I will share another quick page with you featuring a fun trick that you can do in MDS!
Jul 22, 2013 | cards
While Stampin’ Up! has only been in Canada for 11 years now (and fewer in the South Pacific and Europe), it’s been in the US for 25 years. I just returned home from the 25th Anniversary Convention, and had a great time seeing friends from across North America
When Stampin’ Up! demonstrators gather together, one of the events that occurs is swapping. Demonstrators will make cards, or card-fronts more typically, and then trade them with other demonstrators. It’s a great way to share creative ideas with others. I like swapping, but in all honesty, usually don’t end up doing that much because I’ve run out of time to create something before I leave!! This year, unfortunately, was not much of an exception. I participated in a couple of organized swaps (meaning I actually signed up!) and did a version of this card for one of them. I did mean to actually recreate this card, but as I’m looking at the photo, I realize that I forgot to add in the black layer. Oh well! Still serves its purpose.
I look forward to sharing the ideas that I get in return – I’ll be sharing them with the demonstrators in my group at our get together, and will try to share some here at www.yamstamps.com and on the YamStamps Facebook Page.
In the meantime, I’m off to finish up final preparations for tonight’s Stampers Club! We are always welcoming new members to club, so let me know if you’d like to join us in August!
Jul 15, 2013 | Business Opportunity, Events, specials
Stampin’ Up! has a special add-on for you! If you’ve thought about starting your own home based Stampin’ Up! business, here’s a way to get even more bang for your buck! From July 15 – August 31, you can add a free project kit to your starter kit. There are four kits to choose from, three of which are from the upcoming Holiday Catalogue. When you purchase your starter kit, you’ll receive your choice of crafting items plus all the business items you need to get started. If you’re interested in hearing more, please join me at my Information Evening, Friday, July 26th at 7pm. This short, no cost/no commitment event is to provide you with the chance to hear more about what’s involved in being a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator, and to answer any questions you might have. Plus, I will likely have some things to show from Stampin’ Up!’s 25th Anniversary Convention! Please RSVP for the Information Evening. Don’t forget that MY special offer of either Layered Labels or Oh Hello still stands as well….
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me…or if you are ready to sign up for your starter kit and can’t wait, go HERE!
Jul 12, 2013 | cards, Events
This design originally was created for Annette, the June hostess in my Stampers Club who needed a “fun and funky birthday card”. After a bit of panic, this is what I came up with. I love how using different Stampin’ Up! Designer Series Papers and tools can create different looks for my projects. The combination of the This and That Epic Day Designer Series Paper, with its grungy look, and the Epic Day This and That Washi Tape makes this card design more funky than my typical “clean classic” looking cards . The Label Love bundle contains the stamp set and coordinating punch for the sentiment. A bit of linen thread and it’s done. This particular piece of DSP has lots of descriptive words on it – so great for a scrapbook page or like in this case, a card for someone special. Once again, if you’re looking for an easy cue as to colour combinations, look at the back of your Designer Series Paper package – it has listed the colours used within, so just grab those colours and you’re good to go! In this case, it’s Pool Party, Crumb Cake and Calypso Coral.
If you’re looking for a regular crafting opportunity, consider joining my Stampers Club! We always have lots of laughs while creating our 4 cards, and members get to budget out their purchases (and then splurge on their hostess benefits once during their 6 month stint!). Contact me to sign up. If you want to just dip your toes into the crafting pool, then perhaps the Monthly Card Class is for you. Each month, the first Wednesday is set aside as class night – we’ll make 4 cards using a variety of products and techniques, and your $20 fee includes all required product. Payment is due at time of registration, and registration cut off is 2 days prior to event. Contact me for more information or to sign up for August’s class – Wednesday, August 7th.
Jul 7, 2013 | Business Opportunity, specials, TV/Video/Web/Tech
I just realized that my desktop wallpaper still said June…*doh* So here’s the link to Stampin’ Up!’s free digital download for July. It coordinates with the Get Going Digital Set. I love this background – it features some iconic images from places around the world, some of which I’ve been fortunate enough to see in person (and one that I can see from near my house on a non-smoggy day!). This digital kit is definitely on my wishlist, and is one of those sets that would be great to have on my laptop to digital scrapbook on the go!
July’s been a whirlwind already, and I’m not sure how much that will change for me in the next little while. I’m going to be joining a group of friends at Stampin’ Up!’s Convention, celebrating 25 years of the company – so I’m sure that will be quite the party! There’s nothing like gathering a group of excitable stampers together….LOL. If you’re interested in finding out more about being a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator, contact me for more information, or join me at my demonstrator group get together! This month, it will be Wednesday, July 24th at 7pm. Whether you’re looking to pay for your own hobby habits, or generate a sizable second income, you’re bound to find something to suit your needs as a demonstrator!
I recently cleaned up my stamp room in preparation for the Open House and realized that I had a couple of brand new duplicate sets here….so….As a little incentive, if you’re one of the first two people to sign up with me during July, you can pick either Oh, Hello! or Layered Labels as a gift from me! (both are wood mount, in case you are curious). fine print – offer only available through me, no substitutions, first person gets first pick, set will be given to you when I receive confirmation of your sign up with me, only available to Canadians due to Stampin’ Up! rules. *phew*
Questions? Contact me!
Jul 4, 2013 | Christmas
Here in the north we just celebrated Canada Day on July 1st, and today, our neighbours to the south will be celebrating July 4th, Independence Day – or as it’s known in our household, my son’s birthday. So nice of the US to do things like have parades and fireworks to help him celebrate, don’t you think?!
Actually, the holidays that I refer to in the title of this blog post would be those that fall at the end of the calendar year! Stampin’ Up!’s Holiday Catalogue will be arriving August 1st, but in the meantime, I wanted to remind you all that there are still some holiday items that are available to order, though they don’t appear in the curent annual catalogue. See the file here – which includes visuals. Carryover producst are: Greetings of the Season, Ornament Keepsakes and coordinating Holiday Ornaments Framelits Dies, Snowflake Soiree, More Merry Messages, Jewish Celebrations, Evergreen, and the Merry Minis Punch Pack. So if you’re keen to get started on your holiday cards (and I KNOW there are some of you out there…) you could start with these!
If you need some extra inspiration and creativity, I will be holding holiday card making classes and clinics once again this year – so be sure to come back to the blog page on www.yamstamps.com and check out my classes and events page as well.
Jul 1, 2013 | specials
Happy Canada Day! A real treat for us since it actually made for a long weekend this year, as July 1st fell on a Monday. I hope that you were able to spend some time with friends and family this weekend.
With a new month brings some new treats – and from Stampin’ Up!, there’s a new special! Buy three Designer Series Papers, get one for free! Note that Designer Series Paper Stacks (the colour family collections) and Specialty Designer Series Papers (Quatrefancy and Natural Composition) are NOT included in this offer. It’s a great chance to stock up on your decorative paper for upcoming summer days of paper crafting and scrapbooking the vacations.
A reminder that my monthly email newsletter goes out TOMORROW – Tuesday, July 2nd. Please make sure you are subscribed to my list before 1pm so you don’t miss out on the July edition. Remember that when you subscribe, you also receive a free tutorial, exclusive to my mailing list. See you in your inbox!!
Jun 26, 2013 | cards, rubber stamping
Stampin’ Up!’s Grab Your Greetings Special is on until the end of this month – just a few more days to get 25% off 3 different greeting sets! If you’re looking to get more bang for your buck, a multiple occasion greeting set is the way to go – you can use it with a variety of images to get the appropriate card for the occasion. In this case, I used the Creative Elements set for the background flourish, and used the Petite Pairs set to make it a sympathy card. You could use a different sentiment and turn it into an elegant birthday, thinking of you or wedding card! The Petite Pairs features pairs (I know, duh…LOL) of sentiments that can be used on the outside and inside of cards – in this case, the inside sentiment is “to heal your heart”
We created this card at the last Stampers Club get together. This month’s hostess needed a sympathy card so I was sure to include that in the mix. We are a growing group – we welcomed two new members this month! If you would like to budget out your crafting dollars and have fun while doing so, Stampers Club is the way to go! Each member has a 6 month (consecutive) commitment to the group, but you can start in whichever month suits you. In this case, one member started because her work/life schedule opens up a bit at this time of year, and another member just found us! We usually get together on the 3rd Monday of each month, but in July we’ll be getting together on the 22nd (the 4th Monday) instead. Please contact me if you’re interested in joining us.
Jun 23, 2013 | cards
Around here, it’s that time of year again – the end of the school year! I can hear the kids (and teachers) doing the countdown….
This is a card we did at Sharon’s Private Class on Friday evening. I love how there’s pairs of sentiments in the Stampin’ Up! One in A Million set, and I think this theme is appropriate for a Teacher Thank You! I gave this copy to Sharon, so I’ll have to make myself another copy for the end of this week 😉
I will be making a lot of “Thank You” cards in the next little while – end of music lessons, the school year, and for donations. My son & I just completed the 25 km distance of the Healing Cycle bike ride today, a fundraiser for hospice care. Our team, the Pedaling Philanthropists for Carpenter Hospice (I did NOT pick that name….I can hardly pronounce it without tripping over my tongue LOL), did a great job again this year – we were the top fundraising medium sized team. All the funds we raised will go to Carpenter Hospice here in Burlington.
So with all that in mind…I guess I’d better get busy stamping??!! Don’t forget – if YOU need cards to send for an occasion, or even better, “just because”, the first Wednesday of every month (unless otherwise noted) are my Card Making Classes. Please contact me to register! The next class is Wednesday, July 3rd at 7pm, and for $20, you’ll create 4 different cards suitable for all sorts of occasions!
OK here’s the second page that I created in MDS from my recent girls trip to Utah/Arizona and Stampin’ Up!’s 25th Anniversary Convention. Melanie organized a stay in Kanab, where we stayed in a gorgeous huge house that actually belongs to Shelli Gardner (the co-founder & CEO of Stampin’ Up!)’s family. We toured the factory there and saw the sights, including a day trip to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. This was my first trip to the Grand Canyon and it was fantastic – and my photos don’t do it justice.
