Feb 5, 2013 | Occasions, specials, TV/Video/Web/Tech
Don't forget your free February download! This desktop calendar image can be downloaded from my online Stampin' Up! store HERE. (the copyright info won't appear on it, don't worry!). The theme is "Box of Chocolates" and coordinates with the digital kit of the same name. I know you are ALL saying "Life is like a box of chocolates…" in your best Forrest Gump voice (or is that just me?!). While you're at the store getting your free download, you might want to grab a digital content disc – only $1 on the clearance rack – while supplies last! More digital fun to be had 🙂
In the meantime, I'm prepping for February's monthly class which is tomorrow evening. It's going to be a full house, so I'm sure it will be fun! If you missed out this month – there's still options – 1) get a group of friends together and I'll bring the class to you – contact me to set a date! 2) Join my stampers club and have a guaranteed seat at the exclusive club class – contact me to sign up 3) Get my online class and learn crafty techniques and tips from the comfort of your own home! Check it out here
Other good news before I go – I _think_ the YamStamps app has been updated so that you can see the images from the app….fingers crossed…(I try so hard to be "techy" but it's a stretch sometimes…).
I'll be posting more Valentine's Day ideas here in the next few days – plenty of time to get crafty for your loved ones – so I hope you come back to www.yamstamps.com to check it out!
Feb 3, 2013 | Big Shot, scrapbooking, Seasonal Catalogue, TV/Video/Web/Tech
First of all, a big thanks to all the crew and cast of CHCH TV's Morning Live Show. I have been so fortunate to have been asked to appear on this show many times, and it's always so much fun. On Friday, I was on to share some ideas for Valentine's cards and gifts. This is one of the projects that you may not have been able to catch a glimpse of on the day.
I think scrapbook pages can make great gifts – you can include them in a larger scrapbook that can be added to over time, or do as I've done here and put it into a frame to display. Since I don't do a huge volume of scrapbooking, I like the frame option. When I create a new one, it can go into the frame, and the previous page can go into my scrapbook. As with my cards, I prefer designs that aren't overly fussy, and quite honestly, for me, I need to get it done, or I'll dither away over it for hours (and probably end up stripping it back to what I started with…).
I created this layout to commemorate our family time at the DisneyWorld Marathon Weekend in January of this year. My son & I ran in the Family Fun Run 5km around Epcot, and later that weekend, I ran my third (!) marathon – the 20th Anniversary Disney Marathon. I wanted to create this page to remember the fun time we had. I love how the Real Red and Whisper White of the Polka Dot Parade Designer Series Paper reminds me of Minnie Mouse's dress. Oh, and of course, my Team Sparkle running skirt that I got for the occasion. I added the scallop edge using the Tasteful Trim Die in my Big Shot and added pennants with words that reflected the theme from the set Loving Thoughts. I used the new Oval Collection Framelits to create a journaling spot as well.
If you are looking to get some creative time in, please consider attending one of my monthly card making classes – or if you're looking to commit to some "me" time, consider joining the Stampers Club for 6 months of classes and a turn at spending some hostess dollars! Contact me for more information, or see the YamStamps Event Page.
Feb 1, 2013 | Announcements, Occasions, TV/Video/Web/Tech
On my way to CHCH studios for today's appearance on Morning Live. I so enjoy being asked back to the show – today I'm sharing handmade cards and gifts for loved ones for Valentine's Day (or any other day!). I hope to get video that I can share here later. In the meantime, I'll be sure to post photos of the projects in my next few updates so please come back to get a better look at everything! Also a reminder that my February newsletter will be out on Tuesday, February 5th, and the third week of Sale-a-Bration projects newsletter will be out on Wednesday, February 6th. If you are subscribed to my emails, you will automatically receive these. If you aren't – please sign up before then so you don't miss out!!
Jan 31, 2013 | Big Shot, cards, Occasions, TV/Video/Web/Tech
Here's another Stampers Club card that we did in January. We used the Hearts a Flutter bundle – which includes the stamps and the framelits for you to use with your Big Shot. It's in the Stampin' Up! Spring Catalogue. The fun First Edition Specialty Designer Series Paper is a backdrop for the die cut hearts and banner. I love how the Perfect Polka Dots adds a bit of texture to the background without being overwhelming.
I will be taking this card along with me when I go to CHCH studios tomorrow morning, but I'm not planning on featuring it so I feel safe to show it here. (For those newer to the YamStamps blog, it seems whenever I give a sneak peek of something I'm going to show on TV, we run out of time before we get to that project!). I do, however, plan on showing some other fun ways to show people that you care about them – on Valentine's Day or any other day during the year!! Plan is for me to be on around 9:15 on the Morning Live show, so I hope you're able to tune in! If not, I hope to be able to share a video here on the blog afterwards…so please come back to see.
I have limited space left in February's monthly card class – slated for Wednesday, February 6th at 7pm here in Burlington. Please contact me ASAP if you'd like to attend. If you aren't able to make it that evening, why not get a group together, and I will come to you! Contact me for available dates. It would be "love"ly to see you!!
Jan 27, 2013 | Big Shot, cards, rubber stamping, Sale-A-Bration
Today is my Super Sunday for January – I have back to back in home classes scheduled! Fingers crossed I remember everything and that we stay on schedule 🙂 Both hostesses today were silent auction winners. I often donate baskets of stamping supplies and certificates for free classes to local organizations – in this case, my church and my son's school. It's a great way to help raise funds and to expose more people to the fun of Stampin' Up! parties!
In the meantime, I thought I'd share this card that we did at Stampers Club. Simple but fun folds always make cards more interesting, in my opinion. I love how the Cloudy Day Embossing Folder ties in with this boot and sentiment from Bootiful Occasions…and I will truly miss all things Pool Party when that colour retires at the end of May this year (it's one of the 2011 – 2013 In Colours).
We created the "sun" from Daffodil Delight cardstock and roughed up the edges with the Stampin' Distress Tool. A bit of the Sale-a-Bration Sycamore Street Ribbon (ribbon & bundle pack can be selected for free with each $60 merchandise order!) adds a final touch.
Whatever you are doing today, I hope that you have a Super Sunday today too!!
Jan 24, 2013 | Announcements, Events
Woohoo! I'm thrilled to announce the launch of my online class service. This is something that has been in the planning and prep stages for a while, and here it is! If you've ever wanted to attend one of my classes but the time didn't work, or you're not local to me, this is the option for you! Each online class that I offer will feature exclusive projects that you won't see anywhere else. Included in your $20 (Canadian) class fee – LIFETIME access to the videos, photos and information to that class – you will be able to go back over the information as many times as you want/need. As the tagline says – Paper Crafting Classes Wherever You Are, Whenever You Have the Time. Since the classes are online, you won't receive any materials to create the cards themselves, but there is a complete supply list for each project. If you're in Canada, I'd be happy to help you out there with my online Stampin' Up! store, but if you're accessing the class from anywhere else in the world, you can contact me to see about getting in touch with a demonstrator in your country.
The main class information page is here: www.yamstampsmore.com
The first class I have up is "Monochromatic is Marvelous" where you'll find four projects complete with supply list and videos showing how to create each project. The specific class information page is www.monochromatic.yamstampsmore.com
Jan 23, 2013 | Announcements, Big Shot, cards, rubber stamping, Sale-A-Bration
This is a fun card within a card that we did at Stampers Club the other evening that features some of the yummy new Sale-a-Bration free product.
The background is Rich Razzleberry cardstock embossed with the Tulip Frame Folder in the Big Shot.
We created our own mini envelope with the Sycamore Street Designer Series Paper (SAB) and the Diagonal Scoring Plate (SAB) in the Simply Scored Scoring Tool. It perfectly fits the 3" x 3" card with the birthday image from Patterned Occasions (SAB) and I chose to top the candle with a rhinestone. The mini card could be used on its own, or as in the example above, adhered to a card-sized piece of cardstock.
If you would like to see more examples using Sale-a-Bration product, please sign up for my newsletters! (click on the link or visit www.yamstamps.com if you're reading this in a reader or on the yamstamps app and sign up there!) The first Sale-a-Bration project newesletter will be going out TODAY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23rd at 1pm Eastern Time so please sign up before then to ensure you get all of the Sale-a-Bration project emails! Much like my 12 Weeks of Christmas mailings featured Christmas projects, the Sale-a-Bration emails will feature Sale-a-Bration projects! Of course, I'll also have more ideas here, but the Sale-A-Bration email projects will be exclusive to my subscribers. Don't miss out!!
Jan 22, 2013 | Sale-A-Bration
It's that time of year again! Stampin' Up! is Sale-a-Brating!
For each $60 in product that you order (value before shipping/taxes), you will receive one free item of your choice from the Sale-a-Bration flyer! There's exclusive SAB items and some catalogue items as well, such as the Diagonal Scoring Plate for the Simply Scored Scoring Tool!
Hosts of a workshop with $200 in sales will receive a package of the beautiful silver glimmer paper in addition to regular host dollars. Hosts of a workshop with over $525 in sales will receive the glimmer paper, plus a free product bundle, in addition to the regular hostess dollars and 50% off one full priced item!
But wait…there's more….if you join my Canada-wide "Eh" Team during Sale-a-Bration, you can select 25% more in your starter kit – choose $194 worth of products for only $125, plus the benefits of being part of my group!
Here's another flyer laying out the free Sale-a-Bration items a little more clearly. Please let me know if you have any questions – otherwise, Happy Shopping!!
I'll post a card tomorrow using some of the SAB product to entice you further 😉
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?!)
Don't forget your free February download! This desktop calendar image can be downloaded from my online Stampin' Up! store HERE. (the copyright info won't appear on it, don't worry!). The theme is "Box of Chocolates" and coordinates with the digital kit of the same name. I know you are ALL saying "Life is like a box of chocolates…" in your best Forrest Gump voice (or is that just me?!). While you're at the store getting your free download, you might want to grab a digital content disc – only $1 on the clearance rack – while supplies last! More digital fun to be had 🙂
