Jul 12, 2012 | cards, rubber stamping
One type of card that is always a pleasant surprise to receive is a "Thank You" card. In this day of technology, it's sadly becoming a bit of a rare occasion to receive a "nice" piece of mail (as opposed to bills and flyers!) – so it's great to receive a card for a change. A handmade card is even better! Thank you cards can be sent to anyone to whom you want to express your gratitude.
These cards were quickies that I made to send to attendees at my Open House in July. I personally think that the embossing around the image dresses up this simple card. Stampin' Up!'s Easy Events set is another versatile multi-occasion set that will cover many of your card sending needs. The Designer Frames Textured Embossing Folder set (for use with the Big Shot) was one of the items you could select for free during Sale-a-Bration but is also available in the main Stampin' Up! catalogue. I added a bit of colour with my Stampin' Write markers – I used the In Colour '12 – '14 set and was able to produce a number of these fairly quickly. With me, I've learned I need to get the cards done and out, otherwise they get bogged down in the system somewhere. (By system I mean my stamping room chaos or somewhere en route to the actual mail box…LOL). I've also started using custom post it notes inside the cards to my customers so that they can be re-used by the recipient 🙂 or kept for a sample, whatever suits that person's needs at the time!
(By the way, if you attended my Open House and haven't received one of these – please let me know!!).
By the way – thank you for taking time out of your day to check out www.yamstamps.com – I appreciate it!
Jul 10, 2012 | cards, rubber stamping
This card uses some of Stampin' Up!'s new In Colours. So glad that the In Colours hang around for two years now – gives me more chance to play with them! Summer Starfruit and Gumball Green are the featured colours here…and I have to admit that when I first saw Summer Starfruit I wasn't really sure about it….but I love it on this card! Mixed Bunch is one of my favourite sets right now and I love the versatility of the set Perfect Punches.
This card is not complicated to make but I think has great impact, which is how I like to work! I often find that I need a card for an occasion moments before I need to send it or give it…so cards like this fit into my life perfectly!
Don't forget that my monthly card classes continue in the summer, and my Christmas Stamp a Stacks start at the end of July!! Please see my events page for more information or contact me if you have any questions.
Jul 3, 2012 | Announcements, Christmas, Events
I know….what?!!! Just thought I'd catch your eye there. I've been working on my calendar for the rest of the year and I'm planning on doing a series of Christmas Stamp a Stacks. Starting THIS MONTH, and running every month until December, you'll be able to attend and get a huge jump on all those cards you'll need for the holidays. Each Stamp a Stack will feature 8 cards (2 of 4 different designs) and 2 tags. If you register for 4 or more Stamp a Stacks, you'll be eligible for a special draw at each of the Stamp a Stacks that you attend – you could win a Stack of Stampin' Up! Supplies! Please see my Events page to register. Payment is due at time of registration. Registration for Stamp a Stack will be closed ONE WEEK prior to that month's date. Contact me if you have any questions.
Jul 1, 2012 | Announcements, specials
Happy Canada Day to all my Canadian friends here at home or abroad. This is a retired Stampin' Up! stamp which I still love :) Hope that everyone gets the chance to relax with friends and family. So far we haven't made it to the local festivities, but there's still hope – and besides, there will be fireworks!! Have you ever noticed that we Canadians are more proud of being Canadian when we are NOT at home? It's something that I figured out when I was travelling abroad 😉 You can also see it in full force at the Stampin' Up! convention, where we tend to wear things that identify us as Canadians. I do think that we are getting less shy about being patriotic at home, too, though. My group of demonstrators goes by the name the "Eh" Team, to give a hint of our heritage!
There's plenty of reasons to smile as well – including a new Stampin' Up! special!
During July, you can purchase the exclusive stamp set "Reason to Smile" for only $5 when you place a merchandise order of $60! This set is only available July 1 – 31 and is limited to one set per person. Contact me if you have any questions or want assistance with placing your order – otherwise, if you're in Canada, you can place your order online HERE.
Jun 27, 2012 | Announcements, Business Opportunity, Events, specials
Don't forget that there's just a few days left to take advantage of the bonus bundle special for the demonstrator starter kit!
For those starting a Stampin' Up! business in June, you'll receive extra bang for your buck! Not only is the totally customizable starter kit a great deal ($125 for $155 worth of product PLUS business supplies), for June, you'll get extra product in your kit! Each new demonstrator will receive items from the Pool Party suite of products – stamp set, designer series paper plus a DVD of digital design products for use with My Digital Studio (or a photo editing product).
Click on the link for information / to get started – or contact me if you have questions!
If you're in the Hamilton area and sign up as a demonstrator, more good news – there's a Stampin' Up! regional training event happening August 18th – so once you've signed up as a demo, you can register to attend – talk about getting your business off to a running start!!
We've also received news that while space is available, non-demonstrators may attend this event. If you're interested in attending, please contact me and we can see about getting you registered! Regionals are one of my favourite Stampin' Up! events…I love seeing friends from the area and getting lots of new ideas and inspiration.
Jun 21, 2012 | Announcements
My Open House Sequel which was originally scheduled for this Saturday is being RESCHEDULED. Sorry for any inconvenience! It will be rescheduled to a date later this summer, so please keep an eye here at www.yamstamps.com to see when the new date will be…if you are subscribed to my newsletter you will definitely receive notice.
Hope everyone is keeping cool! I am slated to ride in the Healing Cycle this weekend – my son & I will be biking 25 km and helping to raise funds for the Carpenter Hospice here in Burlington. The hospice provides end of life care, but also wellness programs and caregiver support.
Jun 17, 2012 | cards, rubber stamping
At each of my cardmaking classes, I will usually try to include a masculine card as one of the projects – most of my customers mention that these are the types of cards they need but often don't have on hand. Designer Series Paper is a great way to get a masculine feel to a card, even if your image or sentiment isn't screaming "Hey! This is a guy's card!"
I took inspiration for this colour combination from the Twitterpated Designer Series Paper used at the bottom. "Work smarter not harder" – or more likely "The Lazy Crafter Strikes Again" LOL. Anyway, the image is from the Layered Labels set. Now, we did have to stamp this one twice and clean the stamp in between so that did require a _bit_ more effort… Stamped first in Lucky limeade and then in Basic Grey, cut out using the Apothecary Arts framelits and the Large Oval Punch. A few brads from the Vintage Trinkets and it's done and ready to be presented to your favourite guy.
Happy Father's Day to all the Dads out there, and those who fulfill a male role model position in someone's life – be it through teaching, coaching, mentoring and/or friendship! Thanks for being part of the village that raises the children.
Jun 12, 2012 | Uncategorized
Ice cream!!
We made this card in class last week – a fun way to use punches with just a little bit of cutting involved. Nothing even close to "fussy cutting" since I am a lazy crafter, after all…
This card uses the Pennant Parade stamp set, punched out with the Petite Pennant Builders punch to create the cone, and then topped with punched out circles that have a wavy line cut at the bottom to create the ice cream scoops.
Around here it's been hot & humid, so ice cream is a welcome treat – and this one has no calories!! Another calorie-free sweet treat in June is provided by Stampin' Up! – become a demonstrator this month and you will receive a suite of products for free! Contact me or click here for more information
We will be continuing with classes through the summer, and my home is air conditioned, so why not come and be creative?! July & August class dates are up, and there's always the option for me to come to you – get a group of friends together and we'll set a date!! Contact me for more information or to register.
Jun 9, 2012 | Announcements
I've decided to do a second Open House for the New Stampin' Up! Catalogue (and Retired Rubber Sale) – Saturday, June 23rd from 9am – 11am, here in Burlington, for those who were unable to attend my first Open House, or who just want to come and visit again ;) There may also be a few items on the Garage Sale table that weren't there last time….just saying…. Once again, I ask for an RSVP and you will receive a gift certificate equal to 10% of your Garage Sale purchases for you to use in July or August for classes or merchandise.
If you are in the area this weekend, I am putting in a plug for my choir concerts! I sing with Kokoro under the direction of Brenda Uchimaru, and we are going to be performing in Ancaster TONIGHT – Saturday, June 9th at 8pm at Ryerson United, and tomorrow at Duff 's Presbyterian Church (Highway 6 just north of the 403) at 3pm. We have a variety of a cappella and accompanied songs in a number of languages. Come watch me sing in Portugese, Balinese, Japanese, Finnish, Russian, and English…LOL! Tickets are available at the door!
Jun 5, 2012 | Uncategorized
With the new catalogue, Stampin' Up! is introducing new firm foam ink pads. I have had a chance to use them, and I am impressed!!
The new pads provide better ink coverage with less effort – a light tapping motion will give great coverage and produce wonderful images. Another bonus – there are labels that you can put onto the end of your ink pads so they are easily identified if in your colour caddy.
If you're attending one of my classes in the near future, you'll get the chance to try out the new pads – I think you'll like them!! Please contact me if you have any questions.
One type of card that is always a pleasant surprise to receive is a "Thank You" card. In this day of technology, it's sadly becoming a bit of a rare occasion to receive a "nice" piece of mail (as opposed to bills and flyers!) – so it's great to receive a card for a change. A handmade card is even better! Thank you cards can be sent to anyone to whom you want to express your gratitude.
