back to school time! Well, soon, at least. Too soon for my son, at any rate! I always enjoyed going back to school, loved the new school supplies, especially the paper! Some things don't change I guess – still love new paper…except now I can get my papers all coordinated 🙂
I just realized that I've got a whole WHACK of photos from convention that I haven't really shared here, so I'm going to work on correcting that. These were some really cute 3D apples that were on a display board showcasing different products. Wouldn't these be cute as a teacher gift or inside a card to create a pop out card? OK, the teachers out there I'm sure are groaning "Not another apple gift" – but really, this one is CUTE!
A reminder that while you're out and about doing back to school shopping or just trying to avoid the crowds that are…it's almost the end of August. If you were a happy shopper at my Rubber Garage Sale during my New Catalogue Open House, you have a gift certificate to spend – and only 6 more days in which to do so. Please contact me to place your order so you don't miss out!
I've decided it's time to offer a bit of a special for my hostesses. If you book a private class with me in September, the price for each attendee will be $15 ($5 off my regular $20 price). Hostesses are always free.
What's a private class? Well, it's a card making class for you and your friends (as many as you can fit into your space!). Just like my monthly card classes, we'll make 4 cards, complete with envelopes. I will cut everything and have packages ready for you to stamp, Big Shot as necessary and assemble, following instructions and using a sample as visual guide. Sound like fun? It is! Plus, the hostess can earn hostess dollars to spend on merchandise too!
Please note that availability may be limited, so first come first served! Monthly card classes or Christmas Card Stamp a Stacks are not included in this offer. Thanks.
WOOHOO! Stampin’ Up! just announced to demonstrators that the 31% off Digital Sale is being extended to September 14th! Realizing that this is a bit of a crazy time of year for everyone, this gives you a bit more time to take advantage of the digital deals. These downloads work in My Digital Studio – Stampin’ Up!’s digital crafting program – aka MDS, MDS2 which was just released, and any program that can manage .png files (most of the photo editing software out there). I am just getting into MDS2 and working on some tutorial videos for you all.
Or…you can check out this video that I did a while back for MDS – using a template that’s now available in MDS2+. This is how easy it is to create something using the great digital templates available!! Drag and drop 🙂 (if you are reading this in a reader or email, the embedded video may not appear – come to www.yamstamps.com to check it out!)
I know I've said this before, but many times, I'm like the cobbler whose children have no shoes….I am the cardmaker without cards on hand many times! Luckily, I have the supplies to whip up a card quickly and easily. Plus, I _am_ working on becoming more prepared and organized. (I have a feeling this will be a lifelong project?! LOL)
Anyway – this card uses Stampin' Up!'s Blue Ribbon stamp set as the main image, with one of the Confetti stamps in the background. The images from Blue Ribbon coordinate with punches so it's very easy to create a 3D effect ith little effort – punch & adhere with Stampin' Dimensionals! The tails of the ribbon are made from the Summer Smooches Designer Series Paper – you can cut them by hand or (get this!) use the Bitty Banners Framelit to cut them out with your Big Shot. You don't have to figure this one out on your own, though – if you look at the description in the catalogue, it will list what punches or dies coordinate with the images in the set. Yay! Less thinking! (and you KNOW I'm a big fan of that).
If you'd like to make more cards with less thinking 😉 be sure to attend one of my many card classes – or host one with your friends (free stuff for you!). I design and cut the materials ahead of time – you stamp, complete and assemble the cards! See my events page for more information or contact me.
I love attending Stampin' Up! events – there's so much energy and enthusiasm that it's contagious! The fact that you get a lot of creative and business inspiration is just a plus. One of my favourite things is seeing my demonstrator friends from all over…or even from the same city. The joke is that half the time I have to travel to the US to see some local demonstrator friends!
Anyway, this time was closer to home – just down the road in Hamilton! I was most excited to be able to hang out with Leanne, one of my demonstrator team members who doesn't live very close to me. While we've been in a lot of contact both by phone and on the computer, this was actually the first time we got to meet in person!!
Here we are with Shelli Gardner, co-founder and CEO of Stampin' Up! I love that she tries to attend as many of these regional events as she can. One of these days, I'm going to make a collage of all the photos I have had taken with her over the 10 years I've been a demonstrator, and watch how our hairstyles change LOL.
This is a photo that was on my iphone (I actually tweeted it during the day) – me, Shelli and Dale Hampshire, Manager of Stampin' Up! Canada.
and because I know you don't just tune in for photos of me…. LOL here's a photo of the beautiful tag created by one of the Stampin' Up! artists that Shelli shared with us. Isn't it gorgeous?!
Monochromatic cards are a great way to get a classy look – at least I think so!
I can't believe we're in the middle of August already. We are busy enjoying the last weeks of summer in our household – but I'm thrilled to say we already got most of the back to school clothes shopping done! (If you know my son, you know that's HUGE because he HATES shopping…half the chore is getting him into a mall…). Not to rush you either, but don't forget that I'm holding monthly Christmas Stamp a Stacks from now until December!! I've added some extra dates for those who can't make it out as easily on a weekend or a Sunday – so please check here and then either click on the link or contact me to register!
I really like making cards (if you can't tell LOL). This is a card that I designed for a recent card class but with a specific recipient in mind…(doing double duty). The flowers at the left are done using a technique that was demonstrated at Stampin' Up!'s convention. The large flower from the Betsy's Blossoms set was stamped in Versamark and heat embossed with clear EP. The image was then punched out with the Blossom punch – creating a totally different flower! Of course, being the lazy crafter that I am, I simply pulled the colours from the Floral District Designer Series Paper (why think any harder than I have to?!).
The class attendees enjoyed making this card, and the recipient was just as happy! This is my great aunt (and cousin beside her) at a recent family gathering where we celebrated her 90th birthday.
Second reason that August is Awesome is that there is a BONUS for new demonstrators. Purchase your starter kit for $125 (you get to choose what's in it) and receive the supplies for a super-cute Printer's Tray Project!
If you would like more information about this or not sure what to select for your $155 worth of merchandise in your starter kit, please contact me. I'll be happy to guide you through the process. You can also read more here. Being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator is a great way to have fun, earn money doing something you enjoy, and (dare I say it) fund your own crafting habit?! LOL.
Third Reason August is Awesome – MDS2 is here!! Stampin' Up!'s My Digital Studio software (MDS for short) has been upgraded and updated. I just finished downloading my copy so will get to work on new tutorial videos ASAP.
BONUS Reason August is Awesome – Stampin' Up! has 31 digital downloads on sale, plus 31% discount on printing services during August! See more HERE.
*phew*
If you want more information or are keen to take advantage of any of these awesome happenings, please contact me!
The first Christmas Stamp a Stack was yesterday – thank you to those who attended and got a jump on their holiday cards! Each attendee received a full roll of the Real Red Stitched Grosgrain ribbon which we used on our projects. This is one of the cards we made. Each Stamp a Stack will feature different projects and a different featured accessory as part of the class fee, and August's class will of course have some product from Stampin' Up!'s Holiday catalogue. I keep wanting to call it a mini catalogue, but have you seen the size of it? It's not "mini" at all!!! If you'd like more information about the Stamp a Stacks, please feel free to contact me or see my events page here.
August's Card Class is THIS Wednesday – cost is $20 or free with a minimum merchandise order. We'll be making 4 cards (probably with some Holiday product, hint hint LOL) and it will be fun! I promise to boost the air conditioning so it will be a break from the heat outside!! Contact me to register. Can't make it that night? Consider hosting a private class for your friends – my place or yours!
I did a previous post a couple of years ago in honour of the Vancouver Winter Olympics, and I thought I'd do another version in honour of the London Summer Olympics, which open today – woohoo! I can't decide which event I'm most excited to watch, but I know that since I've started running, I have a totally new appreciation and insight into the running events. This year, I'll be very busy watching the opening ceremonies as well, as a friend of mine will be participating as a performer! I will be trying to pick her out in the crowd on the field…thank goodness for DVRs! I made this card to send to her in honour of her performance, which I'm sure will be wonderful.
The rings are all current Stampin' Up! colours – Pacific Point, Basic Black and Real Red on the top row, Daffodil Delight and Garden Green on the bottom row. I used the 1-1/4" circle punch first, then centred the hole in the 1-3/4" circle punch to create the ring. I then cut slits in all the rings so I could interlock them like the official symbol. I realized afterwards that I could probably have gotten away with just slitting the yellow and green rings… but I need all the help I could get to get them positioned correctly!! I have a background of Melon Mambo as the London Olympics are using a similar colour on the logo.
I will most likely have the games on the TV while we do our Christmas Stamp a Stack on Sunday, playing in the background in case people want to keep track of how things are going. If you'd like to join us, please let me know ASAP!! We'll be starting at 1pm – cost includes all supplies and envelopes for 8 cards, 2 tags and will include a whole roll of stitched Real Red ribbon for you to use (and keep the remainder!). Don't forget these will be monthly events, so start building up your card stash now!
back to school time! Well, soon, at least. Too soon for my son, at any rate! I always enjoyed going back to school, loved the new school supplies, especially the paper! Some things don't change I guess – still love new paper…except now I can get my papers all coordinated 🙂
