(surprise – not a rainbow themed card…) This card is still a colourful one, though! It’s perfect for sending hugs to someone who could use a little lift. Plus it’s COVID appropriate…*sigh*
Sending Hugs Card
Sometimes a little colouring therapy is called for….it’s a peaceful way to spend some time without too much brainwork involved. I coloured this one with Stampin’ Blends, Stampin’ Up!’s alcohol based markers, which are great for blending and shading without leaving streaky lines. Instead of using Memento Tuxedo Black Ink (black dye based ink good for use with alcohol based markers), I decided to use a paler colour (Sahara Sand) so the lines would still be visible but not such a sharp contrast as the black can be. The image is from the Sending Hugs stamp set, and I used Blends in Pool Party, Balmy Blue,Old Olive, Highland Heather, So Saffron and Shaded Spruce. I added a bunch of Pearl Basic Jewels for a bit of shine and elegance. (plus if you have a few overzealous colouring strokes or got a little close to the lines and had some “bleeding” outside the lines, a few pearls will distract and/or cover that!)
If you’re sending hugs with this card, you’ll want to either hand deliver it or may want to consider mailing it in a padded envelope, or use some of the smaller pearls to decrease the bulk on the front of the card.
If you like using Blends, you’ll be excited to hear about a new grouping of Blends that will be available for purchase next month – a new range of “Natural” tone Stampin’ Blends! My Demonstrator preorder of these new markers just arrived, so I’ll be spending some time playing with them (plus some of the limited time products that will be available) and will share some of my results here! I’ll post more about the special collection when they’re available to order in February, so be sure to come back to the YamStamps blog to see more, and subscribe to the YamStamps newsletter to be notified when they’re available to order!
I love how using different patterns and items from the same coordinating suite of products can give a different look and feel to projects! Today’s die cut rainbow card has a softer feel than the previous rainbow cards I shared with you.
This one used the Mother of Pearl Specialty Paper, Brilliant Rainbows Dies (though not for the the rainbow!) and Iridescent Rhinestones like today’s project. Definitely a more bold colour theme
This one used the same Designer Series Paper – just different patterns! Also more bold and bright than today’s share. By using smaller pieces of the paper it’s a little more subtle. A little.
I guess I also like the rainbow theme because it’s going to be a few months until we see some around my home…and it’s a colourful theme, unlike the solid white/grey theme happening outside my window!
We are nearing the end of January (hard to believe) and a reminder that Sale-a-Bration runs only for two months – January and February only. If you’d like to grab the Sunshine & Rainbows Designer Series Paper, it’s one of the Sale-a-Bration freebies you can select with a $60CAD product order, but you’ll want to order before 28 February to be sure that you get some before it’s gone!
I can be a bit of a traditionalist, so I stuck to “ROYGBV” for my rainbow card – well, as close as I could get with only 5 stripes LOL. This is where the Stamparatus comes in handy! I set up the arcs so I had one on each side of a plate (and yes, I used 3 plates) so I could easily mass produce. I made 21 of these cards for a recent Demonstrator card swap, so I had to be able to reproduce them easily. The other thing about using the Stamparatus – I could re-stamp any arc accurately and easily if it wasn’t as dark as I wanted it to be the first time. The clouds and arch die cuts are out of the Mother of Pearl Specialty Paper, which didn’t show up as well as I had hoped on this photo – you can’t quite see the iridescent flecks in it. It’s also a glossy finish, so it’s extra shiny. I added some Iridescent Rhinestones Basic Jewels for a bit of bling and because they reminded me of raindrops.
Sale-a-Bration runs until 28 February, so with each $60CAD product amount you order, you can select a Sale-a-Bration item for free! If you purchase the Demonstrator Starter Kit during Sale-a-Bration, you’ll get to select TWO stamp sets from the Annual Catalogue or Mini Catalogue for free. This is on top of the $165 product that you select! All that plus basic business supplies and being part of my Demonstrator group – for just $135. You can see more about joining the “Eh” Team here, or you can contact me with any specific questions you might have.
In the meantime, I will focus on the rainbow….and not think about the impending snow storm that’s forecast for our area! (To be clear, I don’t mind the snow, it’s the clearing of the driveway about which I am less enthusiastic…).
The Early Bird Pricing is on right now for the Watercolour 201 Online Class! Register now at a discount, and be one of the first to check out the class videos when the class site officially opens this Thursday, 13 January!
Watercolour 201 Online Class samples
You don’t have to be a watercolouring expert for this class! If you’ve taken the Watercolour 101 Online Class, you’ll have the basics for this one. If you haven’t taken it, no worries. This class focuses on adding textures to watercolour wash backgrounds. The first class video quickly covers a watercolour wash, and then moves right into how to make your wash backgrounds even more fantastic.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Do I have to know how to watercolour to take this class?
A: While watercolouring knowledge is helpful, because this is a technique based class on adding textures to watercolour wash backgrounds, you don’t need a lot of skill. (Trust me, I’m not a professional watercolour painter!) See below for level of painting skill required….
if you can do something like this, you’re ready for Watercolour 201!
A: This is an online class with pre-recorded videos, so you can watch them whenever you have the chance to learn the techniques, and use supplies you have on hand. You’ll need a device capable of showing video and an internet connection for this. Basic Craft Essentials: Watercolour Paper, a paint brush, and a source of colour. I used the Fluid 100 Watercolour Paper that Stampin’ Up! carries, cut in half, the Water Painters, and ReInkers like this one. You’ll get a list of what’s required for the techniques in the class site when it opens. (Hey, have to have some mystery involved, still, right?!) They’re things you likely have in your home, so don’t worry. Plus you have lifetime access to the videos, so you can watch whenever it suits your schedule!
Helpful to have: painters tape/washi tape and a surface to tape your work onto – I used a Stamparatus Deluxe Foam Mat; you could also use a Silicone Craft Mat or any flat clean surface that can be wiped/washed afterwards – like a cutting board or clipboard. Also nice to have but not mandatory – Stampin’ Spritzers but you could use your brush with water or an empty spritz bottle filled with water.
You’ll have lifetime access to the videos once you’ve registered. Please note that class videos are for the personal use of paid students only.
Happy Sale-a-Bration to you! This is a fun card featuring sunshine and rainbows – and to make it even better – you can get the patterned paper on this card for free!
During Sale-a-Bration, for each $60CAD product that you order, you’ll receive a Sale-a-Bration of your choice for free! For a $120CAD product order, you can select either two Level 1 Items, or one Level 2 items. For $180CAD, you can select three Level 1 items, or 1 Level 1 and one Level 2 item…and so on, and so on, and so on! Please note that the $60 threshold must be within one order, and is before shipping/taxes are added on.
I love this grid layout for the patterned paper – it’s easy and effective. The strips are 1″ wide, and then I cut each strip into a 1″ square and 2″ strip. I added an Iridescent Rhinestone Basic Jewel for a bit of shine too!
If you’re interested in getting some Sunshine and Rainbows in your next order, you’ll want to visit the YamStamps Online Stampin’ Up! Canada store, or contact me if you’d like to pay by etransfer or for other assistance placing an order. Sale-a-Bration only runs until 28 Feb 2022 – so don’t miss out!
Wishing you all the best for 2022. I hope that you were able to connect with family and friends over the holiday season, despite all the challenges and changing rules we faced here in Ontario.
So here’s some news to cheer you up! Stampin’ Up!’s latest Mini Catalogues are now active! To be truthful, though, there’s nothing “mini” about the January-June 2022 Mini Catalogue. It’s full of new products to spark your creativity – and as a bonus, it’s also Sale-a-Bration!
The Sale-a-Bration Mini Catalogue houses all the free options you can select with qualifying orders until the end of February. For each $60 product ordered (in a single order, before taxes/shipping), you’ll be able to select a Level 1 Sale-a-Bration product for free. If you order $120 product, you can either select two Level 1 products or one Level 2 product that’s only available at the $120 level. There’s no limit to how many items you can earn!
A lot of the Sale-a-Bration items coordinate with products in the January-June 2022 or Annual Catalogues – like the fun Sunshine & Rainbows Designer Series Paper pack – one of my favourites, which ties in with the Rainbow of Happiness Bundle from the J-J Mini Catalogue. Stampin’ Up! Demonstrators have had a month to check out the new products before they went “live” today (one of the perks of being a demo!). I’m on my second pack of these papers already…because who couldn’t use a bit of sunshine & rainbows in their life, especially right now?!
How are your holiday preparations coming along? (*ducking and running*). Mine are behind schedule, as per usual for me…but I thought I’d share this winter thank you card for those of you who are slightly ahead of me.
winter thank you card
Although as I type this now, I’m wondering why it can’t be a thank you card for any season – though I think the colour in general reminds me of a winter sky. I love the Silver Foil Specialty Pack that’s in the current July-December 2021 Mini Catalogue, and I’m thrilled that it’s on the carryover list – which means I will be able to continue to purchase it in the new year! The three different finishes of the Silver Foil give such different effects. The one I used for this card is the Matte Charcoal sheet, which I feel has a slight purple tint to it – so I brought that out a bit more by adding the Fresh Freesia 3/8″ Open Weave Ribbon and backing it with the Fresh Freesia Cardstock. I liked the embossed metal kind of look, so I decided to use that effect for the sentiment as well.
I embossed a scrap of the Matte Charcoal Silver Foil with the Thank You folder from the Thanks & Hello Embossing Folders set. I held the scrap in place with some painters tape, and after it was embossed I trimmed it even closer to the letters with my Paper Snips before adding it to the ribbon. I placed all of this onto Night of Navy Cardstock to complete this winter thank you card.
Well, there’s one thank you card done…
I’m working on cards to send out to everyone whom I’ve had Stampin’ Up! send the January-June and Sale-a-Bration Mini Catalogues….so I still have a few to go… I did automatically include everyone who has made an order with me in the past months, but if you’re not sure if that included you, or would like to receive one, get in touch and I’ll confirm!
I used the dies to cut the Cotton Paper (which is almost like a tissue paper feel) and a scrap of Gold Foil. I love the gold metallic accent on the Specialty Designer Series Paper, so this coordinated well with the Gold Foil backing tag. I added some of the Garden Gems to the tag as well for an easy, elegant card. The Cotton Paper is really pliable, so I just folded the ends behind the DSP and held them in place with tape for an quick addition to the card.
If you’re on my mailing list, you’ll know that we are wrapping up the Twelve Weeks of Christmas mailings this week (um….what?!). I think I may post a bonus project next week, though. In the meantime, I need to try and get MY holiday cards mailed out, or at least get my tree decorated, right? Perhaps I will just send a number of hello there cards instead. How many cards are you sending (okay, have you “sent”, because you’re probably ahead of me) this year?
ONE DAY ONLY! Wednesday 8 December 2021 until 11:59pm Mountain Time (10:59pm Pacific time, 159 AM Thursday if you’re on Eastern Time). Orders of $65CAD product (or more) will qualify for free shipping! Shop online at yamstamps.com/shop. You can message me if you’d like to pay by etransfer or want assistance placing your order – or if you’re worried you’ll forget! Email me now and I’ll place the order for you on Wednesday. Happy Free Shipping Day!
Happy December! (I know, it’s been December for almost a week….I’m catching up I guess?!! LOL). My YamStamps email newsletter will have the December multiproject edition going out tomorrow (Tuesday 7 December) and will include some of this information as well. Photo below for attention…and also to show off the Knit Sweater Dies – one of the dies that is on the Last Chance Sales List!
Last chance to get the dies for this project!
First up – the July-December Mini Catalogue sales period is coming to a close (if you couldn’t figure out by the name of the catalogue itself…). Stampin’ Up! has some of the retiring product from this catalogue at sales pricing right now! You can download and check out the list here (spreadsheet) or here (pdf).
Next up – you may have noticed this already if you’ve placed an online order through the YamStamps Online Stampin’ Up! Canada store – there are no more “backorders” on items. (Quite honestly, I’m amazed this hasn’t been instituted until now). With the global supply chain issues and shipping issues, it’s harder and harder for companies to maintain the flow of goods at previously predictable rates. Until now, Stampin’ Up! has been placing products on backorder and shipping them out when supply reaches the warehouses. Starting this month, you’ll still be able to order your Stampin’ Up! products (or have me place the order for you), but if an item is not currently in stock, the code will be “turned off” and the product will be unavailable to order until stock is replenished. If you have any items at present still on backorder, they will be shipped as soon as stock is available, so have no fear. It’s just going forward, you’ll either be able to order the items, or not.
What does this mean for you? Well – in many cases, probably not a big change in how things are happening now, but there’s a few things I would encourage. 1) If you MUST have that Stampin’ Up! item, don’t hesitate! Include it on your next order 2) If you are nervous that an item will go out of stock, your best and most timely bet is to place the order yourself online. Shortcut is yamstamps.com/shop; once you’ve placed your order it will ship directly to you. You’ll also know instantly whether or not you’ll get everything you want – because if it’s not available to order it won’t let you add it to your shopping cart.
If you want me to place the order for you, I’m happy to enter it as always, though please be aware that there may be a delay between when you contact me and when I place the order. I will contact you via email or phone if something is not available to order. You can then substitute an item or go ahead without it.
