Jan 7, 2019 | Subscribe
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Jan 6, 2019 | Big Shot, cards, Occasions, Stampin' Up!
The new Occasions Catalogue has some great new items! Today’s Sunday Swap Share is this die cut butterfly card that I created for a recent demonstrator card swap. I apparently have a thing for butterflies…so check out the YamStamps Instagram feed to see another Butterfly Card that I did for a different demonstrator card swap, using Occasions Catalogue product plus Sale-a-Bration product that you can select as your freebie with a $60 product order.
The butterflies are made up of two layers of die cuts, and they’re each one piece (all the butterflies are attached to each other). They really are the centre showpiece for this die cut butterfly card. I used the Beauty Abounds Bundle from the Occasions Catalogue. The Beauty Abounds Stamp Set is one of the new “Cling” stamp sets. It’s red rubber, with a new, improved super sticky label that will really cling to your clear block or Stamparatus. It’s available in a discounted bundle with the Butterfly Beauty Thinlits Dies. For this card, I used one of my favourite colours, Blueberry Bushel, for the back layer of butterflies, and used Basic Black for the top layer. The background uses Lemon Lime Twist to give it a bit of “pop”, and some Rhinestone Basic Jewels for a bit of bling.
One of the perks of being a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator is getting first looks and first access to upcoming catalogues and products! If you’re interested in having your own Stampin’ Up! business, now is a GREAT time to join. During Sale-a-Bration (that is…now until March 31st), you can get an additional $60 in free product! For $175, you can get $225 worth of product of your choice, PLUS the exclusive Craft & Carry Tote. This is the ONLY way to get this craft tote bag at this time. If, by some crazy chance, you don’t feel you need another bag….(I’m not sure how that feels…LOL), you can get the Starter Kit without the Tote for just $135. You get all that Stampin’ Up! product and all the basic business supplies to get your business off the ground running. Plus you’ll get my support when you sign up as part of my “Eh” Team of stampers. If you’d like more information or need help selecting your Starter Kit products, you can contact me, and RSVP to attend the no charge Information Evening, this Thursday, January 10th at 7pm. If you prefer to read about it… you can check out this FAQ page…or if you prefer to just take action, you can join my team here.
A reminder that January’s Monthly Card Class is THIS Wednesday, January 9th at 1pm or 7pm. If you want to get your year off to a creative start, please contact me to reserve your spot! Spaces are limited. Cost is $20 and includes all supplies required. Hope to see you soon!
Jan 3, 2019 | Occasions, Sale-A-Bration, Seasonal Catalogue, Stampin' Up!
Happy New Catalogue! Today is the first day for Sale-a-Bration and the Occasions Catalogue! So before we do anything else, here is the link for the Occasions Catalogue and here is the link for the Sale-a-Bration Catalogue. I did use the mailing service from Stampin’ Up! to send out a whole whack of the catalogues (so if you purchased something from me in the last year, you were likely on that list…), but I do know that it seems that they are still en route…so patience (and worst case scenario, we try again….)…I will be following up in the next week or so. Before I forget, here is the link to the Holiday Catalogue carryover list for items that are still available to order.
If Sale-a-Bration is new to you, or you want a refresher on what all the fuss is about – here’s the lowdown. Sale-a-Bration runs from January 3 to March 31, 2019, and during that time period you can select free items with qualifying orders!
How to Get Free Stuff:
1) Order $60 of product in a single order, receive a Level 1 Item of your choice from the Sale-a-Bration catalogue for FREE. If you order $120 of product in a single order, you can select ONE Level 2 item or TWO Level 1 items! (and so on, and so on). You can shop online at yamstamps.com/shop or contact me for assistance.
2) Host a party with $300 CAD product sales or more and receive an ADDITIONAL $30 in host dollars to spend, on top of what you would regularly earn (minimum $20). A reminder that you can host at yours, mine or somewhere in between, including online. Contact me to book a date before my calendar is full!
3) Purchase a Demonstrator Starter kit. This year, you have TWO choices – select $225 of product of your choice and pay only $135, OR select $225 of product PLUS get the exclusive Craft & Carry Tote Bag ($68 value) for just $175! (see images below, product not included blah blah blah). Your starter kit will also contain basic business supplies like catalogues and order forms, so you’re ready to go! Plus you’ll get the support of being part of my “Eh” Team of Stampers!
If you’d like more information about the Demonstrator Starter kit and what is involved in having your own Stampin’ Up! business, you can check out this page for some quick FAQs, (shortcut is yamstamps.com/join) and come to my free Information Evening, next Thursday, January 10th at 7pm. RSVP for directions.
In the meantime, you can shop online or contact me if you need assistance placing your order. Happy Sale-a-Bration!
Dec 31, 2018 | cards, Stampin' Up!
Just a quick note to say “Thank You” for reading the YamStamps blog! This is the time of year when we tend to look back on the past year and make plans for the upcoming year. For me, this past year has been full of family, friends, travel and creativity – for which I am grateful! It’s also been a year of change, loss and development, for which I am also grateful, because I know that growth can come out of the challenges (though I may not be very happy about those challenges when they come about).
In review, one of the most popular projects that I shared here was this Springtime Foils Sale-a-Bration card. I’m looking forward to sharing more card ideas and Sale-a-Bration projects with you in the upcoming months! January 3rd is the date when the Occasions Catalogue is active and Sale-a-Bration starts! My goal is to be more regular in posting to all platforms, and I’m looking forward to posting some creative challenges in the Paper Crafting with YamStamps Facebook Group in the new year – and hope you’ll participate with me!
Here’s a virtual thank you card and hug from me! Using the Hand Delivered Host Only stamp set, and Stampin’ Up! Whisper White Notecards. It’s #simplestamping with a “step up” – a bit of colour from Watercolour Pencils – but no water added! I did use a Blender Pen to make a mix of Daffodil Delight and Early Espresso for a skin tone colour on the legs/fingers. I just scribbled onto some scrap cardstock and blended/picked up the colour with the Blender Pen! The hint is to not scribble too much when applying the colour to the image so that the paper won’t pill.
In short – thank you for your support! I hope that 2019 brings happiness and creativity into your world. Wishing you all the best – and “see” you again soon!!
Dec 28, 2018 | cards, Occasions, Sale-A-Bration, Stampin' Up!
I hope that you had a good Christmas! I have been enjoying spending time with family over the past week and a bit. My son is home from university, and my brother is visiting from out west (British Columbia). Unfortunately this means the blog has been a little neglected, between prepping for the holiday, working and family time. I’m not going to complain, though. It’s been fun spending time together – visiting, playing video games (guess which people participate a little bit more than others in that activity), and just enjoying each other’s company. Sleep is a big priority for the student, though, and I had to laugh as I read a number of Facebook posts from friends with similarly aged offspring on Christmas morning – all of us waiting for the kids to wake up, and remember howing a decade ago it was a little different!!
So today I’m sharing a sneak peek from the Occasions Catalogue, which will be in effect as of January 3rd, which is also when Sale-a-Bration starts! I’ve used Stampin’ Up!’s mailing services to send out a whole bunch of these catalogues by mail….but with the backlog at Canada Post, I’m getting a little anxious that they won’t be in your mailboxes by January 3rd! Have no fear, though – I will definitely post links to the catalogues here and on the YamStamps Facebook page, and will see if I can figure out how to include it in the Instagram Account as well.
This card uses the new Host Stamp set, Just Because, and a bit of therapeutic colouring. I love using the Stampin’ Blends Alcohol Based markers – they’re great for shading and no streak lines! Plus they come in light and dark shades of a colour, so there’s no thinking in terms of blending and shading (which of course is great for me….haha!)
OK now that I look at this card, there’s a number of “sneak peeks” on it…so look away if you want to be totally surprised when the Occasions and Sale-a-Bration catalogues go live! Oops! Anyway, for those of you still reading, the stamp set is the Host set, and then the Black and White plaid paper is the Sale-a-Bration Designer Series Paper option that you can select for free with a $60 product order (on/after January 3). The Stitched Rectangle Framelits are something that Demonstrators at the November On Stage Event were most excited to get their hands on! and then a bit of bling with the Faceted Dots. The image was stamped in Tuxedo Black Memento Ink and coloured with Crumb Cake and Granny Apple Green Stampin’ Blends markers. For a refresher on which Stampin’ Up! ink to use when….see this post on Facebook.
Any of these new year’s resolutions on your list? 1) Be more creative/crafty 2) Get some ME time 3) Learn something new 4) Spend time with friends (new or old!) 5) Keep in touch with friends and family ?? I can help!! You can cover a lot of these by coming to a class with me! YamStamps Monthly Card Classes, or the YamStamps Stampers Club are great ways to get out and meet new people, learn new skills and be creative. You’ll walk away with 4 cards that you can send to friends or family to let them know you’re thinking of them. Monthly Card Classes occur on the first Wednesday of each month – EXCEPT THIS JANUARY. We’re all still on holiday schedule, so January’s card class is Wednesday, January 9th, at 1pm or 7pm. Stampers Club occurs the 3rd Monday of each month – so January 21 at 1pm or 630/7pm. (evening class attendees can start from 630pm onwards, I’m edging the time up a bit!). Check the YamStamps Events Page for details or other classes – or consider hosting your own class – at my place or yours! Contact me for details and to book a date (Sale-a-Bration is a GREAT time to host a class – more freebies for everyone who orders product!). Oh – and one of my 2019 Resolutions is to be better at scheduling and organizing blog posts!!
In the meantime, I’m off to the grocery store again. Funny how having two extra guys around the house means we go through food a little faster than usual….
Dec 18, 2018 | cards, Stampin' Up!
I think I say this every year….and still it doesn’t change…it’s ONE WEEK until Christmas?! So not ready. I know that I do the 12 Weeks of Christmas mailings, and really I should be more aware…but it seems that I get so wrapped up in the busy-ness of the season that I all of a sudden come up for air and realize the date. (How about you?!). I think in part it’s also because my son isn’t yet home from school – he’s finishing up exams at university, and won’t be home until the end of this week….and then it’s the weekend…and then it’s Christmas!!
By the way, YamStamps Mailing LIst subscribers will receive the last (*sniff*) 12 Weeks of Christmas email tomorrow, so watch for that around 1pm Eastern. The emails are my version of a Thank You Card for being a subscriber.
This is a real life thank you card that we did in Stampers Club a little while ago. We moved up the December Stampers Club date so that people didn’t feel too pushed with the timing of the club class and the holidays. One of my friends mentioned that some of the nicest cards to receive are thank you cards – because it’s not expected (in most cases). Using Designer Series Papers, you can add a dimension to your cards quicklly and easily! In this case, it’s the Specialy Designer Series Paper, Share What You Love. The sentiment is from the Petal Palette stamp set (available in red rubber wood mount or red rubber clear mount), and the accents are die cut with the Petals & More Thinlits Dies.
I figure I will create cards with a spring theme since that’s probably when they’ll get mailed/delivered – between me and Canada Post!! I am, however, crossing my fingers that the Occasions and Sale-a-Bration Catalogues will make their way safely to a mailbox near you by the time they are in effect! The current Holiday Catalogue (and the Year End Clearance Sale) runs to January 2nd, and then the Occasions and Sale-a-Bration catalogues are open for business as of January 3rd (I think at noon Mountain Time, in order to give the system time to get switched over). Do not fear, though, because I will be sure to post links to the online versions at least…and if you are able to attend a class in person, you can grab a copy from me at that! Please note that the January Card Class date is Wednesday, January 9th at 1pm or 7pm. So that’s the SECOND Wednesday of the month, not the first. I figured that I wouldn’t be ready for a class on January 2nd…plus this way we can focus on some of the new product that will be available!!
One last note for now – I will be offering a paper share for the Occasions Catalogue! Each person will receive a 6″ x 12″ piece of each of the patterns of Designer Series Paper, or a complete 6″ x 6″ sheet of each pattern in a Designer Series Paper stack, plus a 6″ x 12″ piece of each of the patterns of the Sale-a-Bration Designer Series Paper that will be available. Please note that this Paper Share does NOT include the Specialty Designer Series Papers. Cost per person is $30 CAD, plus postage/shipping. (I will be in touch with each participant to confirm method of delivery). I will post images in the new year (in case you want to be surprised when you open your catalogue). You can contact me to reserve a spot or if you have any questions about the Paper Share. Please note that due to Stampin’ Up! regulations, only Canadians may participate in this Paper Share.
In the meantime, I’m off to do a bit more last minute holiday prep, and off to my choir Christmas party tonight – snacking together is something we do almost as well as singing together!! THANK YOU for stopping by the YamStamps blog!
Dec 9, 2018 | 3D samples, Business Opportunity, Stampin' Up!
Time to get the Sunday Swap Share going again, I think! Today I’m sharing a 3D item that was gifted to me by a fellow demonstrator, Gloria Kremer, at the On Stage Event in Orlando. I met Gloria a few events ago, and we’ve managed to catch up with each other at events since then! She made these lovely charms with shrink plastic and beads!
The sentiment is from Stampin’ Up!’s Beautiful You Stamp set – available in clear mount or wood mount. It looks like she punched the shrink plastic with the Pretty Label Punch. Thanks again, Gloria!
Stampin’ Up!’s next big On Stage event is going to be held in Auckland, New Zealand! As always, when the main event is on a different continent (right now it rotates between Europe, North America and the South Pacific Region), there’s smaller events held on the other two continents, with a combination of live presentations and video feed from the main event. In Canada, the two sites will be Quebec City and Vancouver – so covering both coasts! These events are demonstrator-only events – focused on inspiring and informing us creatively and in our businesses….but there’s also a lot of fun and friendship! That’s my favourite part of attending Stampin’ Up! events – seeing so many of my friends that I’ve made over the 16 years I”ve been a demonstrator (I started when I was 10…hahaha), and meeting new friends every time. If you’d like to join my group of demonstrators, known as the “Eh” Team, you can contact me for more information – or check out this page – the shortcut is yamstamps.com/join ! I’m also holding an Information Evening on a semi-regular basis. The next one is January 10th – you can RSVP for this free event! Normally you can get $165 worth of product for just $135 in your starter kit, but January 3 – March 31 during Sale-a-Bration, you can get $225 worth of product for just $135, or for $175 you’ll also get the Demonstrator only Craft & Carry Tote bag! (Can’t wait? Sign up now, get the starter kit and order the tote! Available right now for demonstrators to order – until January 2nd!). I’d love to have you join our group!
Dec 7, 2018 | birthday, cards, specials, Stampin' Up!
So…if you haven’t figured it out, I really like clean and simple designs. Here’s another one! A clean and simple birthday card. This is a two step stamp set, meaning that there are two (or more) stamps that combine to make a complete image. By using Stampin’ Up!’s stamp positioning tool Stamparatus, this is made even more easy!
This card uses the Varied Vases stamp set, which has a coordinating Vases Builder Punch – and you can get them together in a discounted bundle. Since it’s a photopolymer set, it can be used with clear blocks or the Stamparatus. For a class situation (like the Monthly Card Class or Stampers Club), it’s great to use the Stamparatus. I just set it up, and align the stamps, and it will be perfect each time. In this case, the stem and flower outline is one stamp, and the flower colour is another. Since the sentiment and flowers are the same colour, I put those stamps together on one side of the plate, and put the outline on the other side. Not seen – the inside sentiment, which was on the other plate. Subscribe to the YamStamps Facebook Page and you’ll get a notification of when I go live next – I’ll show how quickly this clean and simple birthday card comes together!
Stampin’ Up! challenged us to share some #simplestamping ideas – and this qualifies as that! Though…I may have cheated slightly by adding a layer. I think Stampin’ Up! wants to define Simple Stamping as a notecard, ink and stamps only….so maybe I pushed those boundaries a bit haha! I used a scrap of Very Vanilla to stamp the vase and punch it out, and then simply adhered it in place on the front of the card. So maybe it’s just a clean and simple birthday card because of that?! Ah well. I still like it.
The Stamparatus is great if you’re doing multiples of the same card since you’re guaranteed to get the same placement each time. Perhaps I should be using it to help me crank out some more Christmas cards to send?! I may convert them into Holiday/New Year cards…since between me still fiddling with them and Canada Post dealing with a backlog of mail to sort through…
Stampin’ Up! is offering some discounts on selected product as part of the Year End Closeout! Check out the Year End Closeout in the YamStamps Online Stampin’ Up! Canada store. (or download the list here) You’ll see which items are retiring from the Holiday Catalogue, and which items are being offered at a discount – while supplies last. You can shop 24/7 in the online store, or you can contact me if you have any questions or need assistance placing your order. Happy Shopping!
Nov 28, 2018 | Big Shot, cards, Christmas, Limited Time, specials, Stampin' Up!
I have a thing for snowflakes, if you couldn’t tell. Mostly the paper ones, not so much the ones that have to be shovelled…so this Silver Snowflake Card is right up my alley. It was made during my November Christmas Card Class – which also used the Festive Farmhouse Elements. Thankfully, I’d purchased the class supplies before they became unorderable – but you can recreate this card using a stamped sentiment or die cutting words/letters.
The wooden elements had a grey/silver colour on one side, and we added some Clear Wink of Stella Glitter to it (though I think it’s a little hard to see in this photo) to give it extra bling. The central snowflake is cut from a Silver Foil Sheet using one of the snowflakes from the Snowfall Thinlits Dies. The border is from the Snow Is Glistening set stamped in Smoky Slate and the Stamparatus using the “hinge technique”. We stamped the image once, then moved the Stamparatus plate a couple of hinges over and restamped to create a continuous line of snowflakes along the edge of the cardstock. So easy!
A reminder that we are in the last few hours of the last online sale from Stampin’ Up! – selected tools and ink pads are 10% off until 1150pm Mountain Time today. We are also in the last few days of the Snowflake Showcase items (some of which are featured on today’s Silver Snowflake card). Those products will not be available after November 30th…so please don’t hesitate and miss out!! You can shop online in the YamStamps Online Stampin’ Up! Canada store, or you can contact me if you need assistance placing an order or have any questions. Stampin’ Up! will ship to Quebec though the online shopping portal will NOT work – but you can contact me and I can enter the order for you and have it shipped directly to you. Happy shopping!
Nov 20, 2018 | Announcements, cards, Christmas, Information, Limited Time, specials, Stampin' Up!
I don’t think I shared this card here! I made this one a while back – here’s some Christmas Card Inspiration. It takes a little more time than my usual quick cards, but I think it’s worth it in the end! True to my usual style, though, it looks like it’s more work than it actually is….
I used a lot of different framelits on this card…the Detailed Baubles Thinlits Dies, the Layering Circle Framelits Dies, and the Merry Christmas Thinlits Dies. The background is textured with the Tufted Embossing Folder (so elegant!). The lacy bauble portion is from the first set of dies, cut from Gold Glimmer Paper. The layering circle cut the background (from a Gold Foil Sheet) and the label is from the last set of dies. The sentiment on the label is from the Beautiful Baubles stamp set, and you can get it in a discounted bundle with the coordinating Detailed Baubles Thinlits.The jewels were an extra level of bling I added…they’re from the now unavailable Santa’s Workshop Enamel Elements. You could easily substitute any other bling you like – red rhinestone basic jewels, rhinestone basic jewels or metallic pearls are just some of your options! The other secret to making this easier – use the Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets. I placed some on the back of the Gold Glimmer Paper and then ran that through the Big Shot with the Detailed Bauble framelit. Run the Big Shot Die Brush over it, then peeled off the liner and stuck it onto the Gold Foil Circle!
Unfortunately, a number of Holiday Catalogue Items are now unavailable to order – they’ve been overwhelmingly popular! Currently unavailable to order: Santa’s Workshop Enamel Elements, Festive Farmhouse Elements, Joyous Noel Specialty Designer Series Paper; Framelits: Alpine Sports, Santa’s Signpost; Santa’s Workshop Memories & More Card Pack – and anything that uses that card pack (like the kit). A few items are running low, but the good news is that Stampin’ Up! has let us know that they are going to be carried over: these items include the framelits In the Woods, Detailed Deer and Merry Christmas. The Swirls and Curls Embossing Folder will also be available to order after the Holiday Catalogue Sales Period. You’ll notice that there are NO stamp sets included in this list – mostly accessories/tools – since these are items that are not directly manufactured at Stampin’ Up!’s facilities in Utah. Their stamps are produced in Utah, so they have more direct control over production numbers.
Coming soon – Online Extravaganza. Download the flyer here. Three consecutive 48 hour sales featuring different selected items from the Annual Catalogue. November 23-24 is Paper & Embellishments, November 25-26 is Stamps & Kits, November 27-28 is Tools & Ink. Each sale runs until 1150pm Mountain time and then the next set of products will be available at special pricing. Please note that there are a set number of selected products available at the Online Extravaganza price, and once that allottment is gone, the product will not be available to order until after the sales period. Excluded from this sale – Paper Pumpkin Kits, bundles (which are already discounted anyway), the Big Shot and the Stamparatus. There are a few other items that are not included in the sales pricing, but you’ll be able to tell once you’re shopping online during the sale! If you need assistance placing your order, you are always welcome to contact me for assistance or to place the order for you. Please note, though, that I can’t guarantee availability, so if you’re really anxious to get your hands on some sale product, your best option is always to place the order yourself online at the YamStamps Online Stampin’ Up! Canada store. Shortcut is yamstamps.com/shop .
Last but not least – there’s still some space in the Festive Farmhouse Elements Christmas Card Class happening on Wednesday, November 28 at 1pm or 7pm. Yes, you read that correctly. I do have a supply of the sold out wooden elements that each class attendee will receive with their $30 class fee. Contact me ASAP to reserve a spot, and one of the sold out packages of elements! You can check out upcoming events on the YamStamps Events Page. Hope to see you in class or club soon!
