Sep 5, 2018 | cards, Christmas, Seasonal Catalogue, Stampin' Up!
Happy New Catalogue Day! The Stampin’ Up! Canada Holiday Catalogue is now “live” and up for ordering. Demonstrators have had access to the catalogue since last month, including an opportunity to preorder merchandise, so it’s been fun playing with new products, but hard to wait to share! Today I’m sharing a wintery card with you to celebrate. Oh and I’m not going to say ANYTHING about the humidity level, because I jinxed it last time I talked about it. Thank goodness the air conditioning is working in here, that’s all I can say….
This card was created using the new Beautiful Blizzard bundle. The Beautiful Blizzard stamp set comes in either red rubber clear mount or red rubber wood mount stamps, and coordinates with the Blizzard Thinlits Die. Purchase the wood mount bundle or clear mount bundle and save 10% off the individula prices of the stamp set and die. The Blizzard thinlit die is a single die, so I used it on the background Night of Navy cardstock. I ran it through with Whisper White cardstock as well to get the snowflakes that accent the Layering Oval with the sentiment. This is one of my favourite items in the new holiday catalogue! Hint: with some of the dies that have more details or more cuts, I often like to run the die through in one direction, then turn it 90 degrees and run it through again. This way, if my plastic cutting sheets have any bowing or areas that might not contact as well, I figure it makes up for that. The other thing to get a good cut – use the Precision Base Plate.
There are so many fun holiday products – and it’s not just Christmas stuff – there’s also Hallowe’en and autumn choices, and seasonal vs “holiday” items too. If you still need a copy of the new catalogue and don’t have a demonstrator that you’re already working with, you can contact me about getting a copy. If you are looking to make holiday cards, September’s Christmas Card Class will be using the Santa’s Workshop Enamel Shapes as the featured product. Your class fee of $30 will include all the supplies required to create 4 different holiday cards, and each one will use the accents as decoration. You’ll use some of your package on the cards in class, and take the rest home for your own creative projects! Please contact me to reserve your spot – ASAP as I need to order the product ahead of time to ensure it will arrive in time for class. Class Dates: Wednesday, September 19 at 1pm or Thursday, September 20 at 7pm. See the YamStamps Events Page for other dates and classes! In the meantime – happy shopping!
Sep 2, 2018 | cards, Stampin' Up!
This week’s Sunday Swap share is a beautiful card of encouragement for a friend. It’s great to be able to send cards of celebration, but it’s also important to send words of support and encouragement, too. This lovely card was created by Cynthia Millan.
It uses one of my new favourite embossing folders – Tufted. I love the elegant background it creates! The Botanical Tags Thinlits die cut makes a lovely focal element – and I like the way she’s coloured in the birds to bring out the accent colour. The sentiment is from a set that I had overlooked previously – but now is on my wish list – Beautiful Promenade, which is actually available in a discounted bundle with the Beautiful Layers Thinlits as well. The set is full of great sayings that could be used on cards of encouragement for a friend or loved one. Perhaps I’ll use one of my Bonus Days Coupon Codes to purchase that bundle this month!
If you are looking to send a mesage of encouragement for a friend, or to commemorate an occasion, you’ll want to build up your stash of cards! There’s still space in the evening monthly card class for September – so contact me ASAP to grab a seat! This Wednesday at 7pm. The afternoon class filled quickly this month – looks like people are getting back into routine and back to school! I hope that you have a great last long weekend of summer…and that your back to school / routine preparation goes smoothly. Don’t forget those first day of school photos!! I’m going to have to get my son to take a selfie since he’ll be away at university….what do you think my chance of success will be?! Wish me luck!!
Sep 1, 2018 | specials, Stampin' Up!
Annnnnndddddd…..it’s September. It definitely feels like a change in the weather and season has come upon us in southern Ontario! I’m happy for a break in humidity, but not sure that I’m happy that summer seems to be over (and I know, technically it’s not, but you know what I mean…). My love of back to school supply shopping helps me cope though…and the fact that Stampin’ Up! is helping ease the transition by offering a special offer or two!
First of all, it’s time to spend those Bonus Day Coupon Codes! That’s pretty special….each time you placed a merchandise order for $60 in August, you would have received a coupon code via email from Stampin’ Up! – and now you can use those codes! You can shop online in the YamStamps Online Stampin’ Up! Canada store – shortcut is yamstamps.com/shop – and once you’ve selected your merchandise, click on MANAGE COUPON CODES and then copy and paste your codes (one per line) and click APPLY before you check out. OR – you can email me or call me with your merchandise order and coupon codes, and I will enter your order and codes for you. As always – you can contact me if you have any questions, or need a hand navigating the shopping site.
Stampin’ Up! is offering a sweet host special for September! You may have seen a sneak peek of this paper in this card I shared about a week ago… Host a party, make cards with your friends, and after all the orders are tallied, if there are total merchandise sales of $300 or more, you’ll receive a package of the Dashing Away Designer Series Paper for free! You can choose if you share with your friends or not…the package has 12 sheets total – four sheets of each of 3 different double sided designs (so 6 different designs in total). Some of the patterns definitely scream CHRISTMAS, but there are patterns that are more year round/not quite so blatently holiday-ish. You can see them in the graphic above. Contact me to book a date for a cardmaking party with your friends! Since this special is only good for September, you’ll want to book as soon as possible – or you can try a catalogue party on your own time – share the catalogue with friends, I can share some samples and ideas with your friends via a private facebook group, and you can collect orders to submit!
Lastly a reminder that the registration deadline for September’s Christmas Card Class is approaching! Register by Wednesday for this holiday class – your class fee of $30 includes a package of Santa’s Workshop Enamel Shapes that we will use on your cards – with plenty of leftovers for you to take home and use on other projects! Registration available after Wednesday, but may be subject to an express shipping fee (in order for your product to arrive in time for class!). Class dates: Wednesday, September 19 at 1pm, or Thursday, September 19 at 7pm. Please note the “split dates” for this month – as I’ve got a demonstrator group meeting on the Wednesday evening and a business mastermind session at the end of the month – both great combinations of work, inspiration and FUN! Looking forward to seeing you in class soon!
Aug 27, 2018 | Business Opportunity, Stampin' Up!
For me, September is a time of new beginnings – just like January! I have always loved the “back to school” and “back to routine” routine…and of course, shopping for back to school supplies. Other than shopping for Stampin’ Up! craft supplies, I think going to an office supply store (in person or online, I’m not picky), is my second favourite shopping option! (please tell me I’m not alone…..). Anyway, around here this upcoming September is feeling a little extra big as my one and only son is heading to university away from home. I know that he’s ready for it and will adapt, but I can confess that I’m a bit of a worrier (which parent isn’t, really?). So with that in mind, I’m prepared to provide support from a distance, and distract myself with things around here! If you are looking for something new to keep yourself occupied, or provide a little extra income, may I suggest the Stampin’ Up! side hustle?! It’s not a new dance….but it could be as fun… and we can keep each other distracted for a while hahaha!
(probably as close as one could get to a Stampin’ Up! side hustle image? Made with the stamp set Beautiful You)
Side hustle is the term for an extra job or occupation – you don’t have to quit everything and embark on a new path, you just add a little something to your current situation. Stampin’ Up! has been my side hustle since before they invented the term! I started just after my maternity leave and continued when I moved across country and started a new job. In the past few years, I’ve chosen to decrease my hours at that job to part time to step back from some of the stresses and pressures in order to try maintain my life balance and happiness. I’m happy that I had this Stampin’ Up! side hustle to support that move.
If you think this might be a good time for your to consider something new, I have a page dedicated to FAQs about becoming a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator, so you can read that to see if your questions are answered there. I also invite you to come to my next Information Evening, scheduled for Wednesday, September 12th at 7pm here in Burlington (click here to RSVP and get directions). If you don’t live closeby, or can’t make that date, there are options! Contact me and you can join the online version that evening, or we can set a time to chat (in person, online, via emails, whatever your preference). I hope you’ll consider starting a side hustle with my group of Stampin’ Up! demonstrators!
Aug 26, 2018 | cards, Stampin' Up!
It’s time for another Sunday Swap Card Share! This time – Baby Shower Wishes! Lisa Hardie created this pretty card featuring the Wonderful Moments photopolymer set from Stampin’ Up! The background papers are from the Twinkle Twinkle Designer Series Paper – I love the soft effect echoed in the coordinating images stamped onto the card as well. The Stitched Shaped Framelits are one of my favourite ways to cut out an image or sentiment, and the doily softens the edges a bit more.
Can’t find that particular doily in the catalogue? It’s one of the Colo(u)red Doilies from the Annual Catalogue! The reverse side is white – so if you have a project like this Baby Shower Wishes card and don’t have enough of a certain colour, or want to use a different colour scheme than dictated by the doilies themselves, you have options!
If you follow the YamStamps Instagram feed you’ll have seen the castoffs of my mass card production a few days ago – because I was completing my contribution to the latest demonstrator card swap – featuring products from the upcoming Holiday Catalogue! I’m looking forward to seeing everyone’s great work, and to sharing the inspiration and ideas with you – either through the internet or in a class! I did have to work hard to focus on the projects, since we are right in the middle of the chaos that is getting ready to send my son to his first year of university. Lots of changes on the near horizon, and I’m so glad that I have my Stampin’ Up! friends to see me through the next while! Nothing like a little crafty distraction to get through the empty nest feeling….and nothing like a little “side hustle” career to help make ends meet while helping with post secondary education costs!! If you’re interested in finding out more about being a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator, please join me at my Information Evening – you can join in person or online – just RSVP and I’ll give you directions to connect. Wednesday, September 12th – 7pm – Burlington ON or online. You can also get some answers to FAQs on my info page here. Hope to chat with you soon!
Aug 23, 2018 | cards, Christmas, specials, Stampin' Up!
The Blended Seasons stamp set and Stitched Seasons framelits are only available in August from Stampin’ Up! – have you grabbed these special products yet? The specially priced bundle (with your choice of wood mount or clear mount stamps) will see you through a number of seasons! Paired with the Watercolour Pencils (assortment 2), another special item for August, you can create so many great cards! Here’s a recent class card featuring these products – plus a sneak peek at an upcoming special product (can you spot it?)
I love the stitched look on these Stitched Seasons framelits – and the fun thing is that there’s stitching on both sides of the cut edge. While this card only uses the positive portion of the die cut, the remainder of the cardstock also had a stitched look finished edge around the cut out negative portion, which could be used on another project, or could be a design feature in a project (I’ll share an example of this in the next YamStamps newsletter on Tuesday). The Blended Seasons set (which is available in red rubber wood mount or red rubber clear mount) was stamped in StazOn ink and coloured with the Watercolour Pencils Assortment 2. I added the colour directly to the image with the pencils, then blended the shading and colouring with a Blender Pen. This is a way to get a watercolour look while still maintaining a lot of control over the colour movement (which I know some crafters prefer…). This card is all on Shimmery White cardstock, which stands up to a bit of work with water or blender pens, and has a beautiful subtle shine (so subtle, I bet you can’t really see it in the photo….but trust me it’s there!)
As for the sneak peek on this Blended Seasons card….it’s the patterned paper! The Dashing Away Designer Series Paper is a set of 12 sheets of 12″ x 12″ double sided patterned paper, with 6 different designs in total. Some patterns are definitely screaming “Christmas!!” while others, like the one above, could be used for any time of year. This exclusive paper will be available for FREE with qualified orders in September. Hosts of classes or parties with sales of $350 or more will get a package of this paper for free. If you’re keen to get your hands on some of this Designer Series Paper, please contact me ASAP to book a date for a class. You can have an in person class with your friends, or do a catalogue or online party instead – again, contact me for details and to set it up.
Registration is also open for the September Monthly Card Class, happening September 5th at 1pm or 7pm. Contact me to register, or click on the link on the YamStamps Events Page. As per tradition around this time of year, we’ll be having at least one Christmas/Holiday card included in the four cards we create in each monthly card class. If you want all holiday cards, come to the September Christmas Card Class – this time the class will be featuring some fun accents from the Holiday Catalogue! We’re splitting the date this month – Wednesday, September 19th at 1pm or Thursday, September 20th at 7pm. Hope to see you in a class very soon.
Aug 19, 2018 | cards, Stampin' Up!
Time for another Sunday Swap share – this time, it’s a gorgeous Gatefold Card! This card was created by Chris Carmichael. It features the Botanical Tags Thinlits Dies and the Botanical Bliss stamp set – which is available in red rubber wood mount or red rubber clear mount. The stamp set and dies are also available together in either a wood mount bundle or clear mount bundle.
This card opens in the centre – the sides swing open like a gate…and is held closed by sliding the yellow tab underneath the circle held in place by a brad.
When you have a dark card, it’s great to put a lighter coloured insert inside so that you can write on the inside – in case you don’t have a White Stampin’ Chalk Marker on hand, or want more options! This card also uses the Share What You Love Specialty Designer Series Paper, and the pieces are small enough that you could use scraps – or the cut outs from your Scrapbook in a Box?!
If you’re looking for more creative or “different” folds like this gatefold card consider the Clever Cards Online Class! It features 5 different fancier fold cards – Z fold, curved strip, rotating image, hidden message, and twisting pop up – and you’ll get lifetime access to the class materials. (HINT: if you sign up for the YamStamps mailing list, follow the process all the way through to see a special offer for this class only!). As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Hope you’ll join me in class!
Aug 15, 2018 | cards, Stampin' Up!
I know that around here, at this time of the summer (because it IS still summer!) many people start thinking about autumn. While I love back to school supply shopping (I have a thing for paper, what can I say?), I definitely don’t want to rush the season. So – here’s a Painted Harvest non autumn card!! Stampin’ Up!’s Painted Harvest stamp set definitely reminds me of autumn, but by changing the colours, you can switch it up. While I chose to use Highland Heather (because I’m really liking that new colour), I can totally see using Crushed Curry and Cajun Craze or Soft Suede to create a sunflower effect….
I also used the Stitched Labels Framelits Dies for the sentiment and to add a little texture on the backing panel. Painted Harvest is a two step stamp set, so there are two images stamped on top of each other to create a more dimensional look. While you can mix and match ink colours, I like to keep things simple and just use the same colour ink. Two layers of the same ink colour make a deeper shade, and not too much thinking for me – yay!
My in person card classes are a great way to try out new tools and techniques for card making – you can take stamps and other Stampin’ Up! products for a test drive (so to speak), build up your stash of handmade cards, and learn some new techniques and tricks to make your card making easier! I specialize in “lazy crafting” – it needs to be fairly easy but with impressive results – and those are the types of cards that I share in classes. Starting in September, each Monthly Card Class will include one Christmas card – because it’s time to start building up those holiday card ideas! If you’re close to Burlington ON, please message me to reserve a spot in September’s class – Wednesday, September 5th at 1pm or 7pm. Class fee of $20 covers all class supplies required. Not close to Burlington or can’t make that day? You can contact me to book a private class with your friends, or try one of my Online Classes – the latest one is the Under the Mistletoe Class – details for this one at yamstamps.com/mistletoe . Hope you’ll join me in class soon!
Aug 12, 2018 | cards, Stampin' Up!
Happy Sunday! I have another Swap Share for you today – this Dream Big Card. Since I am getting my son (and myself) prepared for university, I am feeling a little sentimental about this sentiment!
The Dream Big Card was created by Zahra Premji and I love the soft effect of the colour scheme and design. If you look at the background cardstock, the texture achieved is from the Subtle Dynamic Textured Embossing Folder, new in the Annual Catalogue. I know that it’s actually kind of hard to see in the catalogue – so this card shows you. It gives kind of a linen-textured effect to the cardstock – so very versatile! Just remember – when you are using one of the DYNAMIC embossing folders, they are more thick than regular embossing folders, so when you run it through your Big Shot, you’ll use your standard platform with no adaptor plate (or open, if you have an older one with the tabs on it), and then place the embossing folder (with the cardstock inside) directly onto it, and just use ONE cutting pad on top of the folder.
This card features the Follow Your Dreams stamp set, which is available in red rubber wood mount or red rubber clear mount options. There is also a coordinating set of framelits, called Chase Your Dreams. You can get a discounted bundle with the stamps and framelits (wood mount bundle or clear mount bundle options) as well – and create your own version of a Dream Big card!
If you are looking for card making inspiration and ideas, be sure to be signed up for the YamStamps newsletter – you can use the sign up box at the top right of the blog, or click here. Weekly newsletters go out each Tuesday, and new subscribers also receive a free video tutorial! As always, please contact me if you have any questions.
Aug 9, 2018 | cards, Christmas, online class, Stampin' Up!
Remember that office supply store commercial that ran around this time of year proclaiming “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!”?! I used that song as inspiration when I was designing cards for the July Christmas Card Class – which is now available as an Online Christmas Card Class. If you aren’t close to Burlington ON and can’t attend in person, this is the next best thing! Get all four designs, the full supply list and step by step instructions, plus lifetime access and support. I’ll also be doing Facebook Live videos in the group to show the construction of each card.
I did a Facebook Live video earlier this week showing how to create this bonus design – it’s a “cheater” Iris fold card. You can see the video on the YamStamps Facebook Page, or try this link which should go directly to the video. If you “like” the YamStamps Facebook page, you’ll get notifications the next time I do a live video! The Online Christmas Card Class features four different designs using the Under the Mistletoe Designer Series Paper – but you could technically use any Designer Series Paper I suppose! To get more information about the class and purchase lifetime access, please visit www.yamstamps.com/mistletoe
If you are local to Burlington ON and want to try a class in person, the next Christmas Card Class will be Wednesday, August 22 at 1pm or 7pm. Please contact me to register. Cost is $20 and includes all supplies required to create 4 different cards using the new set of Watercolour Pencils available this month from Stampin’ Up! Registration deadline is Monday, August 20. The deadline has already passed to get a set of pencils included with your class (The “deluxe” class fee of $40) – but if you like you can either place an order at the class itself, or pay the express shipping surcharge to be sure that your pencils arrive before class. And yes, this class will be turned into the next Online Christmas Card Class – so if you can’t make it in person, watch for the announcement about the online version. Hope to see you in class (in person or “virtually”) – soon!
