Aug 5, 2018 | birthday, cards, Stampin' Up!
This truly is often the story of my card sending….I make a great card, put effort into it….and then it goes south. Not literally traveling in a southerly direction, because that often would be helpful. No, my card sending often gets derailed. I either misplace the card in my crafty black hole of a room….or get it into the envelope and then can’t find the address….or carry the addressed (AND STAMPED) envelope in my bag for days and days before I remember when I’m near a post box…..*sigh* So belated birthday cards come in handy for me!
While I didn’t create this swap card (Lesley Poper did), I certainly appreciate the sentiment! Perhaps you might as well?! Fashionably late card vs belated birthday card! It uses the Stampin’ Up! set Wonderful Moments (available in clear photopolymer stamps), which she coloured with Stampin’ Blends. The images are stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black ink, which is what you need to use when colouring with alcohol based markers like the Blends. A strip of the beautiful Nature’s Poem Designer Series Paper is along the side of the card and gives inspiration for the colour palette.
I love the Blends for colouring – but I also love Watercolour Pencils! There’s a new set of colours available right now – and you’ll get them if you choose the “Deluxe” Class version of the August Christmas Card Class! For $40 you’ll attend the class (in Burlington ON) and make 4 different Christmas cards, all using the Watercolour pencils in a variety of methods. When you’re done, you’ll take the finished cards, envelopes and your package of 10 Watercolour pencils home with you! If you’re interested in attending on Wednesday, August 22 (1pm or 7pm), please message me. If you want the deluxe class, please register and pay by August 8 to allow time for your pencils to arrive (otherwise there may be an express shipping surcharge of $25 on your class fee). The basic class option is also available – $20 for class supplies only. You’ll share my set of pencils to finish your projects in class. Online version coming soon too! Please contact me if you have any questions. Otherwise, I hope you’ll come to a class soon so that you have cards that you can mail….in time for any event…. (do as I say, not as I do, right?! hahaha). Oh, and happy long weekend if you’re Canadian!
Aug 1, 2018 | cards, specials, Stampin' Up!
Happy August! Dare I say it? We’re halfway through the summer holiday around here….eek! Here’s something that will cheer you up though – Stampin’ Up! has a Colour Your Season special during August! These special items are available until the end of August or while supplies last – in other words, don’t wait too long, just in case!! There is an exclusive 10 piece stamp set available in wood mount or clear mount called Blended Seasons, and Stitched Seasons Framelits – a coordinating stitched die. The fun thing about the framelits is that they have “stitching” on both sides of the cutting portion of the larger frame shapes – so that the positive and negative pieces both have the stitched effect. The stamps and framelits are available individually, or in a discounted bundle (wood mount bundle / clear mount bundle). Also available – a new set of Watercolour Pencils! This assortment features the colours Balmy Blue, Cajun Craze, Cherry Cobbler, Coastal Cabana, Crushed Curry, Flirty Flamingo, Garden Green, Gorgeous Grape, Granny Apple Green and Night of Navy. Stampin’ Up! tells us that the pencils may be available in a future publication. (That’s as much as I know, so don’t ask me details! hahahaha).
Isn’t this a gorgeous card? One of the artists at the Stampin’ Up! home office created this masterpiece. The set has a variety of images suitable for different seasons, and I love the font used for the sentiments. You can see the flyer here, or see the items in the YamStamps Online Stampin’ Up! Canada store here. These items may be included in a demonstrator starter kit selection as part of the $165CAD product for $135 as well. If you have any questions, or need assistance placing your order, you can contact me. You can also get your hands on a set of the Watercolour Pencils as part of the YamStamps August Christmas Card Class – class fee for basic class supplies is $20, or the deluxe fee of $40 which also includes the set of Watercolour Pencils. We will be using these pencils in the creation of the four different holiday cards we’ll create in class. You can see details on the YamStamps Events page, or contact me to reserve your spot. If you want the set of pencils with your class, you’ll need to register and pay by August 8th to avoid an expedited shipping charge.
“But wait, there’s more!” – August also marks the return of Bonus Days! For each $60 CAD you spend in product, you’ll earn a coupon code worth $6 to spend in September! Spend now, save later – win/win! You’ll receive your coupon code in an email. Once again – if you have any questions, or need assistance placing your order, please contact me. Happy Shopping!!
Jul 29, 2018 | cards, Christmas, Seasonal Catalogue, Stampin' Up!
Getting ready for the holidays! While I’m excited about the upcoming long weekend (yay for summer), I’m also prepping for that big winter occasion….. First though – if you’d like a copy of the upcoming Stampin’ Up! Holiday Catalogue, please complete this form before the end of Monday if possible…. They’ll be mailed out from head office starting in August, and I need to get my list finalized before the end of July.
Since it’s Sunday, it’s time for another Swap Card Share! In the spirit of this post, I’m sharing a holiday card that I received in a recent swap – from Rose Marie Coleman.
This card features the Stampin’ Up! set Mistletoe Season, which is in the Annual Catalogue (no need to wait for the Holiday Catalogue to get a start on those cards!). There is no wreath image in this set, but there are fir boughs, which you can use to create a wreath shape, which is what was done on the main image here. It also uses the Under the Mistletoe Designer Series Paper which was the featured product in my July Christmas Card Class. If you missed out on the in person class, be sure to “like” and follow the YamStamps Facebook Page for the announcement of the Online Version of the class – plus a bonus Facebook Live card!
If you’re in the Burlington, ON area, I hope you can join me for an upcoming in person class – there’s the Monthly Card Class that’s happening THIS Wednesday, August 1st at 1pm or 7pm (cost is $20 for 4 different all occasion cards), and the August Christmas Card Class on August 22 at 1pm or 7pm. The August Christmas Card Class featured product is going to be a set of 10 Watercolour Pencils, which are available in August as part of a special promotion (more details will follow on August 1st). Cost for class supplies only – $20, cost for class supplies PLUS a set of the Watercolour Pencils is $40. Contact me to register for the class. Deadline for registration and payment is Wednesday, August 8th if you want the pencils (after the 8th, pencils may still be available, but there will be an additional $25 fee to cover expedited shipping to ensure that your pencils arrive in time). Otherwise, basic class registration deadline is August 20th. Events and Classes are listed on the YamStamps Events Page. Hope to see you in class – whether in person or online!
Jul 22, 2018 | cards, Stampin' Up!
I often get asked where I get ideas for cards. I do create a fair number of them myself, but also get ideas and inspiration from fellow demonstrators! Sunday Swap Card Share posts will help me share inspiration that I’ve received from card swaps! Demonstrators often participate in these swaps – we batch create one design and then send them to the host, who swaps out the cards and sends them back. In exchange for a set number of identical cards, we receive a set of one of everyone’s cards. It’s a great way to get new takes on sets that I already own….and often encouragement to put others on my wish list!!
In honour of France’s World Cup win last weekend, for the first Sunday Swap Card Share I am featuring this French language creation by Emilie Poncelet. It uses the Little Twinkle Stamp Set – available in red rubber wood mount or clear mount versions. The French version of the stamp set that Emilie used is Petite Etoile, available in clear mount. The stamp sets are also available in discounted bundles with the Twinkle Builder Punch – wood mount, clear mount and French versions are available. HINT: If you’re looking on the YamStamps Online Stampin’ Up! Canada webstore and want to find all the available French language sets, just type “french” into the search box and it will pull up all the stamp sets and bundles that are available. A reminder that if you live in Quebec and wish to place an order, all you have to do is email (or call) me, and I will place the order for you and have it delivered directly to your door. This also applies if you live elsewhere in Canada – but those outside of Quebec also have the option to place your order online yourself – shortcut is yamstamps.com/shop.
You can just get a peek at the inside of the card to see that Emilie’s also used one of the stamps to decorate the corner of the inside. This bundle has now moved a little higher on my wish list! I just purchased the Twinkle Twinkle Designer Series Paper that is part of this suite….since it’s part of the Buy 3 Get 1 Free Designer Series Paper sale that is running in July, so I can already envision some cute projects using the coordinating products together! A reminder as well that the Ink Pad Special for New Demonstrators also is running during July only – purchase a starter kit ($165 worth of product for $135) and receive a full set of the newly designed Ink Pads in the Colour Family of your choice! If you sign up with my group, you’ll be eligible for “Eh” Team Rewards, exclusive groups and other demonstrator only events – like swaps, or the upcoming On Stage Event in Orlando, Florida!! Registration for the event will open next month, so if you sign up now, you’ll be eligible to attend this 30th Anniversary event in November! I’m really looking forward to attending this one (hello, Florida, in November vs Ontario in November….). If you’d like more information about being part of my demonstrator group, you can check out this information page (shortcut is yamstamps.com/join) or contact me. Lots of ways to get more value for your crafting dollar this month!
Jul 21, 2018 | Paper Pumpkin, specials, Stampin' Up!
Stampin’ Up! is offering summer savings on Paper Pumpkin! Paper Pumpkin is the monthly crafting subscription kit that comes directly to your door. Each month brings a box that contains all the supplies needed to create that month’s projects – it could be cards, 3D items, packaging, home décor…all with different themes and each month is a surprise. It’s a great way to share crafting with the family, or if you are on the go a lot. Throw the box in your bag and you can craft at the cottage, on the road, in the tent….you get the idea.
New subscribers can get 50% off your first kit – use the code BLOOM0818 here to take advantage of the savings! Right now as we are getting prepared (slowly but surely) for my son to go to university, I also realize that this could be a great little stress reliever and care package for your university student too! If you have questions about Paper Pumpkin, you can check out my FAQ page about it here, or you can contact me.
You can also contact me if you want to get a spot in Wednesday’s Christmas Card Class! Get a jump on those holiday cards – two options: 1pm or 7pm! Class fee of $20 covers all supplies to create four different handmade Christmas Cards. Each month we will feature different holiday-themed product, and July features the Under the MIstletoe Designer Series Paper. Hope to see you in class soon! Space is limited, so please register ASAP so you’re not disappointed.
Jul 18, 2018 | cards, specials, Stampin' Up!
Handmade cards are ones that are kept and treasured, and the effort put into creating one does have an impact on the receiver! A handmade Thinking of You card is a great way to show that you care – and this simple design makes it easy to make an impression.
This card uses Stampin’ Up!’s Nature’s Poem Designer Series Paper as the main design on the cardfront. The sentiment is from the coordinating Rooted In Nature Stamp Set (available in red rubber – wood mount or clear mount). If you can’t tell, I love the technique of cutting a window out of the Designer Series Paper rather than always just cutting a mat and mounting the sentiment on it. I think it gives a different look to the card, and love that you can use the window cut out for other projects! In this case, the sentiment is stamped on Sahara Sand cardstock (which is what the card is as well) in Soft Suede ink, die cut with one of the Layering Ovals Framelits. I cut the window with the large oval from the Stitched Shapes Framelits, so that my cut out has that fun stitched edge when I use it on a different project later on! Those are those scraps and cut outs that I hoard. The window reveals the backing layer of Soft Suede cardstock and frames the sentiment well. I think that the beautiful Designer Series Paper elevates this handmade Thinking of You card – good thing it’s part of the Buy 3 Get 1 Free special running until the end of the month – I think I might have to stock up on this one…
If you are looking to stock up on your stash of handmade Thinking of You cards – or other types of cards, consider attending one of my classes! The Monthly Card Class always features a mix of designs and sentiments, as does the Stampers Club Class. You can see details on these on the YamStamps Events Page. One week from today we’ll be celebrating CHRISTMAS IN JULY! At the first of the monthly Christmas Card Classes on July 25th (1pm or 7pm), we’ll make 4 different cards featuring the Under the MIstletoe Designer Series Paper. Class fee of $20 will include all supplies required, and I have one slot left for $35 if you want to receive a package of the DSP along with your class. Contact me to register and pay! I hope to see you in class soon!
Jul 12, 2018 | cards, rubber stamping, specials, Stampin' Up!
I love to travel, so Stampin’ Up! stamp sets and papers that are travel themed always catch my eye. This Going Places card features a few travel themed products! The stamp set En Route is available in red rubber wood mount or clear mount options, and the Best Route Designer Series Paper – which is part of the Buy 3 Get 1 Free Special running this month! The adhesive travel-themed embellishments are from the Best Route Enamel Shapes – available in colours that coordinate with the paper – because who needs to think too hard?!
The sentiments are cut with the Stitched Shape Framelits and the Classic Label Punch. The Stitched Shape square of Designer Series Paper is actually cut from the paper used on the card – it’s the flip side of that design! I adhered that square into the hole where it was cut from because I like to be thrifty with my paper – even if it is buy 3 get 1 free…I love the coordination of the Blueberry Bushel cardstock with the Designer Series Paper and the ink. Makes my crafting easy! This Going Places card would be great for a graduate, a traveller, or someone setting off on a new adventure in life.
This was one of the designs I submitted for the Canadian Demonstrator swap that I participated in last month. As part of my goal to blog more regularly, I’ll be sharing a swap card a week here on the YamStamps site. (This card is a “bonus” LOL). If you’re interested in getting more card ideas and samples, be sure to be signed up for my newsletters! Each week I send out paper crafting information and inspiration – including a big projects newsletter at the beginning of each month. Click here to sign up or use the box at the top right of the blog to register.
One last note – I’ve set up a Christmas Card Class for July 25th – consider coming out to get a start on those holiday cards! Contact me to register or check out the YamStamps Events page for all the upcoming dates. Hope to see you soon!
Jul 8, 2018 | cards, Stampin' Up!
As a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator, I’m often asked “Do you design all the cards yourself?” The answer = no! One of the ways I get ideas and inspiration is to participate in swaps. These are usually demonstrator organized, and whoever signs up for the swap is given some guidelines – e.g. create a full sized card, use x number of layers and x number of embellishments. Each person creates a specified number of their designs, and then sends them to the organizer, who swaps out the cards so that everyone gets one of each card in return. Lots of ideas and inspiration to be had – like this fun summer card!
This card, created by Selina Merali, features the Stampin’ Up! stamp set Sunny Days, which is available in wood mount or clear mount red rubber stamps. I love the summery feel of this one! It also features some of the new In Colours – Blueberry Bushel (quickly becoming my fave new colour) for the cardbase, and a strip of the Pineapple Punch Designer Series Paper from the In Colo(u)r 2018-2020 6″ x 6″ Designer Series Paper Stack.
I know that there have definitely been some sunny days already! I spent the past week in Rhode Island with the Burlington Teen Tour Band. They had two parades – Bristol, Rhode Island and Warwick, Massachussets on July 4th, after completing a Canada Day performance in Burlington on July 1st. We had some VERY sunny days in Rhode Island, with lots of humidity as well, though I understand that conditions were much the same in Burlington. The band did very well, completing the parades in those challenging weather conditions and enjoying some free time in the area, including a morning of whale watching off the coast of Boston.
This tour was the last one that my son and I will share, as he has now retired from the band and is preparing to go to university in the fall. I’ve watched as many of the teens who joined the band at the same time as my son graduate and leave band this year as well. It’s been a privilege to watch these young people along this part of their journey. as they grow and mature into young adults with fantastic futures ahead of them.
Now that I’m catching up after my time off (and unkinking my neck from falling asleep while on the bus haha), I’m also getting ready for the July Monthly Card Class, happening THIS Wednesday, July 11th at 1pm or 7pm. Postponed due to the holidays and my “vacation” time with the band, it’s happening the second Wednesday of the month this time around. Please contact me to register for the class – $20 includes all supplies required to complete four different projects using a variety of stamps, tools and techniques. Monthly Card Class and Stampers Club continue year round – so schedule some “me” time and join us! If you aren’t local to Burlington, or can’t make class on the scheduled dates, you can always get a group of friends together and schedule a private class, or join one of my online classes! The Scrapbook in a Box is the latest online class, and you can even order the class by mail, which includes the raw basic materials for the project! Check out the YamStamps More Online Class page for more information. Hope to see you in class soon!
Jul 1, 2018 | Business Opportunity, cards, specials, Stampin' Up!
Happy Canada Day! I will be spending part of my day watching the Burlington Teen Tour Band perform in the heat…and then try to cool off by hiding in air conditioned areas or a pool until the temperature hopefully drops a bit…
If you are beating the heat for a while by staying in air conditioned rooms and maybe surfing the internet, surf these specials that Stampin’ Up! is offering in July! Shop and save or sign up and save this month with some colourful specials!
If you’ve been thinking about becoming a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator, July is a GREAT time to join! Colourful Special #1 – Select $165 product for just $135, AND get a full set of ink pads in your choice of colour family! Click on the image, or go to www.yamstamps.com/join for more information about becoming a demonstrator with my group, known as the “Eh” Team! If you have any questions, please contact me and we can chat – online, on the phone or in person! OR – if you’re ready for a fun new “side hustle” and want to jump right in, you can sign up with me HERE. Get your new venture off to a colourful special start!
Colourful Special #2 – Buy three, get one free Designer Series Paper offer! Purchase any three of these DSPs and select a fourth one for free! Click on the individual image to see the paper in the YamStamps Online Stampin’ Up! Canada Store, or go here to see all the Designer Series Paper (please note that only the ones shown below are included in this special). While these two specials are both running in July, they cannot be combined. Best option if you want to take advantage of both deals? Sign up as a demonstrator in July, get your free set of ink pads, then on your first demonstrator order, buy 3 get 1 free of the qualifying Designer Series Papers! Contact me for more information or if you need assistance placing your order. Happy shopping!
Animal Expedition
Best Route
Garden Impressions 6×6
Nature’s Poem
Petal Promenade
Tranquil Textures
Tropical Escape 6×6
Twinkle Twinkle
Under the Mistletoe
Wood Textures
Jun 18, 2018 | Big Shot, cards, rubber stamping, Stampin' Up!
One of my past online classes was a Monochromatic Class – where you used one colour in your project. Sounds a little boring, but I promise, it isn’t! Plus it makes crafting a little easier, so what’s wrong with that?! So along those lines, I present a single colour leaf card.
Notice that single colour doesn’t mean you can’t play around with shades of a particular colour! For this single colour leaf card, the base colour is green. In the Stampin’ Up! world, the colours are Garden Green and Pear Pizzazz. You can get further shades by using first, second or third generation images. First generation images mean ink the stamp, then stamp onto the paper. Second generation is inking the stamp, stamping off / stamping onto scrap paper, THEN onto the paper. So guess what third generation is…. Yes, 10 points for you if you said inking the stamp, stamping off twice on scrap paper THEN onto the project paper. Now, I do find that this technique works better with red rubber stamps (in the Stampin’ Up! world those would be the wood mount or clear mount stamps), rather than the photopolymer stamps, which don’t seem to hold onto the ink quite as well, at least when I’ve tried. You can still do this technique, but you want to stamp off with a light hand so there’s still enough ink left on the stamp surface.
The Rooted in Nature stamp set is available in Wood Mount or Clear Mount versions, and also can be bundled with the coordinating Nature’s Roots Framelits Dies.(Wood Mount Bundle / Clear Mount Bundle) For this card, though, I chose to use the Stitched Shapes Framelits to cut out my sentiment. I love this sentiment – perfect for special occasions or just because. In my case, it may end up being a graduation card…(I know I said that about my last card, but I need options…LOL).
If you are interested in trying out an online class, right now I have two current offerings – there’s the Clever Cards class – interactive card designs, and the new Scrapbook in a Box class which has an option to purchase the Class By Mail as well – so pre-cut cardstock/Designer Series Paper is sent to you! Check them out at YamStampsMore – or message me/leave a question below for more information. There’s always the in person options for classes as well – check out the YamStamps Events Page for details. Hope to see you in class soon – whether in person or online!
