Dec 1, 2017 | Announcements, specials, Stampin' Up!
Happy December! Celebrate by shopping the Year End Sale from Stampin’ Up! Canada! While supplies last, grab some retiring product and specially priced items. If you place an order by December 7th, you’ll be sure to receive it in time for Christmas, too!
Here is a list of items included in this event. Download the pdf file here or the sortable spreadsheet here. For the most up to date availability, be sure simply to go to the YamStamps Online Stampin’ Up! Canada store. You’ll also be able to see what is retiring from the Holiday Catalogue. You may notice that the Hearts Come Home Wood Mount and Clear Mount Bundles are included on the retiring list, but that the individual items are NOT. This just indicates that the discounted bundle will not be available to order in the future, though the separate stamp set and framelits may well be. Also included in the sale is the Mini Tinsel Trim that I featured on the Sparkly Nosed Reindeer card from yesterday.
If you have been contemplating the Demonstrator Starter Kit, you are able to order any of the year end sale items in your kit….or you could include pre-orderable items from the upcoming Occasions Catalogue! Please contact me for more information if you are interested!
Nov 30, 2017 | cards, Christmas, Seasonal Catalogue, Stampin' Up!
Isn’t this fun? This is a Mini Tinsel Trim Reindeer Card – one of the projects from the last Christmas Card Class. There’s a lot of components to this card, even though it’s not overly complicated, and it all adds up to fun, The reindeer is from Stampin’ Up!’s Cookie Cutter Christmas and punched out with the coordinating Cookie Cutter Builder Punch. He’s stamped in Soft Suede and then mounted onto a Cherry Cobbler Stitched Shape Framelits square, which, if you know me, you’ll know that the square was cut from the backing layer of Cherry Cobbler Cardstock – because it never hurts to be a little thrifty! The Soft Suede cardstock is embossed with the Woodlands Embossing Folder, and the Pretty Label features a sentiment from the Hearts Come Home stamp set (available in wood mount, clear mount or bundled with coordinating Framelits – wood bundle / clear mount bundle). I normally try not to mix & match too many stamp sets, but couldn’t resist how the Merry & Bright sentiment tied in so well with the Rudolph theme. The red Mini Tinsel Trim is featured on this card – holding the label in place, and on the reindeer’s nose! For the nose, I applied some Multipurpose Liquid Glue to the nose and then worked over top of the area and snipped bits of the red tinsel trim – to create red, sparkly shavings that stuck in place.
I love the versatility of the Cookie Cutter set – and this was the most popular make & take that we did at the YamStamps booth at the recent Scrapfest / CreativFest. Attendees who stopped by got to choose either a reindeer or a gingerbread man tag – both from the same set and using the same punch! We did different make & takes each day of the event, so those who were attending the crop could stop by each day to make a different mini project. If you are still looking for inspiration, I hope that you are on my mailing list! We are in the final stretch of the Twelve Weeks of Christmas – each week featuring a different holiday project. We are focusing the last few weeks on tags, bags and wrapping ideas. You won’t see this Mini Tinsel Trim Reindeer Card in there, since we’re already past the card section, and since the ideas shared in the Twelve Weeks emails are ONLY in the emails – not on the YamStamps blog nor any of the social media feeds.
December means we are getting into the busier time of the season! I don’t know about you, but I’m looking at a calendar full of Christmas concerts, gatherings and events. If you need a little creative “time out”, the Monthly Card Class is still happening – December’s class is this upcoming Wednesday, December 6th, at 1pm or 7pm. If you’d like to join us, please contact me to register. Please note, that looking ahead, January’s Card Class will be the SECOND Wednesday of the month, not the first.
I hope that you’ll come back tomorrow – because there’s going to be more details about a SALE happening during the month of December! Plus I’ll update in the next few days about the next Stamparatus Reservation window. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me!
Nov 28, 2017 | cards, Stampin' Up!, TV/Video/Web/Tech
I was recently asked to participate in a fun project for the Wayfair blog – making a wallpaper craft! The idea was to showcase how to use leftover remnants of wallpaper. I got to pick whatever wallpaper I liked from the online store (that was a chore in itself, narrowing it down!) and then use it to create or re-create a craft project.
This is the project that was shared on the Wayfair blog. – I did a version of the metallic birthday card with remnants of the wallpaper, plus made an envelope. I was pleased at how easy the wallpaper was to work with – I was worried it either wouldn’t cooperate or would crack or not fold as I wanted, but it is wallPAPER after all…. The wallpaper featured in this is Silver Shimmer – it’s a heavier, almost fabric-like feel. Okay, maybe not fabric. Lightweight pleather?? Anyway – it cut and scored easily enough for me to use the Envelope Punch Board to create the envelope. I added portions of it behind the Year of Cheer Specialty Designer Series Paper rather than the Silver Foil I used on the original card. The one caution – it will add some heft to your project, so you may end up paying a bit more postage to send it – depending on how much wallpaper you use. The Silver Shimmer wallpaper is as advertised – it has silver tones and it does shimmer, so the whole package together is WOW. This is a wallpaper craft project that will have you wanting to have surplus wallpaper so you can make multiples!
This is a variation on the theme – showing off the wallpaper a bit more. Love the texture it gives. I used Tear & Tape to adhere the wallpaper to the project (and to adhere the other layers to the wallpaper) – just to ensure it was really “stuck”. I find the Tear & Tape very good for 3D projects or things with a bit more texture or heft. The Multipurpose Liquid Glue would likely work well for a wallpaper craft….but I don’t always work well with liquid adhesives, being the slightly messy crafter that I am….
Here’s a better look at the wallpaper envelope.
You can see the score line, and the corner rounder on the Envelope Punch Board worked with the wallpaper as well!
So thank you to Sarah at Wayfair for inviting me to participate in this really fun project. I still have some wallpaper here….so you may very well see it pop up again in future projects. Or maybe I’ll actually use some on a wall…..(who am I kidding….wallpaper crafting for the win!). What’s the most recent non-crafting item that you’ve used in your crafts lately?? My enquiring mind wants to know…
Nov 24, 2017 | Announcements, specials, Stampin' Up!
Monday, November 27th, 12am til 1159pm Mountain Time, get free shipping on your Stampin’ Up! Canada order! While the Online Extravaganza special pricing will end Sunday, November 26th, for “Cyber Monday” you can order anything from the current catalogue and pay no shipping costs! PLUS if you shop through the YamStamps Online Stampin’ Up! Canada Store and use the host code JCHBY73X, you’ll be entered for a chance to win a brand new Merry Patterns stamp set! If your order is less than $200, use the host code when shopping online with me and you’ll be entered in the draw. If your order is $200 or more, DO NOT use the host code. You’ll get Stampin’ Rewards (read: free product of your choice) AND you will be entered to win the draw.
Merry Patterns is the stamp set that was available for free a little while ago with a qualifying workshop order – and I happen to have an extra one on hand, so I’m sharing the wealth. Plus of course, free shipping – what’s not to like?
Don’t forget, though – the Online Extravaganza special pricing will END November 25th so if you want to take advantage of those discounts, you’ll need to shop before that part of the sale ends.
If you need assistance placing your order, please feel free to contact me. Otherwise – get your wish list ready, and get set to shop!
Nov 19, 2017 | Announcements, specials, Stampin' Up!
Starting Monday – Stampin’ Up! Canada’s Online Extravaganza sale is BACK! November 20 – 26th – save 10-50% on selected Stampin’ Up! products! It starts off with a bang – selected stamp sets are on sale for 20% off on Monday ONLY, and ends with a flash – a flash sale (more info to follow) on November 27th.
Here’s the list of stamps on sale Monday – from 12AM to 1159PM Mountain Time:
You can download the full list of sales items here. A lot of the stamp sets on sale on Monday coordinate with other items on sale the full week – for example, Bloomin’ Hearts Thinlits which coordinates with the Bloomin’ Love set; plus Watercolour Pencils are on sale which are great for sets like Garden Girl.
Any Paper Pumpkin Items on the sale list are while supplies last. Your best bet to make sure you don’t miss out on anything is to place your order online at the YamStamps Online Stampin’ Up! Canada Store. If you have any questions or need assistance placing your order, please feel free to contact me. I will have an order or two going in this week, but if you’re going for a limited supply item (e.g. Paper Pumpkin kit or refill) just know that I can’t guarantee it will be available until the order is finalized.
Nov 16, 2017 | Announcements, Stampin' Up!
Stampin’ Up! is introducing the Stamparatus – a new stamp positioner/tool! Demonstrators at last week’s On Stage event got their first look at this new tool in action – and there was a lot of “oohing and ahhing” happening in the crowd! See the animated gif above for a quick peek at how it works – or watch the video on the YamStamps Facebook page. You can get your Stamparatus by reserving one starting TODAY – Thursday 16 November, at 2pm Mountain Time (that’s 4 pm Eastern, 1 pm Pacific).
Stampin’ Up! is trying a reservation system for this launch. There will be a number of periods that you can reserve a Stamparatus. Each window has a set number of Stamparatii (that’s the plural, right?!), so once that number’s exhausted, you won’t be able to reserve one until the next reservation window.
| Reservation Windows |
Available to Ship |
| November 16–30, 2017 |
Approx. February 1, 2018 |
| December 5–30, 2017 |
Approx. March 19, 2018 |
| January 15–30, 2018 |
Approx. April 15, 2018 |
How to reserve
1) Have an online account set up for the YamStamps Online Stampin’ Up! Canada Store – you can do this ahead of time so that you’ll be ready to go right off the mark! In the top left corner of the page, you’ll see a link to create your account if you don’t already have one.
2) When the time hits, visit the store, and there will be a link to the Stamparatus Reservation Page. Complete the page (you’ll need to enter your credit card payment information). Your credit card will NOT be charged until your Stamparatus is shipped, but you will need one to complete your reservation. If the supply is exhausted, you will not be able to reserve one, and will get a message indicating that there are no products available to reserve. Fingers crossed that doesn’t happen to you!!
3) When your Stamparatus is ready to ship, you will get an email, and you can go into your online store account where it will be in your shopping bag. At that time, you can add other items to your bag (you’ll qualify for a free Sale-a-Bration item if you get in on the first two reservation windows). You can also update your address & credit card information before you finalize your order. Once the Stamparatus is in your shopping bag, DO NOT DELETE IT – we are being told that if that should happen, Stampin’ Up! can’t add it back to your bag and you will lose your reservation 🙁
This is going to be a HOT item, so be ready to reserve! Limited to one per customer….but if you miss out on the first reservation window, there’s 2 more chances….and this tool WILL be available in the upcoming 2018-2019 Annual Catalogue, so don’t despair! Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Nov 15, 2017 | Events, Stampin' Up!
(warning – picture heavy post with sentimental ramblings) I’m now in my 16th year as a Stampin’ Up! Canada Demonstrator! I bought the Starter Kit back when there was a set kit (no picking and choosing your own product like the youngsters these days…), and I totally anticipated buying products for myself at a discount (reason #1 why I love being a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator – the products / discount) and maybe selling to a few already crafty friends. Fast forward 16 years and here I am….ahem. These days I’m lucky enough to be able to work my day job on a part time basis, and part time at my Stampin’ Up! business. I am anticipating that when I retire from my day job, I will continue as a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator – because it’s fun, and it’s a fun way to boost my income (reason #2 why I love being a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator – the income), so why not?!
I joined Stampin’ Up! for the product and discount, and have stayed for the friendships (reason #3 why I love being a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator). This past week, I attended the On Stage Live event in Salt Lake City. Six members of my demonstrator group (The “Eh” Team!) also travelled to Utah for the event! It’s always fun to have a group there, though I wasn’t able to spend the whole time with them….but here’s proof we were there (even if Kim is hiding): L to R – me, Mary, Gail, Kim, Anne, Leanne, Karen.
This was a busy event for me, as I was asked to be part of the Stampin’ Up! Global Events Council a little while back – and was honoured and thrilled to participate. Seven demonstrators in North America are part of the current council, and we take part in teleconferences, but we met in person for the first time at last week’s On Stage Event in Salt Lake City. The day before registration started, we were busy behind the scenes helping get ready – packaging gifts, prizes, and setting up the room where the leadership event would happen later in the week. We had SUCH a good time together though, that it hardly seemed like work at times! Here’s a group shot along with Shelli Gardner, co-founder of the company (left) and Sara Douglass, CEO (right). (also – L to R Laura, Sherry, Robyn, me, Bonnie, Susan, Rhonda)
I can’t express how glad I am to have gotten to know these wonderful ladies better during our time together. We were amazed at how we all “clicked” so quickly! (reason #4 I love being a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator – new friends!) I think a shared sense of humour helped – we laughed A LOT. Besides helping out behind the scenes and during the event (running to give out prizes during General Sessions kept my activity levels high LOL), members of the Council also presented during the event. (that also kept my heart rate high for a while LOL). Here I am on stage presenting the Tutti Frutti suite – coming in the Occasions catalogue. (really, I was happy to do this, even if I looked a little stunned in this shot). (Reason #5 why I love being a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator – it gives me new challenges)
During one of the general sessions, I walked the stage with other friends, celebrating 15 years as a demonstrator, so here I am with some fellow Canadians….photo courtesy of my friend Lydia…can you pick me out?
No? (see the mitt?! LOL). Good thing Leanne, one of the “Eh” Team members was able to grab a photo…
On the very right is Karen Duke, the first Canadian Demonstrator to reach 1 million in CSV sales (over 1 million Canadian dollars!). I came home feeling energized, supported and motivated…and then discovered that I actually made the Top 50 Canadian Demonstrators for last year! That was the icing on the cake. So here’s to ranking 32nd in the nation, and reaching higher in the next year. Thank you to all the “Eh” Team members, thank you to all my customers, thank you to YamStamps readers and social media followers. (Bonus reason I love being a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator – you! – too cheesy? sorry!). I look forward to being around for the next 16 years or more!
Nov 11, 2017 | birthday, cards, Stampin' Up!
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This metallic birthday card showcases Stampin’ Up!’s Year of Cheer Designer Series Paper – one of my current favourite papers. I love the elegance of the metallic designs and how they can be used for almost any occasion! I think that the pattern on this paper is like a stylized mistletoe….but because of the metallic colours I felt okay using it on a non-Christmas card.
For this elegant, easy birthday card, the greeting from Butterfly Basics (available in wood mount, clear mount or photopolymer) (one of the few sets available in all three stamp options) was embossed in Silver onto Whisper White cardstock. To keep the metallic theme going, the sentiment was then backed with Silver Foil and then placed on top the the Designer Series Paper. Clean and simple, and easy. Just my kind of crafting! I think that the clean lines and graphics also make for a great masculine card.
I apologize for the bit of radio silence over the last little while. I am currently attending the Stampin’ Up! On Stage Live event in Salt Lake City as part of their Events Council. I promise to write more later about this experience (once I’m allowed….and once I’ve recovered LOL). The last while has been crazy busy with preparation for the event itself. I did a presentation on Friday (well, technically 3 of them, since I had to repeat it at 3, 4 and 5pm) sharing an upcoming product suite and some ideas for how to use it in a class. It was a lot of fun once I was over the initial stress and nerves!
Nov 11, 2017 | Uncategorized
Remembering with gratitude those who have served our country and did not return….
Oct 31, 2017 | cards, Christmas, Occasions, specials, Stampin' Up!
Boo! Scary thing is – it’s the last day that you could get the Merry Patterns stamp set for free! This is the stamp set that Stampin’ Up! is offering free with a $375 product order (and NO, it doesn’t have to be just one person ordering – most people have earned it by having a group of friends place orders together, or having a card making party). This card is from October’s Christmas Card Class – each participant received a package of Stitched Felt Embellishments that we then used on the cards. The sentiment is from the Merry Patterns set – as are the tree trunks (those are the patterned candle portions). The “stitched” cardstock trees are created using the Quilt Builder Framelit Dies – which you can also get in a discounted bundle along with the Christmas Quilt Stamp Set. I thought this combination was fun and coordinated well!
More scary news – it’s also the last day for the Buy 3 Get 1 Free Designer Series Paper Sale! Selected papers have been part of this special, and if you still need to stock up, you have until end of day to take advantage of this deal! I put together a huge binder featuring all the different designer series papers that were part of the special and had it on hand at the Scrapfest / CreativFest booth this past weekend. I’ll still be able to share this way of seeing the papers, but the deal will be gone….*sigh*
So here’s some good scariness…..how about a Halloween card?!
I received this fun card as part of a demonstrator swap a little while back! We each created a number of copies of our card design, and received a card from everyone participating in the swap! I love this card from Lesley Poper. The eyeballs peeking out of the cup make me laugh….and of course the cup reminds me of my oh so favourite “Grande, Coconut Milk Chai Latte…with cinnamon powder please”. Not sure how happy I’d be to see those eyeballs looking at me though… I am sharing a number of the Halloween themed cards on my various media platforms today at various times – so besides here at the YamStamps blog, you can also check out YamStamps on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to see different fun holiday projects!
I hope that you and your goblins have a fun and safe Happy Halloween!!
