Oct 30, 2017 | Events, rubber stamping, Stampin' Up!
I survived! Scrapfest / CreativFest 2017 in Mississauga was a lot of fun, but it was tiring for sure. Here I am, and it must have been early enough so I wasn’t yet drooping, but late enough so that I was awake (and smiling)…LOL. I had super helpers – Arlene was there for all three days, Anne made it for two (something about trick or treating with the grandchildren on the Saturday, I mean, really…..LOL), and my mother filled in on the final day too. Thank you to everyone who stopped by, filled out a ballot, chatted, shopped and visited. Thanks to my helpers, and thanks to Lisa of Scrapfest.
Congrats to Jackie H who won the free draw and had her choice of either a Big Shot Die Cutting Machine or a full set of Stampin’ Write Markers, and to Sandre, who won the same choice in the draw that was exclusively for those who purchased a starter kit by Sunday.
These are the various free make and takes we did over the three days. We did the dragonfly the first day (Dragonfly Dreams and Triple Banner Punch were the featured products), the gingerbread man/reindeer the second day (Cookie Cutter Christmas set and builder punch), and the Daisy the last day (Daisy Delight set and punch / discounted bundle). I wanted to have make and takes that were cute, but quick and easy – Scrapfest attendees tend to be set on cruising all the booths, sometimes in a limited amount of time, or en route to a special class, so it’s good to have something that’s not too much brainwork. (OK maybe that last part was just for me….). I figure that people can take their make and takes and use them as tags for gifts, or stick them onto a cardfront or scrapbook page. Or hang them on the fridge. Whatever works.
Here’s a selfie attempt – that’s Arlene on the left of the picture and Anne on the right. Arlene is the only one who seems to know where to look when taking a selfie….and yes, we did fix the sign so it hung better than that…. I hope to be able to be at the next Scrapfest event – it’s always fun to meet new people and catch up with customers and friends who are getting a little crafty shopping time too! To those who requested to be added to my mailing list – I’ve finished that job earlier today and you should have received something from me already – please let me know if you didn’t get an email and wanted to be on the list! To those who requested catalogues – I’m working on confirming mailing addresses and getting things organized for mail out.
In the meantime – tomorrow brings Week 5 of the Twelve Weeks of Christmas to subscribers’ inboxes, and Wednesday is the weekly email….so I’d better get busy!
Oct 23, 2017 | cards, Manic Monday, Stampin' Up!
A quick and easy thank you card to share on a Manic Monday. One of the things I have been known to struggle with is sending cards. Not necessarily creating them, or writing them, or even mailing them, but actually keeping the flow going from step one to three! So I have to try to keep it as easy as possible for myself – hence this quick and easy thank you card! The less I have to do to get the card created, the less chance there is for me to get sidetracked along the way…..that’s the theory at least!!
The Colo(u)r Theory Designer Series Paper Stack makes this card stand out – without too much work. There’s a great choice of ombré patterned papers in different colours. You get four sheets of each of the double printed designs – and all the sheets are 6″ x 6″ so good for cardfronts! There are 48 sheets in all, so imagine how many of these quick and easy thank you cards you could make! This background cardstock is Old Olive, same colour as this particular sheet of Designer Series Paper, (no brain work involved in colour picking!), and embossed with the Seaside Embossing Folder. I aligned the ridges vertically so that they echoed the vertical lines of the ombré progression. The sentiment is from the One Big Meaning stamp set, available in wood mount or clear mount. It’s stamped in Early Espresso, which is also the cardstock behind the strip of Designer Series Paper.
A reminder that the Colo(u)r Theory Designer Series Paper is one of the papers included in the current Buy 3 Get 1 Free promotion! Until the end of the month on selected styles of Stampin’ Up! Designer Series Papers, you can buy three packages and get the fourth one for free! If you are entering the order yourself at the YamStamps Online Stampin’ Up! Canada store, you’ll want to enter the 3 most inexpensive papers FIRST (hint: Stacks), and have the most expensive paper (hint: Specialty Designer Series Paper) as the fourth one you enter, because that’s the one that will be free. And YES – you get to pick which one you get for free! So if you’ve had your eye on the Just Add Colo(u)r 12 x 12 Specialty Designer Series Paper, now is the time to grab it…because you could get it for free. Stampin’ Up! has new alcohol based markers coming soon (I’ll write more about them before you are able to purchase them on November 1st, don’t worry), so you can stock up on this colouring paper and be set to play with the new Stampin’ Blends!
If you’re attending the CreativFest / Scrapfest October 26 – 28, be sure to stop by my booth – I’ll have samples of all the selected Designer Series Papers that are part of the sale, so you can see them in person! (oh, and there may be a show special on orders….just saying…). See you soon!
Oct 18, 2017 | cards, Christmas, Stampin' Up!
This is the card I teased a preview of on YamStamps social media accounts (well, at least the Facebook Page and Instagram…) earlier in the week. This Christmas Eclipse Card is super easy to make and super impressive! This card features the Star of Light stamp set and Starlight Framelit Dies. You may also notice one of my favourite colours on this card – Night of Navy. Blue and white – such a classic combination.
Essentially, with the Eclipse technique, you stamp the cardstock, and then die cut shapes from the stamped cardstock. The die cut cardstock is then backed with the same shape in a different coloured cardstock – in this case, Night of Navy, and when the project is assembled, the die cut piece is popped up. For this card, the backing layer is peeking out to act as a mat around the edges of the stamped cardstock. You can also do a version when the only evidence of the backing layer is underneath the die cut area (and behind the die cut). If you want to see more of the Eclipse Technique in action, I shared a scrapbook page that also used this technique in the October YamStamps Projects newsletter. New subscribers get a copy of the current month’s project newsletter, plus the weekly updates featuring a different, exclusive project, or highlighting a current special, news or FAQ. Click on the link to subscribe. You’ll also receive the next installment of the 12 Weeks of Christmas Projects while you’re at it!
I like this Christmas Eclipse Card so much….I think that I will have to use it in the November Monthly Card Class as well! First Wednesday of every month is the Monthly Card Class – 1pm or 7pm – so if you’re looking for a creative break, please consider joining me! Right now, the monthly classes continue to have a variety of cards of different occasion, but they will include a holiday card as well. Contact me to register or if you have any questions.
Also a reminder if you’re in the Toronto area – look for the YamStamps booth at Scrapfest @ CreativFest next week! I’ll have a few show specials, plus the chance to do a make and take AND a free draw for a Big Shot!!
You may notice that the YamStamps site has a new look – what do you think?
Oct 14, 2017 | cards
I love the Delightful Daisy Designer Series Paper – I think it’s one of my favourites in the current Stampin’ Up! Annual Catalogue. It’s not just for daisy projects! Check out this versatile designer series paper Sunflower Card! Since one of the patterns in this paper package has a leaf motif, it could be used with any botanical (or not) themed image.
The main image on this card is from the Painted Harvest stamp set and I added an accent with the Leaf Punch that coordinates with the leaf images in the set. You can get these two items together in a discounted bundle as well! These images have a softer, more watercoloured look, which I love. Two step stamping, combining more than one stamped image to make a single, more complex image, is what initially drew me to Stampin’ Up! products, and it’s still one of my favourite things! Here, the petals are two layers, as is the leaf. I love that I can get such an artistic, detailed look so easily.
The edges of the cardstock are sponged with some Early Espresso ink, and Gold Metallic Edged Ribbon finishes everything off. When we did this card in class, I did cut out the backing square for the flowers from the larger Early Espresso cardstock – because I don’t like to waste cardstock!
Stampers Club members have found that I’ve used this Designer Series Paper a number of times in different months for various projects. If you have a sharp eye, you might have caught a few other instances of it in projects I’ve shared here on the YamStamps blog….and trust me, there are more to come!! What’s your favourite Designer Series Paper so far this year? Don’t forget to stock up right now – selected Designer Series Paper is on sale – Buy 3, get 1 free during October! I did try to stretch my wings and pick up some DIFFERENT Designer Series Papers to use…..but I think because I like the colours in the Delightful Daisy package, I keep going back to it. I will try to work on that though….LOL. In the meantime, please continue to enjoy this versatile Designer Series Paper Sunflower Card….until I can work up the creative mojo to use a different package of paper!
If you’d like to work on building up your stash of paper/supplies and cards, and are close to Burlington ON, please consider joining the Stampers Club! Stampers Club members can start at any time for a period of 6 months. Members commit to a minimum purchase each month at their exclusive club card class, and will receive Stampin’ Rewards (minimum $20 free product of their choice) during their 6 month membership period. We currently meet the 3rd Monday of each month, either at 1pm or 7pm. Contact me for more details!
Oct 10, 2017 | cards, specials, Stampin' Up!
What’s YOUR least used colour? We all have colours that we prefer to work in…and those we can’t always find inspiration to use…. For me, my least used colour is Stampin’ Up’s Cajun Craze. At least until this season! It is a perfect colour for autumn leaves and changing shades of nature.
For this autumn themed card, the strip is stamped with the large and small leaves from the Colo(u)rful Seasons set. (If you are reading this today, October 10th, it’s the last day of the World Cardmaking Day Sale and this set is discounted!) Colours used are Pumpkin Pie, Cajun Craze and Always Artichoke. After randomly stamping the strip, it’s spritzed with water (Stampin’ Spritzers are perfect for this), and allowed to dry….or hurried along with the Heat Tool. This blurs the colours and gives it a soft effect – almost looking like velvet or some other type of material. It’s a forgiving and easy technique! It’s backed with that least used colour of mine, Cajun Craze, and then the finishing touch is a die cut leaf from the Seasonal Layers framelits in Gold Foil. The Gold Foil sheet was backed with an Adhesive Sheet prior to running it through the Big Shot to make it easier to adhere neatly to the card. (Hint: Make sure you use a brand new sheet….not one that you might have already used some of the adhesive from….so that the leaf sticks entirely….ask me how I learned this tip…..!!)
I did have to make a conscious effort to use this colour for this card, but I think I need to challenge myself like this a little more often! What’s YOUR least used colour? Leave me a comment and let me know, and then maybe even challenge yourself to pull it out and make something with it.
Oct 7, 2017 | Announcements, online class, specials, YamStampsMore
Today is World Cardmaking Day! Stampin’ Up! is already celebrating by offering selected stamp sets at a discounted price until October 10th, and selected Designer Series Papers are Buy 3 Get 1 Free During the entire month! You can shop online in the YamStamps Stampin’ Up! Canada Store here – however, I have one more special offer for you – TODAY ONLY!
If you’d like to hear more about the class, you can go here – but if you want the special pricing, you’ll need to use the above link. The special will be in effect Saturday, October 7th ONLY.
I think that the Clever Cards Class is a great way to celebrate World Cardmaking Day. This class features a number of interesting and clever folds that you can use for your cards when you want an extra special card! It’s an online class, so you can learn from the comfort of your own home, and like all the YamStampsMore Online Classes, you’ll have lifetime access to the videos and instructions.
I hope that you are able to spend a bit of time today being creative. World Cardmaking Day is a fun way to celebrate the art and craft of a handmade card – and of course, part of the joy of making a card is sharing it with someone – so I hope that you take the time to send a handmade card as well. As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me!
Oct 5, 2017 | cards, Stampin' Up!
My least favourite card to make is a sympathy card, but it’s often the most appropriate and appreciated. Unfortunately, I’ve had to create a few of these for friends lately. I never feel that creative when I’m sad, so often when I “need” a sympathy card, I don’t feel like making any cards at all. My grandmother recently passed away just before her 99th birthday, and we received some lovely sympathy cards, including some beautiful handmade ones (I shared a few on the YamStamps Facebook page). A card can be like getting a hug from a friend in the mail, and it’s truly appreciated at a sad time, but this occasion also reminded me that I should send cards for happy occasions, and “just because”.
Simple, clean cards (also sometimes referred to as CAS – clean and simple – cards) are a great “go to” design in general, but especially when you don’t feel like fussing a lot. The featured sympathy card uses the Colo(u)r Theory Designer Series Paper Stack, the Seasonal Layers Thinlits Dies, and the Better Together stamp set, which is available in wood mount or clear mount. I love how the ombré paper makes this very simple design more interesting and eye catching but not too busy. This particular Designer Series Paper Stack has this design in a number of different colours so you can change up the colours as you feel inclined.
I love the detailed leaf die cut from the Seasonal Layers Thinlits, though it can be a bit “fussy” to adhere them to projects. The return of the Adhesive Sheets to the Stampin’ Up! catalogue has made attaching fussy cuts so easy! The sheets are 6″ x 12″. I cut my Gold Foil sheet to 6″ x 12″ and adhered the adhesive to the back, leaving the second liner sheet in place. It’s ready for die cutting after that – I cut my foil into 2″ strips, then die cut the leaf. Peel off the remaining liner sheet, and it exposes the sticky adhesive, already in place on the back of the die cut! The other option is to place a the die cut piece onto an adhesive sheet to tranfer the adhesive onto the back of the die cut. This is great for those moments when you don’t have a pre-lined piece of cardstock prepped, or for the more solid cut outs, but I do find it can be a bit messy for me with the more detailed cuts.
I often find it helpful to make a few sympathy cards to have on hand in my stash, so that I’m prepared if I need one. Often, in my classes I will have a card that doesn’t have a sentiment on it, so that it can be an all purpose card, or so that you can stamp the sentiment when you know what kind of card you need. My Monthly Card Classes are always the first Wednesday of each month here in Burlington, ON, but I also take them on the road for private card classes too. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, want to register for a class, or want to book a private class with your friends and family.
Sep 30, 2017 | Announcements, specials, Stampin' Up!
Save and Celebrate! World Card Making Day is October 7th, and Stampin’ Up! is helping with the supplies you’ll need to make a card to send!
These items are on sale October 1 – 10, and a lot of them have coordinating Designer Series Paper. If you’re on my mailing list, you’ll already know that there’s a Buy 3 Get 1 Free Deal happening the entire month of October for Selected Designer Series Papers! All the Coordinating Papers listed are part of the sale, plus the Painted Autumn Designer Series Paper.
In addition, during October 1-10, purchase a Fast Fuse Adhesive , get TWO Fast Fuse Refills for FREE! The Fast Fuse retails for $13.50 and the Refills are $10 each….you do the math….
Here are the sales items – REMEMBER: Sales Price is effective October 1-10 ONLY.
These are great deals that you can use to build up your card making supply stash! (Save money? That’s something to celebrate for sure!) Happy Shopping! If you live in Quebec (customer online ordering unavailable) or need assistance placing your order, please contact me. I can place the order for you and have it shipped directly anywhere in Canada! As always, please contact me if you have any questions. Remember, the sales start OCTOBER 1, 2017.
Sep 28, 2017 | Announcements, Christmas, Subscribe
Starting next week, it’s the Annual Twelve Weeks of Christmas! Here are the facts and answers to your burning questions….
- Yes, next week really is twelve weeks until Christmas
- Yes, this is done each year….
- It is a FREE, exclusive gift for YamStamps subscribers only
- It is in addition to the regular YamStamps emails – so lots of inspiration coming at you for the year end
- It features a different holiday project each week – we start with cards, move on to gifts, and finish up with wrapping and tag ideas
- These projects will be exclusive to this series – they won’t be seen here on the YamStamps blog, Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.
Any other questions? Please feel free to contact me – and be sure to be signed up!
Sep 19, 2017 | cards, Christmas, event, Stampin' Up!
Aren’t these Stitched Felt Embellishments cute? This is what participants in the October Christmas Card Class will be receiving as part of their class fee! A package of 15 embellishments (5 of 3 different designs) that we will use on that day’s four different card projects. These will add a fun dimensional effect to our cards, but the remainder of the package can be used after class – either to recreate the cards from class, or on original projects and gift packaging!
There are two remaining Christmas Card Classes on my books at this point in time (I know – only two?!). Wednesday, October 25th at 1pm or 7pm, and Wednesday, November 22nd at 1pm or 7pm. For the October class, there is one option – the $30 class fee will include a package of the Stitched Felt Embellishments. Due to the nature of this accessory, it’s easiest if each participant has their own package for projects. For November, the product will be the Mini Tinsel Trim Combo, and there are two class fee options – $20 for the class supplies only, or $30 which also includes a package of the Mini Tinsel Trim.
Of course, if you can’t make the scheduled class dates, get a group of friends together, and we can set up a private class for you! Please remember that this is always an option if you see a class you’re interested in but need a different time or date option. Contact me to book a private class – it could be a Christmas Card Class, an All Occasions Card Class, a Birthday Card Class….you get the idea.
As always, check the YamStamps Events page to see upcoming classes and events – it’s continuously being updated – and sign up for my newsletters – you’ll get project ideas PLUS notification of specials and events in your inbox! Please contact me if you have any questions or are ready to register for a class!
