Like the card says, life is better when you’re crafting! Truth!
This is such a fun and bright card – and I love the little paper trimmer die cut! That is what tipped me over the edge when I was deciding on my recent purchases – well that, and theLife is better when you’re crafting sentiment!
I love this cute die cut! Word of warning – that “cutting blade” die cut portion is small and easily misplaced on a messy crafting table….ask me how I know this…LOL. I used a portion of a Mini Stampin’ Dimensional to attach it in place on the paper cutter die cut before I adhered it to the front of the card. Because…Life is better when you’re crafting…and when you can find your die cuts on your work surface.
If you’re looking to budget out your crafting purchases, one factor you may want to consider right now – Stampin’ Up!’s Bonus Days are in effect until Monday 31 July. For each $60CAD of product ordered in a single order (before shipping/taxes, after any discounts), you’ll receive a $6CAD coupon code to spend in August. Shortcut to shop is YamStamps.com/shop, or you can message me if you’d like to pay by etransfer or want assistance placing your order. (The Crafting with You Bundle would qualify you for a coupon code!). Because…Life is better when you’re crafting….and when you can earn coupon codes!
Presenting to you – possibly the world’s most simple card!
Because it’s a Monday, and sometimes Mondays can be a bit rough….so here’s a simple and still impressive card that you can send to someone for a little pick me up – for both of you! The World’s Most Simple Card!
You may ask – what makes the world’s most simple card so simple? The design on the cardfront is quite impressive…and it’s all in the paper. This is Stampin’ Up!’s Masterfully Made Designer Series Paper – so while SOMEONE spent a lot of time creating that 3D paper floral collage, it was NOT me! One of the talented artists at the company created this collage, which was then photographed and printed onto the Designer Series Paper. Isn’t it amazing? There are other eye catching and non-labour intensive patterns for the lazy crafter (aka ME) on the other sheets as well.
You might get a better idea from this close up angle view. All I did was cut the paper to size, stick it on coordinating cardstock and add some Rhinestone Basic Jewels. Tada!
The “usual” card size that paper crafters in North America create is a half sheet of 8-1/2″ x 11″ cardstock. This card is 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ of Lost Lagoon Cardstock, folded in half. For me, easy layers means stepping everything down by 1/4″. So – 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ folds down to a 5-1/2″ x 4-1/4″ size. My cardstock background layer of Lemon-Lime Twist Cardstock is then 5-1/4″ x 4″, and the patterned paper is 5″ x 3-3/4″.
Simple, straightforward, and still impressive! The World’s Most Simple Card! Use this card design to show off your most eye catching patterned paper.
Shape Up Your Cards – Don’t Send Boring Rectangles!
Early Bird / Pre-launch pricing is in effect for the Curves and Cuts Online Card Class. Shape Up Your Cards! Don’t send boring rectangles! This class will show you how to make different types of shaped cards through cuts and folds. Some of the designs may start as a rectangle, but they definitely don’t end up that way! You’ll be able to take what you learn in class and use it with the supplies you already have in your craft room to WOW your friends and family (without breaking too much of a sweat!).
Early Bird pricing is in effect now – you’ll save $10CAD! For $20CAD, you’ll get lifetime access to the Curves and Cuts Online Class. You’ll have plenty of time to watch and re-watch the videos, pause and replay as needed. Register before Thursday 27 July to take advantage of the special price! Class price will go up to $30 once class opens (27 July).
Visit the Curves and Cuts Online Class Info Page to get more details and to register. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Otherwise, I look forward to welcoming you to class next week!
ONE DAY ONLY – Wednesday 19 July – get 15% off Annual Catalogue stamp sets!
You can get 15% off Annual Catalogue stamp sets (excluding host stamp sets) on Wednesday 19 July 2023! It’s a great time to grab that stamp set you’ve had your eye on…why wait? PLUS for each $60CAD of product (after discounts, before shipping/taxes) in your order, you’ll receive a $6CAD coupon code to use in August!
Shortcut to shop 24/7 in Canada is YamStamps.com/shop – or if you’d like to pay by etransfer or have me place the order for you, you can message me! If you are able to do porch pickup in Burlington ON, I will have a group order going in on Wednesday – if you have an order that’s under $100, you can save a bit on shipping that way (minimum shipping cost is usually $10.95 or 11%, whichever is higher).
This is a fun stand up fancy fold card that is easier than you might think!
As a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator, I often get inspiration from other Demonstrators – like the inspiring swap cards I share every Sunday on the YamStamps Facebook Page and YamStamps Sunday Swap Page . My card was inspired by a design I saw from Connie Stewart, and I tweaked the decorating a little bit to suit my style. We made this in June’s Club get together.
The basic design is to take a 5-1/2″ x 8-1/4″ piece of cardstock, and score at 1″, 2″ and 3″ from either side. Add your DSP strips, and then for this version (which Connie called a “wow” version), you cut a slit at 1″ from the top and bottom across the inner two 1″ panels. My variation has DSP strips on the outer and inner panels, with the cut portion from the inner panel moved to the middle panel, so that when the card is standing up, the pattern flows continuously from top to bottom. The hack way of doing it is to only apply adhesive mostly in the middle of the inner panel’s DSP strip with only a bit towards the ends, so after you cut your slits, the cut portions of DSP are easy to peel up and move one section over! Trust me. I tried doing a measurement version, and I could never get everything accurate enough to fit. I think the hack way is the only way for this version of the stand up fancy fold card.
For the final version, the 3″ score line ends up as a valley fold. The 2″ score line end sections are mountain folds, while the middle, longer section is a valley fold. This card fits into a regular Medium Stampin’ Up! envelope, which is a typical requirement for any card I make. I know I could make my own envelopes, but I already made the card….and I usually need another cup of tea at that point.
My Club Members get access to recordings of our Zoom classes afterwards which is great for those who either can’t make it to the live get together or prefer to make their cards with the recorded version so that they can start and stop as they need. That’s one of the things that people have told me they like about my YamStampsMore Online Classes as well – the pre-recorded, edited videos mean that they can start/stop the video and re-watch as many times as they need! Check out my current collection of Online Classes – and watch for the next one which is launching next week! Pre-launch registration and Early Bird pricing start on Wednesday – so come back to YamStamps.com to find out more then!
Sharing this Leafy Die Cut Card using one of my favourite die sets.
Similar but different….here’s another leafy die cut card for you today! The Artistic Dies are still one of my favourite sets of dies – and this leaf spray is a big reason. I love how this spray is big enough to be the main feature if you’d like it to be…and can be used for cards for anyone and any occasion.
For this card, I die cut the leaf spray from a sheet of the Dry Brushed Metallic Specialty Designer Series Paper. Before I die cut it though, I did add some Adhesive Sheet to the back – so it was super easy to add to the cardfront. I used the sheet that had Soft Succulent shades in it, so I stuck to blue-green tones for the background. The ombre patterned Lost Lagoon paper is from the Bright & Beautiful Designer Series Paper. I placed it onto a piece of Lost Lagoon Cardstock before adhering to the front of a Crumb Cake card, which I think echoes to gold tones in the Specialty DSP. So matchy matchy, but not perfectly so for this Leafy Die Cut Card.
I have confessed how I tend to automatically reach for Basic White as my go-to neutral background for a card, but this was a good reminder of how nice Crumb Cake can be! Light enough that you don’t have to add any extra cardstock inside to be able to write a message but a deeper, more calming shade than a bright white. It also feels a little more “artsy” to me. Or maybe “kraftsy” – because it’s the shade we used to call “kraft” cardstock… (Sorry, I’m a little punchy as I’m writing this post…)
So – the crafty challenge for the next week or so (for all of us who are willing to take it on…) – create a card and use a different neutral shade than you usually use for your cardbase! If you post it on social media – tag me – @yamstamps across all platforms – including Threads which I have joined and am still trying to figure it out!
Don’t forget that if you are stocking up on Stampin’ Up! supplies – you’ll want to do so in multiples of $60! Each $60CAD product order (before shipping/taxes, after any discounts) for the rest of July will earn you a $6CAD coupon code that you can redeem in August! You can shop online at https://yamstamps.com/shop or message me if you’d like to pay by etransfer or need assistance placing your order.
This Product Focus is on Stampin’ Up!’s Watercolo(u)r Pencils!
Stampin’ Up! recently revamped Set 1 of the Watercolour Pencils to update the colours included. Check out this video that goes through the colours and a few ways to use the Pencils to add colour to your projects! If you can’t see the video below, you can watch it on the YamStamps YouTube Channel here. Watch to the end to hear details of the bonus I’m offering if you use the host code NASA9A4V on https://yamstamps.com/shop to purchase either Assortment 1 or Assortment 2 of the Watercolour Pencils by Friday 14 July!
It’s a BIG Day – so much is starting today in the Stampin’ Up! Canada world!
Thursday 6 July is a BIG Day with a number of things kicking off!
BONUS DAYS
Bonus Days have started – from now until 31 July, when you order $60CAD product (before shipping/taxes, after any discounts), you’ll receive a coupon code for $6CAD that you can spend in August! No limit to how many coupons you earn / redeem. Shortcut to shopping is https://yamstamps.com/shop or you can message me for assistance placing your order or to pay by etransfer.
The Clearance Rack is being refreshed – so check it out for savings on retired products from Stampin’ Up! (don’t forget that once your shopping cart hits $60CAD product, you’ll qualify for a coupon code!). Clearance Rack items are available while supplies last.
This Layered Leaves Background Card is easier than you might think…
Really! This layered leaves background card uses die cut labels that make it easy to add a lot of delicate details to this card.
I used a number of the newer/returning Stampin’ Up! colours for this layered leaves background card – and I think it might almost look a little autumnal…but I couldn’t wait until then to share it! Using Wild Wheat as the backdrop, with foliage die cut from Pretty Peacock, Moody Mauve and Mossy Meadow. I also used Very Vanilla for the sentiment label and card, as I felt it went better with the tones of the colours I ended up choosing. I tend to automatically reach for Basic White – so every once in a while I have to remind myself that there are other options!! [What about you – are you a Very Vanilla or Basic White kind of crafter??]
The background layer is textured with one of the Basics 3D Embossing Folders. I love these folders that are part of the Online Exclusives. Stampin’ Up! Online Exclusive Products are items that are available for purchase, either through the YamStamps Online Stampin’ Up! Canada store, or by contacting me and having me place the order for you. You just won’t find them in a catalogue. Stampin’ Up! is able to offer different items and will replenish stock as able, and add new offerings every few months – in fact, there’s a new set of products added to the selection as of 6 July!
To add these layers, I basically cut one of the leafy frames from the Timeless Arrangements dies twice from each of the cardstocks. I added adhesive to the back of the die cut sentiment, and then arranged the different leaf die cuts – one showing out the top, and one showing out the bottom. I trimmed the rectangular base of the die cut as needed so it didn’t overhang the sentiment. The sentiment is from the Timeless Arrangements stamp set, and I stamped it in Pretty Peacock ink (the rectangular die is also from the Timeless Arrangements dies). You can get the Timeless Arrangements stamp set and dies together in a discounted bundle during the 2023-2024 Annual Catalogue sales period. (They may be available after that if they are not retired, but as individual items only. Stampin’ Up! tends to offer the discounted bundles only for one catalogue sales period).
The small sentiments actually can fit on the little rectangular bar too! To make it simpler for me, I stuck to using just the one die cut with the leafy sprays on it. The finishing touch for this layered leaves background card was a few Flat Adhesive-Backed Pearls because everything is more fun when there’s bling.
You can shop for any of these products 24/7 in Canada at https://yamstamps.com/shop or contact me for assistance placing your order or if you’d like to pay by etransfer.
The next edition of the YamStamps Newsletter goes out on Tuesday (4 July) to my subscribers. Each weekly edition contains some sort of paper crafting inspiration, information and ideas – but the first newsletter of each month is a little more jam packed – I usually have at least 3 different projects there, including one that focuses on a technique. This month, there’s an easy and effective card, a cool technique and a fancy fold card. Click here to subscribe or use the box at the top of the blog page.
If you’re a new subscriber, you’ll get a free video tutorial for a fancy fold card. If you’re an existing subscriber, you’ll have already received the tutorial when you first signed up (but you can always contact me if you can’t remember where to access it).
