Jul 6, 2015 | organizing, Stampin' Up!
For Manic Monday, I thought I could share an organization tip – because it might help the day be a little less crazy, AND it’s something you can do in a minute or less!
I have a love/hate affair going on with my stamp room. I do love it, lots of room and light, though it’s in sheer chaos most of the time – which is where the hate portion steps in. Nothing more frustrating than having to search for that item you need! Many of my friends have undertaken the “empty out the entire room, sort through everything and then put only what you love/need back into the room” approach. (You can read more about that in the Marie Kondo book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing
) (and from this title, it’s SO obvious to me that I am far removed from my Japanese roots ROFLOL). I haven’t been able to muster up the courage to do that YET. In the meantime, I’m going to start using my Organizing Pinterest Board a bit more often! (Procrastinate much, me?!)
If you’re like me, when you get your new Stampin’ Up! products, you are so excited you tend to whip open the packaging to get to the fun new item inside…and then can’t find that little piece of folded paper in the chaos that gives you more information or instructions for your new item. In my case, it’s the Banner Triple Punch. Well, I did actually know where the piece of paper was, yay me, but I can see it easily getting waylaid or thrown into the recycling when I hit the “I can’t TAKE this mess anymore” level in my stamp room. Here’s my solution:
I recently got more tape (and batteries!) for my labeller (similar but different to this one in case you’re wondering: Brother PTD200 Home and Office Labeler
) so have been able to use it a bit more in my office and stamp room area. I decided that the best place for information about a tool would be with the tool – so in this case, I printed a label with the size of the channels in the Banner Triple Punch, and adhered it in plain sight (though not on the top edge of the punch where I tend to grab it). Yay! No searching for the paper or trying to hold the punch by my Grid Paper to guesstimate the size – which means I’ll be faster and happier when creating something! Don’t forget though, you probably want to cut your cardstock a “smidge” narrower than the listed widths to be sure it fits snugly in the channels.
Happy Crafting!
Jul 4, 2015 | Uncategorized
Happy Independence Day to my US friends and family! (and more significantly in our neck of the woods – Happy Birthday to my son!!)
Jul 1, 2015 | Uncategorized
Hope you are able to spend some time today with family and friends. Enjoy the day!!
Jun 30, 2015 | specials, Stampin' Up!
From now until 3 August, Stampin’ Up! Canada will be offering even more Weekly Deal Items and adding new things to the Clearance Rack (check out some of the offerings now – and grab them while they last!) Weekly Deals are specially priced product that are in the current Stampin’ Up! catalogue, while Clearance Rack items are discontinued (but still fantastic) merchandise. All items are while supplies last – there are a certain number of the Weekly Deals that are available, and once those have been sold, pricing returns to the regular catalogue listed price. SO. The best way to take advantage of these deals is to NOT hesitate! Place your order online through the YamStamps Stampin’ Up! Canada online store or contact me if you need assistance. This week, my favourite items are the Silver Sequin Trim (love the bling) and the newest option from Stampin’ Up! – the cardstock assortment pack that coordinates with a Designer Series Paper – in this case, Pretty Petals. I love that they’ve taken the guesswork out, and for those that don’t have all the cardstock colours at their fingertips, this provides a perfect way to have a totally colour coordinated crafting project.
My July newsletter will be coming out on THURSDAY, July 2nd – a little change up because tomorrow is Canada Day! Watch your inbox for its arrival, and let me know what you think of the new graphic at the top (I’ve been playing around a bit on the computer…). I hope that you are able to spend some time with family and friends doing something FUN and maybe watching some fireworks if the weather holds in your area?
Jun 26, 2015 | cards, Stampin' Up!
This expression makes me laugh, and I thought it was great for a fun birthday card. The sentiment is from the Stampin’ Up! set Oh My Goodies and when you have a monochromatic card, adding a hit of colour makes the one element really stand out. In this case, the new In Colour Cucumber Crush adds the pop. At the Monthly Card Classes and Stamp Clubs, there is always at least one card that is more masculine or “gender neutral” as my customers (as well as I) always have a need for those – and tend to be the most scan in my stash of cards.
If you are looking to build up your stash of cards, there’s a bunch of options open to you! Monthly Card Classes, Stampers Club and upcoming Christmas Card and Tin of Card Classes! I will have the schedule finalized shortly and will post it – and it will be for sure in the July YamStamps Monthly Paper Crafting Newsletter for subscribers. School is out, the schedule is slowing down (slightly) and I’ve got big plans to be crafty!!
Jun 23, 2015 | specials, Stampin' Up!
While there are no kittens or raindrops in this batch of Stampin’ Up! Canada Weekly Deals it still includes some of my favourite things! I love glimmer paper for adding glamourous accents to my projects, and good basic embossing folders like the polka dots or stars always come in handy for adding some texture and interest to cards. Pretty much everything this week is on my list of favourites!! Click on the image or link to see all the deals in the YamStamps Stampin’ Up! Canada online store. Please contact me if you have any questions.
Just a reminder that even though school is wrapping up around here, stamping classes are NOT! Monthly Card Classes and Stampers Club continue during the summer months to give you a bit of a break from children who are “bored”…LOL you might even go home with an idea or two to get them creating as well! Contact me to register or for more information. Please note that July’s class will be the second Wednesday of the month, as the first Wednesday is Canada Day and I’ll be watching fireworks somewhere.
Happy Shopping!
Jun 19, 2015 | cards, Stampin' Up!
One punch, two stamps, three ink pads, four cardstocks and you have a card! This “just because” card uses the Stampin’ Up! Bitty Butterfly punch, the “swoosh” stamp from Work of Art and the “hello” stamp from A Dozen Thoughts. Three inks – the new In Colour Mint Macaron which coordinates on this card with So Saffron and Blushing Bride. Four cardstocks – Very Vanilla, Mint Macaron and scraps of So Saffron and Blushing Bride. Add a few Rhinestone Basic Jewels and you’ve got a card! This could also work for a baby card with the soft colours, or you could change the colour scheme entirely to become more bold and vivid.
If you’re looking to make cards and learn some new tips and tricks for your papercrafting, consider attending an event – like one of the YamStamps Monthly Cardmaking Classes! We are continuing through the summer, so if you need to beat the heat and have a little time away from the kids, please join us! Registration is open for the July 8th class, but you must register by July 6th. One other option – if you like a regular gathering, consider joining our Stampers Club – members join for 6 months of classes and get Hostess Benefits once during their time in club. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Jun 16, 2015 | specials, Stampin' Up!
Here are the latest batch of Stampin’ Up! Canada Weekly Deals! My faves this week – I love how easy the Circle Card Thinlits Die makes it to make a “flip flop” interactive card, and I always try to have some neutral toned ribbon in my stash to add some texture and interest to a card. Click on the image or link to shop now, or contact me if you have any questions or need help placing your order. Happy Shopping!
Jun 9, 2015 | specials, Stampin' Up!
Here are Stampin’ Up! Canada’s Weekly Deals! You can grab any or all of these deals by shopping online or contacting me directly to place an order. I think the gift card envelope thinlit is so useful – especially when you have teenagers in the house – because let’s face it, that’s all they really seem to want as gifts! My other favourites this week – the satin ribbon. Having a neutral or metallic sheen plain ribbon on hand can add a perfect touch to a card or paper crafting project when it needs a little something extra. Happy Shopping!
Jun 8, 2015 | Announcements
A few reminders!
Are you on my mailing list? Subscribers get a monthly email newsletter featuring a variety of paper crafting projects complete with photos and instructions, and the latest news and updates about any YamStamps or Stampin’ Up! Canada specials on tap. Need to know more? Go here for more information or sign up using the box at the top right corner of the blog.
After a glitch, it appears that the YamStamps App is showing up in iTunes store again – so download it for easy access to the latest information and specials. It’s also available in the Google Play store for Android devices.
Last but not least – have you sent your RSVP for the Information Night on Wednesday? It’s a no cost event where you can find out more about being a Stampin’ Up! Canada Demonstrator and earning a bit of money to cover some of the nice extras in life…and/or fund your crafting habit…LOL. It’s a great time to get a starter kit, because if you sign up before the end of June, you’ll get TWO additional stamp sets for free AND and additional 10% income/discount (depending on how you look at it!) on your first qualifying order this summer. Please go here for a brief summary if you’re not able to join me in person June 10th and don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. I’d love for you to join my group of Canadian Demonstrators – the “Eh” Team – all across the country!
