Feb 22, 2015 | cards, Occasions, Seasonal Catalogue, Stampin' Up!
This is a super quick and easy card to make! The stand up card is made the same way as the Valentine’s Card I did on Morning Live, and is based on the basics of card cutting and folding in the video I shared here. Using Stampin’ Up!’s Sheltering Tree set from the Occasions catalogue, it’s easy to create this card that reminds us that spring is on its way….sometime… This is 2 step stamping at it’s best – stamp the trunk in a brown tone of your choice, stamp the leaves in the colour of your choice, add a bit of ground and you’re done. The gradation of colour in the leaves is done by the stamp itself so it’s easy to look totally artistic!
If you’d like other ways to look totally artistic, don’t forget that TODAY is the last day to register for the upcoming Blendabilities class on March 12th. Space is limited, and payment due at time of registration. Don’t miss out! These are fun tools to use in your paper crafting and I’ll show you some tips and tricks to make your colouring look totally professional. And you know me – it’s going to be easy, because I’m a bit of a lazy crafter that way!!
Feb 19, 2015 | cards, Occasions, Seasonal Catalogue, Stampin' Up!
I just love the Butterfly Thinlits Dies in the Stampin’ Up! Canada Occasions Catalogue. They have been so popular that they went on backorder for a while! So easy to create a beautiful accent for your card or scrapbook page.
For this simple card, the Lullaby Designer Series Paper (have I mentioned how much I love this DSP that could be used for babies but is definitely all purpose?!) forms a backdrop and colour point. The butterfly is cut from Blushing Bride cardstock, with some additional Blushing Bride sponged at the edges to give a bit more contrast. The greeting from Butterfly Basics is stamped in Baked Brown Sugar and Hello Honey cardstock adds the matting.
To make it easier to remove your die cuts from the framelit there are a few things we’ve tried. (I will post a quick video comparing the two techniques to the YamStamps YouTube channel in the next day or so.) In the meantime… You can add a layer of wax paper between your cardstock and the framelit and your die cut is easily removed. The technique we tried at club was to cut the cardstock with the framelit, then to run the framelit (with the die cut image still stuck inside) through the Big Shot again, on top of a layer of folded dryer sheets. When you pull the folded dryer sheets away, the die cut image sticks to the dryer sheet, so you just peel it off and then you can re-use the dryer sheets (once you’ve picked off all the little bits left behind). The one thing about this technique, though, is that all the little guide holes that are in the framelit (designed so you can poke your paper piercer through to help remove the die cut) will get embossed into the die cut piece. On this card, I used the wax paper technique so you don’t see any guide holes.
Send a butterfly to a friend through the mail….since if you’re living in Southern Ontario these days, that’s the only way you’ll see one for the next few months!
Feb 17, 2015 | specials, Stampin' Up!
I hope you had a good Family Day (if you’re here in Ontario!). We had a relaxing day around here, and I had the opportunity to be on The Night Side on NewsTalk 1010 Radio last evening! I was interviewed on turning Passion into Profit (around here known as “50 Shades of Cardstock” LOL). I will post a link to the audio file that they kindly sent to me. It was a fun experience. If you would like to know more about having your own Stampin’ Up! business, check out this page here or contact me for more information.
In the meantime – here are this week’s deals! Great buy on the Designer Series Paper! Click on this link or the image to see the items in the YamStamps Online Stampin’ Up! Canada store.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. In the meantime, happy shopping! (and if you’re in my neck of the woods – stay warm!!)
Feb 16, 2015 | cards, Stampin' Up!
This is a recent card that we created in Stampers Club. Now, those of you that know me, don’t be too shocked, but YES that is a “fussy-cut” flower on the front!! I do tend to avoid fussy cutting as a general rule, especially in classes or clubs – it’s a polarizing thing (some people REALLY dislike cutting things by hand) and I also like to keep my crafting simple. However, there are times when a punch, die cut or whatever just don’t quite do it, and this is an example.
Other than that, this is a pretty straight forward card – really! It uses one image only – one of the flowers from Everything Eleanor. The sentiment is from A Dozen Thoughts and is stamped in Staz On onto a Window Sheet. The flowers are initially stamped in the centre of the cardfront, varying between first generation (ink the stamp, stamp on the paper) and second generation images (re-stamped onto paper without re-inking the stamp) to add variation and interest. The oval window is die cut from another piece of Very Vanilla cardstock, and THEN embossed with the Fancy Fan folder. Important to cut first, then emboss, otherwise your embossed pattern tends to get squashed when the cardstock is run through the Big Shot again. Stamp onto your window sheet, adhere to the back of your embossed cardstock, then put onto the front of the card with Stampin’ Dimensionals. As a bonus – if you don’t like how your sentiment stamped, clean the Window Sheet with some Staz On Cleaner and you can start again!! Hand cut one flower with your Paper Snips and then adhere to the cardfront for a finishing touch.
It’s always great to have a stash of cards on hand, and a “Just Because” card is so multipurpose and so fun to receive! Remember when we were so thrilled to get an email and were innundated with “snail mail”? It’s the opposite these days, isn’t it? Share the joy and send a hand made card! I am working on this for myself this year – send more cards! (Especially to those people who place orders with me, nudge, nudge! LOL). If you would like to build up your card stash, please consider attending a class with me! Monthly Card Class is always open to all levels of crafters – next one is Wednesday, March 4th. Hope to see you soon!!
Feb 12, 2015 | 3D samples, Occasions, Stampin' Up!
It’s easy to whip up a few quick sweet treats for your Valentine! These are some that I created for my Morning Live appearance – always good to have lots of samples on the table I think. (even if you can’t get a good look at them all…). It doesn’t have to be complicated to show someone that you care!
I used the Confetti Heart Punch with the Gold Foil paper for the jelly bean bag topper – super quick and easy – just fold a piece of Cherry Cobbler cardstock over top of a cello bag and seal closed. The pencil features a bow from the new Bow Builder Punch, and the project on the left is created using last month’s Paper Pumpkin kit.
Paper Pumpkin is Stampin’ Up!’s subscription kit – you receive a fun box of crafting supplies to create a project each month, with plenty of supplies left over to embellish other projects. You can also deviate from the instructions and come up with your own ideas. You get photopolymer stamps, an ink spot and the project supplies; you even get an acrylic block in your first kit. OK, I did have to supply my own candy for this one though… If you’re interested in the Paper Pumpkin program, right now, the three month subscription is on special – plus you’ll qualify for a Sale-a-Bration reward too!
Feb 10, 2015 | specials, Stampin' Up!
Tada! Here are this week’s deals from Stampin’ Up! Canada at a glance. Click on the image or HERE to see all the specials in my online store. This week the specials include the From the Garden Photopolymer bundle which is a current item from the Occasions store. The Bundle is normally already discounted 15%, so you’re getting an EXTRA good deal here – but only until Feb 16th so don’t hesitate.
Seems like it might be a bit of a boring Tuesday around here this week…no TV appearances for me, no meeting lead singers of groups I’ve admired for years…*sigh* Might have to do some paper crafting to make myself feel better….
Feb 8, 2015 | cards, Seasonal Catalogue, Stampin' Up!
I thought this Stampin’ Up! set was so fun when I saw it! It’s Cheerful Critters from the Occasions catalogue. There’s a number of different critters and sentiments that you can mix and match, so I thought this one was good for Valentine’s Day. I coloured the image quickly with Blendabilities (OK bad shadowing job on the sign, I know, sorry) and then popped it onto some Lullaby Designer Series Paper. I added a strip of the Pool Party cardstock (easy way to add an accent if you can’t find your ribbon…) and then added a little wooden heart from the Essentials Wooden Elements.
It’s fun to spend a bit of time adding colour with Blendabilities. Don’t forget that you should use the Memento Tuxedo Black Ink Pad for good results. If you’d like other tips using your Blendabilities, I will be holding another Blendabilities class Thursday, March 12th at 7pm – featuring the colours Old Olive, Daffodil Delight, and Wisteria Wonder. Cost will be $80 and includes all three sets of Blendabilities markers PLUS a Colour Lifter and the stamp set “A Happy Thing” from the Sale-a-Bration catalogue. If you already have those colours, you may order other colours instead, but please bring those colours with you to class. Registration will open tomorrow and will close Sunday, February 22nd. Check back to the blog and subscribe to my mailing list to get notification of all my events!
Feb 5, 2015 | specials, Stampin' Up!, TV/Video/Web/Tech
SO.
I usually post about Stampin’ Up! Canada’s Weekly Deals bright and early (ish) on Tuesdays when they come up. This week, the plan was no different. But then it was.
First of all, Alan Doyle, of the band Great Big Sea (and TV & movies…) tweeted about being on Morning Live. I tweeted about being there LAST Tuesday and that it was obvious that they didn’t want me fangirling on set. At one point, Alan Doyle responded to my tweet. That was exciting!
Then I got a message from the producer of Morning Live inviting me to come by the studio to MEET Alan Doyle! I did hesitate for a moment, but then I decided – what the heck – it’s a fun opportunity! After picking myself up off the floor, I ran around to get ready to go. I decided not to take my big DSLR camera (I’m already looking like a dork LOL), but then had to dig through my binder of CDs to grab something to get an autograph! Something to think about in this day and age of so much digital media – nothing to get autographs on! Once I got to the green room (which of course is NOT green), I am very proud to say that I did NOT squeal out loud, and in fact I think I looked rather calm and collected once I was there! He was lovely to chat with and very down to earth. It was a wonderful opportunity – so THANK YOU once again to Morning Live, Don, Annette, Bob, Carla and everyone associated with the show. Oh, and Alan Doyle for putting up with me. I did give him a hand stamped card too!
OK so, after all that preamble…here are the weekly deals. Click on the item links to see them in the YamStamps Stampin’ Up! Canada online store, or see all the deals here at a glance. Please contact me if you need help placing your order or have any questions.
Weekly Deals
We hope you enjoy this week’s Weekly Deals!
Feb 4, 2015 | cards, Stampin' Up!
Traditionally, we see a lot of red and pink cards at this time of year, but I thought it would be good to share a card that doesn’t have that colour scheme. A clean and simple layout and design help to focus on the sentiment from the Perfect Pennants set. The Designer Series Paper featured is from the Back to Black set. I always think that Black & White is a classic pairing appropriate for so many occasions. This is a great masculine card for Valentine’s Day. The strong graphics in the paper and the bold sentiment make for a quick card that makes an impression! In case you’re keeping track – if you purchase the wood mount set, the Designer Series Paper, a package of neutrals cardstock and a Basic Black ink pad, you’ll have the supplies to recreate this card (plus make so many more!) AND select a free Sale-a-Bration item to boot!
As always, please contact me if you have any questions or need help placing an online order.
Feb 1, 2015 | cards, Events, Sale-A-Bration, specials, Stampin' Up!
Sale-a-Bration is that great time of the Stampin’ Up! Canada year where your regular orders earn you FREE product. This Wednesday’s Monthly Card Class will be featuring Sale-a-Bration items – like this card here! The Lotus Blossom Stamp Set has proven to be the most popular choice in the first month of Sale-a-Bration amongst my customers, and I have to agree. I was first drawn to Stampin’ Up! because of Two Step Stamping. You stamp a partial image and then complete the image with another stamp. This allows you to have a stem and a flower that are two different colours, and gradation of colour and dimension in an image. In the Lotus Blossom case, it’s actually Three Step Stamping – the blossom has 3 different components combined to make a beautiful image. This card also uses the Best Year Ever Designer Series Paper – another Sale-a-Bration exclusive item. I love that bokeh effect on the paper.
A reminder that registration is required 2 days in advance of any event (to allow me time to prepare all the supplies!) so if you’re interested in attending Wednesday’s class, please register by the end of Monday, February 2nd (once you’ve finished checking out what Wiarton Willie has to say about the weather).
