Dec 24, 2016 | cards, Christmas, Seasonal Catalogue, specials, Stampin' Up!
So my personal preference for cards tends to run towards clean & simple….if you can’t tell. I had a couple of designs for Christmas cardst this year that I thought I’d share here, especially since most of the recipients won’t get theirs by Christmas Day…..LOL!
I loved the clean look of this design….though it may not look as impressive in the photo LOL. I used Thick Whisper White cardstock (I _love_ that cardstock, especially for a card without additioinal layers on it) and embossed the words in Silver. It features the Pine Bough Embossing Folder (on sale as part of the Year End Closeout), and the sentiment is from Merriest Wishes – which is available in wood mount, clear mount (on sale) or as part of a bundle with the Merry Tags Framelits (framelits on sale)- again, either in wood or clear. **If you like clear mount, your best deal is to buy the set and framelits SEPARATELY because with the sale pricing it ends up being LESS than the discounted bundle. If you like wood mount, your best deal is the bundle.**
This is a version of a card designed for a class earlier this year. I love the Cable Knit Dynamic Embossing Folder and the depth it brings to projects! Used the Sweet & Sassy Framelits and added a tree selectively cut from the Outdoor Adventures Framelits. The sentiment is from Peaceful Pines. This was my first design that I started creating.
So here are some of my tips for bulk card making…..or “Linda’s Learn From My Mistakes List”. (I will post this here as a reminder for myself….and perhaps repost it early next Christmas Card Season?!)
- Figure out how many cards you need in advance and figure out how much you will need in terms of supplies. (Hence two designs for me as I ran out of Very Vanilla cardstock.) (This has sadly reinforced my stockpiling paranoia).
- You can score an 8.5″ x 11″ sheet of cardstock at 4.25″ lengthwise BEFORE cutting the sheet crosswise in half at 5.5″ to create two scored cards of 5.5″ x 8.5″. (I cut, then scored twice as many times as I needed to.)
- Do “batch” processing. I actually DID do this… Cut all the cardstock at one time, dry emboss all the cardstock at one time, stamp all the cardstock etc. rather than creating each card in individual steps. The only thing you can’t batch do? Heat embossing. Get that done before the ink dries! Since my Pine Boughs card didn’t have much else to be done on it, it wasn’t too much of a chore to heat emboss the outside & inside sentiments one card at a time.
One last tip – think about thickness and bulk if you’re going to be mailing your cards – don’t want to get dinged for extra postage or risk cards getting caught in the processing machines, so think about how many layers and how many dimensionals you want to use on your design!
I am hoping to have a Christmas message for you up on the blog here tomorrow but there are some behind the scenes glitches that may interfere…so fingers crossed. Otherwise, I hope that you are able to spend some time with friends and family over the next few days. Thank you for being a YamStamps reader, and Merry Christmas!
Dec 22, 2016 | cards, Christmas, Seasonal Catalogue, Stampin' Up!
Shaker cards are so much fun and really catch the eye of the recipient! Stampin’ Up!’s Foam Adhesive Strips make it easy to make dynamic cards like this. The strips can be cut to custom lengths, and have adhesive on two sides, automatically creating a 3D effect. They’re used on this card behind the frame that was cut with the Layering Squares Framelits – this allows room for the enclosed items to move about. There’s a square of Window Sheet to contain the Mica Flakes, and a little of the flakes goes a long way! Right now the Mica Flakes Trio Pack from the Holiday Catalogue is on sale as part of the Year End Clear Out, while supplies last, so you can stock up! Don’t know if you can tell in these images, but I was a little too enthusiastic with the amount of flakes I put into my window…so the words get buried in snow. Kind of like my driveway these days…. The images and sentiment on this card are from the Flurry of Wishes stamp set.
I hope that things aren’t too crazy for you in the lead up to Christmas Day! School is continuing until tomorrow so it really feels like it’s full out until the weekend for everyone. I will be posting on the blog over the holidays, so please come back to see what’s new. I’ll have a fun post on Christmas Day and a Boxing Day special as well. In the meantime, keep warm, keep crafting (I’m STILL working on my cards….don’t judge!!) and keep the spirit!
Dec 16, 2016 | cards, Christmas, Seasonal Catalogue, specials, Stampin' Up!
I love the sentiment Be Joyful…and I do love the script of this stamp as well! It’s from the Stampin’ Up! set Merriest Wishes – available in Wood Mount or Clear Mount- special pricing as part of the Year End Closeout right now! Of course, you could also get a discount by purchasing the set as part of a wood mount or clear mount bundle, packaged with the Merry Tags Framelits Dies (special pricing). OK when I tax my brain and do the math, if you like clear mount, your best deal is to buy the stamps & framelits separately and take advantage of the Year End Closeout pricing. If you like woodmount, your best deal is the buy the bundle. *phew* I’m exhausted now.
Anyway! This is an easy card to whip up if you’re still in the midst of creating cards to send. (*guilty*). The silver ribbon is from the Glitter Ribbon Combo (special pricing) and the Night of Navy cardstock is embossed with the Softly Falling Embossing Folder, which is one of my favourite background folders right now.
If you placed an order with me in the last few months, you should be receiving your Occasions and Sale-a-Bration catalogues in the mail anyday now! I will check in with you to be sure they arrived. If they didn’t, or you want to be sure you don’t miss out, please add your information on this form – I will follow up with you and get you hardcopies of these lovelies!!
Dec 13, 2016 | cards, Christmas, Stampin' Up!
I love the Stampin’ Up! set Twinkle Trees – and have used it a number of times this season, including some non-holiday cards. This is definitely a holiday card LOL! This set will be retiring at the end of the Holiday Catalogue period (January 3, 2017) so grab it before it’s gone. This card uses the Lucky Stars Embossing Folder to add some dimension to the background layer and add a bit of “wow” to the card. It doesn’t have to be difficult to send handmade greetings!
If you’re in the Halton region, tune in to Halton Insider on the Cogeco network (channel 700 on Cogeco cable) – all this week I’ll be sharing different holiday paper crafting projects! I will see if I can somehow get a video to share here….
Don’t forget that if you’re still looking for Christmas gifts (or gift ideas for those who are buying for you!) – YamStamps gift certificates are available in any amount, and are good for purchasing Stampin’ Up! product or class fees through me! Available right up until the last minute – they can be printed out in the convenience of your own home!! Contact me for more details.
Dec 5, 2016 | cards, Stampin' Up!, Uncategorized
I thought I’d share a non-holiday card with you! Well, I guess this could be a holiday card if you’re going away somewhere warm….I mean non-Christmas. This card uses Stampin’ Up!’s Blooms and Wishes set, and one of my current favourite colours – Sweet Sugarplum. Other colours used here: Rich Razzleberry, Soft Sky and Mint Macaron. This simple, one layer card is great for letting someone know you’re thinking about them – whatever occasion, or non-occasion it might be!
I guess I’m also in a more tropical state of mind (aka JETLAG) since I’ve recently returned from time away in Hawaii!! I was fortunate enough to travel once again with the Burlington Teen Tour Band. These talented teenagers were invited as the only non-American group to participate in the 75th Commemoration of the Pearl Harbour attacks, as well as the Waikiki Holiday Parade. I went along as one of the chaperones and photographers. It truly was a wonderful experience, especially as we were accompanied by a survivor of Pearl Harbour, Bernie Comito, and his wife Jackie. Having them present really made the whole experience so much more meaningful for all of us.
I am so grateful to have been part of this trip! You can find out more about the Burlington Teen Tour Band at their website. As a former member, I love that my child is now part of this organization, and that so many of my fellow alumni have children involved these days as well! I think that speaks volumes for the organization and the memories we have of taking part.
In the meantime, I think I have caught up on laundry, and working my way through my “to do” list of things that might have been on the backburner for a bit! It’s back at it full speed – Card Class this week, Stampers Club and Tin of Tags Class next week, and one more Private Class to go before I focus on online projects for the rest of the month! Oh – and I’m looking for someone to host my first Sale-a-Bration class in the new year – will it be you? Contact me to book a date – there may be a bonus if you’re the first one!!! (hint hint!)
Nov 24, 2016 | cards, Seasonal Catalogue, Stampin' Up!
Stampin’ Up!’s new Cable Knit Dynamic Embossing Folder is fantastic! It gives such a defined look, with a real 3D effect. If you spritz water onto cardstock before you use this folder, it tends to let the cardstock mold more easily rather than crack or tear. The folder is so thick that you actually only use one plastic cutting plate with it in the Big Shot! No bottom plate is needed (because for one thing, it won’t fit!) The set Twinkle Trees is a great seasonal set, but it can also be used for non-seasonal cards, like the Bokeh card I shared with you before. That same main image is featured here with the sweater, for a cosy fall or winter card that you could send to a friend.
On that note….(what a smooth transition, eh?) Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends and family. I hope that you are able to enjoy a great meal with family and/or friends (aka “chosen family”). Happy Thursday to everyone else (haha). Don’t forget that the Online Extravanganza continues! Grab a deal while they last and check out the 24 flash sale on November 28th!
