Aug 28, 2013 | Business Opportunity, cards, rubber stamping, specials, TV/Video/Web/Tech
So I thought since it’s still Wednesday here…I would share one of the projects I created for my appearance on the Morning Live TV show. This was a gatefold wedding invitation, with the invitation information printed on Whisper White cardstock and adhered inside the Marina Mist card. On air, we finished the creation of the belly band. This ensemble features the Summer Silhouettes set, one of my new favourites. It takes me back to two step stamping, where two stamps are used to create a single image. The flower stem is one stamp, and the flowers are another. This was what drew me to Stampin’ Up!’s products over 11 years ago – before Stampin’ Up! even came to Canada! (The joys of having American friends, or friends with American addresses!). When the opportunity came to Canada shortly afterwards, you can bet it was a no-brainer for me to become a demonstrator – and I was one of the first ones to do so, and still going strong!
So a couple of reminders, along that line – if you’re interested in becoming a demonstrator, the Pick a Kit promotion is on until August 31st. You only have a few days left! You can get a project kit for free along with the $155 worth of merchandise that you select. See the details here or contact me for more information…or go here to start the online sign up process! My group of demonstrators includes people from all over Ontario and out to British Columbia and we’d love to have you join us.
So…I’ve posted about this almost everywhere else – twitter, facebook…so sharing the joy here as well…after my spot on Morning Live, I ran into Adam van Koeverden, who was on his way in! I am pretty sure I babbled, but managed to get a photo taken with him. It was such a thrill to meet him – after having watched him compete in the Olympics and win medals in kayaking…hoping some of that athletic greatness rubs off on me during my half marathon this weekend!!!
And as I said on my facebook page….kind of glad this happened AFTER my appearance, because I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have been all too coherent otherwise LOL!
Aug 20, 2013 | cards
When is a grungy card not grungy? When you turn it into a rainbow…. This card is made with Stampin’ Up’s Gorgeous Grunge set! I got the inspiration for this card from the display boards at convention (in other words, I copied it…LOL). I was muttering to myself as I was making it “Roy G Biv” – and then discovered that not everyone learned colours of the rainbow that way? (do I date myself by saying that?!). Anyway, I love this card, and I love that it’s not a typically grungy grunge card 🙂 If you decide to reproduce this card, just be sure to have your handy Stampin’ Scrub and Stampin’ Mist beside you – so easy to clean your stamp in between colours. The “hello there” sentiment is from the Happy Day set. When we did this card in club, we also used the Stamp-a-ma-jig to ensure the lines were parallel to one another. In case you need a refresher on how to use the Stamp-a-ma-jig – check out a picture tutorial I did back in 2007!
As always, please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. I hope that the back to school frenzy isn’t too crazy for you…
Jul 22, 2013 | cards
While Stampin’ Up! has only been in Canada for 11 years now (and fewer in the South Pacific and Europe), it’s been in the US for 25 years. I just returned home from the 25th Anniversary Convention, and had a great time seeing friends from across North America
When Stampin’ Up! demonstrators gather together, one of the events that occurs is swapping. Demonstrators will make cards, or card-fronts more typically, and then trade them with other demonstrators. It’s a great way to share creative ideas with others. I like swapping, but in all honesty, usually don’t end up doing that much because I’ve run out of time to create something before I leave!! This year, unfortunately, was not much of an exception. I participated in a couple of organized swaps (meaning I actually signed up!) and did a version of this card for one of them. I did mean to actually recreate this card, but as I’m looking at the photo, I realize that I forgot to add in the black layer. Oh well! Still serves its purpose.
I look forward to sharing the ideas that I get in return – I’ll be sharing them with the demonstrators in my group at our get together, and will try to share some here at www.yamstamps.com and on the YamStamps Facebook Page.
In the meantime, I’m off to finish up final preparations for tonight’s Stampers Club! We are always welcoming new members to club, so let me know if you’d like to join us in August!
Jul 12, 2013 | cards, Events
This design originally was created for Annette, the June hostess in my Stampers Club who needed a “fun and funky birthday card”. After a bit of panic, this is what I came up with. I love how using different Stampin’ Up! Designer Series Papers and tools can create different looks for my projects. The combination of the This and That Epic Day Designer Series Paper, with its grungy look, and the Epic Day This and That Washi Tape makes this card design more funky than my typical “clean classic” looking cards . The Label Love bundle contains the stamp set and coordinating punch for the sentiment. A bit of linen thread and it’s done. This particular piece of DSP has lots of descriptive words on it – so great for a scrapbook page or like in this case, a card for someone special. Once again, if you’re looking for an easy cue as to colour combinations, look at the back of your Designer Series Paper package – it has listed the colours used within, so just grab those colours and you’re good to go! In this case, it’s Pool Party, Crumb Cake and Calypso Coral.
If you’re looking for a regular crafting opportunity, consider joining my Stampers Club! We always have lots of laughs while creating our 4 cards, and members get to budget out their purchases (and then splurge on their hostess benefits once during their 6 month stint!). Contact me to sign up. If you want to just dip your toes into the crafting pool, then perhaps the Monthly Card Class is for you. Each month, the first Wednesday is set aside as class night – we’ll make 4 cards using a variety of products and techniques, and your $20 fee includes all required product. Payment is due at time of registration, and registration cut off is 2 days prior to event. Contact me for more information or to sign up for August’s class – Wednesday, August 7th.
Jun 26, 2013 | cards, rubber stamping
Stampin’ Up!’s Grab Your Greetings Special is on until the end of this month – just a few more days to get 25% off 3 different greeting sets! If you’re looking to get more bang for your buck, a multiple occasion greeting set is the way to go – you can use it with a variety of images to get the appropriate card for the occasion. In this case, I used the Creative Elements set for the background flourish, and used the Petite Pairs set to make it a sympathy card. You could use a different sentiment and turn it into an elegant birthday, thinking of you or wedding card! The Petite Pairs features pairs (I know, duh…LOL) of sentiments that can be used on the outside and inside of cards – in this case, the inside sentiment is “to heal your heart”
We created this card at the last Stampers Club get together. This month’s hostess needed a sympathy card so I was sure to include that in the mix. We are a growing group – we welcomed two new members this month! If you would like to budget out your crafting dollars and have fun while doing so, Stampers Club is the way to go! Each member has a 6 month (consecutive) commitment to the group, but you can start in whichever month suits you. In this case, one member started because her work/life schedule opens up a bit at this time of year, and another member just found us! We usually get together on the 3rd Monday of each month, but in July we’ll be getting together on the 22nd (the 4th Monday) instead. Please contact me if you’re interested in joining us.
Jun 23, 2013 | cards
Around here, it’s that time of year again – the end of the school year! I can hear the kids (and teachers) doing the countdown….
This is a card we did at Sharon’s Private Class on Friday evening. I love how there’s pairs of sentiments in the Stampin’ Up! One in A Million set, and I think this theme is appropriate for a Teacher Thank You! I gave this copy to Sharon, so I’ll have to make myself another copy for the end of this week 😉
I will be making a lot of “Thank You” cards in the next little while – end of music lessons, the school year, and for donations. My son & I just completed the 25 km distance of the Healing Cycle bike ride today, a fundraiser for hospice care. Our team, the Pedaling Philanthropists for Carpenter Hospice (I did NOT pick that name….I can hardly pronounce it without tripping over my tongue LOL), did a great job again this year – we were the top fundraising medium sized team. All the funds we raised will go to Carpenter Hospice here in Burlington.
So with all that in mind…I guess I’d better get busy stamping??!! Don’t forget – if YOU need cards to send for an occasion, or even better, “just because”, the first Wednesday of every month (unless otherwise noted) are my Card Making Classes. Please contact me to register! The next class is Wednesday, July 3rd at 7pm, and for $20, you’ll create 4 different cards suitable for all sorts of occasions!
