Aug 22, 2012 | cards
I know I've said this before, but many times, I'm like the cobbler whose children have no shoes….I am the cardmaker without cards on hand many times! Luckily, I have the supplies to whip up a card quickly and easily. Plus, I _am_ working on becoming more prepared and organized. (I have a feeling this will be a lifelong project?! LOL)
Anyway – this card uses Stampin' Up!'s Blue Ribbon stamp set as the main image, with one of the Confetti stamps in the background. The images from Blue Ribbon coordinate with punches so it's very easy to create a 3D effect ith little effort – punch & adhere with Stampin' Dimensionals! The tails of the ribbon are made from the Summer Smooches Designer Series Paper – you can cut them by hand or (get this!) use the Bitty Banners Framelit to cut them out with your Big Shot. You don't have to figure this one out on your own, though – if you look at the description in the catalogue, it will list what punches or dies coordinate with the images in the set. Yay! Less thinking! (and you KNOW I'm a big fan of that).
If you'd like to make more cards with less thinking 😉 be sure to attend one of my many card classes – or host one with your friends (free stuff for you!). I design and cut the materials ahead of time – you stamp, complete and assemble the cards! See my events page for more information or contact me.
Aug 20, 2012 | cards
A handmade card! At least I think so.
I love the coordination of Stampin' Up! products – the less thinking I have to do, the happier I am…
This card takes full advantage of that! The Apothecary Art set provides the main image, which coordinates with the Labels Collection Framelits for the Big Shot, so you can easily cut out the image. The Bitty Banners Framelits for the Big Shot cuts out the sentiment from the Loving Thoughts stamp set that has the same font as the words from the Apothecary Art set. The 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon comes in Raspberry Ripple to coordinate with the Raspberry Ripple Ink and Cardstock. See how easy? I also used the Fancy Fan Folder to jazz up the background with a bit more texture.
Monochromatic cards are a great way to get a classy look – at least I think so!
I can't believe we're in the middle of August already. We are busy enjoying the last weeks of summer in our household – but I'm thrilled to say we already got most of the back to school clothes shopping done! (If you know my son, you know that's HUGE because he HATES shopping…half the chore is getting him into a mall…). Not to rush you either, but don't forget that I'm holding monthly Christmas Stamp a Stacks from now until December!! I've added some extra dates for those who can't make it out as easily on a weekend or a Sunday – so please check here and then either click on the link or contact me to register!
Aug 7, 2012 | cards
I really like making cards (if you can't tell LOL). This is a card that I designed for a recent card class but with a specific recipient in mind…(doing double duty). The flowers at the left are done using a technique that was demonstrated at Stampin' Up!'s convention. The large flower from the Betsy's Blossoms set was stamped in Versamark and heat embossed with clear EP. The image was then punched out with the Blossom punch – creating a totally different flower! Of course, being the lazy crafter that I am, I simply pulled the colours from the Floral District Designer Series Paper (why think any harder than I have to?!).
The class attendees enjoyed making this card, and the recipient was just as happy! This is my great aunt (and cousin beside her) at a recent family gathering where we celebrated her 90th birthday.
Jul 16, 2012 | cards, rubber stamping
I love to watercolour…even though I'm not that good at it! I have to confess that drawing, painting etc are definitely not strong skills of mine – which is why I love rubber stamping! Stampin' Up! has made it easy for me to look artistic without me having to do the "heavy lifting" as they say :) For this card, I stamped the bicycle image from the hostess only set "Summer Afternoon" (check the back of the Stampin' Up! Catalogue to see the stamp set). I used Stazon Jet Black ink on watercolour paper to be sure that my image would stay clear once I soaked the paper. I then used my aquapainter and my Watercolour Wonder crayons to colour in the image. This is my favourite way to add watercolour to my images – I can control the amount of water used and can direct the colour where I want it. Takes me back to my watercolour painting class days without the anxiety of hearing "Oh, just sketch out what you want to paint". (See back to initial comment about not being able to draw).
I created these cards to send to everyone who sponsored me (and my son) in our recent bike ride efforts. We participated in "The Healing Cycle" which is a varying distance bike ride to raise funds for hospice care. We had a lot of fun and were thrilled to raise over $18,000 with our teammates for the Carpenter Hospice here in Burlington. The Carpenter Hospice not only provides end of life care but also runs wellness programs for those living in the community with terminal illnesses. I know a number of people who have benefitted from the valuable services that the staff and volunteers provide, so spending some of my time to raise funds for them was not an issue at all, nor was spending a bit of time on creating special thank you cards for my friends and family who gave generous donations to sponsor our efforts.
Jul 12, 2012 | cards, rubber stamping
One type of card that is always a pleasant surprise to receive is a "Thank You" card. In this day of technology, it's sadly becoming a bit of a rare occasion to receive a "nice" piece of mail (as opposed to bills and flyers!) – so it's great to receive a card for a change. A handmade card is even better! Thank you cards can be sent to anyone to whom you want to express your gratitude.
These cards were quickies that I made to send to attendees at my Open House in July. I personally think that the embossing around the image dresses up this simple card. Stampin' Up!'s Easy Events set is another versatile multi-occasion set that will cover many of your card sending needs. The Designer Frames Textured Embossing Folder set (for use with the Big Shot) was one of the items you could select for free during Sale-a-Bration but is also available in the main Stampin' Up! catalogue. I added a bit of colour with my Stampin' Write markers – I used the In Colour '12 – '14 set and was able to produce a number of these fairly quickly. With me, I've learned I need to get the cards done and out, otherwise they get bogged down in the system somewhere. (By system I mean my stamping room chaos or somewhere en route to the actual mail box…LOL). I've also started using custom post it notes inside the cards to my customers so that they can be re-used by the recipient 🙂 or kept for a sample, whatever suits that person's needs at the time!
(By the way, if you attended my Open House and haven't received one of these – please let me know!!).
By the way – thank you for taking time out of your day to check out www.yamstamps.com – I appreciate it!
Jul 10, 2012 | cards, rubber stamping
This card uses some of Stampin' Up!'s new In Colours. So glad that the In Colours hang around for two years now – gives me more chance to play with them! Summer Starfruit and Gumball Green are the featured colours here…and I have to admit that when I first saw Summer Starfruit I wasn't really sure about it….but I love it on this card! Mixed Bunch is one of my favourite sets right now and I love the versatility of the set Perfect Punches.
This card is not complicated to make but I think has great impact, which is how I like to work! I often find that I need a card for an occasion moments before I need to send it or give it…so cards like this fit into my life perfectly!
Don't forget that my monthly card classes continue in the summer, and my Christmas Stamp a Stacks start at the end of July!! Please see my events page for more information or contact me if you have any questions.
I know I've said this before, but many times, I'm like the cobbler whose children have no shoes….I am the cardmaker without cards on hand many times! Luckily, I have the supplies to whip up a card quickly and easily. Plus, I _am_ working on becoming more prepared and organized. (I have a feeling this will be a lifelong project?! LOL)
