Mar 30, 2015 | cards, Occasions, Stampin' Up!
This is a fun card to whip up for Easter. Using Stampin’ Up!’s Cheerful Critters set and Teeny Tiny Wishes, which is the most useful stamp set on the face of the planet… The Cheerful Critters is a photopolymer set, which means it’s see through (well, more or less, mine has been used and loved and is slightly stained LOL). I found it easiest to eyeball where the critter’s sign would land, and then stamp the greeting first. I was then able to position the critter accurately since I could see through to where my greeting was. This was a quick colouring job with my Stampin’ Write markers on Shimmery White cardstock. (See? There is life after Blendabilities!!). I also used the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder to coordinate with the bunny’s shirt and added a touch of ribbon to complete it. This square card is 4.25″ x 4.25″ completed so still fits in Stampin’ Up!’s medium envelopes.
One of my commitments this year is to send more “Happy Mail” – cards in the mail. If you’d like to add to your stash of cards to give and send, don’t forget the Monthly Card Classes – there’s one on April 1st (no fooling!) but you must register at least 2 days in advance (that would be TODAY, Monday, for April’s class) Hope to see you soon!!
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 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!
Jan 28, 2015 | Occasions, Stampin' Up!, TV/Video/Web/Tech
So…..I had about 4 projects prepped for the Morning Live appearance, knowing we wouldn’t get through all of them, but I really did think we would have managed to get more than one done on air! Ah well. I’d rather be over prepared than under prepared. Think of it as a YamStamps Blog Bonus – because I’ll share those projects here and who knows, if I can clear enough space in my stamping area, I’ll be able to shoot a video or two!! LOL.
Here’s the video from yesterday – please come to the YamStamps blog if you can’t see it below (if you’re viewing via email or a reader) – or subscribe to the YamStamps YouTube Channel to receive notifications each time I upload a new video.
Thanks again to the wonderful hosts and crew at Morning Live who make me feel at home each time I’ve made an appearance. It’s always a fun experience!
A reminder that February’s Card Class is happening on Wednesday, February 4th (one week today) – we’re going to have a SALE-A-BRATION KICK OFF! (OK I know it’s actually already started, but better late than never?!). Cards will feature Sale-a-Bration items plus you can check out the samples that I’ve made with Sale-a-Bration goodies! Registration is open now until Monday, February 2nd – please contact me to RSVP and I will see you soon!
Mar 24, 2014 | cards, Occasions, Sale-A-Bration, specials, Stampin' Up!
I just signed up for a challenge. It’s at 100happydays.com The challenge is to post a picture showing what makes you happy on that particular day…and to do this for 100 days in a row. I love the concept of this, and actually signed up because at that particular moment, in reality, I was NOT feeling particularly happy. I was feeling stressed and cranky, between dealing with house stuff (trying to get it ready for sale – how much STUFF have I accumulated over the years??!!), and dealing with a 13 year old (enough said?!). I needed the reminder that there are moment of happiness (and often for me, at the same time, gratitude) each and every day. I’ll be posting my pics on Instagram if you want to see how I’m doing. So far so good. Today’s day two 😉
Thus this card, as well. I love this sentiment from the Perfect Pennants set and the Sweet Sorbet Designer Series Paper (free Sale-a-Bration item with your $60 purchase until March 31st). The frame portion is cut out easily with the Ovals Collection Framelits and the Big Shot. I designed this one for Stampers Club (another occasion that makes me happy).
AND – to make your day a bit happier – if you order at least $50 in merchandise through me from now until MIDNIGHT THURSDAY, MARCH 27th, I’ll give you a FREE package of Rhinestone Basic Jewels to give your week a bit more BLING! It’s to celebrate being happy…and because it’s my birthday coming up 🙂 The fine print – offer limited to Canadians (due to Stampin’ Up! regulations); this offer is from me, not Stampin’ Up! If you’d like to place your order – you can EMAIL ME or place your order online HERE. If you place your order online, your rhinestones will ship separately. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Don’t forget your Sale-a-Bration item pick if your merchandise order is $60 or more!!
