Oct 9, 2010 | rubber stamping
This beautiful card was created by Barb Walkem, one of the demonstrators in my downline (one of my Stampin' Up! family!). It features the stamp set "Just Believe" from the current Idea Book & Catalogue. I love the clean elegant look of this one, and the colours are reminiscent of the ones outside my window right now.
Barb created this cardfront to "swap" with other demos at the Hamilton regional event a while back, and was kind enough to share one with me (even though I didn't have anything to swap back at the time!!). Swaps like this are a great way for me to get inspiration and ideas to use in my future card classes (see, you don't have to be that creative to be a demonstrator, just a good copier!! LOL).
Hope you have a chance to spend time with friends and family this weekend. This Thanksgiving weekend, I'm taking time to reflect on all the aspects of my life for which I am thankful. Here's one – I'm grateful for the friends I've met (and have yet to meet!) through Stampin' Up!
Oct 5, 2010 | rubber stamping
One of the things I love about Stampin' Up! is that the ink and papers coordinate so well. Less thinking for me is always a good thing….LOL. For this card, I masked off a section and used Pretty in Pink and Melon Mambo inks to stamp the flowers. A light sponging of Pretty in Pink helps to define the revealed area. A cut out and popped up flower adds a 3D element. Melon Mambo cardstock frames the images and coordinates with the ink.
I used a birthday greeting on this card. This is one of those patterns that you can switch the colours and sentiments and easily create a "new" card!
Sets: Petal Pizzazz, Sincere Salutations
My email newsletter is going out today, and the 12 Weeks of Christmas starts tomorrow! Be on my list before 1pm tomorrow to catch the first week. (sign up box is at top left of the site www.yamstamps.com!)
Sep 26, 2010 | Announcements, Business Opportunity, rubber stamping, specials
I had a great time at the Stampin' Up! Regional Training Event this past weekend in Hamilton. I love that Stampin' Up! comes to us (well, as often as possible LOL) to offer ideas, inspiration and training.
Right now, if you decide to join as a demonstrator, you will receive this Greenhouse Gala tote bag along with your starter kit items (featured in the photo, though your kit won't come packaged like this LOL). This is available until October 18th.
Since I attended the Hamilton Regional event, though, there's a SWEETER DEAL!! If you sign up with ME as a demonstrator before OCTOBER 10th, you'll also receive a free stamp set (on top of the great products in the starter kit!). The set will be featured in the upcoming Occasions Mini Catalogue, so it's a great tool for your business. (Plus, who doesn't like free stamps?!). I can't show you images of the set itself since it hasn't been released…but I can share some very cute projects that were made with it… It's called "Eat Chocolate" (don't you love it already?!)
Love this one…so true in my life…
ahhh…chocolate with a little "bling" too, who could ask for more?! LOL
If you are interested in finding out more about the great opportunity in having your own Stampin' Up! business, please contact me (we can meet over a hot chocolate?!), check out the page here or RSVP to attend my next Information Evening – Wednesday, October 13th** (note changed date) at 7pm here in Burlington. If you're all ready to order your starter kit, I can talk you through the online process!
Three of my downline (demonstrators signed up with my team) were able to attend – here they are – Barb, Melissa and Karen! Since my downline is spread through Ontario & British Columbia, it's always great to have the opportunity to meet up in person. I spent most of the day chatting with friends that I've made throughout my years with Stampin' Up! (I know, you're shocked…me spending time chatting…LOL)
I always take advantage of the opportunity to get my photo taken with Shelli Gardner, co-founder and CEO of Stampin' Up! – since I've been a demonstrator for 8 years now, it's always nice to have a current shot. I'll have to do a scrapbook page of the photos throughout the years, I think!
(It was a little chilly in the Convention Centre, so Shelli threw on her jacket… I was a little less prepared so toughed it out LOL).
Regionals are definitely my favourite Stampin' Up! demonstrator event – they're a little smaller size-wise, but they've still got great inspiration & information. Fingers crossed that there will be another one within driving distance soon!! Hope you'll consider joining my team – then we can make the road trip together?!
Sep 23, 2010 | rubber stamping
Thank You cards are great cards to have on hand – it's always a treat to receive a card in the mail (or hand delivered) and a thank you card is even better – nothing like feeling you're appreciated!
Here's a sample that I really enjoyed making. It features Stampin' Up!'s French Foliage and Seasonal Sentiments sets and some Fall colours (now that we've officially changed seasons). These sets are in the current Holiday Mini Catalogue. The colours are Riding Hood Red, Cajun Craze, Pumpkin Pie and Early Espresso. We also used the distressing kit – love the ink spots in there!
I still have openings for the October stamping class – Wednesday October 6th at 7pm here in Burlington; cost is $15 and includes all your supplies. I'm also taking reservations for the next Stampers & Scrappers Club which will start in the new year – contact me for more information or to save your spot!
Sep 18, 2010 | rubber stamping
I love using watercolour paper in my card making. The texture and weight stand up to the blender pen, aquapainter or stampin' write markers, and you can go over an area as much as you desire without the paper pilling. Stampin' Up!'s watercolour paper is precut to a smaller size so it's easy to use on cards. This card uses the Messages for Mom stamp set. Stamped in Staz On Jet Black ink, it's coloured with a blender pen and Stampin' Up!'s watercolour pencils. I like to use a piece of scrap paper for a "palette". Scribble with the pencil on a scrap, then pick up the colour with the blender pen and apply where desired. If you're a bit timid about watercolouring, blender pens can help you ease into it – there's a lot of control, but the ability to blend colours is still there. Basic pearls add another elegant touch – I love the various sizes they come in! The pinking hearts border punch was used on the Basic Grey cardstock, and the card is So Saffron.
I still have a few openings for the Greenhouse Gala class next week, and you can register for the October card class as well. November is busy with Christmas Card clinics, and I am planning on having the card samples for the clinics up in the next few weeks, so please come back here to www.yamstamps.com to see them!
Aug 4, 2010 | rubber stamping
I love the new Basic Rhinestones! I used them (albeit slightly crookedly, now that I look at this photo LOL) on this card to add a little something extra… Watercolour Trio was used for the image, which was coloured with Cherry Cobbler & Crumb Cake stampin' write markers to give the two tone effect. Night of Navy and Very Vanilla round out the colour palette of this not too fussy card.
Thanks for looking! If you're a regular reader of this blog (thanks, first of all!) you'll notice that I'm a little slower with my posts these days – just taking it easy and enjoying the summer weather (never mind the fact that the humidity has been slowing me down substantially! LOL). In August I have two events scheduled – the home decor blocks class and an Information Evening about being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator. If you're in southern Ontario (or within driving distance for that matter), it's a great time to be a demonstrator as Stampin' Up! will be holding a regional training event in Hamilton this September! This is a fantastic opportunity to get new ideas and inspiration – both personally and business-wise. It's also a great chance to catch up with friends. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about my upcoming events!
This beautiful card was created by Barb Walkem, one of the demonstrators in my downline (one of my Stampin' Up! family!). It features the stamp set "Just Believe" from the current Idea Book & Catalogue. I love the clean elegant look of this one, and the colours are reminiscent of the ones outside my window right now. 
