Sep 1, 2018 | specials, Stampin' Up!
Annnnnndddddd…..it’s September. It definitely feels like a change in the weather and season has come upon us in southern Ontario! I’m happy for a break in humidity, but not sure that I’m happy that summer seems to be over (and I know, technically it’s not, but you know what I mean…). My love of back to school supply shopping helps me cope though…and the fact that Stampin’ Up! is helping ease the transition by offering a special offer or two!

First of all, it’s time to spend those Bonus Day Coupon Codes! That’s pretty special….each time you placed a merchandise order for $60 in August, you would have received a coupon code via email from Stampin’ Up! – and now you can use those codes! You can shop online in the YamStamps Online Stampin’ Up! Canada store – shortcut is yamstamps.com/shop – and once you’ve selected your merchandise, click on MANAGE COUPON CODES and then copy and paste your codes (one per line) and click APPLY before you check out. OR – you can email me or call me with your merchandise order and coupon codes, and I will enter your order and codes for you. As always – you can contact me if you have any questions, or need a hand navigating the shopping site.

Stampin’ Up! is offering a sweet host special for September! You may have seen a sneak peek of this paper in this card I shared about a week ago… Host a party, make cards with your friends, and after all the orders are tallied, if there are total merchandise sales of $300 or more, you’ll receive a package of the Dashing Away Designer Series Paper for free! You can choose if you share with your friends or not…the package has 12 sheets total – four sheets of each of 3 different double sided designs (so 6 different designs in total). Some of the patterns definitely scream CHRISTMAS, but there are patterns that are more year round/not quite so blatently holiday-ish. You can see them in the graphic above. Contact me to book a date for a cardmaking party with your friends! Since this special is only good for September, you’ll want to book as soon as possible – or you can try a catalogue party on your own time – share the catalogue with friends, I can share some samples and ideas with your friends via a private facebook group, and you can collect orders to submit!
Lastly a reminder that the registration deadline for September’s Christmas Card Class is approaching! Register by Wednesday for this holiday class – your class fee of $30 includes a package of Santa’s Workshop Enamel Shapes that we will use on your cards – with plenty of leftovers for you to take home and use on other projects! Registration available after Wednesday, but may be subject to an express shipping fee (in order for your product to arrive in time for class!). Class dates: Wednesday, September 19 at 1pm, or Thursday, September 19 at 7pm. Please note the “split dates” for this month – as I’ve got a demonstrator group meeting on the Wednesday evening and a business mastermind session at the end of the month – both great combinations of work, inspiration and FUN! Looking forward to seeing you in class soon!
Aug 23, 2018 | cards, Christmas, specials, Stampin' Up!
The Blended Seasons stamp set and Stitched Seasons framelits are only available in August from Stampin’ Up! – have you grabbed these special products yet? The specially priced bundle (with your choice of wood mount or clear mount stamps) will see you through a number of seasons! Paired with the Watercolour Pencils (assortment 2), another special item for August, you can create so many great cards! Here’s a recent class card featuring these products – plus a sneak peek at an upcoming special product (can you spot it?)

I love the stitched look on these Stitched Seasons framelits – and the fun thing is that there’s stitching on both sides of the cut edge. While this card only uses the positive portion of the die cut, the remainder of the cardstock also had a stitched look finished edge around the cut out negative portion, which could be used on another project, or could be a design feature in a project (I’ll share an example of this in the next YamStamps newsletter on Tuesday). The Blended Seasons set (which is available in red rubber wood mount or red rubber clear mount) was stamped in StazOn ink and coloured with the Watercolour Pencils Assortment 2. I added the colour directly to the image with the pencils, then blended the shading and colouring with a Blender Pen. This is a way to get a watercolour look while still maintaining a lot of control over the colour movement (which I know some crafters prefer…). This card is all on Shimmery White cardstock, which stands up to a bit of work with water or blender pens, and has a beautiful subtle shine (so subtle, I bet you can’t really see it in the photo….but trust me it’s there!)
As for the sneak peek on this Blended Seasons card….it’s the patterned paper! The Dashing Away Designer Series Paper is a set of 12 sheets of 12″ x 12″ double sided patterned paper, with 6 different designs in total. Some patterns are definitely screaming “Christmas!!” while others, like the one above, could be used for any time of year. This exclusive paper will be available for FREE with qualified orders in September. Hosts of classes or parties with sales of $350 or more will get a package of this paper for free. If you’re keen to get your hands on some of this Designer Series Paper, please contact me ASAP to book a date for a class. You can have an in person class with your friends, or do a catalogue or online party instead – again, contact me for details and to set it up.
Registration is also open for the September Monthly Card Class, happening September 5th at 1pm or 7pm. Contact me to register, or click on the link on the YamStamps Events Page. As per tradition around this time of year, we’ll be having at least one Christmas/Holiday card included in the four cards we create in each monthly card class. If you want all holiday cards, come to the September Christmas Card Class – this time the class will be featuring some fun accents from the Holiday Catalogue! We’re splitting the date this month – Wednesday, September 19th at 1pm or Thursday, September 20th at 7pm. Hope to see you in a class very soon.
Aug 1, 2018 | cards, specials, Stampin' Up!
Happy August! Dare I say it? We’re halfway through the summer holiday around here….eek! Here’s something that will cheer you up though – Stampin’ Up! has a Colour Your Season special during August! These special items are available until the end of August or while supplies last – in other words, don’t wait too long, just in case!! There is an exclusive 10 piece stamp set available in wood mount or clear mount called Blended Seasons, and Stitched Seasons Framelits – a coordinating stitched die. The fun thing about the framelits is that they have “stitching” on both sides of the cutting portion of the larger frame shapes – so that the positive and negative pieces both have the stitched effect. The stamps and framelits are available individually, or in a discounted bundle (wood mount bundle / clear mount bundle). Also available – a new set of Watercolour Pencils! This assortment features the colours Balmy Blue, Cajun Craze, Cherry Cobbler, Coastal Cabana, Crushed Curry, Flirty Flamingo, Garden Green, Gorgeous Grape, Granny Apple Green and Night of Navy. Stampin’ Up! tells us that the pencils may be available in a future publication. (That’s as much as I know, so don’t ask me details! hahahaha).

Isn’t this a gorgeous card? One of the artists at the Stampin’ Up! home office created this masterpiece. The set has a variety of images suitable for different seasons, and I love the font used for the sentiments. You can see the flyer here, or see the items in the YamStamps Online Stampin’ Up! Canada store here. These items may be included in a demonstrator starter kit selection as part of the $165CAD product for $135 as well. If you have any questions, or need assistance placing your order, you can contact me. You can also get your hands on a set of the Watercolour Pencils as part of the YamStamps August Christmas Card Class – class fee for basic class supplies is $20, or the deluxe fee of $40 which also includes the set of Watercolour Pencils. We will be using these pencils in the creation of the four different holiday cards we’ll create in class. You can see details on the YamStamps Events page, or contact me to reserve your spot. If you want the set of pencils with your class, you’ll need to register and pay by August 8th to avoid an expedited shipping charge.
“But wait, there’s more!” – August also marks the return of Bonus Days! For each $60 CAD you spend in product, you’ll earn a coupon code worth $6 to spend in September! Spend now, save later – win/win! You’ll receive your coupon code in an email. Once again – if you have any questions, or need assistance placing your order, please contact me. Happy Shopping!!
Jul 21, 2018 | Paper Pumpkin, specials, Stampin' Up!
Stampin’ Up! is offering summer savings on Paper Pumpkin! Paper Pumpkin is the monthly crafting subscription kit that comes directly to your door. Each month brings a box that contains all the supplies needed to create that month’s projects – it could be cards, 3D items, packaging, home décor…all with different themes and each month is a surprise. It’s a great way to share crafting with the family, or if you are on the go a lot. Throw the box in your bag and you can craft at the cottage, on the road, in the tent….you get the idea.

New subscribers can get 50% off your first kit – use the code BLOOM0818 here to take advantage of the savings! Right now as we are getting prepared (slowly but surely) for my son to go to university, I also realize that this could be a great little stress reliever and care package for your university student too! If you have questions about Paper Pumpkin, you can check out my FAQ page about it here, or you can contact me.
You can also contact me if you want to get a spot in Wednesday’s Christmas Card Class! Get a jump on those holiday cards – two options: 1pm or 7pm! Class fee of $20 covers all supplies to create four different handmade Christmas Cards. Each month we will feature different holiday-themed product, and July features the Under the MIstletoe Designer Series Paper. Hope to see you in class soon! Space is limited, so please register ASAP so you’re not disappointed.
Jul 18, 2018 | cards, specials, Stampin' Up!
Handmade cards are ones that are kept and treasured, and the effort put into creating one does have an impact on the receiver! A handmade Thinking of You card is a great way to show that you care – and this simple design makes it easy to make an impression.

This card uses Stampin’ Up!’s Nature’s Poem Designer Series Paper as the main design on the cardfront. The sentiment is from the coordinating Rooted In Nature Stamp Set (available in red rubber – wood mount or clear mount). If you can’t tell, I love the technique of cutting a window out of the Designer Series Paper rather than always just cutting a mat and mounting the sentiment on it. I think it gives a different look to the card, and love that you can use the window cut out for other projects! In this case, the sentiment is stamped on Sahara Sand cardstock (which is what the card is as well) in Soft Suede ink, die cut with one of the Layering Ovals Framelits. I cut the window with the large oval from the Stitched Shapes Framelits, so that my cut out has that fun stitched edge when I use it on a different project later on! Those are those scraps and cut outs that I hoard. The window reveals the backing layer of Soft Suede cardstock and frames the sentiment well. I think that the beautiful Designer Series Paper elevates this handmade Thinking of You card – good thing it’s part of the Buy 3 Get 1 Free special running until the end of the month – I think I might have to stock up on this one…
If you are looking to stock up on your stash of handmade Thinking of You cards – or other types of cards, consider attending one of my classes! The Monthly Card Class always features a mix of designs and sentiments, as does the Stampers Club Class. You can see details on these on the YamStamps Events Page. One week from today we’ll be celebrating CHRISTMAS IN JULY! At the first of the monthly Christmas Card Classes on July 25th (1pm or 7pm), we’ll make 4 different cards featuring the Under the MIstletoe Designer Series Paper. Class fee of $20 will include all supplies required, and I have one slot left for $35 if you want to receive a package of the DSP along with your class. Contact me to register and pay! I hope to see you in class soon!
Jul 12, 2018 | cards, rubber stamping, specials, Stampin' Up!
I love to travel, so Stampin’ Up! stamp sets and papers that are travel themed always catch my eye. This Going Places card features a few travel themed products! The stamp set En Route is available in red rubber wood mount or clear mount options, and the Best Route Designer Series Paper – which is part of the Buy 3 Get 1 Free Special running this month! The adhesive travel-themed embellishments are from the Best Route Enamel Shapes – available in colours that coordinate with the paper – because who needs to think too hard?!
The sentiments are cut with the Stitched Shape Framelits and the Classic Label Punch. The Stitched Shape square of Designer Series Paper is actually cut from the paper used on the card – it’s the flip side of that design! I adhered that square into the hole where it was cut from because I like to be thrifty with my paper – even if it is buy 3 get 1 free…I love the coordination of the Blueberry Bushel cardstock with the Designer Series Paper and the ink. Makes my crafting easy! This Going Places card would be great for a graduate, a traveller, or someone setting off on a new adventure in life.
This was one of the designs I submitted for the Canadian Demonstrator swap that I participated in last month. As part of my goal to blog more regularly, I’ll be sharing a swap card a week here on the YamStamps site. (This card is a “bonus” LOL). If you’re interested in getting more card ideas and samples, be sure to be signed up for my newsletters! Each week I send out paper crafting information and inspiration – including a big projects newsletter at the beginning of each month. Click here to sign up or use the box at the top right of the blog to register.
One last note – I’ve set up a Christmas Card Class for July 25th – consider coming out to get a start on those holiday cards! Contact me to register or check out the YamStamps Events page for all the upcoming dates. Hope to see you soon!