May 25, 2017 | cards, Stampin' Up!
This is the “similar but different” easy die cut card to share! It also uses the Eastern Palace Suite, with a couple of add ons. You can see that they layout is essentially the same…. This version is done with Dapper Denim, with a strip from the Eastern Palace Specialty Designer Series Paper inspiring the colour choice. The die cut flower is from a Gold Foil sheet, and a new product – a Gold Faceted Gem is in the centre. The gems are NOT in the bundle….but I couldn’t resist using one on this card. You’ll be able to grab these in June (unless you’re a demonstrator, as these are part of the catalogue preorder merchandise offering so you can order them now…).
I did this card as part of a “swap” – we are given instructions on number of layers, any accessories to use etc, and then we can create something based on what stamp set we choose or are assigned. We each make multiples of the same card, send them to the “host” and then anxiously await the mail…..to receive a whole bunch of different creations back! In this case, I made 20 of these cards, and will receive 20 different cards (well, including one of these) in exchange. It’s a great way to get different ideas and to be inspired. I know that one of the things that can intimidate people about becoming a demonstrator is the (misguided) belief that you have to create everything yourself or be over the top artistic. NO! We get ideas and inspiration from others as well as coming up with designs ourselves – if we choose to do so. I personally like to spend a bit of time being creative in my stamp room, but I do find that I like similar designs, so often use the same base design, but change colours and images as I see fit. Long live the Easy Die Cut Card! I will see how many more times I can come up with variations on this theme! hahaha.
If you are attending my New Catalogue Open House and Retired Product Sale on June 3rd, I’ll be sure to have my swaps up on a display board for you to admire! Please RSVP to ensure that I will have a catalogue set aside for you, and will have enough light refreshments on hand. If I have time, maybe I’ll come up with some more Easy Die Cut Cards to share on a display board of their own….but then again, maybe I’ll be too busy laying out all my retired product and baking cherry pound cake. You’ll have to swing by to know for sure!
May 19, 2017 | cards, specials, Stampin' Up!
During the month of May, you can order Eastern Palace Suite products in a bundle before they are released in the new Stampin’ Up! Annual Catalogue! I used the products to create this easy die cut card. I love how detailed and intricate it is….and how easy it was to create! The circular die cut shape is one die, and the flower and petal cut outs are two nesting dies that you can run through the Big Shot at one time. The little petal flourishes around the border of the die cut are created using stamps – but because they coordinate with the backing cardstock, a lot of people think it’s a part of the die cut detail! Thank you, Stampin’ Up! coordinating inks and cardstock!
These products are available in two options – the Eastern Palace Starter Bundle and the Eastern Palace Premier Bundle. To recreate this card, you’ll need the Premier Bundle, which contains the Eastern Medallions Framelits Dies. I chose to use Rich Razzleberry and Bermuda Bay cardstocks & inks – which are similar to the new In Colours included in the kits – Fresh Fig and Tranquil Tide – only because of the numbers I had to prep (and didn’t have enough cardstock at the time to cover all I needed for classes!). So – 2 passes of the Big Shot with 3 dies, a bit of stamping and you have an easy die cut card!
I did a fancier variation of this design for a swap I participated in, so will share that version a little later as well. Just FYI – if you’re interested in the bundles, you can order them as part of your Starter Kit…plus still have room for a little more product! The Eastern Palace Flyer is here. If you want to create your own easy die cut card, just be aware that the bundles are available during May, but are NOT featured in the new catalogue – there is a bundle of the stamps and dies, and then all the individual products….so to make the easy die cut card….easier….consider grabbing a bundle! You can check out the Eastern Palace products in the YamStamps Online Stampin’ Up! Canada store here. As always – please contact me if you have any questions.
May 8, 2017 | cards, Stampin' Up!
Isn’t this a gorgeous card? It was sent to me by one of my friends who is a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator in the states. Bev (aka Texas Grammy) sent me this lovely card to congratulate me on my promotion to “Gold” level as a demonstrator. The sentiment is from the previously retired stamp set, Bravo, and the background paper is from the specialty Designer Series Paper, Pop of Pink, still available while supplies last (and at a discounted price!). She used the Butterfly Thinlits die and inlaid it into the paper. I love the gold and black design – it’s so striking! Thank you Bev!
I am behind on sharing and behind on mailing my own cards as well….I hang my head in shame. (but not for too long, because I have things to do to catch up, obviously….). Lots of things to do, including finishing editing videos for my next Online Class, Watercolouring 101. I previously asked for feedback from customers & subscribers about what they wanted to learn more about – and watercolouring was a frequent response! So look for that class to be launching in the next week or so. I will have a launch special, with reduced pricing for the first 24 hours…so stay tuned!
In the meantime, I will get back to work! Funny how things look so controllable when I write them down on my lists and agenda….but then something happens and the plans go awry. Well, now that I think about it, perhaps it’s not the plans that go awry….but my attention and focus. (please tell me I’m not the only one?!) No wonder I liked Bev’s card so much – it’s shiny!! LOL.
Apr 29, 2017 | Announcements, contest, Stampin' Up!
I’m closing my mailing list for the Stampin’ Up! Canada 2017-2018 Annual Catalogue tonight – so if you’d like a copy, don’t already have a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator, and live in Canada, please complete this form and I will follow up with you!
NEXT – a reminder that my April Celebration will end at the end of April…..ahem. So, one more day, if you place an order with $50 product, purchase an online class or purchase a starter kit, you will be entered in my draw to win a Big Shot! (if you are a theatre geek like me, you sang those words “One More Day” in your best Jean Valjean voice?!).
If you have any questions or need any assistance placing an order, please feel free to contact me. The winner of the Big Shot will first be announced in the May Paper Crafting Projects newsletter to subscribers, being sent out on May 2. Good luck!
Apr 26, 2017 | Big Shot, cards, Stampin' Up!
I love beautiful cards that are easy to make…and believe it or not, this card actually falls into that category!! Promise! This lovely detailed floral die cut card uses the Floral Phrases stamps set (available in wood mount or clear mount) and the coordinating Detailed Floral Thinlit Dies – the stamps and dies are available together in a discounted bundle (wood mount bundle or clear mount bundle) BUT ONLY UNTIL THE END OF MAY. Sorry for shouting, just don’t want you to miss out! The individual items WILL be in the new catalogue, but the bundles WILL NOT.
Anyway. The main image gives a kind of watercolour-y feel with the variations in degrees of intensity of colour. I love that I don’t have to do the work to get that effect! On this card, it’s stamped in Perfect Plum. The detailed floral die cut at the bottom of the cardstock is made by placing the flat edge of the larger thinlit along the border stamp image. Then it’s adhered onto Perfect Plum cardstock and onto the cardfront.
The new catalogue will be bringing back one of my favourite adhesives – adhesive in the form of a sheet – which will make adhering detailed die cuts even easier! If you need to make a detailed floral die cut card in the meantime….use the pointy end of the Multipurpose Liquid Adhesive, or the Fine-Tip Glue pen. We’ll be making this card in May’s Monthly Clard Class. Have you registered yet? Space is limited….so please don’t delay. Class will be Wednesday, May 3rd at 1pm or 7pm. See other upcoming events on the YamStamps Events Page.
Oh – and before I forget – if you’re in the Burlington ON area – mark Saturday, June 3 on your calendar! It will be the annual YamStamps New Catalogue Open House and Retired Rubber Garage Sale! More details to follow – look for info here on the YamStamps blog and in the May Paper Crafting Projects Newsletter – going to subscribers May 2!
Apr 21, 2017 | cards, contest, Retired List, Stampin' Up!
One type of card that is great to have on hand is a birthday card – there’s nothing worse than realizing you need a birthday card RIGHT NOW – which for me, usually happens just before I’m due to leave home to meet that person. It’s great to have a “go to” design that you can use for those quick and easy cards! This fun birthday balloons card was made using the retiring Party Animal Designer Series Paper, and the retiring photopolymer stamp set Endless Birthday Wishes. I love the font in this set! All the words are separate so you can combine them in whichever way works for your project, and can use them on a non-birthday project as well. The balloons are punched from Pacific Point cardstock using the Balloon Bouquet Punch (this is NOT retiring….but it is low inventory right now, so you might want to order it sooner rather than later if you “need” this soon). I think the most difficult thing on this card was tying the knots in the Emerald Envy Solid Baker’s Twine….hahaha! It’s great to use Designer Series Paper as a jumping off point for your colour theme – I simply pulled the colours from the paper I was using – Pacific Point, Emerals Envy and Crushed Curry. Quick and easy!
I did use Stampin’ Dimensionals to pop up the birthday balloons to make them stand out even more, and left the twine hanging loose for fun. This layout is not just perfect for quick and easy birthday cards, it’s great for any handmade card! I used it for one of my cards that I shared at the Stampin’ Up! On Stage Event. Here’s another sneak peek at that Crafting Forever set!
Similar but different to the birthday balloons card! A fun multicoloured take on the same layout. Colours used here are Pumpkin Pie, Real Red and Tempting Turquoise. You can see that the gap is a little smaller on this card, because I didn’t need to put any words in the space – I put them on the top portion of the angle cut piece instead. Quick and easy cards for the win! Use this layout and simply switch the sentiments as you need!
A reminder that the Crafting Forever stamp set used on this card will be available in the new catalogue (coming in June). If you want a copy of the upcoming Stampin’ Up! catalogue, please complete this form and I will follow up with you to get a copy to you. If you complete the form before April 29th, you’ll be part of the first mailing from Stampin’ Up!
ONE LAST REMINDER – don’t forget that you have NINE days left to be eligible to win a Big Shot from me…..see all the details on this blog post….and good luck!
