Sunday Share - More cards at The Wesbrooke and a sneak peek!

As you know, I visit the crafty ladies at The Wesbrooke in Pitt Meadows once a month so we can make some cards and catch up on their world.

Here are the cards we made last month, and I had to make them some Easter treat baskets too so they could fill them with some candies and treats (after they ate the ones I put in!)

Once a year, The Wesbrooke has a special dinner for all their volunteers, both those who live at the residence, and those who come from outside the community - we were royally treated to a turkey dinner with all the trimmings last week. It was wonderful to hear how so many people contribute to making this place a real home for everyone (not just a place to live). Here are a couple of pictures of the tables and salad course (after that I was too busy eating to take pictures!) Thanks to everyone who contributed to the evening!

Psst - want to see a sneak peek of the new catalogue coming your way in June? I attended On Stage in Vancouver yesterday and along with 600+ of my closest demonstrator friends (LOL!) got my very own copy of the new catalogue! It was an amazing day of playing with new products and learning about upcoming promotions to bring those products to you - if you are one of my regular customers and live out of town, your catalogue will be in the mail to you in May. Local customers can pick theirs up at my annual Show and Tell Catalogue Launch Party in late June. Details will be on my events page in May, once I finalize the dates/times!

I can tell you there were ooohs and ahhhs all around the room when we were given our catalogues! Here's the cards we made during our make and take sessions with some of the brand new products - so pretty!

Make it Monday tomorrow night at 7:00 pm still has some spaces so book now on my Events Page or message me if you want to make a few cards to have on hand to give - no running to the store last minute!

Start thinking now about getting any of the retiring In Color cardstock, inks, re-inkers or embellishments because they will definitely go fast once the retiring list is published next week - contact me or shop directly with this link.

Happy stamping!

Sunday Share - Fun using your Special Designer Series Papers!!

My Make it Monday events are all about #simplecards and using up the supplies you have at home (so you can buy more LOL!). This past week was no exception and the ladies who came by had a great time making cards from the One Sheet Wonder Simplified idea that Kylie Bertucci in Australia shared with her fellow demonstrators and customers!

Her mantra for this year is #loveitchopit to get everyone to use the papers they buy and create cards or photo mats for their projects . . . and it's a super quick and easy concept!

I had each of my attendees pick a sheet of Designer Series Paper from either a current package or my retired packages and then we cut each piece into three long strips at 4" and then each strip was cut into two 5 1/4" pieces. The leftover strips were placed in the cello bag for trimming the inside or an envelope. You might have to adjust your cuts if the paper has a definite horizontal or vertical pattern but the ones we used were all random.

Then I gave them each a couple of sheets of neutral cardstock (Whisper White or Crumb Cake for these patterns) and reminded them to check the back of each DSP package for coordinating solid colours - so easy to have a card where all your cardstock colours match! I had my Ziploc bags of strips on hand for any small pieces they might want.

Then it was all hands on deck to create the cards - I had the samples out for ideas, but they got very creative on their own with cutting and trimming each piece . . .  and this is all I had left of a sheet after making 5 cards with only a couple of pieces left for two or three more cards!

The greetings were from Beauty Abounds; Humming Along and Butterfly Gala Stamp Sets - all in the Occasions Catalogue - you can see them here and shop from home - remember Sale-a-Bration ends next weekend March 31st so get your orders in before it's too late or message me to add your order to my group order going in on Wednesday, March 27th (we are going camping on Thursday with no internet access until I return April 1st which is too late for Sale-a-Bration) so send me your order before Wednesday!! Then you know it's in and you earned your FREE Sale-a-Bration items :-)

Until next week - Happy stamping!

Sunday Share - Butterflies, Hummingbirds And Roosters too!

I have always loved watching butterflies and I definitely gravitate towards any crafting supplies that can help me create a card or layout with butterflies on it . . . so it was a natural for me to pick the Butterfly Beauty Thinlits Dies and coordinating stamp set called Beauty Abounds in the Occasions Catalogue! The dies make stunning cards and would be equally effective on a spring page layout!

This card was for a friend who recently retired and I loved the way the foil paper picked up different lights (sadly it was from the Sale-a-Bration brochure but is sold out). You can still get the effect using any of our foil papers though so give it a try. You can click here to go to my online shop and order this set as it is 10% off bundle priced to save but only in this catalogue.  I'm sure hoping it will carry over to the next annual catalogue but even if it does, it will no longer be a bundled price so get yours now! When you order this bundle you qualify for a FREE sale-a-Bration item of you choice - I'd recommend you go for Botanical Butterflies Designer Series Paper if you like butterflies like I do - it's got so many great double-sided papers in the package of 12 sheets. Here's pictures of both products so you know what you are looking for!

My stamp club ladies liked all our cards this month and especially the one we did with a waterclour wash as our background - I love how easy it is to create a soft wash using our Watercolor Paper, Aqua Painter, Classic Stampin' Ink pad of your choice (Balmy Blue used on this card) and a clear block as our palette. Stamp the clear block on your ink pad, then use the Aqua Painter to move the colour to your Watercolor Paper (lightly wet the paper first with clear water from your Aqua Painter).  It makes cleaning up a breeze too - just rinse the clear block when done. The dies and stamps are from the Humming Along Bundle in the Occasions Catalogue - another winning combo in my mind! Don't you love that background die cut??  Colouring was done with the Stampin' Blends - super easy to highlight and blend with these alcohol markers!

I continued with my #simplestamping card for my second stamp set pick  . . . and used the Home to Roost Stamp Set from Sale-a Bration. It was an easy card starting with the Very Vanilla Note Cards and Envelopes - such a quick way to have cards ready to stamp and ready to use in a few minutes - literally this card was under 5 minutes!  A light swipe on the Crackle Paint stamp with Sahara Sand ink, then touch the note card front to the inked stamp (I leave background stamps lying face up for ease of use) then stamp the rooster image on the front and the greeting (both in Crumb Cake ink) and you are done!

I love the antiqued look of the "stepped-up" card we did - done with a sponge dauber and gently adding Sahara Sand to the Very Vanilla cardstock until it looked "right".  It would be a great masculine card for any occasion with the Wood Textures DSP (get your 6"  x 6" pack while you can!) and the Linen Thread trim. I really love the Tranquil Tide Cardstock for the base and am so sad it is one of the retiring In Colors in May. I've used it so much - get your In Color products soon as they will sell out as it gets closer to the end of the catalogue year.

That's my inspiration for you for this week - you can shop my online store any time in any weather by clicking this link here. It's easy to set up an account for yourself and the order can go directly to your home or office - it's up to you! If you have any questions on products or techniques used, please send me a quick email or message or even phone! Check my events page on my website and book a time for you to create and share some crafting time with friends - would love to see you at one of my Make it Monday evenings!

Meanwhile, enjoy the spring like weather if you are on the West Coast like I am - if winter is still in your area I can assure you spring will be on it's way soon!

Happy Stamping!

Sunday Share - More Swap Cards and Sale-a-Bration continues to March 31st!

Wow - I've had so many things to share with you that I forgot to show you the last of my cards from the swap I participated in with the team I belong to - they are a talented group of crafters and I love being able to share what they make! For this swap we had to "CASE" a card from one of the current catalogues (CASE =  Copy and Share Everything) so take a look:

The Amazing Life Stamp Set in the Occasions Catalogue includes some larger than life greetings as well as some great line designs that you can place in corners like Elaine did on her card above - and the set is bundled with the Rectangle Stitched Framelits Dies (used to create the frame) for the perfect touch on any card! Yes, you REALLY do need those framelits!!

This card features the Floral Romance Suite in the Occasions Catalogue - with the gorgeous designs in the Floral Romance Specialty Designer Series Papers and the beautiful floral images and greetings in the Wonderful Romance Stamp Set. The Wonderful Floral Framelits Dies have some that emboss as they cut - like the leaves on the card above. You can't go wrong picking the coordinating items from this suite as Alison did when she created this lovely card for the swap!

Let's not forget the Annual catalogue - it's got some amazing products too that tend to get overlooked when a new catalogue comes out! Cindy's card shows off the Apron of Love Stamp Set and coordinating Apron builders Framelits Dies that work so well together in this card. Did you realize the plaid apron was made from one of the holiday papers called Under the Mistletoe Designer Series Paper? Take a good look at your papers and see where you can use them year round! Such a fun card to give to a best friend that may craft with you!

Remember that Sale-a-Bration continues until March 31st but the special FREE items are only while supplies last so get your orders together and start shopping (click here to go to my store) before your favourite is gone!

If you want the ultimate bundle that will save you money too - then sign up for the starter kit as it is an amazing value - you can pick your choice of products in either current catalogue to a value of $225.00 and pay only $135 (no taxes or shipping) and that's $60 more than usual - or you can get the BIG bundle for $175 which includes $225 in your choice of products PLUS the limited edition Craft & Carry Tote! That's the one I'd go for! You can test drive your bundle here by clicking this link and become part of my team too!

Want to create your own cards?? Why not join me at my monthly Make it Monday events - next one is March 18th at 7:00 pm. Please RSVP here or send me an email or message so I know you are coming and prepare enough kits, too! Cards are 2/$5.00 and you can make as many sets as you want (or free with qualifying orders of $35+).

Enjoy the rest of your weekend - I'm loving this sunny day! Makes me want to start thinking about camping again :-)

Happy Stamping!

Sunday Share - Cards at Wesbrooke and final Sale-a-Bration items!

I love to visit my friends at The Wesbrooke Residence in Pitt Meadows each month so we can share some card making fun and they have a couple of cards to use for an event in their lives . . . . last month we made these two cards - and by special request one had to be GREEN so they could use it for St. Patrick's Day if they wanted . . . .

I used some of my retired products for these cards and they all enjoyed using Washi Tape on the first card too! It's a great little product to put a contrast trim on a card and on this card we used it to separate the patterned paper from the white and the greeting. Love that greeting "sending smiles" - it can be used for so many events and so sad it is retired too! But it definitely fit for this group's needs!

Sale-a-Bration is into it's last month and you definitely want to take advantage of getting your favourite items FREE NOW - all items are "while quantities last" and I'd hate for you to be wishing you had ordered and miss out! Here's the latest additions to the Release 1 and 2 products already announced and you must use these product codes to get the items free!!

Take a look and use my Shop Now button on my blog post, or on my Facebook page, or in my Online Store - so many ways you can start your shopping journey and the order will go directly to you! Out of town?? No problem, you can shop in the your PJ's anytime and have the order go to you - easy peasy!!

And use my current Host Code 977H3RPN  so I can track the orders and send you my thank you at the end of each month!

I am loving the Sale-a-Bration Coordination items released March 1st as they are the perfect fit for so many of the stamp sets that are only available FREE and only until March 31st, or when supplies run out . . . so hurry to my online store and get yours soon! Hint: you can purchase the dies which will put you part way to earning the FREE stamp set to go with the dies! We used the Lasting Lily stamps and the coordinating Lily Framelit Dies in my last club class and I highlighted them in last week's post for you!

Mark your calendars now for my next Make it Monday event and RSVP here or directly to me so I know you are coming and make enough kits! It's a great night for you to make a couple of quick and easy cards and maybe learn how to use up some of those papers you've been saving (hoarding??) for a special occasion - nothing like using them to feel so much better!!

Happy Stamping!

Sunday Share - new Sale-a-Bration items you can get FREE!!

If winter is still hanging on in your area, then spending some time crafting is sure to cheer you up! Here's what happened this past week in our part of the West Coast - looks pretty when you don't need to travel, but created quite the mess with traffic!!

And here's the new products Stampin' Up! introduced on Friday so you can enjoy Sale-a-Bration even more . . .  shop any time at my online store (link here) or drop me a quick email or message to let me know what you would like - I'm happy to help you anytime. There is a new stamp set, an embossing folder and the Painted Seasons Stamps and Designer Series Papers - wow!

A quick video showcasing the new Painted Seasons bundle that you can get FREE with your qualifying purchase - it's going to be a best seller for sure!

I'm at a scrapbook retreat for the weekend - working on some new project ideas and trying to catch up with some of my scrapbook pictures and pages - hoping it's not too cold for us!!

While you are thinking about your wish list, why not get the "ultimate bundle" and get the Stampin' Up! Starter Kit - joining Stampin' Up! for the discount on your products is a great budget decision and if you decide to stay on, then you get all the best parts of being among other crafters who share your passion - and you get to be part of my team!! Check it out here and contact me for more info or just do it!

I will have a Make it Monday event on February 18th at 7:00 pm even though it is Family Day so you can RSVP on my events page and I'll save a spot for you!

What are/were your plans this weekend??

Happy Stamping!

Sunday Share - Beautiful Blizzard Bundle and Video to start those seasonal cards!

It may seem early to start planning and making Christmas Cards, but the time will quickly come when you panic and wonder how to fit everything into only a few weeks (and then days!). So getting a start now while you have time to plan, create and relax will definitely make you feel so much better!

Today's share from the Holiday catalogue is a fun bundle called Beautiful Blizzard that can be used all through the winter season as it is full of snowflakes of all sizes and greetings that are not just for the holidays.

Look at the cards and projects created by Stampin' Up! for the catalogue -

and then at what the bundle includes - you can't go wrong buying the bundle as you save 10% right away so put it on your wish list or order now!  Or let me know you want it and I will add it to my order going in early this week - after my Make it Monday class tomorrow evening!

If you really like "seeing" before you buy, then check out this video from Stampin' Up! which gives you some great ideas and tips on using this awesome bundle -

Here's a card I made recently with the thinlits (thanks Stampin' Pretty for the idea), and added my greetings from the Merry Christmas to All Bundle (I'll share more on that bundle next time!) or you can click here to check it out now! I sponged colour onto my cardstock before die cutting the words and the snowflakes inside the card - I really like how that turned out!

It's not too late to book a spot for Make it Monday event tomorrow from 7:00 - 9:00 pm. This is a relaxing evening where you make a couple of cards, or even bring a project that you are stuck on how to finish it and we can brainstorm solutions for you! Click on the events section on my website to RSVP now!

Save the dates for my Holiday Catalogue and Cards Event coming September 27th (evening) and September 28, 29 and 30 (daytime). Pick up your own 2018 Holiday catalogue, check my website for times and to RSVP now before you forget!

Bring a friend and enter into my draws for some holiday products and you can get sneak peaks of my Christmas Cards and Tags Classes and sign up while you have a relaxing visit with other crafters.

Happy stamping!

Sunday Share - Dandelion Wishes makes card magic!

Have you ever looked at a stamp set and thought "I can make magic happen with those stamps"? Well, that's what I thought when I saw the Dandelion Wishes Stamp Set in the new Annual Catalogue in June . . .  and last month I was able to show my Stamp Club peeps just how easy it was to create some amazing cards with this set!

Here's what the Stampin' Up! concept artist created for the catalogue . .. . I love that they included more layouts in this catalogue for scrapbookers to see how easy it is to add some stamping interest to their pages . . . .

and here's the stamp set too . . . can't you just imaging how much fun you can have with this set? Click here and add it to your order today so you don't forget!

Here's a couple of the cards we made - the first card was coloured using a D clear block and scribbling Stampin' Write Markers on it, then spritzing with water and stamping on our cardstock - so easy and every card will be slightly different too!

The next card was made by folding the inner card layer in a few places, then adding coordinating Designer Series Papers and the greeting. You can put your message in the blank space, or write on the back of the card - and the best part is the base is a standard card size so it all fits perfectly into your envelope - happy face here!

My next Make it Monday event is September 17th at 7:00 pm so if you want to make some great cards to add to your giving box, then RSVP to join me - either on my website (under events) or message me so I know to prepare enough kits. Friends are always welcome too!

Shop online (click here) anytime for any of my card products or to get a start on your holiday cards - you will be so happy with the results you get!

Happy stamping!

2018 Holiday Catalogue is Live!

Today is a special day in the Stampin' Up! world as the 2018 Holiday Catalogue is live and you can now order from it too! No more drooling over "sneak peaks" you may have seen - you can create your very own projects as soon as you place your order and it is delivered to your door - either by sending it to me or going directly online here!

Here's a fun video created to show you some of the new products and how to use them - I will be sharing more videos over the next few weeks on the new suites in the catalogue - stay tuned!

I have put the catalogue on my blog sidebar to the right so click on it anytime to see all the amazing new products and kits for you to add to your wish list - and I do have a paper catalogue reserved just for you so contact me soon to pick yours up (or I can  deliver in town!)

Watch for my blog posts next week with dates for my upcoming events so you can come and see the new products and sign up for some awesome holiday card making workshops too!

Subscribe to my newsletters and blog posts so you won't miss anything - the next few months will get super busy as we all know!

And if you want to chat about the new catalogue and pick yours up - then RSVP to my next Make it Monday on September 17th from 7 - 9 pm.  I'd love to share some easy cards with you that you can replicate at home, or use them to add to your box so you always have some on hand. It's a fun night and you are welcome to bring a friend - just RSVP so I can prepare the kits for you :-)

Happy Stamping!

Sunday Share - Dandelion Wishes makes wonderful cards!

I have some pretty cards to share with you today to take our minds off the smoky haze everywhere in BC. Stay safe all those fighting the wildfires, and those being evacuated - such a scary time for everyone! The pictures on the news are horrific!

My monthly Stamp Club started up again a couple of weeks ago, after a summer break of two months and I focused our class on the Dandelion Wishes Stamp Set as there are so many wonderful card possibilities with this set!  Here are the cards we made:

 This card was fun to make - we scribbled some colours on a clear block with Stampin' Write Markers, then a light spritz with water and stamp on the Whisper White Cardstock. Let it dry, stamp the design and die cut with the Stitched Shapes Square die, pop up the die-cut with dimensionals and heat emboss the greeting in White on Basic Black Cardstock. Fussy cut the greeting and pop onto the card! Add Polka Dot Tulle Ribbon and done!

This card was a fancy fold card with the card base being the usual 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" single layer, then working our way up from there with layers and some strips cut from the Subtles Designer Series Paper Stack (48 - 6" x 6" sheets) . . . want to make this too? Ask me how!

I absolutely love the scrapbook layout created by the Stampin' Up! design team to showcase the stamp set - take a quick look on p 118 of the Annual Catalogue - isn't it perfect for some great family photos??

And here's another card I shared with my club - super easy to make when you need a card "NOW" by stamping directly on to our Delightfully Detailed Note Cards and Envelopes - add your greeting inside, and you are good to send or hand deliver! And the last card was one from our team meeting where we got to ply with new products from the catalogue - love the new Soft Seafoam paired with Pool Party and White Embossing. Did you notice the Handwritten Background Stamp I used?? It's new in the Annual Catalogue too! And it's in my online store so you can click here to get it!

If you want more options with the Delightfully Detailed Suite then check p 38 in the Annual Catalogue for more ideas and a layout too - I'm so happy that Stampin' Up! is including some layouts in their project designs!

Remember Bonus Days is on for the month of August so anytime you spend $60, Stampin' Up! will send you an email with a code to cash in during September! You can send me the email to keep safe for you - and to remind you to spend it before it expires!

Shop for any of the products listed in my post today by clicking here, or send me an email or message with your wish list! All products in BOLD are available anytime from my online store - please let me know how I can help you!

I have an order going in early next week after my Make it Mondays class on August 20th at 7:00 pm - and can add yours too. Or better yet, why not RSVP here  (scroll down to my calendar and the RSVP) and come and visit me and other crafters - would love to see you!

Happy Stamping :-)