Sunday Share - Las Vegas On Stage and look what we got!!

Note - although I planned to post this on Sunday - I could not get pictures to load from the hotel internet - Plan B was to get it done yesterday when I got home and I totally forgot! So here is my glimpse of On Stage for you - just a wee bit late :-)

I'm in Las Vegas at the Stampin' Up! Conference and today I'm sharing my swap cards as they were all given out yesterday - my group was to design Gift Card Holders so this is mine using the Let it Snow Suite -

and take a look at the awesome cards I got back! So much fun to do these swaps and see how creative others are!

In addition to the card swaps, I made a pillow gift for my roommate Diane -

I really hope she liked it as I had so much fun making it! I don't do a lot of 3D projects but this Brightly Gleaming DSP seemed to call out to me to make this shadow box.

We've had a great time at the conference. When I arrived on Thursday Diane decided we should hit the outlet malls - so we did! Wow, I wish I had a gold card loaded to spend - so much stuff . . . .  what to buy???

Some pictures of around the town in Las Vegas - great weather to shop and explore the city before the conference on Saturday!

And here's a glimpse of the crowd registering at the conference and then some of the new products I'm bringing home (thank you Stampin' Up! for spoiling us with all the gifts!)

and the new Occasions Catalogue and Sale-a-Bration brochure starting in January 2020!! Oh can you tell I'm excited for all of us?? The backpack in the background is what we received at registration to hold all our stuff!

I'm heading home later today and can't wait to see you soon at one of my Coffee and Cards Christmas events - check out my Events page here and book in your date and time!

Meanwhile, if you want to shop from the comfort of your home to buy any of the products I used in my swaps and shadow box and get your order delivered to your door - then use this link and you are on your way!

Happy stamping!

Sunday Share - more card ideas for you and retiring products too!

I promised last week I would share some more cards with you and highlight some of my favourites that are retiring the end of this month (well, technically June 3rd but we know most products don't last that long!).

Our Stamp club projects last month featured a gorgeous bundle from the Occasions Catalogue called Beauty Abounds - the sad news is that bundle is retiring at the end of the catalogue but the good news is you will still be able to purchase the stamp set (Beauty Abounds) and the dies (Butterfly Beauty Thinlits Dies) separately (but no 10% savings). Why not make your budget happy and order while you can save - just click here and start ordering!! We did a #simplestamping card (above) as well as a really pretty one using the dies (below) using all the retiring In Colors on the same card! I got this card idea from a friend who is also a demo named Eva - thanks Eva! The Night of Navy card base and envelope featured above is on p 26 in the Occasions Catalogue and called Happiness Blooms Memories & More Cards/Envelopes - ready to stamp and add your own ideas in two sizes! Click here for more information on this great product!

Our other project used the retiring Amazing Life Stamp Set and the coordinating Rectangle Stitched Framelits Dies also from the Occasions Catalogue - and the bundle is still available at the 10% savings and the dies will be carrying over into the next catalogue. I do like those dies and know that you will be seeing lots of cards with them featured as frames or rectangles - love the stitched look! Click here to get yours now so you don't miss out! And pick up some of that Gingham Gala 6" x 6" DSP while you are making up your order - it's perfect for so many card ideas and has 48 sheets so a great buy!

I have a new team member Katy and she shared a cute poster with me that her hubby Alex texted to her - talk about a super supportive hubby - I think he just gave her permission to have "both" hobbies, don't you??

Remember to check your wish list against the retiring items (click here) and order while your choices are still available - I have an order going in May 9th and can add to it if you don't want to order online. Let me know what you want, plus payment information and I'll be happy to put it in for you :-)

If you have placed orders with me in the past year I have a new catalogue ordered for you - those not living locally will get yours in the mail and everyone else watch for my Catalogue Launch events coming at the end of June/early July. More details will follow closer to the time!!

And mark your calendar and RSVP for my next Make it Monday on May 20th (yes I know it's a long weekend but sometimes people are looking for some crafting time too!). RSVP right here! so you don't forget and I know to make up kits for you and anyone you bring! At these events I encourage people to use their existing supplies with their project ideas. Why would I do that, you ask? Well the answer is simple - so then you have room to buy new stuff - LOL!!

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 - #simplestamping with Lasting Lily

If you have seen some of Stampin' Up!'s latest posts you will notice they have challenged us as demonstrators to make cards that are easy, quick and adaptable to most stamp sets - using the hashtag #simplestamping. It's a great reminder of using our basic products (stamps, paper, inks) to create some quick cards - and who doesn't love that??

I decided to take the concept to my first Stamp Club class of 2019 earlier this month and this is what we did for our #simplestamping card:

Quick, easy and definitely a design concept that can be used for many stamps - two ink colours, one stamped layer mounted on crumb cake a note card sized base . . . 

The next project added quite a bit more to the card and I showed everyone the new framelits coming out March 1st to coordinate with some of the Sale-a-Bration Stamps - you won't want to miss out on getting those! That's a new direction for Stampin' Up! and it's certainly a popular one!! Check out my online store for all the great FREE items you can earn with your purchases . . . I have an order going in by noon on March 1st so let me know if you want me to add anything for you or use my Shop Now button to go online yourself!

For this card we inked the flower stamps in Powder Pink, then took a Sponge Dauber and added a bit of Highland Heather ink to the stamps then stamped onto the cardstock for die cutting with the coordinating Lily Framelits Dies - it gives it a really soft look when you add the ink before stamping!

And these are my thank-you cards for everyone ordering this month - another way of using the Lasting Lily stamps with the greeting from Itty Bitty Greetings added to the front. And I love the new Stitched Rectangle Dies in the Occasions Catalogue!!

Want to get a monthly kit in a box? Paper Pumpkin is turning 6 and March's kit will celebrate this anniversary by giving everyone an extra stamp set! That's right, you will get two stamp sets in the March kit! You won't want to miss this special kit and we've been given a sneak peak that it's going to be all cards too! Sign up here by March 10th or go to my online store and scroll down to buy a subscription which give you FREE Sale-a-Bration items too! Remember March 10th is the deadline to get this special anniversary kit!

Until next time, 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 - Some Card Swap Ideas for you!

I belong to a great team of demonstrators from across Canada and each time Stampin' Up! introduces a new catalogue, we are given a chance to participate in a "card swap" so we can get a variety of cards to share with you, without having to buy all the products all at once. Today I'm sharing a couple of cards I received recently so you can see how great the stamp sets are and think about what you'd like to make with the stamps!

Sale-a-Bration is on and you can get free products with every $60 you spend so don't delay - check your wish list now and shop soon - you don't want to miss out because you waited too long and then find out the item is Back ordered (like the Organdy Ribbon Combo Pack)!

How cute is this happy puppy card I received from Alicja using the Happy Tails Stamps Set??

Happy Tails was one of the first sets on my list in the new Occasions Catalogue - and I love that it has a matching Dog Builder Punch that you can order with the stamps as bundle and save 10% - that's like getting free shipping! Check out the items on my online store here. When you add a pack of Whisper White Cardstock and a pack of matching Whisper White Medium Envelopes you have earned an item from the Sale-a-Bration brochure and can pick any of the $60 value products FREE! Have fun shopping for your free items by clicking here!

Next is a card I received from Yvonne - you can read all about this Lasting Lily Stamp Set below!

One of the most beautiful stamp sets in the Sale-a-Bration brochure is called Lasting Lily. It is one of the new Distinktive design stamps with so much depth to the stamp - you won't believe the dimension you get from this stamp! Check out your wish list and stock up on your regular supplies too because once you spend $120 you can get this set FREE and it will be so worth it to have on your shelf.

Did  you know that Stampin' Up! is releasing some very special products in March (and for the month of March only!!) to coordinate with some of the Sale-a-Bration sets. And Lily Framelits Dies are on the list to die cut the flowers, leaves and greetings from the stamp set! You don't want to miss out on this fantastic set - so get the stamps now, and the framelits as soon as they are released in March!

If your wish list is getting longer - why not place your order as a new member of my team? You can purchase $225 worth of products of your choice and it will only cost you $135 and no commitment  to spend any more if you don't want to. A second sign up option gives you a great crafting carry bag for only $40 more!  If you decide you like being a part of this Stampin' Up! family, then you have until July 31st to make your first quarterly minimum purchase . . . lots of time to get friends and family helping you meet the amount!  Check out the details on my website here - or call/message me for more details - it really is the best deal going!

Reminder that my next Make it Monday will be on February 18th even though it is Family Day - you are welcome to come and bring someone with you to share the evening - check my events page here and RSVP!

Here's my last swap card for today from Pauline and it features a Host Set in the Annual Catalogue called Very Vintage - just a lovely card!!

Enjoy looking at my swap card samples today and I hope I have inspired you to create something special in your crafting area - it's a snowy afternoon here in Maple Ridge and I'm ready to get cozy and play with my stamps some more!

Happy Stamping!