Yamstamps.com - Linda's Stamping Blog

Butterfly punch is fluttering away....

I was going through my files and realized that I don't think I had shared this card with you....and now the punch is retiring LOL!

This Stampin' Up! butterfly punch is retiring in 2 days on May 31st.  I used Pretty in Pink and Whisper White cardstocks, and Pretty in Pink Designer Series Paper, plus the scallop edge punch. A little "bling" (although is it truly bling if it's not sparkly?) with the pearls.

Shop the retiring product HERE and remember only until May 31st. If you entered my retiring list contest, remember that you have until May 31st to save $5 on your $50 order. 

Finally, my Open House and retired product sale is happening this Saturday, June 2nd at 1pm - RSVP to reserve your free copy of the new catalogue! You will also earn a gift certificate for use this summer based on your retired product purchases!

All in the Family - retiring stamp set

This is a card I created a while back using Stampin' Up!'s All In the Family stamp set. This is a fun set that has interchangeable heads, bodies and limbs so that you can create your own characters that resemble your own real-life characters!  This set will be retiring at the end of the month, so don't miss out if it's been on your wish list. It makes a fun activity card - you can stamp out images and the recipient (or creator!) can colour them in.  This was a Father's Day card from last year.

Here in Canada we are enjoying a long weekend. We celebrated our Victoria Day weekend by hanging out with some friends, making S'mores (yum!!) and watching the fireworks. Oh - and I also spent some time cleaning out my craft room. It was a long neglected duty and while I know it's still an ongoing process, I'm thrilled with the results so far (I tweeted an instagram photo of it earlier in the day - did you see it?! Not sure how (or if) I can get an instagram photo embedded here...). I can't wait until my new catalogue open house & retired product garage sale - should be fun! Saturday, June 2nd - RSVP to get your copy of the catalogue that day!!

Hope to see you there!

Happy Mother's Day!

Here's a view of the prototype for the easel card that Annette & I made together on CH Morning Live (see the video here if you missed it). Easel cards are so much fun and not that difficult!

Quick instructions: I used a "regular" card size cardstock (8.5" x 5.5"), folded in half, then simply folded the front of the card in half again. You create your main image or use a photo, apply adhesive to the BOTTOM portion only, and adhere it to the bottom folded portion of the card front.  (If you were watching closely enough on the video, I actually messed this portion up because I was trying to do this so quickly!). Then, add a little stopper to the inside/bottom of the card to hold everything in place. In this card, I used a punched out flower with a button. On the photo card I showed on Morning Live, I used a punched out sentiment that I adhered with Stampin' Dimensionals.

I hope that all the mothers out there have a happy Mother's Day! I know that I am so grateful to have such a supportive mother, and am lucky to be able to celebrate with my grandmother as well.

 

On facebook, I loved how many mothers were posting images of handmade cards that they'd received from their children.  Here's mine :)  (well at least the outside of it) - custom made for me in my favourite colour. Don't ever doubt the power of a hand crafted item!!

Photo Bouquet Quick Instructions

Just to hit the highlights for you, in case you'd like to create one for your mom this weekend!

You will need:

a styrofoam ball or floral foam ball available at craft stores

brads - I used Stampin' Up! silver mini brads plus you can use the clear rhinestone brads for the larger flowers. These will anchor the flowers in place plus will be safe for little hands to use (and occasionally clumsy larger hands which is where I fit in LOL)

Cardstock - for my example, I used Bashful Blue, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White and So Saffron

Punches, dies or cutting tools - I used my Big Shot and the Flower Folds Bigz XL Die for the larger flowers, and my 5 Petal Flower Punch for the smaller flowers. You could also free hand cut flower shapes. You will want a circle punch for the photo centres.

Designer Series Paper - to cover the container

Container- to rest your ball on - I used a clean can that I had opened with my safety can opener (leaves no sharp edges)

Tombow Multipurpose Adhesive or other liquid/white glue - helps to anchor the larger flowers in place

SNAIL or Sticky Strip - to adhere photos to your flowers and DSP to the container

Photos of loved ones or loved places, stamps with sentiments - I used stamps from the set Family Reunion and Bashful Blue Classic Ink Pad

 

 

 

 

 

 

HOW TO:
1) Punch & die cut your flowers

2) Start with the smaller flowers (learn by my mistakes - when I made mine, I was so keen to do the photo flowers I did them first, then had to manouever to get the smaller ones in place to cover the ball). Randomly place onto the styrofoam ball, using brads to pierce the centre of the flower & into the ball

3) Add larger flowers - you may wish to put some adhesive on the back of the flowers and then pierce them with a longer brad and into the styrofoam ball

4) Punch your photos using a circle punch

5) Adhere your photos to the centre of a flower on the ball, covering the brad OR stamp sentiments, use circle punch to punch out and then adhere to centre of flower. I sometimes matted a photo onto a smaller flower and then onto the flower on the ball.

6) Wrap your container with Designer Series Paper and adhere in place - set ball on top and you are done!

It's a really easy and fun project. Please feel free to leave a comment below (please note I've had to moderate all comments - too much spam coming through - so it may take a while to see your comment) or email me.  If you create one, I'd love to see how yours turns out!!

Video of Mother's Day Gift Ideas

I am always thankful to be invited back to appear on CH Morning Live - each time it's a great experience.  Here's a video of the other day. If you are reading this in a reader or by email and the embedded video doesn't appear, here's a link to the video on the yamstamps youtube channel.

The adhesive sheets used for the ribbon rosette are the Sizzix Big Shot Multipurpose Adhesive sheets - I love to use them to coat a surface with adhesive quickly and easily. 

I plan to have more instructions about the photo bouquet up before the weekend (in time for you to complete one for someone special in your life?!) so please be sure to check back! In the meantime, if you have any questions, please feel free to email me.

Photo Bouquet

I'm getting set to run out the door....well okay, not run, but hobble (more on that later) for my appearance on CH Morning Live today. I'm sharing a number of ideas that you can make for Mother's Day - and this was my favourite that I came up with - a photo bouquet of flowers that need no watering! I'm planning on showing how to make this today, so if something happens with timing and I don't get the details in, I'll be sure to share it here on my www.yamstamps.com blog later on.

Regarding the hobbling - well, I'm moving a little more slowly today as I finished my second marathon yesterday! Happy to complete the Mississauga Marathon and beat my time from my first marathon last year (albeit on a totally different course...).

Thanks for stopping by the site. Please be sure to check back - and so you don't miss out on anything, sign up for my newsletter at the top left of this site! (Or try clicking here)

A Reprieve for some Occasions items!

April 30 is the last day to order from Stampin' Up!'s Occasions Mini Catalogue - however, there will be some items still available after today!  Click HERE to download a copy of the list

The Blossom punch is one of the items on the list - but the Mixed Blossoms coordinating stamp set is NOT, so don't miss out on that one!!  If you're in Canada, you can place your order here for delivery right to your door.  Contact me if you have any questions.

 

Update to Retired Accessories List

Stampin' Up! has let us know that the Paper Snips and Craft Scissors are NOT retiring, and were included on the list by mistake. These WILL be available in the new catalogue, so cross these off your lists! (Please note that there is no discount on the paper snips, either, since they are not retiring).

I will keep you posted as I'm able regarding availability of accessories.

Retiring Accessories and Definitely Decorative - Get Them While You Can!

Stampin' Up! has published the list of retiring accessories.  Please note that all these items are available while supplies last - I would recommend purchasing them through my online store HERE so you can be sure to get what you want before supply runs out! You can shop 24/7 anywhere in Canada and the items will be delivered directly to you.

Please note - there are INK PADS on this list - Stampin' Up! has revealed that there will be new a new ink pad style (well, the foam at least) in the new catalogue. A few colours are undergoing a slight formula change, so if you'd like re-inkers for your current ink pad of these colours, get them now. Colours affected are: Basic Black, Basic Gray, Marina Mist, Perfect Plum and Tempting Turquoise. As well, only Basic Black and Whisper White craft ink pads will be carried.

As well - individual Stampin' Write markers will only be available for a select colours, but will still be available to order as colour collections - again, if you need to complete your marker collection and are only missing a few colours, you might want to get shopping. 

12" x 12" textured cardstock will no longer be available, and individual packages of smooth 12" x 12" cardstock will be limited to select colours, but will still be available in colour collection packages.

*Phew* - here's the list, in .pdf (need Adobe reader) and sortable excel files for the accessories, and .pdf for the Definitely Decorative items.

Please contact me if you have any questions.

Retiring Accessories pdf list  (document is 12 pages long)

Retiring Accessories excel list

Definitely Decorative Retiring list

Farewell, Upsy Daisy...

Upsy Daisy is one of the sets on Stampin' Up!'s Retiring List this year. I really like silhouette images because they can be done in any colour you wish. On this card, the combination of Very Vanilla and Elegant Eggplant is rather elegant, don't you think?! Again using the Labels Collections framelits with the Big Shot, and also using the Adorning Accents Embossing Folders plus coordinating Adorning Accents edgelits to cut and emboss the edge of the front of the card.  Dazzling Details adds a finishing touch to the image. We did this in a recent card class. I must remember to take photos _before_ the class because sometimes my samples get a little beat up!

Don't forget to pick up these favourites from my online Stampin' Up! store - you can access this 24/7 with delivery anywhere in Canada!

Summer Smooches Sneak Peek Sample

Say that ten times fast!! LOL.  This is a card using Stampin' Up!'s Summer Smooches products that are available this month. I used the Bright Blossoms stamp set (colouring directly onto the rubber with the brush end of my Stampin' Write markers), some of the Summer Smooches Designer Series Paper, plus Daffodil Delight Seam Binding Ribbon. These products are available this month, and then you will have to wait until June 1st when the new Idea Book & Catalogue comes out!

I also used the Brights Designer Series Buttons and the fantastic Labels Collection framelits to complete this card. I think the framelits are my favourite thing in the Occasions Mini Catalogue - which also, by the way, expires at the end of April. What are you waiting for? Don't miss out! Go shopping now or contact me if you have any questions!

Stampin' Up!'s Retiring Stamp Sets

It's that time of year - making room for the new by clearing out some of the old.  Stampin' Up! always retires a number of sets to keep up to current artistic and creative trends, plus to make room for new and exciting sets in the new catalogue! See HERE for an excel spreadsheet or HERE for a pdf version of the list.   If you'd like anything on the list, please be sure to place your order before the end of May.  If you're in Canada, you can place your order online HERE or contact me directly if you're close to the Burlington area.

Thank You!

I thought I should post this card since it expresses my thoughts today - thank you! It's been a decade (eek!) since I became a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator in Canada.  I have had so much fun - making new friends, being creative, earning an extra income to fund my crafting habit and other interests...recently I've reaped the rewards of keeping at this for so long - I've earned recognition for reaching career sales levels and sharing this fun job with others!

This fun thank you card showcases an easy techique. You stamp the image in Whisper White craft ink, and then outline the image with a Versamarker to make it "pop". Very fun. Inspired by a card somewhere out there in cyberspace... I used Melon Mambo embossing powder on the popped flower too.  Stamp sets used: Mixed Bunch & Teeny Tiny Wishes Supplies: Whisper White Craft Ink, Versamarker, Blossom Punch, Modern Label punch, Crumb Cake cardstock, Whisper White cardstock

Mailing list subscribers - don't forget to enter my Retired List contest - ending tomorrow!!

Celebrating a decade!

This is so cool! A timeline of Stampin' Up! in Canada.

<-- and this is me - I was one of the first 94 Canadian demos in April 2002!

This has been a fantastic, fun choice that I made a decade ago. Initially, I intended only to purchase my own crafting items and perhaps help a few friends with their craft supply needs.... but then word got out that I was doing Stampin' Up! (at the time, I was the ONLY person in my neck of the woods in British Columbia to do so)... I started to do workshops for friends and people who became friends, had some friends sign up as demonstrators and then I moved my business across the country! I returned to Ontario, where I'd grown up, to be closer to family, and found that my Stampin' Up! business was easily transportable.  Here I stay, and now looking forward to celebrating 10 years of my business and 10 years of Stampin' Up! Canada.

Thank you for being part of my business over the past decade! I guess I'll have to find some special way to celebrate the exact day....hmmmmm....

Smooches for you?!

Stampin' Up!'s Summer Smooches Collection is a special offer this month! Most of the items in this line will be available in the new catalogue, but some are exclusive to this special offer.  Click HERE to see the flyer with the details, or click on the image at left to go to my online store (if you're in Canada).

We'll be sure to be using some of these products in my monthly card class tomorrow!

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.  Otherwise, if you're on my email newsletter list, check your inbox later today, as the monthly "Linda's Link" will be making its way to you shortly!

Last Chance to Celebrate Sale-a-Bration!

March 31st is the last day to take advantage of Stampin' Up!'s Sale-a-Bration.  You can place online orders HERE  and select your free SAB item with every $60 merchandise purchase until 11:55 Mountain Standard Time.  Demonstrator starter kits at special price of $150 plus monthly Designer Series Paper packages can be ordered HERE but be aware that there may be a HIGH demand on the servers so patience will be a virtue if you've left it til the last minute ;)  If you have any issues please contact me and I will do my best to help you!

Tomorrow brings a new month and no fooling, there are still some wonderful treats in store from Stampin' Up!  Don't forget as well - Monthly Card Class is scheduled for THIS Wednesday, April 4th at 7pm here in Burlington - come and have some crafting time with friends! If you haven't already done so, please be sure to contact me to register.

Mini Card & Envelope

I love Stampin' Up!'s new diagonal Simply Scored plate! It was used here to create the envelope for the 3 x 3 card. When you order the plate to go with your Simply Scored tool, there are instructions and dimensions to create a number of envelopes. The Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper gave me the starting point for the colours I used in the card that features the Elementary Elegance Stamp set - Lucky Limeade and Pool Party. Ruffled ribbon adds a fun touch and the mini clothespins are so cute!

The countdown is on to the end of Sale-a-Bration - both the Designer Series Paper and the stamp set are exclusive Sale-a-Bration items - you can only get these until the end of March! With every $60 in merchandise order, you may select one free Sale-a-Bration item, so don't miss out! Contact me if you need more information.

Don't Let This Be You!!

Don't let this be you...You have less than two weeks to receive your choice of FREE Stampin' Up Sale-a-Bration items with every $60 in merchandise ordered - or FREE monthly digital downloads or package of Designer Series Psper when you sign up to be a demonstrator!!

Contact me or click here to place your order, or here to sign up for your starter kit!! Don't miss out - it finishes March 31st!

Just a Reminder

Don't forget to put your clocks forward an hour tonight! We "spring" forward....admittedly, I find this a little more challenging than "falling back"!  I will be posting some recent class samples in the next week - apologies for the bit of "radio silence" here - busy behind the scenes and fitting in as many classes and workshops as possible before the end of Sale-a-Bration!

Simply Scored Diagonal Plate - now available!

Stampin' Up!'s new Simply Scored Diagonal Plate is available today!! I was too quick in posting this yesterday, so can now officially have it up here (oops!!)  I can't wait to use it in my upcoming card classes and club get togethers. Here's a great video showing some uses for the new diagonal plate. (if you are reading this post via email or feed and can't see the embedded video below, please click here to come to the blog to watch it!) If you want to try it out, come to my monthly card class - Wednesday, March 7th at 7pm - I'm going to make sure that we use the plate for one of our projects! For more information about my monthly card classes, see this page, or contact me to register!