Hello December - from Project Life!

I love the Hello December Project Life card kit from Stampin Up in the Holiday Supplement!  This video really highlights how beautiful it is, and not only that, but how easy it will make memory keeping for me this holiday season:)  I've ordered mine, if you want one too, be sure to contact me or click 'shop now' in the right sidebar of this blog to go to my Stampin Up website and order directly online:)

2014 Holiday Supplement is Live today!!

The 2014 Holiday Supplement goes live today and products are only available while quantities last.  Here's a link to the supplement.

My favourite item in the supplement is the Many Merry Stars Simply Created Kit, which can be found on page 9.  Also, here's a video of some alternative projects you can make with the kit (other than those featured in the Holiday Supplement):




I'm considering holding a class with this kit on Saturday November 15th, so contact me today if you are interested.  In order to participate you would have to let me know by October 23rd so I could preorder your kit for you:)

Gratitude for Days - Part Deux

 This is another gratitude card I made for a member of my team using similar supplies to yesterday's card.  This time I used the envelope as part of the card and it rolls up and tucks closed as shown below.  I used the Gratitude For Days stamp set again from Stampin Up plus a few other old stamps from my stash.  The colors of color shine I used on today's card were teal, gold & citron.

The butterfly on the envelope was a clear embossed one that came on the envelopes in the pack...I just brought it out with the colorshine.  Also the stamped images are actually just one image from Heidi Swapp which I stamped in Stampin Up's Coastal Cabana.

Gratitude for Days Cards - Part Un

We realized a great accomplishment at my day-job this week & so I've been making gratitude cards this weekend.  All of them used the Gratitude for Days stamp set from Stampin up.  They also all used some seam binding ribbon, but I sprayed it (and the cards) with color shine (a non-stampin up  product by Heidi Swapp).  The patterned paper I used is from an old stack in my stash.  I just loved the colors and felt it would make for pretty cards:)

 

Rather than using an envelope for this 5 x 5 card, I created a pocket out of the patterned paper by cutting a 6 x 12 sheet of it, folding in half and then making a slit for the card to tuck in.  I also stamped a on it...loved the way the slash border from the Gratitude for Days Stamp Set framed the pocket.

Then inside I used a color shine base for my card & sprayed it with sweet cherry, white, gold & primrose color shine.  I also used some more patterned paper from my stash.  I stapled tags & a ribbon on the upper corner with my 'count your blessings' sentiment from the Gratitude for Days set. 

Project Life by Stampin Up! - Love Story Collection

Becky Higgins' Project Life has revolutionized my memory keeping & has got me back some precious precious time because it makes it so much simpler & quicker than traditional scrapbooking or digital memory keeping even!!  Looking forward to my mini-album class that I'm giving next week where we're going to make a mini album using the Love Story collection as featured above...we'll be making 6x8 pages, the video feature a beautiful 12 x 12 wedding picture spread.  And, Love Story isn't just for weddings & romantic stories, the black & white cards work well with almost any kind of pictures you have...I'm telling the story of a recent mountain getaway in my mini album with it:)

So, what are you waiting for, get those memories off of your digital camera/phone/computer and into your albums with Project Life!  (& contact me if you're interested in trying out SU's new PL line of products:)

File Folder Mini Album

 Today I'm sharing a quick project I made recently for my daughter with some pictures of her over the last few months.    The album is made out of one Martha Stewart file folder...I grabbed a pack on sale at Staples when I was doing some back to school shopping.  The base of the album is one folder cut at 5.5" and then the shorter piece was inverted (as they are reversible) and I tied it inside of the larger one using some beautiful SU ribbon from the clearance rack (love that pink ribbon...can't remember the name). 

I used the typset specialty dsp from SU to create the matts on each of the pages in the album...spraying some of the sections with a bit of HS color shine for a coordinated effect.  I also used a bit of SU pretty in pink cardstock for some of the pieces (butterflies punched on the front & tags & journaling bits inside).  I also used a HSProject Life bit for the photostack inside.

My SU punches also got into the action on this project...I used my label punch to create interest on the edges of some of the pages (you can see it on the bottom right of the cover).  I also used the banner punch & both my butterly punches:)  The ribbon on the bottom right of the banner on the cover is SU white organza, sprayed and crinked up. 

The lighting in the pictures doesn't do it justice as it was evening so the pics were not taken in natural light, but the colors coordinate beautifully & the album turned out so cute...my daughter has it sitting open on her bedside table like a framed piece as the file folder base was that sturdy:)

Wall Piece for My Craft Room

 

Looks like it's been a couple of weeks since my last post...part of the reason is a little family time & getaway & part of the reason is that much of my 'creating' time has been reorganizing my craftroom...but it's coming along, with the exception of trying to find the perfect shelf for over my desk:)  I'll share some of the updated pictures of where I create in a couple off weeks. 

Yesterday I finished this wall piece I've been working on for over my workspace.  I got the laser cut wood frame on clearance at Michaels a few weeks ago for $2.69!:)  I sprayed it with some mint colorshine (HSwapp) and some bronze glimmer mist.  I also some did some background stamping in black..but for those of my SU followers, the main thing I used from SU was the new striped stencil which I used with the sprays in 2 places (most visibly in this picture the top right)...love the effect.  The 'S' initial was also sprayed with colorshine (this time, pink & gold) and some stamping was done over it as well (HSwapp stamps in this case...luv the 'cherish each day' on the top right).  I then suspended the initial from the fram ewith some gorgeous SU ribbon from the clearance rack and the the seam binding accent at the bottom right is actually a crumbcake piece that I sprayed with the pink colorshine to match (seam binding takes wonderfully to spraying & then you can scrunch it up:)  The finishing touch was to sponge the edges of both wood pieces in black & brown inks.

2014 Holiday Catalog is Live!!

Here's a link: http://su-media.s3.amazonaws.com/media/catalogs/2014-2015/Holiday_Catalog/HolidayCatalog_0714_US.pdf

Contact me if you want to hear about the current hostess special & we can arrange for you to earn a free holiday stamp set with a workshop or order of $300 or more:)

Happenings - a fun night making cards with my bestie:)

I picked up SU's Happenings card kit last spring, but had never gotten around to using it.  Then this week I was getting together with my bestie & I thought, why not, instead of the usual meet for coffee/ice cream, why not make some cards...and she said she'd bring ice cream!  Perfect plan:)  First of all, just spending time with my dear friend is a treasure, but her idea of bringing ice cream turned out to be an ice cream cake?!:)  And all I had to do was pull out the Happenings card kit and a few stamps & inks...no prep time & maximum fun time!!  Often when I'm holding a class/club, I spend hours coming up with the project & prepping all the supplies, not the case last night.  Last night, the only thing we spent hours on was giggling & sharing & creating:) So fun!!

We each created what we wanted from the kit.  It was perfect because if we needed birthday or thank you or congrats cards, we could adjust them to our particular needs.  I loved the colour palette too:  strawberry slush, pear pizzaz, Bermuda bay, baked brown sugar and smoky slate...oh & sparkly silver too!:)  The stamp sets I pulled out were:  And Many More (has greetings for every possible occasion), Groovy Love (because it's brand new & I hadn't played with it yet:) and Sent with Love (Retired but an old favourite and it had some of the border and envelope bits that were perfect for the cards:)

Project Life Mini Album Class

This is just a preview of the sort of mini album I'll show how to create in my Project Life mini album on Thursday September 11th from 7-9pm at my home.  Participants are preordering their choice of card collection this weekend along with the pocket pages (with options to add an accessories pack to coordinate & the mini album binder). 

The class is pretty much full already because I want to keep class size small, but if you're interested in doing this too, let me know & I'll see if I can add another date. 

Cost of this class is just the cost of the preorder items, it's that easy!:)

I have totally fallen in love with Project Life and how easy it is to make beautiful albums & to help me get the pictures off my computer & phone

411 on the Big Shot!

Thought I'd share a little video on the Big Shot given the specials this month (see my previous post)...this should help anyone who is not familiar with the Big Shot or who is considering getting one but would like to see it demonstrated!

Big Shot Specials for August!!

 **Exclusive New Big Shot Bundles have Arrived!   

            
If you're anything like us, you absolutely love when BIG opportunities come your way. That's why we've brought you the chance to receive one of five free stamp set/framelit bundles below (your choice!) with purchase of a Big Shot.  AND ... If you already own a Big Shot, you can still purchase these discounted bundles at an amazing 15% off! This is one deal you won't want to miss-only available from 1-31 August-as these bundles are one-time only exclusives.   

Bundle	Item Number	Stamp Set	Framelit	Discounted Price
Lot Paroles de fête	138912	Sumthin' Sumthin'	Word Bubbles	$    38.95
Sumthin' with Bubbly Words Bundle CM	138920	Sumthin' Sumthin'	Word Bubbles	$    38.95
Sumthin' with Bubbly Words Bundle WM	138923	Sumthin' Sumthin'	Word Bubbles	$    41.50
Lot Jolie petite surprise	138913	Oh My Goodies	Deco Labels Collection	$    44.75
Decorative Goodies Bundle CM	138921	Oh My Goodies	Deco Labels Collection	$    44.75
Decorative Goodies Bundle WM	138924	Oh My Goodies	Deco Labels Collection	$    52.50
Lot Festivités à la craie	138914	Day of Celebration	Chalk Talk	$    47.50
Celebrating Chalk Talk Bundle CM	138922	Day of Celebration	Chalk Talk	$    45.75
Celebrating Chalk Talk Bundle WM	138925	Day of Celebration	Chalk Talk	$    53.25
Flowery Daydream Bundle CM	138910	Daydream Medallions	Floral Collection	$    55.95
Flowery Daydream Bundle WM	138911	Daydream Medallions	Floral Collection	$    65.95
Sumthin' with Bubbly Words Bundle CM	138908	Bright & Beautiful	Star	$    54.25
Bright & Beautiful Stars Bundle CM	138200	Bright & Beautiful	Star	$    54.25
Bright & Beautiful Stars Bundle WM	138644	Bright & Beautiful	Star	$    62.75

   **note the bright & beautiful stars is a beautiful new stamp set from the Holiday Catalog which goes live September 1!!  Message me if you want to see the images from this new set:)

Paper Pumpkin - 50% off for *new* subscribers!!

Ever thought about trying out Paper Pumpkin?  Well now is a great time to do just that because if you are a new subscriber you can get 50% off your first 2 months!!  You can continue at regular price or cancel after that.  SU has made great improvements to Paper Pumpkin this spring and I am loving my kits which are chalk full of goodies these days.  Contact me if you'd like to learn more!!  OR go to MyPaperPumpkin.com to sigh up...make sure to use the code below!!

Offer Dates: July 16, 2014--September 10, 2014
Offer Details: Use the code HALFOFF2 to join Paper Pumpkin before September 10, 2014, and get 50% off the first two months! After that, keep the creativity coming for only $24.95 + tax per month (shipping included).

The Fine Print: For new subscribers only. Available for month-to-month subscriptions, not prepaid subscriptions. Discount applied to one kit per month for the first two months of a new subscription. After the first two months, the price for each month's kit will go to the regular price: $24.95. You need to visit MyPaperPumpkin.com to join. Enter the Promo Code, "HALFOFF2" when you sign up.  New subscribers must join by Wednesday, September 10, 2014; 11:50 PM (MT).

Project Life...by Stampin Up!

 So here it is...my first ever page using Project Life...our recent trip to Niagara, and it was so simple to do...but I'm addicted!;)  Truly, I *loved* doing it, loved the idea of making memory keeping so simple...and I am just learning.  I know you can't see the journaling etc well in this picture, but I think that's one of the genius parts of PL, the opportunity to journal and to write more:)

Becky Higgins, creator of Project Life, recently teamed up with SU to create Project Life by Stampin Up.  You can find the results on pages 24-27 and 188 & 189 of the new catalog:)  I'm currently playing away with the 'Everyday Adventure Collection' (pictured below:)

I have an order going in on Saturday, so if you want to add anything or order Project Life for yourself to try, here is the HOSTESS CODE:  3EQ4Q7B3

More Blendabilities & Current HOSTESS CODE

Here's another blendabilities video today...this time showing how to achieve the ombre look that is so popular!



Also, I have an order going in on Saturday, so if there is anything you want to add to the order, you can use the following HOSTESS CODE  3EQ4Q7B3  or contact me:)

Blendabilities Available to the Public NOW!!

Yeah!!!  The following colour are now available for everyone to order from SU!!  (with the remaining colours to follow next month!:)

Available Products to customers starting July 1:

• Cherry Cobbler   (Item #130995 - $15.95)
• Coastal Cabana  (Item #131000 - $15.95)
• Daffodil Delight   (Item #130998 - $15.95)
• Old Olive   (Item #130999 - $15.95)
• Pumpkin Pie  (Item #130997 - $15.95)
• Rich Razzleberry  (Item #131003 - $15.95)
• Skin Tone Assortment (Item #129370 - $31.95)
• Memento Ink Pad (Item 132708 - $7.95 )
• Memento Ink Refill (Item 133456 - $6.95 )
• Colour Lifter  (Item 129369 - $6.95 )

I'm loving playing with my blendabilities.  Here is one of my favourite colouring technique videos:



What Sets SU Blendabilities Apart from other alcohol markers (including copics):

• The Stampin' Up! rectangular barrel keeps your markers from rolling away!
• Flat storage helps to maintain the life of each marker.
• Each marker comes with a tip on each end: brush and fine. 
• Marker tips are made of nylon, which is superior to polyester which can fray.
• Colour coded caps.
• Stampin' Up! markers coordinate wonderfully with our cardstock, and can be used with transparent sheets.

Still Becoming

 

That's me!  ...still becoming!  I had this little frame from a Michael's bin that I thought was perfect for the sentiment I saw long ago at Brave Girl's Club...it resonated with me, and so it's stuck.

I've been under-the-weather today, so spent the day 'in' and most of it organizing & cleaning my craft space, so took a few moments just now to create a tiny little something.

SU products used on this project:
- hello honey ink is sponged in the background, though the camera didn't pick it up, really has a warm glow
- rotary alphabet stamp
- papillon potpourri stampset
- blendabilities!  ***available to the public July 1!!:)

File Tabs Edgelits - Tabbing My Catalog

I was inspired by Connie Steward to make tabs with the new File Tabs Edgelits for my new catalog this week.  I downloaded her sheet with all the tab names already typed out; however, I found the cutting instructions on her download did not work for me, so I had to rerun them a second time.  In addition to cutting a half inch off the top of the 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of printed card stock, I found I had to cut an additional 1/4" off the top and both the right and left sides, and then I could follow her cutting guide.  Each tag is cut at 1" and then run through the big shot with the centre edgelit.  I adhered the tabs to the appropriate pages of my catalog using the new fast fuse adhesive which is super stick and durable, so I thought it would be perfect for this purpose.

Here's a link to Connie's download etc. on this project.

Flower Patch Bundle - My Take on Pages 154-155 of the New Catalog

I would dare to say that one of the biggest surprises to me about the new catalog was the Flower Patch Bundle (and, yes, bundle, means there are matching framelits!!)  Confession...I haven't been a fan of photopolymer stamps, and while I still do prefer rubber the most, the Flower Patch stampset on page 156 of the new catalog got me interested in trying them again and seeing if there weren't some tricks to using them that would make me like them.

First of all, let me tell you that SU's photopolymer stamps are not the same as others you see in the market (that are often acrylic actually)...they are  much higher quality.  Still, they do not work exactly like a rubber stamp and need a little extra care at first to ink and stamp clean images...you just have to get used the them....Also, I learned a valuable trip as I sat down last week to create my own takes on the project ideas on pages 154 & 155 of the new catty...**use the Stampin' Pierce Mat** under your paper when you stamp with photopolymer stamps (and any small words/greeting stamps, even if they are rubber)!!  I knew about the small greeting trick, but I had never tried this with large photopolymer stamps and it makes ALL the difference!  You'll find the Stampin' Pierce Mat on page 218 of th enew catalog for only $5.50, but it is worth every cent! ...and if you read the description under the product, after it talks about piercing it says, "Also get even pressure and ink coverage with detailed or background stamps."  So I thought, I should try it, and it WORKS!!  The mat is also a generous size at 6 1/2" x 9 1/2".

Below is a close up of my take on each of the projects on pages 154-155.  If you want to get together to learn to make these projects...from single layer to stepped up to WOW, please let me know as I'm thinking of doing a 'try it' technique class on these 3 projects for a small fee coming up (or free with order for those in Saskatoon who are close enough to attend:)

 The colour palette I used is different than used in the catalog... I used strawberry slush, hello honey & pear pizzaz...and the greetings are in Bermuda bay.

 In the above journal (the base of the journal comes 2 in a pack for 5.95 on page 200 of the new catty), rather than Bermuda bay, I actually used coastal cabana & island indigo (same with the greeting!)

Blessed by God

Today's card was made with my *favourite* new stamp set from the new catalog, Blessed by God.  I was inspired to create this tone on tone effect on the card by fellow demonstrator from the US, Kimberley Van Diepen.  I emboxxed the backgrounding using the lacey brocade folder, which has retired over a year ago, but is still one of my favourites.  The current baroque embossing folder would also be beautiful with this.  I also used some of the *new venetian lace trim to accent this project.  The card stock colour used was pool party.