Faux Silk

Happy Monday!

Here it is - my Faux Silk card.  This is the card we'll be making at my Technique Class Friday, February 11th.  Hope you can come!

Here is a close up to show you the wrinkles of the "silk":

I used the "Just Believe" and "Sincere Salutations" sets along with my Always Artichoke, Certainly Celery and Cajun Craze markers - the ribbon is the retired Always Artichoke 1/4" grosbrain.

Come back tomorrow when I'll post the super cute Girft Card Holder I made for our niece.

Stay warm :)


Tam

Thinking of You ...

Yay!  I've had a lovely, realxing day full of nothing and crafting :)  That's the PERFECT Sunday in my books! 

My mission today was to create two cards.  The first was to be a gift-card-holder for our niece's birthday on Friday.  The second was to be a "Thinking of You" card for a dear friend whose husband passed away 2-years ago.  Ideally the "Thinking of You" card would be made using the Faux Silk technique so I could use that card for my upcoming technique class.  Well ... mission(s) not-quite-accomplished but it was a darned good try!

I just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this new layout.  You saw it last week on my "Guy Valentine" card.  I didn't PLAN to use this laoyout but as usual, when I went to craft today I needed to shovel off my desk (I'm not the tidiest crafter!)  The last layer of "stuff" on my desk was the pre-cut supplies left over from my "Guy Valentine" card.  I looked at it and figured it would be a great layout for a sympathy card ... or a quick birthday card ... pretty much ANY occasion.  GOTTA love those kind of layouts!!!  So ..... out came 3 more ink pads and 5 more stamps sets; 5 containers of brads and 4 different ribbons and a mere 15 minutes later VOILA!  Here's what I came up with:

I used the new-ish Decorative Label Punch (from the holiday mini but is still available) to punch out the window and to punch a little piece off the strip next to the sentiment.  The sentiment is the MUST have "Sincere Sentiments" and the paper is the retired Groom Specialty paper (of course I didn't even OPEN that pack until it was retired!!!!) I used the Filigree brads with black brads for the centre of the flowers.  I JUST LOVE IT!!!!!  (Of course now I need to stock up on more Filegree Brads!!!)  I suspect this won't be the last card I make using this layout :)

I also love my next card - it uses the faux silk technique - but you'll have to come back tomorrow to see that one :)  ... and I guess I need to keep working on that gift-card holder!

Have a great Sunday (mmmm - roast beef, mashed potatoes (or mashed cauliflower for those of us counting WW points!), salad and pineapple upside down cake ...).  See you tomorrow!


Tam

Border & Corner Punches

Happy Saturday All!

I haven't made any new cards in a few days so nothing new to show off.  Instead I have another video for you - it highlights the new punches and the coordinating corner punches.  Keep in mind I had NOTHING to do with the corny jokes!!!

Hope you learn something new ...

Enjoy the weekend


Tam

Sale-A-Brations is finally here!!!

... and I finally figured out how to add links to the new Sale-a-bration and Occasions catalogues to my side bar!!  I've been avoiding it for weeks! 

I'm quite sure you all know about Sale-a-brations and how it works but if you DON'T ... well, in a nutshell, you earn free products! 

• Free products for hosting a party over $395
• Free products for every $60 you spend ... with no limits!
• Free products for buying one of the Starter Kits (which are also an extra 15% off!)

The promotion runs from now until March 31st.

If you want more information regarding any aspect of this fantastic, annual, HUGE promotion just drop me a line - I'm ALWAYS happy to talk about Stampin' Up!

Have a great night!


Tam

Hugs & Kisses

Howdy!  Long-time-no-post!  Sorry 'bout that - I was busy last week working on my garage sale and Ladies' Night and then was too pooped to create!  Given that I have a workshop on Friday I figured I better kick my mojo into high gear and create and/or finalize which projects the guests will be making :)  After 2 hours of trying to recreate the wheel I decided on the Owl card and "Three Little Words" card I posted earlier as well as a Valentine Treat pouch.  These are so fun and easy to make (good thing as I seem to be needing 66 of them!).  I used the Small Cello bags, the Top Notes Big Shot Die, the Large Heart punch, the mini heart punch and the XOXO stamp set.  I popped the small hearts up on the gold brads with mini glue dots.  Dimensionals don't stick but MAN those little glue dots are like cement!  (Oh, and I just used my red marker to color the edge ofthe Top Note).  I don't tape the top note to the bag - I just punch 2 brads through the whole kit and kaboodle and it holds it together.

I also whipped up a simple Valentine Card using the DSP in the Occasions mini, the Polka Dot embossing folder, the 5/8" Grosgrain Real Red ribbon and some grey card stock.  Presto magico - a quick, simple card.

Hope you enjoy your day (and that you don't break any body parts trying to stay upright on our newly rained on streets and side walks!  Never a dull weather day in Edmonton!!)


Tam

The First Cut ...

... is the hardest (isn't that a song? hee hee)

Seriously - anyone who has ever bought a pack of Designer Series Paper knows what I'm talkin' about!  The package sits there and sits there and sits there - it's just too pretty to cut!   I experienced the same problem with the rub-ons.  SU sent me a half pack of rub-ons "just for fun" - I got them about 1 month ago but didn't want to use them!  Well, I promised my customers a "No-Stamp" card kit using the Valentine DSP and Rub-Ons so I had no choice.   Nothing like the promise of a kit to get me going!  In a few uninterruped hours last night I designed (10) different cards using less than half a pack of the DSP and 2 sheets of the rub ons.  Add some paper and ribbon here and there and you get 10 CUTE, quick cards. 

Enjoy your day!

Tam

"Guy" Valentine

I think I finally nailed it - a GUY Valentine.  As you know, Craig vetos any card with ribbon, brads, buttons or glitter - guys apparently don't like that kind of stuff.  Hmm.  SOME guys like that kind of stuff but I guess not MY guy.  Soooo - I'm forever trying to come up with a not-so-girlie card for men.  I think I got it!  Yes, it has ribbon (but not a bow) and Yes, it has a brad but only one and it is VERY simple.  No scallops, no frills, no foo foo stuff.  I used the Designer Series Paper Pack (neutrals) the label punch and the XOXO Stamp set.  Ribbon is the 5/8" Real Red Grosgrain and the brad is the 1/16" white.  Here it is:

Do you love it, do ya huh, do ya??!!  I do!  I got the inspiration from Heather Summers (click here to see her blog) who got the inspiration from the Stampin' Up! Leadership Convention in Nashville last week.  Thanks Heather!  I was awake half the night trying to come up with a Guy Valentine card for the Make-and-Take my friends will be making at my upcoming Garage Sale and Ladies Night!

Hope you're having a fun day :)

Tam

Garage Sale & Ladies' Night In

Happy Monday!

 

I hope you managed to stay warm this weekend ... and that a husband, boyfriend, father or nice neighbour did your shovelling for you :)

 

While Craig was shovelling the snow I was shovelling out my craft room.  MAN I have a lot of stuff - TOO MUCH STUFF - and now a LOT of it has to go.  My "Ladies' Night" this Friday (7pm - 9pm) has now turned into a "Garage Sale / Ladies' Night". 

 

PLEASE RSVP BY THIS WEDNESDAY, JAN 19TH IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND. 

 

Here are some highlights of the event:

• It's a FREE, fun night out
• I have 83 retired stamp sets, dozens of ribbon packs, lots of Designer Series Paper, embellishments, cards and kits to sell
• The majority of stamp sets are $10
• Almost ALL items are 50% or MORE off the original catalogue price
• Buy 3 products, get 1 free (equal to or less than the lowest priced item)
• Earn a FREE Sale-a-brations product with every $60 spent
• Current club members get $10 off their total purchases (if you sign up for my 2011-2012 "12-Month-Club" by Friday you are eligible for the $10 discount as well!)
• Make a Valentine Card for your sweetheart or girlfriend
• View new card samples and products from the Occasions Mini catalogue and the upcoming Sale-a-brations catalogue
• Door Prizes
• Snacks and beverages

It's going to be a lot of fun - I sure hope you can come! 

 

Tam

 

Bliss ...

-32 degrees outside with 20 cm more snow and nothing to do all day but bake and craft.  THAT'S my definition of bliss!  (Although I gotta admit making Skor/Toffee cookies isn't o great way to staying on track with Weight Watchers!)

Speaking of bliss ... I was playing with the new "Bliss" set from the upcoming Sale-a-brations catalogue.  Vintage isn't my usual style but I thought I'd give it a "go" since the swirl just screams vintage.  I'm not lovin' the card but I do love the set.  Need to play a little more ...

I also had a few hours to play around with my new Letterpress from the Occasions Mini.  Hmmmm - not sure about it yet.  My first attempt didn't get the debossing very deep so I tried again and put a shim under the platform tab.  That gave a deeper impression.  I do love the crispness of the image!  Using craft ink gives the best results but increases the drying time.  Patience isn't one of my better virtues so I smudged it a bit.  I tried a few different color combinations trying to get a "masculine" Valentines day card.  Not sure this one is "manly" enough.  Craig says no ribbon, glitter or buttons on a "guy" card are allowed.  He say's this one is still too girlie.  Guess I'll keep playing with it ...

Hope you had a good weekend!

Tam

Video Link Test

Happy Wednesday!

I'm just sitting here killing time until it is an acceptable time for a grown-up (that's me!) to go to bed.  I figure 8:28 pm is too early.  If I go to bed now I'll wake up at 2:00 am and be hooped for the rest of the night!  Sooooo - while Craig "games" and Rebecca watches I'm trying to see if I can succesfully add a video link to my blog showing you how to use the new Stampin' Up! Letterpress.  I just got mine in the mail yesterday and checked out this video to make sure I know what I'm doing.  Seems simple enough!  I'll let you know how the project goes.  In the meantime, let's see if this link works!  Happy watching :)

Tam

Owl Fun!

Happy Monday!
Hope you're all having a fun day.  I am!  Dunno why but I'm in a really good mood today.  I seem to enjoy Mondays lately.  Likely because everyone is at school or work and I get time to "reset" the house and paperwork for the week.
I "played" a little in the craft room last night and came up with this card:

Hee hee.  It just makes me giggle.  I seem to be on a roll of "threes" lately.  Larger images like the owl make it quick and easy to come up with a simple card (one of my challenges!).  I love the color scheme (thank you Color Coach) - Pacific Point, Cajun Craze and Old Olive.  I used the Punch Bunch and So Happy For You sets from the upcoming Sale-a-brations catalogue.  Earn them for free with each $60 purchase.

OK - off to make "haystacks" with Alicia.  Have a happy day :)

Tam

Eat Chocolate!

Lately it seems I don't need to be told THAT twice!!  Yesterday I tucked into a "few" pieces of a Terry's Orange Dark Chocolate ball.  Mmmmmmm.  I had to make my 7 year old take the bowl away from me!

Today I had a few hours to myself so hobbled downstairs to sort my retired stock that I'll be selling at my upcoming Ladies Night (Jan 21st).  After all of about 2 minutes I changed my mind and wanted to stamp instead.  So I did!  I was determined to make a card using my new "Eat Chocolate" stamp set.

It didn't take long for me to hit on a layout and color scheme I LOVE (thank you color coach!)  I made this for my BFF who is a chocoholic and eats chocolate EVERY single day!  (it's just not fair that she is as thin as a pencil!)  She sent me a beautiful bouquet of flowers yesterday because of my "toe incident".  I made this as a thank-you card.  It could also double as a Valentines Day card for a girlfriend - I love it.  Hope you do too.

Thanks for peeking in :)

Tam

Punch Bunch

Heidi Ho Stampers,

Well I guess the good thing about having a broken toe is it gives you a good excuse to sit and craft without guilt :)  I managed to hobble down to my craft room for an hour last night and came up with a quick, easy (and I think cute) birthday card using the new "Punch Bunch" set that will be available for free in the upcoming Sale-a-brations catalogue.  I find it quite interesting how some days (like 2 days ago) a simple card can take me 2 or 3 HOURS to come up with and other days (like yesterday) it can take minutes.  I like days like THOSE :)

I used Certainly Celery, Marina Mist and Chocolate Chip inks, the Punch Bunch and So Happy for You SAB sets and to get the background shapes I simply inked up the glass blocks and used them as stamps.  A few 5/16" brads to finish it off and you have a quick masculine card.

Hope you have a fun day!

Tam

OUCH!!!

OK - so just a quick one while I wait for the doctor office to open so I can call and see if anything can be done for a borken toe.  I just kicked the bedpost and broke my pinkie :(  Starting to throb like MAD and it's at a 45 degree angle (I'll spare you the photo - it isn't pretty!)

So my plan of crafting for 3 hours while the kids are at school has been dashed - I'll likely be sitting in the ER for 6 hours waiting for them to straighten it (if they even DO that for toes!)  Luckily I spent some time in my newly organized craft room last night and came up with this card to show you:

You would never know it took me 2 hours to come up with such a simply card, would you?!    I finally used my "Three Little Words" set that I got LAST Sale-a-brations.  I HAD to have it but have never used it! 

Here is another  I made - not so crazy about this one - I think it's the color scheme ...

OK - off to call the doctor now ... hope your day is starting off better than mine is!!

Tam