Stampin' Up! 2015 Holiday Catalog Sneak Peek

Happy Friday!

Ho - Lee - COW you guys!  I can't WAIT until Tuesday when I can order my new Holiday Catalogue items!  I've SEEN the catalogue but can't order until then.  Mary Fish attended the Stampin' Up! Convention last week and was able to pre-order some products.  Here is her Sneak Peek Video!


I stalk Mary daily - you should too … www.stampinpretty.com

It's going to KILL me that I will get my new products just in time for me to be leaving on holidays - ACK!!!  My new toys will be sitting in a box while I'm sitting on a beach! Luckily they won't go bad and I can spend 13 days dreaming up projects to make for the EXTRAVAGANZA EVENT Tamye Dunbar and I are planning for OCtober 17th.  You WON'T want to miss it so SAVE THE DATE!

Off to the Queen Elizabeth outdoor pool today to beat the heat with friends.  Ahhh summer …

Have a super stampy day!!


Tam

SAVE THE DATE!!!

Happy Tuesday!!!

Short and sweet …

Edmonton and Area stampers …

SAVE THE DATE - Saturday, October 17th - 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.

Can't give you the details yet but trust me … you want to save the date … epic event in the planning stages!!!!

Stay tuned …. and have a stampy day!


Tam

Watercolor Wishes Card Kit by Stampin’ Up!

Happy Wednesday!

Another kit video.  Watercolor Wishes.  This is a MUST have kit … but if you want one you better order them soon.  Stampin' Up! sold their 13 WEEK supply of these in just TWO weeks!  Yup - it's a hot item!  Contact me if you'd like to order one!

Have a stampy Wednesday :)


Tam

Graduation Card for my Baby

Happy Tuesday!

Another flashback … but this one isn't QUITE as far back as most … this one only goes back to the end of June … so only about 3 weeks behind :)

This is the card I whipped up for Rebecca's Grade 6 "Grad" … of Grade 6 Farewell, as it was formally called ...

Perfect!  As usual I left it until the night before to even THINK about making her a card.  Luckily this one took all of about 3 minutes to put together!

I sued the very first stamp set ever bought - I THINK it's called Year After Year.  Lots of great images that cover a gamete of occasions … Graduatin being one of them.  I stamped the cap in Versamark and embossed it with black embossing powder.  I added a red Candy Dot in the middle.  The sentiment is also embossed in black … the name of the stamp set escapes me (and I'm WAY to comfortable to rotate my arse from the couch to the basement to check).  I don't THINK it retired … I know their are four sentiments in the set … whatever … if you lose sleep over trying to figure out which set it is call me … I'll find out *lol*

It was a great little farewell ceremony.  I got a great pick of my "baby".  *Sigh*

Have a stampy day!


Tam

All Boxed Up Kit by Stampin’ Up!

Happy Monday!

Another video.  This one features another kit - All Boxed Up.  I've said it before, I'll say it again … LOVE kits!

Have a stampy day!


Tam

Paper Pumpkin Invitations

Happy Sunday!

Another flashback project today.  This one was made for Rebecca's birthday … back in APRIL!  *lol*  

These were her birthday invitations …

They were JUST what we needed.  Quick and cute!  They were made with one of the Paper Pumpkin kits that arrive on  my doorstep every month.  I LOVE these kits!  Everything you need to make the "mystery project" are in the box.  $24.95 a month gets me a project that I can complete in about an hour.  No cutting, not fuss, no mess - just a fun project to "get 'er done" and relax.

Want to receive a surprise project in the mail every month too?  Drop me a line and I'll hook you up.  It's a subscription dealeo … and you can cancel or suspend it any time.  I highly recommend them.  I just got this months' kit yesterday and I actually squealed when I opened it.  LOVE the little stamp set that was included.  Stay tuned for THAT little cutie soon!

Until next time, have a stampy day!


Tam

Project Life Photo Tips from Becky Higgins

Happy Saturday!

A great video today from Project Life creator, Becky Higgins on some great Photo Tips.

Enjoy … and have a stampy Saturday!


Tam

Easter Bunny Fun!

Happy Tuesday!

Nothing says "a Friday in July" quite like an Easter project *lol*.  Ya, ya … I should have posted this in March … just think of it as being ahead for next year!

I can't take any credit for these little cuties.  I found them all over Pinterest … but my main CASE came from fellow demonstrator Dee Slater ...

So.  Stinkin'  Cute!

Dee was kind enough to post very specific instructions, materials and method to make these little gems. Figured I'd CASE that too rather than re-invent the wheel!  Thanks you so much, Dee, for sharing your project and instructions!  The girls and I made about 10 of these for grandmas and friends for Easter.  I really should hold a class next year.  SO cute!

It uses Stampin' UP!'s Fry Box Bigz Die 132966 and a little punch art for the face. 2013-2015 In Colors Backgrounds Designer Series Paper Stacks 1310136 used to make the box. The stack comes with 40 sheets - 4 each of double-sided designs in 5 colors. Baked Brown Sugar used in our example!

Bunny Fry Box

The Fry Box assembles so quickly! It stands ~3-3/4" tall (back) and is ~ 1-1/4" wide. It's smaller than a fast food fry box - more petite and a great gift-giving size!

Bunny Fry Box Side ViewThe Designer Paper is light weight so you'll want to be careful not to overload. If you need a sturdy treat container, sub out the designer paper for card stock :)

Punches:

Ears - Extra Large Oval 119859, Large Oval 119855
Eyes - 3/4" Circle 120906, 1/2" Circle 119869
Cheeks/Mussel - 1" Circle Punch, Heart from Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack 133787

Other Materials:

White Bakers Twine 124262
Stampin' Write Black Marker 100082
Strawberry Slush Ink Pad 131178
Sponge Dauber 133773
Multipurpose Liquid Glue 110755 (Tombo)
Stampin' Dimensional 104430

General Instructions:

Punch face and ear parts. Ink around edges with sponge dauber and Strawberry Slush.
Make 3 dots on 1" circle and use top of dauber to make pink on cheeks.
Adhere bakers twine to back of cheek circles.
Assemble as shown using dimensionals (foam dots) to pop up the cheeks.

FINALLY a cold, miserably, rainy day in Edmonton.  I'm in the middle of purging / rearranging our Bonus Room.  PERFECT day to make some progress … and maybe a *little* time for crafting!  Whatever you get up to today I hope you have a stampy day!


Tam

Layered Letters Alphabet Stamp Set by Stampin’ Up!

Happy Monday!

Another video for you.  This Layered Letters Alphabet set is one you should have in your stash.  The possibilities for creative messages are endless!

Have a stampy day!


Tam

Baby Just B Card

Happy Sunday!

Is everyone enjoying their summer?  I sure am!  I'm not one who normally likes hot weather but I have to say this year I really am loving it!  I can't WAIT for my daily walk with my favourite fur-ball in the quiet, cool morning.  We go around 8:00 am to beat the heat (he melts in that fur coat of his).  The mornings are so beautiful.  We see the odd familiar friend on our travels stopping to say hello … and of course we have to stop and watch the baby ducks at the pond for a few minutes.  So quiet and relaxing.  We got for 1 to 1 1/2 hours every morning.  It really is the best way to start the day!  So I'll get on with this post so we can get on with our walk!

this is a card I made a while back when I found out 5 friends were pregnant.  Ack!  Nothing screams "get your ass downstairs and make some baby cards" like needing 5 of them *lol*.  Check it out:

For once I stepped away from my "current" products and headed to my "retired" stash.  I pulled out one called "Just B".  I set I had wanted for months and months and months .. I finally got it and that month it retired.  That was a few years ago.  The poor thing never got inked!  I had it in my garage sales a few times and decided I didn't want to part with it … so out it came!  I also grabbed my very first Stampin' Up! punch - the diaper pin punch.  So stinkin' key-UTE!  I used my Banner Thinlits, the (now retired) Hello Honey ribbon, some Pear Pizzazz and my new Delightful Dijon inks/papers.  Before long I had a stash of baby cards ready to give … and yes, I made a few extra for future baby-booms!

Hope you have a relaxing morning and a super stampy day!


Tam

Baker’s Box Thinlits Dies by Stampin’ Up!

Happy Saturday!


Movie time.  Check out the new Baker's Box Thinlit Die … and have a stampy Saturday!

SAB Thanks

Happy Friday!

OK - ready for a flashback?  Today I'm sharing a project we made in class MONTHS ago … and it uses one of the now retired Sale-a-ration sets.  Check it out:

I can't take any credit for this one.  It was designed by the lovely Kimberly VanDiepen over at www.stampinbythesea.com.  Kimberly is aways big on layers and lots of embellishments and this card is a good example of that!  Kimberly used the Bokeh technique on her card but I couldn't be bothered *lol*.  Too much work with all the other "stuff" going on here!

The base is Bermuda Bay and then Crushed Curry and Pear Pizzazz were inked in circles to make the background.  We used a doily, some of the vintage ribbon trim, an epoxy sticker, some thick Bakers Twine (attached with the new mini stapler) and a strip of the (now retired) wash sheets.  The banner was made "old-school" using the Banner Framelits (as opposed to "new school" which is now the Triple Banner Punch lol).  A strip of Pear Pizzazz was punched with the small start punch and the banner was punched with the (now retired) spiral punch.  As I mentioned, the sentiment is from one of the retired SAB sets.

Sorry to be posting a project that uses mostly retired toys … but you could easily take inspiration from it and use new products to come up with an equally awesome look.  Thanks for the idea, Kimberly!

That's it for today - think we'll try to get tickets to the new Minions movie tonight.  Can't WAIT to see it!  Whatever yu get up to, have a stampy day!!


Tam

Cutie Pie Thinlits Dies by Stampin’ Up!

Happy Thursday!

Another video today (gotta keep you guessing as to whether I'm posting a video or a project, right??)

These thinlits are pretty stinkin' cute!  They will come in handy if you want/need to create more "cake" pieces for your "sweet Stack" project kit (page 152 of the catty) or if you just want to create a fun little box filled with treats.  These would be SO cute to hand to a girlfriend or coworker who is having a birthday!!

Enjoy the video and have a stampy day!


Tam

Christmas Decorations

Happy Wednesday!

Here's a fun little project I made a few weeks ago.  Yes - I made this when I was SUPPOSED to be working on those teacher gifts I posted Monday *lol*.  Yup - that's how I roll!

No, I'm not 6 months AHEAD of the Christmas curve, I'm 6 months behind!  I wanted to make this last November … but I couldn't find my Jingle All The Way vinyl rub on!  I bought it a few years back when we still carried the vinyl.  Wasn't sure what I would use it on until last year when Darlene made some cute little shadow box frames like these, with the jingle bells in them.  Inspired I bought the bells … and the frames …. and 7 - 8 months later found the vinyl!  I simply lines the back with our Dazzling Diamonds paper, added the bells and applied the vinyl.  Love how they turned out and can't wait to display them tis Christmas!

Not sure what's on tap today but hey!  Just remembered it's my birthday … so I KNOW I'll have a stampy day!  Hope you do too!


Tam

Build a Banner Kit by Stampin’ Up!

Happy Tuesday!

Movie time!  Today we're checking out the Build a Banner Kit.

My cold is getting better, thank you!  Other than grocery shopping I'm not sure what we're up to today … but pretty sure we'll have a stampy day!


Tam

Teacher Gift Thank You

Happy Monday!

Well … hopefully it's a happy Monday for you.  For me?  … we'll see.  I'm sick as a dog :(  Stupid summer colds of stupidness.  I fought a good fight alas both kids have been sick recently and I guess this not-sleeping gig impeded my usual steel-clad-resistance to germ warfare.  Ugh.  My head feels like it weighs 100 pounds (*insert bags of sympathy here please)

So!  While I slowly feel my sinuses swell to twice the size of my fist I thought I would continue in my endeavour to get caught up on my project posts!  (I'm doing pretty good so far if I do say so myself! *lol*)

Today I'm sharing the gifts I gave to the kids' teachers.  Gotta say - these are in my top 3 faves!  Of course I HAD to give cards.  I ALWAYS give cards - and word is out amongst the teachers.  At the start of the year I was informed "we get excited when we find out your girls are in our class because we all love getting your cards".  Hee hee - love it!  Naturally I couldn't disappoint!  I realized I needed/wanted to make 7 batches of gifts - 4 teachers, 2 secretaries and the Assistant Principal.  I give 6 cards per … so I need 42 in total!  Quick, easy, cost effective and cute were needed for such a large amount.  I nailed it!  Lookie …

Wa-low!  PERFECT!    First off I needed 42 bases.  Have no fear - Notecards and Envelopes to the rescue!  I seriously don't use these things enough.  Actually, I generally only use them twice a year - when I'm making 42 teacher Christmas gifts or 42 teacher end-of-year gifts *lol*.  But they are the PERFECT size for thank you notes and I really need to use them more.  They are SO cost effective!  You get 20 of the 5" x 3 1/2" Whisper White (or Crumb Cake!) card bases - PRESCORED! - PLUS 20 envelopes or only $7.50!!  I'm always SO glad I have at least 4 packs on hand at any one time for these gift giving blitzes!

Right - so we have our bases.  I need something teacher-y.  Note paper!  Perfect!  BOY did I squeal when I found I HAD a note paper image in my jut-purchased set Tap Tap Tap.

As a little side note - this set was available last year but I wasn't 100% convinced I *needed* it.  this year it was carried over and I found another set in the catty that goes REALLY well with it because of the typewriter font … "Words of Truth"

AAAAAAAAnyway … back to our cards.  The notepaper.  I stamped that in Marina Mist ink.  PERFECT colour!  I stamped the "Thanks So Much" from my Many Thanks set (only just realizing it retired!!) in Memento Ink (using my Stamp-a-ma-jig to perfectly place it on the line) and then added an apple made using the new Tree Builder Punch.  I popped it up using a small chunk of dimensional.  I matted the piece with a Basic Black piece of card stock.

Again, I wanted to keep it quick and cost effective so, rather than popping the layers up with dimensionals, I used some wash tape I found in my stash (actually Rebecca's stash or contraband products!) to tape the layer down and add a little pop of interest (and red) the the project.  Here it is again ...

Now!  I couldn't just hand the teachers a stack of cards.  I needed to wrap them in some adorbs packaging … here is what I came up with …

Freaking LOVE these!!!  I used the little polka dot bags that I stocked up on (again, knowing that I would like once again need bags and tags for teacher gifts!)  I then made a banner using my Triple Banner punch and stamped it with my Backgrounds Rule (retired) stamp.  This is another stamp I just bought when it went on the retired list.  I knew I would use it for teacher gifts.  The "You Rule" is from another retired set of the same name -punched out with the Word Window punch and layered using the (retired) Modern Label punch.  I used my Hello You thinlits to punch out Thanks in Real Red.  I attached those to the banner with my mini stapler and the You Rule with a dimensional.  LOVE how they turned out!

Now.  the piece de resistance was how I presented the whole thing.

Check.  It.  Out.

Ska-WHEEL!  Personalized clip boards!  I can't take credit for these.  My friend Darlene gave me the idea … and made me the apples and names.  They are cut from vinyl using her Silhouette machine!  I bought the clipboards for $3 each at Walmart and she charged me a minimal amount for her time and vinyl.  SOOOOO love the whole thing!

I gave the teachers their gifts a few days before the last day of school to avoid the chaos that is the last-day-of-school.  They all loved them!  I mean REALLY loved them!  I think 3 of them used their clip boards that very day!  Epic!!

Of course I couldn't forget the REST of the teaching staff … so I made one more card for the teacher's lounge ...

Same layout but this one was a standard card with Real Red Cotton Ribbon instead of wash tape … and the layers were popped up on dimensionals.  I took it in with a BIG tray of apples and dip (as I did the first week of school) and, as happened before, they all but licked the pattern off the bowl of dip *lol*.  This Toffee dip is beyond words!!!

1 cup Softened Cream Cheese

1/2 cup of Brown Sugar

2 tsp Vanilla extract

Skor Toffee Bits on top.

Cut apples and soak them in Ginger Ale for a few minutes to prevent them from browning!  You ALWAYS run out of dip before you run out of apples.  Always!  … and I made a double batch of dip this time! *lol*

OK!  That's enough rambling for one day!  (my battery is low *lol*)  Fingers crossed this cold passes quickly!  Whatever you get up to today,  I hope you have a stampy day!

Tam

Father's Day Shirt using the Mini Treat Bag Framelits

Happy Sunday!

Ahhhhh Sweet Sunday.  The only thing that makes Sunday beat a Monday in my world is a RAINY Sunday!  My all-time-favorite days of the year.  If you've been following my blog for a while you'll know why … rainy Sundays are what created my love of crafts.  As I kid (who had an older brother who rarely played with me so I had to find my own fun) I would sit for HOURS doing my black velvet paint by numbers (using a toothpick instead of a paintbrush so I could get the really tiny spaces more easily!), or working on my rug hooking kit or colouring.  Mom would be making Sunday dinner and dessert and the house smelled like … well, roast dinner and dessert *lol*.  Yes - let it rain I say.  A nice slow, steady, all-day kinda rain.  Bliss.  Sigh.  Such great memories ….

Right!  Back to present day! *lol*  Today lets check out another way to use that Mini Treat Bag Framelit set I was talking about a few days ago.  I CASEd this little cutie from a Dutch demonstrator named Anne Marie over at www.anne-mariej.blogspot.nl.  Great idea Anne Marie!  Check out my version:

So cute!  To make the shirt you simply cut out TWO pieces of the larger bag section (the one shown below that has the "enjoy, bow etc inside it.  Cut two of those.

The rest is just assembly!  Took me a few minutes of fiddling to put it together properly but I got there in the end.  Essentialls, after you slice off the jagged top, you just want to make sure that one of the bottom folds wraps behind the back of the shirt.  Why?  To stop the insert from sliding right through.  I used my Fast Fuse to seal it, but snail would certainly do as well.  For the collar I just folded down the corner on both pieces.

The bow tie is made using the bow tie punch.  The ONLY way to assemble the tie is using glue dots.  Life is WAY too short to use anything else!  Trust me - investing in the use of 8 glue dots will save sticky fingers and your sanity!!!

The buttons - now if this was just a one-off card  would definitely have used real buttons.  Alas, we made this card in class and I simply didn't have 28 buttons that would work … so I improvised.  I used my (retired) button Sizzlit.  It embosses and cuts about 6 different size/shape buttons.  Perfect!  We attached those with glue dots as well.

Then you just make an insert with Happy Father's Day or Happy Birthday on it and Wa-low!  Done!  For my sentiments I used the Guy Greetings stamp set - a MUST have set for those guy cards!

Right!  I'm off to do a little crafting and spend some quality time with the kids (I feel a movie coming on!)  Hoping you too have a stampy day!

Tam

Envelope Paper by Stampin’ Up!

Happy Saturday!

Today we're off to a barbecue with family to celebrate my brother-inlaws birthday.  Gunna be a lot of laughs!

Another video today showing off the new Envelope Paper.  Enjoy … and have a stampy day!



Tam

Mini Treat Bag Treats

Happy Friday!

I'll try to keep this one brief - I'm trying to get out to walk Doodles before 8:15 am as it gets too hot for him (the big sissy!) … but wanted to keep the posts rolling so here goes ..

Last year I bought the Mini Treat Bag thinlits.  To be honest they didm;t blow my hair back and it was a lot of money.  I figured it was one of those "life is too short" products - I mean really … did I need a tool to make little tiny bags?  Haven't I already bought 7 packs of the Stampin' Up cute little brown polka dat and chevron bags that I haven't used yet?  Would I ever actually USE this tool?  Doubtful.  Alas … the cute little heart punch out thinlit that also comes in the set DID blow my hair back … so I bought it.  Here is the thinlit set I'm talking about …

Well … I was at Costco a few weeks ago and picked a 24 pack of gum - figured I could use it for my little treats that I pop in my customers' bags.  Last week my orders came in and I needed a way to dress up my little prezzie.  Soooooo - I pulled out my "life is too short" product and in under 2 hours I had 24 of these little cuties:

I LOVE them!  … and it turns out I DID need this product and no, life was not too short *lol*.  They came together surprisingly fast.  Seriously. I used my Fast Fuse along two edges of the bag to seal them.  Easy!  I stamped the sentiment (from one of the awesome hostess only sets) in the new In colour colours Mint Macaron and Watermelon Wonder.  I used a 2" strip of Whisper White, made the banner with my favourite new toy the Triple Banner Punch … punched two holes for the new In Color lace ribbon and BAM - done!  The paper I used was the retired SAB paper and the retired Something Borrowed paper (TRYING to use what I've got of a change!

So yes, you DO need this die.  Message me anytime you want to order that bad boy!  Right - Doodles awaits.  Have yourself a stampy day!!

Tam

Cottage Greetings Card Kit by Stampin’ Up!

Happy Thursday!

I promised you lots posts - so here they come!

I'm sharing the SU video of one of my favorite kits in the new catalogue.  It's called Cottage Greetings.  LOVE it - and yes, I'll be holding a class where you can come and make these cards.  Stay tunes for the date(s) of that!  Meanwhile, enjoy the video ... and have a stampy day!



Tam

Vintage Leaves for Canada Day!

Happy Wednesday - and Happy Canada Day!

 

Last week a friend asked if I had product to help her make a Canada Day card.  She works with a lady who is becoming a Canadian Citizen today!  I wasn't sure of what products I could use ... or what my weekend schedule looked like so I offered to make it for her.  It took me two days of thinking, planning, playing and thinking some more.  This is what I came up with ... 

Love it!  The picture isn't that great - a little blurry pecause I took it with my iphone and altered it from there.  First I embossed the new "Vintage Leaves" maple leaf with gold embossing powder and punched it out with the corresponding framelit (if you buy the bundle together you save 15%! - check out page 88 of the catalogue). 

The writing behind the leaf is actually something I created on my computer.  I typed out the National Anthem, put it in a script font and printed it out.  I trimmed it, added just a HINT of Real Red card stock, and popped it up on dimensionals.  I also popped the leaf up on dimensionals.  I struggled for that "little extra".  After much playing I settled on three gold sequins (from the sequin trim) and then three Real Red Candy Dots.  I stamped the envelope with the sme maple leaf using our retired gold ink.  I really like how it turned out.  Elegant and simple.  I hope she likes it too - and congratulate her on her new nationality.

Happy Canada Day!


Tam