Wish List Booklets for 2015

Happy Sunday!

Is it nap time yet?  Ugh.  Been UP since before 5:00 am so now that it's 11:30 am I've already had a pretty full day and am ready for my nap!  Alas … I have about 7 things on the go and the Big Grey Cup Game is on at 4:00 pm so we'll have to see if I can squeeze some horizontal time in or not!

GO ESKIMOS GO!!

Meanwhile … on to a project!

Friday night was Craft Night.  As usual, I struggle to actually CREATE anything during Craft Night.  I'm too busy chatting (and/or drinking wine!!) to actually focus for more than 2 minutes.  Last Friday was no different.  After sending an hour tearing my Craft Cave apart looking for my Angel Ornament pieces to assemble (which I never did find!) I decided I could manage to make the girls' Wish List booklets for this year.  No … I didn't actually create a NEW new one … I just grabbed my favourite Christmas Card, ripped the front layers off the card base and turned it into a booklet.

Check it out ...

Love!

Remember the card they came from?

For those of you new to my blog a little backstory ….

Every year I make a booklet for the girls to write out what they want for Christmas.  They leave it on the coffee table, next to the cookies and milk, on Christmas Eve so Santa can review what they want.  After Christmas I then write down all the presents they GOT and from whom.  It's one of my favourite traditions and they make such a fantastic keepsake.  It's definitely one I'll keep alive for many many many years!

Want to make one yourself?  Click here to see my January 5, 2015 step-by-step tutorial showcasing last years book

Guess that's it for today.  Whatever you get up to today, I hope you have a stampy day!

Tam

Angels Flashback ...

Happy Saturday!

No new projects to share today … but another great "flashback" project and one that is getting more and more "hits" as Christmas approaches. Remember these little beauties?

Yes, I found a similar version on Pinterest two years ago an they were my "annual ornament" that year.  Problem is they were so stinking cute I made about 30 of them … and they are rather time consuming!  I decided at the last minute to make some for my Mom for a Christmas present but in order to give her a nice even number (12, I think) I had to use my samples!  Yes, I punched out templates to make about 10 more for OUR tree … alas … the pieces are still sitting in a bag ready to assemble.  Apparently I lost my will to make them after Dec 25th two years ago *lol*

Perhaps I have a new project to work on this weekend!

If you'd like the full picture tutorial of these check out my original post from Dec 2, 2013 by clicking here

Think I'll hit a few stores to get 3 or 4 more presents of my "to buy" list … then home to start decorating the house.  Christmas is on it's way!!

Have a super stampy day!


Tam

Winter Wishes Treats

Happy Friday!

Black Friday!  Yup, I've already spent a little while shopping around on-line checking out the deals.  Lucky for my credit card balance so far I haven't found anything I "have" to have!  Then again, the day is young!  I find I now have a "home" day.  I hadn't planned on it but my wee one started feeling poorly yesterday afternoon (right in the middle of my very first Kids Stamp Class!!!) and is still snoozing away.  I'm keeping her home hoping she will feel better with some rest.  That meant cancelling the gym, a few deliveries and a few Black Friday shopping stops.

Oh well - truth be told I love taking care of my babies when they are sick.  That's my #1 job, right??  Right!  (and very much looking forward to cleaning, laundry, paperwork and a nutritious, thought-of-ahead-of-time meal!).

So … as my beauty sleeps I filly get a few minutes to post a project I made Tuesday.  Freaking LOVE it!  Check it out …

 LOVE LOVE LOVE!  I made 30 of these little packages of hot chocolate as gifts for my stampers, my mail lady, teachers, neighbours …. anyone who I'd like to give a "smile" to.  Who doesn't love a little something "just because"??  Aside from beautiful these are economical to give!  I purchase the packs of hot chocolate at Costco (where else???).  You get 36 packs for $9.99 …. naturally I bought them on sale for $7.99.  Can't beat that deal with a stick! (as Dad would say!)

I actually CASEd the bag from this great project I stumbled across on Pinterest … made by fellow demonstrator Robin Feicht over at www.stampingcountry.typepad.com

Such a SWEET little gift to give!  I just adored her tag and duplicated it fairly completely.

For my original package I used some cello bags that were from Sale-a-brations a few years back - I think they were called Twisty Treats - naturally I squirrelled a few away for just such an occasion …

I also used the Winter Wishes stamp set from the 2015 Holiday Catalogue (set to retire Jan 4th … or while supplies last!!)

I also used a plethora of embellishments and tools (ooooo - plethora …. big word for 8:19 in the morning!  Dad would be proud!)

Rich Razzleberry 1/4" ribbon, White Jute Ribbon, Snowflake Elements, Merry Moments Paper Stack, Banner Punch, Curvy Trio Punch, Mini Stapler, Bohemian Washi Tape … dimensionals, glue dots, Rich Razzleberry Marker, paper snips … my desk looked like a BOMB hit it once I was done!

OK … so now that we've seen lots of pictures let look at the project again! lol

Now.  As usually happens, I start mass producing a project and then run out of supplies.  No problem!  I have LOTS of "stuff" kicking around the Craft Cave.  I used what I had and came p with 3 different styles.

First I ran out of the clear cello bags (that made me sad).  No worries … I found 5 other kinds of bags … and these one are current - the polka dot bags in the catalogue …

I used those to make 5 of this style ...

 JUST as cute, no?  To make the bag slightly smaller I simply folder it so it was just slightly wider than the hot chocolate inside.

Next I ran out of the adorable Snowflake Elements (you get 24 in a pack but of course I was making 30 …)

Again .. no problem … I used the little clothespins in the catalogue  to make THIS version ...

Spot anything else different in the above package?  Yup - I ran out of the white Jute ribbon with 2 bags to go.  Again … no problem … I grabbed my burlap ribbon and cracked off the last two.

Here are all 3 together …

What I super DUPER love about these is (aside from using lots of my toys!!) is that once the recipient opens the bag and drinks the hot chocolate they can use the tag for a gift of their own … or even to attach to a card base and give it as a card.  Up-cycling - love it!

OK - I've rambled on enough for now.  Pop in again soon - I'll show you my new Craft Cave set up (insert squeal here!)

Have a stampy day!


Tam

PS - I forgot to mention the colours I used!  I stamped the sleigh (or sled if you're Canadian!) in Chocolate Chip.  The pine branches were stamped in Mossy Meadow (LOVE that colour!!), stamped off twice on scrap paper before stamping on the tag, the "Warm Wishes" is also inked (in Crumb Cake) and stamped off before stamping.  The Warm Wishes on the banner is Rich Razzeberry.

ON-LINE EXTRAVAGANZA!!1

Ska-WHEEEEEELLLLLLL!

I was JUST about to head to bed when I thought I'd check one more blog - low and behold there was the On-line Extravaganza list of products staring at me.  Whaaaatttttt?  Where did she get THAT?!  I hopped over to the SU site and sure enough, at 4:30 pm it had posted!!!!!!

Alright alright - enough rambling.  Click HERE to check out the deals then tomorrow (Monday morning) email me HERE or place on online order HERE to order what you want!  If you order online use HOSTESS CODE BPNMD26A if your order is less than $200 to get in on my product draw.

ACT FAST!  There are Monday-only deals, while supplies last!  In fact ALL items are while supplies last so get shopping the get ordering or get me your list.

I'm placing an order at 7:30 pm SHARP if you don't want to order yourself and/or want to save on some shipping.  (If your order is over $100 you might as well order yourself through my store - it won't save you shipping of I do it).  Just know that if I order for you the item(s) you want may be sold out by 7:30 pm, so it's a gamble.

Right - print off the list and get shopping!!


Tam

ONLINE EXTRAVAGANZA … and Thanks So Much ...

Happy Sunday!

Sigh.  Woke up at 4:30 am … again.  WTH???  Have a REALLY reached the age where I only *need* 6 hours of sleep?  Will I start getting up at 3:00 - 4:00 am every day then taking a nap every afternoon?  Surely not YET???!!!  Let's blame that sucky 10 year span of peri menopause, shall we??  Ugh.  Not digging this new chapter, I've GOTTA say!

Well … on the bright side I get to enjoy a few hours of peace, quiet and coffee to to myself every morning (although I'm pretty sure I forgot to throw away yesterday's coffee grounds and made a cup THINKING I used fresh 'cause my coffee this morning tasted like watered down dish water.  Bleh!).  I'll be making a FRESH cup right away … before my friends show up for my Christmas Stamp-A-Stack.  Mmmmm coffee, fresh cinnamon buns, stamping and laughing with friends … followed by the Western Final Football Game and a roast beef dinner.  Does it GET any better????  I think NOT!

Oh!  Before I forget - the Stampin' Up! ONLINE EXTRAVAGANZA starts tomorrow!!!

It is only for one week, there are door crasher specials on the first and last days and supplies are "only while supplies last" (yes, they do ear-mark just a certain number of products on offer so they can (and do!) sell out!

I will be sending out an email with all the details, I will also post them here (tomorrow) and/or on my business Facebook Page "Tamara's Paper Trail" (make sure you "Like" and "Get notifications" to get all the latest info!!)

You have a few ways you can order.  You can access my 24/7 online store here, you can e-mail me your order or you can call me (- email/phone will save you shipping if your order is less than $100.)  I will be placing an order Monday night at 7:30 SHARP but just know that the items you want MAY BE GONE!  The BEST bet is to order yourself online early in the morning.  That should ensure you get what you want.  If the item(s) is no longer available the system will tell you so immediately.  Just know that shipping is 10% of the order total or $9.95, whichever is more … so it may save you shipping if you email/call me … but, again, your items may be gone by then.

If you DO place an online order know that you earn hostess dollars at the checkout if your order is $200 or more.  If it is UNDER $200 then, if you use HOSTESS CODE BPNMD26A at the checkout then you will be entered into my draw for free product (don't know what it is yet … depends on what I scoop up tomorrow!).  If you have any questions regarding this give me a call!

Right!  On to a project!

I just realized .. this is the last "draft" post of projects I have … I best get creating again!!

Sorry … but this project is one of my LEAST favourites in quite a long while (hence it being designed months and months ago but not posted until it was the last one at the bottom of the barrel!)  Prepare to be underwhelmed ….

*Meh.  Thptptptptptp.  Stinky.  Essentially just stamped the stamp in Smoky Slate but before doing so inked the Thanks So Much with my Island Indigo marker.  Tied some ribbon, added some rhinestones. *Meh.

I SO wanted this card to work.  I played with it for EVER.  I thought the stamp (A World of Thanks) was a must-have for a quick and easy card.  Alas … an hour later this is all I had.  I LOVED the sample in the catalogue …

It looks like :they" stamped the image in versa mark, sprinkled it with heat and stick powder, heat set it, sprinkled it with dazzling diamonds, heat set it again and added the flower detail.  Mine?  *Meh.  I was trying to design it for a class but wanted something quicker.  Hmmm.  Now that I see the catalogue card again perhaps I'll try it again … their way.  I haven't used heat and stick powder in a class in a looooooong time.  Perhaps I should stop trying to reinvent the wheel and just CASE the darn card that I liked in the first place!  Ok!  I'll DO IT!  Stay tuned for that in the coming weeks!

Right - that decent-cup-o-Joe is calling me.  Must run.  Pop in again soon and have a super stampy Sunday!


Tam

Season of Sparkle Take II

Happy Saturday!

I'm thrilled to announce that my back seems to be behaving itself and I am not (yet) horizontal, drugged to my back teeth nor sleeping on a board.  Yay me!  For ONCE I listened to my body and stopped before I was lying on the ground of a snow covered parking lot screaming in pain!  Thank you all for your well wishes and prayers.  They seem to have worked!

Today I'm sharing another card I made with the Season of Sparkle set.  This is one of those sets you either love or hate.  Given that I've only sold two (and one was to myself!) I take it most of my customers aren't in the "love" category.  Too bad.  I am!  Check it out:

I bought this set because I fell in love with the little nutcracker.  It helps that I also LOVE colouring (and hopefully my family is aware that THE hot trend in the art world is adult colouring books … but I digress …)

We made this card at my Technique Class last night.  I used a 1" x 5 1/4" strip of Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer paper, punched with the Banner Punch (you just HAVE to own that punch!!!).  The mat of 3 1/4" x 3" of Garden Green is popped up with dimensionals.  The top white layer is 3" x 2 3/4".

I stamped the grey globe base and the snow in Smoky Slate ink - the sentiment, globe and nutcracker in Archival Black.  I coloured Mr. Man in with Garden Green, Crushed Curry, Real Red, Basic Black and Old Olive Markers.  For a little bling I then stamped the snow in Versamark, covered with Iridescent Ice embossing powered and heat set.  I WANTED to use Dazzling Diamonds - that would have involved the following steps:  stamp the snow with Versamark, cover with Heat and Stick powder, heat set (i. melt), cover with Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, heat set (i.e. melt) again.  It's one extra step.  If the image I was embossing were larger I would have used the Dazzling Diamonds but found with such a small image my customers would have a tough time seeing if the heat and stick powder was indeed set and envisioned a hot mess in my husband's Man Cave so I opted for the iridescent ice route.  Still gives some glimmer without the extra mess and/or hassle.

I finished it off with a rhinestone on the base.

I love this set.  Hope you do too!

That's it for today - I'm off to set up for tomorrow's Christmas Stamp-a-Stack.  Have yourself a stampy Saturday!


Tam

Envelope Punch Board Flower

Happy Friday!

Video time.  Have a stampy day!


Tam

Christmas Stamp-a-Stack 2015

Happy Thursday!

… well .. it WILL be a happy Thursday if I can make it through the day without throwing my back out completely!  As I type this I know it's "on it's way out" … next stop … the floor!  I've spent too much time sitting lately.  Saturday was an all day (I mean 10 HOURS all day!) sitting at my Stampin' Up! Conference … then Sunday I placed orders for a few hours … Monday was crafting … Tuesday the gym … and on and on … everyday getting a bit worse.  Of COURSE I have three stamping classes in the next 3 days which may just push me over the edge.  Ice and heat are my friend today!!

So … if I make it to Sunday these are the cards we will be making at my second Christmas Stamp-a-Stack of 2015 ...

I love them ALL!  If you are in the Edmonton area and looking for something to do bright and early Sunday morning drop me a line and come on by!

So …. wish me luck (and good back pills!) and have a stampy day!


Tam

Peace

Happy Wednesday!

Today I want to share with you a card I created a few days ago.

We've all had close to a week to let the horrors of what happened in Paris sink in.  When I went down to my Craft Cave to create the last of my upcoming Stamp-a-Stack cards I was impelled to make a "quiet" card.  Nothing too fussy, loud or bright.  Something soothing and peaceful.  I think I got it.

Notice anything different about this card?  There is no stamping on it.

I used a whisper white base and a 5" x 3 3/4" white layer.  The black mat is 5 and 2 ticks (yes, very precise lol) x 3 3/4 and 2 ticks - to just give a tiny peek of the black.

I made the ornaments with the NEW 1 1/2" circle punch.  I nay just noticed this punch in the main catalogue a few weeks ago.  Naturally I added it to my next order and I'm glad I did.  These balls are the PERFECT size.  The 1" is too small and the 1 3/8" is too big.  This s perfect.  I used the Vellum stack from the 2015 Holiday catty for the top ornament.  The other two are from the Wonderland Specialty DSP.  The tops are from the Delicate Ornaments Thinlit die and are cut out of the brushed gold card stock (main catty).  The "peace" is from the Christmas Greetings Thinlits Die.  I coloured my rhinestones with a gold Sharpie for a little extra interest.  I think it's perfect.

Peace.

'nough said.

Have a stampy day :)


Tam

Sledding All the Way

Happy Tuesday!

Right!  Last card from my card-blitz last week.  I started off strong with this one but REALLY struggled to finish it off with a bang.  Check it out.

Hmmmm - love lots of things about it - the woodgrain textured background … theCrumb Cake banner made with the banner punch … the Early Espresso mat and Very Vanilla layer .. the Early Espresso sled (from Warm Winter Wishes) …

… the banner (from Oh What Fun) …

… then I kept falling down.  I can't TELL you how many times I changed the finishing details - I had 3 snowflakes … I had them in various colours … I had ribbon in various colours, pearls in various colours … enamel dots in various colours … argh!  In the end I settled on some Night of Navy Seam binding ribbon, a punched snowflake (from the Snowflake punch) and some pearls that I coloured with my Dark Night of Navy Blendabilities marker (so sad those got pulled :( )

I think I'll change it yet again - a masculine Birthday Card - scrap the pearls, the snowflake and the ribbon.  Clean and simple may be better.  I'll keep you posted!

I'm off to the gym (week 10!)  Have yourself a stampy day!!


Tam

Solemn Stillness

Happy Monday!

A quick and easy one today … using a retired set … Solemn Stillness ...

I've admired this retired set for a few hers now and wondered why I never bought it.  I saw it come up for sale on one of the Buy and Sell groups that  follow and scooped it up.  Yay me!  Here is what it looks like ...

What a great set.  I've seen so many great cards made with it.  Embossing the images looks great!

For my card I simply stamped everything in Real Red and then added some of the glitter ribbon to the edge and an enamel dot for a little texture and interest.  Hmmm … a little too simple for my liking.  Gunna have to play with this one a little more.

Pop in again soon.  Until then - have a stampy day!


Tam

Wonderland "Depth Technique" CASE

Happy Sunday!

Phew!  Yes, yesterday was an AWESOME day … but long and exhausting.  Looking forward to my Sweetlegs Leggings, my comfy chair, a few cups of coffee and time to take in all of the information and events of yesterday.  MAN it was a great day!

Today I'm sharing a CASE from the fabulous Patty Bennett over at Patty's Stamping Spot.  Here are the cards that inspired me ..

… and here is my CASE ..

Such an awesome card … and the one I used for Technique Class this month.  I'm calling it the "Depth Technique" as it … well … looks like there is depth to the trees on the card.  I used the Wonderland set for everything on the card ...

I used Whisper White and Island Indigo exclusively.  Patty gives a great video tutorial on making this card but in a nutshell …

• Start with your base and layers (Indigo is 5" x 3 3/4" and white is 4 3/4" x 3 1/2".
• Take a post-it note and tear it to form what looks like hills (this is actually hidden by my ribbon).  Make sure the sticky part of the post-it note is at the top so the mask still sticks to the layer, blocking the white layer from the next step … which is ...
• Take a stampin' sponge and from left to right swipe the entire base with Island Indigo ink
• Ink the trees in Island Indigo and stamp your layer once, twice, three times WITHOUT reining in between stamping.  Each time you stamp the image will be lighter than the one before.  Stamp the trees at various heights.  This will give the appearance of depth to your scene. 
• Repeat the previous step.
• Ink and stamp the sentiment
• Embellish as desired.

I used some 1/4" white ribbon and some of the retired snowflake sequins and rhinestones to finish it off.  A great, easy, WOW card.  Thanks to Patty for sharing it with us.

That's it for today.  Off for more coffee.  Have a stampy day!

Tam

Deck The Halls with Delicate Ornaments

Happy Saturday!

By the time you read this I will probably be at THE Stampin' Up! event of the year - the very First On Stage event.  It started off last night and continues all day today.  I can't WAIT until I can share all about it with you.  Alas … we are bound by confidentiality on certain things so you're just going to have to wait.  

In the meantime let's take a look at another card, shall we?  Ok!

Hmmmm - not sure about this one.  LIKE it but to sure I LOVE it.  I think I worked on it too long and lost that lovin' feeling :(  You can't tell in the picture but the black ornament (Delicate Ornament Thinlits) was cut out from the black glimmer paper (delicious!!!).  It's SO sparkly!  The red glimmer paper was used for the red poinsettia.  The centre is one of the white  enamel dots (2015 holiday catty) and the sentiment is from the retired set (sorry!) Christmas Messages ...

Here are the thinlit details ….

Here is the Embellished Ornament set ...

Ya - not sure about this one.  We'll add it to the "maybe" pile.

I don't know about you but I'M certainly going to have a stampy day today.  I HOPE you do too :)

Tam

Bold Butterfly Framelits and Butterflies Thinlits

Happy Friday!

Well … we all survived immunizations … for this round.  It was so much *fun* we get to do it again in a few weeks.  Yup - it's the gift that just keeps on giving *lol*.  On the bright side we have a few weeks to get use to the idea!

Today we're watching another video.  Butterlies, Framelits and Thinlits, Oh My!

Have a stampy day :)


Tam

Happy Scenes Case

Happy Thursday!

Ohhhh Lord give me strength to get through today!  Today is the day I take Miss Alicia to get her immunization shots.  Ugh.  I don't now who's dreading it more - her or me!  My kids and needles are NOT friends!!!  Rebecca is getting a BIT better .. well … it no longer takes three adults to hold her down (seriously … took her for flu shots when she was about 5 years old and that's what it took … QUITE the ordeal for everyone within a 6 mile radius!!!) … but Alicia … well … let's just say we have a ways to go yet.  The school DOES have a nurse come into the school to do all the Grade 5 kids but Alicia flat out refused to have it done at school.  She said she didn't want to scream and cry in front of her friends.  No.  She wanted to save THAT special moment for her mom *lol*.    Ugh … I say again … give me strength!

Let's move on to happier things, shall we? … like Christmas cards.  Christmas cards are happier things!

Today's card is a total CASE from the talented Lisa Young at Add Ink and Stamp.  Here is her card …

… and here is mine ...

It's such a simple, lovely, peaceful card.  I just love it!  When I first found Lisa's card it was, of course, using one of the stamp sets I had been eyeing up but hadn't purchased.  Well I need to rectify THAT little problem immediately and my next order had it winging it's way to me.  See, whilst I loved the set (Happy Scenes) ...

… I wasn't convinced I loved the coordinating Framelits ...

Oh sure - the framelits ARE fabulous when paired with this set ...

… but it all seemed to "fussy" for my liking.  I usually mass produce my cards and this combo wouldn't fit my needs and would likely just gather dust … so I didn't buy any of them.  Having said that I kept eyeing up the Happy Scenes set and tried to justify buying it.  Lisa Young to the rescue!  This card was all the justification I needed and I'm glad I now own it.  Here's my card again …

For this card it's all about doing things in the right order.  First off make a 2" x 4" wide banner with the Banner Punch.  Place it on the Whisper White base and stamp the trees in Mossy Meadow ink.  Lift the banner, reink and stamp the trees again.  Stamp the sentiment from Embellished Ornaments in Early Espresso ink…

Then take your Soft Sky ink - get some ink in the lid by squishing the lid into the pad - take a blender pen or aqua painter - pick up some of the soft sky with your painter and lightly shade the ground under the trees.

Next lightly tape the banner in place (just a little tick of tape) and run the whole piece through the Big Shot with the Softly Falling Embossing folder (note - use the folder upside down so the "thick" snow is at the top of the card).

Remove the banner, wrap some Gold Cord around it then reattach using dimensionals.  Done!

A great card for Christmas or winter birthdays (obviously using a different sentiment!)

So I guess that's it for today.  I better go walk Doodles before the *fun* of immunizations starts.  I say again - ugh!

Have yourself a needle-free, stampy day!


Tam

Make A Notepad Cover

Happy Wednesday!

Video time

Have a stampy day :)


Tam

Holly Jolly Christmas Snowflakes

Happy Tuesday!

I'm off to the gym shortly.  Yup - start of week 9!  I'm actually looking forward to it today.  As of last Friday I started semi-private sessions and my Friday workout was WAY better than those I was getting with the group sessions.  My back just couldn't take the pace and exercises that are done in the group.  With the semiprivate they have tailored a program just for me - to strengthen my core and upper body strength, which is what I'm looking for.  4 more weeks to go before the end of my first sessions.  Yay me!

Today I wanted to share my (latest) favourite Christmas card.  Lookie:

Do you love it?  I took a survey of my friends - I gave them 6 cards to chose from.  It's always interesting to me to see who likes which cards.  This was the favourite of a few but not by all.  You'll have to pop in again to see others' favourites.  For today, though let's check out the deets of this one.  These are all the sets I used to make this card ..

Jolly Christmas:

Your Presents ...

.. and Holly Jolly Christmas ...

I used Early Espresso and Pool Party for the snowflakes and sentiment and the delicious Gold Satin Ribbon for some festive Christmas elegance.  3 rhinestone (always seem to need that bling!) finished it off.  The sentiment was punched out with the 2" Circle Punch and popped up on dimensionals.  Speaking of dimensions - I've been using smaller mats on my cards this year.  I like the smaller space - less to fill and it gives a clean look to the card.  The Espresso mat is sized 5" x 3 3/4" and the white front mat is 4 3/4" x 3 1/2".

That's it for now.  Off to work my butt off (in more ways than one!)

Have a stampy day :)

Tam