Weather Together Stamp Set and Umbrella Weather Framelits Dies by Stampi...

Happy Wednesday!

School starts tomorrow - woo hoo!  *lol*  I love my girls but MAN I need some structure to my days!  Bring it on! … and have a stampy day :)


Tam

Popcorn Box Thinlits Dies by Stampin’ Up!

Happy Tuesday,

Another video for you.

Have a stampy day :)


Tam

Flourish Thinlits Dies by Stampin’ Up!

Happy Monday!

Back to school Thursday … which means hair-appointments for us gals today.  Can't wait!

Have a stampy Monday :)



Tam

Serene Scenery Designer Series Paper by Stampin’ Up!

Happy Sunday,

Here is a quick video showing off the delicious Serene Scenery designer paper stack.  Seriously love this pack!

have a stampy Sunday :)


Tam

Magic Slider Card using the Watercolor Stamping Technique by Stampin’ Up!

Happy Saturday!

Ho-lee-COW am I stiff today!!!  Why?  No, I didn't do an hour long workout video yesterday.  I did something no out-of-shape, slightly overweight, quickly-approaching 50 mom should do.  I went clothes shopping with my teen!  WAIT!  It gets worse.  Because the all-afternoon shop-a-palooza didn't cost me enough in time, leg power or money, I decided to go to Staples and Winners with my teen AND tween after dinner.  Oi Vey!  I don't know what is in worse condition - my body or my credit card rating!!  Having said that we all had a BALL buying them pretty much complete new wardrobes for back-to-school.  This is a first.  In the past I have picked up one or two complete outfits for them.  This year was WAY beyond that!  Everything from hats to boots … and LOTS in between.  I think Mom got a little carried away dressing up her little dollies in new, trendy clothes.  I couldn't help myself.  On the bright side 99% of it was on sale :)  … as my Dad would say (and as Craig is quickly learning to say) "I an't afford for you to save that much" *lol*.  Love my dad-isms!

Since back-to-school has been my priority the last few days which means stamping has taken a back seat.  Have no fear!  I'll share some videos in lieu!


Here is a water-colour technique … and I'll follow it with a Magic Slider Card technique.  I thought these would be popular as my "Magical Slider Card Tutorial" post from April 2015 has gone somewhat viral on my blog lately.  You can check that project out here

Enjoy the video and have a stampy Saturday!!


Tam

Embossed Glassine Bags

Happy Thursday!

The last few days have been a lot of fun, as I've had a chance to hit my Craft Cave a few times.  Well … more out of necessity than just to find something to do.  I had a meeting yesterday at a Senior Facility to arrange to volunteer and help the seniors get those photos out of their shoe boxes and into some Project Life sleeves.  I'm SO excited for that!  I also needed to hit The Cave to prep for a mini crafting session I'm having today for some young stampers who will be putting together the Oh What Fun Tag kit from last years holiday catalogue.  Regardless of the reasons why, I got to craft and that's ALWAYS a good thing.

Today I'm sharing a little trick to use with our glassine bags.

Remember last month when I had a *slight* obsession with embossing … and flourishes?  Well here is one more project I made using both ….

The flourish (from Flourish Framelits) was stamped in Veramark and then heat embossed with (retired) Cherry Cobbler embossing powder on one of our 5" x 3 1.2" notecards.  I then stamped the sentiment and embossed that in black embossing powder.  The size of these notecards is just PERFECT for this size flourish.  The card really doesn't need anything more.  Quick, easy and elegant.  Simply LOVE it!  I made a bunch of these, with the plan to give them to the office staff at Alicia's school next week.  I wanted a quick way to package them.

Enter our glassine bags.

These bags are a great item to have on hand for just such packaging needs.

You get 10 bags for only $5.25 - HECK of a deal!  They are 6 1/2" x 4 3/4" inches so they can hold standard sized cards no problem

You can also buy glassine SHEETS this year.

You get 10 sheets for $6.75.  They measure 6" x 10" - so you can use these sheets on projects or to make your own customized bags.  I have both on hand - highly recommend!

So now on to the "trick".  Check this out ...

Isn't that great?  I simply ran the bag through the big shot with the Petal Burst embossing folder …

The glassine is thin enough to run through but to accept this great embossed texture.  It reminds me of an alligator skin purse.  Love it!

Just pop those cards in the bag and wa-low!  Ready to add a tag and go!

That's it for today - I'm off to start my day.  Pop in again soon :)


Tam

Santa's Sleigh - Tag or Card?

Happy Wednesday!

I know yesterday I said to pop in today to see a fun trick to use on your glassine bags … but I changed my mind.  Crafter's prerogative *lol*.  I finally got to use a few of my new Holiday Catalogue toys and wanted to share THAT instead.  So … the question is … is it a tag or is it a card?

The "card" version is a little more impressive *live* but I think I prefer the tag either way.  It took me an hour or so to come up with it but it will only take about 10 minutes to make now that I know what I'm doing *lol*.

I used all new products, barring the tag topper punch.

I started with a 2" x 4 3/4" strip of Whisper White and punched the tag.  Actually, I punched two pieces (I'll explain why in a minute)

I stamped the sentiment from an up and coming set in the Holiday Catalogue, Tin of Tags, in Memento Black ink.  I then layer the tag on my card base and stamped the swirl from another new set, Star of Light, in Mint Macaron.  The tiny stars on the card base are from the same set and in the same colour.

Next I punched out the sleigh base in Real Red and the Whisper White sleigh "topper" (??) using the new Santa's Sleigh Thinlits.  I glue them together with my fine tip glue pen.  

The ribbon is new - Real Red 3/4" stitched ribbon - I used the new Candy Cane Lane twine to tie it.  I used the new Real Red metallic thread to tie on a new silver jingle bell to the back of the sleigh.  I also used the red thread behind the sleigh.  Kinda hard to see but it's there.  You can't see it in the tag picture unless you really look.  For the tag version, this is why I punched out two tags - I attached the thread to the back of the tag but wanted to hide the messiness of it.

I attached the sleigh to the tag with dimensionals and, for the card version, I attached the tag to the card base with dimensionals so it has some fun 3-D-edness to it (hey!  it COULD be a word!)

So there you go.  A sneak peek at some of the new products you can order starting next Thursday.  Pop in again tomorrow to see that glassine bag trick I keep mentioning.  Until then, have a stampy day!

Tam

Samples, samples and more samples

Happy Tuesday!!!!

Had a FABULOUS time on vacation last week.  Lots of doing absolutely nothing - something VERY foreign to this city gal!  I was very quickly labelled the "princess" but I didn't mind.  If preferring two-ply toilet paper to one *ply* (?) tissue paper, goose down pillows over concrete slabs PASSING as pillows and silverware to plastic forks makes me a princess then pass me my crown and sprinkle me with fairy dust!  *lol*  I really DID enjoy myself and the kids (and Koda!) had a ball swimming in the river every day.  We had a secluded patch of beach which was fabulous and the SAND!  Seriously soft as icing sugar.  So great!  The downsides was the RIDICULOUS number of wasps (and horse flies - eek!)  I can handle the odd wasp here and there but these critters were NASTY and had me running for the water more than once!  Quite the sight, I'm sure *lol*

It was KILLING me that my Holiday Catalogue pre-order was sitting at home waiting for my return but now that I'm back I'm going to bust into that bad boy just as soon as I can.  I have to be patient a *little* longer as my dad is currently in the hospitals so my attention and time is with him (and mom).  I'm also up to my neck in planning classes and volunteer work for the fall … and of course there is back to school to prep for - oh! … and my Open House Sept 9th … and on it goes.  Bare with me over the next few weeks as I try to keep my head above water.  I'm trying to get it all in without becoming a stressed out basket case who needs another vacation.

So!  I wanted to pop in and say "Hi!  I'm back!" and share some quick and easy cards I put together before I left.  The first three were made using the DELICIOUS Serene Scenery Designer Series Paper Stack.    This stack is a must have - just stamp a sentiment on the beautiful design you choose, attach to a card base an you're done.  Check these out!

I used the Wetlands stamp set with Early Espresso Ink to stamp the sandpipers and sentiment and added some of the new burlap ribbon behind the matted image.

I again used the Wetlands set with Early Espresso .. and the same burlap ribbon for this card.  LOVE how the ribbon is "rustic" but falls in a soft wave.  I used my Stampin' Up! stapler to attach it.  The sentiment is from the hostess set Gift of Love.  Love it!

This one my friend Wanda made - super quick, easy and pretty!

Above are the images found in the 6" x 6" stack of DSP.  LOVE!

I made a few more cards using some of my new 2016-2017 stamp sets.  This one uses the Playful Backgrounds Set - stamped in Sweet Sugarplum. 

THIS one was fun to play with!  The new Umbrella Together and Umbrella Weather bundle makes it quick and easy ...

These are just some of the samples I'll have on display at my Open House Sept 9th.  If you're in the Edmonton area make sure you RSVP and come check out all the new toys from the Holiday Catalogue and grab your copy to take home.  It's always a good time!

Right!  I'm off for a loooooong awaited massage and chiropractor appointment (SO glad I booked those before I left - *sleeping* in a chair for a week didn't do my back ANY favours!!)

Pop in again tomorrow to see a fun trick to jazz up your glassine bags!  Until then have a stampy Tuesday!

Tam

Home Sweet Home Stamp Set and Sweet Home Framelits Dies by Stampin’ Up!

Happy Friday!

How stinkin' cute are THESE??  Wouldn't the kids have a great time decorating them??

Tam

Here’s to Cheers & Cheerful Tags Framelits Dies by Stampin’ Up!

Happy Thursday!

LOVE these cello bags!  They are sized for snazzing up a bottle of wine for gifting.  Doesn't EVERYone need these?  I think so!  Who doesn't bring a bottle of wine to dinner out??  It's a must have! … along with a cute tag.


Tam

Hello December 2016 Project Life by Stampin’ Up!

Happy Wednesday!

Can't forget about documenting the Holidays!  Project Life is SO quick and easy!  I sue it for all my pictures and especially love making a special album with all the antics of Trixie, our Elf on the Shelf.  This year Stampin' Up had a 6" x 8" album with Emerald Envy strip along the edge for a Christmas feel.  I'll be sharing more on that closer to Christmas.


Tam

Forever Evergreen Project Kit by Stampin’ Up!

Happy Tuesday,

Another fun kit!  This would be a fun one to do with the kids …


Tam

Stitched with Cheer Project Kit by Stampin’ Up!

Happy Monday!

I'm a sucker for kits and this one is no exception!  I'll be holding a class using this one.  $18 card - quick, easy and cute!  Stay tuned for a date on that!


Tam

Tin of Tags Project Kit by Stampin’ Up!

Happy Sunday!

LOVE this kit.  I feel Teacher Gift presents coming on ….



Tam

Fancy Frost Specialty Designer Series Paper by Stampin’ Up!

Happy Saturday!

Check out the new DSP coming Sept 1st!

Have a stampy day :)


Tam

New Toys!!!

Happy Friday!

I have a few more cards to share but thought I'd save those.  MY BOX OF NEW TOYS ARRIVED TODAY!!!

I decided to make a video of me opening my order and post it here.  Well - I DID make them but I can't get them to load.  Grrrr!  Just when I started to think I was all tech-savvy!

SO!  Do you follow my Business Facebook Page?  The answer SHOULD be yes.  If it isn't …. what??  why AREN'T you??  Go to FB and search for "Tamara's Paper Trail" then "like", "follow" and "get notifications"  Go!  Do it!  The videos are (sadly?) "True Tamara" … and a bit of a giggle!  I seem to have quite a few "Squirrel!" moments, constantly distracted by the next new toy in the box *lol*

Yes - I AM a little excitable.  Yes, it's part of my charm *lol*

Enjoy my first attempt at videos (warning - there are a LOT of shots of my knee, feet, couch and a LOT of rustling noises as I try to break into the packages with one hand).

Moving forward … I've scheduled posts over the next week (here) while I'm "off the grid" for the first time in about 4 years on a little vacay - eeeeekkk!

Have a stampy day … and weekend!

Tam

Birthday Shaker Card

Happy Thursday!

Don't you love when you check a blog every day and there is a new project every day??  I do! … but as you know it's pretty hit-or-miss on MY blog as to whether or not that happens.  Lately it's a hit! *lol*

Today's share is a super quick birthday shaker card ….

I started with a 5 1/4" x 4" piece of water-colour paper.  I sprayed it with water to make it nice and wet and then I used m aqua painter and reinkers to add Pear Pizzazz, Peekaboo Peach and Watermelon Wonder splotches of colour.  I used my heat tool to speed up the drying of the paper and, once it was dry, I ran it though the Big Shot with my large oval Framelit to cut an oval in the centre.  Once the oval was cut I ran t through the Big Shot again with the Confetti embossing folder to get the fun imprint.

**  It's important to cut the oval first THEN use the embossing folder.  If you do the EF first and then the oval the embossed images get squished and aren't as obvious.

I taped a piece of window sheet behind the oval hole.  I then used my new "Foam Adhesive Strips" around the oval, making sure not to leave any gaps.

It's GREAT that we finally have these foam strips.  They make shaker cards SO much easier to put together!

Once the foam was in place  I stamped the Happy Birthday sentiment (from Stylized Birthday) …

… grabbed a bunch of my sequins, put a small pile on top of the sentiment and attached the top embossed/window sheet layer.

I then added some dimensionals for extra support.

Quick, easy and fun to play with!  Give a shaker card a try  - they're so fun!

That's it for today.  Pop in again tomorrow :)


Tam

Over the Rainbow

Happy Wednesday!

I've had a lot of fun this week making dozens of quick and easy cards.  Today's project came together in about five minutes.  Seriously.

SO quick and easy … and the colours just make me happy!

I used the Over the Rainbow stamp set …

… with touches of Weather Together …

Now my BIG question is what stamp set did I use for the wee little flowers on my card??

I don't know!!  Now I have to go downstairs and find out - I thought it was from the rainbow set?!?!?!  Sigh

Moving on - I stamped everything in Black Momento ink and coloured the words with my markers.  The flowers were each stamped in ink pads (Real Red, Tangerine Tango and Daffodil Delight - and Old Olive).  The raindrops are from the Weather Together set in Soft Sky.

Quick, easy and key-UTE!

Pop in again tomorrow … and have a stampy day!


Tam

Vertical Greeting Fun

Happy Tuesday!

Today's project is one I am SO happy with!  I used the new stamp set Vertical Greetings …

I was drawn to it right away and was one of the first sets I ordered.  Sadly, as is OFTEN the case with me, the ones I love the most are the ones I find the most difficult to work with!  This one was absolutely that kind of set!  I LOVED the samples I had seen on-line but couldn't seem to come up with anything original … and then it happened …

LOVE LOVE LOVE!

I really miss our old Color Coach as I'm TOTALLY challenged when it comes to colour coordinating things (probably why my favourite colour palette is the neutral palette!)  When I struggle with colours I (once again) turn to the catalogues.  I flip to the Designer Series Paper sections and find something I like.  The colours I used were from the By The Shore DSP - Dapper Denim, Calypso Coral and Mint Macaron.  They look great together!

I stamped the sentiment first.  I cut a 1" x 3 1/2" piece of Whisper White, inked the stamp with markers and stamped the image.

Next up I cut a piece of 2 3/4" x 3" strip and ran it through the Petal Burst embossing folder …

Next up I wanted an embellishment of some sort.  I looked around and spotted my Festive Flower Punch.  I *may* have squealed when I realized it was the PERFECT shape to compliment the stamped image.  Ok, *may* nothing - I squealed.

Naturally no card is complete in my eyes if there isn't some Wink of Stella on it … so the leaves on the stamped image and the Mint Macaron petal got a shot of that.  I popped the stamped image up on dimensionals and Wa-low!  An origin layout I love!

That's all I've got for today.  Pop in again tomorrow :)


Tam

SaveSave

Flourish CASE

Happy Monday!

Well!  EPIC weekend of card making!  With nothing on the calendar and the chores done it was hours and hours of crafting.   Wa-hoo!

I'm having my 2016 Holiday Catalogue Launch and Open House Sept 9th and my mission is to create at least one project using every stamp set (that I purchased) in the Annual Catalogue AND every set (that I purchased) in the Holiday Catalogue.  Given that I'm on vacation between now and then I needed to get my butt in gear.  It was so much fun!  I really can crack them off when I don't have time to over think things!  When I get "stuck" I turn to Pinterest or, better yet, the catalogues themselves for ideas.  This card is a result of just that.  I turned to the Annual Catalogue, found a beautiful sample made by the Stampin' Up! Design Team and then tweaked it a little to make it my own.  Here is the card SU has in the catalogue …

As this card appears to be a 4 1/4" x 4 1/4" card I wanted to resize it to a standard 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" card. Here is my version …

I love love LOVE it!  Neutrals really are my favourite colour palette.  I just find it so striking!

I used a 1 1/4" piece of Serene Scenery Designer Series Paper Stack paper.  This stuff is a MUST have!  Stay tuned for a swack of fabulous samples using that paper.  Can you say ridiculously fast and easy??  You will!

A strip of Basic Black 1" x 5 1/4" is layered behind.

Next is a doily, a Crumb Cake Flourish from the flourish thinlits (yes, slightly addicted to the flourishes lately … ALMOST done with them *lol*)

I glued the flourish down with the fine tip glue pen (a MUST have adhesive for these intricate pieces).  A small strip of Pop Of Pink Washi tape is on top of the flourish …

… and a banner from Banners For You ...

 (Save 10% when you buy the bundle) ...

...  I stamped the banner itself in Crumb cake, the sentiment in Basic Black.  Punched it out and popped it up on dimensionals and BAM!  A beautiful card that fits almost any occasion.  Love!  Think this one will have to be made at my next class!

That's it for now.  Pop in again soon to see the rest of the samples I made.  Until then, have a stampy Monday!

Tam

My Stampin' Up! 2016 Holiday Catalog Favorites

Happy Sunday!

I saved the BEST video for Sunday morning because you will want a cup of coffee and 17 minutes for this one.  Stampin' Queen Mary Fish produced her regular "Sneek Peek" video of new stampin products due for release Sept 1, 2016.  Mary is the best in the business … and she has all the new toys … so why reinvent the wheel, right?  Let's just watch HER video to see it all.

SAVE THE DATE:  Friday, Sept 9th for my OPEN HOUSE AND GARAGE SALE

If you are in the Edmonton Area come on over to check out most of these products "live".

Enjoy the show … and have a stampy Sunday!


Tam

Thoughtful Branches

Happy Saturday!

Today I wanted to share a limited time offer stamp set with you.  It's called Thoughtful Branches and it's awesome!  SO versatile!  Only problem is … it's only available during August … and only WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!  Check it out …

It's $66.50 Canadain (plus s/h/gst) for the bundle (saves you 10%) and worth every penny!  Well … if we still HAD pennies *lol*.  Do you have any Bonus Days coupons from July?  You can apply them to this bundle so it costs even less :)

If you Google Thoughtful Branches you get dozens and dozens and dozens of great ideas.  It covers all seasons and all occasions.  Truly a "keeper".  Here are 21 AWESOME ideas using this set.

I'm placing my next order Thursday, August 11th so message me if you *need* to get this bundle into your Craft Cave!

You can also order directly through my on-line store.  If your order is under $200 used the hostess code  GF7ABUSD at the checkout for a chase to win free product.  

Enjoy the samples and have a stampy day!


Tam