Magical Day Fun

Happy Monday!

Hope you had a fun weekend :) . Mine was relaxing as I finally got a long-overdue pedicure with my BFF!  A few chores, some grocery shopping and meal prep and a bit of crafting and BAM - weekend over.  I have a busy week ahead (3 classes and an all-day conference/class I'm teaching) so I'll be scheduling videos for you to watch.  Today, however, I'll share two adorable projects I made this weekend just to whet your appetite for a bundle you might not realize you need *lol*.  Check these out ...

Aren't they adorable???  That plump, sassy unicorn makes me giggle and the look on the wizard's face is priceless!  I dare you - Google "Magical Day Stampin' Up" and click on images.  So cute!

Yes, the bundle in question is called Magical Day.  It is $60.25 CDN (pre s/h/gst) and comes with the set and the framelits ...

 Of course you can buy them separately but you pay more that way.  Buy them together and you save 10%.  (Clear set $29, framelits $38).

There are other items in this "suite" that are a must-have, as they coordinate perfectly and make cards and scrap pages a breeze!  They are the Myths & Magic Designer Series Paper ($17), the Myths & Magic Washi Tape ($8.00) and the Myths & Magic Glimmer Paper ($20.50)

Zoom in on that designer paper.  It is SO fun!  The images are ADORABLE and the card stock is thick and glittery.  It hurts to cut into it but you must!  It's to awesome to hoard - it must be shared!

Right - so those are the products you need.  Back to the cards ...

Both cards were inspired by others (when I Googled the set for inspiration!) . The unicorn card was inspired by Katrina Duffell over at InkPaperGirl.  The wizard was inspired by Suzanne at SunnStampin.com.  As always, I start off copying an idea I found but it ends up morphing into something more personal.  Let's look the unicorn card first.

Standard card base in Whisper White
I stamped the sentiment in Berry Burst and then punched it out with the Starburst punch ($22.50).   I only recently bought that punch - I somehow missed that it was new in the 2017 catalogue!  You need this punch ... and the other new one, the 2/1/4 circle punch, which is what I used for the Lemon Lime Twist circle behind it.

I punched out the unicorn with the framelits and colored the mane with my Blends ... but to do it again I would just use my markers, as the stripes are so small you can't get much of a shading effect using the Blends.  Save the time and trouble and just use markers.

I ran a strip of scrap through the Big Shot using the Oh My Stars embossing folder.  The silver glittery-starry strip on top of it is the washi tape, as is the Dazzling Diamonds strip behind it.

I popped the circles up on dimensionals and used my fine tip glue pen to glue down the unicorn.    I added three sticky backed sequins for a little pop of color and fun to finish it off.

The wizard card took me considerably longer to pull together.  I think mainly because I was tired ... and I was just playing... enjoying the process.  As I said, I started with Suzanne's card for inspiration then started to play. 

The top whisper white piece is actually quite small - 4 1/2" x 3 1/4"
Dapper Denim layer 4 3/4" x 3 1/2"
Pool Party layer is 5" x 3 3/4"

I started by stamping the sentiment on scrap paper.  To ink the image I stamped it in Pool Party and then took a finger dauber and added Dapper Denim to the stamp along the bottom to give it an ombre look.  I stamped it and cut out the word Magical" using the banner framelit that comes in the bundle.  ** . Note - at this point the "I hope your day is" isn't stamped (other than on the scrap ... that we won't be using)

Then I made the Wizard. I stamped him I Memento ink so I could use my Blends.  I cut him out using the framelits.  I used the Pool Party Blends for his clothes and the Ivory Blend for his hands and face.

Once he was done (I didn't tape him down yet) I stamped the stars (in Pool Party and Dapper Denim).  I then popped him up on dimensionals.

For the "Hope your day is" I used my Stamp-a-ma-gig and Dapper Denim ink to position it just so.

I added a bit of washi tape to go under the "Magical" and then popped the "Magical" up on dimensionals. 

I used my clear Wink of Stella to his beard and moustache and a few thinestones to the stars.

It was time consuming but I just love how he turned out.  SO cute!

I wanted to make more and more cards using this quite of products alas, I was tired and my back had had enough so I'll have to carry on another day.  I DO hope these products make it into the annual catalogue in June.  I want to play a LOT more with it but I have so many OTHER great new toys to play with I know it will have to wait a while.

So that's it for today - off to grab a shower and "officially" start my day (been up since 4:00 but that doesn't count! lol)

I hope you have a stampy day - pop in again this week to check out some videos of other new toys you need to see!  TTYS


Tam

Sure Do Love You Bundle by Stampin' Up!

Happy Friday!

How about a video to kick off your weekend?

Stay warm - and have a stampy day!


Tam

Customer Appreciation 50/50 Board!

Happy Wednesday!

I'm just sitting here reviewing my sales reports for the month of January.  I am THRILLED!  January 2018 has been by FAR the best month I've had in 12 YEARS!!!  No kidding!

To Celebrated I'm doing a Customer Appreciation 50/50 Board.

What's that all about?

Well .... for every $50 product order (pre s/h/gst) you make, your name goes on the board.  Once I have 50 names I do a draw.  Wanna know what the prize is??

How about YOU CHOOSE from one of these AMAZING products???!!!

Want a $136 Big Shot Machine?  No problem!  It's yours!

Want a $146 set of Many Marvellous Markers?  Absolutely!  You've got it!

Want the $130 set of Large Letters Framelits?  Why not!  

YOU pick!  Simple as that!

For EVERY $50 you spend you get your name on the board!  SPend $100, get your name on twoce; spend $150, get your name on three times ... and so on.

So!  Get those wish lists out and send me your orders!  We play until the board is filled - and it half filled already!!

Oh ... don't forget, if you bump your order up to $60 (pre s/h/gst) you also get to choose a FREE Sale-a-brations item!  Sa-WEET!

PS - if you name is drawn you DO need to answer a skill testing question - but don't worry - I'm pretty sure you'll get it right!

** As always, Canadian's can order on-line through my 24/7 store here.  If your order is under $200 make sure you enter the hostess code UN3HCBWU at the checkout for a free gift in the mail from me!

Have a stampy day!

Tam

It's Not About Making Cards!

Happy Sunday!

Wow.  I cannot BELIEVE a week has passed.  I just don't know where the hours GO!  It was a great week and it must be true - time flies when you're having fun!  My week was filled with volunteering, the childrens' activities, coffee dates, work successes ... soooo many fun and fulfilling things!  The week was capped off by one EPIC Ladie's Night.  So.  Much.  Fun!!! ... and it just REALLY drove home to me that "Making Cards is NOT about Making Cards".  It is just so much more ...

Let me explain.

Friday Night I held a "Games Night" with some of my friends.  All but one or two of these fabulous women started out as my Stampin' Up customers.  Over time they have become my very dear friends.  Stamping with them over the months and years has brought us together and strengthened our friendships.  Stamping together has had us spend time together every month or so, sharing stories of our past, sharing stories of our kids, sharing opinions on "everything", sharing laughs and even sharing some tears.  Stamping has simply brought us together.  Stamping is the excuse TO come together.  Oh sure, stamping and creating is FUN .... but it is so much more.

If you stamp alone it is an escape from the pressures of life.  You can sit in a room, let your mind and your creativity wander.  You can express yourself without saying a word.

If you stamp with others it is an escape from the pressures of life.  You can sit in a room, share your thought and feelings with others or just listen and enjoy good company.

Friday Night.  One evening, 8 women, a bunch of appetizers, a White Board and a board game.  We came together on the one day we had the biggest snow fall of the year and driving was terrible.  We came together anyway.  We had THE best night we've had in AGES!!  We were silly, funny, TOTALLY inappropriate and completely relaxed.  We were having fun.

My friends got out of the house for a few hours, we all forgot about work, kids, chores, the "to-do" list, bills... that all went away for a few hours as we laughed, ate, drank ... and stamped.  Yes, we DID make a few cards but really .... it was not about making the cards.  It was about coming together, having fun, bonding and making memories.

Nope.  Making cards is not about making cards.  It is just so much more that that.

Phone a friend.  Get together and stamp.


Tam

DON'T PLACE AN ORDER!!

Happy Sunday!

Today I WANTED to share with you my first Tamara's Paper Trail YOUTUBE video ... alas ... my ongoing fight with technology and the painfully steep learning curve has me wanting to abandon my healthy eating plan and dive head first into a back of chocolate covered marshmallows ... but I won't ... you'll just have to wait another day (or twelve!).  Sigh.  When did everything get so darned complicated???!!!

Instead of my video I'll share my offer to "join the club".  I sent an email out to my customers last week and the offer is open to my Canadian followers too!  Edmonton, Alberta is where I'm located.  Local peep are able to attend my in-home classes - long distance members can join us online!

If you're interested in joining the fun, getting in on the free draws and getting loads of free product please get in touch before January 30th - I have spots available in the 6 and 12 months clubs.

Here is my "email" ...

Earlier this week I sent out my “DON’T PLACE AN ORDER” email encouraging EVERYONE to think about buying the “Try It” kit, as I like to call it.  Whilst I am 100% adamant that the kit is THE BEST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK I recognize that many people either don’t want to spend $135 in one chunk and/or they like having a little indulgence every month … but they DO still like free and discounted stuff!

If that describes YOU then THIS is the email you want to pay attention to …you want to join one of my clubs!  

This is the BEST way to get a few items every month, get discounts, free product AND adhere to a budget.

I have THREE clubs for you to choose from this round:

• BRONZE STAR 3-MONTH CLUB
• SILVER STAR 6-MONTH CLUB
• GOLD STAR 12-MONTH CLUB

All three clubs are great.  All of them have discounts and free products.  All of them have perks.  Your monthly commitment and degree of the perks are what vary.

Everyone who joins one of my clubs by January 30th will be in my draw for FREE SALE-A-BRATIONS PRODUCTS … THREE lucky winners will win !

• Bronze Club draw will be for any Level 1 Sale-a-brations set of their choice
• Silver Club draw will be for any TWO Level 1 Sale-a-brations sets of their choice
• Gold Club draw will be the TWO LEVEL 2 SALE-A-BRATIONS SETS!!! (Happy Wishes set and Celebrate You Thinlits!)

***ACK!  MY STRUGGLE WITH TECHNOLOGY CONTINUES!  Getting this any larger is killing me!  I'm hoping you can read it/enlarge it.  If not and you want me to email you the deets just drop me a message! ***

Hope that makes sense!  In a nutshell, the higher your level of commitment month-wise, the lower your dollar commitment per month but the higher your benefits/perks!

• All club members earn free product (minimum $20, $30 or $45) 
• All club members earn free gifts (Inks Pad, Designer Paper, or Stamp Set) 
• All club members get a discount on their purchase during their hostess month (20%, 22% or 25% discount)
• All club members get entries into free draws (one, 3 or 12 months of draws!)
• All club member get Free Catalogues
• All club members get FREE CLASSES while they are actively in a club 
• All club members get a little "Thank You" card or treat in your bag each month

… and all clubs let you buy craft supplies on a budget and length of time you’re comfortable with!

This club is a LOT of fun and I like to treat my "Club Gals" really well.  Of course full clubs means more free product for everyone so I'm hoping to fill all spots before February 14th!

If you are interesting in joining the fun please get in touch with me in the next week or so, or for SURE by January 30th so you can get in on the draws for the SAB products.

Tamara

Like, follow and Get Notifications on my business Facebook page "Tamara’s Paper Trail”

Follow me on Pinterest at @tamaraspapertrail

If you no longer wish to receive my e-mails please reply with "unsubscribe" in the subject line

Hudgehugs and Friendship's Sweetest Thoughts

Happy Saturday!

I thought it was high time I stepped away from the "promotions" posts and finally post some PROJECTS!

The ones I'm sharing today were the swaps I created last month that I've been DYING to share.  I love them both so much!

Check them out!

Ska-WHEEELLL!  These are also two of the three cards we created in my classes last week - the third one was the Party Panda crd I shared in a previous post

Does anything look similar on all of these cards?  How about the layout?  Yup - I wanted to do a "one layout 3 ways" theme for my class ad these were what I had come up with.  They all have a banner, a strip of solid card stock and a shape, yet they all have a different "feel" to them.  Coming up with a simple layout is one of my biggest struggles when I sit down to design a card.  This just goes to show that you don't need to reinvent the wheel every time - just have a general template in mind and tweak it as you go! 

Wanna know something funny?  THIS is the card that I used for inspiration ...

Whaaaattt?  *lol* . Yup - I started off trying to CASE this layout and it morphed into my first card ...

(???!!!) and from that card the other two developed.

Funny how the creative mind works, isn't it?  Ok a few deets on the cards, then I'm off to walk my Doodle Dog.

This one is my fave.  I could stare at it all day long!  I used the new Hedgehugs set from the 2018 Occasions catty. $26 CDN Clear; $37 CDN wood.

I used the Delightful Daisy DSP ($14.50 CDN) for the 1/2" x 4" strip and Tranquil Tide for the 1" x 4 1/4" strip, punched with the Triple Banner punch.

I ran the ScallopedOval Framelit through the Big Shot (using Very Vanilla) and THEN stamped the little dudes.  The sentiment (also from the Hedgehug set) is stamped in Old Olive.

I colored the Perfect White Accents with my Dark Crumb Cake Blends marker ($6 CDN) and popped the oval up on dimensionals.

BAM!  Done!

Next up ...

Love this one too!
The stamp set is Friendship's Sweetest Thoughts and it was one of the first sets I was drawn to in the 2018 Occasions catty.  I stamped the image in Archival Black on a 2 3/4" x 3" piece (I think ... gotta go measure it again!).

The colored strip on the left is from the free Bubbles and Fizz DSP you can get from theSale-a-brations borchure with a $60 (CDN) purchase. 

The 5" x 1" strip is Lemon Lime Twist.
The sentiment is stamped in Smoky Slate
I colored the image with my Stampin' Write Markers, shaded the grey areas with my grey watercolor pencil and colored the 3 Perfect White Accents with my Dark Calypso Coral Belnds marker.  The whole shebang is popped up on dimensionals.

Finally the third card ...

That one you can check out here

The cowboy boot card you can check out here

OK - that's it for today - Doodles is staring at me, which means it's time to get this show on the road.  Pop in again soon and have a stampy day!


Tam

DON'T PLACE AN ORDER!!

NOPE.  Don’t do it.  Don’t order any crafting supplies until you seriously consider the chart below.

Seriously.  

Can you spot the difference between the columns? 

Purchased via Me Charming Cafe Bundle                     $56.50 Café Builder Framelits                           Incl Tutti Frutti Washi Tape                     $10.75 Tutti Frutti Adhesive Sequins           $  9.25 Tutti Frutti Designer Stack                $12.50 Tutti Frutti Card Stock                      $10.00 Acetate Boxes                                  $ 8.50 Hold on to Hope Bundle                  $57.50 Cross of Hope Framelits                       Incl Better Together Wood Set               $64.00 Flourishing Phrases Set                  $64.00 TOTAL:  $293.00 ADD Donation to UPS & GOVNT:  $45.42 TOTAL DUE:  $338.42

Purchased via Kit Charming Cafe Bundle                     $56.50 Café Builder Framelits                           Incl Tutti Frutti Washi Tape                     $10.75 Tutti Frutti Adhesive Sequins           $  9.25 Tutti Frutti Designer Stack                $12.50 Tutti Frutti Card Stock                      $10.00 Acetate Boxes                                  $ 8.50 Hold on to Hope Bundle                  $57.50 Cross of Hope Framelits                       Incl Better Together Wood Set               $64.00 Flourishing Phrases Set                  $64.00 TOTAL:  $293.00 ADD Donation to UPS & GOVNT:  $0 TOTAL DUE:  $135.00

Sooooo - did you spot the difference?

Yes, the left column is a list of products that total $293.00

Yes, the right column is an identical list of products that total the same $293.00

The obvious difference

• on the left, when you place an order through me, you will pay $338.42
• on the right, when you place an order for the “Try It” kit, you will pay $135.00
• By ordering the kit you save $203.42

• on the left, when you place an order through me, you will be
• paying Stamping’ Up! $158.00 more than you need to
• AND donating $45.42 to UPS delivery and the Canadian Government for no reason other than ‘cause you’re really swell like that!

Stop and think about that one seriously for a minute …

Order (in this example) $293.00 in product - pay $338.42

OR

Order $293.00 of the exact same product and pay $135.00

So really, the only question is …. How do you get the kit?  Simple …

• Go to www.tamarabertram.stampinup.net
• Click on “Join the Fun” in the top right hand corner
• Click on “Join Now” - the pink bar across the middle of the page
• the system walks you through the process - and you simply add the items you want “to cart”

If you have any questions on WHY you should buy the kit or HOW to buy the kit just call me!  No, there are no requirements, quotas or penalties when you buy the kit.  You can just scoop the deal and run.  If you WANT to save money on future supplies you certainly CAN place orders but there is no obligation to do so.  When I bought MY “Try It” kit (12 years ago this month!!!) I was VERY leary of the deal.  I kept asking “What’s the catch”.  There is none.  Never has been.  You will simply be a good customer of Stampin’ Up! who knows a great deal when they see one.  Period.

That’s it for now - stay tuned for my next post which will be on joining one of my clubs.  It’s for those who say “I don’t HAVE $135 to buy the kit but I still want craft stuff … and free stuff”.

Tamara

*** PLEASE NOTE THE ABOVE IS FOR CANADIANS IN ALBERTA ONLY.  OTHER PROVINCES MAY HAVE DIFFERENT COSTS/TAXES APPLIED ***

Lots of Happy Card Kit by Stampin' Up!

Happy Friday!

I had a chance to put together this fun kit this week.  If you love coloring THIS is the kit for you!

Check it out, stay warm and have a stampy Friday!


Tam

Stampin' Up!'s 2018 Occasions Catalog Designer Series Paper

Isn't it all GORGEOUS???  Want it all???  Have no fear!  My 2018 Occasions Catalogue Designer Series Paper Share is here!

There are 7 patterned packs as well as a STUNNING glimmer pack on offer.  Ordering a pack of all 8 papers would cost you $144.98.  Yes, they're gorgeous, but that's a LOT of money ... and a LOT of paper!  I have a better idea - a 6" x 6" sampler of each of the papers ... and for only $45!

You'll get 114 sheets of 6" x 6" papers for just $45 flat (for local, Edmonton peeps - $60for long distance Canadians to cover the additional shipping cost)

All papers will be 6" x 6" in size and you will receive at least 2 samples of each design (since our papers are double sided you need to have BOTH sides, right?)

EVERYONE WHO PURCHASES A SHARE WILL BE ENTERED INTO MY DRAW FOR A FREE "HEARTFELT BLOOMS" CLEAR SET (which can normally only be earned with a minimum $60 product purchase!)

Here are all the papers you will receive:

24 Sheets of Picture Perfect Party DSP Stack

12 Sheets of Sweet Soiree DSP

12 Sheets of Painted with Love SpecialtyDSP

12 Sheets of Petal Passion DSP

12 Sheets of Myths and Magic Specialty DSP

24 Sheets of Tutti Fruiti DSP Stack

12 Sheets of True Gentleman DSP

6 Sheets of Myths and Magic Glimmer Paper

Make sure you message me by 7:00 pm MT next Friday, January 12th to get in on the draw!

Bundle up out there, Edmontonians - a balmy -33 with the wind!  Have a stampy day :)


Tam

Party Pandas - FREE Sale-a-bration Set!

Happy Tuesday!

It's class day today - Yay!  I haven't help a "proper", traditional card making class since November and I've missed it!  I had a lot of fun using all my new toys to come up with three projects to share.  All three of them use the same general layout/design, but with new stamp sets, designer papers and Sale-a-brations items.  "One Design Three Ways".  I wanted to highlight how easy it is to take a simple design and use whatever products/stamp sets you've got on hand to come up with a fresh, new card.

This is the first one (I'll share the others once my swaps have been received by my friends)

It uses the new FREE (with a minimum $60 CDN purchase) Party Pandas Sale-a-brations set.  These little cuties make a quick and easy birthday card for kids OR adults!

The card base is Whisper White, 5 1/2" x 8 1/2"
The Real Red strip is 1/2" x 4 1/4"
The Designer Paper is the new Petal Passion DSP in the 2018 Occasions Catalogue, at 1" x 4"
I used the Starburst Punch (new in the 2017-2018 Annual Ctalogue - just got his one - HOW did I not notice it before???) for the Panda and then the 2 1/2" punch (also new in the annual catalogue) for the Basic Black layer. 
The panda is stamped on the card base and then again on scrap and punched out, and then popped up on dimensionals. 
The balloon is colored with my Real Red marker, and a rhinestone finishes it off.
** Top Tip - given that the panda has a lot of solid black areas on his body it can be difficult to get a strong, saturated, crisp black image.  You have to make sure your ink pad is nice and juicy ... orrrrrrrrrrrr .... use your Stamparatus so you can reink and restamp the image as many times as you need to in order to get that perfect image!

I know most of you don't have the Stamparatus yet - only members of the design team have them now, but hopefully you got in on the first reservation window and will have yours soon!  It really is a great tool to have on hand for solid images like this panda!

Right - on with my day.  Today's mission is to come up with a Designer Series Paper Share too offer.  Stay warm - and have a stampy day!


Tam