Four You Case

Happy Saturday!

Off to the spa this morning so I'll be brief!

Today's share is another CASE from Debra Currier at www.ARTfeltImpressions.blogspot.ca - you should check out her work - it really is awesome!  This is another 99.9% CASE … the ONLY change I made was that I used Garden Green card stock for the leaves rather than Gumball Green that she used … and that's only because Gumball Green retires in 2 days *sniff*.  Here is her/my card:

LOVE it!  SO bright and cheery - just makes me smile!

The circle was cut out of the toplayer sung my 2 1/2" circle punch.  The Daffodil Delight layer was run through the embossing folder that was FREE during SAB (and just MAY be in the new catalogue for sale!  … just mayyybeeee ….).  The flower was stamped with the Petite Petals in Tangerine Tango and punched out with the coordinating punch.  The leaves are from the Buird Builder punch.  The sentiment is from "Four You" and there is a candy dot in the centre of the flower.  I flagged the end of a 3/4" x 3 1/2" strip of cs with my paper snips and attached it all with dimensionals and/or glue dots.  A great, WOW card that would bring a smile to anyone who got it in the mail!

Right!  I'm off to get pretty toes!  Until next time, have a stampy day!


Tam

Peaceful Petals Case

Happy Friday!

The rain is supposed to be done and we are told it will be mid-20's through until Sunday - perfect!  I'm starting the weekend off by having some friends over tonight for wine, snacks and cards - were using the happenings card kits )I'll be making three teacher's gifts out of the 15 cards!).  Saturday I'm off for a pedi with my bestie … and Sunday is my New Catalogue Open House - friends are dropping in to grab their new catalogues and squeal at all the yummy new products with me!  My idea of a grey weekend!

Today I'm sharing one of the cards we made at my party last weekend. I can't take any credit for it - it's 100% CASEd from Debra Currier over at www.ARTfeltImpressions.blogspot.com.  It's a quick card that I found really striking:

What I like about it is that it is clean and simple but has interest from texture and dimension.  Perfect!  We used the Peaceful Petals stamp set, stamped in Black Staz-on.  We then coloured it using Raspberry Ripple and a blender pen, Daffodil Delight and Pistachio Pudding markers.  After using the blender pen we then used the actual Raspberry Ripple MARKER to accent the flowers.  The sentiment was stamped in Staz-on (from Delightful Dozen) and 3 minim brads were added for a little pizzazz.  Oh!  the layer, after being coloured, was run through the Big Shot and the Fancy Fan embossing folder and then popped up on dimensionals.  Quick, easy and awesome!

That's it for today!  Have a stampy Friday!


Tam

Soho Subway Scraps

Happy Thursday!

Day 4 of rainy, dreary weather … and I love it!  This has been SUCH a great, relaxing week I would love if it was like this every week!  I mean really … it's not like I'd be outside if it were nice … the laundry/dishes/chores don't get done if I'm sitting outside reading a magazine!  … so I'd perfer, since I have to be inside most of the time anyway, that it be yucky OUTside!  Plus when it's nice out I feel I SHOULD be outside … given that we can only DO that for 5 months of the year!  So yep - let it rain Monday-Friday each week.  I get a clean house, completed chores and a wee bit of crafting in.  My idea of awesome!

So today I'm sharing a card I was planning to use for my party/workshop last week …but I figured it would be too fiddly for new stampers.  It's not HARD but fiddly … so it didn't make the cut. I still like it, though … check it out:

It's actually a CASE of a card made by Sandy over at www.scrappyhabits.com .  Here is her card:

I find hers really striking … and a great way to use up scraps of DSP .. of which I have a BUCKET full!

For my card I used Very Vanilla cs for the base and layer.  I punched out circles with my 1 1/4" circle punch.  The Soho Subway DSP were punched out with the 1 3/8" circle punch and taped down before placing the layer on top (popped up with dimensionals).  The fiddly part was getting the DSP circles in just the right spot behind the "window" circles.  Oh … and I used my new Project Life corner rounder on the layer.  The sentiment is from "Blue Ribbon" stamp set, stamped in Early Espresso and punched out with the 13/8" circle punch).

That's it!  A great "masculine" card - no fluff or bling!

Pop in again to see some more projects.  Until then - have a stampy day!

Tam

2014 - 2015 In Color Colors

Happy Wednesday!

Another day of not-much-going-on-around-here … and I'm loving it!  More time to blog *lol*

I spent some time this weekend playing in my craft room. I needed to come up with my treats for the club-gal bags.  My original plan was to make a card front using the new Blendabilities markers.  They are FUN!  Alas, after colouring about 10 flowers the lightest marker went dry :(  Stampin' Up! ALWAYS makes *it* right and a new one is on it's way to me but too late for the bags … so I had to move on to Plan B.  Let me introduce you to the 2014-2015 In Color Colors instead!

Ta Da!  Let's see if I can remember the names … Mossy Meadow, Lost Lagoon (nice colour but weird name in my opinion!), Hello Honey, Tangelo something-or-other, and Blackerry Bliss (yummy!!!!!) … something like those, anyway!  I used a few new products on this little cute - the new small heart punch (comes in a pack of 3 punches and replaces the small heart from the 2013-2014 catalogue … looks very similar but is really a little chubbier than the old one … I like this one better!) and the new Project Life corner rounder (love it too!).

Let's take a peek at how I mass produced them, shall we?  OK!  First I cut all the layers and rounded the corners.  Next I used the "thx" framelit (from the circle flip card framelit thingy pack) to punch out the sentiment (in Balckberry Bliss).  Then I punched out all the hearts … and stuck them to my mini glue dots (this makes the actual assembly MUCH faster than doing each heart one at a time!)

Once that was done I ran each layer through my stripes embossing folder.  I put the folder with the lack SU logo facing DOWN so I got the debased image in the direction I wanted the arrows … like this:

"TAMARA!", I hear you cry … "how on earth did you get just a strip of the embossing folder to emboss??"

Well My Dear Stamper, you simply take your craft and rubber scissor and cut that embossing folder up!  Like so:

You then just fold the thin strip against the card stock and run it through your Big Shot with the other flaps "up" … that way only the thing strip embosses. Don't worry … if you ever want to emboss a full layer of paper you still can …just close all 3 pieces of the folder - good as new!  Yes, I know - I'm a genius!

I added a single rhinestone to the orange heart and Wa-low!  Done!

Let's see the final project again!

Love it :)  I ca't wait to play with all the new colors some more!

I have another 3 or 4 posts in the works so pop in again soon to check those out.  Until then, have a stampy day!

Tam

Work Of Art

Happy Tuesday!

A perfectly gloomy day here in Edmonton today … the perfect day to make some soup, do some housework and generally relax!  Today is one of those rare days where I have nothing on the calendar!!    Of course rather than try to get AHEAD of the game for once I'm enjoying a second cup of coffee and thought I'd take a few minutes to post a project for you!  I know, right?  Crazy!  *lol*

Last night I managed to steal an hour in my craft room.  I started off cleaning up from Sunday's party … but that quickly turned into a mini crafting session.  Back in April (April 30th to be exact!) I went to the new catalogue premiere and got a free stamp set called Work of Art.  Almost a month later I FINALLY got a minute to put it together and test drive it.  Oh ya - LOOOOVE it!!  Here's what I came up with:

Fun!!!  There have been SO many awesome samples using this fun new set … it's a "must have" … right up there with Gorgeous Grunge!  I couldn't resist making a fairly monochromatic card using the delicious new Blackberry Bliss In Color colour.  What pairs better with purple than gold??!!  The picture isn't a great one but it's awesome *live*!  I inked the swipe image and silly stamped it four times, so the colour got lighter each time.  I gold embossed the sentiment from …. umm …. you know … that other stamp set I love …. uh … Really Great Greetings?  Sure - let's go with that (where is that catalogue when I need it??).  The sequins are from the gold sequin ribbon/thread/rope stuff (ok … apparently brain is quite engaged yet this morning!) … I took them off the string and attached them with glue dots (been going through glue dots like Tic Tacs this week!).  I matted the top layer on a piece of the Gold Foil … and that on a piece of Blackberry Bliss.  Love it!  …now I'm craving blackberries …. think I'll hit the fridge!

Pop back tomorrow(ish) … I have more stuff to share (and apparently the time to share it!)  Until then - have a stampy day!

Tam

RETIRING PRODUCT SALE NOW ON!!!

Happy Thursday, again …

Today is the day …  the Retiring Products Blowout Sale of 25% - 50% off starts NOW! Shop online (www.tamarabertram.stampinup.net) to get items before they sell out!! Club members, use the hostess code GKRDDHFB at checkout to apply your order to your monthly quota.

Some of my "MUST HAVE" items are on the list and are on sale!  "Oh, Hello" set, Embossing folders, "Gently Falling" set, "Hearts a Flutter" set, Polka Dot Parade DSP, Natural Buttons … the list goes on!!!

Happy shopping … and have a super stampy day!!!


Tam

Undefined Stamp Carving

Happy Thursday!

Just a quick one agai today - half day of school for the kids and we're going to the movies in the afternoon!

Have you ever wanted a stamp of a certain image but not been able to find it?  Here's the solution to your problem - carve your own!  I know, I know - scary proposition ... but this video shows how easy it is!  I'm convinced!  I'll be ordering my kit next week :)

Have a stampy day!


Tam

TOMORROW!! Retiring Product Blow Out Sale!!!

Happy Wednesday!

How is it that every time I announce I'm going to be posting less I end up posting more??!!

Today has been a crazy mixed up day.  Rebecca ended up at the dentist and had two more teeth pulled out this morning (that makes 5 this month, 8 in total!!!) so ended up home this afternoon.  Needless to say I've accomplished nothing today.  On the bright side I really had nothing TO accomplish today.  A great day to be a SAHM!

So I come home from the dentist and see a new promotion notification from Stampin' Up! … it starts tomorrow and I can guarantee items will sell out FAST … and by fast I mean within HOURS if history is any indicator!  From the way they wrote the notice it seems like they may be offering already-sold-out items while supplies last … but I'm not sure … might just be worth staying up until 12:00 am to check it out!  Here is the notice:

!!!!!! Get excited!!! Stampin' Up! will be offering a 25%-50% discount on many of the retiring products starting tomorrow, May 22. But you have to act FAST, as this special offer is only available until June 4, 2014 or while supplies last. 90% of the retiring products are already sold out so DON'T WAIT!!! If you missed out on a product the first time, this is your last chance to get it before it's gone for good!

SO exciting!  This is the first year they have had stamps "while supplies last" and they sold out SO fast!  

So if you wanted any items that are retiring, check out the website bright and early tomorrow morning and place an on-line order through my store or you will very likely miss out!  www.tamarabertram.stampinup.net … click on "Shop" in the right hand corner.  Yes, there is a minimum $9.95 shipping charge but it's well worth it if you get the items you want!  

Yes, 12-month club members - you can apply any purchases to your club order (due tomorrow anyway!) IF AND ONLY IF you make an online purchase an apply the hostess code GKRDDHFB at checkout!!!

Gotta fly - off to pick up Alicia … and three other children … yet another long story.  That's the way we roll around here this week!!  Have a stampy day!


Tam

Project Life and Weekly Deals!

Happy Tuesday!

Yes, I'm surprised to see me back so soon too!  Just a quick one today as the Shaw Cable guy is coming shortly to hook up our new Gateway system.  Long story … but suffice it to say if you can save a LOT of money on your monthly bill if you agree to switch to Telus.  Once we decided to switch Shaw came back to us and I'm saving $100 a MONTH for the next 6 months to stay with them.  $100!!!  Sheesh … wonder if that means they charge us all WAY too much for service normally???

Aaaaaaaaanyway!  I just wanted to post that select Project Li
fe items are available for purchase … and the full line is available starting June 1st.  Yes, I already purchased all of these items on my pre-order (one of the perks of being a demonstrator!) so if you have any questions just ask away (I'm THRILLED with all that you get btw!)

I'm placing my next order May 26th.

Oh!  Might as well post the weekly deals while I'm at it!  Here they are … good until May 26th as well:

Gotta run.  Have a stampy Tuesday!

Tam

Card-In-A-Box

Happy Victoria Day!  Kind of a crazy reason to have a day off but we'll take it, yes??

I know I've been MIA lately … have you noticed?  Yes - I've been recovering from the last few months of being stupidly busy, stressed out and fighting fires day after day.  Last week was a lot of catch-up, more field trips and a bit of shopping (both for something called VEGETABLES as well as sandals and a few other things for the upcoming vacation!!)

I've also been taking some time to enjoy the family!  I feel I've been really snippy with them all lately due to the stress and lack of sleep … and am making up for it now.  Last night I also spent a lot of time going through my craft roomed switching out retiring items for NEW items.  I can't believe how many stamp sets leave me every year :(  I struggle to let go of my favourite retiring In Color items but if I DON"T one day I'll be buried alive under all my stuff … I have a LOT of stuff!  (That's great news for my local customers who are going to have tonnes of items to buy at my next garage sale!!)

I've also spent time this week thinking about how I can worker smarter, not harder. One thing I realized was that his blog takes a LOT of time and energy to maintain.  Oh don't worry, I don't plan to stop posting … I LOVE sharing my "crazy" and my projects … I just can't do it every day. What I CAN do faster and more often is post to FaceBook.  The process is SO much faster and easier.  I don't have to take pictures with my camera, upload them to my main computer, edit them and so on, I can just snap a quick pic with my iPad and post it to FB.  If people have questions about the project they can just enter a comment - I don't feel I have to give detailed instructions and products used like I do with my blog posts.  SO!  You need to head over to my "Tamara's Paper Trail" Facebook page - just do a search for it and hit "Like" and stay in the loop of promotions, classes and projects.  I know many of my blog followers and customers aren't ON Facebook.  You can be on Facebook without providing detailed information about yourself (which is why most people chose not to be on FB) - you can set up an anonymous account and just follow me … and others. That will be the site that I update MUCH more frequently than my blog … just for speed and convenience.

Right!  Enough rambling ... let's see a project!  If you ARE already on my Facebook page you all have seen these already … last week!  They are the oh-so-popular Card-in-a-Box … or Pop-up-Card as they are also called.  Here they are:

LOVE how they turned out … but I must say I would only ever make a few of these a year … and only for a VERY special occasion … Like my FIL's 80th birthday or Mother's Day!  Making the box itself is VERY easy … and while the embellishing is supposed to be the fun part I found it about as enjoyable as having my bikini line waxed!  yes - the end result is great but the process is time consuming and painful! lol!  Rather than explain in detail how I made them I'll just direct you to the Splitcoast Stampers tutorial that I used to make them.  This particular layout yields a larger-than-normal card that requires larger envelope (good thing we can make our own with our envelope punch board!) but there ARE tutorials out there with dimensions to make one that fits a standard envelope when closed (cheaper for mailing).  To make this larger size you need 8 1/2" x 12" card stock.  The tutorial can be found here:

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/popupboxcard/

So that's it for today … we're off to see Rio 2 at the theatre in a few hours so I should walk Doodles and get cleaned up.  Speaking of Doodles, here's a cute pic of him and Alicia … the big suck!  lol … Pop in again - until then, have a stampy Monday!

Tam