Blackberry Butterfly

Happy Friday!

Ack!  I'm sitting here relaxing and just remembered it's Craft Night!  Perhaps I should go set up some tables! … soon … better finish my post first!  Yup - pretty laid back today.  The 1 hour back massage I had may have something to do with that!  I booked a massage for today as my UPPER back has been giving me grief all week - ever since our Family Fun Night game of Twister.  (Note to self:  Making game suggestions of this sort after a few glasses of wine is not a good idea!).  I figured I pinched a muscled DEEP beneath my shoulder blade as sleeping on my back hurt my LUNGS!  So today I went … and I'm going again Tuesday.  I was dreading the pain she was going to inflict on me but she eased me into it because I was so messed up it would make things worse if she went to hard to fast.  Phew!  I felt a million times better afterwards.  She thinks my RIBS are actually out of whack and suggested if it didn't feel better I should go to the chiropractor to straighten things out.  Ya.  No more Twister for ME!

So, while I contemplate dinner …. and setting up for tonight I wanted to share the card I made last night.

LOVE it!!!  It's a pretty gloomy day here today so I struggled with lighting but trust me when I say in "person" this card is SO striking!  The Blackberry Bliss (yes, I seem to be using that colour for EVERY card lately!) and Dazzling Diamond cad stock against the Whisper White is SO crisp - LOVE!

Before I get into it any further, let's watch the Stampin' Up! video :)

Now if you have attended any of my classes lately you know I use the wax paper for my framelits … but this die requires a NEW trick … dryer sheets.  Yup - I just stocked up on them so I could do THIS:

Thanks Deb Valder for sharing that with us … and yes, Demonstrators all over the world are now digging out their Doily Dies *lol*

So here is my card again …

So simple!  The sentiment is in the Butterfly Basics Bundle (I wasn't convinced I liked the stamp set but the bundle is 15% off so I HAD to get it - you know I can't resist a deal …. even if it's on something I don't like!!!).  I'm actually quite glad I bought the coordinating set - I love this font and I have the feeling the other images are ones I will use over and over again.  Stay tuned for more cards using them!

This will very likely be one of the cards we make in class this week.  The only "down" side to the card is that it won't fit in a standard envelope because I placed the butterfly off the card.  I tried to keep it within the 5 1/2" x 4 1/2" boundaries but it just didn't look as good (trust me - I tried moving it 4 times before I gave up!~).  No worries - My envelope punch board will help me make a custom envelope.  It's worth the extra work to have the crd "just so".

Ok - I really should rotate my backside of this chair (disturbing the cat who is curled up in my armpit in the process!)

Pop in again soon to see more projects.  Until then, have a stampy night!


Tam

Bow Builder Punch by Stampin’ Up!

Happy Wednesday!

Phew!  OK - a bit of a "catch up" day today.  I could use it!  Yesterday was non-stop!  I'm quite happy t hibernate today.  We had freezing rain last night and I'm in NO hurry to drive around on roads that are skating rinks.  I'll be quite happy when the temperature settles in to a steady below zero number so we can stop this nonsense.  Rain in January is just WRONG!  … and I can't tell you how many times I've slipped in the last week (only fell once though!)  Even Koda went down a few times!

Right!  So I finally had 20 minutes to spare … so thought I'd share a project I made back in early January, for my Open House.  Ready?

Ta Da!  Hee hee - love this card!  I made it just hours before my Open House.  I wanted to showcase the new Bow Builder Punch.  I punched out the pieces for the bow.  Within 30 seconds I figured the bow would just sit on the shelf for the next 4 years as life was WAY too short to be messing around with THAT nonsense!!!  Gluing little bitty pieces together.  Ya, no.  But wait!  Then I remembered our moustache thinlit!  I made a quick background using my Stylish Stripes Embossing folder, made a moustache and Wa-LOW!  I FUN card that took about 3 minutes to make … and 2 1/2 of it was for the stupid bow!  Now!  Fast forward a few weeks and this bow punch has grown on me.  True, you have to glue the pieces together … but rather than use my Tombow white glue I use my favourite adhesive - GLUE DOTS instead and I'm a much happier crafter!  I will be making a bunch of these cards for the boutique in the coming weeks.  A great card for the fellas.  Now here is the official video made by Stampin' Up! showing what *fun* this punch is *lol*

Is it just me or do you get twitchy looking at all the wasted card stock? *lol*

Okay - that's it for today - time to get a few things done around the house.  Pop in again soon.  Have a stampy day!


Tam

So You Project Kit by Stampin’ Up!

Happy Tuesday!

ACK!  I'm CRAZY busy these days - it's a GREAT thing but I'm not standing still for more than 2 minutes at a time!!!  LOTS of projects to share but no time to do it … so here's another video for you!

Make sure you "Like" my business FaceBook page "Tamara's Paper Trail" for more frequent mini updates and project posts.  I've posted this weeks Weekly Deals (embossing folders and Textured Boutique machine!!!!) as well as Valentine Treats - go on … GO!

… after that check out this video on another project kits (you KNOWWWWW how much I love kits!!!)

Have a stampy day!!


Tam

Mini Treat Bag Thinlits Die by Stampin’ Up!

Happy Saturday!

As I sit here contemplating another cup of coffee I thought I would post a project!

I have another video - this one hi-lights the new Mini Treat Bg Framelit Dies in the Occasions Catalogue.  Now I have to admit it took me placing a few orders before I caved and bought this item.  When I first saw it I thought "Life is WAY too short to be making my own little bags".  Heck - there are lots of stores out there selling ready-made bags for dirt cheap, right?  … and the $48.95 price tag was nothing to sneeze at - even at my demonstrator discount!  Alas … it was OTHER little dies in this set that kept begging me to buy them … and I eventually caved.  Have I made a treat bag yet?  Nope.  Have I made an adorable little card with the other pieces yet?  Yup.  Will I be making more adorable cards?  Yup.  Will I make a treat bag since I now have the die for it?  Likely.  Am I glad I own this set? Absolutely!  Check out the video first:

Right??!!
Now check out my card:

Key-UTE!  … and it took me about 2 MINUTES to make!  I seriously made it the day of my Catalogue Launch Open House - SO quick and easy!  I used the heart die three times to punch out all the hearts.  I punched out a red circle using the 1/2" circle punch.  I placed the white front on a black mat, figured out where I wanted the red heart to go, taped down the 1/2" circle and then taped the white layer on top.  I grabbed my Just Sayin' stamp set ad stamped the sentiment in Real Red.  DONE!  I will be making more of these to have on hand and to sell at the Boutique.  A great, fast, fun card … using the Mini Treat Bag die :)

OK - maybe I'll skip the coffee, grab some breakfast and take a nap - I don't think I'm done sleeping quite yet!  Until next time, have a stampy Saturday!

Tam

Hooray It’s Your Day Project Kit by Stampin’ Up!

Happy Thursday!

So …. how is it that I can look through the catalogue about 19 times and still miss stuff???  Seriously!  About a week ago I saw a fellow demonstrator advertising for a class to make 20 cards.  I remember thinking how cute the balloon and sun rays card was and was trying to determine how she made the rays …. and then I realized it was part of a KIT!!!!!  I LOVE kits!  Have since I was a kid.  Well would you look at that …. here it is in a video!

I think I better grab another coffee and my catalogue and see what ELSE I may have missed *lol*

Pop in again soon and have a stampy day!



Tam

A Happy Thing with Masking Technique

Happy Wednesday!

NO time to chat today - off to the dentist this morning (I HATE the dentist - chalk it up to a BAD orthodontist when was in Grade 7 … didn't go to a dentist for 13 YEARS afterwards!!!)

I still haven't cracked open this set but after watching this video I want to!

Pop in again soon.  Have a stampy day!


Tam

Project Life® Album Club

Happy Tuesday!

Yes - I'm saying it again - I LOVE PROJECT LIFE!!!

I KNOW you've heard it before but I know I don't have you all convinced yet as I still have spots available in my new Project Life Album Club (that starts in a few weeks)!  

Check out these three videos using just a FRACTION of the Project Life items available:

This last one is a FREE item you can pick when you spend $60 (pre s/h/gst) during the Sale-a-brations promotion that is running right NOW!

So!  Are you ready to start getting those pictures in albums?  Seriously - if you use the 12" x 12" album you don't even need to cut your photos!  Just slide them in the pockets, journal something about them (or don't!) and you're done!  Here again are the details on my club.  Contact me if you want "in"!

***  NEW CLUB - my PROJECT LIFE CLUB

• Come over once a month, for 6 months to work on getting your pictures off your phones, out of your shoe boxes and into ALBUMS!  I cracked off my 2014 album in only 8 hours and LOVE it!!!
  • Starting Month:  February
  • We will meet:  The 3rd Wednesday evening of each month, for 6 months (Feb - July), at 6:30 pm
  • Commitment:  Spend a minimu of $32.45 (pre s/h/gst) per month for 6 months  (works out to $37.48 with s/h/gst)
  • What you get:
    • Each month you choose one of the 6 Project Life Card Collection and coordinating Accessory Pack (which comes out to $32.45 per month)
      • Each Card Collection has 100 double sided, colour-coordinated cards per collection in 3 sizes: 4" x 6", 4" x 4" and 3" x 4"
      • Each Accessory Pack includes (4) 3" x 4" specialty cards and (1) roll of Washi Tape
      • ** you can check out the collection on page 189 of the annual catalogue and/or page 47 of the Occasions Catalogue
        • yes, you can purchase ANY product you like if you don't want to choose the card collection and/or accessory pack - as long as the total comes to $32.45 or more
    • Each of the 6 months one of the 6 club members will be deemed the "hostess" for that month
      • During your "hostess month" you will receive the 12" x 12" Black Faux Leather Album (a $36.95 value!) OR
      • During your "hostess month" you will receive (2) 6" x 8" Espresso Project Life Albums + (1) 6" x 8" Variety Pack Photo Pocket Pages (a $32.50 value!)
    • MY FREE GIFTS TO YOU FOR JOINING:
      • (1) pack of 6" x 8" Variety Pack Photo Pocket Pages OR (1) pack of 12" x 12" Photo Pocket Pages AND
    • (1) Black Project Life Journaling Pen
  • ** Note:  You will have everything you need to start putting pages together at our first "class" but you won't get your photo album until your designated hostess month
  • As the first class is scheduled for Wednesday, February 18th at 6:30 pm I need to have the club members in place before February 1st so I can order the products for you.  Please contact me if you would like more information and/or want to join the club.  I can't tell you just how much I love this "Memory Keeping System" - it's not scrapbooking - this is faster, cheaper and lets you GET a Life ... with Project Life!

Sale-A-Bration Irresistibly Yours Specialty Paper

Happy Monday!

Just a reminder to my local stampers - I still have room in both my 12-Month Stamp Club and my new Project Life 6-Month Club and am looking for a few more members.  Drop me a line if you would like me to email you more information or if you would like to join the fun.  Both clubs start in a few weeks!

I'm posting a video for you today to show you the FUN paper you can get for FREE with the Sale-a-brations promotion that is going on right now.

Spend $60 and the Irresistibly Yours Designer Series Paper can be your free pick.  Check out the video to see how easy it is to change the paper from white to any colour you like.  Love it!

Until next time - have a stampy day!


Tam

Hello Life

Happy Sunday!

I have deemed today official "Sweet Legs / Comfort Wear / Pajama Day".  No getting dressed around here.  If you drop in on us be prepared to be met with bad hair do's, yesterday's makeup and lounge wear everywhere you look!

Today I'm sharing another card we made at Wanda's party Friday night.  This card looks SO much better "in person" - the colours are amazing together!

LOVE it!!!  In fact I loved it so much I made 12 of them for the boutique (my cards are for sale at a small, popular leggings boutique that just opened in St. Albert - Sweet Boutique.  They sell primarily THE hot fashion leggings of the year "Sweetlegs" but they are also carrying other clothing that fits any figure and is VERY reasonably priced!)  … but I digress!

I used Whisper White and Blackberry Bliss card stock along with Blackberry Bliss and Crumb Cake inks.  This colour combination is my new favourite!  Looks ah-MAZING together!  I used the Hello Life stamp set - definitely in my top 3 stamp sets for the 2015 Occasions Catalogue.  I love the shape of the hearts and the script of the words.  Since I was mass-producing this card I decided to save some time and, rather than stamping each heart separately, I mounted all three of them on my second-largest clear bock so all 3 get stamped at once.  Clever, yes??  You just have to be careful when you ink them up to just gently lay the stamps on the ink pad - you seriously just place it on the pad, let go and then pick it up again.  If you press on it at all you will get ink on the block and there is a good chance you will transfer it to your card stock when you stamp it.  As always, with photopolymer stamps, make sure you use the foam pierce mat to stamp on.  I had a few stampers not use the pad and their sentiment was a little blurred - it tends to bleed a bit if you don't use the pad.  Use it!

I finally punched 3 hearts from the itty bitty punch pack and attached them with glue dots.  Three rhinestones finished it off. The added beauty of the punched heart is that if you didn't get a complete stamped image a strategically placed punched heart can cover up the error.    Oh!  I almost forgot - we rounded two of the four corners with the Project Life corner rounder for a little added interest.

So that's it for now.  Pop in again tomorrow for another video.  Until then - have a stampy Sunday!


Tam

Sheltering Tree Snow-scape

Happy Saturday!

A slow, lazy start to the weekend - as it should be!  We had a late night last night - I was at a stamping party with the fabulous Wanda and her friends - TOO MUCH FUN!  Naturally I got home later than I should have - and found Rebecca still awake (Alicia was at Grandma's for a sleepover).  I think we finally hit horizontal just after midnight so we're all moving a little slower than usual.  A few more cups of coffee and we'll be off to West Edmonton Mall.  Lord, give me strength!  Yes, I promised the girls we would go to Build-a-Bear Workshop today to use the Christmas Gift Uncle and Auntie gave them.   (If I don't make it home alive please make sure my stamping supplies go to a good home! *lol*)

So!  I wanted to share one of the projects we made last night.  Ready?

Ta-Da!  Have I mentioned lately that I LOVE.  THIS.  SET??  Yes, Sheltering Tree.  You must own it.  Resistance is futile.  Just get it.  It is SO easy to make fabulous cards with the set.  This one is a case in point.  It is so quick and easy!!  It was inspired by a card made by fellow demonstrator Valerie Perlin.  Here is her card:

I loved the snow scene she created - so I CASEd it.  For my card I used a Whisper White base, and Early Espresso mat and a Smoky Slate front.  I stamped the white craft ink snow/leaves first and THEN the Espresso tree.  That way the white didn't pick up the brown, if it was still wet.  The snowy ground was made with another of the images in the Sheltering Tree set but the sentiment is from Blooming with Kindness.  That's a 'must have" set simply for this one sentiment - you need it for all your winter birthdays!  Once the stamping is done 25" of Espresso Bakers Twine is wrapped and tied.  I added some frosted sequins for a little pizzazz and really like the stark white against the rest of the card.  I DID want some shimmer but couldn't find my Vanilla Shimmer mist … and couldn't be bothered to MAKE any … and really don't like taking spray-products to someone else's house … so I left it off.

So there you have it.  A quick fabulous card.  Love it!

Guess I should rotate my backside off the couch and get this day started.  Those bears aren't going to build themselves!  Pop in again soon to see more projects.  Until then - have a stampy Saturday!


Tam