It's my Stampin' Up! Anniversary!

Happy Sunday!  Today marks FIVE years since I began my journey with Stampin' Up! and what an amazing ride it has been!  I had no idea when I joined to save some money on my crafting addiction obsession hobby that I would end up running a successful business and meeting so many amazing people!  Joining Stampin' Up! has literally changed my life and I am so grateful for the many, many blessings that have come from my decision to sign up.
To celebrate this special day I have a project that uses several new products...

Congratulations card featuring the Timeless Love stamp set

I absolutely love the new Timeless Love stamp set...the floral images and the font are just gorgeous!  For this card, using Staz On ink, I stamped the semi-circle of flowers twice to form a circle on thick Wisper White card stock.  I watercoloured the flowers using Blushing Bride and Mint Macaron inks and an aquapainter.  Once it had dried, I used the wreath die from the Wonderful Wreath Framelits to die cut the circle.  It isn't a perfect fit, but because of the variations in the flowers and leaves, one would never know that parts were cut off by the die.  I embellised the die cut wreath with some silver metallic thread that I randomly looped and adhered to the backside.  I added a couple little bits of silver satin ribbon to the bottom. 

The background layer is a 4" x 5-1/4" piece of Mint Macaron card stock that I embossed using the new Elegant Dots TIEF.  I adhered it to a Mint Macaron card base and then adhered the wreath using dimensionals.  The sentiment is stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black ink on Whisper White card stock and is adhered to the card using dimensionals.  The final touch were some strategically placed pearls for a bit of shine.
As I mentioned above, my decision to join Stampin' Up! is one that I will never regret.  If you would like to hear more of my story or get more information about the many benefits Stampin' Up! offers I would love to chat with you.  I love sharing my story and I especially love welcoming new stamping friends to my Tri-City Stampers community!  During the month of June Stampin' Up! is also offering an addtional bonus for all new Associates...can you say two free stamp sets of your choice?  June is the perfect time to begin your Stampin' Up! journey...I would know!!

Now, to celebrate my five year anniversary, I am offering some special savings on five of my Go-to Stampin' Up! products.  These are items that I can't live without and use almost daily.  For the next five days (until Thursday at midnight), save 15% on:

Big Shot (113439) Reg. $136.00, Anniversary Price: $115.60

Magnetic Platform (130658) Reg. $49.00, Anniversary Price: $41.65

Stampin' Trimmer (126889) Reg. $37.00 Anniversary Price: $31.45

Paper Snips (103579) Reg. $12.50  Anniversary Price: $10.63

Grid Paper (130148) Reg. $13.75 Anniversary Price: $11.69

These prices are available only if ordered through me and are not available through my webstore.  To place an order simply email me.  The order will go in on Friday morning, so don't miss out!

Colour Challenge Take Two

Happy Friday!  Finally the end of a crazy, crazy week!  As if life weren't hectic enough right now, my son has come down with Fifth Disease :(  Apparently it is going around his school and his number was up.  Poor kid is so rashy and itchy...ugh!  So glad the weekend is here and we can all rest up!

Today I have another project I made using the colours in this week's challenge over at Sunday Stamps.

Thinking of you card featuring the Summer Silhouettes stamp set with sentiment from Sheltering Tree.

 Once again I turned to the Summer Silhouettes stamp set for my images.  Isn't it funny how you'll go for months not inking a stamp set and then use it several times within a few days.  Here, I stamped the leaves in Crumb Cake ink, the stems in Early Espresso and the flowers in Soft Sky, all on Very Vanilla card stock, which I cut into different-width strips after I had stamped it.  I adhered the strips to a piece of Early Espresso card stock, which is layered on a Crumb Cake card base.

The sentiment is from the Sheltering Tree set and is stamped in Early Espresso ink on Very Vanilla card stock.  I used some long retired natural ribbon and some pearls that I coloured with an alcohol-based marker.

On the inside I simply stamped the leaves and flower images from the front of the card in Crumb Cake ink for a tone-on-tone effect.  Super simple!

Now just a quick reminder to those living in the Cambridge/KW area that tomorrow is my annual Rubber Rummage Sale and new catalogue launch.  You'll want to be here first thing to get first-dibs on a huge selection of retired products...including more than 100 stamp sets, dies, punches, embossing folders, embellishments, papers, kits...oh my!  Once you're done shopping the rummage sale, you can also pick up a free copy of the new Annual Catalogue and browse displays of new products and project ideas.  See you bright and early at 9:30 am sharp ;)

Watercolour Wednesday

Happy hump day!  So glad this crazy week is half over...just a couple more days till the weekend!

Today I have a project I did with my team at our monthly meeting this week.  We were focusing on new products from the Annual catalogue and this make-n-take sure uses lots of them!

Thank you card featuring the Watercolour Wings stamp set.

There are so many awesome new products on this card that are fast becoming favourites of mine.  For starters, that corrugated specialty paper is the bomb!  I love it!  Fabulous texture in neutrals that go with just about anything.  You'll definitely be seeing more of that in the future.  Here, I cut a piece to 4" x 5-1/4" and then tore it on the diagonal to get my background piece.  I layered that on a piece of Crush Curry card stock and added the Tangelo Twist strip, embossed with the Honeycomb TIEF, along the right side. That is adhered to a card base made of Kraft card stock.

Now, there is a story to the butterflies.  I had planned to use the Watercolour Wings stamp set to create my butterflies, which I did, to a point.  When I opened my new stamps I discovered that rather than receiving two sheets of different stamps (which is the way it is supposed to come) I had two of the same sheet of stamps.  That meant I was working with half a set, so I had to improvise.  (Just so you know, Stampin' Up is sending me a whole new stamp set...they have awesome customer - and demonstrator - service!).  To get the solid background for the two butterflies I first die cut the solid large butterfly from scrap card stock using the Bold Butterfly Framelits and the small one using the Butterflies Thinlits.  Then, using the negative as a stencil, I sponged the two butterflies in Crushed Curry ink.  I then could stamp the various texture stamps that I had from the Watercolour Wings set in Tangelo Twist and in Versamark so I could heat emboss in gold.  Then I die-cut the two stamped images using the same dies I did to create the stencils.

I die cut the two detailed butterflies using the Butterflies Thinlits and the Bold Butterfly Framelits from gold foil sheets and adhered them over top of the stamped ones...they are a perfect fit. 

The final touch was the addition of a sentiment using one of the Expressions Natural Elements...love those!

On the inside I stamped the smaller butterfly image (that was included on the half set I had) in Crushed Curry ink full strength and then again stamped off once and twice.  I added the detail layer in Tangelo Twist ink in the same manner.  The sentiment is also from the Watercolour Wings set and is stamped in Tangelo Twist.

Inside view with sentiment from Watercolour Wings.

Ombre Vintage Leaves

Today I want to show you one of the projects I made this weekend whilst playing with some new products.  I was inspired by this week's challenge over at the Friday Mash-up, which was to use an ombre effect and/or an embellishment cluster.

I did both!  Check it out:

Thank you card featuring the Vintage Leaves stamp set with sentiment from Happy Notes.

I SO love the leaf images in the Vintage Leaves set!  So detailed and intricate!  I can't wait to make fabulous Fall projects this year!  To achieve this look, I began with an Early Espresso card base and adhered 1-1/4" x 4" strips of (from bottom to top): Delightful Dijon, Hello Honey, Crushed Curry and Daffodil Delight.  Then I stamped the leaf images randomly using Early Espresso ink.  So easy and so cool!

To create my embellishment cluster I first stamped the sentiment label from the Happy Notes stamp set on Very Vanilla card stock using Early Espresso ink.  I die cut it using the Lots of Labels Framelits (which can be purchased in a bundle with the Happy Notes set for 15% off!).  I stamped three leaf images on three different shades of yellow card stock and die cut them using the Leaflets Framits (also available in a 15% off bundle!).  I adhered them to the back of the sentiment label and added a bit of Burlap trim.  The finishing touch was some new gold metallic thread...oh, how I love this stuff!  It takes some patience to get it to cooperate, but it is so worth the effort!

On the inside I adhered a piece of Very Vanilla card stock on which I had stamped more leaves in Early Espresso ink.

This ombre look is so easy to achieve...just choose different shades of the same colour and you're good to go!  So many more ideas floating around in this little brain of mine...and so little time to stamp!

Now here are your Weekly Deals for this week.  As always, prices are good until Monday at midnight  :)

Alphabet Rotary Stamp Price: $18.50  Sale: $13.88	Gift Card Envelope & Trims Thinlits Dies Price: $41.00   Sale: $30.75	Gold Glimmer Paper Price: $6.25   Sale: $4.69
Pansy Punch Price: $20.00   Sale: $15.00	Silver 5/8" Satin Ribbon Price: $8.75   Sale: $6.56	Tiny Triangles Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Price: $9.25   Sale: $6.94
Whisper White 5/8" Satin Ribbon Price: $8.75  Sale:  $6.56	Zig Zag Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Price: $9.25  Sale:  $6.94

A new colour challenge

Today marks the beginning of a new colour challenge over at Sunday Stamps.  I love the softness of this pallette...check it out:

Here is my project for the Design Team:

Thank you card featuring the Summer Silhouettes stamp set with sentiment from Best of Greetings (retired)

 For this challenge I went with the obivous and allowed the image in the challenge graphic to inspire me.  I used the Summer Silhouettes stamp set, which is one I love but don't pull out nearly often enough.  The background image is from the new You've Got This set and is stamped on Very Vanilla card stock in Crumb Cake ink, but stamped off twice so is was very faded.  The leaves and stems are stamped full-strength in Crumb Cake, which gives you an idea just how faded the background is.  The little flowers are stamped in Soft Sky ink.

I used pearls that I coloured using my beloved and still-going-strong Blendabilities to add the blossom on the large flower.  The band across the bottom of the stamped images is some retired This and That Washi Tape.  I layered three strips to get the width I wanted.  The sentiment is stamped in Chocolate Chip ink on Very Vanilla card stock and is accented with a couple more little blue pearls.  The card front is matted on a piece of Chocolate Chip card stock before being adhered to a Soft Sky card base.

On the inside I stamped more of the images from the front, this time stamping the blossom images  in Soft Sky ink rather than using pearls.  

I loved this colour combo so much I used it on a couple of other projects...be sure to check back later this week.  In the meantime visit the Design Team blogs for more colour happiness and then be sure to play along over at Sunday Stamps!

Announcing New 2015/16 Catalogue Product Shares

What is a Product Share?  

It is a way for you to get samples of several different products at a reasonable cost without having to purchase large quantities.  Product Shares are a great way to get a little of everything without breaking the bank!

How do they work?  

Peruse the list of Product Shares below.  Once you have decided on the ones you would like to purchase, click the link below to reserve your shares.  

http://goo.gl/forms/RQlVEaCwBR

When your shares fill (the number available for each share is listed in (parentheses) beside the share’s name) I will email a Paypal (*) invoice to you to complete the payment process.  I will then place my order with Stampin' Up!  Upon arrival of the product, I will sort, cut, wrap/assemble, package and mail. This process can take upwards of 12-14 business days (barring any backorders with Stampin' Up!).

(Note:  It can take a while for shares to fill up, so patience is a virtue.  If you need items in a hurry it might be better to go ahead and order full packages of them.)

How will I get my product?

You will receive a mailing confirmation from me when they are on their way.  Postage fees vary depending on the size and weight of the share and are listed beside each Share description.  For multiple shares, combined shipping may be available, depending on size and weight.

(*) I use Paypal for all my billing needs.  However, a paypal account is not required to make your payment.  Just an email address and credit/debit card is all you need.  When you receive my paypal invoice, you can choose to pay using your paypal account funds or by credit/debit card.  Just follow their SUPER EASY instructions to make your payment via the method that is most convenient for you.

2015/16 Annual Catalogue Product Shares

All ribbon shares are wrapped around chipboard to ensure wrinkle free ribbon. Paper shares are package with chipboard to prevent creasing.  In addition...all shares are protected by cello bag packaging, ensuring safe and dry delivery!
**Note:  Local pick-up is also available. 

All prices are in Canadian Dollars

Designer Series (Patterned) Paper Share (8)  $29.00 (+$8.00 postage)

Includes 114 sheets of DSP/Specialty Paper (all sized at 6” x 6” excluding Thick Whisper White card stock sample)

• 48 sheets of Designer Series Paper from all 8 packages listed on pg. 142-143
• 12 sheets of Specialty Designer Series Paper from the 2 packages shown on pg. 142
• 36 sheets of Designer Series Paper from all 3 DSP stacks shown on pg. 144
• New Specialty papers shown on pg. 148-149 including:
• 2 Glassine sheets, 2 corrugated paper (one of each colour), 4 Cotton Paper Assortment (one of each colour), 4 Neutrals Envelope Paper (2 white, 1 each of Kraft and Vanilla), 10 In-colour Envelope Paper
• Whisper White Thick card stock - 2 8-½” x 5-½ “ pre-cut and scored card bases.

Colour Collection Paper Stack Share (8)   $22.50 (+$8.00 postage)

Includes 100 sheets of new Designer Series Paper (all sized at 6” x 6”)

• 20 sheets In-colour background DSP stacks
• 20 sheets Brights background DSP stacks
• 20 sheets Subtles background DSP stacks
• 20 sheets Regals background DSP stacks
• 20 sheets Neutrals background DSP stacks

Baker’s Twine Share (5) $12.00 (+4.00 postage)

Includes the following 45 yards of regular and thick Baker’s Twine

• 5 yards of regular Baker’s Twine in each of the following 6 colours: Basic Black, Bermuda Bay, Cherry Cobbler, Crushed Curry, Old Olive, Whisper White
• 3 yards of thick Baker’s Twine in each of the following 5 colours: Bermuda Bay, Calypso Coral, Cherry Cobbler, Smokey Slate, Very Vanilla

Specialty Ribbon and Trim Share (5) $14.00 (+3.00 postage)

Includes a total of 8 yards of specialty ribbon as follows:

• 1 yd  of ⅝” Natural Chevron ribbon
• 1 yd of ⅝” Smokey Slate Chevron ribbon
• 1 yd of 1-¼” Burlap trim
• 1 yd of 1-¼” White Jute trim
• 1 yd of ⅞” Sahra Sand Lace trim
• 3 yds of ⅝” Organza ribbon

New ⅜” Satin Ribbon Share (5) $13.00 (+$3.00 postage)

Includes 2 yards of each of the following FIVE colours (10 yards in total):

• Basic Black
• Crumb Cake
• Melon Mambo
• Pacific Point
• Whisper White

Satin and Crochet Ribbon Share (5) $12.00 (+3.00 postage)

Includes 9 yards of satin ribbon and crochet trim as follows:

• 1 yd of Venetian Crochet Trim
• 2 yds of ⅝” Gold Satin Ribbon
• 2 yds of ⅝” Silver Satin Ribbon
• 2 yds of ⅝” Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon
• 2 yds of ⅝” Whisper White Satin Ribbon

¼” Cotton Ribbon Share (5) $23.00 (+5.00 postage)

Includes 2 yards of each of the following TWELVE  colours (24 yards in total):

• Blushing Bride
• Daffodil Delight
• Early Espresso
• Island Indigo
• Marina Mist
• Melon Mambo
• Pear Pizzazz
• Pool Party
• Pumpkin Pie
• Real Red
• Rich Razzleberry
• Whisper White

½” Seam Binding Ribbon Share (5)  $16.00 (+$4.00 postage)

Includes 2 yards of each of the following SEVEN colours (14 yards in total):

• Calypso Coral
• Early Espresso
• Night of Navy
• Pink Pirouette
• Whisper White
• Wild Wasabi
• Wisteria Wonder

Metallic Ribbon and Trim Share (5) $13.00 (+4.00 postage)

Includes a total of 32 yards metallic ribbon and trim as follows:

• 5 yds Gold Baker’s Twine
• 5 yds Silver Baker’s Twine
• 2 yds Bermuda Bay Sequin Trim
• 2 yds Blushing Bride Sequin Trim
• 2 yds Gold Sequin Trim
• 2 yds Silver Sequin Trim
• 5 yds Gold Metallic Thread
• 5 yds Silver Metallic Thread
• 2 yds Gold ⅛” Metallic Ribbon
• 2 yds Silver ⅛” Metallic Ribbon

2015-17 In-Colour Share (5) $14.00 (+3.00 postage)

Includes ribbon and embellishments in the new 2015-17 In-Colours as follows:

• 1 yd 1” Dotted Lace Trim in Tip Top Taupe
• 1 yd 1” Dotted Lace Trim in Watermelon Wonder
• 1 yd 1” Dotted Lace Trim in Mint Macaron
• 1 yd 1” Dotted Lace Trim in Cucumber Crush
• 1 yd 1” Dotted Lace Trim in Delightful Dijon
• 10 Blossom Accents (2 of each colour)

Colour Family Button Share (4) $12.00 (+4.00 postage)

Includes a total of 72 buttons:

• 18 Neutrals Buttons (1 of each of  3 sizes in 6 colours)
• 18 Brights Buttons (1 of each  of 3 sizes in 6 colours)
• 18 Subtles Buttons (1 of each  of 3 sizes in 6 colours)
• 18 Regals Buttons (1 of each  of 3 sizes in 6 colours)

Specialty Button Share (4) $13.50 (+3.00 postage)

Includes a total of 34 buttons:

• 8 silver Basic Metal Buttons (2 of each of 4 sizes)
• 8 gold Basic Metal Buttons (2 of each of 4 sizes)
• 6 Classy Designer Buttons (2 of each of 3 sizes)
• 6 Vintage Designer Buttons (2 of each of 3 sizes)
• 6 Vintage Faceted Buttons (2 of each of 3 sizes)

Wooden Accents Share (4) $4.75 (+1.50 postage)

Includes a total of 18 wooden accents as follows:

• 6 Expressions Natural Elements (2 of each design)
• 4 Wooden Clothespins
• 4 Mini Metallic Clothespins in silver
• 4 Mini Metallic Clothespins in gold
  
  
  Click HERE to order your shares!