Yamstamps.com - Linda's Stamping Blog

Cute holder!

2009-11-09T09:58:00-05:00

This idea was shared with us on the Stampin' Up! Demonstrator website. It uses the Christmas Jingle Simply Scrappin' kit, and the box is the Box #2 Bigz Die for the Big Shot! This is the same box die that we are using for our Christmas tags at the Holiday Stamp a stacks (You can see that here). Here, Diana has used two of the boxes back to back, and adhered the lids together, then punched out a handle with the large oval punch - how clever!!

To make your own paper filler (the red crinkly stuff) - use your paper crimper on red cardstock, then run it through a strip cut paper shredder. (If you use a cross cut paper shredder I guess you'd get confetti instead?!)

Non-traditional colour Christmas card

2009-11-08T09:06:33-05:00

This card was created by a demonstrator in my group, Andrea. It's always nice to get ideas from other people - I would never have thought of this colour combination! It's Taken with Teal, Ruby Red and Whisper White. The wheel (the pattern on the left of the card) is from the Holiday Mini - Sassy Sparkles. The Greeting and the design in the scallop circle are from the set Snow Swirled.

I'm finalizing the details on the next of the 12 Weeks of Christmas ideas for my email newsletter subscribers. If you're on my mailing list, look for it this Wednesday in your email inbox. If you're not on my list - please sign up! (Top left corner of the yamstamps.com site!).

Happy Digital Scrapbooking Day!

2009-11-07T14:06:12-05:00

Yes, perhaps another "Day" that you weren't previously aware of?! I celebrated Digital Scrapbooking Day by playing with Stampin' Up!'s My Digital Studio software. Stampin' Up! Demonstrators could enroll in a certification course for this software, and I completed the requirements today...nothing like leaving it until the last moment, since the deadline was today...however, I blame that on computer issues, not procrastination!!

Anyway - I created my personal Christmas cards for family this year. The fun thing with this program is that I can add photos to the cardfront, but I also added a collage of photos to the inside of the card!! Here's a peek at the cardfront.

It was easy to create - this was a template that I just dragged a photo into...the inside sentiment was a digital stamp...too much fun.

If you're interested in creating your own Christmas cards this year - you have options! Attend one of my card events to create hand stamped cards, or consider purchasing the My Digital Studio software - you can print your projects at home or have them done professionally through Stampin' Up!'s print services. One good thing - even though the professionally printed items are coming from the US, because they're done through Stampin' Up!, the shipping costs include handling (and any customs issues!!). (You can receive My Digital Software at 50% off if your workshop sales are $525 or over - ask me for details!)

Christmas Tags Peek

2009-11-06T08:23:00-05:00

Here's a peek at the little box of tags we'll be creating at the Holiday Stamp a Stacks. Looking forward to tonight's event in Hamilton!

I'll be hitting the road again later this month for a stamp a stack repeat in Mississauga.

Hand made gift tags are an easy way to add a personal touch to any gift...and if you present them in a little box, well then, they're a gift in themselves!

Another Christmas Card Idea

2009-11-05T10:25:00-05:00

This was inspired by a demonstrator friend, Darlene, using the ornament punch. This fun card element can be flattened for mailing, and "puffed up" by the recipient. Punch out the ornament 6 times (I used the Christmas Cocoa Specialty Designer Series Paper - the flocked red patterned piece) and fold each in half vertically (good side in). Adhere the "bad" sides of the punch outs to each other, and adhere the two outside edges to the cardfront. I added some gold elastic cord to complete the ornament effect.

This card also uses the ticket corner punch, whisper white organza and the stamp set Teeny Tiny Wishes.

I have lots of stamping events happening this month. Contact me if you're thinking of making your own holiday cards this year!

A Card Clinic Card

2009-11-04T11:52:45-05:00

Getting back up to speed here in cyber world...what a relief.

Here's a card clinic card you could choose for this year. A simple, clean design, easy to create in bulk. Remember if you choose to make it at the card clinic, I do all the prep work - kind of like a sous-chef for cards?! I'll cut all the cardstock & have all the supplies ready & waiting for you.

This card uses Patterned Pines, which is a hostess-only set available in Stampin' Up!'s Holiday Mini Catalogue, and features gold-embossed images.

This card is done with Very Vanilla cardstock. If you're interested in creating this, contact me to discuss Card Clinic Options! (Or see my Classes & Events page)

And the restoration continues....

2009-11-03T10:12:00-05:00

I'm _still_ downloading files to my computer and it's using up a lot of resources, so I'm focusing on getting that done...it's been a bit of a challenge trying to finish up my monthly newsletter (fingers crossed, due out today). May I just say, though, how happy I am that I backed up online?! As much of a pain as this has been, I know how much more painful it could have been....lost pictures, lost audio, lost documents... As it is, I've been operating without my calendar & contacts files and I feel a little bewildered at times (more so than usual, I mean! LOL). I look forward to getting this all wrapped up soon so that I can edit & upload some new samples for you soon!!

(I mean, after I finish all the prep for the Holiday Stamp a Stack this Friday LOL)

Christmas Card Clinics...slight delay in posting

2009-11-02T09:54:00-05:00

(This was one of the popular choices at last year's card clinic. I will offer this as a choice again this year!).

Sorry...I'm still in the midst of trying to recover all my files & photos after my computer issues...it's been a bit of a hassle to say the least. I need to also find my installation discs to reinstall all my word processing & contact stuff (AAAAGH).

In the meantime, I'm posting to say that because of all my technical difficulties, there's going to be a delay in posting the Card Clinic choices. I'll try to get them up ASAP...

For those of you unfamiliar with the Card Clinics, they're a great way to do a bunch of handmade holiday cards easily. I will post a number of different holiday card samples, you select a design (or two, or three LOL) that you like, and I will prepare EVERYTHING for you. You come, stamp & assemble the cards, take them home to write your greetings & mail them out!! Easy peasy. The details: Minimum of 10 cards per design. (Like more than one but don't need that many cards? Consider coming with a friend & sharing your creations afterwards!). Cost is $25 for 10 cards, $2.50 for each additional card after that.

I hope to have the samples album up soon once computer issues have been smoothed out more. In the meantime, if you're looking for a creative outlet, don't forget the Holiday Stamp a Stacks! The Hamilton one is THIS Friday evening - 7pm. Still some spots available, so contact me for more info!

Stampin' Up!'s New Holiday Gift Giving Guide - and Special!

2009-11-01T10:49:00-05:00

Stampin' Up! has produced a Holiday Gift-Giving Guide to help you with your shopping list! (whether it be for gifts for yourself...or for others...). Click on the image or here to see the PDF (you'll need Adobe Reader to view it). If you have troubles, please contact me.

Hand in hand with the guide is a special! From November 1 until January 4th, with every $65 in merchandise you purchase from the Gift-Giving Guide, you may choose any Decor Elements item with a value up to $22.95!

Happy shopping - you can place your order online here or contact me directly.

ARRRR! Act quickly before it's over!

2009-10-31T09:41:22-04:00

Click on the image to watch a video on the Princess & Pirates Party kits that are the last Deal of the Week. Remember - this Deal ends TONIGHT!! (Boo! Scary!).

In the meantime, have a Happy Hallowe'en, and fingers crossed that my computer issues (speaking of Boo! Scary!) are resolved today with yet another phone call with Microsoft support.

ACK!

2009-10-30T09:22:00-04:00

I'm having some major computer issues at present! I still have some online access, though...but if I'm a little slow to respond to emails, that's why... Apologies and fingers crossed that things are resolved SOON.

Quick treat!

2009-10-29T09:43:00-04:00

This is a cute idea for treat for a favourite trick or treater! The wrap is actually a Pillow Box die cut. The project uses the Graveyard Gala stamp set. You can see the complete list of supplies used here.

The Hamilton Holiday Stamp a Stack is just about a week away - there's still time to register!! Contact me if you have any questions, or click below to instantly register using a credit card. See details HERE

Hallowe'en Photo tips

2009-10-28T09:23:16-04:00

It's that time of year - carving the pumpkin, finding and/or creating the perfect costume....not eating all the Hallowe'en candy before October 31st...LOL. A great time for photo taking, too!!

Found some sites for Hallowe'en photography tips HERE and HERE. I like the reminder to be IN as many photos as possible - too often the photographer gets "left out" of the pics (speaking from experience). This is often not discovered until said photographer is then trying to scrapbook the event/photos, and realizes that they have none of themselves. I have a whack of pictures from our trip to Disneyland and I think I appear in two of them.

Another great tip - even if you're not thrilled with how you are appearing these days (and let's face it, we're usually our own worst critics) - it's still good to be in the photos. One friend pointed out that up until a while ago, the only photos of her showed her hiding behind her hand. Not very memorable for herself or for her family (nor very scrapbook-worthy LOL).

In the meantime, I share with you a photo from a few years ago. Remember - even if your photo isn't technically perfect, it can still capture the moment and the memories! I like to take photos in the same spot each year to show the changes and growth. The little ghost here is definitely a bit bigger now! All right - back to the jobs at hand....now where did I put the rest of that candy??!!

Happy Birthday, "Teddy"!

2009-10-27T13:14:13-04:00

Build-a-Bear products are available in Stampin' Up!'s Holiday Mini Catalogue!! They're fun, no matter what your age. Today seemed like a good day to show some cute birthday projects made with Build-a-Bear items, in honour of Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt, born on this day in 1858. The teddy bear was created and named in his honour after the then President was on a hunting trip and refused to shoot a captive bear (he ordered it released instead).

The invitation features the Bigz die Stampin' Up bear; the candy box is made with the Fabulous Favours box and Pawsitively Embosslit die, and birthday hat is made from a paper cone and embellished with the Lil' Paws Embosslit die. If you need more information on these items or projects, feel free to contact me! See here for the complete instructions on creating these birthday projects.

Deals of the Week - Oct 26th

2009-10-26T16:41:48-04:00

Parties have never been easier! This week, the Pirates Party Kit and Princess Party Kit are the featured deals. Regularly $23.99, they are only $13.99 until October 31st. Each kit contains invites and envelopes, decor and favours for eight people.

Act quickly, because this deal is on for less than a full week - only until the end of the month!

You can place your order online or contact me directly.

Last Full Day for this Deal

2009-10-25T09:56:00-04:00

Just a reminder that if you'd like to get the Mini Library Clips (featured in this Cool Kids Simply Scrappin' sample), 1/2" Library Clips, Basic Jumbo Grommets or Circle Designer Brads, be sure to act on it today! Don't miss out - this deal gets pulled at 11:50 am ET tomorrow (Monday). You can place your order online here - don't forget that your $50 online order earns you the instruction kit for this month's Class To Go.

The new Deals of the Week will be announced tomorrow afternoon, so be sure to come back to www.yamstamps.com to see what it is!

Make your list...

2009-10-24T09:27:00-04:00

and check it twice....(click on image to open the file).

My mailing list received this earlier in the week, but I'm also posting it here in case you missed it or (*gasp*) aren't signed up for my email newsletters LOL. (If you want to be signed up, go to the top left of the yamstamps blog).

This is a wish list for Canadian Stampin' Up! customers (sorry, I can only sell to those in Canada, if you need a demonstrator in another country, check out www.stampinup.com for availability in your area). Enter your desired items, indicate an amount for a gift certificate you'd like, and then email it to me. I will get in touch with your contact person to help fulfill your wishes! Return it by November 25th to ensure plenty of shopping time before the winter holidays for your loved ones.

If you have trouble accessing the wishlist (it's a Word document) please contact me. Happy shopping!!

Sweet Treats for Hallowe'en!

2009-10-23T09:18:00-04:00

Stampin' Up!'s Sweet Treat cups are so neat! This tricky Hallowe'en card comes complete with a treat... I designed this one so that the recipient could easily access the candy in the cup without totally destroying the card! Use the 1-3/4" circle punch to create openings in the image, Basic Black cardstock & Only Orange card. Adhere the sweet treat cup to the back of the image by using mini glue dots on the top rim. Don't remove the adhesive cover on the back of the Sweet Treat cup rim. Adhere the image to the Basic Black cardstock with a strip of Sticky Strip along the top & bottom only. Create a tag by re-stamping the image & trimming so it can slide between the image and black cardstock. Use the tag corner punch and horizontal punch to finish the tag effect. Position this over the hole you punched in the card - tada! (oh, don't forget to fill the cup....LOL). The jumbo wheel on the bottom of the card is Haunting Hill, and the image is from Sweet Centres - both from Stampin' Up!'s Holiday Mini Catalogue.

I've got a busy weekend plan - finalizing designs for the Holiday Stamp a Stacks, creating a Hallowe'en costume, trying not to eat all the Hallowe'en candy before it's supposed to be given out.... but if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me - or if you need some crafting supplies, don't forget that you can shop 24/7 at www.yamstamps.stampinup.net!

Hostess Perks!

2009-10-22T09:13:00-04:00

This is another swap card that I recreated, and I apologize as I am no longer sure who designed this originally... It's a beautiful card, isn't it?! This is the Level 2 Hostess stamp set Asian Artistry. You can't purchase it...you can choose it for free if when you host a qualifying workshop (in this case, total merchandise sales of $395 or more). The Old Olive cardstock pieces have been dry embossed with the Backgrounds 1 Big Shot Texturz Plates.

Week 4 of the Twelve Weeks of Christmas went out yesterday - please contact me if you didn't receive it!! (or sign up for my newsletters at the top left of the blog if you haven't yet!)

A not quite so quickie card...

2009-10-21T09:39:00-04:00

A version of this was in my Twelve Weeks of Christmas email earlier. (By the way, the next one is en route to email boxes as you read this - don't miss out - sign up at the top left of the blog!)

Club members requested to do this card "in person" - always makes it easier to "get" the instructions. For this card, we used Barely Banana cardstock, with Bella Bleu designer series paper and the Stampin' Up! set Great Friend which tends to be a "go to" stamp set for me. I really like the sentiment and images. This card fits in a Stampin' Up! medium envelope (the "standard" card size), but will be a bit bulkier in weight.

Learning by hands-on is one of the best ways to retain techniques, in my opinion. If you'd like to have a chance to do this, please consider attending one of my classes or events. Another great option - host a class in your own home with your friends and family. Contact me for more information!