Yamstamps.com - Linda's Stamping Blog

Lifelong Learning, Stampin' Up! Style

They say that one of the best ways to keep sharp is to keep learning new things.  At Stampin' Up!'s Leadership Conference, there were lots of choices in classes to attend to hear about different topics to help demonstrators in their businesses. (Don't worry, there's also a crafty sample at end of this blog post!)

One class I attended was "Why Women Buy" presented by Carrie Cudney who highlighted habits and trends amongst female purchasers vs. male purchasers. A slide she used to show some differences cracked me up:

 

The theory is that the female is looking for "the" perfect pair of pants, while often men will settle for "a" pair of pants; the female is often also shopping for other things and other people at the same time, therefore needs to look around at more stores!

Now, for those of you who have attended workshops or classes with me previously, there's no need to fear that I'll become a hard sell, marketing machine now - I'll just be working harder to help you find "the" solution for your crafting needs (vs. "a" solution!!).

I also attended a class on "Coaching For Performance" by Natalie White and Jim Pitt, which concentrated on how to help others come up with goals and plans to meet them. I do try to do this with demonstrators who are signed up with me, but this was a more organized/formal way of approaching it. I will also be doing this for myself to help me focus on my goals and the plans to reach those goals!

"Retaining and Engaging Your Downline" by Donna Griffith and Patsy Waggoner (a US Stampin' Up! demonstrator) provided some practical tips to keep my team of demonstrators active and acknowledged, so that they can continue to reap the benefits of having a source of income plus a creative outlet.  I plan on using some of these ideas at my upcoming demonstrator meetings and throughout the year!

Of course, we also receive lots of crafty inspiration and ideas too! Here's more samples using the Fashionable Hearts Embosslit (guess what was on my order that just went in for Sale-a-Bration?! LOL).  I love the framed artwork - so simple but so effective and perfect for any time of year - not just Valentine's Day.

My next card class is on Wednesday, February 1st at 7pm here in Burlington and the theme is "Love"-ly cards. We'll be doing a card suitable for Valentine's Day, but all four cards will be designed to be given to someone you care about at any time of year!  Cost is $20 and includes all supplies including adhesive and envelopes. Please contact me to register. Space is limited.

CH Morning Live Appearance Video

I am so lucky to be able to work with the fantastic people at CH Morning Live on a fairly regular basis! I was invited to appear to share ideas about saving those holiday memories.

Thanks once again to my friend and tech guy Tom for capturing the video for me! If you can't see the link above view the video on youtube  HERE. 

Holiday Greetings - two versions!! (and last chance to stock up?!)

Hope you've all had a wonderful Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa/Festivus... I've had a wonderful time catching up with family and friends, and taking a few moments to catch my breath!

I thought I'd share my Christmas card design with you. If you've been following my blog at all, you'll know that I like to do cards that look great but aren't too finicky. This one suited me to a T! I used the Simply Scored tool to create a few score lines around the edge of the card, and then used my Big Shot to die cut a snowflake from Brushed Silver metallic paper. I silver embossed my greeting to create a tone on tone effect, which I really like!

I then had a brainwave as I had stocked up on some of the fantastic silver Glimmer Paper carried in Stampin' Up!'s Holiday Mini Catalogue - and this is the "bling" version of my card...not so much subtle elegance but more in your face! (still love it, perhaps even more...).

If you LOOOOOVE the glimmer paper like I do, you may want to stock up on a few sheets before they go - they don't appear in the Occasions Mini Catalogue (though fingers crossed they may make a future appearance in a mini catalogue or the next Idea Book?? No guarantees though!).  One thing that I _know_ will NOT be carried over (because Stampin' Up! has warned demonstrators already!) - the cute stocking builder punch! So if you fell in love with that punch, you may want to consider getting one before they disappear!!  The Stampin' Up! Holiday Mini Catalogue sales period ends January 3rd - so place your online order HERE (take a look at the Clearance Rack while you're at it...) or contact me.

 

'Tis the Season!

It's the season of gift giving, which can also translate to the season of thank you cards!

This was a fun, easy thank you card that I put together for my dentist :)  Yes, I thank my dentist....actually, B&N Dental had a client event where we all got to go and watch Happy Feet 2 in a private, early morning screening! (and yes, my son had popcorn...I couldn't quite manage that though!)

I love the combination of Stampin' Up!'s Pacific Point and Tempting Turquoise colours. The Petite Pennants Builder Punch coordinates with the Pennant Parade stamp set and the Big Shot Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder make this card fun (and easy!). Hemp twine and stampin' dimensionals add an extra element to the card.

I'm looking forward to getting together with a few of my demonstrator team this weekend! It's always fun to get together and share ideas and inspiration. I'm also going to be getting some work done for my Inbox Inspiration program that I'll be starting in the new year - be sure to check back here at www.yamstamps.com for more information as it is revealed!

Sending Spooky Greetings!

OK, so maybe not so spooky, more cute, but whatever.  This quick and easy card uses the Halloween Hang Ups jumbo wheel (from Stampin' Up!'s Holiday Mini Catalogue) as the main image.  The patterned paper is from the Frightful Sight Designer Series Paper package.  Card is Cajun Craze cardtock and Basic Black cardstock accent.  I took the colours straight from the DSP - no thinking required - just my type of crafting! LOL.

I'll be sharing another Hallowe'en type crafty project tomorrow so be sure to check back for your treat!

Island Floral Card

I have to admit, there are some cards that I like more than others, and this is one of them. I particularly like this one because while it looks involved, it's really quite easy! (That's my specialty I think....cards that aren't too hard to make, but look difficult!!)

Anyway - this card uses the Island Floral Bigz die for the Big Shot for the focal floral accessory.  By sponging the edges of the cardstock, I think it adds an extra depth.  The gold glimmer brad holds the die cuts together (there's a hole in the centre of them) and adds a bit of bling.  Love the Lace Ribbon Border punch - one of my new favourites, I think!  Plus tone on tone stamping of En Francais makes the background a little more interesting.

I think you will also LOVE the Christmas card that I came up with using this die as well!! Thanks to the sharp eyes of a club member, Jo-Ann, I was able to visualize this floral die being used in a whole new way.  If you want to see what became of that observation, be sure to be signed up for my newsletter!  Newsletter subscribers will be receiving my Twelve Weeks of Christmas as a special "thank you" for being part of my email list - each week brings a new card, wrap or gift idea to make your holiday season a little more crafty!  Sign up HERE or click below to be sure that you won't miss out - it starts OCTOBER 5th - ONE WEEK TODAY!!

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Showering her with Thanks!

I'm getting ready to go to a bridal shower where guests will help the bride to create some beautiful "thank you" cards for her to use after the wedding! (I must admit this wasn't my idea....but I think it's a great way to include family & friends in wedding preparations!)

The bride, Laura, and I collaborated on a couple of designs - this is one of them, using the colour scheme she requested. I love using the Big Shot to emboss cardstock to create a background for images.  It's more interesting than a plain piece of cardstock, but not too distracting from the main image.

If you're interested in learning to create some fun cards, don't forget to check my class schedule to see what's being offered in the next while! As always - if you're interested in a class, but can't make it to Burlington ON on the scheduled date, get a group of friends together, get in touch with me, and I'll come to you!  (well, as long as you're within reasonable driving distance....LOL).

More Father's Day Card ideas

This is a cute card using the All in the Family stamp set.  I like the hand-drawn quality of the images that you piece together as you please.  I just "eyeballed" the assembly of the images, though if you are particular about your placement of body parts LOL you could use the Stamp-a-ma-jig to ensure everything is perfect.  Since it's a hand-drawn type image, I figure it's not SUPPOSED to be perfect...and as I always say, if the recipient criticizes the handmade card, THEY DON'T DESERVE IT!!! LOL.

 

Keeping in the black & white scheme, this is definitely a more mature set of images!  I thought the brass metallic eyelets were kind of "nautical" and went with the theme of the stamp set (it's called The Open Sea....not that you can tell from the images I selected for this card LOL).  Recent class attendees created this card, but we didn't have the sentiment on the front so it was able to be used for whatever occasion suited.  I often leave my cards blank and then stamp an appropriate sentiment when I need a card.

I've made it a mission to be sure to include at least one masculine-type card in each of my card classes, so if you're in need of more masculine cards in your card stash, consider attending one of my classes or hosting one in your own home!  Contact me for details.

Father's Day Card Ideas

These are some of the cards that you might not have gotten a good look at during my CH Morning Live TV appearance.  Getting set for Father's Day....this is an easy card to recreate!  I coloured each tie with either a Bashful Blue or Certainly Celery Stampin' Write marker, then "huffed" on it (like Darth Vadar) to remoisten the ink before stamping it onto the cardstock. 

 

 

On the next card, I stamped the image with Night of Navy Classic Ink, then trimmed out one of the ties to use on my origami shirt.

I was going to show how to fold the shirt while on CH Morning Live, then decided against it as it might have been hard to see.  (That, and I figured there was a high probability that I'd mess it up with no chance for a "re-do"!!)  I'll try to get a youtube video up to show how it's done (video = as many retakes as I need before I post the final product LOL).

I'll have some more Father's Day / masculine card samples for you tomorrow! 

 

Almost Finished...

The Occasions Mini Catalogue has almost run its course...so don't miss out on any of the products! You have until April 30th to place your order.  You can contact me or place your order online HERE.

Also expiring - your chance to get the Four Frames stamp set and Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper!  You can order either of these items with your $25 merchandise order.  One of my hostesses this month managed to earn the items for free based on her workshop sales.  If you don't get your order in this month, you'll have to wait until the new Idea Book and Catalogue comes out in July.  (I hate waiting....don't you?! LOL).

Also - there's still space in May's Card Class - Thursday, May 5th, 7pm here in Burlington.  We'll make four cards, and you can be sure we'll be using some of the new product from the Summer Mini Catalogue!  Contact me to reserve your spot!