Yamstamps.com - Linda's Stamping Blog

Quick Valentine's Treat Box

2012-02-14T08:29:19-05:00

This box is so cute - and it's the perfect size for a sweet treat for your Valentine. I used the Big Shot and the Bitty Box and Envelope Bigz XL Die. The heart uses the full heart punch and Red Glimmer Paper. On the Whisper White cardstock I used the heart strip from the Adorning Accents Textured Impressions Embossing Folders. The sentiment is from the Sale-a-Bration set Outlined Occasions, and you can select this as a free item with every $60 merchandise order.

I loved how easy this was to create!

Here's the inside of the box:

I used the Small Heart punch with the Red Glimmer paper; stamp is from the same set, and I coloured it in using my blender pen, picking up Cherry Cobbler ink from the inside of the ink pad lid. I like using the blender pen for tone on tone colouring because the shade matches but you can still see the outlined image. Two Ghirardelli chocolate squares fit perfectly inside. A sweet treat!

Have a Happy Valentine's Day!

An Invitation for You!

2012-02-12T14:38:46-05:00

Interested in seeing what the Stampers & Scrappers Club is like? Due to scheduling this month, we are having 2 different club nights. If you are in the Burlington area and would like to come out, you are welcome to join us on Monday, February 20th (Family Day) at 7pm. Please contact me to register as space is limited (I'll also give you directions at that time as well!). Since this is a "try out", you can either pay my normal $20 class fee or submit a $35 merchandise order and attend for free. We'll be creating 4 cards using a variety of Stampin' Up! supplies and products. It's lots of fun!

Recognize this card layout??!!

2012-02-10T07:22:01-05:00

This is a card that I created very quickly - inspired by the framed art that was shown in one of the displays at Stampin' Up!'s Leadership (picture/post is here). In the stamping world, this is known as "CASE"ing - Copy and Stamp Everything (or copy and steal/share - pick your verb....I prefer the stamp verb!). Anyway, this is not anything new in the grahic layout world, but it is a layout that is used often and with success because it's so visually appealing & effective! (at least in my opinion!).

I used the Fashionable Hearts embosslit and the Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder in my Big Shot, along with Whisper White, Crumb Cake and Real Red cardstocks. Love the effect :)

My Inbox Inspiration Program will be launching next week so stay tuned for more details! In the meantime, I'll be sure to continue posting different "Love"ly cards that you can CASE and give to the special people in YOUR life!

CH Morning Live video - Easy 3D Valentine's Day Cards!

2012-02-08T20:00:02-05:00

Thanks once again to everyone at CH Morning Live for inviting me to appear on air to share how easy it can be to create some fantastic cards for the special people in your life! Here's the video:

If you are reading this in a reader or by email and can't see the video embedded above, click HERE to visit www.yamstamps.com or click HERE to visit the yamstamps Youtube channel.

It really is this easy to make impressive handmade cards! Contact me for more information or register for one of my monthly card classes!

Pop Up Valentine Card

2012-02-07T07:21:02-05:00

This is the pop up Valentine card that I showed how to make on CH Morning Live last week. I don't know that you could see the outside of the card very well - here it is. The word stamp is from the Outlined Occasions Sale-a-Bration set which you can get for FREE with every $60 merchandise order! I used the Full Heart punch and the Heart to Heart punch with Pretty in Pink cardstock and Pretty in Pink Designer Series Paper from the Subtles Designer Series Paper Collection. I've always loved the way Stampin' Up! coordinates its papers, cardstocks and inks - less thinking for me!!

This is the inside of the card. The sentiment is from the same set, the hearts are punched using the same punch, plus a few with the Small Heart punch for variety.

We cut two parallel slits into the folded edge of the Very Vanilla cardstock (about 3/4 - 1" long), and then pushed the strip of cardstock through to the other side before adhering it to the inside of the Pretty in Pink card and adding a large heart onto the pop up strip. That's it - easy peasy and very effective!

If you'd like to learn how to make cards like this, please consider hosting a card making party with your friends - you'll make a great bunch of sample cards that you can then take home and recreate for all those card-giving occasions! Sale-a-Bration is on until the end of March so customers and hosts can earn free merchandise as well! Contact me for more information.

Watercoloured Card

2012-02-05T14:10:30-05:00

Apparently there's some large sporting event on TV today....I am planning on doing some cardmaking though! (Although...maybe I should try and do a Costco run if everyone else is watching TV??!! LOL)

I took a watercolour painting class a while back and while I really enjoyed it, I don't always have the time to pull out all the supplies. Plus I discovered that they expected me to be able to draw!! ROFLOL. Using a small piece of Stampin' Up!'s watercolour paper and a stamped image means I can quickly create a mini work of art to share - in this case, on a card.

I love how the scripted pear image coordinates with the En Francais script background stamp. I used the watercolour crayons with the Aquapainter to keep things relatively neat and easy. Stazon ink ensures that the image won't run when the paper gets wet.

This stamp is from Faith in Nature, a set available to purchase with hostess dollars. When you host a qualifying workshop ($200 in sales) you earn dollars that you can spend on anything in the catalogue, including some items that are only available to hostesses. If you're interested in finding out more, contact me to discuss the benefits of having a free workshop or fee-based class with your friends!

Take it to Heart with this card...

2012-02-04T14:19:41-05:00

A version of this card was in my last newsletter, showing how to do the faux suede / faux velvet technique that's used for the strip of Cherry Cobbler cardstock along the bottom of the card. I think I called it faux velvet, I think others call is faux suede...but whatever you call it, it's a fun way to add texture to your paper projects!

The stamp set used is Take it To Heart from Stampin' Up!'s Occasions Mini Catalogue. This card also has a strip of Whisper White cardstock that was embossed with the very fun heart pattern that's one of the three folders in the Adorning Accents Textured Embossing Folders set.

Love that the Silver Glimmer Paper is still available. Just a scrap punched with the small heart punch adds some bling to this card!

Please be sure to join my mailing list - I'm going to be moving to a new email server next month so you'll need to be sure to be re-subscribed (use the top link at the left on the blog page, or the link from the last newsletter). Contact me if you have any questions!

Another Sample - "Things I Love"

2012-02-03T08:30:05-05:00

This is another My Digital Studio template page I created for my CH Morning Live appearance. Do I admit that I literally created most of the projects you saw on the show in a couple of hours the night before? (hmmm I guess I just did! ROFLOL)

Anyway, love this 'grungy' template (from the aptly named "Downtown Grunge Photobook Template") and frames. I dragged and dropped the images into the photo boxes to create this "Things I Love" page. I added the heart shaped punch to the layout to go with my theme and moved the circular punches around a little bit. The font is actually my own printing! MDS uses whatever fonts you already have installed in your computer. I generated this font at Your Fonts so now I am able to make my digital pages even more "mine".

I'll be sharing more of the projects from my appearance over the next while, so please be sure to come back & check them out!

Happy Groundhog Day!

2012-02-02T06:30:00-05:00

I'm celebrating Groundhog Day by sharing Valentine's Day Projects on CH Morning Live...the plan is for me to be on air around 8:20 so hope you get the chance to catch it!

This is a project that I will have with me to display. I absolutely loved how easy this was - another template that I simply dragged & dropped my photo into using My Digital Studio.

If you download the My Digital Studio Express free trial through my store, you will be eligible to get some free tutorials from me in your inbox! Click on the link above to download your free trial, and once I get notification of your download, I will send you the free My Digital Studio tutorial information.

I would love if you would join my mailing list to keep up to date on my events plus get some great paper crafting ideas! Sign up HERE.

Free Trial of My Digital Studio Express!!

2012-02-01T16:36:31-05:00

Stampin' Up!'s FREE 30-day trial of My Digital Studio Express is now available! This is an ongoing offer so you can take advantage of it at any time! My Digital Studio Express software is a fully functional version of My Digital Studio, but has fewer included images and brushes.

How do you get it?
Go to my online store here and click on the My Digital Studio Express trial. You will need to make a customer account if you haven't already ordered through me. Once you've "purchased" the trial, you can download it from the downloads section of your account, and install it onto your computer.

What do you do once you try it and like it?
Once the 30-day free trial period is over, you can purchase the downloadable (My Digital Express) or disc version (My Digital Studio) of the software through my online store to continue using it. You'll simply open up the trial version you already have on your computer, and will be prompted to enter the product registration key you received after purchasing the software. (You'll receive this key via e-mail if you purchase the downloadable version, and you'll find it along with your shipped software if you purchase the disc version.)

Here's a hint - if you love MDS Express, and want all the great images, brushes and punches you would get in the full version of My Digital Studio right away, the fastest thing to do is:

1) Purchase MDS Express and then

2) Purchase the MDS Express Booster Pack

You'll end up with all the items that you would get in My Digital Studio (plus a few more) and it will all be downloadable and instantly available to you!! Of course, the option to purchase the full version of My Digital Studio is there as well, especially if you like to have disk versions of your software.

Want to try but want some guidance? Attend my FREE MDS101 Class THIS FRIDAY, February 3rd at 7pm here in Burlington ON. Registration required. Bring your laptop and I'll walk you through the download, installation and initial use of My Digital Studio Express! Can't make it Friday? Contact me and I'll keep you in the loop. I plan on offering this class on a semi-regular basis and an online version is in the works! I love the ease of digital crafting and look forward to helping you discover how great it is!

Stamp Space Makeover - Stampin' Up! Style

2012-01-30T13:32:16-05:00

I would personally LOVE a makeover of my stamping space (really, who wouldn't?!) Well, at our annual convention last year, this demonstrator won a stamping space makeover! (I _wish_ I had this space!) They shared this video at Leadership Conference (I know, are you sick of hearing about Leadership yet?! LOL). Take a look at the video below and see what Shelli and her family created.

Simply Scored Card

2012-01-29T21:01:44-05:00

I created this card using Stampin' Up!'s Simply Scored tool. You may recall my Christmas card where I used scored lines for a design element. When I revisited the concept for this card, I realized that having the scored lines so the bump was on the good side made them more visible. So here's the result. The leaf image is from the Days of Gratitude set the sentiment is from Teeny Tiny wishes. Always Artichoke, River Rock and Kraft cardstocks were used for this card. Can't wait til March 1st when the Diagonal Simply Scored Plate that fits on my Simply Scored tool is released! (Demos get to preorder in February - woohoo!)

If you are interested in learning more about demonstrator events and being a demonstrator, please attend my no cost Information Evening! Next one is being held Wednesday, February 8th at 7pm. RSVP for directions. If you can't make it that evening, please get in touch with me anyway - we can chat on the phone or make other arrangements. I'd love for you to consider becoming part of my demonstrator group!

Free My Digital Studio Trial - February 1st!

2012-01-28T14:05:24-05:00

As of February 1st, Stampin' Up! is offering a free 30 day trial of the My Digital Studio Express software! This is a great software program for digital crafting. I love working digitally - for one thing, scrapbooking is much less messy....and let's face it, most of my photos are digital and tend to live on my computer, where noone gets to see them (except me). It's a great way to create a number of cards as well - in the past, I've done my Christmas cards digitally and was able to include a number of photos from the year as a visual collage of my family's year. I'm planning on making a few books up in the near future as well. At left is a tag sample I made quickly using the Springtime DSP, scallop square punch and basic pearls.

If you're interested in trying out this software, please consider joining me at my FREE MDS101 class! The first one will be held on Friday, February 3rd at 7pm here at my place in Burlington. RSVP required. Please bring your laptop if you have one - I will walk you through the download of the software plus the basics of My Digital Studio. You'll leave that evening with your copy of the software plus information to get you started! If you don't have a laptop, you are still welcome to attend and look over my shoulder while we work. I will also be posting an online class in the near future for those of you not close to the Burlington, Ontario area. In the meantime if you want to watch a quick video - check out my video tutorials page. The first video is one that I made using a free template that Stampin' Up! offered for Digital Scrapbooking Day!

Lifelong Learning, Stampin' Up! Style

2012-01-27T10:15:00-05:00

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.

Extreme Makeover at Stampin' Up! Leadership!

2012-01-26T10:29:00-05:00

Sometimes it's just a question of being in the right place at the right time...Through another demonstrator, we met a woman who was helping organize the Helping a Hero gala in conjunction with the taping of the final episode of Extreme Makeover - Home Edition. She needed crowd fillers, and we were more than happy to help her out!
Below - Ty Pennington and Meredith Iler (the organizer extraordinaire)

The evening was to raise funds for the organization plus celebrate the building of a home for a local wounded war veteran. All the designers were there, Lee Greenwood was there to sing as were the Four Tenors (originally the Ten Tenors from Australia).

Paige and some of the Tenors (above)

Demo friends and Tenors (below)

Kim, Lydia, Mel, Sue, me, Liz, Dana with a few Aussie guys thrown in for good measure ;)

This was one of those neat life experiences!

Oh - and just in case you forgot this was a paper crafting blog....here's another cute sample shared by Stampin' Up! at Leadership - this one uses the Fashionable Hearts embosslit die for the Big Shot plus the Labels Collection Framelit die in the background.

See, don't you wish you were a Stampin' Up! demonstrator so you could attend Leadership?! Oh wait, you CAN be!! Contact me for more information!

Fun Times at Stampin' Up! Leadership Conference

2012-01-25T10:40:00-05:00

I had a blast in San Antonio at Stampin' Up!'s Leadership Conference. One of the best things was getting together with demonstrator friends from across Canada and the USA. There's always lots of laughter and lots of great inspiration and ideas shared.

Here's a few neat samples from one of the displays featuring the Dresden Designs die - used for quilting plus for paper crafting as well! I did try my hand at quilting while I was living in BC....let's just say that while I enjoyed it, I wasn't that proficient....but I think the die would make quilting this pattern SO much easier and faster to put together! I love the cute tree that they made from Designer Series Paper.

We enjoy crafting as much as our customers do, and the make and takes are always eagerly anticipated. We received two sets when we arrived (well, among other things we received!) and we used these for our projects. Here are my friends Christina, Sue and Liz working hard....

okay, well perhaps not THAT hard...

This is the cute bag that our Leadership items were in - designed by a new friend, Mel - so creative! The bottom portion is reversible!!

I always come back from demonstrator events feeling re-energized (well, after I catch up on my sleep!!! LOL). I just need more time to process everything and follow-through on some new plans and ideas! (don't worry, I'll keep you posted).

I will have more photos to share in the next few days. Oh, did I mention that a few of us got to attend part of the filming for the final episode of Extreme Makeover Home Edition???!!!! ;) stay tuned for more details

Sale-a-Bration is HERE!!!

2012-01-24T08:54:31-05:00

Stampin' Up!'s Sale-a-Bration is one of the best times of the year - and it starts TODAY! With every $60 in merchandise, you can select one free item from the Sale-a-Bration catalogue. The catalogue includes exclusive Sale-a-Bration items, plus some great items from the main Idea Book & Catalogue! Hostesses can earn more with their $200 workshop - a free reusable shopping bag, plus with higher workshop totals, a free bundle of Sale-a-Bration items! Click here for more information and click here to reserve your party date with me!

I just got back from Stampin' Up!'s Leadership Conference in San Antonio, Texas - I'll be sharing more samples and fun pictures from that in the next few days. I really enjoy being a demonstrator - and if you'd like to be able to earn an income doing something you enjoy, this is a GREAT time to become a Stampin' Up! demonstrator. The starter kit price is reduced to $150 - great value and a great start off for your business - plus all new demonstrators will receive either a free package of Designer Series Paper OR a free digital download every month for the rest of the year! You're not locked in, either - you can start with a Designer Series Paper Pack, and the next month, you can select a digital download to use with My Digital Studio software or other photo editing software.

If you'd like more information on becoming a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, browse the information HERE, CONTACT ME or join me at my free Information Evening - the next one is TOMORROW - Wednesday, January 25, at 7pm here in Burlington. RSVP for directions.

If you can't wait to get shopping, start here. If you have any questions, contact me - I want to help you Sale-a-Brate!

Stampin' Up!'s Leadership

2012-01-20T00:14:31-05:00

So it's been an AMAZING time so far at Leadership Conference - and we really only had our first full day of activities today! Lots of goodies (stamps, accessories, digital artwork...), lots of information and lots of inspiration....all this with lots of great friends! I am so lucky to have Stampin' Up! as an outlet and income source. I'll have lots of great stuff to share with you over the next while! Here's a cute sample shared at one of the display booths:

Tonight we had a bizarre stroke of luck as well, as we were invited to fill out the crowd as Extreme Home Makeover taped part of their last episode (ever) here in San Antonio - got to see Ty Pennington close up, all the designers, plus got to hear Lee Greenwood and (some of) the Ten Tenors sing.

Tomorrow brings the last full day of Leadership activities, but we still have the Regional Training Event to attend on Saturday - lots of fun still to come!

Stampin' Up!'s new Framelits Dies - Video

2012-01-09T17:36:22-05:00

Curious about the new framelits dies in the Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini Catalogue? Here's a video showing more about them!

Click here if you can't see the embedded video. Contact me if you have any questions!

One More Holiday Post....then I'm moving on - promise!!

2012-01-08T14:43:55-05:00

One more page that I shared on TV. This is a "traditional" scrapbook page - done with a 12" x 12" sheet of cardstock and photos. I like graphic layouts that are symmetrical....can you tell?? For one - they're easy to create! This page highlights the tradition that my mother has of giving her _great_ nieces & nephews an ornament at Christmas. (I have to correct my journaling on the page, as I was informed that I only wrote "nieces & nephews" - have to get the generational context correct).

Is one of your resolutions to get scrapbooking?! Consider attending my scrapbook class on Friday, January 13th at 7pm here in Burlington. It will be a good luck charm, I'm sure! We'll create a 2 page layout that evening, and you can add your photos at home. Cost is $25 and includes all your supplies, including adhesive. I'll have everything prepped & ready for you! All you have to do is RSVP. Get those memories down on cardstock before the details are forgotten!