Upcoming Classes

You're invited to rediscover your creativity at one of my upcoming card-making classes... there's something for everyone from the beginner to the experienced crafter and everyone in between. Contact me today to reserve your spot in any of the classes listed below, and keep your eye on Summer's Creative Corner for more classes as they become available. I hope to craft with you soon!
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Hand-crafted Valentines

This year leave the store-bought cards on the shelf and use your creativity to show how much you care! In this workshop we’ll use rubber stamps, patterned papers and delicate embellishments to create eight 3” x 3” Valentines with coordinating envelopes as well as a more intricate 4” x 6” card for your special Valentine. On February 14^th, wow your friends and family when you present them with one of your skilfully crafted home made Valentines.

Date: Friday February 6^th from 7:00pm to 9:30pm or Sunday February 8^th from 10:00am to 12:30pm.

Cost: $20.00, or half price ($10.00) with any merchandise order.

Birthday Stamp-a-Stack

Get ready for a year full of good wishes and many happy returns! At this workshop you’ll make eight different hand-crafted birthday cards and coordinating envelopes, including two masculine cards and two cards perfect to give a child on their special day. When the next birthday comes around you’ll be ready with your stockpile of handmade cards – who will the lucky recipients be?

Date: Saturday February 28^th from 2:00 to 5:00pm or Wednesday March 25^th from 6:00pm to 9:00pm

Cost: $25.00, or half price ($12.50) with any merchandise order

Spring Fling

Ah, the first day of spring! The warmer weather is just around the corner, and with it comes the opportunity to reawaken our creativity at this bright and cheerful workshop. Join me as we make four spring-themed cards, perfect for birthdays, to say thank you, congratulations, or “just because”. Celebrate the return of spring with an afternoon or evening indulging your creativity!

Dates: Thursday March 19^th (the last day of winter!) from 7:00pm to 9:00pm or Saturday March 28th from 1:00pm to 3:00pm

Cost: $15.00, or half-price ($7.50) with any merchandise order

Hoppy Easter!

This sweet time of year is made all the more special when you include home made cards and gifts along with the Easter bunny’s treats. During this workshop you’ll make a set of four playful Easter cards and coordinating envelopes, and a sweet gift perfect for slipping in someone’s Easter basket. Hop on over for an afternoon or evening of stamping fun!

Date: Tuesday March 31^st from 7:00pm to 9:00pm or Sunday April 5^th 2:00pm to 4:00pm

Cost: $20.00

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Celebrating Mom & Dad

Take a step up from the simple creativity of the hand-written Mother and Father poems (“M is for…”) and hand-picked dandelions of our youth by creating your own Mother’s and Father’s day cards this year. We’ll make one of each and a coordinating treat to go with them – a lovely way to surprise Mom on May 10^th and Dad on June 21^st. Please note that either card and gift combination can be easily modified to a masculine or feminine birthday or greeting card if appropriate.

Date: Tuesday April 21^st from 7:00pm to 8:30pm or Saturday April 25^th from 10:00am to 11:30am

Cost: $15.00, or half price ($7.50) with any merchandise order

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Kick it Up a Notch!

Is it time to take your card making to the next level? Home made cards are always special, but when you embellish them with unique paper-folding techniques, dazzling glitter, beautiful brads, eyelets, and other accessories, you can add a dash of zest to your projects. At this workshop we’ll explore embellishments - you’ll leave with three completed cards and lots of new ideas. Bring your creativity and get ready to accessorize!

Date: Saturday April 18^th from 1:00pm to 3:00pm

Cost: $15.00

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Oh, Origami!

The sweet little Origami box shown here holding Valentine cards can be made quickly and with very little cutting, making it a great project to use as a custom gift box, container for chocolate treats, or card holder. The measurements I'm providing will create a box bottom aproximately 3 1/8" x 3 1/8", so for larger boxes you can simply start with a larger piece of card stock (ex. the 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper makes a gorgeous box bottom - see the end of this post for an example!)

Step 1: To begin, select the paper for your project. Papers should be heavy weight, so Stampin’ Up Card Stock and Designer Series paper both work well. If using solid coloured card stock, consider stamping it before you begin folding to ensure an even stamping surface.

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Step 2 (right): Create a guideline on your paper from each corner to its opposite corner – this can be done using a pencil and ruler, or by scoring the paper gently. You should have an x in the centre of your paper when you’ve completed this step – be sure to create your x on the side of the paper you do not intend to show when the box is complete.

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Step 3 (left): Fold in all four corners so the points line up approximately 1/8” from the x in the center of the paper; crease them well using a bone folder and then unfold them.

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Step 4 (right): One at a time, fold each of the corners so that it lines up approximately 1/2” from the farthest crease line opposite that corner, crease and unfold it. Do the same with the three other corners.

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Step 5 (left): Finally, fold the smallest crease line on each corner in, catching the excess to create your final fold. When you unfold all the corners you will reveal an overall pattern of creased squares.

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Step 6 (right): Make two cuts in the paper at one corner, two squares deep and two squares apart. Make identical cuts on the opposite corner.

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Step 7 (left): Fold in the uncut corners of your paper, bringing the two sides up vertically. Securely fasten the centre points to the bottom of the box with Snail Adhesive, and then bend the pointed wings of excess paper toward one another, crossing them.

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Step 8 (right): Bring the remaining sides of the paper box up and over the crossed ends, folding it tightly and securing the centre points to the bottom of the box with Snail Adhesive again.

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These instructions will create an open box similar to the one shown at the top of this post. If you want to “put a lid on it”, use a piece of paper approximately 1/2” larger than the paper used for the base and repeat Steps 1 – 8. Try it using solid coloured Card Stock for the base and Designer Series paper for the lid, as shown here! Special thanks to Roxy for creating these beautiful Designer Series paper boxes...

Valentine's Fun

This evening was spent in the company of a great group of Tecumseh Public School parents and kids, teaching a class we called "Be Mine... Valentine". After just over two hours of laughter, conversation and a lot of glitter, participants each had a set of eight hand-made valentines and a matching origami box to hold their treasures in. I've promised to post the step-by-step instructions for making the origami box tomorrow, but tonight thought tonight I would post a quick "thank you" to everyone who attended and a photo of some of their work (above). Great class everyone!
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Class Participants, hard at work on their Valentines

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Feeling The Love

At the Stampin' Up Quarterly meeting this evening I had the opportunity to make a lovely 3D box, perfect for hand selected Valentines chocolates.

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The box itself was cut from Real Red card stock, and the lid embellishment was created using the Top Note die in our Big Shot personal die cutter. Finished with some sweet red gingham ribbon and stamped using the Love You Much stamp set, it's a great way to get in the mood for love this February (which is right around the corner - can you believe it?) Contact me for information on making this great project, and maybe you can give one to your honey this February 14th!

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In Stitches

Thanks to a recent Scrapbooking class I've been attending, I'm going a little "stitch crazy" lately. One of the pages we created last week was for winter photos and included sewing the outline of a mitten on the page as an accent - since then, I've been seeing stitching opportunities every where I look!

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This simple masculine card was one I made for Chris's father's birthday, and features some simple red stitches throughout the treeline, remeniscent of berries. I used my favourite Stampin' Up set "Lovely As A Tree" (which is the most versitile one I've ever owned) and card stock in Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel and Riding Hood Red.

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Card Swap Preparation...

On Monday I'll be attending a Quarterly Stampin' Up meeting here in London, and am excited to be taking part in a card swap that evening. Each participant brings cards with them and exchanges them for different cards from other participants - so I'll go with 10 of (basically) the same card and come home with 10 different cards. It's a great way to get new stamping ideas and learn from the techniques used by other Demonstrators! The cards I've made are based on an earlier creation using the "Just Buzzing By" stamp set, and they use different patterns from the Designer Series Paper Hostess set featured in the Fall/Winter 2008 Idea Book. I think they're pretty charming, and I can't wait to see what the other Demonstrators have come up with!

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Gifted

In December I created these three packages as Christmas gifts for my friend Tiffany and her two beautiful daughters - they contain precut and folded card stock in the recipients favourite colour, along with printed papers in assorted sizes and shapes ready to assemble into two lovely cards. Finished with envelopes, a stamp and inkpad and topped with a personalized closure, they're a fun, crafty gift made for three fun, crafty girls!

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Some "Hand Drawn" Happiness

Starting tomorrow with the release of the Spring/Summer 2009 Idea Book, one of the Hostess sets you can earn based on the sales generated by a workshop is a lovely three-piece set called the "Hand Drawn Bundle". It has a 4-piece stamp set, a full package of Designer Series Paper, and a set of Rub-on images (2 pages, one with white images and the other with brown), and I've been having fun using all three coordinating items together to create some fun and easy cards. At top: a multi-layered card in shades of Old Olive was fun to make, with a white rub-on flower peeking through a window on the front of the card. Middle: I combined stamps and Designer Series Paper with white grosgrain ribbon and Fine Cosmo glitter to create this pretty and simple card, perfect for inviting a friend for a coffee date! Bottom: A bright and cheerful birthday card, using Real Red, Cameo Coral, and Baja Breeze card stock along with Hand Drawn Designer Series Paper and a coordinating rub-on.

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The "Hand Drawn Bundle" will be available for free as a Hostess incentive starting on Monday January 19th - please contact me if you would like to find out how you can earn this set for yourself!

Special Offer Just From Me!

This weekend marks the end of the ordering period for the Fall/Winter 2008 Stampin’ Up Idea Book & Catalogue, and to help send it off in style I’m offering FREE SHIPPING on any order placed between now and Sunday January 18th at 6:00pm. Call or email me to take advantage of this offer before the Catalogue is retired!

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Out With The Old... In With The New

I hope you’ll join me on Monday January 19th from 6:00 – 7:00pm for my Catalogue Release Party, where you can make a card with all-new stamps and accessories and take some time to look through the NEW Spring/Summer 2009 Stampin' Up Idea Book & Catalogue. This event is free of charge, but please RSVP so I can prepare the supplies for your card!

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There are lots of great new stamp sets debuting in this catalogue, and I've been busy making cards to showcase them... including several cards made using the "Itty Bitty Buds" set, shown below:

It's Here!!!

I was very excited to see the Canada Post delivery truck pull up outside my door this morning... I had recieved notification that I could expect my shipment of new Spring/Summer 2009 Idea Books shortly, so I knew right away why the truck was here. The Idea Book is full of beautiful new stamping products, sample cards and other projects, and some pretty exciting new accessories. If you would like to be one of the first to see the New Idea Book I hope you'll join me at my Catalogue Release Party from 6:00pm and 7:00pm on Monday January 19th! You'll have a chance to look through the catalogue (and purchase one to take home if you wish), see several of the stamp sets debuting that day, and make a lovely card to take home. There's no cost to attend this event, but please RSVP so I can have your card supplies precut and ready to use!

What's The Buzz?

Well, I'm buzzing about one of the stamp sets due to be released on January 19th when the Spring/Summer 2009 Idea Book comes out. It's called "Just Buzzing By" and I've just spent an entire evening creating cards using this super-sweet stamp set. I was drawn to it because of the little bees, thinking it would make a cute baby shower card... although ironically I didn't get around to making a baby-themed card this evening!

Shown here are three of the four cards I did make, with great big thanks to the following splitcoaststampers users for the inspiration recieved by looking at their recent creations: bsktnstamp, melissa_aggie, Qbee and mommy2jagger&vaughn.

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Update on Retired Stamps

Based on feedback, I've just updated the blog entry "Where do Stamps Go When They Retire?" to include a text-only list of all the stamp sets that will no longer be available after January 18th. Please click here for the list, and let me know if you would like to place an order for one of these sets before they're all gone! Happy crafting...

Some Assembly Required

As I mentioned in my photo of the day blog our wonderful UPS delivery man came today, bearing a box full of new product from the soon-to-be-released Spring/Summer Idea Book and Catalogue. While putting together my new stamp sets, I thought now would be a perfect time to remind everyone how to assemble them, as Stampin' Up ships all their stamps unassembled to save production costs (savings that get passed on to you when you purchase them!)

Step 1: Unpack the clear box the stamp elements come in - you'll find several wooden blocks, a sheet of rubber with your selected stamped images, and a sheet of clear adhesive labels.

Step 2: The stamped images on the rubber sheet are all dye-cut, which means popping them out of the sheet is simple and easy. Once you've removed the image you want to use, peel it's adhesive backing off and adhere it to the appropriately sized wooden block.

Step 3: Peel the corresponding adhesive label from the sheet and adhere it to the other side of the wooden block. Take care to ensure you're placing the label correctly, facing the same direction as the rubber image.

Step 4: Once all your stamps are assembled, adhere the label with the name of your stamp set to the outside of the clear box. This helps you easily identify what set is in the box without taking it out, shows you how many stamps are included in the set, and also indicates any additional features of the set (ex. 2-step stamping sets are all marked as such).

Step 5: Repack the assembled stamps in the clear box. On second thought... get them back out again and start playing! It's far too tempting to start using your new stamps immediately - they can be stored later.

Bonus tip: Once your stamp set has been assembled, you will be left with a sheet of punched-out rubber. Don't think of this as garbage - it's actually a great money saving thing to have around (yes, something else I don't throw away). Using a pair of sharp scissors, you can cut pieces of this rubber to add dimension to your cards and scrapbook projects... simple use the sticky rubber and foam between layers of paper to create a great raised look!

Discontinued Accessories

As the Fall/Winter 2008 Stampin' Up catalogue winds down (the last day to order is January 18th!), many of our popular embellishments, papers, and albums are being retired to make way for exciting new products. Please see the "Retired Accessories" list below, and note that these products sell quickly - some have already sold out. If you're interested in ordering any of these products please contact me right away, and remember that I'll be updating the list frequently to indicate products that are no longer available to order.

**List updated on January 15th**

ACCENTS & ELEMENTS TINS:
ROOF GARDEN
SEASON TO SHARE
TRUE ELEGANCE

ALBUMS:
BLACK LEATHER 12X12 (Sold Out)
BLACK LEATHER 6X6
MELLOW MOSS LINEN POST 6X6* (Sold Out)
NAVY LINEN POST 6X6
REAL RED LINEN POST 6X6* (Sold Out)

BUTTONS :
BOLD BRIGHTS*
EARTH ELEMENTS
EARTH ELEMENTS & NEUTRALS
RICH REGALS
SOFT SUBTLES

DESIGNER SERIES PAPER:
BANBURY (Sold Out)
GEORGIA PEACH
GHOSTLY GREETINGS
GREEN TEA
HAIKU
HAWAII PAPAYA
HOLIDAY TREASURES
JUNIOR VARSITY
MAINE BLUEBERRY
MUIRFIELD
PARISIAN SUMMER
PRESTWICK (Sold Out)
SUMMER PICNIC (Sold Out)
WINDSOR KNOT

ENVELOPES & ENVELOPE TEMPLATES:
FIVE-IN-ONE CARD COVER TEMPLATE
MINI ENVELOPE TEMPLATE (Sold Out)
CONFETTI WHITE MEDIUM ENVELOPES
OPEN END KRAFT SMALL ENVELOPES
OPEN END VERY VANILLA SMALL ENVELOPES

ON BOARD COLLECTION:
BITTY BOOK*
9X9 CLIPBOARD*
SIMON UPPER
SOMETHING SEASONAL

PUNCHES:
1/4 INCH SQUARE

1/4 INCH CIRCLE (Sold Out)
3/4 INCH SQUARE
DOUBLE CIRCLE*
HANDHELD 1/8 INCH CIRCLE (Sold Out)

RIBBON:
CARAMEL GINGHAM
LIGHT BLUE GINGHAM
LIGHT PINK GINGHAM
MOSS GINGHAM
MORE MUSTARD 1/4 INCH GROSGRAIN

RUB ONS:
ANCHORED
CHILLS & THRILLS
SCHOOL DAYS
WORD FLURRIES
TAKE NOTE

SIMPLY SCRAPPIN' KITS:
I WISH
PINA COLADA
SUMMER HOME (Sold Out)
U R SWEET
WINTER RETREAT (Sold Out)

SIMPLY SENT CARD ELEMENTS & KITS:
HANDMADE HOLIDAY
LIFELONG NOTES

STAMPIN' AROUND WHEELS:
MATEYS MAP
BRIGHT BULBS
BRONCO (Sold Out)
MAKING TRACKS
SANDY SHELLS (Sold Out)
SNOW
SNOWFLAKE
SWEET STARS
TAKE A NUMBER

ASSORTED:

STAMPIN STORE MINI
WRITE ME A MEMORY FONT CD VOL II
PAGE PROTECTORS RING 3.25 X 3.25 (Sold Out)
METAL EDGE TAGS ALUMINUM WHITE SQUARE PUNCH 1/4 INCH CIRCLE (Sold Out)
DAYS-TO-REMEMBER CALENDAR 12X12
DAYS-TO-REMEMBER CALENDAR 8 1/2X11

* items marked with an asterisk are discounted and included on the Inventory Blowout.

All That Glitters...

I've recently been enjoying a series of creative conversations with a friend in Montreal whose daughter is getting married in a just a few short weeks. At the moment they're deep in the process of making tin candle-holder centrepieces and building cupcake stands for what promises to be a rustic and romantic farm wedding... and these conversations certainly do get my creative juices flowing! After hearing about their wedding colours (burgundy and plum), I was inspired to create a wedding card for them that reflected those colours.

As mentioned in a previous post, I just got into a package of Sticky-Cuts letters and have been anxious to see how they look with a glitter finish - I think the result is stunning. The biggest challenge was designing and cutting the small '2' from the hole I originally punched out of the letter 'b' and used on a previous card (yes, it's true, I save every little scrap). The bride and groom are Renee and Reid, hence the 'r-squared' image on the cards front... may their union multiply their joy for many years to come!

Inventory Blowout!

January is the month for sales, and Stampin' Up products are no exception! From January 5th to 18th, a great selection of retired, retiring, and current products are on sale for up to 50% off regular price. Take a moment to check out these great savings, and contact me today to take advantage of these great deals!

Items retiring from the Fall-Winter 2008 Idea Book & Catalogue: 

Item	Page	Description	Regular Price	Discount Price
109190	180	On Board 9" x 9" clipboard	$9.50	$6.99
107925	181	On Board Bitty Book	$11.75	$8.99
105384	183	Mellow Moss 6" x 6" Linen Post album	$23.95	$17.99
105381	183	Real Red 6" x 6" Linen Post album	$23.95	$17.99
103977	187	Bold Bright buttons	$8.25	$5.99
104389	188	Double Circle punch	$7.50	$5.49
114447	n/a	Country Living Holiday Collection Stampin' Kit	$58.95	$29.48

*Items available while supplies last; page numbers refer to the Fall-Winter 2008 Idea Book & Catalogue

Retired items from the Spring-Summer 2008 Idea Book & Catalogue:

Item	Page	Description	Regular Price	Discount Price
109013	163	Blue Bayou Classic Stampin' Pad	$6.75	$4.49
109012	163	Groovy Guava Classic Stampin' Pad	$6.75	$4.49
109011	163	Purely Pomegranate Classic Stampin' Pad	$6.75	$4.49
109010	163	River Rock Classic Stampin' Pad	$6.75	$4.49
109009	163	Soft Sky Classic Stampin' Pad	$6.75	$4.49
109014	163	Wild Wasabi Classic Stampin' Pad	$6.75	$4.49
109179	178	On Board Ginormous Pieces	$18.95	$12.99
109189	190	Beachfront Ribbon Originals	$16.95	$14.99
109187	190	District Ribbon Originals	$16.95	$10.99
109188	190	Fairy Tale Ribbon Originals	$16.95	$11.49
109185	190	Jersey Ribbon Originals	$16.95	$11.99
109184	190	Sherbet Ribbon Originals	$16.95	$11.99
109186	190	Theater Ribbon Originals	$16.95	$11.49
109062	191	River Rock double-stitched ribbon	$11.95	$7.99
110716	191	Wild Wasabi striped grosgrain ribbon	$10.95	$7.49

*Items available while supplies last; page numbers refer to the Spring-Summer 2008 Idea Book & Catalogue

Current products appearing in the upcoming Spring-Summer 2009 Idea Book & Catalogue:

Item	Page	Description	Regular Price	Discount Price
111349	162	Tangerine Tango 8-1/2" x 11" card stock	$6.50	$4.99
111345	162	In Color (2008-2009) 12" x 12" textured card stock	$13.95	$10.49
109110	185	Fire Circle Rhinestone brads	$13.75	$9.99
109112	185	Fire Square Rhinestone brads	$13.75	$9.99
109113	185	Ice Square Rhinestone brads	$13.75	$9.99
111325	185	Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware	$36.95	$27.49
112454	185	Styled Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware	$36.95	$27.49
113451	n/a	20th Anniversary Embosslits die	$13.95	$10.99

*Quantities at reduced price are limited; page numbers refer to the Fall-Winter 2008 Idea Book & Catalogue