... And a Little "Thank You" Too

You simply cannot underestimate the importance of kindness, whether you're in line at the grocery store, asking for directions or talking with a friend. Simple things like saying "please" and "thank you" go a long way, especially to those in the service industry who are so often barraged with impatient or ungrateful customers. With that in mind, I quickly created a few 3" x 3" Thank You cards to take with me on vacation this week. People often hear only the negative feedback - the complaints - in their service jobs, and having worked in the Service Industry in several capacities, I clearly remember the impact customer gratitude can have. I hope these little Thank You cards help brighten someones day and let them know we appreciate their hard work to make our vacation a nice one...

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This will be my last post until I return from the Dominican Republic. In addition to prepping for my Spring Fling classes when I return, I hope to post some Vacation-themed scrapbook pages to Summer's Creative Corner. See you in about ten days!

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A Big "Thank You"

Very shortly, you'll notice a break in the posts on Summer's Creative Corner. I'm excited to be going to the Dominican Republic for a week, where Internet connections will be harder to come by and card-making will not be at the top of my list of "to do's"! My travelling companion is my mother, and this trip is her gift to me... we haven't been on a vacation together since I was a child and we're both looking forward to not only enjoying the warmth, sun and sand, but also to enjoying each other's company. Needless to say, she deserves my endless thanks for taking me away on this trip, so last night I sat down and made her a card to show (at least some of) my gratitude. I used the Dreams du Jour stamp set, Urban Garden designer series paper, and both Whisper White and Pacific Point card stock.

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I'm including a picture of the inside of the card as well, because I think it's so pretty. I created the two-tone butterflies using the "rock & roll" technique, inking the stamp completely in a lighter shade of ink (in this case, Baja Breeze), and then rolling the edges of the stamp onto a darker coloured shade (Pacific Point here). It gives such nice depth to the image once it's stamped!

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A Creative "Pit Stop"

I set out this evening to create another card for this Saturday's Birthday Stamp-a-Stack, but in the course of looking for inspiration on Split Coast Stampers I came across a lovely card by Julie Ramos that sent me off in another direction. One of my recent favourite stamp sets is called Always, and after seeing a sample card in shades of Bashful Blue and River Rock with the bird stamp set off to the left hand side, I just had to try making a version of my own. I used Barely Banana and Certainly Celery, with Old Olive accents, and I think the result is spring-like and lovely.

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It could easily be made into a birthday card by switching out the "Always" greeting with the "B is for Birthday" or "Celebrate You" stamps from the Party Hearty set - but I plan to hold off and use this card in another upcoming class instead. Want to know which class? You'll just have to stay tuned for details!

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Stamp-a-Stack Preview #3

Fun, bright and colourful - we all have a friend or family member that fits that description... well here's the perfect birthday card for them! With cheerful layers of solid and Designer Series printed papers, sweet stamps from the "It's A Loop Thing" Hostess set and a banner designed for the verse or greeting of your choice... This card is a great addition to our Birthday Stamp-a-Stack on Saturday afternoon from 2:00pm to 5:00pm! To reserve your spot, call me at (519) 672-5485 or email summer.burton@sympatico.ca

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Stamp-a-Stack Preview #2

As mentioned in the class description for this Saturday's Birthday Stamp-a-Stack, two of the cards we'll be making will be masculine in their design. This simple, classic card in layered earth tones shimmers with gold embossing powder trees and verse... a great way to send best wishes to a father, brother or uncle on their birthday.

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If you would like to register for the Birthday Stamp-a-Stack session this Saturday (February 28th) from 2:00pm to 5:00pm, please contact me at summer.burton@sympatico.ca or by phone at (519) 672-5485.

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Stamp-a-Stack Preview #1

This Saturday (February 28th) from 2:00pm to 5:00pm I'll be hosting a Birthday Stamp-a-Stack class, where participants will have the opportunity to 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. The cost is only $25.00, or half price ($12.50) with any merchandise order... There are still spaces available in the class - please RSVP as soon as possible to reserve your spot!

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This week, I'll be updating Summer's Creative Corner daily to give you a sneak peek at some of the cards we'll be making at the class... This card will give you the opportunity to try using Build-a-Brads, and use a stamp from the Sale-a-Bration set Polka Dot Punches (which you can earn for free with any $60.00 merchandise order between now and March 31st!) Be sure to check back tomorrow to see a newly posted card!
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Note: If you're unable to attend the Birthday Stamp-a-Stack this weekend, the class will be re-run on Wednesday March 25th from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. Registration is already open, so contact me to RSVP!

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Snow Much Fun

I love scrapbooking, and don't often give myself time to enjoy it... so in an effort to correct that problem I set aside four nights in January to attend Scrapbooking evenings at Tecumseh Public School. It was a great opportunity to plan some page layouts, and I had a blast coming home and finishing the pages with my photos and embellishments. Here are the two pages I started in January and then finished up last night...

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Big thanks to Emily for several fun Tuesdays of Scrapping - it served as great inspiration to not only give myself the time to work on displaying my photos, but to start planning some Scrapbooking workshops for later in the Spring. Keep your eyes open for my Spring/Summer class schedule for more details!

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Happy Valentine's Day!

I hope you're all enjoying a lovely Valentine's Day with people you care about, be it friends, family, or that "special someone"! If you haven't delivered your hand-made Valentines, today's the day to do it - here are our Valentines, ready to go...

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Valentine Time

With my final Valentines Class happening tomorrow morning I decided to "get in the mood" with some Valentine making of my own this evening. 

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First, a sample of the card participants will be making tomorrow in addition to their eight smaller 3" x 3" Valentines. It's a simple design, fairly quick to execute, and I love it's delicate colour scheme.

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Second, this layered card will be for my sweetie on February 14th. I brought masculine touches to the card by using darker colours, and added weight with accordian-fold layer at the bottom. 

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These pretty Valentines use Pink Pirouette and Chocolate Chip Card Stock, paper from the Sweet Always Designer Series Paper collection, Stamps from the Always and A Happy Heart sets, 1/4" grosgrain ribbon in Chocolate Chip and Pretty in Pink, and Chocolate Chip and Regal Rose Classic Stamp Pad . For more detailed instructions on how to make these and other hand-crafted cards, please contact me.

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Looking for a Little Love?

How about lots of love?

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Join us at one of my two upcoming Valentine's workshops to make a set of eight 3" x 3" Valentines and matching envelopes, as well as one special larger Valentines card for your sweetie. Sessions are Friday February 6th from 7:00pm to 9:30pm and Sunday February 8th from 10:00am to 12:30pm, and either session costs $20.00, or half price ($10.00) with any merchandise order. Please contact me (summer.burton@sympatico.ca or by phone at (519) 672-5485 to reserve your spot as spaces are limited - hope to see you soon!