Have you been loving the Butterfly Thinlits? I LOVE how pretty the delicate shapes are from the dies like on this card I made with the Red Glimmer Paper:
And I will say (even though I totally forgot to get a picture before I gave away all my swaps) that I really enjoy how EASY it is to put together a card with the Butterfly Basics stamp set. Seriously, it looks like an ok stamp set in the catalog, but when you start playing with it, cards start coming together really quickly! Here is one that I was sent recently (and it got a little crinkled in the mail!
Card by Susan Timchack
Well, I know a bunch of folks missed out when it was available at the beginning of the year and Stampin’ Up knows how frustrated everyone has been with the dies and the discounted bundle being out of stock for so long due to the dock workers strike that was going on recently, especially if you were hoping to get the bundle and earn Sale-a-Bration benefits with it! So, because Stampin’ Up is awesome – they are offering a special “thank you for your patience” deal as soon as the dies show up in their warehouse and go on sale. Check it out:
The dies are expected in the warehouse TODAY and should be available for purchase on WEDNESDAY (April 15th)!
Everyone has been eagerly awaiting the return of these dies, so while they should be getting a lot in, I would make sure to order yours early to make sure you don’t have a bit of a wait in line as everyone makes a run on them!
So, you can either:
Watch for my “The Dies Are Here!” post with links to purchase in the online store – and get my 3 card samples bonus as a thank you for ordering from me! OR
Email me at jennifer@nwstamper.com with your information and I’ll place the order for you as soon at they go live & mail your card samples out to you as a thank you! I will just need your shipping information and either a credit card or paypal email address for an invoice.
And if you are still on the fence, here are a couple more ideas for you:
I was looking for a quick card idea as a bonus card for my Stamp Club recently and after being inspired by the lovely Connie Stewart and her cards using the One Tag Fits All stamp set, I made a few changes to one of her cards and came up with this idea that is perfect for when you are short on time but want the handmade touch for someone:
Tips for making this card:
Make a bunch of cards at one time by grabbing a piece of the Designer Series Paper Stacks (the ones that give you 4 monochromatic pages per color in a color family) and cutting 2”x5-1/2” pieces. Use the scallop edge border punch to round out one side of your strip and adhere to the left side of a Whisper White card base.
Use the One Tag Fits All stamp set, and all the sentiments are the same width, so you can make a bunch of different versions since you know they will all fit!
Grab a Stampin’ Write marker (like the Hello Honey marker I used here) and color a few of the images and then scribble over one of the words to highlight it!
Tie a coordinating ribbon – like this Hello Honey quilted ribbon – around the patterned paper and you are done!
See! Quick, easy, and still cute!
There is still time to register for my Card Celebrations! Fun with Washi Sheets class (and class by mail!)
Thanks to everyone who has already signed up! If you signed up for the instructions only, or for the kit by mail, I’ll be getting the instructions emailed out by Monday and the kits will be going out by Wednesday.
And if you haven’t signed up yet – you still can! Register here
Project Supplies Used: Easy shopping anytime! Click the images below to see the item in the online store.
I will admit, I saw the washi sheets when they came out in the Occasions Catalog and I didn’t give them too much thought. Sure, washi was fun, but did I really need sheets of them? Well, I finally decided to get a pack and start playing and turns out that having bigger pieces of washi is actually a lot of fun and great for all kinds of projects! In fact, I created my April Class by Mail around Washi Sheets and the Celebrate Today stamp set bundle because I was having such a great time.
See, totally fun, right? And some of the cards use big pieces of washi sheets for backgrounds, die cuts, or punch outs that you need the bigger sheets to get these looks. I have all the details of this class by mail below (or join me in person next week on the 15th in either the morning or evening class session).
But first I thought I would share one of the cards from the class that was actually the very first one I created:
You could recreate this card with regular washi tape, but the thing that is cool about the washi sheets is that you get to pick the width of the strips you want. So, say you loved yellow and wanted a wide yellow strip in addition to the skinnier yellow strip shown above – you can totally do that!
I cut my strips of washi sheets to slightly different widths and then placed them on the background paper. Then stamped with the coordinating Celebrate Today stamp set for my central sentiment.
Turned out totally cute! Don’t you agree?
Want to make this and the 7 other cards?
You can join me in person if you are in the Seattle area
Card Celebrations! Fun with Washi Tape April 15th – 10am-12n at my house in Bellevue, WA or 7pm-9pm at Panera in Redmond RSVP here – morning | evening or email me at jennifer@nwstamper.com
Or sign up for my class by mail! Included in the class kits are:
20 notecards & envelopes (so you have spares as you are working & can come up with your own creations!)
a pack of washi tape sheets
all extra papers and embellishments precut, including washi sheet pieces
all die cut elements cut
pdf instructions for all 8 cards
Celebrate Today bundle (optional add-on) – SAVE 15% when you order with the class!
Have the supplies but just want the instructions? I’ll be emailing those out starting Monday so get your name on the list today!
Class instructions PDF – $4.95
Project Supplies Used: Easy shopping anytime! Click the images below to see the item in the online store.
Tell me I’m not the only person who stamps images or cuts paper thinking it will be PERFECT for my project I’m working on, only to put it down on my paper and realize that it doesn’t fit AT ALL! Then when I realize they don’t work for my project, I have a hard time just throwing them in the recycle bin because I know they are perfectly good elements for another card or project. So, I collect them in a small box to use for later.
Well, I periodically decide it is time to just start creating using my scraps because otherwise they take over my craft table, that box, and everywhere else in my craft room! So, today I thought I’d share a card I created using only scraps from my pile. I think the only thing I cut fresh was the Baked Brown Sugar twine!
I think the stars were originally from an idea I had for a patriotic card. I used the Be the Star stamp set and the Star Framelits (which are on the weekly deals this week – btw!) So I just layered them using some dimensionals and then added some of the thick baker’s twine in Baked Brown Sugar and my main element was ready to go!
Then I just used a scrap piece of patterned paper from the Trim the Tree designer paper stack (still on the Clearance Rack for a great deal!) and a stamped sentiment from the Sale-a-Bration set Simply Wonderful.
So you never know when you will be able to mix elements for many times of the year to get a great anytime card!
Today is an exciting day! It is the kick off of the Free Shipping special and my Spring Adhesive sale (get free adhesive from me when you buy any 4 adhesive items!) The sale has officially started so don’t wait until the shipping wait times are long, get your order in first and start saving. 🙂
Free shipping is on ALL ORDERS – NO MINIMUMS (excludes expedited orders)
PS – did you know of this EVEN BETTER deal? That when you join my Fun n’ Crafty demonstrator group by ordering your starter kit, you get 30% off your first order of $150 or more? So, you could sign up now and then place your first order as a demonstrator this week and get 30% off AND free shipping! Score!
Spring Adhesive Sale! Get FREE adhesive for all your projects!
I was planning on running my adhesive sale and to help you earn more with the Free Shipping promotion, I’m going to run it a little bit differently this time!
April 4th – April 10th Buy 4 adhesives, Get 1 free!!
All you have to do is add 4 adhesives to your order and then email me to let me know what you want for your free adhesive! Easy peasy, right? – valid on any adhesives & refills – you don’t have to pick all 4 of the same item, mix & match! – Spring Adhesive Sale ends 4/10/2015 and is a special offer only available through me
If your order is less than $150, please use hostess code QY7C22GPwith your order Free adhesive will be shipped directly to you after the 10th and I will confirm with you the free adhesive before shipping. PLEASE NOTE – If you do not check the box at check out to allow your demonstrator to contact you, I will not have your information to send you your free adhesive!
PS – Just in case you didn’t see, I’ve just announced my first Crafty Retreat for the Northwest area! I’d love for you to join us and even save $50 on your registration when you come with a friend and sign up during the Early Bird period!
Well, since he uses some retired punches (like the small oval and the itty bitty punch pack) I thought I’d share how you could make this guy with punches that are still available. He comes out a little bit larger, but still oh so cute.
For a size comparison, here is how your new bunny is going to turn out:
I know, I’ll have to turn him into a completed card later, but I wanted to show you quick how to pull this bunny together!
Punch out 3 of the ovals, two for the ears and one for the “feet”. Punch out one each of the circles for the head and body Punch out the smallest flower from the Boho Blossom punch for the tail
You may notice in the bunny card at the top of the page, I sponged the edges of all the pieces to help them stand out a little better. I like sponging with Sahara Sand for a subtle color that don’t look too dirty on the bunny.
Layer together starting at the top of the bunny and finishing by tucking the last oval punch underneath the bottom of the bunny. Easy and done!
It’s Coming!! Free Shipping & my Spring Adhesive Sale!
Starting on Monday, Stampin’ Up will be giving ALL orders (except expedited orders) free shipping no matter the minimum amount! So, make sure you get those wishlists ready!
Plus on top of that, I’ll be running my Spring Adhesive Sale! Stock up on your favorite adhesives at big discounts!
Make sure you are on my mailing list to get all the details first! Sign up here
Ok, got to be quick with this post, but I thought I would share a scrapbook page that I did for convention last year using the Amazing Birthday stamp set…. and the best part, it doesn’t even have anything to do with a birthday!
I had these pictures from the Tulip Festival in Mt Vernon, WA. We went last year to see all the amazing fields of tulips and when I was going through my pictures later, I realized that I could glue two of my pictures together to tell an even bigger story!
And when I wanted to accessorize, I realized the Amazing Birthday stamp set was a great way to go.
I use the Sweet Taffy designer paper to pull out my bright colors from the pictures. So I used it for matting my picture as well as the base paper for my layout. Then I cut up one of the stamped images (the happy happy happy birthday to you image) and used the happys for a little touch over the top of my picture.
For my journalling, I played with more stamps by using the Skinny Mini Alphabet stamp set to highlight what we were doing, but made that “title” part of my journaling by making it part of the sentences of the story I was sharing.
I used the big stamp – “Make Today Ridiculously Amazing” sentiment for another element and more of those “happys” and then added a border around my paper by piercing holes with my paper piercer and stringing baker’s twine around the entire edge of the page!
Add a touch of lace doilies and some candy dots in the corner – and DONE!
It is a fairly simple layout but I love it and it makes me happy to look at it. So, whether you are looking for a memory keeping solution and want to go with the quick pocket page layouts or want to use more of your stash and create a full 12×12 page. There are tons of ideas and options for you.
Ok, so I have A LOT to catch up on… so, big breath in, and get ready to dive in to some project ideas for you!
First up, this fun birthday card idea using the Sale-a-Bration stamp set – Big Day!
Tips for making this card:
This was my first time using the new Chalk inks… and with it my first time playing with the new Chalkboard paper! This paper has the COOLEST texture and is so fun to play with. You want to stamp on the SMOOTH side with the chalk inks so that the ink will sit on the surface and give you that pretty chalkboard look. (this is the Coral Rose color)
Add your own extra touches with the Chalk Pen! The white dots under the cake and the white lines along the side of the chalkboard paper are made with the Chalk Pen. As you can see, it is really vibrant on the Chalkboard paper, but more “chalky” when drawing on regular cardstock.
Make a fun embellishment piece by using the new Ornate Tag Topper punch… only don’t just stick to one side, do both! I had a 2” strip of Whisper White cardstock that I punched both ends. Then run some ribbon through the holes (and tie together on the inside of the card) to hold it in place.
Jazz up your Ornate tag by grabbing a Stampin’ Write marker and drawing a border about 1/16” in from the edge of the tag. Really helps you see the design, huh?
And don’t hesitate to stamp your image and then stamp & color a second version to pop-up on top! It keeps it interesting to look at when viewed at different angles, but you only have to color one.
Lots of fun… and if you need another idea, here is a reminder of one of the official cards shared in the Sale-a-Bration catalog. I love the colors and the little pop of dimension with the “Celebrate”
Now, if you are like me and LOVE the black, white, and yellow combination, I really hope you are a Paper Pumpkin subscriber because check out March’s kit and a fun alternate idea.
You have THROUGH TODAY (3/31/2015) to pick up a 3-month Prepaid subscription to the super fun kits by mail each month and not only SAVE $$ but also get a free Sale-a-Bration item to boot! I know, awesome right? I already picked up mine!
We never know what we are going to get until it ships out to us around the 15th of the month, but over the last year they have been working hard to improve the projects and how much you get in your box and so they have turned out to be really fun projects and you end up with lots of supplies. You know you will always get:
an exclusive stamp set
precut papers and supplies to make usually 6-9 copies of the project, though this varies by month and the project
all the accessories you need for the project and sometimes variations
envelopes (if they are cards)
instructions with video walkthroughs online
ink spots
Basically all you need is scissors and adhesive! (See, now you get why I said they make great gifts!)
Here is what we got for March:
And check out what my downline, Angela McCormack made with it!!!
If you aren’t in love, then you are a tough crowd!
Here is the video that went with it showing how to make the project:
You can cancel at any time or skip a month whenever you want…. so why not give it a try? You know you’ll be excited to see that awesome orange box in your mailbox next month.
Ok, so don’t wait! You only have until midnight MOUNTAINTime to get your order in and pick up your favorites. And then the will be gone and possibly not to be seen again (unless you earned your way to my Sale-a-Bration Celebration, in which case you make be lucky and have one last chance )
And if you’ve been thinking of making the plunge into the awesome world of being a Stampin’ Up Demonstrator (or just have a wishlist that is over $100), I would LOVE to have you join my growing group of Fun n’ Crafty stampers from across the US! We are an active and supportive group that create, share, and cheer each other on and we would love to welcome you in.
Plus you get 2 free Sale-a-bration items or a Project kit as a bonus for signing up in addition to the $125 in product for $99 and free shipping. But who is counting?
New Weekly Deals!
And if that isn’t enough, new weekly deals were released this morning too… so double or triple dip your savings and take advantage while you can.
Ok, that was long enough, thanks for sticking with me and have a great day!
Project Supplies Used: Easy shopping anytime! Click the images below to see the item in the online store.
After a fun weekend with the Live Chat about the scoop on the Starter Kit and perks of being a demonstrator (if you missed it, here is the recording) and then a great card class, then finally working on details for running my first Crafty Escape Weekend in June! So much fun and exciting stuff!
But now with it being Monday, I realized that there are only 2 more days of Sale-a-Bration & of the Paper Pumpkin Subscription sale! (PS – for those of you who have been thinking of joining my Fun n’ Crafty group, that means tomorrow is the last day to get the bonus items or project kit!)
I still have lots of projects I wanted to share, so first up is this fun scrapbook layout I did recently using the Best Year Ever designer paper that you can get free with Sale-a-Bration:
I loved the goofy and sweet faces that Caitlin was making at lunch while we were at Legoland and so while I didn’t have a “story” behind the pictures, I knew I wanted to have them for our trip album. And as I started thinking about what I wanted to use for my layout, I realized the light and bright colors in the Best Year Ever designer paper would be the perfect backdrop for my sweet girl!
I wanted the pictures to be the focal point, so I didn’t do a ton of embellishing, but I made sure to add a few spots of fun, starting with a couple flowers using the Bloom For You stamp!
It is a single flower stamp, but the cool thing is it works with two different stamps – the Fun Flower punch and the 7/8” scallop circle punch. So you can do things like stamp the flower in one color and punch out and then stamp in a second color and punch out with the 7/8” scallop circle punch and layer it on top!
Its also really subtle, but I wanted to do something else and so I added some Neutrals Candy Dots in Soft Suede onto the Soft Suede cardstock. It’s a little touch but it works!
For my journalling, I created a block with white cardstock and then stamped my sentiment from the Painted Petals stamp set…. don’t you love that saying? And then wrote my thoughts with a matching Stampin’ Write marker – the Hello Honey marker.
This layout goes together quickly and highlights your pictures so that they stand out and can make you smile each time you flip through your album!
Sale-a-Bration Reminder: Just a reminder of what you can pick for free with your order today and tomorrow:
If you decide toJoin My Fun n’ Crafty Group, you can pick 2 of the items above to get free with your starter kit or any of the project kits from the Occasions Catalog! Plus all the fun and perks of being a demonstrator and of being part of my group.
And then I’ll be back tomorrow with a couple more project ideas including some fun ones with Paper Pumpkin! And don’t forget, the discount on the 3 month subscription is only good through tomorrow as well!
Well, I’m almost recovered from this awful stomach bug and am slowly getting back into the world of feeling like a normal human being… the worst part has been that my hubby has been away on a business trip since right before this kicked in, and so while I had planned to get all this stuff done at night and during the kiddos naps… instead I’ve been sleeping or curled up too! So, while I don’t have a cute project to share today, I do have news that the Clearance Rack was updated last night!
Many popular items from the Holiday Catalog were added and so if you missed out on something, now is your time to grab it! Including:
And yes, even that Santa from the Get Your Santa On stamp set (ps – this card was from my Fun n’ Crafty team’s Holiday Catalog swap but I don’t have written down who make it, so if it was you, let me know and I’ll get your name posted right away!)
With 1 week left to take advantage of the Sale-a-bration freebies that come with the Starter Kit, I know there have been a few folks on the fence and I’ve been answering questions about the starter kit and the details of what happens after you sign up.
So I wanted to run a Live Video Chat on Saturday to answer those questions along with any questions YOU have! If you can’t make it during the call, sign up anyway and I’ll make sure you get the recording.
Yay! It’s time for another Blog Hop with the Fun n’ Crafty stampers, my lovely and talented downline that I’m blessed to have connected with and become friends with over the last few years! (I told you SU is pretty awesome, right?) Well, today we are doing our monthly blog hop a little bit early because we wanted to share with you some Easter ideas while you still had time to make them! And while I had plans to make another card to show you, I got knocked out with a stomach bug over the last few days, so it was all I could do to get this little video tutorial filmed. So I hope you like it!
So here is my little bunny box for you. I think I’m going to fill mine with jelly beans and put them in my kids Easter baskets this year – because that is what is so awesome about this, it is a treat box AND a cute decoration in one!
I’ve also been making this in my card classes this month as a bonus project (I have one left coming up this Saturday if you are in the Seattle area ) and everyone have been having lots of fun with them and so I can vouch that ANYONE can make them.
Tips for making this project:
When putting together your box and adhering your ears, make sure you are using VERY STRONG adhesive such as the Fast Fuse or Sticky Strip. I wouldn’t trust snail or liquid glue to hold up over time. In fact, my first couple boxes I made last year I used snail and they started popping apart a few weeks later.
I built my box first and then adhered all the punched elements – mostly with liquid glue. I saved my inking with pen for last so I could see how it all had come together.
Here is a list of the punches used (see the supply list at the bottom of the page for pictures of each of these punches if you are more visual like me!) – Extra Large Oval – Large Oval – Modern Label – Owl Builder – 1/2” circle – Mini treat back die
If you need any of these supplies, now is a great time to get them thanks to Sale-a-Bration! For every $50 you spend, you’ll get to pick out something free… in fact, you can even pick out a refill for your Fast Fuse as a free item if you want!Check it out: Original Sale-a-Braiton Items | March additions | Annual Catalog Choices
I also put together a Video Tutorial for How to Make the Bunny– now the first few minutes are tips and tricks for the curvy keepsake box and then I start step by step walking through going from punches to bunny!
(note – if you are reading this from email, you won’t see the video so click the link above)
I’ll be back later with more fun Easter ideas but in the meantime, don’t wait! Check out the great projects shared by these lovely ladies and don’t forget to give them some love along the way! **Blog hop starts at 7am PST on 3/25**
Today is the day to catch you up on all the news you can use!
Join me for a Live Chat on Saturday!
With 1 week left to take advantage of the Sale-a-bration freebies that come with the Starter Kit, I know there have been a few folks on the fence and I’ve been answering questions about the starter kit and the details of what happens after you sign up.
So I wanted to run a Live Video Chat on Saturday to answer those questions along with any questions YOU have! If you can’t make it during the call, sign up anyway and I’ll make sure you get the recording.
So many fabulous options this week with the weekly deals. I love the vellum, the petite petals punch, the Label Love stamp set and matching punch…. ok, really everything!
Last Week of Sale-a-Bration & your chance to earn an invite (or make & take packet) from my Sale-a-Bration Celebration!
Just a reminder that this is the last week for you to earn free goodies as part of Sale-a-Bration!
Free item with a $50 purchase
$25 in bonus hostess dollars with a $250 purchase or party
2 Free items or 1 free project kit with the purchase of the Starter Kit!
And then I’ll be sending out invites starting next week for mySale-a-Bration Celebration
This is my party to celebrate and appreciate you!
There will be thank you gifts, free make & takes, treats, prizes and exclusive specials for you! And if you can’t make the event in person, I’ll send you the projects, all attendee gifts, and you can take advantage of the specials too! Plus, you can bring a friend with you for only $5 so you don’t have to come alone.
Get your invite by:
Purchase the Starter Kit & join my group of Fun n’ Crafty Stampers
Spend $150 with me over the course of January – March
Host a private class or party by the end of March (and yes, there is still time to do this with online parties and simply collecting orders from your friends!)