Northwest Stamper

Tag: OnStage 2015

  • Christmas Card Joy with Peaceful Pines

    I really did have grand plans this year to get all of my Christmas cards out early.  After years of being terrible about NOT sending out cards at all, last year I sent out around 70 holiday cards and it felt great to be putting a little cheer out through the mail.  So, I was all gung ho that I was going to be all organized this year and get them in the mail at the beginning of December.

    But then suddenly, I turned around and here it is December 16th and they have yet to hit the post office!  Anyone with me?  How many times do we have grand plans but one reason or another keeps us from making it happen?  Well, I’m here to say, it is never too late!  In this case, there is still time to make and send Christmas cards (or send the cards you have!)  Today’s share is a simple card idea that you can pull together quickly for those people who need some holiday cheer from you.

    I actually made this card as a swap for the November OnStage Local regional event.  I decided the day that we were leaving that I wanted to make swaps after all and so I pulled these together.  They are clean and simple, and easy to pull together!

    Tips for making this card:

    • Keep it simple and cost effective by choosing ONE color plus white – I picked Always Artichoke because I had an almost full pack on my desk and thought the muted color would be good for this design.  Use that color for your card base and for your smallest layer.  Then just use Whisper White cardstock as your matting layer to create a nice border around your stamped images.
    • Use heat embossing for an easy-to-create WOW – I kept in the deep green theme by stamping a tree and my sentiment in Mossy Meadow ink, but added layers and dimension by stamping one tree in Versamark ink and then covering it in White embossing powder.  Heat set for a snowy tree that really catches your eye.
    • Make your embossed images more interesting with sponging – I sponged over my white embossed tree with Always Artichoke ink to give the tree some depth.  This is a great technique to use on any project you are heat embossing though.  Just match the ink color with the color of the underlying cardstock for a rich addition to your image.  You can also make your central cardstock have more dimension with the same trick only by sponging the edges of the cardstock with the same color ink.
    • Try out different size banners! – I had left over Always Artichoke cardstock strips after cutting for the smaller piece on this card.  So I decided to use them by cutting them in half and stamping my sentiment (the Joy from the Your Presents stamp set).  I normally do longer and skinnier banners, but this smaller size was just right for this card.
    • Make banners more easily with the Banner Triple Punch – The best part about adding banners is that I don’t have to try hard to make the ends look even and nice thanks to the Banner Triple Punch (I still want to call it the triple banner punch!)  Even if your piece is small, you can slide it in to this punch and with a press, you have perfect banner ends!  Easy Peasy!

    So, if you still have Christmas cards to make, you still have time!

    And if you need to order some extra supplies, you still have time for that too!  If you are on the west coast, orders typically come in about 2-3 days.  If you are on the east coast… well, orders will arrive before Christmas if you order by tomorrow, so you can still make “thinking of you at Christmas” cards. Smile  Have questions or need help?  I’m here for you!  Email me at jennifer@nwstamper.com

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  • Fun at OnStage & a Few 2016 Occasion Catalog Sneak Peeks

    Get ready for it!  The cone of silence has been lifted and I can finally share more about what I saw at OnStage this weekend and all the crazy cute stuff I saw while I was there!  I still can’t show you the inside of the catalog for a while, and my first preordered items won’t be getting here until later this week… but I bet there is enough here to at least give you a fun fix for now!

    Ok, but before I get to the “Coming Soon” Stuff, I want to quickly mention the new things that are more “Now” and time sensitive in nature. Smile  I’m very sensitive that way… hee hee

    Holiday Catalog Retiring Product List is Released!

    Stampin’ Up announced yesterday the full list of items in the Holiday Catalog that will be discontinued at the end of the catalog period.  But the most important part is that they are WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!  So, don’t wait until January 4th to get your favorites.

    stampin up holiday retiring list 2015

    You can also check out the list in PDF form … either organized by Catagory or listed by Catalog Page Number
    I’ll keep you posted as things sell out, but grab your must haves early so you won’t be disappointed later!

    Shop the Holiday Catalog online here

    See the Holiday Catalog in PDF form here

    New Weekly Deals too!

    And since we love deals, how about the new Weekly Deals too?

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    See the weekly deals online here

    Monthly Hostess CodePU2EYZJY – enter this at checkout and receive a special thank you from me!

    Ok, back to the sneak peeks!

    Like I mentioned before, OnStage is Stampin’ Up’s new event to replace Convention and Leadership.  I went into the weekend not really knowing what to expect.  They had been fairly hush hush about what exactly would be happening but they promised a great time and the chance to get the Occasions Catalog and Sale-a-Bration catalogs in our hot little hands first!  And you KNOW I’m a totally sucker for deals and for sneak peeks!  One thing they didn’t change though, was Stampin’ Up’s habit of starting event days EARLY!  Like, check in starting at 7:30 and festivities were on by 8:30!  And though I had stayed up until almost 1am on my sugar high from going out with my mom, Tanya, and Janet Wakeland to Voodoo Doughnuts…mmm so good…

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    I was still able to get my butt out of bed (barely) and get over to the event location.

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    Thankfully, I had a few friends who got there extra early and were able to snag a table for our group.  It wasn’t too full… the venue had a lot of space, but it was still 400 crazy stampers eager to find a seat and start seeing what was new and coming soon!

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    See those tables in the front of that bottom picture?  That was ROWS of Big Shot machines!  So much amazing stuff we got to try that goes with the Big Shot!  If you don’t have one now, make sure to put one on your Christmas list!  And then give your family my email (jennifer@nwstamper.com) to make sure you get it and all the perfect complimentary pieces in time for gift giving. Winking smile

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    It was fun to have Greg Pitt be our MC.  Though his official title is Director of Distribution Services (getting our goodies from the warehouse to a box to us!) as soon as he started talking I recognized his voice – he is the voice of Stampin’ Up convention!  Like the “please welcome to the stage…” guy.  So, that was fun and he had a good humor too!

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    We started out with a video from the OnStage Live event in Brussels where we heard about the company stats and goals for the next year… and then on to the good stuff!  Stamping presentations and the Occasions Catalog reveal!  Lets just say we were super duper swooper excited to get our catalogs and see the new stuff!

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    And since that is a terrible picture if you are trying to see the cover of the catalog.  Here is an only slightly better picture. Smile  Really, I was trying for you, but it was dark out when I realized the first picture was blurry!

    2016 Stampin Up occasions catalog cover

    SPOILER ALERT! 

    Ok, if you don’t want to see anything new that is coming up… look no further!  I don’t know who you are… I could not have your restraint Smile But if that is you, come back tomorrow for more fun non-spoiler projects!

    So, we started out with video stamping presentations… including one by the Stampin’ Up president Rich Jutkins.  Turns out he is funny AND can stamp!

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    Here is his card using a new hostess set from the Occasions catalog (which starts Jan 5th as an FYI)

    IMG_1325Oh, and love how he did this tag

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    We have some cool new pop-out dies for the inside of your cards:

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    And just so many great stamp/die or stamp/punch combinations.  Seriously people, watch for those bundles because there is lots of great stuff and lots of saving to be doing.  Didn’t I tell you earlier I’m a sucker for a deal? Winking smile

    It was such an exciting morning filled with stamping, prize patrols, and sweets… I had one more voodoo doughnut with me for the drive home, but I just couldn’t wait and had to keep the adrenaline and sugar high going!  FYI – the Grape Ape donut and new stamps are an excellent combination!2015-11-14 10.20.39

    So I know you are here for the sneak peeks, so here are a TON for you!

    IMG_1328IMG_1331Isn’t it so cute!  That card was a combination of Sale-a-Bration stamp set and cut Honeycomb embellishments in the Occasions catalog.  I can’t believe I forgot to take a picture of my FAVORITE image from the Sale-a-Bration set, a cute chick!  It was the very top Sale-a-Bration wishlist item for me!

    And speaking of Sale-a-bration, how about another card idea using new papers and dies from the Occasions catalog with a coordination stamp set from the Sale-a-bration catalog:

    Fun fact, the stamp set that coordnates with the flower die above, actually ALSO coordinates with the Designer Paper!  Look, you can stamp added details onto you paper!  Compare the left and right sheet.

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    New stamp set with matching punch

    New ribbon

    New project kits

    New sunburst die

    New stamps

    Another new die and BLUSHING BRIDE GLIMMER PAPER!  Swoon!

    More new goodies

    Yes!  These are stamped images using a 3 step stamping set like the past Lotus Blossom!

    Dies you HAVE TO HAVE

    And lots more

    In the end, everyone won a prize patrol, and I was so happy that Stacey (on the left) won the stamp set she wanted most of all from the catalog!  How perfect was that!

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    I was so grateful to have a number of my Fun n’ Crafty Stampers with me to stamp with, debate, discuss, and share the experience.  Plus my many new and long time stamping friends from across the region.

     

    Want to see the whole Occasions Catalog and Sale-a-Bration Catalog Now?

    Unfortunately, I can’t share the catalog for a while now, but all demonstrators as of today are able to view the catalogs online and starting December 3rd we will be able to ORDER from them too as part of a preorder!

    But that doesn’t mean you can’t join in on the fun!

    Just pick our your favorite wishlist items for a custom Stampin’ Up starter kit and for only $99 you can join the Stampin’ Up demonstrator family and get to pick out $125 in product to be shipped to your house (free shipping on your kit too!).  Plus, you’ll get to start preordering the newest stuff on December 3rd and all the while, participate in our awesome Fun n’ Crafty team community through our Facebook group or connecting with us at events or with others in your area. Smile  We’d love to welcome you!

    join my team

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    Use Hostess Code PU2EYZJY at check out to get a special thank you from me!

    Through 11/18 – Get a free Class by Mail tutorial with every $35 purchase! See all the classes by mail here

    Check out the Holiday Catalog Retiring List & Sold Out Updates

    Save 25% on the Latest Weekly Deals

    Don’t miss up to 60% off in the online Clearance Rack!