Northwest Stamper

Tag: you’re amazing

  • Just Wanted to Say You’re Amazing!

    No seriously, you are! As I think back to how my life has evolved and changed over the last few years – between major moves and babies and family adventures; I love that I’ve always had my friends and stamping community there for support and to keep me sane!  From friends in facebook groups to my fellow Stampin’ Up! demos, I always feel like I have somewhere to turn when I need support or a pick-me-up.

    And you are part of that stamping family & community and for every layout you make, project you share, card you send; you are making the day that much brighter.  And so I think you are amazing!

    You're Amazing Masculine card with bleaching

    And just a little close up for those of you curious about the paper… this card is from my Misting & Masking technique class and we used bleach in a spritz bottle to spray some Marina Mist cardstock to get this cool look.  Then layouer our sentiment over the top in vellum so you can see it peeking through for a fun effect.

    Close up of bleaching technique

     

    So think about who has been amazing to you in your life and take a minute to tell them!  Send them a card or just give them an extra hug.  You’ll brighten their day like they brighten yours. Smile

     

  • Scrapbooking Sunday: Scrapping with Washi & the This & That Line

    Last week, I got my This and That bundle and finally had a chance to sit down and start playing with it all.  So, this is the first project I created with it:

    this and that scrapbooking layout

     

    The full collection (which I had to grab since you get 15% off if you get it as a bundle) includes:

    • 12×12 designer paper
    • 4 pack of stickers
    • 3 rolls of washi tape
    • rotary date stamp
    • spiral bound journal with embossed cover

    This and that collection Stampin up

     

    I had a bunch of friends who had gotten into the washi tape craze and I even had a couple spools of it but I was still trying to figure out how I was going to use it.  However, it seemed to get easier for me as I started playing around with this layout.  The first place I used it was for making a border at the bottom of my blue designer paper and then I layered a second pattern of tape to highlight the photo above.

    This and that washi sample scrapbooking close up

     

    Then I ended up using the 3rd pattern of washi tape at the top of my page as an accent over the top edge.  You’ll also notice the rotary date stamp on the journaling section.  You pick your sentiment and the date, ink, and stamp.  When I stamped, I wanted to add a little something else, and turns out a mini brad fits perfectly between the sentiment and date.

    This and that rotary date stamps and washi tape close up

    I also wanted to use some of the stickers that come in the collection.  I knew I was going to use the journal with most of the stickers but I decided that these chevrons (which are each individual stickers) would be a good color accent on that side of the page.

    This and that stickers close up

     

    So, overall, I wasn’t sure what I thought of the heavily distressed look of the papers but it turned out when used together they look great.  Especially when you are using black and white pictures.

    Finally, I wanted to share something that I didn’t realize when I ordered the journal.  I knew that each page in the journal is designer paper in nice base patterns (no big words or overwhelming elements), but I didn’t realize the first and last page were pocket pages.  Plus inside the front pocket were tucked 2 pocket pouches that can be glued in anywhere in your book (or other projects)

    this and that journal inside

    I still can’t decide whether to use my journal for carrying with me to record the random funny things my kids say and do, or if I want to use it for all the inspiration I see for projects and designs.  Kind of like an offline Pinterest!

    You can see the entire This and That collection online here

    And don’t miss out on the free shipping promotion!  You have until tomorrow evening to receive free shipping on any order no matter how big or small!

     

    To Order Stampin’ Up! Products Anytime, click here!

    Don’t Forget!  RSVPs and mail order kit orders are due soon for the Print Poetry Class coming up on April 20th!
    Can’t make the party?  Class by mail and instruction only options are available – check it out here

    Print Poetry Camp & Class by Mail

  • Stampin’ Up! Color Changes + FREE SHIPPING this weekend!

    This morning I woke up and there were lots of big announcements from Stampin’ Up!  From color changes to free shipping on all orders being offered this weekend… it was a lot to take in.  But I’ve tried to sum up the details for you so you can be in the know as well and get excited with me about some of these cool changes!  I am excited for some of the colors that are coming back and can’t wait to start playing with them again.

    Color Changes are Coming!  Color Retirement starts NOW!

    Color Refresh nwstamper

    I am very excited for Bermuda Bay and Island Indigo to be coming back.  I’m also happy to have Soft Sky and Pool Party back in exchange for Bashful Blue.  Though I am shedding a tear for River Rock!

    What are you excited for most?  What will you miss the most!

    **Important Note:  The discontinuing colors are no longer being manufactured and so beginning on April 4, 2013, all retiring/discontinued color products (i.e. ink, paper, ribbon, accessories, etc.) will be available only while supplies last.

    For example, here is a card I made earlier this year using retiring colors – River Rock, Not Quite Navy, and Ridinghood Red… all perfect for those masculine cards!

    But here is the great part, FREE SHIPPING from April 6-8th!

    Yup!  I’m super excited for every order, and no minimums, to get free shipping this coming weekend.  So you have a couple options:

    1.  Order your favorite colors now to make sure you get everything you love before anything goes

    2. Wait until April 6th, and get free shipping on everything!

    So, check your stash and get your wishlist going…

    Snap up your color items by shopping here or contact me at jennifer@nwstamper.com or (425) 998-6689.

    Have questions?  Have opinions about what is going and what is staying?  Let me know!

     

    Click here to shop online 24/7 and start earning your NW Stamper rewards!

    Don’t Forget!  RSVPs and mail order kit orders are due soon for the Print Poetry Class coming up on April 20th!
    Can’t make the party?  Class by mail and instruction only options are available – check it out here

    Print Poetry Camp & Class by Mail

  • It’s a Scrappy Blog Hop For the New Year!

    Last month I was totally honored to be asked to participate in today’s Scrapbook Steals Blog Hop.  They were going to be featuring page design templates from Kiwi Lane Design Borders and, since I had never tried them out before, I thought it would be a blast to give it a go.  Especially since I knew I would have all my new Spring Catalog goodies to play with too!  The awesome thing is that these templates can be used with anything you have in your stash, so use them on old – new- thick – or thin!

    Well, I have 3 projects for you today and hopefully you will get some new ideas for trying out border templates as well as catch a glimpse of some new Spring catalog (and Sale-a-Bration sneak peek!) items in my samples. Smile

    1.  The 12×12 Scrapbook Page

    You may not think much of using a template for a 12×12 layout, but the neat (at least to me) part is that the templates I was given to use are the “Madison Avenue mini” templates, which means they are only 8” long!

    What is a 12×12 purist to do??

    Well, after careful investigation of my templates, I discovered that two of them fit together seamlessly to give me a 16” curve to do with as I pleased!

    extending kiwi lane templates

    So I found an interesting curve line, used Post-it notes to tack down the templates, and traced away!  I decided to cut out the vintage-y flower pattern from the Twitterpated designer paper… and what you can’t tell at all because of how I ended up placing my pictures, is that the curve lines exactly match at the top and the bottom of my page.  I meant to do more with that but the matting for the photos got too big.  Oops!

    I loved the line though, and so I decided to ruffle some ribbon, following the curve at the top of the page.  To achieve the look, I just ran some tape along the same path as the template that I used to trim my paper.
    TIP – If you are going to do this, you really want to use Sticky Strip / red backed double sided tape.  I tried using my ATG for the adhesive thinking that was really strong but in less than a week, the ruffles were popping up and off the page.  So go for the tough stuff!!  Go redline/Sticky Strip!


    (psst – this may be one of the free ribbons coming available during sale-a-bration. ;)).

    And since I wanted to do some journalling but thought a straight edged rectangle would look wrong in my curvy layout… I grabbed one of the templates I used for the top of the page and used the curve to cut my journalling block.

    using kld templates for journaling 

    Psst – check out more SAB sneak peeks!  (Button, stamps, punch!)

    2.  An 8×8 Layout

    Since my templates were the mini version and 8” long, I decided “what the hey!” and figured I’d put together an 8×8 page.  The curvy lines made me totally think of hills and so I thought it would be perfect for a park picture of my daughter Caitlin from this summer.

    I couldn’t decide where to do my journalling so I, again, went with the whimsy and wrote it out following the curves of my hills.

    And if you are curious, the background paper and the sun are all created out of the new Tea for Two designer series paper.  The circle that is the middle of the sun is an element on one of the patterns, so I just cut out two circles and chopped one up into wedges – pizza style – to make the sun’s rays.  I LOVE how it turned out!

    3.  A Card with Masking

    Finally, I wanted to break out of the scrapbooking shell and use my templates in a totally different way.  Since sets contain “A” and “B” pieces that are just a rectangle with the patterned line cut through the middle, that means you can just slide your A and B sides a little apart and make a cool area for masking!

    I did my masking on grid paper so I could slide the templates down the same amount each time so I could make my own background pattern.

    masking with KLD templates

    And speaking of backgrounds, can I share that this card was totally inspired by my 2012 Stampin’ Up! convention bag sitting on the floor across from me?  Smile  Can you see the similarities?

    image

     

    So, my projects are simple compared to some of the amazing scrapbooking layouts you will see with these templates, but I love how easy they make a touch of whimsy in my projects!  I will also admit that I get a lot of my scrapbooking ideas from Scrapbook Steal’s weekly MidWeek Mojo sketch challenges; but I didn’t realize how much mojo you can get from stacking and playing with these templates that give you lots of fun shapes and curves to work with!

    Alright! So I’ve shared a lot with you today and I hope you enjoyed them!

    Please, leave me a comment and let me know what you think of my projects and first foray into designing with border templates!  Plus, Scrapbook Steals will be giving away a $20 gift certificate to one lucky commenter from across all of the blog hop sites.

    And now, check out some of the other awesome ideas shared by some SUPER TALENTED ladies!  Thanks again, Kerys, for the invitation and the chance to participate in the blog hop this month!

    Go hop and be inspired!

    To Order Stampin’ Up! Products Anytime, click here!

    Need a Spring Catalog or Sale-a-Bration flyer?

    shoot me an email to jennifer@nwstamper.com with your contact info and I’ll make sure one will be making its way to your mailbox shortly!

    Are you earning your Northwest Stamper Rewards?
    Every order gets you closer to your FREE stamp set!Click here to learn more!

     

    12×12 Scrapbook Page Supplies
    Stamps:
    Pretty Petites (SAB), Ciao Baby, You’re Amazing

    Ink: Basic Grey, Calypso Coral, Pool Party, Crumb Cake, Versamark
    Paper: Twitterpated designer series paper, First Edition specialty dsp, Basic Grey cs, Whisper White cs, Calypso Coral cs
    Accessories: Sycamore Street ribbons & button pack (SAB), Petite curly label punch (SAB), Natural Trim ribbon, heat gun, white embossing powder, embossing buddy, glue dots, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Madison Ave mini Kiwi Lane Design border templates

    8×8 Scrapbook Page Supplies
    Ink:
    Lucky Limeade ink pad & marker (for journaling)

    Paper: Tea for Two designer series paper, Lucky Limeade cs, Melon Mambo cs, Basic Grey cs
    Accessories: Bitty Punch Pack, adhesive pearls, Sticky Strip, corner rounder punch, sponge dauber, Madison Ave mini Kiwi Lane Design border templates

    Convention Bag Card Supplies
    Stamps:
    Made For You

    Ink: Basic Grey, Summer Starfruit
    Paper: Whisper White cs, Vellum cs, Summer Starfruit cs
    Accessories: Two-Tone Ribbon (Basic Grey/Basic Black), adhesive rhinestones, glue dots, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Madison Ave mini Kiwi Lane Design border templates

  • Thanks for the Cute Birthday Wishes!

    It is days like my birthday that I’m reminded of how much a homemade card really means.  This year, I felt really special to receive some unexpected cards in the mail (and in person) and they were cute cards too!  So cute in fact that I just had to share them with you all!

    card designed by Pam Wu

    Way to make a girl feel special, Pam! Smile  I love this card too because it is totally something I would never have come up with either.  I love this dsp but never knew quite how to use it but I like how she used it here.

    card created by Tanya Cabral

    Tanya is a queen of clean and simple (and stunning) cards!  I love her colors and the simple design that totally pops.  Again, I just felt special that she made such a cool card for little ol’ me.

    So, thanks ladies!  You really put a smile on my face for my birthday this year and I really appreciate it!

    I honestly just feel lucky to have met and become friends with such amazing and talented people!

     

    To Order Stampin’ Up! Products Anytime, click here!

    Are you earning your Northwest Stamper Rewards?
    Every order gets you closer to your FREE stamp set!Click here to learn more!

  • You’re Amazing Ticket Banner Card from Convention

    Alright, today is another share of the Stampin’ Up! convention make & takes.  I LOVED the variety and number of different projects we got to make and I thought that the projects we made with the You’re Amazing stamp set were especially unique.  And I’ll admit, this card is not at all hard to do, it does take a little bit of time to put together. 🙂

     

    There are so many details to this card and after creating it, I think I might just hang it over my desk to remind myself that even when I’m feel low and my self-esteem has taken a hit, that I can have amazing moments too.  And I can remember how much I enjoyed creating this card.

    Some tips if you are making a card like this:

    • When using the Essentials Paper Piercing pack to create a dotted outline for a die cut shape or stamped image, I recommend placing the piercing template on your card base first so you can line it up exactly where you want it to be; then do your piercing, and then add in your center piece.
    • If you want to make a string of little punched tickets (or any shape), I stamped my images first, pierced the hole for running the linen thread through, and then punched out the ticket shape.  You can punch them out and stack them up and pierce the hole, but I didn’t want to have to deal with trying to hold onto the little tiny pieces while piercing.
    • I actually tied the linen thread through the end of the die cut shape to help hold the banner up
    • Depending on your personality, you can opt to leave the ticket banner hanging loosely in the front of your card…. or you can be like me and use a glue dot behind each ticket to place it precisely where you want it to go! 🙂  The tickets may not necessarily hang evenly, but at least they will stay put.
    • The little hearts are actually a clever trick of punching out the 4-petal flower from the Itty Bitty Punch pack and then trimming off two of the petals to make a tiny heart.  This makes it even smaller than the single small heart punch.
      image

     

    Like I said, there are a lot of details, but honestly, that is what made this card so fun for me.  If you check out my blog very often, you see that a lot of the projects I tend to make are the more quick and simple cards – cards that have one or two cool details but don’t take much time to put together.  So, when I get to sit down and focus on more details on the card every now and then it is actually pretty relaxing for me. 🙂  Am I the only person like this?

     

    So, even if you don’t have time to do this whole project, hopefully you got some ideas for different elements to try in your projects in the future.  Though I’ll admit, I’m most addicted to my Essential Piercing Pack, what is your favorite piece to try?

     

    To Order Stampin’ Up! Products Anytime, click here!

    Check out the 2012 Holiday Catalog

    Are you earning your Northwest Stamper Rewards? Every order gets you closer to your FREE stamp set! Click here to learn more!

     

    You're Amazing Clear-Mount Stamp Set

    Ticket Banner Card Recipe
    Stamps:
    You’re Amazing
    Ink: Midnight Muse, Primrose Petals, More Mustard
    Paper: Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Primrose Petals, More Mustard, Midnight Muse, Early Espresso
    Accessories: Punch Pack, Linen Thread, Basic Pearls, Essential Piercing Pack, Paper Piercer, Piercing Pad, Apothecary Accents Framelits, Big Shot, Ticket Builder punch, Stampin’ Dimensionals