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Friday 30 July 2010

Friday Challenge to Myself - Dig In and Scrap from your Stash!

I have been pouring over my years and years of collective Scrapbooking and Rubber Stamping Stash over the last while and feeling a little overwhelmed. 

I'd started out with Creative Memories,and somewhere along the way I bought out a friend who was leaving her demonstratorship behind so I ended up with a raft of paper. At the same time I had signed on as a demonstrator with Topline Creations and bought a lot of clearance paper and toppers in addition to other purchases - which weren't many as I always found them a little too pricey for me. In any case, it wasn't a big surprise when TLC changed hands again and became Breezy Designs and no longer had demonstrators as we had known them. 

I'd been collecting Provocraft Memory Blocks and Costco Paper Blocks as well as cleaning up on fibres, eyelets and other embellishments on Ebay - I now had 2 Sizzix machines and a variety of dies. 

By this time I'd discovered Rubber Stamping, and had become well versed in all of the pretty colors and began to immerse myself in them as well. I was almost 4 years into Stamping before I signed on as a demonstrator, but I was only buying for myself so I told myself it didn't really matter if I used other things on my cards -- after all they were MINE right? I also consoled myself that I didn't have to buy any new paper because I already had so much - but that argument only works up until the point that you want to coordinate all the pretty inks, pastels and such with the paper to match it and some of those long collected favorites aren't getting you quite so excited anymore..  It really is a bit of an emotional roller coaster once you get going..  ;)

When I recently decided to transition to teaching a little more, and holding some classes and workshops I began wondering how I would make use of what I affectionately dubbed my Crafter's warehouse. So many people I've met were of the mindset of only being able to use the products for your particular company. I'd always been of the mindset that if you add tuna or peas to Kraft Dinner, isn't it still Kraft Dinner? But my opinion is not the norm in the Scrap and Stamp world.. and now that I'm doing more workshops - the idea is to use "our" products to show off what we have and get others as enthusastic as we are about it all. This makes sense, right?

So anyhow, I've been lamenting about how I should go about making use of some of my stash...  I've been thinking that if our house ever caught on fire I'd be in a world of hurt because all this paper is certainly not going to help my case in that event. I don't want to waste the paper - I've got so many pretty vellums and mulberry paper, card stocks, punches, dies, buttons, brads, eyelets.. it seems such a waste not to use them.. 

So I challenged myself today that each week, I am going to dig into my stash and make at least ONE card, made entirely from items in my stash. I thought that this would be a great way to try out ideas and techniques before doing the samples for my boards and such.. Ultimately, I thought it would be fun.. so off I went.. 

Today I also decided to tackle a barrier I've been facing and that's that there is so much stuff to choose from much that I haven't played with in ages that I can't decide what to use so I end up feeling overwhelmed and nothing gets made. So here's what I did.. 

I chose the first 3 things that I laid eyes on when I sat at the table. A box of Tins that house some of the dies I've pre-cut with my Sizzix, A ziploc bag of buttons I bought online but hadn't sorted into my bins, and one of my bins of Fiskars paper edgers. 

As you can see I used the paper edgers to corner round the white paper for my Mat. I arranged and glued my buttons on the bottom of the page and then took 3 teddy bear die cuts from my stash and after playing with several colors I chose 3 yellow ones to match the button. I wanted to Jazz them up a little so I thought I'd try a couple of techniques. 

On one, I took a sponge dauber and sponge painted the one teddybear blue. The second, I took another dauber and used my pastel/chalk to color in the bear, and the last, I used my blender pen to color the bear in. I thought it would be fun to show the same element done 3 different ways and was pretty happy with how it turned out. 

I took one o my clear mount stamp sayings (not SU) and stamped just under the bears. I thought that the words smudged just a little but maybe it's just me being picky because I've gotten spoiled by my SU stuffs.. but the idea here was to use some of my "old" stash, rather than digging into the new.. 

So here's what I came up with.. I'm home solo this weekend - the boys are off to see the Nascar Race in Pocono so I'll have some more to share.. Let me know what you think

Tuesday 27 July 2010

Stampin' Up Hostess Benefits Get A Bonus Boost - Limited Time Only!

EXTRA, EXTRA HOSTESS PROMOTION

Extra! Extra! Stampin' Up! hostesses get extra hostess awards July 27-August 31, in addition to the already fantastic hostess benefits!
From July 27 to August 31, Stampin' Up! hostesses can earn an EXTRA $35 to use toward Stampin' Up! products of their choice when they host a workshop totaling $450 or more!

This extra benefit is included along with the standard hostess benefits they receive when they host a workshop. The standard hostess benefits include
  • A free 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalogue worth $11.95!
  • Free stamp sets only available to hostesses (with qualifying orders; select from the products on pages 10-16 of the Idea Book & Catalogue)!
  • Free Stampin' Up! products of your choice!
Workshop total
(before tax and shipping) 
Free
Stampin' Up! merchandise 
 Extra, Extra hostess awards Free Stampin' Up! merchandise with
Extra, Extra
hostess awards
 
$450 - $459 $45 $35 $80 
$460 - $524 $50 $35 $85 
$525 - $589 $60 $35 $95 
$590 - $654 $70 $35 $105 
This extra hostess benefit is only being offered for a limited time, so contact your demonstrator TODAY to schedule a workshop!

Wednesday 21 July 2010

Stamper's Club - Scrapper's Club - A Club for Every Budget

If your stamping wish list rivals your grocery list, joining a stamp club is a great way to budget your purchases over a 10 month period AND receive hostess benefits!  By purchasing $20 of product each month over a 10 month period, you will not only slowly build up your stamping supplies while staying within your budget, you'll also receive the following: 


· New Catalog Collection ($11.95 value)

· Exclusive hostess stamp set(s)

· $20+ of Stampin’ Up! Merchandise of your choice…and more!

· 10 free monthly classes

That’s over a $100 value – all for FREE!

My gift to you -  As an added bonus for signing on to one of my stamp clubs, I am including 10 free technique classes, one a month for the duration of your commitment.  It's the perfect opportunity to come out and spend a few hours learning new ways to various tools and techniques.  It is a great way to figure out what you like, and what projects you might like to try on your own.    

Classes are available in both morning or afternoon timeslots for your convenience.  Join on your own, or with a friend.  Plus if you like, you can also bring your older children, tweens or teens to the day, or early afternoon groups for an additional $5 per child to cover materials. (You will be responsible for working with your guests on the projects).  

Even if you schedule doesn't allow you to attend the classes, you will still enjoy all the hostess benefits on one month of your term (over $75 worth), without having to host a workshop! 

Need to miss a class? Still want to learn the technique?  Ask me about sitting in on another class, or set a time for some personal instruction. 

Clubs are also available for smaller groups and time-frames to suit your needs.  E-mail me for more information: iscrapnstamp@gmail.com Please Indicate if you are interested in a Scrapbook Club or Stamper's Club, or a mix of both.

Monday 19 July 2010

In Color - Marker Club - Technique Clubs - Now Taking Sign-Ups

If you're anything like me, you've already spent a great deal of time flipping through the new offerings in the new catalog and adding to your wish list. We just can't have "too many" toys, now can we?

Does YOUR wish list include the Many Marvelous Markers kit and storage case?  

When you join the Marker club you can purchase the entire set over a 4 month period and get free Stampin' Up! merchandise at the same time.  

With the Many Marvelous Marker club you can purchase the entire set over a four-month period and get free Stampin’ Up! merchandise at the same time.

Breakdown of the Marker Club: 
  • Limited to 4 Members per group
  • Runs for 4 consecutive months
  • Each member gets a chance to be the hostess.
  • During your hostess month hostess will get at least $20 in free Stampin' Up! merchandise plus one Level 1 stamp set FREE.
  • Unless otherwise arranged, Hostesses will be assigned in the order that they have signed up.  First sign-up gets first spot.
  • Cost is $65 per month. 

Each month you will receive:

  • One color family of of 10 Markers (except neutrals set which is 8)
  • One pack of coordinating 8 1/2 x 11 card stock

During your hostess month you will also receive:
  • Color Spritzer Tool
  • 5 Marker Set of *New* In Color Markers 
  • Stampin' Up! Markers Storage/Carrying Case.
  • $20.00 worth of Stampin' Up Products of your choice from the current catalog. 
  • A Level 1 (minimum) Hostess Set of your choice.  (If you choose to gather outside orders or schedule a workshop when it's your turn as hostess, you can earn even more free merchandise.)


Conditions: 
All members must commit to participate in all 4 months. (A credit card guarantee/post-dated cheque is required).  Payment is due by the 5th of each month.  No other discounts apply to this special club offer. 


Contact me to sign-up:  iscrapnstamp@gmail.com

Sunday 18 July 2010

My Digital Studio (MDS) - Don't knock it until you try it !!

When I first started hearing about digital scrapbooks, I think I dismissed the idea just as fast as I'd heard about it.  Quite honestly, It has been a couple of years of collecting all kinds of paper from the pretty patterned, and textures, card stock, vellum and mulberry paper.  I didn't pass the craft store without picking up a couple of the "Pound of paper' packs because I hated the idea of trimming a full sheet of paper just to make a few punches or tags. I had blocks of paper X2 in a couple of different company's renditions and I often quipped about how if our house were to ever catch fire that with all my pretty paper..  well it wouldn't be a good thing for us at that point.. just leave it at that..

I had become a regular fixture on E-bay; collecting ribbons, fibres, eyelets, punches, die cuts, stencils and such. I'd been playing with embossing, pastels, and so many other techniques that I just could not wrap my head around the idea of a digital scrapbook. Honestly, what was the point if not to play with all of the different colors and textures and make something truly beautiful at the end of the day?

So enter's one of my best friends Jenn - who coincidentally is also my Stampin' Up! Up-line - she'd been telling me about MDS for a bit, and offerred to bring up her laptop to show me this new toy.

I was pretty skeptical to say the least but I promised I'd give it a chance and take a look..   Well!  To say the least I was blown away.  In just a few minutes she'd taken a couple of photos from a USB key and she had two pages done and ready for journalling.  Even I had to admit that MDS is pretty awesome.

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not about to convert to digital by any means.  I love the actual putting together of everything too much for that..   but as the family history nut in my family this has opened a whole new window of opportunity as far s personalized gifts.   The idea of doing up a page that can be printed and then framed or e-mailed to multiple family members is also a big bonus..

Here are the two pages that Jenn made that day..  Score one for MDS!    I'll be putting in my order for MDS in a few weeks so that I can get better acquainted with the software and start working on some personalized gifts for some special friends and family  - but don't expect me to ditch my albums any time soon..  I don't think my passion for paper, and embellishments will let me go there completely - at least not any time soon :)

Saturday 17 July 2010

Scrapbooking ~ Rubber Stamping Card Making ~ All Day Crop

Sunday, August 22nd ~ 9 am – 9 Pm

Check my website for upcoming classes and workshops
Royal Canadian Legion – 2194 Dundas St. Cardinal 

·       $35 Fee includes a NEW 2010-2011 Stampin' Up! Catalogue!!! (Released July 1) **(Early Bird Rate: Pre-Pay by Aug 5th and save $5) **
·       A table of your own – your space to create.
·       Croissants, Donuts. Water. Coffee. Tea
·       Goody Bags, Door Prizes, Technique Demonstrations, Ordering Specials on Stampin’ Up! Products.
·       New & Used Stamp Sets, Card Stock and Accessories for Sale
·       Big Shot, Sizzix. Cricut available for use.

All Attendees are asked to bring a non-perishable food item for donation to our local Food Bank.

For More Info or to book a spot contact:
Tammy 613-655-1010  iscrapnstamp@gmail.com

Have you seen our latest catalogs and flyers?



New Idea Book & Catalog - Released July 1st 2010

Supply List - 2010 Idea Book

Livre d'idées & catalogue

Livre d'idées & catalogue fournitures Stampin’






Summer Mini

Summer Mini Supply List


Big Shot Classes - More than just die cuts..

Interested in learning how to add die-cuts, and punches to your cards and lay-outs? 

Can't figure out how to incorporate these pieces into your projects?

Let me show you a variety of items that can be made with the versatile tool.  

More details to follow.. stay tuned. :)

A Brand new forum for Scrapbooking, Rubber Stamping & Quilting!

Check out this brand new playhouse for the creative genius in you!

There are separate areas for Scrapbooking and Rubber Stamping and of course Quilting.

New Swaps have been posted and will be starting soon.You'll find me there as "Lady8i8", one of the moderators. 

Check it out: Scrappy Quilting   I look forward to seeing you there!

Getting ready for August.. Is Summer really almost half over already?

I thought I'd start plotting for August early., and share my plans for Stamper's Clubs, and some upcoming classes for the next several weeks.

Please keep an eye on my SU site for my up-to-date events listing iScrapNStamp - You Can Too!

At present I am taking sign-ups for Stamper's, Scrapper's and Marker Clubs starting in August. 

My next All Day Crop is scheduled for August 22nd at the Cardinal Legion from 9 AM - 9PM - Contact me to book your spot - Book by August 5th, and pre-pay your spot to take advantage of my NEW early bird rate.

Plans are in motion for a classes and workshops catering to our local area childcare professionals.  (Parents, Grandparents, Daycare Providers etc). as well as some other themed classes.  Is there a topic or technique that you'd like me to cover?  Send me an e-mail, or comment here..

Thanks for stopping by!

Tammy

Look Ma, I've got a Blog!

Well, to be truthful I set this blog up what seems like ages ago, when I was researching different services to see which one worked best for my needs.  Things got busy and I never got back to working on this.

I am hoping to use this page to highlight my upcoming classes, share technique demos, samples and ideas.  I will also share some of my pics for "best of the web",  and will post credits for anything CASEd or shared on my site.

Feel free to drop a line anytime if you have any questions or comments. I'd love to hear from you!

Tammy