FREE May Card Kit

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I really miss not being able to get together with everyone during our regular monthly card classes. I miss the socializing and the laughter we share while we make cards. So I decided to offer a solution.

Each month, you will be able to earn a FREE Card Kit consisting of 6 cards (2 of each design) which you can make at your leisure. Each monthly card kit is only available until the end of the current month.

This month I am featuring the Ornate Thanks Bundle which is just a part of the whole Ornate Garden Suite. I love the die cuts in this bundle. They cut beautifully and as you can see they are beautiful.

Next month, I will offer a different kit and feature a different stamp set. This is a great way for you to craft with friends or family while putting together your FREE kit. Plus you will always have cards on hand to suit any occasion. No more scrambling at the last minute to find a perfect card.

To earn your FREE Card Kit

  1. Place a minimum $50.00 order (before tax/shipping) on my Online Store at Stampin’ Up! and you will automatically be shipped the monthly kit.
  2. Use the MAY Host Code P3ADAX96 when placing your order. Any orders not using the Host code will not receive this kit so don’t forget.
  3. Place your oder before end of day on May 31, 2020

For orders over $200

Please DO NOT use the host code so you can earn Stampin’ Up! rewards (free products from Stampin’ Up!) You will still receive the free card kit from me.

So how easy is that?

HERE IS WHAT YOU WILL RECEIVE;

  • All the paper and embellishments required to make six cards (two cards each of three different designs). Envelopes will also be included
  • The paper will be cut, scored, punched and die cut for you
  • A PDF Tutorial with step by step instructions, pictures, all measurements and a complete supply list of the products used.

YOU WILL NEED

Your own adhesive, ink and a stamp set so you can customize the card to suit any occasion. (As per Stampin’ Up! policy, I cannot send stamped images)

SHIPPING INFORMATION

  1. Your kits will be shipped no later that June 3, 2020. The kit will be mailed to the address used on your online order. Per Stampin’ Up! policy, kits can only be mailed within Canada
  2. June 3, 2020 you will receive an email from me that will include your PDF Tutorial with easy to follow step by step instructions. (File in a binder to refer back to over and over again)

MAY PAPER PUMPKIN IS SOLD OUT

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Paper Pumpkin is selling kits in record numbers and May subscriptions have already sold out. What does this mean? 

Anyone who is in active status before it sold out will still receive the May kit unless they choose to suspend or cancel their subscription before May 10. 

Subscribers who have cancelled or suspended their account will still be able to reactivate their subscription but it will be activated for the JUNE subscription period; meaning they will not receive the May kit. 

New subscriptions (for June’s kit) will reopen on May 11, 2020. These kits are extremely popular. If you wish to subscribe for the June kit, click here after May 11th so you don’t miss out on these amazing kits.

Add some Punch to your life

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Give someone you love a punch today.

Who doesn’t love a good punch when you are crafting. Now is a great time to purchase punches while supplies last. These punches will be retiring as of June 2nd so don’t wait. They will sell out fast. See the list below.

Click here to shop online. April hostess code QV9QYTXP

The following is a list of the retiring punches.

Pictured is the Every Season Punch – $18.60 (item 150670)

Twinkle Builder Punch – $9.60 (item 146321)
Decorative Ribbon Punch – $17.60 (item 143721)
Christmas Bulb Punch – $14.40 (item 148013)
Four Petal Flower Punch – $14.40 (item 147041)
Hot Air Ballon Punch – $14.40 (item 149520)
Elephant Builder Punch – $14.40 (item 145652)
1 1/8″ Scallop Circle Punch – $8.80 (146138)
1″ Circle Punch – $8.25 (item 119868)
1/2″ Circle Punch – $8.25 (item 119869)
1 3/8″ Scallop Circle Punch – $8.80 (item 146139)
Cake Builder Punch – $14.40 (item 148525)
Circle Tab Punch – $19.20 (item 143754)
Leaf Punch – $22.00 (144667)
1 1/8″ Scallop Circle Punch – $8.80 (item 146138)

Changes are coming

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Changes are coming and I am so excited. As always, there is good news and bad news. First of all the bad news. The current annual catalog along with the mini catalog shown below are both expiring as of June 2. There will be many items retiring and will no longer be available after June 2 . So if there is something you have your eye on, please don’t delay in making your purchase. And don’t forget about the clearance rack as there are many items shown with deep discounts.

The following “In Colours” will also be retiring so if you have these ink pad colours, now is a great time to purchase the re-inker bottle in these colours so you can to top them up before they disappear forever. Retiring products sell very fast.

Click here to visit my online shop to check it out.

Ok, and now for the good news. I can’t help but be excited to see all the new products that will become available in the new Annual catalog on June 3rd. We’ve already had a sneak peak of just one new product suite and that’s just the beginning.

The Ornate Garden suite is already available for purchase. The suite includes Every thing you need to create beautiful cards or scrap book pages. Two sets of stamps AND dies, Beautiful Designer Series paper, Embossing folder, two colours of ribbon, and a package of Gilded Gems to add some bling to your projects. This is a wonderful way to add to your crafting supplies since everything coordinates and makes it so easy to create. All products can also be purchased separately. Click here to see more

For anyone who has shopped on my online store in the past 12 months, I will be sending you a copy of the new catalog directly. I cannot wait to share with you all the new products. As a demonstrator, I enjoy some added perks. Aside from my demonstrator purchase discount, I also get an advanced sneak peek of new products. This allows me to pre-order some of the new products in advance. I love being a demo because of that. So when we can get together again for classes. I will have some on hand to make even more beautiful products.

I am really hoping that by the time the new catalog is released we will be opening up our stores and services and social distancing eases up as Covid-19 dissipates a bit. In the meantime, stay safe and stay home. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Whatever happened to good manners?

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In the world on electronics, it is so easy to forget common sense and general good manners.  We’ve all seen postings online that make us just scratch our heads and wonder about these people.

What we really need to do is step back a little to appreciate the people around us.  Whether it’s a family member, a work associate or your personal customers.

When was the last time you received an actual “Thank You” Card? You know, actual handwritten notes on paper and snail-mailed to you?  I will guess and say it’s been a long time or maybe never.   I know this is an old school thought process but when did good manners become out of date?

As an example: when you receive a fabulous gift, you say thank you, right?   But what if it was mailed to you?  Someone has taken the trouble to buy you a gift, wrap it, mail it (paying the postage) so you can receive it.  Is it too much to ask, to buy a stamp and send them a little note of appreciation?  I don’t think so.

Recently I sent a wedding gift by mail as I was not able to attend the wedding.  I didn’t hear a word back, nothing.  I  found out several weeks later, through the mother (I finally asked), that the gift was received. I never received anything back from the bride and groom, not even to acknowledge that the gift was received.   How appreciated do I feel now?  How likely is it I will spend a similar amount on the next gift I send them (if at all)

What about your customers, do you appreciate their business?  Have you ever told them that?  A simple card sent to say thank you tells them that they matter to you.   It is a class act and helps build relationships which builds loyalty.  If you are in any sort of sales environment, this goes a long way and what did it cost you, a card and a stamp? Keep them on hand so you are always ready.

Think of an experience when you went out of your way to help “get the job done” whether on a personal level or a business one.  You’ve spent  time and effort to help.  If your effort was never acknowledged or appreciated,  how likely is it that you will jump in to help the next time?  A simple thank you card makes you feel appreciated and we all need to know we are appreciated. It only takes a few minutes of your time.

I believe in sending thank you cards. I even make and sell my own cards. I personalize every card I make. You can see my cards online at http://www.ottawaartisans.com if you are interested.

So here are some simple pointers;

  • Send as soon as possible.  Keep cards/stamps on hand, so you don’t forget
  • Mention the gift/assistance/business you received 
  • Keep your message simple;  a line or two is all you need to say thank you
  • Style matters, casual for friends, more formal for business
  • It only takes a few minutes of your time.

Don’t you just love surprises?

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The Paper Pumpkin team loves planning fun surprises, so I am VERY excited to let you know that for the month of May: a fabulous kit featuring NEW 2020–2022 In Colors, plus the current colour Purple Posy will be part of the kit.

This means that as Paper Pumpkin subscriber, you will be first to get your hands on the new In Color products. And that’s just the beginning of things to love about this kit!

The upcoming May 2020 Paper Pumpkin kit includes supplies to make 8 full-size cards  (4-1/4″ x 5-1/2″) and 4 note cards (3-1/2″ x 5″) for a total of 12 cards in total. It will feature the new 2020–2022 In Colors (which will be revealed April 24)! This means that Paper Pumpkin subscribers will be among the first to get their hands on new In Color products.  So how exciting is that?

You have until May 10th to order your Paper Pumpkin, if you’re not already subscribed. Just click here to subscribe

What better time than to share the love?

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With everyone staying home, it’s a great time to send a card and let people know you are thinking of them. This is especially true with seniors who would love receiving this beautiful card. It’s also a great Mother’s Day Card if you can’t seen them in person.

I made up this card using the Pressed Petals Designer Series Paper (DSP)which has so many beautiful designs so it makes card making easy. This is a perfect card for a beginner to try. I love the Deep blue flowers which are so real looking. To See this paper online, click here.

The card itself is 4 1/4 x 11″ the folded in half at 5 1/2′. The matting is 4 x 5 1/4″ and the flowered DSP is just a smidgen smaller by about 1/8″ all around.

I used the Pretty Label Punch twice, once in the Night of Navy Cardstock and again with Very Vanilla cardstock. I then stamped the sentiment from the Inspiring Iris stamp set. I punched a small hole at one end and threaded the ribbon through both labels and adhered it to the front of the card.

Time is running out, Show your love for family

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This is the last day to take advantage of the April Paper Pumpkin kit. It is a perfect kit to put together by yourself or with your family while you stay home.

The kit is all about fun and family appreciation themed cards that make it easy to express your feelings for those you love most: mom, dad, daughter, son, sister, and brother. April’s kit even includes Mother’s Day and Father’s Day sentiments, giving you the perfect way to show your appreciation for beloved parents on their special days with a beautiful, handmade card.

Sentiments include anyone in your life who feels like family; for instance, “brothers” and “sisters” who have helped you along the journey of life.  This beautiful Kit contains all the supplies you need to make 8 beautiful cards/envelopes.

About the April Kit 

Kit contains supplies for 8 cards and envelopes

Card size: 4-1/4″ x 5-1/2″ (10.8 x 14 cm)

Envelope size: 4-1/2″ x 5-3/4″ (11.4 x 14.6 cm)

The coordinating colours include Crushed Curry, Early Espresso, Melon Mambo, Mint Macaron, Pear Pizzazz, Shaded Spruce, Soft Sea Foam

To subscribe, click here

Time to use up those paper scraps

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I would bet money that anyone who crafts, regardless of the medium, has a bag or box of scraps that tend to pile up and sit unused. Well I am no different so today I decided to delve into that scrap pile and see what I can do with some of the scraps.

This is the second card I created.

I created two beautiful cards that are perfect to send to someone who is at home, just to let them know you are thinking of them. These cards were very easy to make and perfect for a beginner. This card is also a perfect card for Mother’s Day.

To create the card, I made the card base from Rococo Rose card stock (150882). I cut the 8 1/2 x 11 card stock in half at 5 1/2″ then scored them both at 4 1/4 to create the fold. I then used my bone folder (102300) to crease the fold line. This allows me to make two cards. All supplies used are online, just click here to browse my online store.

The Designer series paper is from the Pressed Petals collection (149500) and each panel was cut at 1 1/4″ by 4″ then glued to the front of the card using Tom Bow Glue (Multipurpose glue (110755) I used the die cut from the Painted Label dies (151605) to cut out the circle swirls behind the sentiment and used my 2″ punch (133782) to cut out two circles in Very Vanilla card stock (101650) . The sentiment came from the Under My Umbrella stamp set (151518)and I stamped “Life’s Showers bring love’s flowers” then used my sponge dauber (133773) to add a little colour around the edge of the sentiment before adhering the sentiment to the swirl. I then put a little Petal Pink Metallic edged ribbon (151194) to the back of the swirl before using dimensional (104430) to adhere it to the card. The inside have a blank piece of cardstock so you can write your own special greeting an taylor the card to suit any occasion. To see all these supplies online click here

What are you doing while staying home?

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We’ve all seen the many games on facebook, that are being shared. Add this, multiply that, what sort of flower are you etc. So I decided to come up with my own game. Time to be honest with yourself because what other’s think shouldn’t matter. It’s meant to be fun. So with everyone staying home as much as possible (I hope) here are some questions for you. Answer honestly, I would love to see your responses.

  1. Is your home cleaner or messier than it was before all this started – About the same
  2. Are you wearing your PJ’s – No
  3. Are you wearing the same clothes you wore yesterday – yes
  4. How much weight have you gained or lost – about the same
  5. What activities are you doing now that you didn’t have time for before – I am trying to create videos to showcase my crafts. I am not having much luck so far.
  6. Are you enjoying the additional family time with your kids – sadly they are self isolating elsewhere.
  7. Have you explored new hobbies? – Does trolling for information on creating video’s count?
  8. Are you ordering more or less online – Definitely more
  9. Has the amount of snacks in your cupboard grown – yes, although I am trying not to eat them (in any great quantity)
  10. What are you doing to fill your day – crafting, playing too many games, Facebook, reading online (did I mention the video thing) as well as books, watching a bit of TV (not really my thing) scrolling Pinterest and you tube (I can loose hours doing this), and the usual housework, laundry, cooking etc.