card making – Canadian Stamper

Joy to the World is here

I love subscribing to Paper Pumpkin and receiving a monthly surprise the kit offers each month.

This month it gets even better because the October kit is going global. October’s Paper Pumpkin kit was designed to bring people together—connecting to one another and spreading joy with each other around the world!

The Joy to the World Paper Pumpkin Kit is an exclusive holiday kit that provides a specially-designed box with enough supplies to create eight elegant cards, and an opportunity to connect with the Stampin’ Up! global community.

If you have never tried paper pumpkin (or would like to reactivate your subscription) Now is the perfect time. It makes a great gift for yourself or someone else. You have several options choose from. You can subscribe monthly to receive a kit every month or you can choose a pre-paid kit for 1, 3, 6 or 12 months. As a monthly subscriber, shipping is included. Pre-paid prices do not include shipping. To subscribe, just choose whichever option works for you.

Monthly – You will be surprised every month with projects like cards, gift packaging, home décor, and more for just $30.00 a month (shipping included). Talk about happy mail!

1 Month – Enjoy a prepaid one-month delivery of Stampin’ Up!’s subscription kit for just $28.00. After you order, you’ll receive a code via e-mail to redeem your subscription at http://www.PaperPumpkin.com.

3 Months – Enjoy a prepaid three-month delivery of Stampin’ Up!’s subscription kit for just $82.50. After you order, you’ll receive a code via e-mail to redeem your subscription at http://www.PaperPumpkin.com

6 Months – Save $1 every month and enjoy a prepaid six-month delivery of Stampin’ Up!’s subscription kit for $158.00. After you order, you’ll receive a code via e-mail to redeem your subscription at http://www.PaperPumpkin.com

12 Months – Buy 11 kits and get one free when you purchase a prepaid 12-month Paper Pumpkin subscription for $300.00. After you order, you’ll receive a code via e-mail to redeem your subscription at http://www.PaperPumpkin.com

In order to receive this kit, you will need to subscribe by Oct 10th and not only will you get a head start on your holiday crafting—you will be able to create Christmas cards, share project ideas, and spread holiday cheer with Paper Pumpkin subscribers all over the world. There’s no better time to reactive a Paper Pumpkin subscription than for this very special edition kit!

After you receive your kit, join the Joy of Paper Pumpkin Facebook group to make the most of this month’s kit.

Each Kit contains enough supplies to create eight cards, 4 each of two separate designs along with coordinating envelopes.

Kit includes die-cut pieces in English, French, and German. This will allow you to create cards you can use to connect with other people all around the world—in their language!

So how cool is that? Our world just got a little bit smaller.

Coordinating Colors: Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Just Jade, Soft Sea Foam

Back to school – Back to the basics

When all the back to school activity is going on, it always makes me think of new beginnings and of trying new things. It’s a time to take a fresh look and take stock of what is going on. The same applies to crafting. I know when I started making cards, I didn’t have a clue what I needed or where to even start. Cards can be made with just paper but stamping an image or sentiment will allow you to expand on your skills and also tailor the card to something more specific, such as a birthday or anniversary. Personally I like how it just adds to the overall look of the card.

As an example, adding a stamped image, a die cut or a sentiment adds to the overall impression and a little bling or a piece of ribbon is always a bonus and makes the card “pop” just a little bit more.

If you want to try your hand at card making or any sort of paper crafts, there are a few essentials you will need

Paper Trimmer – A good paper trimmer will cleanly cut your card stock and paper without leaving rough edges. I’ve tried the cheaper versions and was forever changing the blades to get the clean cut,(which are not cheap) so I decided to purchase a better trimmer from Stampin’ Up! (SU) and have never regretted it. The SU trimmer can hold paper up to 12″ x 12″ and comes with it’s own scoring tool as well so it does double duty.

Small pair of paper snip scissors (for delicate trimming). I love these for the more intricate cuts

Larger or normal pair of scissors (cutting paper or ribbon). I am pretty sure you have a pair lying around at home.

Bone Folder – This is used to burnish card stock to create a crisp and clean fold line. It can also be used to score a line when needed. It is not essential but it is a tool that is nice to have on hand

Adhesive – Comes in many types and some are better than others. I personally don’t skimp and buy the good stuff. Some of the cheaper dollar store variety just don’t hold up over time. However it really comes down to your personal preference and what works for you. Personally I use a variety depending on the project I am working on.

Liquid Multi-purpuse glue – Great for cards because it dries clear and has both a fine tip and a broad tip. It also allows a few seconds to position your paper before fully sticking.

Tear & Tape (double sided tape) – I like to use this on 3D projects such as gift boxes. I find it holds well and love how easy it is to use.

Stampin Seal Adhesive is a roller tape and comes in both light and heavy duty. The light is great for cards and refills can be purchased separately.
Stampin Seal + Adhesive is exactly the the same as Stamin Seal but it is designed for more heavy duty projects such as gift boxes or other 3D projects. Refills can also be purchased separately

Pencil & Ruler – both essential to mark a spot or measure a line.

Grid paper – This is not really essential but I like the grid paper as a work surface and protects your table. It also comes with grid lines for easy measuring.

The selections of stamps is massive but it’s important to know what you are looking for. There are three types of stamps, Clear Mount, Wood Mount and Photopolymer stamps. Most Stampin’ Up! stamps are available in either the Clear mount or the wood mount while some are only available in photopolymer. Personally I like the Clear mount or the Photopolymer stamps because they are easier to position on your paper.

Acrylic Block – Blocks are used to mount your stamps on before stamping and the clear blocks come in 9 different sizes to suit the various sizes of stamps. I highly recommend the Stampin’ Up! blocks over store brand ones as they are 1/2″ thick and the sides have finger grips so there is less slippage when your are stamping. The one I use the most is a 3″ x 4″ block but you will need a larger block for some images. I would recommend having at least 3-4 different sizes if you plan to craft a lot. To see the full set of blocks available, click here. There is even a Caddy to store them all in for easy storage.

Last but not least, you will need ink and paper for your projects. I highly recommend kits for beginners. They are wonderful projects that include everything you need to make up your project. As an example, the Joy of Sharing kit includes everything you need to make 15 Christmas cards/envelopes and includes a 7 piece stamp set, ink and a block to use when stamping which you can use over and over again. The kit even includes a lovely box to store your finished cards. So how easy is that?

As you move forward with crafting you may decide to purchase a die cut tool. The Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine makes precise cuts and detailed embossed images every time. You can use this machine to die cut images or with embossing to easily create accents and elements for cards, scrapbook pages, party invitations, classroom projects, and more. This machine has a wide 6″ platform for larger dies and full-size embossing folders. Works with all Stampin’ Up! dies and embossing folders. Includes 1 Base Plate, 1 Die Plate, 2 Cutting Plates, and 1 Specialty Plate.

Should you wish to explore crafting further, I would love it if you were to join my team as a customer or as a new demonstrator. As one of my team, I will help you become inspired and offer 100 percent support. Now is also the perfect time to sign up as a new demonstrator before Sept 30. There are so many freebies, including pre-cut card stock to make 8 cards, two stamp sets, rhinestone jewels all just for signing up. Please contact me for all the details or visit my online store to find out more then click on “Join Now” I look forward to welcoming you to my team.

DIY Gift Card Holder

So many times, gift giving is done through a gift card to a favourite store. This takes the trouble of finding the perfect size, colour or item away from the person giving the gift. It also saves the person receiving the gift from having to return it or worse, re-gifting it to someone else. While I am not a fan of gift cards, preferring to pick out a unique gift myself, I will say that I have both purchased them in the past and have happily used them many times as well. They do seem to be a staple when we don’t know what else to buy.

However, I love coming up with unique ways to present a gift card to someone and would like to share this mask gift card holder with you today. With Covid-19 so prevalent, it just seemed appropriate. This particular gift card holder is super easy to make yourself.

Start with two 6″ x 6″ pieces of double sided paper. Since there is a wide variety of cloth masks out there, your paper could be subdued or as wild as you like. I rather like the wilder masks I have seen around town but used a quieter paper pattern to demonstrate. Anyways, back to the instructions. Fold your paper into a triangle, creasing it using a bone folder (or your finger) to ensure a crisp crease line. Fold each corner inwards until you have a horizontal line, then repeat with the other corner as shown. Ensure all fold lines are crisp and neat.

Take the top piece and fold it down to crease it, then tuck it into the outside folded triangle so it all lies flat. This becomes your “closed” side. Do the same again with the second 6 x 6″ piece of paper so you have two but instead of tucking the top into the pocket, fold it inwards so you won’t see it. The second piece will become the “open” side.

Once both are done, it’s time to assemble. Add your adhesive to one of the triangles shown and then slide the other one into the pocket to bring them together. Cut two 6″ pieces of ribbon and add a glue dot or other adhesive to each end of the ribbon, then you can tuck them under the folds to complete the mask. You can now slide the gift card into the pocket of the “closed” side and fold the “open” side down to close it.

I then added a 2″ circle of card stock with the saying and glued half of the circle to the “closed” side, so the other half will overlap and hold the right “open” side closed until it is ready to be opened by the recipient. I then flipped it over and added another sentiment to the front of the mask, just because it needed something to finish off the look.

Well I hope you will try this unique gift card holder. It’s adorable and can easily be made with any paper you have on hand. The overall size of the “mask” is approximately 5″ long and 3.5″ high. I used approximately 6″ of ribbon at each end.

Please send me a picture if you make one, I would love to see your version.

Note of caution, they are addictive to make.

It’s Card Kit time

Today I want to share with you how card kits can be fun to do, especially if you involve your family. I have put together kits with my 89 year old mother and enjoyed an afternoon of mother/daughter time sharing lots of laughter and memories. All inclusive kits are a joy to prepare because all you need it your own adhesive and you are ready to go.

The Joy of Sharing Card Kit (available in English or French) . (Item #153650)

You can create classic Christmas cards with the all-inclusive Joy of Sharing Card Kit! This kit is perfect for new crafters, busy crafters, or crafters on the go. Complete each card with your choice of adhesive.

This kit (Item #153650) includes the following;

* Kit includes the 7-piece Joy of Sharing Photopolymer Stamp Set which you will be able to use over and over again.
* Makes 15 traditional or photo cards and envelopes
* Folded card size: 5″ x 7″ (12.7 x 17.8 cm)
* Includes 9-1/4″ x 9-1/4″ x 1-7/8″ (23.5 x 23.5 x 4.8 cm) Kraft box to store them in until you are ready to use them.

Product colors: Bumblebee, Early Espresso, gold foil, Granny Apple Green, Mossy Meadow, Real Red, Soft Suede, white

Christmas in July

Did you know there are just 153 days until Christmas. Did you groan after reading that? I mean who wants to think about Christmas in the middle of summer, right? Well as a crafter, I am planning and creating months in advance to prepare for the next season. I make no apologies for creating cute gift tags and Christmas cards while I am staying home and staying safe. It is also a wonderful way to take the stress out of preparing for Christmas. Here are just some examples of cards I made last year.

The August – December 2020 mini catalogue going live on Aug 4th, and there are some adorable stamps/dies, kits etc to get you ready for the upcoming season. Some items (not all) will be returning from last year’s mini catalogue so if you missed them last year, you’ll be able to get them now. Whether you want to create cards or adorable treat boxes, this catalogue has it all. it’s great time to stock up and use those bonus day coupons.

As a reminder, for every $60 CAD you spend on Products from the new annual catalog between July 1 and Aug 3, 2020 (before shipping and tax), you’ll earn a $6 CAD Bonus Days coupon that you can redeem between August 4-31, 2020. There is only 9 days remaining to take advantage of this promotion. It’s a great time to shop now and apply your coupons towards additional product in August. Visit my online store to shop now and save

Life’s a Beautiful Journey

We all need to tell the people in our lives that they matter and what better way than to give or send them a card. After all, as the card says “Life’s a Beautiful Journey” and they are a part of that journey. I will be sending these out later today. I only wish I had some Very Vanilla envelopes but sadly I am out of them at the moment.

The card base is made from Early Espresso and the matting is Crumb Cake. I stamped a light image from the Very Versailles stamp set, onto a piece of Very Vanilla card stock with some scripty writing so it looks like an old document. I then embossed it, using the Old World 3D embossing folder to give it a crumbled paper look. I lightly used a sponge dauber in crumb cake to highlight the texture and give it an aged look. I then tore around the edges to make it look even older, I sponged Early Espresso around the edges as well to enhance it. I am pretty pleased with how it turned out.

If you would like to purchase any of these products to create your own beautiful cards, click here

Product Used

Early Espresso Cardstock
Crumb Cake Cardstock
Very Vanilla Cardstock
World of Good DSP
Beautiful World Cling Stamp
World Map Dies
Old World Paper 3D Embossing folder
Very Versailles Cling Stamp
Early Espresso Ink Pad
Early Espresso Faux Saede trim
Crumb Cake Ink Pad
Gold Emboss Powder
Heat Tool
Mini Glue Dots
Stampin’ Seal
Stampin’ Dimensionals

Not sure where to Start?

Do you get overwhelmed with all the possibilities of things to make and then end up making nothing? No matter your crafting comfort level, these kits are for you.

The “Gorgeous Posies” Project Kit is a wonderful kit for all levels of crafters. This kit makes 16 cards: 4 each of 4 different designs. Once all your cards are completed, you can store them in it’s own designer box (included) until you are ready to use them.

To purchase this kit, Click here to visit my online store and don’t forget to use the June host code 4GVPX3M6

The designer box and greeting cards would also make a wonderful gift for someone special.

Add the Gorgeous Posies Cling Stamp (item number #153289) to complete your kit, or you can use your own stamps to suit your specific needs.

If you are looking for projects that are quick to put together by yourself or with a family member, these project kits are ideal for you. All kits are measured, cut and colour coordinated to make beautiful cards. Click here to visit my online store and see all the possibilities.

Time to use up those paper scraps

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

You and Me

Sometimes a simple card is best. I made this card using the Memories and More card pack from the Annual Catalog. These cards are already pre-printed so anyone can make this beautiful card with just a bit of adhesive. I love how the card front came together and to add a little extra, I added a pink metallic ribbon to the front.

The inside is stamped from the Forever Blossoms stamp set which is a new stamp set from the new mini catalog. I just love the sentiment “Always and Forever” This stamp set is part of the new mini catalog and qualifies as a Sale-A-Bration purchase. For every $60.00 in purchases you can choose a FREE item in the brochure.

Want to find out more? Contact me and I will send you a free catalog so you can see all the new product and the adorable free items available with qualified purchases.

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Peaceful Boughs

I love the colours of green and gold together and I cannot believe how easy this card was to make up. Everything on the card comes with the purchased bundle so nothing else is needed.

I made up this beautiful card as both a landscape and a portrait card and I cannot decide which one I love more. I used the Mossy Meadow ink to stamp the boughs and the Metallic ink pad to stamp the acorns. I stamped the sentiment on the front in Gold on one and Mossey Meadow on the other. It works so well with the gold edge mettalic ribbon. So what is your favourite, the portrait card or the landscape card.

All items are available to purchase via my online store or by contacting me directly. November HOST CODE – AQM6YJEZ

tams# 38620

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