Hello stampers and happy Friday to you. Starting all over! That is what it feels like and there is a joy in this journey and I want to share the lessons that I learn along the way. Starting all over? What am I talking about? Let’s find out.
Starting All Over!
Did you know that I have been a demonstrator in Canada now for 16 years? I’m officially an old-timer in the Stampin’Up! world and I am proud of it. Now that I am spending more time in the Netherlands as well and running my business almost entirely online in Canada I have also become a demonstrator in the Netherlands. Yes, that is possible!
As a brand new demonstrator in the Netherlands I have decided to start all over here and teach beginner classes. Starting all over I decided it would be best to get back to basics. I think every demonstrator’s true joy is teaching people who have never held a stamp in their hands and inked it up. The joy of discovering creativity is contagious. Last night I taught my first beginner class and it was so much fun. We laughed so much and I actually stamped my sentiment upside down while demonstrating the Stamparatus!
This card was made using the Dutch stamp set Plantenpost which is `Plentiful Plants in English. You can find it on page 81 of the annual catalog. It does come with adorable dies which include to macramé plant hangers, but you can make gorgeous cards without the dies too. That being said, the dies also cut out many images from the designer series paper.
We took the party to the inside and stamped another potted plant and the sentiment using Cinnamon Cider and Just Jade. The stamparatus made positioning the words so simple. I love this tool so much and highly recommend it to all levels of stampers. Truth be told, when it first came out I resisted it thinking it was only for beginners. Now it stays on top of my desk within reach because I use it all the time.
Stepping It Up a Little
Beginner cards don’t have to be ugly or uninspiring. By adding some Bloom Where You’re Planted paper to the envelope flap and a little linen thread to the card we now have a really pretty creation don’t you think?
If you want to see another post featuring the Plentiful Plants bundle, check out this blog post.
One of the Most Beautiful Perks
Do you know why I wanted to start all over here? Besides the fact that I love introducing people to the joy of stamping, I also love, love, love meeting new people. Everyone has a story to tell and my life is enriched by their stories and their souls. Yesterday I had the deep joy of meeting Barbara. She brought me a gift (which was totally unnecessary as I really don’t expect that). The gift had so much thought behind it. Barbara made a cute little box to put it in and we laughed together because we discovered that both of us actually struggle with making boxes!! Inside the box was a bottle of blackberry syrup made by the people that Barbara works with.
You see, this lovely woman works with people who have learning disabilities (in Dutch they say verstandelijk beperkt) It is one of the things that I love so much about Holland is how they deal with their unique populations. Barbara works at the Nooitgedacht Werkboerderij (Never Would Have Thought working farm) and in this beautiful environment people are given meaningful work, some of which I enjoyed with my pancakes this morning!
You can read more about this wonderful place here. Rest assured I will be making a visit and will be telling you more about it!
More Beginner Classes
I am super excited to announce that I will be hosting beginner classes each Friday for the next four weeks at Bloemenlaan 6, -s’Gravenzande 2691 JC at 9:30am. We’ll start with coffee and treats and then make a card at 10am. Cost is only 10 euros. I am looking forward to meeting you and hearing YOUR story.
Don’t Forget!
There are only 6 days left of saleabration, so don’t forget to place your order and get some bonus free items. If you have been sitting on the fence about getting the starter kit, take a leap of faith. You have nothing to lose and EVERYTHING to gain. Your kit has no shipping or tax, you pay only $135 and you get to choose $165 in product (perfect way to get your new die cutting machine!) You also get to choose a bonus Christmas bundle worth up to $80 AND you get to be a part of my amazing team. Together we’ll have more stories to tell.
Thanks for joining me today, have a super day and a great weekend.
Hello stampers and happy Wednesday to you. My Peaceful Cabin Virtual Coffee and a Card class is all ready to go! I love this stamp set so very much! The cabin stamp is simply stunning and the dies to go with it are fantastic. I must say, you do need the bundle in order to be able to make these cards. Even though I used a lot of designer series paper and die cuts, the cabin stamp is quite essential.
Peaceful Cabin Cards
Here is the selection of cards that I am offering for my virtual coffee and a card class in October. If you order the bundle from me you can get the card kit for only $10. Already have the bundle? Then the card kit is $25 including postage. You can join me every Tuesday at 10am EST on YouTube and I will also post to Facebook.
Some Simple Tips
I made this graphic to share some simple tips for using this bundle more effectively. Perhaps you will find it helpful!
A Personal Note
Today is just a short blog post. I had a wonderful morning and part of the afternoon with my cousin Machteld. What a blessing to connect with family in such a deep and meaningful way. I just love the fact that her mother was so close to mine. Sadly her mom died from cancer at 42. My mom is so touched that her daughter and her niece have such a close connection.
A Difficult Transition
Truthfully I still struggle a bit with letting my business go. It seems that without in person classes people do not buy in the same way. While I love teaching, at heart I am a salesperson. I am hoping that through consistent videos and blog posts my followers will shop with me online. If you have any doubt about whether your business would mean anything to me, doubt no more!
Tonight I am off to IKEA with Gerard to buy a sit/stand desk that should be a big help to my back. Stay tuned as the makeover of my stamp room starts.
Thanks so much for joining me! Happy stamping and happy shopping. Remember, saleabration ends in just 8 days.
On a side note, Peaceful Cabin bundle is one of the free bonus bundles that you can get if you buy the starter kit. You can do so here.
Hello stampers and happy Monday to you! Today I have the most adorable gingerbread & peppermint house to show you. My fellow Dutch team member Mardette Krosse made this cute creation and she graciously allowed me to borrow it so I could recreate it. One of the things I love so very much about being a part of the Stampin’Up! family is the creativity and generosity of my fellow demonstrators.
Gingerbread & Peppermint House
Good things come in small packages and this house is one example of that. Mardette is another! She is such a wonderful person who loves to spoil the elderly people that she works with. It is not unusual for her to make gift packages for them complete with intricate handmade packaging. I love her heart! People like her restore my faith in the human race.
A Mystery
There is one mystery about this cute little house that I have not yet solved. I am not sure what Mardette used to make the Nordic looking decorations along the edges of the house front. I am going to make an alternative which you can see in the graphic below that also shows you the measurements and components.
Edited: we found out what the mystery component is! It is the So Many Snowflakes Dies! I can’t wait to make this at home and I will be doing a video on it in November as well.
À La Carte Class
Did you know that I am offering a really lovely class featuring the Gingerbread & Peppermint Suite? There are three different tiers of pricing so you will be sure to find the one that suits you best. I really should write a tutorial for this class don’t you think? You can read all about this class here. Please don’t procrastinate too long! You have until October 1 to sign up so I can get all the supplies ordered and the kits sent to you.
Bonus Paper
I forgot to mention that you get some bonus paper with your class so you can finish off the inside of your cards as beautifully as the outside! Some of you will be joining me for an in person class on Saturday October 30 at 10am and I am hoping that people all over with join me virtually on Thursday October 28 at 7pm EST.
Share What You Love!
This class and this box, in fact this entire suite is just perfect for sharing with those that you love of all ages. I can just picture all the laughter and joy around kitchen tables all over the country as these elements are used to make adorable cards and houses and boxes and surprises for loved ones. Be sure to send me a photo if you end up doing just this!
I am going to keep encouraging you all to share this wonderful hobby. People need to tap into their innate creativity. Creating things really makes for a joyful soul. Giving away your creations results in even deeper joy. Do you see the beautiful flow that is being created here?
You Belong and I Have a Place Waiting For You!
There is a wonderful place waiting just for you on my team. Join with others who love creating with paper and ink and be inspired and warmly welcomed. If you love card making or want to get started, the starter kit is just fantastic and it will score you your very own discount every time you place an order for yourself or for your friends. I would love to help YOU get started too.
Have a super day and thanks so much for joining me. It’s time for a cup of coffee and a dessert. I have saved one pavlova from the weekend! Whooohooo. #itsallaboutthetreats
Hello stampers and happy Saturday. When I saw the Merriest Moments hybrid embossing folder, I thought what the heck is that? The price tag was also a little hefty, so it was not among my first purchases. When I understood the concept of how these two products worked together to create a beautifully detailed and intricate frame I was sold!
Hybrid Embossing Folder
What exactly is a hybrid embossing folder? It is one that is designed to work in tandem with dies. The hybrid embossing folder gives specific, intricate detail to the dies that coordinate with it, allowing you to layer them and to mix and match features. Take a look at what I did with them. Keep in mind that I haven’t even used any of the dies that are included to cut out the various leaves, greenery and poinsettias. There is a ton of possibilities in this bundle!
My Cards
In this card I have combined Soft Succulent and Basic White cardstock with the pretty Tidings of Christmas paper from the annual catalog. I love the classic, subtle patterns in this paper pack. I made another version of this card with a bow. Which one do you like better?
For this card I used an Assorted Memories & More card as the base and a layer of designer series paper that measures 4″ by 6″. I decided to cut it in half lengthwise so that you would see more of it behind the focal point. The mini ruffled ribbon was used to “bridge the gap”.
This trick also helps you save on ribbon and that also means you save more money that you can put towards more stamps! Don’t you just love how my brain works?
Monochromatic Card with a Pop of Red
I love the elegance of a white Christmas card but the pop of red is like a cardinal in the snow. Beautiful! This is a Z-fold card. I used For Unto Us stamp set for the sentiment on the front of the card. This is the same stamp set I am using for my Gingerbread & Peppermint class which you can read all about here.
Another Tidings of Christmas Hybrid Card
This next card also uses the Tidings of Christmas paper from the annual catalog, you can find it on page 133.
Hybrid Embossing Folder and Chalk
I finally got a chance to play with my new chalk. You can find it in the annual catalog. I took a paring knife and scrape off a little of the two green chalks in the collection. I inked up the embossed and cut frame with Versamark and then I used Q-tips (cotton swabs) to apply the chalk to the frame. You could do it without the Versamark but then your colours would be more muted. For some of the greenery I mixed the two colours together for a third green.
Now is the Best Time!!
Now is the very best time to stock up on your stamping supplies and to indulge in a few new Christmas sets. Until September 30 you can get free products with each $60 purchase. It’s our first ever summer saleabration sale and it is almost over!! Have you taken advantage of it yet? Did you know that you also get a free pdf tutorial from me as a gift with a $60 purchase? Life is good!!
Want it All?
Is your wish list long? Then do yourself a huge favour and get the starter kit. It is meant for and mainly used by those who simply want their own discount. After you get the starter kit you are entitled to your very own 20% discount. There are no rules for how long or how much you order. If after 6 months you don’t meet the quarterly requirements of $400 you will simply drop as a “demonstrator”. No biggie at all.
Until September 30 you also get a free bonus bundle of your choice. You can check out the impressive list here. If you are excited about this awesome opportunity, trust me, it only gets better from here. Do you know why? It’s because you also get to be a part of an awesome, dynamic and supportive team of fun and creative people across Canada. Whooohoooo! Here is the link to join.
See it in Action
Yesterday I did a video showing the benefits of the new Stampin’ Cut & Emboss machine. Not only is it beautiful, it is also designed to be super comfortable to use and easy to understand. There is no need to remember which plates to use for which function. I also use the Hybrid Embossing Folder to demonstrate this machine, so it is worth taking a look at.
Thanks so Much!!
Do you have any idea how much you mean to me? I am ever so grateful for your interaction with me on all of my social media platforms. It thrills me beyond belief every time you comment or share my posts, when you purchase my tutorials, place an online order or join Prime Time or my Training Group. I notice each action that you take and I try to follow up with you so that you know beyond a doubt that you are NOT taken for granted.
I hope you have a super day and know that you are loved. You matter!!
Hello stampers and happy Wednesday to you. Today I have a pretty host gift box to share with you. If you have been following me for a while, you will know that boxes are not my forté. Thankfully I have a Dutch upline who is amazing with boxes, so with her help I am getting outside of my comfort zone and realizing that boxes aren’t so scary after all. This pretty gift box is made using our amazing paper that is only available as a host gift. Have you seen this paper yet??
Pretty Host Paper
Perhaps it is because of COVID, but workshops and classes seem to be something from a long time ago! Did you know that you can host an online workshop? I would LOVE to do a Facebook party with you so that you can get free stamping supplies while introducing your friends to the joys of stamping all at the same time. You can also get this paper by placing a $200 order yourself. Placing an order of this magnitude would also score you three free saleabration items!! Hmmmm….did I get you thinking?
Images of our patterned paper never really do the paper justice. I used the delicate black pattern in the middle of the bottom row to make my pretty box.
Pretty Host Gift Box
Black and white paper pairs well with a host of colours, but I am drawn to Bermuda Bay. At first I was looking to pair it with a white ribbon, but the wide smoky slate ribbon is absolutely perfect. What an elegant box to house this delicious box of chocolates. I am deeply grateful to Caroline van der Straaten for our High Tea(m) day where we made these boxes. Her box is part of the last International Create With Us tutorial bundle so you can get the step by step instructions if you want. This tutorial is FREE with a $60 purchase or you can also buy it in my online store here.
I really like that the box combines cardstock with patterned paper for a unique look. The die from the Colour & Contour bundle is perfect for threading through the ribbon. The stamp set that I used as the focal point is called Biggest Wish. Truthfully I had overlooked this stamp, but now it is on my wish list. I love the bold fonts and also the way the words can be combined. You can find this set on page 63 of the annual catalog or just click on the image in the supply list below if you want to add it to your purchase today. Now is a great time to add to your stash. There are two weeks left of saleabration where you can get free products with a $60 purchase and two options free with a $120 purchase.
Inside the Box
Here is a peek inside the box. It holds a lovely box of Lindt chocolates which just about anyone would be happy to get. I used to think it was a waste of time making pretty boxes, but now I see that there is a lot of value in giving a beautiful handmade gift. The recipient really feels the love that you made something special just for them. It turns the ordinary into something extraordinary and we need more of those surprise and delight moments in life.
Prime Time
I will be making a different version of this box tomorrow in my private Prime Time group. If you find that you are stamping less and missing classes, this might be just the place for you. It is only $10 a month and you get a regularly scheduled weekly video class on Thursdays. Every Wednesday I post the supply list and measurements so you can play along with me on Thursdays. You also get a FREE pdf tutorial each month which is valued at $15 to $25. This perk alone makes this group a fantastic investment. If you want to join, just click here.
Stay Tuned!!
I am really excited about hosting a Facebook party that will give us a chance to have fun together. Let me figure out all the details and then I will get back to you. In the meantime, I have homework for you! Grab a piece of paper and write down some names of people who could use some fun in their lives. Tell them about this idea and then choose whether you want to get together to stamp using one kit to share or whether people want to order their own kits. We have lots of great kits to choose from so we don’t all have to use the same one. I already know which kit I want to use. It’s the new one from the holiday catalog which is now available: Christmas Whimsy.
Thanks so much for joining me today. I hope you were inspired and that you are also excited to share the joy of stamping with your friends. Let them decide if they want to try something new, don’t decide for them!
