by Jackie Bultje | Aug 19, 2020 | host sets, Summer Days |
Hello stampers and happy Friday to you. Today’s post features two great cards that use the host stamp set Summer Days. Thanks to Hannie Van der Zanden and Ingrid Vos for these great cards from my Happy Mail in Holland contest. Summer Days is a 9 piece cling stamp set that you can get for free when you host a qualifying workshop.
Summer Days Card by Ingrid Vos
I am starting with Ingrid’s card first because I received it first. Ingrid is a member of my Pampered Stamper Training Group and I meet her every time there is a Stampin’Up! event in Ontario. Ingrid comes from Hamilton, Ontario. Hamilton is a city that I didn’t appreciate until two of my children lived there for a while. The downtown has some great little shops, but my favourite thing is all the amazing nature hikes within the city! Hamilton is located right on the Niagara Escarpment so there are lots of waterfalls and ravines that make for beautiful hiking paths.
I love how Ingrid used the stitched rectangle dies to make her layers. It looks to me like she used watercolour pencils, markers and Blends to colour her scene. If you look closely at the card you will also notice that she used the Subtles embossing folder for the base of the card. Well done!
Summer Days Card by Hannie van der Zanden
Hannie is a dear friend and team member who is also a Dutch immigrant! She lives in Highgate, Ontario where she runs a large pig farm with her husband and family. Hannie travels to Holland even more often than I do since she still has lots of relatives there. I love the way Hannie used a light pool party Blend to colour around the trees for a great effect.
I love how Hannie used the butterflies for a touch of whimsy. Perhaps I vaguely recognize the patterned paper, I think it was from last year and that it was in the Tropical Oasis suite. Your card reminds me of Holland where you often see rows of trees planted beside the roads.
Host Sets
I am curious how you feel about host sets? Are they an incentive for you? You do know that they are only available as a host item, but did you know that if you place your own $200 order, that also qualifies for host products? Here is another blog post that features a great host set from the past. Be sure to check out the back of every catalog, you will find the host sets right before the index pages.
A Funny Travel Story
I just noticed that this post accidentally got published two days too soon, and that means that two blog posts were published in one day! Not good. So I went “backstage” and changed the status of this post so that I could edit it and publish it on Friday as originally planned. It seems that I have a penchant for getting my days and dates mixed up!!
Here is the story. I booked an Airbnb in Cologne for three nights. We had the entire apartment to ourselves and it had a rooftop patio! The plan was to go to Dusseldorf on Monday to do some shopping and have supper there and then go on to Cologne and sleep there for three nights. Well, let me tell you what really happened. On Wednesday afternoon after a long, late and leisurely breakfast we did some shopping and then went to an art museum. As it was a hot day, we decided to stop at a “terrasje” for some German beer.
I do not have internet on my phone, so I either use wifi or Gerard’s hotspot on his phone. Thankfully I took this time to check in and I noticed a message from our Airbnb host asking us to come asap to remove our clothes from the apartment. I messaged back saying that we had another night booked. Apparently not! I had booked three days, but they started on Sunday not Monday. The only explanation I have for my error is that the calendars here in Holland start with Monday as the first day, not Sunday.
Either way we were in a sticky wicket! Rather than staying a third day in Cologne, we drove home late at night, so no 4911 Cologne museum tour for us. We did have a fantastic photo shoot with a local through Airbnb experiences, so I am excited to share some of those photos when they are ready.
Do you ever have a hard time deciding what to get? I do!! That is why we splurged on this fancy breakfast. Scrambled eggs, an assortment of meats and cheeses, croissants, rye bread and some different rolls as well as fresh squeezed orange juice, coffee and sparkling wine. The little jams were also homemade. What a great way to start the morning!
The Köln Cathedral is so huge that you can’t get a good picture of it closeup. In the picture above you can see the incredible detail, and this is just the door!!!
Here is a view of another cathedral from the harbour front along the Rhine. Seventy percent of this city was flattened by bombs in World War 2. Apparently there was an agreement that the Allies spare the cathedral. I am certainly thankful for that. Our local guide mentioned that only industrial cities were hard hit during the war. Thankfully many old German cities and towns survived so that not all old architecture was lost. War is an awful thing!
Thanks!
Thanks for joining me on my blog today, my traveling days are now numbered. A week from Saturday I will be flying home and then quarantining for 14 days. That will enable me to catch up on my stamping and hopefully create another tutorial. A special thanks to everyone who has purchased a tutorial from me, I am so thankful. If you have missed them, or don’t know where to find them, they are at the top of my blog’s home page. Here is a link to make it super easy for you!
On Monday I will be sharing more Happy Mail in Holland contest cards as well as a video. I hope you have a super weekend.
Product List
by Jackie Bultje | Aug 17, 2020 | Celebrate Sunflowers, in colours |
Hello stampers and happy Monday to you. Today we are looking at a beautiful card made using Celebrate Sunflowers In Colour. Thanks to Cheri Turner for this lovely card. I really think this is the most ingenius card that I have seen that uses all five of the new in colours on one card. Do you want to see it?
Cheri’s Card
Here you can see Cheri’s Celebrate Sunflowers card. Sometimes when you try to use all the in colours on one card it can seem forced. This card is anything but. I really love how Cheri offset the squares for a very modern look.
If you want to see another card using the Celebrate Sunflowers stamp set, check out this blog post.
Moyock, North Carolina
Cheri comes from Mayock, North Carolina. My heart skipped a beat when I saw the postmark on the envelope. It said Raleigh, North Carolina. I was supposed to fly into Raleigh from Detroit on September 3 to meet Gerard there. From there we would rent a car to go to Pantego, North Carolina to see his cousins. With COVID, that is no longer going to happen! It was especially relevant and meaningful to get happy mail from there! Thanks so much Cheri!
Moyock is a small town just south of Norfolk, Virginia. It has a claim to fame for greyhound racing, but when this was outlawed they used the track for Nasgar racing instead. Moyock is becoming popular as a “bedroom community” and I have seen lots of beautiful homes there online. People like living in a small town and commuting to work in the big city.
Moyock is part of Currituck County which is also a part of the famed Outer Banks. This is also on my bucket list to see.
This looks pretty ideal to me. I could pack our huge picnic basket in the car and a big cooler and there would no hauling necessary. Doesn’t the water look sublime?
In Colour Club
When I get back home and classes start again in September, I will be offering an In Colour Club. Let me know if you are interested. I have some information on it already, you can see it here.
Thanks!
Thanks for joining me on my blog today. As you are reading this, I am driving to Germany with Gerard. We are off to explore Cologne, or Koln as they say it in Germany. I appreciate you all very much. If you are interested, I have some pdf tutorials for sale. They are fantastic for instant gratification and to jump start your own creativity. You can use the designs and measurements for other cards as well and if you are a demonstrator you can use them to create your own classes as well. Click here to see which options I have for you!
If you live in Canada and do not already have your own demonstrator, I would love for you to shop with me. Just click on the items in the product list below and you will be in my online store. If you use the current host code AGR97TCJ you will get a free 16 project pdf tutorial from me as a thank you and for the month of August only you will also get a FREE paper sampler from the Holiday catalog.
Product List
by Jackie Bultje | Aug 14, 2020 | Arrange a Wreath bundle |
Hello stampers and happy Friday to you! Today we have a beautiful card using the Arrange a Wreath bundle. Thanks so much to Ria de Nooijer from Arnemuiden, Zeeland. So nice that you come from the same province as my father!
Arrange a Wreath card
Inside her beautiful card Ria wrote “Thanks for your ideas on Facebook to make simple cards.” That means a lot to me because it is my goal to make stamping doable for people. It should not be a hobby that has such high standards that you can only participate if you make fancy, detailed and complicated cards. Simple can be beautiful and rewarding. Ria’s card is a perfect example of that. Let’s take a look at it!
I noticed just now that in the travel, the top bow got bent!!! I’m so sorry Ria, but it is too hot to take more photos and edit it again. It just goes to show how you can be so caught up in something that you miss an important detail. I am working in the office of the greenhouse, the only space that has some version of air conditioning. There is no wifi here so I can’t take a picture with my phone and then edit it on the computer. I will try to add a better photo later!!
What I love about Ria’s card is the monochromatic colour scheme. It is really elegant and lets the dies do there work for maximum effect. Ria stamped the wreath in pumpkin pie as a base and then layered a pumpkin pie die cut wreath over top. Another wreath was die cut in whisper white and layered over top. The finishing touch is some pumpkin pie leaf die cuts, a bow die cut and a gem with a gorgeous swirl of gold metallic thread.
Arnemuiden, Zeeland
Arnemuiden is first mentioned in literature in 1223! During the 80 Years War with Spain they remained loyal to Willem of Orange, the Dutch king. Many Dutch people are blonde an blue eyed, but people from Zeeland often have dark hair and eyes, just like me! We like to joke that the reason for this is because of the Spanish invasion. Arnemuiden is a fishing village and it is also one of the few place in the Netherlands where people can still be seen wearing “klederdracht” which is the traditional local costume. You can see more about that here.
Childhood Memory
My mother always had a big Dutch “klederdracht” doll, complete with miniature jewelry. This was definitely not a doll to be played with, it was to be displayed. On Saturdays, when I did my weekly dusting and I dusted off her stand, I always took a peek under her black skirt so see the petticoat underneath and the long bloomers. When I went to Holland as a fourteen year old my cousin Leo bought me my own Zeeuwse klederdracht doll!
Each city or province in the Netherlands had its very own “costume”, one for daily wear and one for church wear. You could tell where someone came from by their klederdracht.
Redeem Your Bonus Bucks
If you placed an order in July, you should have received an email with a bonus bucks code. This has to be redeemed in August! I have some too, so I better not forget to use them either. Thanks for joining me today, I hope you have a super day. Do you want to support my business but you do not live in Canada? Be sure to check out my Tutorial section at the top of the home page of my blog. If you are a fellow demonstrator you can also join my training team for $5 a month, but you must pay in 6 month instalments to keep the bookwork to a minimum. If you are interested, send me a message or email and I will send you the link after you pay. Sound good?
Product List
| | | | |
| 
Gold Metallic Thread [138401] $4.75 |
by Jackie Bultje | Aug 12, 2020 | Nautical, Seaside Notions |
Hello stampers and happy Wednesday to you. Today’s card uses Seaside Notions and is created by Chris Margrie. Can you believe that I do not own this stamp set I reallly do love both the set and Chris’ card. European cards are slightly narrower and longer than ours in North America. Their cardstock is A4 which is 8 1/4″ by 11 3/4″. Just a small difference but it makes a big difference in the look of a card. Thanks so much for this very pretty card Chris! Now I really want this stamp set for my collection.
Barnstaple, United Kingdom
Chris Margrie comes from Barnstaple in the United Kingdom. Now I am not sure, but I think the UK refers to England, Scotland and Ireland as a whole. Would it then be proper to say that Chris comes from Barnstaple, England. I am hoping to hear from my British readers as to what is proper. Either way, Barnstaple is the main town in Devon and possibly the oldest borough in the UK. It became wealthy through the wool trade but has since diversified into many different industries. Barnstaple dates back to at least 917!! Here are a few pictures.
Chris’ Seaside Notions Card
Here is Chris’ beautiful card. She used a soft palette of mint macaron, whisper white and just jade. The background piece was first stamped around the top with the coral image and then embossed with the Subtles embossing folder. What makes this card so very pretty in my opinion is the way Chris fussy cut some of the shells and placed them at the bottom of the centre panel. She also did a watercolour wash over the seahorse and added some wink of Stella for some glitz. Thanks so much for sending me this lovely card!!
If you want to check out some more nautical creations, check out this blog post. I am thrilled to say that I have ordered extra supplies so that I can do a class on this sampler if you want, or even make kits to go!
A few Photos from Holland
This past weekend we were in Zwolle a beautiful old “Hanzestad”. This is what I found online: The goal of the Hanseatic League, which was founded when Amsterdam was still a tiny settlement, was to expand commerce and spread knowledge. Dutch cities like Zwolle, Kampen, Hattem and Deventer were members of this league, and this chapter in their history is still clearly visible in the many 14th and 15th-century monuments. Most of these are found by the water’s edge, as waterways represented crucial transport routes, and possess a rich history and unique façades. In other words, when in Holland, a visit to at least one Hansa town is almost compulsory.
“Hanse” is an old High German word for band or troop. Bands of merchants traveled between the Hanseatic cities for trade. The Hanseatic League existed between the thirteenth and seventeenth centuries. Can you tell that I love history?
Waanders in de Broeren
One of the attributes of a history lover is also a love for books. This book store in an old church was at the top of my list of things to see and I found a stunning book there for the grandkids. It is a huge hardcover book with beautiful paintings and stories about all the highlights of the Netherlands. I am trying to use the proper word for this country. Tourists call it “Holland” but actually Holland is just the name of two of the provinces, Zuid-Holland and Noord-Holland.
“Terrasjes”
This is the name that Dutch people give to their outdoor patios and they are so very charming! Every town and city has myriads of them and they are complete with cozy couches, low tables and pretty lights. It is like a giant outdoor, communal living room with a great vibe. The tables and couches are set up so that you have a view of the street and can people watch. There is a combination of all ages and that is what makes it so special.
What I did notice, especiallly in the evening is that Dutch people usually just enjoy beverages and not a lot of food to go with it. The servers are very low key and do not bother you unless you summon them. There is no pressure to keep ordering or to pay the bill and leave. They also don’t offer you a menu, they just assume that you know what you want to drink and that is that.
Zwolle and Canada
Zwolle was first mentioned in literature in 1040, a very long time ago! I found it delightful to see remnants of the old city wall. Zwolle was liberated by Canadians during the Second World War and one Canadian in particular, Leo Major was instrumental in the surrender of the Germans. Every time I read about what Canadians have done here, I get goosebumps. It really is no wonder that Dutch people love Canadians so much!
Bicycles
We rented bikes for the weekend and that was so, so nice. Even when it was super hot it was a pleasure to bike because then you could catch a breeze. My pictures aren’t the best because it was a bright sunny day and that is not ideal for good photographs. I noticed later when we were biking by this wall that there were steps going up and I would have loved to get a picture of that too, but at some point you just stop getting off you bike to take pictures. Maybe I can find a photo online!!
Free Paper Sampler
Don’t forget that if you live in Canada and place an online order with me in August you will get a free paper sampler from the Holiday catalog. You will also get a free 16 project pdf tutorial! To qualify you must use the current host code: AGR97TCJ.
Thanks for joining me today, I am looking forward to sharing more Happy Mail in Canada contest. A special thanks to Chris Margrie from the UK for this beautiful card using Seaside Notions.
Product List
by Jackie Bultje | Aug 10, 2020 | stitched nested labels, Waterfront |
Hello stampers and happy Monday to you. Today’s card is from Barb Gourlay and it uses the stamp set Waterfront as well as a retired castle stamp of unknown vintage. Barb always surprises and delights with a card that has a very personal detail added to it. I love it!!
Waterfront with Castle Card
Let’s take a look at Barb’s beautiful creation. She did something very simple but very spectacular with the Stitched Nested Label dies. Very impressive! Barb added the castle in the background because I had just spent a weekend in Rudesheim in Germany looking at castles. If you ever get to chance to travel there, I highly recommend it.
From what I can tell, Barb used two Stitched Nested Label dies and cut out an opening and a frame. The frame is popped up with mini dimensionals. Needless to say, Barb did all her stamping before the cutting. Here is a closeup so you can see the detail.
It’s All in the Details
Do you see how Barb placed the dock die so that the bird is sticking out over the edge This little detail really makes the card stand out. There are also three strategically placed rhinestones on the card. Try to use an odd number when you are using accessories, it is more pleasing to the eye. Thank you Barb for this stunning card. Here is a blog post that I did with the Waterfront stamp set quite a while ago, but it is always nice to get more ideas for a stamp set.
Chatham, Ontario
Barb comes from Chatham, Ontario which has also been my hometown for the last 32 years. This creative and talented woman is also on my team and she is a retired nurse, mom and grandma. Chatham is home to Retrofest and RM Autos which is famous world wide for their classic car restorations and auctions. The owners of RM have invested in revititalizing the downtown by restoring some of our old buildings. The Retrosuites is a boutique hotel which they own and it has themed rooms and a fantastic restaurant called The Chilled Cork.
Doesn’t Chatham look pretty? My Airbnb is booked until the end of October but after that it will be available. I am strongly considering also offering a bed and breakfast in my home specially geared to card makers. Here is the link to learn more about Chatham.
Thanks!
Thanks for joining me on my blog today and also to Barb and everyone else who has sent me happy mail in Holland. It makes my heart sing!! On Wednesday I will share more photos from my Dutch adventures. Don’t forget that if you place an online order in August, I will send you a FREE paper sampler from the Holiday catalogue. You must use the current host code AGR97TCJ to qualify for the free gift If you placed an order in July, this is a reminder to use your bonus bucks coupons this month. If you need help, please let me know. I hope you have a super day.
Product List
| | 
By The Dock Bundle (English) [153817] $57.50 | | |
