Hello stampers and happy Friday to you. Oceans apart. It sounds like the title of a movie or a book, but it is my reality right now. Truth is, you might even feel oceans apart from your loved one who live right here in Canada. Not being able to see your family and friends is tough, so how do you cope? Many people are discovering new hobbies, new recipes and new places to discover in their own neighbourhood. What are you doing?
Oceans Apart but Close at Heart
That sounds really cheesy, but it’s true. It’s true, not only for me and Gerard, but true for all of us. So many of you sent happy mail for Gerard and I am going to share a few more cards now as well as this video with all of them. Whether intentionally or coincidentally, your cards made Gerard feel like your really know him. In a minute I will tell you a little bit more about this wonderful man. In the meantime, here are some masculine cards that will also inspire you to create and share.
You’re a Classic
This is Debby Kainu’s car. I love everything about his card, the colours, the layout and the background stamping with the toolbox. The Garage Gears dies make it easy to add those great gear details and they cut out the car. Gerard has two classic cars that he has had for a very long time. One of them is his everyday car, a 1980s Toyota Supra, I think 1986 but I’m not the classic car fan. Close enough, right?
I was looking to see if I had another blog post about cars, but apparently not. Instead I came across this one that shows the Hugs from Shelli Paper Pumpkin kit. I just happen to have three refills if anyone wants one. Message me!!
Flower Boy
This is Gerard’s nickname from one of my kids, can’t divulge which one. Holland is of course known for its tulips and Gerard is a flower grower. He grows amaryllis as a cut flower. In North America we know this flower mosty as a boxed bulb we buy in the stores around Christmas time and it flowers a month or so later. Jessica Bègin made this beauty. I really love how she used the punch in a unique way to make these fantastic tulips that pop. The saying she chose is also completely perfect for the occasion. Very impressive Jessica!!
Now I’m not sure if Jessica is a genius or I am an idiot, but I never realized that you can use the leaf punch from the tulip punch to also make petals for the tulip. I just saw them as leaves. The way they fit so perfectly makes me think that perhaps they were intended to be used as both. I’m so thankful for this inspiration Jessica! Flipping through the catalog I see that the patterned paper you used is from Follow Your Art. Thanks for a great card my friend.
It’s in the Details
I had to smile when I turned Jessica’s card over to open it. Not only did she decorate the flap of her envelope, she used a squirrel sticker to seal it. How cute is that? What do you do to personalize your envelopes? I have to admit that sometimes I leave them plain and boring, so this is challenging me to take the time to add that extra special touch. Even her handwriting is art.
See You Monday
On Monday I will blog again with some more cards from the Happy Mail for Gerard contest. Peg Dotson was the winner of the masculine stamp set. I wonder what my next contest should be? I love getting happy mail and blogging about the cards that get sent to me. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. The idea that just crossed my mind is fancy folds. Some people are really great at doing these and they have more time than I do to research the best ones. That might be a super fun idea to do, it is already growing on me but I am also excited to see what ideas you might have for me.
Please Order Online from me
I have read that sometimes we don’t get what we need because we don’t ask for it, so I am asking. Because of COVID-19 I can no longer do in person classes so this is seriously affecting my business. Online sales are more important than ever, so I am asking that if you follow me online and you live in Canada, please consider ordering from me. Every little bit helps! If you don’t live in Canada, then you can buy my tutorials, the page for that is in my blog header at the top. When I get finished with my kits for kids I hope to take time to write a new tutorial. Here is the host code if you plan to order online: CWD9ZZ2H
Thanks so much for joining me today and also for your feedback on Wednesday’s post. If you haven’t discovered it yet, I am also on Instagram as The Pampered Stamper and my YouTube channel is here. If you are a fellow demonstrator and you would like some training in an intimate group setting for a very reasonable price, you can also join my Pampered Stamper Training Group for only $5 a month. Just etransfer me or PayPal family and friends to [email protected] and I will add you to the group. Payment is done in six month instalments to make it easier to keep track of. Yay!! We have so much fun together and we learn a lot along the way. Have a super day.
Hello stampers and happy Wednesday to you. I finally get to blog about the happy mail for Gerard that fourteen of you sent to for him. Sadly, he could not be here because of COVID-19, so I will send them to him in Holland because he could really use happy mail. How wonderful that technology allowed me to share these cards with him on video. Zoom is great! If you missed it, you can see it here.
The Scotch and the Dutch
There is a story that copper wire was invented when a Dutchman and a Scotsman were fighting over a penny. This makes me laugh and it also reminds me of two lovely customers of mine who have become like family. They are proud of their Scottish roots and their frugality. So am I. Jean and Debbie both sent cards for Gerard, and I don’t know if they knew it from each other, but they also both used plaid paper. Let’s take a look.
Jean’s Card
Jean made a card that looks like a man’s shirt. How cool is that? Jean is super talented, she sews, knits, crochets, paints, tole paints, and makes amazing cards. She is also a pretty mean cook and baker. I want to be Jean when I grow up!! If you want to see more cards made with the Perfectly Plaid paper, check out this blog post.
Debbie’s Card
Debbie is Jean’s daughter and she has the biggest heart ever! She has seen a lot of Canada, especially the very remote north as she has often been posted up there as a nurse. Debbie has made a huge difference in the lives of her patients up there and she always brings lots of treats for the kids that they can’t get up there as well as crafting supplies. I love the Canadian theme of Debbie’s card and of course the plaid! Debbie was supposed to go to Holland as well at the end of April for the World War 2 anniversary remembrance celebrations. Debbie’s uncle was a POW and helped build the bridge over the river Kwai in Thailand.
My picture of your card is a little blurry Debbie, I’m sorry. Either that or my eyes are going bad! I know you can relate and this will bring a smile to your face. It’s too bad you won’t be visiting Holland in April and May, but I am looking forward to spending time there with you some day and showing you a few of my favourite places. We will go to my favourite bakery, Bakkerij Vreugdenhil and we will have high tea at the Bosrand.
Thanks!
Thanks to everyone who participated in this contest, I will be featuring more cards over the next two weeks. The winner of the stamp set is Peg Dotson from Great Falls, Montana.
Big Celebrations
Even though Gerard could not come, I have reason to celebrate. Yesterday I reached a career sales milestone of a half million dollars! That is a great big pile of stamps, ink and paper. I am really thrilled and I couldn’t have done it without you.
Thanks for joining me today. I have been questioning whether or not I should keep blogging every day or to start doing it Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Your feedback would be helpful and appreciated. Please continue to share my posts and cards on Pinterest, that is the lifeblood of a paper crafting business. It is great to be an inspiration to your fellow demonstrators, but that does not put food on the table. Sales do. I need to put my time into what helps me to do that. I know you understand and I am so happy you are here with me! Have a super day and stay safe and sane.
Hello stampers. Just a super short blog post today. Have you checked out my YouTube channel yet? I am finding that during this COVID-19 pandemic I am busier than ever and it just isn’t making sense to be blogging every day. I want to connect with my people in a more meaningful and real way and I find that is through YouTube. Don’t worry, I will keep blogging, but not every day! This squirrel is going squirrelly trying to do it all and that is not good for my health.
Follow me on YouTube
You can still connect with my by subscribing to my YouTube channel. Ever since social distancing made in-person classes impossible and unwise, I have been making videos every day. While I love doing that, I can’t do that and still keep doing everything else. I am also making kits for kids to pick up from the front porch as well as kits for my coffee and a card people. If you click on this link you will see my YouTube channel. When you click on “subscribe” you will be notified every time I post a video. Let’s see how that goes!
Special Someone
This is the card that I made today during my live video, it uses the stamp set Special Someone.
Last Day of Saleabration
Today is the last day of saleabration so I have a graphic for you to show you the difference between a customer order and a starter kit order. I think it makes it very clear what the better choice is.
I should also mention that after you order your starter kit, you also will get a 20% discount on your own orders or 20% income on anything you sell until the end of June. If you want to keep your discount, then you need to sell $400 every three months. There is no penalty if this doesn’t happen. You still get to keep your great deal on the starter kit. How awesome is that? Click here to get the starter kit.
Thanks!
Thanks for joining me today. Tomorrow I will blog about the cards that Gerard got from 14 of you and I will announce a winner of the masculine stamp set. Ran out of time today!
Hello stampers and happy Monday to you. Today I am using Fable Friends and Someone Special for some lovely whimsical cards. We all need a touch of whimsy these days don’t you think? These cards will make you smile. Both sets work together so well and are fun to combine into scenes.
Fable Friends Easter Cards
My first objective was to showcase the lovely vellum paper that is one of the free saleabration options. I thought it would pair perfectly with Fable Friends and could be used for either spring or Easter. Take a look at this lovely, simple card.
The “hugs, prayers, love” is especially appropriate now with the threat of COVID-19 hanging over all of us and separating us from our loved ones. It comes from the stamp set Positive Thoughts.
The “Happy Easter” is from the stamp set Easter Promise and the scalloped stitched rectangle is from the So Sentimental bundle. If you would like to see how I made these cards you can watch this video below.
Facebook Live Video on Fable Friends and Someone Special
Special Someone
I think it is kind of funny that I called the stamp set Someone Special, most likely because I have someone very special on my mind today. If you missed it, be sure to check out my Facebook page today, I recorded a Zoom call with Gerard where he saw me opening his happy mail. He was so touched and we shared some pretty special stories together. Thanks for participating, I will draw a winner tomorrow for the masculine stamp set.
The two characters in the middle of the card, the squirrel and the mouse are from Special Someone. The duck and the squirrel with the flower are from Fable Friends. So stinkin’ cute don’t you think? If this doesn’t chase away your COVID-19 blues I don’t know what will. Remember, if you want the vellum, you can only get it for FREE with a $60 order in Canada until tomorrow, March 31, 2020. That is the last day of saleabration. Just click on the link below in the supply list if you would like to shop with me. I know I would like it very much if you did just that! It will bring you great creative joy to work with these products and you will also bring joy to people with your creations.
It’s Not Too Late!
Yes, it is down to the wire, but it is not too late to join my team with the amazing deal on the starter kit. Just click on this link and you will see what you all get for free. No shipping and tax is pretty special too. If you want more information you can message me or even call me at 519-365-3014. I would be happy to answer any questions you might have. In the meantime, I hope you have a super day and I thank you so much for joining me today.
Hello stampers and happy Friday to you. Today I am sharing with you a Little Ladybug explosion box card. At least that is what I think it is called. Nevertheless, it is a super cute card that will bring a smile to your face. Perhaps I will do a video on this card on Tuesday. Who knows?
Little Ladybug card
I’m not sure you could call this a card, but it does fold flat and fit into an envelope. Well, that’s not exactly true. It won’t fit into a standard envelope, but if you make your own, then it definitely will, especially if you are lucky enough to own the envelope punch board.
So Sentimental Bundle
I thought I would put this in bold because it is important! The pretty stitched scalloped rectangle dies come from the So Sentimental bundle which is on low inventory right now. That means if you want it, don’t delay in ordering it! If you do order online, please do use the current host code: QHANZJSC
Close-ups of the Little Ladybug card
It’s always nice when you can get a closeup view of all the lovely details on a card. I loved colouring the ladybugs and the flower with Blends. The colours just pop and the ladybugs are so super cute and cheerful. The only way to get this stamp set is by having a $375 workshop. How are you going to do that with this COVID-19 stuff happening? Simple. Talk to four friends and get them to get a three month prepaid Paper Pumpkin subscription. You do it too, and then you will all get a free saleabration item and you as the host will also get the Little Ladybug stamp set and $45 in host benefits. Pretty fantastic!
Do you see the cute hearts? They come from the Stitched Be Mine dies and the Meant to Be stamp set in the annual catalog. Here is a blog post with more cards made with the Meant to Be stamp set. I hope to do a video soon to show you how to make this fun explosion box card, it really isn’t that difficult and it is fun to make and give away.
Free Stamp Set If You Order Today
I am very, very close to a sales milestone and to help it happen more quickly I am trying to inspire you to order online from me today. If you order any of the products in this blog post, or the Looking Up Card kit from my video today I will send you a free stamp set. You can see the selection in my video which you can see here if you like. Once again, here is the host code that you can use when you place your online order: QHANZJSC
If you don’t live in Canada and you still want a free stamp from me, all you need to do is order two pdf tutorials from me and I will send you a stamp set. If you are not in North America, then it will be a Paper Pumpkin photopolymer set as they are cheaper to mail and are probably more meaningful to you since you can’t get them otherwise.
