by Jackie Bultje | Feb 13, 2020 | anniversary, Music from the Heart, stitched stars, Valentine's |
Hello stampers and happy Thursday to you. Music from the Heart is a fantastic stamp set that was designed by Dawn Olchefske when she became a million sales achiever. Turns out that in her regular life she is a trained classical pianist who is also a band junkie! This is a super versatile set that is great for many ages and both genders. Here is the link to Dawn’s blog so you can see what she has created with it and you can also read her story.
Grand Piano Card
This card is just so very impressive. I made it but I certainly didn’t design it. Dawn did and she also has a free pdf on her blog so you can make it too. Yes, there is a bit of cutting to make the piano keys, but it is not difficult and totally worth it.
The red, white and black in this card make it perfect for Valentine’s or anniversary but it would also make a perfect wedding card. The discerning eye will be able to pick up that my piano is in need of a little tuning. One of the keys has a slight lift to it!! For the complete measurements, pdf and video, you can check out this blog post from Dawn.
Funky Guitar
Until I read Dawn’s blog post I had no idea that you could combine the treble clef and the guitar handle to make a funky guitar. I recommend using your stamparatus to do this! You do have to fussy cut it but it isn’t difficult. This card is great and also super versatile for so many people. I used the stitched star dies and silver foil paper and you could switch up the colours to suit the recipient.
If you do a Google search you will find lots and lots of cards made with this set and that is great because you will never lack inspiration! I found this one by Paula Reid and I thought I would share it with you too. If you want to read the great story behind her card, be sure to check out her blog post here.
Happy Mail in Canada for Gerard
I thought it was fitting to include the information for the happy mail in Canada contest for Gerard here. I’m not sure if you know our love story, but you can read about it here. He is coming to visit on March 29 and I thought it would be wonderful to surprise him with a lot of happy mail from all of you. Please send a masculine card to Gerard van der Sar c/o Jackie Bultje 81 Delaware Ave, Chatham, Ontario N7L 2W3. You will be entered into a contest for a masculine stamp set of your choice from the mini catalog and I will blog about your card too.
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by Jackie Bultje | Feb 12, 2020 | dry embossing, To A Wild Rose |
Hello stampers and happy Wednesday to you. I am quite aware that it is already late Wednesday, but I am determined to squeeze in a blog post today. To A Wild Rose was a stamp set that I always considered to be very pretty, but I really didn’t NEED another flower set. Well. That all changed when I received this card as a swap at our Twin Teams Gathering last Thursday.
To A Wild Rose
This thirteen piece stamp set was desinged by Million Sales achieer Mary Ellen Byler and it comes as a bundle. It is a two-step DistINKtive stamp set which means it looks like you did a LOT of work to make each image. Phyllis Farandatos is the creator of this beautiful card. She uses a technique which I haven’t used in a very long time. When my bundle comes in I will make a video showing you how it is done. It is called dry embossing. Let’s take a look at her card!
Dry Embossing Detail
Here is a closeup of the card so you can see the beautiful detail of the dry embossing. Thanks so much Phyllis for your lovely card. You inspired me to purchase this bundle. I can’t wait to create with it and use it at a class. I am indeed “blessed and grateful to know you” and that is one of the sayings in this set. One of the nice things is that if you choose to purchase this bundle, you qualify for a free saleabration item. You can also put it in your starter kit OR choose it as your bonus free stamp set when you choose to get this great kit. Unlike our other kits, you can put whatever you want in the starter kit. Read more about that here.
You can see clearly how this stamp set makes you look super artistic, right? See all the variations in colour? That is simply achieved by inking up the stamp. Wow!!
Happy Mail in Canada Contest
Do you want to have a chance at winning a masculine stamp set of your choice from the mini catalog? I am hoping to surprise Gerard when he comes to Canada. He was so impressed with all the cards that you sent to me while I was in Holland that I thought it would be nice for him to get a surprise too. I will blog about your cards and you will also get a chance to win a stamp set. How much fun is that? Of course I will also do a video of him opening his cards when he comes. March 29 is the day he comes, but who is counting down the days? Please mail his card to Gerard van der Sar, c/o Jackie Bultje 81 Delaware Ave, Chatham, Ontario N7L 2W3.
Thanks!
Thanks so much for joining me. Did you see in yesterday’s blog post that I am giving away a Valentine’s stamp set from Paper Pumpkin? All you have to do to be entered into the contest is to comment on my blog post AND share the post to social media. If you click on the Facebook or Pinterest icon, you will be able to do just that. It is even better if you add a personal note. Thanks a lot, and good luck. I will do the draw next week Friday. Have a super day!
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by Jackie Bultje | Feb 11, 2020 | Heartfelt, Valentine's |
Hello stampers and happy Tuesday to you. Today I am showing the love with Heartfelt. I really do love Valentine’s Day and I have always done a Valentine’s Day party for my kids. The table would be set with pretty dishes and fresh flowers and of course I would make heart shaped cookies and cupcakes. At each place setting there would also be a cute little bag full of Valentine’s treats. It’s important to show your love to those around you and make them feel special.
Heartfelt Card
Stampin’Up! always has at least one luscious Valentine’s Day set, and lately they have a whole suite of products that make it super easy to make beautiful cards and gifts. Did you know that heart shaped tins are perfectly suited to making mini brownies or cupcakes? I think I will do this for the kids and grandkids this weekend. We made this Heartfelt card at coffee and a card this morning.
The From My Heart specialty designer series paper makes it super easy to make a beautifully coordinated card. I have to say, I’m really appreciated the heart punch pack too. Framelits and dies are great, but punches are quick and easy! Do you see the adorable cupid’s arrow behind the hearts? Love how the silver embossed arrow coordinates with the silver edged satin ribbon.
The striped piece is 1 1/2″ by 4 3/4″ and the heart piece is 2 1/2″ by 4 3/4″. The hearts cover up the “seam”.
If this makes you sad because you don’t have time to get this in time for your Valentine’s celebration, don’t stress. These beautiful heart inspired cards would be welcome any time of the year. Some of the other sayings in this set include “from my heart to yours”, “So lucky to have a friend like you” and “love you lots”. How about “being friends is better than eating candy (but let’s do that too)”
#itsallaboutthetreats
I have a tradition for my coffee and a card class as well. On the class closest to Valentine’s Day there are very special treats. This year I finally baked linzer cookies. These cookies are a classic at high end bakeries and for good reason. They are beautiful works of art that taste as good as they look. I really enjoyed making them and look forward to a new tradition. The recipe is from Canadian baker Anna Olsen.
Here is the recipe if you would like to make them yourself.
Share the Love
While I am a big fan of Valentine’s Day that doesn’t mean that all was well in the land of romance for me. Perhaps that is why I put the focus on the kids. Either way, no matter where you are in life and what the state of your heart is, Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to spread kindness. Paper Pumpkin is amazing for that. Paper Pumpkin makes it easy to make super cute things and share them with lots of people. You would be amazed to see the transformation on an adult’s face when they receive a random Valentine’s surprise. I love putting as many as possible in a large purse and handing them out at the grocery store to stressed out moms, lonely old people or overworked and underpaid clerks and tellers.
Just a heads up that the March kit will have a bonus stamp set in it, and it’s a big one! Measures 4″ by 6″, so that will be a lot of stamps. Click here to subscribe and get some free saleabration items as well.
Happy Mail in Canada Contest for Gerard
Thanks for joining me today. Don’t forget about the Happy Mail in Canada contest. I am hoping to surprise Gerard with lots of cards when he comes to Canada on March 29. I will once again blog about your card and you will be entered into a contest to win the masculine stamp set of your choice from the mini catalog. Send your cards to Jackie Bultje 81 Delaware Ave, Chatham, Ontario N7L 2W3.
Blog Candy
It is once again time for a giveaway! I am going to give away this beautiful stamp set from the January Paper Pumpkin I’ll Be Yours. If you comment on this blog post AND share it on Facebook you will be entered into the draw. In order to share just copy and paste the link of the post OR click the Facebook icon at the bottom of the post to share. If you are having problems doing this you can also choose to leave a review on my Pampered Stamper Facebook page. Thanks so much and good luck. It’s all about getting the word out there. Small businesses depend on good old-fashioned word of mouth. You matter to me.
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by Jackie Bultje | Feb 10, 2020 | embossing, Embossing Paste, Lovely Lily Pad |
Hello stampers and happy Monday to you. Today I am going to be sharing with you a truly spectacular card using Lovely Lily Pad. This card was a gift from Tammy Bendel, a fantastic demonstrator from Sarnia. If you live in the Sarnia area and are looking to attend or host a class, contact Tammy!
Lovely Lily Pad Embossed
Tammy embossed all the elements in white and then coloured them with Blends for a very striking effect. That is only the beginning of what is all happening on this card. The card has a standard white base, 8 1/2″ by 5 1/2″ scored at 4 1/2″. There is a mango melody rectangle 3 5/8″ by 5″ and a blackberry bliss rectangle that is 3 1/2″ by 4 7/8″. The white rectangle has been cut using the stitched rectangle dies.
The stitched white rectangle has added interest with embossing paste , gold metallic thread, gold rhinestones and a vellum die cut. This would be a super card to make on a lousy weather day when you just want to play and make something special. I love the unusual colour combination!
Timeless Embossing
Embossing really never gets old. It is one of the first “tricks” that I learned as a newbie and I still love it. Have you ever embossed? It is such a simple concept, but truly brilliant. You stamp your image in Versamark which is a sticky watermark ink. After that, sprinkle on embossing powder, tapping off the excess with an aggressive flick of the pointer finger and thumb. Then you use a heat tool or embossing gun to heat set it. What that does is melt the powder which is sticking to the versamark and you get a shiny, raised image that you will really want to run your finger over multiple times!
Embossing Paste
Embossing paste is a whole other element. It comes in a jar which you need to seal tightly when you are finished or it will dry out! Simply place a stencil over your cardstock and using a palette knife (a regular bread and butter knife will work in a pinch too) spread the paste where you want it to go, keeping a firm grip on your stencil. It doesn’t have to be super thick. Carefully lift the stencil straight up when you are done and then let the paste dry for an hour or so. In the meantime, you can assemble the other elements for your card.
Bucket List Item
For years now I have been wanting to see a snowy owl. There have been sightings in Chatham-Kent, but despite numerous lengthy drives throughout the countryside, I was never able to find one. Finally yesterday I got to see this magnificent creature! I went out early in the morning and I saw two different ones. My heart was overflowing with joy. I was positively giddy. I had my binoculars, but I had forgotten my good camera. No worries, I had amazing images forever in my brain.
Twice in One Day
Later on in the day I got a little greedy. What if he was still there? I really wanted to see him again and this time I would take my good camera. Well, guess what? He was still there!!! In my excitement I left my camera on the wrong setting, but I still managed to get some decent shots. Here they are. We have an amazing God who has created such diverse and beautiful creatures. Wow!!
For some reason this owl reminded me of a cat. Just the way he was looking at me and the shape of his body. I think when my mom drew cats she would first draw the body and it was in this shape!
My camera on manual focus so it was really tricky to get a picture when he flew away but at least it captures the magnificence of his big talons and the underparts of his wings. I may just be addicted.
The eyes on this snowy owl are really quite spectacular. It would have been great to have a tripod and my camera on the right setting! It was on landscape instead of the little flower icon. I am totally giving myself away here with my lack of technical terms. Someday I will take a photography course. In the meantime, I am just having a LOT of fun.
Thanks!
Thanks so much for joining me today. If you want to hear me talk about how important it is to share your love of stamping and card making, be sure to check out this video. It was done on a Saturday night with me in my pajamas but I was simply overcome with passion for Paper Pumpkin and with the importance of bringing more joy to people’s lives by sharing what we love. In the end I couldn’t help but mention that if you get the starter kit, then you also get 20% off your Paper Pumpkin subscription and anything else on your wish list. How awesome is that?
If you are ready to do some binge stamping without having to do any measuring, be sure to check out my tutorials section at the top of the page. Right now there are three to choose from but by the end of the month I hope to make that four! If you order from me this month, then you get the amazing February Demo Design Dream Team tutorial for free with 16 projects. It is also a free gift for you if you join my team!
by Jackie Bultje | Feb 7, 2020 | Birthday, Happy Birthday to You, sale-a-bration, saleabration |
Hello stampers and happy Friday to you. This day has been full of unexpected things which means another late blog post. That’s ok. Life happens and not always according to schedule. On Wednesday I promised that I would tell you all about my epic day on Thursday. What made this day so special you might ask. Let me tell you.
The Importance of Belonging
We all need to belong to something. That is just a truth as old as time. Some people have a greater need to belong to their extended family group, some put a higher importance on friends, others find their place in a church, but we all need other people to some extent. When you discover a fun hobby, it is even better when you connect with other people who share your passion. This is what happened yesterday.
Twin Teams Gathering
Every three months or so we have what I call a twin teams gathering. The reason for the name is that it was originally supposed to be a meeting of two teams, but then it grew before it even started and we never came up with another name. This gathering came about because as fellow leaders we really wanted to spend more time together and just have fun. We realized the importance of our team members meeting other people for both creative and business inspiration. It has been phenomenal! We have so much fun when we get together. There is a lot of laughter, food and creativity. So much inspiration, so much joy.
When Dale Hampshire, the head of Stampin’Up! Canada, mentioned that he would be visiting some demos, I messaged him right away with the date of our gathering. Imagine my delight when I got his email saying that he would love to join us! Not everyone was able to come because the weather acted up with snow and ice and some people were sick with colds and flu, but we had a great turnout and a fabulous day.
We all gathered around my stamp room table and everyone introduced themselves and told their story. It was so affirming to hear everyone and how they fit into the puzzle of belonging. It is great to belong to a tribe, even though we all have our unique reasons for doing so. There is a place for everyone, and there is the freedom to do with your hobby whatever you need to do. We all learn from each other and support each other and that is so very powerful. My team members have become family for each other.
It was also very special to be able to meet Mike de la Torre in person. Mike is the head of all things Saleabration at head office in Utah and is in charge of marketing. Dale and Mike drove all the way from Toronto to join us at our twin teams gathering and we truly appreciated it.
Thankfully Carolyn Hansen-Henderson took some photos of the day as well, so I am editing my post to include this photo since it really captures the joy and energy of the day. Amazing things happen when we gather together to create, inspire and share!
A Place For You
I just really want you to know that there is also a place in this stamping tribe for you! If you love to stamp, you really should get your own discount and you should go to one Stampin’Up! event just to experience what it is like to be in a room full of people who are just as crazy and passionate as you are. I really believe this with all my heart. There is not one person who has regretted getting the starter kit and there are so many who have told me that it has totally changed their life for the better.
Canadian demonstrators are an amazing group of people who encourage each other and work together and celebrate each other. I have also experienced deep connection and a sense of belonging with demonstrators around the world. Without getting the starter kit, I would never have had that experience. Who would have thought?
Saleabration Freebie
Every blog post should have at least one card to inspire you. I thought I would share this beautiful card made by Tammy Bendel from Sarnia. She was at our gathering on Thursday all the way from Sarnia and I hadn’t seen Tammy since OnStage in Quebec City a year ago. She used the free saleabration set Happy Birthday to You. If you spend $60 before shipping and taxes you get a free saleabration item until March 31, 2020.
At our twin teams gathering we always do shoebox swaps, and this card was Tammy’s swap card. There is now a set of dies to coordinate with this stamp set so that you don’t have to fussy cut the images. If you want to see more of the products that coordinate with the free saleabration items, click on this link. My favourite thing about this stamp set is the big beautiful “Happy BIrthday” sentiment.
This stamp set pairs beautifully with the Parisian Flourish embossing folder. The colours used for these two cards are pool party and petal pink. Blends were used to colour the cake and the flowers.
Thank You
I am so thankful for all the people I have met on my stamping journey. The importance of belonging is not to be underestimated. Belonging to a tribe is crucial to our mental health as is a meaningful hobby. Stampin’Up! does both. I hope you share your love of stamping with your friends and family and community. You never know whose life you will transform!
If you are looking for a sense of belonging and you live in Canada, my Beyond Pampered team would love to have you. To get the best deal in the catalog, click here to get started. This will also make you a part of my team and get you your very own 20% discount. No strings attached, no pressure to do anything. If you have any questions if this is really meant for you, please message me and I would be honoured to help you out.
Thanks for stopping by and have a super day.
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