by Jackie Bultje | Jun 22, 2020 | beginner stamping, newbie, notecards and envelopes |
Hello stampers and happy Monday to you. Today is going to be a philosophical post called “Never Assume”. What am I talking about? Let’s find out.
Never Assume
Of course on a stamping blog my topic of “never assume” is going to be card related. I was inspired by a picture I had saved on my desktop. The picture is of my very active grandson Leo making a card. We had assumed that Leo would not be the slightest interested in sitting down to stamp. Boy were we wrong. Here he is eagerly making a birthday card for his cousin Ana.
The Magic of Stamps, Ink and Paper
Deep down we all yearn to be creative. We want to express ourselves in art but there is fear. Fear of failure. Fear of not being able to accomplish what we can do in our heads. Then came stamps! The art is already done. All we have to do is ink up that stamp and put it to paper and we already have beauty. Everything that happens after that is just icing on the cake. I challenge you to introduce someone new to stamping. Invite a friend over and bring out the paper, ink and stamps. Start with plain white computer paper so that there is no stress about ruining your “good stuff”. See where that takes you.
Stamping With Children
When stamping with children stick to using just one colour of ink. Put out some grid paper or butcher paper or even newspaper to protect your table. Show them you to put the stamp on the ink pad and then on the paper and let them have at it. Suppress the urge to control the outcome. Marvel at their joy! Here is another blog post using note cards and envelopes. Coincidentally it is also a blog post about children!!
Stamping Yourself
When you get a new stamp set take the time to stamp each image on whisper white cardstock. Stamp them in different colours; do “generational” stamping where you stamp off several times so that you get different shades. In other words, just play a bit. This will give you the feel of the stamp set and will remove any pressure to create something amazing right away. A pack of notecards and envelopes is a very economical investment to allow you to play with the simple stamping technique. You can get twenty note cards and envelopes for only $9.50. That’s cheaper than a movie ticket and will keep you occupied just as long.
Thanks!
Thanks for joining me today for this little ramble. Just think what could happen when you stop deciding for others whether they will enjoy stamping or not. You might find yourself a whole new group of stamping buddies. I can’t wait to hear your stories! Be sure to tell your new people about the great deal on the starter kit that ends at the end of June. What a great way to get started on a fantastic hobby.
Product List
by Jackie Bultje | Jul 25, 2019 | beginner stamping, Birthday, Nautical, Paper Pumpkin, thinking of you, Uncategorized |
Hello stampers! I really love the title of this blog post, On My Mind. Did you know that you are often on my mind? I am always thinking of ways that I can make my business more meaningful for you. Someone close to me said that I was doing great things but using the “dullest tool imaginable”. Obviously she doesn’t love stamping, because I would strongly disagree. I think I am using beautiful tools and that together we are changing the world one card at a time. Of course I am assuming that you are not only making cards but also sending them. If you are hoarding your cards then the world is not being changed too much by your hobby.
On My Mind is the title of this blog because it is also the name of the July Paper Pumpkin. Every month I host a Beginner Class on the fourth Wednesday of the month. I have been using Paper Pumpkin for these classes because I think that this product is perfect for beginners. Seasoned stampers can use the products in these great kits to make “avid” cards. Did you know that Stampin’Up! has us categorized into three different types of paper crafters? Beginner, casual and avid. We all know what a beginner stamper is, someone who is baffled by all the tools and terminology, not to mention our crazy colour names. SU sounds like Laurentian on steroids, or am I the only one who remembers Laurentian pencil crayons? Maybe that is only a Canadian thing. A casual stamper comes to classes once in a while. They know what they are doing but they don’t need to have it all, they are happy with just making the cards that they need or to get out and have fun once in a while. Then you have the avid paper crafter. That’s us. We are hopelessly addicted. We want it all and we love layers, embellishments and fancy folds. That’s ok. If fact, it’s pretty awesome. Without my avid people I wouldn’t be in business!
Let’s take a look at the cards we will be making at Beginner class next week Wednesday. Have I told you that you don’t have to be a beginner to come to these classes? This class goes at a slower pace and doesn’t assume any prior knowledge of stamping. Ask your most basic questions and don’t feel like an idiot. (I hope I never make anyone feel that way, but sometimes we put that pressure on ourselves)
I do so love the font of this saying from On My Mind. What a fabulous card to send to someone in the mail for no reason at all. Do you have someone in mind when you see this card?
This card was slightly altered. If found that the base was not as sturdy as I would like in a card so I simply cut the back off and then trimmed the front to measure 4 1/8 by 5 3/* and put it on a pretty peacock card. I really like how that makes the whole thing pop. Aren’t the lined envelopes just so pretty?
Have you noticed that the cards and stamps in this Paper Pumpkin coordinate with products from our annual catalog? I love that, it adds more value all around. While these cards look amazing and a little bit complex, they are perfect for beginners too. I can’t wait to see who comes to this fun class. Class fee is only $15, but if you choose to order you get that money back to use on your order. Win-win.
Thanks so much for stopping by today. In the product links below I have included the coordinating suites of products that are in the annual catalog.
Next month’s Paper Pumpkin will be fall themed and it is gift bags. For the first time ever Stampin’Up! is offering an add-on coordinating card kit if you want. I thought the gift bags would be perfect for beginning of the year teacher and staff gifts or to be used at a Thanksgiving meal as table favours with notes of gratitude tucked inside. Mine are coming with me to Holland and that is exactly what I am going to use them for. If you want to subscribe to Paper Pumpkin, here is the link for you. I do try to make it easy to get what you want!
Product List
