Hello stampers and happy Monday to you. Today I have an adorable Milk Carton Gift Box for you. This project will be part of my Cross-Country Cookie Exchange Party With a Heart event and will thus be in the huge pdf tutorial that is a part of this class. Everyone who purchases the tutorial is welcome to send me a recipe card that I will include in my recipe book for Christmas. I am hoping that everyone will also purchase the Strong of Heart stamp set (the heart part of this event) as it is a Stampin’Up! fundraiser for heart health.
Milk Carton Gift Box
Here is the adorable Milk Carton Gift Box. No worries, all the dimensions and directions will be in the pdf for you which is chock full of great Christmas ideas. I will also be doing some videos of these projects on YouTube in November.
PDF Tutorial
I am thrilled to say that I am over half way with this massive pdf tutorial. This will be a classic that you turn to again and again I think. Print it off and put it in clear folders and in a binder so you can reuse it without wearing it out! The promise was to have the tutorial done by November 1 but I am working hard to get it finished before I fly home to Canada on Thursday. Thank you to everyone who has already purchased it sight unseen. I am ever so grateful.
Joining in on the Fun
There are several ways that you can join in on the fun.
You can simply purchase the tutorial. This option is especially for those who are not in the Canadian market so they can’t buy SU products from me. With this option you can still send me a recipe card and I will share it on my blog and in my book. You also get to join in on the Zoom party on November 27 at noon EST.
2.You can get the tutorial and the Strong of Heart stamp set for $55 using the PayPal button. This is meant for people who don’t like online ordering but can manage this option. I will send you your stamp set in the mail. You get all the perks of option one.
3. You can place an online order for $55 and you will get the pdf tutorial for FREE. This is actually the most bang for your buck and is meant for those who can order online with ease. Please do remember to use the current host code which is always on the right hand side of my blog’s home page.
Exclusive Baking Class Option
4. This option comes with a very special bonus. If you purchase the Strong of Heart stamp set and other products for $100 or more you get to join me for an exclusive baking class in my kitchen (either in person or via Zoom) This will be on Monday November 28 at 10am EST. You can also choose option three in the PayPal button.
Flying Home on Thursday
It’s hard to believe that my time here is almost up again. Thursday I fly home to my family and that is wonderful too. Needless to say, I am going to miss Gerard a lot.
Thank you!
I am always so grateful when I see who comes by and reads my blog. Thank you for pinning my projects to Pinterest and taking the time to comment here. Blogging is meant to be a social activity, a community thing, not a solitary endeavour. It is more rewarding than you will ever know when you reach out to me with your own stories or experiences. I hope you have a super day. As always, the links are listed below if you want to purchase any of the supplies that I used today.
Hello stampers and happy Friday to you. My Strong of Heart stamp set came in and I immediately made a card with it that fits with the colour scheme of the Cross-Country Christmas Cookie Exchange with a Heart class. First we’ll take a look at the card and then I will talk some more about this epic class.
Strong of Heart for Christmas
When you first take a look at the Strong of Heart stamp set you may think of Valentine’s Day, but not Christmas. With the colour scheme I chose, this would be a perfect card to send to someone at Christmas, especially to someone who has had some struggles in life and may not want a traditional Christmas card. I made two versions. One is sparkly, the other is slightly more masculine or rustic. Which one is your favourite?
Here is the one that is more rustic. The only difference is that the Be Dazzled paper is taken away. Small but significant detail.
Part of the pdf Tutorial
The purpose of my Cross Country Christmas Cookie Exchange Party with a Heart is three fold. First I want to unite stampers across the country with a recipe swap. Doesn’t that sound wonderful? Second, I want to give you LOTS of great ideas for Christmas cards and projects. Third, I want to raise money for heart health as a fellow demonstrator in Ontario lost her husband to a congenital heart defect. The hospital that tried to save his life is now conducting research to try and prevent more tragedies like this. Stampin’Up! has designated this specific hospital for the funds raised in Canada!! That makes my heart sing.
This card will also be a part of the pdf tutorial that is included in the class/event. You will get the Strong of Heart stamp set as well as the tutorial and there will be a Zoom party on November 26. More details are in this blog post. If you live in the States you can simply purchase the tutorial.
The tutorial will be finished at the latest by November 1, hopefully sooner. I now have all the projects completed, now I need to write it all up and take and edit the photos. Usually it takes at least a full day to write a tutorial, sometimes two! You can order yours here below by clicking on the PayPal button. When it is finished I will add it to my tutorial store on this blog.
Recipe Swap
To participate in the recipe swap you need to preregister for the class which includes the stamp set. Deadline to send out the recipes is November 13. That way we will get them in time to share and talk about at the Zoom party. Please use as your base either 4″ by 6″ kraft paper or crumb cake cardstock. Here is a picture of my recipe card.
To make it less daunting to write out so many recipe cards I am suggesting that you handwrite the front of the card and then print out the instructions and adhere them to the back of the card. Best of both worlds!! During the Zoom party I will demonstrate three of the projects from the pdf tutorial. I hope YOU can join me for this fun class. Thanks so much for joining me today, I hope you have a super weekend. Hugs from Holland!
Hello stampers and happy Monday to you. Today I have an adorable Post-It Note Holder for you. I love cute creations that have a useful purpose. Do you often write little notes on Post-It notes? This project will be part of the Cross-Country Christmas Cookie Exchange Party With a Heart and it will be included in my pdf tutorial as well. Let’s take a look!
My Favourite Part
My favourite part of this project was that I transformed a hideous neon Post-It Note pad into something really beautiful. I had no neutral sticky notepads in the house, only varying shades of neon! What did I do? I first started by sponging on some early espresso ink but this affect was too feeble. Instead I rubbed it directly on the ink pad with fabulous results. Then I cut out a piece of white cardstock the same size as the note pad and adhered it to the top.
Christmas Gifts
It’s the little things that count, and this pretty project could be a lovely gift for friends and coworkers. It folds down flat so you could even mail it! I have long been a fan of useful and pretty handmade gifts, and this Post-It Note Holder fits the bill. Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel and you won’t miss out on the Christmas videos that I will start posting after the pdf goes live on November 1.
Happy Thanksgiving Canadians
I am still in Holland and there are no brilliant fall colours here, so I decided to make a card using the Gorgeous Leaves bundle. You can see the video below. Due to some technical challenges I didn’t get good photos of the card today but I will share on Wednesday. I do share the Blends and alcohol technique which is easy to do if you use the right materials.
Thanks!
Thanks for joining me today. If you would like to purchase any of the materials I used, the supply list is linked below. Just click on the images and you will be in my online store! Have a super day!
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!
Hello stampers and happy Wednesday to you. Today’s project features Gingham Berry Blessings. I adore gingham! When I was finally able to shop in a Bath and Body Works store I was thrilled to buy some of the gingham themed products. I honestly bought it just so that I could make something cute with it using our Berry Blessings paper. Do you want to see it?
Gingham Berry Blessings
I love, love, love the Berry Blessings paper. I have hoarded quite a stash with it so that I can offer a class by mail with it. Stay tuned for details.You may have heard that I am hoping to fly to the Netherlands again on Monday to be with my love for five weeks. When I get back I will of course have to quarantine for two weeks and this might be the perfect time to do a fun online event.
All I know is that tomorrow I am going to make this cute project with my Prime Time girls. Let’s take a look at it.
Of course I couldn’t decide which gingham product I liked better. One has a small gingham pattern and the other a larger one, so I bought both. You can see them in the next picture.
See the Good
Do you see the cute little card beside the gift? I was thrilled to use the stamp set “See the Good” again. Did you know that it is retiring? I know I will keep it just for this great saying. I might end up adding a little ribbon or embellishments but I do like the clean and simple look. If you would like to join my Prime Time With The Pampered Stamper group for great weekly tutorials, prizes and a monthly pdf tutorial you can do so. It is only ten dollars a month, much cheaper than attending a class (not that is an option right now!) Click here to join.
Finding What You Need
Do you sometimes have a hard time finding what you want online? It’s so easy to get confused and not know where to look. Please remember that I am only a question away! I don’t consider it a bother to get a phone call, a text, an email or any other form of communication. In response to some questions I made a short video. Maybe it will help you too.
Thanks!
Thanks for joining me today. Today I worked in the garden with Rachel and we made three new flower beds! That meant digging up lawn which was a LOT of work. So rewarding though and amazingly I am not sore yet. My arms hurt but my back is fine. I was super careful not to do any twisting motions when lifting. Here are a few quick pictures. I am still waiting for more plant material but the main work is done! I hope you have a super day.
Hello stampers and happy Wednesday to you. Today I want to share a hidden treasure from the annual catalog: mini paper pumpkin boxes. Did you know that these cute boxes are super easy to decorate, they are food safe AND they fit our note cards and envelopes? I just discovered them when I created my #itsallaboutthetreats event. Let’s take a look.
Mini Paper Pumpkin Boxes
As card makers we don’t always realize what a wonderful gift a package of hand made cards can be. With the mini paper pumpkin boxes, you have an easy solution for packaging your notecards and envelopes. Here is a picture of two boxes that I made along with the coordinating notecards and envelopes. This time the theme is Christmas, but you can make it whatever you want! They are $10.25 for a package of ten sturdy, food safe boxes.
Today was quite the grey, overcast day so the natural lighting was less than ideal. Truth be told both the cards and the boxes are MUCH nicer in person, but you are going to have to take my word for it. I now have a pdf tutorial for these projects and more as well as three favourite Christmas recipes if you are interested. I have a Zoom gathering planned for this Friday morning from 10am till noon EST to make the coffee carrier and two other boxes plus to bake traditional Nanaimo bars. If you purchase the tutorial you can join in on the Zoom gathering for free.
Quarantine Report
I thought I would update you on my quarantine experience. It has been a little bit intense for two reasons. The first reason is the COVID situation in Europe. Both the Netherlands and Germany are going into strict lockdown today and that affected the amaryllis prices drastically on Monday. It was like the stock market crash of 1929 for the flower industry and in one day Gerard saw all his hard work and profits for the year go down the drain. Being apart when things like that happen is tough.
The second thing is my Pap’s health. Two of my siblings were begging me to break quarantine so that I could go and see him. They were afraid that I might miss seeing him alive. I had to make the difficult decision to sit tight and wait until it looked like I had no option. Please pray that he will hold on till my quarantine is over. It does help to know that I am only two and half hours away instead of an ocean apart.
Keep Stamping!
I miss my regular stampers and hope that you are still stamping on your own. Please join me in my weekly live YouTube videos with the virtual coffee and a card. I hope to send out the kits for January on Friday so let me know if you want to join in. My newsletter was sent today with information for Pod Parties and for an actual Open House and new catalog launch on January 4. I have designed a COVID friendly way for you to see the new products and to sign up for virtual classes or buy in stock kits. That’s it for now, have a super day!
PS. I forgot to mention that I used the stamp set Press On for the cute coffee cups and that if you live in Canada I would love it if you shopped with me by clicking on the items in the product list below….
