Emboss Resist

Today is the last day to post our creation on the Dukes Design Divas site for the Hazard County Challenge.

Now, if I have to be honest,  I totally meant to make an awesome new card but was busy making cards for some upcoming events/ classes and ran out of time.  It wasn't until I was tidying up that I saw a card I made a long time ago and it sparked my memory for the challenge.  So although I did not make this card recently, it still falls under the challenge of an emboss resist card.

The base is So Saffron and the sentiment is stamped in Basic Black from the Sincere Salutations set. 

My images are stamped in Versamark ink on Glossy White cardstock using the retired set In Full Bloom.  I applied Clear Embossing Powder and heat set.  Next, I inked up my brayer with So Saffron ink and brayered over my glossy cardstock.  I let it sit to 'dry' for a bit and then wiped it with a paper towel to clean up the embossed images. I layered this on a piece of Basic Black cardstock and before attaching to my cardfront, I added some Whisper White Organdy ribbon. (wow that gives away how old this card is- LOL)

Emboss resist can be so easy with great results.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great night.

Cheers,
Margaret :)

Stamp Sets: In Full Bloom (retired), Sincere Salutations
Cardstock: So Saffron, Basic Black, Glossy White
Inks: So Saffron, Basic Black, Versamark
Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder, Brayer, White Organdy Ribbon

Hostess Promotion

Extra Extra Read All About It!!!  Seriously, this is fantastic news - from now until August 31st, 2010 there is an amazing hostess promotion going on.

All workshop orders over $450 in sales get an extra $35 in FREE merchandise!


I have some dates available in August so if you would like to book one, now is the time. 

You can choose to hold an in-home workshop or a catalogue party, either way the offer is still the same.

Contact me today to book your party.
margaret@stamphaven.ca

Cheers,
Margaret :)

Successful Open House

Last Saturday I had an Open House and Two For One Sale and we had a fantastic day.  I was so tuckered out I ended up having a two hour nap in the afternoon.  The women had lots of fun, enjoyed some make and takes and had the opportunity to participate in the Two for One Sale. 

Later this week I will share with you the make and takes.  (I'm having some computer issues, so it will be done when my main computer, which has all my proper programs is working well enough to post them)

The ladies had several ways to earn additional door prize forms and the winners have been picked.

Lorna Weber - From The Garden stamp
Angela Koobs - So Many Sayings stamp set
Brenda Lewis - $15.00 Gift Certificate

Thank you to everyone who made it a successful day.

Cheers,
Margaret :)

Newsprint

I hope everyone enjoyed the beautiful sunny weekend we had.  I got lots of work done on Saturday and took it easy on Sunday.

Today I would like to share another card I had created using the new Hostess Level 1 set - Because I Care, the new In Colours and the new Designer paper Newsprint.

These new colours are fantastic and I definitely need to order more soon.

The card is fairly simple so I won't explain how I created it unless someone has a question about something, then I would be happy to help out.

Thanks for stopping by.
Margaret :)

Stamp Sets: Because I Care
Cardstock: Peach Parfait, Pear Pizzazz, Newsprint Designer paper, Shimmery White
Inks: none
Accessories: In Colour Markers, Scallop Trim border punch

My Stampin' Up! Story

I was invited by Stampin' Up! to participate in a training program designed to help build a better business.  Since I have been wanting to do more and achieve higher goals I thought - this is perfect.  This training program will take ten weeks for me to complete and it is broken down into two week segments.  Each segment I have a list of challenges to complete and one of my first challenges was for me to write my Stampin' Up! story as well as to share it with three individuals.  Now I realize this is the internet and this will reach more than three but I am going to count this as one.  So without further ado, here is
My Story:

Looking back I realize that the way I began stamping is really a great story, and what better way to inspire others than to share My Stampin' Up! Story.


Back in 2003 I dropped by my parents home for a visit. My mother was busy at the kitchen table and thoroughly enjoying herself. I had no idea what she was doing but it looked interesting. I asked her what she was up to and she replied, “I'm making cards” What! Since when did my mother become artsy and creative. She proceeded to tell me that her sisters in Holland make their own cards and when she last visited she had seen some cardmaking demonstrations and purchased some supplies. My first thought was, “Wow, if my mom can do this so can I. I'm not creative but look at what she's making and she's not creative either.” I remember trying to find stores with cardmaking supplies but had no clue where to look. I asked anyone that would listen that for Christmas, I'd like cardmaking supplies. You have to remember that at this point I had not even touched a product, let alone made a card. Needless to say Santa did not bring my any supplies.

I was sad but wasn't going to let this deter me. God works in mysterious ways because January came and a co-worker and I were chatting when she told me she had a home party to go to. She wasn't looking forward to it either. I asked what kind of party it was and she replied, Stampin' Up! I had never heard of them and asked what it was all about. Cardmaking. Let me tell you I just about jumped for joy. Immediately I asked if I could come along. Thankfully, she said yes.

And so it truly began. I went to this workshop and I fell in love. I spent $300.00 that day and immediately entertained the idea of becoming a demonstrator. I'm not a fan of paperwork with lots of legal jargin and was too afraid to sign up. Instead I had my own home party in my teeny tiny apartment. To this day I still marvel at how I managed to fit everyone around a table in my living room. It was so tiny that I had to move my living room furniture (consisted of a futon – LOL) into the kitchen area and my kitchen table into the living room space

Once again at this party I was so inspired that I decided to talk to the demonstrator and get more info. Once she explained things to me it all seemed so simple and I decided to take the plunge. I purchased my Starter Kit in July 2004.

Why did I want to be a demonstrator? For the discount. I had no real intention of doing home parties. I had only a couple friends and kept most people in the acquaintance category. Surprisingly to me though, as time passed I just felt the need to share my passion, to inspire others and to show that you really don't need to be or feel creative to be able to papercraft.

In the past two years I have begun to focus more on growing my business and open myself up to making new friends and trust me, I have found some wonderful friends. The more I do the more I enjoy, the more I enjoy the more I share, the more I share the better I my business has become. I am looking to further my Stampin' Up! business and truly focus on achieving my goals of making lasting friendships, earning money to enjoy trips with my family and to be earn Stampin' Up!'s yearly incentive trip.
Would you like to create your own Stampin' Up! Story? Let me know and I'll share with you just how exciting and rewarding it can be.

If you have made it this far, then you have finished reading my story and I really appreciate it. 
I would love to hear your story on how you started papercrafting
 
Cheers and have a FABULOUS weekend.
Margaret :)

UPDATED: ***Open House and Two for One SALE***

This is going to be a fabulous event.  I am having an open house to celebrate the release of the new 2010-2011 Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalogue AND a Two For One Sale.

Want more deets?  Keep reading.

This FAB event occurs on Saturday July 24  and you can pop by anytime between 10:00am to 12:30pm to have tons of fun.  I will have make and takes, several door prizes, Bonus Gifts with $75.00 orders, bonus gifts for those who book a party with me to be held in August or September, FUN FUN and more FUN.  And how about that Two for One sale..... I will have a whack of retired products set out.  Original pricing will be listed on these items.  Place an order from the new Stampin' Up! Catalogue and receive retired products equalling your order value FREE .  Don't forget to tell your friends to come to this amazing event.  Please send me an RSVP so I can ensure to have enough make & takes prepared.

Need more info, just send me a note  margaret@stamphaven.ca

Cheers,
Margaret :)

Please note that all values mentioned are based on product value before shipping/ handling and tax. 
Shipping/ handling and tax are extra.
Two for One sale valid only while retired supplies last

Life is a Matter of Moments

The Elements of Style stamp set is truly stunning. I love creating with these images.

For this card, I inked up my main image using markers and stamping onto my Whisper White cardstock.  Next I stamped my hummingbird onto a separate piece of cardstock using Chocolate Chip ink and cut the image out with scissors.  I popped this up on my card front.  I also at this point stamped my sentiment.

Before adhering my image onto the Peach Parfait cardstock I added my scallop trim border along one side of the Peach Parfait. Then I attached all my layers together.

My final step with this card was adding Crystal Effects to add some glaze/ shine to my flowers.  Although it still looks okay, the Crystal Effects came out to fast and heavy and ended up making the flowers look a bit blurred and not as intricate as they should.

All in all I still love this card.

Thanks for stopping by.
Margaret :)

Stamp Sets: Elements of Style
Cardstock: Blushing Bride, Peach Parfait, Whisper White
Inks: Chocolate Chip
Accessories: In Colour Markers, Crystal Effects, Dimensionals, Scallop Border punch

Itty Bitty Birthday Wish

This card is really cute.  I love the Itty Bitty Bits stamp set and the matching buttons and punches to go with it.  It really does make for quick cardmaking.

I used a variety of stamps and inks for my images from the set and punched them out with the cute little Itty Bitty punches.

I created my layers of Baja Breeze textured cardstock and Blushing Bride cardstock, pierced the edges in an offset pattern and created my zig zag stitching using my White gel pen. I spritzed some Vanilla Smooch Spritz onto the Baja Breeze to make it shimmer a bit more. Then I attached to my Daffodil Delight card front.

Next I added my punched out flowers.  I placed a clear Itty Bitty button on the center flower with a knot of linen thread through it.  I added 3mm half back self adhesive pearls to all the other flower centers.

I finished the card up by stamping my sentiment from Level 3 Hostess set Occasional quotes in Baja Breeze ink.

Thank you for stopping by and I hope you enjoyed todays creation.
Margaret :)

Stamp Sets: Itty Bitty Bits, Occasional Quotes
Cardstock: Baja Breeze, Blushing Bride, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White
Inks: Daffodil Delight, Baja Breeze, Blushing Bride
Accessories: Itty Bitty buttons, Self Adhesive half back Pearls, Itty Bitty shapes punches, Mat Pack, paper piercer, White Gel Pen

Colour Throwdown

I'm jumping on the Colour Throwdown challenge at the last minute here.  This is not anything like I was hoping to create but this is what I came up with.

The set is the new Messages for Mom from the SU! IB &C.  I used the colours directed in the colour throwdown challenge to create this card along with some retired Raspberry Tart designer paper.

Thanks for stopping by and I have enjoyed seeing all the amazing creations that others have made for this challenge.  Everyone did a fabulous job.

Margaret :)

Stamp Sets: Messages for Mom
Cardstock: Regal Rose, Whisper White, Baja Breeze textured, Certainly Celery, Raspberry Tart DP
Inks: Real Red, Certainly Celery, Baja Breeze
Accessories: Mat Pack, Paper Piercer, Sherbet buttons, Linen Thread, Dimensionals, Ticket corner punch, Certainly Celery ribbon (retired)

Amour

I like this card as it is subtle and simple.  Chris does not.  He thinks it needs something more and perhaps there will be those that agree with him but I'm happy with this card just the way it is.

I stamped my Eiffel Tower image in Bashful Blue ink on Crumb Cake Textured cardstock and I also lightly stamped a fun circular design as well onto it.  Next I distressed the top and bottom edge and added a bit of Crumb Cake ink to the edges.  I layered this on a piece of Bashful Blue cardstock which I had also distressed. These layers were then placed onto my Very Vanilla cardfront.

I stamped a finial type image in Crumb Cake at the top and bottom of my card and to finish it off, I stamped my sentiment, Amour, in Bashful Blue ink on Bashful Blue cardstock, punched it out using the small oval punch and popped up on my cardfront.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great night.
Margaret

Stamp Sets: Artistic Etchings
Cardstock: Crumb Cake textured, Bashful Blue, Very Vanilla
Inks: Crumb Cake, Bashful Blue
Accessories: Small Oval punch, dimensionals

Birdie on a Stem

So here is something I do not do very often at all... CASE a card from the Stampin' Up! catalogue.  When I received my new cattie a few weeks ago and was in the midst of preparing for the Zeal for Teal ovarian cancer fundraiser I was looking for something simple to put together.  I saw this card near the front of the cattie and thought AHA, this is it.

I changed the card colour to the now retired colour Ruby Red and Mellow Moss and used the new Level 3 hostess set, Occasional Quotes on the card.  Other than that, I think I did a pretty good job CASEing LOL

I used Vintage Vogue to stamp flowers on my card base and retired patterned papers from the Patterned Paper pack III from the previous catalogue.

The bird and stems are punched out using our 2 Step bird punch.  I popped up the wing on the bird and I popped up the bird on the card front for even more dimension.

Thanks for stopping by.
Margaret :)

Stamp Sets: Vintage Vogue, Occasional Quotes
Cardstock: Ruby Red, Mellow Moss, Whisper White, Patterened Paper Pack III (retired Level 1)
Inks: Ruby Red
Accessories: 2 Step Bird punch, dimensionals

Butterflies

I have seen some very simple cards that I think look just lovely, so I decided I should stop and make a simple card.

I pulled out my Beautiful Wings Embosslit die and cut out several butterflies in various colours. 

I placed a Regal Rose, Tempting Turquoise and So Saffron butterfly on my card front using pop dots and stamped my sentiment from the retired set A Rose is a Rose in Basic Brown ink.

See how simple that was and yet a sweet card.

Thanks for stopping by.
Margaret :)

Stamp Sets: A Rose is a Rose (retired)
Cardstock: Whisper White, Regal Rose, Tempting Turquoise, So Saffron
Inks: Basic Brown
Accessories: Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Big Shot, Dimensionals

Fathers Day

Now what might make you say I'm a tad behind on posting???  It wouldn't have anything to do with the fact that I am posting the Father's Day card we made at the last Mommy and Me class would it?

Chris and Aris both told me they thought this looked like a baby carriage on the card, yet everyone else I asked was correct in guessing that this is a BBQ.

I love punch art and this cute BBQ was inspired by a creation of punch art I saw elsewhere.

I used lots of circle punches and the word window punch as well.  The smoke coming out of the BBQ was created using the Scribbles Sizzlet and vellum paper.

This was so easy to put together and cute too.

Thanks for stopping by.
Margaret :)

Stamp Sets: All Year Cheer II (retired)
Cardstock: Tangerine Tango, Going Gray, Basic Gray, Vellum paper
Inks: Basic Gray, Tangerine Tango
Accessories: Silver Brads, 1/2", 3/4", and 1 3/4" circle punch, Word Window Punch, 1/16" hole punch

Fun Pocket Card Holder

I was browsing Stampin' Connection a month ago for ideas for my Stamper's 8 club when I came across a fabulous card gift set by another demo Jill George (Stampin' Connection is a site for SU demo's only) and being as I needed a great idea for the club and time was running short I knew this was the perfect idea.

I pretty much CASE'd everything she did except for the flowers on the outside of the box and on the cards.

This was really quite easy once you know the box and cover size.  Inside I was able to put 2 cards and envelopes into each pocket.

The group loved this project and are now wondering what I'll do to better this one next month.

Thanks for stopping by.
Margaret

Stamp Sets: Well Scripted, Vintage Vogue, Whimsical Words
Cardstock: Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Regal Rose
Inks: Certainly Celery, Regal Rose, Basic Brown
Accessories: 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Sweetest Stem and Simple Flower Embosslets, Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots EF, Scallop Trim border punch, sponges, Silver brads