Painted Poppies and Remembrance Day

Here in Canada we remember our ancestors and their sacrifices in wars dating back to World War I by wearing felt poppies on our coats and jackets starting November 1 right through Remembrance Day on November 11. It's a symbol we all know and understand.

In honour of that, today's Facebook Live card features the Painted Poppies Stamp Set in Poppy Parade, Basic Black and a hint of Soft Succulent.

And...here's the one I made tonight with a different embossing folder, embellishments and sentiment:

You could so easily replicate with your favourte flower from your stash. I think this would look beautifl in various shades of pansies, hydrangeas, tulips and daffodils. 

On a side note, I've lived in Guelph, ON for 30 years. Guelph is the birthplace of John McCrae who wrote the famous poem, In Flanders Fields. Our school children read the poem annually in remembrance.

Here's a link to the video with measurements, instructions and ideas for how to add more texture by embossing your stamped and coloured image. 

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It's a Splendid Day for Crafting!

A beautiful Splendid Day card! Layering these "open" die cuts together as a bouquet in varying colours adds so much texture. And the vase they are sitting in is made with the half moon die cut designed for a greeting in the coordinating stamp set. Lovely soft colours for fall. Enjoy!

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Cottage Wreaths in Spring Colours!

Today's card features the Cottage Wreaths in a more spring-like look and feel with flowers and bright bold colours. The embossing folder is the Quatrefoil one and adds a super nice backdrop to the wreath. Almost looks like a front door!

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Ornamental Love!

Today's card is a one from my Spruced Up Avid Stampers class with cute ornament dies. Each one is embossed differently for that added touch. Stamped the snowflakes in Highland Heather all around in the background but if there's no snow where you are at Christmas, leave them off (and invite me to your Christmas holiday!).

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Wrapped Ribbon Technique

Did you join me live for What's Up Wednesday? We learned a new technique called, Wrapped Ribbon. Use strips of paper to create the look of a ribbon wrap around cardstock. How beautiful!
Here's the card:

Check out the recording for measurements and step-by-step instructions on how to achieve this beautiful technique:

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G'day Mate!

I have never been to Australia to see a koala bear in real life - just at the Toronto Zoo. How about you? I did read their colouring could be greys and browns so I hope I've captured this fellow nicely. This was a Creative Escape layout some time back with easy layers that you could do in embossed papers or patterned ones as is in your stash! Enjoy.

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Beautiful Aspen Tree Dies

It won't be long before we're raking the leaves to the curb for pick up or bagging them up! The trees on our street always love to hold onto their leaves until the week or two after the city pick up at the curb. Does that happen to you? A reminder today that the leaves were once green and lush through spring and summer days.

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Birthday Scottie Style!

Oh how I love this wee scottie dog! This is a fun punch bundle in the July-Dec Mini catalogue that focuses on Christmas. But check it out: perfect for birthdays, too. Funny how that is. I hope you love this card as much as I do!

Creative Escape Facebook Live: CASEing the Catalogue

What does CASE the catalogue mean? It's when you pick a card (layout, colour combination, etc) in one of our fabulous catalogues and copy it, tweaking with your own passion. Copy And Share Everything (CASE).

That was the basis for tonight's card for my Facebook Live. Check out page 38 of the 2022-2023 Annual Catalogue (see right hand side bar for a link if you're reading this while that catalogue is still valid).
You'll find this layout right there and here's my twist on it

For all the measurements, assembly instructions and funny anecdotes, watch the replay here:

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A card swap - with a twist!

Participating in a really unique swap this week! What's a swap? Think of a cookie exchange...you make a bunch of the same cookie and share some of your with others so you get a nice selection. In this swap:

1. You mail the following to your designated person: 1 sheet of 4" x 5 1/4" of patterned paper, 12" of ribbon and 3 embellishments. You will get a packet too!
2. When you get your packet, you make up a card and post it.
3. Then you mail that card to someone else

In the end you will get supplies, make a card and receive yet a different card. How much fun is that? Here's what I sent to my designated person:

What's this paper? It's from the Fitting Florets Collection which will be available to purchase starting November 1. Paper and embellishments and one stamp set are available until January 4, 2023 or while supplies last. The Framed Florets stamp set and die bundle is an early release from our January-June 2023 Mini Catalogue. How exciting toh ave new products to play with!

Re-Purposing the DSP Holder

I am at a crop this weekend in Stratford with 4 of my team members and another 40 scrappy friends. I filled the DSP holders from What's Up Wednesday this week with treats and gave them to my team members as pillow gifts at the crop. They loved them and after the goodies are gone they've got a holder for their 6" x 6" DSP!

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8 cards for $25? Sign me Up!

Today's card is one from my October Kit to Go class. Everything is ready to be stamped (using your own supplies) then assembled. Don't have the stamp? Improvise with the pieces included in the kit or in the case of the greeting, leave it blank. No one sees the original so these kits are great for making your own. Contact me to get yours! 8 cards for just $25. Shipping extra.

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What's Up Wednesday? A 3D Paper Pack holder

I have lots of paper...too much paper? NEVER! Don't even think that. But I find I don't use it if it's not out there close at hand. So I decided to create a holder for it inspired by the one France Martin (Frenchie Stamps) created a few years ago.

Ack! Isn't this just adorable? Thought it was worthy of sharing in a "What's Up Wednesday?" Facebook Live with instructions and measurements. For sturdiness it also uses the backing cardboard from a paper pack (upcycling there).

For all in the info on how to make your own, check out the video:

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Adventure Awaits! Are you ready?

I've been sending a card to my grandson on his "monthly" anniversary. As his room is decorated in a travel theme, I've been including all kinds of travel cards much like this one. So touched that my daughter reads them to him and keeps them in a special box as a keepsake.

The porthole is made with two circles and the rustic metallic dots for rivets. I look forward to so many adventures with this little guy!

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Shopping Day: Clearance Rack has been refreshed with new options!

Don't delay...at these prices, items go very fast!

Little Christmas Gifts

Totally different Christmas card but wait - you could change up the paper and make this a birthday card! The paper I've used is called Celebrate Everything with autumn, hallowe'en, birthday, every day and Christmas paper. And with non-traditional colours. The gift package dies are from the very versatil Spruced Up bundle. Try this paper layout sometime: 7 strips measuring 3/4" tall x 3 3/4" wide. Go wild and layer directly onto your card front or - like risk avoidant me - layer them onto a piece of cardstock to fully cover it and pop it on your card front. Enjoy!

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Creative Escape Room October 17, 2022

 I love my Monday nights on Facebook Live with my friends...sharing new card layouts, fun patterns and having a great creative start to my week!

Tonight's card layout comes from the Monthly Tutorial Bundle Group I participate in and features the Nuts about Squirrels stamp set for a fun fall card. The paper is Rustic Harvest. I wanted to show how you can use one paper pack with other stamps in your stash and in my case - the Nuts About Squirrels hasn't seen ink on it in a while so definitely time to play with it!

Here are the two cards made during the Facebook Live:

For all the measurements, instructions and extra juicy tips on how to do two step stamping and get varying tones out of one ink pad, watch the video from tonight's Facebook live:

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Celebrating Beautiful Autumn Days

What beautiful fall days we're having! Whether the trees in your area are turning red, yellow, golden or not at all, I hope you're enjoying this gorgeous season and grateful for the burst of colour!

The above was taken on one of my morning walks.
See how this can translate into inspiration for a card:

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Foil Papers - oh how pretty!

Today's card is a beautiful show off type but oh so easy! With our Splendid Day Specialty paper, you get foils in rose, gold, silver and copper tones. I cut 4" x 3/4" strips to use up the scrap ends from other designs. Don't ever throw those away! They WILL come in handy.

This was a card I included in my October Team Tutorial. I will show easy layouts and feature a bundle or suite of products so my team members get lots of easy ideas for what to do with our newest products.

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Aspen Tree Dies for Hallowe'en

Hallowe'en is coming in a few short weeks. Have you - like me - bought candy and need to make another run? When will I ever learn...on our 2nd box already.

Today's care is all about Hallowe'en with the witch builder punch but these Aspen Tree dies are the cat's meow and back in stock - yeah! That's a cool effect with the checkered paper behind, eh? This would look lovely as a Christmas card just in other colours. But for today, it's a Hallowe'en kind of crafting day.

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Colour Blocking Technique

Here's a simple idea: Colour Blocking. It works for fashion, painting, hair, you name it. Why not with your crafting? On today's card, I've chosen 3 colours that compliment each other (and ooh la la it's Fall): Blackberry Bliss, Pumpkin Pie and Crushed Curry. I placed all 3 panels directly onto Basic White then embossed it all with the Fern 3D folder. Simple focal point, greeting and done just like that! What 3 colours would you choose?

This card was one of the ones we did at my October Team get together. We still meet over Zoom for right now but keep at it with make 'n take projects. learning, fun, friendship and sharing.

So blessed to have wonderful friendships through my Stampin' Up! demonstratorship.

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Peek-A-Boo Farm Card

Oh how cute is this? Mix and match stamp sets like Peek-a-Boo Farm with your holiday themed papers. Great job on this one, Barb K on my team for a Creative Ambassador entry. I love the witch's boots the best. I'm so lucky to have amazingly talented (and willing) team members. Your work is inspiring!

All images © Stampin' Up! ®

What's a Creative Ambassador? Each month one of my team members is gifted with a stamp set from me and they post four creations in the month for us all to enjoy. Just another awesome perk of joining my Stampin' Up! Team, The Inksters. We've got a great special going on now: choose $206 in product and pay just $135 (tax and shipping included). There's no better deal out there for your crafting dollar!

Contact me for more information!

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Designer Series Paper Gift Bag!

Check out this amazing project: 3" x 6" x 6" gift bag made from two pieces of 12" x 12" patterened paper. I know you have two matching patterned papers for this. Hint : they don't even need to BE matching.

Any pattern will do - just make sure the front and backs have no obvious direction and that they match in colours. It doesn't even need to be your favourite paper - a great way to use up what you have to make a very pretty giftable. Here's one I made last week for my Boss for Boss' Day. It holds some adorable socks!

Here are a few others made for previous occasions and gifted back to me!

And finally, the version featured on my October 12, 2022 Facebook Live with a unique way to add your card as the focal point to decorate the front!

Check out the replay here for all the measurements, scoring and tips to make your own!

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Criss Cross Pocket Card

Tonight's card is a quick and "I can't believe they made this" card. The WOW factor...love it, right?

This is perfect for including a gift card but works wonderfully all on its own. I have glued the two flaps down on this one and the inside measurements of the pocket card reflect an adjustment for the loss of space from the gluing down. You can leave the flaps unglued and wrap card stock or ribbon around as a belly band to tie it shut. Options! Love those options!

Here's the version I made live on Facebook with the insert photographed separately:

You can watch the reply here which has all the measurements, cutting instructions and tips!

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Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving all Canadians! May you have the best day with family/friends and doing just all the great fall things you like to do.

I'm grateful to share this last Soft Seedlings card created by Holly which is perfect for this autumn season. All images © Stampin' Up! ®

Hallowe'en Themed Wall Art

I love making wall art and 3D projects with my paper crafts. It's just do rewarding! This is one inspired by a class I'm holding for the Elmira Community Living day program in my community. The projects used are super simple. The entire project sits on a board from Dollarama (6 boards for $4). 

Featuring many retired items and suitable for the audience, here's the original project we are doing October 17, 2022. They're going to LOVE it!

For all the measurements and step-by-step instructions to put this together, please watch the video: 

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One Layout - 3 Different Looks!

I offer my team members a creative challenge on our Facebook page every month. It may be a group of colours to use, a theme or like this month, a "sketch". I share the sizes of the pieces and they make a project with their own interpretation! Doesn't have to match perfectly...just inspires you.
Here's this month's sketch challenge:

I always play along, too, and shared this card for inspiration:

It seemed like a great idea to share on my Facebook page for the Creative Escape tonight and so here are the 3 versions I made during the Facebook Live on October 3, 2022:

Same supplies, same layout...very different looks! Try it with what you have on hand or, if you'd like to duplicate, here are the supplies used for one of the above.

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Check out all the measurements, supplies and helpful tips on making these cards in tonight's video:

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