Happy Father's Day!

 

Here's a Father's Day card we made at stamp club recently. I love the masculine look and feel to this one. And it is hubby approved!

I used the All Holidays stamp set to stamp the sentiment on Basic Grey cardstock in Versamark ink, heat embossing it with Silver embossing powder. Then I ran the Basic Grey cardstock thru my Big Shot, using the texture plate called Distressed.

I also ripped the Whisper White piece, and added some silver embossing along the ripped edge by rubbing it on my versamark ink, and heat embossing that with silver too.

The Pewter Jumbo eyelets were added using the Crop-A-Dile, and I crumpled the edges of the cardstocks for a distressed look and feel. Topped it off with some Natural Hemp Twine, and it's done!

Hope you like it!

Jo-Ann

Price Changes coming!

Well, I have some good news and bad news.

First, the bad news.....I have just noticed on the demonstrator website that most of the Canadian prices for Stampin' Up product will be going up with the new catalogue. I wanted to give you the heads-up, and encourage you to stock up on any cardstock, ink pads, ribbons and anything else, before the prices increase as of July 1st. (From the products I can sneak-peek at, it looks to me like the ink pads will go up to $7.25, the single-color 8.5X11 cardstock packs will be at $7.25 and and the assorted packs at $10.50.)

Here's Stampin' Up's explanation of why the prices will be going up.

Price Increase
May 29, 2009

You will notice a price increase of about 10 percent for products in the upcoming 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalogue. The price of the Demonstrator Starter Kit and other supply items will also increase.

We evaluate product pricing based on a number of factors. While the exchange rate is only one factor in pricing considerations for Canada, dramatic changes in the exchange rate are cause for price adjustments. Because the Canadian dollar weakened seven months ago and has seen limited recovery since then, we have found it necessary to adjust our prices.

Too bad, but...Now the good news.....you can beat the price increase! If you are getting low on anything, please let me know before June 15th what you want to order, or you can order online and have it shipped to you. This way you can get the current prices, and save some money! Think about the items you will want for the fall (even Christmas cards!) and order now!

Email me at stampinwithjoann@shaw.ca to place your order today!

Watercolor Spritz!

Love this technique I learned recently! Isn't it pretty?

 

I used my Big Shot, and the Impressions folder called Manhattan Flower to emboss onto Shimmery White cardstock. Then I rubbed the Versamark ink pad over the raised areas (carefully) and heat embossed that with clear embossing powder. Next step is to spritz the carstock with water (quite a bit) to create some little puddles in the lower sections. Using an aquapainter (or a paintbrush), dab bits of re-inker colors into the sections. The color spreads into the puddles, and it looks so neat! Let is air-dry for at least 30 minutes, and then cut around the image, keeping the sections that turn out the best.

 

 

 

On these projects I also added:

Whisper White cardstock base, punched with the Eyelet Border Punch, added some 5/8" grosgrain ribbon (in Regal Rose/Brocade Blue), and added a white half-back pearl from the Pretties Kit. The colors of re-inkers I used are: Regal Rose/Pretty in Pink/Cameo Coral, and on the blue version: Brocade Blue, Night of Navy, Bashful Blue. 

For the sentiment, I used the Dreams du Jour stamp set , inked it with the markers (same color combos as above) as well as Certainly Celery. 

So Summery! 

Have a great day!

Jo-Ann  

Matchbox Dresser

Here's a cute little project made from the Matchbox Big Shot Die. it is perfect for storing little things like candies, earrings, or even diamond rings!  These are just 3 matchboxes, stacked up, and attached with Sticky Strip. I used Rhinstone Brads for the handles, and added a 1/2 inch circle punched from vellum behind the brad. Then, I made an embossed cover to go around the outside of all of them. The colors are Certainly Celery, and Regal Rose.

 

I made these as "snacking gifts" for all my downline demonstrators that joined me at the Stampin' Up Seattle regional seminar recently.  I thought it would be nice to have a little sugar to snack on while we were sitting at our table watching the demonstrations :)

 

And here are the goodies I put inside....jelly bellies, caramels, and of course, chocolate!

 

Here we are, enjoying some candy! And, of course, the fabulous stamping ideas!

 

I have also made a five-drawer one that my kids loved so much, they all made their own versions! My boys are using them to store lego-men parts, and my daughter is storing her earrings in them :) Very cute!

Hope you have a great weekend!

Jo-Ann

stampinwithjoann@shaw.ca

Starter Kit Deal!

While I was at the Stampin' Up seminar in Seatlle, we were offered a special, only available to those who attended the event!

I am allowed to offer $60 off the Demonstrator Starter Kit for the next 7 days! The starter kit contains over $400 worth of supplies, and if you purchase from me now, it is only $189.00! If you have spent more than $250 in Stampin' Up product in the past, this is the smartest way to go. You will get 30% off your first order, and 20% off subsequent orders for a minimum of 6 months, even if you hold no classes.

I am also offering to purchase the business supplies (for $30) from anyone who isn't interested in running a business, and just wants the stamping products. You will also get the Stampin' Up magazines for 6 months or more. Contact me by April 28th to get in on this savings!

Jo-Ann

stampinwithjoann@shaw.ca

Inspired in Seattle!

I am just recently back from Stampin' Up's seminar in Seattle, where I spent all day Saturday learning new stamping techniques, class ideas, and project ideas. I am so excited to share all these things with you!

It was an early start, getting up at 4am to drive to Seattle for a 7:30 start!

Here are Barb and Tracy, as we waited in line to get in. There was alot of swapping going on!

 

(Below) Here I am with my upline, and good friend, Kristina Koch. Kristina has an amazing group of over 200 Stampin' Up Demonstrators in the lower mainland! Her group is called Colorful Impressions, and Kristina is an inspiration to me, who leads a helpful, positive, inspiring and creative group of ladies, and I am proud to be associated with them. We were having such a great time!

 

Below are the attending ladies from my own Whimsical Impressions Demonstrator Team. We got a chance to chat with Shelli Gardner, the founder and CEO of Stampin' Up. (You can see a pic of Shelli's family in the front of each Stampin' Up catalogue) It is always an honor to hear Shelli speak, and see her show us her hand-stamped projects on stage. She is a very easy to approach, down to earth person, with an amazing business now in 7 countries around the world, and yet she is so humble.

(from left to right: Shauna, Tracy, Me, Shelli, Barb, Erin, Lisa) Welcome to our team, Lisa!

I look forward to sharing some of the fabulous things I learned with you, in the coming days, weeks and months! You are going to LOVE them as much as I do!!

Have a fabulous day!

Jo-Ann

Happy Easter!

Hope you are finishing off the wonderful Easter weekend with a great day! We've had some great family gatherings, with lots of food, chocolates and laughter. We've got one more gathering tonite, but in the meantime, I wanted to send you this Easter project.

 

This is a "Diaper Fold" gift pouch, and it uses no adhesive to hold it together.

 

We made a similar one for Valentines Day in Stamp Club....shown below.

It's very easy to do. If you'd like to learn how to make this, feel free to contact me at stampinwithjoann@shaw.ca and we can set up a time for me to show you! 

Happy Easter!

Jo-Ann