Stamp Crazy with Alison!

Canuck Fever!

Hello Stampers,

My son, Ian, likes to needle me about the Canucks (he's more of a soccer fan than hockey) and it's reaching fever pitch now that the Playoffs have started and we are playing our nemisis - the Chicago Blackhawks.

The other day I told him to lighten up on the rhetoric because it was really important to real fans to stay positive - my house is a Canuck Bashing Free Zone, regardless of the outcome.

So...today when I got home from some errands my son came out with a gift for me.  A Vancouver Canuck Jersey!  Isn't that awesome and such a thoughtful and sweet peace offering.  I was really touched - earned him BIG points considering he's a student and this set him back some bucks.

Love you Henrick, Daniel, Alex and Ryan...but especially you Ian!

Happy Stamping and GO CANUCKS GO!!

Alison

Occasion Mini Samples

Hello Stampers,

Another fresh card using the Easter Blossoms stamp set from the Occasion Mini set to retire at the end of April.  If you want this stamp set please email me to order before the end of the month.

If you want to place an online order you can do that easily through my website and shopping cart.

Visit my website and click on the Shop Now button in the top right hand corner.  Orders of $50 or more receive a free Class by Mail (instructions only delivered to your inbox).

This monochromatic colour scheme really works well with this stamp set and image!

 

 

 

Happy Stamping,

Alison

Nature's Walk

Hello Stampers,

 

My sister, Mo Dickie, received this beautiful card from her downline Lori Ann Bartels.  This is so gorgeous and uses the Nature's Walk stamp set.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a picture I took of a swap card my sister had in her samples - unfortunately I have no idea who create it but isn't it lovely?

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Stamping,

Alison

Easter Blossoms

Hello Stampers,

I really love the Easter Blossoms stamp set and here are two of my favourite swaps I've received in the last few months.

 

This card was made by my downline, Barb Baker and I really love the springtime fresh feel of the card.

So sweet!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This card is stunning in person and was designed and created by my downline Diane Evans.

Diane used the little girl from Easter Blossoms and embossed her in White.

The card is a flip flop, swing card. 

Just a gorgeous card!

 

 

 

 

Happy Stamping,

Alison

Swap Cards

Hello Stampers,

Just before I left for Toronto my dear friend and fellow Stampin' Up! demonstrator, Kristina Koch, invited me to join her team for a Shoebox Swap.  It was so much fun and I had a blast meeting her talented group of stampers.

Here are some of the cards I made at the swap (I'll share more over the next few days/weeks).

 

This first card is designed by our hostess, Kristina, and uses the Easter Blossom stamp set and the Two Tags Sizzix die for the Big Shot.

Kristina also uses the Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder and the Vintage Springtime DP.

Love this card!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unfortunately I don't know who made some of the cards but I really loved the design of this one using the Plane & Simple Stamp set.

I love all the layers!

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Stamping,

Alison

Watercolour Crayon Club

Hello Stampers,

Here are the cards we made at our Watercolour Crayon Club class this month. 

Each month four members meet and learn different techniques for Watercolour Crayons. Our last club is on May 5th and you can join us for $10 or free with a $50 purchase.

 

My sister, Ellie Blake, made me some awesome samples when I was visiting her in Toronto and I fell in love with this Gate Card.

  All I did to change it was to use Watercolour Crayons on the Coneflower image from Inspired by Nature.  I coloured directly on the rubber with the crayons and then spritzed it with water and immediately stamped it on Watercolour Paper.  Let dry and then add the grass image using the same technique.

This is such a fresh and "Springy" card.

 

 

 

 

 This card uses one of my favourite stamp sets - Lovely as a Tree.  

I stamped the trees in Black Staz On ink on Watercolour Paper.

Then I scribbled different colours of blue crayons in the "sky" area.

Then I did the same with greens/browns on the ground. 

Next I took my Aqua Painter and added lots of water and did a "wash" over the images blending the colours.

Finally I took different colours of crayon and took the colour off the crayon with the Aqua Painter and added it in dots on the the trees.  I deciced on a "fall" look but my customers had fun using different colours to create "seasons".

 

Happy Stamping,

Alison  

Club Cards - Big Shot!

Hello Stampers,

Another awesome year of Clubs came to an end in April - BUT we get to start a whole new round in May.  We have so much fun at our Clubs and my customers become close friends which is a side benefit of joining a club.

I have two active clubs running....

Techniques Club - we meet at 10:00 am and 7:00 pm on the 2nd Tuesday of each month.  You can come in the morning or evening.  Each club has 8 members so we run for 8 months and each month you commit to spending $30.  We learn two new techniques each month and you receive the full instructions and make a sample of each one.  Then we take one of these new techniques and create a project using the technique.

Big Shot Club - we meet at 10:30 am and 7:00 pm on the 1st Wednesday of each month.  The club projects focus on the Big Shot and the accessories and dies from the catalogue.  I have openings in this club as a lot of my members moved over to the Techniques Club for the next round.  Our first meeting will be on May 4th so if you'd like to join please email me!

Here are the latest projects we've made at the Big Shot Club.

 

This card uses the Elegant Line Embossing Folder along with the Butterfly Die. 

I added the strip of cardstock using the Ribbon Punch - I love this punch because you can make any colour of faux ribbon using cardstock. 

I soften the edges of the butterflies by sponging them with Whisper White Craft ink.  The pearls add a little elegance and just finish off the card nicely.

 

 

 

 

 

This was a card we did last month at club - it uses the same Elegant Lines Embossing Folder (can you tell that I LOVE this folder) along with the Fun Flowers die available in the current Occasion Mini catalogue.

The flower die is currently available for order but it will ship on May 2nd.

I used the Whisper White Craft ink to soften the edges of the black flowers and black ink on the edges of the newsprint DP flowers. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I saw this project at the Vancouver Regional event and loved it! 

Sorry for the picture quality - had to use my IPhone.

The colours are Pumpkin Pie and Wild Wasabi.  The die is the Petal Cone and it cuts the cone (which became the carrot) the 1/2 scallop (which I ran through the Polka Dot Embossing Folder) and the banner.

I ran some cardstock through the Crimper and then cut thin strips to make the the "straw" and then added the Lindt chocolate carrot as a treat for my club members.

The "carrot" is stamped in Pumpkin Pie using the Easter Blossoms stamp set.

 

 

Happy Stamping,

Alison

Catching Up

Hello Stampers,

I've been out of town and so have some catching up to do on my posts.

I also seem to have misplaced (notice I didn't say lost) my camera cable so I can transfer my photos to my photo editing software. So until it shows up I'm going to be using photos from my IPhone.  Not great but hopefully you'll get the idea.

 This card was created by my downline, Marilyn Carr, and I was so lucky to receive it in our last team meeting swap.

I love the vintage feel of this card.  The stamp set is Easter Blossoms and I love the way Marilyn turned the little girl image into a "cameo" - so clever!

This stamp set is available until April 30th so hurry if you want to add it to your stash.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love this card by Elaine Paget using the Sew Suite stamp set and accessories.

I really love the way Elaine stamped the ruler on the Crumb Cake Seam Binding - it really looks like a tape measure!

Again...if you like this stamp set you need to act quickly as it's gone at the end of April when the Occasion Mini ends.

 

 

 

Happy Stamping,

Alison 

NO April Fool's Joke!

Hello Stampers,

This is NO April Fool's Joke.  There is a great new fun promotion starting today and running until supplies are gone - we know how this works - act fast to avoid disappointment!

On the Clearance Rack there are some awesome NEW offerings - some as much as 80% off their original pricing.  check out the fun Grab Bags!  You can purchase as many as you like and each one will include products priced at 75% off their original prices. 

 These grab bags will come in three sizes:  $6, $12 and $18.  Each bag will contain a variety of discontinued items that could include a combination of any of the following: ribbons, Accents & Elements, chipboard, Designer Series Papers, and Simply Sent kit components. Grab bags will not contain stamp sets or tools.

Please keep the following in mind:

• Grab bag orders can only be placed on orders  in the Online Store. There is no minimum purchase required to participate in the grab bag special offer.
• There is no limit to the number of grab bags you may purchase; however, grab bag items are only available while supplies last. 
• All grab bag sales are final. There are no refunds or exchanges.
• Not all grab bags will be unique.
• You should use the following item numbers when ordering grab bags:

Item	Description
125873	$6 Grab Bag (containing at least $24 worth of products!)
125874	$12 Grab Bag (containing at least $48 worth of products!)
125875	$18 Grab Bag (containing at least $72 worth of products!)

So visit my Online Store to place your clearance rack and grab bag orders before they are gone.  I will be placing an order today so if you'd like me to place the order for you I can but you run the risk of it being gone.  If you really want something place your own order online.

Plus, when your order is $25 or more you can order a Sneak Peak stamp set and gorgeous matching Designer Papers too as part of the Spring is Blossoming Promotion!  The stamp set is called  Four Framesand matches the Designer Label Punch perfectly (of course).  The Paisley Petals DP is stunning - you won't believe how beautiful the colours and designs are in this paper.  The set and paper will be available in the new catalogue due out on July 1st but during April you can purchase them as a Sneak Peak item!

Tomorrow, April 2nd, is my official Stampin' Up! Anniversary as a Demonstrator.  It's been 9 years since I signed up for this wonderful adventure and I can't believe how much my life has changed and been enriched by the opportunities I've had and the wonderful people I've met as we enjoy crafting together.  Thanks so much for all your support!

Happy Stamping,

Alison