I am a quasi-hobby independent Stampin' Up! demonstrator. I do not book parties but I specialize in one on one instruction plus I still wanted a space to show off my cards and share advice about stamping and papercraft. Enjoy! All stamped images and paper are (c) Stampin' Up.

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Saturday 25 January 2020

January Stamping Project: 2020 Occasions Catalogue Sampler Swap

It's been a while since I did a swap--and this time it was another sampler swap. Each stamper picks a stamp set and makes five cards or papercraft items using the stamps. You don't have to use every stamp on every time. I picked French Countryside from the new 2020 Occasions Mini-Catalogue. To be honest, I didn't put much thought into my choice until I started making some sketches. Then, everything I planned went out the window!

Whereas my previous sampler swap had too many sentiments, French Countryside has no sentiments. I'll talk about each design in the order that I made them.

When in doubt, stamp it out. After I felt stuck for the first card, I stamped all over a 12x12" sheet of Purple Posy cardstock. France has a huge textile history, so I tried to make it look like antique fabric by repeating the motifs. The die cut is from Detailed Bands and the sentiment is from Butterfly Gala stamped in Pretty Peacock. I actually researched French country style for this swap and the colours tend to be very neutral or distressed. I tried embossing the front panel with the Subtle embossing folder, hated it, and then just sponged on some Crumbcake ink instead.

Stampin Up French Countryside Card
Click on any photo for a larger view

With card number two, I went back to basics with a simple cartoon style layout. The benefit is that each stamp is highlighted on its own. It was quick to cut the Very Vanilla panels once I figured out the dimensions. The base is Gray Granite cardstock stamped in Pretty Peacock with the All Wired Up background stamp. A little pink pencil crayon over the images gave them a boost. I did some research on French countryside colours and it turns out that neutral and subtle shades are just what I needed.

Stampin Up French Countryside Card


Like my papercrafters, I hoard paper. It's so precious! So pretty! I found some leftover current DSP and cut them into front panels. I still didn't know what this card was going to look like, but at least doing something would help me get over my fear of a blank card. These two stamps looked great together, so again I used Pretty Peacock. Pretty Peacock pretty much goes with everything! The hello is from Free As a Bird and the dies are from the Stitched Nested Labels set. This card let me use up some more leftover cardstock with the punched leaves.

Stampin Up French Countryside Card

The clock started ticking on getting the swaps done, so the fourth card was super simple. No sentiments. Just the house stamped in Crumbacake ink on Very Vanilla cardstock, followed by a die cut, embossed oval frame from the Heirloom Frames Dies And 3D Embossing Folder set. This was my first time using the set and it was a little tricky. Die cut first, then emboss. Going with tone on tone or a subtle like Purple Posy worked great!

Stampin Up French Countryside Card

Sometimes planning interferes with action and with this final swap card I used my Stamparatus and a paper mask to create a scene. However, I needed to put a lot of work in to pull it all off. I used sponging and pencil crayon to give the background some oomph. Then I went over the stamps with a mechanical pencil to help with the contrast. Mix blue and orange and you get brown...hence my use of Terracotta Tile for the label. I'm not happy with the label - it feels big. An ornate die would have looked better, I think. Sometimes one gets a little more arty than crafty :-D

Stampin Up French Countryside Card

Swapping was a ton of fun. I enjoyed the sets I received in return and I'll share them another day :-)



Your Friend, Christine


Saturday 18 January 2020

Don't forget about Paper Pumpkin!

LOL, it's easy to forget that Paper Pumpkin exists. It's Stampin' Up's monthly mystery subscription box. I received one when I became a demo years ago, but I only recently subscribed after Mom showed an interest in cardmaking. The kits come with adhesive dots, but I prefer my favourite tear tap. Regardless, you're good to go!

You get an acrylic stamping block in your first order, so make sure not to throw it away :) Each kit may vary--cards, treat boxes, ornaments--but they all contain an exclusive stamp set. There are more than enough supplies to make all the projects.


You don't even have to make it like the picture :) You can use the die cuts with other Stampin' Up! items from the regular catalogue as the colours coordinate. "Alternative" projects can be found all over Facebook or Pinterest. For instance, Mom and I made cards instead of gift tags from the November 2019 Winter Gifts box and I gave December's box to Mom so she would have the perfect cards on hand. I introduced a friend of mine to the world of stamping in only 15 minutes with February's box :D Paper Pumpkins can be shared with anyone! Cardmaking can be really intimidating and people easily build confidence when they have success early on.

Be sure to subscribe by the tenth of every month to get that month's kit. Shipping is included in the price plus you can suspend a subscription or cancel anytime, so give Paper Pumpkin a try!

Your Friend, Christine

Tuesday 14 January 2020

Purple Posy Tips from Stampin' Up!

As many of you may recall, Purple Posy ink pads just were not to be. The markers and paper are still available, however.

However, since Purple Posy is a cousin to Highland Heather, you can still try and get the look. Stampin' Up! offered these tips recently:
  • Stamp on Purple Posy Cardstock (item 150881) using VersaMark Ink (item 102283) to create a tone-on-tone look.
  • Heat emboss using Clear Stampin’ Emboss Powder (item 109130) on Purple Posy Cardstock.
  • Add 6–8 drops of Highland Heather Classic Stampin’ Ink Refill (item 147167) to a Stampin’ Spritzer (item 126185), then dilute with rubbing alcohol to reach your desired color. Spritz the mixture onto your project.
  • Use Highland Heather Classic Stampin’ Ink (item 147103) with a Sponge Brayer (item 141714), Stamping Sponge (item 141337), Aqua Painter (item 103954), or stamped off. These methods look especially great on Purple Posy Cardstock!
  • Color cling stamps using a Purple Posy Stampin’ Write Marker (item 150079) before stamping.
  • Color stamped images using either light or dark Purple Posy Stampin’ Blends (item 149566).
  • Stamp on Purple Posy Cardstock using VersaMark Ink to create a tone-on-tone look.
  • Heat emboss using Clear Stampin’ Emboss Powder (item 109130) on Purple Posy Cardstock.
  • Add 6–8 drops of Highland Heather Classic Stampin’ Ink Refill to a Stampin’ Spritzer, then dilute with rubbing alcohol to reach your desired color. Spritz the mixture onto your project.
  • Use Highland Heather Classic Stampin’ Ink with a Sponge Brayer, Stamping Sponge, Aqua Painter, or stamped off. These methods look especially great on Purple Posy Cardstock!
  • Color cling stamps using a Purple Posy Stampin’ Write Marker before stamping.
  • Color stamped images using either light or dark Purple Posy Stampin’ Blends.


Your Friend, Christine

Sunday 5 January 2020

Time to Sale-A-Brate!

Stampers always have something to look forward to in the New Year--Stampin' Up!'s Sale-A-Bration. There are usually two rounds of nifty rewards and the first one is pretty sweet, with stamps, punches, dies, paper and more--check it out!. Sale-A-Bration runs from January 3-March 31, 2020.

The fun part of being a demonstrator, even a hobby demo, is that I can order products in advance. I chose these rewards: Thoughtful Blooms and matching punch, Lovely Lily Pad and the Lily Pad Impressions paper. The Lily Pad Impressions paper is quite bold and I'm not sure I have a big enough personality to use it, but we'll see!

Sale-A-Bration rewards
2020 Sale-A-Bration Rewards

I couldn't resist getting these stamps from the 2020 Occasions Mini-Catalogue. The mini-catalogue runs from January 3 to June 2, 2020, so there is lots of time to order. If you love punches, there are loads to choose from like the Heartfelt Bundle. I bought Special Someone as I'm an animal lover and Breathtaking Bouquet because it's a fabulous giant floral stamp with so much possibilities.


Stay tuned for some sampler swap fun from me and my Ink-Cited Canadians team mates!


Your Friend, Christine