Tall Ships

This was the view from my office window yesterday as the Tall Ships were arriving. Too bad it was such a cloudy day... I'm so fortunate to have such a wonderful view - the float planes take off and land over our building, I can see the inner harbour (at a distance) and it's always great to look out and see the water.

So, here's my tip for seeing the Tall Ships if you don't want to drive downtown and battle the crowds. When they were here last, we took the Harbour Taxi over. It was perfect. The Harbour Taxi leaves from Esquimalt right by the Princess Mary restaurant (used to be the Fin and Gill restaurant). It's right where all the float homes are. When we did this last year, we went early one morning before it got too busy and the Harbour Taxi actually did a little tour of some of the ships so it was neat to see them from the water. We got off at the Empress and wandered around for a bit and then took the Harbour Taxi back. No need to look for parking, walk any great distance or deal with downtown traffic. And, you get a little boat trip as a bonus!

Whatever you plan to do this weekend, I hope you have a great one! We're heading to Vancouver tomorrow until Sunday and are very excited to have a four day weekend! : )

Oh, don't miss the popsicle card post below...

Happy stampin'!

Bev.

So amazingly creative!

I wish I knew who had originally created this card, but I've seen it in several different places now so I just have no idea who was so amazingly creative! I just know that I am so thankful that they shared their creativity so I could share it with you. Isn't this card the cutest?!! If you haven't already ordered the Tart & Tangy stamp set (only available until June 30th), then this is the card that just might convince you... It got me! I had seen many cute cards made with the set, but had resisted buying it until I saw this popsicle card.

This card is actually really easy to make. The main card is a piece of 4 1/2" x 5 1/2" Only Orange card stock, scored and folded in half so that it is 4 1/2" x 2 3/4". Then I used the Scallop punch to make the bite out of the top corner - you'll only be able to punch through one layer of card stock at a time so punch the first layer then close your card so you can line your punch up to punch the second layer in the same place as the first.

The inside piece of Whisper White card stock is 2 1/2" x 4 1/4". Be sure to stamp this one first before you assemble the card as you won't be able to stamp with the popsicle stick under this piece.

I also used the Corner Rounder on all of the remaining corners - don't forget to do this on your white piece as well! Next, I attached the popsicle stick to the Only Orange piece using SNAIL adhesive. When you are ready to put the Whisper White piece in, use two Dimensionals - one on each of the bottom corners. This will allow room for the popsicle stick which ends up sandwiched between the layers of card stock. Then I just ran a bit of SNAIL adhesive down the popsicle stick again so that it would also stick to the Whisper White card stock and put a little at the top of the Whisper White card stock.

Stamp the orange slice and punch it out using the 1 1/4" circle punch. Layer it on a piece of Yoyo Yellow card stock that's been punched with the 1 3/8" circle punch.

And, notice the ribbon... I added some Yoyo Yellow onto the Pumpkin Pie striped ribbon using a Stampin' Write Marker. So simple! And, the ribbon is attached to the popsicle stick with Sticky Strip.

Now, you could easily change the colour of this card - imagine stamping the citrus slice in green for a lime popsicle or in yellow for a lemon one. There's also a strawberry in the stamp set so you could easily make this a red popsicle. And, you could use the cherries on that one instead of the strawberry. So much fun! I think this would make a perfect party invite for a summer birthday or a BBQ.

Don't miss out on this great stamp set! It's only $15.76...

Happy stampin'!

Bev.

(All images copyright 1990-2008 Stampin' Up!)

Wonderful You

This is another card from last weekend's Stamp-A-Stack. I like the bright colours on this card and the different way to layer card stock in behind the main image - it's refreshing to see the Regal Rose card stock cut differently so it's not just another layer...

This card uses the Wonderful You stamp set. In order to stamp this and not have the leaves layered on top of the flowers, we used the masking technique. It's really quite simple - stamp the flowers first. Then stamp them again onto a Post-It Note so that part of the flower is on the sticky part of the note. Cut it out, preferably just inside the line of the flower. Stick the Post-It Note cut outs on top of the stamped flowers and then stamp the leaves (these were stamped off once). Once you are done, you can easily remove the Post-It Note cut outs and you will not have the leaves stamped on top of the flowers.

By the way, just a reminder that the Occasions Mini Catalogue will expire in just a few days - June 30th is your last chance to order any of the items in this mini catalogue!

Happy stampin'!

Bev.

(All images copyright 1990-2008 Stampin' Up!)

From Alicia

This past weekend, I enjoyed a wonderful BBQ with some of my downline group and their families. It's always so nice to get together with my stamping friends... And, of course, when a bunch of Stampin' Up! demonstrators gather, there's almost always a swap! So here's one of the great cards that I received. This one is from Alicia and it's such a fun card, especially when you see it in person! You miss seeing the glitter in this scan - check out the icing on the cake... it's Fine Cosmo Stampin' Glitter. And have a close look at the ribbon - Alicia added colour to Whisper White Grosgrain using a Tempting Turquoise Stampin' Write Marker. I love this card!

Well, must run... I have a closet to clean out... ughh!

Happy stampin'!

Bev.

(All images copyright 1990-2008 Stampin' Up!)

Just Like You

Just a really quick post this morning as I don't have much time... but I wanted to get a new card up here. This is one that I made for this past weekend's Stamp-A-Stack using two stamp sets that are retiring. The butterflies, stamped in Cameo Coral, Lavender Lace and Certainly Celery, are from the Sweet Shapes stamp set and the greeting - "it's just like you to be so nice!" is from the Just Like You stamp set. Such a fun and simple card.

Hope you had a great weekend!

Happy stampin'!

Bev.

(All images copyright 1990-2008 Stampin' Up!)

New Product Line Announced!

Make a Statement - Personalize your Space...
with Decor Elements! NEW from Stampin' Up!

This week, Stampin' Up! announced a new product line that is being launched. Décor Elements is a line of wall art made from vinyl used to decorate your home. They are self-adhesive vinyl wall decorations that can be used on walls, windows, plates, vases, mirrors, picture frames - anything the vinyl will cling to! There are 50 different designs, available in 2 sizes and 2 colours per design! As time goes on, Stampin' Up! plans to introduce more designs in more colours!

This exciting new product will be available to customers on July 1st. Watch for more details!

Happy stampin' and decorating! : )

Bev.

From Lorraine

Look closely at the lighthouse on this card. Lorraine used a technique called split negative. It's fairly easy, but takes a bit of practice. Basically, she stamped and embossed the lighthouse twice - one on Basic Black card stock using white emboss powder and once on Whisper White card stock using black emboss powder. Once both pieces cooled, she cut them down the centre and then matched the two pieces up to create this look. The great thing is that you can do the same with the two remaining pieces - they'll just be reversed - and you can make another card! One tip is to make sure the card stock you are stamping on is the same size as this will make it easier to cut them in half and line them up properly. Thank you for the lovely card, Lorraine!

Be sure to check the list of retiring stamp sets in the post below if you haven't already...

Happy stampin'!

Bev.

(All images copyright 1990-2008 Stampin' Up!)

Retiring Stamp Sets List

Where Do Stamps Go When They Retire?

The same places we do! After years of dedicated service, the following stamp sets from the Spring-Summer Collection 2008 are retiring. So, let’s give them a big sendoff and wish them all the best as they begin a new chapter in their lives. But don’t wait too long—they’re only available through August 10, 2008, and then they’re headed to warmer climes!

Alphabetical list is available here.

List by page number is available here.

Order anytime before August 10th by emailing me at bevennis@shaw.ca.

28 - Forever in My Heart
28 - Sealed with a Kiss
30 - Never-Ending Joy
31 - Give Thanks
31 - Peace to the World
32 - Block Party
34 - Snow Flurries
35 - Festive Favourites
35 - The Snowflake Spot
36 - Peaceful Wishes
40 - Eat Cake
48 - Be Happy
50 - Dilly-Dally
52 - Dare to Be Darling
52 - Greetings Galore
56 - Artfully Asian
56 - Perennial Favourites
56 - Tagger's Dozen
59 - All Through the Year
60 - Year after Year
61 - Unfrogettable
62 - Whale Wishes
64 - Here, Kitty Kitty
64 - Yappy Day
68 - Sweet Thing
74 - Elementary Essentials
86 - Polka Dots & Paisley
87 - Polka Dots & Petals
88 - Wild Rose
92 - Bud Basics
92 - Just Like You
93 - Two Cute
97 - So Much
99 - Blossoms Abound
100 - Noble Deer
100 - Wildlife Reserve
101 - Happy Camper
104 - Touch of Nature
110 - Background Basics
114 - All in a Row
114 - So Happy
116 - Big Pieces
116 - Little Pieces
117 - Sweet Shapes
118 - Carte Postale
119 - Trimtastic
124 - Office Accoutrement
127 - Labelicious
128 - Create a Coupon
129 - Stamp of Authenticity
130 - Check It Out
130 - Property Lines
134 - French Flair
134 - Weathered
135 - Dotted
135 - Flannel Plaid
135 - Print Pattern
136 - Flower Friend
136 - Word Search
138 - Amazing to Zany
139 - A to Z Accents
141 - It's Your Birthday
143 - Circle of Friendship
144 - Much Appreciated
154 - all Monogram Alphabet Lower letters (a through z)
159 - Best Friends Alphabet Lower
159 - Best Friends Alphabet Upper
159 - Best Friends Numbers
159 - Rough Edges Mini Alphabets
Dormant List - Glad Tidings
Dormant List - Snowfall

You're a blast!

This card is Sonia's creation... she made it as a make and take for our group meeting. This rocket ship is great - great to have a card for a little boy! The stamp is from the Pun Fun stamp set. The detail at the bottom is really nice on this card - we punched 1/2" circles in Brilliant Blue textured card stock then 1/4" circles in Bashful Blue and attached these with silver brads. The patterned paper is from the Jersey Shore Designer Series package and it's also combined with Pumpkin Pie and Garden Green card stock. Thanks for the fun card, Sonia!!

Happy stampin'!

Bev.

(All images copyright 1990-2008 Stampin' Up!)

Live Your Dream

Here's another card with this great stamp set. Live Your Dream is in the Occasions Mini Catalogue - these flowers are so nice! This card is from my friend, Alicia. She stamped the flowers onto Kraft card stock with VersaMark ink and then used a Sponge Dauber to add the colour with Stampin' Pastels - this is a technique called Popping Pastels. She layered this onto Perfect Plum and More Mustard then onto a Garden Green card that he had stamped with the flower stamp from the same set. Such a great card - thanks, Alicia!!

I hope you had a great weekend... mine was fantastic!

Happy stampin'!

Bev.

(All images copyright 1990-2008 Stampin' Up!)

Another June special!

It's time to eScape... Put down the phone, turn off the computer, and break free from the 'e'! Remember when you got letters in your mailbox instead of your inbox? During June, unplug, unwind, and reconnect on a personal level with friends and loved ones through handmade cards.

Stampin' Up! is helping to make it easy to give a handmade greeting with a 25% discount on the eScape bundle which contains (click on products to view in our online catalogue):

Circle of Friendship stamp set (p. 143)
Love Notes assortment (p. 167)
Rose Red Classic Stampin' Pad (p. 165)
Very Vanilla 5/8" grosgrain ribbon (p. 191)

Total (purchased individually): $51.70
eBundle Price: $36.00!!

I invite you to eScape with me throughout the month of June! Send a hand-stamped greeting to a friend, family member or acquaintence for no reason at all! Just let them know you are thinking about them... you can be sure that they will appreciate your kindness!

Happy stampin'!

Bev.

(All images copyright 1990-2008 Stampin' Up!)

June Special - Fresh Cuts!

Whether you're a customer or a hostess, June's sneak peek into the Fall-Winter 2008 Idea Book & Catalogue has something fresh and new just for you! Isn't this a beautiful stamp set? I've just received mine and I am looking forward to creating with it! In June, you may order this 5 piece stamp set for only $25.95 (and it's die-cut too!). If you order the set you can add on a package of these 15 gorgeous die-cut notes and envelopes for only $5.95 (regular price is $10.95). AND if you are a hostess in June and your workshop total is $525 or more, you earn the Fresh Cut Stamp Set and Notes for FREE!

Contact me at bevennis@shaw.ca to order your Fresh Cuts package today!

Happy stampin'!

Bev.

(All images copyright 1990-2008 Stampin' Up!)

Happy...

I decided to post this card today because it's a really happy day for me!

This card was created by Anne for our demonstrator swap. I love that Anne was able to use some Rose Red Prints Designer Series Paper on this card. She has embossed the word "happy" and the circles on the background. There are two stamp sets on this card - Think Happy Thoughts and Polka Dots & Paisley. Thanks so much for the cute card, Anne!

So, why is today a happy day? Well, because today we got word that we are approved to do respite care for a little baby who is in foster care. She will be with us one weekend a month and we are just thrilled!! She's coming to spend the day with us on Sunday and I can't wait... We met her last week and she is such an adorable little girl. It will be so much fun to have a baby here every month... oh, and I went on a big baby shopping spree this weekend so that also made me very happy! : )

Happy stampin'!

Bev.

(All images copyright 1990-2008 Stampin' Up!)

Getting ready for Dad's Day...

It's June 1st which means that it's time to start thinking about Father's Day cards. Here's one great card for inspiration which came from Melanie in our card swap. This card is made using the Dad's Day stamp set and I have to admit that I had not really noticed this set until I saw this card. I like that it's a bit more informal - "Happy Dad's Day".

I hope you had a great weekend! Mine was very fun and very busy... We went to see Cirque du Soleil on Friday night and it was fantastic!! Then I babysat our friends' four girls on Saturday... aged 6, 4 and 21-month old twins. Lots of fun but I sure don't know how their Mom manages! I felt like I had accomplished so much when I got both of the twins to nap at the same time! And, today, I shopped all day! I haven't done that in a while so it was great!

Have a great week. Happy June and happy stampin'!

Bev.

(All images copyright 1990-2008 Stampin' Up!)