The Sochi 2014 Olympics officially get underway today with many athletes pursuing the ultimate goal – GO FOR GOLD.  All over the world, people are supporting their favourite teams in a multitude of events.  Many new events have opened up for these 22nd Winter Olympics.

Controversy prevails at these Olympics with threats of terrorism, human rights violations, venues not completed, and dangerous conditions on some of the event runs. Despite the controversie, the athletes are there, ready to go, after many years of preparation and sacrifice to get to the ultimate pinnacle in sport – the gold metal.

We, that sit on the sidelines, need to support the endeavors of the athletes and appreciate the time, effort and tenacity that they have shown to “GO FOR GOLD”

In support of the athletes, I have created a card and box using the appropriately named card kit “Good as Gold”.  This card kit is one of the Sale-a-Bration Free items that you can receive when you place a $60.00 Stampin Up order.

This “Good as Gold” kit come with everything you need to complete 8 cards or whateveryou choose to make.  I created a gift box from one of the card bases (idea came from Dawn Olchefske) and it will hold a couple of treats.  What a great way to say “thank you” or perhaps a “thinking of you”.

Order your Stampin’ Up! products from my ONLINE STORE (minimum order $60.00) to receive your FREE Sale-a-Bration products.

Good luck to our Canadian Sochi 2014 Olympic athletes as they go for GOLD.

Happy Stamping

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Have you heard about the My Paper Pumpkin Free Gift?  Do you know that if you are a first time subscriber and you subscribe before February 10th, you will receive a FREE set of the 2013-15 In Color Markers?

So, what is My Paper Pumpkin?

My Paper Pumpkin is a monthly subscription with projects that you can complete in a short period of time.

You will receive all the products to complete a project.  There are the papers, stamps, ink spots, and any embellishments.  With the February My Paper Pumpkin, the stamps will be the photo polymer stamps rather than the rubber stamps.  The photo polymer stamps are completely clear. Because of this change, Stampin Up will now offer more products in the kits.

What is the cost?

The kits are $24.95 and that includes shipping.  Taxes will be added when the order is finalized.

Can I cancel my subscription?

Yes, you are able to cancel your subscription at any time.

Do I have to order each month?

No, once you have set up subscription you don’t have to worry about ordering every month.

What do I get in my first My Paper Pumpkin?

Along with the products to make 4 cards, you will receive the clear block to mount your stamps ($12.95 value) plus the In Color Markers ($19.95 value).  That is $32.00 in absolutely free product.

Do I have to make the suggested projects?

No, you can use your creativity to create whatever you desire.

When does the In Color promotion end?

You must sign up for your subscription before February 10th.

Where do I go to sign up.

Go to www.mypaperpumpkin.com and click on the “Subscribe” button.

When asked for a demonstrator, please use my name – Karen Gilbert

To see the possibilities, view the video below.

Here are the cards that I created with the January My Paper Pumpkin kit.

I did add a few other items to the cards to make them mine.  You can do the same thing with your projects.

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Today, December 21st marks the first day of winter.  Why do I need to talk about that?  Well, because this is the shortest day in the year…of course for those of us who live in Canada,  north of the equator.  When we say first day of winter is the shortest day of the year, it’s the amount of daylight we receive.  And because we are at the low point, the days starts to have more daylight until we reach the June solstice.

Right now we receive about 7 hours of daylight, however, the farther north you go, it could be 0 hours of daylight.  So what do you do on these type of days?  It could be cold and snowy and sometimes with the wind chill factor way too cold to go outside.

Well, my first answer sometimes is to curl up with a cozy blanket, a cup of hot chocolate and a good book.  Other things to do would be to bake cookies to have with your hot chocolate, spend time on family activities, maybe playing a game (not electronic)..try a board game.  Around this time of the year with Christmas only 3 days away, it’s great to make some traditions and preserve the memories.

 For me, one of my go to things is crafting.  I have been making my own wrapping and tags for gifts this year and I have a few sample of what I have been working on.

I tried out a few techniques of these packages and some even use new products from the 2014 Occasions catalogue.

One of the muslin bags was stamped with the Gold encore ink using a dauber to create a pattern, on the other bag, double sided sticky tape was attached in a diagonal pattern and then dipped in Champagne Glass Stampin’ Glitter.  The box is part of the Tag a Bag Gift Boxes and it is decorated with the Season of Style paper, the festive flurry stamp set and matching die cut.  This packaging can be used for other occasions as well.

Last but not least are the tags created from the Pop and Place tag set.  This set is available until December 31st, so if you want to get ahead for next year, you can still purchase the set.

So, having told you what I often do during the first day of winter, what do you do?  Leave me a comment..I would love to see how you spend it.

If you require any supplies to make these packages, visit my ONLINE STORE.

Happy Stamping

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There are a lot of children Halloween craft ideas out there, and I have one that is fun and is suitable for children 6 and up.

A couple of weeks ago, I had my grandchildren over for a visit and decided to do a craft with them.  I did learn a few lessons, ie, don’t do anything that takes too long.  However, we did survive and they and myself had a lot of fun.

It was interesting to watch them, fan fold papers, stamping what ever they liked and deciding which papers to use and which colours to stamp with.

In the end, I had to to do a bit of finishing for them, however the results were great.

Sarah with her Boo Banner

Nathan with his Boo Banner

By the time we finished, there was a lot of sticky glue around and a few fingers and hands that had black ink on them – it was a fun time.

One of the tools they enjoyed was the Big Shot – who doesn’t love using the Big Shot!!

Another craft that children would enjoy is making their own tags for gifts.  One that would suit the little ones to the big ones is the Pop & Place Holiday Gift Tag and Stamp Set. 

You can purchase this kit in various configurations and it would be a great Christmas craft to do with your little ones.  No real experience is needed.

Available October 4, 2013 – December 31, 2013

There are 3 configurations that you can purchase,

Gift Tag Book (134975) $11.95

Gift Tag Bundle (135921) $22.95

Gift Tag Starter Bundle (135290) $27. 95

For more details and to purchase, visit my ONLINE STORE

Happy Stamping

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The number one question asked is “Why does Stampin’ Up! change their products and/or discontinue them. 

Can you image going into a retail store time and time again and the product never changes?  How many times would you go back?  Keeping products fresh and interesting is what brings customers into the store and it’s no different with Stampin’ Up! products.

I know that it can be annoying if you really love a certain product or a certain color and you are unable to get it any longer but look what you may be missing if you were not given the opportunity to try something new.

Fashions come and go and so does paper crafting.  Yes there are trends ie, vintage, contemporary and often you see what is happening in fashion or decor trends and these trends are mimicked in the paper crafting world.  Take for instance the chevron.  You see that design in clothing, drapes, wall paper, bed linens etc.

People like to change things up a bit.

For the past year, Stampin’ Up! has tried out a number of new things.  They introduced My Paper Pumpkin, clear stamps, which my the way stick like glue to the blocks, kits to go, and the new thinlit die cuts.  They are not waiting for the next catalogue but are bringing these new items to the market place just as quickly as they can.  This keeps my customers happy because it’s just not the same old same old.

In fact, Stampin’ Up! introduced a new product last week.  It’s the Everyday Occasions Kit.  This kit comes complete with everything you need to complete the cards except for the adhesive.

For more details and to order this versatile kit click on the image

The Everyday Occasions kit includes:

* Card stock and envelopes for 20 cards
* Twine, buttons & clips
* Pre-cut paper embellishments
* Mini ink pads (Stampin’ Spots)
* Seven-piece Occasions Stamp Set & clear stamp block
* Full color Tips & Tricks brochure for making the cards
* A cool, storable, giftable box

All of this for $36.95, that’s less than $2.00 per card.  Would this save you money and time?  You bet it would.  You can have all these cards made up for that they are ready to go when you need one.  The stamps, clear block and ink, you can use over and over again.

I hope that I have answered the number one question asked of me.  If you have questions you would like answered, please contact me EMAIL

Happy Stamping

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Halloween is still a couple of months away and I wanted to show you what you could do with the Banner Simply Created Kit and the Halloween Banner Simply Created Accessory Kit.

The banners and the accessory kits are fabulous as they save you time and energy to create designer banner – plus banners are all the rage right now. 

Everyone has limited time and/or supplies so these two delightful kits solve those 2 issues.  Woo Hoo!

Here’s How to Put the Banner Together

• Create a couple of rosettes from other designer papers
• Ink up the chevron emboss folder and transfer design by inserting canvas in the folder and rolling with a rolling pin.
• The second banner background is created using the images from the Halloween Hello stamp set and randomly stamping the images using Black Stazon ink.
• Create the bat by cutting out an oval, cutting in half and then use the large oval punch to create the wings.
• Cover the bat with Versa Mark ink, sprinkle with Heat and Stick powder, melt with heat gun, sprinkle Black Glitter over the bat and heat again.
• Stamp the “Bats About You” image on basic black paper with Whisper White Craft ink and cut out
• Mount to a piece of Basic Black paper that you have treated with Heat and Stick Powder and Orange Glitter.
• Create the third banner by attaching Designer Series Paper, create a rosette, and attach one of the large embellishments from the kit – attach a small Summer Starfruit button to the Black Vintage faceted button with Linen Thread and glue to one eye on the skull.
• Stamp the candelabra image on Basic Black using Versa Mark and cover with Heat and Stick powder and then the Orange Glitter.
• When the banners are completed, string together with the Jute Twine, leaving spaces to tie ribbon onto different places.

Voila, you have a Halloween banner

The letters were created using MDS (My Digital Studio) and then imported in Silhouette software and cut out using the Silhouette onto Whisper White card stock. 

Stamps: Halloween Hello (c – 131721, w- 131718/, p21 2013 Holiday Catalogue)

Paper: Crushed Curry, Whisper White, Basic Black, Howlstooth DSP (retired)

Ink: Black Stazon, Whisper White Craft Ink, Tangerine Tango

Accessories: Banner Simply Created Kit, Halloween Banner Simply Created Accessory Kit, Big Shot, Chevron Embossing Folder, Oval Framelits, Versa Mark, Heat and Stick Powder, Orange Glitter, Black Glitter, 2-3/8 Scallop Circle Punch, 1-1/4” Circle Punch, Large Oval Punch,  Linen Thread, MDS – Sweet Details Alphabet and Numbers, Silhouette Cameo

The banner kit comes with 18 5″ x 7″ canvas pennants – 6 each of 3 designs.  Each of the banners have grommets in both corners and there is also 9′ of jute twine.

So, if you use 3 of the banners in a project, you will get 6 projects.  Value or what.

Click on Image for more info and to Shop My Store

The Halloween Banner kit comes with rosettes, glittered die-cut accents, ribbon, buttons so you can do your banner up right!

If you choose to, you can use other papers, embellishments and ribbons to stretch this kit for 2 banners.

Click on the image for more info and Shop My Store

Have fun and Happy Stamping

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Flowers do say Spring and now you can make your very own bouquet of flowers.

Stampin’ Up! has introduced a kit that comes fully stocked with everything you need to make the bouquet.  You can start ordering this kit today, April 29, 2012.

Bloomin’ Bouquet Item #134542

Bonus Flower

So what do you get in your kit?

Well, there are enough supplies to make 12 very pretty flowers plus a bonus flower

What colors do you receive?

There is Pool Party, Gumball Green, Calypso Coral, Daffodil Delight and Rich Razzleberry

What embellishments are in the kit?

You receive 13 Vintage Faceted Buttons.

What about the stems?

Yes, you receive stems so that you can put them into a vase.

 Watch this video so that you can see how easy it is to put their kit together.

Here’s some ideas for your bouquet

Mother’s Day,  teacher appreciation, Just because,thank you with this no-maintenance bouquet. With the extra flower, gift it to some who has helped you out and make their day, maybe the person who packs your groceries, the bank teller, or the person who holds open the door for you.  The possibilities are endless.  The best thing about this bouquet, there’s no watering, no weeding-just enjoy.

All you need is some paper, ribbon or a vase to add the finishing touches to the bouquet, and your adhesive.  A glue gun is recommended in the video to put the bouquet together.

So, check out my Online Store HERE to get your bouquet because they are only available while quantities last.

You can make up this kit yourself, or you can gift it to a person who would like to try out paper crafting.

Happy Stamping

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Previous to the Family Day being declared a Provincial Holiday , it was always a very long stretch to Easter.  With winter being dreary, cold and the short days of sunlight, there is a reprieve.

However, there are still those who will not be able to take the holiday today to spend with family and those are the ones who provide services like the police, fireman, health care workers.  Hopefully they will receive an extra day at sometime to take that time with there families.

Of course many families are spread out and can’t spend the time together.  I hope that they have reached out to others to perhaps make their day a little bit better.

So, what did I do?  I spent the time making Valentine Cards for my Grandchildren.  The first one I would like to share is the one for my Granddaughter, the girly girl.!  Of course nothing says Girly Girl like pink.  So, I took some artistic liberty and made Henry a pink polka dotted elephant.  I hope he doesn’t mind.

Stamps: Henry Says ( c – 128093, w- 128090, p15 2013 Spring Catalogue

Paper: Real Red, Subtle Stack DSP

Ink: Basic Grey, Real Red

Accessories: Artisan Kit, Whisper White Ribbon, Scallop Oval Punch

This card came together quickly because of the Artisan Kit.  Everything was in one place so I didn’t have to go hunting for the doilies, the resin heart or the tickets.  How divine. 

The only thing that took a bit of time was fussy cutting Henry.  That was the least I could do for him when I turned him into a Girly Girl.

Artisan Kit

This kit is only $11.95 and is worth every penny..

See you next time with my Grandson’s Valentine’s Card

Happy Stamping!

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This kit comes will 8 die cut printed boxes, note card, buttons, die cut printed paper embellishment sheet, baker’s twine and dimensionals.  The only things you have to supply are the inks you wish to use, any punches and adhesives.

There are so many ways that this kit can be used.  Not only can you make the boxes and decorate them, you can use the kit for scrapbooking, cards, home decor, gifts and a whole lot more…imagination will get you some really interesting designs.

Check out this video to find out more about the Boutique Boxes Designer Kits.

What are your suggestions for using these Boutique Boxes Designer Kits?  Leave me a comment below.

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Yes, for every $60.00 you spend on product, you will be able to order a product from the SAB catalogue absolutely FREE!

Today, I have a sneak peek from the SAB catalogue, the beautiful Madison Avenue Stamp Set, that you can get absolutely FREE with a $60.00 purchase from the 2012/13 Annual Catalogue, the 2013 Spring Catalogue and/or MDS. 

Stamps: Madison Avenue (c- 129660, w-129657 2013 SAB Catalogue), Birthday Wishes (retired)

Paper: Natural White, Calypso Coral, Whisper White, Island Indigo, Tea for Two DSP

Ink: Island Indigo, Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade,

Accessories: Big Shot, Chevron Embossing Folder, Ovals Collection Framelit Dies, Naturals Button, Linen Thread, Island Indigo Sycamore Street Ribbons

I mentioned that Stampin’ Up! is celebrating their 25^th Anniversary and would have a wonderful year in store for us.  Well, the Pumpkin Patch program is coming your way. 

Sweep away the mundane-your creativity carriage awaits!

I’m Paper Pumpkin . . .

I come to your door each month (a fully decked-out creativity carriage). I’ll help you to escape your life with some paper fun.

I come in a sweet box, but you’ll really love what you find on the inside:

All the stamps, ink, paper, and accessories to create pinable projects. Create stuff like cards, journals, décor, and more!

Paper Pumpkin by Stampin’ Up! is a new monthly kit program that anyone (even you) can enjoy!

You can receive the Monthly Paper Pumpkin kit for $24.95 (includes shipping) and get everything you need to complete the project (excludes adhesive).  You can sign up for AUTO-DELIVERY, so that you never miss a month, or you can skip a month, or you can purchase just one.  The choice is yours!

Sign up for your monthly Paper Pumpkin immediately by visiting www.mypaperpumpkin.com and click Get it.

Starting in early March, you can try Paper Pumpkin for one month by visiting our online store.

A Free Gift in Your Very First Kit

The Welcome Kit is the very first Paper Pumpkin you will receive in your first month of membership. The Welcome Kit includes a free gift-a clear acrylic block!

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