Clipper Street Appreciate Day and the Storm

Last Saturday I was invited to attend a fun "Customer Appreciation Day" event being held at Clipper Street in Langley. 

This Langley scrapbooking company was nominated and won awards for being the "BEST" in 2015 for:

• Specialty Gift Store 
• FUN Place to Shop and 
• Crafts and Hobby store 

When my friend Ethel and I met pre-class for breakfast at a local restaurant it was overcast and raining so we were excited about being inside for our class.  Little did we know what was in store for us later in the day.


We joined a wonderful group of ladies and our instructor Deanna to make two cards.  Here's a shot of the group:

Ethel in Wisteria Wonder and I'm wearing the Calypso Coral top.

  Here are the two cards we made:

It was a great fast paced class taught by Deanna and we really enjoyed making these multi-layered, happy cards.  We were a bit worried we wouldn't be able to finish as throughout the class the lights were flickering and a couple of times the power actually went out.  

We finished on time though, and after touring this great store and sampling
some of the lovely cake and punch we headed out to our cars. The moment we walked outside we were almost blown off our feet by the pineapple express winds that were wreaking havoc around us.  We had just walked into the worst storm since 2006 to hit the lower mainland.

We yelled hasty goodbyes and ran to our cars to get out of the wind and rain.  My car was literally rocking from the buffeting winds. Needless to say it took me a long time to drive the 34klms to my home and it was one of the most frightening driving experiences I've ever been through.  Trees were falling everywhere and the rain was so heavy at times you couldn't see out the windshield.  Power lines were down and debris and flying objects were everywhere.

I eventually made it home to safety.  When I arrived our power was out for about four hours, but we were some of the lucky ones, as over a half a million people were without power, some as much as three days, and there was so much damage and destruction. 

This was an experience I won't forget for a long time.



Happy Stamping!
Penny Tokens

This deal ends on September 10th.  Check out my post on my Paper Pumpkin link for all the details on how you could be eligible to get 50% off on a fun monthly paper crafting kit.  

Happy Stamping!
Penny Tokens

Connie & Mary Colour Challenge - CCM370 Too Late!

I was stamping with my bestie last Tuesday and she suggested we make some cards using Connie and Mary's Colour Challenge.  Their combination of Pool Party, Watermelon Wonder and Black, sounded awesome. 

Here's their challenge:  

I really liked the card I made last week using the Butterfly Pop Up Diagonal Fancy fold, so I decided to use a similar layout for an anniversary card I was putting together.

All went well until I started trying to fine tune some of the details like how I would combine the colours.  While Sheri surged ahead and made the cut off time, I simply took too long deciding what sentiments to use and how I would use them and the next thing you know I missed the cut off for the challenge.

Oh well I'm sure that's happened to some of you too.  Since I was happy with the card I eventually made, I decided I would go ahead and share it even if it didn't make the challenge.   

Here's My Finished Card:

I finally decided to use the CELEBRATE sentiment from the Celebrate Today stamp set.  I stamped the image with Versa Mark Ink and Momento Tuxedo Black ink and heat set it with Black Embossing powder.  I couldn't find a framelit or punch that work with this image so wound up fussy cutting around the words.  I mounted it between the butterflies with dimensionals. 

Here's a view of the inside of the card.  I used the "Love begins in a MOMENT grows over TIME and lasts an ETERNITY" image from one of my favourite retired stamp sets called Occasional Quotes.  I simply love that verse.  The "Happy Anniversary" which you can barely see is from another retired stamp set called Something to Celebrate stamp.

Supplies Used:
Stamp Sets:  Watercolour Wings, Something to Celebrate (R), Celebrate Today
Ink:  Momento Tuxedo Black, Pool Party, Watermelon Wonder, Versa Mark 
Card Stock:  Pool Party, Watermelon Wonder, Black Glimmer Paper, and Whisper White 
Accessories:  Trimmer, Big Shot, Bold Butterfly Framelits and Butterflies Thinlet Dies, Basic Rhinestones, Black Sharpie Alcohol Marker, Tom Bow Adhesive, Dimensionals.  

I hope you like this card and are inspired to post your card samples even if you missed a challenge cut-off like I did. 

Happy Stamping!
Penny Tokens  

Holiday Catalogue 2015 - It's Live!

Are you ready for some holiday fun?  

September 1st is finally here and it's the first official day you can order from the new 2015 Holiday Catalogue from Stampin’ Up! Canada. 

I know you're going to be so excited to see this latest catalogue and all the fabulous new stamp sets, paper, dies, punches and accessories Stampin' Up! has come up with. I'm not kidding, you’re gonna love it!

Haven't got a catalogue yet?  Well, if you're one of my frequent purchasing clients your catalogue is on it's way and you should have it by week's end.  

If you haven't purchased from me this year here's how you can get on my automatic mailing list.  Simply place an on-line order valued at a minimum of $25.00 before shipping and tax and you'll be added to my automatic mail out list.  Not only will you receive this current catalogue, but you'll receive all other Stampin' Up! publications for the year, at no charge.  How's that for a deal? 
 
If you don't have a catalogue right now, don't worry.  Just click on this link or go to my right side panel on my blog and click on the Holiday Catalogue link there,....it's always available.  

Alright, don't delay check the catalogue out right now and see how you can save on  your holiday stamps and accessories.

SAVE … 15% when you purchase Bundles of stamps and punches/dies from any catalogue.  Bundle and Save 15%

Pg. 10:     Festive Fireplace Stamp set + Festive Fireside Framelits Dies
Pg. 11:     Happy Scenes Stamp Set + Hearth & Home Thinlits Dies
Pg. 12:     Jingle All the Way Stamp Set + Sleigh Ride Edgelits Dies
Pg. 15:     Embellished Ornaments Stamp Set + Delicate Ornament Thinlits Dies
Pg. 16:     Peaceful Pines Stamp Set + Perfect Pines Framelits Dies
Pg. 25:     Flurry of Wishes Stamp Set + Snow Flurry Punch
Pg. 30:     Berry Merry Stamp Set + Boughs & Berries Textured Impressions   Embossing Folder
Pg. 31:     Reason for the Season Stamp Set + Festive Flower Builder Punch
Pg. 33:     Snow Place Stamp Set + Snow Friends Framelits Dies
Pg. 34:     Holly Jolly Greetings Stamp Set + Christmas Greetings Thinlits Dies
Pg. 37:     Project Life Hello December 2015 Stamp Set + Card Collection + Accessory Pack
Pg. 38:     Project Life Seasonal Snapshot 2015 Stamp Set + Card Collection + Accessory Pack
Pg. 39:     Among the Branches Stamp Set + Woodland Textured Impressions Embossing Folder
Pg. 40:     Sparkly Seasons Stamp Set + Seasonal Frame Thinlits Dies
Pg. 41:     A Little Something Stamp Set + Square Pillow Box Thinlits Dies
Pg. 45:     Acorny Thank You Stamp Set + Acorn Builder Punch
Pg. 49:     Howl-o-ween Treat Stamp Set + Boo to You Framelits Dies
 
SAVE … with a Starter Kit for only $125. That's right sign up now to be on my team and you'll receive $155 in your choice of products including free shipping and GST paid. Plus, receive a discount of 20% on future orders while a demonstrator.

SAVE … place an order of $200 or more and earn 10%+ in Stampin’ Rewards.  Note:  If your order is less than $200.00 you'll still receive my automatic catalogue mailing and if you use my monthly Hostess Code # you'll be entered to win Hostess Code of the month benefits. 

Now for the fine print:  
Remember how hard it was to get some of your favourite stamps and supplies this summer? Between labour disputes, and unanticipated high volume sales, back orders occurred and they were very frustrating for everyone. Well if you're planning a special project or event you'll want to place your order early to ensure stock is still available and you're sure to avoid any future dreaded back orders. 

Happy Stamping!
Penny Tokens 

Butterfly Diagonal Pop Up Card

I love learning new techniques and fancy folds are among my favourites.  For today's card I was enchanted with a new to me fold called "Diagonal Pop Up" fancy fold. Now I've seen these folds in store bought cards, but I've never attempted to make one myself.  Trust me this fold is super easy and if I can do it without pulling out my hair then so can you.

Here's my card front:

I cut a piece of Whisper White card stock measuring 3 5/8" x 5 1/2" for the center panel of the card front.  I die cut two of the large butterfly images from this piece and then embossed it with the Elegant Dots TIEF.  I cut another piece of Whisper White Card stock the same size as the first and adhered it with dimensionals behind the front panel.  I stamped the butterflies through the opening created by the larger butterfly framelit. 

I love all things glittery so to pop up the impact of the front of this card I added two 1/2" x 5 1/2" strips of silver glimmer paper on either side of the white panel before it was adhered to the card front.  Sticky strip doesn't always stick to glimmer paper, so instead of using that I put two thin strips of Tom Bow glue down each of the sides on the back of the Whisper White panel and then adhered the Glimmer strips, making sure they were showing the same width on each side of the front panel.  I also added some more bling with four large Basic Rhinestones on the bottom right hand side of the card front.   The sentiment "Sending Wishes Your Way" is from the Basic Butterfly stamp set. 

Inside of the Card:
Okay, so there's nothing major exciting about the front of my card other than the butterfly images inside the cut-a-ways. Right? So where's the magic and wow factor? 

Drum roll please...........are you ready?  What's truly exciting about this card is the fancy fold on the inside of the card! That's where the surprise lays. 

Isn't that impressive?  I thought so too, but I probably wouldn't have made this card without the inspiration and help of one of my favourite super-talented and creative stampers, Julie Davidson.   I subscribe to Julie's blog posts and newsletters, and there is always something she shares that I find interesting and helpful.  

Recently Julie posted a great video tutorial showcasing the Watercolour Wings stamp set and Bold Butterfly framelit dies.  She demonstrated a new to me fancy fold card called a Diagonal Pop Up.  How exciting!  Her card was inspiring and I loved this technique so I just had to make this card.  Rather than me giving you a step by step tutorial on how to make my card, I'm going to let the video speak for itself and share her link. Go ahead, just click on this link for her video and you'll see what I mean by super easy and fun! 

Supplies For My Card:

Stamps: Wonderful Wings Bundle , Basic Butterflies
Card stock: Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White, Silver Glimmer Paper
Ink: Elegant Eggplant, Perfect Plum, Wisteria Wonder
Accessories: Bold Butterflies Thinlet dies , Basic Rhinestones, Adhesive, Elegant Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (TIEF), Dimensionals, Trimmer with Scoring Blade, Big Shot, Pencil  

Bundle and save! Buy these two coordinating products for $45.00 CDN and save 15%.

The 15 image Watercolor Wings Photopolymer Stamp Set has made stamping classic butterflies even better by putting them in a Two-Step Stampin' set. Two-step sets have a base image and overlay images that you can combine over the base image. Use any combination of ink colors to create fantastic butterfly images. Suggested clear blocks (sold separately): a, d, e, g.

The Bold Butterfly Framelits Die set is comprised of 2 dies.  There is a large open image butterfly that measures 3-1/8" x 2-1/8" and a smaller delicately detailed butterfly that measures 2" x 1-3/8". 

 Cutting Instructions for Diagonal Pop Up Card:

1. The card base is Elegant Eggplant and the card stock measured 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 and is scored at 4 1/4.
2. The inside card panel is cut from Whisper White card stock and measures 7 1/2 x 4 3/4".  It is scored at 3 3/4".
3. Using a ruler and a pencil measure 2 1/2" from the center score line to both the right and left of the inside card panel and make a small erasable pencil mark.  
4. Measure 2 1/2" from the top of the center score line towards the bottom of the inside card panel and make a small erasable pencil mark. 
5. Starting from the right side line up the top and center pencil marks using the score line on your paper trimmer and score to where they meet.  Repeat this process for the left hand side of the panel. 
6. Erase pencil marks and Fold first on the center score line and then each of the side score lines, so that when the card panel is opened up a triangle pops up in the center.  
7. I stamped and cut out a butterfly image and adhered it on the left side of the triangle with two dimensionals.
8. Stamp your sentiments and any other design you want on your card panel and then adhere the panel with Tom Bow or other adhesive.  Tip:I applied the adhesive around the two sides of the panel to the beginning of the triangle at the top of the panel, and along the bottom of the panel. Make sure there is no adhesive on the triangle portion of the panel.  Once all the adhesive was added, I folded the panel at the center score line and then lined it up with the center score line of the card base and then closed the card.  When you do it this way, everything lines up perfectly.  

I hope you enjoyed this card and my tips and will try this out yourselves.  Let me know if you would make this card.  Right now I can think of all different kinds of things I can put on this pop up.  

How about you?  I want to know so leave me a comment and let me know what kind of card would you make and what stamp set or sets would you use to create it?  Please let me know. 

Happy Stamping!
Penny Tokens   

WWC31 Heidi's Sketch Challenge

Where is the time flying to.  Suddenly summer's over and it's time for another sketch challenge at the Watercooler Challenge.  

This sketch #WCC31 was designed by the very talented paper crafter, Heidi Weaver.  If you're into cards or layouts with lots of layers then this one will be right up your alley.  

I decided to combine this great sketch with the colour challenge at Colour Me.  It's colour challenge CMCC#86 and showcases Pool Party, Lost Lagoon, Cajun Craze and Tangerine Tango with a neutral of your own choice. I chose to combine these colours with Whisper White.

Here's my entry:
My card started with a 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 Whisper White card base scored at 4 1/4".  The first mat measuring 5 1/4 x 4" is cut from Pool Party and I sponged around the edges with the same ink.

The next mat measures 5 x 3 3/4".  I started with a 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 sheet of Whisper White card stock and stamped a random pattern with Sponge Daubers in the four challenge colours. Some dots were full strength and others were stamped off almost to opaqueness. I also used the dotted image from the Watercolour Wings stamp set and stamped it over the circles in Lost Lagoon ink.  Once all the stamping was done I cut the paper down to the above size for the mat.  I also die cut the three butterflies with the Butterflies Thinlet Dies. 

Note:  If I was making this card again, I think I would have changed how I used the Tangerine Tango, because it's simply too bright a card stock and overwhelms the left side of the card creating an imbalance. In retrospect, I should have have die cut the large Butterfly image and placed it as the bottom layer of the Butterfly stack. I would have then substituted a strip of Lost Lagoon for the Tangerine Tango banner and probably embossed it with the large Polka Dot TIEF, to mimic the circles on the background paper, instead of using the smaller Perfect Polka Dots TIEF which is now retired. 

 

I stamped the sun burst from the Kinda Eclectic Stamp set on a 2 3/4 x 2 3/4" piece of Whisper White.  It makes a nice background design.  In retrospect I should have stamped it using Versa Mark and Lost Lagoon inks and then heat set it with clear embossing powder.

Kind of Eclectic Stamp Set comes in wood or clear mount.

 

For the inside of the card I stamped the Happy Birthday sentiment the butterflies and the border strip using images from the Basic Butterfly stamp set.

This eleven piece coordinating stamp set and matching butterfly dies come in a bundle in either wood or clear mount styles. You can save 15% off the regular price of the stamps and dies by purchasing them as a bundle.  I'm totally in love with my clear mount.

I think I've fallen in love with the Boho Chic Embossing folder.  It's one of my favourites this season.  It looks great layered over other images or on it's own.  In this picture you can see a bit more of the background paper that I stamped with all the sketch colours.  Background papers are so much fun to make.

Supplies:
Stamp Sets:  Butterfly Basics, Kinda Eclectic, Watercolour Wings 
Ink:  Cajun Craze, Lost Lagoon, Pool Party, Tangerine Tango
Card Stock:  Whisper White, Cajun Craze, Pool Party, Lost Lagoon, Tangerine Tango
Accessories:  Big Shot, Trimmer, Perfect Polka Dots(R) and Boho Chic Embossing Folders, Basic Butterflies Thinlet Dies, Basic Rhinestones, Silver Charm (R), Dazzling Details, adhesive and dimensionals.

Well I hope you enjoyed today's colour and sketch challenges.  There's still a little bit of time to play along so if you want to get in on the fun, please click on the Watercooler Challenge or the Colour Me Challenge or both to find out the details.   

HAPPY STAMPING!
PENNY TOKENS STAMPING 

FMS#200 What a Celebration!

Today has been such a peaceful day.  We went for a walk around Mill Lake, did some shopping, came home, handled a few chores and then drum roll please.......... I had three glorious, undisturbed hours of stamping time, while my hubby watched golf. Yeah!  Got to love golf! What a great day!

To make the most of my creative time I looked for some sketch challenges that would be quick and easy to do, and I came across this one from Freshly Made Sketches which fit the bill.  The design has simple lines and you can do what you want with it, but the twist is to keep your project as clean-lined and fresh as possible.

This is a very special challenge for Freshly Made Sketches as it marks their 200th sketch challenge! That's quite a feat and they are really celebrating! To thank everyone who's participated in their past sketch challenges they've gathered together some of the best known companies from the crafting community as sponsors for this week's challenge. How wonderful is that? 

Here's My Card:

Originally I planned to use a White on White theme for my floral birthday card, but in looking at the design team and other samples, I realized that several other crafters had already gone that route, so I opted to use white and a solid colour.  I chose to work with Elegant Eggplant and Whisper White.  

I stamped the full image of the flower across the two pieces of Whisper White card stock and then re-stamped the floral image onto scrap card stock. I fussy cut out each of the flowers and coloured them with an Elegant Eggplant Marker and a Blender Pen.  To give the flower petals some dimension, I turned them over after they were coloured and rolled a stylus around the edges to give them some shape. The flowers were adhered with dimensionals and I placed a small Basic Rhinestone in the center of the main flower. 

I added three Basic Rhinestones to the bottom of the card in a random pattern.  I inked up the background stamp from the You've Got This stamp set with Perfect Plum ink and then stamped it off several times on scrap paper before stamping it across the two Whisper White layers.   

I kept the inside of the card pretty simple, re-stamping the floral image and the sentiment from the Basic Butterfly set.  I adhered  a 1/4" strip of Elegant Eggplant card stock along the right hand side of the card. 

Supplies:

Stamps:  Basic Butterfly and You've Got This

Inks & Markers:  Elegant Eggplant, Perfect Plum, Always Artichoke, Old Olive Assortment of Blendabilities.

Card Stock:  Whisper White and Elegant Eggplant 

Accessories: Detail Scissors, Stylus, Paper Trimmer, 

Blender Pen, Dimensionals, Basic Rhinestones and Tom Bow Glue

Thanks for dropping by today.  I hope you liked my clean and simple birthday card.  

Happy Stamping!

Penny Tokens