It's My 15th Year Anniversary With Stampin' Up!

I'm a stamper and I love

everything about stamping!

When I attended my first Stampin' Up! workshop at a colleague's home in 2004, I never contemplated that it would be a life changing event.  That night I went home with my first Stampin' Up! catalogue and stayed up into the wee hours pouring through the beautiful pages and dreaming of all the beautiful things I could make.  That "idea book" and catalogue was like finding buried treasure!

Although I've been a crafter for more years than I can remember, none of the many hobbies I undertook provided such instant gratification and enjoyment as paper crafting.  I was searching for a hobby for my retirement years so it wasn't surprising in 2006 that I made the decision to join the vast network of Stampin' Up! hobby demonstrators and I've never looked back. 

My 15th Anniversary as a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator was on June 6 this year and I'm happy to say that I'm just as enthralled today as I was so many years ago.  Being a hobby demonstrator has been very rewarding and enjoyable and I'm happy I made the choice. 

Imagine my delight when I received this beautiful package from Stampin' Up! last week, celebrating my 15 years with their company.  It was so nice to receive this recognition. 

What a beautiful keepsake.  Trust me I would have been delighted
to have just received the box!

My 15 Year Pin which I will wear proudly! 

If you're in love with paper, ink or stamps and are looking for an ideal hobby, paper crafting might be just what you're looking for.  Over the years I've made  friends locally and throughout the world who share my passion and love of stamping and creating.  Stampers are fun!  I've laughed, cried, hugged and participated in many wonderful stamping events in person and virtually with these women (and some men too) over the years.  Who would have thought that a hobby could be so rewarding.

So if you're hunting for a new hobby or expanding an existing love of paper crafting why don't you give some thought to joining Stampin' Up! too. Whether you join just for the discount or to build your own small home based business, don't delay.  A new sales period is being launch tomorrow with the release of the new Mini Catalogue and Sale-a-bration flyer, so it's the perfect time to sign up.

The July-December Mini Catalogue goes live on August 3rd, and will be available until December 31st, 2021.  

  

Join during Sale-a-bration and you'll be able to choose a FREE bundle 

From August 3 through September 30th you can build your own starter kit with $165 CDN in products of your choice for just $135. With FREE Shipping on this order and your choice of a FREE Bundle for signing up, it's a great time to join.

What are you waiting for? Your demo 20% discount begins the moment you become a demonstrator so talk to me before you sign up to find out how you can get the most value for your money and more free items.  Believe me I've got 15 years of experience as a team leader, so I can help you out.  If you have questions, contact me here.  

Happy Stamping!
Penny Tokens Stampin' Spot

Penny Hanuszak, Canadian Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator

Book Binding Fancy Fold Card With Plentiful Plants

Hi everyone, happy weekend! I've been having a good time this week playing with the Plentiful Plants Bundle from Stampin' Up! and the coordinating designer series paper Bloom Where You're Planted. What fun!

Today I'm featuring a Book Binding Fold card using these products from Stampin' Up!  I remember making wedding invitations with this style of card several years ago, and now I see it seems to be quite the rage on YouTube and Pinterest.  

The Book Binding Fold is a great fancy fold card for beginners and avid stampers alike as it has only a couple of measurements and needs very few supplies.  

Supplies Used For this Card: 

Stamps:                      Plentiful Plants Bundle 155688 

Many Messages Cling Stamp 154422

DSP:                          Bloom Where You're Planted # 155696

Card Stock:  Just Jade, Cinnamon Cider, Whisper White 

Ink:  Cinnamon Cider and Just Jade 

Accessories:  Dimensionals, Trimmer, Cut N' Emboss Machine, Embossing Folder, Stitched Shapes (R) Dies, 3 1/2" Layering Circle Dies, Messages Die, Stamperatus, Mono Glue 

How It's Made:  

• Cut a 4 1/4 x 11" piece of Just Jade cardstock for the card base. Score at 5 1/2 and 4 1/4.  Crease folds and add adhesive to the inside of the two scored lines.  The  4 1/4" score line should be facing out on the front of the card. 

• Cut a 4 x 4" piece of Cinnamon Cider card stock and emboss and adhere to card front.  The wood grain embossing folder I used is retired but some other suggestions for this card might be:  Bark #155431, Brick and Mortar #149643, Painted Texture 3D #154317 which are all current on pages 154 and 155 of the SU Annual Catalogue.

• Cut a 1" x 4" strip of brick design designer series paper and adhere to the left side margin on the card front. Wrap twine around this part of the panel and tie in a bow. 

• Die cut a 3 1/4" circle from Just Jade using the Layering Circle Dies.

• Die cut a piece of Whisper White card stock with the now retired 3" Stitched Circle Die.  I stamped a blotch using a clean acrylic block and Mint Macaroon ink for background interest.  Adhere to the Just Jade circle and then to the card front. 

• The plant image was fussy cut from the Bloom Where You're Planted Designer Series Paper and adhered with dimensionals to the circle.

The images on this Bloom Where You Grow DSP are easy to cut with your paper snips, so you have a large variety of plants to choose from.  

The sentiment "Just a note to say hello" is stamped in Cinnamon Cider ink and is one of the sentiments from the Many Messages Cling stamp. I used my Stamperatus to stamp the full stamp image on a 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 piece of Basic White cardstock.

• To finish the inside cut two cut two 4" x 4" panels from Basic White cardstock and stamp some plant images in the opposite corners at the bottom of the card. Adding a sentiment is optional, I chose not to because this is a "just a note" card and I want uninterrupted space for my note.

 

I hope you enjoyed this card today.  While this sample features limited layers, it could be dressed up quite a bit inside and out by simply adding additional layers of card stock.  I had such fun making this fancy fold and envision many more cards using this format including some dressed up versions such as the Book Binding Explosion Fancy Fold.  

Before I go here are some additional cards I made using the Plentiful Plants and Bloom Where You're Planted DSP.  Enjoy! 

Happy Stamping!

Penny Tokens Stampin' Spot

Penny Hanuszak, Canadian Independent Stampin' Up Demonstrator 

Hostess Code for July:

Hi, want to get rewarded for orders that don't qualify for Stampin' Rewards?  Simply place an order in my on-line store valued between $50 and $199.00 (before shipping, handling and taxes) and I'll send you a free gift and thank you card for your order.  Don't forget to add the code at the end of your order.  

July Designer Series Paper Special 

Click here for details on this sale

Houseplants Anyone?

I recently participated in one of Alison Okimatsu's online classes for Stampin Up demo's.  The class featured the stamp and die bundle from the Bloom Where You're Planted Suite on pages 80 and 81 of the new Stampin' Up Annual Catalogue.

The Bloom Where You're Planted Suite Collection comes in English and French versions and includes:  The Plentiful Plants Photopolymer Stamp set at 10% off, the Perfect Plants Dies at 10% off, the beautiful Bloom Where You're Planted DSP, and Paper Lattice Accent pieces.  The colours that coordinate with the DSP are Cajun Craze, Cinnamon Cider, Evening Evergreen, Garden Green, Gray  Granite and Just Jade. 

The Plentiful Plants and Perfect Plants Dies can be purchased as a bundle, with a 10% savings.  There are 15 photopolymer stamps and dies.  This bundle was part of our class purchase price and I was very pleased to play with the set once it arrived.  

The best part of the whole day was sharing it with Rachel one of my awesome team members.  We had so many laughs and giggles and at the end of the day she was one of the lucky winners of a stamp and die bundle!  It was the first time either of us have stamped with anyone in months, so it was super special.  

We had the usual trials and tribulations of getting the Zoom meeting format to work, but managed between tablets and phones to keep up. Allison's classes are always fast paced and filled with lots of activity.  We were going full throttle throughout the day, but we did manage to make six cards, listen to three wonderful presentations, and complete our cards for three separate challenges.  What an exciting and fun way to put your creativity to the test.  Here are the cards we made:  

Many Messages Cling Rubber Stamp and matching Dies.  Use the Stamperatus for this large block stamp to get the best ink results.  

I

We made two of each card and did three challenges during the class.  I incorporated some changes to make these cards my own.

I added the sentiment "Just wanted to say" from the Many Messages stamp and a Gold Bead on the hanger.   

I like stamping the insides of the cards so here are the views of the three inside panels.   

I love the sentiments in the Plentiful Plants stamp set.  

I managed to get an ink blob on the left hand panel of my card so I used a circle cut from the dsp to cover it up.  I actually die cut the circle from the panel on the right hand side.  So often we use contrasting card stock as a layer on the insides of our cards, but I like to use DSP too to add some interest.  

I had purchase Bloom Where You're Planted Designer Series Paper prior to doing the course and cut out a number of the pieces using the dies.  I also inked up my Many Messages stamp with Cinnamon Cider ink and cut out a pile of sentiments to use with this fun suite.  

TIP:  I like to recycle styrofoam food trays and I use them to hold all my bits and bobs when I'm working with stamps and dies. These recycled trays (I run them through the dishwasher before using) help keep everything grouped together so I can find what I'm looking for easily.  They help to keep my work surface tidy and organized and if I have to leave what I'm doing I can just stack the trays on the side of my desk just as they are.      

Here's one of my recycled styrofoam trays at work.  This one is about 15 x 8 and has slightly raised sides so nothing falls out.  

Here's another fun card I made using the Plentiful Plants stamps and dies.  It's a surprise gate fold card.

I love the beautiful embossed design behind the plant.  The texture really brings the plant out from the brick wall dsp.  The Embossing Folder is called Greenery EF

The Greenery EF This set includes two unique embossing folders that measure 6 1/4" x 3 3/38". These slightly smaller folders fit with the portable Mini Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine.

I love this DSP.  The colours are so vivid.  These are the When you lift up the front panel of this card you have a split panel.  

And here is the inside of the card.  I absolutely love it!  

During the class we also had three challenges and here are the cards that I made:

The first challenge of the day was a colour challenge and we had to use a combination of pink, blue, green and yellow in our design.  I'd been wanting to create a card using the Beautiful Moments stamp set.  I chose the images of the woman and girl walking. I used Stampin' Blends to colour their dresses in So Saffron and Polished Pink inks.  Next I created a beach scene using a small detail stamp from the By the Dock stamp set and stamping some sand dunes in Crumb Cake and adding plant details in Old Olive. To complete the colour challenge I sponged the clouds in Pool Party and then used the new Basic Basic Border Dies to add some stitched detail.  What fun!

For the sketch challenge I made a dog sympathy card.  I combined the Pampered Pets Stamp set, Tailor Made Tags Dies and the Basic Borders Dies in the card layout.  The white portion was embossed with the recently retired Subtles EF.  

This card was for the Speed Challenge and was based on a picture depicting a sunset.   Participants had   less than an hour to design and make their card, then take a picture and post it on the class site.  Whew, what a challenge.  I used the Mountain Air stamp bundle for my background and the ball cap from Hats Off for this masculine retirement card.  

Well that's everything that I have for your folks today.  I hope you liked all the samples, and will give me some feedback on which card you liked best and why.  Looking forward to hearing from you.

Happy Stampin'
Penny Tokens Stampin Spot

Penny Hanuszak@telus.net

Welcome July - Happy Canada Day!

Happy Canada Day to all my Canadian friends and family.  I'm proud to say I'm Canadian and today I'm waving my flag and wearing my red and whites!

WHAT'S HAPPENING THIS MONTH:

DESIGNER SERIES PAPER SALE STARTS TODAY!

We all love gorgeous Designer Series Paper, and during this incredible sale, you can enjoy a 15% discount on select papers from the 2021–2022 Annual Catalog! Now is a great time to stock up and save on some of Stampin' Ups! most popular paper designs! All prices are in Canadian Dollars. 

#155841 Pg 130 AC Beauty of the Earth 12 x 12        Reg. Price 15.75      Sale Price 13.39 

#155696 Pg 131 AC Bloom Where You're Planted Reg. Price 15.75    Sale Price  13.39 

#155499 Pg 131 AC Hand-Penned 12 x 12 DSP Reg. Price 15.75    Sale Price 13.39 

#152494 Pg 132 AC In Good Taste 12 x 12 DSP Reg. Price 29.00    Sale Price 24.65 

#155817 Pg 132 AC In the Wild 12 x 12 DSP Reg. Price 15.75    Sale Price 13.39 

#155807 Pg 132 AC Pansy Petals 12 x 12 DSP Reg. Price 15.75    Sale Price 13.39 

#155605 Pg 133 AC Sweet Symmetry 12 x 12 DSP Reg. Price 15.75    Sale Price 13.39 

#155718 Pg 133 AC Tidings of Christmas 6 x 6 DSP Reg. Price 15.75    Sale Price 13.39 

#155686 Pg 134 AC You're a Peach 12 x 12 DSP Reg. Price 15.75    Sale Price 13.39 

SALES PERIOD: 1 JULY–2 AUGUST

• All order types qualify for this promotion.
• There's no limit to how many packages of Designer Series Paper you can purchase during this promotion.
• Only the above select Designer Series Papers are available at a 15% discount during this promotion.
• All orders must be placed—and closed—during the promotion period for the 15% discount to apply.
• Designer Series Paper can be ordered as part of a Starter Kit or with Stampin’ Rewards to qualify for the 15% discount.

July Hostess Code:

Shop with me in July at my On-Line Store and you could be earning rewards.

It's always nice to get something for free when you're placing a Stampin' Up Order.  Any order over $200.00 (before shipping, handling and sales tax) you don't have to have a Hostess Code, because your order automatically earns Stampin' Rewards based on your purchase total and you get to pick your reward(s). What fun and you'll get a special thank you card from me! 

If you're placing an order that's between $50 and $199.00 (before shipping, handling and sales tax) and add my Hostess Code at the end of your order, you'll receive a gift and a thank you card from me.  So don't miss out on the freebies, add that Hostess Code.    

Happy Stamping!

Penny Tokens Stampin' Spot 

Penny Hanuszak, Canadian Independent Stampin' Up Demonstrator 

Beautiful Moments

I participated in a Zoom class on Saturday and there were three challenges during the event.  The first challenge was to use the colours pink, aqua, yellow, and green and you could use white or black as neutrals.   

Here is my card:

I've been itching to use my new Beautiful Moments stamp set since it arrived, so this was a perfect opportunity to get inky.  I decided to create a scene where the mother and daughter were walking along the beach.  

Details:

Stamp Sets:    Beautiful Moments, By the Dock

Dies:  Basic Borders - Stitched Cloud die 

Punches: Scalloped Circle 

Ink:  Coastal Cabana, Polished Pink, So Saffron, Old Olive and Granny Apple Green inks and Stampin' Blends,  Momento Tuxedo Black Ink

Cardstock:  Basic White, Coastal Cabana 

Card Base:  8 1/2" x 5 1/2" and scored at 4 1/4"

Layers:  Basic White 5 1/4" x 4", Coastal Cabana 5 1/4" x 4", Basic White for the images 5 1/8" x 3 7/8" 

Beautiful Moments 11 piece cling stamp set.  The line art makes it easy to apply watercolour techniques or blending.  

I created a scene by stamping the Mother and Daughter walking along the beach in Momento Black ink.  I coloured in their clothes with Stampin' Blends.  After I was finished colouring I wanted to add the background and so I re stamped the image on masking paper, covered the images and began blending.

I used a blending brush to create the sky and to get the cloud effect I punched out a scallop circle and used it to blend around.  I also masked in an 3/4" circle for the sun, which was later coloured in with So Saffron ink.  

For the greenery at the base of the card I used a stamp from the recently retired By the Dock set that gives a great ground effect. I stamped the image with Momento black ink and staggered it to give the appearance of sand with grass clumps. I blended Granny Apple Green and Old Olive inks across this area of the card.  

By the Dock - retired 

I also wanted to experiment with my new Basic Borders dies.   Oh my they're so easy to use and give such a beautiful edge.  Essentially I just fitted the cloud die on an angle across the top of the design layer and ran it through my Cut N' Emboss machine and then repeated this with the Coastal Cabana layer.  

This is what the six dies look like.  

This image of the Basic Border Dies shows what the die cut looks like after the card stock has been run through the die cutting machine. 

These Basic Border dies can be used as a single border, or paired together to create the perfect finish on your project.  There are 6 dies in the package and the largest measures  Largest die: 6" x 1" (15.2 x 2.5cm).  Use a Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine to cut your die images. 

I hope you liked my project.  If you have any questions please contact me, I'd be happy to provide more details.  

Happy Stamping!

Penny Tokens Stampin' Spot

Penny Hanuszak, Canadian Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator

June Hostess Code:

If you're placing an order under $200 before s&H and sales tax, be sure to add my hostess code for the month of June.  I will reward you with a thank you card and a small gift to show my appreciation.  If you're placing an order over $200 you will earn hostess rewards based on your order total.