Stamp Crazy!

Holiday Helper!

Hello Stampers,

If you are like most people these days you might be considering alternative gifts during the holiday season.  In harder economic times it's the perfect opportunity to make handmade gifts for your friends and family.

I have a wonderful 12 days of Christmas Holiday Helper newsletter that I'll be sending out beginning November 26th.  Each day for 12 consecutive days you will receive a fabulous tutorial for a new gift idea.  You'll also receive bonus projects and ideas each day!

You must sign up to receive these newsletters by clicking on my newsletter link in the left hand side bar or by click on the Holiday Helper sign up icon.  Even if you are already on my newsletter mailing list you must OPT IN to receive the Holiday Helper.

Once you enter your email you will be sent a link to your inbox where you can change your profile to include the newsletter.  If you are a NEW subscriber you will be promoted to select which newsletter(s) you would like to receive.  You may choose only the Holiday Helper or you can opt to receive all my newsletters.  If you already subscribe to my current newsletter you will CLICK on the box beside Holiday Helper Newsletter to receive these special newsletters.

I hope you join up for this wonderful FREE service which I'm happy to provide to my customer base.

PS - I'm also one of the featured artist - look for my project on Day 10!

Happy Stamping!

Alison

Soot Technique

Hello Stampers,

I've tried the "soot" technique a few times over the years with no success.  I finally took one more stab at it and got it to work.  My next hurdle was finding a spray that would set the soot but not run or blur the image.  Sounds easy?  It was harder than the darn technique! LOL

To do the Soot Technique you need glossy cardstock (not photo paper as it will crack) and a cheap candle.  This is one of the times you want to use one of those "emergency candles" - well isn't finding the right stuff to stamp with technically an "emergency"?  Light the candle and carefully and quickly (smoothly, not too rushed) move your cardstock over the candle.  The candle flame must touch the paper - if you get too close to the edges they will light on fire so you might want to do this technique near the sink with some water.   Keep moving the paper over the flame until it's covered in soot.  Remember to let the tip of the flame touch the paper.

Be careful not to touch the soot or you will leave finger prints and the soot will wipe off.  Carefully stamp your image into the soot - where the rubber hits the soot it will remove it leaving the image.  Very cool!

Your image must be set so that it permanently seals the soot.   I tried hairspray and Workable Fixture - didn't work great - it blurred and ran over the image.  I ended up finding an Acryllic Sealant which did the trick.  Just make sure to spray outside because of the fumes.

Try it yourself - it's quite fun!

Happy Stamping,

Alison

My Santa Wishlist!

Good Morning,

Every year my husband asks me what I'd like for Christmas - is your family the same with you? Why not get something you truly love under the tree. I have several Christmas services I offer to my customers.

The first is Gift Certificates - can't go wrong there! Any denomination is possible and these are available right up until Christmas Eve  - perfect for those last minute shoppers. Each gift certificate purchased through me is worth 10% more than the purchased value. For instance...if your friend buys a $50 gift certificate the value is actually $55! Have your family contact me for more information.  Your gift certificate comes in a beautiful decorated enclosure.

Pay online using PayPal - use the click down menu to choose the demonation you want to purchase.  You can, of course, call me to order your gift certificates!

Denomination of Gift

Option 1 $10.00Option 2 $20.00Option 3 $25.00Option 4 $30.00Option 5 $40.00Option 6 $50.00Option 7 $75.00Option 8 $100.00

The second is my Santa Wish List.  Just fill out the wish list and send it to me (or give it to your family members with my contact information) and have your family contact me to find out what's on your list.  It works like a wedding registry.  I take off the items as they are purchased.  I also offer gift wrapping and a nice card to go along with your gift.

Download My Wish List for Santa - please note the last date to order for guaranteed delivery should read December 5th!

The third option is OnLine Ordering.  Have your friends order online from my store - go to www.asolven.stampinup.net and click on Shop Now.  Set up a profile and start shopping!

Okay...now for some  really big news (do I sound like Ed Sullivan?)  that you'll be hearing more about over the next few weeks .....I'm excited to announce a fabulous campaign called Holiday Extravanza from Stampin' Up!  On November 26th Stampin' Up! will announce a special SALE that will run until December 1st.  Even demonstrators don't know what the SALE will be but my Account Manager at SU! says it will be HUGE, PHENOMINAL and the best they've ever had.   I have to wait until the same day as you to find out the details.  Mark your calendars - on November 26th visit my website to find out all the details as soon as they are released.  It's kinda like the Thanksgiving Sales in the US - you KNOW they'll be great sales but you have no idea what the details are until you hit the stores.  The suspense is killing me. LOL

I hope these offerings will enhance your holiday shopping experience and lead to some exciting gifts under the tree for you!

Happy Stamping (and shopping),

Alison

 

Christmas Stamp Camp!

Hello Stampers!

It's time for my 6th Annual Christmas Stamp Camp!  Here are the details:

Date:    Sunday, November 23rd
Time:    1:00 - 4:00 pm
Where: Burnaby
Cost $30

You'll make 4 beautiful Christmas/Holiday cards PLUS an adorable 3D project.  If you bring a friend you can take $5 off your registration fee.

Click here for flyer.

Pre-registration and payment by November 19th is necessary because your kit will need to be prepared in time for class.  Space is limited so register now.

Happy Stamping!

Alison

Spooky...

Hello Stampers,

I've just started a new club for Scrapbookers and we are having fun - especially with the die cuts and the Big Shot machine.  I'm addicted to the alphabets!

We get together each month and make a 12 x 12, two page spread using rubber stamps, designer papers and other embellishments.  Check out my events and classes page at my website - we have room at the table sometimes for guests - email me for information.

 

Here's the first page - the "Boo" is made with the San Serif Alphabet Sizzix dies - I cut them out in both Black and Kiwi Kiss to create a "shadow" effect.

These little Frankenstein's have been all over the internet - I don't know the original brilliant person who came up with the idea but it caught on like wild fire!  The face and hair are cut using the Stampin' Up! exclusive Top Note die and the eyes, nose and eyebrows are punched using a variety of SU! punches.  The mouth is drawn on with a Basic Black pen.

 

Here's the 2nd page - the "Spooky" is made with the Go Go Boots Sizzix dies.  The paper is Basic Black, Kiwi Kiss and the Ghostly Greetings Design Paper.

The "dogs" dressed up are images I found on line.  My customers Andrea and Doreen (and I suspect others) dress up their dogs each year and they really are adorable and hilarious.

The little "labels" for journalling are made using the Curly Label Punch and it's like a "Baby" version of the Top Note die I used on the Frankenstein.  I'm going to journal on the "fire dog" - "I'm usually at the other end of the hose" and of course the "pirate dog" must be "Ahoy Matey".  "Star War" dogs are "May the Force be with you".

I added some Photo Corners to the edges of the pictures to finish off the look.

Hope you enjoyed these pages!

Happy Scrapping,

Alison

About Me!

Hello Scrappers,

Each month I get together with my Scrapper's Club and we create a two page 12 x 12 spread for their scrapbooks.  At the end of the club they'll have 14 pages completed!

Our first month we concentrated on ourselves - I wanted the first 2 pages of their albums to describe themselves so it was titled "About Me".  The great thing about the pages is that you could adapt it to be about anything - "About Italy" - "About Life" - one of my customers adapted it to be about her dog.

 

Here's page 1 - About Me and my life - I focussed on my family, my gardening and my love of stamping.  Can you believe the size of that onion ring?

I used the San Serif Essentials dies from Stampin' Up! and Sizzix.  The "about" is stamped in Not Quite Navy and the Big Deal Alphabet.  The background colour is Certainly Celery.

 

Page two focussed on our "favourite" thinks - favourite people, favourite foods, favourite things to do.

Here's the pages side by side. 

Check out my upcoming classes - there is room at my Scrapper's Club for guests - email me for more information!

Happy Scrappin'!

Alison

Christmas Box & Cards!

Good Morning,

I've been really busy with classes and clubs so my apologies for neglecting my blog.  I've been working on my upcoming Christmas classes and Stamps in the Mail University and this is the project for the Season of Joy stamp set.

 

Isn't this the cutest gift set - perfect as a gift for a hostess, coworker, secret santa event, friend, neighbour...the list goes on!  I'm going to give it to my hairdresser as her little Christmas gift.  You could also make the box and use it for chocolates, jewelery or a gift card!

I sell the full colour instructions for the box and cards along with the precut materials to make this adorable box and four 3 x 3 cards (including envelopes).  You just add the ink and stamp set!  You also receive a cute bonus project idea for a matching tea bag gift enclosure.  Everything is included in the kit - precut materials, embellishments, glue dots, punched pieces, stampin' dimesionals, ribbon and brads.  Step by Step instructions will guide you through the stamping and assembly for this project!

Card Kit only - $20 plus $5 for mailing - allow 10 business days for mailing.

If you love the project but don't have the stamp set or inks you can "add on" to your order.   Your  Season of Joy Project kit  will be shipped together in approximately 14 business days.  Here's what you'll receive:

Season of Joy Stamp Set       
Real Red Stamp Pad
Old Olive Stamp Pad

Cost for the Product kit is $44.50 plus shipping & provincial taxes (billed after order) - please allow 14 business days for mailing.The best part of purchasing kits in the mail is you can assemble your projects in the comfort of your own home whenever you want - just open the box and start stamping!

If you want both the Card Kit AND the Product Kit you must click on both buttons and add both to your shopping cart. 

If you'd like to make the project and have all the products you need already you can purchase JUST the full colour instructions - $7.00 - your instructions will arrive by email and you can get started right away!

Happy Stamping,

Alison

Introducing Cooper...

Hello Stampers,

I'm sorry for being away for a bit but I've been busy with our new puppy, Cooper, who arrived on the weekend.  We lost our beloved Golden Retriever, Finnegan, at Christmas and weren't ready for a new puppy until a few weeks ago - the timing just seemed right and we are loving our new Yellow Lab.

Here's some pictures of his first few days with us..

   

   

So adorable!!

Happy Stamping,

Alison

More Chef...

Hello Stampers,

One of my customers, Lisa Miller, sent me these scans of her cards using the Chef image from the Voila stamp set.  She just made them and we both had a laugh about the coincidence of my posting my Chef CD Album.

Aren't this fabulous?!!

 

Lisa used the retired River Rock In Colour from last year - my all time favourite colour...sniff.

Thanks for sharing Lisa and for allowing me to post your artwork on my blog!

Happy Stamping!

Alison

Bon Appetit!

Good Morning,

I've just revamped and updated my Classes by Mail and other Promotional pages which you can find listed alphabetically in the right hand side bar on my blog.

I'm teaching a class tomorrow to a group of Home Economics teachers based on a Christmas design I came up with last year.  My sister then took the idea and created an adorable Recipe Album which I tweaked for the Home Ec teachers.

The album is a Favourite Recipe Keepsake Album and it's perfect for a gift or for yourself.  The idea is that you would save all your favourite recipes on a CD and put it in the back of this keepsake album.  Perhaps you could give the album along with a plate of your favourite cookies or squares as a hostess gift during the holidays!

I'm selling the complete kits again - just click on this link to be redirected to the order page.

You can also click here to purchase the finished kit which now includes colour step by step instructions.  The colour instructions will be sent to you electronically by email - the supplies for the kit will be mailed within 10 - 14 days of ordering!  Bon Appetit!

Happy Stamping!

Alison