If you don’t have a catalogue in your hands just yet, you can click on the photo above or use the catalogue link on the right side of my website.

Some of my first favorites in the catalogue are the new line of Big Shot accessories, including Framelits Dies, Edgelits Dies, small sized Embossing Folders and the new Large Sizzlit Die-Paper Doily.  You’ll find all these products on pages 6 & 7.

The Framelits and Edgelits Dies come in handy sturdy plastic envelopes that fit into our Big Shot storage units.  I love the concept but found the many small pieces a pain when they are in the envelopes together.  So I came up with a solution:

 I cut a magnetic sheet the size of the dies and to fit into the envelopes.  Now the metal dies stay in place in and out of the envelopes – I’ll always be able to find the pieces I want without fishing through all pieces.

TTFN!

Natasha

The Petal-Cone Die has so many uses – including a hat for Santa!

Supplies used:

Stamps – Christmas Lodge

Ink & Paper – Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White, Old Olive, Early Espresso

Accessories – Big Shot, Petal-Cone Die, Tasteful Trim Die, Snow Burst embossing folder, 2 1/2″circle punch, 3/4″circle punch, button, baker’s twine, ticket corner punch, Early Espresso Quilted Ribbon

TTFN!

Natasha

The first project is made with the Candy Wrapper Die and Big Shot.  Does it look longer than normal to you?  It should.  It’s been extended to fit more yummy things in it!  Bigger package means more chocolate - yippee!!

Supplies used:

Stamps – Christmas Lodge

Ink & Paper – Whisper White, Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler, Frostwood Lodge DSP

Accessories – Scallop Trim edge punch, Big Shot & Candy Wrapper Die, organza ribbon

TTFN!

Natasha 

Another project for my annual Christmas Card class coming up in 2 weeks:

Today’s feature is a card made from the large stocking die.  I was able to make it a traditional top-hinged card by folding cardstock in half and running it through the Big Shot without cutting the top off.  I also made sure I sized it to fit into our medium square envelopes.

Supplies used:

Stamps – Bells & Boughs

Paper & Ink – Riding Hood Red, Sahara Sand,  Very Vanilla, Lucky Limeade, More Mustard and Early Espresso inks

Accessories - Big Shot, Holiday Stocking die, Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, Vanilla satin ribbon, velvet stitched ribbon, linen thread, mini jingle bells, Decorative Label punch, dimensionals

TTFN!

Natasha

Stampin’Up! has an offer to DIE for!

If you’ve been looking for an opportunity to do what you love (stampin’!), while getting a 20 discount on your favourite products, now is the perfect time! During October, you’ll get a FREE Big Shot when you join the Stampin’ Up! family as a demonstrator.

Or, if you already own one, choose $125 in FREE current products of your choice!!

Use the Big Shot die-cutting machine and Stampin’ Up!’s exclusive dies to create uniquely beautiful projects in a flash.

In addition, the new-demonstrator Starter Kit–a steal at just $215–contains over $425 worth of stamp sets, card stock, ink, accessories, and business supplies–everything you need to start your new business.

There are so many benefits of being a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator, including

• A 20 percent product discount!
• A free monthly issue of Stampin’ Up!’s demonstrator-only magazine, Stampin’ Success!
• Sneak peeks at brand-new products!
• Invitations to exclusive Stampin’ Up! events!
• Regular get-togethers to stamp!
• Free access to an online community of 30,000+ crafters/stampers and creative artists, as well as 160,000+ project samples!
• Plus, access to an exclusive video and training for your new Big Shot!

Don’t miss this BIG deal! Contact me today at www.nzandbergen@shaw.ca  to learn how you can take advantage of this great opportunity and get your FREE Big Shot!

TTFN!

Natasha

There are 3 weeks until my 8th Annual Christmas Card Class but to me it feels like it is tomorrow.  I have 5 of the 11 projects finished so as of today, I’m not even half there in my preparation!  Starting tonight, I won’t sleep well until I have finished all projects.

My stamp room and I have big plans today…please send creative festive-filled vibes for a successful play date.

I’ll report back…

I do know for sure that the above card has made the cut – I love it!!  I was inspired by the ever talented and brilliant Wendy Weixler of Wickedly Wonderful Creations.  Her card is here.

Supplies used:

Stamps – Snow Swirled

Ink and Paper – Marina Mist, Wisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Christmas Lodge DSP, Silver Glimmer Paper

Accessories – Big Shot and Snowflake #2 die, Northern Frost strip die, Snow Burst embossing folder, Designer Frames embossing folder, Chocolate Chip scallop dots ribbon, wide oval punch, rhinestone basics, dimensionals

TTFN!

Natasha

While previewing the new Summer Mini Catalogue last month, I was inspired by the new Designer Series Paper pack, Beyond the Garden, to create some beach themed items.  Beach bags immediately came to mind! 

I always seem to be collecting a new beach bag every year (mostly cause I can’t find the previous year’s one!)  and I love the fun bright colors they all have and of course, their capacity to hold lots of items for a day outdoors.  So, to stay true to the purpose of a real beach tote bag, I created these three replicas keeping space in mind.

All three totes are large and strong enough to be used as gift bags for that special summer or Hawaiian themed party:

*** Flower Rimmed Wild Wasabi tote  measures 8 1/2″ wide at the top, 7″tall excluding handle (11″with handle) and is 2″ deep

*** Daffodil Delight Nautical Striped tote measures 6 1/2″ x 6 1/2″ and is 2″ deep

*** Round Clutch Handle tote measures 7 1/2″ long, is 6″high and 1 1/2″ deep

Beach Tote Ensemble Tutorial includes:

15 pages of written instructions and measurements to complete all three projects

40 step by step photos to assist you in recreating the projects

$3.99 CAD

The tutorial will be emailed to you as a PDF file following your purchase through PayPal.

TTFN!

Natasha

It’s going to be quiet around here for most of this week, as I’m working on something a little bigger than usual for you.

Enjoy the photo teaser above and I hope to see you Thursday!

TTFN!

Natasha

There may not be any stamping involved in this project, but Stampin’ Up! sure provided us some great products to play with in the Occasions Mini Catalogue! 

I admired all the tote bags I saw at Leadership back in January, and decided I needed to try making a few.  Did you know that you could create a tote bag without cutting and carefully measuring pieces?  Yes you can!  You cut out scallop squares with the Big Shot and sew them together.  I used the Springtime Vintage Designer Fabric found on page 16.  The colors in this fabric as well as the matching DSP, are delicious!

I’d love to hear if you have tried  using either of the fabric offerings in the Occasions Mini.  What have you used it for?

TTFN!

Natasha

As promised, here are the other 2 cards from my Easter Blossoms themed stamping frenzy:

Supplies used:

stamps – Easter Blossoms, On Your Birthday

paper – Whisper White, Always Artichoke, Rose Red, River Rock, Springtime Vintage DSP

ink – Always Artichoke, Rose Red

accessories – antique brads, circle punches, Decorative Label punch, Boho Blossoms punch, Rose Red seam binding, Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder and Big Shot

This card was inspired by a similar one I saw on the boards at Leadership.  The original card was completely white, I’ve added a bit of color to mine.  Can you see that the Easter eggs in the basket have been watercolored? 

Supplies used:

stamps – Easter Blossoms

ink – Crumb Cake, Baja Breeze, Pink Pirouette, So Saffron, Black Stazon

paper – Whisper White, Crumb Cake

accessories – Big Shot, Framed Tulip Border embossing folder, Oval Frame die, 1/4″grograin ribbon, Itty Bitty shapes punch pack, pearl accent

TTFN!

Natasha