April 2021 - Volume 1, Issue 3
Hello! Happy Spring! Welcome to my newsletter. Thanks so much for dropping by. Click any bulleted item to jump directly to an article. Here's what you'll find in this issue:
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Last-chance products sale
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Current promotions
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Upcoming Holidays and Important Events
Spread a little love by sharing a card or other handmade item with someone else. Here are some upcoming opportunities:
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National Volunteer Month
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Autism Awareness Month
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Financial Literacy Month
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Jazz Appreciation Month
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Math Awareness Month
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National Poetry Month
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2 - Good Friday
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4 - Easter
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8 - Holocaust Remembrance Day
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21 - Administrative Professionals Day
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22 - Earth Day
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30 - Final day for my monthly card sketch challenge
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May 3 - Last day to order from Stampin' Up! 2020-2021 Annual Catalog
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May 3 - Last day of Butterfly Bouquet Promotional Period (with bundle discount)
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May 4 - Stampin' Up! 2021-2022 Annual Catalog Launch!!!
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May 6 - Karen's FREE Stampin' Up Catalog Launch Zoom Party
Photo credit: Flash Alexander from Pixabay
April Host Code (good through April 30): 36E9964C
How it works: Place a Stampin' Up! product order for $50-$149.99 (before tax and shipping) using
my Stampin' Up! shopping link, enter the code in the host code box on the order, and I'll send you an
additional reward! If your product order totals $150 or more, Stampin' Up! will offer you host rewards, and you should not enter my host code. I'll still reward you, though. Simply email me at kbrstamping@gmail.com to request your reward from me!
Note: The host code is for a Stampin' Up! order only. It does not apply to orders through Paper Pumpkin or Karen's Online Store. I can serve USA customers only.
Crafting Terms
Fussy Cut
Use a pair of Snips or fine-point scissors to cut manually around a stamped image. This is often done when there is no die-cut available for your image, or you simply want to eliminate some part of an image. The hummingbird at right was fussy-cut before being mounted on its card.
Dancing Baseline
Every line of text has a baseline. It is a real or imaginary line upon which the text is grounded. The bottom of each letter generally sits on a baseline, except when letters have descenders that fall below the main body of the letter (x-height); i.e. g, j, p, q, and y.
Dancing baselines are often seen in modern calligraphy, where letters are drawn for artistic interest. (See the "Sorry for your loss" sentiment at right.) Not only are dancing baselines visually interesting, but they are a wonderful friend to people who have trouble getting a stamp straight on a card or other project. The dancing baseline makes perfect stamping rather irrelevant! If you have this issue, consider buying stamps with this feature, and no one will ever be the wiser that you are "straight-challenged."
April Card Sketch Challenge
One of the easiest ways to make cards is to CASE them or have a card sketch to use for design. This month's card sketch challenge is a great way to use your designer series paper to make a simple, yet eye-catching card! Submit through April 30 for a chance to win! If I have at least five subscribers submit one or more cards to this monthly challenge by the deadline, I will use a random generator to select a prize winner!
Here's the sketch for this month:
From bottom layer to top (see rules below for variations):
Solid orange layer = cardstock base (5.5” wide x 4.25” high)
Black layer = additional cardstock mat (5.25” wide x 4.0” high)
Triangles = two different types of designer series paper (DSP). Cut both pieces as shown. This is enough for two cards.
Start with a rectangle cut to 3.75” wide x 5.0” high. Cut
diagonally across each rectangle to get triangular pieces,
as shown. You’ll need to hold the cut pieces together for the
second cuts. If easier for you, draw cut-lines on back before
starting. You’ll have 4 cut pieces for each piece of DSP.
To get the effect shown in the layout above, use pieces 1 and 3 from the first piece of DSP with pieces 2 and 4 from the second piece of DSP. (See graphic below.) Glue or tape to “black” layer, as shown. (You can then use the remaining triangles on a second card.)
Add a focal point on top of the triangles. For visual interest, pop up the focal point with Stampin' Dimensionals. Embellish, if desired. Complete the inside of the card.
Guidelines:
Use the card sketch as the basis for your design. While you should stick to the "spirit" of the sketch, you may alter your design in a few ways:
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Colors: The ones shown are just for illustration.
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Orientation: either portrait or landscape.
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Focal point and greeting: change to make your own; i.e. you may change a rectangle on the sketch to a shaped flower or other design element.
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Dimensions: change slightly as needed to fit your desired design.
The card sketch challenge gives you the freedom to use whatever card stocks, colors, and stamps you may already have.
Once you complete your card, please email a jpg/jpeg to me at kbrstamping@gmail.com, with subject line Card Sketch Challenge, before midnight EDT on April 30. Your submission gives me the option to share your design on my website blog, and I'll also enter you in the prize drawing! If you win the prize, you'll need to provide your physical mailing address to receive it.
What's New on My YouTube Channel
Be sure to check out my recent videos on YouTube. Here's what I've posted since my last newsletter:
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Packaging Cards for Donation or Sale. Protect your cards from repeated handling, while allowing viewers to see both the inside and outside of your design.
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Alcohol Blends on Vellum Process Video. Use Stampin' Blends markers on vellum to create unique and beautiful designs for your cards.
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Paper Pumpkin Alternatives - Feb 2021 - Bouquet of Hope. Extend your Paper Pumpkin supplies and see what you can do with the included custom stamp set. This is my favorite kit to-date due to its wonderful messaging and all-occasion versatility!
Register for My Free Stampin' Up! Zoom Crafting Party
Register now for my FREE Stampin' Up! Zoom crafting party!
Thursday, May 6, 2021 - 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. EDT USA
This party will be two days after the launch of the new 2021-2022 annual catalog. All projects will feature products from the new annual catalog, including some that have carried over from last year. You may have some of them!
I'll be structuring my party so that you can use any stamps, inks, or papers you already have! I'll be emailing registrants an itemized list of things to prepare in advance if you'd like to stamp along with me. I'll feature card designs for
beginners, as well as more advanced stampers. I hope you'll share your beautiful creations with the group!
Not familiar with Zoom? No worries. You don't need a Zoom account to join in the fun. I have a subscription, and I'll be providing a private "room" where we can all interact. If you've never attended a Zoom event, you may need to download the Zoom application to join the room, but that's a short, easy process. If you have a webcam or smartphone camera, we'll all be able to see you on-screen, and you'll be able to see others as well. (You can also opt to turn your personal camera off, but I hope you'll feel comfortable with it on.) It's a great way to meet fellow paper crafters right from the comfort of your own home!
Finally, I'll be offering two or three Stampin' Up! door prizes during the evening, so don't miss out on those! They're sure to tickle the fancy of any dedicated crafter!
To register: Email me at kbrstamping@gmail.com, and I'll send you the official registration link!
Registration Deadline: Tuesday, May 4
Registration Limit: 30
Current Promotions from Stampin' Up!
The new 2021-2022 Stampin' Up! Annual Catalog launches on May 4. In preparation, Stampin' Up! is offering a fantastic last-chance products sale for retiring products.
Click this pdf to see a list of products you can purchase through May 3, many of which are deeply discounted up to 75%! If you're looking for some exceptional bargains, you can find them here. But hurry! When they're gone, they're gone!
Hey Chick Bundle: Item 158627; $44.00 US
Hey Chick Stamp Set: Item 158190; $17.00 US
Chick Dies: Item 158199; $32.00 US
But don't let the fun stop there! If you're about "all things chicken," Stampin' Up! has a brand new coordinating set called Hey Birthday Chick!
The Hey Birthday Chick Bundle shares the same style as the Hey Chick Bundle. It has brand new images and sentiments, as well as its own set of matching dies. Both of these sets have a whimsical, country feel and can be mixed and matched with other stamp sets to create a wide variety of cards and projects.
Hey Birthday Chick Bundle: Item 158631; $43.00 US
Hey Birthday Chick Stamp Set: Item 154464; $21.00 US
Birthday Chick Dies: Item 158200; $27.00 US
Back by popular demand for a limited time: Hey Chick stamp set. This stamp set first appeared during Sale-a-bration 2017. It was so popular that Stampin' Up! has brought it back from February 2 to June 30.
And now, there are even more coordinating products! The Hey Chick stamp set was originally a standalone; now there are matching dies. Order the bundle (10% discount), just the stamps, or just the dies.
The images below are a few completed projects using these amazing bundles! Visit my Shop/Host Code tab on this website to order.
Butterfly Bouquet - Available March 2 to May 3, 2021
Butterfly Brilliance Collection
Item number 159408 - $71.25 USD
Instead of ordering each product individually, get the Butterfly Brilliance collection. You'll get one of each product at the best prices. The collection includes the Butterfly Brilliance bundle (stamp set and dies), the Butterfly Bijou Designer Series Paper and the Natural Touch Specialty Paper. This collection is only available during the Butterfly Bouquet promotion and while supplies last. Read on for additional ordering opportunities.
Butterfly Brilliance Bundle - 10% bundled savings!
Item number 155821 - $54.75 USD
The Butterfly Brilliance Bundle (left) includes the cling stamp set and Brilliant Wings dies. This is an early-release bundle from the 2021-2022 Annual Catalog and is available as a bundle during the Butterfly Bouquet promotion.
Butterfly Brilliance Cling Stamp Set
Item number 155092 - $17 USD
This Butterfly Brilliance Cling Stamp Set (right) consists of one (1) cling stamp that can be used as a background image - or as six separate butterflies when cut with the Brilliant Wings Dies.
Brilliant Wings Dies
Item number 155523 - $44 USD
This set of 12 dies (left) also offers a lot of design options. Use the detailed cut-out butterflies, place them on a solid background die, use them as a swarm or a background, make a focal point or accents, or whatever you wish!
Natural Touch Specialty Paper
Item number 156825 - $5 US
This item contains two 12" x 12" sheets.
To order any of the promotional items, please visit https://karensummey.stampinup.net.
The Hobby Demonstrator
A large majority of Stampin' Up! demonstrators are hobbyists only! That means they joined Stampin' Up! as demonstrators purely for the love of the craft - and the opportunity to get instant discounts and early ordering from Stampin' Up!
People who join Stampin' Up! as demonstrators are not obligated to sell a product - EVER! The one real requirement is to maintain a minimum quarterly order of $300. That's $100 a month. That may sound steep for many hobbyists but, honestly, don't many crafters buy a little bit here and a little bit there anyway?
When I consider what I've bought through the years, I've ended up with a mish-mash of products, many of which are still waiting for "someday" in my craft room. That's because I didn't really have a goal in mind in the first place and simply bought craft supplies because they enthused me at the moment of my impulse buy. OR, I bought craft supplies because there was a big discount at the local big box store, and I hated to pass up a bargain.
With Stampin' Up!, a bargain is what you get - ALWAYS! Once you're a demonstrator, you get weekly updates from the corporate office of upcoming promotions, product release dates, pre-orders on products others can't yet get, sneak peeks of upcoming products, a dedicated web portal where you can order products any time you like and get instant discounts as a demonstrator! Discounts start at 20% off and go up if you reach stated thresholds. You set your own pace!
The minute you join, you're asked to build your own starter kit. You literally go to the current products and choose $125 worth of products - and pay only $99 for them (plus your normal sales tax)! Shipping is free! At various times of the year, Stampin' Up! even offers additional incentives to join. During Sale-a-bration in January and February 2021, Stampin' Up! sweetened the deal with an additional $57.50 worth of 6x6 designer series papers in the 2021-2023 "in colors." If I hadn't already been a demonstrator, I would have joined on the spot! How can you beat more than $180 in product for $99 and tax?!?
Don't want a long-term commitment? No problem! There's no pressure from Stampin' Up! or from me. When you join, you're in for at least the current quarter and one month of the next one. If you don't meet the minimum order, you simply become a "regular" customer again. You'll still keep the starter kit items and whatever you buy in the meantime.
Finally, Stampin' Up! offers TONS of business help and training. There are tutorials, marketing materials you can use, a dedicated demonstrator support line where you'll speak with a live person in the Utah support center, and a fabulous online community who helps everyone they can! My experience is that Stampin' Up! values their demonstrators and wants us to succeed!
If you'd like more information or want to join my team, I'm happy to answer any questions you may have or help you get started! I'll support you in any way I can and share what I've learned in my journey thus far. You can reach me at 704-325-3096. I'm in the eastern time zone of the United States, so please judge accordingly.
You have received this newsletter because you opted-in to the website for Karen's Blue Ridge Stamping. Karen is an independent demonstrator for Stampin' Up! If you would like to unsubscribe, please click here. I would be sorry to see you go, but everyone has their priorities. Thanks for reading! Hope to see you next month!