How Stamping Changed My Life and a Quick Marker Technique!

Hi Friends! Do you recall the first time you were introduced to stamping? I sure do! It was more than thirty years ago and I was visiting my Mom (who lives in the US). We were in my Mom’s kitchen when she pulled out some of her stamps to show me how they worked, using a rainbow ink pad. WOW! I couldn’t believe the magic I was seeing! So quick and easy! And then my world was about to pivot because my mom pulled out a versamark ink pad, some powder and a heat tool and showed me HEAT EMBOSSING. Ohhhh myyyyy word. My mind was BLOWN! I picked my jaw off of the floor and gave stamping a try myself – it was LOVE at first sight. Now, this was over 30 years ago and I STILL remember it as if it was yesterday. Guess what? My Mom is also the one who introduced me to Stampin’ Up! I was back in the States visiting my mom, this was 2001, and she took me over to her neighbour’s house to see her beautiful stamped cards. She had shoeboxes FULL of the most amazing cards I’d ever seen. Then my mom’s neighbour opened up a cupboard and her shelves were FULL of stamp cases – with each stamp coordinating with the rest of set. I’d never seen this before and it was another jaw-dropping experience! I called Stampin’ Up! as soon as I returned home and asked when they would be arriving in Canada. In April 2002 I flew over to Vancouver (I was working for the airlines at the time) for their Canadian launch and was one of the first to sign up. What an amazing night that was! For the first eight years, I was a ‘hobby demonstrator’, enjoying my demonstrator discount and stamping with my friends and having a workshop or two a month. In 2010 I made the decision to turn my hobby into a full-time business.  Stampin’ Up! has changed my life and brought so many experiences and blessings into my world – it’s been such a journey. All these MANY years later, I’m still passionate about this craft and it’s thrilling to share it with others.

This picture was taken a few years ago, but it’s one of my favourite photos of my Mom and I.

Can you IMAGINE if my Mom had not introduced me to stamping, you guys? You wouldn’t be reading this blog post or watching my videos, that’s for sure. I wouldn’t be my own boss, working full-time from home for the past ten years. I wouldn’t have earned trips and travelled as I have and imagine all the incredible friendships I’d have missed out on! Yikes, it bears not to be thought about!So THANK YOU, Mom, for changing my LIFE, all with a stamp and some ink (and let’s not forget that magical powder too – heat embossing still THRILLS me!). By the way, friends, my Mom is still stamping too and she makes beautiful cards (combined with her cricut machine). Unfortunately, my Mom lives in Washington, and I’m way across the country now (and on the other side of the border), otherwise, we’d be having LOTS of fun stamping and creating together!

So this brings me to my next story, of sharing stamping with others…

Last week I called a florist to order some flowers for a friend/team member who lives in another province. The lady helping me over the phone was super sweet and VERY helpful. During our conversation, I mentioned my Stampin’ Up! business. She had had never heard of Stampin’ Up!, much less ‘stamping‘. Exciting, right? I asked if she would like me to send her a catalogue and she immediately said “YES!” and that she couldn’t wait to see what this ‘stamping’ was all about. So I wanted to send her a card that wouldn’t look too intimidating to make, especially for a beginner stamper. I used a super quick marker technique, stamped the images and sentiment and added a light wash of grey for the ‘ground’. I stamped the same on her envelope too and popped her catalogue and card in the mail. I actually made a video a few years ago showing this technique using our Stampin’ Write markers but I must say, I prefer using the Stampin’ Blends now. It’s been seven years since I filmed my “One Minute Card” technique using the markers, but if you’d like to see it, click HERE.  

I can’t wait to touch base with my new florist friend once she gets her package in the mail. I hope that, as she discovers the art of stamping, it will bring as much joy into HER life as it has mine.

Supply List:

Silhouette Scenes Cling Stamp Set

[149223]

Stamparatus

[146276]

Jet Black Stāzon Ink Pad

[101406]

Whisper White 8-1/2″ X 11″ Cardstock

[100730]

Terracotta Tile 8-1/2″ X 11″ Cardstock

[150884]

Smoky Slate Classic Stampin’ Pad

[147113]

Water Painters

[151298]

Daffodil Delight Stampin’ Blends Markers Combo Pack

[144603]

Pumpkin Pie Stampin’ Blends Markers Combo Pack

[144599]

Calypso Coral Stampin’ Blends Markers Combo Pack

[144045]

Rich Razzleberry Stampin’ Blends Markers Combo Pack

[144602]

Pool Party Stampin’ Blends Markers Combo Pack

[144605]

Night Of Navy Stampin’ Blends Markers Combo Pack

[144040]

• All online orders will receive a hand stamped card in the mail (as long as I have your address!) and 12 step-by-step stamping tutorials will be emailed to you as token of my appreciation for your online order!

• At the end of each month everyone who ordered with me has their name put in a draw for a gift of Stampin’ Up! product (winner is chosen via random.org). 

Simply enter this month’s special host code 

prior to submitting your order through my website.

  

If your order is $200 or more DO NOT enter the Host Code 

so that you will also receive your stamping rewards 

(I will still send you the PDF tutorials). 

Enjoy the day & HAPPY STAMPING!

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