Happy World Card-Making Day!

Oct 7, 2017

World Card-Making Day
Happy World Card-Making Day to all my Stampin' Friends! Today's the day we set aside some time from our usual busy schedules to make (and send) some cards…. and enjoy the special connection to other card-makers around the world who are doing the same.

Additionally, I host an annual Virtual Retreat so my team, along with THEIR friends and customers from across the USA, can be even a little MORE connected while we create our cards this weekend. If you're reading this and you fit in that definition of attendees, please join us in our private retreat FB group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/118681528846590/.

When you ask to join, there'll be 3 quick questions to answer (to ensure you're a real, authorized invitee and not a troll, lol), and then I'll admit you to our private group.

BTW, this set of crate + 4 cards & envelopes was one of the retreat prizes won so far…. and the Wood Textures Designer Series Paper stack is available this month as part of the "Buy 3; get 1 free" Designer Series Paper offer !

Crate + 4 cards

 Main project supplies 

Gourd Goodness Photopolymer Stamp Set

$17.00
Wood Crate Framelits Dies

$30.00
Wood Textures Designer Series Paper Stack

$10.00
Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

$9.00
Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

$9.00
Whisper White 3" X 3" (7.6 X 7.6 Cm) Envelopes

$9.00
Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Pad

$6.50
Always Artichoke Classic Stampin' Pad

$6.50
Tangerine Tango Classic Stampin' Pad

$6.50
Twine Baker's Whisper White

$3.00

Come celebrate WCMD (World Card-Making Day) with us!

Oct 5, 2017

Social Media - 4th Annual WCMD retreat
Fewer than 48 hours left before we launch our 4th Annual World Card-Making Day Virtual Retreat, and if you're a member of the Paper Dreamers Team (of Stampin' Up! demonstrators), or a customer or friend of a Paper Dreamers team member, you're invited to join us! Here's the quick and dirty of what it's all about:

Q: So WHAT is this, exactly?

A: Our 4th annual online celebration of World Card-Making Day, which technically is the first Saturday of October, but we extend the fun over 48 hours – from 4 pm on Friday to 4 pm on Sunday (Pacific Time, that is). The idea is to spend at least some of that 48 hours making cards (in any style or medium you like; we're not picky), while sharing in the social fun, periodic theme challenges/prompts, and prizes. And each year we attempt to beat the prior year's total number of cards made by the group members (which last year was 481!) 

Q: I don't think I live near you; where is this being held? 

A: It's held in a short-term, private Facebook Group, so you can participate from wherever you happen to be, as long as you have internet access. Even in your pajamas! If you are a Paper Dreamers team member, or the customer or friend of a team member, you're welcome to join us! Remember, this is a short-term group just for this weekend's activities, and will be dissolved shortly after the conclusion of the event. Click here to join the group and come play with us!

Q: What if I don't have 48 hours to set aside to make cards?

A: Few of us do. And yeah, we have lives, too. While there'll be new postings put up every hour (or so) during the event (um, except for while we're getting our beauty rest, lol), you are free to pop in and out as your schedule permits. But IF you can be with us for the beginning and ending of the event, you'll probably be glad. 😉

Q: Is there a fee or cost to participate? Long-term obligation due to joining this FB group? Are you collecting info about me to market to me later?

A: NOPE! NOPE! And "not really". (Other than you MIGHT MAYBE get an invitation to participate again next year, but that's not even a for-sure thing.) 

Q: Do I have to use only Stampin' Up!® supplies on my cards? 

A: NOPE! Not for this event. While many of us WILL use primarily Stampin' Up! supplies because that is what we own, you're free to make cards with any other media you wish! (And personally, I'd LOVE to see a variety of crafty concepts!)

Q: What if I still have questions about how this works?

A: If you're a Paper Dreamers team member, or customer or friend of a member, just join the FB group and follow along. We try to make it easy, and I know you'll figure it out!

October desktop calendar is ready to download

Oct 1, 2017
2017 - 10 - October - tinified
Well, we made it to October! But what a wild ride it's been. We just completed one of the hottest and driest summers on record around here, and yet by looking at total rainfall for the past year, it was nearly a record *wet* year! Guess we can chalk that up to an unusually wet spring. Then September brought both unseasonably hot temperatures as well as lower-than-unusual lows. Now that it's October, am I crazy to hope that things might straighten out and be "normal" for a while? (Whatever THAT is, anymore….) I'm not *quite* ready to dive into winter just yet!
 
My monthly desktop wallpaper background not only offers you a pretty seasonal picture for your computer monitor, but also includes a handy monthly calendar and serves as a cheat sheet reference to websites you may want to know about and visit.  And it's even FREE to download and install, so please don't hesitate to share this page with your friends and family.
 
 
You'll probably want to consult your own computer operating system's installation instructions, but installing the background image on my Windows 10 system takes just 3 quick steps – and  less than a minute. It's super-duper easy-peasy!
  1. I download and save the image to my computer - from the link just above that starts with "Click HERE". (NOT from the picture that appears at the top!)  TIP:  To "download" the full-resolution image once it's open (from Google Drive where it's stored), I click on the downward-pointing arrow. THAT is what actually begins the download process to my computer.
  2. Once the file has been downloaded, named and saved to my computer's hard drive, I open it. 
  3. Then I right-click on the image and select "Set as" > "Set as Background"….. then right-click again and select "Set as" > "Set as Lock screen". And poof! That's all there is to it! (For convenience, I install this on both my desktop system as well as my laptop.)
And in case you may have an operating system OTHER than Windows 10, these tips may help with installation:
  1. Windows 10, 8.1 or 7: http://www.digitalcitizen.life/how-customize-desktop-background-windows 
  2. Apple Mac: http://www.wikihow.com/Change-the-Desktop-Background-on-an-Apple-Macintosh-Computer 
 
Finally, please keep in mind that the format of my monthly picture is designed for most modern-day 16:9 monitors (common format for monitors and HD TV's since about 2009), oriented in landscape format. (1920 x 1080 pixels.) If you're working with an older monitor (one that is more square-ish in format), or your monitor is set up in portrait format, the picture will probably not work for you. Sorry 'bout that.

My new favorite stamp set – Painted Harvest

Sep 25, 2017

Well, "Painted Harvest", from the 2017 Holiday Catalog might not only be MY new favorite stamp set, but it seems to have a pretty good track record among stamping enthusiasts in general, so far! Watch for some more ideas and tips for the "Painted Harvest" bundle as September's "Bundle of the Month".

First up, this card, which I made about a dozen of:

Painted Harvest w wm

One of the things I particularly love about the Painted Harvest stamp set is that the 2-step images aren't designed to fit perfectly, so you don't have to stress about perfect alignment. As long as you get them "close", it'll all look fine when finished. That said, I do look to match up the centers of the flower elements as a guide. The centers aren't exactly round, but more oval (kind of), and I have found that if I key in on that unique shape and align that general shape from stamp to stamp, it all works ok.

This card  features the flowers, fern-like leaves, acorn and speckles from the "Painted Harvest" stamp set, the tag die from the "Wood Crate Framelits" set, sentiment from "Teeny Tiny Wishes" stamp set, and linen thread and stamping sponges.  (The ribbon and doily are now retired.)

Painted Harvest w wm close-up

Main colors (other than Whisper White, of course) include:

TAMS Color Builder

Stamping tips: 

Interestingly, there is not one single, fail-safe "success rule" that applies to all 2-step stamp sets. While I usually put down the lightest color first (which usually uses the stamp with the least detail), and follow that with progressively more detailed images (and usually darker ink), every once in a while I'll come across a stamp set that seems to demand a break from that general pattern. The fern images on this set turned out to be one such instance. I found that when I was attempting to align the Garden Green detail stamp atop a Pear Pizzaz base,  for some reason or other I couldn't get the images aligned to save my life. So I simply switched the stamping order, laying down the darker detail image first, and then it was a breeze putting the lighter shade over that. Go figure why that made *such* a difference in success to me, but it did!

And I stamped both elements of the acorn with the same color (Soft Suede), but the lower section was stamped off once, while the cap was stamped with full-strength ink.

144783GWhile this card didn't use it, there is also an adorable coordinating Leaf Punch, which you can bundle with this stamp set to save 10% on both!

146021G

 

 Check back in a few days for more Painted Harvest ideas.

 

Click to shop: 

Painted Harvest Photopolymer Stamp Set

$21.00
Leaf Punch

$16.00
Painted Harvest Photopolymer Bundle

$33.25
Teeny Tiny Wishes Clear Stamp Set

$27.00
Wood Crate Framelits Dies

$30.00

September desktop calendar is ready to download

Sep 1, 2017
 
Ahh…. September! The traditional back-to-school month, although it seems plenty of schools are opening earlier than that these days. But I always look at September with mixed emotions: by this time of year I am SO ready for the heat to ease up and I look forward to the crisp mornings, and yet I am also sad to realize the days are rapidly growing shorter and winter is not that far behind.
My monthly desktop wallpaper background not only offers you a pretty seasonal picture for your computer monitor, but also includes a handy monthly calendar and serves as a cheat sheet reference to websites you may want to know about and visit.  And it's even FREE to download and install, so please don't hesitate to share this page with your friends and family.

Click HERE to download your FREE background & calendar.

You'll probably want to consult your own computer operating system's installation instructions, but installing the background image on my Windows 10 system takes just 3 quick steps – and  less than a minute. It's super-duper easy-peasy!

  1. I download and save the image to my computer - from the link just above that starts with "Click HERE". (NOT from the picture that appears at the top!)  TIP:  To "download" the full-resolution image once it's open (from Google Drive where it's stored), I click on the downward-pointing arrow. THAT is what actually begins the download process to my computer.
  2. Once the file has been downloaded, named and saved to my computer's hard drive, I open it. 
  3. Then I right-click on the image and select "Set as" > "Set as Background"….. then right-click again and select "Set as" > "Set as Lock screen". And poof! That's all there is to it! (For convenience, I install this on both my desktop system as well as my laptop.)

And in case you may have an operating system OTHER than Windows 10, these tips may help with installation:

Finally, please keep in mind that the format of my monthly picture is designed for most modern-day 16:9 monitors (common format for monitors and HD TV's since about 2009), oriented in landscape format. (1920 x 1080 pixels.) If you're working with an older monitor (one that is more square-ish in format), or your monitor is set up in portrait format, the picture will probably not work for you. Sorry 'bout that.

Carols of Christmas – Early Release

Aug 7, 2017

Carols of Christmas

I'm so excited about the Carols of Christmas stamp set and coordinating dies! It's an "early-release" opportunity – available a whole month before the upcoming Holiday Catalog goes live! So even though everyone other than demonstrators will have to wait until September to get their hands on most of the Holiday Catalog yumminess, THIS set of stamps and/or coordinating dies is available to purchase and work with right NOW!

And what a fabulous choice this is for an early release! Whether your design needs lean towards quick and easy, or more towards elegant and classy, "Carols of Christmas" can fill the bill. My favorite features include the fact that the stamp set has not one, but TWO large word images (if you haven't yet discovered the awesomeness of making lovely quick cards with these big words that are so popular now, you really should!), and I simply adore the die that creates an elegant border for the perfect finish on your card front!

And speaking of versatility, that same border would be perfect on a wedding card or invitation, or featured on a scrapbook page….. and of course the tree dies can serve long after the holiday season is but a memory, too.

You can choose either the "Carols of Christmas" stamp set alone (in either wood-mount or clear-mount), or the "Card Front Builder Thinlits Dies" set alone. But of course the absolute best option is to get them both as a bundle and save 10% in the process. 

Carols Of Christmas Wood-Mount Bundle

$52.00
Carols Of Christmas Clear-Mount Bundle

$45.00

 Here's a quick video peek at the stamp set and its dies:

 But wait! Would you like to save $5, $10, $15 or even more on this bundle? Then be sure to redeem the Bonus Days coupon(s) you earned in July! Simply enter the code(s) that were emailed to you after you placed your "$50-or-more" order(s) last month, and you'll get $5 off for each code! Click the image below to download instructions for redeeming at my online store, or contact me to submit your order for ya.
 
1 

Prefer to purchase stamp sets & dies individually? Here ya go! 

 

Carols Of Christmas Wood-Mount Stamp Set

$28.00
Carols Of Christmas Clear-Mount Stamp Set

$20.00
Card Front Builder Thinlits Dies

$30.00

BTW, did you know that Stampin' Up!® demonstrators get to order their products from the upcoming Holiday Catalog a month early? And you could too, if you joined us! Contact me with any questions, or "Just do it", as they say, at: join.YourPaperDreams.com!

August’s desktop background & calendar – ready to download

Aug 2, 2017
2017 - 8 - August - tinified
My monthly desktop wallpaper background not only offers you a pretty seasonal picture for your computer monitor, but also includes a handy monthly calendar and serves as a cheat sheet reference to websites you may want to know about and visit.  And it's even FREE to download and install, so please don't hesitate to share this page with your friends and family.

Click HERE to download your FREE background & calendar.

You'll probably want to consult your own computer operating system's installation instructions, but installing the background image on my Windows 10 system takes just 3 quick steps – and  less than a minute. It's super-duper easy-peasy!

  1. I download and save the image to my computer - from the link just above that starts with "Click HERE". (NOT from the picture that appears at the top!)  TIP:  To "download" the full-resolution image once it's open (from Google Drive where it's stored), I click on the downward-pointing arrow. THAT is what actually begins the download process to my computer.
  2. Once the file has been downloaded, named and saved to my computer's hard drive, I open it. 
  3. Then I right-click on the image and select "Set as" > "Set as Background"….. then right-click again and select "Set as" > "Set as Lock screen". And poof! That's all there is to it! (For convenience, I install this on both my desktop system as well as my laptop.)

And in case you may have an operating system OTHER than Windows 10, these tips may help with installation:

Finally, please keep in mind that the format of my monthly picture is designed for most modern-day 16:9 monitors (common format for monitors and HD TV's since about 2009), oriented in landscape format. If you're working with an older monitor (one that is more square-ish in format), or your monitor is set up in portrait format, the picture will probably not work for you. Sorry 'bout that.

July’s monitor background & calendar are ready to download and install

Jul 2, 2017
So what says "July" in the US more than watermelon and red, white & blue?!?
 
I hope this image on your monitor will make you smile, remind you to stay hydrated, and offer a moment of refreshment during the long hot days that will soon be upon us. 
 
Wishing you a fabulous 4th! Be safe and enjoy your month!
 
2017 - 7 - July - tinified
My monthly desktop wallpaper background not only offers you a pretty seasonal picture for your computer monitor, but also includes a handy monthly calendar and serves as a cheat sheet reference to websites you may want to know about and visit. And it's even FREE to download and install, so please don't hesitate to share this page with your friends and family.

Click HERE to download your FREE background & monthly calendar.

You'll probably want to consult your own computer operating system's installation instructions, but installing the background image on my Windows 10 system takes just 3 quick steps – and  less than a minute. It's super-duper easy-peasy!

  1. I download and save the image to my computer - from the link just above that starts with "Click HERE". (NOT from the picture that appears at the top!)  TIP:  To "download" the full-resolution image once it's open (from Google Drive where it's stored), I click on the downward-pointing arrow. THAT is what actually begins the download process to my computer.
  2. Once the file has been downloaded, named and saved to my computer's hard drive, I open it. 
  3. Then I right-click on the image and select "Set as" > "Set as Background"…… then (optionally) right-click again and select "Set as" > "Set as Lock screen". And poof! That's all there is to it! (For convenience, I install this on both my desktop system as well as my laptop.)

And in case you may have an operating system OTHER than Windows 10, these tips may help with installation:

Finally, please keep in mind that the format of my monthly picture is designed for most modern-day 16:9 monitors (common format for monitors and HD TV's since about 2009), oriented in landscape format. If you're working with an older monitor (one that is more square-ish in format), or your monitor is set up in portrait format, the picture will probably not work for you. Sorry 'bout that.

Paper Pumpkin Mash-up

Jun 26, 2017

YourPaperDreams_Paper_Pumpkin_June_2017[a]
There are lots of reasons crafters enjoy Stampin' Up!'s Paper Pumpkin program: it delivers a crafting surprise to your mailbox every month, introduces products that sometimes go on to show up in the regular line later, offers color combinations you might never have tried, and so many more. Personally, I particularly appreciate getting a new stamp set every month that often compliments others I already own. And these projects are perfect examples of that.

Both the gift bag and the "Hooray" card came from this month's Paper Pumpkin kit. I was immediately captivated by the bright, fun colors in this kit, and sat down to assemble every element immediately. (June's kit included enough supplies for 4 gift bags, tags & tissues + 6 coordinating cards with envelopes….. and as usual, sufficient extra elements to use on future projects, too.)

I knew right away who would be the first recipient of one of my bag/card combos, but the occasion called for a little bit different sentiment on the tag than those that came with the kit. So a quick exploration of my stamp sets turned up "So excited to see you!" – from "Marquee Messages". 

Visit http://paperpumpkin.yourpaperdreams.com/ and click on "How it works" to learn more about Paper Pumpkin. And if you decide you'd like to try a subscription (either month-to-month or prepaid), please select my name – Lynda Glassmoyer (Post Falls, ID) – if the system asks for the name of a Stampin' Up! demonstrator. (Thank you kindly for choosing me.)

I can't say as I've ever really been captivated by the color Emerald Envy; it reminds me of Glorious Green, from oh, SO many years ago….. which only saw daylight at my place around Christmastime. But when this kit paired Emerald Envy with Melon Mambo for this charming watermelon, well, ok, I had to admit I liked it. In fact I liked it so well I had to keep using it, even after all the elements of this Paper Pumpkin kit had been assembled!

Watermelon thank you

So here's the next thing I made a pile of….. using not only the same colors and watermelon stamp from June's kit, but a sentiment from April's Paper Pumpkin kit, along with a "wreath" die from Santa's Sleigh Thinlits. (The die proved perfect for taking a "bite" out of the watermelon!) And having taken a queue from last year's "Pop of Pink" Designer Series Paper (retired), I've come to really love pairing Melon Mambo with Basic Black. Talk about making a statement! So a strip of each color anchors the bottom of the card, and the watermelon and sentiment elements are then balanced with a set of 3 small rhinestones. A very basic card with a big helping of sass, don'tcha think?

Oh, and did you know that if you're already a subscriber to Paper Pumpkin you can get a refill for the consumable elements of the kit? (While supplies last, that is.)  As of today, the refill for June's kit is still available in my online store here – for only $8 US.

June’s desktop background & calendar is ready to download

Jun 1, 2017

Strawberries! I love 'em! And that's what comes to mind when I think of June. I planted a crate-ful a couple weeks ago on my balcony and I've even harvested a half-dozen already….. although they're very itsy-bitsy. I know that many people advise picking off the flowers the first year in favor of larger berries the 2nd year, but given that I can't keep mine alive over the winter, that seems self-defeating. So I'll just fertilize liberally (organically), and take whatever I can get. This month's background/calendar is a tribute to my favorite seasonal berries.

2017 - 6 - June - tinified

My monthly desktop wallpaper background not only offers you a pretty seasonal picture for your computer monitor, but also includes a handy monthly calendar and serves as a cheat sheet to websites you'll  frequently want to know about and visit. 

Click here to download your FREE background & calendar.

You'll probably want to consult your own computer operating system's installation instructions, but installing the background image on my Windows 10 system takes just 3 quick steps – and  less than a minute. It's super-duper easy-peasy!

  1. I download and save the image to my computer – from the link just above that starts with "Click HERE". (NOT from the picture that appears at the top!)  TIP:  To "download" the full-resolution image once it's open (from Google Drive where it's stored), I click on the downward-pointing arrow. THAT is what actually begins the download process to my computer.
  2. Once the file has been downloaded, named and saved to my computer's hard drive, I open it. 
  3. Then I right-click on the image and select "Set as", then "Set as Background". And poof! That's all there is to it! (For convenience, I install this on both my desktop system as well as my laptop.)

And in case you may have an operating system OTHER than Windows 10, these tips may help with installation:

Finally, please keep in mind that the format of my monthly picture is designed for most modern-day 16:9 monitors (common format for monitors and HD TV's since about 2009), oriented in landscape format. If you're working with an older monitor (one that is more square-ish in format), or your monitor is set up in portrait format, the picture will probably not work for you. Sorry 'bout that.