Changing Priorities

I want to create for the joy of it, and not feel pressured to photo-document everything I make.  In the beginning of this stamping/ card-making adventure, I was excited to share my ideas and creations.  Since I haven't gone super high-tech, the process to photograph. download, watermark, and upload photos to my blog is a little bit involved.  Honestly, I don't have time for that.  My family needs me now, more than ever, so I'm not going to be posting for a while.  I don't like the feeling that I have to catch up on projects to show you.  I would rather make and give away something and have the pleasure of making that person smile, than feel bound by pinning & posting images of everything I do.  Don't get me wrong, I'll still be making things, and experimenting with new layouts, techniques, and color combinations, but I won't be sharing my every move online.  So, for now I'll also be giving up being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator.  It's been a fun 5 years, but it just doesn't fit in my life right now.  I'm trying to simplify and organize my life so I can enjoy it more.  

So, if you want to order something through me, I'll pay basic shipping on your order, now through 30 June.

I challenge you to get out there, create something simple & beautiful and give it to someone else.  Bring joy and sunshine to someone's life today.  If you're someone who pins everything online, I challenge you to give it away without pinning it; this will make your project something special between you and the recipient.   If you're someone who makes and makes, but doesn't send, I challenge you to actually give or mail your project.  Do not let perfectionism or procrastination get in your way.  The card you made is fine; it doesn't have to be "perfect" to make someone else happy.  Write a note (it doesn't have to be a long letter), find that address, put a stamp on it (they're still less than .50 cents), and put it in the mailbox.  You will totally bring joy and a smile to a friend by doing this.  Like the FLY Lady says, even imperfect housework blesses your family.  So, even imperfect card-making brings encouragement to others.       

My Paper Pumpkin!

Once upon a time there was a girl...

She didn’t have time to create.

She didn’t know what to create.
She didn’t want to buy a lot of stuff. 
Fortunately she found Paper Pumpkin.

Paper Pumpkin

Paper Pumpkin is an all included project kit, which comes to your door each month (a fully decked-out creativity carriage).  It will help you escape the ordinary with some paper fun. It’s like a spa package or a creative retreat, all wrapped up in a red box.  The projects are designed to take 30 minutes or less to complete. You'll love what you find on the inside:

All the stamps, ink, paper, and accessories to create pin-worthy projects.

Paper Pumpkin is $19.95 per month: sign up at www.mypaperpumpkin.com.

All you need is your magic wand (credit card) to sign up.

It’s the total package:

•    It’s $19.95 (and shipping is covered), and arrives monthly.

•    It’s got all the materials for the project, all cut, measured, and ready—with

      instructions included.

•    It’s a new and exciting surprise every month.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers:

Q: When will I be billed?

A: Your credit card will be charged as soon as your Paper Pumpkin ships.

     You will get an e-mail notifying you that your card has been charged.

Q: What comes in my Paper Pumpkin?

A: It's a surprise each month—anticipation for the surprise is seriously half the fun!

  No worries, though, you'll have everything you need to complete the project: paper, stamps, ink, accessories, and more! (You will need adhesive.)

Q: Is my subscription on auto-renew? 
A: Yes, your subscription is on auto-renew. However, you can skip a month or cancel at any time. Simply log on to your account on www.mypaperpumpkin.com,  and click skip a month before the 10^th of the month in order to skip the Paper Pumpkin for that month. If you click skip a month on the 11th of the month, you will receive that month's Paper Pumpkin and not receive the following month's Paper Pumpkin.

Q: When do I need to sign up in order to get my Paper Pumpkin for a specific month?

A: You need to sign up by the 10th of the month in order to receive your Paper Pumpkin for that month. If you sign up after the 10th―no worries! You will get your first kit the following month.  You'll know your Paper Pumpkin is on its way when you

      receive your shipment confirmation e-mail.

The Welcome Kit is the very first Paper Pumpkin you will receive in your first month of membership. The Welcome Kit includes a free gift: a clear acrylic block!

Starting in early March, we'll offer a Try-It Kit if you'd like to try Paper Pumpkin for one month.

This is a wonderful kit if you want to play fairy godmother to a daughter, granddaughter, niece, etc.

When you sign up, it will ask you if you have a demonstrator, click on the link that says: I already have a demonstrator, and then fill in my name & state and it will find me: Judith Bassem, CT.

Banners

I've been working on some banners lately, both paper and felt.

It's amazing how important you can make someone feel with a personalized banner for their special day.

This was a custom order for a wedding.  Happily ever after...

 The flower and jeweled embellishments add just the right touch for this celebration.

And Mr. & Mrs. 

Here's a birthday banner (in Spanish) for a dear friend.

  I enjoy adding embellishments to make the banner just-right for its recipient.

 Here's a sneak peek at some felt banners.  Welcome home (patriotic), and birthday boy & birthday girl.

 The colors are a little off here, but this gives you an idea of the birthday banners.

In another week or so when I finish my final paper for my university class, 

I'll list some banners and cards on my etsy shop.  

I also take orders for custom banners.  
(You choose the words, material, and colors.)

Stamping Day!

Do you have a stash of craft supplies that have been sitting in your closet "waiting for the perfect moment"?

Well, one of those perfect moments is Saturday, September 22nd, September 29th.
Escape from your house, bring your supplies and stamp & craft away at my place!  Enjoy pleasant company, exchange ideas, use any of my tools, punches, or Big Shot.  I will provide delicious snacks & lunch.


Menu:
Fresh fruit
Coffee, Tea, Juice & Soda

Muffins
Turkey Panini
Healthy Snacks
Ethically Traded Organic Chocolate










Reserve your spot because space is limited.
Your space is available from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  Come any time during that window.
Cost for the day is $20.
Contact me to reserve your place.

Eco-Friendly Birthday Banner

So I wanted to make a re-useable birthday banner that would fit for a boy or a girl.  Here's the result:

I used the Big Shot and the Scallop Square die to cut blocks of felt.

I like this material because of its bright colors, and it's neat because it's made from recycled soda bottles.

 

 Here are some close-ups of some button details.  These are buttons from Stampin' Up! Brights collection.

 

Afterwards my sister found a string of matching paper lanterns (also re-usable for years to come).

 

I'll be making more banners like this for the O'Tis a Festival in November.

Birthday Gifts

My birthday is this month, so I want to give you a gift to celebrate!

From now through 31 August: 

Everyone who places an order with me will receive a set of love notes (four 3x3 cards with envelopes).

Everyone who books a private card party with me will receive two sets of love notes (a total of eight 3x3 cards with envelopes).

Sorry, this offer is limited to the USA.

 

Love Impressions!

Sweet Hearts

February Cards-Archive

  Hi all, thanks for visiting my blog, even though I haven't posted anything in a while. 

I have been creating cards, just having some lag time with photographing them, watermarking, uploading, and posting them.  I gave up photographing each type of card because I got bogged down with all the steps, and struggling with perfectionism. 

So, here are some cards I made last year.

 I rocked out a whole bunch of these bird cards.  The floral DSP was lovely, and matched well with the Always stamp.  It's an easy card to make, whether you need a simple card for one friend, or many cards to send to lots of people.

 And, no, they're not perfect, the pictures aren't studio quality, but I wanted to share some ideas with you anyway.  I'm an imperfect person living in a world with weakness.  ...but I love to create projects and send cards to brighten up someone's day/ week.  

It only takes a few minutes to make a card, write a note, and send it out.  It doesn't have to be museum-worthy.  Don't let that hold you back.  Just do something simple, so you can get write & mail the note, and get back to taking care of your family and tackling your never-ending to-do list.  

Stamping for the Holidays

Stamping for the Holidays

Come by my place, enjoy some hot cocoa, and stamp a set of cards to give to that special someone, or stamp a stack of cards to send.
Class fee of $25 includes envelopes, adhesive, and all materials.

Option A: stamp 12 Christmas/ winter cards.

Option B: stamp 2 sets of 5 cards, includes clear card boxes for packaging. (Two gift packs of 5 cards = 10 cards total.)

Please give me advance notice of 24-48 hours so I can prepare your materials.  Let me know which day and which option you would like.  

Space is limited, so sign up soon.

Friday, December 2, 2:30-4:30

Saturday, December 3, 10:00-1:00

Saturday, December 10, 10:00-1:00

Monday, December 12, 5:00-7:30

Friday, December 16, 2:30-4:30

RSVP: bassemjudith@gmail.com

Library Craft Fair

Please join me at Otis Library on Saturday, November 19th for the Holiday Craft & Book Fair.

I'll have greeting cards for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other occasions.  

Hand-crafted card sets are a perfect gift or stocking stuffer. 

Check out my sweet gift tags for Hanukkah and Christmas.  

Give your Holiday table that extra special touch with hand-stamped placecards. 

Stop by and make a monogrammed magnet too!

I look forward to seeing you there!

 

Breast Cancer Awareness Event

You’re invited to come stamp a free card for

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Come stamp a beautiful card and help stamp out breast cancer.

For each person that comes, I will donate $1 to the Backus Circles of Care Fund for Breast Cancer Awareness.

Dates:  October 21(Fri), 24(Mon), or 28 (Fri).

Where: Judith’s Stamping Studio

When: anytime between 2:30-4:00

Please RSVP so I can prepare materials for you:  

bassemjudith@gmail.com

Easy Card Kit

Do you like to do easy projects?  Life can get busy, but somewhere in the back of our mind, we want to do something special for the people around us.  A big creative project might be too overwhelming.  These little card kits are perfect!  They're easy; the project is finite.  From pulling the kit out of the box, to finished product will only take 15 minutes.  The only additional things you need are, adhesive, stamps,* and ink.*

*That is, if you want to add a greeting or sentiment.

There's a special running through Monday, if you buy two kits (you could get different ones if you want to branch out, or the same one if you really like it) you get a free coordinating stamp set.

Click here for more details.