Tag Archives: 2019

Download your December 2019 Wallpaper/Calendar

Dec 2, 2019
Download your December 2019 Wallpaper/Calendar
Download your December 2019 Wallpaper/Calendar
December 2019 Wallpaper/Calendar is ready!

Sitting here shivering as I’m writing this, I was particularly attracted to the warm and glowing tones of these festive packages. While I’m nowhere near ready to admit just how close Christmas is already, in my mind’s eye I picture buzzing households full of decorations, beautifully-wrapped packages, crackling fireplaces, excited children and my favorite aroma, ginger cookies baking. It’s time to download your December 2019 Wallpaper/Calendar. Merry Christmas!

My monthly desktop wallpaper & calendar offers you a pretty seasonal picture to brighten your computer monitor. But that’s not all. It also includes a handy monthly calendar and serves as a cheat-sheet reference to PDF’s and websites you may want to know about and access.  And it’s even FREE to download, so please don’t hesitate to share this page with your friends and family.

How to download & install your December 2019 wallpaper/calendar

Note: 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! 

Here’s how you can (probably) do it, too.

    1. Start by left-clicking right here and the full-resolution image should open in a new tab. Then right click on the image and save it to your hard drive.
    2. Once the file has been downloaded, named and saved, click on your saved image to open it. 
    3. Once open, 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 recommend you install this on both your desktop system and your laptop. Assuming you still have both these days, of course!)

Tips for other operating systems:

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

  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 (a common format for monitors and HD TV’s since about 2009), oriented in landscape format. (Typically 1920 x 1080 pixels.) If you’re working with an older monitor (and/or one that is more square-ish in format), or your monitor is set up in portrait format or some other variation, the picture may not work for you.

Shucks! And I’m real sorry about that!

Download your November 2019 Wallpaper/Calendar

Nov 3, 2019
Download your November 2019 Wallpaper/Calendar
November 2019 Wallpaper/Calendar

Early snows, harsh winds, and a record-breaking cold October in Spokane (just the next sizable town over from here) have all conspired to treat the autumn leaves around here rather harshly.  So, as I’ve remained hungry for a bit of peaceful fall color, this image caught my eye right away. It may not be what I see outside my window, but it says “fall” in the gentle whisper I crave. And you can enjoy it, too; the November 2019 Wallpaper/Calendar is ready to download and install on your own computer monitor(s). 

My monthly desktop wallpaper & calendar offers you a pretty seasonal picture to brighten your computer monitor. But that’s not all. It also includes a handy monthly calendar and serves as a cheat-sheet reference to PDF’s and websites you may want to know about and access.  And it’s even FREE to download, so please don’t hesitate to share this page with your friends and family.

How to download & install your November 2019 wallpaper/calendar

Note: 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! 

Here’s how you can (probably) do it, too.

    1. Start by left-clicking right here and the full-resolution image should open in a new tab. Then right click on the image and save it to your hard drive.
    2. Once the file has been downloaded, named and saved, click on your saved image to open it. 
    3. Once open, 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 recommend you install this on both your desktop system and your laptop. Assuming you still have both these days, lol!)

Tips for other operating systems:

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

  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 (a common format for monitors and HD TV’s since about 2009), oriented in landscape format. (Typically 1920 x 1080 pixels.) If you’re working with an older monitor (and/or one that is more square-ish in format), or your monitor is set up in portrait format or some other variation, the picture may not work for you.

Shucks! And I’m real sorry about that!

Time to beautify your computer monitor again

Sep 3, 2019
Time to beautify your computer monitor again
beautify your computer monitor

Well, I’m a couple days tardy with making this official announcement, but it’s time to do your monthly refresh – and beautify your computer monitor again!

And, as many children are heading back to school this week (or so would suggest the numbers of pictures of kids appearing in my Facebook feed who are sporting new backpacks and lunch boxes, anyway), my thoughts go to teachers, and then that, naturally, leads to apples. So here ya go!

My monthly desktop wallpaper & calendar offers you a pretty seasonal picture to brighten your computer monitor. But that’s not all. It also includes a handy monthly calendar and serves as a cheat sheet reference to PDF’s and websites you may want to know about and access.  And it’s even FREE to download, so please don’t hesitate to share this page with your friends and family.

Download September’s wallpaper to your own computer

Note: 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! Here’s how you can (probably) do it, too.

  1. Start by left-clicking right here and the full-resolution image should open in a new tab. Then right-click on the image and save it to your hard drive.
  2. Once the file has been downloaded, named and saved, click on your saved image to open it. 
  3. Once open, 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 recommend you install this on both your desktop system and your laptop. Assuming you still have both these days, lol!)

Tips for other operating systems:

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

  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 (a 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 or some other variation, the picture will likely not work for you. Shucks! I’m sorry ‘about that!

April’s Wallpaper/Calendar is ready to download

Apr 1, 2019
April’s Wallpaper/Calendar is ready to download
Download this complimentary wallpaper/calendar for your own computer monitor!
Download this complimentary wallpaper/calendar for your own computer monitor! See instructions below.

The sun has FINALLY arrived, and for a little while this afternoon I actually had my sliding door open for the first time this season! Even dumped a little water on the poor bedraggled potted plants in hopes that something might have survived the incredible winter that just concluded. It’ll be a while before I know for sure, but I figured a little water wouldn’t hurt them. And yes, I’m even starting to get the “planting” itch.

My monthly desktop wallpaper background offers you a pretty seasonal picture to brighten your computer monitor. But that’s not all; it 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, so please don’t hesitate to share this page with your friends and family.

Download April’s wallpaper to your own computer:

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. Download and save the image to your computer – from the link just above that starts with “Click HERE”. (NOT from the picture that appears with this post!)  TIP:  To “download” the full-resolution image once it’s open (from Google Drive where it’s stored), click on the downward-pointing arrow. THAT is what actually begins the download process to your computer.
  2. Once the file has been downloaded, named and saved to your computer’s hard drive, open the image. 
  3. Once open, 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 recommend you install this on both your desktop system as well as your laptop.)

Tips for other operating systems:

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

  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 (a 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.

March’s Wallpaper/Calendar is ready to download.

Mar 1, 2019
March’s Wallpaper/Calendar is ready to download.

Man-oh-man! After the unusually incessant February snow and cold we’ve had here in North Idaho, it’s hard to envision that March might look any different. Spokane, WA (our neighbor across the border), just finished their 2nd-snowiest February on record, so I presume we’re probably somewhere in a similar range as well.

March 2019 Wallpaper/Calendar for your computer monitor.

But by contrast, I’ve heard that some of my friends (who obviously live in other states) are already seeing crocus buds beginning to push out of the ground. Now, I do know that croci are determined little flowers and can sometimes push their way through patches of snow that might still be lying around, but these sweet little flowers certainly won’t be getting through the feet of snow we’ve still got around here! Nonetheless, I chose a snow-free picture for this month in hopes that perhaps sometime before the 31st this white-as-far-as-you-can-see may begin to recede. I think we’re ALL ready for a glimpse of springtime color!

My monthly desktop wallpaper background offers you a pretty seasonal picture to brighten your computer monitor. But that’s not all; it 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, so please don’t hesitate to share this page with your friends and family.

Download March’s wallpaper to your own computer:

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. Download and save the image to your computer – from the link just above that starts with “Click HERE”. (NOT from the picture that appears with this post!)  TIP:  To “download” the full-resolution image once it’s open (from Google Drive where it’s stored), click on the downward-pointing arrow. THAT is what actually begins the download process to your computer.
  2. Once the file has been downloaded, named and saved to your computer’s hard drive, open the image. 
  3. Once open, 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 recommend you install this on both your desktop system as well as your laptop.)

Tips for other operating systems:

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

Finally, please keep in mind that the format of my monthly picture is designed for most modern-day 16:9 monitors (a 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.

Lovely Lattice Stamp Set meets Stampin’ Blends

Feb 20, 2019
Lovely Lattice Stamp Set meets Stampin’ Blends

One of my favorite “Freebie” choices from the 2019 Sale-a-Bration (going on now through March 31) is the stamp set “Lovely Lattice”. And when it’s brought to life through the magic of Stampin’ Blends, well… now there’s a match totally made in heaven!

Lovely Lattice – Choose this stamp set for FREE with a $50 product order during Sale-a-Bration 2019. (Thru March 31, while supplies last.)

I was almost sad to see this card completed. Coloring in an outline image isn’t all that far off from the days of crayons and coloring book pages – elements of a relaxing past-time I have never really outgrown. So when my eye warned “That’s enough, Lynda; it’s done”, my heart wasn’t quite ready to cooperate. Nevertheless, I reluctantly put down my grown-up crayons and tended to final assembly.

“You can never have too many flower sets (in your stamp collection).”

– Lynda Glassmoyer

Those who know me, know I’m a sucker for flowers. And it certainly shows in my stamp collection! But why not? Flower images are appropriate for (almost) any card-giving occasion, and in this case, I didn’t even have a concrete idea yet for where this card was headed. I had no one specific in mind to receive it, and figured I’d just leave the outside free of any particular sentiment that could limit its use later on.

Getting the look

I began this card by stamping the largest image in the stamp set with Memento Tuxedo Black ink – onto Whisper White cardstock. And then used Stampin’ Blends in both light and dark shades of the following colors to bring it to life:

And a little touch of Pumpkin Pie in some of the flower centers. Then I created the highlights with the Stampin’ Blends Color Lifter.

Lovely Lattice colored with Stampin’ Blends

At this point, I realized a touch of dimension seemed in order. So I took that entire stamped & colored layer and ran it through the Big Shot inside the “Subtle” embossing folder. (BTW, that folder is right up there near the very top of my faves at the moment!)

3D Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder – “Subtle”

Then I added the same embossing to the front half of the Balmy Blue card base. I mounted the stamped & embossed layer onto an un-embossed layer of Highland Heather, and then adhered those layers onto the card base. The textural difference between embossed layers and those without embossing seemed to strike just the right contrast.

The final details

But it still needed just a bit more dimension. So, grabbing one of the Pumpkin Pie Stampin’ Blends, I quickly transformed a few “plain-ol‘-white” pearls into coordinating flower centers and added those to some of the flowers.

And that little flower down in the lower right corner? It was stamped onto a scrap of Whisper White cardstock, colored in with the same Blends markers, and then fussy-cut and positioned for visual balance.

Did you know that if you were to order all the Stampin’ Blends I’ve use here, and toss in the “Subtle” embossing folder, you’d qualify to get this lovely stamp set for free? Get all the goodies here.

Featured products

Handmade Valentine Card – then & now

Feb 8, 2019
Handmade Valentine Card – then & now

Remember the days of childhood when it was so much fun to make a handmade Valentine card? You’d drag out the construction paper, scissors, and paste, and create something really special straight from your heart, right? Well, that’s exactly what we were recalling as we assembled this card at last month’s card classes!


Handmade Valentine Card – Grown-up Version

For all the color, texture and layers going on with this card, it’s deceptively simple to make… although not necessarily quick to assemble. Actually, it might be the type of card you’d choose to put together while watching TV, so your mind could focus on something other than gluing hearts down in place. Again and again.

The colors featured on this card are Blushing Bride and Bermuda Bay – which together, make up one of my favorite color combos.

Oh! Wait! Um, let me try that again…

ANY color that coordinates and combines with Bermuda Bay represents “one of my favorite color combos“, lol! But yep, this is indeed one of my regular “go-to” combos.

And can you believe that everything, with the exception of the ribbon, was created with just one die set: the “Be Mine Stitched Framelits Dies“?!?

Be Mine Stitched Framelits Dies

So it’s all pretty simple, actually.

It starts with die-cutting all the pieces and then laying them out to dry-fit. (The two Blushing Bride lengths of hearts near the bottom are actually one piece put thru the Big Shot and then carefully trimmed into 2 sections with Paper Snips.) Once you’ve got that done and everything’s laid out to your satisfaction, it’s time to anchor everything down. My adhesive preference for this step is Multi-purpose Liquid Glue, applied in tiny amounts at a time, to the back of each die-cut element using a small piece of scrap-paper as an applicator.

“When it comes to applying glue, less is more.”


Reminder words repeated ad nauseam at most of my card classes.

But basically, that means that less glue not only dries faster, it also leaves fewer smears on your project, fewer sticky fingers, and overall less mess and frustration. And then a happier papercrafter.

Finally, you may want to add some Wink of Stella shimmer to the small solid hearts. It’s my philosophy that you can never have too much shimmer and shine.

Do you have a memory of making Valentine cards as a kid? If so, please share your recollections in the comments.

What topic am I best known for “harping” on?

Jan 24, 2019
What topic am I best known for “harping” on?

Think you know what topic I’m best known for harping on? Well, I’m not sure if I’m REALLY known for this subject, but I sure oughtta be. And I’m pleased to share that it appears my message is starting to get through. Hurray!

So just how many times have you heard me say something like: “If there’s something currently available from Stampin’ Up! that you really, really want (or even WILL want to use later), better plan on getting it now while it’s still available.”

We’re all learning a lesson here

This is a lesson that’s proven itself true again and again over the past several years. Sale-a-Bration items run out and get discontinued considerably before the SAB term expires. The most popular Christmas products run out before some people have even started to *think* about designing their Christmas cards for the year.

143230s

And who can forget the incredibly unfortunate circumstance of 2017’s Father’s Day-focused “Build It” Framelits Dies completely running out weeks before anyone had even  thought about Father’s Day! That set of dies is STILL being searched for every day on the internet, and I finally just sold my set a couple months ago for about $10 over its original asking price. And had I known at the time I offered my set for sale, that I’d have a half-dozen additional people clamor for it too, I’d have asked a whole bunch more in the first place!

So here’s where I’m going with all this…

The Occasions and SAB products have been available for exactly 3 weeks now. And we’re already starting to see shortages of supply for certain items. Just Tuesday afternoon I heard myself advising my afternoon Card Class ladies to not wait TOO long to order things from the Occasions and SAB options that they might really want. I think I was delivering this speech sometime around mid to late afternoon… and as I listened to my own words I remember thinking to myself, “Lynda, good grief, why do you keep HARPING on this topic all the time?!?”

Organdy Ribbon combo pack

Well, fast-forward about 2 to 2-1/2 hours from that moment… to the time I arrived home. Went directly to the computer to see what had transpired while
I’d been doing classes all day… and lo and behold, there was an announcement from Stampin’ Up! regarding the SAB product “Organdy Ribbon Combo” pack (page 7 of the SAB brochure), that had apparently been posted sometime since I’d checked right before heading out to my morning class.

The message stated that due to the product’s popularity it was already sold out, and backorders had mounted quickly. So much so, in fact, that they’d already had to turn off its ordering number. Apparently, there will be more arriving to the warehouse sometime in March, and at that time the ordering number will be turned back on again. But in the meantime, it sounds like anyone who doesn’t already have their Organdy Ribbon Combo ordered is in for a rather long wait before they can even order it.

Butterfly duet punch

And then today, 2 additional items found their way into the spotlight.
The Butterfly Duet Punch (Occasions Catalog, page 35) will have its ordering number turned off tomorrow morning (Friday, January 25, at 10:00 am Mountain time, which is 9:00 am for my Pacific time friends), and the earliest it’s expected to reappear will be mid-March, as well. But even then, it’s possible that the first shipment may not cover the back-orders that have already collected and which are expected to grow between now and tomorrow morning. However, if it’s been on your wish-list, you do have a few more hours to at least get on the wait-list!

Alas, there’s more…

Cake Builder Punch

There’s also the “Cake Builder Punch”, likely next in line for running out – expected to be not too far into the future, too. So similar story there: order real quick before inventories are depleted, or initial back-orders may get filled around Mid-March.
And orders placed farther down the road may have to wait even longer.

But we’re all learning with experience

Actually, I’ve seen many of these selections already show up on orders this month, so I’m pleased that it appears my “harping” may be beginning to get through and take effect. And if it is, then I’ll consider that a very GOOD thing!

And while I’m on the subject of placing orders, I’d like to send out a big “thank you!” to everyone who’s ordered through me already this month! You’ve really helped launch Sale-a-Bration 2019 with a BANG! 🙂

But don’t forget: if you haven’t yet ordered your Butterfly Duet Punch, you’ve still got a few more hours…. until tomorrow morning (10:00 am Mountain/ 9:00 am Pacific)… to get your name on the wait-list. Shop at: store.YourPaperDreams.com , and search for item 148523, (or bundle 150599, which will also include the lovely coordinating stamp set)!

Sale-a-Bration (SAB) – Perk #2 – Hosts & “I Deserve It” orders get extra Stampin’ Rewards!

Jan 17, 2019
Sale-a-Bration (SAB) – Perk #2 – Hosts & “I Deserve It” orders get extra Stampin’ Rewards!
2019-SAB-Botanical-Butterfly-DSP-800b

Welcome to the 2nd in my series of 3 posts detailing the perks of Stampin’ Up!’s “Sale-a-Bration 2019”! (Yes, that’s another example showcasing the Botanical Butterfly Designer Series Papers, which are available as a freebie choice with an order of $50, along with the super-popular Butterfly Duet Punch).

In my last post I discussed the Sale-a-Bration perk that everyone seems to be most familiar with: getting to choose a free product with each $50 you order. But the perk we’ll refer to in THIS post is pretty doggone sweet, too!

So, you probably know (or at least I HOPE you know) that Stampin’ Up! offers a rewards program for those who gather a few friends together and host a group stampin’ event. (Call it a party, call it a class or call it something else, Stampin’ Rewards will be part of it if there are sufficient qualifying sales.) Typically, when combined orders from such an event reach $150 in product sales, those rewards (called “Stampin’ Rewards”) kick in for the host.

At $150 in total product sales, the host can select most any product of her choice equal to 10% of the sales (which would be exactly $15, if the total product sales were $150, for instance). And as the total product sales increase, the percentage levels of Stampin’ Rewards increase too, until they ultimately reach 16% of the total product sales. In addition, when sales cross the $450 line, the host can also get any one item of her choice for half-price! (Big Shot, Color Family of ink pads, or Stamparatus, anyone?)

But Stampin’ Rewards are enhanced during Sale-a-Bration…

…making it a perfect time to host an event – or else submit what some like to call an “I Deserve It” order (of $150 or more for one’s own self). “I Deserve It” orders are a great way to maximize your purchasing dollars, and the bigger your order, the more freebie goodies you can choose!

So not only is it a smart plan to group your personal orders into batches that qualify for Stampin’ Rewards (starting at $150 in product sales), but it’s particularly clever to do so during Sale-a-Bration! That’s because in addition to your usual Stampin’ Rewards (see the Party Sales chart in any of our catalogs – sometimes near the back; sometimes near the front), you may also qualify for ADDITIONAL Stampin’ Rewards!

Which brings us to… SALE-A-BRATION PERK #2:

Sale-a-Bration Perk #2 offers an enhancement to the usual Stampin’ Rewards plan! During Sale-a-Bration, whenever your total product order reaches $250, Stampin’ Up! throws in an additional $25-worth of credit you can apply towards your freebie product as a “host” – over and above what a $250 sales volume would ordinarily qualify for! So here’s an example of how that would work in real life:

Let’s say your “party” total (regardless of source) reaches $250 in product sales. Under the usual, year-round plan, your Stampin’ Rewards would be figured at 10% of $250, which would equal $25 credit towards additional product of your choice. But during Sale-a-Bration, Stampin’ Up! will kick in that additional $25 in Stampin’ Rewards credit for any “party” of $250 or more! So that means if you reach the $250 level exactly, you’d get the usual $25 in Stampin’ Rewards credit, PLUS the additional $25, for a total credit of $50 you can apply towards any current additional product!

Oh, but wait!!! If your $250 order was actually all YOUR order, then each $50 segment would *also* qualify for one of the free SAB items in the SAB 2019 brochure!

Yes indeedy, we DO love to let you double-dip in the Stampin’ Up! perks whenever possible! 🙂

So should you find yourself staring at a particularly long wish-list at this time of year, give that clever concept a bit of thought. Qualifying for Stampin’ Rewards with your order is nothing to sneeze at!

And stay tuned for the final installment of this 3-part series – explaining how to get what might be the absolute BEST deal of ALL with Stampin’ Up! during Sale-a-Bration! We’ll call that PERK #3……. and I’ll show you some extra, totally-legit, double-dipping ideas tossed in for added fun!