It's All Plum at Sunday Stamps!

Well, what can I say? This time of year is completely nutty for me and my business. On top of that, I'm still without my craft studio & half my house is under renovations! Needless to say, my Blog has been neglected, and probably will be until the end of the year unfortunately.

The good news is that I have a colour challenge to share with you today from Sunday Stamps!

I had a wee bit of trouble with this colour challenge. Perfect Plum is not a colour I use often, but I think I made it work. I inked up my Age Awaremenss stamp set for the first time with this card. It's such a fun & versatile set.

Stampin' Up!'s Photopolymer stamps sets are AMAZING!! If you haven't used them yet, you have to give them a try. The best I've ever used or seen. They're at a great price-point and you can see exactly where you're stamping every single time. :)

Anyway, hope you'll challenge yourself and join us over at Sunday Stamps this round. Check out the other DT members too because they rocked this one!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph


RECIPE:
Paper: Naturals, Very Vanilla, Perfect Plum & Wisteria Wonder
Ink: Perfect Plum, Wisteria Wonder
Stamps: Age Awareness, Flower Shop, Petite Flowers
Tools: Flower Punches
Accessories: Jewels
Challenge: Sunday Stamps

Colour Challenge for Sunday Stamps!

Welcome to another week at Sunday Stamps! This week we've got a colour challenge - Cherry Cobbler (red), Daffodil Delight (yellow), Pumpkin Pie (orange) & Tempting Turquoise (blue)... neutrals are also always welcome, should you choose.

This one was tough for me! Not just the colour combo, but also because I was challenging myself not to make a Fall or Thanksgiving card (these colours were screaming me to do so!).

A while back I did many posts around buttons, and today I went back to them again. I knew I still had some of these colours in there. I added some jewels to them (because who doesn't love bling?!) and placed them on top of some punched butterflies.

After stamping the butterflies on the base layer, I embossed it with the Honeycomb TIEF for some added interest. After all was glued, I felt like it needed something else. I remembered seeing a project with baker's twine and I thought that would be a nice touch. Turns out I was right!

Hope you'll be able to play along with us. I know you the colour scheme may be tough, but I hope you'll challenge yourself. That's what this is all about anyway, right?! Don't forget to check out the other DT Member Blogs and link up before October 31st!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph


RECIPE:
Paper: Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler, Tempting Turquoise, Daffodil Delight & Pumpkin Pie
Ink: Cherry Cobbler
Stamps: Kinda Eclectic
Tools: Big Shot, Honeycomb TIEF, Bitty Butterfly & Butterfly Punches
Accessories: Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine, Buttons, Jewels
Challenge: Sunday Stamps

Blendabilities for Sunday Stamps

Welcome to another challenge at Sunday Stamps! This time around we've got a great sketch for you and I think you'll agree it'll be one you'll use again and again!

A long time ago, I did a series on using up scraps and had made up a bunch of card fronts using strips of DSP to create a herringbone design. There were a few where I only used half a card front and did this sketch scream for me to use those pieces or what?!

For the other half, I embossed a piece of Naturals Ivory CS with the Honeycomb TIEF. Once those pieces were glued to the front, I popped up my flower that I colored using some of the skin tone assortment of Blendabilities.

I actually stamped the middle part of the flower separately and popped that up as well. Behind the flower I added a few leaves from a retired Sizzlet and then finished things off with a bitty butterfly and some jewels coloured with the same blendas. :)

Hope I've inspired you to play along with us this week! Check out what the other DT members have done and then link up your design by October 17th.

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph


RECIPE:
Paper: Naturals Ivory, Various DSP
Ink: Memento Black Ink
Stamps: Blended Bloom
Tools: Bitty Butterfly Punch, Skin Tone Blendabilities, Little Leaves Sizzlet, Big Shot
Accessories: Jewels
Challenge: Sunday Stamps

Sunday Stamps SSC75

I'm loving the colour combo we've got going on over at Sunday Stamps this time around! I know you'll love them too - Basic Black, Coastal Cabana & Melon Mambo... neutrals are always welcome too. :)

Today is actually my dad's 70th birthday, so I thought it fitting to design on a birthday card... but didn't think my dad would appreciate pink. ;) I started with a Basic Black card base and stamped one of the blossoms from Stippled Blossom in White StazOn. Next, I stamped the coordinating blossom on top in Melon Mambo.

Since two of my favourite products are retiring at the end of the month (sniff sniff!!) - Itty Bitty Punch Pack & Dress-Up Framelits - I thought I should showcase them. I cut the dress form in Coastal Cabana and then created a dress using cut-up Doilies, Melon Mambo Ribbon & another stamped blossom.

For more inspiration, head on over to the Blog to see what the other DT members have designed & then play along. You've got until Friday, May 16th.

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

RECIPE:
Paper: Basic Black, Melon Mambo, Coastal Cabana, Whisper White
Ink: White StazOn, Melon Mambo
Stamps: Stippled Blossom, Banner Greetings
Tools: Big Shot, Dress-Up Framelits, Itty Bitty Punch Pack
Accessories: Doilies, Melon Mambo Ribbon (retired), Jewels

Sunday Stamps Sketch!

Welcome to another bi-weekly challenge at Sunday Stamps! This time around, Kathya's got a fabulous sketch for us. I really enjoyed working with it.

I stuck really close to the sketch and got the inspiration for the colours from the banner I created using the Watercolouring with Tissue Paper Technique. You can see the technique here. With Valentine's Day around the corner, I thought I'd keep in line with the heart from the sketch. I punched the hearts from a scrap of paper using the retired SU! punch, Heart to Heart and then punched that out with the 2-1/2" Scallop Circle. I popped it up with Dimensionals, same with my sentiment. For some subtle bling, I scattered some jewels.

Hope you'll join us. You have until February 8th to play along. Check out the other lovely DT Member Blogs for more inspiration. :)

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

RECIPE:
Paper: Wisteria Wonder, Whisper White, Calypso Coral
Ink: Calypso Coral
Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes
Tools: Heart to Heart Punch (retired), 2-1/2" Scallop Circle, Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch
Accessories: Jewels
Challenge: Sunday Stamps

Seriously?!

Are we seriously already a week into 2014?! I can't believe a week has gone by already. I hope you're reading this from somewhere warm... it's been crazy cold here lately! I think it's about -16C (3F) right now. That's much better than the -40C with windchills the other day!

On top of the frigid temps, we've had it all over the last few weeks - an ice storm, snow squalls/blizzards and a huge dumping of snow. Have you ever got to experience "frost quakes"? Freaked me out the first time I heard one (before I knew what it was). It's when water gets down into the soil and then freezes. The pressure causes somewhat of an explosion in the earth and creates a big BOOM! If it's close, it shakes the house. After knowing what the noise was, it was pretty cool hearing it...


Anyway, with the crazy weather, holidays, sicknesses, etc., I have not been able to get down and inky in my craft space. So I have a couple of older projects to show you until I can create some new stuff.

This card was pretty quick to put together. I stamped the delicate doily design several times in Pool Party and then did the same, but heat embossed with Smokey Slate. I also heat embossed the sentiment in Silver. I added some velvet decorative tape (non SU!) for some added dimension. I thought it suited the design well.

Until next time, stay crafty!

Steph

RECIPE:
Paper: Pool Party, Smokey Slate, Whisper White
Ink: Pool Party
Stamps: Happy Day, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Tools: Heat Tool
Accessories: Jewels
Techniques: Heat Embossing

Sunday Stamps - Late Again!

A day late, but here's my design for this week's Sunday Stamps Colour Challenge. It's a sweet combo of lime, grey & turquoise.

I used Gumball Green, Bermuda Bay & Smokey Slate from Stampin' Up! as my colours. SU! doesn't really have a current "lime" colour anymore, but I thought Gumball Green was a close call and worked really well for this combo. A combo that I really grew to like and think will use again!

I kept it really simple, using the current hostess set in the Holiday Catalogue - Warmth & Wonder. I'm totally in love with the tree. The sentiment is from the same set (gotta love that!) and after adding a few jewels, my card was complete.

Hope you can join us. Remember, it's a bi-weekly challenge, so you have until Friday, November 29th. Don't forget to check out the rest of the Design Team Blogs too and leave them some love. Their designs are sure to inspire you.

Until next time, stay crafty!

Steph

RECIPE:
Paper: Gumball Green, Smokey Slate, Whisper White
Ink: Smokey Slate, Bermuda Bay
Stamps: Warmth & Wonder
Accessories: Jewels

Piece of Cake

For an SU! event I attended a couple of weeks ago, I created a swap card. Check it out:

Lots of techniques on this card - distressing, clear block stamping & paper piecing. I love SU! Designer Series Paper (DSP) because it's double-sided and coordinates so beautifully. Makes paper piecing so easy!

You'd never know it, but I stamped the cake image on the back of the DSP I used (in the bottom corner) so that I could cut out the pieces I needed for the cake. I didn't have to waste any DSP this way and I hid it all with my top layer. ;)

If you'd like to purchase this card, you can do so here.

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

RECIPE
Paper: Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Birthday Basics DSP
Ink: Pool Party, Summer Starfruit, Early Espresso
Stamps: Sketched Birthday, Petite Pairs
Tools: Distressing Tool, Spritzer
Accessories: Summer Starfruit Satin Stitched Ribbon, Jewels
Techniques: Clear Block Stamping, Distressing, Paper Piecing

Drive's Me Crazy!

For all you crafters out there, doesn't it drive you crazy when you see something that's mass-produced that costs more than what you could probably make it for? For example, greeting cards. I have to laugh almost every time someone gives me a card because they almost always apologize to me (!) that it's not one of mine, it's not as beautiful, it's not...

Paper: Bermuda Bay, Pool Party, Whisper White
Ink: VersaMark, Melon Mambo
Stamps: Ornament Keepsakes, Patterned Occasions (SAB 2013)
Tools: Big Shot, Cloudy Day TIEF, Ornament Framelits, Heat Tool,
Embossing Powder: Pool Party & Pewter
Accessories: Jewels, Baker's Twine

I'm shocked sometimes what people pay for cards! Yes, I always turn a card over to look. :) I recently received one for my birthday that was $7.99 +tax! It was nice, but it got me thinking about taking cards like that and recreating them Hofkissed style. Hence, the card I'm showing you today.

The card I received had a hot air balloon carrying a cupcake, so that's what I wanted to do too. I didn't have a hot air balloon, so I used the Ornament Keepsakes stamp set and coordinating Framelits. It was meant to be! I heat embossed with Pool Party on Pool Party card stock for a tone-on-tone look. The small cupcake from the SAB 2013 set worked perfectly and instead of drawing the ropes on for the balloon, I used Baker's Twine.

I'm really happy with how it came out. I've toyed with the idea of adding more. Thought about adding strips of silver glimmer paper or zig zags in Crushed Curry. Perhaps I will, but I'm also loving the single punch of colour!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

We've Got Colour @ Sunday Stamps!

Boy did this colour combo challenge me this week! Black, Fuchsia & Red. Not a combo I would normally do. I got the chance to see some of the other DT member creations as they were posting them and all I wanted to do was CASE those. ha. Didn't think that was allowed... but the other team members ROCKED this combo! Here's what I eventually came up with:

Paper: Real Red, Basic Black, WW, Brights DSP Stack (retired)
Ink: Real Red
Stamps: Petite Pairs
Tools: Big Shot, Windows Framelits, Hearts a Flutter Framelits, Cloudy Day TIEF
Accessories: Baker's Twine, Jewels

I don't know why this colour combo was so difficult for me. Someone probably put it in my head years ago that red & pink clashed... and my hands just didn't want to put the two colours together. :) Anyway, I finally figured something out and I think it works!

I hope this colour combo inspires you and don't forget to check out the rest of the Design Team over at Sunday Stamps because like I said, they rocked this one!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

No Peeking for Sunday Stamps

It's a sketch challenge today at Sunday Stamps! I've been so excited for this one... check it out:

Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White
Ink: Cherry Cobbler
Stamps: No Peeking
Tools: Artisan Label, 1-3/8" Circle Punch
Accessories: Washi Tape, Jewels

I created this card a while ago and am just noticing now how dark my picture is. Sorry about that! Anyway, Joan created such a great sketch for this week's challenge - it's so versatile! I know I'm using a retired set, but I just couldn't resist bringing out these adorable guys again this year.

Paired with some Washi Tape and a few jewels, this card took less than 10 minutes! Of course, I didn't forget the inside either:

I hope you'll play along with us - the challenge is open for two weeks. Be sure to check out what the rest of the Design Team has created to get you inspired and we look forward to seeing what you create!

 

Until next time, stay crafty!

Steph

Ripped Paper

How fun is this card?!

Paper: Brights DSP Stacks - Old Olive & Real Red used (retired), Naturals Ivory
Ink: Old Olive
Stamps: Wacky Wishes (retired)
Accessories: Jewels

I was working on another card when I had the idea for this one. So simple, eh?! I thought it would look like ripped wrapping paper. Once I had them all glued, I curled up the ends a bit. I used the same idea on the inside of my card too. Love this one!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Feather Wreath

Well, it's the last day of my Christmas in July sale (check out the product here), so I thought I'd show you another Christmas card:

Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White, Silver Specialty
Ink: Midnight Muse, Island Indigo, Pool Party
Stamps: Fine Feathers, Petite Pairs
Tools: Circle Punches - 2-1/2, 1-3/4 & 1-3/8
Accessories: Jewels, Silver 1/8" Ribbon (sneak peek!)

This is likely not the last Christmas card you'll see from me (I've got TONS more and it's only July!), but one I wanted to show you sooner than later. I loved the Fine Feathers stamp set the moment I saw it in last year's catalogue. Sad to say though, I haven't used it too much as I've had trouble figuring it out.

Several months ago I did a happy dance because I had this vision of a feather wreath. I spend FOREVER executing my vision (several different ways) and all were epic fails! Last night I was perusing the internet and saw an image that was literally a few blurred swirls that formed a circle and that set off the light bulb. I ran to my craft loft, punched a hole in my paper and got to work.

This card is the result of that, and I love it! I finished it without the ribbon and liked it a lot, but felt it needed a little something else. I remembered about that gorgeous silver ribbon I pre-ordered from the Holiday Catalogue (live tomorrow!) and added a tiny bow. Perfect!

I know this turned out to be a long winded post, but happy you made it through. I thought my readers would want to know a little back story behind this card. I know it's not everyone's taste - non traditional colours and images - but I'm in love because I'm really happy with how it turned out and that my vision finally came to light!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Pleated Tree

I was inspired to create this tree from a video series I'm watching called Paper Arts. It's pretty awesome actually... takes you through the basics of gift wrapping (my favourite thing to do!) to more tips and tricks when working with paper.

I was watching the segment last night about pleating for gift wrapping and I got the idea to create a Christmas tree with this technique. Perhaps there's something like this out there that exists already, but I haven't seen it, so I'm taking full credit for this! :)

Paper: Brights DSP Stack (retired), Whisper White
Tools: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots TIEF, Ornament from Merry Minis Punch Pack
Accessories: Jewels
Techniques: Paper Pleating

This was quite simple to do. I started with a 6x6 piece of DSP and folded so that the bottom of my tree fanned out. I wanted a star at the top of the tree, but didn't have one big enough, so I thought "why not make one from the mini ornament punch?!" So, that's what I did. Pretty cool, eh?

I added some bling onto the tree and then used the remaining portion of my pleated piece on the inside of my card. I guess this is going to be my version of a paper folded tree this season. I seem to do one every year. :) Here is my tutorial for last year's folded tree.

If there's enough interest, I can do up a tutorial for this one... leave me some love if you're interested!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Pierced Ornaments

Today I have another Christmas card I created. The only stamp I used on this card is for the sentiment. The rest is paper pierced. Check it out:

Paper: Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla
Ink: Gumball Green, Raspberry Ripple, Early Espresso
Stamps: More Merry Messages
Tools: Big Shot, Stripes TIEF, Paper Piercing
Accessories: Jewels, Stitched Satin Ribbon

I used the ornament Paper Piercing Template to pierce my ornaments of choice. Once that was done, I used my Stampin' Write Markers to "connect the dots"... this gives the look of stitching. I fooled around a bit with my Blender Pen and moved some the ink around to give the ornaments some colour.

I added some ribbon to the top of each ornament and A LOT of bling with some jewels.

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Christmas in July Series - Post 5

This has got to be one of my favourite cards from this series so far. I just love how it turned out and I'm quite proud of myself for really pushing my brain for this one!

Paper: Whisper White, Coastal Cabana, Baked Brown Sugar
Ink: Pistachio Pudding, Early Espresso
Stamps: Papillon Potpourri, Delightful Dozen
Tools: Punch Pack Punches
Accessories: Summer Starfruit Satin Stitched Ribbon, Jewels

If you read my supplies above, it wasn't a mistake that I wrote Papillon Potpourri as one of the stamp sets used! Can you believe it?! When I first started this series, I pulled out all the stamps I thought I could work with. At our team meeting on Tuesday, my sideline (thanks Mirela!) was talking about how she's addicted to using this stamp set on all her cards... so that made me want to try using it for Christmas!

I used some grade school skills for this card... I cut a template from a piece of scrap paper and then randomly stamped one of the butterfly images, making sure to get into my pointed corners. The delicate design really worked for this:

I used the middle butterfly on the right.

Now I really set the bar high for myself on using non Christmas stamps for this series! But I gotta tell you, this has really helped me to be more creative and think about my stamps in a completely different way. I might have to try doing this series for another occasion later on, but for now, I can't stop making non-Christmas Christmas cards!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Christmas in July Series - Post 4

Good morning and welcome to the fourth post in this series. If you're just tuning in for the first time, I'm showcasing cards that use non Christmas stamps to make Christmas cards! Here's today's:

Paper: Pool Party, Whisper White, Silver Glimmer
Ink: Pool Party, Island Indigo
Stamps: Everything Eleanor, Occasions Alphabet, More Merry Messages
Tools: Punches - Scallop Oval, Artisan Label
Accessories: Jewels
Technique: Heat Embossing

Aside from sentiments, the goal of this series is to us show you that you don't need to own a ton of Christmas stamps (or maybe any at all) because you can use what you've got in your stash! This is one of my favs. I love the colours and the tone-on-tone stamping and heat embossing - both in Pool Party! All the stamping, minus the sentiments, are from the same stamp set, Everything Eleanor. What a great set this is! I have used it a lot... there are so many fantastic images that are great for layering.

Hope this series is inspiring you to use your non Christmas stamps to think outside the box!

Check back tomorrow... you won't believe what stamp set I used to make a Christmas card. :)

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Sunday Stamps Sketch!

I don't know about you, but May has been a crazy month! It's been jam-packed for me and after today, I'm looking forward to a little bit of relaxation time... and hopefully more stamping! I did manage to find a brief moment the other day to work on my design for Sunday Stamps this week though. I'm hosting and have put together a simple sketch:

Paper: Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Neutrals Paper Stack
Ink: Pretty in Pink, Basic Grey
Stamps: Word Play, En Francais
Tools: Big Shot, Elegant Lines TIEF, Artisan Label Punch
Accessories: Jewels

This sketch is so versatile... and the beauty of sketches is that you can use them as a starting point for inspiration - flip them, move the elements around, change the shapes, etc. I decided to stick pretty close to the sketch, just changing out the sentiment shape.

I hope this sketch inspires you and that you can play along with us this week. We love seeing what designs you can create!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Better Late Than Never!

I know it's Tuesday... but here's my post from Sunday! It's my design for Sunday Stamps. I had a pretty crazy weekend, not to mention life with a toddler & newborn. ha. I'm lucky if I remember what I'm doing half the time... But, better late than never, right?!  :)

Paper: Pretty in Pink, Whisper White, Silver Glimmer
Ink: Pretty in Pink, Various Stampin' Write Markers
Stamps: Fabulous You, Bitty Banners, Stacks of Wishes
Tools: Big Shot, Labels Framelies, Lacy Brocade TIEF, Boho Blossom Punch, Heat Tool
Accessories: Jewels

This card started out looking like the sketch, I swear! But then it morphed into the card you see above. That's the beauty of sketch challenges... they're an inspiration point. Sometimes you keep it looking exact and sometimes it inspires you to create something completely different!

This was a card I made for my friend's bridal shower over the weekend. I just love the shoe from the Fabulous You stamp set. It's hard to see in the picture, but I stamped the sayings from the Stacks of Wishes hostess stamp set from the Spring Catalogue. I created a background image with them, stamping them randomly both inside and out. It's such a great set because you get so many greetings... plus, the beauty of clear mount allows you to cut them all apart so that you can use them individually, or all together by mounting them on a block again.

Hope you're inspired by Joan's sketch this week. Be sure to check out the rest of the Design Team too!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Butterfly 3x3 Gift Set

Today I'm sharing a project I originally designed to use up retiring DSP... but I loved it so much I created an entire line to sell in my online store. Check it out:

Now, this DSP (Lovely Flowers) I've been hanging onto for a long while! It's so pretty, but it was finally time to let it go. :) It was just perfect for these butterfly cards...

I got the basic idea for the holder based on the "Tea Bag Pocket" tutorials I've seen online. I customized it to be able to fit my 3x3 cards & envelopes. The cards fit on one side and the envelopes on the other.

This is a sweet set to give to a host/hostess for all those summer BBQs you may be attending, for a thank you, teacher gift and of course, occasions such as Mother's Day (which is on May 12th).

BUY NOW! You can purchase this here in my online store!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

P.S. If you live in or around Cambridge, we'll be making a version of this set on Sunday, May 5th in my "Fabulously Feminine" class. There are still a couple of spaces if you want to join the fun. The cost is only $10!