It's All About Gold at Sunday Stamps!

Welcome to another challenge over at Sunday Stamps... and another post from me after about two weeks. :) What can I say, life has been busy! This time around we've got a colour challenge - Blackberry Bliss (so yummy!), Rich Razzleberry, Garden Green & Gold.

I needed some wedding cards, so I thought this colour combo would be perfect. The picture doesn't do this card justice. The gold foil really looks like a gold bar in real life and as if the gold foil wasn't glam enough, I used gold for the card base and sentiment, lots of embossing, gold-threaded ribbon & gold-wrapped baker's twine. :) Since I didn't want to add too much green, I only used a hint of it to peek out from behind the sentiment.

Hope you'll be able to play along with us. You have until Friday, October 3rd. We love to see your creations and don't forget to check out the other DT member blogs to see what they came up with!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph


RECIPE:
Paper: Gold Specialty, Gold Foil, Rich Razzleberry, Blackberry Bliss, Whisper White, Garden Green
Ink: Gold
Stamps: Label Love
Tools: Big Shot, Vintage Wallpaper TIEF (retired), Decorative Dots TIEF, Snowburst TIEF (retired), Perfect Polka Dots TIEF, Artisan Label Punch, Fun Flowers Bigz Die (retired)
Accessories: Gold Baker's Twine, Gold Ribbon
Challenge: Sunday Stamps

Baby Boy for Sunday Stamps SSC79

Welcome to another two weeks at Sunday Stamps! This time around we've got a colour challenge - Wild Wasabi, Marina Mist & Basic Grey... what a yummy combination!

I wanted to use my Baby's First Framelits - the onesies & hangers are super adorable! To hang them, I just wrapped some White Baker's Twine around my card base and then randomly hung my onesies that I popped up with a couple of Dimensionals. I embossed each onesie with a different TIEF and the sentiment in Silver Embossing Powder.

We hope you'll play along with us this round. Don't forget to check out the other DT members to get more inspiration. You have until Friday, July 11th at 6:00 p.m. to link up!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

RECIPE:
Paper: Basic Grey, Wild Wasabi, Marina Mist, Whisper White
Stamps: Cuddles & Kisses, Something for Baby (inside of card)
Tools: Baby's First Framelits, Scallop TIEF (retired), Square Lattice TIEF (retired), Perfect Polka Dots TIEF, Heat Tool
Accessories: Baker's Twine
Challenge: Sunday Stamps

Sweet Baby Girl

Yesterday I shared with you the boy version I created and promised you the girl version today. You can view yesterday's post here, or get a glimpse of it peeking out from behind in the photo below. :)

I just love this new set (Something for Baby)! It launches today in the new catty. I kept the card CAS so that the focus is only on the onsie. All the elements are the same as the boy version, but I added a few flowers that I punched using the Itty Bitty Punch Pack (that retired, sniff sniff!).

Hope you like this version too. I'd love to hear what you think!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

RECIPE:
Paper: Sahara Sand, Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry
Ink: Crisp Canteloupe, Sahara Sand, Silver Glimmer Paper (retired)
Stamps: Bitty Banners, Something for Baby
Tools: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots TIEF, Oval Framelits, Simply Scored, 7/8" Scallop Punch, Heart Punch (retired), Itty Bitty Punch Pack (retired)
Accessories: Hanger Clips (retired)

For the Bride-to-Be

Oh yes! Love the colour combo over at Colour Me...! this week - Pink Pirouette, Smokey Slate, So Saffron and a neutral. I immediately thought something "girly", so I created a CAS card for a Bride-to-Be. Check it out:

I stamped the dress from Love and Laughter in Pink Pirouette and then punched it out with my 1-3/4" Circle Punch and layered it with a 2" (non SU!) scallop circle in Smokey Slate. I haphazardly looped some ribbon on the back of the scallop and then popped it up. I finished things off by embossing my card layer and then stamping the sentiment from the same set in So Saffron.

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

RECIPE:
Paper - Pink Pirouette, Whisper White, Smokey Slate
Ink: Pink Pirouette, So Saffron
Stamps: Love and Laughter
Tools: 1-3/4" Circle Punch, 2" Scallop Circle Punch, Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots TIEF
Accessories: 1/8" Ribbon (non SU!)
Challenge: Colour Me...!

Fall Pumpkin

A couple of Blog posts back, I talked about how I utilize MDS for everything. Here is another example of what can be done with it:

This is a CASE, but now I cannot find the card online to give proper credit! I found it on Pinterest and thought I had pinned it, but unfortunately did not. I tried searching for it again, but don't remember how I came across it in the first place. I will keep an eye out...

Anyway, I ran my card base through the printer after creating the text in MDS. I fit two per page. Then I embossed two pieces of card stock in the same base colour and adhered to the base. You thought I was going to tell you how to emboss around the text, weren't you?! ;)

Next, I punched three ovals using the XL Oval Punch, embossed and glued together. The pumpkin stem was created with the Modern Label punch.

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

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

RECIPE
Paper: Baked Brown Sugar, Pumpkin Pie
Stamps: Occasions Alphabet
Tools: Big Shot, Square Lattice TIEF, Perfect Polka Dots TIEF, Punches: Modern Label, XL Oval
Accessories: Twine
Techniques: Punch Art

Gold Elegance

I'll give you a break from the Christmas cards for today. Here is an elegant gold embossed card, inspired from the SU! Convention:

Paper: Modern Medley DSP, Very Vanilla
Ink: Black StazOn, Versamark
Stamps: Happy Day
Tools: Big Shot, Fun Flowers Bigz Die, Perfect Polk Dots TIEF, Heat Tool
Accessories: Very Vanilla Button
Techniques: Heat Embossing

I randomly stamped and heat embossed directly on the DSP with gold and did the same on the Very Vanilla pieces for my flower. I embossed the middle flower to break up all the gold embossing and instead of using the two smallest pieces from the die, I used a button that is also heat embossed in gold. Did you know you could do that?!

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

Doily Thanks

This card was one I designed for Sunday Stamps several weeks ago, but never got around to blogging about it. :( My life lately has been insanely busy!

My design was partially inspired by a card seen on Pinterest - a large background stamp was used and cut into quarters (or I assume so anyway since that's what I did). The card on Pinterest was quite simple... I jazzed it up by stamping the fuller image again and then adding a sentiment. Check it out:

Paper: Lucky Limeade, Whisper White, Daffodil Delight
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Lucky Limeade
Stamps: Hello, Doily, A Round Array
Tools: Big Shot, Perfect Polk Dots TIEF, Punches: 7/8" Scallop, 1" Circle, Artisan Label

I'm really happy with the way this card turned out. I created an abstract layout that I felt fit with the way I stamped my image. I kept this card fairly simple... no bling! But I did add lots of dimension with some embossing and popping up my sentiment in two spots.

Hope you like my design... this is a great one if you have to whip up a lot of thank you cards!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

For the Babes at Sunday Stamps

Kathya's got a great sketch challenge this week over at Sunday Stamps... perfect to get your creativity flowing!

 Paper: Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue, Whisper White
Ink: Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue, Basic Grey
Stamps: Patterned Occasions (SAB), That's the Ticket, Itty Bitty Banners
Tools: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots & Stripes TIEF's, Scallop Circle & 1-1/4" Circle & Ticket Duo Punches
Accessories: Pearls, Ribbon

When SU! announced their "Colour Refresh" last week, I thought that I should use up and showcase some of the retiring colours. These three are perfect for baby cards - soft & subtle! I played around a lot with texture and dimension. I popped up the elephant image and if you think the little pearl accents aren't SU!, think again! I coloured our pearls using Sharpies. :)

Check out what the rest of the wonderful design team has created and then post your design. We love seeing your creations. You have until Friday evening.

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Everybunny for Sunday Stamps

It's another week, which means it's another challenge over at Sunday Stamps. Joan has a wonderful colour challenge for us this week! Check it out:

Paper: Calypso Coral, So Saffron, Rich Razzleberry Paper Stack (Brights), Watercolour Paper
Ink: Brights Watercolour Crayons
Stamps: Everybunny
Tools: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots TIEF, Blossom Punch, 2-1/2" Circle Punch

I just love the bright colours for this week's challenge. I find So Saffron to be a rather dull yellow, but it seems much brighter when paired with the other colours, don't you think?! I kept the card fairly simple. I focused mainly on the image, which I watercoloured with my crayons and a Blender Pen. I hadn't used those in a while...

Instead of adding bling, I added a couple of banners from the Brights Paper Stack and cut three petals from the Blossom Punch. I popped up my image and the three petals for a little dimension.

Hope you like my design and head on over to Sunday Stamps to play along with us!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Tiny Dresses for Tiny Babies

As I posted the other day, I've got babies on the brain. :) As promised, here is the little girl version of the card from a couple of days ago:

Paper: Blushing Bride, Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Twitterpated
Ink: Blushing Bride, Early Espresso
Stamps: Ciao, Baby; Cuddles & Kisses
Tools: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots TIEF, Punches: Postage, Owl Builder &
7/8" Scallop Circle
Accessories: Pleated Ribbon (retired)

Aren't these dresses precious?! So easy to make thanks to the Owl Punch and some Pleated Ribbon (that's retired unfortunately). I kept the same layout as the boy card and just love how this card turned out.

What do you think?

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Here Comes Baby

I've got babies on the brain... after all, I'm due with my second in just a couple of weeks! Here's a card I recently created:

Paper: Crumb Cake, Pear Pizzazz (retired), Nursery Nest DSP (retired),
Whisper White
Ink: Basic Gray, Early Espresso
Stamps: Ciao, Baby, Cuddles & Kisses
Tools: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots TIEF, Postage Punch,
Owl Punch, 7/8" Scallop Circle
Accessories: Pearls

The idea to use the Owl Punch to create these adorable tiny overalls isn't mine... there are many samples floating around the WWW. I just couldn't resist creating some! I used some of the smallest pearls to create little "buttons" on each pair of overalls and the new Ciao, Baby stamp set with the coordinating 7/8" Scallop Circle Punch to create a nice cluster of images as a focal point.

The Perfect Polka Dots TIEF is just the perfect thing to use for baby cards... and when you have embossing, I find not much else is needed. Inside, I used one of the beautiful sentiments from the new Cuddles & Kisses stamp set - "A new little someone to kiss and to love, a happy addition from heaven above".

I created a baby girl version of this card that I'll share with you in another post. :) Stay tuned!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

It's a Colour Challenge Over at Sunday Stamps!

I'm the host this week and I've got a great colour challenge waiting for you over at Sunday Stamps! There's also some fantastic inspiration, as always, from the lovely Design Team. We'd love for you to check us out and play along! Here's my creation this week...

Paper: Perfect Plum, Crumb Cake, Print Poetry DSP Stack
Ink: Raspberry Ripple
Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes
Tools: Big Shot, TIEF's: Perfect Polka Dots & Vintage Wallpaper,
Fun Flowers Bigz Die,
Punches: Heart to Heart, Word Window & Decorative Label
Accessories: Neutrals Brad, Crumb Cake Seam Binding Ribbon

With Valentine's Day around the corner, I had "love" on my mind when I chose this colour combo... and it just so happened that I needed an anniversary card, so that's what I created. I kept my card base a solid colour because I went bold with the DSP choices. LOVE the new Print Poetry DSP Stack in the Spring Catalogue!

For a little more texture, I added some Seam Binding Ribbon to the sides of my DSP panel and embossing to the card base, label & hearts.

Hope you like it and get inspired by the Design Team to play along this week! We can't wait to see what you design!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Frosty Friends for Sketch Week at Sunday Stamps!

It's sketch week over at Sunday Stamps! Monica has prepared a good one this week...

Paper: Pool Party, Whisper White, Festival of Prints DSP
Ink: Island Indigo, Black, Stampin' Write Markers
Stamps: Frosty Friends, Merry Messages (retired)
Tools: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots TIEF, Layered Labels Framelits
Accessories: Whisper White Sweater Trim, Jewels

I veered slightly away from the sketch this week, but I think it still works! This is the first time I've gotten a chance to ink up Frosty Friends. Such an adorable Á la Carte stamp. It's hard to tell in the photo, but I stamped on a piece of printed vellum (with snowflakes on it), coloured the image and then puffed up the snowmen for a 3D look.

I added some texture with the Perfect Polka Dots TIEF and what better accent than Sweater Trim?!

Hope you'll play along with us this week!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

One Year for Freshly Made Sketches!

This week is the one-year anniversary for Freshly Made Sketches! I've enjoyed playing with the ladies over there a few times now and I just couldn't pass up celebrating their one-year.

The challenge this week is to use any of their previous sketches. How fun! Well, I ended up choosing the very last sketch since I didn't get a chance to play along last week. Here's the sketch:

It just so happened I was commissioned to create a special 25th birthday card and this sketch worked out well for what the client wanted. I flipped the sketch and came up with this:

Paper: Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Whisper White
Ink: Sahara Sand, Black
Stamps: Memorable Moments
Tools: Big Shot, Polka Dots TIEF, Paper Piercing Pack, Labels Framelits, Scallop Punch
Accessories: Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon, Pearls

The client wanted black, white/neutral, elegant and pearls. Memorable Moments is the perfect stamp set for such occasions. I find it to be very elegant... perfect for those special milestones and as the name suggests, memorable moments. :)

After some embossing, stamping and paper piercing (hard to see in the photos), I added a sleek bow and some pearls inside and out and the card was complete.

What do you think?

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Colour for The Paper Players

This week I had the opportunity to play with The Paper Players! It was a fun colour challenge because the colours are fabulous and they just look so great together! Here's the colour scheme:

Banners are all the rage now... especially so since SU! just released some Bitty Banners Framelits in the recent catty. They are so adorable! Well, I didn't use them on this card, but used them as inspiration. I cut all my banners by hand using a mix of card stock and ribbon.

For this card, I used the Basic Gray Striped Ribbon (that just retired). I haven't used it until this card... so it was time to create something with it! Then I added Melon Mambo & Lucky Limeade card stock in different widths. I embossed all the hand-cut banners with different embossing folders and my oh-so-loved Big Shot!

I accented with a Melon Mambo button (retired) and the Lucky Limeade Organdy Ribbon that I stocked up on from the last SAB. :) I thought it added a little something extra treading it through the button and fanning it out.

What do you think?

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

For the Girls!

Woah, it's been a while! As you may or may not be aware, I'm taking part in a craft fair on Sunday (check out the sidebar for more information). I'm buried up to my head in cards & other handcrafted items - that's almost 6' of crafts! :)

Anyway, thought I'd share a quick picture of one of my favourite cards I've made... okay, one of several favourites. I thought I was quite clever using the tools I did. I created this card for the girls who are getting married. This would make a great bridal shower card.

Take a look and tell me what you think.

I used the scallop edgelit to create the ruffles on the dress and the large heart punch, trimmed, for the top. I added some ribbon, pearls, more embossing to the background and viola!

Hope to see you Sunday...

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph