I'm Baaaaa-ack!

Wow! I can't believe it's been almost two months since my last post!! I have been on a hiatus, dealing with some personal issues, in which I had to pack up my craft space. :( Anyway, I've created a temporary space now so that I can get back to my crafty ways. I'm also very excited to be able to get back to Sunday Stamps and design with the other very talented DT ladies!!

I didn't make it back in time to post for this last challenge, but I will link-up. I had a lot of fun with this sketch and it helped me design this custom card for a client. Check it out:

I kept the card relatively simple, but added lots of texture with a doily, some buttons and ribbon. The paper doily was inked up with my Rich Razzleberry Blendabilities to create an Ombre effect. That effect was kinda lost when I cut it in half and pleated it, but you can still see the different tones. ;)

The buttons are some retired SAB freebies from a couple of years ago and instead of threading them with ribbon, I punched the flower shape from the retired Punch Pack from the same DSP I used on the card.

The ribbon is also retired (jeez, I didn't realize how many retired items I used for this card!) and I wrapped it around my card front and then glued a few strips on top to create a fringe.

Hope this card inspires you... and for even more inspiration, check out what the other DT members created for you. You have until Friday, August 22nd to link up and join the fun!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph


RECIPE:
Paper: Smokey Slate, Whisper White, Crumb Cake
Ink: Crumb Cake, Rich Razzleberry Blendabilities
Stamps: And Many More...
Tools: Big Shot, Decorative Dots TIEF, Typeset Alpha Bigz Die (retired)
Accessories: Basic Grey Stitched Ribbon (retired), Rich Razzleberry Buttons (retired), Paper Doilies
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...!

Holiday Napkins

Whether you're throwing a holiday party this season, or attending one, these napkins will be a hit!

Tools: Big Shot, Northern Flurry TIEF

Who would've thought to emboss napkins?! Well, someone did (I found it on Pinterest). I wish the post was linked to the creator, but it wasn't. I would love to give proper credit...

Anyway, these are so simple to make. All you need is your Big Shot and an embossing folder of your choice. They're perfect to use at your party, or package them up and give them as a gift at a party you're attending.

If you don't have the tools or the time to make these yourself, you can buy them from my online store here.

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

It's A Scrap Yard Series - Post #6

I think today will be my final post in this series. Not to say I won't be using my scraps anymore, but I just won't focus my posts on them in this manner. It's sure been fun and I'm glad that I finally got my scraps organized & used! Here's today's card:

Paper: Sahara Sand
Ink: Early Espresso
Stamps: Feeling Sentimental (SAB Preview!)
Tools: Simply Scored, Simply Scored Borders Plate (NEW!)

Aside from my card base, everything is from my scrap bin. I had the banners that were cut using my Big Shot and the Itty Bitty Framelits. I trimmed them a bit to work with this card. Instead of using card stock or DSP to stamp on, I trimmed up a paint chip sample that worked with my colour scheme.

Since this is a "manly" card, I didn't want to add any ribbons or embellishments, so I used the NEW Simply Scored Borders Plate from the Spring Catalogue. I LOVE it!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

It's A Scrap Yard Series - Post #4

Another simple card today using all my scraps! I debated adding a sentiment or not, but sometimes I like to keep it open until I need a card for a particular occasion. I think this will eventually become a birthday card, but you never know...

Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Old Olive, Melon Mambo,
Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight
Accessories: Buttons, Linen Thread

Like yesterday's card, all my pieces were already cut and die cut with my Big Shot using the Finishing Touches Edgelits. It was after I glued all the pieces down that I thought I needed some dimension. I just so happened to have flower buttons in all the colours! Three were from the Ice Cream Parlour Ribbon & Button Pack from SAB a few years ago (but you can purchase on the Clearance Rack currently!) and the other two are from the Brights Buttons, I believe.

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

It's A Scrap Yard Series - Post #3

Today I have another card created from my scrap pile. If you missed my previous two posts, you might want to check them out for some inspiration. Here is today's card:

Paper: Festival of Prints DSP Pack, Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Island Indigo
Accessories: Fabric - Comfort Cafe, 2012 SAB Brad

What I'm loving about all my scrap cards is that they're all completely different! I'm finding that I'm using colours and papers I might not have used together otherwise and my layouts are being determined primarily on the size scraps I have. It's awesome!

No stamps or ink were used in today's card. Everything, including the cut flowers were all in my scrap pile. I also didn't have to cut any of the DSP because the size was perfect. For the flowers, originally, I used my Big Shot and my Fun Flowers Bigz Die.

Once I had it all laid out, this card took me no time at all to piece together. I love using my scraps!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

We're Back!

We're back from our holidays over at Sunday Stamps and hope you'll play along with us this week. We've got a colour challenge for you - Night of Navy, More Mustard & Sahara Sand:

Paper: Night of Navy, Sahara Sand, More Mustard
Ink: Night of Navy, More Mustard
Stamps: Simply Soft (Hostess, Retired)
Tools: Mini Curly Label Punch (Sneak Peek SAB Item!), Big Shot, Beautiful Wings Embosslits
Accessories: Linen Thread

I know the stamp set I used is retired, but it just spoke to me as I was staring at all my sets wondering what I was going to create this week. I've had a tad of a struggle getting back into my stampin' after the holidays. :)

I started with creating a tiled look with the NEW Mini Curly Label Punch that will debut in the 2013 SAB catty starting January 22nd! I created different layers by punching in my card layer and using Dimensionals. After stamping my image, I created a bow using Linen Thread and added some butterflies.

What do you think? Hope you'll play along with us this week!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Merry Christmas

Wishing you & yours a very Merry Christmas and a healthy and happy holiday season!

Paper: Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, Festival of Prints DSP Pack
Stamps: Snowflake Soiree
Tools: Big Shot, Window Framelits, Lacy Brocade TIEF, Heat Tool
Accessories: Gold Embossing Powder, 1-1/4" Cherry Cobbler Ribbon (retired)
Techniques: Heat Embossing

Of course, I also have to show you my last Christmas card of the season. :) This card was made using scraps on my desk from previous projects, but I like the way it turned out and I hope you do too. I added a banner out of ribbon and some heat embossing. I also popped up the ornament to give the card some depth.

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Tree Shining Bright

Since we're so close to Christmas, I'll be posting the few last Christmas cards for 2012. Today's card has a lot of sparkle, thanks to the Glimmer Paper!

Paper: Pool Party, Very Vanilla, Champagne Glimmer Paper
Ink: Soft Suede
Stamps: More Merry Messages
Tools: Big Shot, Delicate Designs TIEF, Lacy Brocade TIEF, Holiday Framelits
Accessories: Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding Ribbon

With a little raised texture from the embossing folders, some colour from the Seam Binding Ribbon and lots of bling with the Glimmer Paper, this card came together quickly and has a CAS look to it that I just love. Also feeling the non-traditional colour scheme for Christmas.

What do you think?

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Yummy Goodness

These gingerbread cookies look good enough to eat thanks to the Scentsational stamp set and coordinating Holiday Collection Framelits.

Paper: Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla, Festival of Prints DSP Stack
Stamps: More Merry Messages, Scentsational
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Tools: Big Shot, Holiday Collection Framelits, 1-1/4" Scallop Punch
Accessories: Jewels, 1/8" Real Red Taffeta Ribbon, Red Dazzling Details

This isn't an original idea... there are many cards floating around the WWW with half-eating gingerbread cookies. I used the 1-1/4" Scallop Circle to take chunks out of my gingerbread cookies. Then I added some Dazzling Details and popped each up with Dimensionals.

The sentiment is from More Merry Messages and to finish off, I added some ribbon trim with a tiny bow and jewels for added detail and bling.

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Christmas Scraps

Can you believe that Christmas is less than two weeks away?! I can't! Like every year, this time is always crazy busy and I've been in full Christmas production crafting mode for many months now. With all the crafting and cutting, I'm left with a ginormous pile of scraps... so I decided to make some cards using mostly scraps I had lying around. Take a look:

Paper: Very Vanilla, Poppy Parade, Whisper White
Ink: Cherry Cobbler
Stamps: Greetings of the Seasons, Jolly Bingo Bits
Tools: Big Shot, Petals-a-Plenty TIEF, Scentsational & Labels Framelits

I was able to make four identical cards using these scraps: a cutout from the Labels Framelits, tree cutouts from the Scentsational Framelits because I had made many tags with the negative cutout of this image and a piece of Poppy Parade card stock left over from making my Santa Gum casings.

After a little stamping and embossing, this card came together quickly! Why not try making something with the scraps you have lying around? You'll be surprised what you can make!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Thin Snowman in Disguise

I just recently (finally!) purchased the Snow Much Fun stamp set during the recent sale. I've loved it for a long time but it just always got pushed down on my wish list. This is the first card I've made with it:

Paper: Whisper White, Bashful Blue
Ink: Black
Stamps: Snow Much Fun
Tools: Big Shot, Northern Flurry TIEF, Circle Punches - 1", 1-1/4", 1-3/8"
Accessories: Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon (retired), Linen Thread, Dazzling Details

I don't know why my brain thought to disguise this thin snowman into a fat one, but it seemed cool in my head, so I created it! The card is 4-1/4" square. I scored it at 2-1/2" and 6-3/4". I stamped the snowman twice - once on Whisper White and a second time on Bashful Blue. I used my circle punches to punch him out and then used the punched Whisper White piece as a template to make sure I got my circles punched in the right spot on the front of my card.

I didn't want to have any other stamping on the card, so I ran my base through the Big Shot using the Northern Flurry TIEF for added texture. I paper-pieced my circles together on my Bashful Blue piece and then added my ribbon trim for some added colour. To finish things off, I used Dazzling Details on all his buttons.

What do you think?

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

MDS Tags

Don't you just love MDS2?! If you haven't yet tried it, what are you waiting for?? You can try it out for 30 days for FREE! Click here to give it a try.

One of the many things I love about MDS2 over the original is that you're able to colour stamps using multiple colours. Check out this tag I created:

I love creating hybrid projects because as much as I love MDS, I still love working with my hands too. :) I created the bird image in MDS so that it would fit inside my XL Oval punch. Once I sized it, I started colouring the image. So quick & simple! I printed several on my home printer and punched them out.

The tag itself is cut using the Layered Labels Framelits and I rounded off the one end. I cut a banner from Cherry Cobbler Coredinations and ran it through my Woodgrain TIEF. Gave it a slight sand and glued it to the tag. I popped up my bird with Dimensionals.

For the "bow" at the top, I cut strips of Tulle from Cherry Cobbler & Crumb Cake. I gathered it and tied with Linen Thread in the middle and then looped it through my tag and tied it in place.

I hope you like... why don't you give MDS2 a try?!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

100 "Likes"!

 
My Facebook page reached 100 "likes" this morning... so I'm having a draw! If you don't "like" Hofkissed on Facebook yet, what are you waiting for?! Especially since there will be a draw today for Hofkissed Christmas merchandise (all handcrafted paper goods!).

www.facebook.com/hofkissed

Aside from that, I'll also share a project with you... perhaps one that will be given to the winner of my draw this afternoon (among other things)! Some adorable gift tags:

Paper: Naturals Ivory, Whisper White
Ink: Riding Hood Red, Gumball Green, Black
Stamps: No Peeking
Tools: Big Shot, Two Tags Bigz Die, Scallop Punch
Accessories: Pear Pizzazz Baker's Twine, Jewels

Don't you just love these little characters?! They're from the No Peeking set. I coloured directly on the stamps with my Stampin' Write Markers and then punched them out with my Scallop Punch. I did the same for the sentiment (minus the punch). The tag was created with one of the two you get when you roll the Two Tags Bigz Die through the Big Shot. The scallop fits perfectly with it.

To finish off, I added some Baker's Twine and a few jewels for some bling.

Don't forget to get on over to Facebook to "like" my page (if you haven't already) and then comment on my post there about my draw for a second entry today by 2 p.m. EST.

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

Peace on Earth

Wouldn't that be nice?! Today's card is a CASE of Connie Stewart's card I found on Pinterest. I just absolutely fell in love with it.

Paper: Whisper White, Midnight Muse
Ink: Gumball Green
Stamps: Merry Minis, Greetings of the Season
Tools: Scallop Punch, Merry Minis Punch Pack, Heat Tool, Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots TIEF
Techniques: Heat Embossing

I changed out the sentiment she used because I just found this card so peaceful and thought the sentiment I used from Greetings of the Season fit perfectly. I heat embossed it in silver for some added texture and elegance. I just love this card!

What do you think?

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Open Sleigh

Loved Open Sleigh the moment I saw it in the Annual Catalogue, but this is the first time I've inked up the images! Check it out:

Paper: Crumb Cake, Midnight Muse, Very Vanilla
Ink: Crumb Cake, White
Stamps: Open Sleigh
Tools: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots TIEF

I wanted to keep this card really simple. There's no bling or embellishments... just a bit of texture! I think it's kinda vintage looking too. I created a tone on tone card, but popped the layer up slightly and sponged the edges to give it some depth. I created some simple banners and I really like the way this turned out. Inside I used the sentiment from the same set: "It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air."

What do you think?

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

It's All Colour Over at Sunday Stamps!

Good Morning! Today is Tara's Colour Challenge over at Sunday Stamps... pop by and play along with us.

I decided to make a Christmas card because the colours, like Tara thought, would be a great Christmas pallette. Take a look:

Paper: Crumb Cake, Real Red, Whisper White
Ink: Bashful Blue
Stamps: Stylin' Snowfolk, Many Merry Messages
Tools: Big Shot, Norther Flurry TIEF, Lacy Brocade TIEF, Adorning Accents,
Circle Punches - 1", 1"3/8 & 1-3/4"

I CASEd this card from my upline Leena Girsa, it was just too cute not to! It's pretty simple when you've got the right punches to create the snowman. I added lots of texture to this card with embossing folders and I think it works.

I opted out of giving my snowman a face or accessories... other than that adorable top hat! To finish up and add a little bling, I dotted my eye with a jewel.

Head on over and play along, we would love to see what you come up with this week!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

WHISKing a Merry KISSmas

Today I have a kitschy project I made for my Craft Show this weekend! If you're in the Kitchener/Waterloo area and surround, I hope you'll stop by Edelweiss Tavern between 11 and 4 on Sunday, November 25th to see me...

This was just too cute an idea to pass up, but not sure how well they'll sell:

I created the tag in MDS. So simple! Then I cut it using my Framelits and added some texture with my Petals-a-Plenty TIEF. Before putting it all together, I stamped the pine branches from Watercolor Winter in Lucky Limeade, Old Olive & Pear Pizzazz. I stamped off once for each colour so it wouldn't be too bold.

What do you think?

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph