Baby Alpha

Believe it or not, I've got so many "draft posts" that I never got around to writing or publishing during my disappearance. Some of the upcoming posts will be older projects (that may even feature now retired items!), but I'll mix in some newer stuff too. What I'm saying is, I've got posts coming out my...

Anyway, here are some cards I designed using my Alphabet Home Decor print I designed and sell in my online store. These were misprints, but perfect enough to cut up and use on some cards! Check 'em out:

These babies were actually quite popular that I've just about sold out of them! Other than my print, I just accented with ribbon and some texture with an embossing folder and glimmer paper. The paper colours aren't your typical soft hues for a baby card, but it works! At the time, I was trying to use up retiring In Colors...

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph


RECIPE:
Paper: Gumball Green, Primerose Petals, Summer Starfruit, Naturals White, Whisper White
Ink: Gumball Green, Primerose Petals, Summer Starfruit, Early Espresso
Stamps: Zoo Babies, Baby We've Grown
Tools: Big Shot, Decorative Dots TIEF, Scallop Circle Punch, Circle Punch
Accessories: Stitched Satin Ribbon (retired)

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)

Sweet Baby for Sunday Stamps Challenge #77

Welcome to another challenge at Sunday Stamps. Love the colour combo we've got going on this time - Bermuda Bay, Pacific Point & Sahara Sand.

I am in love with my creation! When I started designing this card, I was just trying to get rid of some retiring products before the new catty launch tomorrow (hanger clips & Silver Glimmer) and am really pleased with the CAS look I accomplished.

I absolutely love the Something for Baby set (doesn't hurt that I earned if for FREE!!) that's launching in the new catalogue tomorrow AND, there are coordinating Framelits for them too! I opted to cut the pieces by hand though because I didn't want a border around my images.

Anyway, hope you'll be inspired by the colour combo and play along with us! You've got until Friday, June 13th to upload your design. We can't wait to see what you come up with.

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

P.S. Come back tomorrow to see the girl version I created of this card...

RECIPE:
Paper: Sahara Sand, Whisper White
Ink: Bermuda Bay, Pacific Point, Sahara Sand, Silver Glimmer Paper (retiring)
Stamps: Bitty Banners, Something for Baby
Tools: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots TIEF, Oval Framelits, Simply Scored, 7/8" Scallop Punch, Heart Punch (retiring)
Accessories: Hanger Clips (retiring)
Challenge: Sunday Stamps

Sunday Stamps SSC73

We've got a sweet colour combo over at Sunday Stamps for the next two weeks - Tempting Turquoise, Pink Pirouette & Smokey Slate.

I typically would never combine pink and blue on a baby card, but I just love the way this turned out! I've been in a "use what I have" kick lately. I cut the sentiment on my e-cutter YEARS AGO (now you know I save everything!) and when I came across these cutouts, I knew I had to use them. Next, I chose a stamp set I never used a lot when it was current, but there must be a reason I keep it around, right? So I used it! I didn't want to use a lot of other products, so I accented with punches and scattered some jewels.

Hope you'll get a chance to play along with us. We always love seeing what people create. Don't forget to check out the other Design Team members for inspiration... and leave them some love too!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

RECIPE:
Paper: Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise
Ink: Smokey Slate
Stamps: Baby Boutique (retired), Cuddles & Kisses
Tools: Postage Punch, Decorative Label Punch, Scallop Circle Punch
Accessories: Jewel Rhinestones
Challenge: Sunday Stamps

DSP Series: Card and Envie

This is Day 3 of my series on DSP and today I've created an adorably cute 3-½" x 5" card with coordinating envelope, all from DSP! This is made super easy with SU!'s Envelope Punch Board.

I made my card base from two scraps of card stock - Primrose Petals & Basic Grey and then layered with DSP. I accessorized with pearls and coordinating ribbon.

If you've been following along, I hope you're enjoying this series. Also, if you look back over the last several posts, have you noticed I've been using the same DSP and stamp set to make cards and projects for different occasions? Stay tuned for more on that also. :)

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

RECIPE:
Paper: Primrose Petals, Basic Grey, Birthday Basics DSP
Ink: Basic Grey
Stamps: Petite Pairs
Tools: 1-¼" Circle Punch, Artisan Label Punch, Envelope Punch Board
Accessories: Pearls, Summer Starfruit Stitched Satin Ribbon

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

Baby, Baby!

I thought I would take a quick sec here to let you all know where I've been. I haven't purposely been ignoring you... my bundle of joy finally decided to make his entrance into the world on Friday!

We are thrilled to welcome Nicholas into our family. Big Sister Mikaela is especially excited, as you can tell from the photos. :)

I couldn't just post a photo or two, so I did up a quick little page in My Digital Studio (MDS). Extra fast and simple when you use a pre-done template that I customized to my liking. Gotta love that! I also have a few projects lined up over the next few weeks while we all get settled in, including designs for Sunday Stamps... stick with me as I promise not to disappoint.

Until next time (maybe a bit longer than usual), 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

Simply Scrappin' Kits Not Just for Scrappin'!

I have several Simply Scrappin' kits and coordinating accents sitting in my craft space - some retired and some current. Since I'm not much of a scrapbooker, I wanted to start using them for cards. Here are some of my first attempts using bits from the retired Nursery Nest suite:

Paper: Pear Pizzazz, WW, Blushing Bride, Marina Mist, Nursery Nest DSP
Ink: Soft Suede
Stamps: Baby Boutique, One in a Million
Accessories: Nursery Nest Accents, Baker's Twine, Buttons

I just realized that I didn't use my Big Shot!! It's not very often that that happens and as I've posted before, it's always hard for me to keep things simple. Well, I guess without consciously realizing it, I kept things simple. I guess i have Stampin' Up! kits to thank!

I'm really happy with how these turned out... the colours were pulled right from the Nursery Nest DSP and with "peel and stick" accents, what could be easier?! To accent, I played with different ribbons, but in the end chose my go-to Baker's Twine. I added some super cute buttons to each - two from the Twitterpated set that was in the last Occassions Mini (now retired) and one from the Brights Collection. They're not perfect matches to the other colours in the papers, but work just as well. After all, babies are "cute as a button", so I couldn't resist using some.

I urge you to give using your Simply Scrappin' and Accent kits too. You may be surprised what you come up with. I'm challenging myself this week to use some others too... so stay tuned!

What do you think?

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Another CAS Button Buddy

Yesterday I showed you a birthday card made with the cherry stamp set from Button Buddies. You can view it here if you missed it. Today I have a similar card using the rattle from the same set. Here's that card:

Paper: Whisper White
Ink: Crumb Cake
Stamps: Button Buddies, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Tools: Big Shot, Designer Frames TIEF, Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch
Accessories: Buttons, Baker's Twine

This is the exact same layout as yesterday and I used all the same tools. The only difference is that I did some faux stitching with my Crumb Cake marker all around the card, punch-out and embossed part of the card. Pretty CAS and I like it!

Short and sweet today... what do you think?

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Baby, Baby, Baby

I finally got a chance to ink up Baby Boutique. I just fell in love with that set in the new catty... but then again, what set didn't I fall in love with?! Anyway, an idea popped into my head as I was surfing the net and came across a colour challenge over at Hand Stamped Sentiments. Here are the details:

As soon as I saw the colour Calypso Coral as part of the challenge, I thought about using some of the Calypso Coral Organdy Ribbon that was part of the last SAB bundle. It's just the perfect size for little bows. And my idea was to create little bows on the booties in Baby Boutique. Here's my card:

These certainly aren't your typical baby colours, but this card could work for either boy or girl. Aren't the booties adorable?! I stamped those in Daffodil Delight. The card base and Seam Binding Ribbon are also Daffodil Delight. The embossed polka dot panels are in Baja Breeze, along with the punched out mat with the Modern Label punch. The sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes and stamped in Calypso Coral. For texture and dimension, I added lots of ruffles and bows and a couple of pearls.

What do you think?

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Feeling Girly

I made this card a while back... but I'm feeling girly tonight and thought that it was just too cute not to share with you! I got the idea for the little dress from a card I saw in our monthly Demonstrator magazine and had to make some. The original had three dresses on the front, I opted for one and wanted to have it "hanging" on a clothes line.

I used my favourite (but retired) pink, Blushing Bride, for the majority of the card. The little dress is actually the body from the Owl Builder Punch - how cute is that?! I also happened to have Pleated Ribbon (also retired) in Blushing Bride to add a little ruffle to the bottom of the dress. It also happened that I had a bunch of the Whisper White frames left over from another project (cut by layering two frames from the Labels Collection Framelits) and thought it would be super cute to use that as the "clothes line" anchor. I embossed it using the Square Lattice embossing folder to add some more texture to the card.

The sentiment is from the Itty Bitty Banners stamp set and of course I just had to use the matching Framelits to cut them out! I accented with some jewels, and the heart embossing folder from the Adorning Accents Textured Impressions Embossing set.

What do you think?

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph