Reduce & Reuse!

I'm a big fan of recycling, and even better, to reduce & reuse waste. What better way to reduce & reuse than to create something crafty & pretty!

I've been collecting wine corks from various sources for years and together with fabric and a bamboo cutting board, I created a pretty and functional cork board. This would be perfect for the kitchen, or home office where wall space is limited.

What do you think?

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

For the Love of...

Books! The current trend seems to be anything beginning with a capital "E"... E-Readers, E-Mail, E-Learning, etc. You can find almost anything now online and it seems more rare to not do things electronically. Of course I appreciate you reading my blog, electronically, but what I'm getting at is that sometimes I just prefer to feel the paper in between my hands - books, magazines, and of course, hands-on paper crafting! So for those of you that still love to feel the paper in between your hands too, you might enjoy my magnetic bookmarks!

Check 'em out and let me know what you think.

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

In Memory...

Today is the 2-year anniversary of a loved one's death. I made this card especially for him. He was an AWESOME woodworker and truly was one-of-a-kind. This card not only features stamps that are appropriate to him, but also a technique called emboss-resist and uses some product that will be retiring at the end of this catalogue term (May 31st). So if the retiring products are a "MUST HAVE" on your list, make sure you order before the end of May!

What do you think?

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Supplies
Stamps:
- Have a Seat, #120447 (clear), #116696 (wood) - retiring May 31st
- Tool Shed, #123688
- One of A Kind (retired)

Paper:
- Very Vanilla 81/2 x 11 Card Stock, #101650

Ink:
- Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad, #115657
- Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Pad, #119667

Accessories:
- Heart to Heart Punch, #119881  retiring punch, available until May 31st or until supplies last!
- Scallop Oval Punch, #119856
- Decorative Label Punch, #120907 - My go-to punch!
- Daffodil Delight Seam-Binding Ribbon, available as part of Summer Smooches Promo (ends April 30th!), and is a sneak-peek from the NEW catalogue.
- Brayer, #102395
- Clear Embossing Powder, #109130
- Heat Tool, #100005
- Big Shot, #113439
- Top Note Die, #113463

FAQ About Retiring...

Taken right from the SU! site, here are some answers to questions you might have with some of the retiring products. If the FAQ below doesn't give you the answers you're looking for, give me a shout and I will help answer any questions you have. :)

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph


Q: Why are so many stamp sets being retired? 
A: During this transition to the new annual catalogue, there are a higher number of stamps being refreshed and replaced than usual. While many stamps are going away, most are being replaced so that the breadth of our stamp lines is every bit as broad as ever! And because the seasonal catalogues will be so much larger than before, there will be more seasonal stamp sets to choose from in those catalogues. On the bright side, nearly all of our stamps, with the exception of a la carte stamps and a handful of background stamps) will now be available in clear-mount as well as wood-mount!

Q: Why the changes to 12" x 12" card stock?
A: Not all 12" x 12" card stock colours will be available in individual packs anymore. While low sales do not justify stocking individual packs in all colours, colour assortment packs will be available, and some colours from each colour collection will be available in individual packs.

Q: Are individual Stampin’ Write Markers going away? 
A: Stampin’ Write Markers in more popular colours will still be available individually. However, low sales do not justify making all Stampin’ Write Markers available for individual purchase. Colour assortments packs will still be available.

Q: Why are all the Classic Stampin’ Pads being retired?
A: We are introducing a new Firm Foam pad in our Classic Stampin’ Pads with the 2012-2013 annual catalogue. The Firm Foam pads offer better ink coverage and, in turn, better stamped images. 

Q: Are all Craft Stampin’ Spots going away?
A: Yes. Consistently low sales could not justify keeping them.

Q: Are all Classic Stampin’ Spots going away?
A: Stampin’ Spots are a fantastic tool for helping you get started, so we will keep Classic Stampin’ Spots for the Getting Started colour palette only. Consistently low sales could not justify keeping the other collections in general inventory. 

Q: Why are you keeping Designer Fabric when you eliminated things like Décor Elements?
A: Two reasons: 1) Demonstrators and customers use Designer Fabric accessorize and embellish their papercrafting projects--which is Stampin’ Up!’s core focus, and 2) Designer Fabric is a good seller.

Q: Why are the Simply Adorned and Décor Elements lines going away?
A: During the analysis of our product lines it became clear that while some customers enjoyed these products, they were not good sellers, and they did not truly support Stampin’ Up!’s core papercrafting focus. However, you may see them offered from time to time not as product lines but as embellishments or project-type kits.

Going, Going, Gone!

The accessories retiring list has been posted. Click here to view all the items that are retiring. There are many products that are up to 70% off. If you have some "must have's" on the list, order them now because once they're gone, they're gone for good!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

For Elizabeth

Today's card is for my mother's birthday. Her name is Elizabeth, so it only seemed fitting to use the soon-to-be-retired À la Carte stamp called Elizabeth. Her (BIG) birthday isn't until May, but this card also showcases some product from the current Occasions Mini. So I felt it was important to show it off as some product you'll only be able to purchase until April 30th.

What do you think?

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Supplies

Stamps:
- Elizabeth #117120 - retiring May 31st
- Teeny Tiny Wishes, #115370 - one of my go-to sets because you get 24 greetings! Plus every greeting coordinates perfectly with two punches (Word Window, #119857, Modern Label, #119849)

Paper:
- Beau Château Designer Series Paper (DSP), #122357
- Very Vanilla 81/2 x 11 Card Stock, #101650

Ink:
- Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad, #115657
- Marina Mist Classic Stampin' Pad, #119668
- Blushing Bride Stampin' Write Marker*
- Pear Pizzazz Stampin' Write Marker*
* part of the 2010 - 2012 In Color marker set, #119801, these will be retiring colours

Accessories:
- Antique Brads, #117273 - love these!!
- Victoria Crochet 5/8" Trim, #118481
- Blushing Bride 3/8" Pleated Satin Ribbon, #125570 - Occasions Mini, available until April 30th.
- Big Shot, #113439
- Framelits Dies - Labels Collection, #125598 - Occasions Mini, available until April 30th.
- Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, #120175

Finally Took the Plunge!

I finally did it. I started a blog. Welcome to my blog & thanks for checking it out! I hope that you'll join me for the journey as I talk about all things that are crafty. My main focus is cards and invitations, but there may be some digital designs or 3D projects pop up on here too.

It only seemed logical to start a blog so that I can share my crafty knowledge with you. There are two important things that you should know about me:

1. I create and sell handcrafted designs and custom work through my company, Hofkissed. I hope you'll check it out (but I'm sure you are already a fan!), and if you're in the market for some handcrafted cards, contact me to place an order. You can check out my site at www.hofkissed.ca and you can also find me on Facebook by clicking here or, by searching "Hofkissed".
2. I am also an Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator. Although I have recently acquired this title, I have been a BIG fan of SU! for many, many years. If you're new to crafting, or are an avid *cough* "Big Box Craft Store" shopper, I would love to introduce you to Stampin' Up! and show you why their products are superior to what you can find in stores. Unless otherwise noted, the products I feature on this site are all SU!.

Keep an eye on this Blog for upcoming classes & events (card classes, technique classes, Hofkissed or SU! events, etc), projects and ideas, techniques and tutorials. You'll never know what to expect unless you keep coming back.

I look forward to having you come along on this journey with me and never hesitate to contact me with ANY questions related to anything crafty!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph