Last Day for 31% Off Digital??

Nope! The promotion has been extended until September 14th!! This is to give you more time to finish up your projects to send them to the print center... or, purchase some of the awesome downloads at 31% off! Find out more information here.

Haven't tried MDS2 (My Digital Studio) yet?? It's AWESOME! Don't forget to download your FREE 30-Day trial here. With the FREE download, you get:

• Full access to the software at NO COST for 30 days
• Full access to design tools to create cards, photobooks, calendars, and more
• Full access to a sample of exclusive artwork from MDS 2+
• The chance to buy additional downloads that you can keep after your trial expires
• Ability to order your projects from our professional print services

Contact me for further information and visit MyDigitalStudio.net for everything to do with MDS.

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Serene Silhouettes for FMS

Today's card is inspired by both the sketch over at Freshly Made Sketches, and my upline, Leena Girsa. In fact, my card is pretty much a CASE of Leena's beautiful card (see it here), but with a few twists.

First, here's the sketch:

When Leena designed her card for our monthly team meeting, I just fell in love with it and knew I had to one day recreate it. I just didn't want to completely copy it, so here's my version based on the sketch above:

Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White, Marina Mist
Ink: So Saffron, Old Olive, More Mustard, Riding Hood Red, Cherry Cobbler, Black
Stamps: Serene Silhouettes
Tools: Big Shot, Woodgrain TIEF, Post-It Notes
Accessories: Naturals Button, Twine

Aside from the tree image from Serene Silhouettes, I sponged the entire image. When I saw the three layers in the sketch, I had the idea to carry the image across all three... kind of like the Triple Time Stamping technique I featured last week (see card here), but with a twist.

I first sponged all three layers with So Saffron and after masking my sun with a 1-3/8" circle, I started adding my layers of colours until I achieved the look I wanted.

I decided to add a tiny black border around all layers - a last minute decision - and I think it works. I glued the initial layer to the card base and then popped up each additional layer. To finish off, I added a button with some twine and I just love how this card turned out!

What do you think?

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

More Organization Tips

In addition to my previous posts about embellishment and ribbon storage, I have another organizational tip to share with you today. I use old mason jars and clothes pegs to store baker's twine, ribbon off the spool and ribbon scraps.

 

Just like everything else, I like to see what I have (if space allows). If I don't see it, I don't remember to use it. Plus, sometimes looking around and seeing the colours and types of embellishments I have inspire me to create something great.

I have these jars sitting on a bookshelf underneath my spools of ribbon. They're not within reaching distance to my workspace, but close enough to be able to get up and get something when I need it.

This solution has worked for me for a couple of years now and maybe it'll work for you too.

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Ribbon Storage!

I don't know about you, but I have TONS of ribbons. Before going strictly SU!, I probably had close to 100 spools of ribbon from various places. I have since sold off a lot of it, but still have my favourites, not to use on cards, but for gift wrapping. :)

Anyway, my point is that I still have a lot of ribbon and have tried several different storage solutions over the years. My preference is to work off the spool so that I know the exact amount of ribbon to use for a project. I also like to organize by colour and style.

I cannot take credit for this idea I'm about to share with you, but unfortunately also do not know who to give credit to for it!! 

These units are IKEA picture shelving. They come in two sizes, I opted for the longest size and currently have 3 shelves... although, I could use at least one more! :) These are also pretty easy to make, but I was impatient to wait for my handy husband, so I bought some. They're reasonably priced (I think around $20) and come in black or white.

They've worked with all different sized spools so far and have found them to be incredibly handy. I also added some IKEA jars that store flowers and such that I've scattered throughout my shelves. For my SU! ribbon shelf, I've used one to separate my retired and current ribbons.

Hope this idea has inspired you to organize something in your space too!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Every Girl Loves...

...A great pair of shoes! And what Bride wouldn't love a great pair of shoes with some bling?! Today I created a card featuring a great shoe from the Fabulous You set.

Paper: Pretty in Pink, Whisper White, Real Red
Ink: Pretty in Pink, VersaMark
Stamps: Fabulous You, Itty Bitty Banners
Tools: Big Shot, Elegant Lines TIEF, heat tool
Accessories: Pewter EP, Jewels, Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon

This shoe is just so girly and I think, gives a bridal feel, depending on what you do with it. I decided to heat emboss it with Pewter and then added some bling to the heal and a few more on the toe. I dry embossed the lower half of the card and then accented my banner with some handmade rosettes that my sideline Sandy taught the team to make. Aren't they precious?! So simple too!

To make some rosettes of your own, just punch the size circle of your choice and start cutting around in a spiral toward the center. Leave a small tab and then start rolling the spiral around into a tight (or loose) rosette. Secure the rolled rosette to the tab in the center with some glue or a glue dot and you're done. Simple, eh?!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

3D Wall Art

This is something I did a while back, but thought I'd share it with you because I really love it! :)

Paper: Pretty in Pink

This was actually inspired by some fabric Dahlias I saw on Pinterest. I thought it would be cool to re-create one of them from paper. Honestly, I just kinda just guessed how I should do this as I went along, and for a while, it wasn't looking so great. But I kept at it and I'm glad I did because I was so happy with how it turned out!

I covered a piece of Illustration Board (approximately 7 x 9") that I had lying around with a piece of Pretty in Pink card stock. Then I cut 3 x 3", 2 x 2" and 1 x 1" squares from the same colour. I curled the ends inward and glued them together. Once those were dry, I started gluing them to the board. Boy do I wish now that I had one of the NEW Silicone Craft Sheets back then! Would have made the whole process much easier...

For the center, I crumpled up 100's of hole-punched paper and glued them in bunches. To finish things off, I added a butterfly and sprayed the entire thing to protect it.

What do you think?

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Triple Time Stampin'

I'm sure this technique has many different names, but I'll refer it to Triple Time Stampin' as it was Dawn Olchefske's video that taught me how to do it.

I've seen many gorgeous cards created with this technique all over the web and they all look so different! I've wanted to try it for quite some time now and finally made one thanks to a fellow Demo, Laurie Reaume, who I had the pleasure of meeting at the Hamilton Regionals. She swapped with me and her swap used this technique. You can check out her card here.

Paper: Lucky Limeade, Whisper White
Ink: Daffodil Delight, Island Indigo, Perfect Plum, Riding Hood Red, Lucky Limeade, Chocolate Chip
Stamps: Quint-Essential Flower
Accessories: Button, Island Indigo Ruffled Ribbon, Jewels

 

Unlike other cards I've seen with this technique, I wanted some more dimension, so I decided to pop-up and layer my focal image and then add a button to the center. The Quint-Essential Flower Á La Carte Stamp was the perfect choice to accomplish this. Many of SU! punches coordinate perfectly with this stamp so that you can do as much, or as little layering as you please.

The following SU! punches work with this stamp set:

• 2-3/8" Scallop Circle
• 1-3/4" Scallop Circle
• 1" Circle
• 3/4" Circle
• 1/2" Circle

This stamp is well worth the investment at only $10.95 cdn (w #126790) because of the endless possibilities you have with it! I'll be sure to feature some more cards with this stamp soon.

What do you think?

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Organize Those Embellies!

I don't know about you, but I love to use embellishments and can never seem to have enough... but I have enough to last me for years! haha.

A couple of years ago I was determined to re-purpose a spinning rack that I had (used to hold 160 bottles of paint).  I just couldn't bring myself to get rid of the rack when I was no longer painting and thought there must be another use for it!

After I finally sourced out the perfect containers at Lee Valley (such a wicked store!), it did exactly what I had invisioned:

As I mentioned above, the rack holds 160 bottles, but because I organize by colour and style, it's not quite enough. :) At least, that's what I tell myself about my obsession anyway. Regardless, it works marvelously! Each square section on my rack measured 1-1/2", so I chose the 1" and 1-1/4" bottles to hold my stash.

I'm very happy with how I re-purposed this rack and perhaps this post has inspired you to re-purpose something... or maybe you have this rack and will turn it into an embellishment holder too!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Christmas Swap

I recently participated in and organized swap from Leena Girsa. The goal was to showcase products from the Holiday Catalogue. I chose to focus on Christmas, using the Merry Minis stamp set. Here's what I came up with:

Paper: Cherry Cobbler Core'dinations, Whisper White
Ink: Crumb Cake
Stamps: Merry Minis, Greetings of the Season
Tools: Big Shot, Vintage Wallpaper TIEF, Sanding Block, Window Framelits, Merry Minis Punch Pack
Accessories: Crumb Cake Seam Binding Ribbon, Glimmer Brads, White Bakers Twine

I just love the new Core'dinations card stock! Not only do you get texture, but get different colour tones too. I didn't think this card needed too much more when I featured the Cherry Cobbler Core'dinations card stock. It's just so beautiful on it's own.

I also knew I wanted my ornaments to hang, but didn't just want to glue them to the paper, so I got the idea to hang them in a "window" using the Window Framelits.

To finish off, I added a banner with a bow and my Swap was done. I hope the group liked it.

What do you think?

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Swapping

As promised, here are the swaps I created for the Hamilton Regionals on the weekend:

Paper: Pretty in Pink, Whisper White, Basic Gray, Bashful Blue
Ink: Pretty in Pink, Pink Pirouette, Basic Gray
Stamps: Love & Laughter
Tools: Big Shot, Polka Dots TIEF, Heat Tool, Clear Blocks, 1" Square Punch, Boho Blossoms Punch
Accessories: Basic Gray Stitched Ribbon, Jewels, Pewter EP
Techniques: Clear Block Stamping, Heat Embossing

Paper: Cajun Craze, Very Vanilla, Comfort Cafe DSP
Ink: Pool Party, Summer Starfruit, Midnight Muse, Soft Suede
Stamps: French Foliage, Occasions Alphabet
Tools: Big Shot, Large Scallop Edgelit, Clear Blocks, Scalllop Circle Punch, Decorative Label Punch
Accessories: Very Vanilla Ribbon, Pearls
Techniques: Clear Block Stamping

For each of my Swaps, I used the Clear Block Stamping Technique. This is where you take your Clear Blocks (I used SU! Blocks C & D), ink 'em up as you would a stamp and then stamp them on your paper. It adds so much interest to a project and you get a "wow" factor without having to use extra tools or anything. The best part is that you get a different look every time you stamp again with them so no two projects will be exactly the same. The only trick is to make sure you don't move the block once it touches the paper or else you smear - same as stamps, but the blocks are more slippery. Hope I've inspired you to give it a try too!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

What a Fab Day!

What a fabulous day at Hamilton Regionals yesterday! It was filled with tons of inspiration, ideas and of course, freebies! I walked away with so much information and even got to meet Shelli! How great is that?!

I was lucky enough to be able to attend with several of my sideline members and my upline, Leena Girsa. It was my first Stampin' Up! event and I hope to be able to attend many more. Perhaps even Convention one year.

Here are a few photos:

L-R: Me!, Leena Girsa (my upline), Laura Bart & Rob Krete

Posing with Shelli Gardner!!
Our team member Laura Bart made our aprons - Shelli loved 'em.

Having a chat with Shelli. She is so down-to-earth and a wonderful woman.
So inspiring to chat with her, even though for only a short while.

As with every SU! event, there is swapping. Swapping is such a great thing to partake in because you get so many great ideas and meet lots of new people. I prepared two different swaps. One was a wedding swap and the other was a fall thank you. I gave you a sneak peek last weekend, but check back tomorrow for the full details on them.

Until next time, stay craft!
Steph

I'm Still Here!

 
How true is that saying?! Art definitely brings a smile to my face and makes me all warm inside. But lately I've been feeling pretty "eh" because "art" has been lacking in my life. I've been suffering a sinus infection and on top of all the nastiness with that, I've had a perma-headache for the last week. So I'm sure you can understand why I haven't been around much.

I know it's been a few days since my last post and the last couple of posts have been "short & sweet"... but I just wanted to mention that I'm still here and hope to be back in the swing of things very shortly.

I've gotta rest up for the Regionals on Saturday though, so I'll still take it easy for the next couple of days. Hope you are doing well and have plenty of "art" in your life right now.

Thanks for sticking with me and continuing to read my Blog. Your support is very much appreciated!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

A Sneak Peek

I'm very excited to be attending Regionals next weekend and at every SU! event, there's the option to Swap. Swapping is tons of fun. Sometimes it's an organized Swap (specific theme or product) and sometimes, as in this event, it's open to your imagination.

This weekend I've escaped up north for a little R&R and brought with me, the materials I need to put my Swaps together. I decided to do two different ones. Don't get too excited though, this is just a teaser. You'll have to tune in next weekend to see the full card fronts I designed!

I will tell you though that one is a bridal/wedding design and the other is a fall design. That's all the info you're getting, for now. :) Evil, I know. If you're reading this as a Demo and are attending the Hamilton Regionals next Saturday, I hope to be able to meet you in person.

Don't forget to come back next weekend to check out the full details of my Swap cards!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Falling Leaves

There were several things that got me thinking about making a fall card for today's post. For one, the  Holiday Catty has many new items in it. Then there was a fall card we made at a recent techniques class. Add on top of that the gloomy, colder weather we've had the last couple of days (that I don't mind so much), and I guess this all inspired me to make a fall card.

Paper: Comfort Cafe DSP, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Cajun Craze
Ink: Soft Suede
Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes
Tools: Big Shot, Autumn Accents Bigz Die, Woodgrain TIEF

This was a pretty simple card to put together. I started with some scraps I had left over from another project - the Comfort Cafe DSP rectangles. I created a "window" with them. Next, I cut the oak leaf from Cajun Craze with the new Autumn Accents Bigz Die and ran it through with the Woodgrain Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.

To finish off, I used some strips of scraps and curled them around a pencil and glued them to the leaf. I added my sentiment and the card was done! Now I've got a beautiful Thanksgiving card to give to someone... two months from now! :)

What do you think?

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Did You Hear?

SU! retired fabric is on sale... for only $1.19!! While I admit (sadly) that I don't know how to sew, I can say that it works great for papercrafting too! Did you know you can use our fabric for card making and scrapbooking? Here's a quick card I whipped up with some of the retiring fabric:

Paper: Cherry Cobbler Core'dinations, Pool Party
Ink: Riding Hood Red
Stamps: Tiny Tags
Tools: Big Shot, Vintage Wallpaper TIEF, Sand Blocks, Window Frame Framelits
Accessories: Candy Cane Christmas Fabric

All I did to get this look is rip strips of fabric (I like the frayed edge) and adhere them to my card base. The trick when using fabric to paper is to use our Big Shot Adhesive Sheets. These are great because you can cut them to any size you want and despite the name, they are not just for use in the Big Shot!

For my focal image, I cut a piece of Cherry Cobbler Core'dinations Card Stock with the second smallest Framelit from the Window Frames Collection. I sanded it a bit and then mounted it on a piece of fabric I cut that was the next size up.

I tied a strip of fabric in a knot and adhered it with a glue dot to some tiny tags I punched out with the Little Labels Punch Pack.

The fabric is a great deal and it's only while supplies last! Check out the fabric on sale below and contact me today to place your order.

What do you think?

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Colour Coach

The Colour Coach is a great tool and that's how I got my colour combo for today's card. I'll be honest with you that Pretty in Pink is not a colour I use often... but I have TONS of card stock in this colour, so I'm trying to use it more and more.

Since I don't use the colour often, I needed some colour inspiration, so I referred to the trusted Colour Coach and viola! Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery and Marina Mist.

Paper: Pretty in Pink, Whisper White
Ink: Marina Mist, Certainly Celery
Stamps: Tea Shoppe
Tools: Big Shot, Framed Tulips TIEF, Modern Label Punch, Simply Scored
Accessories: Certainly Celery Grosgrain Ribbon (retired)

I started with a Pretty in Pink card stock base and embossed it with the Framed Tulips Textured Impressions Embossing Folder. I actually used the longest side of the folder and ran it through the big shot three times to get the border at the bottom of the card. The trick is to only run it through until you hit the folder and not all the way through. If you continue to run the card through the Big Shot with each additional border you add, you'd flatten your design. I love finding new ways to use SU! products! At the top of the Whisper White panel, I scored three lines using my Simply Scored, but it's hard to see that in the picture.

After stamping and cutting out the tea cup from Tea Shoppe, I added some Certainly Celery ribbon (retired) behind it for some added texture. The tea cup was then popped up with Dimensionals. I also randomly stamped the flower from the same set and then punched out my stamped sentiment with my Modern Label Punch.

What do you think?

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

For Royalty

Today's card uses colours from the Stampin' Royalty Colour Challenge this week. Here's the colour combo:

I think this colour combo would be great for Christmas (and I can't wait to try that out!), but I wasn't feeling Christmas today, so here's what I came up with:

Paper: Raspberry Ripple, Summer Starfruit, Gumball Green, Patio Party DSP
Ink: Gumball Green
Stamps: Circle Cirus
Tools: Simply Scored & Diagonal Plate, 1-1/4 Scallop Circle Punch, 1-3/8 Circle Punch
Accessories: Jewels

I started by scoring a faux quilted look using my Simply Scored with Diagonal Plate. I added a small border with a piece of DSP from the Patio Party pack and a small accent of Gumball Green card stock.

I stamped one of the stamps from Circle Circus in Gumball Green and punched it out using the 1-3/8" Circle Punch, mounting that on 1-1/4" scallop circles punched from Summer Starfruit. I popped the middle one with Dimensionals.

To finish things off, I thought the card could use a little bling. So, at every cross in my faux quilting, I added a tiny jewel.

I chose not to add a sentiment to this card so that it can be used for any occasion... or, I could always add one at a later date if I needed to.

What do you think?

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Summer Days

The summer's going by pretty fast and lately, my days have been super busy! I don't know where the time goes. But I did manage to get some stamping time in yesterday... but maybe that was only because I woke up at 3:30 a.m.?!

Today I have a few note cards I made using Happy Hour. This is such a great set and it was my first time inking it up. I know what I'm going to be using these cards for later on, but thought I'd share them with you know.

Paper: Berry Blossoms DSP (retired), Whisper White
Ink: Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade, Wisteria Wonder, Early Espresso
Stamps: Happy Hour
Tools: Big Shot, Window Frames Framelits

These were pretty quick and easy to put together. I know the Berry Blossoms DSP is retired, but it just works so well with the "fruity" drink I chose to feature on the cards. Doesn't a drink like this remind you of summer, warmth, relaxation?! Oh how I'd love to be on a beach somewhere sipping one of these...

I did some paper piecing with this project. I first stamped the drink in Early Espresso. After stamping the straw and mini umbrella, I pieced the liquid from the drink over top (cutting it out by hand from a scrap piece of paper). This not only gives the effect that the straw and umbrella are sitting in the drink, but also adds more colour. You could also get this effect using your coloured Stampin' Write Markers, but then you'd have to do some masking in order for the drink accessories to fade into the liquid.

What do you think?

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Thanks a Bunch

I have a simple card for you today that uses many new products - both from the main catty and the new Holiday Catalogue that went live August 1st. If you haven't received your copy of the Holiday catty yet, please contact me for a FREE one.

Paper: More Mustard, Lovely Flowers DSP (retired)
Ink: Old Olive, Perfect Plum
Stamps: Friendship Preserves
Tools: Big Shot, Preserves Framelits, Chevron TIEF, Paper Piercing Template, Piercer, Mat

Like I said, this is a simple card, but I think there's a lot of punch because of the Chevron Textured Impression Embossing Folder and the layered stamped image with paper piercing.

After embossing my More Mustard card base and adding the strip of Lovely Flowers (retired) DSP, I stamped a stamp from the Friendship Preserves set twice, once in Old Olive and then again in Perfect Plum. I cut the "thanks a bunch" out from the image and popped it up with Dimensionals on top of the Old Olive piece that I cut using the coordinating Framelits. I love coordinating Framelits!! Before popping the entire thing up again on my card base, I used one of the new Paper Piercing Templates from the Holiday Catalogue and pierced around the top half of the image.

What do you think?

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph